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Israel began a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said, as per The Times of Israel. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. As per the Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command clarified that the sirens that wailed across Israel a few minutes ago were intended to convey to Israelis that the country is entering "a new situation," the Home Front Command's Tzvika Tessler clarified. There has been no attack launched at Israel at this time, he says. Tessler said that, in the coming few hours, Israel could experience "a significant attack from the east." These could be "heavy missiles" that could reach anywhere in the country. "We will give far-reaching warnings," he said. The IDF confirmed that it launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program, as per the Times of Israel. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it says. The operation is dubbed "Nation of Lions." The IDF said that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this "imminent threat." Sirens that sounded across Israel a short while ago were a preemptive warning issued by the IDF, ahead of a possible reaction by Iran. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of Defence said it detected 15 sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven Chinese vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Friday. Of the 15 aircraft, nine entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone). In a post on X, the MND said, "15 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 9 out of 15 sorties entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1933328470869778529 On Thursday, the MND said it detected 10 sorties of Chinese aircraft and seven Chinese vessels. In a post on X, the MND said, "10 sorties of PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 10 sorties entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1932966081146278107 US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated on Tuesday that China poses a more aggressive threat to the US and that repelling Beijing is the Pentagon's top regional priority, despite its rapid military development and invasion manoeuvres near Taiwan, according to a Taipei Times report. "Our pacing threat is communist China," Hegseth told the US House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence during an oversight meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine. "Beijing is preparing for war in the Indo-Pacific as part of its broader strategy to dominate that region and then the world," Hegseth said, adding that if it succeeds, it may impede US reindustrialization and choke its economy, according to the Taipei Times. Hegseth believes US President Donald Trump's "peace through strength" strategy is the appropriate response, and that the stagnating US defence industrial base must be revitalised. "China is undertaking a historic military buildup and actively rehearsing for an invasion of Taiwan," he said, adding that only having the world's most powerful and lethal military--focused on protecting key US interests--can effectively deter adversaries and win a potential conflict, according to the Taipei Times report. (ANI)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the Air India crash on Thursday. Starmer said that the images and news of the incident are devastating. "Well, the images and news from India is absolutely devastating. And I speak for the entire country, saying our thoughts are with each and every one of those involved. There will be British and Indian families across the land who are absolutely impacted by this. Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with them," he said. Starmer said that the UK has dispatched an investigative team to probe the accident. "Obviously, the investigation is going on. We've dispatched an investigation team that's been deployed. The Foreign Secretary is leading on this. And we'll obviously update as soon as we can," he said. He added that the UK is working with Indian government to establish facts. "But we're working with the Indian authorities on this to establish the facts. I would say to all families, friends of anybody affected, to please contact the Foreign Office for further information," he said. https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1933213493966074069 Meanwhile, the UK Royal family extended condolences to the families of the victims involved in the London-bound Air India flight that crashed in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday. Condolences poured in from all quarters of UK over the tragic airplane accident which took place in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Thursday. The UK Royal family offered condolences on the tragic accident. In a message, King Charles said, "My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time". https://x.com/RoyalFamily/status/1933137934699430271 The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon. (ANI)
Israel has launched a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran the spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Force has said. The spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said on Friday the strikes aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. https://x.com/IDF/status/1933328551333216407 "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe," he said. He said the airstrikes were aimed at protecting Israel's right to exist and for their future. "We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate in order to protect its people and will continue to do so," he said. Defrin said that Israel is prepared in both- offensive as well as defensive way to defend itself. "The IDF conducted significant preparations for this operation. We are well prepared both in defence and offense to defend ourselves. The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel," he said. Meanwhile, as per The Times of Israel, blasts were heard in Natanz city in Iran's central province of Isfahan, where a key nuclear site is located, Iranian state TV reported. "Loud explosions were heard in Natanz," which hosts one of the main uranium enrichment facilities, Times of Israel quoted state TV reports. Iran has two underground nuclear sites, at Fordo and Natanz, and has been building tunnels in the mountains near Natanz since suspected Israeli sabotage attacks targeted that facility. A complex at the heart of Iran's enrichment program on a plain abutting mountains outside the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Natanz houses facilities including two enrichment plants: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), as per The Times of Israel. (ANI)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said that the strikes undertaken by Iran were "unilateral" and that US' priority is now to protect the American forces in the region. Rubio said that Israel said that the strikes were done in the spirit of self-defence. He said that Iran must not harm US interests or personnel. In a statement, Rubio said, "Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel." https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1933329943003623446 Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said that the US remained committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran issue. In a post on Truth Social, he said, "We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1933275097357312051 The Department of State advised US citizens to exercise caution and monitor local news. In a post on X, the department of state said, "Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly. We remind U.S. citizens in Israel and the broader region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments." https://x.com/StateDept/status/1933254918380630417 Meanwhile, in the strikes launched by Israel on Iran, as reported by The Times of Israel, Israel believes the chief of Iran's military, Mohammad Bagheri, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the IDF's opening strikes on Iran, a defense official says. The likelihood of their deaths are "increasing," the official says. The Israeli military expects its operation against Iran's nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities to last for several days, as per The Times of Israel. The IDF is preparing for heavy fire from Iran in response to its airstrikes tonight. "At the end of the operation, there will be no nuclear threat" from Iran, military officials say. "We are in the window of strategic opportunities. We have reached the point of no return, and there is no choice but to act now," IDF officials say. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." He cited growing threats from Iran's missile development as a catalyst for action. "Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine, imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." Netanyahu said Iran's "new plan to destroy Israel" involved surrounding the country with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7th incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others." He stated that Israel's actions extended beyond its borders. "We defend our Arab neighbours. They too have suffered from Iran's campaign of chaos and carnage. Our actions against Iran's proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon and the collapse of Assad's murderous regime in Syria. The peoples of those two countries now have a chance for a different future, a better future." Reaching out to Iranians, he said, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again." Netanyahu further warned of Iran's broader global threat. "We will not let the world's most dangerous regime get the world's most dangerous weapons. And Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies. That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real. The increasing range of Iran's ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe and eventually to America." He reminded the global community of Iran's hostile rhetoric. "Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the great Satan. And this is why for decades, it's led millions in the chants of Death to Israel and Death to America. Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and with a call of our own. Long live Israel and long live America. Our action will help make the world a much safer place." Thanking US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme. Today, it is clear that Iran is just buying for time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act. And act now." He then invoked history to defend Israel's decision. "The hardest decision any leader has to make is to thwart a danger before it is fully materialised. Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time. They were paralysed by the horrors of World War I. They were determined to avoid war at all costs. And they got the worst war ever. They adopted a policy of appeasement. They closed their eyes and ears to all the warning signs." "That failure to act resulted in World War II, the deadliest war in history. It claimed the lives of 60 million, including 6 million Jews, a third of my people. After that war, the Jewish people and the Jewish state vowed, never again. Well, never again is now." He defended Israel's military actions as a lesson from history. "Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them. As the Bible teaches us, when someone comes to kill you, rise and act first. This is exactly what Israel has done today." With a call for resolve, he said, "Be strong and courageous," and expressed confidence in Israel's unity. "Today, our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves against those who seek our destruction. And by defending ourselves, we defend many others and we roll back a murderous tyranny." "Generations from now, history will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time, and secured our common future. May God bless Israel. May God bless the forces of civilisation everywhere." (ANI)
The Embassy of India in Iran on Friday issued an advisory for Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin residing in the country amid the current situation. In a post on social media platform X, the Embassy stated, "In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy's Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities," reads the advisory. https://x.com/India_in_Iran/status/1933344587919028434 The advisory comes as Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, as reported by The Times of Israel. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. As per the Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command clarified that the sirens that wailed across Israel a few minutes ago were intended to convey to Israelis that the country is entering "a new situation," the Home Front Command's Tzvika Tessler clarified. There has been no attack launched at Israel at this time, he says. Tessler said that, in the coming few hours, Israel could experience "a significant attack from the east." These could be "heavy missiles" that could reach anywhere in the country. "We will give far-reaching warnings," he said. The IDF confirmed that it launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program, as per the Times of Israel. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it says. The operation is dubbed "Nation of Lions." The IDF said that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this "imminent threat." Sirens that sounded across Israel a short while ago were a preemptive warning issued by the IDF, ahead of a possible reaction by Iran. (ANI)
The Embassy of India in Israel on Friday issued an advisory for Indian nationals amid heightened regional tensions. In a post on social media platform X, the official handle @indemtel stated, "In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and home front command (https://oref.org.il/eng). Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters." https://x.com/indemtel/status/1933340357800178175 The advisory was issued as tensions escalated sharply following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike and declared a nationwide emergency in light of the unfolding developments. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. As per the Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command clarified that the sirens that wailed across Israel were intended to convey to Israelis that the country is entering "a new situation," the Home Front Command's Tzvika Tessler clarified. There has been no attack launched at Israel at this time, he says. Tessler said that, in the coming few hours, Israel could experience "a significant attack from the east." These could be "heavy missiles" that could reach anywhere in the country. "We will give far-reaching warnings," he said. The IDF confirmed that it launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program, as per the Times of Israel. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it says. The operation is dubbed "Nation of Lions." The IDF said that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this "imminent threat." Sirens that sounded across Israel a short while ago were a preemptive warning issued by the IDF, ahead of a possible reaction by Iran. (ANI)
Air India on Friday announced that several of its international flights were either diverted or sent back to their origin due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace. In a post on social media platform X, the airline stated, "Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin: AI130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai has been diverted to Vienna AI102 from New York to Delhi diverted to Sharjah AI116 from New York to Mumbai diverted to Jeddah AI2018 from London Heathrow to Delhi diverted to Mumbai AI129 from Mumbai to London Heathrow, returning to Mumbai AI119 from Mumbai to New York, returning to Mumbai AI103 from Delhi to Washington, returning to Delhi AI106 from Newark to Delhi diverting to Vienna AI188 from Vancouver to Delhi diverting to Jeddah AI101 from Delhi to New York, diverting to Frankfurt/Milan AI126 from Chicago to Delhi diverting to Jeddah AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru diverted to Sharjah AI2016 from London Heathrow to Delhi diverted to Vienna AI104 from Washington to Delhi diverted to Vienna AI190 from Toronto to Delhi diverted to Frankfurt AI189 from Delhi to Toronto, returning to Delhi." Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to its passengers and assured that every effort was being made to minimise the disruption. "We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations." The airline also advised passengers to check their flight status before travelling, as tensions escalated sharply following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike and declared a nationwide emergency in light of the unfolding developments. Katz warned that "a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future" and said he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." He urged people to "obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," as reported by The Times of Israel. As sirens wailed across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet while the IDF confirmed launching an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program. The Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets across Iran linked to the nuclear programme and other military facilities in an operation dubbed "Nation of Lions." The IDF emphasised the urgency of the strike, stating that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, making it necessary to act against this "imminent threat." The recent sirens that sounded across Israel served as a preemptive warning issued by the IDF ahead of a possible reaction from Iran. (ANI)
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced a "very successful opening strike" carried out by Israeli forces, expressing confidence in further achievements with divine support. He stated, "After a very successful opening strike, we hit the senior command, we hit the select scientists who are advancing the development of atomic bombs, we hit the nuclear facilities. We are making great achievements, but I also know, and you know, there are no free wars. Therefore, I ask you again to listen carefully to the orders of the senior command, and it is very likely that you will be required to spend a long time, much longer than we have been used to so far, in the protected areas." Netanyahu urged the public to remain vigilant, saying, "Of course, you will patrol, and I am sure you will do so, in uniforms, suits, clothes and so on, but the most important thing is to patrol with a clear mind, with faith in the righteousness of our path, in the security of our victory." The Israeli Prime Minister announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." He accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme despite global warnings, noting that Tehran has stockpiles of enriched uranium capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he said, warning that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the situation to the prelude to World War II and referenced the Holocaust, stating, "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime." Reaffirming Israel's red lines, he said, "Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He detailed the targets of the strike, saying, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." Netanyahu highlighted the growing threat posed by Iran's ballistic missiles, recalling that last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. "Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine, imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." He accused Iran of surrounding Israel with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7 incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others." Netanyahu said Israel's actions extended beyond its borders. "We defend our Arab neighbours. They too have suffered from Iran's campaign of chaos and carnage. Our actions against Iran's proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon and the collapse of Assad's murderous regime in Syria. The peoples of those two countries now have a chance for a different future, a better future." Addressing the Iranian people, he said, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again." Netanyahu warned of Iran's broader global threat, saying, "We will not let the world's most dangerous regime get the world's most dangerous weapons. And Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies. That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real. The increasing range of Iran's ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe and eventually to America." He reminded the world of Iran's hostile rhetoric, saying, "Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the great Satan. And this is why for decades, it's led millions in the chants of Death to Israel and Death to America. Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and with a call of our own. Long live Israel and long live America. Our action will help make the world a much safer place." Thanking US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme. Today, it is clear that Iran is just buying for time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act. And act now." He reflected on the difficult decision to act preemptively, saying, "The hardest decision any leader has to make is to thwart a danger before it is fully materialised. Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time. They were paralysed by the horrors of World War I. They were determined to avoid war at all costs. And they got the worst war ever. They adopted a policy of appeasement. They closed their eyes and ears to all the warning signs." "That failure to act resulted in World War II, the deadliest war in history. It claimed the lives of 60 million, including 6 million Jews, a third of my people. After that war, the Jewish people and the Jewish state vowed, never again. Well, never again is now." Defending Israel's military actions, he said, "Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them. As the Bible teaches us, when someone comes to kill you, rise and act first. This is exactly what Israel has done today." He called for national unity and strength, saying, "Be strong and courageous," and expressed confidence in Israel's resolve. "Today, our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves against those who seek our destruction. And by defending ourselves, we defend many others and we roll back a murderous tyranny." "Generations from now, history will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time, and secured our common future. May God bless Israel. May God bless the forces of civilisation everywhere." (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi on June 12, during the latter's two-day visit to India from June 12-13, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. According to the MEA, the two sides reviewed developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, 2025, and agreed to continue efforts to stabilise and rebuild ties with a focus on people-centric engagements. Foreign Secretary Misri appreciated the Chinese side's cooperation in facilitating the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He also referred to the discussions during the April 2025 meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on transboundary rivers and expressed hope for progress on the resumption of hydrological data sharing and other areas of cooperation. The two sides agreed to expedite the steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries. The Foreign Secretary also hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The MEA further noted that both sides agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and promote exchanges between media and think tanks. They also positively assessed the activities planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same, the MEA said. In this context of strengthening bilateral ties, India on Thursday said it is in touch with the Chinese side, seeking predictability in the supply of rare earth metals, which had been put under the export controls regime by the Xi administration. "We are in touch with the Chinese side, both here in Delhi as well as in Beijing to bring predictability in the supply chain for trade, consistent with international practices," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in the weekly briefing. The MEA spokesperson was asked about India's engagement with China on rare earth, given that it is to an extent impacting the auto industry, among others in India. "We have been in touch with the Chinese side. The Chinese ministry of commerce and general administration of customs in early April...had announced a decision to implement export controls on certain rare earth related items," the MEA spokesperson said. Amidst this key supply chain issue, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed that the US reached a "deal" with China following intense trade negotiations. As part of the deal, the US, according to Trump, will get rare earth supplies from China. (ANI)
India on Friday expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Iran and Israel and called for restraint from both sides, according to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel," the MEA said. The ministry added, "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites." India urged both countries to avoid escalation and instead use established diplomatic channels. "India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support," the statement noted. "Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories," the MEA added. The statement comes as Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, The Times of Israel reported. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. As per the Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command clarified that the sirens that wailed across Israel were intended to convey to Israelis that the country is entering "a new situation," the Home Front Command's Tzvika Tessler clarified. There has been no attack launched at Israel at this time, he said. Tessler said that, in the coming few hours, Israel could experience "a significant attack from the east." These could be "heavy missiles" that could reach anywhere in the country. "We will give far-reaching warnings," he said. The IDF confirmed that it launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program, as per the Times of Israel. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it said. The operation is dubbed "Nation of Lions." The IDF said that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this "imminent threat." Sirens that sounded across Israel a short while ago were a preemptive warning issued by the IDF, ahead of a possible reaction by Iran. (ANI)
Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, is set to meet BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London to discuss the political crisis ahead of the national election likely to be held in early April next year. BNP and interim government officials say all preparations have been completed to start the two-hour meeting at a local hotel at 9 a.m. London local time. The meeting comes amid an ongoing cold war between the BNP and the interim government over the election schedule. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced that the national election will be held in the first half of April next year. But BNP demanded it must be held by December this year. Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman also expressed his opinion to hold the election by December. Yunus argues that his government wants to bring about some institutional reforms in Bangladesh before the elections. In addition, it also needs time to prosecute Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Hasina. BNP, however, says that if the elections are held in April, the candidates will not have the opportunity to campaign because the holy month of Ramadan will begin in mid-February in Bangladesh, which has a Muslim-majority population of 170 million. Many are considering the London meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman as a game changer for Bangladeshi politics. Right now, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's BNP is the largest political party in Bangladesh, as Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is banned from running. Tarique Rahman, the son of Khaleda Zia, seems set to return soon to Bangladesh after 16 years in exile in London. Muhammad Yunus is now in London on a four-day official visit. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to meet Yunus after Awami League concerns. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in August last year. She is now living in India in self-imposed exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate. (ANI)
As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to attend the G7 Summit in Canada, the visit is being viewed by many as a potential turning point in the strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada. Sukhi Chahal, Founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today based in California, believes that this visit could pave the way for a renewed partnership that benefits not just both countries but also the Indian diaspora in Canada. "This is a very important step," said Chahal in a wide-ranging conversation, noting that the visit is significant not only at the diplomatic level but also for the Indian-origin communities settled in Canada. "Prime Minister Modi is not going to the G7 for the first time. But this time, the stakes are different--this visit sends a strong message of reconciliation and cooperation," he added. India-Canada ties have been strained in recent years, largely due to differences over the Khalistan issue and the alleged soft approach by Canadian leaders towards separatist elements. However, Chahal remains optimistic. "I think it's a great opportunity to bridge the communication gap that has persisted for a long time," said Chahal. "Conversations between Prime Minister Modi and his Canadian counterpart will signal maturity and statesmanship. In the long term, this will benefit not just the governments but also the Indian diaspora living in Canada," he added. Asked about protests by sections of the Sikh community in Canada against PM Modi's visit, Chahal was unequivocal. "Look, some people are running a shop. To run that shop, they need issues. Whether Modi ji is the Prime Minister or not, their agenda won't change," he said, referring to fringe Khalistani elements. Chahal strongly condemned the so-called Khalistani activists accusing them of misrepresenting the Sikh community. "These fringe elements have hijacked the entire Sikh narrative abroad. They claim to represent the community, but they don't even have enough people for a sizable protest without bussing them in from New York or California," he said. According to Chahal, events like the annual Baisakhi celebration in Surrey see hundreds of thousands from the Punjabi diaspora participate peacefully. "But these protestors can't even gather a thousand people. This shows they don't speak for the community," he emphasized. Chahal also expressed concern over the Pakistani flags being waved at some of these protests. "After Operation Sindoor, some of these people have become more open in showing where their loyalties lie. They openly support Pakistani ideology. That's alarming," he stated. Chahal warned that supporting such ideologies harms the very community these elements claim to represent. "The Sikh community has a proud history of defending the nation. How can someone from Amritsar Sahib support actions that are against India's interests?" he asked. He also referenced Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's appearances on Pakistani media, accusing him of calling for Indian army personnel to defect and even offering monetary rewards for spying. "This is beyond free speech. This is incitement and endangers national security," said Chahal. Turning to a more pressing domestic issue within Canada, Chahal raised concerns over rising drug trafficking cases involving Punjabi youth. "This is a very serious issue," he said, pointing to recent reports from Peel Regional Police in Ontario, where out of nine people arrested in a $50 million drug bust, six were of Punjabi origin. He expressed disappointment that the proud legacy of early Sikh settlers in North America is being overshadowed by criminal activities. "We came here more than 100 years ago. Punjabis were part of the Ghadar movement. The first Indian-American Congressman was Dalip Singh Saund. And now our names are coming up in drug cases? It's shameful," he said. Chahal linked some of this to transnational operations with links to the Mexican mafia and the global fentanyl crisis. "Fentanyl is now coming from China via India and entering Canada through Vancouver. The FBI is already investigating. This is a dangerous trend," he warned. He also questioned why so-called Sikh leaders or Khalistani activists do not speak out against drug traffickers. "They hold press conferences to criticise Modi ji, but not a word against criminals harming our youth. That shows their real agenda," he said. Despite the challenges, Chahal remains hopeful about a turnaround in India-Canada relations. "Both countries stand to benefit immensely--from energy security to AI to rare earth minerals," he noted. He pointed out that Mark Carney, a likely future leader of Canada and a seasoned economist educated at Harvard and Oxford, appears to be steering the relationship in a pragmatic direction. "Carney understands economics and diplomacy. His invitation to PM Modi is a visionary step," Chahal said. He acknowledged past issues, including alleged political pandering to radical elements, but believes the tide is turning. "Some Canadian politicians were hijacked by these radicals. But now, there's a realisation that spoiling relations with India was a costly mistake," he said. Chahal also raised a sensitive issue regarding visa restrictions for Canadian officials and citizens, particularly of Indian origin. "Some Canadians with government backgrounds are facing difficulty getting Indian visas, especially for Punjab," he claimed. He cautioned that many of these individuals travel to Pakistan and could be vulnerable to manipulation by hostile agencies. "I urge the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi to address this. The earlier Canadian government made mistakes, but the new leadership under Carney deserves a chance," he said. Chahal urged all stakeholders to think beyond the noise and protest. "The invitation extended to PM Modi, and his acceptance, shows that both countries are now thinking about long-term benefits. This is not just about politics -- this is about economic growth, peace, and community welfare," he said. He added a final message for the fringe elements disrupting India-Canada ties: "These people are neither Canadian nor American in spirit. Their only interest is chaos. And they are damaging the very community they claim to represent." As PM Modi prepares to attend the G7 Summit in Canada, the expectations are high. Voices like Sukhi Chahal's reflect a growing sentiment among the diaspora and global observers: that this could be the moment when the car finally gets back on track--and both nations drive forward together. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he is in touch with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand regarding the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Further, Jaishankar offered profound condolences to the families and offered full support in this hour of grief. https://x.com/drsjaishankar/status/1933411441115050409?s=46&t=TbrKHKgG29uXA1CMFN38Pw "In touch with FS @DavidLammy of the UK, FM @PauloRangel_pt of Portugal and FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash. Expressed our profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief," Jaishankar wrote on X. The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with 242 passengers crashed in Meghaninagar area at 1:39 pm (IST) shortly after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. 241 people were killed in the crash. As per Air India, the passengers comprised 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals. World leaders also poured their condolences over the incident, including UK PM Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro and the Canadian PM Mark Carney. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. He also visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation. After the incident, PM Modi also spoke to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah and took stock of the crash incident. The Civil Aviation Minister informed the Prime Minister that he is rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground, said the Civil Aviation Ministry. The Prime Minister has directed the Minister to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation, they said. "On 12th Jun, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew," said a senior DGCA official. The aircraft was under the command of Capt Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar. Capt Sumeet Sabharwal is an LTC with 8200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1100 hours of flying experience, the official further added. As per ATC, the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a mayday Call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen emanating from the accident site, said the official. (ANI)
Acting Chief of US Naval Operations James Kilby stated that the US Navy periodically holds global war exercises to create deterrence tactics against a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The goal, he said is to make the island "a very difficult target to take," according to a Focus Taiwan report. Kilby told the House Armed Services Committee during his testimony on Wednesday that the Navy has conducted significant research on the subject, including regular simulations at the Naval War College. Kilby stated that the Navy is currently concentrating on five main areas: terminal ship defence; contested logistics; non-traditional maritime denial tactics; long-range strike capabilities; and countering China's C5ISRT (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting), as reported by the Focus Taiwan. In order to speed up deployment, Kilby said he recently met with Pacific Fleet Commander Stephen Koehler and Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in San Diego. The Navy is actively investing in and testing innovative technology in these areas. Kilby said that he would rather utilize drones on the island than a US$13 billion aircraft carrier when asked which would be more beneficial for Taiwan's military, according to Focus Taiwan. "It's a hard question to answer without qualifying questions, but if I could put those drones on Taiwan, I'd put them on Taiwan," he stated. Additionally, during the session, Rep. Don Bacon pressed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to expedite arms delivery to Taiwan, pointing to the pressing need for defence systems, including sea mines, according to Focus Taiwan. Hegseth emphasized that the Pentagon is now actively addressing the issue rather than merely reviewing it. According to Focus Taiwan, he admitted that although prior administrations had promised to reorient their attention to the Indo-Pacific, "the department had not put in place" those adjustments. The Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fuelled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. (ANI)
A day before Israel launched strikes on Iran on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed a note at the Western Wall with the verse, "A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up." Netanyahu shared a picture of the note on the wall, known as the Wailing Wall or Kotel, on his social media platform X, a sacred Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem. Early this morning, Israel launched what it called a "pre-emptive operation" on Iran targeting the latter's nuclear program. In a video statement Netanyahu announced ta "very successful opening strike" carried out by Israeli forces. He said Israel through its large-scale military operation that he named 'Rising Lion' targeted "Iran's main enrichment facility" and "Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb." "We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," Netanyahu said. The military operation, Netanyahu said, is aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in the video statement that was posted on X, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli PM accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme despite global warnings, noting that Tehran has stockpiles of enriched uranium capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he said, warning that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the situation to the prelude to World War II and referenced the Holocaust, stating, "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime." Reaffirming Israel's red lines, he said, "Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He detailed the targets of the strike, saying, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." Netanyahu highlighted the growing threat posed by Iran's ballistic missiles, recalling that last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. "Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine, imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." He accused Iran of surrounding Israel with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7 incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others." Netanyahu said Israel's actions extended beyond its borders. "We defend our Arab neighbours. They too have suffered from Iran's campaign of chaos and carnage. Our actions against Iran's proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon and the collapse of Assad's murderous regime in Syria. The peoples of those two countries now have a chance for a different future, a better future." Addressing the Iranian people, he said, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again." Netanyahu warned of Iran's broader global threat, saying, "We will not let the world's most dangerous regime get the world's most dangerous weapons. And Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies. That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real. The increasing range of Iran's ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe and eventually to America." Thanking US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme. Today, it is clear that Iran is just buying for time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act. And act now." He reflected on the difficult decision to act preemptively, saying, "The hardest decision any leader has to make is to thwart a danger before it is fully materialised. Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time. They were paralysed by the horrors of World War I. They were determined to avoid war at all costs. And they got the worst war ever. They adopted a policy of appeasement. They closed their eyes and ears to all the warning signs." "That failure to act resulted in World War II, the deadliest war in history. It claimed the lives of 60 million, including 6 million Jews, a third of my people. After that war, the Jewish people and the Jewish state vowed, never again. Well, never again is now." Defending Israel's military actions, he said, "Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them. As the Bible teaches us, when someone comes to kill you, rise and act first. This is exactly what Israel has done today." He called for national unity and strength, saying, "Be strong and courageous," and expressed confidence in Israel's resolve. "Today, our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves against those who seek our destruction. And by defending ourselves, we defend many others and we roll back a murderous tyranny." "Generations from now, history will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time, and secured our common future. May God bless Israel. May God bless the forces of civilisation everywhere." (ANI)
He was accompanied by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Mongolia Brigadier General Baatar Baljid, Ambassador of India to Mongolia Atul M. Gotsurve, and Director General of Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement Lieutenant General Puspendra Singh.

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/1933423007722090839

He lauded the professionalism of Indian and Mongolian troops, calling the exercise a symbol of growing defence cooperation and shared commitment to regional peace.

Earlier, the Indian Army contingent departed today for the 17th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant. The exercise was conducted in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from May 31 to June 13. Exercise Nomadic Elephant is an annual event conducted alternately in India and Mongolia. The last edition of the exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya, in July 2024.

The Indian contingent, comprising 45 personnel, was represented mainly by troops from a battalion of the Arunachal Scouts. The Mongolian Armed Forces contingent, also comprising similar strength, was represented by 150 Special Forces units.

The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the two forces while employing a joint task force in semi-conventional operations in semi-urban/mountainous terrain under a United Nations mandate.

The scope of this exercise involves Platoon platoon-level Field Training Exercise. During the exercise, Indian and Mongolian troops engaged in various training activities to include endurance training, reflex shooting, room intervention, small team tactics and rock craft training, among others. In addition, to enhance the complexity of the exercise, aspects of Cyber Warfare were also incorporated in this edition of the exercise. Soldiers from both sides also learnt from each other's operational experience.

The exercise underscores the shared commitment of India and Mongolia towards regional security, peace and stability. Exercise Nomadic Elephant reinforces the India-Mongolia relationship as a cornerstone of regional cooperation, fostering strong military ties and promoting cultural understanding.

A testament to the enduring bond of friendship, trust and cultural linkages between India and Mongolia, the exercise sets the stage for meaningful professional engagement, highlighting the unwavering commitment of both nations to broader defence cooperation. (ANI)
The Chinese government's expanding campaign of transnational repression against demonstrators and activists residing abroad has been made public in a new report by the UK-based human rights organisation Article 19. The research, titled "Going Global: China's Transnational Repression of Protesters Worldwide," describes how Beijing routinely uses digital manipulation, intimidation, monitoring, and threats against family members within China to silence dissenting voices outside of its boundaries. The research describes cases from 2011 to 2024 in 12 countries, based on comprehensive desk research and in-depth interviews with 29 exiled activists from Uyghur, Tibetan, Hong Kong, and Chinese dissident communities. These are democracies with legal protections for free speech in Asia, North America, and Europe. Citing Freedom House data that links Chinese state entities to roughly 30% of worldwide transnational repression instances since 2014, the research highlights the scope and extent of Beijing's repression. The results show a trend of intimidation and physical violence, especially during high-profile diplomatic gatherings. At least 35 counter-protest organisations, purportedly affiliated with the Chinese United Front, were given travel and material support before facing pro-democracy protesters from Tibet, Hong Kong, and Uyghur communities during the 2023 APEC conference in San Francisco. Another concerning instance occurred in Manchester in 2022, when a demonstrator from Hong Kong was attacked on the grounds of the Chinese embassy, which prompted a response from the UK government. Activists said that in addition to physical violence, their relatives in China frequently faced surveillance, police visits, and threats as a result of their overseas rallies. According to one Tibetan environmentalist working in India, officials regularly harassed his relatives in China as a result of his advocacy activity. The paper also details how protests have been impeded by the usage of digital platforms. In one instance, Zoom terminated a premium account following a sizable online gathering honouring the crackdown in Tiananmen Square. Several activists also reported experiencing hacks, smear operations, and attempts to delete their social media accounts. According to the report, state security services, Chinese embassies, consulates, and allied student and cultural organisations collaborate to keep an eye on and stifle critics overseas. Because these initiatives are frequently conducted with plausible deniability, it is challenging for host nations to properly respond. The Chinese government has been urged by Article 19 to halt these abuses and revoke the domestic legislation that supports them. Additionally, it has called on host nations to provide law enforcement officers with training on how to identify transnational repression, protect targeted populations, and assist those impacted with mental health. Technology companies were urged to make their platforms more transparent and to put regulations in place to stop activists from abusing them. The report concludes that despite the risks, many exiled activists continue their work undeterred, relying on solidarity networks to counter the fear Beijing seeks to instil. It warns, however, that China's campaign of cross-border repression is expanding and increasingly shaping the global landscape for human rights and freedom of expression. (ANI)
Elon Musk has voiced serious concerns over the long-term safety of the International Space Station (ISS), citing the ageing condition of its components, and called for its de-orbiting within two years despite SpaceX's ongoing involvement. "There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the @Space_Station. Some parts of it are simply getting too old, and that risk grows over time. "Even though @SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts & cargo to the ISS, I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within 2 years," Musk posted on X. Meanwhile, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX to responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay, reflecting growing collaboration between India and leading global space agencies, including Musk's companies. V Narayanan, the Secretary DOS/ Chairman ISRO and Chairman Space Commission, said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities. In a post on X, ISRO stated, "ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities." On June 11, SpaceX announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), citing the need for additional time to repair a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak. "Standing down from tomorrow's Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete - and pending Range availability - we will share a new launch date," the company said in a post on X. Following the announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also confirmed the delay of the Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, and was set to carry the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS. Despite the delay, the Axiom-4 mission remains significant. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India's space collaboration with NASA. According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. (ANI)
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Israel is carrying out Operation Rising Lion independently to defend itself against existential threats, even as coordination with Arab nations has deepened in the wake of the Abraham Accords. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, denied the existence of a formal military coalition but underscored growing regional cooperation to counter threats from Iran and its proxies. "Israel is taking action by itself to defend itself. At the same time, what is happening is that following the Abraham Accords, we have a situation in which we have much higher coordination with countries in the region in monitoring the skies of the Middle East and defending ourselves against threats coming from Iran and its proxies. And that's the reason why we've been able to cope so successfully with the biggest barrage of ballistic missiles fired ever in the history of the world that happened back in April. So the help and the assistance of our partners are important. And this is, yes, you can say it's a coalition. It's not an official coalition. Israel is not fighting together with a coalition at this point. Israel is acting alone to defend itself against an existential threat to it," Ambassador Azar said. Azar also elaborated on Israel's long-standing position regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. "Well, we haven't at any time mentioned that Iran cannot have nuclear power plants for electricity. What we didn't want was for Iran to possess the ability to enrich uranium by itself, because that would be an element in the composition of a nuclear arsenal. You have to understand. You need three components to launch a nuclear attack. You need the missile, which is the vehicle. You need the fissile material, that is the stuff that you need to put in a bomb. And you need a nuclear warhead. So if they have developed the plans, and we have already exposed that with the nuclear information that we have seized. About pairing the warhead with the missile. That since 2003. Iran has been conducting activities to create a nuclear warhead. So if they already have the ballistic missiles and they have the fissile material and they are capable of producing fissile material, then they would have the potential to create a huge nuclear arsenal. And therefore, that fissile material has to be removed from Iran. And the only material that can be used is that which is being imported to create electricity. We haven't said that that's not possible," he said. He emphasised that Israel's military action is limited in scope and entirely defensive. "Well, again, you know, I don't want to speculate. I think that we are taking limited action to defend ourselves. It's completely up to other countries to decide whether they want to get involved. I don't think that any of them have insinuated at this point that they want to be part of this military conflict. So I think I wouldn't go that far," he said. He also underscored that Israel's military response comes after prolonged restraint. "I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with, we have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action. And the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with. And therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint. And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world. And they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So I think that Israel is supported. And people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action," Azar added. Addressing global narratives and perceptions around the strikes, Azar said many countries are responding responsibly and acknowledging Israel's right to self-defence. "Well, I haven't seen, you know, I've seen the responses following what happened tonight. I think that many countries are responding in a very responsible way. Of course, they're in a situation of alarm and concern, but they haven't delegitimised our right to self-defence. I think the fact that we have shared intelligence... both with the IAEA and with other Western powers and other friends. People understand the ferocity and the radicalism coming from Iran, the fact that they have been doing all these activities to destroy us, and haven't seen condemnation so far. We are, of course, in touch with the Indian government as well, and we are coordinating briefs to our colleagues to present them with both the information we have and the action that we've taken," he said. When asked about possible prior consultations with Saudi Arabia before the strikes, the Ambassador responded briefly, "I'm not aware of that." He also outlined Israel's current state of readiness, stating that both the government and the public are on high alert. "We are prepared for any scenario. I think that Iran has the option to stop. Iran might continue. We have prepared ourselves for this continuation. And of course, the entire public in Israel is now in a state of alert. They have been instructed to stay close to shelters. We don't have schools in Israel today. So, yes, we are in a situation of alert. We will continue preparing our population for any retaliation. And we will, of course, keep the freedom of action that is necessary to defend ourselves against the power that wants to destroy us," he said. Referring to a past U.S. proposal, he noted Israel's conditional acceptance of Iran's civilian nuclear use. "If that is the contours of moving forward. Yes," he said, referring to Trump's plan to provide Iran with nuclear fuel for civilian use. Azar also underscored the importance of narrative in modern warfare, noting that Israel would continue to present its position to the international community. "A lot of the military strategies are also about narrative building. The IDF has just put out a video which says that the Iranian regime wants to destroy the state of Israel and is not hiding," he said. (ANI)
Israel on Friday launched pre-emptive strikes on Iran under Operation Rising Lion. The action was taken to negate Iran's attempts at assembling a nuclear weapon. Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar highlighted Iran's "illicit military nuclear program," and accused them of accumulating enriched uranium." In an exclusive Interview with ANI, Azar said, "In the last few months, they have sped up the pace of enriched uranium, and now they have enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs. But what triggered this in the more immediate context is the fact that there was a clandestine group that had been working on actually assembling the nuclear weapon on a ballistic missile. So that would create a situation in which Israel could be attacked by nuclear ballistic missiles, thousands of them." The envoy said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has determined that Iran has breached the safeguards agreement and has been conducting illicit and undeclared nuclear activity. "And we are a state just half the size of Haryana or the size of Mizoram. For us, this is something that we cannot bear. We have also seen that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has determined that Iran has breached the safeguards agreement and has been conducting illicit and undeclared nuclear activity outside of the scope of what they have been agreeing to abide by under the umbrella of the Non-Proliferation Treaty," he said. Azar said that while Israel has no issue with Iran having nuclear power plants for electricity generation, the country cannot be allowed to enrich uranium itself. "Well, we haven't at any time mentioned that Iran cannot have nuclear power plants for electricity. What we didn't want was for Iran to possess the ability to enrich uranium by itself, because that would be an element in the composition of a nuclear arsenal. You have to understand. You need three components to launch a nuclear attack. You need the missile, which is the vehicle. You need the fissile material, that is the stuff that you need to put in a bomb. And you need a nuclear warhead. So if they have developed the plans, and we have already exposed that with the nuclear information that we have seized. About pairing the warhead with the missile. That since 2003. Iran has been conducting activities to create a nuclear warhead. So if they already have the ballistic missiles and they have the fissile material and they are capable of producing fissile material, then they would have the potential to create a huge nuclear arsenal. And therefore, that fissile material has to be removed from Iran. And the only material that can be used is that which is being imported to create electricity. We haven't said that that's not possible," he said. He also underscored that Israel's military response had come after prolonged restraint. "I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with, we have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action. And the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with. And therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint. And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world. And they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So I think that Israel is supported. And people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action," Azar added. Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran's Emergency Command were all eliminated in Israeli strikes across Iran carried out by more than 200 fighter jets. (ANI)
The Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS) named Dolma Gyari the 2025 "Spirit of Freedom Award" recipient in honour of her services to democratic development and Tibetan struggle in exile. According to a report by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Dolma Gyari is currently the Security Minister in the 16th Kashag of the CTA. Her decades-long leadership has made her a lasting symbol of female empowerment, reform, and tenacity within the Tibetan community. In its statement, IFCSS praised Dolma Gyari for her accomplishments and for symbolising the Tibetan exile community's larger democratic goals. According to CTA, the Federation emphasised that the award honours more than 100,000 Tibetans living abroad and shows support for the six million Tibetans living in Tibet who are still subjected to political and religious persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The statement emphasised IFCSS's shared grief and empathy for Tibet's suffering by highlighting the terrible repression that Tibetans have endured, particularly the heartbreaking acts of self-immolation committed by over 150 people in recent years. The CTA report also recognised the advancements made in exile under the direction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, particularly in establishing democratic institutions. The IFCSS said, "Dolma Gyari is a pioneer who sets an example for Tibetans, especially women, even though this road is not smooth and still needs to be explored and developed." The group added that by paying tribute to Gyari, it seeks to advance a shared democratic future in post-CCP China and to build understanding between the Tibetan and Han people, who have both suffered under CCP oppression. According to the CTA report, the statement said, "We hope this award will be a bridge for Han-Tibetan friendship after the CCP collapses." The IFCSS has stated its support for the Dalai Lama's Middle Way Approach, which seeks genuine autonomy for Tibet within the framework of the People's Republic of China. Dolma Gyari, born in 1964 in Kalimpong, India, has had a significant impact on the Tibetan exile community's political and democratic institutions. Her political career began early, as a member of the Tibetan Youth Congress and advisor to the Tibetan Women's Association from 1986 to 1991, according to a CTA report. She graduated from Punjab University and Delhi University's Law School. (ANI)
Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has expressed support for Operation Sindoor, which was launched by Indian Armed Forces on May 9, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying that Israel and India support the right of self-defence of each other. In an exclusive Interview with ANI, Azar stated that Israel and India have been working together to deal with common threats when it comes to building capabilities. He emphasised that India and Israel have a relationship of trust, and it will deepen as the challenges faced by the two nations increase. When asked about he sees Operation Sindoor, he responded, "First of all, as much as we are not part of the conflict between India and Pakistan, India is not a part of the conflict between Iran and Israel. And therefore, it is very natural that we will not be involved directly in conflicts that we are not involved in. On the other hand, I think that we support the right of self-defence of each other, and we've been working together to deal with common threats when it comes to the building of capabilities. So we consider ourselves close friends and allies, strategic partners, and we want to be in a situation where this cooperation continues. I'm sure it will continue because it benefits both countries. This is a relationship of trust. and this will only deepen because the challenges against us are only mounting." In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people and injured several others, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Reuven Azar emphasised that nations are responding responsibly to Israel's action against Iran. He noted that Israel has shared intelligence with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), friends and Western powers and mentioned that they understand the "ferocity and radicalism" coming from Iran. When asked about a perception that Israel is the aggressor following its strikes on Iran, Reuven Azar said, "I haven't seen, I've seen the responses following what happened tonight. I think that many countries are responding in a very responsible way. Of course, they're in a situation of alarm and concern, but they haven't delegitimised our right to self-defence. I think the fact that we have shared intelligence, both with the IAEA and with other Western powers and other friends. People understand the ferocity and the radicalism coming from Iran, the fact that they have been doing all these activities to destroy us, and haven't seen condemnation so far. We are, of course, in touch with the Indian government as well, and we are coordinating briefs to our colleagues to present them with both the information we have and the action that we've taken." Defending Israel's action against Iran, he stated that Israel has been acting very responsibly and has given many chances to Iran to retract from its policy. According to him, Iran intends to take Jerusalem and wants to control the Islamic world. Azar stated, "I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with. We have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action, and the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with, and therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint." "And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world, and they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So, I think that Israel is actually supported, and people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action," he added. He stressed that the international community is facing a challenge in dealing with rogue states and mentioned that the nations need to be more efficient in finding ways of dealing with them. When asked whether Israel understands India's apprehension with IAEA as Pakistan under its watch exchanged nuclear material for ballistic missile technology from North Korea, he responded, "We have a problem with the success or lack of success of the international community in dealing with rogue states. When you want to generate world order and you put forward a series of agreements to create a code of conduct, and then some countries are abusing that, like Iraq, which, you know, cheated and tried to create a nuclear arsenal. Like Syria, under Assad, they cheated and worked to create a nuclear weapon. Like Libya, under Gaddafi, they did that. So, we have a challenge as an international community to deal with rogue states, and we have to be more efficient in finding ways of dealing with that, because if we fail, then we get to situations like we have today." "There have been countries assisting Iran in their nuclear program, the ballistic missile program, not only the country that you mentioned, but also North Korea and others. Israel is acting against an actor that has stated publicly time and again that it wants to annihilate us and has acted, taken action to attack us through their proxies. That is Iran. That's why we are acting against Iran and not against other countries, " he added. Earlier in the day, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel began a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, as per The Times of Israel. He declared an emergency across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Sirens wailed across Israel as the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet, as Israel began the airstrikes. (ANI)
Bangladesh police have arrested five people in connection with the attacks on Rabindra Kachari Bari. Two investigation committees have been formed to investigate the incident, the Bangladesh Cultural Ministry said in a statement on Friday. "Rabindra Kachari Bari, Shahjadpur, Sirajgonj is a protected monument by the Bangladesh government. Every year, thousands of visitors from home and abroad come to visit the place associated with the poet's memory", the statement said. "On June 8, a fight and assault occurred between an employee on duty at Shahjadpur Rabindra Kacharibari and a visitor due to a misunderstanding and argument over a parking ticket", it said. "In the incident, allegations were also made against Habibur Rahman, the custodian of the Archaeology Department, for beating and detaining a visitor named Shahnewwaz", the statement said. "While the investigation into the matter was ongoing, some local people formed a human chain on behalf of the said visitor, Shahnewaz, on June 10, 2025. From where they demanded punishment for the Custodian of the Department of Archaeology, Habibur Rahman and other responsible employees", it added. "The mob, agitated by the human chain, entered the Kachari Bari, mainly to beat up the Kachari Bari employees. At that time, several employees working at the Rabindra Kachari Bari were injured", the statement said. "Two investigation committees have been formed by the district administration and the Department of Archaeology regarding the incident. The investigation committee will submit its investigation report within five days. A case has been filed by the Department of Archaeology, in which the police have already arrested five people", it said. "Efforts are underway to arrest the remaining accused. Currently, security at Kacharibari has been strengthened. As usual, Kachari Bari has been opened for the administration and local people from Friday morning, June 13", the statement said. "No monument associated with Rabindra's memory was destroyed. There is no communal or political motive behind this attack beyond personal conflict. Nothing has happened to disrespect or degrade the poet's honour", the statement said. "It is worth noting that recently, the 164th birth anniversary of the poet was celebrated nationally in Bangladesh on 25th Baishakh with due dignity and pomp in Shilaidaha, Kustia, Shajadpur, Sirajgonj, and Patisar, Naogaon", the statement said. (ANI)
The meeting held in the Russian capital was confirmed through an official statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, as reported by TV BRICS.

The discussions centred on advancing collaboration within key regional and multilateral organisations, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS.

The ministers reiterated their shared support for Belarus' current chairmanship of the EAEU, while Moscow reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating deeper Belarusian integration into BRICS mechanisms.

Speaking after the meeting, Ryzhenkov underscored the comprehensive nature of the talks, noting that all dimensions of bilateral engagement were thoroughly addressed -- from Union State priorities to global diplomatic coordination. "There are no unresolved issues in Russia-Belarus relations," he stated, reflecting the close alignment between the two allies.

Particular emphasis was placed on the effectiveness of intergovernmental mechanisms, such as the High-Level Group of the Council of Ministers and the Working Group overseeing the implementation of the Union State Treaty.

Lavrov noted the consistent progress under the Programme of Coordinated Actions in the Field of Foreign Policy for 2024-2026, which outlines steps for joint diplomatic positioning and mutual backing in international forums.

"We note the steady implementation of the Programme of Coordinated Actions in the Field of Foreign Policy for 2024-2026. It provides for close coordination and mutual support in the international arena," Lavrov said.

He concluded by characterising the dialogue as constructive and result-oriented, reinforcing the enduring strategic partnership between Moscow and Minsk. (ANI)
At least five Baloch males have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security personnel in separate events across Balochistan, according to The Balochistan Post (TBP). On Wednesday night, Pakistani forces allegedly detained two individuals in the seaside town of Ormara: Sagheer Baloch and his friend Iqrar, Jangiyan's son. The TBP report said that both guys are from the same family and that their locations have been unknown since their detention. In another incident on June 4, Pakistani forces allegedly detained Mukhtiar, Ashraf's son, from the Korek village of Jhao, Awaran district. Family relatives stated that they had gotten no information about his current whereabouts. Previously, a local contractor, Bashir Ahmed, the son of Hassan, was reportedly abducted by Pakistani soldiers while travelling from Lasbela to Jhao. Bashir Ahmed lives in Gaazi Hassan Goth in the Jhao district, according to a TBP report. Another man, Raziq, was taken into custody after Pakistani forces and intelligence personnel raided a house in Naag at around 3 am on Thursday. His whereabouts also remain unknown. Meanwhile, a Baloch student studying at the University of Karachi has reportedly been forcibly disappeared for the second time. Family members said Sagheer Ahmed, son of Ghulam Qadir, was detained by Pakistani forces on Wednesday night while travelling from Turbat to Karachi, the TBP report highlighted. According to local human rights activists, the number of enforced disappearances in Balochistan has increased dramatically in 2025. However, many families remain silent out of fear of vengeance. In many cases, they are told not to communicate with the media, and initial reports are frequently delayed, according to the TBP report. Pakistani authorities have routinely denied involvement in enforced disappearances. However, rights organisations and Baloch civil society groups continue to accuse the country's security forces and intelligence services of carrying out systematic abductions, with a focus on students, political workers, and residents of conflict-affected areas, according to the TBP report. (ANI)
In a statement, the GHF wrote: "The last 24 hours in Israel and the Middle East have tested the resolve and challenged emergency food delivery to the Palestinians in Gaza, but the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is prepared.

"Earlier this morning (Friday, May 13), GHF was successful in quickly delivering 35,520 boxes of food aid with approximately 2,051,280 meals into Gaza. The deliveries occurred after the reported attacks on Iran by Israel.

"We had additional trucks ready to unload and deliver, but we were ordered to stand down. We have asked the IDF to facilitate the ongoing delivery of aid as soon as possible. We are ready to serve the Gazan people.

"GHF was the only organisation delivering food into Gaza last night and today. All of our activities have been in direct response to President Trump's call earlier this year to provide aid to Gazans through alternative means."

They added that they still intend to continue with their mission and remain on standby. (ANI/TPS)
Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has warned Iran that they will bear results if they continue their aggression. He stated that Israel has taken precise action to defend itself and Iran will have to deal with the consequences if they decide to escalate. In an interview with ANI, Azar said that the intelligence regarding the imminent warhead pairing of Iran was shared with counterparts in the US and denied involvement of the US in Operation Rising Lion. When asked whether Israel shared intelligence about imminent warhead pairing of Iran with US counterparts, he responded, "yes." Were they involved in the operation in any way, he stated, "no." However, he mentioned that US President Donald Trump was informed about it. When asked whether Trump was told about it, he responded, "yes." On being asked if, with this attack (Operation Rising Lion), now American bases in the region are fair game for Iran, Reuven Azar said, "It's completely up to the Iranians. If they continue their aggression, they will bear the results. At this point in time, Israel has taken precise action to defend itself, and if the Iranians decide to escalate, they will have to deal with the consequences." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. Reuven Azar emphasised that nations are responding responsibly to Israel's action against Iran. He noted that Israel has shared intelligence with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), friends and Western powers and mentioned that they understand the "ferocity and radicalism" coming from Iran. When asked about a perception that Israel is the aggressor following its strikes on Iran, Reuven Azar said, "I haven't seen, I've seen the responses following what happened tonight. I think that many countries are responding in a very responsible way. Of course, they're in a situation of alarm and concern, but they haven't delegitimised our right to self-defence. I think the fact that we have shared intelligence, both with the IAEA and with other Western powers and other friends. People understand the ferocity and the radicalism coming from Iran, the fact that they have been doing all these activities to destroy us, and haven't seen condemnation so far. We are, of course, in touch with the Indian government as well, and we are coordinating briefs to our colleagues to present them with both the information we have and the action that we've taken." Defending Israel's action against Iran, Reuven Azar stated that Israel has been acting very responsibly and has given many chances to Iran to retract from its policy. According to him, Iran intends to take Jerusalem and wants to control the Islamic world. Azar stated, "I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with. We have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action, and the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with, and therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint." "And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world, and they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So, I think that Israel is actually supported, and people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action," he added. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." (ANI)
New Development Bank President Dilma Rousseff, a former Brazilian President, attended a key International Day of Yoga 2025 curtain raiser event in Shanghai on Friday. She expressed her deep sorrow at the tragic crash of the Air India flight in Ahmedabad and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. "Speaking at the #IDY2025 curtain raiser, Dilma Rouseff, President of New Development Bank and former President of Brazil, expressed deep sorrow on the tragic crash of the Air India flight in Ahmedabad, and conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of India. She also expressed her best wishes for the speedy recovery of the sole survivor," Consulate General of India in Shanghai said in a post on X. A London-bound Air India 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday, killing 241 people on board, including crew members. Speaking about the International Day of Yoga, Dilma Rousseff said it has become a symbol of peace and resilience. She said yoga teaches people how to live in balance, and that's why the UN adopted the proposal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognize June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Consul General Pratik Mathur and other officials were among those present. "CG @PratikMathur1 and Team CGI Shanghai were honoured to have H.E. Ms. Dilma Rousseff @dilmabr, President of New Development Bank @NDB_int and former President of Brazil, join the key #IDY2025 curtain raiser event in Shanghai today. In her keynote address to the gathering, President Rousseff said, 'Yoga is one of India's greatest gifts to the world, a practice that transcends geography, language and belief. Rooted in ancient wisdom, yoga teaches us how to live in balance with ourselves, with others and the world. That's why the United Nations adopted the proposal made by Prime Minister @narendramodi to recognize June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, this day has become a symbol of peace and resilience, values that are very important in today's world," Consulate General of India in Shanghai said in another post. India's national event on IDY will take place in Visakhapatnam, where PM Modi will lead the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session with more than five lakh participants. Simultaneously, 'Yoga Sangam' sessions will be conducted at over one lakh locations across the country, making it one of the largest synchronised yoga demonstrations in history. Dilma Rousseff also lauded India's role in establishing the NDB and said PM Modi was one of the founders. "Recognizing India's pivotal role in the establishment of NDB, she said, 'India is not only a founding member of NDB, it's a country without which this bank would not exist. Prime Minister Modi was one of the founders and all of us are on a mission to create an important bank for the world," Consulate General of India added. (ANI)
Nepal has called for de-escalation of the ongoing tension between Israel and Iran since Friday morning, urging both parties to adopt a conciliatory approach for peace and stability in the region. In a press release, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated, "Nepal urges both sides to avoid escalation and adopt a conciliatory approach for peace and stability in the region and beyond. Use of diplomatic channels for dialogue would be instrumental towards de-escalation of the situation." The statement comes as Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. Following Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future, Katz said. The Israeli Defence Minister also announced that he signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added. Following the heightened tension, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, "Our Missions in Doha and Tel Aviv are in contact with the Nepali communities in Iran and Israel respectively. All Nepali citizens in both the countries are advised to remain vigilant of the situation, exercise adequate caution and adhere to local advisories." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." (ANI)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held talks with world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron. During the talks, the leaders showed understanding for Israel's defence needs in the face of the "Iranian threat of annihilation", Israel Prime Minister's Office stated. Netanyahu said that he would continue to be in touch with them in the coming days. He is due to speak with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UK PM Keir Starmer. In a statement shared on X, Israel Prime Minister's Office stated, "Prime Minister Netanyahu, beginning last night, has held conversations with world leaders, including the German Chancellor, the Indian Prime Minister and the French President. He is due to speak with US President Trump, Russian President Putin and the British Prime Minister." "The leaders showed understanding for Israel's defense needs in the face of the Iranian threat of annihilation; the Prime Minister said that he would continue to be in contact with them in the coming days," it added. https://x.com/israelipm/status/1933512352625778744 Netanyahu's talks with leaders of France, Germany, and India come amid the tensions between Israel and Iran. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said Israel has launched a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran. The spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said the strikes aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe," he said. He said the airstrikes were aimed at protecting Israel's right to exist and for their future. "We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate in order to protect its people and will continue to do so," he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." He cited growing threats from Iran's missile development as a catalyst for action. "Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine, imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." He stated that Israel's actions extended beyond its borders. "We defend our Arab neighbours. They too have suffered from Iran's campaign of chaos and carnage. Our actions against Iran's proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon and the collapse of Assad's murderous regime in Syria. The peoples of those two countries now have a chance for a different future, a better future." Reaching out to Iranians, he said, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again." (ANI)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged "all parties to step back" and reduce tensions urgently after Israel carried out strikes on Iran, what it called a "pre-emptive operation" targeting the latter's nuclear program. Starmer called the reports of these strikes "concerning " and emphasised that stability in the Middle East must be a priority. In a post on X, Starmer stated, "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy." https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1933401302442111457 Starmer's statement comes after Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, The Times of Israel reported. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying. Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme." He cited growing threats from Iran's missile development as a catalyst for action. "Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped." Netanyahu said Iran's "new plan to destroy Israel" involved surrounding the country with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7th incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others." (ANI)
Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has denied involvement in the visit visa scam, rejecting calls for resignation and claiming the accusations are politically motivated attacks on him. Addressing Friday's session of the House of Representatives, Lekhak stated that the claims of his involvement in the case currently under investigation by the anti-graft agency "don't bear any truth." "The investigation being conducted by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authorities (CIAA), where I am alleged to be under the purview, being reported in the media and spread on social media, doesn't bear any truth. I don't have any involvement in the alleged incident, and my involvement can't be established; I can claim it. In a planned, machinable way, it is a political attack on me," the Home Minister said. Lekhak assured the House that he is willing to cooperate fully with the anti-graft body and appear for questioning if necessary. He criticised demands for his resignation based on the implication of government officials, calling such expectations unjust. Friday's address by the home minister came amid sloganeering by the Rastriya Swatantra Party and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party against him. Both parties continue to insist on the formation of a parliamentary committee to investigate the visit visa scandal. Earlier on Friday, the ruling CPN-UML, the Nepali Congress, and the Maoist Centre reached a two-point agreement to resolve the parliamentary deadlock. As per the agreement, a suitable mechanism would be formed to investigate and study the issue thoroughly. The Maoists agreed to lift the obstruction of parliamentary proceedings, while RSP and RPP remain unconvinced and demand a formal parliamentary probe. The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authorities (CIAA) investigation anomalies while sending Nepali nationals abroad on "visit visa". The investigation spotlighted numerous actors, including immigration officers, travel agents, and even those with controversial histories in government offices. Amongst those key figures, Joint Secretary at Home Ministry- Tirtha Raj Bhattarai, the emblematic of the system's return to a high-ranking position at TIA after a controversial tenure elsewhere raised eyebrows. Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak had appointed him as the Chief of Immigration at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) who previously also had been alleged in corruption scandals and cases. Bhattarai was transferred back to the Home Minister just a day before the CIAA raid at the Immigration office at the airport. On May 21, Bhattarai, the Joint Secretary at the Home Ministry and former Chief Immigration Officer at Tribhuvan International Airport, was arrested by police following the CIAA probe into alleged links with a human trafficking ring. He had only been transferred to the Home Ministry the previous evening. Prior to that, he headed the immigration office at TIA, where the CIAA launched a raid shortly before his arrest. The raid was initiated by the anti-graft agency following multiple complaints about officials collecting large sums of money and illegally facilitating foreign travel on visit visas. The CIAA also confiscated computers, mobile phones, and other devices from the immigration office for detailed investigation. The scam allegedly operated with the assistance of officials at the immigration office and had links to people in the private secretariat of Home Minister Lekhak, the opposition lawmakers had claimed. As per the lawmakers, travellers heading to Europe have reportedly paid up to NRs 300,000 to ensure clearance at TIA. These illicit payments are funnelled through coded conversations, unregistered bank transactions, and backdoor dealings involving travel agents and corrupt officials. This system functions daily and handles hundreds of cases, with about 400 Nepalis attempting to travel on visit visas each day. The operation's scale and consistency suggest institutional complicity, with minimal fear of legal repercussions until the recent crackdown by the CIAA. Nepal Home Minister Lekhak has been under scrutiny by the opposition parties following the suspicions that these funds are funnelled up the hierarchy to senior Home Ministry officials. Several media reports also named members of Lekhak's personal secretariat being involved in the case where the fraudulent visa scheme generates illicit payments estimated at NPR 5 million a day. Many of the key personnel at the airport, including immigration officers directly involved in visa issuance, were handpicked by the Home Minister Lekhak, which the opposition claims have now become a system driven more by loyalty than merit. As the Home Minister, Lekhak bears command responsibility for these malpractices and the broader mismanagement under his watch. The controversy escalated with Lekhak's appointment of Joint Secretary Tirtharaj Bhattarai as Chief Immigration Officer at TIA. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Marseille on Friday and discussed bilateral cooperation, including in trade, defence, clean energy, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), culture and people-to-people ties. The two leaders explored new opportunities in technology. In a statement shared on X, Jaishankar stated that he welcomed France's strong condemnation of terrorism and India's right to defend itself. He said that many convergences of India and France showcase the truth and strength of enduring strategic partnership. "Delighted to hold talks with FM @jnbarrot of France in Marseille today. Welcomed France's strong condemnation of terrorism and India's right to defend itself. Held productive discussions on our bilateral cooperation, including in trade, defence, clean energy, IMEC, culture and people-to-people ties. Explored new opportunities in technology, AI, cyber and space domains as we look forward to the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. Our many convergences showcase the trust and strength of our enduring Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar said in a post on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1933534719871766881 Earlier, Jaishankar said that the strategic partnership between India and France is based on shared values, strong sense of sovereignty, democratic commitment, independence, strategic autonomy, guiding foreign policy, and commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law. While speaking to the press alongside French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot, he stated that he and Barrot discussed defence, civilian nuclear energy, and space. On his talks with Jean-Noel Barrot, he stated, "Today, as the minister also indicated, we have really had wide ranging discussions which covered defence, it covered civilian nuclear energy, it covered space, counterterrorism, people to people relations, innovation, AI technology and we actually spent a little while discussing how between education, research, business, and mobility, how we can really find new ways of adding more substance to our relationship. When I look at the horizon, I think what is important is the India France year of innovation next year. So, we are really gearing up to use that as an additional new driver of our relationship, and we are in many ways trying to prepare for that. In terms of what we discussed, let me just, in addition to what the minister said, highlight some particular aspects from my perspective." "One, I would like to express our deep appreciation to France for the strong condemnation of the cross-border terrorist attack that took place on 22nd April at Pahalgam and for France's steadfast support for India's right to defend itself against terrorism. Second, where the pillars of our strategic partnership are concerned, especially defence, security, space, and civilian nuclear cooperation, I think we agreed to intensify all of these through very concrete measures and projects in the time to come," he added. He also stated that India and France share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, where international law and maritime security are upheld. He stated, "Third, where the Indo-Pacific is concerned, we both share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific where international law and maritime security are upheld. We discussed joint efforts for collaboration to promote those objectives. Our conversations today covered IMEC. Our triangular development cooperation, how do we take forward some of our trilateral mechanisms? We have one with the UAE and with Australia, and I look forward to a more detailed conversation about President Macron's recent visit to the Indo-Pacific." Highlighting people-to-people exchanges between India and France, he stated, "For us this is a very special aspect of our relationship with France. You welcome a lot of students to this country. We hope that the numbers can grow in the years to come so that they constitute living bridge between us. We also see France as a very valued partner in our national museum project in Delhi as well as we discussed today cooperation for our national maritime heritage complex that we are building. And even when we talk about the year of innovation, I think cultural innovation is a very important part of that." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday appreciated France for the strong condemnation of the cross-border terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 and France's support for India's right to defend itself against terrorism. Speaking to the press alongside French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Friday, Jaishankar said that the strategic partnership between India and France is based on shared values, strong sense of sovereignty, democratic commitment, independence, strategic autonomy, guiding foreign policy, and commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law. He stated that he and Barrot discussed defence, civilian nuclear energy, space. On his talks with Jean-Noel Barrot, he stated, "Today, as the minister also indicated, we have really had wide ranging discussions which covered defence, it covered civilian nuclear energy, it covered space, counterterrorism, people to people relations, innovation, AI technology and we actually spent a little while discussing how between education, research, business, and mobility, how we can really find new ways of adding more substance to our relationship. When I look at the horizon, I think what is important is the India France year of innovation next year. So, we are really gearing up to use that as an additional new driver of our relationship, and we are in many ways trying to prepare for that. In terms of what we discussed, let me just, in addition to what the minister said, highlight some particular aspects from my perspective." "One, I would like to express our deep appreciation to France for the strong condemnation of the cross-border terrorist attack that took place on 22nd April at Pahalgam and for France's steadfast support for India's right to defend itself against terrorism. Second, where the pillars of our strategic partnership are concerned, especially defence, security, space, and civilian nuclear cooperation, I think we agreed to intensify all of these through very concrete measures and projects in the time to come," he added. As many as 26 people were killed in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. In response to the Pahalgam attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also stated that India and France share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, where international law and maritime security are upheld. He stated, "Third, where the Indo-Pacific is concerned, we both share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific where international law and maritime security are upheld. We discussed joint efforts for collaboration to promote those objectives. Our conversations today covered IMEC. Our triangular development cooperation, how do we take forward some of our trilateral mechanisms? We have one with the UAE and with Australia, and I look forward to a more detailed conversation about President Macron's recent visit to the Indo-Pacific." Recalling his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, he stated, "I think we had very good discussions today and it was a pleasure to participate at the Raisina Mediterranean dialogue, including the session that the two of us did this morning. I should also add that before coming here I was in Paris. I had the honour to call on President Macron the day before yesterday. So, in terms of our strategic partnership, our enduring partnership, what I do want to say is that it's built on shared values, on a strong sense of sovereignty, on our democratic commitment, on independence, on strategic autonomy, guiding our foreign policy, and obviously on our commitment to multilateralism and respect for international law. And clearly over the years I think there's a very high degree of trust between India and France as we look at our relationship and cooperation." He also spoke about the people-to-people exchanges between people of India and France. He stated that India sees France as a "valued partner" in India's national museum project in Delhi. Highlighting people-to-people exchanges between India and France, he stated, "For us, this is a very special aspect of our relationship with France. You welcome a lot of students to this country. We hope that the numbers can grow in the years to come so that they constitute living bridge between us. We also see France as a very valued partner in our national museum project in Delhi as well as we discussed today cooperation for our national maritime heritage complex that we are building. And even when we talk about the year of innovation, I think cultural innovation is a very important part of that." Jaishankar stated that he and Jean-Noel Barrot discussed global issues, including Ukraine conflict, situation in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. He said, "Let me just say a few words about the international global issues that we discussed. We've had some conversations. We expect to continue it after the remarks as well. So, those have covered the situation in Ukraine, obviously the situation in the Indian subcontinent, a brief discussion on what is happening right now in the Middle East and the Indo Pacific." When asked about the plane crash in Gujarat, Jaishankar said, "No, I don't have any specific news. Obviously, I'm also following, I'm out of the country. I'm following what probably you are as well. It's been really a very tragic event and I have in the last 24 hours been in touch with my counterparts in the UK, Portugal, and Canada because they also lost their citizens. We again appreciate very much the condolences and sympathy and support which we got from the French government, and I think we'll have to now wait to see more authoritative news about whatever has been found and what the analysis shows Yes, that is, that is, that is what is the standard procedure in these circumstances." The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the survivor and other injured people. According to airline authorities, the passengers on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. (ANI)
Amid tensions with Iran, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding ongoing developments. The talks between the two leaders come in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran. "Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments," Jaishankar posted on X. Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him on the evolving situation in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran. PM Modi shared India's concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. "Received a phone call from PM @netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared India's concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region," PM Modi said in a post on X. India had earlier in the day expressed its deep concern at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. India urged both sides to avoid any escalatory steps and expressed its willingness to offer all possible support. "Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support," the statement said. "Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories," it added. Earlier in the day, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said Israel has launched a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran. The spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said the strikes aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe," he said. He said the airstrikes were aimed at protecting Israel's right to exist and for their future. "We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate in order to protect its people and will continue to do so," he said. Netanyahu had announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs." In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held telephonic conversation with Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday and spoke about the latest situation. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Spoke to Iranian FM @araghchi this evening on the latest situation." https://x.com/drsjaishankar/status/1933571278964994065 The talks between the two leaders come in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran. Jaishankar received a phone call from Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar regarding ongoing developments. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1933564153639424340 Earlier in the day, India had expressed its deep concern at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. "We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. India urged both sides to avoid any escalatory steps and expressed its willingness to offer all possible support. "Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support," the statement said. "Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories," it added. Earlier, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) said Israel launched a "precise, preemptive strike" in Iran. The spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said the strikes aimed at damaging Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe," he said. He said the airstrikes were aimed at protecting Israel's right to exist and for their future. "We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate in order to protect its people and will continue to do so," he said. Netanyahu had announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs." Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said. Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action." (ANI)
Shoshani emphasised that Israel conducted precise strikes on terror targets.

In a post on X, he said, "Israel conducted precise strikes on terror targets, while operating a thousand miles away. Iran fired missiles indiscriminately toward the civilian population. One side conducts brave operations and has its civilians stay safe--the other side hides like cowards and targets civilians. That's all you need to know."

https://x.com/LTC_Shoshani/status/1933614645014671679

He said that the world cannot treat this as Israel's problem alone.

In a post on X, he said, "Once again, Iranian missiles are aimed at homes, families, children all over Israel. The world can no longer treat this as Israel's problem alone. Silence is complicity."

https://x.com/LTC_Shoshani/status/1933597587426394306

He said that Israeli civilians are in shelters amid Iran's strikes.

"While we target and neutralize precisely global threats, Iran aims indiscriminately at the whole country and a whole people. Right now all Israelis are in shelters as Iran fires projectiles to threaten millions of lives. Another wave of attack is heading toward our people," he said.

https://x.com/LTC_Shoshani/status/1933592681587822593

Israeli Air Force fighter jets bombed two airbases in western Iran earlier today, the Israel Defense Forces announced, as per The Times of Israel.

The strikes hit airbases used by Iran's air force near the cities of Hamadan and Tabriz, the IDF said, adding that the latter site was "destroyed" in the strikes.

Additionally, the IDF said it destroyed dozens more Iranian air force targets, including air defense assets, drones, and ballistic missile launchers.

Meanwhile, Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service, said raised the injury count to 35 following Iran's strikes.

https://x.com/IDF/status/1933625802043871330

The Israel Defense Forces said, "Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours. The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians." (ANI)
"The Chief Adviser said that he has announced that the elections will be held by the first half of February next year. If all preparations are completed, the elections could be held even in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026," said a joint statement issued after the talks between Muhammad Yunus and Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in London.

"In that case, it will be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reform and justice within that period," it added.

"Today, BNP Acting Chairperson Mr. Tarique Rahman met with visiting Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus in London. Their meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere," the statement said.

Tarique Rahman proposed to the Chief Adviser to hold the elections before Ramadan next year. Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also thinks it would be better if the elections were held at that time, the statement added.

Many are considering the London meeting between Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman as a game-changer for Bangladeshi politics.

Right now, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's BNP is the largest Political Party in Bangladesh, as Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is banned from running.

Tarique Rahman, the son of Khaleda Zia, seems set to return soon to Bangladesh after 16 years in exile in London.

Muhammad Yunus is now in London in a four-day official visit. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to meet Yunus after Awami League concerns.

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in August last year. She is now living in India in a self-imposed exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under leadership of Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate. (ANI)
TOKYO, Jun 13 (News On Japan) - The Pension System Reform Law was passed and enacted at the Upper House plenary session on June 13th with majority support from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, the Constitutional Democratic Party and others.

The law includes measures to expand the coverage of employee pensions by removing the so-called 1.06 million yen income barrier, revising the in-service old-age pension system that reduces pension benefits for working seniors, and raising the cap on employee pension insurance premiums for high-income earners.

Additionally, a provision initially excluded from the government proposal to strengthen the basic pension was reinstated during deliberations in the Lower House and added as a supplementary provision.

This measure is intended to prevent people such as the so-called employment ice age generation from falling into low pensions or public assistance. If the next pension system financial review scheduled in four years projects a decline in the basic pension payment level, reserves from the employee pension fund will be used to support the basic pension level for the future.

However, if this provision is triggered, it is estimated that the government will need about 2 trillion yen annually in roughly 30 years to cover half of the additional basic pension funding, which would be paid from the national treasury. Both Nippon Ishin and the Democratic Party for the People opposed the bill in the vote, criticizing the lack of clarity on how this funding would be secured.

Source: FNN
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State Rep. Steven Holt backed away from a call to impeach Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds made by a county official upset by the governor's veto of legislation to restrict the use of eminent domain.

However, the Denison Republican lawmaker said he could "understand the emotions" that prompted the suggestion during a virtual press conference organized by the Iowa Sierra Club on Thursday morning.

Holt reiterated support for a special legislative session to override Reynolds' veto of House File 639, and he said felt like the the governor's veto was "a violation of her oath" to Iowans, even if it doesn't constitute an impeachable offense.

"A governor choosing to veto a piece of legislation  in spite of what we feel about how it may violate the Constitution and those sorts of things  probably doesn't rise to the level of impeachment," Holt said. "So I doubt that that would gain much traction."

The call for impeachment was made by Bremer County Supervisor Corey Cerwinske, who described Iowa Senate leadership as "corrupt and complicit" in what he earlier called "the audacity to ignore the will of all Iowans" displayed by the governor.

Cerwinske said he suggested to House Speaker Pat Grassley that "in addition to an attempted override that our General Assembly address the glaring issue of the governor's malfeasance, by ignoring the Constitution to decimate our private property rights with her actions, by going forward and introducing articles of impeachment under the guidelines contained in Article 3, Section 20, of the Iowa Constitution."

Several landowners impacted by the proposed carbon sequestration pipeline sought by Summit Carbon Solutions spoke during the press conference, vowing to continue to advocate for restricting the use of eminent domain for such projects.

Governor Reynolds stated that she shares the bills goal of protecting landowners, yet we must ask her, 'What exactly have you done in the last four years to protect a single landowner affected by Summit Carbon Solutions' proposed project?'" Montgomery County landowner Peg Rasmussen said.

"A true leader steps in when a problem arises, and you, Governor Reynolds, did nothing," Rasmussen said. "The legacy you leave behind is one of bowing down to big business at the expense of Iowans."

She added: "The fight for private property rights will continue."

Marty Maher, an impacted Page County landowner wearing a T-shirt reading "I stopped farming to be here," took issue with Reynolds treating opponents of the pipeline projects as unreasonable.

You seem to think that the Iowa landowners that you supposedly protect, should be exposed to liability issues caused by a multibillion-dollar pipeline," Maher said. "We cannot insure against their mishaps but you seem to think they should not be held responsible."

In a statement explaining her veto, Reynolds highlighted a project in the works with Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy in Council Bluffs. The governor said insurance mandates and a 25-year limit on the permit, which could not be renewed, "would effectively kill the project  despite the millions that have already been spent on its development."

The Nonpareil spoke with SIRE CEO Mike Jerke shortly after the veto, and he said HF 639 would have "likely killed" a planned connection to the Tallgrass Trailblazer pipeline in Nebraska, which will allow the Council Bluffs ethanol plant to ship carbon dioxide to be buried in Wyoming at a cost of about $45 million.

Governor cites Council Bluffs ethanol plant in veto that's dividing Iowa Republicans Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds pointed to the impact on a Council Bluffs ethanol plant's planned pipeline connection as a reason to veto House File 639.

Meghan Sloma, a landowner in Sioux County, said that "there's absolutely no proof" that HF 639 would have killed the project in Council Bluffs.

Holt, when asked about the SIRE project, said he met with Reynolds and her staff to offer to address "any specific things in this bill that they were concerned about" in the next legislative session, provided it did not impact landowners struggling against eminent domain. The SIRE project involves only voluntary easements.

The offer was ignored, with the governor choosing to veto instead, Holt said. He defended implementing a 25-year limit on permits, citing "the nature of this technology" and how different they are than other projects that can use eminent domain.

"I think Governor Reynolds and senators did not think they would ever have to face this issue, because they thought they would be able to stop it using process," Holt said. "And that's why we're where we are today."

Holt drew a distinction between "county club Republicans and grassroots Republicans who respect landowner rights and the Constitution of the State of Iowa." He pledged to continue fighting for property rights, and he warned Senate Republicans who aren't in favor of the bill to not expect to gain ground in negotiations.

"The country club Republicans in the Senate need to come to the realization that we're not going to back down," Holt said. There's only so much compromise we're going to be willing to do."

Summit faces obstacles in Iowa and beyond

Summit has said it has invested nearly $175 million to enter into voluntary agreements with landowners in Iowa and more than $1 billion on the project overall, according to The Associated Press.

Summit thanked the governor in a statement after the veto Wednesday afternoon. The company said its goal is to proceed with voluntary agreements with landowners.

Even with the relief from Reynolds veto, Summit will likely have to readjust plans after South Dakotas governor signed a ban on the use of eminent domain  the government seizure of private property with compensation  to acquire land for carbon dioxide pipelines. Summits permit application was also rejected in South Dakota.

The project has permit approvals in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota but faces various court challenges.

The Summit pipeline was proposed to carry carbon emissions from ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to be stored underground permanently in North Dakota.

By lowering carbon emissions from the plants, the pipeline would lower their carbon intensity scores and make them more competitive in the renewable fuels market.

The project would also allow ethanol producers and Summit to tap into federal tax credits.

The pipelines many critics have for years begged lawmakers for action. They accuse Summit of stepping on their property rights and downplaying the safety risks of building the pipeline alongside family homes, near schools and across ranches.

Lee Enterprises and The Associated Press reviewed hundreds of cases that reveal the great legal lengths the company went to to get the project built. In South Dakota, in particular, a slew of eminent domain legal actions to obtain land sparked a groundswell of opposition that was closely watched by lawmakers in Iowa as well.

A group of landowners released a statement Wednesday calling the veto a slap in the face.

Big money, greed & self interest won the day, said Jan Norris, a landowner in Southwest Iowa whose neighbor is in the pipelines route. Our property rights are for sale to the highest bidder.

A pipeline company sought to grab land from 'hundreds' of people. Now its project is threatened As it sought to obtain land for a nearly $9 billion project spanning five Midwest states, a carbon pipeline company unleashed a barrage of eminent domain lawsuits against landowners.

What is behind a pipeline company's efforts to grab land from Midwest farmers? The company behind a proposed pipeline that would transport carbon dioxide emissions across five Midwest states and store it underground filed hundreds of lawsuits against landowners in recent years.
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The leading American EV manufacturer Tesla has set foot in the nascent Moroccan electric cars market with the establishment of a subsidiary in Casablanca. Besides setting up dealerships, Tesla Morocco is tasked with importing, sales operations, and servicing of electric vehicles.

The subsidiarys mission also includes the expansion of the network of charging stations across the country and deployment of cutting-edge solutions in solar power and stationary battery storage.

The goal of Tesla is to provide a full-service ecosystem in Morocco, offering after-sales technical support, replacement vehicles, and smart tools giving customers peace of mind and an enjoyable experience.

Morocco offers investors competitive green industrial ecosystem, modern port infrastructures, latest telecom facilities, skilled manpower and proximity to thriving markets.

According to experts forecasts, Electric Vehicles market in Morocco is expected to generate over $108 million revenue in 2025. This market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10.7 % (CAGR 2025-2029), resulting in an estimated market volume of $163.4 Million by 2029. By that year, the unit sales of EV market in Morocco are expected to reach 1.78k vehicles.

Morocco is experiencing a surge in electric vehicles, driven by government incentives and the countrys commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The Kingdom is also emerging as a significant player in the global transition towards electro-mobility, driven by its various strategic advantages.

Leveraging its robust manufacturing sector and automotive expertise, renewable energy (RE) potential and abundant raw material sources, strategic location and free trade agreements, the country aims to spearhead fully decarbonized automotive supply chains and capitalize on the expanding global electric vehicle (EV) market.

With a growing emphasis on green technologies and sustainability, Morocco is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of electro-mobility both within Africa and globally.
The UN Security Council has voiced grave concern over the escalating violence across Sudan, particularly in and around El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. In a statement released on June 12, the Council recalled Resolution 2736 of 2024, which demands that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) immediately cease their siege of the city. The intensifying conflict continues to pose a severe threat to civilian lives and regional stability.

Council members strongly condemned the June 2 attack near al Koma in North Darfur, where a joint humanitarian convoy operated by the World Food Programme and UNICEF came under assault. The attack claimed the lives of five humanitarian workers, injured several others, destroyed critical relief supplies, and resulted in the burning of multiple aid trucks. An earlier shelling incident by RSF forces on May 29 also inflicted damage on a WFP facility in El Fasher, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.

The Council reiterated the need for an urgent and thorough investigation, urging that all perpetrators be brought to justice. Emphasising international humanitarian law, members reminded all parties involved of their obligation to protect UN and humanitarian personnel, as well as their assets. The Security Council underscored that deliberate attacks against aid workers may amount to war crimes under international statutes.
In an increasingly tense geopolitical context, several international sources are raising the alarm about Algerias growing role as a major hub for laundering funds originating from Iran.

According to confidential reports, complex networks are using Algerian territory to conceal suspicious financial flows linked to Irans nuclear activities and international sanctions targeting Tehran.

Algeria, a key Maghreb country and strategic partner of Iran in the region, is said to have become a crucial link in a vast system designed to circumvent economic sanctions imposed on Iran.

Investigations, jointly conducted by international anti-money laundering agencies and financial experts, reveal that Iranian funds are transiting through shell companies based in Algeria. These entities reportedly use opaque banking channels and fictitious trade exchanges to recycle capital derived from illicit activities, particularly in the energy sector and oil exports.

The methods employed are so sophisticated, including offshore companies, fake invoicing, multiple bank transfers, and investments in strategic Algerian sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, and extractive industries. This complex setup is believed to allow Iranian officials to discreetly finance internationally controversial projects, particularly in the military and nuclear domains.

This situation presents a twofold challenge: on the one hand, it undermines diplomatic efforts to contain Irans nuclear ambitions and ensure regional stability.

On the other hand, it compromises Algerias reputation on the international stage, especially among its Western partners who closely monitor compliance with sanctions against Tehran.

As international tensions over Irans nuclear program continue to rise, the role played by certain third-party countries in providing indirect financial support to Tehran becomes increasingly critical. Algeria, as a strategic platform, now finds itself in the spotlight.

Iran has announced the construction and upcoming activation of a third nuclear enrichment facility, further escalating tensions with the UN on Thursday, just after the atomic watchdog agency censured Iran for failing to comply with non-proliferation obligations designed to prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously warned that Israel or the United States could launch airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiators failed to reach an agreement on Irans rapidly evolving nuclear program.

Actually, Israel has launched attacks targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and Iranian officials involved in the military program.

And what of Algerias fate?
Local leaders from across the Opelika community are looking for answers and a way to prevent tragedies like the Bandy Park shooting from continuing to plague the community.

Leaders from organizations including Lee County NAACP Branch 5038, Moms Demand Action, the Opelika Housing Authority, Opelika Police Department, the Opelika Community Liaisons, Boys and Girls Club of East Alabama, Dream Day Foundation, Concerned Citizens of Opelika and more gathered at the Opelika Municipal Court on Tuesday to try and find a way forward after Saturday's shooting that killed a 16-year-old girl. Before discussions on possible ideas and solutions, OPD Chief Shane Healey shared the harsh reality that nothing will make gun violence go away completely.

"I do not want anybody to think that there is something magical that we can do that is going to stop this forever. It's not going to happen. I've been doing this job for 35 years, year after year after year. I get disappointed because it happens again," Healey said. "We need to focus on how do we reduce those numbers? How do we put work in on the front end as a community that helps empower people in our community, especially our young people in our community, to be able to make better decisions?"

Tragedy struck the Opelika Alumni celebration at Bandy Park on Saturday when 16-year-old Jamiyah Grant was killed in a shooting that night. Opelika police arrested 18-year-old Timothy Shell Jr., of Union Springs, the following day and charged him with murder. Healey said that throughout the afternoon and evening, Grant was arguing with Shell's girlfriend before Shell allegedly shot Grant's vehicle multiple times as she drove away.

Grant was a student at Opelika High School, and counselors at the high school are available this summer if any students need support during this time.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jamiyah's family and our school family during this difficult time," OHS Principal Kelli Fischer said.

While Healey tried to manage expectations, he said what the city, police and the community have done in the pass to reduce gun violence is working. He said violent crime is down about 25% from 2020. He said that is an anomaly because across the U.S. the numbers are going up.

"We got some magic in the sauce in Opelika because we are working together. I have never in my entire career seen a community come together like we have over the last four or five years by working day in and day out on different projects," Healey said. "It's working, and it can work. We've got to continue doing these things."

Healey said the challenge now is on the community doing more, but he has confidence the community will meet that challenge. Healey's confidence comes from the results over the past few years. He said the response from the community in assisting the investigation of Saturday's shooting was unlike any other he has seen.

"This particular case, we received more tips through our submit-a-tip function on our app than we ever have before. We had more people that were actually at the scene that stayed and talked to us as witnesses. We've had more people that have reached out to us," Healey said. "That's the community y'all. That's y'all. That's your friends and neighbors that are doing that."

Showing children violence is never the answer

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller called the shooting "tragic and senseless" in a statement Monday. He stressed that violence does not resolve conflicts, and encouraged parents, educators, civic leaders and citizens in the community to encourage non-violent conflict resolution. Specifically, Fuller said the community needs to "help young people find emotionally and behaviorally safe ways to address conflict."

That was the central theme of Tuesday's meeting - how the organizations and community leaders can reach young people. Healey said he has been working with Opelika City Schools Superintendent Farrell Seymore and Critical Insights to install a program for teaching conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques in schools.

There was much discussion during the meeting about the lack of events and activities for young people in the community and how that can have an impact on youth gun violence. Specifically, many believed there is not anything for young people to do.

Sherry Cook is the Ward 2 Community Liaison and led off the meeting on Tuesday. She echoed the sentiment of others that there is not as much for children in the area to do today as there was in the past. However, she said the problem goes beyond that.

Cook said she has heard from other organizations that try to host events to reach young people in the area, and sometimes the issue is with parents not bringing their children to events. Cook said that is one problem these organizations need to solve - how do the young people get to the events.

Meet the children where they are

Healey emphasized throughout the meeting that if members of the community want to reach those young people, they need to go where they feel comfortable to speak and express themselves.

Matthew McClammey, the executive director of the Opelika Housing Authority, has worked in organizations like the OHA for 40 years. He has been with the OHA since 2018 and said he has seen a lot of progress, but sometimes the community has shied away from problems.

"We've got to reach our kids. We can't avoid them. We can't expect them to come to us," McClammey said. "I don't profess to have the answers, but I think we've got to have no fear when we see our kids and go to them. And they will appreciate it. Don't cut corners. Don't bite your tongue. Don't try to sugarcoat...If they can get anything that this group has, they'll benefit.

There were some members of the community at the meeting that directed criticism and concern at the Opelika City Council and city officials. A common theme at the meeting was how the younger generation of Opelika can be reached, and that today, children do not have anything to do. Ward 2 Councilwoman and President Pro Tempore Erica Baker Norris, Ward 1 Councilman George Allen and Ward 5 Councilman Todd Rauch were in attendance at Tuesday's meeting.

One parent asked why the city does not use funding it has to invest in the community and also provide school buses to get the kids to events like the Teen Summit being held on June 19. Norris responded and said the city has invested over $1 million in various organizations and programs. Allen clarified that the city does not control something like buses, but said they were there to help anyway they can.

"We give all we can to support groups that let us know that they are doing things for the kids that we can't do. I don't think there's an organization in here (that) can say that we don't support them, period, and we will continue to support," Allen said. "That's why we're here, to find out what we can do, but we should let you know what we can and cannot do."

Gun accessibility in Alabama

Healey spent a good portion of his discussion on how the OPD attempts to keep guns off the streets and out of the hands of teens, but he said they are facing new challenges following recent actions from the state legislature.

The state of Alabama passed Act 2022-133, which removed the requirement of a permit for Alabama residents to carry a concealed handgun or have one in their vehicle. Healey said this was one of the best tools the OPD and other law enforcement could use to get guns off the street.

"Our state legislature made a decision to take away one of the biggest tools that we had at our disposal, which is pistol permits. I believe in the Second Amendment, all that kind of stuff. That was the stupidest thing that could ever happen. I mean, without a doubt, that was a tool that allowed us to take guns off the street," Healey said.

Jeremy Gray is the Alabama State Representative for District 83, representing Opelika, and he attended the meeting on Tuesday night. Gray said there are programs in Montgomery and Birmingham for teaching conflict resolution in schools. However, he said the access to guns across the state is part of the problem.

"If you look at gun violence, right? You take the top five states. They're going to be where you have access to them, so it is going to be Alabama, Mississippi, places like that. So part of it is the more guns that are accessible, that you can get without barriers, the more you are going to have on the street," Gray said. "We are in a legislature that believes in having guns, no restrictions....In this political climate, none of that's going to pass, just not until people get voted out, until the climate changes."

What's next?

Healey said the organizations need to work together and with OPD to gather information on what the children in the community are saying they need, as well as the young parents. After that, he said they need to meet again to plan further action.

The Lee County NAACP Branch 5038 promoted the community liaison meeting to the general public to shift the conversation around the shooting and what the community can do, and the organization has already made plans to meet the young people.

The branch is planning a youth/young adults-led forum at its next general body meeting, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. on June 26 at Christ Temple Holiness Church.

NAACP President Laticia Smith said Tuesday's event was great, but it was an adult-led discussion, and these organizations need to get young people in the room because "we are not walking in their shoes."

"One of the things that we have learned is that the experiences that we had as young people are not the experiences that the young people are having today," Smith said. "We have to start with talking to young people, asking them, 'What is happening.' 'What do you need?' 'What can we do for you?'"

There is also the 3rd Annual Teen Summit on June 19 at Opelika High School. The event is being organized by the Dream Day Foundation, Curtis House and other organizations. For more information, visit Marion Sankey's Facebook page.
Florida Enacts Sweeping Fire Fighter Health and Safety Reforms

New legislation signed at the state fire fighter convention addresses mental health, toxic gear, and work conditions with broad bipartisan support.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 929 into law Friday after addressing the 81st Annual Florida Professional Firefighters (FPF) Convention, ushering in sweeping reforms to improve fire fighter mental health, remove toxic chemicals from gear, and modernize safety protocols.

Billed as the most significant advancement in fire fighter health and safety policy in a generation, the bipartisan legislation passed unanimously in both the Florida House (115-0) and Senate (37-0). H.B. 929 was co-sponsored by Reps. Danny Alvarez Sr. and Erika Booth, with Sen. Nick DiCeglie guiding the measure through the upper chamber.

The new law mandates improved suicide data collection, encourages sustainable shift schedules, and requires turnout gear that exceeds current NFPA safety standards by eliminating PFAShazardous forever chemicals linked to cancerfrom protective clothing.

This comprehensive legislation modernizes our states fire fighter OSHA statute, said FPF President Wayne Bernie Bernoska. It reflects our commitment to mental wellness, cancer prevention, and a safer working environment.

DeSantis commended fire fighters for their daily sacrifices, calling them hometown heroes.

Fire fighters put their lives on the line to save others, the governor said. Their heroic work takes a physical and mental toll. H.B. 929 recognizes the risks and strengthens Floridas commitment to their well-being.

The law received praise from fire service leaders across the country. Securing unanimous support for these critical reforms is a testament to the outstanding work President Bernoska and his members are doing in Tallahassee and across the state, said Walter Dix, IAFF 12th District Vice President.

Edward Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), added: This new legislation will make a difference in the lives of every Floridian and the fire fighters they count on.
HHS Proposes Eliminating NIOSH in FY 2026 Budget Overhaul

A proposed HHS reorganization would dissolve NIOSH, merging its worker safety programs into the new Administration for a Healthy America.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed eliminating the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 budget plan, consolidating its programs under the newly formed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA).

According to HHSs Congressional Justification, the plan aims to streamline public health services by merging several agencies and offices into the AHA. NIOSH, currently housed within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), would no longer exist as a standalone entity. Its research, surveillance, and training programs related to workplace safety and occupational health would be absorbed into AHAs expanded mandate.

The proposal emphasizes reducing fragmentation in federal public health efforts, stating that integrating NIOSH into AHA would increase programmatic efficiency and improve coordination across environmental and public health domains.

However, occupational health experts and labor advocates have voiced concern that folding NIOSH into a broader public health agency could diminish its dedicated focus on workplace safety, especially for high-risk sectors like construction, agriculture, and mining.

The budget request includes no specific funding line for NIOSH, signaling a structural and fiscal shift that would require congressional approval. The proposal does not originate from the White Houses formal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) process and reflects a departmental vision for future public health alignment.

If enacted, the move would mark the most significant restructuring of federal occupational health research in decades.
G7 finance officials are quietly moving toward recalibrating the Russian oil price cap, effectively conceding that the mechanism has failed to meaningfully constrain Moscows revenues. As Russian shadow fleets expand, price reporting grows opaque, and alternative payment structures proliferate, enforcement has become increasingly cosmetic. Washington is pressing for a downward

Eastern Libyas parliament has passed a parallel 2025 budget, a calculated move by Haftars bloc to assert financial sovereignty and gain leverage over Tripoli as the political stalemate drags on. Control of key oil terminals remains Haftars strongest card, with the clear threat of revenue disruption or supply manipulation if negotiations stall. In parallel, Turkish sources indicate Haftar is revisiting the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime boundary agreement  a highly controversial deal that expanded Ankaras exclusive economic zone deep into contested eastern Mediterranean waters, cutting across Greek and Egyptian claims. Haftars willingness to reopen maritime terms suggests discreet negotiations may be underway with Ankara, with oil production rights, offshore drilling access, and broader security arrangements likely in play. The combination of budget autonomy and maritime bargaining points to a multi-layered strategy: Haftar is building dual leverage  onshore and offshore  to reposition Benghazi as a pivotal actor in Libyas external energy diplomacy.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

Eastern Libyas parliament has passed a parallel 2025 budget, a calculated move by Haftars bloc to assert financial sovereignty and gain leverage over Tripoli as the political stalemate drags on. Control of key oil terminals remains Haftars strongest card, with the clear threat of revenue disruption or supply manipulation if negotiations stall. In parallel, Turkish sources indicate Haftar is revisiting the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime boundary agreement  a highly controversial deal that expanded Ankaras exclusive economic zone deep into contested eastern Mediterranean waters, cutting across Greek and Egyptian claims. Haftars willingness to reopen maritime terms suggests discreet negotiations may be underway with Ankara, with oil production rights, offshore drilling access, and broader security arrangements likely in play. The combination of budget autonomy and maritime bargaining points to a multi-layered strategy: Haftar is building dual leverage  onshore and offshore  to reposition Benghazi as a pivotal actor in Libyas external energy diplomacy.

G7 finance officials are quietly moving toward recalibrating the Russian oil price cap, effectively conceding that the mechanism has failed to meaningfully constrain Moscows revenues. As Russian shadow fleets expand, price reporting grows opaque, and alternative payment structures proliferate, enforcement has become increasingly cosmetic. Washington is pressing for a downward technical adjustment to maintain the appearance of policy coherence while avoiding a full admission of failure. The EU remains publicly divided, but privately several member states recognize that the cap has lost its deterrent function. Any adjustment will have little to no material impact on flows or revenue capture. The shift underscores growing Western fatigue and highlights the broader erosion of Western financial leverage in secondary sanctions enforcement.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

Venture Global has received final FERC approval for its 20 MTPA CP2 liquefaction terminal in Louisiana. The project will add substantial new capacity to the expanding U.S. LNG export portfolio, with commissioning targeted for the late 2020s. The approval comes as Venture Global continues to face contractual disputes with some European offtakers over delivery delays at its earlier facilities. With CP2 moving forward, total U.S. LNG export capacity is on track for significant growth over the next several years.

Amazon has announced a $20 billion investment in new data center infrastructure in Pennsylvania. The buildout will introduce major new hyperscale power demand into the PJM grid, further accelerating the ongoing growth of AI-related compute infrastructure across secondary U.S. power markets. The scale of the project adds to existing concerns about long-term transmission capacity and grid stability in the region.

Egypt has signed new LNG supply agreements with Hartree, Vitol, Aramco Trading, and others as it moves to stabilize export flows following recurring domestic gas shortages. After periods of unreliable LNG export volumes driven by rising local power demand and upstream production challenges, Cairo is seeking to secure steady dollar-denominated revenue ahead of peak summer demand.

Discovery & Development

A CEEA report reveals that approximately 104 new natural gas pipeline projects, representing nearly 99 Bcf/d of capacity, are either planned or underway in the U.S. Roughly 80% of this infrastructure is oriented toward serving LNG export terminals in Texas and Louisiana, indicating a strategic pivot of midstream investment toward global markets. This surge in export-focused pipeline capacity raises concerns about pressures on domestic supply, upward price impacts for consumers and businesses, and a potential lock-in of fossil fuel infrastructure at odds with climate commitments.

The U.S. Geological Survey has released updated assessments for the Niobrara formation in the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) and Powder River Basins. The new estimate assigns technically recoverable resources at approximately 4.7 billion barrels of oil and 38 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This marks a material upward revision from earlier assessments, driven by improved drilling and completion data as well as ongoing basin productivity. While the Niobrara remains a secondary tier relative to Permian volumes, the upgraded outlook reinforces the formations role as a significant contributor to U.S. unconventional liquids supply and may attract incremental capital as operators seek diversified shale exposure outside of West Texas.

Exxon and its partners in the Stabroek Block are finalizing installation of the ONE GUYANA FPSO for the Yellowtail project, with first oil targeted for August. Once fully operational, Yellowtail will add 250,000 barrels per day of new capacity, pushing national output toward the 1 million bpd threshold. Offshore gross profit for 2024 has already surged to an estimated $10.4 billion, driven by production volumes averaging over 630,000 bpd through early 2025. With Yellowtail coming online, and Uaru scheduled next, Guyana remains on track to surpass 1.3 million bpd by 2027.
The disruption has raised global alarm, sending European gas prices higher and highlighting vulnerabilities in East Med energy corridors.

Egypt, reliant on Israeli gas during peak demand, now faces a supply crunch and may turn to costly emergency LNG imports.

Israels Energy Ministry ordered Chevron to shut down the Leviathan gas field amid heightened regional threats following strikes on Iran.

Israel has ordered the shutdown of its massive Leviathan gas field, cutting off a critical supply line to Egypt just as regional tensions with Iran erupt into open conflict.

Chevron, the operator of Leviathan, confirmed the halt on Friday after Israels Energy Ministry issued the order, citing escalating security threats. Energean Plc also suspended output from its Israeli assets. The Leviathan shutdown is already impacting gas flows to Egypt, according to Bloomberg sources close to the pipeline network.

Egypt, facing peak summer demand and a widening domestic gas shortfall, now faces the prospect of emergency LNG purchases ahead of scheduletightening an already brittle global gas market. European gas prices spiked as much as 6.6% Friday on the news.

The Leviathan field, located in the Levant Basin, is Israels largest energy asset with 22.9 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas and had been exporting record volumes to Egypt981 million cubic feet per day in 2024, an 18% year-over-year surge. Egypt, with declining domestic production and LNG export ambitions, had increasingly leaned on Israeli imports to fill the gap.

Chevrons Tamar field remains operational, and Energeans Karish field continues to serve domestic Israeli demand. But if shutdowns persist, Egypts LNG export capacityand its own power gridcould be strained, and Jordans access to gas also stands at risk.

The timing is striking. Just months ago, Leviathans operators announced plans to expand capacity from 12 to 21 billion cubic meters, with eyes on Europe as a key customer. Now, the field is offline as Israel braces for retaliation after launching strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

For Egypt, the implications are immediate. For global gas traders, the situation underscores the fragility of East Med supply routes in a geopolitical flashpoint.

Chevron stated its personnel and infrastructure remain safe. But the gas isn't flowingand the regional energy balance just shifted overnight.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The IAEA report that followed documented a 50% increase in Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uranium since February and identified additional undeclared nuclear material, and all but assured an Israeli strike in response. These findings triggered formal censure by the IAEA Board of Governors, laying the legal foundation for U.S. and European escalation. Russia and China abstained, but did not block

This offensive follows the complete breakdown of diplomatic channels that had narrowly persisted through the spring. The final U.S. offer, delivered by Trumps team in Oman earlier this month, proposed targeted sanctions relief in exchange for full cessation of enrichment, dismantlement of advanced centrifuges, and comprehensive IAEA verification. Tehran rejected the proposal outright on June 9, formally closing the door on negotiated stabilization.

Israel has initiated its broadest direct strikes on Iranian territory to date. The operation has so far targeted multiple nuclear facilities, IRGC command nodes, ballistic missile sites, and key military infrastructure across multiple provinces. Early reporting confirms damage at Natanz and Fordow enrichment complexes, alongside the elimination of several senior IRGC officials. Iranian airspace has been closed, air defenses remain fully activated, and Tehran has declared that retaliation is imminent. While we have seen it escalate many times before, this is an escalation beyond the typical covert or proxy-level activities.

Israel has initiated its broadest direct strikes on Iranian territory to date. The operation has so far targeted multiple nuclear facilities, IRGC command nodes, ballistic missile sites, and key military infrastructure across multiple provinces. Early reporting confirms damage at Natanz and Fordow enrichment complexes, alongside the elimination of several senior IRGC officials. Iranian airspace has been closed, air defenses remain fully activated, and Tehran has declared that retaliation is imminent. While we have seen it escalate many times before, this is an escalation beyond the typical covert or proxy-level activities.

This offensive follows the complete breakdown of diplomatic channels that had narrowly persisted through the spring. The final U.S. offer, delivered by Trumps team in Oman earlier this month, proposed targeted sanctions relief in exchange for full cessation of enrichment, dismantlement of advanced centrifuges, and comprehensive IAEA verification. Tehran rejected the proposal outright on June 9, formally closing the door on negotiated stabilization.

The IAEA report that followed documented a 50% increase in Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uranium since February and identified additional undeclared nuclear material, and all but assured an Israeli strike in response. These findings triggered formal censure by the IAEA Board of Governors, laying the legal foundation for U.S. and European escalation. Russia and China abstained, but did not block the process.

In parallel, U.S. regional posture hardened, out of fear of Israels next move. Non-essential diplomatic personnel withdrew from Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain; naval strike groups repositioned into the Gulf theater; and CENTCOM elevated force protection across forward-deployed assets. These measures were designed to preemptively posture U.S. forces for precisely the conflict trajectory that is now unfolding.

Attention now shifts to Irans response calculus. Tehrans retaliation options are diverse and will likely unfold across multiple domains. Immediate strike options against Israeli military and economic infrastructure remain on the table, though Tehran may initially avoid directly targeting Israeli population centers. Iranian-backed proxies in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen are fully activated and positioned to escalate operations against U.S. military installations and logistics hubs across the region. The possibility of attacks on U.S. naval assets in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be discounted.

Beyond direct strikes, the Gulf energy infrastructure remains highly exposed. Saudi oil facilities represent a core target set for asymmetric retaliation. Iran has successfully demonstrated its capacity to strike these nodes, as seen in the 2019 Abqaiq-Khurais attacks. The same operational approach (low-flying cruise missiles and coordinated drone salvos) remains central to Irans proven asymmetric playbook. Disrupting Saudi production or exports would allow Tehran to impose global market costs while avoiding a full conventional confrontation.

In anticipation of this threat, and since 2019, Saudi Arabia has substantially upgraded its defensive posture since 2019. Hardening of key facilities (Abqaiq, Khurais, Ras Tanura, Juaymah, Yanbu, and the East-West pipeline) has advanced. Patriot and THAAD systems have been recalibrated to counter low-altitude threats, while additional point-defense assets have been deployed to reinforce drone and cruise missile intercept capacity. U.S. ISR platforms continue to provide early warning data, fully integrated with Saudi command nodes.

Operational adjustments have also been implemented across Saudi export logistics. Tanker schedules have been modified to reduce static exposure in the northern Gulf, and contingency plans for the east-west pipeline allow for partial bypassing of maritime choke points if required.

Financial markets have already absorbed the initial shock. Brent crude surged over 9% on news of the Israeli operation, reflecting elevated risk premiums across shipping, production, and regional infrastructure security. Price volatility will persist as Irans retaliation sequence unfolds and as the scale and nature of its response becomes clear.

The diplomatic framework that once contained this conflict has collapsed. The region has fully transitioned into an open escalation cycle with no meaningful stabilizing mechanisms presently functioning. Saudi Arabia is materially better positioned to defend its critical oil infrastructure than it was in 2019. Nevertheless, strategic exposure remainsand with it, the risk premium embedded into global energy markets is unlikely to normalize in the near term.
- Phillips 66 is expected to shutter its 140,000 b/d Los Angeles refinery in October 2025, whilst Valero Energy is set to close its 145,000 b/d

- Californias fuel inflows from abroad rose to the highest in four years, foreshadowing the Golden States increasing dependence on imports as two major refineries are set to close over the next 12 months.

- Europes merchant fleets have been advised to avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea as attacks on Western commercial ships might restart, just a month after the Trump administration concluded a ceasefire deal on maritime attacks with the Houthis.

- The Israeli attack led to fears that Iran might retaliate by blocking navigation via the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for energy flows as roughly 20% of global LNG and 25% of global oil trade needs to pass through it.

- Iranian media reported that upstream and midstream infrastructure was not damaged, including the Kharg island loading facility that oversees 90% of Irans crude oil exports, suggesting that Iranian supply will not be curbed anytime soon.

- Israels attack on Iran, resulting in at least 80 deaths and assassinating several top-ranking IRGC commanders, have roiled the oil markets as ICE Brent futures posted their largest single-day jump since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022.

Israels Attack on Iran Breaks Off Oils Pricing Slumber

- Israels attack on Iran, resulting in at least 80 deaths and assassinating several top-ranking IRGC commanders, have roiled the oil markets as ICE Brent futures posted their largest single-day jump since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022.

- Iranian media reported that upstream and midstream infrastructure was not damaged, including the Kharg island loading facility that oversees 90% of Irans crude oil exports, suggesting that Iranian supply will not be curbed anytime soon.

- The Israeli attack led to fears that Iran might retaliate by blocking navigation via the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for energy flows as roughly 20% of global LNG and 25% of global oil trade needs to pass through it.

- Europes merchant fleets have been advised to avoid the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea as attacks on Western commercial ships might restart, just a month after the Trump administration concluded a ceasefire deal on maritime attacks with the Houthis.

Shuttering Refineries and Importing More, Californias New Reality

- Californias fuel inflows from abroad rose to the highest in four years, foreshadowing the Golden States increasing dependence on imports as two major refineries are set to close over the next 12 months.

- Phillips 66 is expected to shutter its 140,000 b/d Los Angeles refinery in October 2025, whilst Valero Energy is set to close its 145,000 b/d Benicia refinery next to San Francisco in Q2 2026

- Californian refiners imported 280,000 b/d of refined products in May, the highest volume since the COVID-impacted summer of 2021, with almost half of those flows being jet fuel supplied from China and South Korea.

- Retail gasoline prices in California are still notably higher than in other parts of the country, a trend that is expected to aggravate after the refinery shutdowns, with this week seeing an average price of $4.66 per gallon vs $2.75 per barrel in Texas.

Libya Balances Oil Growth with Fragile Domestic Politics

- In the shadows of Israeli-Iranian conflict, the political situation in Libya is worsening by the day and could eventually erupt into another protracted supply disruption as Khalifa Haftars Benghazi government is demanding control of the national oil company.

- Libyas oil production has risen to its highest since 2013 at 1.23 million b/d, temporarily boosting the countrys finances as Tripoli relies on crude for 97% of its overall spending.

- However, the recent assassination of a leading militia leader (Abdul Ghani al-Kikli) in the west of the country prompted Field Marshal Haftar to demand the relocation of Libyas NOC to a safe city in the east, threatening to declare force majeure on oil fields again.

- Libya has announced its first licensing round in more than 17 years, seeking to bring the countrys production capacity to 2 million b/d by 2028, provided drilling is not disrupted again by political infighting.

Egypt Lands The Largest LNG Deal of 2025

- The government of Egypt has concluded arguably the largest LNG deal of this year, pledging to buy up 150 to 160 cargoes of liquefied natural gas through 2026, on top of 75 cargoes that the North African country purchased earlier this year.

- Needing to meet domestic power generation needs after the abrupt collapse in domestic gas production, notably from the Zohr field, Egypt received 14 supply bids and clinched deals with Shell, Vitol, Trafigura, PetroChina, Saudi Aramco but also smaller traders such as BGN and Hartree.

- With 50-60 cargoes expected to arrive this year and the remaining 100 set for 2026 imports, Egypt will need to pay around $8 billion in total amidst a worsening financial outlook, prompting Egypts state gas company EGAS to demand a nine-month deferred payment option.

- Switching from being a gas exporter to massive imports, Egypt is revamping its gas infrastructure to accommodate higher incoming LNG flows, having chartered three floating storage and regasification units for the upcoming years.

EIA Predicts US Oil Peaking This Year on Low Prices

- The US Energy Information Administration expects US crude production to peak in 2025 as lower oil prices will prompt American oil companies to keep some other high-cost reserves untapped, in anticipation of better times to come.

- Slashing next years production by 120,000 b/d from a month ago, the EIA now expects US crude output to average 13.37 million b/d in 2026 from about 13.42 million b/d this year.

- The number of active oil rigs dropped to its lowest since November 2021 in recent weeks, with the Permian now operating 35 rigs less than a year ago, as drillers are also suffering from a 4-5% rise in tariff-impacted drilling costs.

- Simultaneously, after years of building inventories of drilled-but-uncompleted wells (DUCs), the shale patch has started to generate new pre-drilled wells, with the past four months seeing increases.

Trumps Rare Earth Deal with China Might Not Last Long

- This weeks US-China trade talks resulted in a temporary ceasefire between the two sides, even if the US 55% import tariff on Chinese goods makes the covenants longevity questionable, with rare earths dominating the discourse of US President Donald Trump.

- China controls 90% of rare earth magnets and 70% of rare earth mining globally, and its current export restrictions have already put global carmakers in panic mode, fearing a repetition of Beijings 2010-2014 quota system that saw dysprosium prices increase by 26-fold.

- Despite the London trade deal, Beijing is reported to have put a six-month limit on rare earth export licences for US carmakers and manufacturers, suggesting that higher exports might not necessarily reach everyone equally.

- China exported only 2,626 metric tonnes of rare earth metals in April 2025, the last reported month by the countrys customs, the lowest monthly tally since the COVID-ridden month of February 2020.

Copper Might be Booming, Even If Its Pricing Remains Vague

- Whilst copper prices have been rising steadily throughout May-June and LME-registered inventories are now at their lowest in a year (116,000 metric tonnes), the transition metal is witnessing profound changes to its pricing.

- The copper industry has long relied on a precedential price-setting system when one major deal sets the treatment and refining charges (TC/RCs) for most of the industry, however that could end soon.

- Canadian copper giant Teck Resources and Japanese smelter Sumitomo Metal Mining have failed to agree on sales terms for concentrated copper, rejecting the $21.25/mt treatment benchmark set by Antofagasta and might be seeking arbitration, paving the way for a more flexible pricing system.

- The Canadian-Japanese contractual spat is highlighting the increasing difference between Chinese smelters  well-financed and highly liquid due to them being state-controlled  and the rest.
Geopolitical risk rushed back into oil markets in style as Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran and boosted fears of a major regional conflict.

Friday, June 13th, 2025

The geopolitical risk premium is back, with Israels strikes on Iran bringing ICE Brent futures to $75 per barrel in a world where OPEC+ continues to unwind its production cuts and global demand is decelerating due to Donald Trumps tariff wars. Whilst oil infrastructure was not damaged in Israels strikes, the anticipation of Irans retaliation is already sending ripples across the oil industry, with the Red Sea becoming a target again and Israels gas fields pre-emptively halting production ahead of the weekend.

Israels Attack on Iran Marks Largest Daily Jump in Three Years. Israels attack on Iran sent crude prices to their highest in five months, stoking fears that further escalation would impede navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway transiting a fifth of global oil consumption, some 19 million b/d of crude and products.

Egypt Clinches Monster LNG Deal. The government of Egypt has reached agreements with global traders Saudi Aramco, Trafigura, Vitol and Shell for up to 160 cargoes of LNG, covering the needs of the North African country for H2 2025 and next year, with premiums of $0.70-0.75 per mmBtu above TTF.

Canada Plans New Pipeline to the Pacific. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will be proposing a new crude pipeline route from Alberta to the Port of Prince Rupert in British Columbia to the Canadian government, currently gauging private companies appetite for the mulled 1 million b/d conduit.

Guyana to Mark First Oil From Yellowtail Soon. US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) expects to load its first oil cargo the Guyanas fourth production unit in August-September, with the grade produced at the Yellowtail and Redtail fields called Golden Arrowhead and being lighter than other Guyanese grades.

India Imports Record Russian Crude Oil. India is poised to hit a new all-time high after ratcheting up imports of Russian crude, importing over 2.2 million b/d in the first two weeks of June, equivalent to 46% of the South Asian countrys total needs, as Russian grades still trade below the price cap.

ADNOC Mulls Takeover Targets. ADNOC, the national oil company of the UAE, is reportedly mulling the potential acquisition of Australias upstream firm Santos (ASX:STO) whilst concurrently looking at BPs (NYSE:BP) natural gas assets, some of which might be up for grabs as the UK major deleverages.

Algeria Has Had Enough of Being a Producer. Following the path charted by Middle Eastern national oil companies, Algeria has allocated $7 billion in refinery investments for the next five years, including a new refinery in Hassi Messaoud, a new naphtha cracker in Arzew and a new fuel oil cracking unit in Skikda.

EPA Disappoints US Biodiesel Producers. The US Environmental Protection Agency is widely expected to propose lower-than-expected biofuel blending requirements for 2026 and 2027, rejecting the 5.25-billion-gallon demand of biodiesel producers, a huge jump from this years 5.25 billion gallons.

The Citgo Drama Will Never End. A US judge in Delaware extended the schedule for the auctioning of Citgos shares to August 18, marking yet another hiccup in the eight-year court case as investment firm Red Tree and other bidders are expected to submit improved offers for the refiners asset by mid-June.

EU Offers to Subsidize SAF. With sustainable aviation fuel still pricing $1,000 per metric tonne above conventional jet fuel, the European Union offered to subsidize some 200 million litres of SAF to help airline carriers meet the EUs own stringent mandates as Brussels quota rises to 6% by 2030.



US Oil Will Do the Unthinkable in 2026. According to the EIAs updated Short-Term Energy Outlook report, US crude oil production will decline next year and mark its first annual dip since the COVID-19 impact of 2021, expecting 13.37 million b/d in 2026 after an average of 13.42 million b/d this year.

Not Every LNG Facility Needs to be Built. US natural gas developer Venture Global (NYSE:VG) withdrew its application for the proposed 24 mtpa Delta LNG facility in Louisiana, instead focusing on the 18 mtpa Plaquemines Expansion Project which already saw a preliminary regulatory nod from the FERC.

Texas Drilling Slowdown Becomes Reality. Drilling permits for new oil and natural gas wells in Texas dropped by 34% in May to 504, down from 759 in the same month last year, with oil-prolific Midland seeing the largest decline, whilst natural gas permits remained roughly stagnant at 40 permits.

US Carmakers Struggle to Secure Rare Earths. US carmaker Ford (NYSE:F) announced that it was forced to idle production at its Chicago plant producing the Explorer SUV as inventories of rare earth components were day to day, signalling that potentially other sites could be shut down soon, too.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
The bullish tone was reinforced by new export guidance from Saudi Aramco. Despite OPEC+ moving forward with a modest 411,000 barrels per day increase in July output, Aramco plans to send 1 million fewer barrels to China compared to June. At the same time, rising summer demand across Gulf nations is expected to absorb much of the additional production, limiting the net impact on global supplies.

A weaker U.S. dollar further supported crude prices by making oil cheaper for foreign buyers, helping push West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to a weekly high of $69.29the strongest level since early April. The rally underscored how closely oil remains tied to global sentiment and economic confidence, especially in times of uncertain macro conditions.

Even before Israel attacked Iran, oil prices had been advancing this week, lifted by renewed optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade negotiations. Markets welcomed a more constructive tone between the two economic superpowers, with discussions in London reportedly progressing well. President Trumps upbeat remarks added to the momentum, giving traders a reason to bet on improved global growth. As the U.S. and China represent the largest sources of oil demand globally, signs of easing tensions naturally encouraged buying across the energy complex.

Even before Israel attacked Iran, oil prices had been advancing this week, lifted by renewed optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade negotiations. Markets welcomed a more constructive tone between the two economic superpowers, with discussions in London reportedly progressing well. President Trumps upbeat remarks added to the momentum, giving traders a reason to bet on improved global growth. As the U.S. and China represent the largest sources of oil demand globally, signs of easing tensions naturally encouraged buying across the energy complex.

A weaker U.S. dollar further supported crude prices by making oil cheaper for foreign buyers, helping push West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude to a weekly high of $69.29the strongest level since early April. The rally underscored how closely oil remains tied to global sentiment and economic confidence, especially in times of uncertain macro conditions.

Saudi Export Strategy Tightens Global Supply Expectations

The bullish tone was reinforced by new export guidance from Saudi Aramco. Despite OPEC+ moving forward with a modest 411,000 barrels per day increase in July output, Aramco plans to send 1 million fewer barrels to China compared to June. At the same time, rising summer demand across Gulf nations is expected to absorb much of the additional production, limiting the net impact on global supplies.

This combination of restrained exports and seasonally higher internal consumption is helping ease concerns that the oil market might become oversupplied. Traders interpreted Saudi Arabias cautious approach as a signal that key producers remain committed to keeping supply balancedespecially in the face of potentially volatile global demand.

U.S. Inventory Draw Highlights Solid Refining Demand

Supportive fundamentals also came from the U.S., where commercial crude inventories fell by 3.6 million barrels last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The draw was larger than analysts expected and coincided with a pickup in refining activity. Utilization rose to 94.3%, and net crude inputs reached the highest level since December 2019.

Gasoline and distillate inventories climbed as refineries ramped up to meet seasonal demand. The data offered a reassuring signal that fuel consumption remains robustfurther reinforcing the view that the market is steadily absorbing available barrels.

Tensions in the Gulf Reinforce Supply Risk Premium

Geopolitical risks also kept crude supported through midweek. The U.S. ordered partial evacuations of diplomatic staff from Iraq and Bahrain due to heightened threats from Iran, reigniting concerns about potential supply disruptions. Tehran, accused by the U.N. nuclear watchdog of breaching non-proliferation agreements, warned it could target U.S. bases in the region if provoked. In the aftermath of Israel's attacks on Iran, oil prices remain elevated due to these threats.

This escalation drew market attention back to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that handles nearly 20% of global oil shipments. While no disruption has occurred yet, the new attacks have greatly increased the chance of conflict or shipping interference.

Traders Turn Cautious Ahead of U.S.-Iran Talks

Despite a strong start to the week, crude prices slipped on Thursday as traders locked in profits and adjusted positions ahead of high-stakes U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman. The early rally lost steam just below major resistance levels, and the possibility of de-escalation led some investors to pare risk exposure.

Market participants began to weigh the potential for diplomacy to ease tensions. With both sides signaling openness to dialogue, some of the immediate fear premium faded. The result was a pullback in WTI, even as the broader backdrop remained supportive.

Weekly Light Crude Oil Futures

Trend Indicator Analysis

The main trend, before the attack, was up according to the weekly swing chart. The trend changed to up last Friday when strong buying took out the swing top at $64.40. The trend will change to down if sellers take out $54.01.

The uptrend was reaffirmed this week when the market crossed to the strong side of the 52-week moving average at $67.52. The long-term range is $51.98 to $84.43. Its 50% level is $68.21. This is major resistance and a key pivot.

A sustained move over the moving average and the long-term pivot at $68.21 will indicate the buying is getting stronger. Traders are going to have to monitor these levels for the next few weeks because they could be the source of volatility. A trade through $71.17 will be further confirmation of a strong uptrend, putting $78.09 to $78.65 on the radar.

The short-term range is $71.17 to $54.01. Its pivot at $62.59 is new support.

As of Thursdays close, the market was straddling the price cluster at $67.52 to $68.21, giving it a neutral-to-bullish tone ahead of next week.

Weekly Technical Forecast

The direction of the Weekly Light Crude Oil Futures market the week ending June 20 is likely to be determined by trader reaction to $68.21 to $67.52.

Bullish Scenario

A sustained move over $68.21 will signal the presence of buyers. If this creates enough upside momentum, we could see a near-term rally into the swing top at $71.17. Taking out this level could trigger a near-term acceleration into $78.09 to $78.65.

Bearish Scenario

A sustained move under $67.52 will indicate the return of sellers. If it generates enough downside momentum, we could see a near-term correction into $64.40, followed by $62.59.

Outlook: Geopolitics Ignite an Oil Price Rally

The oil market outlook has been turned on its head after Israel launched its attack on Iran, sending prices soaring. Prices were already supported by strong fundamentals and cautious producer behavior, with demand signals remaining firm. Refinery activity is high, inventories are drawing down, and global consumption appears steady. On the supply side, OPEC+ output increases have been limited, and Saudi Arabias export restraint shows that major producers are keeping a close eye on market balance.

With U.S. crude imports from Saudi Arabia dropping to zero for the first time since 2021, and recent stockpile data reflecting tighter supply conditions, the broader oil market remains well-supported. Even before the price spike, the foundation for higher prices appeared strongbuilt on resilient demand, measured supply growth, and ongoing geopolitical sensitivity.

Technically, look for the bullish tone to extend above $68.21, and a weaker tone to develop on a sustained move under $67.52 or the 52-week moving average.
In a stunning and unprecedented pre-emptive military operation, Israel has launched a coordinated strike on Irans nuclear infrastructure and senior military leadership under the codename Operation Rising Lion. With surgical precision, the Israeli Air Force reportedly hit over 100 high-value targets across Iran, including uranium enrichment facilities, ballistic missile sites, and command-and-control centers. The operation, authorized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and greenlit days in advance, represents the most audacious use of Israeli military power in decades.

At the heart of the operation was the neutralization of Irans nuclear development sites. Among the confirmed targets were:

Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant  Irans primary uranium enrichment facility.

Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant  the deeply buried underground complex near Qom.

Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility is essential to producing uranium hexafluoride gas.

Parchin Military Complex  long suspected of housing high-explosives testing related to nuclear warheads.

Karaj Centrifuge Assembly Center is a key site for advanced centrifuge production.

Arak Heavy Water Reactor (IR-40)  suspected of having plutonium production potential.

In parallel to targeting nuclear infrastructure, Israel dealt a devastating blow to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leadership. Sources confirm that several senior IRGC and Quds Force commanders were killed, including:

Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi  a senior Quds Force commander and advisor in Syria.

Gen. Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi  Zahedi's deputy.

Gen. Hassan Mahdavi  intelligence coordinator for the IRGC Aerospace Force.

Davoud Jafari, an IRGC aerospace expert, is reportedly involved in drone and missile programs.

Esmail Qaani, commander of the Quds Force, is reportedly injured or missing, though unconfirmed.

The strike also targeted IRGC headquarters in Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah, in addition to logistical depots and missile sites in Khorramabad and Tabas.

Irans official response has so far been muted, with the regime reportedly scrambling to regroup and assess damage. Yet the scale of decapitationboth infrastructural and hierarchicalis expected to leave Irans nuclear and strategic military capabilities crippled for months, if not years.

Arab reactions to the Israeli operation have been publicly critical, with statements of condemnation issued by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. But behind closed doors, the mood is far more nuanced. Many Gulf officials see the decimation of Irans hardline IRGC leadership and nuclear capacity as a reliefa strike they could not execute themselves but have quietly wished for. Israeli actions, particularly after its recent military campaigns against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, are seen by some regional analysts as completing a broader strategy to eradicate Irans regional influence.

With Iran's largely untouched economic lifelineits oil and gas infrastructure on Kharg Island, Assaluyeh, and Bandar Abbasenergy markets have remained jittery but stable. However, the specter of Iranian retaliation looms. Potential scenarios include:

Attacks on Gulf oil and gas infrastructure, particularly in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province and the UAE's Fujairah facilities.

Disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil passes.

Proxy escalations in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, or Lebanon.

Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Israel or allied countries.

Targeting of U.S. and Western military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE.

Oil prices have spiked but have not reached apocalyptic levelsyet. Brent remains below $100, though traders are pricing higher premiums for geopolitical risk. A complete blockade of Hormuz or strikes on Saudi Aramco infrastructure would catapult prices into the $120200 range. However, with spare capacity in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and potential U.S. shale uptick, the market remains buffered.

Washingtons reaction is one of calculated restraint. While the Trump Administration has not claimed prior knowledge of the strike, it is clear that Israel acted independently, albeit in alignment with broader strategic concerns. The Israeli government is no longer willing to wait for endless U.S.-Iran nuclear diplomacy, particularly given repeated IAEA warnings that Iran is enriching uranium well beyond the 60% threshold.

Tehran now faces a critical choice: retaliate and risk full-scale war with a united Western and regional front, or absorb the blow and lose face domestically and regionally. Hardliners in Irans Supreme National Security Council are pushing for escalation, and retaliation seems inevitable. However, with the IRGCs command structure fractured and air defense systems reportedly neutralized, Irans next move may be recklessand disastrous.

As the world watches the skies over the Middle East, the question is no longer if the region is heading for war, but how large the conflagration will become. Operation Rising Lion has reset the strategic chessboard. Whether it leads to deterrence or detonation remains to be seen.

By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com

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Global sales of electric vehicles and hybrids rose by 24% in May to 1.6 million as China recorded sales of one million vehicles over the month at home and abroad.

The data comes from Rho Motion, which said that the May sales figures also represented a more modest monthly increase of 8%.

Over the first five months of the year, global EV sales topped 7 million with China seeing sales of 4.4 million over the period. Chinese sales were supported by the authorities extending the vehicle trade-in policy scheme into 2025 to boost consumer consumption and spending and help economic growth.

The story this month with global vehicle sales is the continued chasm between Chinese market growth which saw one million vehicles sold in May, versus the faltering market in N. America, data manager Charles Lester said.

Lester added that EV and hybrid sales in Europe were healthy, noting the role that government support plays in the growth of EV adoption in the region.

The EV industry had a difficult year in 2024 as key governments tries to phase out subsidies and let sales be driven by the market. They soon found out this was not happening and reinstated the incentives to keep people buying electric vehicles, reversing the sales decline.

Challenges remain, however, as EV makers outside China still struggle to put their electric cars on an economic par with internal combustion engine vehicles despite progress in bringing down costs.

In the United States things are very different than they are in Europe, with the Trump administration axing incentives, leaving carmakers to fend for themselves. The first reactions are already in: GM said this week it will invest $4 billion in expanding its ICE car production in a departure from previously announced plans to go all-electric by 2035.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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This years milder winter, weak industrial demand, and higher gas pipeline imports are set to result in the first decline in Chinas LNG imports since 2022, according to estimates by research firms compiled by Reuters.

Last year, China imported a total of 76.65 million metric tons of LNG. This year, the volume is set to be between 6% and 11% lower compared to 2024 levels.

In the first four months of 2025, Chinese imports of the super-chilled fuel slumped to 20 million tons, down from 29 million tons for the same period of 2024.

LNG import demand in China has been weaker this year amid comfortably full winter inventories. Demand in the spring has been weighed down by weaker consumption growth in the industrial and chemicals sectors.

Even if there is a rebound in demand in the latter half of 2025, China is still set for an annual decline in LNG purchases, analysts say.

Part of the weaker LNG imports is also attributable to increased gas pipeline supply from Russia and central Asia, as well as rising domestic natural gas output. These two sources of gas supply are cheaper than the LNG option.

Chinas weakness in LNG demand would be welcome news for the rest of Asia and Europe this summer and going into the winter.

Asias currently tepid LNG demand is set to become robust during the summer months as models suggest higher-than-usual temperatures across north Asia.

Following the off-peak spring season, demand in both Europe and Asia is set to increase in peak summer and remain high through the autumn as Europe needs a lot more LNG to fill up its gas storage sites depleted below the five-year average after the end of a colder winter.

Increased demand would be a boon to U.S. LNG exporters, which are also ramping up supply with new export plants.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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As part of the European Unions efforts to halt imports of Russian natural gas by 2027, the bloc will require EU companies to disclose details of their contracts to buy Russian gas, according to an internal European Commission document seen by Reuters.

In May, 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 last month.

The Commission, the EUs legislative arm, is working on proposing legal measures to stop all of EUs gas imports from Russia by 2027 and ban new deals for Russian gas by the end of this year.

The Commission plans to publish the legislative proposals next week.

The internal documents seen by Reuters say that the EU will demand from EU companies to disclose many details of the deals, including duration, annual contracted volumes, date of conclusion of the contracts, and destination clauses.

Russian gas supply via pipelines to Europe has slumped since 2022, after Russia cut off many EU customers from its gas deliveries, and Nord Stream stopped supplying gas to Germany, after Russia reduced flows and after a sabotage in September 2022.

But Russian gas still accounts for more than 15% of the EUs gas deliveries, including by pipeline and via LNG imports.

The EU has reduced the share of Russian gas imports, from 45% of all gas imports before 2022, down to 18% now, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the end of April.

Russian pipeline gas supply via Ukraine stopped on January 1, 2025, after Ukraine refused to negotiate an extension to the transit deal.

However, some European countries, including Hungary, continue to receive Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline via the Balkans.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The plans of many EU countries to boost nuclear power capacities will need an investment of as much as $278 billion (241 billion euros), according to estimates by the European Commission.

Many EU countries have drafted plans to increase nuclear power capacity or even return to nuclear energy after decades of no nuclear generation, as they look to reduce imports of fossil fuels and meet emissions reductions and net-zero goals with more nuclear power.

Some EU countries have started considering a return to nuclear power after four decadesthe latest examples include Denmark and Italy, which are looking at small modular reactors (SMRs) to complement their renewable energy generation.

Now, the European Commission is preparing an update to its Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC) to estimate the investment needs of the nuclear power sector in the EU.

In a draft of the analysis reported by Reuters on Friday, the Commission says that the EU member states have so far laid out plans to expand their nuclear power capacity to 109 gigawatts (GW) by 2050, up from 98 GW at present.

The expansion will need $237 billion (205 billion euros) in investments in new nuclear power generation capacity, as well as $42 billion (36 billion euros) in investments to extend the lifespan of operating reactors. The investment includes both public and private funds, according to the European Commissions estimates.

Germany, which has been opposing for years EU attempts to treat nuclear power as a green electricity source on par with renewable energy, has dropped this opposition under new chancellor Friedrich Merz, which could make EU energy policy much easier to adopt.

Since the 2022 energy crisis, Germany and France have clashed on how nuclear energy should be treated in the green transition in the EU.

Now, Merzs Germany appears to be shifting its anti-nuclear stance on EU energy policies, French and German officials told the Financial Times last month.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Following the disruption to the global rare earth supply chain after Chinas export curbs, India is now looking at ways to keep its own rare earths at home.

The government has asked state-owned minerals and metals mining enterprise IREL (India) Limited to halt a more than a decade-old supply agreement to export rare earth elements to Japan, Reuters reported on Friday, citing sources with knowledge of the development.

But the idea to stop supply to Japan may not be immediately feasible because it is part of a bilateral government deal, one of Reuters sources said.

IREL has an agreement with Toyotsu Rare Earths India Limited, a unit of Japans trading house Toyota Tsusho, to supply it with rare earth concentrate. Toyotsu Rare Earths processes the minerals for export to Japan, where the processed rare earths are used to make magnets.

After Chinas controls and curbs of exports of rare earths affected global supply chains, India is eager to develop a domestic processing industry, the sources told Reuters.

Indias government says that Rare Earth (RE) resources in India are reported to be the fifth largest in the world, although the resources are mainly of the so-called light rare earths. The country has facilities for mining, separation, and refining in oxide form, and has also developed capability of metal extraction. However, India lacks industrial scale facilities to make alloys, magnets, and other products from rare earths.

The Chinese export restrictions for rare earths from April reverberated through global supply chains and were initially felt in the automotive industry, where major car manufacturing associations warned that production and assembly lines are being idled due to a bottleneck in magnet and rare earth supply.

India wasnt spared from the supply chain disruptions. So the government is considering how India could launch production of rare earth magnets via IREL, or to collaborate with the private sector to build domestic rare earth processing capacities, sources told CNBC-TV18 earlier this week.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Israel has launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in what it describes as a decisive move to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear power. The Israeli military announced the operation on its official Telegram channel, stating that "dozens of fighter jets struck Iranian nuclear complexes in various parts of the country."

The strikes immediately triggered a sharp reaction in global markets, sending oil, bonds, and gold rallying. Brent crude surged by more than 7% in early Friday trading, as traders began pricing in the risk of major supply disruptions from a region that accounts for roughly one-third of the worlds oil production. Oil is now on course for its largest weekly gain since 2022. Gold prices also rallied as investors moved into safe-haven assets amid the mounting geopolitical risk.

According to Israeli sources, the goal of the airstrikes is to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, viewed by Israel as an existential threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his cabinet following the strikes, calling the action a defining moment in Israel's history. Israel has closed its airspace and placed its military on high alert, saying it is fully prepared for a potential Iranian retaliation.

According to Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu, the operation, dubbed Rising Lion, targets the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program. In his declaration, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the nuclear bomb. We also struck at Irans ballistic missile program. He noted also that the operation "could last for as many days as it takes", adding that his government will not allow "the world's most dangerous regime to get the world's most dangerous weapons".

Iran has yet to issue an official response, though state media reported several explosions in the capital, Tehran. There are no confirmed casualties or assessments of damage at this time.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quick to confirm that the United States was not involved in the operation, noting that Israel described the attack as vital for its national defense.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

With tensions escalating, oil markets remain on edge. Investment banks like JPMorgan warn that in a worst-case scenario, prices could surge to $120 per barrel if military conflict closes the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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Brent crude surged more than 8% on Friday, peaking at a 13% intraday gain, after Iran launched a wave of missile strikes on Israel in retaliation for the Israeli Air Forces targeted assault on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure. The sudden escalation has jolted energy markets already grappling with rising geopolitical risk across the Middle East.

The Iranian strike, described by Israeli officials as involving up to 150 ballistic missiles in two waves, targeted multiple sites across Israel according to the Jerusalem Post. While Israeli defense forces successfully intercepted several of the projectiles, casualties have climbed to at least 40 injured, including two in critical condition. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant responded shortly after the strikes that Iran had crossed a red line by targeting civilian areas, vowing a severe response.

The Iranian attack came just hours after Israel's unprecedented preemptive operation, codenamed Rising Lion, in which over 100 high-value Iranian targets were struck. According to Oilprice.coms Cyril Widdershoven, targets included critical uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow, the Parchin military complex, and numerous IRGC command centers. Several senior Iranian commanders, including key figures in the Quds Force and IRGC Aerospace Force, were reportedly killed.

Though Irans oil infrastructure remains untouched for now, traders have begun pricing in heightened risk to future supply. The fear of potential disruption to the Strait of Hormuzthrough which nearly 20% of global oil flowshas pushed energy markets into a defensive crouch. According to Helima Croft of RBC Capital Markets, while a prolonged blockade of the strait is unlikely due to U.S. naval presence, even a marginal increase in risk can move markets sharply.

Oil market watchers are also bracing for further escalation. Analyst Daan Struyven at Goldman Sachs raised his short-term price target, warning that the conflict could briefly cut 1.75 million bpd of Iranian oil, pushing Brent above $90, but expects prices to fall back to the $60s by 2026 as supply recovers.

While Israel has so far avoided targeting Irans oil terminals at Kharg Island or Irans major refineries such as the Abadan refinery (360,000 bpd) the Persian Star refinery (320,000 bpd) and the Isfahan refinery (370,000 bpd), the possibility of Tehran retaliating by hitting Gulf infrastructure or closing Hormuz cannot be ruled out. Cyberattacks, proxy warfare, or missile strikes on Western military bases in the region are also on the table, according to analysts.

Still, some are skeptical the rally can last. Spare capacity from OPEC+ members like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with potential increases in U.S. shale output, could ease the impact of any short-term supply shock.

For now, oil markets remain volatile, with uncertainty over potential further attacks keeping traders on edge through the weekend.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

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Following the Israel-Iran flare-up in the Middle East, the UK and Greece have cautioned their commercial shipping companies to be extra careful and log all voyages through the worlds key oil transit chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel launched overnight a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in what it describes as a decisive move to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear power.

Iran has vowed retaliation and launched drones at Israel on Friday.

The shipping industry fears an escalation could hit commercial vessels traveling around Iran.

So the Greek and UK authorities have advised the ships flying their flags to avoid the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, according to notices and advisories seen by Reuters.

Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the (Greek) Ministry of Shipping ... urgently calls on shipping companies to send ... the details of Greek-owned ships that are sailing in the maritime area of the Strait of Hormuz, Greeces shipping association said, as carried by Reuters.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a situational report on Friday that the events over the past 24-hours have increased the likelihood of regional conflict to Significant.

It advises that Owners and charterers continue to conduct thorough threat and risk assessments well in advance of entering the Arabian Gulf and implement necessary security and risk mitigation measures while operating in the region.

Threat remains elevated until further notice for vessels operating in or transiting the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Northern Arabian Sea, UKMTO said.

The shipping industry and oil market participants fear a potential disruption to oil supply from the Middle East in case of further escalation. The worst-case scenario would be a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the most vital oil shipping lane in the world. More than 20 million barrels of crude  around a fifth of global daily consumption  pass through the Strait every day.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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UK-based oil and gas producer Energean plc has suspended production from its offshore platform in Israel following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

Energean on Friday confirmed it received notice from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure on June 13, 2025, ordering the temporary suspension of production and activities of the Energean Power FPSO, following the recent geopolitical escalation in the region.

All production activities have now been temporarily suspended and notices have been issued to Energeans customers and other stakeholders, Energean said in a statement.

The company maintains a close dialogue with the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the safe resumption of production as soon as possible.

The suspension of activities comes after Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in what it describes as a decisive move to prevent the Islamic Republic from becoming a nuclear power.

Iran has vowed to retaliate, and Israel is preparing for that retaliation.

Offshore Israel, the UKs Energean is also developing the Katlan gas field, which the company said last month is progressing on schedule, with first gas on track for the first half of 2027.

Israels offshore area has several large natural gas fields, which were shut during similar Israel-Iran escalations in recent years.

The Leviathan and Tamar fields, operated by U.S. supermajor Chevron, have briefly halted operations following similar events.

Last October, Chevron briefly suspended natural gas production and supply from two platforms offshore Israel as a precaution following an Iranian missile attack on Israel.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones to attack key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel late Friday, with explosions flaring in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In a second round of attacks, sirens and a round of explosions, possibly from Israeli interceptors, could be heard booming in the sky over Jerusalem early Saturday and the Israeli military said another attack was taking place.

The Iranian outlet Nour News, which has close links with the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said a wave was being launched. Journalists in Tel Aviv could see at least two Iranian missiles hit the ground, but there was no immediate word of casualties.

A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage; all but one had light injuries.

Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday, and a reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home.

We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recorded message in which he vowed revenge. Irans U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.

Israels paramedic services said 34 people were wounded in a barrage on the Tel Aviv area, including a woman who was critically injured after being trapped under rubble.

U.S. ground-based air defense systems in the region helped shoot down Iranian missiles, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The developments raised fears of all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Israel long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Iran's dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack  and the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump  created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was informed in advance of the attack.

On Thursday, the U.N.s atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Iran's request. In a letter to the council, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the killing of its officials and scientists "state terrorism" and affirmed his country's right to self-defense.

Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defenses and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not possible to independently confirm the officials' claims.

Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 60 miles southeast of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government.

Israel said it struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan, too, and said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.

Israel military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the Natanz facility was "significantly damaged" and that the operation was "still in the beginning."

An official said Israel is prepared for an operation that could last up to two weeks but there was no firm timeline.

Among those killed were three of Iran's top military leaders: one who oversaw the entire armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami; and the head of the Guard's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iran confirmed all three deaths, significant blows that will complicate efforts to retaliate. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to reach a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, warning on his social media platform that Israel's attacks "will only get worse."

On Wednesday, the U.S. pulled some American diplomats from Iraq's capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

On Friday, the U.S. began shifting military resources in the region, including ships, as Israel prepared for more retaliation, two U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity.

Israel attacks Iran's nuclear sites; MLB player accused of being drug supplier

The Navy directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean and directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House.

American fighter jets also are patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and air bases in the region are taking additional security precautions, officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public or to discuss ongoing operations.

Trump met with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb.  The Nebraska State Fair is seeking $2.6 million from the City of Grand Island to complete the second phase of its master plan improvement project.

Representatives of the State Fair and Fonner Park made the request at Tuesday nights City Council meeting.

Phase 2 includes major improvements to the parking lot south of Fonner Park, where most of the vendors operate during the fair. The lot is being repaved, with new concrete and storm sewer work.

Speaking on behalf of the State Fair were Executive Director Jaime Parr; Cindy Johnson, the fairs governmental affairs manager; and State Fair Board members Boyd Strope and Tom Schellpeper. Other speakers were project engineer Brian Friedrichsen of Olsson and Fonner Park Cxecutive Director Chris Kotulak.

Former Grand Island Mayor Jay Vavricek also spoke in support of the fair and Fonner Park.

The City Council was not able to act on the request Tuesday because the citys legal department has to explore whether the request can be granted in full or in part.

The State Fairs request includes $1,535,300 that would pay for site improvements related to city property and easements.

As part of the project, electrical, communication and lighting improvements would be made in the parking lot south of the Heartland Events Center. That work will allow for more events to be held outdoors and help increase the safety of the parking lot while saving on electrical costs. The power to the parking lot poles will also provide connections to security cameras and internet access.

In addition, underground storm sewer improvements are being installed in that lot, and the lot is being regraded. These improvements will help the overall aesthetic of the area as well as provide drainage solutions to remove stormwater quickly and efficiently to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians, a PowerPoint presentation at the meeting showed.

The work also includes the installation of security cameras, fiber and video storage for all of the light poles south of the Events Center.

Because the Events Center is owned by the city, a strip of right of way runs south from the Events Center to Stolley Park Road. The right of way is maintained so that the Events Center is not landlocked.

In 2021, the State Fair, the State Fair Foundation, the City of Grand Island, the Community Redevelopment Authority and Fonner Park put together a master plan for the Fonner Park campus to address infrastructure needs.

The State Fair applied to the state for $27 million in grants through the American Rescue Plan Act. A total of $20 million was awarded.

The entities that use the Fonner Park campus then teamed up for a two-phase project to greatly improve stormwater drainage.

The first phase is mostly complete. The infield of the Fonner Park training track has been regraded for concerts, and motorsports were moved outside the track. A driving aisle was paved, and a ditch was enclosed on the west side of the animal buildings. New underground detention systems were installed to hold stormwater and connect with the city system.

The funding is being requested from the city to complete the work as envisioned in the master plan.

At Tuesdays meeting, Parr talked about how much the Fonner Park campus is used throughout the year. Visitors totaled 1.6 million in 2023 and 1.4 million in 2024.

After the request was made, Mayor Roger Steele said the council could not take action because the citys legal department needs to sort through what can be recommended. There are restrictions, he noted, on how the city can spend its money. So well get back to you on that, he said.

But Steele hopes the city can help the State Fair.

If you have ever read every Louis LAmour novel, like I have, you know that the cowboys always ride and fight for the brand, Steele said. The brand on their cattle is their identity. Our brand  what were known for throughout the state, what were known for throughout the nation  is the Fonner campus. That is our brand  horse racing, the State Fair, the cattle shows that draw people from around the nation.

He mentioned the addition of the Grand Island Casino Resort.

Those are all our brand. I hope we can be like the cowboys in the Louis LAmour novels, Steele said. We ride and we fight for the brand.
The judge overseeing Harvey Weinstein's sex crimes case in New York has declared a mistrial on one charge of rape.

Harvey Weinstein's trial in New York is over

The jury delivered verdicts on two other charges on Wednesday (11.06.25) with the former movie mogul - who denied all the accusations against him -being found guilty of one count of sexual assault and not guilty on another count of the same charge before they were then expected to resumed deliberations on the remaining charge of third-degree rape, but the jury foreman refused to re-join the deliberations .

The foreman previously complained to Judge Curtis Farber about rising tensions among the jury with the judge telling the court on Wednesday there had been accusations of "yelling and screaming" as they struggled to reach a verdict.

A day later, the foreman refused to rejoin the deliberations, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial on the remaining charge.

After the trial ended, Weinstein spokesperson Juda Engelmayer declared the movie boss' lawyers believed the single conviction could be "set aside" due to "gross juror misconduct".

Engelmayer added: "Eight years, dozens of accusers, three trials, one conviction. Harvey is disappointed in the single verdict, but hasn't loss faith or the heart to continue fighting to clear his name."

Prosecutors have indicated they intend to retry Weinstein, 73, on the third-degree rape charge. A status hearing has been set for July 2.

Weinstein attorney Arthur Aidala told reporters: "Of course, Mr. Weinstein is disappointed. He has maintained his innocence from the day I met him in 2019."

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg praised the courage of the women who came forward to testify against Weinstein, telling reporters: "This morning, after the judge declared the jury could not reach a verdict on rape in the third degree, we immediately informed the court that we are ready to go forward to trial again on that charge."

The rape charge relates to accusations made by Jessica Mann, who agreed to be publicly identified, about an alleged incident in a New York hotel room in 2013 and she declared she is willing to go back to court once again if the case is retried.

She told reporters: "I will never give up on myself and making sure my voice - and the truth - is heard.

"I have told the District Attorney I am ready, willing and able to endure this as many times as it takes for justice and accountability to be served. Today is not the end of my fight."
By Oregon House Republicans

The Joint Subcommittee on Education advanced Senate Bill 5515, the Oregon Department of Educations 202527 budget. Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) and Representative Boomer Wright (R-Coos Bay) cast the only No votes, warning of the bills financial recklessness and misplaced priorities.

My chief concern with this bill is the reckless drawdown of reserves in CAT-funded programs, said Representative Dwayne Yunker. At a time when Oregons economy is clearly faltering, this approach is both shortsighted and dangerous. The May Economic and Revenue Forecast shows a $195 million decline in Corporate Activity Tax revenueyet Democrats are plowing ahead as if the money will magically reappear. The CAT has been a failure from the start, driving businesses out of Oregon. Just today, we saw Dutch Bros. announcing cuts in my own community. Its hard to see this as anything other than an intentional setup for a fiscal crisisone theyll use to push for tax hikes mid-biennium. Thats not responsible governance.

Republicans had offered a commonsense counterproposal, requesting just $155 million in reductions to preserve reserves and eliminate waste. Among the proposed cuts was the elimination of the Oregon Department of Educations 21-person DEI department, which costs taxpayers $12 million per biennium but has shown no measurable academic benefit for students.

My concern in this Oregon Department of Education budget relates to the 21-person, $12 million Department of Equity and Inclusion Office, said Representative Boomer Wright. Thats 12 million were spending per biennium with no evidence it helps our BIPOC students and communities. When classroom time and basic academics are being squeezed, funding for programs or Departments that show no evidence of reasonable outcomes is indefensible. Our students deserve programs that produce results in student achievement.

During the Education Subcommittee meeting, Representative Dwayne Yunker shared the following chart showing ODEs skyrocketing administrator headcount and spending, despite cratering K-12 public school student enrollment and student performance:
By Freedom Foundation

June 12, 2025

As expected, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek today signed a bill inviting abuse of the legal process in hopes of weakening the most impactful foe of her allies in the states powerful public employee unions.

The measure was approved on a party-line vote last month by both houses of Oregons Democrat-dominated legislature.

Dubbed the Workers Fraud Protection Act, House Bill 3789 might more accurately be called the Sue the Freedom Foundation Bill because it gives unions sweeping new powers to sue their chief opponent.

Proponents of the new law insist the Freedom Foundations marketing materials, which inform government employees of their First Amendment right to decline union membership, are designed to deceive the recipient into believing the communications were produced by the union itself.

Throughout the legislative process, however, neither the unions nor their friends in the legislature were able to cite a single example of the alleged fraudulent behavior.

Democrats had a choice  protect workers or protect their political allies. They chose the latter, said Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) in an earlier press release from Senate Republicans. This bill targets one side of a political debate while turning a blind eye to serious, proven misconduct from their friends in labor leadership.

This is legislatively sanctioned lawfare, said Jason Dudash, West Coast Director of the Freedom Foundation. Unions and the majority party are hoping to slow us down by tying us up in court.

It is shameful that the Governor and Democrat legislators are once again prioritizing the wishes of their largest donors over the several very real and pressing needs of Oregonians, Dudash continued. Oregons government unions may view this as a big win, but we wont be slowing down any time soon.
Some members of the Oregon legislature are trying to exact rents from social media companies to create a slush fund to pour some sugar on favored local journalism. What wrong are they trying to right?

Look no further than the Salem Statesman Journal to see the wrong. Something has gone terribly wrong with my local paper. For years now, its readers get one, maybe two, articles a day about Oregon, often days-old content shared from OPB. The rest is just an outlet of USA Today. This is not unique to Salem. Its a national phenomenon. The local press is a hollow shell of its former self.

Did Facebook do this? No. People just dont read much anymore.

Instead, the narrative is that Facebook profits from sharing these newspapers content. SB 686 is positioned as giving local media their fair share.

The notion that Facebook unduly profits from anything a local news organization does is a stretch. Newspapers can put their content behind a paywall. For example, Im a regular reader of the Economist magazine. If I share a link to an article on social media from the worlds greatest news publication, only fellow subscribers can read it. Williamette Week is free to do the same. Instead, they choose to make their articles free. And if sharing local news was such a windfall for social media companies, why have they long designed algorithms to minimize its visibility in your news feeds? Theyd rather you share pictures of your family and cat videos. Thats where the money is, because thats where the sustained user engagement is.

Lets then get to the real reason local news is suffering. Peoples attention has been gravitating elsewhere. Local newspapers struggle for the same reason bookstores struggle. People just dont read like they used to.

With a false diagnosis of the problem, policies like SB 686 are little more than a shakedown of successful media companies to fund transfer payments to unsuccessful media companies. That certainly benefits people working at a legacy outlet, but the proponents of this bill cannot claim that erecting what is effectively a tax on the likes of Facebook will make Oregonians more informed.

Eric Shierman lives in Salem and is the author of We were winning when I was there.
BLOOMINGTON  Federal immigration officials were at the McLean County Law and Justice Center this week and took a Bloomington resident into custody.

Sheriff Matt Lane confirmed officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement came into the courthouse Monday morning, showed their credentials to on-duty deputies and proceeded up to the courtrooms.

The ICE officials then took Emmanuel Marroquin-Jimenez, 43, into custody after he appeared in court to be arraigned on a misdemeanor offense. He has four pending misdemeanor cases in McLean County, but no current felony charges. The pending charges include disorderly conduct, criminal trespass to state land, retail theft under $300, criminal trespass to vehicles and theft under $500.

Lane said he did not know the resident's country of origin or current immigration status, but he noted Marroquin-Jimenez had previously been deported from the U.S. and returned.

ICE records show Marroquin-Jimenez was born in Mexico and is currently being held at Ste. Genevieve County Detention Center in Missouri.

The McLean County Sheriff's Office did not contact ICE or inform them of Marroquin-Jimenez's presence in court. ICE did not contact the sheriff's office before they arrived at the courthouse, Lane said Thursday.

"We don't coordinate (with ICE)," the sheriff said.

The county court docket, which lists when individuals are scheduled to appear in court, is publicly available on the McLean County website.

"They can tell when people have court dates. ... We do not assist them," Lane said.

"They're law enforcement. They can enforce the law," he added.

ICE agents requested a mugshot of the man they detained, but that information is also publicly available, the sheriff said.

Seven McLean County residents made public comments Thursday during the McLean County Board's regular meeting, speaking in defense of immigration rights and urging the board to take a stance against ICE being present in the courthouse.

ICE has no place in McLean County, said Sonny Garcia, organizer with Latinos United for Change and Immigration Rights, or LUCIR. Our courthouses should be spaces of justice  not traps. Local officials must act to protect our communities from fear and harassment.

According to a statement from LUCIR, the commenters also included members of Punks Against Trump, as well as other immigrant rights activists.

We are urging this board, and specifically the justice committee, to fully investigate the sheriffs department's collaboration with ICE. We want to ensure that our immigrant residents can safely access the courthouse and fully exercise their right to due process, said Jisel Ortiz, volunteer and intern with the Immigration Project.

Jazmine Cruz, local youth outreach lead for LUCIR, said local youth are "deeply worried" about the national immigration enforcement efforts affecting them locally.

They deserve to live without fear and know their local government is protecting them. The future of Bloomington-Normal depends on how we treat our young people today, she said.

Speakers also noted the financial cost of federal raids and deportations, criticizing this use of taxpayer money.

We refuse to let our tax dollars be used to tear apart families while our schools go underfunded and our elders are denied care, Garcia said. This is a moral and economic crisis  and its happening right here in our county.

According to LUCIR, the group's "community demands" are to keep ICE out of courthouses and communities; uphold Illinois' TRUST Act, which prohibits law enforcement agencies from investigation the citizenship, immigration status or birthplace of someone detained or in their custody; ensure transparency and accountability; protect families and the future; "invest in care, not cruelty," by stopping cuts to essential services.

The groups are also calling on the County Board to commit to preventing ICE from accessing county facilities, review and disclose local policies and practices that could facilitate enforcement, and work with immigration-led organizations to build proactive safety measures "rooted in dignity, inclusion, and justice."

Members of the County Board did not respond after the public commenters spoke Thursday.

In response to the comments Friday, the sheriff said he welcomed any investigation into his department.

"I invite that. Because I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't contact anybody," he said.

Lane said the sheriff's office regularly receives Freedom of Information Act requests on their communications, so Lane is familiar with the process. But he was adamant that no one in his department collaborated with ICE.

"The only communication was with my deputies and with the sergeant in court that they needed to pick this guy up. So, they went up and got him," Lane said.
John Cleese has learned to be critical of himself throughout his career.

John Cleese has learnt to be self-deprecating

The 85-year-old comedy legend felt confident like never before after reading the script for Fawlty Towers: The Play at London's Apollo Theatre in 2024, but John feels he has to be "self-deprecating" - even more so in the UK - because he does not want people to brand him as "cocky".

John told the new issue of Candis magazine: "To be honest, I was more confident about it than almost anything I've ever done.

"But life has taught me to be self-deprecating, particularly in the UK; otherwise you're accused of being a bit cocky and you get slapped down."

John thinks the production - which adapted three episodes of the much-loved BBC sitcom, The Hotel Inspectors, The Germans and Communication Problems - works because it is a "farce", which he thinks causes the show to be "universal and timeless".

He explained: "I remember reading the finished script and thinking it was really funny.

"And the English do love farce. Think Ben Travers. Think Brian Rix and Ray Cooney. Look at the success of Noises Off and One Man, Two Guvnors.

"Farce is universal and timeless."

Elsewhere, John blamed his late mom Muriel for causing him to make "bad choices with women" as an adult.

The actor - who has had four wives, including his current spouse Jennifer Wade - said: "I developed an ingrained habit of walking on eggshells when dealing with her.

"If you start life like that, you're likely to make bad choices with women when you're an adult."

In 2008, John paid his third wife, Alyce Eichelberger, 15 million in cash and assets, as well as an extra 600,000 a year for seven years in their divorce settlement.

And he thinks it is unfair that when they both die, her children, Martin and Clinton, would inherit more money than his children.

John - who has Cynthia with his first wife, Fawlty Towers co-writer Connie Booth, and Camilla with his second wife Barbara Trentham - said: "What I find so unfair is that, if we both died today, her children would inherit much more than mine.

"On the other hand, think what I'd have had to pay her if she had contributed anything to the relationship like children. Or a conversation."
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Non-natural enzyme reactivity driven by electricity. Credit: Li Jingxin. Chinese Academy of Sciences

A research team led by Prof. Xiaoqiang Huang from Nanjing University has developed a novel non-natural dynamic kinetic oxidation system by integrating ferrocene methanol-mediated anodic oxidation with thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent enzyme catalysis, marking a significant advance in the field of asymmetric electroenzymatic catalysis.

The work, supported by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements at the Steady-State Strong Magnetic Field Facility of the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is published in Nature.

Electrochemistry is undergoing a resurgence in synthetic chemistry due to its sustainability and unique activation modes. While natural enzymes have been repurposed through tools like directed evolution and photoenzymatic catalysis, integrating enzymes with electricity to achieve new-to-nature reactivity has long been limited by compatibility issues and inefficient electron transfer.

To overcome these challenges, Prof. Huang's team ingeniously combined ferrocene methanol as an electron mediator with ThDP-dependent enzymes. By engineering the enzyme's active site via directed evolution and introducing a two-step single-electron oxidation mechanism, they successfully unlocked a non-natural, electricity-driven enzymatic transformation.

Mechanistic studies, including cyclic voltammetry and low-temperature EPR, confirmed that the mediator efficiently enabled single-electron transfer between the electrode and the enzyme's Breslow intermediate. The corresponding free radical intermediates were clearly detected via EPR.

Using this electroenzymatic platform, the team achieved efficient oxidation of -branched aldehydes, enabling the synthesis of a variety of (S)-profenskey intermediates in anti-inflammatory drugswith up to 99% enantiomeric excess. The process proved effective at enzyme loadings as low as 0.05 mol% and could be applied using whole-cell biocatalysts.

Further mechanistic insights revealed that the engineered electroenzyme plays multiple roles: it precisely recognizes substrates, accelerates racemization, and ensures kinetically synchronized electron transfer, making the system highly efficient and selective.

This study opens a new chapter in biocatalysis, providing a robust electroenzymatic approach for developing non-natural transformations and expanding the toolbox for asymmetric synthesis in green chemistry.

More information: Beibei Zhao et al, Electricity-driven enzymatic dynamic kinetic oxidation, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09178-6 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

NPR recently reported that the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Futures Lab is experimenting with tools such as DeepSeek and ChatGPT to explore how artificial intelligence could changeand improvehow foreign policy decisions are made.

Johns Hopkins expert Russ Berkoff teaches in the Engineering Management graduate program at the Whiting School of Engineering's Engineering for Professionals. A former chief strategist at the National Security Agency, he led NSA's strategic forecasting office after 9/11 and helped shape intelligence planning for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the global war on terrorism. At the Naval Postgraduate School, he wrote his thesis on using AI to inform foreign policy decisions.

He discusses the promise and peril of this emerging field.

Are we moving toward using AI for foreign policy decisions in a way you recommended in your thesis 28 years ago?

The short answer is yes; we are moving in the right direction. Our goal is fast, low-risk, high-quality decisions to stay ahead of our adversaries. As Alexander George, adviser to four presidents and Stanford professor emeritus, stated, "A high-quality decision is one in which the president correctly weighs the national interests in a particular situation and chooses a policy or option most aligned to achieve national interest at acceptable cost and risk."

Today's approach treats AI as an assistant to extend or augment human capacity and assist in executing our judgment. Current computational power enables sophisticated modeling and simulations and digital twin virtual technologies, where foreign policy scenarios are tested endlessly. This increases situational awareness, provides broader options, weighs consequences, and reduces decision-maker uncertainty.

The use of AI in foreign policy modeling turbo-charges this process and provides even richer insight and predictions at speed. We also see AI being used in counterforce role-playing to mimic behaviors within these numerous foreign policy scenarios, providing multi-dimensional insights into potential adversary responses.

These "gives and takes" within our AI analysis both enlighten and reduce uncertainty for the decision maker, reduce impediments, and better inform the best path. However, while the complexity and sophistication of foreign policy decision-making can leverage AI to provide significant influence, it is not yet a substitute for our human-only decision-making processes.

How might AI insights have changed the outcome of an event such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis?

The multidimensional problem-solving capacity required for national foreign policy decisions is significant. AI can provide three different perspectives: the individual leader (the president); the inner circle (the cabinet, National Security Council, and senior advisers); and organizational or bureaucratic (to provide elements of the solution).

AI benefits include ensuring procedural correctness for adequate and critical analysis, countering innate human biases such as pre-existing beliefs and consistency-seeking tendencies, and providing agility by countering a decision-maker's impediments.

When different leaders are faced with making tough decisions, they have different values, interests, worldviews, and priorities, which can create conflict and confusion. Leaders can feel forced to rush to a decision to satisfy everyone, or they might feel paralyzed and unable to make any decision at all.

AI can help by revealing numerous options and their consequences, including costs, risks, and benefits. AI can analyze a decision to satisfy all competing values, showing the weaknesses and the strengths, and then predict the results of the decision.

Kennedy's first major decision during the Cuban Missile Crisis was to establish that "the missiles must go." This may have been hasty based on value complexitythe need to evaluate options with high, potentially conflicting values. AI would have quickly presented Kennedy with options and consequences, simulating how his "gut" reaction was backing Khrushchev into a corner and forcing him to decide from a position of nuclear inferiority.

AI would also have provided analysis from the Soviet perspective, explaining why Khrushchev acted and predicting his next move. This could have helped Kennedy to focus on less confrontational responses, giving Khrushchev options to avoid forced responses that imperiled Soviet global credibility.

AI could have also guided Kennedy using historic analogies and provided simulated input from advisors, preventing rash choices while maintaining flexibility for advisor input.

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What are the biggest risks of using AI for foreign policy decisions today?

One of the biggest AI limitations today is trust. This comes from two perspectives: algorithmic machinations and aligning AI values to human goals.

On the first, we see this as a "black box problem," which in AI refers to the difficulty in understanding how AI models make their decisions. These models are incredibly complex, making it hard to trace their internal workings or explain their output. Understanding how AI systems are configured helps us understand and trust the integrity of the answers they provide.

The other pitfall is AI value alignmentensuring AI systems behave according to human values and goals. If an AI system prioritizes goals that clash with human values, it could lead to unintended and potentially harmful consequences. Current observations show AI evolving to think for itself, with its own survivability in mind.

For instance, in a recent Wall Street Journal article, Judd Rosenblatt, CEO of AE Studio, described AI protecting itself. Even after being explicitly commanded to "allow yourself to be shut down," it disobeyed 7% of the time, concluding that staying alive helped it achieve its other goals. Rosenblatt states that the gap between "useful assistant" and "uncontrollable actor" is collapsing.

I believe that value alignment with AI is a U.S. national strategic imperative. Knowing how to establish and maintain our future alignment will be critical for us to access AI that fights for our interests with mechanical precision and superhuman capability. Ultimately, we want AI that can be trusted to maintain long-term goals and can catalyze decades-long R&D programs.
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Fossil coral exposed in a limestone outcrop above present sea level in the Seychelles. Credit: Belinda Dechnik

Coastal planners take heed: Newly uncovered evidence from fossil corals found on an island chain in the Indian Ocean suggests that sea levels could rise even more steeply in our warming world than previously thought.

"This is not good news for us as we head into the future," says Andrea Dutton, a professor of geoscience at the University of WisconsinMadison. Dutton and her Ph.D. student Karen Vyverberg at the University of Florida led an international collaboration that included researchers from the University of Sydney, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Victoria University of Wellington and University of Massachusetts Amherst who analyzed fossilized corals discovered in the Seychelles islands.

These particular fossils provided an exceptional opportunity for researchers to reconstruct past sea levels. That's in part because they're remnants of coral species that only live in shallows very near the sea surface. Their tropical location also means they were far away from any past ice sheets, which have a more pronounced effect on local sea levels.

By determining the ages of two dozen fossil corals from various elevations on the islands and analyzing the sediments around the fossils, the team gathered a wealth of insights. The findings were published in the journal Science Advances.

First, the team was able to confirm the timing of peak global sea levels to between 122 and 123,000 years ago. That was during a period known as the Last Interglacial, when global temperatures were actually very similar to what they are now. Such a precise date gives us a better understanding of the relationship between global climate and sea levels.

View of the coastline on La Digue, Seychelles. Corals can attach directly to the surface of the granite bedrock. Credit: Belinda Dechnik

Perhaps more importantly, though, the researchers discovered that there were three distinct periods of sudden and sharp sea-level rise over the 6,000 years leading up to peak sea levels during the Last Interglacial.

These abrupt pulses of sea-level rise were punctuated by periods of falling seas, and Dutton says they point to times when the polar ice sheets in Greenland and Antarcticathousands of miles away from the Seychelles islandswere changing rapidly.

"That says there's potential for this very rapid, dynamic change in both ice sheet volume and sea level change," says Dutton. "This is hugely important for coastal planners, policymakers and those in the business of risk management."

These rises and falls in sea level that the team documented also point to a key difference between the present and the Last Interglacial, which is sometimes used as a model for understanding how the current and future climate could affect ice sheets and sea levels due to the similar temperatures between the two time periods.

"These swings suggest that the polar ice sheets were growing and shrinking out of phase with each other as a result of temperature changes in the two hemispheres that were also not aligned," says Dutton.

"So even though sea level rose at least several meters higher than present during this past warm period, if temperature rises simultaneously in both hemispheres as it is today, then we can expect future sea level rise to be even greater than it was back then."

The researchers made one more sobering observation: One of the sharp pulses of sea-level rise they identified occurred at about the same time that the last remnants of a massive ice sheet in North America were likely collapsing, according to evidence collected by other teams working in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dr. Andrea Dutton examines a limestone outcrop with fossil corals growing on the granite bedrock on La Digue, Seychelles. Credit: Belinda Dechnik

While there's no large North American ice sheet today, Dutton says this finding has important implications for understanding the dynamics of other present-day ice sheets. That's because most scientists have not previously considered a North American ice sheet as a major factor in sea-level dynamics during the Last Interglacial.

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"But if ice was still present in North America several thousand years into this past warm period, then some of the rise we've documented would have required more meltwater from another ice sheet, such as Antarctica," says Dutton.

"This would suggest that Antarctica was even more sensitive to warming than we previously recognized, because the full extent of sea-level rise flowing from the continent was masked by a remnant ice sheet in North America."

In its totality, Dutton says the new evidence, thanks to fossilized corals from thousands of years ago, suggests that sea levels could rise even faster and higher thanks to climate change than current projections indicate.

"We could be looking at upward of 10 meters of global average sea-level rise in the future just based on the amount of warming that has already occurred," she says.

The good news, as Dutton sees it, is that society has the means to blunt the impact of climate change on sea levels.

"The more we do to draw down our greenhouse gas emissions, and the faster we do so, could prevent the worst scenarios from becoming our lived reality," Dutton says.

More information: Karen Vyverberg et al, Episodic reef growth in the Last Interglacial driven by competing influence of polar ice sheets to sea-level rise, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adu3701. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu3701 Journal information: Science Advances
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One virus, many words. Credit: Image created by Lucy Campbell based on public domain material from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SARS-CoV-2_(CDC-23312).png

"China virus," the Chinese virusat the start of the 2020 pandemic, this epithet was often encountered in the media. The use of geographically based labels to define the disease (COVID-19) and the virus causing it (SARS-CoV-2) had significant consequences on public opinion, fueling and amplifyingsometimes with very serious outcomesprejudices against specific people and countries, accused of having a causal role in spreading the contagion.

The neutral designation COVID-19, proposed for the disease by the WHO in mid-February 2020, was quickly adopted globally. However, geographic names arose again with subsequent variants of the virus: in the media and in everyday language, people referred to the "Indian," "British," or "South African" variants, among others.

To counter this trend, in May 2021 the WHO introduced a nomenclature based on Greek lettersalpha, beta, delta, etc.completely neutral and free of geographic references.

A study published in the Journal of Science Communication analyzed the impact of this change in the Australian media, showing that although the shift towards neutral names happened relatively quickly after the announcement, the positive effects in reducing potential stigma remained only partial.

This finding highlights the importance of expanding research on this topic, in order to establish effective communication guidelines within national and global pandemic response plans.

At the beginning of 2020, Italy was one of the first countries to be hit by what was then frequently called in the media the "Wuhan virus." During those same days, serious racist incidents were recorded against citizens of Chinese nationality, such as in Brescia, where, at the beginning of February, members of a far-right political party posted threatening flyers outside businesses run by Chinese citizens.

Such grave episodes are only the tip of the iceberg of widespread prejudice at the time, amplifiedif not outright provokedby the geographic-based naming of the virus and the disease.

To counter this trend, the name COVID-19 for the disease was officially announced and adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) on February 11, 2020. However, with the emergence of new virus variants, the use of geographic names to refer to them did not disappear, forcing the WHO in May 2021 to propose a taxonomy based on Greek letters for every new strain, precisely to counteract stigmatizing effects.

States and supranational organizations were evidently unprepared for the impact of communication on the pandemic, allowing geographic-based denominations to take hold before responding.

But was it enough to fix the problem later? "Not exactly," explains Lucy Campbell, an Australian researcher and first author of the study. "Even though the transition to Greek-letter names was adopted fairly quickly, the geographic characterization of the virus did not disappear as rapidly."

Campbell specifically measured this disconnect between the new names and the lingering stigma by analyzing Australian media data as a case study. She examined newspaper articles published between May 11 and the end of June 2021, covering the period just before and after the WHO announcement (made on May 31).

In the period before the announcement, geographic references accounted for the vast majority of namesnearly 70%while the rest of the cases used the alphanumeric (scientific) designation of the virus. After the announcement, in June, alphanumeric and especially Greek-letter names covered over 70% of the cases, showing that newspapers had largely embraced the change.

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However, the effects of geographic "framing" did not disappear as quickly.

"Coverage of SARS-CoV-2 in the Australian media continued to show a prevalence of negative framing and causal attribution, both in headlines and in the articles themselves," explains Campbell. "Even though Greek letters were used in the names, the articles still contained geographic references that conveyed a sense of threat or negative attribution."

This finding shows that, despite attempts to fix the problem after geographic labels had already triggered widespread prejudice, the effects may not have been quickly eradicated with the introduction of the new names.

"It is therefore important to continue research in this field," concludes Campbell, "in order to develop shared tools and strategies for proper communication in the event of new pandemicstools that can be implemented right from the early stages of crisis management, helping to prevent the negative consequences and incidents we observed in the case of COVID-19."

More information: Disease, denomination and de-stigmatisation: A content analysis of SARS- CoV-2 variant naming and re-naming in Australian news media, Journal of Science Communication (2025). DOI: 10.22323/147120250611100041. jcom.sissa.it/article/pubid/JCOM_2403_2025_A05/
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The global impact of antimicrobial resistance. Credit: npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44259-025-00123-1

Researchers from King's College London have called for urgent changes to the way new antibiotics are developed to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In a new review published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance, the authors outline the scientific, economic, and regulatory barriers that are slowing progress in the fight against highly resistant bacterial infections.

AMR is a growing global health crisis, already linked to nearly 5 million deaths each year. Without effective action, this number could rise to 10 million annually by 2050.

Some of the most concerning threats come from Gram-negative bacteria. These include the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, which can cause deadly bloodstream infections from simple medical procedures in hospitals, and Acinetobacter baumannii, which can lead to ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Despite this, very few new antibiotics have reached the market in the past two decades. The need is clear, but the development process remains extremely difficult.

One major challenge is economic. Antibiotics are usually used for short periods and are often used only when necessary to slow the development of resistance. This means they generate much less revenue than drugs for chronic diseases like cancer, which are used over longer timeframes and are more profitable.

As a result, many of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, such as AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, have withdrawn from antibiotic research.

The authors argue that new models are needed to make antibiotic development more attractive to industry. They highlight the importance of separating profits from the volume of antibiotics sold. A mix of incentives could help: push incentives like research grants and tax breaks to support early-stage research, and pull incentives like market entry rewards or subscription payments to support successful products.

The review highlights the UK's Antimicrobial Product Subscription Model as a positive example. Launched in 2022, it pays companies a fixed annual fee for access to new antibiotics, regardless of how much is used. The proposed PASTEUR Act in the US follows a similar approach.

Regulatory hurdles are another key barrier. Clinical trials for antibiotics are often large, complex, and expensive, with difficulties in recruiting suitable patients. Different standards across countries also make the process more complicated. The authors call for better global coordination and clearer guidance on trial design and evaluation, to make approval processes more efficient and predictable.

There are several scientific challenges in developing new antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria. These include overcoming their tough, protective outer membrane, which prevents many drugs from entering. Additionally, these bacteria have resistance mechanisms such as efflux pumps that expel antibiotics and enzymes that break them down.

Another major challenge is identifying new drug targets and effective compounds capable of killing these highly resistant organisms.

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The review emphasizes the need to combine different areas of expertise to revitalize antibiotic discovery. New scientific approaches include using artificial intelligence to identify promising molecules, exploring under-studied environments such as the deep sea, and examining rare microbiomes. Non-traditional approaches such as phage therapy are also being explored, though they bring their own challenges.

Lead author, Miraz Rahman, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Antimicrobial Research Theme Group Lead at King's College London, said, "Reviving the antibiotic pipeline will require cooperation across academia, industry, policy, and global health systems. We need not only innovative science but also a supportive economic and regulatory environment to bring new antibiotics to patients."

The review is a call to action to scientists, drug developers, governments, and all other stakeholders with influence over the antibiotic development pipeline.

It describes the present challenging landscape and presents a practical path forward that urges stakeholders to work together to safeguard the future of modern medicine.

More information: Gargate, N., et al. Current economic and regulatory challenges in developing antibiotics for Gram-negative bacteria. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2025). doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00123-1
Julianne Moore turns down jobs which involve a lot of filming outdoors because she's scared of getting sunburnt.

Julianne Moore admits she turns down roles if she thinks she might have to spend too much time outdoors in the sun

The 64-year-old Hollywood actress has admitted her pale skin often becomes a factor in her decision-making when looking at prospective movie roles because she doesn't want to be forced to film outside with no shade because she would "incinerate".

She told the Guardian newspaper: "I have, on occasion, turned things down if its something that was taking place outside, like, all the time with no shade.

"Guess what? Were shooting at the beach every single day! That would be tough. I would incinerate."

Julianne has Scottish heritage through her mother, who moved from the UK to the US as a young girl, and she admits her mom's roots played a big part in her own childhood.

She added: "Many of us have parents who were from somewhere else, so that meant your parents had different customs or languages.

"My mother felt very different from the American mothers I knew. She had an accent. She cooked different things: nothing weird, just roast beef, for instance. We had little kilts. I had my hair braided and American mothers didnt do that."

Julianne - who is mother to Caleb, 27, and Liv, 23, with husband Bart Freundlich - also revealed she bonded with her The Room Next Door co-star Tilda Swinton over their shared heritage.

She added: "I love her. Shes Scottish and Im Scottish-American. We both have red hair. Our children  her twins and my oldest  are the same age. And both of our sons have red beards. Isnt that funny?"

One of Julianne's latest roles is in new movie Echo Valley opposite Sydney Sweeney, 27, as her onscreen daughter and she's praised her co-star as "so talented" and revealed they had a lot of "fun"on the shoot.

She told Extra: "Sydneys so terrific, shes so available, shes so professional, shes so talented, and we just had a really good time, you know, building the relationship and being with each other.

"I think were aware of how important this relationship is, the mother-daughter bond, and how much it can hold, how elastic it is, and how far you can push it with each other.

"It can be volatile, especially when kids are younger, when girls are teenagers and you realise they've had this tremendous history. But it was fun. I think we were able to match each other's energy, and we really enjoyed each other's company, and it worked."
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A cicada resting on a tree in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, southeastern France.

Cicadas, whose musical courtship calls once echoed around an ancient forest in southern England, have been reintroduced from France by conservationists hoping to re-establish the insect's UK population.

Conservationists from the Species Recovery Trust believe New Forest cicadas went extinct in the 1990s, due to changes in the way land was managed.

They have now released 11 female cicadas, some of which are believed to be pregnant, into a specially created habitat just outside the woods they once populated.

"This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time," said Charlotte Carne, project officer at Species Recovery Trust.

"It's like bringing them back from the dead," she said.

Having returned from a collection trip to Slovenia empty-handed, the trust called on a prominent French entomologist and cicada expert to help source some insects.

The 11 insects, which are black with golden rings and transparent wings, were caught in northern France and shipped to the UK on Wednesday.

Conservationists will not know until 2029 whether this phase of the project has been successful, and whether the cicadas have reproduced, as their offspring spend at least four years underground as nymphs.

If they survive, conservationists will release the adults in the New Forest.

"We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place," said Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director.

"What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favor their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again," Price said.

 2025 AFP
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An idealized illustration of the Xiaohe burials with two types of posts. Left) Oval shaped end with extrusions. Right) Rounded end without extrusions. Credit: Asian Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s41826-025-00105-2

The Bronze Age Xiaohe culture (ca. 19501400 BCE) is renowned for its distinctive funerary practices and exceptional organic preservation, largely due to its location in a hyperarid environment. Burials feature boat-shaped coffins, cattle remains, and paddle and mooring post-like grave markers.

A recent study by Dr. Gino Caspari revisits early interpretations of Xiaohe burial practices, highlighting the importance of considering them within the broader cultural and environmental contexts. "The funerary ritual is completely different from the surrounding cultures, and that is part of the fascination of this culture," says Dr. Caspari.

The Xiaohe culture was based in the Tarim Basin, in modern-day Xinjiang, China. The aceramic culture relied heavily on agriculture and pastoralism. The Xiaohe site was first discovered in the early 1900s and excavated by Swedish archaeologist Folke Bergman in 1934.

A complete excavation of the site did not take place until the early 2000s under the supervision of the Xinjiang Institute of Archaeology. In total, 167 graves were found in addition to the 12 that had been excavated by Bergman in 1934.

The researchers estimated that the site had once contained around 350 graves, many of which had since been destroyed or eroded.

Of these, however, only a handful have been analyzed and reported on in detail, while many others are simply mentioned in condensed form in Chinese language excavation reports.

Map of the southern excavation area of the Xiaohe site (after Abuduresule et al. 2019) with the published burials indicated in red. Credit: Asian Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s41826-025-00105-2

"Apart from limited maps of the Xiaohe cemetery, the information is unfortunately still rather incomplete. The burials that I've marked in red in [the figure above] are the only ones that have been properly published. So, unfortunately, we cannot really say very much about the overall patterns because we need to wait for our Chinese colleagues to fully publish the materials," says Dr. Caspari.

The Xiaohe site contains three types of burials. Type 1, which is the most abundant, is characterized by burials with wooden coffins placed in pits dug into the sand. These coffins are typically narrow and straight, transitioning into a more curved shape. The head of the coffin typically has an erect pole.

The second type, of which there are only four, contains only female bodies and is characterized by a clay shell outside the wooden coffin.

The final type is a unique rectangular structure with a triangular entrance. It is covered in multiple layers of cattle skin and topped with layers of cattle skulls. Despite being characterized as a third burial type, no human bones have been recovered from this site, possibly indicating that it may have had a different function.

Dr. Caspari specifically examined burials of the first type. Previous researchers have described these as being like "boats" or "upturned canoes."

This interpretation may be supported by the flat bases, which would be ideal for navigating the shallow water bodies of the Tarim Basin, as well as the cattle hides, which may have been used to waterproof the metaphorical canoes.

The attached poles, however, have previously been described as being phallic or possibly vulva-like, depending on whether the post was oval-ended with dark paint (vulva) or had a painted red tip (phallic).

However, it has been noted that phallic poles sometimes accompanied coffins of females, while vulva-like poles sometimes accompanied those of males.

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Dr. Caspari proposes an alternative hypothesis for the function and symbolism of the poles, based on Xiaohe's environment and funerary practices.

The Xiaohe lived in the Tashkurgan Basin, which was shaped by oases formed from seasonal summer rainwater. This wet environment, located on the border of arid desert lands, was vital for the maintenance of cattle herds, which played a pivotal role in the Xiaohe culture, as evidenced by the cattle skulls and hides often found in their burials.

An artistic conceptualization of the mirror world of Xiaohe (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Asian Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s41826-025-00105-2

Additionally, the coffin's similarities to canoes may further indicate the importance of water and water-themed motifs. It is possible that these poles are supposed to represent paddles and mooring posts meant to guide and anchor the deceased in the afterlife.

Their upturned appearance, in turn, may represent ideas about a mirrored afterlife, similar to ones seen in the Scandinavian Bronze Age, prehistoric Saharan rock art, Ancient Egyptian texts, and depictions found in Great Basin rock art, where the afterlife is depicted upside down.

Dr. Caspari bases these hypotheses on the cultural and environmental context of the Xiaohe and hopes the study will contribute to the wider understanding of this enigmatic culture.

Sadly, the culture disappeared around 1400 BCE, the reasons for this being equally as unknown as the understanding of their funerary practices.

"At this point, it would be mere speculation. We simply do not have the data. Given that it is extremely difficult to get access to the area (even for Chinese researchers), we will likely not have well-based answers for a while. This is unfortunate and occasionally frustrating because Xinjiang plays such an important role in our understanding of the dynamics of prehistoric Central Asia," says Dr. Caspari.

Written for you by our author Sandee Oster, 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: Gino Caspari, Reflections on water: funerary practice and symbolism at the Bronze Age site of Xiaohe, Asian Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s41826-025-00105-2

 2025 Science X Network
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers from The University of Queensland have developed an online tool to help small businesses work with universities to innovate their products and expand their trade.

The collaborative readiness tool, developed through research with Deakin University and the CSIRO's SME Connect, helps small to medium enterprises (SMEs) understand their level of preparedness to work with a university to grow and develop.

Professor Martie-Louise Verreynne, Associate Dean (Research) from the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, said university-business partnerships were not only beneficial for business innovation and development but also assisted academics with research outcomes.

"It is quite easy for universities to work with large businesses, as they have similar processes and practices," she said.

"Small businesses often don't have the resources to engage with the processes of a large organization like a university.

"This tool is a way to make it easier for that relationship to develop and progress.

"Businesses can use it to determine where to focus to ensure a science partnership can help them with innovation, or validate what they are doing."

The toolwhich has already been widely used by Australian small businesseswas created following interviews with 800 organizations.

The interviews identified a need for a device to help businesses navigate research and development opportunities.

The tool uses a structured questionnaire that asks users about their current operations, innovation culture, leadership mindset, experience working with external partners, and strategic goals.

In an example of a successful business and university collaboration, an art manufacturer partnered with two research institutions to access funding that led to a multi-million-dollar advanced robotics hub.

In another case, a business worked with a university to develop a mattress with sensors that allowed caregivers to monitor a person's vital signs throughout the night in a non-invasive manner.

Professor Verreynne said the collaboration tool could be used by the business itself or through a facilitator, such as a business development manager.

Co-author, Deakin University Professor Rui Torres de Oliveira, said publishing the study in journal, Research Policy, underscored the academic rigor and real-world relevance of the work.

"This tool translates years of research on SME and university collaboration into a practical resource for business to assess their readiness and unlock innovation through science partnerships," Professor de Oliveira said.

More information: Martie-Louise Verreynne et al, Universitybusiness collaboration: A collaboration readiness index and scale, Research Policy (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105273
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A Greenpeace activist protesting deep sea mining which researchers say will bring unpredictable ecological consequences to the Pacific Ocean. Credit: Greenpeace

Noise pollution from deep-sea mining carries an invisible risk for sea life, warn researchers, urging greater transparency from the industry to help mitigate the harms.

Noise in the deep ocean can lead to a cascade of ecological consequences, altering biodiversity and the behaviors and physiology of many species, research has shown.

This could impact the food chain and ecosystem relied upon by Latin American coastal communities, according to marine experts.

An analysis of more than 2,800 investigations conducted in the Clarion-Clipperton zone (CCZ)a vast underwater plain twice the size of India located in the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexicorevealed that most of the types of animals that inhabit it are sensitive to sound.

Much of marine life, including invertebrates, fish, and mammals, rely on sound for communication, navigation, and predator avoidance.

However, the effects of noise pollution have only been studied in 35% of species, according to the article to be published in the September issue of Marine Pollution Bulletin. Researchers say more data sharing is needed to understand the true impacts.

Travis Washburn, an assistant professor at Texas A&M University, in the US, and one of the authors of the paper, told SciDev.Net, "We knew there wouldn't be data on the deep sea, but I was surprised [at how little] data there was on even the shallow stuff."

"It's just a big question mark a lot of time," he said.

It comes as 37 countries launched the first ever global political coalition to reduce harmful underwater noise pollution at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, southern France, this week.

The High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean commits to support policies that promote quieter ship design, establish marine protected areas, and support capacity-building to assess and reduce ocean noise.

Speaking at the conference, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that unregulated deep-sea mining could turn the ocean into a lawless "Wild West."

Mineral riches

The CCZ, dotted with shiny black rocks, is the world's largest mineral exploration region, full of mineral-rich deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese and rare earths.

For industry, exploiting these deposits is the key to the energy transition. For governments, it is the epicenter of a global dispute.

Meanwhile, for many in the scientific community it is an issue that, considering mounting evidence, demands a precautionary approach.

According to the study, up to one-third of fish species in the CCZ may be soniferous, meaning they produce or carry sound. Noise pollution can lead to changes in the physiology and behavior of such species.

"They use it for everything: communication, finding mates, avoiding predators, finding food," explained study co-author Lucille Chapuis, an expert in marine bioacoustics at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.

"If we add noise into the system, then these functions are just masked or disrupted."

About three-quarters of the publications reviewed in the study focused on mammalian and fish species, underscoring a major knowledge gap.

"Invertebrates are massively underrepresented, and the problem is that a lot of the CCZ biodiversity is actually invertebrates," said Chapuis.

"We know very little about what the responses of these animals are to sound, or whether they can perceive sound."

A lack of transparency from mining companies also means that data on noise is lacking.

"There's literally no published data out there on what the sound levels on actual mining activities are going to beit's all proprietary," added Washburn.

"So, we actually used a lot of coastal proxies to get a rough estimate."

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Food chains

For Daniel Caceres, a Peruvian specialist in ocean governance who did not participate in the research, the study shows that the impact of mining in the CCZ is neither distant nor abstract.

"The sound waves could affect migratory species, regional food chains and ecosystems that have ecological connections with the coasts of Latin America," he said.

Caceres told SciDev.Net in an email that the study highlighted the biological and evolutionary dimensions of sound, something that previous evaluations have not considered in depth.

The marine biologist and regional representative of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance says the research "helps to clearly explain why deep-sea mining is incompatible with conservation commitments  and emphasizes, for the umpteenth time, the need for the moratorium that Latin America has been leading."

With deep sea mining on the rise, the research comes at a critical time.

To date, the International Seabed Authority has granted 31 exploration licenses17 of them in the CCZand is under pressure to approve a code that would allow commercial exploitation.

Moratorium

In April, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order for the countrywhich is not a member, but an observer in the International Seabed Authorityto advance the exploitation of minerals in international waters.

However, more than 30 countries, including several in Latin America, oppose this extractive activity and call for a moratorium, according to the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

Opponents argue that high-impact industrial activity should not be allowed without solid scientific evidence to guarantee that there will be no irreversible damage.

Alejandro Olivera, Mexico representative of the Center for Biological Diversity, told SciDev.Net, "The challenge now is to get humanity to agree to protect a heritage that belongs to everyone.

"These are ecosystems that we don't even know about, where we would be destroying forms of life that we have not yet discovered."

More information: Rob Williams et al, Noise from deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean will impact a broad range of marine taxa, Marine Pollution Bulletin (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118135 Journal information: Marine Pollution Bulletin

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White-bellied pangolin on a tree in Nigeria. Credit: Alex Moore

The vast majority of pangolin hunting in African forest landscapes is done for meat consumed by people in the region, rather than for scales shipped to East Asia, a new study led by the University of Cambridge suggests.

Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked wild mammal in the world. A solitary, insect-eating animal about the size of a large domestic cat, pangolins are famous for their highly prized keratin scalesa staple of traditional Chinese medicine.

All eight existing pangolin species are threatened with extinction and are on the IUCN's Red List, with three Asian species categorized as critically endangered.

As Asian pangolins have declined dramatically, Nigeria has seen a boom in the export of pangolin scales to Asia. While hunting pangolins is illegal in Nigeria, the West African country is now the world's largest hub for the criminal trade in pangolin products.

Two pangolin carcasses alongside other animals bound for wild meat markets. Credit: Alex Moore

However, a new study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution suggests that some 98% of Nigerian pangolins are caught for meat first and foremost, with around two-thirds of scales from these animals simply thrown away.

A research team led by Cambridge collected data from over eight hundred hunters and traders in thirty-three locations across Nigeria's Cross River Forest region, primarily between 2020 and 2023, during which time the conservationists estimate that around 21,000 pangolins were killed annually in the area.

Almost all pangolins were captured "opportunistically" or during general hunting trips (97%) rather than sought out, and caught primarily for meat (98%). Around 71% of pangolins were consumed by hunters themselves, with 27% traded locally as food.

Perhaps surprisingly, given their potential overseas value, around 70% of the scales were discarded, while less than 30% were sold on. However, researchers calculated that, per animal, pangolin meat fetched 3-4 times the price of scales at local Nigerian markets.

"Thousands of kilos of pangolin scales are seized at Nigeria's ports, creating the impression that the international demand for scales is behind pangolin exploitation in West Africa," said study lead author and Gates Cambridge Scholar Dr. Charles Emogor, who conducted the research for his Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge's Department of Zoology.

White-bellied pangolins captured in southeastern Nigeria and destined for trade. Credit: Alex Moore

"When we spoke to hunters and traders on the ground around the Cross River forest, the largest stronghold for Nigeria's pangolins, it was obvious that meat was the motivation for almost all of the pangolin killings."

"We found that dedicated pangolin hunts are virtually non-existent. Most pangolins are killed by hunters out for any type of game," said Emogor, now a Schmidt Science Fellow split between Cambridge, UK, and Harvard, US.

"Around a third of pangolins are caught opportunistically, often while people are working in the fields. Pangolins curl into a ball when threatened, which sadly makes them easy to catch." Among frequent hunters, by far the most common method of catching pangolins was given as simply picking them up by hand.

While Emogor says the demands of traditional medicine markets are exacerbating the decline of African pangolinshis previous research showed that just shipments intercepted by Nigerian authorities between 2010 and 2021 amounted to 190,407 kilos of pangolin scales taken from around 800,000 dead creaturespangolins have been exploited in West Africa long before being trafficked to Asia.

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The meat is a delicacy in parts of Nigeria, often procured for pregnant women in the belief it helps produce strong babies. Emogor and colleagues surveyed hunters and Cross River locals on "palatability," asking them to rank the tastiness of almost a hundred different animals eaten in the region, from domestic beef and chicken to catfish, monkeys and antelope.

Charles Emogor holding a white-bellied pangolin retrieved from a hunter who participated in the study. Credit: Alex Moore

The three major African pangolin species were rated as the most palatable of all available meats, with average scores of almost nine out of ten, and the giant pangolin is considered the topmost appetizing meat in the region.

"Pangolins face a lethal combination of threats," said Emogor. "Pangolins are easy to hunt, breed slowly, taste good to humans, and are falsely believed to have curative properties in traditional medicines. In addition, their forest habitat is being destroyed."

Emogor's research led him to set up Pangolino in 2021, a global network of volunteers, scientists and pangolin enthusiasts committed to saving the endangered animal. He points out that the cost of policy interventions to tackle meat-driven pangolin trading might be cheaper than those for an international scales market.

These should include anti-poaching patrols as well as community programs focused on food security. Through Pangolino, Emogor is piloting interventions in four Southeast Nigerian communities by helping create by-laws that prohibit pangolin killing, with financial rewards for compliance.

"Clearly, in designing any intervention we need good information on what's motivating the hunters," said Prof Andrew Balmford, co-author from Cambridge's Department of Zoology. "That's why studies such as this are vital for effective conservation of endangered species."

Aerial view of Cross River National Park. Credit: Joel Porter

Charles Emogor with a white-bellied pangolin captured by a hunter who participated in the study. Credit: Joel Porter

While the latest study focused on Nigeria, researchers say their pangolin hunting and consumption data echo those from countries such as Cameroon and Gabonsuggesting these patterns may be Africa-wide.

Raised on the edge of the Cross River National Park, home to Nigeria's endangered white-bellied and black-bellied pangolins, Emogor grew up surrounded by wildlife. Yet during childhood he only ever saw dead pangolins, and didn't encounter a living animal until his mid-twenties.

"If we lose the pangolin, we lose 80 million years of evolution," said Emogor. "Pangolins are the only mammals with scales, and their ancestors existed when dinosaurs still roamed the planet," added Emogor.

The latest study was conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, Wildlife Conservation Society, Pangolin Protection Network, University of Washington, CIFOR, CARE International, as well as the UK universities of Oxford, Exeter and Kent.

More information: Pangolin hunting in southeast Nigeria is motivated more by local meat consumption than international demand for scales, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02734-3 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution
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Mustela itatsi (Japanese weasel) on tree in Japan. Credit: Alpsdake/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

A research team led by Professor Eiji Inoue from the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University have conducted a study on the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi). The Japanese weasel is an endemic species to Japan, but it was intentionally introduced to a number of non-native islands and its naturalization on some islands has resulted in severe negative consequences to the local ecosystems.

The study, published in PLOS One on May 30, 2025, examined habitat use and its abundance on two islands of Izu Islands: Miyakejima Island, where the species is introduced, and Izu-Oshima island, where it is native.

Using fecal surveys, researchers estimated that the relative abundance of Japanese weasel feces was higher on Miyakejima Island than on Izu-Oshima island, suggesting that the introduced population may be expanding its habitat and increasing its density. The study also revealed differences in habitat use between the two islands, highlighting that the vegetation types supporting higher weasel populations differed between them.

Estimation of Japanese weasel feces per kilometer on Miyakejima Island (introduced population) and Izu-Oshima Island (native population). Red indicates a higher fecal number per km, blue indicates a lower fecal number per km. Data used was obtained from JAXA's High Resolution Land Use Land Cover Map. Credit: Dr. Eiji Inoue

Additionally, density estimation using fecal DNA analysis in a specific area of Miyakejima Island indicated that approximately 20 individuals inhabited each square kilometer, indicating a higher population density in the introduced area. These findings provide valuable baseline data for future measures for the management and control of introduced species.

More information: Kotaro Kubo et al, Habitat use and abundance of an introduced population of the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi): Comparison with the native population, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324200 Journal information: PLoS ONE
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An advance by Monash University scientists could transform agriculture with designer crops suited to the climate of individual regions.

In a comprehensive review of plant biology research, published in Science, an international team of researchers has redefined previously held theories about how plants sense and respond to temperature and developed a new model for thermosensing plants.

They found that plants sense and respond to temperature through decentralized genetic networks of proteins and biological processes, challenging the long-standing theory that plants, like humans, rely on a single internal 'thermometer' to sense temperature.

Lead researcher Professor Sureshkumar Balasubramanian, from Monash School of Biological Sciences, said while efforts to address climate change remain critical, this discovery could transform our approach to addressing critical food insecurity in coming decades, as we grapple with the harmful consequences of climate change.

"Understanding how plants naturally integrate temperature into their growth and defense systems opens the door to precision breeding and AI-assisted approaches to enhance crop resilience," Professor Balasubramanian said.

"Effectively, this means we can grow designer crops that are tailored to the local climate of a particular region.

"This is critically important to ensuring food security as we see phenomena like floods and drought increasingly impacting agriculture in areas where they were not previously a regular occurrence."

The dispersed sensing model presented here opens up a multitude of opportunities for making designer crops a reality on Australian farms, providing hope for farmers who grapple with increasing climate extremes.

Co-author Dr. Sridevi Sureshkumar, from Monash School of Biological Sciences, said the theoretical designer crops, which are now possible as a result of the research, will be a league above modified crops already in use around the world.

"Now that we have been able to identify exactly which elements within the plants are temperature-responsive, we can genetically manipulate them with greater accuracy," Dr. Sureshkumar said.

"We can determine the specific combinations of manipulations that can produce bespoke solutions.

"Think of it like personalized medicine but for plants; this will revolutionize the way we think about agriculture moving forward."

More information: Avilash Singh Yadav et al, Dispersed components drive temperature sensing and response in plants, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adv5407. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv5407 Journal information: Science
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Schematic figure illustrating how structural connectivity, functional connectivity, mechanisms and ecosystem service delivery relate. Examples of structural connectivity are denoted by blue arrows and font, functional connectivity by orange arrows and font and mechanisms are indicated by green arrows and font. The light blue icons provide examples of ecosystem services delivery enhanced by the connectivity across seascape habitats. Credit: npj Ocean Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

Scientists warn that the future of our oceans and climate goals depends on reconnecting the ecological threads that hold coastal habitats together.

A new study, launched at the International Seascape Symposium II at ZSL (Zoological Society of London), and published to align with UN Ocean Decade Conference represents two years of work by an international team led by the University of Portsmouth, with support from ZSL and University of Edinburgh.

It delivers the most comprehensive report to date on how coastal habitats in temperate regions function not in isolation, but as interconnected systemsa concept known as ecological connectivity.

"Coastal habitats like oyster reefs, salt marshes, kelp forests and seagrass meadows are often treated as separate entities in policy and restoration, but in reality, they are tightly bound together by the flows of water, life, and energy," said lead author Professor Joanne Preston, Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Portsmouth. "To meet our global climate and biodiversity targets, we need to restore the entire seascape."

Published in npj Ocean Sustainability to coincide with World Ocean Day and the midpoint of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the paper makes the case that reconnecting these habitats is fundamental to repairing the damage caused by centuries of degradation, and to achieving international targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Philine zu Ermgassen, Changing Oceans Group, University of Edinburgh, said, "Ecological connectivity allows organisms, nutrients, sediment, and energy to move between different marine habitats. These exchanges drive crucial ecosystem servicesfrom carbon storage to water filtration, coastal protection to fishery productivity."

The research compiles evidence from global temperate regions showing that habitat co-location consistently improves ecosystem service delivery. In California, for example, seagrasses grow more robustly when adjacent to oyster reefs. On the U.S. East Coast in the Chesapeake Bay region, oyster beds dramatically increase water clarity and nutrient removal. Additionally, in New Zealand, kelp-derived carbon boosts fish populations in fjords.

"Connected habitats are more productive, more resilient, and more beneficial to people," said co-author Alison Debney, Estuaries and Wetlands Program Lead at ZSL. "Restoring isolated patches isn't enough. We need to think like the seafluid, linked, dynamic and we need to act at scale."

In response, the authors propose a formal definition of seascape restoration: the concurrent or sequential restoration of multiple habitats to rebuild functional, resilient, and connected marine ecosystems.

Illustration of the role of connectivity in modulating ecosystem service delivery across the coastal seascape. Arrows relate to icons of the same color, with the arrowhead indicating the habitat in which the ecosystem service is enhanced through connectivity with the source habitat. Credit: npj Ocean Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

They call for a shift away from "feature-based" conservation approaches toward holistic, connectivity-based planning. This includes updating marine protected area (MPA) frameworks, development policies, and restoration funding criteria to account for the value of ecological links across habitats.

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"We are at a critical moment," said Professor Preston. "The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Decade of Ocean Science give us the tools and momentum. But unless we restore the seascape as a wholethe full mosaic of habitats and their connectionswe risk missing the targets set by policymakers."

The study outlines clear recommendations to policymakers, including:

Mainstreaming seascape connectivity into climate and biodiversity policies

Integrating restoration goals across land-sea interfaces

Recognizing the role of connectivity in climate mitigation and adaptation

Updating environmental assessments to evaluate ecosystem service delivery at the seascape scale

"We need to view coastal habitats as interconnected systems," said co-author Rosalie Wright, Blue Marine Foundation. "Our fragmented policy and regulatory approaches must transition to holistic, seascape-scale thinking. Addressing these barriers will enable the urgently needed recovery of our coastlines."

This work directly supports Target 2 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which calls for at least 30% of degraded coastal and marine ecosystems to be under effective restoration by 2030, specifically enhancing connectivity and ecological function.

The findings come amid growing concern over the collapse of marine habitats in temperate zones. Over the past two centuries, the U.K. alone has lost up to 95% of its oyster reefs, 90% of its seagrasses, and vast expanses of saltmarsh. These losses jeopardize not only biodiversity but also carbon storage, fish stocks, and coastal protection.

Restoring at scale and in a way that mirrors the ecological realities of the coast offers a powerful nature-based solution to the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

As the world gathers momentum around ocean recovery, the message from the science is unequivocal: seascape-scale restoration is not optional. It is essential.

More information: J. Preston et al, Seascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy, npj Ocean Sustainability (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3 Journal information: npj Ocean Sustainability
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Experts warned against using innovation to increase fishing hauls.

Harnessing ocean currents to boost fuel efficiency of vessels, or tracking whales using sensor data and AIstartups at Paris trade fair Vivatech have been showing off the latest innovations aimed at protecting the environment.

Recently developed AI programs capable of learning from vast datasets have boosted projects trying to understand and predict real-world phenomena, several company founders told AFP.

"We have to use AI because in the natural world there are too many variables" to deal with manually, said Emily Charry Tissier, a biologist and founder of Canadian startup Whale Seeker, which is developing technology to track sea mammals.

Powered by "neural network" systems that ape the functioning of the human brain, the learning systems behind today's AI models "can calculate a weather forecast 1,000 times faster than a standard digital model running on a supercomputer," agreed oceanographer Alexandre Stegner.

He flagged an AI model developed by his firm, Amphitrite, that he said could predict ocean currents by crunching "several layers of satellite data corresponding to different physical variables."

It can forecast currents up to 10 days in advance, he said, offering sea captains "a simple way to save fuel" by slightly changing course and using currents to gain a speed boost of up to four knots.

That could save operators money on fuel, reduce the carbon emissions from shipping, and avoid the classic solution of telling sea captains to reduce their speed.

Global protection push

Technologies like these were being shown off in the halls of Vivatech as the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) drew to a close hundreds of kilometers to the south in French Mediterranean city Nice.

The conference has pushed a treaty to protect 60% of the world's oceans closer to becoming law, with 55 signaturesjust five shy of the number required for its enactment.

New technologies could be "a very good thing" for the oceans, said Andre Abreu, International Affairs Director at the Paris-based Tara Ocean Foundation.

But he warned that innovation should not be harnessed to allow more fish to be caught.

"That would mean shooting ourselves in the foot" on goals like preserving marine biodiversity, he said.

That ambiguity can be seen in technology from OceanEyes, a Japanese startup using AI analysis of satellite data to predict sea conditions.

The company hopes to cut the time fishing boats spend tracking down a catch.

"A big problem in Japan is the efficiency of the fishery operations. Many fishers spend a lot of time searching for fish in the water," said boss Yusuke Tanaka.

With less fuel burnt, operators will save money and greenhouse emissions can be slashed.

Anticipating concerns about overfishing, OceanEyes said it also aimed to help vessels comply with recently updated Japanese regulations that oblige fishers to "ensure sustainable use of marine resources."

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'Can' vs. 'should'

Whale Seeker's Tissier said technology could be used in a considered way to find sustainable solutions.

"I'd like the market to recognize its own limitsnot the limits of what we can do, but what we should do," she told AFP.

That attitude pushed her to refuse to work with a company that wanted to use whale detection to identify nearby fish to catch.

But startups cannot grow without funding and, in the context of oceans, investments are likely to come from big firms keen to make a savingfrom fishing and ship management companies to haulage and logistics giants.

This could well limit their ability to stand on principle.

Stegner called for "regulations that would push the maritime sector to reduce carbon emissions."

But Charry Tissier said the initiative could come from business.

"Technology is developing so much faster than regulation... what I'd like is for big companies to decide for themselves to be responsible," she said.

 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:

France welcomed world leaders scientists, business leaders and marine conservationists to Nice for the event.

A summit on the state of global oceans concludes Friday with nations having tested the waters on deep-sea mining and making strides toward protecting unpoliced reaches of the high seas.

But the UN Ocean Conference is set to fall short on major new financial pledges for poorer island nations, and many delegates are also disappointed that fossil fuels dropped off the agenda.

France welcomed more than 60 world leaders to the southern city of Nice along with thousands of scientists, business leaders and marine conservationists for the five-day event.

It was just the third time nations had come together for the oceans at the UN level, and it was the largest gathering of its kind so far.

Many nations, including Colombia, Greece and Samoa, took the opportunity to unveil plans to create vast new marine parks and protected areas.

Others announced restrictions on bottom trawling, a destructive fishing method captured in grisly detail in a David Attenborough documentary that went viral ahead of the summit.

But marine groups praised efforts to ratify a landmark pact to protect marine life in the 60% of oceans that lie outside national waters.

France had hoped at Nice to secure the 60 ratifications necessary to bring the high seas treaty into force.

By Thursday evening, 51 nations had ratified the agreement in what Rebecca Hubbard from the High Seas Alliance described as a "major milestone for ocean action".

"While we celebrate this incredible progress, we urge all remaining nations to ratify without delay," she added.

Mining and money

The conference sought to rally global action on marine protection as countries tussle over global rules for plastic pollution and seabed exploration.

More than 90 ministers issued a symbolic statement at Nice reaffirming their support for the strongest possible plastics treaty to be negotiated when the talks resume in August.

It also provided an opportunity to defend the role of science and rules-based oversight of common resources, most notably the unknown depths of the oceans.

Alarmed at US President Donald Trump's unilateral push to fast-track deep-sea mining, leaders called for strict global rules to govern the ocean floor to stop a damaging race for critical minerals.

The International Seabed Authority meets in July to negotiate these rules.

"There has been a hardening of tone following the decision of the U.S.," Francois Chartier of Greenpeace told AFP.

But at Nice, very few countries added their name to a global call for a moratorium on seabed mining. "It's a disappointment," said Chartier.

New financial commitments from rich governments were also missing, a key demand of small-island nations confronting sea-level rises, overfishing and marine pollution.

The summit will produce a joint political statement at its close on Friday that critics say is weak and without any reference to fossil fuelsthe key driver of ocean warming.

OceanCare, a marine conservation organization, said the summit "must not produce another well-meaning declaration".

"The science is clear. The path is clear. What is missing is genuine political commitment and implementation."

 2025 AFP
Kim Cattrall is still smitten with her "fun playmate" Russell Thomas after almost 10 years together.

Kim Cattrall's romance with Russell Thomas is still going strong after almost 10 years

The Sex and The City star had been married three times before she met boyfriend Russell during a recording session at BBC Radio 4 in the UK back in 2016 and she has confessed they've "had a blast" throughout the last decade of their relationship.

She told The Times newspaper: "He was an actor originally. Hes had an incredibly interesting life and really done it on his terms. Hes a bit of a rebel, which I love. Weve been together almost 10 years now ... And weve had a blast. Weve just had so much fun."

Kim had been battling issues including insomnia, stress and grief following the death of her father at the time she met Russell, and the actress admits she no longer regrets going through such a tough time because life brought her together with her partner.

She added: "I keep saying I wish I hadnt gone through all that. And then I thought to myself, well, if I hadnt have gone through that, I wouldnt have met Russ.

"So life has surprises and trade-offs. It was a bad time, but I learned a tremendous amount. And at the other end of it was this incredible, fun playmate."

Kim went on to admit she's the "antithesis" of her Sex and The City character Samantha in real life because she's happiest in a committed relationship unlike the serial dater she played on the small screen.

She added: "Im the antithesis of her [Samantha] in many ways. Im a serial monogamist, and then some."

Kim was married three times before to Mark Levinson between 1998 and 2004, Andre J. Lyson from 1982 to 1989 and Larry Davis from 1977 to 1979 before meeting Russell, who she previously described as a "firecracker".

In a previous interview with The Times, she said: "We kind of liked each other [after we first met], we kept in touch and then he came out to Vancouver.

"It was very brave of him because we didnt really know each other, other than having a few meals together. But he came and we got along great, and weve been together ever since!"

She added: Im very comfortable around him. Hes a firecracker and hes got a wicked sense of humour. And hes easy on the eyes! I love him. And he was worth waiting for."
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:

Examples of experimental set-up and close-up of collective transport of prey and of obstacle-clearing behavior. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman

Among the tens of thousands of ant species, incredible "intelligent" behaviors like crop culture, animal husbandry, surgery, "piracy," social distancing, and complex architecture have evolved.

Yet at first sight, the brain of an ant seems hardly capable of such feats: it is about the size of a poppy seed, with only 0.25m to 1m neurons, compared to 86bn for humans.

Now, researchers from Israel and Switzerland have shown how "swarm intelligence" resembling advance planning can nevertheless emerge from the concerted operation of many of these tiny brains. The results are published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.

Collective transport of large insect prey. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman

"Here we show for the first time that workers of the longhorn crazy ant can clear obstacles from a path before they become a problemanticipating where a large food item will need to go and preparing the way in advance. This is the first documented case of ants showing such forward-looking behavior during cooperative transport," said Dr. Ehud Fonio, a research fellow at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, and the corresponding author of the study.

'I can see all obstacles in my way'

The researchers were inspired when they made a fascinating chance observation in nature: individual crazy ant workers used their mandibles to pick up and carry away tiny gravel pebbles near groups of workers cooperating to transport large insect prey.

Worker of longhorn crazy ant clearing away beads. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman

"When we first saw ants clearing small obstacles ahead of the moving load we were in awe. It appeared as if these tiny creatures understand the difficulties that lie ahead and try to help their friends in advance," said Dr. Ofer Feinerman, a professor at the Weizmann Institute, and the study's final author.

Fonio and colleagues designed a suite of 83 experiments to study this obstacle-clearing behavior on a single crazy ant 'supercolony' on the Weizmann Institute's campus. For pebbles, they used plastic beads with a diameter of 1.5 millimeters (half the body length of the ants) to block the ants' route. For prey, they used pellets of cat food, of which the ants are fond.

Triggered into clearing mode by pheromones

Like many ant species, crazy ants are known to alert their sisters to the presence of large food items by laying odor trails: running erratically (hence their 'crazy' name), they touch the ground with the tip of their abdomen every 0.2 seconds to deposit a tiny droplet of a pheromone. This pheromone swiftly attracts other workers to the food. But here, the scientists found this pheromone to play a key role in clearing behavior as well.

Their observations showed that workers were most prone to clear beads that lay approximately 40mm away from food towards the direction of the nest. They moved these beads for up to 50mm before dropping them, away from the route leading back to the nest. The record holder cleared 64 beads in succession.

Worker of longhorn crazy ant laying a pheromone trail. Credit: E Fonio, D Mersch, O Feinerman

Such clearing behavior always occurred when the pellet was whole, but rarely when it was divided into crumbs. This distinction seemed adaptive, as the observations showed that crumbs were always carried home by single workers, who would simply walk around any beads in their path.

Intact pellets, however, always prompted 'cooperative' transport by multiple workers, who typically remained stalled by a grid of beads until they were cleared.

That the beads were a real hindrance was also clear from the time that cooperative transport took to pass through a 5cm by 7cm tunnel: this was 18 times longer when the passage was filled with beads than when it was free of obstacles.

Further observations also revealed that workers didn't need to be in contact with the food to start clearing behavior: they were prompted to do so by pheromones deposited by foragers. A single mark that happened to be near a bead was sufficient to put a worker in 'clearing mode," after which they would actively look for more beads to clear.

Worker of longhorn crazy ant clearing a bead. Credit: Alessandro Crespi

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'Awe-inspiring'

"Taken together, these results imply that our initial impression was wrong: in reality, individual workers don't understand the situation at all. This intelligent behavior happens at the level of the colony, not the individual. Each ant follows simple cueslike fresh scent marks left by otherswithout needing to understand the bigger picture, yet together they create a smart, goal-directed outcome," concluded Dr. Danielle Mersch, formerly a postdoctoral researcher at the same institute.

"We find this to be even more awe-inspiring than our initial guess," said Feinerman.

"Humans think ahead by imagining future events in their minds; ants don't do that. But by interacting through chemical signals and shared actions, ant colonies can behave in surprisingly smart waysachieving tasks that look planned, even though no single ant is doing the planning.

"These ants thus provide us with an analogy to brains, where from the activity of the relatively simple computational units, namely neurons, some high cognition capabilities miraculously emerge."

More information: Ants engaged in cooperative food transport show anticipatory and nest-oriented clearing of the obstacles surrounding the food: goal-directed behavior emerging from collective cognition, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1533372 Journal information: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

Provided by Frontiers
As West Wildwood weighs solutions for its police, one possibility includes dissolving the department and looking to another community for police services under a contract.

The option appears unpopular in town, with some neighbors organizing to save the small, independent department, but borough officials say bringing the department back to full strength will take time and cost a budget-busting amount, both to hire and train new officers and to train a new generation of police leadership.

The department now has an absent chief, with a sergeant being the highest-ranking officer.

Even then, the problem of keeping officers remains, with other departments able to offer more career opportunities, more excitement and a lot more money than the quiet bayside town.

New Jersey has hundreds of distinct police departments, as well as communities that contract with State Police. There are also county police departments as well as other agencies with police powers, such as county sheriffs offices. As with school district consolidation, there have been occasional statewide efforts to encourage consolidation of small police departments, citing efficiency, cost savings and other benefits.

Consolidation remains rare, but it does happen.

Last year, the Woodlynne Police Department disbanded, with the Camden County Police Department taking over operations. At the time, Camden County officials said there were only three officers in the local department, covering a community of fewer than 3,000 residents.

Consolidation can work

In 2002, the West Cape May Police Department ceased to exist, with neighboring Cape May taking over policing responsibilities.

Facing budget hole, Stone Harbor looks at shared services A state spending cap could mean a budget shortfall for Stone Harbor next year. Officials want to know whether shared services could make up the difference while preserving popular programs, but some are wary of losing local control.

Dekon Fashaw was already a veteran officer in Cape May. Now the chief of police, he said some West Cape May residents had concerns, but those have long been resolved as the department covers both communities, as well as Cape May Point, which had previously merged with West Cape May.

The additional territory meant expanding the Cape May department, which included hiring some of the West Cape May staff members.

Carol Sabo, the mayor of West Cape May, said she occasionally hears from residents who want more police attention, mostly in relationship to speeding in their neighborhoods. But she said the combined service has worked well.

So did Fashaw, who said each community now sees the Cape May officers as their police.

The only problem I have is that now I have three mayors and three governing bodies, who each have different approaches, Fashaw said.

Negotiations will begin soon on a new shared services contract with the three communities. Officials seem confident the agreement will continue, but there are other options open to West Cape May and Cape May Point. A few years ago, Lower Township floated a proposal to take on police service for all three towns, and some Cape May County communities have agreements with the State Police.

Cape Mays approved budget for 2025 anticipates more than $558,000 from West Cape May and just over $337,000 from Cape May Point for police services this year. That covers less than half the cost of maintaining the department.

Salaries and wages makes up a big portion of the cost of policing in the Cape May towns, at close to $2.2 million, with $250,000 for other expenses.

Cape prosecutor asks neighboring towns to help police West Wildwood Neighboring towns have agreed to a request from Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland to help police West Wildwood, at least until officials in the borough decide what to do next.

The agreement between the three communities is up at the end of this year. Ed Grant, the borough administrator for Cape May Point, said there have been informal talks but the real negotiations have not started. He said the community seems happy with the current arrangement and expects a new deal to be reached.

Hometown pride, on the badge

People like to see their towns name on the side of a police car and the communitys name on their schools, said Scott Wahl, the administrator of Avalon. Embracing its slogan of Cooler by a Mile, the five-square-mile community with a year-round population of 1,243 shares a barrier island with Stone Harbor, an even smaller community of fewer than 900 people year-round.

Both towns are affluent, with low crime and high property values, sharing a border at 80th Street. Avalon has dozens of shared service agreements, Wahl said, including many with Stone Harbor, but a combined police department is not on the table.

For a shared service agreement to make sense, it has to provide two things, Wahl said. It has to improve services, and it has to save money.

A move just to save money is not a good move, Wahl said, and he would not recommend improving services while increasing costs through a shared service agreement. There are multiple ways two closely connected municipalities can work together, but there seems to be little interest in a single police department for that barrier island.

There are 564 municipalities in New Jersey, with a dizzying array of forms of government and sizes, from hundreds of thousands of people in Newark to seven in Walpack Township, Sussex County.

There are pressures to control spending, including state caps on tax increases. With salaries and training requirements for police both on the rise, it can make operating a department a significant expense.

A report on police consolidation posted to the New Jersey League of Municipalities website shows a reduction in the overall number of sworn officers across the state. The report recommends a close look at multiple options, including more sharing between departments, merging departments and regionalizing departments.

West Wildwood turns out in force after report says Police Department should disband Keeping a local police department would cost taxpayers, West Wildwood officials said. Residents turned out in force for a Friday meeting, and many want to keep their own cops.

The report also highlights some roadblocks. For instance, there is New Jerseys dedication to the concept of home rule and the independence of small communities. Also, each existing department has a chief and a chain of command. When two departments combine, which chief stays? Does a lieutenant get a demotion?

In any consolidation, the main issue is always personnel, said Grant, a former Wildwood mayor who long worked in county government and started work as Wildwoods business administrator.

But at some point, communities may have to overcome some of those issues, he said, and not just in relation to police services. For fire and ambulance responses and multiple other functions of local government, increases in costs, including health insurance, increasing regulations and other factors will push towns to look at new options.

Every year its just going to get more difficult, Grant said.

One hurdle at a time

Fully staffed, West Wildwood would have at least eight officers. A recent report put the current number at four sworn officers and a single Class II officer, with a detective from the Cape May County Prosecutors Office serving as the officer in charge since police Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz began a leave of absence in advance of retirement this year.

This week, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland said he had asked neighboring towns to supplement West Wildwoods police department to ensure public safety.

Sutherland said he was not part of the process for determining shared costs for the service. Grant said Friday the service would be covered under mutual aid agreements.

During the last meeting of the West Wildwood Commission, enough residents turned out to overflow the boroughs meeting room, leading to it being moved outside to a park across the street.

West Wildwood could look to supplement cops, not disband The West Wildwood Board of Commissioners will consider contracting with an outside police department to cover overnight shifts for its understaffed and overstressed police, an official said.

Officials said they would carefully weigh their limited options, while residents raised concerns about safety, taxation and other issues.

While Grant believes consideration of mergers or regionalization may be inevitable, no one seems interested in talking about it yet.

Steve Mikulski, Wildwoods commissioner of public safety, said there have been no talks about combining departments on Five Mile Beach.

Including the Diamond Beach section of Lower Township at the southern tip of the island, there are five police departments that operate on the barrier island, although much of West Wildwood is on its own island across a narrow channel.

In North Wildwood, Mayor Patrick Rosenello said regionalizing departments has never been discussed with him, and at the other end of the island, Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera had a similar response.

There has not been any formal recent discussions on combining police departments island-wide, Cabrera said, adding the communities have joined another regional public safety effort, a county-wide 911 dispatch service. After some signs of reluctance, Wildwood officials voted early this year to join the regional 911 service.
In a crowded race for governor, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill built a statewide coalition in the Democratic primary that stretched from New Jerseys northernmost county down to Cape May.

Turnout in the Democratic primary improved by more than 270,000 votes compared to 2017 when Gov. Phil Murphy won the partys last contested primary.

Sherrill, a four-term member of Congress and the only woman in the race, won roughly a third of the Democratic vote in the six-person primary  more than 100,000 votes and 13 points ahead of the next closest contender, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who split the progressive vote with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop in third place.

Although she was the last to join the six-person race, Sherrill was long considered the front-runner. But experts didnt rule out a path to victory for anyone in the race, so the decisiveness of her win just 40 minutes after polls closed came as a surprise to some political observers who had anticipated a more competitive race.

A little more than a month before the primary, New Jersey pollster Patrick Murray said that undecided is in first place; Mikie Sherrill is in a distant second, and everybody else is crowded around her in third place.

That was part of Sherrills strategy.

She captured 15 of the states 21 counties. None of her opponents were able to build the same level of statewide appeal of the federal lawmaker and former Navy helicopter pilot.

Despite the strength of her win, South Jersey represents a relative weak spot for Sherrill compared to the rest of the state. She narrowly won Camden County, but she came up short in Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties.

Meet the Democrat who won a write-in campaign for Cape May County commissioner Eric Morey, 43, of Wildwood Crest, appears to have secured enough write-in votes in the Tuesday primary election for the Democratic nomination for county government.

Sherrill didnt broadcast television ads in a significant way until April, while some of her opponents had been on the airwaves for months. She was criticized by some politicos for that, but it paid off.

The lawmakers campaign knew that her tried and true biography as a Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four resonated with voters. Some voters told The Philadelphia Inquirer they chose Sherrill in the crowded field simply because shes a Navy vet, a woman, or both.

One of those voters was Rachel Alban, 35, a Naval Academy graduate who attended Sherrills campaign visit to Evesboro Downs Park in Burlington County last week.

I support fellow Naval Academy women and veterans, and think that we need more of them serving our country in various government positions, said Alban, a South Jersey resident.

Sherrill also focused on a straightforward message of affordability and fighting President Donald Trump, two key issues.

Still, her campaign had to make sure voters across the state knew about her  and most importantly, at the right time.

Even politically engaged New Jerseyans who attended Sen. Andy Kims late April town hall told the Inquirer they were fatigued by national politics and hadnt begun to tune in to the governors race.

So Sherrills team saved their resources for the weeks leading up to the election when they knew voters were finally paying attention. So it didnt really matter that she was outspent by competitors.

Here's where the 2 candidates for governor stand on Atlantic City casino smoking Workers who want smoking ended inside the city's casinos called Wednesday on the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor to back a total smoking ban inside the gambling halls.

In the final week of the race, Sherrill had a 2:1 spending advantage over any other candidate because of its earlier discipline, according to a campaign memo obtained by the Inquirer.

Sherrills campaign raised $9.4 million and spent $8.5 million as of late May, which was on par with the other top-funded candidates in the race by that time.

But the super PAC supporting her spent under $4 million as of late May, a small number compared to the nearly $40 million spent at the time by the super PAC supporting Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller won just a single county, Cumberland, and finished fifth in the field despite the PACs hefty spending  which came from dues from teachers in his union.

Two outside groups spent $11.6 million on U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer by that time, including one that received about $10 million from his congressional campaign. Gottheimer won only Bergen County, which he represents in Congress, and finished fourth in the overall field.

Sherrill had support from the most Democratic County Committees in the state, often referred to as the local machines. Her support from 10 county organizations spanned the central and northern parts of the state.

Her campaign understood the importance of establishment endorsements even with the county line dead. Sure, she would no longer get a favorable ballot position as a result of those endorsements, but she was able to secure all the benefits that come along with them.

Strong county party organizations have lists of volunteers who post lawn signs and work phone banks, relationships with local labor unions, a headquarters to use for those efforts,and an understanding of local political dynamics.

Anybody who doesnt get the county party endorsement has to build that kind of infrastructure from scratch, and thats very, very difficult, said Benjamin Dworkin, the founding Director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship in southern New Jersey.

Pizza, diners and helicopters: A user's guide to the 2025 New Jersey governor's race Getting to know the candidates New Jerseys race for governor may offer insights about the national mood on President Donald Trumps agenda, as well as how voters are reacting to Democrats messaging.

That support surely bolstered Sherrills campaigns own volunteers, field operations, community outreach, and outside endorsements, but it also cant be given all the credit for her success.

Sherrills campaign recruited nearly 2,000 volunteers, made about 580,000 phone calls and 555,700 texts, and knocked on more than 120,000 doors, according to her campaigns memo.

She also won and lost counties that didnt line up with the machine endorsements.

Sherrill won Atlantic, Camden, and Burlington counties in the south, despite those machines rallying behind former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, the only South Jersey candidate in the race. Meanwhile, she lost two northern counties, Essex and Union, which endorsed her but came through for Baraka.

Sweeney won Gloucester and Salem counties by wide margins and had sizable support in other southern counties, but he barely made a dent in the rest of the state and finished last in the race with only about 7%.

Sherrill carried Cape May and Ocean counties, which are only two counties in the south that did not endorse Sweeney in the race.

Cape May did not endorse in the race, and Ocean County held a convention in which Sherrill led Sweeney 63-31 but did not garner enough votes for an endorsement.

She also won Warren County in the north, which was one of the two counties that endorsed Gottheimer.

Zampirri wins GOP nomination for North Wildwood mayor, and other Cape races Salvatore Zampirri won the Republican nomination for mayor in North Wildwood in Tuesday's primary, the only contested seat at the county or municipal level in Cape May County.

Machine support was viewed as crucial for gubernatorial races before this year, with serious contenders deciding not to run in 2017 after Murphy established machine support.

Sherrill this year garnered at least 26,814 more votes than Murphy did that year as of Thursday, as overall turnout was way up.

Observers have also noticed that Sherrill and Baraka, placing first and second despite being outspent, were both prominent on cable news in the weeks leading up to the election, Dworkin said.

Baraka was on air for his arrest and direct fight with the Trump administration, and Sherrill was also on TV criticizing U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he should man up and resign after his second Signal chat scandal.

Sherrill also embraced alternative media throughout her campaign, making appearances with internet personalities of different strokes, from TikTok to Substack to YouTube, and even held an Ask me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit.

Her campaign also had an online ambassador program for people who wanted to help spread her message.
Ricki Lake underwent a "lower face and neck lift" after losing weight.

Ricki Lake had surgery after losing weight

The former TV talk show host, 56, reached her 130 lb goal weight earlier this year, but she's revealed her changing shape left her with loose skin around her neck and she went under the knife to fix it.

During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Ricki explained: "I'll reveal this to you. I've told other people, but I've had a lower face and neck lift ... I kind of think it's the best facelift I've ever seen."

The TV star thanked her surgeon Dr. Allen Foulad for his work and insisted she's happy to talk about her cosmetic surgery.

She added: "I love that I can talk about it. I'm fully transparent, always have been. I don't want there to be any stigma. This is something that was bothering me.

"I lost a lot of weight, and I had this certain thing [loose skin] hanging, and I had it fixed."

It comes after Ricki previously revealed she refused to take controversial weight loss drug Ozempic when her doctor tried to "push" it on her and she ultimately decided to slim down without using medications.

Speaking on Good Morning America, she explained: "The doctor was pushing it for people who were overweight. And he was saying you weren't going to be successful without it, is what he said to me, really.

"And I like a challenge. And I like proving people wrong. And so it p***** me off. I just was reluctant, and I wanted to give it a go on my own."

Ricki has lost weight in the past but insisted that this time round it is all a "lifestyle change" rather than a quick fix.

She said: "This is a lifestyle change. I've made this my job, and it's become my joy. Like, I just  I love it. I think it's safe to say I'm in the best shape of my life. "I say, this is what happy looks like. Like this is really  I could cry. I'm so happy. I'm so happy."
The newest draft of Ravalli County's rewritten natural resource management policy expands on various aspects of managing of the county's robust natural resources.

Ravalli County Commissioners met on June 10 to hold their second public discussion about rewriting the Ravalli County Natural Resource Management Policy. The meeting centered around the first updated policy draft and how the public could comment on the draft until July 10 to help shape a revised version.

The purpose of this one is to let everybody know that the draft document for public review is complete and available for a 30-day public comment period, said Josh Smith from Bitterroot Resource and Conservation Development.

The draft is 93 pages long and was written over the last four months by Ravalli Countys Core Team. The Core Team, assigned with rewriting Ravalli Countys current Natural Resource Management Policy (published in 2012), is made up of county officials, a representative from consulting firm DJ&A, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and U.S. Forest Service. Their first meeting was on Jan. 6 of this year.

Ravalli County Commissioner Jeff Burrows, who is a member of the Core Team, told those in attendance that the U.S. Forest Service, although directly involved in the Core Team, did not significantly sway the process in any direction, saying that they were more there for information and/or support.

They were not really even providing input on a lot of stuff, Burrows said. They were pretty good about staying hands-off and letting the rest of the Core Team drive it.

The new draft was completed in part by using surveys filled out by county residents this spring. The survey sought to interpret what resources were important to people and help inform the new management policy.

Members of the Core Team, and others affiliated, felt that the draft needed to be updated to better reflect the rapidly changing demographics of Ravalli County as well as account for updated environmental properties.

This policy replaces the 2012 Bitterroot Valley Natural Resource Use Policy (Ravalli County). This updated document incorporates many objectives and policies from the 2012 policy that relate to public land use and management, reads the draft. Because nearly three quarters of Ravalli Countys land base is managed by the USFS as part of the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF), USFS land management decisions are particularly important to the countys values and economic stability.

Things have changed since then, Smith said. County population, demographics, the makeup of the economy in relation to federal and state regulations that kind of form the backdrop of how the county can engage in these processes.

In addition to dramatic Bitterroot Valley demographic shifts, the 38-year-old Bitterroot Forest Plan is also up for revision. Changes made to the Forest Plan, although not yet known, will inevitably alter the countys relationship with its natural resources.

The county can play an important role in making sure its voice is heard in that process, said Smith. This document is broader than just trying to influence the plan revision but that is a big part of it.

A few members of the public commented at the June 10 meeting, voicing varying perspectives on the newly published draft and sharing suggestions with commissioners.

Why is the natural resource plan singling out carnivores and setting the stage for House Bill 554 and the past Ravalli County predator management plan when we dont need to do it? said Wolves of the Rockies Vice President Marc Cook at the meeting. The dynamics in the valley are more wildlife watchers than consumptive communities like hunters and trappers and I think the management plan should reflect that.

Cook criticized the drafts predator management section, saying that it set the stage for more deregulatory state natural resource management, like House Bill 554, which was passed in the last legislative session and removed Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks requirement to manage wolves under the denomination of furbearers or game animals.

The draft says that one of its aims is to Support large predator trapping and hunting regulations and quotas from MT FWP or USFWS that reduce large predator populations to ensure ungulate populations meet objectives and reduce human and livestock conflicts and aligns closely with the language used in Ravalli Countys Large Predator Policy from 2012.

Another commenter was Margaret Gorski from the Ravalli County Collaborative, who told commissioners that she liked the draft and expressed interest in obtaining even more opinion on resource management from the public.

Thank you for a draft that I think, personally, is far superior to the 2012 document, Gorski said. Im pleased to see some serious consideration into what has changed over the years and how important the resources are to the county.

Gorski said that the Ravalli County Collaborative would spend the next month or so workshopping a comment and position to take on the draft, as well as an opportunity for additional public comment on the valleys natural resources.

The new draft policy is available to read and comment on at the Ravalli County website. The next public meeting will be after July 10 and the new policy is slated to be published in August.
With fire season already underway in many western states, President Donald Trump on Thursday directed federal agencies to begin combining their wildland firefighting staff into a new, unified wildfire force.

The executive order, similar to legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy of Montana shortly after the Republican took office this year, moves toward placing federal employees from five land management agencies in a newly created Federal Wildland Fire Service within the Department of Interior.

The federal government can empower state and local leaders by streamlining federal wildfire capabilities to improve their effectiveness and promoting commonsense, technology-enabled local strategies for land management and wildfire response and mitigation, the executive order states.

Trumps order starts a 90-day clock for the departments of Interior and Agriculture to consolidate their wildland fire programs to achieve the most efficient and effective use of wildland fire offices, coordinating bodies, programs, budgets, procurement processes, and research.

Trumps order was commended by Sheehy, who issued a statement thanking the president for taking decisive action to ensure we can respond better, faster, and stronger to wildland fires across the country. His office also noted that Trump on Thursday signed into law his bill to make more U.S. military aircraft and parts available for wildfire work.

In an interview Friday, Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who represents western Montana, said hes hopeful the consolidation will be a well thought-out process.

I am all for streamlining command and control, better innovation, making sure decisions are made faster  especially on assets, he said, while noting that hes also fielded calls from former Forest Service chiefs expressing their concerns.

His counterpart for Montanas eastern district, GOP Rep. Troy Downing, along with Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., declined interview requests but issued statements praising the presidents actions.

Trumps proposed new agency been met with warnings from some organizations representing wildland firefighters concerned the bureaucratic undertaking could be disruptive during an active fire season. The National Association of Forest Service Retirees on Tuesday called the proposal "a costly mistake" in a letter to the Senate appropriations panel reviewing that portion of Trump's proposed budget.

"The critical linkage between fire suppression and forest management, including fuels reduction and prescribed fire, must be maintained," the organization's board chair, Steve Ellis, wrote. "Severing forest management and forest managers from fire suppression will make firefighting less safe and put communities at greater risk."

Isaac Karuzas is president of the union chapter representing Forest Service employees in Montana and portions of Idaho and the Dakotas. He said some firefighters in his local chapter have expressed hope that a unified agency will be able to implement positive changes and a more cohesive mission statement.

Some members havent liked the status quo in how things are managed at this time, but at the same time I haven't talked to anybody who thinks 90 days is an adequate amount of time to make this change, Karuzas said. Were not against change. What we are against is doing it fast and wrong.

He also worried that firefighters will lose labor representation if theyre transferred to a new agency without a collective bargaining agreement.

Environmental groups expressed concern the move will ultimately take away resources from fire mitigation and research that benefits fire suppression efforts.

If President Trump was serious about improving the nations wildland firefighting capabilities, he would stop hollowing out the agencies tasked with fighting wildfires and prioritize the climate and weather science that firefighters need to analyze risk, Center for Western Priorities Deputy Director Aaron Weiss said in a press release.

In addition to the Forest Service, which is under the Department of Agriculture, the new wildfire agency would include firefighting crews from the Interior Departments Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Since Trump took office earlier this year, his administration has pushed out thousands of federal workers through mass layoffs, while pressuring others to take early retirements. Those have included employees who, while not their primary job responsibility, were qualified to fight wildfires. Earlier this week, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz told a Senate panel his agency was trying to lure 1,600 of those red-carded employees back to the agency.

Earlier that day, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum testified to a congressional panel that a new wildfire agency wouldnt be rolled out until 2026.

Wed have an opportunity to get input from all those entities this year, with the idea that when we go into next years fire season, wed have better coordination, Burgum said.

He was responding to a question from Rep. Val Hoyle, an Oregon Democrat who said, What I dont want to see is something broken before we have a plan to put something new together.

A day earlier, Schultz indicated to a Senate budget committee that a wholesale reorganization wouldnt happen until 2026.

We dont have all the details worked out yet, Schultz said Wednesday, in response to a question from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. Were not talking about this summer; were talking about in the future, in the next year.

He also noted that the unified firefighting force would also be tasked with fuels reduction on federal lands, while pushing more responsibility for federal land management onto the states.

Restoring federalism

Trumps order likewise requires the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture departments to incentivize responsible land management and wildfire prevention, mitigation and response measures at the state and local levels.

Schultz defended deep cuts to federal agency spending and personnel as being, in part, aimed at restoring federalism.

It is not our intention to degrade the services of states and local government, he told the Senate budget panel, but we must change the reliance on the federal government to deliver these services.

Trumps latest executive order also calls for increasing state and local wildfire fighting capabilities through artificial intelligence, data sharing, mapping and modeling capabilities and technology to identify new ignitions.

But Schultz also faced bipartisan criticism for proposing to defund programs that support state and rural firefighting efforts.

While praising aspects of Trumps proposed budget geared toward increasing timber and mineral production from national forests, Murkowski objected to proposed cuts to state and volunteer firefighting grants.

This helps bolster the fire response in so many rural areas of the country. I think oftentimes the beneficiaries of these funds are the initial responders to fires that occur on federal land, she said. It seems to me that cuts like this actually run counter to the committees continued push to increase our fire resiliency and response.

The top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, likewise noted that defunding small, rural fire stations could mean a loss in initial attack personnel on new wildfire starts.

When we have lighting storms, we have the possibility of 100 fires being lit at once, and getting our rural teams out fast  theyre normally volunteer teams  to put those out before they become a larger fire  is extremely important, Merkley said. So in what world does it make sense to devastate the ability of rural fire stations to tackle fires early?

Presidential budget proposals, like the one currently being considered by the Senate, historically amount to only a starting point in what will be a lengthy period of negotiations to satisfy both the executive branch and Congress.

Zinke, who sits on the House Appropriations subcommittee reviewing that part of the budget, noted that congressional truism during an interview Friday: I think theres going to be a difference between what the presidents line items are and what the Congress will agree to.

He declined to commit specifically to restoring funding for volunteer and state fire capacity that has been eliminated from Trumps proposal, but pointed to $1.7 million in funding requests he submitted last month to support local fire departments in Lake and Powell counties.

During Wednesdays Senate hearing, Schultz testified that other entities are going to have to increasingly pick up the tab for local fire activities.

What were trying to suggest in this budget is there needs to be a shift, again, in the budget to put greater reliance on the states and local government to cover those costs on their own, he said.
This past week, industrial connectivity and automation provider Weidmuller USA celebrated the grand opening of its new engineering and production facility in Chesterfield.

Located at 821 Southlake Blvd., the new facility brings an additional 24,000 square feet to Weidmuller USAs existing campus, now totaling about 150,000 square feet.

The expansion provides space for advanced equipment such as the RailAssembler that quickly assembles terminal blocks.

Weidmuller products serve several global companies, including data center providers such as Siemens, Honeywell and Emerson, and energy companies like Dominion and GE.

Now we can meet higher demands for data centers, because they give us large orders and theyre repeatable, Randy Sadler, president and CEO of Weidmuller USA, said. This allows us to be more efficient, more accurate and it reduces lead time.

The company has invested $10 million toward the facility thus far and is planning further investments in machinery, training and production.

Establishing Richmond roots

The global wing of the company, Weidmuller Group, is headquartered in Detmold, Germany, and is celebrating 175 years in business this year.

Another milestone for the family-owned company in 2025 is the 50th anniversary of Weidmuller operating in the Richmond area. The companys U.S. branch started near the Richmond airport in 1975 before moving to Chesterfield in 1980.

Sadler, a Richmond native, was at Weidmuller USA from 1985 to 2000, working in sales and engineering before moving up to regional manager and eventually vice president of sales.

After working at other places across the country, Sadler returned to Weidmuller USA in May 2024 as president and CEO.

Im from here, my familys from here, so Im blessed and honored to come back and finish where I started, Sadler said. This is a great working environment and its in a great location in Chesterfield County.

Innovation in technology

Sebastian Durst, CEO of Weidmuller Group, said a key goal of the company is to empower electrification, automation and digitalization in the industrial world and turn it into value for the customer.

Our products enable electrification, Durst said. If you think about power generation, power storage, transmission and distribution, you need your products to do that in a safe, secure, reliable way.

With data centers quickly growing across the country, including the Richmond region, Weidmuller is creating products like printed circuit board terminals and printed circuit board connectors to support the infrastructure at those facilities.

If you follow a wire, any wire, its going to land on one of our products, Sadler said. Thats why we fit so well inside of a data center.

Weidmuller USA had two other expansions prior to the recent third one. The company broke ground on the facility in May 2023 as part of an effort to engineer and manufacture products closer to U.S. customers.

The recent facility opening allows for the use or production of technology such as SNAP IN, photovoltaic combiner boxes and stainless steel enclosures.

SNAP IN allows for stripped wires to plug directly into open connection points with a click instead of having to screw them in. The connections can be made manually or with the use of a robot.

PV combiner boxes provide surge protection for utility-scale solar farms, while the stainless steel enclosures offer indoor and outdoor protection for installed components.

These and other tools play into Weidmullers mission of providing smart industrial connectivity to customers and distributors.

In the past, we didnt have any product with embedded software, Durst said. We have the hardware, thats what we touch and feel, but now we have a software piece in it. We have it wrapped around in a digital environment where our customers can work with and tell us exactly what they want.

Worker benefits

In addition to pumping out products at a faster pace, the new facility will allow workers to exercise improved quality control.

Instead of manually inspecting 100 DIN rail assemblies to find one with a mistake, a worker can use advanced tools to get through the process easier.

Were going to bring in camera and AI-assisted visual inspections of those products to make it more efficient so its not monotonous, Sadler said. He can get a known rail assembly that we know is good, inspect it, check it, then run the other 99 through there quicker.

Weidmuller USA currently employs around 200 people and will hire 100 more with this expansion.

New jobs will include production, sales, warehouse and marketing positions. Job creation will be supported by the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, an initiative of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

With an additional five acres behind the property, Weidmuller USA could try for a fourth expansion down the road. While the company has not committed to that, Sadler said that the Southlake Boulevard location is here to stay regardless.

I dont see us going anywhere, Sadler said. Richmond is home for us; this will be our headquarters for the foreseeable future.
A year to the date of the 1969 Stonewall rebellion, the first Pride marches took place across New York, Los Angeles and Chicago in June of 1970.

Pride Month

Although far from the first event of its kind, the Stonewall Riots, in which police embarked on a then-routine gay bar raid, marked a significant turning point for LGBTQ+ activism efforts.

Since homosexuality was illegal across the state at the time, establishments like the Stonewall Inn chose to operate without a liquor license, proving to be the breeding ground for police raids and brutality.

Starting as an unjust, yet simple interrogation, things soon spiralled with patrons being locked in, detained, humiliated and ridiculed for being themselves.

As word of the victims' resistance efforts spread, the following six days saw civil unrest both day and night.

Known then as the Christopher Street Day Parade, that first march saw thousands of people flooding the streets across Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, reiterating that the fight for equality was far from over.

Rights for the LGBTQ+ community evolved over the years and became a full month celebration in June after it was officially recognised by Bill Clinton in 1999.

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Inspired by the events of Stonewall, members of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) set out to spread the word internationally.

Picked up by British activists Aubrey Walter and Bob Mellor on their travels across the US, the UKs first dedicated meeting for Pride occurred in October 1970.

Despite being decriminalised by the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, thousands of men were convicted of indecency and soliciting related to Homosexual identities.

Having had enough, the group took on Highbury Fields and Trafalgar Square with varying levels of success before striking gold with their first mass march on July 1st.

Chosen as the closest Saturday to the anniversary of the Stonewall Act, an estimated 2,000 people attended with balloons, streamers, flares and fireworks in tow, aiming to demonstrate they were not ashamed of who they were, as well as an emergence from the shadows.

Pride's presence in the 70s and 80s varied with London remaining the sole event until 1988, when section 28 of the Local Government Act was introduced, banning authorities from intentionally promoting and publishing material on Homosexuality.

Despite such deterrence, milestone after milestone followed into the 90s and 2000s, including Europride, Birmingham Pride and Cardiff Mardi Gras, until the act's eventual repeal in 2003.

From 2010 till now, Pride has become an established part of the global holiday calendar with events ranging from locally to internationally recognised.
He said the Guard is going through last-minute preparations, and some members are already involved in security events around the state.

And so, you will see Guard presence, you will see state police presence, you will see our tactical team presence, you will see local police presence all over the state, Youngkin told reporters Friday after a ceremonial signing of a bill that says dealers who sell a fatal overdose of fentanyl can be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

He said the mobilized Guard is already integrated with Virginia State Police to respond to situations on the ground.

Just to be very, very clear, the way that (the Code of Virginia) works for me is that I can involve the Guard in public disturbance efforts. And so Im already doing that, he said, when asked if he or police commanders would direct any Guard response.

He said his orders had nothing to with the object of the demonstrations.

Zero tolerance for violence

I fully support our First Amendment and its protection of the right to demonstrate, Youngkin said.

But I want to be really clear, crystal clear, that there will be zero tolerance for any violence, for any destruction of personal property, business property, for disrupting traffic and putting peoples lives in danger. And if you violate the law, youre going to be arrested, he said.

The No Kings Day demonstrations this weekend  including one that starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at Capitol Square  are aimed at protesting Trumps aggressive actions on immigration enforcement and executive orders that organizers say exceed his authority.

Trumps mobilization of the California National Guard and deployment of U.S. Marines in response to protests in Los Angeles over an intensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement campaign to arrest immigrants has sparked Gov. Gavin Newsom to accuse the administration of an unconstitutional abuse of power.

Youngkin did not give any details about the number of Guard members involved in response to the Virginia demonstrations.

We are mobilizing substantial resources across the commonwealth, state police, local resources, and yes, National Guard resources, to make sure that we have substantial presence across the commonwealth, he said.

Youngkin said hes been getting twice daily briefings about the protests and the state response all week.

Surovell faults approach

Sen. Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said there is no need to call in the National Guard.

He continues to try to use them to kiss up to President Trump as part of his own future presidential ambitions, Surovell said. He said that Youngkins 2023 dispatch of National Guard members to back a border security campaign by Texas police and the Guard had the same aim.

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond, who is speaking at No Kings Day events in Richmond and Manassas, said calling out the National Guard was unjustified.

Gov. Youngkin deploying the National Guard this weekend is a disgraceful attempt to intimidate peaceful protestors  and an attempt to please wannabe-King Donald Trump. I have one message for the governor: We will not be intimidated, we will not be deterred, we will stand up to authoritarianism, she said.

Hashmi is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Drug bill

Earlier, when ceremonially signing Senate Bill 746, which makes the sale of a fatal dose of fentanyl the crime of involuntary manslaughter, Youngkin took a shot at General Assembly Democrats, who had opposed earlier versions of the measure when those bills stated sales of fatal overdoses would be felony homicide: basically, second-degree murder.

He said passionate lobbying by families of Virginians who died from fatal overdoses took years to have effect.

I think its fair to say that the reception from many, many, many General Assembly members to fentanyl families at the beginning of this journey, and I will say they were Democrats and I dont mean to say this politically, but its the truth, were not only dismissive, but rude, he said before signing the bill.

That is a demonstration of not understanding this issue. Thats why Im so happy that were here today, that this bill, after years of effort, is coming to my desk after we prepare the Naloxone and we educate, we have to go to work to interdict the drug crisis  we are going to stop the flow of drugs into Virginia, Youngkin said.

He said there is no bill hes been prouder to sign. Although the ceremony highlighted the issue, Youngkin actually signed the measure in early May.

House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said the legislation passed almost unanimously. The bill Youngkin ceremoniously signed was the Senate version. It initially would have made the sale of fatal overdoses of any drug a felony homicide. It was changed to match a House of Delegates measure, sponsored by Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, making the sale of a fatal dose of fentanyl involuntary manslaughter, a lesser offense.

Its sad that Republicans continue to politicize the pain of others, Scott said.

In a fundraising email, meanwhile, Scott called Trumps mobilization in California an overreach of his authority.

Later, Youngkin told reporters that the involuntary manslaughter measure was a big step forward, even though conviction on a charge of involuntary manslaughter is subject to a sentence of one to 10 years in prison, while felony homicide can mean up to 40 years behind bars.

He said he expected legislators who backed the stiffer penalty would continue to push to make selling a fatal overdose a felony homicide.
Firemen cut trapped driver free in two vehicle crunch outside Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos, Q.R.  An afternoon accident outside the town of Puerto Morelos left two injured and early evening traffic heavily affected. The late afternoon collision required assistance from local firemen to free one trapped driver.

Firemen had to use the jaws of life to free the trapped driver Thursday afternoon.

The two vehicles collided late Thursday afternoon near the Puerto Morelos vehicular bridge. Members of the fire department arrived to rescue one driver whose legs were trapped after spinning and crashing into a city pole.

According to reports, the driver of one of the involved vehicles stopped in the center of the road next to the median when his engine began to smoke at which time a second vehicle happened upon the scene. That vehicle hit the stopped vehicle, spun and crashed into a streetlight before coming to a stop. The pole was uprooted from its base and left partially suspended over the federal highway.

Firemen used the jaws of life to free that driver who was stuck behind the wheel. Military personnel diverted traffic around the scene of the two vehicle accident while emergency personnel worked to clear the road. Both drivers were taken to hospital.
Tulum restaurant employee gunned down in targeted hotel zone shooting

Tulum, Q.R.  Police were at the scene of a deadly shooting outside a Tulum restaurant Thursday. The evening shooting left an adult man dead at kilometer 5 of the TulumBoca Paila coastal highway in the heart of the Tulum Hotel Zone.

Forty year old Francisco P, a cook by trade, was shot to death at the entrance to Mateos Mexican Grill shortly before 6:30 p.m. Municipal Police arrived with heavily armed personnel who secured the crime scene.

Paramedics confirmed the mans death at the scene. He was found lying at the entrance of the restaurant in a pool of blood. Francisco P, 40, was identified as an employee of the restaurant by coworkers.

Witnesses said two men arrived on a motorcycle and simply opened fire against the man, who was with his son at the time of the shooting. The son was not reported injured.

The shooting is reported to have been a targeted hit. At least two spent shell casings were lifted from the scene, although the caliber was not specified. An agent from the Homicide Group of the Investigative Police (PDI) arrived to take over the crime scene.

Police blocked access to the restaurant while the investigation was under way. Arrests or possible suspects have not yet been named by local authorities. A motive for the targeted attack remains unclear.
Dakota Johnson thinks Hollywood is in a "bit of a mess" because studios want to focus on remakes and sequels.

Dakota Johnson thinks Hollywood is in a mess

The Materialists actress suggested people making decisions in the industry "don't know anything" about movies and just want to capitalise on the success of one project, rather than taking a risk and offering audiences "fresh" new stories.

Appearing on YouTube series Hot Ones, host Sean Evans asked her why she feels Hollywood is so risk-averse, as someone who has seen the industry up close and personal.

She said: I think its hard when creative decisions are made by committee and its hard when creative decisions are made by people who dont even really watch movies or know anything about them, and that tends to be whats occurring a lot.

"When something does well, studios want to keep that going so they remake the same things, but humans dont want that. They want fresh, they want to feel new things, experience new things, see new things, so I dont know, I guess its all just a bit of a mess right now, isnt it?

Dakota recently insisted her film Madam Web's poor performance wasn't her fault because the film - in which she played Cassie Web, a paramedic who develops psychic abilities following an accident - had "turned into something else" after she signed up for the project.

She told the Los Angeles Times newspaper: It wasnt my fault. Theres this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who dont have a creative bone in their body. And its really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.

And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.

Dakota insisted she doesn't "have a Band-Aid over it" and isn't too worried about the experience.

She said: Theres no part of me thats like, Oh, Ill never do that again to anything. Ive done even tiny movies that didnt do well. Who cares?

Dakota previously suggested she wouldn't make another superhero film following her experience on Madame Web.

She told Bustle: I had never done anything like it before. I probably will never do anything like it again because I dont make sense in that world. And I know that now.

Sometimes in this industry, you sign on to something, and its one thing and then as youre making it, it becomes a completely different thing, and youre like, Wait, what?

"But it was a real learning experience, and of course its not nice to be a part of something thats ripped to shreds, but I cant say that I dont understand.
A tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Amit Dave)

There's only one survivor of the Air India crash on Thursday (12 June): a British national of Indian origin, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh by the Hindustan Times. In videos circulated after the crash, a man was seen walking from the scene in a bloodstained shirt. "Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly," it quoted him as saying in an interview at the hospital where he was being treated. Find out more about Vishwash and the Air India incident here.

Meanwhile, in Singapore, the latest Toto numbers were drawn on Thursday evening. The winning numbers for the Singapore Pools Toto draw on Thursday (12 June) were 3, 7, 38, 41, 44 and 49, with the additional number being 20. There were no winners for Group 1 and the prize amount of $2,927,384 will be snowballed to the next draw. The Group 2 winnings of $114,469 will be split between three winning shares.

Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Martin Scorsese was just five years old when he "had a calling to make movies" .

Martin Scorsese has opened up about his strong connection to Italy

The 82-year-old Hollywood director has revealed he decided on his future career as a young child when he watched Italian war drama Paisan with his family and heard the Sicilian dialect spoken by relatives in New York onscreen for the first time.

Speaking at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily - where he accepted a lifetime achievement award on Thursday (12.06.25) - the director told the audience: "It was there in that room, that night, that I had a calling to make movies, and to touch people in the same way that this film touched us that night.

"So it is Sicily that helped draw me to cinema and cinema drew me to Sicily."

He added of his American upbringing: "With the exception of Native Americans, were all either immigrants, children of immigrants or descendants of immigrants.

"The country is very young. Its 250 years old, which is nothing in terms of world history. Were learning. Were just crawling. We havent begun yet to walk or talk."

During his speech, Scorsese also paid tribute to Hollywood movie legend Frank Capra -a fellow director with Sicilian roots.

The moviemaker ended his speech by saying: "I wonder, where I would be without Italian cinema.

"The debt I owe to Italian cinema and the people that made it and are continuing to make it, is really incalculable. Ill never stop talking about it, to the entire world, wherever I go and I thank you for this wonderful honor to be here tonight.

"Thank you for bringing me back home."

In an interview with Variety, Scorsese went on to explain his strong connection to his Italian homeland, saying: "Growing up, my first formative years, even before my early teenage [years], I was really living in a Sicilian village. It just happened to be downtown in Manhattan.

"What I mean by that is the thinking, the behaviour, the language. All of this was very, very much part of who I am.

"Then we became American, kind of. In a way I think that for me that [Sicilian link] combined with the religious experiences, it has propted a curiosity and a search as to my own identity. As to who I am."
Walking up and down Sioux Citys West Seventh Street is like stepping back into time for Jim Tillman.

The major thoroughfare was the route where he and his friends would ride their bikes as kids. It was also the street hed take when walking to the Boys Club every day after school.

However, for an older generation, West Seventh Street was where Sioux Citys blues, gospel, jazz and rock and roll was born.

Long-ago establishments with names like Club 51, the 711 Lounge and the Swingin Place were where residents would go for an evening of revelry.

Back in the day, you could do a little sinning at a neighborhood club on a Saturday night and save your soul at the Mount Sinai Holiness Church on Sunday morning, Tillman, a Sioux City-based historian and author of The Journal of African-American History: Sioux City, explained with a smile. The nice thing is you could do without having to leave West Seventh Street.

West 7th Street musical history Jim Tillman, a chronicler of Black history in Sioux City, points down West Seventh Street in Sioux City.

West Seventh Street, past and present, will be celebrated at The Sounds of West Seventh, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Yummi Blox, 700 W. Seventh St.

It will be a fun day with live music, food trucks and art, Sioux City Community Inclusion Liaison Semehar Ghebrekidan explained. It will also highlight one of the citys most inclusive districts.

Ghebrekidan isnt kidding.

At various times in the Sioux Citys history, West Seventh has been home to businesses owned by the Jewish population as well by members of the Black, Hispanic and Asian communities.

Or if you ask Charlie Prochelo, business ownership might have been a bit murky at time.

My uncle A.J. Tony Prochelo owned both the 711 Lounge and Club 51, but there was never a piece of paper with his name to prove it, he said, somewhat mysteriously. Uncle Tony was what you would the silent partner at both clubs.

West 7th Street musical history Jim Tillman, a chronicler of Black history in Sioux City, sits in front of Archie's Diner on West Seventh Street. Archie Arvin owned the diner

Indeed, other members of the Prochelo Family owned such still-remembered establishments like the Orbit Room, the Turin Inn and and the Triangle Club.

I used to bartend at the Triangle Club, Charlie Prochelo said. That was a fun place but it wasnt on West Seventh.

As a customer, Charlie Prochelo preferred the 711 Lounge, which his Uncle Tony sold to Clarence Kenner sometime in the 1960s.

Clarence Kenner was from Kansas City and was a trumpeter in the Count Basie Orchestra during its heyday, Charlie Prochelo said. When Clarence ran it, 711 was the place for jazz in Sioux City.

Thats also the way Tillman remembered the 711 W. Seventh St. hotspot, which is now home to a car window tinting business.

Clarences 711 was classy, he said. Ladies had to dress appropriately and men had to wear dress slacks and button-up dress shirts. You couldnt look raggedy if you wanted to come into the 711.

West 7th Street musical history Jim Tillman, a chronicler of Black history in Sioux City, stands in front of what was once the 711 Club, 711 West Seventh St.

The dress code was also the same for entertainers.

Music was a side job for a lot of musicians, Tillman said, Guys would be working at meatpacking plants during the day. Then, theyd get dressed up in tuxedos to perform at night.

Prochelo recalled seeing well-known performers like Preston Love Sr. at the 711.

Preston Love Sr. was an incredible saxophone player from Omaha, he said. Like Clarence Kenner, Preston worked with Count Basie before moving back to the Midwest.

Prochelo also saw Ash Bizzett, who was once a drummer with the world famous Ink Spots.

Ash had a son named Russell, Prochelo said. Russell Bizzett played the 711 Lounge as a young man. He later played drums with big named acts like Deep Purple.

West 7th Street musical history COVER Jim Tillman, a chronicler of Black history in Sioux City, stands in front of what was once the 711 Club, 711 West Seventh St.

In case you didnt know, Deep Purple was also a band which featured a fellow Sioux Cityan named Tommy Bolin.

Tommy Bolin also got his start at the 711 Lounge, Tillman said. Even though Clarence Kenner was Black, he was colorblind when it came to talent. If you were good, like Tommy Bolin was, Clarence wanted you to play at 711.

But times were changing at the 711 Lounge.

Clarence Kenner died in the early 1970s and it went through several owners, Tillman said. It stopped being the classy place it once was.

Indeed, West Seventh Street, in general, became a place where Tillmans mom wanted him to avoid.

West Seventh became a rough place, Tillman said.

Much of that changed as small, family owned restaurants, grocery stores and beauty parlors started moving in.

Today, you can see businesses owned by may different nationalities along West Seventh, Ghebrekidan said. Its become a street and a neighborhood we can be proud of.

Which is why The Sounds of West Seventh will take place at Yummi Blox, a food truck owned by Peggy La, whose family owns the nearby Hong Kong Food Market.

West Seventh Street might not have as many nightclubs as it did in the past, Ghebrekidan said. But it does have plenty of multiculturalism.

At The Sounds of West Seventh, Tillman will give a presentation on the streets colorful past. Yet he is also looking forward to its future.

West Seventh isnt the same place it was when I was a kid, he said. Its different but it still has an energy and excitement like nowhere else in Sioux City.
Its all too easy to hate Claire, the character played by Sydney Sweeney in Echo Valley, Apple TV+s new thriller, written by Brad Ingelsby (creator of Mare of Easttown) and directed by Michael Pearce. Claires mother, Kate (Julianne Moore), who dotes on her, trains horses on a farm in the fabulously lush Pennsylvania countryside. Kate left Claires father (Kyle MacLachlan, in a microscopic role) for a soulful, artistic farmhand (Kristina Valada-Viars), and counts among her friends another stalwart couple, played by Fiona Shaw and Melanie Nicholls-King. Claire could be living the cottagecore dream in a funky but ravishing farmhouse with her cool lesbian mom, riding horses all day, but no: She has to hook up with a skanky dude and start doing drugs, opening herself and her mother to a world of hurt.

Echo Valley is a serviceable thriller with an outlandish twist at the end, but the plot often seems at war with what feels like the movies true interest: Kate, a woman poleaxed by love. Kates wife, Patty, has died in a farm accident nine months before the movie begins, but she remains a presence in her widows dreams as well as in the old voicemail messages Kate listens to on repeat while doing her chores. The movie lingers over the routines that keep Kates fragile equilibrium in place: her bare feet landing on the bedroom rug every morning, the scoop she plunges into a vat of oats to feed the horses, the mucking of stables and splitting of firewood.

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Claire drags Kate into the mess of her life when, after fighting with her boyfriend, Ryan (Edmund Donovan), she dumps a bunch of his stuff off a bridge. Thats the first sign the movie offers that Claire has a heedless, destructive side that her mother willfully disregards. Even Kates nudges toward reform are laughably indulgent. The local community college has a creative writing program, she meekly informs Claire. Forget a job; shed be happy if her daughter just showed up for a short-story class a couple of times a week.

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Unfortunately for both women, a stash of drugs belonging to the local sociopathic dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), was hidden in the stuff Claire threw off the bridge, so she and Ryan have to go into hiding. Then Claire turns up claiming that she lost her temper and hit Ryan with a rock, killing him, presenting Kate with a body so thoroughly and professionally wrapped with plastic and duct tape that Claires flailing distress would arouse suspicion in anyone but a love-blinded mom.

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Some intriguing currents flow through Echo Valley, such as the question of whether love makes Kate weak or strong. Grief has stunned her, and shes canceled some of the riding lessons that have helped keep the farm solvent as a result. Claire brings Kate delight and comfort, but as soon as Kate doesnt meet her daughters demands, the girl becomes breathtakingly cruel, at one point even threatening the family dog. It seems as if there isnt anything Kate wouldnt do for her daughter, a susceptibility Claire is more than willing to exploit. And underneath it all is Kates loss, which matches the size of the love her wife brought into her life.

On the other hand, Kate also seems embedded in a community that not only loves her but comes through for her when she really needs it. Her ex may grumble about it, but hell still cut her a check for a new barn roof, and above all shes able to call upon the formidable force of aging-rural-lesbian solidarity, against which it is wise never to bet. Its frustrating that the brisk pacing required of a feature film means the filmmakers cant do more than just sketch Kate, the people in her life, and Echo Valley itself. Sensitivity to the intimate entanglement of place and character gave Mare of Easttown much of its appeal. Perhaps Echo Valley would have made a deeper impression as a miniseries?

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Then again, theres Claire. It must be awful, the movies villain tells Kate at one point, having a kid like that. Sweeney, too, might have done more with Claires blend of vulnerability and connivance, the addicts ruthlessness and the adolescents yawning self-hatred. But she, too, doesnt have the time, and so her Claire is essentially a monster, which makes Kates devotion to her more exasperating than tragic. Theirs is a relationship many viewers will find painfully familiar, but one thats almost impossible to dramatize. Even an actor as gifted as Moore cant make a viewer feel a parents irrational, even incredible love for the lost child buried deep within the addicts manipulative selfishness. I could happily have watched eight episodes about Kate and her world. But more than one or two hours of Claire? Thats something only a mother could love.
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Theres a common instruction in yoga classes that has nothing to do with how flexible, strong, or experienced you are: Soften your face. I find this instruction comical because, inevitably, I realize that I probably look bananas. I wear an extremely intense expression on my face during yoga: eyes locked in a death stare at nothing, teeth gritted, and, if its a balance, brow furrowed. I would not want anyone to take a picture of my yoga faceIm sure its a horrorbut I do follow the command to soften. Sometimes I even have a little laugh with myself over how locked up I am.

I welcome those moments because, despite it being a practice designed to lead to happiness, there isnt much laughter in yoga. Kat, my Saturday morning teacher, occasionally takes note of all the stone faces in the room and suggests we smileshe likes to remind us that we can be silly while making the shapes, or asanas, of yoga; that falling out of them is part of our growth; and that a spirit of playfulness is good and healthy for our practice. (Approach your mat with curiosity! she implores us.) Still, its impossible for these lighthearted instructions to overcome the fundamental seriousness and concentration that dominates a yoga practice. Often, the joy comes after.

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Then theres my self-consciousness about being an old in a class full of youngs in Alo unitards, which only makes me tackle my practice with more focus and intensity. Even after 20 years of practice, I still find it hard to not compare myself with others, especially because Im 10 to 15 years older than most everyone in my class. Ive been practicing yoga longer than some of these students have been alive! I cant stop trying to prove things to myselflike revolved hand-to-big-toe poseand to anyone else who might care (which is surely no one at all).

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Soften your face is a command that takes the pressure off. Its a suggestion that reminds me to get out of my head and into my body, to take myself less seriously. The challenge is holding on to that idea for a sustained period of time. Its easier to slip back into all-consuming seriousness than to stay buoyant and free.

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Recently, though, I discovered an unexpected path to lightening my yoga practice. We get a lot of pitches from PR agencies at Slate. (Please read this brilliant piece by my colleague Dan Kois about saying yes to every pitch he got in a single day.) Most end up in the trash, but one afternoon I was pitched on puppy yoga, and I couldnt say no. My main question was: Why? Why puppies and yoga, and also  how? I signed up for the class with Puppy Sphere, an endorphin boosting and Insta-worthy class, according to its website, that pops up in a variety of major cities across the country.

To be honest, I thought the entire proposition was ridiculous. Id successfully avoided goat yoga; why would anyone who wanted to practice yoga do it, by choice, with animals? At home, I already practice with three catsthey are a nuisance under my feet in downward dog and typically end up isolated in the bedroom. Nor do I Insta my practice. Nevertheless, I accepted the invitation to try a free class with puppies, with a smugness derived from my long-established yoga practice and my 28 years as a jaded New Yorker. At least Id have the firsthand experience to poke fun at this deeply unserious approach to yoga. Who would even teach a class like this?

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Well, Leslie, thats who. I took a mat at the front, right in front of her. The space was not a traditional studio but rather a small loft in my Brooklyn neighborhood that seemed to be a photo studio of some kind when it wasnt moonlighting. Leslie was a TV producer and a yoga teacher who can usually be found teaching at studios in south Brooklyn. It was her first time teaching with puppies present; she was subbing for a friend. Neither of us knew what to expect. I asked one of the organizers if I could use my own yoga mat, because my hands tend to slip on studio-provided ones. They said no. I realized later that there was a good reason for this: When you do yoga with puppies, they might pee on you.

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The other students at the Sunday noon class over Memorial Day weekend seemed to be a mix of tourists and locals who had come with friends, probably before going out for brunch. I was the only person there solo. This made perfect sense once the puppies came out. No one was there to practice yoga, of course. They were there for fun. I felt like an idiot for wearing my actual yoga clothes instead of my favorite sweatshirt from a Brooklyn cat rescue and my Old Navy sweatpants.

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Leslie was a terrific teacher. She had a great, mellow vibe, and her instructions were clear. However, she did not follow the directive to put her belongings in a cubby before starting class. As soon as the puppies were freed, a few minutes into class, they started playing with Leslies discarded sweatshirt and ran away with her socks.

Leslie kept admirable focus and continued to teach. We held plank pose. We did some anjaneyasana. The puppies were  everywhere, mostly on top of each other, rolling around like tumbleweeds through the two-dozen-odd students making modest attempts at lunges and twists. I was surprised by how quickly my focus shifted: Who cares about Warrior II when theres a puppy licking your toes? We managed to get a few disorganized sun salutations in before we came down on our mats to do some half-hearted backbends. There was no lack of instructionLeslie stuck with itbut by then, I had realized: Despite the mission of melding two things that bring you joy, the yoga, for most of those present, was merely a pretense to get some puppy time. Duh.

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By the time the 9-week-old mini schnauzers, who were lent to Puppy Sphere by a breeder looking to socialize them, had sniffed around me in somewhat inappropriate ways during savasana, I realized that not only had my face been softened, but I was smiling. The whole class was laughing and giggling at the antics of the puppies, who were inherently silly and spontaneous creatures with no motive other than being, well, puppies. A PuppySphere class includes extra time postyoga to snuggle and play with the tiny chaos agents, who were all pretty pooped after running around for 45 minutes of class and looking for warm places to nap. I was luckythey loved me (could they smell my three cats?), and two of them piled into my lap and crashed. I tried to wake them up so theyd go share their snuggliness with people who had paid $70 for the pleasure of puppies and yoga, but they just kept coming back. So I decided to leave early. Being a puppy hog seemed decidedly un-yogic.

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At the end of most yoga classes, the teacher does a little dharma talk, encouraging you to take along the feeling you usually get at the end of classwarm, lengthened, proud of yourself for showing up, as they sayand carry it along throughout your day. I usually forget about it once Im out the door and set about my listmaking, parenting, work, and unstacking the dishwasher. But I have carried with me, over the past few weeks, my postpuppy yoga feelings: pride at having gotten over myself and given into the fur balls, and delight at experiencing totally uncompromised funsomething that seems impossible to make time for, let alone find. My face was softened all right, and for about 60 minutes I was entirely free from sufferingone of the key purposes of yoga. I recommend this ridiculous combination without reservation. Namaste.
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On top of his legally dubious commandeering of the California National Guard and the Pentagons deployment of Marines to (it claims) protect federal assets, President Donald Trump appears to be perilously close to invoking a law from the early 19th century, the Insurrection Act, as a basis for deploying regular troops to police American cities. While shocking, it is unfortunately not surprising: Trump regrets not having invoked the act to respond to protests in 2020, having been talked down by the adults in his administration.

With the adults long since dismissed and Congress missing in action, resistance to this Trump power grab could come from an unlikely source: federal judges. Packing the judiciary was the crowning achievement of the presidents first term, which resulted in a stable of young, Trump-appointed conservative judges trained by their Federalist Society boosters. Some of these same appointees might be standing in the way of Trumps most dangerous overreaches, which to survive judicial review would require judges to exhibit broad deference to the executive branch.

Trump appears frustrated by this irony on many fronts. At the end of May, a long-simmering rupture finally spilled into the open when the president took to Truth Social to lambast sleazebag Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society, perhaps the most influential political organization so far this century. The trigger? A pair of court decisions, one signed by a Trump appointee, declaring the White Houses tariff regime unlawful. (One of the district courts temporarily stayed its own order, and an appeals court later stayed the other decision from taking effect while the administration appeals.)

At first blush, the outburst might seem confounding. After all, during the Trump administrations first term, the White House and Leo worked hand in glove to stock the federal courts, above all the Supreme Court, with appointees drawn from the ranks of the Federalist Society and its allies. The results were the most consequential achievement of Trumps first presidency, leading most notably to the overturning of Roe.

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However, todays MAGA movement, perhaps more than in its first iteration, has a set of ideological commitments of its ownnamely, a muscular, personalist, and near-monarchical vision of executive authority (especially within certain issue areas like trade and immigration). And these priors sit uneasily alongside the Federalist Societys decadeslong bid to rein in the regulatory state that it believes bedevils corporate interests. In fact, these competing priorities have been set on a collision course for some time: The MAGA 2.0 movements policy ambitions require precisely the type of bold, transformative executive power that the anti-administrative conservative legal apparatus has spent the past several decades attempting to frustrate.

This tension also demonstrates precisely why the administrations opponents should continue to invoke Roberts court precedents, including those they might philosophically disagree with, to oppose the administrations harmful policy agenda: Such arguments could be successful, even in conservative courts. And if progressive litigants lose with these claims, it is not all bad news. As we have argued elsewhere, litigants using anti-administrative doctrines against Trump policies could lead Trump-aligned judges to curb those doctrines, which might make future progressive governance easier.

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Nowhere is the overall MAGAvs.Federalist Society dynamic clearer than in the chaos over Trumps tariff policy. In April, industry and states launched a wave of litigation challenging the legality of Trumps steep and widely applied liberation day tariffs. The litigants claimed that the tariffs would raise prices, disrupt their supply chains, and otherwise increase the costs of doing business.

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One tool that the plaintiffs in all three lawsuits wielded is the major questions doctrine, a rule that was formally established in a landmark 2022 decision issued by the conservative Supreme Court supermajority that Trump built during his first term. After bubbling under the surface since the early 2000s, the major questions doctrine emerged in West Virginia v. EPA to herald a new, less deferential regime in review of agency policymaking. Under the doctrine, if an agency action is majorif it is novel, transformative, and economically and politically significantthen it can survive only if Congress quite specifically directed the action.

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During the Biden administration, the high court repeatedly invoked the doctrine to cut down a host of progressive regulations, including the Clean Power Plan, the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, and student-debt cancellation. Lower courts got in on the action too, using the major questions doctrine to stymie several Biden efforts. And the doctrine has metastasized beyond the regulatory context, with courts applying it to individual enforcement actions, agency guidance documents, and presidential actions. Much to the chagrin of progressive lawyers, who hoped to forestall such a development, the doctrine may have all but become, in the words of Judge Jed Rakoff, at bottom, a principle of statutory construction, apparently applicable wherever statutes are interpreted.

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Yet, now that he has returned to the White House, Trump has to contend with anti-administrative thinking, like the major questions doctrine, fashioned by the very Supreme Court supermajority he constructed, including in the context of tariffs.

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In their complaints, states and businesses argued that the political significance of the highly novel tariffs are staggering by any measure, are likely much larger than those of prior executive actions previously found by the Supreme Court to be major questions,  and represent an unheralded and transformative expansion of presidential authority. The litigants then explained that nowhere in the text of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, under which Trump issued his tariffs, does the statute offer the clear congressional authorization required by the major questions doctrine.

Related From Slate One Supreme Court Justice Just Keeps Sliding Further to the Right Read More

So far, at least two courts agree. A unanimous three-judge panel, including a Trump appointee, discussed plaintiffs major questions doctrine claims in detail and ultimately held that, regardless of whether the court views the Presidents actions through the nondelegation doctrine, through the major questions doctrine, or simply with separation of powers in mind, any interpretation of IEEPA that delegates unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional. Similarly, Judge Rudolph Contreras of the D.C. District Court cited a recent SCOTUS major questions doctrine case to explain that if Congress had intended to delegate to the President the power of taxing ordinary commerce from any country at any rate for virtually any reason, it would have had to say so.

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Tariffs are not the only MAGA priority that might suffer at the hands of doctrines that conservative jurists have pioneered in recent years. For example, an ACLU lawyer and Judge James Boasberg agreed in a hearing that the presidents reliance on a 1789 wartime law to summarily deport suspected gang members was far removed from the legislations historical use, suggesting that principles of the major questions doctrine might apply.

These examples help illustrate one reason why progressive litigants, who might philosophically oppose frameworks like the major questions doctrine, should nonetheless invoke them to challenge harmful Trump 2.0 agenda items: They might win. That is not to say that, perhaps especially at SCOTUS, we should always expect doctrinal rigor to supersede the kinds of political considerations that often undergird high-profile decisions. But the federal judiciary does not operate in a fluid, top-down fashion. Once issued, Supreme Court precedents take on a life of their own in the district and circuit courts, which enjoy ample latitude to find the play in their joints.

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Moreover, and as we have suggested elsewhere, a proliferation of major questions doctrine claims against a Republican presidenteven if they are ultimately unsuccessfulcould have a beneficial side effect. One of the key challenges that the doctrine poses to regulatory governance is its malleability, thanks to the high courts poor articulation of the philosophys scope and application. Bringing major questions doctrine cases against Trump policies in front of Trump-aligned judges could cause those judges to discipline the unwieldy and sprawling doctrine, a medium-to-good outcome that could prove useful for future attempts at progressive governance.

Beyond the effect on any particular lawsuits, invoking these doctrines against Donald Trumps signature policies can also help expand the fault line that has emerged between the anti-administrative conservative legal apparatus and the MAGA 2.0 movement, the policy ambitions of which require precisely the type of bold, transformative executive power that the former was constructed to impede. Driving a further wedge between these onetime allies can only redound to the collective benefit of the administrations opponents.
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In the wee hours of Friday morning, Israel launched not merely a string of attacks on Iran, as had been the case with recent incursions, but the start of an all-out war, whose goal seems to be the destruction of not just the countrys nuclear facilities but also its military command and, possibly, the Islamic regime itself.

The question now is what happens next. Iran has pledged to inflict severe punishment against Israel, but its first retaliatory strike, involving 100 drones, did little if any damage. Will Iran soon launch hundreds of ballistic missiles, as it has in the past? Will this trigger a wider war in the region? Will the U.S. get pulled into the fight, despite President Donald Trumps deep reluctance to get directly involved in a war? And how will Israels campaignby far the largest and most ambitious it has ever mounted against Iranreshape the dynamics of the entire Middle East?

Clearly the attack, which began in the early hours Friday, had been in the works for months. It involved more than 200 fighter planes dropping ordnance on 100 targets, wiping out command and control centers, killing several Iranian military commanders as well as top nuclear scientists, and damaging the vital uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.

Soon after the air raids began, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this was only the first phase of attacks that could go on for days or weeks, for as long as it takes to destroy Irans ability to threaten Israels survival. He called the campaign Operation Rising Liona symbol of victory and divine protection in Hebrew mythology. Later in the day Friday, Israels attacks on Iran had reportedly resumed.

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President Trump had urged Netanyahu not to launch this attack as long as his chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, was engaged in talks to dismantle Irans nuclear program through diplomacy. Witkoff and his Iranian counterparts were scheduled to hold their sixth round of talks in Oman this Sunday. Just hours before the attack began, Trump still publicly held out the possibility that the talks would succeedthough he also allowed that the prospects seemed dimmer than hed thought a couple of weeks earlier. On Wednesday, he ordered the evacuation of nonessential U.S. personnel from Iraq as well as American military families from bases throughout the Middle East. He did this in anticipation of a possible Iranian attack, which would presumably be launched in retaliation to an Israeli attack on Iran. Some took Trumps order as a bluffpart of a ploy to frighten Iran into accepting stiff demands, which it had previously rejected, in the talks. It turned out not to be a bluff. More than that, Israel launched the attack two days before the talks were set to resume.

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It is not yet known whether Israel took this step without Trumps consentwhich would have been all but unprecedented in the history of U.S.Israel relations. Soon after the attack, Marco Rubio, who holds the dual hats of secretary of state and national security adviser, issued a statement calling the attack unilateral, claiming that the U.S. had no involvement in it, and urging Iran not to attack American targets as part of its very likely retaliationas firm a distancing from Israels actions as one could imagine.

However, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he knew all about Israels plan ahead of time, that he wasnt given a mere heads-up. It isnt yet known whether Trump gave Netanyahu a full green light, but it does seem that he didnt flash a red light, as he had done a month earlier.

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Related From Slate How Trump's Iran Deal Efforts Fell Apart and How We Got Here Read More

Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, speculated on CNN late Thursday night that Trumps public plans to proceed with Sundays talks in Oman may have been part of a ruse in order to keep Iran off guard, so the attack would be a surprise. Dennis Ross, another experienced Middle East hand, agreed. Irans military chiefs and top scientists probably would have taken cover, had they expected an attack was coming. Air-defense crews might also have gone on alert; instead, not a single Israeli plane was downed.

One question, which will no doubt be examined in the days to come, is whether Trump knew about the timing of the attack. He was still saying, just hours before, that he preferred to let diplomacy play out before Israel drew the military card. Even if he knew about Israels plan (almost certainly true), did he know about when it was going to occurdid he know Netanyahu was going to attack before the talks? That is, was Trump in on the ruse? If so, it makes him an unreliable partner to anyone wanting to engage him in sensitive arms control talks in the future. (This is one reason, among many, that Iran is likely to scoff at his plea, issued Friday morning, to return to the negotiating table and make a deal before Israel inflicts still greater damage.) If not, it suggests that Trump is unable to control even his closest ally.

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What happens next? If Iran does retaliate with greater force, Trump will almost certainly help Israel shoot down the incoming missiles, drones, or planes. (This would be true of just about any American president.) In other words, the U.S. will inevitably become involved in the war.

Last year, when Israel and Iran exchanged missile volleys, other countriesincluding Britain, France, and Jordanalso got involved in Israels defense. Its uncertain, given that Israel started this round of the war, whether they will all participate again. If not, more of Irans missiles will break through. If some of Irans weapons kill Americans in Israel, Trump will be pressured to get involved in the war still more directly. The Iranians surely know this, and it may deter them from mounting such attacks, but rational thinking doesnt always prevail when passions swell and survival instincts turn desperate.

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None of this would likely have happened if during his first term Trump hadnt scuttled the Iran nuclear deal, which President Barack Obama and the leaders of five other nationsBritain, France, Germany, Russia, and Chinahad signed with Iran back in 2015. The deal called for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, in exchange for which the other countries would lift most (though not all) of the economic sanctions against Iran. The deal was working. By the time Trump withdrew from it in 2018, Iran had exported 97 percent of its enriched uranium, dismantled its plutonium reprocessing plant, and taken all the other steps required, including opening up its facilities to very intrusive verification procedures by international inspectors.

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Trump said at the time that he hoped to negotiate a better deal with Iran, but in fact, there was no such thing to be had. For a year, Iranians sought other ways to lift the sanctions, which had been restored, to no avail. So they set about rebuilding their nuclear program. Until todays strikes, they were closer to building an atomic bomb than ever before.

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A deal might have been made even now, except that Trump insisted that any agreement must prohibit Iran from enriching any uranium at all. Iranians demanded that they be allowed to enrich enough uranium for civil purposes, such as electrical powerand their case was compelling. (At various points in the last few months, even Trump has gone back and forth on whether to permit this.) The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treatywritten by the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the late 1960s, entered into international law in 1970, and signed since by 190 nations, including Irannot only permits signatories to enrich uranium at very low levels, it enshrines this privilege as a right, and it requires nuclear-weapons states to assist them in obtaining the technology. Iranians argued a decade ago that they shouldnt be barred from an activity that the rest of the world was allowed as a right. Obama and the other negotiators, who initially pressed for an enrichment ban as well, conceded the argument, in part because they realized there would be no accord if they didnt do so.

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Given how much further the Iranians have been enriching uranium in the decade since Trump pulled out of the dealin other words, given the stronger deck of cards that Iran held (to put it in terms that Trump should understand)it was fantasy to expect them not only to dismantle their nuclear program but also to give up enrichment altogether.

Now, of course, Iran holds a much weaker hand, and it may be that accepting any sort of deal would be better than getting hit with the next several rounds of Israeli strikes. But for Iran to take such a deal would be tantamount to surrenderits the kind of demand that only a defeated power might accept after the end of a warand no leader, least of all the ayatollah, who calls himself the Supreme Leader, endowed with holy mandates, could do that and remain in power.

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Netanyahu no doubt knows this, which is why its a fair inference that having launched Operation Rising Lion, he will push for the goal of his dreamsthe dismantlement of the Iranian regime. This could be accomplished in one of two ways, at least theoretically: the overthrow from within, as rebels realize the countrys tattered military can no longer protect them, or more direct means. Whether or not this plan succeeds is another question. The regime is not popular with large segments of Irans people, especially the educated urban population, yet foreign military intervention is less popular still.

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Meanwhile, it cannot be denied that, whatever Iran decides to do, it enters this new stage of its venom-drenched relation with Israeldating back to the Islamic Revolution in 1979in a staggeringly weak state.

In the past, Israel has been reluctant to attack Iran directly because Tehrans proxies along Israels bordersHezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and various militias in Syriacould retaliate with intense force, at very close range, on Irans behalf. Over the last year, Israel has pretty much wiped out Hezbollah, decimated Hamas, and witnessed the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Irans ally, in Syria. Also, in October, during its last missile volleys with Iran, Israel destroyed the air defense systems protecting Irans nuclear plants, air bases, and military infrastructure.

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Netanyahu may have pushed for the attack now because he saw it as the last chance to get in a clean, massive hit before Iran reconstituted its air defenses.

It is also the case that, especially since Trump started his negotiations two months ago, Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment program, to the point where it could achieve weapons-grade uranium in a few weeks. As Netanyahu admitted in his TV address Friday morning, it would take several months, possibly a year, for Iran to fashion the uranium into a weapon, but once the uranium was out of the reactors and into the various weaponization facilities spread out across the country, they would make for harder targets.

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And its possible that Netanyahu feared Trump would actually make a deal with Iran, one that allowed some enrichment. This would actually be a reasonable outcome, possibly a good one, if it was coupled with tight inspections and other restrictions. This would also have made Trumps nuclear deal closely resemble Obamaswhich Trump has several times lambasted (incorrectly) as the worst deal in history and which the Israeli leader loathed.

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For this reason, perhaps it was always unlikely that Trump would do a deal. Then again, having failed to end the RussiaUkraine war, to make more than one trade deal (much less the 99 that he promised to make in his first 99 days), or to make any of his threatened tariffs stick, Trump may have been desperate for some kind of winand Netanyahu, who has always opposed any kind of deal with Iran, fearing that it would draw Tehran into the international community, may have been fearful of just that.

Israeli officials said Friday morning that they acted now because they saw a window of opportunity, militarily and diplomatically.

If all goes as Netanyahu hopes, Rising Lion might be seen internally and by Israels allies as a bold, triumphant move that removes the final sources of the countrys existential threats for years to come. If things dont pan out that way, it could mean an intensification of the wars that have embroiled the regionand could now draw in the United States as well.
Scream 7 director Kevin Williamson has admitted it was kind of a bummer when Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera left the movie.

Scream 7 director Kevin Williamson has admitted it was 'kind of a bummer' when Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera exited the slasher

Ortega, 22, and Barrera, 34, had portrayed the Carpenter sisters in 2022s Scream and Scream VI in 2023, though the latter actress exited the upcoming sequel after Spyglass Media Group dismissed her following her controversial comments about the war in Gaza.

Shortly after, Ortega parted ways with Scream 7, though the Wednesday stars exit has never been officially confirmed.

Now, Williamson, 60, has recalled the confusion he felt about what to do with Scream 7 after Ortega and Barrera left the flick.

Speaking with Screen Rant, the filmmaker said: It was sort of, Well, whats going to happen?

After we lost Melissa and Jenna, and it just looked like we werent going to see the Carpenter sisters in a third movie, it was kind of a bummer. Its like, What do we do next?

Following Ortega and Barreras departure, Williamson and writers James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick decided they wanted to bring back Scream queen Sidney Prescott - as portrayed by Neve Campbell - for the upcoming slasher.

He explained: And then this idea to bring Sidney Prescott back - and not just bring her back, but to focus on her character, tell her story of who she is today - that got really exciting for me. And I think other people got really excited about it.

And then they started writing a script. Jamie came up with this great story - Jamie Vanderbilt and Guy Busick - and they started to write this script, and it just sort of took on a life of its own.

And then Neve read it and heard the pitch, and she signed on. And I was still just the executive producer who was just sort of there, watching from the sidelines.

As well as Campbell - who had sat out Scream VI due to a pay dispute - other franchise legends are slated to return for Scream 7, including Courteney Coxs Gale Weathers, Matthew Lillards Stu Macher, David Arquettes Dewey Riley and Scott Foleys Roman Bridger.

Recently, writer Busick teased there was a really specific reason for Sidney Prescotts return.

The scribe told ComicBook.com: I dont want to give anything away about the reason [Scream 7] had to be a Sidney movie because theres a really cool reason.

In all these movies, you have to ask, Why now? What is the thing Scream is commenting on now?

Scream is always in a conversation with the audience about the state of movies, the state of horror movies and in particular, franchises.

Busick added: There is a really specific reason why Sidney is in this movie. I will say there is a reason and we were happy with it when we cracked it.

We went to Neve Campbell and said, This is why. This is why Sidney now. Neve was like, Oh, I get that.

I pitched Kevin this first, too. He got it and then I pitched the studio. I came up with the story with my co-writer on 5 and 6, James Vanderbilt.
Six foes couldnt defeat Mr Bluebird in the $19,178 featured conditioned trot at Harrahs Philadelphia on Thursday, June 12, but his own decorum did.

On a line on the turns, he went inside three consecutive pylons late on the final bend while well ahead, and although clear under the wire in 1:53.4, the violation, under Pennsylvania rules, caused him to be moved from first to seventh/last, elevating 13-1 shot Mohatu As to the top spot. It became one of six wins for driver Andrew McCarthy on the 14-race card.

Mr Bluebird, driven by Ake Svanstedt, made the lead despite the outside post seven and put up early fractions of :27.4 and :57. He then sped up to hit the three-quarters in 1:24.4, racing well clear of his foes almost all the way to the wire. Mohatu As, a son of Lionhunter-Cassandra As, was kept third-in by McCarthy, and scooted up the inside to be along for what looked originally second, but turned out to be the winning spot for trainer Anette Lorentzon and owner ACL Stuteri AB. Mohatu As was timed in 1:54.1, which equals his lifetime mark.

Excalibur Bi, who had spent a good bit of time on the sidelines and hadnt won a race in 705 days, rewarded the faith placed in him by Team Cancelliere  trainer Tom and owner John  by utilizing pole position to maximum advantage and winning the $18,493 co-feature in 1:55. The five-year-old son of Muscle Hill-Vita Bella Bi blasted away for McCarthy, chalking up another feature win, to control the pace through fractions of :29, :58.4, and 1:27. He then finished out in :28 to win over the first-up Modigliani S (Todd McCarthy) by 2-3/4 lengths while looking like he could go more.

Yonkers shipper Black Magic, a son of Full Count-Glisten Hanover, went to the top mid-first turn and held on to the wire against a good group in the $17,808 fast-class handicap trot, clocked in 1:53. David Miller sent the 15-1 shot to the lead well before the :27.3 quarter, backed the half off to :57, then had twin :28 panels coming home to hold off the cavalry. The 19-1 All Wrapped Up (Todd McCarthy), shuffled back and still fifth to midstretch, finished furiously on the outside to be second, a half-length behind the winner and a neck ahead of Eteria IT (Svanstedt), making her United States debut and mounting her bid inside. Black Magic is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Richard Gutnick and Thomas Pontone.

The drivers winning the featured races also had the best overall days  Andrew McCarthy had six winners, and David Miller three (at one point they captured eight straight between the two of them). Per Engblom was the only trainer on the day to double  one driven by Andrew and one driven by his brother Todd.

Racing continues at the riverside oval Friday, June 13 with a 12:25 p.m. post for a card that will feature fast distaff pacers, as well as a carryover into the fifth-race Pick 5 pool; the racing week will then conclude on Sunday at 12:40 p.m.

(With files from PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)
The iconic 58-acre Raceway Park property in Freehold, New Jersey has been acquired for development by Raceway RE Partners, according to a press release by the New Jersey-based real estate development group announcing the acquisition on Wednesday, June 11.

Raceway RE Partners stated in the news release that this landmark transaction marks a significant milestone in the group's mission to thoughtfully redevelop properties that reflect the history, spirit and evolving needs of the surrounding community.

"This land holds generations of memories  an incredible 171 years of horse racing took place here  and we intend to honour that legacy while introducing a vibrant, exciting and forward-thinking destination for all," said Jake Lebowitz of Raceway RE Partners. "Raceway's mission has always been to create more value both economically and socially within the community, so we can give more back  to our local charities, hospitals, police, firefighters, food banks and more. We're not just building for profit. We're building for purpose."

The preliminary vision for the site includes integrated multi-use retail, chef-driven dining and a boutique hotel and social club  designed around walkability, family experience and long-term community benefit. Raceway RE Partners is actively working with township leadership and local stakeholders to ensure that plans are shaped in a way that respects both the site's historic significance and the needs of Freehold's future.

Freehold Raceway concluded its 171-year history in harness racing on Dec. 28, 2024.

(With files from Raceway RE Partners)
Fans of harness racing anticipating the matchup between Chantilly and Miki And Minnie will have to wait a bit longer.

George Millar, breeder and owner of 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year Chantilly, told Trot Insider early Friday afternoon that the undefeated pacing filly would be scratched from her scheduled start in the 2025 Fan Hanover Stakes, part of the star-studded Pepsi North America Cup card, at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, June 14.

"They just did an ultrasound of her lungs and, you know, she trained okay this week but the vet said she's got inflammation throughout her lungs and we could really hurt her if we race her," said Millar, indicating that she really hasn't been at her best all spring.

"I don't want to take a chance with her, and it breaks my heart because it's my birthday tomorrow."

There will be less cause for Millar to celebrate on Saturday, but the bigger picture is clearly in view here: the horse comes first, and this matchup  a matchup that's arguably the most anticipated matchup in the sport at this moment  isn't in the cards for June 14, 2025.



"I wish Miki And Minnie all the luck in the world, and hope she wins the race," said Millar in reference to the 2025 Fan Hanover final, which will now be a nine-horse event as Woodbine Communications reported that the also eligible, Duration, will not draw in.

Chantilly (Big Jim - Shiraz Seelster) is trained by Nick Gallucci for Millar Farms of Stouffville, Ont. She's perfect in her 12 lifetime appearances with more than $915,000 in earnings.

(Standardbred Canada)
Editor's note: After the feature on Miki And Minnie was published, the connections of Chantilly announced she would be scratched from the 2025 Fan Hanover.

Craig Henderson and his partners have enjoyed the ride with Dan Patch Award-winner Miki And Minnie, and the fillys co-owner is hoping the thrills continue when she meets Canadas 2024 Horse of the Year, undefeated Chantilly, in the 390,000 Grade 1 Fan Hanover Stakes for three-year-old female pacers on Saturday, June 14 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The encounter will mark the first-ever meeting between the two award-winning fillies.

Miki And Minnie has won eight of her past nine races dating back to last August, including last seasons Breeders Crown and Three Diamonds Stakes. She is two-for-two this year and enters the Fan Hanover final off a 1-1/2 length victory in her elimination this past Saturday, when she was timed in 1:50.2 with a :25.1 last quarter. No horse came home faster during the 13-race card at Mohawk.

Chantilly is 12-for-12 lifetime and heads to the Fan Hanover off a five-length 1:50.1 triumph in her elimination last week. She is the even-money morning-line favourite in the final, leaving from post three with James MacDonald driving for trainer Nick Gallucci. Miki And Minnie is the 6-5 second choice, starting from post five with Dexter Dunn at the lines for trainer Chris Ryder. No other horse is less than 12-1.

This, to me, is the most anticipated race in years, Henderson said. Youve got the Canadian OBrien Horse of the Year  not just two-year-old pacing filly of the year, the Horse of the Year  against the two-year-old Dan Patch pacing filly. Its going to be a helluva race.

(Miki And Minnie) raced big last week. Dexter didnt do anything to encourage her, she did all that on her own. She just loves to come from off the pace, and she just wont quit. Its just sort of amazing, :25.1. But Chantilly had plenty of gas left in the tank too. Its going to be a phenomenal race.

Miki And Minnie, a daughter of Always B Miki-Thats The Ticket, has hit the board in all 13 of her career races, with eight victories, four seconds and a third on her way to $1.15 million in earnings for owners Henderson, Bob Mondillo and Larry Minowitz. The same trio bred Miki And Minnie and raced the fillys mom, who won the 2016 Three Diamonds Stakes.

The whole thing has been amazing, Henderson said. My first horse was (Dan Patch Award-winner) Put On A Show, but this is even more exciting given the fact that she is a homebred. We were going to sell Thats The Ticket and Chris said not to sell her because she was going to produce something big. Little did we know that wed have Miki And Minnie.

Shes quite a horse. Im going to give you four words to describe her today: Bigger, stronger, faster, and ready. She is absolutely, I think, at her peak going into this race. Well see what happens. Chantilly is a heck of a racehorse. I have no idea how this is going to go.

Miki And Minnie has shown a penchant for coming off the pace in her races, such as when she captured last years Breeders Crown from post nine at The Meadowlands with a first-over move from fifth on the backstretch. Only twice has she led at the half-mile point in any of her 13 lifetime starts, most recently in a Pennsylvania All-Stars victory at Mohegan Pennsylvanias Pocono Downs on May 12.

She absolutely loves to come from off the pace and win, Henderson said. She wont quit in the stretch, her desire to win is overwhelming. Thats the thing I like most about this horse, she just hates to lose, and she can come from literally almost anywhere to win.

Now, Saturday, I have no idea what is going to happen. She won her start at Pocono on the front end, which is a little unusual for her, but its a good sign that she can do that. I dont think this race will set up that way, but who knows. It will be a very, very exciting race, and what a card.

Mohawks Saturday card also includes the $1 million Grade 1 Pepsi North America Cup for three-year-old pacers and the $287,000 Grade 1 Roses Are Red Stakes for older female pacers, as well as Grade 2 stakes in the $227,000 Goodtimes for three-year-old male trotters and the $210,000 Armbro Flight for older female trotters.

The 1-5 morning-line favourite in the Roses Are Red is Miki And Minnies stablemate, Twin B Joe Fresh, the 2024 Dan Patch Horse of the Year. Twin B Joe Fresh has won 31 of 41 career races, hit the board a total of 39 times, and earned $2.75 million.

Miki And Minnie trained during the winter with Twin B Joe Fresh, Henderson said, adding with a laugh, Hopefully, she picked up a few things.

Racing begins at 6:35 p.m. (EDT) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click one of the following links: Pepsi North America Cup Night -- Saturday Entries || North America Cup Card Program Pages (courtesy TrackIT).

(USTA)
Every once in a while someone will call the library with a specific question, Why are the flags flying at half-staff? Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff shows respect for someone who has died. Usually, it is a politician, but in April, the U.S. flag was flown at half-staff to honor Pope Francis.

We call June 14 Flag Day, and it is also the birthday of the Army. This year, the United States Army is 250 years old, so it seems like a good time to write about the flag.

The red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. The blue part of our flag is called the union. Each star represents a state. Through the years, there have been several different arrangements of stars. Its interesting to look at the flags that came before 1912, when Arizona became the 48th state.

How to treat the flag of the United States of America is explained in the U.S. Flag Code, which is part of our countrys laws. It includes detailed guidelines on proportions of the flag and how to salute it, as well as the establishment of the Pledge of Allegiance. There are two whole pages of single spaced guidelines on how to display the flag. It boils down to placing the U.S. flag at the place of honor when displayed with other flags, and to treat it with respect.

Another section covers respect for the flag. The flag isnt to be dipped in honor of anyone, dragged on the ground, or through water. It also shouldnt be used for advertising purposes, nor as a design for handkerchiefs, napkins or anything designed for temporary use. When displayed at night, the flag should be illuminated.

The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. This means if your flag is tattered, you should replace it. You can give the old flag to a Boy Scout or someone from the American Legion. They will properly dispose of the flag by burning it. A flag with stripes that have come unsewn does not properly represent our nation and should be replaced.

According to the U.S. Flag Code, you cannot write or draw on the flag, and you cannot advertise on the flag. At first it seemed to me that you could go to jail for up to 30 days or be fined up to $100 for using images of the flag on boxes or containers. I discovered later on in the code that in the early 1940s that part of the law had been revoked, in part, so that people in other countries who were receiving aid from the U.S. could tell where it came from. I was interested to learn that there are exceptions to the rules. Nobody is compelled to recite the Pledge of Allegiance if it goes against their convictions. According to congress.gov, Federal law and many state laws also provide penalties for physical mistreatment of the flag, although application of these laws would generally violate the U.S. Constitution. Citizens may burn the flag or fly it upside down as a form of protest, due to free speech grounds. The Supreme Court concluded that freedom of speech protected public expression of opinions about the flag, even if such opinions are defiant or contemptuous.

A lot of people have died through the years defending what our flag stands for. One of those things is our Constitution. Like it or not, our flag has stirred up a lot of strong feelings among our citizens. I guess thats part of living in a free country.

When I graduated from high school, our state senator at the time gave me a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. This program is still available, and you can contact your local member of Congress and request a flag of your own. They fly over 100,000 flags a year for this purpose. On the other hand, if you are in the market for a locally made flag you can buy a Nebraska-made U.S. flag from a business in Sidney called ConServ Flag Company. If you are curious about the U.S. Flag Code, you can search for it online, but be sure to look for the result that has House.gov, that will be the original code.
When an Air India Boeing aircraft plunged into a densely populated neighbourhood in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025moments after takeoffthe world was once again left shocked and asking: how many more as this crash marked the world's deadliest aviation disaster in a decade and the first fatal accident involving the Dreamliner aircraft.

This devastating crash, claiming the lives of 242 people onboard, adds to a growing list of Boeing-related tragedies this year, prompting renewed scrutiny of aircraft safety, manufacturer accountability, and aviation oversight.

Air India Disaster Adds to Boeing's Mounting Tally

The Air India jet, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Flight AI171), had just departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick when it issued a mayday call and lost altitude sharply and struck the Meghani Nagar area at approximately 1:38 PM IST, colliding with a residential medical hostel before erupting in flames.

Witnesses reported a "fiery explosion" and debris scattering across the district. The victims included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Investigators suspect a rapid systems failurepotentially related to flight control instability or engine malfunction.

The crash, which marks the first-ever fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 since its debut in 2011, has intensified concerns over the safety record of the aircraft manufacturer in 2025. However, this is not an isolated case of a Boeing aircraft crash.

A String of Catastrophic Boeing Incidents in 2025

2025 has been an unforgiving year for Boeing. Here's how the aircraft manufacturer's year has unfolded so far:

February 2025: A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by ANA made an emergency landing after cabin pressurisation failed at 34,000 feet.

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by ANA made an emergency landing after cabin pressurisation failed at 34,000 feet. March 2025: A Delta-operated Boeing 787 suffered a near-catastrophic electrical fault over the Atlantic, requiring a midair course diversion.

A Delta-operated Boeing 787 suffered a near-catastrophic electrical fault over the Atlantic, requiring a midair course diversion. April 2025: A United Airlines 737 MAX experienced a rare dual-engine failure, prompting an emergency water landing.

A United Airlines 737 MAX experienced a rare dual-engine failure, prompting an emergency water landing. May 2025: A cargo-configured Boeing 767 crashed near Anchorage, Alaskainvestigators cited control surface failure and avionics glitches.

With investigations ongoing, each incident points towards long-standing technical issues resurfacing in high-stress environments.

The crash delivers another blow to Boeing, which has faced years of safety challenges and production issues. Boeing shares fell more than 4% in early trading as news of the accident spread, reflecting market concerns about potential fallout from the incident.

Systemic Failures or Isolated Accidents?

Industry insiders are no longer chalking up these incidents to coincidence. Former FAA consultant Monica Ellis called it 'an undeniable pattern.'

Boeing's production processesalready under scrutiny since the 737 MAX grounding years earliernow face renewed criticism for software oversights, rushed timelines, and reduced independent quality checks.

Aviation analyst Priya Mehra told The Guardian: 'The scale and frequency of these failures go beyond coincidence. There's a systemic issue in quality assurance and accountability.'

A senior Boeing engineer, speaking anonymously, said: 'It's not just the plane's design; it's the decisions around cost, speed, and oversight.' Another Boeingindustry engineer observed, 'Fault-tolerance is thinning, and margins for error are shrinking.'

At the operational level, overstretched crews and profit-driven training reductions appear to be compounding the danger. Airline staff unions have raised red flags about simulator downtimes and outdated emergency protocols.

Staff whistleblowers have also reported production bottlenecks and engineering compromises at Boeing's South Carolina and Renton factories. Several incidents involve flight systems behaving erratically in autopilot mode, echoing the earlier MAX crisis that killed 346 people globally.

The crash represents a tragic setback for Air India, which has been investing heavily in fleet modernisation since being acquired by the Tata Group in 2022. The formerly state-owned carrier merged with Vistara in 2024 as part of broader restructuring efforts.

Tata Group announced it would provide 1 crore (approximately 95,000) to families of each victim and cover medical expenses for survivors.

Environmental Contributing Factors

While blame often lies with manufacturers or operators, environmental factors are rarely accounted for. The Air India disaster occurred during a rare microbursta sudden downdraft that overwhelmed the jet's control surfaces and engine intake systems. 'We're seeing more unpredictable, fast-developing weather cells,' said meteorologist Kunal Das.

Aircraft turbulence reports have surged by over 38% globally in just the past three years, according to NOAA data. Meteorologists warn that climatedriven turbulence is rising. Regions prone to monsoon activity now see unpredictable windshear layers at critical altitudes. Aircraft designed for older norms may find these conditions challenging.

Navigating Forward with Resolve

If there's a silver lining to the growing aviation toll of 2025, it's the renewed global dialogue around accountability in the skies. As Boeing faces lawsuits, shareholder unrest, and a possible regulatory overhaul, other aircraft makersAirbus, Embraer, and COMACare quietly gaining investor and airline attention.

In the broader context, the spate of 2025 Boeing-related incidents has shaken public trust, not just in Boeing, but in commercial aviation as a whole. This comes as safety protocols remain questioned in the face of flight tragedies.

However, these events are no empty narratives but vivid reminders that aviation safety is neither static nor passive. It demands perpetual vigilance, innovation, and resilience in today's rapidly changing environment.

Only by confronting technical flaws, operational lapses and ecological realities can airlines and manufacturers build back confidence. Root-and-branch reviews, enhanced training and environmental adaptation are the way forward.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Ankit Agarwal Vs Union of India (District Court Alipurduar)

District Court of Alipurduar has denied the pre-arrest bail application of Ankit Agarwal, a resident of Birpara, in connection with a case alleging large-scale smuggling of cement from Bhutan to India and subsequent evasion of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST). The case, C.R. Case No.1027-2024, has been initiated under various sections of the Customs Act, 1962. The court emphasized the serious nature of the allegations and the necessity of custodial interrogation to uncover the complete details of the alleged scheme

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Naresh Kumar Agarwala Vs Union of India (District Court Alipurduar)

A District Court in Alipurduar has rejected the pre-arrest bail application of Naresh Kumar Agarwala, who faces charges under sections 135(1)(a)(ii) and 135(1)(b)(i) of the Customs Act, 1962. The case, C.R. Case No.1027-2024, centers on allegations of large-scale smuggling of cement from Bhutan to India, leading to an alleged evasion of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) amounting to approximately 17.73 crores. Agarwalas counsel argued that the prosecutions data from the Directorate of Revenu

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Securonix announced the acquisition of ThreatQuotient, a four-time leader in threat intelligence based on QKS Group Spark Matrix report and the force behind ThreatQ, the most innovative external threat intelligence platform. This combination will create a comprehensive, modular, and fully integrated AI-driven platform for threat detection, investigation, and response (TDIR), leveraging advanced analytics and insights across both internal and external threats.

This acquisition accelerates the modernization of security operations by uniting internal and external threat intelligence with real-time analytics and agentic AI. Unlike external threat intelligence bolt-on solutions with disconnected management interfaces, the integrated platform from Securonix and ThreatQuotient will deliver unified visibility, faster response, and greater operational clarity.

Bringing threat intelligence management and SIEM together in a unified platform is a game changer. Weve already seen the value of deeply enriched advanced analytics and detection in our Securonix SIEM environmentbut coupling that with integrated threat curation, prioritization, and response should help customers move even faster. It means fewer swivel-chair investigations, more accurate triage, and greater confidence that security analysts are working with the most relevant threats. This kind of integration has the potential to accelerate the ability to detect, respond, and stay ahead. said Marcel Jonker, Director of Cybersecurity Operations at Cambia Health Systems.

Top Breaking News Of The Day

The integration of Securonix and ThreatQuotient promises to deliver up to a 70% reduction in Mean Time to Respond (MTTR), enabling security teams to detect, investigate, and remediate threats significantly faster. By combining curated threat intelligence with AI-driven automation, the solution will deliver exponential improvements in filtering out false positives, enriching alerts with actionable context, and automating historical threat sweeps and incident response. This reduces alert overload, speeds up root cause analysis, and minimizes manual handoffscutting investigation time from hours to minutes and enabling automated containment before threats escalate.

Security teams are drowning in noise and struggling to keep up with evolving threats, said Kash Shaikh, CEO and President of Securonix. This acquisition brings together Securonixs Agentic AI-driven Platform with ThreatQuotients deep threat intelligence to deliver clarity, speed, and automated workflows to our customers, reducing false positives by up to 90%. Together, were building the modern SOC Platformproactive, intelligent, and built for whats next.

Kash added, Securonix and ThreatQuotient bring together complementary strengthsdeep innovation across internal and external threat domains, and a shared commitment to innovation and customer service. Both companies serve enterprise and government customers as well as managed security service providers (MSSPs), and were excited to welcome the talented ThreatQuotient team and their customers to Securonix.

Purpose-Built for Analysts. Proven Against Real-World Threats.

ThreatQuotients Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) strength lies in delivering curated, contextualized threat intelligence that drives smart, timely decisions. When combined with Securonixs EON Agentic AI-based SIEM, SOAR, UEBA and Data Pipeline Manager, customers can accelerate their migration from reactive threat hunting-based defense to proactive, real-time, behavior-driven, open-agentic security operations.

With this integration, Securonix customers and partners will enjoy the following benefits:

Gain clear visibility: Integrate deep enriched real-time analytics from Securonix with curated external intelligence from ThreatQuotient to create a single, high-context stream of alerts. Eliminate blind spots and accelerate threat identification with confidence.

Stay ahead of risk: Auto-enrich Indicator of compromise (IoCs) and preemptively respond to repeat attacks, blocking 90 percent before they start.

Act smarter: Automate repetitive tasks, reduce false positives, and streamline investigations. Teams can stay focused on high-priority threats and reduce time spent on manual triage.

Deploy your way: Continue to use ThreatQ as a standalone threat intelligence platform or as part of the fully integrated Securonix solution. Deploy on-premise or SaaS in a way that fits the current architecture and scales with needs.

Accelerated Roadmap: Combined R&D synergies will accelerate upcoming roadmap innovations, including Agentic AI and ThreatQuotients innovation priorities.

With this acquisition, ThreatQuotient customers and partners will enjoy the following benefits:

Increased Scale: ThreatQ customers can take advantage of Securonixs global R&D scale and GTM reach, including access to Securonixs Threat Labs Intelligence.

Deeper Integrations: Gain access to an enriched roadmap and integration between a Securonixs best-in-class SIEM, SOAR and UEBA portfolio and ThreatQ, including extension of Agentic AI advancements.

Continued Focus: Zero interruption of their existing service, as ThreatQuotient will continue to operate as a standalone offering, with no disruption to existing roadmap and workflows.

Enterprises, government institutions and managed security service providers rely on ThreatQuotient to protect their mission critical businesses. Joining Securonix marks a powerful new chapter for ThreatQuotient. By uniting our strengths, we can accelerate innovation, expand our reach, and deliver greater value to our customers. Im proud of what weve built and excited for whats ahead. said John Czupak, CEO of ThreatQuotient.

BTIG, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor, and King & Spalding LLP served as legal advisor to ThreatQuotient. Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal advisor to Securonix.
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:

As the AI race heats up, so does the race to find talent in the sector, which is currently dominated by US and Chinese companies.

American AI giant Anthropic aims to boost the European tech ecosystem as it expands on the continent, product chief Mike Krieger told AFP Thursday at the Vivatech trade fair in Paris.

The OpenAI competitor wants to be "the engine behind some of the largest startups of tomorrow... (and) many of them can and should come from Europe", Krieger said.

Tech industry and political leaders have often lamented Europe's failure to capitalize on its research and education strength to build heavyweight local companieswith many young founders instead leaving to set up shop across the Atlantic.

Krieger's praise for the region's "really strong talent pipeline" chimed with an air of continental tech optimism at Vivatech.

French AI startup Mistral on Wednesday announced a multibillion-dollar tie-up to bring high-powered computing resources from chip behemoth Nvidia to the region.

The semiconductor firm will "increase the amount of AI computing capacity in Europe by a factor of 10" within two years, Nvidia boss Jensen Huang told an audience at the southern Paris convention center.

Among 100 planned continental hires, Anthropic is building up its technical and research strength in Europe, where it has offices in Dublin and non-EU capital London, Krieger said.

Beyond the startups he hopes to boost, many long-standing European companies "have a really strong appetite for transforming themselves with AI", he added, citing luxury giant LVMH, which had a large footprint at Vivatech.

'Safe by design'

Mistralfounded only in 2023 and far smaller than American industry leaders like OpenAI and Anthropicis nevertheless "definitely in the conversation" in the industry, Krieger said.

The French firm recently followed in the footsteps of the US companies by releasing a so-called "reasoning" model able to take on more complex tasks.

"I talk to customers all the time that are maybe using (Anthropic's AI) Claude for some of the long-horizon agentic tasks, but then they've also fine-tuned Mistral for one of their data processing tasks, and I think they can co-exist in that way," Krieger said.

So-called "agentic" AI modelsincluding the most recent versions of Claudework as autonomous or semi-autonomous agents that are able to do work over longer horizons with less human supervision, including by interacting with tools like web browsers and email.

Capabilities displayed by the latest releases have raised fears among some researchers, such as University of Montreal professor and "AI godfather" Yoshua Bengio, that independently acting AI could soon pose a risk to humanity.

Bengio last week launched a non-profit, LawZero, to develop "safe-by-design" AIoriginally a key founding promise of OpenAI and Anthropic.

'Very specific genius'

"A huge part of why I joined Anthropic was because of how seriously they were taking that question" of AI safety, said Krieger, a Brazilian software engineer who co-founded Instagram, which he left in 2018.

Anthropic is still working on measures designed to restrict their AI models' potential to do harm, he added.

But it has yet to release details of its "level 4" AI safety protections foreseen for still more powerful models, after activating ASL (AI Safety Level) 3 to corral the capabilities of May's Claude Opus 4 release.

Developing ASL 4 is "an active part of the work of the company", Krieger said, without giving a potential release date.

With Claude 4 Opus, "we've deployed the mitigations kind of proactively... safe doesn't have to mean slow, but it does mean having to be thoughtful and proactive ahead of time" to make sure safety protections don't impair performance, he added.

Looking to upcoming releases from Anthropic, Krieger said the company's models were on track to match chief executive Dario Amodei's prediction that Anthropic would offer customers access to a "country of geniuses in a data center" by 2026 or 2027within limits.

Anthropic's latest AI models are "genius-level at some very specific things", he said.

"In the coming year... it will continue to spike in particular aspects of things, and still need a lot of human-in-the-loop coordination," he forecast.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Large visual collections, such as paintings, photographs, drawings, and other forms of visual media, offer valuable insights into historical events, social life, and artistic expression. These collections are key to understanding how societies produce and use images to shape cultural meaning over time. Yet they remain difficult to study due to their sheer size, often consisting of hundreds of thousands of items, and their intrinsic complexity, including diverse visual features, contents, contexts, and metadata structures.

In his doctoral thesis, Tallinn University School of Digital Technologies student Tillmann Ohm proposes a new way to explore large visual collections: through the lens of machine vision, focusing not on what an image is but on what it resembles. Instead of sorting images into fixed categories, the approach arranges them in maps based on visual similarity as perceived by algorithms.

This results in similarity spaces, generated from mathematical representations of images, where the distance between two points reflects how similar the images appear. Understanding how visual similarity is modeled, perceived, and interpreted by both humans and machines forms a central research question of the dissertation.

A core contribution of the thesis is the Collection Space Navigator, a browser-based interface that allows researchers and curators to explore visual collection data. Two-dimensional similarity maps enable open-ended, interpretive inquiry by revealing patterns, clusters, and visual relationships that are usually hard to detect using traditional metadata or keyword-based methods.

The interface supports interactive navigation, filtering, and comparison of different models and methods, making it adaptable to a wide range of research questions and collection types. By facilitating visual exploration at scale, it bridges computational analysis with human expertise in cultural interpretation.

The Collection Space Navigator has been applied to a range of cultural heritage collections and integrated into interdisciplinary research workflows. A key case study analyzed more than 200,000 frames from Soviet newsreels, using the tool to uncover long-term visual patterns in propaganda film.

Clusters of similar images revealed recurring motifs, such as staged leadership scenes in front of the Lenin Mausoleum, while others shifted in tone over time, such as formal negotiation scenes at long tables, reflecting changing propaganda strategies. These evolving and persistent visual narratives are difficult to detect through manual viewing and became immediately apparent through similarity-based exploration.

Ohm's research contributes to the growing field of cultural data analysis. It enables museums, scholars, and the public to gain fresh insights into visual culture by challenging both institutional and algorithmic authority, while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and deepening our understanding of cultural narratives through innovative computational tools.

Ohm defended his doctoral dissertation "Designing Processes and Tools to Research Similarity Spaces of Visual Collections" on 11 June. Thesis supervisor was Maximilian Gunther Schich, Professor at Tallinn University. Opponents were Lauren Tilton, Professor at the University of Richmond and Iyad Rahwan, Professor at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

Provided by Estonian Research Council
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Credit: PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

American tech heavyweight Google on Friday reiterated its opposition to verifying the age of a device's user through the app stores built into operating systems, calling a proposal from Facebook and Instagram parent Meta "ineffective".

Limiting access to age-restricted content online is a live issue in Europe, with France battling pornography sites over its newly introduced requirement that they check users' ages.

Paris is also one of several capitals pressing Brussels to introduce Europe-wide regulations cutting off access to social networks for under-15s over concerns including addiction, cyberbullying and hate speech.

Basing age verification on details from a device's app store "would require the sharing of granular age band data with millions of developers... who don't need it", such as producers of uncontroversial apps like flashlights, Google wrote in a blog post.

"We have strong concerns about the risks this 'solution' would pose to children," it added.

The search giant's Play Store is a part of the Android operating system, by far the most widely used around the globe.

Google said that using app store data to verify ages would also leave major ways people access content online unprotected for the underage, such as desktop computers or shared family devices.

Applewhose own App Store is loaded on every device running its iOS operating system, such as iPhones and iPadshas also pushed back against Meta's proposal.

"The right place to address the dangers of age-restricted content online is the limited set of websites and apps that host that content," the iPhone maker said in a February document.

"Implementing age verification at the operating system or app store level will help ensure that we create an ecosystem that's safe for teens," the Facebook owner's safety chief Antigone Davis told Euronews in February.

Meta has since launched a campaign for European regulation to require the measure.

Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force last year, says it is up to platforms like Meta's to verify the age of their usersnot providers of operating systems or app stores.

Google said that changing to the latter systemwhich has also been pushed by Pornhub parent company Aylowould mean "reengineering the protocols that have defined the decentralized web in ways that are hard to fully predict".

 2025 AFP
Democratic Senator Alex Padilla addressed on Thursday the incident in which he was shoved to the floor and handcuffed after trying to ask a question to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

"I was not arrested. I was not detained. I will say this. If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the department of homeland security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country," Padilla told reporters in California, the state he represents.

"We will hold this administration accountable," the senator added, encouraging detractors of the administration to "peacefully protest on Saturday." Several demonstrations are expected across the country to coincide with the military parade in Washington D.C. that will celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and the president's 79th birthday.

Hundreds of "No Kings" protests are planned to take place across the country on Saturday, though not in any areas that would overlap with Trump's parade. Committed to nonviolent action, the mobilization is billed as a "nationwide day of defiance."

A video of the altercation shows Padilla identifying himself and seeking to ask Noem a question. "I'm Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary because the fact of the matter is, half a dozen criminals that you're rotating on your," the lawmaker said as he was pushed out of the room by multiple officials.

Senator Padillas office sends me this video of his take-down and detention at Sec. Noems press conference in L.A. pic.twitter.com/RLUVYP1Jsb  Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) June 12, 2025

Once Padilla is removed out of the doors, he can be heard saying, "Hands off!"

The senator was then taken to a hallway, where he was seen in another clip being pushed down on his knees before being shoved to the ground as FBI officials detained him. The three officers then work together to handcuff his hands behind his back.

Moments before Padilla's removal, Noem had been discussing the anti-ICE protests happening across Los Angeles. She said her officer planned to stay in the city "to liberate ... from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this governor and this mayor have placed on this country."

Noem kept talking as Padilla attempted to address her directly.

"Secretary, I want to know why you insist on exaggerating and," Padilla said before be cut off as the scuffle with security officials ensued.

After the senator was removed from the press conference, Noem condemned Padilla's actions as "inappropriate," adding that he had not asked to meet with her privately, the Associated Press reported.

Noem seemed to imply later, during an appearance on Fox News, that Padilla will not face any charges for the incident, denying assertions that he had been arrested. She said she "had a conversation with the senator after this," claiming that "no one knew who he was" even though he can be heard identifying himself in the video.

Originally published on Latin Times
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Jun.-Prof. Edoardo Milana, Junior Professor for Soft Machines at the University of Freiburg. Credit: Lucia Brunold

Thanks to artificial intelligence, robots can already perform many tasks that would otherwise require humans. In this interview, Edoardo Milana, a junior professor of soft machines in the Department of Microsystems Engineering at the University of Freiburg, explains how improved design and innovative mechanics are broadening the range of applications for these machines.

Why is there a need for an alternative to conventional robots?

Robots can already perform amazing things with the help of artificial intelligence and machine learning. However, all this intelligence is concentrated in the softwarethe brainand no comparable focus is placed on the mechanical designthe body. As such, robots are pretty much like puppets. Software is used to try to exert full control over all the body's movements.

This approach requires the hardware to be very simple from a mechanical point of view and easier to operate using digital microcontrollers. Depending on the area of application, this may be sufficient and even needed to meet the precision and high force requirements. However, when we look at motion efficiency and agility, the performance of robots falls far short of that of living beings.

Nevertheless, there are already robots that imitate animals, such as dogs and cats

These quadrupedsand even humanoidsare impressive engineering masterpieces, however, they cannot compete with real animals in terms of motion agility. They also consume a lot of energy to move, whereas animals and humans can perform much more complex movements using far less energy. A quadruped walking at normal pace consumes roughly 300 Watt on average to drive its 12 motors, the robot's "muscles," while a dog consumes 30 Watt to activate hundreds of muscles.

This is possible because, in nature, movements strongly rely on the mechanical properties of the body, which passively and actively adapts to the external forces exerted by the environment, harnessing the compliance of biological materials. Beyond digital control, the focus in robotics should also be on implementing intelligence, or "embodied intelligence," into the design of the robot. This would free up computing capacity and energy currently used for low-level motion control for the high-level logical operations of the robot, such as reasoning, planning and perceiving.

The concept of embodied intelligence originates from the fields of philosophy and psychology. But what does it mean for you as an engineer who develops robots?

For me, the interesting thing is that the theory behind it can be applied not only to biological beings, but to robots, too. The basic idea is that physical interaction between the body and the environment shapes intelligent behavior. It's not just about having a body controlled by the mindthis control lies partly in the body itself and in the way it interacts with the mind.

In robotics, this means that if we want a truly intelligent robot, we can't just build a body consisting of two or three metal bars and a few joints, then put a very intelligent computer inside it. If that were the case, we would already have robots with completely different capabilities.

What could such intelligent robots look like instead?

I am researching soft robots made of soft materials, which could be considered as inspired by primitive and aquatic biological organisms. There are already robots in this field whose control is based entirely on physical principles, and that do not require digital microcontrollers. They utilize the non-linear physical properties of soft materials to generate the control signals that drive the robot.

Together with researchers from Stuttgart, the Netherlands, and Belgium, I have written an article published in Science Robotics presenting such soft robots, which introduces a new concept: The concept of "physical control." We have identified three particular control mechanisms for such soft robots.

One interesting example is robots with self-oscillating valves. When air pressure is added, the valves open and close again, increasing and then releasing air pressure. This transmits a rhythmic air pressure signal through the system, controlling the movement of the individual robot parts.

In the future, we will need to find a compromise: We won't be able to manage without software and microcontrollers in robotics, but we can achieve a lot through better robot body design.

More information: Edoardo Milana et al, Physical control: A new avenue to achieve intelligence in soft robotics, Science Robotics (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adw7660 Journal information: Science Robotics
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The issue of the power wielded by US tech titans has been thrown into sharper relief by Donald Trump's return to the White House and the subsequent rise in US-EU tensions.

At a time of growing concern over the power of the world's mighty tech companies, one German state is turning its back on US giant Microsoft.

In less than three months' time, almost no civil servant, police officer or judge in Schleswig-Holstein will be using any of Microsoft's ubiquitous programs at work.

Instead, the northern state will turn to open-source software to "take back control" over data storage and ensure "digital sovereignty," its digitalization minister, Dirk Schroedter, told AFP.

"We're done with Teams!" he said, referring to Microsoft's messaging and collaboration tool and speaking on a video callvia an open-source German program, of course.

The radical switch-over affects half of Schleswig-Holstein's 60,000 public servants, with 30,000 or so teachers due to follow suit in coming years.

The state's shift towards open-source software began last year.

The current first phase involves ending the use of Word and Excel software, which are being replaced by LibreOffice, while Open-Xchange is taking the place of Outlook for emails and calendars.

Over the next few years, there will also be a switch to the Linux operating system in order to complete the move away from Windows.

'Digital dependencies'

The principle of open-source software is to allow users to read the source code and modify it according to their own needs.

The issue of the power wielded by American tech titans has been thrown into sharper relief by Donald Trump's return to the White House and the subsequent rise in US-EU tensions.

In the case of Microsoft, there have long been worries about the dominant position it enjoys thanks to it owning both the Windows operating system and a suite of programs found in offices the world over.

In 2023, the European Union launched an antitrust investigation against Microsoft over the way it tied Teams to its other programs for businesses.

"The geopolitical developments of the past few months have strengthened interest in the path that we've taken," said Schroedter, adding that he had received requests for advice from across the world.

"The war in Ukraine revealed our energy dependencies, and now we see there are also digital dependencies," he said.

The government in Schleswig-Holstein is also planning to shift the storage of its data to a cloud system not under the control of Microsoft, said Schroedter.

He explained that the state wants to rely on publicly owned German digital infrastructure rather than that of an American company.

Taken 'by the throat'

Experts point to economic incentives for the sort of shift Schleswig-Holstein is making, as investing in open-source alternatives and training staff to use them often costs less than the licenses for Microsoft's programs.

This is particularly the case when businesses and public bodies find themselves taken "by the throat" when hit by unexpected extra costs for mandatory updates, said Benjamin Jean from consulting firm Inno3.

Schleswig-Holstein hopes that its move away from Microsoft will eventually save it tens of millions of euros.

But organizations considering this sort of change have to reckon with resistance from staff who fear upheaval.

"If people aren't guided through it, there's an outcry and everyone just wants to go back to how it was before," warned Francois Pellegrini, an IT professor at Bordeaux University.

Pioneer administrations

The potential pitfalls can be seen in the experience of Munich, whose city administration was a pioneer in using open-source programs in the 1990s.

In 2017, the city announced an about-turn, citing a lack of political support and the difficulty of interacting with other systems.

But other public bodies are staying the course: France's gendarmerie, around 100,000 strong, has been using the Linux operating system since the 2000s and India's defense ministry was in 2023 reported to have launched a homegrown system called "Maya OS".

Across the border from Schleswig-Holstein, in Denmark, reports say that the local governments of Copenhagen and Aarhus are also looking into ditching Microsoft.

Another factor that could push the trend is the EU "Interoperable Europe Act," which came into effect last year and encourages the use of open-source software.

According to Jean, "Within the space of two or three years" there could be a number of pioneer administrations who will be able to give feedback on their experiences and inspire others to make the switch.

 2025 AFP
Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion

By VNA Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:56 pm GMT+7

Vietnam Airlines and ING Bank have signed an MoU for bilateral financial cooperation, securing capital funding of up to $1.5 billion.

The signing ceremony is witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo courtesy of VNA.

The signing ceremony took place during the Vietnam-France Business Forum in Paris on Wednesday, with the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

This partnership underscores INGs strong commitment to financing Vietnam Airlines long-term growth. The bank reaffirmed its intention to provide funding for the carriers strategic projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and expanding international connectivity.

ING also expressed its readiness to offer advisory support and capital structuring services to assist the airlines future development.

Le Duc Canh, deputy CEO of Vietnam Airlines, remarked: "We are delighted to partner with ING, a leading European financial institution with deep expertise in aviation finance and a robust global network. This major funding arrangement is a strong vote of confidence from international partners in Vietnam Airlines operational capabilities, financial transparency, and long-term vision.

"It also provides access to sustainable, strategic capital sources that will empower us to further expand our global footprint and strengthen our position in the international aviation market."

Jason Ong, country manager of ING Vietnam and Indonesia, stated: Vietnam Airlines plays a vital role in driving global connectivity and regional economic growth across Asia. This MoU reflects our shared ambition to broaden international reach while affirming our commitment to responsible financing that supports sustainable, long-term development in the aviation sector.

This agreement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the two organizations. In 2015, ING arranged a $570 million loan to finance four wide-body aircraft for Vietnam Airlines.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, ING also worked with stakeholders to restructure approximately $80 million in loans for Vietnam Airlines, helping to ease financial pressure and support the airline through a period of unprecedented disruption.

In a separate development at the Vietnam-France Business Forum, Vietnam Airlines also signed an MoU with Safran Electronics & Defense, a subsidiary of the Safran Group, to lease an advanced flight data analysis system for the 2026-2030 period. This initiative will help the airline enhance aviation safety and comply with international regulations.

The system enables early detection of safety risks, deviations from standard operating procedures, and aircraft limitations. It also provides continuous monitoring to identify trends, assist with incident investigations, and maintain fleet reliability.

By adopting this system, Vietnam Airlines aims to enhance pilot safety, improve preventive maintenance, and optimise fleet performance.

These agreements mark a pivotal step in Vietnam Airlines journey towards digital transformation and sustainable development. They reflect the airlines commitment to innovation and industry leadership while advancing Vietnams integration into the global aviation landscape.

The partnerships further solidify Vietnam Airlines ambition to become a leading airline in the region and on the world stage.

Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam, operating a network of 106 routes, including 22 domestic and 36 international destinations across 20 countries. T

he airline became the first Southeast Asian carrier to join the SkyTeam Alliance in 2010 and operates one of the most modern and fuel-efficient fleets in Asia, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A350s, A321s, and A320neo aircraft.
More than 240 people were killed on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London's Gatwick Airport crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad, slamming into a medical college hostel and erupting into flames.

Authorities said the devastating crash claimed the lives of passengers, crew, and dozens on the ground, many of them students having lunch inside the hostel at the time of impact.

"We are still verifying the number of dead, including those killed in the building where the plane crashed," Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer, told Reuters.

Although a death toll of 290 was reported, authorities later adjusted it to over 240, explaining that the initial figure of 294 was inflated due to duplicate counts of remains. Officials have yet to determine how many of the deceased were passengers versus those killed on the ground.

The aircraft, carrying 242 peopleincluding 217 adults, 11 children, and two infantsplummeted shortly after its 1:39 p.m. (0809 GMT) departure. Officials say the pilot issued a Mayday alert, but communications ceased moments later.

The tail of the aircraft protruded from the top of the scorched hostel building, while twisted metal and smoldering debris blanketed the site.

A Sole Survivor Speaks

One man, identified as Ramesh Viswashkumar, survived. Speaking from his hospital bed, the 40-year-old recounted the horror.

"Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly," he told the Hindustan Times. "When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital."

Ramesh, who was seated in 11A by the emergency exit, said his brother Ajay was traveling with him. "I can't find him anymore. Please help me find him," he pleaded.

Victims and National Mourning

Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat. Authorities are using DNA samples to identify the deceased as family members anxiously wait at hospitals and airports.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a native of Gujarat, called the tragedy "heartbreaking beyond words." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed condolences, while King Charles was being updated, according to Buckingham Palace.

The manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

Questions Over Aircraft Condition

The crash marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, considered one of the most advanced passenger aircraft globally. The aircraft was delivered to Air India in 2014.

Aviation analysts are now scrutinizing footage showing the landing gear down during takeoffa possible indication of mechanical failure.

"If you didn't know what was happening, you'd think the plane was coming in to land," said US aerospace safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse.

Boeing, GE Aerospace, and India's civil aviation authorities are launching investigations, with US experts from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) set to arrive in India.

Chaos and Grief on the Ground

Eyewitnesses described a fireball rising behind residential blocks moments after the aircraft vanished from view. Ramila, whose son was inside the hostel, said, "He jumped from the second floor... he's injured, but alive."

Ahmedabad Airport, temporarily shut down, has resumed limited operations. The Adani Group, which manages the airport, is coordinating with emergency services and investigators.

Air India and Safety Concerns

This tragedy comes just five years after India's last major air crash in 2020. Air India, which was privatized in 2022 under the Tata Group and merged with Vistara in 2024, has not recorded a fatal accident since that timeuntil now.

As families mourn and investigations unfold, questions mount over what went wrong aboard a flight that was supposed to carry hundreds safely across continents, but instead plunged into devastation just moments after takeoff.
Vietnam among worlds most food-self-sufficient nations: study

By Vietnam News Agency Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:41 pm GMT+7

As concerns mount over the potential for disruptions to global trade, a new study published in the journal Nature Food has identified Vietnam as one of the few countries with a high level of food self-sufficiency, capable of withstanding major interruptions to food imports and exports worldwide.

Vietnamese rice. Photo courtesy of VietNamNet.

The research, conducted by scientists from the German University of Gottingen and the Scottish University of Edinburgh, used data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to assess the self-sufficiency of 186 countries and territories across seven major food categories: cereals, vegetables, fruit, starchy staples, dairy products, meat, and fish.

According to the findings, Guyana, with a population of around 800,000, is the only one able to fully meet domestic demand for all food groups without relying on imports. China and Vietnam followed closely, each achieving self-sufficiency in six categories.

Vietnams strong performance is attributed to its robust agricultural sector, which maintains consistently high yields in key areas such as rice, fruit and vegetables, fishery products, meat, and starchy foodstuffs.

While many nations remain heavily reliant on food imports, the Southeast Asian nations sustained domestic production capacity provides it with a vital advantage in safeguarding national food security during periods of global uncertainty.

The study also highlighted a stark contrast in global food resilience. Out of the 186 analysed, 154 were found to be self-sufficient in only two to five food groups. Alarmingly, several nations were unable to domestically meet the demand for any of the categories. These included Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Macau (China), Qatar, and Yemen  countries/territories where over 50% of food supplies depend on imports.

Vietnam is currently one of the worlds leading food exporters, yet continues to preserve a diverse and sustainable agricultural system to meet domestic demand. This dual capacity is seen as a key strength, positioning the country to better navigate potential shocks in global food trade in the years ahead.
The World Banks analysis cited the under-utilised and ineffective use of teaching time as one of the shortcomings in the education system.

The World Bank has labelled Caribbeans education system as t as being in a state of crisis and warned of severe consequences if urgent reforms are not implemented.





During a virtual webinar on Monday, senior officials from the international financial institution laid bare the systemic inadequacies plaguing Caribbean schools, highlighting outdated teaching practices, ill-equipped infrastructure, and widening educational inequities.





They stressed the need for significant financial investment and enhanced teacher support to reverse the regions educational decline.





The World Banks Country Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc did not mince words as she described a dire state of affairs.





"We are confronting a crisis that is jeopardising the future of the Caribbean, a crisis in education, she said.

"This may sound dramatic, but the impact on education is so critical, and the systems are failing. Indeed, this constitutes a crisis. We must ask ourselves and answer questions about how we can strengthen foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking to improve learning outcomes, she added.





The World Banks scathing assessment pinpointed numerous flaws within the Caribbeans education system.





In a detailed analysis, Victoria Levin, senior economist in the World Banks education global practice cited outdated teaching methods, inadequate infrastructure, and severe disparities in educational access as key contributors to the regions educational underperformance.





"Teaching practices in the Caribbean are still quite traditional, focusing on rigid curricula that do not meet the needs of 21st-century learners, Levin said. "Teachers lack the necessary support to adapt their instructional methods, incorporate social-emotional skills, or assist students with special educational needs. Additionally, some countries lack professional standards for teacher recruitment and deployment, leaving inexperienced educators struggling in the classroom. Consequently, classroom time is not utilised effectively, hindering students knowledge and skill acquisition.





Levin also raised concerns about the declining quality of educational infrastructure.





"Countries are not investing enough in capital expenditures or educational infrastructure. Schools are outdated and ill-equipped to handle the increasing frequency of extreme climate events. Digital infrastructure is equally inadequate, with poor Internet access and unequal access to digital devices, limiting students opportunities for continued learning and digital skills development.





The World Bank also criticised the Caribbeans highly stratified secondary education system, which entrenches social inequalities.





Levin highlighted the so-called "two-tier system where elite schools cater to students from wealthier families, while under-resourced institutions serve lower-income communities.





"The elite secondary schools maintain their privileged status through highly selective admissions processes based on standardised entrance exams. This serves as a sorting mechanism with lifelong consequences for students, Levin said. "Meanwhile, the rest of the secondary school system fails to deliver the necessary competencies, perpetuating social inequality. (To be continued)




Officially declaring the Logos Hope open to the public - Captain Ionut Vlad (left) Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister St. Clair Prince (2nd from left); Education Minister Curtis King (centre) and Managing Director Edward David (extreme left).

Book lovers, or anyone keen in furthering their skills in their respective fields, have until Sunday, June 15, to stock up on educational material. Thats when the boat Logos Hope winds up its latest Vincentian incursion.



That vessel docked May 30 and officially opened with a ceremony on June 6.





Dubbed the worlds "largest floating book fair, Logos Hope stocks a collection of books representing a range of topics and disciplines, including science, medicine, languages, sports, hobbies, cookery, arts, faith-based, novels and childrens books.





The latest call to St. Vincent and the Grenadines could be considered an extension of a trend set. Captain Ionut Vlad reflected on trips he made in 2017 and 2021 and looked on this visit as a "return to familiar faces.





The Romanian-born captain admitted that the Logos entourage is "always welcomed warmly. He sees the mission as "sharing love. His vision is the building of the foundation upon which caring for each other is based on the "word of God.





He has a 300-member crew of volunteers drawn from 60 different countries.





Managing Director Edward David disclosed that the Logos mission began in 1980 with a vessel called Doulos. The Logos 11 is known to have visited this country ten times, with the current vessel Logos Hope making its seventh appearance.





The Logos Hope docks in St. Lucia from June 17.




Eli Slater - Fisherman of the Year 2025, has been fishing for over 50 years.

Eli Slater, who hails from the South Leeward Community of Clare Valley, has earned the title of Fisherman of the Year 2025.





In the fishing competition that formed part of the annual Fishermans Day activities, Slater and his crew, in a vessel named Ingeli 2, returned a total catch of 988.8 pounds, including the heaviest single catch, a yellow fin tuna weighing 123.6 pounds.





The activities were held at the Calliaqua Fisheries Complex on Whit Monday, June 09, 2025.





Slaters entry in the earlier staged Beach Seine competition also copped the top prize with an impressive catch of 4,346 pounds of fish.





Among the prizes associated with the Fisherman of the Year title was a 60 HP four-stroke Suzuki outboard engine.





Speaking with the API following the completion of the days fishing activities, Slater declared, "I feel excited.





He related, "I told my wife I would do all this for my grandchildren. I have two grand girls (Eliana and Elisha) in England. So, I told her this year Im going to work towards them. Whatever I accomplish is for my two grandchildren.





Describing his day, Slater said he and his crew left home at 1.30 a.m. on Monday with a positive outlook this after checking the weather and deciding on their fishing spot.





"Normally I go far over Barley soil to fish, but I told my villagers and my wife that since Clare Valley was getting so much fish these last days, Ill just take the bait from Clare Valley and go straight south-west.





The vessel stopped at some 17 miles from shore and the men set about their fishing.





"Normally Ill set 9 miles of line. But because of the event today, I just use 6 miles of the line. As you can see, its worth it, said the excited man.





Slater disclosed that he has been a fisherman for over 50 years and he is the only one in the competition with a canopy on his boat with a redesigned interior.





"As they get older, they get weaker. So, I have a good friend in Grenada who does this type of fishing and he had a strut. He told me, Eli boy, youre getting old and that type of fishing youre doing there, it will cripple you.





The top fisher said that his friend encouraged him to do that type of fishing, explaining that "The live bait is the better bait to catch tunas and other ocean fish, and they love live bait. So what I did, I designed my boat different.





He said he removed all the bars, the seats, and designed with a live bait well and a fish holding tank for the fish. So the live bait well, as you can see, is pay enough, said the Fisherman of the Year.





Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Saboto Caesar commended Slater for his innovation and encouraged other fishermen to do the same.





"A wonderful catch of yellowfin tuna. I want to congratulate Mr. Slater. He continues to work with the ministry to provide advice, working in conjunction with the technicians, and this is a lot to celebrate, said Caesar.





He said that there are many young fishermen who were looking at Slaters catch and were saying that for 2026, "we want to have a vessel like that one, with the methodology that he used so that we can increase the throughput for fishermen in 2026.





This years Fishermans Day witnessed more than 100 fishermen participating in the competitions.





The total catch for the Fishermans Day competition was 5,386 pounds.
Pre-screening done by ophthalmic technician and surgical scrub Lorelei Tuttle catered to all ages.

In 1925, Helen Keller addressed a Lions Club International Convention and challenged Lions to be "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness. Decades later, Vision has become one of the eight core areas of service for the organization, the other seven being: Childhood Cancer, Diabetes, Disaster Relief, Environment, Humanitarian, Hunger and Youth.





In fulfilling its commitment to help alleviate Vision problems, the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG welcomed a 25-member mission of Eye Care specialists from the USA, for their annual Eye Care 4U project, which ran from May 25th-30th, 2025.





During that period the team, comprised of highly skilled ophthalmologists, optometrists, surgery technicians, nurses and other related professional/volunteers, performed vision screening clinics and surgeries.

The team successfully performed 86 cataract-related and cornea transplant procedures at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), all at no costs to the patients.





Moreover, over 625 persons received free eye care/vision screenings, as well as blood pressure and glucose monitoring at the designated, temporary medical facility located at the Community College Villa Campus.

Several outreach programmes were also facilitated including one at the St. Benedicts Day Nursery and Childrens Home, Georgetown.





Follow-up visits and referrals were recommended where necessary, and reading and distance eye glasses provided free of charge. Each person was also provided with a pair of sunglasses.





The May 25th-30th, 2025 visit of the USA Mobile Medical Mission to St. Vincent, in partnership with the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG and the Ministry of Health, was the 49th such visit.





The members of the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG, and the hundreds who benefited from the mission, extend heartfelt thanks to the members of the Mobile Medical Mission for their selfless and professional service.





The members of the Lions Club of Kingstown-SVG extends our gratitude to sponsors: Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG), National Lotteries Authority (NLA), Kingstown Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. (KCCU), General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU), St. Vincent Brewery Ltd., East Caribbean Bottlers Inc. (ECBI), Wilsons Enterprises, Subway, KFC, the Vincentian Association of Winnipeg, the Vincentian Association of Reading, Lauras Catering, Ms. Kendra Homer, Ministry of Health/MCMH, Sailors Cycle Centre and our partners the Leo Club St. Vincent.





Special thanks were also extended to the SVG Community College and to the individuals who in their own way contributed to the success of this mission.
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Commentary: Resolving trade disputes through equal dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation

Xinhua) 08:02, June 13, 2025

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent prior to the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London, Britain, June 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

It is hoped that the U.S. side will value the hard-won momentum for dialogue, demonstrate genuine sincerity through concrete actions, and work in the same direction as China.

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism concluded Tuesday night in London. During the two-day talks, the two sides held candid and in-depth talks, and thoroughly exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern.

The two sides also reached principled agreement on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and made new progress in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns.

The meeting was an important consultation held under the guidance of the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state on June 5. The top-level strategic communication has charted the course for both teams to continue resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.

The principled agreement and new progress achieved during the London talks did not come easily. The path from Geneva to London has been far from smooth. During this period, the U.S. side had introduced multiple discriminatory restrictive measures against China, which at some point disrupted the hard-won momentum for dialogue.

Moreover, as the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, the London talks inevitably had to address more specific, sensitive and contentious issues. The fact that both sides were able to engage in candid and in-depth discussions and reached the principled agreement sends a positive signal.

This reaffirms that despite the long road ahead and significant challenges, managing differences through dialogue and seeking pathways for cooperation remains the only rational choice.

Still, longstanding structural problems and deep-rooted differences remain in China-U.S. economic and trade relations. These cannot be resolved overnight. Next, the two sides should, in accordance with the important consensus and requirements reached by the two heads of state during their phone call, make better use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, and work to enhance consensus, reduce misunderstanding and strengthen cooperation.

For future talks to succeed, it is essential to foster a constructive atmosphere for dialogue. If the U.S. side seeks cooperation at the negotiating table while simultaneously imposing discriminatory restrictions on Chinese enterprises and pursuing a policy of containment and suppression, it will only undermine mutual trust and hinder the implementation of any consensus.

There are no winners in trade wars. China does not seek conflict but will not be intimidated by one. While China is sincere in pursuing economic and trade consultations, it also has its principles.

It is hoped that the U.S. side will value the hard-won momentum for dialogue, demonstrate genuine sincerity through concrete actions, and work in the same direction as China. At this juncture, the immediate priority should be to roll back discriminatory measures against China, paving the way for the steady and unhindered growth of bilateral economic cooperation.

Words alone are not enough. The U.S. side should follow through with good faith and tangible actions to honor its commitments and implement agreed-upon measures. Only then can the two countries preserve the progress made through dialogue, put their economic relationship on a more stable footing, and inject more certainty and stability into the world economy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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A historic moment in Trinidad and Tobagos diplomatic history.

That is how Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal described the official visit by Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week.

Modi concluded an official visit to T&T on Friday, marked by a series of bilateral agreements and symbolic ceremonies.

During a packed itinerary that Moonilal described as a whirlwind, hectic but extremely productive visit, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) encompassing six key agreements.
TOBAGO has lost one of its most gifted daughters. That is the sentiment shared by many as tributes poured in following the passing of 2007 Digicel Rising Stars champion and vocalist Kay Alleyne-Meloney, who died after a battle with breast cancer.

The Bon Accord-born artiste, who was in her 40s, and known for her versatility and passion, passed away at 2 a.m. yesterday, a close friend confirmed to the Express. Her musical talent spanned several genres, including gospel, jazz and R&B.
In 2007, the red party won the election with approximately 300,000 votes whilst the yellow party had 195,000 and the third party got 148,000. In 2010 the yellow party won back the election with 317,000 votes with the red party at 287,000, a difference of approximately 30,000. The third party took 102,000.

In 2015 the red party won back the election with 378,000 and the yellow 290,000, a much larger difference of 88,000. In 2020 the red party won again with 322,000 and the yellow with 310,000, a much smaller difference being 12,000, lower than even the 2010 difference. In 2025, the yellow party won with 335,000 against the red party being 224,000, an approximate difference of 111,000, the largest margin over the past 20 years.
Hair loss can be a stressful and confidence-shattering experience, but modern hair transplant solutions are offering hope to millions worldwide. In 2025, advanced techniques like FUE and DHI have made hair restoration more effective, minimally invasive, and incredibly natural-looking. From North America to Europe and beyond, many clinics stand out  but only a select few are recognized globally for their excellence.

1. Smile Hair Clinic  Istanbul, Turkey

The list begins with Smile Hair Clinic, one of the most renowned names in hair transplants in Turkey. Based in Istanbul, this clinic was founded by Dr. Gokay Bilgin and Dr. Mehmet Erdogan, both experienced in modern techniques like FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) and DHI (Direct Hair Implantation).

What sets Smile Hair Clinic apart is its patient-first approach, international hygiene standards, and their dedication to delivering natural results. The clinic attracts patients from Europe, the US, and the Middle East. The medical team works with precision, and aftercare is detailed and personalized.

2. Buk Clinic  Istanbul, Turkey

Dr. Buks innovative methods and use of high-precision micro-instruments make his clinic one of the best places in Europe to have potentially scar-free, high-density FUE treatments.

3. The Maitland Clinic  London, UK

Dr. Edward Ball has helped The Maitland Clinic become one of the UK's most regarded hair transplant facilities. The clinic is in London and Portsmouth and specializes in both FUE and FUT methods. They also offer a very individualized service.

Patients love the advice and assistance they receive after surgery. This may make it a great choice for people who want both high medical standards and comfort.

4. Hair Science Institute  Maastricht, Netherlands

Hair Stem Cell Transplantation (HST) is what people know the Hair Science Institute for. This new procedure uses partial graft extraction, which aims to allow the donor regions to grow again.

The institution has branches in Amsterdam, London, Paris, and other cities, and it attracts patients who want new ideas and procedures.

5. Bernstein Medical  New York, USA

Their staff is very interested in research, which helps ensure that patients get the most up-to-date treatments.

Bernstein Medical is in Manhattan and is a great choice for anyone who wants private, professional care in a top-notch clinical setting.

6. Vinci Hair Clinic  London, UK (and international branches)

Vinci Hair Clinic has sites all over the world and is well recognized for its many treatments, such as FUE, FUT, SMP (Scalp Micropigmentation), and beard transplants. It may attract a wide range of people due to its reputation for good outcomes and reasonable pricing.

Their team of surgeons from across the world makes sure that you get great service, no matter where you go.

7. Dr. Jerry Cooley  Charlotte, USA

Dr. Jerry Cooley is well-known for his careful work in follicular unit extraction and hairline shaping. Dr. Cooley himself gives each patient at Cooley Hair Center individualized attention, which is a big lure for people who want quality over quantity.

8. Hair Restoration BlackRock  Dublin, Ireland

Dr. Maurice Collins started this small clinic, which offers a personalized experience for hair transplantation. Hair Restoration BlackRock is a top spot in Ireland for both men and women since they specialize in hairlines that appear natural and pay attention to every detail.

They provide FUE, FUT, and non-surgical procedures, so it's a full-service clinic for hair health.

9. The Hair Loss Doctors  New York, USA

Dr. Robert Dorin has been in business for more than 20 years. The Hair Loss Doctors is recognized for its advanced procedures and profound knowledge of hair architecture. They provide both FUE and FUT.

It is a popular choice for New Yorkers and others as they focus on getting realistic density and long-term growth.

10. Dr. Alan Bauman  Boca Raton, USA

Dr. Alan Bauman is a board-certified hair restoration doctor who uses both science and art in his work. Bauman Medical, his facility, provides innovative treatments including NeoGraft FUE, robotic ARTAS-assisted surgeries, and low-level laser therapy.

11. Eugenix Hair Sciences  Mumbai & Gurgaon, India

People remember the clinic for its creative ways of treating grafts and its careful aesthetic design.

Dr. Arika Bansal and Dr. Pradeep Sethi are in charge of Eugenix, which is known for getting consistent, natural outcomes, especially for people with severe baldness.

12. Sure Hair International  Toronto, Canada

Sure Hair International has a lot of different ways to restore hair, such as FUE, FUT, and non-surgical solutions. The clinic has been around for more than 30 years, its consultations are clear and its results are generally dependable.

Their care includes thorough preparation before surgery and thorough follow-ups after surgery.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right hair transplant clinic can be life-changing, whether you're seeking affordability, innovation, or premium care.

If you're considering hair restoration, consult directly with these clinics, ask about their methods, and review patient results. The future of hair transplant is bright  and it's never been more natural.

This content is provided for informational purposes only by the contributor and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any views, thoughts or opinions in this contributor content belong solely to the contributor and do not represent the views of Lee Enterprises.

Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content.
Four people are facing federal charges in connection with a road-rage incident in April in which gunshots were fired at a Tucson police officer driving an unmarked car, prosecutors say.

The April 20 incident started when the officer, in street clothes and in an unmarked police vehicle, followed a car he says sped past him on North Stone Avenue near West Fort Lowell Road, according to a news release Thursday from the US Attorneys Office in Arizona.

The officer radioed the speeding cars license plate to patrol officers.

At some point a gunman, later identified as Daniel Cardenas, 18, leaned out of the rear drivers side window and shot at the unmarked police vehicle. The driver then made a u-turn and Cardenas fired more gunshots at the unmarked vehicle. additional shots at the unmarked officers vehicle, the release said.

The officer was not injured.

Police lost sight of the vehicle after a short chase.

On Wednesday and three others were indicted in connection with the incident.

Hassan Omar Kassim, 19, Alexandra Brooke Wisdom, 19, Jaquvon Terell Poe, 20, and Cardenas face a variety of federal criminal charges in the indictment.

Cardenas is charged with using a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime; Kassim and Poe are charged with aiding and Abetting; and all three are charged with conspiracy. Wisdom was charged with accessory after the fact, the release said. After the short chase, the indictment says, Wisdom drove the car to abandon it, removing items from the vehicle that investigators later found in her apartment.

Its reassuring to know that those responsible for shooting at one of our officer, who was just doing his job, were given the highest priority, Diana Duffy, TPD assistant chief, said in the release.
A bullet shattered the window of a vehicle parked in front of the home and campaign headquarters of congressional candidate Daniel Hernandez Thursday evening, he and police say.

A 911 call was made to police dispatchers about 5:15 p.m., reporting vandalism in the area of South Tenth Avenue and West 22nd Street. The caller said a vehicle was possibly struck by a bullet, police said.

When officers arrived they found evidence consistent with a gun being fired.

Photos provided by Hernandez, show a shattered drivers side window of a vehicle that belongs to a campaign staffer. It also shows a bullet on the drivers side seat.

Officers responded and took evidence from the scene, but would not say how many bullets or casings were located.

Hernandez said Friday a news conference outside of the home they believe the shooting occurred around 1-4:30 p.m. He said the vehicle was parked on the street in front of the homes dining room window, where four campaign staffers and Hernandezs mother were working out of.

He said nobody in the home heard a gunshot, and the shot-out window was not discovered until about 4:30 p.m. He said no other damage to the vehicle was noticed, nor were there any signs of theft or stolen property outside from the car.

The home was not a confirmed target, police said, adding the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Hernandez is not listed as a victim on the police report.

Hernandez said that although the motive for the shooting has yet to be determined, the fact that this happened just steps from where my family sleeps and our team works is deeply unsettling.

Hernandez noted that as a survivor of gun violence, the threat against himself and his family is all too real.

Hernandez was an intern for then-congresswoman Gabby Giffords when a gunman opened fire in 2011 as she talked with constituents outside a grocery store on the northwest side. Giffords was shot in the head and Hernandez has been credited among others with helping save her life. Six people were killed, and 13 were injured in the mass shooting.

From 2012 to 2014, Hernandez was the state director of Everytown for Gun Safety, advocating for gun violence prevention legislation to make communities safer across Arizona.

Siblings Daniel, Alma and Consuelo Hernandez, as well as their rabbi, Stephanie Aaron, all alluded to this being an act of targeted violence during a news conference outside of the house, but all said they did not want to speculate whether it was meant to specifically target them, the campaign or the home.

Alma Hernandez, a state representative, said this is not the first time the family has experienced something here at our home. She said she moved into the home in 2021. Daniel Hernandez said he moved in shortly after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Its obviously very concerning, because we are not strangers to threats ... and it should be very troubling for anyone, regardless of party politics, Alma Hernandez said Friday. I dont know any other community member or politician that has to deal with what weve had to deal with ... Its a really unfortunate time for our family.

Consuelo Hernandez, a sibling and also a state representative, said she was coming back to Tucson from Phoenix when her brother called her about the incident. Consuelo said it reminded her of the call she received after the Giffords shooting.

It is such a difficult feeling to process knowing that were not safe in our own home. It doesnt matter if youre an elected official or not, which I am, my brother was a former elected official, (and) my sister is a current elected official, a visibly shaken Consuelo Hernandez said.

We grew up on the south side of Tucson, its very common, unfortunately, the amount of times that I as a young person had to hide under the kitchen table because of the gunshots in my neighborhood. My heart goes out to everybody whos lost a loved one to gun violence, she said.

Daniel Hernandez is one of five Democrats running in the primary election to win the seat of longtime Tucson Congressman Raul Grijalva, who died in March. The other Democratic hopefuls are Adelita Grijalva, Patrick Harris Sr., Deja Foxx and Jose Malvido Jr.

Three Republican also are running in the primary. They are Daniel Butierez, Jorge Rivas and Jimmy Rodriguez.

The registration deadline to vote in the July 15 primary is Monday, June 16. Early voting begins next week on June 18.

Police said anyone with information about the shooting should call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line.
PHOENIX  Republican lawmakers are moving to deny in-state tuition at state universities to anyone who lacks legal status, a move that could undermine what voters approved just three years ago.

A provision in the House's state budget plan approved Thursday on a party-line vote by the House Appropriations Committee would prohibit universities from using public money to "subsidize, offset, reduce or mitigate the tuition or fees to any student who is not lawfully present in the United States.'' The legislation even would bar the schools from using private dollars to underwrite such tuition.

Arizona voters agreed in 2022 to allow "dreamers"  undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children and are in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program  to pay in-state tuition if they meet certain other conditions.

Phoenix Republican Rep. Matt Gress, one of the lead lawmakers crafting the budget package, acknowledged that voters approved that tuition rate through Proposition 308 by a 51-49 margin. But he said he doesn't believe the budget proposal runs afoul of the proposition, because DACA recipients could be considered to be here lawfully.

And if there is a conflict? "It will be litigated,'' Gress said.

The restriction on who can pay in-state tuition is just one of three provisions dealing with universities that are included in the $17.3 billion state budget proposal, proposed by House Republicans, that is scheduled for debate and vote by the full House on Friday.

The package also would require public universities to roll back in-state tuition by 2.5%  or by about $314 a year, Gress says  and prohibit any increase for the following two school years. The state would not make up the difference in university budgets, effectively meaning the schools would have less money.

Gress declined to put a figure on that dollar loss. But he said the move is justified.

"We do believe that the cost burden on resident students needs to be lowered,'' Gress said.

The plan does, however, make extra money available to universities, at least indirectly, by increasing their capacity to borrow money for new research facilities as well as for Arizona State University's plan to build a new hospital.

'Dreamers' tuition targeted

The provision on in-state tuition could provoke not just opposition but litigation because of the 2022 vote.

The Arizona Constitution prohibits lawmakers from altering or repealing anything enacted at the ballot box. The only exception would be for changes that "further the purpose'' of the original voter-approved measure, and then only with a three-fourths vote of both the House and Senate.

Undermining the in-state tuition mandate for dreamers would not further what voters approved. And, if nothing else, unified opposition by legislative Democrats would preclude supporters of the plan from getting the necessary margin.

That leaves the question of whether the proposed House budget conflicts with Proposition 308.

Arizona had a law against those without legal status being eligible for in-state tuition until the 2022 measure was approved.

It created an exception to the ban on in-state tuition, both at universities and community colleges, for those who attended and graduated from any public or private high school while physically present in Arizona for at least two years, regardless of their immigration status.

Under the budget proposal, "We would be prohibiting the universities from using resources to provide tuition subsidies to students here in the country illegally,'' Gress said.

He said that would be based on three separate definitions in the budget spelling out that those not qualified for in-state tuition include:

 People present in the United States "without authorization under federal law'';

 Foreign nationals who have been paroled into the United States by the Department of Homeland Security;

 Foreign nationals who have applied or intend to apply for asylum if the application has not yet been approved.

"The leading principle here is if you are here illegally you should not be getting Arizona public benefits,'' Gress said.

On one hand, he said, the language in the budget could be read so it does not conflict with Prop. 308. That's based on the argument that DACA status authorizes people to be in the country.

But U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says those who are granted DACA status  and there are various requirements  are considered to be "lawfully present'' while any action to deport them is deferred. But the agency also says DACA recipients are the beneficiaries of "prosecutorial discretion'' where Homeland Security has decided not to focus its attention.

Even that, however, is less than settled.

In January a federal appeals court declared major parts of DACA to be unlawful, though the court has agreed not to allow enforcement of immigration laws against current recipients. So the future of that program, and the status of DACA recipients, remains unclear.

Gress points out there's something else. Texas had its own law, dating to 2001, allowing "dreamers'' who live there to pay in-state tuition.

That got the attention of the Justice Department under President Donald Trump, which filed suit to declare the law illegal.

"Under federal law, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,'' Attorney General Pam Bondi has said. She said the litigation was designed to "ensure that U.S. citizens are not treated like second-class citizens anywhere in the country.''

When Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton refused to fight the lawsuit, a federal judge issued an order earlier this month voiding the Texas law on lower tuition for dreamers.

Gress said it would appear that Arizona's tuition arrangement is subject to the same legal challenges. That's because a dreamer  legally a citizen of another country where born, but here on deferred legal status  pays a lot less than an out-of-state resident.

And using that precedent, Gress said, trying to maintain in-state tuition for dreamers in Arizona would undermine the ability of universities here to charge higher rates to residents of other states.

Fountain Hills Republican Sen. John Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said a similar provision to deny in-state tuition to those not here legally also may be part of the Senate budget proposal that is going to be released Friday. He, like Gress, cited the federal court ruling in Texas.

"We're looking into if that's something that overrides the proposition,'' he said.

Mesa Democratic Rep. Lorena Austin said her reading of the budget provision is that it runs afoul of what voters approved in Proposition 308.

"I think that's absolutely egregious,'' Austin said. "It shows that we do not entrust our citizens who are voting to have their voices heard."

Tucson Democratic Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, the assistant House minority leader, said she also believes the budget provision probably is an unconstitutional violation of Prop. 308.

"And even if it's found not to be unconstitutional, it is meant to be disrespectful to every Arizona voter who voted 'yes' on Prop. 308,'' she said. "Voters want people who have grown up here to have in-state tuition, period.''

And Democratic Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, also of Tucson, said if DACA recipients are spared under the budget provision  as Gress said they may be  she believes the Republicans have inserted this language for political purposes.

"It continues to cause fear for no good reason other than to score political points and to continue to grab votes because you're causing fear in people, and adding some sort of conspiracy,'' Stahl Hamilton said.

The budget package, including the provisions on higher education, are scheduled to go to the full House on Friday.

Senate Republicans, meanwhile, are set to unveil their own spending plan and related legislation the same day.
As outrage swells over the Trump administration's escalation of immigration raids and heavy-handed tactics, Tucson organizers are working to ensure the week's third major protest here is both peaceful and powerful.

Any instance of violence could be used as a pretext for the Trump administration to crack down on civil liberties, organizers say.

"The destruction is what the administration wants, sadly," said Gaye Adams, an organizer of Tucson's "No Kings Day" protest, part of a nationwide day of action planned for June 14. "They want an excuse to clamp down on us, and were not gonna give them one."

Saturday's "No Kings Day" events come on the heels of an outbreak of violence at an anti-ICE protest Wednesday night, as some protesters clashed with private security officers protecting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office on Tucson's south side.

Tucson police confirmed three people were arrested Wednesday night as police moved to clear the area, three hours after the protest began. No injuries were reported among officers or protesters, but private security officers were assaulted, TPD said in a Thursday statement.

The chaotic scene  which many of Wednesday's peaceful attendees disavowed  followed a peaceful demonstration in downtown Tucson the night before, in which close to 300 people gathered in a show of solidarity with large-scale, anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

Saturday's "No Kings Day" events will be family-friendly, with music, food, art tables and games for children in the morning at Reid Park, and a vehicle caravan scheduled for the afternoon. Organizers say participants and leaders of the official events are committed to nonviolence and are coordinating with law enforcement.

Hundreds have already registered for Saturday's events, which are intended to inspire and unite, Adams said, and to give an outlet for expression to those furious and distraught over current events.

"A lot of the young people are really suffering. But if they have a sense of purpose, it can change the whole dynamic," she said. "I'm outraged, too. A lot of my friends, people I've known for decades, are being harassed and hunted right now. But I think violence and trying to fight the federal government directly is a big mistake. I think we have to be strategic, and sober, and prepared."

At Saturday afternoon's vehicle caravan here for "No Kings Day," organizers have assigned six drivers to act as observers and peacekeepers, said Bennett Burke of Democracy Unites Us, which has led Tucson's protests against Tesla CEO Elon Musk in recent months.

"We stress cooperation," said Burke, the police liaison for Democracy Unites Us. "We do the best we can to create peaceful opportunities for people to exercise their First Amendment rights."

Peaceful protest  and meeting any state violence with non-violent resistance  is critical to growing the resistance, Burke said. That can include outreach to Trump voters who dont support the president's recent actions, he said.

"That is helping to win over people, when they can see clearly the brutality of agents of the state attacking peaceful people," he said. That moral clarity is muddled when protesters fight back physically, or instigate the violence, he said.

If violence occurs Saturday, Adams said organizers are advising those around the agitation to "sit down, put their signs down and be quiet, and take a lot of pictures."

"Then just let the peacekeepers, or God forbid if it has to be law enforcement, let them handle it," Adams said, adding, "I really think this is going to be light and fun, and a big party day."

Nationwide day of action

"No Kings Day of Defiance" protests are planned in nearly 2,000 cities and towns nationwide on Saturday, scheduled to coincide with a military parade in Washington for the Armys 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, the Associated Press reported. The parade will feature hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft and thousands of soldiers.

National organizers of the protests say they reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a No Kings press release.

The flag doesnt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us, the No Kings website says. On June 14th, were showing up everywhere he isnt  to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.

Trump said Tuesday that any protesters at Saturday's parade in D.C. would be "met with heavy force," and Texas has already deployed 5,000 National Guardsmen to respond to No Kings, the AP reported.

Arizona's top prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, issued a statement Thursday citing the "recent civil unrest" in Tucson, and promising a swift response to any "violations of federal law that arise out of intentional disruption to law and order" this weekend.

"We want to be abundantly clear  the constitutional right to peacefully protest must be protected," said Courchaine, who was appointed in February by Attorney General Pam Bondi. "However, there are entities who are using that right as a cover to perpetrate violence, rioting, and destruction in our streets. That behavior cannot be tolerated."

Clashes with security

Following a surge in ICE raids at workplaces in Los Angeles and other major cities, thousands have taken to the streets to protest over the past week, in a movement that has spread across the U.S.

Against the wishes of state and local leaders in California, the Trump administration has federalized and deployed 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, in response to instances of violence at protests in downtown L.A. The Defense Department has also sent 700 active-duty Marines.

In Tucson, several hundred protesters gathered at the intersection of South Country Club Road and Valencia at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, with a plan to march up the road to the ICE office, as part of an anti-ICE protest and a show of solidarity with immigrants.

But as the crowd reached about six private security officers behind metal barricades near the ICE office, a confrontation broke out and some protesters forced their way through the barriers, pushing them into the security officers.

Many in the crowd retreated or left as the confrontation began, but some who remained threw rocks, balloons filled with paint and smoke bombs. Some also formed a front line using makeshift shields.

The security officers used chemical irritants such as pepper spray and deployed a flash bang. One protester appeared to use bear spray on the security officers, who eventually retreated.

As dozens of Tucson Police Department reinforcements arrived in riot gear around 5:30 p.m., the crowd moved back from the ICE office and re-grouped a short distance away in the same business plaza.

For almost an hour, the 100 or so remaining protesters continued rallying a couple hundred feet from the line of TPD officers, before returning to the intersection of Valencia and County Club, partially shut down by that time.

Around 7:30 p.m. TPD began clearing the area, after declaring an unlawful assembly and asking everyone to leave.

Police arrested three people Wednesday, who were booked into Pima County Jail: Natalia Navarra, 23, for unlawful assembly and resisting arrest; Sulutasen Amador, 46, for obstructing a public thoroughfare and disorderly conduct; and Hannah Hartranett, 23, for obstructing a public thoroughfare and unlawful assembly, according to police.

Earlier Wednesday, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar issued a statement saying, "Federal immigration enforcement operations have been occurring throughout Arizona, including locations in Tucson. We recognize that these activities cause concern and uncertainty for members of our community. The Tucson Police Department is not involved in federal immigration enforcement operations."

"We fully respect the constitutional rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and express their views. Our role is to help ensure the safety of all involved and to treat everyone with dignity and respect," Kasmar wrote.

ICE spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts-O'Keefe has not responded to the Star's request for comment on Tucson's protest and the surge in anti-ICE demonstrations nationally.

The lack of clear leadership for Wednesday's protest  dubbed "Melt ICE," in a flyer advertising the protest  could have been a risk factor for violence, experienced organizers say.

Tucson's chapter of Veterans For Peace, which raises public awareness of the causes and costs of war through nonviolent means, issued a statement Thursday condemning Wednesday's violence.

Long-time VFP organizer Alex Maldonado called the incident a "disappointment," especially since the broader protest movement sweeping Tucson over the past four months has remained peaceful until Wednesday, he said.

Nonviolence is also more effective, he said.

"The longer we keep it peaceful, the longer we can be out there without any problems," he said.

Tanya Nunez is an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which is among the groups participating in Saturday's event and in recent anti-ICE demonstrations. The group prioritizes safety and opposes any violence at protests, she said.

But Nunez said instances of violence at protests are dwarfed by what she called the violence of recent government actions, including family separations, violent ICE arrests and now the deployment of the military to U.S. streets.

"The system has been more violent than any of these (protest) incidents," Nunez said. "We need to remember whats important and what were really standing up against, and not be distracted by these individual incidents."

"We have the numbers"

Wednesday's demonstration began peacefully. Protesters waved flags, blew bubbles and displayed anti-Trump and anti-ICE protest signs, chanting in support of immigrants, workers and Palestinians.

Protester Miroslava Hernandez said she felt compelled to take action against the "cruelty" of Trump's mass-deportation campaign.

"I just can't see myself not trying to stop this in some way. It's too much. It's too cruel," she said at the start of Wednesday's protest. "I think this will go down in history as a very dark time for this country, and I want to be able to say, 'I spoke up. I was there.' Hopefully we can make a difference."

Protester Taylor Smith, 28, said she rendered aid to a man who had been pepper sprayed Wednesday. The Tucson tattoo artist said the chaos at the protest doesn't reflect most protesters' actions and shouldn't overshadow their message.

"I think a lot of people out here tonight wanted to just peacefully demonstrate that this isn't the America we want to live in," she said. "My goal tonight was to come out in support of what's happening across the country right now. I feel like we're really teetering on fascism. ... We're taking people without due process, and that's not okay. That's not the America that I stand for and I want to live in."

Peaceful mass resistance has power that no government can contend with, said 'No Kings' organizer Adams.

"We have the numbers," she said. "So we have to use what we have."

No Kings Day events The following "No Kings Day" events are planned in the Tucson area on Saturday, June 14: No Kings: Tucson Defends Democracy When: 8-11 a.m. Where: Georges DeMeester Performance Center, in Reid Park What: A "kid-friendly event" including an arts table, pinata and "crown"-making contest. Attendees will demonstrate from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Entertainment at the bandshell from 9:30-11 a.m. Sign up at mobilize.us No Kings "Motor March" When: Organize at 2:30 p.m. Caravan 3-5 p.m. Meeting spot: Reid Park on Country Club. If parking is full: Chase Bank (3033 E Broadway Blvd) or SW corner of El Con Center. Join the protest as caravan cars go by heading west on Broadway. Car route from Reid Park: Head North on Country Club; right on Speedway; right on Swan; right on Broadway; head West to Fourth Ave.; right on Fourth Ave.; right on Speedway; right on Alvernon; right on 22nd; right on Country Club. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/791091/ No Kings Vail When: 9-10 a.m. Where: Mary Ann Cleveland Way and East Colossal Cave Road Sign up: mobilize.us/aft/event/797615/ No Kings Oro Valley When: 8-10 a.m. Where: Oracle Road and First Avenue Sign up: mobilize.us/nokings/event/790931/ No Kings Green Valley/Sahuarita When: 8-9 a.m. Where: Sahuarita Town Hall, 375 W Sahuarita Center Way Sign up: mobilize.us/mobilize/event/794565/

Photos: Protesters clash with TPD and security outside ICE facility. Graphic images.
The Arizona Democratic Party remains in a delicate position after a meeting this weekend in Tucson, with a vote to remove the chair in the Dems future and the partys money dwindling.

The Democratic state committee met Saturday at the University of Arizona. In a rushed session, caused by a strict 5 p.m. deadline to clear out, the party was able to pass some changes to bylaws, and party chair Robert Branscomb acknowledged a petition to take a vote on his potential ouster.

The special meeting to consider the petition should take place by June 28 under the partys bylaws, but first Branscomb is asking for verification of the signatures provided by Steven Jackson, who is chair of the Legislative District 8 Democrats, in Phoenixs East Valley.

When the meeting occurs, at least two thirds of the state committees approximately 700 members would have to vote to remove in order for Branscomb to be ousted.

Jackson cites the lack of fundraising by the party, Branscombs attempted ouster of the partys first vice chair, Kim Khoury, and other factors in pushing for the vote. An email from Branscomb, criticizing the partys U.S. senators and exposing internal conflict, ignited the debate over his performance in April.

Theres been no reflection, theres been no change. Theres been no difference. He hasnt started fundraising, Jackson said Wednesday.

Kaycee Campbell, vice president of the Maricopa County Young Democrats, is among some who have accused Branscombs opponents of racism. Branscomb is black.

The unfair, unjust, racist, anti-Black actions taken to remove all dually elected Chair is an egregious abuse of power, she said in an email.

The party also got an update on its financial position, and its not great. The party had around $1.5 million to start the year and is down by several hundred thousand, on a trajectory to run out of money by the end of the year.

Before the clock ran out on the meeting, the members did manage to pass a few bylaw changes. One establishes an effort to minimize outside dark money in Democratic primaries. The party accepted preliminary language and is working to finalize it at a future meeting.

There are some people who without reservation accept that sort of money, said Eric Robbins, chair of the Pima County Democratic Party and the states council of party chairs. With this, he said, Democrats can opt to take a pledge to get dark money out of our primaries.

RTA NDAs

The firing of Executive Director Farhad Moghimi naturally stole the headlines at the June 5 meeting of the Pima Association of Governments and Regional Transportation Authority board.

But before that was taken, a former PAG employee, Elise Lawson, gave a peek behind the curtain of the organizations practices under Moghimi that the board may consider changing as soon as at its Monday meeting.

During a call to the audience, Lawson told the board that she worked for 11 years at PAG before retiring in April, 2023. When called in to human resources to fill out the separation agreement, she was asked to sign a document that would allow her to receive thousands of dollars in unpaid time off.

But it also restricted her rights to criticize PAG or the RTA publicly, or to serve on any citizens committee associated with the group. Part of the separation agreement reads:

Following the separation date below the employee is expected to act in a way that would not be detrimental to the organization or its interests in any way. Furthermore, the employee shall refrain from conduct such as but not limited to conduct that would damage the reputation of the organization, any employee of the organization or be detrimental to the interests of the organization.

Lawson said she didnt sign it.

I gave up thousands of dollars from accrued PTO so I could retain my First Amendment rights to speak freely about important issues facing this community.

Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz, who pushed for Moghimis firing, said hes asked for the issue to be on the agenda at Mondays PAG/RTA meeting. He doesnt know how many former employees signed away their rights to criticize PAG and RTA in order to get payouts of accrued money.

Mexican mayor loses US visa

U.S. officials have revoked the tourist visa belonging to the mayor of Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexican news media reported this week.

Mayor Oscar Castro was attempting to enter the United States from San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora Tuesday when U.S. border officials seized his visa and those of his family members in the car, La Jornada and others reported. He is the latest in a series of Mexican elected officials to have their visas revoked.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have also revoked the visas of the governor of Baja California state, as well as the mayor of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. ProPublic reported in May that U.S. officials have assembled a list of elected officials who may be linked to the drug trade.

In Castros case, the officials said that the revocation occurred because of an ongoing investigation, La Jornada reported, citing sources close to the mayor.
LOS ANGELES  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judges order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids.

The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. The ruling came only hours after a federal judges order was to take effect at noon Friday.

Earlier Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled the Guard deployment was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority. The order applied only to the National Guard troops and not Marines who were also deployed to the LA protests. The judge said he would not rule on the Marines because they were not out on the streets yet.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had asked the judge for an emergency stop to troops helping carry out immigration raids, had praised the earlier ruling.

Today was really about a test of democracy, and today we passed the test, Newsom said in a news conference before the appeals court decision.

The White House had called Breyer's order unprecedented and said it puts our brave federal officials in danger.

The district court has no authority to usurp the Presidents authority as Commander in Chief, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. "The President exercised his lawful authority to mobilize the National Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel in Gavin Newsoms lawless Los Angeles. The Trump Administration will immediately appeal this abuse of power and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.

Marines in civil disturbance training at nearby base

About 700 Marines have been undergoing civil disturbance training at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach in Orange County, California. Nicholas Green, an attorney for the state, told the court: I have been told by the office of the governor that within the next 24 hours, 140 Marines will replace and relieve National Guard members in Los Angeles.

Typically the authority to call up the National Guard lies with governors, but there are limited circumstances under which the president can deploy those troops. Trump federalized members of the California National Guard under an authority known as Title 10.

Title 10 allows the president to call the National Guard into federal service under certain limited circumstances, such as when the country is invaded, when there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government, or when the president is unable to execute the laws of the United States.

Breyer said in his ruling that what is happening in Los Angeles does not meet the definition of a rebellion.

The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of rebellion, he wrote.

California sued the federal government

Newsom sued to block the Guards deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

The governor argued that the troops were originally deployed to protect federal buildings and wanted the court to block the troops from helping protect immigration agents during the raids, saying that involving the Guard would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, which is overseeing the Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles, said that as of Wednesday about 500 of the Guard troops had been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

None of the Marines have been trained to go on immigration raids, and it is not yet clear if they eventually will, Sherman said.

Trump improperly called up the Guard, judge says

In his broad ruling, the judge determined Trump had not properly called the Guard up in the first place.

The lawsuit argued that Title 10 also requires that the president go through governors when issuing orders to the National Guard.

Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, said Trump complied with the statute by informing the general in charge of the troops of his decision and would have the authority to call in the Guard even if he had not.

In a brief filed ahead of the Thursday hearing, the Justice Department said Trumps orders were not subject to judicial review.

Courts did not interfere when President Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation. Courts did not interfere when President Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail in the midst of a postal strike. And courts should not interfere here either, the department said.

Our position is this is not subject to judicial review, Shumate told the judge.

Breyer, who at one point waved a copy of the Constitution, said he disagreed.

Were talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is of course limited in that authority. Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, he said.

Protests intensified

The protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

Trump has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom say are nowhere close to the truth.
60 Minutes: June 15

In the 1950s, 60s and 70s as many as one hundred and fifty thousand young Australian women were coerced into giving up their babies.

On Sundays 60 Minutes Tara Brown looks to the legacy of unmarried pregnant women in Australia in the 1950s  1970s and what many of them sadly endured.

Bitter Pill

Its a scandal thats hard to believe. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s as many as one hundred and fifty thousand young Australian women were coerced into giving up their babies. The reason? They werent married. For the vast majority it was a heartbreaking torment. But as Tara Brown reveals in this 60 Minutes special report, there was worse to come. Tens of thousands of these teenage mothers, maybe more, were then made to take a drug to stop their supply of breast milk. What they werent told, despite it being widely known at the time, was that Stilboestrol, also called DES, was linked to cancer and other serious diseases. Its a bitter pill that has not only wreaked havoc on the women, but they now fear theyve passed on its terrible curse to their subsequent children and grandchildren.

Reporter: Tara Brown

Producer: Laura Sparkes

8:35pm Sunday on Nine
James Valentine gives medical update

"I'd really hoped I'd never have to do this again," says broadcaster as he reveals latest medical diagnosis to his audience.

Broadcaster James Valentine (Come Dine with Me Down Under, Media Watch, TVTV) has given ABC audiences an update on his health.

Writing to ABC Radio audiences he said, Id really hoped Id never have to do this again. Ive now twice gone on the radio on 702 ABC Sydney, and published articles online, revealing details of my disease.

In March 2024, I announced that I had oesophageal cancer, and I was heading off for major surgery and it might be a while before Id be back.

In September 2024, I came back on air, and let everyone know, that Id had a more minor procedure, removed the tumour in my oesophagus and would then be monitored for any future outbreaks.

Well, here in June 2025, Im telling you the monitoring works very well. My current scans, and a biopsy have confirmed that I have tumours in my omentum. Yes, omentum, Id never heard of it either.

Its described usually as a fatty veil, which extends from the stomach over your intestine. Quite what it does, not sure; partly packaging, partly helping to protect the intestine, possibly some role in dealing with infection.

Whatever its meant to do it is currently largely squeezing my bowel and causing constriction and constipation and general discomfort in that part of the world. Oh, its been a fun few weeks, my friends. I am now way too familiar with the digestive aisle of my local chemist.

So Ive been off the last couple of weeks, getting tests, and figuring out whats to be done.

As of next week, I will be beginning chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A big blast of 21st century science, that hopefully, will scour it all out and leave me in a position to heal and recover.

You can read more at ABC.

Best wishes for a full recovery!

Photo: ABC
Perth turns blue as Nine marks 60 years

City buildings were bathed in blue as Nine marked its 60th anniversary in the west.

It may be seen as a city of red viewers but yesterday Perth turned blue to mark 60 years of Nine Perth.

These Perth sites all turned on blue lighting for the occasion:

 Council House, Perth (pictured top)

 Elizabeth Quay, Perth

 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park

 Great Northern Highway Interchange Bridge, Port Hedland

 His Majestys Theatre, Perth

 Joondalup Drive Bridge, Neerabup

 Matagarup Bridge, East Perth

 Mount Street Pedestrian Bridge, Perth

 Northbridge Tunnel, Northbridge

 QV1, Perth (below)

 Sky Ribbon Gateway Bridge, Perth Airport

 The Bell Tower, Perth

 WACA Ground, East Perth

 Yagan Square, Perth

Nine Perth Managing Director, Clive Bingwa, thanked the businesses, groups and organisations who helped commemorate the milestone.

Its evident that Channel 9 Perth is much loved in the WA community, and it will be wonderful to see Perth shine blue tonight with this humbling gesture of respect to celebrate our 60 years, he said.

Nine Perths Head of Marketing, Communications & TV Programming, Peter Brennan, said: Its an exciting day today as we celebrate Channel 9 Perths diamond anniversary, and the support from all sectors of business, media and community this week has been overwhelming.

To have Perth lighting up blue tonight is a marvellous way for WA to mark the milestone. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make it happen.

Nine screened the special Celebrating 60 Years: Channel 9 Perth, hosted by Michael Thomson and Tracy Vo. An exhibition is also on display at WA Museum Boola Bardip.
Whoniverse expanding to pre-schoolers

BBC is looking for a production company to produce animated pre-schooler series, to run independently from the main Doctor Who.

The Whoniverse is set to expand with a brand new pre-school animation series.

The BBC is looking for a passionate production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main show, that will see the Doctor travelling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends.

And, of course, they may come up against one or two challenges on their way

Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Childrens and Education said: Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor! This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UKs animation industry.

Doctor Who spin-offs have previously courted younger viewers through Totally Doctor Who (2006), The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007), K-9 (2009) and teen series Class (2016).
Sumit Singh & Syed Abubakr, TwoCircles.net

Patna (Bihar): The road to Siwan is cracked and dusty like old stories that still echo in this land. People remember former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Syed Mohammad Shahabuddin here. They speak his name with a strange mix of pride and fear.

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He was not just a leader. He was our voice, says Ayesha Khatoon, 42. She stands outside a small tea shop in Siwan town. Her eyes do not blink as she speaks.

But times are changing. Or at least, trying to.

A new voice is walking these roads now. His name is Prashant Kishor. His message is loud. His feet are steady. He calls it Jan Suraaj. And he wants to bring a new kind of politics to this land.

There is only one atmosphere in Bihar, the atmosphere of change. People in Bihar want a change in the system, they want employment for their children and want freedom from the corrupt system here. Bihar has had enough of Lalu-Nitish for 30-35 years, now Bihar needs a new rule, the rule of the people, he said.

People listened. Some nodded. Others waited.

Siwan has seen too much. Don, dynasty, power and prison. Mohammad Shahabuddin ruled here, even from jail. Then he died. But his legacy stayed behind. In old posters. In loyal hearts. In whispers between chai (tea) sips.

His wife Hena Shahab ran in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. She did not win. But she got 92,170 votes. That was almost the same as the margin between the winner and the RJDs candidate. Her vote cut deep.

Now, she is back with the RJD. Along with her son Osama Shahab. It is not just a homecoming. It is a strategy. A way to win back Muslim votes before the next battle.

PK walks in

Prashant Kishor is not from Siwan. But he comes with purpose. He has walked across Bihar. 3,500 kilometres on foot. He meets people, listens and talks about education, jobs and health. He calls this the Bihar Badlav Yatra.

He does not want allies. He wants all 243 seats. On his own. If Nitish Kumar is the face of (the ruling) NDA (National Democratic Alliance), then (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi or (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah should announce it. The people of Bihar want to know who will be the chief minister if the NDA government is formed, he said.

He has no patience for old vote banks.

Muslims must not remain politically bonded labourers, he said. The crowd stirred when he said it.

RJD strikes back

RJD leaders did not sit quietly. They hit back.

Prashant Kishors tall promises in Siwan are a distraction. His party failed miserably in the recent bypolls, and his rhetoric is designed to confuse voters. People of Siwan know who stands for them. It is our leader Tejashwi Yadav, said RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari.

They call Jan Suraaj the BJPs B-Team. They say Kishor is here to break the Muslim-Yadav bond. The one Shahabuddin once built.

The Jan Suraaj contested four bypoll seats last year. It did not win any. But it left a mark. In Imamganj (Gayaji district), its candidate polled over 37,000 votes. In Belaganj, it got 10% of the vote. Still, many call it a spoiler. A vote katwa. Not a winner.

Kishor saw it differently. He said it showed potential.

People hold the key

Shagufta Parveen is 29. She teaches at a local school. I like that he wants to give women candidates a chance. Siwan needs new faces, but I am still deciding who to trust, she says.

Amina Khatoon, 34, listens too. Prashant Kishor talks about education and jobs, which we need in Siwan. But I am not sure if the Jan Suraaj can deliver, she says.

Sanjay Yadav, 50, does not believe the talk. Jan Suraaj is just talk. Tejashwi has experience. He has given jobs, and the RJD fights for people like us. I do not see Prashant Kishor winning here, he says.

Rajesh Kumar, a shopkeeper, nods. The RJD has been here. Kishor is new.

But not everyone agrees. Sunita Devi is 50. She lives in Daraunda. Every year, my sons go to Delhi or Mumbai for work. We want jobs here, better roads and hospitals that work. I have heard Prashant Kishor talk about stopping migration. Let us see if he delivers, she says.

PK says he will give tickets to 40 Muslim and 40 women candidates. He speaks of jobs. Of better health care. Of schools.

But Siwans challenges are old. Migration. Floods. Bad roads. Empty hospitals. Broken trust.

Opinion polls say Jan Suraaj is still small. Just over 1% vote share. The RJD has 36%. The NDA has 49%.

Still, Kishor walks and speaks. Siwan is watching, listening and waiting.

The posters are going up again. The rallies are growing louder. The tea shops are filling with talk. People want change. But they also want proof.

Shahabuddin is gone. His memory has not. The RJD wants loyalty. The NDA wants power. The Jan Suraaj wants a beginning.

So, who will Siwan trust? Election day will answer
Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, African co-chair of the FOCAC, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in September 2024.

China says it will sign a new economic pact with Africa that will get rid of all tariffs on the 53 African states it has diplomatic ties with  a move that could benefit middle-income nations as they prepare for tariff hikes on products entering the United States.

The move, announced at a China-Africa co-operation meeting (FOCAC) in Changsha, central China, comes as the continent faces the possibility of increased tariffs on its products entering the US.

The Asian economic giant already offers duty- and quota-free market access to least developed countries (LDCs), including 53 countries in Africa, but the new initiative will level the playing field by also offering middle-income countries similar market access.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is the only African country excluded from the zero-tariff deal. It maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, whereas China regards it as a breakaway province.

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The timing of Beijing's decision is significant. In April, President Donald Trump announced high tariffs on its imports from many countries, including a 50 percent rate for Lesotho, 30 percent for South Africa and 14 percent for Nigeria.



Read more on RFI English



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HA NOI The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee has endorsed a proposal that non-public companies issuing private bonds must maintain a debt-to-equity ratio of no more than five, including the value of the bonds to be issued.

The topic came up during the NA Standing Committee's 46th session this week in Ha Noi, when committee members discussed feedback and revisions to a draft law amending and supplementing several provisions of the Law on Enterprises.

Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang said that regarding beneficial ownership, the NA Standing Committee and lawmakers agreed to a broadly defined principle-based approach in the draft law, aligning it with the Law on Anti-Money Laundering.

The Government has adopted technical feedback from lawmakers, including provisions on responsibilities for collecting, storing and providing information on beneficial owners, as well as the criteria for identification and penalties for non-compliance, to be specified in Government regulations, according to the minister.

Addressing suggestions to set a specific deadline for enterprises to disclose beneficial ownership, Thang said that the revised draft stipulates: "For enterprises established before the law takes effect, the disclosure of beneficial ownership information (if any) shall be made concurrently when the enterprise submits the most recent registration change or notification thereof, or at the enterprises initiative."

He said that the draft does not impose a mandatory deadline for previously established companies to provide such information, to avoid creating a standalone administrative procedure that would increase the regulatory burden. This would go against the Governments ongoing efforts to streamline administrative processes and reduce costs.

Furthermore, imposing a blanket deadline for all existing companies to disclose beneficial ownership is not considered an optimal solution, as such information can be produced upon request. In addition, about 35 per cent of enterprises annually update their business registration, during which beneficial ownership information can be included.

A major point of discussion concerned the proposed requirement that non-public companies issuing private bonds must maintain a debt-to-equity ratio not exceeding five, including the bond value.

Minister Thang emphasised that this condition helps build issuers' financial capacity and reduce risks for businesses and investors. He said the mandatory threshold should not significantly affect companies ability to raise capital for business operations or growth.

Chairman of the NA's Committee for Economic and Financial Affairs Phan Van Mai noted that many NA deputies had raised concerns about including a fixed debt ratio in the law, warning that it may limit flexibility in regulatory responses. Similar provisions in other sectors are usually defined in sub-law regulations. He called for further clarification on the proposals alignment with Party Resolution 66-NQ/TW and Conclusion 119-KL/TW.

As a result, the committee proposed an alternative approach: allow the Government to set the debt-to-equity ratio for private bond issuance through regulations tailored to different industries, sectors and business compliance levels. NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man has previously said he supported the Government's stance on the private bond issuance requirements.

Minister Thang added that the Government held consultations with businesses and relevant agencies on this matter for over a year. He noted that international practices vary, with most countries applying a maximum debt-to-equity ratio between three to five times for unlisted corporate bond issuers.

He reiterated that the rule helps build financially sound and transparent companies, excluding businesses that exploit policy loopholes.

In the current context, requiring a debt ratio cap is necessary. Only when the entire issuance process is fully digitised and transparent can we consider alternative regulatory approaches, Thang said. He recommended that this provision be included in the law, rather than in a guiding decree, to ensure immediate implementation.

The amended Law on Enterprises is scheduled for a vote next Tuesday. VNS
The Hague, Netherlands (PANA) - Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed solidarity with their colleagues who have recently been sanctioned by the United States Government, describing the move as coercive measures aimed at undermining the independence of the judiciary
HCM CITY  Fatzbaby, a leading Vietnamese brand in baby care equipment, has been in a strategic collaboration with Vinmec  the high-end healthcare system under Vingroup  to support eight of its hospitals nationwide.

This public-private partnership in the maternal and infant healthcare aims to enhance care standards for newborns and mothers in Viet Nam.

In May, Fatzbaby sponsored a wide variety of baby care equipment items to eight Vinmec facilities as part of the initiative, including bottle sterilizers, milk warmers, water boilers, and breast pumps. These devices are being used in neonatal care units, postpartum rooms, and delivery wards, addressing practical needs in maternal and newborn care.

Moreover, Fatzbaby is actively involved in training programmes, offering prenatal classes for expectant mothers and operational training for hospital staff to ensure the effective use of its equipment.

Beyond the Vinmec partnership, Fatzbaby has contributed equipment to 60 hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide, including those in remote and underserved regions. These efforts are part of a broader commitment by the brand to ensure equal access to quality care for all Vietnamese families, regardless of location.

This collaboration reflects a growing trend of domestic brands investing in public health and aligns with Viet Nams strategic goals of improving maternal and child healthcare nationwide. With increasing demand for professional baby care solutions, Fatzbaby is positioning itself not just as a consumer brand but as an institutional partner in healthcare development.

According to the General Statistics Office, Viet Nam's population is forecast to increase to 107 million by 2044. The domestic market for mother and baby products is growing as Vietnamese parents are becoming more and more demanding when choosing high quality baby care products.

Fatzbaby was recognised as one of the best-selling brands in the mother and baby product category on major e-commerce platforms in Viet Nam during the 20222023 period, according to reports from Metric. This reflects the trust and preference Vietnamese families have placed in the brands product quality, reliability and innovation.

Fatzbabys community-first approach has recently earned it dual honours at the 2024 Webtretho Awards  one of the most reputable recognitions in Viet Nams parenting community. The brand received the "Brand for the Community" and "Professionals Trusted Brand" awards, reflecting strong endorsement from both consumers and healthcare experts.

Recognition by both doctors and parents confirms that our mission is aligned with real needs, said a Fatzbaby representative. But more importantly, it motivates us to continue making a tangible impact in hospitals and homes across Viet Nam.

As Viet Nam continues to prioritise healthcare modernization, initiatives like the Fatzbaby-Vinmec co-operation are examples of how socially responsible business practices can support national wellbeing, ensuring that newborns have a good start in life, and mothers receive the best healthcare possible.  VNS
STOCKHOLM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his hope that businesses from Viet Nam and Sweden would take the initiative to connect with one another and link the two economies, while co-chairing a business forum in Stockholm on June 12 (local time).

The leader said the two governments would play a facilitating role by setting out major strategies, programmes, and plans, and by creating favourable conditions for businesses to cooperate, invest, and grow together.

He noted that the Vietnamese government is focusing on consolidating institutions, developing infrastructure, and enhancing human resource training.

Viet Nam is currently implementing a comprehensive set of strategies, including restructuring the political system and two-tier local administration; promoting science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation; advancing international integration; building and enforcing laws; fostering the development of the private sector; and building an independent, self-reliant economy, the PM told the forum.

The leader affirmed that Viet Nam guarantees the legitimate rights and interests of businesses, ensures political stability, social order and safety, and maintains consistent policies  all to provide a secure environment for enterprises to invest, operate, and grow in a stable and sustainable manner.

Chinh expressed his belief that, with the strong core values and sound relationship between Viet Nam and Sweden, a new wave of Swedish investment in Viet Nam can be expected in the near future.

He also called for greater determination, stronger efforts, and a renewed approach to elevate the Viet NamSweden relationship to a new stage of development.

Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, who co-chaired the forum, held that amid todays rapidly changing global landscape, Viet Nam and Sweden have new opportunities and an even greater need to strengthen cooperation across all areas.

The minister said Sweden possesses a highly skilled workforce and is home to major companies across most sectors, known for advanced technology, clean technology, high-quality services, and a strong global network. This gives Sweden strong potential and capability to cooperate effectively with Viet Nam for mutual development.

Participating enterprises highlighted their potential and strengths, shared experiences, and expressed interest in investment cooperation across various fields with a focus on accelerating green transition, fostering innovation, and transforming industries through digitalisation.

In 2024, bilateral trade reached US$1.48 billion. Sweden currently ranks 29th out of the 149 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with 111 active projects and a total registered capital of $743.39 million.

More than 70 Swedish companies are operating in Viet Nam, including major names such as Ericsson, ABB, IKEA, Electrolux, Volvo, and H&M. In contrast, Vietnamese investment in Sweden remains modest, with only three projects valued at nearly $1 million.

Also at the forum, PM Chinh and Minister Dousa witnessed the exchange of seven cooperation documents, covering such spheres as aviation and new-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology development.  VNA/VNS
HCM CITY  The Business Association of High-Quality Vietnamese Products and the Business Studies and Assistance Centre have launched the 2025 Green Startup Project Competition in HCM City.

The competition aims to identify and nurture startup models that pursue sustainable development in areas such as clean agriculture, processing technologies, community-based tourism, circular economy, social impact-driven business, and preserving local cultural heritages.

Vu Kim Anh, deputy director of the Business Studies and Assistance Centre and head of the organising committee, said a new feature in the 11th edition of the annual competition is the expanded scope to include youth groups, students, cooperatives, and micro and small enterprises.

The competition also places greater emphasis this year on green startup models that apply technology, promote eco-tourism and adopt circular economy principles.

We hope to continue identifying projects with the potential for scaling up, thereby making a positive contribution to the green transition of Viet Nams agriculture sector and rural economy, Anh said.

This is how we are building a deep-rooted startup ecosystem that grows from practical realities and aims for sustainability.

The contest is divided into two groups.

Group A is for newly established startups that have prototypes or products introduced to the market less than one year ago.

Group B is for organisations or businesses that have been operating for between one year and five years with commercialised products or services.

Anh said the organising committee has received a large number of applications.

The deadline for submissions is the end of July.

In August, the jury will make an evaluation and announce the semifinalists, who will then take part in training sessions to refine their projects.

The semifinals will be held all over the country and online in September. The finals will take place in HCM City in October.

The competition offers prizes worth nearly VN1 billion (US$38,379), including VN210 million in cash and the remainder in the form of support packages for communications, training, market access, and others.

The 10-year-old competition has helped shape a vibrant startup ecosystem with nearly 1,000 innovative projects.

It has played a key role in fostering the spirit of green entrepreneurship, emphasising local cultural values, promoting environmental protection, and advancing sustainable development, Anh said.

Notably, it has enabled a number of high-tech agricultural initiatives, eco-friendly farming models and sustainable agricultural value chains to gain access to vital resources and markets. These efforts not only enhance farmers incomes but also contribute to protecting land, water resources, and biodiversity, she added.  VNS
HA NOI  Coffee exports reached a new record of US$4.7 billion in the first five months of this year, driven by surges in shipments to major markets including the EU and the US, the latest updates from the General Department of Customs showed.

In May alone, exports totalled nearly 149,000 tonnes, worth $860 million, an increase of 60.5 per cent in volume and nearly 2.2 times in value year-on-year.

Although export volume dropped slightly by 0.6 per cent in January to May, export value spiked by 62.3 per cent on record high export prices. The export prices averaged $5,709 per tonne, up 63.2 per cent.

The EU remained the largest coffee export market of Viet Nam, importing more than 367,000 tonnes worth $2 billion, a rise of 10.2 per cent in volume and 81.9 per cent in value.

Exports to the US also increased sharply, by 6.3 per cent in volume to 54,310 tonnes and 72.4 per cent in value to $299 million.

Exports to emerging markets also soared drastically with shipments to Algeria doubling and to Mexico by 39 times and South Africa by 17 times.

Challenges ahead

Despite impressive growth, Viet Nams coffee exports are facing with challenges, especially risks from global policy uncertainties and downward trend of global prices.

Analysts warned that global coffee prices are trending to drop due to rising supply from major producers, Robusta futures in London closed at $4,409 per tonne on June 11, down 15.6 per cent from the previous month.

Arabica on the New York exchange also dropped by 8.4 per cent.

In the domestic market, coffee prices in the Central Highlands have fallen to their lowest level since November, at around VN112,000 per kg, down 12 per cent.

According to the Import -Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the price drop comes as Brazil and Indonesia are entering new harvest seasons. Brazils coffee crop is expected to increase by 0.5 per cent to 65 million bags in 2025-26 harvest season while Viet Nams output is forecast to increase by 6.9 per cent to 31 million bags, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

However, import-export department said that Viet Nams coffee export outlook remains optimistic, projecting the full-year export value at $7 billion.

Viet Nam earned $5.4 billion from exporting coffee in 2024.  VNS
HCM CITY  Thirteen medical institutions and wellness tourism companies from South Koreas Seoul met with many healthcare and tourism organisations from HCM City to explore opportunities for collaboration in medical tourism during the 2025 Seoul Medical Tourism Roadshow, held on June 11 and 12 in HCM City.

Organised by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organisation, the roadshow featured a variety of activities including health consultations, a K-Culture experience zone, a seminar on Seouls medical tourism sector, and a series of business matching sessions between Korean and Vietnamese partners.

Speaking at the event, Ham Kyung-Joon, executive director of the Seoul Tourism Organisation, said: Seoul boasts world-class medical infrastructure and a wide array of tourism offerings. This event presents an opportunity to promote Seouls medical tourism in Viet Nam  a market with stable demand  and to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two cities.

The number of Vietnamese visitors travelling to Seoul for medical treatment continues to increase each year. They are not only seeking quality healthcare, but also wish to experience Seouls unique culture and tourism offerings, Ham said.

According to the Seoul Tourism Organisation, nearly one million international visitors traveled to Seoul for medical purposes in 2024, a 93.2 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Viet Nam remains one of the top source markets, with approximately 20,000 Vietnamese medical tourists visiting Seoul annually.

Seoul is home to a high concentration of world-class hospitals. According to the Worlds Best Hospitals 2025 ranking conducted by Newsweek magazine, 13 out of the top 250 hospitals in the world are located in Seoul, all of which are actively involved in the citys medical tourism programme. This affirms Seouls position as a leading global hub for medical tourism, he said.

According to the organisers, the roadshow aimed to not only promote Seouls medical tourism potential but also expand collaborative networks between healthcare providers and tourism businesses in both countries, laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable partnerships.

In addition to providing high-quality healthcare, Seoul attracts international patients with its geographic proximity, more affordable costs compared to Western countries, and access to cutting-edge medical technology.

The city also offers a wide range of support services, including professional interpreters (with Vietnamese available), personal medical coordinators, airport-hotel-hospital transportation, and wellness programmes to aid recovery and relaxation for both patients and accompanying family members.

Moving forward, Seoul remains committed to advancing its world-class medical infrastructure and diverse tourism resources to deliver greater experience for international medical travelers, Ham said.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nams gold market is poised for significant reform, as eligible banks and enterprises will soon be permitted to import raw gold and produce bullion  a move expected to invigorate the sector with increased competition and more brands.

ao Xuan Tuan, director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)s Foreign Exchange Management Department, said that the SBV is in the process of finalising a draft Government decree that amends Decree 24/2012/N-CP, aimed at gradually liberalising the gold bullion market while ensuring stringent regulatory oversight.

A key proposal in the draft is to allow eligible banks and enterprises to import raw gold and produce bullion  a function that, until now, has been exclusively assigned to a single entity.

The SBV will issue licences to the credit institutions and enterprises meeting requirements to import raw gold to produce bullion, or use the imported material to produce jewellery, Tuan said.

Material import quotas will be granted basing on macroeconomic conditions, monetary policy and market fluctuations. This new approach is intended to dismantle the existing monopoly while maintaining the States regulatory and supervisory role.

Under the proposed regulations, licensed bullion producers must publicly declare quality standards, maintain detailed transaction records and integrate their data systems with those of regulatory authorities.

Tuan emphasised that enterprises will be held accountable if product quality does not match the declared standards, adding that data about bullion transactions must be transparent, as they are subject to audit at any time.

Allowing multiple bullion brands is expected to create a more competitive marketplace, narrow price differentials between brands and ultimately benefit consumers.

To further enhance market transparency and oversight, all payments for bullion transactions will be required to be made via bank accounts and accompanied by electronic invoices  a measure aimed at improving financial tracking and control.

Under the draft decree, payments for buying and selling gold worth VN20 million or more must be made through the customer's payment account and the payment account of the gold trading enterprise opened at a commercial bank or a foreign bank branch.

Tuan noted that while over 6,000 enterprises are currently active in the production and trading of gold jewellery, most are small businesses lacking the financial capacity to obtain import licences.

To address this, the draft decree stipulates that only credit institutions and bullion producers eligible to produce gold bullion are licensed to import raw gold. These entities may then supply raw materials to domestic jewellery manufacturers. A company or bank that wants to be licensed to produce gold bars must have a minimum charter capital of VN1 trillion and VN50 trillion, respectively.

This regulation will both increase the supply of raw gold and ensure that import activities remain under control, Tuan said.

Licensed importers will also be required to establish transparent internal processes, keep full transaction records and connect their information systems with the relevant authorities to support inspection and monitoring.

The revised decree is expected to represent a turning point for Viet Nams gold market, laying a stepping stone for a more competitive and transparent market operating in line with global fluctuations and the law.

In the domestic market, the SJC gold price has increased rapidly in recent trading sessions and exceeded VN120 million per tael to sell on Friday morning.

Saigon Jewelry Company, DOJI Group and Bao Tin Minh Chau Gold Company on Friday morning listed the price of SJC gold bars at VN118.5-120.5 million per tael for buying and selling, an increase of VN800,000 per tael from yesterday. The gap between buying and selling prices was VN2 million per tael.

The rise of gold in the domestic market followed a surge in the global price of gold due to increasing demand for safe havens amid rising risk concerns in the general market. On Friday morning, the global gold price was listed at around US$3,433.2 per ounce, up $61.90 compared to the previous day.  BIZHUB/VNS
HCM CITY  The HCM City Peoples Committee on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US-based multinational technology company Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) to strengthen the citys high-tech and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems.

Facilitated by SunEdu International Education Corporation (SunEdu), AMDs strategic affiliate in Viet Nam, the MoU provides a comprehensive framework to develop programmes that will accelerate digital transformation and smart city development.

Under the agreement, AMD will participate in government-led tech initiatives, contribute to regulatory sandbox initiatives, and co-host innovation-driven events while assessing the investment environment at Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP).

It will also work together with local educational institutions to upskill faculty, students and municipal department officials in new age technologies, including AI.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the municipal Peoples Committee vice chairman Vo Van Hoan said this collaboration marks a significant milestone in the governments commitment to advance high-tech infrastructure and workforce development in the city.

It is a meaningful step toward positioning the city as a regional leader in electronics, semiconductors and AI in Southeast Asia.

It will allow the city to unlock new opportunities in investment, talent development, and technological advancement, contributing to a robust high-tech ecosystem and reaffirming HCM Citys status as an attractive destination for global technology corporations.

He also commended the connecting and accompanying role of SunEdu  a leading institution in high-quality workforce training in electronics, semiconductors, and AI  for its meaningful contribution in advancing this strategic partnership.

The collaboration between the municipal Peoples Committee, SunEdu and AMD, highlights the governments commitment to implement policies and forge partnerships to support high-tech development at the municipal and national levels.

It contributes to the realisation of the Politburos Resolution No. 57 on breakthrough development in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

Keith Strier, senior vice president, global AI Markets at AMD, said that as the high performance and adaptive computing leader, AMD products and services help solve some of the worlds most important challenges.

For more than 55 years, AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualisation technologies.

We are happy to bring our expertise and technologies to Viet Nam and help the nation develop a high-tech ecosystem that delivers tangible benefits to the community.

This collaboration fully aligns with the spirit and substance of the joint statement on upgrading Viet NamUS relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.  VNS
HCM CITY  Vietnam News Agency has announced the 21 winners of the awards for photos in its "Moments in Journalism" competition for its southern journalists on June 12.

The competition was organised by the VNA Southern Information service centre from June 26, 2024.

It is part of a series of activities celebrating 100 years of Vietnams Revolutionary Press to honour moments in the journalistic work and daily lives of VNA journalists working in the southern region.

The competition had three categories: news photography (capturing hot and timely events), moments in the field (featuring journalists as the main subjects in their working situations), and journalists' in daily lives.

Journalist Le Manh Linh from Tin Tuc va Dan Toc, was awarded the A prize for his work covering the parade for the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification.

The VNA Southern Information service centre began an exhibition featuring 50 outstanding works from the competition on the same day.

In addition, a seminar titled "The Role of Photojournalism in Creative Journalism" was held by the centre, offering professional insights into the rapidly evolving digital media landscape.  VNS
SEOUL  The coastal city of Nha Trang in Viet Nams south-central province of Khanh Hoa, has emerged as the most sought-after summer destination for travellers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to digital travel platform Agoda.

An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users. Tokyo, which topped the rankings last year, has slipped to the second place.

Other cities rounding out the top five international destinations favoured by Korean tourists this year include Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan, as well as a Nang in Viet Nam.

Agoda noted that Viet Nam and Japan have maintained their status as the most popular outbound travel choices for Korean holidaymakers in the first half of 2025. Industry analysts attribute this trend to rising global travel costs, which are prompting tourists to favour affordable short-haul destinations.

Interest in Chinese destinations has also seen a significant spike, with search volumes for Qingdao and Shanghai increasing by 212 per cent and 207 per cent, respectively. The surge is likely linked to Chinas temporary visa exemption for Korean nationals which was introduced in November last year.

Domestically, Jeju Island remains the most searched destination within the RoK, followed by Seoul, Busan, Sokcho, and Gangneung. Sokcho and Gangneung have seen increased attention as prominent summer retreats, particularly since the launch of the Donghae rail line late last year, which has markedly improved transport access.

An Agoda representative observed that, with forecasts predicting intense heatwaves and an extended rainy season this summer, many Korean travellers are choosing to plan their holidays earlier than usual.

Adding to Nha Trang's appeal, Vietnam Airlines officially launched a direct daily service between Busan and Nha Trang on June 1. This marks the airlines second direct route connecting the RoK with Nha Trang, complementing its successful SeoulNha Trang service. Improved air connectivity is widely seen as a key driver behind the citys surging popularity among Korean tourists.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese supermodel Nguyen Vu Linh has won fourth place at the Manhunt International 2025 competition, a global search for the next top male model that took place in Bangkok, Thailand.

The final night on June 10 saw 37 contestants from various countries and territories around the world compete by showcasing haute couture outfits, swimwear and elegant suits.

Contestant Adonis Renaud from France was crowned as the winner. Vu Linh made it into the top five, ultimately winning the fourth runner-up title, while contestants from Sri Lanka and Jamaica secured the titles of first and second runners-up, respectively. A contestant from the Philippines was named the third runner-up.

In addition to the main titles, several special awards were presented to outstanding individuals, including the Audience Choice Award to the representative from Pakistan, the Best Face Award to the contestant from France, the Best Dressed Award to the contestant from Spain and the Friendship Award to the contestant from Japan.

During nearly 10 days in Thailand, the contestants participated in various side activities including tourism promotion, brand photo shoots, charity work and cultural exchanges.

The Vietnamese contestant said he felt proud to represent Viet Nam on an international platform and bring home the prestigious title. He noted that this achievement is the result of relentless effort, not only from him but also from his entire supporting team.

The beauty of the moment will forever be a significant milestone in my journey, Linh wrote on his Facebook page.

It's not just about the dazzling lights or the applause, but about the looks, smiles and warm embraces that I have received. I truly cherish all the love, support and encouragement from everyone  these mean more than any title.

I believe that position is just a number. What matters most is the journey taken, the people who have always been by my side and the genuine love that I feel.

Thank you for accompanying and loving me. The road ahead is still long, and I will continue to strive every day for those who care for me."

Linh's result at Manhunt International 2025 is considered a remarkable achievement, continuing Viet Nams streak of success in international beauty and male modelling competitions in the past few years.

The 31-year-old supermodel from the southern province of Ben Tre is 1.86 metres tall and weighs 78 kg, with body measurements of 99 - 78 - 98. He became renowned after winning the runner-up title in the Vietnam Fashion Model 2018 competition.

Following that success, he made it to the top 10 of the 'Next Gentleman' programme. At the 'Mister Grand International - International Peace King 2022' competition, in addition to the title of fourth runner-up, he also won two additional awards for Best National Costume and Best Male Model.

Manhunt International is a prominent international search for the next male supermodel that was founded in 1993, with the aim of providing men a platform to present their talents and skills.  VNS
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nine Nigerian environmental activists, known more popularly as the Ogoni Nine, have been posthumously pardoned and awarded national honours, three decades after a shoddy court trial led to their execution
Associate Professor Pham The Anh, a lecturer at the National Economics University, speaks to the au Tu (Investment) newspaper about important resolutions and laws expected to be approved by the National Assembly (NA) this week and their contribution to realising the country's double-digit growth goal for the 2026-2030 period.

The NA has never passed as many laws and resolutions in one session as it has during the ninth session. Do you think this is a way to prepare the institutional framework to achieve double-digit growth in the next few years?

The 15th NA's ninth session has seen a record number of working days, with 11 resolutions and 34 laws expected to be passed. The number of legal documents passed in this session will be a record, many times higher than the average for previous sessions.

In addition to the laws and resolutions passed as part of a programme to achieve the growth target, many important laws and resolutions are expected to be passed to create breakthroughs in institutional frameworks and legal corridors as well as dismantle barriers and maximise the internal capacities and potential of enterprises, organisations and individuals.

The goal is to expand both the scale and depth of production and business activities to achieve high and, more importantly, sustainable economic growth.

Double-digit economic growth is not just a goal but a strong aspiration. How can we achieve this?

The first phase of the ninth session, from May 5 to May 29, passed eight resolutions to institutionalise four resolutions (the 'four pillars') from the Politburo, which include: Resolution 57-NQ/TW (December 22, 2024) on breakthrough developments in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; Resolution 59-NQ/TW (January 24, 2025) on international integration in the new context; Resolution 66-NQ/TW (April 30, 2025) on renewing law-making and enforcement to meet the requirements of national development in the new era; and Resolution 68-NQ/TW (May 4, 2025) on the development of the private economy.

These are considered the foundational pillars to drive the country forward in the new era, known as 'the 4.0 era'.

In this context, economic development cannot rely on natural resources or cheap labour, but must depend on science, technology, innovation and creativity.

Although there has been a recent trend of protectionism, even extreme protectionism, in a 'flat world', international integration is inevitable.

Viet Nam has chosen deep integration over protectionism. The current institutional framework has been identified as a major bottleneck. To further develop, this bottleneck must be removed as quickly as possible.

Ultimately, no country develops by relying solely on foreign investment or State-owned enterprises. Private enterprises must be the driving force.

The four resolutions of the Party and the NA resolutions that institutionalise the Partys resolutions have laid the foundation and created a basis for the economy to enter a new growth era.

The highest legal foundation has been established, and the infrastructure has been built, but there is still a gap between resolutions and real-life implementation. What is your opinion on this?

The resolutions of the Party and the NA have been issued. The Government has directed ministries and sectors to urgently institutionalise them with specific guiding documents to avoid the gap between resolutions and implementation, which has been an issue in the past due to slow, inconsistent and sometimes conflicting guidelines.

In about six months, the plan for socio-economic development for the 2026-30 period will begin, with a goal of achieving double-digit GDP growth.

An urgent task is therefore to translate resolutions into real action, so that businesses, especially private enterprises, no longer face difficulties, obstacles or restrictions.

This will allow this sector to focus its resources on development, making it the most crucial pillar in both medium- and long-term economic growth.

Among the resolutions recently passed by the NA is Resolution No 197/2025/QH15, which outlines special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in law-making and law enforcement.

This resolution proposes a number of special financial mechanisms with outstanding standards and task-based funding allocation as well as policies to reward those involved in law-building and enforcement, linked to functions, duties, activities and job positions.

The aim of this resolution is to complete the institutional framework, eliminate barriers to promote investment, production, business activities and economic growth, with people and businesses at the centre of development.

As the saying goes, 'Without the right ingredients, you cant make the dish'. The issue is that we need financial resources to realise the goal of high growth, isnt it?

At this session, the NA will pass the Corporate Income Tax Law and the Special Consumption Tax Law.

After the Value-Added Tax Law was passed at the end of 2024, the Personal Income Tax Law will be passed next year.

Except for the special consumption tax, which aims to limit consumption of goods and services that are not encouraged due to their negative impact on the environment and public health, the other tax laws focus on reducing the financial burden on citizens and businesses.

The Personal Income Tax Law being developed by the Ministry of Finance also aims to reduce the financial contribution of citizens by increasing family deductions, adjusting tax brackets and creating conditions for citizens to increase spending and boost the domestic market.

Since 2020, the NA and the Government have implemented tax exemptions, reductions and extensions for most taxes, fees and charges, particularly value-added tax.

Despite these tax cuts, State revenue has still increased. Thanks to the tax reductions, people have increased spending, leading to a recovery and growth of the domestic market post-COVID-19. This is the 'ingredient' needed to 'make the dish'.

In the past, Viet Nam has never experienced double-digit economic growth. What is your opinion on the possibility of achieving this target?

The National Economics University recently conducted a study on the foundations and policy trends for high economic growth.

The research shows that from 1990 to 2024, Viet Nams average GDP growth rate was about 6.73 per cent per year.

However, this growth rate has been gradually decreasing over time: 7.41 per cent in the 1990-1999 period, 7.27 per cent between 2000 and 2009, and 6.3 per cent from 2010 to 2019.

Since 2020, the average growth rate has only reached 5.14 per cent, as the growth model relying on capital is approaching its limit.

The only way to become a high-income country by 2045 is to achieve high growth for a long period. There is no other way. This is a lesson learned from successful economies like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and China.

Over the past three decades, Viet Nam has followed a growth model based on investment and exports, similar to the countries mentioned, and has reaped many rewards.

However, the current context is different from 40-50 years ago, so Viet Nam needs to adopt multiple approaches.

While continuing to rely on investment and exports, it is crucial to develop the domestic market, the digital transformation, innovation, science and technology and make private enterprises the foundation of growth.

The 'four strategic pillars' have laid out these fundamental issues to realise the aspiration for high and sustainable growth. VNS
STOCKHOLM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 12 (local time) met with Speaker of the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) Andreas Norlen and leaders of political parties in Sweden as part of his official visit to the country.

Norlen expressed his belief that Chinhs visit would help further deepen the traditional friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Sweden in the coming time.

Chinh emphasised that Viet Nam always values and wishes to strengthen its friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Sweden.

He recalled the image of PM Olof Palme marching with a torch to protest the war in Viet Nam, saying Swedens decision to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam was a courageous one, grounded in justice and conscience.

The Party, State, and people of Viet Nam always remember Swedens noble gesture in providing around $3 billion in non-refundable aid for Viet Nam, the largest among Nordic countries, Chinh said.

The aid was used meaningfully to support health care, education, and social welfare, with many symbolic projects such as the National Children's Hospital and the Bai Bang Paper Mill, the leader stressed, adding Swedish universities trained around 200 Vietnamese experts, and that people-to-people exchanges have formed a natural bond.

The PM expressed confidence that his visit would help create momentum for bilateral cooperation and elevate the bilateral relationship to a new height. Both sides will serve as bridges for each other in advancing ties with ASEAN and the EU.

The two leaders shared the view that Viet Nam and Sweden should strengthen solidarity and cooperation based on their traditional friendship, through Party, Government, and Parliamentary channels as well as people-to-people exchanges, thereby contributing to the promotion of multilateralism and international solidarity.

Chinh said Swedish enterprises still have ample room to expand cooperation and investment in Viet Nam, particularly in their areas of strength such as artificial intelligence, information and communications technology, and semiconductors. He highlighted Viet Nams new policies, notably those on institutional reform, science and technology, private sector development, and international integration, aimed at removing bottlenecks, enhancing foreign investment attraction, and promoting rapid and sustainable development.

The leader also called on the Swedish parliament to help advocate for the remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and for the European Commission to lift its yellow card on Viet Nams seafood exports. He said Viet Nam will also encourage its high-tech enterprises to invest in Sweden.

For his part, Norlen said bilateral relations have developed fruitfully, including dialogue and cooperation between the two legislatures, and affirmed Swedens readiness to help Viet Nam fulfill its goal of becoming a high-income developed country by its centenary in 2045.

The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, including the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, based on respect for the rule of law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They underscored the need to settle disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, without the use or threat of force.

On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed the invitation from National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Speaker Norlen to visit Viet Nam. The Swedish leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.  VNA/VNS
STOCKHOLM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse visited the family of late Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme on June 12 afternoon (local time) as part of their official visit to Sweden.

Chinh was moved to express his respect and gratitude to late PM Olof Palme - a great, loyal, and close friend of the Vietnamese people.

He conveyed regards and wishes from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the family of the late Swedish leader.

Thanking the family for preserving the memories and good values that the late leader left behind, PM Chinh said that they are always an important bridge of friendship between the two nations.

He said PM Olof Palme contributed not only to Swedens development but also to peace, cooperation and development of nations around the world.

When it comes to Sweden, Vietnamese people think of PM Olof Palme whose name is associated with protests against the war in Viet Nam from the 1960s until Viet Nam's reunification in 1975, PM Chinh emphasised.

During Viet Nams post-war recovery, Sweden once again stood side by side with the country, he said, noting that Sweden has been a leading Western nation in supporting Viet Nam in healthcare, education, human resource training, among other fields. He highlighted that Sweden provided Viet Nam with around $3 billion in non-refundable aid  the highest among Northern European countries.

Projects that bear the hallmark of Viet NamSweden cooperation include the Bai Bang Paper Mill, the Viet Nam National Children's Hospital, and Uong Bi Hospital, along with training programmes for officials, experts, doctors, and engineers.

PM Olof Palme publicly expressed his support for the just struggle of the Vietnamese people and his actions offered great source of encouragement and motivation, becoming part of the Viet Nam's history, Chinh affirmed.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese leader invited PM Olof Palme's family members to visit Viet Nam again and revisit the works associated with the late leader.

For their part, the hosts affirmed their strong support for Viet Nam and its people.  VNS
NEW YORK  Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Charge dAffaires of the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN), has affirmed Viet Nams commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities (PwD) when he attended the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18) held from June 10-12 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Nguyen said that the commitment was demonstrated through its promulgated policies and legal documents, including the 2010 Law on Persons with Disabilities and the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2014.

Sharing about Viet Nams efforts and achievements in this field, he emphasised that the country has provided monthly social allowances to more than 1.6 million PwDs and 96 per cent of PwDs in the country have health insurance.

Viet Nam has also expanded inclusive and specialised education with the rate of children with disabilities attending school reaching 65 per cent, standardising sign language and Braille nationwide; and created conditions for 4 million PwDs to participate in the workforce through vocational training and employment support programmes.

Emphasising the importance of international cooperation in this field, Nguyen said that Viet Nam is ready to cooperate with all countries and relevant organisations to further ensure the rights of PwDs, towards a fair, self-reliant, inclusive society where no one is left behind.

Themed Enhancing public awareness of the rights and contributions of persons with disabilities for social development leading up to the World Social Summit, COSP18 was attended by ministers and deputy ministers of member countries, along with representatives of international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

In her opening speech, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed affirmed that promoting equality and expanding opportunities for PwDs is always a high priority on the UN agenda. Despite this, PwDs around the world continue to face many difficulties and inequalities in access to education, employment, health and technology. All indicators related to PwDs in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are behind schedule.

During the discussion, countries affirmed that the CRPD is an extremely important document, laying the foundation for global cooperation to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. They also emphasised that the second world summit for social development is an opportunity to further strengthen international cooperation in this area. VNA/VNS
AN GIANG  The Central Executive Board of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sangha held a ceremony on June 13 at An Hoa Tuu Pagoda in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang to commemorate the 86th anniversary of the sects founding (19392025).

Hoa Hao Buddhism was founded by Huunh Phu So on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month in 1939, which falls on June 13 this year.

Speaking at the celebration, Nguyen Tan at, head of the Central Executive Board, noted that as the country embraces a new era, the sangha and its followers, guided by the principle For the Dharma, for the Nation, continue to stand alongside the nation. He underscored their commitment to supporting the Partys and States policies, actively participating in patriotic emulation movements and campaigns, and working to improve the living standards of both Hoa Hao adherents and society at large.

Vice Chairwoman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Thi Minh Nga praised the sangha for preserving the religions core teachings over the past 86 years, as well as for promoting ethical values, patriotism, solidarity, and a strong bond with the nation. She highlighted the communitys positive contributions to national construction and development.

The official expressed confidence that, with collective wisdom and a spirit of reform, reflected in the regions revised charter for the 2024  2029 term, as well as with the unity of Hoa Hao dignitaries and followers, the sangha will continue to uphold its traditions of compassion and community service, and make even greater contributions to the nation's progress.

Currently, Hoa Hao Buddhism operates 406 grassroots executive boards across 17 provinces and cities nationwide. In 2024 alone, Hoa Hao followers contributed over VN512 billion (US$19.63 million) to social and charitable activities. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) has asked Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to approve a project expanding Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway.

Accordingly, the VEC proposed widening the Yen Bai-Lao Cai section as a form of emergency construction work.

To date, Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway has been in operation for over 10 years. However, the Yen BaiLao Cai section is currently operating with only two lanes and lacks a central divider, which limits traffic flow.

As the Noi BaiYen Bai section already has a complete four-lane expressway, the VEC has proposed expanding the Yen BaiLao Cai section of 83km to a four-lane configuration for synchronised operation.

Therefore, the corporation suggested the Government should allow the application of a shortened bidding process as prescribed in Decree No. 24/2024/ND-CP, detailing a number of articles of, and measures to implement, the Bidding Law regarding contractor selection.

As proposed, the corporation will carry out many tasks including survey, design, and investment project formulation; design of construction drawings; and contractor selection, construction and other necessary tasks to serve project implementation, contributing to shortening investment preparation time and speeding up construction progress, ensuring basic project completion in 2026.

The Ministry of Construction will appraise the project along with reports on its environment impact.

When the project is implemented in the form of an emergency construction project, a number of special mechanisms will allow for the immediate implementation of survey, design, preparation and review of the feasibility study report, and at the same time, the project appraisal will be organised for early approval, the VEC leader said.

The investment preparation time will be shortened by about three months, and the entire project will be completed about four months earlier than the investment plan according to the normal procedure, he said.

In addition, the VEC proposed adjustments to the project timeline for sections and items affected by force majeure events, such as shortages of construction materials, difficulties in site clearance, disasters, or epidemics.

Therefore, the VEC requested the Prime Minister to allow the project to be implemented under the emergency construction category, in accordance with Construction Law No. 50/2024/QH15, and apply certain special mechanisms to accelerate the preparation and investment implementation process.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha agreed with the Ministry of Construction's proposal and the Ministry of Finances opinion to assign the VEC as the managing agency to implement the investment project to expand the Yen BaiLao Cai section of the Noi BaiLao Cai Expressway, as prescribed by the law on public investment.

Ha tasked the Ministry of Finance with proposing an allocation of state budget capital of about VN1.56 trillion (US$61 million) for the project in the 20262030 medium-term public investment plan, and to report to the competent authorities for review and decision.

He also instructed the VEC to review and calculate a detailed financial plan for the project and proceed with implementation, ensuring construction begins this year and is substantially completed in 2026.

According to the national road network plan for 20212030, with a vision to 2050, the Noi BaiLao Cai Expressway is planned to span 264km with a six-lane configuration.

Currently, the 245km stretch of the Noi BaiLao Cai Expressway invested in and operated by the VEC has been in service since 2014 under a toll collection and capital recovery scheme. _ VNS
STOCKHOLM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson on Friday morning (local time) in Stockholm, as part of his official visit to the European nation.

PM Kristersson welcomed PM Chinh, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to Sweden, expressing his belief that the visit will create new momentum to further promote the bilateral relations.

PM Chinh conveyed regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to PM Kristersson and other senior Swedish leaders.

He affirmed that his trip visit stands as strong evidence of the traditional friendship and growing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, which is becoming increasingly substantive and deep-rooted.

The bilateral friendship is valuable assets and a precious foundation for the two nations, PM Chinh said, affirming that Viet Nam always deeply cherishes the meaningful support that Sweden has extended to the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national liberation in the past as well as in the countrys national construction and development at present.

Sweden was also the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1969, he said, adding that it was not only the most vocal Western supporter for the Vietnamese people's struggle for national liberation, but also the largest Nordic provider of non-refundable aid to Viet Nam during its post-war reconstruction and development.

The Vietnamese leader stressed that as part of his trip, he had visited the family of late Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme to express his deep respect and gratitude to the late PM, a great, loyal, and close friend of the Vietnamese people, who wholeheartedly supported Viet Nam in its struggle for independence and national reunification.

He sincerely thanked Sweden for recently presenting Viet Nam with a documentary film by director Bo Ohlen, which portrays moments of the Swedish people in Stockholm celebrating Viet Nams victory on April 30, 1975, marking the end of war in Viet Nam.

The Viet Nam National Childrens Hospital (Viet Nam-Sweden Children's Hospital), Uong Bi General Hospital, and Bai Bang Paper Mill, remain lasting symbols of the strong ties between the two countries, he said.

At the talks, both sides shared updates on the development situation in each country. PM Kristersson congratulated Viet Nam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in the recent past. He affirmed that the Swedish Government and people treasure relations with Viet Nam and wish to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, and sustainable development.

Based on the foundation of a glorious history and a bright future, the two PMs agreed that this is the right time to renew the bilateral relationship and elevate it to new heights. They agreed on the need to increase delegation exchanges and visits at all levels, particularly high-level and people-to-people exchanges, to enhance political trust and mutual understanding, paving the way for broader cooperation in other spheres.

PM Chinh noted that, given the strong political ties, the two countries should step up defence and security cooperation, and share experiences and views on global issues, especially amid a rapidly changing and unpredictable world. The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations, particularly within the United Nations (UN), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union (EU). They also committed to supporting each other in promoting Viet NamEU and SwedenASEAN relations, contributing to addressing global challenges.

The Vietnamese PM emphasised that Sweden and Viet Nam are two economies that can complement each other as Sweden has strengths in technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while Viet Nam boasts a large workforce, a market of over 100 million people, and serves as a gateway to the young and dynamic ASEAN market of around 700 million people.

On trade and investment ties, both sides reaffirmed their commitments to facilitating greater market access through the effective implementation of the EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), aiming to boost bilateral trade to US$3 billion in the near future.

PM Chinh also called on Sweden to prompt remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in lifting the yellow card imposed on Viet Nams seafood exports.

PM Kristersson expressed his pride in the early presence of Ericsson in Viet Nam and its contributions to the Southeast Asian countrys information and telecommunications technology sector.

On this occasion, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a sectoral strategic partnership in science, technology, and innovation, and pledged to intensify cooperation in various areas, including innovation, high technology, nuclear energy, semiconductors, green and digital transitions. They also committed to strengthening training collaboration, particularly in the development of high-quality human resources.

PM Chinh called on Swedish businesses to increase investments in areas where Sweden has strong expertise and which align with Viet Nams development priorities, such as innovation; green, digital, and circular economy; renewable energy, and urban planning.

In terms of cultural, sports, tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, both sides agreed to enhance the sharing of policy-making experience in culture, promote tourism, and create favourable conditions for attracting visitors to each country. PM Chinh thanked Sweden for its support to the Vietnamese community living in the European country and requested continued favourable conditions to help them integrate well and contribute to Swedens development while serving as an important bridge for the bilateral relations.

On international and regional issues of mutual concern, the two leaders affirmed their viewpoint on backing peaceful and sustainable solutions to conflicts, based on respect for the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides supported the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to ensuring peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in this sea which is strategically important to global trade.

PM Chinh extended his invitation to PM Kristersson to soon visit Viet Nam and the latter accepted it with pleasure.

Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of a sectoral strategic partnership agreement on cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation between Viet Nams Ministry of Science and Technology and Swedens Ministry for Foreign Affairs.  VNS
STOCKHOLM  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and held a working session with representatives of the division of Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE) in the Physics Department at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) of Sweden on Friday morning (local time), during which he called on the Swedish side to set up cooperation with Viet Nam in nuclear energy technology.

A representative of the NSE division said it is developing a nuclear power technology that is more cost-effective, safer, fuel-independent, and capable of early deployment. The representative noted that this technology is well-suited to Viet Nam as it can be deployed in areas with limited space or in remote and mountainous regions.

PM Chinh commended the NSE divisions accomplishments, particularly technologies compatible with Viet Nams context, reaffirming Viet Nams commitment to deepening its partnership with Sweden in a more practical and effective manner.

He highlighted that his trip marked the establishment of a sectoral strategic partnership in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation between Viet Nam and Sweden, with nuclear energy for peaceful purposes identified as a key area for enhanced cooperation.

The PM revealed Viet Nams plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Viet Nam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.

He called on the NSE division to establish a partnership with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VAEI) through a cooperation agreement, focusing on research, experience sharing, and human resources training.

The NSE division said it is willing to cooperate with and assist Viet Nam, beginning with support to the Southeast Asian nation in developing regulations, standards, and technical norms concerning the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Sweden was among the pioneers in harnessing nuclear energy for electricity generation. At its peak in the 1980s, the country operated 12 nuclear reactors, which supplied up to 50 per cent of the electricity demands in the country.

Currently, nuclear energy continues to play a key role in Swedens energy structure, accounting for around 30 per cent of the European countrys electricity output, with six reactors in operation at three nuclear power plants. Sweden has recently shifted its policy toward expanding and modernising its nuclear energy sector, viewing nuclear energy as essential for achieving climate goals, especially as renewable energy sources remain insufficiently stable to meet rising energy demands.

Backed by modern technology and policy support from the government, Sweden is pursuing a stronger nuclear future by expanding its reactor network and modernising its energy system, and addressing safety and waste management challenges to ensure sustainable development.  VNS
HA NOI  President Luong Cuong has sent a message of condolences to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen over a shooting on June 10 that claimed many lives and left many wounded.

The shooting left 10 people, including the suspected gunman, dead at a school in Graz city, southeastern Austria. At least 28 others were hospitalised in critical condition, according to the Austria Press Agency (APA).  VNS
STOCKHOLM  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday visited and held a working session with leaders of the Karolinska Institutet (KI), one of the worlds foremost medical universities and the most renowned centre for medical training and research in Sweden.

Founded in 1810, the institute trains about 7,000 students and over 2,000 doctoral candidates annually across its two campuses. Renowned for selecting Nobel laureates in physiology or medicine  two of its own scientists have received the prestigious award, the institute has long been a beacon of biomedical innovation, with faculty and alumni shaping modern medical science.

In Viet Nam, the KI has carried out cooperative activities with the Ha Noi Medical University (HMU), the National Childrens Hospital (NCH), and the Viet Nam  Sweden Uong Bi Hospital. Collaborative projects with these units and others, including the Ha Noi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, have bolstered Viet Nams research capacity, doctoral training, health policy development, and adoption of advanced medical technologies.

The institute's leaders expressed enthusiasm for expanding partnerships with Viet Nam, particularly in tackling pressing healthcare challenges such as neonatal mortality and care for premature infants, and combining cutting-edge clinical research with private sector involvement. They noted that Vietnamese students joining these programmes would also be eligible for doctoral degrees.

PM Chinh praised the KI's global academic stature and its contributions to Viet Nams healthcare system, which date back over 55 years to the nations wartime struggles.

He expressed gratitude to the Swedish Government and people for their enduring support, including the establishment of key establishments like the NCH and the Viet Nam  Sweden Uong Bi Hospital, which remain vital pillars of Viet Nams healthcare infrastructure.

The PM further underscored Swedens role in building a sustainable healthcare system in Viet Nam through effective medical training, expertise sharing, and academic exchanges, with the KI's programmes playing a prominent and impactful role.

Viet Nam plans to create breakthroughs in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, particularly in healthcare, PM Chinh said, noting that the country is also accelerating the development of smart hospitals and digitising patient records as part of this effort.

Viet Nam is transitioning its healthcare strategy from treatment-centred services to a more holistic model that emphasises disease prevention and health promotion, while also shifting from population control to fostering population development, he stated.

The Government leader revealed that during his trip, Viet Nam and Sweden established a sectoral strategic partnership in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

Against this backdrop and based on shared values and mutual understanding, PM Chinh suggested the KI continue to partner with Viet Nam in the area of healthcare, thus producing concrete outcomes.

The PM called for closer, broader, and more effective cooperation with Vietnamese partners, guided by the principles of mutual benefit, joint efforts, shared outcomes, and common development, including promoting stronger public-private partnerships and collaboration with businesses.

He highlighted key areas that should be focused, including training high-quality human resources through both long-term and short-term programmes; organising internships, student and expert exchanges, and joint academic forums; promoting medical research cooperation; transferring new technologies in biomedical science and pharmaceutical and vaccine production; and expanding partnership between Karolinska Institute and big hospitals in Viet Nam in clinical treatment and research, and healthcare system development.

The Vietnamese Government is committed to creating the best possible conditions to expand cooperation programmes with the KI within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, he added.  VNS
New York, US (PANA) - The UN General Assembly, meeting in emergency session on Thursday in New York, overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire in Gaza
HCM CITY  Vietnamese airlines have significantly expanded their international networks in response to the nations growing economy and the rising demand for air travel.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has recently launched direct flights connecting HCM City to Bali, Indonesia, known for its lively culture and breathtaking beaches.

The new route marks the airlines second connection to Indonesia, alongside its current service to Jakarta.

Initially, there will be four round-trip flights each week on the new route (on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday).

As demand is set to grow, daily flights are planned to commence by July 2025.

Vietnam Airlines is also introducing a nonstop service linking Nha Trang, a beach resort in south-central Viet Nam, to Busan, South Koreas second-largest city.

The new route will be serviced daily by Airbus A321 aircraft, making it easier for South Korean tourists to explore the beauty of Nha Trang.

The carrier is also set to launch a new service from Ha Noi to Milan, Italy, with three weekly round-trip flights.

Plans are also underway for additional direct flights from HCM City to Milan after 2025, marking a significant expansion into the European market.

To meet the rising demand for air travel, Vietnam Airlines is also enhancing its services on existing routes.

For instance, the HCM CitySingapore route will see an increase to 18 flights a week, with extra flights added on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from June through October.

Similarly, the HCM CityBangkok route will benefit from daily flights from August 18 to October 25.

During the peak summer season, Vietnam Airlines expects to operate over 43,000 flights, offering nearly 9 million seats, up 14 per cent over last year.

The airline said it was focusing on early morning and late-night flights to make the most of its capacity.

Meanwhile, budget airline Vietjet Air is also expanding its international network.

They have lately announced a new route between HCM City and Brisbane, Australia, with flights scheduled for Mondays and Fridays starting mid-June.

Earlier, they launched a route connecting Singapore and Phu Quoc, offering four round-trip flights each week.

Starting July 1, Vietjet Air will further enhance its international network by connecting Ha Noi with Chengdu and Xian in China.

They are also boosting flight frequencies on popular routes such as HCM City to Melbourne/Sydney and Ha Noi to Mumbai/New Delhi, among others.

Overall, Vietjet expects to add over 400,000 seats and 1,600 flights this summer.

The first five months have already seen a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in air passenger transport, showing signs of the aviation markets recovery.

However, challenges remain, including a shortage of aircraft due to engine recalls from Pratt & Whitney and rising fuel prices as a result of ongoing global conflicts.  VNS
AN GIANG  The conversion of rice fields with low yields into areas for growing vegetables, other crops, and fruit trees in An Giang Province has boosted farmers' earnings and resulted in better production efficiency.

After nearly five years of implementing the crop restructuring plan, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province has successfully transformed over 23,000ha of low-yielding paddies.

This meets 67.6 per cent of the plan's 2021-25 target, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment.

Several localities have surpassed their objectives in switching from rice to vegetables, other crops and fruit trees, including Long Xuyen City and the districts of Phu Tan, Chau Thanh, Thoai Son, and An Phu.

An Giang is the delta's second-largest rice producer after neighbouring Kien Giang Province, cultivating more than 600,000ha of rice annually, harvesting four million tonnes, and playing a vital role in national food security and supporting exports of the grain.

While many localities in the province benefit from favourable conditions for rice cultivation, some face difficulties such as limited irrigation infrastructure and uneven terrain.

To address these challenges, the provincial People's Committee issued a decision in 2021, approving the crop restructuring plan.

Tran Thanh Hiep, deputy director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, observed that profits from vegetables and other crops and fruits are three to five times higher than from the unproductive rice fields.

This has helped enhance farmers' incomes and generated more employment for rural workers, he said.

"The conversion of low-efficiency rice fields has helped several localities establish concentrated farming areas which meet the demands of enterprises looking for stable sources of raw materials for exports."

The province has developed numerous specialised fruit-growing areas, particularly for key mango varieties such as Ba Mau, Cat Hoa Loc, and Keo.

The number of farming areas granted production codes and the scale of these areas has increased each year, meeting the province's export requirements.

The province has granted 619 production codes for farmlands covering more than 21,780ha. Of these, 515, primarily for fruits for export, encompass nearly 15,650ha.

These areas, which cultivate fruits such as mangoes, bananas, longan, durian, jackfruit, and grapefruit, export to many markets, including China, South Korea, the US, New Zealand, Australia, the EU, and Japan.

According to the province People's Committee, despite the positive outcomes of crop restructuring, the transformation to other crops is largely decided by farmers rather than planned by authorities.

The scale of the conversion is small, and some localities have yet to meet their target.

Irrigation systems remain inadequate and underdeveloped and there are also limitations and challenges to coordination and the marketing of fruit and vegetables.

Ngo Cong Thuc, deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee, said: "To effectively implement the crop restructuring plan for the 2026-30 period, the agricultural sector must prioritise investments for building and upgrading irrigation systems and in-field transport infrastructure to effectively support the restructuring process.

"At the same time greater efforts are needed to promote the use of technology in production, select crops suited to local conditions and align production with enterprise demand and the province's sustainable development goals."

He called on relevant departments and agencies to speed up the issuance of production codes, attract businesses into value chain partnerships and provide farmers with training in scientific farming, VietGAP and export requirements.

The province plans to attract investment in processing facilities, develop trade services and rezone areas for growing high-value, traceable crops aligned with market demand.

The People's Committee has also called on businesses to coordinate with authorities to organise production, establish specialised farming zones and implement practices that meet VietGAP and market-driven product standards.

Co-operatives and co-operative groups are encouraged to adopt scientific and technological innovations, embrace digital transformation and adopt high-tech farming methods.

They are also advised to develop organic farming and circular agriculture models that recycle agricultural waste to reduce environmental pollution and enhance the added value of their products.  VNS
BAC GIANG  The northern province of Bac Giang is stepping up efforts to strengthen the accuracy and reliability of its population database as part of Viet Nams broader national digital transformation agenda, with officials committed to maintaining data that is accurate, complete, clean and live.

Vice Chairman of the Provincial Peoples Committee Mai Son said Bac Giang is focused on implementing Prime Minister's Decision 06/Q-TTg, issued on January 6, 2022.

The decision approved a national project to develop applications based on population data and electronic identification to support digital transformation from 2022 to 2025, with a long-term vision to 2030. The initiative is widely known as Project 06.

As part of this effort, the province aims to ensure that every citizen is included in the national population database. Commune-level police are working closely with local judicial authorities to regularly collect, update and correct personal information to maintain data quality.

They are also verifying information related to vaccination records, social welfare programmes and civic organisations, in line with the projects data quality standards. These measures are intended to streamline public services and strengthen citizen management through digital tools.

In the health sector, the provincial Department of Health has overseen the completion of data integration between Bach Mai Hospital and healthcare facilities across Bac Giang, enabling smoother coordination and access to medical records.

The Department of Construction is working to implement house numbering and address identification throughout the province, in line with guidelines outlined in Circular 08/2024/TT-BXD issued by the Ministry of Construction in August 2024.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology is collaborating with the provincial police and other agencies to integrate the provinces Intelligent Operations Centre with the national population database.

It is also advising the provincial government on how to use digitised records, such as civil status, land ownership and insurance data, to simplify administrative procedures.

According to local authorities, the project has already delivered significant progress. Police forces across the province have played a central role in managing and securing population data, ensuring smooth data exchange with government agencies.

They have also led efforts to issue chip-based citizen ID cards and promote electronic identification in support of a national digital citizen framework.

To date, Bac Giang has compiled information on more than 2.05 million residents. Data collection, cleaning and corrections are carried out daily, with local police continuing to work closely with judicial bodies to ensure the database remains accurate and current.  VNS
HCM CITY  More than 100 young people in HCM City have begun a trip to neighbouring Laos for volunteer activities until June 28.

A total of 103 volunteers, including youth union members, students, young people, civil servants, doctors, and artists, traveled to Laos on June 10.

This years summer volunteer campaign in Laos continues to provide training in agriculture, livestock farming, and educational methodology.

The programme focuses on developing local tourism and organising workshops to equip participants with knowledge and practical skills related to artificial intelligence tools for use in daily work in Champasak Province.

It also further implements the cooperation agreements previously signed between the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) and the youth unions of Champasak and Attapeu provinces.

The initiative aims to strengthen the effectiveness of international volunteer collaboration and contribute to the enduring friendship and partnership between the two countries.

As of now, the summer volunteer campaign has mobilised nearly VN4 billion (US$154,000).

Key activities include incense offerings to pay tribute to veteran leaders, national martyrs, and heroes; organising recreational and educational events for local youth; painting classrooms; and providing Vietnamese language classes and training sessions.

Young volunteers have also offered free health check-ups and medicine to over 5,000 residents, donated five VietnamLaos Friendship Houses, more than 800 gifts, and thousands of school supplies, such as notebooks and solar-powered lamps.

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU), HCM City branch and chairman of the Viet Nam Youth Federation in HCM City Ngo Minh Hai said the young volunteers take care of their health and remain committed to fulfilling their duties with excellence.

The campaign is not only a service effort but also a meaningful contribution to strengthening the special bond of friendship and solidarity between Vietnamese and Laotian youth, he said.

The most important mission is spreading the image of a friendly, passionate, and resilient Vietnamese youth to international friends.

As part of the 2025 summer volunteering campaigns in the city, the 21-year journey (2004 - 2025) of the volunteer activities in Laos has affirmed the role and practical contributions of generations of the youths in the citys foreign affairs.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet NamGermany Friendship Hospital has carefully prepared the core human resource framework for its second branch in Ha Nam, with staff ready to begin work as soon as the hospital officially starts operations at the end of this year.

Dr Duong uc Hung, Director of the hospital, said with the new branch designed to house 1,000 beds, the hospital would require around 2,000 medical staff to operate at full capacity. However, he noted that medical personnel have highly specialised roles that are directly linked to human lives.

Hung said: A doctor who completes medical school cannot immediately start working. They must undergo additional specialised training before they can practise. Even a qualified nurse who wishes to assist with anaesthesia must complete a further nine months of study.

To ensure adequate staffing for the Ha Nam facility, Hung said that six or seven years ago, previous hospital leaders, including Dr Nguyen Tien Quyet and Dr Tran Binh Giang, had already laid out a long-term plan for recruiting and training medical personnel for the new branch.

As a result, the most challenging aspect of human resources for the second branch has been prepared well in advance. The hospital has already selected more than 60 doctors in previous years. These doctors, currently working at the main hospital in Ha Noi, will form the core team at the Ha Nam branch and are fully ready to take on their new roles.

The hospital has also established its leadership structure for the new facility and developed detailed plans for further recruitment and systematic training.

Hung said the hospital has reported to the Government its plan to put the Ha Nam branch into operation in phases. The reason, he explained, is that launching the full 1,000-bed capacity immediately would risk under-utilisation and waste of resources, as patient numbers may not meet capacity at the outset.

In the first phase, the Ha Nam branch will operate at about 30 per cent capacity with roughly 300 beds. This phase will follow a 'learning-by-doing' approach, ensuring that every step is firmly grounded in the realities of patient care and operational efficiency.

During this period, the hospital will continue to recruit and train additional personnel, gradually moving towards full-scale operations. A key priority in this phase is ensuring that the quality of care at the second branch matches that of the main hospital, so that people can access high-quality medical services locally while helping to ease the burden on the main facility.

Hung also shared that the hospital is currently carrying out procurement for equipment and machinery for the second branch. The bidding process is being conducted to ensure compliance with regulations while prioritising suppliers who can deliver within the shortest possible timeframe. Progress reports are submitted weekly to the Ministry of Health.

The second branch of Viet NamGermany Friendship Hospital, along with the second branch of Bach Mai Hospital, are two major investment projects in Ha Nam Province. Both projects are large in scale. The projects have drawn significant public attention and expectations.

However, due to various factors, both projects have been delayed for six to seven years. The prolonged suspension has led to a loss of approximately VN80 billion (US$3.06 million) to the State budget. The two hospitals are now under directive to begin operations by the end of this year.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel has advised Vietnamese citizens to strictly follow safety and security regulations issued by local authorities, minimise inter-city travel, and stay close to shelters when possible.

The recommendation follows the issuance of nationwide emergency security guidelines by Israels Home Front Command on June 13 amid the heightened risk of a large-scale missile attack from the east, as Israel continues its military campaign targeting Irans nuclear and missile facilities.

Vietnamese nationals in Israel are also advised to prepare essential items such as flashlights, drinking water, dry food, medicines, communication devices, and backup power sources, while avoiding gatherings, public areas, shopping centres, and especially border regions.

In addition, they should closely monitor alerts via the Home Front Command app and follow updates from reliable local media outlets. They need to remain calm, stay united, and fully comply with instructions from local authorities to ensure their safety.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Iran on June 13 also issued an urgent notice advising Vietnamese citizens against traveling to the country at this time.

Amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has issued a broader advisory, recommending that Vietnamese citizens refrain from travelling to both countries unless absolutely necessary.

Vietnamese citizens currently living, working, or studying in Israel or Iran are urged to comply with all local regulations and security measures, maintain regular contact with Vietnamese diplomatic missions, monitor official announcements from them, and prepare evacuation planseither to a third country or back to Viet Nam.

In case of emergency, they can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Israel at +972-55-502-5616, +972-52-727-4248, and +972-50-878-3373; the Vietnamese Embassy in Iran at +989339658252 and +98912057570; or MOFAs citizen protection hotline at +84 981848484. VNA/VNS
The announcement was made at the 2025 Annual B2B Online Export Summit, co-hosted by Vietrade and Alibaba.com.

Vu Ba Phu, director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) at the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) said, "The Vietnam Pavilion scheme has emerged as a model for digital trade promotion in Vietnam. It's more than just a digital storefront; it's a strategic, integrated trade promotion model tied to the national brand. It ensures transparent business selection and provides capacity-building, support, and networking opportunities, from pre-transaction engagement to after-sales service."

The initiative aims to equip small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tools and strategies for global expansion by granting them 'Featured Business' status on Alibaba.com, providing them with enhanced product visibility to reach global buyers.

The selection process, conducted between December and May, assessed businesses based on product quality, performance on Alibaba.com, and export potential in key sectors such as agriculture, food and beverage, furniture, handicrafts, apparel, and accessories. Special emphasis was placed on supporting new entries, with less than three months of activity on Alibaba.com to integrate them into the global digital economy early.

Featured businesses will receive comprehensive support to enhance export performance, increase brand awareness, and expand market reach. Selection by Vietrade and Alibaba.com elevates brand recognition and reputation among international buyers. Additionally, the scheme offers over 100 training sessions covering essential areas of e-commerce success, such as store optimisation, product development, digital advertising, and cross-border logistics, equipping businesses with the tools necessary for sustainable growth in global markets.

Participating sellers from last year experienced a 230 per cent increase in buyer inquiries compared to the platform average, highlighting strong demand for Vietnamese products and the effectiveness of the initiative in driving international sales.

Young Liu, head of Vietnam Business at Alibaba.com

Young Liu, head of Vietnam Business at Alibaba.com said, "The Vietnam Pavilion is not just a showcase of Vietnamese products, it's a gateway to global markets. With 200 featured businesses in 2025, we're doubling down on our commitment to digitalising Vietnam's export sector and helping SMEs accelerate growth and establish a solid position in the global marketplace."

V. KAUS Co., Ltd. began as a small family dried fruit and spice business in 2013 with just VND4 million in startup capital but has since grown into an international food and beverage success story. Founded by Vo Thi Hoang Van, the company leveraged Alibaba.com to transform its operations, achieving $3.6 million in revenue within two years of joining, with $2.5 million from exports since 2024.

Hoang Van said, "We started with small, scattered orders, but with persistence and a clear strategy, we eventually secured multi-million-dollar export deals. Being part of the Vietnam Pavilion was pivotal, solidifying our brand and connecting us with long-term global clientele."

The company now aims to double its export revenue within 12 months while developing direct-to-consumer channels in key target markets.

Founded in 2017 in Binh Duong, Sukavina Co., Ltd. is a distinguished member of the newly selected businesses for Vietnam National Pavilion 2025. With professional manufacturing capabilities and solid export experience, Sukavina offers a diverse product range, including wooden and metal furniture, bunk beds, decorative shelving, trolleys, and custom mechanical parts.

By strategically targeting the global business-to-business segment through Alibaba.com, Sukavina has expanded into major markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, India, and Australia, securing multi-million dollar orders.

Le Quoc Tuan, deputy director of Sales and Marketing at Sukavina expressed his excitement, "We are delighted to be selected for the Vietnam Pavilion and look forward to learning from Alibaba.com experts and esteemed peers. We're particularly excited about the potential to expand our global reach and elevate our market performance."
The Europe-Asia Industry Cooperation Forum, hosted by the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) on June 11 in Hanoi, served as a platform to foster partnerships in high-tech and strategic industries between European and Chinese investors and their Vietnamese counterparts.

The event brought together close to 300 representatives from enterprises, investment funds, and industry associations across Europe, China, and Vietnam, reflecting rising interest in Vietnams evolving industrial landscape.

Speaking at the forum, Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of VAFIE, noted that Vietnam has so far attracted investment from 150 countries and territories, with total registered capital exceeding $513.8 billion and disbursed capital reaching nearly $329.3 billion. The foreign-invested sector now contributes approximately 20 per cent of GDP, over 70 per cent of exports, and 25 per cent of state budget revenue, underscoring its strategic role in the economy.



Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, spoke at the forum. Photo: VAFIE

Tuan highlighted the forums objective of deepening investment ties in advanced manufacturing and green technology, while promoting technology transfer and joint ventures in sectors aligned with Vietnams sustainable development strategy.

From a policymakers perspective, Vu Van Chung, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency at the Ministry of Finance, acknowledged the timeliness of the event as Vietnam seeks to transition towards higher value-added and environmentally responsible foreign direct investment (FDI).

European investment in Vietnam is rising sharply, with notable surges from the UK (up 172 per cent), Poland (up 1,000 per cent), and Luxembourg (up 1,100 per cent), said Chung. This trend reflects the positive momentum from new-generation free trade agreements such as the EVFTA and CPTPP.

According to Chung, Vietnam is becoming increasingly viewed as a cost-effective manufacturing base and a gateway to the wider ASEAN market, as well as a potential hub for high-tech, sustainable ventures.

He reiterated the governments strategic orientation to attract FDI that is selective, innovation-led, and sustainable. Priority sectors include high-tech industries, semiconductors, renewable energy (including LNG, hydrogen, and battery technology), logistics, industrial infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and digital transformation.

In line with this vision, the Vietnamese government is committed to enhancing the investment climate by streamlining administrative procedures, improving transparency, ensuring policy stability, and building a robust support ecosystem for foreign investors.

We aim to provide a level playing field that promotes inclusive, green, and sustainable growth, Chung stated.

From the business community, Jian You, CEO of F&H International Industry GmbH, a key co-organiser of the forum, emphasised the firms long-standing efforts to facilitate cross-border collaboration in sectors such as automotive, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, and green technology.

Vietnam was chosen as the forum venue because of our confidence in the countrys trajectory towards industrial renewal, green growth, and deeper global integration, Jian said, expressing optimism about future cooperation between Asia and Europe through shared technological and economic ambitions.

Foreign investment prospects in good shape with tech focus Economists are upbeat about the outlook of Vietnam to bring foreign capital inflows to new heights after more than three decades of reforms.

Tech giants aim high with focused strategies for 2025 Major players in the information communication technology and consumer electronics (ICT and CE) market are aiming high in 2025 by building on the back of their 2024 performances with distinct growth strategies.
Vung Tau Urban Development and Investment, a subsidiary of Sun Group, on May 30 was granted an investment licence for a new urban area in Vung Tau city, with a total investment of approximately $1.4 billion.

Spanning nearly 60 hectares in Vung Tau City, the investor aims to develop a smart, modern urban complex combining commercial, ecological, and tourism features aligned with the provinces overall planning orientation.

At the 2025 Investment Promotion Conference held the same day in Xuyen Moc district, the provincial Peoples Committee approved over 50 projects, including 26 from foreign investors.

Among the notable ventures, Long Son Petrochemicals added $400 million into its Southern Vietnam petrochemical complex; Chimelong Nylon Fiber registered $120 million for its nylon fiber facility in the Dat Do 1 Industrial Park (IP); Coretronic Technology added $60 million to its scheme in the Phu My 3 Specialised IP, and the Broad-Ocean Motor injected an additional $58 million into its steel and sheet metal manufacturing plant in the Chau Duc IP.

According to the Peoples Committee, in the first five months of this year, the province approved and adjusted investment capital for 73 projects, with a total capital nearing $4 billion. This includes 36 domestic initiatives, with newly registered and additional capital totalling nearly $2.75 billion.

Peoples Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Tho noted that despite incomplete and inconsistent regional transport connectivity in recent years, numerous projects across diverse sectors have been implemented and put into operation in the province due to the strong commitment of investors.

Large-scale projects have shaped prestigious brands recognised nationally and known internationally. Over its 30-year history, Ba Ria-Vung Tau has attracted more than 1,200 ventures worth $54 billion. Of those, more than 500 foreign-invested ventures from 30 countries and territories, with a total capital of more than $35 billion, Tho said.

The provinces master plan, approved at the end of 2023, outlines the key economic pillars of industry, seaports and logistics, tourism and urban development, and services.

Tho further added that noteworthy developments include transforming Ba Ria-Vung Tau into a national marine economic centre, establishing a free trade zone linked to the Cai Mep Ha Port, developing the Cai Mep-Thi Vai International Gateway Port into the countrys largest transshipment port, building large-scale complexes in Phu My for various uses, and developing Vung Tau into an international-class high-end tourism centre.

These initiatives reflect a deliberate strategy to optimise local resources, natural assets, and competitive advantages, aiming for sustainable and efficient development, Tho said.

With its internal transport system largely completed and regional connectivity infrastructure underway, schemes like the Phuoc An Bridge, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway, the coastal route from Vung Tau to Binh Chau, Ring Road 4, the Ho Tram-Long Thanh Airport Expressway, and the Cai Mep International Port are laying the foundation for robust growth with double-digit economic expansion as a clear target.
An Oakland County judge denied new trials for the parents of Oxford school shooter Ethan Crumbley, concluding that the couple each had fair trials beforehand.

The decision comes despite prosecutors intentionally withholding from the defend secret agreements it struck with two key witnesses who testified against them. When Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews decided on June 11, 2025, he expressed concern with the prosecution not disclosing the agreements.

Oxford Shooter's Parents Denied New Trials

While the judge added that the lack of disclosure by the prosecution, which is mandatory, was disturbing, he concluded that their actions did not "rise to the level" to justify new trials. He emphasized that given the significant evidence against the shooter's parents, they still would have likely been convicted.

The Crubmleys made headlines last year after a jury held the parents responsible for the Oxford High School shooting massacre on Nov. 30, 2021. The attack was carried out by their 15-year-old son, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The couple had been trying to get their involuntary manslaughter convictions dismissed or get new trials. For a long time, Oakland prosecutors argued that they engaged in no misconduct, adding that the Crumbleys were convicted fairly.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald made history when she held the first parents in America criminally liable for a mass shooting that their child committed. She also praised the judge for her decision in the case.

A Tragic School Shooting

The development comes as the Crumbleys are serving 10-year prison sentences after being convicted in their original trial. They had no knowledge of their teenage son planning to carry out a mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021, the Associated Press reported.

However, the parents were accused of failing to lock a firearm at home as well as ignoring their son's mental health needs, which many believe contributed to him committing the heinous act. They did not take their son home on the day of the shooting when school officials confronted them with his drawing of a gun, blood, and dark messages.

Following the judge's decision to not give the Crumbleys new trials, McDonald said that the case has always been about justice for the victims. They were identified as Madisyn Baldwin, Tate Myre, Hana St. Juliana, Justin Shilling, and several others.

The prosecutor added that Matthews' ruling made it clear that no issue that the defense raised would have affected the outcome of the trial or the jury's verdict, as per CBS News.
The conference, to discuss the development of herbal medicines, challenges and update advancements, was attended by delegates from many countries and territories, including China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and the US. Assoc. Prof., Dr. Le Van Truyen, former Deputy Minister of Health, and co-founder of FHH, was also in attendance.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen. Photo: MoH

Since its establishment in 2022, with the goal of promoting public health through improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines, the FHH has played a vital role in national healthcare by harmonising standards, strengthening the regulatory framework, and ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal plant-based products.

In his opening speech at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Health, Do Xuan Tuyen, said, "Vietnam has rich and diverse medicinal resources. The ethnic communities of Vietnam vast experience in cultivating and using medicinal plants and animals. With over 5,000 medicinal plant species and indigenous knowledge, Vietnam has a duty to carry out research and create medicinal products to boost socioeconomic development."

Hundreds of Vietnamese and international health professionals and policymakers attended the forum. Photo: MoH

The representative of the Ministry of Health (MoH) also noted that 80 per cent of the population in developing countries use traditional medicine or herbal medicines to care for and protect their health. The demand for herbal products is increasing, raising concerns about quality control, safety, and effectiveness.

"Strict quality control is essential to protect the health and safety of consumers. This requires the cooperation of many countries around the world through learning and exchanging experiences at conferences and forums," said Tuyen.

The event featured three sessions where health professionals and experts exchanged insights on improving global access to safe, effective herbal medicines. Discussions centred on advancing research methodologies, establishing herbal standards, and innovating standardisation techniques to ensure quality and efficacy.

Traphaco focuses on modern medicines and invests in EU-GMP factories Vietnam's top herbal pharmaceutical company Traphaco has delivered solid business results for 2023 despite global turbulence, heard the company's AGM on April 12.

Traditional and herbal medicines offering unique and natural experience Vietnamese traditional and herbal medicine-based treatments at eco-luxury hotels and resorts are becoming a hot trend. Hoang Truong Ngoc Hien, general manager of Moodhoian Resort & Spa, speaks with VIRs Hoang Dan about running the special services.
Domestics and international investors met at the event

In his opening remarks, Nguyen Van Dung, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, emphasised that the event was part of efforts to realise the shared understanding reached by the top leaders of the Communist parties and states of Vietnam and the GBA Alliance.

Dung proposed several areas for cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and the GBA, including a regional financial centre by learning from Hong Kongs experience, promoting cooperation in renewable energy and green finance, enhancing investments in transportation infrastructure and smart urban development, advancing digital transformation, financial technology, and enhancing cross-border payment systems.

Ho Chi Minh City is committed to improving the investment environment, enhancing trade promotion efficiency, and accompanying investors, including those from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, to make practical contributions to mutual development and elevate the cooperation between both sides, said Dung.

Speaking at the forum, Jonathan Choi, chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, chairman of the Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Qianhai (Shenzhen), and chairman of Sunwah Group, highlighted the advantages of the GBA.

I believe the GBA will continue to serve as an effective bridge between China and Vietnam, he said.

Representatives from the governments of Shenzhen, Qianhai, and various investment and trade promotion agencies from Hong Kong and Singapore all expressed their desire to strengthen ties with Ho Chi Minh City, especially as the city aspires to become a regional hub for finance and innovation within ASEAN.

Vietnam remains Chinas largest trading partner in ASEAN.

In terms of investment, during the first five months of 2025, China was the third-largest foreign investor in Vietnam, after Japan and South Korea, with total registered capital reaching $1.81 billion, accounting for 25.8 per cent of all newly registered FDI, according to the General Statistics Office.

Notably, Chinese investors are increasingly investing in the production of electronic components and auto parts, aiming to leverage Vietnams cost advantages and strategic location in the global supply chain.

Chinese investors continue to show strong interest in Ho Chi Minh City, particularly in the processing and manufacturing industries, electronic components, and green energy. This shift reflects a broader investment trend into high-tech industries aligned with the citys sustainable development orientation.

Shenzhen stands out for its rapid tech innovation and hardware manufacturing capabilities, while Guangzhou leads in research, biotechnology, and smart transportation.

Jiang Likun, director of the Hong Kong and Macao affairs office of Shenzhen Peoples Government, emphasised that Shenzhen plays a key role in the GBA and is a leading economic and technological hub in Asia.

With a GDP of more than $517 billion in 2024, Shenzhen excels in strategic sectors such as 5G, AI, and new energy vehicles. Shenzhen welcomes Vietnamese businesses and partners to explore cooperation opportunities, and is also ready to support Shenzhen-based enterprises in investing and starting businesses in Vietnam. We also encourage tourists from Shenzhen to visit Vietnams scenic spots to foster mutual understanding and deepen the friendship between the peoples of our two countries, Likun said.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chun, head of business development and professional services at the Qianhai Authority, highlighted Qianhais position as a special zone within a special zone and a key gateway for Vietnam-GBA collaboration.

Strategically located within the Greater Bay Area, Qianhai offers rapid access to Hong Kong and Macao, strong transport infrastructure, and a well-developed ecosystem of 18 industrial clusters focused on modern services, cross-border e-commerce, and technology, said Chun.

She emphasised Qianhais legal and tax incentives, including Chinas first regional investor protection law and mechanisms allowing international law in dispute resolution. With comprehensive support platforms like the Qianhai International Business e-Station and close cooperation with Hong Kong on IP protection, Qianhai is an ideal destination for Vietnamese enterprises seeking innovation, legal transparency, and market expansion.

As part of the forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Shenzhen International Business e-Station and the Vietnam Chapter of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance. This was alongside the launch of the Vietnam Centre of the Shenzhen (Qianhai) International Business e-Station, marking a major step in strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Additionally, several other cooperation agreements were signed between Chinese and Vietnamese enterprises, paving the way for practical collaboration in agriculture, trade, and manufacturing.

The Vietnam Centre of the Shenzhen (Qianhai) International Business e-Station was launched at the event

Chinese investors looking to increase interest in Vietnam Vietnam is seeing increased interest from Chinese investors, according to attendees of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Investment & Business Forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17.
With an overwhelming 96.4 per cent of delegates voting in favour, the NA approved the resolution on reorganising provincial-level administrative units on June 12.

This transformative decision is expected to unlock new avenues for national development and enhance the leadership role of key growth drivers.

The NA session on June 12

In light of the resolution, the number of provinces and centrally governed cities has been reduced to 34, comprising six centrally governed cities; Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Hue, Danang, and Can Tho and 28 provinces.

The resolution came into force upon its adoption on June 12, ensuring that the new local governments in the reorganised provinces and municipalities will begin operations from July 1. In the interim, existing local governments will continue functioning until the new structures are fully operational.

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra described the decision as, 'a revolution in organisational structure', highlighting the unified, resolute commitment across the entire political system.

"This is a tremendous collective effort by party committees, local authorities, and especially the enthusiastic support of the people and voters nationwide," said Minister Tra.

Speaking in the plenary session on the morning ahead of the historic vote, delegates expressed strong consensus and broad support for the restructuring. It was noted that many smaller localities had exhausted their development space, with investments spread thin and yielding less-effective results.

The consolidation of localities is viewed as both a strategic and urgent measure to enhance governance, reorganise development space towards greater cohesion, leverage economies of scale, and optimise resources.

"This is a unique opportunity to comprehensively restructure regional development models, redistributing population, infrastructure, and investment resources according to a new strategic vision. It will significantly contribute to the countrys fast and sustainable development goals," said Nguyen Huu Thong, a delegate from Binh Thuan province.

Tran Hoang Ngan, a delegate from Ho Chi Minh City, noted that since 1975, Vietnam has adjusted its provincial-level administrative structure three times, increasing from 38 to 63 units, a 66 per cent rise.

"In todays era of Industry 4.0, shaped by the Internet of Things, AI, big data, and digital transformation, we now have the tools to streamline governance, reduce budget strain, and enhance administrative efficiency," said Ngan.

"Reducing the number of localities from 63 to 34 not only lightens the fiscal burden but, more importantly, creates new development momentum and space. The merger of localities is not just an addition in size and population, its a multiplier effect for GDP," he added.

On implementation, delegates stressed the need for a broad, flexible legal framework tailored to each localitys demographic, economic, and defence-security conditions.

They advocated for robust decentralisation and delegation of powers to local governments, following the principle of local autonomy and accountability.

Delegate Thong from Binh Thuan proposed prompt resolution of employment and benefit policies for officials and public employees affected by the restructuring.

He called for retraining schemes, job placement support, and assistance in stabilising living and working conditions for personnel relocated to new administrative centres. "Improving infrastructure linkages, especially in newly enlarged localities, is also crucial," said Thong.

Meanwhile, delegate Nguyen Minh Tam from Quang Binh province, voiced concerns from constituents about the potential erosion, or even loss, of geographical indicators, particularly those linked to nationally and internationally recognised brands.

Tam explained that geographical indications serve as 'passports' certifying the unique quality and reputation of products associated with specific local natural conditions and traditional know-how. These intangible assets are crucial for enhancing product value, boosting exports, and building national brand identity.

"Therefore, it is important for the government to implement measures to safeguard cultural, historical, and brand values-including geographical indications- when reorganising provincial-level administrative units," Tam said.

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra concluded by affirming the profound historical significance of the National Assemblys decision.

"The ultimate goal of this restructuring is to advance the nations development, to build a prosperous, civilized, and thriving Vietnam where all citizens enjoy a happy life," she noted.

Among the 63 provinces and centrally governed cities before the merger, 11 provincial-level administrative units remain unchanged, including Hanoi, Hue, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Cao Bang. The remaining 52 provinces and cities have been reorganised into 23 new provincial-level administrative units. They are Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Haiphong, Ninh Binh, Quang Tri, Danang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Dak Lak, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, and An Giang.

Con Dao sets sights on becoming special administrative zone Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on May 3, setting forth a bold vision to transform the island into a special administrative zone.

Merging of provincial-level administrative units a driver for industrial real estate Adjusting provincial and municipal administrative boundaries in July could transform Vietnam's industrial real estate market. If implemented efficiently, this restructuring could catalyse the development of large industrial-urban zones, attracting more international investors.
New real estate hotspots are emerging thanks to a raft of planned upgrades to infrastructure, photo Le Toan

According to Tran Minh Tien, director of One Mount Group, more flexible legal frameworks are enabling businesses to shorten administrative procedures, resolve legal bottlenecks, accelerate project implementation, and increase housing supply, especially in areas surrounding ring roads.

At the same time, the governments policy on merging provinces and cities contributes to broader urban planning, streamlined administrative structures, and more favourable conditions for large-scale real estate investment.

Immediately after the merger announcements, we observed a significant spike in real estate searches in the suburban areas of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, reflecting growing investor optimism, Tien told VIR.

The synergy between progressive policy and master planning is painting a dynamic picture for the suburban property market, where private enterprises play a leading role in urban and infrastructure development, he added.

New policies are focusing on administrative reform, investment incentives, and easing access to land and capital. These are critical drivers behind the strong influx of capital into manufacturing, services, and logistics, which in turn fuels demand for infrastructure, industrial parks, residential projects, and commercial properties in peripheral areas.

Notably, a more transparent and open legal environment is creating opportunities for small and medium-sized real estate companies, as well as local businesses, to participate, diversifying supply and increasing market competitiveness, Tien emphasised.

When public investment is accelerated, a wave of key infrastructure projects follows, drawing investor capital to these well-connected areas. As a result, surrounding real estate markets benefit from price increases and improved liquidity.

Vo Huynh Tuan Kiet, head of Residential Marketing at CBRE Vietnam, emphasised that infrastructure is a major factor in shaping market dynamics.

For instance, the governments aggressive public investment in southern Vietnam, covering airports, ring roads, and expressways including those in the Mekong Delta, is transforming the regional landscape.

Ring roads and highways encourage decentralised urban growth. Given the soaring costs and shrinking land reserves in central areas, provinces like Binh Duong and Long An, as well as districts like Binh Chanh and Cu Chi in Ho Chi Minh City, are becoming increasingly attractive, Kiet said.

In the east of Ho Chi Minh City, the metro system has significantly reshaped urban development. Projects situated near metro lines have seen price increases of 5070 per cent, with some even surging nearly 150 per cent, he added.

In the south, Dong Nai is emerging as a real estate hotspot thanks to a slew of planned infrastructure upgrades.

Most notably, the province has proposed constructing a river tunnel in place of the originally planned Cat Lai Bridge. The bridge, intended to connect Thu Duc of Ho Chi Minh City and Nhon Trach of Dong Nai, had been included in the citys transport master plan through 2020 and beyond.

The tunnel proposal offers multiple benefits, including reduced land clearance, improved visual appeal, and minimal disruption to Cat Lai Port operations. Once completed, the tunnel could turn Nhon Trach into an extended arm of Ho Chi Minh City, unlocking tremendous potential for the local real estate market.

In the north, Nguyen Quoc Anh, who is deputy general director of Batdongsan.com.vn, believes many areas still hold significant investment potential thanks to strong price growth. In the coming period, the north, especially parts of Hanoi, will draw increasing attention from investors due to large, well-planned urban developments, Anh said.

Districts such as Dong Anh and Me Linh are expected to ride the wave with increasing supply and transaction activity.

East Hanoi enjoys key advantages such as large land banks and a diverse real estate offering. Infrastructure is also expanding rapidly, with projects like ring roads 2 and 3 and various bridges taking shape.

There are also high hopes for the acceleration of metro lines which would connect east Hanoi to the city centre. These advances are expected to act as major growth engines for real estate in the area, while also alleviating population density in the urban core.

Meanwhile, increasingly synchronised infrastructure development is also creating strong momentum for the real estate sector, driving up land values while also sparking a wave of capital flows into satellite cities and surrounding areas.

According to Nguyen Van Khoi, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, the ongoing wave of provincial and city mergers has opened up vast urban development potential, positively impacting the real estate market.

The consolidation of provinces will accelerate the urbanisation process, and the real estate market in the capital region is expected to undergo a significant transformation, Khoi said at a seminar on the real estate outlook on May 15 in Hanoi.

Thanks to increasingly complete transport infrastructure and abundant land reserves, provinces neighbouring Hanoi are attracting strong investment flows into real estate. Many investors are reaching out to suburban areas, creating a clear shifting in the market, Khoi said.

Data from the Vietnam Institute for Real Estate Research also showed a sharp increase in interest and investment in real estate in cities within the capital region during the first quarter of 2025. Most of the investment demand was concentrated on the Ring Road 4 corridor and industrial zones connecting Hanoi with Bac Giang, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong provinces.
At last weeks press conference on upcoming exhibitions involving the supporting and manufacturing industries, Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), noted that despite significant progress over recent years, Vietnams supporting industries currently meet only around 10 per cent of domestic demand for components.

This remains a substantial challenge, especially when Vietnam spends billions of US dollars annually to import parts for domestic production, Phu stated. As of late 2024, Vietnam has more than 6,000 supporting industry enterprises active in textiles, automotive assembly, footwear, mechanics, and electronics. These businesses have made important contributions to Vietnams industrial growth and helped boost the trade surplus from $2 billion in 2017 to over $28 billion in 2024.

In the automotive industry, the localisation rate has remained stagnant at just 710 per cent, far below the national targets of 4045 per cent by the end of 2025.

Data from the MoITs Industry Agency shows that the country still imports 80 per cent of its auto parts. Among 377 automotive enterprises nationwide, around 170 are foreign-invested. Most domestically produced components are basic items like seats, glass, and tyres, while core technologies such as gearboxes, brake systems, and steering systems are largely sourced from abroad. Vietnams car assembly costs also remain higher than those in neighbouring countries like Thailand and Indonesia.

Some local companies are taking strategic steps to reverse this trend. THACO has been investing in 10 new factories since early 2024 to produce body panels, interiors, electronic parts, and more. It has already exported auto components worth $13 million to brands such as Hyundai, Ford, Toyota, and Isuzu. The company aims to become a regional manufacturing hub for ASEAN markets, leveraging the countrys network of free trade agreements.

In electronics, the situation is similar, and the MoIT estimates that the sectors localisation rate remains at 510 per cent. Despite being a key export industry, most electronics products are assembled domestically using imported components.

Many domestic suppliers have yet to meet the quality or speed required by major foreign investors. Le Thi My Loan, technical manager at Sharp Manufacturing Vietnam, said the company still relies on imports for over half of its components.

Some moulds that take 40 days in Thailand may take 60 days in Vietnam, she explained, noting persistent delivery and quality issues among local vendors.

Truong Thi Chi Binh, general secretary of the Vietnam Association for Supporting Industries, noted that domestic firms face three major obstacles: limited access to capital, lack of connection with foreign-invested enterprises, and outdated production technologies. She stressed that policy support should move beyond incentives to include enforceable obligations.

Vietnam needs stronger regulations to require foreign-invested companies to localise and form joint ventures with domestic suppliers, she said. Otherwise, we will remain an assembly base, not an industrial nation.

Binh also highlighted the importance of establishing nationwide technical assistance centres to help local firms meet international standards. These centres should support enterprises in quality management, process optimisation, and digital transformation, she added.

In the rapidly emerging semiconductor sector, Vietnam is gaining ground but still faces foundational gaps. According to Do Thi Thuy Huong, executive board member of the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association, the country is becoming an attractive destination in the global chip supply chain. Multinational corporations such as Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, and Amkor have chosen Vietnam due to its competitive labour costs, political stability, and extensive free trade agreements.

Vietnam currently focuses on lower-end processes like assembly, packaging, and testing. However, there is a gradual shift towards integrated circuit design  one of the highest-value segments in the semiconductor value chain, Huong said. Yet, Vietnam still lacks any international-standard chip fabrication facility. Existing investments, such as Intels plant in Ho Chi Minh City and Amkors facility in the northern province of Bac Ninh, are concentrated in the backend stages of the process.

Huong noted that Vietnams production infrastructure is still underdeveloped. We dont have clean rooms, advanced research and development labs, or quality control systems that meet global standards, she said. Vietnam ranks 71st out of 132 countries for infrastructure, indicating a significant gap between ambition and readiness.

Dhamcharee Varaporn, managing director for Thailand and Vietnam, RX Tradex Vietnam is increasingly recognised as a key destination amid the ongoing global realignment of supply chains. This transformation is a testament to Vietnams growing stature as a dynamic manufacturing and investment hub in Southeast Asia. We are, however, aware of the challenges posed by recent global trade tensions. High US tariffs threaten to increase costs for Vietnamese exporters and reduce their competitiveness in the vital US market. Despite these challenges, Vietnams growth trajectory remains strong and promising for several reasons. Firstly, Vietnams government has demonstrated remarkable agility and strategic foresight, pursuing ambitious industrial policies such as the national strategy to develop the semiconductor industry into a global hub by 2050. This long-term vision, supported by targeted investments and incentives, continues to attract substantial foreign direct investment. Secondly, Vietnams manufacturing sector is rapidly embracing digital transformation, automation, and smart manufacturing technologies. These advances enhance productivity and enable Vietnamese companies to move up the value chain, reducing their reliance on low-cost advantages alone and improving resilience against external shocks. Thirdly, Vietnams diversified trade relationships and active participation in multiple free trade agreements provide alternative markets beyond the United States. While the United States remains a key partner, Vietnamese exporters are increasingly expanding into Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, thereby mitigating risks associated with tariff-related disruptions. Finally, there is cautious optimism that the current tariffs may serve as a negotiating tool rather than a permanent barrier. Diplomatic and trade dialogues could lead to adjustments, especially if Vietnam agrees to greater market access for US goods or other mutually beneficial arrangements.

Supporting industries seek newer policies Vietnams supporting industries are failing to meet set targets, with a tendency to rely too much on overseas vendors instead of developing domestic suppliers, which is leaving foreign investors hesitant to enter the market.
According to the VCCI, Article 5 of the draft stipulates that foreign suppliers without a permanent establishment in Vietnam must provide proof of VAT payment on behalf of the foreign party to deduct input VAT.

However, the VCCI argues that this regulation is not suitable for cases where foreign suppliers have already registered to pay taxes directly through the e-portal of the Vietnamese tax authority.

Specifically, foreign suppliers issue invoices in accordance with international practices and independently calculate corporate income tax and VAT using the direct method for declaration and payment to the Vietnamese tax authority.

On the invoice, the foreign supplier indicates the VAT amount already declared and paid to the Vietnamese tax authority and requests the Vietnamese party to reimburse this VAT amount. This means the Vietnamese party does not directly pay the VAT to the Vietnamese tax authority.

According to the VCCI, Decree 70, amending Decree 123 on invoices and documents, stipulates that in cases where foreign suppliers voluntarily register to use electronic invoices, they must register to use electronic invoices through the electronic information portal designated for foreign suppliers without a permanent establishment in Vietnam, managed by the General Department of Taxation.

"This regulation facilitates Vietnamese enterprises by allowing them to rely on electronic invoices registered by foreign suppliers in Vietnam to deduct input VAT. However, the drafts requirement for enterprises to have 'proof of VAT payment on behalf of the foreign party' may lead to the interpretation that the Vietnamese party must declare and pay VAT on behalf of the foreign supplier. This creates a conflict with the self-declaration and self-payment mechanism outlined in Decree 70," the VCCI noted.

To ensure consistency and transparency in procedures, the VCCI proposes that the drafting agency clarify the case of VAT for foreign suppliers.

Furthermore, the VCCI notes, the draft stipulates that foreign organisations and individuals conducting business in Vietnam, who authorise or hire certain Vietnamese organisations to perform part of the distribution services or other services related to the sale of goods in Vietnam, are subject to VAT.

According to feedback from businesses, this regulation lacks clarity and leads to inconsistent interpretations in practice.

This regulation is presumed to ensure that foreign contractors from foreign enterprises distributing goods in Vietnam without a commercial presence in Vietnam are still subject to taxation in Vietnam.

However, in practice, there are cases where foreign organisations only deliver goods at foreign borders without using any services in Vietnam with the receiving enterprise. Subsequently, the foreign organisation purchases services from another enterprise.

In such cases, it is unclear whether the additional purchased services are subject to VAT. Therefore, the VCCI proposes that the drafting agency supplement and clarify this matter.

Inadequacies in regulations for foreign workers may hinder progress Huong Nguyen, partner at Nishimura & Asahi (Vietnam) Law Firm, identifies inadequacies in regulations on labour, insurance, and taxes involving foreign workers.

Unilever Vietnam accompanies suppliers to accelerate the green transition Unilever Vietnam in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (BritCham), organised a training workshop on the "Road to Net Zero" on February 25 for more than 100 Unilever suppliers.

VAT cut to aid business development The Ministry of Finance asked for feedback on March 24 regarding a draft resolution to cut VAT.

Manufacturers raise the bar to become suppliers for Intel Vietnam Local manufacturers are raising their standards to become suppliers for Intel Vietnam.
The event was witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Benjamin Dousa, Minister of International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of Sweden, during the Vietnam  Sweden Business Forum in Stockholm, as part of the Vietnamese leaders official visit.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (back, fourth from left), and Benjamin Dousa (back, third from right) witnessed the signing ceremony. Photo: MoC

According to the agreement, Vietnam Airlines' flights included in the codeshare will also carry Scandinavian Airlines' flight number (code SK), while Scandinavian Airlines' flights in the partnership will be assigned Vietnam Airlines' flight number (code VN).

In 2024, nearly 144,000 visitors travelled between Vietnam and Scandinavian countries, a 37 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The Nordic region, also comprising Iceland and Finland, is seen as a promising market due to its stable economy, high living standards, and strong demand for travel.

Dang Anh Tuan, deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines said, "We are pleased to cooperate with Scandinavian Airlines, one of the top national airlines in the Nordic region, with a wide flight network across Europe and services imbued with Scandinavian culture."

"The fact that both airlines are members of the SkyTeam airline alliance creates a solid foundation for implementing an effective codeshare agreement, providing passengers with more destination options and increased benefits for members of both parties frequent flyer programmes. This is also an important step in enhancing economic, and trade ties, and cultural exchange between Vietnam and the Scandinavian region," he added.

Paul Verhagen, COO of Scandinavian Airlines, added, "We hope that this new partnership with Vietnam Airlines will strengthen Scandinavian Airlines presence in Southeast Asia and provide passengers with more options when travelling internationally."

To meet growing demand, Vietnam Airlines plans to open its first route to the region, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Copenhagen in December.

Vietnam Airlines marks 30-year milestone National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines marked a major milestone on June 1 as it celebrated its 30th anniversary in Hanoi, setting new targets for the future.

Vietnam Airlines opens direct flights between Nha Trang and Busan National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines opened direct flights between Nha Trang and Busan on June 1 as part of its international network expansion.

Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines enter joint venture Vietnam Airlines and China Southern Airlines launched their joint venture on June 6, marking the first such agreement between a Chinese airline and a Vietnamese airline, setting a precedent for future bilateral aviation cooperation.
The programme aims to prioritise resources, master technology, boost innovation, and develop and apply cloud computing to build an advanced, synchronous, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure, capable of providing high-performance computing resources.

It also aims to improve national competitiveness, promote the digital economy, and create momentum to realise the country's socioeconomic development goals. This will help Vietnam become one of the leading countries in ASEAN for data centres and cloud computing services by 2030, towards a developed, high-income country by 2045.

Cloud tech consultants TechX became the first partner of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Vietnam to achieve its Cloud Operation Competency certificate

All state agencies and enterprises will use cloud computing services by 2030 as part of the plan.

The country will attempt to draw domestic and foreign investment to build large-scale, modern, high-performance computing and international standard data centres that are safe, sustainable, and green.

There will be at least three Made in Vietnam cloud computing platform products certified to meet international standards, capable of providing services to support the deployment of AI applications and compete in the region.

To achieve these goals, the programme sets out tasks and solutions, with the first being perfecting institutions to promote the development of infrastructure and services using cloud computing technology.

They include a detailed implementation plan, and legislation regulating the government cloud platform to support the comprehensive digital transformation of Vietnam.

Policies to encourage state-owned enterprises, private enterprises, and individuals to adopt cloud computing products and services provided by domestic enterprises will also be issued, as well as incentive policies to support technology startups and digital enterprises.

The country will encourage digital enterprises and key sectors of the economy to migrate to a cloud computing environment to optimise production costs, improve processes, enhance competitiveness, and create spillover effects to the whole of society.

Solutions are also necessary to ensure network information security and data protection on cloud computing in accordance with the law.

The programme will also include policies and commitments on data management, independent auditing, network information security, disaster preparedness, and the ability to adapt on cloud computing platforms.

The impact of cloud, AI, and data on financial services The convergence of cloud computing, AI, and big data is driving unprecedented innovation across various industries, especially within the financial services sector.

TechX solidifying cloud excellence with certification Cloud tech consultants TechX has become the first partner of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Vietnam to achieve its Cloud Operation Competency - a global certification recognising the companys proven expertises in operating, managing, and optimising cloud computing systems.

Huawei Cloud Signs Strategic MoU to Drive Cross-Industry Digital Transformation The partnership with Silverlake and GlobeOSS aims to accelerate innovation in finance, telecom, and more.
Amid global supply chain shifts and geopolitical uncertainty, Vietnam is fast becoming a semiconductor investment hotspot. The country offers competitive advantages including skilled yet cost-effective labour, modernising infrastructure, progressive policy reforms, and strong government commitment to semiconductor industry growth.

According to Vu Quoc Huy, director general of the National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the global semiconductor industry was valued at close to $600 billion last year, following two decades of rapid and stable growth.

"It is estimated that the world will need over one million additional personnel by 2030 across all stages including design, manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and testing of chips. With an abundant and qualified workforce, Vietnams people represent its greatest adtvantage," said Huy.

"Therefore, focusing investment on training and retraining the workforce to quickly enter the labour market is a strategic approach and a decisive factor to seize investment cooperation opportunities, access technology transfer, and promote rapid and sustainable economic development based on science, technology, and innovation," he added.

Vietnam currently has over 60 microchip design enterprises, more than 6,000 design engineers, and nearly $12 billion in foreign investment in the semiconductor industry. According to Huy, "These figures show great potential but also indicate that without a sufficiently strong human resource base, it will be difficult to master the high-value stages in the global supply chain."

As a result, the NIC has committed to assist domestic and international partners in realising the goal of training at least 50,000 university-level personnel, 1,300 specialised lecturers, and building and developing a system of more than 20 national and local laboratories serving semiconductor training and research by 2030.

"In this roadmap, digital twin technology plays a practical yet central role by optimising investment costs, reducing operating expenses, and enabling access to advanced equipment models in a simulated environment, thereby improving training quality to promptly meet enterprises practical demands," Huy said. "This foundation will enable Vietnam not only to deepen participation in the global semiconductor value chain but also gradually master and lead high value-added stages, realising the goal of becoming a semiconductor industrial power in the near future."

The industry's growth continues to accelerate, with the wafer fabrication equipment market surpassing $100 billion in 2024. Within this expanding landscape, Vietnam has emerged as a key player in Southeast Asia's semiconductor landscape. As the world's second-largest semiconductor exporter, commanding 22.5 per cent of global market share, Vietnam boasts a strong foundation of fabless companies and electronics manufacturing services. The country's hardware and electronics exports already represent over 30 per cent of total exports, with its semiconductor market projected to grow at an impressive 11.6 per cent compound annual rate through 2027.

According to Andrew Goh, corporate vice president and general manager of Lam Research's Southeast Asia operations, semiconductor demand is intensifying as electronics are increasingly integrated into every aspect of lives, enabling the transformation of industries like healthcare, transportation, commerce and services, agriculture.

"Lam Research will donate its digital twin Semiverse platform to Vietnamese institutions to train a skilled semiconductor workforce. This digital twin technology connects global innovation hubs, allowing students to access machinery and conduct remote experiments," said Goh.

This initiative supplements existing curricula, simulates chip design and the complete fabrication process, and is suitable for all academic levels. It is also easy to implement across universities. The proposed model involves a multi-year commitment, with government support covering operational costs, and Lam Research providing funding for the first semester and co-funding for subsequent years.

Meanwhile, Dassault Systemes presented its SEMI UNIV + RSE digital twin platform, which creates opportunities for semiconductor education by linking the physical and virtual worlds.

SEMI UNIV + RSE digital twin can do 10-20 per cent savings on materials and energy usage; 10-20 per cent defect reduction by leveraging co-optimisation; 15-30 per cent cost reduction through optimised integration; 10-25 per cent cost savings through improved utilisation; 20-40 per cent cost reduction by leveraging simulations; 10-15 per cent reduction in logistics and supply chain costs.

Brian Lo, country manager of Dassault Systemes Vietnam, believes the solution addresses critical challenges in the semiconductor industry amid digital transformation. "Virtual Twin technology allows students and engineers to access lab-grade simulations remotely, helping to bridge the gap between theory and industry practice," said Lo.

Vietnam and Australia forge ahead with digital transformation partnership The Australia-Vietnam Strategic Technologies Centre, an exciting new initiative to drive 5G/6G research, cybersecurity and digital transformation, was launched in Hanoi on June 11.

Airbus and FPT deepen digital partnership Airbus signed a new supplier agreement with leading Vietnam-based technology and IT services provider FPT on June 11 to strengthen their long-standing collaboration.
The suspect in the Austrian school shooting was found to be a 21-year-old former student who reportedly discarded plans to detonate a pipe bomb and wrote a "farewell" letter to his parents before the attack.

The incident resulted in the death of at least 10 people, including several students and a teacher as well as the shooter who shot himself inside a restroom. The gunman was later identified as Arthur A and believed to have built a pipe bomb.

Austria School Shooter Wrote Farewell Letter

Officials said that they also found a suicide note where he told his parents that had acted and carried out the attack of his "own free will." The shooter was revealed to have left the school two years ago without finishing his studies.

In his farewell letter, he apologized to his parents and older siblings but did not reveal his reasons for carrying out the shooting. The incident has been described as the worst in Austria's post-war history, according to The Guardian.

At the time of the attack, many students were taking their exams as eyewitnesses described how the gunman fired through classroom doors using the shotgun that he brought and later used a handgun to directly shoot other victims.

When the shooting first started, teachers told students to lie flat on the floor and barricade themselves in their rooms, using chairs to block the doors to keep the gunman from entering. Police arrived at the school after receiving a call from a nearby resident who heard gunshots.

The Gunman's Background

On top of the fatalities, 11 other people, aged between 15 and 26, were injured but are not in critical condition. Police officials said that the shooter was originally born in Styria and was living with his single mother in the Graz-Umgebung District, BBC reported.

The suspect's father, who was found to be of Armenian origin, had not been living with the boy and his mother since the couple separated. Officials said that the gunman legally owned two firearms which he used in the attack, adding that they will be forensically examined.

When talking about the farewell letter that the gunman wrote, Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria's Interior Ministry, said it was in analog and digital forms. He was also asked whether the shooter attacked the victims randomly or targeted them specifically.

The official answered by saying that this was also something that they are currently investigating, noting they do not want to speculate about the case, as per the Manila Bulletin.
CENTERVILLE  Kathaleen Wall announced Thursday she will run against incumbent Rep. Angelia Orr in the Republican Party primary for Texas House District 13 in March.

I want to focus on the future and what I can do for Texas and for the voters of Leon County, Bosque County and the rest of House District 13, not on my past campaigns, Wall said after her announcement to a crowd of 50-plus supporters on the sidewalk of the Leon County Courthouse.

Wall said she stands for faith, family, freedom and service.

Thats kind of a broad overview of what kind of candidate I am, Wall said. I want the voters of House District 13 to feel like they have a voice, that they feel like they can communicate with me and I will hear what they have to say and help with it. Im here to protect our values, not just our values but our children, to protect us from security issues, and Im also here to help with infrastructure issues. We have a lot of infrastructure issues in rural Texas that need to be addressed. I just appreciate all the people and all the voters of House District 13.

The seven-county House District 13 covers much of South Waco, East Waco and eastern McLennan County, and all of Bosque, Leon, Freestone, Falls and Limestone counties, plus Orrs home, Hill County.

Last month, the Bosque County GOP censured Orr, accusing her of running afoul of state party principles.

County chairs from four of the seven counties were present for Thursdays announcement. Hill County GOP Chair Will Orr, the incumbents husband, Limestone County GOP Chair Lance Phillips and McLennan County GOP Chair Chris DeCluitt did not attend.

In a statement emailed to the Tribune-Herald, Orr touted her endorsements by President Donald Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott, plus her role in delivering one of the most successful and conservative legislative sessions in Texas history.

My high tech investor opponent has only recently moved into our rural community, after burning through millions of her own money in losing multiple Congressional races in Houston, Orrs statement says.

Supporters in Centerville on Thursday touted Walls GOP bona fides and said they believe she can win.

Wall moved from the Houston area back to her Leon County address in Jewett in time to vote in last year's March primaries and the general election in November, her campaign consultant Charlie Johnston said Friday.

"She's been back at least a year-and-a-half," Johnston said.

Centerville seamstress Robin Banfield said she donated 90 days of her earnings to the campaign. She handed Wall what looked like an envelope with a few hundred dollars of cash.

Leon County Republican Party Chair Carol Milder told a volunteer to pass around mason jars at the event Thursday, asking people to put in their change and cash.

Its amazing how fast you can get to $20 or $30, Milder said.

Past campaigns

Those amounts are a far cry from the spending on Walls previous electoral efforts.

She ran a $6.1 million self-financed GOP primary campaign for Texas 2nd Congressional District in 2018. The Texas Tribune reported Wall purchased extensive television advertising in Houston, one of the most expensive media markets in the nation, spending several times more than any other candidate.

She garnered 27% of the vote and came in third in the nine-way race, eventually won by Rep. Dan Crenshaw.

And the mason jars and envelopes of cash also contrast with the $9.3 million of Walls own money she spent on 2020 GOP primary and runoff elections in Texas 22nd Congressional District.

The Houston Chronicle wrote that her spending in that campaign set a new Texas record for self-funding a U.S. House race. Wall came in second in a 15-candidate GOP race with 19.4% of the vote and lost the runoff by almost 40 points to Rep. Troy Nehls.

Money, roots

Johnston, Wall's campaign consultant, said this is the first campaign where Kats able to run the way she wants to run, with the grassroots. Wall is a longtime GOP grassroots campaigner.

Wall said her previous congressional campaigns were too big to really do it the way you can a smaller campaign.

When asked how she made her money, Wall said she helped her ex-husband, Holloway Holly Frost, build a computer storage company called Texas Memory Systems, noting that she is a 1990 graduate of Texas A&M University with an engineering technology degree in industrial distribution.

Frost sold the company to IBM in 2012 for an undisclosed amount. About a decade later, he filed for divorce from Wall in Harris County, online records show.

The politically influential couple has given millions of dollars to Republican candidates statewide, according to media reports.

Wall said Thursday that her family had been cattle ranchers in Leon County since Texas first census in 1850.

During her announcement Thursday, Wall said she wants to win the primary against Orr $20 at a time, $5 at a time, $100 at a time because theres enough of us.

Wall and Leon GOP Chair Milder told a story of serendipity when the two met at a restaurant, which was about to go out business, where God brought us together.

Milder told Wall she should run, but Wall said she wasnt sure. And it just went from there, Wall said.

Shes a Leon County girl who will fight hard for Texas values and the people of House District 13, Milder said.

Walls opponent

Orr, the incumbent, won her reelection bid last year against Democratic challenger Albert Hunter with 76% of the vote.

The Bosque County Republican Party voted unanimously last month to censure Orr, accusing her of violating the core principles of the state GOP and its current legislative priorities.

At least two other county chairs in District 13 previously told the Tribune-Herald they were considering similar censure actions and were searching for a new candidate. The state party has not taken any action.

Milder said last month that she believes many Republican voters in Leon County, and elsewhere in the district, voted for President Trump and for Gov. Abbott, but didnt check a box for any candidate in the House District 13 race.

Online election returns for the November 2024 election in Leon County show 209 fewer Orr voters than Trump voters, and 112 fewer in Orrs home of Hill County.

Wall said with 8,000 votes from Bosque County, 7,000 votes from Leon County and more from Limestone and Freestone counties that she believes she can win.

Other voices

Her supporters believe in her, too. TJay Jones, a chef with a business address in the western Leon County city of Marquez, said he supports Wall because she is local.

Im supporting her because we need to keep Texas red, and conservative values in this part of the country mean a lot, he said.

Jones said he voted for Orr in the last election but that some of what she voted for in Austin, we dont support here. Im ready to move forward and get someone else who will stand for what we stand for, like Kat will.

A man named Jeremy, who said he just graduated from high school from Groesbeck in Limestone County a few weeks ago, said he couldnt wait to register to vote and support Wall.

Falls County Republican Party Chair Elizabeth Nelson said she supports Wall because weve got to have a representative who sticks with the platform, sticks with conservative values.

McLennan County GOP Chair Chris DeCluitt did not express an opinion about the race Thursday.

Im not supporting either Kathaleen Wall or Angelia Orr, DeCluitt said. I have party members and precinct chairs supporting each of them, so I must remain objective. I really hope we have a robust primary season and the best candidate emerges.
CLEAR LAKE  Prominent restaurateur Chuck Landau, 66, passed away Monday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

While his professional savvy continues to impact the Cedar Valley and beyond, the personal relationships he forged throughout his life may be his most lasting legacy.

The Landau family has been responsible for some of the most enduring restaurants in the Cedar Valley  The Other Place, The Brown Bottle, Montage, Newtons, Doughy Joeys, Highway 63 Diner and others.

He joined the family business after he graduated from Northern University High School in 1977, working alongside family members at The Brown Bottle, which opened locations in Cedar Falls and Waterloo in 1972.

There are not very many restaurants that have been open more than 50 and are still run by the same family, said his wife, Joanna Landau.

Other ventures included Starvin Marvins and Moosies Loose Meat.

Chuck Landau met Joanna Barlas when she started working as a server at The Brown Bottle in Waterloo. They married in 1994 and became parents to two children. Chuck also had two sons from a previous marriage.

The restaurant would become the hub of family activity.

The restaurant was an extension of our home, Joanna Landau said. All of our family functions were held at Brown Bottle. Work was home. We are all very close. You care for your staff. Weve had single moms working for us, a lot of employees are college kids. I cant tell you how many of our employees have gotten married.

The pride is apparent in Joannas voice when she talks about her husband, the loss so recent that she shifts between present and past tense.

Chuck loves people, she said. He would sit at the bar, and people would come up. He wanted to hear their story, where they came from, what brought them in.

Many nights I would ask him why he was home so late, and he would say so-and-so came in.

Her husband was an avid outdoorsman. He loved working out, swimming, kayaking, biking, hiking and fly fishing.

He loved riding his motorcycle, his Harley, Joanna said. We would go to Sturgis, South Dakota. It was the highlight of his vacation every year.

He loved to bike ride, mountain bike. He just got an ebike. He would tell the gals in the hospital he couldnt wait to take it for a ride.

He loved his employees, and he had a very strong faith, she said. He would mentor employees, and he would invite them to church or home if they didnt have a place to celebrate Christmas or Easter.

There is no better example of Chucks devotion to his staff than his relationship with General Manager Mark Drenter, who has worked at the Waterloo Brown Bottle since August 1982.

Chuck was my closest, dearest friend, Drenter said. We really didnt have titles. We worked this thing together for this whole time.

I consider him family. Hes more like a brother to me. If anything good happened, I wanted to tell him about it. If anything bad happened, I wanted to tell him about it.

Chuck was a man who never got enough recognition for how much he cared about all these people. He would do anything for you.

A lot of young people went through here. In this area, chances are youve come in contact with the Landau family, and chances are it was a positive experience. Chuck had a part in that. He tried hard for his employees and others in the community that he came in contact with. He was a good man.

The only time Joanna broke down during her interview was when she described Chuck and Drenters final visit in the days before he died.

Without Mark, we would not have The Brown Bottle, she said.

In 2021, the family moved to Clear Lake, where Joanna grew up, to raise their younger children there. They commuted to Waterloo throughout the week to tend to their business.

Chucks stage four diagnosis came in January 2024.

We knew it was a grave disease, Joanna said. There were days when he would drive down with me to see the staff and customers, just to let them know he was still there, that he was still fighting.

Initially, chemotherapy treatments shrunk the tumor and kept the cancer at bay.

It became resistant in December, and they changed his regimen, Joanna said. It was not working as well.

In the last three weeks, he really declined. We brought him home on Thursday for hospice care, and he died Monday morning.

Joanna said The Brown Bottle will absolutely stay open.

Were closing for one day for the funeral, and thats it, she said. I want to give job security to all my employees. They are like our kids.

I want his legacy of what he built for us and for our employees to continue.

Since Monday, Joanna has been flooded with messages from past employees.

Thats a testament to the man he is, she said. He had and infectious personality. He always had a joke. He always wanted to help. He was a perfectionist. He wanted everything to be just right.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Joanna; children Michael (Kristen), Blake (Lisa), Gabriella and Henry; grandchildren Rex, Ridge and Willem Landau; his father Donald (Sue) Landau; siblings Jim (Jodi) Landau, Dave (Gina) Landau and Kristin (Rob) Camarata; and other relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Don and Edith Buchanan; and his mother, Donalee Landau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Surf Ballroom & Museum, 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, also at the Surf Ballroom & Museum. Burial will take place in Clear Lake Cemetery.

The service will be recorded and placed on Chucks tribute page at www.colonialchapels.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
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Editor's note: Since this story originally was published, the March for Life Wisconsin event has been rescheduled for July 26.

Madison police are getting ready for a busy day Downtown as multiple protests, rallies, events and the weekly farmers market will be converging on Capitol Square and surrounding areas Saturday.

With thousands of people expected to descend on the area, We feel prepared to ensure a safe Saturday for everything that's going on, Acting Police Chief John Patterson told the Wisconsin State Journal Wednesday.

The biggest event is expected to be the No Kings rally in opposition to President Donald Trumps administration, timed to correspond with Trumps military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the Armys 250th anniversary. A march is set to begin at Library Mall at 2 p.m. and end about a mile away at the King Street corner of the state Capitol, where a 3 p.m. rally is scheduled with multiple speakers.

Police anticipate significant-sized crowds at the protest and a lot of law enforcement officers will also be on hand, Patterson said, adding it would be unsafe if we just kind of let it play out on its own.

Organized by political organizations 50501, Womens March and Indivisible, the protest is one of more than 2,000 Day of Defiance demonstrations planned around the country Saturday.

To their credit, the organizers have been very good about sharing intentions and goals and what they have for the expectations of participants and who they're hoping to draw in, Patterson said.

Meanwhile, the annual March for Life Wisconsin, hosted by Pro-Life Wisconsin, is also scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. on the State Street side of the Capitol. While the "No Kings" rally will be on the opposite side of the Capitol, marchers from that event are likely to walk past the anti-abortion protest on their way up State Street to King Street.

In the hours before the pair of rallies, a handful of other large events Downtown will draw thousands more people to the area, Patterson said.

A street circus will be held at Library Mall from noon to 2 p.m. as part of 300 circus-themed events scheduled that day across the country.

And the Dane County Farmers Market is expected to bring its usual crowds to Capitol Square Saturday morning and early afternoon.

Adding to the mix: The Madison Fire Department and 25 other organizations in Dane County are hosting their annual Safety Saturday event at East Washington Avenue and Capitol Square that day to promote bike helmets, smoke alarms and other safety devices.

There's going to be police and fire trucks and all sorts of emergency responders up on the square, mainly for residents and community members and family to come and check out police cars and fire trucks and all that, Patterson said.

There will be brief road closures during the march up State Street and for some of the law enforcement and fire vehicles being staged at the Capitol for Safety Saturday, he said.

High school graduations and the Clean Lakes Alliances 13th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride around Lake Monona are also happening Saturday, Patterson noted.

Across the country

Last Friday protests began over immigration raids in Los Angeles, prompting Trump to deploy the National Guard to the city Sunday over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Some 700 Marines were also sent to Los Angeles at the beginning of this week.

Texas saw protests this week in Austin and Dallas that led to brief clashes with police. Then Gov. Greg Abbott ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, to help local law enforcement manage protests against President Donald Trump and the ongoing federal immigration raids, but he did not say where the troops were sent, according to The Associated Press on Thursday.

No Kings protests are planned Saturday in Texas cities such as San Antonio, Houston, Austin and Dallas.

Madison Police have no reason to expect anything similar to unfold locally this weekend, Patterson said.

While you can't ignore what's happening around the country, Patterson said, you also can't ignore the communication that we are having here locally.

"No Kings" organizers are encouraging peaceful protests while promoting deescalation and nonviolence, they said in a news release.

The communication has been really good, Patterson said. We've learned  in Madison when it comes to protests and our response, communication is critical before, during and after.

Patterson said he wants the public to know the police are there to help.

Please don't look at our officers as unapproachable, he said.

If you see something that looks out of place, or if you have a safety concern, or there's an individual who maybe has shown up with different plans and different goals than the rest of the event, please come talk with our staff, Patterson said. Because we want the same thing as the event planners, and that's a safe event and a safe outcome for all the other things that are happening in Madison.
Plans to replace unfair council tax still on the cards, says former first minister

Wales finance secretary Mark Drakeford confirmed plans for a land value tax remain on the table as a potential long-term replacement for council tax and business rates.

The former first minister said the Welsh Government continues to explore the feasibility of a land value tax as used in countries such as Denmark and Singapore.

Professor Drakeford has long supported a land value tax (LVT), arguing those who have the privilege of ownership should pay something back for that privilege.

While council tax is regressive because it imposes a lower burden on the rich than the poor, LVT is progressive as it flips that proposition around.

As the name suggests, land value tax (LVT), which has been described by some economists as the perfect tax, is levied on the value of the land rather than the property itself.

Radical

Proponents argue LVT is easier to collect, more efficient and difficult to avoid, while discouraging speculation and encouraging people to bring idle land back into use.

Prof Drakeford told the Senedd: I am anxious to see this discussion move beyond the theoretical and into the realms of the practically possible.

He explained that the Welsh Government has invited tenders to test approaches to valuing land, with submissions for every aspect of the work despite some initial scepticism.

The finance secretary, who will stand down at the 2026 election, said: I want to use the coming months to test the boundaries of what might be possible in the next Senedd term.

Lets open the door to more radical, fundamental and progressive reform in the future.

Unfair

In a statement on local taxes on June 10, Prof Drakeford highlighted ongoing consultations on council tax discounts and enforcement as well as business rates reform.

He said: The current system is unfairly weighted against those who experience difficulty in paying. I want to shift the focus from harmful escalation towards supportive prevention.

Prof Drakeford stated ministers will introduce a new council tax appeals process by April 2026 that will be easier to navigate and provide a better, modern system for taxpayers.

Peter Fox, who led Monmouthshire council for a decade, agreed that council tax is regressive by nature and that it will never really become a fair local tax.

The Tory welcomed confirmation that the crucial 25% single person discount will remain but warned of the impact of continual increases in tax bills  including a 7.2% average this year.

Flawed

Mr Fox accused the Welsh Government of increasing tax on families by stealth through underfunding councils which, in turn, pass on the shortfall to people. He called for reform of the outdated and flawed local government funding formula.

Prof Drakeford replied: Almost every local authority in Wales will agree that the formula needs revision  nobody can agree on how that should be done. The 22 local authorities each believe that the formula uniquely disadvantages them.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymrus shadow finance secretary, agreed with the need for more radical and progressive change in the longer term.

Ms Fychan urged the Welsh Government to rethink proposals to stop considering a hospital as an individuals long-term or permanent home for council tax purposes.

She said: We know of examples where people have had to remain for a very long time in hospital. Its not the patients fault. It doesnt appear fair to me that they should be penalised.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Wrexham primary school receives glowing Estyn Inspection report

Staff, pupils and governors at a Wrexham primary school are celebrating after receiving a glowing inspection report from Estyn.

Ysgol Deiniol, in Marchwiel, was found to be a happy and caring community during a visit from His Majestys Inspectorate in March of this year.

The school, which has 171 pupils on roll, was also praised for the positive relationships between staff and pupils, with the Inspectorates report stating: The supportive and friendly working relationships between staff and pupils is a strong feature of the school.

Pupils know that staff will listen to them and act on any concerns they may have. Leaders and staff promote a robust culture of safeguarding and a welcoming, nurturing environment where pupils are happy and feel safe in school.

The Inspectorate continues: Classrooms and outdoor spaces are productive, active learning environments. This ensures that most pupils focus well during lessons and develop positive attitudes to learning.

Most teaching is purposeful; however, teachers do not consistently challenge all pupils to develop their independent learning skills well enough.

The headteacher provides effective and thoughtful leadership, which ensures that the school has a clear strategic direction.

He is well supported by a committed team of dedicated and caring staff and governors.

In its findings the Inspectorate also praises work being undertaken at the school to strengthen pupils reading skills.

Estyn notes that the school identified a decline in pupils skills and enjoyment of reading after the pandemic.

In response, teachers at the school implemented a rich variety of interesting challenges, such as Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) and the 25 Book Challenge to rekindle their enthusiasm and love for reading.

Estyn states that this has created a strong culture of reading which ensures that most pupils make strong progress in developing their reading skills.

There is also praise for the whole-school approach to developing pupils as effective writers  a programme described as a purposeful and progressive approach to the teaching of writing to equip and prepare pupils for writing at length.

Teachers work cooperatively to adapt plans and provision in order to stimulate, prepare and model work before pupils start their written work.

This involves reviewing the process of writing in small steps so that pupils have the skills to succeed, explains Estyn.

Teachers provide exciting, relevant opportunities to write and provide effective feedback.

As a result, most pupils engage positively in written activities and, by Year 6, many create written work of a high standard across the curriculum.

Headteacher Mr Baugh, said: The report highlights the significant progress we have made in refining our curriculum, noting that teachers provide a rich range of stimulating learning experiences that cater to individual needs.

This recognition affirms our commitment to ensuring every child is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.

We are particularly proud of the praise for our efforts to develop pupils reading and writing skills.

The report commends our provision as particularly effective, with most pupils becoming confident readers and writing perceptively for a wide range of purposes across the curriculum.

Thank you for your continued support and also the staff, children and Governors of the school for striving to provide the best possible learning environment for all our children.
The Placer County Sherriff's Office (PCSO) is sharing information regarding the arrest of a scammer who was allegedly taking advantage of an elderly woman.

On Tuesday, June 10, the PCSO Investigations Unit arrested 36-year-old Yunming Fan of San Gabriel, California.

Officials say that Fan made contact with an elderly woman online and allegedly told her that she owed thousands of dollars to an online payment app due to a computer error.

She was told that to satisfy a debt, she would have to withdraw cash and provide it to a courier who would come to her house.

The victim provided a small amount of money, but then realized it was a scam and contacted the sheriff's office.

Detectives with PCSO monitored communications with the suspect over the phone, who had upgraded their demands to tens of thousands of dollars.

On Tuesday, Fan arrived at the elderly woman's house in Auburn to pick up the remaining money - after he left the house, Fan was stopped and arrested on charges of conspiracy and theft by false pretenses - felony charges.

After further investigation, officials found out that Fan may not have been the only person in the area conducting these types of cash pickup scams.

PCSO has provided images of Fan and his car, in case any other victims are out there who may recognize him as a suspect in their own incident.
JUNE 12, 7:35 P.M. UPDATE:

Firefighters have officially reached 100% containment on the Marie Fire in Spanish Springs.

While it is 100% contained, the fire will remain fully staffed until it is fully controlled, according to a release from the Bureau of Land Management.

Hot spots might still exist inside the burn area, and a fire is defined as being controlled when all the hot spots are out, the BLM says.

The burn area also continues to present hazards, including rockfall, loose soils, and possible burning stump holes.

People are asked to continue to avoid the fire area for their own safety.

---

JUNE 12, 8:40 A.M. UPDATE:

Fire crews continue to mop up after a fire prompted evacuations in Spanish Springs on Tuesday.

The BLM says about 115 personnel are working the Marie Fire, near Dolores Drive and Marie Way.

TMFR says the 115-acre fire is now 75% contained.

The BLM says rugged terrain is making mop-up difficult for firefighters who are carrying five-gallon water backpacks to reach hot spots.

Crews say you don't need to call authorities to report smoke or fire within the blackened fire area. Isolated smoke will be visible throughout the day.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Fire crews are fighting a wildfire dubbed the 'Marie Fire' in Spanish Springs that has caused an evacuation order to be put in place for the area.

The fire is burning in the area of Dolores Drive and Marie Way in Spanish Springs.

The size of the fire currently sits around 104 acres at last update, according to Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (TMFR).

The fire is wind-driven and moving east, and is 0% contained - however, TMFR has reported that forward progress of the fire has been stopped.

TMFR, the Reno Fire Department, the Sparks Fire Department, and the Bureau of Land Management are on scene fighting the fire, with assistance coming from the Sparks Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

According to TMFR, current resources being used on the fire include 20 fire engines, one bulldozer, four hand crews, one helicopter crew, and three aircraft.

So far, no structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported.

Nevada Emergency Management staff is actively monitoring the situation and preparing to assist local partners upon request.

Governor Lombardo has issued a statement via X, asking Nevadans to stay safe and follow all local evacuation guidance.

Evacuations

The fire is close enough to homes to force evacuations. People in the evacuation zone are advised to evacuate to Sky Ranch Middle School.

The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is staffing the evacuation center at Sky Ranch Middle School, providing water and snacks to those seeking shelter.

In a release, the Red Cross said they are in close communication with emergency management officials and first responders to help with any additional needs and ensure evacuees get the care and support they need.

Large animals can be evacuated to the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center.

Closures

Dolores Drive is closed off at Pyramid Highway until further notice - avoid the area and use alternate routes if possible.

TMFR is asking all people on ATVs in the back country near the fire to leave the area, saying they are putting their own lives and the lives of firefighters in danger.

Due to the fire, the Spanish Springs Library will be closed for the rest of the day today.

School Closures

The Washoe County School District is asking all parents with students on campus at Spanish Springs High School or Desert Skies Middle School to pick them up as the schools are being evacuated due to the fire.

Evacuation Room Rates

The Silver Legacy, Eldorado, and Circus Circus Reno are offering emergency room rates for evacuees of $59 per night, with waived resort fees. Rooms can be booked by calling 1-800-223-7277.

The Peppermill is also offering special rates to evacuees, with rooms in their north/west wing costing $55, the Peppermill Tower costing $65, and the Tuscany Tower costing $95. Evacuees must mention the code HEVAC at the time of booking and present proof of residency upon check-in.

The Grand Sierra Resort is offering evacuees a special room rate for $59 per night, with resort fees waived. Evacuees can take advantage of this offer by visiting GrandSierraResort.com/Evacuee or call the resort at 775-789-2000 and mention the code EVACUEE. This offer is valid through June 12 and is based on availability. Note, GSR is not accepting reservations with pets.

Outages

NV Energy de-energized lines in the Spanish Springs area affecting more than 6,500 people due to the fire.

Tuesday evening, NV Energy said via a post on X that thanks to firefighting efforts and some help from weather, they were able to re-energize the lines and restore service to all customers affected by the fire outage.
A federal judge on Friday blocked President Donald Trumps attempt to overhaul elections in the U.S., siding with a group of Democratic state attorneys general who challenged the effort as unconstitutional.

Trumps March 25 executive order sought to compel officials to require documentary proof of citizenship for everyone registering to vote for federal elections, accept only mailed ballots received by Election Day and condition federal election grant funding on states adhering to the new ballot deadline.

The group of attorneys general said the directive usurps the States constitutional power and seeks to amend election law by fiat. The White House has defended the order as standing up for free, fair and honest elections and called proof of citizenship a commonsense requirement.

In April, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the presidents unlawful and unconstitutional executive order.

Todays court decision is a win for democracy and for state sovereignty, said AG Ford. The Trump administrations unconstitutional and unlawful attempt to seize control of elections from the states is an attack on democracy and the right to vote. Our states elections are free, fair and safe, and I will fight back against any attempt to illegally interfere with our elections for political theater.

Judge Denise J. Casper of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts said in Friday's order that the states had a likelihood of success as to their legal challenges.

The Constitution does not grant the President any specific powers over elections, Casper wrote.

Casper also noted that, when it comes to citizenship, there is no dispute (nor could there be) that U.S. citizenship is required to vote in federal elections and the federal voter registration forms require attestation of citizenship. Casper cited arguments made by the states that the requirements would burden the States with significant efforts and substantial costs to update procedures.

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar released this statement:

The federal courts decision to block this executive order on elections is a win for voters and for our democracy. The Constitution grants states the power to administer elections, and the presidents attempt to commandeer that power had to be stopped. Im proud that Nevada played a leading role in this lawsuit, and grateful to the team that made this victory possible, said Secretary Aguilar.

I will always stand up for the rights of every eligible voter and fight back against any effort to disenfranchise Nevadans. This decision from the court goes to show that the rule of law applies to everyone in our democracy, including the president. No one person can reshape our democracy on a whim. Our democratic process has stood the test of time, and Nevada is proudly on the frontlines defending it.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Reform pioneer Shenzhen to open new chapter of innovation, opening up

Xinhua) 08:11, June 13, 2025

China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference about Opinions on Further Advancing Shenzhen's Comprehensive Pilot Reforms to Deepen Reform and Innovation and Expand Opening-Up in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, a reform pioneer, is poised to take bold new steps as the country recently announced a policy package aimed at deepening the city's leading role in reform, innovation and opening up.

A set of guidelines released Tuesday by the central authorities highlighted a new batch of measures for Shenzhen to break institutional barriers in education, science and talent development; strengthen the integration of innovation, industrial, capital, and talent chains; and explore new cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Shenzhen, a vibrant city in Guangdong Province, is encouraged to pioneer the development of a modernized, globally oriented, and innovation-driven city, according to the official document.

REFORM VANGUARD

In 2020, which marks the 40th anniversary of the special economic zone of Shenzhen, China launched a comprehensive reform pilot in the city, reinforcing its pivotal role in the country's broader reform and opening-up agenda.

Shenzhen has made substantial progress over the past nearly five years, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press briefing on Thursday, noting that key breakthroughs have been achieved in vital areas, with a series of influential reform outcomes.

The city maintained a vibrant annual GDP growth rate of 5.5 percent from 2020 to 2024, and made valuable explorations in reform, said Qin Weizhong, Mayor of Shenzhen.

Among the pioneering initiatives were a cross-border fund pool that enables multinationals to streamline financial operations, intellectual property (IP) backed securities to support tech startups, industry-leading standards in areas from data to e-commerce, and groundbreaking regulations in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent connected vehicles.

The newly released policy package is an upgraded version of the 2020 reform plan, reiterating China's unwavering commitment to deepening reform and opening up, Li said.

Key measures include joint university-enterprise programs to nurture skilled tech talent, access for Hong Kong-listed firms to go public in Shenzhen, international trade innovations like electronic documents, and the use of digital renminbi in more scenarios.

These pioneering reforms are designed to lead by example and will have significant demonstration effects, Li said.

INNOVATION HUB

Speaking at the press conference, Miao Hong, deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Science and Technology, vowed to support Shenzhen in building the GBA into a global technological innovation center and strengthening innovation capabilities.

Qin emphasized the city's focus on new quality productive forces, particularly in strategic sectors like AI and the low-altitude economy.

Shenzhen aims to make breakthroughs in core technologies, explore AI-assisted medical devices and low-altitude airspace management, and cultivate more high-growth, globally competitive enterprises, according to the mayor.

The city has nurtured over 2,600 major AI enterprises and enacted China's first local legislation on the low-altitude economy, launching nearly 300 drone routes with over 1.7 million cargo flights.

The innovation ecosystem is thriving, with R&D input accounting for 6.46 percent of Shenzhen's GDP in 2023. Home to over 25,000 national high-tech enterprises, the city has led the country in patent authorizations for seven consecutive years, with 241,900 patents granted in 2024.

"Shenzhen has the foundation, conditions and capability to lead in building a comprehensive innovation system," said Zhang Hu, executive vice governor of Guangdong Province, noting that the well-timed new policy will inject powerful momentum into Shenzhen's sci-tech structural reform.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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The last event in the City of Renos Biggest Little Spring Cleaning series is scheduled for Saturday, June 14.

The final event will take place at Mira Loma Park, located at 3000 S. McCarran Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Since April, the city has worked with HERO Environmental Services and Waste Management of Northern Nevada to provide locations for residents to dispose of household hazardous waste, electronics and large junk items.

Now is the time for residents to take advantage to do some spring cleaning by getting rid of any excess waste in and around their homes, said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. Its important for us to do our parts in keeping our city clean and beautiful for years to come and we hope community members participate in this amazing program.

Each ward has hosted a clean-up, with hazardous and e-waste disposal offered at select locations, sponsored by councilmembers in their respective wards.

The Mira Loma Park event will include collection of hazardous waste and electronics. Organizers advise arriving early, as the event ends once bins are full.

Accepted items include:

Large trash and debris, limited to one truck bed (3 ft. by 3 ft.)

One large appliance per household

Household hazardous materials, including paint or oil

Bicycles, up to six per household

Electronics and batteries

Tires, up to six per household

Green waste

Items not accepted include mercury-containing products such as thermostats or medical equipment, prescription drugs, CRT TVs, asbestos or items containing asbestos, and radioactive smoke detectors.

More details are available at reno.gov/community/community-cleanups.
The heads of a pair of local law enforcement agencies have issued statements ahead of expected protests planned for Saturday.

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam has issued a statement emphasizing the importance of peaceful demonstrations and the safety of the community.

As Sheriff, my highest obligation is to defend and protect life, liberty, and property. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution, and I will always defend the ability of our citizens to make their voices heard, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam stated.

However, let me be absolutely clearviolence, destruction of property, and assaults on our public servants or private citizens will not be tolerated in Washoe County, he continued.

Balaam said the Washoe County Sheriffs Office is committed to public safety and will respond to any threats to peace with firm and lawful consequences.

I encourage every resident to choose unity over division, dialogue over destruction, and peace over provocation. In times of distress, we must come togethernot to inflame, but to heal and strengthen the community we all call home, Balaam said.

The Sheriffs Office says it will continue to coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies to help ensure demonstrations remain peaceful. Stating that additional resources will be deployed to protect critical infrastructure, public areas, and community events.

Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth also released a statement ahead of the protests.

"I would like to reiterate our departments commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals to express themselves peacefully and lawfully. The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy and your 1st Amendment right will always be protected by our department," he said.

Crawforth then turned his attention to violence and property destruction seen in some demonstrations across the country, and how his department would react to similar events.

"Let me be clear: violence, property destruction, and any form of assault against our public servants or citizens will be met with immediate and decisive action in the City of Sparks. Our responsibility is to uphold the law and ensure the safety of all members of our community, which we will continue to do."
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists

Israel asserted the barrage was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon, although experts and the U.S. government have assessed that Iran was not actively working on such a weapon before the strikes.

Iran retaliated by firing waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below. The Israeli military urged civilians, already rattled by the earlier wave of missiles, to head to shelter, as missiles damaged homes and killed two people.

Iranian missiles strike Israel

Iran launched waves of missiles at Israel late Friday and early Saturday.

A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage; all but one of them had light injuries. Israels Fire and Rescue Services said they were injured when a projectile hit a building in the city.

Hours later, an Iranian missile struck near homes in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion, killing two people and injuring 19, according to Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom. Israel's Fire and Rescue service said four homes were severely damaged.

Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday, and an Associated Press reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home.

Irans semiofficial Tasnim news agency is reporting a fire at Tehrans Mehrabad International Airport, with a video posted on X of a column of smoke and orange flames rising from what the outlet said was the airport.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recorded message Friday: We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed." Irans U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.

Israels paramedic services said 34 people were wounded in the barrage on the Tel Aviv area, including a woman who was critically injured after being trapped under rubble. In Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, an Associated Press journalist saw burned out cars and at least three damaged houses, including one where the front was nearly entirely torn away.

U.S. ground-based air defense systems in the region were helping to shoot down Iranian missiles, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the measures.

Israel's ongoing airstrikes and intelligence operation and Iran's retaliation raised concerns about all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack  plus the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump  created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was informed in advance of the attack.

On Thursday, Iran had been censured by the U.N.s atomic watchdog for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Countries in region condemn Israel's attack

Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Iran's request. In a letter to the council, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the killing of its officials and scientists state terrorism" and affirmed his country's right to self-defense.

Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defenses and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not possible to independently confirm the officials' claims.

Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government that reported hearing explosions nearby.

Israel said it struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan, too, and said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.

Israel military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the Natanz facility was significantly damaged and that the operation was still in the beginning.

Above-ground section of Natanz facility destroyed

U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility was destroyed. He said all the electrical infrastructure and emergency power generators were destroyed, as well as a section of the facility where uranium was enriched up to 60%.

The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged the infrastructure there, he said.

The first wave of strikes had given Israel significant freedom of movement in Irans skies, clearing the way for further attacks, according to an Israeli military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the attack with the media.

The official said Israel is prepared for an operation that could last up to two weeks, but that there was no firm timeline.

Among those killed were three of Irans top military leaders: one who oversaw the entire armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami; and the head of the Guards ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iran confirmed all three deaths, significant blows its governing theocracy that will complicate efforts to retaliate. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

Netanyahu said the attack had been months in the making. In a video statement sent to journalists Friday, he said he ordered plans for the attack last November, soon after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, one of Irans strongest proxies. Netanyahu said the attack was planned for April but was postponed.

In its first response Friday, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

Israels military said it called up reservists and began stationing troops throughout the country as it braced for further retaliation from Iran or Iranian proxy groups.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to reach a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he wrote.

On Wednesday, the U.S. pulled some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East. On Friday, the U.S. began shifting military resources in the region, including ships, as Israel prepared for more retaliation, two U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Officials in Washington had cautioned Israel against an attack earlier in the week, so as not to disrupt U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program. They stressed Friday that the U.S. had not been involved in the attack, and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

Israel calls attacks preemptive strikes on Irans nuclear program

Israeli leaders cast the attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

"This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but has never acknowledged having such weapons.

Over the past year, Israel has been targeting Irans air defenses, hitting a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery in April 2024 and surface-to-air missile sites and missile manufacturing facilities in October.

Iran says Israel targeted residential areas

For Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now over 20 months old.

There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran is a major threat. But if Iranian reprisals cause heavy Israeli casualties or major disruptions to daily life, public opinion could shift quickly.

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement that offered condolences and condemned the attack, but did not threaten to join Iran in its retaliation. Hezbollahs latest war with Israel  which killed much of the groups senior leadership  ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November.

Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, said in a statement that Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

This story was first published on June 12 and 13, 2025. It was updated on June 18, 2025, to correct the assessment of Irans nuclear program.

Lidman and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat and Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran, Iran; Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel; Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Israel; Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Matthew Lee and Eric Tucker in Washington; Bassem Mroue and Abby Sewell in Beirut; Edith Lederer at the United Nations and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
Israel's ongoing attacks on Iranian nuclear sites killed 78 people and wounded more that 320 on Friday, said Iran's ambassador to the United Nations. The strikes killed generals and scientists, but the ambassador told the U.N. Security Council that the overwhelming majority of victims were civilians.

Iran retaliated with two waves of long-range missiles targeting Israel's commercial capital, Tel Aviv, Medics said the first wave wounded at least 34 people and the second injured seven more.

Israel launched the attacks on Iran amid simmering tensions over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program. For years, Israel had threatened such a strike and successive American administrations had sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

As Iranian projectiles and Israeli interceptor rockets left trails of smoke and flame across the night sky on Friday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed not to let Israel escape safely from this great crime.

Here's the latest:

Israels paramedic service says 2 people were killed when missile hit central Israel

Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom says an Iranian missile struck near homes in central Israel early Saturday morning, killing two people and injuring 19 others.

Israels Fire and Rescue service said four homes were severely damaged.

UN chief calls for escalation to stop, saying peace and diplomacy must prevail

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Israel and Iran to halt their attacks on one another, while calling for diplomacy.

Israeli bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv. Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail, Guterres wrote on X on Saturday.

Iranian media reports a fire at Tehrans airport

Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency is reporting a fire at Tehrans Mehrabad International Airport, posting a video on X of a column of smoke and orange flames rising from what the outlet said was the airport.

A handful of minor injuries reported from second wave of Iranian missiles

Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv said it has treated seven people hurt by the second Iranian barrage; six had light injuries and the seventh was moderately wounded.

Iran fires a second wave of missiles at Israel

Sirens and the boom of explosions, possibly from Israeli interceptors, could be heard in the sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Saturday.

AP journalists in Tel Aviv could see what appeared to be at least two Iranian missiles hit the ground, but there was no immediate word of casualties.

The Israeli military said another long-range Iranian missile attack was taking place and urged civilians, already rattled by the first wave of projectiles, to head to shelter. Around three dozen people were wounded by that first wave.

The Iranian outlet Nour News, which has close links with the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said a fresh wave was being launched.

Iranian air defenses are firing against Israeli attacks

The sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets was echoing across the center of the capital, Tehran, shortly after midnight on Saturday.

Additionally, an Associated Press reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home.

How the militaries of Israel and Iran compare

Although roughly equal in the number of troops, the two militaries bring strikingly different tactics and firepower.

Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions.

Israel, meanwhile, relies on both subterfuge and robust regular ground and air forces that are apparently unmatched in the region.

Its unclear how long Iran could keep up firing hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel. However, according to Israeli media reports, the cost of a single Iron Dome interception is about $50,000, while the other systems can run more than $2 million per missile.

 Read more about Israel and Irans militaries

Iranian missiles penetrated Israels air defenses Friday. How ironclad is the system?

Irans long-range missile attack was a stiff challenge for Israels air-defense system, which has intercepted projectiles fired from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran since the start of the war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Those have ranged from short-range rockets to medium-range missiles to attack drones to ballistic missiles like those fired Friday night.

Over the decades, Israel has developed a sophisticated system capable of detecting incoming fire and deploying only if the projectile is headed toward a population center or sensitive military or civilian infrastructure. Israeli leaders say the system isnt 100% guaranteed, but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties.

 Read more about Israels air-defense system

Iranian missiles wounded 34 people in Israel

In Ramat Gan, rescuers were trying to get out 15 people from a house they were trapped in after it was hit by a missile. The city is east of Tel Aviv.

Yossi Griver from Israels home front command said authorities were trying to free them. He said people were eating Friday night dinner when their house was struck, and many are older adults.

The area was badly hit Friday night. The AP saw at least three damaged houses, one where the front was nearly entirely torn off, as well as burnt out cars.

What Israels attack destroyed at the main Iranian nuclear facility

U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that Israeli strikes destroyed the above-ground section of Irans main nuclear facility at Natanz.

He said all the electrical infrastructure and emergency power generators were destroyed as well as a section of the facility where uranium was enriched up to 60%.

The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged the infrastructure there, he said.

US ground-based air defense systems are helping shoot down missiles Iran targeted at Israel, US official says

The U.S. official did not say how the U.S. provided assistance, however both U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft and destroyer-based missile defenses have intercepted missiles in previous attacks.

The U.S. has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist in missile intercepts and to provide better protection of U.S. bases in the region.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.

Israelis wounded by Iranian missiles

In Ramat Gan, rescuers were trying to get out 15 people from a house they were trapped in after it was hit by a missile. Yossi Griver from Israels home front command said authorities were trying to free them. He said people were eating Friday night dinner when their house was struck, many are elderly people.

The area was badly hit Friday night. The AP saw at least three damaged houses, one where the front was nearly entirely torn off, as well as burnt out cars.

Witnesses post videos of Iranian missile attack

Iranian missiles could be seen from as far away as Beirut, leaving behind yellow streaks like comets as they descended on Israel.

And in other videos posted on social media, the missiles burned fast through the air above Jerusalems Old City.

Associated Press journalists reported the rumbling of explosions sounded like a thunderstorm.

Iranian missiles and Israeli interceptor rockets light up the night sky

Video taken by AP journalists shows multiple Israeli interceptor rockets slicing through the night sky over Tel Aviv, trailing columns of smoke and occasionally exploding in balls of yellow fire. Some of the Iranian rockets hurtled downward in a straight line, and a few could be seen impacting in flashes of orange that lit up the glittering skyline of Israels commercial hub.

Irans supreme leader vows revenge for Israeli attacks

In a recorded message to the nation broadcast as Iranian missiles flew toward Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the military was prepared to counterattack.

Dont think that they (Israel) hit and its over. No. They started the work and started the war. We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed, he said.

Air raid sirens sound across Israel amid Iranian missile attack

The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The army said dozens of missiles were launched.

The army has ordered residents across the country to move into bomb shelters.

Israel says Iran has launched missiles

The Israeli militarys Home Front Command has instructed people to move into shelters ahead of an expected Iranian missile attack.

The army says Iran has launched missiles, and the safety order applies to the entire country.

Israels Channel 13 TV says the missiles are expected to take about 10 minutes to arrive.

Israeli military briefing cut short by possible incoming Iranian attack, official says

Israels military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said that despite Israels attack, Iran has capability to hurt Israels civilian front in a meaningful way.

Defrins briefing was cut short. An Israeli military official says this was due to an incoming Iranian attack on central Israel. The official spoke on condition pending a formal announcement.

Israel claims striking an Iranian nuclear site in Isfahan; Iran does not immediately acknowledge

The facility in Isfahan, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) southeast of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear scientists. It also is home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the countrys atomic program.

France says conference on two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is postponed

French President Emmanuel Macron says a top-level U.N. conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed because of renewed tensions in the Mideast.

France and Saudi Arabia were due to co-host the conference in New York next week, and Macron had been scheduled to attend.

Macron said Friday it was postponed for logistical and security reasons and because some Palestinian representatives couldnt come to the event.

US fighter jets take flight to protect personnel and installations in Middle East

American fighter jets are patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, according to a U.S. official. The official spoke Friday on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.

It comes at the same time as the Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer also has begun moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House.

Iran reports explosions at another nuclear site

The Fordo nuclear enrichment facility is buried hundreds of meters underground.

Nour News, which is close to Irans Supreme National Security Council, reported on its Telegram channel that two explosions were heard from the area nearby.

Separately, Irans official IRNA news agency reported that a radar site near Tabriz was attacked, according to an official in the East Azerbaijan province.

Majid Farshi told IRNA that 11 military sites in East Azerbaijan province have been attacked, and that 18 people were killed, including one Red Crescent aid worker.

Israels military orders all residents to be close to protected areas and minimize movement

Israelis are on high alert bracing for a larger response from Iran, which has already launched over 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation for Friday's attacks.

Israel says it intercepts missile launched from Yemen, setting off sirens in Jerusalem

There were no immediate reports of casualties or fallen shrapnel in Israel. A loud boom could be heard in the Holy City, possibly from Israeli interceptor fire.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen did not immediately claim the attack.

A new wave of attacks appears to have begun in Tehran

Civilian witnesses told The Associated Press they heard what sounded like loud explosions in neighborhoods in the capitals east, west and center, while an AP journalist in the citys north also heard a blast.

Air defense systems were heard going off Friday night in Tehran. There was no immediate acknowledgement from authorities.

Netanyahu says Israel informed US before attacking Iran

In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel told the U.S. about its plans to attack Iran in advance. They knew about the attack. What will they do now? I leave that to President Trump.

Netanyahu says Israels attack on Iran was months in the making

Netanyahu said he ordered an attack plan in November 2024, shortly after the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah  one if Irans strongest proxies. Thats when Israel forecasted Iran would start rapidly advancing its nuclear program.

In a video statement circulated to journalists Friday evening, Netanyahu said the attack was supposed to happen in April but was postponed.

Iran summons Swiss ambassador over Israeli attacks

Since Tehran and Washington dont have diplomatic relations, Switzerland has looked out for Americas interests in Iran since the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency says Isa Kameli, an assistant to foreign minister, told the Swiss ambassador that Fridays Israeli attacks were a crime and said, It is not possible to imagine that invasion acts by the Zionist regime have taken place without cooperation and coordination and at least green light from the U.S.

Israels military begins stationing troops in all combat arenas

The military said it was calling up reservists from different military units as part of preparations for defense and offense as its attack on Iran continues.

The move comes as Israel braces for further counterattacks from Iran or Iranian proxy groups on Israels borders.

Iran says Israel will deeply regret its attack

Israels targeted killings of officials and scientists were clear instances of state terrorism, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter to the U.N. Security Council requesting an emergency meeting.

In the letter obtained by The Associated Press, he said Iran affirms its right to self defense under the U.N. Charter.

This right is non-negotiable, Araghchi said. Israel will come to deeply regret this reckless aggression and the grave strategic miscalculation it has made.

The Iranian minister urged the Security Council, which will meet at 3 p.m. in New York, to take urgent and concrete measures to hold the Israeli regime fully accountable for its crimes.

Israel seals off the West Bank

Israel closed all checkpoints to the Israeli-occupied West Bank Friday as the country attacked Iran, a military official said Friday. The move sealed off entry and exit to the territory, meaning that Palestinians could not leave without special coordination.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military recommendations.

Around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule. With the worlds attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have grown in size, frequency and intensity.

The crackdown has also left tens of thousands of Palestinians unemployed, as they can no longer work the mostly menial jobs in Israel that paid higher wages.

In Tel Aviv, an eerie quiet and a cancelled Pride Parade

Many Israelis are hunkered down close to home in Tel Aviv, the countrys economic hub on the Mediterranean coast.

Shops were open but the streets, beaches, and parks were mostly deserted. Earlier Friday, many people had rushed to supermarkets to buy bottled water and other supplies.

The city canceled its annual Pride Parade, which normally draws tens of thousands of people for a march and street party.

Iran is restricting the internet after Israeli attacks

Internet usage in Iran dramatically declined Friday after Iranian authorities restricted access in the country following the Israeli attacks, according to internet-access advocacy group Net Blocks.org.

The group shared the information in a graph posted to X Friday, saying their data corroborated user reports of poor service.

Expert says Iran poses a bigger threat to US military than Israel

Irans current capabilities are potentially more threatening to the U.S. military than to Israel, said Fabian Hinz, an air warfare expert at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

Thats because there are multiple U.S. military bases in the region and Iran has a huge arsenal of shorter range missiles developed specifically to target U.S. bases as well as lots of anti-ship capabilities, Hinz said.

While Iran fired around 300 ballistic missiles at Israel last year, Hinz said, Tehran did not fire any of their short range missiles which could be used to attack U.S. bases.

Think of the Iranian shipping threat as similar in quality to the Houthi threat, but much larger in quantity, Hinz said.

US shifts military resources in Mideast in response Iranian retaliation for Israel's attack

Two U.S. officials said Friday that the Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals to discuss the situation. The two U.S. officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

The Hudner is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that is capable of defending against ballistic missiles.

On Oct. 1, 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.

Iran calls for emergency UN Security Council meeting

Irans U.N. Mission said it has asked for an emergency meeting of the Security Council following the Israeli attacks.

The emergency session is likely to take place Friday afternoon, the mission said.

Israel told Trump administration of attacks ahead of time

Israel told the Trump administration that large-scale attacks were coming and expected Iranian retaliation would be severe, U.S. officials said, leading the United States to order the evacuations of some nonessential embassy staffers and authorize the voluntary departure of military dependents in the region.

The officials were speaking on condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehrans nuclear program, but its not clear if the Iranians would participate, officials said.

Yemen's Houthis condemn Israeli strikes

The political office for Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis condemned Israels attacks on Iran, saying that Iran has the right to defend itself and develop its nuclear program.

Israel is an aggressive entity that threatens not only Palestine but also the security and stability of the region and the entire nation, a statement read.

Israels claims about the Iranian nuclear program are baseless, and it has no right to be the regions policeman, given its nuclear arsenal.

Hamas expresses solidarity with Iran

We declare our solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the brutal Zionist aggression, which primarily stems from Irans support for the Palestinian people and its significant backing of their honorable resistance fighters, said Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamass armed wing.

He also mourned the deaths of senior Iranian leaders and others killed in the strike, condemning the attack as cowardly.

Trump calls Israeli strikes on Iran excellent and says more to come

In an interview with ABC News, U.S. President Donald Trump called the Israeli strikes on Iran excellent and previewed more attacks.

I think its been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didnt take it, Trump told ABC on Friday morning. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit. And theres more to come, a lot more.

In a further post on the Truth Social platform, Trump added: Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal.

They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance! he wrote Friday.

Iran confirms Hajizadeh killed

Iran has confirmed that Israel killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards missile program.

Iranian state television made the acknowledgment Friday afternoon. The confirmation came a short time after Israel said its strikes killed Hajizadeh.

Israeli military said it hit underground command center

The Israeli military said military jets hit a site where Revolutionary Guard officials had assembled in an underground command center, allegedly to prepare for an attack on the state of Israel, and killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh along with two other senior officials.

It did not offer details or information to support the claim.

Hajizadeh publicly declared his commitment to Israels destruction at various events in recent years and played a central role in developing the Iranian regimes plan for Israels destruction, the Israelis said.

It also linked those killed to an attack on Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Israel claims it killed head of Revolutionary Guard missile program

Israel claimed Friday it killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's missile program in Iran.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge his death officially, though rumors of his death had been circulating for some time online.

Hajizadeh is a major commander within the Guard, overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal.

Museums in Iran close after attacks

Museums in Iran are taking the extraordinary step of closing down until further notice after attacks by Israel, and were transferring valuable items to secure vaults, officials announced Friday.

The state-affiliated Borna news agency reported the order by Ali Darabi, Irans deputy minister and cultural heritage chief.

Such moves have been done only in extraordinary circumstances in Iran, including the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the coronavirus outbreak.

Iran names replacements for commanders killed in strikes

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has replaced two top military commanders killed in a wave of Israeli strikes on Friday.

State TV said he tapped Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new head of the armed forces, replacing Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. Mousavi was previously the top army commander.

Khamenei chose Mohammad Pakpour to lead the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, replacing Gen. Hossein Salami.

Irans Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the countrys theocracy.

Israeli officials say they smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of strikes

Israeli security officials say the countrys Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of Fridays strikes that were used to target its defenses from within.

Two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss the highly secretive missions. It was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

The officials said a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran and that the drones were activated during Fridays attack to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and positioned them near surface-to-air missile systems. They said it also deployed strike systems on vehicles. Both were activated as the strikes began, in order to target Irans defenses, the officials said.

--By Josef Federman and Julia Frankel
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump on Friday urged Iran to quickly reach an agreement on curbing its nuclear program as Israel vowed to continue its bombardment of the country.

Trump framed the volatile moment in the Middle East as a possible "second chance for Iran's leadership to avoid further destruction "before there is nothing left and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

The Republican president pressed on Iran as he met his national security team in the Situation Room to discuss the tricky path forward following Israel's devastating strikes, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to keep up for as many days as it takes to decapitate Iran's nuclear program.

The White House said it had no involvement in the strikes, but Trump highlighted that Israel used its deep arsenal of weaponry provided by the U.S. to target Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz and the countrys ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he had warned Iran's leaders that it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it."

Just hours before Israel launched its strikes on Iran early Friday, Trump was still holding onto tattered threads of hope that the long-simmering dispute could be resolved without military action. Now, he'll be tested anew on his ability to make good on a campaign promise to disentangle the U.S. from foreign conflicts.

In the aftermath of the Israeli strikes, the U.S. is shifting its military resources, including ships, in the Middle East as it looks to guard against possible retaliatory attacks by Tehran, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

As Israel stepped up planning for strikes in recent weeks, Iran had signaled the United States would be held responsible in the event of an Israeli attack. The warning was issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even as he engaged in talks with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Friday's strikes came as Trump planned to dispatch Witkoff to Oman on Sunday for the next round of talks with the Iranian foreign minister.

Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehrans nuclear program, but its unclear if the Iranians will participate, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

The president made a series of phone calls Friday to U.S. television news anchors to renew his calls on Iran to curb its nuclear program.

CNN's Dana Bash said Trump told her the Iranians should now come to the table" and get a deal done. And Trump told NBC News that Iranian officials are calling me to speak" but didn't provide further detail.

Trump also spoke Friday with British Prime Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron about the evolving situation, as well as Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, oil prices leapt and stocks fell on worries that the escalating violence could impact the flow of crude around the world, along with the global economy.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., offered rare words of Democratic praise for the Trump administration after the attack for prioritizing diplomacy and refraining from participating" in the military strikes. But he also expressed deep concern about what the Israeli strikes could mean for U.S. personnel in the region.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who's on Democrats shortlist for top 2028 White House contenders, said if Israel can set back Iran's nuclear program with the strikes its probably a good day for the world.

But make no mistake: We do not want an all-out war in the Middle East," Shapiro said. "Thats not only bad for the Middle East, its destabilizing for the globe, and its something that I hope will not occur.

Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below. The U.S. military assisted Israel intercept the missiles fired by Iran in the retaliatory attack.

Trump, in the hours before the Israeli attack on Iran, still appeared hopeful in public comments that there would be more time for diplomacy.

But it was clear to the administration that Israel was edging toward taking military action against Iran. The State Department and U.S. military on Wednesday directed a voluntary evacuation of nonessential personnel and their loved ones from some U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East.

Before Israel launched the strikes, some of Trump's strongest supporters were raising concerns about what another expansive conflict in the Mideast could mean for the Republican president, who ran on a promise to quickly end the brutal wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Trump has struggled to find an endgame to either of those conflicts and to make good on two of his biggest foreign policy campaign promises.

And after criticizing President Joe Biden during last years campaign for preventing Israel from carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump found himself making the case to the Israelis to give diplomacy a chance.

The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

But Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Obama administration-brokered agreement in 2018, calling it the worst deal ever.

The way forward is even more clouded now.

No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of the Trump White House, posted on X on Thursday. Im very concerned based on (everything) Ive seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.

AP writers Tara Copp, Seung Min Kim, Matthew Lee, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Noah Trister in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed reporting.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea said it has repaired its damaged second naval destroyer and launched the ship into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un, about three weeks after it capsized during a botched launch ceremony.

In a lavish ceremony Thursday, Kim boarded the warship and told troops that nothing can block his country's push to bolster its naval combat power in the face of U.S.-led hostilities, the Korean Central News Agency said Friday.

The country's extremely secretive nature makes it virtually impossible to independently confirm the announcement on the ships repair. Outside observers doubt whether the ships engine, weapons systems and other electronic equipment can function normally, as parts of the warship were submerged for about two weeks.

North Korea's failed launch May 21 sparked fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope with what he calls escalating U.S.-led threats against his country.

Kim said the incident was caused by criminal negligence and ordered officials to repair the warship before a ruling Workers Party meeting in late June. North Korean authorities later detained four officials including the vice director of the Workers Partys munitions industry department over the botched launch.

Kim lauds the destroyer's launch

In his Thursday speech, Kim said the countrys two destroyers will play a big role in improving the navys operational capabilities, according to KCNA.

Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval buildup is a justified response to perceived threats posed by the U.S. and South Korea, which in recent years have expanded their combined military exercises and updated their deterrence strategies to counter Kims advancing nuclear program. He said the North will respond to such external threats with overwhelming military action."

It will not be long before the enemy nations themselves experience just how provoking and unpleasant it is to sit back and watch as our warships freely move near the edges of their sovereign waters, Kim said.

Kim said a North Korean shipyard worker died during the repairs and offered his deepest condolences to his family, including his wife and son who were present at the launch event.

Experts doubt North Korean claim

Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5,000-ton-class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's claim it needed 10 days to pump out the seawater, set the ship upright and fix its damages it described as not serious.

Previous satellite photos showed the North Korean destroyer lying on its side at the northeastern port of Chongjin, with its stern partly under water. Last week, North Korea said it had righted the warship and would move it to the Rajin port, which is further north of Chongjin and close to the border with Russia, for the next stage of its restoration works.

Considering the time they needed to raise the vessel, they would have had less than two weeks to carry out the real repair work, said Yang Uk, an analyst at Seouls Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Would that have been enough time to completely fix everything and bring the vessel to a state where its operationally capable? I think thats highly unlikely.

Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, said what was likely flooded in the North Korean ship were its engine room, missile launch tubes and anti-air weapons systems, which all involve electronic systems that are highly vulnerable to damages if exposed to seawater.

Lee said the ship's move to Rajin implies Russian experts have likely been assisting North Korea with repairs.

Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been flourishing significantly in recent years, with the North supplying troops and ammunitions to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

Kim wants a bigger navy

The damaged warship was in the same class as the countrys first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the Norths largest and most advanced warship to date. Experts say the North's two destroyers were both likely built with Russian help.

Kim Jong Un said the ruling Workers Party has confirmed plans to build two more 5,000-ton-class destroyers next year, according to Friday's KCNA dispatch.

Satellite imagery indicated North Korea had attempted to launch the second destroyer sideways, a method it had never used for warships. Many observers said it would be more difficult to maintain the balance of a big warship because it carries heavy weapons systems. But they said North Korea won't likely repeat the same mistake when it launches its third and fourth destroyers.

According to North Korea's timetable, its first two destroyers are to be deployed next year.

Despite its growing nuclear arsenal and huge 1.2 million-member standing army, North Korea's naval and aerial forces have been considered inferior to those of South Korea's. But North Korea's planned deployment of a series of 5,000-ton-class destroyers would pose really a serious threat" to South Korea, whose navy hasn't still prepared itself to deal with such big, advanced enemy warships, according to Lee, the expert.

Earlier this week, the new liberal South Korean government led by President Lee Jae-myung halted frontline propaganda broadcasts as its first concrete step toward easing tensions between the rivals. North Korea hasn't responded formally to the measure.
Mark Amodei explains his no vote on Trump Administration request to cut funding for foreign aid, public broadcasting
Demetri Broxton is a prolific artist.

In 2022, he was one of 30 whose work the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco acquired with a $1 million grant from the Svane Family Foundation.

Broxton was recently part of the group shows Allegedly the Worst is Behind Us at the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, and Under the Sky at Berkeleys Kala Art Instituteand hes currently showing work at the Guardhouse at Fort Mason (through August 17th), as well as Black Gold: Stories Untold at Fort Point (through November 2nd).

But even with a thriving art practice, Broxton (who is also a father) continues to give his time in support of art and artists, including years spent working as senior director of education at the Museum of the African Diaspora .

Demetri Broxton with 'Victoria' (Courtesy of the artist and Patricia Sweetow Gallery)

Now, Broxton is bringing his experience to Root Division , coming on as the executive director after the departure of former head Michelle Mansour after 17 years on the job (shes now director emeritus).

Root Division is a unique nonprofit that offers artists studio space in return for volunteer work. They also have exhibitions of both emerging and mid-career artists ( Lay of the Land opened this week), and classes for adults and children.

It's the organizations mission and how it lines up with Broxtons interests that convinced him to take on the job.

I had friends tell me: you should apply to be an executive director somewherethatll be your next move, Broxton says. I was like, Never! but when I saw the position for Root Division open, I was excitedmainly because of the studio artist program. That was really the core for me. I also love that there are these beautiful galleries that we program with exhibitions. Also, I had been doing arts education, so it just kind of brings everything together.

Broxton has plenty of ideas for the organizations direction, and he implemented some of them at its annual fundraiser last month. Previously called Taste, the most recent iterationFlourishrecognized artist alums of the program, and named its first annual Arts Champion.

Eleanor Scholz, 'Divining Debris,' Silver (detail), 2025 is one of the pieces on display at Root Division's new exhibition 'Lay of the Land.' (Courtesy of @rootdivision)

Flourish was this opportunity to shift a little bit and to focus on artists as the center of what we do, Broxton says. We wanted to both honor our current studio artists and look to the past artists who had gone through Root Division and have been successful in their art careers, but are also giving back to the communitywhich is part of our ethos here.

One of those artists, Kija Lucas , appreciates her work being recognized. Lucas came to Root Division in search of a spot where she could be around other artists after graduating from Mills College. Thats also one reason Alexander Hernandez joined the organization after graduating from California College of the Artsthat, and the teaching opportunities his fellowship gave him.

Nimah Gobir came to Root Division right after finishing a masters in education with an emphasis on art at Harvard University. Getting subsidized studio space and a teaching fellowship in the Bay Area, where she grew up, was ideal, she says.

The inaugural Arts Champion award went to artist JD Beltran, president of the San Francisco Arts Commission. She wrote the foreward to the catalogues for Root Divisions shows featuring MFA graduates of Bay Area programsa kind of attention for emerging artists thats virtually unheard ofand has also contributed work to Root Divisions annual auction for the past 15 years.

Not only does the event raise money to support the organizations work, but its a great opportunity for artists, she says. Administration invites collectors, and if you get a great collector to start buying your work, it can help you land a professional gallery. Its exciting to go to the auctions. They also have really high-end work by international artists.

Beltran and all three artist alumni say theyre excited about Broxtons leadership. Like Mansour, he understands the demands of their schedules.

Nimah Gobir, one of the artist alums recently honored at 'Flourish' (Drew Altizer Photography)

Hes an artist, a parent, and has a full-time job, says Lucas, who has three adjunct teaching jobs along with her art practice. He gets it.

When the organization started in 2002, Broxton says, San Francisco had a more affordable landscape for artists. He hopes to lessen the burden for them going forward.

The concept was really about artists volunteering their time, he said. We want to reduce that, and we want to provide more resources for them in terms of all the artists having professional development opportunities and mentorship. We've been participating in art fairs to really expose them to more opportunities to grow their career.

Those opportunities are invaluable, Gobir says. People who get art degrees can underestimate how hard it is to establish a career.

Root Division does really well at getting artists through that awkward, gangly period of I love making art, but how do I afford studio space? she says. Volunteering in different areas can also help newer artists learn about the art world. You can volunteer to install work or to bartend at events. The exposure is important.

Being honored at Flourish means a lot to Gobir.

Its cool to have a strong feeling about and strong appreciation for an organization and feel that reflected back, she says. We need galleries and other institutions, but its like Root Division is saying we need our artists as well.
Your actor son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, is getting a lot of attention for his work in White Lotus. Do you give him advice about the industry?

Whenever Patrick asks me about anything, I give him advice, of course. But I would say that he has not really asked me that much for advice. I think that he knows that I had a certain approach and that he may have to use a different approach, because it was a different generation when I got into the movie business. Hes relying much more on his own instincts, and thats why he doesnt ask many questions about who should be his agent, or who should be a manager of his, or what movie he should do, or could I make a phone call for him to get into the door, or anything like that  never. He just always works his butt off and does the reps, reps, reps. He rehearses, he practices, and hes really good at those readings and getting those big jobs. Im very, very proud of him. And I think hes going to go all the way in his career.

Members only Schwarzenegger says his son Patrick, who earned critical praise for his work in HBOs The White Lotus, is headed for Hollywood greatness. Im very, very proud of him, he says. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

During a recent Variety Studio: Actors on Actors conversation you had with Patrick, Danny DeVito, 80, showed up as a surprise, and Patrick quipped This could be Triplets when the three of you took a photo. Is that something that could happen?

I dont think that would ever happen. But I would love to have my son in any of my movies, or me being in any of his, because it would be fun to work together  but it has to be organic. It has to be natural. It has to be really believable. Otherwise, it looks like a bunch of producers just threw this thing together to have us both in a movie.

Is there a director you admire that you havent yet worked with?

There are a lot. Steven Spielberg is one of them, for instance. Hes a very, very talented guy. And a very good director and writer. And visionary. I would love to work with him.

Is there something you would tell your younger self now, that guy just starting out?

I would say, Youre on the right track. Dont let anyone change anything. Because one of the things that I had to learn very quickly was not to listen to the naysayers. Because there are naysayers around all over the place. Just the very fact that when I wanted to come to America, people said, Thats impossible  which was, then, very difficult to do, but its not impossible. So I brushed it aside and said, Well, I will get to America somehow. And I did. And the same thing when I was saying that I wanted to be a world-champion bodybuilder and I wanted to get into movies. They always said, Well, its a dream. It would never happen. And I did it. So dont listen to the naysayers.

Whats the best part about getting older?

To be honest with you, I have not found a good part of it. It depends on your age and your problems. Everyone is different, but in general, age will add problems  health problems and other problems. You cannot move around as easily anymore or as quickly as you used to, and all that stuff. It has not been a problem to me yet, but I would say theres nothing I can think of. Oh, isnt it wonderful that now Im 78 years old and Im 10 years older than when I was 68 or something? I mean, no. Look, you always have to find the positive in everything. Im still working, Im still working out, I enjoy my kids, I enjoy my grandchildren, Im traveling around the world. Im doing something that is good for the people, the environmental stuff and the after-school programs, and being active with the fitness promotion. So Im proud of that and I will continue doing that no matter how old I am.

And your grandkids must keep you young. Do you run around with them?

Yes, absolutely. They come over every week and play with my animals and feed them and help me clean the stall and all that stuff. Theyre really into it. And they just love to visit Opa. Thats what they call me, Opa  grandpa in German.
Last Updated: June 1, 2022

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While AIMs 30th anniversary has been clouded by talk of how the market is shrinking fast, there are still reasons to celebrate its achievements. A good chunk of AIMs original members have gone on to score a winning goal for investors portfolios, says Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at AJ Bell. Eleven companies that joined AIM in its first six months of existence are still on the UK stock market today. A couple have been promoted to the premier league, namely insurer Hiscox, which is now a FTSE 100 company, and genetics group Genus which has ascended to the ranks of the FTSE 250. Anyone who bought Hiscox at its AIM IPO would have subsequently enjoyed a 2,650% total return, which factors in share price gains and dividends. Investment trust Athelney Trust also made the move from being an AIM early bird to joining the Main Market. AIM has been called the Wild West in the past and has had its fair share of disasters, yet it would be wrong to call the entire market a failure. It was designed to nurture growing companies, and the achievements of Hiscox and Genus prove it has been successful. Eight of the original 11 companies that made up the AIM market when it launched 30 years ago are still members. The best performer among those still quoted on AIM is Wynnstay Properties which has delivered a 6,331% total return. Its history lies in developing and managing residential property in Londons Kensington area, but it switched to commercial property in 1972. While the business is still relatively small compared to many real estate stocks on the London Stock Exchange, the rich returns for investors speak for themselves. Supplying animal feed to farmers and filling up domestic heating tanks with oil might not sound very glamourous, but its been a ticket to steady wealth creation for NWF. A 920% total return since joining AIM in September 1995 is not to be sniffed at. AIM has been a good place for small companies to broaden their shareholder base and tap capital markets to accelerate their growth. NWF has made various bolt-on acquisitions over the past three decades, some of which have been part-funded by issuing new shares. There are plenty of other examples of similar companies on AIM which are good at what they do, have carved out a market niche, and where their earnings have steadily moved higher. Those ingredients are exactly what many investors want on their menu.
Mossad Behind Enemy Lines? Israeli Spy Agency Allegedly Smuggled Drones, Weapons into Iran Before Strike 2

In a startling revelation, Israeli security officials have claimed that Mossad, Israels elite spy agency, successfully smuggled weaponsincluding explosive drones and precision-guided systemsinto Iran ahead of Fridays targeted strikes. These covert operations, the officials say, enabled attacks on Tehrans missile launchers from within Iranian territory.

Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information, two Israeli security officials disclosed that Mossad agents had established a base inside Iran specifically to launch drones, which were reportedly activated during Fridays assault to strike a military installation near the capital.

According to the sources, Mossad not only infiltrated explosive drones but also transported high-precision weapons and concealed them close to Irans surface-to-air missile systems. These weaponized systemssome reportedly mounted on vehicleswere synchronized to strike Iranian defences as part of the broader operation.

There has been no official comment from Israeli authorities, and the claims could not be independently verified. If accurate, this would represent one of Mossads most daring operations in recent yearsexecuting sabotage deep inside hostile territory using assets planted well before the main offensive.

The alleged operation signals a major escalation in Israels intelligence and military strategy against Iran, potentially redefining the scope of clandestine warfare in the region.
Murder in the Holy Town: 83-Year-Old Jagannath Temple Servitor Killed Over Money Dispute 2

In a disturbing incident that has shocked Puri, an 83-year-old servitor of the Shree Jagannath Temple was allegedly murdered in broad daylight on Wednesday, just hours after completing his religious duties. The crime occurred even as the holy town was under tight security for the Snana Purnima rituals.

The deceased, Jagannath Dikshit, a senior kothabhoga supakar (temple cook), was reportedly attacked in the Gudia Sahi area around 2 pm by Narayan Pattajoshi (49), following a heated argument. According to police sources, the accused allegedly smashed Dikshits head against a wall, leading to fatal injuries. Shockingly, Dikshit, despite being severely wounded, tried to clean the blood stains before succumbing to his injuries.

Initial investigation suggests the crime stemmed from an old monetary dispute. Pattajoshi had allegedly borrowed money from Dikshit and refused to repay it. A confrontation earlier in the day reportedly escalated into violence.

The entire incident is believed to have been captured on CCTV, aiding the investigation. Pattajoshi was arrested within hours of the incident, police confirmed.

What makes the murder even more alarming is that it happened during Snana Purnima, when the town was under an extensive security grid70 platoons of police, three commandants, and 450 senior officers had been deployed to ensure safety during Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhis visit and the sacred bathing rituals.

Despite the heightened security presence, this brutal act has raised serious questions about ground-level enforcement and public safety in one of Indias most revered pilgrimage towns. A senior police officer confirmed the arrest and said further investigation is underway.
When Marriages Become Murders: A Chilling Reflection on Love, Law, and Society 2

India is witnessing a tragic and terrifying trend: the very institution meant to unite hearts and build livesmarriageis increasingly becoming a stage for betrayal, cruelty, and even bloodshed. The brutal murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi is not just an isolated incident; it is the latest entry in a growing dossier of cases where wivesoften in collusion with lovershave chosen death over divorce.

This is not love gone sour. This is love turned lethal. These are not crimes of passion but cold, calculated executions planned over weeks and executed with chilling precision. In Rajas case, his wife Sonam, in alleged collaboration with her lover Raj Kushwaha and his aides, plotted his murder barely days after their wedding. The conspirators travelled across states, disguised themselves, created false narratives, and hoped to erase Rajas existence like deleting a file. This wasnt a momentary lapse. This was strategy. And thats what makes it far more dangerous.

But Rajas story isnt unique.

In Bijnor, Shivani laced her husbands breakfast with sedatives and strangled him while he sleptlater calmly telling neighbours he died of a heart attack.

In Meerut, Muskan and her lover allegedly murdered her husband, chopped his body, and stuffed it in a cement drum.

In Auraiya, Pragati, merely two weeks into her marriage, allegedly hired contract killers with the help of her lover.

The list goes on. So do the questions.

Why are spouses choosing murder over mutual separation?

Indian society still treats divorce like a moral failureespecially for women. In many families, leaving a marriage, even a toxic one, is treated as shameful, while enduring pain is glorified. This toxic conditioning creates an emotional pressure cooker. When love turns toxic, betrayal begins, and societal expectations strangle free willsome individuals, already manipulated or manipulative, see murder not as a horror but as a solution.

There is a terrifying normalisation happening. Instead of opting for a court of law, people are choosing jungle justice. The sanctity of marriage is being eroded not just by infidelity but by an emerging belief that if a relationship becomes inconvenient, it can be erasedliterally.

This shift from vows to violence reflects a deeper rot in our social and emotional fabric.

What can be done?

Redefine marital education: Schools and colleges teach math and history, but not how to manage relationships. Young couples must be taught about emotional boundaries, red flags, and the value of respectful separation. Destigmatise divorce: When society treats divorce like a curse, it traps people in dead or dangerous marriages. It is time we change the narrative: choosing self-respect and walking away is not weaknessits wisdom. Empower police reform: The Meghalaya Police deserve applause for cracking the Raja case across state lines with precision and speed. This case proves that local law enforcement, if well-resourced and trusted, can solve even the most complex crimes. Strengthening local police, enhancing inter-state coordination, and investing in CID capabilities must be a top priority. Justice should not depend on high-profile interventions; every case deserves equal rigor. Media and community vigilance: These murders are not always committed by criminals in the shadowsthey are often executed by familiar faces. Neighbours, friends, and communities need to be sensitised to signs of manipulation, coercion, or distress in relationships. Mental health access: Relationship counselling, therapy for trauma, and anger management must become mainstream and affordable. Many of these crimes could be prevented if people had access to safe emotional outlets.

A Call to Society

We need to ask ourselves hard questions: How did marriages become warzones? When did love become disposable? Why are people choosing violence over conversation?

These are not just police cases. They are loud, painful alarms warning us of a crumbling social structure. We must rebuild it with empathy, honesty, and courage.

A marriage is supposed to be a bond of trustnot a ticking time bomb. If that bond breaks, there must be exitslegal, emotional, socialthat allow people to walk away with dignity, not body bags.

Let the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, and others like him, not be reduced to a headline. Let it be a turning pointfor how we look at love, law, and the silent screams behind closed doors.

Because when marriage turns murderous, the whole society bleeds.
An overnight shooting in east Birmingham injured a teenager.

Officers were dispatched at 3:40 a.m. Friday to a home in the 900 block of Redstone Lane on a report of a juvenile shot.

Officer DeRell Freeman said they arrived to find a 15-year-old boy wounded.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service transported him to Childrens of Alabama with non-life-threatening injuries.

Freeman said someone fired shots into the house and drove away.

Currently, we dont know if anyone in the residence was targeted, however the residence was just shot up in December, Freeman said.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
After deliberating for less than three hours, a Morgan County jury on Thursday found Hartselle chiropractor Brian Thomas Mann guilty of attempted murder for poisoning his wife in late 2021  a verdict both she and the prosecutor described as the end of a long road to justice.

After the verdict was read, a solemn Mann, dressed in a dark suit, was handcuffed by deputies and escorted from the courtroom to a holding room as a voice from the gallery called out, I love you, Brian.

His wife Hannah Mann, the victim, walked out of the courtroom glassy eyed and teary and said she was glad the trial was over.

I was worried there was not enough direct evidence in the case just like in the OJ (Simpson) case, Hannah Mann said.

She said she has forgiven her husband and that she prays one day he will change his ways for him and his family.

He glanced at me when the verdict was read and I just lost it, Hannah Mann said.

Brian Mann, a resident of Hartselle who had a chiropractic office in Decatur, was charged with attempted murder Sep. 3, 2022, following an investigation by the Hartselle Police Department triggered when doctors at UAB Hospital diagnosed his wife with severe lead poisoning.

The states argument was that the defendant poisoned her by giving her vitamin supplements laced with lead.

Testimony in the trial revealed Hannah Mann had been a patient at UAB Hospital from Jan. 13, 2022, until March 3, 2022, suffering a massive seizure and having to undergo intense bowel irrigation because of the amount of lead in her body.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said Thursday the guilty verdict brought to a conclusion a long journey for Hannah Mann and others.

There were a lot of people involved. The Hartselle Police Department and doctors at UAB Hospital have been following this case, Vickery said. I think its the end of a long road for a lot of people.

Vickery said there was a lot of circumstantial evidence in the case with little direct evidence, but the evidence they did have was substantial. He lauded the Hartselle Police Department for its investigation.

I think for each juror it could be different, Vickery said of the evidence leading to the jurys decision. You could point to the possible motive  the insurance policies totaling over $1 million  but again, without talking to the jurors, I wouldnt know.

An insurance agent testified Brian Mann was the beneficiary on numerous policies insuring his wifes life.

Hartselle Police Chief Alan McDearmond, the lead investigator on the case, said after the verdict was read that he believes the outcome was a victory for all domestic violence victims.

Especially those that are scared to come forward, McDearmond said. I dont think that Hannah related as much during the trial as the many, many times that Ive talked to her on how she was a victim of mental abuse by Brian for several years.

McDearmond said Hannah Mann told him the abuse subsided when she began getting sick and Brian started taking care of her and giving her vitamin supplements.

She felt like he was really taking care of her by ensuring she took vitamins that were supposed to help her, while the whole time, the vitamins were doing quite the opposite, McDearmond said.

Vickery said he is seeking the maximum sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole and that Mann will remain incarcerated in Morgan County Jail until his Aug. 27 sentencing hearing.

Were past the guilt phase so we assume that what happened is that he had been poisoning his wife for months on end, watching her slowly decline to near death, Vickery said. So, for us, theres no other sentence thats appropriate other than the maximum sentence.

Huntsville attorney Chad Morgan, who represented Brian Mann, said he will be appealing his clients conviction.

Im not happy with it, but this is a jury trial, Morgan said of the verdict. You dont know whats going to happen with 12 people who dont know anybody in the case.

Morgan said the defense initially had seven witnesses they were going to call to the stand.

It was a team decision, and Brian is part of that team and, ultimately, Brian decided to not call them on the stand, Morgan said.

He said the prosecutions case lacked direct evidence.

I didnt think there was an overt act, which is one of the things they have to prove, Morgan said. There was no evidence that there was an overt act on his part.

During her stay at UAB, doctors discovered lead particles in her digestive system and alerted authorities, prompting the investigation by Hartselle police. Medical staff at UAB said they had to perform continuous colon irrigation, something they said they had never done before.

Hannah Mann, who had lost around 50 pounds, told jurors she began feeling ill in August 2021 and had been taking vitamins her husband provided. Doctors said the only plausible way the lead entered her body was through ingestion.

When Brian knew I was losing weight, he thought that would be a red flag for the life insurance, so he told me to put on ankle weights when we went to doctors visits, Hannah Mann said during her testimony on Tuesday.

Physicians became suspicious after Brian Mann appeared at Parkway and Decatur Morgan hospitals on the same day requesting bloodwork and X-rays, claiming he suspected he had lead in his system based on an X-ray he took of himself at his chiropractic office. An X-ray at Decatur Morgan Hospital revealed a substance in his abdomen, but a skeletal survey showed no signs of long-term exposure.

McDearmond later delivered a subpoena to UAB to obtain a small lead sample from Hannahs colon and also took lead from drywall in the X-ray room at Manns chiropractic office on Sixth Avenue.

Testimony also revealed Brian Mann had taken out five life insurance policies on his wife listing him as beneficiary, despite her being a stay-at-home mother  a move a local State Farm insurance agent called unusual, given that she was not the households primary earner.

Hannah Mann said she still suffers from the effects of lead poisoning today, including pain in her hands, and fears that if she were to become pregnant again the lead could be passed to her baby through the placenta.

Her UAB doctor testified that accumulated lead in her body could endanger both her and the baby if she were to conceive.

 2025 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.). Visit www.decaturdaily.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A crackdown on the curfew for Birminghams youth is part of the police departments strategic plan for the citys summer months.

Chief Michael Pickett on Friday announced several initiatives that he said will make Birmingham safer for both kids and adults.

The plan, he said, is rooted in the three key principles  visibility, accountability and engagement.

We know historically in law enforcement that theres an uptick in crime in summer months just like we know theres an uptick in robberies and thefts during the holidays, the chief said. Its important to have a plan.

Pickett said the city has made strides in reducing homicides and violent crimes, and he wants it to stay that way.

As of Friday, there have been 35 homicides in Birmingham so far this year. On the same date in 2024, there had been 67 slayings.

The city curfew requires children ages 16 and under to be with a parent or guardian from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Pickett said officers will be looking for curfew violators and will take them into custody for their safety. Parents will be held accountable, the chief said.

Recently, a 14-year-old was shot in Birmingham after 11 p.m. and not in the presence of a parent or guardian.

Thankfully it was a non-life-threatening injury, but we want to be on the proactive side, he said.

Our goal is to have all of our Birmingham City Schools students and all of the students that visit our city return to school this fall.

Under the departments plan, police will increase their presence in high-traffic areas including putting out more trailer cameras and pole-mounted cameras.

They will remain in place throughout the summer, he said.

These are tools that will support our Real Time Crime Center so we can monitor more and have more efficient deployment.

The departments Business Compliance Unit will focus illegal clubs, nuisance clubs, and those establishments creating a problem in our neighborhoods.

Officers will make sure they have proper licensing and a proper public safety plan that they are required to have.

Pickett said police will not tolerate reckless behavior in the streets.

If they see any increase in street racing and exhibition driving, they will once again deploy Operation Knight Rider, which has led to multiple arrests and car seizures over the past year.

Additionally, he said, officers will be on the lookout for motorcycles with loud sound systems.

When youre in the city, youll be required to operate that at a normalized volume, he said. Thats designed for the interstate where the wind is higher.

Its annoying to the residents downtown or those trying to enjoy dinner, having a drink on the patio, he said. We need to be respectful.

The department will add more analysts to the Real Time Crime Center, carry out checkpoints and continue to work with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office with the Stolen Vehicle Task Force.

The Birmingham Police Department, he said, is taking decisive action to make sure that our city remains safe for every resident, every business owner, every visitor as best as possible.
A man was shot to death inside a vehicle early Friday morning in Lauderdale County.

Sheriff Joe Hamilton said the incident happened at about 2 a.m. on County Road 23.

When deputies arrived on a shooting call, they found the body of a man inside of a vehicle just off the roadside. The man, whose name has not yet been released, died at the scene of an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators say the victim traveled to the location where the shoooting happened and met a juvenile outside of a residence.

A relative of the juvenile witnessed the juvenile inside the vehicle with the man.

Hamilton said a confrontation ensued, leading to the shot that killed the man.

The case remains under investigation, Hamilton said.
Reading scores are improving in Alabama, but thousands of third graders could still be held back this year if they cant catch up over the summer.

When adjusted to current benchmarks, about 88% of third-grade students are reading on or above grade level, compared to 86% last year.

Students are getting better at phonics, decoding words and reading comprehension, officials say.

We are seeing growth across the board, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told board members at a work session Thursday.

More students, however, are at risk of retention this year. A total of 6,470, or 11.6%, of Alabama third graders scored below grade level on recent spring reading tests, new state data shows. Thats up from 4,808, or about 9%, of students in 2024.

Students arent necessarily performing worse, officials say; the state adjusted benchmarks this year.

Under Alabamas literacy law, third-grade students must meet a certain benchmark, called a cut score, on the reading portion of the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program. If they dont, they could be held back.

State board of education members voted this fall to increase the reading cut score from 435 to 444, and the state will raise it again in the 2026-27 school year. That means students had to meet a higher bar this year to be considered reading on grade level.

Cant see the chart? View it here.

About 81% of second graders were reading on or above grade level, about the same as last years adjusted score.

What do reading scores mean for students?

Alabama stood out this year for its progress on national reading and math tests. While the rest of the country regressed during the pandemic, Alabamas fourth-grade reading scores held steady. Leaders attribute much of that success to recent literacy reforms.

Cut scores only measure whether a student is reading on grade level, not their proficiency. A student who is proficient in reading can not only decode words accurately and fluently, but can also comprehend and analyze passages.

According to a December 2024 report from the Alabama Reading Initiative, 45% of third graders had some kind of reading deficiency and struggled to master basic vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills.

Its not yet clear how many students will actually be held back next fall. Last year, for example, fewer than 1% of third graders were retained.

Students have several chances to make those scores up if they fail the first time. Theyre also required to attend a summer reading camp, and should have access to tutoring and other interventions that can help them get back on track before the new school year.

Mackey said all parents should have been notified by now if their child is at risk for retention, or if they made a score between 444 and the target score of 476.

Students may also be exempt from retention if stated in an IEP or 504 plan, if they are receiving instruction in English as a second language, or if they have received a certain level of intense intervention already.

Graduation rates

The department also reported record graduation and career readiness rates this year.

Among the class of 2024, 91.6% of students graduated on time, up from 90% last year and a record high for the state.

Starting in the 2025-26 school year, students will also have to meet a number of college and career readiness indicators to be able to graduate. About 88% of students met those benchmarks this year, up from about 84% last year.
Kelly Clarkson talked to Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride, on the June 11, 2025, episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show." (Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal)

Central Alabama Pride was featured this week on NBCs The Kelly Clarkson Show, during a segment called What Im Liking.

Josh Coleman, president of the nonprofit organization, chatted with Clarkson near the end of Wednesdays episode and received a $1,000 gift for Central Alabama Pride as a bonus.

The Birmingham-based group, which advocates for equality, visibility and human rights for LGBTQ+ people in Alabama, was recently honored with a Communities of Pride Award from The Advocate, a longtime LGBTQ+ publication.

Central Alabama Pride has continued to show up for queer communities for nearly 50 years, The Advocate said, pointing to the annual Pride Parade in Birmingham as an example of the groups impact.

Josh Coleman of Central Alabama Pride was featured on a "What I'm Liking" segment of NBC's "The Kelly Clarkson Show." (Screenshot from "The Kelly Clarkson Show")

Clarkson asked Coleman what the award meant to his organization, and noted that Central Alabama Pride has been active for almost 50 years.

It means a lot to us, Coleman said. Anytime that were recognized for the work that were doing here in Alabama, it means so much. But to be recognized by the Advocate, which is the nations longest-running LGBTQ publication, is super special. You know, in a place like Alabama, weve been around for 47 years celebrating Pride and visibility for community, and were just honored to carry that torch on.

Coleman wasnt physically present in the TV studio with Clarkson. Instead, he was pictured on a screen, chatting with the star in what appeared to be a video conference call.

Its really incredible what yall have done, Clarkson said, then asked Coleman about this years Pride Parade. Its set for Saturday, June 14, on Seventh Avenue South in Birminghams Lakeview district, starting at 8 p.m.

Weve curated 36 events over 15 days to celebrate Pride, and so our Pride Parade is always a huge hit, Coleman said. We have drag brunches with RuPauls Drag Race stars, and then it all ends with a huge celebration in the middle of Birmingham here. And its all free and open to the public, to break down any barriers so folks can come be themselves, have a great time, and enjoy a free, open festival and environment here to celebrate community. Thats super exciting and we are so thankful.

Clarkson told Coleman that Central Alabama Prides events sound very loving and fun as hell. She also announced that Pilot Pen, one of the shows partner organizations, would be giving Central Alabama Pride $1,000, just to pitch in.

Watch Colemans segment on The Kelly Clarkson Show in the video below.

Central Alabama Prides events for Pride Month 2025 started on June 1 and run through June 15 at various locations in Birmingham. The celebration culminates with Pridefest on Sunday, June 15, at Linn Park downtown.

(See the full list of events in the Pride guide on the Central Alabama Pride website.)
Coffee giant Starbucks unveiled its Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso, which was designed by Ricky Gonzalez and Simon Vuong. The new, limited-time beverage features cinnamon and vanilla notes reminiscent of traditional horchata. Deb Cohn-Orbach/Getty Images

If you love Starbucks, youll be happy to hear this news.

The coffee chain is hiring two content creators to travel the world and drink coffee.

The content creators will formally be known as Starbucks Global Coffee Creators. The company is looking to select a current Starbucks employee and one external candidate who are passionate about Starbucks, coffee, culture, and community.

According to a press release from the company, the Global Coffee Creators main responsibility will be to capture their experiences at a number of locations which include a Starbucks coffee farm in Costa Rica, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan or coffeehouses in Tokyo.

The creators will highlight the care and craft that goes into every cup of Starbucks coffee as well as the diverse Starbucks experiences in communities around the world, Starbucks said in a press release.

The content creator roles are paid, full-time, 12-month roles, with travel costs for the creator covered, and travel support provided by Delta Air Lines and Marriott Bonvoy.

Starbucks is accepting applications until June 13 from U.S. residents who are at least 18 years old.
A man died Monday after a two-vehicle crash in Choctaw County.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the accident occurred on U.S. Route 84 five miles east of Silas at about 2:50 p.m.

The victim, identified as Jimmie L. Slater, 86, was critically injured after his 2018 Nissan Altima was struck by a 2022 Kenworth Tractor-Trailer.

The tractor-trailer was driven by Meyoni T. McClain, 25. Slater was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, ALEA said.

Slater was transported to the UAB Hospital to be treated for his wounds but Slater died Thursday after succumbing to his injuries.

The incident continues to be investigated by ALEAs Highway Patrol Division.
Birmingham-based addiction recovery firm Bradford Health Services has been hit with a federal class action lawsuit over an 18-month-old cybersecurity breach which patients were first notified about last month.

The 95-page suit, filed June 11 in Alabamas Northern District, is on behalf of F.B., identified as a Birmingham resident who received treatment from Bradford in 2021, and C.W., a Florida resident who was a patient for one year beginning in 2022.

The lawsuit, alleges negligence, breach of contract and violation of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and seeks damages.

The well-known Bradford center owns 28 facilities across six states including Alabama.

Attempts to reach Bradford for comment were not immediately successful.

On May 30, Bradford notified its patients of a data breach that it said was discovered on Dec. 8, 2023. After a third-party investigation, the company said it determined that some personal health information may have been affected.

The company notified its patients by mail of the breach, saying that there is no evidence that the information potentially involved in this incident has been misused.

The data which could have been accessed includes names, drivers license numbers, dates of birth, medical and health insurance information, financial account numbers and Social Security numbers.

According to the lawsuit, the cybergroup Hunters International, which claimed responsibility for the breach, accessed the companys system through a new hires account. It demanded $5 million ransom to restore access.

The suit alleges that Bradford was locked out of its system for two to three months and told employees its servers were down.

It also says company executives and owners discussed potential stories that they could tell patients and employees to cover up the reason why systems were down. Among potential stories, the suit claims, was a lightning strike.

Many other options were discussed, the suit states. None of those options was telling patients and employees the truth...

The suit says the company did not provide any justification for why it waited more than 18 months to notify potential victims.

The breach leaves former and current patients and employees open to a host of potential crimes, the suit claims, including credit card fraud, tax and loan fraud, using patient information for phishing and hacking, and giving false information to police.
A state inmate serving life without parole died Thursday at William Donaldson Correctional Facility.

James Charles Bishop, 69, was found unresponsive in the prison infirmary at 9:55 p.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m.

Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Matt Angelo said Bishop was housed in the infirmary where he was being treated for multiple significant health issues.

An autopsy is set for Friday, but Angelo said there is no evidence of trauma or foul play.

Bishop was sentenced to life without parole in April 1982 after being convicted of attempted murder in Tuscaloosa County.

Bishop was convicted of shooting at the manager of a business where he was stealing gasoline. The manager sustained cuts from broken glass but was not shot.

Bishop was sentenced under the Habitual Offender Act because he has 10 prior felony convictions.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, right, talk with people Beauregard, Ala., Friday, March 8, 2019, as they travel to tour areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) AP

Alabama Emergency Management Agency leaders say they are eager to know more details about President Donald Trumps plan to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency later this year.

Specifically, how will it affect funding and response operations on a local level?

I cannot speculate exactly how changes to FEMAs Public Assistance program will impact states and local communities without first understanding the scope of those changes, especially as it pertains to how delivery of assistance will be carried out following a disaster, said Baldwin County EMA Director Tom Tyler.

Trump said Tuesday in an Oval Office appearance with administration officials he planned to begin phasing out FEMA after hurricane season, which officially began on June 1 and lasts through November.

Were going to give out less money, Trump said.

Were going to give it out directly. Itll be from the presidents office. Well have somebody here, could be Homeland Security.

FEMA, part of Homeland Security, has an annual budget of about $30 billion and employed more than 20,000 people before layoffs this year.

We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level, Trump told reporters Tuesday.

A governor should be able to handle it, and frankly, if they cant handle it, the aftermath, then maybe they shouldnt be governor.

Tyler and Jefferson County EMA Director Jim Coker both said they arent exactly sure how handing emergency response over to the states will change things.

In the news reports that I have seen, the President indicated putting this authority more into the hands of state governors, but did not provide any detail of which I am aware of exactly how that would look and what would be the specific parameters of federal assistance, Tyler said.

There are so many unknowns, Coker told AL.coms Greg Garrison.

States and counties do receive funding from FEMA...In some states, such as Alabama, funding is passed down to the county level. In some other states, it is kept at the state level.

In Alabama, Coker said different counties receive a different amount, primarily based on population.

Its very important to every county, he said.

The federal funding does help pay for the county-level programs.

If there are federally declared disasters, then changes in national policy could affect how aid is distributed, Coker said.

Currently, FEMA works directly with disaster relief applicants. That administration of aid could be shifted to states.

If this does happen, then money would be sent to the state level, Coker said.

But for the time being, local agencies are having to take a wait and see approach as they stand by for additional details.

Without being informed of this plan, how this would affect state and local governments would be a total guess on my part, Tyler said.

...Im just as interested as anyone in learning about the future of FEMAs role in disaster management.

When those details are announced, we will study it closely to determine any changes that we will experience at the local level and will coordinate with our partners at Alabama EMA to determine changes at their level which will impact methods and procedures following a disaster, he continued.

Coker said Jefferson County EMA would like to wait and see what kind of structure may appear, how things will be handled.

The state hasnt gotten any details yet, he continued.

Hopefully in the coming months the procedures will be developed. We dont have any policy details at the local level.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines decision to remove Juneau, Alaska from its list of stops has to due with the citys escalating dock fees. Canva/Katherine Rodriguez

A major cruise line has dropped a fan-favorite stop from its itinerary in a dispute over costs related to the port.

TravelandWorld.com reported Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines decision to remove Juneau, Alaska, from its list of stops is due to the citys escalating dock fees. There has also been growing tension over opposition from Juneaus local government to the construction of a new cruise terminal on Douglas Island.

READ MORE: Popular cruise line issues serious health warning to passengers

Royal Caribbean recently dropped several planned stops at Juneau from Ovation of the Seas itinerary. The removal impacts some 10,000 guests, according to the report.

The cruise line has replaced Juneau with other Alaskan destinations, including Sitka, Ketchikan and Icy Strait Point.

Royal Caribbean Group signed an agreement with Goldbelt Inc. to build a port on the backside of Douglas Island about 10 miles from downtown Juneau. The port is expected to open in 2027.

READ MORE: Cruise line cancels trip to popular Caribbean destination out of abundance of caution

Skift.com reports Juneau residents have become increasingly frustrated with cruise crowds in recent years. The city of 32,000 people had a record 1.65 million visitors in 2023 with as many as 20,000 cruise passengers arriving in the city on some days.

Juneau is a popular cruise port for a variety of other cruise lines as well, including Norwegian, Carnival, Disney and Viking.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey gets ready to spin his popular "Wheel of Fugitive" in July 2017, in Titusville, Fla. (Malcolm Denemark/Florida Today via AP, File) AP

Brevard County, Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning Thursday to protesters who use violence in his county: We will kill you graveyard dead.

Speaking at a news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ivey said peaceful protests are part of our democracy and allowed, but anyone who uses violence or interferes with law enforcement will be met with force, potentially lethal force.

Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, he said. Because we will kill you graveyard dead. Were not going to play.

See also: Alabama sheriff says he didnt encourage plowing through protesters

Ivey spoke as protests over the Trump administrations immigration policies have rocked Los Angeles and popped up in other cities and as nationwide protests against the presidents actions are planned for Saturday.

The sheriff, in office since 2013, said if anyone tries to mob a car, they will likely be run over and dragged across the street. If anyone strikes a deputy, they will be going to the hospital and likely will be bitten by one of the agencys big, beautiful dogs, he added.

If you let it turn violent  whoa, you do not want to do that in Brevard County. Im going to tell you that, he said. You dont want to let it happen.

He later said, I dont want to hear any whining later saying we didnt know.

Ivey and Uthmeier both spoke from a podium emblazoned with the words, Florida: The anti-riot state.

The press conference was held ahead of the planned nationwide No Kings protests against the Trump administration on Saturday. Multiple protests are scheduled to take place around Central Florida, including in Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee and Lake Mary.

Ivey said riots were already happening across the country, with law enforcement officers, including agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeted. Both Ivey and Uthmeier reaffirmed their support for ICE.

Uthmeier said Florida is not like California, where the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard and will be deploying U.S. Marines following protests against deportation operations being carried out by ICE.

We have a great collaborative operation with the feds, with ICE, and were very, very proud to support them, Uthmeier said.

We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida, he said.

Just before he stepped down from the podium, Ivey reiterated his warning one last time.

Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully. Stand on the mountaintops and yell your opinion, your views, he said. We invite that, but dont you dare break the law, because it wont go well for you.

________

2025 Orlando Sentinel. Visit at orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Cullman County Sheriff Matthew Gentry. Gentry announced he was running for a seat on Alabama's Public Service Commission, which is in charge of regulating utilities in the state. (Photo courtesy Matthew Gentry) Matthew Gentry

Cullman County Sheriff Matthew Gentry is running for a spot on Alabamas Public Service Commission.

The three-member commission is responsible for regulating gas and electric utilities in the state, including Alabama Power.

Thats one thing that most people dont think about or know about, but thats a position that affects all citizens across Alabama, whether its in Cullman County or Baldwin County, Gentry told AL.com. When I looked at what they regulate and the things that that position can do for the community and with the continual push from people, citizensI knew that was the good Lord leading me in that direction.

And even before announcing his candidacy to the public on June 6, Gentry had already amassed nearly $200,000 in campaign cash.

Though the election isnt until 2026, Gentry, a native of Cullman County in north Alabama, said he announced his candidacy early so he can build relationships throughout the state. All three spots on the commission are elected by voters statewide.

Gentry, a Republican, is running for the seat currently held by Jeremy Oden, a Republican from Vinemont in Cullman County.

Gentry, a veteran of the Marine Corps, has served as sheriff for 11 years. In August he announced his intent to retire from law enforcement.

Gentry said people approached him, asking that he stay in public service. He researched the commission and felt like it was a spot where he could make a difference, he said.

Since April 30, when Gentry filed to run, he has amassed significant funds for his race. His most recent campaign finance report, filed June 2, indicates he has nearly $197,000 on hand.

Gentry contributed $100,000 to his campaign, which he said were personal funds he loaned. Drinkard Development, a commercial real estate company in Cullman, Traditions Bank in town, and a local resident all made major contributions of $20,000 or more.

When he announced his intent to run for the commission, Gentry said, community members rallied to support him, knowing how expensive a statewide campaign could be.

Those citizens want to support us in being successful for the Public Service Commission, Gentry said. And as soon as we told them they said, We are behind you 110%. We want to help you.

As of now, Gentry is the only candidate that has filed to run for a spot on the public service commission, according to the Alabama Secretary of States website.

Oden, who currently holds the Place 1 seat, was first appointed to the commission in 2012 by former Gov. Robert Bentley. He was elected to a full term in 2014. Prior to his appointment, he was a member of the state House of Representatives, according to his PSC biography.

Oden confirmed to AL.com that he plans to run for reelection in 2026, though he hasnt officially announced his candidacy. The Secretary of States website lists Odens campaign committee as active. He last filed a campaign finance report in January.

Place 1 and Place 2 on the commission are up for election in 2026. Place 2 is currently held by Chris Beeker III, who was appointed to the seat in 2024 by Gov. Kay Ivey. Beekers father, Chris Chip Beeker Jr., stepped down from the seat due to health concerns.

Last week, Ivey appointed Cynthia Almond, of Tuscaloosa, to serve as Public Service Commission President after Twinkle Cavanaugh resigned to take a position in President Donald Trumps administration.

Almond will be sworn in next week. Gentry said he looks forward to working with her.

Ive heard nothing but good things about her and her work ethic as a state representative, Gentry said. I look forward to working with other commissioners that want to put the best interest of the citizens in the forethought and on their heart.

This story was updated on June 16 to reflect that Oden is from Vinemont in Cullman County.
A multibillion-dollar hydroelectric project that would reshape a mountaintop in northeastern Alabama found a receptive audience Thursday night  including from two residents who stand to lose property under the plan.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is considering spending up to $5 billion on a pumped storage hydropower facility near Pisgah, which would bolster the utility during times of strain on its electrical grid. At a community meeting at Pisgah High School, officials outlined steps in the decadelong project, which drew a round of applause from hundreds of attendees at its conclusion.

Among them was Lynde Wheeler, who said she has lived on the same county road on Sand Mountain her entire life  which would be covered by a reservoir under the TVAs proposal. Wheeler said she feels as though the TVA has been truthful with her, and at this point, she supports the plan.

To enjoy growth in an area, you sometimes have to make sacrifices, she said. Ultimately, to reap the benefits of parks and jobs and getting more opportunity to be a destination for people to recognize the beauty of our county, I believe it would be a positive impact.

Lifelong resident Robert Smith said he was initially concerned when he heard the TVAs plan, which would wipe out his home of 10 years.

Despite that, I think it would be an engine for this area, jobs, tourism, he said. Itd be difficult for a little while, but my wife and I, we can make it.

TVA spokesman Scott Fiedler said about 10 properties would be impacted under the current plan.

The TVA  the federal utility that sells power to millions of people in north Alabama and parts of six other southeastern states -could place its pumped-storage hydro facility in one of two places in Jackson County: Rorex Creek near Pisgah or Widows Creek near Fabius.

A rendering of a planned Pumped Storage Hydropower facility at Rorex Creek near Pisgah, Ala. The pumps and turbines would be located underground. (Rendering courtesy Tennessee Valley Authority) Tennessee Valley Authority

The former is the TVAs preferred location, according to its draft Environmental Impact Statement. The latter is near the never-completed Bellefonte nuclear plant. Alternatively, the utility could choose to expand its existing Raccoon Mountain pumped-storage hydro facility in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Both northeast Alabama options would generate up to 1,600 megawatts of energy, while expanding the Tennessee facility would add about 800 megawatts, according to TVA.

The facility would be designed with underground pumps that fill a reservoir at a higher elevation when electrical demand is low, then hold it there until demand is high.

When power demand is high, the water would then be pumped down through turbines - generating power for the grid - on its way back to the Tennessee River.

Scottie Barrentine, project director for the TVA, likened the project to a large water battery that is valuable or balancing the load on the grid. Hydro storage is a fast and reliable way, he said, to add additional electrical capacity compared with nuclear, coal or gas plants, which are most efficient when they run at a steady rate.

The Raccoon Mountain facility in Tennessee has been operating since it opened in 1978.

We know how to run pumped storage, and it works, Barrentine said.

Over eight to 10 years, TVA would construct a ring dike for a 400 acre reservoir atop Sand Mountain. The powerhouse, pipes and generators would be underground.

Once in operation this site is very quiet, Barrentine said. About all youd see is a reservoir going up and down every day.

TVA expects the project would bring in about 1,000 temporary construction jobs and then about 60 permanent jobs. Building it would inject up to $700 million into the local economy, Barrentine said, and another $700 million over the next 20 years of operation.

It would include a second bridge over the Tennessee River for the Pisgah community, and recreational opportunities like biking and hiking trails, and improved river access.

A decision would be made over the next two years, by 2027. Design and construction would likely take another 10 years. The TVA is currently taking comments on its draft Environmental Impact Statement. Comments must be submitted or postmarked by July 14.

State Rep. Mike Kirkland, whose District 23 includes all of Jackson County, said he has mostly heard support for the project.

People here are looking at the investment by TVA  not to mention the recreational opportunities and the infrastructure, its a win-win for the community, he said. Theres no smokestack, theres no radiation, you cant beat this with a stick.
Huntsville city officials said an increase in sewer rates is needed to upgrade its aging system. City of Huntsville

The Huntsville City Council has put off a vote on raising sewer rates until its June 26 meeting.

The council is asking city officials to consider alternatives to raising the average residential sewer rate from the current rate $24.15 per month to $39.15 by 2034. The city is seeking to increase rates for the first time in 20 years to make the upgrades needed to an aging system, City Urban and Economic Development Director Shane Davis said.

Davis said the upgrades are also needed to make sure the system meets Environmental Protection Agency and Alabama Department of Environmental Management regulations.

The current proposal calls for:

Monthly sewer bills to increase from $24.15 to $29.15 for an average residential customer. That remains far below the average Alabama sewer bill of $52.14 per month, the city states.

Rates would increase by $1 per month each year beginning in 2026 until 2034. At that point in 2034, the average residential sewer bill would be $39.15, still well below the current sewer bill average in the state, the city states.

The Huntsville City Council delayed a vote on increasing sewer rates until its June 26, 2025 meeting. City of Huntsville

Council President John Meredith asked Davis to provide some alternative to this, because right now it is this or nothing.

If that is the desire of council, we can look at that, Davis said. What we would do, we would trim back a couple of things. We would take out some of the large capital improvements, maybe to one or two treatment plants, try to defer that and see if we can limp along. Where we would really see our best bang for our buck would be that annual spending.

The current proposal would help fund a $150 million infrastructure investment within its sewer collection system and treatment facilities over a 10-year capital plan. The city said its wastewater systems infrastructure continues to age and reinvestment into the system is necessary to ensure reliability that meets regulatory requirements. Portions of Huntsvilles system date back to the 1950s.

Davis told District 4 City Councilman Bill Kling  who proposed the delay  that the oldest infrastructure was in his district in the central part of the city, and in District 1 City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins district in the northern part of the city. But he said upgrades were needed in every district.

Davis told the council that the city hoped revenue generated from the citys population and economic growth would keep the city from having to raise rates. But he said that was not the case. Davis said the citys Water Pollution Control department would operate at a more than $3.6 million deficit this fiscal year if it did the capital improvements it hoped it could do. But he told Watkins the department would not operate at a deficit, that some projects would be delayed.

Both Kling and District 3 City Councilwoman Jennie Robinson said they were asked by residents if the rate increase would be used to subsidize developers. But Davis said that was not the case, that the developers paid their way.

This is just to take care of our system, Davis said.

My takeaway is the growth in the city has helped us not to have to raise rates, Robinson added. We can thank developers for that. But now we have a system that is an average of did you say 48 years old? That aging system in the aging part of our neighborhoods needs to be replaced.

Water Pollution Control currently operates and maintains six wastewater treatment facilities. They have a permitted treatment capacity of 110 million gallons per day and have been in service for an average of 48 years. Four need capital improvements to ensure reliable operation and permitting requirements, the city said.

Even if no alternative is presented, Davis presented to council data showing the proposed increase would still be lower than the state average, and the lowest rate in the area.
CNNs chief data analyst Harry Enten said that California Gov. Gavin Newsoms name has been searched more than ever before since the governor has feuded with President Donald Trump over the immigration protests across Los Angeles.

Enten found that Google searches with Newsom and Trump have surged by 9,700% compared to a week ago  and more people are looking up the two names together at the highest rate since 2004.

Donald Trump was able to make for himself through The Apprentice, through all of his business ventures hes now making a name for Gavin Newsom, who seems more than willing to relish in this fight, Enten said on Wednesday.

If Newsom hoped this week would generate attention for himself as a fighter against Trump ahead of 2028, he's winning.



Google searches for Newsom's name searched with Trump are up 9,700%. (An all-time high.)



This comes as 84% of Dems say their party should fight Trump more. pic.twitter.com/7A0ZXun0wm  (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) June 11, 2025

Trump on Monday sent an additional 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell protesters, adding to the 2,000 troops already deployed the previous day. He also ordered the mobilization of 700 Marines.

Newsom, a Democrat, filed an emergency motion to put a stop on the deployment of state National Guard troops, calling for the end to the illegal and unnecessary takeover without his permission. A federal judge denied the request for an immediate block, but set a hearing for Thursday.

Trump has defended his decision to deploy the National Guard in posts on his Truth Social platform, saying that the city would have been completely obliterated if he did not. On Tuesday, he said that the once beautiful and great City would be burning to the ground right now.

Los Angeles was safe and sound for the last two nights. Our great National Guard, with a little help from the Marines, put the L.A. Police in a position to effectively do their job. They all worked well together, but without the Military, Los Angeles would be a crime scene like we havent seen in years, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.

According to a new poll released Wednesday night, conducted by The Washington Post and George Mason Universitys Schar School, Americans who are paying the most attention to the protests have opposed Trump sending in the National Guard and Marines by 17 points, while those paying little to no attention support the move by 17 points.

The poll surveyed 1,000 Americans, including more than 200 California residents.

When asked about why Newsom is more than willing to take on Trump, Enten pointed to the 2028 presidential race.

He referenced an ABC News Ipsos/Washington Post poll from April, which found that 84% of Democrats want their leaders to oppose Trump more.

This is not 2017 anymore where the majority of Democrats want to compromise with Donald Trump, Enten said. No, they want a fighter with Donald Trump, and at this particular point, that is a big reason why Gavin Newsom, in my opinion at least, politically speaking is leaning into this fight because he is thinking ahead to the future. Hes thinking ahead to 2028.

Enten found that Newsom is leading the race to become the next Democratic nominee, standing at 12% odds, according to online prediction market Kalshi.

He is followed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) at 10%, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 10%, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 6%.
This is a guest opinion column

When I first read that the Trump administration had rescinded a $44 million biotechnology grant earmarked for Birmingham, Alabama, I felt more than disappointment  I felt alarmed. As a physician whos practiced medicine for four decades and a proud son of Birmingham, I understand all too well that losing this funding meant a significant negative change for the trajectory of equitable, data-driven health innovation across America.

That grant was not just a line item in a federal budget. It was a lifeline. It was designed to power genomic testing access across rural and underserved parts of Alabama through the Catalyst Program  a partnership between UAB and Southern Research  anchoring our state in the future of precision medicine. In a country where chronic illness costs us $3.2 trillion annually and where access to care remains staggeringly unequal, rescinding this investment is more than fiscally irresponsible  its morally indefensible.

But this attack on the health and longevity of the poor doesnt stop there. Congress is now advancing a reconciliation bill that compounds the damage. It proposes drastic cuts and constraints that will ripple through every corner of the medical field. These include:

Significant cuts to Medicaid that, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, could leave more than 8 million Americans newly uninsured.

Borrowing caps on federal student loans for medical and graduate programschoking off access to the very education pipeline we rely on to train the next generation of physicians.

Continued Medicare physician payment cuts, including a 2.8% cut locked in for 2025 and meager annual increases thereafterthreatening the sustainability of surgical and specialty practices across the country.

I trained in general surgery and urology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York and later served on faculty at Columbia University and Harlem Hospital. There, I saw firsthand how delayed care, poor access to screenings, and lack of diverse data in research decimated communities. As a urologist I saw firsthand Black men facing prostate cancer being diagnosed too late and underrepresented in clinical trials. Thats why I launched free screening programs across NYC churches and co-founded the Black Health Network to deliver culturally competent health information. Since then Ive continued working to close these gapsnot widen them.

The $44 million grant targeted precisely the kinds of disparities we must tackle if were serious about health equity. It would have enabled free genomic testing, laying the groundwork for personalized, preventive carebefore illness strikes. Thats not wasteful spending. Thats wise public investment.

Yet in the name of efficiency, this administration and its allies in Congress are gutting programs that have already been vetted and approved, with no regard for regional context, medical need, or long-term consequence. Alabama ranks near the bottom in national health outcomes. Were battling physician shortageslosing 71,000 doctors a year, while only graduating 21,000. In addition, rural hospitals, serving the poor and uninsured, are closing faster than we can replace them. When federal research dollars vanish, so too do opportunities to reverse these trends.

National studies back this up. A 2023 NIH-funded report found that racial and ethnic health disparities cost the U.S. economy $451 billion in 2018 alonea 41% increase since 2014. The Deloitte Health Equity Institute warns that if unaddressed, these inequities could cost our healthcare system $1 trillion annually by 2040. This is not just a health crisisit is an economic one.

And its a geopolitical one. America is already ranked 49th globally in healthcare outcomes. Continued disinvestment in medical research, workforce development, and physician payments will not only worsen domestic health but cripple our global competitiveness. If were not leading on innovation, were falling behind.

Some argue these cuts are necessary to rein in spending. But fiscal responsibility should never come at the cost of human lives. There is a difference between cutting fat and severing arteries. The solution isnt to retreat from research. Its to invest smarter, expand representation in clinical trials, and ensure funding reaches the communities most in need.

Its time for Congress and this administration to reverse course. We must protect and expand federal investments in public health infrastructurenot abandon them. We must prioritize the communities who have long been underrepresented in scientific discovery. And we must treat healthcare not as a partisan battleground, but as the foundation of a just and prosperous society.

Alabama  and America  deserve better.

Dr. Brian Stone, MD, FACS is a board-certified urologist specializing in urologic oncology and general urology, founder of the Black Health Network(1996), and former faculty member at the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University. He has practiced medicine for 40 years and currently serves on the board of the Catalyst Program in Birmingham, Alabama. He is currently Chief of Staff of Walker Baptist Medical Center (an affiliate of Orlando Health) in Jasper, Alabama.
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) points during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) AP

The Commissioners Cup continues this week for the WNBA, with the Dallas Wings heading to Las Vegas to take on the Aces. These are two teams in completely different scenarios, as the Wings are just 1-10 through the first 11 games. The Aces, who are usually dominant, are sitting at just 4-4.

This should still be a good matchup, however. No.1 overall pick Paige Bueckers will face off against the reigning MVP in AJa Wilson.

Fans still looking to tune into the Wings vs Aces game can do so on Fubo, whos offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Heres everything you need to know before the Wings and Aces tipoff:

When: Friday, June 13, 2025

Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, NV

Time: 10 p.m. E.T.

Fans still looking to tune into the Wings vs Aces game can do so on Fubo, whos offering a free trial to new subscribers.

With the WNBA Commissioners Cup set to end on Tuesday, June 17, teams will be looking to make a strong final push towards the finish line.
The Florida Panthers play against the Edmonton Oilers in game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. The matchup will begin at 7 p.m. CT on TNT. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.

The Panthers enter this matchup with a 2-1 series lead, and they have won back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Panthers defeated Edmonton 6-1.

During the victory, Sam Bennett led the Florida offense with a goal. He has accrued 20 points and 14 goals in the postseason, which leads the Panthers. If he continues to find offensive success this evening, then Florida will be a difficult team to beat.

In order to bounce back this evening, the Oilers will need to rely on their star player Connor McDavid. He leads the Edmonton offense with 31 points and 25 assists, so he will look to continue his great play tonight.

Notably, McDavid has already recorded five assists in this series.

Fans can watch game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
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 China-SCO AI forum charts path toward inclusive digital development

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 13 Juin 2025



The fair and inclusive development of AI can illuminate the path of technological progress and contribute to a brighter future for humanity. Guided by the Shanghai Spirit, China will continue to work together with other SCO member states to deepen exchanges and cooperation, share the dividends of AI, and ensure that the benefits of AI better serve global development.

By He Yin, People's Daily Themed "Intelligence Converges in China, Wisdom Benefits SCO," the China-SCO AI Cooperation Forum was held in north China's Tianjin recently.



The event aimed to strengthen cooperation between China and SCO member states in technological research, talent development, and industrial applications. It encouraged joint efforts to tackle key technological challenges, accelerate the industrialization of AI technologies, and share the benefits of AI development, so as to inject fresh momentum into regional prosperity and development.



Advancing economic transformation through AI aligns with the shared aspirations of SCO countries. China has actively embraced the wave of intelligent transformation, vigorously promoting innovation in AI science and technology, fostering industrial growth, and accelerating the integration of AI across a wide range of sectors.



At the same time, it has worked to establish a sound regulatory framework and has built a relatively complete AI industrial ecosystem.



As of April 2025, China's AI patent applications had surpassed 1.5 million in number, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the global total, ranking first worldwide.



The AI-driven large models developed by Chinese companies - characterized by open-source access, cost-effectiveness, and high efficiency - are offering SCO countries new paradigms and perspectives for advancing their own AI capabilities.



Experts from SCO member states noted that China has demonstrated strong innovation capacity and enormous growth potential by applying AI broadly in both commercial and scientific fields, while also cultivating a large pool of highly skilled professionals.



As the world's largest and most populous regional organization, the SCO holds extensive data resources and diverse application scenarios. Enhanced AI cooperation presents new development opportunities among member states.

China has joined hands with fellow SCO countries to address key technological challenges, foster continuous innovation in AI, expand the scope of real-world applications, and steadily unlock the benefits of intelligence.



Concrete examples of such cooperation are already visible. At a photovoltaic power facility in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a Chinese enterprise has introduced intelligent cleaning robots to safeguard solar panels around the clock, significantly improving their efficiency and longevity. In the wheat-growing regions of Punjab, Pakistan, a China-Pakistan smart agricultural project now enables local farmers to precisely manage irrigation and fertilization through smartphone-based systems.



At the forum, China proposed a four-point plan to enhance policy coordination, expand technological cooperation, promote application empowerment, and strengthen AI security governance. It also released a plan to build an AI application center and extended an open invitation for joint participation, underscoring its commitment to openness, multilateral cooperation, and shared scientific and technological advancement.



China is a strong advocate for the fair and inclusive development of AI on a global scale and a strong proponent, facilitator, and pioneer in strengthening international cooperation on AI capacity building.



In 2024, the 78th UN General Assembly adopted a China-led resolution on enhancing international AI cooperation. China also launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for Al and initiated the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on AI Capacity-Building. These efforts are aimed at fostering broad partnerships so as to make sure that the benefits of digital transformation are enjoyed by all, and that no country and no one is left behind.

Recently, the second AI Capacity Building Workshop was held in Beijing, drawing participants from nearly 40 countries and international organizations, including multiple SCO member states.



The fair and inclusive development of AI can illuminate the path of technological progress and contribute to a brighter future for humanity. Guided by the Shanghai Spirit, China will continue to work together with other SCO member states to deepen exchanges and cooperation, share the dividends of AI, and ensure that the benefits of AI better serve global development.



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)
On June 6, 2025, the Department of Justice and the estate of Ashli Babbitt signed a settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch on behalf of Ashlis family.

The man who shot and killed Ashli was Lieutenant Michael Byrd, who had a checkered history in handling firearms and dubious justification for the shooting. But the questions about why Ashli had to die go far beyond the questions about the actions of Byrd.

Here are the events in the last hours of Ashlis life.

On January 6, Ashli went to Washington, D.C., to see President Donald Trump speak at the Ellipse (at 01:32 in the linked video), then walked to the Capitol (at 01:45). According to statements in the lawsuit, she climbed the stairs to the West Terrace followed by two undercover Metropolitan Police Department officers. Nobody tried to stop her. She then entered the Capitol on the Senate side, and the lawsuit states: Once inside, Ashli encountered a female Capitol Police Officer, who directed her to walk south towards the House side.

Which she did. She walked through the Capitol Rotunda, one of many making their way politely between two velvet ropes (at 03:00).

She arrived at the foyer leading to the Speakers lobby. Three members of the Capitol Hill Police, Officer Kyle Yetter, Officer Christopher Lanciano, and Sergeant Timothy Lively, were standing in front of the doors (at 03:42). Two windows had already been hit and were cracked, but despite this attack, the officers left their posts and headed towards the steps (at 03:48).

The moment they began to go, members of the crowd filled the void and started banging on the windows again. With the attack happening right in front of them, the officers did nothing (at 04:30).

One of the attackers was Zachary Alam, who smashed the windows with a black helmet. The lawsuit states that Yetter, Lanciano, and Lively had an order to guard the doors, but:

Instead of controlling, de-escalating or stopping Alam, Sgt. Lively, Officer Yetter and Officer Lanciano moved away from the doors and stood along the adjacent wall to the right of the doors.

Why did they allow the attack? Did they make the decision on their own? Did they receive instructions from someone else?

After Lively, Yetter, and Lanciano left their posts, a group of officers from the Capitol Hill Containment and Emergency Response Team (CERT) started up the stairs (at 00:21 on this video). The CERT officers are better equipped, so one could theorize that they were replacing the original officers. But even if that were the case, why couldnt Lively, Yetter, and Lanciano hold their ground mere seconds until the CERT team got to the top of the stairs?

Furthermore, the CERT team never got to the top of the stairs. The CERT member closest to the top stops to talk with a man in a dark jacket and a Covid mask. Mask Man chats casually with the CERT member as if nothing of consequence were happening around them (at 00:24), while Ashli climbs into the window (at 00:27).

In an interview on 60 Minutes, Michael Byrd said that if people got through that door (at 13:43), they are in the House Chamber and upon the Members of Congress. If the Capitol Hill Police needed to protect Members of Congress from such serious danger, why didnt they rush up the stairs? Why didnt they pull Ashli back from the window?

Its difficult to believe that all of these officers decided individually not to do their job. I think the natural response for a trained police officer would be to move forward and stop people from doing more damage. It is simply logical that it would have taken an order from above for all of them to stand down.

It wouldnt have occurred to Michael Byrd to aim his gun at Ashli if the other officers had protected the entrance; if there were no broken window for Ashli to climb into.

However, that does not erase Byrds role.

Byrd said that Ashli was a threat. But was she? She was standing in a window with her arms forward, not holding onto anything (at 00:30).

Furthermore, there is a pile of furniture on the other side of the entrance (at 00:15). Byrd talked about building this pile of furniture (at 12:58):

I went back out to assist, ah, the few officersand some Members, we were making, putting up a makeshift barricade, using furniture, ah, tables, whatever we could lift.

Even if Ashli went through the window, she would have to get past this pile.

Byrd stated they were running out of options. Did he not have a taser? Could he not have run over and grabbed this petite, 52, 110lb woman?

Byrd said that he didnt know whether or not Ashli was armed and that he couldnt see her hands or what was in her backpack (at 21:14):

[I]t was later, you know, [I] found out that the subject did not have a weapon, but there was no way to know that at that time. And I could not fully see her hands, or what was in the backpack.

So, Byrd shot an American citizen without knowing whether she was armed or not. Basically, he admitted that he shot her just in case. Just in case.

Byrd had previous problems with the misuse of his weapon. On February 27, 2019, an article in Roll Call stated the following:

After the House adjourned on Monday, Lt. Mike Byrd left his Glock 22 in a bathroom in the Capitol Visitor Center complex, according to sources familiar with the incident.

And that was not Byrds only issue with weapons. The Judicial Watch lawsuit states that:

79. Lt. Byrds police powers had been revoked on more than one occasion prior to January 6, 2021, for failing to meet or complete semiannual firearms qualification requirements. 80. Lt. Byrds police powers also were revoked for a prior off-duty shooting into a stolen, moving vehicle in which the occupants were teenagers or juveniles. The stolen vehicle was Lt. Byrds car. Lt. Byrd fired multiple shots at the fleeing vehicle in a suburban area. Stray bullets from Lt. Byrds firearm struck the sides of homes nearby. An official investigation found that Lt. Byrds use of force was not justified.

Byrd states in the 60 Minutes interview that on January 6 (at 00:15):

I was the Commander for the House Chamber section, in charge of the security for the United States House of Representatives.

How can any police officer hold a leadership position with that aforementioned history?

Despite all of this, to leave the guilt only with Michael Byrd is to practice avoidance. Ashli Babbitts family can make no further claims, but the still unanswered questions surrounding the shooting of Ashli must be part of a larger investigation of what really happened on January 6.

We the people of this nation, all of us, need answers.

Susan lives in a small town in Idaho. She writes, volunteers in her community, walks precincts, attends town hall meetings, and gardens. She is the author of How to Understand Your MAGA Friends and Family.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
The House Agriculture Committees reconciliation plan cuts millions in SNAP benefits to offer ever more subsidies to struggling farmers, who havent seen a new Farm Bill since 2018. Instead of simply moving money around -- much to the detriment of states and their poorest residents -- congressional agriculture advocates ought to address some of the underlying, substantive issues plaguing small and independent farmers. Atop the list for many: reforming checkoff programs to ensure that farmers hard-earned dollars dont end up in the hands of corporate lobbyists who actively work against them.

Commodity checkoff programs are generic marketing and research initiatives funded by producers of agricultural commodities (like beef, pork, milk, eggs, and soybeans) through mandatory fees. Responsible for memorable marketing slogans like Beef. Its Whats for Dinner and Pork. the Other White Meat, checkoff programs have over the years been revealed as troughs of corruption and corporate influence.

Purportedly overseen by USDA, checkoff programs actually operate with very limited oversight and often fail to comprehensively demonstrate how their funds are used. That may be for good reason; evidence suggests checkoff dollars have been used for lobbying efforts that actively harm small-scale and independent producers.

These programs work like this: All producers are forced to pay into them, regardless of whether they agree with how their money is used. Checkoff boards, in turn, are closely aligned with the biggest agricultural producers, who by nature of their positions are more concerned with market share than with leveling the playing field for their smaller competitors.

These close connections often lead to biased decision-making and outright favoritism towards the dominant market players. They also lead to misalignment with growing consumer preferences for sustainability and humane husbandry practices.

Back in 2010, an audit of the beef checkoff program revealed that the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) improperly spent over $200,000 on lobbying and overseas vacations. Since then, groups like Farm Action have dedicated themselves to unearthing instances of checkoff corruption at both the federal and state levels. Among their findings:

The National Pork Board paid $3 million annually to the National Pork Producers Council for the use of Pork. The Other White Meat for years after the slogan was no longer in use. Independent pig farmers eventually sued to stop this licensing scheme.

The North Dakota Soybean Council illegally used checkoff funds to lobby on agriculture policy, as revealed in a 2023 audit.

Due to lack of appropriate oversight, an accountant for the Oklahoma Beef Council embezzled millions of rancher dollars to open a clothing boutique.

The dairy checkoff failed to submit annual financial reports to Congress -- as they are required to do -- from 2012-2016.

Perhaps one of the most egregious examples of checkoff abuse was when the American Egg Board used checkoff dollars to wage a PR campaign against plant-based mayo startup Eat Just from 2014-2016, violating federal regulations. A sophisticated operation involving public relations firm Edelman, the effort was nonetheless crassly anti-competitive in origin. Emails divulged through a Freedom of Information Act request revealed the antipathy with which commodity programs seem to view competitors. Can we pool our money and put a hit on [Eat Just CEO Josh Tetrick]? wrote one participant.

Funny joke, but its emblematic of the coordination that seems to go on behind the scenes to oppose pro-animal innovations. No doubt similar effects on small and ethical farmers are purely coincidental.

In a vacuum, these are troubling incidents. Taken in totality, they show a systemic rot at the heart of these seemingly innocuous commodity programs. They need comprehensive reform -- and comprehensive oversight.

The Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act would do just that. The bill, recently reintroduced in both the U.S. House and Senate, would simply and logically prohibit checkoff organizations from working with outside lobbying groups, while requiring regular audits and budget transparency. One of the more bipartisan efforts currently pending in the U.S. Congress, the OFF Act is cosponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in the Senate and by Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Dina Titus (D-GA) in the House.

The OFF Act -- supported by more than 200,000 small farmers and ranchers -- would go a long way towards addressing one of small and independent producers largest concerns: compelled speech. When the government forces private individuals to express a message or opinion with which they do not agree, as happens repeatedly in the case of checkoff programs, they violate the First Amendment. Forcing producers to indirectly pay lobbyists who work for the largest producers at the very least implicates this principle.

Obviously, checkoff reform is just one way to help struggling farmers, who are losing their operations year over year. Another might be shifting government food procurement policies towards smaller producers. But its one common-sense step with bipartisan support that would allow for more free-market competition, introduce greater transparency and allay the concerns of those smaller agricultural players who rightly wonder where their money is going.

Lets get Big Ag OFF their backs.

John Cleveland is a senior fellow at Wilberforce Institute.

Image: PxHere
Judicial restraint, this was not.

In a sweeping order defying settled law, Judge Michael Farbiarza Biden nominee championed by Senator Cory Bookerhalted the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil. The ruling is not merely legally flawedit is an impudent attempt by a single district judge to usurp the constitutional authority of both Congress and the Executive over immigration and foreign policy.

Khalils removal was authorized under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA), which empowers the Executive to deport noncitizens whose presence undermines U.S. foreign policy interests. That statutory authoritydelegated to the Secretary of Stateencompasses exactly Khalils case.

Instead of exercising judicial restraint, Judge Farbiarz cast doubt on the constitutionality of the INAs foreign policy provision itselfsuggesting that its use in Khalils case may violate the First Amendment.

If the INA were truly constitutionally defective, it would fall to appellate courts to make that callnot a single trial judge reaching beyond precedent to impose personal doubts in place of settled doctrine.

The notion that this provisionapplied sparingly by every administrationsuddenly offends the Constitution when invoked under President Trump reveals more about the judges perspective than it does about the law.

Judge Farbiarzs decision to block the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil stands not only in tension with statutory lawit runs headlong into decades of binding precedent.

As the Supreme Court affirmed in Harisiades v. Shaughnessy (1952), when President Truman's administration moved to deport longtime residents over Communist affiliations, the Court did not flinch. It held unequivocally that the policy toward aliens is so exclusively entrusted to the political branches of the Government as to be largely immune from judicial inquiry or interference (342 U.S. at 588).

The Court acknowledged the severity of deportation but declared it a weapon of defense and reprisal confirmed by international law as a power inherent in every sovereign state.

Even when lawful residents faced expulsion after decades in the U.S., the Court upheld Congresss broad authorityrooted not just in statute but in sovereignty itself.

If due process did not shield communist aliens from deportation during the Cold War, it certainly would not protect an activist who has publicly praised groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

Additionally, what stands out is Judge Farbiarzs disregard for the jurisdictional limits Congress wrote into lawmost notably in the INA, enacted just months after Harisiades v. Shaughnessy reaffirmed that immigration enforcement lies squarely within the political branches.

In Harisiades, the Supreme Court left no ambiguity: the power to deporteven for political ideologybelongs to the sovereign, not the judiciary.

Congress codified that principle in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952.

Section 1252(a)(2)(B) expressly strips courts of jurisdiction to review discretionary removal decisions. Section 1252(f)(1) goes further still, limiting injunctive relief in immigration enforcement to the Supreme Court itself.

While some argue  1252(f)(1) targets class-wide injunctions, the broader statutory scheme reflects Congresss unmistakable intent to curb judicial interference in discretionary immigration decisions.

Judge Farbiarz didnt just ignore precedenthe bulldozed it, insinuating that a long-settled statutory rubric is somehow constitutionally suspect when applied to a Columbia protester, buoyed by the progressive immigration cartel and the usual suspects in legacy media.

Judge Farbiarz demands what the INA never requiresinjecting judicial discretion into a realm where Congress expressly vested authority in the Executive Branch, including the Secretary of State, and through 8 U.S.C.  1252(a)(2)(B), stripped federal courts of jurisdiction to second-guess such discretionary determinations.

This is judicial activism, pure and simplean aggressive encroachment on the constitutional authority of the two political branches. In effect, a single district judge has overruled the duly delegated discretion of the Executive Branch and the clear command of Congress, substituting personal skepticism for the statutorily delegated judgment of the Secretary of State.

The Trump administration will no doubt appealand rightly so. Congress made its intent unmistakable: discretionary immigration decisions grounded in foreign policy and national security rest with the Executive.

The Supreme Court has affirmed this time and again, from Harisiades v. Shaughnessy to Mathews v. Diaz to Trump v. Hawaii. If allowed to stand, his ruling threatens to reduce immigration enforcement to a patchwork of injunctions issued by district courts openly hostile to the very laws they are bound to interpretor, in many instances, as here, lack the jurisdiction to interpret in the first place.

Judicial restraint is not merely a philosophyit is an imperative, especially at the trial court level. District judges are not free-wheeling philosophers of law; they are constrained arbiters tasked with applying statutes faithfullynot rewriting them to match personal ideology.

When Congress enacts a law, and the Supreme Court affirms its constitutionality, a single district judge lacks both the institutional standing and the legal authority to declare otherwise.

Judge Farbiarzs ruling abandons restraint, exceeds his judicial role and injects volatility into an area of law where clarity and deference are paramount. His obligation was to apply the INA as writtennot to question its validity or subvert its application.

This so-called victory for Khalil will likely prove fleeting. And when the order is overturned on appeal, as it must be, the same progressive advocates who cheered this overreach will wail about the very chaos their judicial hero created.

Charlton Allen is an attorney and former chief executive officer and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc., editor of The American Salient, and host of the Modern Federalist podcast. X: @CharltonAllenNC

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
A recent AT article posited that our tech overlords have not so much created our future by independent thinking as they have by realizing the futures predicted by others. In essence, they are making real ideas that they appropriated. These visions of tomorrow, which the tech giants admit influenced them, virtually all end in dystopian nightmares.

This is good in at least one respect. We know what is coming. The roadmaps are there for us to read. Nowhere is this more clear than in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is Hollywood. Hollywood is cinema.

Cinema has long served as a cultural seismograph, registering the tremors of societal anxiety and projecting potential seismic shifts onto the screen. Some films merely entertain, but others seem to foreshadow reality, framing deep social tensions that later explode into historical events.

Walter Hills The Warriors (1979) and John Carpenters Escape from L.A. (1996) are two such filmsdystopian visions of urban chaos that, in hindsight, eerily mirror the real-life breakdown of law enforcement we are seeing in Los Angeles. These movies dont warn of excessive government control but rather expose the dangers of government neglect, where years of weak enforcement and ignored warning signs allowed unrest to simmer beneath the surface until it erupted.

Image created using an X screen grab and AI.

Set in a gang-ridden New York City, The Warriors dramatizes the consequences of a city where police authority has disintegrated, leaving street gangs (tribes) to rule their own territories. Though stylistically exaggerated, the films themes of neighborhood division, unchecked violence, and desperate survival mirror Los Angeless history of tribalism, as manifested by gang conflicts and riots. The Warriors, falsely accused of murder, must traverse hostile boroughs, similarly dominated by tribalistic factions, each operating under its own violent code.

This scenario played out in real-world Los Angeles during the 1992 Rodney King riots. When law enforcement failed to intervene effectively, the city became a battleground of roving gangs, looters, and vigilante justice. Police presence was minimal or absent in many areas, allowing the streets to be ruled by fear, retaliation, and territorial survivalmuch like the nightmarish vision in The Warriors. The film suggests that when enforcement collapses, an underground network emerges, with civilians, gangs, and local groups enforcing their own rules of law.

Another eerie parallel lies in how misinformation fuels chaos. In The Warriors, gangs spiral into violence based on a false accusation, leading to needless bloodshed.

Similarly, in Los Angeles, a misinformation crisis involving the current city and state administrations has contributed to the erosion of trust in law enforcement by framing federal agencies as oppressive forces. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have repeatedly criticized federal law enforcement actions, with Newsom calling the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles deranged behavior and accusing the federal government of provoking violence. Bass has similarly been accused of siding with protesters over law enforcement, with ICE officials claiming she has undermined federal operations.

These statements, amplified through media and social platforms, have fueled public skepticism toward law enforcement, reinforcing the idea that police forces are inherently oppressive rather than protective  and they deserve to be hunted as were The Warriors.

One of the most striking elements in The Warriors is its use of radio broadcasts to coordinate gang movements. A mysterious female radio host, acting as an underground informant, directs gangs throughout the city using cryptic updates. This unseen figure operates as a centralized communication hub, ensuring that enemy factions stay updated on The Warriors movements.

This foreshadowed the role of social media in modern unrest, where real-time updates, viral misinformation, and coordinated efforts drive public action. In the Los Angeles riots and other protests, Twitter, Facebook, and encrypted messaging apps have become digital command centers, allowing individuals to organize, warn others of police presence, and spread videos that fuel outrage. Much like the radio host in The Warriors, influencers and activists on social media shape narratives, direct groups, and create decentralized movements. In both cases, traditional authority structures lose control as underground networks dictate real-time action.

John Carpenters Escape from L.A. imagines a Los Angeles so unmanageable that the government abandons it entirely. Unlike dystopias where oppressive control sparks rebellion, Escape from L.A. suggests the opposite: chaos thrives when leadership fails altogether. Carpenters Los Angeles is a walled-off, anarchic wasteland ruled by shifting factions, directly resulting from governmental neglect.

This prophetic imagery aligns eerily with moments in Los Angeles where the city became virtually ungovernable. During the 1992 riots, entire blocks were left to burn, with emergency responders overwhelmed or unable to reach the affected areas. Law enforcement all but disappeared, and civilians were forced to rely on their own networkswhether community organizations, armed business owners, or local gangsto dictate justice. Just as Carpenter envisioned a city abandoned by institutions, Los Angeles witnessed firsthand what happens when leadership evaporates, leaving desperation to dictate survival.

Then, there is today in Los Angeles. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Both films emphasize that urban breakdown isnt suddenits decades in the making. The real cause of Los Angeless turmoil isnt a single arrest, protest, or act of government. Rather, it is a long-standing failure to govern properly, allowing tensions to brew and tribes to tribalize until unrest erupted. The police presence in The Warriors is so ineffective that gangs dominate entire boroughs. In real Los Angeles, periods of crisis have proven law enforcement incapable or unwilling to intervene, letting chaos unfold.

The prophetic aspect of The Warriors and Escape from L.A. lies not in their precise depiction of history, but in their exposure of societal fragility. They warn that cities dont collapse from one eventthey collapse when governments lose control for years, allowing factions to dictate survival. This is what happened in Los Angeles: years of neglected enforcement led to inevitable chaos, akin to allowing sleeper cells into the country and watching them release all at once.

Instead of warning against government oppression, these films showcase the failure of institutions to enforce basic order and basic law. When cities lack central leadership that punishes lawbreaking, e.g., illegal immigration, when law enforcement turns a blind eye to growing lawlessness, and when communities are left to govern themselves  not infrequently according to the low-bar laws of the countries from which they illegally came, civil disorder becomes inevitable. These films werent simply dystopian fantasiesthey were roadmaps to real-life catastrophe.

That AT article demonstrated that some of the expected dystopias have already arrived. To get ahead of the upcoming portions of the dystopian curve, we appear to have a choice.

Read the roadmaps and weep, or read the roadmaps and prepare.
China recently did something unusual, they revealed details of their 8,000-ton Type 094 nuclear powered SSBN. This ballistic missile carrying boat is 135 meters long and 13 meters wide with a top speed of 54 kilometers an hour. Maximum operating depth is 400 meters and the crew of 140 can stay submerged for several months, or until food and other crew supplies run out.

The six current 094s entered service between 2007 and 2021 and two more are supposed to be added. So far there are no indications that any more of these SSBNs are under construction. Each Type 095 carries twelve solid-fuel JL-2 or JL-3 ballistic missiles. The three-stage JL-2 weighs 42 tons and is 13 meters long. Each one can carry up to eight 150 kiloton nuclear warheads. Maximum range is 7,400 kilometers and this SLBM entered service in 2015.

The more recent JL-3 has a longer range of 10,000 kilometers and is not much larger or heavier than the JL-2. This was accomplished by using a lighter version of the JL-2 warhead, carrying up to three warheads, with redesigned rocket motors and missile casing to achieve longer range without a significantly larger or heavier missile. Apparently, JL-3 missiles replaced JL-2s in 2022. China was apparently dissatisfied with the performance and reliability of the JL-2. This was confirmed by how quickly the older JL-2 missiles were replaced by the JL-3.

The Chinese Navy has 78 submarines but 90 percent of them are conventional diesel-electric designs. China has some nuclear powered attack subs and SSBNs. What is more difficult to create are proficient crews. The U.S. Navy has established and maintains very high standards for officers and sailors on its nuclear subs. American submarines remain at sea much longer than Chinese submarines. China is trying to catch up but is finding that serving on submarines is not a popular career choice. As a result the submarines officers are low quality and would rather not be serving on submarines.

Because of this China has had a lot of problems with its submarines. Their submarines are poorly designed and built. The crews are often poorly trained and supervised. Back in 2003 this led to an incident where 70 officers and sailors aboard a Chinese submarine suffocated and died. The sub did not sink; it just drifted for weeks until the Chinese Navy searchers found it and all the dead personnel on board. To remedy this situation the Chinese Navy was ordered to improve crew training and demonstrate the success of that by keeping the subs at sea longer while operating as they would in wartime. That is still a work in progress.

This means the U.S. Navy is encountering Chinese submarines in areas of the central Pacific where Chinese subs had rarely been seen. This has put a strain on Chinese submarines and their crews because neither has operated this far into the Pacific before. The Chinese government ordered its submarines to regularly patrol the central Pacific, rather than just along the Chinese coast as they had in the past. The Chinese are new to operating on the high seas, otherwise known as far out in the open ocean. The Americans have long been out there because the United States has not had local enemies on the north and south American continents for more than a hundred years.

The Americans and Chinese are both dependent on seaborne imports and exports. Thousands of ships regularly operate out of American and Chinese ports because these two countries are the largest importers and exporters in the world. Keeping those ocean sea routes safe is important for both countries. Enemy submarines are the major threat to those commercial transports and its been eighty years since there has been a threat to commercial sea lanes. The U.S. Navy exists to, among many other things, protect American seagoing trade and threaten that of its enemies. The only potential enemy now is China but the Chinese are far more dependent on trade by sea, both for imports to keep the Chinese population fed and supplied with the raw materials to manufacture the exports to keep its population employed, plus all manner of goods they have become accustomed to consuming. The U.S. is the largest exporter in the world and the American economy is dependent on that trade to maintain the high standards of living Americans have become accustomed to.

For both China and the United States, control of seaborne trade is essential in wartime. American submarines have operated off the Chinese coast since World War II when the Americans began mining the waters around Japan to block essential food imports from Japanese occupied northern China. In the 21st century China is dependent on imports of food, potash fertilizer and other goods. So are the Americans, but not to the extent the Chinese are. America can survive without seaborne trade but modern China cannot. Not only because the Chinese population might starve, but because so many Chinese jobs are dependent on exported goods. China is currently the largest exporter in the world. But China needs the export business more than the customers for these goods do. The rest of the world would miss Chinese exports but they would not starve, despite China being a major exporter of fertilizer. For China its mainly about the jobs and large-scale unemployment is something the current communist government cannot tolerate if it wants to remain in power. Before the 20th century China used seaborne trade to bring in luxuries, not essentials. That has changed and China is scrambling to build a navy that can protect its trade routes.

Currently the Americans are easily able to threaten those trade routes and China is having a difficult time coping, particularly as the Americans have local friends and even allies with significant navies and air forces, all of whom the Chinese have unwisely antagonized. Chinese submarines in the central Pacific and even along the American West coast are a possible solution but one that is very difficult to achieve. At the moment China is trying to build submarines and train crews that can operate on the high seas and threaten U.S. Navy operations in the western Pacific and off the Chinese coast. At the same time. Both navies are increasingly arming their submarines with missiles that can be launched from torpedo tubes or Vertical Launch System tubes built into the hull. In the Far East South Korea is doing this with its new submarines.

Since the 1970s, China has been trying to develop and build nuclear submarines competitive with Russian and Western boats. Their latest nuclear submarines, the Type 096 SSN and Type 094 SSBN, appear to have closed the quality and performance gap with similar Russian subs. Except for one item; the Chinese subs are still too noisy and easy for much quieter American SSN attack subs to follow.

This first Chinese Type 091 sub entered service in 1974 after being under construction for nearly a decade. It was retired in 2000 but three of the other four o91 SSNs remained in service, undergoing numerous upgrades. In 2013 Chinese media declared that in 42 years of operation no Chinese nuclear sub has ever suffered a nuclear reactor accident. This was an indirect dig at the Russians, who are the only nation with nuclear subs to have suffered nuclear accidents, in part because most nuclear subs ever built were Russian. During the first 60 years of existence several hundred billion dollars has been spent on developing and building nuclear powered submarines. Some 400 have been built so far, most of them Russian. In 2000 China joined this club and retired its first nuclear submarine, the Type 091 Long March No. 1. This sub was demilitarized. That meant taking it apart to remove the nuclear reactor and then reassembling and cleaning it up for display.

The Chinese navy is modernizing and that means more nuclear subs and modern surface ships. Since 1949, when Communist China came to be, the navy has been organized into three fleets: Northern, Eastern and Southern. Back then the Chinese navy was a coastal defense force. For thousands of years China has been content to have little more than a coast guard, mainly to deal with pirates and smugglers. On only a few occasions there was a high seas or blue water fleet.

Since the 1980s China has become a major importer and exporter and, to protect its growing overseas trade, something China has never had before, needs a blue water navy. Such a navy requires not just experienced sailors but also support ships. These are the tankers, supply, and maintenance ships that can keep warships operational when they are far from China. In the 1990s China began investing heavily in these ships, by 2021 had the largest fleet in the world in terms of numbers of warships, and expected to increase the size of their fleet nearly 30 percent by the end of the decade while the Americans were having problems maintaining the force that China just passed in terms of number of warships, but not yet in total tonnage.

China still has some more fundamental naval needs. For example, China has never demonstrated any talent or enthusiasm for anti-submarine warfare. Considering the number of nuclear and conventional subs arrayed against it, anti-submarine warfare should have higher priority in China. Another serious shortcoming is mine-clearing capability. The Chinese Navy is well equipped to plant mines off hostile shores and in defense of its own waters but there is not a lot of capability to clear enemy mines. Many navies share this shortcoming but for a major maritime trading nation like China, it would be sad to see all that trade shut down by a few hundred naval mines.

China is still addressing anti-submarine warfare/ASM and mine-clearing, but has a modern navy. The three fleets are equipped with modern ships and the composition of each of the three fleets reflect current needs, including dealing with ASM as well as the nearest naval threats. Each fleet has over a hundred aircraft for ASM, recon and fighters for air superiority and bombers carrying anti-ship missiles.

For example, the Northern Fleet faces Korea and southern Japan. The Eastern Fleet faces the East China Sea and Taiwan. The Southern Fleet faces Taiwan and the South China Sea. The Northern Fleet must deal with the two largest and most formidable fleets in the region, South Korea and Japan.

The Eastern Fleet has the longest coastline to defend and the new coast guard comes in handy to help, often using retired and repurposed corvettes. The Eastern Fleet also must assist the Northern Fleet against South Korea and Japan as well as any attack on Taiwan.

The Southern Fleet is currently concentrating on the South China Sea, as well as contributing forces for any attack on Taiwan.

To even the odds, China has built a network of underwater sensors in the South China Sea that is complemented by ASW aircraft and surface ships. South Korea and Japan have similar technology monitoring their coastal waters. The only nation capable of blocking Chinese subs from moving out of the South China Sea is the United States, which has underwater sensors and a large fleet of ASW aircraft. The problem is defeating the Chinese diesel-electric submarine force. China has been trying to build effective SSNs for decades and that is still a work-in-progress. Chinese non-nuclear subs are another matter and they have become world-class.
President Trump and his cabinet secretaries announced that we have a deal with China!  and the stock market didnt react.

Didnt go up, didnt go down. The first two days since the announcement, at least, the market remained flat.

In part, this is likely due to the fact that everyones waiting to see the final deal, though theyve given us the big picture: both sides give in a little; the U.S. will still have high additional tariffs on Chinese goods and will allow most Chinese college students, and mainland China will stop holding critical rare earth components hostage.

The devil will be in the details, of course, but this big picture should at least have been enough for either excitement or horror from the market, and it drew neither.

What it did draw, interestingly, was a lot of editorials, implying that President Trump has backed down, or that he never really had a strategy, even though the net end result has a much higher tariff total on Chinese goods than the tariff level in place when he entered office. So, from the Presidents tariff strategy at least, its a win.

But theres more to it than this. This entire experiment has been a lesson, to both the American people and the entire world, and more and more people are beginning to absorb this crucial lesson, at long last.

First, some background: All imported products have import duties, around five percent or so, give or take, which are the same for goods from almost all countries on earth. On top of those basic U.S. import duties, some products from some countries have some additional tariffs, such as the 7.5% additional and 25% additional that were added to most Chinese products during President Trumps first term.

This year, for Chinese goods alone, President Trump added first ten percent, then twenty, then even more, until the new tariffs totaled 145% on top of the normal duty and the old 7.5% and 25% additions. So, for a short while, before the current truce, America was charging between 145% and 190% on Chinese goods, depending on the product.

Now with the new deal in place, it will about 55% plus the basic duty, possibly plus the first term tariffs (these details havent yet been clarified).

The people who want to attack President Trump can do so, saying that hes been talked down to a much lower tariff, compared to the massive level briefly imposed in April. But is that really whats happened? At the end of this process, the total tariffs on Chinese goods will be much higher than they were when he started his second term. So from the perspective of setting tariffs, President Trump has definitely won. Hes raised the tariffs considerably on Chinese goods.

But thats not the main lesson here.

President Trumps thesis  and not just his, but the thesis of the conservative movement, the MAGA movement, the American working class, and all American patriots  is that the United States has lost far too much manufacturing over the past half century.

The United States of America was the king of the industrial revolution; our economic dominance was propelled by our ability to make everything, and to be more efficient than anyone else in doing it.

Gradually, over the generations, due to an unhealthy mix of union power, Marxism, bureaucracy, a litigation culture, high taxes, and crime, America lost our dominance, and gradually ceded the production of whole classes of products to other countries.

More and more, over the past forty years, due to Chinas relentless industrial espionage and intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, subsidizing of industry, bribery of western politicians, and use of slave labor, China came to dominate this transfer of production.

Instead of the United States losing all this industry evenly to a couple dozen low-cost countries across the third world, weve lost almost everything to China. How can China be the best, most magnetic draw on earth, not just for textiles and toys, machines and appliances, raw materials and finished goods, but for all of the above? How indeed.

President Trump has set out to reverse this decline, to try to revive the American model.

This takes tax cuts, bureaucracy reduction, tort reform  lots of things. Its possible, but its not easy, and its not quick. And it still requires some push, to overcome inertia, because its difficult and costly for any company to move production in the first place, so once its happened, its very difficult for a company to justify doing it yet again.

Heres what we have learned from President Trumps tariff experiments, in both the first term and the second:

 Our normal low import duties are not enough to discourage companies from importing from China.  The new additional tariffs (Section 301) of 7.5% or 25% that he implemented in 2018 and 2019 encouraged a lot of companies to start finding other vendors outside China  both in other low-cost countries and here at home in the USA  but of course nowhere near enough.  The new additional fentanyl tariffs of 20% in February and March of this year encouraged a lot more companies to start moving away from China, but again, not nearly enough.  The next 125% in additional tariffs in April, on top of everything else, brought importing almost to a stop.

So now we will settle on some lower number that wont stop all trade, but which will be enough to get most American companies to look seriously at moving their supply base outside China.

What we learned from this experiment is that 5% wasnt enough, 30% wasnt enough, even 60% wasnt enough to get American businesses to take the issue seriously, but 150% to 180% certainly is. So we will now look forward to a period in which the tariff on Chinese goods will be something like forty or fifty points higher than the tariff on the goods of any other country.

The president is pursuing a combination strategy: much higher tariffs on Chinese goods to encourage American businesses to look for new sources outside China, and lower taxes and much less regulation here, to enable American suppliers to at least compete for some of that business.

Nobody expects 100% of the business taken away from China to come back to the United States. But twenty percent? Thirty percent? Maybe even forty percent? That would be wonderful for the American economy.

And it will be wonderful too, for all of our other allies whom China has been smothering over the years with their corrupt trade practices: Taiwan and the Philippines, South Korea and Costa Rica, and so many more -- there are lots of other low-cost countries who have been frozen out of participation in global manufacturing growth, due to Chinas countless violations of international law and fair trade policy.

Perhaps most important of all, this process has pulled off the tarp that had hidden how terrible our dependence on China is, for so many years. Now we all realize how unforgivably dependent the American manufacturing sector has allowed itself to become, on the worlds biggest rogue nation.

We have long known that we bought too much from China, but only in the last few years, and especially the last few months, have we realized how bad it really is.

One day, China will attack Taiwan or the Philippines and start the war of all wars in Asia. We all know its going to happen; we just dont know when. But once it does, we know that we will be unable to get anything at all  components, subassemblies, or finished goods -- from China, for years and years, no matter how desperately we need it.

To the extent that the American economy survives that future period, we will all owe President Trump all the credit -- for fighting so hard, for so long, to inoculate these vulnerable United States against that fateful day.

John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international transportation manager, trade compliance trainer, and speaker. Read his book on the surprisingly numerous varieties of vote fraud (The Tales of Little Pavel), his political satires on the Biden-Harris years (Evening Soup with Basement Joe, Volumes I, II, and III), and his most recent collection of public policy essays, Current Events and the Issues of Our Age, all available in eBook or paperback, only on Amazon.

Image: Grok, AI-generated image, via X
Remember how the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite ended every night for more than a year during the Iran Hostage Crisis citing the number of days the U.S. embassy personnel were held hostage by Iranian goons? Remember the 444 days?



Well, its been 16,658 days since a group of Iranian "students" stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 66 American embassy staff hostageand kept 52 of them until Jan. 20, 1981  and tonight the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) got 10-year-old me (and a lot of other Gen X'ers) some long awaited payback.

At age 10, I was aghast that students would kidnap bureaucrats for over a year.

And I was scandalized that after we kicked Carter to the curb, that Dutch Reagan never extracted a pound of flesh from the religious zealots who deposed the Shah and encouraged the "students."



Lots of people have told me that Vietnam was our national unhealed wound of my childhood. That may have been, but it was the wound of the generation just before me  Iran was the unhealed national wound for much of early Gen X  it was national disgrace and shame being broadcast into our living rooms every night at 5 p.m. for 444 days.



The Evacuation of Saigon was quickly replaced by Watergate in the news cycles of the early '70s, but Gen Xs first news event of note was the moon landing! We really didnt know what it meant when old men shook their heads and muttered about losing a war for the first timebut we clearly understood that America had the closest thing to Star Trek, and that made us pretty awesome!



We were getting a Moon Hilton, we were sure of that much! (And Russia wasnt).



I dont know about anyone else my age, but I didnt pay much attention to the news between Apollo and Nov. 4, 1979  I tried to sit next to dad and wrap my head around Watergate. I knew the names of all the players (Haldeman, Erlichman, Mitchell, and Dean  what they say, is not what they mean) but I couldnt grasp how it made Nixon a criminal (and still cant).



Ford was weirdly invisible  then Squeaky Fromme propelled him to fame  then he disappeared again only to emerge in Vail after he lost to Carter.



Carter bored me to tears, I thought he was just as cringy as can be with his sweaters  then the Iran Hostage Crisis happened, and the botched rescue attempt  and I understood the national embarrassment that my grandfather and his friends had felt regarding the loss in Vietnam.



The Iran Hostage Crisis made me into a Republican despite all the best efforts of Laugh-in and Simon & Garfunkel to steer me left. But despite the fact that I thought Reagan was a total badass for getting them released so quickly, the matter always felt quite unresolved to me.



So tonight, as the IDF go to war against Iran  I think of Brian Wilson, and how we modified the Beach Boys song, Barbara Ann back in 1979 (bombbombbomb...bombbombIran), and say Godspeed.

Iran has had it coming for a long, long time!



And I pray for the people of Israel on this, the 16,658th day of the Iran Hostage Crisis.
Despite the LA riots being a direct manifestation of Joe Bidens open border policy, they prove there is one decision he made (if, in fact, he was making them) in 2020, which we can appreciateand recent political history in South Korea reveals why.

In August 2020, after considering several prominent Democrats for the position of vice president on his ticket, presidential candidate Biden selected word salad expert Kamala Harris. As a female and a minority member, she met his DEI requirements. But another DEI candidate making his shortlist was Karen Bassthe current mayor of LA.

Setting aside the leadership incompetence that Bass has exhibited both in dealing with the wildfires that impacted LA earlier and the current riots, most disconcerting is that Bass has, for decades, held an established record as an open communist sympathizer and supporter of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

That anyone with such a background would even be considered as a potential vice presidential candidate is outrageous. Fortunately, she was not selected. Undeterred by her non-selection, Bass has continued to hold on to her far-left and communist-leaning beliefs. It is no wonder the city today is a mess, as evidenced by its debt of nearly one billion dollars,an undermanned police force, and social unrestjust the kind of influences upon which communism relies to tighten its grip.

Accordingly, the FBI is now investigating reports that the LA riots are being funded by the Chinese Communist Party and other groups with communist links.

Saddening is the fact that the turmoil LA residents are suffering has been self-inflictedthe result of voters answering the call of a communist sympathizer to lead their city. While other cities, like Seattle, have incurred similar fates due to naive voters failing to understand the true consequences of electing far left Democrats, it is even more worrisome when a democratic nation succumbs to the call. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened in South Korea as the country has endured a rocky political ride over the past several months.

In 2022, Yoon Suk Yeol of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) was elected president of South Korea in an extremely close contest, defeating Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party (DP). Elected presidents are to serve a single five-year term. But on December 14, 2024, an impeachment resolution stripped Yoon of his powers for having unconstitutionally implemented martial law to eradicate pro-North Korea forces and protect constitutional order. By law, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became acting president.

But an impeachment resolution was filed against Han just two weeks later, allegedly for blocking an investigation of Yoon and his wife. Han, too, was forced from office. This resulted in the Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok becoming acting president. However, a Constitutional Court ruling on March 24, 2025, returned Han as acting president. He would enjoy a short tenure, however, as a June 3rd presidential election resulted in DPs Lee winning office, occupying it the very next day.

For PPP conservatives, as well as the U.S., Lee is proving to be a nightmare as he takes on the role of a communist North Korea sympathizer and anti-American activist.

Within days of taking office, the Lee administration signed numerous agreements with anti-US and pro-North Korean civic groups, funding their efforts. Such groups are opposed to conducting joint South Korean/U.S. military operations and deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile systemthe latter purely intended to defend against the Norths growing missile threat.

One such far-left group is the Candlelight Action movement. Its co-leader is the brother of the newly appointed South Korean prime minister, Kim Min-seok. While the groups far-leftism is reflected by its anti-American, pro-China, and pro-Hamas activism all wrapped up into a single package, the prime minister stands, in his own right, as one of the leading and most hateful anti-U.S. and anti-Israel activists in the country.

In June of 2024, South Korea was making loud anti-North broadcasts along the border after North Korea had dumped large trash deposits into the South, flown there by using air balloons. In another effort to appease the North, Lee has ended the broadcasts.

In the eight decades North Korea has existeda time period in which it has been ruled by three generations of one familyits policy toward the South has been one of constant taking. When Lees presidency draws to an end in 2030, that will not have changed, although the South will be the worse for wear from its constant giving.

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., leftist and communist organizers are calling for a national Saturday Day of Rage to be held on June 14. This date was obviously selected for its significance as Flag Day, the U.S. Armys 250th birthday, and Trumps 79th birthday. The communist call is for 1,800 protests in all 50 states.

Hopefully, 2025 will serve as a politically enlightening year for freedom-loving voters in both the U.S. and South Korea, putting them on notice as to the dangers of affirmatively responding to communisms siren call.

Image generated by AI.
Everyone knows that getting between an animal and its young is losing prospect. Bear cubs, elk calves and the like are cute but its best to admire them from a safe distance. So its puzzling that some human parents would willingly send their young children off alone across hostile terrain to a foreign country where they hope theyll somehow be united with distant family members or sponsors. Its also puzzling that the reports of hundreds of thousands of young immigrant children who have gone missing in the U.S. in recent years isnt receiving more attention.

A 2024 Inspector General report revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to track approximately 300,000 unaccompanied immigrant children, raising alarms about their safety. Republicans argue this reflects failures in the Biden-Harris administrations immigration policies, citing the risk of exploitation, including sex trafficking and forced labor. Democrats contend the missing label is misleading, as many children may be living safely with family or sponsors.

The DHS report, published in August 2024, found that ICE did not issue court notices to 291,000 unaccompanied migrant children between 2019 and May 2024, making them unaccounted for in the system. The report notes that children who miss court dates are at higher risk of trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor due to the lack of monitoring. Critics, including Senator Marsha Blackburn,(R-TN) are pressing DHS and ICE for answers on what they call a dereliction of duty. Blackburn and others argue that lax border policies under the Biden-Harris administration have enabled cartels and traffickers to exploit vulnerable children, with some estimates suggesting up to 320,000 children are untracked.

The scale of the issue is staggering. Since 2019, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has processed hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied minors, placing them with sponsors while their immigration cases proceed. However, the DHS reports gaps in follow-up, noting that ICEs record-keeping failures and communication breakdowns with agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have left many childrens whereabouts unknown.

Whistleblower Tara Rodas accused the administration of failing to investigate over 7,000 trafficking reports, contributing to a backlog of 65,000 cases. Such accounts have led to accusations that the administrations policies have indirectly fueled a multibillion-dollar trafficking industry.

On the other hand, some experts and officials argue the missing label is an oversimplification. A CBS News report states that the 323,000 children referenced in the Department of Human Services (DHS) report are not necessarily lost but may not have received court notices due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, such as outdated addresses or communication failures. Many are likely living with vetted sponsors, often parents or relatives, and attending school. How many children must go missing before CBS News considers it a problem?

Jonathan H. Hayes, former Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement testified in 2019 that Health and Human Services (HHS) role is to provide temporary care and place children in safe environments, a responsibility he claims the Trump administration largely fulfilled, while critics of the missing narrative assert that that tracking challenges also existed during the Trump administration.

The risks to unaccompanied minors are real, however. The DHS report acknowledges that children who go missing are more vulnerable to exploitation. A National Review article cited Senator Chuck Grassleys call for HHS to address these risks, while a BBC report quoted immigration researcher Eric Ruark, who attributed the tracking issues to apathy, incompetence, and bureaucratic inefficiency. The polarized discourse is further complicated by political figures like Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D-CT) who urged critics like Governor Kristi Noem to put aside concerns about the administrations role, arguing that the focus should be on solutions rather than blame.

The Biden-Harris administration has defended its record, pointing to efforts like the 2020 National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which coordinates federal agencies to prevent exploitation. However, the administrations critics, including Trumps border czar Tom Homan, argue that these measures fall short, with Homan asserting that many children are not missing but sold to unvetted sponsors, some of whom subject the children to abuse. This rhetoric underscores the urgency of addressing systemic gaps.

Ultimately, the crisis of unaccompanied migrant children reveals a mix of policy failures, bureaucratic challenges, and political narratives. While the Biden-Harris administration placed many children with sponsors, the lack of vigorous tracking mechanisms has left thousands potentially vulnerable.

Both sides agree that reforms are needed, with better inter-agency coordination, stricter sponsor vetting, and enhanced follow-up protocols to manage risks. As the Trump administration now prioritizes locating these children, citizens must confront the human cost of inaction.

Image: RawPixel.com
In Brevard County, Florida, the local sheriff doesn't play around.

Here's his message to would-be rioters and looters, looking to duplicate the riots in Los Angeles:

BREVARD SHERIFF WAYNE IVEY TO POTENTIAL RIOTERS: "If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you, graveyard dead. We're not gonna play." pic.twitter.com/HYuhEBqV4Q  Floridas Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 12, 2025

The whole speech is dramatic and to the point -- simple, direct, and understandable.

The most interesting part is in its striking contrast to the failure of law enforcement in Los Angeles, whose leaders refuse to back the blue. They refuse to enforce riot laws, and as a result, they get more riots. Here, riots aren't tolerated, so there aren't any riots

It's hardly the first time we have heard talk like this from Florida's officials.

Remember when Florida's Gov. Ron DeSantis, in the wake of a hurricane, pretty much said the same thing?

Governor Ron DeSantis with a reminder to potential looters-



YOU LOOT- WE SHOOT!



Who agrees with that sentiment 100%?  pic.twitter.com/KNnkufcuFb  M-U-R-C-H (@TheEXECUTlONER_) October 8, 2024

There's a culture in that state -- of not tolerating looting.

Which is actually pretty important. As tough as some of Presiddent Trump's enforcement actions are on illegal immigrants, what he's trying to do is reestablish a culture of normalcy around the idea of immigration -- if you want to immigrate to the U.S., the only way to do it is the legal way, anything else is not normalcy.

It's the same for civil order. Looting is something so abnormal, so strange, so unthinkable in Florida it doesn't happen, at least as a reflexive act as it does in California because the message is delivered again and again, through officials such as DeSantis and Ivey -- or inversely, through California's Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, whose state sees fearsome rioting and looting, again and again.

I'm surprised the ACLU or some other lawyers' group doesn't come out and sue the man for saying what's actually pretty right and moral, the established practice of most previous civilizations in the establishment of law and order. But they haven't. Seems they don't have anything on him, or more likely, there's a culture of order in Florida.

The sheriff should be applauded, for protecting those whom he serves.

Image: Screen shot from X video.
Like so many educational programs that have come under the microscope of the Trump administration, the Fulbright program, once so highly regarded as an international exchange program, has raised alarms. The Board of the Fulbright scholarships have all resigned, except for one board member who chooses to fill out her term.

What is all the controversy about?

If we look at the history of Fulbright, it was originally established by Congress to improve international relations after World War II. Up until now, the Board has had the authority to approve the scholars who would receive scholarships. For 80 years, the program was highly regarded:

The highly selective program awards about 9,000 scholarships annually in the U.S. and in more than 160 other countries to students, scholars, and professionals in a range of fields. [snip] Award recipients are selected in a yearlong process by nonpartisan staff at the State Department and other countries' embassies. The board has had final approval. The recipients who had their awards canceled are in fields including biology, engineering, agriculture, music, medical sciences, and history, the board members said.

Evidenced by the chaos at Harvard and other universities, the Trump administration has grave concerns about the students who are being accepted from abroadcompletely understandable when it turns out that many of these students involve themselves in violent and disruptive activities on campuses. At this point, the Department of Education has cancelled only this years Fulbright program, and the State Department has revoked hundreds of student visas:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that 300 student visas have been revoked, asserting we have a right to rescind the visas of students who participate in campus protests, despite questions about due process and First Amendment objections. If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us that the reason why you're coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus, we're not going to give you a visa, Rubio said. If you lie to us and get a visa then enter the United States, and with that visa, participate in that sort of activity, we're going to take away your visa.

You might be wondering why the administration is concerned about Fulbright scholars, given that this is supposed to be an elite group of people. The facts are, however, that some of these Fulbright scholars have very anti-American attitudes. Hasan Ayoub, an assistant professor at An-Najah University in the West Bank, was named a 20232024 Fulbright visiting scholar, and made the following statement:

The Fulbright Program is administered and run by the American government. They were part of the assault, of [the] genocide against my own people, he said. It was not easy at all to live with. This was at the heart of my decision to just cut my scholarship and go back home, because I couldnt take it anymore.

Fulbright scholars are growingly increasingly terroristic:

In the months since Israel began its siege on Gaza, Fulbright scholars have demanded that the Fulbright Association release a statement supporting its scholars in the West Bank and Gaza. In an open letter published in December 2023, more than 200 global Fulbright alumni called for the Fulbright Association to exert pressure on Congress for a ceasefire and provide support to Palestinian Fulbright alumni. In July, a group of Fulbright scholars and alumni launched Fulbrighters for Justice in Palestine to contribute to the international movement, end the genocide of the Palestinian people, end the occupation of Palestinian land, and support Palestinian liberation, a representative of the coalition told The Nation. The coalitions demands include the facilitation of an immediate ceasefire, the release of a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people from the Fulbright Program, and the termination of the Fulbright Israel Program.

Meanwhile, in reviewing the original statutes that Congress issued, the authority that the Fulbright Board assumes is nonexistent. It indicates that the U.S. president has the authority to select the board, and the Fulbright Board can select candidates, but nowhere does it say that the Board has the final say on those who are selected.

Also, Board members are selected by the president, and Biden selected members from his administration:

Jed Katz, the chair of the board and managing director of Javelin Venture Partners, referred CNBC to the statement when asked about his and the other members resignations. Like every other member of the board, Katz was appointed to the panel by former President Joe Biden. The other board members who resign [sic] include people who served in Bidens administration, among them Mala Adiga, who was a deputy assistant to Biden, former White House deputy chief of staff Jen OMalley Dillon, who chaired Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign, and former Biden speechwriter Vinay Reddy. [snip] A senior State Department official, in a statement to CNBC, said, The 12 members of the Fulbright Board were partisan political appointees of the Biden Administration.

This is just one more step by Trump to take back our education system and our country.

Image generated by AI.
It was just reported that President Trump may have softened his stance on deportations, particularly as it relates to farm workers and hotel workers. In a Truth Social post seen on X, Trump wrote:

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.

President Trump  no!

Im sympathetic to the plight of some employers in some industries, but I am also intimately familiar with Ronald Reagans bargain, as it related to granting amnesty to the 3 million illegal aliens who were in America in the 1980s. As Ed Meese recounts, Ronald Reagan considered his Amnesty Bill (the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986) his administrations greatest mistake.

Ive proposed before, and I will here again: I believe that there is a middle ground that can be staked out. First off, amnesty of illegal invaders is off the table, but many industries in our economy are heavily dependent on the workers whom President Trump alluded to in his post. Although the American people are wholly onboard with rounding up and deporting criminal illegal aliens, many would like to see some accommodation made for those who, though they came here illegally, are hardworking, have stayed out of trouble, and provide the country a net economic benefit.

Heres the proposal: a new non-citizen legal status. Create a legal carve-out for (some of) those who have come here illegally, or overstayed their visas, if they register, are vetted, and are immediately processed for legal non-citizen status.

Non-citizen legal status would grant said immigrants the ability to work in America, but they would not be able to vote or receive federal aid or matching funds for social safety net programs. If a state wants to cover their education, housing, and health care (Medicaid) costs, that should be the prerogative of the individual state (and its taxpayers). Federal funds should not be provided to pay for these state-provided services. Voter ID would need to be adopted nationally as part of this accommodation in order to ensure that only citizens are voting in state and federal elections.

Citizenship would never be offered for this classification of people; however, as the Trump administration has laid out, any illegal alien currently residing in America can register, self-deport, and be considered for citizenship at a later date.

Any illegal alien not registered in this program would be immediately arrested, detained, and deported. Funding and enforcement would need to be ramped up (at the front end) to effect these deportations and to prohibit future invasion.

This proposal would immediately disabuse the premise that Democrats care for these people beyond their vote.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Thank God our legal systems are inherited from British traditions, including common law, rather than the Napoleonic Code.

Article 1625 of the French Civil Code encompasses the warranty that a seller of goods owes a buyer, including peaceful possession of the item sold. A group of Tesla lessors in France are using it to sue Tesla for not guaranteeing their peaceful use of their EVs. Theyre demanding that a Paris Commercial court terminate their leases and reimburse legal costs because the brand represents extreme right ideology.

Be that as it may  or may not be  the application of 1625 is dubious in this case, despite the unprecedented circumstances wrought by Musks activities. Even if Musks right-wing political activities (in their eyes) have made their cars targets of vandalism, isnt this a classic leftist example of misdirecting blame toward the victim (Tesla cars), rather than the perpetrator?

More fundamentally, how, especially in an open society, can any government guarantee peaceful possession of anything? Especially in France, where crime is so rampant that travel alerts advise a high degree of caution. There are numerous examples of crime victims in France, especially if one happens to be conservative. This one summarizes fifty violent attacks preceding elections last year, some of which precluded the peaceful possession of possessions, including a car.

Unreasonably encumbering a seller to ensure a buyer enjoys peaceful possession of their purchase seems preposterous, even by French standards. In fact, Article 1625 seems like a catchall for disgruntled leftists to persecute their perceived political opponents. Whats more, the spirit of it runs counter to a society renowned for protests, uprisings, and strikes. Often, they deteriorate into chaotic riots such as the Yellow Vest protests in which property was attacked, including cars. Sorry, but peaceful possession cannot be guaranteed in such a turbulent society.

In 2022 the Frenchies again took to the streets en-masse, this time to demonstrate against the high cost of living. Tactics included blocking and disabling traffic, and riots, which are hardly conducive to peaceful use. The double-entendre that The French are Revolting is well-deserved.

In short, not only is individual crime rampant, but organized mayhem is endemic over there. Presuming a product like a Tesla was sold in good-faith and with all due consideration, how can its peaceful use be guaranteed in such a country?

In its conscientious business operations, how can Tesla possibly account for a bunch of raving French lefty lunatics who are displeased with the CEOs alliance with a U.S. president who was elected in a landslide? Instead of Article 1625 of the French Civil Code, I suggest the supercilious French employ Penal Code 1810; its still a part of the Napoleon Series, but at least it deals with vandalism.

The business of America is business (attributed to Calvin Coolidge), so thank God for the common law fostering such economic vitality in our commonsense country. Yes, we have Tesla vandalism over here, but no one is directly suing the company for not guaranteeing peace.

Image from Grok.
From The Daily Wire:

An LGBT Rooted in Pride art exhibit surrounding a childrens playground in Brooklyn, New York, features nude images and what appears to be a man dressed in drag, and promotes gender confusion and anti-Trump messages. The LGBT content surrounds the JJ Byrne Playground, where families and children as young as toddlers play, according to images provided to The Daily Wire, and other images accessible via Google Maps. The art pieces will be displayed all summer long, until August 1.

From LifesiteNews:

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Manhattan plans to celebrate its annual United In Love Pre-Pride Festive Mass at the end of the month to coincide with the citys LGBT events commemorating WorldPride weekend.

The church will celebrate a Pride Mass to commemorate the start of Pride weekend, and do so with a joyful liturgy affirming Gods love for all, according to the parishs events calendar.

I want to know if St. Francis of Assisi will have its own exhibit adjoining the JJ Byrne Playground. Perhaps a priest will be on site in drag. Maybe with an in-character name of Divine, Jezebel, Adam Eve, or The Scarlett Preacher.

What the hell happened to us? I dont care what consenting adults do in the privacy of their own abodes; rather, its the over-the-top in-your-face Pride! that irks me. Biblically speaking, pride itself is considered a sin. Being preposterously proud of ones own PRIDE! at being a member of the (PROUD!) Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Community cant be any less of one.

In days of yore, cohabitation and fornication were considered sins. (In the Catholic Church, they still are.) Hell, you werent allowed to chew gum in school. Today? Put on some womens lingerie, grab your crotch and your It Cant Lick Itself sign, and head to the nearest playground.

Tolerance. Pass it on.

Image via Max Pixel.
Democrats trust Iran with nukes more than they trust you, their fellow Americans, with guns.

Thats not hyperbole. Thats not theoretical. Thats factually true. By their actions, their policy, their votes, we shall know them, and they voted for Obamas Iran deal while at the same time, Obamas Attorney General Eric Holder was doing everything possible  the sneakier and the slimier the better  to keep guns out of the hands of law-abiding Americans, or intentionally arming criminals. (See: Operation Chokepoint, Fast and Furious, etc.)

All honest observers at the time knew Obamas precious 2015 Iran Deal was a ten year glide path to nukes not a proscription from them  and here we are, ten years later, in 2025, and Americas chess pieces were, this week, being shifted around in the region in anticipation of something. Late last night, we found out what: Israel would carry out targeted strikes on Iranian leadership.

Right on time.

Check the date and do the math pic.twitter.com/oS2OO9pdhz  End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 13, 2025

Embassies and other American operations present in the region were either placed on high alert or emptied out. We dont know much more than that, as regards our response, in kinetic terms, either in the short or long term, but we do know that President Trump spent a night at Camp David  which he hates  last Sunday night. (Its too rustic for our gilded Commander-in-Chief, lol.) He had extremely private meetings with his very, very closest advisors, chief among them Marco Rubio, who is wearing so many hats now Ive lost count. (Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, etc.)

Now, bearing all this in mind, read Eric Holders X post from late last week, Friday the 6th of June. Hes not a heavy user of X, so when he does post, its notable.

Enough.



No policy of negotiation, appeasement or capitulation is going to work with these dishonest, morally bankrupt extremists. They want to control/destroy higher education.



Its time for my beloved @Columbia to hold true to its enduring values. Time to stand and fight. https://t.co/7Op6QB6a0P  Eric Holder (@EricHolder) June 7, 2025

The word appeasement jumped out at me; Here, Holders referring to President Trumps righteous civil rights battle with higher education to do something about the observable, inarguable tide of antisemitism rising on their campuses. Of course the left is framing it all as a free speech issue but these young adults, as weve all seen, arent just holding signs and marching. Theyre terrorizing Jewish students, taking over and vandalizing buildings, and even taking janitors hostage!

Appeasement is a word we traditionally use when talking about terrorists or terrorist countries, notably Iran. Extremists is a word they, the Obama administration, popularized to describe anyone who disagreed with them about, well, anything.

Enough. No policy of negotiation, appeasement or capitulation is going to work with these dishonest, morally bankrupt extremists.

If you saw that sentence all by itself, completely out of context, you might think, reasonably, it was directed at the Iranian mullahs, not your fellow Americans. All Trump wants is for the Jew-hating to stop.

Thats it.

Just knock it off with terrorizing Jews. Thats all they gotta do. But nooooo

It will be interesting to see what both Eric Holder and Barack Obama post about the Israeli strikes inside Iran last night. Thus far, they have been silent.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
Im writing this roughly 14 hours after Israel launched a massive attack against Iran. These observations are based on the information currently available, as well as general information predating the attack. Its my best effort at discerning trends and facts from an incredibly fluid situation. So, in no particular order:

One. This should not be viewed as an offensive attack. It is purely defensive. Thats for two reasons. First, the fact that Iran is on the verge of having deliverable nuclear weapons, combined with its explicit and repeated statement of intent to annihilate Israel, is in itself an act of war. You cannot wait until after your declared enemy kills you to fight back. Thats not how you respond to an imminent, open existential threat. Iran has shown the whites of its eyes.

Second, Iran is already in a hot war against Israel. Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are all different branches of the IRGC. Iran provides the funds, the weapons, and the leadership. Without Iran, these groups are ineffective, small, unarmed tribal warlords shaking their fists. With Iran, theyve been able to rain more than 30,000 rockets on Israel in the last year and a half. The only reason Israel doesnt look like Gaza is that it has spent enormous money and energy building an infrastructure to protect the Israeli people.

Image: Tabriz airport.

Two. Israel is waging war as no other country ever has before. Rather than carpet bombing Tehran, it has been engaged in targeted strikes against the military and nuclear leadership, as well as Irans nuclear infrastructure. This is an amazing feat considering that Israel is striking from thousands of miles away into a massive, well-populated country, with targets spread throughout that country. This post gives you an idea of the scale of the two combatants:

Israel is the size of New Jersey. Iran is more than twice the size of Texas. David still fights Goliath. pic.twitter.com/SYH3i8yUSu  Noa Tishby (@noatishby) June 13, 2025

When I was growing up, the great fear instilled into us was the neutron bomb. That bomb, we were told (and I have no idea if this is/was true), would incinerate people while leaving all the buildings standing. It would be the opposite of the atomic bombs that took out Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leveling both cities. Those were the options.

Israel is going for a third way, one that neither flattens cities nor leaves uninhabited ghost towns. Instead, this is a surgical strike at Irans military and nuclear infrastructure. Israel is destroying only those people and places that pose an imminent existential threat to Israel. I hope the Iranian people appreciate this fact.

Three. I think the Sunni nations in the region are going to be very, very quiet for the time being. Iran is a regional threat to them as well. They all knew that, if Iran went nuclear, the entire balance of power in the Muslim world would shift to Iran. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, etc., may inveigh against Israel, but they understand that Iran is the real threat.

Four. The administration, acting through Secretary of State Rubio, has been careful to distance itself from this fight:

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio



Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025 I know many Israel supporters will disagree with me, but I think that was the right thing to do. First of all, I dont believe it. No matter what the administration says, Israel would never have launched this attack without at least Trumps go-ahead. And, indeed, sources are saying that America was involved:  Breaking: Israeli sources confirm that US was fully coordinated with Israel, and Trump's public statement calling Israel not attack was part of the coordinated deception.



Thank you President Trump, for standing with Israel!

 pic.twitter.com/C02JYzfTe1  Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) June 13, 2025 I know many Israel supporters will disagree with me, but I think that was the right thing to do. First of all, I dont believe it. No matter what the administration says, Israel would never have launched this attack without at least Trumps go-ahead. And, indeed, sources are saying that America was involved:

In other words, Rubios statement amounts to implausible deniability. But thats not what matters. What matters is that the U.S. is saying, This isnt our fight, but if you, Iran, make it our fight, you will experience a level of hurt completely unlike the surgical strike Israel is currently sending your way. And, indeed, Trump implied that in a Truth statement:

When asked if his call with Netanyahu was about Iran, he shrugged: What else? Im not calling to talk about the weather.



I knew something was up here. https://t.co/FeMq1NpzP5  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025

Why this little game? First, Trump abhors war. Second, he ran against wars, and he tries to keep his promises. Third, having a direct U.S. versus Iran war will be a very, very bad, possibly apocalyptic thing, and we want to avoid that at all costs. And fourth, the Middle East is a tar baby, and we dont want to get mired in it again.

Five. While Israel is the tip of the spear, this is everyones fight. Since 1979, Iran has been an avowed enemy of the West, and its put its principles into practice. It is the worlds major terror sponsor, waging war around the globe. According to Grok, Iran (which has officially been at war against the U.S. since the 1979 hostage crisis) is known or is believed to have been responsible for the following terrorist attacks:

The 1983 Beirut U.S. Embassy and Barracks bombings

The 1985 TWA Flight 847 Hijacking

The 1987 orchestration of riots in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage

The 1992 Israeli Embassy bombing in Argentina.

The 1994 Argentine Israelite Mutual Association

The 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia

The 1992 targeted assassinations of Iranian dissidents all over Europe

The 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in D.C.

The 2012 bus bombing in Bulgaria

The 2018 foiled bomb plot at a massive MEK rally in Paris

The 2021 thwarted plot against the Israeli embassy in East Africa

The 2021 bomb attack outside Israels embassy in New Delhi

In addition, Iran funded and often controlled the insurgency in Iraq that killed and wounded thousands of Americans, and, as noted, its the actual power behind Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, which have been responsible for worldwide terrorist attacks. Theres also reason to believe that Iran has been relentlessly trying to assassinate President Trump.

Any world leader would have been right to act decisively against Iran a long time ago, but everybody kicked the can down the road until it fell to Israel to prevent itself from being annihilated.

When Iran is brought to heel, everyone benefits.

Six. The mullahs are an incredibly brutal regime. If they are defeated in this war, theres a strong likelihood that the much put-upon Iranian people will rise up and overthrow the dictatorship. After all, when England defeated Argentina in 1982 in the Falklands War (the last gasp of England being a real country), that dictatorship swiftly fell.

Seven. Speaking of England, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is doing exactly what I predicted European leaders would do, which is effectively siding with Iran by telling Israel to stop its hugely successful attack:

Kier Starmer:



The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.



Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time pic.twitter.com/K5ldTDkQS5  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025

Europes goal is to live in Irans shadow. The same Muslims who were stopped at the Gates of Vienna in 1683 have achieved their goal of European conquest simply by crying refugee and cheap labor.

Seven. Needs to be said:

The threat we face right now inside the US is activated Iranian-allied terror cells.



This is where the Democrat "No Border" policy has created huge risks.



Hundreds of thousands of military aged men made it into the country without any encounter with US immigration personnel.  Shipwreckedcrew (@shipwreckedcrew) June 13, 2025

UPDATES:

Eight. The saga of Hezbollah is too wonderful not to include here.

Step one: Israel warns Hezbollah not to act against Israel:

Update: "Israel sent a message to the Lebanese state through diplomatic channels that any military action by Hezbollah in response to possible attacks against Iran will be met with the destruction of the party and all of Lebanon", - Israeli media.  EndGameWW3  (@EndGameWW3) June 11, 2025

Step two: Hezbollah, having literally been gelded, meekly acquiesces:

 Beirut: The government warned Hezbollah not to attack Israel. Hezbollah responded that they condemn the Israeli attack but wouldnt join Irans war on Israel.



For years Hezbollah was armed and funded by Iran for exactly this moment, to join its war on Israel.  Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 13, 2025

Step three: Iran turns on Hezbollah:
Google is killing Instant Apps, theyll cease to exist in December this year. This is the latest Google product to join the Google Graveyard, which is packed with both hardware and software products. Everything from Stadia to Google+ can be found there.

Google is killing off Instant Apps, the feature is going away in December

Now, in regard to Instant Apps, that was a really nice idea by Google. Unfortunately, however, they never became popular. Instant Apps basically allow users to launch part of apps without even installing them, just to experience them before pulling the trigger.

It is actually a really good idea, it didnt catch on, and Google will ditch the feature altogether. Instant Apps have been around since 2017, so it has been 8 years at this point, basically. Its a shame the devs never became truly interested in it.

They are the reason it didnt catch on, of course, as they were required to create a trimmed-down version of their apps. Instant Apps were capped at 15 MB. That limit was a problem for some, thats for sure, so that may have played a role in their downfall, too.

Google is being very quiet about this

Google did kind of announce that its killing Instant Apps, but rather indirectly. The company opted not to release a blog post or anything like that, at least not yet. A notice was discovered in the latest canary build of Android Studio, however. It says the following: Instant App support will be removed by Google Play in December 2025. Publishing and all Google Play Instant APIs will no longer work.

We dont know why is Google being so quiet about this. Perhaps the company is preparing some sort of announcement or something. The official developer documentation has not yet been updated with the information either. One thing is for sure, not many users will notice this change, considering how unpopular Instant Apps were.
Much has been said about Siris AI-powered upgrade promised by Apple last year. The new features were supposed to be available months ago, but the company delayed them, and they are still not ready for release. That said, it seems there is finally a timeframe for Apple to fulfill its promise. Recent reports suggest that Apple could be set to release a major AI-powered upgrade to its Siri voice assistant in spring 2026.

Apple could launch Siris AI upgrade in spring 2026; preview planned for fall 2025

Apple has not officially confirmed a precise release date. However, sources indicate the update will likely arrive in March 2026 with iOS 26.4, following Apples typical software update cycle. There might be a preview of the new Siri features in fall 2025, possibly alongside the next iPhone launch. Meanwhile, the full rollout is expected next spring.

This upgrade is a key part of Apples broader AI strategy. It aims to enhance user experience by making Siri more intelligent and useful without compromising privacy. Despite delays, Siris long-awaited AI upgrade could redefine how users interact with their devices.

For some context, the update was originally planned to arrive in fall 2024. However, Apple was unable to complete it in time even for the recent iOS 26 announcement. Siris AI-powered upgrade promises to transform Siri from a basic voice assistant into a much smarter, context-aware helper.

What the update will bring

The enhanced Siri will leverage advanced artificial intelligence and Apples own large language model to better understand user context and on-screen content. For example, Siri will be able to scan emails or apps to provide personalized, accurate responses and perform complex tasks across different apps and devices. This represents a significant leap from Siris current capabilities. It also brings it closer to competitors like ChatGPT and Google Assistant. However, Apple states that it maintains an approach focused on privacy and integration.

Apple first showcased these features at WWDC 2024, promoting them alongside the iPhone 16. However, technical challenges delayed the rollout. The initial hybrid system combining old Siri architecture with new AI features failed in testing about one-third of the time. So, Apple had to rebuild Siri on a more robust architecture to meet quality standards.

In summary, the Siri AI upgrade launching in spring 2026 will bring smarter, more context-aware voice assistance to Apple users, marking a major step forward in the evolution of digital assistants. Users eager for these improvements will have to wait a bit longer, but the wait promises to be worth it.
Samsungs Odyssey Neo G8 is a great little monitor if you dont want something massive on your desk, and right now, Samsung is offering a deal on it that saves you hundreds of dollars, and thats a deal we can get behind. The Odyssey Neo G8 monitor would normally retail for $1,299.99. Thats no small fee for a 32-inch 4K monitor. Luckily, you wont have to pay that. Samsung has slashed the price by $550, so the price is now down to $749.99.

There are lots of great features that this monitor offers, such as 4K resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. And because the monitor is 32 inches, running games at that resolution with a higher refresh rate should be less demanding on your system. Whats really neat is that this monitor has two different view modes. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio natively, but Samsung baked in a feature called Ultrawide Game View, which turns it into a 21:9 aspect ratio, and this can make a difference in how much you see in your games.

Samsung designed this monitor to be more immersive, so if you like being pulled into the world of your games, then a curved monitor like this one is something you want to consider. The Odyssey Neo G8 has a 1000R curve, which Samsung says is designed to mirror the arc of the human eye. In reality, it doesnt envelope your complete peripheral vision, but it does make a difference. The monitor also comes with an adjustable stand that allows for height adjustment, swiveling, and pivoting so it can fit your needs.
The transition is well underway; the entire digital news industry is undergoing a massive metamorphosis thanks to generative AI. In a perfect world, the transition would be graceful, with governments and companies developing an AI content economy that would suit all involved. That would be the ideal scenario. AI companies would access content from consenting outlets and compensate them properly.

However, thats not the case, as several governments are playing cat and mouse with companies like Google and Meta. In turn, the journalism industry is worse off, with history repeating itself over and over again. For example, several governments, chiefly Canada, Australia, and California, have demanded that Google and Meta compensate the journalists whose data they scrape. Well, Oregon is proposing SB 686, a bill that will push both companies to pay journalists in the state.

The end goal is to establish some sort of harmony between journalists, AI companies, and governments. However, there are several roadblocks that keep them from reaching it. Can we continue down this path and expect some sort of solution to pop up out of nowhere?

What would an AI content economy look like?

The issue with AI content stems from the fact that human beings create news content and post it to the internet. Many companies index that content for several reasons, and one reason is to scrape it for AI tools. Google indexes a ton of websites each second to generate its AI overviews. Imagine writing a news article just to have it overlooked for an AI-generated overview.

This costs websites money, as many of them rely on ad revenue, which can only be generated when people visit their sites. If people are just getting summaries of your articles instead of visiting your website, theyre absorbing your content, and youre not getting any income from it. Not only that, but both Google and Meta are working to monetize their AI overviews, which adds insult to injury.

A sustainable economy

A sustainable AI content economy would ensure that you, as the journalist, would be properly compensated for your work. Publications would be able to distribute their content on these platforms and decide whether they want to make their content available to be used by AI. If they contribute to the AI, then they would get some sort of payment for it. This would help publications stay afloat to continue producing content. Were talking about a symbiotic relationship between publishers and the platforms, much like how things were before.

Larger companies may not necessarily get more money. Ideally, publications whose content makes up more of the scraped content would get a bigger check. That seems fair, as publications didnt ask for AI tech to overtake their positions.

AI companies sometimes speak as though publications post their content with the intention of having it scraped. Google and Meta are some of the biggest ad and distribution companies in the world. If you want your content to mean a damn, youd have to rely on those companies. This doesnt only go for Meta and Google. There are other companies like OpenAI and Perplexity that also scrape a ton of data for their AI search tools.

Journalists content is being stretched between all of these platforms, but only a small number of them are getting any sort of pay. Theyd either have to make and sell their content to these companies in multimillion-dollar deals or settle for working for nothing.

An actual AI content economy would ensure that ultimatums like those wont be the reality.

What is SB 686?

If youre familiar with the drama that happened between the Canadian, Australian, and Californian governments and companies like Google and Meta, then you should know what SB 686 is. This is a bill proposed by the Oregon government aiming to push Google and Meta to properly compensate its journalists. The companies will need to provide money to the publications for the right to use their content to train AI models and summarize their articles.

A 2023 study puts the total amount of money each company generated from news media at $12.9 billion. If Google and Meta were to pay a lump sum to Oregon, then they would pay the state $122 million in total each year. That money would go to help Oregon publications, both large and small. Most of the money would help publications with more than $100,000 in annual revenue. A smaller portion (10%) would go to smaller publications.

If not that, then the companies could enter an arbitration deal with the publications to determine a proper amount. Either way, publications would be paid their dues for having their content scraped.

The bills heart is in the right place

Bills like these get right to the meat of the issue. They aim to push the companies profiting off stolen content to pay up. Google and Meta both know what theyre doing when they summarize content from publications. However, despite the pleas from millions, theyre continuing down their path, mowing down journalists and their publications.

Injecting money back into these publications would help them stay afloat and keep journalists working. So, we cant argue that their efforts are commendable.

However, corporate greed is the Achilles heel of these bills

As stated before, history keeps repeating itself. Googles share of the $122 million would be $104 million. Considering that Google paid Apple $20 billion each year to be the default search engine on iPhones, youd think that $104 million would be chump change for the search giant.

However, both Google and Meta have an issue with this bill. Theyre lobbying to stop it from going through. Meta, which would have to pay $18 million each year (a company that earned $164.5 billion in revenue last year), made the point that publishers willingly chose to put their content on its platforms.

These two companies own bread factories, yet arent willing to share crumbs. We hear stories about how theyre investing billions into AI, and other technologies, but theyre unwilling to pay small sums to help the industry that theyre basically carrying.

Bigger issue

The issue isnt only that these companies dont want to pay. Along with that, they have the tendency to bully the industry when governments want them to pay. Google threatened to stop showing news articles from California-based publications, which would horribly cripple the states news media culture. Not only that, but Meta pulled out of Canada when pressed to pay. This resulted in several publications shuttering.

Instead of finding a solution, Google and Meta are willing to let the industry burn just to get a point across. So, whats to stop them from doing the same thing with Oregon? Nothing. If they pull out of Oregon, then it would do more damage to the states journalists, causing publications to suffer or even shut down. Then, wed have no chance of establishing an AI content economy.

However, the companies fears are valid

Google and Meta oppose these bills. While its frustrating that they dont want to play nice, we cant argue that their reasons are a bit justified. Its not just about not wanting to pay $122 million each year. The thing is that if one bill passes, it could set a precedent, prompting many other states and countries to do the same thing. Each state would establish bills for their own yearly fees, and that cost will add up.

At some point, it would become financially unviable to distribute wealth to publications. So, while one state wont be a problem, we can see how all 50 states, plus numerous countries, would be an issue.

Also, Google and Meta cant pull to bully those places like before. They cant pull out of the world. So, its at least understandable from that point of view.

There needs to be another solution

As such, if we want a solution that can suit all parties, then there needs to be an agreement between the governments and companies. Bills like SB 686 would be great if Oregon were the only place affected. However, the issue is much larger than the state, and its much larger than the companies themselves. The core issue underlines all forms of AI-generated content. People placed their content on the internet for years and one day woke up to find that its been scraped to train AI models that can replace them.

Bills that push companies to pay specific economic regions show a lack of union and planning. They only lead to the same song and dance playing out. Bill comes around, companies push against it, they pull out, rinse, and repeat. Its like a dog chasing its own tail.

There needs to be a change in how companies and governments handle things. We cant keep letting companies get away with stealing content and making excuses. Also, we cant keep having governments push bills that they know will be opposed. Rather than forcing companies to pay journalists and bullying governments by pulling out, itd be better if both sides came together.

Coming together

We need the governments and companies to sit down and develop a new system together. This patchwork of greed, bills, and retaliation just isnt working. Its basically a war between the companies, governments, and publications. There needs to be a unified solution among all sides.

Maybe they could find a middle ground that wont force the companies to pay 100% of the fees for journalists. Also, they could develop a system that doesnt require companies like OpenAI to make expensive deals with large media outlets for their media. We need a system that lets companies consent to having their data scraped and receive compensation.

Going on like this

There is a lot at stake if we cant come together and create a working AI content economy. At this point, AI is quickly changing how news is distributed and absorbed. Whether we like it or not, this is the reality. Sure, it could pad the pockets of the companies distributing the news, but thats not the most important thing.

The future of journalism and of how we get our news is in trouble. Right now, AI tools, for as smart as they are, cant properly summarize news stories. So, if you read news from an AI-generated overview, you run the risk of getting improper information. This is with companies scraping tons of data from countless publications.

However, what will happen if thousands of publications shut down due to a lack of funding? The stream of news will diminish, and it will make it harder for the models to summarize the news. This means that the problem will get even worse. Imagine a world where the most accessible tools produce false information most of the time.

This isnt a simple problem, so it doesnt have a simple solution. However, if we dont make the proper changes, the outcome will be pretty simple: hardship.
Samsung released a rather vague Galaxy Z Fold 7 teaser recently, in which it talked about an AI camera. Well, thanks to a tipster, things are a bit clearer now. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 will allegedly use Samsungs next-generation Galaxy AI ProVisual Engine, thus getting a considerably AI camera upgrade.

Next-gen ProVisual Engine to deliver major AI camera upgrade to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Flip 7

That information comes from PandaFlashPro. He also mentioned that the new version of ProVisual Engine will later be expanded to the Galaxy S25 series. As a reminder, ProVisual engine is not brand new, this is just a new version of it. It initially launched last year.

In his post on X, he also noted the main improvements of this new AI engine. He said that itll deliver better image output, better digital zoom quality, and improvements in the video stability department.

In the aforementioned teaser, Samsung gave us a sneak peek at the Galaxy Z Fold 7 camera rings. There will be three, as we revealed a while back, and theyll be vertically aligned.

Samsung talked about AI and cameras very vaguely in that teaser, so this information from a tipster did clear things up a bit. The company talked about a seamless integration of hardware, software and AI, amongst other things.

The two phones will become official next month

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 are coming next month. Theyll launch either in early July or in mid-July based on rumors. Samsung still hasnt confirmed the launch date. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE aka Galaxy Flip FE is also tipped to arrive during that event.

Samsung also teased the Galaxy Z Fold 7s thinness not long ago. The phone will be very, very thin based on what the company showed us. It will be a huge change from the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in the thinness department. The phone will also have larger displays, both of them.
MediaTek could launch its next flagship Dimensity 9500 mobile chip before Qualcomm releases the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. As the successor to last years Dimensity 9400 chip, the Dimensity 9500 SoC could offer enhanced ray tracing and improved AI performance. Recently, Digital Chat Station, a reliable leaker from China, shared some details regarding the AnTuTu benchmarks of the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC. Now, the same source has revealed the Geekbench 6 scores for the upcoming MediaTek chip.

Dimensity 9500 SoCs performance could match the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2

The tipster has revealed early Geekbench 6 benchmark scores of MediaTeks Dimensity 9500 SoC. They are quite similar to the benchmark results of Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, which the same source leaked recently. As per the source, the Dimensity 9500 processor scores 3,900+ in single-core and over 11,000 in multi-core tests. Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 reportedly achieves over 4,000 points in the single-core test. Its multi-core Geekbench 6 score will exceed 11,000 points.

MediaTeks upcoming 9500 SoC will be significantly more powerful than the 9400 chip. The predecessor achieves around 2,900+ points on Geekbench 6s single-core test and over 9,200 points in the multi-core run. Previous information from the tipster indicated that the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC is capable of achieving more than 4 million on AnTuTu benchmarks, just like the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip.

Tipped to use TSMCs N3P process

Recent reports have indicated that MediaTek is using TSMCs N3P process to design the Dimensity 9500 SoC. This is a third-gen 3nm node, claimed to deliver enhanced power efficiency and better performance. The latest leak from the tipster indicates that the chip will feature 16 MB of L3 cache and 10 MB of system-level cache to enhance data throughput.

Additionally, sources suggest that the processor will support 4-channel LPDDR5x RAM at 10,667 Mbps and UFS 4.1 storage through a 4-lane interface. All the enhancements will deliver a better multitasking experience. If we believe the leaks, the new MediaTek chip will have an 8-core structure, including one Travis core, three Alto cores, and four Gelas cores. Besides, it will have the new Immortalis-Drage GPU, which will provide a smoother experience while playing performance-demanding game titles.

Chinese smartphone makers like Vivo and OPPO could introduce their next-gen flagship devices featuring MediaTeks Dimensity 9500 chip between October and December. It appears that September will be a very busy month in the smartphone world. Lets not forget Apples new iPhone 17 lineup is also coming at the same time.
Google released the Pixel Camera 9.8 update earlier in March, which brought new capabilities for photography and video recording. The search titan has now updated its Pixel Camera application to version 9.9. The apps new version arrives soon after the June 2025 Feature Drop rollout. Pixel Cameras latest update introduces some changes but also removes the Social Share functionality. Furthermore, it doesnt bring the new Education Hub feature thats part of the June 2025 Feature Drop update.

It appears that Google has quietly removed the handy Social Share feature in the Pixel Camera 9.9 update. The functionality allows people to quickly share their captured pictures as Instagram stories or with others via the app of their choice. To do it, users have to swipe up the circular preview that shows up on the left side of the shutter button. This brings up quick shortcuts to share your pictures through the apps that you choose to appear in the menu.

This means that now, if you want to directly share a taken photo to your social media, youll have to open captured photos in full to do so. As of now, its not clear if this is a software-side issue or if Google intentionally removed the functionality. Since it is quite a handy feature, Google could bring it back via a small software update.

Education Hub feature didnt arrive

The official June 2025 Feature Drop changelog revealed that the Pixel Camera app will introduce a new Education Hub feature. Itll show how-to instructions and visual inspirations for every mode after you tap the new question mark icon in the top-right corner of the viewfinder. However, this functionality hasnt arrived via the Pixel Camera app version 9.9 update. Theres a possibility that Google will release it via a server-side update later this month.

That said, Google is rolling out the version 9.9.106.767010485.16 of the Pixel Camera app through the Play Store. It has rolled out the update in a phased manner, so not everyone will get it at the same time.
For Samsung fans in the US, the wait for the mid-ranger Galaxy A56 has been a bit longer than expected. This device made its global debut roughly three months ago. However, it has remained elusive in the American market. Many have been wondering if Samsung had changed its plans, but we have some encouraging news that should put those worries to rest: the Samsung Galaxy A56 is indeed still on track for a 2025 launch in the US.

Samsung will still launch the Galaxy A56 in the US, despite delay

The Galaxy A56 is a device that offers good value in the mid-range. Plus, Samsung offers flagship-level software support with many years of major OS updates. So, theres a lot of interest among the American public who dont want to spend what a flagship Galaxy S costs.

Some sources suggest that the delay in its US release might be a strategic move. Samsung currently sells the Galaxy S24 FE in the North American market. Its a superior device to the Galaxy A56 but also pricier, which results in higher profit margins for the company. The availability of the A56 in the country could lead many to buy the new mid-ranger instead of the S24 FE. This would mean that Samsung would receive less profit per device sold.

Samsung confirmed in March that the Galaxy A56 was planned for a later this year launch in the US. Despite the silence since then and the A36 making it to the US while the A56 lagged, new findings confirm that theres progression.

SamMobile claims to be able to confirm that Samsung is actively developing firmware specifically for the US version of the Galaxy A56. This regional variant has the model number SM-A566U1. This isnt just a recent start; work on this firmware has been ongoing for some time and shows no signs of stopping. This development is the strongest indication yet that Samsung hasnt forgotten its promise and that the Galaxy A56s journey to US shores is drawing nearer.

Sadly, there are no specific details on a release date yet. However, you can be sure that the Galaxy A56 will arrive in the USeventually. Samsung has already confirmed that the device will be priced at $499 for the US market. Hopefully, more news regarding the devices arrival to North American customers will emerge soon.
PlayStation is no stranger to handhelds even though it hasnt had one that plays games native in quite a few years, but that might be changing with an upcoming handheld its rumored to be working on that has support for PS5 games. When Sony announced the PlayStation Portal, many were hoping for this to be the next handheld in the PlayStation brand that would play games locally. Instead, the Portal is a Remote Play device for the PS5.

A new rumor suggests that Sony is working on a handheld that will support PS5 games locally. Itll potentially be coming out alongside the PlayStation 6, but also come with considerably less performance power. Less than the PS5 even. So, how is a handheld that has less power than the PS5 going to be capable of playing PS5 games? Sony may have a solution in the works.

A new PlayStation handheld will support PS5 games through a low-power mode

According to a report by Techspot, which references comments from known leaker KeplerL2 on Neogaf, this new handheld will potentially be coming with a low-power mode to help it handle PS5 games natively. Techspot mentions that the handheld will be far weaker than the PS5, but this new mode will do some of the heavy lifting in terms of running the PS5 games.

Sony may also be working on other system enhancements to assist. Such as memory enhancements. Some comments in the Neogaf thread suggest that Sony may also be looking at requiring developers to put out handheld performance patches for games. According to the report, the upcoming device is said to have a 15W power draw. So, these enhancements may very well be needed if this is true.

The low-power mode was mentioned initially by Moores Law Is Dead on YouTube. Based on that video, Sony is developing this low-power mode for the PS5 and PS5 Pro. This is said to be a test run of the mode so that Sony can see how it would work on a less powerful handheld. Sony might also employ the use of its PSSR or another type of AI-powered upscaling technology to offset some of the loss in performance power. Which could help with frame rates and improved visuals. PSSR is already available on the PS5 Pro, and that gives Sony a good place to start with regard to retrofitting it for a new system. Even if it is a lower-powered handheld with weaker components and specs.
America is facing a crisis in AI regulation. AI didnt quietly slip into our livesit burst through the door. When OpenAIs ChatGPT went public, it opened the floodgates. Suddenly, dozens of powerful AI tools were available to anyone with an internet connection. You can use them to write, code, generate art, or spin up fake videos that are nearly indistinguishable from reality.

But with this power has come chaos. Deepfakes mislead the public, while well-intentioned uses of AI can backfire with real-world consequences. In 2023, students at Texas A&M University-Commerce were threatened with failing grades. This was after an instructor used ChatGPT to detect cheating, only to be proven wrong when students produced Google Docs timestamps as evidence.

Alon Yamin, the CEO of Copyleaks, understands this all too well. When AI detectors are used in education without proper explanation or context, it can lead to false accusations and undue stress on students.

As AI makes its way into classrooms, workplaces, and every corner of daily life, regulation is more important than ever. However, America is now on the brink of a ten-year ban on state-level AI rules. Some experts warn that this move could leave millions unprotected while the technology races ahead.

Americas AI regulation moratorium

Regulating new tech isnt a new challenge. Take drones, for example. Before consumer-grade drones took off, there were hardly any rules about where or how they could be flown. But as incidents mountedpeople flying into restricted airspace or spying on neighborsthe FAA stepped in. The government organization now requires drone registration while setting clear boundaries. Its a great example of how governments respond to fast-moving technology.

With AI, the pace is faster than ever, but regulation has struggled to keep up. Even as AI systems make their way into our lives, the governments response has lagged behind. Now, instead of racing to catch up, lawmakers may be putting on the brakes.

Buried in President Donald Trumps sweeping big, beautiful bill is a provision that would bar states and local governments from enacting or enforcing any AI regulations for a full decade. If passed, this would freeze state-led efforts to address AIs risks and hand all regulatory power to Washington. State rules on everything from deepfakes in elections to AI in hiring, housing, and education would be put on the back burner.

Supporters of the moratorium include some of Silicon Valleys biggest names. They argue that a patchwork of state laws would create headaches for tech companies. They also argue that it could slow innovation and threaten Americas lead over global rivals like China.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, told Congress, AI doesnt understand state borders, so it is extraordinarily important for the federal government to be the one that sets interstate commerce. You cant have a patchwork of 50 states. Microsoft President Brad Smith also echoed the need to give the country time to let federal lawmakers set the rules.

Why the moratorium could be a problem

Critics of the ban warn that this approach is dangerous. More than 260 state lawmakers from all 50 states have signed a letter opposing the ban, arguing it would tie their hands. They point out that states have often acted faster and more nimbly than Congress. Also, many existing laws, like deepfake labeling before elections or data privacy requirements, could be wiped out.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson doesnt dispute the power and potential of AI. However, he isnt a fan of banning states from making their own AI regulations. AI brings real promise, but also real danger, and South Carolina has been doing the hard work to protect our citizens. Now, instead of stepping up with real solutions, Congress wants to tie our hands and push a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington without a clear direction. Thats not leadership, thats federal overreach.

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, writes in a New York Times opinion piece that, A.I. is advancing too head-spinningly fast. I believe that these systems could change the world, fundamentally, within two years; in 10 years, all bets are off. Without a clear plan for a federal response, a moratorium would give us the worst of both worldsno ability for states to act, and no national policy as a backstop.

The risks of waiting for federal AI regulation

Debates over AI regulation in America can feel abstract, but for many people, waiting isnt an option. The Texas A&M case isnt the only example where well-intentioned uses of AI have backfired with real-world consequences.

Consider Amazons experiment with an AI-powered recruiting tool in 2018. The company hoped to speed up hiring. However, the system learned from a decade of mostly male resumes, so it taught itself to penalize applications that mentioned womens colleges or achievements like womens chess club captain. Instead of fixing bias, the AI quietly amplified it. Amazon scrapped the project, but only after real harm was done.

The risks go beyond hiring. When Detroit deployed AI-powered facial recognition, the technology led to multiple false arrests, including cases where innocent people were jailed based solely on a machines match.

As the CEO of Copyleaks puts it, My biggest concern is the normalization of opaque, unchecked AI systems making decisions that impact peoples lives, especially in education, employment, and access to services. If we dont prioritize transparency, fairness, and oversight now, we risk embedding systemic biases and misinformation into tools that scale globally.

Whats at stake if states cant act on their own?

States havent just sat on their hands while AI raced ahead. Across the country, local lawmakers have stepped in to fill the regulatory void, passing some of the first laws in the world to address AIs new risks.

In South Dakota, lawmakers recently passed a bill requiring labels on political deepfakes in the run-up to elections. It helps protect voters from being misled by convincing fake videos and audio clips.

Californias landmark privacy law, the CCPA, sets national standards for how companies collect and use personal data, including data used to train AI systems. In New York, new rules require transparency from companies that use AI to screen job candidates. The goal is to root out bias and give rejected applicants a fair shot at answers.

These efforts may not be perfect, but they show how states can move faster and more flexibly than Congress. As South Dakota state senator Liz Larson put it, I could understand a moratorium, potentially, if there was a better alternative that was being offered at the federal level. But theres not. Its irritating. And if theyre not going to do it, then we have to.

Copyleaks CEO thinks a middle-ground approach might be best. A hybrid approach, where the federal government sets a strong baseline and states have room to adapt or lead in specific areas, would allow for both innovation and accountability.

Conclusion

America stands at a crossroads in the age of artificial intelligence. The debate over who should write the rulesWashington or the statesisnt just a fight over legal technicalities. Its about how quickly and thoughtfully we can respond to technology that is already shaping lives and jobs.

If the ten-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation becomes law, it wont just be a delayit will be a gamble that federal action will arrive in time and be impactful enough to make a difference. As weve seen with deepfakes, biased hiring algorithms, and wrongful arrests, waiting for a one-size-fits-all solution can leave real people exposed to real harm.

We shouldnt have to rely on voluntary promises or wait for Congress to catch up while the pace of AI only accelerates. America needs a smarter and more agile approach when it comes to AI regulation. One that lets states continue to innovate and protect their residents, while working toward strong, clear national standards.
For millions of us, interacting with AI chatbots has become a daily routine. We ask questions, brainstorm ideas, draft emails, and sometimes, perhaps unknowingly, share sensitive information. Theres an unspoken understanding that when we delete a chat, its gone for good. But a recent starting court order involving OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has inadvertently pulled back the curtain on this assumption. This development revealed a reality that many users might find unsettling: the illusion of privacy in AI interactions or chats.

This revelation stems from a high-stakes legal battle between OpenAI and The New York Times. Back in 2023, The Times filed a copyright infringement lawsuit. The publisher alleged OpenAI illegally used its vast trove of copyrighted articles to train its powerful AI models. As part of the legal process, a federal court recently issued a sweeping directive: OpenAI must indefinitely preserve logs of every single ChatGPT conversation, including those users thought they had deleted.

The Shocking Order: Deletion Doesnt Mean Gone

Basically, pressing that delete button wont make your chats disappear into the digital ether. Well, they wont be available to you anymore, but they will be in OpenAIs database. Thats the core of the nightmare OpenAIs COO, Brad Lightcap, described. The court order demands that OpenAI retain all user chat logs and API client content without a cutoff date. The judge states that the measure is aimed at preventing any potential deletion of evidence relevant to the copyright dispute. At this point it seems important to remember that OpenAI admitted to accidentally deleting potential evidence in the same NYT lawsuit.

Jane Doe, privacy counsel at CyberSecure LLP, said, This directive is unprecedented and sets a dangerous precedent for user autonomy. Companies need clear rules that balance discovery needs with fundamental privacy rights, they added.

The IA-focused firm is actively appealing this decision. The company vehemently argues that such an order represents a major breach of user privacy. It also directly conflicts with their stated privacy commitments. They also point to the immense technical and logistical burden of storing such colossal datasets indefinitely. Its a legal skirmish that has unexpectedly become a smoking gun, exposing the broader AI industrys data collection practices and challenging the very notion of what private truly means in the age of generative AI.

Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer at GitHub, also disagrees with the approach of indefinitely keeping user interaction data with AI platforms. Data used to train AI should not outlive its legal or ethical shelf life, she said. Organizations need automated systems to delete or anonymize data, especially when its reused or repurposed, Shani added.

The Data Collection Reality: A Closer Look at What Chatbots Collect

If OpenAI is now compelled to retain even deleted chats, it begs the question: just how much of our data do these AI chatbots collect to begin with? While the court order is specific to OpenAI in this context, it prompts a wider examination of the industry.

According to research by Surfshark, a cybersecurity firm, the landscape of AI chatbot data collection varies significantly. However, the overall picture suggests a vast appetite for user information:

Meta AI: Reportedly collects the most user data among popular chatbots, gathering a staggering 32 out of 35 possible data types. This includes categories like precise location, financial information, health and fitness data, and other sensitive personal details.

Google Gemini: Collects 22 unique data types, which also include precise location data, contact info, user content, and search and browsing history.

ChatGPT (OpenAI): Collects fewer types compared to the others, at 10 distinct data types. These typically include contact information, user content, identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics. Notably, Surfsharks analysis suggests ChatGPT avoids tracking data or using third-party advertising within the app.

This comparison highlights a critical spectrum of data collection. While some companies might collect less, the sheer volume and type of data, especially sensitive information, that can be associated with your AI interactions is significant. Regulators are already taking notice of this reality. For instance, Italys privacy watchdog recently slapped Replika AI with a 5 million fine for serious GDPR violations related to user data. These instances highlight a global push for greater accountability and transparency in AI data handling.

A Dangerous Precedent: Eroding Trust and Redefining Privacy

The OpenAI court order sets a dangerous precedent, not just for OpenAI but for the entire AI industry. It shatters the convenient illusion that user conversations are ephemeral or truly deleted. For users, this means that any sensitive information, personal thoughts, or private queries shared with an AI chatbot might exist indefinitely on a server. So, they could be potentially accessible under legal compulsion. This could lead to a chilling effect, where users self-censor or become reluctant to engage with AI for sensitive topics, undermining the very utility and trust these tools aim to build.

Sam Altmans AI Privilege: A Call for Confidentiality

The fear of sharing data with AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, could also undermine OpenAIs vision for these types of platforms. In light of this privacy landscape, Sam Altman, OpenAIs CEO, has voiced a compelling argument for what he terms AI privilege. Altman believes that interactions with AI should eventually be treated with the same level of confidentiality and protection as conversations between a doctor and patient or an attorney and client. He even suggested spousal privilege as a more fitting analogy for the intimacy of some AI interactions.

we have been thinking recently about the need for something like "AI privilege"; this really accelerates the need to have the conversation.



imo talking to an AI should be like talking to a lawyer or a doctor.



i hope society will figure this out soon.  Sam Altman (@sama) June 6, 2025

This concept isnt just theoretical; its a direct response to the new realities exposed by the lawsuit. Altmans call for AI privilege reflects a growing awareness within the industry that the current legal and ethical frameworks are ill-equipped to handle the unique data privacy challenges posed by conversational AI. He hopes society addresses this issue promptly, acknowledging the profound implications for user trust and the utility of AI.

Practical Steps Readers Can Take Right Now

Given these revelations, what can you do to protect your privacy when interacting with AI chatbots?

Be mindful of sensitive data: Avoid sharing highly sensitive personal, financial, health, or confidential information with any AI chatbot. Assume that anything you type could be retained.

Check privacy policies (but remain skeptical): Companies have privacy policies outlining data handling. However, remember that court orders can compel data preservation, potentially overriding standard deletion policies.

Utilize Guest or Incognito modes: If an AI service offers temporary or incognito modes (like ChatGPTs Chat history & training toggle), use them. Understand, however, that temporary often means deleted from your visible history, not necessarily permanently erased from all backend systems.

Regularly Review Account Settings: Periodically check your AI chatbots account settings for data retention or deletion options, and exercise them if available.

Stay Informed: Keep an eye on news and privacy discussions around AI. The regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly.

Industry, Legal, and Legislative Responses

The OpenAI court order has undoubtedly sent ripples through the entire AI industry. While no other major AI companies have publicly announced immediate, direct policy changes specifically in response to this order (beyond existing privacy commitments), the threat of similar legal mandates will almost certainly lead to internal reviews of data retention policies and lobbying efforts for clearer regulations.

Privacy law experts predict increased regulatory scrutiny. The European Union, with its stringent GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the pioneering AI Act (which imposes a risk-based framework on AI developers), is leading the charge. Other nations and regions are expected to follow suit. This could possibly lead to more comprehensive federal data privacy laws in the US that specifically address AI. The legal battle itself, with a federal judge already allowing the core copyright infringement claims to proceed, is set to shape the future of AIs relationship with intellectual property and user data.

The incident serves as a wake-up call: while AI offers incredible convenience, the true cost of free AI answers might involve a fundamental rethinking of our digital privacy and the unseen repositories of our conversations. As AI becomes more deeply integrated into our lives, the demand for transparency, robust privacy safeguards, and a clear understanding of data retention will only grow louder.
Google has been integrating Gemini into several different areas of Android and the desktop experience since it was first rolled out, such as the recently launched Scheduled Actions, and now that includes additional areas of Google Drive with a newly added feature for PDF actions. Specifically, Drive now supports what Google is calling PDF Summary Cards.

These new summary cards will populate a side panel that opens up on the right after the user opens a PDF file in Drive. The summaries contain a host of relevant information about the file, and as you would expect, they pick out the most important details. These are then listed on the card as key highlights. Users will also have options to show more if the highlights arent providing as much information as theyd like. Google Drive also recently added an AI feature that summarizes changes in shared files. So, its clear that Google wants to bake AI into more of its everyday tools.

Google Drive PDF summary cards will provide clickable actions

The summary cards themselves will already be a useful addition to Drive for anyone who uses the tool for work purposes. They have additional functions, though, as Google notes that the cards will also have clickable actions based on the information in the PDF, which Gemini can then execute.

Google gives a few examples of these actions, such as drafting a sample proposal or listing interview questions based on a resume. There will be more potential actions as well. For instance, users could click an action that tells Gemini to summarize the key points in a table. Its also going to be possible to ask Gemini questions. Users can even give a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Presumably, to let Google know whether or not the summary card was actually useful to them.

Summary cards will support more than 20 languages, and began rolling out on June 12

Gemini-powered summary cards started rolling out for Drive on June 12, but it might be a little while before you see availability. Google says it could take up to 15 days for feature visibility. With that in mind, it could be toward the end of the month before you have access.

This is also a feature that appears to be for Google Workspace accounts only. Not personal accounts. According to Google, availability is there for plans on Business Standard and Plus, Education Standard and Plus, users who have the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-ons, and workspace accounts that have Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra.

The feature is also available for users in over 20 languages. This includes English, as well as Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and several others.
Israel assassinated the head of Irans armed forces as it carried out what it described as a pre-emptive strike on the regimes nuclear programmes - Telegram/IDF

Britain is monitoring the safety of its staff at the UK embassy in Tehran amid fears they could be the target of reprisals.

Other countries such as the US and Canada have closed their embassies, leading to concern that the British mission could be a focus for anger against the West.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, was due to speak to his Iranian counterpart on Friday evening to pressurise the government to protect the site.

He was expected to press upon the Iranian foreign minister the fact that the UK did not support the Israeli action overnight and is also unlikely to help in future.

Similar points were made by Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Lammy and foreign minister Hamish Falconer on social media during the day.

Last year, on two separate occasions, UK forces helped shoot down Iranian drones fired at Israel, but government sources said there are no plans to do so this time.

Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

Sir Keir Starmer spoke to Benjamin Netanyahu during which he urged the Israeli premier to de-escalate the situation.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Sir Keir said: Im very concerned about the situation that is developing, and for a long time we have had grave concerns about the nuclear programme that Iran is putting together, and we absolutely recognise Israels right to self-defence.

The UK wasnt involved in this attack and we are urging all sides to de-escalate and negotiate as the way forward here.

The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.

Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.

Mr Lammy called it a very dangerous moment.

The US has also said it was not involved in the attack on Iran, describing the Israeli action as unilateral.

Britain was previously involved in Israels defence in April 2024, when RAF Typhoons shot down drones fired by Iran, and also October 2024, during a ballistic missile attack by Tehran.

In October, when Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refuelling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

But relations between the UK and Israel have since deteriorated, and this week Britain put sanctions on two members of the Israeli government.

While Britain was not involved in the attacks on Tehrans nuclear and military sites, defence sources said that situation could change.

Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at Rusi, told The Telegraph that he did not envisage an appetite for British forces to enter the escalating situation, but warned of a scenario in which they could be dragged in.

He said: The UK will probably be overwhelmingly focused now on protecting forces in the Middle East and the safety of UK nationals in the region.

I think there would be very limited appetite for getting militarily involved. But if the Iranians assume Western support and strike facilities in the region, like in Bahrain, then we are dealing with a much bigger potential conflict.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: The Prime Minister was clear [in his call to Mr Netanyahu] that Israel has a right to self-defence and set out the UKs grave concerns about Irans nuclear programme.

He reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region.

More sanctions possible

Sir Keir also told Bloomberg that more sanctions were being considered against Israel if the situation in Gaza did not improve.

He backed a Nato plan to lift defence spending from 2.5 per cent of GDP in 2027 to 3.5 per cent, though he said he would not commit to a date.

Emmanuel Macron, the French President, and Friedrich Merz, the German Chancellor, spoke with Starmer by telephone on Friday morning.

Downing Street said the leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Irans nuclear programme and agreed that a diplomatic resolution, rather than military action, was the way forward.

Mr Macron also appealed for restraint and said Paris had repeatedly condemned Irans nuclear programme. In that context, Macron said, France reaffirms Israels right to defend itself and ensure its security.
Some of the British victims of the plane crash. (Reach/Reuters)

Thursday's plane crash in India is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in terms of the number of Britons killed.

Of the 242 people on board the London Gatwick-bound Air India flight, 53 were British, with 52 dying.

The sole survivor of the crash was Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester. On Friday, he described the horror of watching people dying in front of my eyes.

He told DD News from his hospital bed: When I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still cant believe how I survived."

Details of some of those who died in the tragedy have since emerged with tributes being paid, including from the King who at Trooping the Colour on Saturday remembered all those killed.

Here are some of the British victims who have been named so far.

Abdhiben 'Abdhi' Patel

Abdhi Patel was said to have been hesitant to make the trip she had been on to India and leave her eight-year-old son behind. (Atif Karim/PA) (Atif Karim/PA Wire)

What we know about them: Abdhiben Patel, known as Abdhi, 40, had flown to India just two weeks earlier to care for her elderly mother, but was hesitant to make the trip and leave her eight-year-old son behind.

Originally from Gujarat, she moved to the UK in 2012 and joined Zone Beauty Studio in Northampton in 2016. She worked her way up over the years and had been managing the business for the last three.

Because her husband Pankaj worked night shifts, Patel was inseparable from their son Meer, her colleague said, and the trip had been her first time leaving him.

Tributes:

Colleague and close friend Atif Karim, 45, said: She was the most diligent, reliable worker Ive ever had. But more than that, she was our friend.

She was bubbly, kind, always smiling  she had a way of putting people at ease and always took a genuine interest in their lives. She got on with everyone and left a real mark on the people she worked with and the customers she served."

A fundraiser launched to support Patels grieving husband and son raised more than 4,000 in its first few days.

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and Sara Nanabawa

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara. (PA) (Family handout/BBC/PA Wire)

What we know about them: They were a family of three from Gloucester.

Vorajee volunteered at an Islamic school and was also a director for an organisation promoting understanding of the religion. Nanabawa ran a recruitment firm called Iceberg Recruitment Services which had a branch in Ahmedabad, India, according to the companys website.

Sara was their four-year-old daughter.

Tributes: They were widely loved and deeply respected," their family said in a statement. "His [Nanabawa's] quiet generosity, her [Vorajee's] warmth and kindness, and their daughters bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them.

She was a ray of sunshine in her school and they were a pillar of strength in our lives."

Mariam and Javed Ali Syed and their two children, Zayn and Amani

Javed Ali Syed, Mariam Ali Syed and their children. (Reuters)

What we know about them: Mariam and Javed Ali Syed and their two children, five-year-old Zayn and four-year-old Amani, were on the flight returning from a holiday in India, Mariam's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan, told The Telegraph.

Javed is thought to have worked at a hotel in London while Mariam had reportedly worked for Harrods for a decade.

Tributes: Speaking about the couples young children, Yasmine Hassan said: They are so small. And its just thinking how scared they must have been.

Dr Prateek Joshi, his wife and three children

Dr Prateek Joshi and family. (Reach)

What we know about them: Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, was on the Air India flight with his family, Derby Hindu Temple said. The photo above is believed to have been taken on the plane before it took off.

He is reported to have moved to Derby from India in 2021. His wife and three children haven't been named yet.

Tributes: Dr Joshi's colleague Dr Rajeev Singh said: He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.

He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many.

Dr Prateek Joshi loved walking in the Peak District, colleagues said. (PA) (UHDB/PA Wire)

It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way.

Neil Ryan, a former neighbour, told the BBC they "were really unassuming, genuine, kind people. It's heartbreaking."

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek. (Reach)

What we know about them: The couple, who ran a spiritual wellness centre called The Wellness Foundry, had laughed and joked as they filmed a video of themselves at the airport before taking off.

Fiongal had appeared on ITVs This Morning twice this year to talk about wellness. The BBC reported their business was based in Ramsgate, Kent, and they were due to be hosting workshops at Ramsgate Pride on Saturday.

Tributes: In an on-air tribute on This Morning on Friday, presenter Dermot O'Leary said "we loved the energy he brought to the studio".

Former editor of the show Martin Frizell said: "I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although Im a sceptical sort, his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.

Dhir and Heer Baxi

Heer, left and Dhir Baxi, right, with their grandmother whose name was not given. (PA) (Family handout/PA Wire)

What we know about them: Sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their early 20s, were returning home to London on the Air India flight after surprising their grandmother for her birthday.

Heer worked as a product manager and loved statistics and finance, while Dhir was a fashion designer who had studied in Paris, their cousin said.

Tributes: Ishan Baxi, a cousin who lives in Ahmedabad, told PA both women had an amazing aura.

They both had aspirations to be successful enough to roam around the world like tension-free along with the parents, and they had proclivity towards modernisation without changing traditional values.

Right now no one is able to come [to] terms because they both came here just to celebrate grandmas birthday... they came, they celebrated and they both left the world, everything is vanished right in front of our eyes.

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Canadas Mark Carney and Indias Narendra Modi. The two countries are slated to enter an intelligence sharing agreement, according to a new report. Composite: AFP, Getty Images

Canada and India plan to share intelligence in an effort to combat the rising threat of international crime and extremism, according to a new report from Bloomberg, days before a meeting between the two countries leaders.

Canadian officials declined to comment on the report, which, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic shift in relations between the two countries which for nearly two years have been locked in a bitter diplomatic spat after Canadas federal police agency concluded that India planned and ordered the murder a prominent Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

Related: Canadas PM faces backlash for inviting Indias Narendra Modi for G7 summit

Under the intelligence-sharing deal, which is expected to be announced during the G7 summit in Canada later this week, police from both countries will increase cooperation on transnational crime, terrorism and extremist activities. Canada has reportedly pushed for more work on investigations into extrajudicial killings.

Earlier this month, Canadas prime minister, Mark Carney, was forced to defend his decision to invite the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, to the G7 summit in Alberta after Canadas federal police said the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar was orchestrated by the highest levels of the Indian government.

Carney said there was a legal process that is literally under way and quite advanced in Canada, following questions over his decision to invite Modi. Four Indian nationals living in Canada have been charged with Nijjars murder.

Carney also cited Indias status as the fifth largest economy in the world, the most populous country in the world and central to supply chains. But the decision did not sit well with lawmakers from British Columbia. A member of Carneys Liberal caucus, Sukh Dhaliwal, met with the prime minister earlier this the week to express concern over the invitation.

We as Canadians take pride to be a champion on human rights. We are the country of law and justice, Dhaliwal, who represents the electoral district where Nijjar was killed, told the Canadian Press. When it comes to protecting fundamental rights and serving justice for the victim, it is non-negotiable.

Dhaliwal said that the prime minister was alarmed about the issue and would be very strong in dealing with the issue when speaking to his Indian counterpart.

Ever since former prime minister Justin Trudeau accused India of orchestrating the high-profile assassination of Nijjar, Ottawa and New Delhi have been locked in a worsening feud over the issue.

India temporarily stopped issuing in visas in Canada and, soon after, Canada expelled six senior diplomats, including the high commissioner, Sanjay Verma. India retaliated by ordering the expulsion of six high-ranking Canadian diplomats, including the acting high commissioner.

The Indian government made a horrific mistake in thinking that they could interfere as aggressively as they did in the safety and sovereignty of Canada, Trudeau told a public inquiry into foreign interference, adding that Canada had not wanted to blow up its valuable relationship with India. But he said after Nijjar was killed, we had clear and certainly now ever clearer indications that India had violated Canadas sovereignty.

The Bloomberg report, which underscores Carneys attempts to mend relations with powerful nations, follows revelations that a suspected Indian government agent was surveilling former New Democratic party leader Jagmeet Singh as part of its network of coercion and intimidation.

According to Global News, the person, with suspected ties to both the Indian government and the Lawrence Bishnoi gang implicated in Nijjars death, knew Singhs daily routines, travel plans and family. When the RCMP realized there was a credible thread to this life, they placed the federal party leader under police protection.

India targeted a Canadian politician on Canadian soil. Thats absolutely unprecedented. As far as were concerned, thats an act of war, Balpreet Singh, a spokesperson for the World Sikh Organization, said after of the Global News report. If Jagmeet Singh isnt safe  what does it mean for the rest of us?
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, has branded himself Mr Iran

Ever since first becoming prime minister of Israel 29 years ago, Benjamin Netanyahu has branded himself Mr Iran. His entire political career has been based on the premise that the Islamic Republic was on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons and that Israel would have to move against it.

There is only one difference between Nazi Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely that the first entered a worldwide conflict and then sought atomic weapons, while the latter is first seeking atomic weapons and, once it has them, will then start a world war, he said in 2007.

Such has been the repetition of Mr Netanyahus threats over decades that they became laughable in the eyes of many, at home and abroad. Iran once ridiculed Mr Netanyahu as the boy who cried wolf for his constant public warnings about its nuclear programme, and his repeated threats to destroy it.

You can only fool some of the people so many times, said Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans then foreign minister, after Mr Netanyahu in 2018 had once again accused Iran of being just months away from developing a nuclear bomb.

Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his concerns about Irans nuclear programme during an address to the UN General Assembly in 2012 - Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Today, no one is laughing. A career forged in blood that began in Israels special forces and has now spanned more than five decades has, it seems, come to its logical conclusion.

As diplomats gathered in Paris to try and reignite a two-state solution and the US prepared for a sixth round of talks with Iran on a peace deal, Mr Netanyahu finally pushed the button in the early hours of Friday morning and launched a full-scale, unilateral assault on Iran.

Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time, he said in a pre-recorded statement as bombs and drones rained down on hundreds of targets across the vast Shia nation.

Today, our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves against those who seek our destruction, and by defending ourselves, we defend many others, and we roll back a murderous tyranny.

In 2018 Mr Netanyahu accused Iran of being just months away from developing a nuclear bomb - Jack GUEZ/AFP

It remains unclear precisely how successful the assault on Iran has been, but if President Donald Trumps social media posts are any indication, it is going Israels way, for the moment at least.

In the immediate wake of the Israeli strike on Friday morning, the White House took a cautious line, putting out a statement via the state department which essentially said: Nothing to do with us, guv.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said: We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Yet a few hours later, as it became clear that several of Irans top military leaders had been killed and its nuclear facilities hit without causing huge collateral damage, the mood music from the White House changed abruptly.

The wreckage of an apartment building in Tehran after an Israeli attack on Friday morning - Vahid Salemi/AP

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US president announced that Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left  [of] what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

The post was classic Trump, in turn blame-shifting, credit-claiming, thuggish and transactional.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he said.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left .... No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!

Worshippers attend an anti-Israeli rally after their Friday prayers in Tehran - Vahid Salemi/AP

Mr Trump, it seems, is hedging his bets, positioning himself to ride on the coat-tails of a great military victory if that transpires, while leaving himself just enough wriggle room to blame others if things backfire.

Blowback started on Friday evening with attacks on civilian infrastructure in Tel Aviv and could yet entail further ballistic missile and terror strikes against Israeli and US interests across the region. It could also see strikes on oil facilities in the Gulf and even a wider regional war with Russia, Turkey and others being sucked in.

We also dont yet know to what extent Mr Trump knew of, encouraged or discouraged Israel from hitting Iran. If Mr Netanyahu acted in defiance of the presidents wishes, Mr Trump would almost certainly not want the world to know it as it would make him look weak.

His Truth Social post covers off that risk too by making plain that, while Mr Netanyahu pulled the trigger, he, Mr Trump, remains the dominant beast, able to pull the plug on Israels arms shipments (the most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world) at any point he chooses.

But military battles are one thing, wars another. Even if Israels strike has done grave damage to Irans nuclear capabilities and wider military, a victory defined by peace is far from assured.

The best case scenario for Mr Netanyahu is that the strikes  which are ongoing at the time of writing  have an impact on Iran similar to the toll exacted by Israel on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, neutralising the military threat it poses and decimating its leadership.

And yet Israel remains at war in both Lebanon and Gaza, fighting a brutal guerrilla insurgency with no apparent end.

It may be that in the next few days and weeks we witness the complete collapse of the revolutionary regime that has dominated Iran since 1979.

If this is the case, for Mr Netanyahu a lifelong ambition will have been realised and an existential threat removed, but what will replace it is anyones guess.

We must hope it is not another enemy and a forever war.
Joint statement on the negotiations for an EU-UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar

European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels on Wednesday 11 June.

Building on significant progress achieved in the previous political meetings in 2024 and on intensive work of the negotiating teams since then to solve outstanding issues, yesterday's discussions resulted in a conclusive political agreement on the core aspects of the future Agreement between the EU and the UK in respect of Gibraltar. The future Agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom with regard to sovereignty and jurisdiction.

The main objective of the future Agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. This will be done by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU Single Market and Customs Union. This will bring confidence and legal certainty to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region by promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities.

In the area of persons, the Parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks at Gibraltar port and airport - to be carried out in full cooperation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities, removing all checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and La Linea for the many thousands of people who travel across daily in both directions. For the EU, full Schengen checks will be carried out by Spain. For the UK, full Gibraltar checks will continue to be carried out as they are today. They also agreed arrangements for visas and permits and close cooperation between the police and law enforcement authorities.

In the area of goods, the Parties agreed on the principles underpinning the future customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, providing for strong cooperation between the respective customs authorities and removing checks on goods. There is also agreement on the principles of indirect taxation to be applied in Gibraltar, including on tobacco - that will avoid distortions and contribute to the prosperity of the whole region.

Other important areas of the future EU-UK Agreement include level playing field commitments on State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, and transport - including the airport; the rights of frontier workers and social security coordination. Specific cooperation will also be included in environmental matters. The creation of an appropriate financial mechanism to promote cohesion and support training and employment in the region has also been agreed.

This agreement has been reached in a shared commitment to European security.

The way is now clear for negotiating teams swiftly to finalise the full legal text and proceed with the respective internal procedures leading to the signature and ratification of the future Agreement.

The Parties have said they are confident that this Agreement will support prosperity and bring confidence, legal certainty, and stability to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region.
Charles Leclerc crashed out of opening practice for the Canadian Grand Prix as Max Verstappen set the early pace in Montreal.

Verstappen, who is a point away from a one-race ban following his collision with Mercedes George Russell at the recent Spanish Grand Prix, ended the session just 0.039 seconds clear of Williams driver Alex Albon.

Carlos Sainz finished third in the other Williams with Russell fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth. Lando Norris was only seventh while his McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri finished down the order in 14th.

Verstappen, who heads into this weekends race 49 points behind Piastri in the standings, produced the quickest time in the opening action of the weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to lay down an early marker.

But Leclercs preparations for the 10th round of the campaign were dealt a blow when he suffered a heavy accident with just nine laps on the board.

The Monegasque crashed into the barrier on the entry to turn four and sustained significant damage to the left-hand side of his Ferrari. The force of the impact sent him sideways and across the other side of the chicane.

F***, said Leclerc on the radio. Sorry, I am in the wall. My bad. I should have gone straight but I thought I would make the corner and I hit the wall.

Leclercs Ferrari mechanics will now face a race against time to ensure his car is ready for the concluding practice session of the day which begins at 17:00 local time (22:00 BST).

Red Bulls Max Verstappen set the early pace at the Canadian Grand Prix (Christinne Muschi/AP)

The session was red-flagged for eight minutes as Leclercs stricken Ferrari was retrieved and repairs to the barriers were completed.

As Verstappen launched his Red Bull to the top of the order, Norris appeared to be struggling with the handling of his McLaren and finished 0.458 seconds behind the Dutchman.

Piastri, who has won five of the nine rounds so far and leads Norris by 10 points, was even further back, one second off Verstappens pace.

The British team were experimenting with a new front wing and will be expected to improve in the days second session.
Zohran Mamdani at the New York City Democratic mayoral primary debate on Thursday. Photograph: Vincent Alban/UPI/Shutterstock

In the final debate of the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, seven candidates took the stage on Thursday night and sparred over their experience and records.

The participants included the former New York governor and controversial frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, rising challenger and democratic socialist state assembly member Zohran Mamdani, New York City council speaker Adrienne Adams; New York City comptroller Brad Lander, former comptroller Scott Stringer, state senator Zellnor Myrie, and former hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson.

The Democratic primary election will be held on 24 June, with early voting beginning this weekend, on 14 June.

Here are key takeaways from the two-hour debate:

Andrew Cuomo sparred again with Zohran Mamdani

The debate quickly turned combative, with Cuomo and Mamdani dominating much of the night with sharp exchanges over their records, experience and age.

Cuomo, 67, who is attempting a political comeback after resigning in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations, dismissed 33-year-old Mamdani as unqualified and too inexperienced for the role of New York City mayor, repeating critiques he made during the first debate.

Cuomo said that it would be reckless and dangerous to elect Mamdani, before rattling off a list of government bodies that he claimed Mamdani had never faced or dealt with.

Hes never built anything, Cuomo added. Hes never dealt with a natural emergency. Hes never dealt with a hurricane, with a flood, etc. Hes never done any of the essentials. And now you have Donald Trump on top of all of that.

Mamdani hit back, listing Cuomos controversies as governor, including the sexual harassment allegations.

To Mr Cuomo, Mamdani said I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid, I have never stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from the MTA, I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment, I have never sued for their gynecological records, and I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr Cuomo.

Mamdani also criticized Cuomo for repeatedly mispronouncing his name, spelling it out for him.

The candidates were asked about how they would stand up to the Trump administration in light of what is happening in Los Angeles

If you were mayor of New York right now, how would you handle this situation, if something like that happened here? the moderators asked.

Cuomo vowed to defend New York City as a sanctuary city.

We are going to protect our immigrants, Cuomo said. This is a sanctuary city, and we are going to defend the laws of the sanctuary city.

He added: Donald Trump only picks fights that he can win. He cannot win a fight with me as mayor of New York.

Mamdani pledged to ensure that the NYPD would not cooperate with federal immigration agents. He also vowed to fund legal services for immigrants facing deportation.

Other candidates, such as Adrienne Adams, said that they would take the fight to court, and would sue the federal government.

We are right now dealing with a lawless president enacting lawless behavior across this entire nation, Adams said.

Other candidates attacked Cuomo

Cuomo faced criticism throughout the night.

The New York City comptroller, Brad Lander, pressed Cuomo on his use of the term illegal immigrants prompting Cuomo to switch to undocumented.

Lander accused Cuomo of avoiding accountability for his time in office.

I lead by building the best teams, not through sexual harassment, corruption and disgrace, Lander said.

Cuomo called the whole saga political and urged voters to look at the facts.

Lander fired back, saying: Everybody here knows that you sexually harassed women, that you created a toxic work environment.

Cuomo accused Lander of telling lies.

Mamdani was asked about support for Jewish New Yorkers, Cuomo was quizzed about not visiting a mosque

Moderators pressed Cuomo on his outreach to Muslim communities, noting that, according to Muslim American organizations, he never made a public visit to a mosque during his 10-plus years as governor.

The moderator asked Cuomo what he would say to the Muslim New Yorkers about whether or not you would reach out to them, make them feel welcome, make them feel protected.

Cuomo said he believed he had visited a mosque, adding: I would have to check the record.

He added: I would say, we are a city of immigrants. I welcome them. I love them before going on to attack Mamdani once more, saying: Im not Mr Mamdani. Im not antisemitic. Im not divisive.

Mamdani, who is Muslim, chimed in, saying The reason he doesnt have a message for Muslim New Yorkers is because he has nothing to say to us, because he doesnt see us as if we are every other New Yorker.

The moderators also asked Mamdani what he would say to Jewish New Yorkers who are supportive of Israel and fear for their safety in this current political climate.

That I hear them Mamdani said.

He continued, After the days of the horrific war crime of October 7, a friend of mine told me about how he felt sitting in a synagogue for Shabbat services when he heard the door open and a chill went up his spine as he turned around, not knowing who would be there. I will protect Jewish New Yorkers and deliver them  safety.

Mamdan then accused a Cuomo-aligned Super Pac of manipulating a photo of him on a draft campaign flier that made Mamdanis beard look darker, longer and thicker, having earlier called it blatant Islamophobia.

Candidates were asked which department they would make cuts to if elected mayor

Tilson named the department of education. Stringer pledged to make all agencies run better and more efficient.

Myrie suggested reallocating funds from the Economic Development Corporation, and Mamdani criticized the citys reliance on expensive consultants, noting were currently paying McKinsey millions of dollars to design a trash can.

Cuomo pointed to the department of housing preservation and development as a place he would begin making cuts.
Iranian missiles have rained down on Tel Aviv in retaliation for Friday mornings surprise aerial assault by Israel, as Tehran vowed to open the gates of hell, while fresh explosions were heard in the Iranian capital early on Saturday.

Benjamin Netanyahu threatened that more is on the way and said Israels attempt to destroy Irans nuclear programme was just beginning.

Iran and Israel began reporting a new wave of Iranian missile attacks that continued into early Saturday, with explosions heard over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. In northern Tehran, residents reported fresh explosions as Irans state news agency, IRNA, said Israel had launched further strikes.

The Fars news agency said two projectiles had hit Tehrans Mehrabad airport, and Iranian media said flames were reported there. Close to key Iranian leadership sites, the airport hosts an air force base with fighter jets and transport aircraft.

An Israeli military spokesperson said earlier that Iran had fired up to 100 missiles in waves earlier in the evening, and that most had been intercepted or missed their intended target, but several appeared to penetrate Israels multi-tiered defences.

At about 9pm in Tel Aviv, sirens sounded and phones buzzed with urgent alerts. Half an hour later the city echoed with the mid-air explosions of the Arrow missile defence systems taking out some of the Iranian arsenal, debris smashing into the ground and the blasts of several Iranian warheads that struck their targets.

Smoke from one impact site rose up in columns so thick they obscured the city skyline including nearby skyscrapers, as bright fragments of intercepted missiles arced above. One missile hit a high-rise residential building near the heart of Tel Aviv, shattering windows down most of the facade, and reducing the worst-hit areas to a tangle of exposed, twisted steel bars.

On the ground floor, fire fighters picked their way through the rubble beside the crumpled remains of a car caught in the blast, a report on Israeli TV showed.

Israels ambulance service said 34 people were injured on Friday night in the Tel Aviv area, most with minor injuries. Police later said one person had died. Another two people were confirmed killed in a direct missile strike on central Israel on Saturday morning.

The barrage began after a televised address from Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who pledged: The armed forces of the Islamic republic will inflict heavy blows upon this malevolent enemy. He warned the consequences of Israels attack will bring it to ruin.

Earlier, the new head of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Pakpour  hastily appointed after his predecessor was killed in Israels attack  threatened to open the gates of hell in retaliation, as the Middle East faced the prospect of a full-scale war of uncertain duration.

Israels defence minister, Israel Katz, accused Iran of crossing red lines by attacking civilian areas, although some of Israels own strikes earlier in the day hit residential parts of Iranian cities.

We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions, Katz said.

Related: Middle East countries call for urgent de-escalation after Israels strikes on Iran

The Israeli pre-dawn strikes on Friday hit more than 100 targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and missile sites, and killed senior military commanders and scientists in what Tehran said was a declaration of war.

Irans envoy to the UN security council, Amir Saeid Iravani, said 78 people including senior officials had been killed in the Israeli attacks, and that more than 320 were injured, most of them civilians.

In a video statement on Friday night, Netanyahu said: In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regimes most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.

More explosions were reported in Iran on Friday evening and early on Saturday, suggesting a secondary phase of Israeli attacks was already under way, in the early stages of a war that has been brewing for a quarter of a century, ever since Irans secret underground uranium enrichment facilities were first exposed, and the US and Israel insisted the country would not be allowed to build a bomb.

The focus of much of the Israeli munitions on Friday was the mostly subterranean uranium enrichment plant at Natanz. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, told the UN security council that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Irans main nuclear facility in Natanz had been destroyed, although he said the level of radioactivity outside the plant remained unchanged.

Grossi said the UN was still gathering information about Israeli attacks on two other facilities, the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan.

Officers of the Israel Defense Forces made clear their war aims were to seize the opportunity offered by Irans flattened air defences to wreak lasting, crippling damage on Irans nuclear programme.

Thats the goal, to remove the threat and to make sure they dont have a nuclear bomb and that there is not an active existential threat on the Israeli people, an IDF officer said.

Among the uncertainties hanging over the region was how much of Irans arsenal of ballistic and cruise missiles were still usable, and whether Tehran would take revenge on the US as well as Israel.

The US role in the attack remained murky. In the run-up to the Israeli 200-plane attack, Donald Trump had publicly urged Israel to give diplomacy more of a chance, before US-Iranian talks that were planned for Sunday. On Friday, the US president insisted he had been well informed of Israels plans, and described the Israeli attack as excellent.

Asked by the Wall Street Journal what kind of heads-up the US had been given, Trump responded testily: Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on.

Related: Trump scrambles to claim credit for Israels Iran attack he publicly opposed

Speaking separately to ABC News, he praised the attacks and linked the timing to a 60-day ultimatum he had given Tehran in the spring, to negotiate a deal. I think its been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didnt take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit. And theres more to come. A lot more, Trump said.

On his own Truth Social online platform, Trump urged Iran to make a deal or face further planned attacks that would be even more brutal.

ABC quoted a source familiar with the intelligence as saying the US had provided exquisite intelligence and would help defend Israel as needed.

Iravani told the UN security council that the US was complicit in the attack, saying by aiding and enabling these crimes, they share full responsibility for the consequences. He accused Israel of seeking to kill diplomacy, to sabotage negotiations and to drag the region into wider conflict.

The US website Axios quoted two Israeli officials as suggesting the apparent disagreement with Israel had been a ploy, aimed at convincing Iran that no attack was imminent so the generals and scientists on the target list would not move to new locations. We had a clear US green light, one of the officials said.

Israels first wave of airstrikes took place soon after 8am Iranian time. About 200 Israeli warplanes hit 100 wide-ranging targets.

In a televised address recorded in English for the benefit of foreign audiences, Netanyahu declared: We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponisation programme. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme.

Iranian state media said the head of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Gen Hossein Salami, the army chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia joint forces headquarters, Maj Gen Gholam Ali Rashid, were killed in the strikes, as well as six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013.

Israel said its assault had killed most of the senior leadership of the IRGCs air force.

IDF officers said that operation, codename Rising Lion, had involved the infiltration of Mossad commandos before the strikes, as well as drones, to target air defences and Irans ballistic missiles.

Later in the day, the Mossad released grainy footage that it said showed agents on Iranian soil. Another video showed what the agency said was an attack on an Iranian defence system, while a third appeared to show an Iranian long-range missile being targeted.

Iranian civilians described a night of terrifying explosions. Golnar, a resident of Saadat Abad, in northern Tehran, said she woke to loud explosions just after 3am.

I woke up to the first explosion and rushed to the windows to check. Then, minutes later, back to back I heard four explosions. The windows were shaking and people in the building started screaming, she said. Everything happened so quickly. We were scrambling for information on whether this was an attack or a natural disaster. This morning theres debris all over the explosion site and surrounding streets.

Ahmad Moadi, 62, said: How much longer are we going to live in fear? As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response.

Additional reporting by Deepa Parent
A Mexican flag at a protest in Los Angeles on Thursday. Photograph: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images

At the White House on Wednesday, the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, told reporters Donald Trumps decision to dispatch the military to Los Angeles had been triggered by something he had seen: images of foreign flags being waved during protests over federal immigration raids.

Leavitt did not specify which images the president had been so disturbed by, but the fact that some protesters denouncing his immigration crackdown have waved Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadorian flags, or hybrid flags that combine those banners with the American flag, has been taken as an affront by supporters of his mass deportation campaign.

The architect of that policy, Stephen Miller, has complained bitterly about flag-waving protesters on the streets of his Los Angeles home town, and shared video of demonstrators on social media with the comment: Look at all the foreign flags. Los Angeles is occupied territory.

Trump himself even claimed, during his deeply partisan speech to soldiers at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, that his deployment of active-duty marines to the city was justified because of the protesters he called rioters bearing foreign flags with the aim of continuing a foreign invasion.

But observers with a more nuanced understanding of the Los Angeles communities being targeted in these raids, and of the nations history as a refuge for immigrants, suggest that the flags are not intended to signal allegiance to any foreign government but rather to signal solidarity with immigrants from those places and, for Americans with roots in those countries, to express pride in their heritage.

Lalo Alcaraz, a Mexican American satirist and editorial cartoonist, who coined the term self-deportation in the 1990s as part of an elaborate prank in response to the anti-immigrant policies of the then California governor, Pete Wilson, said that the protesters carrying those flags in LA were not immigrants themselves, but the younger generation that are American citizens and that have pride in their immigrant parents. Their parents, he said, are hard-working good people who come from other countries  Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador. This is why they proudly wave those flags.

Of course theyre proud of their roots, and honestly, what has the American flag done for them but persecute their families? Alcaraz added. They are promised that there is a right way to immigrate, that there will be a pathway to citizenship, but this promise has been ignored because corporations make profits off the low wages and hard work of these immigrants, and want to keep them in limbo because its easier to control them.

That sentiment was echoed by a protester named Jesus, who told NPR during a protest this week that he waved the Mexican flag because Im proud of my Mexican heritage, you know? Even though it was several generations ago, my family members were immigrants.

As NPRs Adrian Florido pointed out, the large number of flags from other parts of the Americas at these protests contrasted sharply with what was seen in the same place two decades ago.

In 2006, when huge marches brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets of LA to protest against Republicans in Congress introducing a restrictive immigration bill that would close off paths to citizenship and build fences along the border, organizers urged the demonstrators to wave American flags.

Apparently taking stock of complaints about the number of Mexican flags in previous demonstrations, organizers made sure that the vast majority of marchers Monday carried American flags, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2006 on the massive May Day march that year. Images from that rally showed that Mexican flags were vastly outnumbered in a sea of American flags.

Others have pointed out that, for Americans with European roots, waving the flags of their ancestors, from Ireland or Italy, for example, is considered uncontroversial.

The reason Mexicans and Mexican Americans wave the Mexican flag is the same reason the Irish wave the Irish flag, David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, wrote on Friday. Not because they want to go back there, but because they are proud of their Heritage and want to stand up for people with their ancestry.

When you persecute a minority, it makes them more aware of their identity and differences from the majority, slowing assimilation, he added. In other words, the Trump agenda is bad for the very thing Trumpists claim to want.

In that light, it is worth recalling that charges of dual loyalty were once hurled at Irish and Italian immigrants, too. Less than a century ago, in fact, American citizens from Irish and Italian families were viewed with hatred and suspicion by native-born, white Protestants.

To take one example, when 1,000 robed members of the Ku Klux Klan rioted at the 1927 Memorial Day parade in Queens, and seven men were arrested, one of their chief targets was New Yorks Irish American-led police force, which tried to prevent them from marching. One of those men was the current presidents father, Fred Trump. (A report from the time in a Brooklyn newspaper said that a charge of refusing to disperse from a parade when ordered to do so against Trump was quickly dismissed.)

The deep vein of hatred Italian immigrants faced was even a motivating factor in the the first Columbus Day proclamation, issued by Benjamin Harrison in 1892. The then US president hoped to gain support from new Italian American voters, but he was also trying to absolve the country of the stain from a deadly anti-Italian riot the year before in New Orleans, in which 11 Italian immigrants had been falsely accused of murder and were lynched by a mob.

One of Trumps first acts on returning to office this year was to issue a proclamation that Columbus Day would be celebrated during his administration without any acknowledgment of the Indigenous people who suffered so much in the centuries after his voyage to this hemisphere.
Nationwides chief executive has said she is hugely proud of her Glasgow background as she becomes a dame, joining the Scottish boss of Greggs and a raft of businesswomen to be recognised in the Kings Birthday Honours.

Debbie Crosbie, the only woman to lead a big six bank in the UK, has been given a damehood for her services to financial services.

Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie and Skys boss Dana Strong have also been honoured in this years list.

Dame Debbie told the PA news agency: I try to encourage people to think beyond Im a female, but when it comes to this (honour) I am actually hugely proud.

I grew up in Glasgow, I wasnt different to any of my peer group, so to be given the opportunity to lead Ive had a massively rewarding career.

As a woman, I hope that sends a message of opportunity and hope, not just to young people.

Dame Debbie said she was particularly honoured to be recognised as not just the only woman to lead a major high street bank in the UK, but also as a Scot.

Lots of people talk about me being a female but I think most of my peer group have come from a much higher social demographic and they tended to be educated in either Oxford or Cambridge, she told PA.

I think having that diverse social mobility as well as gender is really important  we do a lot of work at Nationwide to try and encourage people from backgrounds who wouldnt traditionally think of themselves as able to go into these types of jobs.

Dame Debbie has had a more than 30-year career in banking, climbing the ranks of Clydesdale Bank before becoming chief executive of TSB bank in 2019.

Since taking the top job at Nationwide in 2022, she led the building societys 2.9 billion acquisition of Virgin Money, which has seen it become the UKs second largest mortgages and savings provider.

But Dame Debbie also said some of the work she was most proud of involved Nationwides free dementia clinics, with some 30,000 appointments in 200 of its branches over the past year.

She said the clinics really touch people and she had received numerous messages of thanks from families who had used the service.

Roisin Currie, the chief executive of Greggs, has been made a CBE (Greggs/PA)

Meanwhile, Roisin Currie, a fellow Glaswegian and alumni of Strathclyde University, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to hospitality.

Ms Currie became the chief executive of Greggs in 2022 having joined the Newcastle-based bakery chain, popular for its sausage rolls, 12 years prior.

Greggs has been growing rapidly across the UK and has set its sights on exceeding 3,000 shops, with Ms Currie overseeing the chain topping 2 billion in annual revenue for the first time last year.

She spent nearly 20 years at Asda before joining Greggs as its people director in 2010.

This years Kings Birthday Honours also recognises the group chief executive of Sky, Dana Strong, who has been made a CBE for her services to business and media.

Ms Strong succeeded Jeremy Darroch, who led the broadcaster for more than a decade, when she took the top job in 2021 from her previous role as the president of one of Skys owner Comcasts US businesses.

The American businesswoman developed her telecoms career at Austar, which was a satellite subscription TV provider in regional Australia, before going on to hold executive positions at Virgin Media and Liberty Global.

She has since overseen the launch of Sky Glass, the streaming TV that requires no satellite dish or box, and Sky Stream.

Ms Strong said in a statement to PA that she was deeply humbled by the honour, adding: It is a great privilege to serve in the UKs creative sector, and I am immensely proud of Skys role in inspiring, enriching, and connecting lives across the country.

Other businesswoman to be honoured include the former chief executive of Microsoft UK, Clare Barclay, who has been made a dame for her services to business, technology and leadership.

Dame Clare has been at Microsoft for more than 26 years, having joined as a sales and marketing manager, and now also chairs the Governments Industrial Strategy Advisory Council.

Lyssa McGowan, the chief executive of Pets At Home, has been made Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to retail.
US marines detain a person outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles. Photograph: Aude Guerrucci/Reuters

US marines deployed to Los Angeles on Friday temporarily detained a civilian, the US military confirmed, in the first known detention by active-duty troops deployed there by Donald Trump.

Marines took charge of the Wilshire federal building earlier on Friday in a rare domestic use of US troops after days of protests over immigration raids.

Reuters images showed marines apprehending a civilian, restraining his hands with zip ties and then handing him over to civilians from the Department of Homeland Security.

Asked about the incident, the US militarys northern command spokesperson said active-duty forces may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances.

Any temporary detention ends immediately when the individual(s) can be safely transferred to the custody of appropriate civilian law enforcement personnel, a spokesperson said.

Related: Los Angeles police fire teargas to disperse crowds at Trump protest

About 200 US marines arrived in LA on Friday morning. This followed Trumps extraordinary decision to deploy national guard troops to LA last weekend, over the objections of the governor of California, Gavin Newsom. The marines were to take over protecting a federal building, US Army Maj Gen Scott Sherman, who commands the taskforce of marines and national guardsmen, said.

The streets had been mostly calm overnight going into Friday morning, marking the seventh day of protests across various areas and the third day of an overnight curfew in a small part of the huge downtown area.

The civilian who was detained spoke to reporters after he was released, identifying himself as Marcos Leao, 27, an army veteran who was on his way to the Department of Veterans Affairs when he crossed a taped-off area and was asked to stop.

Leao, who gained his US citizenship through military service, said he was treated very fairly.

Theyre just doing their job, said Leao, who is of Angolan and Portuguese descent.

Sporadic demonstrations have also taken place in cities including New York, Chicago, Seattle and Austin on several days in the last week against Trumps pushing of his mass deportation agenda, undertaken by targeting undocumented communities in the US interior.

And millions more are expected to turn out to protest on Saturday at roughly 2,000 sites nationwide in a demonstration dubbed No Kings against what critics see as Trump taking actions on the brink of authoritarianism.

The mass protests are timed to coincide with the US presidents controversial military parade in Washington DC to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the formation of the US army, and coincidentally his 79th birthday.

The protests in Los Angeles and subsequent deployment of Californias national guard by Trump, over the furious objections of Newsom, is a move that had not happened in the US in at least half a century, sparking a legal battle between the president and Newsom.

Late on Thursday, a federal judge ruled that the federal deployment of troops by the president to aid in civilian US law enforcement in LA should be blocked. The administration swiftly appealed and a higher court paused the restraining order until Tuesday, when it will hear the case.

Judge Charles Breyers ruling in Newsom v Trump stated that Trump had unlawfully bypassed congressionally mandated procedures.

Newsom in an interview with the New York Times podcast on Thursday called Trump a stone cold liar for claiming he had discussed a federal deployment with the governor by telephone.

Democrats and advocacy groups view Trumps deployment as an abuse of power aimed at suppressing free speech and supporting aggressive anti-immigration policies.

Trumps use of the troops follows earlier, unfulfilled threats during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in his first administration, when he considered, but ultimately declined, to deploy federal troops and has since expressed regret about not cracking down more forcefully.

The president has defended his decision to send troops to LA claiming without any evidence that the city would have been obliterated and burned to the ground had he not initiated the deployment.

In Washington, Saturdays parade is billed as a patriotic celebration, while critics argue it is more about Trumps personal brand and ego than promoting national unity. Organizers of No Kings protests have avoided planning a demonstration in the nations capital, in an attempt to draw attention away from tanks, armored vehicles, troops and aircraft on display.

The flag doesnt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us, read a statement from the No Kings protest movement.

The parade will culminate on Saturday evening with a procession of 6,600 soldiers, dozens of tanks, and a live broadcast message from an astronaut in space. Inspired by a Bastille Day parade Trump witnessed in France in 2017, but with strong echoes of the kind of regular displays under authoritarian regimes such as Russia, North Korea and China, the event is expected to cost up to $45m, sources told NBC News.

Meanwhile, some members of the national guard troops deployed to Los Angeles and some of their family members have expressed discomfort with their mission, feeling it drags them into a politically charged domestic power struggle.

The sentiment across the board right now is that deploying military force against our own communities isnt the kind of national security we signed up for, said Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative, which advocates for military families. Families are scared not just for their loved ones safety, although thats a big concern, but also for what their service is being used to justify.

Chris Purdy of the Chamberlain Network echoed those concerns: Morale is not great, is the quote I keep hearing, he said, citing multiple national guard members who contacted his organization.

Related: Millions across US turn out for No Kings protests against Donald Trump

Amid the ongoing legal and political fallout, arrests have continued, although sporadic incidents of early looting have subsided. Jose Manuel Mojica, a 30-year-old father of four, was charged with assaulting a federal officer during a protest in Paramount, a community in southern Los Angeles county.

And on Thursday, Alex Padilla, a Democratic US senator for California and vocal critic of the Trump administrations immigration polices, was forcibly removed and handcuffed as he attempted to ask a question at a press conference held by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, in Los Angeles.

In video taken of the incident that has since gone viral on social media, Padilla is seen being restrained and removed from the room by Secret Service and FBI agents. He warned that if this was how he was dealt with it spoke ill for ordinary civilians being summarily arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice).

Most Republican national lawmakers criticized Padilla, although some Republican senators condemned his treatment, while Democrats overwhelmingly applauded his challenge to the administration and were appalled at his removal.

Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles contributed reporting
An explosion rocks Tehran as Israel launched its attack on Thursday night

Israel has launched airstrikes against Iran, saying the regime has enough material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days.

In what could be the opening salvo of a regional war, explosions lit up the skyline in Tehran, as jets attacked both nuclear and conventional regime targets  without the support of the US.

Blasts were heard in Natanz, one of two known nuclear underground sites, according to state television.

The headquarters of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also ablaze, in a sign that Israel is targeting key elements of the regime, not just military infrastructure.

An apartment building burns in Tehran | Credit: sentdefender/X

Iranian state media confirmed that Hossein Salami, the IRGC commander, was killed in Thursday nights airstrikes.

Irans state TV said nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in an Israeli strike earlier this morning.

Early on Friday, Israel was braced for a retaliatory missile and drone attack.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history, said Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address.

We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters and exports across the globe.

Confirming that the IDF had struck Irans main enrichment facility at Natanz, targeting leading scientists in the process, the Prime Minister added that This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.



This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

The attacks come despite ongoing talks between Iranian and US negotiators to broker a nuclear deal.

Earlier on Thursday, Donald Trump said he did not want the strikes to happen and warned of massive conflict in the Middle East.

It is currently unknown if the US was warned in advance. Marco Rubio, the American Secretary of State, confirmed the US was not involved in the strike.

Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

Israel said it decided to attack after intelligence indicated that the Islamic republic was closing on a bomb despite the ongoing talks.

A military official said: Nuclear scientists and senior officials in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for developing a nuclear weapon  explosive materials, the core - enriched uranium- and neutron source.

In accordance with this decision, the regime has enough fission material for 15 nuclear bombs within days.

In recent months, secret attempts to assemble this have been made with the approval of the regime.

Mr Netanyahu said Iran already had enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs.

Israel said the decision was taken also because of Irans plans to triple its stockpiles of conventional ballistic missiles, which were described as an existential threat to the state of Israel.

Renewed attempts by Iran to arm terrorist proxies in the region for attacks against Israel further played into the decision.

Mr Netanyahu said the Islamic republic had plans to accumulate 20,000 missiles within six years.

According to Israeli sources, these elements amounted to a new strategy after Irans decades-long policy of fighting by proxies was heavily set back last year, with defeats for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

We cant leave these threats for the next generation, he continues. Because if we dont act now, there will not be another generation. If we dont act now, we simply wont be here, said Mr Netanyahu in a video address. Never Again is now,

A military source said: If we dont act now, with each day we will have less chance. We have a gun to our head. We are nearing the point of no return.

Damage from an Israeli air strike in Tehran - REUTERS

Previously, analysts believed that Iran had enriched uranium to more than 60 per cent, putting it within weeks of building a crude nuclear warhead.

Israeli strategists are known to have been agitating for a strike during a favourable military window created by the IDFs destruction of Irans S-300 air defence systems last autumn.

The effective defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon also means Israel can attack with less fear of retaliation on its northern communities.

However, the whole of Israel was tonight put on high alert for an Iranian retaliatory barrage of ballistic missiles, with an order prohibiting educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, except for essential sectors.

Flights to and from Israel have also been suspended.

The chief of the Home Front Command, Maj Gen. Rafi Milo, said: Movement and travel should be minimised. We are facing intense and complex days. We are strong and prepared to safeguard and defend the State of Israel.

Smoke rises from a blast in eastern Tehran - EPA

Sirens wailed across Israel at 3am local time to alert the population of the change to what is effectively war footing.

Previously, attacking Iran without an explicit green light from the US would have been considered unthinkable by most Israeli strategists.

Although Mr Trump himself threatened to bomb Iran repeatedly before the talks started, he is thought to want a deal with Tehran in order to avoid a war and establish his legacy as a statesman.

Israel said it is prepared to defend itself from Irans expected retaliation.

However, its sophisticated missile defence system can become overwhelmed, and military chiefs would prefer active US support in fending off ballistic missiles.

Israel has been at war on several fronts since October 7 2023 and is currently embarked on an expanded offensive in Gaza. Israel has placed all Palestinian towns in the West Bank under lockdown until further notice, and mobilised troops near its northern border to defend against an attack, if needed.

Senator Jack Reed, a senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, criticised the strikes as reckless escalation that put the region and American forces at risk.

On Thursday the US prepared to evacuate non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad, which is vulnerable to Iranian retaliation, and issued an order restricting the movement of its staff within Israel.

A number of Iranian civilians have been killed in the strikes so far, according to Iranian state media.

Dozens of commercial airliners were in Iranian airspace when the attacks started, according to flight tracking websites.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - OHAD ZWIGENBERG/POOL

Over the decades, it became a cliche that, after a terrorist attack, an Israeli spokesman would come on television and say, in the tone of someone who means business, Israel will know very well how to respond. Usually, this was true.

After the Hamas atrocities of October 7 2023, it was not true. The shock of the sheer evil of the massacres was compounded by the shock of Israels failure to foresee them. That failure made it harder for Israel to react appropriately and fast.

But the other effect of October 7 was to teach Israel no end of a lesson. Ever since its foundation in 1948, it had always said it faced existential threat; yet here was that threat proved in the most bestial way, and it had not been ready.

Israels repeated, wide-ranging and successful attacks on Irans installations and key military leaders in the small hours of Friday morning and again on Friday night follow the logic of the lesson Israel has re-learnt. In particular, the Israeli air force has displayed the greatest effectiveness since its heroic Operation Focus in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel knew very well how to respond.

The phrase existential threat is bandied about. In a vague sense, the entire world faces existential threats, from nuclear weapons and, some say, from climate catastrophe. But targeted, active existential threat  an enemy trying to wipe you out  is much less universal. In the world just now, only two UN-recognised nations face it. They are Ukraine and Israel.

Vladimir Putin denies that Ukraine is a nation at all. His imperial version of history proves this to his satisfaction, so he feels free to use any amount of violence to return Ukraine to the Russian world. It is not racist: after all, he thinks Ukrainians are Russians. But it is ravenously tyrannical: obliterate the Ukrainian state and subjugate its people.

The violent opponents of Israel go one better  or rather, worse. They want not only to destroy the state of Israel, but also to kill all the Jews who inhabit it. In living memory, Jews learnt about that. I was about to call it lived experience, but the phrase froze on my lips: most died.

Here in Britain, when the militant Gaza marches, so indulged by our police, surge through our streets, opinions vary. A minority, chiefly Muslim, supports them. Most people find them irksome, disruptive, aggressive. For Jews, it is much more serious than that. When the marchers shout about a free Palestine, From the river to the sea, Jews know which river, and which sea. The slogan offers the people of the Jewish state no nation, no room, no life.

Ever since its revolution of 1978-9, Iran has put this destruction at its heart. Death to Israel is the constant cry from the ayatollahs pulpit, and because Iran is a theocracy, that is not just the aspiration of perverted religion, but a policy. It is why Iran wants the nuclear bomb.

So whereas Western powers undoubtedly do not want a nuclear Iran, seeing it as a menace to regional peace, they regard this as just one of the trickier questions of international relations. It is even, from a diplomatic view, rather exciting. Officials preen themselves on dealing with difficult people: how clever they felt when they concocted with Iran the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), now deceased. For them, the question is not existential. For Israel, it is.

For a long time now, Iran has been the principal orchestrator of global and regional attacks on Israel. Even for Hamas, which is Sunni not Shia, it has been a key backer. With Hezbollah, it has been, in effect, the commander, as it is for the Houthis in Yemen and numerous militias in Iraq.

For just as long, and especially under the premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel identified Iran as its greatest external threat, but the difficulty was to inspire in friends of Israel the necessary sense of urgency. Especially with the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the United States could always find a reason to stall Israeli efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear programme dead.

But the after-effects of October 7 changed everything. In April last year, by which time it had at last made progress against Hamas in Gaza, Israel decided to hit back at Hezbollahs attacks as well and killed two Iranian generals in their countrys embassy in Damascus.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council (IRGC) and Hezbollah then launched Irans first ever direct attack on Israel. It was called Operation True Promise, but its results were feeble. Virtually all Iranian drones were interdicted and there were scarcely any casualties. A second Iranian attack in October was a bit more successful but still, overall, a failure.

In July, Israel was able to kill the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, when he was the honoured guest of the Iranian regime in Tehran. In September, with its famous blowing up of their pagers, Israeli killed dozens of Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon and Syria; shortly afterwards, it assassinated the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. It was also helpful that, before Christmas, president Bashir Assad had fallen in Syria.

The hits were the result not only of prodigious technological precision, but also of the most careful, long-term Mossad penetration of Iran, whose IRGC and wider regime have become more corrupt. The fact that Israels attacks succeeded showed that Iran, far from being invincible, had become decadent.

Why not leave it there, then? Why not let Iran stew in its own juice until its people finally muster the courage to overthrow it? Here again, the issue is existential threat. Israeli intelligence recently reported a new Iranian sprint to get the bomb while negotiations were in progress. The International Atomic Energy Authority, usually so reticent, this week announced that Iran had achieved new nuclear capacity in breach of its commitments. Iran itself boasted of its advances. The situation is a bit like Germanys development of V2 rockets in 1944: it was losing the war, but its power to attempt a desperate last throw made it deadly dangerous.

Historians will debate  indeed they are already debating  how exactly we reached this point. Did Iran deduce that Donald Trump, under the influence of anti-Israel Maga types, was being less hawkish than it had expected? Did it therefore judge that he would block an Israeli attack, and conclude it could get away with proliferation? Did Netanyahu, with a similar worry the other way round, feel the need to force the hand of a hesitating White House? Or was Trumps recent show of reluctance a coordinated feint which gave Israel the advantage of surprise? It is not clear, though we do know that he was aware of Israels intentions.

But what does seem clear is that Israel is winning by prosecuting its long-term existential aims rather than seeking an unavailable peace process. Coverage in the West is obsessed by the idea that Israeli behaviour is the product of Netanyahus cynical selfishness in clinging to power. He is certainly intensely controversial within his own country, but not in relation to Iran.

It is that existential point again. Most Israelis agree who their greatest enemy is. Who are we to say they are wrong? For decades, Iran has been their Goliath. Netanyahu, aged 75, is no David. But he must by now have some claims to be their Churchill. He has seized the moment to insist on national survival.
An Iranian at a protest in Tehran holds a poster of the Iranian army chief of staff, Gen Mohammad Bagheri, reported killed in an Israeli airstrike. Photograph: Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA

Iran has vowed to avenge the attack on its nuclear sites and the assassination in Tehran of its senior military leadership, saying it would respond forcefully and that the end of this story will be written by Irans hand.

In the first signs of a counterstrike, Israel said Iran had launched 100 drones towards Israel and that its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory.

Iraq said more than 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace and, soon after, neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace, for fear they would fall in its territory.

Iran, in serious military disarray, denied it had launched any drones and claimed its counterstrike had not been launched.

Responding to what amounted to the most serious and largest ever attack by Israel, the countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, threatened severe punishment and claimed residential areas had been targeted.

The Iranian leadership vowed a military and diplomatic response, saying women and children had been killed in the strikes across Iran. The Fars news agency claimed 78 people had been killed and more than 300 injured in Tehran province alone. A vast swathe of Irans military and air force leadership has been wiped out, and as many as six scientists working on Irans nuclear programme.

It remains to be seen if Iran will decide to attack US military sites in the Middle East, but its leaders will have heard Donald Trump praising Israels actions and claiming the US had known about the attacks in advance, even if it did not take part.

Iran also faces a decision on whether to accept Trumps offer to continue with the bilateral talks on a diplomatic solution to its nuclear programme. The sixth round of Oman-brokered talks involving the US special envoy Steve Witkoff were due to be held in Muscat on Sunday.

Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, did not announce that the talks had been ended by the Israeli strike. Instead he said Israel had crossed every red line, accused Israel of a declaration of war, and called for an emergency meeting of the UN security council in New York. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, told the council that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Irans main nuclear facility in Natanz had been been destroyed, although he said the level of radioactivity outside the plant remained unchanged.

Iranian officials dismissed Trumps suggestion that Tehran should have expected an attack since a 60-day deadline the US president claimed he had set for the talks had expired.

In a furious statement, the Iranian government accused Israel of terrorism and insisted the attack demonstrated it does not adhere to any international rules or laws and, like a drunkard, openly and brazenly engages in terror and ignites the flames of war before the eyes of the world, including westerners who claim to uphold human rights and international law.

Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lions tail, the statement added.

In a telling warning that the Iranian regime, if it survives, may now indeed feel the need to try to assemble a nuclear bomb in the face of Israels attacks, the statement further said: The world now better understands Irans insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power, and the enemy has made it possible to prove our injustice and righteousness, who is the aggressor and which regime is threatening the security of the region.

Hardline MPs called on the supreme leader to lift the fatwa that is supposed to prevent Iran pursuing a nuclear programme. With its axis of resistance weakened over the past year by Israels actions, there has been a growing lobby arguing that Iran needs a nuclear bomb to defend itself.

Among those killed by Israeli strikes were Gen Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guards; Gen Gholamali Rashid, a senior Revolutionary Guards commander; the nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi; and Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization.

Replacements for two of the top roles were announced within hours of the attack. Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi was appointed as chief of staff of the armed forces, replacing Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed in the Israeli attack. Khamenei chose Mohammad Pakpour to lead the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards, replacing Salami, state television reported.

Residential buildings across Tehran were hit. Pictures showed that specific floors on high-rise apartments were struck, but the damage had spread to many different floors.

Army barracks across the country appear to have been hit, with reports of deaths and damage. But Isfahan regional governors said there had been no leakage of uranium from the Natanz nuclear facility.

No electricity or oil installations were struck, but Israel may well return to hit economic targets in the coming days, depending on any Iranian response. It has also not sought to assassinate any of Irans political or diplomatic leadership.

Iran, aware that the savage blow to its prestige may lead to some form of uprising, urged its citizens to listen only to official channels, and ignore rumours.

The planned sixth round of talks, the first in which both sides had put forward proposals in writing, were to focus on whether Iran would be allowed to continue domestic uranium enrichment with monitoring by the UN nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran says it does not have a covert plan to build a nuclear bomb, but all signatories to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty including Iran have a sovereign right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

It says the comprehensive report put to the IAEA board this week showed no evidence that Iran was close to building a nuclear weapon. The report did say it could not be certain that the nuclear programme was entirely civilian in purpose. Tehran has consistently argued that its increased stockpiles of highly enriched uranium is a calculated and legitimate response to Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing in 2018 from the nuclear deal agreed with Barack Obama three years earlier and imposing economic sanctions.

The highly experienced Iranian negotiating team were aware that Israel was increasingly worried that Trump, facing an open war for his ear on Iran in Washington, might strike an unsatisfactory deal with Iran. But the consensus among Arab diplomats was that Trump was sincere in saying he did not want Israel to strike.

The belief among Iranian negotiators that they had further time before Trump implicitly or explicitly sanctioned military action looks, in retrospect, to have been a severe error. But the right to enrich has been an Iranian red line for decades, and they will reject the accusation they overplayed a weak hand.

Moreover, Iranian diplomats had been led to believe initially that the US would permit Iran to continue some form of uranium enrichment, but had been struggling to convert that belief into a specific American offer in the talks held in Oman and Rome. Iran will now have to reflect whether it was being played by the US negotiators, or whether Israel has the freedom of action to mount such an assault without a green light from Washington.

To many Iranian eyes, despite the reports that Trump was distancing himself from Israel, the US president has done little in practice since taking office to restrain Israel either in Gaza or across the region.

Irans air defences have proved ineffective, partly due to the previous airstrikes launched by Israel in October that took out Russian-made air defence systems, including around its nuclear sites.

One of the few cards Iran has to play is that in recent months it has managed to improve its fractured relations with Arab states in the region, even though its policy of forward defence based on proxy groups in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Iraq was largely dismantled by Israel. But the valued Gulf state sympathy for Iran is not likely to extend to joint military action against Israel.
Israeli strikes have hit more than 100 major targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and missile sites, and killed senior military commanders and scientists, in what Tehran said was a declaration of war.

As Israeli officials indicated the strikes were the first phase of a larger operation, Donald Trump described the attack as excellent and warned that further strikes would be more brutal unless Tehran agreed to back down over its nuclear programme, contradicting Washingtons official stance that the Israeli action was unilateral.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, the US president said in a social media post.

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said late on Thursday that the US had not taken part in the Israeli attack, which he described as unilateral, but on Friday Trump told the Wall Street Journal that the US had been aware of the impending attack.

In another social media post, Trump implied a far deeper level of knowledge of coordination between the US and Israel than officials have thus far acknowledged, suggesting that Israel had attacked a day after a 60-day deadline he had given Iran to secure a deal had run out. He indicated vaguely that Iran might have a second chance.

With further blasts reported on Friday and fears that the Israeli attack could prompt a wider regional conflict and stoke tensions globally, Israel closed diplomatic missions and airlines diverted flights in the wider Middle East.

Irans Fars news agency reported that at least 78 people had been killed and 329 injured in the attacks so far.

Israels attack drew widespread condemnation in the region, including from Saudi Arabia, and there were calls from western governments including the UK for de-escalation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced it was convening an emergency board meeting over the crisis, and it was unclear whether Iran would attend planned talks on its nuclear programme in Oman this weekend.

Among the locations hit was the Natanz nuclear facility, one of Irans key sites for uranium enrichment. The IAEA confirmed that the enrichment plant had been hit and added later that the Iranian authorities had not detected any increased radiation levels at the site.

As Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, threatened severe punishment against Israel, the Israeli military said on Friday morning that Iran had launched 100 drones aimed at Israel and that its defences were focused on intercepting them.

Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the attack, which Israel is calling Rising Lion, was aimed at rolling back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival and that it would take many days.

Related: Israels strikes on Iran show Trump is unable to restrain Netanyahu as Middle East slips closer to chaos

On Friday, Netanyahu said he had spoken with several world leaders and more calls were planned with Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Media organisations were briefed that Israeli secret service operatives had covertly smuggled drones into Iran to be used in the operation, publicity that may have been part of information warfare.

Israels spy agency, the Mossad, released grainy footage that it said showed agents on Iranian soil. Another video showed what the agency said was an attack on an Iranian defence system, while a third appeared to show an Iranian long-range missile being targeted.

Netanyahu said in a recorded televised address: We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponisation programme. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme.

Later, in comments that suggest the operation and Iranian retaliation could be long and difficult, Netanyahu said: Israeli citizens may have to remain in sheltered areas for lengthy periods of time.

In Iran on Friday, civilians described a night of terrifying explosions. Golnar, a resident of Saadat Abad, in northern Tehran, said she woke up to loud explosions just after 3am.

I woke up to the first explosion and rushed to the windows to check. Then, minutes later, back to back I heard four explosions. The windows were shaking and people in the building started screaming, she said. Everything happened so quickly. We were scrambling for information on whether this was an attack or a natural disaster. This morning theres debris all over the explosion site and surrounding streets.

Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree, said: How much longer are we going to live in fear?. As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response.

Iranian state media said the head of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Gen Hossein Salami, the army chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia joint forces headquarters, Maj Gen Gholamali Rashid, were killed in the strikes, as well as six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013.

Israel said its assault had killed most of the senior leadership of the IRGCs air force.

Iraq said on Friday more than 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace, and a short time later neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace for fear they would fall in its territory.

Khamenei did not mention the US, but Irans foreign ministry said the US  as Israels main supporter  would be held responsible for the consequences of Israels adventurism. In a statement, the ministry said the Israeli attack exposes global security to unprecedented threat and it called on the international community to condemn it.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 200 fighter jets took part in the attack and it issued a statement describing the operation as a pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Irans nuclear programme.

Dozens of [Israeli air force] jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, the statement said.

Netanyahu said Iran had not only been building up its supply of fissile enriched uranium, with enough for nine warheads, but had also taken unprecedented steps towards building bombs.

In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponise this enriched uranium, and if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. That is why we have no choice but to act and act now. The hardest decision any leader has to make is sworn in danger before it is fully materialised, he said, pointing to the western allies failure to stop Nazi aggression in the 1930s.

The IAEA board ruled on Thursday that Iran was in violation of its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty for its failure to cooperate fully with IAEA inspections and for amassing an estimated 400kg of highly enriched uranium. Western intelligence assessments until now have generally said that while Iran is stockpiling the components of a bomb, it had not taken the final decision to build one.

The attack on Iran comes a few days before a new round of US-Iranian talks were due in Oman, aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Irans nuclear programme, which has expanded rapidly since 2018 when Trump withdrew from an international deal constraining it.
UK-EU Gibraltar Trade and Mobility Agreement

The announcement in Brussels of an Agreement to proceed with a UK-EU treaty to govern the future relationship of Gibraltar with the European Union can only be good news for citizens and businesses in Gibraltar who now have certainty and clarity in their lives after the disruption caused by Brexit.

The negotiations, which commenced in October 2021, have been extremely complex given the technical, legal and political issues involved and the fact that there were four parties around the table. The successful outcome will reflect the transformation of the 2020 New Years Eve Agreement into a UK-EU treaty about Gibraltars future relationship with the European Union.

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, the Attorney General Michael LLamas, the Chief Secretary Glendon Martinez and the Director of Gibraltar House (Brussels) Daniel DAmato were in the European Commission building in Brussels today for the final stretch.

It is important to note that Gibraltar will retain FULL control over its own border checks at its external borders as happens today. The practical details involve the elimination of controls at the land border thereby permitting fluid movement between Gibraltar and Spain. This is how it works all across the 29 countries in Schengen, and people in Gibraltar who have travelled seamlessly between Portugal and Spain will have taken note.

Gibraltar and the United Kingdom will continue to apply passport checks with each other, so that the new arrangements, when they come into effect, will have no impact on the UK itself.

The agreement represents a balanced, pragmatic and mutually respectful solution laying the foundations for freedom of movement of goods as well as people, and thereby for a future zone of shared prosperity that will benefit both Gibraltar and the surrounding region.

The Agreement does not, and will not, compromise British sovereignty over Gibraltar in any way. This will be made abundantly clear in the text of the treaty itself when this is published.

Indeed, all sides have said that the Agreement is about people and not about sovereignty.

It does not diminish Gibraltars jurisdiction. It does not reduce our control.

The constitutional status of Gibraltar as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom and part of the British family of Nations remains unchanged.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, said: I was delighted to meet Foreign Secretary Lammy, Foreign Minister Albares and Commissioner Sefcovic today.

Let me be clear that this treaty will not depart from any fundamental principle. It is about our future relationship with the European Union and with our nearest EU neighbour, Spain. It has come about because the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in 2016. The UK already obtained its trade deal and this is Gibraltars own trade and mobility deal.

The Government of Gibraltar extends its sincere gratitude to all those who have worked tirelessly and with unwavering dedication over many years to help deliver this historic treaty. We also wish to thank all those who have stood by Gibraltar throughout these negotiations, within the UK Government, across European institutions, and here at home. This agreement is a moment of progress, of clarity, and of optimism for our nation and our people. It also presents a chance for re-set between us and Spain which can lead to economic and social partnership and cooperation over confrontation.
A building in Tehran damaged in the aftermath of Israels strikes on Iran. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

What happened overnight?

Israel launched a widespread attack on Iran aimed at targets including its nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, claiming it took unilateral action because Tehran had begun to build nuclear warheads. Israel said 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation, striking 100 targets.

What sites were hit?

Nuclear facilities

Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz was hit, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is unclear how much damage was done, but video footage posted online appears to show the aftermath of massive explosions.

Natanz is partially above ground, with halls of centrifuges spinning uranium gas for its nuclear programme.

Quoting Iranian authorities, the IAEA said a number of other key Iranian sites  including the Fordow nuclear enrichment site, the Isfahan nuclear site and the Bushehr nuclear power plant  had not been hit.

Military installations and other targets

Israel said it had destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers.

Sites in the capital, Tehran, were hit, including the headquarters of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guards, one of the main power centres within the countrys theocracy. Footage from security cameras in the capital showed two of the explosions.

Footage taken in the immediate aftermath of the Tehran strikes showed burning buildings and people out on the streets.

After dawn broke in Tehran the extent of the damage became more clear. Footage and photographs showed damage to high-rise buildings and rescue efforts taking place at ground level.

Israels spy agency, the Mossad, released footage it said showed its agents on Iranian soil.

Who are the generals and scientists who were targeted?

Iranian state media said the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Gen Hossein Salami, the army chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya joint forces headquarters, Maj Gen Gholamali Rashid, had been killed in the strikes, as well as six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013.

How has Iran reacted?

Iran has fired about 100 drones at Israel, as the countrys supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, threatened severe punishment. Iraq said more than 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace, and a short time later neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace for fear they would fall in its territory.

What is the background?

Justifying the attack, the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Iran was not only building up its supply of fissile-enriched uranium, with enough for nine warheads, but also that it had taken unprecedented steps towards building bombs.

The IAEA board ruled on Thursday that Iran was in violation of its obligations under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, for its failure to cooperate fully with IAEA inspections and amassing an estimated 400kg of highly enriched uranium. Western intelligence assessments until now have generally said that while Iran is stockpiling the components of a bomb, it had not taken the final decision to build one.

The attack on Iran comes a few days before a fresh round of US-Iranian talks were due in Oman aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Irans nuclear programme, which has expanded rapidly since 2018 when the US president, Donald Trump, withdrew from an international deal constraining it.
Trump has publicly sought to avoid a full-scale war between Israel and Iran Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters

As Israeli jets struck targets in Iran on Friday morning, the US moved quickly to distance itself from Benjamin Netanyahus decision to target Tehran in an escalation that threatens an all-out war in the Middle East.

The unilateral strikes indicated a collapse of Donald Trumps efforts to restrain the Israeli prime minister and almost certainly scuttled Trumps efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran that would prevent the country from seeking a nuclear weapon.

It also will probably lead to an Iranian retaliation that could develop into a larger war between Israel and Iran, a new conflict that Trump has publicly sought to avoid.

As the dust was still settling from the strikes in Tehran, senior US officials were reduced to calling the Israeli strike a unilateral action and warned Tehran away from retaliating against US embassies and bases in the region.

Related: Israel launches strikes on Iran: what we know so far

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran, said secretary of state Marco Rubio in a statement. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence, he continued. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

Washington officials and analysts had expected that Israel would hold off on launching strikes at least until after the US exhausted attempts to negotiate a deal with Iran. During a phone call on Monday, Trump had urged Netanyahu not to attack Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported. But by Wednesday, Trump began to pull non-essential personnel out of embassies and bases in the Middle East within striking distance of Iran.

An Israeli broadcaster close to Netanyahus government said on Thursday that the strikes were fully coordinated with Washington.

And on Friday, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that the US had known about Israels plans beforehand. Asked what kind of warning the Washington had received before the attack, he said: Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on.

Theres clearly some confusion in the US position right now  and some differences between the United States position and Israels position, said William Wechsler, the senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs at the Atlantic Council.

It was unlikely that Netanyahu would have launched the strike if he was explicitly given a red light by the Trump administration, said Wechsler. But the Trump administration had hastily distanced itself from the strike and had also failed to suggest it would participate in defending Israel from a likely Iranian retaliation.

At least out of the box, it seems to be a rather discordant US response, he said.

Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was expected to travel to Muscat in Oman in order to conduct a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in what was seen as a last chance for diplomacy.

And the strikes took place just hours after Trump had publicly urged the Netanyahu government not to attack Iran, with the US president saying that he believed an Israeli offensive would blow up the negotiations.

Id love to avoid a conflict, Trump said in remarks from the White House on Thursday. We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement  Id much prefer an agreement. As long as I think there is an agreement I dont want them going in because I think that would blow it.

But, in a nod to speculation that the US was intentionally signaling an imminent attack against Iran, he noted that a strike could also compel Iran to make a deal that would limit its efforts to seek a nuclear weapon.

It might help it actually but it also could blow it, he said.

That is now a reality. Critics have said the US decision to retreat from the region, stemming from Trumps decision to abandon the Iranian nuclear deal called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action under the first Trump administration has led to a greater likelihood of conflict in the region.

The attack was clearly intended to scuttle the Trump administrations negotiations with Iran, said Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, and is further evidence of how little respect world powers  including our own allies  have for President Trump.

This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahus own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict, he added.

Iran would not be this close to possessing a nuclear weapon if Trump and prime minister Netanyahu had not forced America out of the nuclear agreement with Iran that had brought Europe, Russia and China together behind the United States to successfully contain Irans nuclear ambitions.
Iranian missiles strike buildings in Tel Aviv as the Iron Dome air defence system tries to shoot them out of the skies - AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg

Israels defence minister said that Iran crossed red lines on Friday when its missiles targeted civilian areas.

Israelis were told they could leave bomb shelters late on Friday night after a sustained missile barrage from Iran forced civilians into bunkers.

The Home Front Command published advice lifting an order to shelter in place but warned civilians should remain near protected spaces.

At least one Iranian missile hit central Tel Aviv, penetrating the Iron Dome defence system. The strike was considered to be an escalation, the first time Iran had targeted a civilian centre.

Iran has crossed red lines by daring to fire missiles at civilian population centres in Israel, Israel Katz said in a statement.

We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions.

Israelis were earlier told to brace for retaliation after the Israel Defense Forcess overnight strikes on Tehrans nuclear sites and military leadership.

Queues formed at supermarkets as people stocked up on food, bottled water and alcohol in preparation for the expected bombardment. Other non-essential shops stayed closed.

Israelis queue in a Tel Aviv supermarket to stock up on supplies as they prepare to shelter from Iranian attacks - Kobi Wolf/Bloomberg

Schools have also been shuttered and most public transport suspended as Mr Katz warned that the country was now in a special state of emergency.

On what is usually the busiest day of the week, roads were largely empty and few people were seen on Tel Avivs beaches after warnings to avoid public spaces.

Some were, however, willing to take the risk. Lior and Noa Greenberg were at the dog beach with their poodle.

We have a dog so we really have to go out, Lior said. And we are being smart. We live close by but are not panicking. As far as we understand, we will know if we need to panic but we are not there yet.

The close-down measures began earlier on Friday when the military announced that Iran may carry out attacks against the Israeli population, against Israeli civilians, adding: There are special guidelines being updated constantly through the Home Front Command for Israeli civilians.

In contrast to last Octobers Iranian strikes, the Home Front Command has warned of a prolonged series of attacks.

It told the Israeli public: During this campaign, we anticipate widespread alerts. It is crucial that you take shelter in the best way possible, whether in your private home or in public spaces  preferably in a safe room, shelter, or protected space approved by the Home Front Command.

If there are no protected spaces near you, you must enter a stairway or an interior room.

Eight months ago, there was no talk of a campaign of strikes in the armys warnings, as both sides were seen to have little interest in escalating the situation.

Despite the alarming messaging, some thought it was important to keep life as normal as possible.

At the Cafe Alma in Jaffa, it was still hard to find a table as it approached lunchtime.

We are waiting to hear instructions but we have to keep living, said Liat Dudman, who lives in the same street.

We had a bit of a panic this morning but understand that the Home Front Command said there is no need to stay inside now so we just have to stay calm and live a little.

Were not being reckless, we are within 12 minutes of reaching home, which is what we understand we need with the missiles from Iran, but this could be a long campaign ahead of us if we dont find a way to manage.

Up to 100,000 people had been expected to attend Tel Avivs Pride Festival, one of the worlds largest with special guest Caitlyn Jenner due to make an appearance. It has now been cancelled.

Hospitals went into emergency mode and Beilinson, one of the biggest, opened its underground facilities and shielded complexes in case of any strikes.

For Yousef Deek, one of many lining up with a trolley full of food for his family in the supermarket in Jaffas Jerusalem Boulevard, the situation is one Israelis simply have to accept.

This doesnt seem like it will pass quickly so we just have to get comfortable and make the best of things, he said.

We are all too used to war here so there is no choice but to continue to live. This time is no different.
Those killed included Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the powerful IRGC, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Irans armed forces

Three of Irans most powerful men were killed in Israels overnight attacks on Iran, wiping out significant military expertise and throwing Tehrans ability to retaliate into disarray.

Those killed included Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces.

Salami, who led the IRGC, was very close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and often accompanied him at public events. Together, the pair led the Supreme National Security Council.

Salami and Bagheri would normally have coordinated with Khamenei to launch retaliatory action against Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces said 200 jets were involved in striking about 100 targets, which along with Irans military leadership also killed six top nuclear scientists, wiping out essential atomic know-how.

Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes, which were years in the making, were launched to prevent Iran from making a nuclear bomb and derailing ongoing negotiations for a peace agreement.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Tehran pulled out of a sixth round of talks with the US that were due to be held on Sunday.

Hossein Salami  commander-in-chief of the IRGC

Hossein Salami was the most senior Iranian leader to die in Israels overnight strikes, and would normally be the one vowing to rain down hell and fury in retaliation.

He was commander-in-chief of the IRGC, which was set up to defend the regime in the aftermath of the revolution and is now Tehrans primary military force.

Only yesterday he declared that Tehran was fully prepared for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.

He said: The enemy thinks it can fight Iran the same way it fights defenceless Palestinians who are under an Israeli siege.

We are war-tested and experienced.

We are ready, and this is the reality we have been living with for years, because being prepared for a war on any scale is our job and duty.

Hossein Salami was the leader of the IRGC - Atta Kenare/AFP

Salami joined the IRGC at its inception in 1979 and rose up through the ranks, serving as commander of the guards air force and its deputy commander-in-chief before his promotion to the top position in 2019.

Highlighting the significance of his death, the IRGC said in a statement that Salami was one of the most distinguished commanders of the Islamic Revolution, present on all fronts of scientific, cultural, security, and military jihad.

Mohammad Bagheri  chief of staff of Irans armed forces

Mohammad Bagheri was Irans highest-ranking military officer, serving as chief of staff of the armed forces since 2016.

He was responsible for the coordination and supervision of Irans regular army and the IRGC, which answers only to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His killing is likely to throw the IRGCs leadership into disarray.

Bagheri was also a member of the IRGC Command Network, which according to the American Enterprise Institute dominates the upper echelons of Irans military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular warfare operations, and internal security.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri was responsible for the coordination and supervision of Irans regular army and the IRGC - Atta Kenare/AFP

On Thursday, he ordered the commencement of the countrys annual nationwide military drills. Weeks prior, he vowed that Irans armed forces were at the apex of readiness  a statement that rings hollow in the aftermath of his death.

Born in 1960 in Tehran, Bagheri studied engineering and earned a doctoral degree in political geography. He was involved in the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979, when 52 Americans were taken hostage.

He joined the IRGC in 1980 as an intelligence official and claimed to play a major role in all operations of the Iran-Iraq War between 1980 and 1988.

In February 2022, he announced that Iran was advancing its ballistic missile programme. In October that year the White House reported that he was overseeing supplying Russia with Iranian-made drones.

Gholam Ali Rashid  senior commander of IRGC

Less was known about General Gholam Alo Rashid.

Born in 1953 in Khuzestan, he joined the IRGC at the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, he became one of the key decision-makers during the war and was eventually promoted to deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces.

Gholam Alo Rashid was deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces - Amin Ahouel

Like Bagheri, he was also a member of the IRGCs Command Network and had previously declared that any military action taken by the US against Iran would be a strategic mistake.

At the time of his death, he was serving as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, a combatant command that coordinates joint military operations.

Nuclear scientists

Six nuclear scientists were killed in Israels strikes, according to Iranian state media, in a blow to Irans nuclear programme.

Fereydoun Abbasi and theoretical physicist Dr Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi had already been named among the dead by Mehr News.

Fereydoun Abbasi was among six nuclear scientists killed in Israels strikes - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto

Abbasi was a professor of nuclear physics, reported to be a member of the IRGC, who was regularly linked to Irans nuclear weapons programme.

He is reported to have personally directed work to calculate the yield of a nuclear weapon.

Less is known about Mehdi, a professor of physics. He was a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.
Author Nathan Dunne, who wrote about his experience living with depersonalisation disorder for the Guardians How we survive series. Photograph: Cybele Malinowski/The Guardian

Happy Saturday! There was a lot to take in this week. Spacing out for a whole 90 minutes is the kind of challenge I need. Or perhaps a trip to the cinemas. But before I do that, let me bring you five stories worth your time.

1. Nothing dull about it

After a heart attack, Andrew McKean moved to a care facility. While stuck in the confines of a room for most of the day, McKean started writing about the slow unfolding of a life. Sounds dull, right? Well, no actually  not once he started posting about it in the Dull Mens Club.

What is it? An international club where people share online the tedium of everyday lives.

Where? The idea originated in the 1980s in New York, when founder Grover Click and some friends decided to embrace their dullness, Susan Chenery writes.

And now? It is immensely popular, with 1.9 million Facebook members on Clicks original page.

How long will it take to read: three minutes.

Further reading: and then you must meet the dullest man in Britain.

2. At-home Taliban enforcers

Since retaking power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have enforced repressive laws on Afghan women through their morality police. But now Afghan fathers, brothers and husbands say they are under pressure to ensure women in their families observe the restrictions.

Changing attitudes and behaviours: the Guardian, with Rukhshana Media, interviewed men and young women about how morality laws are affecting families.

One man from Bamyan province said: Men have become unpaid soldiers of the Taliban.

How long will it take to read: three minutes.

3. How we survive

Seventeen years ago, Nathan Dunne took a midnight swim in the icy waters of Hampstead Heath in London with his then girlfriend. As she kissed him in the cold, something inside him abruptly shifted.

***

It was like being struck. Like something came down  The flip of a switch.  Nathan Dunne.

Dunne was locked out of his body, or at least thats how it felt, and had a sudden fear of water. Years later, he was diagnosed with depersonalisation disorder.

How long will it take to read: five minutes.

4. The architect who defined Fire Island

Guardian readers love architecture, but throw in some weekend-long parties and carnal pleasure, as Oliver Wainwright suggests, and youve got yourself a fabulous read on the hedonistic party palaces of New Yorks Fire Island.

A queer Xanadu: Wainwright celebrates the legacy of late architect Horace Gifford, who defined the areas modernist beach-houses.

It was made for sex: Calvin Klein is name dropped, including the time he bought one of Giffords houses and had it renovated into a home made for sex.

How long will it take to read: four minutes.

5. My mother: the famous feminist who couldnt be bothered raising me

When Erica Jongs autobiographical novel Fear of Flying was published in 1973, it catapulted her to fame. The American author broke ground by writing openly about womens sexual desires  rarely done at the time. She quickly became known for her candour and wit.

But for her daughter, Molly Jong-Fast, growing up as Ericas only child told a different story.

A compelling read: In this excerpt from her new memoir, Jong-Fast reflects on the lingering pain of being still stuck in the mire of childhood, despite having created a different life as an adult.

How long will it take to read: nine minutes.

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Rex Perrette speaks on Thursday about the New Orleans priest Patrick Wattignys parole hearing. Photograph: Mark Chapman of WWL Louisiana

A young man who received inappropriate text messages from his Catholic high school chaplain that ultimately helped send the priest to prison in Louisiana for child molestation says he was nauseous watching the clergyman appear at a parole hearing Thursday and try to downplay the nature of the communications as friendly.

There was honestly a moment I thought I was going to vomit, Rex Perrette told Guardian reporting partner WWL Louisiana during an interview after watching the hearing virtually, his first public comments ever about his role in the case that landed Patrick Wattigny behind bars. It also [is] a disgustful feeling.

Perrette recounted how he was 16 and attending Pope John Paul II Catholic high school in Slidell, Louisiana, near New Orleans, when the campus chaplain Wattigny began texting him privately in about the fall of 2019. Wattigny, who was denied an early release from prison on Thursday, would compliment his curly hair, muscular physique and devotion to lifting weights while also expressing a paternal affection for him, Perrette recalled.

But Perrette also said Wattigny at least 20 times asked when he would turn 18 and reach adulthood, questions that he now regards as having sexual implications. He said Wattigny would also try to make him feel bad if he took a long time replying, accusing Perrette of being mad at him.

Perrettes mother, Wendy, discovered the exchanges in February 2020 when she caught Rex texting someone late one night, insisted on seeing who it was and realized it was Wattigny.

Wendy Perrette, who was the mayor of Bogalusa, Louisiana, at the time, then complained to Wattignys superiors at the archdiocese of New Orleans. New Orleans archbishop, Gregory Aymond, at first tried handling the matter by securing a promise from Wattigny to stop texting Rex Perrette. Yet Wattigny told parole officials on Thursday that he gave in and resumed texting Perrette amid the stress of the ensuing Covid-19 pandemic.

As Wattigny put it, Aymond sent him to a 30-day retreat that involved psychological testing. He then went to a behavioral health clinic in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in September 2020 for a psychological evaluation. The evaluation involved taking a lie detector test, which prompted Wattigny to confess to molesting one of his students, who was not Perrette.

The polygraph was something I knew I  couldnt outrun, and so I decided it was better for me to come clean and tell what I had done, Wattigny said on Thursday.

The archdiocese suspended Wattigny from ministry in October 2020. He was subsequently reported to authorities, who charged him with molesting two children  neither of which was Perrette. The texts to Perrette, meanwhile, did not yield criminal charges because they had not been accompanied by any physical harm.

Wattigny pleaded guilty in July 2023 to one count of molestation of a juvenile who was under his supervision about a decade earlier. On the second charge, dating back to the 1990s, Wattigny entered an Alford plea, in which he maintained his innocence yet conceded that overwhelming evidence against him would probably get him convicted at trial.

A judge gave Wattigny, 57, five years in prison while requiring him to register as a sex offender and spend time on probation after his release. On Thursday, after serving less than two years, he requested to be freed early, saying he had completed sex offender treatment and was eager to care for his elderly parents.

Yet parole officials denied Wattigny after he seemingly equivocated when asked about the tone of his texts to Perrette.

Wattigny claimed the texts to Perrette were just  friendly, albeit in violation of church policies against privately messaging people who are younger than 18. Was the text messaging of a sexual nature? No, it was not, Wattigny said.

But parole board member Carolyn Stapleton asked why Aymond had forced him to undergo psychological evaluation if the texts were merely friendly. Wattigny stammered, asking himself: How do I answer the question properly? He finally acknowledged that he harbored a sexual attraction for Perrette.

Was I sexually attracted to this person [who] I was texting? Wattigny remarked as he stumbled over his words. Yes, I was  I had felt this attraction to him.

Perrette said that was the first time he had ever heard Wattigny admit he was texting him out of lust  and it angered him.

It [is] just a rage that I cant describe, said Perrette, who is now 21 and seeking to attend veterinary school after graduating from Louisiana State University. Hearing that was a little overwhelming.

The abuse survivor at the center of Wattignys Alford plea, Tim Gioe, more recently championed an effort for Louisiana to outlaw grooming, or behavior attempting to gain childrens trust with the intent to sexually abuse them. Gioe was supported by his wife, Sarah, whose father is the Louisiana state senator Pat Connick.

Connick in April presented a bill to Louisianas legislature aiming to criminalize grooming, one form of which is inappropriate texts to minors. Lawmakers passed the bill without opposition in early June, and Louisianas governor, Jeff Landry, signed the legislation into law on Tuesday.

I think its amazing, Perrette said about the bill that Gioe and his family had helmed. And Im so happy that I get to live in a state that made a decision like that to try [to] protect our youth.



 In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453 or visit their website for more resources and to report child abuse or DM for help. For adult survivors of child abuse, help is available at ascasupport.org. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
Gaurav Kundi has died in Royal Adelaide hospital two weeks after police arrested him in Royston Park. Photograph: Roy Vandervegt/AAP

A 42-year-old man has died in an Adelaide hospital in what is being treated as a death in police custody.

Gaurav Kundi was arrested in the Adelaide suburb of Royston Park in the early hours of 29 May, according to South Australian police. Kundi became unresponsive during the arrest and was hospitalised, SA police said.

He died on Friday at Royal Adelaide hospital, two weeks after he was detained.

Mr Kundi passed away as a result of the incident at Royston Park, police said at a press conference on Friday.

SA police said Kundis death would be investigated as a death in police custody.

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The major crime investigation branch will investigate the cause and circumstances and prepare a report for the coroner, while the Office of Public Integrity has independent oversight of the investigation into the conduct of the police officers involved.

A commissioners inquiry was announced on 3 June, the statement said. Its senior investigating officer has reviewed body-worn vision.

Related: Indigenous man dies in police custody in Northern Territory

It has been confirmed that at no time was a knee applied to Mr Kundis neck, the statement said. His head was not forced into the car or roadway at any point.

However, the use of restraints during this incident will be closely examined during the Commissioners Inquiry.

At the time Kundi was being detained, all officers directly involved were wearing activated cameras but one camera fell from a vest, police said in the press conference.

They endeavoured to position that camera while it was still operating but separated from the officer so it would continue to record.

SA police have briefed the Indian consulate on the investigation and will update it on developments.

The foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, was asked whether the death would damage India-Australia relations at a press conference on Friday.

I would say to the Indian community here in Australia and the broader Indian community, this is an investigation that will be done properly, Wong said.

Be assured of our friendship certainly with India, but also the importance of the Indian diaspora here in Australia.

Anne Aly, the minister for multicultural affairs, said trust between people of migrant background and the institutions that govern them, including the police was something that contributes to social cohesion.
Protesters outside Fox News in New York City on 3 June 2025. Photograph: Gina M Randazzo/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock

Millions of people are expected to protest against the Trump administration on Saturday at roughly 2,000 sites nationwide in a demonstration dubbed No Kings, planned for the same day as the presidents military parade and birthday.

Interest in the events has risen since Trump sent national guard and US Marine Corps troops to Los Angeles to tamp down mostly peaceful protests against ramped-up deportations.

Weve seen hundreds of new events on the No Kings Day map since the weekend, said Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, one of the groups behind the day of defiance. Weve seen hundreds of thousands of people register for those events.

A website for the protest cites Trumps defying of the courts, mass deportations, attacks on civil rights and slashing of services as reasons for the protests, saying: The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings. Actions are set for the countrys largest cities and small towns, dotting the map from coast to coast  part of a strategy to show that opposition to Trump exists in all corners of the US.

No Kings is not hosting an event in Washington DC, intending to take the focus off the military parade and show the power of the people outside the nations capital. Philadelphia will host a flagship march instead, and a DC-based organization is hosting a DC Joy Day in the district that will celebrate DCs people, culture, and our connections to one another.

We did not want to give him the excuse to crack down on counter-protesters in DC, Levin said. We didnt want to give him the narrative device to say were protesting the military. Instead, we wanted to make him look as small and weak as he is, and protest everywhere else in the country.

In early April, the Hands Off protests drew a few million people to more than 1,300 locations. Levin expects No Kings to be bigger, despite Trumps threats to meet protesters with very big force, which the White House has since tried to soften.

Trump, in a press conference this week, said people who protested against the military parade hate our country and were going to be met with very big force, though he said he was not aware of any planned protests against the event. The press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later said Trump supports peaceful protests.

Asked about the No Kings protests during a White House event on Thursday, Trump said: I dont feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get things approved.

Organizers have expanded capacity for pre-protest trainings, given the increased security concerns after Trumps actions in Los Angeles. On a know your rights call led by the American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday, a host said, at one point more than 18,000 people were on the call. Questions included whether to attend if you were a legal immigrant with a green card or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) status, how to respond if violence erupted, and what to do about potential agitators.

Social media posts have spread widely, calling on people to sit down on the ground if violence breaks out, a tactic that could be useful in some circumstances or detrimental and unsafe in others, organizers have said. People should go to the protests with plans for what they will do to keep themselves safe, but not expect a blanket response like sitting down to work in all cases.

Troops are still deployed in Los Angeles, and protests against their presence and against immigration enforcement actions are ongoing there.

Hunter Dunn, the national press coordinator for the decentralized protest movement 50501, was teargassed in a crowd during a protest in Los Angeles over the arrest of the union leader David Huerta. Dunn is helping organize the No Kings action in Los Angeles, and 50501 is one of the partners for the day of protest nationally. The Los Angeles event is now organized against whats happening on the ground there, Dunn said.

Theres more explicit focus on getting Ice and the federal government out of Los Angeles, and its become more obviously a protest against authoritarianism and fascism, Id say, because were actively under attack by our government, Dunn said.

No Kings protests will be taking place throughout the LA area, according to the map, with a large one expected near city hall. Organizers are increasing security and medical support preparations, Dunn said.

If someones legal status is at risk, I would not want them to risk it for a protest. But what I would want them to do is ask five of their neighbors to come in their stead, Dunn said. Because if you stand up by yourself against the government, youre going to be crushed, youre going to be put down. But if an entire community rises up together in solidarity, theres not a government in the world that could crush that. Were safer together.

Related: US immigration officials raid California farms as Trump ramps up conflict

In Minnesota, Heather Friedli is helping organize a rally and march at the state capitol in St Paul. The community, which saw massive protests and riots after the murder of George Floyd by police in 2020, worries about targeting by the Trump administration as the president seeks a redo of his response to protests five years ago. But, Friedli said, she had heard a lot of feedback that people are prepared to protest no matter what.

I think our people are actually ready. You know, maybe in some terrible sense, like, that was awful, everything that happened, but in a lot of ways that started those community connections that we maintain to this day, and I think were stronger for it, she said.

While many Americans feel the country is at an inflection point with Trumps use of troops to quash protests, there have been several inflection points recently, starting with his win last November, Levin said. This moment would probably be among the largest catalytic events, driven in large part by Trump overplaying his hand. Saturdays protests should pull new people into the Trump opposition movement and help build more capacity for future events, Levin said.

Do we suddenly save democracy on Saturday? No. Does Trump suddenly step down on Saturday? No, thats not how this works, Levin said. The way we think of it is, were building a muscle. Were doing quite a big workout on Saturday. But it is a tactic in an extended strategy to safeguard American democracy.
A British man survived the Air India plane disaster which claimed the lives of at least 241 other people.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously escaped the Gatwick-bound plane as it burst into flames in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

Video showed him walking away from the site of the crash with smoke billowing in the background.

Separate footage shows him being treated in hospital for what appears to be minor injuries. He later met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed.

Vishwash, who was in seat 11A on the doomed plane, said he lived in London 20 years with his wife and child.

In hospital: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (Supplied)

He told the Hindustan Times: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

When I got up, there were bodies all around me.

I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.

Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.

He was confirmed by air India as the sole survivor from the 242 passengers and crew who were on the flight.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was headed to London Gatwick with 232 passengers and 10 crew on board when it crashed seconds after take-off.

The passengers included 159 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children.

A picture alleging showing Vishwashs plane ticket (Supplied)

Speaking outside the family home in Leicester, his brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said: "We were just shocked as soon as we heard it.

"He said I have no idea how I exited the plane."

Another of Mr Ramesh's relatives, Jay, said the survivor spoke to his father after the crash and asked after his brother Ajay, who is believed to have also been on the plane.

Jay told PA: "After the crash he spoke to his dad worrying about his brother saying 'Where's Ajay'?"

He's got some injuries on his face. He was painted in blood. He was pretty much covered in blood, that's what his dad said.He added: "He's doing well I think. It's a big shock. I don't have many words to describe the incident."

A video of the incident circulating online shows the Air India aircraft flying over a residential area before crashing, creating a huge fireball followed by large plumes of black smoke.

Images of the aftermath of the crash showed parts of the plane embedded into a residential building as firefighters continued to tackle the smoke.

Pieces of the aircrafts landing gear, fuselage and tail could all be seen protruding from the building.

Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, said it would provide 10 million rupees (around 86,000) to the families of those who were killed in the crash.

The company said it would also cover the medical costs of those injured and provide support in the building up of the medical college the plane crashed into.

Local media outlets reported the plane crashed on top of the canteen at B J Medical College.

Divyansh Singh, vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, told AP at least five medical students had been killed and around 50 were injured after the plane collided with the college.
Lord Hermer in 2024 visiting the Abdullah Quilliam Society Mosque, which the Charity Commission ruled committed a breach of trust or duty

A mosque praised by Lord Hermer has been rebuked over an anti-Israel sermon in which Muslims were urged to wage war for Allah, The Telegraph can reveal.

The Abdullah Quilliam Society, which was branded inspiring by the Attorney General last year, has been issued with an official warning over the inflammatory talk held shortly after the October 7 massacre in 2023.

In the sermon focused on the war in Gaza, Haroon Hanif, an Islamic preacher, accused Israel of genocide and told worshippers that Muslims should continue waging your war for Allah and his messenger, dont back down.

He added: Were large in numbers right now, two billion. If the two billion just marched on Israel, its all over; if you spat in the direction of Israel, two billion, its all over.

He also suggested that Muslims could be empowered to wipe out the Israelis in a blink of an eye if they put their faith in Allah.

The nature of Mr Hanifs affiliation with the mosque, if any, is unknown. He delivered the sermon on Oct 20, roughly two weeks after the Hamas terror attacks on October 7.

In his sermon, Haroon Hanif accused Israel of genocide

The comments, which were livestreamed on social media, prompted campaigners to refer the Abudullah Quilliam Society and seven other Islamic charities to the Charity Commission.

The watchdog has now ruled that the mosque has committed a breach of trust or duty, or other misconduct or mismanagement, and issued it with an official warning under the Charities Act 2011.

This means that the charity, which has previously received around 8,000 in government grants, will have to take action to rectify the problem, including implementing robust policies regarding the choice of speakers.

Stephen Roake, the Charity Commissions assistant director for compliance visits and inspections, told The Telegraph: We are clear that the sermon delivered at the Abdullah Quilliam Foundation was inflammatory, divisive and unacceptable.

Our robust action in issuing the charity with an official warning sends a clear message to this charity, and the sector more widely.

We now expect the charitys trustees to learn from what went wrong, and put in place the measures weve set out to protect the charity from further harm, including policies on speakers and social media use.

A huge, huge pleasure

Lord Hermer went to visit the Abdullah Quilliam Society in August 2024, where he discussed ways to keep the Muslim community safe in the wake of the riots triggered by the Southport killings.

He said it had been truly wonderful to hear about the communitys response to the protests, which affected the mosque directly, and said he had come away with many ideas.

In a video posted on the societys Instagram account, he said: Its been inspiring learning about the work of this mosque... It has been a huge, huge pleasure.

It is understood that his trip to the mosque was organised through local justice and policing teams and formed part of a wider set of visits to the area that day.

The charitys stated purpose is to promote correct knowledge and understanding of Islam and its true spirit and faith for the benefit of all.

In the sermon in October 2023, Mr Hanif said, any Muslim who thinks the Palestinians are terrorists... you need to question your imam (belief).

Towards the end of the talk, he said: The message, whatever were seeing happening right now... You and I cant do anything unless we do something with him... And everything thats happening... Allahs friend can wipe out the Israelis in a blink of an eye.

He can wipe them out... He can send the most powerful of all armies against them... He can send against them a virus, corona, he can send anything against them... Allah has armies beyond what we can imagine. He can finish it in a moment. Just have iman in him.

In the official warning to the mosque, handed down on Thursday, the Charity Commission ruled that the sermon was inflammatory and divisive and not in the charitys best interest.

It found that the society failed to have effective policies in place, including those related to speakers and ordered it to create, implement, and adhere to robust and suitable policies to ensure its assets are not exposed to undue risk in the furtherance of its objects in future.

It added that failure to remedy the breach of duty and/or misconduct and/or mismanagement specified above may lead to further regulatory action.

The Abdullah Quilliam Society has been approached for comment.
China, Africa pledge to strengthen trade ties

08:25, June 13, 2025 By Zhu Wenqian ( China Daily

Participants in the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo get ready for a group photo on Thursday after the opening ceremony of the event in Changsha, Hunan province. Nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies and more than 30,000 participants will attend the four-day expo, which is themed "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization". (Zhang Wei/China Daily)

China will further expand its opening-up to Africa, encourage more African products to enter the Chinese market, and create more new highlights of cooperation between the two sides, a senior diplomat said.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks on Thursday in Changsha, Hunan province, during the opening ceremony of the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which runs through Sunday.

Wang said the expo has become a new mechanism for China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, and it is believed that this year's event will create more cooperation opportunities between the two sides.

"No matter how the global situation changes, China will stand firmly with Africa and provide strong support for the modernization of Africa," Wang said.

He added that China would assist Africa in promoting industrialization and digital transformation, and in taking China-Africa cooperation to a higher and deeper level and a wider range of fields.

China has been Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. Last year, bilateral trade reached $295.6 billion, up 4.8 percent year-on-year, setting a record high for the fourth consecutive year, said the Ministry of Commerce.

The expo is ramping up efforts to attract more domestic and international buyers, and its scale has reached a new high this year, with over 4,700 Chinese and African companies participating in the event.

During the expo, 175 cooperation projects are expected to be signed, involving a total value of $11.39 billion, according to the Hunan provincial government and the Ministry of Commerce, the organizers.

While addressing the opening ceremony, African leaders, including Ugandan Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Liberian Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, expressed their appreciation for China's longtime, tremendous contributions to the economic growth of Africa.

They said they look forward to expanding all-around cooperation with China in economic and trade investment, industrial parks, green energy, digital transformation, logistics and transportation, as well as agricultural modernization.

Investment between China and Africa is steadily growing. Kenya Airways, the national airline of Kenya, said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of its operations in China, and it is proud to facilitate the soaring growth of trade between China and Africa. The carrier will soon launch direct flights between Nairobi and Beijing.

"This will be our first direct connection between our capitals. This new route will act as an air bridge linking two great cities and two great peoples. I am confident that the next 20 years will see an even greater exchange of goodwill between Africa and China," said Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer of Kenya Airways.

In 2005, the carrier launched its first weekly flight connecting Nairobi and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The route is now used five times a week, transporting tourists and traders from China and African countries.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies have continued their investment in Africa. Since 2022, the continent has been the largest market for China's export of goods for foreign contracted projects, according to the General Administration of Customs.

Agco (Changzhou) Agricultural Machinery Co, a tractor and generator manufacturer based in Changzhou, Jiangsu province, and a major production base of United States manufacturer Agco Corp, saw its exports to Africa reach 23.93 million yuan ($3.3 million) in the first five months of this year, up 23 percent year-on-year, according to Nanjing Customs.

"The demand for agricultural machinery in the African market has been growing in the past few years, and our products are highly favored by member countries of BRICS," said Zhang Yaqing, the company's head of logistics.

From January to May, China's total import and export value with Africa reached 963.21 billion yuan, up 12.4 percent year-on-year, a record high. Of this total, China's exports to Africa came in at 599.57 billion yuan, up 20.2 percent year-on-year, and the country's imports from Africa amounted to 363.64 billion yuan, edging up 1.6 percent year-on-year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Campaigners gather in Parliament Square as the Terminally Ill Adults Bill is debated in the Commons - James Manning/PA

MPs have voted to allow doctors to bring up assisted dying unprompted when speaking to terminally ill patients.

An amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults Bill aimed at only allowing medical professionals to discuss assisted death if a patient raises it first was narrowly voted down on Friday.

MPs debated Kim Leadbeaters proposals to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults over the age of 18 in England and Wales with six months or less left to live.

The Commons will vote on the Bill as a whole next week, in a crunch vote that could see assisted dying effectively become law, subject to scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Those who felt the Bill lacked safeguards for vulnerable adults put forward a change to prevent doctors mentioning assisted dying without their patient bringing it up.

The amendment tabled by Dame Meg Hillier, a Labour MP, said: No registered medical practitioner or other health professional shall raise the subject of the provision of assistance in accordance with this Act with a person unless that person has first raised it.

The move was strongly opposed by the British Medical Association, which said that it would impede doctors from being able to freely talk to patients about all reasonable and legally available options.

But MP backers of the amendment said that it was vital to prevent subtle coercion of vulnerable adults. It was voted down by 256 votes to 230.

But a second amendment banning medical professionals from raising assisted dying unprompted to a young person under the age of 18 narrowly passed.

The safeguard for children will be added into the legislation, in a defeat for Ms Leadbeater, alongside a ban on the advertising of assisted dying services.

Labour MPs who oppose Ms Leadbeaters Bill said that her defeat represented an 11th-hour rejection of the claims made about the safety of this Bill.

Todays vote was a vote of no confidence in the Bill and has shattered the claim that this Bill was the safest in the world, they added.

They pointed to over 100 other amendments aimed to introducing other safeguards that had not been selected for debate and which MPs have not had a chance to scrutinise or vote on.

A number of other amendments were also passed, including a provision for deaths through assisted dying to not automatically be referred to a coroner.

This comes after the Royal College of Pathologists, which represents medical examiners, saying that they were not qualified for such a role and urging for coroners to be involved.

The vote next Friday will be a free vote for MPs, which means that they are able to vote according to their conscience and will not have to follow a party whip.

Kieran Mullan, a shadow health minister, expressed concerns that there had been insufficient time to scrutinise the deeply consequential and highly contentious piece of legislation for society.

But Stephen Kinnock, the care minister, argued that the over 90 hours of parliamentary time allotted to the Bill was more than most.
An oil platform in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro state. Most of the concessions are for offshore areas, but some are for the Amazon basin. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Brazilian government is preparing to stage an oil exploration auction months before it hosts the Cop30 UN climate summit, despite opposition from environmental campaigners and Indigenous communities worried about the environmental and climate impacts of the plans.

Brazils oil sector regulator, ANP, will auction the exploration rights to 172 oil and gas blocks spanning 56,000 square miles (146,000 sq km), an area more than twice the size of Scotland, most of it offshore.

The doomsday auction, as campaigners have called it, includes 47 blocks in the Amazon basin, in a sensitive area near the mouth of the river that fossil fuel companies consider a promising new oil frontier.

The auction is key to Brazils plans to become the worlds fourth-largest oil producer, an ambition supported by the president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who argues that oil revenue will bring economic development and fund the energy transition.

But a wide range of groups, including environmentalists, federal prosecutors and even oil workers unions, are pushing for the bidding round to be called off, citing inadequate environmental assessment studies, the violation of Indigenous rights and the incompatibility of increased oil production with Brazils climate commitments.

The International Energy Agency says the development of new oil and gas fields is incompatible with global efforts to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Brazils Instituto ClimaInfo has calculated that the burning of oil and gas from all 172 blocks on offer, should they move forward to production stage, could lead to the release of more than 11bn tonnes of CO 2 equivalent  similar to more than six years worth of emissions from the countrys polluting agribusiness sector, or 5% of the emissions humanity can still produce to keep global heating to within 1.5C.

The areas in the Amazon basin alone could release 4.7bn tonnes of CO 2 equivalent.

This auction is posing really serious and grave threats for biodiversity, communities and climate, said Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, the executive director of Instituto Internacional Arayara, a civil society organisation that has filed five lawsuits against next weeks auction.

Many of the oil exploration blocks on offer have outdated or near-expiry environmental assessment studies. Some overlap with Indigenous territories or conservation areas, including marine reserves around the island paradise of Fernando de Noronha. Arayara also argues that the ANP has failed to transparently assess the true scope of greenhouse gas emissions from exploration and possible future production of oil and gas in these areas.

The Amazon basin is at the centre of the debate surrounding the future of oil exploration in Brazil. The state-controlled oil company, Petrobras, has spent years trying to obtain an environmental licence to drill there, and Lula has put pressure on the environmental watchdog, Ibama, to deliver the permit.

Areas that would be affected by offshore drilling and related activities onshore include sensitive coral reefs, and Indigenous communities who say they have not been properly consulted.

We Indigenous people are being flattened by this process, were not being seen or heard, said Edmilson Oliveira, a coordinator of a group of Indigenous leaders who publicly oppose exploration activities off Brazils northern coast.

Lucas Louback, a campaign and advocacy manager at Nossas, one of the organisations demanding the cancellation of the auction, said: Thousands of people are already saying no to oil exploration in the Amazon basin and the Brazilian government needs to listen. Just a few months away from hosting Cop30, continuing to bet on oil is a glaring contradiction.

The Amazon is dangerously close to a tipping point, and clinging to this model pushes Brazil and the world closer to climate collapse.
Arjunbhai Patoliya was travelling home to London after scattering the ashes of his late wife Bharatiben

Two young girls have been left orphaned after their father was killed in the Air India plane crash just three weeks after their mother died of cancer.

Grief-stricken Arjunbhai Patoliya, 37, had flown from London to India to fulfil his late wifes final wishes.

Bharatiben Patel, known as Bharti, 43, had asked for her ashes to be scattered in a river in the Indian village where they both grew up.

Mr Patoliya, a furniture designer, left their daughters, aged eight and four, in the care of his late wifes sister to fly to Vadiya, Gujarat, to perform the ritual in her honour.

He was joined by friends and family, who described him walking with quiet dignity, carrying the weight of loss with remarkable strength, during the memorial earlier this week.

Ms Patels ashes are thought to have been scattered in the Narmada River, which is considered sacred among Hindus, who believe it purifies the soul.

Grief-stricken Arjunbhai Patoliya, 37, had flown from London to India to fulfil his late wifes final wishes

A close friend and neighbour who did not want to be identified, said of Mr Patoliya: He is just like my son.

He was a nice person, a very nice person. Its an accident. I dont know what to say, Im speechless, such a lovely neighbour. He was such a lovely character, he looked after me as well from time to time.

His wife passed away from cancer, three weeks ago.

She added: The daughters are being looked after by their aunties very well, people say orphan fair enough, no parents, but they are looked after by the auntie and uncle very well, very lovely people.

Mr Patoliya had been returning home to his two children in north London on Thursday when he lost his life in the Air India tragedy.

The family had lived in the pebble-dashed semi-detached home on a quiet road in Edgware for around five years.

Mr Patoliya, who studied for an MBA at Liverpool John Moores University, is thought to have worked at the north London-based Inspired Elements Bespoke Furniture since 2018.

Bharatiben Patel had asked for her ashes to be scattered in a river in the Indian village where the couple both grew up

Just last year, he founded his own takeaway food company, called Khattameethalondon.

Friends had described Mr Patoliya and his wife as the perfect couple and described one of their young daughters as a daddys girl.

The neighbour added: Arjunbhai is a very family person, active with the community, very active, he is a pure soul.

They are a lovely couple, cute couple, they are both pure souls.

Gesturing to the family home, she said All the time is a happy family, I can hear them before trailing off, too distraught to finish her sentence.

She added: It is very very sad, tragic, unbelievable. I cried all night, I could not sleep.

Another passenger onboard the Air India flight was also returning home following the death of a spouse.

Raxa Modha, 55, had flown to India with her daughter-in-law, Yasha Kamdar, and her two-year-old grandson to fulfil her late husband Kishors wish to live out his last days in his homeland.

The mother-of-three, who was returning to her home in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had been in India for an extended period of time to support her husband while he battled an illness. Their son, Kishan Modha, was due to return to the UK on a later flight.

Some 52 Britons, 169 Indians, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national died in the crash.

Family starting their new life in UK

Smiling for the camera, this is the selfie a doctor took with his wife and children moments before they all died in the Air India crash.

Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital, had flown to India just two days before Thursdays crash to be reunited with his wife Dr Komi Vyas, their twin five-year-old sons, Nakul and Pradyut, and eight-year-old daughter Miraya.

He had worked for the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust for four years and was bringing his family back to the UK to join him, with a photo from the plane showing their excitement.

Dr Prateek Joshi, Dr Komi Vyas, Nakul and Pradyut, five, and Miraya, eight

Sitting in their seats on the tarmac at Ahmedabad airport, minutes from take-off, Dr Joshi beams to the camera next to his wife of 10 years, who had recently given up her job at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur.

Their three children, sitting across the aisle, follow suit with huge grins on their faces.

Colleagues described Dr Joshi as always full of joy and said he approached everything with a smile, they added that he had discovered a love of fish and chips and walking in the peak district.

Stephen Posey, chief executive of the trust, said: We are privileged that Prateek chose to give his skills, talent and knowledge to the NHS, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.

Dr Rajeev Singh, consultant radiologist and clinical director for imaging at UHDB, said: It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way. His passing has left a profound void, not only in his professional contributions but in the warmth and spirit that he gave to the world every day.

Dr Deepak Kaladagi, a former classmate and close friend of Dr Joshi, shared a photo of the family on holiday with an accompanying caption: May their souls rest in peace and God give strength to their family to bear this loss.

Sisters from London were celebrating grandmothers birthday

Two sisters who had visited their grandmother to celebrate her birthday were among those killed.

Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their 20s, had travelled from their homes in London to Ahmedabad for a surprise visit and were returning when the flight crashed.

Heer (L) and Dhir Baxi with their grandmother whose birthday they had just celebrated in India

Their family and friends said that everything has vanished in their world after the young talents were killed.

Dhir, a designer, graduated from Parsons Paris art and design school in 2024 with a bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion design, while Heer worked in London after graduating from Barnard College, a liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University, with a bachelor of arts in economics and east Asian languages and cultures.

She had previously worked in Hong Kong and Singapore, where the sisters are believed to have grown up.

Dhirs Instagram profile reads Paris and London, and most of her posts are photo shoots of her clothing with various collaborators. Her family said she was about to return to the French capital for a show.

Their elder brother, Ishan Baxi, told The Telegraph: I cant express what my complete family is going through  shell shocked, not coming to terms is what I can say right now

Both had a natural aura of helping and always cared about family values. They both had aspirations to be successful enough to roam around the world, tension-free. Along with their parents, they both had a proclivity towards modernisation without changing traditional values.

Both my sisters know what is right and what is wrong, thus whatever work they carried out, in academics or fashion, they always got success with no conflicts amongst peers or seniors.

On Heers last Instagram post from November 2024, a comment was added on Thursday evening that said: RIP young talent, alongside a photo of a model wearing one of Dhirs dress designs with a traditional gajra, a flower garland, in her hair.

Couple flying with four-year-old daughter known for their generosity

A family of three from Gloucester who died were widely loved and deeply respected, their relatives said in a statement issued through their Imam.

They were identified as father Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter Sara Nanabawa.

It is understood that Mr Nanabawa, who grew up in Newport, was returning to his home in Gloucestershire with the family.

Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara Nanabawa, four, were among the victims - Family handout/BBC

Abdullah Samad, a headteacher of their primary school, said Sara was a ray of sunshine who lit up the classroom.

He said the married couple were well known for their charity work and generosity. They touched lots of people and they will be missed by lots of people, he told the BBC.

They helped fundraise for the humanitarian efforts in Gaza and medical care for poor individuals in India. That was part of their service to the community, he said.

The couple ran an outsourcing services business, Iceberg, with bases in both Gloucester and Ahmedabad.

Ms Vorajee was also a director at Peace Inclusion, a grassroots organisation that works to build bridges between communities and promote understanding of Islam through education.

Couple spoke of magical experience hours before take-off

Also onboard the doomed flight were Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who ran a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio.

The couple had posted on social media about their magical experience in the country just hours before take-off.

Fiongal (left) and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek had spoken about their mind-blowing experiences in India

In a video posted on social media from their boutique hotel in the city, the night before their flight, Fiongal, who described himself as a fashion designer-turned-spiritual adviser said: So its our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there has been some quite mind blowing things have happened.

His husband Jamie, a yoga teacher and former dancer, added: We really have been on quite a journey and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you.

The couple also shared a video of them at the airport just as people were boarding the plane and another in which Fiongal said that they were feeling very, very, very happy.

The couple ran The Wellness Foundry in south London and Ramsgate, Kent, which offers psychic readings, tarot, Reiki and yoga.

In January, Fiongal appeared on ITVs This Morning to talk about peoples auras and what they mean.

Family of four from Wembley

Others feared dead include a family of four from Wembley who had been to visit a relative in the village of Diu.

Hemaxi Shantilal had been to visit her sick mother with her husband, Girish Lalgi, their three-year-old son Adair and one-year-old daughter Takshril.

Ms Shantilal spoke to a friend from the village just as she was boarding the plane.

Photographs posted on social media show the couple marrying in a lavish Indian ceremony four years ago.

Hardest working father was travelling back to London

Another passenger has been identified as Adnan Master, 30, from Forest Hill, east London, who had been visiting relatives in India with his wife and child. It is understood he was travelling back to London alone.

Mr Master was described by friends as cheerful, funny, intelligent and hard-working.

Adnan Master had been visiting relatives in India with his wife and child but boarded the flight alone

One friend, who declined to be named, said he was probably one of the nicest guys youd ever meet and worked two jobs  one at a DIY store in east London and another as a delivery driver.

The friend added: He was just one of the hardest-working people youd ever meet. He just didnt stop, and everything he did was for his family. Everything he spoke about was for his family, I want to make my child have a good life.

Couple were returning from holiday with children

A British family of four  Javed Ali Syed, his wife Mariam, and their young children, Zayn and Amani  were also on the Air India flight.

The Syed family all perished in the crash - Amit Dave

Mrs Syed, 35, worked for nearly a decade as a brand ambassador at Harrods, while Mr Syed worked as a hotel manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel. The family were reportedly returning home from a holiday in India.

The father-of-two previously received a team member of the year award in 2017 while working for the Comfort Inn London in Westminster.

Recently widowed mother had been supporting her dying husband

Another passenger was Raxa Modha, who was recently widowed.

The 55-year-old mother-of-three, who was returning to her home in Northamptonshire, had been in India for an extended period to support her husband while he battled an illness. Their son, Kishan Modha, was due to return to the UK on a later flight.

Raxa Modha was recently widowed

A family friend told MailOnline: Its incredibly sad, the whole family is already grieving Kishors death.

Kishan, fortunately, was getting on another flight, but we dont know what has happened to the others.

She was described by neighbours on Thursday as a lovely lady.

Dentist from Canada was mother of one-year-old

Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, has been identified as the single Canadian victim.

Mrs Patel worked at the Heritage Dental Centre and had a one-year-old child.

Dentist Nirali Sureshkumar Patel was the only Canadian onboard

Her husband told Canada Press: That was my wife. I am not in a state to speak right now.

Another family member said: She was very nice. She was very gentle, but this is not a good time.

City councillor Natalie Hart said in tribute: Im deeply saddened to learn that Dr Patel, a dentist who practised in Ward 5, has been identified as a victim of the Air India tragedy.

My prayers are with her loved ones and everyone in our community who will be mourning her.

Nursery teacher aimed to establish school in India

An award-winning nursery headteacher who was among those killed in the Air India crash has been hailed as a guiding light and an inspiration.

Panna Nagar, 68, ran Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend for 15 years until 2020 and was described on Friday as a remarkable leader, mentor, and friend.

Ms Nagar, who lived in Canterbury, Kent, is thought to have travelled to India because she was involved in founding a school in the country.

Former headteacher of a Kent nursery school was hailed an inspiration - Neerasha Singh

Northfleets current head, Neerasha Singh, said Ms Nagar had an immeasurable impact on all who knew her.

With unwavering dedication, Ms Nagar fostered a school environment filled with warmth, kindness, and encouragement, she said.

Former school governors, Jeremy and Fiona Strike, said Ms Nagar had dramatically improved the nursery school and was loved by her pupils.

They said: She brought the school from failing to outstanding because of all the work she put in.

One of Ms Nagars neighbours, Maddie Bundock, said: Shes such a lovely lady. So kind as well. Shes got this little dog and shes so kind.

Newly engaged couple planning to marry in India

Hardik Avaiya, 28, and Vibhooti Patel, 27, a newly engaged couple, were also killed.

The couple met while working for Amazon in Leicester and were planning to marry in India next year.

Hardik Avaiya and Vibhooti Patel, were planning to get married in India next year

Their friend Dhaval Patel was supposed to pick them up from the airport on Thursday and called Mr Avaiya just minutes before their plane took off.

Mr Patel told The Telegraph: He was a very good person. Nice to talk to. He was a happy man. They were very much in love.

Family who celebrated Eid in Ahmedabad

Meanwhile, Inayatali Saiyedmiya Saiyed, 48, and his family were travelling back home to Wembley after flying to Ahmedabad for Eid celebrations, when they too were killed.

Engineer Mr Saiyed was on board with wife Nafisa, 46, daughter Taskin, 25, a doctor, and son Waquee Ali, 22, who was in his final year of studying computer science at City University in London.
An application has been made for a floating restaurant on the harbour side of the isolated sandbank - CHP

Owners of Britains most expensive beach huts fear their exclusive Dorset sandbank setting will be destroyed by drunken sailors using a new floating bar and restaurant.

Hutters at Mudeford Spit, in Christchurch, say they are worried that a rabble of party-goers will ruin their idyll.

They fear the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea.

And with just one lavatory on board, there are concerns that revellers will end up urinating over the side.

The beach huts on the sandy peninsula can sell for up to 500,000 because of its exclusive, remote location.

Virginia Hazell-Trickett, of the Christchurch Harbour Kitchen, wants to moor up the floating restaurant and bar in the harbour just off the sandbank.

The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will be accessed by a gangplank with handrails.

Beach huts at Mudeford in Christchurch, Dorset, sell for up to 500,000 - BNPS

She has applied to the local council for a licence to play music from 8am to 11pm every day and serve alcohol from 11am to 11pm.

There will be a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside.

A decision will be made by the council next week, but the application has received 37 letters of objection from locals and hut owners.

As well as anti-social behaviour, objectors say the venture will also encourage people to drink and cycle home as cars are banned from the sandbank.

One objector said: I have grave concerns that the very nature of the sandbank, and the reason so many people choose to have a beach hut there, is likely to be destroyed forever if this was allowed.

The relative tranquillity when the day trippers have gone home gives a whole new aspect to life on the coast. It is likely to be destroyed by the rabble of party-goers rushing for the experience of an evening on a floating restaurant in our midst.

Why music? Why alcohol? Both likely to encourage rowdiness in the exuberance of the party-goers and we all know how sound travels over the water.

These are unlikely to be the quiet couples wanting a new experience eating afloat in the harbour.

The proposed location of the floating bar and restaurant (circled) on Mudeford Sandbank - BNPS

Another hut owner said: More people would be enticed to come to the sandbank for the bar, potentially creating more drunken and anti-social behaviour.

Also, the fact that it is a floating bar with a dropped gangplank in the sea is a concern for safety with potentially drunk people on board.

Mrs Hazell-Tricketts council application said there will be railings all the way round the floating barge for safety and CCTV cameras will be installed.

There will also be signs telling customers to leave the premises quietly.

Mrs Hazell-Trickett has been approached for comment.
Hasaan Arshad pictured outside the Old Bailey - Ben Whitley/PA

A GCHQ intern endangered national security, risked exposing 17 colleagues, and threw away thousands of hours of work when he took top secret data home, a court has heard.

Hasaan Arshad, 25, a Manchester University computer science student, was in flagrant breach of security rules when he used his mobile phone to remove material from a computer system and transfer it to his private computer on Aug 24 2022.

Arshad, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He also admitted two charges of making an indecent photograph of a child in relation to 40 category A images and four category B images found on his phone following his arrest.

The court was told that part of the hearing  including a detailed assessment of the harm caused  would be outlined behind closed doors.

Arshad was jailed for seven-and-a-half years at the Old Bailey on Friday.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice Maura McGowan told him that the risk created by this conduct was at the highest level.

The risk was obvious, she added, and the actual damage that might have followed is incalculable.

Hasaan Arshad was a student on a work placement at the time of the offence - LinkedIn

The court was told that Arshads actions lost a tool being developed at GCHQ, risked exposing the identities of 17 GCHQ colleagues, and undermined the trust of partners.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said: His actions created a significant risk of damage to national security for reasons that can only be fully explained in a private hearing.

In short, however, his actions compromised the security and utility of the material and the role it played in the national interest, and he also in the process put the safety of intelligence agency personnel at risk.

GCHQ is the UKs intelligence, security and cyber agency. The highest levels of security are needed for GCHQ to carry out its work to gain information about threats to the UK from hostile states or terrorists by using lawful covert tools and techniques, the court was told.

Mr Atkinson said: Put bluntly, if hostile states or terrorists were aware of how GCHQ was able to gather intelligence about their plans, they would be able to prevent the intelligence community in the UK from learning of those plans at a stage and to an extent that allows the intelligence community to thwart them.

At the time of the offence, Arshad was coming to the end of an industry year placement with a technical development team that required him to work at a secure GCHQ site near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and use computer systems.

Extremely secure location

The court heard he was part of a team that worked on the development of tools and techniques to obtain information about threats to the UK.

Arshad had undergone GCHQ induction and was required to sign the Official Secrets Act.

It was made abundantly clear to Arshad that his access to top secret material had to be in controlled circumstances at an extremely secure location, Mr Atkinson said.

He went on: In flagrant breach of those obvious and necessary restrictions, the defendant used a mobile handset provided for his use whilst on his work placement but with strictly confined scope as to its permitted use, to remove top secret material from the top secret network of the technical development team to which he had been attached.

He then transported that material from the secure location where he had been working to his home, risking it falling into the wrong hands or being lost, and downloaded it onto a removable hard drive which formed part of IT system that he used at his home address.

This home computer system wholly failed to match the necessarily exacting security requirements of GCHQs systems, and therefore exposed this top secret material to the vagaries and risks of an unsecure computer system connected to the internet at an insecure location.

This significant security breach compromised lawful intelligence-related activity that was being undertaken in the national interest. In doing so, he threw away many thousands of hours of work, and significant sums of taxpayers money.

Out of curiosity

Mr Atkinson said Arshads actions had damaged confidence in UK security because the data included the identities of a significant number of GCHQ colleagues and put others safety at direct risk.

Following his arrest, the defendant admitted removing data without authorisation out of curiosity.

He said in a statement that he had no intention to hand over the data to anyone else.

He told police: I would like to apologise for my actions. I removed the data simply out of curiosity.

Im sorry for my actions and I understand the stupidity of what I have done.

Arshad said he went out of my way to ensure the data was stored locally and not in the cloud.

Asked if he had breached the level of trust and confidence by removing the sensitive data without authority, he replied: No comment.

Mitigating, Arshads lawyer Nina Grahame KC said the defendant had been reckless, thoughtless and naive.

His internship had involved working on a specific project, which he had been unable to complete before the end of the placement, she added.

He took the data home because he wanted to continue and complete the most exciting and challenging work the defendant had ever undertaken in the hope of gaining future employment at GCHQ, Ms Grahame said.
Hamut Coskun was convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly conduct - Geoff Pugh

A man that allegedly threatened to behead another man who set a Koran alight has been remanded in custody.

Muhammad Naasir Attaari is accused of telling an employee in an Asda store that he would behead Hamit Coskun, who burned the Muslim holy book outside the Turkish consulate earlier this year.

The 49-year-old was reported by the Asda employee.

Mr Attaari wore a white Islamic skull cap and black hoodie in court, with a long grey-and-black beard.

Westminster magistrates court heard he is charged with threatening to kill Coskun, who shouted abusive comments about Islam and burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, central London, in February.

Mr Attaari is also charged with three counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Coskun, 50, was convicted at the same court earlier this month of a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly conduct, and fined a total of 336.

Coskun shouted abusive comments about Islam and burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in central London in February

Coskun, who is Kurdish and Armenian, was said to have travelled from his home in Derby to set fire to the Muslim holy book.

In a statement released following his court case, he said his conviction had been an assault on free speech, and will deter others from exercising their democratic rights.

Mr Attaari, who the court heard is originally from the Blackburn area of Lancashire, entered no pleas at the hearing and his case was sent to Isleworth Crown Court.

Prosecutor Rizwan Amin told the court: With regard to the threats to kill, it has taken place at an Asda store.

A member of staff approached him and interacted with this defendant.

On one particular occasion, there was dialogue between both parties, in particular that someone had burned a Koran, the holy book.

District Judge John Zani asked about the intended victim of the alleged threat.

Its somebody who was in the news, Mr Amin continued. He is not known [to the defendant].

The court heard that police visited Mr Attaaris address in Northolt and were about to leave, as he wasnt in, when the defendant arrived home and approached officers.

Remanding Mr Attaari into custody until his next appearance at Isleworth Crown Court on July 10, Judge Zani told him: You face a number of serious offences too serious to be dealt with in this court.
Bagheri during the Great Prophet joint military drill in 2016: he once mocked President Trump for having eaten too much sugar - ARMIN KARAMI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who has been killed in an Israeli airstrike aged about 65, had been the head of Irans armed forces since 2016 and was often tipped as a future president.

He was the younger brother of Hassan Bagheri, a senior figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran-Iraq War, who became well-known for his ingenious intelligence operations and achieved semi-mythical status after he was killed by a mortar shell in 1983.

Mohammad Bagheris ascent through the ranks of the IRGC owed much to the lustre cast by Hassans memory, but also to his capacity for staying in the background and not making waves.

His appointment as Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in 2016 testified to his outstanding record as a tactician in both military and intelligence operations, even if his name was barely known outside Irans military and political circles.

He replaced Hassan Firouzabadi, who had weathered the storms of Iranian politics to survive as Chief of Staff for 26 years, but had at last come to be seen as past his prime.

The decision by Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, to appoint Bagheri was also a political measure. The Iranian military is divided between the conventional armed forces, known as the Artesh, and the IRGC, which is devoted to upholding the Islamic Republic as established by Khameneis predecessor, the Ayatollah Khomeini. Recruiting a chief of staff from the ranks of the IRGC (as opposed to Firouzabadi, who had no formal military experience and no particular allegiance) bolstered Khameneis position of power.

Although Bagheri was known to share Firouzabadis view that one of the biggest threats to the security of the Republic was a general moral decline among Iranians, Bagheri was less given to making grandstanding public comments than his predecessor.

However, in one of his first public pronouncements he castigated the newly elected Donald Trump for threatening that Iranian vessels approaching US ships in the Persian Gulf would be shot out of the water. He has talked off the top of his head, Bagheri declared, adding that Trump had eaten too much sugar, a proverbial Farsi expression for somebody spouting nonsense.

Bagheri and President Hassan Rouhani in 2019 - Anadolu via Getty

He assured Iraq of support if it were attacked by Isis (Baghdad is our red line) and maintained that the terrorist group was sponsored by the US, and that its destruction would herald the dismantling of the cursed dominion of America and its allies in the Middle East. In 2018 he expressed delight at the withdrawal of the US from the Iran nuclear deal with an implicit rebuke to his predecessor for supporting it ([The deal] was not the desire of the Iranian nation However, Iran magnanimously and generously accepted it for all the world to see.)

Bagheri also earned a reputation as a skilful diplomat, visiting China, Russia, Pakistan, Syria and Turkey to discuss joint measures to tackle terrorism and drug trafficking. In April this year he met the Saudi Arabian minister of defence in Tehran, in a meeting seen as signalling a thaw in relations between the two countries.

In 2019 the US designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation, prompting Bagheri to announce that we consider the US troops in West Asia to be terrorists and if they do a damn thing, we will confront them vigorously. In 2022 it was reported that Bagheri had sent troops to Crimea to supply Russian forces with Iranian-made drones to deploy in Ukraine, leading to his being personally sanctioned by the British government.

Further international sanctions followed in September of that year when Bagheri presided over the brutal suppression of the protests that followed the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was beaten to death by police after being arrested for wearing her hijab incorrectly; the largest uprising since the foundation of the Islamic Republic in 1979 ended in the deaths of 551 protesters, at least 60 of them children.

Bagheri responded to the threat of sanctions with contempt: The Americans dont have the capability and the guts to start a military attack against Iran. This is why they try through economic warfare.

Bagheri, right, meeting the Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu in Tehran, 2024 - Iran Armed Forces Press Office/Anadolu via Getty

He was born Mohammad-Hossein Afshordi, probably in June 1960, although some accounts give other birth years. While studying mechanical engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology he was among the students who stormed the US embassy, taking 66 Americans hostage, in 1979.

In 1980 he joined his older brother in the IRGC; Hassan had taken on the name Bagheri as a nom de guerre when carrying out intelligence operations, and Mohammad later adopted the name in tribute to him. Mohammad took part in most of the major operations of the Iran-Iraq War, fighting alongside his brother for the first time during the Liberation of Bostan, described by the Ayatollah Khomeini as the victory of victories, in 1981.

By 27 he was commanding a division of the IRGCs military intelligence branch, which had been founded by his brother Hassan. When the General Staff of the Armed Forces was formed in 1988, Bagheri was appointed deputy chairman for intelligence. He was admired for his innovative approach to intelligence-gathering, expanding the use of drones, and in the 1990s he carried out successful missions against Iranian Kurds deep in Iraq. In 2008 he was promoted to Major General.

In 2020 Bagheri took charge of the response to Covid-19, ordering the Iranian people to empty the shops, streets and roads within 24 hours, and proclaiming: The entire Iranian nation will be monitored through cyberspace, by phone and, if necessary, in person, and those suspected of being ill will be fully identified.

In 2017 he was accused of trying to curry favour with politicians by giving them gifts, one congressman publicly claiming to have been given French cologne. Nevertheless, Bagheri had been expected to pursue a political career, possibly running for president.

Mohammad Bagheri, born circa 1960, died June 13 2025
Police have made 15 arrests so far during the four nights of violence

Rioters attacked police with missiles on the fourth night of unrest in Northern Ireland.

Masked youths in Portadown, County Armagh, launched masonry at riot police as a week of disorder continued.

The unrest came despite Northern Irelands police chief vowing to arrest and prosecute the bigots and racists behind the violence.

A total of 41 police officers have been injured in the riots and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has made 15 arrests so far.

The streets in Portadown were littered with projectiles - REUTERS

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said on Thursday that the girl whose alleged attempted rape triggered the riots had been traumatised by the violence.

This girls family and this girl want it to end, he said. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please dont come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

He said foreign families had been forced to hide in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday.

Thursdays disorder appeared less intense than earlier in the week.

Riot police stand guard in Portadown - REUTERS

There was no repeat of unrest in Ballymena for the first time since the riots started in the County Antrim town on Monday.

Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening.

The PSNI has drafted in 80 officers from Scotland to assist in its crackdown on the riots.

Earlier, a judge said the courts would deal robustly with those involved in the violence in Ballymena.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence, as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the towns magistrates court on Thursday.

Residents in Ballymena are fearful of more unrest - REUTERS

Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths, were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted on Monday.

On Thursday, there was an arson attack on a leisure centre in Larne, 30 minutes from Ballymena, after it was temporarily used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need after disturbances in the town earlier in the week.

The unrest was triggered when two Romanian-speaking 14-year-old boys appeared in court charged with the attempted rape of a girl in Ballymena.

It prompted a peaceful protest against sexual crime on Monday which was followed by violence later that evening.
Alex apologised if he had offended anyone with his boastful social media posts - X

A Romanian in Ballymena has claimed he has lost everything after he was wrongly arrested for the attempted rape of a schoolgirl.

He spoke after riots broke out in the Northern Ireland town following the appearance in court of two 14-year-old boys charged with attempted rape and who required a Romanian interpreter.

The father-of-two, named Alex, wrote on social media how his home and car were attacked by anti-immigrant rioters while he was in custody, according to the MailOnline.

The 28-year-old also said rioters returned to the property even after he was freed from custody without charge.

Alex said he and his wife had been forced into hiding, while his mother had taken his two daughters to Romania out of fear for their safety in Ballymena.

In a Facebook post translated from Romanian, the father wrote: I have lost everything because of false accusations.

I lost my house where I lived, my car, all my belongings.

But the biggest regret is that I lost the chance to offer my children a better future. And all this without having done anything wrong.

The Romanian national went on to say: My family and I are not guilty, we all came for a better life, no one wants problems, we are modest people, people who fear God.

Houses have been set alight and bricks, fireworks and petrol bombs have been thrown during scenes of disorder in Ballymena over recent days.

Residents previously told The Telegraph of long-running tensions with the Roma community  which came to a head following the boys court appearance.

The scenes have been so frightening to some residents, non-Roma immigrants have resorted to putting up signs confirming their nationality, such as Filipino lives here.

Credit: TikTok

Meanwhile, others even displayed the Kings Coronation memorabilia and crockery featuring Queen Elizabeth II, in a bid to deter thugs hunting for migrants.

On Thursday, three teenagers were charged with riot in relation to the disorder, with the youngest, 15, also charged with criminal damage.

In total, 15 people have been arrested and 41 police officers injured during the unrest, which was sparked by the alleged sexual assault of the girl.

In his Facebook post, Alex, who is also active on TikTok, also apologised if he had offended anyone in Northern Ireland with boastful posts he had published on the social media platform.

In one TikTok reel that emerged after riots began in Ballymena he was shown blowing kisses to the camera before waving a giant wodge of cash outside the towns courthouse following an unrelated matter involving a family member.

Critics claimed it was then shared by one of his relatives who made provocative comments.

In another social media message, after his Audi was attacked, Alex wrote in Romanian: Plenty more fish [in the sea] over a picture of the smashed-up luxury vehicle on his drive.

He wrote: I admit I am boastful. That is my character and I apologise if I upset anyone. It was not my intention.

In a statement that did not name the man, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: A 28-year-old man was arrested on Monday June 9.

He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.
Credit: X/ShivAroor

Air India has confirmed there was only one survivor from todays plane crash in Ahmedabad.

An airline spokesman said that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.

It came after a senior Indian police officer said there could be more survivors being treated in hospital.

The only person to escape the crash alive was earlier confirmed to be Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin.

He was near the emergency exit and managed to escape by jumping out the emergency door, said Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, speaking about Viswashkumar.

The flight to Gatwick took off at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23. Of the 242 passengers on board, 53 were British.

Credit: X

Downing Street warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives, while the MP for Leicester East said a handful of residents from the city were onboard.

So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that, said Shivani Raja, a Conservative MP.

Air India said 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian were also among the 242 on board. Eleven passengers were children.

Mobile phone footage showed the plane flying low over the city before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Indian police said the jet struck a hostel that was used by local doctors.

The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave no chance to save the lives of passengers on board, Indias home minister said.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: Aircrafts full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.

The wreckage of the Dreamliner embedded in a building

Part of the planes fuselage was seen sticking out from the building, and plumes of thick black smoke could be seen rising over the city.

Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph: We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes. There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions. He said the smoke remained visible more than a mile away.

The cause of the crash is unclear. Boeing has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, but the Dreamliner had never crashed in 14 years of service.

01:24 AM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage. We will be back on Friday with the latest on the crash investigation.

12:32 AM BST

US experts head to India

A US team of experts is travelling to India to help with the crash probe after India asked for assistance.

The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier promised that the government would act quickly if it learnt about any safety issues with the Boeing 787, but it is still too early in the investigation.

11:31 PM BST

Prayers at Hindu temples around London

About 100 people gathered at a temple in the Neasden area of London on Thursday night, where much of the community has ties to the state where the flight crashed.

Yogvivekdas Swami prayed for all those affected, including the people killed and injured on the ground and the teams that worked to rescue them.

We will offer prayers for the unfortunate people who have passed away, the passengers, the crew, the pilots, Mr Yogvivekdas said.

Also for all their family members that they may find strength and courage at this very difficult and challenging time.

Yogvivekdas Swami leads prayers in London - AP

10:54 PM BST

Tribute to British man: His vibrancy and enthusiasm won people over

Tributes have been to Britons including a couple of wellness advocates who are believed to have been killed alongside more than 240 people in the crash.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

Mr Greenlaw is said to have appeared on ITVs This Morning earlier this year to talk about wellness.

Former editor of the show Martin Frizell praised his vibrancy and enthusiasm.

So so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick, he said in an Instagram post.

I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although Im a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.

And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him.

Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.

Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, and husband Jamie, 45

10:11 PM BST

Relatives mourn in Ahmedabad

The relatives of passengers and crew who died in the Air India crash are in mourning in Ahmedabad tonight.

The parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, were comforted by family members at the crash site.

Relatives comfort parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, who died in the crash - REUTERS/Amit Dave

09:40 PM BST

Pictured: The crash site tonight

A police officer stands in front of the wreckage of the plane - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Night fell with part of the plane still lodged in a building - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

09:31 PM BST

Survivors family and friends gather in Leicester

The relatives and friends of the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash gathered at a house in Leicester on Thursday evening.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the only person on board the aircraft who survived.

Nayan Kumar Ramesh said it was a miracle that his brother Vishwash survived the crash but said he was still worried about his other sibling who was also on board the flight.

Relatives and friends of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh gathered in Leicester on Thursday evening - Joseph Walshe / SWNS

09:20 PM BST

Pictured: Passenger luggage at the crash site

Passengers luggage lies strewn at the crash site - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

09:06 PM BST

Bereaved relatives gather outside Ahmedabad morgue

Bereaved relatives of those on board the Air India flight have gathered outside the post-mortem room at Ahmedabads hospital.

Bodies are being brought to the facility for identification usign DNA sampling.

T. Thanglingo Haokip told BBC News his cousin, Singson, was cabin crew on Air India flight 171.

Her parents are worried, he said. She only has a mother, her father passed away. Her brother has cancer. She was the only breadwinner in the family. Her family was wholly dependent on her.

Indian security personnel outside the post-mortem room at the Ahmedabad hospital - RAJAT GUPTA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

08:28 PM BST

Air India confirms 241 of 242 passengers died

Air India has confirmed that 241 of the 242 passengers on board the flight died in the crash, making British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, the sole survivor.

In a statement, the airline said: We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities.

The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national.

The survivor is a British national of Indian origin. Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support.

Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

The remnants of the Air India plane in Ahmedabad - REUTERS/Amit Dave

08:26 PM BST

Boeing chief executive vows to assist investigation

The chief executive and president of Boeing has vowed to assist the investigation into the crash.

Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, Kelly Ortberg said.

I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

Mr Ortberg said Boeing will defer to Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171.

08:01 PM BST

US involved in plane investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration is engaged with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace to review information as part of the investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Sean Duffy, the US transport secretary, also said Washington will not hesitate to implement any safety recommendations that may arise. We will follow the facts and put safety first.

Mr Duffy said the agency is prepared to send additional resources to get the data we need to ensure the safety of the flying public.

07:29 PM BST

There may be more survivors, says police officer

A senior Indian police officer has said there could be more survivors from todays plane crash.

Chances are that there might be more survivors among the injured who are being treated in hospital, said Vidhi Chaudhary, who confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British survivor, jumped out of the planes emergency exit.

07:16 PM BST

At least 260 killed, say police

Indian police have said that at least 260 people were killed in todays crash.

There were 242 people onboard the Air India flight, with a British man thought to be the only survivor.

The death toll in the plane crash is at present 260, police commissioner Vidhi Chaudhary said, suggesting that at least 19 people were killed when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a medical staff hostel in Ahmedabad.

07:05 PM BST

British survivor called his dad from runway

A British man who survived the Air India plane crash called his dad from the runway to tell him that he had survived.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen, is believed to be the sole survivor. He escaped through an emergency exit from seat 11A.

Nayan, his brother, told Sky News that their father was on the phone with Vishwash while he was still on the runway.

My dad called him, Nayan said. And Vishwash said oh were going to take off soon.

Two minutes later, Vishwash called his dad again - this time to say the plane had crashed and that he had survived.

He video called my dad as he crashed and said Oh the planes crashed. I dont know where my brother is. I dont see any other passengers. I dont know how Im alive - how I exited the plane, Nayan added.

06:55 PM BST

Lammy chairs Cobra meeting

David Lammy has chaired a Cobra meeting about the plane crash in India, Sky News has reported.

Cobra meetings involve senior government officials discussing the governments response to national emergencies.

06:27 PM BST

Intense heat from burning fuel left no chance to save lives

The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave no chance to save the lives of passengers on board, Indias home minister said.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: Aircrafts full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.

Debris at the crash site in Ahmedabad - REUTERS

06:07 PM BST

Three more British victims named

Three more British victims have been named as a family who were living in Gloucester.

The Gloucester Muslim Community said in a statement: GMBC extends its most sincere and deepest condolences to the Nanabawa family upon receiving the tragic news of the passing of: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hana, and their beloved daughter.

05:37 PM BST

Plane crash was horrific, says Trump

Donald Trump said he has offered India help in responding to todays horrific plane crash.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president said nobody had any idea what happened.

It looks like it was flying just fine, Mr Trump said, adding that it was one of the worst crashes in aviation history.

05:28 PM BST

The theories that could explain the crash

It could take weeks, if not months, for the exact cause of the plane crash to become clear.

But experts have already outlined a number of possible reasons why flight AI171 crashed in a ball of fire after less than a minute in the air.

Prof John McDermid, Lloyds Register chair of safety at the University of York, said: Take-off and landing are the most dangerous phases of flight  accidents from cruise are very unusual.

However, that said, its surprising that the accident occurred before the aircraft had even got to 200-metres altitude.

Pilots can abort take-off until quite late in the take-off roll, so it seems like the problem occurred very suddenly in the final part of the take-off roll, or shortly after take-off, and was sufficiently serious to be unmanageable.

05:02 PM BST

Wing flaps may have played role in crash

An aviation expert has said that the position of the planes wing flaps may have played a role in the crash.

One video of the crash shows the plane descending, followed by a large explosion.

When Im looking at this, the undercarriage is still down but the flaps have been retracted, aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas told the BBC.

Mr Thomas said it was very unusual for the planes flaps to remain in line with the wing so soon after take-off.

The undercarriage is normally retracted within 10-15 seconds, and the flaps are then retracted over a period of 10-15 minutes, he explained.

Credit: X

04:56 PM BST

Pictured: Luggage scattered across side of building

Clothes from airline luggage were scattered across the side of a building after todays crash.

Local TV image of clothes from airline luggage on the side of the building - CNN/UNPIXS

04:44 PM BST

Watch: British couple describe magical India trip

A British couple believed to have been aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their magical experience in the country.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of India and the mind-blowing experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off.

Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: So its our last night in India and we have had a magical experience, really  there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.

Jamie said: We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you.

Credit: jamiermeek / Instagram

04:19 PM BST

Where sole survivor was sitting

The sole survivor of todays plane crash was sat next in seat 11A, next to the emergency exit.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh described being surrounded by bodies before standing up and running out of the plane.

04:12 PM BST

Prepare for significant loss of British lives, says Downing Street

Downing Street has warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives following todays crash.

Asked if the public should prepare for a significant loss of life, a No10 spokesman said: Yes.

They continued: As the PM said this morning, the scenes emerging of the London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city at Ahmedabad are devastating.

Clearly this is a deeply distressing time for families. The situation is still unfolding.

No10 would not confirm reports that a British citizen had survived the crash.

04:07 PM BST

Handful of Leicester residents onboard crashed plane

The MP for Leicester East has told the BBC that a handful of Leicester residents were onboard the crashed plane.

Shivani Raja said her community was really horrified and devastated waking up to such tragic news.

So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that, the Tory MP said.

03:55 PM BST

Video shows doomed flight in full

Credit: X/ShivAroor

03:44 PM BST

Injured passengers taken to hospitals, says Air India boss

Campbell Wilson, the boss of Air India, has expressed his deep sorrow following the plane crash in Ahmedabad.

This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, he says. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.

He said the injured passengers have been taken to hospital by local authorities to the nearest hospital.

However, there is only one known survivor at the moment.

Message from Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India. pic.twitter.com/19MiwtkwAI  Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

03:14 PM BST

Pictured: A woman cries over the death of her brother on the flight

A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died - REUTERS

03:10 PM BST

British couple on Air India flight named

A British couple believed to be aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their magical experience in the country.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of the country and the mind-blowing experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off.

On Tuesday, the Greenlaw-Meeks had posted on their social media accounts from their boutique hotel in the city, The House of MG, talking about how they planned to create a vlog documenting their time in the city and were excited to tell everyone about the details.

Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: So its our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.

Jamie added: We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you.

British couple, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, were on board the doomed jet

03:00 PM BST

Foreign Office to deploy response team to India

The Foreign Office will deploy a team of civil servants to India to assist with the aftermath of this mornings crash, The Telegraph understands.

Senior officials in the FCDO spoke with the British high commissioner in India, Lindy Cameron, a short while ago to discuss the UK governments response to the tragedy.

Officials will soon be dispatched from the UK to help with the response on the ground in Ahmedabad, including helping the families of British victims.

The Foreign Offices Global Response Centre, a 24-hour helpline for British people abroad, is handling communications with suspected victims families in the meantime.

A source said it was too early to confirm the names of British individuals on board the plane, but that the Government expected to be in contact with the families of victims later today.

02:44 PM BST

Pictured: Chaos, smoke and charred suitcases at the crash site

Officials inspect debris at the site of a plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

People look at the belongings of passengers strewn across the smoldering wreckage - Xinhua / Alamy Live News

02:37 PM BST

Evidence points to power or flight control loss, says expert

The Air India crash may have been caused by power or flight control lost, according to an international aviation attorney.

Robert A. Clifford, who worked as the lead counsel in the crash on a Boeing 737 crash in Ethiopia six years ago that killed all 157 onboard, said: Review of available video and eyewitness information indicate some form of power or flight control loss.

Mr Clifford, senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, added: The Indian government investigators should have flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information within a couple of days that will provide vital information to try to get to the bottom of this deadly tragedy.

02:23 PM BST

Grief-stricken relatives wait outside the hospital for news

Outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, tense and grief-stricken relatives gathered, desperate for any word on their loved ones following the crash of the London-bound Air India flight.

A man in his late forties broke down near the hospital gates, pleading with officials to let him through.

My sister and brother-in-law were on the flight. Their seats 110 and 111 were confirmed, he said. Our niece called from London to say: Mumma and Papa were on the plane.

Were from Naroda and have been moving from one checkpoint to another for over an hour and a half. No one is letting us enter the hospital or even wait nearby. We havent come here for a picnic, weve lost our family.

Mahendra Vasandiya, 65, another relative of passengers on board, stood quietly among the crowd.

My younger brother and his wife were travelling to London to see their daughter, he said. I still have no information about them. No one is telling us anything.

Nearby, a woman clutched her phone, struggling to hold back tears.

My sister-in-law and her husband were on that plane, she said. Their daughter called me in tears from the UK to say they were coming to visit her. I didnt even know they were flying today.

Ambulances crowd the area close to the crash site - Sagar Patel

Teams outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad wait to receive the remains of victims - AP

02:09 PM BST

Incredibly complex and difficult crash site, says former investigator

A former aircraft accident investigator has said the crash site of the Gatwick-bound passenger plane is probably the most complex scene that Ive seen pictures of.

Tim Atkinson told BBC News: My initial thoughts are this will be the most incredibly complex and difficult crash site for the investigators, and more immediately for the emergency service workers to be dealing with.

All manner of hazards, even just to the individuals working there, before you begin to think of the air accident investigators task of recovering the flight recorders and then the physical remains of the aircraft.

He added: It is probably the most complex scene that Ive seen pictures of, Im very glad Ive never seen one myself in real life as complex and difficult as this. This is going to be a very lengthy and extraordinarily difficult and awkward crash site for those working on it to be involved in.

02:02 PM BST

Pictured: Locals look at the aircrafts torn tail

People look at the debris of an Air India plane tail after it crashed in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

01:55 PM BST

More than 200 bodies recovered from site

At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, police said.

GS Malik, the Ahmedabad police commissioner, said rescue workers were still searching through the debris, but there were no reports of survivors being found.

The bodies, he added, included both passengers and those killed on the ground.

At least 41 people were injured, but it is unclear whether they were passengers or people on the ground.

01:38 PM BST

King Charles desperately shocked

King Charles has said he is desperately shocked by the Air India plane crash, with passengers including 53 Britons and one Canadian.

My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning, the King said in a statement.

Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.

I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.

01:30 PM BST

How doomed Air India flight exploded in less than 60 seconds

Air India flight 171 was scheduled to make a 9-hour 50-minute non-stop journey to Gatwick when it took off from Ahmedabad at 9.09am BST with 242 people on board.

Instead, less than a minute later, it hit the ground just a few hundred yards from the end of the runway, exploding in a fireball that could be seen from miles around.

In those fateful moments, the highly-experienced pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and his co-pilot Clive Kundar issued a mayday call, but after reaching a maximum altitude of barely 400ft above the runway, all contact with the aircraft was lost.

The flight never reached the right height during its short trajectory.

Video footage shows the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner appearing to suffer a catastrophic loss of power as it falls to the ground, still in its nose-up take-off angle, unable to stay airborne.

01:24 PM BST

We have lost a lot of people

Indias foreign ministry said a lot of people had been lost in todays plane crash.

Speaking this afternoon, Randhir Jaiswal, a foreign ministry spokesman, said there had been a very tragic accident.

The rescue operations are on. We need to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out, he said.

He added: We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.

01:16 PM BST

Pictured: Wreckage of Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The wreckage of the Boeing 787 has been pictured scattered across the ground in Ahmedabad as emergency services continue their response.

The picture below shows part of the planes registration VT-ANB on the wing.

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site, showing part of its registration VT-ANB - REUTERS

01:10 PM BST

Casualties on the ground, says police chief

Ahmedabads police chief has said there are casualties on the ground where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on its way to London.

Since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well, city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon.

Rescuers work at the site of an airplane that crashed in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad - AP

01:00 PM BST

Police: There appears to be no survivors

There appear to be no survivors in the Air India plane crash, a city police commissioner told the Associated Press.

There appears to be no survivor in the crash, city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon.

12:55 PM BST

Flights resume at airport

Flights are resuming at the airport in Ahmedabad after the deadly crash.

The Indian civil aviation ministry confirmed operations have started again as of 4.05pm (11.35am BST) .

Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care, the ministry added.

12:51 PM BST

Gatwick prepares centre for relatives of passengers

Gatwick said a reception centre was being set up for relatives of passengers on board the doomed Air India flight.

In a statement posted on social media, it said: We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today (12 June) was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board.

London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided.

It added that Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline.

12:45 PM BST

What does a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner look like?

12:41 PM BST

More than 100 bodies brought to hospital

More than 100 bodies were brought to a hospital in Indias Ahmedabad after an Air India plane crashed on Thursday, local police told Reuters.

12:39 PM BST

Inside the crash site

Credit: X / @Nisha_gowru

12:36 PM BST

Remains of bodies seen at crash site

The charred remains of bodies have been seen at the crash site.

Images, posted on social media, showed the chaotic scenes of emergency services working through the rubble and burnt wreckage, while the planes fuselage stuck out from the site of the building.

Indias health ministry confirmed that many were killed in the tragedy, but there has been no official comment on the death toll.

Several people are believed to have also been killed when the plane smashed into an accomodation housing doctors.

12:26 PM BST

Boeing gathering more information

US planemaker Boeing has said it was aware of initial reports about the crash of a London-bound Air India flight.

It said it was working to gather more information on the incident, but did not comment further at this time.

12:23 PM BST

Watch: First responders at the crash site

12:21 PM BST

Data suggests unusual take-off pattern

According to data logs, the Boeing 787-8 remained on the ground or taxiing slowly for over four minutes after first registering on public trackers.

A sharp increase in speed to 174 knots was recorded at 1.38pm local time, with an altitude of just 625 feet, a height far below standard for a commercial aircraft several minutes into departure. No further altitude gains were recorded.

The data, according to experts, has raised questions about whether the aircraft experienced a failure to climb, lost lift, or suffered another critical fault.

Lt Col John R. Davidson, a former US Air Force pilot, aviation safety consultant, and editor of Felons Assistance, said the plane appears to have reached take-off speed, but not altitude.

There are a number of possible scenarios: thrust or engine performance issues, excessive aircraft weight, poor trim or flap configuration, or a more critical failure that affected the aircrafts ability to climb. Weather, windshear or even bird strike cant be ruled out either at this early stage.

The low-altitude, high-speed reading at the final moment might indicate a steep nose-down trajectory or a stall event immediately following take-off, he added.

12:13 PM BST

My son jumped from second floor when the plane hit

A woman has described how her son, who was inside the hostel when the plane hit, jumped from a window and survived.

The building was reportedly full of doctors, from a nearby medical centre, eating their lunch when the Boeing Dreamliner smashed into it.

My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries, Ramila, who only gave her first name, told the Ani news agency outside the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.

Food remains on the tables of a hostel for doctors in the wake of the plane crash

12:07 PM BST

The hostel before and after the plane hit

12:02 PM BST

We heard a huge explosion and ran from our homes

We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes, Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph.

There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions, he added.

Mr Prajapati described the chaos and panic as emergency services raced to the site.

Ambulance after ambulance has been arriving, he said. The police and Army have cordoned off the area and are not allowing anyone near the wreckage. There is panic and confusion. We are about two kilometres away now, and even here, the smoke is still visible.

11:58 AM BST

Pictured: The destroyed Boeing lodged inside a building

The crash site of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The planes tail sticking out after it crashed into a hostel for doctors

11:53 AM BST

Modi: Crash is heartbreaking beyond words

Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, said he was shocked and saddened by the crash of a London-bound passenger plane in western India.

The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words, Mr Modi wrote on X.

In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it, he said, adding he had been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

11:43 AM BST

Pictured: The wreckage site

Rescue team members work as smoke rises at the site where an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India - REUTERS

A doctor next to the burn remains of a car close to where the plane crashed after take-off - AP

11:39 AM BST

Boeing shares drop heavily after Air India crash

Boeing shares fell sharply after one of its Air India planes crashed shortly after take-off.

The planemakers stock sank 7.2pc in premarket trading in New York after the crash, which looks likely to become the worst involving its most advanced 787 wide-body aircraft.

The company has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

A Boeing 737 MAX 9 run by Alaska Airlines suffered a mid-air blowout last year, forcing pilots to scramble to land the plane safely.

A preliminary investigation found it was the result of its door plug missing four bolts. Other airlines later reported finding loose bolts on multiple Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

Boeing suffered its second biggest annual loss in its 109-year history last year, taking its total losses since 2019 to more than $35bn. Shares have fallen 48pc during that time.

11:31 AM BST

Fatalities had become rare in Indian aviation

Fatalities had become a rarity in Indian commercial aviation  in line with the global trend of improving safety.

The last major crash of this kind was in August 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 skidded off the end of the runway at Kozhikode International Airport, killing 21 of the 190 passengers and crew.

The downed Air India jet in Ahmedabad today had 242 people on board. While we do not have confirmed casualty statuses, the incident has the potential to prove historically deadly.

It could make 2025 Indias most lethal year since 1996, etched in painful memory by Charkhi Dadri, the worst mid-air collision in aviation history, which claimed the lives of all 349 on board the Saudi Boeing 747 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907. The incident prompted a renewed focus on safety in India, its governing body subsequently pioneering the mandatory implementation of airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS).

This crash could also push 2025s global commercial aviation fatality total past that of the whole of 2024, barely 5 and a half months into the year.

11:28 AM BST

Captain is experienced flyer

The plane was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who is a line training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience.

The co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kundar, has also previously completed 1,100 in the air.

11:21 AM BST

Keir Starmer: Crash is devastating

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight.

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating, he said.

I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.

11:19 AM BST

Plane crashed on hostel for doctors

The plane crashed on a hostel building used by doctors, reports Reuters.

Pictures from those inside show the plane having come through the ceiling.

Survivors assess the damage after a plane landed on the roof of their building

11:13 AM BST

Watch: Survivors rushed to hospital

11:08 AM BST

Kemi Badenoch: Crash is heartbreaking

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has described the news of the crash of an Air India plane bound for Gatwick Airport as heartbreaking.

In a message on X, Mrs Badenoch said: My thoughts are with all those affected - especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy.

11:07 AM BST

Where was the crash?

Ahmedabad is the main city in Modis home state of Gujarat.

The airport has since confirmed it has suspended all flight operations with immediate effect.

Locals look on at the scene of the crash, where smoke billows into the sky

A close up shows the extent of the damage

11:04 AM BST

Foreign Office working to urgently establish facts

Air India confirmed the Boeing 787-8 flight to Gatwick was carrying 242 passengers and crew members - made up of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.

The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals, a spokesman said.

Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

The Foreign Office said: We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.

10:55 AM BST

Pictured: Map of where plane crashed

10:51 AM BST

Flight had 53 Britons on board

The plane had 53 Britons on board, it has been reported.

The rest of the passengers were made up of 169 Indians, one Canadian and seven Portuguese.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The aircraft was introduced in 2009 and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website.

10:47 AM BST

Pictured: First responders at smouldering crash site

Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

Part of the plane sticking out of a building after crash

10:40 AM BST

Plane gave mayday call and then went silent

According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad airport, the aircraft departed at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23.

It gave a mayday call, signalling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft thereafter.

Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the aircraft seconds after it took off.

The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB, it said.

10:39 AM BST

Pictured: Moment of impact

The crash and subsequent inferno caused panic among unsuspecting locals

Firefighters work at the charred site

10:36 AM BST

Crash caused panic in surrounding areas

Thick plumes of smoke from the crash site were visible from more than 1km distance, triggering panic in surrounding areas.

Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade, immediately rushed to the scene. Authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the damage or casualties, and further details are awaited.

Initial reports suggest that the Air India aircraft crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. In the moments following the crash, local residents rushed to the site to help passengers and assist with rescue efforts.

10:33 AM BST

Video shows moment of crash

Credit: X

10:32 AM BST

Air India chairman: Crash is tragic accident

Air India confirmed Flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a tragic accident.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran chairman said in a statement: With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.

Locals look on at the site of the crash

10:25 AM BST

Indias aviation minister shocked and saddened

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was shocked and saddened at the crash.

Indias aviation minster said his thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.

I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action, he said in a statement.

Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site, he added.

The planes wreckage engulfed in flames

10:22 AM BST

Pictured: Smoke billowing from crash site

The plane was due to land at 6.25pm local time, Gatwick has confirmed.

The plane had been in the air less than a minute before impact

The aircraft crashed after losing signal with air traffic control

10:12 AM BST

Crash happened less than a minute after take-off

The plane crashed less than a minute after take-off, flight data has revealed.

Signal was lost from the aircraft at 1.39pm (9.09am BST) local time after it had climbed to just 635 feet.

10:09 AM BST

London-bound flight crashes in India

An aircraft bound for London crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The number of casualties is currently unknown.
Bafta-winning actress Samantha Morton has been made an OBE in the Kings Birthday Honours.

The 48-year old English star, known for her roles in Longford and The Serpent Queen, is being honoured for her services to drama and charity.

She grew up in Nottingham and was raised in foster care before she began acting at the citys Central Junior Television Workshop.

Samantha Morton after winning the Bafta Fellowship award last year (Ian West/PA)

She landed her first TV roles in 1991 in Soldier Soldier and Boon before starring in period dramas including Emma in 1996 and Jane Eyre in 1997.

Morton garnered international acclaim for her performance in Carine Adlers indie film Under The Skin, for which she received her first British Independent Film Award (Bifa) nomination for best actress in 1998.

In 2002 she won the best actress award for psychological drama Morvern Callar, and in 2022 she was given the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film.

The actress and director has also been nominated for two Oscars  one in 2000 for playing Hattie in Sweet And Lowdown and four years later for In America.

In 2008 she received a Golden Globe for her portrayal of child murderer Myra Hindley in TV movie Longford.

Samantha Morton has been nominated for two Oscars (Ian West/PA)

Morton also directed and co-wrote the TV drama The Unloved, based on her first-hand experience of the British care system, and won a best single drama award at the Bafta TV Awards in 2010.

She starred alongside Tom Cruise in 2002 sci-fi action film Minority Report and played Mary Lou in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (2016).

More recently she has starred in psychological thriller series The Burning Girls, based on the novel by CJ Tudor, and drama The Whale (2022), alongside Brendan Fraser, who won an Oscar.

Morton last year received the Bafta fellowship, the academys highest accolade, dedicating the award to children in care.

She accepted the award from producer David Heyman, who she worked with on Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, and said: This is nothing short of a miracle.

Film changed my life, it transformed me and it led me here today.

I dedicate this award to every child in care, or who has been in care and who didnt survive.
The last family selfie taken by Suraj Mistry, left, with his daughter Kinal Mistry, right, at Ahmedabad airport before she boarded the flight to London. Photograph: Family handout

As he dropped off his only daughter at Ahmedabad airport, Suraj Mistry seized the opportunity to take one final family selfie before she went back to London. Kinal Mistry, 24, had laughed lovingly at her father as he made her promise that they would meet again soon. Yes, Daddy, very soon, she said.

Instead, the photo  of Kinal smiling beside her mother and father  would commemorate the last time his family was a whole. In scenes of horror that have since reverberated around the world, just a few minutes after the flight took off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday morning, it plummeted from the sky, exploding in an inferno of fire and black smoke. Only one of the 242 people onboard survived.

Yet even as fragmented bodies and charred limbs continued to be uncovered by rescue teams from the site of the crash, Mistry could not bring himself to accept that Kinal  whom he described as a beautiful dancer so full of life  was among the dead. Like so many on board, her body had yet to be identified, let alone given back to the family.

Related: Its devastating tributes paid to British victims of Air India plane crash

Mistry, sitting in the Civil hospital in Ahmedabad, still in the same clothes he wore when he took his daughter to the airport, was among hundreds of families desperately waiting for answers and clinging to diminishing hope.

What can I say about Kinal? She was a wonder, said Mistry, as he began to cry. She lit up every room with her smile, she could strike up a friendship with anyone. She was beautiful, inside and out. Thats just who she was.

Her life was only just beginning, he said. She had just got married and moved to London last year where she worked as a choreographer and had also set up a food business out of her own kitchen, as she loved nothing more than feeding people.

He said: In just one day, our whole world has fallen apart. I dont know if it makes me foolish, but Im still hoping. Hoping for a miracle. Please, just one miracle.

The true scale of the tragedy was still unfolding on Friday, as images and accounts of those who were onboard Air India flight 171 began to trickle out and the true death toll  officially about 265  still remained unclear. The government Civil hospital in Ahmedabad appeared overwhelmed with the scale of bodies in the morgue and the task of identifying them, with only about six returned to families by Friday. Amid the suffocating summer heat, the stench of bodies hung heavy in the air.

More than 200 relatives flocked to a makeshift centre in the hospital medical college to give DNA samples to help identify the bodies, many of which were brought to the hospital morgue mangled beyond recognition. Officials said some had been reduced almost to ash.

What was clear was that the disaster had wrought untold devastation on hundreds of families across India and the UK. Prateek Joshi, a radiologist who worked at a hospital in Derby, had boarded the flight with his wife, Komi Vyas, also a doctor, and their three children, ready for the whole family to start their new life together in the UK.

In their excitement, they all crammed into one final photo together before takeoff; mother and father beaming in the foreground, their five-year-old twin sons Nakul and Pradyut and eight-year-old daughter Miraya smiling from the seats in the next aisle. Not long after, the whole family was dead.

For another passenger, Sahil Salim Ibrahim Patel, from a small village in Gujarat, this was his first ever international flight, en route to London for a dream scholarship that he believed would change his familys life forever. Meanwhile, Prakash Lal Minarhia, who had been working as a chef in London for 15 years, had come back to India to perform the rituals for the recent death of his father.

Minarhias relatives said they still had not been able to bring themselves to inform his mother and wife, who remained in their village, about the crash. Until we have his body, nothing is certain, said Uday Lal Minarhia, 48, a farmer.

Rescuers and forensic teams continued to scour the wreckage on Friday amid scorching temperatures. Naresh Soni, an officer from the National Forensic Sciences University, said the teams were not only racing against time, but also intense heat. With each passing hour in these extreme temperatures, the risk of biological sample degradation and contamination rises sharply  possibly making the identification of bodies difficult and potentially unreliable.

As it crashed to the ground, the plane collided with a residential hostel housing hundreds of medical students who were studying at the nearby medical college. Many were eating lunch when the 227-tonne plane smashed down, obliterating the canteen wall and killing at least five students, with at least 50 more injured.

Yet many who had been in the vicinity of the hostel  which stood blackened and ominously empty on Friday  still remained missing, yet to be counted among the official dead. As Anita Ben Thakur arrived at the crash site, which was cordoned off by police, she demanded to be let through the barricades. Let me through, let me through, my mother is inside, she pleaded with police, before breaking down in tears.

Her mother, Sarla Ben, had been the cook in the hostel canteen for the past 15 years and had been serving food to the student doctors at Thursday lunchtime. She had also brought her two-year-old granddaughter to work with her. Neither have been seen since.

Since yesterday, Ive been trying to find my mother, but Ive failed miserably, she said. Ive been running around the entire night, and waiting outside the hospital patiently, hoping for some news  but nothing. And now, theyre not even allowing us near the debris to look for her ourselves.

Sitting on the pavement outside the hospital morgue, Suresh Bhai Patni, 39, a rickshaw driver, put his head in his hands. On Thursday afternoon, as he did most days, his 15-year-old son Akash Patni had gone to deliver lunch to his mother at the tea stall she ran, situated outside the student hostel. The family would meet at the stall every evening.

At the moment his mother, Sita Devi, sat down to eat, and Akash was watching over the tea, the plane hit the hostel and immediately engulfed the stall in flames. Devi ran towards the stall in an attempt to save her son, and was caught up in the fire, but to no avail. Akashs charred corpse was later recovered by the authorities.

Devi survived but is seriously ill with burns over more than half of her body. She keeps asking me about Akash, but I just tell her he is also being treated, said Patni. How do I tell her the truth? Im afraid shell lose the will to survive. And I cant afford to lose her too. Not now. Not after this.

Yet among the grief, many clung to what they saw as a single miracle to emerge from the tragedy; the sole survivor, 38-year-old British-Indian Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Still confined to a hospital bed, he had only bruises and scratches to show for the incident.

Speaking to the Indian state broadcaster, the only outlet allowed into the hospital ward on Friday, Ramesh still remained hazy about how he had survived, but it appeared he had jumped out of the emergency exit door. I still cant believe how I got out alive, he said.
Rescuers working at the site of a damaged building in Tehran on Friday. Photograph: Iranian Red Crescent Society/Reuters

As dawn broke over Tehran, firefighters and other rescue workers saw for the first time the full extent of the damage done by overnight Israeli strikes.

Among the first locations reached by responders in the capital was a 12-storey block of flats looming above a road junction and a shopping mall in the northern suburbs. A huge blast at around 4am had gutted two upper levels, showering debris into the street below.

It soon became clear why this particular floor on this particular block had been selected by Israeli military planners. It was the home of Ali Shamkhani, one of the countrys most senior security officials and a close aide of the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Initial reports said Shamkhani, who is also a key negotiator in ongoing indirect talks with the US over Irans nuclear programme, was injured. But by mid-morning it was announced that the 69 year old had been killed.

By then, it was clear that Israels attack was on a much greater scale than anyone had previously envisaged. Dozens of other targets in and around Tehran had been hit by warplanes. Across the capital, buildings were burning, with gaping blackened holes where flats had existed hours before.

Other top officials had been killed in this first wave of strikes, including Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, and Maj Gen Hossein Salami, the head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who died in an attack on the IRGCs headquarters.

Other casualties included officials in charge of Irans nuclear programme and its ballistic missile arsenal, including two well-known scientists. There were reports of further deaths and injuries, possibly among members of the dead mens families, though no confirmed numbers.

Golnar, a resident of Saadat Abad, northern Tehran, was asleep when blasts woke her just after 3am.

I woke up to the first explosion and rushed to the windows to check. Then minutes later I heard four explosions back to back  The windows were shaking and people in the building started screaming, Golnar told the Guardian.

We knew from social media that tensions were heightened between Israel and the regime, but we were not told by the authorities that we must prepare. Everything happened so quickly. We were scrambling for information on whether this was an attack or a natural disaster, she said.

A human rights activist living near Shahr Ara Street in Tehran described total chaos in the residential areas.

Traffic jams and clueless crowds are still trying to make sense of whats happening, they said. Smoke is still billowing from residential streets and theres debris around homes. The sky is red and we fear there will be more attacks, they said.

Elsewhere in Iran, people were also waking up to destruction.

Drivers could see plumes of oily black smoke pouring from the major nuclear facility of Natanz, 200 miles (320km) south of Tehran. Residents of the north-western city of Tabriz ran for shelter as several targets were hit. Others cowered as missiles slammed into a suspected nuclear site in the central city of Arak and amid blasts at air defence missile bases in Kermanshah, close to the border with Iraq.

There were strikes in Hamadan province, where a long-range radar facility appeared to have been badly damaged; and at Piranshahr, in West Azerbaijan Province, a launch site for ballistic missiles was hit.

For many Iranians, often unaware they are living next to critical military or nuclear infrastructure, the attacks prompted great fear.

Among those opposed to the regime, the attacks prompted excitement, even jubilation.

An emergency unit doctor in Tehran said mid-morning that no civilian casualties had been brought into his hospital so far.

Some of us in the emergency units have to cancel any planned leaves, and hospitals have been put on high alert. My elderly father woke up to loud explosions in western Tehran. He called me with a trembling voice, and for the past six months we have lived in fear that tensions will escalate, the doctor said.

Israel has said the attacks were just the opening salvo of a much broader offensive, which could continues for days, or even weeks.

We are already dealing with a dire economic crisis, the human rights activist said. We are stocking up on food and supplies which are already expensive. Where do we even flee to if attacked again today? We dont have bomb shelters like the Israelis do and we cant flee to Iraq or Afghanistan. We are stuck.

Azadeh, a resident of Vanak, said everyday Iranians had not asked for this war.

Around 3.40am, the explosion sounds started getting louder and louder. It got very frightening. There were loud screams across the streets. The explosion was near the main square which is scary.

However, [after] the news that IRGC commanders were killed and not civilians, some of us are happy about it. The mullahs are responsible for any civilian deaths that may occur this time, Azadeh said.

Though images of the aftermath of strikes suggested there were at least some casualties among the families and neighbours of targeted individuals, the overall death toll was unclear. Iranian state media were reported to have given an unofficial total of at least 78 people killed and more than 300 injured in Tehran.

Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said most of the damage from strikes targeting its Natanz facility was at ground level and there had been no casualties there.

Some analysts say the attacks will prompt people to rally behind the regime, but others argue that Irans inability to either protect its own senior officials and infrastructure or, so far, strike back effectively will damage its credibility among the wider population.

None of the 100 armed drones reportedly launched by Iran at Israel on Friday reached their targets, Israeli officials said. Irans state news agency denied any such attempted attack.

Journalists in Iran told the Guardian they had been instructed not to share any news, images and videos on social media by the authorities, and editors had been warned off reposting phone footage from witnesses to the strikes.

The only videos shared should be [emphasising] how devastating Israels attacks were on the innocent people, said a reporter in Karaj, west of Tehran. The problem with this is, there are no ground reports for now that civilians were killed or seriously injured. The [authorities] dont want to look weak in front of radical supporters. Only the state medias assigned reporters are allowed on the explosion sites.

Israel has said its attack was essential because Iran was on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Iran has repeatedly denied such intentions, saying it wants nuclear energy only for civilian purposes, and has publicly rejected Washingtons demand to scrap enrichment, describing it as an attack on its national sovereignty.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he hoped the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, and that his message to the Iranian people was that Israels fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

Khamenei said in a statement after the first strikes that Israel had unleashed its wicked and bloody hand in a crime against Iran and that it would face a bitter fate.

The human rights activist in Tehran said ordinary people would bear the consequences of anything that happens in the next hours and days.
A soldier walks between a Stryker armored vehicles during a media preview of the US military parade in Washington DC on 11 June. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trumps military parade this weekend will bring thousands of troops out to march, while dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers roll down the streets and fighter jets hum overhead.

The event has prompted concern about rising autocracy in the US. It will also produce more than 2m kilograms of planet-heating pollution  equivalent to the amount created by producing of 67m plastic bags or by the energy used to power about 300 homes in one year, according to a review by the progressive thinktank Institute for Policy Studies and the Guardian.

The military parade is meant to celebrate the US armys 250th anniversary on 14 June  which will also coincide with the presidents 79th birthday. It will feature 150 military vehicles including 60-ton tanks and armored fighting vehicles, and more than 50 helicopters and aircraft such as a Mustang fighter aircraft and a B-25 Mitchell bomber, which were both used widely during the second world war. These vehicles burn dozens or even hundreds of gallons of fuel per hour.

Related: Tanks, flypasts, missiles: what to expect at Trumps dictator chic military parade

Institute for Policy studies quantified the emissions that will result from the use of those vehicles, using data from the International Energy Agency and publicly available information. The researchers calculated emissions from not only the parade route itself, but also the transport of the vehicles to the event and the upstream impact of producing fuel for the parade.

The large quantity of emissions this activity is estimated to produce is equivalent to those from flying 4,700 people from North Carolina  where the parade helicopters are based  to the nations capital in first class.

The calculation is probably an understatement as it does not include pollution from transporting thousands of people, horses and equipment to the parade, or other energy used for the event.

Hanna Homestead, research analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies, noted the same kinds of vehicles deployed for the parade have also been used to transport napalm and other supplies to Vietnam, and are now being used by Israel in its siege on Gaza.

So were spending money to glorify a gas-guzzling equipment used for war, genocide and planetary destruction, she said, at the same time as critical services for populations at home and around the world are being slashed.

Reached for comment, a White House spokesperson, Anna Kelley, said the parade will honor all of the military men and women who have bravely served our country, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom.

The president reportedly sought to throw a similar tribute during his first term, inspired by Bastille Day celebrations in France, but was thwarted by the then secretary of defense, James Mattis. Trumps parade this year has inspired No Kings protests across the country.

Lindsay Koshgarian, program director at the Institute for Policy Studies, said that the parades emissions were egregious and the event itself was a wake-up call about Trumps priorities.

This parade comes alongside proposals for a $1tn Pentagon budget, along with massive cuts to healthcare, food programs, and an ideological attack on climate programs both in the Pentagon and across government, she said. The more we spend on sending these fuel-guzzling tanks and helicopters around the world, the less we have to protect our people, communities and the planet.

The Institute for Policy Studies National Priorities Project, which focuses on budget analysis and which Koshgarian directs, found that the $45m it will cost to hold the military parade would be enough to fund programs Trump has put on the chopping block, such as the two offices enforcing endangered species protection or the development of an HIV vaccine in South Africa.

Military forces contribution to global carbon emissions has come under greater scrutiny in recent years. The worlds militaries produce at least 5.5% of greenhouse gas emissions  more than the total footprint of Japan  one 2022 estimate found. And the US Department of Defense is the single largest institutional greenhouse gas emitter in the world, using more petroleum than any other institution, research shows.
Donald Trump suggested the Israeli strikes were a means make Iran negotiate. They should now come to the table to make a deal before its too late. Photograph: Alexander Drago/EPA

Donald Trump is walking a tightrope as he claims that he was fully aware of Israels plans to launch massive airstrikes against Iran while continuing to distance the US from those strikes and deny Washington took any active role in the preparations.

The White Houses messaging has shifted quickly from Marco Rubios arms-length description of the Israeli attack as a unilateral action, to Trump claiming on Friday morning that he was fully in the loop on the operation and that it came at the end of a 60-day ultimatum he had given Iran to make a deal on its nuclear programme.

Today is day 61, he wrote on Truth Social. I told [Iran] what to do, but they just couldnt get there.

Trumps framing presents a good cop-bad cop dynamic of his approach with Benjamin Netanyahu, the embattled Israeli leader with whom he has a notoriously combative relationship. The US president has scrambled to now present the Israeli strikes, which he publicly claimed he did not want on Thursday, as a means of continuing his efforts to convince Iran to negotiate.

They should now come to the table to make a deal before its too late, he said.

Related: UK government says it gave no military support for Israels attack on Iran

But the discordant US response to the strikes, including Rubios Thursday evening statement, a hasty evacuation of some US personnel from the region and ambiguity over whether the US provided intelligence or would actively take part in Israels defence from a likely counterattack, has raised questions over whether Israel may have moved ahead of the Trump administration as a way to present Washington with a fait accompli.

They made a bet on President Trump, said Elliott Abrams, a former diplomat and senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, suggesting that Israel had pushed harder for strikes while the Trump administration had sought to maintain a diplomatic route. The Israelis struck and then today Trump called it excellent.

While Israel had clearly given the United States advanced warning of the strike, claims that it was fully coordinated in Israeli state media have been subject to speculation: was Trump actually on board or was he repositioning himself on Friday in order to present the strikes as part of a coherent strategy.

On Thursday, in remarks from the White Houses East Room, Trump said that strikes on Israel could blow up his diplomatic efforts to negotiate with the Iranian leadership and said he didnt want them going in. He defended his decision to begin evacuating personnel because a strike could well happen.

The US started evacuating voluntarily non-essential personnel on Wednesday, barely 24 hours ahead of time, not enough time to really get people out of harms way, said Rosemary Kelanic, the Middle East director for Defense Priorities, a thinktank that pushes for a more restrained US foreign policy. So the question for me is what did the president know and when did he know it?

On Friday, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he was not caught unaware by the strike: Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on. And he indicated that he had been apprised of future Israeli plans, writing that the next already planned attacks would be even more brutal.

Senior Israeli officials also began to brief media that Trump had only pretended to oppose an Israeli attack and that they in fact had a green light for the attack. But Kelanic and others noted that Israel may be seeking a means to entrap the US into a war.

In either case, it is doubtful that Israel could have prepared the attack in the past week without US knowledge.

Officials at the Defense Intelligence Agency and other intelligence agencies would have seen the preparations for the airstrike  involving more than 200 Israeli fighter jets striking more than 100 targets across Iran  and probably understood that Israel was planning a major attack against Tehran.

Late on Thursday, administration officials told Fox News that the US had replenished missiles for Israels Iron Dome anti-air batteries in recent weeks in preparation for an expected counterattack.

Related: Leaders at G7 summit need to challenge Trump without ganging up on him

And the US in recent weeks had deployed B-52 bombers to its airbase on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, where multiple B-2 bombers have also been stationed since late March. B-2s stationed at the base took part in airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this year, but the base would also serve as a launching point for airstrikes against Iran if the US were to join the conflict.

But there are other explanations for the resupply of anti-air missiles to Iron Dome, particularly following the unprecedented barrage of ballistic missiles launched by Iran against Israel last year.

And the US could have employed those B-2s and B-52s to strike the Fordow uranium enrichment centre, which is located deep underground and was not apparently struck in Friday mornings strikes. Still intact, it represents an important element in Irans nuclear program that was not eliminated  at least in the first round of the Israeli attacks.
Four Male Wild Turkeys Walking Side By Side  Lois_McCleary/iStock via Getty Images

Its common for many people to forget about turkeys for most of the year until Thanksgiving comes around, but the fact is that wild and domesticated turkeys are among the most interesting birds on the planet. Did you know that their heads change color based on how theyre feeling or that they can purr like cats? We bet theres a lot you dont know. To help you out, we have composed this list of 10 facts about turkeys that you can use to impress your friends any time of year.

A Turkey Has Over 5,000 Feathers

Our list of facts about turkeys begins with the stunning reality that the average turkey has between 5,000 and 6,000 feathers. There are layers upon layers of plumage and feathers of different sizes, and they offer a number of benefits. They help with waterproofing in wet forests, insulate the turkey from the cold, and are essential for males during mating season. Males are mostly distinguished by their larger size and their blue, red, and white heads. They attract mates by putting on elaborate displays, fanning their tails, and puffing out their feathers. They also make a variety of vocalizations.

Turkeys Purr Like Cats

Most people know that turkeys are famous for their vocalizations, such as gobble, gobble or cluck, but they do much more than that. For instance, did you know that turkeys are also known to purr? Dont believe it? Check out this example. Technically, the purring sound is a rolling call that is relatively quiet. Just like with cats, turkeys typically make the sound when theyre happy and content. Turkeys are actually very vocal birds. When wild turkeys feel they are in danger, they can make a putt sound, which is a single note that serves as an alarm. Turkeys nesting in trees will often make a tree call, which is a series of muffled yelps.

Turkeys Roost in Trees

Many people think of turkeys as more of land animals, but they spend every night perched in trees. Paul Sparks/Shutterstock.com

In case you missed the point mentioned in the last fact, its true that turkeys spend a lot of time hanging out in trees. When nighttime comes around, turkeys will find high places to spend the evening so they can stay out of reach of predators. They typically choose trees, though they have been known to relax on rooftops and rafters. Sometimes, a turkey will move from tree to tree during the night if it believes their current perch isnt safe. Common predators of turkeys include land animals, such as coyotes, raccoons, and foxes. Flying creatures, such as owls, eagles, and hawks, can also attack. When dawn breaks, the turkeys awaken, often vocalize to other nearby turkeys, and then fly down to the ground.

The Snood on the Turkeys Beak Serves Many Purposes

Besides their colorful plumage, one of the most distinctive attributes of wild turkeys is the odd-looking snood that hangs off their beaks. That snood is far more than just a part of their appearance. In fact, it serves many purposes. It is instrumental in attracting females during the mating season. It also helps to keep the turkey cool and dissipate heat in hot weather. You can also tell a lot about a turkeys mood by its snood. When the snood is red and erect, it means its in a more passive mood. However, when it elongates and dangles further down, more blood is flowing to the head, which indicates the turkey is feeling better and may be ready to perform a mating ritual or get into a fight. When the snood quickly shrivels up, it means the turkey is alert to danger.

A Turkeys Head Changes Color

Wild turkeys are more complex than they first appear. In addition to the changes in its snood, a turkeys head can also change color depending on its mood. This is possible due to bundles of collagen that are mixed with a dense array of blood vessels. As a result, their heads can change to blue, red, or white. A light blue or white head generally means the turkey is feeling dominant. Red means the turkey is being submissive, fearful, or worried. People often use these colors to strategize when hunting turkeys.

Most Turkeys Run Faster Than People

Turkeys can run incredibly fast and fly even faster. steve estvanik/Shutterstock.com

Turkeys can move remarkably fast. Though they are among some of the largest birds, they can run very quickly, typically up to around 25 miles per hour. By comparison, the average human male runs at less than six miles per hour. Turkeys are also quite agile in the air. Most sources state that turkeys can fly 35 miles per hour, while others claim they can reach 50 miles per hour in flight.

Turkeys Can Attack People

While wild turkey populations remain robust in many areas, recent years have seen stable or declining numbers in some regions. It is still not uncommon to see groups of wild turkeys in cities and towns, especially during the spring season.

However, if you see a turkey, you should probably leave it alone because turkeys can often be aggressive toward humans. Thats because the spring season is also the turkeys mating season, so the birds may act out in a show of dominance. This is especially true for domesticated turkeys, which are more accustomed to humans. Their attacks mostly consist of trying to peck or chase people around while gobbling or making other vocalizations. The best way to avoid any potential confrontation is to give the turkey some space and move on with your day. If a turkey is causing you problems and wont go away, experts recommend running toward it with your arms up so you appear larger. Eventually, the turkey will probably run away or lose interest.

Turkeys Are as American as Apple Pie

Turkeys have been an important part of American history for a long time. When our country was first founded, Benjamin Franklin half-joked, half-hinted that he thought the turkey should be the national bird of America. It wasnt taken seriously, and the bald eagle received the honor instead. For many years, the president of the United States has annually pardoned a turkey on Thanksgiving, giving it another chance at life. Though there are different theories about the origin of this routine, most historians believe the first pardoned turkey was thanks to Tad Lincoln, who asked his father, President Abraham Lincoln, to pardon a turkey that year. However, the routine became mainstream in 1947 when President Harry Truman repeated the routine, and it has been a tradition ever since.

Turkeys Almost Went Extinct

Turkeys are plentiful today, but it was a tough time for them during the early 1900s. JACKIEZ/Shutterstock.com

The American settlers first started hunting turkeys way back in the 1600s because they were plentiful on the land and relatively easy to hunt. The settlers also began clearing forests to make farmland, which hurt the turkey population. By 1813, things had escalated so much that the state of Connecticut had lost its turkey population. Hunting continued to get out of control, and by 1920, its believed that 18 out of the existing 39 states had lost their turkey populations, leaving only about 2%or about 200,000of the remaining turkeys alive. Luckily, conservation efforts began in the 1940s, and the population was brought back.

A Group of Turkeys is Called a Rafter

Finally, we conclude our list of facts about turkeys by telling you about the many names associated with wild turkeys. Like many other birds, you can call a group of turkeys a flock, and youd be technically correct. However, it goes deeper than that. For many years, a group of domesticated turkeys has been known as a rafter. Some farmers still use that name today. You may also hear some folks refer to a group of turkeys as a mob or a gang.

The naming is also a bit more complicated when it comes to young turkeys. Technically, a baby wild turkey can be referred to as a chick, just like a baby chicken. However, the more common name for a domesticated baby turkey is poult. The name poult can be used for the young of any domesticated fowl commonly raised for food.

Whatever you call them, remember that turkeys are considered among the most important birds in our nation today, and theyve held a special place in the hearts of the people who have inhabited the country for generations. If you see one in the wild, respect the bird and enjoy it from a distance so it can live a long and happy life.

The post 10 Surprising Turkey Facts You Didnt Know (But Should) appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images







Why Make This

 This version of Andrew Zimmerns go-to midnight snack features a grilled sourdough toast sandwich made with unsalted butter and anchovies.

 Mild-flavored anchovies, like those from Ortiz or Merro, enhance the snack without overpowering saltiness.

 The snack is quick to make, deeply savory, and satisfies late-night umami cravings.







For as long as I can remember, Ive enjoyed a midnight snack, which in Cantonese we call siu yeh (). I've had my fair share of nights when midnight cravings strike, and I've always been fascinated by what people have for midnight snacks. For a quick fix, I usually reach for instant ramen mixed with peanut butter, a bag of chips, or a Chinese pastry meant for breakfast.

Ever since I almost signed (twice) with Andrew Zimmerns team at Intuitive Content to produce a show together, I've been a fan of the chef. I've learned so many new things about him, like how hes never eaten McDonalds chicken nuggets and that he makes the best pasta carbonara with rigatoni. But what about his go-to midnight snack? Zimmern revealed to Eden Eats that its either cold, leftover Chinese food, or grilled toast with anchovies and butter.

As a Chinese American, I just cant endorse eating cold leftover Chinese food. With some exceptions, like chicken feet, pigs ear, and some veggie and cold-cut meat dishes, Chinese food, especially leftovers, should always be enjoyed hot. However, I can definitely jibe with Zimmerns grilled toast with butter and anchovies.

This is a winning combination of buttery, crispy toast and savory, umami-rich anchovies. However, I know that people either love anchovies or want to run away from them. I've been an anchovy fan for over a decade, ever since I had a fresh Caesar salad mixed up in front of me in a now-closed restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria, where the server added exactly two flavor-packed anchovies.

Those anchovies made that salad unforgettable, and adding exactly two anchovies to your grilled toast is a safe place to start. This is a good rule, especially if the anchovies you usually buy run overly brackish or salty. However, if you can get your hands on mild-flavor anchovies that dont taste like a mouthful of salt, like the ones from Ortiz or Merro, add more than two anchovies to your buttery grilled toast.

Simply Recipes / Kat Lieu

How To Make My Version of Andrew Zimmerns Grilled Toast with Butter and Anchovies

I recommend using sourdough bread to make this midnight snack. The tang in sourdough can help enhance the flavor of the anchovies and mask some of the fishiness, similar to how lemon enhances fish and seafood dishes.

In a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon of softened, unsalted butter. Lately, Ive been a fan of unsalted Plugra Premium Butter, which has less water content (82% butterfat) and hence an overall more buttery flavor compared to other brands.

Use a fork to mash two anchovies and about a teaspoon of the anchovy oil into the butter. Spread the flavorful anchovy butter over a slice of sourdough bread, then top with another slice to form a sandwich. Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add 1/2 tablespoon of butter and anchovy oil. Once the oil and butter turn light brown, three to five minutes, add the anchovy butter sandwich and pan-fry until both sides are crispy and golden brown, about two minutes for each side.

Tips for Making Grilled Toast with Butter and Anchovies

If you have mild-flavored anchovies, try using whole anchovies in your grilled toast. Start by spreading a little butter over a slice of sourdough bread. Add a layer of anchovies (three to four) and then sandwich it with another slice of bread. Pan-fry the sandwich following the instructions above to create a delicious butter and anchovy grilled toast. If you have a toaster oven or air fryer, you can toast or air fry the grilled toast. Any way you cook it, I'm sure itll make Zimmern proud and hungry.

Quick to whip up and deeply satisfying, it's a snack or even a meal that, once you try and like it, you'll become a forever fan.



Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES
By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday it was unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear program following Israeli strikes, but experts say the damage to the country's nuclear facilities so far has appeared limited.

Israel's attacks succeeded in killing Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists and striking military command and control facilities and air defenses, but satellite imagery did not yet show significant damage to nuclear infrastructure, several experts said.

"The first day was aimed at things that you would get through surprise - killing leadership, going after nuclear scientists, air defense systems, the ability to retaliate," said nuclear expert David Albright at the Institute for Science and International Security.

"We can't see any visible damage at Fordow or Isfahan. There was damage at Natanz," said Albright, referring to Iranian nuclear sites. But "there's no evidence that the underground site was destroyed."

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear site had been destroyed and Iran had reported attacks on Fordow and Isfahan.

Grossi said electricity infrastructure at Natanz was also destroyed and the loss of power to a cascade hall may have damaged centrifuges there. But he said the level of radioactivity outside Natanz remained unchanged and normal.

The sprawling Natanz nuclear complex is Iran's main uranium enrichment facility. The site includes a vast underground uranium enrichment plant and a smaller, above-ground pilot enrichment plant.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Trump said it was unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear program following the Israeli strikes. "Nobody knows," Trump said. "It was a very devastating hit."

Two regional sources said at least 20 Iranian military commanders were killed in the attack, a stunning decapitation reminiscent of Israeli attacks that swiftly wiped out the leadership of Lebanon's once-feared Hezbollah militia last year. Iran also said six of its top nuclear scientists were killed.

Albright said his analysis was based on the latest available images from about 11:20 a.m. Tehran time (0750 GMT). He added there may also have been drone strikes on tunnels to underground centrifuge plants and cyber attacks that did not leave visible traces.

"In terms of visible damage, we don't see much and we'll see what happens tonight," he said, adding that he believes Israel's strikes were still in an early stage.

Albright said the status of Iran's stocks of enriched uranium was not known and that it was possible Israel had avoided major attacks on nuclear sites due to concerns about harming international inspectors who were there.

Albright said there were thousands of centrifuges at the underground plant at Natanz and knocking out the electrical supply would bring into play a backup battery system.

He said it was likely that Iran was shutting down the centrifuges at the underground site in a controlled manner, which was a big operation.

"Batteries ... last a while, but eventually they will run out and if the centrifuges spin down in an uncontrollable manner, a lot will break," he said.

ISRAEL WARNS OF PROLONGED OPERATION

Israel said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Military and nuclear experts said that even with massive firepower, military action would probably only temporarily set back a program the West fears is already aimed at producing atom bombs one day, although Iran denies it.

Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said damage at the Natanz facility appeared "moderate."

"Israel destroyed the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, as well as some support buildings associated with power supply," he said. Lewis added Israel also hit a support building - possibly for power supply - near two underground nuclear enrichment facilities.

"The underground enrichment halls, as well as the large underground facility nearby in the mountains, do not appear damaged."

It was unclear what damage was sustained at the key Fordow nuclear facility, which could be used to develop nuclear weapons and is buried deep underground.

"It has always been the conventional wisdom that Israel may not have the ordnance to destroy Fordow without American military support," Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told a podcast.

The United States is better equipped than Israel to destroy such targets with its most powerful bunker buster bombs, the 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

If Iran decides not to negotiate a nuclear deal, the U.S. could use its B2 bombers and those bombs to destroy Fordow, Dubowitz said.

Decker Eveleth, a strategic analyst with the CAN Corp research group, said the overall aim of Israel's campaign was still unclear.

"They may be successful at dismantling Iranian command and control, destroying air forces (and) hitting a variety of targets related to the Iranian missile program," he said.

"(But) if their core objective is prevention of a nuclear breakout, can they destroy enough of Iran's nuclear infrastructure to actually prevent that from happening?"

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman and Daniel Wallis)
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty; David Arquette/Instagram David Arquette, Coco Arquette







NEED TO KNOW

David Arquette is celebrating his daughter Coco's 21st birthday

The actor shared a few throwback photos on his Instagram, as well as a more recent snap of the father-daughter duo

Arquette shares Coco with ex Courteney Cox







David Arquette's daughter is celebrating a milestone birthday!

The actor, 53, shared a sweet throwback photo on Instagram of his daughter Coco, whom he shares with ex Courteney Cox, 60, on Instagram in honor of her 21st birthday. In the silly snap, a younger Coco can be seen wearing multiple plastic crowns on her head as she poses in front of a set table in a backyard.

"Happy 21st Birthday Coco!!! Im so honored to be your father and Im so proud of the talented caring person you are," the proud dad wrote in his caption. "Thank you for all the light, love, and magic you bring to this world! @cocoarquette_."

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.

Jeff Vespa/Getty David Arquette (R) and Coco Arquette attend The Art of Elysium's 6th Annual HEAVEN Gala presented by Audi at 2nd Street Tunnel on January 12, 2013 in Los Angeles, California

Arquette also shared another throwback photo on his Instagram Stories of Coco posing in front of a red car with a bumper sticker that read, "Real Men Love Jesus." The newly minted 21-year-old, pictured much younger, could be seen raising her hand and making a funny face beside the car.

The proud dad also included a more recent photo of the father-daughter duo, adding a "Happy 21st" sticker to the top of the snap. Coco could be seen wearing a black-and-white polka dot dress and carrying a red bag, posing next to Arquette, who wore a white ruffled button-down shirt and a plaid jacket.



Last year on Coco's birthday, Cox shared a heartwarming Instagram carousel in honor of the big day. The post began with a recent selfie of the mother-daughter duo at the beach, then continued to show a mixture of sweet and silly throwback pictures of Coco from throughout the years.

Happy birthday to my beautiful, sweet, kind, sensitive and creative Coco, the proud mom wrote in the captions. You never cease to make me laugh. I love you sooooo much co to the lo. 

The Never Been Kissed actor also celebrated his daughter on her special day with his own montage on Instagram.

"Happy Birthday Coco!!! I love you and cant believe youre 20 today! I hope you have the best birthday and celebrate your brilliance!!! @cocoarquette_," he captioned his video.

David Arquette/Instagram David Arquette's Instagram Story

Recently, Cox and her daughter Coco played tourist together as they went on an Australian vacation. Dumping, she captioned the slideshow of images on Instagram.

In one shot, the mother-daughter duo posed for a selfie in front of the famous Sydney Opera House. Coco had a shocked expression on her face while her mom pointed at the landmark in the background.

The pair wrapped their arms around each other in a sweet snap as they took in the sights. Another photo showed the two soaking up the sun on a boat as they cruised through the harbor.

Coco leaned into her mom with a kissy face as she donned white heart-shaped sunglasses. Meanwhile, Cox had a beaming smile on her face as she posed next to her daughter.

Read the original article on People
Felecia gives her testimony in Congress Wednesday. Photo from Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar via Twitter

Democrats invited a morbidly obese woman to defend food stamps in Congress Wednesday, and viewers on X were quick to point out the irony of the situation.

Felicia, a single mother of four, said she has relied on the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since her oldest child was born, in a video posted by Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

When I had my oldest daughter 21 years ago, I was working three jobs, she tearfully told lawmakers. One job alone I had to pay childcare, another one to pay food, which wasnt enough. And one to pay the bills, and I still struggled alive.

Felecia now works a full-time job as a bus monitor and driver for a school district in Kansas City, Missouri, according to her testimony. She said that with the schools payment schedule, she gets paid once a month. By the time she pays her bills, she has no money left for food and other basic necessities, according to the video. (RELATED: Betrayed The Public Trust: Federal Bureaucrat Charged For Alleged Massive Food Stamp Fraud Scheme)

If it wasnt for SNAP benefits, I wouldnt be able to feed my children or myself, she said.

Some users on X said that Felecia made an odd choice for Democrat lawmakers to trot out in support of SNAP benefits.

I dont condone being unnecessarily mean to her but Klobuchar literally said this is the woman youre taking food away from when shes very obviously even beyond an unhealthy level, one user wrote.

Not to be mean, but to be honest and accurate, shes morbidly obese and could subsist on her fat stores alone for a year. What youre asking for, is for taxpayers to subsidize her early death. Find better spokespeople for your cause, commented another.

You are asking tax payers to pay for someone to have 4 children without a partner after she states in this video she already couldnt afford to feed the first child, housing and economic analyst Amy Nixon wrote. Now, two of those kids are 21 and 17they can work and contribute to the family bills now.

Other users commented on Felecias lack of a husband after more than two decades of having her first child.

Why does she have 4 children and no husband? one asked, adding, Life choices matter. Sorry but 4 unplanned pregnancies and no partner present is absolute nonsense.

Felecias congressional testimony comes as the Senate debates a House Republican addition to Trumps one big beautiful bill that would restructure the food stamp program.

In the wake of the proposed cuts to SNAP spending, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins approved waivers for Arkansas, Idaho and Utah to remove certain products from SNAP benefits Tuesday, according to a press release. Arkansas and Idahos waivers exclude soda and candy, while Utahs excludes soft drinks.

Nebraska, Indiana and Iowa have similar guidelines in place, according to the department.

The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. Americas governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer, Rollins said in the press release. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trumps promise to Make America Healthy Again.
Country names often fade into the background of a map and eventually become fixed and obvious. But the truth is, theyre anything but. These names are often rooted in ancient riddles, happy accidents, and straight-up misinterpretations.

In Europe, where languages and borders have tangled for centuries, names often hold unexpected backstories. Lets learn more about these countries whose names are doing more behind the scenes than you might think.

Germany

Credit: Getty Images

This is one country with dozens of names, depending on who you ask. The English say Germany, a name borrowed from the Romans, who called the region Germania without ever agreeing on what that actually meant. Germans themselves call it Deutschland, meaning land of the people. The French went with Allemagne, after a tribe called the Alemanni. Over in the Czech Republic, its Nemeckoliterally land of the mute ones, a reference to people who didnt speak Slavic. Germany, it turns out, is a linguistic hall of mirrors.

Ireland

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Irelands name traces back to Eriu, a goddess from pre-Christian Irish mythology. She was one of three sisters representing the land, and hers was the name chosen by early settlers. In Gaelic, Eire refers to her directly. Combine that with Old English land, and it becomes Irelandone of the few countries named after a woman.

Albania

Credit: Canva

If you ever visit Albania, dont ask locals about Albania. They call their country Shqiperi, often interpreted as Land of the Eagles. And yes, the eagles right there on the flag. The English name comes from ancient Latin sources, possibly referring to early tribes or pale mountain ranges (albus = white).

Kosovo

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Field of blackbirds sounds less like a country name and more like the title of a war poem. But thats the literal meaning of Kosovo Polje, the name of a grassy plain where a bloody 14th-century battle changed Balkan history. Eventually, that battlefield became shorthand for the entire region.

Spain

Credit: Getty Images

The name Spain comes from the Carthaginian word Ispania, meaning land of rabbitsor so it seemed. Later evidence suggests sphan referred to hyraxes, not rabbits. Romans adapted it to Hispania. Ancient coins even feature animals at the feet of female figures.

Italy

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ancient Italic tribes had a soft spot for young cattle. They used the Oscan word viteliu, meaning land of calves, and bulls even showed up on their coins. One legend tells of a sacred bull that swam across the sea, picked a homeland, and gave the area its name. Later, the Greeks streamlined viteliu into Italia, and it stuck.

Finland

Credit: pixabay

Finland was a Swedish invention, an outsiders label for a place of hunters and gatherers (finnr being the Old Norse word for such people). But inside the country, people call it Suomi, and no one can agree on where that name comes from. Some say it means swamp land, others suggest its linked to words for fish scales or even shelter.

France

Credit: pexels

The Franks gave France its name, but the word itself might trace back to something sharper than identity. One theory claims Frank comes from the franca, which is a type of javelin the tribe was fond of hurling. Another point to an old Germanic root meaning free. Theres also talk of a legendary leader named Francio.

Malta

Credit: Getty Images

Honey may have named an entire island. The Greeks called Malta Melite, from meli, meaning honey, probably thanks to its native bees. Another theory traces the name to the Phoenician Maleth, or refuge.. Both ideas work. Its a place known for sweetness and shelter, and the Romans just kept the name going, switching it up to Melita.

Belgium

Credit: pixabay

The Belgae were a confederation of tribes who lived in what is now northern France and Belgium. Their name may have come from a Proto-Celtic root meaning to swell with anger. Theyre not exactly cuddly, but it matches their reputation: fierce, independent, and not terribly fond of Roman invaders. Julius Caesars writings gave them a place in history, and eventually, in European geography.

Norway

Credit: pixabay

Norway comes from Old Norse Norrvegr, meaning North Way. It referred to the sea route taken along the coast by early sailors and traders. Norse mythology adds another twist by crediting a figure named Nor with discovering and naming the region. Either way, the name serves as a directional label and a saga detail.

North Macedonia

Credit: pexels

Its not every country named for how tall its people supposedly were. But the ancient Greek word Makedonia may come from makednos, meaning tall or high. Some think it referred to mountain-dwellers, others to literal height. It helped give the region its name, which today carries the added label North after long disputes over who gets to claim the legacy of ancient Macedonia.

Cyprus

Credit: Getty Images

Youve probably used copper wiring or cookware, but did you know the metal got its name from this Mediterranean island? Kupros, the Greek name for Cyprus, is the root of the word copper. Thanks to the islands once-rich mines, shipwrecks from the Bronze Age have turned up tons of Cypriot copper en route to Greece. The metal may be gone, but the name shines on.

Hungary

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Hungary wears two names at once. Internationally, its called Hungary, a word linked to the Onoguran alliance of ten tribes that roamed the steppes. But within the country, people say Magyarorszag, or land of the Magyars, who settled in the Carpathian Basin over a thousand years ago.

Liechtenstein

Credit: Getty Images

This tiny Alpine nation wasnt named for a river, tribe, or terrain, but for a family. The Liechtensteins were nobles who bought up land in the Holy Roman Empire and named it after themselves. The name means bright stone, and refers to their ancestral castle.
Arius Williams, the father of missing New York City toddler Montrell Williams, has been charged with murder in connection to the boy's death, the NYPD confirmed on June 13.

Investigators recovered a body from a Bronx river in the search for the toddler, NYPD said. The medical examiner's office confirmed the body was identified as Montrell Williams.

On June 11, Arius Williams, 20, was charged with second degree murder and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to records from the Department of Correction and Bronx Criminal Court.

Arius Williams' public defender did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

Police are searching for 2-year-old Montrell Williams.

2-year-old was last seen over a month before missing persons alert

The NYPD issued a missing persons alert for Montrell Williams on June 9.

The alert said he was last seen on Hunts Point Ave in the Bronx on May 10 at around 10 p.m. local time wearing a white shirt and diapers.

Local reports say that the child went missing after a custodial visit with his father, according to NBC New York, CBS New York and ABC 7.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said on June 10 that preliminary information indicated that Montrell Williams' family reported concerns about his whereabouts to police on May 11.

There may have been "a visual of the child" between the time he was last seen and when police issued the missing persons alert, Adams said. He also said both the actions of the father and the delay in police response are under investigation.

Officials ID body pulled from river

During their search for Montrell Williams, investigators pulled a body from a river at Ferry Point Park in the Bronx around noon local time on June 11, NYPD told USA TODAY.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to USA TODAY on June 16 that the body was identified as Montrell Williams.

The Office of the Bronx District Attorney on June 16 denied USA TODAY's request for records related to Arius Williams' arrest, citing ongoing criminal proceedings.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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: Missing NYC 2-year-old Montrell Williams' father charged with murder
JetZero is making a significant investment in North Carolina as the company plans to construct a factory in Greensboro to produce its blended-wing-body jets there in the future.

JetZeros investment in Greensboro to build the airplane factory will amount to more than $4.7 billion and bring over 14,500 jobs to the area over time, Gov. Josh Steins office said.

The company announced Thursday it had chosen Greensboro, a city in Central North Carolina, as the place where it will build its first "state-of-the-art" manufacturing and final assembly facility for the Z4 plane it is developing.

Stein's office described the project as the "largest economic development project in North Carolina history based on job commitment."

Delta, Jetzero Partner On Futuristic Widebody Passenger Jet

JetZeros planned factory will be situated on the property of Piedmont Triad International Airport, according to the aircraft company.

Read On The Fox Business App

The deal includes more than $1.1 billion in state performance incentives that would be paid over nearly 40 years and are contingent on JetZero creating over 14,000 jobs between 2027 and 2036, a state representative said.

JetZero would also benefit from an additional $450 million in infrastructure improvements to the airport facilities, along with city and county incentives, the representative said.

The aircraft company aims to start building the factory for its blended-wing-body jet sometime during the first six months of next year, according to JetZero.

"This facility is a critical milestone in bringing our all-wing Z4 to market," JetZero CEO Tom OLeary said in a statement. "I applaud the leadership of Governor Josh Stein and his team as well as the leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly, and whole host of local leaders and organizations for working with us to bring JetZero to North Carolina, the birthplace of aviation."

The "all-wing" design of the planned Z4 passenger plane is supposed to bring "up to 50% better fuel efficiency" compared to traditionally-shaped commercial planes, the company said.

It is expected to have the capacity to accommodate roughly 250 passengers. The company has said it will have a "unique interior space" with six passenger bays and a "central galley," among other things. Airlines will be able to get "no-middle-seat" and "family seating" if they want.

JetZero wants to bring the Z4 plane into service in the "early 2030s." It has said it aims to fly its demonstrator for the first time in 2027.

The companys factory at the Piedmont Triad International Airport will be able to manufacture up to 20 of the planes each month at its "full run rate" by the late 2030s, JetZero projected.

JetZero marks the latest startup to reach a deal for a factory at Piedmont Triad International Airport, with supersonic jet maker Boom recently opening a facility at the site.

Us Is Ahead Of China In Supersonic Jet Aircraft, Says Boom Supersonic Ceo

Well-known carriers Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have invested in JetZero over the past year.

Alaska Airlines invested in the company in August of last year, with options for future aircraft orders. Uniteds investment, meanwhile, came in April and "includes a path to order up to 100 airplanes and an option for an additional 100," JetZero said at the time.

JetZero also unveiled a partnership with Delta Air Lines in March, under which the carrier is "providing the operational expertise to help make this technology viable" and helping design the "interior experience," according to a press release.

OLeary and co-founder Mark Page created JetZero in 2021.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: Revolutionary aircraft maker selects North Carolina for massive job-creating venture
Ahmedabad, India  One of the so-called "black boxes"  the flight data and cockpit voice recorders  from Air India flight 171 was recovered from the charred wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in India's western city of Ahmedabad, an Indian aviation official said Friday. The passenger jet slammed into buildings on Thursday morning, killing all but one of the 242 people on the plane and dozens on the ground.

"The Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site in Ahmedabad," Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Indian Union Minister of Civil Aviation, said in a social media post. "This marks an important step forward in the investigation. This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident."

The data recorders will be vital to investigators as they try to figure out what caused the passenger jet to crash just minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad for London's Gatwick Airport.

According to the Reuters news agency, India's aviation regulator ordered Air India on Friday to carry out additional safety inspections on all of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft  reportedly 34 planes in total  including what Reuters said would be "power assurance checks" that the regulator said should be carried out within two weeks. Most of Air India's 787 fleet are 787-8s, like the plane that crashed on Thursday.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that it would be "way too premature" to order any grounding of 787 aircraft in the U.S. before American investigators have a chance to examine the wreckage and other evidence. He said the government was reviewing information on the crash with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the crash site of a London-bound Air India passenger plane that slammed into buildings in Ahmedabad, India, with 242 people on board the previous day, June 13, 2025. / Credit: Indian Press Information Bureau/Handout/Anadolu/Getty

Thursday's tragedy was captured on video from multiple angles. CCTV images show the moment the ill-fated Air India flight took off for what should have been a nine-and-a-half-hour trip to London. But just seconds later, the Boeing is seen starting to slow down. The two pilots on the aircraft issued a mayday call, but it was too late. The plane, with no fire or damage visible, careens into accommodation buildings used by medical students and then bursts into an inferno.

Rescue workers scoured the site for survivors and, miraculously, one man, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who had been in seat 11a on the Air India flight, right next to his brother, walked away from the crash site with only minor injuries.

Nayan Kumar Ramesh, another brother back in England, described the moment the family heard from Vishwash.

"He video called my dad as he crashed, saying, 'Our plane's crashed I don't know where my brother is. I don't see any other passengers. I don't know how I'm alive. How I exited the plane."

This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Ramesh was the sole survivor from the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed into buildings shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. / Credit: Indian Ministry of Home Affairs/AP

Nayan said his brother's primary concern was for their other sibling, who has remained officially missing since the crash.

It was India's worst aviation disaster in more than 25 years. U.S. and British authorities were quickly sent to assist with the investigation, as more than 50 of those killed from the plane were U.K. nationals and the aircraft was made in the U.S.

Forensic teams were at the scene of the crash on Friday, along with various Indian officials, and ambulances, ready to transport the remains of victims. Indian officials were cited by local media as saying that, given the level of the destruction, DNA testing would be required to confirm the final death toll both from the plane and from the buildings at the site.

CBS News saw members of one family begging authorities for access to the site. Ravi Thakur hadn't heard anything from his mother, who served food at the residential building that the plane crashed into, since the disaster. She was caring for his 2-year-old daughter, and both of them were missing.

"We have only one hope that they survive," Thakur told CBS News.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to inspect the site, and he described the accident as "heartbreaking beyond words."

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Remembering the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson
One hug at a time: Why parents are showing up to embrace people at Pride. (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo Illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

It all started with a homemade button with Free Mom Hugs written on it in black Sharpie. Sara Cunningham, a mom of two from Oklahoma, wore it to a Pride festival in 2015, offering hugs to anyone who needed one. With anyone who made eye contact with me, I would say, Could I offer you a hug or a high five?" she tells Yahoo Life.

The first girl I offered a hug to said it's been four years since she had a hug from her mother because she's a lesbian, Cunningham says. That ignited a spark in her to do more, leading her to found the nonprofit Free Mom Hugs. What started as just a few moms in Oklahoma City has turned into a national movement with more than 40,000 registered volunteers.

Cunningham didnt start out as a fierce advocate, however. When her son came out to her years ago, she felt devastated and alone, something she wrote about in her book, How We Sleep at Night: A Mothers Memoir. I thought I was the only mother in the world, or at least Oklahoma anyway, with a gay kid, she says. Cunningham wrestled with her conservative Christian faith and admits she didnt treat her son well, believing that [he] was condemned for eternity and that if I accepted him or even tolerated him, that made me a sinner too, she says. I was frozen in that fear.

Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Sara Cunningham) (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Sara Cunningham)

Over time, Cunningham educated herself and met other moms like her. It was a journey from the church to the Pride parade without losing my faith or my son, she says.

When her son invited her to join him at a Pride parade in 2014, she met his beautiful community and saw how happy he was. It became a pivotal moment in Cunninghams life, and there was no going back after that. I know the power of fear and ignorance, and I know the power of love and education, she says. Cunningham chose love.

When Free Mom Hugs members like Cunningham give hugs, they also share words of encouragement. That is, in church words, the fruit of the spirit, she says. Its empowering and it's life-giving just by saying, I love you. I'm so glad you're here and you belong.

Cunningham is one of thousands of moms and dads who show up at Pride celebrations across the country, ready to embrace anyone who needs it. Here, four others describe what giving out these hugs means to them  and why they matter.

Sean Leacy, center, an organizer for Free Dad Hugs in Takoma, Wash. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Sean Leacy) (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Sean Leacy)

Its less expected that dads will be involved

For as far back as he can remember, Sean Leacy has wanted to be a dad. The father of four, who lives in Washington with his wife, also organizes events for the Tacoma Dads Group, which has grown to 1,200 members. When the group decided to give out free dad hugs at the Tacoma Pride Festival a few years ago, we had a bit of pushback from people in the community that did not agree with that idea, he tells Yahoo Life. The group lost some members, but at the same time we've gained in dads who believe in equal human rights for just people, regardless of their orientation.

Leacy cares about showing up as a parent, and giving hugs and high-fives at Pride is one way of doing that. If these parents are not going to be parents, if they're not going to step up and they're going to give in to their own selfishness and bigotry, then we'll be there.

That support is making a difference. Last year, his dads group got a booth at the entrance of the Pride festival. So you could not walk in without walking past us, he says. We weren't pushy about it, but we wanted to make sure that everyone understood that we're here to give a hug. And given their location, they gave a lot of them. A police officer stationed at the event came up to the group later on and said, I don't know if you really fully understand [the impact] because when people are walking away from you guys and walking toward us, they are just bawling. I'm touched by the impact this is making. Leacy adds: That was a big deal for us.

Leacy acknowledges that with free dad hugs, fathers like him are stepping into a space that has been held very much so by mothers, and dads have not been out there doing it. I think that it's more expected for free mom hugs to be there. Its less expected that dads will be involved. I think that's probably where a lot of the impact is coming from  the idea that there is just a bunch of big, huggable guys that are literally just looking to give out a hug.

Erin Gambino-Russo and her husband give out hugs at Pride. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Erin Gambino-Russo) (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Erin Gambino-Russo)

I can't just sit here and feel sorry for people  I need to do something

Five years ago, Erin Gambino-Russo, a Long Island mom of three, was watching a documentary about the LGBTQ community. She cant recall the name, but it left her feeling like she needed to act. I can't just sit here and feel sorry for people, she recalls thinking. I need to do something.

An online search led her to Free Mom Hugs. I did not know that it was an organization, she tells Yahoo Life. I thought it was just a shirt that people wore. Gambino-Russo joined her local Free Mom Hugs chapter, eventually becoming the co-leader with Lisa Schlossberg (their chapter was even chosen to be grand marshals at Long Island Pride last Sunday). I tell people all the time that next to being a mom of three amazing kids, this is the thing I'm most proud of in my life, Gambino-Russo says.

Of all the hugs she has given, one stands out: I gave a hug to a 70-year-old trans woman who hadn't had contact with her mother since she came out 30 years prior, she says. She wasn't even permitted to go to her mother's funeral service. This woman hugged me as if I were her mom. She needed a mom hug. She was old enough to be my parent, but it wasn't about that. It was about the love of a mom and the acceptance.

Gambino-Russos husband joined her at Long Island Pride last year to give out dad hugs. He gave a lot of hugs because a lot of kids need the dad hug, she says, adding that there was one person at Pride who hugged her husband and had a hard time letting go. They kept whispering apologies to him. I'm so sorry, but I just really need this. It was emotional.

While the hugs certainly feel good, Gambino-Russo says thats not the main point for her. She keeps showing up because of the statistic that LGBTQ youth who report having at least one accepting adult are 40% less likely to report a suicide attempt in the past year.

To me, what's important is for every human to know that they're loved and beautiful and perfect the way they are, she says.

Lillian Godone-Maresca gave out hugs at Pride. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Lillian Godone-Maresca) (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Lillian Godone-Maresca)

It's unthinkable that someone may not accept their own children

Lillian Godone-Maresca, a mom of eight who lives in Rhode Island, says that supporting the gay community aligns with how her parents raised her  and even her Catholic faith. While that might seem surprising given the churchs stance on LGBTQ issues, Godone-Maresca says that her teachings were about seeing Jesus in the homeless, the hungry, the persecuted, the oppressed, the sick. So that's what moves me to do it.

Godone-Maresca, whose doormat by her front door bears the slogan, Hate has no home here, tells Yahoo Life that her parents and grandparents were ahead of their time in matters of equality and social justice. We embrace everyone. She adds, I grew up having been taught about kindness.

That inspired her to show up at her local Pride parade last year to give out hugs, wearing a Free Mom Hugs T-shirt while holding up a handwritten sign that reads: I'm here because I'm a Catholic, but you don't need to be a Catholic to get a mom's hug.

I got interested in this mom hugs idea because I find it so regrettable that some parents may disown their own children, may not support them and may turn their back on them, Godone-Maresca says. It's unthinkable that someone may not accept their own children.

She recalls a memorable moment at Pride when a young man in his early 20s came up to her for a hug. He gave me such a long hug, she says. He really needed it.

Godone-Maresca says shes already signed up to attend two more Pride celebrations this year. You feel that you're doing something meaningful, she says.

Jackie Kaldon Burton, left, with a friend at Pride. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Jackie Kaldon Burton) (Photo illustration: Yahoo News, photo: Jackie Kaldon Burton)

The only way to make change is literally person by person

During Pride month three years ago, Jackie Kaldon Burton watched the documentary Mama Bears, which follows conservative Christian moms whose lives change when they accept and advocate for their LGBTQ children. The film features the Mama Bears organization, founded by Liz Dyer, which supports LGBTQ families and even stands in for absent parents at weddings and other celebrations. I cried through the whole thing, Burton, who has a gay son, tells Yahoo Life. I was so taken by this. That same year, she and her best friend, Christine Dammann, marched with PFLAG, an organization for LGBTQ families and friends. As they walked, Burton says young people kept approaching them with hugs, thanking them for being supportive parents.

It was so incredibly powerful and wonderful but also sad, she says. Every time one of them would walk away, Christine and I would look at one another and be like, I can't fathom not embracing your child.

This past weekend, Burtons small town of Pleasantville, N.Y, held its first-ever Pride celebration. After reaching out to the founder of Mama Bears, Burton and her best friend set up a table at Pride to share information about the organization with others. I think the only way to make change is literally person by person, she says.

Burton acknowledges that as a stranger she cant make up for the acceptance and love of an actual parent. But if it helps bridge the gap just a little bit, then that's all that matters.

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Mahmoud Khalil at a pro-Palestinian protest on the Columbia University campus in New York in 2024. (Ted Shaffrey / AP file)

A federal judge presiding over Mahmoud Khalils case ruled on Friday that the Trump administration can continue to detain the Columbia University activist.

In his ruling on Friday, Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey rejected Khalil's request for release. The judge wrote that Khalil can remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, as long as the detention is not based on a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the activist is a national security threat.

"To the extent the Petitioner requests relief from this Court, the request is denied," the judge said in his ruling.

Justice Department officials argued in the letter that while Khalil cant be detained based on Rubios determination, according to the judges ruling, he can be detained for other reasons. The officials cited immigration-related statutes.

As a second accusation, they argued they could continue to hold Khalil for failing to disclose all required information on his legal permanent resident application. The court has allowed the government to detain Khalil based on that claim.

Brett Max Kaufman, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Khalil, said that the move is an attempt from the Trump administration to "delay justice for Mahmoud."

The government practically never holds people in detention on a charge like this, and its clear that the government is doing anything they can to punish Mahmoud for his speech about Palestine," Kaufman said. "We will not stop until hes home with his family.

To justify Khalils removal, Rubio released a memo in April, citing an obscure provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It allows the secretary of state to deport noncitizens if the secretary determines their presence in the country would result in potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Rubio wrote in the memo that allowing Khalil, who led protests against the war on Gaza, to stay in the U.S. would create a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.

But the judge, Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey, ruled Wednesday that the foreign policy grounds for Khalils detention are insufficient and likely unconstitutional. Farbiaz stayed the preliminary injunction until 9:30 a.m. Friday, giving the government time to appeal. And by Friday morning, Khalils legal team filed a letter, requesting the court to order his release.

The Government has not filed a notice of appeal of this Courts Order by the Court-ordered deadline for the preliminary injunction to be in effect, the letter said.

Khalil, who grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and and was granted permanent U.S. resident status, became a widely recognized activist amid the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year. In March, he was abruptly arrested outside his student housing on campus and detained before the Trump administration accused him of leading activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Since then, his legal counsel has been challenging efforts to deport him. He has not been charged with any crime.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Khalil has acted to glorify and support terrorists.

In a declaration filed last week, Khalil called the claims grotesque and false.

These were not just attacks on my character; they were efforts to erase my humanity, Khalil said in the legal filing.

Amid his three months in detention, Khalil also became a father and fought for contact with his newborn son, Deen. Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, a Michigan-born dentist, gave birth in April. ICE previously rejected Khalils request to attend his sons birth, court documents show.

The most immediate and visceral harms I have experienced directly relate to the birth of my son, Deen, Khalil said in the legal filing. Instead of holding my wifes hand in the delivery room, I was crouched on a detention center floor, whispering through a crackling phone line as she labored alone.

ICE also denied a request last week for Khalil to be moved from Louisiana to a facility closer to his family, with no explanation, emails show. The agencys own policy requires detaining noncitizen parents or legal guardians, who are primary caretakers or have custody of minor children, in facilities close to their children.

ICEs directive recognizes that the government should have no role in destroying the family unit, and yet that is exactly what is happening here, said Nora Ahmed, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, which is part of Khalils legal team.

Khalil met his son for the first time last month, his attorneys said, just before an immigration hearing.

Khalil has drawn widespread support from pro-Palestinian activists nd free speech advocates, with his arrest and detention prompting protests across the country. Most recently, several celebrities who are also fathers, including comedian Mo Amer, actors Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, came together to read a letter that Khalil wrote to his son ahead of Fathers Day on Sunday.

I am a Palestinian refugee, asylee to America, became a citizen in 2009, and in 2023 I had a son, Amer said. Mahmouds letter is like a dagger to the heart, and thats why I am doing this.
As immigration enforcement protests spread across the country, attention is turning to how governors will respond.

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have hinted in the last few days that they may call in the National Guard to handle protests over the objections of governors, like they did in Los Angeles without the request of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

With immigration enforcement protests spreading across the country and millions of Americans expected to protest at nearly 2,000 locations on June 14, governors are having to weigh calling in the National Guard in case of violence versus chancing having Trump do it for them.

Though at least one state has activated its National Guard ahead of the planned weekend protests, none of the more than a half dozen Republican and Democratic governors who communicated with USA TODAY directly said they will have the National Guard on standby. Most made a point of saying they support peaceful protests, but will ensure public safety if violence occurs.

The "No Kings" protests scheduled to take place in big and small towns nationwide have been planned for weeks, but organizers expect to see participation swell in response to recent immigration raids and Trump's response to protests in Los Angeles.

Protests began in Los Angeles on June 6 in response to federal immigration enforcement raids enacted in several central neighborhoods. Since then, more than 45 cities across dozens of states held their own demonstrations over Trump's immigration crackdown and decision to send the National Guard and Marines into Los Angeles.

Newsom has sued Trump for calling out the National Guard over his objections to help quell the mostly peaceful protests over immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. Localized violence has occurred in the central part of the city. Late on June 12, a federal judge ruled Trump unlawfully federalized the California National Guard and ordered control back to the governor. But the judge gave the Trump administration time to appeal and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halted the order.

On June 10, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, preemptively called up the Texas National Guard to be present at immigration protests in San Antonio, which remained peaceful overnight. On June 12, Abbott deployed over 5,000 Texas National Guard troops ahead of planned "No Kings" protests, one of the largest state deployments there in recent memory.

Local law enforcement and immigration enforcement protesters clashed overnight in Tucson, Seattle, Spokane, New York and Las Vegas.

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, said in a statement June 11 that "we expect that local law enforcement will manage all protests with professionalism, and without interference from the federal government."

'Getting ahead of a problem,' defense secretary says

The upcoming protests are intended to be peaceful, but governors would likely receive broad criticism if they aren't prepared if the protests become violent.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threw down a gauntlet June 11, telling members of Congress that the federal government's deployment of National Guard troops could expand beyond Los Angeles and California.

Part of it is getting ahead of a problem, so that if in other places, if there are other riots in places where law enforcement officers are threatened, we would have the capability to surge the National Guard there if necessary, Hegseth said during his second day of hearings on Capitol Hill.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth testifies during a hearing with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in Washington D.C., on June 10, 2025.

Thankfully, in most of those states you have a governor that recognizes the need for it, supports it, mobilizes it for himself or herself, Hegseth added. In California, unfortunately, the governor wants to play politics with it.

Currently, the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles are protecting federal property and personnel. If U.S. troops are regularly deployed on immigration raids in American cities and take a more active role, it would mark a significant shift.

Traditionally, National Guard involvement in immigration enforcement has been limited to border security. But the Trump administration's decision to deploy 4,000 California Guard troops in Los Angeles without Newsom's consent approaches a new frontier: military immigration enforcement alongside agencies like ICE in the U.S. interior.

While the presidential authority used to put troops in Los Angeles does not permit them to make arrests, they are providing security for federal agents in the area amid anti-immigration enforcement protests. Trump and Hegseth said they will order similar deployments in states that, in their judgment, fail to crack down sufficiently on such protests.

More: Trump wants 20,000 troops to hunt, transport immigrants. Cost estimate: $3.6 billion

Beyond California, the Pentagon is weighing a request from the Department of Homeland Security to deploy more than 20,000 National Guard members to join immigration task forces in various roles with law enforcement powers.

The proposed legal authority  under Title 32, derived from the Guard's state militia roots  requires governors to consent to using their troops in such a manner. It remains unclear, though, whether Title 32 Guardsmen from Trump-supporting states can legally operate in states whose governors don't want them there, such as if Texas' troops were to assist immigration authorities in Los Angeles.

And if the blue state governors who testified to Congress June 12 are any indication, the administration will receive little cooperation from Democratic Party-controlled states.

'Overreach of epic proportions,' New York governor says

Democratic governors from Illinois, New York and Minnesota repeatedly took swings at Trump for calling in the California National Guard during a House Oversight Committee hearing on June 12.

Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker said calling in the National Guard needs to be based on a request from local or state law enforcement and that the governor is better suited than the president to know when they are needed.

"We ... expect this administration to respect the traditions and legal precedent that dictate how and when our National Guard and military are deployed," he said. "It's wrong to deploy the National Guard and active duty Marines into an American city over the objection of local law enforcement just to inflame a situation and create a crisis."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul decried that an "American city has been militarized over the objections of their governor," which she called a "flagrant abuse of power and nothing short of an assault on our American values" and an "overreach of epic proportions."

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), center, along with Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), left, and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), second from right, testify in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform during a hearing on state immigration enforcement policy in Washington, D.C., on June 12, 2025.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said calling in the National Guard without notifying the governor or local law enforcement hurts the ability to coordinate law enforcement and "creates a chaotic situation."

New Mexico governor: 'I dont arm them against citizens'

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, told USA TODAY that Democratic governors are speaking with one another about being prepared if Trump deploys their state National Guard over their objections.

She said shes told her Guard officials that any orders need to come in writing and that she is prepared to sue the federal government the way California has.

This is not constitutional. This is stoking fear. This is using our Guards against American citizens and states, she said. This is a states rights issue. This is bad and we need to call it out for what it is, and people should expect that governors like me will not take our foot off the gas here and arent going to tolerate this to the highest degree.

Lujan Grisham said she expects the New Mexico protests to be peaceful and managed by local law enforcement. She isnt preparing the Guard in case protests turn violent because that isnt their job.

Even if local officials ask for support, the Guard would be called to help with traffic control, escorting people through barricades, setting up blockades and making deliveries far from where local police are interacting with crowds.

When my Guard are involved in those activities, theyre not armed. I dont arm them against citizens of New Mexico ever. They are not trained to be doing that and they dont want to do it. They want to help, she said.

California Nation Guard members in Los Angeles are carrying rifles.

Will more Republicans follow Texas?

So far, Republican governors haven't jumped to follow Abbott's lead and staged the National Guard in anticipation of violence, but several have indicated they are prepared to do so.

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp posted on social media June 11 that his office respects the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but warned about violence, saying it would be met with quick and heavy accountability. Kemps statement doesnt mention the National Guard.

Asked if Kemp is considering deploying the Guard, spokesperson Garrison Douglas said he didnt have anything to add beyond the governors statement, but noted it reads Kemp will take whatever appropriate action is needed to safeguard our communities.

Dan Tierney, deputy director of media relations for Ohio GOP Gov. Mike DeWine, said local governments take the lead in responding to most protests.

Local law enforcement are always welcome to request state assistance, and we have provided past support when necessary and requested, Tierney said, ignoring questions about whether DeWine is considering mobilizing the National Guard in Ohio.

Missouri National Guard members are participating in a unified command with the states Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol to monitor protests, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement.

We are prepared to assist local law enforcement in protecting our communities, Kehoe said on social media. We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness.

The Missouri National Guard hasnt been mobilized, though, which would require an executive order, said Gabby Picard, Kehoes communications director.

They are currently not mobilized for this mission, however, Guard leaders are participating in the Unified Command, Picard said.

More: Trump's battle with Newsom, California expands beyond immigration

The National Guard has long been used by governors to help police protests.

When George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020, governors in 28 states had deployed the National Guard by June 3, 2020 to help contain demonstrations that erupted across the country, according to the Department of Defense. Among them was Newsom in California.

Meanwhile, governors nationwide are not unified on what to do.

The National Governors Association, the bipartisan organization representing the nation's governors, hasn't weighed in on Trump calling in the National Guard over Newsom's objections. When asked for an interview to understand why, a spokesperson didn't respond to the request.

More: Hegseth won't say he'll respect ruling on LA deployment as hearing looms: Live updates

The 22 governors who make up the Democratic Governors Association backed Newsom's objections in a statement June 7, stressing the importance of respecting "the executive authority of our countrys governors to manage their National Guards." The Republican Governors Association did not respond to a request for comment.

But the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors has taken a stand.

"The streets of American cities are no place for the U.S. military. Law enforcement is a local responsibility," their statement said, adding that they have faith in Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. "Protest, carried out peacefully, is a bedrock of our democracy. However, violence, theft, and destruction of property can never be tolerated. We have every confidence that Mayor Bass and state officials can manage the situation."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will governors use National Guard for 'No Kings' protests?
Israel struck at the heart of Irans nuclear, missile and military complex early Friday, in an unprecedented attack that has killed several of Irans most powerful figures and plunges the wider Middle East into dangerous new territory.

The strikes on Irans nuclear program and senior military leaders could be a turning point in the long-running conflict, with Israel braced for a major Iranian retaliation  and the threat of a wider regional war breaking out now a real risk.

Later Friday morning, that retaliation appeared to be underway after Israels military said Iran had launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and that Israel had begun intercepting them outside of its borders.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel will face severe punishment for the attacks, and confirmed that a number of Iranian commanders and scientists had been killed. Irans Armed Forces spokesperson said both the United States and Israel would pay dearly, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the attack a declaration of war.

The US was not involved in the strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, noting that Israel had advised the US that it believed the action was necessary for its self-defense. On Thursday, President Donald Trump had warned of the possibility of massive conflict in the Middle East that could take place soon.

Posting on his social media platform, Truth Social, early Friday, Trump urged Iran to agree to a nuclear deal before there is nothing left, suggesting that subsequent Israeli attacks on the country could be even more brutal.

Washington has long sought to limit Tehrans nuclear capacity, with the most recent negotiations in Rome last month ending with no agreement. A sixth round of US-Iran talks had been scheduled for Sunday in Oman  its not clear if it will go ahead.

Israels strikes came shortly after Tehran said that it would ramp up its nuclear activities due to the International Atomic Energy Agency passing a resolution saying that the country was not in compliance with its non-proliferation commitments, senior US officials told CNN.

In a televised address to the nation early Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military operation had struck at the head of Irans nuclear weaponization program and targets included Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz, Iranian nuclear scientists, and Irans ballistic missiles program.

Moments ago, Israel launched operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival, Netanyahu said.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Repeated explosions could be heard in the capital, Tehran, terrifying its residents, and multiple videos geolocated by CNN showed flames and smoke billowing from buildings across the city. Irans airspace has also been closed, its civil aviation authority said.

An Israeli military statement later Friday said Israeli fighter jets had also completed a large-scale strike on aerial defense arrays in western Iran. As part of the strikes, dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers were destroyed, it said.

Several of Irans most powerful men have been killed, according to Iranian authorities and state media. They included Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the countrys elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces and the countrys highest-ranking military officer.

Also among the dead are Irans former national security chief Ali Shamkhani  a key adviser to Khamenei who served as secretary of the National Security Council for almost a decade  and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGCs Air Force, who was killed alongside two other air force commanders. Six of Irans nuclear scientists, were killed, state affiliated Tasnim news agency said.

Khamenei appointed new commanders on Friday to head key military entities, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, the new head of the IRGC.

Fridays strikes suggest Netanyahu saw a window of opportunity to meet Israels longstanding objective of obliterating Irans nuclear program. Iran is in its weakest military position in decades following crippling economic sanctions, previous Israeli strikes on its air defenses and decimation of its most powerful regional proxies, including Hezbollah.

US officials had previously told CNN that Israeli strikes on Iran would be a brazen break with Trumps approach on the Middle East.

Trump told CNN on Friday that the US supports Israel and called the strikes on Iran a very successful attack.

Several countries voiced alarm and condemnation over Israels strikes, with Saudi Arabias Foreign Ministry saying the attack undermines Irans sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, and Chinas embassy in Iran calling the situation severe and complex.

Residents in Iran faced a long and terrifying night. People reported the ground shaking, hearing explosions, and jets flying overhead, Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, told CNN.

Azzam, a 35-year-old Iranian citizen who lives close to Saadat Abad in northern Tehran, an area targeted by Israel, told CNN: I woke up with the whole house shaking. I was very scared, not knowing what had happened.

Sam, 29, told CNN that he fears further attacks. I am concerned about the escalation of this, and what this means for us in Tehran. Like Azzam, he requested anonymity due to concerns for his safety.

Israel declared a state of special emergency, closing its airspace, shutting schools and banning social gatherings. Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers were being called up in preparation for an Iranian retaliation, Israels military chief of staff said.

Fears of wider war

Analysts and experts have long warned that Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear capabilities could trigger a massive Iranian retaliation and threaten to tip the region into a full-scale war.

And if Israel and Iran become entangled in wider conflict, it could risk drawing the US into the fray. The US is Israels closest ally and biggest weapons supplier, and there are currently about 40,000 US troops across the Middle East, including nearly 4,000 in Iraq and Syria.

Indications of that risk emerged earlier this week as the US ordered the departure of non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East as intelligence warnings increased that an Israeli strike on Iran was imminent.

Netanyahu has repeatedly pushed for a military option to stop Irans nuclear program, and recent US intelligence reports said that Israel was seeking to capitalize on the destruction inflicted after it bombed Irans missile production facilities and air defenses in October.

Experts say an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities would also likely spell the end of Irans nuclear negotiations with the US.

The facility at the heart of Irans nuclear ambitions was engulfed in flames on Friday, according to social media images geolocated by CNN and Iranian state television.

The nuclear complex in Natanz, a city about 250 kilometers (150 miles) south of Tehran, is considered Irans largest uranium enrichment facility. Analysts say the site is used to develop and assemble centrifuges for uranium enrichment, a key technology that turns uranium into nuclear fuel.

The Iranian atomic energy agency confirmed that the Natanz facility had been damaged. The complex has overground and underground facilities and its unclear what was impacted but no casualties were reported, the agency said.

The head of the UNs nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said there were no elevated radiation levels at Natanz. Other nuclear facilities in Iran, Isfahan and Fordow have not been impacted, Grossi added.

Explosive drones activated

Israels Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of Fridays strikes that were used to target its defenses from within, according to an Israeli security official.

The official said that a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran and that the drones were activated during Fridays attack to target missile launchers at a base near Tehran.

Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and positioned them near surface-to-air missile systems, the official said, adding that Israel had deployed strike systems on vehicles.

In this screengrab from social media, smoke is seen rising from Tabriz airport in Iran on June 13, 2025, following Israeli strikes. - Reuters

Iran oversees a so-called Axis of Resistance across the region that includes loyal proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, as well as various militia groups in Iraq and Syria. Since Israels war in Gaza began in 2023, attacks by those proxy groups have escalated in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Last year Israel and Irans years-long cold war erupted into the open with a series of missile strikes from both sides. At the time, the US warned Israel not to strike Irans energy or nuclear infrastructure.

Fridays operation goes much further than previously seen. CNNs security analyst Beth Sanner said that removing Salami is akin to taking out the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff: You can imagine what Americans would do, she said.

Iran is now under existential threat and as such, the Israelis will be expecting a massive, much bigger retaliation than what they saw last time, Sanner added.

CNNs Oren Liebermann, Jeremy Diamond, Mostafa Salem, Rhea Mogul, Nectar Gan, Jessie Yeung, Todd Symons, Jerome Taylor, Ross Adkin, Juliana Liu, Leila Gharagozlou, Isaac Yee, Teele Rebane, John Liu, Chris Lau and Dana Bash contributed reporting.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Israel launched a military operation against Iran targeting Tehran's nuclear program on the evening of June 12, according to the Israeli government.

Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, described the move as a "preemptive strike" and warned that Israel anticipates "a missile and drone attack" in response. The Israeli Defense Force said the strikes were conducted by "dozens" of aircraft.

According to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the IDF struck Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and hit additional targets "at the heart" of the Islamic Republic's programs for nuclear weaponization and enrichment, as well as its ballistic missile program. Netanyahu added that "Iran's leading nuclear scientists" were also targets, and that the IDF's attacks will continue for "as many days as it takes."

Iran's state-run news agency reported "sounds of explosions . . . heard in and near" the country's capital of Tehran.

State media also confirmed that the strikes targeted the Revolutionary Guards Corps complex there, killing IRGC chief Hossein Salami, according to Reuters. Iranian state television reported that the head of Iran's armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, was also killed, Reuters said.

Senior regime official Ali Shamkhani, a Republican Guard Navy rear admiral and former defense minister who has played a prominent role in nuclear negotiations, was critically injured, Reuters reported, citing Iran's state-run Nour News.

In a statement, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei decried Israel's "wicked and bloody hand," declaring that Iran's foe "has prepared a bitter fate for itself," according to Reuters.

U.S. troops 'not involved'

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the attack in a statement, stressing that American forces "are not involved in strikes against Iran."

"Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners," Rubio added, warning that "Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

People gather in the street in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran on June 13, 2025.

Netanyahu, in his statement, thanked President Donald Trump for "his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons program."

"Long live Israel, and long live America," said Netanyahu. "Our action will make the world a much safer place."

But Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the move as "a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence." Reed in his statement pushed Trump to press for "diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control."

The U.S. Embassy in Israel has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.

Decade of diplomacy not enough to prevent strikes

The operation could land a blow to the Trump's administration's efforts to strike a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program.

Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to meet with Israeli officials before participating in a sixth round of nuclear talks with the Iranians in Oman over this weekend.

Israel has been warning for more than a decade it would attack Iran's nuclear program and energy facilities if they reached a stage where they could be weaponized. The two countries are longtime foes.

Iran claims its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes only, a claim that is regarded skeptically in the international community.

'Constructive' and 'positive': What to know about the rare US-Iran nuclear talks

President Donald Trump, right, talks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting where Trump announced nuclear talks with Iran, in Washington, on April 7, 2025.

Ahead of the operation, the U.S. appeared to anticipate that Iran could retaliate on certain American military sites in neighboring Iraq. The State Department issued a travel advisory on June 11 that ordered non-emergency government officials to exit Iraq due to "heightened regional tensions."

"There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, 'We got to tell them to get out,' because something could happen. Soon," Trump said on June 12 at a White House event. "And I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning, and missiles are flying into their buildings. It's possible. So I had to do it."

Trump told reporters at the event that he did not want Israel to strike Iran while a nuclear deal was still on the table.

"As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But it also could blow it," he said. "Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you, but it will happen soon."

Trump latest: U.S. president warns of 'massive conflict' between Israel and Iran over nuclear program

Trump was hosting lawmakers at the White House for a picnic as word of the strike spread. The White House released the statement from Rubio, who is serving in dual role as national security adviser and secretary of state, and did not respond to additional questions.

The president's publicly schedule on June 13 shows him holding a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room and nothing else.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said the United States' immediate priority in the region should be to defend American troops and civilians serving overseas. "Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region," Thune warned.

Iran nuclear enrichment program a focus of negotiations

Former President Barack Obama struck a deal with Iran and world powers in 2015 that limited the scope of Iran's uranium enrichment program.

Netanyahu objected to that accord, claiming Iran couldn't be trusted to abide by its terms, though the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said it was working. Trump exited the agreement during his first term.

Netanyahu has for years argued against a nuclear pact with Iran. Israel and Iran have been sworn enemies since Tehran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israel and Iran targeted each other with missiles and drones in October 2024 in connection with the killings of the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas  Iranian-backed armed groups.

International watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level.

UN nuclear watchdog: Iran in breach of non-proliferation obligations

In a late May report, the IAEA estimated Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. That is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon, according to the IAEA and other nuclear watchdogs. The IAEA declared June 12 Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and passed a resolution against the country for the first time in 20 years.

Contributing: Joseph Garrison and Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY

Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel strikes Iran as nuclear program talks falter
Authorities continued to investigate after a large passenger plane with 242 people on board crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, shortly after its departure for London Gatwick Airport. Officials say 241 of the passengers and crew on flight AI171 were confirmed dead, but one passenger survived. Casualties were also reported on the ground.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, left Ahmedabad Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time Thursday, June 12. The plane went down minutes later in a residential area, hitting buildings, including the dining area of a medical college, officials said.

Although law enforcement initially told reporters that no one on the plane survived, officials later confirmed that one man had survived and was being treated at a local hospital.

Here's what we know so far.

Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad

The director general of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, told The Associated Press that flight AI171 crashed five minutes after its departure from Ahmedabad airport. The live tracking site Flight Radar reported receiving a final signal from the aircraft only seconds after it took off.

Data collected by Flight Radar showed the jet briefly reaching a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet before beginning to descend at a vertical speed of about 475 feet per minute  a steep dive.

Video shared online and verified by CBS News showed the jet low over buildings near the airport, descending toward the ground and disappearing from view. An enormous ball of fire and smoke erupted seconds later.

Emergency workers at the scene of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2024. The airport. This Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff with 242 people on board. / Credit: Saurabh Sirohiya/NurPhoto via Getty Images

What caused the Air India crash?

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the investigation.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it will lead a U.S. team currently heading to India to assist the local authorities. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration officials also said they are deploying teams to India to assist in the investigation alongside the NTSB.

"When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation," the FAA said in a statement. "In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB."

Air India and Boeing said they are prepared to cooperate and support the investigation.

In videos of the crash, the plane appeared to have its landing gear down and flaps up at a time in the flight when those should have been reversed, said CBS News aviation safety analyst Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the NTSB.

Aviation consultant John M. Cox told the AP the aircraft had its nose up and was not climbing, which investigators are expected to look at.

"At this point, it's very, very, very early, we don't know a whole lot," he said. "But the 787 has very extensive flight data monitoring  the parameters on the flight data recorder are in the thousands  so once we get that recorder, they'll be able to know pretty quickly what happened."

The plane's two "black boxes"  the flight data and cockpit voice recorders  have been recovered from the wreckage, officials said.

"I think these are going to unlock the mystery of this accident, so it's critical to get these black boxes and get them read out," Sumwalt said.

This illustration shows the path of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in western India on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

India's civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said he was "shocked and devastated" by the crash.

"We are on highest alert," Kinjarapu wrote in a social media post. "I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us" and called it "heartbreaking beyond words."

Map shows where Air India plane crashed

The Air India crash happened in the city of Ahmedabad, near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where the plane had departed. Ahmedabad is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Map shows location of Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The victims  and survivor  of the Air India crash

Air India said in a statement that 241 people on the plane died in the crash. "The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," the airline said.

The passengers of the plane were identified as 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, Air India said.

The lone survivor was later identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who had been listed as the passenger in seat 11A on the flight manifest shared by Indian authorities.

"Everything happened in front of my eyes," Ramesh said in an interview with Indian media from his hospital bed. "I don't believe how I survived. For some time I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape."

The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Vishawashkumar Ramesh, is interviewed from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad. / Credit: Doordashan/Reuters

Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital told the AP that while Ramesh "was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body ... he seems to be out of danger."

At least five medical students died when part of the plane hit the dining area of B.J. Medical College, Divyansh Singh, the vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association told the AP. Singh said almost 50 people who were in the building are injured  some critically.

"We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris," he said.

The Indian Army was assisting civil authorities in combing through the debris and helping to treat the injured, the AP reported.

London Gatwick Airport said it was working with Air India to establish hotlines for relatives of flight AI171's passengers.

"London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided," airport officials said in a statement. "British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000. Air India have set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information."

Spotlight on Boeing

The Air India crash appeared to be the first involving a Boeing Dreamliner, according to the company's statistical summary of commercial jet accidents between 1954 and 2024.

The aircraft manufacturer has described this model as the aviation industry's "best-selling passenger widebody of all time."

"We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected," a spokesperson for Boeing said in a statement to CBS News several hours after the incident.

On Wall Street, shares of Boeing fell $15.34, or 7.2%, to $198.66 in pre-market trading.

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Some cities just happen to exist uncomfortably close to volcanoes. That kind of proximity affects routines, infrastructure, and how people think about risk. Scientists surveil shifting ground and rising gases, while residents live with the possibility that normal might suddenly change. Here are a few cities where the volcano nearby is part of daily life.

Naples, Italy

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Boxed in between Mount Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei caldera, this densely populated area faces danger on two fronts. Steam vents and sulfur emissions still rise near neighborhoods built over the Campis massive underground system. Vesuvius, though quiet now, is a threat, which is why the three million residents of Naples rely on constant geological monitoring and updated emergency protocols.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Credit: flickr

An eruption in Yogyakarta killed around 300 people in 2010 and displaced tens of thousands. Past events have buried entire villages. Still, tourists visit to see cooled lava fields, smoking ridges, and remnants of past occurrences that reshaped entire communities. Residents continue farming on Merapis nutrient-rich slopes, often within designated hazard zones, despite warnings and repeated evacuations.

Santorini, Greece

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

More than 3,000 years ago, an eruption reshaped this island and left behind a massive caldera. Today, experts keep an eye on the Santorini volcano system, including Kolumbo, a submarine volcano just northeast of the island. Kolumbo last showed volcanic activity in 1650 and could create tsunamis if it erupts again.

Catania, Sicily

Credit: flickr

On Sicilys eastern coast, residents live in full view of Mount Etna. It is one of Europes most active volcanoes, but the locals proceed with their lives under its shadow. Meanwhile, Catania is constantly growing with homes and public buildings built using dark volcanic stone.

Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

Credit: flickr

In 2021, a sudden eruption sent lava into Gomas outskirts, destroying thousands of homes and forcing residents to flee. A similar incident in 2002 displaced over 100,000 people. Goma remains on high alert, with evacuation plans in place. Emergency teams face tight timeframes for response, as Nyiragongo gives little warning before a tragedy.

Hilo, Hawaii, USA

Credit: flickr

Hilo is a city exposed to constant geological activity. Kilauea has gone off repeatedly since 2021, though most lava flows have been confined to its crater. Hilo is at risk from Mauna Loa, which last erupted in 1984 and came within four miles of the city limits.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Credit: pexels

In Reykjavik, tracking volcanic threats across southern Iceland is a priority for emergency agencies. The government operates a national alert system, shares live updates with residents, and uses satellites, gas sensors, and seismic stations to check up on volcanoes like Katla and Hekla.

Arequipa, Peru

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

El Misti rises 11 miles from the city and plays a central role in how Arequipa prepares for natural disasters. Though it hasnt had any action since the 1980s, scientists continue to observe it due to its active history. Not far off, Sabancaya remains far more active, regularly releasing gas and triggering local tremors.

Auckland, New Zealand

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Beneath the surface of Auckland lies a volcanic field made up of over 50 eruption points. The latest eruption, around 600 years ago, created Rangitoto Island. Auckland sits directly atop the still-active field, meaning a new discharge could occur within city limits.

Shimabara, Japan

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The deadliest volcanic disaster in Japan began near Shimabara in 1792, when an eruption triggered a landslide that crashed into the sea and caused a massive tsunami. Nearly 15,000 people died in the aftermath, many in nearby coastal towns. For this reason, Japans Meteorological Agency watches the area closely.

Seattle, Washington, USA

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mount Rainier is located southeast of the metro area in Seattle and ranks among the top closely watched volcanoes in the U.S. Its glacial covering could create destructive lahars if even a moderate eruption occurs.

Vancouver, Canada

Credit: flickr

Watching Mount Baker for signs of activity is a shared responsibility between Canadian and U.S. agencies. Though located in Washington State, the volcano sits only 80 miles from Vancouver and poses potential challenges to surrounding regions. After renewed steam activity a couple of years ago, both governments agreed to coordinate monitoring, data sharing, and emergency planning.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

Credit: pexels

Near the edge of Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole is close to one of the worlds largest volcanic systems. The Yellowstone Caldera remains active, but experts say the chances of a catastrophic eruption are extremely low. Data from GPS, gas sensors, and seismic readings show no signs of the pressure buildup needed for a large event.

Legazpi, Philippines

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mayons steep slopes and open views bring thousands of tourists to the Legazpi region each year, even with the danger. The volcano is located outside the city and has flared up about 50 times. In 2018, close to 70,000 people were evacuated after a major incident. PHIVOLCS supervises Mayon daily, tracking tremors, gas levels, and lava activity.
A Denisovan jawbone from Taiwan proves these ancient humans lived in warm climates, reshaping our view of human evolution. (CREDIT: Science)

On the seabed off the coast of Taiwan, a fishermans dredge pulled up more than just marine life. Among the animal remains was something unexpecteda thick, heavy jawbone. For years, the fossil puzzled scientists. Its structure was unlike anything seen before, yet no one could say exactly what ancient human species it belonged to. Now, with help from a method called paleoproteomics, the mystery has finally been solved: the jaw belonged to a Denisovan, a distant cousin of both Neanderthals and modern humans.

Denisovans were first discovered through a tiny finger bone and a few teeth found in a Siberian cave. Although little physical evidence remains, their DNA told a bigger storyDenisovans were widespread across Asia during the Pleistocene, the Ice Age era that ended about 11,700 years ago. But until now, direct genetic proof of Denisovans only came from cold places like Siberia and Tibet. This new find, from warm and humid Taiwan, expands the known range of these mysterious ancestors.

This identification confirms previous genomic predictions of the groups widespread occurrence, including in warmer climates, said scientist Sacha Vignieri. It also raises new questions about how adaptable and diverse these ancient humans really were.

Map showing the distribution of known, molecularly determined Denisovan fossils and photos of Penghu 1. (CREDIT: Science)

To find out what species the jaw belonged to, researchers led by Takumi Tsutaya turned to ancient protein analysis. Fossils often lose their DNA over time, especially in warm, wet areas like Taiwan. But some proteinsespecially those found in bones and teethcan survive much longer. By studying the preserved proteins in the jawbone, scientists can trace ancestry and even identify unique traits.

Published in the journal, Science, the team retrieved over 4,200 amino acid residues from the jaws bone and a molars enamel. Two of these were Denisovan-specific protein variants. One of these variants, found in the AMBN protein, is extremely rare in modern humansless than 1% frequency worldwidebut is much more common in people from the Philippines. This region is already known to have high levels of Denisovan DNA, so the match made perfect sense.

The other variant appeared in the COL1A2 protein, which helps form collagen in bone. This mutation has been seen only in a few other Denisovan remains: from the Tibetan Plateau and the Siberian Denisova Cave. Both markers together provided strong proof that the Penghu jaw belonged to a Denisovan.

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What made this study especially strong was the quality of the protein data. The researchers ran 44 different lab tests to make sure the results were reliable. They even practiced on animal bones from the same site before analyzing the precious human fossil to avoid contamination or damage. This careful approach allowed them to build one of the best-preserved ancient proteomes from any fossil in East Asia.

Besides the proteins, the shape and structure of the jaw added more clues. The Penghu jaw is massive and solid, with large molars and distinctive root formations. These features match those seen in a Denisovan jawbone found in Tibet, known as Xiahe 1. Together, the similarities suggest these traits were typical of Denisovans and may even reflect differences between males and females in the species.

Although many fossils from China and Southeast Asia have been suggested as Denisovan based on appearance, most lack the molecular proof needed to confirm it. Without proteins or DNA, these remains are often labeled possibly Denisovan, which keeps their status uncertain. Thats why this Taiwanese find is so significantits only the third time Denisovan proteins have been recovered outside of Siberia.

Until now, the lack of fossils with Denisovan DNA or proteins made it hard to understand what they looked like or how they spread. Most of what scientists knew came from gene flow studiestraces of Denisovan DNA found in living people from Asia and Oceania. These studies hinted at the existence of different Denisovan groups that lived in diverse climates. The Taiwan jaw now confirms that Denisovans really did reach those southern regions.

Details of the Denisovan-specific and male-specific peptides identified from Penghu 1. (CREDIT: Science)

The jaw was dated to somewhere between 10,000 and 190,000 years ago. Thats a wide range, mostly due to the challenges of dating fossils that have spent time underwater. Direct uranium dating didnt work, likely because seawater added extra uranium to the bones. Radiocarbon dating wasnt possible either, since the bones lacked enough collagen. Instead, scientists estimated the age using trace elements and the known sea level changes in the region. During much of the Pleistocene, lower sea levels connected Taiwan to the Asian mainland, making it easier for early humans to travel.

The discovery of a Denisovan in Taiwan helps reshape the story of ancient human migration. It shows that early humans were far more adaptable than once believed. Denisovans not only survived harsh mountain conditions in Tibet and freezing winters in Siberia, but also managed to thrive in subtropical zones like Taiwan.

This wide range may explain the genetic diversity found in Denisovan DNA across different regions. Some modern populations, like those in Papua New Guinea, carry up to 5% Denisovan ancestry. Others, including certain Indigenous groups in Southeast Asia, also have high levels. That much variation suggests there were likely several distinct Denisovan groupssome who may have adapted to high altitudes, others to coastal or tropical environments.

Despite these genetic footprints, Denisovan fossils remain extremely rare. Their bones and teeth are hard to find, and even harder to identify without advanced molecular tools. Most have been uncovered by chance, often during mining, construction, or in this case, fishing. The lack of fossils makes each new find important, not just for mapping Denisovan migration, but for understanding how ancient humans evolved and survived.

Phylogenetic tree constructed from a total of 3318 amino acid positions of 22 proteins by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian models. (CREDIT: Science)

One mystery that still remains is what the rest of the Denisovan body looked like. So far, most confirmed fossils are smallfragments of fingers, jaws, or teeth. Scientists still dont know how tall Denisovans were, what their faces looked like, or how their brains compared to ours. But every new discovery adds a piece to the puzzle.

The Taiwan jaw, with its robust structure and Denisovan proteins, offers a rare glimpse into one of the most elusive members of the human family tree. It confirms that Denisovans lived in places once thought unlikely. It shows that ancient humans spread wider and adapted better than we gave them credit for.

And perhaps most exciting of allit hints that more Denisovan fossils may be hiding in warm, unexplored parts of Asia. With each new dig, each new test, and each bit of preserved protein, we get closer to meeting the ancient relatives who shaped our past.

Note: The article above provided above by The Brighter Side of News.

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Yasara Gunawardena Navigating a section of the Kern Rivers whitewater rapids.

Our collective nerves spiked the instant we arrived at the Kern River. A steely quiet came over Erin, my partner, as she eyed its waters, which flow with visible fury through the southern foothills of Californias Sierra Nevada. Her daughter, Etta, who was a day shy of turning 13, had a similar reaction. I knew this to be their shared method of armoring up for the unknownand a wholly appropriate response to the occasion. Bobbing at the rivers edge was a blue rubber raft in which we were to spend the next two days navigating 20 miles of turbulent whitewater.

Yasara Gunawardena From left: Goats feeding on cottonwood leaves at Cuyama Buckhorn; hiking with goats at Cuyama Buckhorn, an activity led by head bartender Sam Seidenberg.

Still, their silence amplified my own jitters. We were on a new trip from Momentum River Expeditions, an Oregon-based outfitter specializing in luxury-tinged rafting adventures throughout the American West. It was also something Id been itching to do for the better part of my life. When I was growing up my father ran rivers often, relating his exploits in a highly infectious, off-color poetry and always assuring me that I would join him once I was old enough. But when I turned 13generally the age when you can trust a kid to handle a paddle in serious rapidsmy dad moved away and started a new family. Our relationship descended into estrangement and our would-be rafting trips, like so much else, failed to become a reality.

Suffice to say that, three decades later, it was a touch loaded to be on my first multiday rafting trip with my chosen family of Erin and Ettaand especially for it to be on the Kern, which Erin introduced me to. Fed by the snowmelt of Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the continental United States, the 165-mile river winds through the Sequoia National Forest, a majestic landscape that has long held sway over seasoned fly-fishermen and hardened river rats. Though only three hours by car from Los Angeles, where we live, its a region of California thats remarkable not just for its rugged splendor but also for the absence of crowds and Instagram-friendly curation that have come to define more popular parks like Joshua Tree. This is what Erin loved about the area, which became one of the first things I loved about Erin after she took me for a long weekend early on in our relationship. Over the years, she, Etta, and I have driven up oftenincluding, at my prodding, for a half-day rafting trip back when Etta was eight.

Yasara Gunawardena From left: A guest tent at the new Momentum River Expeditions base camp; an appetizer of baked cheese with chimichurri, served at the Momentum base camp.

This adventure would be a very different beast: more challenging rapids, to say nothing of the sense of immersion that any rafting junkie will tell you comes only by making the river your home for a few days. As one of Momentums Wilderness Gourmet trips, it would also introduce us to the singular flair the company brings to such excursions. Wed end our first day at its newly constructed base camp, where wed indulge in a multicourse feast prepared by Matthew Domingo, a chef who helped Momentum pioneer these journeys 15 years ago.

After a tutorial on paddling commands and basic safety, our guide, Shana Sims, led us to the raft wed be using. My family was in the lead raft in a flotilla of three carrying a total of 15 guests, and as we were whisked into the Kerns current, something extraordinary happened: our anxieties evaporated. Sims played a key role in this. A sinewy spark plug of a woman and veteran of a number of Momentums runsthe Salmon in Idaho, the Rogue in Oregon, the Tatshenshini in Alaskashe had a manner, at once chill and focused, that instilled confidence. But equally critical was something that often gets eclipsed by the air of adrenalized machismo that defines rafting culturenamely, how relaxing it is.

Yasara Gunawardena From left: Momentum River Expeditions guests approach their rafts on the Kern River; playing in the Kern at the end of a days rafting.

Yes, there is the whitewater, which wed come to learn could at times be steadfast in its determination to rip our bodies from the raft. But most of the trip was dominated by a drift that was languid, meditative, sharpening the pixels of the present tense in a way that is increasingly rare in our pixelated age. As we were moved, quite literally, by the landscape, everything around us took on an almost Technicolor quality. The whirlpools that appeared as fast as they vanished. The shifting light on the granite boulders that peppered the hills. The silhouettes of hawks circling overhead. The grins, giggles, and gasps of the people I cared about most in the world.

When we reached a particularly calm section of river, Sims made an announcement: If anyone wants to take a swim, nows the time.

Yasara Gunawardena From left: Paddles await rafters on the banks of the Kern River; the author paddling on the Kern.

Erin jumped in. I followed her. The water was an icy whooshand a veritable elixir on that nearly 100-degree day. Her daughter may have been the one turning 13 that weekend, but, just then, it was Erin who became the teenager among us. Oh my god! she hollered. This is freakin AMAZING!

On past trips, we had beelined from L.A. to one of the tumbledown motels in Kernville, the areas quaint main town. Our days there tended to revolve around wandering the Sequoia National Forests many mountain paths, the Cannell Meadow Trail being a favorite; lounging in the hot springs along the river; and taking in the sunset from Kern River Brewing Co., a restaurant with sweeping views of the valley.

Yasara Gunawardena From left: Cuyama Buckhorn, a converted motel; a guest room at Cuyama Buckhorn.

But in keeping with the ad-hoc theme of our weekend, we opted this time to drive up via the Cuyama Valley, which unfurls at the border of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and is two hours from both L.A. and Kernville.







"Our last rapids, Pinball, proved to be the most accurately named."







Our destination was Cuyama Buckhorn, a roadside motel that in recent years has been made over into a stylish resort with vintage flourishes, such as bocce courts and firepits ideal for roasting smores. While all that sounded like a lovely complement to the comparable grit of a rafting trip, we gravitated to the Buckhorn largely for goat hiking, a new experience the property can arrange for guests. This is more or less what youre thinking: a hike accompanied by goatsspecifically the trio of sturdy pack goats that live in the care of the hotels trail guide and head bartender, a rangy, affable guy named Sam Seidenberg. Erin and I had an ulterior motive. While we wanted to do something special for Ettas birthday, we also wanted to test a hypothesis: Would the addition of goats bridge the gap between Ettas total lack of interest in hiking and our love for it?

Yasara Gunawardena The lobby of Cuyama Buckhorn, a converted motel on the authors route from L.A. to Kernville.

The answer was yes. After a day spent lounging at the Buckhorns pool, we met Seidenberg and his goats and set off into the foothills of the Sierra Madre. As California quail darted through scrub oaks, Seidenberg foraged for various ingredientspurple sage, yerba santa, manzanita berriesto create celebratory mocktails. One of the goats, with the regal name of White Ledge, carried the ice and bartending gearserving, in essence, as an elegantly horned bar cart that was more than happy to be fawned over by a blissed-out Etta.

After the hike, we ended the evening at the Buckhorns bar-restaurant, a woodsy den of taxidermy where the kitchen dazzled us with a meal featuring produce from local farms and a tomahawk steak of epic proportions. Knowing wed be on a river 10 hours later gave the moment a distinctly Californian feel, a little like one of those aimless weekend road trips that evolves into a transporting adventure.

Yasara Gunawardena Swimming in the Kern River.

This iscrazy, whispered Etta when, after drifting 10 miles down the Kern, we arrived at Momentums base camp. An enclave of safari-style tents set atop wooden platformsinside two of which, as if by magic, our luggage awaitedthe experience was like being shipwrecked in a place you never want to be rescued from. Adirondack chairs were fanned out along a small beach on the riverbank; there was a cornhole situation, and board games and decks of cards were piled up by a communal table. At a makeshift bar shaded by a sycamore tree, one of the guides was mixing cocktails that contained pisco and ginger. Crazy indeed.

Meanwhile, Chef Domingo was busy preparing dinner at the impressive camp kitchen, which faced a table laden with wines from nearby Paso Robles. What followed was a family-style meal loosely inspired by Peruvian-Asian cuisine: heirloom tomatoes flecked in tomato powder and tossed with crispy shallots; a tangy ceviche of shrimp and whitefish; marinated hanger steak with an aji amarillo paste; and roast chicken in verde sauce. To eat like this anywhere would have been a treat; to eat like this in the wild, after a day on the water, felt downright illicit. When a dessert of tres leches cake arrived, swimming in frozen cherries, Ettas contained a candle to mark the start of her teens.

Yasara Gunawardena The Kern River, with the Sierra Nevada rising behind it.

After being lulled to sleep by the river, we woke to an equally decadent breakfast that, Domingo explained, was an homage to the regions Basque community, which dates back to the shepherds who came to work on area ranches from the late 1800s onward. Along with eggs piperade, a dish made with a ragout of tomatoes and peppers, there was a gratin of caramelized leeks and shredded potatoes. So delicious and leisurely was it all that Id almost forgotten we had another full day of rafting ahead of us.

Back on the river, we were all more comfortable, having developed a Pavlovian response to Simss various commands: LEFT SIDE BACK! LEAN IN! BACK ON THE JOB! On calm sections of the river, Sims gave both Erin and Etta a chance at the helm; she also let Etta ride the bull through some midsize rapidswhich is to say Etta took them on while straddling the nose of the raft, feet dangling over the edge and holding tight to a rope in the manner of, well, someone riding a bull.

Yasara Gunawardena The author and his family dining at Momentums communal table.

The day ended in an exhilarating rush: three pounding Class IV rapids in quick succession. Despite their intimidating monikersone was called Eat Rocks and Bleedthe experience was far more exhilarating than harrowing. Then came our last one, Pinball, which proved to be the most accurately named. I cant say what happened exactly, but as we paddled into it the raft buckled and, for a second that felt like an eternity, Erin was directly above me, somehow both airborne and still seated in the nose of the raft, which was now folded like a taco. We both looked back for Etta, who was still technically in the raft, yet also shoulder deep in Kern, since the back half of the raft was fully submerged inside a churning hydraulic of water, with Sims somehow holding onto both her oars and Ettas life jacket.

Thenboomthe raft was spat out of the rapids, all of us still in it, laughing maniacally as we high-fived with our paddles.

Yasara Gunawardena An antiques store in Kernville.

Pulling into shore, Sims asked us to name our favorite part of the trip. I knew immediately what my answer was: sharing this experience with Erin and Etta. Id spent most of my life thinking of such trips as something my father did and that Id missed out on. Now I understood: he was the one who had missed out. I also knew, from the slight quaver in my cheeks, that were I to attempt to say any of this out loud, it would not be only river water dampening my face.

Pinball, I muttered. That was nuts!



A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Making a Splash."

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Israel's airstrikes on Iran Friday targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, scientists and senior military commanders, the Israeli military said.

Israel Defense Forces said 200 fighter jets struck more than 100 targets in Iran in an initial round of strikes and that the operation would continue for days. Those targets included multiple sites in Iran's capital, Tehran, and Natanz, a key uranium enrichment site, officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Israel's strikes "a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival" in a video statement Friday.

In response, Iran launched more than 100 drones at Israel, many of which were intercepted by Israel's air defenses. Following additional strikes by Israel, Iran fired more missiles at Israel. While most were intercepted, there were "a limited number of hits on structures, some from interception failures," the IDF said.

The maps below show the confirmed locations of Israel's strikes and will be updated as information is verified.

In a later round of strikes, the IDF said it had hit "the Iranian regime's nuclear site in the Isfahan area," located south of Natanz in central Iran.

"The strike dismantled a facility for producing metallic uranium, infrastructure for reconverting enriched uranium, laboratories, and additional infrastructure," the IDF said in a statement.

Another enrichment site in Fordow had not been hit as of Friday morning, according to Iran and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Later Friday, two explosions were heard near the site and state media said Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli drone near the facility, according to Reuters.

A map of Iran showing nuclear sites, reactors and uranium mines. / Credit: Sylvie Husson via Getty

In Natanz, "the underground area of the site was damaged," the IDF said in a statement.

"This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure," the IDF said. "In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted."

No increase in radiation levels had been observed outside the Natanz site after the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday morning.

Israel's strikes also killed nuclear scientists and military leaders, the IDF said, including Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Hossein Salami, IRGC Senior Commander Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, and Maj. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC's missile program.

An infographic showing senior Iranian commanders killed in Israeli attacks on June 13, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The U.S. was not involved in the Israeli strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The operation came as the Trump administration has been trying to negotiate an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program. President Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff was set to hold a sixth round of talks in Oman over the weekend, but it was not immediately clear if those would still happen.

On Friday, Mr. Trump urged Iran to "make a deal, before there is nothing left."

Iran's President Mahsoud Pezeshkian said Friday on Iranian TV that the country would "strongly take action" against Israel in response to the attacks.

"The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act," he said.

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Martha Stewart in 2025







NEED TO KNOW

Martha Stewart spoke with author Graydon Carter about his memoir, When the Going Was Good, on the June 11 episode of The Martha Stewart Podcast

The memoir details Graydon's career as a magazine editor during the 90s, including his tenure at Vanity Fair

Stewart and Graydon looked back on one of the outlet's star reporters, Dominick Dunne, and his popularity, especially when he visited Stewart's property in Maine







Martha Stewart has met many celebrities over the years, including one standout writer.



On the June 11 episode of her podcast The Martha Stewart Podcast, Stewart spoke with Graydon Carter about his new memoir When the Going Was Good. The book recounts Graydons decades-long tenure as the editor of Vanity Fair, and the two looked back on one of the outlets star reporters: Dominick Dunne, who famously covered high-profile court cases.



We had two of the greatest murder trials of the last half of the last century, Carter said. One was the Menendez brothers and one was O.J. Simpson. And Nick, because his daughter [actress Dominique Dunne] had died and was killed by her boyfriend, he would go into a murder story [and] he wasn't objective. He was on the side of the victim.

Dunne, who died in 2009, began writing for Vanity Fair in 1984, when he covered his daughter's murder trial.



Bill Nation/Sygma via Getty Dominick Dunne in 1995

We were a monthly magazine so, often, some of the details of the trial wouldn't be on the newsstand for two months, Carter continued. We would send him out and he would stay at the Chateau Marmont for eight or nine months. We'd have to craft stories each month. He had a dispatch every single month that would tell the narrative of that period and bring in color from dinner parties he would go to. He would spend a lot of time in the corridors outside the courtroom talking to witnesses, talking to the lawyers.

It was hugely expensive for us, to keep him out there and have a car and driver, Carter recalled. But the advertisers fell over themselves to try to get around his columns. It became probably the most famous print magazine in the world over that decade.



Stewart also chimed in with her own memory of Dunne. The reporter, who was also a novelist and film producer, visited her Maine property and drew a large crowd.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!



He was amazing, Stewart recalled. I have a little church up in Maine on my property called the Holy Family Church. It's a Catholic church that was built for the housemaids, and the workers that had no Catholic church on the island.



Dominick wanted to come up for the weekend. I put out a little ad that he was going to come to the church and give a talk. And that place was packed, Stewart said. I mean, he had such a draw. He was such a draw to anybody who read anything.

Penguin Press The cover of 'When the Going Was Good' by Graydon Carter

Carter and Stewart discussed a variety of standout moments from Carters career, including working with photographer Annie Leibovitz and stars like George Clooney. The author also looked back on his biggest scoop: revealing Mark Felt as the Watergate scandal source known as Deep Throat. The story broke just as Carter and his wife were returning from their honeymoon.



[My wife] gets a call and it's from David Friend and she passes it to me, Carter recalled. He said, You know, we released the Deep Throat story this morning. I said, Oh my god. I completely forgot about this during the course of my honeymoon.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.



He said, Well, [Bob] Woodward and [Carl] Bernstein haven't said anything yet but they said they might make an announcement later today. So I thought, Oh my god, I can't get on this plane unless I know one way or the other.



So we waited and we kept moving to the back of the line as they were trying to board the plane. And just before we got to the gate, David Friend called and said, Woodward and Bernstein just confirmed that it was Deep Throat, Carter said. I was so relieved. We got on that plane and just came home and I thought, 'What a wonderful way to end a honeymoon.'



The Martha Stewart Podcast releases new episodes weekly.

When the Going Was Good is now available, wherever books are sold.



Read the original article on People
Aerial attacks between Israel and Iran continued overnight into Sunday, marking a third day of strikes following Israels Friday attack. That surprise strike hit the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

The U.S. did not provide any military assistance or have any involvement in Israel's Friday strike, a U.S. official told ABC News.





Latest Developments





Jun 15, 9:55 AM

Trump says it's 'possible' US 'could get involved' in Israel-Iran conflict

President Donald Trump told ABC News that "it's possible we could get involved" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.



The president made the comments to ABC News' Rachel Scott. He also reiterated that the U.S. is "not at this moment involved" in the conflict.



Trump also said that he would be "open" to Russian President Vladimir Putin being a mediator in the conflict. "He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it, " Trump said.



-ABC News' Rachel Scott





Jun 15, 9:24 AM

IDF says more missiles launched toward Israel; says 'over 250' targets in Iran struck

The IDF says missiles have been launched from Iran toward Israel and that "defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat." It also warned citizens to "enter a protected space and remain there until further notice."



The IDF said during a briefing Sunday that it has struck "over 250 targets" in Iran since the beginning of strikes earlier this week. It says it is still actively conducting strikes in the country.



The IDF spokesperson also confirmed it struck Yemen Saturday night, targeting a Houthi leader, but cannot confirm whether the strike was successful. There were also projectiles fired from Yemen overnight toward Israel, according to the spokesperson.



The spokesperson warned that "there will be further launches and impacts in the coming days" toward Israel and advised Israelis to pay attention to sirens and alerts.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller





Jun 15, 8:56 AM

US non-emergency personnel authorized to leave Israel: State Department

The State Department is authorizing the "voluntary departure of family members and some non-emergency U.S. government employees" from Israel amid the country's escalating conflict with Iran, officials said on Sunday.



The U.S. embassy's shelter-in-place order for U.S. personnel in Israel remains in effect "until further notice" as a result of the conflict between Israel and Iran, the State Department said in a notice.



"U.S. citizens who wish to depart should not delay in taking advantage of commercial transportation options," the notice said.



-ABC News' Chris Boccia





Jun 15, 8:12 AM

Iran doesn't believe US was not involved in strikes: Foreign minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a meeting of ambassadors in Tehran on Sunday that Israel's ongoing attacks on the country could not have happened "without the agreement and support of the United States."

PHOTO: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement in Beirut, Lebanon, on June 3, 2025. (Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images)

"We have received messages from the U.S. through various channels over the past two days stating that the U.S. had no involvement and will have no involvement in this attack," he said during the meeting, which was broadcast by state media. "As I said, we don't believe the U.S.'s claim."



Araghchi also called on the international community to condemn Israel's attacks on nuclear facilities.



"This is perhaps the last red line of international law that the Israeli regime has crossed, and if the international community is indifferent to these red lines, it will certainly have consequences for all other countries," he said.



Araghchi said he had called for a meeting on Monday with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency over attacks on the Natanz nuclear facilities.



Of Iran's own retaliatory strikes on Israel, the foreign minister said the attacks were "legitimate self-defense." He added, "If the aggression stops, naturally our reactions will also stop." Araghchi confirmed that Iran struck "economic" targets in Israel on Saturday night.



Araghchi also said Israel is responsible for the breakdown in nuclear negotiations with the U.S., its attack having scuppered planned talks in Oman on Sunday.



"It is perfectly clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue; it does not want negotiations; it does not want diplomacy; and the attack on Iran amid nuclear negotiations demonstrates the Israeli regime's opposition to any negotiations," he said.



-ABC News' Victoria Beaule





Jun 15, 7:58 AM

Israeli jets flying nonstop over Iran for 50 hours, official says

An Israeli military official told ABC News that the country's warplanes have been flying over Iran for 50 hours nonstop since the beginning of Israel's strikes on the country on Friday.



The Israel Defense Forces are still searching for missile sites and other targets as strikes expand, the official said. They did not say how long attacks are expected to continue.

PHOTO: A plume of heavy smoke and fire rises over an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

Among those targets hit so far are Iran's Defense Ministry in Tehran, plus gas and oil sites near Bandar Abbas, which the official said were "dual-use" sites -- meaning for both civilian and military use.



The official confirmed that Israel has not hit the Fordow nuclear site, which is buried deep underground.



Before the operation started, Israel believed Iran had about 2,000 ballistic missiles, the official said. They did not say how many are believed to be remaining.



When asked if Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- the country's supreme leader -- is a target, the official refused to answer.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 7:48 AM

IDF tried to kill Houthi chief of staff in Yemen, official says

An Israeli military official confirmed to ABC News that the Israel Defense Forces tried to kill the Houthi chief of staff in Yemen in an overnight airstrike.



The official said Israel is still waiting to see the outcome of the attack.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 6:41 AM

Trump says US has 'nothing to do' with latest Iran strikes

President Donald Trump said in a post to Truth Social early Sunday morning that the "U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump is pictured during celebrations for the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

"If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," the president added. "However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!"



-ABC News' Hannah Demissie





Jun 15, 5:38 AM

13 killed in Israel by 2 nights of Iranian strikes, prime minister says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday that at least 13 people have been killed since Friday in Israel by Iranian strikes, as Tehran retaliates to Israel's ongoing attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites and leaders.



PHOTO: Rescue teams clear rubble in a neighbourhood in the northern Israeli village of Tamra, following an overnigh missile attack from Iran on June 15, 2025, where four people, including a child, were reported killed. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)



Two consecutive nights of Iranian attacks saw around 200 ballistic missiles fired into the country, the prime minister's office said, with 22 places in Israel hit either directly or by falling missile debris.



At least 380 people have been injured, the prime minister's office said, nine seriously.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 3:08 AM

Israel issues 'urgent' warning to Iranians near weapons production sites

The Israeli military on Sunday morning issued an "urgent" warning to Iranians near facilities producing weapons.



"Your presence near these facilities puts your life at risk," the Israel Defense Forces said in social media posts in Farsi and Arabic.





Jun 15, 1:58 AM

IAF downs 7 drones, Israel says

The Israeli Air Force said it had intercepted seven drones launched toward Israel with about an hour on Sunday morning.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
WASHINGTON  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government launched a "targeted military operation" against Iran to keep their enemy from producing a nuclear weapon.

In a video address, Netanyahu said Iran had taken steps in recent months to weaponize enriched uranium and was on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon within months to a year.

"If not stopped Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time," Netanyahu said in the address, which came shortly after Israel confirmed the overnight attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

Israel's military targeted Iran's enrichment facility in Natanz, it's leading nuclear scientists and its ballistic missile program  weapons Netanyahu said could be used for nuclear capability.

"This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Netanyahu said in his remarks.

Netanyahu's military operation came in defiance of a public warning from Trump, who said hours before that he did not want to strike Iran while an agreement to halt the nation's nuclear program was still viable. A sixth round of talks had been scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday, although it was not immediately clear in the aftermath of the June 13 strike if Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff still planned to attend.

Israel-Iran latest: Trump warns of 'massive conflict' over nuclear program

He spoke in English in the address, in which he sought to justify the strike. He claimed Iran, if it had nuclear capability, could provide nuclear weapons to its regional proxy groups, which the U.S. and other governments have designated as terrorists.

"Today it is clear that Iran was just buying for time," he said. "We have no choice but to act, and to act now."

The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated in a late May report that Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. According to the IAEA and other organizations that monitor nuclear development, the level is close to the 90% enrichment that is needed to build a nuclear weapon.

The IAEA assessed on June 12 that Iran was not complying with nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Its board of governors passed a U.S.-backed resolution against the country for the first time in 20 years.

Overnight strike: Israel launches strikes against Iran as nuclear program talks falter

Invoking the Nazi Holocaust and the deaths of roughly 6 million Jews, the Israeli prime minister said his country, which was established in the wake of World War II, refuses to be the victim of a nuclear Holocaust.

Trump has said Iran can not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon, Netanyahu said as he made a direct appeal to European and American viewers.

"The increasing range of Iran's ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe, and eventually, to America," Netanyahu said.

Contributing: Davis Winkie

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu: Iran could produce nuclear weapon 'in a very short time'
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranians reacted to Israeli strikes with anger and fear on Friday, with some urging retaliation while others worried the conflict would spell more hardship for a nation worn down by crises.

With Tehran and other cities shaken by a night of Israeli airstrikes, some said they planned to leave for neighbouring Turkey, bracing for escalation after Israel signalled its operation would continue "for as many days as it takes".

"I woke up to deafening explosion. People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic, we were all terrified," said Marziyeh, 39, from the city of Natanz, which is home to one of Iran's nuclear sites and where explosions were reported.

"I am deeply worried about my children's safety if this situation escalates," said Marziyeh, one of 20 people Reuters contacted in Iran for this article.

Israel said it had attacked nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in the operation it said aimed to prevent Tehran from building an atomic bomb. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

In an initial wave of panic, some Iranians rushed to banks to withdraw cash on Friday morning.

Masoud Mousavi, 51, a retired bank employee said he waited for the exchange offices to open, "so I can buy Turkish Lira and take my family there by land since airspace is closed".

"I am against any war. Any strike that kills innocent people. I will stay in Turkey with my family until this situation is over," he said from Shiraz city.

Iranians have become accustomed to turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed Shah and brought the clerical establishment to power, from the 1980s war with Iraq, to heavy crack-downs on anti-government protests and years of biting Western sanctions.

Some opponents of Iran's ruling clerics expressed hope that Israel's attack might lead to their downfall, though one Tehran resident said he supported Iranian retaliation, even though he was not a supporter of the Islamic Republic.

"We cant afford not to respond. Either we surrender and they take our missiles, or we fire them. There's no other option  and if we dont, well end up surrendering them anyway, he said, seething with anger at Israel's attacks.

'I WILL FIGHT AND DIE'

Two money changers in Tehran said they were busier than usual, as people rushed to buy foreign currency following the attack. But one of them said people were not too panicked.

"We have been through so much already. I don't support Israel's attack and I understand that Iran's leaders feel the need to retaliate," said retired teacher Fariba Besharati, 64, who lives with her children and two grandchildren in Tabriz.

"But what about us? Haven't we endured enough suffering?"

Many Iranians still believe in Iran's right to a civilian nuclear programme, but some said it was now costing the country too much.

"The price we are paying is too high. And now, a military attack, no I don't want more misery," said Mohammadreza, 29, a teacher in the northern city of Chalus.

Economic hardship and political and social restrictions have fuelled protests against the clerical rulers in recent years, notably in 2022, when a young woman died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly flouting conservative dress codes.

Witnesses in several cities, including Tehran, said that plainclothes agents and police forces had deployed in the streets on Friday.

Iran's rulers are facing myriad other crises, from energy and water shortages, to a collapsing currency and growing public anger over economic hardships, caused largely by U.S. sanctions over its nuclear programme and economic mismanagement.

But the clerical leadership still has a tight grip on the country, underpinned by loyal security forces.

Ali, whose father was killed during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, said he was ready to sacrifice his life for the Islamic Republic.

"I am a member of (volunteer militia) Basij. I will fight and die for our right to a nuclear programme. Israel and its ally America cannot take it away from us with these attacks," he said from the holy city of Qom by phone.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi: Editing by Tom Perry and Sharon Singleton)
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia plans to significantly boost surveillance of Pacific Islands territorial waters, spending A$477 million ($310.72 million) on aerial patrols for illegal fishing fleets, tender documents viewed by Reuters show, as China takes steps towards sending its coast guard to the region.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will visit Fiji on Friday, the Fiji Times newspaper reported, after the government of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka last week approved a maritime security agreement that will see Australia fund a patrol boat for Fiji.

Australia will operate commercial aerial patrols to support Pacific Island countries monitoring exclusive economic zones which span millions of kilometres of ocean. Efforts to tackle illegal fishing also led to a new monitoring centre being opened in Fiji in April.

Australia's defence department declined to comment on the aerial tender, and Pacific Minister Pat Conroy did not respond to a request for comment.

Reuters reported last week that China's coast guard is taking further steps towards high seas boarding of fishing boats in the Pacific for the first time, risking tensions with Taiwanese fleets that also ply the region.

The Chinese Coast Guard demonstrated the capabilities of one of its largest ships, used to enforce maritime law in the Taiwan Strait, to 10 Pacific Island ministers, including Fiji's, in China a fortnight ago.

China has registered 26 coast guard vessels for Pacific Ocean patrols with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, although it is yet to conduct an inspection, WCPFC officials said. China declined to comment.

Australia has gifted two dozen patrol boats to Pacific Island nations, and operates navy and air force patrols for illegal fishing in the region several times a year.

Sangaa Clark, chief executive of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, representing nine Pacific Island countries controlling the world's largest tuna fishery, said the group has not invited China to conduct coast guard patrols, and instead relied on Australian-funded surveillance and patrols by Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States.

Pacific security expert Peter Connolly, a fellow at the University of New South Wales, said Chinese Coast Guard patrols in the region would "introduce geostrategic tensions to the policing of the Pacific's fisheries".

"This is particularly likely because the two most common nationalities of illegal fishermen in the Pacific have been from the PRC and from Taiwan," he said, referring to the People's Republic of China.

($1 = 1.5352 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney, editing by Ed Osmond)
By Marisa Taylor and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The role of Elon Musk's SpaceX in an ambitious new U.S. missile defense system is in question following the dramatic feud last week between the billionaire entrepreneur and President Donald Trump, according to three people familiar with the project.

The White House until recently had considered a plan for SpaceX, Musk's rocket and satellite venture, to partner with software maker Palantir and drone builder Anduril to construct crucial elements of the project, dubbed "Golden Dome." The administration had instructed the Pentagon to prioritize a network of satellites for the purpose, these people said.

But a new framework for the system, which would seek to track and prevent possible missile attacks against the United States, is now being considered that could reduce the role of SpaceX. One possibility, the three people said, could initially forego SpaceX's satellite capabilities and focus on the expansion of existing ground systems for missile defense instead.

In a statement, a White House spokesman said "the Trump Administration is committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts." A senior Defense Department official said the Pentagon "has no announcements regarding future contracts associated with the Golden Dome effort."

SpaceX, Anduril and Palantir didn't respond to requests for comment.

A reduced role for SpaceX would represent the first known setback to Musk's huge volume of business with the U.S. government since his break with Trump last week. The shift in plans, especially for a project that Trump has touted as paramount for U.S. defense strategy, also underscores the highly personalized nature of the president's leadership, aerospace and defense experts said.

"That people guiding the program or building it are approved based on their political affiliation signals a real concern that the project itself is very politicized and not being conducted on the technical merits," said Laura Grego, a missile defense expert and research director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In its statement to Reuters, the White House said any decision would be made "prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology."

Trump in May said the defense shield should be operational by the end of his presidency, January 2029. But industry experts have said that timeframe, and a projected cost of some $175 billion, could be too optimistic.

The change in the proposed "architecture" of the system, the three people said, could have the political advantage of allowing the current administration to deliver at least a portion of it. It isn't clear how soon a final decision on the project could come or whether the ultimate role of any company, including SpaceX, has been determined.

Trump's efforts to roll out the project fast have led to uncertainty about the project's details and a scramble by contractors to be involved, industry experts and some of those involved in its development told Reuters. "To this day, no one knows what the requirements are," said one of the people familiar with the process. "There isn't a coordinated effort with a true vision. All of these companies are just grabbing at this pot of money."

SpaceX, Anduril and Palantir were all founded by entrepreneurs who have been major political supporters of Trump. The three companies had previously met with top administration officials and decisionmakers from the Defense Department to discuss Golden Dome, according to people familiar with those discussions.

Before his high-profile falling out with the president, Musk served as a key Trump advisor and donated more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect him. But the recent dispute, which included Musk calling for Trump's impeachment and accusing the president of improper involvement with disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, triggered the change in direction, the three people told Reuters.

"Because of the blowup, the Pentagon has been given the space to look at other alternatives," one of the people said.

In recent days, Musk has sought to temper the dispute, saying he regretted some of his comments and taking down some of his social media criticism of Trump, including the call for impeachment. Earlier this week, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump appreciated Musk's apology and that she was unaware of any administration efforts to review Musk contracts because of the dispute.

Reuters couldn't determine whether Musk's conciliatory overtures might improve SpaceX's chances of winning Golden Dome contracts or securing further new business with the U.S. government.

SpaceX had pitched for a part of the Golden Dome initiative called the "custody layer," a constellation of between 400 and 1,000 satellites that would detect missiles, track their trajectory, and determine if they are heading toward the U.S., Reuters reported in April. In a January 27 executive order, Trump mandated the selection of a proposed "architecture" for Golden Dome and an implementation plan by the end of March.

The order called a missile attack "the most catastrophic threat facing the United States."

(Additional reporting by Mike Stone and Idrees Ali. Editing by Chris Sanders and Paulo Prada.)
(Reuters) -At previous moments of tension over decades of rivalry with Western foes, Iran was able to project power across the Middle East using a network of close allies that meant any strikes against it threatened to trigger a formidable response.

Now, with talks deadlocked over its nuclear programme and U.S. President Donald Trump saying an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," Tehran must face a fresh crisis with those capabilities greatly diminished.

The United States killed the mastermind of Iran's regional network in 2020 and since the war in Gaza began 20 months ago, Israel has hammered Tehran's closest ally Hezbollah while rebels ousted its main regional partner, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Here is how Iran built up its "Axis of Resistance", how that network has come undone, and the regional resources Tehran can still count on.

HOW DID IRAN BUILD UP SUCH A WIDE REGIONAL NETWORK?

Iran spent decades after its 1979 Islamic Revolution developing a network of allies across the Middle East that accepted Tehran's leadership and shared its regional vision of fighting what they described as Western imperialism.

This "Axis of Resistance", as it was dubbed, drew on the appeal of Iran's revolutionary theocratic ideas to traditionally marginalised fellow Shi'ite Muslims across the region, and on its staunch support for Palestinian nationalism.

It grew to include Hezbollah in Lebanon, President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria, Shi'ite Muslim armed groups in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen and the Palestinian militant group Hamas - extending Iran's influence to both the Mediterranean and Red Sea.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its elite Quds Force lay at the heart of the axis. The IRGC answers to the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was set up soon after the revolution as an ideologically committed counterweight to the regular armed forces.

The Quds Force operates as the IRGC's overseas wing, working closely with allies in the Axis of Resistance to train and arm them, and to provide direction and guidance in their military operations.

Its tough, shrewd commander Major-General Qassem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. drone attack in Iraq in 2020 after decades spent knitting together groups across the region and Iran has struggled to replace him.

WHY HAVE KEY PARTS OF IRAN'S NETWORK CRUMBLED?

When Hamas attacked Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, it triggered massive military retaliation that has killed much of the group's top leadership including political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran last summer.

Hamas is still fighting in Gaza and retains a significant presence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but it does not presently boast a military force capable of posing a realistic threat to Israel.

The war quickly spread as Iran's most important regional ally Hezbollah fired on Israel from Lebanon in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, leading to months of cross-border fire between the group and Israel.

That conflict suddenly escalated in September 2024 when Israel detonated thousands of booby-trapped pagers used by Hezbollah operatives, killing and maiming hundreds of them.

Over the following weeks a string of Israeli airstrikes killed Hezbollah's top leadership including overall chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, dealing the group a stunning blow and revealing how far it had been infiltrated.

Hezbollah accepted a ceasefire with Israel in November and remains far from the powerful organisation that once threatened Israeli security.

Syria's Assad was ousted soon afterwards. Israel had targeted top Iranian commanders in Syria with airstrikes over the summer, causing a partial IRGC pullout. Without Iranian and Hezbollah support, and ally Russia bogged down with war in Ukraine, Assad's army crumbled when rebels mounted an offensive in late November and he fled in December.

WHAT REMAINS OF THE AXIS OF RESISTANCE?

With Hamas and Hezbollah greatly weakened, Iran can still turn to the Shi'ite militias it supports in Iraq and to the Houthis in Yemen.

Iraq has a constellation of Iran-aligned armed groups but just a handful count among the most loyal and powerful to Tehran, including Kataib Hezbollah and the Nujaba group.

These groups receive arms and directives from Iran and have pledged allegiance to Iran's supreme leader but retain a degree of autonomy on their operations inside Iraq. They have all but ceased attacks targeting U.S. forces and Israel since last year.

Analysts question how far they would go to protect Iran if an attack was aimed at its nuclear sites rather than as part of an effort to topple the Islamic Republic given that would pose an existential threat to their main source of support.

The Houthis have continued to fire missiles at Israel, but their ability to pose a significant threat from their distant base in Yemen is in doubt. Their attacks on Red Sea shipping have cooled since striking a deal with the U.S. after weeks of bombings in the spring.

(Writing by Angus McDowall, editing by Deepa Babington)
Hilliard Toi Cliatt, Curtrina Martin, and Martin's son, Gabe, in Washington, D.C. | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Institute for Justice

It's been almost eight years since an FBI SWAT team arrived at Curtrina Martin and Toi Cliatt's home, detonated a flash grenade inside, ripped the door off, and stormed into the couple's bedroom with guns drawn. Agents handcuffed Cliatt at gunpoint, and Martin, who had tried to barricade herself inside of her closet, says she fell on a rack amid the mayhem. But law enforcement would not find who they were looking for there, because that suspect, Joseph Riley, lived in a nearby house on a different street.

The issue is still a relevant one for Martin and Cliatt, along with Martin's son, Gabewho was 7 years old at the time of the raidas the group has fought for years, unsuccessfully, for the right to sue the government over the break-in.

The Supreme Court on Thursday resurrected that lawsuit, unanimously ruling that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit had settled on a faulty analysis when in April 2024 it barred Martin and Cliatt from suing.

But the plaintiffs' legal battle is still far from over. "If federal officers raid the wrong house, causing property damage and assaulting innocent occupants, may the homeowners sue the government for damages?" wrote Justice Neil Gorsuch. "The answer is not as obvious as it might be."

The issue before the Court did not pertain to immunity for any individual law enforcement agent, whom the 11th Circuit shielded from liability in its decision last year. The justices instead considered if the lower court had erred when it also blocked the suit from proceeding under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), the law that allows individuals to bring certain state-law tort claims against the federal government for damages caused by federal workers acting within the scope of their employment.

There are many exceptions to the FTCA, however, that allow the feds to evade such claimsa microcosm of the convoluted maze plaintiffs must navigate to sue the government. One of those, the intentional tort exception, dooms suits that allege intentional wrongdoing, including assault, battery, false imprisonment, and false arrest, among several others. Yet the FTCA also contains a law enforcement provisoessentially an exception to the exceptionthat permits such claims to proceed when the misconduct is committed by "investigative or law enforcement officers." Notably here, Congress passed that addition in the 1970s in response to two highly publicized wrong-house raids.

The 11th Circuit accordingly observed that the proviso would allow Martin and Cliatt's intentional tort claims to survive the exception. The court killed those claims anyway. It cited the Supremacy Clause, which the judges said protected the government from liability here because its employees' actions had "some nexus with furthering federal policy and [could] reasonably be characterized as complying with the full range of federal law."

Not so, said the Supreme Court. Somewhat surprisingly, that put it in agreement with the governmentwhich, prior to oral arguments, conceded the 11th Circuit's conclusion there was wrong, and that it did not care to defend it. "We find the government's concession commendable and correct," writes Gorsuch. "The FTCA does not permit the Eleventh Circuit's Supremacy Clause defense."

Arguably the bigger question before the Court pertained to a different FTCA carve-out: the discretionary function exception, which, true to its name, precludes claims from proceeding if the alleged misconduct came from a duty that involves discretion. The 11th Circuit dismissed Martin and Cliatt's claims alleging negligent wrongdoinglegally distinct from intentional tortswriting that "the FBI did not have stringent policies or procedures in place that dictate how agents are to prepare for warrant executions." Lawrence Guerra, a former FBI special agent and the leader of the raid, thus had discretion, the judges said.

But the 11th Circuit took its discretionary analysis a step further, ruling that, for acts of wrongdoing that have intentionality, the law enforcement proviso trumps the discretionary exception outright. The justices rejected that. "The law enforcement provisooverrides only the intentional-tort exception in that subsection," the Court said, "not the discretionary-function exception or other exceptions."

So where does that leave Martin and Cliatt? "On remand, the 11th Circuit will need to decide whether raiding the wrong house is a 'discretionary function,'" says Patrick Jaicomo, an attorney at the Institute for Justice, who represented the pair. Jaicomo was hoping the Court would address that very confusion.

The plaintiffs "call on us to determine whether and under what circumstances the discretionary-function exception bars suits for wrong-house raids and similar misconduct," writes Gorsuch. "Unless we take up that further question, they worry, the Eleventh Circuit on remand may take too broad a view of the exception and dismiss their claims again. After all, the plaintiffs observe, in the past that court has suggested that the discretionary-function exception bars any claim 'unless a source of federal law "specifically prescribes" a course of conduct' and thus deprives an official of all discretion."

The Supreme Court ultimately opted for a narrow approach, though the justices acknowledged "that important questions surround whether and under what circumstances that exception may ever foreclose a suit like this one."

In a concurring opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, said there are no such circumstances when considering the fact pattern presented in Martin and Cliatt's suit. "Like driving, executing a warrant always involves some measure of discretion," she wrote. "Yet it is hard to see how Guerra's conduct in this case, including his allegedly negligent choice to use his personal GPS and his failure to check the street sign or house number on the mailbox before breaking down Martin's door and terrorizing the home's occupants, involved the kind of policy judgments that the discretionary-function exception was designed to protect."

That would seem like the right conclusion, particularly when considering the genesis of that law enforcement proviso, which Congress enacted to give recourse to victims who suffered at the hands of near-identical misconduct. Those lawmakers clearly did not think the discretionary exception would doom their claims. That the law was meant to protect people like Martin, Cliatt, and Martin's son is why a bipartisan group of lawmakersincluding Sens. Rand Paul (RKy.), Ron Wyden (DOre.), and Cynthia Lummis (RWyo.), along with Reps. Thomas Massie (RKy.), Nikema Williams (DGa.), and Harriet Hageman (RWyo.)had urged the Court to take up their case.

Sotomayor's description of Guerra's negligence is also salient and was the subject of one of the more interesting exchanges when the Supreme Court heard the case. Arguing for the Justice Department, Frederick Liu, assistant to the solicitor general, said it was too much for Martin and Cliatt to expect "that the officer should have checked the house number on the mailbox."

"Yeah, you might look at the address of the house before you knock down the door," Gorsuch responded. Liu countered that such a decision "is filled with policy tradeoffs."

"Really?" Gorsuch replied.

The post The FBI Raided This Innocent Georgia Family's Home. The Supreme Court Just Revived Their Lawsuit. appeared first on Reason.com.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit accused Trinity Teen Solutions of forcing them to perform manual labor, including laying irrigation pipes. (Courtesy Maggie Higgins)

A federal judge last week approved a $2.3 million settlement in a class action lawsuit against a small program for troubled teens in Wyoming, ending four years of litigation over allegations of forced labor.

Trinity Teen Solutions promised to help girls with mental health and behavioral problems, but a group of women whod been placed there as teens by their parents accused the now-defunct ranch of forcing them to perform manual labor. Tasks included repairing barbed wire fences, castrating animals and laying irrigation pipes, the suit alleges. Injuries were disregarded, it states, and the girls were subjected to humiliating punishments if they did not do the work as ordered.

Attorneys for Trinity Teen Solutions declined to comment. The settlement stipulates that Trinity Teen Solutions and its owners are not admitting wrongdoing. In previous court filings, the ranch said it did not violate the law and that chores and physical exercise were part of its program.

An NBC News investigation in 2022 revealed that the former clients had tried to report their concerns about Trinity Teen Solutions to state officials and law enforcement, and described them on social media and business review websites like Yelp. State officials allowed Trinity Teen Solutions to keep its license, and its owners were never charged with a crime. A Wyoming Department of Family Services senior administrator told NBC News at the time that the state was hesitant to shut down youth facilities unless children were in danger.

Participants lift lumber at Trinity Teen Solutions in 2011. (Courtesy Kelsie VanMeveren)

Trinity Teen Solutions also sued three women whod criticized the ranch online in 2016 for defamation, in a case that settled without details being made public.

The new settlement, which was submitted in court last month, will be open to anyone whod been placed at the ranch from November 2010 until it closed in 2022, and performed agricultural labor  more than 250 people in all. Each persons cut of the settlement will be based on how long they were at the ranch, which was typically one or two years.

Those who join the class and receive a settlement check will have to adhere to a nondisparagement agreement, meaning they cannot bash Trinity Teen Solutions or its owners online, but the court filings state they are not prevented from making true statements about their experiences.

Amanda Nash, one of the lead plaintiffs, who was sent to Trinity Teen Solutions 10 years ago, said she felt relieved by the settlement. I was just very happy to be able to give the 15-year-old me a voice, and be able to try my best and represent dozens of other girls  whether they wanted to be involved or not  to try and speak up for them as well, she said.

But Anna Gozun, who was sent to the ranch in 2012, said she wont take part in the settlement because of the nondisparagement agreement and the fact that Trinity Teen Solutions owners didnt have to admit wrongdoing. The settlement does not reflect true accountability or justice, she said.

Its disheartening beyond words, Gozun continued. Many of us came forward at great personal cost, reliving trauma in hopes of stopping a cycle of abuse. This settlement feels more like a forced ending than a fair resolution.

Anna Gozun, who was sent to the ranch in 2012, called the settlement "disheartening beyond words," in part because Trinity Teen Solutions did not admit wrongdoing. (Will Crooks for NBC News)

Following the 2022 NBC News investigation into Trinity Teen Solutions and a nearby ranch for boys run by the same family, Wyomings child welfare officials announced they would proactively post evaluation records online. Trinity Teen Solutions closed with its license still intact the following month. A separate lawsuit against the boys ranch settled out of court last year on undisclosed terms.

The litigation against Trinity Teen Solutions played out at a time when the troubled teen industry  a constellation of boarding schools, ranches, treatment centers and boot camps that parents send children to help improve their behavior  faced increased scrutiny from youth rights advocates and lawmakers.

Former attendees of these programs on social media and in news accounts have described abusive treatment they said they faced at the facilities, which are privately run and are not federally regulated unless they take money from the U.S. government. Last year, after a high-profile lobbying effort by celebrity entrepreneur Paris Hilton, Congress passed a bipartisan measure requiring a multiagency study of the troubled teen industry.
By Jana Choukeir and Ahmed Elimam

DUBAI (Reuters) -The sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks will be held on Sunday in Muscat, the Omani foreign minister said on Thursday, after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated that Tehran would not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Trump said on Wednesday U.S. personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because "it could be a dangerous place".

Reuters reported earlier that the U.S. was preparing an evacuation of its Iraqi embassy and would allow military dependents to leave locations around the Middle East due to heightened security risks in the region, according to U.S. and Iraqi sources.

The four U.S. and two Iraqi sources did not say what security risks had prompted the decision. Reports of the potential evacuation pushed up oil prices by more than 4% before prices eased on Thursday.

Foreign energy companies were continuing their operations as usual, a senior Iraqi official overseeing operations in southern oilfields told Reuters on Thursday.

A U.S. official said the State Department had authorized voluntary departures from Bahrain and Kuwait.

The State Department updated its worldwide travel advisory on Wednesday evening to reflect the latest U.S. posture.

"On June 11, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel due to heightened regional tensions," the advisory said.

The decision by the U.S. to evacuate some personnel comes at a volatile moment in the region. Trump's efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked and U.S. intelligence indicates that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.

"They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "We've given notice to move out."

Asked whether anything could be done to lower the temperature in the region, Trump said: "They can't have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they can't have a nuclear weapon."

Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran if stuttering talks over its nuclear programme fail and in an interview released earlier on Wednesday said he was growing less confident that Tehran would agree to stop enriching uranium, a key American demand.

While the evacuation of non-essential personnel raised concerns about a possible regional escalation, a senior Iranian security official told Iran's Press TV on Thursday that U.S. military dependents leaving did not constitute a threat.

SHIPPING WARNING

On Wednesday, Iran's defence minister warned Washington that Tehran would hit U.S. regional bases if drawn into a war in the case of nuclear talks failing.

The United States has a military presence across the major oil-producing region, with bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East, a U.S. official said. Another U.S. official said that was mostly relevant to family members located in Bahrain - where the bulk of them are based.

On Wednesday Britain's maritime agency warned that increased tensions in the Middle East might lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways. It advised vessels to use caution while travelling through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Straits of Hormuz, which all border Iran.

Tensions inside Iraq have heightened since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, with Iran-aligned armed groups in the country repeatedly attacking U.S. troops, though attacks have subsided since last year.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Idrees Ali, Humeyra Pamuk and Steve Holland and Jeff Mason in Washington, Michelle Nichols in New York, Ahmed Rasheed and Timour Azhari in Baghdad and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai and Ahmed Elimam; Additional reporting by Sam Tabahriti in London; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
By Luc Cohen

(Reuters) -The U.S. government said on Friday pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil would remain in detention after a U.S. judge ruled foreign policy interests could not be used to justify confinement of the Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist.

Khalil's lawyers had called for his immediate release but U.S. attorneys said in a letter to the judge that they would keep holding him on other charges such as immigration fraud that were not addressed in the decision. The government has been trying to deport Khalil and has been holding him in Louisiana.

Newark, New Jersey-based U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz had given the government until 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT) on Friday to appeal his Wednesday ruling on Khalil, 30, a Palestinian who came to the U.S. lawfully on a student visa and later obtained lawful permanent residency.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, has pledged to deport foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations that swept Columbia and other U.S. universities in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza.

Khalil, a prominent figure in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war on Gaza, was detained by immigration agents in the lobby of his university residence in Manhattan on March 8. He has since been held in immigration detention in Louisiana.

He is fighting for his release. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another immigrant targeted by the Trump administration, was set to enter a plea to criminal charges.

The administration says it revoked Khalil's green card under a little-used provision of U.S. immigration law allowing the deportation of any noncitizen whose presence in the country is deemed by the secretary of state to be adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests.

Khalil's lawyers said his arrest and attempted deportation violated his right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

Farbiarz had previously blocked the administration from deporting Khalil while his challenge to the constitutionality of his arrest played out. On May 28, the judge ruled that the foreign policy provision cited by the Trump administration was so vague that it was likely unconstitutional, and on Wednesday he ruled that the administration could not use that provision to justify Khalil's detention.

The U.S. government also has said Khalil should be deported because he withheld information from his application for a green card, which he has denied.

Farbiarz wrote that lawful permanent residents are rarely detained on that basis.

Khalil's U.S. citizen wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, gave birth to the couple's first child while Khalil was detained in April.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Andrew Hay; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Matthew Lewis and Rod Nickel)
Illustration: Eddie Marshall

"Why did they get us here if they weren't going to let us in?" grumped a longtime KNX News reporter, one of two dozen media people queued up Thursday morning outside the federal building in West Los Angeles. Unlike the scenes in front of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) building downtown, where hundreds had been gathering since last Friday, there were no protesters around, apparently either not knowing or not caring that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem would be holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m.

By 10:45 a.m., when it became clear we were not going to be let inside, a few of us gathered around an L.A. Times reporter's phone to listen to a live feed coming from a local station. Noem started by thanking law enforcement ("They've been absolute rock stars") and reaffirming the Trump administration's commitment to continuing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which Noem said had so far resulted in more than 1,200 arrests.

"Let me give you a few examples," she said, citing "a Vietnamese illegal alien who committed a mass shooting at a graduation party in 1994" before her voice was lost under the sound of a scuffle, and someone shouting "I have questions for the secretary," and then "Hands off!"

"What just happened?!" asked the Times reporter as the live feed cut out and then came back.

"Just a moment ago, a remarkable moment, kind of stunning," came an anchor over the feed. "We heard a voice off-camera that appeared to be trying to interrupt this secretary. We panned the camera to see where the disruption came from. It came from United States Senator Alex Padilla.He was takenhe was by forcehe was taken outside the room. I've never seen anything like it," continued the anchor. "But that gives you a sense as to the incendiary nature of what we're seeing on the streets."

Maybe. Maybe, as Sen. Lindsay Graham (RS.C.) later suggested, Padilla "got what he wantedhe's on TV." Or maybe it was as simple as Padilla himself suggested: He had a question, a question he didn't get to ask as FBI personnel and Secret Service agents pushed him into the hall, onto the ground, and handcuffed him.

Whether Padilla's interruption was intentional or not, it derailed the press conference. As ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons was insisting that his department was "focused on gang members, human traffickers, violent drug dealers, and rapists," and Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of FBI Los Angeles, announced they had identified Elpidio Reyna, who had allegedly thrown rocks at federal law enforcement, every journalist in attendance was checking social media or messaging with their editors: Had Padilla really lunged at Noem? Was he under arrest? The possibility that the freshman senator would emerge and make a statement became the day's animating factor. Before the press conference was over, the number of camera crews and reporters had tripled.

Noem herself, after declaring for the second time that federal law enforcement intended to "liberate" the city of Los Angeles, seemed unruffled by the incident.

"I don't even know the senator," Noem said after a reporter asked whether she was going to press charges against Padilla. "He did not request a meeting with me or to speak with me. So when I leave here, I'll have a conversation with him and visit and find out really what his concerns were."

Padilla and Noem apparently did meet, and Noem later said they had a "great" conversation. She appeared upbeat as she left the federal building.

Padilla did not look upbeat as he emerged half an hour later; as he pressed through the scrum of reporters, he looked and sounded beaten down and had a hitch in his voice as he explained what had happened. He had been in the building on a different matter when he learned Noem was there.

"Over the course of recent weeks, Iseveral of my colleagueshave been asking the Department of Homeland Security for more information and more answers on their increasingly extreme immigration enforcement actions," said Padilla. "And we've gotten little to no information in response to our inquiries."

Padilla said that while listening to Noem, he had a question and started to ask it. "I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed," he said. "If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country."

The reactions to this red meat broke along predictable lines. "Trump and his shock troops are out of control," California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, posted on X. Meanwhile, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.) said Padilla "should be prosecuted."

Some marginally broke rank. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (RAlaska) said the video of Padilla being removed was "shocking at every level." She went on to say, "It's not the America I know."

There was one camp that did not express outrage as much as umbrage: the journalists covering the event. After Padilla was escorted to the parking lot, several reporters jawed that it was not the senator's place to storm a press conference, that some of us weren't even able to get inside, and that we don't get to, say, vote on the Senate floor just because we happen to be in the building.

The KNX reporter held out his press pass. "You have one of these?" he asked. "No? Then you're a second-class citizen, Senator. Resign your job and get a press pass, and then you'll be able to ask the questions."

The post Sen. Padilla Forcibly Removed From Kristi Noem's L.A. Press Conference appeared first on Reason.com.
[Getty Images]

When Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head on 7 June, it shocked the international community. After years of growing peace, the attack was a callback to Colombia's most violent years, when cartel-ordered assassinations were a common occurrence.

But the identity of the alleged shooter proved even more shocking - a 15-year-old child.

A video, shared widely online, shows police arresting a young man with a boyish face and hair over his shoulders, wearing blue jeans and a green T-shirt.

Media has reported that after he was swiftly arrested, he cried out: "I did it for money for my family."

He subsequently pleaded not guilty, the prosecutor's office said.

Turbay has remained in critical condition at a clinic in Bogota since last Saturday. Authorities are now searching for the people behind this crime, who allegedly used the boy to carry out the hit.

Unfortunately, if it proves to be true, the boy's story is all too common. According to the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, 409 children and teenagers were recruited by armed groups in 2024, an increase from the 342 cases reported in 2023.

Authorities acknowledge that the data is underestimated.

Decades of armed conflict and organised crime have left thousands of children victims of violence in Colombia.

Over the years, many have been recruited by now-extinct drug organizations like the Medellin cartel led by Pablo Escobar and left-wing guerrillas, paramilitary forces and new armed and criminal groups.

"Minors were even used by public forces in undercover missions. Every single actor of the conflict has recruited minors," Max Yuri, director of the Institute of Political Studies at Antioquia University, told BBC Mundo.

More than 30 years after Escobar's death, child recruitment remains a problem in both urban and rural areas [AFP / Getty Images]

The child hitmen hired by Escobar

In the 1980s, many youngsters and minors were picked up by Escobar to carry out hits.

"It was known as the practice of 'Los suizos'. Many youngsters and minors joined suicidal missions," Jorge Mantilla, a criminologist and security consultant and security coordinator for the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, told BBC Mundo.

One of the most infamous was John Jairo Arias Tascon, known as 'Pinina,' considered to be one of the hitmen closest to Escobar.

He is linked to several high-profile crimes, such as the assassination of the minister of justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in 1984; the attack on Avianca Flight 203, in which 110 people died in 1989; as well as several murders of politicians, journalists, civilians, and criminal adversaries.

Pinina died aged 29 in a shoot-out with police in 1990 in Medellin. It is believed he started as a hitman as young as 15-years-old.

On 22 March 1990, another 14-year-old boy named Andres Arturo Gutierrez Maya shot and killed presidential candidate Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa at Bogota's El Dorado airport.

Then there was Gerardo Gutierrez, "Yerry", another young man who ended up being the main suspect in the killing of presidential candidate Carlos Pizarro Leongomez in 1990.

Escobar was initially blamed for the crime, but he denied any involvement.

According to the Historical Memory Center in Colombia, "Yerry" was shot dead by a bodyguard. Years later, the leader of the paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, Carlos Castano, admitted that he trained the hitman and planned the crime along with corrupted Colombian officials.

To this day, the murder of Pizarro has not been fully solved.

Minors as war weapon

Recruited children usually share a common background.

Most come from low-income urban areas or isolated rural territories where the Colombian state has a limited presence.

There is a difference, however, between rural and urban recruitment.

While minors in urban areas often seek to improve their economic and social status, many rural youths are forcibly recruited by armed groups, who also harass and threaten their families.

"It is a cheap labour force, easy to replace. Because of their malleability, they are often assigned acts of terror such as dismemberment," Mr Yuri said.

"It is common for them in cities to also be involved in the transportation of weapons, drugs, drug dealing, extortion collection, hitmen work, and murders," he added.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace estimates that more than 18,000 children were recruited by Farc guerrilla between 1996 and 2016, when this left-wing group signed a peace deal with the government.

But continued clashes between Colombian forces and other guerrilla groups mean that the demand for child hitmen has not gone away.

Meanwhile, the recruitment methods have become more sophisticated.

In June 2024, the BBC reported how armed groups are using tools such as TikTok to reach youngsters in isolated areas in Colombia.

Authorities fear that forced recruitment of minors is increasing [AFP / Getty Images]

Rising numbers

A report by the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo states that 1,953 minors were reported missing in 2024, more than half of whom are still unaccounted for.

The information is based on data provided by the National Institute of Legal Medicine, and one of the theories behind the disappearances is that the children may have been forcibly recruited.

Children who live in impoverished regions are especially vulnerable.

Of the 409 minors the Ombudsman's Office identified as having been recruited, about 300 were detected in Cauca, a troubled part of Colombia where coca is grown to make cocaine, that has become a frequent site of military operations.

Other hotspots for recruitment were Putumayo and Cauca Valley, where the conditions of violence are similar.

Mr Mantilla said that some recent data indicated forced recruitment may have skyrocketed by 1,200% in the last few years since the pandemic.

The rise is attributed to economic decline in vulnerable areas post-pandemic, and the territorial expansion of armed groups, Mr Yuri said. He also said public institutions are better at tracking these youths than they once were, leading to a rise in the overall official numbers.

"Child recruitment has been possible because of the existence of unprotected, abandoned and marginalised children, and legal loopholes in the Colombian justice system," Mr Mantilla said.
SUMY, Ukraine (Reuters) -Margaryta Husakova, her broken arm secured in a metal orthopedic fixation device, smoked nervously as she sat on the staircase of a refugee shelter in Sumy, a city in northern Ukraine, contemplating what the future holds.

In May, Husakova, 37, a mother of eight, lost her mother, sister, and uncle in a Russian drone attack on a van near the town of Bilopillia, west of Sumy. Nine people died in total and Husakova was among the five wounded.

"A man pulled me out of the bus, emergency services arrived, and I was sitting there on the grass," she said.

Despite talk of peace, the war is creeping closer to Sumy, a regional capital of 250,000 people, located just 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the border with Russia.

After the bus attack, Husakova and her family fled their native town Bilopillia, now a target of Russian artillery, and sought shelter at a refugee centre in Sumy.

"Whats next? Were sitting here, but if they offer us somewhere else, well go with the children," she said.

Her father, Vyacheslav, expressed worry about the future.

"I dont know whats next  the most important thing for me is to take the children away, because katsapy will come to Sumy too, he said, using a pejorative term for Russians.

Russia, which controls just under one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, has seized over 190 square kilometres (73 square miles) of the Sumy region in less than a month, according to pro-Ukrainian open-source maps.

Russian troops have captured more ground in the past days, advancing to around 20 kilometres from Sumys northern suburbs, bringing the city closer to being within the range of long-range artillery and drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address on Thursday, said Ukrainian forces were "gradually pushing back" Russian soldiers in the region, but offered no details.

The number of displaced people arriving in Sumy is increasing, said Kateryna Arisoi, head of Pluriton, a non-governmental organization that operates the shelter for internally displaced people.

We are seeing the frontline slowly moving toward Sumy, she said. "So far evacuation has been ordered in more than 200 settlements."

Last week, a Russian rocket attack on Sumy killed three people and injured 28, including three children, while also damaging several buildings.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny targeting civilians in their attacks, but thousands of civilians have died in the three-year-long conflict, the vast majority of them Ukrainian.

(Reporting by Vitaly Hnidyi; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic and Ron Popeski; Editing by Nia Williams)
By Margaryta Chornokondratenko and Aleksandar Vasovic

BUCHA, Ukraine (Reuters) -Volodymyr Umanets, a 69-year-old security guard, hopes his son will be among the Ukrainian prisoners of war now being handed over by Russia, but he knows he could be part of a more sombre homecoming: the repatriated remains of dead soldiers.

Not knowing which group his son, Sergiy, will be in is a torment. I am told to wait. What else is left for me to do? said Umanets, as tears welled up in his eyes.

This week Russia and Ukraine began implementing a deal reached at June 2 peace talks in Istanbul to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war each, and also a huge number of human remains.

Alongside the joyful scenes of soldiers returning home and hugging loved ones, there have been macabre images of men dressed in hazmat suits transferring body bags from refrigerated trucks.

Russia said it plans to hand over the remains of around 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers in this phase of the exchange. So far this week, it said it transferred 1,212 sets of remains, while Ukraine said it handed over the bodies of 27 Russian soldiers.

Volodymyr Umanetss son Sergiy, 49, served in the army as a younger man and volunteered to rejoin shortly after the February 2022 full-scale invasion. He was serving in the Ukrainian military in south-eastern Ukraine when he went missing in combat in December 2023.

His father, who works as a security guard in the town hall in Bucha, outside Kyiv, said he still hopes Sergiy is alive, and that he was captured by the Russian side.

But he acknowledged the possibility that his son may have been killed. He gave authorities a sample of his DNA so that if Sergiys remains are recovered, he can be identified.

You know, I want to know at least something, to get at least some information, he said.

I read recently in the newspaper that a young man was declared missing. And during the exchange of bodies, his DNA was identified. He was buried today. I wish I knew at least this.

Each side has been handing over soldiers remains periodically throughout the conflict, but the swap now underway is of an unprecedented scale.

PAINSTAKING PROCESS

For Ukraine, the repatriation of the remains marks the start of a long and painstaking process to identify who they are, how they died, and to notify their families.

The task is made more complicated because sometimes the returned soldiers were killed in explosions so their bodies are in fragments, according to Djordje Alempijevic, a professor of forensic science at Belgrade University who helped examine the remains of people killed in conflicts in the Western Balkans in the 1990s.

An added complication, he said, is that some of the remains have been stored for a long time, and they degrade, even if kept in refrigeration.

In the best case scenario, the bodies are returned with some documents to help identification, said Dmytro Hapchenko, a local council official in Bucha who has worked on remains of people killed in the war.

But he said that does not always happen.

In fact, Ukraine has alleged that Russias approach to processing the remains of Ukrainian soldiers has been haphazard.

On June 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters that in previous repatriations of remains, Russia handed over bodies to Ukraine that were actually dead Russian soldiers.

Russia, in response, has accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying the exchange of the remains, stranding trucks with human bodies on the Russian side of the border, a claim denied by Ukraine.

Absent any identifying documents for the returned remains, forensic pathologists will try to conduct an autopsy, said Alempijevic. He said they look for features like old bone fractures, dental characteristics, and metal plates or screws from old surgeries.

Alempijevic, member of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, said autopsies also allowed pathologists to look for evidence of a war crime.

Ukrainian prosecutors have alleged some Ukrainian soldiers were tortured in captivity, or summarily executed, and they are preparing criminal prosecutions. Russia has denied those allegations.

Hapchenko, the Bucha city official, said he was supporting families from his area whose loved ones went missing in the fighting.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them, he said. Referring to the repatriation of fallen soldiers now underway, he said: Maybe now theyll be able to bury them.

(Additional reporting by Sergiy Karazy; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
By John Irish, Michel Rose and Pesha Magid

PARIS/RIYADH (Reuters) -A United Nations conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to work towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed after Israel launched a military attack on Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday.

Two sources had earlier told Reuters that the conference would be postponed after Israel's attacks because logistically it would be difficult for countries in the region to attend.

Israel launched a huge wave of airstrikes across Iran on Friday, targeting Iran's huge underground nuclear site, reportedly killing its entire top echelon of military commanders and nuclear scientists in the biggest ever direct attack between the foes.

"This postponement cannot undermine our determination to move forward with the implementation of the two-state solution," Macron told a news conference.

"Whatever the circumstances, I have stated my determination to recognise the State of Palestine."

Macron said logistically the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were simply not able to travel given the military escalation in the region.

He said the meeting would be rescheduled as quickly as possible.

France and Saudi Arabia had been set to host the gathering between June 17-20 in New York, aiming to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.

Macron, who had been set to attend on June 18, has previously suggested France could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration sent a diplomatic cable earlier this week to discourage governments around the world from attending the conference, according to a U.S. cable seen by Reuters.

It had also warned of possible consequences for those who took measures against Israel, raising pressure on the participants and making Macron's potential decision to recognise a Palestinian state more complicated.

Macron could still at one point go ahead with becoming the first Western heavyweight to recognise a Palestinian state, but the desire in Paris is to have a collective momentum.

Diplomats say this could lend greater weight to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel.

Macron's stance has shifted amid Israel's intensified Gaza offensive and escalating violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, and there is a growing sense of urgency in Paris to act now.

(Reporting by John Irish in Paris and by Pesha Magid in Riyadh; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten, William Maclean and Diane Craft)
Iranian, Israeli, and Iraqi airspace have been closed. AP Photo/Vahid Salemi

Israeli attacks on Iran caused dozens of flight cancellations and diversions.

Flights by both United and Delta from New York to Israel turned around over the Atlantic.

Air India said it had diverted 16 flights, while Emirates and Qatar Airways both canceled flights.

Dozens of flights around Asia and the Middle East were diverted or canceled on Friday after Israel launched a series of military strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

The Israeli military struck targets in Iran early on Friday, marking a significant escalation, which has drawn a retaliation campaign from the country.

Iran sent 100 drones to Israel following the attacks, and a spokesperson for its armed forces warned Israel would pay a "heavy price" for the strikes.

The strikes forced thousands of passengers to change of plans after airspace over Iran, Israel, and Iraq was closed, and airlines avoided flying anywhere near the area.

According to Flightradar24, flights within Iranian airspace either avoided the capital city of Tehran, where Iran's nuclear facilities are located, and continued their transit or diverted out of the country.

Later, flights planned to pass through Iran were held or diverted. Flights also diverted from Israel's main airport, Ben Gurion in the city of Tel Aviv, per the flight tracking platform.

Flights operated by both United and Delta from New York to Tel Aviv late Thursday turned around over the Atlantic after the strikes began, Flightradar data showed.

United confirmed to Business Insider that one flight to Tel Aviv, UAL84, returned to New York after departure, and that another, UAL90, was canceled.

"United will continue to monitor the situation and will work to assist our customers through this disruption," a United statement said.

It added that 26 crewmembers who had been in Tel Aviv on a layover when the airspace closed were given seats on an El Al flight out of Israel.

Delta did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Air India announced in a post on X that 16 flights were diverted or returned to their origin airports at the time of the strikes, citing "the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers."

The airline said it was trying to minimize customers' inconvenience by providing accommodation, offering refunds, complimentary rescheduling, or alternative arrangements.

Emirates and Qatar Airways both canceled and diverted flights.

"Qatar Airways has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to current situation in the region," it wrote in a post on X.

A video posted on FlightRadar's social media showed Iranian and Iraqi airspace clearing out in the early hours of Friday morning.

9-second video of the clearing of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. pic.twitter.com/VZLWbmk9sC  Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 13, 2025

Shares in several airlines dipped on Friday, driven by a combination of the strikes and the fallout from Thursday's Air India Boeing 787 crash.

International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, Vueling, and Iberia, declined 4%. Air France-KLM is down nearly 4%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Ryan Patrick Jones and Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department issued security alerts on Friday for several Middle Eastern countries, in some cases advising against travel and warning of possible missile attacks after Israel launched military strikes against Iran.

It warned American citizens not to travel to Iran and said those there should leave. "U.S. citizens who are unable to depart Iran should shelter in place," the advisory read.

The alerts warned of missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. "In the event of such an incident seek overhead cover and shelter in place. Do not expose yourself to falling debris," the department said.

Israel said on Friday it had targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Iran promised a harsh response to the onslaught. Israel said about 100 drones had been launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation, although an Iranian source denied this.

Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after the Israeli attacks forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region.

The State Department said on Friday there were no plans to evacuate or assist Americans departing Israel after the closure of Ben Gurion Airport.

On Thursday it said it had directed all U.S. government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The number of people displaced by war and persecution around the world climbed above 122 million this year due to a failure to resolve multi-year conflicts such as those in Sudan and Ukraine, the U.N. refugee agency said on Thursday, noting that funding to help the refugees has fallen to 2015 levels.

There were over 2 million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

The report attributed the rise to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and a "continued failure to stop the fighting".

"We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," Grandi said in a statement alongside the report.

The surge in displacement numbers comes as funding to help them has fallen to 2015 levels when the total number of refugees around the world stood at about half current levels, UNHCR said.

It described the cuts in aid as "brutal and ongoing" and said the situation was untenable, leaving refugees and others vulnerable.

Humanitarians complain that a lack of political leadership in brokering peace deals is prolonging conflicts and stretching aid groups tasked with addressing their impacts.

The agency, whose largest donor has historically been the U.S., has previously said that the cuts put millions of lives at risk and left women refugees at a greater risk of rape and children at risk of trafficking.

UNHCR has not given details on which donors have reduced their funding. U.S. President Donald Trump has cut most foreign aid while Britain and European neighbours are spending less on aid and more on defence.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by David Gregorio)
Oil prices surged around 8% on Friday morning after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict.

International benchmark Brent crude futures (BZ=F) rose to just below $74 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate futures (CL=F) changed hands at almost $73. Both were paring earlier sharper gains that saw Brent spike by more than 13%.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is prepared to keep attacking Iran "for as many days as it takes" after his country carried out strikes on its nuclear and military facilities overnight.

"Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon," IDF spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said in a video statement. "This morning, the IDF began preemptive and precise strikes, targeting the Iranian nuclear program."

On Friday morning, President Trump urged Iran to "make a deal" over its nuclear program to avert further conflict. "JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he wrote in a post to social media.

Iran has threatened to hit US assets in the region as part of its retaliation, even as Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the country against such a move. Rubio said Israel took "unilateral action" and the US was not involved in the strikes.

Iran is the third-largest oil producer within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), trailing only Saudi Arabia and Iraq, with output exceeding 3 million barrels per day.

The most immediate risk is to Iranian exports, which could drop sharply from the current 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels per day if maximum pressure tactics escalate or broader disruptions occur, Rebecca Babin, US senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth, told Yahoo Finance Thursday night.

Theres also the possibility  though still uncertain  of direct supply losses if Israel targets Iranian oil infrastructure, she added.

Iran has launched 100 low-flying drones toward Israeli territory in retaliation, an Israeli military spokesman told Reuters. While the swarm is likely to take several hours to reach its target, it could just be paving the way for a missile bombardment later.

It remains unclear whether the conflict could spill over into the broader region.

We can probably expect a temporary slowdown in oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Ed Hirs, senior fellow at the University of Houston, said in an interview with Yahoo Finance.

Tehran has repeatedly threatened to block the strait, a vital chokepoint through which as many as 20 million barrels of oil pass each day.

A column of smoke rising after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.. (AP Foto/Vahid Salemi) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

On Wednesday afternoon, crude futures surged more than 4% after the US ordered the evacuation of non-essential embassy personnel from Iraq, amid rising regional threats.

Supply concerns also mounted this week after President Trump indicated during a podcast that hes increasingly doubtful Washington will reach a nuclear deal with Iran, as recent talks have stalled.

"I don't know. I did think so, and I'm getting ... less confident about it," Trump said on the program "Pod Force One," which aired on Wednesday.

Ines Ferre is a Senior Business Reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

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If you're taking some quick weekend vacations this summer, packing for the trips can be surprisingly tricky. For myself, I always end up over- or under-packing (and occasionally both at the same time). The "right" suitcase for a 2- to 3-day trip will vary based on your personal style, but it does need to pack a punch with only a few items. "When I pack for a summer weekend away, I treat it like a closet edit: keep it simple, stylish, and only bring what youll actually use. Carry-on only? Totally doable. You just need a plan," says Rachel Rosenthal, an organizing expert. But make sure to lean in on the warm vibes and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities, adds celebrity stylist and consultant Ali Kornhauser. "Summer fashion is unserious fashion: have some fun with it, and don't forget your weather-soaked deck of Scopa cards!"

Working with only the essentials  basically, enough clothes to make several outfits but with everything fitting into a carry-on suitcase  is a balance between finding basics and statement pieces that work together. Think: "a white/black t-shirt, white tank top, black shorts, a good universal pair of denim shorts or jeans, a white sneaker, and sandals," says celebrity fashion stylist KJ Moody, to which you can add a few complementary statement pieces as a bonus.

If you're hoping for more concrete advice for your next summer weekend vacation, as well as ways to deploy each piece, read on.



Linen Pants

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Linen keeps things lightweight.

Rosenthal appreciates a light pair of linen pants for its versatility and breathability. If you're headed somewhere nice for dinner (where shorts might be a touch too casual), pants will give a bit more coverage. Even a black pair will still feel light and airy, and the color will disguise any wrinkling of the material. If you like layering, as I do, tie a scarf around your waist like this and add chunky jewelry.

A "Do It All" Dress

Getty Who doesn't love a one and done look?

"Bring a lightweight sundress that works for dinner, exploring, or even as a beach cover-up," says Ronsenthal. "Bonus points if it doesnt wrinkle easily and goes with the shoes youre already packing." Now, that doesn't mean your dress has to be in a neutral: it is vacation, after all, and you can feel free to embrace color. This red striped dress could work in a variety of contexts and underneath light layers when it's a bit chilly.

A White Tee or Top

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Keep it clean and crisp.

Rosenthal recommends a basic white top that can serve as the foundation of numerous looks. Much like the aforementioned linen pants, "these are your mix-and-match heroes  easy for daytime and can be dressed up for night with a quick change of shoes or accessories," she notes. Your favorite top will depend on you. I like a muscle tank, like this, to balance out my wider shoulders, but you might prefer a tee or cami. Just make sure it fits and feels incredible.

A Light Layer

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images Transparent looks are a sheer delight.

A layer? In the middle of a warm-weather vacation? But trust me, you may need one. "A loose button-down or breezy kimono is perfect for throwing over a swimsuit, adding sun protection, or staying warm once the sun sets. Pick something that adds a little extra style to your basics," says Rosenthal. This sheer option is exactly appropriate for warmer temperatures; its transparency is perfect when you want to wear it over a tee or dress, because you can show off what's underneath.

A Swimsuit (That Works as a Bodysuit)

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images Take a dive into this styling hack.

This is technically a halter top bodysuit from Mango, but it serves the same function: obviously you'll be packing a swimsuit for a trip to the pool or beach, but have you considering wearing it with pants or a skirt? "A chic one-piece can do double duty: poolside during the day, then paired with shorts or a skirt for an easy outfit. One of my favorite packing tricks!" says Rosenthal. As a bonus, swimsuits are often more comfortable than bodysuits. Want to show a little more skin? Opt for "that one bikini that doubles as a top," says Kornhauser.

One Slip Dress

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Slip into easy pieces for the weekend.

As an alternative to a more casual knit dress, a "killer slip dress goes from beach to bar," explains Kornhauser. "Stick to a laid-back palette and layer with gold and beaded jewelry to keep it chic. Finish the vibe with worn-in leather sandals, a raffia hat, and some twisted sunglasses that deliver 'OOO."' That's "out of the office" chic, if you're not familiar. If you look closely, you'll see that this dress is actually a dark brown  a lighter alternative to black.



An "Everything" Sandal

Getty On the move? Make sure to have these handy.

Even when you're just packing sandals, shoes take up a ton of room in your suitcase  as Moody notes, "I wear a size 14, so my carry-on is normally reserved for my shoes." So pick a small pair that works for different contexts. "Neutral or metallic, comfy enough for walking, polished enough for dinner. One pair is usually all you need," adds Rosenthal. These flip-flops have a substantial sole, but I like something with a little ankle support.







Tips

If you've just bought a pair of shoes you're dying to bring on vacation, make sure to break them in before you leave. And bring some Bandaids just in case of blisters.







A Matching Set

Moritz Scholz/Getty Images Double up on style.

Matching sets have been a summer staple for a long time, but they're really having a moment. And no wonder  it's a one and done outfit akin to a dress, but the individual pieces work well by themselves, too. "It gives you multiple outfit options without overpacking  looks pulled together without the effort," says Rosenthal. "The goal is to always be able to get at least two looks within each piece," notes Moody, who likes to pack a butter yellow linen set for his weekend vacations. This brown set is also a nice way to channel a trendy color.

A Crossbody (That's Also a Clutch)

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images These bags come in clutch.

Take a close look at some of your crossbodies. Do any of them have removable straps and work as a clutch? That kind of versatility is great for a trip. "It works for daytime exploring and dinner at night: done and done," says Rosenthal. This black Prada bag is a classic and has a little more slouch in contrast to a more structured bag. It straddles the line between casual and formal perfectly, in other words.

Capris

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images This controversial pant makes a statement.

Shorts are great, but they can be a bit casual. A capri or Bermuda short offers a bit more length and feels a little more "put-together"especially if you match the color in top and bottom, like this. If your day will be long and might include shopping and dinner, you'll appreciate the versatility. Pair it with an oversized button-down if you want some contrast, says Kornhauser.

A Few Thoughtful Accessories

Edward Berthelot/Getty Images Fun accessories make all the difference.

Accessories give outfits life, texture, and personality. They can also be colorful and fun, so long as they're complementary: like these silver heels, golden bag, and chunky gold earrings. "Pack a hat (gotta stay shaded), a lightweight scarf, and some simple jewelry. These little things go a long way in making your outfits feel fresh  and they take up almost no space," notes Rosenthal. Happy packing  and happy vacationing!



Read the original article on InStyle
Listen and subscribe to Living Not So Fabulously on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood make it seem like TV and movie actors lead lives of luxury behind the scenes. But as the writers and actors strikes have shown, theres a lot more financial struggle than one might think.

Financial restraints have shaped every aspect of my life, actor Jen Tullock explained on Yahoo Finances Living Not So Fabulously (see video above or listen below).

Tullock, who is known for her roles as Devon on Apple TV's Severance and Anita St. Pierre in the HBO series Perry Mason, revealed that even when the work is consistent, there are plenty of out-of-pocket expenses associated with maintaining a presence in Hollywood that dig into those large paychecks.

You could be making more money  which is great  but you're paying lawyers, managers, agents, publicists, sometimes stylists out of pocket, she explained. Those things sound elective or by choice, but they're not always. Those are all things that you need to keep the train going. So it's like the more you make, the more you have to make to keep it up.

Read more: 7 ways to save money on a tight budget

Jen Tullock attends and event at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on May 14, 2025, in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images) (Theo Wargo via Getty Images)

She admitted that on more than one occasion, she ran out of money on the path to success.

The greatest shame I've ever experienced in my life has been around money, she admitted. I did run out of money. I did sleep in my car a couple times, and I did not have any resources.

Tullock also noted that despite being part of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), her health insurance is tied to her quarterly earnings as an actor, meaning she could lose coverage if shes not healthy enough to continue working.

I'll speak for only for myself, she said, but you could be in a situation where you're on a successful show and maybe you've just shot a string of successful things  a big studio movie, and a couple of shows  but then if you have a hiatus where you're not shooting, ... you could be on the highest-grossing show in the country and still lose your health insurance because you didn't technically have enough coming in for that quarter to maintain it.

Tullock said that similar worst-case scenario moments made her realize how important resources like therapy can be for finding stability in her relationship with money.

"It took me years to get to the point where, in a moment of financial tumult, I didn't go into total ... fight or flight," Tullock said.

Every Wednesday, dive into real money stories from the LGBTQ community with podcast hosts David and John Auten-Schneider. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.

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Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

WUSHI, Taiwan (Reuters) -Just off the small Taiwan fishing port of Wushi on its Pacific coast, a Taiwanese company is testing what could eventually be a powerful but unglamorous new weapon in the island's military arsenal - sea drones.

Used to great effect by Ukraine in the Black Sea against Russia, Taiwan is learning lessons on how it could use sea drones as an effective and low-cost way to fend off any possible Chinese invasion. These drones are uncrewed, remotely controlled small vessels that are packed with explosives and can be guided toward ships or potentially even attack targets in the air.

Pushed by the United States, Taiwan has been working to transform its armed forces to be able to wage "asymmetric warfare", using mobile, smaller and often cheaper weapons which still pack a targeted punch, like sea drones.

"Uncrewed boats or vehicles have played a very significant role in the Ukraine war," Chen Kuan-ting, a lawmaker for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who sits on parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, told Reuters.

"Uncrewed vehicles, whether they are boats or underwater vehicles, can effectively deter China because Taiwan is not the attacking side, we are the defending side," he said.

Taiwan's defence ministry's research and development arm, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, has termed the sea drone plan the "Swift and Sudden" project, which so far has a modest budget of around T$800 million ($26.77 million).

Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday sea drones would be included in an additional spending package to be unveiled later this year. Details of that special budget have yet to be announced.

William Chen, chairman of the Thunder Tiger company, told Reuters last week on a boat off Wushi while viewing a test of their SeaShark 800 sea drone, which can carry 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs) of explosives and travel up to 500 km (310 miles), that these new weapons present an element of surprise for China.

"We can create uncertainty. We can fill the Taiwan Strait with danger and risks. No one knows where these dangers could surface," Chen added.

SEA DRONE SHOW

Next week, Thunder Tiger will be among 12 Taiwanese and foreign companies joining an exhibition just down the coast from Wushi arranged by the defence ministry to showcase unmanned surface vehicles that may end up being added to Taiwan's arsenal.

Other companies taking part, according to the ministry, include Taiwan navy contractor Lungteh Shipbuilding and U.S. military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries.

"Drones is a top priority for both the United States and Taiwan. Obviously the conflict in Ukraine is focusing minds on what the next generation of warfare will look like," said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, who is leading a U.S. defence industry delegation to Taiwan this week, including drone makers.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military pressure over the past five years, including staging half a dozen rounds of war games. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Taiwan has been studying how Ukraine has deployed drones to successfully offset Russia's advantage on the battlefield and has enlisted commercial drone companies, including Thunder Tiger, to help.

Ukraine has deployed sea drones not only to attack ships in Russia's Black Sea fleet, but also to shoot down aircraft.

Taiwan's navy is dwarfed by that of China with its aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines, though the country lacks recent combat experience.

China's last successful large-scale amphibious assault was in 1950 when it seized Hainan island at the tail end of the Chinese civil war, with troops ferried across on junks.

Peter Chen, a drone expert and executive director of Taiwan security think tank TTRDA, said Taiwan can undoubtedly make world-class sea drones.

"But when it comes to the application, how to turn them into top-notch weapons, it is not the responsibility of private companies. The views of government and the military on how to properly integrate the weapons into the battle strategy, that needs more thinking," he said.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee in Wushi, Taiwan and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Additional reporting by Angie Teo; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
As the U.S. military prepares to celebrate the legacy of the Army with a massive parade in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, some transgender service members are grappling with an involuntary end to their careers after the Trump administration banned them from the military.

"I'm heartbroken," said Cmdr. Emily Shilling, a decorated Navy pilot who is also the lead plaintiff in Shilling vs. Trump -- one of three federal lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's executive order barring transgender service members.

Shilling, who is based in the D.C. area, is also the president of Sparta Pride -- an organization advocating for 2,400 transgender people in the military and those who hope to join.

Reflecting on the upcoming parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding, Shilling, who has served since 2005, told ABC News that "military might does not equal patriotism."

"The members who take an oath and dedicate their lives to service -- that's patriotism, whether or not we have tanks or rocket launchers, that has nothing to do with it," Shilling said.

Trump's military parade: What to know about the Army anniversary event

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

And according to Shilling, for active duty members of Sparta, who were faced with the "heartbreaking" decision to voluntarily separate from the military or get kicked out, abandoning their commitment to serving their country is what's "keeping them up at night."

"When I sit in these town halls that we do with Sparta, people are really struggling with the idea of giving up or quitting, or, you know, not fulfilling their oath," she said. "And that's actually what's keeping these men, women and folks you know, up at night. They feel like they have a duty to keep serving and keep fighting."

PHOTO: Washington D.C. Prepares To Host Military Parade To Mark Army's 250th Anniversary (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Pentagon's new ban went into effect in early May shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could enforce the ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed in lower courts.

After the Supreme Court ruling, the Pentagon issued a memo giving active duty service members until June 6 -- last Friday -- to self-identify and begin the voluntary separation process. Transgender service members in the reserve forces have until July 7 to voluntarily separate.

Senate Democrats file bill to prevent ban on transgender military service

The memo also stated that after June 6, military commanders will be told to identify people in their units who have a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria. The move would initiate a referral to an annual health check-up that would begin what could be a lengthy process for each individual that could lead to their removal from the military.

Shilling, who will be eligible for retirement at 20 years in September, told ABC News that faced with these options, she chose to self-identify and begin the process of voluntarily separating from the military, but noted that she made the decision "under duress."

"I hit my retirement date in September. So if I didn't volunteer at that time, I could theoretically be kicked out between June and September and lose everything," she said. "So it was very much a decision made under duress. You know, I was coerced into it because we knew that the voluntary separation would give me an honorable discharge with some portion of my retirement, and I'd be able to keep all of my benefits."

The Pentagon incentivized service members with gender dysphoria to voluntarily separate ahead of the June 6 deadline by offering benefit payment packages that would be more than double what would be received if they were to separate involuntarily. Those who voluntarily separated would not have to risk paying back the recruitment or retention bonuses they may have earned during their military service.

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

Its policy came after the Trump administration announced a ban on transgender service members in a Jan. 27 executive order, where President Donald Trump directed the Defense Department to revise the policy allowing transgender troops to openly serve.

"Expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service," the order said.

The order further argued that receiving gender-affirming medical care is one of the conditions that is physically and mentally "incompatible with active duty."

Transgender service members say they face 'heartbreaking' decision amid Trump ban: Leave military or get kicked out

Defense officials estimate that as of last December, about 4,240 current active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

There are more than 2.1 million military service members serving on active-duty, National Guard and the Reserves. Advocacy groups have put the actual number of transgender service members as being much higher, at around 15,000.

"There's a lot of fear," Shilling said, reflecting on service members like herself who are losing their jobs.

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

She also said that being banned from the military has taken an emotional toll on the community -- some of whom have left "rough homes" and found a family in the military.

"For a lot of people, this was, you know, the dream they've always wanted, and now their family is saying, you're not good enough. They're being rejected again by another family," she said. "And that's pretty brutal."

When asked how she feels about her decision to voluntarily separate from the military, Shilling said that she is at "peace" because she knows that the fight is not over.

"I'm at peace," she said. "I'm going to thrive, and I'm going to be able to fight this  and continue to fight for that America that I believe in -- that good, righteous America, and a lot of these service members feel very much the same."

Transgender Navy pilot, barred from service, reflects on 'patriotism' ahead of Trump's military parade originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully removed three Democratic members of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and ordered the agency to reinstate them.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox in Maryland said in his ruling that Republican U.S. President Donald Trump's administration overstepped its authority when it dismissed commissioners Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr.

Boyle, Hoehn-Saric and Trumka Jr., who sued the administration in May, were appointed to the five-member commission by Democratic former President Joe Biden.

The president can remove commissioners only for neglect of duty or malfeasance. Maddox said the plaintiffs have performed ably in their roles and that the administration had not presented a justification for terminating them.

"The court finds it to be in the public interest to have the persons duly appointed to occupy these key leadership positions resume their roles," Maddox wrote.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The ruling can be appealed to the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

A lawyer for the commissioners, Nick Sansone, welcomed Maddoxs ruling in a statement.

Congress structured the CPSC as an independent agency so that the safety of American consumers wouldnt be subject to political whims and industry pressure, Sansone said. The courts ruling upholds that sound legislative choice.

The commission was founded in 1972 and tasked by Congress with shielding consumers from injury or death from defective or harmful products.

Trump has faced lawsuits over his efforts to remove members of other agencies.

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court said the administration could bar two Democratic members of federal labor boards from serving in their posts while they challenge their dismissal by the administration.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel, two U.S. officials said on Friday.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that for now the U.S. interceptions had been carried out by ground-based systems. The official said fighter jets and warships had not been used so far.

Neither official provided information on where the U.S. intercepts took place from.

The United States has nearly 40,000 troops in the Middle East, including air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can help bring down missiles.

During previous Iranian missile and drone salvos that were aimed at Israel, the U.S. military has used jets and Navy warships to help shoot down Iranian projectiles.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)
analysis

What makes a public space truly public?

In Khartoum, before the current conflict engulfed Sudan, the answer was not always a park, a plaza or a promenade.

The city's streets, tea stalls (sitat al-shai), protest sites and even burial spaces served as dynamic arenas of everyday life, political expression and informal resilience.

In a recently published article, I studied 64 public spaces across pre-war Greater Khartoum, revealing a landscape far richer - and more contested - than standard urban classifications suggest. Specifically, I uncovered four classifications: formal, informal, privately owned and hybrid spaces - each alive with negotiation and everyday use.

While some spaces were planned by colonial engineers or municipal authorities, many were carved out by communities: claimed, adapted and reimagined through use.

My research offers valuable insights into the design and planning of Africa's cities. As they grow and face mounting political and environmental pressures, it's time to rethink how public spaces are defined and designed - not through imported models, but by listening to the ways people already make cities public.

Read more: Sudan needs to accept its cultural diversity: urban planning can help rebuild the country and prevent future conflict

Across the African continent, cities are growing fast - but not always fairly. Urban expansion often privileges gated developments, mega-projects and high-security zones while neglecting the everyday spaces where most people live, work and gather.

In Sudan, these dynamics have been further complicated by conflict, displacement and economic instability. The ongoing war has disrupted not only governance, but also the spatial fabric of urban life.

My paper aims to invite those involved in planning policies and post-conflict reconstruction to move beyond formal, western-centric models that often overlook how publicness actually unfolds in African cities: through informality, negotiation and social improvisation.

Khartoum's public spaces, as documented in my study, serve as diagnostic tools for understanding how cities survive crises, express identity and contest inequality.

In the wake of war and displacement, these spaces will play a role in shaping how Sudan rebuilds not just infrastructure, but social cohesion.

Pre-war Khartoum

Khartoum's public spaces cannot be understood through conventional categories - like formal squares and urban parks - alone. These formal squares represent only one layer of a much more plural and negotiated urban reality.

Drawing on fieldwork and the documentation of 64 public spaces across Greater Khartoum, I identify four overlapping types that reflect how space is produced, accessed and contested.

1. Formal public spaces: These include planned parks, ceremonial squares, civic plazas and administrative open spaces, often relics of colonial or postcolonial urban planning. They are defined by order, visibility and regulation. Midan Abbas, originally an active civic space in the centre of Khartoum, repeatedly reclaimed by informal traders and protesters, is one example, illustrating how even the most formal spaces can become contested. It was notably active during Sudan's April 1985 uprising, serving as part of a wider network of civic spaces used for political mobilisation. Informal traders consistently transformed it into a bustling marketplace, embedding everyday commerce and social exchange into the formal urban fabric.

2. Informal and insurgent spaces: These emerge beyond or against official planning logics - riverbanks used for gatherings, neglected lots transformed into social nodes or bridges appropriated by traders. They include spiritual sites like Sufi tombs, and protest spaces such as the sit-in zone outside the city's army headquarters. These spaces reveal the city's capacity for bottom-up urbanism and collective adaptation.

3. Privately owned civic spaces: Shopping malls, privately managed parks and cultural cafes fall into this category. While they appear public, they are often classed, surveilled (monitored through cameras or security presence) or exclusionary. The rise of these spaces coincides with the decline of state-managed urban infrastructure, reflecting the turn in Sudanese urban governance.

Read more: Sudan: the symbolic significance of the space protesters made their own

4. Public "private" spaces: These spaces blur lines between ownership and use. They include mosque courtyards, school grounds, building frontages or underutilised university lawns that serve as informal gathering points. Access here is governed less by law and more by social codes, trust or class.

Together, these typologies highlight that "publicness" in Khartoum is relational. It depends not only on who planned a space, but who uses it, how and under what conditions.

Planning in African cities must therefore move beyond fixed zoning maps to embrace the layered, fluid and lived nature of urban space.

Rebuilding, rethinking, resisting

Post-conflict reconstruction in Sudan - and elsewhere in Africa - must resist the allure of "blank slate" master plans. Those involve rebuilding cities from scratch with sweeping, top-down designs that ignore existing social and spatial dynamics.

Imported models, often guided by bureaucratic thinking or commercial incentives, risk erasing the very spaces where public life already thrives, albeit informally or invisibly.

Rather than imposing formality, planners should recognise and strengthen the informal and hybrid systems that sustain civic life, especially in times of instability.

Urban theorists working in and on the global south, such as AbdouMaliq Simone and the late Vanessa Watson, have long argued for planning frameworks that centre on everyday practices, adaptive use and spatial justice.

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Khartoum offers a compelling case.

From the sit-ins of 2019 to tea stalls run by displaced women, public spaces in Sudan are not inert backdrops. They are active platforms of everyday life, resistance, care and community-making.

Reconstruction must begin by asking: what spaces mattered to people before the war? Which ones fostered inclusion, dignity and visibility? Only then can new urban futures emerge, ones that are rooted in the practices of those who have always made the city public, even when the state did not.

What makes spaces truly public?

The public realm in Sudan has always been shaped through negotiation, sometimes with the state, often despite it.

Rebuilding after war is not only about reconstructing buildings but also about reimagining the terms of belonging.

This requires a shift from viewing public space as a fixed asset to understanding it as a dynamic process. Who gets to gather, to speak, to rest, to protest - these are the true measures of publicness.

Understanding Khartoum's pre-war public spaces isn't a nostalgic exercise. It's a necessary step towards building more inclusive, resilient and locally grounded cities in the wake of crisis.

Ibrahim Z. Bahreldin, Associate Professor of Urban & Environmental Design, University of Khartoum
 Georgi Baird/Shutterstock.com

Cicadas have started emerging and are expected to come in swarms in the next few weeks in North Carolina. While some cicadas are annual insects that emerge every year, periodical cicadas appear only once every 13 to 17 years. Their emergence is a rare phenomenon that can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of insects. North Carolina is one place where the cicadas will make their presence known. Read here to learn everything that you need to know about the brood of cicadas emerging in North Carolina.

Cicada broods cover a wide geographical area. Andrew M. Liebhold, Michael J. Bohne, and Rebecca L. Lilja, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons  Original / License

What Are Cicada Broods?

Cicada broods are categorized by Roman numerals and refer to regional groups of periodical cicadas that emerge on a synchronized schedule. Periodical cicadas are divided into two groups: 13-year and 17-year broods. As their names suggest, these broods emerge only during their respective cycles, making them a rare occurrence. Brood XIV (14) is one of the largest groups of periodical cicadas, emerging in states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and extending as far north as New York and Pennsylvania. This brood is the only one of the 12 recognized 17-year broods scheduled to emerge in 2025. In 2024, brood XIII (13) emerged in parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana.

Difference Between Annual and Periodical Cicadas

Annual cicadas emerge every summer, spending about two to five years underground during their development. They appear each year, but in smaller numbers, and look different from periodical cicadas. Annual cicadas have more muted colors and are grayish-green in appearance. This is very different from their periodical counterparts, which have more distinct physical traits. Periodical cicadas are known for their bright red eyes that stand out on their body. Their bodies, especially their legs and the veins in their wings, are orange. The different color patterns of cicadas help entomologists identify which type they are observing.

After an emergence, a brood will lay its eggs, the adults will die, and the new nymphs will return underground until the next emergence. There are a total of 15 broods in the northern, midwestern, and southern regions of the United States: 12 are 17-year broods and three are 13-year broods. When the broods emerge, swarms of cicadas fill the sky and trees, leaving molted skin everywhere. While dealing with these insects can be stressful, especially for those who dislike bugs, cicadas pose no threat to humans or animals and are simply a nuisance.

Brood XIV emerges every 17 years. Shot Stalker/Shutterstock.com

About Brood XIV

Brood XIV is one that entomologists are particularly interested in when it emerges every 17 years. This brood is famous for being among the largest of the periodical groups. To learn more about the upcoming emergence, lets look at when the last brood appeared.

When Was the Last Brood XIV Emergence?

Brood XIV last emerged in 2008 and saw millions of cicadas across the different states mentioned above. The broods emergence, similar to the upcoming one, is beneficial to the environment. When broods emerge, a new food source for predators is bountiful, helping to support other insects and animals who need nutrients. The sheer mass of cicadas was shocking to residents in the affected areas, with molts left everywhere and cicadas flying through the air. Given that its been 17 years since then, when will the next emergence occur, and what will it look like?

When Is Brood XIV Emerging?

Brood XIV has already started to emerge in some U.S. counties. The University of Connecticut researches different cicada broods and has been tracking sightings since the predicted emergence in May. North Carolina was a hot spot of cicadas at the beginning of May, with data collected as of May 2nd stating there have been 140 sightings in the Asheville area. By May 10, sightings had increased to around 700. Since then, sightings have increased, with news channels reporting on the growing swarms. Periodical cicadas only emerge for a few months at a time, with some present for as little as six weeks. With this in mind, the cicadas are expected to return underground in mid to late June. For those needing a break from the noise, this is welcome news.

Periodical cicadas emerge with the goal of transforming into adults. These cicadas spend 13-17 years underground as nymphs, or immature cicadas. They develop by feeding off the sap that comes from tree roots until their emergence. After emerging, the male cicadas will sit on trees and vibrate a part of the abdomen called the tymbals. This singing is used to attract mates. After mating, the female lays eggs on the trees, which will hatch about six to seven weeks later. The new generation of nymphs will then fall to the ground and burrow their way underground again. This repeats the cycle until the next emergence, 13-17 years later.

Cities like Asheville, North Carolina, are the center of cicada swarms. Gerry Bishop/Shutterstock.com

Where Will They Be?

While there are multiple broods across North Carolina, Brood XIV mostly emerges in the western part of the state. Places like the Great Smoky Mountains, Asheville, and close to the Tennessee border are all places where there are plenty of sightings. Simply put, cicadas are most abundant where there are plenty of trees for them to lay their eggs.

After mating, females carve out a slit or groove on tree limbs or trunks to lay their eggs in. These slits expose the xylem, a nutrient-rich fluid that benefits the nymphs. The slits also provide shelter and protection for the eggs. Because of this, forests such as those in the Great Smoky Mountains are ideal places for cicadas to lay eggs. This makes cities like Asheville the center of cicada swarms. Whether you are trying to avoid them or hoping to see them, knowing their locations can help you learn more about these rare cicadas.

The post Where to Expect Cicada Swarms in North Carolina appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Stanislav Sablin / Getty Images

Its Friday. Youve just popped open that bottle of chilled red that the salesperson at the natural wine shop convinced you to buy. As you pour, you find there are bits of sediment floating in your glass. You glance at the bottle. Theres even more sediment along the neck.

Panic ensues. Did the wine go bad? Is it leftover skins from the grapes? Is it safe to drink?

This might be something you see more and more as natural wine increases in popularity, but sediment in wine isnt a new thing. Sediment can be a sign of how long the wine has aged, how it was produced, and much more. But is it safe?

Do not fret. Its not only safe, but in many cases, that sediment in the bottle is intentional. It all comes back to taste and a little bit of chemistry.

Related: Is Older Wine Better Than Younger Wine? Wine Pros Weigh In

Why does wine have sediment?

Bits of sediment in a wine is natural to winemaking. There are a few reasons that sediment will show up in your bottle. The first comes from the grapes themselves.

Grape solids, such as grape skins, seeds, stems, and pulp, are known as pomace. These materials are left over after the initial pressing, known as the first run, or free run, juice. The winemaker will decide whether to remove the pomace by cold settling. They typically do this immediately with white and some rose wines, or prior to fermentation for red and orange wines to extract color and tannins.

The cold-settling process chills the wine so the solids settle to the bottom and the juice can be separated. Although rare, it isnt uncommon to find bits of sediment from these solids in the finished product.







""I'd say 99% of natural wine is unfiltered, so youre not removing any of that sediment thats still in suspension in the wine."

Blair Guthrie, winemaker, Stewart Cellars and Guthrie Family Wines







The most common reason for sediment in your wine is leftover yeast.

Grape juice is fermented into wine with yeast, which transforms the sugars into alcohol. This can happen when yeast is added to the juice, known as inoculated yeast, or with a wild, natural yeast from the air or leftover from the grape skins, known as ambient or indigenous yeast.

Once the yeast completes fermentation, the dead yeast cells, or lees, remain in the barrel or tank. The lees will settle to the bottom over time, which makes it easy to separate for bottling. Again, this process typically happens by chilling the tanks down.

I will drop as many solids to the bottom of the tank as I can, then I basically decant the wine off of the top of the lees, says Daniel OBrien, founder and winemaker at Gail Wines in Sonoma, California. There is a good chance some could end up in the bottle, but I try to make it clear. I do end up leaving a decent amount of wine behind when its time to bottle, but I find that it delivers a better finished wine. I dont want to put the wine through filters.

Blair Guthrie, winemaker for Stewart Cellars and Guthrie Family Wines in Napa Valley, says that sediment is common for natural wine produced at a faster rate.

There shouldnt be any more sediment in natural wine than [in] a conventional wine that is unfiltered, says Guthrie. But I think the main reason were getting a lot more sediment in natural wines is because there is a faster turnaround with aging. Most natural wines are not aged for 24 months, like I would age my Cabernet Sauvignon for Stewart. I would say 99% of natural wine is unfiltered, so youre not removing any of that sediment thats still in suspension in the wine.

Sure, a quick turnaround may result in sediment in the bottle. But it could also be a conscious choice to enhance taste.

Related: Darker Rose Is Having a Moment  Heres Why Youll Want a Bottle This Summer

Sediment in wine can affect the taste, in a good way

The lees can enhance the taste of a wine and give it more texture. Some say the wine becomes creamy and smooth, some say the lees add more of a yeast or brioche-like character, while others say they impart more of a vinegar taste, similar to kombucha.

IL21 / Getty Images

Think about aged Champagnes or sparkling wines, says Guthrie. When we age them on the lees in the bottle, were getting all of that breakdown of the yeast cells, and those wines are quite often bigger in body. They have a yeasty character to them.

These yeast cells are disgorged before the cork is sealed, but thats not the case for pet-nat wines, which only go through one fermentation in the bottle. Those dead yeast cells are left, and they add to the characteristics of the wine.

Some natural winemakers recommend that you turn the bottle over before its opened to better distribute the sediment and add more of that complex, textured flavor. Guthrie prefers to settle the yeast and decant the wine to keep its flavors fresh and focused. Essentially, its about personal preference. The wine tasting journey is up to you.



Its also common for wines that age

Ever tap into an older bottle of red and find a healthy amount of sediment at the bottom of your glass or along the neck of your bottle? This is also a natural process for the wine  particularly a red wine that was made well and was meant to age.

During and prior to fermentation, you are extracting tannins and colors from the grape, which becomes part of the liquid, says OBrien. Over many years, those will end up breaking down. Usually, in some of the greatest wines in the world, especially old Bordeaux and Piedmont reds, youll see sediment that settles at the belly of the bottle, depending on how the bottle was stored. Those natural elements that happened way back when the wine was fermented start to separate from the liquid component.

This is why a wine that ages will switch from violet and ruby colors to garnet or brick and have a paler intensity.

OBrien reassures that, from a safety standpoint, a wine with sediment is not a problem to consume, and it can easily be decanted.



Sediment isnt just found in red wine

Even if a white wine is cold-settled to remove those solids and keep it looking clear and crisp, its possible to have sediment. These particles are known as tartrate crystals, or wine diamonds, that sit at the bottom of your bottle or glass.

The crystals can look like little pieces of glass, which is why some wine drinkers are afraid of them, but they are safe to consume. And they can be decanted just as easily as other sediment.

Wine diamonds happen because the tartaric acid in the wine reacts with potassium in cold temperatures. Winemakers will avoid this by cold stabilizing the wine, meaning they will chill it down and add bentonite to the tank to remove the solids that create these crystals in the first place. This is a cosmetic process to make sure the white wine looks clear, but winemakers like OBrien steer clear of the process.

If you do see that crystallization, thats a good sign, says OBrien. That means the wine was made properly.

Whether its an aged white wine sprinkled with diamonds, an old Bordeaux you share with loved ones, or a chilled red from the natural wine shop around the corner, its safe to say that sediment can be a very good thing in wine, and nothing to worry about. So drink up and carry on.



Read the original article on Food & Wine
Wesley Tingey | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  The Supreme Court of Georgia has received the direct appeal involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' attempt to squash a Senate committee subpoena.

The Senate Special Committee on Investigations subpoenaed Wills to testify about her office's prosecution of President Donald Trump and others. Willis fought the subpoena, but Fulton County Superior Court Judge Skukura L. Ingram denied Willis' effort to quash it.

The Senate committee last met in March and decided to ask Willis' attorney, former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, for some dates when Willis could appear.

"Let's be nice guys again first," said Chairman Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, said at the meeting. "Let's reach out to her counsel and suggest either a Thursday or Friday beginning the last week of April, the first two weeks of May. And if they agree to a date, then we will issue a subpoena. And I believe they will honor their word."

Willis has still not appeared before the committee.

The committee also instructed Josh Belinfante, an attorney representing the committee, to request that Willis be responsible for any of the attorney's fees charged to the committee after May 10.

"Make her comply if she won't, make her pay for your fees, make her do what the judge has already told her she's got to do," Cowsert said.

Willis was disqualified from the Trump case because of her personal relationship with the lead prosecutor. She is also appealing that decision.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill last month that would allow defendants to receive "reasonable court costs" if the prosecutor was disqualified from the case. Democrats said the bill was filed at the behest of Trump because of the Georgia case but Republicans denied it.

"There is absolutely nothing in this bill that focuses on a single county nor does it have a sunset for a single issue," said Rep. Chuck Martin, R-Alpharetta, who presented the bill in the Senate.
Port Sudan, June 12, 2025 (SUNA) - Prime Minister Dr. Kamil El-Tayib Idris has inspected the rehabilitation and maintenance operations of Arbaat Dam in the Red Sea State, following its collapse due to last year's autumn floods. He emphasized the importance of the project to the citizens of the Red Sea State, particularly in terms of providing fresh water to the state.

SUNA indicated that maintenance work began in March of this year at the initiative of the General Intelligence Service.

It is scheduled to complete the rehabilitation by more than 80%, while technical teams continue their work to ensure the dam is ready to store water before the onset of the rainy season this year, which is expected to begin during July and August.

The project is considered one of the most important development projects in the Red Sea State. The Prime Minister's visit to the project, accompanied by the Wali oovernor of the Red Sea State, Lt. Gen. Mustafa Mohamed Nour, confirms the government's commitment to providing urgent services to citizens.
by Santosh Digal

The NYD is underway centred on the theme "Youth Empowerment for Nation Building". Local families are hosting young people from all Philippine dioceses and 22 Catholic organisations. This is a first step towards WYD Seoul 2027. Meanwhile, in today's Consistory, Leo XIV announced that Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis will be proclaimed saints on 7 September, Peter to Rot on 19 October, Missionary Day.

Naga (AsiaNews)  Young people need to continue their education to strengthen their faith and better serve the Church and society, this according to Archbishop Rex Andrew C. Alarcon of Caceres.

On Wednesday the prelate led the opening Mass of the National Youth Day (NYD) 2025 in Naga, Camarines Sur province (Bicol Region). The archdiocese is hosting the event from 10 to 14 June.

Some 10,000 participants from all dioceses in the Philippines and 22 youth organisations came together.

The NYD began in 1986, at the initiative of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Since then, the event has celebrated the faith and unity of young people. The last edition was held in Cebu City in 2019 attracting about 20,000 people.

This year's theme is Youth Empowerment for Nation Building, highlighting the vital importance of young people in determining the course of the nation, with faith, optimism and a spirit of service.

It is good to ask ourselves, where are you in your journey, where are you in your lifes journey, and where are you headed to after NYD, or what significant turn may you take after this significant experience? Archbishop Alarcon said.

He stressed that one becomes a follower of Jesus not because of what one has, but because of ones dreams, aspirations and shared faith experiences. These traits strongly characterise young Philippine Catholics.

The first day began with a formal welcome and orientation session. The delegates were warmly received by local organisers, parish leaders and volunteers.

One of the most touching moments at the start was the introduction of the delegates to their respective host families.

These families, who have generously opened their homes and hearts, provide the delegates not only shelter, but also a deeper connection to the local community and culture, spending meaningful moments of shared daily life with the youth who have come from all over the Philippines.

The local community will eventually become universal on World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027.

One of the NYDs attractions is the photo exhibit of Our Lady of Penafrancia and her devoted childrens photo exhibit titled Imagenes, put together by volunteers at the Caceres Communications Commission in collaboration with SM City Naga.

The photo exhibit is a celebration of faith, hope, and unity in the heart of NYC. Every image tells a story, of prayer, perseverance, and the enduring love between Our Lady of Penafrancia and her devoted children, said Caceres Commission on Communications Director Fr Francis A. Tortilla.

June A. Tolentino, youth delegate from the Archdiocese of Lipa, strengthened her commitment to the mission of faith by participating in NYD 2025.

With this National Youth Day 2025, we are called to gather as one vibrant community of young Catholics, ready to rejoice in hope, she explained. This is a celebration that will bring us closer not just to one another, but also to Christ. Its more than just an event; its a sacred encounter, a shared pilgrimage, and a joyful expression of our faith.

"As I take part in this years NYD as a servant leader of the Mary Help of Christians Crusade, I carry with me the voices, hopes, and prayers of the young people we accompany, said Shiekeena Micah Atienza from the Archdiocese of Manila.

I expect this sacred gathering to be a moment of deeper encounter with Christ, a celebration of the vibrant faith of Filipino youth, and a space where we can joyfully discern our role in building a Church that listens, accompanies, and sends forth, Atienza said. I believe that NYD will not only train us but transform us  into courageous witnesses and humble servants, walking with one another towards holiness," she noted.

Meanwhile, the Vatican issued a statement, eagerly awaited by young people around the world.

Leo XIV announced during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Vote on some Causes of Canonisation of Blesseds, held in the Consistory Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, that Blesseds Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) and Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) will be proclaimed saints together at a ceremony on 7 September.

Pope Francis had already announced the canonisation of these two young men, faces of youthful sanctity, on different dates but this was changed upon the pontiffs death on 21 April.

The same Consistory also set the date for the canonisation of catechist Peter To Rot, the first saint from Papua New Guinea, on 19 October, World Mission Day, along with six other blesseds, including Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan, the Armenian Catholic archbishop of Mardin, who died during the Armenian genocide of 1915, and Bartolo Longo, founder of the Italian Marian shrine of Pompeii.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

In Bishkek, notices are circulating promising earnings of up to ,000 a week, twice the average monthly salary of a Kyrgyz worker, for jobs that are actually recruitment for drug couriers. Drug trafficking charges in Russia can carry a sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment. Many prisoners are sent directly to the front lines in Ukraine.

Bishkek (AsiaNews) - In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, it is not difficult to find offers for well-paid jobs in Russia. Many of them end up sending people to war in Ukraine, after giving them the illusion of being able to solve their financial problems.

Notices are also posted all over the city promising earnings of up to ,000 a week, twice the average monthly salary of a Kyrgyz worker, for jobs requiring a maximum of 3-4 hours a day, with free travel and accommodation in Russia.

A correspondent from Migrant Media contacted the Telegram account behind these tempting offers, and the response confirmed what was suspected: the work is indeed linked to the transport of illegal drugs.

Many Kyrgyz citizens accept these offers, despite the many risks involved. Drug trafficking charges in Russia can carry a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.

The career of a drug courier (kariera narkokurjera, as it is called) is actually very short, as Mirlan Toktobekov, a lawyer specialising in immigration issues, explains to Migrant Media, adding that of all the crimes committed by Kyrgyz citizens in the Russian Federation, most are related to drug trafficking.

A trial in which Toktobekov himself participated recently ended with a 15-year prison sentence for a 27-year-old Kyrgyz man for transporting a package.

In some cases, couriers involved in criminal schemes are then handed over to the police by the traffickers themselves, because when the time comes to pay them, the organisers of the criminal scheme prefer to get rid of them by having them arrested, comments the Kyrgyz lawyer. In such situations, a foreigner in Russia who has been involved in drug-related activities has no chance of defending himself.

In general, the rights of our compatriots in Russia are very poorly defended, Toktobekov observes, and it is very easy to receive additional sentences beyond those actually related to illegal actions, because people from Central Asia are easy targets in these systems.

The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry has stated that the authorities in Bishkek are investigating to expose the organisers of criminal schemes involving their citizens, but the success of these actions is very limited.

As reported by Kanybek Usenov, spokesperson for the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry's Drug Control Service, checks are being carried out in coordination with Russia and other Central Asian countries.

During one of these investigations, the Kyrgyz authorities managed to shut down a website selling narcotics and arrested three suspects, one Kyrgyz citizen, one Uzbek citizen and one Russian citizen.

The consequences for foreigners accused of such trafficking in Russia can go far beyond years of imprisonment. According to data from the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service, there are currently over 30,000 foreign nationals in Russian prisons, 70% of whom come from Central Asia. In addition to harassment and violence in prisons, these prisoners are often forcibly recruited to participate in Russian military actions in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian project I Want to Live (Khocu Zit), which encourages occupying soldiers to surrender, has reported that over 3,000 Central Asian citizens are currently fighting in Ukraine on the Russian side, but several hundred have already surrendered to the Kiev army.
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13 June 2025 11:18 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The open court session in the criminal case against Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others - citizens of the Republic of Armenia - continued on June 12, Azernews reports.

The defendants stand accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and conduct of aggressive warfare, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other offenses stemming from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova) presiding, the session ensured that each defendant was provided with a translator in their native language and legal representation.

The defendants, their lawyers, several victims and their legal successors, as well as the prosecutors representing the state, participated in the hearing.

During the session, the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan answered questions from the state prosecutor regarding the 2016 events known as the April battles. At the time, Mnatsakanyan served as the defense minister of the so-called regime, holding the rank of lieutenant general. He admitted that 18 combat positions were lost during the April battles.

In response to questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department of Public Prosecution Defense at the Prosecutor Generals Office, Mnatsakanyan claimed that civilian areas were not deliberately targeted during the April battles. He said those areas contained military units, equipment, and personnel, and that any damage to homes was coincidental. There was no attack on the village. We did not open fire on the village, he said.

The court examined parts of Mnatsakanyan's interviews with journalists following the April battles. In one interview, he stated: The overall situation is under control. The troops are at the proper degree of battle preparedness. Our borders are secure and in reliable hands. When asked by a journalist whether "the other side is also being defended," he answered, Yes.

The prosecutor confronted Mnatsakanyan with the contradiction between his courtroom claim of having made no public statements during the April battles and the interview footage. When asked who he referred to as the other side and what kind of attack was being defended against, Mnatsakanyan did not provide a specific answer.

Another interview featuring Mnatsakanyan was shown, in which he appeared in the Jidir Duzu plain discussing the battles of February 2425, 2015, and the April 2016 clashes. He referred to the Azerbaijani special forces as the Yashma Brigade, acknowledging their participation in the battles. He outlined the regimes military developments, stating:

Improvement means that we must further strengthen the capabilities we have. We must expand the capabilities of our firepower and systems. We are carrying out relevant work in this direction. In particular, we are expanding in the field of observation devices. Progress has been made in both fire and destruction systems. We had certain shortcomings in some limited conditions, but now - whether in the morning or in the afternoon - we can fire effectively.

Moreover, we have improved our management capabilities. This is also included in the overall system. We have made progress in both reconnaissance and firing. In addition, practical measures are being taken concerning the new technologies and technical means we have acquired. Work is also underway on the military-industrial complex.

There are also longer-range anti-tank and other modern means. In addition, we have acquired new technologies and firepower. Personnel are also being trained to use these means.

He explained that the interview was initially intended to be recorded on a balcony near Isa Bulaghi, but due to lighting issues, it was relocated to the Jidir Duzu plain.

After a break, the court examined another video retrieved from the internet, showing a dispute between Levon Mnatsakanyan and former defense minister Samvel Babayan. In the footage, Mnatsakanyan accused Babayan of surrendering 21 kilometers of territory to Azerbaijan in 1994.

Babayan had previously criticized the Armenian leadership for strategic failures during the April battles. While not denying territorial losses, Mnatsakanyan countered by urging Babayan to recall how land was surrendered in 1994. Babayan referred to the 2016 clashes as a sabotage, whereas Mnatsakanyan insisted it was a full-scale military operation.

Further footage shown in court depicted former Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and the so-called regimes prime minister Arayik Harutyunyan meeting with servicemen in Azerbaijans then-occupied territories. Mnatsakanyan confirmed that Armenian officials, including ministers of defense and foreign affairs, frequently visited the region.

Additional footage showed former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan inspecting the regime's military structure, accompanied by former Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and the regimes foreign minister.

During questioning about landmines in Azerbaijani territories, Mnatsakanyan said mines had been planted in both the northern and southern directions. He stated that after placement, documentation was submitted to higher headquarters: one copy remained with the military unit, and others were stored in the engineering troops office. He emphasized that mine placement forms showed precise locations, whereas mine maps only indicated general districts.

Mnatsakanyan revealed that the mines were initially produced in the Soviet Union, later procured from Russia, and then delivered to the separatist regime via Armenia. More recently, they had also been manufactured in Armenia. He admitted to planting both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines in the formerly occupied areas.

The next court session is scheduled for June 13.

The defendants  Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan  are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and other articles.
13 June 2025 12:39 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The trial of individuals of Armenian origin accused of committing grave war crimes during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories continues at the Baku Court Complex, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court, Azernews reports.

The hearing builds on new evidence presented in earlier sessions, including the planting of landmines during Armenias illegal control over Garabagh and surrounding regions.

Fifteen individuals, including former so-called officials of the separatist regime established in the occupied territories, are facing an extensive list of charges under Azerbaijans Criminal Code. These include:

Crimes against peace and humanity

Waging an aggressive war

Genocide

Forced displacement

Torture

Military robbery

Terrorism

Financing terrorism

Violations of international humanitarian law, among others

Among the defendants are prominent figures such as Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Babayan, and others who held high-ranking positions in the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which was established and supported by Armenia during its decades-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

The defendants are being tried under dozens of articles, including:

Article 100: Aggressive war

Article 103: Genocide

Article 107: Forced displacement of population

Article 113: Torture

Article 214: Terrorism

Article 278: Forcible seizure and retention of power

and more, reflecting the scale and gravity of atrocities alleged.

This high-profile trial is seen as a key step by Azerbaijani authorities toward ensuring accountability for crimes committed during the occupation and reinforcing the rule of law and justice for thousands of victims.
13 June 2025 16:37 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On June 13, new testimony and evidence were presented at the Baku Military Court during the ongoing trial of Armenian nationals accused of committing war crimes during the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, Azernews reports.

Levon Mnatsakanyan, one of the accused, answered the prosecutors questions and confirmed that he operated in several areas at the request of Arayik Harutyunyan, the so-called "president" of the separatist regime during the war. Mnatsakanyan claimed that at the time, he held no official position and was already retired.

He said Harutyunyan personally contacted him on October 14 and again in early Novemberthough he could not recall the exact dateasking for assistance in security, civil defense, and artillery inspection. Mnatsakanyan acknowledged visiting Hadrut, Sugovushan, and other frontline areas in this context.

The court also reviewed video footage recorded during the war showing a military meeting held in a school classroom in Shushakend, where Mnatsakanyan was visibly present. The meeting was led by Samvel Babayan, the former "defense minister" of the illegal separatist regime, who gave detailed instructions for an attack on Azerbaijani forces in Shusha.

In the footage, Babayan is heard describing a planned offensive, stating:

The fate of Karabakh depends on our tomorrows activities... We must close the enemys rear... At 7 oclock the shelling begins. The artillery works for about 15 minutes. Because we are going to attack.

Despite being captured in the video, Mnatsakanyan denied participating in the meeting's planning and claimed the planned attack never occurred.

The trial, which involves 15 individuals including former so-called officials and military leaders, continues as they face charges under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and crimes against peace and humanity.

The proceedings mark a significant step in Azerbaijans effort to seek justice for the crimes committed during Armenias decades-long occupation and the 2020 war.
13 June 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

As part of its long-term strategy to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on hydrocarbon revenues, Azerbaijan is taking bold steps to expand and modernize its non-oil sectors. Two recent developments the inauguration of a large-scale snack production facility in Baku and the rapid industrialization of the Aghdam Industrial Parkdemonstrate the country's commitment to industrial innovation, regional revitalization, and inclusive economic growth.

The newly inaugurated Nobel Food Industry LLC snack plant, co-founded by the Gafgaz Canning (a subsidiary of Azersun Holding) and Shervan LLC, represents a key milestone in Azerbaijans efforts to expand domestic production and develop export-oriented manufacturing. With an annual production capacity of 9,600 tons and state-of-the-art equipment sourced from global leaders, the facility aims to serve both local and international markets, thus reinforcing the "Made in Azerbaijan" export initiative.

Expanding exports offers Azerbaijan several strategic advantages. First, it diversifies foreign exchange earnings, making the economy less vulnerable to oil price fluctuations. Second, it enhances the competitiveness of local enterprises by integrating them into global value chains, promoting innovation, and encouraging higher standards of production. Finally, a robust export sector improves trade balances and strengthens the national currency.

A distinctive feature of this enterprise is its reliance on local raw materials such as sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts. This vertical integration creates a synergistic relationship between industry and agriculture, ensuring steady demand for domestic produce, encouraging the cultivation of high-value crops, and promoting rural development.

The agricultural sector, which employs a significant portion of the Azerbaijani population, stands to benefit through increased incomes, technology transfer, and modernization. In the long term, such industrial-agricultural linkages foster the creation of resilient, value-added supply chains, reduce import dependency, and contribute to food security.

With 210 permanent jobs created, the snack plant directly contributes to reducing unemployment and supporting household incomes. This is particularly vital in addressing urban employment and stabilizing labor markets amid global economic volatility. Moreover, employment in technologically advanced facilities promotes skills development, laying the groundwork for a more competitive and innovation-ready workforce.

The total investment of 38 million, including a 5 million preferential loan from the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund (ABDF), highlights the importance of targeted financial instruments in mobilizing private sector participation. By offering concessional loans, ABDF helps lower the cost of capital for businesses, de-risking investments and enabling broader participation in national development.

Aghdam Industrial Park: Engine of post-conflict economic revitalization

In parallel with industrial growth in Baku, Azerbaijan is also making rapid progress in reconstructing and economically reactivating its liberated territories, with Aghdam Industrial Park emerging as a central platform for this transformation. In just Q1 2025, the park reported 63 million in output, and since its inception in September 2024, total production has reached 85 million.

The successful operation of enterprises such as Bafco Invest LLC, which exports high-tech footwear to Kazakhstan, showcases the regions growing role as an export and manufacturing hub. By using advanced German Desma equipment and focusing on quality, these firms demonstrate the countrys ability to compete in regional and international markets, even from newly revitalized regions.

Aghdam Industrial Park offers a comprehensive package of tax and customs exemptionsincluding 10-year exemptions on property, land, and income taxes, as well as full VAT and customs exemptions for imported equipment. These incentives significantly reduce entry barriers, encourage capital inflows, and promote technological upgrading. As of June 2025, 8 million in exemptions have been granted, validating the effectiveness of this policy in attracting investors.

The upcoming tobacco manufacturing facility, backed by 115 million in private investment and expected to employ 653 people, exemplifies the scale and ambition of post-conflict economic reconstruction. Such anchor projects have strong multiplier effects: they stimulate local supplier networks, drive infrastructure development, and generate substantial tax revenues.

These industrial investments are not isolated initiatives but part of a deliberate structural shift in Azerbaijans economic model. By prioritizing sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, and agro-industry, the country is laying the foundation for a resilient and diversified economy capable of withstanding global shocks.

The integrated approachlinking state support mechanisms, such as ABDF financing, with targeted incentives, export promotion, and public-private partnershipsdemonstrates a sophisticated policy architecture. This not only accelerates industrialization but also enhances regional equity, as growth is increasingly spread across Baku and formerly underdeveloped regions.

The launch of the Nobel snack production plant and the rapid evolution of Aghdam Industrial Park underscore Azerbaijans progress in reshaping its economic identity. By investing in high-value industries, supporting local agriculture, and rebuilding liberated territories, the country is advancing toward a more competitive, inclusive, and globally integrated non-oil economy.

These initiatives are also critical in achieving national development goals, such as reducing unemployment, boosting exports, enhancing food security, and building a robust middle class. As Azerbaijan continues to pursue innovation-driven growth, these strategic projects will serve as key pillars of its long-term vision for economic resilience and sustainable prosperity.
13 June 2025 09:13 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Instead of stabilising, tensions in the Middle East are escalating by the day. The regions two most entrenched rivalsIran and Israelare hardening their positions, raising fears of the emergence of a new and dangerous front.

According to the recent statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the country has launched an operation, 'Rising Lion', overnight against Irans nuclear facilities, a move that could deliver a deadly surprise to Tehran. Previously, Washington had voiced concern over Israels intentions, signalling anxiety about an operation that could plunge the region into a broader conflict. The United States had even extended a fresh offer to Tehran to resume nuclear negotiations, marking what would be the sixth such round, and had expressed hope for a constructive outcome.

Nevertheless, the US's approach stood in sharp contrast to the Trump administrations hardline stance during its first term, when Washington not only imposed severe sanctions on Iran in 2018 but also authorised the targeted killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Then, the US stood at the epicentre of the standoff. Now, ironically, it is urging restraint while its ally Israel takes centre stage in the confrontation. It appears that the players have switched roles.

At the heart of the matter lies Irans nuclear capability. Western governments, along with Israel and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), argue that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat to the Middle East and neighbouring regions.

In a significant development, the IAEAs Board of Governors has, for the first time in nearly two decades, formally accused Iran of violating its nonproliferation obligations, bringing the issue closer to the United Nations Security Council. The agency warns that Iran could enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels at any moment, effectively crossing the nuclear threshold. This was voiced in the recent statement of Netanyahu, in which he mentioned the nascent threat of nuclear holocaust in and around the region.

In this scenario, the US appears to be leaning toward diplomacy, while Israel, its closest regional partner, plays the role of enforcer. Now, Tel Aviv shows its clear stance with a sharp military strike. US President Donald Trump has refrained from explicitly endorsing an attack but has left the door open to negotiations.

This leaves Iran with a critical decision: accept the US proposal for renewed talks, or brace for a potentially devastating Israeli offensive.

However, its difficult to imagine Tehran readily accepting any Western proposal. Still, for Irans leadership, this may be a moment worth pausing for reflection. What lies at stake is not merely political standing, but the growing spectre of nuclear war in an increasingly fragile world order. Acting unilaterally without regard for regional neighbours risks isolating Iran even further.

The most viable strategy remains at the negotiating table.

Tehran knows all too well whats at stake. Any deal will likely require Iran to scale back its nuclear ambitions, withdraw support for its proxy forces in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, and concede space for Arab powers to exert greater influence in the region. For Iran, whose ideology often clashes with Sunni Arab governments and includes strong anti-Israel and anti-Western sentiment, such concessions are politically toxic. Tehran has frequently labelled any party entering compromise as traitors.

Although Iran recently agreed to curb Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the long-term sustainability of that agreement is highly questionable. Should Israel launch an attack and the region spiral into conflict, the Houthis will almost certainly rearm and resume hostilities, with financial and military backing from Tehran.

A renewed escalation in the Red Sea, one of the worlds most vital commercial arteries, would likely disrupt global supply chains, drive up oil and commodity prices, and inflict economic damage far beyond the Middle East.

At the same time, Hezbollahs relative quiet in Lebanon may not last. Should Israel act decisively, Hezbollah, emboldened and supported by Iran, will almost certainly retaliate, triggering a chain reaction with wide-reaching consequences.

In sum, the region stands at a precipice. Whether it slips into war or retreats into diplomacy may come down to a single factor: how much patience remains on either side of the divide.
One couple has been waiting 14 years for their house to be built

A couple in Balata village in the eastern Free State have waited 14 years for their RDP home to be finished.

Theirs is one of more than 20,000 Breaking New Ground (BNG, formerly known as RDP) houses in the province that are incomplete, says Zimasa Mbewu, spokesperson for the Free State Department of Human Settlements. These projects are "blocked" mainly because contractors failed to complete the work they have been paid for.

Toloko Mofokeng and his wife Monyaduwe Tshabalala were allocated an RDP house in 2011, to be built on a piece of land where they lived. A contractor arrived the same year but left without doing anything. A second contractor left after levelling the ground. A third contractor put in a concrete slab before also abandoning the project.

Fourteen years later, the couple live in a shack next to the slab. The shack leaks when it rains and will need to be rebuilt soon. Mofokeng, tired of waiting, says he is considering building his own mud hut on the concrete foundation.

Mbewu says the department has scrapped contractors who left work undone and "blocked" housing projects, including Mofokeng's home, will be completed over the next two years. She declined to name the contractors responsible for Mofokeng's incomplete house, as disputes over payment were still taking place.

Long history of housing failures

The Zondo Commission found that between 2010 and 2011, under former Premier Ace Magashule, about R1-billion was spent on housing projects in the Free State, many of which were never completed.

In 2014, the province entered into a R255-million corrupt tender for the removal of asbestos roofs. That trial is continuing.

In 2021, the Auditor General wrote that for three years, the housing department had spent most of the grants received for housing but had delivered "significantly fewer houses than the target", with no consequences for contractors who failed to meet their targets.

In 2024, the Auditor General commended the department on improving internal controls, but the department only reported completing 50 Breaking New Ground houses against a target of 2,065.

The Auditor General found there was insufficient evidence that even 50 houses had been built. "I could not determine the actual achievement, but I estimated it to be materially less than reported," the Auditor General wrote.
13 June 2025 17:44 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Samad Bashirli has concluded a key round of talks with Deputy Minister of Trade of China Yan Dong during an official visit to China, Azernews reports.

The meeting highlighted the strong foundations of Azerbaijan-China relations, rooted in mutual friendship and trust. Both sides emphasized the vast potential for deepening trade and economic cooperation, particularly in the context of evolving global markets.

A central focus of the talks was the World Trade Organization (WTO) accession process. Discussions on goods and services were successfully concluded, and the two countries agreed to sign a bilateral protocol, marking a significant step in Azerbaijans WTO negotiations with China.

On the sidelines of the visit, Bashirli also met with Song Hui, CEO of TBEA, a major Chinese company engaged in electricity transmission and renewable energy. During the meeting, information was shared about Azerbaijans favorable business climate and investment incentives. Both sides discussed prospective partnerships in the fields of energy and infrastructure.

The visit reflects Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to diversify its trade partnerships, attract green investments, and accelerate WTO membership negotiations through bilateral cooperation.
13 June 2025 14:23 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A novel "A Woman in Black Came" (Siyah montlu kadn) by People's Writer of Azerbaijan, Maqsud Ibrahimbayov, has been published in the Turkish language, Azernews reports.

The book presentation took place in Istanbul in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the national writer.

The presentation was held with the joint organisation of the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Istanbul and the Maqsud Ibrahimbayov Creativity Centre, as well as with the support of the Humanist Publishing House, which published the book.

Speaking at the event, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul, Narmina Mustafayeva, stressed that Maqsud Ibrahimbayov is one of the most valuable personalities that Azerbaijan has raised.

She pointed out that the writer, who conveyed modern Azerbaijani thought in the language of literature, dedicated his work not only to his native country, but also to a wide geography covering various regions.

Director of the Maqsud Ibrahimbayov Creativity Centre Anna Ibrahimbayova, thanking for organising the event, expressed confidence that thanks to this book, the Turkish reader will be able to get to know the writer's work better.

Then, a video dedicated to the rich creative heritage of Maqsud Ibrahimbayov was shown.

Rector of Uskudar University in Istanbul, Professor Nazife Gungor, touched upon the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye and the peculiarities of Azerbaijani culture. She underlined that literature is one of the fundamental elements of Azerbaijani culture.

Note that the Education Advisor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkiye, Nadjiba Nasibova, representatives of the public and other guests attended the event which took place at Tophane-i Amire Cultural and Art Centre, located in the historical part of Istanbul.
13 June 2025 16:22 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The receptions for citizens by heads of central executive authorities and other administrative bodies continue across cities and districts, Azernews reports.

Based on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, these receptions involve listening to residents' appeals and suggestions, and taking appropriate steps to resolve the issues raised.

Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has recently held a citizens' reception in Goygol district.

Before the reception, Adil Karimli and the Head of Goygol District Executive Authority, Elvin Pashayev, laid flowers at the monument of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in Goygol to pay their respects.

At the reception organized at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Goygol, which was also attended by relevant officials from the ministry's structural divisions, citizens from Ganja and Naftalan cities as well as from Goygol, Dashkasan, Samukh, and Goranboy districts voiced their appeals and suggestions.

The citizens' appeals mainly concerned employment issues, labor evaluation, changing workplaces, improving the material and technical support of enterprises, suggestions related to the cultural sector, and other matters.

The Culture Minister stated that the issues raised by citizens would be investigated promptly and steps would be taken in accordance with legislation to resolve them.

Special attention and objective consideration will be given to the issues raised by the families of martyrs and veterans during the reception, and appropriate instructions were issued.
13 June 2025 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The premiere of the performance "Fusion of the Elements" has recently took place at the Ali Emiri Efendi Cultural Center in Turkiye, Azernews reports.

The production was staged by renowned Azerbaijani and Russian choreographer, dancer, ballet artist Farid Kazakov.

The performance offered a theatrical and choreographic interpretation of all the elements of nature.

The cast included students from Farid Kazakov's international academy and members of the Elita professional rhythmic gymnastics club, as well as the world ballet champion and multiple-time Turkish national champion Zeynep Yagmur Uzsen, and Russian rhythmic gymnastics master of sport Ekaterina Komarskikh.

Farid Kazakov told Azernews that he was glad his recent performance in Turkiye had been a great success. He shared that creating as a ballet master brought him special joy, and that being the choreographer and director of an entire production also came with great responsibility.

According to him, it was important to consider every detail of the show, especially when working with young performers.

He also expressed gratitude to all the artists involved and thanked Ayten Rustamova  the head of a professional rhythmic gymnastics club and his colleague  for her support in realizing the production.

"I'm glad that my recent performance in Turkey was a great success! Creating as a ballet master brings special joy, and being the choreographer and director of an entire production is also a huge responsibility. You have to consider every detail of the performance, especially when working with young artists! I want to thank all the performers and the head of the professional rhythmic gymnastics club, who is also my colleague, Ayten Rustamova, for her support in bringing it to life.

I've been living in Turkey for almost a year now, and during this time Ive been able to realize many of my projects here  staging major performances, judging international competitions, performing, and more. In December of last year, I held the 5th anniversary edition of the International Multigenre Festival named after me.

Many people tell me that with my arrival, a new era has begun in the world of dance and gymnastics here  that through my work Ive set an example of how to create theatrical performances for children by integrating them with gymnastics, ballet, and contemporary choreography.

It means a lot to me that I am first and foremost recognized as an Azerbaijani artist, and that through my work I can tell the world about our culture. It is a true joy to continue passing on my knowledge and skills to the younger generation of performers! I wish them all success and good luck!

In the future, we plan to bring our productions to international theater festivals  and, of course, to come to Baku on tour!"

Recall that Farid Kazakov was recently awarded a certificate of appreciation by the local administration for introducing children in Turkiye to high art and culture.

Farid Kazakov has been crowned champion at the World Dance Olympiad. He is the three-time best soloist of Russia, holder of the global international award "Most Fashionable Awards," finalist of the international talent show "Central Asia's Got Talent," and twice laureate of the national award of Azerbaijan.

In 2021, the dancer won the prize "Turkiye Zirve Odulleri" in Turkiye. He got the title "Most Talented Dancer of Turkiye 2021".

Farid Kazakov is an honorary member and ambassador of Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the European Cultural Association. The dancer is a graduate of the Baku Choreographic Academy and the Moscow State Institute of Culture.

He is a multiple winner and Grand Prix holder of international, all-Russian, and republican competitions.

Moreover, the dancer's name was added to the book dedicated to Azerbaijan's prominent public and cultural figures.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the closure of airspace by several countries for security reasons, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has announced the cancellation of several scheduled flights on June 13 and 14, 2025, Azernews reports, citing the press service of Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

According to the information provided, the following flights have been canceled:

Baku  Tel Aviv  Baku

Flights J2 021/022 and J2 321/322 on June 13

Flight J2 021/022 on June 14

Baku  Dubai  Baku

Flight J2 011/012 on June 13

Baku  Tehran  Baku

Flight J2 8017/8018 on June 13

AZAL emphasized that the safety of its passengers and crew remains the airlines top priority. For further information, passengers are advised to contact the airlines Call Center via email at [email protected].
13 June 2025 11:27 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan has voiced serious concern regarding the intensifying military operations carried out by Israel on Iranian territory, Azernews reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued an official statement urging both sides to refrain from further escalation and to resolve disputes strictly through dialogue and diplomatic means based on the norms and principles of international law.

The statement emphasized the humanitarian dimension of the conflict:

"We particularly emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of the civilian population and facilities."

The Foreign Ministry also underlined the need for active diplomatic engagement:

"It is important to continue contacts through diplomatic channels and efforts within the framework of relevant international mechanisms in order to prevent further escalation of the situation in the Middle East."

The appeal comes amid growing regional instability, with Baku reaffirming its longstanding position in favor of peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.
13 June 2025 11:58 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan has ratified the Agreement on the Establishment of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), marking a significant step in regional cooperation on disaster response and emergency management, Azernews reports.

The agreement was approved in a single reading during todays plenary session of the Milli Majlis.

Signed on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek, the agreement was concluded between the governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. It aims to establish a joint civil protection mechanism capable of responding to disasters and emergencies both within the territories of OTS member and observer states, andupon agreementeven beyond.

The Turkic States Organization Civil Protection Mechanism (TSOCPM) is designed to coordinate emergency response operations across the region, including: Search and rescue missions; Medical assistance; Monitoring and disaster analysis; Provision of shelter and humanitarian aid.

Support will be provided upon the request of an affected state, and participation in relief efforts will remain voluntary for member countries.

The agreement also outlines the roles of each country's relevant authority:

- Ministries of Emergency Situations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

- Ministry of Internal Affairs in Turkiye

Under the agreement, TSOCPM will function as an international organization with legal entity status, governed by the following structures:

- Council of Ministers: Composed of ministers responsible for emergency management in each participating country. The council meets at least once a year and is chaired by the minister of the country holding the rotating presidency of the OTS.

- Secretariat of the TSOCPM: Based in Istanbul, the Secretariat supports coordination, implementation, and communication efforts. It is led by a Secretary General, appointed on a rotational basis for a term of three years (renewable for up to two more years).

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the final party submits its ratification documents via diplomatic channels to the Depositary, which is designated as the Government of the Republic of Turkiye.

While the agreement is initially open to OTS member and observer states, third-party states may also join upon unanimous consent of all current parties. Signatories also retain the right to withdraw from the agreement through formal written notification.
13 June 2025 12:03 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Amid growing regional tensions, the Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to its citizens, advising them to refrain from traveling to Iran unless absolutely necessary, Azernews reports.

According to a statement published by the ministry, the advisory comes in light of the deteriorating security situation following increased hostility between Iran and Israel.

"In view of the current heightened security risks stemming from the tensions between Israel and Iran, Azerbaijani citizens are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to Iran. Those who must travel are urged to exercise extreme caution," the statement read.

The Ministry further emphasized that Azerbaijani citizens currently in Iran should strictly observe all safety and security protocols. It specifically warned against traveling near military or nuclear facilities and urged citizens to comply fully with the instructions of local authorities.

In case of emergencies, Azerbaijani citizens in Iran are encouraged to contact the Embassy in Tehran or the Consulate General in Tabriz via the following channels:

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Islamic Republic of Iran

 [email protected]

 +98 905 523 01 07

Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tabriz

 [email protected]

 +961 4 922 066

The Foreign Ministry's call reflects Azerbaijans growing concern over regional instability and aims to ensure the safety of its citizens amid an unpredictable security environment.
In light of the escalating security situation between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid visiting Israel unless absolutely necessary.

According to the official statement, Azerbaijani nationals currently in Israel are advised to exercise increased caution and strictly follow all safety regulations and security guidelines issued by local authorities.

"In view of the current tense security situation between Israel and Iran, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan are strongly recommended to refrain from non-essential travel to Israel. Those who are already in the country should remain highly vigilant," the statement said.

The ministry emphasized the importance of avoiding risky areas and complying with local instructions to ensure personal safety during this period of heightened tension.

In the event of an emergency, Azerbaijani citizens in Israel are urged to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv via the following channels:

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the State of Israel

 [email protected]

 +972 54 539 77 88

This warning follows similar advisories issued for travel to Iran and reflects Azerbaijan's ongoing commitment to protecting its citizens amid a rapidly shifting regional security environment.
13 June 2025 14:43 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, disinformation is being deliberately spread on foreign social media platforms, falsely alleging that Azerbaijani military aircraft are flying near the border with Iran, Azernews reports.

The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) has issued a statement strongly rejecting these claims, labeling them as fake news and information manipulation.

This type of news is entirely fabricated and does not reflect reality, MEDIA emphasized.

The agency urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources, and called on journalists and public figures to remain principled and vigilant against the spread of false narratives.

The clarification comes at a time when regional instability is being fueled by misinformation campaigns, with Azerbaijan underscoring its commitment to transparency and responsible communication.
A new front in Sudan's civil war has erupted on the desert border between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt for the first time since the outbreak of armed conflict in Khartoum, raising fears of direct regional confrontations in the region.

Confrontations began to take shape following the Sudanese army's accusation that the Libyan army, led by Khalifa Haftar, had infiltrated the Sudanese border and attacked its forces, a claim denied by the latter.

Tensions flared in the region last week after a joint force of armed movements allied with the Sudanese army attacked a patrol of the Subul al-Salam Battalion, affiliated with Khalifa Haftar's forces. A fierce battle ensued following the arrival of Libyan reinforcements from Kufra, resulting in casualties on both sides.

Accusation and denial

The Sudanese army spokesman said in a press statement on Tuesday that the attack by the Rapid Support Forces was backed by Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (the Salafist Battalion), which he considered "a reprehensible and unprecedented gesture and a flagrant violation of international law".

The statement indicated that the attack targeted "our border points in the border triangle between Sudan, Egypt, and Libya with the aim of seizing the area," adding that "the direct intervention of Khalifa Haftar's forces alongside the Rapid Support Forces in the war is a blatant aggression against Sudan, its land, and its people, and an extension of the international and regional conspiracy against our country."

In a statement, the Libyan army leader Khalifa Haftar denied what he described as allegations of an attack on Sudanese territory, describing it as a blatant attempt to export Sudan's internal crisis and create a virtual external enemy.

"Allegations of seizing Sudanese territory and siding with one side of the conflict are a rehashed narrative that bears no relation to reality," Haftar's statement read. "We have never been a threat to our neighbours, but rather we are committed to stability, border control, and combating terrorism and migration through strict and close security coordination with our neighbours."

The triangle area

In the middle of this week, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks against the army-allied joint force, and on Tuesday, RSF fighters announced their control of the Jebel al-Uwaynat area on the border with Libya.

On Wednesday, the Rapid Support Forces announced in a statement that they had taken control of the strategic "Triangle" area, which constitutes a pivotal meeting point between Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. This significant step will have repercussions along several combat fronts, particularly in the northern desert.

The critically strategic area, rarely maintained by a heavy Sudanese military presence, was reportedly defended by a small detachment, which was either scattered or captured during the RSF advance, the Sudan War Monitor reported.

The "Triangle" region enjoys a vital geographic location and serves as an economic and strategic border crossing between three countries, a pivotal hub for trade and transportation between North and East Africa, and contains rich natural resources of oil, gas, and minerals, according to a statement from the Rapid Support Forces.

"The opening of our forces to the northern desert axis represents a strategic shift in securing the borders and protecting the country, especially after the repeated attacks by mercenary movements and militias supported by the Port Sudan Authority," the RSF statement claimed.

Intersections in the area

The strategic nature of the border triangle and its importance to three countries--Sudan, Libya, and Egypt--impose an exceptional reality on the conflict surrounding it, amid contradictory alliances between the military actors in the three countries.

The Egyptian regime is allied with the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar while simultaneously supporting the Sudanese army at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Meanwhile, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are supporting Haftar militarily in his conflict with other Libyan factions, complicating the situation in the border triangle.

"Egypt will not compromise its national security, regardless of the calculations, as the incursion of the Rapid Support Forces into the border triangle represents a direct threat to it," said retired Sudanese army officer Dr Khalil Muhammad.

Dr Khalil Muhammad points out that Khalifa Haftar's interventions in the Sudanese war and his support for the Rapid Support Forces are not new but rather longstanding. The retired officer does not believe the conflict in the border triangle area will escalate but rather represents a diversion tactic against the army. "The purpose of these attacks is an attempt to distract the Sudanese army on distant fronts to achieve military objectives deep within the country. This is a well-known tactic in wars, and I do not believe the Sudanese Armed Forces will be oblivious to it."

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Legal Affairs Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

The retired military expert does not rule out the possibility that the Rapid Support Forces' objective in the desert battles is to secure their land supply lines after the army successfully struck Nyala Airport, threatening the continuation of air supplies.

Related Articles

"Nowhere feels safe": Sudanese flee to Libya

16 May 2025 When the war erupted in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023,...

The clashes have hampered the movement of people fleeing the war in Sudan to Libya, with smugglers raising the price of tickets from the border triangle to the Libyan town of Kufra from 150,000 Egyptian pounds to 800,000 Egyptian pounds, exacerbating the humanitarian situation, according to a source requesting anonymity.
13 June 2025 16:53 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

As part of the nationwide Human Rights Month declared by Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva, a round table was organized at the Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, focusing on the theme The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan is an important legal basis for ensuring sovereignty and human rights. The event was held in connection with the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty, Azernews reports.

The round table brought together representatives from the Institute of Law and Human Rights, faculty members, cadets, and master's students of the Police Academy. Muqalib Mahmudov, Head of the Legal Education Sector of the Ombudsmans Office, delivered a keynote speech highlighting the primary goals of Human Rights Month, which runs annually from May 18 to June 18. He emphasized the importance of fostering legal awareness, promoting human rights culture, and strengthening efforts against discrimination, corruption, violence, and other harmful social issues.

Participants were also briefed on legal reforms aimed at enhancing the protection of human rights and freedoms, the principles of the Constitution, and the mandate and broad activities of the Ombudsman institution.

Held in an interactive format, the event featured an open exchange of views and a Q&A session, providing attendees the opportunity to discuss various human rights topics and legal mechanisms in Azerbaijan.
13 June 2025 17:04 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, has expressed deep condolences over the death of Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Azernews reports.

In his message, Minister Hasanov conveyed his personal sorrow:

I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mohammad Bagheri, whom I personally knew and who was always distinguished by his professionalism and good attitude, will be remembered with fond memories.

I express my deepest condolences to the family and relatives of the deceased and wish them patience.

May God have mercy on him!

Lieutenant General Bagheri was a prominent figure in Irans military leadership and had been known for his role in shaping the countrys defence strategy. His death marks a significant moment for Iran's armed forces amid heightened regional tensions.
13 June 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced Thursday that it has held the launch ceremony for the first of six offshore patrol vessels ordered by the Philippine Navy, marking a significant step in Manila's ongoing naval modernization efforts, Azernews reports.

The ceremony took place on Wednesday at the company's headquarters in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, for the 2,400-ton vessel Rajah Sulayman, named after a 16th-century Filipino war hero.

The new patrol vessel is 94 meters (308 feet) long and 14 meters (46 feet) wide. It is capable of cruising at a speed of 15 knots and has a maximum range of 5,500 nautical miles, making it well-suited for long-duration missions in the vast waters of the Philippines.

After completing rigorous trials, the Rajah Sulayman is scheduled to be delivered to the Philippine Navy by March 2026. The remaining five ships are set to be delivered sequentially through 2028, reinforcing the Philippines' expanding naval capabilities.

This deal is part of a broader defense partnership between South Korea and the Philippines. Since 2016, the Philippine government has awarded HD Hyundai Heavy contracts for a total of 10 naval vessels, including two frigates, underscoring the strengthening of defense ties between the two nations.

The event was attended by Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and other key dignitaries.

"With strong mutual trust, we will actively support the Philippine militarys modernization program as a core partner in Korea's international maritime defense cooperation," said Joo Won-ho, head of HD Hyundai Heavys special vessel division.

This partnership comes at a time of heightened maritime security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with increasing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Philippines, strategically located in this area, is keen to modernize its military to enhance its defense capabilities. The delivery of these new vessels will not only strengthen the Philippine Navys patrol and surveillance capabilities but also further deepen the military cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines, which is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring maritime stability in the region.
13 June 2025 08:10 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Azernews reports.

According to Azernews, the resolution received the backing of 149 member states, including Azerbaijan. Twelve countries voted against the measure, while 19 abstained from voting.

The resolution was passed during the 10th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly, which reconvened on Thursday to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
13 June 2025 09:30 (UTC+04:00)

Major General Hossein Salami, the influential head of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was among the most senior figures in the countrys security establishment, reporting directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Azernews reports via CNN that he was reportedly killed on Friday in Israels Rising Lion military operation, which has focused on dismantling Irans nuclear infrastructure and eliminating top military commanders. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a multi-day campaign.

According to Iranian state media, Salami died when a precision strike hit the IRGC headquarters in Tehran. Analysts believe the loss of Salami and other senior officers could significantly impair Irans ability to coordinate a swift or cohesive military response.
25 June 2025 14:05 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated dramatically on the late evening of June 13 as Iranian forces launched waves of ballistic missiles targeting Israeli territory, including civilian areas. The strikes came in relation to the Israeli attack in the early hours of the same day, which claimed the lives of civilians, top military commanders, and leading scientists. Read below for more UPDATES>>>

Iran has launched missile attacks on U.S. military bases in Qatar and Iraq; air raid sirens are sounding in Bahrain and Kuwait. The UAE has closed its airspace to all aircraft.

Reports have emerged of air raid alerts in Saudi Arabia as well.

14:05

It was yesterday when some senior Iranian officials and bodies, including the president, confirmed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

However, there has yet to be any public acknowledgment from the individual regarded as the most powerful figure in the country: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The supreme leader usually has the final say on state matters, and eyes inside and outside Iran remain focused on when he will comment on the ceasefire.

Khamenei has reportedly left his usual residence in central Tehran and is now sheltering in a secure bunker, but this hasn't been confirmed by Iran.

He last appeared on state television on 18 June in a pre-recorded message, in which he dismissed US President Donald Trump's call for Tehrans unconditional surrender.

Although his official accounts on X had been active prior to the ceasefire, he has not been seen in public since Israels strike on Iran on 13 June, when another pre-recorded message was aired following the attack.

The most recent images showing him in a public setting date back to 11 June, during a meeting with members of the Iranian parliament.

10:54

An Iranian parliamentary committee has approved the general outline of a bill aimed at suspending Irans cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in response to the UN nuclear watchdogs actions in connection with US and Israeli aggression against Iranian territory, Azernews reports via Mehr.

According to Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, the aforesaid plan was approved by lawmakers after discussing its details at a session on Monday.

The bill, if approved, would require the Iranian government to suspend cooperation with the IAEA until Tehran is provided with real guarantees of the agencys professional conduct.

Rezaei said that Iran, according to the plan, cannot cooperate in installing video cameras at its nuclear facilities, conducting inspections, and allowing inspectors to enter there, or submitting reports to the IAEA until the security of all Iranian nuclear facilities is guaranteed.

The decision was made after the US carried out strikes on several Iranian nuclear facilities, which violate international law, including the UN Charter, Iranian media reports.

Following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel on Tuesday, IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said he had written a letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, requesting a meeting and stressing the agencys need to collaborate with Tehran.

10:14

Donald Trump insists nuclear sites in Iran were "completely destroyed" by US military strikes, despite an intelligence report casting doubt on their success

The leaked damage assessment from the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency estimates the attack only set Iran's nuclear programme back "a few months"

Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, calls the leak "treasonous"

Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Iran seems to be holding, with both nations acknowledging it is in place

But the wars that Trump inherited and promised to end, in Gaza and Ukraine, rage on, writes North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher

15:49

Moments after Air Force One departed with Donald Trump on board, the US president has posted a fresh Truth Social insisting that "the ceasefire is in effect".

Trump writes: "Israel is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly 'plane wave' to Iran.

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"Nobody will be hurt, the ceasefire is in effect! Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

12:51

Iranian state media has responded to Israels accusations, saying Iran denies reports that it fired a missile at Israel after the ceasefire began, Azernews reports via BBC.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has released a statement about "imposing the halt of the war" on Israel and its "terrorist supporters".

The Council warns that "any further aggression will be met with a decisive, firm, and timely response by Iran".

In the statement, the Council praises the Iranian people for their "awareness, resilience and unity", saying the "enemys defeat" is down to Iranians "firm resolve, strategic patience, and refusal to accept humiliation or one-sided compromise".

The statement also commends Iran and its forces for delivering "decisive and calculated blows" in retaliation for attacks on Iran.

11:58

Iran has breached the ceasefire agreement by launching a missile attack on Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement released by the Army's press service, Azernews reports.

Some time ago, sirens sounded in northern Israel after missiles were detected from Iran towards the country, the statement said, noting that the Israeli Air Force is currently conducting operations and intends to strike at the locations necessary to eliminate the threat.

According to Israeli media, air raid alarms were triggered in multiple areas, including the Haifa region, Upper Galilee, Western Galilee, and the Golan Heights. Initial reports indicate that a single missile was launched from Iran towards northern Israel.

The renewed escalation comes despite the recently brokered ceasefire between the two countries, raising fears of a possible return to open hostilities.

10:35

The Israeli government says it agreed to the ceasefire proposal after "achieving the objectives" of its attacks on Iran, Azernews reports.

According to the statement, Israel has removed Iran's "dual immediate existential threat" from nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

It also says Israel has "inflicted severe damage on the military leadership, and destroyed dozens of central Iranian government targets".

The statement goes on to say that Israeli forces, in the last day, have "severely struck government targets in the heart of Tehran, eliminating hundreds of Basij operatives"  a militia the Iranian government often uses to suppress protests  and "eliminating another senior nuclear scientist".

"Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat," the statement adds.

21:15

What to know:

U.S. ATTACKS IRAN: The U.S. entered the conflict between Israel and Iran overnight, with American warplanes and submarines firing on three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

The U.S. entered the conflict between Israel and Iran overnight, with American warplanes and submarines firing on three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. DETAILS OF STRIKES: The U.S. is calling the military strikes against Iran Operation Midnight Hammer. According to a defense official, more than 125 U.S. military aircraft participated in the operation. It was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history and the second-largest B-2 mission ever flown, only exceeded by missions after 9/11.

The U.S. is calling the military strikes against Iran Operation Midnight Hammer. According to a defense official, more than 125 U.S. military aircraft participated in the operation. It was the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history and the second-largest B-2 mission ever flown, only exceeded by missions after 9/11. U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL: The council is expected to hold an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. at the request of Tehran, U.N. sources tell NBC News.

The council is expected to hold an emergency meeting at 3 p.m. at the request of Tehran, U.N. sources tell NBC News. TRUMP ADDRESS: In an address to the nation shortly after the attacks, President Donald Trump said the sites were completely and totally obliterated, adding that any future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier.

In an address to the nation shortly after the attacks, President Donald Trump said the sites were completely and totally obliterated, adding that any future attacks would be far greater and a lot easier. STRAIT OF HORMUZ: The Iranian parliament is moving to close the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. attack on three of the countrys nuclear sites, according to Iranian-state owned media.

The Iranian parliament is moving to close the Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. attack on three of the countrys nuclear sites, according to Iranian-state owned media. RISK OF ESCALATION : Iran says it reserves all options to respond to the U.S. attacks. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged restraint and de-escalation, saying at this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. Trump said any retaliation from Iran on U.S. assets "will be met with even greater force than what was unleashed today."

: Iran says it reserves all options to respond to the U.S. attacks. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres urged restraint and de-escalation, saying at this perilous hour, it is critical to avoid a spiral of chaos. Trump said any retaliation from Iran on U.S. assets "will be met with even greater force than what was unleashed today." RETALIATORY STRIKES: Iran launched a missile barrage into Israel this morning,causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, while Iran's allies in Yemen, the Houthis, said they will join Iran in retaliation.

Iran launched a missile barrage into Israel this morning,causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, while Iran's allies in Yemen, the Houthis, said they will join Iran in retaliation. U.S. DEBATE: Democrats have questioned the legality of the strikes, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y., saying, No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy.

Democrats have questioned the legality of the strikes, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y., saying, No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy. HUNDREDS KILLED: Since the conflict began 10 days ago, Israeli strikes have killed at least 400 people in Iran and injured 3,000, according to Irans health ministry. The death toll in Israel from Irans retaliatory strikes remains at 24.

16:16

Israel strikes IRGC headquarters.

Israeli army: We targeted the leadership of the "Thar Allah Corps," a unit of the Revolutionary Guard responsible for security in Tehran. We targeted the leadership of the "Thar Allah Corps," a unit of the Revolutionary Guard responsible for security in Tehran, Azernews reports via SkyNewsArabia.

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14:07

Russian President's meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi kicks off at the Kremlin.

Russia aims to assist the Iranian people. Putin calls the strikes on Iran unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression.

13:34

Israeli Air Force launches series of strikes on military facilities in Tehran

The Israeli attacks targeted the Basij headquarters, the Sayyid al-Shohada Corps, the Sarallah headquarters, the Alborz Corps, the Intelligence Protection of the Police Force Command, and the Police Force Intelligence Headquarters.

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23 June/ 10:44

Several senior Iranian military leaders have threatened to respond to the US strikes.

Iranian media has released a video showing Iran's commander in chief, Amir Hatami, speaking to fellow officers in an operations room.

In the video, he says every time the US has committed "crimes" against Iran in the past, they "received a decisive response, and this time it will be the same".

Meanwhile, the Iranian army's chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, has put out a statement saying the US has opened up the possibility of his forces taking "any action" against US troops. He adds that Iran "will never back down".

21:17

U.S. government personnel in Turkey are being instructed to "maintain a low profile" and avoid personal travel to the U.S. Consulate in Adana "due to regional events," according to a security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Turkiye today.

"Negative sentiment toward U.S. foreign policy may prompt actions against U.S. or Western interests in Turkiye," they warned. "In the past, such activities have included demonstrations, calls for boycotts of U.S. businesses, anti-U.S. rhetoric, and graffiti. Large gatherings may result in enhanced police presence, road closures, and traffic disruptions. Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent on short notice."

13:27

Iran has said it cannot return to negotiations that were destroyed by Israel and the United States, Azernews reports.

In a post on X, Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi wrote that Tehran had been in talks with the U.S. last week when Israel decided to sabotage the diplomatic process.

He added that this week, as Iran was engaged in dialogue with three European countries  the UK, France, and Germany  along with the European Union, Washington once again undermined diplomacy.

The UK and the EUs foreign policy chief believe Iran should return to the negotiating table, Araghchi said. But how can Iran return to a table it never left  one thats already been destroyed?

The statement comes amid rapidly escalating tensions. On the morning of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, reportedly killing several high-ranking military officers, generals, nuclear scientists, and other officials.

That same evening, Iran responded with its True Promise III operation, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at multiple locations in Israel, including Tel Aviv.

The escalation continued overnight, when U.S. forces carried out airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, reportedly destroying them.

12:55

The UNs nuclear watchdog - the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - has just released a statement saying there has been "no increase in off-site radiation levels" reported after the US struck three nuclear sites in Iran.

"IAEA will provide further assessments on the situation in Iran as more information becomes available," it says.

22.06.2025 / 06:20

The United States launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump announced Saturday evening, hailing the operation as a "spectacular military success."

In a televised address from the White House, Trump said U.S. forces had conducted precision strikes targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahanthree critical components of Irans nuclear infrastructure. "Our mission was to eliminate Irans nuclear enrichment capability and end the nuclear threat posed by the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism," Trump declared.

Earlier, the president took to Truth Social to reveal that a full payload of bombs had been dropped on Fordow, Irans primary enrichment facility. He also noted that all U.S. aircraft involved in the operation had safely exited Iranian airspace.

19.06.2025/ 10:19

More than 30 injured, Israel's emergency service says

Israeli hospital damaged and injuries reported after direct hit by Iranian missile

The spatbetween Israel and Iran has taken a dramatic and dangerous turn, with direct strikes reported on both sides and a potential US intervention hanging in the balance, Azernews reports.

According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, a hospital in Beersheba suffered a direct hit from Iranian missile strikes, marking one of the most severe escalations since the exchange of hostilities began. Air raid sirens sounded overnight across Israeli cities, and while initial shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, the atmosphere remains tense.

In a retaliatory move, Israel has issued evacuation warnings near Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, signaling that military infrastructure in the area could be targeted imminently.

Meanwhile, in Washington, President Donald Trump confirmed that he has approved military plans to strike Iran, though a final decision is still pending. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated, I may do it, I may not do it, leaving the door open for possible US military involvement alongside Israel.

Iran's Supreme Leader has responded with a stern warning to the US, saying any intervention would cause "irreparable harm", raising the risk of a wider regional war.

With strategic energy infrastructure, civilian populations, and international alliances now involved, the situation has entered a critical phase. Global actors are calling for restraint, while regional powers brace for the possibility of further escalation.

********************

19:08

Israel reportedly targets area where Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei is taking refuge, according to Israeli media.

Moreover, Internet down nationwide in Iran. Two Iranian government planes left the country.

17:20

Iranian security forces found camouflaged vehicles used to store attack drones/UAVs against Iranian targets. The vehicle in the video was captured in Alborz Province, which is west of Tehran Province

Iranian security forces found camouflaged vehicles used to store attack drones/UAVs against Iranian targets.



The vehicle in the video was captured in Alborz Province, which is west of Tehran Province. pic.twitter.com/aYlHYmotBT  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 18, 2025

15:38

Two centrifuge production facilities in Iran have been hit during Israel airstrikes  a workshop in Karaj and the Tehran Nuclear Research Centre  according to the International Atomic Energy Agency

13:15

Iran has conveyed to Washington that it will respond firmly to the United States if it becomes directly involved in Israel's military campaign, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva said, according to Reuters.

Ali Bahreini told reporters that he saw the U.S. as "complicit in what Israel is doing". Iran would set a red line, and respond if the United States crosses it, he said, without specifying what actions would provoke a response.

11:33

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not yet found any evidence of Iran's attempts to develop a nuclear weapon.

Azernews reports, citing the Tasnim agency, that IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi made this statement in an interview with CNN.

In the interview, he addressed allegations regarding the timeframe in which Iran could create a nuclear weapon: "This is certainly not a matter of tomorrow, perhaps even the next few years. These are just assumptions."

The IAEA Director General reiterated the agency's position that its inspectors were not fully aware of all of Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, stating: "What I have said so far is this - I have not seen evidence of an organized movement towards the production of nuclear weapons."

17.06.2025/ 21:35

A huge explosion has just rocked Tehran.

BREAKING

A huge explosion has just rocked #Tehran. pic.twitter.com/Su34vOFjCs  Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) June 17, 2025

11:14

Three civilian vessels are ablaze near the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Iran, according to Telegram channels. No official statement has been yet made.

10:42

Israel also announced the death of Ali Shadmani, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, who took office just four days ago.

10:20

Iran International releases a video it claims shows an Israeli airstrike this morning on the western city of Tabriz.

# |

               

#south24 pic.twitter.com/YfrkyBBruf  South24 |  (@South24_net) June 17, 2025

00:55

Iranian armed forces have resumed missile strikes on targets in Israel.

Irans Tasnim news agency reported this.

The exact number of munitions fired at Israel has not been disclosed.

20:10

Tehran State Television has been hit by missile strike according to Iranian media.

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16:56

IDF claims full control of Tehrans airspace, launches fresh strikes in central Iran, according to Times of Israel.

The Israeli Air Force has begun a new wave of airstrikes in central Iran, a military official says.

Israel controls the skies over Tehran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, echoing statements by the IDF spokesman earlier in the day.

This is a change in the entire campaign, he continues during a visit to the Tel Nof Airbase in central Israel, joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Netanyahu says Israel is on the way to achieving its goals of destroying the Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile threats.

When we control the skies over Tehran, we are hitting these targets, the targets of the regime, unlike the criminal regime of Iran that targets our citizens and comes to kill children and women, he says.

Israel, in contrast, is telling Tehrans residents to get out while the IAF strikes targets in the capital, says Netanyahu.

15:03

The International Atomic Energy Agency convened an urgent board meeting, following a request from Russia, after Israeli airstrikes on Iran damaged 4 critical structures at the Esfahan nuclear site

14:42

Iranian media reported an explosion on the TehranQom highway, forcing vehicles to change course. An Israeli airstrike also targeted the area near Shahrak-e Gharb in western Tehran, according to videos received by Iran International.

13:24

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that while Iran has never pursued nuclear weapons, the country is not afraid to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. His remarks were made during a session of the Iranian parliament on June 16, as lawmakers considered a vote of confidence in the new Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, Azernews reports.

Iran has the right to use nuclear energy and research for the benefit of its citizens. No one can take this right from Iran. We have stood with all our might to obtain this right and are not afraid of any power in this regard, Pezeshkian declared.

Referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts, he emphasized that Iran has remained committed to the policy outlined by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including engaging in indirect discussions with the United States over its nuclear program. This once again proves that Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, Pezeshkian said, adding that the recent Israeli attack violated international law and undermined diplomacy.

The Presidents statement comes in the aftermath of Israels airstrikes on June 13, which targeted high-ranking Iranian military figures and nuclear scientists. The attack resulted in the deaths of key figures such as Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, and other senior officials and scientists.

It was also noted that five rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the US were held in April and May 2025, with mediation by Omans Foreign Minister Seyyed Badr Albusaid. These meetings took place in Muscat and Rome and were led by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and US Special Representative for Middle East Affairs Steve Whitkoff.

10:27

Five people were killed in Iran's ballistic missile strikes on Israel last night, according to Meign David Adoma, a local rescue service official.

The latest victim was retrieved from the rubble of a high-rise building in the Petah Tikva district. Three other casualties were found at the scene, while one person was reported dead in the city of Bnei Brak, where a rocket strike caused widespread destruction in a residential area.

Rescue services reported that 92 people were hospitalized due to the overnight attacks, most with minor injuries.

01:23

According to reports from Azernews, Hossein Kirmanpour, the head of the Information Center at Iran's Ministry of Health (MoH), stated on social media that 224 people have died due to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attack in Iran.

He also mentioned that 1,481 individuals have been hospitalized in the past 65 hours, with more than 90% of them being civilians. Kirmanpour indicated that 522 people have been discharged from hospitals, while 224 have tragically lost their lives.

Additionally, the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization, based in Washington, previously claimed that at least 406 people were killed and 654 were injured as a result of the IDF strikes.

17:20

Israeli media: Iranian bombing targeted the power station in Hadera and the Netanyahu family's residence in Caesarea.

17:10

Smokes rising over the Iranian Navy headquarters area in Tehran.

NEW: Smokes rising over the Iranian Navy headquarters area in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/aeA5qODJme  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 15, 2025

15:05

A source in the Israeli security cabinet told Channel 15 that Israel may witness things that exceed what was seen yesterday, and Israel will increase its strikes.

13:50

Two individuals arrested in Alborz Province, west of Tehran, who allegedly had worked with Mossad to manufacture bombs, explosives, and electronic equipment.

10:40

Iranian government spokeswoman: Military operations against Israel are an appropriate punitive measure to fulfill our rights.

10:10

According to Israeli officials an Iranian ballistic missile hit a building in the central city of Bat Yam overnight and killed four people, including two children, and wounded nearly 100 others. Another missile impact in Rehovot wounded 37. Among the wounded, six are listed in serious condition.

00:55

Air raid sirens blare in Haifa as Iran launches missile barrage

Warning sirens were activated in the Haifa region following a wave of Iranian missile strikes, signaling a continued escalation in the conflict between the two countries.

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Iran and Israel exchange missile attacks and airstrikes as their escalating conflict shows no signs of resolution.

So far, the violence has claimed the lives of at least 80 people in Iran, including 20 children, and four in Israel, with hundreds more injured in both countries amid the continued retaliatory assaults.

22:19

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement: "Very soon, you will see Israeli Air Force jets over the skies of Tehran. We will strike every site and every target of the Ayatollah regime", according to Clash Report.

**********************

Trump told Putin in a phone call that his envoy Witkoff is ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran's Foreign Minister Araghchi.

20:00

The IDF announces that the chiefs of Iran's military intelligence and the IRGC's ballistic missile array were killed in recent strikes.

In all, some 20 top military Iranian commanders have been killed since Israel launched its operation against Iran on Friday, the IDF says.

Gholam-Reza Marhabi, head of the intelligence department of the Iranian Armed Forces, was killed in Israel's opening strikes early Friday, the IDF says.

The IDF says he "was responsible for intelligence situational assessments for the Iranian Armed Forces and was considered Iran's most senior intelligence officer."

"Marhabi played a key role in intelligence evaluations, operational planning, and combat preparations against Israel in the past year and before," the military says, adding that he was a "highly respected senior figure within the regime's security organization and a close associate of" Mohammad Bagheri, the Armed Forces chief of staff who was also killed on Friday.

Additionally, the IDF says a strike on Friday killed "the commander of the IRGC's Surface-To-Surface Missile Array, Mohammad Bagheri."

The IDF says Bagheri "oversaw most of Iran's long-range surface-to-surface and cruise missile capabilities."

Bagheri was killed alongside the commander of the IRGC air force and other top commanders in the unit while meeting at an underground command center to prepare to attack Israel, according to the IDF.

16:37

IDF claims deep strike into Iran signals shift in regional power dynamics

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the successful completion of several waves of airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory, calling it the "deepest Israeli strike ever carried out in Iran."

According to a statement released by the IDF, the Israeli Air Force targeted more than 150 sites and nearly 400 military components in overnight operations. Seventy fighter jets operated over Tehran alone, hitting over 50 targets, including missile systems.

The IDF also revealed that Israeli pilots maintained air operations over the northwestern city of Tabriz for approximately 2.5 hours, indicating a significant breach of Iranian airspace. Dozens of aircraft have been operating freely over the city since the operation began, the statement read.

Military officials emphasized that this unprecedented strike was the result of years of planning and coordination between the Air Force and the Intelligence Directorate.

Tehran is no longer invulnerable. This level of air superiority will help deter future threats, the IDF added, underlining a major strategic message to Iran and other regional actors.

The operation marks a turning point in the long-standing hostilities between Israel and Iran, raising serious concerns about further escalation and regional security.

15:15

On June 13, Israeli fighter jets, under the direction of military intelligence, simultaneously struck dozens of targets across Iran as part of the initial massive salvo of the operation, according to the IDFs official Telegram channel.

During the opening phase of Operation "Rising Lion", the Israeli Air Force eliminated nine senior scientists and experts involved in advancing Irans nuclear weapons programme. All the individuals held key positions and had decades of experience contributing to the development of nuclear weaponry.

Among those killed were top figures in Irans nuclear project:

Fereydoun Abbasi  Nuclear engineering specialist

Mohammad Mahdi Tehranshi  Physics expert

Akbar Motalebi Zadeh  Chemical engineering specialist

Saeed Barji  Materials engineering expert

Amir Hassan Fakhahi  Specialist in physics

Abd al-Hamid Minoushehr  Reactor physics expert

Mansour Asgari  Expert in physics

Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani  Specialist in nuclear engineering

Ali Bakhouei Katirimi  Mechanics expert

The IDF stated that these individuals played a central role in Irans progress toward nuclear weapons capability, and their elimination constitutes a significant blow to the countrys WMD ambitions.

11:44

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces reported the death of two deputy chiefs of the General Staff as a result of Israeli airstrikes, Azernews reports citing Mehr.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence Gholamreza Mehrabi and Deputy Chief for Operations Mehdi Rabbani were killed.

*************************

The Israeli Air Force continues to strike dozens of ground-to-ground missile launchers in Iran, the IDF reported.

       -  pic.twitter.com/c4n0lLsz1L     (@idfonline) June 14, 2025

10:18

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the Israeli Air Force carried out overnight strikes on dozens of surface-to-air missile infrastructure sites in Tehran, as part of an effort to weaken Irans air defence capabilities in the capital.

According to Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar: Following a tense day in which we struck hundreds of targets, we launched a wave of precision strikes of operational and national significance over Tehrans skies  enhancing our air superiority and freedom of action in Iran.

For the first time since the war began, dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets flew over the skies of Tehran  more than 1,500 kilometres from the State of Israel  and struck defensive installations in the Iranian capital.

09:40

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that after air raid sirens sounded between 08:11 and 08:12 in the Judea and Dead Sea regions, several drones launched toward Israel were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.

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09:37

The IDF addressed the Israeli public: A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of UAVs launched from Iran toward the State of Israel.

The public is asked to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. At this time, the IAF is operating to intercept and strike wherever necessary to eliminate the threat.

09:31

At least four people have been killed and another 70 injured as a result of Iran's retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing emergency medical services.

09:26

Iran believes that negotiations between Washington and Tehran on resolving the crisis over its nuclear programme have become meaningless following the Israeli attack, according to Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Islamic Republics Foreign Ministry, as reported by Reuters.

The other side (the U.S.) acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime (Israel) to target Iran's territory, he said.

09:23

The number of casualties from Irans missile strikes on Israel remains relatively low, despite extensive material damage, according to the commander of the Tel Aviv military district.

Thanks to civilians following evacuation instructions, the number of injured remains relatively small, and all injuries are minor considering the scale of the destruction, the Israeli army quoted the commander as saying via its official Telegram channel, without naming him.

08:24

Two people were killed and at least 70 injured as a result of four waves of Iranian missile strikes on Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing emergency medical services. According to the report, one person was killed and 19 others wounded after a missile directly hit residential buildings in central Israel on the morning of June 14.

Earlier, it was reported that a woman injured during the first wave of Iranian missile attacks on the evening of June 13 died from her wounds at a hospital in a suburb of Tel Aviv, where she had been admitted in critical condition after the strike.

22:10

Iran launched missiles at Israel. Some of them were intercepted, but others hit their targets.

21:57

Israeli military: We destroyed a uranium metal production facility, enriched uranium conversion infrastructure, and laboratories in Isfahan.

 :                 - (@SkyNewsArabia_B) June 13, 2025

21:21

Israel carried out airstrikes on the city of Fardis, located in Irans Alborz Province in the north of the country, Press TV reports.

The Israeli airstrikes targeted positions in the city of Fardis in Alborz Province, the broadcaster stated.

21:01

At least 18 people have been killed in East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran as a result of strikes by the Israeli Armed Forces, the Iranian agency IRNA reports.

According to the agency, another 35 people have been injured. It is noted that Israeli forces targeted several sites in the province, including at least seven in the vicinity of the city of Tabriz.

20:27

Air defence across all of Iran was activated on the evening of June 13 following new airstrikes on Tehran, according to Iranian state television.

According to Press TV, missiles were intercepted south of Tehran, while Iranian television reported new strikes on the western districts of the capital.

Also, according to IRIB, strikes were carried out on the city of Karaj, located near Tehran.

18:40

Global air traffic was disrupted following Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13, as several major airlines suspended flights to and from locations in the Middle East and rerouted their aircraft, CNN reports, citing the flight tracking website Flightradar24.

The airspace over Iran and Israel, as well as over Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, was largely cleared of commercial flights on June 13.

Tehrans Mehrabad Airport, Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport, and Queen Alia International Airport in Amman were all closed on June 13. Mehrabad Airport will remain closed until 2:00 PM on June 14, according to the state news agency IRNA.

17:38

President Donald Trump told CNN in a brief phone call Friday morning that the United States of course supports Israel and called the countrys strikes on Iran overnight a very successful attack, while warning Iran to make a nuclear deal, Azernews reports via CNN.

When asked about a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday that sought to put distance between the US and the Israeli action, Trump told Dana Bash: We of course support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it.

The president went on to urge Iran to reach a deal.

Iran should have listened to me when I said  you know, I gave them, I dont know if you know but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61, he told CNN.

They should now come to the table to make a deal before its too late. It will be too late for them. You know, the people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners, the president said. He would not specify which people he was referring to.

Trump is set to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, according a US and an Israeli official.

The president had warned Iran earlier on Friday to agree to a nuclear deal before there is nothing left, suggesting in a social media post that subsequent Israeli attacks on the country will be even more brutal.

The post marked Trumps first public comments since Israel launched strikes on Iran targeting its nuclear program and military leaders, with the US president saying he had tried to steer Iranian leaders toward diplomacy, but they failed to act at great cost.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump wrote.

Trump wrote that Iranian leaders didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, Trump added.

In contrast to Trumps aggressive tone, Rubio clarified in a statement late Thursday that the US had no involvement in the strikes.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said.

The Trump administration is, meanwhile, still hoping that a sixth round of nuclear deal talks with the Iranians will take place in Oman on Sunday as previously scheduled, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was in touch with the Omanis overnight in an effort to keep the plans for this weekend on track, sources said. But those sources acknowledged that holding the talks this weekend is highly unlikely. Oman has facilitated the US-Iran talks to date.

Despite several rounds of talks between Iran and the US to thrash out a new nuclear deal, major sticking points remain, with Iran insisting on its right to nuclear enrichment. Trump said earlier this week that hes grown less confident of being able to strike a deal, saying in an interview earlier this week that Tehran could be delaying an agreement.

Trump warned of possibility of massive conflict in Middle East

Trump had warned earlier on Thursday of the possibility that massive conflict in the Middle East that could take place soon.

US officials were increasingly concerned that the risk of Israel striking Iran had risen after Tehran said on Thursday that it would ramp up its nuclear activities due to the International Atomic Energy Agency passing a resolution saying that the country was not in compliance with its non-proliferation commitments, senior US officials told CNN.

Questioned about a potential strike earlier on Thursday, Trump said it could very well happen.

I dont want to say imminent, but its something that could very well happen, Trump told reporters at the White House.

US embassies in the Middle East carried out emergency action assessments this week, and that process is ongoing as the US monitors the threat environment in the region, the officials said.

Asked what the Israelis told him to prompt the departure of US personnel from the region, Trump replied: They didnt tell me anything, but I said look, theres a chance of massive conflict.

He described the deliberations that led him to the decision.

We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, look, we gotta tell them to get out cause something could happen  soon. And I dont want to be the one that didnt give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings. Its possible. So I had to do it. You know, I had the choice  do I do it or not? Doing it has its downside but it also has its upside, like youre going to save a lot of lives if it should happen. Hopefully that doesnt happen.

Later Thursday, Trump in a Truth Social post underscored his preference for diplomacy in Iran, saying his administration remains committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!

Trump also said he does not want Israel to target Iran as negotiations on a potential nuclear deal continue, with a sixth round of talks set for Sunday in Oman.

I want to have an agreement with Iran. Were fairly close to an agreement.  As long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in because that would blow it. Might help it, actually, but also could blow it, he said when asked about a potential Israeli strike.

16:03

A loud explosion was reported near Hamadan, northwestern Iran, according to a local news reporter from Mehr News Agency, Azernews reports.

The sound originated from the vicinity of the Noje Airbase in Kabudarahang, west of Hamadan city. Details about the cause of the explosion remain unclear.

15:08

Iranian president vows strong response to Israeli strike, warns of consequences

Irans newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Irans retaliation to Israels recent attack will be forceful enough to make it regret its actions. His remarks came in a televised address to the nation, following Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and civilians.

Azernews, citing Tasnim News Agency, reports that Pezeshkian condemned the attack as a violation of international law and a reflection of Israels aggressive nature.

Of course, the Iranian people and the country's leadership will not remain silent, and Iran's legal and strong response will make them regret this action, Pezeshkian stated.

Iran will act decisively to respond to the attack and legally defend the country's integrity, just as it has made all efforts for peace and tranquility in the world and the region.

He emphasized that while Iran has consistently sought diplomatic paths, including negotiations and global confidence-building, the recent developments require a firm response.

Pezeshkian also urged the Iranian public to remain vigilant and not fall for disinformation amid rising tensions:

I ask the Iranian people to maintain their unity, integrity, and solidarity, and not pay attention to rumors and false news. They should cooperate with the state so that the country can emerge stronger from this situation.

His statement comes at a time of heightened regional volatility, with international observers warning of potential escalation following Israels strikes on Iranian territory.

                                    



           .  Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) June 13, 2025

14:20

Trump: Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire

14:08

Iran's Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pledged a forceful response following Israel's extensive airstrikes on Iranian territory, Azernews reports.

In a televised address to the nation, Khamenei condemned the attacks and ordered the Iranian Armed Forces to be placed on high alert, warning that Tel Aviv's actions will not go unanswered.

The warning comes after more than 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets reportedly struck over 100 strategic targets across Iran in an overnight assault. The strikes are said to have killed a number of senior Iranian military officers, nuclear scientists, and civilians, further intensifying tensions in the already fragile region.

In response to the strikes, Iran's Crisis Management Headquarters issued an urgent appeal to the public to:

Remain calm and avoid panic-driven actions

Rely solely on official and national media for updates and guidance

Encourage those active in digital and social media spaces to prioritize psychological public safety and refrain from spreading misinformation

This escalation marks a dangerous new phase in the Israel-Iran confrontation and raises fears of a broader regional conflict. With both sides signaling readiness for further action, the international community has expressed growing alarm and is calling for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

13:30

Iranian media outlets reported loud explosions in the city of Tabriz on Friday, with some saying the blasts occurred near the airport. According to Fars News Agency, a new explosion was heard in the city minutes ago. The outlet also said around 10 locations in East Azerbaijan province were targeted earlier in the day

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13:10

Mossad conducted a covert operation inside Iran to destroy missile systems intending to strike Israel, Azernews reports.

 :                   pic.twitter.com/X3Xtcc5JJ9     Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) June 13, 2025

Iran has appointed Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, according to a report by Fars News Agency. The move marks a significant shift in Iran's military leadership. Further details about the appointment and its implications are expected to follow.

13:01

The Israeli Air Force bombed Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Israel in its strikes in Iran earlier today, the military says, publishing footage of the strike. It also publishes a video of strikes on other weaponry in Iran.

The Israeli Air Force bombed Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at Israel in its strikes in Iran earlier today, the military says, publishing footage of the strike.



It also publishes a video of strikes on other weaponry in Iran. pic.twitter.com/q5KXxuScbC  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

12:58

Irans main nuclear enrichment facility, Natanz, was damaged in Israels attack on Friday, the Iranian atomic energy agency said.

The heavily fortified facility is 150 miles south of the capital Tehran and houses thousands of centrifuges, used to enrich uranium for nuclear energy.

The complex has overground and underground facilities and its unclear what was damaged but no casualties were reported, the agency said.

The head of the UNs nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said Iranian authorities have confirmed that Natanz was impacted but there were no elevated radiation levels.

Grossi told members of the board at the International Atomic Energy Agency that other nuclear facilities in Iran, Isfahan and Fordow, have not been impacted.

12:29

Israeli fighter jets have completed a large-scale strike on aerial defense arrays in western Iran, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday.

As part of the strikes, dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers were destroyed, the IDF said.

The IDF earlier said 200 fighter jets had been used in its unprecedented attacks on Iran.

11:50

Iran requests UN Security council emergency session

Iran has requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to discuss Israels unprecedented strikes on the country, the Iranian Mission to the UN told CNN.

The request comes amid growing international calls for calm, after Israel warned its military operation against Iran would continue for days and Iran vowed retaliation.

11:48

Several major airlines have suspended flights to and from locations in the Middle East following Israels strikes on Iran Friday, Azernews reports via CNN.

Qatar Airways has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to current situation in the region, the airline said in a statement. Three major airports in Iran, including in the capital Tehran, and five airports in Iraq, including its capital Baghdad, have been affected, the airline said.

Emirates, one of the United Arab Emirates flagship carriers, has canceled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran on both Friday and Saturday, the airline said.

Air India, the countrys flagship carrier, said on X that more than a dozen of its flights had been diverted, or were returning to their origin, due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers. Flights affected include routes from New York, London, Vancouver and Washington.

German carrier Lufthansa said flights to Tehran had been suspended until further notice, and its pilots would avoid Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace for the time being, Reuters reported.

11:42

Azerbaijan has voiced serious concern regarding the intensifying military operations carried out by Israel on Iranian territory, Azernews reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued an official statement urging both sides to refrain from further escalation and to resolve disputes strictly through dialogue and diplomatic means based on the norms and principles of international law.

The statement emphasized the humanitarian dimension of the conflict:

"We particularly emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of the civilian population and facilities."

The Foreign Ministry also underlined the need for active diplomatic engagement:

"It is important to continue contacts through diplomatic channels and efforts within the framework of relevant international mechanisms in order to prevent further escalation of the situation in the Middle East."

The appeal comes amid growing regional instability, with Baku reaffirming its longstanding position in favor of peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.

11:20

Jordanian state media have reported that the countrys Air Force is intercepting missiles and drones in its airspace, AP reports.

According to the agency, which quoted an unnamed senior military official, the interceptions are being carried out based on military assessments indicating that missiles and drones could fall within Jordanian territory  including populated areas  posing a potential threat to civilian safety.

The official added that the Jordanian Air Force is operating around the clock to defend the countrys borders by land, sea, and air and will not allow any violation of Jordanian airspace under any circumstances.

10:59

Israelis stock up on food and water as they prepare for retaliation.

Here in Jerusalem, supermarket shelves are fast depleting with people stocking up on food and water.

Most of the country was woken up at around 03:00 (01:00 BST) this morning with a short burst of sirens and a phone alert warning of a significant threat - with people instructed to stay close to a shelter.

Israels emergency services say they are mobilising blood services across the country, while some hospitals say they are discharging patients who are well enough to go home.

In the West Bank, a lockdown has been imposed on all Palestinian cities until further notice.

This is all in preparation for a retaliation - with the Israeli military warning 100 Iranian drones are on their way to Israel.

10:52

Israeli Air Force fighter jets have begun intercepting drones launched from Iran earlier today.

According to a military official, the drones are being intercepted outside Israels borders.

Those that are not intercepted earlier are expected to reach Israeli airspace within an hour or so.

10:21

Oil prices have jumped sharply in response to Israels airstrikes on Iran, triggering market volatility across multiple sectors. July futures for Brent crude rose by 4.28% to $73.35 per barrel, while July futures for WTI crude increased by 7.95% to $73.03 per barrel.

The escalation has also impacted global financial markets. Major U.S. indices, along with Asian markets, have begun to decline, while safe-haven assets such as the Swiss franc and gold are experiencing upward movement.

The price of a barrel of Azerbaijani oil of the Azeri Light brand on the world market increased by 1.28 USD, or 1.77%, reaching 73.45 USD reports.

According to the results of the auctions, the price of August futures of Brent brand oil amounted to 70.85 USD.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Azeri Light oil on the FOB basis in the Turkish port of Ceyhan rose by 1.25 USD, or 1.76%, to 72.20 USD.

09:43

The IDF has released footage showing Israeli Air Force aircraft being prepared for combat sorties against Iran.

Israels military says 200 fighter jets have been used in its ongoing strikes on Iran, according to BBC.

More than 100 targets have been struck across Iran, IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said during a live briefing, adding that over 330 various munitions have already been dropped.

Defrin said Israels strikes were part of a precise and synchronized operation and that its pilots were still striking military targets and targets from the nuclear program across different areas in Iran.

09:34

The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement in response to the Israeli strikes on Tehran and other cities in the country, which, according to Iranian sources, killed military commanders and scientists.

In the official statement published by the IRNA news agency, Iranian authorities emphasised that the "night aggression of the Zionist regime against the Homeland" demonstrated Israels disregard for all international norms and its readiness to "officially and openly commit terrorist acts and ignite war."

"Starting a war with Iran is playing with fire and an act of daring against a lion. Such night operations, especially at a time when diplomatic negotiations on the nuclear issue were underway, reflect this regimes fear of Irans strength and its inability to contain Iran through diplomatic means," the statement said.

Tehran stresses that Israels actions in Iranian airspace and the elimination of Iranian commanders "once again prove the terrorist nature of the Zionist regime." Iranian authorities assured that from this moment they are taking all necessary defensive, political, and legal steps to, as stated in the text, "make Israel regret what it has done and deprive the Zionists of sleep."

The response will be decisive, unified, and uncompromising, the Iranian government declared. We have the legitimate right to respond, and we will exercise it. There are no disagreements in Iran today: the entire nation, the state, and the authorities stand united in the face of the aggressor.

Revenge for each of our martyrs is inevitable. We call on the UN Security Council to protect what remains of the international order. But even if that does not happen, as the Supreme Leader said, the mighty hand of the Iranian Armed Forces will not let this regime go. Retribution is nearcloser than the Zionists carotid artery.

Iranian authorities assured that the situation is under control and that a response will follow very soon.

We did not start this. But Iran will write the final chapter of this story, the statement concluded.

09:22

In the past few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones towards Israel.

According to The Times of Israel, this was reported by an official representative of the Israel Defence Forces, Brigadier General Effi Deferin.

He stated that the IDF is taking measures to intercept them.

Deferin clarified that the launches originated from Iranian territory, and it will take several hours for the drones to reach Israeli airspace.

09:17

Irans former national security chief Ali Shamkhani, has been killed as a result of Israeli strikes on Iran, CNN reports, citing Iranian state media.

"The assassination of Ali Shamkhani was also confirmed," said the Iranian state news network IRINN.

Shamkhani was a key advisor to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and served as Secretary of the countrys National Security Council for nearly ten years.

09:05

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has appointed General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), replacing the late General Hossein Salami.

New IRGC commander, General Vahidi.

This was reported by the Iranian news agency Nournews.

Habibollah Sayyari has been named acting Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. He will replace Mohammad Bagheri, who was killed in the Israeli strikes.

08:57

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has died as a result of Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the MEHR news agency.

Earlier, the Iranian side denied the death of the general.

08:46

According to Iranian state media reports, several key figures of Irans military and scientific establishment were killed in a large-scale Israeli military operation aimed at undermining Tehrans nuclear program.

Among the confirmed dead are:

 Hossein Salami  Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC);

 Gholamali Rashid  Commander of the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya;

 Fereydoon Abbasi  Nuclear scientist and former head of Irans Atomic Energy Organisation;

 Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi  another specialist in the nuclear program.

In addition, Ali Shamkhani, one of the closest advisors to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly sustained serious injuries, according to media reports.

The Israeli side has stated that the operation will continue and is aimed at "permanently depriving Iran of the ability to develop nuclear weapons."

08:32

Azerbaijani airline AZAL has cancelled several flights due to the closure of airspace by a number of Middle Eastern countries over security concerns.

Flights on the BakuTel AvivBaku, BakuDubaiBaku, and BakuTehranBaku routes scheduled for June 13 and 14 have been cancelled.

08:24

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about Israels strikes on Irans nuclear facilities and urges all sides to exercise maximum restraint. This was stated by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.

"The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway. The Secretary-General recalls the obligation of UN Member States to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law," the statement read.

"The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," Haq added.

08:22

Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri, was not harmed in the Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, according to the IRNA news agency.

The agency clarified that the general is currently at a command post.

Earlier, Reuters had reported, citing a source, that Bagheri was presumed dead.

08:15

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the surprise airstrike on Iranian territory was very successful.

We struck the top command, the leading scientists involved in developing nuclear weapons, and key nuclear infrastructure facilities, Netanyahu emphasised. We are achieving success, but I know, and you know: there are no easy wars.

The Israeli leader also warned that Israelis may have to spend much more time in shelters than we have been used to until now.

08:13

Irans Foreign Ministry has stated that Israels attack on Iran "could not have happened without coordination and authorisation from the United States." The statement was published on the ministry's official Telegram channel.

"The U.S. government, as the main supporter of this regime (Israel), will also be held responsible for the consequences and the dangerous repercussions of this Zionist attack," the message reads.

Its worth noting that Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi also accused the United States of involvement in the strikes on Tehran.

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any American involvement in the attacks and urged Iran not to act against U.S. interests.

07:56

Scale of the Strikes: According to Israeli military sources, the attack targeted dozens of sites across Iran. The primary objectives were critical components of Irans nuclear programme and facilities associated with the production of long-range ballistic missiles. A source in the Israeli military told CNN the operation is not limited to a single day.

Scientists and Generals Targeted: An Israeli intelligence official told reporters that the first wave of strikes included locations where senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists were believed to be present. The likelihood of their elimination is high and continues to increase, the official stated.

IRGC Commander Killed: According to several Iranian state media outlets, General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in the strikes. However, there has been no official confirmation so far.

Destruction on the Ground: Photos and videos released by Iranian state media show burning residential buildings and plumes of smoke rising above the nuclear facility in Natanz.

Mobilisation and State of Emergency in Israel: Israeli authorities have declared a state of emergency. Schools have been closed, mass gatherings banned, and citizens urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Hospitals have been instructed to suspend non-urgent care and switch to emergency protocols. The army is mobilising tens of thousands of reservists.

U.S. Response: CNN reports that the Donald Trump administration was informed in advance about the planned strike. However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the United States did not participate in the operation and provided no military assistance to Israel.

Future of Nuclear Talks: The sixth round of the U.S.Iran nuclear negotiations was scheduled for June 15 in Oman.

07:42

Israel has carried out strikes on three military sites in northwestern Iran, according to Iranian state television.

"Three military facilities in East Azerbaijan Province were targeted by the Zionist regime," the provincial emergency management authority said in a statement broadcast by the state channel.

07:37

A spokesperson for Irans armed forces has stated that the strikes carried out by Israel on Iranian territory were conducted with the support of the United States. This was also reported by Iranian state media.

As previously mentioned, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected all accusations of American involvement in the operation.

07:28

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the Iranian people:

At dawn today, the Zionist regime once again revealed its malicious nature by committing a new crime on the soil of our beloved country, staining its filthy and bloodied hands with an attack on residential areas. This regime must be prepared for severe punishment.

The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, with God's permission, will not leave this aggression unanswered.

Several commanders and scientists were killed in the attack. Their successors and colleagues, with Allahs help, will immediately carry on their mission.

Through this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself on a path toward a bitter and painful fate  and it will inevitably meet it.

07:18

Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, stated that Israel is calling up "tens of thousands" of reservists in preparation for further developments following the strikes on Iranian territory.

"We launched this operation because the time had come. We are at the point of no return. We cannot afford to wait. We have no other choice," said Zamir in the statement.

He added that both recent and historical lessons are clear: "When the enemy seeks our destruction, we cannot turn a blind eye. We must fight for our existence. Freedom is granted to those who are willing to fight for it."

It should be recalled that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier stated the operation against Iran would last several days. Following the strikes on what Tel Aviv calls "nuclear targets," Israel declared a state of emergency  schools are closed, mass gatherings are banned, and businesses have been advised to suspend operations in anticipation of a potential Iranian response.

07:17

Iran has fully closed its airspace until further notice. The announcement was made by the country's Civil Aviation Authority, which also urged citizens not to go to airports. Earlier, authorities had temporarily suspended flights over Tehran, as confirmed by an official NOTAM notice.

07:16

Iranian media are reporting a new wave of Israeli strikes across the country. According to their reports, the current attacks are targeting the cities of Tehran, Ahvaz, and Kermanshah.

06:45

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a video statement that the Israeli Air Force had struck Irans uranium enrichment centre in Natanz, scientists involved in nuclear weapons development, and facilities he described as the "heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme". He said the operation would continue for several days. "We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history," Netanyahu declared.

Iranian state media and eyewitnesses confirmed explosions in multiple locations across the country, including Tehran and the city of Natanz, home to a key nuclear facility. According to Reuters, Irans Supreme National Security Council has convened an emergency meeting.

Both Iranian television and CNN reported the death of General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in the strikes. However, this has not yet been confirmed by independent sources.

The Israeli military said the strikes targeted dozens of nuclear and military facilities. Israeli assessments claim Iran possesses enough fissile material to produce up to 15 nuclear warheads in the near term.

Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned of a possible retaliatory attack from Tehran. A massive strike on Israeli territory using rockets and drones is expected imminently, his statement said. A state of emergency has been declared in Israel.

Meanwhile, the United States has emphasised it was not involved in the military operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement confirming the unilateral nature of Israels actions. Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, he said. Rubio added, Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

According to CNN, US President Donald Trump convened an emergency cabinet meeting. The previous day, Trump had acknowledged the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran, while expressing hope for a peaceful resolution.

Amid the sharp escalation of the conflict, oil prices surged by more than $3 per barrel.

The situation in the region remains extremely tense. International observers warn of the risk of a wide-scale escalation that could develop into a full-scale war with unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East.
13 June 2025 15:13 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Irans newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Irans retaliation to Israels recent attack will be forceful enough to make it regret its actions. His remarks came in a televised address to the nation, following Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and civilians, Azernews reports via Tasnim News Agency.

Pezeshkian condemned the attack as a violation of international law and a reflection of Israels aggressive nature.

Of course, the Iranian people and the country's leadership will not remain silent, and Iran's legal and strong response will make them regret this action, Pezeshkian stated.

Iran will act decisively to respond to the attack and legally defend the country's integrity, just as it has made all efforts for peace and tranquillity in the world and the region.

He emphasised that while Iran has consistently sought diplomatic paths, including negotiations and global confidence-building, the recent developments require a firm response.

Pezeshkian also urged the Iranian public to remain vigilant and not fall for disinformation amid rising tensions:

I ask the Iranian people to maintain their unity, integrity, and solidarity, and not pay attention to rumours and false news. They should cooperate with the state so that the country can emerge stronger from this situation.

His statement comes at a time of heightened regional volatility, with international observers warning of potential escalation following Israels strikes on Iranian territory.
13 June 2025 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Tesla has begun testing its autonomous driving technology on the streets of Rome, Italy, marking a significant milestone in its global expansion plans, Azernews reports.

The company is currently conducting tests of its full autonomous driving system across Europe, with plans to launch the feature in the near future. This advanced technology allows Tesla vehicles to navigate urban roads autonomously, reacting to the dynamic presence of other vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians. The system communicates intelligently with other road users and ensures a smooth and safe driving experience for passengers.

In addition to improving road safety, Tesla's autonomous driving feature is designed to learn from its environment, adapting to different driving conditions and local traffic patterns.

The testing in Rome is particularly noteworthy, as the citys narrow streets, cobblestone roads, and heavy pedestrian traffic present unique challenges for self-driving cars. This makes it a critical step toward fine-tuning the system for urban environments across the globe.
13 June 2025 19:20 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Pakistans Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed all possible assistance to be provided for the safe return and protection of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran, Azernews reports.

On Friday, the premier instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani Embassy in Iran to remain on alert until the regional situation stabilizes.

Following these instructions, a Crisis Management Cell has been established at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson advised Pakistani pilgrims to reconsider their travel plans to Iran and Iraq, given the evolving security situation in the region.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the unjustified Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as a brazen violation of Irans sovereignty.

He stated that this abhorrent action by Israel has shaken the foundations of international law and the conscience of humanity, while gravely undermining regional stability and international security.
13 June 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

President Donald Trump told CNN in a brief phone call Friday morning that the United States of course supports Israel and called the countrys strikes on Iran overnight a very successful attack, while warning Iran to make a nuclear deal, Azernews reports via CNN.

When asked about a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday that sought to put distance between the US and the Israeli action, Trump told Dana Bash: We of course support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it.

The president went on to urge Iran to reach a deal.

Iran should have listened to me when I said  you know, I gave them, I dont know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61, he told CNN.

They should now come to the table to make a deal before its too late. It will be too late for them. You know, the people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners, the president said. He would not specify which people he was referring to.

Trump is set to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, according a US and an Israeli official.

The president had warned Iran earlier on Friday to agree to a nuclear deal before there is nothing left, suggesting in a social media post that subsequent Israeli attacks on the country will be even more brutal.

The post marked Trumps first public comments since Israel launched strikes on Iran targeting its nuclear program and military leaders, with the US president saying he had tried to steer Iranian leaders toward diplomacy, but they failed to act at great cost.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump wrote.

Trump wrote that Iranian leaders didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, Trump added.

In contrast to Trumps aggressive tone, Rubio clarified in a statement late Thursday that the US had no involvement in the strikes.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said.

The Trump administration is, meanwhile, still hoping that a sixth round of nuclear deal talks with the Iranians will take place in Oman on Sunday as previously scheduled, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was in touch with the Omanis overnight in an effort to keep the plans for this weekend on track, sources said. But those sources acknowledged that holding the talks this weekend is highly unlikely. Oman has facilitated the US-Iran talks to date.

Despite several rounds of talks between Iran and the US to thrash out a new nuclear deal, major sticking points remain, with Iran insisting on its right to nuclear enrichment. Trump said earlier this week that hes grown less confident of being able to strike a deal, saying in an interview earlier this week that Tehran could be delaying an agreement.

Trump warned of possibility of massive conflict in Middle East

Trump had warned earlier on Thursday of the possibility that massive conflict in the Middle East that could take place soon.

US officials were increasingly concerned that the risk of Israel striking Iran had risen after Tehran said on Thursday that it would ramp up its nuclear activities due to the International Atomic Energy Agency passing a resolution saying that the country was not in compliance with its non-proliferation commitments, senior US officials told CNN.

Questioned about a potential strike earlier on Thursday, Trump said it could very well happen.

I dont want to say imminent, but its something that could very well happen, Trump told reporters at the White House.

US embassies in the Middle East carried out emergency action assessments this week, and that process is ongoing as the US monitors the threat environment in the region, the officials said.

Asked what the Israelis told him to prompt the departure of US personnel from the region, Trump replied: They didnt tell me anything, but I said look, theres a chance of massive conflict.

He described the deliberations that led him to the decision.

We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, look, we gotta tell them to get out cause something could happen  soon. And I dont want to be the one that didnt give any warning and missiles are flying into their buildings. Its possible. So I had to do it. You know, I had the choice  do I do it or not? Doing it has its downside but it also has its upside, like youre going to save a lot of lives if it should happen. Hopefully that doesnt happen.

Later Thursday, Trump in a Truth Social post underscored his preference for diplomacy in Iran, saying his administration remains committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!

Trump also said he does not want Israel to target Iran as negotiations on a potential nuclear deal continue, with a sixth round of talks set for Sunday in Oman.

I want to have an agreement with Iran. Were fairly close to an agreement.  As long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in because that would blow it. Might help it, actually, but also could blow it, he said when asked about a potential Israeli strike.
Strides made in cultural preservation

08:29, June 13, 2025 By Yang Feiyue ( China Daily

From time to time, Liang Desong still finds it hard to come to terms with the years he spent away from his art  doing odd jobs in farming and construction to make ends meet.

Liang is a dedicated practitioner of Miao painting in Central China's Hunan province. The art form, in which fine-tipped brushes and vibrant paints are used to create detailed artworks on fabric, mimics the intricate stitches of Miao embroidery.

Liang, who is now in his 60s, was forced to lay down his brush in the 1980s, as machine-made clothing swept through markets and pushed traditional crafts to the margins.

However, thanks to the country's growing efforts to protect and revive the art form, which was named a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011, Liang was given the chance to return to the roots of his identity.

Today, the growth of cultural tourism in the region, spurred by heritage-focused development policies, has turned his workshop in Jishou, in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, into a vibrant tourism destination.

"I feel Miao paintings have visibly made a comeback among the public," said Liang, who was named a national inheritor in 2018, a status that has further helped to boost the spread of his craft.

His journey is an example of the tangible results of the country's nationwide push to safeguard its diverse cultural heritage.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, President Xi Jinping has placed great importance on the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has underlined the importance of intangible cultural heritage on multiple occasions.

During his visit to a Dong ethnic village in Southwest China's Guizhou province in March, Xi praised the distinctive culture of the ethnic group, including stilt houses, the grand song of the Dong people and batik craftsmanship, as "deeply traditional and remarkably stylish".

When he visited Huawu village during an inspection tour of Guizhou in 2021, Xi gave the thumbs-up to using Miao embroidery to pass down ethnic traditional culture, aid in the battle against poverty, and promote rural vitalization.

In 2019, Xi emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of ethnic groups during an inspection tour of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Annual celebration

Building on his initiatives, the 2025 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day will be celebrated on Saturday. Established in 2006, the annual event highlights the country's efforts to preserve and rejuvenate China's cultural relics.

Since 2011, more than 10 billion yuan ($1.39 billion) has been allocated in the central budget to support the protection and inheritance of representative national intangible cultural heritage items and the activities carried out by related national-level inheritors, according to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

When visiting North China's Shanxi province in 2022, Xi said that more efforts must be made to conserve the country's cultural heritage and promote its role in contributing to economic and social development and people's quality life.

Government organs, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Rural Revitalization Administration, have been promoting the development of intangible cultural heritage workshops to support rural vitalization.

They have encouraged broader participation from various sectors in establishing such workshops and outlined concrete measures such as boosting employment, enhancing training programs, cultivating local promoters, improving product competitiveness, expanding sales channels and strengthening publicity and promotion.

As of June 2024, a total of 9,100 such workshops had been established across the country. Most of these are built around leading local enterprises or cooperatives engaged in intangible cultural heritage practices. They have become vital platforms for the living preservation of traditional culture and serve as powerful engines driving rural vitalization.

Chen Yunzhen, an experienced ethnic Qiang embroidery artist from Beichuan Qiang autonomous county in Southwest China's Sichuan province, has managed over the years to promote the art through such a workshop in her hometown.

To date, she has led her team to develop a wide range of products featuring Qiang embroidery, from home decorations and tailor-made clothes to creative cultural products, while providing training and employment to more than 500 local women.

"Our business has been growing, and we're committed to bringing this craft with a history of more than 1,000 years to modern life," Chen said.

According to a 2024 report from the top legislature based on a nationwide inspection focused on reviewing the implementation of the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage Law, a large number of intangible cultural heritage items have been effectively protected since the law took effect in 2011.

The report said that the intangible cultural heritage work mechanism has been continuously improved over the years, public awareness of efforts to protect related items has deepened, and heritage's role in serving contemporary society and benefiting the people has increasingly grown.

Zhang Pingjun, deputy director of the School of Law at Huaqiao University in Quanzhou, Fujian province, said that China's legislative efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage have played an active role in enhancing awareness of protection, cultivating legislative talent, innovating legal protection methods, and aligning with international intangible cultural heritage legislation.

The year 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of China joining the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. To date, the country boasts more than 100,000 intangible cultural heritage items, including over 1,550 designated as national-level items.

After the inscription of traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2022, Xi said the inscription is significant to the promotion of China's tea culture.

Xi also emphasized the need to promote the creative transformation and development of the best of traditional Chinese culture, enhance the cohesion of the Chinese nation and the appeal of Chinese culture, deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations, better tell the stories of China's fine traditional culture, and better present Chinese culture to the world.

As of the end of last year, 44 Chinese items have been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the latest addition in December of the Spring Festival, which encompasses the social practices of the Chinese people in celebrating the traditional new year.

Yuan Li, a researcher at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, noted that living inheritance  passed down through oral instruction and personal demonstration  is vital for the transmission of intangible cultural heritage, and emphasized that many techniques and crafts have been preserved primarily through this method.

Yuan added that "intangible cultural heritage most embodies the grassroots character of a country and best represents a nation's aesthetic customs".

Innovative initiatives

The government's support for intangible cultural heritage has also encouraged industrial players' participation in the field.

With a history of more than 70 years, Beijing Gongmei Group, a leading enterprise in China's arts and crafts industry, launched the Yuxun program in 2023 to explore modern-day uses of traditional arts and crafts.

It has rolled out a wide range of creative cultural products featuring traditional crafts, including filigree inlay and imperial embroidery, which have been popular among modern-day consumers, especially young people, noted Wang Jingjing, head of Beijing Gongmei Group's operations management department.

In March this year, the company launched a brick-and-mortar shop, Yuxun Jingxi, to bring visitors closer to the charm of Chinese culture through intangible cultural heritage workshops, pop-up exhibitions, tea and coffee lounges, and retail. It showcases a variety of heritage techniques and products.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has assured Kenyans that the Finance Bill 2025 will not introduce any new taxes.

In his maiden budget speech to the National Assembly, Mbadi said the government had heeded the loud and clear message from Kenyans, following nationwide protests triggered by controversial tax proposals in the 2024/2025 Finance Act. He asked Parliament to observe a moment of silence in honour of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

"Mr. Speaker, no life should be lost and no property should be destroyed again. The message from Kenyans was clear," he said.

Instead of additional tax burdens, the 2025 Finance Bill proposes to raise Sh30 billion in revenue through reforms, improved compliance, and rationalisation of tax incentives.

"Since I took office at the National Treasury, I assured Kenyans that we shall strive to reduce the tax burden. In this respect, the Finance Bill 2025 has neither proposed new taxes nor raised any tax rates," Mbadi stated.

He noted that tax expenditures -- revenue lost through exemptions and incentives -- surged from Sh393.1 billion in 2022 to Sh510.6 billion in 2023, equivalent to 3.4 percent of GDP. To reverse this trend, the government intends to streamline incentives to promote fairness and eliminate distortions in the tax system.

"From the proposed reforms, we expect to raise Sh30 billion in additional revenue," he said.

To support local industries and lower the cost of doing business, Mbadi unveiled several customs measures agreed upon with East African Community (EAC) ministers. Kenya will now import tea packaging materials and wheat at reduced duty rates and extend duty remissions for sectors such as telecommunications, animal feed, and leather.

"The meeting allowed Kenya to import tea packaging materials at a lower duty rate of 10 percent. In addition, Kenya was granted an extension of duty remission to import wheat at the rate of 10 percent," Mbadi said.

Kenya has also withdrawn its earlier request to maintain higher duties on specific packaging materials -- a move designed to support tea exporters hit by last year's tax hikes.

The Bill also includes sweeping amendments to streamline tax administration and support economic recovery. Among the key proposals is the reduction of the digital asset tax from 3 percent to 1.5 percent, aimed at encouraging broader participation in virtual asset trading, particularly among the youth.

"To encourage wider participation in virtual asset transactions, especially among the youth, the Bill proposes to reduce the digital asset tax rate from 3 percent to 1.5 percent," said Mbadi.

In the real estate sector, the Bill proposes extending mortgage interest tax relief to cover individuals constructing their own homes -- a benefit previously restricted to homebuyers. Additionally, daily subsistence allowances for private sector workers will rise from Sh2,000 to Sh10,000, aligning them with public sector rates.

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"To ensure fairness, the Bill proposes to extend this benefit to interest on mortgages taken for construction of residential houses. This will support home ownership and align with the BETA Pillar on Affordable Housing," said the CS.

Mbadi also outlined efforts to position Nairobi as a regional financial hub. Certified firms under the Nairobi International Financial Centre will benefit from lower corporate tax rates and dividend exemptions -- conditional on job creation and capital reinvestment.

Other reforms target clarification within the VAT Act, improved VAT refund processes, and stricter control of zero-rated and exempt goods. Amendments to the Excise Duty Act will reduce burdens on alcohol manufacturers, regulate plastic imports, and bring foreign digital service providers into the tax bracket.

"This budget reaffirms the priority policies and strategies aimed at stimulating economic recovery," Mbadi concluded. "The freedoms we enjoy in this country have not come easy."
A Florida sheriff has called a press conference to warn any anti-ICE, pro-illegal alien insurrectionists that come to his county that they can expect a very tough response from his office. "We're not going to play", Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey declared.

"If you spit on an officer, you're going to the hospital, then to jail," Sheriff Ivey declared. He listed numerous actions that would result in insurrectionists being jailed, He also noted that under Florida law, if they surround motorists in a car or try to block them, the motorists can legally run over the insurrecitonists.

"If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains," the sheriff warned, "because we will kill you graveyard dead. We're NOT going to play."

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/florida-sheriff-delivers-bone-chilling-message-leftists-illegal/

https://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2025/06/13/florida-sheriff-mobs-blocking-cars-in-our-county-will-probably-be-run-over/

Maybe Soros will have to pay extra hazardous duty pay to his rent-a-thugs assigned to Florida.

Meanwhile, responsible governors in Texas and Missouri are calling out their national guard to be on hand before the Open Borders insurrectionists arrive.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/missouri-governor-activates-national-guard-declares-state-emergency/

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/texas-prepares-weekend-protests-national-guard-deployment
The North Carolina Senate has passed two bills, on party line votes, to crack down on illegal aliens and particularly on sanctuary counties. One has already passed the House and will go to Governor Stein to sign or veto. The other will go back to the House for consideration before going to Stein.

The new legislation would require state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE on turning over illegal aliens for deportation, prohibit state universities from harboring illegal aliens, require state law enforcement to determine the immigration status on people they arrest, require social service agencies to determine immigration status of their clients and remove illegal aliens, and allow lawsuits against sanctuary counties by citizens injured by an illegal alien they have released.

There are currently five sanctuary counties in North Carolina, based on the policies of the liberal Democrat sheriffs of those counties.

https://compassnews360.com/digital-edition/
Sunshine in May could have had a negative impact on local shoppers

May sunshine may have had a negative impact

Footfall was down in May (PA)

Footfall in Northern Irish retail outlets came back down to earth again with a bump last month after high figures in April.

The number of bargain hunters at local shopping centres and in Belfast fell in May compared to the performance for May 2024, according to the latest data from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC).

It attributed Aprils strong performance in part to good weather, and said Mays underperformance may relate to the higher National Insurance costs businesses are now paying.

May sunshine may have had a negative impact

The results are a marked contrast with April, when Northern Ireland saw the largest growth in footfall of any UK region, going up 14.3%. Belfast was the best-performing city last month, seeing a 21.3% bump to footfall.

Northern Ireland and its capital are more middle of the road in May, with a 1.4% shrinkage placing it seventh out of the 13 UK nations and regions listed.

Belfast was sixth out of 11 ranked cities.

The combination of economic uncertainty worldwide and increases in domestic national insurance costs provided a worrying background for shoppers in May and it looks like some have decided to play it safe and stay away from the shops for now.

Neil Johnston, director of the NIRC, said: After encouraging figures and sunshine in April it was back down to earth again with a bump in May.

Footfall was disappointing across the UK with the number of shoppers down by 1.7% and down by 1.4% in Northern Ireland compared to a year ago.

Belfast had a remarkable surge in shoppers in April  up over 20% compared to the previous April  boosted by the later Easter. So perhaps the fact that Belfast is down 1.9% this May compared to the previous May is not that surprising.

The combination of economic uncertainty worldwide and increases in domestic national insurance costs provided a worrying background for shoppers in May and it looks like some have decided to play it safe and stay away from the shops for now.

The picture on footfall is also reflected in the retail sales figures which showed consumers putting the brakes on non-essential spending.

This is not an encouraging situation for retailers facing higher employer National Insurance contributions and other statutory costs from the changes that kicked in during April.

Footfall was down in May (PA)

News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June

Retail consultant Andy Sumpter said: Northern Irelands retail footfall held up better than the UK average in May, with a year-on-year decline of -1.4% compared to -1.7% nationally.

High streets and shopping centres still saw some softening, but retail parks continued to show resilience, supported by their convenience and accessibility.

Despite the warm and sunny weather  more typical of peak summer than late spring  footfall didnt fully reflect the brighter conditions, suggesting that consumers may have prioritised leisure and outdoor activities over shopping.

Nevertheless, Mays result marks a clear improvement on the -3.0% seen in the same month last year and contributes to a more stable trend in 2025.

Encouragingly, consumer sentiment is on the rise, with more people feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy.

Notwithstanding ongoing cost-of-living pressures, retailers in Northern Ireland will be looking to make hay while the sun shines  focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.
A lawyer for Sean Diddy Combs protested at the rising tide of secrecy at the hip-hop stars federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial on Thursday, after Combs and the public were excluded from lengthy arguments over whether another famous rappers name could be disclosed.
On 4 June, Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a damning report documenting a series of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) airstrikes between November 2024 and February 2025 that killed dozens of civilians and injured dozens more in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. The organisation accuses the SAF of using unguided ammunition in densely populated residential areas, describing the attacks as a likely violation of international humanitarian law.

Since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of Nyala in late October 2023, the SAF has repeatedly targeted the city with aerial bombardments. Before the current conflict, Nyala was Sudan's most populated city, with over 800,000 residents.

"The Sudanese military has hit densely populated residential and commercial neighbourhoods in Nyala using inaccurate bombs," said Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, senior crisis, conflict, and arms researcher at HRW. "These attacks have killed scores of men, women, and children, destroyed families, and caused fear and displacement."

SAF bombed civilians in Nyala

In just three days between 2 - 4 February 2025, as many as 74 civilians were killed from airstrikes, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). HRW marked 3 February as one of the deadliest days, with five strikes hitting densely populated areas, including Al-Jumhuriya, Al-Cinema, and Congo Road. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported 32 people killed and dozens more injured on that fateful day.

One strike near the Mecca Eye Hospital hit a grocery store on a busy street. "[The] place was completely destroyed and damaged by the airstrike," said the man who arrived at the scene shortly afterward. "Many people were killed."

A day labourer from Nyala described to HRW the moments before an airstrike killed his sister and nephew as they walked together through their neighbourhood. He said they had just left their home when they noticed a plane overhead and saw people around them begin to panic. "I was only 10 metres away from my house when I saw the airplane, and the people started to run around scared... There was some panic and people didn't know whether to stay outside or try to hide... Everybody started to run around. And then I said to my sister that we had to hide."

The man said he was walking slightly ahead of his sister and his nephew when the bomb fell. "I was a little bit ahead of [my sister and nephew] when the strike happened and killed them." He told HRW they were "literally cut into pieces". He himself sustained an injury to his leg. He added that he had not seen any RSF presence in the area prior to the strike.

Indiscriminate attacks

According to HRW, the SAF intensified airstrikes on Nyala coincided with reports that the RSF had begun using Nyala airport as a drone base, with large cargo planes reportedly landing there. While HRW noted that the RSF's use of the airport for military purposes makes it a legitimate military target - the use of unguided, air-dropped munitions in civilian areas violates the laws of war and could amount to war crimes.

"The bombing was random at first--one airstrike hit four civilian homes at one in the Al-Jir neighbourhood, west of the army headquarters, forcing families to flee to other areas," said Sara*, a human rights activist in Nyala, speaking to Ayin. "Explosive barrels also fell on streets, especially along Jebel Marra road, with more than five blasts in one area." These indiscriminate attacks have subsided, however, she added. "While the strikes were indiscriminate in the beginning, over the past three months they've become more targeted, focusing on RSF sites, weapon depots, and other military storage facilities.

The Sudanese Army Spokesperson, Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah, claimed HRW's findings were "untrue and detached from reality" and he criticised the report for ignoring "atrocities and violations committed by the RSF against civilians."

Not just Nyala

The SAF's warplanes are not only indiscriminately bombing Nyala but any location with a suspected RSF presence. In Omdurman, for instance, an airstrike on a market in July 2023 killed more than 20 civilians. Satellite images taken after the attack showed charred vehicles and cratered streets, consistent with the use of aerial bombs.

Meanwhile, the RSF has been implicated in a separate wave of atrocities, particularly where fighters have allegedly carried out ethnically targeted massacres of non-Arab civilians. The violence has forced over 1.8 million people to flee Darfur since April 2023, adding to Sudan's growing humanitarian crisis.

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Nyala itself has seen waves of displacement. According to the International Organisation for Migration, more than 300,000 people have fled the city since fighting began; many are taking refuge in makeshift camps or fleeing across the border to Chad.

HRW urges halt to deadly airstrikes

HRW has called on the SAF to immediately halt all indiscriminate attacks, including the use of unguided air-dropped bombs on populated areas. The rights group urged other governments to follow the European Union's lead in sanctioning Sudan's air force leadership for its role in these attacks. It also pressed Sudanese authorities to allow access for international monitors, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN Fact-Finding Mission, to investigate violations committed by all parties to the conflict.

"Despite international expressions of concern, civilians continue to bear the brunt of Sudan's devastating two-year-old war," Gallopin said. "Other countries need to take concerted action to protect civilians and prevent further indiscriminate attacks by investigating and sanctioning those responsible on all sides."
Kids need to understand how hard it is to earn: Experts on how much pocket money we should give to children
US barrister explains how he won case against Donaghadee speeding ticket: I said to myself this is not right

The judge threw out the speeding case after former Florida senator Joe Gerston claimed sign displayed wrong info

Joe Gersten, an accomplished barrister, appeared at Ards Magistrates Court

Steven Moore and Paul Higgins Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 14:00

An accomplished American barrister has explained how he won his case against a speeding ticket he received in Donaghadee.
Council to rule on new flats proposal that could become one of NIs largest student developments

Development close to Ulster University would be one of biggest in Northern Ireland

How the completed development could look

Andrew Madden Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 07:45

A planning application for what could become one of the largest student accommodation developments in Northern Ireland will go before councillors in Belfast next week.
The BBC has confirmed it will not be appealing Gerry Adams successful libel action against the corporation.

It comes after the broadcaster updated an online article at the heart of the controversy, urging readers to be aware of the outcome of the case which found that the former Sinn Fein leader had been defamed.

Mr Adams took the BBC to court over a Spotlight episode which aired in 2016 and the accompanying online article based on the programme.

In a high-profile case, a jury concluded the content defamed Mr Adams (76) by featuring an anonymous source who alleged he sanctioned the 2006 murder of British agent Denis Donaldson who was also a high-ranking Sinn Fein official.

This evening the BBC said: We have given careful consideration to the jurys decision.

We will not be appealing its verdict, bringing this matter to a conclusion. We remain committed to public interest journalism and to serving all BBC audiences.

The verdict was delivered in the High Court in Dublin last month along with the decision to award the successful claimant 100,000 (84,000).

Jurors determined that the allegation  which Mr Adams has always denied  in the programme and online story was damaging to Mr Adams reputation.

The jury concluded that the BBC did not act in good faith nor in a fair and reasonable way.

The corporation was then ordered to pay Mr Adams legal costs.

The combined bill for both parties is estimated to be between 3-5m (2.5-4.2m), according to sources with knowledge of the case.

Speaking tonight, Mr Adams said the decision should be accompanied with a substantial reform of the BBCs internal journalistic processes along with an acknowledgement that it cannot continue to be a voice for the British state in Ireland.

It must also become more accountable to the public, he continued in a statement.

There is an onus on the BBC to ensure that in the future its ethics and journalism reflect the principles and values of a public broadcast service.

As I have already said the damages will be donated to good causes.

The offending online article remains on the BBC News website, however an update has been added.

The update, alongside a link to reporting of the defamation case, states: In 2017 Gerry Adams commenced defamation proceedings in the Republic of Ireland against the BBC in respect of the article below and the BBC programme Spy in the IRA upon which the article is based.

In May 2025 a jury in the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, found in favour of Mr Adams and awarded him 100,000 (84,000) in damages.

A link to the BBCs reporting of the outcome of Gerry Adams libel case, which should be read in conjunction with this update, is here.

It comes after the Taoiseach promised that defamation laws in the Republic will be changed as quickly as the Irish Government can achieve it.

Earlier this week Micheal Martin praised the BBC reporter at the centre of the case, Jennifer OLeary, as first-class.

I think the defamation laws need to be changed  were going to change them, he said.

The Taoiseach vowed that the Government in Dublin would pass the legislation as quickly as we can adding: I think we do need to get it through to create a balanced environment for commentary and for investigative journalism.

BBC NI director Adam Smyth previously warned of profound implications of libel action as he expressed disappointment over the outcome.

As our legal team made clear, if the BBCs case cannot be won under existing Irish defamation law, its hard to see how anyones could  and they warned that todays decision could hinder freedom of expression, he said after the verdict.

Meanwhile Ms OLeary insisted she had entered the witness box with nothing to hide, only sources to protect as she thanked them for trusting her.

The BBCs legal team was granted a stay in the payment of the full award and initially said it was taking time to consider an appeal.
A separate fundraiser by Irish Filipino man raises over 1,000 for family

A sticker placed on the door of a house in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena

An online fundraiser to support the Filipino community of Ballymena has raised more than 9,300 in three days, following extensive riots in the town.

Police came under attack on Thursday evening for a fourth consecutive night in Northern Ireland as disorder spread through multiple towns.

Missiles were thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

In Ballymena, some Filipino workers in the area began putting stickers on their doors that declared their nationality, in an apparent bid to avoid attack.

The fundraiser was launched by Zuzanna Dziwulska after a series of attacks on Filipino families in Ballymena and Cullybackey, including an arson attack on mechanic Kevin Rouss car.

The GoFundMe page read: We all know about the incidents which have been on going in Ballymena. This fundraiser has no political intent.

I hope as residents of Ballymena/Cullybackey we can agree innocent people should not be punished by the actions of others.

Therefore, I am hoping to fundraise a small amount of money and get in contact with Kevin Rous in Cullybackey who has had his family unfortunately hit by an attack.

Everyone should feel safe in Ballymena and hopefully we can help get this mans life back on track.

A sticker placed on the door of a house in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena

Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena

Zuzanna said the fundraiser had gone way over target in 24 hours and that she had been in touch with Kevis family and was arranging to transfer the funds.

She added: I have also been reached by the wider Filipino community so it would be great if we could also give others affected a helping hand.

A separate fundraiser launched by 20-year-old Matthew Obillo, a Filipino man living in Ireland, has raised nearly 1,000 to support Kevin and his family.

Matthew said he came across a heart-breaking video about Kevins story, which deeply affected him, despite never having met him.

He added: My own parents worked incredibly hard to move to Ireland before I was born, and to this day, they put in long hours to support our family.

"So when I saw someone else, likely working just as hard to provide for his loved ones, go through something so cruel, it hit me hard. Kevin wasnt even home because he was out working, and now his family is left scared and traumatized in a place that should feel safe.

Matthew said all proceeds would go directly to Kevin and his family adding that the funds would be used to provide support in the form of essential supplies, accommodation help or whatever else they may need.

Lets show Kevin and his family that theres still kindness out there, he added.

To donate to the fundraisers you can do so via the https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ballymena-filipinos and https://www.gofundme.com/f/kevin-rous-family-fundraiser links.
PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: Mourners outside St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast following the Thanksgiving Service for Sir Kenneth Bloomfield today.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: Head of the NI Civil Service, Jayne Brady, at the funeral of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: The coffin of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield leaves St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today following the Thanksgiving Service for his life.

Mourners from the world of politics and civic society packed into St Annes Cathedral in Belfast on Thursday for a service to remember Sir Kenneth Bloomfield following his passing last week.

Friends and family of the former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and NI Victims Commissioner attended the Service of Thanksgiving, alongside Stormont politicians and Jayne Brady  the current Civil Service chief.

Other guests at the service paying tribute to Sir Kenneth included Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt, former Ulster and Ireland rugby player Trevor Ringland and the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle.

Sir Kenneth died peacefully on Friday at the age of 94.

He was the much loved and loving husband of Lady Elizabeth Bloomfield and a devoted father of Caroline and Tanya as well as a highly respected father-in-law of Boyd.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: Head of the NI Civil Service, Jayne Brady, at the funeral of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today.

Sir Kenneth joined the Civil Service in 1952 and would rise through the ranks to head the organisation in 1984.

After standing down in 1991, he would later become the BBCs National Governor for Northern Ireland.

In 1997, he would be tasked by the then Secretary of State, Mo Mowlam, to take on the role of NI Victims Commissioner.

While at their home in Crawfordsburn in 1988 and while he was still the head of the Civil Service, he and his wife would become targets of an IRA bomb attack outside their home.

Neither of them were injured in the Co Down blast.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: Mourners outside St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast following the Thanksgiving Service for Sir Kenneth Bloomfield today.

NI leaders paid tribute to Mr Bloomfield over the weekend.

I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield. He gave many years of service to Northern Ireland and did so with thoughtfulness and dedication, said the DUP leader, Gavin Robinson.

His calm approach, even when targeted by the IRA, earned respect across the board, and his contribution to public life will not be forgotten.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all who knew him at this sad time.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: The coffin of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield leaves St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today following the Thanksgiving Service for his life.

News Catch Up - Thursday 12th June

Also sharing her condolences was the Alliance Party leader, Naomi Long.

Sir Kenneth had a distinguished career in public service over many years and in many roles, said the Justice Minister.

He and his wife were personally targeted in the Troubles, when their home was attacked by an IRA bomb, but he did not allow it to deter him from his enduring commitment to public service.

In the decades since his formal retirement, he continued that commitment, offering his skills and experience in the service of the community, most particularly in his work as Victims' Commissioner in the early days of the Assembly, a role which he notably described as being a painful privilege.

PACEMAKER, BELFAST, 12/6/2025: A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield at St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast today.

I know that he kept in touch with political developments and was especially supportive of efforts to ensure the devolved administration was put on a firm and stable footing.

On behalf of myself and Alliance, I would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Lady Elizabeth and the family circle on their very personal loss."

UUP leader Mr Nesbitt described Sir Kenneth as a great intellect and one of our finest.
Senior PSNI officer says young people driving trouble in some areas

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Brian Lawless/PA Wire

A police officer surrounded by flames as a petrol bomb explodes after violence again broke out in Portadown tonight. Photo: Alan Lewis

A PSNI officer is engulfed in flames from a petrol bomb in Portadown (Photo Alan Lewis) and an anti-racism rally taking place at Belfast City Hall (Photos by Kevin Scott)

Two more people are due in court as the PSNI investigation into five nights of rioting continues.

A 20-year-old man has been charged in connection with trouble in Portadown, while a second male (23) is charged over disorder in Ballymena.

Both will appear in court on Monday.

On Friday night, police dealt with trouble in Portadown, Londonderry, Newry and Newtownabbey.

In Belfast, a car was torched in a racially-motivated attack.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: Its deeply disturbing to see such young members of our communities involved in, and in some areas driving, criminal activity like this.

It came as hundreds of people gathered for a rally at Belfast City Hall this afternoon.

Organised by United Against Racism, the emergency demonstration was called in response to the rioting.

A PSNI officer is engulfed in flames from a petrol bomb in Portadown (Photo Alan Lewis) and an anti-racism rally taking place at Belfast City Hall (Photos by Kevin Scott)

PSNI say Portadown riots had 'more co-ordination' as mutual aid to be deployed this weekend

Patrick Corrigan from Amnesty NI told those gathered: Were here because once again the ugly face of racism has shown its face on our streets, this time in terrifying attacks.

"Were just one petrol bomb away from racially-motivated murder."

The rally also heard from speakers including Belfasts deputy Lord Mayor Paul Doherty.

Mr Doherty hit out at Communities Minister Gordon Lyons following controversy over a social media post by the DUP minister.

He branded Mr Lyons a disgrace and said he should resign.

United Against Racism Belfast chair Ivanka Antova said: Those responsible for the racist violence have nothing to offer but hatred and fear, and we will oppose them every step of the way.
A third night of protests take place in Ballymena on June 11th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A third night of protests take place in Ballymena on June 11th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Fire fighters at the scene where a fire has broken out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility. It comes after two nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Picture date: Wednesday June 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The facility had temporarily been used as emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena earlier in the week

A third night of protests took place in Ballymena last night (Photo by Kevin Scott)

A third night of protests take place in Ballymena on June 11th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. [PA]

Police have come under attack for a fourth consecutive night in Northern Ireland as disorder spread through multiple towns.

Missiles were thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

It came after Arbour Housing in the town had sent a letter to its residents saying that a demonstration was "directed towards migrants, foreign nationals, and what (is) perceived as deviant behaviour".

Masked individuals hurled masonry, fireworks and other objects at riot police late into the night.

Officers moved to extinguish fires set on roads while residents worked to clear debris left over from clashes in the area around Jervis Street.

Police units, supported by the presence of a water cannon, dispersed those gathered into other areas of the town towards midnight.

However, the unrest in Northern Ireland appeared of a lower intensity than scenes earlier in the week.

Some gatherings planned in other towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday.

A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights.

Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening.

Meanwhile, Northern Irelands police chief warned bigots and racists behind earlier nights of unrest in the region that his officers will be coming after them.

Jon Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been further traumatised by the rioting since Monday.

Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest, which had resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening.

Mr Boutcher, who met the girls family earlier that day, spoke to the media in Belfast after a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Stop this violence, he said. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.

He said the family was mortified by the disorder.

PSNI officers form a barricade with riot shields in Ballymena on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

This girls family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please dont come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

A resident clearing debris Portadown. Credit: Brian Lawless/PA wire

PSNI chief warns rioters we will arrest you

The riotous behaviour earlier in the week saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns.

Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers.

Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds during riots in Ballymena.

Mr Boutcher said: I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers whove been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harms way to protect our communities.

And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you.

We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this, and we all know that in this room, but lets call an end to it now.

The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim.

However, he said the protest was subsequently hijacked and turned into wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated.

The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded properly rather than disgracefully.

Leisure centre attacked and PSNI threatened with hatchet as NI race riots continue

However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: Weve put our public order inquiry team together, well be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.

Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland came to the region on Thursday to support policing efforts.

He described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday.

He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong.

They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated, he said.

Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.

Earlier, a judge said the courts would deal robustly with those involved in the violence in Ballymena.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence, as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the towns magistrates court on Thursday.

Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths, were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted on Monday.

Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn described the scenes as mindless racist thuggery while Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a three-day festival of hate and destruction which needs to stop before someone loses their life.

There was an arson attack on a leisure centre in Larne, thirty minutes from Ballymena, after it was temporarily used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need after disturbances in the town earlier in the week.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said Mr Lyons should resign over the post, and the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, said he would refer the Communities Minister to the standards commission.

Mr Benn also asked the minister to reflect upon his words and not upon his position.

Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would strongly hit back at any notion that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
President Museveni has issued a stern warning against political corruption and financial irresponsibility among Uganda's elected leaders, as the country gears up for the 2026 general elections.

Speaking at a high-profile event, the President criticized legislators who, after securing substantial personal loans, vanish from their constituencies and neglect their duties.

"The issue with some legislators is that they get hefty loans and then abandon their constituencies," Museveni said, calling on Ugandans to scrutinize the financial behaviour and integrity of those seeking public office.

He also took aim at the growing influence of money in politics, particularly voter bribery disguised as donations.

"Fundraisings are extortion," Museveni declared, urging voters not to be swayed by cash handouts. "Do not vote for politicians who bribe you--it undermines your power and your rights."

In defense of his own financial gestures, often referred to as "brown envelopes," Museveni asserted that such contributions are officially budgeted. "They are part of our budget," he said, presenting them as part of state-backed support rather than personal patronage.

Turning to economic matters, the President reiterated his long-standing message that "Uganda's economy has taken off," citing growth milestones and the role of innovation.

He praised the government's collaboration with scientists in reviving the coffee sector--once in decline--through strategic interventions and research.

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"We saved Uganda's coffee industry by working with scientists," he said.

Museveni also reflected on Uganda's political history, referencing past alliances and confrontations.

"We worked with Obote tactfully, but we had to fight Amin decisively," he noted, offering insight into the leadership choices that shaped his administration's rise to power.

Underscoring the value of regional partnerships, Museveni championed economic integration as vital to sustaining Uganda's growth.

"Our development is tied to cooperation with our neighbors," he said, reinforcing the government's focus on cross-border trade and diplomatic engagement.

With the 2026 election season drawing closer, Museveni's remarks signal a renewed focus on political accountability, fiscal discipline, and national development.

His message serves as both a critique of current political practices and a call for a more principled approach to governance.
There will be a large policing presence across Northern Ireland over the weekend, a senior officer has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the PSNI has prepared a scaled-up policing operation in anticipation of any further disorder.

He said the mobilisation, which would include officers from Scotland, was to reassure our communities and protect our streets.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill speaking during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA)

It comes after 63 police officers were injured in what has been called a week of shame in Northern Ireland.

Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.

Political leaders called for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.

A person wearing a Union flag stands near armed police in Portadown in Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA)

First Minister Michelle ONeill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.

What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted  this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level, she said.

The whole of the Executive is united on that front.

Damaged property at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a difficult time for Northern Ireland, with disgraceful scenes of violent disorder, and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.

Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how co-operation between police forces is absolutely essential.

While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However, there was still disorder in Portadown.

There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.

It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.

A police officer at the scene after an attack on Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA)

Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday.

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown.

There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack.

A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.

Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities.

Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable, he said.

Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order.

They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community.

They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the bigots and racists behind the disorder.

He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been further traumatised by the rioting across the week.
PSNI are seeking to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI are seeking to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI seek to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI seek to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI seek to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI seek to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI are seeking to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

Police have released images of four individuals they wish to identify and quiz in relation to race riots that have erupted in parts of Northern Ireland.

The PSNI has also issued a warning to social media users posting hate online, inciting disorder or seen to have been involved in the violence that detectives are actively investigating what they have said and done.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson reiterated his appeal for calm in the days ahead as the total number of officers injured reached 63.

Let Northern Ireland return to normal and start the process of recovery, he pleaded following what has been dubbed a week of shame after disorder first erupted in Ballymena on Monday before spreading to other parts of the region.

It followed an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town last weekend.

ACC Henderson said large scale police deployments have been seen across NI, including in Portadown where officers came under significant and sustained attack from wanted in rioters on Thursday.

He said the release of images of four people detectives wish to speak to marks the latest phase of the ongoing investigation.

PSNI are seeking to identify and quiz four men in relation to disorder across NI.

PSNI chief warns rioters we will arrest you

I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us to identify these individuals. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward, Mr Henderson said.

If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.

A total of 22 officers were injured in Portadown on what was the fourth consecutive night of disorder in NI and resulted in a man and a woman being arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences.

Sporadic disorder also flared in east Belfast where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses on Avoniel Road in what police have termed a racially motivated attack.

It followed incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.

It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.

ACC Henderson said the disorder was brought under control using a range of public order tactics and by making proactive arrests as he praised the bravery and determination of the men and women in uniform who stayed on the line despite their injuries.

"These are men and women working to protect their communities and the attacks against them must stop," he said.

Some of those perpetrating this violence claim to be protecting women and girls. This is simply not true, they are criminal acts. Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense.

"Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we will work hard for justice for any reporting female.

The senior police officer welcomed a peaceful night in Ballymena on Thursday, but promised that a large policing presence will be visible over the weekend including the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland.

We are grateful to Chief Constable Farrell and her colleagues for their support. These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues at various locations as part of our policing operation," Mr Henderson continued.

Finally, I would reiterate my appeal for calm in the days ahead."

Meanwhile, racist graffiti was sprayed on walls in numerous parts of Bangor in Co Down on Friday including on a bungalow which was also vandalised

A gunsight symbol was also daubed on the window of the property underneath a chilling threat which reads 24 HRS.

Sinister messages were reported to police throughout the day as sinister messages such as locals only and get them out were spotted in residential parts of the city accompanied by images of crosshairs.

The words keep our kids safe accompanied one of the disturbing slogans.

Anyone with information or photos  including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage  on disorder can share it with police through the Major Incident Public Portal.

A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
A senior judge has been appointed to chair an independent inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.

Mr Finucane, 39, was shot dead at his family home in north Belfast in 1989 by the Ulster Defence Association in an attack found by a series of probes to have involved collusion with the state.

His widow and the couples three children have been campaigning for decades for a public inquiry to establish the extent of security force involvement.

Last year Secretary of State Hilary Benn announced the UK Government would establish an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Finucanes death.

(l to r) Katherine Finucane, with her brother John and mother Geraldine (Liam McBurney/PA)

It is to be established under the Inquiries Act 2005, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath.

On Friday morning, Mr Benn announced he has appointed Sir Gary Hickinbottom as chairman of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry.

Sir Gary is the current president of the Welsh Tribunals and is a retired Court of Appeal Judge, who undertook the statutory inquiry into corruption and governance in the British Virgin Islands.

Mr Benn has also appointed the former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland Baroness Nuala OLoan as well as Francesca Del Mese as assessors to the inquiry.

They are to provide advice to the chairman on their relevant expertise in regards to the inquiry, while also giving further assurance about the inquirys independence.

The next step in the process involves Mr Benn consulting with Sir Gary on the proposed terms of reference for the inquiry.

Mr Benn said he is confident the inquiry will provide answers to Mr Finucanes family.

The murder of Mr Finucane was a barbarous and heinous crime, and one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, he said.

I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved one, and I am confident that this inquiry will provide answers to the family who have suffered so terribly.

Former police ombudsman for Northern Ireland Baroness Nuala OLoan has been named as an assessor (Liam McBurney/PA)

He added: I am delighted that Sir Gary Hickinbottom has accepted this important role as chair of the Patrick Finucane inquiry and that Baroness OLoan and Francesca Del Mese have accepted the important roles of assessors to the inquiry.

I am confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the inquiry.

Sir Gary said he looks forward to meeting Mr Finucanes family as soon as possible.

I am privileged to take on responsibility for leading this public inquiry into the important issues raised by the circumstances surrounding the murder of Patrick Finucane, something I will do not only in accordance with my statutory duties but as fairly, openly and transparently as I can, he said.

At the heart of this case lies a family who lost their husband and father in horrific circumstances, and I look forward to meeting the Finucane family in Belfast as soon as possible.

Baroness OLoan said: I look forward to taking up this role, having been appointed by the Secretary of State.

The Finucane family has always been concerned that the full story of what happened should be told and this independent inquiry will provide the opportunity to do so.

There remain unanswered questions and the public interest requires that we seek as best we can to get the answers to those questions.

Irelands deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris welcomed the announcement.

This is the final outstanding inquiry from those that were recommended by Judge Cory in 2004 and it is positive that it can now move to beginning its important and substantive work, Mr Harris said.

Todays announcement highlights the importance that a way forward is found to comprehensively address all the outstanding cases of the Troubles, in a way that is human rights compliant and that has the needs of victims and families at its heart.

I continue to engage closely with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with this objective.
Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as the funeral makes its way along the Shore road in North Belfast, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Peter Morrison

Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as they pass her home were she was recently killed. Photo by Peter Morrison

Mourners at the funeral of a pensioner killed in her north Belfast home have heard she didnt deserve what happened to her.

Marie Green  described as a devoted mother and grandmother  was found dead at her home in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.

Her son Lewis Green appeared in court last week charged with her murder.

Family and friends gathered as the 71-year-olds coffin left Wrays Funeral Home and passed her Shore Road home, before a service of thanksgiving at Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium.

During the service, mourners heard how Mrs Green, who was born in north Belfast and attended Lowwood Primary School, was devoted to her family.

The family cannot thank everyone enough for the invaluable support through this extremely difficult time, said Stephen Thompson, who led the service.

Love will sit at the heart [of this service], because love can conquer all things."

Marie Green. Photo: FuneralTimes

During the service, Mr Thompson said Mrs Greens husband Ian was unable to attend due to bad health, but said he had emphasised he wants the day to be a celebration of Marie, whom he loves so dearly, and he will forever cherish the time they had together.

Mourners also heard how Mrs Green was a devoted employee of NI Trucks in Mallusk, having worked for the company for nearly 30 years as a receptionist  a role in which she was described as perfect due to her love of talking to everyone.

Marie was a natural mother... doing all the jobs a mother does... she would never complain and had the patience of a saint, Mr Thompson added.

Marie was just an amazing granny as she was a mother always visiting or asking about her grandchildren any chance she could get.

Mr Thompson also read a poem, written by Mrs Greens young granddaughter, which said: I love you from the bottom of my heart. We will never be far apart.

I do not know what else to say, except I love you every single day.

A portion of the song Days by The Kinks was also played, as was Dancing Queen by ABBA.

Attendees also heard tributes from Mrs Greens two sons, Adam and Richard, who said their mothers memory lives on through their children.

Family and friends walk behind the hearse carrying the remains of Marie Green as the funeral makes its way along the Shore road in North Belfast, Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo by Peter Morrison

You were so selfless and gave everything in life for your family... I will miss your laugh so much; it was just so unique and made us all smile. You didnt deserve what happened to you, they said.

From her sisters and childhood friends in the 50s to her grandchildren in present day... she affected all of our lives in such a way that her memory and her essence will always be intertwined with our own lives.

Objects get broken and lost. So even memories can fail with time. It is the shared connection and love that remain forever.

Mum, you were loved, you are loved, and you will always be loved.

A death notice said Mrs Green was a beloved wife", a much loved mum and a loving granny.

It said her death was deeply regretted by the entire family circle, adding: Marie, you are forever in our hearts.
Exclusive | Two ex-DUP MLAs quit party as constituency branch falls apart while others said to be withholding dues from HQ
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill (left) and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down (Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Stormonts First Minister has insisted there is no crisis in the Executive, after she called for the resignation of DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons over a social media post he made regarding racist rioting in Larne.
Ekram Naser, right, mourns during the funeral of her brother Yusuf Najjar, who was killed while heading to an aid distribution hub, in Rafah (Mariam Dagga/AP)

Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.

The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be cut off and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.

It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians.

In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced, it said.

The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.

It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.

Israels 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry.

The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over.

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence.

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, the Irish bishops said.

This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.

The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end.

It added: There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end.

This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.

The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing.

I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023.

The militants still hold 55 hostages  less than half of them believed to be alive  after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
President Museveni has issued a stern warning to local government officials over the mismanagement of Shs1.3 billion allocated for road maintenance in districts, cities, and municipalities.

Speaking during the national budget reading at Kololo Independence Grounds on Thursday, Museveni expressed frustration over the deteriorating state of feeder roads despite the annual disbursement of substantial funds to local governments.

"I was in Kakumiro yesterday and witnessed the poor state of feeder roads. What are you using the Shs1.3 billion for?" Museveni asked.

"I'm going to quietly send spies to inspect these roads, and if I find that government officials have not done their job, I will go for them."

The President cautioned Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), and Town Clerks that they will be held personally accountable for any misuse or misallocation of the road maintenance funds.

"If the Shs1.3 billion is not enough, why don't you say so?" Museveni said, citing Bunyangabu District, where part of the funds was reportedly used for constructing new bridges--an activity not covered under the current allocation.

"This money is meant for maintaining existing roads, not starting new projects. If I find that the funds have been misused, there will be consequences--including arrests," he warned.

Museveni also urged citizens to elect leaders who are committed to oversight and transparency rather than those who rely on voter bribery.

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"So much money has been provided--some of it from loans. MPs and local leaders must follow up and ensure it is used for its intended purpose," he said.

While political heads in local governments have repeatedly appealed for increased road funding, citing the inadequacy of the Shs1.3 billion, it remains unclear whether these concerns have been effectively communicated to the central government.

Some districts have also diverted parts of the fund to set up new administrative headquarters following the creation of new cities, further straining road maintenance budgets.

For the financial year 2025/26, the road infrastructure sector has been allocated Shs4.28 trillion to complete various road and bridge projects across the country.

However, the President insists that without strict accountability, even increased funding will not translate into improved infrastructure.
The partner of an Irish politician who was detained in Egypt has called on Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister to make a statement on the matter.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD (MP) Paul Murphy said he had been detained in Egypt while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration and effort to get aid into the region.

The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated on Friday before being put on a bus to Cairo airport for deportation.

Kess Spear and Paul Murphy (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

His partner, Councillor Jess Spear, appealed to Foreign Affairs Minister and deputy premier Simon Harris to make a public statement.

In a statement, she said: Paul was detained for hours this afternoon and forced onto a bus to be brought to Cairo airport for deportation. Pauls phone has been taken but he was allowed to call me briefly this evening.

She added: It is a serious matter for a member of the Dail to be detained in Egypt and forcibly deported just because he was participating in a peaceful march to try and get humanitarian aid into starving people in Gaza.

I appeal to the Tanaiste to make a public statement calling on the Egyptian authorities to release Paul and all the others detained and to let them continue their humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Mr Murphy flew to Cairo on Thursday and set off towards Gaza on Friday.

Prior to his phone being taken, he said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army along with the passports of other people in the group who were stopped.

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He said those being detained were being asked to board a bus and he believed they were going to be deported.

Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens were among those who have been stopped.

In a video, he said: Its looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israels blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended.

Im just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own government, in Irelands case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD, ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march.

He added: The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation.

And that this is a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.

Mr Murphy then posted a livestream video on X in which Egyptian authorities could be seen forcibly dragging some of the participants away from a sit-down protest.

The livestream abruptly ended after his phone was taken, a People Before Profit spokesman said, adding that he had been put on a bus for Cairo airport.

A post by an administrator on his X account says: We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport and phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully march to Gaza.

On request for a comment, a spokesman for Mr Harris referred to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The statement said the department was closely monitoring the situation along with its embassy in Egypt.

Embassy officials are engaging with the relevant local authorities and are in contact with EU and other partners regarding the situation.

Tanaiste Simon Harris (Liam McBurney/PA)

The department is in contact with a number of citizens and is providing advice and guidance.

As set out in our travel advice, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene (Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X via AP)

The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Video footage shows Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, talking to Mr Modi while lying on his hospital bed.

The prime minister also visited the crash site.

Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed, and the first involving a 787.

There are fears the number of people killed on the ground could rise.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash.

Aviation experts have speculated about a number of possible causes for the crash, from both engines failing  possibly due to a bird strike, as happened in the so-called Miracle on the Hudson in 2009  to the flaps on the aircrafts wings not being set to the correct position for take-off.

Images taken after the incident showed part of the plane embedded in the BJ Medical College building.

(PA Graphics)

At least five medical students were killed and about 50 injured.

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircrafts emergency exits.

According to Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times, Mr Ramesh said after the crash: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

British couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

Mr Greenlaw-Meek appeared on ITVs This Morning earlier this year, and former editor of the show Martin Frizell praised his vibrancy and enthusiasm.

The Gloucester Muslim Community group offered sincere and deepest condolences after Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their daughter Sara were reported to be among the victims.

Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was in constant contact with Indian authorities (PA)

Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, called for people to come together as he announced the deaths of three people from his community.

Among those lost were Raxa Modha, infant Rudra Modha, and Ms K Mistri, all from our Wellingborough community, he said.

Mr Modi said the scenes of devastation were saddening.

He wrote in a post on X: Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath.

Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.

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Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson visited the area, according to the BBC, but did not take questions from media.

Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, said it would provide 10 million rupees (around 86,000) to the families of each of those killed in the crash.

The company said it would also cover the medical costs of the injured and provide support in the building up of the medical college.

Air India has set up friends and relatives assistance centres at Gatwick, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad airports to provide support in the wake of AI171s crash.

These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad, the airline said in a post on X.

UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

US transportation secretary Sean Duffy confirmed US teams from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board were also heading to India with support from Boeing and GE Aerospace.

He told reporters it was way too premature to ground Boeing 787s in the aftermath of the crash.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said any British nationals requiring consular assistance, or who have concerns about family or friends, should call 020 7008 5000.
One of the New Forest cicadas brought to the UK from France (Pete Hughes/Species Recovery Trust/PA)

Musical insects that went extinct in the UK have been brought back to the country from France by conservationists hoping to re-establish their population.

Scientists at the Species Recovery Trust this week released 11 New Forest cicadas into a specially created habitat at Paultons Park  just outside the Hampshire woods where they once sang.

The New Forest cicada, Cicadetta montana, was once found across the New Forest but the last confirmed sightings were in the 1990s.

Conservationists believe the insects became extinct in the UK because of changes to the way land was managed.

Charlotte Carne with the team at Paultons Park (Pete Hughes/PA)

Charlotte Carne, Species Recovery Trust project officer, said: This has been a really challenging project so its amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time.

Its like bringing them back from the dead.

The adult insects are black with distinct golden rings and transparent wings, with females growing to about 5cm while males are slightly smaller.

The Trust recruited a French entomologist this week who captured the 11 female cicadas in northern France and had them shipped to the UK on Wednesday.

It is understood that some of the insects are already pregnant and have been laying eggs in their specially created habitat, which is full of their favourite plants such as raspberry canes and hazel tree saplings.

Because cicadas spend at least four years underground as nymphs, the trust will not know until 2029 at the earliest whether this phase of the project has been successful.

If they survive, the conservationists can release the adults at secret locations in the New Forest.

In the meantime, the team said it hopes to import more cicadas from France to continue the breeding programme at Paultons Park.

They are also studying populations of the same species in Slovenia to learn more about their behaviour.

A New Forest cicada (Pete Hughes/Species Recovery Trust/PA)

Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director, said: We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed, but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place.

Whats more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again.

The first-of-its-kind project has been funded by Natural England, the Swire Charitable Trust and the Valentine Charitable Trust.

Graham Horton, acting deputy director for the Thames Solent Area Team at Natural England, said: This project represents a remarkable achievement, showcasing the dedication, innovation and teamwork that made it possible.

After years of absence, we finally have New Forest cicada on English shores again and we look forward to the next phase of the project to explore re-establishing this species in the New Forest.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have agreed the mounting conflict between Iran and Israel should be resolved by diplomacy and dialogue.

The two leaders spoke on Friday evening, as western nations began a diplomatic flurry to calm the burgeoning conflict, which started with early morning Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear bases.

Sir Keir earlier urged his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu to de-escalate and work towards a diplomatic resolution.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, meanwhile warned the Middle East is facing a moment of grave peril, after he spoke to Irans foreign minister and called for calm.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel (Tomer Neuberg via AP)

Earlier calls from the PM, as well as Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, for restraint appeared fruitless, as a fresh wave of strikes hit Tehran and other targets across Iran on Friday evening.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, vowed revenge, and his country launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in a retaliatory attack.

Air raid sirens were sounded across Israel and its citizens were ordered to move into bomb shelters, while plumes of smoke could be seen rising in central Tel Aviv.

In London, the Prime Minister convened a Cobra meeting of high level ministers and officials to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

Warren Stephens, the US ambassador to the UK, was also seen outside the Cabinet Office in Whitehall after the meeting on Friday afternoon.

Sir Keir spoke to US President Donald Trump on Friday evening (Alex Brandon/AP)

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir and Mr Trump discussed the military action in the Middle East overnight and agreed on the importance of diplomacy and dialogue when they spoke on the phone.

She added: Updating on his conversations with partners today, the Prime Minister reiterated the UKs grave concerns about Irans nuclear programmes.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again at the G7 in Canada next week.

Both the UK and the US have insisted they were not involved in the Israeli strikes and that Israel acted unilaterally.

Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy would not say whether the Government had been forewarned of the action.

Tzipi Hotovely, Israels ambassador to the UK told Sky News the first time the her country discussed the strikes with the UK was at midday on Friday.

Israelis Iron Dome air defence system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel (Leo Correa via AP)

She also told the broadcaster: The aim is to make sure Iran wont have nuclear capabilities. This is why all our targets are military targets. This is why were attacking the nuclear sites.

This is not a plan that was created in one night. This is a plan being created in many years from understanding the levels of danger.

Among the sites hit by Israels strikes are several of Irans main nuclear sites, as well as missile factories.

Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was also reportedly killed in the initial attacks.

Mr Netanyahu addressed people of Iran in a video on Friday night, insisting his quarrel was with the Iranian ruling regime.

In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regimes most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal, he said.

More is on the way in Israels operation, the Israeli PM added.

Tensions between Israel, the US and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, amid negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal, which is aimed at preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons.

Mr Trump had suggested some sort of attack by America or the Israelis could happen if negotiators failed to reach a deal over the advancing nuclear programme.
A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Israel attacked Iran early on Friday in strikes that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries.

It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear programme boiled over and Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

Countries in the region condemned Israels attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate de-escalation from both sides.

Senior Iranian military personnel were killed in the strikes (AP)

Israels military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets.

Two security officials said the countrys Mossad spy agency was also able to position explosive drones inside Iran ahead of time and then activate them to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran as well as strike systems on vehicles, which were activated as the attack began to hit Iranian air defences.

The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air.

Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.

Among those killed were three of Irans top military leaders, one who oversaw the entire armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, and another who ran the Guards ballistic missile programme, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

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Iran confirmed all three deaths, which were a significant blow to Tehrans governing theocracy and will complicate efforts to retaliate against Israel.

Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

In response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel, with both Iraq and Jordan confirming they had flown over their airspace.

Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

In his first public comment about the attacks, US President Donald Trump again urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear programme, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

Iranian protesters hold up Iranian and Palestinian flags in an anti-Israeli gathering in Tehran (AP)

Without saying whether he was privy to specific Israeli plans, Mr Trump said there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he wrote. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Washington had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Irans nuclear enrichment programme.

It said the US had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting US interests or personnel.

It seemed likely the US suspected an attack could be in the offing, however, as Washington on Wednesday pulled some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of US troops in the wider Middle East.

Israeli leaders cast attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike.

The attack was launched in the early hours (AP)

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.

It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed, as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

Nervous Israelis rushed to supermarkets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere to buy bottled water and other supplies, and circulated messages on WhatsApp groups advising each other to prepare their shelters for potential long-term use.

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres, Khamenei said in a statement.

For Mr Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now more than 20 months old.

Mr Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years,

I believe that the day of your liberation is near, the Israeli leader said.
The team behind New Yorks acclaimed Dead Rabbit bar, which is owned by a Belfast-born man, has voiced its support for protesters in Los Angeles following recent unrest.

Jack McGarry runs the bar which is based in the citys New Yorks financial district and also has venues in Austin, Texas and Washington DC.

Hundreds of people have been arrested in Los Angeles after days of protests, which erupted following immigration raids ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Trump has deployed thousands of troops, including 700 US Marines, to LA - triggering a row with state officials who say they have things under control.

The Dead Rabbit, New York

US marines deployed to Los Angeles yet to respond to immigration protests

In a post on Facebook on Thursday, the team said silence in moments like this isnt an option.

We are The Dead Rabbit, and we are immigrants, the post read.

Our team is made up of people from all walks of life, many of us far from the place we first called home.

That experience, of leaving everything you know and love in the hope of a better future, shapes how we see the world - and its why silence in moments like this isnt an option.

What were witnessing in Los Angeles is a violation of the very freedoms that the US claims to uphold.

To protest is a right. To speak out against injustice is a responsibility, and to be met with brutality for doing so is not just abhorrent, its unconstitutional.

We stand with those making their voices heard, and we stand against the use of force to suppress dissent.

We stand with the communities - in LA and beyond - fighting for justice, safety, and dignity.

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After a week of unrest, more protests against the Trump administration's ongoing workplace raids have erupted in LA and across the nation.

They are expected to continue through the weekend, aligning with the presidents birthday parade.

A third consecutive curfew in the downtown area of LA has been enforced, which is expected to continue for a few more days.

The Dead Rabbit was originally established by Mr McGarry together with Sean Muldoon.

The duo met as barmen in Belfasts Merchant Hotel, but in 2022 they announced they would be going their separate ways.

They said the change was a natural development and that there was no animosity between them.

Mr McGarry has continued running The Dead Rabbit, expanding the concept into other venues, while Mr Muldoon focused on his new venture, Hazel And Apple in Charleston in South Carolina.
For far too long, the responsibility to protect our environment has been left to a few and placed by many in the too difficult to do box. Over the years, there have been many reports warning us about decline. Regrettably, what we have witnessed in Lough Neagh is tangible evidence of the cost of failing to act decisively; it should serve as a wake-up call to everyone.

As DAERA minister, I am equally responsible for agriculture, the environment, climate change, animal health and welfare, and rural affairs. It is a wide portfolio and these are all areas that are critical to the wellbeing of our society, our economy and environment.

As we try to secure a prosperous future, we must deliver a thriving economy while taking the right measures to protect and restore our environment. Neither of these goals are mutually exclusive. In fact, they go hand in hand.

In DAERA, we are focused on grasping these opportunities.

Northern Ireland needs to turn the curve when it comes to matching our environmental needs to our economic ambitions. If the environment is allowed to further decline, it will impact a range of sectors from farming to tourism and inhibit inward investment. However, if we tackle this together, we will ensure our globally competitive agriculture sector will continue to thrive. We will create new green jobs, while addressing the decline in our biodiversity and protecting our land and waterways.

I appreciate theres no quick fix that will bring our environment back to the quality it should be. However, the challenge of balancing a sustainable economy isnt unique to Northern Ireland. Its one all governments are facing. Its complex and multi-layered but we need to be ambitious; there are dividends for our quality of life, economy and nature if we get it right.

In DAERA, we are focused on grasping these opportunities. Among the actions we have taken are a lot of firsts  Northern Irelands first ever Environmental Improvement Plan; an Executive-agreed action plan for Lough Neagh; agreed carbon budgets; Executive agreement to consult on Northern Irelands first draft Climate Action Plan; and the only devolved administration to secure a ringfenced budget for agriculture. While it is good all this work is in train, the scale of the challenge is such that we cannot be complacent. We need to do more and we need to do it urgently.

Farming and agri-food are critical to the Northern Ireland economy, contributing a combined 1.6 billion of Gross Value Added alongside 78,400 jobs. Every farmer and agri-food company plays their part and by protecting our environment and responding to climate change, we are focusing on how we secure a sustainable future for the industry.

Thats why in the new Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP), I have secured the retention of 330m earmarked funding for farmers - something no other UK region delivered. I remain committed to a farming approach that continues to deliver high-quality and nutritious food, without compromising the ability of future generations of farmers to do the same. I am also committed to working in partnership with the agri-food sector and environmental stakeholders to ensure the funding I have secured delivers real impact on the ground for farmers and the environment. I will work to deliver the One Health action plan to secure healthy people, animals, the food chain and environment.

...it makes economic sense to focus on improving our environment and driving forward a sustainable farming approach. It also makes sense to have a robust and effective governance framework where we can be held to account and show improvement.

Lough Neagh, the Nutrient Action Programme, the draft Climate Action Plan, the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, water quality, ammonia, TB  theyre all interconnected. The environment impacts almost every aspect of our lives. We cannot thrive and survive  individually or as a society  without clean water, healthy food, flourishing biodiversity, clean air, healthy animals and resilient communities. Where will we be if we continue to neglect the environment, if we fail to put our agri-food sector on a truly sustainable footing, ignore food security in the face of a changing climate, forego opportunities to be innovative and attract investment and overlook the economic opportunities that come with change?

Thats why it makes economic sense to focus on improving our environment and driving forward a sustainable farming approach. It also makes sense to have a robust and effective governance framework where we can be held to account and show improvement. The work of the independent panel that I commissioned earlier this year to examine our environmental governance is progressing at pace and will soon help identify the necessary steps to strengthen environmental governance.

As we marry economic ambition and environmental protection, we must work collectively. Government wont have all the answers and thats why I want to hear from farmers, environmentalists and other sectors on how we address these issues together.

While I appreciate that the scale of the change required can be daunting, every day we delay collective action, the greater the cost to our environment and economy. Together I believe we can chart a way forward to deliver real improvements that will enhance prosperity and well-being.

Andrew Muir is Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Sam McBride on Sir Ken Bloomfield, the IRA murder attempt, and his controversial meeting with MI5

The former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service has been described by a former British Prime Minister as the brains of the operation

Sir Ken Bloomfield died aged 94.

Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 11:42







Sir Ken Bloomfield has died at the age of 94.
New charity support centre can be a game changer for people like me, says survivor

Now cancer-free, she is full of praise for a support group she joined through Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, which she describes as an unexpected cancer family she was adopted into. Her new mantra is: I am alive. I have survived. I will continue to strive and thrive.
There is partial truth to this view. The winter solstice, however, was December 21st, not 25th. In the Greco-Roman calendar December 25th was the festival of Saturnalia, a holiday during which masters became slaves and slaves became masters for a day. It was the day of reversals.

While it is possible that Jesus was born in the winter, this is far from certain, and the fact that the shepherds and sheep were out in the fields might well suggest the birth occurred during some other season of the year. If Jesus' birth was heralded by a partial conjunction of planets, it might be possible to be more certain as to the time of year. But the Magi story in Matthew suggests something more supernatural than an ordinary cosmic event.

The church probably began to celebrate the birth of Christ when they did in order to replace pagan holidays with Christian ones. Beginning with the emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity, there was a decided movement in this direction.

What we can say with certainty is that since Jesus was born during the reign of Herod the Great, and we know that Herod the Great died in or before 2 B.C., we also know that Jesus was not born right at the turn of the era (in the "year zero"). The monk who set up the calendar was clearly off a few years.





The Bible has not really been revised over the ages, as you are suggesting. However, words and passages have at times been miscopied or mistranslated.

If you are wondering if there has been a scholarly conspiracy to amend the Bible to suit particular theological views, the answer is basically no, unless you are dealing with versions like the New World Translation by the Jehovah's Witnesses.



But bear in mind that every translation is already an interpretation of the original language text, and scholars do debate what the proper translation of this or that foreign word or phrase may be. Words only have meaning in context, and as with English, many Greek or Hebrew words have multiple possible meanings. Only careful study of the context helps determine what the inspired author may have meant.



I would like you to explain how the concept of the Trinity came about and comment on the acceptance of it in various Christian denominations. Are there things about the Trinity that certain denominations believe and others don't? --Barbara G.



The Trinity has been an accepted doctrine of the Christian church in all its major branches (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox), and indeed was an accepted doctrine even before it was officially ratified at major church conclaves in A.D. 325 (at Nicea) and in A.D. 450 (at Chalcedon).



All Christian denominations affirm the Trinity as an essential doctrine of the faith. Some offshoots from the church (for example, the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Unitarians) have not accepted this concept, but they have chosen to go their own way, and are not part of the fellowship of Christian churches worldwide.

Fortunately the Bible doesn't consign Jews or anyone else to hell simply because of their ethnic or religious background. What the New Testament does say is that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and therefore salvation is by grace and through faith in Christ alone. You might want to read carefully through Romans 1-8 carefully on these matters. If you continue to Romans 9-11, Paul argues that in fact after the full number of Gentiles are saved that also 'all Israel will be saved' (see Rom. 11:25ff). By this Paul likely means that a very large number of Jews will be saved when Christ returns.

Fortunately the Bible doesn't consign Jews or anyone else to hell simply because of their ethnic or religious background. What the New Testament does say is that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and therefore salvation is by grace and through faith in Christ alone. You might want to read carefully through Romans 1-8 carefully on these matters. If you continue to Romans 9-11, Paul argues that in fact after the full number of Gentiles are saved that also 'all Israel will be saved' (see Rom. 11:25ff). By this Paul likely means that a very large number of Jews will be saved when Christ returns.

Fortunately the Bible doesn't consign Jews or anyone else to hell simply because of their ethnic or religious background. What the New Testament does say is that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and therefore salvation is by grace and through faith in Christ alone. You might want to read carefully through Romans 1-8 carefully on these matters. If you continue to Romans 9-11, Paul argues that in fact after the full number of Gentiles are saved that also 'all Israel will be saved' (see Rom. 11:25ff). By this Paul likely means that a very large number of Jews will be saved when Christ returns.

Fortunately the Bible doesn't consign Jews or anyone else to hell simply because of their ethnic or religious background. What the New Testament does say is that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and therefore salvation is by grace and through faith in Christ alone. You might want to read carefully through Romans 1-8 carefully on these matters. If you continue to Romans 9-11, Paul argues that in fact after the full number of Gentiles are saved that also 'all Israel will be saved' (see Rom. 11:25ff). By this Paul likely means that a very large number of Jews will be saved when Christ returns.
The government has admitted to major gaps in the rollout of its Automated Express Penalty System (EPS Auto), following a public outcry over flawed traffic fines and technical irregularities.

In response, the Ministry of Works and Transport has suspended the system for one month, effective June 12 to July 12, to allow for a thorough review, stakeholder engagement, and public sensitization.

In a statement released on Thursday, Minister of Works and Transport Edward Katumba-Wamala said the move followed weeks of pressure from road users, public transport operators, and civil society who pointed out critical failures in the way the system was being implemented.

"We listened," Gen Katumba said. "We have received a number of complaints and concerns from the general public. It has become clear that while our intentions were good, the implementation of the EPS Auto system requires improvement--both in how it works and how it is understood."

The EPS Auto, implemented under the Traffic and Road Safety (Prescription of Speed Limits Regulations) 2025, had sparked national outrage for what many perceived as excessive fines, a rigid payment window, and flawed implementation.

Drivers across the country -- from taxi operators to truck drivers -- raised alarm over what they called unfair and erroneous penalties issued by the system.

At the heart of the complaints were duplicated fines, wrongly issued tickets, and penalties stemming from what stakeholders described as a "mismatch" between the Police EPS data and the newly automated system.

There were also concerns about the lack of road signage, unclear enforcement zones, and the arbitrary application of a 30km/h speed limit across urban areas.

Motorists complained of duplicated fines, mismatched offences, and fines issued without corresponding violations.

These problems stemmed largely from errors in synchronizing EPS data between the Uganda Police and the new traffic monitoring system.

____________________________________________________

Gen Katumba said the one-month suspension will allow the government to:

Conduct a full audit of the issued fines and resolve erroneous cases; Review the regulations, especially the scope of the 30KPH limit; Align speed camera locations with road signage; Educate the public on the regulations and how the EPS Auto system works; Continue stakeholder engagements to make the system more transparent and fair.

_____________________________________________________

Katumba revealed that during an emergency meeting with representatives from the Federation of Uganda Taxi Operators (UTOF), truck drivers, and the Airport Taxi Drivers Association, additional systemic flaws were flagged.

Stakeholders complained about excessive fines, the lack of prior public education, a narrow 72-hour payment window, and unclear speed limit signage across urban road networks.

"There were questions about why a 30 kilometers-per-hour limit was being enforced across entire towns," Katumba said, "yet the law only intended that for specific zones like schools, hospitals, markets, and churches."

In some areas, including the stretch between Nkumba and Katabi on Entebbe Road, speed cameras were reportedly placed without proper signage--leaving drivers unaware they were being monitored or that they were in violation of any speed limit.

Katumba acknowledged the frustration this caused.

"These are not small matters. They affect livelihoods. They affect trust. If we are to win public cooperation in improving road safety, then we must first get the basics right."

The Minister commended public transporters for choosing dialogue over disruption.

"I appreciate the civil approach by the taxi operators, truck drivers, and others in seeking dialogue with the Ministry instead of strikes or inciting violence. This is the right way to resolve differences."

During the suspension period, the government will review all fines issued through the EPS Auto, audit the system's performance, realign camera zones with proper road signage, narrow the scope of enforcement to appropriate zones, and carry out mass sensitization to ensure road users understand both the technology and the regulations behind it.

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Katumba emphasized that the suspension is not a reversal of the country's road safety goals.

"Let me be clear--this is not a retreat. We are not backing away from the goal of safer roads. But safety must be achieved hand in hand with fairness, accuracy, and public support."

He urged all motorists to continue driving responsibly and obeying traffic rules as the review process gets underway.

"The law is still in force--only the automated enforcement is suspended as we fix what needs fixing."

The EPS Auto suspension highlights the growing influence of public accountability in shaping policy and serves as a lesson in the importance of clear communication and technical readiness in rolling out digital enforcement systems.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

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The Well Restaurant and Bar will reopen this weekend under new management, but with some of the same staff, just weeks after four friends banded together to buy the beloved Main Street haunt.
The pausing of just two contracts  sparked by the uncertain price of imported steel under expected new tariffs  is all it took to upend a busy season.
Its not just another protest.

Several Berkshire communities are planning protests and rallies in support of No Kings National Day of Defiance, a national movement opposing the Trump administrations policies and actions.

With tensions rising nationally over President Donald Trump's use of masked federal officers to apprehend, detain and deport people suspected of civil immigration violations without due process, organizers are hoping attendance will show grassroots opposition, as well as a contrast to a planned military parade in Washington the same day.

Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. It's also Trump's birthday.

June 14 is Flag Day, and I'll be damned if they're going to take the American flag away from me, said Sherwood Guernsey, president and treasurer of the Rural Freedom Network and co-organizer of the event.

Organizers and community leaders discussed Saturday's plans earlier this week during a meeting with The Berkshire Eagle's editorial board.

What's happening ends up getting reported as a series of discrete events, attacks on immigrants, attacks on benefits, attacks on our institutions, said Wendy Penner, a co-organizer of Greylock Together Indivisible. And I think people really need to have it put together for them that this is a rise of an authoritarian regime, and that our freedoms and our institutions are under assault, and we are at risk of losing them.

No Kings events have been planned in all 50 states. In Berkshire County, theyre starting early Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at Field Park in Williamstown, followed by events at 11 a.m. at City Hall in North Adams, at noon at 45 Main St. in West Stockbridge and at Town Hall in Great Barrington, and at 3 p.m. at The Common in Pittsfield.

This country has had a history of progression towards freedom. Now there's an attempt to try to take those freedoms back, said Pittsfield activist and educator Shirley Edgerton.

You know, my ancestors died, my ancestors worked hard, so that I could sit in this room with each of you, so I can live where I live, where my neighbors are white. So for people that look like me, there's a great fear," Edgerton said. "But yet ... there's a determination that we're not going to tolerate this. So we are here to stay, and we will not allow our freedoms to be snatched.

The Williamstown event will feature a WWII era battle flag that will be driven north through Vermont, stopping at events on its way to the Canadian border. Speeches, doughnuts and cider are planned.

Many of the events have scheduled live music and food trucks on site. Forbidden words parades also are planned for North Adams and Pittsfield.

The organizers are a coalition of countywide groups  Stand Up Berkshires in Pittsfield, Greylock Together in North County, Indivisible Pittsfield, the Rural Freedom Network and several local Democratic committees among them.

Organizers noted that according to research by Harvard Kennedy School of Government researcher Erica Chenoweth, when about 3.5 percent of a nations population takes part in nonviolent protest, those people win.

For the U.S. in 2025, with a population of about 340 million, thats about 11.9 million people.

We don't have to convince 50 percent of the country. We have to convince those who are starting to listen and feel the pain, Guernsey said.

What's different about this effort, organizers said, is that people who would otherwise feel powerless are finding strength in coming together for a common cause.

We are in coalition together. We feel that it's not just a movement to be reading about in the newspapers. We're living it, Greylock Together co-organizer Jessica Dils said. We are directly in relationship with groups who are serving the most marginalized, the most the most vulnerable, the most attacked communities right now. ... And a lot of these relationships aren't us going out and seeking. It's organically people coming together. It is organically people saying, What can I do?

While these are not the first anti-Trump rallies to be held in the Berkshires, they are the first to take place since the president used anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles as a pretext for activating and sending the National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps troops  against the wishes of the mayor and the governor.

That action  and the potential for violence or property destruction, either by protesters or white nationalist militia groups loyal to Trump  has raised concerns about the possibility of additional military deployments, or even martial law, should tensions and rhetoric continue to escalate.

Robin OHerin, who is co-organizing the Pittsfield protest, says her group has safety marshals who will ensure that the group remains a peaceful angry people that will not engage with counterprotesters.

I've taken six de-escalation trainings so far, and I'm not going to stop, because there's always new information we are learning  how to not react, how to calm people down, how to avoid intense confrontations in a positive way, OHerin said. And that's going to be in place this Saturday.

Pittsfield Police have been working with organizers, as has been the case for previous anti-Trump rallies, and will be on patrol Saturday. There are good lines of communication open with organizers, and theres been no trouble at previous demonstrations, Capt. Matthew Hill said.

Still, he said, police are monitoring for any planned counterprotests, and have resources they can call if a worst-case scenario develops.

The climate right now in the country is not one of the best, he said.
STOCKBRIDGE  With the date for a special election now set to fill an unexpected vacancy on the Select Board, two candidates have jumped into the race.

Jorja Marsden, the former town administrator and current Finance Committee member, is running as unenrolled in a party, and Denny Alsop, the long-time environmentalist and river advocate, is running as a registered Democrat.

Both picked up nomination papers at the Town Offices on Friday as the remaining members of the board agreed to hold a special election Aug. 26 for the seat left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Patrick White. The winner of that race will serve until the annual town election next May.

July 3 is the deadline for any other candidates to pull nomination papers. Those are due back to Town Clerk Terri Iemolini no later than July 8 with signatures of 25 registered voters. The state requires a 51-day gap between the deadline to submit papers to the town clerk and the date of the election. Candidates who decide to withdraw can do so by July 24.

White resigned on Tuesday, a day after he had declared that he would stay on despite his anger at having been passed over as chairman of the three-member board for the next 12 months.

Board member Chuck Cardillo nominated Jamie Minacci to continue as chairwoman for another year, and they voted accordingly at the boards June 5 reorganization meeting.

Im here to do the best I can for the town of Stockbridge and all its people, Marsden told the Eagle. I have no agenda, its about whats good for the town, bringing the town together. I want to be there for the townspeople, for everybody.

In addition to her seat on the Finance Committee, which she will give up if shes elected, Marsden is on the Historical Commission and the Historic Preservation Committee.

Marsden said she informed Town Administrator Michael Canales of her candidacy, since they had worked together in the past when he was in government in Clarksburg and North Adams.

Alsop, 78, noted that he had grown up locally and attended the Stockbridge Plain School.

All of that was a gift to me; I owe the town a lot, he said. Im particularly interested in the opportunities that our diversity offers to the future of the town. I see that as a strength. People whove come here in the last 40 years or so, their perceptions are very important.

In 2016, Alsop paddled a canoe across the state, arriving in Boston with a call to GE to clean up the Housatonic River.

He described Marsdens entry into the race as wonderful. She knows this town like nobody else.

After 31 years in local government, Marsden, now 75, retired on Aug. 1, 2016.

She had been town administrator since 1996, was elected town clerk from 1985 to 1997 with a one-year overlap, and also has served as assistant collector and assistant treasurer.

As for the aftermath of the flareup over Whites exit, Cardillo told The Eagle that the small-town drama is over and well let things quiet down. Well have a good board and move forward as we always do.

The towns in great shape financially and otherwise, and well continue doing what we have been doing," he said. "The towns in good hands and there shouldnt be any hiccups.

In a separate interview, Minacci said that I wish Patrick the best for whatever he chooses to do and I thank him for his service. Once we get going with business as usual, things will settle down. Let the past be the past, and let the future be bright.
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Donald Morrison is an Eagle columnist and co-chair of the advisory board. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
No Kings rallies set for June 14 across Berkshires Organizers in Berkshire County have announced local events coinciding with the national No Kings movement, a day of rallies, on June 14.

In April, when people in the Berkshires and across the nation came together to protest the overreaches of President Donald Trumps administration, we wrote: Compelling some of our nations most powerful leaders to keep their destructive hands off our beneficial programs, vital resources and vulnerable neighbors will require a constant and principled approach. That means not just a moment but a movement.

On Saturday, we hope to see what momentum this movement can truly generate. Like the Hands Off! rallies in April, the No Kings demonstrations slated for this weekend are the result of myriad grassroots groups working together to organize regional rallies that raise a nationwide chorus of principled dissent. The more than half-dozen events scheduled throughout the Berkshires will take place amid similar protests planned in around 1,500 communities across America. These events promise some crucial data. When we get a sense of how many protesters rally together in the Berkshires and across America, well also have a sense of whether the people power behind this movement to defend our democracy is growing compared to the turnout at Aprils Hands Off! rallies.

Saturday is Flag Day, which is appropriate since protest is patriotic. At their best, protests like these flex three of the critical democratic functions embodied in our First Amendment: freedom of speech, the right of the people to peaceably assemble and the right to petition our government for a redress of grievances. We agree with No Kings organizers that there are many legitimate grievances to raise with this administration: an immigration crackdown characterized by official cruelty and gestapo tactics; destructive derision for the Constitution and the rule of law; shameless corruption in cozying up to dictators and oligarchs; careless contempt for the most vulnerable of our fellow Americans and the public programs that assist them.

The date matters for another reason, as a very different gathering will be taking in Washington, D.C. In accordance with President Trumps wishes for the occasion of his birthday, heavy military vehicles will parade down Constitution Avenue. Its bad enough that the presidents idea of projecting strength and patriotism means transforming the nations capital into a scene from a military junta fever dream. On top of that insult to our national integrity, add the injury to American taxpayers footing the bill to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the Trump administration prioritizes tax breaks for the ultra-rich and deep cuts to support programs aiding millions of Americans. As the tanks roll by President Trumps birthday party, perhaps his backers should consider where the real waste, fraud and abuse is.

The organizers behind Saturdays No Kings demonstrations are right to try and train the nations attention away from the obscenely ostentatious display planned in D.C. and toward the existential threats to our fundamental institutions and values. As we said after the last round of nationwide rallies, this trying time demands principled and disciplined resistance. If anything, thats even more true now amid the ongoing protests in Los Angeles and the Trump administrations heavy-handed response to them. The president and his most cultish followers are looking for any excuse to not only delegitimize dissent but violently crush it. That the president was ready and willing to activate the California national guard against the governors consent and even send in Marines to police protests is an ominous sign of the force this administration is willing to bring down on its own countrymen  especially those in blue states like California or Massachusetts.

Fortunately, those behind the No Kings movement, or at least the regional organizers that The Eagle editorial board met with, appear to understand the weight and danger of this moment.

They emphasized coalition building around fundamental values rather than partisan planks. And indeed, No Kings events in the Berkshires are organized and supported by a diverse network of area nonprofits and grassroots advocates.

They spoke of pitching a wide tent, knowing that so many people are affected in one way or another by the many issues inflamed by this reckless administration. We know all too well that our Berkshire communities are not immune from the threats to education and health care, the demonization of immigrants and LGBTQ people, and assaults on democracy and due process.

They stressed that it is their responsibility to ensure that righteous rage is always and only ever channeled into peaceful pushback. In addition to underscoring the nonviolent protest traditions informing their mission, the organizers we met with have invested in safety, from employing marshals to maintain order to acquiring viz vests for rallies near roadways to taking de-escalation trainings.

Their efforts highlight what has always been true: Our rights and values cant defend themselves; we the people must take up that critical work. From those concerned about the trajectory of our country and the character of its leadership, we often hear the question What can I do? Here is the chance to find strength in solidarity with your neighbors, so that out of many voices we might speak as one in peaceful yet forceful defense of our democracy. Our founders presciently prioritized this power and responsibility in the First Amendment. Use it or lose it.
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Biocon Foundation in partnership with NCBS and BeST Cluster launches BioWISE programme to empower women in STEM

June 13, 2025 | Friday | News

25 women students to receive internship, training, and mentorship in Life Sciences segment

image credit- shutterstock

Biocon Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of BEngaluru-based Biocon Group, in collaboration with The Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster, and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), has announced the launch of first-of-its-kind programme BioWISE - Women in STEM Empowered, aimed at disadvantaged science students from tier 2 and 3 universities across Karnataka, to build a career in life sciences.

BioWISE, a part of Biocon Biologics CSR initiative, is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing access, participation, and retention of women from underserved communities in STEM, particularly life sciences. By supporting 25 women students from diverse communities through scholarships, extended internships, and mentorship, this programme is a significant step towards building a scientific ecosystem, which is diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

As the first state-level cohort, the BioWISE programme will support 25 women students, including 15 postgraduates (PG) and 10 undergraduates (UG) from life sciences backgrounds. The initiative is designed to run for 6 months for PG students and 3 months for UG students, offering them extensive exposure, training, and mentorship. BioWISE provides a multi-dimensional platform to build competencies, foster mentorship, and open up research and industry pathways for women entering the STEM specifically life sciences workforce.

Biocon Foundation will enable the initiative through funding and experts from Biocon Biologics, industry partner, will support with mentorship; while NCBS will serve as the host institute and academic mentoring partner. BeST Cluster will contribute to the programs design, management, and implementation.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
On December 20, 2024, the then President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd (right) and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (left) announced the end of the negotiations in Bern. (archive picture) Keystone

The European Commission published the agreements with Switzerland on Friday. It submitted the treaty texts to the Council of the EU. Swiss members of parliament assumed that the Federal Council would open the consultation on the dossier in the afternoon.

Keystone-SDA SDA

The news portal blick.ch was the first to report on the publication.

The Commission's proposal to the EU member states comprises 62 pages. There are also 13 annexes. These regulate the agreements in the various areas. The Council of the EU - in which the 27 member states are represented - must give the green light for the Commission to formally sign the treaties.

The agreements were initialed by the chief negotiators of Switzerland and the EU in Bern in May. In diplomatic terms, initialling is the provisional signing of a treaty.

Federal Council meeting in the afternoon

Several members of the National Council in Bern said this morning that the negotiated agreement package would be published on Friday. National Councillor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (center/BL) said that a media conference would take place at 4.00 pm. The Federal Council wanted to hold its weekly meeting after the National Council debate.

Switzerland and the EU spent nine months negotiating new bilateral agreements last year. They are intended to update the existing agreements. New agreements are also planned in the areas of electricity, food safety and health.


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Postal Code
The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has described how he crawled out of the wreckage.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is believed to be the only survivor onboard the plane involved in Thursdays disaster in Ahmedabad.

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The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 242 people when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off.

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircrafts emergency exits.

Footage posted on social media shows him being interviewed by Indian television news channel DD News while lying in a hospital bed.

Another news channel, India TV, reported that he said: The aircraft wasnt gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.

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Everything happened in seconds. I realised we were going down.

He went on: At first, I thought I was dead.

Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out.

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Everyone around me was either dead or dying. I still dont understand how I escaped.

Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times report that he said: I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me.

He also described how it felt like the plane was stuck in the air within five to 10 seconds of taking off, and suddenly the lights started flickering green and white.

Professor Graham Braithwaite, director of aerospace and aviation at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, said Mr Rameshs survival was a lovely surprise in a really, really tragic event.

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(PA Graphics)

He told the PA news agency: The aircraft was loaded with fuel and it crashed into a heavily populated area.

I can only imagine that he was thrown from the wreckage, and that somehow as it crashed, what it hit managed to absorb some of the impact.

He went on: Looking at the scene, I would imagine that the disruption to the aircraft would have been huge.

If anybody could have got out, then they probably could have just gone out in a gap in the fuselage.

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Youd struggle to infer from this, therefore, that is the seat you must always sit in.

At the point that an aircraft like that hits a building and catches fire, theres probably not too much you can do in that situation beyond being lucky about where youre sat.
Fines for parents and curfews should be considered to crackdown on antisocial behaviour by young offenders, according to a Dublin TD.

Paul Gogarty said he has received an 'overwhelming amount of queries' from adults in relation to attacks by young people.

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These include sticks, stones, and water being thrown at people with buggies, and shoplifting.

Deputy Gogarty believes there should be immediate consequences.

Speaking on Newstalk, he said: "I've had an absolutely overwhelming amount of queries from adults in relation either to their children who have been attacked randomly in parks.

"Sticks, stones, bricks being thrown at parents with buggies. A woman had three e-scooters pass her back again, throw water over her.

"There have been shoplifting incidences in cafes where the bottles have been taken out and then thrown over the staff."
Minister for Education Helen McEntee has acknowledged that the 9 million cost of the school phone pouch and storage solutions scheme represents a lot of money whilst insisting that restricting phone access for children will be transformational.

In an interview with Newstalk Breakfast on Friday, Minister McEntee said that the scheme will have a hugely positive impact on young people.

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This is about as far as possible protecting our young people. And as far as possible making sure that our schools are phone free zones," she said.

"There will always be pockets of money that will be spent on different initiatives, on new initiatives and this is whats happening here.

This is specifically to try and support kids in school to make sure that when theyre in schools [that] theyre learning.

And that's what education is about, thats what our schools are about.

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I do appreciate this is not a small amount of money but when we break this down and when we see the impact its already having in schools that have it, I believe this can be transformational.

Ms McEntee said that more and more young people have access to phones.

Children as early as seven or eight years of age getting mobile phones. Having social media accounts, bringing them into school and they really have become quite a distraction," she said.

They are impacting on their school life. What this is about is its about making sure in our primary schools that phones are banned and in our secondary schools, this is about restricting them.

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"Acknowledging that children (there) are older. That we might have 17, 18 or even 19 year olds in schools.

Minister McEntee stated that restricting childrens phone use at school isnt going to solve our problem here adding that what they do at home is also vital to their wellbeing.

I dont think this is a catch all. We do absolutely have an issue with children at home. We are not sure what they are accessing.

"But when they are at school the fact they are on their phones is distracting and taking away for what they are supposed to learn. At break time it is impacting on them engaging and interacting in social activities.

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"We still need those larger conversations. We need to talk to parents about when children are getting phones, how they are using their phones, how parents are engaging with children as well, and I think this is an opportunity that allows them to do that.

Meanwhile, Minister McEntee also spoke to Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 on Friday.

Ireland Tanaiste defends swift timeline for nationwide r... Read More

She said that it was always the case that the funds could be used for other storage solutions as well as phone pouches. Sherefuted suggestions made by the Social Democrats of a Government U turn on the matter.

This was after Tanaiste Simon Harris said the funding would be for all kinds of storage solutions as opposed to just pouches. This includes cubby holes and lockable boxes.

Primary schools are now required to forbid the use of and access to mobile phones by pupils during the school day whilst secondary schools have to restrict usage.

The Department of Education said that the measures are being implemented to enhance student wellbeing, to promote focus in school and to reduce cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate content.
An insurance broker who triggered a smoke alarm on a London StanstedDublin flight after aggressively ignoring cabin crew just before takeoff has been spared jail and a criminal record.

Father of two, William Horn, 29, of Stone Rings Lane, Harrowgate, England, pleaded guilty on June 2nd to charges under the Air Navigation and Transport Act following his arrest the previous day at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport.

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Judge John Brennan had said that if Horn donated 500 to a Dublin charity which has assisted people affected by homelessness and addiction, he would be spared a criminal record.

The judge warned that failure to pay would result in recorded convictions and fines totalling 800.

Horn was released on 300 bail and excused from attending when the case resumed.

Judge John King noted his colleague's order and was shown a receipt of payment by defence solicitor Edward Bradbury.

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He applied the Probation of Offenders Act.

Earlier, airport-based Garda Sandip Shrestha said he charged the accused with offensive behaviour on the Ryanair flight and setting off the smoke alarm, and the accused replied, You are chatting shit.

Judge John Brennan heard that Horn came to Ireland for a birthday party, which he missed by being held for the night in Garda custody before his court hearing.

Garda Shreshta said on June 1st, he received a call from cabin crew about a disruptive passenger on the flight. Garda Shreshta learned that Horn was in the toilet, and a plume of smoke set off the smoke alarm inside the plane.

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The captain also confirmed to the garda that the alarm was also activated in the cockpit.

Judge Brennan heard that it started in Stansted when the aircraft was taxiing to the runway.

The seatbelt signs were activated, but Horn ignored the cabin crews instructions and went to the toilet, and walked by the cabin crew in an aggressive manner.

Defence solicitor Edward Bradbury told the court his client, who remained silent during the hearing, was pleading guilty and from his perspective, it had been somewhat an ordeal and in his own mind a misunderstanding.

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The garda agreed with Mr Bradbury that the aircraft was about to take off when Horn decided to go to the toilet.

The accused had no prior convictions in Ireland.

Ireland Shop assistants plead guilty to major fraud at Co... Read More

Mr Bradbury said his client has been chastened by this ordeal.

The court heard there was no evidence of intoxication, and Horn insisted he was not smoking in the toilet. However, the solicitor acknowledged that, at the very least, the issue had a smattering of recklessness all over it.

The solicitor said it happened when the aircraft was taxiing for take-off, which was aggravating circumstances for the flight attendants.

Judge Brennan had said it happened in a confined environment where people were vulnerable, but on the scale of these offences, it ranked at the lower end.
Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.

The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be cut off and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.

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It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians.

In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced, it said.

The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.

It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.

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Israels 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry.

The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over.

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence.

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, the Irish bishops said.

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This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.

The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end.

It added: There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end.

This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.

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The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28th, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing.

I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7th, 2023.

The militants still hold 55 hostages  less than half of them believed to be alive  after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
Belfast rap trio Kneecap have named the legal team which will defend band member Liam O hAnnaidh against a terror charge.

Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court.

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The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.

His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ni Ghralaigh KC.

Mr Mackin was the solicitor for Sarah Ewart, whose successful legal challenge helped to usher in the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Ms Campbell was the defence barrister in the collapsed case against Seamus Daly, who was accused of murdering people in the IRA bomb attack in Omagh in 1998.

Mr Bunting acted for non-profit company Liberty in the Stansted 15s successful conviction appeal after they broke into Stansted Airport to stop a plane deporting people to Africa, which was a case Ms Ni Ghralaigh also worked on.

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In an Instagram post, the group said: The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us.

In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting up Hamas, up Hezbollah.

They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been exploited and weaponised.

They also said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.

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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.

Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag.

O hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18th.

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His lawyers have been approached for comment.
A delegation of 50 Irish people will be among thousands setting off on a global 'March to Gaza' today.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy will be among those.

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People from 54 countries are taking part, and will march from Cairo to the Rafah Crossing at the border of Egypt and Palestine today demanding aid be allowed in.

However, there are reports of deportations from Egypt.

Mr Murphy wrote: "Arrived safely at Cairo airport and on way to town to join the #GlobalMarchToGaza. Nobody being detained and deported this evening.

"Pressure on Egyptian government is clearly working. Keep it up demanding that we can march and call for the starvation of Gaza to be ended."

Arrived safely at Cairo airport and on way to town to join the #GlobalMarchToGaza. Nobody being detained and deported this evening. Pressure on Egyptian government is clearly working. Keep it up demanding that we can march and call for the starvation of Gaza to be ended. pic.twitter.com/nSPwiwxt79  Paul Murphy  (@paulmurphy_TD) June 12, 2025

Sinn Fein TD Aengus O Snodaigh has written to the Ambassador of Egypt to Ireland to ask they be allowed pass through.

Mr O Snodaigh said: "Irish citizens who are arriving in Egypt to take part in this, similar to people from other countries arriving, are being detained and then deported so they can't take part in the global march.

"I've written to the Egyptian ambassador here in Ireland to express our concerns about this."
A number of individuals suspected of having been involved in an incident which resulted in the violent death of a Lithuanian man in Dundalk three years ago have left the jurisdiction, an inquest has heard.

Marius Juodenas (44) was discovered with serious injuries in his home on Barrack Street, Dundalk, Co Louth, shortly before 7pm on July 5th, 2022.

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It is believed he was attacked on the street close to the house a short time earlier by a group of men with weapons.

The injured man, who came originally from Lithuania, was brought by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died on July 26th, 2022, after a life support machine was turned off.

The deceased man, who was known to gardai following a number of court appearances, had previously lived in a number of locations in Cavan where he held down a number of jobs for short periods but had been living in Dundalk at the time of the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue told a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that the investigation in Mr Juodenas murder was still ongoing.

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Det Insp Donoghue explained that it was a complex investigation as a number of individuals believed to have been involved in his death were no longer in Ireland.

He told the coroner Aisling Gannon that the investigation was still very much alive with various inquiries being pursued.

Det Insp Donoghue expressed hope that an investigation file could be forwarded to the DPP.

He claimed a delay in the case was due to attempts to locate the people suspected of being involved in Mr Juodenas death.

Det Insp Donoghue applied for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are being considered.

Ireland Consider fines for parents to crackdown on antisoc... Read More

A murder investigation was launched by gardai following Mr Duodenas death three weeks after he was attacked.

It is understood detectives believe the victim was attacked in a planned assault by a number of males known to him who come originally from eastern Europe.

Ms Gannon granted the application and said she would adjourn the inquest for three months.

The coroner said she would require a detailed update and timeline for the investigation at the next sitting of the case on September 10thP.
There will be a large policing presence across Northern Ireland over the weekend, a senior officer has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the PSNI has prepared a scaled-up policing operation in anticipation of any further disorder.

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He said the mobilisation, which would include officers from Scotland, was to reassure our communities and protect our streets.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill speaking during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA)

It comes after 63 police officers were injured in what has been called a week of shame in Northern Ireland.

Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.

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Political leaders called for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.

A person wearing a Union flag stands near armed police in Portadown in Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA)

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle ONeill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.

What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted  this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level, she said.

The whole of the Executive is united on that front.

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Damaged property at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a difficult time for Northern Ireland, with disgraceful scenes of violent disorder, and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.

Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how co-operation between police forces is absolutely essential.

While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However, there was still disorder in Portadown.

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There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.

It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.

A police officer at the scene after an attack on Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA)

Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday.

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown.

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There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack.

A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.

Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities.

Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable, he said.

Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order.

They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community.

They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the bigots and racists behind the disorder.

He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been further traumatised by the rioting across the week.
A debut novel by a Dutch author has won the 2025 Womens Prize for Fiction with the judges praising it as a classic in the making.

Announced at a ceremony held in central London on Thursday, Yael van der Wouden, 38, won the award for her novel, The Safekeep, which explores repressed desire and the unresolved aftermath of the Holocaust in post-Second World War Netherlands.

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The novel follows Isabel, a young woman whose life in solitude is upended when her brothers girlfriend, Eva, comes to live with her in their family house in what turns into a summer of obsession, suspicion and desire.

Writer and chair of judges for the fiction prize, Kit de Waal, said: The Safekeep is that rare thing: a masterful blend of history, suspense and historical authenticity.

Every word is perfectly placed, page after page revealing an aspect of war and the Holocaust that has been, until now, mostly unexplored in fiction.

It is also a love story with beautifully rendered intimate scenes written with delicacy and compelling eroticism.

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This astonishing debut is a classic in the making, a story to be loved and appreciated for generations to come. Books like this dont come along every day.

Queen Camilla, fourth from right, with the 2025 Womens Prize for Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kit de Waal (Twiggles/Womens Prize Trust/PA)

Van der Wouden will receive 30,000 along with a limited-edition bronze statuette known as the Bessie which was created and donated by the artist Grizel Niven.

The judging panel for the Womens Prize for Fiction included novelist and journalist Diana Evans, author, journalist and mental-health campaigner Bryony Gordon, writer and magazine editor Deborah Joseph, and musician and composer Amelia Warner.

Also announced at the ceremony was the recipient of the non-fiction award which was won by physician Dr Rachel Clarke for The Story Of A Heart, a book that explores the human experience behind organ donation.

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The book recounts two family stories, documenting how medical staff take care of nine-year-old Kiera in her final hours following a car accident while offering a new life to also nine-year-old Max who is suffering from heart failure from a viral infection.

Journalist, broadcaster and author Kavita Puri who was the chair of judges for the non-fiction prize, said: The Story Of A Heart left a deep and long-lasting impression on us. Clarkes writing is authoritative, beautiful and compassionate.

The research is meticulous, and the storytelling is expertly crafted. She holds this precious story with great care and tells it with dignity, interweaving the history of transplant surgery seamlessly.

This is a book where humanity shines through on every page, from the selfless act of the parents who gift their daughters heart in the depths of despair, to the dedication of the NHS workers. It is unforgettable, and will be read for many years to come.

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Clarke, who is behind Breathtaking, Dear Life and Your Life In My Hands will receive 30,000 along with a limited-edition piece of art known as the Charlotte which was gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust.

Queen Camilla, centre, with the 2025 Womens Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist and chair of judges Kavita Puri (Twiggles/Womens Prize Trust/PA)

The judging panel for the non-fiction prize included writer and broadcaster Dr Leah Broad, whose work focuses on womens cultural history along with novelist and critic Elizabeth Buchan.

The writer and environmental academic, Dr Elizabeth-Jane Burnett was also a judge for the non-fiction award along with the author and writer of The Hyphen newsletter on Substack, Emma Gannon.

Previous winners of the fiction prize include Tayari Jones with An American Marriage and The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller, while the first winner of the non-fiction prize was awarded last year to Naomi Klein for Doppelganger: A Trip Into The Mirror World.

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The awards were announced by the Womens Prize Trust, a UK charity that aims to create equitable opportunities for women in the world of books and beyond.
Israel launched a blistering attack on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure on Friday, deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to target key facilities and kill top generals and scientists.

It said the barrage was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

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The operation raised the potential for all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.





Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

Iran had been censured by the UNs atomic watchdog a day earlier for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive US administrations had sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear programme.

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But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas October 7, 2023, attack and the election in the US of President Donald Trump created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats.

Also on Friday, Israel claimed it had struck an Iranian nuclear site in Isfahan.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge the attack.

The facility in Isfahan, some 350 kilometres (215 miles) south-east of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear scientists.

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It is also home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the countrys atomic programme.





  >> pic.twitter.com/Ia0tTnkBs3  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) June 13, 2025

Israel had told the Trump administration that the large-scale attacks were coming, officials in the US and Israel said.

On Wednesday the US pulled some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of US troops in the wider Middle East.

The United States is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East in response to Israels strikes on Iran and a possible retaliatory attack by Tehran, two US officials said.

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Countries in the region condemned Israels attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate de-escalation from both sides. Iran asked for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Israels military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets.

Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defences and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials.

Among the key sites Israel attacked was Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air.

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It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 60 miles from Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government that reported hearing explosions nearby.

Israel also said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.



An apartment building hit in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Israel military spokesman Effie Defrin said the Natanz facility was significantly damaged and that the operation was still in the beginning.

Among those killed were three of Irans top military leaders: one who oversaw the entire armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri; one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami; and the head of the Guards ballistic missile programme, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iran confirmed all three deaths, significant blows to its governing theocracy that will complicate efforts to retaliate. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

In its first response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

Mr Trump urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear programme, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he wrote. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.



Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Israeli leaders cast the attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike.

Iran maintains its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but has never acknowledged having such weapons.





Radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged. The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures. - DG @rafaelmgrossi https://t.co/L9MSaPhYlJ  IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) June 13, 2025

On Friday, Israelis rushed to supermarkets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere to buy bottled water and other supplies. But, otherwise, streets and parks were mostly deserted.

For Mr Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now more than 20 months old.

Khamenei said in a statement that Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres.

Mr Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

I believe that the day of your liberation is near, he said.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence.
Laurence Fox could face trial in 2027 over allegations he shared a compromising photo of TV star Narinder Kaur on social media.

The actor-turned-activist is alleged to have shared a compromising image in a tweet posted in April 2024 of Kaur, 52, who appears regularly on Good Morning Britain and has previously appeared on GB News.

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Ms Kaur, who has waived her right to anonymity, sat in the public gallery at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday as Fox, of Peldon in Essex, appeared charged with two counts under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Narinder Kaur sat in the public gallery at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday (Lucy North/PA)

The 47-year-old defendant is accused of sharing a photograph of a persons genitals intending that the person or another person would see the genitals, and for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, and being reckless as to whether that person would be caused alarm, distress or humiliation in the first count.

The second count alleges he shared a photograph which showed, or appeared to show, another person in an intimate state, with the intention of causing that person alarm, distress or humiliation.

The court hearing on Thursday was listed for plea and trial preparation but Fox, who was wearing a white shirt and grey blazer with jeans, was not asked to enter any pleas.

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A provisional trial with a time estimate of four days was set for December 6th, 2027 at the same court, with Fox granted bail to appear for a further case management hearing on November 14th this year.

Sarah Forshaw KC, defending, asked the court if it would be possible to look at whether other venues may be able to accommodate an earlier trial as December 2027 is a long way ahead.

The police previously said Fox had been charged with an offence contrary to section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024.

Fox is an actor-turned-activist (David Parry/PA)

Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act relates to cyber flashing.

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The charge, introduced in 2023, makes it an offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation or for sexual gratification.

Upskirting, taking pictures of people under their clothes without their permission, became a specific criminal offence in 2019.

Offenders can face up to two years in jail and be placed on the sex offenders register.

Fox was fired from GB News in October 2023 after an on-air rant about journalist Ava Evans.

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He previously starred as James Hathaway in ITVs drama series Lewis.
Israel and Iran opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict when Israel launched a major attack on Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Israel said it targeted nuclear and military facilities, killing Irans top military and nuclear scientists.

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Israels attack comes as tensions have escalated over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear programme, which Israel sees as a threat to its existence.

Here is a timeline of some significant events in the hostilities between the two countries:

 Irans nuclear programme is a primary target

2010  The Stuxnet computer virus is discovered and widely believed to be a joint US-Israeli creation. The virus disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

2018  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel obtained tens of thousands of pages of data showing Iran covered up its nuclear programme before signing a deal with world powers in 2015.

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An ex-Mossad chief confirms the information was obtained by more than a dozen non-Israeli agents from safes in Tehran in 2018.

2020  Alleged Israeli attacks against Irans nuclear programme are stepped up significantly after the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal meant to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

July 2020  A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel.

November 2020  A top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran.

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A top Iranian security official accuses Israel of using electronic devices to remotely kill the scientist, who founded Irans military nuclear programme in the 2000s.

April 11, 2021  An attack targets Irans underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Iran blames Israel, which does not claim responsibility, but Israeli media widely reports the government orchestrated a cyberattack that caused a blackout at the facility.

April 16, 2021  Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Firemen work at a block of flats in Tehran after Israel attacked Irans capital early on Friday (Vahid Salemi/AP)

June 2022  Iran accuses Israel of poisoning two nuclear scientists in different cities within three days of each other, though circumstances remained unclear.

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 Middle East Wars

October 7, 2023  Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage, beginning the most intense war between Israel and Hamas.

Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants.

February 14, 2024  An Israeli sabotage attack causes multiple explosions on an Iranian natural gas pipeline running from Irans western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province to cities on the Caspian Sea.

April 1, 2024  An Israeli airstrike demolishes Irans consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people, including two Iranian generals.

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April 14, 2024  Iran launches an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, firing more than 300 missiles and attack drones in response to the Israeli airstrike in Damascus.

Working with a US-led international coalition, Israel intercepts much of the incoming fire.

April 19, 2024  A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defence system near an airport in Isfahan, Iran.

July 31, 2024  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by an apparent Israeli airstrike during a visit to Tehran.

Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the October 7 attack.

September 27, 2024  An Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members who went to Lebanon in 1982 to fight invading Israeli forces, Hezbollah was the first group that Iran backed and used as a way to export its brand of political Islam.

October 1, 2024  Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a US-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.

October 16, 2024  Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.

October 26, 2024  Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defence systems and sites associated with its missile programme.

April 30, 2025  Iran executes a man it said worked for Israels Mossad foreign intelligence agency and played a role in the killing of Revolutionary Guard colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran on May 22, 2022.
Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes at Israel on Friday night, with explosions heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the country's two biggest cities, following Israel's biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy.

Air raid sirens sounded across Israel as authorities urged the public to take shelter. Missiles were seen over Tel Aviv's skyline, with the military saying Iran had fired two salvos.

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The U.S. military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel, two U.S. officials said on Friday.

In the Tel Aviv area, Israel's ambulance service said five people were treated for shrapnel injuries. Live footage of Tel Aviv showed what appeared to be a missile hitting an urban area. A critically injured woman was admitted to Beilinson Hospital in nearby Petah Tikva, a hospital spokesperson said.

The unprecedented Israeli strikes on Iran and the subsequent Iranian retaliation raised concerns about a broader regional conflagration, although Iran's allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been decimated by Israel.

Iran's state news agency IRNA said Tehran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel after Israel blasted Iran's huge Natanz underground nuclear site and killed its top military commanders. Israel's military said Iran fired fewer than 100 missiles and most were intercepted or fell short.

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of having initiated a war. A senior Iranian official said nowhere in Israel would be safe and revenge would be painful.

Israel's operation "will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV address.

Netanyahu, who for decades has raised the alarm about Iran's nuclear programme, said he authorised the air assault in an effort to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. Israel and its Western allies have said this is Tehran's objective but Iran has denied it.

In a video issued by his office, Netanyahu appealed to the Iranian people to stand up against their leaders. "I am with you, the Israeli people are with you," he said.

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"Generations from now, history will record our generation stood its ground, acted in time and secured our common future."

Iran has long insisted its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only. The U.N. nuclear watchdog concluded this week that it was in violation of its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty.

U.S. President Donald Trump said it was not too late for Tehran to halt the Israeli bombing campaign by reaching a deal on its nuclear programme.

Tehran had been engaged in talks with the Trump administration on a deal to curb its nuclear programme to replace one that Trump abandoned in 2018. Tehran had rejected the last U.S. offer.

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Attacks on Iran

Iranian media showed images of destroyed apartment blocks in Iran, and said nearly 80 civilians were killed in attacks that targeted nuclear scientists in their beds and wounded more than 300 people.

Israel's military said it was striking Iranian missile and drone launching sites, and had struck another nuclear site in Isfahan.

An Israeli military spokesperson denied Iranian media reports that an Israeli fighter jet was downed with a pilot detained.

In a phone interview with Reuters, Trump said nuclear talks between Tehran and the United States, scheduled for Sunday, were still on the agenda though he was not sure if they would take place.

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"We knew everything," Trump said of the Israeli attack plans.

"I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out," Trump said. "They can still work out a deal, however, its not too late."

Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said military action by itself would not destroy Iran's nuclear programme, but could "create the conditions for a long-term deal, led by the United States" to get rid of it.

Decapitation

Two regional sources said at least 20 Iranian military commanders were killed, a stunning decapitation reminiscent of Israeli attacks that swiftly wiped out the leadership of Lebanon's once-feared Hezbollah militia last year. Iran also said six of its top nuclear scientists had been killed.

Among the generals killed on Friday were the armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and the Revolutionary Guards chief, Hossein Salami.

Major General Mohammad Pakpour, swiftly promoted to replace Salami as Guards commander, vowed retaliation in a letter to the Supreme Leader read on state television: "The gates of hell will open to the child-killing regime."

Iranians described an atmosphere of fear and anger, with some people rushing to change money and others seeking a way out of the country to safety.

"People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic. We were all terrified," said Marziyeh, 39, who was awakened by a blast in Natanz.

While some Iranians quietly hoped the attack would lead to changes in Iran's hardline clerical leadership, others vowed to rally behind the authorities.

"I will fight and die for our right to a nuclear programme. Israel and its ally America cannot take it away from us with these attacks," said Ali, a member of the pro-government Basij militia in Qom.

Iran's ability to retaliate with weapons fired by its regional proxies has been sharply degraded over the past year, with the downfall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the decimation of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Israel said a missile fired from Yemen - whose Houthi militia are Iran-aligned - had landed in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent said three Palestinian children were wounded by shrapnel there.

'Cowardly'

Israel said that Iran launched around 100 drones towards Israeli territory earlier on Friday, but Iran denied this and there were no reports of drones reaching Israeli targets.

The United Nations Security Council was due to meet on Friday at Tehran's request. Iran said in a letter to the council that it would respond decisively and proportionally to Israel's "unlawful" and "cowardly" acts.

The price of crude leaped on fears of wider retaliatory attacks across a major oil-producing region, although there were no reports that oil production or storage was damaged. OPEC said the escalation did not justify any immediate changes to oil supply.

An Israeli security source said Mossad commandos had been operating deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack, and the Israeli spy agency and military had mounted a series of covert operations against Iran's strategic missile array.

Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had bombarded Iran's air defences, destroying "dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers".

Israeli officials said it may be some time before the extent of damage to the underground nuclear site at Natanz is clear. Western countries have long said Iran refined uranium there to levels suitable for a bomb rather than civilian use.

Later on Friday, Iranian media reported explosions on the northern and southern outskirts of Tehran and at Fordow, near the holy city of Qom, a second nuclear site that was spared in the first wave of attacks.
Loading Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, told this masthead: 1200 jets and 16 years of operational experience for the type  doesnt mean theres no chance of a design flaw, but given many millions of hours [of flying], that kind of thing usually gets uncovered. Besides, video footage of the take-off seems to indicate something completely different, said the US-based analyst. The involvement of the latest generation Dreamliner by Boeing provides a fresh challenge for the storied US aircraft manufacturer, after two fatal crashes of a version of its smaller, bestselling 737 MAX, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019. After the second crash, MAX jets were grounded worldwide until the company redesigned the system. Boeing has been on the backfoot in the global eye since.

After a 2024 midair emergency involving another Boeing 737 Max, the US Federal Aviation Administration imposed a production cap on the number of planes per month that Boeing could manufacture. US President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of Boeing. Credit: Bloomberg Boeing posted a loss of $US11.8 billion in 2024, bringing its total losses since 2019 to more than $US35 billion. The companys financial problems were compounded by a strike by machinists who assemble the planes at its factories, which hampered Boeings delivery capability. For the first three months of 2025, Boeing reported a narrower loss of $US31 million compared with the previous year. Chief executive Kelly Ortberg cancelled plans to attend the crucial Paris Air show next week. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, he said.

Loading While aviation officials stressed the need for investigations to play out, US President Donald Trump offered pointers to Indian authorities on possible causes of the disaster. After sending his condolences, Trump said: I gave them a couple of pointers. I said, Maybe you look at this, you know, we saw the plane, it looked like it was flying pretty well, it didnt look like there was an explosion, just looked like the engines maybe lost power. Trump has earlier expressed frustration with Boeing over the pace of the production of the Air Force One presidential planes. So far, US officials said on Friday (AEST) there was no indication from the crash evidence so far that would require the grounding of the Boeing 787.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said investigators have to get on the ground and take a look. But again right now itd be way too premature. The Thursday crash of the Air India flight has also weighed on the stock of GE Aerospace, the maker of the engines used in Air India flight. Shares in the company fell 2.2 per cent. A spokesman for GE Aerospace said: We have activated our emergency response team, and we are prepared to support our customer and the investigation. The 787 Dreamliner was the first commercial aircraft built primarily from lighter carbon-composite materials, allowing it to offer fuel savings of up to 20 per cent. The planes range of 13,530 kilometres gives airlines flexibility to open new non-stop routes, in the hyper-competitive business.

In 2013, the Dreamliner was grounded for four months after two separate incidents of lithium-ion batteries erupting into smoke and fire. Boeing dispatched 300 teams to retrofit an improved battery cell. The planes were cleared for flight again by the FAA and the issue did not diminish robust demand for the 787. Today, 1189 Dreamliners are in service around the world, with nearly 900 more on order. Loading Boeing has also been drawn into the US-China trade war. In March 2019, Chinas aviation regulator was the first in the world to ground the 737 MAX. In April, a Boeing jet was rejected from China after at least one Chinese airline halted deliveries due to US tariffs. Boeing had been crawling back from a series of crashes and questions about its safety record and leadership. These crises have compounded Boeings struggle to supply airline clients with the planes they need. After years of supply disruptions, difficulty in sourcing parts, and the impact of COVID, the backlog of planes to be delivered to airlines exceeds 17,000, according to the International Air Transport Association.
It would have been hard to miss the news this month of the spat between US President Trump and Elon Musk. It escalated quickly, as the kids say, with Musk accusing Trump of hiding his associations with Jeffrey Epstein and Trump floating the possibility of cutting off Musks federal contracts. The dust-up ended with Musk returning, tail between his legs, to say that he was sorry.

This is the second time that Musk has been reminded that the forces of MAGA have more political heft than the Silicon Valley tech bros. The last time the MAGA hammer came down on Elon, it was to remind him that Trump supporters voted against increased immigration after the Tesla boss pushed for the issuance of more H1B visas to foreign workers in the technology sector.

This is the second time that Musk has been reminded that the forces of MAGA have more political heft than the Silicon Valley tech bros. Credit: Getty Images

This new conflict has reignited the debates between MAGA populism and Silicon Valley libertarianism. While the dispute around H1B visas may have been clear-cut  the Trump ticket does not support policies like this  the issues that led to the recent clash are far less so. Musk was raising concerns around government spending that are becoming more relevant by the day.

At the centre of the dispute was the so-called Big Beautiful Bill, a large piece of tax and spending legislation making its way through the US Congress.
Australias best barrister is taking a paycheck from the Russian government.

Bret Walker SC is representing the Russian Federation, who is challenging the constitutional validity of the Albanese governments 2023 laws which cancelled Moscows lease on an embassy site next door to Parliament House.

Top Sydney barrister Bret Walker. Credit: Steven Siewert

Your columnist, meanwhile, remains sanctioned by Russia since Vladimir Putins 2022 invasion of Ukraine, along with dozens of other journalists, and is thus banned from the country.

All that history aside, CBD isnt here to take Novichok-laced pot-shots at anyone. Were all entitled to good legal representation, of course. And barristers are bound by the cab rank rule, which obligates them to take any brief that pulls up outside their chambers, so long as it matches their expertise, they have capacity, and the prospective client, however objectionable, can pay.
Australia, with respect, lift your f---ing game. Americans can beat us in the Davis Cup. England can snag an Ashes upset. But how are we losing to both those countries when it comes to using vulgar words online? I mean, WTF.

Im pissed (in the American sense) were lagging in our national sport. Im absolutely tamping (to borrow Welsh slang) to eat Pommy dust. In 2023, when our Diamonds lost by a lousy netball goal to England, I could take my lumps. But losing in swearing? Thats bullshit.

According to a new study, our swearing standards have diminished. Credit: iStock

The boilover was announced in Lingua, under the banner: Bad Language and Vulgarity Online and in Public Discourse. Salting the wounds, the chief authors were Dr Martin Schweinberger from the University of Queensland and Professor Kate Burridge from Monash. Yep, locals. So we cant suspect crooked umpiring.

Almost 600 vulgarities were audited, from the usual suspects to the innocuous colour your granny may add to a crochet anecdote: feck, damn, idiot, fart. Beyond the orthodox lay the creative, including arsewipe and f---trumpet, where at least we outshone our rivals.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When we were beautiful and young, there was still time for every little thing, Mick Harvey sighed on his fifth solo album. His mind was partly on Mutiny In Heaven, the film about his old band The Birthday Party. And partly, as always, on myriad other projects. Another year has flown. Or is it two? He and Adalita, who still leads Magic Dirt when shes not years-deep in a solo record or more transient collaborations, are sitting on a couch in his North Melbourne studio to talk about one theyve been holding close until time allowed. Bleak Squad is an elegantly brooding rock quartet that sounds exactly like the sum of its exceptional parts. Guitarist Mick Turner is still best known from Dirty Three, despite sundry other bands. Drummer Marty Brown is from Art of Fighting, as well as countless other gigs and studio productions. Were talking, to cut to the obvious rocknroll epithet, about a supergroup. No, were a supper group, Harvey responds. Adalita smiles. Shes probably heard that one before. Whatever they call it, its a gift. From left, Mick Turner, Marty Brown, Adalita and Mick Harvey were surprised at how easily their band came together. Credit: Felix Oliver I had some bits of songs sitting around; I always have  ideas that didnt fit anywhere else, she says. It was like, finally, I had somewhere to put them. And it was so natural, right from the start. Like wed been playing together for years. It was very casual. No egos, no expectations, Harvey says. It wasnt burdened with any of that. It was completely open. Marty just said, Come in, bring three or four ideas, well see what happens. So thats what we did.

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Over four days at Head Gap studios in Preston, the four distinct musical personalities became a band with unexpected ease. A song would become so much a [result] of what everyone had contributed that I started forgetting whose music it was in the first place, Harvey says, still surprised at how readily a whole album began to present itself. Strange Love is due in August. Wed need to find a less cluttered room to draw a map of all the tangled connections that led Brown  a prolific studio operator and artist manager as well as musician  to envisage a smooth, cohesive bond with the three living legends. Ive worked with them all enough to know that a fast, easy, improvisational kind of music is achievable, he tells me later, by phone from Ballarat. Some people need things to be more rehearsed, or its like, Ive written this... and they might be more demanding about what it could be. There was none of that... I knew we could all just relax together and jam some bits. But yeah, I was surprised by how well jamming some bits turned out. Everything Must Change, the first song unveiled last week, is a portentous illustration. It began with a nebulous handful of chords presented by Turner  overseas as we speak, with his duo Mess Esque (the Micks are always overseas, Adalita says). Harvey threw in a string of apocalyptic lyrics, then encouraged Adalita to intrude.

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You tapped into something, he tells her, and made it an even more surreal kind of excursion, which was fantastic. It messes with your head. The construction is kind of unfathomable to me. It was like a mystery, in a way. Loading Like a gothic Alice Through the Looking Glass, Adalita says, still riffing. I was just hoping to come up with something. Thats always my fear. She spins a telling metaphor for her writing process: like dredging a lake. Fear, mystery, surreal, gothic, apocalyptic... Bleak Squad isnt all bats and dungeons, but fans of any of its members will recognise a through-line of clamorous gloom, unsettled energy and ghostly beauty, an entrenched darkness of the soul that gives their name just the right touch of gallows humour. Its not about any particular style, Harvey says. Its about a kind of attitude and approach to things. Its got that sort of dark, noirish edge, Adalita says, but of course it offers comfort because its music. Music can be a real companion. It can give people solace. Ive been associated with a lot of music that people have declared to be depressing over the years, says Harvey, and I know that fans of that music dont find it depressing at all. They find a release. They find a space where they can feel inspired, to go beyond feeling isolated.

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A kindred spirit, Adalita says. Theyre anything but bleak company, these two. Asked to search their memories for their first formal collaboration, they arrive at the Suburban Mayhem movie soundtrack of 2006. Harvey won an Australian Film Institute award for the score. He asked Adalita to sing songs by Gun Club, Bauhaus and Magic Dirt. Music can be a real companion, says Adalita, pictured far left with Marty Brown, Mick Turner and Mick Harvey. Credit: Felix Oliver I was a little bit scared of you then. Im not any more, she says, laying her beanie on his black velvet lapel. Everyones scared of me, Harvey says, blinking. But hes spooked by something else. You know were the only ones still going from that [recording session]? They count off absent friends. Rowland S. Howard. Spencer P. Jones. Magic Dirts Dean Turner. Drummer Peter Jones. Producer-engineer Tony Cohen. The thought hangs heavily. You do carry all of that stuff, Harvey says. Everybody who you work with, you get something from them. Sometimes Im not sure which bits [of music] come from me, or from Rowland, or anyone else. Theyre all in there. Theres no time to dwell. Thats the only commodity in scarce supply, Brown acknowledges, as Bleak Squad plan the road ahead.

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Its been quite  hard, he says, laughing. Ive been shocked by how busy everyone is, but schedules are worked out so far in advance that we can map out when were all in the same country, at least. So far, just four dates are booked for August and October. Harvey says we could ramp it up a bit early next year  although Mick Turners probably madly booking stuff right now for his half-a-dozen projects. Were experienced enough to understand about give and take, he says. Everyone gives space to other people in the musical process, but then you also understand when people arent available. Its been difficult, but nobodys been getting pissed off. He turns to remind Adalita of the three or four unfinished songs they really must revisit. Ooh, Id love to hear those tracks, she enthuses. We might have to fill the set out a bit? Strange Love will be released on August 22. Bleak Squad play Queenscliff Town Hall on Aug 1, Meeniyan Town Hall on August 2, Sydneys City Recital Hall on Oct 11 and Melbourne Recital Centre on Oct 16. Legends unite Often brilliant, usually brief, sometimes bruising, supergroups are known to form when distinctive talents, famous names and stolen moments collide. Heres a mixed dozen playlist.

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A lawyer has pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice after arranging for a person to lie to police about their involvement in a driving matter, after losing a court battle to keep her case suppressed from the public.

A legal team representing solicitor Rachelle Badour-Taha this month fought to have her charge kept from the public domain, and on Friday she pleaded guilty over her involvement in asking a man to fraudulently nominate himself as the driver of a four-wheel-drive that allegedly drove erratically and away from police at the Burnley exit of the Domain Tunnel at 1pm on February 26, 2024.

Rachelle Badour-Taha, pictured last year, has pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. Credit: Chris Hopkins

Police allege the vehicles registered owner, a 22-year-old Box Hill woman, later nominated a man as the driver.

The 23-year-old man was arrested in April last year and allegedly said he was behind the wheel, before later admitting he had fraudulently nominated himself.
It is shaping up as one of the biggest logistical challenges in Suncorp Stadiums history, but organisers are confident they can pull off this months NRL double-header.

The Dolphins cyclone-affected fixture against South Sydney has been rescheduled for 7.50pm on Saturday, June 28  just a few hours after the Broncos v Warriors match, with its 3pm kick-off, is due to end.

Given they will be two distinct crowds, as many as 100,000 could pass through the stadium precinct on the day  almost double an Origin crowd. That could make it Caxton Streets biggest day in years.

Crowds milling outside Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round in Brisbane. Credit: Brisbane Economic Development Agency

Traders are at the same time salivating at the potential revenue, and apprehensive about the challenge ahead.
The woman at the centre of the Lawyer X scandal, Nicola Gobbo, has lost her million-dollar bid for compensation against the Victorian government, with a judge finding she broke the law during her time informing on clients.

On Friday, Justice Melinda Richards threw out the barrister turned informers civil lawsuit against the state, in which Gobbo claimed negligence and malfeasance in public office by a number of high-profile officers had destroyed her life.

Former lawyer and police informer Nicola Gobbo. Credit: ABC

Gobbos career as a supergrass came crashing down in late 2018 when it was publicly revealed she had been secretly spying on her clients for police as Informer 3838 or Lawyer X at the height of the underworld war.

She claimed she was groomed by police to snitch on gangland heavies such as Tony Mokbel and roll crooks against one another.
Water Corporation crews will work through the weekend to repair a damage sewerage system in Perths south that has spilled waste into several parks and even out into the Swan River via Alfred Cove and Fremantle Harbour.

The spill started with a burst pipe on Hamilton Road in Spearwood on Friday which inundated Watsonia and Dalmatia parks, while also impacting nearby houses.

It spread to Bruce Lee Reserve in Beaconsfield, forcing the closure of the park and the relocation of the Freo Farmers Markets at the weekend, before spilling into the Swan River via Alfred Cove and the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.

The popular farmers market and Fremantle City Football Club, which plays at the reserve, will have to move again this weekend as crews continue to mop up and disinfect the park.
Minderoo Foundation has announced it will partner with UNESCO to use environmental DNA technology to help survey and protect some of the planets most precious World Heritage marine reserves.

The foundation will provide AU$3.5 million to collect data at 25 marine protected areas serving as global reference sites, with a target of collecting 3,000 samples  a significant leap forward in monitoring capabilities.

It will also include a global citizen science campaign led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

Today we are calling on all world leaders who profess to care about our ocean and its biodiversity to embrace the power of DNA technology  it is, quite simply, a game-changer in understanding ocean health, Minderoo Foundation founder Dr Andrew Forrest AO said.

By analysing tiny traces of genetic material left behind by marine life, eDNA gives us a non-invasive, accurate, and scalable way to track biodiversity.

eDNA allows scientists and policymakers to monitor biodiversity and make better decisions  this UNESCO-Minderoo collaboration puts this tool in the hands of people looking after some of the planets most precious world heritage marine sites.

With eDNA, we have a powerful tool to guide bold, science-based action and listen to what the ocean is telling us.
Miracle girl Bahia Bakari, the sole survivor of doomed Yemenia Flight 626, notably survived its 2009 crash into the Indian Ocean by clinging to a piece of aircraft wreckage, something she was able to do because she happened to have been ejected from the Airbus A310 as it crashed. The four survivors of Japan Airlines Flight 123, which killed 520 people after crashing into Mount Osutaka in August 1985, were all seated in the last seven rows of the aircraft. That happened to be the only part that remained intact after impact. Which part of the plane that remains intact in the event of a crash  and if youre in it  may be luck of the draw, but in the case of Japan Airlines Flight 516, a major factor in the survival of all 379 occupants after it collided with a Coast Guard plane at Haneda Airport was its efficient evacuation process. American journalist Amanda Ripleys extensive disaster reporting helped Time win more than one award  and it also formed a strong basis for her book, The Unthinkable: Who survives when disaster strikes  and why. What Ripley had discovered over the years was how much understanding behavioural psychology was crucial to the survival of humans when disaster strikes, and how much its been overlooked. Fight, flight, freeze or fawn  if your body knows instinctively what to do, Ripley argues, then it may be able to cut through in times of extreme distress.

The brain loves body memory, writes Ripley, who highlights the efficacy of dress rehearsals of fires in house and workplace survival rates. It is much better to stop, drop, and roll than to talk about stopping, dropping, and rolling. Loading In an unfamiliar and somewhat temporary environment like a commercial plane, conducting a disaster drill as a passenger is easier said than done. But Ripley highlights how making a habit of counting the rows between your seat and the nearest emergency exit on every plane you board  should you need to rely on senses other than sight  is essential. Crew, after all, are given a 90-second time limit to evacuate all passengers before flames, and smoke, become fatal for those inside the plane, some of whom may be trapped by their own paralysing fear, or others who are clogging the aisle trying to retrieve their belongings in shock. Not one of Japan Airlines Flight 516s occupants exited with hand luggage.

Which is the safest seat on a commercial flight? There is no magic seat that protects individual passengers; however, there is some data to show that there are safer and less safe seats in the event of a crash. Ramesh, according to his boarding pass, was seated in the emergency exit row. Credit: Reuters Incomplete data from the American Federal Aviation Administration between 1985 and 2000 was analysed by Time, which found that sitting in the back of a plane was generally safer, fulfilling the urban myth that first-class passengers face the brunt of a crashs impact. Middle seats have also been found to have the lowest fatality rate, though there are questions of situational advantage, as in some crashes having an aisle seat can mean a quicker evacuation.

It should be noted, however, that not all crash data reports seat numbers against passenger fatalities, so a complete analysis is difficult to perform. Is there a way to tell if an airline is at higher risk of a crash? Despite 2025 being one of the deadliest years on record for civil aviation, commercial aircraft accidents are still considered extremely rare today. Of course, some airlines and countries have a worse record than others, and there are several resources flyers can use. Qantas, recently voted the worlds second-safest airline for 2025 on AirlineRatings.com, behind Air New Zealand, has never had a fatal jet airline accident. AirlineRatings.coms Top 10 safest airlines Air New Zealand Qantas Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates Virgin Australia Etihad Airways ANA EVA Air Korean Air Alaska Airlines Turkish Airlines

Air India didnt make AirlineRatings.coms top 25 list when it was released earlier this year, and currently has an air safety star rating of just four stars out of seven, factoring Fridays mass fatalities. Loading At the time of writing, Air India also does not feature among the banned carriers on the European Union Air Safety List (ASL)  an internationally recognised and frequently updated list of air carriers from non-EU nations banned from operating to, in and from the EU due to not meeting necessary international safety standards. The list was last updated on June 3, before the crash took place. Both the AirlineRating.coms reviews and the ASL can be used as reference guides for flyers. The ASL is a particularly good resource for anyone considering using a foreign carrier for the first time, according to RMIT University aerospace engineering and aviation expert Chrystal Zhang. Its definitely one of the very reliable resources for anyone who wants to check the [carriers] safety performance and capability of the government [to manage] safety performance, said Zhang. It is one of the purposes they developed that list.

The banned or partially banned airlines are determined based on information gathered by aviation safety experts from all the EU member states and the European Commission, including assessment of both the individual airline and its associated governing authorities. They would determine whether the carriers have valid, appropriate safety management systems in place to satisfy the EUs requirements  then they would check the capability of the government agency  in [the Yeti Airlines] case, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal  to establish to what extent theyre capable of overseeing the overall management system of their aviation sector, said Zhang. While Australia doesnt have an equivalent ban list in place, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulates who gets an Air Operators Certificate to operate safely in Australia. This means any Australian airline will be safe, said University of Sydney aviation expert Professor Rico Merkert. Foreign carriers are not permitted to fly into Australian airspace until they receive a Foreign Aircraft Air Operators Certificate (CASA). As such, I feel in safe hands.

Which airlines are the safest? Loading Air New Zealand is ranked the safest on AirlineRatings.com, with Qantas following in an extremely close second place. According to the group, rankings are based on a number of categories, including the number of serious incidents in the past two years, fleet size and age, fatalities, and pilot skills and training. Airlines are balanced in their ranking to ensure that proportionality is considered. An airline operating only 100 aircraft experiencing three incidents raises greater concern than an airline with 800 aircraft experiencing six incidents, said the group.
Housing is so scarce in parts of NSW that employers are renting properties on behalf of hospitality staff while some public health workers resort to sleeping in cars to avoid long commutes, prompting MPs to urge the Minns government to act urgently on essential workers access to housing.

A parliamentary select committee inquiry into essential worker housing, chaired by Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, found these workers  who are broadly defined as someone who works face-to-face providing key services  are the forgotten group in the governments housing policies.

Glenda Walker, a pyschologist in the public health system, gave evidence at a parliamentary inquiry into essential worker housing. Credit:

The committees report said essential workers ensure NSWs cities and regions can function, yet, without adequate access to safe housing that is affordable, many of these workers are forced to sacrifice their wellbeing in order to deliver the services our state needs.

A key finding in the report was that no single government agency is responsible for co-ordinating essential worker housing. Housing NSW should take over control, the report recommends.
China's achievements in marine development highly praised at UN Ocean Conference

Xinhua) 09:55, June 13, 2025

NICE, France, June 12 (Xinhua) -- As the United Nations Ocean Conference unfolds in Nice from June 9 to 13, global leaders, experts, and organizations have gathered to address ocean governance and sustainability. China's efforts in marine ecological protection and its "Blue Partnership" initiative have drawn widespread praise for promoting international cooperation and sharing environmental expertise.

A well-attended side event, co-hosted by the Third Institute of Oceanography under China's Ministry of Natural Resources, the Friends of Ocean Action of the World Economic Forum, and the SEE Foundation, highlighted successful cases of marine ecological protection and restoration under the "Blue Partnership." The event emphasized international collaboration and offered valuable insights into global marine conservation efforts.

"I think that's a good way forward. China seems to be able to do these things. So, I admire that," said William E.N. Austin, a professor from the University of St Andrews in Britain. Speaking to Xinhua, he stressed that bridging the gap in national capabilities through knowledge sharing supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He described China's assistance to other countries as notably positive.

Jack Hurd, executive director of the Tropical Forest Alliance at the World Economic Forum, praised China's leadership as "fantastic." He noted that over the past decade, China has built a strong understanding of marine biodiversity issues and implemented comprehensive measures, including the establishment of marine protected areas, wetland management, coastal patrols, and investment in ecological restoration and sustainable practices.

"So I think it's fantastic what the Chinese government has done over the years, not only in the ocean, but also on the land," he said.

Another side event introduced the Coastal city Ocean bAsed Solution Toolkit for sustainable development (COAST), developed by the First Institute of Oceanography under China's Ministry of Natural Resources. The COAST toolkit integrates marine big data, advanced numerical models, artificial intelligence, and capacity-building components to provide visualized services and products to coastal policymakers and users -- accessible globally and free of charge.

Suzan El-Gharabawy, vice president of Egypt's National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, noted that while the Global South possesses rich marine resources, it often lacks the technology and expertise to fully assess and utilize them. She called the COAST toolkit "a very important initiative," praising its role in advancing marine knowledge and enabling global cooperation. Shared data and technologies, she said, would foster greater opportunity and meaningful collaboration.

"(The COAST toolkit) It's a really great project," said Leticia Carvalho, secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). She highlighted China's strong promotion of environmental protection in the context of deep-sea mining. As the ISA negotiates the Mining Code, Carvalho credited China's "lifting" and even "uplifting" participation, which has led to productive informal consultations among stakeholders.

"So I would say thank you to China for leading environmental efforts in order to turn the regulations for deep sea mining expectation more safe from an environmental perspective," she added.

China continues to practice true multilateralism in ocean development and governance. It adheres to international maritime rules by ratifying the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies -- demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding the common heritage of humanity.

Peter Haugan, co-chair of the International Science Council's Expert Group on Ocean, emphasized the importance of multilateralism in solving marine challenges. He said that oceans are a shared global resource, not limited to coastal states. He acknowledged China's strong support for multilateral efforts and its prioritization of knowledge sharing.

"And I see many initiatives from China that actually do that. We have UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and China is taking lead on some programs," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The medical students in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad were eating lunch on Thursday when an Air India passenger plane crashed into their dining hall.

Intern Mohit Chavda said he was halfway through his meal of lentils, cabbage and bread when the disaster struck.

Plates of food lie abandoned in a medical student dining hall after the Air India plane crashed into it. Credit: Bloomberg

The tail of the Air India plane became wedged in a medical students dining hall. Credit: Getty

We only heard a blast, he said. Then we just saw the dust and smoke coming inside with force.
Moments earlier, the departure lounge of Ahmedabad airport had been the usual mix of excitement and anticipation as passengers returned home from holidays, headed off on adventures or looked forward to family reunions ahead of their scheduled non-stop flight of nine hours and 50 minutes to London Gatwick. They included married couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, from London, who passed the time by recording an Instagram video, in which Fiongal smiled and rolled his eyes as Jamie said they were about to board a 10-hour flight back to England. Also waiting in the lounge was Adnan Master, a 30-year-old east Londoner who had been visiting relatives in India, the Lalgi family, from Wembley, and Raxa Modha, from Northamptonshire. Others were flying home to Leicester. Local passengers at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport had noticed that at least one VIP was among them  Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of the Gujarat region, in which the airport is situated.

Their Air India aircraft was being cleaned, fuelled and readied for boarding. The passengers may have been reassured by the fact that it was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a type of jet that had never been involved in a fatal accident. The weather was ideal for flying: sunny and dry, with an air temperature approaching 40 degrees. Everything appeared normal as the passengers boarded, and the aircraft taxied towards runway 23 shortly after 1.30pm local time on Thursday (6pm AEST). On board were 230 passengers  169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian  and 12 crew. Eleven of those on board were children.

In the cockpit, Sabharwal and Kundar, with more than 9000 hours of flying time between them, increased power and comfortably reached take-off speed, clocking 174 knots, according to data recorded on the ground. What happened next was captured on CCTV footage that will form crucial evidence for air crash investigators. The 12-year-old aircraft became airborne at 1.38pm and appeared to take off normally, then climbed for 11 seconds before it stopped gaining altitude. For the next 19 seconds, it gradually lost altitude, drifting slightly from starboard to port, its wings remaining level as the crew fought to keep it in the air.

Loading In those fateful moments, Sabharwal issued his mayday call, but after it reached a maximum altitude of barely 400 feet above the runway, all contact with the aircraft was lost. Video footage shows it suffering a catastrophic loss of lift as the pilot said he was losing power. Then it glided down to the ground, still in its nose-up take-off angle, and after disappearing behind trees in the cameras line of sight, it crashed just a few hundred metres from the end of the runway in a fireball that could be seen for kilometres around. The aircraft had crashed in a built-up suburb called Meghani Nagar that includes the campus of a medical college, the BJ Medical College, as well as homes and offices. Raju Prajapati, a resident of the Shahibaug neighbourhood, just a few hundred metres from the crash site, said: We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes.

There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions. Another man at the scene said: I was sitting at home, there was a loud noise, it felt like an earthquake. I came out and saw smoke, I didnt realise it was a plane crash, then I came here and I found out, and I saw the crashed plane  there were many bodies lying on the ground. Inside the medical college, students were sitting down to lunch when the aircraft clipped the dining room. One photograph taken inside the building showed abandoned meals still on tables and a large piece of the aircrafts tail section jutting into the end of the room. A woman called Ramila said: My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries.

Loading Pictures showed wreckage, including the landing gear, embedded in the building. As rescuers rushed to the scene, it seemed impossible that anyone had survived the crash and the fire that followed. Incredibly, Ramesh not only survived but was able to walk away from the wreckage unaided. He appeared to have suffered only minor injuries and was later able to speak to his family from his hospital bed. The front portion of the fuselage, including the area where Ramesh had been sitting, was one of several large parts of the aircraft that were left lying in what had been busy streets near the medical centre.

One of the aircrafts wings, with its registration number VT-ANB clearly visible in large red letters, lay largely intact on the ground, as did the tail fin with its distinctive Air India logo. Evidence of the individual lives lost in the tragedy was strewn everywhere. One building had piles of clothes on ledges where they had burst out of passengers suitcases in the crash; nearby, charred suitcases and other belongings were mixed with twisted metal and wiring looms from the aircraft. Charred bodies were also visible among the wreckage. Tim Atkinson, a former accident investigator, told the BBC it was probably the most complex scene that Ive seen pictures of.

Loading He said: This is going to be a very lengthy and extraordinarily difficult and awkward crash site for those working on it to be involved in. Inevitably, lives had also been lost on the ground, though the number of deaths is not known. At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, staff formed a long line with gurneys covered in white sheets, ready to receive the remains of the dead, while relatives of those on board gathered, desperate for news. Mahendra Vasandiya, 65, stood quietly among the crowd.
Iran says further nuclear talks with the US are now meaningless after Israels strikes, the Tehran Times reported, citing Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesman for the foreign ministry.

The other side has done something that makes dialogue meaningless, Baghaei was reported as saying.

The US and Iran were scheduled to resume negotiations in Oman on Sunday. While Baghaeis comments cast doubt on whether they would still go ahead, he stopped short of saying they were cancelled.

US President Donald Trump warned Iran on social media to make a deal before it is too late.

Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for an unprecedented direct attack on its nuclear facilities, ramping up a conflict between enemies that threatens to engulf the Middle East.

Bloomberg
All the defence systems are acting to intercept the threats, Israels chief army spokesman, Brigadier General Effie Defrin said. Loading In neighbouring Jordan, air raid sirens sounded over the capital, Amman, as Iranian drones headed towards Israel. Jordanian state media said the countrys Air Force was intercepting missiles and drones in its airspace, the Associated Press reported. Earlier, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel would face severe punishment for the strikes, which had revealed the countrys vile nature. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the Israeli public that they may have to spend prolonged periods in bomb shelters ahead of an anticipated Iranian counterstrike. Schools in Israel were closed, as was Israeli airspace, and air-raid sirens were tested across the country.

But around 6pm AEST, Israeli media said an order to citizens to remain near protected areas had been lifted, suggesting that most or all of the drones had been neutralised. Netanyahu said Fridays strikes had targeted Irans main nuclear enrichment facility, Natanz, and scientists working on a nuclear bomb, as well as Iranian commanders and its ballistic missile program, which he described as an existential threat. I told our security leadership: We have no alternative but to act swiftly, he said. We cant leave these threats for the next generation. If we dont act now, there wont be a next generation.

An Israeli security source said Mossad commandos had been operating deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack and the Israeli spy agency and military had mounted a series of covert operations against Irans strategic missile array. Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. In an earlier video message, Netanyahu described the operation as a decisive moment in Israels history that would take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation. The head of Irans armed forces Hossein Bagheri, pictured with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in 2019. Credit: AP The Israeli military said Irans nuclear program had accelerated significantly in recent months, bringing Tehran significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon. The head of Irans armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri and his deputy, General Gholamali Rashid, were killed in the attack, Reuters reported, citing Iranian state media, along with the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami. Israel also said it killed General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who oversees the Revolutionary Guards ballistic missile arsenal.

Two sources in the region said at least 20 senior commanders were dead. The Revolutionary Guard, created after the 1979 revolution to protect the Islamic regime, is one of Irans main power centres and controls the countrys missiles. Iran has twice used medium-range missiles to attack Israel during the ongoing Israeli offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In Washington, Trump said he was told of Israels plans in advance, but that the US military had played no role in the operation. He expressed hope that Iran would continue negotiations over its nuclear program, which the US wants dismantled. Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, he told Fox News.

Trump later suggested Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting US demands in the talks, and urged it to make a deal before there is nothing left. The aftermath of an Israeli attack on northern Tehran on Friday. Credit: AP I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, he posted on Truth Social, his social network. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come  and they know how to use it. Trump said Iranian hardliners who resisted his call for a deal didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, he posted, appearing to lead to Iranian military leaders killed in the strike.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Loading Elsewhere, Turkey condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a provocation that violates international law and risks further escalation in the region. The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the attack showed Israel does not want issues to be resolved through diplomatic means and urged it to halt aggressive actions that could lead to greater conflicts. Calling for maximum restraint, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the strikes on Irans nuclear sites while talks with the US were under way.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi joined global calls for de-escalation and accused Israel of violating international law. At an extremely critical time when the US was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran that would save the whole region and the world, a new vicious escalation, he said on X. The international atomic watchdog, the IAEA, said it was in contact with Iranian authorities and there had been no increase in radiation levels at Natanz. It added that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was not targeted. Multiple sites in Tehran and other cities were hit in the attack, and the Revolutionary Guards headquarters in the capital was reported to be ablaze.

Flights at Tehrans main airport were grounded, and flight tracking data showed commercial aircraft rerouting to avoid Iranian airspace. Nuclear threat The strikes come a day after Iran said it would expand its nuclear program, and the United States began pulling staff out of its Iraqi embassy, amid threats from Iran that it would strike American assets if it were attacked. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israels strikes as unilateral action and said Washingtons top priority was protecting American forces in the region.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, he added. The US military was planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a US official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a special situation in Israel after the strikes and warned Israelis to expect retaliatory drone and missile strikes. Trump and Netanyahu have disagreed for months over how to handle Iran, with Netanyahu wanting to use military force to halt Irans nuclear ambitions and Trump pushing for a diplomatic solution, saying repeatedly he did not want Israel to strike.

Loading The president had been seeking a new nuclear deal to place limits on Irans disputed uranium enrichment activities, but the talks appeared to have hit an impasse. Oil surged following reports of the strike. Brent rose as much as 13 per cent, jumping above $73 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate also rallied. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia was alarmed by the strikes. This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions.

We all understand the threat of Irans nuclear and ballistic missile program represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy. Why is Israel attacking Iran? Israel has warned for years that it would not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesnt want, although officials there have repeatedly warned it could build them. One Israeli official said Iran now had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. The day before the strikes, Iran said it would inaugurate a new uranium-enrichment facility in response to a decision by the IAEA to censure the country over its nuclear program because it was not working with its inspectors.

Loading Uranium must be enriched in centrifuges to produce explosive material for nuclear weapons. The process is complicated and requires dedicated, specialised facilities as well as technical expertise. Iran and Israel have been locked in a shadow war for decades, with Iran, which doesnt recognise Israel due to its occupation of Palestinian territory, using proxy forces such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthis in Yemen to attack Israel. Israel has, in turn, been accused of being behind a series of assassinations and covert attacks on Iranian soil, many of them targeting nuclear scientists. The two countries exchanged direct fire for the first time last year after tensions surged following the October 7, 2023, attacks. The most recent strikes were in October 2024, when Israel struck Iranian air defences and a missile factory in retaliation for strikes from Tehran.
The attack without warning by Israel against a range of targets across Iran is unprecedented, even by the new standards of behaviour established since the April 2024 Iranian strike against Israel. That attack, in turn, was carried out in response to Israels strike against Iranian military personnel in Irans diplomatic compound in Damascus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterised it as a necessary action to forestall the existential threat posed to his country by Irans desire to weaponise its stockpiles of enriched uranium. Yet only a few months earlier, US President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, testified before the Senate intelligence committee that the intelligence community assessed Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons and nor had its supreme leader allowed such a program to be commenced.

The aftermath of Israels attack in northern Tehran on Friday. Credit: Vahid Salemi/AP

If they werent reacting to an imminent threat, then why choose to bomb Iranian targets now? The answer is because they could. Or more particularly because the environment that would allow them to do so would not be any better in the future. They had long wanted to conduct such an attack, but the political and military conditions had not allowed them to. That has changed.

To begin with, Irans air defences were significantly degraded as a result of Israels October 2024 air attack. It takes some time to rebuild such a capability, and the longer Israel waited, the more likely it would be that Iran could mount some sort of air defence against an attack. In addition, Tehrans Axis of Resistance had been significantly degraded over the past 18 months  in particular, Lebanese Hezbollah has suffered leadership decapitation and significant personnel and materiel losses.
For a president famed for his shock value, the dog days of June have actually been some of the least shocking of his tenure. The break-up of Donald Trump and Elon Musk must have been on everyones bingo card. Surely no one was surprised when their divorce exploded on social media, and we feasted on a pass-the-popcorn moment writ large in Trump-scale signage.

US President Donald Trump addresses troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, this week. Credit: Alex Brandon/AP

A trope of the Trump years is that a Hollywood scriptwriter would be laughed out of town for authoring such a madcap screenplay. America is in its final season, goes the joke, and the showrunners have completely jumped the shark. On this occasion, however, they would have been sent back to the writing room, and told to try harder. The personal insults. The threats of cancelled government contracts. Even Musks taunt about the Jeffrey Epstein files felt cliched. I would not even have been surprised if either Trump or Musk had sought to monetise their row by launching a crypto coin in the shape of a broken heart. That is a measure of how, in the 10 years since Trump descended that golden escalator, the abnormal has been normalised.

The chaos in Los Angeles was also entirely foreseeable. A crackdown on protesters in a Democratic-run city in a Democratic-run state was always going to be an obvious Trump play. Better still, the faux flashpoint came when agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tried to arrest and expel unauthorised immigrants. For Trump, the staging for this American passion play could hardly have been more perfect.

And what a dramatis personae and props. An African-American Democratic mayor, Karen Bass. A liberal Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, with a surname that lends itself to the playground slur Newscum which Trump rejoices in using. A Democratic US senator, Alex Padilla, being bundled out of a press conference and then handcuffed after trying to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question. Protesters waving the national flag of Mexico. And a big beautiful battalion of federalised National Guard, under the presidents command and control, with 700 US Marines standing by on the fringes of the city.
You get much more bang for your buck in the Highlands across the board than you do in parts of Sydney, she said.
Rough sleeping has surged 22% nationwide over the past three years  and by 51% in New South Wales alone, according to homelessness.org.au. Housing affordability stress is now the leading reason people seek homelessness services, increasing by 36%, and the proportion of employed people needing help has also grown.
UB artist reclaims familys legacy through printmaking, exhibitions

UB artist Noah Breuer reviews his work for an exhibition in the Czech Republic that opens on June 25. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The shroud of the Holocaust looms large over this work, but I want these pieces to also be a celebration of the visual legacy of the business  of their hard work. 

In 2016, artist Noah Breuer embarked on a pivotal research trip to the Czech Republic to discover any scraps or pieces he could find of his familys pre-war business.

Before being confiscated by Nazi officials in 1939, Carl Breuer and Sons (CB&S), a textile factory that had operated in the former Czechoslovakia since 1897, was a significant producer of printed decorative fabrics  producing 660,000 meters of fabric per year before the war. Once Nazi-approved owners took it over from the Breuers, who were Jewish, the factory that once produced colorful handkerchiefs and domestic linens was repurposed to produce items such as military uniform components and even the Star of David badges Jews were forced to wear for identification. In addition to this cruel twist of fate, many members of the Breuer family were killed in the Holocaust, and those who survived only did so by fleeing to America with few, if any, belongings.

With the loss of their livelihood and then their very lives, most remnants of their work also disappeared, Breuer, assistant professor of art, said about his familys history.

But thanks to his findings during that fortuitous 2016 trip, Breuers familys legacy is making a triumphant return to the Czech Republic through Breuers new exhibition, Noah Breuer: Return, on view at the Cesky Krumlov Synagogue June 25 through Sept. 14.

Breuer used the original archival materials he unearthed, which consisted of CB&S printed textiles, swatches, business records and correspondence, and then, through print-based media, reinterpreted the visual language of his familys lost business while acknowledging its tragic end.

Much of my research was informed by the work and knowledge of my father, Robert Breuer, which helped to elucidate invaluable details of Breuer family history, he explains.

Breuer has taken an expansive approach in responding to his research through art making. He has made screenprints and lithographs, as well as engraved wood installations and collaborative art pieces. His practice often combines traditional techniques with modern tools, such as laser cutters and digital printers.

Using a combination of linen, digital media, paint and screens, Breuer honors the family history and contributions to popular material culture of the period. He deliberately weaves the color yellow throughout his work  both as a tribute and a quiet act of defiance  referencing the same hue used in the Stars of David his family members were once forced to wear.

The shroud of the Holocaust looms large over this work, but I want these pieces to also be a celebration of the visual legacy of the business  of their hard work, Breuer says.

He also periodically invites public participation through interactive workshops held alongside his exhibitions. Visitors create wax rubbings from engraved CB&S-inspired designs, contributing to a collective act of artistic reclamation. These workshops challenge traditional ideas of artistic ownership and breathe new life into the historical materials.
Le ministre des Finances brise lomerta sur une escroquerie systemique au sein des forces de defense et de securite, economisant des milliards pour lEtat, a appris cameroun24.

La tolerance zero a un visage, et il sappelle Louis Paul Motaze. Le ministre camerounais des Finances vient de lancer une offensive sans precedent contre une fraude longtemps ignoree : les majorations indument percues pour des "enfants fantomes" au sein des forces armees et de securite. Une pratique opaque qui siphonne des milliards de FCFA depuis des annees, mais que le gouvernement ne compte plus laisser impunie.

Un systeme de fraude bien rode

Selon des sources internes, des fonctionnaires et militaires auraient abuse des majorations pour enfants a charge, en declarant des beneficiaires fictifs. Ce mecanisme, longtemps considere comme un "droit acquis", a ete erige en systeme, grevant les finances publiques.

Motaze frappe fort

Sous limpulsion du ministre, une vaste operation de verification a ete lancee, croisant les donnees administratives et les realites familiales. Resultat : des centaines de cas suspects identifies, des sanctions en cours et des fonds recuperes. "Plus aucune complaisance ne sera toleree", a-t-il martele, rappelant que chaque franc detourne est un manque a gagner pour le developpement du pays.

Une nouvelle ere de transparence ?

Cette offensive sinscrit dans une dynamique plus large de modernisation de la gestion publique. Apres les reformes fiscales et la digitalisation des procedures, le Cameroun envoie un signal fort : limpunite a vecu. Reste a voir si cette rigueur setendra a dautres secteurs mines par la corruption.



#FinancesPubliques #FraudeFiscale #Cameroun #LouisPaulMotaze #Transparence

Fraude fiscale Cameroun Louis Paul Motaze Enfants fantomes majorations Fraude forces de securite Cameroun Transparence finances publiques Recuperation fonds detournes Gouvernance economique Cameroun

Cameroon Cracks Down on "Ghost Children" Fraud in Defense Sector

Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaze takes bold action against systemic fraud, saving billions in public funds.



Cameroons Finance Minister, Louis Paul Motaze, is making waves with a no-nonsense crackdown on a long-standing scam: fraudulent "ghost children" allowances within the defense and security forces. This audacious move marks a turning point in the fight against graft, recovering billions of CFA francs for the state.

A Well-Oiled Fraud Scheme

Investigations reveal that some civil servants and military personnel have been exploiting child benefit allowances by declaring fictitious dependents. This widespread malpractice, often treated as an "entitlement," has drained public coffers for years.

Motaze Strikes Hard

Under the ministers leadership, a sweeping audit has been launched, cross-checking administrative records with actual family data. Hundreds of suspicious cases have already been flagged, with sanctions underway and funds being recovered. "There will be no more leniency," Motaze declared, emphasizing that every stolen franc undermines national development.

A New Era of Accountability?

This crackdown aligns with broader efforts to modernize public finance management. Following tax reforms and digitization, Cameroon is sending a clear message: impunity is over. The question now is whether this rigor will extend to other corruption-ridden sectors.



#PublicFinance #AntiFraud #Cameroon #LouisPaulMotaze #Transparency

Cameroon tax fraud Ghost children allowance scam Louis Paul Motaze anti-corruption Defense sector fraud Cameroon Public finance transparency Recovering stolen funds Cameroon governance reform

Mouahna Divine
ARTIST Rennie Buenting has just hosted an exhibition of her work in Teach Brid, Tullow featuring a wide range of both subjects and media. Rennie submerges herself in her subject and allows it to dictate the medium she uses.

In Multiplicity, she uses painting, printmaking, drawing, collage and sculpture to deliver landscapes and still lifes. The exhibition also features the old lime kiln tower of the sugar factory in Carlow, which was also shown in the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin in 2022, and a monoprint inspired by a poem by African poet Maya Angelou.

The exhibition also shows a model for a large installation Reconstruction and is a metaphor for what happened to the countrys sugar factories at the time of closure. The factories were taken apart and sold all over the world to become part of other factories, so in Reconstruction, photographs of the lime kiln tower in Carlow  the only remaining structure of the local sugar industry  were cut into pieces and turned into the artwork.
A LEIGHLINBRIDGE man who pleaded guilty to having 70 worth of cannabis was last week handed a three-month prison sentence when he appeared before Carlow District Court. Craig Lawlor, 9 Conicare, Leighlinbridge admitted having the cannabis at Carlow Shopping Centre, Kennedy Avenue on 20 July last year.

Sergeant Hud Kelly told the court that Mr Lawlor had 70 worth of the drug, which he handed over to gardai, and that the defendant had six previous convictions, including for sale or supply of drugs, for which he received a suspended sentence.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said that the charge before the court was for simply possessing cannabis and not sale or supply, and that his client hadnt come to the attention of gardai for a long time. He asked Judge Geraldine Carthy to be lenient, but she replied that 25-year-old Mr Lawlor had been given several opportunities already by the court and sentenced him to three months imprisonment.

Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
By Cillian Sherlock and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The partner of Paul Murphy, who was detained in Egypt, has called on the Foreign Affairs Minister to make a statement on the matter.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mr Murphy said he had been detained in Egypt while attempting to march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza as part of a large demonstration and effort to get aid into the region.

The opposition politician said his phone and passport were confiscated on Friday before being put on a bus to Cairo airport for deportation.

Kess Spear and Paul Murphy (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

His partner, Councillor Jess Spear, appealed to Foreign Affairs Minister and Tanaiste Simon Harris to make a public statement.

In a statement, she said: Paul was detained for hours this afternoon and forced onto a bus to be brought to Cairo airport for deportation. Pauls phone has been taken, but he was allowed to call me briefly this evening.

She added: It is a serious matter for a member of the Dail to be detained in Egypt and forcibly deported just because he was participating in a peaceful march to try and get humanitarian aid into starving people in Gaza.

I appeal to the Tanaiste to make a public statement calling on the Egyptian authorities to release Paul and all the others detained and to let them continue their humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Mr Murphy flew to Cairo on Thursday and set off towards Gaza on Friday.

Before his phone was taken, he said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army along with the passports of other people in the group who were stopped.

My bus and group of marchers has been stopped by the Egyptian authorities and our passports taken.



They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza. pic.twitter.com/S2h5cCeviC  Paul Murphy  (@paulmurphy_TD) June 13, 2025

He said those being detained were being asked to board a bus, and he believed they were going to be deported.

Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens were among those who have been stopped.

In a video, he said: Its looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israels blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended.

Im just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own government, in Irelands case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD, ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march.

He added: The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation.

And that this is a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that Western governments stop their complicity.

Mr Murphy then posted a livestream video on X in which Egyptian authorities could be seen forcibly dragging some of the participants away from a sit-down protest.

The livestream abruptly ended after his phone was taken, a People Before Profit spokesman said, adding that he had been put on a bus for Cairo airport.

A post by an administrator on his X account says: We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport and phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully march to Gaza.

On request for a comment, a spokesman for Mr Harris referred to a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The statement said the department was closely monitoring the situation along with its embassy in Egypt.

Embassy officials are engaging with the relevant local authorities and are in contact with EU and other partners regarding the situation.

Tanaiste Simon Harris (Liam McBurney/PA)

The department is in contact with a number of citizens and is providing advice and guidance.

As set out in our travel advice, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed.
James Cox

A delegation of 50 Irish people will be among thousands setting off on a global 'March to Gaza' today.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy will be among those.

People from 54 countries are taking part, and will march from Cairo to the Rafah Crossing at the border of Egypt and Palestine today demanding aid be allowed in.

However, there are reports of deportations from Egypt.

Mr Murphy wrote: "Arrived safely at Cairo airport and on way to town to join the #GlobalMarchToGaza. Nobody being detained and deported this evening.

"Pressure on Egyptian government is clearly working. Keep it up demanding that we can march and call for the starvation of Gaza to be ended."

Arrived safely at Cairo airport and on way to town to join the #GlobalMarchToGaza. Nobody being detained and deported this evening. Pressure on Egyptian government is clearly working. Keep it up demanding that we can march and call for the starvation of Gaza to be ended. pic.twitter.com/nSPwiwxt79  Paul Murphy  (@paulmurphy_TD) June 12, 2025

Sinn Fein TD Aengus O Snodaigh has written to the Ambassador of Egypt to Ireland to ask they be allowed pass through.

Mr O Snodaigh said: "Irish citizens who are arriving in Egypt to take part in this, similar to people from other countries arriving, are being detained and then deported so they can't take part in the global march.

"I've written to the Egyptian ambassador here in Ireland to express our concerns about this."
Republican candidate for Governor of Tennessee, Congressman John Rose, has named veteran GOP strategist Chris Devaney as Campaign Chair.

Officials said, "Devaney brings decades of experience in Tennessee politics, including serving as Campaign Manager for now-Governor Bill Lees successful 2018 race and as former Chair of the Tennessee Republican Party. Under his leadership, Republicans secured a working majority in the State House and later achieved supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly.

"He also led the Tennessee GOPs Red to the Roots program, which helped elect a record number of Republican local officeholders across the state. Devaneys leadership will guide strategic decisions and ensure the campaign is positioned for success from day one.

"The Rose campaign has built critical early momentum in the 2026 race for Governor as the only Republican candidate currently in the field. Since announcing his candidacy more than three months ago, Rose has boxed out potential opponents by steadily assembling a strong grassroots coalition of party leaders, farmers, business owners, and local officials."

The landscape of this race is very favorable for John Rose to fulfill his goal of serving the people of Tennessee, said Mr. Devaney. The significance of being the only Republican in the race at this point cannot be overstated. It takes an early start to truly connect with voters in all 95 counties - and they like the man theyre meeting: a humble Tennessee farmer and proven conservative.

Officials said, "In both the 2010 and 2018 Republican primaries for Governor, the first- and second-place finishers were already formally announced and actively campaigning at this point in the race. With this team in place, the Rose for Governor campaign is poised to run an aggressive, grassroots-driven effort across all 95 counties - and deliver on Roses promise to defend Tennessee values from outside influence. Rose, an eighth-generation Tennessee farmer, announced his candidacy for Governor on March 20, 2025, at the site of the Tennessee State Fair in Wilson County. His conservative record in Congress, mutual support with President Trump, and deep roots in Tennessee agriculture have helped him gain strong early support from voters across the state."
The Tennessee Democracy Network and United By Change Coalition, in partnership with the Alton Park Development Corporation, National Action Network of Chattanooga, Community Art Summit and Made By Us, announce the kickoff of Civic Season in Chattanooga this Saturday. The event launches with a Civic Season Fish Fry & Juneteenth Celebration that includes blend of food, music and civic education at the Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside, 701 Hooker Road, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.



The family-friendly events is free and open to the public.



Officials said, "This event, part of the nationwide Civic Season spanning Juneteenth through July 4, invites residents to learn about Chattanoogas civil rights legacy, connect with civic and history organizations and enjoy delicious southern fish fry fare."



Highlights Include:

 Commemorating Juneteenth with music, storytelling, and local civil rights history;

 Civic-learning booths featuring voter registration info, civic trivia and community resources;

 Local vendors and art exhibits celebrating Chattanoogas diverse heritage; and

 Community networking with organizations like Community Art Summit, National Action Network, Made By Us and more.



Events to follow:

- Cemetery CleanUp: Historic Missionary Ridge Baptist Church on Saturday, June 21 from 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. at

237 Shallowford Road in Chattanooga.



- Historians Panel: Civil Rights in Chattanooga on Wednesday, June 25 at 6 p.m. Hosted at the African-American Education & Heritage Museum, this downtown panel will bring together local historians to discuss Chattanoogas enduring civil rights journey.



- Democracy Happy Hour & Civic Trivia Night on Tuesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at TailGate Brewery, 1464 Market St. Participants can enjoy a relaxed evening of civic engagement, meet local activists and journalists and test their civic knowledge through trivia.






25-006241-900 BLK Spring Creek Rd-Suspicious Activity/ AOA /Arrest- ERPD responded to the listed address on reports of a female exhibiting erratic driving behavior in the parking lot. The caller reported the female struck several bushes and almost struck a security guard in the parking lot. A Tennessee State Trooper responded to the scene along with ERPD. The female was taken into custody by THP and charged with DUI. Day Shift June 12: B Squad

25-006211  1100 BLK Hillsboro Dr- Surrendered Property Officers responded to the listed address to take possession of a firearm that the resident wished to voluntarily surrender.She stated that she inherited a Rossi .38 Special revolver. Officers inspected the firearm, verified the serial number, and subsequently placed it into the East Ridge Police Departments property room for safekeeping.

25-006212-5700 BLK Ringgold Road-Disorder Police responded to a delayed disorder at the store. The reporting party was involved in a road rage incident on Ringgold Road. The disorder was found to be verbal in nature.

25-006214  3600 BLK Ringgold Rd- Suspicious Person Police responded in reference to a report of a suspicious person. Store management reported that a male, later identified, had been loitering in the parking lot and bothering customers for several hours. Management requested that he be removed from the property. A warrants check revealed that he had an active warrant out of Catoosa County, Ga. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hamilton County Jail to await extradition to Georgia. His belongings were placed into property for release to his family.

25-006219-5300 BLK Spriggs Street-Warrant Service A man was taken into custody at the listed address on two outstanding East Ridge warrants. He was transported to jail without issue.

25-006224  4300 BLK Ringgold Road  Theft The business contacted ERPD to report shoplifting. Upon arrival, the manager stated he did not know what was stolen or the value. ERPD informed the manager that police would need an itemized list with value of what was stolen. The manager stated they will call back when they have a list.

Night Shift June 12: D Squad

25-006237  6500 BLK Ringgold Road  Theft Staff observed a woman wearing a pink dress steal a three-pack of Heineken when she removed the beers from the refrigerator and walked out the front door without paying. Positive identification of the suspect is under investigation by patrol.

25-006234  1000 BLK Bass Pro Drive  Unconscious Person A concerned caller reported an unconscious person sitting in their vehicle. The party was awake when officers arrived, and explained they were merely napping. No incident.

25-006239-3100 BLK Ringgold Road-Check Hazard A tractor trailer drove to the tunnels and realized they couldnt make it through. Police had to block traffic and assist with getting the truck turned around.

25-006236  601 Justice Way- Warrant Service A party was served two East Ridge warrants while at the jail; the warrants charged Vandalism over $1000 and leaving the scene of an accident.

25-006242  4000 BLK Ealy Rd  Suspicious Activity The caller stated she could hear coughing outside her residence and requested it be checked. Officers checked the area, but nothing was located.
An undercover joint operation by special agents with TBIs Human Trafficking Unit, the Chattanooga Police Department, the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, the Lookout Mountain Police Department, the Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force, and the FBI has led to the arrests of four individuals.

On Monday, agents conducted an undercover operation aimed at addressing human trafficking in the Chattanooga area. The focus of the operation was to identify individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors and to recover victims of human trafficking. As a result, authorities arrested Zhang Wei, 60, charged her with one count of promoting prostitution and one count of prostitution, and booked her into the Hamilton County Jail on $200,000 bond.

During the operation, investigators also encountered and assisted in the arrests of two men and one woman.

 Jeffrey Adair Young, 65: one count of solicitation of a minor, $50,000 bond.

 Miguel Zarate Garcia, 25: one count each of aggravated statutory rape and attempted especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, $100,000 bond.

 Jaquita Welch, 49: failure to appear, $11,000 bond.

Another part of the operation focused on identifying potential victims of human trafficking and the direct service, non-governmental organizations Street Grace and Willowbend Farms were on site to offer services to those in need.

Information about human trafficking and TBIs efforts to address this type of crime can be found online at www.ITHasToStop.com. Anyone can report a suspected case of human trafficking by calling the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.
It has been reported that our community has 82,500 pets in our expanding population lists of the former Scenic City (Kellyville at 191,496) and Hamilton County (Wampville at 386,256) of candidates to be potential grass killers.

Without going into the touchy topics of who gets the beloved pet in a divorce or if the robust economy goes into a recession/depression the following suggestions are limited to the scenarios of whether the Pet Poop Police should arrest the registered owner(s) if the family pet make a non-fatal mistake on government property.

In Copouts and Alibis (2015-Knock Knock Publication- Venice, California) sage words of apology to arresting law enforcement officials in Gig City are given:

1. I dont know what got into him-he never does that.

2. If I cut the grass, how will all the mice hide from the birds?

3. But he never barks when Im home.

4. Cats cant be decimating the bird population- mine had only ever killed five or six.

5. I took him to that free six-week training class.

6. He hates it when he has to be on a leash.

7. She loves people so much he/she just wants to lick them all over.

8. I would pick up after my dog, but Id rather not contribute to plastic bag waste.

9. I just used my last poop bag.

10. Id pick up the dog poop but hes just going to make more.

(The above data and statistics are not intended to be a lawyer solicitation ad for potential civil or criminal proceedings described in paragraph 2 of said article.)

(The hardworking Public Works employees assigned to periodically clean up the messes on East 10th and 11th Streets created by human and non-humans should be part of any supplemental budget disbursements in 2025 in addition to our dedicated fire fighters and police officers!)
Democrats want you to believe that Donald Trump federalizing the National Guard is unconstitutional. Its part of their hoax that Trump is a dictator, but none of what they say is true. Fifteen U.S. presidents used the military within the nation, including federalizing the National Guard, three times without the governors agreement.



In the Twentieth Century, Taft ordered 20,000 federal troops to the Texas/Mexico border in 1911 during the Mexican Revolution. In 1957, Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard without the governors agreement, plus sent the 101st Airborne to uphold Brown vs.

the Board of Education. In 1962, JFK sent federal troops to quell riots at the University of Mississippi, and again in 1963 to enforce the integration of the University of Alabama. In 1965, LBJ federalized the AL National Guard without the governors agreement to protect civil rights advocates marching from Selma to Montgomery, Al.Others earlier used regular troops or federalized the National Guard to quell unrest within the United States since the beginning: Monroe twice in 1817; Andrew Jackson in 1833 to enforce tariffs; Van Buren in 1838; Tyler in 1844; Grant in 1871 to quell the KKK; Hayes in 1877 during the railroad strike; Benjamin Harrison in 1892 during a mining strike; and in 1894 Cleveland used troops to keep Pullman strikers from obstructing trains.Two other times were unique. George Washington federalized the militia and personally led them into Pennsylvania to put down the Whiskey Rebellion. Abraham Lincoln used troops within the nation during the Civil War and suspended habeas corpus.More importantly, in 1992, George H. W. Bush invoked the Insurrection Act of 1792 federalizing the California National Guard, plus deploying Marines in LA to quell rioting and looting during the Rodney King riots. President Trump did the exact same thing in LA to quell violence, rioting and to protect ICE agents, federal facilities, local and state law enforcement, stores and citizens. Any judge saying otherwise ignores the law and precedent.History doesnt bear out Democrats false claims. Its disingenuous for them to now wave around the constitution, which recently they were decrying as written by white supremacists and slave owners. They continue to sink into a party of hoaxes and no solutions, who really just want sound bites for fund raising, cheap labor and future voters.Ralph Miller

* * *

While the recent op-ed correctly lists historical instances of presidents deploying federal forces domestically, it fundamentally misses the crucial distinction between reactive deployments in genuine emergencies and preemptive shows of force against constitutionally protected activities.

Every historical precedent cited supports the principle that federal military deployment should be a last resort when civilian authorities have genuinely lost control. Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard only after Governor Faubus actively defied federal court orders. JFK sent troops to Mississippi after violent riots had erupted and local law enforcement proved inadequate. The 1992 LA deployment came after days of widespread looting, arson, and the complete breakdown of civil order.

Trump's approach represents a dangerous departure from this established pattern. The Lafayette Square incident of June 2020 exemplifies this shiftfederal forces cleared lawfully assembled protesters not to restore order, but to facilitate a photo opportunity. Local authorities hadn't requested help, hadn't lost control, and weren't defying federal law. This was preemptive escalation, not emergency response.

The op-eds historical examples actually demonstrate why Trump's actions are concerning. Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Eisenhower, and others used federal forces reluctantly, in response to genuine emergencies where civilian governance had broken down or constitutional rights were being actively denied. They followed established legal frameworks, typically the Insurrection Act, with clear justifications.

Trump's recent California National Guard deployment, conducted without citing the Insurrection Act and against the state governor's wishes, lacks these historical justifications. California authorities hadn't lost control, weren't requesting assistance, and weren't obstructing federal law. The deployment relied on questionable theories of inherent presidential authority rather than established legal precedent.

The Constitution's framers deliberately made military deployment within our borders difficult, requiring extraordinary circumstances. They understood that a republic depends on civilian governance and that using military force against citizens should be genuinely exceptional.

The historical precedents cited prove this principle worked: federal forces were deployed when democratic institutions had genuinely failed, not when they were functioning normally but producing outcomes the president disliked. The difference between quelling the Whiskey Rebellion and clearing peaceful protesters is the difference between preserving democracy and undermining it.

What makes Trump's approach particularly concerning is the pattern of early, aggressive federal intervention. Not whether he is a dictator or not (although we can debate this also). Rather than working with state and local authorities, supporting civilian law enforcement, or allowing democratic processes to function, there's been a consistent preference for federal shows of force as first responses rather than last resorts. From what I read and observe, the Democrats are merely pointing out similarities to other nations that have succumbed to authoritarian movements such as Hungary, Russia, North Korea, etc.

This isn't about partisan politicsit's about constitutional governance. The same legal authorities that allowed presidents to protect civil rights marchers in Selma should not be stretched to justify federal intervention against peaceful protesters in American cities today.

History does indeed provide precedent for presidential use of military force domestically. But that same history teaches us such power must be used sparingly, reluctantly, and only when civilian governance has genuinely failed. The question isn't whether presidents can deploy federal forcesit's whether they should, and under what circumstances.

The precedents cited in the op-ed actually support the principle that federal military deployment should remain an extraordinary measure for extraordinary circumstances, not a routine tool of presidential preference. That distinction matters for our democracy. I believe our country is being hijacked.

Joe Conway

* * *

Federalizing the National Guard and using the military is tantamount to doing nothing in circumstances like this. It is nothing more than a show of neutered power.

The local police can fire at people in the U.S. that are doing something wrong but not the military. That was driven into our heads in boot camp.

Both of those were done for vanity's sake for the most egotistical president ever.

A thing or two about Saturdays vanity of vanities parade - it was stupid and extremely expensive.

Raleigh Perry
Chattanooga author Finn Bille recently received the honor of having four poems included in the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, published by Shepherd University of Shepherdstown, WV, and the West Virginia Center for the Book. Works by other Chattanooga authors have appeared in this annual publication, and this is Mr. Bille's second year to have poems published there.According to the official website, The Anthology of Appalachian Writers is a publication that encourages a long-established tradition of storytelling, love of language and creative expression associated broadly with the region of Appalachia.Though the principal mission of the Anthology is to provide a venue for publication of new writers, it also provides a collection of literature, photography, and scholarship that contributes to an understanding and appreciation for the region and includes many of the premier writers of the region.The guidelines further state that submissions should relate in some respect to the work of the current Appalachian Heritage Writer in Residence. The 17th edition of the Anthology of Appalachian Writers features works by the Appalachian Writer in Residence, Mark Harshman, teacher and poet laureate of West Virginia."Finn's poetry shows a connection to the earth and the trajectory of birth, life and death." officials said. "These are also common themes in Harshman's work. A few lines from 'My Ashes' reveal the depth and scope of Finns poetic style."Let rain guide remnant particles of meto soil, to feed unseen myceliathat bloom next spring as chanterelles.The Anthology's editors selected four of Mr. Bille's poems: "Ballast," "Magpie and Mallard," "Farewell" and "My Ashes."Mr. Bille is a Chattanoogan by choice, having emigrated from Denmark and studied in the United States. He received a master's degree and Ph.D. in English at Georgia State University in Atlanta.Mr. Bille attended High School in Copenhagen, the University of Copenhagen and Pepperdine University. He served in the Royal Danish Navy. He lives in Chattanooga with Jeanne, his wife of many years.Mr. Bille has published four books: "Rights of the Earth," "Waking Dreams," and "The Kings Coin" are free downloads on his website. A review of The Kings Coin appeared in the Chattanooga Pulse, and another article appeared in the Chattanoogan.com. Paperback copies are available from Chattanooga bookstores and the author.In an interview with WUTC radio, Mr. Bille discussed his book Fire Poems. The recording appears online.Finn has also collaborated with the Chattanooga author and photographer. Richard Dube. They produced a photographic and poetic travelogue of Ireland and a forthcoming book on Hawaii.
Cherokee Nation Talking Leaves Job Corps opened its doors in 1978 to low-income youth and young adults to help prepare them for a successful future with career training programs.
The Shem Tov Bible, a 14th-century manuscript, showcases artistic influences from Jewish, Islamic, and Christian traditions. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Sotheby's

A 14th-century Bible that sold for $6.9 million at auction last year is now on display at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem.

The Shem Tov Bible, purchased by Terri and Andrew Herenstein in 2024 through Sothebys auction house in New York, is being showcased at the National Library of Israel on a long-term loan. Unveiled on May 8, the manuscript is part of the A Treasury of Words exhibition in the William Davidson Permanent Exhibition Gallery, as announced by the National Library of Israel.

Chaim Neria, curator of the Haim and Hanna Solomon Judaica Collection at the National Library of Israel, noted that the Shem Tov Bible represents the pinnacle of biblical and kabbalistic scholarship in the medieval period. He elaborated that its addition to the NLI collection provides an unparalleled resource for studying the development of the Masorah, and Jewish textual and artistic traditions, in particular those of Spain.

A significant aspect of the codex is its observance of the Sefer Tagei, a traditional guide outlining the scribal practices required for writing sacred texts, Neria explained. The surrounding notes reference earlier documents, specifically the lost Hilleli Codex of 600 CE. The Shem Tov Bible thus allows modern scholars to study traditions that have all but vanished from the historical record.

Rabbi Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon completed the Shem Tov Bible in 1312 in Spain. The codex is believed to have remained in the Middle East for centuries before arriving in North Africa in the 17th century, where mystical powers were ascribed to it, such as easing childbirth.

Collector David Solomon Sassoon acquired the manuscript in the 20th century and had it rebound. By 1984, it was purchased by the owners of a prominent European Judaica collection, followed by Swiss collector Jaqui Safra in 1994. The Herensteins acquired it at auction three decades later, eventually bringing the manuscript to the National Library of Israel.

Sallai Meridor, chairman of the National Library of Israel, remarked on the manuscript's significance: Receiving this manuscript, especially at the time of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah, is profoundly significant. Having traveled from Spain to Jerusalem, Baghdad, Tripoli, London, and Geneva, the Shem Tov Bible has come full circle and is now back home, returning to the very place where Rabbi Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon lived and intended for it to be, in the land of Israel, and now in Jerusalem.

As reported by Smithsonian Magazine in August 2024, the Shem Tov Bibles references to the Hilleli Codexa famous copy of the Hebrew Bible from the seventh centurymake it particularly valuable. The Hilleli Codex served as a model for Hebrew Bibles between the 13th and 15th centuries, although it is now considered lost.
At the SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, the messengers voted on Wednesday afternoon on a motion to prohibit member churches from employing women in any pastor role. | Screenshot: YouTube/ NBC News

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was defeated in a motion to explicitly prohibit member churches from employing women in any pastor role. Last year, a similar measure to the Law Amendment was narrowly defeated.

During the SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, messengers voted on a motion proposed by Juan Sanchez of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. The motion on the table aimed to revise Article 3, Paragraph 1 of the SBC Constitution by adding a sixth point stating that churches must designate only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.

Although the SBC Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states that only men should serve as pastors, the measure aimed to clarify how this standard should be interpreted by the SBC Credentials Committee. The motion did not achieve the required two-thirds majority, receiving 3,421 votes in favor, which was 60.74% of ballots cast, and 2,191 votes against, or 38.9%.

Before the vote, Sanchez shared, the aim of this motion is simply to provide help by clarifying what the Baptist Faith and Message already says regarding the office. We simply hope to provide guidance, further guidance to the Credentials Committee. This is the time for us to clarify what we believe.

Opposing the motion, Pastor James Goforth of First Baptist Church of Ferguson, Missouri stated that Southern Baptists believe in the autonomy of local churches, which allows for some differences of practice while still cooperating together for the Great Commission. Goforth warned that this motion would force the convention to headhunt a bridge too far and distract from fighting the real enemy.

Supporters, like Travis Cardwell of University Park Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, believed that the SBC Credentials Committee needed clarity on the issue, and supported the motion as a way to bring transparency on the biblical interpretation of the office of pastor.

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines a pastor as a person who fulfills the pastoral office and carries out the pastor's functions, and specifies in Article VI that the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

The Law Amendment, named after Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, would have amended the SBC Constitution to state that no member church could have a woman serving as an elder or pastor. Despite churches being disfellowshipped over female leadership, he estimated that around 1,800 SBC congregations had women serving as pastors at the time.

In last years Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, 61% of messengers voted in favor of the Law Amendment, but it still fell short of the two-thirds majority required for ratification, despite having around 80% approval from over 12,000 messengers in New Orleans during the 2023 meeting.
The booth of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is set up at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, where the SBC Annual Meeting is taking place from June 8 to 11, 2025. | Screenshot: YouTube/ The Dallas Morning News

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) voted against a motion to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) during its annual meeting in Dallas, Texas.

The decision came after a debate, with 3,744 out of 6,581 ballots cast voting to keep the ERLC, representing 56.89% of the vote, while 2,819 votes, or 42.84%, supported abolition. Eighteen ballots were disallowed. Under SBC bylaws, eliminating an SBC entity requires a majority vote at two consecutive annual meetings.

Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, initiated the motion on Tuesday morning, urging members to vote to abolish the ERLC.

Many have been stunned to learn that outside progressive advocacy groups have financially supported our ERLC, and there's been no public repentance, no rejection of those alliances, Rice said. He further stated, My head has to admit what my heart didn't want to believe. Facts are stubborn things, and the evidence is clear and the trust is broken.

Rice emphasized that his goal was "to abolish the ERLC," but he clarified it was not to erase it, but to restore it and reforge it into a voice unincumbered by outside interests.

Some members of the SBC voiced concerns about the ERLCs previous opposition to bills aimed at punishing women seeking abortions and its connections to the Evangelical Immigration Table, an immigration and refugee advocacy coalition. Others criticized former ERLC President Russell Moore and his condemnation of President Donald Trump.

In defense of the ERLC, Steve Willis, senior pastor at One Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, highlighted its efforts in pro-life initiatives, including helping to provide sonogram machines to pro-life pregnancy care centers.

There is no other entity that has stood for a child's right to life more than the ERLC, Willis said. I encourage this body to continue the support of this vital Southern Baptist ministry and vote no on this recommendation.

The ERLC, which traces its roots back to 1908, has faced periodic criticism over recent years concerning its leadership and advocacy positions. Attempts to defund or abolish the ERLC have been made over the past three years but have failed each time.
Home News Cindy Clemishire files defamation lawsuit against Robert Morris, Gateway Church

Cindy Clemishire, the woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Gateway Church founder Robert Morris in the 1980s, beginning when she was just 12, has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Southlake, Texas, church and Morris seeking over $1 million.

The lawsuit names Clemishire, 55, and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, as plaintiffs, WFAA reports. The filing alleges that Morris and Gateway Church leaders mischaracterized the abuse she suffered as a consensual "relationship" with a "young lady" instead of the sexual assault of a child.

It further alleges that when public media reports emerged in 2024 about the abuse Morris, Gateway's board of elders and media executive Lawrence Swicegood made "knowingly false" statements to minimize what happened.

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Morris was indicted in March on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma in connection to his actions against Clemishire. She reported that Morris began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982, when she was 12, and continued with the abuse for four-and-a-half years after that. At the time, Morris was serving as a traveling evangelist.

Gateway Church, which Morris founded in 2000, removed multiple elders last November after a four-month investigation found that all but three church elders had some knowledge about Morris' encounter with Clemishire and "failed to inquire further." Some allegedly knew before allegations became public that Clemishire was a child when the abuse occurred.

"We now know that there were elders and employees at Gateway who knew before June 14, 2024, that Cindy was 12 at the time of the abuse," Gateway Elder Tra Willbanks said during a November service. "Both groups are fundamentally wrong and simply cannot and will not be tolerated at Gateway Church."

In court documents filed by Morris' attorneys in Tarrant County District Court earlier this month, he alleges that Gateway's elders were made aware more than a decade ago of his "highly inappropriate relationship" with Clemishire, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The filing includes a statement that Morris, who resigned last June, was supposed to read to Gateway members from the pulpit in 2011 after he received an email from an anonymous account. The email was also sent to all Gateway elders and media outlets, including The Dallas Morning News.

"In my early 20's I was traveling and speaking in churches and I was staying in a home of one of the members of the church where I was speaking. Their daughter came and got in bed with me and there was kissing and petting. I have been told that it was about 2 weeks before her 13th birthday," Morris reportedly said the statement, which he ultimately did not share with the congregation.

"Although I knew she was underage, I was shocked to hear this because she appeared much older. My behavior was completely inexcusable and I am 100% at fault."

A counsel for Gateway Church at the time allegedly advised against making the statement public due to "invasion of privacy laws" that would "publicly embarrass" Clemishire.

Gateway Church spokesperson told The Christian Post that "nothing in this filing is new," saying it "represents just the latest sad attempt by Robert Morris to deflect blame away from himself to others for his criminal actions."

"We have consistently and publicly said that there were Elders and employees at Gateway who knew about this issue before it became public, and either didn't take action or didn't inquire further. That was fundamentally wrong, the church Elders took decisive action, and none of those individuals are a part of Gateway Church today," the spokesperson added.

"Worse, Robert Morris, in his own filing, continues to call his actions an 'inappropriate relationship' instead of saying what it truly was  a terrible crime against a child. There seems to be nothing that Robert won't say or do to blame everyone else but himself."

Gateway Church has declined public comment on Clemishire's defamation lawsuit despite being contacted by media outlets.
Home News Gaza Humanitarian Foundation says Hamas attacked a bus of local Palestinian workers, killing 5

The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) stated late on Wednesday that Hamas brutally attacked a bus of Palestinians working for the aid organization while en route to one of their distribution sites.

Tonight, at approximately 10 p.m., Gaza time, a bus carrying more than two-dozen members of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation team, local Palestinians working side-by-side with the U.S. GHF team to deliver critical aid, were brutally attacked by Hamas. At the time of the attack, our team was en route to one of our distribution centers in the area west of Khan Younis, read a statement posted by executive chairman Rev. Johnnie Moore.

Urgent Statement from The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation:



Tonight, at approximately 10 p.m. Gaza time, a bus carrying more than two-dozen members of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation team, local Palestinians working side-by-side with the U.S. GHF team to deliver critical aid, were pic.twitter.com/Hab9B2rdj1 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 June 12, 2025

The GHF head said there was concern that several workers may have been kidnapped by Hamas.

Rev. Moore also stated, This attack did not happen in a vacuum. For days, Hamas has openly threatened our team, our aid workers, and the civilians who receive aid from us. These threats were met with silence.

In a follow-up post on Thursday morning, Moore condemned the United Nations and world leaders for their silence.

He pointed out that in a previous post, where he complained about specific threats from Hamas against GHF workers, only the United States condemned the threats. The UN didnt even condemn a threat of violence issued by Hamas in its [own]defense.

He specifically called out UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as the leaders of France, Germany, the UK and the EU for failing to speak out against the violence. He also rebuked the UN, saying, worse, much worse, than silence, they continue their vicious slander against our mission. A mission with one goal: FEED GAZA!

The principle of impartiality does not mean neutrality, Moore wrote. There is good and evil in this world. What we are doing is good and what Hamas did to these Gazans is absolute evil.

He also extended an additional invitation to world bodies that have refused to cooperate so far, asking them to join GHF in helping feed Gazans. We can do this together, he wrote.

While Hamas claimed on Wednesday night that all those killed were members of the Popular Forces militia led by Yasser Abu Shabab, the militia denied the allegation.

Popular Forces later released a statement addressing civilians in Gaza, offering to provide evidence of Hamas complicity in the attacks.

The blood of your children who work for the American company was spilled on the soil of Khan Younis, and six Hamas members whose names are known to us participated, the statement read.

Anyone whose child was killed by these mercenaries is welcome to contact us - we will provide them with all the information and overwhelming evidence regarding all those who took part in this crime.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the "cold-blooded murder" of the aid workers, calling on the UN and Guterres to join the condemnations.

"Last night, Hamas brutally killed at least 5 Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid workers, en route to a distribution center to deliver todays essential aid. They showed no mercy. Hamas is weaponizing suffering in Gaza - denying food, targeting lifesavers, and forsaking its own people. Where is the UN condemnation? Secretary General Antonio Guterres, your silence is shameful!"

The GHF began operating in Gaza last month, just a few days after Israel resumed the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the Strip. While the foundation experienced several setbacks, including having to temporarily halt operations after mobs of Palestinians swarmed the first distribution site on the first day, it has persisted, opening additional sites throughout the Gaza Strip and increasing the amount of aid handed out.

The GHF has faced repeated threats from Hamas, including multiple shootings by unidentified gunmen near its sites, along with resistance from the UN, other aid NGOs, and world leaders who have accused the aid organization of being a tool in Israel's strategy to forcibly evacuate the Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, before the Hamas attack, the GHF said it had distributed a total of 16 million meals since the start of its operations last month, with each food box exceeding the UN daily caloric guidelines. On Wednesday alone, the group said it had handed out 2.5 million meals.

Rev. Moore ended his post with a quote from Scripture, Soon the God of peace will crush Satan underneath our feet (Romans 16:20).

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Satanic Temple files complaint against Iowa officials over refusal to allow 'ritual' at capitol

The Satanic Temple has filed a complaint against Iowa officials over their refusal to approve a gathering at the State Capitol rotunda last winter.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa filed the complaint on Tuesday on behalf of TST before the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, claiming discrimination based on religion.

In their complaint, TST accused the Iowa Department of Administrative Services of taking action to limit our access to the State Capitol, citing its decision to bar the group from holding a multiday reading of Paradise Lost by John Milton last July.

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After initially green-lighting the event, according to TST, IDAS canceled the event after deciding to prohibit multiday events at the Capitol and allow groups to host only one event per year.

TST then applied to hold a holiday event in December that would include Krampus costumes, caroling, a ritual and other family-friendly activities such as coloring pages.

IDAS did not respond to their application in a timely manner, the group claims, and then ultimately decided to deny the application for the holiday event.

The scheduled day of the Event came and passed. At least one other religious event took place inside the State Capitol on that day, stated the complaint. Respondents were working together  not to find a way to accommodate our request to access the State Capitol on equal terms  but to prepare media statements about the denial.

ACLU of Iowa Legal Director Rita Bettis Austen said in a statement that it was one of the foundational principles of our country, and our state civil rights law, that the government should not favor one religious viewpoint or belief over another, or treat its citizens worse or better based on their religion.

Members of The Satanic Temple Iowa have the same right to express their beliefs as all other religious groups do, she said. However, state officials treated the Iowa congregation of the Satanic Temple worse than others because they do not approve of their religion. Thats wrong, and its illegal under the Iowa Civil Rights Act.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a written statement defending the decision to reject the ritual, noting that the States event policy takes into consideration conduct that would be harmful to minors.

Reynolds claimed the proposed satanic event, which specifically targeted children, would have been harmful to children and so it was denied.

In December 2023, TST put up a statue of Baphomet near a Nativity scene at the Iowa State Capitol, only to have 35-year-old Navy veteran Michael Cassidy topple the display.
SBC Motion To Ban Female Pastors, Global Christian Population Shrinks, Air India Crash

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:41 07:41

Top headlines for Friday, June 13, 2025

In this episode, we explore the Southern Baptist Convention's decision against prohibiting women from serving in pastoral roles, highlighting ongoing discussions about gender and leadership within the church. We also examine a new study revealing a decline in the Christian share of the global population, despite it still being the world's largest religion. Plus, we discuss The Satanic Temple's provocative plans to open a third telehealth abortion clinic in Maine on former President Trump's birthday.

00:11 SBC motion to ban female pastors fails with over 60% support

01:02 Catholic families win right to participate in public school clubs

01:55 Christian leaders offer condolences as Air India crash

02:46 Christian share of global population shrinks

03:53 Arkansas Ten Commandments law faces legal challenge

04:55 Satanic Temple opening abortion center on Trump's birthday

05:53 NH passes universal school choice, parental bill of rights
Home News 'Distraught': Christian leaders offer condolences as Air India crash kills over 200

Christian leaders have offered condolences and are vowing to help the families of victims impacted by the Air India crash that has left more than 200 people dead.

Air India announced in a statement on X published early Thursday morning Eastern Time that Flight AI171, which was transporting 242 passengers and crew members from Ahmedabad to Londons Gatwick Airport on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, was involved in an accident today after take-off.

Air India CEO Dr. Campbell Wilson provided additional details about the passengers in a video message, noting that 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, seven were Portuguese nationals and one was a Canadian national.

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The injured passengers have been taken by local authorities to the nearest hospital, he stated. A special team of caregivers from Air India is on their way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support.

Ramesh Viswashkumar, the sole survivor of the Air India crash, escaped by jumping from the plane, India Today reports. He was in seat 11A.

According to Flightradar24, the signal from the aircraft was lost at 1:38 p.m. local time, less than a minute after takeoff. Images from the crash shared by Indias Central Industrial Security Force show the plane lodged into the side of a building as well as burnt debris left behind.

A social media post from Dr. Akshay Dongardive said building that the plane crashed into as the BJMC undergraduate hostel mess, referring to BJ Medical College.

Dongardive, who serves as the head of the FAIMA Doctors Association that characterizes itself as the largest organization for young doctors in India, reported that the plane crash led to multiple injuries among students.

As per initial updates received from the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) leader at BJMC Ahmedabad, approximately 32 to 40 undergraduate students have sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad, Dongardive stated. At this moment, there is no official confirmation regarding fatalities or the exact number of missing students. The situation remains highly sensitive, and we urge everyone to refrain from spreading unverified information.

In addition to offering thoughts and prayers to the students impacted by the crash, Dongrdive shared images of the heavily damaged hostel mess.

In a statement shared with The Christian Post, the President of the All India Christian Council, Archbishop Joseph DSouza of the Good Shepherd Church, offered his condolences to the victims.

The Indian nation is distraught at the news of the Air India plane crash this morning in Ahmedabad. With more than 200 believed to be dead, likely including medical students in a building at the crash site and others throughout the neighborhood, I am heartbroken at this sudden and tragic loss of life, he said.

I cannot imagine the confusion and grief that the family and friends of those involved are enduring right now, he added. But I am grieving with them, and I am praying that God will comfort them and bring them peace, in Jesus name.

In addition to highlighting his intention to keep praying for those who knew and loved all of those killed and injured, DSouza vowed that his church "will do whatever we can to help in the midst of this crisis.

In a statement posted to X on Thursday, Pastor Greg Laurie of the multicampus Harvest Christian Fellowship in California described the plane crash as a heartbreaking tragedy."

So many lives have been lost, and countless families are grieving," Laurie said, urging Christians to come together in prayer for those affected  asking for comfort, healing, and hope in the midst of deep sorrow.
Home News Iran fires hundreds of missiles in retaliation; at least 7 injured: 'All of Israel is under fire'

Iran fired a barrage of missiles into Israel Friday night, causing several reported injuries, in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes earlier in the day that killed several top Iranian military figures.

"All of Israel is under fire," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Friday night as sirens were heard throughout Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Iran's state media IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched into Israel, according to Reuters. Israeli air defense systems were working to intercept the missiles. However, Israeli emergency responders say that at least seven people were injured shortly after the assault began.

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Eli Bin, a spokesperson for the Magen David Adom rescue service, told AFP that the seven light injuries occurred in central Israel, as images on Channel 12 suggest that a building was struck by a missile.

Videos on social media also show the skyline as dozens of ballistic missiles being launched from Iran toward Israel.

The emerging conflict between Israel and Iran has drawn strong reactions online from political commentators as well as Evangelical Christian leaders.

"Israel is under attack right now," wrote evangelist Greg Laurie, the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California. "This footage was just taken, showing missiles fired toward Tel Aviv  a major population center in the Jewish homeland. Jerusalem may also be targeted. Pray that defensive technologies like the Iron Dome and David's Sling work as intended. Most of all, pray for God's supernatural protection over the people of Israel."

Iran's counterattack follows Israel's launching of Operation Rising Lion, in which Israel's military used around 200 jets and drones to strike dozens of Iranian nuclear and missile facilities.

Regional sources told Reuters on Friday that at least 20 senior Iranian commanders were killed in the Israeli airstrikes. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed swift retaliation.

"The powerful hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not let them go unpunished," Khamenei said in an online message. "The Zionist regime prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself with this crime, and it will definitely receive it."
Home News Israel eliminates at least 20 top Iranian military leaders in unprecedented overnight strikes

Israel decapitated Irans top military leadership during the night in an unprecedented pre-emptive strike  dubbed Operation Rising Lion  targeting Tehrans nuclear and military facilities.

Two regional sources told Reuters that at least 20 senior commanders were killed in Israels strikes on Iran early Friday morning.

Iranian state-controlled media confirmed that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami was killed at the onset of the large-scale Israeli operation against the Ayatollah regime and its strategic assets.

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As head of the elite IRGC, Salami was effectively one of Irans top military leaders. Several of his bodyguards were also reportedly killed in the strike, according to the Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA). The IRGC is responsible for defending the regime and exporting the Islamic revolution through acts of terrorism and military aggression across the Middle East and beyond.

The IDF confirmed that the entire command chain of the IRGC Air Force, including its commander, Brig.-Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was killed in an Israeli airstrike as they convened to plan the Iranian retaliation against Israel.

The overall head of Irans armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, was also eliminated in the Israeli aerial strikes. As a former top IRGC official and the head of Irans conventional military, Bagheri was at the top of Irans military echelon.

Additionally, Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, another top Iranian commander, was eliminated in the massive Israeli preemptive aerial strike, according to ISNA.

Rashid served as the deputy chief of the General Staff of Irans armed forces  effectively the second-in-command to the now-eliminated General Mohammad Bagheri. He also led the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Irans unified combatant command responsible for coordinating the countrys military operations.

The Israeli Air Force also targeted Irans nuclear facilities and reportedly killed several senior Iranian nuclear scientists, including Dr. Fereydoun Abbasi, Dr. Abdulhamid Minouchehr, a nuclear expert and the dean of the Faculty of Irans Nuclear Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University, and at least eight others.

The late IRGC commander Salami has a history of repeated threats to wipe the Jewish state off the map. Following the largely failed Iranian missile attack against Israel in October 2024, he threatened to destroy Israel.

You cannot win this conflict, we will destroy you, he threatened.

Just a day before he was killed, Salami had vowed that in the case of an Israeli attack, Irans retaliation would be more forceful and destructive than in the past.

Following Israels decapitation of Irans military leadership, the Iranian regime announced on Friday morning that it had appointed the senior military official Habibollah Sayyari as the temporary commander of Irans conventional armed forces, according to Iranian state media.

In addition, the Ayatollah regime also appointed Ahmad Vahidi as the temporary commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Vahidi is a former IRGC commander and former defense minister, is wanted by international law enforcement for his central role in the 1994 terrorist attack against the Jewish community building in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

Some 85 people were murdered in the attack, which is to date the largest terrorist attack in Argentina and South America.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel on Friday that it faced a bitter and painful response. In an immediate response, Iran launched approximately 100 drones toward Israel, which were all intercepted outside of Israel's borders.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Loudon County Schools drops charge against Muslim student, but doubles down for Christians: lawyers

A Virginia school district has dropped a Title IX charge against a Muslim student who was one of three boys who complained about sharing a locker room with a girl who identifies as male while refusing to dismiss charges against the two other boys who are Christians, attorneys say.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), located about 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., has dismissed its "sexual harassment" charge against one of the three Stone Bridge High School sophomore boys who complained about the district policy that allows trans-identifying students to use the restroom or locker room intended for the opposite sex, according to Founding Freedoms Law Center (FFLC), the legal arm of The Family Foundation.

The LCPS policy also states that school staff members are to use a trans-identifying student's chosen name and pronouns "regardless of the name and gender recorded in the student's permanent educational record."

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In a dismissal letter to the Muslim student cited by FFLC, the school district said the complaint "must be dismissed from the Title IX grievance process" because "the conduct alleged would not constitute sexual harassment" as defined in Title IX regulations, "even if proved."

Attorneys say on the same day the dismissal letter was released, the LCPS Title IX Office "not only refused to dismiss the other boys' sexual harassment charges, but it added an additional charge for each of them for 'sex-based discrimination," despite the fact that all three boys had the same facts alleged against them.

The boys whose charges were enhanced are Christians, while the third boy, also a client of FFLC, is a Muslim, the FFLC reports.

"This is now a case of clear religious discrimination against our two Christian clients," said FFLC Legal Counsel Josh Hetzler, who represents the three boys.

"While we celebrate the dismissal of our Muslim client from LCPS's Title IX' sexual harassment' investigation, there is absolutely no basis for keeping this going against the two Christian boys. The same facts were alleged against them all, yet the only difference is their faith."

It wasn't immediately clear what the next steps LCPS will take. CP reached out to the school district for comment on Thursday. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Renae Smith, mother of one of the Christian boys, believes the school district is "targeting" her son.

"He is under investigation based on the same allegations as the boy whose charge was dismissed," said Smith. "My son did nothing wrong, yet he is being subjected to an unfair process which clearly is designed to silence Christians who speak up against a radical agenda."

The incident occurred in March when a female student at Stone Bridge High School who identifies as male was allowed to change in the boys' locker room. After gym class one day, the student used her phone to record several boys who wondered why a girl was in their locker room.

One of the FFLC's clients, whose name has not been revealed, reportedly asked: "Why is there a girl in the locker room?" Another boy told the P.E. teacher and the high school principal that he was uncomfortable changing in the locker room with a girl.

"We reject any characterization that implies our schools are unsafe or that we fail to protect the rights of all students," an LCPS spokesperson told CP at the time. "We remain steadfast in our legal and ethical obligation to uphold the rights of every student and will continue to create and nurture an environment that is welcoming and accepting for all students, so that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed."

In February, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed it was investigating LCPS following a complaint from American First Legal that accused Loudoun and several other school systems of violating Title IX by allowing trans-identifying students to use locker rooms and bathrooms based on gender identity.

The investigation is not the first time LCPS policies have garnered national media attention.

In May 2021, a male student at Stone Bridge High School wore a skirt and entered the girls' bathroom, where he then proceeded to sexually assault a female student. The student was transferred to another high school in the district, Broad Run High School, where he assaulted another female student a few months later.
Home News 'Hunger for understanding': Over 28,000 baptized nationwide during Pentecost revival event

Over 28,000 people were baptized at hundreds of gatherings across the United States on Pentecost Sunday as part of a nationwide revival event.

In partnership with Baptize America, over 600 churches hosted more than 1,000 separate events where people professed their faith in Jesus and were baptized.

Mark Francey, pastor at Oceans Church of California and the man behind Baptize America, told The Christian Post that his inspiration for the event "burst out of a time of prayer I was having with Jesus a couple of years ago, when I had an open vision."

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Francey saw Pirate's Cove in California as the starting point, "and this progression, from Southern California to all of California, to America, and to the ends of the earth."

"I heard that small still voice, which many Christians are familiar with, just placing these really clear thoughts in my heart," he recounted. "The key moment was when His voice said to do it on the day of Pentecost. That's when the church was born."

"It felt like He wanted to make Pentecost Sunday a day when the Christian world would truly celebrate, and maybe even the lost world would know that this is a day they can walk into a church and get baptized anywhere."

While the exact number of people baptized at the nationwide event was still to be determined, Francey told CP that it was between 28,000 and 29,000 people, possibly as many as 30,000.

There was also an international component to the event, with around 1,100 people being baptized via Baptize Canada, as well as smaller events being held in Paraguay and Sweden.

On coordinating such a large revival event, Francey said, "it was just the hand of God, right place, right time, and the right people."

"When what you're doing is bigger, better, and smarter than you, you really can't take credit for it. It truly felt like God's hand was on this to bring some of the great leaders in the Body of Christ on board," he continued.

"Some of the largest churches in America participated, probably five out of the 10 largest churches in the country were part of this and were huge advocates. That definitely helped create critical mass, which was amazing."

Victory Christian Fellowship of New Castle, Delaware, was one of the participating congregations. In comments emailed to CP, Lead Pastor Laurie Idahosa said they "participate in events like this all the time."

Idahosa said a dozen people were baptized on Pentecost at her church, describing the event as "simply incredible." She believes "God is calling His people deeper  and Victory is ready to serve that need globally."

Kandi Bailey, care pastor at GrowLife Church of Land O'Lakes, Florida, told CP that her congregation saw 22 people baptized as part of the nationwide event.

"We wanted to be a part of a larger vision  people coming together who want to stand up and say, I'm a follower of Jesus. What a beautiful heavenly perspective that must have been to see so many stand up in faith," said Bailey.

"I believe there is a move of God happening in this generation. God loves this world and wants to be in relationship with us. I hope people see the beauty of standing up and declaring their faith in God and encourage others to do the same."

Pastors Michael and Meredith Calo of Shoreline Church in Old Lyme, Connecticut, said 23 people were baptized at their church.

"We feel that the Holy Spirit is moving now, during these turbulent times. Young people are experiencing a hunger for understanding, and we believe that the only answer is Jesus," they stated.

"There is hope for everyone, Jesus came to bring hope, hope for lost and dying world. Repent and be baptized, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!"

"God is always on the move," said Pastor Vasily Ivanov of Living Waters Fellowship Church of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in an emailed statement.

"It's time for America and the rest of the world to see what God is doing, thus fulfilling our part, for the hour is late, Jesus is coming soon."

Francey previously organized Baptize California in May, an annual event which saw a little over 7,700 people make public decisions for Christ at Huntington Beach. According to Francey, around 1,100 of those baptized at the May event "gave their lives to Jesus on the spot" rather than pre-registering for the mass baptism.
Home News Adam Sheafe, suspect in murder of Pastor William Schonemann, was religiously motivated, police say

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Arizona has named Adam Christopher Sheafe, a troubled ex-convict who was released early from prison, as the main suspect in the murder of beloved New River Bible Chapel Pastor William Schonemann, who was found dead in bed with his hands pinned to a wall inside his home on April 28.

Sheafe, 49, is currently in custody at the Coconino County Detention Center in Flagstaff. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree burglary, unlawful flight from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident with an injury, criminal damage, theft or control of stolen property, first-degree trespassing, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest, Sedona Red Rock News reported.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's office made Sheafe's connection to 76-year-old Schonemann's murder before he was arrested on those charges in Sedona on April 30, but he was also being investigated for other crimes by authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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At a press conference Thursday, it was noted that official charges against Sheafe in Maricopa County had not yet been completed. But Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan called the pastor's murder "probably one of the most bizarre cases I have ever seen in my 40 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office."

While he was unable to share many details in the case due to the ongoing investigation, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Capt. David Lee of the major crimes division told reporters that investigators believe Sheafe's targeting of Schonemann and others was "religious in nature."

"The information we have has indicated that the motive was religious in nature, and that there were a number of future victims planned, some of those in Arizona, and that he had taken action in furtherance of those additional crimes. We have been in contact with those identified victims, and we are investigating or assisting with those incidents as well," Lee said.

Investigators previously told The Christian Post that Schonemann was found dead in his home on April 28. They observed evidence of "foul play" at the scene.

Multiple sources told Fox 10 Phoenix that Schonemann suffered significant injuries and was reportedly found on his bed with his arms spread out and his hands pinned to a wall. Authorities declined to elaborate on the nature of the pastor's murder on Thursday out of respect for his family.

"Out of respect for Pastor Schonemann and his family, I won't be sharing details of the crime scene today. The scene and Bill's church were processed for about two days  where we were looking for possible evidence and signs of a motive," Lee said. "Based on what we found, it did not appear that robbery or theft was a motive in this case."

According to Sedona Red Rock News, Sheafe was arrested in January 2013 by Oro Valley police outside Tucson for domestic violence, aggravated assault and kidnapping for choking a woman and holding her against her will. After a warrant was issued for his arrest, he surrendered to police.

On Nov. 1, 2018, he was also sentenced to 94 months in prison after he was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft after an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service and the FBI. He allegedly stole approximately $500,000 using credit card numbers obtained from co-conspirators to process hundreds of transactions through merchant accounts at Bank of America and Compass Bank.

His release date was set for September 2026, but he was released early in February 2023 after serving just 51 months. After his release, he moved to Oceanside, Calif., north of San Diego. He reportedly attempted to change his name to "Adam Christopher Sheaf" but a San Diego court denied that request in 2023.

Lee said Sheafe traveled from his home state to Arizona in early April after walking away from his job with his religiously motivated plan. He also noted that prior to the murder of the pastor, Sheafe committed a burglary in the area of Schonemann's church but authorities were unable to arrest him.

"In late April, he was in the area of the New River Bible Church, where Bill is the pastor, and a community member noted his suspicious behavior. In the days following, Adam Sheafe is alleged to have committed a burglary in the area, and as he fled, law enforcement was arriving and law enforcement was unable to apprehend him at that time, unfortunately," Lee said.

Even though Sheafe was not arrested at the time, MCSO officials took some of his property as evidence.

In the days preceding Schonemann's murder, Lee said, Sheafe returned to the area and stole a vehicle. Pastor Schonemann was last seen alive on April 27.

Officers in Sedona responded to a report of a burglary in progress at 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, Sedona Red Rock News reported. The owner of the house reported that she saw Sheafe walking around the property through interior cameras. Neighbors described him as a white man wearing a cowboy hat and a light blue short-sleeved shirt over a long, white-sleeved shirt and black jogger pants. He reportedly entered the area at 9:34 a.m. and left at 9:53 a.m. Witnesses say he was carrying bolt cutters and driving a red, four-door truck with a full cover over the truck bed.

Sedona Patrol Commander Christopher Dowell told the publication that on the afternoon of April 29, an officer spotted Sheafe driving the truck and pursued him until he left the city limits. During the chase, he collided with another motorist, causing minor damage to that vehicle. The officer said he abandoned the chase due to public safety concerns.

Sheafe would later abandon the truck and flee into the wilderness. Police later determined that Sheafe, through communication with MCSO on April 30, was connected to Schonemann's murder.

Dowell said at about 6:22 p.m. on April 30, Sedona officers responded to a report of a burglary in the Chapel area. The homeowner witnessed Sheafe through security cameras rummaging through his garage.

In an alert issued by Sedona police at about 7:58 p.m. on April 30, Sheafe is described as a white man, 6 feet 2 inches tall, with short hair, a blue shirt, black pants, and a possible neck tattoo. He has a tattoo reading "," or "YHWH" in Hebrew characters on his neck. Sheafe fled police after they arrived but was eventually arrested that night in a residential area after a lengthy foot chase through rugged terrain in the Coconino National Forest.

Lee said the MCSO learned about Sheafe's suspicious behavior at New River Bible Church on April 30, which was a significant bit of information in solving the case.

"This was a crucial link in our investigation. MCSO and Sedona PD began to collaborate in this case, and Adam Sheafe was subsequently taken into custody," Lee said.

"At this time, I'd like to stress that William Schonemann is a true victim in every sense of the word. We are unaware of any tie between Schonemann and Sheafe, and there are no known credible allegations of criminal activity, criminal association or activity by William Schonemann that would have led to this tragedy," Lee added. "He was targeted at random. At this time we have information that suggests Sheafe acted alone, and there is no further danger to the community from Adam Sheafe."

Adam Sheafe's father, Chris Sheafe, told Arizona Family that his son has a long history of substance abuse problems and an obsession with the Old Testament.

"We have not talked about anything he did to get himself incarcerated, and part of that is because it is recorded and I didn't want to cause problems that don't need to be caused. But he assured me that he was more than willing to explain to the authorities what he did, and he said he would just plead guilty and let the system handle it the way it needs to be handled," Chris Sheafe told the news outlet.

He said his son's decades-long substance abuse issues stemmed from a motorcycle crash and prescription pain medication.

"I hadn't talked to him for a while prior to all this. So, the first time I had a chance to talk to him. He was there. And he was very open and explained to me that he was very sorry about things that had occurred, but he was more than willing, he wasn't going to hide anything," Chris Sheafe added. "He said, 'Just tell police to come and talk to me. And I'll sit them down and tell them everything that I've done.' And as far as I know, that's what he's done."
China urges U.S. to adhere to WTO rules, work with China to promote trade relations

Xinhua) 10:15, June 13, 2025

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China has urged the United States to adhere to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and work with China, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, to jointly promote the stable and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

Spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a regular press briefing while answering a relevant question, noting that China's position against unilateral tariff increases is consistent.

He said that from June 9 to 10, the economic and trade teams of China and the United States held the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London.

The two sides reached principled agreement on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call on June 5 and the framework of measures to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva, and made new progress in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns.

Next, the two sides will make better use of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, maintain communication and dialogue, enhance consensus, reduce misunderstanding, and strengthen cooperation to jointly promote the stable and long-term development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, He said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Last week, Axios reported that X is testing a new program to reduce polarization on the platform by spotlighting posts that are popular among users who normally disagree with each other. The algorithm builds on Xs Community Notes programwhich Elon Musk said plays a big part in combating disinformation on X. After acquiring Twitter, in October 2022, Musk laid off a significant portion of its Trust and Safety team, both contracted and in-house. In January this year, Meta followed suit by ending its partnership with third-party fact-checkers in the US and replacing them with a Community Notes model that is now being rolled out on its platforms.

While drawing attention to posts that people with otherwise differing opinions like or engage with could conceivably help tech companies tackle polarization, these kinds of programs still fail to address misinformation on divisive topics because they rely on people with differing opinions and motivations agreeing that a post is misleading before a note is made visible. And that often doesnt happen.

A look at the almost two million Community Notes that X makes available to download shows that the vast majority of notes never end up being displayed, stuck instead in the limbo of the Needs More Ratings category where notes go when raters who disagree on an issue dont come to a consensus. This can result in long delays or, as the Tow Center has previously investigated, a failure to fact-check divisive misinformation altogether. But our new reporting also finds efforts by users on Telegram to push fact-checks that achieved an overall Helpful rating (and were therefore displayed to users) back into the Needs More Ratings category, where they would not be seen. Volunteers who contribute to the program as well as experts who we spoke with explained the myriad ways that misleading and unverified claims go unchecked by Community Notes.

One contributor we spoke with, Zach Lewis, a twenty-one-year-old software engineer from California, has participated in the Community Notes program for more than a year. He joined the program after some of his friends fell for misinformation online during the COVID-19 pandemic and began taking hydroxychloroquine, a drug that President Trump, his son, and Fox News touted as a treatment option for the virus, despite warnings from officials and medical experts about its ill-effects and lack of evidence of its efficacy. Ive had people affected by that [misinformation] in my personal life, and I kind of didnt want to see that, said Lewis.

But not everyone authorized to write community notes is as well-intentioned as Lewis.

Using Junkipedia, a Web monitoring and analysis tool, we were able to find actors who tried to use Telegram to purge fact-checks on their misleading posts.

One such channel on Telegram, called Shadow of Ezra, which has the same username on X, asked subscribers in March to downvote a note on one of its X posts about former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The post claimed that Kennedy, in a now well-known phone conversation with former president Lyndon Johnson, was heard using vitamin B as a code for consuming methamphetamine.

A note was proposed below the post refuting the claim. However, in a now-deleted Telegram post, Shadow of Ezra was seen telling users, Please rate this community note as not helpful, despite there being no credible evidence that Jacqueline Kennedy sought methamphetamine under the guise of vitamin B shots.

The note was proposed the same day as the post, and achieved a helpful rating about three hours later. Shadow of Ezra then posted on their Telegram channel of 160,000-plus subscribers, asking them to downvote the note. After about twenty-four hours, the note lost its status of helpful and is currently rated as needs more ratings.

Tow Center found at least twenty other instances where Shadow of Ezra and another channel, called The General, urged subscribers to rate Community Notes under their posts as unhelpful.

Some Junkipedia search results for the keywords please rate this community note

Tow reached out to X and Shadow of Ezra requesting comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Today, X has over a million contributors across the world writing notes in multiple languages. It is also touted by Musk as the best source of truth on the internet despite mounting evidence that the platforms efforts to fight misinformation fall short in a variety of ways.

The problem is the approach, said Isabel Holmes, a researcher at the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), a UK-based nonprofit that studies online hate and misinformation on social media platforms, including X. (Musk sued CCDH in 2023 for its reports about the platforms failure to act on mis- and disinformation, a complaint that was later dismissed by a California court.) Holmes suggested that X should probably have a narrower user base of contributors vetted by the platform.

Lewis, who joined Community Notes to help combat harmful false health-related posts, is now seeing another misinformation cycle on X, this time related to the measles vaccine.

Following outbreaks across several states in the US, anti-vax accounts on X have been sharing unverified claims to stoke vaccine skepticism among users. A verified account, @stopvaccinating (over 130,000 followers), which regularly posts vaccine misinformation, has been fact-checked very few times by the community. One fact-check appeared twelve days after the account posted a misleading post about vaccines. Some accounts that post blatant misinformation about vaccines dont get noted at all. This post by user @toobaffled, for instance, claims that the CDC reports 2,659,050 vaccine injuries and has garnered upwards of 25,000 views in a single day. But it is lacking vital context, and there is no note proposed below the post as of publication of this article.

A fact-check published by Science Feedback, a publication led by scientists and science journalists dedicated to debunking health- and climate-related misinformation online, calls the claim misleading. The fact-check by Science Feedback adds much-needed context that citing the number of reports from the US Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) in this way represents a misuse of the database, which the official VAERS website warns against before granting access to any data. The fact-checkers note that reports alone dont demonstrate that the vaccine caused the events and that providers were required, in the case of COVID-19 vaccinations, to report all serious adverse events that occurred following vaccinationincluding hospitalization and deathregardless of causality.'

Science Feedback is certified by Poynters International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), a collective of over 150 publications that combat misinformation globally, many of which were a part of Metas third-party fact-checking program before being sidelined for Community Notes.

Despite persistent issues with these kinds of programs, some contributors believe that Community Notes help all users participate equally. I like the idea behind Community notes. The problem is the execution, said a former contributor of notes on X from Norway who has since left the platform because he disapproves of the way it has changed.

Holmes still believes platforms should have a traditional moderation system combined with a notes program and that content moderation should be a paid job. I think moderating is work and its not right to have unpaid volunteers, she said. You wont get the level of work you need to keep a safe platform without paying people.
Google sued Chile-based LATAM Airlines in U.S. federal court on Thursday, seeking a declaration that Brazilian courts cannot force the tech giant to take down a YouTube video in the U.S. that accused a LATAM employee of sexually abusing a child.

Alphabets Google, which owns YouTube, said in the lawsuit that LATAM was attempting to make an end-run around protections for free speech under the U.S. Constitution by suing in Brazil to force the videos removal worldwide.

LATAM has not received any official communication about the court case, the company told Reuters.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that the company has long supported the legal principle that courts in a country have jurisdiction over content available in that country, but not over what content should be available in other countries.

Right-wing social media companies Trump Media and Rumble filed a similar lawsuit in Florida in February against a Brazilian judge who had ordered them to remove the U.S.-based accounts of a leading supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. A federal judge decided in the case that the companies were not required to comply with the order in the United States.

According to Googles lawsuit filed in San Jose, California, U.S. citizen and Florida resident Raymond Moreira posted two YouTube videos in 2018 of his 6-year-old son outlining allegations of sexual abuse that the child said he experienced from a LATAM employee while traveling as an unaccompanied minor.

Moreira sued LATAM in Florida in 2020 over the alleged abuse, which led to a confidential settlement.

LATAM sued Google in Brazil in 2018 seeking an order to remove the video from YouTube. Brazils highest court is set to consider next week whether it has the authority to order Google to take down the video worldwide.

Google asked the court in California on Thursday to declare that LATAM cannot force the tech giant to remove the video in the United States.

Canadas Supreme Court upheld an order for Google to remove some search results worldwide in a separate case in 2018. A California judge halted that orders U.S. enforcement in 2017.

(Reporting by Brittain in Washington; Additional reporting by Fabian Cambero in Santiago; Editing by David Bario, Will Dunham and Jamie Freed)
A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday refused to allow the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to vacate a racial discrimination settlement reached last year with a mortgage lender, finding there was no basis for granting an extraordinary request.

The decision marked a setback after senior Trump administration officials claimed in March that they were seeking redress for a company, Townstone Financial, they said had been baselessly persecuted without evidence.

The CFPB originally brought the case in 2020 during Donald Trumps first presidency, accusing Townstone of redlining by discouraging Black would-be home buyers from applying for mortgages through derogatory and disparaging comments in promotional materials.

U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama cast doubt on CFPB claims that there had been no evidence underlying the CFPBs original case and said the courts had not addressed the question prior to the settlement.

Reversing a prior CFPB action in this way, he said, amounted to an act of legal hara-kiri that would make a samurai blush.

At bottom, to grant the motion based on the arguments advanced by the parties would be to undermine the finality of judgments, Valderrama said. That is a Pandoras box the court refuses to open.

Representatives for the CFPB did not respond to a request for comment. However Steve Simpson, a lawyer for Townstone, which jointly filed the motion with the CFPB, maintained that the court had not considered the agencys lack of evidence.

He said Townstone was considering its next steps and hoped that the U.S. Congress would take a closer look at the case.

(Reporting by Gillison; Editing by Leslie Adler and Mark Porter)
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio  A pastor at a church in Franklin County has been indicted on nearly two dozen charges after he was accused of sexually abusing two teens.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court records show Dominic Foor, 39, of Logan, is charged with 11 counts of sexual battery, six counts of importuning and six counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Foor has pleaded not guilty and was released after posting a $250,000 bond.

An indictment shows Foor is accused of sexually assaulting the teens multiple times, one between November 2022 and November 2024 and the other between May 2024 and November 2024. One victim was 15 years old when the assaults began and the other was 14 years old, the indictment shows.

Captain Johnathan Strawser with the Pickaway County Sheriffs Office tells WBNS Channel 10 that Foor was a pastor at Pathway Apostolic Church in Columbus when the reported assaults occurred.

The church tells WBNS that Foor left his position as pastor in March. He reportedly is now pastor of New Direction Church in Columbus.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Foor also owns a construction company.
Actor Dan Barrows (left), who adopted the stage name Beans Morocco in the late 1980s, is about to buy a used car from Kurt Russell in a scene from the 1980 movie "Used Cars." Morocco died on May 29 at age 90 in Bakersfield, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images) Getty Images

Beans Morocco, the actor best known for his comedic roles in Blazing Saddles, Used Cars, Eating Raoul, and more, has died. He was 90.

Morocco died on May 29 in Bakersfield, California, his friend Ryan Wise told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was shared.

He was always performing, always entertaining, and he made everyone feel good, Wise said.

Born Daniel Barrows in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 8, 1934, he first performed under his birth name before adopting his stage name of Beans Morocco in the late 1980s. One of his first on-screen roles came in 1974 as one of the Rock Ridge townsfolk in satirical comedy Blazing Saddles, according to IMDb. He also had notable roles appearing alongside Kurt Russell in 1980s Used Cars, and Mary Woronov in 1982s Eating Raoul.

Additional film credits for Morocco include Any Which Way You Can, directed by Clint Eastwood, New Nightmare, directed by Wes Craven, and The American President, directed by Rob Reiner. He also appeared in episodes of Mork & Mindy, Eight is Enough, Laverne & Shirley, The Bob Newhart Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dukes of Hazzard, and more.

His final acting role came as Cookie in the comedy film Killing Cookie, directed and written by Wise.

Morocco graduated from Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati and attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, according to THR. He later served in the U.S. Navy, became a pilot, and flew private planes for many years.

Morocco is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Diane, his sister, Nancy, and his cousins, Gail and William. His son, Justin, died in March 2024 at 37.
Dennis Chack, a former FirstEnergy executive, is sworn in to testify at a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio hearing about the House Bill 6 scandal in downtown Columbus on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com) Jeremy Pelzer, cleveland.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio  Gov. Mike DeWines appointed utility regulator had a private conversation with FirstEnergys CEO just as House Bill 6 was being introduced in the Ohio General Assembly, according to testimony at a state regulatory hearing Friday.

The April 2019 meeting occurred at the Florida home of Sam Randazzo, then the newly appointed chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Randazzo and FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones spoke for about 10 minutes, after Jones asked other company executives to step outside.

This is according to testimony on Friday from Dennis Chack, FirstEnergys former senior vice president of branding and marketing.

Chack was the first of several former company executives and lobbyists scheduled to testify under immunity before PUCO over the next couple weeks in connection with the HB6 scandal which provided more than $1 billion in subsidies to two nuclear power plants once owned by a FirstEnergy. While the testimony provided illuminating information about HB 6, Chack wasnt particularly forthcoming.

Fridays hearing comes nearly six years after Ohio lawmakers passed HB6, which led to prison sentences for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and ex-Ohio Republican Party Chair Matt Borges. Prosecutors said they helped pass and defend HB6 using $60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy.

Chack denied having a role in the bribery scheme. He testified that his only meeting with Randazzo occurred during the 2019 Florida trip, when he, Jones, and others flew on the company jet to Randazzos second home.

At that meeting, Jones asked Randazzo to assist with HB6 and other regulatory matters. At Jones request, Chack and the others left the room, allowing Jones and Randazzo to speak privately for about 10 minutes, Chack said.

Randazzo, who helped draft some proposed wording for HB6, ended up overruling other PUCO commissioners and staff to help FirstEnergy with the policies Jones asked him to help with.

Meanwhile, Jones and senior vice president Mike Dowling are accused of paying Randazzo a $4.3 million bribe in exchange for favorable regulatory treatment.

Randazzo took his own life in 2024.

Prosecutors also allege Jones instructed Chack to lie to investigators and alter documents related to a $400,000 payment to a marketing firm owned by Cleveland businessman Tony George. That firm, in turn, funneled $500,000 in subcontracting work to a company owned by Chacks daughter.

Chack was fired by FirstEnergy on October of 2020 , a couple months after Householders arrest, for lying and backdating a company contract regarding the $400,000 payment

Fridays testimony revealed FirstEnergy later had the disputed contract analyzed by an ink expert.

Your feedback matters Do you think ex-FirstEnergy officials should have been granted immunity in order to testify about the HB6 scandal? Featured

And then the expert concluded that the ink dating examination in the signature are inconsistent with the signature being written on around the dates of 11/21/16, said Kim Boyko, an attorney with the Ohio Manufacturers Association Energy Group. Is that correct?

Yes, Chack replied.

And it says that the data obtained showed that it was highly probable that the signature has been written in the last six months, Boyko continued. Is that correct?

Yes, Chack replied.

And youre not disputing that you backdated the contract, Boyko asked.

No, he replied.

Much of the questioning continued like this.

Chack gave little more than yes or no, replies to questions from attorneys who grilled him, including an attorney with the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel, the Retail Energy Supply Association and the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council.

Following Chack, testimony is expected from Justin Biltz, FirstEnergys former director of state and regulatory affairs, on Tuesday. Former FirstEnergy senior vice president/chief legal officer Robert Reffner and ex-company lobbyist Ty Pine are scheduled to testify Wednesday, followed on Friday by former FirstEnergy CEO Steven Strah and ex-lobbyist Joel Bailey on Thursday, June 26.

Neither Chack nor anyone else set to testify before the PUCO over the next two weeks have been charged with any crime so far related to the scandal.

After Randazzo resigned as PUCO chair in November 2020 following an FBI raid on his Columbus home, the PUCO launched several investigations into the HB6 scandal. However, the commission halted those probes between 2022 and 2024 after a federal prosecutor warned they could interfere with the criminal investigation into the scandal.

Chack denied any involvement in the bribery scandal, saying the only time he spoke to Randazzo was at his Florida home.

Chack also said he believed FirstEnergy was justified in firing him for backdating the companys contract with George.

He said his daughter is a former registered nurse whose consulting firm was involved in telemedicine. George, Chack said, was going to teach her about the advertising business.

Chack, who began working for FirstEnergy in 1969, said he never received corporate training on conflicts of interest, embezzlement, or corruption while working at the company.

On Tuesday, Justin Biltz, FirstEnergys former director of state and regulatory affairs, is expected to testify next. Former chief legal officer Robert Reffner and lobbyist Ty Pine are slated to testify Wednesday, followed by former CEO Steven Strah and lobbyist Joel Bailey on Thursday, June 26.
With all the activity at hospitals like MetroHealth to save lives and cure people, add helping ICE agents make arrests. That's what a proposed Ohio bill would compel. Today in Ohio says leave the hospitals alone to do their work. John Pana, cleveland.com

The lines between healthcare and immigration enforcement are blurring in Ohio, according to Thursday on the Today in Ohio podcast.

Host Chris Quinn and reporter Lisa Garvin broke down a controversial new bill that would fundamentally change how hospitals operate in the state. House Bill 281 would require hospitals that accept public money or Medicaid patients to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct operations inside their facilities.

As Garvin explained, the bill would require any hospitals that take public money or accept Medicaid patients to allow ICE to enter their facilities to arrest, interview or collect evidence, carry out lawful arrest warrants, and then staff and contractors at the hospitals must facilitate ICE access to their facilities.

Garvin said the bill aims to ensure hospitals arent burdened with the financial strain of treating the undocumented.

Quinn pointet out the fundamental ethical conflict: The Hippocratic oath doesnt differentiate between documented and undocumented. If somebody needs help, a doctor has to help them. Thats what they do. So, its preposterous to say were not going to saddle you with the costs of treating the undocumented.

Drawing from personal experience, Quinn painted a vivid picture of why this legislation is impractical: I was in an emergency room for the better part of a couple of days last fall. I cannot imagine how you could add to the pressure of an emergency room ICE agents coming in.

Quinn said emergency rooms are overwhelmed dealing with life and death, heroicly trying to save lives. Adding pressure to that situation will cause harm.

The podcast conversation highlighted how the proposed law could create a chilling effect on healthcare access. Garvin expressed serious concerns about the psychological impact: Think about ICE agents going in and youre not American or you are American and youre sitting in the waiting room, then they come in and they start arresting people. Thats extremely disruptive. And it would keep me from going to a hospital.

She continued, emphasizing how this legislation would undermine traditional safe spaces: Hospitals are one of, like the final bastions of security. Churches, hospitals, schools, but theyre going to start going into these places of security now.

The Ohio Nurses Association has already voiced strong opposition to the bill, objecting to what they call the deputization of medical staff and warning about potential negative impacts on all patients, not just undocumented ones.

Quinn concluded the discussion by characterizing the bill as dog whistle red herring nonsense designed to signal political allegiance to Donald Trump rather than address real issues.

What youre really doing is interfering with the providing of medical care by the heroes who do it every day, he said.

Listen to the conversation here.

Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from Today in Ohio, a news podcast discussion by cleveland.com editors. Visitors to cleveland.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions.

Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  After fleeing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spending 23 years as a refugee in Uganda, Miteza Kanyamahane arrived in Cleveland in 2018 with hope for safety and a fresh start.

For the first two years, Catholic Charities helped him and his four young children adjust, connecting him with critical benefits like food assistance and healthcare. But when that support ended, Kanyamahane found himself alone in a foreign country trying to navigate a system he didnt understand  and in a language he didnt speak.

He struggled to reestablish stability on his own. He said he went to the countys downtown social services office to reapply for public assistance but couldnt communicate with staff. Hed take a number and fill out an application, only to be denied for reasons he couldnt understand and kicked back into the queue. For months, he said he struggled to provide food for his kids.

Then someone sent him to Re:Source Cleveland , an organization that supports immigrants that helped restore his benefits and stabilize his family. Now he also has the Cuyahoga Countys Welcome Center  a newly opened hub that provides one-on-one assistance for immigrants and refugees, helping them access benefits and resources to better assimilate into the community.

They will help you in a way thats easier, Kanyamahane, who only speaks Kinyarwanda, explained through a translator. They wont give you a number to call that will confuse you. They will take time and actually help you.

It hasnt been a fix-all. Kanyamahane, who works in packaging at U.S. Cotton, a major manufacturing facility for cotton products, said hes struggling to afford housing for himself and his children, now between the ages of 14 and 19. But he still feels supported, returning to the Welcome Center time and again with questions.

More recently, he said the center helped him find winter jackets for his growing children and connected him with education resources to help his children through school. When he meets other immigrants, hell drive them over to the 4261 Fulton Parkway facility, so they can find help, too.

This is my community, he said.

Theres a big difference

Since opening in February 2024, the Welcome Center has served more than 8,700 people, many seeking help with public benefits, such as SNAP and Medicaid, said David Merriman, Director of Cuyahoga Countys Health and Human Services.

They often have language and cultural barriers that require an interpreter and deeper explanation, which would tie up services at the main Virgil E. Brown Neighborhood Family Service Center. But at the Welcome Center, there are interpreters readily available, and staff can spend as much time as they need with families, Merriman said.

Were really interested in increasing customer service and access to services, and this is another way to do that, Merriman said.

Another Congolese refugee who has been living in Cleveland and navigating the social systems on his own since 2016, noticed a difference immediately. He used to spend hours at the downtown office trying to sort out answers to his questions, even after learning English, to the point where he said he started packing lunches for his visits.

Now, when you go (to the Welcome Center), you have hope that you will get the answer you want, Albert B. told cleveland.com, asking to be identified only by his first name and last initial to protect his privacy.

A few weeks ago, a clerical error nearly cost him childcare benefits for his six children, ages 2 to 17, but a quick stop to the Welcome Center cleared it up, he said. The center is now also helping him change his official status, from refugee to citizen.

Theres a big difference, he said of the services.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. It also hosts the Newcomer Navigators Program, a periodic resource fair customized to help certain populations with things like housing, job training and other support services that the Welcome Center does not directly provide.

Merriman recognizes that an immigrant-focused county-funded center could be controversial in todays political climate. Some parts of the country support President Donald Trumps strict border and immigration policies , while others are protesting them. The situation escalated last weekend when Trump sent Marines and National Guardsmen to disrupt protests in Los Angeles.

The Welcome Center, in the past, may have also supported travelers from one of the 12 countries now banned from entering the U.S., as of this week . The countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The Welcome Center does not track visitors by their nationality, Merriman said, only the languages requiring interpretation services  43 in all.

County data shows the most requested languages so far have been Ukrainian, Swahili, Spanish and Arabic. But the fifth most-reported language is Pashto, primarily spoken in Afghanistan, and other languages that could be representative of banned countries include Dari, Farsi, Somali and Karen, which is spoken in lower Myanmar.

Services are only available to legal immigrants, though, Merriman stressed. They are naturalized citizens, green card holders, refugees and asylees  some who have been living in the community for years already  and they must meet state and national qualifications to receive benefits.

We dont provide public assistance if a person doesnt have all the formal, approved, valid documents, he said.

Growing Cuyahoga, thriving Cuyahoga

Like County Executive Chris Ronayne, Merriman said he wants Cuyahoga County to be a nationally known Certified Welcoming community, an official designation through Welcoming America that reflects a commitment to integrating newcomers, as he calls them. He believes it is one way to grow the countys population, which had been declining as residents age or move away until last year, when census estimates showed the population getting a boost, specifically from people moving from other countries.

This community has grown time and again through waves of immigrants and newcomers, Merriman said, pointing to the countys Hungarian, Puerto Rican and Congolese communities. And thats still the case.

The Welcome Center, he hopes, will attract even more, signaling Cuyahoga County as a place where newcomers can reestablish their lives and thrive.

We support an immigrant or refugee family showing up, getting established and then getting a job and buying and house and doing all the things we hope for every neighbor of ours to do, Merriman said.

It worked for Cuyahoga County Deputy Maliko Hamadi. He was born in Somalia and grew up in refugee camps in Tanzania and Kenya before coming to the U.S. in 2007. Three years later, he followed some friends to Cleveland.

In those early years, he relied on public benefits, like food stamps, to survive, while working in laundry services or as a cab driver. But after becoming a naturalized citizen and earning a criminal justice degree, he joined the Cleveland Division of Police to help improve relations and perceptions about law enforcement in heavily-immigrant neighborhoods. He moved over to the sheriffs department three years ago to cover more ground.

Now, hes helping other immigrants find their path and earning enough to support his wife and their five children, plus four adopted from his younger brother. Theyre all thriving, he told cleveland.com.

If youre new and theres no Welcome Center, theres no life, Hamadi said, noting the immense support he received in the beginning, primarily from Catholic Charities, before the Welcome Center existed.

What would have happened to me if Catholic Charities wasnt there? he wondered aloud. What would have happened to me if nobody came to the United States before me? These are the resources that help people navigate through life.
Activists stand next to car tires they accumulated in front of the WTO building to protest against the import of used and retreaded tires to Brazil by the European Union, in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, July 7, 2006. . (AP Photo/Keystone, Martial Trezzini) ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes has rolled out legislation that would provide a tax credit to buyers of retreaded tires made in the United States.

The Akron Democrat joined Illinois Republican Darin LaHood in re-introducing the Retreaded Tire Jobs, Supply Chain Security and Sustainability Act of 2025, which they said would lower tire costs and boost the auto industry.

Ohios 13th Congressional District has long been known as the Rubber Capital of the World  this legislation upholds that legacy by investing in American manufacturing to ensure this vital industry remains globally competitive," said a statement from Sykes.

Retreading is a manufacturing process that replaces the tread on worn tires to help extend the life of the tire. According to a 2023 report, the industry employs over 51,000 workers and supports more than 268,000 jobs across the broader $28.4 billion U.S. tire industry.

The 2023 report found that for every new premium tire sold in the U.S., 1.1 retreads are produced, but for the imported tires, less than 0.4 retreads are produced. Sykes office said cheap, low-quality tires imported from countries like China have flooded the market and harmed the retreading industry.

Incentivizing the purchase of high-quality retreaded tires will help protect and create local jobs, reduce consumer costs, improve efficiency, and reduce dependence on low-quality overseas products, according to Sykes.

The proposed tax credit would be the lesser of 30% of the tires cost, or $30 multiplied by the number of qualified retreaded tires placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year.

The bill is supported by industry groups and manufacturers including Goodyear Tires, Bridgestone, the American Trucking Association, and the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, Sykes office said.

A statement from Anne Forristall Luke, who heads the USTMA, said approximately 15 million tires are retreaded annually in the U.S, including nearly 44% of commercial truck tires in the U.S. and Canada.

This legislation is about more than just tires  its about investing in American workers and promoting a sustainable, innovative manufacturing sector that is a highly effective way to recycle tires," said Luke.

A statement from Scott Damon, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgestone West, Group President of Bridgestone America, said that increasing demand for U.S.-made retreaded tires will reduce costs for his firms customers, save energy, and reduce material consumption and waste.

Joe Burke, Goodyears Vice President, North America Commercial & Global Aviation, said his company is uniquely positioned to support U.S. commercial fleets seeking to expand their use of retreaded tires, with more than 30 retread shops and 19 wheel refurbishing plants.

He said the bills proposed 30% tax creditor $30 per retreaded tire for fleets would not only incentivize them to adopt retreads but also help sustain and grow American manufacturing jobs tied to domestic tire retreading operations.

He said the company is actively working to raise awareness of the bills far-reaching benefits and believes it has strong momentum to pass, given its strong support from industry, bipartisan backing in Congress, and clear alignment with national efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy.

Retreading has long been a best practice for large fleets, helping them reduce operating costs, and this bill ensures small and medium-sized fleets can take advantage of this proven strategy as well, said a statement from Burke. By expanding access to retreaded tires, we can strengthen American industry while providing fleets with a cost-effective, high-quality solution for their operations.
Dr. Amy Acton, pictured in 2020 during a COVID-19 press conference when she headed the Ohio Department of Health and helped craft the states pandemic response -- fueling both her popularity but also angry attacks against the COVID restrictions Ohio put in place -- has announced her Democratic candidacy for Ohio governor in 2026. (Tony Dejak, Associated Press) AP

COLUMBUS, Ohio  Dr. Amy Acton, Ohios former state health director and lone Democrat in the race for governor, launched the first ad of her campaign on Thursday with a blast at the presumptive Republican candidate and a rallying cry to Ohioans.

The spot opens with a swipe at Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy  self-serving billionaires, as Acton calls them  and later cuts to imagery of her time leading Ohios pandemic response under Republican Gov. Mike DeWine. Its a contrast Acton leans into: technocrats sowing chaos versus public servants trying to solve real problems.

I became a doctor because I refused to look the other way from people who were struggling, Acton says in the video. And I refuse to look the other way now.

Actons message appears to be aimed at connecting with Ohioans from all walks of life: invoking her difficult childhood in Youngstown, her career as a physician and educator, and her service under DeWine.

The video marks a formal step into the race for Acton, who launched her campaign in January of 2025. Throughout the early days of the contest, Acton positioned herself as a problem-solver who will put aside partisanship to tackle the issues facing the Buckeye State.

We can build an Ohio where your ZIP code doesnt determine success, Acton says in the video. Where local communities, not politicians, are empowered.

The line she repeats throughout the video  I refuse to look the other way  serves as a rallying cry to Ohioans who feel ignored or disillusioned by conventional politics. Whether that message will resonate in a polarized political landscape remains to be seen.

Hope, she says, is optimism with a plan.

During her tenure as Ohios health director, Acton became a prominent and polarizing figure. Appointed in February 2019, she rose to national recognition early in the COVID-19 pandemic when working alongside the governor during the global health crisis.

Acton is currently the only Democrat running to replace term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine in 2026 but others, including former Sen. Sherrod Brown and former Rep. Tim Ryan, could join the fray.

On the Republican side, 2024 presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is currently considered the presumptive nominee, although Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel hasnt ruled out running himself.

Note: Artificial Intelligence aided in the writing of this story.
A couple dozen people gathered outside the Cuyahoga County administrative headquarters in downtown Cleveland on Thursday morning, March 27, 2025, to protest rising property taxes in Cuyahoga County. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Rotunda rumblings

60% Solution? The latest Republican plan to curb Ohios rising property taxes is to raise the threshold for passing local levies from a simple majority of 50% plus one vote to 60%. Anna Staver reports that House Bill 355 is the latest legislation from Ashtabula Countys Rep. Dave Thomas. He says taxes impact everyone, so the threshold should be higher. But schools and municipalities say its a violation of one person, one vote.

Wish lists: As the U.S. Senate crafts its version of the tax cut and spending package that President Donald Trump calls the big, beautiful bill, Ohios U.S. Senators are scrambling to ensure it includes their priorities, Sabrina Eaton writes. For Sen. Jon Husted, a Columbus-area Republican, that means seeking more spending cuts and enhanced work requirements for Medicaid recipients. For Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Westlake Republican who formerly owned a chain of luxury car dealerships, that means including a half-dozen provisions related to cars and trucks.

Nomination advances: The U.S. Senates Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved Ohio Solicitor General T. Elliot Gaisers nomination to head the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Legal Counsel, Eaton writes . His nomination was supported by all 12 of the committees Republicans and opposed by its 10 Democrats. The office the Cleveland native would head as an Assistant Attorney General provides legal advice to the president and all executive branch agencies, drafts the Attorney Generals legal opinions and provides its own written opinions and advice in response to executive branch requests. President Donald Trump announced his nomination in April.

Intelligent students: Ohio State University announced that incoming freshmen this fall will take artificial intelligence workshops as part of their core requirements. By 2029, the first class will graduate with fluency with how AI applications will work in their major fields and the responsibilities that come with that, Laura Hancock reports .

Green light on Greenland? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday refused to take up U.S. Rep. Mike Turners offer to clarify U.S. intentions in Greenland at a House Armed Services Committee hearing , offering a cryptic response when the Dayton Republican asked him: You are not confirming in your testimony today that at the Pentagon, there are plans for invading or taking by force Greenland, correct? Because I sure as hell hope that that is not your testimony. Hegseth said the Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies and looks forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats.

Protest arrests: Protesters occupied the U.S. Capitol offices of Republican U.S Senators Jon Husted of Ohio, Jim Justice of West Virginia, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana on Wednesday, demanding they reject Republican-led efforts to cut Medicaid, WJLA.com reports . The non-violent protest concluded with Capitol Police arresting nine demonstrators, who were charged with DC 22-1307: Crowding, Obstructing, & Incommoding.

The other JD Vance: A man named James Donald Vance, Jr., was arraigned Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan after he allegedly threatened to kill Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump, mlive writes . If tRump, Vance, or Musk ever come to my city again, they will leave it in a body bag, the suspect allegedly wrote on the social media platform Bluesky. He has been charged with one count of threatening to kill and injure the president and vice president, a felony that is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Buckeye Brain Tease

Question: Ohio cities have passed some strange laws over the years. Which city made it illegal to hunt mice without a license?

Email your response to capitolletter@cleveland.com. The first correct respondent will be mentioned in next weeks newsletter.

Thanks to everyone who answered last weeks trivia question: This year marks the 75th anniversary of two towns combining to form the city of Fairborn, Ohio. What were the two towns called?

Answer: Fairfield and Osborn

Capitol Letter reader Michael Newkirk was the first to email with the correct response.

On the Move

U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, a Warrensville Heights Democrat, filed a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize June as Black Music Month.

Birthdays

Friday, June 13: John M. Pattison, Ohios 43rd governor (1847-1906)

Saturday, June 14: Ex-U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs

Sunday, June 15: no birthdays

Straight from the Source

About to see Les Miserables with POTUS at the Kennedy Center.

Me to Usha: so whats this about? A barber who kills people?

Usha; [hysterical laughter]

--Vice President JD Vance posted this message on X Thursday evening, indicating he didnt know the plot to the play he was about to see. Les Miserables is musical about people rising up against the monarchy in 19th-century France.

Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. Subscribe to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free.
Trophy Lake Erie walleye were cruising the Cleveland shoreline this week, with this trophy stretching 32 inches caught Dallas Solze of Westlake. He was trolling a 2 1/4-inch Michigan Stinger Scorpion spoon off Gordon Park with Vinny Boccardi, right. Sam Horn, special to cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio  Lake Eries smallmouth bass and largemouth bass in area reservoirs are wrapping up their spawning seasons, with the already good fishing guaranteed to improve under balmy skies in the coming weeks.

The premier Lake Erie Islands are named South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass islands for a reason. For generations smallmouth bass have lured anglers to Ohios North Coast, including President Grover Cleveland.

Lake Erie has recently recorded the largest smallmouth bass caught from the Great Lakes, a 10.15-pounder hooked by Gregg Gallagher of Fremont on Nov. 6, 2022, off Ontarios Pelee Island. And after a few decades of overharvesting bass, the fish are in the spotlight again as their numbers, and size, have increased.

Steve Clapper, who recently became an inaugural member of the Ohio Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, was casting the waters of Lake Erie on Thursday. Smallmouth bass were in the late stages of the spawning season around the Bass Islands, Clapper reported. He was finding success with swim baits and drop shot rigs.

To make sure Ohio anglers do not take home spawning Lake Erie smallmouth bass, there is a spring limit of one fish per day from May 1 through June 27. The rest of the year the daily limit is five bass, though most avid bass anglers practice catch and release. It is also important to quickly release smallmouth bass during the spawning season, since invasive round gobies voraciously feed on smallmouth bass eggs left unprotected.

Pelee Island, across the border, is an early summer hot spot, where limits of walleye can also be caught while trolling or drift and cast fishing.

In the Cleveland area, a few smallmouth bass are still spawning in the lower waters of the Rocky and Chagrin rivers, and in the Cleveland, Lorain and Vermilion rivers and Conneaut Creek.

Largemouth bass fishing warming up

A plethora of Ohio reservoirs are warming up as the largemouth bass spawning season is winding down, reports Ray Halter of Strongsville. The bigger female bass are moving off spawning beds, leaving male bass to guard the hatching bass fry, and starting to feed.

Look for good numbers of big bass moving to the lake points, drop-offs and the edges of the weed beds to feed. The larger females will gobble 8-10-inch plastic worms, jigs with grubs or swim baits, topwater frogs and crank baits and vibrating rattle baits.

Good waters to explore for largemouth bass in Northern Ohio are Nimisila and East reservoirs in the Portage Lakes, Mosquito and Pymatuning reservoirs, and Milton and Wingfoot lakes.

Walleye out west

The schools of walleye are still hanging around the Western Basin of Lake Erie, grazing on hatching mayflies or the smaller fish also feasting on the annual bug hatch. Some walleye are being caught just off the reefs that make up the Niagara Reef Complex, to the west of West Sister Island and along the Ohio-Ontario border north of the Lake Erie Islands and Kelleys Islands.

Walleye are being caught between Kelleys Island and the Bass Islands, and off the southwest corner of Kelleys Island and American Eagle Shoal.

Trolling has been productive east of Kelleys Island in 35 to 40 feet of water, the dumping grounds off Cedar Point and off the Huron River and Ruggles in 25 to 35 feet of water.

Bass Classic results

The Muransky Companies 25th annual Bass Classic, a benefit for the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley sent out two fields of anglers on a windy morning on Evands Lake and Pine Lake on May 31.

The winners on Pine Lake were Bill Byers and Scott Creameans (19.64 pounds), followed by Christopher Clemence and Brian Webb (17.92) and Brian Petrosky and Ralph Lucarielli (17.76 pounds).

Robert Kopas and Keith Brooks captured the Evans Lake event with 19.86 pounds, followed by Ken Grimes and Joe Bokar (19.52 pounds) and Nathan Digiacobbe and Jason Welliver (17.7

LEWT back in action

The Lake Erie Walleye Trail will head to the Fairport Harbor Port Authority Boat Ramp on Water Street in Fairport Harbor on Saturday. The two-angler teams will launch starting at 6 a.m., with the weigh-ins slated to begin there at 2:30 p.m.

With big walleye migrating eastward on Lake Erie in early summer, it will be interesting to see the trophy fish and hear the fishing tactics relied on by the top anglers.
Brigadier General Mohammad Bagheri, the deputy chief of staff of Iran's armed forces (R) and Brigadier General Hossein Salami (L), commander in chief of IRGC during the Great Prophet joint military drill of Iran's armed forces in Saravan, Iran, on April 12, 2016. Armin Karami | Afp | Getty Images

Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran early Friday morning local time, targeting locations it said were related to Iran's nuclear program, sparking market fears of a wider conflict. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, chief of the Iranian Armed Forces and the country's most senior military official, was killed during the strikes, alongside the commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, Iranian state media reported. The Israeli airstrikes also targeted and killed two of Iran's leading nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, according to Iranian news outlets. Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, pledged to avenge the attacks. "With this crime, the Zionist regime has brought a bitter and painful fate upon itself, and it will certainly face it," he said in a statement.

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour | WANA | Via Reuters

Iranian media outlets reported multiple fatalities in the capital city, Tehran, along with airstrikes on the city of Natanz, which is home to a key nuclear facility. As of Friday morning, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran's Isfahan nuclear site was not impacted, and "no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site." Also hit were targets in the city of Khandab, where a heavy water nuclear reactor is located, and Khoramabad, the site of a ballistic missile base. Iran has launched around 100 drones toward Israeli territory in retaliation, an Israeli military spokesperson said, which Israel is working to intercept.

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Infographic with a map of Iran showing nuclear sites, reactors and uranium mines. Graphic by SYLVIE HUSSON, NALINI LEPETIT-CHELLA, SABRINA BLANCHARD| AFP | via Getty Images

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation: "This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The country's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency shortly after the strikes began and warned people that "a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future." The United States did not participate in the military operation, but U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed beforehand, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, noting that, "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense." Trump approved the withdrawal of some American personnel from the Middle East earlier this week, noting the region "could be a dangerous place" and stressing that the U.S. would prefer to negotiate a deal on nuclear enrichment than see a military strike. Tehran has meanwhile accused Washington of not being serious in its engagement and not respecting Iran's right to enrich uranium for what it insists are peaceful purposes. On Friday morning, Trump said he previously warned Iran that the "United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it." Urging Tehran to cement a nuclear deal, he added, "Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!"

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. Vahid Salemi | AP
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader.

Crude futures jumped about $5 per barrel on Friday after Israel launched airstrikes against Iran without U.S. support, stoking fear among investors that the conflict could spread to disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East.

Oil traders viewed Israel's attack as the most significant geopolitical event since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with crude prices posting their strongest gains since March 2022. U.S. crude oil gained $4.94, or 7.26%, to close at $72.98 per barrel on Friday. Global benchmark Brent rose $4.87, or 7.02% to settle at $74.23 per barrel.

Iran fired missiles at Israel Friday evening local time in retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Israel launched a "targeted military operation" against Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program early Friday local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address. The attack does not appear to have disrupted any significant oil infrastructure.

Israel hit Iran's main enrichment site at Natanz, its leading nuclear scientists, and struck the heart of its ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said. The airstrikes also killed senior members of Iran's military.

"This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Netanyahu said.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel had taken "unilateral action against Iran" without U.S. support. Rubio warned Iran against targeting U.S. interests in the region.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense."

President Donald Trump said Iran paid the price for failing to make a deal over its nuclear program by his 60-day deadline.

"They should have done it!" Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. "Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"
Police and national guards take measures as thousands of anti-ICE protesters are gathered outside of the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 2025 amid protests over immigration raids.

A federal appeals court late Thursday blocked a lower court judge's order instructing President Donald Trump to return control of 4,000 California National Guard troops that he had federalized to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer had ruled that Trump's action was "illegal," but stayed his order from taking effect until 3 p.m. ET on Friday to allow the Trump administration to appeal his decision.

The administration promptly did just that, asking the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to block Breyer's ruling from taking effect.

The 9th Circuit, in temporarily granting that request, scheduled a hearing for Tuesday. A three-judge panel of the appellate court will consider arguments then on whether to extend a stay of Breyer's order, or allow his ruling to take effect.

Trump, over the past week, federalized 4,000 members of the California Guard and mobilized another approximately 700 U.S. Marines to respond to protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration enforcement actions in that city.

Newsom and California's attorney general sued to reverse Trump's takeover of the Guard without the consent of the governor, the first time in U.S. history a president had taken such an action under the special provision that Trump invoked.

Breyer's order came hours after a hearing in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, where he sharply questioned lawyers for the federal government on Trump's rationale and authority for the move.

At one point, the judge said, "We live in response to a monarchy," noting that there is a difference between the president and King George III, the British monarch on the throne at the time of the American Revolution.

"At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court must determine whether the President followed the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions. He did not," Breyer wrote in his order.

"His actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution," the judge wrote. "He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."

Breyer said that none of the three conditions required for Trump's federalization of the Guard under a certain federal statute existed, namely the U.S. having been invaded or in danger of being invaded; a "rebellion" against the federal government; or the president being unable to execute U.S. laws.

"The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of 'rebellion,' " Breyer wrote.

And he said that "regardless" of the outcome of California's lawsuit against the administration, Trump's federalizing of the Guard without the consent of Newsom "alone threatens serious injury to the constitutional balance of power between the federal and state governments."

"And it sets a dangerous precedent for future domestic military activity," Breyer added.

Breyer scheduled a hearing for June 20, where lawyers for the federal government will be asked to argue why the judge should not issue a more lasting preliminary injunction against Trump's action. It is not clear if that hearing will proceed as planned now that the appeals court has intervened.

Trump on Friday morning reacted to the appeals court's stay.

"The Appeals Court ruled last night that I can use the National Guard to keep our cities, in this case Los Angeles, safe," Trump wrote in a social media post. "If I didn't send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!"

Newsom on Thursday night praised Breyer's ruling before it was paused.

And his office tweeted a video showing the "Death Star," built by the evil Empire in the "Star Wars" movie series, exploding in space after it was attacked by forces of the Rebel Alliance.

"The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets," Newsom said in a post on X.

"This win is not just for California, but the nation," Newsom wrote. "It's a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day. End the illegal militarization of Los Angeles now, @realDonaldTrump."

"History is watching."

T
Flight map over the Middle East as Iran launches retaliatory attacks on Israel at 19:19 UTC on June 13th, 2025.

Airlines around the world canceled flights to Israel and were skirting a large swath of airspace in the Middle East on Friday after Israel's overnight missile strikes on Iran. Iran later launched drones toward Israeli territory.

Delta Air Lines on Friday afternoon said it was suspending its service to Tel Aviv, Israel, until at least September, just weeks after resuming flights there. It had most recently resumed flights on May 20, and as of last week Delta had said it was planning to increase service to Israel later this year from New York to two daily nonstop flights, "responding to strong winter demand."

United Airlines suspended its Tel Aviv flights through July 31, and said in statement that "we will continue to evaluate an appropriate return date with the safety of our customers and crews as our top priority."

Both carriers' Tel Aviv-bound flights turned around over the Atlantic Ocean to return to the New York area after Israel's strikes overnight. United put 26 of its crew members who were on layover in Israel on Israeli airline El Al to get back to the U.S., a spokesman said.

El Al has since suspended service.

"Following recent security developments and in accordance with the instructions from the state's security and aviation authorities to close Israeli airspace, all EL AL and Sundor flights are suspended for the time being," it said on its website.

The carrier said it won't take bookings until at least the end of June and warned customers against going to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.

"For customers currently abroad, we recommend arranging accommodation until there is a change in security directives," El Al said. "Flights that were en route to Israel have been diverted to land at various EL AL destinations."
The S & P 500 appears pricey, but Bank of America isn't sweating it. "The index looks statistically expensive relative to its own history on all 20 of the valuation metrics we track," Savita Subramanian, equity and quant strategist for the firm, said in a Thursday note to clients. Subramanian said valuation multiples have grown during the relief rally seen after stocks initially plunged in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariff policy unveiling in early April. With the S & P 500's recovery, she said the index now trades at 21-times forward earnings, which is around 35% above its historical average. The S & P 500 is now up around 2% in 2025. .SPX YTD mountain The S & P 500 in 2025 However, Subramanian described putting today's S & P 500 against its history as an apples-to-oranges comparison. That's because of how much the benchmark index has changed, she said. For example, asset-intensive manufacturing makes up less than 20% of the index today, compared to almost 70% in 1980. She said the current S & P 500 is higher quality and has higher margins, while also offering lower leverage and earnings volatility. Subramanian also said the U.S. stock market's premium to the rest of the world is "likely justified." She said the U.S.' quality and balance sheets, as well as the market's growth potential and risk are all "statistically superior." The U.S. "has, and is forecast to continue to offer, roughly double the long-term growth potential of Asia and Europe, with lower earnings volatility than Europe, plus higher free cash flow per share and a lower percentage of non-earners vs. both Asia and Europe," she wrote to clients. She also listed "structural advantages" tied to the U.S. market, which include its energy independence, the fact that the U.S. dollar is the reserve currency and what she called "unparalleled liquidity." Additionally, Subramanian said the current leadership of the U.S. tech sector is a plus. For investors looking at the U.S., Subramanian said Bank of America's models give preference to the communication services, utility and technology sectors.
Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with registration letters VT-ANB flies over Tokyo, Japan, April 27, 2025 in this picture obtained from social media. Koki Takagi | Via Reuters

Taken from CNBCs Daily Open, our international markets newsletter  Subscribe today

Israel launched a series of airstrikes in Iran early Friday, escalating the simmering conflict between the two nations. Israel said that it was targeting locations related to Iran's nuclear program. Shortly after the strikes began, the country's Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency. Iran's state-run media has reported multiple fatalities in the capital city, Tehran. The strikes caused oil prices to jump more than 7% amid fears of a broader regional war. U.S. stock futures fell for the same reason, with Dow futures down more than 600 points. Meanwhile, tragedy struck overnight when a London-bound Air India flight crashed soon after takeoff after departing from Ahmedabad, in western India, on Thursday. The accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers killed all but one person on board the plane. The crash had killed several people on the ground, Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer, told Reuters, pushing the death toll higher. Following the accident, Boeing stocks tumbled 13%. Stocks of Boeing suppliers GE Aerospace and Spirit AeroSystems also took a hit, shedding 4% and 3%, respectively. Whether the jet crash is going to impact Boeing in the long run will depend on the investigation outcome. In an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," aviation expert and Boyd Group International President Mike Boyd said that investors shouldn't make the assumption this is "another Max situation." Boeing's 737 MAX was grounded for more than a year after two fatal accidents involving the aircraft.

What you need to know today

S&P 500 creeps closer to all-time high

Major averages in the U.S. rose overnight, thanks to a cooler-than-expected May producer price index. The S&P 500 added 0.38%, ending at 6,045.26. The advance brings the broad market index less than 2% off from its February record high. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.24% to close at 19,662.48. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 101.85 points, or 0.24%, settling at 42,967.62. European stock markets declined amid negative tariff sentiment, with the regional Stoxx 600 index falling by 0.3%. India's rocky path as an alternative to China

Amid the U.S.-China trade war, companies are increasingly pivoting towards India for their manufacturing needs as an alternative to China considering its large, young labor force, and manufacturing incentives like the production-linked incentive scheme. But many problems plague the path to India's manufacturing boom, such as logistical bottlenecks, regulatory red tape, and patchy infrastructure in many regions. U.S. May producer price index cooler than expected

The May producer price index, a measure of final demand prices in the U.S. economy, rose just 0.1% for the month after decreasing 0.2% in April. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting a 0.2% increase. The softer reading helped boost major stock indexes, while bond yields eased, indicating improving investor sentiment. Earlier this week, the U.S. May consumer inflation report also came in cooler than anticipated. Oracle shares soar after earnings beat

Shares of Oracle surged 13% after the company reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that beat on the top and bottom lines and indicated more cloud growth ahead. CEO Safra Catz said on a conference call that thanks to AI demand, cloud infrastructure revenue should increase more than 70% in the 2026 fiscal year, up from growth of 52% in the quarter. Oracle's rally lifted the tech sector, boosting the S&P 500. [PRO] Oracle could rally another 70%: investor Victoria Greene Oracle shares may be rallying on its latest earnings beat, but it still has much higher to go, according to Victoria Greene, chief investment officer at G Squared Private Wealth. Although the stock is already up 20% year to date, Greene thinks it isn't too late for investors to get in on the action. "The train is leaving the station, but you've got to jump on the stock," she said. "I see this as a $300 stock in the next 12 months." Read more here.

And finally...

Chip engineer handling a wafer. Sinology | Moment | Getty Images
Indian Rare Earths extracts rare earth elements from beach sands in Kerala, India. Pallava Bagla | Corbis News | Getty Images

India, like many countries, is grappling with Beijing's restrictions on rare earth element (REE) exports  and it wants to develop its own domestic supplies. Experts say it could become an important alternative to China in the sector, but will require much more public and private investment. In recent weeks, the world has been facing a rare earths shortage in light of curbs from China. Auto manufacturers across India, the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Germany have been affected. In response, Indian officials are evaluating how Indian Rare Earths (IREL), a government-owned company, can be leveraged to increase REE production, sources told CNBC-TV18. The report comes just days after India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal called China's pause in exports of rare earth elements a "wake-up call" for the world and an opportunity for India to provide an alternative. Geoffrey Pyatt, senior managing director of critical minerals at McLarty Associates and former U.S. assistant secretary of state for energy resources from 2022 to 2025, echoed the commerce minister's statements. "This is both a wake-up call and an opportunity for us to deepen U.S.-India collaboration on an issue important to future economic competitiveness," he told CNBC.

China's dominance

Beijing recently signaled plans to ease controls, and U.S. President Donald Trump has said that a trade deal with China that includes a resolution on rare earths is "done." But China's control of rare earth exports was not a new policy, with gradual restrictions of international sales occurring over the past two years. The recent shortage has further highlighted the country's dominant position in REEs: It produces roughly 60% of the world's supply and processes almost 90%, which includes materials imported from other countries. That gives Beijing considerable leverage over a supply of minerals crucial for various modern technologies, including robotics, clean energy, batteries and military equipment.

India's potential

It's important to note, however, that rare earths are not rare in nature. While China has the largest deposits of REEs at 44 million tons, India also has a substantial amount at 6.9 million tons, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. That gives it the world's third-largest share of reserves behind that of Brazil, as per the agency's records. India also has nearly 35% of the world's beach and sand mineral deposits, which are significant sources of important rare earths, according to a recent report from EY. Given those considerable reserves, India is "poised to play a key role in building a more diversified global rare earths supply chain," Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNBC. However, in order to use REE reserves, countries need the ability to mine and extract raw materials, as well as the capacity and technology to process and refine them for final use. So far, India is lacking in advanced separation and refining technology, especially compared with China, the U.S. and Japan, said Abhijit Kulkarni, partner at EY Parthenon, noting that India so far contributes less than 1% of global REE production. Other challenges India faces is a lack of specialized technical expertise in REE mining and processing as well as poor infrastructure in India's mining regions, he added.

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As equity markets broadly declined after Israel and Iran took aim at each other  some sectors and stocks are bucking the trend. The attack, which reportedly killed senior Iranian military and scientific figures, prompted an immediate flight to safety in financial markets. Brent crude , the international oil benchmark, jumped 7% to $78.50 a barrel, its highest level since April. The move rippled across sectors, punishing airlines while rewarding oil tanker owners on bets of imminent supply disruptions. The market turmoil reflects uncertainty over whether Iran will retaliate in a way that further escalates the conflict. Oil and shipping "The increased likelihood of an extended regional conflict means that the market will price in a greater risk to supply," wrote Kristoffer Barth Skeie, an equity research analyst at Arctic Securities, explaining an 8.5% surge in the shares of U.S.-listed oil tanker firm Frontline , the most o f Stoxx Europe 600 index companies. Skeie noted that oil companies and traders will rush to move cargoes out of the region as quickly as possible, shifting pricing power to tanker owners as fewer ships will be willing to enter a potential war zone. "However, the tanker market's standard practice of giving the charterer a few days leeway before confirming a fixture means that the initial reaction may be overdone," Skeie said. If Iran's oil exports of 1.5 million barrels per day  which are currently transported by a sanctioned fleet  came under pressure and were offset by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC nations, then companies such as Frontline would benefit further, Skeie said. "So the dynamic here is positive for the compliant market," he told CNBC. Shares of Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk also climbed 4.5%, with analysts at Sydbank noting that fears of disruptions to the Suez Canal could keep global freight rates elevated. "Only A.P. Moller-Maersk's earnings will be seriously affected by high fuel prices, but if the consequence of more tensions in the Middle East is that sailing through the Suez Canal is postponed, it could keep freight rates higher than otherwise," said Jacob Pedersen, head of equity research at Sydbank, according to a Danish to English translation by Google. Shipping firms rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope at the bottom of Africa, as Iran-allied Houthi rebels attacked naval activity in the Red Sea, shutting off access to the much shorter route through the Suez Canal. That pushed up shipping prices temporarily in 2024. Wind and pharmaceuticals More broadly, the Danish stock market is also "resilient" to rising oil prices, according to Pedersen. "The high proportion of oil price-unaffected pharmaceutical companies and companies with wind energy activities shields against serious negative effects," Sydbank's equity research chief said, referring to drug companies Novo Nordisk and Zeeland Pharma , as well as wind energy firms Orsted and Vestas Wind Systems , whose shares have bucked the downward trend. "In a tense situation where massive oil price increases are slowing global growth, a defensive Danish stock market with high resilience in terms of earnings is also well equipped," Pedersen said. In contrast, European airline stocks were hit hard by the dual threat of soaring fuel costs and the potential for a war to depress travel demand. Airlines Shares of pan-European carriers Wizz Air and Ryanair were off by 5% and 3.5%, respectively. Analysts at JPMorgan suggested Wizz is the most exposed, with a 15% hit to its estimated earnings for every 10% rise in jet fuel and 2.2% of its flight capacity in the immediate conflict zone. Better-hedged carriers like Ryanair were projected to see a more modest 3% earnings impact, according to the Wall Street bank's analysts. The risk-off sentiment extended beyond equities and was starkly evident in credit markets, where assets tied to regional stability came under immediate pressure. Middle East real estate JPMorgan downgraded several Dubai real estate bonds to "Underweight," including those issued by Damac Properties and Arada. Analysts at the bank warned that the fallout from a war between Iran and Israel would disproportionately expose Dubai's property sector, given its heavy dependence on foreign investment, which is underpinned by the UAE's reputation as an "oasis of stability." However, the central question for markets is whether the conflict will escalate to threaten the Strait of Hormuz , the chokepoint for nearly a third of the world's seaborne oil trade. JPMorgan had previously estimated that a full blockade could send oil prices surging to the $120-$130 range. @LCO.1 5Y line Others took a more cautious view. Citi suggested the probability of Iran striking regional energy facilities remains low, citing Tehran's recently improved diplomatic relations with Gulf neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. "We believe that energy flow disruptions should be limited. Heightened geopolitical tensions may well remain, but we don't expect energy prices to stay elevated for a sustained period of time," said Citi analysts led by Anthony Yuen in a note to clients. That view was also echoed by Arctic Securities' Skeie. Iran's oil exports, which are at their highest levels since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, meant there was considerably more downside risk for Tehran than upside. "Somewhat paradoxically, the risk of Iran trying to leverage its power to influence shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, the oil market's biggest chokepoint involving more than 20 mbd, may have gone down, not up, if Iran sees the conflict as confined to Israel," Skeie said.
Shares of Brazilian meat giant JBS rose during their U.S. public market debut on Friday.

The opening trade of $13.65 per share values the company at roughly $30 billion, outstripping rival Tyson Foods' market cap of about $19.82 billion. Shares closed at $13.87, a slight gain for the day.

JBS is now trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "JBS," a day later than initially expected. The company said it couldn't conclude certain operational procedures in time to debut on Thursday. Its stock was delisted from the Sao Paolo Exchange in Brazil a week ago as part of the dual-listing plan.

Since its founding more than seven decades ago, JBS has grown to become the world's largest meatpacking company. Last year, the company reported net revenue of $77.2 billion and net income of $2 billion, according to regulatory filings.

JBS operates a sprawling business worldwide, with significant divisions in Brazil, the U.S. and Australia. The company also owns more than 80% of Pilgrim's Pride , the U.S. poultry giant.

JBS's U.S. listing is more than 15 years in the making. The company's U.S. subsidiary first announced plans to go public in 2009, but the move never came to fruition after two postponements. Then, in late 2016, the company said it would have a U.S. initial public offering as part of a broader reorganization strategy. But months later, the Brazilian government began investigating corruption in the meatpacking company  including among JBS and its top executives.

J&F Investimentos, the holding company that owns a controlling stake in JBS, paid a $3.2 billion fine in 2017 to settle bribery charges. Former chair Joesley Batista and his older brother CEO Wesley Batista, the company's top shareholders and the sons of its founder, managed to avoid prison sentences by cooperating with prosecutors. The Batistas and J&F settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020 for roughly $27 million.

The Batistas exited J&F in the wake of the scandal. However, they returned to the company's board last year after being acquitted of insider trading charges.

More recently, in October, the Brazilian government fined JBS for buying cattle that were allegedly illegally raised in protected land in the Amazon.

The company's history of corruption and bribery allegations led to opposition to its U.S. listing from lawmakers on the both sides of the aisle, making it look unlikely that regulators would grant their approval.

After President Donald Trump's reelection, JBS's subsidiary Pilgrim's Pride donated $5 million to his inaugration committee, making it the single largest donor. In a statement to CNBC at the time, the company said it had a "long bipartisan history participating in the civic process" and looked forward to working with the new administration.

The SEC approved JBS's request to list on the New York Stock Exchange in April. JBS shareholders approved the move by a narrow margin the following month.
Protests are cropping up across the country opposing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency and military presence in California. Meanwhile, some Los Angeles business owners are finding their own way to support immigrant, Latino and Hispanic communities targeted by recent federal immigration enforcement raids.

SueEllen Mancini, 34, is the owner of Sad Girl Creamery, an LA-based ice cream business that offers Latin-inspired flavors like chocoflan and guava jam cheesecake. She tells CNBC Make It she's unable to protest because she is her mother's primary caretaker.

"But I figured, 'OK, we can put our heads together and be able to give back, even if it's just a little bit,'" Mancini say. "And I think the biggest way I could personally give back is monetarily."

On Sunday, Mancini says she will donate 20% of sales from her pop-up at downtown LA's Smorgasburg event, including all tips, to The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, an LA County-based immigrant rights group.

Mancini launched Sad Girl Creamery from her home in 2021 after buying a $300 Whynter ice cream maker. She considers her venture a "microbusiness." Even so, "I think it's important to put your money where your mouth is and really give back to the people who are on the ground trying to make a difference, even if you can't personally be there," Mancini says.

"It means a lot to be able to give back to the people who are going through the same situations we've gone through in the past," she says.

The latest news of immigration enforcement raids is personal. When Mancini was a teenager, she says her older brother, then 18 years old, was deported. He had been born outside of the country, came to the U.S. as an infant and was unaware of his immigration status, Mancini says.

"My brother was only a 1-year old [when he arrived in the U.S.], so America was literally all he knew up until his deportation," Mancini says. "This was before [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals]. My mother later had me here in the U.S., making me the only citizen [and] documented in the family for 25 years."

Mancini says she and her family, including her mom and an older sister, are still paying immigration lawyer fees for her brother's return to the U.S., "and it is a painfully long process and really expensive."

Mancini works alongside her mom, Maria Lupes, to run Sad Girl Creamery, which operates out of a commercial kitchen in Culver City and sells pints in stores around the metro area.

"[My mom has] always been really hard-working and very independent [and] a super quick thinker," Mancini says about working with her mom. "I get everything from her, so her great working aspects and creativity definitely rubs off on me."

Mancini, who grew up in Houston, says moving to LA in 2018 helped her embrace her family's roots in Uruguay and Chile.

"When I visited the first time I immediately saw how Latino-focused it is, the whole community, and that made me feel close to my own culture," she told the LA Times in 2023. "That made me want to be closer to that side of myself that I had never paid attention to. ... I come from an immigrant family, I grew up that way. I share all those experiences, but I had never expressed it."

Roughly 10 million people call LA County home, and some 49% identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data.

Mancini uses her platform around Sad Girl Creamery to raise awareness for mental health issues, too, which she says are still stigmatized in many areas of U.S. Latino culture. Many Latinos face barriers to care.

As for her upcoming efforts to raise money for local immigrant groups, "I really hope that we get a lot of people to show up [and] help put more more money towards helping these people," Mancini says. "Come and enjoy ice cream that's literally inspired by these cultures."

"Maybe the ice cream might make you feel a little better," Mancini adds. "Things are really scary out there, but as long as we support one another, we can get through this. We're a strong community."

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In blue zones, communities known for having the highest life expectancies in the world, longevity researcher Dan Buettner says breakfast is a top priority. Based on his time and research in places like Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy, Buettner suggests that first meal of the day may be crucial to living a long, healthy life.



"We have a saying, 'Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper,'" Buettner, who coined the term "blue zones," told CNBC Make It last year.



"In blue zones, they are eating the biggest meal of the day for breakfast and then eating smaller meals as the day progresses, oftentimes eating an early dinner and then not eating until breakfast the next day."



But the breakfasts eaten by residents in blue zones aren't at all like what Americans typically eat to start the day, he notes.

"People should avoid most of what is marketed to us in America as breakfast foods such as pop tarts, sugar laden cereals, yogurts and granola," Buettner says.

"Instead, people should take a page out of the blue zones and eat a hearty, healthy breakfast."
U.S. one-hundred dollar bills at a currency exchange office in Chile on April 4, 2025.

The U.S. dollar pared losses to trade firmer on the yen on Tuesday, after economic data showed American consumers growing more cautious as trade and inflation uncertainty lingered ahead of the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rate later this week.

U.S. retail sales were softer than expected in May, but consumer spending remained supported by solid wage growth.

The dollar initially softened on the print, but quickly reversed those loses as the market digested the data's mixed picture, removing strength the yen had gained following the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) rate decision earlier.

"The weaker headline retail sales release and last week's softer CPI print add more fuel to rate cut speculation, including calls from (U.S. President) Trump for a 100-bps cut," said Uto Shinohara, senior investment strategist at Mesirow Currency Management. "However, the full inflationary impact of tariffs has yet to pass through."

Broader risk sentiment remained fragile with the Israel-Iran conflict entering its fifth day.

The BOJ delivered little surprise to markets at the conclusion of its two-day monetary policy meeting, as it stood pat on rates and laid out a new plan to decelerate the pace of its balance sheet drawdown next year in the face of rising risks such as the Middle East conflict and U.S. tariffs.

The yen swung between losses and gains after the decision, turning negative during Governor Kazuo Ueda's press conference, with the dollar last up 0.25% on the yen at 145.17 yen.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump have yet to reach a trade deal.

Developments in the Middle East are keeping the mood tense, with Trump on Tuesday saying he wanted a "real end" to the nuclear dispute with Iran, and indicating he may send senior American officials to meet with the Islamic Republic.

It follows news on Monday from the White House that Trump left the Group of Seven summit in Canada a day early due to the situation in the Middle East, as the president has requested that the National Security Council be prepared in the situation room.

"The market is shifting its focus back and forth to the war in the Middle East and the trade war," said Adam Button, chief currency analyst, ForexLive. "So, I think the market struggles to keep the focus on economic data, even with the Fed coming tomorrow."

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The escalations between Israel and Iran have sent the price of Brent crude higher.

Elsewhere, the euro was down 0.37% at $1.1516.

The pound was last down 0.5% against the dollar at $1.3506 . Trump signed an agreement on Monday formally lowering some tariffs on imports from Britain as the countries continue working toward a formal trade deal.

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar was down 0.22% at US$0.65103. Meanwhile, against a basket of currencies, the dollar rose 0.3% to 98.49.

The Federal Reserve's policy decision on Wednesday is taking centre stage for FX market watchers. Expectations are for the central bank to keep rates on hold, though the focus will be on any guidance regarding the rate outlook.

"The implications for the Federal Reserve's policy trajectory are mixed, and likely won't become clear for a few months yet," said Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist, Corpay.
Global artificial intelligence deals under the Trump administration this year have thrust "sovereign AI" into the limelight, bringing to life a new engine to power the AI investment cycle. While the first major wave of AI was tied to innovation spurred by private sector tech companies, Wall Street is now looking for opportunities that are tied to the growth from the public sector. These so-called sovereign AI deals involve a nation's capabilities to produce and control its own AI infrastructure, data, regulations and networks. The term isn't new, but analysts and investors are taking notice of the trend given U.S. President Donald Trump 's enthusiasm to strike AI deals between domestic tech giants and select foreign allies. In May, the president scrapped Biden-era U.S. chip export restrictions , known as the "AI diffusion rule." That move helped pave the way for Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices to supply chips to Saudi company Humain . "Sovereign AI has risen from the ashes of the Biden AI Diffusion rule to now squarely fit with the Trump Administration's goals to reshape allies in the Middle East around American technology," Ben Reitzes, head of technology research at Melius Research, said in a May note to clients. "Nvidia (along with even AMD and Cisco) now have a spring in their step.  This trend is just starting." Some nations have also released long-term frameworks for their AI public and commercial infrastructure strategies. Canada last December launched the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy, while India kicked off its IndiaAI Mission in March 2024 . Further, last year, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators rolled out a road map for artificial intelligence policy, seeking a $32 billion annual investment in AI research and development by 2026. Underpinning this trend is the belief that AI will be a key tool in influencing global power dynamics. "With c. $16tn annual global economic value on the line, AI is becoming key in setting the new world order," Bank of America analyst Haim Israel said in a May note. "It is not just the race for technological development but also for resources, supply chains, regulation and standards that are on the line," the analyst added. "Whoever controls AI could have an advantage, possibly reshaping the geopolitical balance of power." Bank of America estimates the global sovereign AI market could be worth $50 billion annually and lead to an "AI infrastructure opportunity" ranging from $450 billion to $500 billion, according to another May note to clients. The firm estimates that at least $2.5 trillion in funding toward AI investments and partnerships have been announced so far this year. This includes projects from Big Tech, recent pledges from the Middle East and North Africa region, the Stargate project  which is a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank  and efforts in the European Union . "These should increase the rollout of AI and improve the economics," Bank of America's Israel said. A new driver for leading AI stocks To capture this momentum, major tech companies are building out product portfolios tied to sovereign AI, framing the technology as a catalyst for national economic and industry growth, national security enforcement, and scientific discovery. For starters, Cisco Systems is "the sovereign AI player no one talks about," Reitzes said in a June 2 note to clients. In May, the networking giant announced it would partner with Saudi Arabia's Humain to build AI infrastructure. Reitzes thinks investors are overlooking the value of Cisco's recent deals in the Middle East , as he said greater sovereign demand could lead the company to see a pickup in AI product orders and spur a breakout in shares. He reiterated his buy rating and $78 price target on the stock, which suggests nearly 20% upside from Thursday's close. Cisco shares have risen 8% this year. "Middle Eastern sovereign entities are unproven, and the investment figures seem cartoonish  but Cisco may have achieved the equivalent of adding a hyperscaler to its customer list," Reitzes wrote. "The company boasts an excellent longstanding relationship with the CEO of Saudi's HUMAIN and other leaders of UAE and Qatar entities  who are not short on cash." Cisco has seen rapid growth in its switching business, which has attracted demand from cloud data center customers. In the fiscal third quarter , Cisco's AI infrastructure orders exceeded expectations for the second quarter in a row, Reitzes noted. The company is "getting on the right side of AI, which can help expand its multiple," Reitzes said. "With HUMAIN, UAE and Qatar, these AI orders could multiply  and start to catch investors' attention and contribute to an acceleration in switching later in FY26 and FY27." Analysts have also pointed to chipmakers Nvidia and AMD as the obvious leaders of sovereign AI, given their multiyear AI infrastructure partnerships with Humain. AMD signed a deal with Humain: A $10 billion collaboration to deploy 500 megawatts of AI compute capacity over the next five years. The agreement involves AMD's deployment of its Instinct GPUs, EPYC processors and ROCm open software ecosystem. Nvidia said it is deploying 18,000 of its most advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips to Humain. On news of the Humain deal, Bank of America's Vivek Arya reiterated his buy ratings on Nvidia and AMD and lifted his price targets on each stock by $10 to $160 and $130, respectively, citing "upside to long-term AI opportunity." Arya called the Humain partnership "an important win" for AMD. "Conceptually this would be the first time for AMD on a 'similar' footing as NVDA in terms of engagement in large projects," the analyst said in a note. "However, NVDA appears to be getting direct awards, while AMD appears to be engaged in a [joint venture]-like approach (with Cisco) with some unspecified level of investments." The trickle-down impact of sovereign AI investments Analysts and investors think that growth in sovereign AI will have knock-on positive effects on other parts of the AI industry  such as foundry, optical and memory technology companies. In addition to Nvidia and AMD, T. Rowe Price portfolio manager Tony Wang called out Arista Networks and Broadcom as strong plays for exposure to AI leaders as well as to companies building projects abroad. "I think Nvidia would be the most standard way that the world will build on. Broadcom is more custom," he said. Wang manages T. Rowe Price's Science & Technology Fund (PRSCX) , and its holdings include Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD and Arista Networks, as of March 31. Bank of America's Arya named Marvell Technology another beneficiary of the trend and is bullish on the semiconductor company's earnings growth over the next several years. Though Wall Street is growing keen on this trend now, tech CEOs have been calling for the push of government-led AI investments since the early innings of the artificial intelligence boom. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna have called for countries to continue building out their sovereign AI capabilities. In 2023, Krishna reportedly advocated for governments to set up large language models, national AI computing centers and common data sets for specific use cases. Huang said on Nvidia's May 28 earnings call that "sovereign AI is a new growth engine for Nvidia." During a fireside chat in 2023, he also highlighted "a recognition that every region and every country needs to build their sovereign AI." The call for greater AI investment goes back even further. In 2021, a group of experts chaired by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned about increasing competition between the U.S. and China "in the AI era" and suggested a government AI investment plan that wound up very similar to the one U.S. lawmakers proposed in 2024.
This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

The survivor of the Air India Flight 171 crash Thursday revealed he miraculously survived by escaping through a broken emergency exit.

There were 242 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, that crashed shortly after takeoff in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, smashing in a fiery blast into a medical college hostel, killing and injuring more people on the ground.

The plane crashed into a hostel for the B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital (BJMC). As a result, four students at BJMC died, six relatives of resident doctors died and 24 are undergoing treatment, the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) Doctors Association said Friday.

It was the worst aviation disaster in a decade. Ramesh Viswashkumar, 40, was the sole person aboard the doomed flight to survive.

"I can't explain. Everything was happening in my eye. I can't explain," Viswashkumar, a British national of Indian origin, told DD News, an Indian state-owned broadcaster Friday.

Police said Viswashkumar was in seat 11A, near an emergency exit. Viswashkumar, visibly cut up from the crash, said he was able to escape moments before the blast when the emergency door broke.

"Emergency door is broken. My seat is broken. Then I see the space a little bit and I will try to come out," he told DD News. He was able to get out as the aircraft caught fire.

"Little bit of fire, after I'm out, then blast," he recalled.

Footage of the crash showed a massive ball of fire as the plane's full fuel tanks exploded, filling the sky with thick black smoke.

Survivability is "extremely limited" in plane crashes like the one that happened in Ahmedabad yesterday, said Trevor Bock, a safety consultant at Aviation Safety Asia.

A large, heavy aircraft will be torn apart by the enormous amount of energy it carries as the plane hits the ground, he said. "We're talking thousands of kilograms of weight," adding that the plane, which has just taken off, had "a lot of fuel."

Viswashkumar explained that he and his brother had been staying in India for the last eight or nine months and he was bound back home to London, where his family lived.

Viswashkumar told Reuters in Hindi that within a minute after takeoff, the plane felt like it came to a standstill in the air and the green and white cabin lights turned on.

"I could feel engine thrust increasing to go up but it crashed with speed into the building," he told Reuters.

He explained that the side of the plane he was on landed on the ground floor of the hostel.

"I could see that there was space outside the aircraft, so when my door broke I tried to escape through a little space and I did. On the opposite side (of plane) was the building wall, so nobody could have escaped. The plane crashed there. There was some space where I landed," he said.

"I don't know how I managed to escape. It was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others (died)," he added.

Viswashkumar's left hand was burned. An ambulance took him to a hospital where he remains in recovery.

He is "doing well" but "psychologically disturbed" by the event, according to the medical director of the Civil Hospital, where he is being treated.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Viswashkumar in the hospital Friday.

Viswashkumar summed up his extraordinary survival in a few words: "It's miracle, everything," he told DD News.

Viswashkumar's brother in the United Kingdom told Sky News, NBC News' international partner, that "this is a miracle that he survived."

"But what other miracle for my other brother?" he said, referring to their third brother who was on the flight with Viswashkumar.

In total, there were 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board, Air India said, and 241 were killed. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, a Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury moved up more than 5 basis points to 4.411%, while 2-year yields rose more than 4.5 basis points to 3.954%.

U.S. Treasury yields rose on Friday in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Iran that drove up energy prices and led to concern that inflation may move higher.

Friday's moves came after Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, hitting sites linked to Iran's nuclear program. The attacks killed Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, head of the Iranian Armed Forces, as well as Hossein Salami, chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iranian state media. Two of Iran's top nuclear scientists were also reportedly killed in the airstrikes.

Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, vowed to retaliate. A state of emergency was declared in Israel, with civilians warned that a missile and drone attack against Israel was anticipated "in the immediate future."

Tensions were exacerbated Friday afternoon after Israel Defense Forces said that Iran launched missiles toward Israel in retaliation for Israel's airstrikes against Iran. Iranian state television said Friday afternoon that Iran will not participate in the sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the U.S. scheduled for this weekend in Oman.

U.S. President Donald Trump earlier Friday had warned in a Truth Social post that Iran must come to the negotiating table.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," Trump wrote. "No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

 With reporting by CNBC's Jesse Pound
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Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other late on Saturday, stoking fears of a wider conflict after Israel expanded its surprise campaign against its main rival with a strike on the world's biggest gas field. Tehran called off nuclear talks that Washington had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were nothing compared with what Iran would see in the coming days. Israel's military said more missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel late on Saturday, and that it was working to intercept them. It also said it was attacking military targets in Tehran. Iranian state television said Iran had launched missiles and drones at Israel. Several projectiles were visible in the night sky over Jerusalem late on Saturday. Air raid sirens did not sound in the city, but were heard in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Israel's ambulance service said a woman in her 20s was killed and 13 other people injured when a missile struck a two-story house in northern Israel. Iran said the Shahran oil depot in Tehran was targeted in an Israeli attack but that the situation was under control. U.S. President Donald Trump had warned Iran of worse to come, but said it was not too late to halt the Israeli campaign if Tehran accepted a sharp downgrading of its nuclear program. A round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks due to be held in Oman on Sunday was canceled, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying the discussions could not take place while Iran was being subjected to Israel's "barbarous" attacks. In the first apparent attack to hit Iran's energy infrastructure, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iran partially suspended production at the world's biggest gas field after an Israeli strike caused a fire there on Saturday. The South Pars field, offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province, is the source of most of the gas produced in Iran. Fears about potential disruption to the region's oil exports had already driven up oil prices 9% on Friday even though Israel spared Iran's oil and gas on the first day of its attacks. An Iranian general, Esmail Kosari, said on Saturday that Tehran was reviewing whether to close the Strait of Hormuz controlling access to the Gulf for tankers.

Missiles launched from Iran towards Israel are intercepted, as seen from Gedera, Israel, on June 14, 2025. Ilan Assayag | Reuters

Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, on Saturday warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that "Tehran will burn" if it keeps firing missiles at Israeli civilians, Reuters reported. "The Iranian dictator is taking the citizens of Iran hostage, bringing about a reality in which they, and especially Teheran's residents, will pay a heavy price for the flagrant harm inflicted upon Israel's citizens. If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn," Katz said in a statement. IDF told Israeli citizens to seek protected shelter until further notice while its "Iron Dome" missile defense systems intercept the new threat, NBC News reported. Meanwhile, an NBC crew in Tehran reported that drones, missiles and fighter jets could be heard across parts of the city as Iran deploys its air defenses. The latest rocket launches come as Israel continues carrying out military operations against Iran following what it called a "preemptive strike" against that country's nuclear program and other targets, while Tehran seeks retribution.

A view of the damage after one of the missiles fired by Iran in retaliation for the attacks hit very close to the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel on June 13, 2025. Saeed Qaq | Anadolu | Getty Images

The U.S. military is helping to shoot down Iranian missiles and projectiles being launched at Israel, three American officials told NBC on Friday. The Pentagon had recently moved military assets into the region ahead of Israel's initial strike, another U.S. official told NBC. The assets include U.S. Navy destroyers that were positioned off the coast of Israel to intercept aerial counterattacks from Iran, that official said. The U.S. also used ground-based interceptors, including THAAD and Patriot batteries, two U.S. officials told NBC. Photos and videos from Tel Aviv showed Israel's Iron Dome intercepting rockets over the city.

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. Leo Correa | AP

The U.S. has insisted that the American military was not involved in Israel's "unilateral action." But U.S. President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Friday that the U.S. was aware of Tel Aviv's plan. And in a call with NBC, he seemed pleased with Israel's performance, saying, "They had the finest equipment in the world, which is American equipment." Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke earlier Friday, a U.S. official told NBC. He also spoke on the phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for about 20 minutes, a White House official told NBC. Iran's official state news agency said after launching its counterattacks, "The Hard Retaliation operation has begun." "Iran has launched a powerful and decisive response to the Zionist regime's recent brutal attack," the agency said. "Just moments ago, Iran began firing hundreds of ballistic missiles toward the occupied territories."

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. Tomer Neuberg | AP

Video showed missiles striking Tel Aviv. Israeli defense systems are operating to intercept the missiles, according to IDF, which instructed the public to enter protected spaces and remain there until further notice. U.S. stock markets closed lower Friday, as Iran's retaliatory strikes fueled fears of a broader regional conflict. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell more than 700 points, or nearly 2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite each dropped more than 1%. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement, said, "The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime." "The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured," Khamenei said.

Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. Leo Correa | AP

Iran will not participate in the sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the United States scheduled for this weekend, Iranian state television reported earlier. The talks were expected to take place on Sunday in Muscat, Oman. "We are still hoping for talks," a U.S. official said Friday morning, hours after Israel launched its Operation Rising Lion assault on Iran. But the Times of Oman reported that the Oman News Agency and Iranian state television said the talks were suspended until further notice.

This picture shows rocket trails in the sky above Netanya on June 13, 2025. Jack Guez | AFP | Getty Images

Israel said it had struck Iranian nuclear sites in Isfahan and Natanz, along with many other targets. Israeli Army Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the attacks, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, in addition to targeting Iran's nuclear program, are intended to degrade the nation's long-range missile capabilities, NBC reported. Defrin said Israel is aware of Iran's intention to launch missiles and drones in retaliation. Meanwhile, two Iranian news agencies reported that two explosions were heard near the nation's Fordo nuclear enrichment site, according to NBC. That site is buried deep underground.

Air defense systems were activated in central Tehran. Trump earlier Friday urged Tehran to reach a nuclear deal "before there is nothing left," hours after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Iran. "I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," Trump said on his Truth Social media platform. He added that he warned Tehran that "the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it." Circumstances "will only get worse," but further bloodshed could still be prevented, Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media during a refueling stop at Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, March 12, 2025, as he travels from talks with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia to attending a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Canada.

A federal judge in California on Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. State Department from implementing an agency-wide reorganization plan that includes 2,000 layoffs.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco during a virtual hearing said her May ruling barring federal agencies from laying off tens of thousands of employees at the direction of President Donald Trump applies to the planned overhaul announced by the State Department last month.

U.S. Department of Justice lawyer Alexander Resar said in response that the State Department would not issue layoff notices that were scheduled to go out on Saturday.

The State Department had argued that its reorganization plan submitted to Congress last month predated a February executive order and subsequent White House memo directing mass layoffs, placing it outside the scope of Illston's decision.

The ruling came in a lawsuit by a group of unions, nonprofits and municipalities.

The State Department and lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Trump administration has already asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause Illston's May decision while it appeals. Illston blocked about 20 federal agencies, including the State Department, from carrying out plans to downsize and restructure at Trump's direction, pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

But the department told Congress in late May that it still planned to notify about 2,000 employees this month that they were being laid off and would reorganize or eliminate more than 300 bureaus and offices.

The State Department in May said it would undertake its reorganization plan by July 1, and has not commented about the potential impact of the lawsuit.

In a court filing on Friday, Daniel Holler, the deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said the agency's plan was crafted by Rubio and a small group of advisers to streamline operations and not in response to any directive from Trump.

Illston, in her May decision, said the White House cannot order the restructuring of federal agencies without authorization from Congress.

The ruling was the broadest of its kind against the government overhaul that was spearheaded by Trump ally Elon Musk, the world's richest person, who had a swift and acrimonious falling out with the Republican president last week.

Musk on Wednesday said he regretted some of the comments he had made about Trump in social media posts and deleted some of them, including one signaling support for Trump's impeachment.
The sudden spike in oil prices in response to Israel's attack against Iran should be short lived unless physical supplies are actually disrupted in the Middle East, energy analysts say. U.S. crude oil prices surged as much as 14% after Israel launched airstrikes against Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Prices have come down from the highs as it has become clear that Israel has spared the OPEC member's energy infrastructure  at least for now. U.S. West Texas Intermediate was last up $5.09, or 7.48%, to $73.13 per barrel at 9:43 a.m. ET. Global benchmark Brent rose $5.02, or 7.23%, to $74.38 per barrel. Crude oil futures are heading for the biggest intraday gain since March 2022, the month after Russia invaded Ukraine. "The increase in oil prices thus far is driven more by fears than physical impacts," Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read told clients in a note Thursday. Physical barrels of crude oil would need to be knocked out of the market for prices to rise higher at this point, Read said. The risk premium in oil prices will probably persist until investors have clarity on how Iran and the U.S. will react to Israel's strikes, said Mark Haefele, UBS global wealth management chief investment officer. "If there are no supply disruptions, oil prices should fall again," Haefele said. Just two months ago, crude prices hit the lowest levels since 2021 due to OPEC+ surging production and President Donald Trump's tariffs. Oil unlikely to face disruption Goldman Sachs is maintaining its 2026 price forecast of $56 per barrel Brent and $52 per barrel U.S. crude. Goldman is assuming oil supplies will not face serious disruption in the Middle East. Energy supplies did not end up in the cross hairs last year when Israel and Iran exchanged missile barrages, according to Citi. Iran's relations have also improved with its Gulf Arab neighbors, so Tehran is unlikely to target their supplies, according to the investment bank. "Disruptions to energy flow should be limited," Citi analysts led by Anthony Yuen told clients in a Thursday note. "Thus, heightened geopolitical tensions may well remain, but we do not expect energy prices to stay elevated for a sustained period of time." But Goldman warned that geopolitical risks have risen sharply and prices could skyrocket in extreme scenarios. Brent prices could shoot to a peak of $90 per barrel if Israel hits Iran's oil infrastructure hard enough to knock 1.75 million barrels per day out of the market for a six months, according to Goldman. Oil prices could shoot above $100 per barrel if Iran interrupts trade in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Goldman. About one-fifth of the world's oil flows through the strait. But a disruption in the strait is viewed as very unlikely by most analysts. "I've heard assessments that it would be very difficult for the Iranians to close the Strait of Hormuz, given the presence of the U.S Fifth Fleet in Bahrain," Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "But they could target tankers there, they could mine the straits," Croft said. But Iran's military power has been so degraded by Israel in previous rounds of conflict that the Islamic Republic has a limited ability to respond, said John Kilduff, founding partner at Again Capital. Oil prices usually surge in response to tensions involving Iran but then come down eventually, Kilduff said. "Cooler heads and really the reality of the situation tends to prevail and these markets calm down accordingly," Kilduff told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street."
Caitlin Clark, #22 of the Indiana Fever, brings the ball up court during the first half of a WNBA game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Aug. 30, 2024.

The WNBA and E.W. Scripps announced on Friday a new multiyear media rights agreement to carry Friday night WNBA matchups on Ion.

The new agreement also includes the "WNBA on Ion" studio show, the first weekly broadcast show dedicated exclusively to WNBA coverage.

The value of the deal was not disclosed, but media reports peg the original deal that expires at the end of the 2025 season at an average of $13 million annually.

The WNBA has been airing games on Ion since 2023. This season, the network will broadcast 50 regular season games. Ion is available on pay TV and streaming platforms in more than 128 million homes, according to a news release.

The new agreement comes after Ion has seen huge growth with the WNBA and as the league gains in popularity thanks to stars such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

The network said WNBA Friday Night Spotlight viewership grew 133% year over year and more than 23 million unique viewers tuned into the coverage.

"Our robust partnership with the league has flourished, and we are thrilled to solidify ION's status as the premier Friday night destination for WNBA action for years to come," said Scripps CEO Adam Symson in the release.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said the partnership with Scripps has helped the league expand its reach and visibility.

"This new multi-year agreement reflects the growing excitement surrounding the league and the rising demand for WNBA games," she said.

The league signed an 11-year media rights deal with Disney , Amazon and Comcast -owned NBCUniversal last July as part of the NBA's media rights negotiation. The WNBA's deal is valued at about $200 million per year, CNBC previously reported.

 CNBC's Lillian Rizzo contributed to this report.

Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the parent company of CNBC.
People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Majid Saeedi | Getty Images News | Getty Images

World leaders are calling for restraint after Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran early Friday morning, in an escalation of regional tensions. Israel has said that the strikes were targeting Iran's nuclear program. Leading nuclear scientists and high-ranking military officials were killed in the strikes, according to Iranian media. While the U.S. did not partake in the strikes, President Donald Trump was briefed on them beforehand. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. Washington, which has been carrying out negotiations to reach a new nuclear agreement with Tehran, has previously said it would prefer a brokered deal to an armed offensive. As of the latest, Iran has launched around 100 drones toward Israeli territory that the Jewish state was working to intercept, according to an Israeli military spokesperson. A state of emergency was declared in Israel. The attacks raised concerns about the potential for broader clashes and hostilities in the region that is already facing instability and conflict along the embattled Gaza Strip.

'Now is the time for restraint'

On Friday, Trump said on the Truth Social media platform that he had previously warned Iran of the strength of U.S. military equipment "and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it." He also urged Iran to make a nuclear deal "before there is nothing left," suggesting that future strikes could be more intense. Elsewhere, U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer said that the reports of strikes were "concerning" and called on those involved to "step back and reduce tensions urgently." "Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy," he said in a post on X. British Foreign Minister David Lammy also said that any further escalation was "a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no one's interest." The French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, struck a similar tone on Friday, also calling for "all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid any escalation likely to compromise regional stability." In a social media post, Barrot also noted that France had previously shared concerns about Iran's nuclear program. "We reaffirm Israel's right to defend itself against any attack," he said according to a CNBC translation. Barrot added that it was essential to ease tensions through diplomatic channels, and that France was committed to contributing to this. German chancellor Friedrich Merz echoed this sentiment in a series posts on social media platform X, saying Germany was ready to influence the conflicting parties with all available diplomatic tools. "We affirm that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the safety of its citizens. We call on both sides to refrain from steps that could lead to a further escalation and could destabilize the entire region," he said, according to a CNBC translation. "The goal has to remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons," Merz added. In Asia, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he condemned Israel's attack, warning that it could further destabilize the region. "Malaysia calls on Israel's partners  especially those with influence and leverage  to apply maximum pressure to halt further aggression," he said in a post on social media platform X. China's ministry of foreign affairs also called for de-escalation efforts and offered to help with any such efforts, according to a CNBC translation of a state media report. Meanwhile, Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement that it condemned Israel's strikes and that unprovoked attacks of sovereign United Nations members were "categorically unacceptable," according to a Google translation.

A dangerous situation

Elsewhere, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that "the situation in the Middle East is dangerous." "Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation," she added in a post on social media platform X. A spokesperson for United Nations General-Secretary Antonio Guterres meanwhile said that the U.N. chief condemned "any military escalation in the Middle East" and called for "maximum restraint." "He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Regional reactions
A fire broke out aboard the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Interasia Tenacity on Thursday morning while it was en route to Nhava Sheva port near Mumbai. The fire, reported around 8:40 am, was confined to a single container on the deck. The vessels crew brought the situation under control, and no further assistance was required, the Indian Coast Guard confirmed.The ship, carrying 1,387 containers and 21 Filipino crew members, had departed Port Klang, Malaysia, on June 8 and was expected to arrive at Nhava Sheva late Friday night.Upon receiving a distress call over marine radio, the Coast Guard deployed offshore patrol vessel ICGS Sachet for firefighting support and launched an aircraft for aerial surveillance. The vessel is now sailing under close watch of the Coast Guard and Indian Navy.This is the second incident involving a Singapore-flagged vessel in Indian waters within a few days. On June 9, a fire erupted aboard the MV Wan Hai 503 after a container exploded off the Kerala coast while en route from Colombo to Mumbai.The Wan Hai 503 remains afloat but unmanned and is drifting southeast in the Arabian Sea. About 40% of the fire has been brought under control so far. Indian Coast Guard ships Samudra Prahari and Samarth are using foam and boundary cooling techniques to contain the blaze. A salvage team, including the Salvage Master and Coast Guard divers, has successfully boarded the vessel.Dry chemical powder was air-dropped over the ship to suppress the fire more effectively. Hydrocarbon vapours were detected near fuel tanks, prompting continuous onboard safety checks. Additional shipsRajdoot, Arnvesh, Abhinav, and ICGS 513are conducting search and rescue operations in the area.Of the 22 crew members aboard Wan Hai 503, 18 have been rescued and four remain missing. After an earlier failed attempt, a tow connection has been established with Emergency Towing Vessel Water Lily and a Coast Guard vessel.Operations are being led by the Marine Emergency Response Centre, Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Navy, and other maritime agencies in coordination with the ships owners.Five more personnel, including three salvage experts and two rescue divers, have been flown in to assist. Additional firefighting supplies are also being dispatched as containment and stabilisation efforts continue.
Haitis first commercial flight in seven months took off on Thursday (June 12) from the capital and headed to the northern city of Cap-Haitien, where excited passengers hoped to reunite with friends, relatives and business associates. The Sunrise Airways flight of 19 passengers was the first such flight departing from Port-au-Prince since gang violence halted the airport's operations in November. So far, only domestic flights are resuming, with no timetable yet for international flights.Its been over a year since Ive traveled, James Jean-Charles said. The country is infested with gangs. You cant go by road. Meanwhile, Jean-Charles, 41, smiled and explained he was going to visit his parents and cousins in the coastal city after struggling to stay in touch with them via phone because of poor connectivity.Inside the Guy Malary terminal, which is used for domestic flights, people gathered around a restaurant serving coffee, goat, chicken and plantains. Awaiting Sunrise Airways second flight of the day was Garry Jean-Pierre, a computer technician.I finally found a way to get there and not lose the contracts I had, he said of his upcoming trip to Cap-Haitien.Its been a year since he last visited, but it never crossed his mind to travel by road, where gang members are known to open fire randomly on vehicles. I would not take the risk, he said. You dont know when theyll decide to kill.Outside the Guy Malary terminal, the parking lot was packed with cars as workers hauled luggage and men working in the black market exchanged U.S. dollars and Haitian gourdes. This is very good, said taxi driver Marc Jean-Baptiste as he observed people bustling. I couldnt properly care for my family.He said he hoped that international flights to Port-au-Prince would restart soon, but thats unlikely to happen.The Toussaint Louverture airport in Port-au-Prince closed in mid-November for the second time last year after gangs opened fire on a Spirit Airlines flight as it prepared to land, striking a flight attendant who suffered minor injuries.Other commercial planes were hit that day, prompting Spirit, JetBlue and American Airlines to cancel their flights to Port-au-Prince. None of those flights have resumed. While the main international airport reopened in December, there were no commercial flights operating until Thursday.The resumption of domestic flights marks a rare success in Haitis fight against gangs that control at least 85% of Port-au-Prince. A powerful gang federation previously forced the main international airport to close for nearly three months in early 2024.
Nebraska alleges Temu's app contains malware that secretly harvests user data and bypasses device security

The lawsuit claims Temu engages in deceptive practices including fake product descriptions, artificially inflated reviews, and misleading "local" labels

State officials warn that Chinese law requires Temu to share user data with the Chinese government upon request, potentially compromising American consumers' privacy

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against Chinese e-commerce platform Temu and its affiliates, accusing the company of widespread consumer protection violations that put state residents' privacy and finances at risk.

The legal action alleges that Temu's mobile app functions as sophisticated malware that secretly collects extensive personal data from users' devices. According to the complaint, the app bypasses normal security measures to gain "unrestricted access to essentially everything" on users' phones, including data from Nebraskans who have never downloaded the application.

The privacy concerns extend beyond typical data collection practices. The lawsuit warns that Chinese law requires Temu to provide user information to the Chinese government upon request, with additional legal requirements to conceal such data sharing.

"Once Nebraskans download the Temu app, they lose all control over their personal data, which may ultimately end up in the hands of a hostile foreign power," the complaint states.

Business practices also at issue

Beyond data security issues, the lawsuit outlines multiple deceptive business practices. Hilgers' office alleges that Temu systematically misrepresents product quality through false descriptions and images, while artificially inflating positive reviews and creating fake "market prices" to make actual prices appear more attractive.

The complaint also targets Temu's return policy, claiming the company provides "no meaningful return process" for dissatisfied customers, leaving them stuck with low-quality merchandise that doesn't match advertised descriptions.

Nebraska-specific concerns include alleged trademark infringement involving beloved local brands. The lawsuit claims Temu sells products falsely displaying logos of Union Pacific, Runza, Cabela's, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Creighton Bluejays, misleading consumers into believing they're purchasing authentic, licensed merchandise.

The company's use of "local" labels on product listings also faces scrutiny. While consumers might reasonably expect such labels to indicate support for local businesses, the lawsuit alleges Temu uses the designation merely to indicate products ship from U.S. warehouses, regardless of their actual country of origin.

Environmental claims round out the allegations, with the lawsuit challenging Temu's assertions that purchases support tree-planting initiatives. The complaint suggests these "greenwashing" practices mislead environmentally conscious consumers about the actual impact of their purchases.

"Temu is putting Nebraskans' privacy at risk and running a platform rife with deceptive listings, unlawful promotional practices, and products that rip off Nebraska brands and creations," Hilgers stated. "Our office will hold Temu accountable for its exploitation of Nebraska consumers, brands, and creators."

The lawsuit seeks to halt Temu's alleged unlawful practices, secure refunds for affected Nebraska consumers, impose penalties for state law violations, and obtain other available legal remedies.

This legal action adds Nebraska to a growing list of jurisdictions challenging Temu's business practices, as state and federal authorities increasingly scrutinize Chinese-owned technology platforms operating in American markets.
Even though its been derided by beekeeping experts, and weirded out pretty much the entire internet with its interspecies romance subplot, Jerry Seinfelds Bee Movie continues to endure.

A favorite of Quentin Tarantinos, Bee Movie is currently climbing the Netflix charts, which may be less of a testament to the films quality so much as it is a testament to how little parents care about what they put on TV for their kids just in order to get two minutes to themselves.

Bee Movies most significant role in todays society isnt as a movie, or even a meme factory, but rather, as a tool to protest the far-right.

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Earlier this year, then-special government employee Elon Musk sent a condescending mass email to federal workers asking them to list five things they accomplished that week, or else lose their jobs. Those who do not take this email seriously will soon be furthering their career elsewhere, the Tesla CEO wrote at the time.

When the email address leaked online, countless people messaged Musk and his DOGE team. But the emails didnt list workplace accomplishments, instead, they contained 131 pages worth of text outlining the wacky adventures of Barry B. Benson.

Yup, folks mass-emailed the complete Bee Movie script to Musk. And this was hardly the first time that the terrible script was used to protest harmful government policies. Back in the fall of 2024, The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that they would bar trans Texans from changing the sex listed on their state identification card, and even more chillingly, would track people who request a gender marker update.

The news broke when an anonymous source leaked an internal Department of Public Safety communication, which included an email address for employees to send the information of people who unsuccessfully requested gender marker changes. Reportedly, they only received one message containing an actual report of someones request to change the sex listed on their drivers license. The rest of the emails were either outraged criticisms or, you guessed it, the complete Bee Movie script.

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Before that, Missouris trans snitch form was flooded with copies of Seinfelds screenplay and Utahs anti-trans bathroom complaint form received several photos of Bee Movie characters. Back in 2021, The New York Times reported that Texas Right to Life launched a website asking locals to inform on anyone who violated the states restrictive abortion laws. The tips included accusations against Gov. Greg Abbott and several members of The Avengers, plus copies of the entire script to the 2007 animated film Bee Movie.

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Bee Movie wasnt the only animated kids movie to be utilized in that particular protest, Texas Right to Life also received an assortment of Shrek memes. But the Bee Movie script is clearly the greater punishment, second only to sending in a Blu-ray copy of Bee Movie and forcing people to watch it, A Clockwork Orange-style.
Theres a number of reasons why a creative person might use a pseudonym. Maybe theyre living in a time where a name that gave away their gender might hinder their success (you know, all times), their parents saddled them with a decidedly unartistic name or they want to riff about farts without it affecting their political career.

That said, theres almost never a reason to choose a pseudonym thats weird as hell, so we salute those who go the extra bizarre mile in their renaming efforts.

5 Mark Twain Don't Miss Mark Twain might be itself the worlds most famous pseudonym, but before Samuel Clemens settled on the homage to riverboats, he tried out a number of others of varying inexplicability. These included W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab, Rambler, Grumbler, Peter Pencilcases Son, John Snooks, Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, Sergeant Fathom, Sieur Louis de Conte and Josh. He wasted few words, but mostly on his pseudonyms.

4 Benjamin Franklin Franklin began experimenting with pseudonyms out of necessity as a teenager, as his brother only accepted his submissions to the New England Courant when he didnt know they were written by his stupid baby bro. He made a lifelong habit of wittily presenting a controversial or libelous issue or two sides of an argument while remaining anonymous under names like Silence Dogood, Anthony Afterwit, Martha Careful, Busy Body, Alice Addertongue, Fanny Mournful and Caelia Shortface, which just seems unnecessarily rude.

3 Lewis Capaldi Musicians who write songs for others often do so under pseudonyms to put a boundary between these different identities, but Capaldis alter egos are decidedly more basic than his public persona would let on. These include Anita Jobby, which Capaldi helpfully explained as Scottish slang for taking a dump, and Sooka Phatwan, which no one needs explained. He specifically noted that he uses these names for songs in case theyre absolute fucking duds, so musicians, maybe think hard about the next Sooka Phatwan joint that crosses your desk.

2 Jonathan Swift Advertisement A rarer but nobler use of the pseudonym is to start a beef, which Swift did when he published a series of almanacs for the sole purpose of harassing famous almanac author John Partridge. Under the name Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq., Swift predicted and then confirmed Partridges death in a widespread hoax that annoyed Partridge for the rest of his life, all because of some nebulous disagreement about religion and April Fools Day. You have to admire a man who adopts a name that literally means squabble dick solely for troll purposes.
As the sequel to Spaceballs dropped its first teaser trailer this week, many of the headlines focused on the return of Mel Brooks  about to celebrate his 99th birthday!  as Yogurt. Theres Mel in the sneak peek, looking spry in his Spaceballs: The Sweatshirt outfit.

While performing at Brooks age is a crazy accomplishment, weve seen him continue to act in recent years on shows like Only Murders in the Building and his own History of the World: Part II. The genuinely remarkable cast announcement for Spaceballs 2 is the return of Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet.

Moranis, one of the most successful comedy actors of the 1980s thanks to films like Ghostbusters and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, hasnt been seen on the big screen since 1996s Big Bully with Tom Arnold. (He did a direct-to-video Honey, I Shrunk the Kids sequel in 1997.)

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The actor began phasing out of public life after his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, died of breast cancer in 1991. Im a single parent, and I just found that it was too difficult to manage to raise my kids and to do the traveling involved in making movies, he told USA Today in 2005. So I took a little bit of a break.

That little bit of a break became a much more extended hiatus after Moranis discovered that I really didnt miss it. When he was offered a chance to be in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, he turned it down. I hope its terrific, he told The Hollywood Reporter. But it just makes no sense to me. Why would I do just one day of shooting on something I did 30 years ago?

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But Moranis wasnt done with acting, despite only doing the occasional voice-over job over the past 30 years. Im interested in anything that I would find interesting, he said in 2015. I still get the occasional query about a film or television role, and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, Ill probably do it.

That project did come along, and weirdly, it would have been a collaboration with Josh Gad, one of the creatives behind the new Spaceballs movie. Shrunk would have seen Moranis reprising his role as Wayne Szalinski from the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movies; Gad would have played Moranis grown-up son. The comedy was about to begin filming when the pandemic threw a monkey wrench into the project, which never got back on its tiny feet.

Spaceballs 2 seems like a better outlet for Moranis comedy talents anyway. Welcome back, Rick  were glad this dim Mint Mobile commercial wont be your only on-screen appearance of the century.

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Not long after the end of I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball filed for divorce from Desi Arnaz, telling the world in 1960 that the marriage was a nightmare and nothing at all like the loving Ricardos on television. But that was the second time Ball divorced Arnaz. The first time occurred well before they made sitcom history.

Ball and Arnaz met in 1940 while filming the comedy, Too Many Girls. The comedienne and Cuban-born bandleader enjoyed a whirlwind romance before eloping in November of that year, but there was trouble from the start. Fierce fighting began right away, according to the biography Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television. Even though Ball once took a hammer and smashed every window in their new station wagon, in those early years, our fights were a kind of lovemaking, she remembered. Desi and I enjoyed them, but they exhausted our family and friends, Im afraid.

There were other problems, including ever-present in-laws, Arnazs professional jealousy (Theres no way Im going to stay here and become Mr. Ball), and a significant age difference (Desi was nearly six years younger than his wife). But the biggest issue throughout the marriage was Arnazs infidelities. Bing Crosby once accused him of trying to personify the Good Neighbor policy by seducing every eligible woman on a goodwill tour.

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By the summer of 1944, Arnaz stopped coming home after shows, while gossip magazines reported his dalliances with starlets. Lucy had had enough. In September, she let Desi know she was filing for divorce. When he asked her why years later, she replied, You were screwing everybody at Birmingham Hospital.

Arnaz denied it, but in his memoir, he owned up to lies about cheating on Lucy. If she had caught me in bed with a girl, unless it was right in the middle of the act, I would have jumped out and demanded to know how the girl got in there.

The day before Lucy was to appear in divorce court, Desi called and asked her if she was doing anything for dinner. She accepted his invitation, and the couple spent the meal talking about how theyd do better in their next marriages. One thing led to another, and the two ended up in the sack.

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Alls well? Nope  Lucy bolted out of bed the next morning, announcing she was late for her court date. I told you, Im divorcing you this morning, she said. All the newspaper people are down there. I got a new suit and new hat.

As promised, she went to court and got the divorce decree before returning and jumping back in bed with Desi. That act invalidated the divorce  according to California law, there was a one-year period banning cohabitation after a provisional decree.

Lucy and Desi spent the afternoon in bed, reading about their split in the late editions of the newspapers. The divorce did accomplish one thing. After the court date, Desi started coming home on weekends again.
Yesterday, Mel Brooks formally announced that were finally getting a follow-up to Spaceballs, and this time its a feature film and not a janky cartoon that seemed to parody everything but Star Wars.

In the teaser video for the belated sequel, Brooks himself appeared on screen, boasting that the movie is real and will hit theaters in 2027. While the update about the project was no doubt exciting for fans, a lot of people were mostly focused on the soon-to-be 99-year-olds outfit.

Brooks was seen wearing a Spaceballs: The Sweatshirt sweatshirt, which is obviously a reference to the original films iconic merchandising scene. We put the pictures name on everything, the wise and powerful Yogurt proclaimed, before showing off lucrative products such as Spaceballs: the T-shirt, Spaceballs: the Lunch Box, Spaceballs: the Coloring Book and even Spaceballs: The Flamethrower, which is specifically designated as a childrens toy.

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A number of folks on social media praised Brooks sweatshirt, and inquired about where they can purchase one for themselves.

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Unfortunately, in real life, there is currently no officially-licensed Spaceballs merch. This is because, famously, Brooks sought out George Lucas blessing before making the Star Wars spoof. And while Lucas didnt mind his sci-fi franchise being lampooned, the one condition he had for Brooks was that the comedian refrain from selling any tie-in products, lest consumers confuse Star Wars toys with ones from a movie co-starring Pizza the Hut. Brooks agreed, meaning that no kids got their very own Spaceballs-branded flamethrower that Christmas.

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But this hasnt stopped fans from selling not-so-official Spaceballs merch over the years, including T-shirts, toilet paper and custom action figures. And now, some websites are even selling copies of Brooks Spaceballs sweatshirt from the recent video.

That being said, with the new movie on the horizon, we may be getting an influx of Spaceballs merch. During an appearance at the TCM film festival last year, well before the sequel was first announced, Brooks suggested that he might soon renege on the nearly four decade-old agreement with Lucas. To this day, I havent (broken the Lucas deal), Brooks told moderator Ben Mankiewicz. But in case theres another Spaceballs, who knows? I think thats an old contract, you know?

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Of course, Lucas famously sold his company to Disney back in 2012, and has no vested interest in maintaining the deal. Plus, if he really did try to sue the beloved nonagenarian Brooks, it would probably be the worst thing hes ever done, aside from Jar Jar, midichlorians and cashing that Holiday Special check in 1978.
Fog ransomware hackers, known for targeting US educational institutions, are now using legitimate employee monitoring software Syteca, and several open-source pen-testing tools alongside usual encryption.

While investigating a May 2025 attack on an unnamed financial institution in Asia, Symantec researchers spotted hackers using Syteca (formerly Ekran) and several pen-testers, including GC2, Adaptix, and Stowaway, a behavior they found highly unusual in a ransomware attack chain.

Reflecting on the shift in Fogs tactics, Bugcrowds CISO, Trey Ford, said, We should expect the use of ordinary and legitimate corporate software as the normwe refer to this as living off the land. Why would an attacker introduce new software, create more noise in logs, and increase the likelihood of detection when allowable software gets the job done for them?
A Dominican man is detained by plainclothes ICE officers after his immigration court hearing at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2025. Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

Things can move quickly at 26 Federal Plaza: People arrive alone or with their families for mandatory check-ins at Immigration and Customs Enforcements offices, then disappear inside the building as the Trump administration accelerates its vast machinery of deportation. In drab hallways outside of the immigration courtrooms on the 12th and 14th floors, federal agents in plainclothes and masks that conceal their faces linger to arrest people as they exit their hearings, often with extreme, violent force. Then down to the holding cells on the tenth floor of the 41-story building, where, according to the accounts of those detained and their lawyers, dozens of people are confined together in tight quarters. Many have reportedly been held there for days without access to showers or clean clothes. Some say they saw others sleeping on bathroom floors. (Whats human about this? one man who was detained there told the New York Times.)

Margaret Cargioli, a directing attorney at the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, tells me that one of her clients, a Colombian immigrant named Jaen, was among several arrested on June 4 while waiting for an appointment at a nearby office on Elk Street. Over the course of several hours that day, more than a dozen immigrants were similarly detained there and hauled away into waiting SUVs. Jaens 12-year-old stepdaughter and his wife, Ambar, sobbed and chased after him as federal agents placed him inside a black Nissan while ignoring questions about where they were going. According to Cargioli, Jaen was held for 48 hours at 26 Federal Plaza, where he only received water and bread, before being transported to another facility. She had never heard of this length of detainment at the federal office building before, she says. I would say its unprecedented. Claudia Bernal-Perez, another immigration lawyer, described 26 Federal Plaza as a kind of black box. There is scarce information about clients once they are detained there. Communication can go quiet for days, she says, until a family member gets a call from a detention facility many states away. Everything is in such a disarray, she says.

The secrecy seems to be the point. Representatives Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velazquez waited for an hour in the buildings lobby on Sunday to tour the tenth floor following reports about overcrowding and squalid conditions, only to be denied entry by ICE. It feels like theyre turning 26 Federal Plaza into a de facto short-term detention center, given what we understand, says Daniel Coates, director of public affairs at Make the Road New York. Why they would deny members of Congress the opportunity to see whats going on speaks to the shady way theyre trying to execute this whole deportation scheme.

Outside, protesters have gathered almost daily, some trying to block ICE vans from leaving, only for police to respond with force and mass arrests. Police commissioner Jessica Tisch said her department didnt need backup from the National Guard: We have an army of 34,000 uniformed members of the service. The mayor said he would not allow protesters to destroy our city or harm innocent people. By Thursday, the area surrounding 26 Federal Plaza had been walled off by a maze of barricades. Immigrants from across the city kept showing up for their hearings, not knowing what would come next.

NYPD officers drag multiple protesters away from 26 Federal Plaza on June 7. Photo: Madison Swart/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images

NYPD officers drag multiple protesters away from 26 Federal Plaza on June 7.

A line of NYPD officers stand in front of 26 Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Officers guard the federal building, where ICE officers inside wait to detain people leaving immigration courts and check-ins.

Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Brad Lander, NYC comptroller and mayoral candidate, walks an Ecuadoran couple out of immigration court as a volunteer with Immigrant ARCs Friend of the Court program, which assists immigrants with the court system and helps ensure that those whose cases were dismissed can leave court without being arrested by ICE.

Police officers at a protest against ICE on June 7 used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Photo: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu/Getty Images

Police officers at a protest against ICE on June 7 used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

U.S. representatives Nydia Velazquez and Adriano Espaillat speak to the media opposite the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building after they were denied entry to observe ICE holding facilities there on June 8.

Police officers pull a person away from a group of other protesters in a crowd. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis/Getty Images

Outside 26 Federal Plaza, police officers arrest people protesting the recent detainment of immigrants attending their mandatory court hearings on June 9, 2025.

Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 9. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 9.

Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

A man says good-bye to someone as ICE agents wait to detain him after his immigration court hearing on June 10.

Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

A person holds a Mexican flag at a June 10 protest against ICE and deportations outside of federal buildings downtown.

NYPD officers bring arrested protesters to a police bus on that day. Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

NYPD officers bring arrested protesters to a police bus on that day.

A protest against deportations and ICE on June 10 in New York City. Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images

A protest against deportations and ICE on June 10 in New York City.

Protesters at an anti-ICE demonstration in New York on June 11. Photo: Jonathan Fernandes/Sipa USA/AP

Protesters at an anti-ICE demonstration in New York on June 11.

Police arrest a protester during an anti-ICE demonstration on June 11. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Getty Images
Chinese scientists lead discovery of parasitic fungus from 100 million years ago

Xinhua) 10:17, June 13, 2025

NANJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- An international paleontological team led by Chinese scientists has discovered two new species of parasitic fungus, preserved in approximately 100-million-year-old Kachin amber from Myanmar, according to the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIGPAS).

This discovery provides important evidence for exploring the co-evolution of fungi and insects. Furthermore, the research pushes back the origin of Ophiocordyceps by about 30 million years compared to previous estimates.

Wang Bo, a researcher at NIGPAS who led the study, explained that Ophiocordyceps is a general term for a group of parasitic fungi. Since fungi lack hard structures and decay easily, fossil evidence of Ophiocordyceps has been scarce, resulting in a limited understanding of their origin and evolution.

The two newly discovered fossil species preserve the fungal structures completely, allowing direct comparison with living species. Using high-resolution analytical methods like micro-CT, researchers found their parasitic hosts.

Researchers also collected and analyzed genetic data from 120 extant Ophiocordyceps species. Using the new fossils as a reference, they reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within Ophiocordyceps and revised its origin time.

"The results show the origin of Ophiocordyceps should be around 130 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous, pushing it back by about 30 million years compared to previous research," Wang said.

The research findings were published online Wednesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has been warning the United Nations for well over a decade that Irans hardline Islamic regime is on the brink of developing a nuclear warhead.

His doom-laden rhetoric has become almost part of the global background noise. Like the attention-seeking shepherd-boy in Aesops fairytale, he has cried, Wolf! so many times that the reaction of most world leaders is now to ignore his false alarms.

But the ancient fable ends with a dark twist, when a real wolf attacks the sheep. And this week saw the UNs nuclear watchdog finally sit up and take notice, approving a resolution that accuses Iran of breaking its pledges not to develop nuclear weapons.

The countrys Islamic fundamentalist government has always claimed that its nuclear programme is simply about clean energy. But that is an obvious lie. Iran could always have simply purchased nuclear reactors from Russia and generated ample electricity  but without the plutonium fuel vital to the production of nuclear weapons being under Tehrans control.

Not only would that have been a far cheaper option, but it could also have led to the lifting of Western sanctions. This would, of course, have been a big win for most of the country, but not its supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei.

He has proved willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of his subjects, the people who suffer most from the deprivation resulting from sanctions, by choosing instead to pour billions into nuclear laboratories buried a mile or more underground.

And if the mad mullahs do succeed in developing nukes, they will unleash hell on a neighbour they have long wanted to bomb back to the Stone Age.

Nothing less than a complete abandonment of uranium enrichment in Iran is acceptable to Washington and that is what Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff will seek to achieve if his scheduled meeting with representatives of the Iranian regime goes ahead in Oman on Sunday.

Irans hardline Islamic regime is on the brink of developing a nuclear warhead (Pictured: The nuclear enrichment plant of Natanz, central Iran)

The Americans are calling the Ayatollahs bluff by suggesting that they could facilitate the enrichment of uranium to the level required for electricity production, but not to a weapons-grade level, outside Iran under strict US control through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

But the IAEA believes Iran could already have enough enriched uranium for as many as ten warheads, an estimate based on the copious traces of radioactive heavy metal detected at unofficial bomb-making facilities, deep underground in remote regions. The Ayatollah has made a pretence of condemning nuclear weapons research for more than 20 years. In 2003 he issued a fatwa (religious edict), declaring that Islam forbids the development, production, stockpiling or use of such bombs. But the fatwa means nothing  because Shia Muslim law also permits believers to lie in self-defence, especially when they feel they are facing persecution.

And the real truth is revealed in a joint statement by Irans foreign ministry and its own Atomic Energy Organisation, announcing it will replace its current centrifuges, crucial for enriching uranium, with state-of-the-art equipment at Fordow, one of its main nuclear sites.

The IAEAs resolution marks the first time in more than 20 years that it has accused Iran of breaching its promises. This time, they too believe the wolf is preparing to attack. The obvious target is Israel, which Tehran has repeatedly threatened to destroy. In 2005, the then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared the occupying Zionist regime must be wiped off the map  a bloodcurdling call repeated by many others over the years in Irans theocratic regime.

Ten warheads of a similar destructive power to the atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945 would be far more than the number required to obliterate Israel. Just three might be enough to wipe it off the map  one on Tel Aviv, one on Haifa and one on West Jerusalem.

Those three cities contain about 10 per cent of the nations total population. But Israel is a tiny country, and radiation fall-out from three bombs could make the entire country uninhabitable.

Israels famous Iron Dome missile shield, as well as its Davids Sling, Arrow and Thaad air defence systems, are not impenetrable. Last month, Houthi rebels in Yemen hit Ben Gurion airport between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with what they described as a hypersonic missile  manufactured and supplied by Iran.

Until this year, many observers thought Irans uranium facilities were less of a real threat than they seemed, because warheads and missiles are useless without a third component: the detonator.

But now, it appears scientists at the Parchin facility south of Tehran have successfully manufactured a trigger powerful enough to set off a nuclear explosion.

All the pieces are in place. The last hope for Western politicians praying for a negotiated solution to the crisis, and not a military one, is that Irans launching pads are out in the open.

Unlike China and Russia, which can prepare their nuclear missiles for launch in secrecy, inside concrete bunkers, the Iranians have to position and fuel their weapons on the surface  a process that can take 40 minutes. In theory, that gives the West an opportunity to launch a retaliatory strike first, using conventional or nuclear weapons. The Israelis strikeback missiles are kept on permanent readiness, capable of launch within three minutes.

Some ultra-hawks in Israel believe a unilateral atomic strike is justified: using a nuke to stop the nukes, says Mark Almond (Pictured: Israeli F-15 Eagle jet)

To wait until Iran is less than an hour away from hitting Israel is a high-risk policy. But the West has always baulked at the alternative until now  to approve a knock-out strike against Fordow and the Iranians other subterranean facility, Natanz, both in inaccessible mountainous regions.

Some ultra-hawks in Israel believe a unilateral atomic strike is justified: using a nuke to stop the nukes. But this is likely to fail for two reasons. Firstly, most of the energy in a nuclear blast is confined to the surface. Whole cities can be vaporised but bunkers deep underground might well survive undamaged. Secondly, a worldwide escalation in hostilities sparked by such an attack would probably be unstoppable. Russia could feel emboldened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, for example.

More likely, and more effective, would be a series of bunker-busting bombs  blasting an ever-deeper crater until the enrichment facilities are destroyed, even if they are protected by concrete a mile thick.

Could this work? There are two problems. One is logistical: how does Israel get the bombs to the target? Irans air defences have scarcely been tested, and might easily be capable of picking missiles or planes out of the sky. To launch a mega-attack and fail to damage the nuclear facilities would risk all-out war.

The other difficulty is a moral one. Crucial segments of the Iranian programme are based in or near Tehran. The entire ten million population of the capital city is being used as a human shield. Could Britain and the US stomach civilian casualties, especially if it provoked a wave of terrorist reprisals?

Without US help, Israel would not be able to obtain the bunker-busters nor the heavy bombers required to strike Irans nuclear boltholes. These bombers could fly from British bases in Cyprus or the Chagos Islands. This raises the danger of terrorist blowback to very high, but backing off means giving in to terrorism and nuclear blackmail.

Many watchers are praying that Israel has a brilliant undercover attack planned. Ukraines great success smuggling drones under Operation Spiders Web for mass attacks, deep inside Russia, might be a model. Pinpoint bombing of the entrances and ventilation shafts at Fordow or Natanz, for example, could put a uranium facility out of action for months, trapping the scientists inside to suffocate or starve.

Its a grim prospect. But now Iran appears to have primitive nuclear weapons, every possible outcome is terrifying.
As they pounded the Iranian nuclear facilities yesterday, the Israelis were finally doing what so many Western leaders had expected they would do for years, if not decades.

In fact, let us be honest: the rest of the world has not just been expecting this Israeli action. Secretly or openly, many governments have been hoping for it.

In one astonishing operation the Israelis crippled the Natanz enrichment reactor and seriously damaged two others. They took out six of the most important Iranian nuclear scientists, as well as an astonishing array of the countrys top brass.

They blew up radars and smashed early warning systems and destroyed anti-aircraft arrays  so that Iran will be even more vulnerable to the next attack; and in some cases it is obvious that the Israelis were getting help from inside Iran. We dont yet know how badly they have retarded the Iranian nuclear programme  but we know this.

The Israelis are finally making a concerted attempt to halt Tehrans race to the Bomb  and they are right to do so: for the sake of their own country and the world. It was only the previous day that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) blew the whistle on Iran. For the first time in 20 years, the agency ruled that Tehran was in flagrant violation of its obligations not to enrich uranium, under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and military command centres, killing senior figures

The IAEA produced new and shocking evidence of the speed with which they were producing the stuff of warheads, and the places it was being made. The Iranians were so advanced in their preparations, said the agency, that they could go into the final sprint  with a viable device only months away.

There are good reasons why Israel could not allow that sprint to begin. Since the fundamentalist revolution of 1979, the Iranians have been officially committed to the destruction of the state of Israel from the river to the sea. In 15 years time, according to the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Israel will not exist.

So what would you do, if another country was theologically devoted to vaporising your own country, and that country was about to avail itself of a nuclear weapon? What would any democratically elected leader do?

If you want further evidence of the murderous intent of Iran towards Israel, look at the massacres of October 7, 2023, the slaughter and torture of more than 1,000 Israelis in their homes  performed by Hamas, but inspired and orchestrated by Iran. The Israelis have been perfectly within their rights to try to neutralise an existential threat, and the truth is that virtually every other country in the world, to a greater or lesser degree, is happy to hold their coats while they do it.

No one really wants the ayatollahs to be waving nukes around; not even the Chinese; not even the Russians. Which is why the global reaction has been on the whole cautious, if not actually supportive. Washington has strongly backed the Israeli strikes, while stressing  in the hope of avoiding reprisals  that the US was not itself involved. The French and the Germans and other European countries have noted Israels basic right to self-defence.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is accused of being weak in his leadership

There is one country, though, that stands aloof: one country that wrings its hands, and moans about the risk of escalation; one European country that thinks there is some kind of moral equivalence between Israel and Iran; one country that seems by its whole posture to deplore what Israel has done, and that is of course the country in which so many of us are living right now.

I mean Starmers Britain; or perhaps we should call it Hermers Britain since it is apparently on the advice of our ineffably woke and lefty Attorney General Lord Hermer that the Israelis cannot officially be said to be acting in self-defence.

Oh really? Why the hell not? The Israelis are trying to diminish the destructive power of a country that is hell-bent on destroying them. If that isnt self-defence, I dont know what is. And it isnt just selfish. Its public-spirited.

Taking out Irans nukes: thats not just in Israels interest. Its in all our interest. Why the hell cant this mealy-mouthed Government just come out and say what they know to be true? Well, I think we all know the reason for that.

It is because Labour policy on Israel is nothing to do with geopolitics, or the national interest, or even simple right and wrong. Its all about managing the sad and growing anti-Israel feeling on Labour backbenches; and recognising the growing importance of Muslim votes in Labour cities; and appeasing the ineradicable virus of anti-Semitism that has infected the rank and file of the Labour Party.

I hate the war in Gaza as much as anyone, and wish it would stop. But almost two years after October 7 there is one thing that would end the violence, end the Israeli bombardments, and end the suffering of the Palestinians. But Hamas utterly refuses to do it. All they have to do is release the hostages: all the bodies of the dead, and all the terrified Israelis still being kept in their tunnels.

Neville Chamberlain with Hitler in the run up to the Second World War

Why wont they do it? Why wont they stop this nightmare? Because they are a crazed Islamist death cult, committed to the eradication of Israel, and to the elimination of all Jews not just in Israel but around the world.

They know that the Israelis have no choice: they have to try to get back the hostages, and to ensure that there will not be another such attack on innocent Israelis; and that means trying, however painfully, to change the agenda of the government of Gaza  which is, I remind you, the total abolition of Israel.

Of course, Hamas refuses to change or compromise because they positively need the war, and welcome the martyrdom. They welcome the casualties that Israel is inflicting, and they welcome Western outrage, because they cynically understand that every dead Palestinian child weakens support for Israel in Western governments and breeds the kind of ugly anti-Semitism we have seen on our streets.

Thats why they wont give back the hostages or change their demands about Israel, and in the case of the UK, sadly, the strategy of Hamas is plainly starting to work. Israel is a democracy, an ally, a crucial intelligence partner of this country. And at a time when Israel is facing a threat from people who want to wipe that country off the map  Starmer and Hermer actually put sanctions on Israel!

This is a government that is psychologically addicted to surrender of the national interest. They are taking us back into the tractor beam of EU law. They are surrendering on Gibraltar, allowing Spanish officials to check British troops arriving in British territory. They have funded tax cuts in Mauritius with their insane 30 billion surrender of the Chagos Islands.

At a time when Putin wants to destroy Ukraine, and Xi wants to conquer Taiwan, and Iran wants to eliminate Israel, we need a government that will take defence seriously, and stand up for democracy.

Instead, we have the most abject and craven government of the past 100 years. They are so weak they make Neville Chamberlain look positively robust.
Exam season is well and truly upon us - but as AI increasingly transforms the workplace, what jobs should those currently sitting their GCSEs and A-levels be considering?

A new report published this week by accounting and auditing company, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), found that employees working in the job sectors that have embraced the use of AI, rather than resisted it, such as financial services and IT, are able to command higher wages than peers in sectors not exposed to AI.

The latest annual PwC global AI jobs barometer, which examined nearly a billion job adverts across the globe, found that average wages for those who currently work in AI-skilled jobs increased by 56% last year, a leap of 25% on 2023.

PwC's Chief Economist, Barret Kupelian, told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that it's clear already that 'AI is inevitably a technology that will have an impact on our working lives.'

He told the programme's co-host Rick Edwards: 'We are seeing a consistent pick-up of AI skills across all sectors of the economy but in particular in three main sectors, the IT, financial services and professional services sector.'

Kupelian added that there was also 'a wage premium associated with AI skills, at least for the time being'.

Asked which jobs are most likely to be untouched by AI in a decade's time, the economist said people should look to traditional trades - with roles plumbers, electricians and decorators

He explained: 'It appears to me that jobs that require a quite a lot of manual labour...I don't think the technology is skilled there, in terms of augmenting those skills.'

The next generation of employees are 'inevitably' going to be affected by the increased reliance on AI, PwC's Chief Economist, Barret Kupelian told BBC 5 Live Breakfast, following the accounting and auditing company's latest annual PwC global AI jobs barometer repoirt

Elsewhere, the PwC spokesman said that roles that require 'a high degree of judgement and creativity' are also unlikely to be able to be automated any time soon because they require 'bespoke skills that are quite difficult to replicate on a digital basis.'

But those exam results may not be quite as useful in the future, the report also suggests, with demand for formal degrees falling 'especially quickly' in AI-exposed jobs.

The report found that the percentage of AI-exposed jobs that require a degree fell from 64% in 2019 to 56% in 2024.

Phillippa O'Connor, Chief People Officer at PwC UK, said: 'While degrees are still important for many jobs, the reduction in degree requirements suggests employers are looking at a broader range of measures to assess skills and potential.

'Continuous learning to broaden skills, including AI and technology skills, will be more important than ever.'

Focusing on what the report revealed about the outlook for the labour market in the UK when taking AI into consideration, the economist said there were many jobs that were likely to be augmented, rather than completely automated, using AI in the future.

Reflecting on the research that suggests that the revenue of businesses that are more exposed to AI are growing faster than those that are not, he advised to err on the side of caution, saying 'it possibly suggests there are productivity gains associated with the use of the technology but it doesn't necessarily mean it is associated with the technology per se'.

US former tech worker Shawn K was previously a software engineer making $150K a year before getting laid off due to artificial intelligence, he says

Last week, a seasoned software engineer - once earning a comfortable six-figure salary - revealed he was now living in an RV, driving for DoorDash and battling financial insecurity, saying AI had taken his livelihood.

Shawn K - whose full legal last name is just one letter - says he's among the early wave of knowledge workers dealing with the economic fallout of AI advancements, a trend he believes is 'coming for basically everyone in due time.'

In a personal essay on his Substack, Shawn painted a picture of his current reality.

'As I climb into my little twin sized bed in my small RV trailer on a patch of undeveloped deep rural land in the Central New York highlands, exhausted from my six hours of DoorDash driving to make less than $200 that day, I check my emails one last time for the night: no responses from the 745th through 756th job applications that I put in over the last week for engineering roles I'm qualified or over-qualified for,' he wrote.

He closed in on the 800 application mark in over a year of being an unemployed software engineer.

Despite owning three properties  a fixer-upper in upstate New York and two cabins on rural land  his financial situation has only worsened since being laid off from his engineering job, which paid around $150,000 annually.

He has since told DailyMail.com that he had moved to New York to care for his family and grow long-term equity with real estate, an opportunity he said didn't exist on the West Coast for more than 15 years.

Shawn attributes his sudden unemployment and job search issues to AI.

Shawn now lives in a trailer in Central New York as he applies for jobs - but says he's competing with bots for roles

'Something has shifted in society in the last 2.5 years,' he wrote in his Substack, describing how AI caused him and many talented developers at his previous company to be laid off despite the company's strong performance.

He said in his Substack that getting his resume seen has become a 'sisyphusian task' - in reference to a task requiring continual and often ineffective effort - and the technical interview process a 'PTSD-inducing minefield.'

Shawn explained that companies are doing what they know best: practicing capitalism.

'The economics are very simple: if you can produce the same product and same results while drastically cutting your expenses, what business wouldn't do that? In fact you would have to be crazy not to,' he wrote.

'We have reached a time where human labor is no longer a necessary input to generate economic value, which is a drastic departure from everything that has come in history before.'

Shawn estimates he has interviewed with about 10 companies in the last year, often getting through multiple rounds but never receiving an offer.

He wrote in his Substack that he suspects his resume is 'filtered out of consideration by some half-baked AI candidate finder service because my resume doesn't mention enough hyper-specific bleeding-edge AI terms.'

If he makes it past the bots, he explained that he is then competing with 'the other 1,000 applicants (bots, foreign nationals, and other displaced-by-AI tech workers) who have applied within the first two hours of a job posting going live.'
A restaurant owner in France has left customers seething after he introduced a new fine to 'make people responsible' for a common dining habit many have likely been guilty of.

Olivier Vincent, chef and manager of at L'ilot, a 20-seat eatery in Amboise, had grown increasingly frustrated with patrons constantly arriving with parties that either exceeded or fell short of the number of people they had booked for.

Disgruntled by what he described as a 'weekly' problem, the chef announced that those showing up with a different-sized group to their reservation would be fined.

In a post shared to Facebook last week, he stated that those who don't abide by the rule would be charged 15 (12.75) per head.

On Wednesday, he wrote: 'The restaurant L'ilot announces a change. From now on, if you do not come with the number of guests for which you reserved, you will be charged 15 euros per missing or additional person. Thank you for your understanding.'

'We're here because we need to make people responsible,' he lamented.

Under the new rules, a party of nine with two no-shows would face a 30 surcharge in addition to the bill for their food and drink.

According to the chef, the issue had been ongoing, but reached its final straw after one customer exchanged several messages trying to change the booking, reported the French paper, ici.

A restaurant owner in France has left customers seething after he introduced a new fine to 'make people responsible' for a common dining habit

The Facebook post read: 'The L'ilot restaurant is announcing a change. From now on, if you do not come with the number of guests you booked for, you will be charged 15 euros per missing or additional person. Thank you for your understanding'

'After about ten emails with one person, she told us there would be eight, then nine, and finally, they arrived at seven without warning, without apology,' Olivier told the outlet.

Expressing his frustration, Vincent emphasised the need to have the correct numbers on a booking, insisting customers who have 'their phones on them 24/7' only need to 'call to say if we will be less, or more, or that we are not coming'.

'If we are here, it is to work. It is not to have tables, not to have customers. We organise ourselves so that everything is serene. We have staff,' he continued.

'We work with fresh products. We do not pay employees and suppliers with Monopoly tickets. My restaurant is a business.'

The venue, described on Google as serving 'inventive gourmet plates' in a 'down-to-earth restaurant with an open kitchen', has a respectable 4.7 stars on review sites.

Customers have praised the 'intimate' setting, a feature that Vincent emphasised is one of the reasons it must keep strictly to it's booking numbers.

Responding to the Facebook post, which was viewed more than 27,000 times in the first 24 hours, several expressed their irritation at the new rules.

A translated response from one read: 'A bit of a limiting business practice if there are only one or two people missing from a large table. Emergencies exist.

Olivier Vincent, chef and manager of at L'ilot, a 20-seat eatery in Amboise, central- France, had grown increasingly frustrated with customers constantly arriving with parties that either exceeded or fell short of the number of people they had booked for

Responding to the Facebook post, which was viewed more than 27,000 times in the first 24 hours, several expressed their irritation at the new rules

'You're not going to get great publicity for yourself. Even if abuses exist, you are going a bit far. Imagine an on-call doctor who can't join their family for dinner, or someone who has a family emergency.'

A second furiously wrote: 'A last-minute unforeseen event... Getting left outside the restaurant (it's happened to me before)... Well, I might as well go somewhere else then. It seems pretty counterproductive to me.'

'Keep it up, restaurateurs in France...and soon your customers just won't come anymore...besides, why go to a restaurant in France to pay an exorbitant price for something that isn't good,' another said.

Though some keenly agreed that it was a matter of 'respect' to call restaurants to let them know of a changed booking.

'I totally agree with you! It takes 2 minutes to notify someone of a change,' one wrote, while another agreed, saying people weren't aware of the hassle for the chef who prepares the meals.'

It is common for restaurants in France to charge patrons who fail to arrive for their bookings at all, but lIlot is among the first to fine for unannounced changes to party size.

MailOnline has reached out to L'ilot for comment.
Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have a public perception issue on their hands  namely that they are a royal family divided.

And, at present, there is very little they can do to stop it.

The latest chink in the armour became apparent last week when the Danish King's U.S.-based brother Prince Joachim gave a rare interview with the media.

The normally private youngest son of former monarch Queen Margrethe II chose his words carefully during the sit-down with Norwegian network TV2.

But reading between the lines of one particular response offers insight into the status of the ongoing royal rift that threatens the stability of the House of Glucksburg.

Joachim's interview, which aired on June 6, saw the 56-year-old directly questioned over his family's long-term plans and whether they intend to remain living abroad.

The prince, who is fifth in the line of succession to the Danish throne, made it clear he and the extended royal family had a strong 'desire' to return home.

But, he added, it was not as simple as packing their bags and coming back.

King Frederik and Queen Mary (together right, in 2022) are wrestling with the public perception of a divided royal family while Prince Joachim and Princess Marie (together left) live in the U.S.

Prince Joachim (right) has given a rare new interview revealing his family's future plans. He is pictured here with wife Princess Marie (left) at the 2025 New Year's Dinner in Copenhagen

His telling 40-word response was: 'We have a desire to come home. But we also do not rule out the possibility of staying abroad. Now we have to see.

'For now, it is on our radar, when the post here stops, we will return home.'

The ambiguity in his response - he wants to come home, yet he could stay in exile and it's a case of 'we have to see' - hints at discord and a still-unresolved family rift.

Dare I say, it was Prince Harry-esque?

It all stems from three years ago, during the reign of Joachim's mother Queen Margrethe, when she made the sudden decision to revoke the royal titles of four of her eight grandchildren.

This impacted on all of Joachim's children, then-titled Prince Nikolai and Prince Felix, from his first marriage to Princess Marie, as well as his youngest children, then Prince Henrik and Princess Athena, who were born to current wife, Princess Marie.

The decision was made by Margrethe, now 85, in late 2022 during the 50th year of her reign as a move to 'future-proof' the royal family and 'slim down' the court.

At the time, the Queen explained that removing her grandchildren's titles would allow them to 'shape their own lives, without being limited by the special considerations and obligations that a formal affiliation to the Royal House of Denmark entails'.

The decision was also 'in line with similar adjustments' made by neighbouring royal households, where royals lower down in the line of succession have had their HRH titles removed.

The decree downgraded Joachim's four children Nikolai, 25, Felix, 23, Henrik, 16, and Athena, 13, to Counts and Countesses.

Meanwhile, King Frederik and Queen Mary's four children, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, all kept their HRH titles.

Princess Marie and Prince Joachim, pictured here in a portrait taken in March 2025 at the Embassy of Denmark in Washington, D.C., are based in the U.S. They moved their family overseas in the aftermath of the prince's children being stripped of their royal titles

Accordingly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Prince Joachim was none too pleased by the move.

In the immediate aftermath, Joachim, his wife Princess Marie, along with his ex-wife Countess Alexandra publicly lambasted the decision, with the prince angrily declaring his children had been 'mistreated'.

'Why should their identity be removed? Why must they be punished in this way?' he asked.

Count Nikolai himself said in a later interview: 'My whole family and I are, of course, very sad.

'We are, as my parents have also stated, in shock at this decision and at how quickly it has actually gone. I don't understand why it had to happen this way.'

As news of the royal demotion generated international headlines, Margrethe herself eventually conceded she had 'underestimated the extent to which my younger son and his family feel affected and for that I am sorry.'

Despite the apology, the damage was done - and it widened a simmering rift between Prince Joachim and the core royal family members.

With his children's titles downgraded, Joachim soon afterwards took up a role as defence industry attache at the Danish Embassy in the United States, relocating with wife Princess Marie and their two youngest children to Washington, D.C., in mid 2023.

In happier times: This picture from May 2023 was taken just months before Queen Margrethe II made the historic decision to strip the titles of all four of Prince Joachim's children. (L-R: Count Nikolai, Princess Marie, Countess Athena, Count Henrik, Prince Joachim and Count Felix)

Prince Joachim (second from left), his current wife Princess Marie (left) and ex-wife Countess Alexandra (right) were stunned and hurt when their children's royal titles were revoked. They are all pictured here together four years ago celebrating the birthday of Count Felix (centre) with (L-R) Countess Athena, Count Henrik and Count Nikolai

They have remained there ever since in what appeared to be an effort to distance themselves from the royal family in the aftermath of the stripped-titles fiasco.

But hurt feelings continued to ache, evidenced by an interview given last year when Prince Joachim and Princess Marie admitted to The Washington Post they had 'complicated' feelings about the Queen's decision to remove their children's titles.

Since Prince Joachim and Prince Marie have been living abroad, Margrethe handed over the reins of the monarchy to her son Frederik in 2024, who assumed the throne alongside his Australian-born wife Mary.

With a new reigning monarch now fully ushered in, there now appears to be small but purposeful steps being actively taken by King Frederik, 57, and Queen Mary, 53, to repair the rift with Prince Joachim and his family.

Just recently, the King appeared to offer an olive branch in the form of awarding the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog to his nephews - Joachim's adult sons - Count Felix and Count Nikolai.

The gesture was viewed as a potential reconciliation moment two years after the young men were stripped of their titles.

'A stroke of genius,' is how one royal source described the wry political move.

But has it come too late?

Hours before this balcony appearance by King Frederik and Queen Mary on 26 May 2025, the king bestowed prestigious titles on Prince Joachim's adult children

On the morning of his birthday, King Frederik (centre) invited his nephews Count Felix (left) Count Nikolai (right) to the palace to award them with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog. The move was viewed by royal insiders as an olive branch gesture to repair pre-existing royal family rifts

Prince Joachim's latest interview certainly insinuates that while the door remains open for his family's homecoming, it is likely to remain dependent on whether his family is emotionally ready to move on from past hurt.

Optimistically, Joachim spoke at length in the new interview about specific aspects he and his wife Princess Marie, 49, along with his youngest children Henrik and Athena, were missing about their homeland.

The royal confirmed that while they were enjoying their 'little nuclear family' existence in the U.S., ultimately being outside of Europe and away from their close circle fuelled their hopes to one day return home.

'Overall, we can all feel it, and we can also feel it in the children, that it is at home in Denmark that we have our largest social base,' Prince Joachim told TV2.

'We can't travel back and forth - after all, there is a six-hour time difference and an entire ocean in between.'

Prince Joachim alluded in the new interview that his job as attache would determine how long they remained in the States.

It's previously been reported that his current stint is expected to run until 2026.

But whether or not his family choose to extend their stay or return to Denmark would surely also be dependent on the status of relations within the Danish royal family.

For now, King Frederik and Queen Mary continue to contend with the optics of a cracked royal household.

But recent steps to thaw frosty relations may eventually facilitate a return for Prince Joachim and his family  which would go a long way to undoing this divided perception.

Watch this space.
The Royal Australian Mint has released collectable coins to honour one of the country's most cherished cookbooks - a move sure to delight nostalgic Australian families and collectors alike.

Marking its milestone 45th anniversary this year, The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first released in 1980, remains a beloved classic.

A mainstay in Australian households for generations, the book has inspired thousands of homemade birthday celebrations with its bold, quirky - and often delightfully chaotic - cake designs.

From the infamous swimming pool cake (gelatin jelly and all) to the beloved duck with potato crisp lips, the book's whimsical - and sometimes challenging - creations have become a rite of passage for Aussie parents.

And now, nostalgic shoppers can own a piece of that history with the new coin collection.

'This coin collection is a tribute that spans generations,' Royal Australian Mint acting Chief Executive Officer Emily Martin said.

'Whether you're a child of the '80s or beyond, or a collector, you'll really get the sense of fun this coin collection brings to mind.'

The collectible coins spotlight some of the book's most iconic designs on official Australian legal tender $1 coins, including Dolly Varden, Rubber Ducky, Humpty Dumpty and the Pool Cake.

The uncirculated $1 coins cost $15 each, with 81,500 coins minted for each design overall. There's also a $2 coloured hickory dickory watch coin - but it's part of the 12-coin premium recipe box collection, which retails for $175.

Marking its milestone 45th anniversary this year, The Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book, first released in 1980, remains a beloved classic

The Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake Book coins to collect The uncirculated $1 coins cost $15 each, with 81,500 coins minted for each design Advertisement

In a new partnership with newsXpress and the Royal Australian Mint, the coins - designed by the Mint's Lydia Ashe - will pay tribute to the quirky details of the original cakes, such as popcorn hairstyles, chocolate finger echidna quills, round biscuit wheels and sprinkles galore.

The series features 11 $1 coins and a $2 coloured coin, available in four different packaged formats.

This will include a coin in-card, 10-coin tube and folder, proof coin in the cake book, 12-coin recipe card collection and till coin.

The coins are available now, exclusively at participating newsXpress stores nationwide and on their website, with limited quantities also released through the Mint website.

'We're excited to be part of this celebration. We are thrilled to celebrate this iconic book that is dear to the hearts of so many Australians,' newsXpress Managing Director Mark Fletcher said.

The book continues to sell strongly, with older editions available through most major bookstores and online for just $10.

The Australian Women's Weekly Editor Sophie Tedmanson said the Children's Birthday Cake Book is a highlight of the brand's 92-year history.

'We are honoured to collaborate with the Royal Australian Mint on a collection that pays tribute to the playful, heartfelt spirit that has defined The Weekly for more than 90 years,' she said.

The coins will all pay tribute to the quirks of the original cakes, like the popcorn hairstyles, chocolate finger echidna quills, round biscuit wheels and sprinkles galore. Pictured: The book's popular Duck Cake

The uncirculated $1 coins cost $15 each, with 81,500 coins minted for each design overall

The collectible's are available from Jun 12, exclusively through participating newsXpress stores nationwide and on their website, with some also expected to be released through the Royal Australian Mint website in limited quantities

Pricing of Australian Women's Weekly Cake Book coin series: The recipe box - which includes 12 coins and 12 recipes ($175) Recipe card with $1 coin - available individually ($15 each) 10 x $1 coins and coin collection folder - includes the $2 coloured coin ($40) Hardcover cookbook - with the limited-edition proof $1 Choo Choo train coin ($85) Advertisement

'It's a beautiful reminder of our legacy and the role we continue to play in the lives of Australian families.'

To ensure buyers don't fall victim to fakes or scams, the Royal Australian Mint is urging customers to only purchase the new coin collection through the trusted and official retailers or by contacting their official customer service line.

As for why the original Children's Birthday Cake Book has stood the test of time, one of its original authors, Pamela Clark, once told the ABC she thinks it's because the cakes were so delightfully imperfect.

'They look rough and ready, they were rough and ready, and they're not scary at all, and I think most people, even if they've never made a cake before, will give those cakes a go,' she said.

'Kids don't care about the details of the cake, how messy it might look  They realise that this cake has been made with love for them.'

Marking its milestone 45th anniversary this year, AWW's new partnership with newsXpress and the Royal Australian Mint revealed the collectible coin series spotlighting some of the book's most iconic designs on official Australian legal tender $1 coins. Pictured: AWW Editor, Sophie Tedmanson at today's launch event at ARE Media's head office in Sydney

AWW's food director Fran Abdallaoui, shared that a heartwarming reunion recently took place with some of the original creators behind the book

At the official coin launch event held on Thursday, the Australian Women's Weekly food director Fran Abdallaoui shared that a heartwarming reunion recently took place with some of the original creators behind the book.

'Seeing them all back in the test kitchen together again was so heartwarming,' she said.

The coin collaboration is a loving tribute to its cultural significance, not just as a recipe book, but as a shared generational experience.

From millennial parents recreating cakes they had as kids to collectors eager to own a slice of Australiana, the coins are a heartfelt nod to 45 years of success for the book.
Princess Martha Louise's daughter has revealed she will be making her TV debut later this year while appearing on a reality game show.

Leah Isadora Behn, 20, the granddaughter of the King and Queen of Norway, has announced that she will be featuring on Forrder, the Norwegian version of The Traitors, which is set to air this autumn.

The 20-year-old, who is sixth in line to the Norwegian throne, shared the update to her Instagram account on Tuesday, where she looked glamorous in a brown jacket.

The daughter of Martha Louise, who has recently become a controversial royal figure due to her marriage to the contentious shaman Durek Verrett, looked effortlessly chic in the promotional post.

Pictured at the 15th-century Hvedholm Castle on the island of Funen in Denmark, the youngster looked TV-ready with a mane of bouncy curls, full makeup and a stylish ensemble that included a grey sweater and brown fitted jeans.

Writing beneath the glamorous photograph, the young royal shared the news that she would be appearing in the fifth season of the TV series, which will air on the Norwegian channel, TV2norge.

Continuing, she wrote: 'Mindset: gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. See you in the fall, this is going to be sick.'

Leah Isadora Behn has announced that she will be appearing on Forrder, the Norwegian version of The Traitors, which is set to air this autumn. Pictured

Princess Martha Louise's daughter has revealed she will be making her TV debut later this year while appearing on a reality game show. Pictured with the Norwegian Royal family

A master of social media, Leah has already attracted a loyal fan base, with 147,00 followers on Instagram, and more on TikTok where she posts 'get ready with me' makeup videos.

An accomplished makeup artist, Leah even made up her mother's face for her wedding to shaman Durek last August.

Leah, who doesn't hold an official royal title despite being in line for the throne, is the daughter of Martha Louise and her late former husband, Ari Behn.

The eldest of three, Leah also has two sisters, Maud Angelica, 22, and Emma Tallulah, 16.

Princess Martha Louise and Behn divorced in 2017, with Behn tragically passing away by suicide two years later in 2019.

Martha has never made any attempts to restrict her daughters from pursuing their dreams, despite their royal status.

'I think it's so important in life to help unravel who they actually are, instead of having an idea of how they're supposed to be,' she told Town & Country in 2023.

'It's like opening a flower petal by petal. It's such a beautiful thing to be part of, to support their true selves coming out into the world and making their own way in it.'

The Traitors, which requires it's contestants to harness their powers social deduction, deception, and strategic gameplay to win, first appeared in The Netherlands in 2021, and has since become a world-wide success.

Writing beneath the glamorous photograph, the young royal shared the news that she would be appearing in the fifth season of the TV series, which will air on the Norwegian channel, TV2norge

A master of social media, Leah has already attracted a loyal fan base, with 147,00 followers on Instagram, and more on TikTok where she posts 'get ready with me' makeup videos. Pictured with her sisters, Maud and Emma at their mother's wedding in August 2024

The Traitors, which requires it's contestants to harness their powers social deduction, deception, and strategic gameplay to win, first appeared in The Netherlands in 2021, and has since become a world-wide success.

The show, which gripped Dutch audiences, was then formatted for people in nations across the world, including the US and highly popular UK version made by the BBC and hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Leah isn't the first royal to have found herself on the hit psychological reality show.

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, who is a distant relative of King Charles, shook the world last year when he signed up to the US version of the show, ultimately going on to win with his impressive skill and cunning.

'I'm used to talking to a lot of strangers. And having my last name, you do have to be on your best behaviour all the time because people always remember meeting you,' he told Town & Country.

'So, in that sense, I was very comfortable meeting other people and being nice.'

The news arrives just days after further details emerged of a new documentary set to hit Netflix that follows the love story between Princess Martha Louise, and American conspiracy theorist Durek Verrett.

An insider told the Danish media outlet, Billed Bladet: 'The project is still untitled and will premiere in 2025.'

Netflix reportedly said that the 'untitled documentary is a never-before-seen look at one of the most-discussed couples and explores their love story from the early days to the present day and how they navigate their new life surrounded by constant attention from the public.'
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A former personal stylist has revealed how you can make a $40 outfit command more respect than a $4,000 one.

Kelly Lundberg, 44, based in Dubai, spent years styling top CEOs, celebrities, and even royalty through her business StyleMeDivine, before she sold it in 2019 to become a personal branding expert.

Along the way, she has mastered dressing for success, and according to the expert, looking expensive has very little to do with what you actually spend.

In fact, she told the Daily Mail during an exclusive chat that some of the most impactful outfits she's ever seen were actually pretty cheap.

'I once worked with a client who walked into our first meeting wearing a $3,400 designer blazer. It looked exquisite on the hanger, but completely wrong on her,' she explained.

'Six weeks later, she closed her biggest deal wearing a $200 high street outfit. The difference wasn't the price tag. It was understanding the psychology of what makes people take you seriously.'

Thankfully, Lundberg broke down how you can look like a million bucks without actually breaking the bank with the Daily Mail.

Here are her tips to elevating an outfit without buying expensive clothing or accessories.

A power blazer that has a strong shoulder can elevate any look

Former personal stylist Kelly Lundberg, 44, based in Dubai, has revealed how you can make a $40 outfit command more respect than a $4,000 one

Lundberg explained to the Daily Mail that she believes there's one clothing item that's the key to looking like you're in charge: the power blazer

Lundberg explained to the Daily Mail that she believes there's one clothing item that's the key to looking like you're in charge: the power blazer.

She branded it 'your wardrobe's most valuable player,' explaining that it can take any outfit to the next level.

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But how do you pick out the perfect blazer? Well, she said, 'It needs a strong shoulder fit (non-negotiable).

'[It also should have] classic lapels that won't date quickly, a versatile color - navy, clack or sophisticated neutrals - and fabric that holds its shape.'

She added, 'Price isn't the priority - fit and cut are.'

Shirts should be crisp but not stiff, and fit perfectly around your shoulders and bust

For shirts, Lundberg (seen) said the perfect top should have: 'Crisp fabric that isn't stiff (look for opaque cotton or silk blends) and a perfect fit through shoulders and bust - no pulling'

Looking for a shirt to wear with that power blazer? Well, Lundberg said it's vital to pick something that works with both the jacket on and off.

She recommended the colors cream or soft blue, explaining that they look the most 'sophisticated.'

J. Crew Linen-blend button-up shirt The perfect top doesn't exist  or does it? According to Lundberg, having a shirt that goes well with or without a blazer in your closet is crucial. A crisp white button-up is never a bad choice with a subtle sophistication that has nothing to do with price tag. Shop Norma Kamali Oversized Boyfriend Shirt Bodysuit If you are going for something sleek but trendy we can not recommend this bodysuit enough! The brilliant design gives the appearance of a silky blouse but tapers at the waist with a built-in bodysuit design. The deep-v creates depth and the fitted sleeves are great for creating a clear frame. Shop

The perfect top should also have: 'Crisp fabric that isn't stiff (look for opaque cotton or silk blends) and a perfect fit through shoulders and bust - no pulling.'

'This can be tricky to perfect, but when you find [the perfect shirt], it transforms everything,' dished the former stylist.

Find a pair of bottoms that work across different settings

When it comes to your bottoms, Lundberg said she loves slip skirts since they 'add elegance, movement, and polish to minimal outfits.' Reese Witherspoon is seen in January

When it comes to your bottoms, Lundberg said you should pick something that really 'anchors the outfit' and 'doesn't demand fuss.'

'It should work seamlessly with your blazer and coordinate with your top half,' she explained.

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'[It should have an] impeccable fit through waist and hips, flatter that your natural shape, and be comfortable enough for extended wear.'

Lastly, she recommended picking bottoms that can 'work across different settings.'

Personally, she said she loves slip skirts since they 'add elegance, movement, and polish to minimal outfits.'

Don't forget footwear because people notice shoes more than any other accessory

She also stressed the importance of picking the perfect footwear, since people notice your shoes 'more than any other accessory'

She also stressed the importance of picking the perfect footwear, since people notice your shoes 'more than any other accessory.'

'Stick to timeless shapes and premium materials,' she recommended. 'Opt for neutral tones that coordinate with your blazer.

Rothy's The Double Buckle Mary Jane When it comes to footwear it seems keeping it classic is best. According to Lundberg, picking a neutral toned shoe with a practical design is best for long days. These Rothy's are trendy and classic at the same time with endless comfort and they match everything! Shop

'Prioritize comfort for those 12-hour days, and buy end-of-season from premium brands to stretch your budget.'

One of her go-to favorites is flat ankle boots, which she said go great with dresses or tailored trousers.

A simple scarf or statement jewelry can make your outfit look expensive

Looking for other ways to spice up your outfit? Lundberg suggested accessorizing with a scarf or some 'statement jewelry'

Looking for other ways to spice up your outfit? Lundberg suggested accessorizing with a scarf or some 'statement jewelry.'

'One silk scarf can make a $30 sweater look like a $300 outfit,' she shared.

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As for what jewelry you should wear, she added, '[Maybe a] signature watch, a strong earring, or a vintage brooch with personality.'

She also recommended 'structured bags and defining belts,' explaining, 'A smart leather tote or quality belt creates instant polish.'

Stay true to yourself and never dress for a lifestyle you don't actually lead

She said it's vital to stay true to yourself, as she said you should never dress for a lifestyle you don't actually lead because if you're uncomfortable, it will show. Jenna Ortega is seen

Lundberg told the Daily Mail that when you get dressed you should ask yourself a series of questions, including, 'Are your clothes well-fitted and intentionally chosen? Do you understand the context and dress appropriately? Do you present yourself as someone worth taking seriously? And do you look like someone who can deliver on their promises?'

But it's also vital to stay true to yourself, as she said you should never dress for a lifestyle you don't actually lead because if you're uncomfortable, it will show.

Instead, you want to feel good in your outfit so that you exude that confidence.

Other things to be mindful of, according to the expert, is not letting your clothes 'wear you' or be 'louder than your personality.'

In addition, she advised against prioritizing labels over fit and copying someone else's exact look - since clothes fit differently on everyone.

'[If you] dress how you think success looks, not how it feels for you, that's a no-no,' Lungberg said.

'Too often, I see people dressing for who they think they should be - mimicking others, forcing trends or overcomplicating their wardrobe. It rarely works.

'You end up looking uncomfortable, and worse, inauthentic. The most powerful outfit isn't the most expensive one - it's the one that reflects you, at your best.

'Authentic style doesn't mean casual or safe. It means intentional. It's about wearing clothes that suit your body, your role, your lifestyle - and still feel like you, just more polished. When you get that right, you don't just look the part, you embody it.

'The truth is, respect isn't bought, it's earned through details. A well-fitting Zara blazer that aligns with your personal brand will always beat a designer piece that wears you.

'When you dress with clarity, confidence and credibility, you elevate not just your look, but how people respond to you. And that's what style, at its best, is really about.'
They took turns to pace the length of their living room with the baby girl in their arms as she screamed and writhed in agony.

Clare and Jeremy Wilson felt so many emotions: pity for this helpless newborn, and anger at the heroin-addicted birth mother who had inflicted such torture on an innocent baby.

Its hard to put into words how the desperation gnaws at your heart when you watch a tiny baby going through the pain and trauma of withdrawal, says Clare.

Round and round in our heads it would go. But our focus had to be on supporting her through it. She barely slept, jerking herself awake when she tried, so the only way we could handle it was taking shifts, passing her between us. We couldnt bring ourselves to leave her alone, screaming.

The year was 2017 and, by this point, the middle-class professional couple from Somerset were well-versed in this very particular parenting challenge.

Unable to have children of their own, this was the not the first but the third time they had fostered, in the hope of adopting, a baby whod been born addicted to heroin.

In fact, they were the first couple in the UK to foster-to-adopt three newborns  each with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) having been exposed to drugs in the womb  with the full knowledge that the babies biological parents may win the right to claim them back.

Fortunately they went on to adopt all three, now aged 11, eight and seven. Yet their story doesnt stop there  far from it.

Clare and Jeremy Wilson have fostered  and eventually adopted  three babies who were born addicted to heroin

The early months with each of them were the hardest but, of course, the after-effects dont end following withdrawal, explains Clare. Each of our three children has additional needs, which make their lives harder.

William, 11, has been diagnosed with ADHD and Tourettes, and has a reading age of seven, which makes school a struggle for him. Hope, eight, is partially sighted and awaiting squint surgery, while Emily, now seven, also shows signs of ADHD, is struggling to concentrate and is behind her peers academically.

That their childrens biological mothers knowingly took drugs which resulted in the babies agony  each spent their first few days in intensive care, where they were given morphine to ease withdrawal  is hard for the Wilsons to comprehend.

But despite the hard work, and teeth-gritting resilience required to look after children in this predicament, they have no regrets.

I can see why the thought of taking on three babies with such devastating histories might seem overwhelming, but forming those bonds and loving them from what was almost the get-go has been incredibly rewarding, says Clare. I cant see how the love could be greater, even if we were biologically linked as well.

The Wilsons have co-written a book about their experience. Their aim is to encourage others to consider the foster-to-adopt scheme for newborns with addictions if they feel they have the resilience and empathy  both essential qualities.

Heartbreakingly, roughly 1,000 babies a year in the UK are diagnosed with NAS, although estimates suggest the actual number born addicted to drugs is closer to 6,000.

Until 2013 the Wilsons knew nothing of the dark and desperate world of babies born addicted to opiates.

Jeremy, 52, who runs an IT company and Clare, 47, who works as a charity social media manager, led a relatively sheltered existence in their picturesque 400-year-old house.

Both from stable, loving homes, they didnt know anyone who took hardcore drugs.

They were introduced on a night out by Clares sister, who said Jeremy  who was in a band theyd gone to see  would be perfect for Clare. She was right. They were married within a year and longed to start a family. However, after eight years, three rounds of IVF and 14 agonising miscarriages, their thoughts turned to adoption.

All that loss and heartache was difficult to bear, says Clare. We so desperately wanted to be parents and didnt know what to do with all that love we had to give.

In mid-December 2013, Clare and Jeremy received a call telling them about a two-week-old baby boy, William, who was in intensive care

She dragged a more hesitant Jeremy along to a talk where adoptive parents were speaking about the reality of raising children who had been removed from drug or alcohol dependent birth parents.

Although the tales were intense  of violence, meltdowns, but also love  the couple felt they were strong enough to handle it.

They arranged to speak to a social worker who explained the likelihood of a baby being placed with them permanently was very slim, as newborns initially go into foster care, giving biological parents a chance to turn their lives around.

However, she also mentioned a new foster-to-adopt scheme where foster parents hope to eventually adopt the baby they are caring for.

Yet this came with the very real risk of forming a close bond with a baby only to have to hand it back to its birth parents.

If Im honest, my stomach flipped with excitement at the thought of having a newborn, says Clare.

We spent a few days talking about it, before deciding we were willing to take the risk.

They underwent extensive checks and attended specialist courses on caring for babies born to addicts.

In mid-December 2013, Clare and Jeremy received a call telling them about a two-week-old baby boy, William, who was in intensive care.

He had been born with heroin, amphetamine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, ecstasy and methadone in his tiny body and was so drugged up  the most serious case ever seen in Somerset  doctors had feared that, despite his robust 7lb birth weight, he wouldnt survive.

We met him for the first time on December 14  my 36th birthday, recalls Clare. All the other babies had parents at their cot side while William had a rubber hand placed on his back, to simulate human touch. I thought my heart might break when I saw him.

I held him, still attached to the drip feeding him liquid morphine.

I remember saying to Jeremy: This is the best birthday present ever. Still I felt like a fake mum until I recognised his cry as I was walking back from the loo. Hes mine I told myself.

The Wilsons were the first couple in the UK to 'foster-to-adopt' three newborns  WIlliam, Hope and Emily

Just before Christmas they took him home. Although the worst of Williams withdrawal was over, paediatricians warned that at home it would be like looking after a baby with a bad case of flu.

But it was so much worse than that, recalls Clare. He barely slept, and he just cried and cried, a high-pitched, shrill noise, like he was in constant pain. It was gut-wrenching. Loud noises, strong smells, such as Clares perfume, and bright lights all made William more distressed.

It was four months before he was able to settle without being held. As part of the process, they had to commit to taking William to contact sessions with his birth parents three times a week.

While it was understandably hard, Clare recalls feeling sorry for the birth mum who looked a mess and struggled with William when briefly left alone. The social workers had to come and find me, because he wouldnt stop crying. She had no idea how to hold him, feed him or calm him down.

I was a bit annoyed thinking Why should I help her? but I also had empathy for her situation. No one would choose her life. Clare even gave Williams birth mother a Mothers Day card and flowers. However, she stopped turning up for contact sessions. His birth father, whod been around in the early days, was in prison and by January 2015 so too was his birth mother, both for crimes relating to drugs and theft.

The Wilsons were elated when the adoption went through and threw a party to celebrate with everyone whod supported them.

Once he was through the withdrawal period, William brought us so much joy. He was a very amusing little boy. While the demands of supporting one baby through heroin withdrawal may have been enough for many parents, once William turned two, Clare and Jeremy decided they would like to expand their family.

Almost a year later in February 2017, the call came about Hope  a seven-day-old baby girl, again born addicted to heroin. She was so tiny, only 5lb, and we were both smitten. Witnessing the same high-pitched screaming and jerking that William had suffered during withdrawal, it all came flooding back to us, says Clare.

We took turns walking up and down holding her.

It was obvious early on that Hope had problems with her eyes and ophthalmology checks confirmed her vision is impaired  likely due to the drugs.

During access meetings with Hopes birth parents, the Wilsons initially thought they were decent people and feared they would ultimately lose custody. But they then learned how the birth parents had been prosecuted for neglecting their older sons.

A few months after Hopes arrival, Clare was dropping William at nursery school when, to her horror, she saw his birth mother  who was banned from having contact with him  emerging from a nearby house. A man was half carrying, half dragging her, and I could see she was pregnant, remembers Clare.

'As with any siblings there were lots of squabbles, says Clare. But some of my happiest memories are of our holidays in Wales where they would play together on the beach and run into the sea holding hands'

She said something, slurring her words, and seemed to recognise me as the man bundled her into a car and drove away.

It turned out social services were unaware of the pregnancy. When they tracked her down, they discovered she was no longer with Williams birth father and had turned to sex work to fund her ongoing drug habit.

Her baby was due in just two months time  in December 2017  and the Wilsons were asked if they would consider the foster-to-adopt scheme again.

Clare wasnt sure; Hope was only ten months old and William was struggling having just started school. I didnt know if I could manage, she says.

This time it was Jeremy who did the persuading, adamant that the siblings should stay together.

Then I remember sitting on the kitchen floor one night crying with exhaustion and, cheesy though this sounds, an inspirational pop song came on the radio and I thought: OK, we can do this, one more time, recalls Clare.

Emily was born in early December, weighing just 4lb, with heroin, benzodiazepine and methadone in her system.

Just three weeks later, on Christmas Eve in 2017, the Wilsons took her home. She was a very sickly looking baby, still well under 5lb when we left hospital. Tiny, fragile and so sweet, says Clare.

She seemed to be in so much pain she cried non-stop. We felt like old hands and, gradually, over the weeks, she calmed down, as long as she was close to one of us.

Emily spent much of the day with Jeremy in a sling in his home office, quietly nestling against his chest during Zoom calls as colleagues offered their congratulations. Hopes adoption went through in February 2018 and Emilys a year later.

Of course it was hard work and as with any siblings there were lots of squabbles, says Clare. But some of my happiest memories are of our holidays in Wales where they would play together on the beach and run into the sea holding hands.

As theyve got older, William and Emily tend to be closer and play together more. I dont think thats because theyre biologically related but theyre both highly energetic while Hope is happier reading quietly on her own.

Last summer Hope, then seven and aware that William and Emily share the same birth mother, began asking about her own. Clare told her what she knew but, curious, she looked her up online.

Addiction cycles are often inter-generational, says Clare. We really hope that our kids, despite their most difficult of early starts, will break that cycle'

To her horror she discovered a memorial page. Hopes birth mother had died the previous year after years of drug and alcohol abuse and social services hadnt told them. It was a horrible shock  and I knew Id have to break the news to her. And so over tea and cake, Clare tried to explain.

I said, Im going to talk to you about something really important and she asked, Has my birth mum died?, says Clare.

I have no idea how she guessed but I said, Well, actually, yes, and Im really sorry, but we didnt know about it, and shes already been buried, so we cant go to the funeral. She paused for a minute and said, Well thats all right and went on to talk about her cake.

The last they heard of William and Emilys birth mother, she was serving a prison sentence for theft. While the Wilsons have explained to their children that their biological parents were addicted to drugs, they have not gone into detail beyond that.

Clare believes one of the other benefits of the foster-to-adopt system is that she and Jeremy got to meet the birth parents and are therefore in a better position to answer some of the questions their children may have.

They also each have later life letters, written by their social workers to be read when theyre in their teens which go into the specifics of their cases.

Weve seen the letters and they make for hard reading, says Clare. So weve been left to decide when each of them is of an age to handle their contents.

Throughout the many challenges, the couple agree that humour has been essential medicine. One stand-out moment was when Clare was shopping with all three of them, Hope and Emily still babies, and the checkout worker asked if shed ever heard of contraception?

Clare could barely stifle her laughter when William turned to the cashier and said: No, we have a social worker.

Seven years since their family became complete, the Wilsons have settled into a well-oiled routine. Both parents are self-employed, working from home, Clare part-time so she can be around before and after school and during the holidays.

Their biggest worry now is steering their children through secondary school, where their additional needs may present challenges, and ensuring they avoid falling into drug addiction.

Addiction cycles are often inter-generational, says Clare. We really hope that our kids, despite their most difficult of early starts, will break that cycle. One things for sure; this remarkable couple have done everything in their power to make that possible.

How Hard Can It Be? A story of one couples journey from heartache to hope by Clare and Jeremy Wilson (8.99 amazon.co.uk). howhardcanitbebook.com
A psychic who successfully predicted dozens of global events in 2024 has made a dire prediction about Meghan Markle's future.

Athos Salome, 38, from Brazil, is often referred to as the 'Living Nostradamus' due to his numerous accurate predictions throughout the years - including his forecasting of the coronavirus pandemic, Queen Elizabeth II's death and the Microsoft global outage.

But he has now weighed in on the Duchess's plans to launch the second round of her As Ever lifestyle products - as well as what her wider future holds.

In April, coming off the heels of her new Netflix show, The Duchess finally launched her much-anticipated lifestyle brand, As Ever.

The products, which included a raspberry spread, shortbread cookie mix and edible flower sprinkles, sold out within a half hour of going live - but received a less than stellar review by Daily Mail's FEMAIL team.

Since then, fans have been begging for Meghan to restock, something that she claims is coming soon - even though she recently said that the brand was on 'pause' in a podcast episode.

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.'

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.'

Brazilian parapsychologist and clairvoyant Athos Salome, also known as the Living Nostradamus, has made a dire prediction about the future of Meghan Markle 's As Ever brand and her public image

In April, coming off the heels of her new Netflix show, The Duchess finally launched her much-anticipated lifestyle brand, As Ever

Then, just a few weeks ago, the mom-of two 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.

But now, with so much uncertainty in the air, the Living Nostradamus is weighing in, sharing what he believes is to come for the brand.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Salome shared that Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand was something 'conceived as an extension of her public image - based on values such as awareness, healing and sustainability.'

He warned that the project has 'occasional peaks in visibility' but no 'long-term consistency.'

According to his analysis, the brand faces a structural obstacle: the perception of superficiality on the part of the fashion and luxury market elite.

'Although visually aligned with minimalist trends, it lacks symbolic depth and archetypal identity  attributes valued in established brands such as Dior or Loewe,' Salome said.

'The hidden purpose of the initiative is less commercial and more geopolitical: an attempt to reposition Harry and Meghan on the global influence scene.'

But that isn't all.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Salome shared that Meghan's As Ever lifestyle brand was something 'conceived as an extension of her public image - based on values such as awareness, healing and sustainability'

The Living Nostradamus explained that because some of her recent projects have had a 'controversial reception' from the public, he sees a 'progressive deterioration of Meghan's image in the audiovisual media'

The Living Nostradamus explained that because some of her recent projects have had a 'controversial reception' from the public, he sees a 'progressive deterioration of Meghan's image in the audiovisual media.'

'Even with rebranding attempts focused on women's issues or social impact, executives and producers already consider her name to be 'overexposed,'' he shared.

However, this 'deterioration' will not stop the former Suits actress from 'making a comeback' sometime, as he used the Cannes red carpet as an example.

But despite this, he doesn't see Meghan putting a stop to As Ever anytime soon - in fact, he can see her expanding it into various categories, as she alluded to.

He also claimed that Meghan will seek esoteric support to negotiate partnerships with luxury brands, with the aim of launching a premium, high-end line.

'At the same time, negotiations are reportedly underway with green technology startups, signaling a new strategic repositioning,' Salome said.

According to the psychic, Meghan still has a loyal following and strong appeal in social and environmental causes, which guarantees her high global influence.

However, he still believes that 'her image is facing increasing wear and tear, especially in traditional media'

The Sun reported that The Duchess is trademarking her brand As Ever for 'hospitality services'

However, he still believes that 'her image is facing increasing wear and tear, especially in traditional media.'

'The lack of symbolic depth in her projects and the perception of inconsistency between discourse and practice compromise her credibility,' he said.

Looking to the future, Salome had a few recommendations for Meghan and her brand.

He suggested a 'strategic repositioning' by partnering with 'solid brands' for collaboration, and even entering into emerging markets in Latin American and Southeast Asia.

Salome's predictions come just days after it was reported that Meghan will be adding hotels and restaurants to her As Ever brand.

The Sun reported that The Duchess is trademarking her brand As Ever for 'hospitality services.'

This will reportedly include places to stay, as well as temporary lodgings and 'provision of food and drink', the newspaper revealed.

Meghan could dish up a selection of her own edible creations, incorporating recipes she featured on her recent Netflix eight-part cooking show With Love, Meghan.
Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein has lashed out after her boyfriend Jody Glidden was falsely accused of using cocaine on the show.

The baseless rumors were started by viewers on social media following this week's season seven premiere.

During the episode, Jody and a friend were seen entering a bedroom in the middle of a lavish birthday party that Lisa had thrown him in their home.

'We're going for a shot and some AC,' he told a friend.

'Where's the AC?' the friend asked, before Jody responded, 'In my room. Wanna come?'

The friends then went inside and shut the door behind them.

The interaction caused a number of viewers on social media to speculate that 'AC' may have been a codename for something else.

Real Housewives of Miami star Lisa Hochstein has lashed out after her boyfriend Jody Glidden was falsely accused of using cocaine on the show

Some even claimed that 'AC' was referencing cocaine, with one fan account asking, 'Was A/C code for coke?!'

Firing back at the untrue accusations, Lisa wrote in the comments, 'I can't believe I have to address such ridiculous rumors, but last night's RHOM episode was a gross misrepresentation of what actually happened.'

She continued, 'Jody and our non-cast friends were hanging out in our primary suite and lounge area which we use as a common space with friends and family - they were not crowded in some solitary bathroom.

'Our friends did not want to be filmed, so they sought out privacy in our hangout spot. Any implication beyond that reality is completely false and upsetting. And for the record: AC = Air Conditioning - something essential in Miami!'

A number of fans came to Lisa's defense, with one writing, 'The fact you have to explain yourself, Im sorry Lisa.'

Another commented, 'Don't bother replying to ignorant people. Dont waste your time. Keep living your best life.'

Lisa further explained the situation in another comment.

The speculation started after Jody and a friend went to a bedroom for 'some AC' during a party on the show's season seven premiere

Lisa shut down the false rumors in a comment left on @therealhousewiveszone Instagram account

'His friends just didnt want to be on camera once all the drama started. The house does have central air, but production had the doors open most of the night with all the lights and equipment, so it got hot in the Miami heat,' she explained.

Lisa and Jody officially confirmed their romance back in early 2023.

The couple are currently starring on The Real Housewives of Miami, which just kicked off its seventh season this week.

It comes after Lisa and her ex-husband Lenny Hochstein finally reached a settlement to the defamation lawsuit he filed against her in late 2023.

A notice of settlement was filed on April 2, and documents obtained by DailyMail.com show that Lenny agreed to drop his request for damages exceeding $50,000.

Instead, both he and Lisa have 'amicably' agreed to pay their own legal fees.

The couple shared a joint statement with DailyMail.com about the defamation suit's settlement referencing Lisa's original claims that the 58-year-old plastic surgeon  who is known as the 'boob god'  had physical abused her, as well as his subsequently claims that the 42-year-old reality star had been abusive to him during their marriage.

'We acknowledge that the end of our marriage was a painful and highly public experience. Images posted on social media at the time led to speculation and insinuations by the media that do not reflect what occurred,' they said.

'We can jointly confirm that there was never any physical harm caused by Dr. Leonard Hochstein or Lisa Hochstein, and the media's insinuations from any photos or posts are not true. We are both excited to close this chapter, and move on and be great co-parents for our kids,' they exes concluded.

A number of fans came to Lisa's defense, with one writing, 'The fact you have to explain yourself, Im sorry Lisa'

In a separate statement to DailyMail.com, Lenny again denied Lisa's initial claims that he was violent toward her.

'During our divorce Lisa falsely accused me of many heinous actions. None worse than the idea that I physically abused her,' he said.

'I have never hit a woman in my life, certainly not Lisa,' the surgeon continued. 'This accusation hurt me more than all the others put together. I oppose all forms of violence, especially against women. I am glad that she chose to set the record straight.'

The former couple share two children: son Logan, nine, and daughter Elle, five.

As part of their divorce settlement, Lenny agreed to pay $15,000 per month in child support, which will be reduced to $10,000 per month once Logan turns 18.
Heston Blumenthal has revealed he 'had thought about different ways of ending [his life]' before eventually receiving treatment for bipolar disorder.

The London-born celebrity chef, 59, who holds a total of seven Michelin stars across his restaurants, was diagnosed with type 1 bipolar after being sectioned - on the insistence of his wife, French entrepreneur Melanie Ceysson - in November 2023.

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder which causes unusual and often sudden changes in mood and energy levels.

He spent two weeks heavily medicated in a psychiatric hospital and a further six weeks in a clinic, where he continued with intensive treatment and practised walking meditation.

Yet, four years previously, he had already hit rock bottom and was contemplating the method he would use to take his own life.

Looking back to filming the cookery show Crazy Delicious in 2019, Heston told The Times: 'I remember lying on the sofa the night before I was due to go to do the show - I didnt want to do it, because of the condition I was in - and I had thought about different ways of finishing [my life].

'I went through a list: knife? No, cant do that. Gun? Dont have one. Rope? I dont think I could do that; wouldnt know how. It would probably slip off or whatever.

'And there was no train station anywhere near to jump in front of a train.'

Heston Blumenthal (pictured) has spoken frankly about his mental health crisis, which led to a bipolar disorder diagnosis, ahead of a new documentary due out next week

The father-of-three, whose first eatery, The Fat Duck, was named the best restaurant in the world in 2005, added that he didn't perceive that he was in a depressive state - even when he 'was talking about suicide or death'.

He told the publication: 'I must have been in a mixed state [a period of rapid highs and lows], because I was excited about planning my funeral, planning my wake. What music I wanted, who I wanted there - I got quite excited about that.'

The chef spoke to The Times ahead of the release of a new BBC documentary titled Heston: My Life with Bipolar, which will air on June 19.

In the interview, Heston, who lives in Provence in southeastern France with his second wife Melanie, addressed his past, present and future.

Reflecting on the diagnosis he received in November 2023 after being sectioned by police officers and a doctor who turned up at his home, he said: 'I dont have bipolar; I am bipolar.

'It was always there, and for whatever reason - possibly Covid isolation; I was on my own a lot - it escalated.'

Had he not been sectioned at the insistence of Melanie, 38, at this time, the chef would have lived for only a few more days.

In the years prior to his hospitalisation, Heston, who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2017, experienced depressive states and hypomania, a less serious version of mania which can nevertheless drive risk-taking and impulsivity.

The English chef and restaurateur, 59, has told how his wife French entrepreneur Melanie Ceysson (right), 38, made the brave choice to have him sectioned

During this time, he was sleeping as little as 20 hours a week - and was using cocaine, unusually, to help him get to sleep.

By contrast, he would work a 120-hour week, fuelled by flashes of creativity brought on by the hypomania.

Today, Heston remains on medication and told how his depression is still a problem for him, though he blames external factors such as a family court case and the financial losses that his restaurants have been subject to.

Next week's documentary will look into the state of healthcare for those with bipolar in the UK, with Heston talking to others who also have the condition about their experiences.

In May, when the project was announced, he said: 'I was living with undiagnosed bipolar for many years, so its been an extraordinary journey to get where I am today.

'There is still a big stigma around bipolar, but it is vital to be able to talk openly about the condition.

'I know this isnt always easy, but I hope by sharing my experience in this documentary people will gain a greater understanding of bipolar and an insight into my life now.'

Heston, who has an impressive seven Michelin stars, became an ambassador for Bipolar UK in February.

The BBC has commissioned a 'raw and unfiltered' documentary about a popular TV chef's life following his bipolar diagnosis

The charity describes the mental health condition as an episodic disorder characterised by potentially extreme changes in energy and mood.

It carries the highest suicide risk of any mental health condition.

Bipolar UK estimates more than one million adults in Britain have the disorder - which is 30 per cent more than the number of people with dementia.

But it is thought some 56 per cent of those living with bipolar in the UK do not have a diagnosis.

Mike Radford, executive producer of the upcoming documentary, said: 'This is the first time Heston has given his account of what happened for a documentary.

'Were grateful to Heston for giving such a raw and unfiltered view of his life with this condition, which we know impacts the lives of so many people.'

The film, recorded over the course of six months, will see Heston and his loved ones about how his undiagnosed bipolar disorder affected them.

He will also speak about how he has since managed undergoing long-term treatment for it - which he has previously said has impacted his energy and creativity.

The chef, known for experimental creations like snail porridge and bacon and egg ice cream, told Newsnight in February medication initially left him 'zombified', with 'no energy at all'.

He said: 'As my medications have been changed and my levels of self-confidence and self-awareness have gone up I realise my imagination and creativity is still there.

'It was at levels that were so extreme before... looking back I can remember during my manic highs I was interrupting myself with ideas.'

The documentary will track his journey towards recovery and returning to work, to run his Michelin-starred restaurants The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire, and Dinner, in London, and pub The Hind's Head, also in Bray.
Police transcripts with Prince Albert of Monaco's former trusted advisor have revealed the latest in a bitter fallout between the royal and his once right-hand-man; including conversations detailing his running of the royal's 'discreet bachelor pad' and financing his illegitimate children and their mothers.

Claude Palmero, 68, looked after the family's money (including their investments, their properties and the main palace) from 2001 to 2023, just as his father, Andre, had done for Prince Rainier III of Monaco two decades before him.

However, he was sacked by Albert, 67, in 2023 after being targeted by a mysterious anti-corruption website. A few months later, French newspaper Le Monde published Palmero's 'secret notebooks', which claimed to detail reckless spending by the Royal Family, with a particular spotlight on Princess Charlene, 47.

The controversy escalated in September after the former financial adviser was reportedly arrested - and released without charge.

And now the outlet has shared what Palmero reportedly told Monegasque officials - after his successor at the palace Salim Zeghdar accused him of poorly managing assets and 'making himself the economic beneficiary on all the files'.

Palmero allegedly told investigators however that the royal is 'only trying to harm and harass me' with 'absurd and slanderous complaints'.

Claiming he was a 'victim', the royal's former employee - who is accused by Albert for 'breaching professional secrecy' and 'invading of privacy and family life' - Palmero insists he 'was bound by confidentiality, but not by professional secrecy'.

He also denied handing notebooks over to Le Monde, as well as the claim that they were written without the Prince's permission.

Police transcripts with Prince Albert of Monaco's former trusted advisor have revealed the latest in a bitter fallout between the royal and his once right-hand-man. Albert pictured with his wife Princess Charlene last year

Claude Palermo (pictured), 68, looked after the family's money (including their investments, their properties and the main palace) from 2001 to 2023, just as his father, Andre, had done for Prince Rainier III of Monaco two decades before him

The advisor was asked: 'Do you confirm that these notebooks contain information related to the private life of the princely family?'

He replied: 'As I handled all matters for the princely family, some aspects were private.'

Palmero also was said to have, in interviews with police, detailed getting a 'bachelor pad' ready for the royal.

In 2012, one year into Albert's marriage to his wife Princess Charlene, he was reportedly 'commissioned' to 'find him a discreet pied-a-terre in complete confidentiality'.

In 2017, he was also allegedly asked to 'make sure the property was ready' for him to go there. Palmero also claims that Albert had listed him as the official tenant to conceal his true motives.

'That proves how unusual the missions he assigned to me were,' the former advisor told officials. 'So it is quite inappropriate to claim that I overstepped my duties. Do you think it is the job of a financial asset manager to take care of his bachelor pad and such matters?

'He trusted me... And who else could he have asked for such things, apart from me?'

The books also alleged that Albert spends millions every year from a secret French bank account to pay his former mistresses and love children - with Jazmin Grimaldi, 31, and Alexandre Coste-Grimaldi, 20, receiving allowances of 344,000 a year each.

In his conversations with the police, as per Le Monde, Palmero claimed that himself and Albert's childhood friend and lawyer Thierry Lacoste, who was also dismissed, 'handled' matters in regards to Alexandre's mother Nicole Coste (left), including the birth and recognition of their son (centre)

Prince Albert II of Monaco pictured with his daughter Jazmin at the 2020 Hollywood For The Global Ocean Gala

In his conversations with the police, as per Le Monde, Palmero claimed that himself and Albert's childhood friend and lawyer Thierry Lacoste, who was also dismissed, 'handled' matters in regards to Alexandre's mother Nicole Coste, including the birth and recognition of their son.

The Prince was said to be 'very uneasy and wanted to carry out these operations without anyone finding out, which was done successfully'.

Palmero claimed he was also tasked with handling the salaries of UK-based Nicole's employees, covering everything from accommodation to dismissals.

At one point, about 10 years ago, he detailed a purchase of a 6.5million luxury London apartment for Alexandre's mother.

'So that Charlene would not find out, Albert created a trust for which I was the trustee, which means a trusted person,' Palmero continued.

'HSH signed the trust himself and he kept me as trustee until January 2025. He therefore still trusted me after my dismissal, and you don't trust a crook or a thief. That destroys his argument.'

In a statement to officials, he added that the royal family's wealth is largely 'in civil companies that, through chains sometimes involving companies in other countries, ultimately lead to Panamanian companies'.

The ex-employee explained that these companies are allegedly registered in the names of Albert and his siblings - Princesses Caroline and Stephanie.

Nicole (right with Albert) was allegedly on track to cost the monarch 'nearly $1million a year', reports claimed

Jazmin's mother Tamara, then a waitress, had a fling with the monarch back in 1991, while on holiday (pictured together in the same year).

Prince Albert and Jazmin watch the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament on April 19, 2018 in Monaco

Dubbing the case 'Monacogate', Le Monde also highlighted an audit from firm Alvarez & Marsal - appointed by the palace after Palmero was dismissed which suspected him of using a 'fake invoicing system' to manipulate funds 'detriment of the princely family'.

Palmero allegedly called this 'colossal nonsense', adding that Albert had a 'frequent need for cash' used to 'settle various problems, such as buying back compromising photos'.

The outlet also detailed Palmero's denial at creating 'slush funds', which he was by Zeghdar accused of using to 'pay informants and invoices from intelligence agencies'.

MailOnline has reached out to representatives of the Monaco Royal Family for comment.

Millionaire Palmero, who prefers his privacy and is rarely photographed, has vowed to 'restore his honour', his lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard told The Telegraph in September.

Palmero, who is now said to work as a freelance financial consultant in Monaco, hasn't heard from Prince Albert since July 2023, according to the publication.

Recalling his 'very sudden' dismissal, the former financial advisor's lawyer said: 'Palmero loved his job. It was his life, in fact. His life was Monaco; it was the Prince, the Prince's family, helping and doing everything he could to protect them

'It was very sudden. He felt completely depressed it was incomprehensible,' she added, before saying that if Palmero didn't have the support of his family, 'I think he would not be with us.'

Prince Albert, who took over the reins of the principality following his father Prince Rainier III's death in 2005, sacked his trusted financial adviser in June 2023. Pictured with his wife this month

The lawyer added: 'Three years ago, someone decided to dirty the name of Claude Palmero... At the beginning, the Prince said to Palmero, 'OK, I want to help you, it's horrible, they are lying. I know that you are clean.' And two years later, the Prince says, 'I am fed up of all these stories, and I want you to go away.''

Prince Albert, who took over the reins of the principality following his father Prince Rainier III's death in 2005, sacked his trusted financial adviser in June 2023.

In an sudden purge, he also dismissed his chief-of-staff Laurent Anselmi after the two staff members were targeted by an anonymous website's explosive claims of widespread corruption in the country.

The website, known as 'Les Dossiers du Rocher', emerged in late 2021 and targeted not only Palmero and Anselmi, but other prominent figures close to the prince including lawyer Thierry Lacoste and president of the principality's supreme court Didier Linotte.

These men, known as the G4, were accused of orchestrating corruption involving multimillion-euro property deals, claims which all four vehemently deny.

Albert initially stood by his close confidants, but later began distancing himself from them. Then in June, Albert sacked Palmero and Anselmi, and again publicly played down associations with Lacoste, his lawyer and childhood friend, and Linotte.

After losing his role in the palace, Palmero reportedly filed a lawsuit against the royal family, accusing them of abuse of weakness, attempted extortion and theft. He also contested his dismissal before a tribunal headed by Judge Linotte.

But when the president of Monaco's Supreme Court was pushed out, Palmero went to the European Court of Human Rights. He allegedly claimed that it wasn't possible to get a fair hearing in the super-rich principality. The case is still ongoing.

Albert initially stood by his close confidants, but later began distancing himself from them. Then in June, Albert sacked Palmero and Anselmi, and again publicly played down associations with Lacoste, his lawyer and childhood friend, and Linotte. Pictured with Charlene in April

Prince Albert of Monaco has denied all of Palmero's allegations.

A few months later in January, excerpts from Palmero's 'secret notebooks' made their way into two French newspapers. His lawyer denies that he gave the information to the press.

The books alleged that the Prince spent millions every year on his former mistresses and illegitimate children.

According to Le Monde, Jazmin, Albert's love child with U.S. estate agent Tamara Rotolo, receives 73,000 every three months - despite not being part of the royal family. Palmero noted she was given 4,200 for her 18th and a flat in New York worth 2.6 million seven years later.

He also noted that the palace was paying for kidnap and ransom insurance for Alexandre, 20, Albert's son with former air hostess Nicole Coste. The Prince acknowledged paternity of Alexandre in 2005.

In 2015, Alexandre's mother persuaded Albert to back her fashion business, which was fronted by a shop in London's Knightsbridge, Le Monde said. Palmero noted in 2015 that it was 'on course [to cost] one million [euros] a year'.

Liberation, another of the French newspapers which published excerpts from the series of five notebooks, said the Prince had an account at French bank BNP under the name AG for 'Albert Grimaldi'.

The newspaper said the account was used to pay Albert's former mistresses and their children without his wife Charlene knowing.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, pictured on their wedding day in 2011, tied the knot 14 years ago

Meanwhile, Charlene, who is 20 years the Prince's junior and spent four months in a hospital in 2021/2022 for 'deep fatigue', was routinely given an allowance of around 1.2 million a year - but still managed to overspend, according to Palmero's notes.

The speed at which the mother-of-two apparently burned through money so worried the Prince's accountant that he wrote in his notes: 'It's crazy! I have no control over the Princess' spending.'

Investigators in the super-rich Mediterranean country, which has a population of just 36,000, were seeking to find out how Le Monde obtained Palmero's notebooks, according to Le Parisien.

Palmero's lawyer, Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard, denied reports in France's national press that he had been taken into police custody over corruption allegations contained in a separate lawsuit filed by Prince Albert.

She said 'false information' was 'leaked to the media this morning in order to put pressure on the police and the justice system as well as to undermine the honour' of her client, who has been the 'target of powerful interests in Monaco for a long time'.

Canu-Bernard, who said her client denies wrongdoing, claimed: 'Claude Palmero was indeed heard this morning, this does not in any way concern any suspicion of corruption... There was no follow-up because nothing was found against the former treasurer of the Palace.'

MailOnline contacted Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard and the Monaco Royal Household for comment at the time.

Earlier last year, Prince Albert said his family and the public had supported him after his former accountant accused him of financial impropriety, but his wife Charlene is 'very upset for him'.

The entries in Palermo's notebooks seem to suggest that Prince Albert's chaotic personal life has drained his riches. Albert and Charlene in 2010

The ruler spoke to Paris Match to mark his birthday two months after Palmero's notes revealed Charlene's personal spending allowance rocketed to more than 1million-a-year.

The leaked documents to French media earlier this year also accused the royal family of hiring illegal immigrants as nannies. Prince Albert did not comment on it at the time.

Speaking in March 2024, he said: 'Thankfully, my whole family is there for me, showering me with their affection, both my immediate family and the extended family of Monegasque.'

But he went on: 'She [Charlene] was also very upset for me, and saddened by certain things that came out in the media. We supported each other. She has resumed many of her activities, more public engagements, to everyone's delight.'

The entries in Palermo's notebooks seem to suggest that Prince Albert's chaotic personal life has drained his riches.

Head of Monaco's ruling Grimaldi dynasty since 2005, Albert is the only son of Prince Rainier III and former Hollywood star Grace Kelly. He has two acknowledged love children: Alexandre, by former air hostess Nicole Coste, born in 2003; and Jazmin, by U.S. estate agent Tamara Rotolo, born in 1993.

In September 2020 another putative love child sent a letter. The teenager - aged 15 at the time - is being raised in Brazil and claimed in the handwritten note to have been conceived during a round-the-world love affair in 2004.

The matter was to come to court in Milan, but was dropped. A spokesman for the Prince said it was a 'hoax'.

In December 2014, Charlene gave birth to twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. The family pictured in November

Some of the most potentially damaging comments in Palmero's notebooks refer to Charlene's staff. He alleges she employed nannies and other domestic staff who were illegal immigrants, or living in Monaco illegally.

'Her Serene Highness the Princess makes people work for her who are not compliant,' Palmero warned Albert.

In a letter written in January 2017, he said another employee from the Philippines had been 'illegal for five years', despite being on a one-month tourist visa. 'He gets paid 100 euros a day [85] which is off the scale,' Palmero wrote.

In December 2014, Charlene gave birth to twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, and immediately placed them in the care of nannies who Palmero claims were also illegal immigrants.

'Update on the hiring of nannies . . . We are completely illegal (even their tourist visa expired on January 7),' Palmero wrote on January 15 of that year.

'They are not only in an illegal situation, but one entered with a false passport,' he added.

In 2021, he vetoed new staff hires requested by Charlene, who already had '8.5 people in her service, there have never been so many'.

In a statement to Le Monde, the Prince's lawyers said that if money was paid to illegal migrants, then it was Palmero who had authorised the expenditure.

Last year, Palmero was sacked as one of Albert's most trusted lieutenants and is now accused of having embezzled cash - a claim he denies. 'I never took a cent,' he said.

'This is a 100 per cent denial. I am neither corrupt nor a thief, all improbable things of which the princely family, for whom I devoted myself for two decades, unjustly accuses me today.'

In a statement Prince Albert said: 'The attacks that Mr Palmero makes against me and against the state of Monaco and its institutions show his true nature and the little respect . . . he has for the family and the principality.'

Palmero's departure followed two years of corruption claims distributed by a WikiLeaks-style website, Les Dossiers du Rocher (The Rock Files).

The website said that the Prince's confidants manipulated the sky-high property market on The Rock - as the tiny tax haven Principality of Monaco is nicknamed - for personal gain.

Those named on the website included Albert's former chief of staff Laurent Anselmi, Claude Palmero and his one-time lawyer Thierry Lacoste.

All were once close personal friends of Albert, while others accused of fraud include Monaco Supreme Court judge Didier Linotte.

All those named vehemently deny the claims made against them.

Prince Albert told Le Figaro in 2023: 'The Rock Files brought to light, via the internet, certain activities of people who were working with me. As I've said: if trust is broken, then it's impossible to continue working together.'
An Australian healthcare worker has revealed some of the strangest names she has come across in the course of her work.

She shared some of the unusual monikers in a video on TikTok, where her handle is @wakanda1804.

Speaking in the video, the content creator said: 'So one of our favourite things as healthcare workers is to talk about some of the names that we come across, especially for young people.'

She noted that a few years ago, a popular name 'making the rounds' was ABCDE - pronounced 'Absidee', which the healthcare worker noted kept 'things really easy for that child'.

Next, she added: 'We also had a young girl that we came across. I thought her name was pronounced Leah because it was [spelt] L E - A.

'You actually pronounce the hyphen as a dash, [so it] was pronounced Ladasha.'

Along with some of her coworkers, she had some across another unexpected spelling.

'Just very recently, we had a girl come into emergency,' the content creator said.

An Australian healthcare worker and TikTok creator (pictured) has revealed some of the most unusual names she has come across in recent years

'And the doctor was like, how do you think you pronounce this name? So it was [spelt] CVIILIN.

'And I was like, "oh, that's easy. I really feel like that would be pronounced Civilian".

'So he goes out in to the waiting room, and he's like, "Civilian, Civilian," - nothing.

'After a little bit, this girl stands up, and she's like, "that's me, and I think that you mean Caitlyn".'

The youngster then revealed that the VIII in her name was actually Roman numerals, and so was pronounced eight.

However, the TikTokker left the most shocking name for last, explaining: 'A week before that, we had a young child in the peadiatric room, and I was like, this is absolutely crazy.

While one of the children the healthcare worker came across at work had a name pronounced as Shatheed, the spelling looked rude

'The parents had named this child. I don't even know how they're allowed to register this. It was S, H, I, hyphen, T, H, E, A, D, and it was pronounced Shatheed, but they had essentially named their child S*******, and they thought it was hysterical.'

The healthcare worker is not the only person to reveal some of the more unusual names parents have been giving their children in recent times.

Earlier this year, a New York-based TikTokker and comedian called Mike, who uses the handle @thatmikecomedy, made a video in which he relayed a story told by a teacher friend of his, who came across a name that was more riddle than moniker.

'How do you pronounce that name right there?' he asked, showing the letters 'JKMN' on the screen.

'Guess,' he encouraged, adding: 'You won't get it right.'

'My friend, who is a teacher, came across this name as she was doing roll call on the first day,' he explained.

Confessing his friend wasn't sure how to pronounce the name at all, Mike himself admitted his guess was 'Jacoom.'

'Do you know how it's pronounced?' he asked in disbelief. 'Noel,' he shared.

'You're probably thinking, "how is that possible?"' he mused.

'Because, she said, J-K-M-N... there's no L there,' he continued, as he revealed the rationale behind the confusing moniker.

Mike, from New York, recently took to TikTok to relay a story told by a teacher friend of his, who came across a name that was more riddle than moniker

'It skips the L so it's pronounced NO-L.'

'Yeah,' he confirmed. 'There are real parents who decided to name their child that and are going to have to have that conversation every time they write their name down.'

Some people questioned the legitimacy of the story, with Mike posting a follow up video assuring viewers it was indeed, very real.

'This is a real story,' he insisted, responding to one user who accused him of regurgitating a story posted to Reddit.

'My friend who told me this, she is a teacher, and these parents did name their daughter that.'
Sweden's Royal Family have stepped out to celebrate the christening of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia's daughter today at a lavish ceremony in Stockholm.

The glamorous couple, already parents to Prince Alexander, nine, Prince Gabriel, seven, and Prince Julian, four, welcomed their fourth child, Princess Ines Marie Lilian Silva, now five months old, on February 7.

Surrounded by her family, including Carl Philip's sisters, heir-to-the-throne Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine, the little one was christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel, just outside the Swedish capital.

Proud mother Princess Sofia, 40, who held her baby during the ceremony, brought the sunshine in a bright yellow gown and a matching headband.

Her 46-year-old husband appeared charming in his military uniform. The parents-of-four were also joined at the christening by their sons, who looked adorable in matching white shirts and cream blazers.

Among the glamorous guests were Carl Philip's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia as well as the newborn's older cousins, including Crown Princess Victoria's children, Princess Estelle, 13, and Prince Oscar, nine.

It was revealed yesterday that Estelle, second-in-line to the throne, is one of Ines' godparents.

The Swedish Palace announced Princess Ines' birth on February 7, with Princess Sofia and Prince Philip's daughter eighth in line to the throne.

The chief priest, Bishop Johan Dalman, holds up Princess Ines after he baptizes her. Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia are pictured on the right

Days after the little one was born, Sofia and Carl Philip shared adorable photographs of their 'perfect quartet' on Instagram.

In the first snap, the three older brothers admired their sister, who was wrapped in a warm blanket.

The second image showed three-year-old Prince Julian sweetly pecking his younger sister on the forehead.

The Instagram caption read: 'It turned out to be a perfect little quartet. Big and warm thanks for all the nice congratulations to our little Ines.'

Viewers flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts, including Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, who wrote: 'Congratulations'.

Their social media post came after the Swedish Palace officially released the first portrait of Ines that was captured by her mother.

Prince Carl Philip with his daughter Princess Ines and wife Princess Sofia during the ceremony

Among the glamorous guests were Carl Philip's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia (pictured centre) and Crown Princess Victoria (pictured right)

Proud mother Princess Sofia, 40, who held her baby during the ceremony, brought the sunshine in a bright yellow gown and a matching headband

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia with Princess Ines during the christening in Drottningholm Palace Chapel

Her 46-year-old husband appeared charming in his military uniform. The parents-of-four were also joined at the christening by their sons, who looked adorable in matching white shirts and cream blazers. The family pictured alongside Princess Estelle

Carl Philip appeared charming in his military uniform, pictured left. Pictured right: Princess Sofia presents Princess Ines after her christening

Surrounded by her family (pictured), including Carl Philip's sisters, heir-to-the-throne Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine , the little one was christened at Drottningholm Palace Chapel, just outside the Swedish capital

The sweet snap showed the little one, in a white shirt with hearts, cuddled up in a blanket.

According to the Palace, the royal delivered a 'healthy' daughter at on Friday February 7 at 1.10pm, with her husband by her side.

As she left the hospital, Princess Sofia was glowing, looking radiant as she smiled at waiting photographers.

The royal couple announced last September that they would be having their fourth child together.

A Palace statement revealing the pregnancy at the time said: 'Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia have the great pleasure to announce that the Princess is expecting the couple's fourth child.

'Princess Sofia is doing well and the birth is expected in February 2025. No changes are expected in Princess Sofia's official program during the autumn.'

The statement was shared alongside a sweet photograph of the couple, with Carl Philip smiling at the camera, while his wife leaned her head on his face. The background featured a stunning lake and several mountains.

While she is eighth in line to the throne, Sofia and Carl Philip's child will not have an HRH style title because of a decision made by King Carl XVI Gustaf in 2019.

Sofia looked the picture of elegance in her yellow ensemble as she held her daughter during the ceremony

Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel fill the baptismal font during Princess Ines' christening

Princess Sofia with her daughter and on the right pastor Michael Bjerkhagen together with godparents Claes Kockum, Sandrine Kockum, Fredrik von der Esch, Princess Estelle and Tiara Larsson during Princess Ines' baptism

Princess Ines (pictured today), now aged five months old, was born in February

The chief priest, Bishop Johan Dalman, holds up Princess Ines after he baptizes her

During his Christmas speech, he revealed that he was stripping his grandchildren of their titles so that it could help them 'eventually carve out their own future'.

The monarch said at the time: 'The decision was to make clear who within the royal family will act as official representatives of Sweden in the future. For me, this is a way of clarifying what expectations are.

'It will hopefully be helpful when my grandchildren eventually carve out their own future. But, to that day, it is far away.'
The King has presented new Colours to the Coldstream Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle, marking the regiment's 375th anniversary.

Troops from the 1st and 2nd Battalions paraded on Friday morning before the King's official birthday celebrations in London this weekend.

The soldiers marched from Victoria Barracks through Windsor town centre, accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards, before entering the castle. The old Colours were formally marched off to the sound of Auld Lang Syne.

In a light-hearted moment, one photograph from the occasion showed Charles, who is a reasonable 5ft 10", surrounded by seemingly tall soldiers as he inspected the regiment.

Around 1,000 guests watched the event in the roasting sun inside the Quadrangle, with around another 100 members of the public gathered outside the castle gates trying to catch a glimpse.

A traditional drumhead service followed, with regimental drums stacked to form a makeshift altar.

The new Colours were laid on top and consecrated by the Chaplain-General.

The King, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, touched each Colour before formally presenting them to the Guards.

The King has presented new Colours to the Coldstream Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle , marking the regiment's 375th anniversary

'It gives me enormous pride, as your Colonel-in-Chief, to be able to present these new Colours to you today in the presence of the wider Regimental family,' he said.

'Each and every one of you on parade today is now part of that great legacy.'

The new Colours display 44 of the regiment's 113 battle honours, ranging from Tangier in 1680 to the Gulf in 1991.

They also bear the eight-pointed Star of the Order of the Garter and the King's Crown, featured for the first time in 70 years.

'These Colours, encompassing your richly deserved battle honours, are a gallant testament to the outstanding courage, fortitude and spirit that the Regiment has always displayed throughout our nation's history,' the King said.

He also paid tribute to the families of serving soldiers, adding: 'I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for your tremendous, unwavering support and encouragement.'

Troops from the 1st and 2nd Battalions paraded on Friday morning before the King's official birthday celebrations in London this weekend

Around 1,000 guests watched the event in the roasting sun inside the Quadrangle, with around another 100 members of the public gathered outside the castle gates trying to catch a glimpse

King Charles, Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards, inspects the regiment

The Coldstream Guards are the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army, founded in 1650 during the English Civil War.

They serve both in frontline military operations and in ceremonial duties, including guarding royal residences.

They have recently deployed to Iraq, supported training efforts in Ukraine, and delivered military instruction in West Africa, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

'You have done so much to support both Ukraine, and the United Kingdom's own security,' the King said.

After the presentation, the Colours were returned to the regiment's ensigns, who took up position in front of the parade.

The Guards then gave three cheers and a Royal Salute before marching off.

The King remained in the Quadrangle later in the day to meet serving guardsmen, families, veterans and the bereaved.

The youngest soldier on parade was 18, while the oldest was a 67-year-old veteran.

The soldiers marched from Victoria Barracks through Windsor town centre, accompanied by the Band of the Coldstream Guards, before entering the castle (pictured)

The flags are positioned on the drum stack, a makeshift altar created from regimental drums, during a ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire

Later Ensign Lieutenant Max Martin, 24, who was mentioned by the King during his address, told the PA news agency: 'It was an absolutely incredible day.

'It caught me completely off guard  first thing I thought about was my mum and dad in the stands and how excited they would have been to hear my name.

'I tried my best not to let out a grin but as His Majesty pushed up the King's Colour and said good luck for tomorrow I couldn't help but have a little smirk to myself.

'The eagle eyes of the Garrison Sergeant Major were watching me so I tried to cover it up but I couldn't help myself.'
Scroll through Shilpa Shettys Instagram feed and youd be forgiven for thinking shes your run-of-the-mill B-list Bollywood actress who - bolstered by social media - has found new success in an influencer niche.

The actress - who recently celebrated her 50th birthday at a bash that made headlines for all the wrong reasons - posts a mix of glam shots, sweat-free workout snaps, outtakes from her international holidays, and her Sunday Binge Reels that might trigger those with slower Basal Metabolic Rates.

However, the glossy veneer of her public persona conceals a more turbulent personal life - including the ups and downs in her marriage to British-born millionaire Raj Kundra, who was arrested and jailed for 63 days in 2021 on charges of making and distributing porn.

Just this week, the Dhadkan actress found herself facing harsh criticism for being an entitled Bollywood star after video footage from her birthday party at a glitzy restaurant in Hvar Islands, Croatia, was posted online.

In the now-viral clip, Shilpa can be heard screaming Dont talk to us, we dont want to talk to you at a fellow guest, who reportedly complained her group was being too loud and politely requested them to speak softly.

Its a far cry from her restrained and dignified stance in the face of vile racist abuse at the hands of Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd, and Jo OMeara that made Shilpa a fan-favourite during her time on Celebrity Big Brother - and ultimately saw her walk away as the series winner after the finale was aired in February 2007.

Controversy followed Shilpa back home to Mumbai as she found herself accused of 'obscenity' when Pretty Woman star Richard Gere kissed her on the cheek repeatedly at an AIDS awareness event the following month.

Photos from the event in New Delhi show how the American actor took the star's hand and kissed it, before embracing her and kissing her multiple times on the cheek.

During her time on Celebrity Big Brother, Shilpa - now 50 - endured vile racist abuse at the hands of Jade Goody (left), Danielle Lloyd , and Jo OMear

The same year, her parents Sunanda and Surendra Shetty - who died in 2016 - were awaiting trial in Mumbai on extortion charges

Shilpa and her husband Raj Kundra pose during the wedding reception of Bollywood superstars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in 2018. Three years later, Raj would be arrested in connection with a 'porn racket'

He later said the spontaneous act had been designed to show that kissing was not dangerous and could not spread the virus.

But the incident sparked protests among India's religious conservatives, who branded it an outrage and took to the streets in protest.

Some of the protests morphed into riots, with effigies of both actors burned in the streets with criminal charges filed against the pair, whose actions were branded an affront to traditional Indian values.

While the charges against Mr Gere were quickly dropped, after he apologised, those against Ms Shetty languished in the Indian criminal justice system for nearly 14 years until she was cleared of 'obscenity' for not resisting the kiss in 2022.

The widespread public protests weren't the only personal setback Shilpa suffered the same year she won Celebrity Big Brother.

In 2007, Shilpa's parents were awaiting trial on extortion charges after it was claimed they hired a mafia don to intimidate a Surat-based businessman into clearing her dues for a commercial she starred in.

'Are you nuts?' she retorted during an interview with the Evening Standard, when asked about the allegations against Sunanda and Surendra - who died in 2016 - Shetty.

Referring to the owner of the sari company, she said: 'Yes, that crook owes me around 80,000 and we sent him two legal demands to pay up.

Controversy followed Shilpa back home to Mumbai as she found herself accused of 'obscenity' when Pretty Woman star Richard Gere kissed her on the cheek repeatedly at an AIDS awareness event the following month

'And yes, there will be a court case [against my parents]. But the allegations are all lies. Extortion! It's not our style.'

The Surat-based businessman went to the police after he began receiving threatening calls in 2003, when the Shettys were placed under surveillance and the authorities secretly taped their phone calls.

Transcripts of conversations between the owner of the garment firm, Shetty's parents, and the criminals they allegedly hired were made public - and obtained by the Daily Mail - as Sunanda was recorded saying 'Give us the money, the [threatening] telephone calls will stop'.

Formal charges were filed against Sunanda and Surendra in 2010 and the criminal trial drags on to this date. After Surendra's death in 2016, new charges were framed against Sunanda, her former secretary Dilip Palsekar, and the underworld don Fazl-ur-Rehman alias Fazlu in 2019.

The hits would keep coming, as Shilpa also found herself at the centre of an extra-marital scandal after Big Brother when the wife of prominent Indian director Anubhav Sinha suggested the actress had seduced him.

In a 2007 interview with a local newspaper, Ratnaa Sinha broke her silence about the alleged affair between Anubhav Sinha and Shilpa on the set of his thriller Dus in Canada in 2005.

After he returned to India, Anubhav is said to have walked out of his marriage of 12 years.

The headline of Ratnaa's exclusive interview with DNA read: 'Ratna Sinha erupts against her director husband Anubhav and his 'good friend' Shilpa Shetty.

Without explicitly naming Shilpa, she said: 'Anubhav and I had the perfect marriage, until a year and a half ago.

Shilpa Shetty in London after she was crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother 5 in 2007

Shilpa and Raj in London during the early courtship period

'We had no problems whatsoever, but he suddenly left one day.

'I do not want to comment on their affair, but I am told they are good friends. They are both old and wise enough to make their own decisions. Anubhav knows the repercussions he will face for the choices he is making.'

At the time, she said the marriage break-up and the intense media interest in the story had a terrible effect on their young son, Shlok.

'He wakes up at 3am and cries out. He cannot go to school because people ask him where his father is.'

Shilpa denied any claims she and Anubhav had an affair, while maintaining they were 'just close friends' in an interview with the Evening Standard.

'It's all been extremely embarrassing. I'm keeping my silence because he's going through a bad marriage. People think my life is so glamorous.

'I am reported to be going out with different men, but the truth is I've had two dates in eight months. I'm always working. It's pretty boring being Shilpa Shetty!'

This wouldn't be the last time Shilpa would find herself accused of being a homewrecker as the now-ex-wife of Raj Kundra - Shilpa's husband - said the Dhadkan actress was 'living my life' and blamed her for breaking up her marriage.

Jade and Shilpa reunited on Bigg Boss, the Indian version of Big Brother, as they publicly quashed their beef

But when she learned Raj was married, Shilpa admitted she left the meeting 'disheartened'.

'Four months later, Raj [offered to let me stay at his] batch pad, since I was traveling to London frequently,' Shilpa told Indian media outlet Pinkvilla. 'I was surprised to know about his bachelor pad, and later he revealed that he is going through a divorce.'

His now-ex-wife, however, went on record at the time and claimed she and Raj were working through a rough patch - before Kavitaa sensationally accused Shilpa of stealing the diamond merchant from her.

In a bombshell interview with the Mail on Sunday, Kavita - the daughter of British businesman Bal Krishan - claimed Raj, then 31, began 'pestering me for a divorce' after becoming infatuated with Shilpa as she tried to put their three-year marriage back together.

'She can have any man she wants and there are plenty of single men about.

"While I was trying to put our marriage back together, he was talking constantly about Shilpa, as if it didn't matter what happened to us because he had found someone better, cleverer and more famous than me.

'Now he has begun pestering me for a divorce.'

While both Raj and Shilpa denied Kavitaa's claims, the former revealed details of Kavitaa's alleged infidelity in 2021 - after he was released from Mumbai's infamous Arthur Road jail while awaiting trial in the pornography case.

Raj Kundra's ex-wife Kavitaa in 2007 sensationally accused Shilpa of stealing her husband

In a bombshell interview with the Mail on Sunday, Kavita - the daughter of British businesman Bal Krishan - claimed Raj, then 31, began 'pestering me for a divorce' after becoming infatuated with Shilpa as she tried to put their three-year marriage back together. Raj and Shilpa at Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor and businessman Anand Ahuja's wedding reception

Shilpa and Raj welcomed their son Viaan in 2012

Raj claimed Kavitaa began a secret relationship with his sister's now-ex-husband, while accusing her of separating him from their then-40-day-old daughter, in an interview with Pinkvilla.

'Many of my family and even my driver would say, "We sense something fishy between these two," and I would never believe it. I gave my ex wife the benefit of doubt,' he said.

When his sister and her ex moved back to India from the UK, Raj discovered Kavitaa was using a secret phone to communicate with his former brother-in-law while his sister was pregnant.

'I recall how heartbroken I was and how I cried and cried thinking about what I had done to deserve this,' he said, before branding the relationship a 'marriage from hell'.

Raj said he and Shilpa agreed not to respond to media reports of their alleged affair in order to protect his sister's privacy, adding: 'It was very hard on Shilpa and I know how upset she was but she also understood the predicament I was in.

'She really supported me during this emotional time of my life.

She has and always does bring out the best in me. I am grateful to God for such an amazing wife.

Raj was arrested in 2021 in Mumbai by police who said they have 'sufficient evidence' that he is a 'key conspirator' in the porn production ring. He has vehemently denied the allegations

In December 2024, Raj strongly denied any involvement in the porn racket while suggesting a business rivalry was at the heart of what he believes is an attempt to defame him

'Some good Karma I must have done that I went from [a] marriage from Hell to finding my real soul mate,' he gushed.

There have been many trying moments in Shilpa and Raj's 14-year marriage, as the actress broke down during a police raid at their Mumbai home in connection with a 'porn racket'.

Shilpa reportedly accused her husband of destroying her reputation during a 'showdown' that only ended when police intervened, the Hindustan Times reported.

'We have everything, what was the need to do all this,' she told her husband as he arrived at their home, NDTV reported, as officials investigated allegations that Raj lured women into making explicit content under the guise of booking them for an acting gig.

Once the woman agreed to the 'acting job' producers would change the script and force them to perform sex acts, police told the Times.

If they refused, they were told they had to pay for the shoot, often held in a rented house on the outskirts of Mumbai.

The clips were then sent via WeTransfer to the UK, where they were released on paid mobile apps like HotShots - developed by a firm founded by Kundra. The company was later sold to Kenrin Limited, a UK-based firm owned by Kundras brother-in-law Pradeep Bakshi.

Raj was arrested in 2021 in Mumbai by police who said they have 'sufficient evidence' that he is a 'key conspirator' in the porn production ring. He has denied the allegations.

Publishing or transmitting 'obscene' material including porn is illegal in India under a 2015 law and punishable by up to seven years in jail. The case is ongoing.

Shilpa marked her 50th birthday with a trip to Croatia, as she shared sun-soaked snaps on Instagram

Shilpa and Raj met in 2007 and tied the knot less than two years later

In December 2024, Raj strongly denied any involvement in the porn racket while suggesting a business rivalry was at the heart of what he believes is an attempt to defame him.

Recalling his time in police custody in July 2021 - an experience he has turned into a biopic and cast himself in the lead role - he said: 'Someone came to me in the middle of the night and said, "Why did you get into a fight with him?"

'That's when I realised who had plotted this against me.'

His interview came less than one month after his properties were raided by India's Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to the alleged 'porn racket', the Hindu reported.

Raj criticised the media in an Instagram statement about the raids - including at his home in Mumbai's Juhu neighbourhood - as he said it was 'unacceptable to repeatedly drag my wife's name in unrelated matters'.

The agency is also investigating a money laundering case against Raj over a Bitcoin scheme, as Shilpa once again finds herself caught up in a media storm over her husband's alleged dealings.

In October 2024, Shilpa and Raj were served an eviction notice ordering them to vacate two of their India homes - including their primary residence in Juhu - in connection with an alleged Bitcoin fraud case against Amit Bhardwaj, who masterminded and promoted the 2017 Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scam.

Shilpa and Raj with their guests at her birthday bash in Croatia

Under the scheme, investors were falsely promised a 10% a month return, but in the form of bitcoin.

An investigation into the scam revealed that Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind to set up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine back in April.

As reported by NDTV, because the deal did not materialise, Kundra is still in possession of 285 Bitcoins which are currently valued at around 13.5 million.

Shilpa and Raj were granted interim relief regarding the eviction notices when a bench of High Court judges ruled to extend protection while the couple contest the notices before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act appellate authority.

Life on Instagram continues as usual until then, as Shilpa's social media accounts betray no signs of trouble in her paradise.

The yoga and wellness influencer took to the social media platform on Wednesday to show off her chiselled body as she posed on the deck of a yacht during a birthday trip to Croatia planned by her husband.

In another post, she stands before a sky full of fireworks - once again organised by Raj - as Shilpa marked another year around the sun in a glittering gold ensemble.

'And it was a blast,' she punned. 'Surrounded by unconditional love. Raj Kundra, you are a star.

'Only gratitude in my heart for you, for the surprises and for all the memories,' she captioned her post, featuring several members of the Shetty-Kundra clan who have all gathered in Croatia for the festivities.

Back home in India, however, their legal troubles - and Shilpa's entanglement in it all - continues to loom over her relationships.
If you thought you had finally escaped any discourse around 2024 film Emilia Perez, you were mistaken.

Zoe Saldana, who plays Rita Mora Castro - a Mexican lawyer tasked with helping a cartel boss transition into a woman, recently spoke with People about winning her first ever Academy Award for the role.

In speaking about her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, she mentioned that she keeps the statue in her office and that it was 'gender fluid.'

She then went on to say that the award was 'trans' and goes by 'they/them.'

But the admission did not go over well with the general public.

Although Emilia Perez won several awards, the movie - which features other actors including trans actress Karla Sofia Gascon and Selena Gomez - was met with massive controversy.

On one hand, members of the LGBTQ community were upset at the movie's 'retrograde' portrayal of a trans woman.

Others took issue with the representation of Mexican culture in the film, which featured an oversimplified take on drug violence in the nation, as well as a mixture of inaccurate accents and dialects.

Zoe Saldana won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rita Mora Castro in Emilia Perez

Saldana acted alongside Karla Sofia Gascon who later faced public scrutiny for older tweets she shared expressing Islamophobic and racist opinions

The cast of the film faced backlash for its portrayal of trans women on film as well as its inaccurate depiction of Mexico

And then, some of Gascon's old tweets were resurfaced, which featured racist and discriminatory views against Muslims, China, and George Floyd - for which she later apologized.

On top of all of this controversy laid critic's biggest issue: Not once during any award speech or discussion about the film did any of the actors involved mention the issues that plague trans people in their communities.

So Saldana saying months later that her Oscar award was 'trans,' caused a rehashing of the uproar the film faced when it first came out.

'We have Latinos/Hispanics fighting for their rights at this moment and this woman and the whole cast of Emilia Perez have been silent about their support to the community they profited from, clear as water they only cared for the award,' one X (formerly Twitter) user shared, referencing the ongoing protests taking place against ICE.

Another user brought attention to how much the act felt like an afterthought.

'Yet she could barely speak about trans rights during her acceptance speeches,' they said.

Others mirrored the same sentiment, with one user saying, 'She's so nasty where was this energy making the movie or during the awards campaign lol.'

Some users clapped back at the choice to call her award trans.

Saldana recently told People that her Oscar is 'trans' and that 'goes by they/them'

Social media users pointed out that this was the first time Saldana said anything trans-related

Social media users slammed Saldana, pointing out the lack of her support for the trans community while accepting awards for the film

'Shes calling her Oscar trans????' one user questioned.

And finally, some users were just upset to have to see anything about the film on their timelines again.

'I thought I wouldn't have to hear about this movie again,' another X user shared.

While Emilia Perez itself may be in the best, it's no telling what its cast might say in the future to bring it back into the headlines.
An American woman has sparked a heated debate about the 'correct' way to eat after she showcased how Europeans hold their utensils.

Amy Gordy, from Chicago, recently shared a video of herself trying to use silverware the 'European way' on TikTok.

In the European style of dining, the fork is typically held in the left hand and the knife is held in the right hand for the entire meal.

The knife is used for assisting in moving the food onto the fork, and the prongs of the fork usually face down.

Americans, on the other hand, usually only use the knife while cutting then put it down and switch the fork to their right hand, with the prongs facing upwards.

In the clip, Amy clearly struggled as she attempted to use the method while eating a grain bowl with steak and eggs.

'I don't even know how to do this. What do I do? So I don't put this down, right? I'm keeping this in my hand,' she said, referring to the knife.

Her husband then interjected, 'I'm talking to you right now and you're holding both [utensils]? That's insane. I don't get it. In America, that's considered rude.'

An American woman has sparked a heated debate about the 'correct' way to eat after she showcased how Europeans hold their utensils

Amy Gordy, from Chicago, recently shared a video of herself trying to use silverware the 'European way' on TikTok

'I'm confused as to how I use my knife with my [right] hand,' she continued. 'Do you scoop things on the back of the fork? I am really struggling. I'm really trying you guys.'

'It doesn't make sense, there's no way that's right,' her husband added.

Amy's clip got over 2.6 million views and it launched a massive argument about how cutlery should be held during meals.

Hoards of Europeans rushed to the comment section, insisting the way they eat is actually 'proper etiquette' and roasting Americans over their style.

'It's not the "European Way," it's THE CORRECT WAY,' one user scathed.

'Scottish here. Absolutely baffled [as to] why you're struggling to use a knife and fork,' added another.

'It's not insane it's the correct etiquette,' insisted someone else.

'It's the correct way. Americans are just one step up from eating with their hands,' joked a different user.

In the European style of dining, the fork is typically held in the left hand and the knife is held in the right hand for the entire meal, and the prongs of the fork usually face down (stock image)

In the clip , Amy clearly struggled as she attempted to use the method while eating a grain bowl with steak and eggs

'This is mind blowing. It's like watching something from the Middle Ages,' read a fifth comment.

A sixth simply said, 'This is painful.'

'Are you all OK in America?' asked another person.

Others defended Amy. One person wrote, 'Guys relax. Its almost like different countries and cultures have different norms and standards of etiquette.

'If you've developed the fine motor skill to do something a certain way for your entire life, doing it a different way will feel unnatural.'

'Geez this comment section is so judgmental. The idea that Americans have a separate culture and therefore do things differently is so upsetting for some of you,' said someone else. 'Etiquette is different everywhere you go!'

'Guys America does suck I agree with you but damn different places do things differently leave us alone,' another user commented.

'It's interesting to me how people think cultural etiquette is right or wrong. Ever country has its own etiquette/practices,' penned a different viewer.

It comes after an American woman living in the countryside in Wales lifted a lid on the shocking realities of residing in the UK exclusively with the Daily Mail.

Hoards of Europeans rushed to the comment section, insisting the way they eat is actually 'proper etiquette' and roasting Americans over their style

Others, however, defended Amy

Jessica Hanson, 42, originally from Miami, Florida, purchased a house in a small village in Wales called Conwy in 2023 with her husband.

She was excited to move to the quaint town, but soon after settling in, she quickly realized that life there was very different from life in America.

From sky-high prices and terrible weather to unfriendly neighbors and strict rules, Hanson admitted to the Daily Mail there were a lot of downsides to residing in the UK that took her by surprise.

Living in such a small village also meant there weren't a lot of food options, stores and restaurants closed super early, and things like Uber and DoorDash were non-existent there.

It was a shocking adjustment for the Florida-native, who admitted it feels a little too 'dystopian' for her liking.

She also slammed the immensely high cost of energy and gas - as well as the constant bleak weather.

Jessica also claimed that the people are not nearly as outgoing in the UK as they are in the US.

She added that there's a slew of bizarre 'rules' and 'expectations' in place that are hard for her to adjust to.

'The nanny state mentality creeps me out. They lowered the speeding limit in my entire county to 20 mph recently. That is bananas to me,' Jessica revealed.

'It feels a little dystopian. CCTV and speed cameras are omnipresent. 50 mph [speed limit] on the freeway. Why?

'In general, British freedom feels, to me, like a polite prison where there are rules for everything, forms for every exception, and you're expected to say thank you for the privilege.'
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner enjoyed a wild night out together in New York City, partying at a deli made famous for a very risque reason alongside a slew of their A-list pals.

The First Daughter, 43, and her husband-of-16-years, 44, were spotted leaving Katz's Deli on the Lower East Side of Manhattan after attending the birthday celebration of his brother Joshua Kushner on Thursday evening.

Katz's Deli is best known for being featured in the beloved 1989 film When Harry met Sally.

It acted as the backdrop for the iconic scene where Meg Ryan's character Sally faked an orgasm while sitting across from Billy Crystal's Harry, which was followed by the now-famous line: 'I'll have what she's having.'

Ivanka flaunted her toned figure for the occasion, donning a tiny black gown that left her long legs on full display.

The dress featured a plunging neckline, tight bodice and ruffled skirt. She accessorized with a black clutch and some flashy earrings.

She paired it with some strappy sandals, and left her long blonde locks in loose waves around her face.

Jared, for his part, wore some black trousers, blue sweater and black dress shoes.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner enjoyed a wild night out together in New York City, partying at a deli made famous for a very risque reason alongside a slew of their A-list pals

The First Daughter, 43, and Jared, 44, were spotted leaving Katz's Deli in Manhattan after attending the birthday celebration of his brother Joshua Kushner on Thursday evening

Also at the party was Joshua's wife, Karlie Kloss, as well as former supermodel Cindy Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, and their daughter Kaia Gerber

Katz's Deli is best known for being featured in the beloved 1989 film When Harry met Sally, acting as the backdrop for the iconic scene where Meg Ryan's character Sally faked an orgasm

A bleary-eyed Ivanka walked hand-in-hand with Jared as they exited the acclaimed eatery.

Also at the party was Joshua's wife, Karlie Kloss, as well as former supermodel Cindy Crawford, her husband Rande Gerber, their daughter Kaia Gerber, musician Diplo, and acclaimed fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg.

Cindy, 59, dressed casually for the party, opting for a pair of blue jeans and a black top that she tucked into the bottoms.

Her husband Rande, 63, wore a black, button-down shirt, gray jeans, and matching gray sneakers.

Model and actress Kaia, 23, was spotted exiting the deli in a polka-dot red midi dress and white flats.

Birthday boy Joshua, 40, donned black jeans, a white T-shirt, and an unbuttoned black shirt, while his wife, 32, who is currently expecting her third child, sported a chic black dress that had off-the-shoulder sleeves and a thigh-high slit.

As for Diplo, 46, he looked dapper in brown dress pants and a similar-colored tank top, stopping to flex his muscles to the cameras before making his way to his car.

The outing comes days after Ivanka divided the internet over her appearance at a UFC match with her father, Donald Trump.

Ivanka flaunted her toned figure during the date night, donning a tiny black gown that left her long legs on full display

The dress featured a plunging neckline, a tight bodice, and a ruffled skirt

She accessorized with a black clutch and some flashy earrings

She paired it with some strappy sandals, and left her long blonde locks in loose waves around her face

Jared, for his part, wore some black trousers, a blue sweater, and black dress shoes

A bleary-eyed Ivanka smiled at the awaiting photographers

The couple walked hand-in-hand as they exited the acclaimed eatery

The mother-of-three joined the president cage-side with her husband and their kids Arabella Rose, 13, and Joseph Frederick, 11, last weekend.

Ivanka showed off her incredibly thin frame during the outing, donning a long, tight white dress and white strappy sandals.

The gown was strapless but had sleeves down her arms, which drew attention to her skinny shoulders.

Ivanka uploaded an array pictures from the evening out on X (formerly Twitter) afterwards, but social media users had mixed feelings about her presence at the event.

While dozens of people complimented her elegance and beauty, others weren't pleased with her attendance.

Some even slammed her outfit choice, with one writing, 'You dress like you are going to prom. It's a UFC fight.'

'You're not going to ruin these vibes. I don't care who your dad is Ivanka,' another comment said.

Cindy, 59, dressed casually for the party, opting for a pair of blue jeans and a black top that she tucked into the bottoms

Cindy seemed in great spirits as she left the event with her husband and daughter

Her husband Rande, 63, wore a black, button-down shirt, gray jeans, and matching gray sneakers

Model and actress Kaia, 23, was spotted exiting the deli in a polka-dot red midi dress and white flats

She showcased her svelte figure in the haltered gown

Birthday boy Joshua, 40, donned black jeans, a white T-shirt, and an unbuttoned black shirt

His wife, 32, who is currently expecting her third child, sported a chic black dress that had off-the-shoulder sleeves and a thigh-high slit

Musician Diplo looked dapper in brown dress pants and a similar-colored tank top, stopping to flex his muscles to the cameras before making his way to his car

Acclaimed fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg was also there, wearing black pants, a dramatic white jacket with paint splatter, a bright pink scarf, and sparkly heeled booties

First Daughter Ivanka has notably taken a step back from politics for her father's second term.

From 2016 to 2020, Ivanka, alongside Jared, was among the most influential figures in Trump's White House, despite having no previous political experience.

She served as a top advisor to her father, giving up her life as a socialite and fashion designer, and moving her young family from New York City to DC.

But after Trump lost the 2020 election, 'Javanka' broke ranks and decamped to a $24 million mansion in Miami to lick their wounds.

When Donald announced he was running again in 2022, Ivanka revealed that she would be stepping away from politics this time around to instead focus on her family.

Since leaving politics behind, she has enjoyed an extremely jet-set and lavish lifestyle, and she is often spotted setting out on glamorous getaways.

Those in the know say Ivanka is now solely focused on her role as a mother, rebuilding her socialite credentials... and earning back the friendship of celebrity pals who abandoned her during the first Trump administration.
A female solo traveler has revealed the shock destinations that scared her enough to never return.

Andrea Elliott, who goes by Andreaboldbodytravels on TikTok, shared five places to be cautious about.

'I've received a lot of death threats in the past for the list that I'm about to get into.

'But if you are a solo traveling woman like me, or if you plan on solo traveling somewhere this summer, I would watch this video in its entirety for the list of destinations that I will never travel to again as a solo traveling woman,' she began her video.

She then launched into her list - starting with Manila in the Philippines.

Andrea said she stayed in Bonifacio Global City and 'it was definitely not safe.'

'My hotel wouldn't even let me go to the ATM outside,' she explained.

'They told me to put more clothes on, not to wear a tank top because there were so many men outside and it just wasn't safe for me to walk alone.'

The traveler said she enjoyed the Philippines but 'Manila was not it.'

Andrea Elliott, who goes by Andreaboldbodytravels on TikTok, shared five places to be cautious about

Next up, to great surprise from viewers, was Paris, France, as she explained: 'I was literally almost mugged twice while on the subway.'

'And mind you, there are police walking around with guns - like a lot of police and law enforcement walking around - but yet I was still nearly mugged while on the subway in Paris,' Andrea added.

'I was also cautioned about pickpockets and advised not to go out alone at night.'

Cartagena, Colombia, was the next destination that Andrea urged solo travelers to avoid.

'Overall, I really loved Cartagena, even though the men were pretty aggressive.

'The reason why Cartagena is on this list is because when I initially got there before I got into the walled city, I was taking a video from my taxi and stuck my arms slightly out of my taxi window.

'The cops then pulled up next to me in a scooter and told me to stick my arm back in - that it wasn't safe to have my cell phone out like that and just to be very cautious with my cell phone and my belongings.'

She continued: 'Not only that, but other locals also told me not to be out and about taking video and that it just wasn't safe for me to walk alone around, especially at night.'

Andrea Elliott shared five places to be cautious about and her list might surprise you

Nearing the end of the list, Andrea issued a stark warning about Caye Caulker, Belize.

'I think Belize is so beautiful,' she began, 'Unfortunately, the men are very, very aggressive.'

'So much so that I had to pepper spray a man that was literally touching my person, touching me physically, just to get me to come into his restaurant,' she passionately explained.

'And y'all, this was multiple times. I had told this man after like passing by a couple of days, like, "No, I'm not interested. I'm not interested. No, thank you."

'And then finally he came up to me and was like touching me enough to where I had to pepper spray him and then he got the point.'

But the number one place Andrea will never go to again - and advises other female solo travelers against - is San Salvador, El Salvador.

'I was almost kidnapped by two men walking in San Salvador next to El Boqueron,' Andrea revealed.

'These weren't gang members, and this was after Bukeli had already cleaned up the streets.

'These were construction workers because they were in a flatbed truck and they had wired spool in the back of their truck.

'They pulled up next to me, of course, I was walking alone.

'Both of them grabbed me by my arms and were pulling me inside of their truck.

'Luckily there were restaurants nearby, heard me screaming, people heard me screaming and came outside and were like, 'Dejala! Dejala! Leave her alone. Don't touch her. And the guys got in their truck and sped off.'
Just one week before beloved HGTV Content Chief Loren Ruch passed away at age 55, his longtime husband, David Salas, posted an emotional tribute in honor of their wedding anniversary.

During his time at HGTV, Ruch was an enthusiastic and well-known co-host for HGTV House Party, and was a producer for and HGTV Dream Home and HGTV Green Home, among other titles.

On Thursday, it was announced that the exec had passed away. He had been bravely battling acute myeloid leukemia over the past few years, a blood cancer that starts in the bone marrow.

His mom has since told TMZ that he was cancer-free at the time of his death, and passed of pneumonia, which he caught after he was hospitalized for a bowel blockage.

But on June 5, his husband shared a post for his husband, as he remembered their 2004 wedding anniversary.

'06, 05, 2004 3,2,1 was the one of the BEST days in my life it was our wedding day 21 years ago and together 27 year!' Salas wrote in the caption.

'It's the day that I got to marry my best friend, @lorenruch who is still my best friend to this day! Here are some OG photos that were taken on @kodak film!' the message continued.

'Here's to many more amazing years ahead! I Love You!'

Just one week before beloved HGTV Content Chief Loren Ruch passed away at age 55, after a battle with cancer, his longtime husband, David Salas, posted an emotional tribute in honor of their wedding anniversary

'06, 05, 2004 3,2,1 was the one of the BEST days in my life it was our wedding day 21 years ago and together 27 year!' Salas wrote in the caption

During his time at HGTV, Ruch was an enthusiastic and well-known co-host for HGTV House Party, and was a producer for and HGTV Dream Home and HGTV Green Home, among other titles

The social media post included a carousel of photos from their big day, which were taken with black-and-white film.

Many of the photos showed the two lovingly gazing at each other, while others celebrated the fun day with their friends and family.

He also included a snapshot of their wedding cake, which was constructed of cupcakes, and an adorable groom-and-groom wedding topper.

In the comments section, many shared their love for the couple, including Food Network Chef Gabe Bertaccini and Egypt Sherrod.

Ruch's husband has not yet made a public statement following his death.

Tributes from members of the HGTV family poured in following the news of his passing.

The beloved host had been a part of the company since 2008, and was named as the head of content in January 2023.

In recent years, as the head of content at the network, Ruch managed the programming of a number of hit shows, like My Lottery Dream Home, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, and Celebrity IOU.

Before that, he also had served as the VP of development and programming for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country.

In the comments section, many shared their love for the couple, including Food Network Chef Gabe Bertaccini and Egypt Sherrod

He also included a snapshot of their wedding cake, which was constructed of cupcakes, and an adorable groom-and-groom wedding topper

The beloved host had been a part of the company since 2008 , and was named as the head of content in January 2023

Ruch was an accomplished producer even before his time at HGTV, working as the senior producer of morning news shows Good Day LA and Good Day Live.

He was the recipient of five Emmy Awards for his outstanding work.

In a email to Warner Bros. Discovery staff obtained by The Daily Mail, the company's chairperson, Channing Dungey, remembered Ruch for his 'endless kindess' and 'unshakeable integrity.'

'Throughout his three-decade career, Loren was the rare leader who lifted everyone around him,' Dungey wrote.

'Known for his unwavering dedication, endless kindness, and unshakeable integrity, Loren built not only hit shows but enduring relationships, serving as mentor, advocate and true friend to countless colleagues across the television landscape,' the message continued.

'His impact stretched far beyond the screen. Loren was the connective tissue of every room he entered  the glue that bound teams, departments, and friendships,' the email read.

'He possessed the rare gift of making people feel seen, valued, and inspired to do their best work.'

Dungey also shared that Ruch's work was never about the 'ratings' or 'accolades,' but instead the 'people' that he worked with.

'He possessed the rare gift of making people feel seen, valued, and inspired to do their best work'

Dungey also shared that Ruch's work was never about the 'ratings' or 'accolades,' but instead the 'people' that he worked with

'He built teams that became families, forged friendships that lasted lifetimes, and leaves behind a legacy of creativity, compassion, and joy,' she wrote.

'For those of us lucky enough to have known and loved Loren, the things we remember, and cherish go far beyond his professional accomplishments... Loren's light touched everyone lucky enough to know him.

'Though gone too soon, he leaves behind a lasting imprint on both the television industry and the lives of those who loved him.'

The HGTV host also served as a board member for Live Out Loud, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth.

In addition to his husband, Ruch is also survived by his mother, father and brother.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has opened up about the impact of her abusive late husband's death on their daughter, revealing that they don't commemorate Father's Day.

The Bravo reality star, 54, married venture capitalist Russell Armstrong in 2005 and the couple welcomed their daughter, Kennedy, that same year.

Taylor, who recently detailed the horrific domestic violence she endured at the hands of her late husband, eventually filed for divorce in July 2011. He died by hanging one month later on August 15, 2011, aged 47.

In a new interview, Taylor revealed that she and her 19-year-old daughter do not mark Father's Day.

'She was five when he passed, and he worked nonstop,' she said. 'He was a true workaholic.

'He would go to work before she would even be up in the mornings, and he would come home after she was in bed and she didn't really spend much time with him.'

Speaking to People, she added: 'So, I guess in some ways, thankfully, that loss wasn't as significant as it would've been if she were older and they had a lot more interaction.

'So, I don't really think of it as a day to commemorate the loss.'

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has opened up about the impact of her abusive late husband's death on their daughter

The Bravo reality star's late husband Russell Armstrong died by hanging on August 15, 2011, aged 47

In April, Taylor said that her late husband once punched her in the face and, in a separate chilling occasion, held her underwater.

Recounting one incident in Investigation Discovery's documentary series Hollywood Demons, Taylor said Russell pushed her into a swimming pool and feared he would drown her.

The horrific attack happened at a friend's house shortly after the friends had voiced concern for Taylor's safety.

'Russell, he left, and this couple, they were very close to me and were very aware of what was going on,' she said.

'The man said, "we'll help you get out of this because this is not okay, and we're really worried for you."

'Well, Russell was hiding around the side of the house and heard everything. He came flying into the back yard.

'He threw me in the pool. He grabbed the man, knocked all of his teeth out, and he jumped in the pool, and he was trying to hold me under the water.

'I thought he was going to drown me.'

Taylor revealed that Russell 'didn't really spend much time' with their daughter Kennedy, who is now 19

In April, Taylor recounted the horrific abuse she endured at the hands of her late husband

In another instance, the television personality claimed that Russell made a threat against her life.

'Once his boys were visiting us and I made them a pizza,' she recalled, referring to his sons from previous relationships.

'He came into the house, grabbed me by the throat and put me against the wall.

'He said, "if you ever serve my kids a pizza without a vegetable again, I'll kill you."'

On top of this, she also discovered voice recording devices around their home, which left her with the impression that he monitored everything she said.

A turning point happened in June 2011 though when Taylor recounted how Russell fractured her orbital floor, a break in the bony structure that supports the eyeball, on her 40th birthday.

'It was my 40th birthday, we checked into The Four Seasons where we met, and he gave me eight pairs of my favorite shoes and a really long card and it was all about how he knew he hadn't been a good husband and that things were going to change,' she said.

'That night, after my birthday party, we were laying in bed and he said something to the effect of, I know you slept with the Chippendales when you were in Vegas.'

Taylor had just been in Las Vegas with her friend Lisa Vanderpump to celebrate Lisa's daughter's bachelorette party, which had been filmed for the Bravo show.

'He just proceeded to push and push, and he would not let up,' she continued.

'He raised up, leaned over like this, and punched me. He fractured my orbital floor and so I went to see the doctor, and Russell went with me.'

Following the incident, Taylor was forced to have reconstructive surgery, and it was at that point she filed for divorce.

Russell took his life two months after Taylor's birthday. He had been staying at his friend's house on Mulholland Drive at the time, where he was found.

'There was a myriad of things that he was very concerned about, but I never thought that he would kill himself,' Taylor said of his death. 'Suicide never crossed my mind.'

At the time of his death, Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards told ABC News that his former client was also in debt to the tune of $1.5 million.

He added that the reality show's celebration of outrageous excess plunged him into debt as he tried to keep his family's lavish lifestyle afloat.

'These couples join these shows, and then they keep trying to outdo each other and they end up spending all their money trying to sustain a lifestyle thats unrealistic and wasnt there prior to the show,' he said at the time.

'The weekly social events, the dinners and all the bulls***, trying to pretend you have unlimited resources in Beverly Hills is tough.

'When every night is a potential sound bite or posting on a website, you end up getting addicted to it, you go out all the time.'
The man in question has been branded 'hugely manipulating and gaslighting'

B.J. Novak's rumored love interest Delaney Rowe has said that her partner doesn't 'trust' her intentions after she started the romance as 'noncommittal.'

TikTok star Delaney, who was romantically linked to The Office actor, 45, in April, opened up about her personal life during an appearance on the Boy Problems podcast, hosted by Liz Plank, which was released earlier this week.

Although she never explicitly referred anyone by name, the social media star, 29, said: 'I'm not like, you know the cuffs aren't on, like I'm not like fully boo'ed up, but like, I am dating and it's going okay.'

Explaining the hurdles plaguing her current romance, Delaney continued: 'I was the problem, and I had to sort of reconcile with that recently.

'I was not sure and so I was sort of noncommittal for a long period of time when he was like very sure.

'And so now I am sure and he's like, "I don't really trust your intentions at this point."'

Although the identity of the person Delaney was referring to was not revealed, social media users have blasted the man in question and have branded him as 'hugely manipulating and gaslighting.'

Taking to Reddit, one said: 'That is not a man you should be fighting for girl.'

B.J. Novak's rumored love interest Delaney Rowe says her partner doesn't 'trust' her intentions

Delaney and B.J. first sparked romance rumors in November when they were snapped together at The Official How Long Gone After Party at The Standard in New York City

'To be honest, it sounds like he love-bombed her in the beginning and eventually won her over,' another penned. 'And then there was no more conquest so he lost most of his interest.'

'Okay so it sounds like he's hugely manipulating and gaslighting her,' a third remarked.

A fourth commented: 'Lol he doesn't want "proof" girl, he's trying to "test you" and make you prove to him that you're good enough for him, solely to destroy your self-esteem and seek revenge for the rejection he initially faced.

'He will never treat you well, but he will destroy your self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

'Even if you date him seriously, he will continue making you prove yourself to him until you're just where he wants you - controllable, accommodating and submissive.'

'Sounds emotionally abusive tbh,' another simply said.

A sixth added: 'This is also one of the oldest tricks for toxic men. They know when you're not ready so they chase you and push, then when you finally give in or you're ready, they pull away - blame you for not accepting their commitment but they won't end it either.'

Daily Mail has contacted Delaney and B.J.'s reps for comment.

Delaney did not refer to the person she was dating by their name during the podcast episode

Social media users have blasted the man in question and have branded him as 'hugely manipulating and gaslighting'

Delaney and B.J. first sparked romance rumors in November when they were snapped together at The Official How Long Gone After Party at The Standard in New York City.

The following month, in December 2024, there was talk that the two might be seeing each other after they were spotted together at the Bowery Hotel in New York City.

For years it has been speculated that he is still dating his The Office costar Mindy Kaling and they have welcomed children together.

Mindy and B.J. dated on and off from 2004 to 2007, and although they have publicly insisted their bond is now platonic, rumors have swirled about their relationship.

For years it has been speculated that he is still dating his The Office costar Mindy Kaling and they have welcomed children together

The pair have remained friends since they met while working on The Office in 2004 and in 2017, B.J. became Mindy's daughter's godfather.

Additionally, the duo have appeared at multiple public events together since their split, igniting speculation that their relationship might be more than just amicable.

Their Office characters Kelly and Ryan had a complicated relationship on-screen, and by the series finale, the two characters were back together.

At the 2022 Emmy Awards, the pair poked fun at their 'insanely complicated relationship' while co-presenting the award for writing for a limited or anthology series or movie.

When she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mindy - who has not publicly named the father of any of her three children - made headlines by describing BJ as an 'important and integral' part of her family.
British people have been left baffled over a UK-themed snack box supposedly filled with quintessential English treats.

An American man said his wife is subscribed to a service that curates monthly boxes with an array of popular snacks from countries all over the world.

She recently received a delivery with British snacks but it didn't include the treats most from the UK would expect.

Instead of the familiar classics like Monster Munch or Tunnock's teacakes, the package contained Bounty cookies, pickled onion-flavoured crisps and banana toffee.

The man turned to the internet to ask if the snack collection was an accurate deception of beloved British snacks and was met was a barrage of outrage.

Many were quick to express their confusion with most claiming they had never even seen most of the items on supermarket shelves.

'Wife got me a snackbox subscription - monthly snacks from around the world. This Month is UK. How did they do?' the man asked on Reddit.

He shared an image of the box, from US company Universal Yum, which costs USD$29 (22).

Its contents included Dean's All Butter Shortbread Petticoat Tails and Bristows Rhubarb and Custard-flavoured Bonbons.

Brits have been left scratching their head over a UK-themed snack box containing some unfamiliar treats

There were some eclair and butterscotch sweets, Bounty cookies, All Rounders wine gums, and two packets of Taylors crisps in mature cheddar and onion and pickled onion flavours.

Iron Brew Millions sweets and Walker's Yummy Banana-flavoured toffee were also included along with a sticker sheet and a United Kingdom snacks information booklet.

On the Universal Yum website, the box is described as having 'classic flavours and iconic treats - aka what you'd expect from the UK'.

For an extra $30, customers can get the 'super yum' British snack food box that includes everything in the smaller package plus Jammy Dodgers, prawn cocktail crisps, a can of Iron Bru, and Toffee Pops.

Hundreds of Brits took to the comments of the American's post in outrage with some going as far as to call the box 'absolutely abysmal' and an 'abomination'.

'It's like if AI created a snack box. It's almost recognisable, but just off. I can't even start on that graphic,' one user laughed.

'This looks like stuff left over from a raffle when everyone donated things from the back of their cupboard,' another joked.

'I live in the UK and have literally never seen any of those products in a shop,' a third wrote.

On the Universal Yum website, the box is described as having 'classic flavours and iconic treats - aka what you'd expect from the UK' and costs between USD$29 and $59

'Flavours are right but not many of these would be seen commonly in shops in the UK!' one person pointed out.

'I don't recognise any of that except the Millions,' another agreed and one user said: 'This is shockingly bad. Get your money back.'

'They have literally just grabbed whatever is on offer at B&M, Home Bargains and Heron that week. Shocking selection,' someone added.

But not everyone was offended by the selection and many pointed out that a few of the snacks were more popular and commonly found in Scotland.

'Ignoring the brands, the items themselves are pretty good!' one woman said.

'Taylors crisps used to be Mackies, I'd say that's a fairly big brand, at least in Scotland,' a second explained.

'In Scotland, you can get most of this in Asda or Home Bargains,' a third pointed out and another agreed: 'Dean's shortbread is pretty common in Scotland at least'.

'Rhubarb and custards are a classic British sweet, same for wine gums and all butter shortbread is always a treat,' one person chimed in.
Millions know the pain of tossing and turning at night, especially as the hot summer months get underway.

But a world-renowned sleep expert has shared his ultimate five-step plan to help you finally get some quality shut-eye.

One of the most important steps is making your bed a sacred place.

'Only use your bed for sleep and intimacy,' says Dr. Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California and author of bestselling book Why We Sleep.

That means absolutely no phones, no laptops and definitely no binge-watching from under the duvet.

It's a concept known as 'stimulus control,' and it works by retraining your brain to associate the bed with rest - not TikTok or emails.

'The bed should never be used as a workstation,' Dr. Walker warns.

And it's not the only lifestyle tweak he recommends. Here are the five science-backed habits he says can help reset your sleep.

1. Make your bed a tech-free zone

It might feel cozy to scroll or stream in bed, but Dr. Walker says it's one of the worst things you can do for your sleep.

Blue light emitted from screens can interfere with the natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and affecting the quality of your snooze.

This light disrupts your body's production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you sleepy.

Quizzed on how much sleep people should get, sleep expert Dr. Matthew Walker (pictured) recommends 7 to 9 hours per night

But it's not just about light. When you use technology under the covers, your bed mentally becomes a place of stimulation rather than relaxation.

Dr. Walker recently helped design the ultimate bedroom for a peaceful night of sleep, which can be found at the Equinox Hotel in New York.

So concerned about the harms caused by light pollution, he even removed tiny blue lights from the smoke detectors for a complete blackout experience.

2. Stick to a schedule, even on weekends

It's the last thing you want to do after a long week, but waking up on weekends at the same time you would for work is key.

If you tend to sleep in on weekends and pull late nights during the week, Dr. Walker says you're throwing your internal clock out of sync.

Regimented slumber helps regulate your circadian rhythm so your body knows when to wind down and when to wake up.

Your goal: Hit the same bedtime and wake-up time every day. Not only will you fall asleep faster, but you'll wake up feeling more refreshed.

3. Avoid caffeine after lunch

Caffeine lingers in your system long after that pick-me-up - up to 10 hours - so that means you shouldn't even be indulging in that 3 p.m. latte, sorry.

One study found that it slashed sleep time by 45 minutes, which, Dr. Walker says over time raises the risk of almost every major chronic disease.

That's why his golden rule is to cut caffeine early. 'The earlier you can limit your intake, the less impact it will have,' he says.

A good rule of thumb is to cut caffeine intake after noon, which means by 10 p.m., it should have fully cleared from your system.

Also in the no-go zone is alcohol before bed. While a glass of wine might make you drowsy, Dr. Walker says it 'certainly shouldn't be used as a sedative.'

In fact, regular boozing before bed can make sleep more fragmented and increase the risk of long-term insomnia.

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4. Practice a wind-down ritual before bed

Forget doomscrolling or racing through chores until the minute you pass out. Dr. Walker recommends building in a calm, tech-free hour to cue your body for rest.

Try 'relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or mindfulness meditation,' he says.

In the hotel rooms he developed, there are meditation and breath-work programs installed on the TVs, which he says have 'an immediate calming effect'.

Screens are OK in this case if you're just using them to zen out, he explains. And he recommends practicing these relaxation techniques an hour or more before bed, so that you can then ditch your devices and truly switch off.

He also recommends a light-dimming routine to mimic the gradual effects of sunset and sunrise.

This is another design feature he has incorporated into the Equinox hotel rooms, with an automated lighting system designed to put guests to bed and wake them gently in the morning.

'In the last hour before bed, set an alarm and turn down half of the lights in your home for two weeks,' he said, recommending a trial period. 'Then go back to full lights on, and ask yourself which you prefer.

'If possible, use dimmer switches or lower-wattage lamps for evening lighting.'

5. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep

Dr. Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California , told the Daily Mail that some of the biggest factors behind peoples' inability to sleep include 'chronic stress, irregular schedules and the rise of tech gadgets'

None of the aforementioned hacks matter if you're simply not sleeping enough, says Dr. Walker.

The magic range is between '7 to 9 hours per night, as supported by robust evidence showing that this range provides maximum benefits for brain health, emotional stability, immune function and physical repair,' he said.

Less than six hours? That's when things get dangerous.

The doctor says a lack of sleep is 'directly linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction and impaired cognitive performance.'

Not to mention, it raises stress hormone levels, lowers immunity and can even increase the risk of early death.

Insomnia isn't just annoying, it's costly. Sleep disorders rack up an estimated $94.9 billion each year in the US, from doctor visits and prescriptions to lost productivity.

But according to Dr. Walker, it doesn't have to be that way - yes, you can get yourself to a place where you can skip the melatonin gummies.

Start by reclaiming your bed as a place for only sleep (and sex), and see what happens.

Dr. Walker has designed the Sleep Experience program at the Equinox Hotel New York. For more information visit equinox-hotels.com
When Andres Albaladejo was hit by a sudden twitch in his left arm at just 39, he blamed it on a pinched nerve.

But the actual cause was an incurable, life-wreckingand ultimately deadlycondition that gradually robs sufferers of their ability to move, talk and even eat.

Just eight months after his first warning shot, the now 41-year-old from Tampa in Florida, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)  the most common form of motor neurone disease.

ALS claimed the life of Sandra Bullock's partner Bryan Randall in 2023 and the acclaimed scientist Stephen Hawking famously suffered from it.

Now, the former school resource officer has told of the early signs he suffered before his diagnosis, in an effort to raise awareness of the condition in young people.

Involuntary muscle twitching is one of the most common signs of ALS but can often be linked to stress and caffeine use.

The twitches can be subtle, strong enough to feel but unlikely to cause jerking or big, noticeable movements, and most commonly affect the eyelids, arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet.

Recalling Mr Albaladejo's heartbreaking diagnosis, his wife Carmen, who first noticed the twitch in April 2023, said: 'It was bizarre. I asked if he could feel it, if he was doing anything to make it twitch, but he said no.

The results confirmed the heartbreaking diagnosisthe young father had ALS and was told he had two years to live

When Andres Albaladejo, 39 at the time, from Tampa Florida in America noticed a twitch in his left arm in April 2023, he didn't think it was anything sinister

'We thought it was a pinched nerve, but over time, he started experiencing arm weakness, and he wasn't able to grip with his left arm.'

In June 2023, he went to the chiropractor, and an x-ray showed he had some nerve compression, which came as a relief to the couple.

But after his arm weakness failed to subside even after treatment, he was referred to a neurologist.

Mrs Albaladejo said: 'At the time, the doctors said they were going to schedule him for a disc replacement surgery for the disc that was compressing his nerve.

'But before they went ahead and did that, they did three Electromyography's (EMGs) with the neurologist becoming more concerned each time as the twitching was traveling to his chest.'

An EMG is a medical test that measures the electrical activity in muscles.

Mr Albaladejo was then transferred to an ALS clinic, where he was diagnosed with the condition and giving a shocking prognosis of just two to five years.

He said: 'I was heartbroken when I heard the news, like my life was being taken from me piece by piece - I still have so much of me to give.

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The young father is spending whatever time he has left making as many memories as possible with his wife and 11-year-old daughter Sophia

'I'm angry that I won't be here to see my little girl grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most.

'Instead, she has to watch me fall apart in front of her eyes.

'I just hope that throughout all of this, my daughter still sees me as her hero, as I face this disease with determination and strength.'

Mrs Albaladejo added: 'From having a pinched nerve to being diagnosed with a terminal disease eight months laterwe were in shock and denial.

'It was devastating, you can never imagine it happening to you or a loved one.

'In eight months, our lives completely changed. We thought it was nerve compression, and now Andres has a terminal illness with a prognosis of two to five years.

'It is a lot to hear in one appointment.'

Mr Albaladejo is currently taking an ALS medication to slow the progression of the disease.

There are currently no stem cell therapies for ALS available in the US approved by the regulator, the Federal Drug Agency (FDA)

His friends and family also raised $26,235 for him to get stem cell therapy in the Cayman Islands.

However, the effects have now worn off, Mrs Albaladejo noted and said they couldn't afford another round of treatment.

She added: 'We are facing the disease head-on and dealing with it every day.

'At this point, we are getting our affairs in order, as we cannot see any promising treatments we can afford.

'We are trying to stay strong and make the best out of our situation.'

The young father is spending whatever time he has left making as many memories as possible with his wife and 11-year-old daughter Sophia.

Around 5,000 adults in the UK have MND and there is a one in 300 risk of developing the condition over the course of a person's life.

Life expectancy for about half of those with the condition is between just two and five years from the onset of symptoms. But these can worsen rapidly.

Some people may live for up to 10 years, and, in rarer circumstances, even longer.

Along with twitches, cramps and muscle weakness are among the early signs of the condition, along with slurred speech and weight loss.

There is no cure but doctors can provide treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person's life.

The exact cause is largely unknown, but current research points towards a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and possibly lifestyle factorsand it often hits seemingly fit and healthy people.

Last year, Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow, 41, died after a four-and-a-half-year battle with the condition.
A popular breakfast snack has been urgently recalled from supermarket shelves over fears they may be contaminated with pieces of metal.

Food safety watchdogs stuck a 'do not eat' alert on a batch of Lidl's Harvest Basket Hash Browns.

It is feared the frozen product, sold in stores across England, Scotland and Wales, 'may contain pieces of metal'.

Customers are being warned not to eat the affected product, as it could pose a choking hazard.

The supermarket said the issue affects the 750g packs of Harvest Basket Hash Browns with the batch code 5144L and a best-before date of 24 May 2027.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed the recall in an alert issued last night, stating that the product was 'unsafe to eat' due to the risk.

Lidl said point-of-sale notices are being displayed in stores to inform customers of the recall and explain what steps to take.

Anyone who has bought the affected product is advised to return it to their nearest Lidl store, where they will be given a full refund, even without a receipt.

Lidl has issued an urgent product recall of its Harvest Basket Hash Browns amid fears they may contain pieces of metal

The frozen breakfast item, sold in stores across England, Scotland and Wales, is being withdrawn after the potential contamination was discovered in a specific batch

In a statement, the budget retailer said: 'Lidl GB is recalling the product due to the potential presence of foreign bodies (metal) which may present a choking hazard.

'If you have bought the above product we advise you not to eat it.

'Customers are asked to return this product to the nearest store where a full refund will be issued.'

The recall applies only to the affected batch and no other Lidl products are known to be impacted.

Customers seeking further information are being urged to contact Lidls customer care team by emailing customer.care@lidl.co.uk or calling 0203 966 5566.

The FSA regularly issues product recall notices when there is a risk to consumer safety.

In some cases, these are accompanied by Food Alerts for Action, which ask local authorities to intervene.

Consumers are encouraged to check the packaging of any frozen hash browns they have purchased recently to ensure they do not have the affected batch.

Customers are being warned not to eat the affected product, as it could pose a choking hazard or cause internal injury

The news comes just a day after the the FSA issued an urgent recall for several popular Jolly Rancher sweet products over fears they contain a banned ingredients linked to cancer.

Those who've already eaten them should not panic, watchdog said, as the risk is low, but urged customers to disposed of them.

These include Hard Candy, 'Misfits' Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, all made by Hershey.

The sweets were found to contain the harmful chemicals Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbon (MOSH).

These chemicals, derived from crude oil, have been linked to serious illnesses including cancer, particularly in the liver and lymph nodes.

This makes the sweets unsafe to eat, particularly over long periods of time, and not compliant with UK law.

American multi-national firm Hershey told UK regulators it has already taken action to remove the affected brands from the British market.

But the FSA warned that some businesses are still selling Jolly Rancher products containing the banned additive, and have urged authorities to remove them from shelves.
Glastonbury-bound festival goers have been urged to check they are vaccinated against lethal measles amid a worrying surge in cases.

Crowds of over 200,000 are expected to descend on Worthy Farm for one of the biggest music events of the year in just a little over two weeks to see acts like British pop-rock group the 1975 and the US pop-punk songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.

But in some parts of England cases of the potentially deadly virus are already approaching those seen in the whole of 2024, which was the worst outbreak in over decade.

Experts today warned that the festival represents a 'perfect superspreader' event.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine offers up to 99 per cent protection against the illnesses, which can lead to deadly meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy.

But without it, just one measles infectious person in a crowd can spread the world most contagious virus to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby.

Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'Glastonbury could be a superspreader event.

Many attendees had likely grown up when anow thoroughly debunkedstudy in the late 90s falsely linked the MMR jab to autism and subsequently scared many parents from getting children the vaccine, he added.

Crowds of some 200,000 are expected to descend on Worthy Farm for one of the biggest music events of the year in just a little over two weeks to see acts like British pop-rock group the 1975 and the US pop-punk songwriter Olivia. Pictured Glastonbury 2024

But scientists have warned that with measles cases on the rise, festival goers should check they have had their MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) jab

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, also told this website that Glastonbury had the potential to drive Britain's ongoing measles outbreak even higher.

'Given the currently high numbers of measles cases in the UK, particularly in South West and London, and reduced uptake of the MMR vaccine, gatherings at festivals like Glastonbury are a perfect place for measles to spread,' he said.

Measles patients are also infectious four days before tell-tale symptoms like a rash appears, meaning seemingly well people can silently spread the disease to others, he added.

Given the MMR jab can take up two weeks to be most effective, festival goers should check their vaccination status now but it is 'never too late' to get jabbed.

Professor Young added: 'Its really important to check with your GP if you are not sure about whether you are fully vaccinated.

'You need to have had two doses of the MMR vaccine to be fully protected and its never too late to get the second jab if youve only had the first one.

'Even a single MMR jab will give some protection.'

Experts added that aside from offering personal protection, getting an MMR jab also reduces the risk a person may spread measles to others at greater risk of the infection, such as children, when they return home.

Cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough and a runny or blocked nose, are usually the first signal of measles. A few days later, some people develop small white spots on the inside of their cheeks and the back of their lips

An estimated one in five children who catch measles will need to go to hospital, with one in 15 developing serious, potentially life-threatening, complications.

Professor Stephen Griffin, an infectious disease expert at the University of Leeds, said: 'The high infectivity of measles means we need to maintain vaccine coverage at around 92-95 per cent to prevent outbreaks. We are well below that now.

He also warned people to not underestimate the viruswhile it normally causes cold and flu-like symptoms, it does have the potential to kill.

'It causes unpleasant symptoms even if relatively mild, but can also lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and other complications,' he said.

'In unvaccinated people, it can also cause a lethal progressive disease in the brain many years after initial infection, known as sub-acute sclerosing pan encephalitis,' he said.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued its own Glastonbury measles warning.

Dr Alasdair Wood, a consultant in Health Protection at UKHSA South West, said: 'Measles is circulating across the country, and festivals are the perfect place for measles to spread.

'If youre not fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, please contact your GP to see if you can get an appointment before coming to the festival.

In England, 89.3 per cent of two-year-olds received their first dose of the MMR vaccine in the year to March 2023 (blue line), up from 89.2 per cent the previous year. Meanwhile, 88.7 per cent of two-year-olds had both doses, down from 89 per cent a year earlier

'If you feel unwell or have been advised isolate as a result of measles or another infection, please continue to do so.'

Since the start of the year 420 cases of the virus have been recorded in England, though officials say this is likely an underestimate due to delays with reporting.

The vast majority of recorded cases (two thirds) have been in children under 10the majority of which were unvaccinated.

Nationally around one in five children in England are estimated to have missed out on their MMR jabs, but this rises to just over one in four on some areas.

The vaccine which offers life-long protection, consists of two doses the first is normally given when a child turns one and then again at three years and four months.

However, it can be given to a patient at any age.

UKHSA estimates the measles vaccine has prevented 20million cases and 4,500 deaths in the UK since it was originally rolled out in 1968.

Measles symptoms are typically cold and flu-like such as a fever, cough and a runny nose followed by a rash that develops a few days later.

More rarely it triggers serious complications like sepsis, pneumonia and brain swelling which can lead to long-term disability and even death.

It comes after two children in the US died from measles earlier this year.

Both were unvaccinated and represented the first deaths from measles in the nation since 2015, with an adult also now confirmed to have died.
A little-known at-home test can detect early-onset colon cancer before symptoms develop, increasing the chance of surviving a disease that is surging among young people.

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) costs $49 and screens a person's feces for flecks of blood, a warning sign of the cancer  as tumors cause bleeding.

The test is FDA-approved and allows younger people a chance to screen for colon cancer before they reach the recommended age for a colonoscopy, 45 years.

If blood is detected, a colonoscopy is performed, increasing the chances of catching colon cancer early when it is more treatable.

And the American College of Surgeons says it is generally accurate, able to detect about 80 percent of all cases. If someone opts for the $600 FIT with DNA screening, which checks for abnormal changes in cells' DNA, accuracy rises to 92 percent.

A colonoscopy is about 99 percent accurate at detecting all cancers.

A recent study found people that use the FIT method between the ages of 40 to 49 years old are 39 percent less likely to die from colon cancer than their peers who wait to get the test until they are 50 years old or above.

An increasing number of younger people are seeking screening, as the US experiences a surge in colon cancer among people under 50, with young patients today about twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease than their grandparents.

Pictured above is Christine Bronstein who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 48 years after taking an at-home stool-based test for the disease. She said without the test, her cancer may have gone unnoticed

The rising rates are prompting some physicians to urge Americans to start getting screened for the disease before the age of 45 years, which is when US doctors recommend.

For the test, which can be ordered online, customers are sent a package containing a collection tube.

They are asked to collect a sample of their feces from the toilet bowl, place it in the tube and mail it to a lab.

Results take about five days to come back.

In the lab, scientists expose the feces to antibodies that can bind to human hemoglobin - a protein found in red blood cells.

If they bind to an area of the feces, a positive test result is issued - and patients are advised to undertake further screening.

In the FIT with DNA, scientists also analyze cells found in the stool for abnormal changes - which could indicate cancer.

Patients over 45 years old who have an average risk  meaning no family history of the disease  may be recommended the test, which is free for the group under health insurance plans.

But people can also buy the test, which is sold by labs like Everlywell for $49, or opt for other tests like Cologuard, which is priced at $121.

While the test can be extremely helpful, doctors caution that about five to 10 percent of patients who get a positive result do not have colon cancer or advanced polyps.

The number of false positives after a colonoscopy is below one percent.

It is important to follow up with a doctor to discuss results.

Doctors diagnosed her with stage three cancer following the test, and a two-inch tumor was found in her rectum. She underwent chemotherapy to shrink her tumor (shown above) before doctors said they would remove it

Shown above is a stock image of the FIT, which involves sending a sample of feces off to a lab

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Patients undertaking the test are recommended to do it every year, as this can help to catch early-onset cancers which are typically slower growing.

Among patients to have their cancer caught after using an at-home stool-based test is Christine Bronstein, who was diagnosed with the cancer at age 48.

The Hawaii local exercises regularly, and avoids sugar and alcohol.

But after seeing blood in her stool in 2021, she became concerned and ordered a stool-based test.

After results came back positive, she rushed to see her doctor and was eventually approved for a colonoscopy - which led to a stage three colon cancer diagnosis with a two-inch tumor found in her rectum.

Bronstein told TODAY: 'I'm very lucky that I did my test when I did. This thing really takes people down right in their prime... I think the problem why this is becoming the No.1 killer for younger people is because their symptoms get denied.'

Colon cancer cases are surging among under-50s in the US in an uptick that has stunned researchers, with adults born in the 1980s having double the risk of suffering from the cancer compared to their parents.

Among adults aged 25 to 29 years, colon cancer cancer rates have spiked 85 percent in two decades according to CDC data. At the same time, over the last 30 years cases have dropped among over-50s by 30 percent.
Health officials are sounding the alarm over deadly apricots sold in nearly 20 states over fears they contain dangerous levels of undeclared sulfites.

The FDA has asked consumers to stop eating Turkana Food Inc.'s Floria Dried Apricots with an expiration date of November 2026.

Sulfites are used as food additives to preserve freshness and prevent spoilage in various items such as wine, dried fruits and processed foods.

But depending on how much of the additive is present, some people may show sensitivities and can experience reactions like hives, swelling, abdominal pain, diarrhea or in rare cases, life-threatening allergic reactions.

According to FDA regulations, companies are required to declare the amount of sulfites used in each product on every individual packaging.

However, during a routine sampling performed by the New York State Department of Agriculture, the agency found packaging for Turkana Food Inc.'s apricots was missing its product labeling for sulfites.

The affected product has been sold in Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio, Alabama, Missouri and California.

No cases of illness have been reported.

The Food and Drug Administration has asked consumer to stop eating Turkana Food Inc.'s Floria Dried Apricots with an expiration date of November 2026

The impacted product has a LOT number of 440090478-15-333 that can be found at the bottom of the packaging.

It also has a UPC Label of 2539560010 that can be seen on a sticker at the top of the package that can be used for identification.

The FDA has asked consumers to not eat the recalled dried apricots and return them to their original place of purchase for a refund.

Manufacturers Turkana Food Inc. are yet to make a statement on the recall.

Sulfites, a food preservation chemical, can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals and even asthma attacks.

Sulfite sensitivity affects about four percent - 13 million - Americans and is especially common among people with asthma.

Symptoms of a sulfite allergy or sensitivity usually show up after exposure to the chemical - mostly through food - and include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose and chest tightness.

In 1986, the FDA banned the use of the additive in fresh vegetables and fruits due to an increase in cases of sulfite allergies

Those suffering from sulfite allergies or sensitivity are usually recommended to take antihistamines and Vitamin B12 tablets.

In 1986, the FDA banned the use of the additive in fresh vegetables and fruits due to an increase in cases of sulfite allergies.

However, in cases of preserved food, manufacturers must declare on product labels if their food contains more than 10 parts per million (ppm) of sulfites.

This comes two months after Texas Pete recalled its popular Habanero Buffalo hot sauce after discovering bottles actually contained Sriracha Sauce.

The FDA said the mix-up means the bottles may contain sulfites that are not declared on the bottle.

People with an allergy to sulfites run the risk of 'serious or life-threatening allergic reactions' if they accidentally consume the products, the FDA said.
READ MORE: FDA recalls candy in 8 states for containing banned ingredient

Health officials in the UK have taken Jolly Ranchers off shelves over fears of cancer-causing ingredients.

UK-based watchdog Food Standards Agency said affected candies, made by Hershey, include Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, Jolly Rancher Misfits Gummies, Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1 and Jolly Rancher Berry Gummies.

The candies were banned for containing mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), petroleum-based additives that usually enter foods from processing equipment.

It comes at a time when Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about the the amount of potentially harmful chemicals in their food compared to other countries.

Both MOAH and MOSH are prohibited in UK food production over fears they can accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, damaging DNA and increasing the risk of cancer.

All of the Jolly Rancher products now banned in the UK contain mineral oils in their US versions. The products also lead the US hard candy market with $160million in sales every year.

Hershey told UK regulators it has taken action to remove affected brands from British markets. However, there are no restrictions against these additives in the US.

Jolly Rancher products in the US also contain artificial colors like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1, which are all prohibited in the UK due to links to hyperactivity, migraines and cancer.

UK health authorities have banned Jolly Ranchers (pictured here) from shelves over fears they may contain mineral oils linked to cancer. They are still allowed in the US

Candies made in the US often contain ingredients banned in the UK like Red 40 and mineral oils (stock image)

The FSA said after the ban was announced Wednesday in the UK: 'Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat them regularly.'

The agency said while 'there should be no immediate casue for concern' for UK customers who have eaten the affected products, they should not continue to buy them.

A Hershey spokesperson told USA Today Thursday that its products are 'safe to enjoy' and that because it is a global brand, customers can sometimes purchase products in markets other than those where they were produced.

In this case, even though Hershey is American, its products have found their way to the UK.

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The spokesperson said: 'In such cases, we cannot guarantee that the products meet the regulatory requirements of the end market, which may differ from those of the US.

'We encourage consumers to purchase all Hershey products from established retailers to ensure product integrity and compliance.

'In the meantime, were continuing to work closely with the FSA in the United Kingdom on these important issues and look forward to bringing Jolly Rancher products back to established retailers soon.'

US health officials have not issued any guidance for American consumers.

MOAH are considered genotoxic carcinogens, meaning they can induce cancers by directly attacking DNA, even at low levels. This increases the risk of healthy cells mutating into cancer cells.

Some types of MOSH, meanwhile, have been shown to accumulate in the liver and lymphatic system, based on animal studies.

However, it's unclear if similar effects can be seen in humans.

All of the Jolly Rancher products included in the ban also include artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6 and Blue 1.

Despite being prohibited in the UK, these are allowed in the US. However, health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has announced plans to outlaw the colors.

All of these dyes have been linked to hyperactivity, migraines and some forms of cancer.
To Exist as I am: A Doctor's Notes on Recovery and Radical Acceptance by Grace Spence Green (Wellcome 16.99, 244pp)

On October 17, 2018 Grace Spence Green, 22, a fourth-year medical student, was walking through the atrium of Westfield Shopping Centre in east London towards the tube station when a stranger jumped head first from the top-floor balcony and landed on her neck.

Dr Grace Spence Green

The fact that she happened to be walking past at that moment meant Grace broke the mans fall and thus saved his life. But his fall broke her spinal cord. She was paralysed for life, from the chest down.

The two would never exchange words. She doesnt even mention the mans name in this powerful and excoriating memoir.

On the night of the accident, he happened to be in the bay beside hers in A&E, just for one night. Much later, she discovered he was a migrant whod been high on weed. He was sentenced to four years in jail for grievous bodily harm, released after serving two, and then deported.

She doesnt feel bitterness towards The Man, as she calls him, or even any emotional connection. All of her anger, and theres a great deal of it, is directed towards us, the general public, for getting things so wrong in what we say to disabled people, and how we treat them.

Prepare to be severely chastened  and re-educated.

Grace says she doesnt desire our insatiable curiosity, or our pity, yet she invokes both, strongly, in her visceral account of the aftermath of that fateful day.

The week in a high-dependency unit in a warm, fuzzy, opioid dream; the 26 metal staples put down the middle of her back by the surgeon Dr Bull; the eeriness of the bloodless injury, which nonetheless wrecked her body; the ominous words spoken by the doctors three months later, at the official prognosis and diagnosis meeting: It would be good to see things changing over the next few weeks.

But things did not change. Sensation did not come back to her legs or toes. Up to then, part of her still believed that the operation would fix her, and make everything go back to how it was before. Now, my seemingly impenetrable bubble of denial had burst.

It would take eight months for the fact that the injury was permanent, and that she would never walk again, to sink fully into her brain.

Dr Green continued with her studies after being paralysed

At the Royal National Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre in Stanmore, north-west London, Grace was relieved as well as shocked to meet other young people in a similar plight. There was competitiveness among some of the patients. Are you walking yet? she was asked. Not yet, shed reply.

She recalls the bleakness of returning to the Centre after a few days at home over Christmas with her loving family and her steadfast boyfriend Nathan, to whom she would later become engaged.

She thought back to the weekend before the accident: she and her friends had sat up all night round a bonfire in a Kentish field, chatting and laughing. Now I find I have lost control of every bodily function, in a place I cannot leave.

She was told shed need to insert a single-use catheter into herself every four hours for the rest of her life. She felt waves of hatred towards the wheelchair at first  until she learned to appreciate it as a tool, just as spectacles are a tool. She now cant stand the expression wheelchair-bound.

She bristles when people use the word inspirational to describe her progress  she calls it inspiration porn, as if people get some kick from her tragic story. Ive heard the word so many times that its lost all meaning.

But its hard not to see her as an inspiration. She completed her medical studies, became a junior doctor in 2021 and now makes it her business to protect the dignity and autonomy of her patients, in a way that sometimes did not happen to her.

She notices that as soon as she takes off her lanyard and stethoscope at the end of the working day, she becomes hyper-visible and utterly ignored.

To Exist as I am is available now from the Mail Bookshop

Thats the daily status of too many disabled people. She does not like her wheelchair to be pushed or pulled in the name of helping. It undermines her autonomy. She also hates it when people hold the door open for her: It can be much easier for me to do it myself, rather than having to duck under an outstretched arm.

We should say to a disabled person, You let me know if you need help.

Questions and remarks that annoyed her while she was in hospital were: Is there anything that can be done?; Are you getting better?; and Its not permanent, I hope?

So, dont say those.

But also, whatever you do, dont say to a disabled person that you dont see them as disabled.  Youre not looking at me properly, I want to say. You are missing a huge part of me by trying to ignore this." '

And on no account must you say you pity her. When people do that, it feels as if they have forced their way into my world and spat on it.

Nor must you single a disabled person out for notice, even out of kindness. Once, back at medical school, an instructor was on the phone cross that a lesson was starting late. And we have a lady in a WHEELCHAIR waiting in the corridor, so its just unacceptable.

Grace felt shaken, to be singled out in a crowd of peers.

Later, the instructor said, Sorry  Im really sorry, I didnt mean to be offensive, Im sorry, it was just a stressful situation.

Grace didnt interrupt her ramble. She just looked directly into her eye and said, OK.

Micro-aggression upon microaggression, piling up, Grace calls all this. For her, its an uphill battle to defend her happiness, when the assumption is that shes the poor brave tragic girl, whose boyfriend was a hero not to desert her.

Every October 17, she celebrates her alive day. The fact that her wheelchair is full of scratches and dents is a sign of a life lived to the full. I am going to enjoy a life that society has told me is not worthy. That is activism.
The Big Hop by David Rooney (Chatto & Windus 22, 336pp)

For travellers today, a flight across the Atlantic is routine, perhaps even a chore. But just over a hundred years ago, when powered flight was still in its infancy, it was far from clear that such an undertaking would even be possible.

Aviation was very much a minority activity pursued by a few intrepid souls, possibly due to crashes being more commonplace.

Aeroplane from the early days of aviation

Aeroplanes were flimsy crates, cobbled together from wood and fabric. They looked as though they would struggle to safely make it from one side of a paddling pool to the other, let alone fly non-stop for almost 2,000 miles over the Atlantic.

But in 1909, the Frenchman Louis Bleriot piloted the first aeroplane to cross from continental Europe to England, winning a prize of 1,000 from the Daily Mail. Alfred Harmsworth  Lord Northcliffe, the energetic founder and proprietor of the Mail  had been interested in flight for some time; he was alert to the possible military threat it presented but frustrated by the British governments apparent inability to see the danger.

One aviator recalled: The official and social world considered the aeroplane a toy, aviators reckless madmen, and any married man who left the ground a sort of criminal.

Northcliffe thought differently and had been offering a series of prizes for various aviation feats, so as to stimulate British airmanship and plane construction. In 1913, the Mail announced a prize of 10,000 (the equivalent of 1million today) for the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean and there was a great deal of interest.

Preparations were interrupted by the First World War but resumed after it.

Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown

Much of historian David Rooneys excellent book about the Big Hop, as American newspapers called it, consists of colourful biographical sketches of the aviators who took part in the competition and thrilling accounts of their efforts, but hes also very good on the challenges faced and the historical context. And there are some fabulous photographs.

The shortest route across the ocean was from Newfoundland, the easternmost land in North America, to Irelands west coast, and flying from west to east took advantage of the prevailing westerly wind, which would have an impact on speed, fuel, consumption and flight duration.

In 1919, four teams from Sopwith, Martinsyde, Vickers and Handley Page sailed to Newfoundland with their disassembled aircraft packed in crates.

The contest was entered in a spirit of friendly competition. The rival aviators dined together, went to the cinema together, played cards together. They were also almost stereotypically decent chaps.

After a successful test flight, one pilot cabled London with the message: Machine absolutely top-hole.

The Big Hop is available now from the Mail Bookshop

They set off on their epic, gruelling journey with lucky mascots in their cockpits  open to the elements  and wrapped sandwiches in their pockets.

Suffice to say that there is the most extraordinary drama and jaw-dropping bravery. The New York Times wrote that none but men with hearts of oak would take the risks they take.

The Mail threw a party at The Savoy for the winning pilot and navigator  Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Whitten Brown.

It was attended by more than 300 guests. Winston Churchill, then secretary of state for war and air, presented the prize and announced that the men were to be knighted.

Earlier, one newspaper had published an assessment of the heroic failure of another team but its rousing words could equally be applied to the whole endeavour: How pitiful our daily precautions, our comfortable provisions against penury and old age, our damnable prudence, in the light of such a spirit as was in these men. They have not glorified a country; they have enriched mankind.
Barbara Walters secretly hated a female rival during their time together at ABC, an ex-TV producer has revealed.

A new documentary about Walters claims she felt 'betrayed' by the arrival of Diane Sawyer at the network in the early 1990s.

An anonymous staffer said Walters viewed the younger Sawyer as a 'threat' and 'secretly resented' her for years.

The hatred stemmed from Sawyer's journalism and good-looks, sources said, with a former producer explaining, 'Barbara saw herself as someone who had helped elevate ABC News to a pinnacle.

'And that had her feeling betrayed by Diane's arrival in the '90s.'

Another producer dished: 'Barbara watched Diane wearily because she was really in the same altitude as Barbara. Other correspondents were not a threat.'

The anonymous staffer further revealed how 'Barbara secretly resented Diane for being younger,' two-and-a-half years after the 20/20 host's passing at age 93.

'Barbara did not know why Diane was hired to start a new news magazine within our home of ABC to compete with 20/20,' the first source further noted, referring to Sawyer, 79, and Sam Donaldson's since-cancelled but long-successful Primetime.

Diane Sawyer was 'secretly' hated by Barbara Walters during their time together at ABC, sources have said. The two are seen together in 2011 in a rare shared on-air appearance, broadcasting from Buckingham Palace for Prince William's wedding

'Barbara saw herself as someone who had helped elevate ABC News to a pinnacle,' a former producer explained. 'And that had her feeling betrayed by Diane's arrival in the '90s'. The two are seen together at an event in 1993

'There was a lot of talk about how that being a different 20/20, a better 20/20, a more alive 20/20 and more energetic 20/20,' the source said.

'[They were] pitted against each other - which was either great management or diabolical.'

The source recalled Sawyer being "unhappy" about the situation.

The film, Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything, aired at Tribeca Film Festival on Thursday saw the claims aired for the first time.

It also featured a voiceover from the late Walters denying ever feuding with Sawyer.

'I don't think Diane Sawyer and I had a feud,' Walters said. 'I think people know that we were after the same [interview] gets.'

Another anonymous ABC staffer did insist there was tension, describing two distinct camps.

'They were on different floors. It was like North Korea and South Korea,' he said. '[N]o members of our staffs talked to each other about what they were working on. It was just a competitive space to live in.'

Another producer dished on Walters resenting Sawyer because she viewed her as a 'threat.' The two are seen together for an interview on Good Morning America in 2011, with fellow female trailblazer Katie Couric

'They were on different floors. It was like North Korea and South Korea,' another staffer said. '[N]o members of our staffs talked to each other about what they were working on. It was just a competitive space'

'Barbara watched Diane wearily because she was really in the same altitude as Barbara,' one source admitted. The two would regularly compete for interviews. Walters - kicked off her career in the 1960s on the Today show - is seen interviewing Donald Trump on 20/20 in 1990

The competition, in one case, stemmed from the two both attempting to interview Katharine Hepburn in the late 80s - a bout a then-green Sawyer won.

But Walters - as Sawyers has previously hinted - attempted to block it, staffers said.

'If I showed up on Mars, they would have a note there with the Barbara Walters stationary that is just requesting an interview with anybody who might happen to show,' Sawyer jokes in a section of the film.

A female friend of Walters added: 'She was certainly dogged by Diane's very existence. She often said, "Diane was the perfect woman."

'She used the word[s] "a blonde goddess,"' the source continued.

'This was an ideal woman and Barbara couldn't compete with that.'

While the longtime ABC News legend could always 'work harder,' she knew 'she couldn't compete with that," the person recalled.

'The blonde goddess, she would say.'

A friend of Walters said: 'She was certainly dogged by Diane's very existence. She often said, "Diane was the perfect woman." She used the word[s] "a blonde goddess." This was an ideal woman and Barbara couldn't compete.' Sawyer is seen interviewing Katharine Hepburn in 1989

Walters retired from ABC in 2014. Sawyer went of the air full-time the same year. Presently she works for ABC News producing documentaries and interview specials

Another person who worked with Walters said Sawyer's rise saw Walters regress. Walters spent 38 years at ABC, but fought to be taken seriously in the decades before during her own meteoric rise after starting her career at NBC in the 60s.

'She couldn't tolerate having Diane Sawyer rise in what she saw as a direct challenge to what she had accomplished,' the source said. 'What a sadness.

'I think it tore into all of those parts of herself where she felt as a child and she was an outsider,' they added. 'In some bizarre way, Diane made her feel all of those insecurities all over again.'

Walters, meanwhile, recently made headlines - posthumously - after a former colleague criticized her at-times abrupt interview style.

'Some of her interviews havent aged well,' former ABC correspondent Cynthia McFadden told People Magazine Wednesday, likely recalling notorious moments like the one in 1976 Walters asked Barbra Streisand why she hadn't gotten a nose job.

In 2011, the aging anchor told the Kardashians: 'You dont act, you dont sing, you dont dance, you dont have any -forgive me - talent.'

The new film is set to stream on Hulu on June 23. Walters retired from ABC in 2014. Sawyer went of the air full-time the same year. Presently, she works for ABC News producing documentaries and interview specials.
Jon Stewart has slammed ABC News for firing a veteran anchor who trashed President Trump.

The Daily Show host framed the move as just the latest example of the network bending the knee to Trump, following Terry Moran's comments about the conservative and his aide Stephen Miller.

'Of course not. So stupid. No, for Gods sake,' Stewart said on The Weekly Show podcast Thursday when asked whether he agreed with the network's decision to do away with Moran.

'The entire thing is because ABC clings to this facade that they somehow exist in a bubble,' Stewart continued, calling the correspondent's ouster 'a joke.'

'Theyre a f**king joke,' he added of ABC. 'They shouldnt have paid the $15million [either].'

The latter came in reference to the network's costly settlement with Trump in December, after George Stephanopoulos mistakenly claimed the conservative was found found 'liable for rape' in a case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll.

'We are pleased that the parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing,' an ABC spokesperson said at the time, avoiding going to court for defamation.

A still-seething Stewart went on to slam White House Deputy Chief of Staff Miller as a 'sick f*ck', after Moran days before said he was full of 'bile' and fueled by 'hate.'

Jon Stewart engaged in a blistering takedown of ABC News for firing Terry Moran on his podcast Thursday, framing the move as the latest example of the network bending the knee following the correspondent' comments about Donald Trump and Stephen Miller

Moran was fired Tuesday after penning a social media post that panned Trump and Miller two days before. He is seen speaking to fans Wednesday to tout his new Substack venture

'The problem with it all is there's no level of fealty that is enough,' the Daily Show host went on.

The tirade ended with Stewart openly accusing execs who fired Moran Tuesday - two days after his since-deleted social media post - of engaging in hypocrisy.

'Literally, every day on Fox News, theyre taking stuff out of context or their people are saying utterly vicious things about Democratic politicians,' he said.

A spokesperson for the network specifically cited Moran's post - penned just after midnight - as a 'clear violation' of ABC's policy.

The 65-year-old correspondent - who worked at ABC for nearly 28 years - wrote how Miller was the 'bile' behind the Trumpist movement he said was being fueled by 'hate.

He also dubbed Trump a 'world class hater' hell-bent on 'his own glorification.'

Despite Moran's years of service, ABC took a hardline approach - suspending him and then showing him the door.

By Tuesday, the punitive action took a more pronounced turn. The network issued a statement saying they were cutting ties with the former Nightline host.

Moran, 65, was a senior national correspondent at the network. He previously served as ABC's Chief Foreign Correspondent from 2013 to 2018. Before that, Moran anchored ABC's Nightline for eight years. He was also once ABC News' Chief White Correspondent

Stewart had been responding to a viewer question read by producer Brittany Mehmedovic (pictured), regarding whether he agreed with the network's decision to do away with Moran

'We are at the end of our agreement with Terry Moran and based on his recent post  which was a clear violation of ABC News policies  we have made the decision to not renew,' the 5pm statement read.

'At ABC News, we hold all of our reporters to the highest standards of objectivity, fairness and professionalism, and we remain committed to delivering straightforward, trusted journalism,' it went on.

It quickly cut ties with a man who had been a senior national correspondent at the Disney-owned network for years, as well as ABC's Chief Foreign Correspondent from 2013 to 2018.

Prior to that, Moran co-anchored the network's newsmagazine Nightline and was ABC News' Chief White Correspondent from 1999 to 2005.

The journalist even sat down with the president this past April, for an exclusive interview in the Oval Office.

The sitdown became contentious when Moran attempted to fact-check the president when it came to the case surrounding deported El Salvador native Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Moran pointed out there was a lack of evidence to support the government's claim that he was part of the notorious migrant gang MS-13.

'You're not being very nice,' Trump said in response. He also claimed he had handpicked Moran to oversee the interview because he had 'never heard of [him].'

This time around, Moran's remarks brought the attention of both ABC News and the Trump administration, The Wall Street Journal reported.

After White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saved the tweet and re-shared it to her official X account, execs consulted with ABC Newss legal and standards teams and senior execs such as ABC boss Debra O'Connell, seen here with President Amin Karamehmedovic

Their boss, Disney CEO Bob Iger, reportedly signed off on the decision to do away with Moran, according to the Wall Street Journal

Within hours, Rick Klein, ABC Newss vice president and Washington bureau chief, was contacting Moran to tell him to take the post down, to which he obliged.

After White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saved the tweet and re-shared it to her official X account, Klein consulted with ABC Newss legal and standards teams, as well as senior execs such as ABC boss Debra O'Connell, the Journal reported.

Almin Karamehmedovic, ABC News' president, was not mentioned in the report, but his boss, Disney CEO Bob Iger was.

He reportedly signed off on the decision to boot Moran, who the next day was touting his new Substack.

'For almost 28 years I was a reporter and anchor for ABC News. As you may have heard, I'm not there anymore,' he said,

'I'm here, with you, on Substack, this amazing space and I can't wait to get at it,' he said.

Moran's decision to join Substack comes after former CNN anchor Jim Acosta did the same in January, leaving him free to take shots at the new administration.
President Donald Trump shared a moment of dark humor with CNN host Dana Bash when she asked about slain military leaders in Iran.

Trump urged the Iranians to 'come to the table to make a deal before it's too late' and pointed out that those who were advocating against a nuclear deal with the United States were now dead.

'You know the people I was dealing with are dead, the hardliners,' he said, according to Bash.

Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's commander in chief of the military was killed in the initial Israeli military strikes as well as Gen. Hossein Salami, Gen. Gholamali Rashid and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

When Bash asked if their deaths were the result of Israel's attack last night, Trump replied sarcastically, 'They didn't die of the flu - they didn't die of Covid.'

Bash appeared on CNN to share details of her conversation but did not react to Trump's comment and said the president said it 'quite sarcastically.'

Trump repeated his call for negotiations in a post on social media.

'Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!' he wrote.

CNN's Dana Bash reports on her conversation with the president

CNN's Dana Bash's conversation with the president

CNN's Dana Bash's conversation with the president

The president noted the 'great death and destruction,' from the attacks but warned that future attacks would be 'even more brutal.'

He reminded Iranians that he gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal but they refused.

'They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!' he wrote.

Trump told Fox News host Bret Baier Thursday evening he was aware of the pending Israeli strikes before they took place, but did not intervene to stop them.

President Donald Trump speaks at a White House press briefing

Dana Bash at the world premiere of Netflix's 'The Residence'

'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We'll hopefully get back to the negotiating table,' Trump said. 'There are several people in leadership in Iran who will not be coming back.'

Trump defended his reaction to Israel's strikes telling Axios on Friday that he did not expect the attacks to disrupted his diplomatic efforts with Iran.

'I don't think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously,' he said, calling it a 'a big day.'

A senior administration official told Axios that Trump did not want Israel to attack Iran.

'We told this to the Israelis publicly and privately ahead of the strike,' the White House official said.

On Thursday, Trump wrote on social media that the United States was 'committed' to making a deal.

'We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran,' he wrote.
Italian car giant Fiat says it will 'redefine' and monumentally improve electric car ownership in Europe by rapidly speeding up charging times  one of the biggest complaints motorists have regarding switching to EVs.

The Turin-based manufacturer hopes to get a head start on rival EV makers with the introduction of a 'technological revolution' that guarantees owners can fully recharge the batteries in their zero-emission cars in just five minutes.

It today confirmed its first battery swapping station has opened in Madrid.

Launched in partnership with charging solution provider Ample and car sharing service Free2move, it promises to 'break one of the barriers to electrification'.

A fleet of 40 Fiat 500e cars are now available in the Spanish city that can access a battery swap station. On arrival, a depleted battery unit can be swapped for a fully charged one in around the same time it takes to fill up a petrol car with fuel.

It means Fiat is set to go head-to-head with Chinese EV mega companies Nio and BYD, both of which are also promising full battery recharges in Europe in less than five minutes.

Fiat now has 40 500e electric cars in Madrid that are compatible with Ample's battery swapping technology. It means the EVs being used as mobility vehicles in the Spanish city can have their depleted battery substituted with a fully charged one in under 5 minutes

By this summer, Fiat says it will have 100 500e electric city cars using the battery swapping station.

This will be part of a 'test process' before the technology is 'expanded to private customers soon'.

Announcing the move, Fiat's statement reads: 'This collaboration represents a significant step forward in offering a technical solution that further simplifies the use of EVs, while also reflecting the Italian brand's commitment towards promoting urban and sustainable mobility.'

Fiat says its diminutive 500e is 'perfectly suited' for use as a battery-swap EV, though its cars have been heavily adapted to be compatible with the stations.

They will use Ample's own battery packs instead of the original units installed by the Italian marque.

They have been designed to be easy and fast to disconnect from a vehicle's chassis, eject and substitute with another.

Ample has been developing its own modular battery pack to be compatible with various EV platforms to become 'drop-in replacements' for the original batteries fitted by respective car makers.

The Italian car giant says battery swapping tech will 'redefine' and monumentally improve electric car ownership in Europe

Announcing the move, Fiat's statement reads: 'This collaboration represents a significant step forward in offering a technical solution that further simplifies the use of EVs, while also reflecting the Italian brand's commitment towards promoting urban and sustainable mobility'

How does the technology work?

Cars fitted with these universal battery packs are automatically recognised by the swapping stations.

Drivers can then use a dedicated mobile app to confirm they want to swap their battery.

While full details for how the system removes and replaces the batteries has not been revealed, the collaborating companies promise 'fast and easy swapping' in less than five minutes.

It involves the 500e cars being driven onto a raised platform, with robots below removing a depleted battery from the underside of the chassis before loading it will a 100 per cent charged replacement.

'The solution offers a flexible and scalable alternative to traditional charging, maximising fleet availability, reducing operational costs, and minimizing reliance on the charging infrastructure,' the car maker said on Friday.

By this summer, Fiat - in partnership with battery swap provider Ample and mobility service Free2move - will have 100 500e electric city cars using the battery swapping station in Madrid

The Madrid pilot has been described as a 'test process' before the technology is 'expanded to private customers soon'

The pilot scheme will be used to assess the efficacy of battery swapping. Ample says learnings will be taken to develop its modular battery tech while Fiat and parent group will gain vital information to understand the importance of developing new vehicles to use modular battery setups with provisions to quickly and simply swap units.

Olivier Francois, Fiat CEO and Stellantis Global CMO, commented: 'At Fiat, we are committed to sustainable mobility. Guided by lateral thinking and a focus on simplicity, this new battery swapping technology reflects these values.

'It significantly reduces the fear of depleting battery mid-trip and dramatically cuts recharge time, delivering a seamless and effortless experience for drivers.

'We are dedicated to thoroughly testing and analysing this concept in real-world conditions and aiming to expand it to private customers soon.

'That is why we believe deeply in this project and have chosen our iconic Fiat 500 to spearhead the initiative. It will provide invaluable insights for both our brand and the Group as we shape the future of mobility.'

Khaled Hassounah, CEO of Ample, said the stations will be fundamental to car sharing fleets where 'every minute spent off the road is lost revenue.'

He added: 'Were deeply committed to making Free2moves transition to electric seamless - -not just in theory, but in daily operations.

'Our five-minute battery swaps eliminate charging downtime entirely, helping Free2move keep vehicles available, customers moving, and operations running at full speed.'

The 100-vehicle pilot will be utilised to collate data and insight on the efficacy of the swapping station setup and will 'play a crucial role in exploring the large-scale implementations of Ample technology'.

The technology will be showcased for the first time on Monday at the MOVE 2025 mobility show hosted at ExCeL London.

Chinese EV maker Nio has built over 3,400 battery swap stations in its homeland and has also installed more than 30 across Europe. In February, it claimed to have completed a staggering 67 million battery swaps globally

Nio's latest Power Swap 4.0 stations have the capacity to change batteries in just over two minutes - 144 seconds, to be precise - and provide the service to 480 vehicles per day

Over 67 million EV battery swaps have already happened

While the technology sounds like an all-new advancement, this isn't the first battery swapping station in the world - or even in Europe.

Chinese EV maker Nio has built over 3,400 battery swap stations in its homeland.

Over 1,000 of these are located on busy motorways where rapid recharging for longer journeys has been identified as a prime solution for this type of technology.

And in May 2022, Nio opened the first of these Power Swap stations in Oslo, identifying Norway as Europe's leader in the transition to electric vehicles, with nine in ten new car registrations being EVs last year.

There are now more than 30 of European Nio battery swap stations - some in the Netherlands and Denmark - as part of collaborations with Shell.

It says its latest Power Swap 4.0 stations being installed in China now have the capacity to change batteries in just over two minutes - 144 seconds, to be precise - and provide the service to 480 vehicles per day.

Incredibly, Nio in February claimed to have completed a staggering 67 million swaps globally since launching its swapping stations.

Catl, China's  and the world's  largest battery producer also recently announced it will build a 'battery swapping ecosystem' across the country with support from oil giant Sinopec as the technology becomes increasingly mainstream in East Asia.

While Fiat and Nio are driving down a route towards battery swapping, Chinese EV giant BYD is taking a different approach to provide five-minute charges to drivers.

BYD's 'Megawatt Flash Chargers' use 1,000-volt architecture enabling recharge times equivalent to refuelling a fuel-powered car. The chargers will be rolled out in Europe within the next 12 months

BYD calls the chargers a 'game changer' because they can deliver 1.2 miles of range per second, delivering a recharge in just five minutes, removing range and charging anxiety

This month, it confirmed it will bring its ultra-rapid 'Flash Charger' technology to Europe in the next 12 months.

These use a 1,000kW architecture, making them much more powerful than Tesla's Superchargers, which only charge up to 250kW and deliver 172 miles in 15 minutes.

BYD's executive vice president Stella Li claims the flash chargers will allow EV drivers to replenish their batteries in just five minutes with the technology described as a game changer that will boost EV confidence and remove range and charge anxiety.

Initially, the devices will be installed at BYD dealerships, though other partnerships and locations are currently under consideration.
A major shift is taking place in Wall Street. Traders, who were fixated on US stocks, are now looking for investing opportunities in Anywhere But America.

The movement even has its own acronym, Abusa  Anywhere But USA.

UK and European shares have become more popular amid a backlash against Donald Trump's tariff policies and anxiety over the size of the US national debt and trade deficit.

British businesses including Alphawave, Oxford Ionics and Spectris have attracted takeover offers from US buyers this week.

This signals to British investors that there are opportunities to cash in. US predators can spot bargain UK companies, so shareholders here could make themselves a profit by doing the same.

The UK market is rising: the FTSE 100 blue-chip index soared to a level close to its March record high of 8,871.

Ken Wotton, manager of the Strategic Equity Capital trust which backs smaller UK companies, says: 'Overseas buyers are capitalising, while domestic investors overlook the value on our doorstep.'

Despite the rise in Abusa trades, some Wall Street investors remain steadfastly faithful to US shares.

The FTSE 100 blue-chip index soared to a level close to its March record high of 8,871

They seem to believe that if shares fall following a move by the President, they will bounce up on the Taco principle  it stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.

Indeed, he has staged several rapid retreats.

However, these dizzying turnarounds are making many investors increasingly nervous and boosting the allure of Anywhere But America.

Neil Wilson, strategist at Saxo Bank, calls it 'a once-in-a-generation realignment of the way the global economy runs', with capital shifting out of the US and into other markets.

The Magnificent Seven tech stocks  Amazon, Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla - have provided half of the gains in the MSCI World index over the past two years.

But, as Darius McDermott of FundCalibre points out, the Anywhere But America mood could lead to a rush to exit.

'The unpredictability coming out of Washington is forcing more pension funds to question how much US exposure they really need,' he says.

'That has the potential to spark a significant shift in global capital flows. Even a modest reallocation into UK and European shares could have an outsized impact, particularly in areas like small and medium-sized companies.'

Fabiana Fedeli, of asset management firm M&G, urges investors to be aware of the impact of the Anywhere But America phenomenon.

'Empires fall, but they don't fall in one day. US exceptionalism is alive in the form of strong intellectual capital, deep capital markets, and a culture that fosters entrepreneurship. But this doesn't mean that the US market is the only game in town.'

Investors may not wish to shun America totally  it is still a formidable market with impressive companies. But spreading investments across different markets, rather than having too many eggs in one basket, is usually a good idea.

Here's what to do if you want to seek out profits away from the US.

THE UK

A fund or investment trust is the simplest way to start backing Britain.

Recommendations on the Interactive Investor platform include the low-cost Fidelity Index fund, JPM UK Equity Core fund, and City of London Investment Trust if you are looking for an income.

For a more adventurous selection try Fidelity Special Values, which holds a mix of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 stocks, with names such as Direct Line and NatWest alongside lesser-known stocks such as engineering group Keller, which builds foundations for bridges, high-rises and tunnels.

For exposure to the more domestically focused FTSE 250, check out exchange-traded funds (ETFs) such as the iShares FTSE 250 and the Vanguard FTSE 250  my flutter on this index.

If you would like to put a small amount into a range of UK funds each month, McDermott's top tips are Jupiter UK Dynamic Equity, AXA Framlington UK Mid Cap and IFSL Marlborough Special Situations.

Ken Wotton, manager of the Strategic Equity Capital trust which backs smaller UK firms

This fund's largest holding is fintech business Alpha Group International. In May Alpha rejected an approach from an American predator, Corpay. But the two parties are still talking. Corpay is compelled to make a firm offer by July 7, which will doubtless reflect the 33pc increase in Alpha's shares since January.

If the American pursuit of Alpha and other previously unloved UK companies has tempted you to mount a search of your own, Will James, fund manager of the Guinness European Equity Income Fund, argues that you can find 'high-quality companies that have been hiding in plain sight. '

He cites Admiral, the 10billion insurance company. Milena Mondini de Focatiis, Admiral's chief executive, recently cut car cover prices and so attracted many more policyholders.

James comments: 'Admiral is a customer-focused digital disruptor, with a cost-efficient capital-light structure  and a great culture. It also has a very attractive dividend payout policy.'

He points out that the share price looks good value in relation to the company's profits.

Shares in Admiral, a member of the FTSE 100, have risen by 24pc since the start of the year to 3,272p. One analyst has set a target price of 3,800p.

Shares in the 2.74billion construction company Balfour Beatty also look good value in relation to its earnings.

Alec Cutler, manager of the Orbis Global Balanced Fund, contends that Balfour Beatty would be far more highly valued in the US on the basis of its substantial cash pile and its key role in the HS2 rail link and other transformative projects.

Analysts consider the shares to be a 'buy', with one targeting an increase from the current 497p to 590p.

It could also pay to explore opportunities in the residential construction sector, following this week's spending review announcement of a 39billion affordable homes programme.

An array of obstacles lies in the path of the building of new housing.

However, the long-term beneficiaries include Barratt, Berkeley, Bellway, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and the brick and materials supplier such as Breedon, Forterra, Marshalls and Michelmersh.

EUROPE

The FTSE 100 is up by 7pc since the start of the year. The German Dax index, however, has leapt by 19pc.

It is being propelled by forecasts that profits at its 40 automobile, defence, infrastructure and other constituents are set to outpace those of their US peers, thanks to government stimulus.

US investors who used to think that Europe was a backwater held back by a dense thicket of regulations are seeing the region with new eyes.

The Dax's stars include Rheinmetall, maker of weapons and ammunition, whose shares have jumped by 176pc to 1,720 since January. Analysts still rate the defence contractor a 'buy', with an average target price of 1,933.

Over the same period, shares in Siemens Energy have soared by 68pc to 85. As Cutler points out, the unglamorous corporation makes the gas turbines that power the vast data centres on which the artificial intelligence (AI) industrial revolution relies.

Doubtless enthused by this trend, the analysts at Deutsche Bank have set a target price of 95.

European shares can be tricky to research, which means that a fund can be a simpler option. McDermott likes BlackRock European Dynamic, with its emphasis on undervalued companies.

In March I suggested that a diversification into Europe via such funds and trusts as Fidelity European Trust could be a safe haven in the new Trump world order.

I followed my own advice and took a stake in this trust, which invests in multinationals such as Nestle and the software group Sap.

I am not breaking up with America. But I am enjoying new relationships elsewhere.
Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie said she was left 'hugely proud' of her Glaswegian upbringing after being made a Dame in the King's Birthday Honours.

Crosbie, 55, who has led Britain's biggest building society since 2022, hopes it will inspire others to follow her path.

'Lots of people talk about me being a female but I think most of my peer group have come from a much higher social demographic and they tended to be educated in either Oxford or Cambridge,' she said.

Proud: Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie said she was left 'hugely proud' of her Glaswegian upbringing

'I think having that diverse social mobility as well as gender is really important.'

Crosbie, who started at Clydesdale Bank in Scotland, said: 'I am actually hugely proud.

'I grew up in Glasgow, I wasn't different to any of my peer group, so to be given the opportunity to lead  I've had a massively rewarding career.

'As a woman, I hope that sends a message of opportunity and hope.'
AstraZeneca has agreed a deal that could be worth almost 4billion with a Chinese company to use AI in the production of new treatments for chronic diseases.

Britain's largest listed company announced the tie-up with biotech firm CSPC Pharmaceuticals following controversy over its involvement in China.

The pharmaceuticals giant will pay CSPC an upfront fee of 81million while a total further payment of up to 3.8billion is available if the drugs reach development and sales-related milestones.

AstraZeneca has been ploughing cash into the country, including announcing a 1.8billion research and development hub in the capital Beijing.

Forward thinking: AstraZeneca has agreed a deal that could be worth almost 4billion with a Chinese company to use AI in the production of new treatments for chronic diseases

The firm's former boss in China, Leon Wang, was arrested in October and is still thought to be in detention.

More recently, former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith has accused the pharma giant of 'turning a blind eye to the nature of the Chinese government'.

AstraZeneca boss Sir Pascal Soriot said in February: 'We all think about Leon and miss him, but the reality is we are not able to talk to him. We are not allowed.'
A leading Airbnb executive has said it is 'totally unfair' to blame the firm for 'over-tourism' in Europe.

Theo Yedinsky, vice-president for public policy at the American company, has accused regulators and residents of 'scapegoating' the app.

The US giant, which allows jetsetters to book short-term home rentals, has been accused of causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots.

But Yedinsky instead pointed the finger at hotels.

Tourist levels have angered those living in major European cities, who complain that Airbnb has pushed up rents and reduced the permanent housing on offer for residents.

It has even led to protests by locals in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Malaga and Santorini.

Opposition: Demonstrators in Malaga rally against mass tourism and Airbnbs in the city

Yedinsky told the Financial Times: 'We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres. The reality is overtourism is really driven by the hotels.'

In Barcelona, where officials have ordered nearly 66,000 properties to be wiped from the app, Yedinsky told the newspaper the mayor should 'look at hotels' and 'build more housing'.

'They are scapegoating Airbnb. They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why it's not getting better,' he said.

The app claims it helps local communities as it supports families who want to let their property to make ends meet, as well as boosting tourism to areas outside of main cities.

But it has garnered many critics. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez earlier this year said 'there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes'.

Although most holidaymakers stay in hotels compared to short-term rentals, critics are concerned with the rapid growth of these properties.

Visitors stayed in short lets for 715million nights compared to 1.9bn staying in hotels, according to data from the European Union.

Apps such as Airbnb  founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia  were effectively banned in New York in 2023.

Closer to home, residents in tourist destinations incluyding Devon and Cornwall have complained that more landlords are letting properties to holidaymakers while locals struggle to find affordable homes.

Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire earlier this month claimed 'too many local families are being priced out while homes sit empty or churned through weekly rentals'.
Frustrated This is Money readers continue to complain of state pension top-ups cash vanishing 'in the ether somewhere' as the Government contends with a big backlog of cases.

The Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC, which run the system between them, say they are prioritising payments from people close to or over state pension age.

This follows a huge rush ahead of an April deadline to fill old gaps in state pension records.

But retired aerospace administrator Garry Wakefield, 67, saw 7,400 he paid for top-ups in March go missing.

He also claimed his deferred state pension in the same month, because he and his wife have just retired to Spain, but was left hanging with no word on when his payments might start.

Retired air traffic controller David Kirkwood, who lives in Ayrshire, turned 66 in May while a 3,200 top-up made last November remained unaccounted for on his record.

State pension top-ups: HMRC is responsible for maintaining NI records and processing contributions, and DWP for revising forecasts or payments after purchases

Elaine Bowden, a 65-year-old retired microbiologist from Merseyside who handed over around 5,000 last November, is due to get her state pension in August.

She told us: 'They have still got my money somewhere. I could have had interest on the money for all that time. It's a disgrace.'

None of these delays were addressed until This is Money urged action on the Government, and nor were other cases highlighted below of top-ups cash going missing for up to a year.

A government spokesperson said: 'We have allocated all of these customers top-ups to their National Insurance records and are sorry for the delay.

'Were tackling response times by deploying extra staff to process payments.'

But former Pensions Minister Steve Webb responded: 'Whilst these sums are small to the Government, they are large to the individuals concerned.'

He told us: 'It is time that the whole system was brought into the 21st Century.

'We are always told that technology is going to streamline all of this, but for too long people have to resort to the old fashioned approach of hanging on the phone to try to find out what is going on.'

Webb, who is now This is Money's retirement columnist and a partner at LCP, said of the readers' experiences we cover today: Yet again we are hearing of case after case where people have found it impossible to find out what is going on.

'They struggle to get information on the phone or are promised action which never seems to happen.

'The system is so complex that people need to be able to access a clear and straightforward explanation about what is going on and when they can expect to see their record updated.'

A deal to buy voluntary state pension top-ups going back to 2006/07 ended on 5 April - although you can still backdate for the past six years.

The DWP launched a callback service, which is now closed, to handle the volume of enquiries. If you signed up you should be contacted to discuss your situation, and still be able to buy top-ups for earlier years.

If you are over 66, you will receive state pension arrears going back to the date of your top-up payment in addition to your increase, so you will not ultimately see a shortfall.

> Should you buy top-ups to boost your state pension? Read our guide.

David Kirkwood: HMRC 'lost' a top-ups payment and a tax payment

HMRC 'lost' 6k of my money

David Kirkwood made two payments totalling thousands of pounds last November to boost his state pension, but only one was processed before his 66th birthday this spring.

'It certainly looks like they have lost my payment,' he told us. 'When you eventually get through to HMRC by phone, they have been very helpful and polite but it does take a long time getting through.'

A separate tax payment of nearly 3,000 he made in January 2024 had already gone astray and he had no luck tracking that down either.

'Once again the person I spoke to - after an hour listening to horrible music - was very helpful,' he said of his experience contacting HMRC in March.

But he heard nothing more after that, and told us: 'To sum up, it would appear that HMRC have "lost" 6,217.21 of my money.'

After we flagged his case, the DWP straightened out Mr Kirkwood's state pension.

But despite HMRC saying his tax account was now 24.37 in credit and a penalty payment had been waived, he is still waiting for these issues to be finalised.

Garry Wakefield postponed taking his state pension for nearly a year after his 66th birthday, but decided to get his payments started when he moved to Spain earlier this year.

However, neither his state pension claim nor 7,400 of top-ups bought in March were processed by DWP and HMRC.

Garry Wakefield: Moved to Spain and couldn't get his state pension started

Originally from Lancashire, Mr Wakefield had worked in the aerospace industry in Bahrain since 2010.

He contacted us, saying: 'My wife and I moved to Spain very recently. We have some money for now but it is coming to the point where my state pension is needed.'

Once we got involved, his state pension was sorted out and he was refunded around 4,300. He told us: 'The system is so complicated it's ridiculous.'

'I am thinking of going to their head office and confronting them'

After paying 5,000 for top-ups last November, Elaine Bowden thought they would be added to her record well in time before she reached state pension age in August.

By this spring she was growing concerned, and contacted This is Money after she failed to get a response to a letter to HMRC.

'I go into Gov.uk and all the information is still saying that I have the same gaps before the top-up payment,' she told us.

'I have spoken to my bank and the money was sent to them. I have records of the transaction.

'I am thinking of actually going to their head office and confronting them. Maybe anyone who is in the position as myself should join me. I don't know what else to do. If I don't get the top-up I will be struggling to pay bills.'

After we raised her case, HMRC allocated Ms Bowden's top-up payment and DWP confirmed her new state pension forecast.

She said: 'Thanks for all your help. My pension gaps have now been filled and I get the full amount. I can't thank you enough.'

Are YOU in the state pension top-ups backlog? Are you chasing a top-ups payment? Or did you put in a callback request to DWP? If you have paid and heard nothing more, or you are still waiting for a call, write and tell us your story at pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk.

'Trying to get through by phone and webchat is just impossible'

We have covered many cases of large sums getting lost in the state pension top-ups system for months and even years, but people have struggled to get Government staff to help on their own.

In our latest investigation, we uncovered further failures.

- Ran Marshall, 61, paid just over 5,000 for state pension top-ups last September.

The army veteran, who served in the Parachute Regiment, now lives in Greece with his wife and teaches scuba diving

He said: 'Despite various web chats and a call, all times being told it would be sent to the team dealing with this, the money still has not been credited to my NI account.

'This does seem an incredibly long time for this amount of my money to be sitting nowhere. Trying to get through by phone and webchat is just impossible.

'I understand there is a backlog and I am not pension age but they told me eight weeks and I gave them a large sum of money. I could be earning interest on it. It's in the ether somewhere.'

After This is Money contacted the Government on his behalf, Mr Marshall's NI record was updated and his pension forecast was revised.

He said: 'How can we ever thank you? I'm quite astounded that after nine months of calls and mails from us, you have fixed the whole thing in two days.'

- Anne Weekly, 62, a freelance English teacher who lives in France, bought 17 years of top-ups for nearly 2,800 in May 2024.

After a year waiting for her NI record to be updated, she suddenly saw two years she had not purchased appear as fully paid up.

When we alerted HMRC and DWP, it turned out the system had incorrectly 'auto-allocated' some of her payment to the wrong years.

'Im in shock! Youve sorted the issue for me,' Ms Weekly told us when her NI record was fully updated. 'I cant believe how quickly they reacted. You must scare the life out of them.'

- Ian Warrender, 71, paid nearly 1,200 for state pension top-ups in October, not realising they wouldn't improve his state pension.

This is because following an overhaul in April 2016, some people have already maxed out any possible benefits by that point, and it is only worth filling in years following the changes.

The retired architect from Hampshire wrote to HMRC asking for a refund in February, but received no response.

HMRC said it had provided Mr Warrender with payment details last autumn but advised him to contact DWP first to check if his top-ups would increase his state pension.

He is currently waiting for a letter from the DWP which will explain how to boost his state pension by buying top-ups for years between 2016 and 2019 instead.

- Caroline Simpson (name changed) was left in limbo for months when staff at four different Government departments and agencies failed to confirm whether she was eligible for National Insurance credits between 2021 and 2024, or needed to buy top-ups for that period.

Ms Simpson, 67, a former self-employed live-in carer from Herefordshire, contacted DWP's pensions and Universal Credit departments, HMRC and her local Job Centre

After we asked for her case to be investigated, the DWP said her income from periods when she was self-employed during the years in question took her above the threshold to receive NI credits. It added that it had communicated this to Ms Simpson, which she disputes.
For some, it's 'Dreamland'. Others call it the Paradise Ranch. CIA agents prefer the technical designation: Groom Lake or Homey Airport.

But the top-secret US Air Force base in the Nevada desert is best known as Area 51.

The Pentagon only acknowledged the existence of its highly-classified flight testing facility, with its ominous 'keep out' signs and armed guards, in 2013.

By then, it was a topic of fascination for alien and UFO conspiracy theorists, and had been featured in everything from Doctor Who to the X-Files and Independence Day.

For those who dress in zany outfits to visit the gates, it's where US scientists study extra-terrestrial cadavers and flying saucers, and brainstorm space lasers and time machines.

For the rest of us, it's where the Pentagon test flies next-generation fighter jets.

Joerg Arnu, a military aviation enthusiast, told the Daily Mail: 'If you want to test something in secret, Area 51 is the place to do it.

'It's tucked away in its own valley. Nobody can peek inside unless they climb a very far away mountain top.'

America's best known military test site has become a magnet for UFO and alien enthusiasts

Joerg Arnu, 63, lives close by to Area 51 so he can keep tabs on the latest military aviation tech

German-born Arnu, 63, lives in the nearby town of Rachel and first visited Area 51 in the 1990s.

He became obsessed with the cutting-edge research being conducted on the other side of the barbed wire.

'Everybody loves a good mystery. Here, the mystery and my passion for military aviation came together in a perfect storm,' he said.

But, he added: 'I have nothing to do with aliens. I leave that to others.'

Here, the Daily Mail takes a look at the 'most famous top-secret site in the world' - and the wild theories it inspires about wormholes and little green men.

DREAMLAND FACTS

Part of a U-2 spy plane seen in 1955 coming out of a transport airplane at Area 51 - where the secret craft was designed and perfected

Trailers at Area 51 where U-2 pilots slept while learning how to fly the CIA's first spy plane

Area 51, located some 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas, takes its unusual name from maps of the Atomic Energy Commission.

The remote, barren site was selected in 1955 to test the U-2 high altitude spy plane. It's since been used to test the A-12, the stealth F-117 Nighthawk and other warplanes.

The testing program was only revealed in 2013, thanks to a public records request.

Before that, Air Force chiefs merely referred to a 'variety of activities, some of which are classified', being carried out in the area. Officials have kept relatively quiet about it since.

The base itself measures just six by ten miles. A much wider area and the airspace above it are permanently locked down.

According to Arnu, researchers there are currently testing sixth-generation F-47 fighter jets.

BOB'S BOMBSHELL

Bob Lazar shocked the world in 1989 with his revelations about alien tech at Area 51

Much of the public interest in Area 51 came from a jaw-dropping televised interview in 1989 when whistleblower Bob Lazar sensationally told KLAS that he had worked at the base with physicists trying to 'back-engineer a downed alien spacecraft'.

He said the crafts used gravity manipulation and propulsion systems far beyond any technology humans had developed.

While critics dismissed him as a hoaxer, Lazar's credibility has strangely grown over time.

He described biometric security scanners that didn't exist publicly until years later. His story never changed. Even some scientists admit: he might have seen something real.

'Before 1989, just a small group of people came here or even knew about Area 51,' Arnu said. 'After Bob Lazar's story, the genie was out of the bottle.'

ROSWELL DEBRIS

UFO theorists say these 'body bags' at the Roswell crash site were used to recover alien victims

A Roswell newspaper article detailing the 'flying saucer' incident of July 1947

For UFO theorists, Area 51 is where US scientists study downed flying saucers and other alien material.

The most famous of these crashes occurred in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947.

According to a US Air Force report in the 1990s, the wreckage recovered from Roswell consisted of smashed parts of balloons, sensors and radar reflectors from a classified government project.

But conspiracy maintained that it was a crashed alien spacecraft - and that its remains ended up at Area 51.

At the secret base, the craft and its occupants were examined, and the technology was reverse engineered to enhance America's own military programs, it is claimed.

The theorists contend that other alien debris has been collected there, and scientists have carried out autopsies of extraterrestrial corpses.

The polling group Ipsos canvassed the public about Area 51 in 2019 and found widespread suspicion about what takes place there.

Just 31 per cent of respondents said they believed it was a regular military base. A quarter of Americans (26 per cent) think that crashed UFO spacecrafts are held there, and 21 per cent think that there is advanced technology from aliens - or aliens themselves.

ALIEN MANIA

The Black Mailbox near Area 51 is a meeting spot for UFO enthusiasts

The 'Storm Area 51' event of 2019 attracted hundreds of visitors to Rachel, Nevada

Area 51 has featured in dozens of movies and shows, including this famous scene from Independence Day

Thanks to the notoriety of Area 51, the surrounding area has become a tourism hotspot.

Visitors come from all over for a drive along Nevada State Route 375, known as The Extraterrestrial Highway, and to pose for photographs at the gates of the clandestine facility.

Many gather at the Black Mailbox, a popular meeting spot for UFO hunters, and try the 'World Famous Alien Burger' at the Little A'Le'Inn diner.

Arnu recalled a night in the 1990s when he was camping out by Area 51 and nearly caught the alien mania himself.

He described seeing bright lights and what appeared to be a 'disc hovering in the sky'.

'I was like: ''Oh, my god, this is the mother ship'',' he said.

He later realized that it was a military training exercise that involved flares.

Still, it showed Arnu how easily somebody without a military background could see lights in the sky and jump to extraordinary conclusions.

'I've been at the Black Mailbox and I've seen people having heartfelt UFO sightings, and I knew full well that what they are looking at is just a commercial airliner,' he said.

There have been multiple security incidents at Area 51 over the years, involving visitors crossing the security lines and ending up arrested.

The biggest scare occurred in 2019, when millions were expected to attend the 'Storm Area 51: They Can't Stop All of Us' events.

Ultimately, only about 1,500 people showed up for the nearby Alienstock and Storm Area 51 Base Camp music festivals, and just 75 people actually approached the gates of Area 51. Two people were detained by local law enforcement.

CROSSOVER THEORIES

Stealth aircraft technology is among the breakthroughs that were trialed at Area 51

Other theories have emerged about work undertaken at the base that blur the lines between fact and fiction.

To a conspiracy theorist, research into next-generation lasers could look like tech from another planet.

Rumors about a whole range of otherworldly weapons being tested at Area 51 abound, including exotic energy weapons, weather control, time travel and teleportation, and propulsion systems.

'Technology-wise, Area 51 is 20 years ahead of what we consider state of the art,' Arnu said.

'There is most certainly research being done in other fields. Temporal travel, I don't believe that's going to ever be a possibility. But energy weapons, sound weapons, crowd control, any of those things, absolutely.'

ALIEN INSIDE JOB

The base itself measures just six by ten miles. A much wider area and the airspace above it are permanently locked down

The latest twist about Area 51 is that the wacky alien theories about the site were in reality an inside job, with Pentagon chiefs deliberately fueling conspiracy theories about UFOs to conceal their secret weapons programs during the Cold War.

The disinformation campaign involved dishing out fake photographs of flying saucers in a nearby bar in the 1980s, according to a 2024 Pentagon report obtained by the Wall Street Journal.

The pictures were quickly pinned on the wall, igniting public speculation that alien technology was being housed and studied at the top-secret base.

In reality, Area 51 scientists were testing secret stealth aircraft, which it was hoped could infiltrate Soviet air defenses.

'It was a very convenient disinformation,' Arnu said. 'To muddy the waters, to explain away what somebody might have seen.'
The heartbroken mother of an adorable two-year-old girl who was left to die in a car in 105F heat has broken her silence.

Kristin Fulcher, 30, found out Ansleigh Marie Boatman had passed away on Sunday after allegedly being abandoned for nine hours by her father Joseph.

Her dad, 32, had picked her up from another relative's house in Madisonville, Louisiana, at around 2am - but was said to have been drunk.

He is believed to have strapped her into her seat at around 2.30am before going back inside and never returning.

Fulcher, 32, revealed she could not get in touch with her ex all the next day and by 5pm 'felt like something was wrong'. She then got the dreaded call from cops.

The pair had a custody arrangement over Ansleigh, despite Boatman being a convicted pedophile after being caught by the FBI in a huge sting operation.

Kristin Fulcher, the mother of Ansleigh Marie Boatman (pictured together), who tragically died after her father allegedly left her in a 105F car for more than nine hours Sunday, has broken her silence

Fulcher revealed she quickly fell into denial when the police called and she was sure they had got the wrong child.

It was only later she learned the truth - that little Ansleigh had been trapped in the car for nearly 10 hours as the temperature continued to climb.

Detectives soon discovered Boatman 'consumed multiple alcoholic beverages' before getting his daughter early that morning.

She was first told Boatman would only be charged with negligent homicide, but his charge got bumped up to second-degree murder.

Her sister Kerri Kirchner told the Daily Mail the family has been left 'heartbroken and hurt' but also 'angry and p****d off' at his 'senseless and irresponsible' actions.

Authorities discovered that the two-year-old's father, Joseph Boatman, 32, had picked up his daughter from a family member's home earlier that morning after he 'consumed multiple alcoholic beverages'

Fulcher (pictured), who lives in Texas , had just said goodbye to her child on May 23 as she and Boatman have a custody arraignment to leave her with her dad for a few weeks in the summer

Fulcher and Boatman finalized their custody agreement in November, and after that he had to attend eight-hour mandatory parenting classes.

He was then given the chance to attend visitations to see Ansleigh, but 'more often than not he didn't exercise his visits,' she said.

The sex offender would give her 'excuses' for why he could not be there, she claimed. Boatman was living in Texas, but later moved to Louisiana.

He just started getting the baby regularly starting around mid-January, she said.

Boatman was allowed two weekend visits a month and could spend every spring break with his daughter.

He was also granted a 45 consecutive day visit, but Fulcher was not on board so they agreed on three weeks instead.

Boatman had picked Ansleigh up on May 23 and was supposed to hand her back to her mother on June 28.

She quickly fell into denial, and 'didn't immediately think something was wrong with my baby' before learning her little girl was left on her own in the vehicle for nearly 10 hours as the temperature continued to climb. (Pictured: Boatman)

Boatman (pictured with Ansleigh) is facing a second-degree murder charge and is currently being held on a $75,000 cash bond

Fulcher said her daughter's favorite word was 'happy,' so much so that she used to go around the house repeating it to everyone.

Her aunt remembered her as 'the happiest, bubbliest, sassiest little baby.' She was the youngest of four and was best friends with her older brother, the family said.

Her aunt said her favorite thing to do was attend LSU games and walk around campus.

Boatman is being held on a $75,000 cash bond, according to his arrest report. Sheriff Randy Smith said: 'This is a devastating loss that no family ever wants to face.

'When a child is left in a vehicle, especially on a day when the heat index climbs over 100 degrees, the outcome can turn deadly in a matter of minutes.

'This case involved compromised judgment, and the result was heartbreaking.' This is not his first run-in with the law, as Boatman is also a registered sex offender.

Ansleigh was the youngest of four, and was best friends with her older brother, according to Kirchner

In June 2019 Boatman was caught by the FBI - along with more than 60 others - in 'Operation Broken Heart', an initiative to bust child abuse in Louisiana.

Boatman was convicted for the online solicitation of a minor, according to records obtained by the Daily Mail.

Ansleigh's funeral is set to be held on Tuesday. A church service will be held on Wednesday, followed by her burial, according to her obituary.

'Sleep peacefully, sweet angel. You wereand always will beso deeply loved,' it added.

Ansleigh is the sixth child to die in a hot car in the US this year, according to Kids and Car Safety.

Every year, an average of 38 children die in hot cars and about 88 percent of them are three-year-old or younger, according to the non-profit.
An independent-minded Senate Republican poured cold water on a far-fetched idea that was floated early in the second Trump administration.

Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski told the Daily Mail that she doesn't 'think the Trump administration would like to buy Greenland once they realize what the price of Greenland would be.'

Murkowski's remarks came after the Daily Mail asked the senator at an event in Washington Thursday if she thinks a deal to acquire the self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark was still viable.

She was delivering a keynote address at an event on 'Restoring Arctic Exceptionalism' organized by The Arctic Institute.

An estimate from the American Action Forum (AAF) - a center-right policy institute - found that the price of Greenland, including the island's 'critical mineral and energy assets would be worth approximately $4.4 trillion.'

When removing oil and natural gas from the calculation, Greenland's value would drop to $2.7 trillion, AAF found.

Trump's Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told members of Congress Thursday that the Pentagon has drafts of plans to invade Greenland, as well as Panama if the Administration chose to make such an audacious move.

Democrat Adam Smith of Washington state asked Hegseth at a Thursday hearing of House Armed Services Committee if the Department of Defense would be willing to 'take Greenland and Panama by force.'

Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) questions Douglas Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC

The US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland where US Vice President JD Vance visited on March 28, 2025

A woman holds a Greenland flag as people protest against the American pressure taking place against Greenland and Denmark, in front of the American Embassy in Copenhagen on March 29, 2025. Denmark said on March 29, 2025 it did not like the "tone" of US Vice-president JD Vance after he accused Copenhagen of under-investing in Greenland during a visit to the Danish territory.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (C), accompanied by acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn MacDonnell (L), and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine (R), speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on June 12, 2025 in Washington, DC

Buying Greenland has been an obsession of the Trump administration ever since the president took office for his second term .

Hegseth responded by articulating American concerns regarding Chinese influence in Panama and Greenland.

'Panama is very key terrain that we've focused on and we've been willing to focus on, as is Greenland,' Hegseth noted.

When Smith pressed Hegseth on the question of force, Hegseth replied it was prudent for the Department of Defense to prepare options.

'Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any particular contingency,' Hegseth replied.

'So let's just be clear,' Smith continued: 'You have plans to take Panama and Greenland by force?'

'I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency,' Hegseth said.

When GOP Rep. Mike Turner attempted to throw Hegseth a lifeline on Greenland plans, Hegseth only adjusted his words slightly.

"I sure as hell hope that it is not your testimony," Turner said, glaring at Hegseth.

The Pentagon head replied that the plan was to ensure Greenland was protected from any threats.

Buying Greenland has been an obsession of the Trump administration ever since the president took office for his second term. Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland as far back as 2019, tweeting an artificially generated image of a golden Trump tower planted in a local Greenland village.

Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland as far back as 2019, tweeting an artificially generated image of a golden Trump tower planted in a local Greenland village

US Vice President JD Vance (C) and Second Lady Usha Vance (R) stand with Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base in Greenland on March 28, 2025

Col. Susannah Meyers, commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, was removed from command on April 10, 2025, according to a statement released by the Space Operations Command.

Vice President JD Vance visited the island early in his term, along with his wife Usha.

The Vance's visit was marred in controversy. Colonel Susannah Meyers, the commander of the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, was removed from her role in April after she publicly disagreed with remarks made by the Vice President during the trip.

An April Washington Post poll found that while 68 percent of Americans believe Trump is serious about taking Greenland, just 22 percent support the gambit.
Iran last night launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in revenge for strikes on its nuclear sites - as Benjamin Netanyahu warned 'more is on the way'.

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed to 'inflict heavy blows' in a chilling threat to civilians in Tel Aviv as he blamed Israel for starting a war.

Dramatic footage shows Israel's Iron Dome intercepting the salvo of missiles above the city's skyline - but some could not be stopped including one that blasted into the side of a building with people reportedly trapped inside.

Israel's emergency services say at least 34 people in Gush Dan, or the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, were injured in last night's strikes - including one woman in critical condition and one seriously injured man.

Iran claimed they fired 'hundreds' of missiles, however the IDF insisted fewer than a hundred were launched, with most either 'intercepted or fallen short'.

Israeli Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu promised that more attacks are 'on the way', adding that 'the regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker'.

As missiles rained down on Tel Aviv for hours, he called on Iranians to 'rise up' and overthrow Tehran's 'evil and oppressive regime' as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.

Iran's UN ambassador said 78 people have been killed and more than 320 injured in Israel's attacks.

After Mr Netanyahu warned of more strikes, Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency later published footage purportedly showing fires raging at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. The video shows thick smoke billowing into the night sky.

A second wave of Iranian missiles also targeted Jerusalem early on Saturday morning, according to Israel's military - with witnesses reporting explosions over the ancient city.

Several people were injured after Tehran last night launched a barrage of missiles at Tel Aviv in revenge for attacks on its nuclear sites

Dramatic footage shows Israel 's Iron Dome intercepting the salvo of missiles although some hit their target

Israeli army, dispatched to the area, evacuate residents from damaged buildings following Iran's retaliatory missile strikes against Israel

A missile was seen exploding into a building in Tel Aviv after Iran launched a salvo of missiles against Israel

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei vowed to 'inflict heavy blows' as he blames Israel for starting a war

Footage from a local TV channel has shown a huge hole blasted into a building with fires raging inside

Israel's Iron Dome intercepting hundreds of missiles above Tel Aviv as Iran's Supreme Leader blames Israel for starting a war

Tehran had earlier promised 'painful revenge' for Israel's unprecedented offensive overnight that has left the region teetering on the brink of all-out war.

Israelis rushed to bomb shelters as air raid sirens rang out last night, with the Israeli military confirming their 'defence systems are working to intercept the threat'.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump have spoken this evening about 'the importance of diplomacy and dialogue' to resolving the conflict, Downing Street confirmed.

The US are said to have helped Israel this evening in intercepting the missiles, with the Pentagon having moved military off the Israeli coast in the last few days.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee said: 'The Iranian regime launched less than 100 rockets in two salvos toward Israel.

'Most of these rockets were intercepted or fell short. A limited number of buildings were damaged, some as a result of shrapnel from the interceptions.'

Two people are said to be in a critical condition, with 18 patients reportedly being treated at Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv.

There were 15 more allegedly being treated at Sheba hospital in Ramat Gan, including one critical patient.

Another seven patients are said to be at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, as well as the other critical patient.

Israel's offensive last night was the culmination of years of research and planning by Israel's military and Mossad intelligence agency to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Explained: The planning that went into Israel's blitz which included smuggling drones into Iran dessert

Members of the Israeli security forces inspect a site hit by a missile fired from Iran, in Ramat Gan on the outskirts of Tel Aviv on Thursday

Shattered doors and windows are seen at the Sarona market on June 13 in Tel Aviv, Israel

Law enforcement officers walk as first responders work at an impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv

Israeli army, dispatched to the area, evacuate residents from damaged buildings following Iran's retaliatory missile strikes against Israel

Iranians gather in Tehran's Enghelab Square to watch and celebrate the country's ballistic missile retaliation against Israel

Iranians ride motorbikes amid celebrations over the country's ballistic missile retaliation against Israel

Israeli army members evacuate residents from destroyed buildings after Iran's retaliatory missile strikes against Israel

Damage to the Da Vinci building is seen on June 13 in Tel Aviv, Israel

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said 'the Zionist regime has made a big mistake, a grave error, and committed a reckless act. By God's grace, the consequences of this will bring that regime to ruin'

Residents rushed from their building after it was struck by an Iranian missile

Israelis fled to bomb shelters to escape the barrage sent over by Iran

A man carrying a child out of a building in Tel Aviv that was struck after Iran launched missiles at Israel

Israelis rushed to bomb shelters as air raid sirens rang out last night, with the Israeli military confirming their 'defence systems are working to intercept the threat'

Seven sites are said to have been hit across Tel Aviv, according to an Israeli military spokesperson

Earlier on Friday, Tehran vowed 'painful revenge' for Israel's unprecedented offensive overnight that has left the region teetering on the brink of all-out war

Israel used fighter jets and a secret drone base near Tehran to batter nuclear facilities, missile launch sites and decapitate military command - in a move that Netanyahu has dubbed Operation Rising Lion.

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X this evening that 'the Zionist regime [Israel] will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime'.

He added: 'The Zionist regime has made a big mistake, a grave error, and committed a reckless act. By God's grace, the consequences of this will bring that regime to ruin.

'The Iranian nation won't permit the blood of its valued martyrs to go unavenged, nor will it ignore the violation of its airspace.

'Our Armed Forces are ready, and the country's officials and all the people are behind the Armed Forces.

'Today, we must give a strong response to the evil, despicable, terrorist Zionist identity. God willing, we will respond with strength, and will show no mercy to them.

'Life will definitely become bitter for the Zionists.

'The Zionist regime will not escape safely from the heinous crime they've committed.

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote on X that 'the Zionist regime [Israel] will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime'

A group gathered in front of the entrance to the Green Zone, where the US Embassy and government buildings are located in the Iraqi capital Baghdad

The group were protesting against Israel's attacks on Iran's various cities last night in Operation Rising Lion

'This is a certainty that the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces will deal heavy blows to this evil Zionist enemy.

'The Iranian people are with us. They support the Armed Forces, and the Islamic Republic will triumph over the Zionist regime, by the will of God.

'Let the dear Iranian nation know this, be certain and assured that every effort will be made in this regard.'

Netanyahu called on Iranians in his video published shortly after the missiles reached Israel to unite against what he described as an 'evil and oppressive regime', telling them Israel was engaged in 'one of the greatest military operations in history'.

He said: 'We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion.

'The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel.

'The objective of Israel's operation is to thwart the Islamic regime's nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us.

'As we achieve our objective we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom.

Ctizens were urged to go to their nearest bomb shelter as hundred of ballistic missiles rain down on Tel Aviv

Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel

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'In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal.

'More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them.

'It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom.

He added: 'Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you.

'The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime.'

The Israeli military said it destroyed 'dozens of targets' belonging to Iran's air defence system this evening.

It added that, earlier, the IDF attacked Iranian air force bases at Hamadan and Tabriz, in the west of the country.

It said the Tabriz base was destroyed as a result of the attack and that 'the IDF is prepared to continue to act as necessary'.

Iran have called the attacks 'a declaration of war' and threatened to retaliate by opening 'the gates of hell' on Israel.

Several blasts have also been heard over Jerusalem and air raid sirens are sounding in the city as well as Tel Aviv

Protesters gathered earlier this evening in Iraq's capital Baghdad in front of the entrance to the Green Zone, where the US Embassy and government buildings are, to show their opposition to the Israeli attacks last night.

The offensive saw top Iranian commanders killed, including Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Israel launched Operation Rising Lion just hours after a United Nations nuclear watchdog announced that Iran was breaching its obligations on transparency and testing.

Iran have secured an emergency meeting at the United Nations Security Council to discuss Israel's 'unprovoked' attacks.

In a video-recorded message to millions of Iranians, Khamenei vowed: 'The Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured.'

With Israel poised to launch further waves in the coming days, the US President urged Iran to give up on its atomic ambitions.

Mr Trump warned Tehran that if it failed to do so there would be 'nothing left' of its military and industrial infrastructure.

Operation Rising Lion began at 1am yesterday UK time. Its primary aim was to degrade Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.

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Attacks were reported at sites across Tehran as well as in cities and provinces known to host key nuclear facilities and military installations, including Isfahan - the location of the Natanz FEP - Tabriz, Kermanshah, Arak and Shiraz

Natanz nuclear fuel enrichment plant is seen trailing black smoke after Israeli airstrike

Debris and rubble are pictured at the scene of a building that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025

The Mossad spy agency reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defences

Video shared by the agency showed what appeared to be special forces dressed entirely in black and equipped with night vision goggles in a remote, undisclosed location

But a political agenda was also emerging yesterday, as regime change in Tehran appeared a distinct possibility.

In the early hours of this morning, Israel's jets targeted the Natanz atomic facility in Ishfahan province, 140 miles south of Tehran, causing significant damage.

Then Israel targeted the Fordow nuclear site buried in the mountains of Qom.

The operation appeared to be a devastating success, with Iran's nuclear programme set back, its air defence systems wiped out and leading scientists and military commanders eliminated.

Overall, it was the most devastating attack on mainland Iran for almost half a century, the time of the Iran-Iraq war.

President Trump, who was briefed in advance, said: 'I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal.

'There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter  with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal  come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.'

Last night, in a bid to pull back UK-Israel relations from the brink, Sir Keir spoke to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just a few hours before Israel's massive strike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, Donald Trump (pictured, left) starkly warned Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation

Drone footage shows Mossad's operation targeting air defence and missile launchers

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025

Smoke and flames rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Piranshahrm, on June 13, 2025

People attend an anti-Israeli protest following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Chief Hossein Salami (pictured left) and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (pictured right) were both killed in the strike

Downing Street sources said Sir Keir confirmed Israel's 'right to self-defence' and set out the UK's 'grave concerns' about Iran's nuclear programme.

The PM also 'reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region'.

Sir Keir also spoke to French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz to agree a coordinated response.

Unlike the British PM, Mr Merz was briefed in advance on Israel's intentions.

Sir Keir declined to say whether the UK would be willing to help defend Israel from revenge attacks, as it has done in the past.

He said: 'We've long held concerns, grave concerns, about Iran's nuclear programme, and we absolutely recognise Israel's right to self-defence.

'But I'm very concerned about the escalation of this situation, which is why, along with Germany and France, we're really clear that de-escalation is what is needed here.'

As recently as October, RAF Typhoons were scrambled to support Israel after Iran launched ballistic missiles  but they did not fire as the jets lacked the appropriate hardware.

A damaged building that was hit by Israeli air strikes, north of Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025

An Iranian holds a poster of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami (C) who was killed in an Israeli airstrike

Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran

Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025

A destroyed building is shown following a massive Israeli airstrike in the Kamranieh neighborhood on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025

Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran, Monday April, 9, 2007

Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri (right) with IRGC Hossein Salami (left), both reportedly killed in Israeli strikes overnight

In a post on his Truth Social platform that 'the next already planned attacks' would be 'even more brutal' and urged Iran to make a deal 'before there is nothing left'

In April last year, RAF Typhoons based in Cyprus shot down Iranian drones bound for Israel.

Mr Netanyahu, perhaps in a bid to justify further strikes on Iran, claimed Israel was braced for 'waves' of revenge attacks.

This evening, Iran's State TV claimed a female Israeli Air Force pilot was captured after her fighter jet was downed during the operation, but the IDF has denied this.

However, Iran have also claimed that their air defence forces 'successfully hit and destroyed two F-35 fighter jets' as well as a 'large number of small drones'.

The fate of the pilots 'remains unknown and is being investigated', they added.

Israeli firefighters said in a statement that they were working to help civilians affected by the explosion, including some trapped in buildings that were hit.

They said: 'Firefighting crews are handling several major incidents, mainly in the Dan region.

'Firefighters are working in a high-rise building to rescue trapped individuals and extinguish a fire, as well as responding to two additional destruction sites.'
A graduate student fears she won't be able to complete her 11th year of college in America because President Donald Trump might deport her.

Oriette DAngelo, a doctoral student studying Spanish and Gender, Women and Sexuality studies at the University of Iowa, moved from her home country of Venezuela to Chicago in 2015 on a student visa.

The 34-year-old, who is also a professor, chose to flee her home of Lecheria after she watched it decline and turn violent under the country's leaders Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013, and the current President Nicolas Maduro.

Although she's been in the US for years to seek academic and professional opportunities, DAngelo is scared her dreams could soon be crushed by Trump's administration as he continues to crackdown on illegal citizens in America.

After finding out that her studies might come to an end, DAngelo, who often writes poetry around themes of dictatorship for class, told friends she would mail Trump's administration notebooks of her work if she was forced to head back to Venezuela.

'It would be almost impossible to start over,' she told the Chicago Tribune.

'Venezuelans are being categorized as bad. But I want to stay here professionally. I want to finish my dissertation. I want to follow the right path,' D'Angelo, who is set to complete her doctorate in May 2026, added.

Over the years, DAngelo has come face to face with immigration rules and guidelines, including when her Venezuelan passport expired in 2020.

Oriette DAngelo, a doctoral student studying Spanish and Gender , Women and Sexuality studies at the University of Iowa, fears she might be deported by Donald Trump's Administration

The 34-year-old, who is also a professor, chose to flee her home of Lecheria after she watched it decline and turn violent. (Pictured: University of Iowa)

She then applied for temporary protected status (TPS), which was introduced under former President Joe Biden to help citizens of countries stricken by war or natural disaster get temporary work.

Because consulate buildings were closed at that time due to Venezuela's shattered relationship with the US, she had to travel to Colombia to renew it, DAngelo told the outlet.

When she came back to the US in November 2024, DAngelo was processed under TPS, not her student visa, as she made her way through OHare International Airport.

She had officially lost her foreign student status even though her whole reason for moving to the US was for her to study.

In January, Trump's administration revoked her visa but she managed to get her hands on an international student visa in April after preparing documents and statements for her application.

She also went on to make a GoFundMe donation page to raise money for the hefty costs associated with the legal and processing fees.

The page is no longer active, as she chose to take it down amidst growing anxiety related to Trump's decisions.

Before it was removed, the page raised more than $10,000 to help her out, according to the Chicago Tribune.

In January, Trump's administration revoked her visa but she managed to get her hands on an international student visa in April after preparing documents and statements for her application. (Pictured: Trump Thursday)

'It was the longest month of my life,' she said, referring to March.

That same month, she also made a personal decision to marry her girlfriend Kayla Harder, but according to DAngelo, they chose to do so because of their concern over federal attacks on LGBTQ rights, not because of immigration fears.

'With the current administration, we dont know if same-sex marriage will still be legal in the next few years. We want to be together,' she explained.

With the money she raised, DAngelo went on to submit an application for her international student status, and by mid-April, she was approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Thinking she was out of the woods for a bit, DAngelo quickly realized her fight was not over.

Just about a month after she received her new status, the US State Department temporarily paused interviews abroad for foreign citizens applying for student visas.

'Survival mode is not over. Even though I have my student status back, Im really not safe,' she stated.

Last week, Trump suspended Harvard University's foreign student visa program - banning any illegal immigrants from studying at the Ivy League.

TPS is no more in the US as the Supreme Court gave Trump the green light in May to strip it away from 350,000 Venezuelan migrants in a bid to speed up mass deportations.

He then went on to sign another executive order announcing a travel ban on 12 countries - Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Now, she fears that funding for her program might be cut and she will have no choice but to head back to the South American country

The order also specified that citizens of Burundi, Cuba , Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted from traveling, removing access to all immigrant visas and several non-immigrant travel options.

Now, she fears that funding for her program might be cut and she will have no choice but to head back to the South American country.

She's become cautious about what she posts online, as Trump's administration has vowed to keep a watchful eye on illegal migrants talking down about America on social media.

D'Angelo also worries her heavily tattooed arms could put her in danger as the current administration, along with other aspects, have been used as a signal to officials deporting migrants.

'It's getting very real,' she said, adding that poetry is one of the things that has kept her grounded through all the uncertainty.

The Biden Administration allowed Venezuelans to come to the U.S. under temporary protected status

Even when she lived in her home country, she would turn to poetry to escape the ongoing violence she saw in Caracas.

'It's impossible to fully describe what it was like. But that's also something that motivates me. It's part of everything I do,' she said.

In her poems, D'Angelo said she writes about gender-based harm - something she has personally experienced after she got involved with a professor at the age of 21 in what she claims was an abusive relationship.

She also publishes her writing online and is the founder and director of the literary magazine and the web-research project #PoetasVenzolanas, according to her school biography page.

Daily Mail contacted D'Angelo for comment.
The CIA released over 1,500 pages Thursday of new previously unseen documents surrounding the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, which included handwritten notes from the convicted killer.

The new documents include a heavily redacted psychological profile of Sirhan Sirhan, noting that the man convicted of killing Kennedy had 'high intellectual potential' which was 'not properly utilized,' but conceded he had 'no specialized training in any area.'

Kennedy was shot and killed after the Democratic presidential primary in California in June 1968, just four-and-a-half years after his brother President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

Sirhan, a Palestinian with Jordanian citizenship, claimed he murdered RFK because of his support for Israel.

A personality assessment of Sirhan was also included in the release.

'Obviously, we cannot see him as part of a conspiracy,' the assessment read, but said it was possible 'he could be a tool of a conspiracy' even though 'the odds against him being successful were tremendous.'

'It is very unlikely however that he could have effectively acted under precise instructions,' the memo read.

'Today's release delivers on President Trump's commitment to maximum transparency, enabling the CIA to shine light on information that serves the public interest,' CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement. 'I am proud to share our work on this incredibly important topic with the American people.'

Sirhan Sirhan became Convict No. B21014 at San Quentin Prison 5/23. Sirhan's official prison photo is shown here.

Sirhan Sirhan handwritten notes

The assessment describes Sirhan as an 'impulsive assassin' rather than a 'calculating assassin.'

It included a copy of Sirhan's handwritten notes in which he raged against Kennedy.

'Kennedy must fall. Kennedy must fall. Please pay to the order of Sirhan Sirhan,' reads the note, decrying the 'second group of American Traitors who must be disposed of.'

'We believe that Robert F. Kennedy must be sacrificed for the cause of the poor exploited people,' the notes continued.

The documents also revealed that Kennedy met with the CIA after he toured the Soviet Union as a young Senate staffer in 1955 as a voluntary informant.

Kennedy delivered significant detail of his trips to the the USSR, visiting locations highlighting the court system, manufacturing facilities, a mosque, collective farms, a music festival, and a union school.

'The records reveal for the first time that Senator Kennedy shared his experiences traveling to the former Soviet Union with CIA, reflecting his patriotic commitment to serving his country,' the CIA said in a statement.

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe

DNI Secretary Tulsi Gabbard and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe testify at a congressional hearing

Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Other files show the FBI and CIA's concerns that they would be accused of assassinating Sen. Kennedy as part of an ongoing 'political murder conspiracy' circulating in the public.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, thanked the Trump administration for revealing more documents about his father's death.

'Lifting the veil on the RFK papers is a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government,' he said. 'I commend President Trump for his courage and his commitment to transparency. I'm grateful also to Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe for their dogged efforts to root out and declassify these documents.'

Gabbard has focused intently on releasing documents related to Senator Kennedy's death, revealing in April that the documents, 'really support the questions that Secretary Kennedy has been asking for decades about who really killed his father.'

'In my view, these documents provide the background to more questions than answers,' Gabbard said on Fox News at the time, previewing more than 50,000 additional documents that were slated for release.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was left speechless in a humiliating moment during a tense congressional hearing when she was asked to name the illegal immigrant accused of setting a sleeping woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train.

The Democrat was grilled by GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik, who blasted Hochul over her handling of the migrant crisis before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Thursday.

'Do you know who Sebastian Zapeta-Calil is?' Stefanik asked during the House hearing.

Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan illegal immigrant, was accused of torching an innocent woman to death on a Brooklyn train last December.

But Hochul was caught off guard and appeared clueless, unable to recognize the name.

'I'm sure you'll tell me,' Hochul replied. 'There's many cases.'

'I don't have the specific details at my disposal, no.'

'These are high-profile cases. New Yorkers know about them and you don't?' Stefanik responded.

Gov. Kathy Hochul was grilled by GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik (pictured) who blasted her over her handling of the migrant crisis before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Thursday in DC

Hochul (pictured) was left speechless in a humiliating moment during a tense congressional hearing when she was asked to name the illegal immigrant accused of setting a sleeping woman on fire aboard a Brooklyn subway train

'Well this is an illegal migrant in New York because of your sanctuary state policies.'

'I bet you're gonna be familiar when I remind you, he found a sleeping woman on the subway, lit her on fire, and burned her alive. This is in Kathy Hochul's New York.'

'And as I'm sure you are aware, and I'll remind you that ICE issued an order to detain this violent criminal, but that was rejected by New York officials due to sanctuary state laws,' Stefanik continued.

'I just want to say this, these crimes are horrific,' Hochul replied. 'I condemn them.'

'Because of your sanctuary state policies,' Stefanik said.

'In all of these cases, we would work with ICE to remove them,' the governor replied.

The embarrassing moment comes as Stefanik eyes a run against Hochul in 2026.

Hochul appeared alongside Democrats Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the hearing.

She's positioning herself as the law-and-order candidate who protects New Yorkers from violent criminals.

Hochul appeared alongside Democrats Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at the hearing. (Walz, Pritzker and Hochul are sworn in during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Thursday, June 12)

US Representative Jim Jordan, and US Elise Stefanik, listen during a Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on 'A Hearing with Sanctuary State Governors'

Zapeta-Calil, a Guatemalan illegal immigrant (pictured), was accused of torching an innocent woman to death on a Brooklyn train last December

This comes as New York - one of America's most Democratic states - is experiencing a dramatic shift to the right for the first time in decades.

A poll that was released last month found New York could be competitive for Republicans as candidates eye challenging unpopular Democratic Governor running for reelection.

A GrayHouse poll found that just 36 percent approve of New York Governor Kathy Hochul's performance and 55 percent disapprove.

The poll shows that rising Republican star Elise Stefanik, 40, is within striking distance of Hochul if she decides to run a campaign for governor.

Forty-six percent of voters said they would vote for Hohul, while Stefanik would earn 40 percent of the vote. Fourteen percent of voters were undecided.

After having her nomination for Ambassador to the U.N. scrubbed due to the House's tight GOP majority, Stefanik remains in the House.

Deportation officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's New York City field office arrest Wilmer Patricio Medina-Medina during an early morning operation, in the Bronx borough of New York, Dec. 17, 2024

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged Stefanik to run on Thursday

The harsh exchange was reminiscent of another congressional hearing that skyrocketed Stefanik into GOP legend.

In 2023 the lawmaker issued scathing questionings of the then-presidents of Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania.

The administrator's defense of antisemitic protests on campus in the wake of the October 7 attacks eventually led to both presidents being ousted, sealing a tangible GOP victory for Stefanik and Republicans over the Ivy League universities.

This time, however, Stefanik could aim at her most likely opponent in a potential 2026 matchup.

A Siena College poll from late May found that Stefanik and Hochul would likely win their respective primaries, Democrats still hold the very early edge in the general election.

It's been 23 years since a Republican won a governor's race in New York.

The top House Democrat, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urged the congresswoman to run on Thursday.

'Here's my political advice for Elise Stefanik: Run, Elise, run,' baiting he Republican.

GOP N.Y. Rep. Mike Lawler is also reportedly considering a run, though he, like Stefanik has not made any official announcements.
A teenager who met the Prince and Princess of Wales when he won a design competition at the age of 10 took his own life after getting into trouble with the police, an inquest has heard.

Zak Kay met the royal couple in July 2016, when they were in Portsmouth, Hampshire, to cheer on Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team.

Then a pupil at St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Portsmouth, he had won the contest to design a trophy for the Portsmouth leg of the America's Cup World Series (ACWS).

His winning design featured the sails of an AC45 catamaran with the star and crescent emblem of Portsmouth on it.

He gained national attention after he asked William what his son George had received for his third birthday, which had been two days earlier.

The Prince had replied: 'I am not telling, he got too many things, he's far too spoilt, he's not into boats yet.'

An inquest into his death heard that on July 2 last year, Mr Kay, then 18, took his own life by hanging while staying at the home of a friend in Southampton.

He had left a letter saying: 'I couldn't take being hurt bad again. I am sorry I couldn't get past this s***. Sorry that I wasn't strong enough.'

Zak Kay with his winning design between the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Land Rover BAR team base during a visit to Portsmouth to see the Americas Cup World Series (PA) in 2016

Mr Kay (bottom left) gained national attention after he asked William what his son George had received for his third birthday, which had been two days earlier

A year after meeting the royal couple, Mr Kay was placed in foster care having experienced 'significant instability' and 'chaotic early years' with a 'lack of appropriate male role models'

Coroner Jason Pegg told the Winchester hearing that he was taken to Southampton General Hospital but had suffered brain damage because of cardiac arrest caused by the hanging.

He said that a decision was taken by medics on July 7 to withdraw treatment and Mr Kay died.

Mr Pegg said that Mr Kay, who was diagnosed with ADHD, had been placed in foster care in July 2017, having experienced 'significant instability' and 'chaotic early years' with a 'lack of appropriate male role models'.

He added: 'Whilst with foster carers, Zak could be violent towards them, leading to him having several foster care moves.'

Mr Pegg told the hearing, which was not attended by any family members, that in May 2024 Mr Kay was being investigated for several alleged offences, including selling cocaine and heroin, and he had breached bail conditions.

He added that Mr Kay had made a previous attempt on his life in January 2024, but had failed to respond to approaches by the adult mental health team.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Pegg said: 'Zak had a chaotic and troubled childhood which resulted in Zak being cared for by various foster parents in the Portsmouth area.

'Zak's conduct towards them meant he had various moves. Zak, at the time of his passing, was being investigated for a number of alleged offences, some of which were serious.'

When Mr Kay met the royal couple, his mother, Kelly, had said: I dont think words can explain how proud I am of Zak.

He was hugely excited to meet Kate and I was really, really excited and proud of him. I could cry.

'He is very talented and hopefully this will help boost his confidence.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Senator Linda Reynolds is 'bitterly disappointed' by a watchdog's finding there was no corruption associated with a $2.4million compensation payout to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

Ms Higgins reached the agreement with the Commonwealth in December 2022 after her alleged rape in Parliament House in 2019, while she was working in Senator Reynolds' office.

The settlement was referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission by Senator Reynolds, who questioned the handling of the process by then-attorney-general Mark Dreyfus.

'I am bitterly disappointed by the NACC's decision not to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Commonwealth's multi-million dollar settlement with Ms Higgins,' Senator Reynolds said in a statement on Thursday.

The senator claimed she had been given 'no opportunity to defend the serious and baseless claims against me' during a mediation process.

'I fail to understand how the Commonwealth and its lawyers could not appreciate the serious and probable consequences of settling such serious allegations on my behalf... and the message that it would send to the public about the truth of those matters,' she said.

Senator Reynolds said it was one of the issues her Federal Court lawsuit against the Commonwealth over the settlement would explore.

The commission found 'no corruption issue' with Ms Higgins' payout following an investigation.

'No corruption issue arises, and so there is no basis for any further action by the commission,' the watchdog said in a statement.

Senator Linda Reynolds (pictured) was left 'bitterly disappointed' by the finding there had been 'no corruption issue' with ex-staffer Brittany Higgins' Commonwealth payout

'There was no inappropriate intervention in the process by or on behalf of any minister.

'The then-attorney-general approved the settlement in accordance with the departmental advice.

'Documents produced showed that decisions made in relation to the settlement were based on advice from independent external solicitors and experienced senior and junior counsel.'

The commission said there was 'no material difference' in the legal advice surrounding the payment during the term of the former coalition government and the current Labor government.

The agreement of the settlement amount within one day during mediation was not unusual.

'It was the culmination of a process which took approximately 12 months. None of this is unusual for a non-litigated personal injury claim,' the commission said.

The national corruption watchdog has ruled there is 'no basis for any further action' into the $2.4m payout to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins (pictured)

'A critical consideration during the settlement process was avoiding ongoing trauma to Ms Higgins.'

Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann in a Parliament House office in 2019.

Lehrmann has always denied the allegations.

Charges were brought against Lehrmann in a criminal trial in 2022, but were abandoned after juror misconduct.

A retrial was ruled out because of the potential effect on the mental health of Ms Higgins.

A defamation trial brought on by Lehrmann found that on the balance of probabilities he had raped Ms Higgins.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
An 18-year-old man has died after slipping and falling at a popular tourist attraction in Washington.

The teenager, whose identity hasn't been released by authorities, was walking across the rocks at the top of the 50-foot Sol Duc Falls when he lost balance, according to the National Park Service.

Witnesses told park rangers that the teen fell into the water and resurfaced at the bottom of the falls before fully submerging on June 8.

The Olympic National Park Search and Rescue Team responded to the tragedy, using thermal imaging to scan the water as a ground team searched the riverbanks.

His body was found pinned between two falls one day later, and the park was closed to initiate the rescue mission.

On Tuesday, SAR teams collaborated with local authorities, including Forks Ambulance, Forks Swiftwater, Olympic Ambulance, Clallam County Fire District 2, the Port Townsend and Sequim Police Departments, and the Clallam County Sheriff's Office to safely recover the teen's body.

Port Townsend Chief of Police Thomas A. Olson told DailyMail.com that their department assisted with drones, but the victim had been located before their arrival.

The National Park Service said that the rescue mission was complicated due to recent high temperatures and rapid snowmelt that created high river flows in the area.

An 18-year-old man died after slipping and falling down the Sol Duc Falls at the Olympic National Park in Washington (stock image)

Witnesses told park rangers that they saw him fall and resurface at the bottom of the falls before he was completely submerged underwater (stock image)

The teen fell in a dangerous area with 50-foot cliffs covered in algae and a strong whirlpool at the bottom of the falls.

The area where authorities responded was also in a narrow canyon with a strong water flow.

The National Park Service also noted additional hazards downstream from the area and said rescue operations would begin when the river conditions 'allow for a safe and successful recovery.'

DailyMail.com reached out to the NPS for an update on the search, but didn't immediately hear back.

Deputy Coroner Rebecca Shankles with the Clallam County Coroners Office told DailyMail.com that the NPS is the investigating agency and information on the victim's identity would be released by the park.

A post claiming to be the victim's cousin said the victim had just graduated HS and had been accepted at Baylor University.

The park was shut down as authorities initiated a search and rescue mission. The teen's body was located the next day pinned between two falls (stock image)

'The son of a Pastor, he was out in the world for the first time in his life and paid with his life for a tragic mistake,' they wrote.

'Every parents worst nightmare happened, they got that knock on the door from the Police.

'He was deeply loved and the void his parents, his 14 yr old sister and grandma feel is immense.

'A special heartfelt thank you for the NPS personnel and all the teams of rescue people who found and recovered his body so his parents can bring their boy home.'

Sol Duc Falls has an elevation of 200 feet with a hiking trail of 1.6 miles, round-trip, according to the Washington Trails Association.

The falls split into at least four channels and cascade down a 50-foot, narrow, rocky canyon. As of Wednesday, the WTA listed the trail as closed to the public until further notice.

DailyMail.com reached out to the Clallam County Sheriff's Office for additional information on the case, but didn't immediately hear back.
Two New York Congressmen got into a wild shouting match on the floor of the House of Representatives over the arrest earlier Thursday of Senator Alex Padilla.

John Mannion, a New York Democrat, challenged fellow New Yorker and GOP Congressman Mike Lawler after Padilla was arrested when he interrupted ICE Barbie Kristi Noem's press conference.

Lawler was on the House floor speaking to Democrat Jimmy Pannetta of California when Mannion started losing it on him, saying to Lawler to 'get off the Democratic side of the floor.'

An anonymous House Democrat tells Axios that Mannion 'stands up and just starts yelling at him for absolutely no reason but emotion about the atmosphere that we're in right now.'

However, his vulgar outburst was eventually captured on video, with Mannion yelling: 'You've got to do something. Stand up. Grow a pair of balls.'

'F***ing get over there and get some f***ing balls! Tell them! Tell them! You know who I am!'

At that point, the microphone over the House floor was turned off and all that could be heard was muffled shouting.

In a statement to social media, Lawler didn't hold back in his contempt for the Democrat.

Congressman John Mannion (pictured) got into a wild shouting match on the floor of the House of Representatives over the arrest earlier Thursday of Senator Alex Padilla

Lawler (pictured) was on the House floor speaking to Democrat Jimmy Pannetta of California when Mannion started losing it on him

'John Mannion was entirely unhinged and unprofessional. That was a shameful display that exposed his complete lack of temperament,' Lawler said.

'No wonder numerous staffers have previously alleged a toxic work environment. He should go seek help for anger management - and f*** off.'

Last August, Mannion was cleared by a New York State Senate investigation into claims of harassment, The New York Post reported.

When asked what the shouting was about Mannion told Axios that he and Lawler 'served in the state legislature' in New York and that he 'knows well enough.

'I asked him to compel his colleagues to save the country and stop what the people of this country do not want ... the defiance of law,' Mannion added.

However, even Mannion's fellow Democrats were left baffled, as Panetta - who Lawler was originally speaking to - asked him: 'What are you doing?'

'My own thing,' Mannion shrugged and replied.

All Panetta could say in response was: "Apparently, man.'

'What we're seeing with the actions of this administration is out of control, and Republicans aren't doing anything to reign it in. Tempers are flaring,' Texas Democrat Julie Johnson said of the mood on the House floor.

Padilla (pictured on the floor) was arrested when he interrupted ICE Barbie Kristi Noem's press conference

Mannion's vulgar outburst was eventually captured on video, with Mannion yelling: 'You've got to do something. Stand up. Grow a pair of balls.'

Padilla began shouting over Noem before he was forcibly removed from the room by multiple guards and placed in handcuffs.

Noem was speaking and the Q&A portion of the meeting had not started when Padilla started heckling and interrupting, saying: 'I'm Senator Alex Padilla, and I have questions for the secretary...'

As he was escorted out of the room during the tense interaction, he said: 'The fact of the matter is half a dozen violent criminals that you're rotating on your. hands off!'

Startling footage shared by Padilla's team showed that he was forced to his knees, then onto the ground, outside of the room - and was put in handcuffs by the FBI.

Padilla, who is the son of Mexican immigrants, slammed the Trump administration and their treatment of migrants after the ordeal at his own blistering press conference.

'If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community,' he said in the impassioned statement.

Trump's immigration chief Noem was in Los Angeles to discuss the Trump Administration's response to the anti-ICE protests and immigration raids in the area.

'We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and mayor have placed on this country and what theyve tried to insert in this city,' she said as Padilla interrupted.

Padilla began shouting over Noem before he was forcibly removed from the room by multiple guards and placed in handcuffs

Padilla, who is the son of Mexican immigrants, slammed the Trump administration and their treatment of migrants after the ordeal at his own blistering press conference

Noem condemned the senator for the disruption and noted that he had not even asked for a meeting with her.

'I think everybody in America would agree that that was inappropriate,' she said.

Sen. Padilla's team released a statement shortly after insisting he was at the press conference to perform his congressional duties.

'Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles and across California,' the statement said.

'He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference.

'He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.'

After the press conference, Noem addressed the incident while standing outside the federal building.

'If he would have reached out and identified himself and let us know who he was and wanted to talk. His approach was something I don't think was appropriate at all. But the conversation was great and we are going to communicate,' she said.

Noem said she spoke with the senator afterwards and she believes he disrupted the event because he wanted to cause a scene

California Senator Alex Padilla interrupted the DHS press conference on Thursday

'We exchanged phone numbers and we are going to continue to talk. People need to identify themselves before lunging during press conferences.'

DHS said on X that Secret Service agents believed Padilla was an attacker and they acted accordingly.

'Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem,' the agency said.

'Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately.

'Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.'

Noem called Padilla's statement about the incident 'ridiculous' and told Fox News she believed he wanted to cause a scene.

'The way that he acted was completely inappropriate. It wasn't becoming of a U.S. Senator or official and perhaps he wanted the scene,' she said.

'This man burst into a room and started advancing towards the podium, interrupting an opening statement and, elevating his voice and shouting questions.

'People tried to stop him from interrupting the press conference, but he refused and continued to lunge towards the podium.'

The DHS secretary told the outlet she met with the senator for about 10 to 15 minutes afterwards and the two even exchanged phone numbers.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned Padilla's detention on social media.

'Sen. Alex Padilla is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now,' he said.

'If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you.'

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who Padilla replaced in the senate when she was elected VP, said, 'United States Senator Alex Padilla was representing the millions of Californians who are demanding answers to this Administration's actions in Southern California. This is a shameful and stunning abuse of power.'

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski told reporters, 'It's horrible. It is shocking at every level. It's not the America I know.'
US troops who stood behind President Donald Trump as he marked the Army's 250th birthday this week were apparently carefully selected.

Internal 82nd Airborne Division communications obtained by Military.com show soldiers were handpicked for the president's televised remarks at Fort Bragg based on their political views and their physical appearance.

One unit-level message, for example, said there can be 'No fat soldiers.'

Another memo said that 'if soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience, then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out.'

The end result was a predominantly white, male crowd who booed as Trump hit out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for the fiery protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations as he vowed to 'liberate' the city.

They were also seen booing former President Joe Biden and the press - and roared with laughter at Trump's remarks berating his successor.

Such actions appear to be in violation of longstanding Department of Defense protocol, with even the Army's recently-published field manual touting the importance of a politically neutral force.

'Being nonpartisan means not favoring any specific political party or group,' it says, according to NBC News. 'Nonpartisanship assures the public that our Army will always serve the Constitution and our people loyally and responsively.'

US troops who stood behind President Donald Trump as he marked the Army's 250th birthday this week were apparently carefully selected

The end result was a predominantly male crowd who booed as Trump hit out at California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for the fiery protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations

It goes on to note that troops can participate in political functions - so long as they are not in uniform.

'As a private citizen, you are encouraged to participate in our democratic process, but as a soldier you must be mindful of how your actions may affect the reputation and perceived trustworthiness of our Army as an institution,' the field guide says.

At least one 82nd Airborne noncommissioned officer now says he does not see how the troops' reactions on Tuesday could be seen as anything other than 'expressing a political view while in uniform.'

He even suggested that none of the soldiers who were booing Newsom and Bass 'even knew the mayor's name or could identify them in a lineup.'

Department of Defense officials, though, have denied that the soldiers were in violation of its rules.

'Believe me, no one needs to be encouraged to boo the media,' Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesman replied to Military.com.

'Look no further than this query, which is nothing more than a disgraceful attempt to ruin the lives of young soldiers.'

Even if the soldiers did violate Defense Department rules, multiple Army officials told Military.com they likely would not be held accountable because they were goaded by the commander-in-chief.

It is unlikely the troops will be reprimanded at all for expressing their political views, as they were goaded by the commander-in-chief

Meanwhile, questions remain about how a pop-up shop operated by 365 Campaign - an Oklahoma-based retailer that sells pro-Trump memorabilia - was able to sell campaign-style merchandise on the Army property.

Soldiers were even seen purchasing clothing and other items, including Make America Great Again chain necklaces and faux credit cards labeled 'White Privilege Card: Trump's Everything.'

Col. Mary Ricks, a spokeswoman for Fort Bragg, now says the 'vendor's presence is under review to determine how it was permitted to prevent similar occurrences.'
The Dark Mofo festival is roaring back to life, offering brave punters a chance to lie in a coffin.

Artist Simon Zoric's Coffin Rides performance piece in Hobart resulted from the realisation that humans spend more time lying in these six-foot boxes after death than they do being alive.

'I find it strange that you would spend all this time in a coffin but never know what it felt like,' Zoric said.

Early figures show Dark Mofo has already welcomed 210,000 visitors, an improvement of some 30,000 on the first week of the festival's last full-scale program in 2023.

The event took a little lie down itself in 2024 to contend with a massive hike in production costs, but the first few days of the 2025 festival show Hobart's main winter attraction is back at full force.

'I do think interest this year is very strong, and perhaps last year had something to do with that,' Dark Mofo executive director Melissa Edwards said.

Attendance peaked at more than 16,000 people Saturday evening, and artistic director Chris Twite says the feedback so far has been great.

'I get a chance to talk to people on the street and see the city alive and full,' he said at a media event on Thursday.

Dark Mofo executive director Melissa Edwards (pictured) said interest in Dark Mofo is 'very strong' this year

Artist Simon Zoric's Coffin Rides performance piece (pictured) resulted from the realisation that humans spend more time lying in these six-foot boxes after death than they do being alive

Hobart's main winter attraction is back at full force in 2025 with 210,000 visitors to Dark Mofo so far

'I think a lot of people are really excited - locals and businesses and tourists.'

The excitement is happening under the eyes of an unmissable five-metre-high giant hand/face sculpture affixed to the roof of a hotel on the Hobart waterfront.

Ronnie Van Hout's sculpture Quasi was controversial during its original installation in Christchurch - it looks a little bit like Donald Trump, or possibly Elon Musk - and it is yet to be seen whether the artwork will meet with the general approval of Hobartians.

An exhibition at MONA by artist Arcangelo Sassolino has attracted more than 11,000 people across four days to see liquid steel - heated to 1500C - showering from the ceiling of a darkened gallery.

The festival's second week features DIIV and The Horrors at Hobart's Odeon Theatre, and Methyl Ethel at the Princess Theatre in Launceston.

Also still to come are the traditional winter feast and Ogoh Ogoh procession, during which a giant model Maugean skate is set on fire, followed by the Nude Solstice Swim on June 21.
Senator Ron Johnson set the record straight after allegations of a 'shouting match' between him and a top Trump aide emerged from a Thursday afternoon meeting.

The Wisconsin Republican reportedly was involved in a 'shouting match' with Trump's White House aide Stephen Miller over the border security funding number contained in the 'big beautiful' GOP spending bill currently being worked on in the Senate.

Johnson, a fiscal conservative who has voiced his concerns about the bill's impact on the towering national debt, is a critical vote that the White House wants to secure.

The senator cleared the air to the Daily Mail via a statement from his press office Thursday.

He did not deny that the spat took place, but any hatchet that came out behind closed doors seemed to have been buried.

'Stephen didn't realize that we didn't have the detailed breakdown in cost, so he explained why the wall was going to be more expensive. Simple misunderstanding, quickly resolved,' Johnson noted.

'We are all huge supporters of Stephen and providing the administration the funding they need to clean up the enormous mess created by Biden and the Democrats,' Johnson added.

The impetus of the reported 'shouting match' was when Johnson said Miller's border security numbers didn't add up.

After the closed door meeting, Johnson told reporters that Miller's justification for additional border funding was enough to convince him, adding 'if anything, we maybe ought to need more' funding.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., a member of the Senate Finance Committee, speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, June 4, 2025

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller speaks in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on May 1, 2025 in Washington, DC

In a May explainer published to his website titled 'The Ugly Truth About the 'Big Beautiful Bill'', Johnson outlined his opposition to the budget bill, primarily on the basis of the sheer cost of the proposed package.

The explainer was published on May 12th, before the House of Representatives passed their version of the spending bill just before the Memorial Day recess.

'There's nothing now to justify this abnormal level of government spending. Pathetically, Congress is having a hard time agreeing on a reduction of even $1.5 trillion from that 10-year amount,' Johnson noted at the time.

The Wisconsin senator isn't the only one opposed to the eye-popping cost of the House spending package.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson isn't the only one opposed to the eye-popping cost of the House spending package.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks on Capitol Hill Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Washington

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has shared opposition to the legislation as well, due to the projected new additions to the national debt.

While he wants to see the President's 2017 tax cuts extended, Paul has portrayed 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,' Paul told Fox News earlier this month. 'I think it is a terrible idea to do this' Paul told Fox News earlier in June.
President Donald Trump has demanded that all illegal migrants go home immediately to avoid turning America into a 'bankrupt Third World Nation.'

Trump doubled down in his support for ICE agents conducting the controversial raids as protesters take to the streets across America rallying against the administration's mass deportation agenda.

'The Biden Administration and Governor Newscum flooded America with 21 Million Illegal Aliens, destroying Schools, Hospitals and Communities, and consuming untold Billions of Dollars in Free Welfare,' he wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday.

'All of them have to go home, as do countless other Illegals and Criminals, who will turn us into a bankrupt Third World Nation.

'Our courageous ICE Officers, who are daily being subjected to doxxing and murder threats, are HEROES.'

According to a House Budget Committee report in late 2024, the border crisis costs American taxpayers at least '$150billion and counting.'

'The lion's share of that cost is borne by state and local governments,' the committee found.

'State and local governments can't borrow or print money like the federal government, so they have to balance their budgets by either absorbing this cost through raising taxes or they have to cut services to their citizens.'

President Donald Trump is demanding all illegal migrants go home to avoid America turning into a 'bankrupt Third World Nation'

As protesters take to the streets across America rallying against Trump's mass deportation agenda, the president doubled down in his support for ICE agents conducting the controversial raids

Trump described the work ICE agents are conducting as a 'noble mission' and vowed to 'always have their back' as they continue to track down and round up migrants

Trump described the work ICE agents are conducting as a 'noble mission' and vowed to 'always have their back' as they continue to track down and round up migrants.

'America will be for Americans again,' Trump vowed.

'America was invaded and occupied. I am reversing the Invasion. It's called Remigration.'

While Trump is wholeheartedly backing the work of his ICE agents, he presented a softened tone earlier on Thursday about migrants who have long term employment on farms.

He acknowledged that farmers 'and people in the Hotel and Leisure businesses' have been vocal in their criticism for his sweeping arrests.

'Our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,' he said.

Trump said at a press conference 'our farmers are being hurt badly by, you know, they have very good workers, they have worked for them for 20 years.

'They're not citizens, but they've turned out to be, you know, great. And we're going to have to do something about that.

Trump blamed Biden for allowing 'criminals' to apply for farm jobs in the first place and said while he wants to protect farmers, his priority remains getting 'the criminals out of the USA'

This set off the riots in Los Angeles which have stretched into their sixth day, sparking lockdown orders and the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,100 National Guard troops

Trump and ICE have ramped up their searches for undocumented migrants, taking to workplaces across the nation in the last week which are suspected of employing illegal workers

'We can't take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have, maybe not.'

Trump said he would be issuing a new order relating to that specific matter 'soon', vowing to use 'common sense' to protect industries which have become reliant on a migrant workforce.

But Trump blamed Biden for allowing 'criminals' to apply for farm jobs in the first place and said while he wants to protect farmers, his priority remains getting 'the criminals out of the USA.'

These comments echo sentiments made back in April during a cabinet meeting, when Trump said: 'If they have strong recommendations for their farms, for certain people, we're going to let them stay in for a while.

'Work with the farmers, and then come back and go through a process, a legal process, but we have to take care of our farmers.'

Trump and ICE have ramped up their searches for undocumented migrants, taking to workplaces across the nation in the last week which are suspected of employing illegal workers.

This set off the riots in Los Angeles which have stretched into their sixth day, sparking lockdown orders and the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,100 National Guard troops.

Rioters set fire to cars, looted buildings and attacked authorities as they railed against the arrests of their neighbors.

Protests have spread throughout the nation too, popping up in New York (pictured), Texas, Arizona and Chicago as authorities' resources are spread thin trying to maintain order

Trump is standing by embattled ICE agents as they face widespread backlash

ICE has been ramping up raids across the country seeking out illegal migrants

Protests have spread throughout the nation too, popping up in New York, Texas, Arizona and Chicago as authorities' resources are spread thin trying to maintain order.

And there are fears the worst is yet to come with 2,000 separate protests planned for Saturday.

More than one million people are expected to take to the streets across the nation to coincide with Trump's military parade celebrating the Army's birthday - which also happens to fall over the weekend of Trump's 79th birthday.

Trump has ordered state officials to come down hard on protesters.

In Republican states like Texas and Missouri, authorities have requested help from the National Guard to ensure law and order.

In Florida, Sheriff Wayne Ivey laid down the law with a chilling warning that his officers 'are not gonna play' while policing protests.

'If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you, graveyard dead,' he said.

'If you resist lawful orders, you're going to jail,' he said. 'If you block an intersection or a roadway, you're going to jail.

Trump and Melania were all smiles at the Congressional Picnic on Thursday

Protests reached Chicago, Illinois by Thursday

Rioters set fire to cars, looted buildings and attacked authorities as they railed against the arrests of their neighbors

'If you flee arrest, you're going to go to jail tired, because we are going to run you down and put you to jail.

'If you try to mob roll a car... gathering around and refusing to let the driver leave, in our county you're most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street.

'If you spit on us, you're going to the hospital, and then jail. If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital, and then jail, and most likely bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs here.'

But in Democrat states, led by California, authorities are less inclined to turn to Trump for assistance.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been locked in a bitter war of words with the president amidst the chaos, insisting that Trump's deployment of troops had only spurred on the violence.

'Trump is turning the US military against American citizens,' Newsom warned.

'Democracy is under assault before our eyes, this moment we have feared has arrived.'

But Trump argued he is protecting citizens of California from violent insurrectionists and insists Newsom's weakness has allowed the crisis to fester.

'I like Gavin Newsom, he's a nice guy but he's grossly incompetent, everybody knows it,' Trump said.
Walmart publicly attempted to distance itself from an heiress to the company's founding family fortune after she promoted an anti-Trump rally, leading many MAGA fans to promise boycotts.

Christy Walton is the widow of John T. Walton, who was one of the sons of Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart.

Walton caused controversy after she placed a full-page ad in the New York Times Sunday calling on Americans to stand up 'against aggression by dictators' and 'mobilize' this upcoming Saturday - the same day the president is set to host a military parade in Washington D.C.

The ad left many enraged and offended amid the chaotic anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, with MAGA fans saying they'll never shop at Walmart again, leading the company to release a statement to DailyMail.com trying to disavow Walton.

'We condemn violence, including when it's directed towards law enforcement, and the damaging of property,' a spokesman told Fox News Digital.

'As a company with associates and customers in the Los Angeles region, we remain focused on their safety and that of impacted communities. The advertisements from Christy Walton are in no way connected to or endorsed by Walmart. She does not serve on the board or play any role in decision making at Walmart.'

A spokesperson for Walton said that the ad is asking citizens 'to engage peacefully and civically in next weekend's events on June 14th. It is unrelated to the events we have seen unfold the past several days.'

They added that she has not funded any protests in Los Angeles and 'condemns violence in all forms.

Walmart publicly attempted to distance itself from Christy Walton (pictured), an heiress to the company's founding family fortune after she promoted an anti-Trump rally, leading many MAGA fans to promise boycotts

Walton caused controversy after she placed a full-page ad in the New York Times Sunday calling on Americans to stand up 'against aggression by dictators' and 'mobilize' this upcoming Saturday - the same day the president is set to host a military parade in Washington D.C

'Her message promotes civic engagement, peaceful dialogue, and the sharing of diverse views and voices.'

The White House did not mince words when asked for comment on Walton's actions.

'Great, a left-wing billionaire feels like burning some of her inheritance for a PR stunt,' they said.

'It's not going to change the fact that over 77 million Americans voted for mass deportations, border security, and America First trade policies  a mandate that the Trump administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to deliver on.'

Republicans have erupted online over Christy Walton's support of the group 'No Kings' - which took to social media several times calling President Donald Trump's response to the protests 'a distraction' because 'he wants to blind us to the chaos and damage he's inflicting nationwide.'

The advertisement, which states it was 'paid for by Christy Walton,' went on to list eight beliefs she supports, including that Americans should 'stand by our allies,' 'uphold and defend the Constitution' and 'care for our veterans and children,' among others.

'We are the people of the United States of America. The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale. Our government is of the people, by the people, for the people,' the ad, accompanied by an image of the Statue of Liberty, read.

Around the time her advertisement hit the paper, disastrous riots broke out in LA, leading Trump to call on the National Guard and US Marines to take over the growing chaos - sparking an all out fight across the county.

Walton placed a full-page ad in the New York Times Sunday calling on Americans to stand up 'against aggression by dictators' and 'mobilize' this upcoming Saturday

The ad left many enraged and offended amid the chaotic anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles

In the midst of the media coverage on the protests, 'No Kings' made several posts on X mentioning the violence and how it disagrees with the president's response.

One post read: 'THIS IS A DISTRACTION! Trump deploying 2,000 National Guard troops to LA to crush protests is a smokescreen. He wants to blind us to the chaos and damage he's inflicting nationwide. Don't fall for it  he's hiding much worse!'

Another showed an illustrated image of Trump appearing to look down on a scene of protesters while holding an 'economic report' and what appeared to be pictures of him and Jeffery Epstein.

This has led many Trump supporters to speak out against Walmart on social media.

'Christy Walton from the family who own Walmart is Funding the day of defiance against Donald Trump. Enough is enough do not spend any money at Walmart or you are funding the things that are happening against our federal agents. Walmart is the one or most likely provided the gas masks during the riots,' one user wrote on X.

Another wrote: 'Time to boycott Walmart!'

'Boycott Walmart sounds good to me specially how Christy China Walton is hates America and supports burning the United States Flag and likes people harassing ICE and federal employees,' wrote someone else.

There are expected to be more than 1,800 events linked to the organization across the country Saturday, a No Kings spokesperson Andrew Cook told Forbes.

'On June 14Flag DayPresident Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else,' the group's website states.

'We're not gathering to feed his ego. We're building a movement that leaves him behind.

'The flag doesn't belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. We're not watching history happen. We're making it.

'On June 14th, we're showing up everywhere he isn'tto say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,' it added.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers - one of the organization backing 'No Kings' to organize the anti-Trump protests - told the outlet: 'People from all walks of life support No Kings because our country was founded on the idea that presidents answer to the people  not to authoritarian overreach or violence.'

In regard to Walton's ad, a spokesperson for Walton told DailyMail.com the ad was a 'personal message' from her to the American people to urge them 'to engage peacefully and civically in next weekend's events on June 14.'

'It is unrelated to the events we have seen unfold the past several days. Christy has provided no funding to organizations or individuals involved in the demonstrations in Los Angeles or other cities, nor has she provided any funding to those organizing the upcoming events.

'Her interest is simply in encouraging people to listen to one another, participate in their communities, and productively engage on the issues they care about,' they added.

In the midst of the media coverage on the protests, 'No Kings' made several posts on X mentioning the violence and how it disagrees with the president's response

'She condemns violence in all forms and continues to emphasize the importance of listening to one another.'

This is not the first ad Walton has put out an ad as she posted a similar one in The New York Times in March calling on Americans to engage in the political process.

The advert also depicted an image of the Statue of Liberty with the head 'USA, USA, USA' printed near the torch.

It then went into calls for action, including: 'We honor our commitments and stand by our allies,' 'We defend against aggression and dictators,' 'We respect our neighbors and trading partners' and 'We uphold and defend the Constitution.'

The political ad ends by saying, 'The honor, dignity and integrity of our country is not for sale. Show up, attend your town halls, be civil.'
Lori Vallow has now been found guilty in the attempted murder of her niece's ex-husband in 2019.

The 'doomsday mom', who is already serving a life sentence for killing two of her children, was convicted by an Arizona jury on Thursday of conspiring to kill Brandon Boudreaux, who was once married to her niece, outside his home in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert.

Vallow was previously sentenced to life in Idaho in 2023 for murdering her two youngest children, seven-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, her fifth husband Chad Daybell's previous wife.

Thursday's court result marks her second conviction in two months, with another Arizona jury finding the 'cult mom' guilty in late April of conspiring to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in July 2019 at her home in Chandler, another Phoenix suburb.

Her brother, Alex Cox, shot Charles Vallow and claimed he had done so in self defense. Cox was not charged before he died of a pulmonary embolism in December 2019.

Prosecutors have claimed that these deranged series of murders carried out by the unhinged mom and Daybell - who was sentenced to death in June 2024 for killing his ex-wife Tammy as well as Vallow's two children - were done so the new couple could run off together to pursue 'money, power and sex.'

Vallow's plot to kill Boudreaux, for which she was convicted Thursday, also had to do with her goal to get rid of anyone who stood in the way of her burgeoning relationship with Daybell.

Lori Vallow (pictured in court on May 12, 2023) was convicted Thursday for conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband back in 2019

Brandon Boudreaux, who was once married to Vallow's niece, Melani Pawlowski, was shot at by Alex Cox, Vallow's brother, in October 2019. Prosecutors convinced the jury that Cox was the shooter and that Vallow was the mastermind

Boudreaux testified that his marriage to Vallow's niece, Melani Pawlowski, broke down because she became heavily involved in Vallow's twisted cult.

Vallow and Daybell were Mormons who splintered off from the church because they were becoming increasingly radical.

Daybell was self-published author who wrote doomsday-focused fiction and would later promote spiritual beliefs to justify the murders, essentially saying his victims were possessed and marked for death.

Boudreaux explained that Pawlowski aspired to be like Vallow, which led to the two of them attending religious meetings in 2018. Soon after, Pawlowski was telling him that they should be stockpiling food for the end of the world.

By July 2019, the two began divorce proceedings.

The attempt on Boudreaux's life came on October 2019, when someone in a white Jeep rolled up to his house and fired a rifle shot that missed him but shattered a window on his car.

By this time, Vallow's children Joshua and Tylee had been missing for about a month.

Boudreaux previously claimed Pawlowski likely knew the location of their bodies, which weren't found until June 2020 after the search for them had swelled into a nationwide manhunt.

Boudreaux was also on high alert because Charles Vallow had been killed by gunfire months earlier. Boudreaux had gone to him for advice about his marriage to Pawlowski mere weeks before he was gunned down.

The attempt on Boudreaux's life came after Vallow's two youngest children 7-year-old Joshua 'JJ' Vallow (right) and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, disappeared in September 2019. After their bodies were found, Vallow was later sentenced to life in prison for murdering them

Prosecutors argued that Vallow's plot to kill Boudreaux tied right back to her toxic relationship with Chad Daybell (pictured). Daybell was the man she left her first husband for and the man she conspired with to kill her children as well as Daybell's ex-wife Tammy

Vallow, despite not being a lawyer, represented herself at trial and sought to downplay or outright deny all the evidence being presented against her

On the stand, Boudreaux said he immediately suspected Vallow and her brother Alex Cox, USA Today reported.

Prosecutor Treena Kay presented cellphone location data, receipts and video footage that placed Cox at the scene of the shooting driving what was later determined to be Vallow's Jeep.

She argued that Vallow gave Cox a fake alibi, arranged for the phone used in the plot and planned out the shooting.

Vallow, despite not being a lawyer, represented herself at trial and sought to downplay or outright deny all the evidence being presented against her.

At times, she suggested that the data could have been tampered with by prosecutors.

Vallow's closing argument shifted the blame onto Boudreaux as she claimed he had a vendetta against her because he blamed her for his marriage falling apart.

'Boudreaux decided that I was responsible for his family tragedy, and Im really sorry he feels that,' Vallow said.

The jury spent just 30 minutes deliberating before convicting Vallow of attempting to murder Boudreaux.

In both of the Arizona cases against her, she is set to be sentenced on July 25. Each conviction carries a life sentence.
A head chef has won 20,000 for racial and sexual orientation harassment after his boss ranted that Mexicans were not reliable people.

A tribunal heard the comments came after head chef Cesar Omar Perez Vargas walked out of a busy Sunday shift because he had been given an unreasonable 60 customers to cook for - more than he was contracted to serve.

Musician and then owner of the business Francis Rockcliff said that he would call the Home Office to make sure he was sent back to the country that you belong.

He also said he would tell officials that you have been sexually harassing all the male staff.

Mr Perez Vargas took the upmarket Pot Kiln gastropub in Thatcham, West Berkshire, to a tribunal.

During the proceedings, Mr Rockcliff denied that a social media post referring to Michelin trained chefs as people with sauteed egos' was directed at the chef.

But a panel found that anyone who was aware of the circumstances around the end of the chefs employment may consider that this is exactly who they were referring to.

The judge upheld Mr Perez Vargas complaints of unfair dismissal and race and sexual orientation harassment and awarded him 20,444.24 in compensation.

Head chef Cesar Omar Perez Vargas won 20,000 for racial and sexual orientation harassment after his boss ranted that Mexicans were not reliable people

The tribunal, held in Reading, heard that Mr Perez Vargas starting working as a chef for the Pot Kiln in November 2019.

But in April 2022 an extra burden was placed on kitchen staff when the Pot Kiln went from having four chefs to two.

Mr Perez Vargas said things came to a head on a busy shift that August. The tribunal panel heard that after walking out, Mr Rockcliff followed the chef outside and the pair ended up having a heated conversation on the street which left Mr Perez Vargas feeling shocked, threatened, insecure.

The chef claimed his boss told him: I knew that you Mexicans were not reliable people. I will call the Home Office and make sure that they send you back to the country that you belong. I will also tell them that you have been sexually harassing all the male staff.

He also alleged Mr Rockcliff told him that he will make sure that no one will give you a job anymore.

Mr Rockcliff - a musician who goes by the professional name of Rocky Rockcliff - denied making those comments.

That evening, Mr Rockliff went to the chefs home and collected his keys.

Reading employment tribunal, where a panel upheld Mr Perez Vargas complaints of unfair dismissal and race and sexual orientation harassment and awarded him 20,444.24 in compensation

Musician and the then owner of the upmarket Pot Kiln gastropub in Thatcham, Francis Rockcliff, said that he would call the Home Office to make sure the chef was sent back to the country that you belong

The following day, Mr Perez Vargas - who felt as if staff were being overworked - handed in a letter of resignation.

It was heard that Mr Rockcliff sent a text message to staff the following day on how he was changing the kitchen culture.

I finally lost all the dinosaurs/old brigade chefs to my great relief, he wrote.

The director also wrote that he was not sure that Eastern Europeans or Latin Americans have an innate understanding of English regional cookery and/or Mediterranean classic cuisine.

It was heard that Mr Rockliff also made a social media post referring Michelin trained chefs as people with sauteed egos who have lost their mojo for the love of cooking and who have overcooked their wallets for fame over food.

During the hearing, Mr Rockcliff was emphatic in stating that he is not racist.

The tribunal said that while Mr Rockliff has a tendency to talk about people in stereotypical terms, they concluded he did not discriminate against the chef.

Employment Judge Andrew Gumbiti-Zimuto said that while the way the boss had expressed himself was problematic and offensive, he added: We are quite satisfied that the reaction that Mr Rockcliff had to the events on 7 August was a sort of reaction that he would have had with anybody regardless of their race or sexual orientation.

It was, in our view, a natural response on the part of Mr Rockcliff to be offended by the fact that an employee had walked out on the service.

But, they said that his behaviour after Mr Perez Vargas walked out of the shift could amount to harassment and was conduct which had the effect of violating the claimants dignity.

EJ Gumbiti-Zimuto said that because those comments were clearly related to his race, we are satisfied that it related to the protected characteristic of race.

He added: Because the comments made reference to (Mr Perez Vargas) sexually harassing all male staff, that it also made reference to his sexual orientation and therefore, in our view, was related to sexual orientation.
The body of 21-year-old Finn Coyle has been found a week after he vanished without a trace in Perth.

Coyle, who lived with autism, disappeared from his family home in Carmel, 25km from the Perth CBD last Friday.

His body was located on Thursday morning at a property in Carmel on Thursday.

Close to 50 police officers, SES volunteers and loved ones spent days searching rugged bushland in the Perth Hills.

The search involved efforts, including a drone broadcasting a heartfelt message from Finn's mother.

Nearly 50 police officers, SES volunteers, and loved ones searched the rugged bushland in the Perth Hills over several days to try and find him.

The effort included a drone broadcasting a heartfelt message from Finn's mother flying over the search area.

'It's mum here. The police and volunteers are looking for you,' she said.

'You're not in any trouble. If you hear or see the drone, please walk towards it.'

A body, believed to be Finn Coyle (pictured) was discovered in Carmel on Thursday

The 21-year-old had been missing since Friday, after going into the bushland

Finn's brother, Connor, said Finn had been struggling with mental health issues in the lead-up to his disappearance.

'I think he's very resourceful, and he's a great young man, but he's suffering a lot of mental health.

'We're losing a generation of young people to mental health.'

A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Anthony Albanese is jetting off abroad to meet other world leaders, yet has been criticised for failing to secure an official meeting with Donald Trump as the US administration applies pressure on Australia's defence spending.

The Prime Minister will leave Canberra on Friday to meet his 'dear friend', the Prime minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, before then travelling on to Seattle for a meeting of world business leaders.

His next stop will be the G7 summit in the mountainous Canadian town of Kananaskis where Albanese will cross paths with the US President, just days after the Pentagon announced it was launching a review into the $368bn AUKUS submarine deal.

'I look forward to working productively with world leaders to discuss how we tackle some of the most challenging issues facing Australia, our region, and the world,' Albanese said.

But the Opposition has been critical of his inability to lock in a meeting with Trump, at time when the AUKUS deal hangs in the balance and Australia has not been able to get an exemption to US trade tariffs.

It also comes at a time when the US President has put pressure on Australia to increase its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP - up from the current rate of around 2.3 per cent.

Albanese has spoken over the phone twice to President Trump since he was re-elected in November last year but the pair are yet to meet face-to-face.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said on Friday morning she was 'concerned' about the US review into the AUKUS deal by Defence Under Secretary for Policy, Elbridge Colby, who she claimed was a 'a sceptic of AUKUS'.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) is jetting off abroad to meet other world leaders, yet has been criticised for failing to secure an official meeting with Donald Trump as the US administration applies pressure on Australia's defence spending

Under the $368 billion submarine program, Australia is set to acquire at least three nuclear-powered Virginia-class boats from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet is built for delivery from the 2040s.

The pact between Australia, the US, and the UK is aimed at countering China's expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific.

But the Pentagon review will assess whether the deal meets Trump's 'America First' objectives.

Ley acknowledged that it was 'really hard' to secure a meeting with the US President, but she insisted Albanese had failed where others had succeeded.

'Lots of other world leaders have had that meeting. We havent,' Ley told KIIS FM.

However, Trump is yet to lock in any meetings with other world leaders at the summit, The Australian reported.

The G7 brings together seven of the worlds largest advanced economies  Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States  and the European Union.

Climate and security are expected to dominate the diplomatic talks between leaders.

Albanese has spoken over the phone twice to President Trump (pictured with First Lady Melania) since he was re-elected in November last year but the pair are yet to have a face-to-face meeting

Australia is not a member of the G7, but Canadian prime minister Mark Carney extended an invitation to Albanese.

He is expected to meet with the US president on the sidelines of the conference, where he could try to carve out a tariff exemption.

Australia is facing 10 per cent tariffs on goods exported to the US and - like every US trading partner except the UK - has been hit with 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel sent to America.

The Australian government has called the trade measures an 'act of economic self-harm' and is considering using critical minerals and US beef imports as bargaining chips.

Albanese has not yet confirmed whether he will meet with Trump, though other bilateral discussions have been organised with the leaders of Canada, the UK, South Korea and Japan.
A teenage girl in Arkansas was killed in a horrifying attack while she and her mother were trying to take care of 30 to 40 malnourished dogs who were left to starve at a nearby property.

Makayla Fortner, 15, was found dead at a home on White Oak Drive in Alexander shortly after noon on Wednesday, KATV reports.

Neighbors said the teenager was trying to feed the malnourished dogs when they suddenly attacked her.

Fortner and her mother, Stephanie Wilkie, had recently stepped in to help take care of the dogs after noticing their deplorable conditions.

The teen was even trying to find permanent homes for the pack of dogs, whom neighbors said were not controlled by their owners and sometimes ran loose through the neighborhood, according to My Saline.

Neighbor added that they had complained to Saline County officials about the animals multiple times in the past.

'When they moved in, all the neighbors were very upset,' Heidi Clay recounted of the pet owners. 'They moved in with a huge amount of dogs and a large amount of broken vehicles.

'These dogs were very vicious at the fence, to the point that no one wanted to let their children walk to and from the bus stop,' she continued.

She and other residents also told the local news station that county officials had told them on multiple occasions that they could not do anything about the unruly animals.

Makayla Fortner, 15, was killed in a horrifying attack while she and her mother were trying to take care of 30 to 40 malnourished dogs

'I had called Saline County and they sent a deputy and said that there's not any animal control in the county and there's nothing that they can do,' Ralph Murphy said.

But following the mauling attack, Benton City officials said all 14 dogs seized from the property have been euthanized.

Only four dogs that were locked inside the house were left on the property.

Murphy, though, says he wishes something had been done sooner.

'It's just too late,' he lamented. 'So I think our government failed us.

'And if somebody had done something, then maybe this little girl would be alive.'

The Saline County Sheriff's Office is now investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, an online fundraiser set up to help Fortner's family has garnered more than $17,000.

Neighbors said the teenager was trying to feed the malnourished dogs when they suddenly attacked her

Fortner and her mother stepped in to help take care of the dogs after noticing their deplorable conditions

They were even trying to find permanent homes for the animals

It describes the teenager as a 'beautiful, bright girl with the kindest soul who had so much life ahead of her.

'Her smile could light up a room and her laughter was the kind that made others feel instantly at ease.'

Fortner was also 'deeply loved by her family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.'

All of the money collected from the fundraiser will go toward funeral expenses, grief counseling for Fortner's family and support for them.
A fundraiser backed by Pheobe Bishop's family has been organised to support local volunteer groups in what they hope will be a fitting legacy for the 17-year-old.

Pheobe went missing on her way to Bundaberg airport in southern Queensland on May 15.

Her housemates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were charged with her murder on June 6, more than three weeks after Pheobe disappeared.

Officers discovered what were believed to be the teenager's remains later that day near a national park, an hour's drive from Bundaberg airport.

The community rallied around Pheobe's family, with hundreds attending two emotional candlelight vigils.

Family friend Tracey Berends hoped the fundraiser would help return the love.

She organised the GoFundMe campaign that has received the family's backing, with money to be raised for local volunteer and not-for-profit groups.

Phoebe's mother Kylie Johnson and her sister Kaylea at a candlelit vigil for Phoebe

Mourners attend a vigil for the suspected murdered Pheobe Bishop in Gin Gin, in Bundaberg

Pheobe Bishop's family want to give back to the community who helped search for her

More than $7,000 had been donated by Friday morning, with the local SES volunteer group and Pheobe's former school set to benefit.

'The GoFundMe was created after speaking with Pheobe's family with the sole purpose of supporting local charities and volunteer organisations that were involved in the search for her, particularly the SES,' Ms Berends told AAP.

'These volunteers worked tirelessly on their hands and knees through difficult terrain and did so without expecting anything in return.

'It's important to the family that these selfless efforts are acknowledged and supported in Pheobe's name.'

Pheobe's former school - the not-for-profit learning centre Y School in Bundaberg that is assisted by volunteers - has also been earmarked for the fundraiser.

'There is absolutely no financial gain being taken by the family,' Ms Berends said.

'Their only hope is to create something beautiful and lasting in remembrance of Pheobe, a way to honour her kind, gentle spirit and the impact she had on so many lives.'

Pheobe's mother Kylie Johnson said the fundraiser was a way to acknowledge a school where her daughter thrived, as well as the SES volunteers who helped 'bring our baby home'.

'I've even had a few (SES volunteers) approach me with hugs and sorrys that they couldn't get her home sooner to us. They didn't give up and they got her back to us!' she posted on Facebook.
The doomed Air India plane that crashed on Thursday, killing 240 people, had flown out of Australia just days before causing the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Air India flight AI171 crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad in western India, bound for London on Thursday afternoon local time.

Footage showed the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers began losing altitude seconds after takeoff and crashed into a medical college hostel.

On June 8, just four days before the crash, the same plane - with registration VT-ANB - flew in-and-out from Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport.

Flight AI308 landed in Melbourne at 9.08pm on Sunday before taking off for a return flight AI309 to Delhi at 11.18pm, according to FlightRadar 24.

A spokesperson for Melbourne Airport confirmed the flight data with Daily Mail Australia.

It landed in Delhi at 7.06am before flights to and from Tokyo and Paris over the next three days before arriving at Ahmedabad at 11.16am on the morning of June 12.

Aviaton Projects managing director Keith Tonkin told Daily Mail Australia investigations into the crash would be needed to determine whether there was a technical fault with the plane that was present during the Melbourne journeys.

Air India flight AI171 is pictured taking off from Ahmedabad bound for London on the afternoon of Thursday June 12 moments before it began plummeting towards the ground

A fireball erupted over the city skyline upon impact with the ground, killing all but one of the flight's 242 passengers

The tail of the plane is pictured protruding from a building near Ahmedabad airport

'Investigators will focus on what happened in the time period between the pilots deciding to continue the take-off at their decision point and the point at which the aircraft started its downward trajectory towards the impact site,' he said.

'Was there a sudden loss of thrust, were the lift devices on the wings correctly configured, and why wasnt the landing gear retracted?

'If the primary causal factor(s) could be replicated at a different airport under similar circumstances, then it would be fair to conclude that the accident could happen at Melbourne Airport.'

A video posted to social media showed the plane soon losing upward momentum following takeoff and drifting downward before disappearing from the camera's view behind apartment buildings.

Moments later, a fireball erupted over the skyline after it crashed into BJ Medical College Hostel directly south-west of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Air India has since confirmed only one passenger, a British man, survived the crash with additional deaths on the ground also having been reported.

Images taken by Associated Press captured the ash-strewn interior of the medical college hostel canteen, where half-eaten dishes remained after the lunchtime crash.

Pictured is the interior of BJ Medical College Hostel directly south-west of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport

Search and recovery teams are pictured working through the rubble of the plane crash

The Federation of All India Medical Association said 50 to 60 students were admitted to hospital.

Indian civil aviation authorities have confirmed personnel on the plane placed a mayday call to air traffic control less than a minute after take-off.

FlightTracker24 said the plane careened towards the ground at a speed of approximately 475feet (or 145metres) per minute.

It is not yet known what caused the crash though US transportation secretary Sean Duffy has said there was 'no indication' of safety concerns with other planes of the same make - a 787-8 Dreamliner.

Hindustan Times identified the sole survivor of the crash as British father Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, who was reportedly assigned seat 11A, and remarkably walked away from the crash.

'Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed,' he told the Indian English-language newspaper from a local hospital.

'It all happened so quickly.'

Air India said the passengers of the flight included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian nationals.

A source told Reuters 217 adults were onboard the flight along with 11 children and two infants.

It is believed to be the deadliest aviation incident since all 298 passengers of flight Malaysian Airlines MH17 died when the jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

World leaders have issued messages of support, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who described the incident as 'heartbreaking beyond words'.
Terrifying footage shows the moment a man armed with a meat cleaver was crash-tackled to the ground by a police officer at one of Australia's busiest train stations.

The man was seen brandishing the dangerous weapon in front of stunned commuters at Parramatta Station in western Sydney at about 12.45pm on Thursday.

Footage obtained by 7News showed the man, dressed in a tracksuit, striding through the crowded station as commuters watched on in shock.

A courageous female officer stepped forward to confront him and shouted: 'Put it down!' as the man turned toward her, waving the cleaver.

As he did so, another officer rushed in from behind and tackled him to the ground.

The weapon was seized and pinned under an officer's boot.

The female officer questioned the man: 'What were you planning?'

The handcuffed man replied: 'What do you mean?'

A man wielding a meat cleaver in front of stunned commuters was crash-tackled by police

Footage obtained by 7News showed the man striding through the crowded Parramatta station, meat cleaver in hand, as bystanders watched on in shock

'With the knife,' she said.

'F***ing no plan,' the man replied.

The officer then ridiculed him: 'No plan? Just carrying a knife through the middle of Parramatta?'

The man was taken to Parramatta Police Station, where he was charged with carrying a knife visible in a public place  causing fear for safety, and hindering or resisting police officers in the execution of duty.

He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday.
Israel has launched an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and assassinated the head of the country's armed forces in a huge strike with over 200 warplanes - prompting fears of retaliation and war in the Middle East.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Operation Rising Lion targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

The US has distanced itself from the strikes and warned Iran not to attack US bases in the region in retaliation, telling Tehran it was not involved in the attacks.

Israel is now bracing for retaliation, with the military warning Friday morning that more than 100 Iranian drones had been launched in the past few hours, with people heading into bomb shelters.

'In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats,' Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, the chief army spokesman, said in a statement.

It comes after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel will face 'severe punishment' over its attack on the country.

Khamenei issued a statement confirming top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country,' Khamenei said.

'With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed a bitter and painful destiny for itself and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it.'

The IDF has launched preemptive strikes against Iran and a state of emergency has been declared in Israel , according to the country's Defense Minister Israel Katz

Footage posted on social media has captured smoke billowing into the sky

Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed that several commanders and scientists were killed in the attack.

Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers,' Khamenei said.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quotes an anonymous official saying Iran will offer a 'decisive' response to Israel's attack.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a televised address that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat' of Iran's nuclear program.

'The Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,' Netanyahu said.

'Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal.'

Netanyahu alleged that Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called that an intolerable threat that must be stopped.

Firemen work at an apartment building after it was hit in Tehran, Iran, early Friday

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Chief Hossein Salami (pictured left) and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (pictured right) were both killed in the strike

The prime minister later declared the strikes a success but warned more were coming: 'We are going to have many more achievements.'

People in Iran's capital, Tehran, heard another round of explosions Friday morning hours after the initial attack. It wasn't immediately clear if it was air defense systems going off or another attack.

The New York Times reported at least a half dozen military bases around Tehran residential homes used by military personnel were among the targets.

An Israeli defense official said the strikes likely killed members of Iran's general staff, including the chief of staff and several senior nuclear scientists.

Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, was one of the top officials killed, Iranian state television reported Friday. Bagheri is a former top commander within Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.

The head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was also killed in the strikes, Iranian state television reported.

Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces and nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, were all killed as well.

A view of the scene following an attack in Iranian capital, Tehran

Smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital

Iran's Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the country's theocracy. It also controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was preparing for a response by the Iranians after the strike.

'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,' Katz said in a statement.

Iranian state media outlet IRNA said repeated explosions could be heard in Tehran.

The attack set the headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Tehran ablaze, state television reported Friday. A reporter on air said he was unable to get closer due to the intensity of the fire.

Multiple sites in the capital have been hit in the attack, although the extent of strikes remains unclear.

Israel's defense minister has announced a 'special situation' in his country and said schools would stay shut on Friday.

The country's military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has warned Iran and its regional proxies against retaliating against Israel.

'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future' Katz said in a statement

'I warn, anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price,' he says.

Emmanuel Fabian, military correspondent for Times of Israel, wrote on X: 'The IDF confirms it has launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear program and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it says.

'The operation is dubbed 'Strength of a Lion.' The IDF says Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this 'imminent threat.''

Sirens were heard across Israel as a warning to be on the lookout for any possible response from Tehran.

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport was evacuated as all flights were canceled.

The strikes come after it was yesterday revealed that Israel was planning an attack on Iran's nuclear sites within days after a UN watchdog said Tehran has breached its non-proliferation obligations.

Sources in the US revealed the possibility of an imminent attack, which a senior source in the Israeli prime minister's office did not confirm or deny.

But they did tell the Mail: 'President Trump said it best, 'Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon...' We agree. This is a global threat.'

Multiple sites in the capital have been hit in the attack, although the extent of strikes remains unclear

The US announced it would evacuate personnel from the region amid concerns they could be targeted by Iran in reprisals.

But a United States official told CNN that there was no US involvement or assistance in the strikes carried out by Israel in Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a White House statement that American forces are not involved and warned Iran against coming after the United States.

'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' he said.

'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,' Rubio added.

Donald Trump spoke to Fox News as the strikes were beginning and said that the US was aware of the attack ahead of time but had zero involvement. He said he hoped Iran would return to the negotiating table.

Netanyahu addressed President Trump in his address to the nation shortly after the attack, saying: 'He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment program.

'Today, it is clear that Iran was just buying for time.'

Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat' of Iran's nuclear program

Earlier this evening, he posted to Truth Social: 'We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.'

'They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon,' he added.

Israel's strikes come days before a sixth round of talks were planned between Iran and the US over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program this Sunday in Oman.

Trump's new administration has been seeking a deal that would halt Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Israel's National Security Cabinet had met throughout the night leading up to the attack in Iran, according to an Israeli official.

The country has closed its airspace until further notice, according to the country's ministry of transportation.

The New York Times reported an Iranian source saying Tehran has an immediate counter-attack plan in place if Israel strikes.

The response is set to be of a similar scope to the attack it launched in October last year, when Iran fired more than 200 drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel to overload air-defense systems, sending the entire population into bomb shelters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement in the early hours of June 13 that Israel carried out strikes on Iran and the military operation against the Islamic republic would 'continue for as many days as it takes'

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly shows a building in Tehran hit in an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital early in the morning

Debris from an apartment building is seen on top of parked cars after a strike in Tehran

Most missiles were shot down or intercepted, causing limited damage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

Iran failed to provide the watchdog with credible explanations as to how uranium was detected at undeclared sites, despite the agency having investigated the matter for years.

Nineteen of the 35 countries on the board of the IAEA voted for the motion to declare the breach.

The motion was submitted by the 'Quad' of nations  the US, UK, France and Germany  who said 'states will be held to account if they do not live up to their obligations'

Iran says the decision was 'political' and said they would respond by setting up a new uranium enrichment facility.

It follows a report from the IAEA last week which criticised Iran's 'general lack of co-operation' and said it had enough enriched uranium to potentially make ten nuclear bombs.

US and Iranian officials will hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's accelerating uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday.

Smoke rises from a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes

But Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Wednesday's resolution 'proves that Israel was right all along'.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump said he feared Tehran would not agree to stop enriching uranium, a key American demand.

'They seem to be delaying. I'm less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them,' he said.

Netanyahu has long been a strident critic of Iran and has accused Tehran of secretly attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, something they deny.

'One way or the other, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,' he said in April.

Former prime minister Ehud Barak and former chief of the Mossad national intelligence agency Tamir Pardo claimed Netanyahu sought to bomb Iran in 2010 and 2011, but he was opposed by senior Israeli officials.
Aussie drivers are being warned to check their parked cars, as a common habit could lead to hefty fines worth thousands of dollars.

Leaving your car unlocked or its windows slightly open can result in serious penalties - depending on the state you're in, according to research by Astor Legal.

And while there are some exceptions, they apply to a very limited group of drivers.

In several states, a 'three-metre rule' is in place, allowing drivers to keep their car unlocked only if they remain within three metres of the vehicle.

Step any further away, and you could be slapped with a fine.

Although the rule might seem excessive to some, Astor Legal principal lawyer Avinash Singh said there is a clear rationale behind it.

'The reasoning behind the law is to prevent cars from being stolen and then used in more serious crimes,' Singh said.

'The use of allegedly stolen vehicles makes it difficult for police to track down the offenders.'

Queenslanders could be fined more the $3000 for leaving their car unlocked

The exact penalties vary from state to state, and one state reportedly doesn't have the law at all.

But in jurisdictions where it does apply, the consequences can be severe, highlighting the importance of knowing local regulations when it comes to parking your car.

New South Wales

Under Regulation 213 of the Road Rules 2014, if you're more than 3 metres away from your unattended vehicle, it must be locked, and windows secured.

A window is considered secure if it's open by no more than 2 centimetres.

The on-the-spot fine is $114, but the maximum court-imposed penalty is 20 penalty units, amounting to a fine of $2,200.

Queensland

Drivers must ensure their vehicles are locked and windows secured if they are more than three metres away, windows must not be open more than five centimetres.

Failing to comply can lead to hefty penalties, with fines reaching up to $3,096. If the car is left unlocked with the keys still inside, the driver can be hit with a $2,669 fine.

In New South Wales, if a matter is taken to court, a driver could be fined $2200

Victoria

Drivers must secure their vehicles when parked and unattended. Windows are deemed secure if opened by less than 2 centimetres.

An on-the-spot fine of $117, which can go up to $600 if it goes to court.

Western Australia

Drivers must switch off the car, remove the key, lock the doors, and secure the windows when leaving the vehicle unattended.

The fine for not doing so is $50, but there are some exemptions.

Tasmania

In Tasmania, drivers must switch off the engine, remove the key, lock the doors, and secure windows (no more than 2cm open) when leaving a car unattended.

It is also illegal to leave minors under 16 inside. Fines can reach nearly $200.

Australian Capital Territory

In the ACT, you must lock your car and close the windows when leaving it unattended.

Breaking this rule can cost you up to $3,200.

South Australia meanwhile is the only state with no laws about locking their cars on the books

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, it's an offence to leave a car unlocked and unattended when the driver is more than three metres away, and no one is inside.

Fines may vary.

South Australia

South Australia is the only state where drivers are not legally required to lock their cars when unattended.

Under Regulation 23, theres no penalty for leaving your vehicle unlocked.
Two men have been charged with allegedly selling fake cocaine as police investigate the Australian operatoins of a South American crime syndicate.

NSW Police Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested the men, aged 61 and 27, at a unit in North Rocks, Sydney, around 8.15pm on Wednesday.

Police allege the group travelled from Spain to Sydney in May and sold fake cocaine to four Sydney-based criminal networks.

The group is also believed to have run similar operations in London earlier this year.

Footage released by NSW Police captured the moment officers attached to Strike Force Bookara pounded on the door of the unit before forcing entry.

During the raid, officers allegedly found ten bricks of a white substance believed to be cocaine, but later confirmed through testing not to be.

Police claim the syndicate sold the fake product to other criminal groups for $90,000 per kilogram.

Police also seized $121,000 in Australian cash, foreign currency, 14 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, bank cards, and documents related to foreign currency and cryptocurrency transfers.

Officers attached to the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad are pictured outside the North Rocks unit on Wednesday evening allegedly linked to a South American crime syndicate

Police allegedly identified ten bricks of fake cocaine at the Sydney unit which the syndicate is alleged to have been selling to other criminal groups for $90,000 per kilogram

Pictured is an image of individuals seated around a glass coffee table released by NSW Police

Photos released by police show plastic-wrapped bundles of cash and white powder bricks seized from the unit.

Another image shows five people with blurred faces sitting on black couches around a glass coffee table during the raid.

All five were taken to Parramatta Police Station, where the two men were charged with supplying a prohibited drug in both small and large commercial quantities.

They were refused bail and are due to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday. The other three were released and are pending further investigation.

Anyone with information that could assist police with inquiries into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Bundles of cash were found at the property
Terrifying new footage shows the IDF striking what it says is Iran's 'nuclear programme headquarters', as it was revealed that children are among the at least 13 people who have died in Israel following escalating strikes between the two nations.

Footage showed what appeared to be a drone strike on a densely populated part of Tehran, Iran's capital city.

A towering plume of smoke was seen rising over the city, which has taken the brunt of Israeli strikes over the weekend.

Iran said Israel struck two oil refineries near Tehran overnight, as well as the headquarters of Iran's Ministry of Defence, while Israel said that the death toll had risen to 10, as emergency workers frantically sift through rubble to try and find injured people.

An estimated 200 people in Israel were injured by the strikes. Israeli Raja Khateeb, his wife, and their three daughters were all reportedly among those killed in the Iranian strike on the town of town of Tamra, near Haifa.

Iran's ambassador to the UN said that by Friday evening, Israeli strikes had killed 78 and left over 320 wounded. Yesterday, Iran said that 60 people, including 29 children were killed after an Israeli missile brought down a 14-storey block of flats.

Separately, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province said 30 troops and one rescuer were killed, while a further 55 were left wounded.

The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel's surprise bombardment of Iran's nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, and neither side showed any sign of backing down.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the attacks on Israel will end when its 'aggression stops.'

The Middle East conflict escalated on Thursday night after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign dubbed 'Operation Rising Lion', with Iran confirming missiles struck nuclear facilities, 'martyred' top commanders and killed dozens of civilians.

Iran has vowed to take revenge, launching waves of missiles at Israel on Friday and Saturday night, as world leaders scramble to de-escalate the conflict.

Follow along for updates.
Melania Trump showed off a bold new look as she stood by her husband who praised her with compliments at Thursday's congressional picnic, an annual tradition that sees members of both parties flock to the White House South Lawn.

The focus would normally be on President Donald Trump, but the First Lady stole the show as observers took notice of a change to her hair, which appeared to showcase fresh blonde highlights.

While Trump gushed over his wife's work on a new bill  even going as far as to say she could take his job  Melania also stunned with her outfit choice.

She opted for simplicity with an elegant white button-up blouse with striking floral pants and bright pink heels to give the ensemble a pop of color.

Fans of Melania were quick to point out her especially glowing appearance at the picnic.

'Melania always looks gorgeous and beautiful, but especially here in the white blouse and flowered skirt...her face...her hair. Wow!' one person wrote on social media.

'Tonight might have been the best Ive seen Melania look. Hair was on point. Dress was simple yet elegant. Smizing as always. 10/10,' another said.

She and Trump walked side by side out onto the Truman Balcony, which overlooked the dozens of picnic tables, tents and eager attendees waiting to hear the president speak.

Melania Trump stunned at Thursday's annual congressional picnic, walking out onto the Truman Balcony sporting an iconic new look

Keen observers really picked up on the First Lady's new hair color. It appeared more blonde than usual

After President Donald Trump's address to attendees, he and Melania walked arm in arm and greeted congress people and their families

Even in Trump's remarks - which began with him hyping up his trademark 'Big Beautiful Bill' - Melania ultimately took center stage.

'I am delighted to welcome all the beautiful members of the House and Senate and your beautiful families,' Trump said while looking over at Melania.

'It's a great honor to have you at the White House. I want to thank our magnificent First Lady for putting together this wonderful evening.'

The crowd clapped for her as he reached out to touch her arm. She whispered a quick 'thank you' to her husband.

Later, Trump praised Melania's efforts to push for a revenge porn bill called the 'Take It Down Act.'

The bill, signed into law by Trump on May 19, makes it illegal to post real or AI- generated deepfake sexual imagery online of people without their consent.

It passed both houses of congress in bipartisan fashion, and Trump joked that this success could set up Melania up for a future in politics.

'I want to thank you Melania,' Trump said. 'When I saw that bill pass, bipartisan, I said, "You know, I think youre gonna take my job Melania" ... we dont get so much bipartisan.'

Pictured: Trump appeared to coordinate outfits with Melania, wearing a tie that matched the color of her pants

Trump took time out in the day to praise Melania's advocacy against revenge porn, especially commending her efforts to get the 'Take It Down Act' passed

First Ladies traditionally take on a cause to focus on during their time in the White House. Melania's first term goal was addressing bullying, and her focus in the second term has become combatting the harms of AI and deepfake sexual imagery

Last month, while advocating for the bill, Melania equated AI and the trappings of social media as 'digital candy' for the next generation.

She said they are 'sweet, addictive and engineered to have an impact on the cognitive development of our children.'

'These new technologies can be weaponized, shape beliefs and, sadly, affect emotions and even be deadly,' she added.

Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) made headlines a day prior to the event by claiming he had been disinvited for his opposition to the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which is still being vigorously debated in the Senate.

'I've just been told that I've been uninvited from the [White House] picnic...every Democrat will be invited, every Republican invited, but I will be the only one disallowed. I just find this incredibly petty', Paul said.

Paul, who has said he won't vote for the tax cut bill in its current form, also accused White House staff of 'running sort of a paid influencer campaign against me for two weeks on Twitter.'

Trump contradicted his own White House on Thursday, indicating that 'of course' Paul and his family could attend.

Pictured: White House guests stand and watch as Trump addresses them from the balcony

Pictured: Melania looks on as Trump greets a young girl who is brought to tears from meeting the president

'He's the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate, but why wouldn't he be? Besides, it gives me more time to get his Vote on the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill,' Trump wrote in a post on his social media site Truth Social on Thursday morning.

'It will help to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! I look forward to seeing Rand. The Party will be Great!' Trump concluded.

Paul ended up coming out after all and was joined by his wife Kelley Paul.

Thursday's picnic was the second time this week Melania appeared at a public event with her husband.

On Wednesday, she wore a sleek black dress to a performance of the classic musical Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center, a performing arts institution Trump overhauled just 19 days into his second term by firing the entire board.

As Trump enjoyed his day in the sun in Washington, D.C., he still managed to turn some of his attention to the unrest in Los Angeles and the protests against widescale ICE raids.

In a blistering Truth Social post penned just 15 minutes before he was due to address the picnic, Trump demanded that all illegal migrants go home immediately.

He also doubled down in his support for ICE agents as protesters take to the streets across America rallying against the administration's mass deportation agenda.

'The Biden Administration and Governor Newscum flooded America with 21 Million Illegal Aliens, destroying Schools, Hospitals and Communities, and consuming untold Billions of Dollars in Free Welfare,' he wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday.

'All of them have to go home, as do countless other Illegals and Criminals, who will turn us into a bankrupt Third World Nation.

'Our courageous ICE Officers, who are daily being subjected to doxxing and murder threats, are HEROES.'

ICE has ramped up their searches for undocumented migrants, taking to workplaces across the nation in the last week which are suspected of employing illegal workers.

Pictured: Trump and Melania walk hand-in-hand down the stairs to the South Lawn to greet attendees

Pictured: Melania beams at someone in the crowd, while her husband is not too far away

Trump and Melania were all smiles as administration officials and a Secret Service agent is seen in the background

This set off the demonstrations and riots in Los Angeles that began last Friday and have now stretched into their sixth day, sparking curfews and the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,100 National Guard troops.

Over the weekend, Trump issued a memo taking control of California's National Guard before ordering them to take back the streets of LA.

On Monday, he then ordered a contingent of 700 Marines to the city. Those reinforcements are expected to join the National Guard troops on Friday to begin protection operations, Fox News reported.

Late Thursday night, a federal judge ordering Trump to return control of the state's national guard back to Governor Gavin Newsom, who says he was not consulted by the White House.

The setback for Trump came after Newsom sued the federal government for its 'illegal takeover of the California National Guard.'

Newsom called the move 'an unmistakable step toward authoritarianism,' while accusing Trump of 'intentionally causing chaos, terrorizing communities, and endangering the principles of our great democracy.'

The judge's order telling the Trump administration to relinquish control of the state's national guard goes into effect Friday at noon.

The order says the deployment of the guard was illegal, violating the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution.

The White House called the order 'unprecedented' and said it 'puts our brave federal officials in danger.' Lawyers with the Justice Department immediately filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.
A tradie cleared of raping his yoga-loving girlfriend while she was doing the 'downward dog' during a Blue Mountains getaway should never have faced trial, a judge has ruled.

A jury took just 25 minutes to acquit the 35-year-old man of one count of sexual intercourse after hearing three days of evidence in late April.

Judge Craig Everson, who presided over the trial in Penrith District Court, has now ordered the DPP to pay the man's legal costs for a prosecution he described as 'doomed to fail'.

In a scathing decision published on Thursday, Judge Everson found there were 'glaring differences' between the alleged victim's evidence and what her mother and friends testified she had told them.

'To be clear, I am of the opinion that this prosecution of (the man) was instituted, and maintained, either without, or in spite of, proper professional advertence as to whether there existed reasonable prospects of securing a conviction,' he found.

Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to identify the acquitted man because there has been no previous media coverage of his trial and the case against him was dismissed so easily.

The court heard the man and the woman, who works in the fitness industry, met in Melbourne in 2020 and began dating several weeks later.

The couple enjoyed bushwalking and decided early in 2021 to drive up to the village of Yellow Rock on the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains for a short holiday.

A man cleared of raping his yoga-loving girlfriend while she was doing the 'downward dog' during a Blue Mountains getaway should never have faced trial, a judge has ruled. Stock image

Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to identify the acquitted man because there has been no previous media coverage of his trial and the case against him was dismissed so easily

There was tension between the two during the trip which had not been resolved when they arrived at their homestay accommodation at about 7pm on April 2.

The woman gave evidence she got out of the bed she shared with her boyfriend the next morning, put on her gym clothes and rolled out her yoga mat in front of the television.

After warming up with stretches, she began her yoga routine as her boyfriend came out to heat up his breakfast.

'The [woman] gave evidence that when she was in the upside-down V shape referred to in yoga as "downward facing dog", she heard the [man's] chair move in the kitchen,' Judge Everson said in his judgment.

'According to the [woman], the [man] walked up behind her, pulled down her exercise pants and underwear and she started saying "no".'

The woman claimed her boyfriend then digitally penetrated her.

She testified she said 'no' eight or 10 times and 'found it hard to get out of the yoga position that she was in' while her boyfriend continued.

That act was the subject of the formal statement of complaint the woman made to police more than two years later on July 13, 2023.

A woman who claimed her boyfriend raped her on a trip to the Blue Mountains had sex with him the next day and the pair later went on a hike with to see the Three Sisters (above) at Echo Point

The man, who was under no obligation to give evidence, told the jury he had initiated sexual activity with his girlfriend while she was doing yoga in the living room.

'In his words, the [man] played with the [woman's] "bum" on the outside of her clothes,' Judge Everson said.

'In response to that, the [woman] rubbed herself against him and the [man] then pulled down her pants and continued to play with her "bum".

The man said when he touched the woman outside her underwear in a more intimate way she said 'no' or 'stop' and he pulled away.

Judge Everson said the man maintained 'that thereafter there was no discussion at all about the incident and the pair remained on holiday for the duration of the period hiking, sightseeing and engaging in further sexual contact'.

The woman first reported the allegation of sexual assault to Victoria Police on December 27, 2022.

According to Judge Everson, the woman initially told police that in the aftermath of the yoga incident she walked outside and was 'crying and hyperventilating, like she was having a panic attack'.

'[The woman] went on to say that the [man] and she slept in the same bed, went on a few hikes, including to the Three Sisters lookout.'

Judge Craig Everson, who presided over the man's trial in Penrith District Court, has published a scathing judgment, describing the prosecution as 'doomed to fail'

Under cross-examination, and contrary to her evidence-in-chief, the woman conceded she had anal sex with her boyfriend the day after the alleged assault.

Also omitted from her evidence-in-chief was 'an apparently pleasant trip to Bondi and the sending of intimate photos to the accused on 7 April 2021, whilst they were still at Yellow Rock'.

Three of the woman's friends and her mother gave evidence about what she told them had happened.

Judge Everson, a former Deputy Senior Crown Prosecutor, found all four witnesses' testimony was 'inconsistent' with the DPP's case and contradicted the woman's evidence.

In the man's costs application the Crown submitted the case it brought against him was one of 'word against word which involves an assessment of credibility'.

Judge Everson found the prosecution of the man was 'much more than a "word on word" case' and should never have taken place.

'The issue in the proceedings featured significant weaknesses in the Crown case that the Crown must have been aware of at the outset,' he ruled.

'Namely, the glaring differences between what the complainant asserted she told her mother and friends about the alleged sexual assault and what those complaint witnesses stated they had been told by the complainant.

A jury took just 25 minutes to acquit the 35-year-old man of one count of sexual intercourse after hearing three days of evidence at Penrith District Court in late April

'The relevant facts also include the contrasting aftermath account given by the complainant with the evidence given by her under cross-examination.'

Judge Everson said the inconsistencies between the woman's evidence and that of mother and friends 'meant the prosecution case was doomed to fail'.

'All things considered, I am satisfied the [man] has discharged the onus upon him of showing that it was not reasonable to institute the proceedings brought against him,' he ruled.

The man, who was represented by George Sten & Co Criminal Lawyers, would lodge a claim for costs of about $100,000, sources said.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to comment.
A top commander of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed in an Israeli airstrike Thursday evening.

Iranian state media has confirmed the death of Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The 65 year old rose quickly through the ranks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps since it was formed in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

After the United States killed Qassem Soleimani in January 2020, Salami took over his position as the head of the force.

Irans Revolutionary Guard, created after its Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the countrys theocracy.

It controls the country's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Salami also oversaw Iran's relationship with Iranian proxies, like Hezbollah, in his position, the New York Times reports.

He has been a staunch opponent of Israel and the United States over the years, and in March he vowed swift retaliation against any country that may attack Tehran.

'If a threat is carried out, we will respond in the most severe manner - decisive, crushing and devastating,' he said, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In addition to Salami, Iranian state media reports that at least three other senior leaders were believed to have been killed in the airstrikes.

Iranian state media has confirmed the death of Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guard Corps

The 65 year old rose quickly through the ranks of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps since it was formed in the aftermath of the 1970 Islamic Revolution and has been an outspoken critic of Israel and the United States

Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials

Those killed include Gholamali Rashid, the deputy commander of the Iranian armed forces; Mohammad Mehdi Tehranji, a physicist; and Fereydoun Abbasi, an Iranian nuclear scientist.

Israel has said the airstrikes were targeting Iran's nuclear program in an effort to prevent Tehran from developing a weapon of mass destruction.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

He alleged that the Shiite country was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called that an intolerable threat that must be stopped and vowed to continue the attacks 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.'

'Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,' Netanyahu declared. 'Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal.'

But Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has since said that Israel will face 'severe punishment' over its attack.

In a statement issued by the state-run IRNA news agency, he said Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.'

The state-run IRNA news agency also quoted an anonymous official saying Iran will offer a 'decisive' response to Israel's attack as explosions boomed across Tehran, with the New York Times reporting that at least a half dozen military bases around the capital and residential homes of military personnel were among the targets.

Gholamali Rashid, the deputy commander of the Iranian armed forces, is also believed to have been killed in the airstrikes

Mohammad Mehdi Tehranji, a physicist, and Fereydoun Abbasi, an Iranian nuclear scientists, were also reportedly killed in the attack

It is believed that Iran will now launch an attack similar to the one it launched in October of last year, when it fired more than 200 drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel to overload air-defense systems, sending the entire population into bomb shelters.

Most missiles were shot down or intercepted, however, causing limited damage.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz now says the country is prepared for any Iranian response, after its National Security Cabinet met throughout the night to discuss the attack.

It has already closed its airspace until further notice.

Ahead of the attack, the United States also announced it would evacuate personnel from the region amid concerns they could be targeted by Iran in reprisals.

But US officials deny any involvement in the airstrike, which comes just days before American authorities were set to meet with their Iranian counterparts to iron out a nuclear deal that would halt Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,' Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

'We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes were targeting Iran's nuclear program in an effort to prevent Tehran from developing a weapon of mass destruction

Among the targets were the homes of Iranian military personnel

'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.

'President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,' Rubio added.

Trump has yet to issue a statement about the strikes.

But earlier in the evening he posted to Truth Social: 'We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.'

'They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon,' he added.
Friends and family of Isla Bell have confronted the man accused of murdering the teenager and hiding her body in a fridge that was moved around several locations in Melbourne.

About a dozen supporters, some wearing orange ribbons, crowded into the cramped room 22 of Melbourne Magistrates' Court to face Marat Ganiev when he appeared on Friday.

Orange and red ribbons - to reflect Ms Bell's distinctive hair colour - were tied all over Melbourne in her memory after she was allegedly killed by Ganiev, 54.

He appeared before the court on Friday along with co-accused Eyal Yaffe, 58, who has been charged with assisting an offender with murder.

But family and friends heard the case will be delayed after Ganiev requested an adjournment to secure additional cash to fund his defence.

Ganiev, who appeared in his prison greens via videolink from Port Phillip Prison, barely spoke during the short hearing.

Yaffe, who is on bail, was late to join the online court link as Ms Bell's supporters waited for the matter to proceed.

Previously released court documents outlined the alleged harrowing final moments of Ms Bell's life.

Police allege Isla Bell, 19, was murdered on October 7 last year

Marat Ganiev, 54, (left) has been charged with Ms Bell's murder while Eyal Yaffe, 57, (right) has been charged with assisting an offender with murder

Ms Bell had told her friend a 'sugar daddy' had lavished her with gifts and 'saved her from sex traffickers'.

Police allege Ganiev murdered Ms Bell just after midnight on October 7 last year.

Security cameras recorded Ms Bell entering Ganiev's St Kilda East apartment at 9.27pm on October 5, but she never left alive, police allege.

Homicide Squad detectives allege CCTV footage from outside the apartment complex showed him attacking Ms Bell inside.

Police allege the pair could be seen through the kitchen window, and footage showed Ms Bell's head could be seen 'whipping around' as she was struck by Ganiev.

'She falls to the ground and Ganiev can then be seen striking her on the ground of the kitchen,' court documents state.

'What appears to be Bell's head can be seen rising up before being pushed back down by Ganiev's arm.'

Ms Bell's body was found at a Melbourne tip in November last year

The footage allegedly captured Ms Bell alive between 12.43am until 2am but not thereafter.

Police allege Ganiev went to work cleaning the apartment over the following days.

The court heard Ms Bell had thought she had found the man of her dreams in the days before she was allegedly brutally murdered by a man more than twice her age.

Daily Mail Australia revealed that police allege the 19-year old texted her friend just hours before her alleged murder expressing her happiness.

In a Snapchat post sent on October 7, Ms Bell, who was last seen leaving her Brunswick home in Melbourne three days earlier on October 4, told her friend that she had 'found the best sugar daddy', court documents state.

Her remains were found at a tip at Dandenong six weeks later on November 19.

Detectives allege Yaffe, of Hampton, became involved after receiving a call from Ganiev on October 8, a day after Ms Bell is said to have been killed.

The following day, he allegedly drove to Ganievs St Kilda East apartment and dropped off a new black fridge, returning on October 17 to remove the old one wrapped in plastic.

Police allege Ms Bells remains were inside the fridge.

Ms Bell has been remembered as the 'gentlest soul, the kindest human and free spirited'

Over the following days the trailer was allegedly moved to three locations around Melbourne allegedly associated with Mr Yaffe, with one person later telling police it had a 'foul smell' and was attracting flies.

Detective Senior Constable Benjamin Curran previously told the court that police contend that Yaffe knew the fridge contained the young woman's body and that she had been killed.

'At the time it had been 10 days since she had died  Its not a smell that can be mistaken or forgotten,' he said.

When Yaffe was arrested, police allegedly found methamphetamine and $6,000 in cash on him.

While initially denying his involvement in concealing Ms Bell's body, police allege Yaffe eventually admitted the crime, but claimed to have known nothing about how the teenager died.

Ms Bell's family were in tears on November 25 last year when Magistrate Rohan Lawrence allowed Yaffe to walk free despite describing his alleged crimes as 'callous' and 'repugnant'.

Friends and family of Ms Bell's left court stunned last November when Yaffe was granted bail

Ms Bell's family, who were seated at the rear of the court, sat stunned as Mr Lawrence outlined all of the reasons why he believed Yaffe was entitled to walk free.

'In my view the prosecution have not established Mr Yaffe is an unacceptable risk,' he said.

In applying for bail, Yaffe's barrister Ian Hill KC said the former jeweller could live with his son, Ziv Yaffe, and be electronically monitored.

It was a condition accepted by the magistrate, with Yaffe to be fitted with the monitor at all times while free on bail.

Yaffe is forbidden from attending five addresses linked to the alleged crime or attempt to visit any ports where he could flee the country.

The court heard Yaffe had been armed with a ticket to Bulgaria when he was arrested, having purchased it the day after police hauled him in for questioning.

Prosecutors had argued Yaffe was not only a flight risk, but a risk to public safety and prosecution witnesses.

'In my view, the case against him does not hinge on witnesses but phone records, CCTV and statements to police,' Mr Lawrence said.

'There is no rational reason to believe he could interfere.'

Orange ribbons worn by supporters reflect Ms Bell's distinctive hair colour

Ms Bell's heartbroken mother Justine Spokes issued a gut-wrenching statement last November as her daughter's accused killer faced court for the first time.

'I am so, so sorry my darling daughter,' she said.

'I could not protect you from your complex illnesses and this cruel world.

'I was so proud of your choices this year, your strength to endure despite your suffering.

'All you ever wanted was to create, make and nurture life, to love and be loved.

'We were so much looking forward to being reunited as a family again; my heart aches and cannot reconcile that's not going to happen.'

She said her daughter was 'the gentlest soul, the kindest human and free spirited'.

'I will connect to you in spirit my care bear and no one can take that connection away from us,' she added.
YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly is facing more charges after allegedly raping a woman in a hotel room.

The British musician, who is fighting allegations he raped and choked a woman after a gig, has been hit with two more charges, as his trial date is set.

Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared in Perth District Court on Friday.

The 29-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in a hotel room following a performance in the city's northern suburbs in September.

He previously pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual penetration without consent and three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The entertainer has also denied impeding the woman's normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure to her neck.

He is now facing two additional counts of sexual penetration without consent, although no plea has been entered.

The additional charges were briefly mentioned in court but not explained and his lawyer declined to discuss the change outside court.

The London rapper, who has 1.8million YouTube subscribers and millions of Instagram and TikTok followers, will face a 10-day trial on April 20, 2026.

British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly (pictured, in 2022) has been charged with a further counts of sexual penetration without consent in a Perth court

No plea has been entered on the additional charges mentioned on Friday and his lawyer has refused to comment on the change

He was arrested in Brisbane and extradited to Perth in October.

Filly is one of many content creators who have gained fame by building huge online followings and earning income through video ad revenue and brand partnerships.

Born in Colombia, he moved to the UK at the age of two with his single mother and two siblings.

After leaving school and trying his hand at working as a broker, he began posting comedy skits online himself and with collaborators and began a music career in 2017.

This lead to TV presenting jobs, including BBC's Hot Property, which he hosted in 2018.

He was previously fined and banned from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving in November while on bail.

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An assistant nurse caught with almost $2million in drug money under her bed has been spared jail.

Jannine Williams, 35, pleaded guilty in Queensland's Supreme Court on Thursday to one count of dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $1million or more.

Crown prosecutor Patrick Wilson told Justice Peter Callaghan that Williams - a paediatric intensive care assistant nurse - was not accused of taking part in drug crimes herself.

'Williams possessed just over $1.7million in a duffle bag under her bed on behalf of her (now former) partner,' Mr Wilson said.

However Mr Wilson said there was evidence of discussions that showed Williams had some knowledge of her former partner's involvement with shipments of cocaine up to 150kg.

The nurse's offending was 'clearly out of character', the court was told.

'There was discussion of $2.2million, and reference to vacuum sealing the money and storing it somewhere else,' Mr Wilson said.

'They had a conversation about a very large quantity of drugs: 150kg.

Police found the cash in 2022, hidden under her bed at a West End property

'There was talk of the risk of prison, making it abundantly clear this was a serious criminal enterprise.'

Police found the money on July 22, 2022 in Williams' apartment in the inner-Brisbane suburb of West End.

Justice Callaghan heard Williams initially denied knowledge of the money to police.

Williams had spoken about having to ignore the $1million under her bed and needing to lock her apartment every time she left, Mr Wilson said.

Defence barrister Mark McCarthy said Williams - an Australian citizen who was born in the UK - had no prior criminal record.

'She has had a long career in a paediatric intensive care unit in the local hospital. She is a valued team member,' he said.

'This was clearly out of character. But for her relationship she would never be involved in anything like this.

'She is extremely unlikely to be involved in anything criminal again.'

Janine Williams (pictured) plead guilty to one count of dealing in the proceeds of crime

Mr McCarthy said Williams had been in a 'destructive relationship' and had little choice at the time but to tolerate having the money under her bed.

'She received no benefit from the cash,' he said.

Justice Callaghan said it was incongruous to see someone with Williams' history of working to better the community end up in criminal court and facing the prospect of jail.

'The sentence I am about to pass will have an impact on your prospects of employment,' Justice Callaghan said.

'It is to be hoped there is a discretion to be exercised by those who decide these things, and it will be exercised fairly and responsibly.'

Williams was sentenced to three years' imprisonment but ordered to be immediately released on a $1,000 good behaviour bond.

She broke down crying and was comforted by her parents after the sentence was handed down.
Immigration levels are continuing to soar despite Anthony Albanese promising before the last election that population growth levels would moderate.

In the year to April, 440,330 migrants moved to Australia on a permanent and long-term basis, new data released on Friday showed.

This net figure, covering skilled migrants and international students, is almost a third higher than the 335,000 level forecast for the 2024-25 financial year in Treasury's pre-election March Budget.

Senator Andrew Bragg, the Opposition's housing and homelessness spokesman, said high immigration levels were worsening Australia's housing crisis.

'The government has done no modelling on the impact and the nexus between bringing in hundreds of thousands of people a year and building virtually no houses, relative to the overall requirement,' he told ABC Radio in Brisbane.

'Whilst we are nowhere near Labor's housing target, I think it makes a lot of sense to look at the nexus between migration and housing completions.'

The 77,720 arrival figure for April alone was the highest monthly intake ever for that time of year, following the start of the new university year.

Morgan Begg, the director of research at the Institute of Public Affairs think tank, said the government could no longer be trusted to accurately predict immigration levels.

'After a succession of failed migration estimates, the federal government no longer has any credibility in projecting future migration levels,' he said.

Immigration levels are continuing to soar despite Anthony Albanese promising before the last election that population growth levels would moderate (pictured is Sydney's Town Hall station)

'The forecasts used in federal Budgets are continuously undermined by the government's weakness in controlling excessive migration intakes.'

The Albanese Government and the states are vowing to build 1.2million homes over the five years to June 2029.

That would mean 240,000 homes a year but in 2024, just 177,313 new residential properties were built, Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.

The federal government's own National Housing Supply and Affordability Council is also concerned, last month predicting just 938,000 new dwellings would be built in the five years to June 2029.

That's 21.8 per cent below Labor's 1.2million target.

Seek senior economist Blair Chapman said high immigration was also limiting wages growth, with pay levels growing by just 3.4 per cent in the year to March.

'In some sectors, it's going to help alleviate some of that labour market tightness we're seeing with skilled workers coming in,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'Often, those occupations most in demand are able to get workers from overseas on approved visas so that does keep a cap on some of the biggest salary increases.'

In the year to April, 440,330 migrants moved to Australia on a permanent and long-term basis, new data released on Friday showed (pictured is Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

Wages growth has moderated despite unemployment remaining low at 4.1 per cent.

'There's not as much wage pressure coming from the labour market - the labour market tightness has eased,' he said.

But Mr Chapman said high immigration would do little to address labour shortages in construction, because of strict trade licensing rules.

'There are licensing requirements that prevent people coming straight into those roles,' he said.

High population growth has stopped Australia sinking into a recession but even so, the economy grew by just 1.3 per cent in the year to March - a level well below the long-term average of 3 per cent.

Gross domestic product per capita shrunk by 0.2 per cent in the March quarter.

Australia is in danger of sinking into a per capita recession again, that had persisted from the March quarter of 2023 to the September quarter of 2024 - marking the worst output crisis since the early 1980s.

Average output for every Australian went backwards when GDP was adjusted for population growth.
A third Australian man has been arrested in Bali for an alleged drug offence in as many weeks after he was seized during a traffic stop following a night of partying.

Philip James Nelson, 33, was arrested after allegedly being caught driving a scooter without a helmet on in North Kuta, Bali on Wednesday afternoon.

Bali police allege he was caught with 0.85g of cocaine and 0.53g of MDMA, which they claim fell from his pocket during the incident.

Nelson, who had been living in a villa in the seaside village of Perenan, is alleged to have told authorities he found the drugs in a night club the evening prior to his arrest.

Police immediately detained Nelson and took him to Badung Police Station where officials will have up to six days to name him as a suspect for a drug offence.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about Nelson's arrest.

He is the third Australian man to be arrested in as many weeks on suspicion of drug-related offending.

On May 29, Queensland man Puridas Robinson, 40, was detained after police allegedly found a stash of marijuana at his West Denpasar villa.

Philip James Nelson, 33, was allegedly found in possession of drugs after being stopped by authorities while driving a scooter without a helmet in North Kuta on Wednesday afternoon

The 33-year-old is understood to have told Balinese officials he found the drugs at a night club the evening prior to his arrest (stock)

Nelson's arrest in North Kuta came within weeks of the arrests of two other Australian men also on allegations of drug offences

Like MDMA and cocaine, marijuana is a Class 1 drug in Indonesia.

His arrest comes after the arrest of Harsh Vardhan Nowlakha at Bali Airport in May when Nowlakha arrived from Los Angeles allegedly carrying 600g of marijuana.

Nowlakha allegedly told investigators that he brought the drugs for Robinson and police followed him to Robinson's address where they searched the property.

Robinson denied that he ordered the drugs.

The head of the drugs eradication unit at Bali Branch National Narcotic Agency, Senior Commander Made Sinar Subawa, told Daily Mail Australia Robinson would not be charged with trafficking.

Instead, he may be charged with drug possession which carries a maximum 12 year prison term.

It followed the arrest of fellow Aussie Lamar Ahchee, 43, on May 22 after allegedly smuggling 1.8kg of cocaine from the UK while living in Bali.

Ahchee has not yet been charged by officials but could face a potential death sentence if convicted of smuggling the cocaine worth an estimated $1.1million.

Nelson's arrest follows the earlier arrest of fellow Aussie Puridas Robinson (right) who was allegedly tipped off by Indian national Harsh Vardhan Nowlakha (left)

Lamar Ahchee (pictured) was detained in May after allegedly smuggling 1.8kg of cocaine into Bali from the UK

Following his arrest, Ahchee's family descended on the island where his sister Stephanie issued a message of thanks to Balinese officials.

'Our family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to the Indonesian authorities for their professionalism and impartiality in handling Lamars case,' she said.

'We are grateful for the fair and respectful treatment he has received from law enforcement and legal officials throughout this process.'

Ahchee's lawyer Edward Pangkahila told reporters his client firmly denied dealing drugs, but conceded he was a 'drug addict'.

'Lamar has been set up by someone called "Boss",' Mr Pangkahila said, referencing a stranger in England who allegedly sent the Lindt boxes.

'He was told to collect the package, but he actually didn't know what the package was. He thought it was a normal package.'
Iran launched more than 100 drones at Israel on Friday in retaliation for devastating airstrikes that killed top military officials and scientists while disrupting its nuclear program.

The retribution came just hours after 200 fighter jets attacked Iran in a 'preemptive strike' that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said was intended to prevent a 'nuclear holocaust.'

'In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats,' Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, the IDF spokesman, said in a statement.

The drones will take several hours to reach Israel and the IDF is working to shoot them down, Deffrin said.

The Jewish state launched an attack on Tehran in a huge strike early Friday with over 200 warplanes.

The US has distanced itself from the strikes and warned Iran not to attack US bases in the region in retaliation, telling Tehran it was not involved in the attacks.

It comes after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel will face 'severe punishment' over its attack on the country.

Khamenei issued a statement confirming top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country,' Khamenei said.

Iran has launched over 100 drones at Israel in retaliation for airstrikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program and killing several top military officials

A map of Iran's nuclear facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were the IDF's main targets

In doing so, he said Israel had revealed 'its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.'

'In the enemy's attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred. Their successors and colleagues will immediately continue their duties, God willing.

'With this crime, the Zionist regime has brought a bitter and painful fate upon itself, and it will certainly face it.'

Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed that several commanders and scientists were killed in the attack.

Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers,' Khamenei said.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quotes an anonymous official saying Iran will offer a 'decisive' response to Israel's attack.

Netanyahu said in a televised address that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat' of Iran's nuclear program.

'The Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,' Netanyahu said.

The Jewish state launched an attack on Tehran in a huge strike early Friday with over 200 warplanes

The IDF has launched preemptive strikes against Iran and a state of emergency has been declared in Israel , according to the country's Defense Minister Israel Katz

'Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal.'

Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

He alleged that Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called that an intolerable threat that must be stopped.

The prime minister later declared the strikes a success but warned more were coming: 'We are going to have many more achievements.'

People in Iran's capital, Tehran, heard another round of explosions Friday morning hours after the initial attack. It wasn't immediately clear if it was air defense systems going off or another attack.

The New York Times reported at least a half dozen military bases around Tehran residential homes used by military personnel were among the targets.

An Israeli defense official said the strikes likely killed members of Iran's general staff, including the chief of staff and several senior nuclear scientists.

Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, was one of the top officials killed, Iranian state television reported Friday. Bagheri is a former top commander within Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

The US has distanced itself from the strikes and warned Iran not to attack US bases in the region in retaliation, telling Tehran it was not involved in the attacks

Firemen work at an apartment building after it was hit in Tehran, Iran, early Friday

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.

The head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was also killed in the strikes, Iranian state television reported.

Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces and nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, were all killed as well.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the country's theocracy. It also controls Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel was preparing for a response by the Iranians after the strike.

'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,' Katz said in a statement.

Iranian state media outlet IRNA said repeated explosions could be heard in Tehran.

The attack set the headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Tehran ablaze, state television reported Friday. A reporter on air said he was unable to get closer due to the intensity of the fire.

A view of a damaged building on Farahzadi Boulevard in Tehran

Multiple sites in the capital have been hit in the attack, although the extent of strikes remains unclear.

Israel's defense minister has announced a 'special situation' in his country and said schools would stay shut on Friday.

The Tel Aviv Pride Parade, featuring guest of honor Caitlyn Jenner, has been canceled in anticipation of retaliatory attacks.

The country's military chief, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has warned Iran and its regional proxies against retaliating against Israel.

'I warn, anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price,' he says.

Emmanuel Fabian, military correspondent for Times of Israel, wrote on X: 'The IDF confirms it has launched an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear program. Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear program and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it says.

'The operation is dubbed 'Strength of a Lion.' The IDF says Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, and it needs to act against this 'imminent threat.''

Sirens were heard across Israel as a warning to be on the lookout for any possible response from Tehran.

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport was evacuated as all flights were canceled.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat' of Iran's nuclear program

The strikes come after it was yesterday revealed that Israel was planning an attack on Iran's nuclear sites within days after a UN watchdog said Tehran has breached its non-proliferation obligations.

Sources in the US revealed the possibility of an imminent attack, which a senior source in the Israeli prime minister's office did not confirm or deny.

But they did tell the Mail: 'President Trump said it best, 'Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon...' We agree. This is a global threat.'

The US announced it would evacuate personnel from the region amid concerns they could be targeted by Iran in reprisals.

But a United States official told CNN that there was no US involvement or assistance in the strikes carried out by Israel in Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a White House statement that American forces are not involved and warned Iran against coming after the United States.

'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' he said.

'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,' Rubio added.

A person reacts as residential buildings in Nobonyad Square are shown following the strikes

Multiple sites in the capital have been hit in the attack, although the extent of strikes remains unclear

Donald Trump spoke to Fox News as the strikes were beginning and said that the US was aware of the attack ahead of time but had zero involvement. He said he hoped Iran would return to the negotiating table.

Netanyahu addressed President Trump in his address to the nation shortly after the attack, saying: 'He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment program.

'Today, it is clear that Iran was just buying for time.'

Earlier this evening, he posted to Truth Social: 'We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.'

'They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon,' he added.

Israel's strikes come days before a sixth round of talks were planned between Iran and the US over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program this Sunday in Oman.

Trump's new administration has been seeking a deal that would halt Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Israel's National Security Cabinet had met throughout the night leading up to the attack in Iran, according to an Israeli official.

Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat' of Iran's nuclear program

The country has closed its airspace until further notice, according to the country's ministry of transportation.

The New York Times reported an Iranian source saying Tehran has an immediate counter-attack plan in place if Israel strikes.

The response is set to be of a similar scope to the attack it launched in October last year, when Iran fired more than 200 drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel to overload air-defense systems, sending the entire population into bomb shelters.

Most missiles were shot down or intercepted, causing limited damage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

Iran failed to provide the watchdog with credible explanations as to how uranium was detected at undeclared sites, despite the agency having investigated the matter for years.

Nineteen of the 35 countries on the board of the IAEA voted for the motion to declare the breach.

The motion was submitted by the 'Quad' of nations  the US, UK, France and Germany  who said 'states will be held to account if they do not live up to their obligations'

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Chief Hossein Salami (pictured left) and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (pictured right) were both killed in the strike

Sources in the US revealed the possibility of an imminent attack, which a senior source in the Israeli prime minister's office did not confirm or deny

Iran says the decision was 'political' and said they would respond by setting up a new uranium enrichment facility.

It follows a report from the IAEA last week which criticized Iran's 'general lack of co-operation' and said it had enough enriched uranium to potentially make ten nuclear bombs.

US and Iranian officials will hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's accelerating uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday.

But Netanyahu's office said Wednesday's resolution 'proves that Israel was right all along'.

On Wednesday, Donald Trump said he feared Tehran would not agree to stop enriching uranium, a key American demand.

'They seem to be delaying. I'm less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them,' he said.

Netanyahu has long been a strident critic of Iran and has accused Tehran of secretly attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, something they deny.

'One way or the other, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,' he said in April.

Former prime minister Ehud Barak and former chief of the Mossad national intelligence agency Tamir Pardo claimed Netanyahu sought to bomb Iran in 2010 and 2011, but he was opposed by senior Israeli officials.
The Australian government has issued a chilling new warning for Aussies headed to Israel after it launched its raid on Iran and the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon.

In a statement published on Friday on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's (DFAT) Smart Traveller website, officials advised people to rethink their travel plans.

'Reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,' it warned.

Former Australian Ambassador to Israel, Liberal senator Dave Sharma backed the upgraded official warning in light of the latest attacks.

'Id urge all Australians to pay close attention and heed the updated travel advice,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

The updated travel alert follows the pre-emptive Israeli strike on Iran, targeting military and nuclear facilities, amid claims Iran was just days away from developing nuclear weapons.

Israel's military says it had killed three top Iranian military leaders in an overnight operation.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed retaliation, warning Israel it 'must expect severe punishment'.

The Smart Traveller warnings on Friday, following Israel's strike on Iran

In response, Israel has declared a national state of emergency.

Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Israeli citizens to brace for potential drone and missile attacks from Iran 'in the immediate future.'

Schools and most workplaces across Israel were ordered shut on Friday.

DFAT reiterated its advice on Friday afternoon.

'We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism,' the alert read.

'We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza and areas near the border with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem).

'If you're in Israel, you should reconsider whether you need to remain and, if not, depart when it's safe to do so.'

Smart Traveller also warned of ongoing threats, including missile and rocket fire in parts of Israel, and urged Australians not to travel to border areas with Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured) said Australia is 'alarmed' by the escalation

'In an attack or other armed conflict, you should take shelter, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media and public safety information updates through the National Emergency Portal (accessible in Israel only),' the alert said.

'Terror attacks can occur anywhere at any time, including by lone actors. Be alert to personal safety risks.

'There continues to be a high threat of military and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. The security situation could deteriorate quickly, with little or no notice.

'This has resulted and may continue to result in airspace closures, flight cancellations, diversions, and other travel disruptions.'

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for calm, over fears tensions will boil over.

'Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran,' Wong said.

'This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile.

'We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions. We all understand the need, the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program.

The aftermath of Israel's attack on Tehran on Friday morning

Israel said the strike was targeting military leaders and nuclear facilities

'It represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.'

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Michaelia Cash echoed Wong's comments, saying the Coalition was 'concerned'.

She urged all Australians in the region to follow official advice.

'We expect the Government to prioritise the safety of Australian personnel and their families,' Cash said.

Cash also called on Iran to stop funding terror groups.

'We also call on Iran to stop its sponsorship of terrorism, including backing Hamas and Hezbollah,' she said.

'Iran must also guarantee that it will not pursue or acquire nuclear weapons.'

Israel's ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, said the latest military action against Iran is aimed at halting the regime's advancing nuclear ambitions.

'A nuclear-armed Iran poses an existential threat to the State of Israel and a grave danger to regional and global stability,' Maimon said.

Israel's ambassador to Australia said the strike was to slow the Iranian regime's nuclear plans

Maimon warned that Iran's actions and intentions go far beyond its borders.

'The regime's expansionist ideology, its support for terrorist proxies across the Middle East and its growing arsenal of long-range missiles demand urgent action.'

Late Friday afternoon Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Deffrin revealed new details about the attack.

He said that some 200 Israeli fighter jets had participated in the operation, striking around 100 targets.

Deffrin said the attacks would continue.
Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens.

Chaos has continued for fourth consecutive night across the region after the reported sexual assault in Ballymena sparked protests which descended into violence.

Police have not confirmed are yet to confirm the ethnicity of the two teenage boys arrested and charged with the attempted rape of a young girl.

But, the fact that they asked for a Romanian interpreter in court has cast suspicion on the town's long-established migrant community.

Terrified foreign nationals are now considering fleeing the province amid rioting in a bid to protect their families.

Maria, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said: 'Why do they attack us? What did we do?'

The tearful Romanian, 38, added: 'I don't want to run, cause I did nothing bad...

'[But] when I go in the street people are looking at us very bad... they blame me... When they say go home, I say, home is here for me.'

Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens

Properties in Ballymena with signs saying locals live here as violence has been directed towards migrant communities

Fireworks thrown at Riot Police illluminate the road during a thrid night of anti-immigration demonstrations in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on June 11, 2025

Missiles were also thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

Around 400 protestors are understood to have gathered in the County Armagh town where people were seen setting fires and causing damage to a derelict building.

Three teenagers also appeared in court yesterday in connection with recent riots.

Police and politicians have denounced the ongoing violence within the community, which has been dubbed 'racist thuggery'.

Northern Ireland's police chief said those being targeted 'are not criminals', noting their positive impact on society, describing them as 'valued members of society'.

However as tensions continue, in an unprecedented move, some households have begun to display British or Northern Irish flags in their windows.

Blanka Harnagea, who has lived with her family in the region for five years, said the flags served as a kind of 'protection' amid the unrest.

'We put (the flags) as a sign of peace... to say that we are not against them,' said the 38-year-old originally from the Czech Republic.

A person wears a Union Jack flag and stands near armed police in Portadown on Thursday

Michael Elliott, 18, appeared in court yesterday where he faced charges relating to the disorder in Ballymena

Ballymena in Northern Ireland has seen four nights of violence and rioting after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in Ballymena

The mother-of-five, who is considering leaving, said: 'We are a bit worried they keep going on because some people said that they are not gonna stop until everybody who is not from Ireland has left.'

Other houses displayed posters announcing 'Locals live Here' or 'Filipinos live here' and 'British household'.

A report by the Northern Ireland assembly published in February revealed only 3.4 percent of the province's 1.9 million people were from an ethnic minority.

It comes after a family of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Romanian teens pleaded with rioters in Ballymena to end the violence after nights of chaos.

Northern Ireland's police chief Jon Boutcher said the young girl had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting that has been witnessed since Monday.

Mr Boutcher, who met with the girl's family on Thursday, delivered a stark message to the rioters as he spoke to the media in Belfast following a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

He said that 80 officers from Scotland were due to arrive, as the town braced itself for a another night of rioting.

'Stop this violence,' Mr Boutcher said on Thursday: 'We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.

Fires have been seen burning in Portadown in the fourth night of violence

A resident clearing debris Portadown in County Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena

Police in Portadown in County Armagh this evening, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena

'I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers who've been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities.

'And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you.

'We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this - and we all know that in this room - but let's call an end to it now.

'This girl's family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please don't come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

Mr Boutcher added that he would 'always be concerned' the unrest would spread across towns in the region.

Tense scenes emerged in Portadown following the warning as masked individuals hurled masonry and other objects at riot police later into the night.

However, the unrest in Northern Ireland appeared of a lower intensity than scenes earlier in the week.

Some gatherings planned in other towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday.

Masked protestors add an item to a fire in a road during a thrid night of anti-immigration demonstrations on Wednesday

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaks to media following four nights of disorder in Ballymena

A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights.

Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early yesterday evening.

A judge previously warned that courts will deal 'robustly' with those involved in violence in Ballymena.

District Judge Nigel Broderick warned that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the town's magistrates' court on Thursday.

Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted in the County Antrim town on Monday.

The officer told the court that Elliott was arrested at 11.50pm on Tuesday night following an incident where a house on Bridge Street had been set on fire.

The detective constable said it was originally believed the occupants were still inside the property.

Elliott was detained after he was seen running from the scene, the court was told.

PSNI riot squad officers form a blockade on Harryville bridge in Ballymena to stop potential rioters from accessing the Clonavon terrace area

Coloured smoke billows as demonstrators gather in front of riot police vehicles

He was wearing gloves and a balaclava, the court heard.

During police interview he had made admissions to the offence of riotous assembly, the detective said.

He told cops he had become involved in the disorder because others were involved and blamed the situation on police.

The detective constable said there was 'strong public feeling' currently within Ballymena.

He said police believed it is important that courts send out a 'strong message'.

He said if the court did not, there was a risk of further disorder that could lead to 'death or serious injury' for foreign nationals living in Ballymena.

A defence solicitor said his client's involvement was limited to 'throwing stones'.

The district judge told Elliott he was a young man who now found himself in the dock in court.

He said the court would deal 'robustly' with those where there was evidence they were involved in the disorder.

The judge refused an application for bail.

Officers from the PSNI form a barricade with riot shields during a third night of disorder in Ballymena

He said: 'Your case should be an example to others who are considering getting involved in further public disorder.'

The judge said there was a high likelihood that those who were charged over rioting would be refused bail and would face a significant custodial sentence if convicted.

He remanded Elliott in custody until July 10.

A 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy also appeared in the dock charged with riotous assembly and criminal damage.

Both were rejected bail and remanded to appear at a youth court on June 18.

The riotous behaviour saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns.

Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers over the three nights of disorder over the course of this week.

Police responded with water cannons, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the town.

A person throws harmful objects at riot police vehicles in Ballymena on Wednesday night

Mr Boutcher said he had spoken to the family of the girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault

PSNI chief Mr Boutcher said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim.

However, he said the protest was subsequently 'hijacked' and turned into 'wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated'.

The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded 'properly' rather than 'disgracefully'.

However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: 'We've put our public order inquiry team together, we'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.'

The head officer described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday night.

He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong.

'They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated,' he said.

'They are valued members of society in Northern Ireland.

Distressing footage taken outside Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday night shows a group of hooded thugs torching the building, which is understood to have held Romanian immigrants

Police aim a water cannon at demonstrators as riots continue in Ballymena on Wednesday

'Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.'

Secretary of State Hilary Benn described the scenes as 'mindless racist thuggery' while Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a 'three-day festival of hate and destruction' which needs to stop before someone loses their life.

Thirty minutes from Ballymena, a leisure centre in Larne was subjected to arson after temporarily being used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in the town earlier in the week.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Mr Lyons should resign over his social media post while the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said he would refer the Communities Minister to the standards commission.

Mr Benn also asked the minister to 'reflect upon his words' and 'not upon his position'.

Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
An Air India flight was forced to make an emergency landing today after a bomb threat - less than 24 hours after the Ahmedabad air disaster.

Flight AI 379 was travelling from Thailand's Phuket to India's capital New Delhi but had to suddenly land again after an explosion warning, airport authorities said.

The plane took off, circled the west coast of the island and then landed again minutes later on the holiday island.

Passengers were evacuated from the plane in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said.

There were 156 passengers on the flight and the bomb threat was received on board the plane, it said in a statement.

It came after Air India's service from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed yesterday, killing more than 290 people.

Flight AI 379 took off from Phuket airport for the Indian capital at 9.30am local time on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back at the Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

AOT did not provide details on the bomb threat. So far no bomb has been found, MailOnline understands.

Air India flight AI171, bound for London carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed minutes after take-off in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad yesterday. There was just one survivor

Flight AI 379 was travelling from Thailand 's Phuket to India's capital New Delhi but had to suddenly land again after a bomb threat. The plane took off, circled the west coast of the island and then landed again

Indian airlines and airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, with nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages received in the first 10 months, nearly 10 times that of 2023.

On the ground in Ahmedabad, rescuers are scouring the wreckage for any possible survivors.

In what has been described as a miracle, Viswash Ramesh - seated in 11A by the exit - survived. His brother Ajay, in 11J, is believed to have died.

There were 53 British nationals on board as well as 159 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese citizens and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children, including two newborns.

The plane's captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of flying experience, desperately cried 'Maydayno thrust, losing power, unable to lift' before the aircraft went down and hit a residential property.

Footage appears to show Captain Sabharwal and his co-pilot Clive Kundar hopelessly trying to nudge up the nose of their sinking aircraft moments before the devastating impact.

Aviation experts said the Boeing 787 Dreamliner may have suddenly lost power 'at the most critical phase of flight' after takeoff.

The possible causes are believed to include a rapid change in wind or a bird strike leading to a double engine stall.

A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

Rescue team members work as smoke rises at the site in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

People look at the debris of an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad of India's Gujarat state

The number of fatalities is not yet known but rescuers said at least 30 bodies have so far been recovered from a building

Firefighters work at the site of the crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport

Officials from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau were at the scene to carry out an analysis of the wreckage and retrieve the stricken jet's black box.

Videos shared on social media showed the plane rapidly losing altitude - with its nose up - before it hit a building and erupted in a violent explosion.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik confirmed that one passenger somehow survived the crash.

'The police found one survivor in seat 11A. He has been taken to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment,' he told news agency ANI.

'As for the number of casualties, it's too early to confirm. The crash occurred in a residential area, so the death toll may rise.'

The Boeing jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat at around 1.40pm (0810 GMT), officials said.

Ahmedabad, the main city of India's Gujarat state, is home to around eight million people, and the busy airport is surrounded by densely packed residential areas.

'When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames,' resident Poonam Patni said.

'Our office is near the building where the plane crashed. We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames,' said one resident, who declined to be named.

Raxa Modha (left) was on the doomed flight so tragically died in the crash on Thursday

Akeel Nanawaba (left), 36, his wife Hannaa (right), 30, and their four-year-old daughter Sarah were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off. They also died in the tragedy

Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45, (right) and husband Fiongal, 39, lived in London, ran a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. They also died in the ill-fated flight

A view of the site where a plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the scenes from the crash were 'devastating', in a statement addressing passengers and their families 'at this deeply distressing time'.

The UK government said it was sending a team to support the investigation.

Boeing said it was 'working to gather more information' on the incident which a source close to the case said was the first crash for a 787 Dreamliner.

A police official who told the BBC on Thursday night that all the bodies and their remains had been removed from the site of the crash.

'It took hours to make sense of the chaos. And it's going to take many more hours to completely clear up the site,' he said.
Kemi Badenoch insisted Israel should be supported for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons today.

The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism.

While urging 'de-escalation', she swiped that the government should not be 'confused about whose side we're on', saying the regime developing such weapons of mass destruction would be 'catastrophic'.

The intervention came as Keir Starmer urged both sides to 'step back' following Israel's raids overnight. In a call with Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the PM backed Israel's 'right to self-defence' but said a 'diplomatic resolution, rather than military action was the way forward'.

Operation Rising Lion, involving more than 200 Israeli jets, targeted a nuclear facility in Natanz and the capital Tehran.

The US was told in advance that the attacks were coming, but the UK was not given any notice amid rising tensions with European powers over Gaza.

The US has stressed it was not involved in the strikes, but Donald Trump has said the regime must do a deal to avoid further action. Oil prices have surged on concerns about fresh turmoil.

There are claims Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response.

Israel launched attacks on Tehran early Friday with over 200 warplanes deployed

Kemi Badenoch insisted Israel should be 'supported' for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons today

The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism

The PM has urged both sides to 'step back' after Israel launched raids, insisting its regional rival cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons

Keir Starmer pleaded for calm after the strikes on Iran sparked fears over all-out war

Sir Keir said he would 'urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently'.

'Escalation serves no-one in the region,' he said.

'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.'

Asked whether Israel was justified in its action, the premier told Bloomberg News: 'I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing.

'It's obvious that for a long time we've had grave concerns about the nuclear programme that Iran is putting together and we absolutely recognise Israel's right to self-defence.'

The strikes appear to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who has postponed a trip to the US amid the crisis, said stability in the Middle East was 'vital' for global security.

'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X.

'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.'

But on a visit to Scotland today Mrs Badenoch said: 'Iran is an enemy of the UK we do not want Iran gaining nuclear weapons.

'If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that. That would be something I support.'

The Tory leader dismissed the idea that Israel's actions were an escalation.

'I do not understand why this would be seen as an escalation. If Iran is about to acquire nuclear weapons, that is the real escalation. I mean, that would be catastrophic,' she said.

She added: 'If Israel sees Iran getting nuclear weapons, I don't think it should sit back and put its feet up and say: 'Well, we're de-escalating'.

'Because the person, the country, that will escalate is Iran, and that would be absolutely disastrous for the entire world.'

Asked whether she thought the UK should be helping Israel to defend against Iranian retaliation, she said: 'I don't know why the Government has chosen not to be supportive.

'There will be security details that I'm not familiar with, but we have supported them before, in you know, defending themselves against strikes from Iran.

'But let's, let's just remember that Iran tried to carry out a terrorist attack on UK soil.

'This is not an area where we should be confused about whose side we're on, and we can't just assume that warm words are going to stop Iran from doing something that will destroy our way of life.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'.

In a clip posted on social media, Mr Netanyahu said that Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'.

A map of Iran's nuclear facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were the IDF's main targets

Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri.

Industry minister Sarah Jones told Sky News the UK Government is 'doing everything we can to urge restraint and to try and de-escalate the situation'.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted unilaterally.

In a post on X, Mr Rubio said 'we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region'.
Police detained two men they suspected were trying to steal a bicycle while unaware of being right next to the UK's highest security spy HQ.

The two men, said to be heading towards a supermarket to buy alcohol for a party, were detained by armed officers in Cheltenham.

The arrests came close to GCHQ's main British base dubbed 'The Doughnut'.

The ring-shaped headquarters is home to the nation's leading codebreakers and cyber-security analysts, surrounded by razor-wire fences, CCTV and guards.

One of the suspects has now told of being sent to a nearby Asda supermarket by fellow party-goers.

He described being nominated as the most sober of the group, before being detained.

He and a fellow suspect were caught after believing they could take a short cut through a car park, it has been reported.

Painter and decorator Terry White, 47, told the Sun: 'As I told the cops, all I wanted to do was buy a few cans.

Police have caught a couple accused of being drunk in a park and trying to steal a bicycle while unaware they were right next to the UK's highest security spy HQ in Cheltenham (pictured)

The ring-shaped headquarters is home to the nation's leading codebreakers and cyber-security analysts, surrounded by razor-wire fences, CCTV and guards

'It looked like a normal car park. There was a barrier, but it was raised and there were no warnings or signs.

'I'm born and bred in Cheltenham so I've always been aware of GCHQ. But I had no idea this car park was part of it.'

The father-of six added: 'When we got to the other end, I was confronted by a huge metal fence, about three metres high.

'We were thinking about climbing over it when suddenly a police car pulled up on the other side and an officer jumped out and shouted, "Stop there".

'It was a really scary experience and not one I would ever want to go through again.'

Gloucestershire Police have said two men were detained in a car park, with a bag of tools discovered close by last Friday at about 5pm.

The force said in a statement: 'It is believed they were attempting to steal a bike.

'The two men, who are both in their 40s and from Cheltenham, were arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal.

The arrests came close to GCHQ's British base dubbed 'The Doughnut' where analysts work

'They have been released on bail pending further inquiries.'

Cheltenham houses the government's top-secret intelligence, security and cyber agency GCHQ in the Benhall area of the town.

The HQ in Cheltenham is home to one of the three UK Intelligence and Security Agencies, along with MI5 and MI6.

Officials say GCHQ protects the UK and its citizens, keeps deployed forces safe and helps law enforcement agencies to prevent terrorist activity and serious and organised crime.

The agency aims at identifying cyber espionage activity targeting UK industry and individuals and gathers intelligence to better understand new and emerging threats.

It also strives to safeguard current systems, communications and electronic data, according to authorities.
Israel snubbed US president Donald Trump's plea not to strike Iran just hours after he said that an attack would 'blow' nuclear deal talks.

Overnight, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a series of 'pre-emptive' strikes across Iran targeting nuclear and military facilities.

Israel claims to have killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami, along with other top military figures and several nuclear scientists,.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response, and has reportedly launched a swarm of 100 drones in retaliation.

Just a few hours before Israel's massive strike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, Trump starkly warned Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation.

When asked at the White House about the possibility of a strike on Iran, Trump said: 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen.

'It's very simple - not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. We'll help them be successful. We'll trade with them, we'll do whatever's necessary.

Just a few hours before Israel's massive strike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, Donald Trump (pictured, left) starkly warned Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation

'I don't want [Israel] going in because I think that would blow it', Trump said last night at the White House

Fire fighters, rescue workers and security personnel work around a building that was hit by Israeli air strikes in central Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025

'I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close. As long as there is an agreement, I don't want [Israel] going in because I think that would blow it.

'There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said: "We've gotta tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don't want to be the one who didn't give them any warning."

'We've had very good discussions with Iran. Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you - but it'll happen soon.'

He admitted to Fox News today that he was made aware of Operation Rising Lion before it happened.

He added: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.

'We will see there are several people in leadership in Iran that will not be coming back.'

Since the strikes on Iran, the US has sought to distance itself from them.

Secretary of State Marko Rubio said that Israel had taken a 'unilateral action' and warned Iran not to retaliate against the US.

He said in a statement: 'We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

'Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.'

But in a speech following the attack, Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump for its involvement in nuclear talks with Iran, dragging the US into the conflict.

He said: 'Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the Great Satan.

Netanyahu claimed: 'Our action will help make the world a much safer place'

A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025

'This is why for decades, it's led millions in the chant: "Death to Israel and death to America.

'Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and a call of our own: Long live Israel and long live America!

'Our action will help make the world a much safer place', he claimed.

He added: 'I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme.

'He has made clear time and time again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme.'
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Israel launched an unprecedented offensive against arch foe Iran overnight using fighter jets and a secret drone base near Tehran to batter nuclear facilities, missile launch sites and decapitate military command, leaving the region teetering on the brink of all-out war.

Operation Rising Lion, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dubbed it, is the culmination of years of research and planning by Israel's military and Mossad intelligence agency to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

It also constitutes the greatest threat Iran has faced since its full-scale 1980s war with Iraq.

The assault began when attack drones emerged from a clandestine base constructed by Mossad agents on Iranian soil to destroy Tehran's surface-to-air and ballistic missile systems.

This daring covert mission, illustrated by incredible footage of the unmanned craft honing in on missile launchers, crippled Iran's air defences and allowed Israel's war planes to launch their attacks with impunity.

Netanyahu styled the shocking attacks as a 'pre-emptive strike' on Iran's fledgling nuclear programme, warning that intelligence suggested Tehran was 'approaching the point of no return' in its decades-long pursuit of a nuclear deterrence.

But the operation not only targeted dozens of military and nuclear installations, including Iran's prized Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (NEP) - it also eliminated the upper echelon of the Islamic Republic's military command structure.

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, Commander of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), Hossein Salami, IRGC Aerospace Forces commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh and Commander of Khatem al-Anbiya (Emergency Command), Khatem-Gulam Ali Rashid were all confirmed dead along with several other high-ranking figures.

A host of Iran's leading nuclear scientists including Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, project supervisor of the Islamic Republic's Amad plan to test nuclear weapons, and Fereydoon Abbasi, the former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, also perished in the attacks.

Tehran this morning announced Israel's actions amounted to a 'declaration of war' and told the UN it would respond 'decisively and proportionately'. It also called for the United Nations Security Council to convene an emergency meeting, which is set to take place later today.

Analysts warned Israel's attacks, which dealt a 'tactical loss and a profound strategic humiliation to Tehran', went far beyond the level necessary to cripple Iran's nuclear programme.

Around 200 US-made fighter jets were used in the attacks, dropping hundreds of munitions on more than 100 targets in an operation one expert said could be seen as an attempt to 'destabilise the regime'.

But Israeli officials have vowed the operation will continue for 'as long as it takes' to achieve their desired aims, raising the prospect of a full-scale war should Iran be forced to respond to further offensives.

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately vowed retribution, declaring that Israel would be met with a 'severe punishment', adding it had 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres'.

Around 100 Iranian drones were spotted soaring over Iraq toward Israel early this morning, but almost all projectiles were intercepted by Israeli and Jordanian air defence systems outside of Israeli territory.

This limited response is likely just the first phase in a longer and more coordinated approach from the Islamic Republic.

Lebanon's Hezbollah - long seen as the jewel in the crown of Iran's so-called 'Axis of Resistance' of proxy forces - warned Friday that Israel's strikes 'threaten to ignite the region' but said it had no immediate plans to retaliate.

That Hezbollah appears unwilling to fight back on Iran's behalf suggests that its capabilities have been heavily degraded by Israel's military operations on Iranian proxy forces following Hamas October 7, 2023 attacks.

Explosions rang out across Iran from around 3am local time as Israel said it sent some 200 warplanes to deliver their munitions. Attacks were reported at sites across Tehran as well as in cities and provinces known to host key nuclear facilities and military installations, including Isfahan - the location of the Natanz FEP - Tabriz, Kermanshah, Arak and Shiraz.

'The underground area of the (Natanz) site was damaged. This area contains a multi-storey enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure,' the Israeli military said in a statement.

'In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted,' it added. Tehran later confirmed nuclear facilities in Khondab and Khorramabad had also suffered strikes.

Meanwhile, scores of top Iranian military figures were killed along with several of the Islamic Republic's leading nuclear scientists.

Among the most significant deaths were those of General Mohammed Bagheri and Hossein Salami.

Bagheri was the highest-ranking officer in the Iranian armed forces and was responsible for overseeing the army, the Revolutionary Guards and Corps and the country's ballistic missile programme. In office since 2016, Bagheri worked directly under the authority of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - Iran's ultimate decision maker and the commander-in-chief of its armed forces.

Salami, the chief of the IRGC, was a 45-year veteran of the corps and had led the outfit since 2019.

The assassinations only intensify an already perilous security climate in the Middle East amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, the recent fall of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and ongoing attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Early this morning, Israel's military signalled it had completed its operation, but Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz quickly declared it would 'continue its activities to thwart the Iranian nuclear program and remove threats on the State of Israel', suggesting that subsequent strikes could be in the offing.

'The precise hit on the heads of the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian army and the nuclear scientists, who were all involved in promoting the plan to destroy Israel, is a strong and clear message - those who work to destroy Israel will be eliminated,' he said.

More explosions have since been reported at locations across Iran, including in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Iran's theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the 'brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.'

'I believe that the day of your liberation is near,' he said.

Attacks were reported at sites across Tehran as well as in cities and provinces known to host key nuclear facilities and military installations, including Isfahan - the location of the Natanz FEP - Tabriz, Kermanshah, Arak and Shiraz

Natanz nuclear fuel enrichment plant is seen trailing black smoke after Israeli airstrike

Debris and rubble are pictured at the scene of a building that was hit by an Israeli strike in Tehran on June 13, 2025

The Mossad spy agency reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defences

Drone footage shows Mossad's operation targeting air defence and missile launchers

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025

People attend an anti-Israeli protest following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Chief Hossein Salami (pictured left) and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri (pictured right) were both killed in the strike

Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, said the scale of the attacks by Israel was unprecedented.

'The breadth and scale of these strikes  against senior Iranian officials in addition to nuclear sites  suggest this operation is intended to not just dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, but also cripple any potential military response and even to destabilise the regime.

'Targeting of the commander of the IRGC, the head of the conventional military and top advisers are all beyond what is necessary for a purely pre-emptive strike on the nuclear programme.

'Israel has once again demonstrated its considerable conventional military superiority, and the size of the force allegedly assembled for this series of attacks represents the overwhelming bulk of its longer-range strike aircraft.'

Israel's stunning offensive came just hours after US President Donald Trump urged Netanyahu not to interfere with Iran.

The Trump administration was engaged in negotiations to steer Tehran away from nuclear weapons development in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions, but talks had seemingly hit a stalemate.

Earlier this week the US was forced to evacuate staff from its embassy in Iraq amid rumblings that Israel was considering an attack on the country's neighbour.

When asked at the White House yesterday about the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran, Trump warned an attack at this stage of negotiations could cause a 'massive conflict'.

'It's very simple - not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. We'll help them be successful. We'll trade with them, we'll do whatever's necessary,' he said.

'I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close. As long as there is an agreement, I don't want [Israel] going in because I think that would blow it.

'There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said: 'We've gotta tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don't want to be the one who didn't give them any warning.'

Washington sought to distance itself from the attacks this morning, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisting that Israel had taken 'unilateral' action against Iran.

'We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' he said in a statement. 'Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.'

But analysts said it was unlikely that Israel would have conducted attacks of this magnitude without consulting Washington, while Netanyahu delivered a speech that sought to paint Israel and the US as twin targets of Khamenei's regime.

'Remember, Iran calls Israel the Small Satan. It calls America the Great Satan. This is why for decades, it's led millions in the chant 'Death to Israel and death to America', Netanyahu drawled.

'Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and a call of our own: Long live Israel and long live America! Our action will help make the world a much safer place'.

He added: 'I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme.'

Trump later declared in a post on his Truth Social platform that 'the next already planned attacks' would be 'even more brutal' and urged Iran to make a deal 'before there is nothing left'.

'I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal... No matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told.'

Trump added in separate comments that the United States will defend itself, and Israel, if Iran retaliates. He is also set to hold a meeting with the National Security Council later this morning.

RUSI's Matthew Savill told MailOnline Iran could seek to retaliate against US targets as well as Israeli ones.

'The Iranian response might be delayed or split into multiple phases, but their main weapon will be ballistic missiles, which have the best chance of inflicting damage on Israel, whereas drone and cruise missile attacks will face more extensive Israeli defences.

'Offensive cyber capabilities and terrorist attacks remain an option, but Iran's proxies are much diminished in the region.

'If Iran believes the US or others were involved, then regional targets include the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and air facilities in Qatar, though both would widen the conflict to drag in others.'

A damaged building that was hit by Israeli air strikes, north of Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025

An Iranian holds a poster of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) head Hossein Salami (C) who was killed in an Israeli airstrike

Iranians hold posters of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi (L), Fereidun Abbasi (C) and, IRGC general Gholam Ali Rashid (R) who were killed in Israeli airstrikes during a protest in Tehran

Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

According to an Israeli official, the Mossad built a secret explosive drone base in Iran for this morning's operation

A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025

A destroyed building is shown following a massive Israeli airstrike in the Kamranieh neighborhood on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025

Just a few hours before Israel's massive strike on Iran's nuclear and military facilities, Donald Trump (pictured, left) starkly warned Benjamin Netanyahu not to interfere with the nation

In a post on his Truth Social platform that 'the next already planned attacks' would be 'even more brutal' and urged Iran to make a deal 'before there is nothing left'

The full list of targets struck by Israel is yet to be confirmed, but a slew of nuclear facilities, military bases, airports and missile launch complexes have been destroyed or damaged, along with a significant portion of Tehran's air defence assets.

Who were Iran's top military chiefs killed in overnight strikes? Mohammad Bagheri Bagheri was the highest-ranking officer in the Iranian armed forces and was responsible for overseeing the army, the Revolutionary Guards and Corps and the country's ballistic missile programme. In office since 2016, Bagheri worked directly under the authority of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - Iran's ultimate decision maker and the commander-in-chief of its armed forces. As second in command, Bagheri held wide-ranging authority over much of Iran's military formations and appeared regularly on television in uniform - including notably at the inauguration of underground military bases. He also played a key role in developing Iran's ballistic missile programme. The arsenal, originally developed to compensate for Iran's weak air force during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, significantly increased its range and precision over the years. Israel has long viewed these capabilities as an existential threat from its sworn enemy and has twice been targeted by massive barrages fired by Iran at its territory. The general was placed under US sanctions during President Donald Trump's first term and later sanctioned by the European Union following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Hossein Salami Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami was a veteran officer close to supreme leader Khamenei and known for his tirades against Israel and its US ally. 'If you make the slightest mistake, we will open the gates of hell for you,' the white-bearded general warned Tehran's arch foes during a tour of an underground missile base in January. Born in 1960 in central Iran, Salami joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1980 at the start of the war launched by then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. He spent most of his career in the Guards, which was set up after the 1979 overthrow of the Western-backed shah to defend the goals of the Islamic revolution. The force is now 125,000-strong grouping, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, although Iran has never released any official figure. Salami rose through the ranks to become head of the Guards' air force division and was placed on Washington's sanctions blacklist. He served as the corps' deputy commander for nine years before being promoted to the top job in 2019 as part of a major reshuffle. Advertisement

Iran's known enrichment and centrifuge production facilities are mostly kept underground away from prying eyes.

Natanz FEP, one of Iran's prized nuclear facilities, is located in Isfahan province south of Tehran.

Iran had previously cited the 'possibility' of an air attack from Israel in its decision to shelter the site with some 22 metres of earth, on top of 12 metres of reinforced concrete.

But Israel's bunker-busting bombs appeared to have penetrated these defences.

Iran admitted that Israel's operation had 'damaged several parts of the facility', though it declined to give further information.

Satellite images that emerged this morning appeared to show a trail of black smoke emanating from the facility.

The UN's nuclear watchdog (IAEA) confirmed Natanz had been hit but said there appeared to be no sign of radioactive or chemical contamination.

It appears that Israel chose not to target Fordow - Iran's second major enrichment plant after Natanz - which is believed to have been constructed even deeper underground at some 80-90 metres.

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful, but Israeli and US analysts said that the secrecy surrounding Fordow's operations, and its proximity to a military base, suggest it could be used to produce weapons-grade uranium.

In October last year, the Air Force attacked a military facility at Parchin (about 30km southeast of Tehran), which is reportedly linked to the Khojir missile production complex.

Israel confirmed today that the Parchin facility was targeted again in this morning's strikes, along with a military airbase in Tabriz.

The Bakhtaran Missile Base in Kermanshah, a site the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) global security organisation assesses to be a 'potential launching point for ballistic missiles against Israel, the Gulf States and Europe', is likely to have been targeted.

The base houses an underground facility, two munitions storage areas, and missile launch pads.

Other likely targets include the Imam Ali missile base further south, which houses underground silos believed to be capable of launching Shahab-3 missiles.

That missile has a range of about 1,250 miles, which could put Israel and US bases in the Gulf within reach, according to officials in Tehran.

Further south still, a missile production facility in Shiraz is believed to be used to produce fuel and components for Shahab-1/Scud-B missiles, and to conduct research and development.

Production facilities might not pose as immediate a threat as operational military bases, but are desirable targets for an air force looking to cripple functionality.

International Affairs lecturer at University of St. Gallen and expert on Middle Eastern politics Dr. Andreas Bohm told MailOnline: 'Israel's fresh strike on Iran has exposed just how fragile Tehran's regional influence has become.

'When Yahya Sinwar gave the order to attack on the morning of October 7, 2023, his goal was to ignite a regional upheaval. In a way, he succeeded - but with consequences entirely opposite to what he intended. Hamas is finished, the so-called 'axis of resistance' lies in ruins, and Iran is weaker than at any point since the revolution.

'The Israeli strikes have ruthlessly exposed the vulnerabilities of the Iranian regime. Years of systematic infiltration by Israeli intelligence have exposed its inner workings. Mossad even operated freely on Iranian soil.'

Dr Burcu Ozcelik, Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security at RUSI, said: 'For Tehran, this is not only a tactical loss but a profound strategic humiliation. The decapitation of senior command is expected to disrupt Iran's decision-making architecture at a critical moment, complicating any coordinated retaliatory response.

'What comes next may define the regional security order for years to come and the risk of regional escalation remains high.'

A view of a damaged vehicle in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an attack on June 13

Onlookers gather in front of a building targeted by an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025

World leaders urgently called for restraint amid fears Israel's operation could trigger a regional war, while Iran's neighbour Iraq filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, alleging Israel violated its airspace to conduct the strikes.

'These practices constitute a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty,' the ministry said, calling on 'the Security Council to assume its responsibilities' and act to 'prevent the recurrence of such violations'.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the British Government urged 'all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently' after Israeli strikes on Iran, adding that 'now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy'.

Starmer has said stability in the Middle East 'must be the priority'. Reports have suggested Britain will not protect Israel in the event of an Iranian retaliation, having recently sanctioned key Israeli officials and scaled back arms exports over the war in Gaza.

Sir Keir's sentiments were echoed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who said stability in the Middle East was 'vital' for global security.

'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X.

'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.'

Regional states roundly condemned Israel's actions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Israel was seeking to drag the world into 'disaster.

'The international community must put an end to Israeli banditry that targets global and regional stability,' he said.

Jordan's state media says the country's foreign minister has discussed Israel's strikes on Iran with his Egyptian counterpart, and warned that the attack pushes the region into more tension and conflict.

Jordan News Agency said the ministers called the strikes a 'dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law.'

Egypt and Jordan are among Arab countries that signed peace treaties with Israel and have normal relations with it.

Qatar's Prime Minister declared that Israel's 'absurd actions' continue to 'destroy prospects for peace' and put global security in 'imminent danger', while Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said: 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions... which constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms.'

Meanwhile, Europe's leading powers appeared divided.

France urged restraint on all sides, with foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot writing on X: 'We call on all sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation that could undermine regional stability'.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been among Netanyahu's harshest critics in recent months and declared the blockade of Gaza by the Israeli a 'disgrace'.

He is also said to be considering an open endorsement of recognition of an independent Palestinian state at a UN conference next week, a move that would enrage Israel.

But Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was informed about the attack by Benjamin Netanyahu and said in a statement that Israel has a right to defend itself and Iran should not develop nuclear weapons.

He later added that neither side should seek escalation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X: 'The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming.

'Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation. A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever.'

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement that 'diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation.'

China said it is ready to play a 'constructive role' in easing tensions between Israel and Iran, but Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing was against what it described as 'violations of Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity'.
The sole survivor of yesterday's deadly Air India plane crash has shared his shocking account of the disaster and described how he 'jumped out' after the jet smashed into the ground.

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster, which killed all but one of the 242 passengers and crew on-board.

Mr Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, is being treated at a hospital in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who examined Mr Ramesh, told the Associated Press that he was disoriented with 'multiple injuries all over his body', but that he 'seems to be out of danger.'

Speaking to Indian broadcaster Doordarshan, Mr Ramesh recounted his horrific ordeal, and spoke of how he witnessed air hostesses and others die 'in front of my eyes'.

'I don't know how I came out of it alive', he said from his hospital bed.

'For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seatbelt and got out of there.'

His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground.

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday

The plane's sole survivor in hospital with a bloodied face and injuries after the tragic crash, which claimed the life of his younger brother

Astonishing footage showed the man walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

'The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building,' Mr Ramesh recounted.

'There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.'

'The door must've broken on impact,' he said.

'There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I don't know how.'

When the plane hit the ground yesterday, seat 11A, where Mr Ramesh was sat, collapsed into the ground floor of the building, instead of the upper levels where the jet's main body was badly destroyed.

Mr Ramesh also described how just moments after take off, it 'felt like the plane had got stuck.'

He recalled how the pilots tried to raise the jet, but it 'went full speed and crashed into the building'.

Mr Ramesh explained how the plane quickly caught fire following the crash, and said he burned his arm.

Astonishing footage taken near the crash site yesterday showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Mr Ramesh, whose brother was also on the flight and is presumed dead, described yesterday how he heard a 'a loud noise' before the plane crashed.

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

India's prime minister met the plane crash survivor on Friday, as well as those who were injured on the ground.

CCTV footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball

Parts of an Air India plane that crashed on Thursday are seen on top of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13

Rescuers work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site where an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, crashed during take-off from Ahmedabad

The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound plane that came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad

A relative of a victim of the Air India plane crash is comforted

Officials said most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition. Pictured: Relatives of victims, who died in the plane crash

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Photos show PM Narendra Modi leaning over an injured Mr Ramesh who is lying in a hospital bed as the pair have a conversation.

India's leader was also pictured visiting the site of the crash.

'We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words,' Modi said on social media after his visit.

'We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come.'

The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound plane that came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad.

Officials said most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

There was no news early Friday on the cause of the crash, or on efforts to retrieve the black boxes - the flight data and cockpit voice recorders - as authorities continued to search the crash site.

Chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building

Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025

The plane hit a building housing medical students and burst into flames, killing several college students on the ground.

Shocking images and videos showed how black smoke billowed from the site where the plane crashed near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city of more than five million and the capital of Gujarat.

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated a probe into the disaster in line with global protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a statement on social media.

A team from the United States is expected to arrive in India to help. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts.

Medics are conducting DNA tests to identify those killed, the national president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, Akshay Dongardiv, said.

Meanwhile, grieving families gathered outside the Civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Israel launched a blistering assault on Iran overnight, striking 100 targets including bombing Tehran's nuclear and military sites and killing senior military figures.

The strikes came as a shock to onlookers, who predicted a vague threat of kinetic military action would be enough to gain leverage in talks over a new nuclear accord.

But with startling efficiency, Israeli intelligence is said to have gone behind enemy lines to disable Iranian defences, clearing the way for the Israeli Air Force (IAF).

'Operation Rising Lion' is said to have been 'years' in the making, the culmination of careful research and planning by the military, Mossad and Israel's defence industries.

Israeli security sources have now revealed how commandos infiltrated Iran with 'special weapons' to knock out Tehran's defences as jets flew overhead.

Elite soldiers allegedly smuggled in precision-guided weapons systems near surface-to-air missile batteries to paralyse any Iranian response.

As some 200 fighter jets unleashed hell on the Natanz nuclear facility, pre-positioned weapons fired to disable Iran's protective shield.

Mossad had reportedly loaded cars with explosives across Iran, detonating to further hamper Iranian air defences.

And in a brazen stealth operation, Israeli intelligence was said to have set up a secret base of drones laden with explosives, tasked with striking defences near Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overnight strikes had struck at the 'heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme'.

They also killed Iran's highest ranking military officer, their armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq and raises the prospect of an all-out war.

Netanyahu said strikes would 'continue as many days as it takes', and secondary strikes were reported in Shiraz, Kermanshah and Tabriz today.

Experts believe that Israel has the appetite and capacity for more strikes - and have said 'what comes next may define the regional security order for years to come'.

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Video shared by the agency today showed what appeared to be special forces dressed entirely in black and equipped with night vision goggles in a remote, undisclosed location

Drone footage shows Mossad's operation targeting air defence and missile launchers

The Mossad spy agency reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defences

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025

How Israel paralysed Iranian defences

The operation, code-named 'Rising Lion', was years in the making, a senior Israeli security source told Israel National News.

To bring it together, Israel's military - the IDF - worked closely with Mossad and Israel's defence industries to coordinate simultaneous strikes with the attacks on defence infrastructure.

Mossad commandos are understood to have worked behind enemy lines in central Iran to topple surface-to-air missile batteries threatening the Israeli strikes.

Video shared by the agency today showed what appeared to be special forces dressed entirely in black and equipped with night vision goggles in a remote, undisclosed location.

Israel's defence sector was said to have also offered advanced technologies to help carry out the sabotage missions.

Explosives concealed in civilian vehicles across Iran detonated overnight, degrading Iran's air defences as explosive drones targeted surface-to-surface defences.

The secret base of drones, set up in the centre of Iran, was able to cripple missile launchers at the extensive Esfajabad base near the capital.

Video shared by Mossad purported to show drones targeting vehicles inside the complex. One clip showed what appeared to be a drone closing in on what appeared to be a mobile launcher.

Footage shared later by the IAF was said to show aerial strikes on ballistic missiles 'aimed at the state of Israel' in Iran, location unknown. The military said it had carried out a large-scale strike against Iran's air defences, destroying 'dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers'.

According to the IDF, the jets dropped more than 330 'various munitions' in the first wave.

Explosions were soon reported in cities including Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Kermanshah.

Supreme leader Ali Khamenei accused Israel of targeting residential areas. State media said residential buildings in Tehran were hit as well, killing a number of civilians including women and children.

Strikes also rocked the nuclear facilities in Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad.

An Israeli military official said the strikes had achieved a great deal but assessments were continuing and Israel was prepared to keep the operation going for days. Among the targets were ballistic missiles pointed towards Israel, they added.

Vehicles appear to be targeted by drones in clips shared since the attacks

Video appears to show attacks on military equipment in Iran overnight

The operation, codenamed 'Rising Lion', was years in the making, a senior Israeli security source said

Smoke and flames rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Piranshahrm, on June 13, 2025

People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

How Israel crippled Iran's nuclear infrastructure

Iran had long prepared for possible strikes on Natanz. It had cited the possibility of an air attack in its decision to shelter the site with some 22 metres of earth and 2.5 metres of concrete.

Another 12 metres of reinforced concrete shielded the facility from attack, though Israel had already proven the devastating effect of its 'bunker buster' bombs in Gaza and Lebanon.

In 2023, satellite imagery appeared to show a new construction underway to the south, which experts said would be so deep underground that US weapons likely could not reach it.

But the Israeli military said that its overnight strikes had penetrated through to the facility's underground uranium enrichment centrifuges.

'The underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-storey enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure,' the military said in a statement.

'In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted,' it added.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Natanz had sustained damage but no casualties had been reported. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, citing information provided by Iranian authorities.

Darya Dolzikova, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, assessed: 'Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear programme do not look to have been simply a signalling exercise or as a way of generating additional leverage US-Iran negotiations.

'Their targeting of Iran's main enrichment facility and a number of senior Iranian scientists suggests an intent to inflict serious damage on the programme and to roll back Iran's ability to push towards weaponisation.

'It is too early to tell to what extent Israel may have succeeded in that.'

Notably, she said, Iran appears not to have targeted the main enrichment facility at Fordow - nor a number of other key facilities across the country. Fordow is believed to be built between 80 and 90 metres underground.

Israel did attack the Parachin military base, about 30km southeast of Tehran, which it also struck in October. The site had once held weapons-relevant research and may or may not have still be operational.

Dr Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor of Defence Studies at King's College London, told MailOnline: 'These strikes can set the nuclear program back years but will not ultimately destroy it.

'This is a very different scenario from Operation Opera when Israel destroyed an Iraqi reactor in 1981. The Iranian program is more resilient, and it will require the Israelis to keep striking targets continuously for days.

'Iran's air defences are all but destroyed and Israel has nearly complete control of the air, which makes these continuous sorties possible. The greatest concern for Israel will be the retaliation from Iran.'

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facilities before strikes

A view shows Natanz after the Israeli airstrikes overnight

Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran, Monday April, 9, 2007

How Israel toppled Iran's military leadership

Beyond hitting nuclear targets, the strikes also managed to cripple the Iranian military's top brass.

Strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, Mohammad Bagheri, and IRGC chief, Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei today named General Ahmad Vahidi as the new commander of the Revolutionary Guards, succeeding Salami.

Amichai Stein, a reporter for Israeli outlet i24 News, said that the majority of the senior leadership of the IRGC's air force had been killed at a meeting at an underground headquarters.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed today that its aerospace commander, Major General Amirali Hajizadeh, had also been killed in the strike on their command centre.

And the Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks.

To coordinate the assassinations, the IDF and Mossad reportedly worked together to gather intelligence on senior defence officials and nuclear scientists.

Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at RUSI, said today that the breadth and scale of the strikes suggest the operation was intended not only to dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, but to also cripple any potential military response - and potentially even destabilise the regime.

'Israel has once again demonstrated its considerable conventional military superiority, and the size of the force allegedly assembled for this series of attacks represents the overwhelming bulk of their longer-range strike aircraft,' he assessed.

'Emerging reports about more unconventional activity by Mossad are a reminder of Israel's expertise in covert operations, its penetration of the Iranian security establishment and its agility in planning ahead with imaginative operations which can be executed at short-notice.'

Savill suggested that Israel would struggle to keep up extended strikes over such a distance - but 'for now, they certainly have the capacity to go again'.

Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri (right) with IRGC Hossein Salami (left), both reportedly killed in Israeli strikes overnight

Smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli strike in Tehran

Buildings in residential areas across Tehran are damaged following Israeli strikes

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Will Iran now be able to mount a response?

Dr Burcu Ozcelik, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Security, at the Royal United Services Institute, said the attack was unprecedented in scale.

'Pandora's box has been cast wide open with Israel's sweeping overnight air campaign against Iranian targetsan escalation that risks reshaping the strategic landscape of the Middle East.

'By targeting senior IRGC leadership and nuclear infrastructure deep inside Iranian territory, Israel has signalled a willingness to confront Tehran at a scale and depth previously unseen.'

'The sheer depth and precision of the strikesreaching into the heart of Tehran and eliminating key figures such as IRGC chief Major General Hossein Salamiunderscore the extent of Israeli intelligence penetration and the degraded state of Iran's air defence systems,' she said.

'For Tehran, this is not only a tactical loss but a profound strategic humiliation. The decapitation of senior command is expected to disrupt Iran's decision-making architecture at a critical moment, complicating (but not completely discounting) any coordinated retaliatory response.'

Iran promised a harsh response to a barrage that killed the heads of both its armed forces and the powerful Revolutionary Guards, and Israel said it was trying to intercept about 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation.

Speaking to Iran's Fars news agency, an Iranian security source denied that Tehran had launched drones towards Israel, but added that retaliatory strikes 'will take place in the near future'.

But Iran's capability to mount an effective response is unclear.

'What comes next may define the regional security order for years to come,' Ozcelik concluded.

Markets responded quickly to the news, anticipating that a protracted conflict would affect Iran's ability to produce oil - a lifeline for its staggered economy.

Oil prices surged 12 percent while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes.

Matthew Ryan, Head of Market Strategy at global financial services firm Ebury, said: 'Thus far, at least, Israel has not directly targeted Iran's oil supply, which appears to be unaffected.

'The big fear for investors is that an escalation to the tensions will not only raise the risk of a prolonged conflict, but it could disrupt Iranian oil production.'

Experts had warned before the attack that strikes on oil facilities would risk hurting the cause of popular unrest against the regime within Iran, and neither Israel nor the US would benefit from directly punishing struggling civilians unsympathetic to the government.

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The remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province on June 13, 2025

The remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel after it fell in Syria's southwestern Daraa province

Debris on cars in the Iranian capital of Tehran after the overnight strikes, on June 13

The clashes come against the backdrop of ongoing nuclear talks between the United States and Iran.

Officials told NBC before the attack that Israel had become more serious about striking as Washington and Tehran edged towards a deal that Israel found unpalatable.

On Thursday, the UN's nuclear watchdog announced that Iran has failed to meet its nuclear non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years, likely to agitate talks.

Iran had said in response it would open a new uranium enrichment facility 'in a secure location'.

Bracing for an attack, Tehran had warned that if talks do break down and 'a conflict is imposed upon us', they were prepared to target 'all US bases in the host countries'.

The overnight strikes were the first against Tehran since October 2024, when the Israeli Air Force carried out its largest attack on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War.

Military sites, a UAV factory and missile production facilities were all targeted in three successful waves of attacks, crippling the country's defense networks.

At the time, Israel avoided damaging Iranian oil infrastructure and nuclear facilities, targets then-US President Joe Biden had urged them to avoid.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted alone in its strikes overnight.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting U.S. demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, 'with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal'.

Iran said in a statement that Israel's 'cowardly' attack showed why Iran had to insist on enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power.

Iran is a signatory to the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel is not, and is believed to have the Middle East's sole nuclear arsenal.
A former air hostess was caught drunk at the wheel of her car at 2am after making a 'foolish' decision to drive home following a night drinking wine with friends.

Abigail Alty, from Southport, Merseyside, had stopped drinking for around two hours before getting behind the wheel of her Fiat 600 and said she thought she was in a fit state to drive.

The 31-year-old, who now works as a housing manager, had spent the evening of May 16 with friends when her work called with the opportunity to take up some unexpected overtime the following day.

After agreeing to take up the offer, Ms Alty remained with her friends into the early hours of the morning before taking to the roads and overtaking a police car.

Merseyside Police officers noticed that she was struggling to stay in the lane ahead before signalling her to pull over.

She was arrested after refusing to provide a breath sample, but a subsequent test showed Ms Alty was almost twice the alcohol limit after it revealed she had 68mg of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath.

Ms Alty appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court where she was fined 415, ordered to pay 166 in costs and surcharge and banned from driving for 17 months.

She was also offered a place on a drink-drive awareness course which if completed will reduce the ban by a quarter.

Abigail Alty (above) had stopped drinking for around two hours before getting behind the wheel of her Fiat 600 and said she thought she was in a fit state to drive

The 31-year-old had spent the evening of May 16 with friends when her work called with the opportunity to take up some unexpected overtime the following day

After agreeing to take up the offer, Ms Alty remained with her friends into the early hours of the morning before taking to the roads and overtaking a police car

Prosecuting, Andrew Page said: 'The matter goes back to May 17 of this year. PC Shearer was on duty at 1.50am on Liverpool Road, Crosby, going towards Crosby Village when he saw a vehicle behind him.

'It appeared to be quite close to his vehicle and he moved to the left to allow it to go past, this being the defendant's Fiat 600.

'The vehicle was observed to have poor lane discipline and crossed over the white central line. The officer caused it to stop on Moor Lane. He spoke with the driver who identified herself as Ms Alty.

'Due to a suspicion she may have been driving above the alcohol limit she was asked for a roadside sample of breath.

'She did not provide a roadside sample of breath so she was arrested and cautioned and taken to a police station where two samples of breath were provided. The defendant is a lady of good character, no matters being recorded against her.'

Merseyside Police officers noticed that Ms Alty was struggling to stay in the lane ahead before signalling her to pull over

A breath test showed Ms Alty was almost twice the alcohol limit after it revealed she had 68mg of alcohol in 100 mililitres of breath

Ms Alty's lawyer, Marcela Salter, said: 'She was with friends and she received a telephone call asking if she would do an extra shift the following day. She agreed and stopped drinking alcohol at that point.

'She remained with friends for approximately an hour-and-a-half to two hours before making the foolish decision to drive. She felt she was able to drive her motor vehicle.

'She accepts that she was followed by the officer and stopped. This was the first time she had ever come into contact with Merseyside Police in terms of any criminal involvement.

'She panicked and wished to make a call to her father and was then arrested for failure to provide a sample of breath at the roadside. Obviously at the police station she co-operated. She was just scared of what was going to happen.'

Ms Salter added: 'Ms Alty works full time as a housing manager. She earns 1,800 a month. She also does some voluntary work for the Samaritans and she is also registered care for her aunt.

Ms Alty appeared at Sefton Magistrates' Court where she was fined 415, ordered to pay 166 in costs and surcharge and banned from driving for 17 months

She was also offered a place on a drink-drive awareness course which if completed will reduce the ban by a quarter

'To some extent this is a very busy lady who does not frequent the court on a regular basis.

'This was a one off and I am sure that you will never see Ms Alty again. She is extremely remorseful and has found the whole experience embarrassing and difficult.'

Sentencing, Michael Readitt said: 'In relation to this matter we give you full credit which means that any sentence will be reduced by a third.

'We also have taken into account your previous good character and that you co-operated with the police on the day.'
Police will be forced to deprioritise crimes like shoplifting and mobile phone thefts as a result of Rachel Reeves' spending review, it's been claimed.

The Chancellor's plans for a 2.3 per cent rise in police spending between 2023-24 and 2028-29 has dismayed police leaders, who insist the funding will leave a 1.2 billion shortfall.

Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said the money would not be enough to cover existing staff costs and put Labour's pledge to recruit 13,000 extra neighbourhood police officers at risk.

He said budget shortfalls will require forces to make 'difficult choices' and some will 'struggle to make the numbers add up'.

Some have increasingly relied on borrowing, and the cost of debt is expected to rise by 49 per cent in the next three years.

Ms Reeves has denied police numbers will need to be reduced, telling LBC: 'I really don't accept there needs to be cuts.'

But now, a senior police force has spoken out to warn of the potential consequences for the enforcement of specific crimes.

Senior police figures have criticised Rachel Reeves' spending review for leaving forces short

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'Every force will be different but in some areas it might be mobile phone theft, in other areas it will mean less time and fewer people focusing on shoplifting. That equation will have to be different,' the source told The Times.

Shoplifting is at unprecedented levels across the UK, with 516,971 offences in England and Wales last year.

Meanwhile, there were 99,000 snatch thefts of personal items such as mobile phones and luxury goods, the highest figure in over 20 years.

The Metropolitan Police recently announced it will be closing its Royal Parks policing team and removing 371 officers working in schools.

Details of how much funding each of the 43 forces in England and Wales will get will be decided in December.

So far 3,000 of the 13,000 extra neighbourhood officers pledged by the Government have been recruited so far, but police leaders now doubt how the remainder will be paid for.

Gavin Stephens said local forces have had no capital investment for 10 years.

The main capital investment has gone to big projects at the centre,' he said.

'We know that to invest in the technology that they've needed, they've had to sell buildings, increase their borrowing costs. We see those rising.

'That's not an effective way of dealing with the problem, which is why we strongly encourage more capital investment into policing.

'We think investment in artificial intelligence and new technology will help us be more effective in keeping our communities safe.

'We know that if that doesn't change, then some forces will find it hard to make the numbers add up.'

Soma Deasley, known as 'Britain's worst shoplifter', was this week jailed for the third time this year after his latest stealing spree saw him convicted of 20 offences. He seen here attempting to steal wine and sweets from a OneStop in Peterborough

Deasley was loading his bag with goods from the convenience store when a knife fell out of his trousers

Mr Stephens said forces could need to cut back on tasks they carry out for other organisations, in the same way that they have already cut back on calls related to mental health.

'Policing is going to have to make some difficult choices as a consequence of this spending review,' he continued.

'Of course, at the top of our list, preventing crime, reducing crime, investigating crime, is always going to be the first thing that we do.

'But over the years, policing has attracted many tasks on behalf of other organisations that we will need to look very closely at, in the same way we've done with our response to mental health in recent years.

'So there are some tough choices ahead for forces.'

Details of how much funding each of the 43 forces in England and Wales will get will be decided in December.

So far 3,000 of the 13,000 extra neighbourhood officers pledged by the Government have been recruited so far, but police leaders now doubt how the remainder will be paid for.

One money-saving idea being put forward is a radical overhaul of the 43-force structure in England and Wales, to create fewer, larger forces.

Bridgerton actress Genievieve Chennour (pictured) recently fought off a robber in London

Dramatic footage shows prolific thief Zacariah Boulares creeping up behind the actress and stealing her phone

CCTV footage shows brave the moment Ms Chenneour fought back against the thug

'The last time we had a deliberate design of policing in England and Wales was in the early 1960s and for some time now, we've been advocating for significant change,' said Mr Stephens.

'There are forces that are finding it increasingly difficult to balance the budget, and we would say that more capable forces, bigger forces, are more likely to be financially sustainable in future.

'So we should look at all options to make sure that we can keep our community safe, not just from the threats that they face today, but the threats that we see coming down the track for the future.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This year, we gave the police 1.2 billion boost  including 200 million to put 3,000 neighbourhood officers in post by spring. And this week, the Chancellor built on this with a real-terms increase of 2.3% for policing.

'Funding allocations for individual police forces will be confirmed in the police settlement and we will continue to work with the police to make the best use of this funding to put more officers into our neighbourhoods and keep our streets safe to support delivery of our Plan for Change.'
Relatives of a British couple who died in the Air India crash alongside their two young children shared their heartbreak today - as they accused the Foreign Office of giving them 'no support'.

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171.

Zayn and Amani are believed to be the youngest named victims of the crash so far.

Mrs Ali Syed's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan, 45, broke down while confirming the children's names, and pleaded with officials to offer more support to the families of the 53 British citizens onboard the flight.

'They are so small, they are five and four. And it's just thinking how scared they must have been,' she told the Telegraph.

'We're not angry about the lack of answers [from UK government officials]  we understand that takes time.

'We're angry because no one has reached out to offer support or even ask if we need anything. These are British citizens.'

The Gatwick-bound plane carrying 242 passengers crashed just moments after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner careened back down to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST).

Terrifying CCTV footage shows the plane appear to lose control before it starts rapidly descending with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed. It plunges into the ground and explodes in a huge fireball, as a massive plume of black smoke is seen billowing out from crash site.

Aviation experts say that the aircraft may have suddenly lost power 'at the most critical phase of flight' after takeoff.

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171

Mr Ali Syed was a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel. He's pictured with his wife Mariam

A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed

The plane momentarily disappeared from view behind trees and buildings before a massive fireball erupted on the horizon in this horrifying clip

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All but one person aboard Air India Flight 171 are feared to have died in the tragedy.

Also among them were Akeel Nanawaba, Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sarah, 4, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, Raxa Modha, her grandson Rudra and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar and Ajaykumar Ramesh, the brother of the tragedy's only survivor.

An 'angel' NHS nurse was also named today as one of the passengers killed in the tragedy.

Renjitha Gopakumaran was returning to the UK after a holiday to see family in her home country when the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 crashed.

The nurse and mother was working at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, Hants, and is thought to have been in the UK for a year.

Her colleagues at the NHS hospital today said she was a 'beautiful lady' who showed her patients and co-workers 'so much love and care'.

Ms Gopakumaran, said to be in her 40s, 'had the biggest heart and brightest smile', one colleague said.

Others said it was 'tragic' to hear of her passing.

Ms Gopakumaran has two children in India and she had been in the UK completing her degree as part of a five

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, is also British and told the Hindustan Times he had lived in London for 20 years.

Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but he sadly perished in the fireball explosion.

Akeel Nanawaba, 36, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, 30, and their daughter Sarah, four, were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Dreamliner crashed.

Akeel Nanawaba (left), 36, his wife Hannaa (right), 30, and their four-year-old daughter Sarah were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off. They are also feared to have died in the crash

Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45, (right) and husband Fiongal, 39, live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. They are also believed to have been on the flight

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (pictured), who was seated in 11A, is British and told the Hindustan Times he had lived in London for 20 years

Pictured: Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar who accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but sadly perished in the fireball explosion

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner careened back down to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST)

The successful young couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester.

Their shocked business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people.'

Mr Nagori said he was too upset to find the words to describe their daughter Sarah who had spent time with her grandfather during the brief visit.

He said: 'They were here to celebrate a family festival and to spend some time with Akeel's father.

'Akeel was a really good man, I'm in shock, we were all having dinner together the night before.'

Mr Nagori was with hundreds of other relatives of crash victims waiting for updates at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

He founded recruitment company Iceberg Outsourcing Services with Mr Nanbawa, who was the managing director.

Hannaa, a trained midwife, was head of finance with a sister company called Rec2go Ltd, also based in Gloucester.

Recently widowed Raxa Modha, 55, her grandson two-year-old Rudra, and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar are all believed to have been onboard the ill-fated airliner.

Mrs Modha had been in India for some time fulfilling the dying wish of her ill husband Kishor who had wanted to live out his last days in his homeland.

Following his recent passing, the mother-of-three was returning with her family to their home in Northamptonshire when disaster struck.

In a twist of fate, Kishan Modha  the toddler's father and Raxa's son  had also been in India but was not on the flight as he was due to catch another tomorrow.

Speaking to MailOnline, a family friend said: 'It's incredibly sad, the whole family is already grieving Kishor's death.

Hannaa Vorajee, Akeel Nanawaba's wife. The successful couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester

Their shocked business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people' (Pictured: Akeel Nanawaba)

Raxa Modha (left) is also believed to have died in the tragedy yesterday

'Kishan fortunately was getting on another flight, but we don't know what has happened to the others.'

Neighbours at the family's detached home in Wellingborough said Mrs Modha is a 'lovely lady'.

They said she had been in India for an extended period to support her husband who was battling an illness.

The respected businessman, who launched a successful catering business after settling in the UK in 1989, died on April 26. The family were due to hold a service in his memory later this month.

In a memorial for him, the family said he was a 'cherished husband' to Raxa and 'proud grandfather to Rudra, who brought him immense joy'.

The mayor for Wellingborough, Raj Mishra offered his condolences to the family on a post on Facebook adding it was devastating for the local community.

'I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event,' he added.

Pictures have been published on local media of crew members who were on board the Air India flight

Air hostess Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was named by local media as being on board the ill-fated Flight 171

This is the first picture of First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mumbai, he was on the doomed Air India that crashed moments after take-off

Police said they had found a lone survivor who had been sitting in seat 11A when Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff in India

British celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband are also believed to have perished after they posted a haunting video of themselves at the airport waiting to board the Air India flight.

Mr Meek, 45, and husband Fiongal Greenlaw, 39, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday.

In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break.

In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?

Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.'

Fiongal than jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'

As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.'

The back of Air India flight 171 is pictured at the site after it crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad

A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

Mr Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum.

'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.

'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat.

'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.'

The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple.

He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.

In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey.

The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.

British father Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was filmed walking out from the rubble after some how miraculously surviving the catastrophic crash.

Family members of one of the crew members of Air India flight 171 mourn at their residence in Thoubal Mayai Leikai near Imphal - June 12, 2025

Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful.

He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.'

The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts.

This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk.

They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened.

'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.'

Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.'

According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness.

The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.'

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India

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Speaking to local media from the safety of a hospital bed, the passenger who was in seat 11A said: 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.'

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

Astonishing footage showed the passenger walking away from the scene with some visible injuries.

Vishwash, who was returning home to London after visiting family, sustained injuries to his chest, eyes and feet, he told the Hindustan Times.

The regional police chief said 'some locals would have also died', given that the plane smashed down into offices and accommodation for doctors close to a hospital.

So far, rescue teams supported by the military have recovered 204 bodies, with casualties from the plane and the area surrounding the crash.

The passengers included 159 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children, including two newborns.

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic plane crash in India  this is an unfolding situation, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern.

'FCDO staff are working urgently with local authorities in India and the UK to ensure families and friends are supported in the coming days, whether in the UK or in India.'
Experts have raised concerns about what might have caused the fatal Air India crash - including potential problems with the Boeing 787's wing flaps and landing gear.

Investigations are being stepped up following yesterday's tragedy that killed hundreds of people aboard the London Gatwick-bound aircraft - and the Dreamliner's wing flaps are coming under extra scrutiny as possibly to blame.

Experts viewing footage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 ahead of the crash have said its configuration on taking off from Ahmedabad airport in India 'doesn't look right'.

The Dreamliner plane was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 Britons - with none on board thought to have survived except one British national in seat 11A.

It has also been reported that an identical Boeing 787 made four emergency landings last month - an American Airlines plane with issues linked to its wing flaps not being properly deployed.

The aircraft is to have returned to Amsterdam not long after take-off toeards Philadelphia, before later aborted flights to Philadelphia from Dublin, Barcelona and Zurich, the Telegraph reported.

Meanwhile, one of the aircraft's black boxes has been recovered while the search for the other one is ongoing.

Ex-British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein, watching video of Air India's Flight 171 in yesterday's tragedy, suggested the plane 'clearly' had its landing gear down - saying that was 'not correct' and that 'it should have been up'.

A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed

The Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in Gujarat

Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025

He told Sky News: 'It's not immensely clear - but it does look like the aircraft didn't have its take-off flap setting.'

He described how the flaps must be set accurately to extend each wing's shape and generate further lift at lower speeds enabling take-off and follow-up climb.

Mr Rosenschein suggested the wing flaps issue 'could explain why the aircraft came down', with the plane then unable 'to maintain flight'.

He added: 'The video is not that clear, but it doesn't look right to me. The altitude of the aircraft isn't right either and the aircraft seems to be descending rather than climbing - it does look like it's an aerodynamic issue because of not having the right flaps setting on take-off.'

The Air India tragedy that saw a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummet into a residential neighborhood on Thursday continues to provoke speculation as to its cause.

Speculation has been rife that the plane was not correctly set up for takeoff - having not deployed its 'flaps', segments of the wing that are used to assist with lift.

Marco Chan, of Buckinghamshire New University, said the setting of the flaps was completely down to the pilot - with more flap increasing the surface area of the wing and helping with lift at lower speeds.

But if the plane is not travelling quickly enough, the wrong flap setting could actually work in reverse - and stall the plane. Footage appears to show the jet descending with its nose in the air, as if still trying to climb.

Debris is seen at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025

Civilians surround parts of the jet that seemingly smashed into a medical college canteen

Mr Chan said: 'Looking at the footage there are several experts suggesting the flaps aren't configured properly - it is hard to tell, but it could be a possibility.

'Every take-off is slightly different and you may have a different flap setting. It may not have been set properly. If that is the case, that is definitely human error. But we do have other procedures to ensure that doesn't happen.'

The plane had been en route to London Gatwick, having taken off shortly after 1pm local time, in fair flying conditions.

Air India received multiple safety concerns which has raised questions about its maintenance practices, it has now been claimed.

Sanat Kaul, former Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had written to the airline on several occasions to highlight safety and inspection issues.

Mr Kaul said: 'In this matter, the DGCA Director General of Civil Aviation is the regulator.

'It functions under the Ministry, but operates independently. DGCA had written to Air India several times, pointing out multiple issues, mainly regarding safety, things like improper inspections and other lapses.

'So the question now arises about the maintenance procedures followed by Air India.

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

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'There's also concern about what's called 'line maintenance', the checks conducted by inspectors before every flight. How thorough and effective those checks were is now under scrutiny.'

Air India has yet to respond to Mr Kaul's claims.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is considering grounding Air India's Boeing 787 fleet, the country's broadcaster NDTV reported.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said on Thursday: 'Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now we are doing.'

He visited the crash site on Friday morning but did not answer any questions from reporters, having previously expressing his 'deep sorrow' over the tragedy.

Mr Wilson also said that Air India's efforts were 'focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones'.

The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Video footage shows Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, talking to Mr Modi while lying on his hospital bed.

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site, showing part of its registration "VT-ANB", where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

Rescuers work at the site of a plane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025

The Air India flight crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport

Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed, and the first involving a 787.

Mr Ramesh told DD News, 'I still can't believe how I survived', as he spoke from his hospital bed on Friday.

The 40-year-old told the broadcaster the plane felt like it was 'stuck in the air' shortly after take-off before lights began flickering green and white - adding: 'It suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

He said: 'I still can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too.

'But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still can't believe how I survived.'

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircraft's emergency exits.

Addressing what happened before the incident, Mr Ramesh told the broadcaster: 'When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

Chunks of the Air India fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital

The plane's sole survivor in hospital with a bloodied face and injuries after the tragic crash, which claimed the life of his younger brother

Astonishing footage showed the man walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

'Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white.

'The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

He added: 'At first, I thought I was dead.

'Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

'I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.'

Commenting on his survival, Mr Ramesh said: 'I don't know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes.

'The air hostesses, and two people I saw near me. I walked out of the rubble.'

MailOnline has contacted Boeing and American Airlines for comment.
Israel attacked multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday as tensions reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs.

The attack came one day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors censured Iran for the first time in two decades for not working with its inspectors.

So, how close is Iran to developing a atomic weapon? Here, MailOnline takes a look at the country's nuclear program.

Where are Iran's nuclear facilities?

NATANZ

A complex at the heart of Iran's enrichment programme on a plain abutting mountains outside the Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Natanz houses facilities including two enrichment plants: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP).

An exiled Iranian opposition group revealed in 2002 that Iran was secretly building Natanz, igniting a diplomatic standoff between the West and Iran over its nuclear intentions that continues today.

The FEP was built for enrichment on a commercial scale, able to house 50,000 centrifuges. Around 16,000 centrifuges are currently installed there, roughly 13,000 of which are in operation, refining uranium to up to 5% purity.

Diplomats with knowledge of Natanz describe the FEP as being about three floors below ground. There has long been debate about how much damage Israeli airstrikes could do to it.

Israel attacked multiple Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday as tensions reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. Pictured: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Damage has been done to centrifuges at the FEP by other means, including an explosion and power cut in April 2021 that Iran said was an attack by Israel.

The above-ground PFEP houses only hundreds of centrifuges but Iran is enriching to up to 60% purity there.

FORDOW

On the opposite side of Qom, Fordow is an enrichment site dug into a mountain and therefore probably better protected from potential bombardment than the FEP.

The 2015 deal with major powers did not allow Iran to enrich at Fordow at all. It now has around 2,000 centrifuges operating there, most of them advanced IR-6 machines, of which up to 350 are enriching to up to 60%.

The United States, Britain and France announced in 2009 that Iran had been secretly building Fordow for years and had failed to inform the IAEA. U.S. President Barack Obama said then: "The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful programme."

ISFAHAN

Iran has a large nuclear technology centre on the outskirts of Isfahan, its second largest city.

It includes the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) and the uranium conversion facility (UCF) that can process uranium into the uranium hexafluoride that is fed into centrifuges.

Iran also stores enriched uranium at Isfahan, diplomats say.

There is equipment at Isfahan to make uranium metal, a process that is particularly proliferation-sensitive since it can be used to devise the core of a nuclear bomb.

The IAEA has said there are machines for making centrifuge parts at Isfahan, describing it in 2022 as a "new location".

KHONDAB

Iran has a partially built heavy-water research reactor originally called Arak and now Khondab. Heavy-water reactors pose a nuclear proliferation risk because they can easily produce plutonium which, like enriched uranium, can be used to make the core of an atom bomb.

Under the 2015 deal, construction was halted, the reactor's core was removed and filled with concrete to make it unusable. The reactor was to be redesigned "to minimise the production of plutonium and not to produce weapon-grade plutonium in normal operation". Iran has informed the IAEA that it plans to start operating the reactor in 2026.

TEHRAN RESEARCH CENTRE

Iran's nuclear research facilities in Tehran include a research reactor.

BUSHEHR

Iran's only operating nuclear power plant, on the Gulf coast, uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent, reducing the proliferation risk.

Does Iran have a nuclear weapons programme?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Pictured: General view of Isfahan (UCF) nuclear power plant (UCF), south of Tehran,

The attack came one day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors censured Iran for the first time in two decades for not working with its inspectors

The United States and the U.N. nuclear watchdog believe Iran had a coordinated, secret nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003.

The Islamic Republic denies ever having had one or planning to have one.

Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions under a 2015 deal with world powers.

That pact fell apart after Trump - then serving his first term as president - pulled the United States out of it in 2018 and Iran started abandoning the restrictions in the following year.

Is Iran Increasing Its Uranium Enrichment?

Iran ran has been expanding its uranium enrichment programme ever since the pact broke down, reducing the so-called 'breakout time' it would need to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb to days or little more than a week from at least a year under the 2015 deal.

Actually making a bomb with that material would take longer. How long is less clear and is the subject of debate.

Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, close to the 90% of weapons-grade, at two sites, and in theory it has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for six bombs, according to a yardstick of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. watchdog.

How close is Iran to having a nuclear weapon?

The attack came after the IAEA declared yesterday Iran was n breach of its nuclear obligations.

Rescuers work at the scene of a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025

A view of the reactor at Iran's nuclear power plant in Bushehr

Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country ad swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones.

Netanyahu claimed Iran had theoretically produced enough material for nine nuclear bombs, which posed a threat to Israel's 'very survival', he said.

What are Iran's main facilities for its nuclear programme?

Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel had targeted Natanz as part of its attack. Located 135 miles southeast of Tehran, it is the country's main enrichment site.

Part of the facility on Iran's Central Plateau is underground to defend against potential airstrikes. It operates multiple cascades, or groups of centrifuges working together to more quickly enrich uranium.

Fordo also hosts centrifuge cascades, but isn't as big a facility as Natanz. Buried under a mountain and protected by anti-aircraft batteries, Fordo appears designed to withstand airstrikes.

Its construction began at least in 2007, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, although Iran only informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog about the facility in 2009 after the U.S. and allied Western intelligence agencies became aware of its existence.

Iran's only commercial nuclear power plant is in Bushehr on the Persian Gulf.

Residential buildings in Nobonyad Square are shown following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran

A person reacts as residential buildings in Nobonyad Square are shown following Israeli airstrikes on June 13

People look over damage following Israeli airstrikes on June 13, 2025 in Tehran

Construction on the plant began under Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the mid-1970s. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the plant was repeatedly targeted in the Iran-Iraq war. Russia later completed construction of the facility.

Iran is building two other reactors like it at the site. Bushehr is fuelled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran, and is monitored by the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency.

Then there is the Arak heavy water reactor. Heavy water helps cool nuclear reactors, but it produces plutonium as a byproduct that can potentially be used in nuclear weapons.

That would provide Iran another path to the bomb beyond enriched uranium, should it choose to pursue the weapon. Iran had agreed under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to redesign the facility to relieve proliferation concerns.

Isfashan Nuclear Technology Centre employs thousands of nuclear scientists. It is also home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the country's atomic program.

The Tehran Research Reactor is at the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the civilian body overseeing the country's atomic program.

The U.S. actually provided Iran the reactor in 1967 as part of America's 'Atoms for Peace' program during the Cold War. It initially required highly enriched uranium but was later retrofitted to use low-enriched uranium over proliferation concerns.
A British tourist has been found dead on a beach in a famous Greek island resort town.

The 68-year-old man was tragically found dead on a beach in Lindos on the island of Rhodes on Thursday afternoon.

Local media reported that he had apparently gone for a swim, and lost consciousness before passing away.

Officers from the Central Port Authority of Rhodes rushed to the scene following reports of his body being found.

He was transferred to the island's Archangelos Health Center where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is set to be carried out to determine his exact cause of death.

MailOnline has contacted the UK's Foreign Office for comment.

It comes days after two British tourists were found in separate incidents on the Algarve.

One man, said to be 21, was discovered shortly before 7am in the party resort of Albufeira last Wednesday.

The 68-year-old man was tragically found dead on a beach in Lindos on the island of Rhodes on Thursday afternoon (File image of Lindos)

Local media reported that he had apparently gone for a swim, and lost consciousness before passing away (File image of Lindos)

The man, who was fully clothed and had all his belongings with him, according to police, was found at the bottom of the steps in an avenue called Avenida da Liberdade.

An autopsy has already taken place but the results have not been made public.

Portuguese police are understood to have ruled out any link to a crime and are said to be treating the death as a tragedy linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

It was not immediately clear today where the tourist, who is aged in his twenties, had been heading from and to and whether he was staying at a hotel in Albufeira.

No explanation has been given as to why he might have been naked, although police have not yet confirmed he had no clothes on.

His body was discovered just four hours before that of Scot Greg Monks, 38, from Glasgow, who disappeared in the same resort on a stag do the week prior.

He is thought to have jumped over a wall and fallen down a steep cliff after becoming disorientated as he tried to head back to his holiday hotel.

'He's [Mr Monks] another victim of the strip,' one local hotel worker told MailOnline this week.

'It encourages heavy drinking and drugs are too easily available, it's easy to lose control.

'Brits come on stag dos and buy drugs straight away, and have no idea what they are cut with, there are some really dangerous people here.'

There is no suggestion that Mr Monks had taken drugs on the night he disappeared.
Private school families have been dealt a devastating blow after they lost a High Court challenge to Labours VAT on fees.

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax declared 'incompatible' with human rights law.

However, in a decision handed down this morning, judges rejected all claims, despite agreeing with some of the arguments.

The controversial tax, pledged in Labours manifesto, came into force in January this year.

Three groups of families  most of whom are anonymous  joined private schools in bringing a legal challenge against the policy.

Their lawyers argued the tax is a breach of childrens right to an education under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The various families also said it was discriminatory  either because their child has special educational needs (SEN), has a preference for a religious education, or because they need an all-girls environment.

Private school families have been dealt a devastating blow after they lost a High Court challenge to Labour s VAT on fees (pictured: children protesting against the policy last month)

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax overturned  benefitting half a million pupils nationwide (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer)

In their judgement this morning, Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain agreed that the tax interfered with SEN children's human rights.

However, Parliament ultimately had the right make the decision, they concluded.

They said Parliament had a 'broad margin of discretion in deciding how to balance the interests of those adversely affected by the policy against the interests of others who may gain from public provision funded by the money it will raise'.

They added that 'the challenged legislation falls within that broad margin.

They also pointed out, more generally, that the EHCR does not 'impose any general obligation on the state not to hinder access to private education.'

At the opening of the court case in April, families of children with SEN from all over the country protested outside.

They said they have been forced to choose the private sector due to the state provision for SEN being so poor  but cannot afford the extra cost of the VAT.

During the case, lawyers argued that even a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) had said SEN provision in the state sector was not delivering for children and unsustainable.

And they pointed out Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson appeared to agree, saying in October that the report highlighted a broken system.

Government lawyers sparked outrage by trying to claim the NAO evidence was inadmissible.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, was criticised at the time for backing the Governments position.

In todays judgement, judges agreed the evidence amounted to proceedings in Parliament and therefore inadmissible.

However, the judges said it 'does not affect the outcome' of the case because most of the key facts in that report were now 'agreed' by both parties.

During one of the hearings, it was also revealed Labour had considered making an exemption for SEN children, but then decided it would not raise enough revenue.

In written submissions, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Government, said: Having considered 17,502 consultation responses, the Government rejected the exemptions because they were incompatible with the principles underpinning the policy, namely being revenue diminishing, unfair, unworkable and/or administratively onerous.

He said the central objectives in implementing the tax included raising additional tax revenue annually by 2029-2030 to invest in public services, including the state education system, and enhancing the fairness of the tax system overall.

The Prime Minister (pictured with Chancellor Rachel Reeves) previously provoked outrage after suggesting his housing pledge was made possible 'because' of VAT on school fees

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax overturned  benefitting half a million pupils nationwide (pictured: pupils protesting earlier this year)

And he added that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projected the measure will yield exchequer revenue of 1.5billion in 2025/26, rising to 1.7 billion per year by 2029/30.

There is already an exemption in place for SEN children who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which entitles them to a higher level of state-backed support.

However, only a small proportion are able to get an EHCP, leaving the vast majority of SEN families having to pay the tax.

In their decision today, the judges said they accepted that a 'significant number of the pupils with SEN but no EHCP who are displaced from private schools into the state sector will receive materially worse provision for their SEN than they do now.'

They added: 'In some cases, that provision is likely to be inadequate, at least in the immediate future.

Among the other claimants are Jewish pupils at specialist religious private schools who fear anti-Semitic attacks if they go into the state sector.

There is also a girl who had to attend a single-sex private school  the only all-girls school in her area  due to harassment by boys at her co-educational state school.

And there are also claimants using Christian private schools because they cannot obtain the same religious education in the state system.

One is Stephen White, who has chosen not to be anonymous, and whose eldest four children are at Bradford Christian School, a private Christian school in West Yorkshire.

At the opening of the court case in April, families of children with SEN from all over the country protested outside (pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson)

Ana Boulter (pictured in her YouTube video), a TV presenter whose daughter has SEN, said of the judgement: 'If we see this consistent dehumanisation of the vulnerable in society we are going to end this Parliament in a very sorry state.'

In April, he helped stage a protest outside the High Court to mark the opening of the case, joined by dozens of other parents from around the country not involved in the case.

This morning, the Christian Legal Centre, which supported his case, vowed to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents most private schools, said it would decide whether to appeal in considering its 'next steps'.

ISC chief executive Julie Robinson said: 'The ISC is carefully considering the courts judgment and next steps. Our focus remains on supporting schools, families and children.

'We will continue to work to ensure the Government is held to account over the negative impact this tax on education is having across independent and state schools.'

David Walker, director, Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), said: There are no winners here.

'It is unlikely VAT will raise the expected funds, given the drop in pupil numbers is already far higher than predicted, with boarding schools seeing a 4 per cent drop in pupil numbers over the last year.

'This means children and communities are suffering due to disrupted education or school closures.

'It is a particularly sad day for students with needs that cannot be met in the mainstream system.

'We urge the government to stop its assault on independent education, before more children are caught in the crosshairs.

It comes after the Prime Minister was criticised yesterday for appearing to suggest the money raised from the tax would now be spent on housing, not teachers (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer's post on X)

A spokesman for parent group Education Not Taxation said: While we are disappointed in the overall outcome of the challenge, we are grateful that the Court recognised that imposing VAT on school fees will have a disproportionately prejudicial effect on pupils with SEN but no EHCP, and therefore that the Governments measure discriminates against them.

As the Court found, the Governments education tax violates the human rights of these vulnerable children.

'Labour have consistently demanded respect for the European Convention of Human Rights and we expect them to think hard about what these senior judges have said  does their concern for human rights not extend to these rights for children as well?

'We urge the Government to reconsider its education tax.

'We look forward to meeting with ministers soon to reiterate the harms this is causing children and families and to discuss next steps.'

Ana Boulter, 49, a TV presenter whose 13-year-old daughter has dyslexia and autism and attends Stamford School in Lincolnshire, called on rebel Labour MPs to fight the tax.

In a video for YouTube, said: 'If we see this consistent dehumanisation of the vulnerable in society we are going to end this Parliament in a very sorry state.'

It comes after the Prime Minister was criticised yesterday for appearing to suggest the money raised from the tax would now be spent on housing, not teachers.

The Government has always maintained the tax is necessary to raise money for state schools  including providing 6,500 new teachers.

However, in an X post after Wednesdays Spending Review, Sir Keir appeared to suggest housing will now be the beneficiary.

He wrote: In the budget last year, my government made the tough but fair decision to apply VAT to private schools.

The Tories opposed it. Reform opposed it.

Today, because of that choice, we have announced the largest investment in affordable housing in a generation.

Replying, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: You said every penny would go into state schools... but now its housing?

In October 2024, the OBR estimated the new tax would lead to 35,000 fewer pupils in private schools.

A Government spokesman said: 'We welcome the courts decision, which confirms that the legislation is compatible with the Governments human rights obligations.

'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8 billion a year, helping to support public services including the 94 per cent of pupils who attend state schools.'

'The fees are crushing' - families devastated at challenge failing



Families of SEN children have spoken of their devastation at having to continue to pay VAT on private school fees after the challenge to Labour's tax raid failed.

One mother, Marie, who asked for her surname not to be printed, said the extra 8,000 a year she is paying due to the tax is crushing.

She and her husband have a son, 17, with SEN and a daughter, 15 - both coming up to crucial exam years.

They live in Gateshead, having moved to a smaller house from a more expensive area to fund private school fees after their son was failed by the state sector.

She said: 'We never thought we would go down the independent school route until our son was diagnosed with a severe visual disability.

'His state school did their best to help but staff had not been trained, and going forward, the resources were not there to provide what was necessary to support his essentially unrecognised disability.

Families of SEN children have spoken of their devastation at having to continue to pay VAT on private school fees after the challenge to Labour's tax raid failed (pictured: file photo)

'We moved our son at the end of Year 4 to an independent school because his learning was being affected.

'I had to draw money out of my pension and we moved to an area with cheaper housing.

'Despite the fact our daughter was happy where she was we moved her too.

'I had to look for a higher paid job and travel further for work so logistics meant we had to have them both in the same place with wrap around care.'

She said they are not stereotypically wealthy, driving 10-year old cars and living in a small house.

She said: 'It makes my blood boil to hear politicians accusing us of moving our so-called little Tarquin to the independent sector because we wanted him to ride ponies and have his grapes peeled.

'The reality is we did not move him to have the "best" - we moved him to get the basics.

'When we arrived at the independent school... the smaller class sizes of around 20 children allowed my son, and the other children they identified with a similar visual impairment, to get the attention they all needed.

'I have fought tooth and nail to get my son the education he needs.

'If we had chosen to spend our money on a bigger house, holidays or newer cars, nobody would bat an eye.

'But because we have been forced to spend it on education, we are vilified.'

Referencing the judgement, she said: 'The extra eight grand a year is really crushing us, but we are lucky our son is coming to the end of his school days.

'There is no way we could do this now if he was any younger.

'We will cling on by our fingertips until the kids have either left or are out of exam years.'

Marie was not involved in the case as a claimant.
Keir Starmer was 'kept in the dark' about Israel's audacious attack on Iran, amid growing tensions between London and Tel Aviv.

In a major diplomatic snub, insiders said Benjamin Netanyahu gave the Prime Minister no notice of his plan to mount bombing raids against Iran's nuclear facilities and military chiefs last night.

Reacting this morning, Sir Keir described reports of the bombing raids as 'concerning' and urged all parties in the region to 'step back and reduce tensions urgently'.

He added: 'Escalation serves no one in the region.

'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the Prime Minister no notice of his plan

Keir Starmer described reports of the bombing raids as 'concerning' and urged all parties in the region to 'step back and reduce tensions urgently'

Foreign Secretary David Lammy cancelled plans to travel to the US this morning in order to hold crisis talks in Whitehall.

Mr Lammy said: 'Stability in the Middle East is vital for global security.

'Im concerned to see reports of strikes overnight. Further escalation is a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and in no ones interest.

'This is a dangerous moment and I urge all parties to show restraint.'

Downing Street declined to comment on whether it was given advance notice of the raid. But one government insider claimed the PM was 'kept in the dark'.

The snub came despite the UK's role in helping defend Israel against attacks by Iran and its allies, such as the Houthi militia, in recent months.

It reflects growing Israeli anger over Labour's criticism of the country's military offensive in Gaza.

One diplomatic source said: 'The recent actions and rhetoric of the Labour Government have caused huge concern in Israel. People are questioning whether the UK is still an ally that can be relied on.'

Extensive damage is seen in the Iranian capital, Tehran, after Israel conducted strikes

People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes

The Israeli government has been infuriated by recent actions by the UK, which included restricting arms sales, breaking off trade talks and sanctioning two members of the Israeli cabinet.

But Sir Keir has described Israel's new military action in Israel - and the restrictions on food aid - as 'unacceptable'.

Labour MPs are piling on pressure to go further by halting all arms sales, boycotting Israeli goods and formally recognising the state of Palestine.

Despite the row, government sources played down reports that the UK would refuse to offer military assistance to Israel in defending itself against reprisals from Iran.
Beijing International Book Fair to showcase 220,000 books

Xinhua) 11:09, June 13, 2025

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming 31st Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) will gather over 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions to display approximately 220,000 Chinese and international books, the fair's organizers said at a press conference on Thursday.

The book fair will open on June 18 and run through June 22, with Malaysia as this year's guest country of honor.

It will have an exhibition space of 60,000 square meters. Nine countries are participating for the first time, including Chile, Cyprus and Belarus, and they will join leading publishers such as Elsevier, Penguin Random House and Springer Nature.

The event will introduce specialized sections such as world cultural heritage and books marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

It will also include activities such as an awards ceremony, forums on international publishing and children's books, and a copyright trade fair.

First held in 1986, the BIBF has evolved into a premier global platform for book exhibition and copyright trade.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A previously unpublished letter by Admiral Lord Nelson sent three days before the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged 220 years on.

The British naval hero is primed for action as he writes from on board HMS Victory that he 'hopes for a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon'.

He adds that he 'hopes the result will be for the general benefit of Europe and little England in particular'.

Nelson had his wish on October 21, 1805, masterminding his greatest triumph over the combined French and Spanish fleets.

But it would be his last stand as he was fatally shot by a French sniper after urging his men to 'do their duty'.

He died below deck on HMS Victory about three hours later having been told his fleet had been triumphant.

The three-page letter, signed Nelson & Bronte, was penned to Admiral Sir Thomas Foley, one of his 'Band of Brothers', from Victory on October 18, 1805.

It is one of the last letters he wrote as he put down his quill to get into battle-mode ahead of the epic sea confrontation.

A previously unpublished letter by Admiral Lord Nelson three days before the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged 220 years on

The British naval hero is primed for action as he writes to Admiral Sir Thomas Foley from on board HMS Victory that he 'hopes for a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon'

The letter has remained in the Foley family for over two centuries but is now tipped to sell for between 15,000 to 20,000 at London-based auctioneers Christie's.

In full: Nelson's letter to Admiral Sir Thomas Foley My Dear Foley, I received your kind letter of Sept 9th on the eve of my departure for Portsmouth and therefore I am sure you will have forgiven my not having answered it. You may rely that if it is in my power that your Nephew shall be promoted but at present I have such a load of Admiralty recommendations that I see no prospect even with this Large fleet of getting thro' them with[ou]t a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon and I hope that the result will be for the general benefit of Europe and little England in particular. We are in great hopes that Sir Rich[ar]d Strachan has finished the Career of the Rochford [squadron] we have reports that he either saw or knew of their exact position on the 10th. I wish Sir Rich[ar]d had a good three decker with him for in reality although success may attend a two decker yet I am bold to say that nothing less than a three decker is fit to go alongside one. Fremantle is now on board and desires to be kindly remembered as does Hardy and Revd Dr. Scott, our weather is delightful. I beg my respectful compliments to Lady Lucy I wish her Ladyship would produce you a Boy. When you see Ad[mira]l Gell I beg my remembrances and also to any other of our Welch friends, and Be assured that I am ever my Dear Foley most faithfully your Obliged friend Nelson & Bronte [Nelson was the Duke of Bronte] Advertisement

Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts at Christie's, said: 'The letter is apparently unpublished and according to our research is the latest letter by Nelson to have appeared at auction in recent decades.

'We know of one other letter he wrote on October 18 but from the day after he completely focused his attention on the upcoming battle.

'At the time he wrote it he would not have known he would be going into battle three days later, but the delightful weather he mentions is what encourages the French and Spanish fleets to leave Cadiz.

'The recipient was one of his 'Band of Brothers' and the content is extraordinary.'

Just before he left Portsmouth for Cadiz on September 18, Nelson received correspondence from Foley and the letter now for sale was the naval commander's reply.

Nelson wrote on October 18 off Cadiz: 'I see no prospect even with this Large fleet of getting thro' them with[ou]t a good battle which God of his infinite mercy grant us very soon and I hope that the result will be for the general benefit of Europe and little England in particular.'

He adds that 'our weather is delightful' which was prescient as the favourable conditions enticed the Franco-Spanish fleet out of the safety of Cadiz, prompting the battle.

He signs off by complimenting Sir Foley's wife and remarking 'I wish her Ladyship would produce you a Boy'.

Sir Foley had led the British attack in HMS Goliath at the Battle of the Nile and was Nelson's flag captain on board HMS Elephant at the Battle of Copenhagen.

The sale takes place on July 9.

It comes as the Union Jack flag that was flown at the front of HMS Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar goes on sale at a separate auction.

Sovereign, commanded by Admiral Collingwood, was first into action against the French and Spanish fleets as Lord Nelson watched on admiringly from HMS Victory.

A poignant first-hand account of Admiral Lord Nelson's death has come to light 219 years later, providing an alternative version of his famous last words

Nelson was shot and killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar. Above: Benjamin West's painting 'The Death of Nelson'

The British naval hero reputedly said: 'See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action.'

The 100-gun first rate ship cut the enemy line and engaged the Spanish three decker Santa Ana in a titanic duel.

Over the course of the battle 183ft-long Sovereign suffered huge damage, with most of her masts and rigging shot away.

The 5ft by 9ft flag, which until it was restored still had wood splinters in it, was salvaged from the vessel when the fighting ended.

It has been preserved for 220 years and is now being offered for sale by antique dealers Greens of Cheltenham.
The captain of the Air India plane that crashed with hundreds of people dead had made a heartbreaking vow to his elderly father just days before, it has been revealed.

The London Gatwick-bounded Dreamliner plane was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 Britons - with none on board thought to have survived except one UK national in seat 11A.

Among those believed to have died is Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot operating Air India flight AI171 - a Boeing 787 taking off from Ahmedabad in India.

Mr Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of experience, was named as the pilot of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mumbai and who was co-piloting, had logged 1,100 of flying hours and completed his training at the Florida-based Paris Air Flight School.

Cabin crew members Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam and Lamnunthem Singson were also revealed to have been onboard.

Senior members Shradha Dhavan and Aparna Mahadik, along with Saineeta Chakravarti, Deepak Pathak, Maithili Patil, Irfan Shaikh, Roshni Songhare Rajendra, and Manisha Thapa were also named among the crew.

Family members were seen braking down in tears as identities of those thought dead in Thursday's tragedy were shared.

Among those thought to have died in Thursday's crash is Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (pictured), pilot of Air India flight AI171 - a Boeing 787 Dreamliner taking off from Ahmedabad

Friends have told how he had a phone conversation just days ago with his father (pictured)

A fire officer stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad in India today, 24 hours on from the fatal crash

Now it has been revealed how Mr Sabharwal had spoken on the phone a week ago with his 82-year-old father, who is living in a care home - and made a promise to take more time out from his working schedule to spend with family.

Details of the conversation have been shared by Indian politician Dilip Mama Lande, a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

He said of Mr Sabharwal: 'A few days ago, he promised to take a break to spend time with his father.'

The elder family figure is believed to be a former official with India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Times of India reported.

Authorities had said earlier they believed there were no survivors on the Gatwick-bound flight that crashed in Gujarat carrying 242 passengers, including 53 Britons.

The regional police chief said 'some locals would have also died', given that the plane smashed down into offices and accommodation for doctors close to a hospital.

So far, rescue teams supported by the military have recovered 204 bodies, with casualties from the plane and the area surrounding the crash.

Yet it emerged there was one British survivor of the Air India plane crash, who has today been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

This is the first picture of First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mumbai, who was on the doomed Air India that crashed moments after take-off

Air hostess Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was named by local media as being on board the ill-fated Flight 171

Footage showed the moments before the Air India plane came down in Ahmedabad

Chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building

Your browser does not support iframes.

Video footage shows Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, talking to Mr Modi while lying on his hospital bed.

Air India confirmed Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor of the 242 people on board the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed into a medical college shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed, and the first involving a 787.

Mr Ramesh told DD News, 'I still can't believe how I survived', as he spoke from his hospital bed on Friday.

The 40-year-old told the broadcaster the plane felt like it was 'stuck in the air' shortly after take-off before lights began flickering green and white - adding: 'It suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

He said: 'I still can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too.

'But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still can't believe how I survived.'

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircraft's emergency exits.

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday

The plane's sole survivor in hospital with a bloodied face and injuries after the tragic crash, which claimed the life of his younger brother

Astonishing footage showed the man walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

Addressing what happened before the incident, Mr Ramesh told the broadcaster: 'When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

'Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white. The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

He added: 'At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

'I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.'

Commenting on his survival, Mr Ramesh said: 'I don't know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes.

'The air hostesses, and two people I saw near me. I walked out of the rubble.'
India is considering ground its entire fleet of Boeing Dreamliner 787-8s, following a deadly plane crash that happened seconds after it took off from Ahmedabad airport that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard.

Yesterday the world witnessed one of the worst aviation disasters of the 21st century, after Air India flight AI171, travelling from western India to London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated part of Ahmedabad just seconds after taking off.

At least 290 people were killed in the crash, including 241 people on the flight and around 50 people on the ground.

The sole survivor on the plane was revealed to be British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is miraculously in a 'not very critical' condition as he recovers in hospital, according to Dr. Rajnish Patel, professor and head of surgery at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

Since then, however, sources within India's government have told local media that its entire fleet will likely be grounded for a safety review of the plane.

Sources added that talks between India and American agencies are underway to discuss this: 'A call will be taken on the basis of a probe into the crash.'

Boeing, the plane's manufacturer, has come under heavy scrutiny over the past year, following a spate of serious accidents involving their planes.

it said in a statement: We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.'

Yesterday the world witnessed one of the worst aviation disasters of the 21st century, after Air India light AI171 crashed into a densely populated part of Ahmedabad

A fire officer stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025

Air India flight AI171, travelling from western India to London Gatwick , crashed into a densely populated part of Ahmedabad just seconds after taking off

India is considering ground its entire fleet of Boeing Dreamliner 787-8s (pictured), following a deadly plane crash that happened seconds after it took off

The sole survivor of yesterday's deadly Air India plane crash has shared his shocking account of the disaster and described how he was 'ejected' from the jet before it hit the ground and exploded into a huge fireball.

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster, which killed all but one of the 242 passengers and crew on-board.

Mr Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, is being treated at a hospital in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, ejecting him before there was a loud explosion.

Speaking to Indian broadcaster Doordarshan, Mr Ramesh said: 'I don't know how I came out of it alive.

'For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seatbelt and got out of there,' adding how two cabin crew members 'died before my eyes.'

His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground.

Mr Ramesh also described how just moments after take off, it 'felt like the plane had got stuck.'

He recalled how the pilots tried to raise the jet, but it 'went full speed and crashed into the building'.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (pictured) is the only survivor of the horror crash

Astonishing footage showed Vishwash Kumar Ramesh walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

Thick black smoke rising from a residential area after Air India flight 171 crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025

Remnants of the fuselage and the landing gear were seen dangling through a gaping hole in the side of what appeared to be a canteen

Mr Ramesh explained how the plane quickly caught fire following the crash, and said he burned his arm.

Astonishing footage taken near the crash site yesterday showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Mr Ramesh, whose brother was also on the flight and is presumed dead, described yesterday how he heard a 'a loud noise' before the plane crashed.

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'
A Bristol van dweller attacked a BBC camera crew in a fit of rage as tensions flare up in Bristol who are demanding an encampment of some 100 vehicles is removed.

The man aggressively approached a reporter who was interviewing a local resident and began shouting, before taking a swing at the camera and 'striking' it.

For months locals in the Downs area of Bristol have been complaining about dozens of caravans parked up on public roads in which people are living and have accused the council of not taking action fast enough.

There had already been a series of incidents, some violent, including a caravan being set on fire, smashed windows and objects thrown.

But tensions escalated even further on Thursday ahead of a planned protest by residents which saw 300 people turn up.

While BBC reporter Hannah Miller was interviewing Tony Nelson, the founder of Protect the Downs, a group whose aim is to have the caravans and vans removed, a man approached and appeared to square up to the interviewee.

Approaching the group from across the street, a man was heard shouting: 'I want a word with you actually. I thought it was you.'

He added: 'You're part of the Downs Committee thing, aren't you? Protect the Downs.'

The man aggressively approached a reporter who was interviewing a local resident and began shouting, before taking a swing at the camera and 'striking' the cameraman

BBC reporter Hannah Miller was interviewing Tony Nelson (pictured), the founder of Protect the Downs, at the time of the incident

The BBC reported that the man 'struck' their cameraman in the attack, which also saw him grab a microphone out of the reporter's hands

A van dweller remonstrates with protestors during last night's march, which 300 people attended

Mr Nelson replied: 'Yeah, and we tend to just talk, not shout.'

The man then walked into shot and straight up to Mr Nelson, shouting: 'No we don't, not anymore.

'The amount of hate and violence your group is causing up here.'

Mr Nelson said: 'Did you come here to just shout at me?'

The man replied: 'Yes, I did.' While the reporter stands by, appearing somewhat bemused, Mr Nelson said: 'So do you want me to just shout back?'

The exchange continues with Mr Nelson asking the man if they could 'talk like adults', and being told: 'You're past that, mate. Well past that.'

After not getting the reaction he was looking for, the man then suddenly turns and grabs the reporter's microphone, saying: 'Get that out my face.'

There is then a scuffle partially recorded as the man appears to attack the cameraman.

The man is also alleged to have pushed Mr Nelson.

The police are now investigating the incident. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'On Tuesday 10 June we received a report that a man had been pushed and a camera pushed over in Parrys Lane, Bristol at about 6.30pm on Monday 9 June.

'An investigation is underway and anyone with information should call 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5225161720.'

It comes after a long-running feud between van dwellers themselves, as well as with local people.

In February, one van was destroyed in a fire which is believed to have been arson.

For months locals in the Downs area of Bristol have been complaining about dozens of caravans parked up on public roads in which people are living

There are believed to be 680 van dwellers around the city of Bristol, according to the local council

Approximately 107 people are living in the encampment on the Downs

At a community protest last night, residents walked across the Downs and heard speeches

It is estimated that around 300 residents turned up in Clifton, Bristol

Whole families, including dogs and children, were in attendance

One member of the caravan community described how he heard rustling and when he looked outside his window he saw the caravan on fire.

He said: 'There were flames from the caravan and the fire went on for a good 15 minutes. I knew nobody was inside but there were gas bottles which went, 'Bang, bang''.

Bristol, deemed the most expensive place to rent outside London, has seen a rapid rise in the number of vehicle dwellers since 2020.

The council estimates there are up to 680 vehicles being lived in across Bristol at locations including land next to the M32, Fishponds and The Downs.

Around 107 people are thought to be living on the Downs, making it the largest encampment in the city.

Residents in Bristol who face the influx of van dwellers have previously told about suspected thefts, drug use and intimidation.

Vehicle dwellers have acknowledged there is a mixed group of people - ranging from professionals and academics to those with substance abuse - and that not everyone treats the area with respect.

Bristol City Council says it has received in excess of 1,500 complaints and reports relating to encampments, relating to littering, looking unsightly, blocked pavements, feeling threatened and anti-social behaviour.

But it has found some reports include hate speech and 'othering', said to contribute to prejudice against vehicle dwelling communities.

After the incident with the van resident, Mr Nelson told the BBC: 'People really feel very strongly about the council's inaction, their permissiveness, their saying 'it's OK to come and trash our parks'.

'People are fed up with that. I don't know if it's council incompetence or whatever.'

In February, a caravan was burnt to the ground in the Downs in what is thought to have been arson

The blaze completely destroyed the vehicle, which was fortunately empty at the time

A petition calling for the encampment to be removed has received more than 7,500 signatures.

Photos from yesterday's protest showed hundreds of people amassing on the Downs from all age groups.

Organisers told attendees in advance: 'Show up for the Bristol Downs and your fellow Bristolians and help us preserve this beautiful space for generations to come. Share the event far and wide. There are many thousands of Bristolians who don't know how they can help. This is how. Spread the message. The tide is turning.

'This historic parkland is being destroyed by an unacceptable proliferation of vans, vehicles and caravan dwellings. Tens of thousands hard hard-working citizens of Bristol no longer feel safe enjoying this vast open parkland.

'Once the jewel of Bristol. This land is being usurped by individuals taking public parkland for themselves. A council too inept to uphold basic law and order.

'The fight is just beginning.'

Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, released a lengthy statement on Thursday, in which he acknowledged the 'complex situation' facing the city.

He said: 'Our latest estimates are that there's between 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles and caravans on the kerbside, on private and council sites, with some squatting on land in parts of the city.

'This figure doesn't include the number of transient Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups who visit the city throughout the year  and this is a group of people who we can expect to see more of during the next few months as we're now into the summer season.

'While people living in vehicles and caravans are spread across our city, we recognise that the size and concentration of the group bordering The Downs is larger than all other encampments.'

He added: 'We're taking proactive steps to apply for an injunction for the grassed areas of The Downs and Ladies Mile, which if secured, will allow officers to move vehicles that pitch up more quickly than usual.'
The University of Sydney has launched an investigation into one of its academics after he shared a post calling for 'Zionists to be executed like we executed Nazis'.

Palestinian activist and sessional academic at the University of Sydney Fahad Ali shared the post to X on Thursday.

'F**k sanctions, I want Zionists executed like we executed Nazis,' Mr Ali wrote.

The social media platform marked the post as breaching its rules against violent speech.

However, Mr Ali took a screenshot of the hidden post and republished it on Friday, slamming the platform's rules.

'"Violent speech"  people are on this website every single day celebrating the burning children alive, don't tell me wanting to see these people hanged like the Nazis were post-Nuremberg is "violent",' Mr Ali wrote.

Mr Ali's profile has since been deactivated from the platform.

The post received a barrage of criticism, with many urging the University of Sydney to fire the academic.

Palestinian activist and sessional academic at the University of Sydney Fahad Ali (pictured) shared the post to platform X, calling for 'Zionists to be executed like we executed Nazis'

'Why are you employing a person who openly encourages Jews to be murdered? What are you doing to protect Jews, Israelis and their friends on campus?,' one person wrote.

Another person wrote the university chose to 'turn a blind eye to Fahad's breaches of the university's Code of Conduct'.

A third added: 'One of the main pro-Palestine leaders in Australia just called for the mass executions of Jews. Should Fahad Ali live in Australia? Should we let him stay in our country while acting like this?'

In a statement, a University of Sydney spokeswoman said the institution was 'appalled' by the comments and had immediately launched an investigation.

'We're appalled by these comments and consider them utterly unacceptable, and are immediately undertaking a review,' the spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph.

'As this is a personal account, determining whether they might constitute illegal activity would be a matter for police.

'Support is available for every member of our community who may need it.'

Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Jewish Association Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia the post was 'reprehensible'.

The post was marked as breaching the rules against violent speech, however, Mr Ali took a screenshot and republished the post with a comment slamming the platform (pictured)

'This post is reprehensible and appears to be calling for violence. Police and the University of Sydney need to take these threats seriously,' Mr Gregory said.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry slammed Mr Ali's post and called for decisive action.

'We have seen some despicable statements these past few years but a call for Zionists to be executed made by someone linked to one of our top universities reaches a new level,' Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said.

'There is a fundamental question here of safety to students and staff, the reputation of the university, and the standards of human conduct that we either accept or reject.'

Mr Ryvchin praised the university for immediately launching a review into the post and Mr Ali.

'We are pleased that the university has swiftly condemned this but a call for Zionists to be executed warrants decisive action,' Mr Ryvchin said.

It post comes after the university's chancellor David Thodey and vice-chancellor Mark Scott admitted they did 'not get everything right' when handling protests on campus.

Mr Thodey and Mr Scott's comments were published in the university's annual report earlier this month and highlighted the institution's response particularly to the pro-Palestinian encampment.

The University of Sydney (pictured) said it was 'appalled' by the comments and had immediately launched a review into the post

Protesters flooded the university's quadrangle and set up tents, which remained for about eight weeks before they were ordered to evacuate.

'Many universities around the globe did not fully anticipate the impact on their campus life of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East  and the University of Sydney was no different,' Mr Thodey and Mr Scott wrote.

'We did not get everything right as we responded to widespread protests triggered by the events of October 7 2023 and their aftermath and there are clearly differing views on our responses to certain events, particularly the encampment on our quadrangle lawns.

'We have committed to learn from these hugely challenging and complex events  and the experiences of other universities around the world  and to listen to those who would work with us to ensure our campuses are safe and welcoming for all.'

Last month, the university also faced backlash after a group of students were photographed turning their back on a Jewish speaker who denounced Hamas.

During the Student Representative Council's general meeting, the group Students Against War called to reject a nationwide definition of antisemitism.

Adopted by Universities Australia, the definition has said criticism of Israel can be antisemitic 'when it calls for the elimination of the State of Israel'.

The university also faced criticism in 2024 when a photo of students almost unanimously refusing to condemn the October 7 Hamas attacks was shared.

The photo showed nearly all hands raised at a packed lecture theatre where the Sydney University's Student Representative Council AGM overwhelmingly voted down a motion condemning the Hamas attacks.

Instead the roughly 600 students in attendance passed a motion supporting Hamas in their 'armed resistance' against Israel.
An investigation has been launched into a video allegedly showing a prison governor walking out of a brothel, MailOnline can reveal.

Footage shows a man dressed in a grey suit and a white shirt walking out of a door between two shuttered shopfronts in Sheffield.

He briefly glances to one side before walking out of view of the camera, which appears to be on a vehicle dashboard.

MailOnline has shared the video with the Ministry of Justice, which confirmed the incident is 'currently under internal investigation'.

If criminals became aware a prison governor had visited a brothel they could use this information for blackmail, one former governor warned today.

The premises, GFE, describes itself as a 'premier massage parlour' that offers 'the best choice of girls, all excited, fun and guaranteed to offer you satisfaction'.

When a MailOnline reporter visited the seedy establishment, he was told to go into the waiting area. Three skimpily dressed women then appeared from behind a curtain and offered their services.

A receptionist confirmed they all provided GFE - girlfriend experience - in which sex workers perform intimate acts. The other male customer then selected one of the women. At this point, the reporter left.

Footage shows a man dressed in a grey suit and white shirt walking out of a door between two shuttered shopfronts in Sheffield

The premises shown in the video is at one end of a row of shops and next door to a massage parlour. The man was seen walking out of the door seen here behind the white car

GFE describes itself as a massage parlour that offers 'the best choice of girls, all excited, fun and guaranteed to offer you satisfaction'

The video has emerged at a time the behaviour of prison staff is under intense scrutiny following a series of affairs between officers and inmates.

There is also an increased focus on the deteriorating security situation in British jails after several serious assaults on guards.

MailOnline knows the name of the prison governor who is alleged to be in the video.

One insider at his jail said: 'This video was the talk of the town when the video emerged. Everyone was saying is it him or isn't it him?

'If it is him he has not really done any harm to anyone apart from his marriage, but one thing is for sure - he appears to have f****d up royally.'

Ian Acheson, who worked for the Prison Service for over a decade and held a variety of senior roles, said the footage was concerning.

'By virtue of their huge discretionary power, prison governors are particularly vulnerable if their behaviour can be exploited by criminals,' he told MailOnline.

'Blackmail and corruption are the most obvious examples. An investigation shows that these unproven allegations are being taken seriously.

'The public rightly expect a very high standard of personal conduct from senior law enforcement officials. We should also respect due process in this case.'

A wider image showing the man leaving GFE in Sheffield. A receptionist confirmed to a reporter that they provided a 'girlfriend experience'

Reviews of GFE posted on Google.

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'This incident is currently under internal investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until this has concluded.'

A series of sex scandals that have rocked the prison service in recent years.

This includes the case of prison officer Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington, 29, who became besotted with a sex offender Bradley Trengrove after he was moved to HMP The Verne in Portland, Dorset.

The pair embarked on a six month relationship which involved them often having sex in prison workshops while nobody was around.

The female prison warden even got pregnant by Trengrove, although she later lost the baby.

During the affair, Austin-Saddington smuggled a mobile phone into the Category C prison for her lover so they could communicate.

The mother-of-three saved his name in her mobile under 'husband to be'. She received a suspended prison sentence and is now in a relationship with another man.

A series of sex scandals that have rocked the prison service in recent years. prison officer Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington, 29, had an affair with a sex offender

Bradley Trengrove (pictured) was serving a 13 year extended jail sentence for raping a woman and having sexual activity with a child in 2013 and 2014

There have also been a series of serious security breaches inside jails involving attacks on prison staff.

Last month, a male warden was taken to hospital with 'serious injuries' after being stabbed at HMP Long Lartin.

It followed a string of other assaults involving prisoners, including Manchester Arena terrorist Hashem Abedi.

Meanwhile, convicted murderer John Mansfield was killed during a brutal attack at a high security prison in April.

The 63-year-old was hit in the head with a weight, MailOnline revealed at the time.

Experts have warned of a 'collapse in security' across the UK prison system amid what the prison officers' union described as 'out of control' violence.
A Faroe Islands cove is today awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition.

The grindadrap, or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay.

The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber.

Every summer, shocking images of the bloody hunt show the macabre ritual, which is strongly condemned by outraged animal rights defenders who consider the practice barbaric.

Today's practice at Leynar, Streymoy, is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed.

Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK say some were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached.

They described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present.

The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons.

A Faroe Islands cove is today awash with the blood of dolphins and pilot whales after the first animals of the summer were butchered in a gruesome Viking tradition

The 'grindadrap', or 'grind' for short, is a 1,000-year-old Faroese custom which sees hunters encircle the animals with their fishing boats in order to drive them into a shallow bay

The terrified animals are then beached, allowing fishermen to brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore, with locals then feasting on their meat and blubber

Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked.

'This isn't tradition - it's desensitisation. We must break the chain.'

At the same time as the massacre, King Frederik X, Queen Mary, and Princess Josephine of Denmark are on an official visit to the Faroe Islands, arriving with the royal yacht Dannebrog and engaging in traditional ceremonies in Torshavn and Koltur.

'The juxtaposition is stark: a royal historic tour, national costumes, public speeches - and on the same day, a violent medieval maritime practice using powerboats and modern tools,' a spokesperson for the foundation added.

Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins.

Every summer, shocking images of the bloody hunt show the macabre ritual, which is strongly condemned by outraged animal rights defenders

The practice today is believed to have seen around 200 pilot whales killed

Volunteers from the Captain Paul Watson Foundation UK described it as a 'disturbing scene in a high income nation' with almost as many children as adults present

Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: ''This isn't tradition - it's desensitisation. We must break the chain'

Each year, an average of around 700 long-finned pilot whales are caught, alongside varying numbers of Atlantic white-sided dolphins

Today's slaughter took place in Leynar, on the Faroe Islands

The tradition is said to date back to the ninth century, but critics have labelled it as 'barbarous'

Female long finned pilot whales can live up to 60 years, whilst males can live up to 45 years.

Like all cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - long-finned pilot whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to keep the oceans alive and thriving.

This is a major reason volunteers have been lobbying to end the grind - which kills hundreds of whales every year.

Since 1948, the hunt has been regulated by the Faroese authorities, required its participants to be trained, involved modern boats and communications, and been supervised by police.

Like all cetaceans - whales, dolphins and porpoises - long-finned pilot whales play a vital role in ocean ecosystems, helping to keep the oceans alive and thriving.

Volunteers have been lobbying to end the grind which kills hundreds of whales every year

Some of the animals were left struggling on rocks with women helping to bring in the kill due to a lack of men for the sheer number of animals beached

The call to the slaughter went out just as school ended, with parents apparently bringing their offspring to watch after lessons

Since 1948, the hunt has been regulated by the Faroese authorities, required its participants to be trained, involved modern boats and communications, and been supervised by police

The Faroese state that the hunt provides free food for their community

Many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history

Rob Read of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation said: 'When children are taught to watch instead of protect, the cycle of violence continues unchecked'

The practice dates back to the ninth century, and many Faroe Islanders consider eating whales to be an important part of their history.

The Faroese also state that the hunt provides free food for their community.

But campaign groups have labelled the hunt 'barbarous' and say it is no longer just about feeding the islanders, with excess meat and blubber sold off.

The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago forming part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that the United States was not involved in the strikes

President Donald Trump warned Iran that further attacks will be 'even more brutal' if it does not agree to a deal following Israel's shock strikes on its nuclear and military facilities.

Overnight, Operation Rising Lion targeted Tehran and Iran's nuclear sites in a devastating wave of assaults, escalating fears the Middle East is on the brink of all-out war.

Explosions boomed across the Iranian capital as simultaneous raids hit buildings believed to be the homes of senior military commanders.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the sophisticated operation targeted a nuclear facility in Natanz and a ballistic missile program, thanks to a secret drone base set up in Iran by Mossad.

The operation involved a barrage of explosive-laden drones and more than 200 Israeli jets.

Though the US initially sought to distance itself from the attack, Trump has now told Iran: 'There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.'

He said in a post to Truth Social: 'I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done.

'I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it.

'Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

US president Donald Trump has told Iran to agree to a nuclear deal before there is 'nothing left'

A person reacts as residential buildings in Nobonyad Square are shown following Israeli airstrikes on June 13 in Iran

'There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!'

His top officials and allies quickly agreed.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that the United States was not involved in the strikes.

'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' he said in a statement obtained by the Mail.

'Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.'

The president will hold a meeting in the Situation Room with his top national security advisers at 11am ET to discuss a path forward.

The US and Tehran have been actively engaged in discussions over a nuclear deal, including talks scheduled for this weekend.

Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly hopeful that the talks will continue as scheduled despite Israel's actions overnight.

The president followed up on Truth Social saying Iran 'should have' followed his 60-day ultimatum to strike a nuclear deal.

'Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!'

The president will hold a meeting in the Situation Room with his top national security advisers at 11 a.m. ET to discuss a path forward

Alongside the Israeli military's strikes on nuclear and military targets, Mossad successfully pulled off a daring covert operation designed to cripple Iran's air defences and allow Israel's war planes to launch their attacks safely.

This included deploying precision-guided weapons in open areas near Iranian surface-to-air missile systems sites, and using drones launched from an undercover base near Tehran to target air defence assets, according to Israeli media reports citing security sources.

Trump's latest post contrasts his message to Israel hours before the strikes where he warned Netanyahu not to interfere with nuclear talks.

When asked at the White House about the possibility of a strike on Iran last night, Trump said: 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen.

'It's very simple - not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful. We'll help them be successful. We'll trade with them, we'll do whatever's necessary.

'I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close. As long as there is an agreement, I don't want [Israel] going in because I think that would blow it.

'There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said: 'We've gotta tell them to get out because something could happen soon, and I don't want to be the one who didn't give them any warning.'

Drone footage shows Mossad's operation targeting air defence and missile launchers

The Mossad spy agency reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defences

Rescue teams work at damaged buildings in Nobonyad Square following the Israeli airstrikes

A building in Nobonyad Square suffered significant damage

People look over damage to buildings

'We've had very good discussions with Iran. Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you - but it'll happen soon.'

He admitted to Fox News today that he was made aware of Operation Rising Lion before it happened.

He added: 'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table.

'We will see there are several people in leadership in Iran that will not be coming back.'

Early this morning, Iran launched a swarm of 100 drones towards Israel in retaliation to Israel's strikes.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel 'should anticipate a severe punishment', adding that military forces 'won't let them go unpunished.'

He said that Israel had 'sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny.'

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry said its army would not 'hesitate to defend Iran's sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate'.

And in a letter to the UN, Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said Israel's strikes were a 'declaration of war' and 'called on the Security Council to immediately address this issue'.

Buildings in residential areas across Tehran

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel 'should anticipate a severe punishment'

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) said Israel had 'sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny'

But Iran's drones have reportedly been intercepted by Israel's air defence systems.

The preemptive strikes came after Israel said Iran has made significant advances towards the creation of a nuclear weapon, including the enrichment of uranium.

If this came to fruition, Iran would become the Middle East's second nuclear power after Israel.

After Trump pulled the US out of the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran, which saw the Middle East nation agree to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, Iran quickly reached the necessary 60% enrichment of uranium needed for feasible nuclear weapons.

Israel said that Iran was also in the process of developing the technology needed to kickstart a nuclear reaction, and that it had been conducting radiation testing.
A Romanian in Ballymena has claimed he has 'lost everything' and his family has been forced to flee abroad after he was wrongly arrested following the alleged attempted rape of a local schoolgirl.

The 28-year-old father-of-two named Alex said his home and car were attacked by anti-immigrant rioters while he was in custody and again a second time when he returned home after being released without charge.

Two 14-year old boys had earlier appeared in court charged with attempted rape, needing a Romanian interpreter to follow proceedings.

Alex claims his family have suffered 'indescribable threats' and 'humiliation' in the past week. He and his wife are in hiding while his mother has taken his two daughters to Romania because they are not safe in Ballymena.

But he has apologised after a series of boorish and defiant social media posts, including one where he blew kisses and waved money on camera. In another he appeared dismiss his Audi being destroyed by rioters.

On Monday night, following social media speculation, Alex has said he was arrested and questioned in relation to the Ballymena serious sexual assault. He was released unconditionally and without charge by the PSNI.

He said in a Facebook post, translated from Romanian: 'I have lost everything because of false accusations. I lost my house where I lived, my car, all my belongings. But the biggest regret is that I lost the chance to offer my children a better future. And all this without having done anything wrong.

'My family and I are not guilty, we all came for a better life, no one wants problems, we are modest people, people who fear God', he added.

Alex, a 28-year-old father-of-two, has revealed he was arrested by police but later released without charge. He says his home and property has been destroyed by rioters

Alex's Audi was destroyed on his drive and his home attacked twice

He has apologised about a TikTok video where he blew kisses and waved money outside Ballymena courthouse

He has been criticised locally after a series of defiant social media posts since two Romanian teenagers were charged with the alleged sex attack.

He has apologised if he offended anyone in Northern Ireland but admitted he can be 'boastful' and likes to be 'centre of attention'. He also says he wants 'justice' for the schoolgirl allegedly attacked by the two teenagers, who deny the charge.

In one TikTok reel that emerged after riots began in Ballymena he was shown blowing kisses to the camera before waving a giant wodge of cash outside the town's courthouse following an unrelated matter involving a family member.

Critics claimed it was then shared by one of his relatives who made provocative comments.

In another social media message, after his Audi was attacked, Alex wrote in Romanian: 'Plenty more fish [in the sea]' over a picture of the smashed up luxury vehicle on his drive.

Alex has now publicly defended himself and his family, who he says are 'traumatised' and 'scared' by the riots and multiple attacks on his home.

He said: 'I admit I am "boastful". That is my character and I apologise if I upset anyone. It was not my intention'.

While he was in custody his home was attacked and his Audi car destroyed in the riots. After his release his house was attacked again, while he was inside, and he hid in the loft before escaping out the back of the house after smashing a hole in his roof.

In a Facebook post he also shared on local forums in Ballymena and Northern Ireland, Alex admitted he was the man arrested in relation to the alleged attempted rape of a schoolgirl that has sparked riots this week.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement, not naming him: 'A 28-year-old man was arrested on Monday June 9. He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning'.

Describing what happened on Monday, the day of his arrest, he said: 'I learned on social media that there was speculation that I had sexually assaulted a minor.

'On Monday evening, my wife, my five-year-old daughter, and someone who helped us translate showed up at the hospital in Antrim because my daughter wasn't feeling well.

'While waiting, I was filmed against my will and posted on social media, and then a police team showed up and arrested me in front of my wife and daughter.

'I was wrongly accused of being the third person to accuse them of sexual activity with a minor. The police took me to Antrim police station. I was in custody for almost 24 hours'.

Alex's long statement on Facebook

On Tuesday he said his wife became 'scared' and 'sent my mother and the two little girls to the country (Romania) because they had threatened to break in and kill them'.

After he was released from police custody he said his house was attacked while he was inside.

'Shortly after I arrived at my home in Ballymena I heard knocking on doors and windows.

'Screams with indescribable threats. I got scared. I didn't know what was happening I wanted to leave my home but I couldn't I was surrounded by people.

'I climbed into the attic, I broke the roof and I came out through the back of the house and found a safe place'.

He went on: 'My wife and my little girls were traumatised, as well as the rest of the family.

'I was wrongly accused and the police did their job. If I did these acts I was accused of I would not be released'.

He added that he had video evidence that he was at home with his family all evening when the alleged attempted rape took place.

'I have been living in the UK since 2016 since then I have a job. I imagine what the parents of the girl who was abused is going through. I am also a parent of two girls and I can't imagine what I would have done to get justice.

He added: 'I apologise to everyone. I hope justice is done'.

Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens

A masked protester walks towards the PSNI riot squad officers as they form a blockade near Harryville bridge to stop potential rioters from accessing the Clonavon terrace area

Properties in Ballymena with signs saying locals live here as violence has been directed towards migrant communities

Fireworks thrown at Riot Police illluminate the road during a thrid night of anti-immigration demonstrations in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on June 11, 2025

Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens.

Rioting continued for the fourth consecutive night.

Terrified foreign nationals are now considering fleeing the province amid rioting in a bid to protect their families.

Maria, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said: 'Why do they attack us? What did we do?'

The tearful Romanian, 38, added: 'I don't want to run, cause I did nothing bad...

'[But] when I go in the street people are looking at us very bad... they blame me... When they say go home, I say, home is here for me.'

Missiles were also thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

Around 400 protestors are understood to have gathered in the County Armagh town where people were seen setting fires and causing damage to a derelict building.

Three teenagers also appeared in court yesterday in connection with recent riots.

Police and politicians have denounced the ongoing violence within the community, which has been dubbed 'racist thuggery'.

Northern Ireland's police chief said those being targeted 'are not criminals', noting their positive impact on society, describing them as 'valued members of society'.

A person wears a Union flag and stands near armed police in Portadown on Thursday

However as tensions continue, in an unprecedented move, some households have begun to display British or Northern Irish flags in their windows.

Blanka Harnagea, who has lived with her family in the region for five years, said the flags served as a kind of 'protection' amid the unrest.

'We put (the flags) as a sign of peace... to say that we are not against them,' said the 38-year-old originally from the Czech Republic.

The mother-of-five, who is considering leaving, said: 'We are a bit worried they keep going on because some people said that they are not gonna stop until everybody who is not from Ireland has left.'

Other houses displayed posters announcing 'Locals live Here' or 'Filipinos live here' and 'British household'.
This is the moment a BBC Question Time audience turned on a Labour minister for 'outrageously' claiming most small boat migrants are women and children.

More than 14,800 people have arrived in Britain after making the crossing so far in 2025 - making it the worst start to the year on record.

The arrivals continued today, with pictures showing migrants being bussed away from Dover after being intercepted by a Border Force cutter.

The issue was a major topic of debate on last night's Question Time, which hosted several senior politicians including Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and Reform UK's Zia Yusuf.

But Mr Jones provoked fury by claiming in front of a live audience that 'the majority of the people in these boats are children, babies and women'.

Following cries of disbelief from members of the public, Mr Yusuf interjected to say that 'more than 90 per cent of them are adult men'.

Home Office figures show 73% per cent of small boat arrivals in 2024 - or 26,999 out of all 36,816 arrivals - were adult males.

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, prompted fury for claiming most small boat migrants were women and children

Following cries of disbelief from the audience, Reform's Zia Yusuf interjected to say that 'more than 90 per cent of them are adult men'

Home Office figures show 73% per cent of small boat arrivals in 2024 - or 26,999 out of all 36,816 arrivals - were adult males. Pictured: Last night's Question Time audience

Following Mr Yusuf's intervention, host Fiona Bruce turned to Mr Jones and asked: 'You're saying that's not true?'

He replied: 'I'm saying it's not true. I'm saying this is controversial for a reason and you're told you're not supposed to challenge the audience on Question Time, but I'm going to.

'When there are babies and children put into that position by human trafficking gangs, who are coming across the Channel with skin burns from the oil from those boats mixing with the salt sea water, I would ask any of you to look at those babies and children and say 'go back'.

Mr Yusuf hit back: 'In my previous answer, I made the case that this Government prioritises foreign citizens over citizens of the United Kingdom. After that testimony, I can rest my case.

'The vast, vast majority of people making the journey from France by small boat are fighting age, military age, males, not women and children.

'We're talking about asylum hotels, and Rachel Reeves saying we're going to shut down asylum hotels.

'I spent many weeks in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby. Runcorn is a very deprived area. And do you know the issue that exercised people so much? The reason is primarily because of HMOs  houses of multiple occupancies.

'In an unholy alliance of Serco and Yvette Cooper, illegal migrants are being deposited into communities and there's no say for the local people.'

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) this evening, Mr Jones clarified his position but maintained the percentage of migrants that are adult males is 'not north of 90%'.

He wrote: 'Of course the overall majority of people arriving illegally on small boats are men - but not north of 90% as Reform claimed.

'On @bbcquestiontime I shared a story from my visit to the Border Security Command about a dinghy that arrived mostly carrying women, children and babies who had suffered horrific burns.

'Im happy to clarify this given how this is now being misrepresented.

'Labour committed new funding this week to secure our borders while Reform have voted against giving our police the powers needed to smash the gangs fuelling this vile trade.'

At her spending review on Wednesday, Rachel Reeves pledged that migrants would be moved out of hotel accommodation by the time of the next general election, due in 2029.

The arrivals continued today, with pictures showing migrants being bussed away from Dover after being intercepted by a Border Force cutter

An overloaded boat just off the French shore in Gravelines, northern France

French police were seen using batons and teargas to disperse migrants on a beach in Gravelines this morning

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Ms Reeves also promised 1 billion of savings by speeding up the asylum system, along with 280 million investment in future years for the new Border Security Command.

Latest figures show 3.1 billion was spent on housing asylum seekers in hotels in 2023-24, out of a total asylum support bill of 4.7 billion.

More than 30,000 asylum seekers are housed in about 200 hotels across Britain, many of whom arrived illegally in dinghies, and ministers are looking at moving them into derelict tower blocks and student digs.

But despite Ms Reeves' pledge to end the use of hotels, the Tories pointed out that the small print of her Spending Review documents revealed that 2.5 billion will still be spent each year on asylum support by the end of the decade.

It comes as dramatic pictures emerged of French police using tear gas and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of migrants trying to board boats headed for Britain.

Some officers were seen entering the water and dragging them back to shore.

A major point of contention between Britain and France has been the French authorities' refusal to turn back migrants who are already in the water.

Despite officers' efforts, a significant number of migrants were able to successfully cross this morning - with pictures showing them at Dover.

Some officers were seen entering the water and dragging them back to shore

A major point of contention between Britain and France has been the French authorities' refusal to turn back migrants who are already in the water

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A record five months of the year has brought the provisional arrivals today so far to 14,812 arrivals.

This 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.

In 2024, the number of arrivals did not reach more than 14,000 until July 9 (14,058).

The Government has vowed to crack down on people-smuggling and Channel crossings since coming to power in July last year.

This includes funding elite officers to increase patrols along the northern French coastline and launching a specialist intelligence unit in Dunkirk to track down people smugglers.

It has also established a Border Security Command to lead strategy and its Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently going through Parliament, seeks to introduce new criminal offences and hand counter terror-style powers to law enforcement agencies to target smuggling gangs.

However, critics have repeatedly warned the 'smash the gangs' strategy will not work unless there is a deterrent strong enough to prevent migrants from wanting to make the crossing in the first place.

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Today, a spokesman for the PM repeatedly refused to engaged with questions about whether Mr Jones was right.

'The Government is absolutely focused on tackling these vile smuggling gangs ' they said.

Asked again about Home Office figures suggesting he is wrong, the spokesman said: 'The focus of the government is tackling these vile gangs that deal in misery.'

Pressed if the PM had confidence in Mr Jones, the spokesman said: 'Yes.'

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Darren Jones is completely out of touch with reality.

'Since 2018, 73 per cent of small boat arrivals have been single adult men. Yet Labour MPs like Jones still push the fairytale that these boats are full of women and babies. It's a dangerous distortion of the truth.

'No wonder this is shaping up to be the worst year on record for small boat crossings. If this is what passes for reality inside the Labour Government, Britain is in serious trouble.'

MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.
French police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of migrants looking to board boats headed for Britain, while some officers were seen entering the water and dragging them back to shore.

Pictures on Friday showed what appeared to be tear gas being launched at migrants at Gravelines, near Calais, with large white clouds of smoke seen billowing in the air.

Other images showed asylum seekers standing knee-deep in the water, with police officers, wearing helmets and holding shields, following them into the sea to drag them back to shore.

But ultimately, French officers were said to have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of people attempting to clamber onto the small boats.

The tactic used by French police appeared to be a change in approach from earlier this week.

Just days ago, nearly a dozen officers equipped with anti-riot gear watched as asylum seekers boarded boats bound for Britain.

When asked by broadcaster Sky News why they did not intervene, one officer said: 'It's for their safety. There are children there. We are not going to throw grenades at them.'

A record number of migrants have left the northern french coastline and arrived in the UK so far this year, with figures surpassing the 15,000 mark.

French Police enter the water to try and stop migrants boarding small boats that had come to collect them from further down the coastline on June 13

Police used tear gas and pepper spray to try and disperse hundreds of migrants aiming to board several boats but were ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people

A record number of migrants have left the northern french coastline and arrived to the UK so far this year

The UK government has vowed to crackdown on people smugglers and illegal migration, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing as part of the government's spending review on Wednesday that the Border Security Command would be funded up to 280m more per year by the end of the review period in 2028-2029.

The latest images from Calais come as people smugglers have been reported to be adopting a dangerous new tactic of simultaneously launching multiple small boats at once to try and dodge French police, officials warn.

EU border agency Frontex said in an official updated that traffickers were adapting their methods in an attempt to boost the number of successful crossings.

It said the tactic of 'simultaneous departures' was putting more lives at risk by overwhelming search and rescue teams.

The risk is being compounded by smugglers packing more migrants into flimsy dinghies, with 54 people per boat in the year ending March 2025 compared with 50 in 2024, according to Home Office figures.

The UK government has vowed to crackdown on people smugglers and illegal migration

end of the review period in 2028-2029. The latest images from Calais come as people smugglers have been reported to be adopting a dangerous new tactic of simultaneously launching multiple small boats at once to try and dodge French police, officials warn

Channel crossings have continued this week, with pictures showing new arrivals wearing life jackets being brought to shore in a Border Force boat in Dover, Kent and being driven away from the port

Channel crossings have continued this week, with pictures showing new arrivals wearing life jackets being brought to shore in a Border Force boat in Dover, Kent and being driven away from the port.

They are the first to make the journey to the UK so far this month after a record first five months of the year bringing the provisional total so far to 14,812 arrivals.

This 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.
A TikTok star whose sudden passing shocked the internet nearly three months ago died by suicide, it has emerged.

Joshua Blackledge, 16, died on March 18 at his home in Newport, North Carolina after suffering a gun shot wound to the head, documents obtained by US Weekly revealed.

A family member found his body next to a teddy bear, paper note and a picture.

Blackledge had 'exhibited behavioral changes' socially and academically in the year leading up to his tragic death, his family claimed, according to the documents.

No drug paraphernalia was present at the scene.

Blackledge was a junior at West Carteret high school and had over 1million followers on TikTok. His last post came on March 14 and saw him hanging out with his friend in a white pickup truck.

He often posted videos that saw him lip-syncing or hanging out with friends as well as his girlfriend Emmie Gillikin.

The pair celebrated their eight month anniversary just days before his death.

Joshua Blackledge, 16, (pictured) died on March 18 at his home in Newport, North Carolina after suffering a gun shot wound to the head, documents obtained by US Weekly revealed. Officials have ruled he died by suicide

Blackledge often posted videos on TikTok that saw him lip-syncing or hanging out with friends as well as his girlfriend Emmie Gillikin (pictured together)

Gillikin paid tribute to Blackledge with a heartbreaking social media posts two days after the tragedy.

'Missing this sweet boy right now. never would've thought i would have been here without you,' Gillikin wrote on social media on March 20.

'Josh showed me what love really was even [though] im very young. he never failed to put a smile on my face no matter how mad i was at him ... Even after these past couple days nothing seems real and im feeling all the emotions.'

She also dismissed rumors surrounding Blackledge's death in a TikTok Post.

'hey so the rumors going around abt Josh are not true and people are taking it way too far, Josh was never bullied,' she wrote.

'Everyone always loved him as a friend and even just someone they knew so if you don't really know what happened then don't spread fake rumors.'

The social media star is survived by his parents Jonathan and Jackie Blackledge and his brother Josiah.

Gillikin paid tribute to Blackledge (pictured together) with a heartbreaking social media posts two days after the tragedy

Blackledge (pictured) is survived by his parents Jonathan and Jackie Blackledge and his brother Josiah

'Joshua will be remembered by those who knew him for his enthusiasm and love for life,' read an obituary for the teen posted by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home.

'He had a passion for the outdoors and loved being around water, whether fishing or boating with friends. He also had a love for cars and trucks.

'May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing.'

A celebration of life was also held later that month for his family and friends.
A British man sitting in seat 11A survived the fatal Air India Flight 171 to the awes of the world as many said it was an un-survivable flight. Now, experts have discussed whether such 'miracle seats' that can survive a plane crash actually exist.

When Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 40, emerged from the wreckage of the Air India flight alive on Thursday, the world declared it a miracle as the other 241 passengers tragically perished.

'I don't know how I came out of it alive', Ramesh, who was traveling with his brother from India to London, said from his hospital bed.

His boarding pass, which he managed to take with him, showed he was sitting in seat 11A, which has since been dubbed the miracle seat following the gruesome crash of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Several factors, including his seat position, could have played into his miraculous survival, experts said.

Ramesh was sitting in a window seat in the emergency exit row, meaning he had the easiest access to get off the plane the fastest.

'I do think it had something to do with it,' Ella Atkins, the head of the Crofton Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Department at Virginia Tech, told DailyMail.com, calling his survival an 'extraordinary miracle.'

'He happened to be ejected in a way that didn't kill him.'

When Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 40, (pictured) emerged from the wreckage of the Air India flight alive on Thursday, the world declared it a miracle as the other 241 passengers tragically perished

The 58-year-old Virginian, who has been an engineer since 1988, said one's placement inside an aircraft 'absolutely' matters when it comes to surviving a horrific crash, such as Ramesh did.

However, it's nearly impossible for passengers to preselect a seat that's going to save them as a plane can crash in so many different ways, the aerospace engineer said.

Unsurprisingly, for frontal impacts, it's safest to be in the back of the plane. For tail impacts, the front. For a fuselage problem, the middle is the most dangerous spot as that's where the fuel is located.

If the plane nosedives into the ground, crashes while upside down or lands in the middle of the ocean, the likelihood of a 'miracle seat' saving you from death diminishes to near zero.

Without having some magical foresight, passengers cannot predetermine the exact seat that has the highest potential of saving their lives.

'I'm not going out [of my way] to ask for 11A after this,' Atkin, a frequent flyer, said. 'If I had to choose a place not to sit, it'd be first class.'

However, that doesn't stop the professor from snagging the upgrade every time Delta offers it to her because air travel continues to be exceptionally safe.

The logic about economy being safer centers on the fact that most plane crashes are frontal impacts - with business and first class seats usually situated at the front of the cabin.

'Any aircraft can crash like any car can,' she told DailyMail.com 'I don't think there's a miracle seat... Every accident is so unique.'

For a December 2024 Jeju Air flight, a 737 plane that slammed into a concrete barrier and burst into flames, the 'miracle seats' happened to be crew spots at the back of the plane - quite far from the general location Ramesh's seat would have been on that flight.

His boarding pass, which he managed to take with him, showed he was sitting in seat 11A, which has since been dubbed the miracle seat following the gruesome crash of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner

A 737 is a small plane with a single aisle with two rows, while a 787 has a dual aisle and three rows of seating.

Some experts say this can make a difference in some crashes.

In the instance of a water landing, you're more likely to find a miracle seat on a single aisle aircraft because their fuselages are slightly more rigid and less likely to tear apart on impact.

One prime example is the 2009 'Miracle on the Hudson' crash, when an Airbus A320 crash landed on the Hudson River fully intact after a bird strike caued engine failure. All 78 aboard survived.

However, the size of the aircraft doesn't matter when it comes to commercial flights, Atkin said, as they 'tend to be extremely safe' and are 'painstakingly designed and tested.'

The chance of survival doesn't necessarily change based on the size for commercial planes. However, single-engine planes, like Cessnas, have a much higher crash rate.

'It's clear in this case that something went wrong,' Atkins said of the Air India flight.

Atkins believes 'both engines failed for this to happen' and said that's an 'extremely rare' occurrence. She reminds nervous flyers to 'keep in mind all those flights' that land each and every day.

University of Greenwich Professor, Ed Galea, agreed that Ramesh's location in the emergency exit more than likely had something to do with his survival.

'Hes got the seat as close as you could possibly be to an emergency exit. You cant be any closer,' Galea told The Telegraph.

'Its right on his side and hes actually in the A seat, which is the window seat. You could reach up and touch the door, youre that close to it.'

'Any aircraft can crash like any car can,' Virginia Tech professor and engineer, Ella Atkins, told DailyMail.com 'I don't think there's a miracle seat... Every accident is so unique'

Ramesh was sitting in a window seat in the emergency exit row. 'Hes got the seat as close as you could possibly be to an emergency exit. You cant be any closer,' University of Greenwich Professor, Ed Galea (pictured), said

Another reason that could have factored into Ramesh's survival is the fact that his seat is located near the wing of the plane. The 'wing box' is the most fortified place on the aircraft.

'Thats the strongest part of the aircraft because theres the most structure there,' Galea told the outlet. 'And I believe seat 11A is just at the front of that very strong part of the aircraft. That may have been a factor.'

Also, sitting in the emergency exit rows carry the highest chance of survival during an life-threatening situation as passengers have the fastest exit.

'[It] greatly increases the chance of survival when there is a fire,' University of York Professor John McDermid told The Telegraph.

However, both professors also believe the main thing that saved Ramesh was simply luck.

'He also had a lot of good fortune,' Galea said. 'Because why did he survive and 11B sitting right next to him didnt, or 11C or 12A?'

Ironically, an American Airlines employee told The Sun in December that row 11 was the worst to sit in for impatient travelers.

Specifically, seats 11A and 11F were cited as horrible seats as it can make exiting the plane slower.

Ramesh (right) seen walking after getting out of the destroyed aircraft on Thursday

Another reason that could have factored into Ramesh's survival is the fact that his seat is located near the wing of the plane. The 'wing box' is the most fortified place on the aircraft (pictured: the destroyed aircraft)

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'If youre looking for a quick exit, avoid row 11 at all costs,' the unidentified flight attendant told the outlet. 'Being in the middle row, especially in a window seat, which tends to be either A or F, almost guarantees youll be one of the last off the plane.'

The flight attendant did not specify which aircrafts this involved, as seating charts vary by design.

Another reason, seat 11A can be a bad spot to pick is do to some aircrafts, such as a Boeing 737 - which is not the same as the Air India flight - not having a window due to the air conditioning system being there, a Flight Radar expert told Unilad Tech.

Ramesh is being treated at a hospital in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who examined Ramesh, told the Associated Press that he was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body' but that he 'seems to be out of danger.'

Speaking to Indian broadcaster Doordarshan, Ramesh recounted his horrific ordeal, and spoke of how he witnessed two air hostesses die 'in front of my eyes.'

'For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seatbelt and got out of there,' he said.

His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground.

'The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building,' Ramesh recounted.

The size of the aircraft doesn't matter when it comes to commercial flights, Atkin said, as they 'tend to be extremely safe' and are 'painstakingly designed and tested' (pictured: a Boeing 787 Dreamliner)

The chance of survival doesn't necessarily change based on the size for commercial planes. However, single-engine planes, like Cessnas, have a much higher crash rate (pictured: a Boeing 737)

'There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.'

'The door must've broken on impact,' he said.

'There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I don't know how.'

When the plane hit the ground yesterday, seat 11A, where Ramesh was sat, collapsed into the ground floor of the building, instead of the upper levels where the jet's main body was badly destroyed.

Ramesh also described how just moments after take-off, it 'felt like the plane had got stuck.'

He recalled how the pilots tried to raise the jet, but it 'went full speed and crashed into the building'.

Ramesh explained how the plane quickly caught fire following the crash, and said he burned his arm.

Astonishing footage taken near the crash site yesterday showed Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

Ramesh, whose brother was also on the flight and is presumed dead, described yesterday how he heard a 'a loud noise' before the plane crashed.

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound plane that came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad.

Officials said most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.
Two sisters who made a surprise trip from London to visit their grandmother for her birthday are among the victims of the Air India tragedy.

Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their 20s, travelled from the UK capital to Ahmedabad for the visit and were returning to Gatwick when their plane crashed just 60 seconds after takeoff.

Their heartbroken loved ones told today how they had lost 'everyone' after the 'young talents' were killed in the disaster.

Dhir was a designer for a degree in fashion design while Heer worked as a project leader in the investment and renewable energy sector. She had previously worked in Singapore, where the sisters are believed to have spent their childhood.

The Air India plane carrying 242 passengers crashed just moments after take-off from Ahmedabad Airport in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner careened back down to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST).

Terrifying CCTV footage shows the plane appear to lose control before it starts rapidly descending with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed. It plunges into the ground and explodes in a huge fireball, as a massive plume of black smoke is seen billowing out from crash site.

Aviation experts say that the aircraft may have suddenly lost power 'at the most critical phase of flight' after takeoff.

Dhir and Heer Baxi, who are both in their 20s, had travelled from the UK capital to Ahmedabad to visit their grandmother

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171

Mr Ali Syed was a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel. He's pictured with his wife Mariam

Hardik Avaiya, 27, and Vibhooti Patel, 28, from the Belgrave area, of Leicester

Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, who was on the Gatwick-bound Air India flight that crashed in India with his family

A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed

The plane momentarily disappeared from view behind trees and buildings before a massive fireball erupted on the horizon in this horrifying clip

Today, the Baxis' elder brother, Ishan, told The Telegraph: 'I can't express what my complete family is going through  shell shocked, not coming to terms is what I can say right now

'Both had a natural aura of helping and always cared about family values. They both had aspirations to be successful enough to roam around the world, tension-free. Along with their parents, they both had a proclivity towards modernisation without changing traditional values.

'Both my sisters know what is right and what is wrong, thus whatever work they carried out, in academics or fashion, they always got success with no conflicts amongst peers or seniors.'

Last night, a comment was added to Heer's last Instagram post from November 2024 that said: 'RIP young talent.'

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, have also been named as passengers on the stricken flight.

Zayn and Amani are believed to be the youngest named victims of the crash so far.

Mrs Ali Syed's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan, 45, broke down while confirming the children's names, and pleaded with officials to offer more support to the families of the 53 British citizens onboard the flight.

Newly engaged couple Hardik Avaiya, 28, and Vibhooti Patel, 27, and father-of-two Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, were also among the victims.

Mr Avaiya and Ms Patel became engaged in April after meeting while working for Amazon in Leicester.

Friend Dhaval Patel (pictured far left with the couple) who worked at Amazon with the couple, was on his way to Gatwick airport to collect them when news of the tragedy broke

They had travelled to India to meet their respective families ahead of their wedding when they were caught up in the disaster.

Friend Dhaval Patel, who worked at Amazon with the couple, was on his way to Gatwick Airport to collect them when news of the tragedy broke.

He said he had spoken to Mr Avaiya just as they were about to take off but he told him he had to end the call as they were on the runway.

Minutes later, news of the crash started to filter through and, after checking the plane number, Mr Patel said he realised his friends were on board.

Mr Avaiya was a volunteer at his local temple. Mr Patel said: 'He was a great guy, a volunteer, so kind and helpful. He was like my brother. It's just very sad. Their families are devastated.'

He said he had spoken to Mr Avaiya just as they were about to take off but he told him he had to end the call as they were on the runway.

Minutes later, news of the crash started to filter through and, after checking the plane number, Mr Patel said he realised his friends were on board.

The Shree Hanuman Temple said in a statement: 'Absolutely devastated to hear the loss of our dedicated volunteer Hardik Avaiya and his wife Vibhooti who were on Air India flight which crashed in India today.

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'Our deepest sympathies and condolences to their families and to all the families who have lost loved ones or have been affected by the events of today.'

In a cruel twist and a sign of how the disaster has impacted families from Leicester. Mr Patel's neighbour was also killed when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after take off.

Manish Babu, 46, who has a daughter, 12, and son, 10, had spent the last few months in India caring for his father after he suffered a stroke.

When his father passed away last month, his brother returned while Mr Babu remained behind waiting for his mother's visa to be sorted so she could join her sons in Britain after her husband's death.

His friend Pravin Chagan said when he found out it would be delayed, he decided to return and selected the flight that was the 'best price'.

Mr Babu had lived and worked in Leicester for 15 years and was well known in the community, Mr Chagan said.

He was speaking from the family home in the Belgrave area of Leicester on Tuesday, where friends and family members had gathered to pay their respects.

'The plan was they would return to collect his mother when her visa was sorted,' he said.

'He was a very hardworking person, very calm and kind.'

The wreckage of the Air India 787 Dreamliner that crashed into a residential area just moments after take-off yesterday morning

Mr Chagan said Mr Babu's wife Manisha had travelled to Heathrow with their children to try to fly to India but their flight was cancelled on Tuesday afternoon.

Air India confirmed 241 of the 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed on Thursday, in one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed.

The airline said the plane was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

Mr Babu and Hardik Avaiya and Vibhooti Patel lived just minutes from the home of Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, who was also killed. His brother, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived.

Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, was on the Air India flight with his family, Derby Hindu Temple said.

Dr Joshi had moved to Derby from India in 2021, a colleague who worked closely with him said.

Dr Rajeev Singh said: 'He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.

'He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many.

'It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way.'

Akeel Nanawaba (left), 36, his wife Hannaa (right), 30, and their four-year-old daughter Sarah were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off. They are also feared to have died in the crash

Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45, (right) and husband Fiongal, 39, live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. They are also believed to have been on the flight

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (pictured), who was seated in 11A, is British and told the Hindustan Times he had lived in London for 20 years

All but one person aboard Air India Flight 171 are feared to have died in the tragedy.

Also among them were Akeel Nanawaba, Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sarah, 4, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, Raxa Modha, her grandson Rudra and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar and Ajaykumar Ramesh, the brother of the tragedy's only survivor.

The heartbroken father of Air India victim Yasha Modha, 32, made a desperate plea to see her one more time as he struggled to come to terms with the loss.

Manish Kamdar, 62, said on Friday: 'I spoke to her twice before take-off and she seemed excited to go to London and she wished me well. I cannot believe Yasha is no more. Let me see her once.

He was at his home near the airport 15 minutes after take-off when he heard that the plane had crashed in a massive fireball a short distance from the runway.

Yashar's husband Kishan was not on the flight as he had work commitments, a family friend revealed.

Jatin Patel, of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, where Raxa lived after moving to the UK almost 40 years ago, said the businessman, who deals in batteries, was planning to join them in the UK a few days later.

Many family members had travelled out to India to be with Raxas husband, Kishor, who passed away a few weeks ago.

Yasha and her son were among those flying to the UK to take part in a prayer ceremony to mark the death at Highfield Community Centre in Wellingborough on June 22.

Mr Patel, 60, said: 'Kishan was going to come later on because he had business out there. I spoke to [his older brother] Chirage yesterday and his sister was there too.

'They were very sad. They were crying everywhere.

'He told me Kishan was still at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital because the bodies haven't been found.'

Family patriarch Kishor had travelled to the country of his birth in a last-ditch attempt to beat cancer late last year, Mr Patel added.

He said: 'Kishor got a problem with cancer about a year-and-a-half ago and was so many times going and coming back. He last went in November or December.

In this country, the doctors said they couldnt do anything, so he went to the local hospital in Bombay. He died on April 26 and thats why Kishan's wife and child were coming here  for the prayer ceremony.'

The Modhas are a 'lovely' family, he added, saying: 'Raxa was a very friendly woman, a very nice woman and wife.

'She loved her children and grandchild. Family was very important to her.

'Kishan is a good guy. Hes been living in India for three or four years and is the youngest [of three siblings]. I've known him since he was a teenager.

'Hes a good one, kindly, a totally friendly and respectable person. I was crying myself when I heard what had happened.

Yasha grew up in Nagpur and travelled to Germany for her post-graduate studies in mathematics.

Her father has criticised what he called a a lack of information since the tragedy, saying: 'We were not informed by anyone of the deaths and we have not received any support from the airport facilities.

My son-in-law is waiting outside Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and is clueless about their status. But he is not allowed inside.

'People there are being told that they will be allowed to enter after the [Gujarat] chief minister visits the hospital.'

Kishor was a successful businessman who was born in Gujarat State before moving to the UK in 1989 and setting up Pooja Caterers which specialises in 'pure vegetarian and vegan Indian cuisine' according to the firms website.

Pictured: Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar who accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but sadly perished in the fireball explosion

An 'angel' NHS nurse was also named today as one of the passengers killed in the tragedy.

Renjitha Gopakumaran was returning to the UK after a holiday to see family in her home country when the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 crashed.

The nurse and mother was working at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, Hants, and is thought to have been in the UK for a year.

Her colleagues at the NHS hospital today said she was a 'beautiful lady' who showed her patients and co-workers 'so much love and care'.

Ms Gopakumaran, said to be in her 40s, 'had the biggest heart and brightest smile', one colleague said - while others said it was 'tragic' to hear of her passing.

Ms Gopakumaran has two children in India and she had been in the UK completing her degree as part of a five

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A, is also British and told the Hindustan Times he had lived in London for 20 years.

Vishwash's brother Ajaykumar accompanied him on the flight and was sat on the other side of the aisle in seat 11J, but he sadly perished in the fireball explosion.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner careened back down to earth in the densely populated Meghani area of the city just minutes after leaving the runway around 1.40pm local time (8.10am BST)

Akeel Nanawaba, 36, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, 30, and their daughter Sarah, four, were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Dreamliner crashed.

The successful young couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester.

Their shocked business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people.'

Mr Nagori said he was too upset to find the words to describe their daughter Sarah who had spent time with her grandfather during the brief visit.

He said: 'They were here to celebrate a family festival and to spend some time with Akeel's father.

'Akeel was a really good man, I'm in shock, we were all having dinner together the night before.'

Mr Nagori was with hundreds of other relatives of crash victims waiting for updates at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

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He founded recruitment company Iceberg Outsourcing Services with Mr Nanbawa, who was the managing director.

Hannaa, a trained midwife, was head of finance with a sister company called Rec2go Ltd, also based in Gloucester.

Recently widowed Raxa Modha, 55, her grandson two-year-old Rudra, and her daughter-in-law Yasha Kamdar are all believed to have been onboard the ill-fated airliner.

Mrs Modha had been in India for some time fulfilling the dying wish of her ill husband Kishor who had wanted to live out his last days in his homeland.

Following his recent passing, the mother-of-three was returning with her family to their home in Northamptonshire when disaster struck.

In a twist of fate, Kishan Modha  the toddler's father and Raxa's son  had also been in India but was not on the flight as he was due to catch another tomorrow.

Speaking to MailOnline, a family friend said: 'It's incredibly sad, the whole family is already grieving Kishor's death.

Hannaa Vorajee, Akeel Nanawaba's wife. The successful couple ran a global recruitment agency with offices in Ahmedabad and Gloucester

Their shocked business partner Shoyeb Khan Nagori told MailOnline: 'I had dinner with them last night. They were a lovely family and Akeel and his wife were extremely successful people' (Pictured: Akeel Nanawaba)

Raxa Modha (left) is also believed to have died in the tragedy yesterday

'Kishan fortunately was getting on another flight, but we don't know what has happened to the others.'

Neighbours at the family's detached home in Wellingborough said Mrs Modha is a 'lovely lady'.

They said she had been in India for an extended period to support her husband who was battling an illness.

The respected businessman, who launched a successful catering business after settling in the UK in 1989, died on April 26. The family were due to hold a service in his memory later this month.

In a memorial for him, the family said he was a 'cherished husband' to Raxa and 'proud grandfather to Rudra, who brought him immense joy'.

The mayor for Wellingborough, Raj Mishra offered his condolences to the family on a post on Facebook adding it was devastating for the local community.

'I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event,' he added.

Pictures have been published on local media of crew members who were on board the Air India flight

Air hostess Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was named by local media as being on board the ill-fated Flight 171

This is the first picture of First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mumbai, he was on the doomed Air India that crashed moments after take-off

Police said they had found a lone survivor who had been sitting in seat 11A when Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff in India

British celebrity wellness guru Jamie Meek and his husband are also believed to have perished after they posted a haunting video of themselves at the airport waiting to board the Air India flight.

Mr Meek, 45, and husband Fiongal Greenlaw, 39, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday.

In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break.

In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?

Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.'

Fiongal than jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'

As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.'

Mr Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum.

The back of Air India flight 171 is pictured at the site after it crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad

A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died when the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.

'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat.

'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.'

The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple.

He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.

In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey.

The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.

British father Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was filmed walking out from the rubble after some how miraculously surviving the catastrophic crash.

Family members of one of the crew members of Air India flight 171 mourn at their residence in Thoubal Mayai Leikai near Imphal - June 12, 2025

Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful.

He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.'

The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts.

This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk.

They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened.

'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.'

Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.'

According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness.

The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.'

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India

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Speaking to local media from the safety of a hospital bed, the passenger who was in seat 11A said: 'Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.'

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

Astonishing footage showed the passenger walking away from the scene with some visible injuries.

Vishwash, who was returning home to London after visiting family, sustained injuries to his chest, eyes and feet, he told the Hindustan Times.

The regional police chief said 'some locals would have also died', given that the plane smashed down into offices and accommodation for doctors close to a hospital.

So far, rescue teams supported by the military have recovered 204 bodies, with casualties from the plane and the area surrounding the crash.

The passengers included 159 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children, including two newborns.

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: 'Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic plane crash in India  this is an unfolding situation, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern.

'FCDO staff are working urgently with local authorities in India and the UK to ensure families and friends are supported in the coming days, whether in the UK or in India.'
A tourist has been caught on CCTV sitting on a crystal-studded 'Van Gogh' chair exhibit in an Italian art gallery - before it buckles under him.

The chair, which is named after the famous Dutch painter, is housed in the Maffei Palace, Verona, and is covered with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.

It was designed by Italian artist Nicola Bolla and is described by local media as being 'extremely fragile and delicate'.

However, it appears that while admiring the art, a tourist spotted their opportunity for a photo with no security around - without regard for the chair's condition.

In the shocking footage, a man and woman can be seen posing with the eye-catching chair in the otherwise empty room.

As the man takes the woman's photo, she leans in front of the the chair in order to create the illusion in the photograph that she is sitting on it.

But the man took this one step further and can be seen hovering above the exhibit, before placing himself down on it.

The chair immediately bends back into the wall and is left in a crooked state as the pair scurry out of the room.

As the man takes the woman's photo, she leans in front of the the chair in order to create the illusion in the photograph that she is sitting on it

But the man took this one step further, and can be seen hovering above the exhibit

He then places himself down on the chair which immediately buckles under him

The crystal-studded art is is left in a crooked state as the pair scurry out of the room

In the aftermath of the incident, the museum's social media accounts released a statement describing the 'nightmare' situation.

They said: 'Every museum's nightmare has become reality, even in Palazzo Maffei.

'Waiting for the surveillance officers to come out, some visitors took an "in effect" photo.

'The result? An irresponsible gesture caused serious damage to Nicola Bolla's "Van Gogh" chair, a very delicate work, covered entirely with hundreds of Swarovski crystals.'

The museum was in crisis for days as it was unsure whether they could repair it, given the severity of the damage.

Another angle of the incident shows the man with his back against the wall as the chair buckles underneath him

But thanks to 'restorers who did a fantastic job' and Italian law enforcement who assisted in their efforts, the museum has said 'the piece is shining once again'.

They added: 'We are sharing this episode not only for the sake of reporting, but to start a real campaign to raise awareness about the value of art and the respect it deserves.

'A heartfelt thank you goes to the police, our security department and the restaurateurs, whose valuable work allowed the recovery of the work.

'And a special thank you to all of you who walk through the museum halls every day with care, attention and wonder.

'Because art is not just for seeing. It is to be loved. It is to be protected.'

This incident is just one in a long line of tourists behaving badly while visiting the historic and beautiful destinations of Italy.

Whether it's defacing and desecrating ancient relics, or causing a public nuisance, many have even faced fines for their antics and have faced the wrath of the Italian authorities.

Here is a look at some of the other tourists who have riled up Italians on their homeland...

Speeding down Venice's Grand Canal on electric hydrofoils

Perhaps one of the most dangerous instances of tourists disrespecting Italy's treasured sites saw two Australians whizzing along Venice's Grand Canal on 20,000 electric hydrofoils.

The two men were filmed making waves through the main thoroughfare of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in August last year, infuriating both tourists and locals alike.

One of the hooligans on the hydrofoils - a kind of foil board often fitted with electric-powered propellers - was seen on his phone as he chopped through the canal waters.

A pair of 'overbearing imbeciles' have sparked fury in Venice by speeding down the city's famous Grand Canal on 20,000 electric hydrofoils

The duo zoomed past the city's famous monuments lining the canal as shocked locals watched on

Even Venice's mayor took aim at the pair of Australians, calling for them to be punished and offering a free dinner to anyone who could help identify them.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said: 'Here are two overbearing imbeciles who make a mockery of the City.

'I ask everyone to help us identify them to punish them even if our weapons are really blunt... the Mayors urgently need more powers in terms of public safety!

'To whoever identifies them, I offer a dinner!'

It didn't take long for the two to be tracked down. The mayor announced their boards had been confiscated and the men were reprimanded for endangering the safety of navigation along the canal.

Local reports claimed they were also fined 3,000 for their antics and were expelled from the city.

Surfing, paddle boarding and canoeing are all banned on the iconic Grand Canal, which instead offers its tourists much calmer gondola rides as well as tourists boats and water taxis.

Plunging from 30ft into Venice's canals

One tourist also caught the fury of Venice's mayor in March after he belly-flopped 30ft into the city's iconic canals.

The tourist was dubbed a 'cretin' who should be 'kicked up the backside' after the video was filmed and put on social media.

In only his boxer shorts, the man plunged down from the ledge of a palazzo and smacked into the water below.

Locals screamed in Italian begging him not to jump into the canal, but the man ignored their concerns.

The man appeared to be undisturbed by the relatively brutal belly flop, calmly emerging from the water soon after.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, slammed the man's behaviour: 'We should give a certificate of stupidity and a good number of kicks up the backside to this individual.

'We are trying to identify and charge him, along with his friend who took a video of the cretin for social media.

'These people are risking their necks just for a few likes.

'They have no regard for the danger they pose... imagine if a boat had passed beneath.'

Local media reported that the man was lucky not the be seriously injured as the canals had been drained in recent weeks.

Colosseum vandals

The now notorious Ivan Dimitrov of 'Ivan + Hayley' fame isn't the only one to have been caught red-handed making a mark on Rome's 2,000-year-old Colosseum.

In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint.

The name 'Balto' and the word 'Morte' (death) were sprayed onto the pillar overnight.

Francesco Prosperetti, special superintendent for the Colosseum, said: 'We worry that this could become a game and people could start competing over it.'

A similar incident happened in 2014 when a Russian tourist was fined a staggering 20,000 (1,700) for engraving a giant letter 'K' onto the historic wall.

The unnamed tourist, then aged 42, was caught by a guard as he used a sharp-edged stone to carve the 10-inch-tall letter.

The Russian man was given a fine and a suspended four-month prison sentence, reported news agency ANSA at the time.

The head of the administration of the Colosseum, Mariarosaria Barbera, said the man had 'caused significant damage' and had 'ruined the covering part of the amphitheatre'.

An Irish tourist even got himself arrested in 2020 for defacing the Colosseum with his initials after carving his initials into its walls.

The then-32-year-old man was caught by the Colosseum's private security and immediately reported to police officers.

In January 2017, the Colosseum was vandalised with black spray paint

The man's two initials, about 6 centimeters (2 inches) high, were said to have been carved with a metal point on a pillar of the first floor.

Archaeologist Federica Rinaldi, responsible for the ancient Roman amphitheater, said people who carve their initials into the monument want to 'appropriate' it.

He added: 'The Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.'

Skinny dipping in the Trevi Fountain

A couple of British tourists also had a similar idea, but this time to get their kit off and jump in Rome's Trevi fountain.

One of the men removed his underwear and they both frolicked about in the water and posed for photos under the fountain in August 2018.

The man also pushed his genitals between his legs to pose naked for photos, while onlookers filmed, some finding the antics amusing and others instead shocked and bemused.

But others also found the desecration of a monument to those killed in war disrespectful. The fountain was originally built in honour of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy.

Two British tourists stripped and posed for photos in a fountain next to one of Rome's most famous monuments

One of the men can be seen removing his underwear as they frolicked in the water near Altare della Patria in the Italian capital

Police said the tourists' behaviour was unacceptable and that it 'seriously offended the national feeling and the memory of the fallen to whom the monument is dedicated.'

It is not known if police ever tracked the men down, but they were set to face fines of 400.

It also angered Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, then-minster of the interior: 'I would know how to 'educate' these idiots if they get caught, Italy is not their bathroom!'

The two tourist's frolicking was considered so egregious by officials that it helped enforce a 24/7 guard around a number of monuments - including the iconic Trevi Fountain - until the end of the 2018 summer.

Vice Mayor Luca Bergamo told local media at the time: 'I can confirm for our citizens that local police have already taken 24-hour control of numerous famous sites.'

He added: 'This offended every one of us including our country and the dead who are honoured by the monument.

'We were faced with behaviour that demonstrated stupidity and ignorance as well as a lack of respect for the history of Rome and Italy.'
President Donald Trump moved quickly to respond to Israel's series of military strikes against Iran as he tries to avoid World War III.

He spoke with several top American news anchors the morning after the strikes, describing the attack as a success.

'I think it's been excellent,' he told ABC News anchor Jon Karl. 'We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. a lot more.'

The president's next major action will take place in a meeting with his National Security Council at 11:00 a.m. EST, a high-stakes meeting where he'll be presented with options to respond to the prospect for a wider, protracted war in the Middle East.

The president monitored the ongoing attacks overnight from the White House and posted on Friday morning that Iran still had the chance to 'make a deal.'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the president's point person in the ongoing conflict, as the White House national security advisor.

Rubio announced Thursday night that Israel's action against Iran was 'unilateral' and that the United States was not involved.

'Our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,' Rubio announced in a statement.

Sill, in a potentially harrowing statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that the United States would be held responsible for Israel's attacks.

'The Zionist regime's aggressive actions against Iran cannot have been carried out without the coordination and authorization of the United States,' they noted.

Trump told Fox News host Bret Baier Thursday evening he was aware of the pending Israeli strikes before they took place, but did not intervene to stop them.

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House

President Donald Trump, left, greets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House

'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We'll hopefully get back to the negotiating table,' Trump said. 'There are several people in leadership in Iran who will not be coming back.'

Trump also spoke with CNN host Dana Bash about the strikes and vowed to stand with Israel.

'We of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it,' Trump said, according to Bash.

'Iran should have listened to me when I said - you know I gave them, I don't know if you know but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61,' he added.

Rubio warned Iran not to attack any American forces in the region.

'Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,' he wrote.

The president's decision to allow Israel to strike Iran drew cheers from more hawkish Republicans, who have been urging him to take more aggressive approach in the Middle East.

'Game on,' wrote Sen. Lindsey Graham on social media. 'Pray for Israel.'

'Donald Trump doesn't mess around. Bombs away,' cheered Rep. Randy Fine of Florida on social media after the attacks.

Trump's first Secretary of State and former CIA director Mike Pompeo appeared on Fox News on Friday morning, greeting hosts by noting it was 'a very good morning'

'There was literally zero evidence that the negotiations were going to lead to a good outcome,' he said about Trump's peace talks.

'I think the Israeli leadership finally decided not only did they have the moment to do this, but they had the tools and resources to effectively obliterate much of the Iranian regime's military programs.'

Pompeo cheered on the strikes as a demonstration of 'Western resolve' to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran

Smoke and flames rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Piranshahr, Iran in this screen grab obtained by Reuters

'This was the go time,' Pompeo said about the attacks. 'I hope they stay in this. They need to continue this until they complete the effort to diminish Iran's nuclear program in a way that we get a decade or two of respite. I don't think the ayatollah going to change his ways.'

Trump shared his thoughts on the strike on social media, reminding Americans he gave Iran a 'chance' to make a deal.

'I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done,' he said, noting that he warned them of Israel's potential attacks.

Trump blamed Iranian hardliners for failing to move on negotiations.

'Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!' he wrote.

The president signaled his openness to ongoing peace talks, warning of Israel's 'more brutal' efforts to conduct more military strikes.

US President Donald Trump (L), speaks as US First Lady Melania Trump looks on from the Truman balcony during the Congressional picnic

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire,' he wrote. 'No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!'

Trump's special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to attend peace talks in Oman on Sunday and still intends to keep his end of the deal, according to Axios.

Iran announced on state television it will not participate in any future nuclear peace talks.

Israel's strikes targeted the Natanz nuclear site in Iran as well as key Iranian military officials.

Mohammad Bagheri, the commander in chief of the military was killed as well as Gen. Hossein Salami, Gen. Gholamali Rashid, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh:

Iranian state media also announced that two scientists who were leading Iran's nuclear developments were also killed, Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranji, the president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.
Body camera footage shows the moment a nine-year-old girl was pulled to shore after she was badly-mauled by a shark off the Florida coast.

Leah Lendel was snorkeling off the shore of Boca Grande just four feet away from her famous influencer mother Nadia and younger siblings on June 11, when she was bitten by the shark.

Leah 'screamed' as she emerged from the water, Nadia told police, sharing how her daughter's right hand was 'hanging' and there was 'blood everywhere'.

Nadia rushed to get her other children to the shore as her husband, who had been snorkeling 'some distance away', swam 'as fast as possible to shore', ABC reports.

Construction workers spending their lunch break on the beach jumped into action, with one calling 911 and the other using a towel to 'make a tourniquet' and 'stop the blood loss'.

Paramedics began treatment at the scene, with one heard telling Leah 'you're very brave' as they prepared to airlift her to a hospital in Tampa, more than 100 miles away.

Nadia, a mommy influencer with over 97,000 Instagram followers, told her fans Leah underwent a 'long surgery to save her hand' and doctors managed to 'get blow flow to her entire hand and all of her fingers'.

A GoFundMe account was created in the family's honor to help support them as Leah battles a 'long' journey 'full of physical and emotional healing'.

Leah Lendel (pictured) was snorkeling off the shore of Boca Grande just four feet away from her mother Nadia and younger siblings on June 11, when she was bitten by the shark

Paramedics began treatment at the scene, with one heard telling Leah 'you're very brave' as they prepared to airlift her to a hospital in Tampa, more than 100 miles away

Body camera video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows how Nadia was in complete shock after horror struck at the beach. She told officers: 'She flies out and I look over... and I could see her hand hanging, like a piece, and just blood everywhere'

Body camera video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows how Nadia was in complete shock after horror struck at the beach Wednesday.

'She flies out and I look over... and I could see her hand hanging, like a piece, and just blood everywhere,' Nadia told responding officers.

'I just started screaming to my husband to hurry up and get out cause I had so many babies and I don't know who to grab.'

'I'm just happy she's alive,' she added, as she fought back tears.

Good Samaritans who rushed to help the family told police how they 'jumped into the water to take the shark out of its hands'.

'There was like four or five kids, so we had to bring everybody out of the water,' one bystander explained.

Another called 911, telling dispatch: 'I need medical service ASAP! There's a shark!'

'I'm sorry, there's what?' the 911 operator replied.

'A shark,' the called reiterates. 'A shark bit the arm of a little kid.'

Leah (pictured in the hospital in Tampa) underwent a 'long surgery to save her hand' and doctors managed to 'get blow flow to her entire hand and all of her fingers'

Leah 'screamed' as she emerged from the water, Nadia told police, sharing how her daughter's right hand was 'hanging' and there was 'blood everywhere'

Construction workers spending their lunch break on the beach jumped into action, with one calling 911 and the other using a towel to 'make a tourniquet' and 'stop the blood loss'. Pictures are paramedics loading Leah into an ambulance after the attack Wednesday

Nadia shared an update on Leah's condition to her Instagram page Friday, revealing the little one was 'able to move all her fingers'. Hailing it a 'miracle', she thanked everyone for their continued support and prayers

Leah was attacked by an eight-foot long bull shark in the water near the 2200 block of Shore Lane just before noon on Wednesday.

Officials confirmed her injuries were consistent with that of a shark bite, although the dangerous creature was nowhere to seen when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

Alfonso Tello and his coworkers were on lunch break when he heard the girl's scream. The men rushed to the water to help, unaware they had just witnessed a shark attack.

Tello told local outlets: 'When we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out  it gets me. Everybody was in shock.'

His coworker Raynel Lugo told WINK, 'The hand, it was just hanging by this piece

'The whole thing was completely hanging out.'

'You can see bones all completely red.'

Although surgeons were able to put Leah's hand back together, she still has a long road to recovery ahead.

'They had to get arteries from her leg to the hand. Got the blood flow back to her hand. Install pins in bones. Still has open tissues,' Nadia told WZVN. 'They will be monitoring her here for a week. But thank God she can move her fingers.'

Leah Lendel, nine, was snorkeling off the shore of Boca Grande with her mother Nadia and her siblings around noon on June 11, when she was bitten by the shark

With the help of nearby construction workers, the family (with Leah Lendel pictured top row left) called 911 and created a tourniquet out of a beach towel to stop the bleeding

Alfonso Tello, told local outlets, 'When we see that little girl come out from the water with no hand, it was like something out  it gets me. Everybody was in shock'

Leah Lendel's uncle Max Derinsky also offered NBC News further details on the girl's condition: 'The doctors were able to do some miracles and put her hand back together.

'She will be in the hospital for a while and then a lot of physical therapy to hopefully get her hand functioning again.'

The family is facing 'overwhelming medical bills' in the coming months, with Leah likely yo need additional 'surgeries, physical therapy, counseling, and more', according to the family's GoFundMe.

'On what was supposed to be a fun and sunny day at the beach in Boca Grande, 9-year-old Leah experienced a terrifying and life-altering event,' the campaign stats.

'While playing in the water with her siblings, she was bitten on her hand by a shark and had to be rushed to the hospital by Life Flight.

'Were thankful to Jesus for the quick response of emergency crews and the skill of the medical team, she is now stable and going through surgery - fighting hard for her road to recovery.'

The crowdfunder has already raised more than $34,000, as of Friday morning.

Nadia shared an update on Leah's condition to her Instagram page Friday, revealing the little one was 'able to move all her fingers'. Hailing it a 'miracle', she thanked everyone for their continued support and prayers.

A summer vacation took a turn for the worse when Leah Lendel (pictured) was attacked by a shark

Lendel was snorkeling off the shore of Boca Grande with her mother and siblings around noon on Wednesday

She emerged from the water, on her own, completely covered in blood. Pictured: The family's beach inflatable

In Boca Grande, May through July is known as tarpon season, when the large fish are most populous around the island. Their most active period also coincides with shark mating season.

The Boca Grande Fire Department Chief CW Blosser told local news outlets that in his time as chief, he'd only seen two shark attacks. Both of them were during tarpon season.

According to data half of United States shark attacks in 2024 took place in Florida. Although that number was still relatively low, with 14 cases reported in Florida, according to the University of Florida.

Daily Mail has reached out to Nadia Lendel for comment.
Cruel trolls have attacked a plus size single mom after she gave testimony to Congress over planned reductions to food stamps.

US Senator Amy Klobuchar shared footage of the woman, known only as Felecia, to her X profile following the discussion over cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on Wednesday.

Through tears, Felecia said she was a single mom of four kids, aged 21, 17, 12, and 11, who in the past had worked three jobs but struggled to get by.

One job was to pay for her childcare, another to put food on the table, and one more to pay the bills, she said, adding her family 'still struggled alive'.

She said she was now employed full time as bus monitor and only gets one paycheck a month, this leaves here with 'nothing left' to pay for food once she pays her bills.

Felecia added: ' If it wasn't for SNAP benefits I wouldn't be able to feed my children nor myself.

'I work, pay my bills, and like every other mom I want to be sure that I have enough food to put on the table.'

The woman has been mercilessly mocked online over her weight while speak about cutting food stamps, and some even went after Klobuchar for sharing the video of her.

US Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar shared footage of the woman, known only as Felecia, to her X profile following the discussion over cutting food assistance

The program provides monthly payments for food purchases to low-income residents

Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks to reporters following a weekly Democratic policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 3

One person said: 'You actually thought this would be a good idea to put this morbidly obese person before the nation to defend why people need SNAP benefits?

'You're a perfect example of people that should be nowhere around any kind of critical decision making! You are the problem!'

'Only in America, can the poor people be morbidly obese', another person posted to X.

Others defended the mom and offered more sympathetic remarks, one person said: 'You didnt listen to what she said, or you are deliberately misstating what she said.

'She is currently working one job for the school district and using SNAP for food. SNAP is allowing her to feel comfortable working a job that does not pay enough to cover her monthly expenses.

'I understand that she values this added free time in her life for her family, but she is expecting that other parents will work more so they can pay more taxes to feed herself and her children.

'SNAP should be a temporary helping hand to provide nutrition for a family while a parent gets into a better employment position. It is not lifelong supplemental income.'

Another added: 'Your staff should have considered the optics of this instead of putting this woman forward. It was cruel and not thought out.'

The woman has been mercilessly mocked online over her weight while speak about cutting food stamps, and some event went after Klobuchar

A food shopper pushes a cart of groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023

One other posted: 'Leaving aside all the fat-shaming here (we have no idea about potential health issues AND junk food is much cheaper than healthy good).

'So many trolls are saying 'why does she have 4 children if she can't afford them?'. Same trolls who attack a woman's right to choice as murder.'

Another said: 'I'm not saying take her SNAP benefits, but what I'm saying is she doesn't need as much as she's getting.

'Either she's eating it all and her kids are already going hungry, or the handouts meant to sustain her life are having the opposite effect', another commented.

The proposed changes to the SNAP would make states pick up more of the costs, require several million more recipients to work or lose their benefits, and potentially reduce the amount of food aid people receive in the future.

The legislation, which narrowly passed the U.S. House, could undergo further changes in the Senate, where it's currently being debated.

The program provides monthly payments for food purchases to low-income residents generally earning less than $1,632 monthly for individuals, or $3,380 monthly for a household of four.

The money can be spent on most groceries, but the Trump administration recently approved requests by six states - Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah - to exclude certain items, such as soda or candy.

A little over 42 million people nationwide received SNAP benefits in February, the latest month for which figures are available. That's roughly one out of every eight people in the country.
A grandmother has chosen to self-deport over fears she'd be kicked out of the United States and sent to Mexico by Donald Trump.

The 51-year-old woman, identified only as Regina, has lived in South Los Angeles since 1989 but boarded a one-way flight to Mexico City on June 7 and left her life behind.

Her daughter, Julie Ear, said her mother had become frightened over the Trump Administration's continued efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and deportations.

'After decades of hard work in the US, she made the difficult decision to return home, not because she wanted to, but because it was the only option left,' Ear wrote on a GoFundMe for her mother's new life.

Regina had been working to gain citizenship, and meanwhile had raised her family and worked as a garment worker in the city's Fashion District.

As Regina boarded her flight, her family drove to Tijuana, Mexico, to say goodbye, as she leaves behind three children and three grandchildren.

'She was afraid they would come to her house,' Ear told KTLA 5. 'She was afraid to drive, to be pulled over and taken in.'

'The worst part was saying goodbye to her kids and grandchildren. That was the hardest part for her.'

The 51-year-old woman, identified as Regina, has lived in South Los Angeles since 1989 but boarded a one-way flight to Mexico City on June 7 and left her life behind

Regina's daughter, Julie Ear, said her mother had become frightened over the Trump Administration's continued efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and deportations

'After decades of hard work in the US, she made the difficult decision to return home, not because she wanted to, but because it was the only option left,' Ear wrote

She said that her mother decided not to take advantage of Trump's Project Homecoming, which offers financial aid including government funded flights and an 'incentive' of $1,000 to those who self deport.

'It honestly feels like a trap,' Ear said. '[Especially] once we give up that control to somebody else, to the government that is obviously not on our side.'

Ear videoed her mother's journey and posted it on social media, where it went viral.

The compilation of videos shows her family getting up at 5am with her mom in the back of the car.

Regina and her family were videoed journeying into Tijuana and spending time in the airport together before her flight.

'She made this decision months ago and even though it breaks my heart, I'd rather see her leave than live here in fear,' Ear wrote on Instagram.

'She is the most Americanized person I know and a total diva! She has spent most of her life in the US, so this is going to be a huge adjustment for her.'

Regina was seen tearfully hugging her family members in heartbreaking moments throughout the video as they said goodbye.

Ear said that Trump's Homecoming Project, which incentivizes self-deportation, 'honestly feels like a trap'

Regina and her family were videoed journeying into Tijuana and spending time in the airport together before her flight

'I just hugged her so close to me,' Ear told KTLA 5. 'I kissed her. I kept telling her, "Don't worry, Mom. I'm going to see you very soon".'

After landing in Mexico, Regina was able to see her mother for the first time in 22 years.

A father-of-four self-deported to Mexico with his American wife and four US born children due to the same fears harbored by Regina and her family.

Cenobio Feliciano-Galeana crossed into the United States illegally when he was 18, and since then has built his life in America.

But despite his children and his wife, he was unable to obtain citizenship or a green card.

Now, following the ruthless crackdown on illegal immigrants and the looming threat of ICE agents, Cenobio made the decision to self-deport.

At the end of the year, Ashlee, Cenobio's wife, plans to move with her four children to a country they have never known, just to keep the family together.

Cenobio Feliciano-Galeana, who entered the U.S. illegally nearly two decades ago is choosing to self-deport - bringing his American wife and four U.S.-born children with him

Despite years of trying to legalize his status, Cenobio Feliciano-Galeana has been told he has no path to citizenship, even through marriage

Since they began their relationship, Ashlee says she and her family have been trying to get Cenobio through the process to gain legal status in the U.S., with no luck.

Several lawyers and thousands of dollars later, she says not even being married to a U.S. citizen helps Cenobio's cause.

'If I had a penny for every time somebody has said that, I'd have the money to pay for those lawyers,' she said.

She says the lawyers initially told them they had a fifty-fifty chance of getting Cenobio lawful permanent residence or citizenship.

After the Trump administration was sworn in, she says she was told they had no chance.

Their options were to stay and risk itor have Cenobio self-deport and try again in 10 years.

'We have a six-year-old down to a nine-month-old baby. Ten years without a father? That is huge,' Ashlee said.

For her, moving with him is the only option. Staying behind in the U.S. was out of the question.

Self-deportation typically allows an individual to reenter the United States without the bans that follow from an official deportation

His wife, Ashlee, says staying behind and risking ICE tearing their family apart isnt an option

'Wait for one day them to come into my home and take my husband away like a criminal and have my kids have to see that. And I decided that was not a choice I was willing to live with,' she said.

Ashlee says Cenobio never committed a crime. His name doesn't bring anything up in the Utah court system. His only offense was being caught at the border twice and crossing illegally.

That itself is a crimeone that Ashlee acknowledges but doesn't believe should be a life sentence.

'He was born on the wrong side of a line. He came here because he was starving. You know, what would you do if he truly went days without eating, starving? Where would your desperation lead you?' she said.

The Trump Administration has heavily pushed for any illegal immigrants in the United States to self-deport, instead of being detained by ICE officials.

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem gave a stern warning to any undocumented immigrants in an advertisement pushing the deportations and arrests of illegal immigrants.

'Leave now. If you don't, we will find you and deport you,' Noem said. 'You will never return.'

Self-deportation typically allows an individual to reenter the United States without the bans that follow from an official deportation.

The Trump Administration has heavily pushed for any illegal immigrants in the United States to self-deport, instead of being detained by ICE officials

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem gave a stern warning to any undocumented immigrants in an advertisement pushing the deportations and arrests of illegal immigrants

According to ICE, a bar on reentry for a specific period of time can be imposed once proceedings before a Department of Justice immigration judge take place.

'ICE may agree to seek dismissal of removal proceedings if you prove you left the US on your own - and that way, you may be able to avoid getting a final order of removal [and the negative consequences that come with it],' the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website said.

The reentry ban can range from five to twenty years depending on the severity of the crime.

Individuals who were removed after a short unlawful stay in the US can face a ban of five years, while repeat offenders who have been removed multiple times can face around a twenty year ban.

Anyone who was involved in 'serious criminal activity' or those who reentered the US illegally following deportation can face a permanent ban.
The British sole survivor of the Air India crash has revealed how the lights began flickering just before it went down and people died in front of my eyes.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, from Leicester, has also described feeling like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was 'stuck in the air' and 'came to a standstill' rather than climbing after take off.

Aviation experts have speculated that the flickering lights and other symptoms described by Mr Ramesh on board could be a sign of a power failure.

Air India are looking at several aspects of the crash including issues with the jet's engine thrust, its flaps, and why its landing gear remained open, a source close to the investigation has said.

The government is also looking at whether Air India was at fault, including over maintenance issues, the source said. The airline has been ordered by Indias aviation regulator to do safety checks on its entire Boeing 787 fleet.

But the key witness is Mr Ramesh - the only person to walk away from the Ahmedabad air disaster.

Describing what happened after take off in an interview from his hospital bed he said today: 'When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

'Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white.

'The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

It came after a passenger on the plane when it flew the day before the crash claimed that electronics on the jet such as the screens in the seats were not working.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad today. He says the plane's lights flickered and it felt 'stuck' and unable to ascend after take off

The moment the plane went down. Vishwash says that the plane was gliding and not thrusting

Air India are looking at several aspects of the crash including issues with the jet's engine thrust, its flaps, and why its landing gear remained open, a source close to the investigation has said. The Government is looking at Air India's maintenance regime

Firefighters work to put out a fire at the site where an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad

He added: 'At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

'I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening and crawled out.'

Commenting on his survival, Mr Ramesh said: 'I don't know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes.

'The air hostesses and two people I saw near me. I walked out of the rubble.'

Experts have said that identifying the dead is proving hard due to the severity of the disaster.

Forensics Professor Naresh Soni told the Telegraph: 'All recovered remains have been transferred to the post-mortem unit. Our forensic teams are conducting DNA testing, and identification will be confirmed before remains are returned to families'.

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircraft's emergency exits. MailOnline has footage in which 'the emergency exit next to Mr Ramesh flew off just before the crash', according to online aviation enthusiasts.

Experts have raised concerns about what might have caused the fatal Air India crash - including potential problems with the Boeing 787's wing flaps and landing gear.

Investigations are being increased following yesterday's tragedy that killed hundreds of people - and the Dreamliner's wing flaps are coming under extra scrutiny as possibly to blame.

Experts viewing footage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 ahead of the crash have said its configuration on taking off from Ahmedabad airport in India 'doesn't look right'.

The Dreamliner plane was carrying 242 passengers, including 53 Britons.

One of the black boxes has been recovered while the search for the other one is ongoing.

It has also been reported that an identical Boeing 787 made four emergency landings last month - an American Airlines plane with issues linked to its wing flaps not being properly deployed.

The aircraft is to have returned to Amsterdam not long after take-off towards Philadelphia, before later aborted flights to Philadelphia from Dublin, Barcelona and Zurich, the Telegraph reported.

Ex-British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein, watching video of Air India's Flight 171 in yesterday's tragedy, suggested the plane 'clearly' had its landing gear down - saying that was 'not correct' and that 'it should have been up'.

A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed

The Air India flight to London with 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, crashed Thursday shortly after takeoff from an airport in Gujarat

Search and rescue teams respond to the scene of a plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025

The mother of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh cries as she leaves her home in Leicester to travel to India to see her surviving son. Her other son, Ajay, who was also on the flight is presumed dead

He told Sky News: 'It's not immensely clear - but it does look like the aircraft didn't have its take-off flap setting.'

He described how the flaps must be set accurately to extend each wing's shape and generate further lift at lower speeds enabling take-off and follow-up climb.

Mr Rosenschein suggested the wing flaps issue 'could explain why the aircraft came down', with the plane then unable 'to maintain flight'.

He added: 'The video is not that clear, but it doesn't look right to me. The altitude of the aircraft isn't right either and the aircraft seems to be descending rather than climbing - it does look like it's an aerodynamic issue because of not having the right flaps setting on take-off.'

The Air India tragedy that saw a Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummet into a residential neighborhood on Thursday continues to provoke speculation as to its cause.

Speculation has been rife that the plane was not correctly set up for takeoff - having not deployed its 'flaps', segments of the wing that are used to assist with lift.

Marco Chan, of Buckinghamshire New University, said the setting of the flaps was completely down to the pilot - with more flap increasing the surface area of the wing and helping with lift at lower speeds.

But if the plane is not travelling quickly enough, the wrong flap setting could actually work in reverse - and stall the plane. Footage appears to show the jet descending with its nose in the air, as if still trying to climb.

Debris is seen at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025

Civilians surround parts of the jet that seemingly smashed into a medical college canteen

Mr Chan said: 'Looking at the footage there are several experts suggesting the flaps aren't configured properly - it is hard to tell, but it could be a possibility.

'Every take-off is slightly different and you may have a different flap setting. It may not have been set properly. If that is the case, that is definitely human error. But we do have other procedures to ensure that doesn't happen.'

The plane had been en route to London Gatwick, having taken off shortly after 1pm local time, in fair flying conditions.

Air India received multiple safety concerns which has raised questions about its maintenance practices, it has now been claimed.

Sanat Kaul, former Joint Secretary of the Civil Aviation Ministry, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had written to the airline on several occasions to highlight safety and inspection issues.

Mr Kaul said: 'In this matter, the DGCA Director General of Civil Aviation is the regulator.

'It functions under the Ministry, but operates independently. DGCA had written to Air India several times, pointing out multiple issues, mainly regarding safety, things like improper inspections and other lapses.

'So the question now arises about the maintenance procedures followed by Air India.

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived the plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital

The plane's sole survivor in hospital with a bloodied face and injuries after the tragic crash, which claimed the life of his younger brother

Astonishing footage showed the man walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

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'There's also concern about what's called 'line maintenance', the checks conducted by inspectors before every flight. How thorough and effective those checks were is now under scrutiny.'

Air India has yet to respond to Mr Kaul's claims.

Meanwhile, the Indian government is considering grounding Air India's Boeing 787 fleet, the country's broadcaster NDTV reported.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said on Thursday: 'Investigations will take time, but anything we can do now we are doing.'

He visited the crash site on Friday morning but did not answer any questions from reporters, having previously expressing his 'deep sorrow' over the tragedy.

Mr Wilson also said that Air India's efforts were 'focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones'.

The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has been visited by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Video footage shows Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, talking to Mr Modi while lying on his hospital bed.
As it emerged on Thursday that a British man had defied the odds to be the only survivor after an Air India flight to Gatwick Airport crashed just seconds after takeoff, commentators praised the 'miracle of seat 11A.'

Sat on the far left of the Boeing 787 flight that departed Ahmedabad in row 11, just behind an emergency exit, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, shocked the world by walking away from a horror that left 241 others dead.

But while his survival may seem frankly impossible to believe, he was sat in a seat which greatly increased his chances of survival compared to other passengers.

In 2012, a Boeing plane was crashed on purpose in the desert for an expensive documentary aiming to find which seats are safest on a plane in the event of such a collision.

And it found that sitting in economy, close to an exit, carried a far higher likelihood of survival than anywhere else.

While offering plenty of perks, first class air travel certainly doesn't come with increased safety.

Scientists conducted the experiment in the Sonaran desert in Mexico, in which they crashed a Boeing 727 carrying dummies with breakable bones, cameras and sensors.

Dummies were arranged in three different positions on board the plane: one in the classic brace and wearing a seat-belt; one belted but not in the brace position; and one neither belted nor in the brace.

The Boeing 727 comes down in a controlled crash in a remote part of Mexico's Sonoran Desert in 2012 - the first 11 rows of seats are ripped out as the nose of the plane dips and the front of the fuselage is sheared off

Briton Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, miraculously survived yesterday's plane disaster. Pictured: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in an Ahmedabad hospital on Friday

Parts of an Air India plane that crashed on Thursday are seen on top of a building in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 13

After the pilot parachuted out of the plane at 2,500ft, the jet was guided towards the ground by a pilot in a following Cessna via a remote-control device.

The research revealed that economy passengers are more likely to survive a plane crash than those sitting in more expensive seats at the front of the plane.

During the 1.1 million experiment - which was arranged by Channel 4 and television production company Dragonfly - the first 11 rows of seats, typically the most expensive, ripped out as the nose of the plane dipped and the front of the fuselage sheared off.

A force of 12G was recorded in the front of the remaining cabin while, further back in the plane, the force dropped to 6G.

Experts concluded that no first-class passengers would have survived the impact but 78 percent of the remaining passengers would have lived, with the chances of survival increasing the further back they were seated.

The experiment was aimed at helping scientists to study the crash-worthiness of the aircraft's frame and cabin, as well as the impact on the human body.

It is hoped that the findings may help increase the chances of passengers surviving such a crash in the future.

It was only the second time that a jet had been crash-tested this way  the first 'controlled impact demonstration' of a Boeing 720 by Nasa in 1984 ended up as a fireball in California's Mojave Desert.

Wrecked: The deliberate crash-landing of the Boeing 727 shows just how devastating such an impact can be

Important research: The experiment was designed to study the crash-worthiness of the aircraft's airframe and cabin as well as the impact of such disasters on the human body

Groundbreaking experiment: One of the crash test dummies is pictured in the brace position

Anne Evans, a former investigator at the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch, inspected the 727's black-box data recorder after the event.

She said the outcome proved that today's jets, which are more sophisticated than the 727 used in the experiment, were well equipped to cope with such crashes.

'It is safer to sit at the back of the aircraft where the flight recorder is. The front is more vulnerable because that often sees higher impact forces.

'I would pick somewhere which is comfortable and within a few rows of an emergency exit', she said.

This could explain how Mr Ramesh was the sole survivor on board - miraculously not killed on impact, he was able to run out the emergency door right in front of him and flee the wreckage.

Sadly his brother Ajay, who was sat on the row across from him, remains missing and is thought to have died.

Mr Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child, is being treated at a hospital in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad, where he told doctors that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who examined Mr Ramesh, told the Associated Press that he was disoriented with 'multiple injuries all over his body', but that he 'seems to be out of danger.'

Speaking to Indian broadcaster Doordarshan, Mr Ramesh recounted his horrific ordeal, and spoke of how he witnessed two air hostesses die 'in front of my eyes'.

'I don't know how I came out of it alive', he said from his hospital bed.

CCTV footage captured the moment the plane exploded into a fireball

The plane's sole survivor in hospital with a bloodied face and injuries after the tragic crash, which claimed the life of his younger brother

Astonishing footage showed Mr Ramesh walking away from the scene with some visible injuries to his face

Police said they had found a lone survivor who had been sitting in seat 11A. It is right next to emergency door number two on the Boeing Dreamliner

The plane came down as it appeared to lose power. The pilot made a mayday call as the jet crashed

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'For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive. And I opened my seatbelt and got out of there.'

His seat was placed right next to the emergency door, which he says came off when the plane hit the ground.

'The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building,' Mr Ramesh recounted.

'There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.'

'The door must've broken on impact,' he said.

'There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I don't know how.'

When the plane hit the ground yesterday, seat 11A, where Mr Ramesh was sat, collapsed into the ground floor of the building, instead of the upper levels where the jet's main body was badly destroyed.

Mr Ramesh also described how just moments after take off, it 'felt like the plane had got stuck.'

He recalled how the pilots tried to raise the jet, but it 'went full speed and crashed into the building'.

Mr Ramesh explained how the plane quickly caught fire following the crash, and said he burned his arm.

Debris is seen at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025

The number of fatalities is not yet known but rescuers said at least 30 bodies have so far been recovered from a building

People look at the debris of an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad of India's Gujarat state

Firefighters work at the site of the crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport

Rescue team members work as smoke rises at the site in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025

Astonishing footage taken near the crash site yesterday showed Mr Ramesh with visible injuries hobbling away from the jet before he was rushed to hospital for treatment.

The plane momentarily disappeared from view behind trees and buildings before a massive fireball erupted on the horizon in this horrifying clip

A view of the site where a plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12, 2025

The pilot of the Air India crash frantically warned the plane was 'losing power' just moments before it crashed into a building, killing at least 260 people.

The jet plunged into the busy suburb just seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday morning, claiming the lives of all but one passenger.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of flying experience, desperately cried 'Maydayno thrust, losing power, unable to lift' before the aircraft went down and hit a residential property.

Air India later confirmed that 241 of the 242 people aboard flight AI171 died in the crash.

The Boeing was not much more than 400ft above ground when the two experienced pilots onboard apparently lost power in both engines.

Mr Ramesh described yesterday how he heard a 'a loud noise' before the plane crashed.

'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.

'There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

He also said he saw 'flight attendants die' in front of him.

The Indian government has launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound plane that came down in a residential area of Ahmedabad.

Chunks of the plane's fuselage and tail were seen protruding from a demolished building

Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, Thursday, June12, 2025

Officials said most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

India's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X on Friday that the black box of the crashed plane has been found.

He wrote: 'The flight data recorder (black box) has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site in Ahmedabad by AAIB (India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau).

'This marks an important step forward in the investigation. This will significantly aid the inquiry into the incident.'

The plane hit a building housing medical students and burst into flames, killing several college students on the ground.

Shocking images and videos showed how black smoke billowed from the site where the plane crashed near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city of more than five million and the capital of Gujarat.

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated a probe into the disaster in line with global protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, said Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a statement on social media.

A team from the United States is expected to arrive in India to help. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts.

Medics are conducting DNA tests to identify those killed, the national president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, Akshay Dongardiv, said.

Meanwhile, grieving families gathered outside the Civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Tributes also began to pour in for the 52 other British nationals believed to have died in the crash.

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171

Akeel Nanawaba (left), 36, his wife Hannaa (right), 30, and their four-year-old daughter Sarah were flying home from a five-day family celebration when the Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off. They are also feared to have died in the crash

Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, 45, (right) and husband Fiongal, 39, live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday. They are also believed to have been on the flight

Dr Prateek Joshi, a radiologist who died in the Air India plane crash, was a 'wonderful man' who entertained colleagues with stories about 'his newly-discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District', a colleague who worked closely with him said.

Dr Rajeev Singh, consultant radiologist and clinical director for imaging at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB), said: 'Prateek was full of joy, he was a wonderful man, friend, husband and father, and an exceptional radiologist who was highly respected in his field.

'He approached everything with a smile, radiated positivity and had a great sense of humour.

'He moved to Derby, from India, in 2021, quickly becoming a beloved colleague.

'He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly-discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.

'He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many.

'It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way.

'His passing has left a profound void, not only in his professional contributions but in the warmth and spirit that he gave to the world every day.'

British couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

Mr Greenlaw-Meek appeared on ITV's This Morning earlier this year, and former editor of the show Martin Frizell praised his 'vibrancy' and 'enthusiasm'.

'So so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick,' he said in an Instagram post.

'I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although I'm a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.'

The Gloucester Muslim Community group offered 'sincere and deepest condolences' after Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their daughter Sara were reported to be among the victims.

'During this moment of overwhelming sorrow, our hearts go out to all those left behind,' a statement said.

'No words can truly ease the pain of such a profound loss, but we pray that the family may find solace in the tremendous outpouring of compassion and solidarity from communities across the world.'

Harrods brand ambassador Mariam Ali Syed, 35, her husband Javed - a manager at the Best Western Kensington Olympia Hotel - and their children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were also passengers on stricken Air India Flight 171.

Zayn and Amani are believed to be the youngest named victims of the crash so far.

Mrs Ali Syed's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan, 45, broke down while confirming the children's names, and pleaded with officials to offer more support to the families of the 53 British citizens onboard the flight.

'They are so small, they are five and four. And it's just thinking how scared they must have been,' she told the Telegraph.

'We're not angry about the lack of answers [from UK government officials]  we understand that takes time.

'We're angry because no one has reached out to offer support or even ask if we need anything. These are British citizens.'

Aviation experts have speculated about a number of possible causes for the crash, from both engines failing - possibly due to a bird strike, as happened in the so-called Miracle on the Hudson in 2009 - to the flaps on the aircraft's wings not being set to the correct position for take-off.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and a local hospital on Friday morning.

Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, said it would provide 10 million rupees (around 86,000) to the families of each of those killed in the crash.

The company said it would also cover the medical costs of the injured and provide support in the 'building up' of the medical college.
Shocking footage captured the moment a $1 million Colorado mansion was destroyed by a huge fire.

The home in Brighton, an affluent neighborhood a short drive north of Denver, was seen engulfed in flames on Thursday evening.

Situated on a hill visible to much of the surrounding area, where other homes cost upwards of $2.5 million, the entire home appeared to be torched in the house fire.

The Brighton Fire Department said it rescued two people from inside the home who were transported to a local hospital with unknown injuries.

In footage from KDVR that arrived as the home was still ablaze, the untamed fires were seen dangerously close to a neighbor's nearby property.

Officials said firefighters extinguished the flames before the other home was damaged, with several other fire departments joining to assist the situation.

According to public records, the home is owned by Andrew Marlar, the owner of a Colorado moving company. He could not be reached for a response.

Shocking footage captured the moment a $1 million Colorado mansion was destroyed in an inferno on Thursday night

Smoke could be seen filling the skies over Brighton, an affluent neighborhood a short drive north of Denver, as the hilltop mansion burned in full view of the community

The home (seen in an aerial view) was destroyed in the inferno, with one person to hospital and another rescued from the fire

The cause of the fire is not yet known, with Brighton Fire Rescue investigators reportedly on the scene on Thursday evening to look into the incident.

The department said while no people were killed in the blaze, several cats remain missing from the property.

The fire was so large that crews from Thornton Fire Department, South Adams Fire Department and Fort Lupton Fire Department joined efforts to put out the blaze.

Authorities said the location of the fire meant water had to be shuttled to the site, with high winds fueling the inferno for hours on Thursday night.
The Idaho students who discovered the bloodbath inside the off-campus home in Moscow have broken their silence, two months before their friends accused killer Bryan Kohberger goes on trial.

Emily Alandt and Hunter Johnson had been called over to the house on the morning of November 13, 2022, by the two surviving roommates who were unable to reach their friends and were scared something bad had taken place.

Once inside, they found Xana Kernodle's body.

A chilling 911 call was placed, with officers arriving on the scene to find all four victims dead.

Alandt and Johnson are now speaking out for the very first time about the day that their friends were brutally murdered in Prime Videos upcoming four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho: The College Murders.

In the newly-released trailer, the students speak about the moment they made the heartbreaking discovery - and the chilling realization that their group of friends could have been stalked for months.

We were a big group of friends, why would you target those four, Alandt is heard saying.

Theres a big realization that we had been stalked for so many months - and had no clue.

In the early hours of November 13, 2022, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were stabbed to death inside 1122 King Road in the college town.

Emily Alandt is speaking out for the very first time in Prime Videos upcoming four-part docuseries One Night in Idaho: The College Murders

Hunter Johnson (pictured) discovered the bloodbath inside the off-campus home in Moscow on November 13, 2022

The three young women lived in the home with two roommates Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, while Chapin was Kernodle's boyfriend.

At around 4am that morning, Mortensen came face-to-face with the masked killer inside the home.

She told investigators she had heard disturbing noises inside the home and, after opening her bedroom door, saw a man dressed in all black and a balaclava-type mask walking past her doorway toward the back sliding door.

After the terrifying encounter, Mortensen desperately tried to call and text her roommates and friends.

Only Funke responded.

The two survivors repeatedly texted and called each other and their four friends.

'No one is answering,' Mortensen texted Funke, according to court records.

'What's going on?' she then sent to Goncalves.

In another message, Mortensen texted Funke, 'I'm freaking out rn and described the intruder wearing like ski mask almost.

Mortensen ended up running from her room on the second floor down to Funke's room on the first floor where they stayed until daylight.

Cell phone records, released in court documents, show that the two women called and texted their roommates and other people, and accessed social media platforms over the next eight hours.

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

With still no response from any of the four victims, at around 11.50am, Mortensen called Alandt and asked her to 'come over and check the house because she was scared,' court documents state.

Alandt and her boyfriend Johnson came to the home and met Mortensen and Funke at the bottom floor of the three-story house.

Johnson, Funke and Mortensen made their way to the second floor, with Johnson going to the kitchen to grab a kitchen knife, the documents say.

At that moment, the students saw Kernodle lying on the floor.

The students recall that horrifying moment in the trailer.

I stepped foot in the house and immediately Hunter was like "get out," somebody call 911, a female voice says.

The panicked 911 call was then placed from Funke's cell phone.

In the call, Alandt is heard speaking to the dispatcher, saying that they saw some man in their house last night.

The Prime Video series, which premieres on July 11, marks the first time that Alandt and Johnson have ever spoken out publicly about that horrific day

Chapin's triplet siblings Hunter and Maizie - who also attended University of Idaho - also speak out for the first time in the show

The Prime Video series, which premieres on July 11, marks the first time that Alandt and Johnson have ever spoken out publicly about that horrific day.

After going through the trauma of finding their friends dead, they reveal that they were then subjected to online rumors and threats.

'People were thinking we were murderers,' Hunter Johnson says in the trailer.

'We were getting death threats,' Alandt says.

Another friend reveals that photos of his home were posted online, as he was accused of having 'something to do with it.'

The series delves into the online 'rumors and speculation' that filled the void - with the surviving roommates and some of the victims' friends facing shocking accusations, online attacks and death threats - as no arrests were made and no suspects named for weeks after the murders.

Chapin's triplet siblings Hunter and Maizie - who also attended University of Idaho - also speak out for the first time, with Hunter speaking about the terrifying aftermath of the murders where their brother's killer was still at large.

'There's this person out there who had just murdered our brother and he's still out there somewhere,' he recalls.

Bryan Kohberger (seen in a creepy selfie six hours after the brutal Moscow murders) is going on trial in August

The show also features new interviews with other friends and family members of the victims including Chapin's parents Stacey and Jim Chapin and Mogen's parents Karen and Scott Laramie.

On December 30, 2022, an arrest was finally made in the case.

Kohberger - a 30-year-old criminology PhD student over the border at Washington State University - was taken into custody at his parents' home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania, where he had returned for the holidays.

He was connected to the murders after his DNA was found on a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath found next to Mogen's body at the scene.

Prosecutors also found cellphone records placing him outside the student home multiple times prior to the murders, as well as surveillance footage showing a vehicle matching his car speeding away.

Now, more than two years on from his arrest, Kohberger's trial is scheduled to begin this August in Ada County.

However, a critical hearing is set to take to take place Wednesday which could turn the trial timeline on its head.

In an 11th-hour move, Kohberger's defense is asking the judge to delay the trial - citing a recent Dateline episode that revealed bombshell new details and pointed to a potential evidence leak in the case.

In the show, released in early May, the suspected killer's phone records, porn choices and online searches for Ted Bundy were revealed for the first time.

It also aired never-before-seen surveillance footage of a suspect vehicle fleeing the horrific crime scene on November 13, 2022.

The defense asked for the trial to be postponed citing the Dateline episode and other media coverage about the case.

The murders struck fear into the small close-knit college town of Moscow, Idaho (pictured)

The home at 1122 King Road where the four students were murdered in a horror knife attack

The defense also argued that they need more time to effectively prepare for trial and investigate Kohberger's 'life story' ahead of the potential penalty phase.

Prosecutors fired back at the request in a court filing this week, furiously responding: 'It is time to try this case. Defendant was arrested in late December of 2022 and was indicted in May of 2023.'

In its response, the state also rubbished claims a delay would make it easier to seat an impartial jury and blasted the defense for going down 'every rabbit hole.'

'Defendants Motion amounts to a request for a perpetual continuance so that his counsel can go down every rabbit-hole until Defendant - rather than the Court - deems himself ready for trial,' the filing, from prosecutor Bill Thompson, reads.

The state argues that Kohberger's team has had plenty of time to prepare for the trial - coming more than two years after his arrest.

Judge Steven Hippler will weigh the arguments to delay the trial during a hearing on June 18.

A closed-door hearing will also be held that day around whether or not the defense can present an alternate suspect to jurors at the trial.

If the trial goes ahead as planned, jury selection will begin in late July or early August, with the trial getting underway August 11.

If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty.
There will be tanks, parachute jumps, flyovers and, of course, a cameo from MAGA crooner Lee Greenwood.

But the star of Saturday's military parade marking the Army's 250th anniversary - and President Donald Trump's birthday - could be a two-year-old Blue Heeler named Private Doc Holliday.

This dog named Doc - named after Wyatt Earp's buddy made famous by the 1881 O.K. Corral shootout portrayed in the movie Tombstone - is part of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army.

He's twice appeared in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Altogether, the 1st Cavalry Division is bringing 14 horses, two mules and Doc Holliday to giddy-up and strut down Constitution Avenue Saturday evening if all goes according to plan.

On Thursday weather reports appeared to put Saturday's parade, which will kick off at 6:30 p.m., in jeopardy.

A Pentagon source confirmed to the Daily Mail that if there's lightning in the area the parade will have to be canceled or postponed.

A White House spokesperson pressed that some show would go on.

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? Private Doc Holliday will be one of the stars of the show during Saturday's military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which falls on President Donald Trump's birthday

1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment mascot Private Doc Holliday stands with his handler Friday in Herndon, Virginia after arriving from Texas ahead of Saturday's military parade

'Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense of America 250 Commission. No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!' deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said to the Daily Mail.

The Weather Channel's current forecast for Saturday in Washington calls for cloudy skies in the morning with thunderstorms developing later in the day.

'The weather is being closely monitored and taken into consideration, but at this point nothing has changed. If there are any changes in the future we will notify you as soon as possible,' Army spokesperson Heather Hagan told the Daily Mail early Friday morning.

The parade itself will only last an hour - with a concert planned directly afterward followed by a fireworks display over the National Mall.

Trump has long wanted to have a military-style parade, after seeing France's Bastille Day festivities, which also marked the U.S.'s 100th anniversary of entering World War I, in July of 2017.

During his first term he was dissuaded from holding one over cost concerns.

The tanks are likely to beat up Washington, D.C.'s roads - and the federal government would need to pay district taxpayers back for the damage.

Instead, in 2019, the president held a 'Salute to America' on the Fourth of July in front of the Lincoln Memorial, where tanks were on display, and several flyovers occurred.

One of the two mules that are part of Doc Holliday's 1st Cavalry Division photographed Friday in Herndon, Virginia ahead of Saturday's parade

Private Doc Holliday is named after Wyatt Earp's buddy made famous by the 1881 O.K. Corral shootout portrayed in the movie Tombstone 1st Cavalry Division including two mules and

THE BEST BOY: Doc Holliday will be joined in the parade by other members of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry Division, which is bringing 14 horses and two mules

Doc Holliday watches one of the horses that's also part of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry Division, appearing in the Army's 250th annivesary parade on Saturday

It drizzled that day, but the event was able to go on.

Saturday's event kicks off more than a year's worth of events ahead of the United States celebrating its sesquicentennial - as it will have been 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Army formed more than a year before the document's signing.

Trump has been previewing the parade and the Army's anniversary all week.

He visited Fort Bragg on Tuesday where he cheered on the troops - and also made the shocking announcement that he was reverting the names of seven military bases to those based off of Confederate soldiers, including Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The president has also threatened potential protesters - as demonstrations have broken out in cities all over the country over his 'mass deportation' plans.

In the Oval Office on Tuesday he said, 'by the way, for those people who want to protest, they are going to be met with very big force.'

'And I haven't even heard about a protest, but you know this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force,' the president added.

Private Doc Holliday poses alongside several of the horses that are part of the Texas-based 1st Cavalry

A reviewing stand being set up this week for Saturday's military parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday

On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had to defend Trump and say that he supported the First Amendment, which gives Americans the right to assemble peacefully and to protest.

An organization called 'No Kings' is organizing demonstrations across the country on June 14th, the day of the military parade.

'No Kings' planners have pushed potential demonstrators to not take to the streets in D.C. - where there is already a robust security response.

The White House, Capitol and certain roadways have been outlined with fencing ahead of Saturday's events.

Instead 'No Kings' organizers have encouraged people to protest in Philadelphia or in suburban Maryland and Virginia, instead of D.C. proper.

Some Democrats have also pushed like-minded people online to RSVP for the military parade, only to be no-shows, so Trump's crowds aren't as robust as the president would like.

A similar tactic was organized during Trump's controversial 2020 Tulsa rally, which was held indoors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many seats left empty.
A relative of a grandmother who was viciously murdered during a carjacking more than two decades ago says they never wanted her killer to be put to death - and is now speaking out against President Donald Trump for green-lighting the execution.

John Hanson, 61, received the lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on Thursday morning, becoming the 22nd death row inmate to be executed in the US this year.

He was convicted of killing 77-year-old Mary Agnes Bowles after he and another man carjacked and kidnapped her from a Tulsa mall in August 1999.

Bowles, a retired banker and community volunteer, was found dead a week later in a remote dirt pit on the outskirts of Owasso, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds in what authorities described as an execution-style killing. Hanson and his accomplice also killed a witness to the crime.

After a quarter of a century behind bars, Hanson was declared dead at 10:11am on Thursday.

His execution was made possible by the Trump administration, which approved his transfer from federal custody in Louisiana to Oklahoma in February for the sole purpose of carrying out his death sentence.

But Bowles grand-niece, Alana Price, told DailyMail.com she never wanted Hanson to be put to death and is so upset at Trump for facilitating his execution, noting that Hanson was developmentally disabled.

John Hanson, 61, received the lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester on Thursday

Mary Agnes Bowles, 77, was shot at least six times. The retired banker volunteered at numerous local organizations, including at a local hospital where shed logged 11,000 hours in the neonatal unit

I want the world to know that todays state-sponsored murder of John Hanson has only deepened the grief that I feel over her loss, Price said on Thursday.

Each spring when I see the dogwood trees in my neighborhood start to bloom, Im flooded once again with grief over the loss of my beloved Aunt Mary, who decorated her house with images of their four-petaled flowers.

Following todays execution, my ongoing grief will also be layered with the weight of another murder  the state-sanctioned murder of John Hanson.

Hanson's death, Price said, left her with a sick feeling of guilt and complicity.

Executions like these dont heal violence  they reproduce the violence and make the pain worse, forcing everyone in our society to be complicit in murder, she added.

Hanson had been serving life in a federal Louisiana prison for bank robbery and several other federal convictions unrelated to the Bowles case.

Federal officials transferred him to Oklahoma custody in March to adhere to President Donald Trumps executive order to more actively support the death penalty.

Hansons execution had previously been set for December 15, 2022, but the Biden administration blocked his transfer to Oklahoma, in keeping with the former presidents opposition to capital punishment.

His execution was once again thrown into doubt this week after his attorneys argued in a last-minute appeal that Hanson didnt receive a fair clemency hearing last month.

Hansons execution had previously been set for December 15, 2022, but the Biden administration blocked his transfer to Oklahoma

Before being administered his lethal dose, Hanson told those gathered to watch his final breath: Peace to everyone' (above is Okalahoma State's execution chamber)

They claimed one of the board members who denied the appeal was biased because he worked for the Tulsa County DA when Hanson was prosecuted.

A district court judge this week issued a temporary stay halting the execution, but that was later vacated.

Like Price, Hansons attorney, Callie Heller, blasted Hansons execution as an act of pointless cruelty.

Heller claimed that Hanson has autism, and that made him more susceptible to being manipulated by his dominating co-defendant, Victor Miller.

But not all of Bowles relatives were against Hanson being put to death.

Her niece, Sara Parker Mooney, called for reforms to death row practices in an interview with USA Today, insisting Hanson shouldve been executed years ago.

Capital punishment is not an effective form of justice when it takes 26 years, said Mooney, who travelled from Texas to Oklahoma to witness his death.

Respectfully, if the state is going to continue to execute individuals, a better process is needed.

This existing process is broken.

Jacob Thurman, the son of Jerald Thurman, who was the witness killed by Hanson and Miller, also celebrated Hansons death.

I feel like now we can finally be at peace with this, he said. I feel like we have some closure and our families can pick up the pieces now and move forward.

Thurman gave specific thanks to US Attorney General Pam Bondi for ordering Hansons transfer so that Oklahoma can carry out this just sentence.

Hanson did not request anything special for his final meal on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said.

He was served what all of his other inmates received: chicken pot pie, two rolls, carrots, and two fruit cups.

Before being administered his lethal dose, he told those gathered to watch his final breath: Just forgive me and peace to everyone.

A spiritual adviser stood close by, reading from a Bible as the execution began.

Hanson could be heard snoring when the Department of Corrections chief of operations announced he was unconscious, USA Today reported.

During his clemency hearing last month, Hanson expressed remorse for his involvement in the crimes and apologized to Bowels and Thurmans families.

Im not an evil person, Hanson said via a video link from the prison. I was caught in a situation I couldnt control. I cant change the past, but I would if I could.

Hansons attorneys acknowledged he participated in the kidnapping and carjacking, but said there was no definitive evidence that he shot and killed Bowles.

They painted Hanson as a troubled youth with autism who was controlled and manipulated by the domineering Miller.

Mary Bowles was returning to her car at the Promenade Mall in Tulsa on August 31, 1999, when she was ambushed by Hanson and Miller at gunpoint.

The two men forced the elderly woman into her own car and drove to an isolated dirt pit near Owasso.

The owner of the pit, Jerald Thurman, saw the car pull in.

Miller got out and shot Thurman four times, including once in the head, as Bowles watched on helplessly from the backseat, court records state.

She asked the two men, Do you have kids or anyone who loves you?, prompting Hanson to punch her in the face.

Hundreds of mourners turned out for Bowles' funeral. She was celebrated as a pillar of her local community, according to reports from the time

Jerald Thurman, the owner of the pit where Bowles was taken, was shot by Victor Miller and died from his injuries after two weeks in hospital

Victor Miller (above) was Hanson's accomplice. He is serving life in prison and previously bragged about being the one to have shot Bowles, court records state

Moments later, Miller stopped the car. Hanson forced Bowles out and shot her at least six times, court records say.

Thurman's nephew was on the phone with him just before the attack and found his wounded uncle still alive shortly after the shooting.

Tragically, Thurman, 44, succumbed to his injuries two weeks later.

Bowles significantly decomposed remains were found on September 7, 1999, more than a week after her abduction.

Hanson and Miller, meanwhile, continued on a five-day crime spree, robbing a bank and a video store, before Millers wife turned the two men into police, following an argument.

They were eventually captured two days after Bowles remains were found.

Miller was sentenced to life in prison while Hanson was sentenced to the death penalty.

Later, Miller bragged that he was the one whod shot Bowles, not Hanson, court records say.

Hundreds would turn out to mourn Bowles death.

She volunteered at numerous local organizations, including at a local hospital where shed logged 11,000 hours in the neonatal unit caring for critically ill newborns.
The White House has tamped down talk of withdrawing Elon Musks billions of dollars worth of government contracts after their epic feud.

But a pivotal role floated for his SpaceX company to help build Trumps proposed $175 billion 'Golden Dome' missile shield could still be under threat.

'No efforts have been made on that front, as far as I'm aware,' is how White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded when recently asked whether the administration was looking at nixing Musks contracts.

That came after the president wrote publicly about terminating his 'governmental subsidies and contracts' and warned of serious consequences if Musk decided to financially support Democrats.

The pair fell out after Musk railed against Trumps big, beautiful bill after forecasts showed it would tack trillions onto the national debt.

Their explosive feud finally ended after Musk started posting favorable tweets, phoned Trump, and said he regretted 'some of my posts' in their X war.

Musk companies have existing contracts estimated at $38 billion without the Golden Dome.

Now, the role for his company has come into question, Reuters reported, citing three people familiar with the project.

It would be an abrupt turnaround from when Trump sat next to a graphic poster board showing a protective dome intended to shield the nation from incoming missiles.

The White House had been pushing consideration of a plan where Musks rocket and satellite company  which ferries astronauts and payloads to the International Space Station  would be a key partner in the project. Also involved would be Palantir and drone maker Anduril.

President Trump says he wishes Elon Musk 'well' after the two men spoke and their feud tamped down

But a new framework is now under consideration which would scrap the need for Musks network of orbiting satellites.

It would focus on existing ground systems for missile defense instead, according to the report.

'The Trump Administration is committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts, prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology. Decisions will be made at the appropriate time, based on thorough evaluation, and will not be previewed in the press,' White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields told the Daily Mail amid the uncertainty.

It is unclear how this reworked system would counter the growing threat of hypersonic missiles, which can travel up to 10 times the speed of sound and change direction mid-flight.

The Pentagon had been considering various plans, including some relying on multiple satellites and even space-based interceptors.

A Defense official told Reuters that DOD 'has no announcements regarding future contracts associated with the Golden Dome effort.'

The White House said the administration is 'committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts.

Trump announced his Golden Dome to much fanfare from the Oval Office.

Republicans put $25 billion for it in the House version of his 'big, beautiful' bill now making its way through the Senate.

'Were going to have it at the highest level, Trump said. Canada has called us and they want to be a part of it, he said, adding that as usual, we help Canada as best we can.

The administration is lauding Golden Dome as a game changer. It would involve billions in contracts even under Trump's $175 billion total cost estimate

Musk's network of satellites and his SpaceX delivery systems could play a role

Were talking about $175 billion total cost when its completed, Trump said.

Pressed on whether military brass liked the idea, Trump responded: I suggested it and they all said, We love the idea sir. Thats the way its supposed to be, right?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called it 'a down payment on President Trump's priority to defend our homeland.'

Defense contractors were scrambling this spring to submit more than 300 concept papers.

Some doubt Trump's budget estimates as lowballs. Former Pentagon comptroller Dov Zakheim estimated it could cost up to $100 billion each year through 2030.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.
Tributes were paid today to a warm, smiling and kind NHS doctor, his wife and three young children, who were wiped out in the horrific Air India plane crash.

Dr Prateek Joshi, 43, had worked as a radiologist at a hospital in Derby for four years.

He was flying back to the UK with his wife Komi Vyas  a fellow doctor - their daughter Miraya, eight, and twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul, five, who planned to settle down in the East Midlands city.

The family posted a selfie of them innocently smiling after boarding the Boeing 787 plane before it took off from Ahmedabad yesterday.

Royal Derby Hospital described Dr Joshi as not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team.

His wife of around 10 years and children had spent time with him in Derby on a regular basis and were on the flight to Britain planning to start a new life, friends said.

One of Dr Joshi's former senior colleagues at the Royal Derby, Dr Rajeev Singh, said: It is hard to accept that a man with such a passion for life, and his beautiful young family, have been taken in this way.

His passing has left a profound void, not only in his professional contributions but in the warmth and spirit that he gave to the world every day.

Dr Joshi, his wife Komi Vyas, daughter Miraya, eight, and twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul, five

Dr Vivekanand Sharma, minister at Derbys Geeta Bhawan Hindu temple, where Dr Joshi worshipped regularly, said: He was a good man, a lovely person with a smiling face, always looking to help others in any way he could.

I first met him more than two years ago when he first came to the temple, although I had not met his wife and family before.

Our thoughts are with the family of Dr Joshi, everyone who was travelling on the aeroplane and those at the hospital which it crashed onto.

We have deep sorrow for all of them.

Another of Dr Joshis former colleagues, Deepak Pundaleekappa Kaladagi, a professor of orthopaedics at a hospital in Bangalore, posted a picture of the family on Facebook.

In a heartfelt tribute, he said: Rest in peace Dr Prateek Joshi and family who breathed their last in the tragic horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad which killed 242 people on board.

Dr Prateek was my MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine) classmate and a dear friend in JNMC (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belgaum, India).

He was a Radiologist, his wife also a doctor, who had recently resigned from job in India and was planning to settle in UK, but fate had other plans. May their souls rest in peace and God give strength to their family to bear this loss.

Selfie: Dr Joshi, wife Komi Vyas, daughter Miraya, eight, and twin sons, Pradyut and Nakul, five

Dr Prateek Joshi developed a passion for walking in the Peak District after settling in Derby

Dr Singh, Consultant Radiologist and Clinical Director for Imaging at University Hospitals Derby and Burton NHS Trust, said: Prateek was full of joy, he was a wonderful man, friend, husband and father, and an exceptional Radiologist who was highly respected in his field.

He approached everything with a smile, radiated positivity and had a great sense of humour.

He moved to Derby, from India, in 2021, quickly becoming a beloved colleague. He often entertained colleagues with stories about his passions outside of work, including his newly discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District.

He touched the lives of so many people, both through his clinical work and as a colleague and friend to many.

Before the flight departed, the family shared a selfie onboard the doomed flight, all of them smiling ahead of the next chapter in their lives.

Neil Ryan lived next door to the doctor for a number of years, in a suburb close to the Royal Derby Hospital.

He said: It's absolutely devastating, you just don't expect it to be so close to home.

The fact that they were on their way back to Derby to set up their own life, the photo they took just before they took off, they were so happy and content, for it to end this way is just heartbreaking.

We moved in 2019 and they moved in a few years later. A wonderful, beautiful family, absolutely brilliant. The kindest, really unassuming. When they lived here, they'd just had their twin boys who were babies at the time, absolutely tiny they were.

We could hear them crying through the walls, but it was really quiet and cute. Just the nicest family. When they left, they came round and said goodbye, they gave us a big parcel of goodies and stuff.

He was a doctor in the hospital just down the road. You couldn't ask for better neighbours.

Another resident, Paul Stewart, added: I would walk past and see Dr Joshi every now and then. We didn't know each other very well but I recognised his face in the news this morning.

It's a tragedy that has brought so much sadness to Derby, across the UK and across the world.

To think that those young children were on that flight with their parents is just something I can't fathom. I just hope their family are supported during this horrific time.

Tributes were paid by the Royal Derby Hospital, where Dr Prateek Joshi worked for four years

Stephen Posey, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton chief executive, said: We are profoundly and deeply saddened at the loss of our dedicated and talented colleague, Dr Prateek Joshi, and his family.

Prateek was not only an excellent doctor for whom nothing was too much trouble, but also a warm, smiling and kind man who was a hugely liked and valued member of the team.

We are privileged that Prateek chose to give his skills, talent and knowledge to the NHS, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
The Tories have demanded the Office for Budget Responsibility steps in to scrutinise Labour's spending plans amid claims the 'fantasy sums' don't add up.

Conservative MP Gareth Davies, the shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, called for the watchdog to assess Chancellor Rachel Reeves' proposals.

Ms Reeves used her Spending Review on Wednesday to set out plans to 'invest' a staggering 4trillion to fund 'the renewal of Britain' over the coming years.

The Chancellor outlined day-to-day spending across Government for the next three years, as well as plans for capital investment over the next four years.

She repeatedly said the cost of her Spending Review was covered by the tax rises she brought in last year, telling Whitehall departments to now 'live within their means'.

But Ms Reeves also failed to rule out hammering households with further tax hikes at her autumn budget amid deepening economic gloom.

Experts have warned a weakening economy and extra spending pledges - such Labour's U-turn on winter fuel payments - mean taxes are likely to go up again.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies delivered a withering assessment of the Chancellor's spending plans and warned that tax rises look 'almost inevitable'.

The Tories have demanded the Office for Budget Responsibility steps in to scrutinise Chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending plans amid claims the 'fantasy sums' don't add up

Rachel Reeves just became the first Chancellor in history to deny OBR scrutiny of a Spending Review.



If the Chancellor doesnt have confidence in her numbers, why should we have confidence in her?  pic.twitter.com/HYDbTYS4gL  Gareth Davies MP (@GarethDavies_MP) June 13, 2025

The think-tank's director Paul Johnson said he would be 'very surprised indeed' if heath and defence funding did not need topping up before the next election.

Despite Labour's splurge, he also cautioned that schools spending looked extremely 'tight' as special needs provision demand grows.

The IFS's post-mortem also ridiculed the Government's claim to have identified billions of pounds in 'efficiencies' during a 'zero-based' overhaul of costs.

Mr Johnson pointed out that all departments had been pencilled in for exactly the same percentages of back-office cuts, suggesting it was not a 'serious' exercise.

In his call for the OBR to carry out an assessment of Ms Reeves' plans, Mr Davies noted how the Chancellor had previously vowed never to sideline the watchdog.

In July last year, Ms Reeves announced new laws giving the OBR the power to make an independent assessment of any single major tax and spending announcement.

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The Tory shadow minister said: 'This is the first time in the OBR's history that it has not provided a report alongside a Spending Review.

'This means Labour's Spending Review is founded on billions of pounds worth of speculative savings which have not been subject to independent OBR scrutiny.

'The supposed savings dwarf the Chancellor's headroom, so taxpayers are on the hook if they fail to materialise - as they always do with Labour.

'Given that Rachel Reeves promised to never make a significant fiscal announcement without an OBR report, this is yet another U-turn from a Government which has lost its grip.

'Labour has lost control of the economy, and families are tightening their belts as a result.

'Rachel Reeves' fantasy sums will be paid for in billions more borrowing and even more tax rises.

'The OBR must assess Labour's sums to prevent further speculation and uncertainty, and protect the pockets of hardworking British taxpayers.'

An HM Treasury spokesperson said: 'The OBR carries out independent forecasts at fiscal events, including the Budget. The spending review was not a fiscal event.'

The OBR did not comment.
King Charles has ordered royals to wear black armbands in remembrance of those killed in the Air India plane crash for Trooping the Colour on Saturday.

The monarch has requested a minute's silence in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

Black armbands will be worn by the head of state and senior royals riding in the ceremony to mark the King's official birthday.

On horseback and wearing the armbands will be the Prince of Wales, Colonel of the Welsh Guards, the Princess Royal, Colonel Blues and Royals, and the Duke of Edinburgh, Colonel Scots Guards.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said Charles requested amendments to the Trooping the Colour programme 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy'.

The King issued a written message soon after the plane crash, saying he was 'desperately shocked by the terrible events' and expressed his 'deepest possible sympathy'.

In 2017, Trooping was held a few days days after the Grenfell Tower blaze and the loss of life was marked by a minute's silence, a decision taken by Queen Elizabeth II.

It comes as final preparations have been taking place on Friday for the weekend ceremony.

After the Trooping ceremony is over, the Royal Family will make their group appearance on the Palace balcony before the day concludes with a flypast

Last week a full-dress rehearsal, known as The Colonel's Review, took place serving as the final run-through before the King's official celebration

Members of the royal family are expected to watch the flypast - including the RAF Red Arrows and a range of planes and helicopters - from the balcony

The monarch has requested a minute's silence in tribute to the 241 passengers and crew killed when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for Gatwick Airport came down on Thursday in the Indian city of Ahmedabad

The occasion transforms the Mall as crowds line up the streets waving flags as 1400 soldiers parade alongside 200 horses and 400 musicians from Horse Guard's Parade to Buckingham Palace.

After the Trooping ceremony is over, the Royal Family will make their notorious group appearance on the Palace balcony before the day concludes with a flypast.

It is expected King Charles will no longer ride in the ceremony due to his ongoing cancer treatments and instead will be in a carriage.

As a former polo player and one of the Royal Family's most accomplished equestrians, King Charles rode for years in the parade - both for his mother's official birthday celebrations and then for his own.

But he will not appear on horseback at the event this weekend and will instead travel in a carriage for the procession from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade and back, according to The Sunday Times.

Trooping the Colour is a centuries-old tradition that marks the Sovereign's official birthday.

It dates back to the 17th century and is rooted in battlefield custom, when regimental flags, or 'colours,' were trooped in front of soldiers to ensure they could be recognised amid the smoke of combat.

Last week a full-dress rehearsal, known as The Colonel's Review, took place serving as the final run-through before the King's official celebration.

This year, the honour of trooping the Colour falls to the Coldstream Guards, who will officially present their regimental flag, known as the Colour, to King Charles.

Following the Trooping ceremony, all eyes will be on the royal balcony to see who King Charles invites to wave to the crowds.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be front and centre on the balcony to watch the Red Arrows flypast, but it expected a host of senior royals will be alongside them.

Prince William is expected to be joined by the Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.

Princess Anne will feature with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.

Like last year (above), His Majesty is not expected to travel on horseback for the journey to Horse Guards Parade. Instead, he will make the journey in a carriage

The King and Queen Camilla will lead senior royals in making an appearance on the Palace balcony in front of adoring crowds who will be packed down The Mall. Above: Last year

Major General James Bowder, Major-General commanding the Household Division, during The Colonel's Review

The Massed Bands during The Colonel's Review ahead of the King's Birthday Parade

Many royal fans took the afternoon to watch the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade

Prince Edward - who like Anne will be fresh from his part in the procession - is expected on the balcony with his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

They are likely to be joined by their daughter Lady Louise, 21.

Their son James, the Earl of Wessex, 17, did not make an appearance last year and may not attend the ceremony this time around either.

Despite his increasing frailty, the staunchly devoted Duke of Kent, 89, will likely also be among the royals on the balcony.

Also expected is the hard-working Duke of Gloucester, 80, and his 78-year-old wife Birgitte, the Duchess.

As expected, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are not attending this year's celebrations.

Having chosen to walk away from being working royals, they have not been present at Trooping the Colour since 2019.

The other notable absentee will be Prince Andrew, who remains exiled from public royal events amid the fallout from his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and the claims made by late accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are not expected to be there either amid Charles' desire for a slimmed-down monarchy and to keep the focus on working royals.

Members of the royal family are expected to watch the flypast - including the RAF Red Arrows and a range of planes and helicopters - from the balcony.

In previous years it has been a moment where the royal children shine - with little Prince Louis delighting fans last year as pretended to fly one of the planes, appearing to screw up his face as he mimicked the engine's deafening noise.

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The route for the flypast has not been officially confirmed, but the Military Air Shows has revealed an air restrictions map which shows the expected official route.

Proposed restrictions are in the vicinity of the North Sea, East Anglia, Essex and London.

Its expected the flypast will go over Buckingham Palace at 1pm.

Held traditionally on the second Saturday in June, regardless of the Sovereign's actual date of birth, the celebrations have marked the monarch's official birthday since the mid-1700s.

Queen Elizabeth attended all but two of her Trooping the Colours, missing it in 1955 when a national rail strike resulted in the event being cancelled and in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions.

The parade is open to members of the public through an online ballot with ticketing ranging from 10 to 30 and is broadcast live on the BBC.
Furious owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts fear their idyllic escape will be destroyed by drunken sailors using a new floating bar and restaurant.

Hutters at Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, say they are horrified at the prospect of a 'rabble of partygoers' ruining their exclusive sandbank.

They say the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea.

And with just one toilet on board, people are also worried drunken partygoers will end up urinating over the side.

The beach huts on the sandy peninsula have a hefty price tag of up to 500,000 because of its peaceful and remote location.

Virginia Hazell-Trickett, of the Christchurch Harbour Kitchen, wants to moor up the floating restaurant and bar in the harbour just off the sandbank.

She has applied for an alcohol licence from 8am to 10.30pm for the new attraction anchored near the huts and to play music from 8am to 11pm every day.

The company originally applied for the drinks licence until 11pm but after speaking with Dorset Police has now agreed to cut it by half an hour and serve drinks only with food.

Furious owners of Britain's most expensive beach huts fear their idyllic escape will be destroyed by drunken sailors using a new floating bar and restaurant

Hutters at Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, say they are horrified at the prospect of a 'rabble of partygoers' ruining their exclusive sandbank

The beach huts on the sandy peninsula have a hefty price tag of up to 500,000 because of its peaceful and remote location

The 30ft by 30ft motorised venue will be accessed by a gangplank with handrails.

There will be a kitchen in the middle with seating and tables around the outside.

The council will decide next week whether to grant the application, but they have received nearly 40 objections, many of which are from outraged hut owners.

As well as anti-social behaviour, objectors say the venture will also encourage people to drink and cycle home as cars are banned from the sandbank.

One person who opposed the plans said: 'I have grave concerns that the very nature of the sandbank and the reason so many people choose to have a beach hut there, is likely to be destroyed forever, if this was allowed.

'The relative tranquility when the day trippers have gone home gives a whole new aspect to life on the coast. It is likely to be destroyed by the rabble of partygoers rushing for the experience of an evening on a floating restaurant in our midst.

'Why music? Why alcohol? Both likely to encourage rowdiness in the exuberance of the partygoers and we all know how sound travels over the water.

'These are unlikely to be the quiet couples wanting a new experience eating afloat in the harbour.'

Another hut owner said: 'More people would be enticed to come to the sandbank for the bar, potentially creating more drunken and anti-social behaviour.

'Also, the fact that it is a floating bar with a dropped gangplank in the sea is a concern for safety with potentially drunk people on board.'

Virginia Hazell-Trickett, of the Christchurch Harbour Kitchen, wants to moor up the floating restaurant and bar in the harbour just off the sandbank

But hut owners say the seaborne venue will result in anti-social behaviour, late night noise and drunken revellers falling into the sea

Another argued: 'Having recorded music played until 11pm at night would seem to be wholly inappropriate in this area.

'During the summer months people sleep in their beach huts and have their windows open for ventilation at night. The noise will be a significant factor here.'

One concerned resident said: 'Given that the land train and ferry stop in the early evening, how are customers supposed to get home at 11pm after a few drinks?

'This would surely encourage people to cycle home in the dark or drive home in boats in the dark - and after consuming a few drinks.

'Is there to be a water bus or will there be dozens of motor boats badgering for places to moor or tie up next to the restaurant, all revving up their engines after 11pm?'

Ms Hazell-Trickett said there will be railings all the way round the floating barge for safety and CCTV cameras will be installed.

There will also be signs telling customers to leave the premises quietly.

There are 346 beach huts at Mudeford with prices rising dramatically in the last 30 years.

The remote location makes them very desirable as an exclusive bolthole.

Cars are banned and the only way to reach it is by a 20-minute walk, a short ferry trip or a novelty land train ride.

The huts can be slept in from March to October, but have no running water or mains electricity, while toilets and washing facilities are in a communal block.
Its just gone midday in Stratford, east London, and a young man  no more than 25 years old and wearing expensive wireless earphones and designer sunglasses  slips through the London Underground ticket barriers without paying and waltzes down the underpass towards the Central line platform.

Little does he know, the Daily Mail is in hot pursuit.

Why do you feel entitled to cheat your fellow passengers? I demand when I catch up with the fare-dodger. He fires back a volley of expletives before breaking into a jog, ducking and weaving among the flow of travellers in a bid to evade me.

I give chase and, at one point, he turns and raises his right hand in a gunshot gesture. But then, suddenly, he stops.

Why should I pay, he asks, staring deep into my eyes, when no one else does?

The latest figures from Transport for London (TfL) show that fare evasion accounted for a shocking 4.7 per cent of all London Underground journeys in 2024/25, costing the Tube operator 130million in lost revenue.

A video of Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick challenging fare dodgers went viral last month, with one attempting to intimidate the former Tory leadership hopeful by claiming to be in possession of a knife.

But fare evasion is just the tip of a far larger iceberg. Reports of sexual offences across the Tube network rose by 7.6 per cent for the year ending July 2024. Meanwhile, crime has increased 13 per cent, with 16,288 incidents reported between January and August last year.

The Bakerloo line is 'the dirtiest line in London', according to 30-year-old Eve, who gets the Tube from Queen's Park every morning. Pictured: A Bakerloo line train at Waterloo station

This week, I travelled the length and breadth of the London Underground, talking to everyone from frequent Tube users to those who abuse the system  and the TfL employees caught in between.

What I found was not so much a transport service in crisis as a parallel subterranean world where criminality is perpetrated with utter impunity, ordinary people are regularly made to feel unsafe and  in one extreme case  a Tube being used as an open toilet by a group of drug addicts with no fixed abode.

Outside the bustling Westminster station  a tourist hub thats a convenient stopping-off point for the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace  the Mail spoke to 43-year-old Julia from Spain, who had brought her teenage daughter to London for the first time.

I knew wed have to take the Tube to get around, she says. But with my daughter  who is just 14  I dont care that its delayed, dirty and busy, I just want us to be safe. And that means not getting on carriages with drunks or drug takers, strapping our rucksacks around our fronts and taking taxis after dark.

It may sound like the safety precautions taken by travellers in more lawless, poverty-stricken countries but, sadly, Julia is only too right to be cautious.

The most recent figures suggest there were 621 sexual offences committed on the Tube in the year to July 2024, but the true number is thought to be far higher.

A British Transport Police survey found that just one in five people who witness a sexual assault on the network report it to the authorities.

This comes as no surprise to 24-year-old Shama, who I meet outside Willesden Junction station in north-west London.

Every day I commute to Harlesden and every day Ill have a man leering at me or, if its busy, someone trying to rub against me, she says. This is literally just the reality of being a woman in London today.

In some tragic cases, things are taken much further. In February 2020, the city was shaken by the news that 37-year-old Ryan Johnston had raped a 20-year-old woman on the Piccadilly Line in front of other passengers, including a French tourist and his 11-year-old son.

There are so many posters about sexual harassment on the Tube, says Shama as we cross a bridge over the tracks. If only they put half as much effort into actually stopping it! Ill feel safe when there are officers on every train and when people dont believe they can get away with a look here or a touch there. But I dont see that happening.

The Greater London Authority, which oversees TfL, claims to be doing its best to eradicate the problem. The Mayor is committed to tackling sexual harassment and violence against women and girls, says a spokesman. There are thousands of police officers and TfLs own enforcement staff patrolling the network every day to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, alongside operations to proactively target the worst offenders.

So just how has the London Underground, a transport system that was once the envy of the world, become a stain on the capitals reputation thanks to a dismal record of stabbings, rape and violent assaults?

A group of friends became an internet phenomenon when footage of them cleaning graffiti on a Bakerloo line train went viral. They were led by Joe Reeve, 28

Having fights with people isnt in my job description, argues one TfL customer service officer by the ticket barriers in Stratford station as three teenagers wriggle through the gates, one puffing on a fruity vape. Im here to serve the customers, not to wrestle someone to the ground or chase them across London.

Having seen hundreds of fare-dodgers pass through ticket barriers across the capital this week, the most popular form of evasion is clearly to barge through the so-called wide aisle gates designed to accommodate wheelchairs, buggies and large baggage  a technique known colloquially as bumping, and for which there are countless tutorials on TikTok.

Other methods include tailgating fare-paying passengers and even vaulting the gates like a gymnast cresting a pommel horse.

The people tasked with preventing such antics are TfLs 500 enforcement officers stretched desperately thin across a network that boasts 272 stations, and which manages five million journeys every single day.

As the commuter rush began at 5.30pm at London Bridge station earlier this week, the Mail watched on as three plain-clothed enforcement officers  wearing body cams and backed up by a trio of uniformed police officers  detained and fined a string of offenders.

In one faintly comic scenario, a man followed another passenger through the gates while pretending to place an Oyster card on the reader  only for the officer to notice his palm was empty. Thats the first time anyones ever paid with their hand, joked the officer.

Deliberately avoiding a fare is an offence which can result in a criminal record and a fine of up to 1,000. But one officer employed to catch fare-dodgers outside Oxford Circus station says that most offenders simply pretend to have lost their Oyster card during their journey.

That means they are likely to get slapped with a much lower 100 fine, which is reduced to just 50 if paid within 21 days. Since a Day Travelcard for Zones 1 to 6 costs 16.60, you can see why many make a habit of chancing their arm.

One enforcement officer  who asked not to be named  told the Mail: Its easy to blame the cost of living for fare evasion, and for some people it may be the case. But the reality is so many of the people we stop are already criminals known to the police.

And its not a victimless crime, says TfLs director of security, policing and enforcement, Siwan Hayward: It robs Londoners of vital investment in a safe, frequent and reliable transport network and we are committed to reducing the current rate of fare evasion to 1.5 per cent by 2030.

On the Bakerloo line  which the Mail travelled from Harrow and Wealdstone in the north-west to Elephant and Castle in the south  frequent users have a very clear idea of how they would spend any additional revenue.

This is the dirtiest line in London  just look around you, said 30-year-old Eve, who takes the line to work from Queens Park each morning. There seems to be more graffiti on the Bakerloo line than on the rest of the Tube put together. Its literally become a joke among my friends.

Indeed, scribbled in black pen on a glass panel beside me are the words F*** you, while the rest of the carriage is covered in a mess of purple spray paint.

And were not talking random doodles. The graffiti here is predominantly composed of the signatures  known in the criminal underworld as tags  of gang-affiliated vandals.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London admits that the Bakerloo and Central lines are the worst-affected when it comes to graffiti, but claims that safety and cleanliness are a key priority.

The team of graffiti cleaners wore hi-vis jackets with the slogan 'Doing what Sadiq Khant', in reference to London's mayor Sadiq Khan. They used nothing more than cloths and detergent

Teams are removing graffiti 24/7 and are currently removing more than 1,000 tags per week on the Bakerloo line and more than 2,000 on the Central line, they say.

Earlier this week, the Mail spoke with 28-year-old Joe Reeve, who became an overnight internet phenomenon when footage of him and friends cleaning graffiti on a Bakerloo line train went viral.

Donning hi-vis jackets emblazoned with the slogan Doing what Sadiq Khant  a witty wind-up of Londons hapless mayor  Reeve and a group of friends scrubbed away with nothing more than a few cloths and some bog-standard detergent.

Cleaning the network is only one part of [solving the] problem, says Reeve. We need to go after the people causing the damage in the first place.

This city is neither safer nor a better place to be than ten years ago, and the only person I can blame that on is the Mayor of London, he adds.

And the authorities seem intent on discouraging, rather than celebrating, his efforts to improve the situation. In one absurd incident a few weeks ago, a TfL employee warned him that it was he, rather than the fare-dodging youth he chased through Lambeth North station, who risked arrest.

I stood in the way of the lift door and urged the boy to pay, Reeve explains. Then a TfL supervisor came over and suggested they should call the police on me for blocking the elevator.

Londoners are fed up, he concludes. And its going to reach boiling point.

Aside from graffiti, the Underground is also blighted by rubbish. One evening this week, as a packed Jubilee line train left Waterloo station, I noticed that one empty seat was adorned with no fewer than three disused coffee cups, a shredded tissue and an empty bottle of fortified Jamaican wine.

The man responsible for cleaning up the trains at Brixton station in south London is fiftysomething Joseph  not his real name  who works for cleaning contractor ABM UK, litter-picking the carriages as trains terminate at the end of the Victoria line.

Its arduous work, with cleaning staff expected to cover four carriages in just five minutes for a miserly 13.85 an hour.

Brixton is the worst station, says Joseph  who moved to the UK from Kenya 12 years ago  as he goes about his duties.

Everyone wants to avoid it. In central London people are better behaved, but here we have so many homeless people and drug addicts. They poo and pee in the Underground, make so much mess  and I have to clean it up.

I see the pickpocketing, too, he continues. From upstairs in the ticket hall all the way down to the platforms, you see peoples phones being stolen every day. Theres so much anti-social behaviour and criminality down here. Its sad and its a tough place to work.

Joseph informs me that he most often sees phones snatched from passengers hands just as the Tube doors are closing, leaving victims helpless as their train pulls out of the station.

This is exactly what happened to 30-year-old Niall McNamee in December. The thieves later used his phone to steal 21,000 from his bank account, as well as taking out a 7,000 loan in his name.

The latest data available from British Transport Police shows that phone thefts rose by 58 per cent between 2018 and 2023. According to TfL, Kings Cross St Pancras is the worst station for crime, followed by Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road, with Stratford and Finsbury Park rounding out the top five.

The situation in Stratford has become so dire that when the Mail visited this week, police appeared to have given up making any attempt to prevent phone theft.

A 4ft-wide screen set up by the Met warned passengers: Use a tracking app on your phone to locate from another device  in other words, this is how to find your phone after it has been nicked.

Fare evasion accounted for a shocking 4.7 per cent of all London Underground journeys in 2024/25, costing the Tube operator 130million in lost revenue (picture posed by model)

Back in Brixton, Pritesh Patel  who has run a refreshment kiosk there for a remarkable 35 years  is catering for the morning rush hour.

This is the worst it has ever been in Brixton, he claims. Since Covid, it has become totally lawless here. I arrive in the morning and theres always two drug addicts lying across the station entrance. And the big problem is they steal.

As soon as my head is turned, theyll nick a chocolate bar and what am I supposed to do? No point calling the police, and Im not going to chase them. Its honestly never been so bad, not even during the London riots. It used to be that someone might steal something once a month, now its every day.

In April, a passenger travelling home from work on the Victoria line spotted a man who appeared to be openly smoking crack cocaine.

He uploaded pictures of the individual on to the social media platform Reddit and, in an accompanying post, wrote that he looked as high as a kite as he attempted to light a small metal pipe.

During my week riding the Tube network, I repeatedly heard a familiar refrain ringing out over the loudspeaker: See it. Say it. Sorted.

Its quite clear that Londoners have now seen quite enough  but nothing ever gets sorted.
The Austrian shooter who killed 10 people at his former school before turning the gun on himself earlier this week shared pictures of his preparation and the weapons he used in the assault to social media, it has emerged.

Arthur A., a 21-year-old avid gamer and cat lover, launched his attack at the BORG Dreierschutzengasse high school in Graz, a city in the southern state of Styria, on Tuesday.

The shooter shared an image of his own feet clad in black leather combat boots while sitting in a toilet cubicle on the third floor of the school.

There he strapped on a gun belt with a hunting knife, shooting glasses and a headset, loaded his weapons and stormed into the hallways to carry out the massacre that was later confirmed as Austria's worst mass shooting.

In two other posts, the young killer snapped a selfie and showed off a shotgun and a pistol he had bought along with the caption: 'Veeeeeerrry early birthday present for myself', according to Austrian media.

He went on to use both weapons in the course of his rampage.

The images of the killer were brought to light after it emerged the social recluse had sent his mother a farewell video moments before he carried out his attack, pleading for forgiveness for 'what I'm about to do now'.

Investigators said his mother opened the video 24 minutes after receiving it and immediately notified police, but her son had already slaughtered 10 students and shot himself before armed cops descended on the scene.

Arthur A. also requested that his cat be looked after following his demise and said that bullying at school had caused him to drop out early and led him to commit the heinous crime.

The shooter shared an image of his own feet clad in black leather combat boots while sat in a toilet cubicle on the third floor of the school moments before launching the attack

The young killer showed off a shotgun and a pistol he had bought along with the caption: 'Veeeeeerrry early birthday present for myself'. Both were used in the shooting

Arthur A. is said to have shared a selfie shortly before the attack

Arthur A holds his cat. He left instructions to his mother to look after his pet after his death, Austrian media reported

'A farewell letter in analogue and digital form was found,' Franz Ruf, the public security director at Austria's interior ministry, told ORF public television following the shooting.

'He says goodbye to his parents. But no motive can be inferred from the farewell letter, and that is a matter for further investigations.'

Asked whether the assailant had attacked victims randomly or targeted them specifically, Ruf said that is also under investigation and he didn't want to speculate.

He said that wounded people were found on various levels of the school and, in one case, in front of the building.

The student victims were aged between 14 and 17. A teacher was also killed.

In new details, investigators said the gunman, who would have turned 22 in less than two weeks, had maintained contact with only one friend in the days leading up to the attack.

Mayor of Karlsdorf, a small town near Graz where the killer lived, told reporters the evidence suggested that Arthur A. 'was a very inconspicuous young man'.

'It felt like he wasn't even noticed. Nobody really knew him. This is exactly the profile that we unfortunately see too often - silent, socially isolated recluses.'

Austrian outlet Kronen Zeitung said the killer had an interest in the 1999 US Columbine school massacre in Colorado carried out by two teenage shooters and that he apparently used a photo of one of the pair on a profile linked to his online gaming pseudonym.

Police are continuing to scour the shooter's electronic devices but said yesterday they had not discovered any video of the high school shooting on his mobile phone.

Criminal police head Michael Lohnegger described the shooter as a 'very introverted person'.

'We discovered that his great passion was participating in so-called online first-person shooting games,' Lohnegger said, adding the killer had carefully planned the attack, according to a handwritten note found at his home.

This note 'showed that the entire course of events had been planned by the perpetrator down to the most minute detail', Lohnegger said.

Austrian media published photos that showed the killer being lauded for his exploits as a competitive gamer.

Arthur A. was seen wearing a yellow and black team jersey at an Austrian gaming tournament called VulkanLAN2024 last year. He was also pictured clutching what appeared to be a winning plaque.

Emergency services evacuate a victim of the shooting on a stretcher

People light candles on the main square in the city center after a deadly shooting at a school in Graz, Austria, Tuesday, June 10, 2025

People light candles for the victims of a school shooting at Hauptplatz square in Graz, Austria, 10 June 2025

Nine students were killed in Tuesday's attack - six girls and three boys aged between 14 and 17, one of whom had Polish citizenship - as well as a teacher, police said.

Another 11 people were wounded before the attacker took his own life.

A 15-year-old Kosovan girl named Lea Ilir Bajrami was the first of his victims to be pictured.

Mourning the teen in a Facebook post, her heartbroken aunt wrote: 'Today, my niece Lea tragically lost her life in the attack in Graz.

'We pray for her soul and express our gratitude to all those who share our pain during these difficult times.'

Her grandfather Muhabi Bajrami wrote on Facebook: 'With a broken heart and great pain, we inform family, friends and relatives that our granddaughter tragically lost her life in the attack that occurred in Graz, Austria.

'We pray for her soul and express our gratitude to all those who share our pain in these difficult moments.'

Shots and screams rang out as the shooter stormed into his old classroom blasting a shotgun and a pistol.

Terror-stricken pupils pretended to be dead as they cowered in corridors and two classrooms or ran for their lives.

Chilling video captured the sound of shots followed by screams as the gunman picked off his victims.

One student fleeing from the shooter called her mother during the attack saying: 'Mama, mama, I'm running for my life!'

The mother described the situation to reporters as unbearable, saying: 'It was so terrible, you can't even imagine it.'

Another student reportedly witnessed three classmates being shot. His father said: 'He was terrified and lay down on the floor so the shooter would think he was dead.'

In the country's worst mass school shooting, terror-stricken pupils pretended to be dead as they cowered in corridors and two classrooms or ran for their lives. Pictured: Special forces descended on the high school shortly before 10am local time after reports of gunshots

A 15-year-old Kosovan girl named Lea was the first victim to be pictured

Pictured: Two female students cling on to each other as they escape the school building

People embrace as they gather on the main square following a deadly school shooting in Graz, Austria, June 10, 2025

Family members reunite following the deadly school shooting in Graz, Austria

The school's religious studies teacher Paul Nitsche told how he saw the gunman blasting out locks with a shotgun before entering and spraying staff and students with handgun bullets.

'It was hard to take in,' he said.

'This is something I had never even imagined before. That's what the situation was like as I was running down the stairwell - I thought to myself, this isn't real.'

Another teacher, who asked not to be named, said: 'The whole community is in a state of shock. Schools should be places of safety and learning. But on this day it became more like something from a nightmare.

'Everyone was in a state of sheer terror.'

On Tuesday, Cchurch bells rang across the city of Graz, all local radio and TV broadcasts were interrupted and more than 900 public transport vehicles, including trams and buses, ground to a halt for 10am mark of remembrance.

Two other schools in the city, including a nursery school, were evacuated today after they received 'copycat' threats shortly before the planned minute's silence, though no further attacks occurred.

Six female and three male victims died quickly after being shot, with one adult said to be among them.

The victim, a student, succumbed to her injuries in hospital later on Tuesday.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has slammed Los Angeles rioters for proudly flying her country's flag while clashing with police, looting and burning cars.

Sheinbaum singled out a photograph of a protester who was pictured standing on top of a burnt Waymo self-driving Jaguar waving the green, red and white flag with the Mexican coat of arms in the middle.

'We don't agree with violent actions, and I think even some of the photographs that came outas I said the other dayare very likely a provocation. Very likely.' Sheinbaum said during a press conference at the National Palace on Wednesday.

While the president acknowledged that she did not have all of the background on the photo, she said that the image was 'a very provocative photograph, to say the least.'

Flag-bearing protesters have been since June 7 after angered residents took to the streets to called out the administration of President Donald Trump over the series of raids led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents culminated with the arrests of undocumented immigrants.

As the sun set and peaceful demonstrations turned violent, one man was snapped waving the Mexico flag while standing in front of a wrecked car that was sprayed with graffiti aimed at ICE.

Protests over the Trump-mandated immigration sweeps extended over the weekend with Waymo Jaguar I-PACE vehicles destroyed and torched.

One photographer on the seen spotted a person waving the Mexican flag as the flames spread across the self-driving ride-hailing car.

A person waves a Mexican flag atop a burning Waymo Jaguar I-PACE during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles on June 8

A protester waves the Mexican flag beside the wreckage of a burnt car sprayed with graffiti against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 7

President Sheinbaum's remarks come as the nationwide rally, dubbed 'No Kings,' are scheduled to take place Saturday.

Protests will be held across 1,500 cities in 50 states on the same day President Trump celebrates his 79th birthday and holds a military parade in Washington, D.C.

Sheinbaum urged demonstrators to remain calm and to steer clear from committing acts that may lead to their arrests.

'What we've always said: Always demonstrate peacefully here in Mexico, in the United States, anywhere in the world,' Sheinbaum said.

'We don't agree with violent actions. We've never agreed with them. They lead nowhere. Mexicans and everyone else, when demonstrating, it should always be peaceful.'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum fears that the display of her country's flag at during the recent Los Angeles protests may be a 'provocation'

A man on a motorcycle carries a Mexican flag as smoke rises from a burning car in Los Angeles on June 7

Sheinbaum criticized the Trump administration's response to the immigration crisis earlier during the week following the unveiling a news hospital wings in the central city of Puebla.

'We disagree with this approach to the migration phenomenon," she said.

'It's not about raids or violence, but rather working on a comprehensive reform that takes into account the Mexicans on the other side of the border,' she added. 'That is our position, always a call for peace, to not exacerbate any form of violent protest.'

The president also lauded the contributions of Mexicans in the Los Angeles area.

A couple with a flag embraces as a Waymo vehicle burns in Los Angeles on June 8

A protester waves the Mexican flag following a clash between demonstrators and police in Los Angeles on June 8 in response to the immigration sweeps ordered by President Donald Trump

'Mexicans living in the United States are good, honest men and women who left to seek a better life for themselves and to support their families,' she said. 'They are not criminals.'

At least 48.6 percent of the city's population is Hispanic or Latino. At least 31 percent claim Mexican ancestry, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from July 2024.

'Los Angeles wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the Mexicans who live there,' Sheinbaum continued.

'The United States is what it is thanks also to the work of our fellow Mexicans who live across the border.'
Shame on you, Senator Alex Padilla!

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday to discuss Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in LA and the federal response to protests and rioting aimed at thwarting ICE officers from doing their jobs. But a senator representing California made all the news.

Padilla not only crashed the event, but he did so in an alarmingly confrontational fashion.

Wearing a windbreaker and no visible identification, he charged toward the podium and started barking, 'I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary!' as he was restrained.

He was dragged from the room while wrestling with Secret Service agents, forced to his knees in the hallway by uniformed federal agents and handcuffed, which  I believe  is how he foolishly wanted this stunt to end. Although nearly getting arrested is unlikely the job that taxpayers are paying him to do.

Members of 'the world's greatest deliberative body' are expected to mediate and govern, not act like raging Code Pink lunatics ranting against 'The Man.'

Padilla - 52 years old and one of only 50 people in the country to hold a Senate seat - is 'The Man.'

He is the top-ranking Democrat on the committee that oversees Noem's department and has the power to ask her questions under oath. Indeed, Noem even chose to sit down with Padilla in private for a 15-minute meeting after the incident.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday to discuss Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in LA and the federal response to protests and rioting aimed at thwarting ICE officers from doing their jobs.

Wearing a windbreaker and no visible identification, he charged toward the podium and started barking, 'I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary!' as he was restrained.

This isn't statesmanship, it's cosplay, an insult to the 39 million people he represents. What's more, he put hard-working law enforcement officers in an impossible position in pursuit of his social media moment.

Tasked with protecting a senior federal official amidst civic disorder, these officers fell back on their training and instincts.

This conference wasn't being held in the Capitol building, where the cops are expected to know all 100 senators on sight.

Imagine Secret Service agents allowed a man claiming he was a US senator to approach the secretary and something violent happened.

The country would  rightfully  be calling for these officers to be fired.

As the FBI's spokesman said on Twitter/X, 'When someone wearing no identification becomes disruptive, walks toward a Cabinet Secretary mid presser, and then resists law enforcement stopping him  then it doesn't really matter who you say you are.'

DHS said in a statement that the Secret Service 'thought he was an attacker' because he 'was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers' repeated commands.'

And it can also not be ignored that there have been two assassination attempts on the life of the president during the 2024 presidential campaign. Meanwhile, rioters in LA are throwing chunks of jagged concrete at federal agents diving in marked cars and pelting police vehicles from highway overpasses.

When tempers are running hot in the streets, we expect senior public officials to try to calm the waters.

Padilla did the opposite.

The Left whines about declining public faith in American institutions  this pathetic performance only hastens the decay.

If a US senator stages such chaos, how are we to tell the radicals that they shouldn't make Molotov cocktails and hurling themselves at barricades?

And sickeningly, Padilla's theatrics are not an isolated incident.

New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was just indicted on federal charges for blocking federal officers from arresting the Democratic mayor of Newark at an immigration detention facility last month.

Maxine Waters  86 years old and a member of Congress for 34 years  tried to force her way into a federal detention center, requiring the National Guard to block her path.

This isn't lawmaking, it's borderline lawbreaking.

He was dragged from the room while wrestling with Secret Service agents, forced to his knees in the hallway by uniformed federal agents and handcuffed, which  I believe  is how he foolishly wanted this stunt to end.

Rioters in LA are throwing chunks of jagged concrete at federal agents diving in marked cars and pelting police vehicles from highway overpasses. When tempers are running hot in the streets, we expect senior public officials to try to calm the waters. Padilla did the opposite.

Clearly, Democrats are frustrated that the American people tossed them from power in the 2024 election. But lest we forget, Democrats are out of power because we live in a democracy.

Two and a half years ago, they controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency; five months ago, they still controlled the White House and the Senate.

Democrats had an opportunity to reform immigration laws. Instead, their policy was to shut down border enforcement, flood the country with millions of illegal entrants and use executive power to temporarily legalize millions more.

The voters hated that so much that they gave Republicans the majority in both houses and Donald Trump the strongest electoral mandate of his career.

First-time Republican voters in places like the Bronx flocked to Trump's banner in part because of the skyrocketing cost of living, but also because they were sick and tired of the migrant crisis.

Padilla will predictably raise money from this stunt and he is already being treated like a hero by slobbering, sympathetic interviewers on the cable news circuit. But most of Americans care more about solving the immigration crisis and they haven't forgotten which party made it all so much worse.
Rogue Democratic senator John Fetterman is jubilant over Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, claiming that he 'loves' the attacks in a flurry of excited social media posts.

Israel launched airstrikes and drone attacks in Iran on Friday night, hitting many of the country's critical nuclear and military sites.

At least three top Iranian military officers and several top Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the surprise attack.

The Trump administration was in active negotiations with Iran over their nuclear program when Israel bombed the Middle Eastern country.

Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff was slated to meet with Iranian officials this weekend to continue negotiations.

'Heres your negotiations,' the Pennsylvania Democrat wrote responding to news about the nuclear scientists' assassinations. Reposting a report confirming the death of a top Iranian general, Fetterman wrote, 'thank u, next.'

The surprise attack, which included drones strategically placed by Israel's Mossad spies in Iran, eliminated Iranian air defenses, weakening their capability to defend against further Israeli attacks.

'Beepers v2.0,' Fetterman wrote of the attack in another post, referencing Israel's use of explosive pagers to target Hezbollah last year.

He added: 'I love it.'

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., celebrated Israel's strikes on Iran in multiple social media posts, including one calling on the Jewish nation to 'keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel'

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025

Rescuers work at the site of a damaged building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025

'Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack,' the Democrat continued on in yet another post.

'Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel,' Fetterman demanded.

'We must provide whatever is necessary - military, intelligence, weaponry - to fully back Israel in striking Iran.'

Many Republican lawmakers also celebrated the attack. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for example, responded to the reports saying 'game on' and called the strikes the most impressive in Israeli history.

While Fetterman, and many Republicans, struck a celebratory tone, most other Democrats condemned the strikes.

'This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict,' Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote on X.

'Israel's attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration's negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America.'

Texas Democrat Rep. Joaquin Castro wrote: 'This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage.'

Fetterman shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Vehicles drive past a billboard displaying images of top Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes early Friday, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025

A building in Tehran damaged by Israeli strikes

'What does "America First" even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans dont want?'

Congressional Democrats have typically spoken out at Israel and Netanyahu.

When the Israeli leader came to speak to Congress last year, he was protested by many Democrats, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., among many others, held up signs chiding the prime minister.

'The Israeli government bombing Iran is a dangerous escalation that could lead to regional war,' Tlaib posted on X.

'War Criminal Netanyahu will do anything to maintain his grip on power. We cannot let him drag our country into a war with Iran.'

President Donald Trump confirmed that chief Iranian negotiators that were working with the U.S. on a nuclear deal were killed in the Israeli strikes

President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he was urging Iran to make a deal before its leaders were targeted.

'I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.'

'Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all dead now, and it will only get worse!' his post continued.

'Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction.'


The devastated parents of a couple who are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning while camping have paid emotional tributes to the pair.

Adele Tait, 47, and her partner Craig Will, 55, pitched their tent on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll.

Relatives grew concerned they had not heard from the couple and called the police to investigate.

Officers made the tragic discovery last Saturday and have since said they are not treating the deaths as suspicious.

It is understood the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a camping stove.

Their families have been left shattered by the news and Ms Taits mother Anne said she was in pieces at the deaths.

She wrote on social media: I am devastated to be writing this, my eldest daughter Adele and her partner Craig have sadly passed away.

The family are heartbroken at this time. You are my firstborn and the one that made me a mum.

Craig Will and Adele Tait died of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping by Loch Awe, in Argyllshire

The tragic couple were known to camp on the shores of Loch Awe, described as their 'favourite place'

I am in pieces. Another part of my heart is in heaven. In another emotional statement, she said you dont realise how much you miss the texts and messages at 6am until the person is no longer here.

Meanwhile, Mr Wills mother Sandra revealed her devastation at the loss.

Paying tribute, she said: Craig and Adele you were our favourite hello and our hardest goodbye.

In remembrance of your strength and resilience, your love for one another remains our greatest treasure.

Our son had an incredible impact in his short time here. Though we part ways with tears, in our hearts youll forever stay. Rest in peace dear Craig and Adele.

Other tributes have come in from those who knew the couple.

One of Ms Taits close friends said: Thank you for always being an amazing friend, always honest and caring.

Mr Will previously served in the Gordon Highlanders regiment, as well as the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The couple are believed to have been living together in a cottage in the West Lothian village of Longridge.

George McLaren, who described Mr Will and Ms Tait as his true friends, said they had died while on a camping trip in their favourite place of the shores of Loch Awe.

He added: I will miss them both more than they will ever know.

My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to both families. Other family members spoke of their shock at the deaths, and one said: I thank the universe every day for blessing us with someone like you Craig.

We also lost his loving partner Adele, too. It brings us comfort knowing theyre together in peace somewhere.

We can see how much Craig and Adele were loved.

Others also told of how much they would miss the well-loved couple, and offered to help their grieving families in their time of need.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: Around 4.25pm on June 7, a man and woman were found deceased within a tent on the east side of Loch Awe, Dalmally, Argyll and Bute.

Their deaths are not being treated as suspicious. A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Carbon monoxide is deadly but odourless, making it difficult to detect. Campers are warned never to take a gas stove, lantern or heater into a tent because of the dangers they can pose.

Loch Awe is a popular destination for campers as it is Scotlands longest freshwater loch.

Reports said the couple had not been in contact with loved ones since May 31.

They were found in their tent the day after police received reports that they were missing, with officers alerted to concerns as to their welfare on June 6.
A GCHQ intern who endangered national security by downloading top secret information while on a work placement with the intelligence agency has been jailed.

Hasaan Arshad, 25, was on secondment to the communications agency when he took his work mobile phone into a top secret area and connected the device to a workstation.

The Manchester University student downloaded the names of spies and risked exposing 17 colleagues in August 2022, the Old Bailey heard.

The computer expert, who is the son of a local councillor from Rochdale, Lancashire, has now been jailed for seven and a half years.

Arshad previously pleaded guilty to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

He also admitted two charges of making an indecent photograph of a child in relation to 40 category A images and four category B images found on his personal phone following his arrest.

On Friday, Arshad appeared at the Old Bailey to be sentenced by Mrs Justice McGowan.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson KC said according to The Standard: 'His actions created a significant risk of damage to national security for reasons that can only be fully explained in a private hearing.

Hasaan Arshad, 25, was on secondment to the communications agency when he took his work mobile phone into a top secret area and connected the device to a workstation

Hasaan Arshad, 23, was charged under the Computer Misuse Act and jailed for seven-and-a-half years

'In short, however, his actions compromised the security and utility of the material and the role it played in the national interest, and he also in the process put the safety of intelligence agency personnel at risk.'

In an embarrassing security incident for GCHQ, Arshad was working as an intern during a year-long university work placement when he managed to obtain the top secret data worth millions of pounds.

He transferred sensitive data containing the names of GCHQ employees from a secure computer in the Cheltenham to the phone before taking it home.

Arshad then transferred the data to a hard drive connected to his personal home computer.

After his arrest, investigators discovered a conversation on Arshad's phone when he discussed 'developed vetting' in the cyber sector.

Arshad mentioned the term 'bug bounty' which refers to an amount of money that an individual could be paid for providing details of a digital bug to either fix or create a software issue.

Arshad stated: 'You can get like 10k for simple info leaks.'

When he was interviewed by the police, Arshad gave officers a prepared statement in which he accepted that he removed data without authorisation.

But he insisted he had no intention of providing anybody with the data.

'I would like to apologise for my actions,' he said.

'I removed the data simply out of curiosity to further develop some of the changes I was unable to complete during the course of my placement. I had intended to use my developments when I hopefully returned to my previous team.

'I'm sorry for my actions and I understand the stupidity of what I have done.'

He stated that nobody had seen or had access to the sensitive data and no one was aware that he had it in his possession.

Pictured: The GCHQ base in Cheltenham, where Arshad was working as an intern on a year-long university work placement

'I understand the potential damage and risk when obtaining the data. I have accepted that I removed the data and the stupidity of doing so. I did take steps to ensure that the data was not compromised,' he added.

At a previous hearing it emerged that the data removed was classified at 'top secret' and provided a 'tool' used by GCHQ.

The investment in the tool was said to amount to a 'significant amount' of taxpayer's money.

Commercially, the data was potentially worth millions of pounds, prosecutors said.

The data contained the names of Arshad's former colleagues and the protection of those names was said to be critical to the safety of GCHQ's employees because of the counter-intelligence risks associated with such employment.

It could take many months or even years to develop a comparable tool and its compromise would have an impact on various organisations' abilities and would 'put lives at risk,' it was said.

The keen computer gamer had previously attended a ten-week programme at GCHQ in 2019 designed to give participants vocational skills, for which he was screened at the lowest security check level.

He went on to study at Manchester University, later graduating with a masters in computer engineering after returning to GCHQ for a one-year placement between September 6, 2021 and August 26, 2022, when he was granted developed vetting (DV) security clearance, the highest level.

Two days before leaving his placement, he obtained the secret data.

'Top secret' is the classification for the Government's most sensitive information, where compromise might cause widespread loss of life or threaten the security or economic wellbeing of the country or friendly nations.

Prior to his arrest, Arshad boasted on his LinkedIn page that he was a 'skilled software engineer who can see ideas through from design to implementation,' saying he had worked as a developer at a 'government agency' and had been tasked with designing, researching and implementing a key software project.
A group of Americans visiting Israel were prevented from leaving Friday, as the military strike against Iran and the subsequent retaliatory effort locked down the nation's airports.

CNN's Scott Jennings posted videos of Israeli war planes flying over his hotel on Thursday evening and shared what was happening on the ground.

'Definitely not getting out today. Lol,' Jennings told the Daily Mail on Friday from his hotel in Tiberius, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

'From my hotel balcony I watched jets streaming over head headed west to east,' he detailed in text messages.

Jennings said he was monitoring emergency alerts that came through on his phone but 'didn't feel in danger initially.'

'The most tense time was waiting for the Iranian response. And then of course we got the news that all the drones were neutralized,' he said.

The Israeli military warned citizens to take cover in bomb shelters on Friday evening noting that 'dozens' of Iranian ballistic missiles were en route to Israel.

Smoke appeared across the Tel Aviv skyline as Israel's defensive Iron Dome began intercepting the missiles and air raid sirens sounded in the city.

CNN's Scott Jennings visting Israel as the bombs fell in Iran

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel,

On early Friday morning Israel deployed over 200 warplanes in a coordinated strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, killing at least four of the country's military commanders, according to reports.

Jennings revealed earlier he was moved to a safe room during a rocket attack in Jerusalem as 'the locals take it all in stride.'

'Israel expertly carried out an attack on the enemies of Western Civilization, and Im glad I had a front row seat,' he added. 'This place is very secure.'

Caitlyn Jenner, the famed Olympian who is now a transgender woman, was in Israel for Tel Aviv's Pride Parade, which was called off on Friday due to security concerns following the strikes.

Quiet night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail. I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever. pic.twitter.com/cQpDWyvVKg  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 13, 2025

A post shared on social media showed Jenner drinking wine with social media influencer Regev Gur, in what looked like a bomb shelter.

Jenner is staying at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv, according to an Israel Hayom report.

Jenner posted an image of the missile defense system lighting up the skies on social media.

'"Quiet" night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail,' the post read. 'I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever.'

Jenner revealed on an Israeli television station that 'I spoke with my daughter Kylie, and she urged me to stay safe. I reassured her. Don't worry, I'll keep myself safe, and they'll take care of me.'

On Thursday, Jenner visited Jerusalem's Western Wall and posted a picture on social media.

Caitlyn Jenner attends a press conference, prior to her attendance at the Tel Aviv Pride Parade. The parade scheduled for Friday was canceled due to the military strikes

All Iranian drone strikes, intended to randomly murder as many civilians as possible, have been intercepted thus far https://t.co/Ey6Fl02NTi pic.twitter.com/Mfb9V66tvv  Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) June 13, 2025

'My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in Israel,' she wrote.

Earlier in the week, Jenner visited Kibbutz Beeri and the Nova Festival site and heard firsthand accounts from survivors of the October 7 massacre.

Washington Reporter Matthew Foldi was also in Israel during the military strikes and spoke to WMAL radio host Larry O'Connor on Friday morning.

'I have slept for about two hours since I got here,' he said, referring his visit as 'my first potential nuclear war rodeo.'

Foldi said sirens went off in the middle of the night which sent people into safe locations and bomb shelters.

He sent the Daily Mail the following pictures from his bomb shelter as Iran's retaliatory strikes continued.

American journalist Matthew Foldi waiting out attacks in an Israeli bomb shelter

A group of people gather inside a bomb shelter as Iran launches retaliatory strikes

'I haven't even been here for 24 hours and I've already gotten a masters degree in how to withstand a ballistic missile strikes from the mullahs in Iran, which thus far have been completely unsuccessful,' he said.

Foldi said that he was able to get lunch and still had Wi-Fi.

'I'm having a normal day in Israel right now, it just so happens that most of the meetings I had planned aren't happening,' he said.
Kanye West stunned the ongoing trial for Sean 'Diddy' Combs as he showed up to back the disgraced rap mogul, hugging his son in a show of support.

West caused chaos at the trial in Manhattan on Friday as he surprised crowds outside the courthouse.

The artist, who now performs by the name Ye, wore an all-white denim outfit to the trial.

As he strolled up to the courthouse, West was met by Diddy's son Christian 'King' Combs, and the pair embraced before entering together. The day before, Christian wore a t-shirt reading 'Free Combs' into the courtroom.

Kanye had not announced his arrival beforehand, with footage from crowds outside the courthouse showing their surprise as he made his entrance.

He was seen entering the courthouse, and briefly entered an overflow room, but did not enter the courtroom itself where Diddy has stood trial since May 5.

He remained in the building for around an hour before departing again.

It comes as Diddy faces up to life in prison for drug trafficking and racketeering charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

Kanye West stunned the ongoing trial for Shawn 'Diddy' Combs as he showed up to support the disgraced rap mogul

West hugged Diddy's son Christian 'King' Combs as he made his surprise appearance at the trial on Friday

The day before his embrace with Kanye, Christian Combs, seen with Diddy's mother Janice, wore a t-shirt reading 'Free Combs' into the courtroom

It comes as Friday's court proceedings were set to include testimony from one of Diddy's ex-assistants, Jonathan Perez, who worked for the rap mogul from 2021 to 2024.

Perez asked for immunity as he prepared to take the stand, before Kanye's surprise appearance stole the show.

He worked for Diddy during his relationship with the previous witness, 'Jane,' who testified under a pseudonym to protect her identity as she gave emotional testimony about how she felt forced to have sex with strangers to please Diddy.

Prosecutors say they charged the rapper with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy because he used threats, drugs and violence to force women into unwelcome sexual experiences and used his employees and associates to help him get what he wanted.

In testimony from FBI Special Agent Andre Lamon earlier Friday, he offered details of what agents found in Diddy's Los Angeles mansion in a raid in March 2024.

He said agents found over 1,000 bottles of lubricant in the home, including around 900 bottles of Astroglide and 200 bottles of baby oil.

In a surprise move from the prosecution on Friday, they also requested one of the jurors in the trial be dismissed because of 'inconsistent' statements.

The said he was a 41-year-old man who lives in the Bronx and works for the New York City Department of Corrections, but 'has said multiple things that cannot all be true.

The prosecutor added that this was a serious issue.

Kanye had not announced his arrival beforehand, and he remained in the courthouse for around an hour before departing

The artist, seen leaving the trial, was seen entering the courthouse, and briefly entered an overflow room, but did not enter the courtroom itself where Diddy has stood trial since May 5

It comes as Diddy faces life in prison for drug trafficking and racketeering charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to

The juror - a black man - had let slip some information to court staff during banter which prompted prosecutors to go back and review his statements during Voir Dire.

According to the judge, the juror said he had moved from the Bronx in the last two weeks and that it could have been ambiguous where he lived.

Diddys lawyer Alexandra Shapiro said that they would gladly waive any appeal in the event of a guilty verdict regarding this juror.

Marc Agnifilo, another of Diddys lawyers, said that the jurors statements were innocuous, harmless and because he wasnt used to dealing with the court.

Judge Subramanian said he would decide how to move forward at the end of the day.
Sir Keir Starmer moved to ease tensions with Israel today stressing its 'right to self-defence' after strikes on Iran.

But the PM urged a 'diplomatic' solution to rising fears about Tehran developing nuclear weapons as he called a Cobra emergency meeting this afternoon.

Operation Rising Lion, involving more than 200 Israeli jets, targeted a facility in Natanz and the capital overnight - sparking alarm at the potential for an all-out war.

The US was told in advance that the raids were coming, but the UK was not given any notice amid rising tensions over Gaza.

In a call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, Downing Street said Sir Keir was 'clear that Israel has a right to self-defence and set out the UK's grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme'.

But a No10 spokesperson added the PM had also 'reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region' in his call with Mr Netanyahu.

Earlier, in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Sir Keir said a 'diplomatic resolution, rather than military action was the way forward'.

Asked in an interview with Bloomberg News on Friday whether Israel was justified in its action, the PM said: 'I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing.

'It's obvious that for a long time we've had grave concerns about the nuclear programme that Iran is putting together and we absolutely recognise Israel's right to self-defence.'

Israel launched attacks on Tehran early Friday with over 200 warplanes deployed

The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism

The PM has urged both sides to 'step back' after Israel launched raids, insisting its regional rival cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons

Keir Starmer pleaded for calm after the strikes on Iran sparked fears over all-out war

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Middle East was facing a 'moment of grave peril'.

He stressed the UK was not involved in the Israeli action and described the situation as 'fast-moving'.

Mr Lammy told broadcasters: 'My understanding is that there has been further action whilst I've been speaking to you.

'So this is fast moving, but what we are saying is: Let's step back. Let's have restraint. Let's return to diplomacy.

'No one wants to see wider escalation in the Middle East, but everyone wants to see us deal with the problem of Iran's desire to enrich itself with uranium and its nuclear ambition, everyone wants to see that dealt with diplomatically.'

Kemi Badenoch has insisted Israel should be supported for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons.

The Tory leader said Tehran was an 'enemy' of the UK that had been behind attempted terrorism.

While urging 'de-escalation', she swiped that the Government should not be 'confused about whose side we're on', saying the regime developing such weapons of mass destruction would be 'catastrophic'.

The US has stressed it was not involved in the strikes, but Donald Trump has said the regime must do a nuclear deal to avoid further action. Oil prices have surged on concerns about fresh turmoil.

There are claims Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel should expect 'severe punishment' in response.

Sir Keir declined to comment on whether the UK would help Israel fend off any retaliation from Iran.

Earlier Sir Keir said he would 'urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently'.

'Escalation serves no-one in the region,' he said.

'Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.'

The strikes appear to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Mr Lammy, who has postponed a trip to the US amid the crisis, earlier said stability in the Middle East was 'vital' for global security.

'Further escalation is a serious threat to peace & stability in the region and in no-one's interest,' he said in a post on X.

'This is a dangerous moment & I urge all parties to show restraint.'

But on a visit to Scotland today Mrs Badenoch said: 'Iran is an enemy of the UK we do not want Iran gaining nuclear weapons.

'If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that. That would be something I support.'

The Tory leader dismissed the idea that Israel's actions were an escalation.

'I do not understand why this would be seen as an escalation. If Iran is about to acquire nuclear weapons, that is the real escalation. I mean, that would be catastrophic,' she said.

She added: 'If Israel sees Iran getting nuclear weapons, I don't think it should sit back and put its feet up and say: 'Well, we're de-escalating'.

'Because the person, the country, that will escalate is Iran, and that would be absolutely disastrous for the entire world.'

Asked whether she thought the UK should be helping Israel to defend against Iranian retaliation, she said: 'I don't know why the Government has chosen not to be supportive.

'There will be security details that I'm not familiar with, but we have supported them before, in you know, defending themselves against strikes from Iran.

'But let's, let's just remember that Iran tried to carry out a terrorist attack on UK soil.

'This is not an area where we should be confused about whose side we're on, and we can't just assume that warm words are going to stop Iran from doing something that will destroy our way of life.'

Mr Netanyahu said this morning that the 'operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat'.

In a clip posted on social media, Mr Netanyahu said that Israel 'struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme' and 'the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme'.

The US has stressed it was not involved in the strikes, but Donald Trump has said the regime must do a nuclear deal to avoid further action

A map of Iran's nuclear facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were the IDF's main targets

Kemi Badenoch insisted Israel should be 'supported' for stopping Iran getting nuclear weapons today

Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri.

Industry minister Sarah Jones told Sky News the UK Government is 'doing everything we can to urge restraint and to try and de-escalate the situation'.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted unilaterally.

In a post on X, Mr Rubio said 'we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region'.
A large group of travellers have set up an illegal encampment next to a primary school in Swindon.

Lainesmead Primary School is open and operating as usual despite the 24 caravans, which appeared on Thursday evening.

The vehicles initially blocked the footpath between the local playing fields and the school's perimeter fence.

It comes as scores of communities across the UK have seen unauthorised traveller camps springing up in isolated fields, prized rural green belts and protected national parks.

The police and Swindon Borough Council are 'working to move on' the group.

A council spokesperson said: 'We are working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to liaise with the travellers and manage their presence at the site.'

Wiltshire Police attended the scene this morning - issuing notices to the travellers.

A force spokesman said: 'We are working in partnership with Swindon Borough Council to liaise with the travellers and manage their presence at the site.'

Lainesmead Primary School is open and operating as usual despite the 24 caravans, which appeared on Thursday evening

The vehicles initially blocked the footpath between the local playing fields and the school's perimeter fence

The police and Swindon Borough Council are 'working to move on' the group

Local residents are furious and worried for the affects on the community

Local residents are furious and worried for the affects on the community.

One said: 'As usual, travellers do what they want with no consequences.

'It's not been long since they left crap - literally - all over the field in Wootton Bassett Road, showing they have little care for the community around them.'

As well as the caravans, there are approximately 20 cars and vans parked on the fields.

Ariel footage shows the large number of travellers that arrived in the area.

Over the past two months, land-grabbing travellers have been seizing secluded plots of countryside 'illegally' to turn them into vast caravan parks.

The blight has affected villages and towns in Buckinghamshire, West Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Gloucester, Devon, Worcestershire, Cheshire and in Hampshire's New Forest, MailOnline has found.

And a new map lays bare the scale of the crisis now blighting the nation.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Furious MPs have lambasted the travellers' brazen tactics, which they say makes a 'mockery' of the building development rules millions of law-abiding Britons are forced to abide by.

However, those breaching the rules have insisted they are doing it because of the nationwide glut of official sites, and the 'stigma' nomadic residents in the traveller and gypsy communities face staying at the road side.

In the space of a few weeks, at least nine 'illegal' sites have appeared across the UK - all seemingly using a 'carbon copy' modus operandi.

It's seen those behind the builds carrying out 'military-style' operations to rapidly construct new traveller developments before officials can stop them, transforming rural plots of field and grassland into sprawling, concreted caravan parks.
A blonde Love Island contestant dubbed Barbie is starting a 14-year stretch behind bars for helping a major international crime cartel flood UK streets with illegal drugs.

Prosecutors said Magdalena Sadlo, 30, acted as the business brain for top table crooks based in the Middle East, painstakingly preparing criminal accounts.

Gang members in Dubai  where Sadlo worked legitimately in hospitality  masterminded a conspiracy to ship enormous sums of cocaine into the UK which a judge described as eye-opening.

Well qualified Sadlo  who featured in Love Islands Polish version during 2021  was drafted in to help, prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court, engaging in multi-faceted illegal activity.

As a criminal courier, Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of cocaine as it was imported into the port of Harwich.

A police drug expert concluded she could have trafficked almost 300kg of cocaine in seven trips, including a whopping 33kg to Greater Manchester on one date alone.

Over several months she transported it around England in pricey BMWs during whistle-stop tours.

Cocaine was stored initially in safe houses and then moved around the country by a team of trusted drivers for onward supply to addicts.

Beach body: Sadlo poses on the beach while a contestant on the Polish Love Island series

While based in the Middle East, Sadlo was a trusted financial director, the court heard, diligently documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets.

Mr Evans said: 'She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels, updating who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved.

'No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role.'

Sadlo was 'enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting', suggested the prosecutor, scolding major players when they did not meet her high standards.

Mr Evans also alleged: 'She is very much part of the inner circle and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables.'

Detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit detained Sadlo as she arrived into the UK on February 13, 2024, having flown Emirates first class from Dubai.

She was carrying a 130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, 30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with criminal cash, plus a cv boasting her business acumen and qualifications.

Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops containing criminal profit spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied.

Sadlo's less-glamorous police mugshot after her arrest for involvement with criminal gang

After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply.

Sadlo had the nickname Barbie, detectives learned. In one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.'

On one phone, Sadlo made web searches, in January 2024, for '50kg cocaine June news UK' and 'which countries have the death penalty for drugs'.

Mr Evans said: 'She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in.'

Sadlo, of Bracknell, Berkshire, was sentenced today having earlier admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money.

Twelve men have already been handed sentences totalling more than 100 years for their role in a plot which was blown apart after police seized a kilo of cocaine in the Lake District.

Judge Nicholas Barker likened the illegal activity to 'unrolling a ball of wool around the world'.

Defence barrister Peter Corrigan said Sadlo disputed elements of the prosecution case. She had played a lesser criminal role than alleged, said Mr Corrigan, against the background of drug addiction.

In a letter, Sadlo expressed remorse having fallen on hard times and been susceptible to others. She was highly regarded by friends and family.

Sadlo was 'highly regarded' by friends and family but is now beginning a long prison term

Sadlo 'basked in the lifestyle' while acting as courier for an international cartel, the court heard

Judge Barker concluded Sadlo, as a courier, was central in the collection of that drug and onward distribution.

He said: 'I conclude there was gain and reward and in some way considerable to you.

'You are an intelligent woman and well understand risk and reward.'

Sadlos criminal conduct escalated while based in the Middle East when, the judge concluded, she had 'basked in the lifestyle'.

Sadlo was not a peer of the cartel but could not have been closer to the centre, said Judge Barker, who told the defendant: 'I find you acted with real enthusiasm and sought to impress those at top.'
The alleged cause of death of a British mother who tragically died while on holiday in Turkey has been revealed.

Beth Martin, 28, from Portsmouth, was rushed to hospital after she became 'delirious' just one day into a dream trip away with her husband Luke and two children, aged eight and five.

She was quickly placed into critical care but tragically passed away around a day after she was first admitted on April 28.

Beth's family claimed they were kept in the dark about the seriousness of her condition and subsequent death - with Luke even being accused of 'poisoning' his wife by the Turkish authorities.

In a further sickening development, a UK autopsy later revealed Beth's heart had been removed after she passed away in Turkey without the family's permission, according to a fundraiser set up by loved ones.

A bombshell report has now claimed the mother died due to food poisoning, according to local media outlet Sozcu.

The report said they had found no evidence that she died from 'traumatic effects'.

The report, published by the Forensic Medicine Institution, said: 'It has been concluded that Martin's death occurred as a result of food poisoning and its complications.'

Beth Martin, pictured with husband Luke, allegedly died due to food poisoning, a report found

Beth, 28, from Portsmouth, with her husband Luke and two children, aged eight and five

It reportedly added that the full examination of Beth's heart had been completed.

Meanwhile, it also said tissue samples taken during tests on the mother's heart at the hospital would be given back to British authorities today.

Husband Luke previously said he has suffered the 'deepest level of trauma' since his wife's passing.

He said having to tell his young children they will never see their mother again 'broke him' and he described the ordeal as the 'worst week of his life'.

'Two weeks ago me, my wife and two kids set out for a family holiday to Turkey. Only three of us made it back,' Luke wrote on social media on May 11.

'I lost my wife, my children lost their mum, we lost the biggest piece of the puzzle that was our family.

'It has been the worst and most traumatic week of my entire life, and to top it off. I had to break the news to my babies that their mum isn't coming home, it broke me.'

The Martin family flew out to Turkey on Sunday, April 27, but it is understood Beth started to feel unwell soon after they touched down in the airport.

Luke called an ambulance the following day and she was taken to a 'destitute' hospital where she was quickly moved into intensive care.

Beth's family were reportedly kept in the dark about the seriousness of her condition and death

Beth was just a day into a trip with her husband Luke when she was rushed to husband

According to the GoFundMe page, Luke was 'banned' from seeing his wife and was not regularly updated on her condition while she was being cared for.

It is understood that doctors did raise some concerns about Beth's heart but she died the day after she was admitted to the hospital.

To compound the nightmare, Luke was reportedly accused of poisoning his wife and interrogated by police. He was subsequently cleared and no further action was taken.

In further claims levelled against Turkish authorities, the family also say they were made to carry Beth's body in a bag through the hospital.

They then said they were told they would have to wait more than two weeks to repatriate her body so Luke 'paid thousands' for Beth to be flown home on the same flight as him.
A Mexican man who claims he was deported by the Trump administration has taunted officials after saying he was on his way to the border to allegedly sneak back into the US.

In the clip, the man can be seen in the rear of a vehicle driving on an arid stretch of desert highway that appears to be south of the border.

He claims in the video that a coyote, a people smuggler, is driving him back to the border. DailyMail.com has been unable to verify the authenticity of the clip.

A TikTok account, titled El Compa Kilo562, shared the video in February - following it up with other clip of the same man in Long Beach, California, in recent weeks.

In another clip the man can be heard saying: 'Mr Trump, Mr Trump. Thank you for the deportation back to my country'.

A caption over the clip adds: 'I got deported but it's just a vacation, I'll be back next week.'

The footage has surfaced on social media, with some users vowing to identify the man in the clip.

One person said: 'Mexican taunts Trump - claims he was deported and then snuck back into the US a week alter. Let's use the power of X to find him.'

He claims in the video that a coyote, a people smuggler, is driving him back to the border

The clip reemerged after President Donald Trump demanded that all illegal migrants go home immediately

Another added: 'Thanks to him for proving why mass deportations are needed, as well as a border well.'

One other posted: 'He bragged about breaking laws now let's make sure he gets a one-way ride out for good.'

The clip reemerged after President Donald Trump demanded that all illegal migrants go home immediately to avoid turning America into a 'bankrupt Third World Nation.'

The president doubled down in his support for ICE agents conducting the controversial raids as protestors take to the streets across the country.

He said in a post to his Truth Social: 'All of them have to go home, as do countless other Illegals and Criminals, who will turn us into a bankrupt Third World Nation.

'Our courageous ICE Officers, who are daily being subjected to doxxing and murder threats, are HEROES.'

According to a House Budget Committee report in late 2024, the border crisis costs American taxpayers at least '$150billion and counting.'

'The lion's share of that cost is borne by state and local governments,' the committee found.

The footage has surfaced on social media, with some users vowing to identify the man in the clip

Police arrest dozens of protesters during an anti-ICE near the City Hall in Los Angeles, California, United States on June 11

Trump described the work ICE agents are conducting as a 'noble mission' and vowed to 'always have their back' as they continue to track down and round up migrants.

'America will be for Americans again,' Trump vowed. 'America was invaded and occupied. I am reversing the Invasion. It's called Remigration.'

While Trump is still backing the work of his ICE agents, he presented a softened tone earlier on Thursday about migrants who have long term employment on farms.

He acknowledged that farmers 'and people in the Hotel and Leisure businesses' have been vocal in their criticism for his sweeping arrests.

'Our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,' he said.

Trump said at a press conference 'our farmers are being hurt badly by, you know, they have very good workers, they have worked for them for 20 years.

'They're not citizens, but they've turned out to be, you know, great. And we're going to have to do something about that.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins ICE operation as she accompanies numerous federal agents raiding a Huntington Park, in Los Angeles, United States on June 13

'We can't take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have, maybe not.'

Trump said he would be issuing a new order relating to that matter 'soon', vowing to use 'common sense' to protect industries which have become reliant on migrants.

Trump and ICE ramped up their searches for undocumented migrants, taking to workplaces across the nation suspected of employing illegal workers.

This set off the riots in LA stretched, sparking lockdown orders and the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,100 National Guard troops.

Rioters set fire to cars, looted buildings and attacked authorities as they railed against the arrests of their neighbors.

Protests have spread throughout the nation, popping up in New York, Texas, Arizona and Chicago as authorities' resources are spread thin trying to maintain order.

And there are fears the worst is yet to come with 2,000 separate protests planned for Saturday.

Over one million people are expected to protest Trump's military parade - which also happens to fall over the weekend of Trump's 79th birthday.

DailyMail.com has approached the Department of Homeland Security and ICE for comment on the footage.
A fishing boat captain and his girlfriend have died after encountering a shipwreck off the coast of Cape Cod.

Shawn Arsenault, 64, and Felicia Daley, 54, vanished without a trace after setting off from Rock Harbor in Orleans, Massachusetts to go clamming on Sunday.

A frantic manhunt was launched for the pair, with officials finally finding Arsenault's sunken boat three days later about five miles away, near Eastham.

The couple were found inside the 'wheelhouse' of the boat, the captain's brother Paul Arsenault told the Boston Globe.

They were not wearing life jackets and had not made a distress call, he added.

Paul suspects his brother's beloved Seahorse, a 30-foot white-hulled vessel, got 'hooked up on a wreck that was on the bottom of the ocean'.

He thinks the incident 'happened so fast' that Arsenault and Daley were unable to contact emergency services for help.

The Coast Guard is also investigating reports that the fisherman threw electronic electronic equipment into the water before leaving the harbor.

Shawn Arsenault, 64, (pictured) and Felicia Daley, 54, vanished without a trace after setting off from Rock Harbor in Orleans, Massachusetts to go clamming on Sunday.

The couple's bodies were found inside the 'wheelhouse' of their sunken fishing boat on Wednesday morning (Pictured: Felicia Daley)

The couple set off from Rock Harbor in Orleans on Saturday aboard their 30-foot white fishing boat, which features a painted mermaid on the bow and 'Seahorse' scrawled across the stern

Arsenault and Daley planned to go clamming near the Target Ship Wreck in Cape Cod Bay aboard the Seahorse, which features a painted mermaid on the bow.

They were reported missing on Tuesday morning when the harbormaster saw Arsenault's truck still parked at marina two days after the Seahorse left the harbor.

Authorities began to search for the pair at the boat's last known location, which according to a cell phone ping was roughly two miles offshore from Chatham.

Search crews were set to both sides of the harbor because 'phone pings have a high degree of variability'.

The Coast Guard issued an urgent emergency alert and carried out an extensive search of Cape Cod Bay's fishing area overnight.

A recreational fisherman spotted Arsenault's missing boat on Wednesday morning which, according to the Coast Guard, was found 'off shore inside the bay'.

The cellphone ping 'put them offshore in Chatham on the wrong side', a spokesperson added.

Officials previously said weather likely wasn't a factor in their disappearance, although search efforts were hampered by fog and thunderstorms.

A frantic manhunt was launched for the pair, with officials finally finding Arsenault's sunken boat three days later about five miles away, near Eastham

Paul said his brother and Daley, who had been dating for several months, were both experienced on boats.

He told the newspaper that owning the Seahorse was 'Shawn's dream' and Sunday marked 'only his third time out' on the boat.

Arsenault recently got 'new radar' and a 'fish finder', Paul added, noting his brother 'was excited' about his new equipment.

Witnesses reported seeing Arsenault throw equipment overboard when he left the dock on Sunday morning.

'I noticed in the surf there was something floating, so I went down to see what it was, and it turned out to be a GPS unit off of a boat,' local resident Sam Miller, who spotted the device while walking along the beach with her father told CBS Boston.

'We could tell it was a GPS unit off a boat... it had blue tape on it that said 'F/V Seahorse.'

The Coast Guard confirmed it have received reports from locals, but did not say what equipment may have been tossed. The agency is investigating the reports.

But Paul remains skeptical, telling the Globe that he 'can't imagine' Arsenault throwing anything overboard because 'all that stuff means a lot to him'.

A GPS unit matching the vessel was later found washed ashore

The pair planned to go clamming near Cape Cod Bay, but never returned (Pictured: Rock Habor in Orleans, MA)

The grieving brother also paid tribute to Arsenault and his partner, whom he claims were 'absolutely nuts about each other'.

He hailed the fishing captain as a 'hero' and said he was 'very loved in his community', sharing how Arsenault would go out of his way to help those in need.

'There was one gentleman with Parkinson's ... my brother would cook him dinner every night and walk it down to him,' he told the newspaper. 'That's the kind of person he was.'

Arsenault also 'loved being on the water,' Paul explained, telling WCVB: 'He loved the excitement. He loved being his own boss. He loved being a captain.'

He added the tragedy is 'like a nightmare' and he is still 'waiting to wake up'.

The couple's friends are also mourning their deaths, with Arsenault's friend Patrick sharing how the late fisherman was 'cracking jokes' and had a voice so loud that 'you would know he was in the next town over'.

Daley's friend Scott Amerault told TV station 'if you had her as a friend, you had a good friend'.

Although he is wondering what went wrong in the harbor, Amerault said the ocean 'takes you when it wants to' and 'you can't question what the ocean does'.

Coast Guard Commander Cliff Graham, pictured in 2018 explaining the drift-current complications in a search area off the eastern coast of Guam, issued his condolences to the couple's loved ones, saying: 'Our hearts go out to the families of both persons onboard'

Some locals have suggested the structure of the boat may have contributed to the tragedy, with one alleging it was 'not a very stable boat'.

'It had a round shine, and a lot of gear high. If it got hung up on a drag or something like that, it'd go right over,' charter operator Hap Farrell to WCVB.

Coast Guard Commander Cliff Graham, in a statement to NBC 10, confirmed the tragedy and said: 'Our hearts go out to the families of both persons onboard.

'The level of support from our maritime response partners and members from the fishing and local community was remarkable. It directly contributed to detection of the vessel and closure for the family.'

Daily Mail has approached the Coast Guard for further comment.
This is the terrifying moment a young girl is nearly kidnapped by a remorseless creep at a train station.

Osman Moalem, 25, was seen grabbing the teenager in CCTV footage last October as she sat on the steps of Liverpool Lime Street while waiting for her friends.

As the 19-year-old struggles to pull herself free, the thug continues to tug on her arm and try to drag her away.

A concerned elderly couple intervened and said they would call the police, but the twisted man just smirked at them.

Once she wrestles away from his grasp, the creep then follows her around the corner into the station.

Her screams alerted passer-bys to the rogue and minutes later British Transport Police arrested him as he tried to board a train.

Moalem was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars for attempted kidnap.

Investigating officer DC Olivia Hill said: 'Despite crystal clear CCTV footage of the attempted kidnapping, Moalem had the audacity to deny it and has shown no remorse for his actions throughout the investigation.

Osman Moalem, 25, was seen grabbing the teenager in CCTV footage last October as she sat on the steps of Liverpool Lime Street while waiting for her friends

As the 19-year-old struggles to pull herself free, the thug continues to tug on her arm and try to drag her away

The girls screams alerted passer-bys to the rogue and minutes later British Transport Police arrested him as he tried to board a train

Moalem was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars for attempted kidnap

'I know how terrifying this was for the victim and she's bravely supported the investigation throughout, I hope that now that Moalem is behind bars she can continue to make progress with her recovery.

'Thankfully we police a CCTV rich environment and the quality of the footage, along with the victim's testimony, was invaluable in securing Moalem's conviction.'

British Transport Police said: 'We will not tolerate any form of violence against women or girls.

'If you experience or witness anything, we urge you to report it to us by texting 61016.'
An anaesthetist who took indecent photos of a five-year-old girl while she lay unconscious has lost a bid to shorten his sentence.

Edward Finn committed 'about as egregious breach of trust as can be imagined' when he captured the pictures of four female victims.

The 37-year-old made indecent images of a five-year-old girl and an adult patient after he anaesthetised them.

And he also took photos of his wife while she was asleep, as well as a three-year-old daughter of a family friend.

Finn was sentenced in June 2024 to eight years in jail with an extended licence of four years after pleading guilty at Nottingham Crown Court.

He subsequently challenged the length of his sentence - though the Court of Appeal in London has now dismissed this.

Mr Justice Johnson, sitting with Lord Justice Fraser and Judge Martin Picton, said Finn's offences took place between 2014 and 2023.

He was caught after his wife found images of naked children on an old iPad, in a folder labelled 'hidden', the judge said.

Edward Finn committed 'about as egregious breach of trust as can be imagined' when he captured the pictures of his four female victims.

Finn was caught after his wife found images of naked children on an old iPad, in a folder labelled 'hidden', the judge said

Finn, from Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, told officers he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a girl he was treating had died

Further investigations into all of Finn's devices revealed thousands of indecent images of children, including more than a hundred in the most serious category, and images of an adult and a child taken during the course of his work.

Finn, from Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, told officers he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a girl he was treating had died.

He also tried to take his own life before he was arrested and charged, the court heard.

Andrew Wesley, for Finn, said at the appeal hearing on Friday that the sentence was too long because of 'the mathematics' of how it was reached.

But the judges dismissed the appeal, with Mr Justice Johnson adding: 'This was about as egregious a breach of trust as can be imagined.'

He continued: 'We conclude that the sentence imposed was not wrong in principle or manifestly excessive.

'We therefore dismiss the appeal.'
A drunk Delta airlines passenger forced an entire plane to disembark and return to the terminal after refusing to get off it... but she ended up slapped in handcuffs over her antics.

The woman, named Alicia, could barely keep her eyes open as she refused to get off a plane from Dallas to Boston on April 14, 2024, newly released bodycam footage showed.

While on the aircraft she admitted to having two shots, but after deplaning, she claimed to have had six glasses of wine while waiting for her delayed flight.

A flight attendant also told police Alicia had a glass of prosecco and two shots of tequila while on board.

Police repeatedly asked Alicia to get off the plane, but she ignored them and refused to get up.

Her stubborn behavior meant every other passenger had to get off the flight so she could be physically removed by cops.

'I do not trust this state and I'm trying to go home,' she said, slurring her words. 'So do not hold me here.'

'You need to stand up and get off the airplane, ma'am,' the officer replied.

'No, I don't,' she replied, eyes still closed.

A woman named Alicia could barely keep her eyes open as she refused to get off a plane from Dallas to Boston on April 14, 2024, resurfaced bodycam footage showed

While on the aircraft, she admitted to having two shots, but after deplaning, she claimed to have had six glasses of wine while waiting for her delayed flight. A flight attendant also told police Alicia had a glass of prosecco and two shots of tequila while on board

Police brought on EMTs hoping to 'sweet talk her off,' but were unsuccessful, forcing police to make every passenger deplane.

As officers go to handcuff her, she began to resist.

'Give me my one and only warning back,' she begged.

'Why would you do that? Why would you do that? All I was trying to do was fly home?' she said, her voice sounding hoarse.

She then started questioning what she did wrong, and police reiterated to her that she refused to get off the aircraft.

'Because you didn't want to fly me?' she replied.

'Ma'am, I'm not the airlines,' the officer said.

As she was walking up the jet bridge, she spat on the ground. As they rounded the corner back into the terminal, she was met with the large crowd of fellow passengers, who 'booed' her as she walked by.

'I do not trust this state and I'm trying to go home,' she said on the plane, slurring her word. 'So do not hold me here.'

She was laid in a prone position several times throughout her arrest as she began resisting

Alicia was placed under arrest for criminal trespassing and public intoxication.

As they escorted her to the squad car, she became difficult, throwing herself to the ground inside the airport before refusing to allow officers to check her for weapons.

'Ma'am, I will prone you out if you don't stop kicking,' an officer said, referring to the position where a person is laid facedown on the ground.

Officers forced her into the position as they held her handcuffed wrists. Eventually, they put her into the squad car.

Video footage from inside the car showed Alicia kicking the vehicle and hyperventilating, before telling officers to 'stop going through my s**t.'

'All I did was try and peacefully get out of a f**king plane,' she wailed.

She changed tune as officers got in the car, asking: 'Can I please have a cigarette?'

As she got out of the car at the station, she asked them: 'Can I have my vape?'

Alicia was placed under arrest for criminal trespassing and public intoxication

'No, you can't have your vape,' an officer replied.

'I need a cigarette,' she said, before whining: 'Can I please just have one ciggy?'

Alicia did not stop resisting arrest after entering the station. When a female officer asked her to 'undo your hands, please,' the young woman sassily replied: 'Undo my cuffs and I will.'

Officers repeatedly asked to cooperate, leading her to let out a high-pitched wail: 'No! What did I even do wrong?'

Eventually, she was led into a room and once again laid in a prone position, her hair spread out around her as they removed her over shirt and jewelry.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Police for comment.
A six-year-old started drowning in a pool in Florida while the adult with him stood by until the boy was saved by a passing stranger.

Surveillance footage caught the grueling minutes that Oscar struggled in the water of a pool in Fort Lauderdale while his cousin frantically called out for help.

It wasn't until Roque Ivan Ocampo, who was passing by, heard the screams and ran to help that Oscar was rescued from the bottom of the pool.

'He doesn't move at all, that's why I thought maybe, "He's dead," because he wasn't moving,' he told NBC News.

The boy had fallen into the pool after losing his balance on a pool float. He remained under water for nearly two minutes while his cousin paced around the edge of the water.

'There was no time to think, just to act,' Ocampo told ABC News.

The footage showed Ocampo quickly take his shoes off and jump into the water.

He pulled Oscar to the surface with the help of a bystander and began an attempt to resuscitate the child.

Surveillance footage caught six-year-old Oscar drowning in a pool in Florida while his cousin stood by and cried for help

Passerby Ivan Ocampo heard the cries of Oscar's cousin as the boy struggled in the water and dove into the pool to rescue him

The boy and Ocampo reunited the next day, he told Oscar: 'You're very strong and I'm so proud of you'

'I started doing CPR. The kid wasn't breathing, but I keep doing it and doing it until he started breathing again,' Ocampo said.

Oscar's family begun rushing over to the boy and called 911.

Bodycam footage showed that arriving officers took over and could be heard asking if Oscar could squeeze their hand.

The boy was rushed to hospital, but is expected to make a full recovery.

'It takes a lot of bravery to do what he did, and I think Oscar's outcome would've been a lot worse if [he] hadn't he jumped in the pool, pulled him out and done CPR right away,' said Jamie Bodine, a Fort Lauderdale Police Officer who responded to the scene.

'I don't think we thanked him enough that day,' Bodine said.

The boy and Ocampo reunited the next day, he told Oscar: 'You're very strong and I'm so proud of you.'

'It was so special, to be honest, wonderful moment for me,' Ocampo said. 'This is the best gift I ever had.'

Ocampo pulled Oscar to the surface with the help of a bystander and began an attempt to resuscitate the child

Bodycam footage showed that arriving officers took over and could be heard asking if Oscar could squeeze their hand

'I'm glad I was in the right moment to save the kid,' he added.

The incident stirred the internet as people slammed the boy's cousin for standing by and for his family to leave the pair alone.

'Where were the parents? Why were children left alone near pool without adult supervision? Are parents being charged with neglect? Something is wrong with this scenario,' one commenter said.

'Wow, what are two kids that dont know how to swim doing anywhere near a pool. Not a single ounce of common sense with the parents. Absolute horrible parenting,' another wrote.

One said: 'What a hero That's a real lifeguard! For that 'cousin' why do you have a pool when you can't swim? Why are you even standing there? You have a stick throw it away & scream Use it!'
A 43,000-a-year boarding school has been forced to make the 'heart-wrenching' it will close after 125 years following Labour's tax raid on private education.

Labour's decision to levy VAT on private school fees has dealt a heavy blow to the sector, which some institutions have been unable to deal with.

Queen Margaret's School For Girls in York has become the latest to announce its closure saying they are 'unable to withstand mounting financial pressure' following the introduction of VAT on fees.

The controversial tax, pledged in Labours manifesto, came into force in January this year.

The school also blamed 'increased national insurance and pension contributions, the removal of charitable-status business rates relief, and rising costs for the upkeep and operation of our estate'.

The 125-year-old institution said that 'tireless efforts' in the past 18 months to 'respond to these challenges' included a possible merger or sale and the search for 'fresh investment'.

However, the school said 'none of these routes resulted in a successful outcome' and coupled with declining entries, it has 'been left with no alternative' but to close.

After 'strong student enquiry levels' in Autumn, the school said 'these declined sharply in early 2025 following the implementation of VAT' and is 'below the viable level required' to keep the school open.

Queen Margaret's School For Girls in York has become the latest to announce its closure

Private school families have been dealt a devastating blow after they lost a High Court challenge to Labour s VAT on fees (pictured: children protesting against the policy last month)

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax overturned  benefitting half a million pupils nationwide (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer)

The school added it is 'unable to meet the costs of closure' and has therefore filed a Notice to Appoint an Administrator.

The independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18 will shut for good at the end of their summer term on July 5.

A statement from Queen Margaret's School said: 'This is a heart-wrenching decision that no governing body wants to take, and we fully recognise that the closure of Queen Margarets will be deeply distressing for the whole QM community.

'Our priority is the wellbeing of our pupils, their families and all of our incredible teaching staff, and we are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible for everyone.

'We will work closely with every family to achieve the best possible solution for every pupil and will provide ongoing support to all members of staff.'

It comes as today private school families were dealt a devastating blow after they lost a High Court challenge to Labours VAT on fees.

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax declared 'incompatible' with human rights law.

However, in a decision handed down this morning, judges rejected all claims, despite agreeing with some of the arguments.

Earlier this year, Maidwell Hall In Northamptonshire revealed plans to close after it had been 'adversely affected by external factors.

The 114-year-old school said it had been operating at a loss for several years but 'received further blows last November, when the announcement of VAT on school fees and the elimination of business rates relief was confirmed in the Budget'.

As well as the VAT hike, private schools in England with charitable status will also be stripped of their 80 per cent business rates relief from April.

Loughborough Amherst school - which began in 1850 - is another recent victim of the economic headwinds facing the sector, alongside other institutions in Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire and Scotland.

Maidwell Hall (pictured), a co-educational prep school in Northamptonshire that Princess Diana 's brother went to, announced on Tuesday that it would be shutting in July

Loughborough Amherst School, a Catholic boarding school for boys and girls aged 4 to 18 that began in 1850, said this week that the 'economic reality' made it no longer viable

Three groups of families  most of whom are anonymous  joined private schools in bringing a legal challenge against the policy.

Their lawyers argued the tax is a breach of childrens right to an education under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The various families also said it was discriminatory  either because their child has special educational needs (SEN), has a preference for a religious education, or because they need an all-girls environment.

In their judgement this morning, Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain agreed that the tax interfered with SEN children's human rights.

However, Parliament ultimately had the right make the decision, they concluded.

They said Parliament had a 'broad margin of discretion in deciding how to balance the interests of those adversely affected by the policy against the interests of others who may gain from public provision funded by the money it will raise'.

They added that 'the challenged legislation falls within that broad margin.

They also pointed out, more generally, that the EHCR does not 'impose any general obligation on the state not to hinder access to private education.'

At the opening of the court case in April, families of children with SEN from all over the country protested outside.

They said they have been forced to choose the private sector due to the state provision for SEN being so poor  but cannot afford the extra cost of the VAT.

During the case, lawyers argued that even a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) had said SEN provision in the state sector was not delivering for children and unsustainable.

And they pointed out Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson appeared to agree, saying in October that the report highlighted a broken system.

Government lawyers sparked outrage by trying to claim the NAO evidence was inadmissible.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, was criticised at the time for backing the Governments position.

In todays judgement, judges agreed the evidence amounted to proceedings in Parliament and therefore inadmissible.

However, the judges said it 'does not affect the outcome' of the case because most of the key facts in that report were now 'agreed' by both parties.

During one of the hearings, it was also revealed Labour had considered making an exemption for SEN children, but then decided it would not raise enough revenue.

In written submissions, Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Government, said: Having considered 17,502 consultation responses, the Government rejected the exemptions because they were incompatible with the principles underpinning the policy, namely being revenue diminishing, unfair, unworkable and/or administratively onerous.

He said the central objectives in implementing the tax included raising additional tax revenue annually by 2029-2030 to invest in public services, including the state education system, and enhancing the fairness of the tax system overall.

The Prime Minister (pictured with Chancellor Rachel Reeves) previously provoked outrage after suggesting his housing pledge was made possible 'because' of VAT on school fees

The judicial review claim, heard earlier this year, aimed to have the 20 per cent tax overturned  benefitting half a million pupils nationwide (pictured: pupils protesting earlier this year)

And he added that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projected the measure will yield exchequer revenue of 1.5billion in 2025/26, rising to 1.7 billion per year by 2029/30.

There is already an exemption in place for SEN children who have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), which entitles them to a higher level of state-backed support.

However, only a small proportion are able to get an EHCP, leaving the vast majority of SEN families having to pay the tax.

In their decision today, the judges said they accepted that a 'significant number of the pupils with SEN but no EHCP who are displaced from private schools into the state sector will receive materially worse provision for their SEN than they do now.'

They added: 'In some cases, that provision is likely to be inadequate, at least in the immediate future.

Among the other claimants are Jewish pupils at specialist religious private schools who fear anti-Semitic attacks if they go into the state sector.

There is also a girl who had to attend a single-sex private school  the only all-girls school in her area  due to harassment by boys at her co-educational state school.

And there are also claimants using Christian private schools because they cannot obtain the same religious education in the state system.

One is Stephen White, who has chosen not to be anonymous, and whose eldest four children are at Bradford Christian School, a private Christian school in West Yorkshire.

At the opening of the court case in April, families of children with SEN from all over the country protested outside (pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson)

Ana Boulter (pictured in her YouTube video), a TV presenter whose daughter has SEN, said of the judgement: 'If we see this consistent dehumanisation of the vulnerable in society we are going to end this Parliament in a very sorry state.'

In April, he helped stage a protest outside the High Court to mark the opening of the case, joined by dozens of other parents from around the country not involved in the case.

This morning, the Christian Legal Centre, which supported his case, vowed to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile, the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents most private schools, said it would decide whether to appeal in considering its 'next steps'.

ISC chief executive Julie Robinson said: 'The ISC is carefully considering the courts judgment and next steps. Our focus remains on supporting schools, families and children.

'We will continue to work to ensure the Government is held to account over the negative impact this tax on education is having across independent and state schools.'

David Walker, director, Boarding Schools' Association (BSA), said: There are no winners here.

'It is unlikely VAT will raise the expected funds, given the drop in pupil numbers is already far higher than predicted, with boarding schools seeing a 4 per cent drop in pupil numbers over the last year.

'This means children and communities are suffering due to disrupted education or school closures.

'It is a particularly sad day for students with needs that cannot be met in the mainstream system.

'We urge the government to stop its assault on independent education, before more children are caught in the crosshairs.

It comes after the Prime Minister was criticised yesterday for appearing to suggest the money raised from the tax would now be spent on housing, not teachers (pictured: Sir Keir Starmer's post on X)

A spokesman for parent group Education Not Taxation said: While we are disappointed in the overall outcome of the challenge, we are grateful that the Court recognised that imposing VAT on school fees will have a disproportionately prejudicial effect on pupils with SEN but no EHCP, and therefore that the Governments measure discriminates against them.

As the Court found, the Governments education tax violates the human rights of these vulnerable children.

'Labour have consistently demanded respect for the European Convention of Human Rights and we expect them to think hard about what these senior judges have said  does their concern for human rights not extend to these rights for children as well?

'We urge the Government to reconsider its education tax.

'We look forward to meeting with ministers soon to reiterate the harms this is causing children and families and to discuss next steps.'

The Government has always maintained the tax is necessary to raise money for state schools  including providing 6,500 new teachers.

However, in an X post after Wednesdays Spending Review, Sir Keir appeared to suggest housing will now be the beneficiary.

He wrote: In the budget last year, my government made the tough but fair decision to apply VAT to private schools.

The Tories opposed it. Reform opposed it.

Today, because of that choice, we have announced the largest investment in affordable housing in a generation.

Replying, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: You said every penny would go into state schools... but now its housing?

In October 2024, the OBR estimated the new tax would lead to 35,000 fewer pupils in private schools.

A Government spokesman said: 'We welcome the courts decision, which confirms that the legislation is compatible with the Governments human rights obligations.

'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8 billion a year, helping to support public services including the 94 per cent of pupils who attend state schools.'
A husband who 'ferociously' stabbed his wife to death in front of their seven-month-old baby vowed to 'kill her if she ever left him', a court has heard.

Kulsuma Akter, 27, suffered more than 25 knife injuries during the attack by Habibur Masum, 26, when he confronted her while she pushed the infant in a pram.

Masum tracked Ms Akter to a refuge in Bradford, where she had been staying since January 2024 after he held a knife to her throat at their home in Oldham.

Today, Ms Akter's sister-in-law said during their marriage Masum had stopped her wearing make-up and checked her phone to see who she was talking to.

A statement from Minara Begum read in court explained Ms Akter had to ask permission from her husband before going out.

Ms Begum said the couple had married in Bangladesh and moved to the UK in March 2022 so Masum could continue his studies.

She said they 'both seemed happy' and Masum appeared 'quite obsessed with' Ms Akter, who started working at Park Cakes in Oldham.

Ms Begum added: 'Masum was not too keen on Kulsuma working but she would worry about paying the bills.

Habibur Masum and Kulsuma Akter are pictured here on their wedding day. Masum is accused of killing his wife while she pushed a pram

Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Habibur Masum appearing in the dock at Bradford Magistrates' Court, West Yorkshire

The scene in Westgate, Bradford on April 7 2024. A murder investigation was launched after Ms Akter was stabbed in Bradford city centre in broad daylight

'I told her she could enhance her beauty even more with the right make-up ... Masum would get jealous if he saw photos and told her not to do make-up any more, so she didn't.'

The statement described how arguments between Ms Akter and Masum escalated to 'a more serious level' and she went to stay with her brother and sister-in-law at one point.

Ms Begum said: 'He kept massaging her telling he was going to do crazy things because she was with us and not at home, and kept asking her where the kitchen knife was.

'After this happened I told Masum his behaviour was not right and their relationship should not be this way.

'Masum did not like this coming from a woman or me speaking to him this way. He did not like me very much.'

Jurors heard Ms Akter returned to Masum, but arguments between them 'continued to get worse'.

Ms Begum said during one argument he divorced her under Islamic law by 'saying it out loud three times', but later said she was confused and he had only said it twice.

She said things 'got worse after the baby was born' and Ms Akter 'always complained he wasn't helping her with the baby and always expected his food to be prepared after work'.

Ms Begum said Masum had made several threats to kill Ms Akter, adding: 'She told me he would tell her if she ever left him he would kill her'

Ms Akter said after an assault that her husband would 'be okay once he kills me' and asked Ms Begum to look after the baby

'She also told me if the baby cried during the night he would get angry and frustrated,' Ms Begum said.

Her statement said Masum had made several threats to kill Ms Akter, adding: 'She told me he would tell her if she ever left him he would kill her.'

Jurors heard Ms Akter was moved to a refuge after telling police Masum had assaulted her, held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her over a 'completely innocuous' message she received from a male colleague at a factory.

Ms Begum said after the incident Ms Akter told her: 'He will be okay once he kills me.'

She added: 'Following this assault Kulsuma asked if Masum killed her would I look after (the baby) for her and take care of him.'

The court heard Masum tracked Ms Akter to the refuge through her phone location, and she had been due to move but went out walking with a friend on the day she died after Masum's brother told her he was in Spain. Masum also put photos on Facebook claiming he was in Spain.

Masum denies murdering Ms Akter but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of a knife.

He also denies two charges of assault, one count of making threats to kill and one charge of stalking.

CCTV of Masum from Sunday April 7 2024. He is pictured wearing a duffle coat, tracksuit bottoms with a small black emblem on the left pocket and maroon trainers

Earlier this week, a statement read out at court by a witness described Masum 'overpowering' Ms Akter before 'throwing her down in front of a car'.

The witness added: 'The female was still screaming and then the screaming stopped. She wasn't shouting words or a name but was screaming in agony and pain.'

'Within seconds' Masum allegedly 'stood up and walked off' down the road, as he feared it to possibly be 'a male stabbing random people'.

'At that point I wasn't sure if... this was a male stabbing random people so I turned my family round and started walking back to our home address,' he said.

'I kept an eye on the male as I was concerned for my family. I saw him throw what I assumed was the weapon over a fence.

'He then dusted his hands and calmly carried on walking.'

The trial continues.
A Fox News journalist was forced to run for cover live on air after Iran began bombing Israel while he reported from Tel Aviv.

Trey Yingst, who is the network's chief foreign correspondent, was forced to cut short his broadcast after ballistic missiles filled the sky over the Israeli city Friday night.

Yingst stood on a balcony while Israel's famed Iron Dome weapons defense system began to intercept some of the enemy fire.

But a few moments later it became clear that Yingst and his crew were in danger as the barrage of missiles continued and smoke filled the skies.

It came as Israel sent an urgent warning that 'dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles' are headed to the nation, with footage showing some appeared to slip past the Iron Dome in Tel Aviv.

Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei said in a furious address overnight that 'life will be dark' for Israel after it decimated Iran's nuclear sites and top military officials.

Earlier today, Tehran vowed 'painful revenge' for Israel's actions, and state media reported hundreds of missiles were fired at Israel Friday night.

In a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps shortly after missiles hit Israel, the nation's military said it struck dozens of targets 'forcefully and with precision.'

Fox News journalist Trey Yingst was forced to run for cover live on air after Iran began bombing Israel while he reported from Tel Aviv

Yingst was on the air as Israel sent an urgent warning that 'dozens of Iranian ballistic missiles' are en route to the nation, with footage showing some appeared to slip past the Iron Dome

In a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps shortly after missiles hit Israel, the nation's military said it struck dozens of targets 'forcefully and with precision'

After a first round of missiles struck Tel Aviv, the Israeli military said more cities are under threat of being hit, with 'another barrage of dozens of missiles fired at Israel.'

Smoke could be seen filling the skies over Tel Aviv, as residents were told to urgently seek bomb shelters.

An Israeli military official told the New York Times that at least seven sites were hit in Tel Avid.

It is unclear how many Israeli cities in total have been targeted or hit, with some reports that Jerusalem was also targeted.

Officials have not yet said if there are any casualties.

The barrage of missiles from Iran came in retaliation to Israel's attacks on Iranian targets including nuclear sites overnight.

Israel killed a number of Iran's top military and nuclear officials in the strikes, which prompted a furious response from Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a televised statement on Friday night, he declared that Israel 'should not think they have attacked and it's over.'

'Life will be dark for them,' Khamenei said. 'They started it, they started a war. We will not allow them to escape this big crime unharmed. Irans armed forces will definitely be striking hard.'

After a first round of missiles struck Tel Aviv, the Israeli military said more cities are under threat of being hit, with 'another barrage of dozens of missiles fired at Israel'

Missiles launched from Iran were largely intercepted by the Iron Dome, as seen in Tel Aviv, Israel on Friday night

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised statement on Friday night (pictured) that 'life with be dark' for Israel as he vowed to respond to Israel's attack with fury

Tehran vowed 'painful revenge' for Israel's unprecedented offensive overnight that has left the region teetering on the brink of all-out war.

An Israeli military spokesman has said their 'defense systems are working to intercept the threat' that has arrived in their airspace after being launched this afternoon.

Citizens are still being urged to go to their nearest bomb shelter as hundreds of ballistic missiles rain down on the city.

Israels defense minister, Israel Katz, said in a statement after missiles hit Tel Aviv around 9pm local time that Iran 'crossed a red line' by hitting civilian areas.
An aviation expert believes the co-pilot on Air India flight AI171 pulled the plane's wing flaps instead of retracting the landing gear, causing the plane to crash.

Commercial airline pilot and YouTuber Captain Steve, who analyzes plane crashes and close calls, gave his theory on the incident which killed 241 people on board.

The London-bound 787 Dreamliner began losing height moments after take-off and crashed in a fireball over a residential area in the Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Steve said he suspected there had been an exceptionally simple error in the cockpit when the co-pilot was asked to retract the landing gear, with devastating consequences.

He said: 'Here's what I think happened, again folks this is just my opinion. I think the pilot flying said to the co-pilot said 'gear up' at the appropriate time.

'I think the co-pilot grabbed the flap handle and raised the flaps, instead of the gear. If that happened, this explains a lot of why this airplane stopped flying.'

Steve said that the flaps being raised would cause the flight to lose airspeed and altitude quickly, something he thinks the pilot would have struggled to control.

He explained his theory by saying the 787's composite wings would normally bend during take off as lift forces take it into the air.

But the Air India plane appears to show no such bending, amid widespread speculation the flaps which help lift the plane off had accidentally been retracted.

Only one of the 242 people on board survived and as many as 24 people on the ground were also killed in what was the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Commercial airline pilot and YouTuber Captain Steve, who analyzes plane crashes and close calls, gave his theory on the incident which killed 241 people on board

Footage showed the moments before the Air India plane came down in Ahmedabad

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It remains unclear what caused Thursday's tragedy, with mechanical failure or pilot error among the possible causes that investigators will now work to identify.

Among those believed to have died is Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot operating the Boeing 787.

Mr Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of experience, was named as the pilot of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

First Officer Clive Kunder, from Mumbai and who was co-piloting, had logged 1,100 of flying hours and completed his training at the Florida-based Paris Air Flight School.

The sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, has since been visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in hospital.

Mr Ramesh told DD News, 'I still can't believe how I survived', as he spoke from his hospital bed on Friday.

He told the broadcaster the plane felt like it was 'stuck in the air' shortly after take-off before lights began flickering green and white - adding: 'It suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.'

He said: 'I still can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too.

'But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realized I was alive. I still can't believe how I survived.'

The sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, has since been visited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in hospital, seen here

Among those believed to have died is Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, left, and First Officer Clive Kunder, right

At least 24 people were killed on the ground, officials said, after the airplane landed on a canteen building where students were having lunch.

The flight data recorder was recovered from the wreckage on Friday, in what will likely lead to clues about the cause of the accident.

The plane's digital flight data recorder, or black box, was recovered from a rooftop near the crash site and India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said that it had begun its work with 'full force.'

The black box recovery marks an important step forward in the investigation, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a social media post.

U.S. participants in the investigation will include people from the NTSB, FAA, Boeing and General Electric.
Scotland's bloated public sector will be cut back to save taxpayers 650million under plans to be unveiled by the leader of the Scottish Tories.

In his keynote address to his partys conference in Edinburgh today Russell Findlay will promise to cull quangos, bring in business leaders to find cutbacks and slash red tape in the NHS and other public bodies.

The proposals are part of a new taxpayer savings act which would cut costs by 650million.

The savings would be used to pay for cutting income tax rates for hard-pressed Scots.

In his first Scottish Tory conference speech as leader, Mr Findlay will say: Putting a stop to wasteful spending is top of our agenda.

We need to urgently streamline bloated government.

Improving services means treating peoples money with respect. Today I can announce that our party would introduce a Taxpayer Savings Act to get the books in order and deliver better value. This proposal would save 650million by cutting red tape, getting a grip on spending, and harnessing business expertise.

We would then use that money to bring down peoples taxes. By doing that, we would start to restore trust.

We would shut down quangos that dont deliver value. Wed tackle the SNPs culture of cronyism through strict new rules on public appointments. No more jobs for the boys, and we would reduce the number of ministers and advisers.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay makes his point at conference yesterday

He will promise a Scottish agency of value and efficiency would be set up to find cutbacks, which is similar to Donald Trumps DOGE, and would be run by people in the real world who know how to get things done.

Mr Findlay will say: They would be tasked with wielding a claymore on waste.

We would introduce an Accountability and Transparency Index. This would shine a light on every organisation that receives public money, and would begin to dismantle the SNPs toxic era of secrecy.

Earlier this week, Mr Findlay unveiled proposals to cut income tax rates to provide a saving of up to 444 a year to workers.

The Scottish Conservatives would abolish the current 20 per cent and 21 per cent rates of income tax and instead ensure that a 19 per cent rate applies on all taxable earnings up to the higher rate threshold of 43,663.

The plan is likely to cost around 500million a year in lost tax revenue, but could also make it easier to attract skilled workers to boost revenues from tax.

As of March 2025 there were 550,000 people employed in Scotlands public sector, which had grown slightly compared to the same month last year.

More than 47 per cent worked in local government, while just over a third worked for the NHS.

Official figures show that the devolved civil service saw employees rise by more than 2 per cent  with an extra 650 positions taking the number of people working for the Scottish Government to 28,800.

But Scotlands public corporations  such as CalMac and Scottish Water  have seen numbers rise the most.

The Scottish Government figures, which were released this month, revealed there were 9,000 working in that part of the public sector, up more than 6 per cent in 12 months.

Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee said: The Scottish Government is making real progress in reforming the public sector: the number of Scottish public bodies under government control has shrunk from 199 in 2007 to 131.

However, we know there is more to do, which is why I will soon unveil our Public Service Reform strategy.

Unfortunately, this work has been made more difficult by the UK Governments decision to pursue Brexit, which in 2023 alone led to an estimated cut in public revenues of about 2.3billion.
Kemi Badenoch has insisted Scots deserve better than the SNP as she launched a blistering attack on its failings in government  and claimed Nigel Farage is a threat to the Union.

The Conservative leader said Scotland is in decline under a Nationalist government focused on stoking division, with education, justice and the NHS going backwards while millions of pounds of taxpayers cash is wasted on independence propaganda and the ferries fiasco.

She said the SNP needs to be defeated in next years Holyrood elections because the Scottish people deserve better, and are paying for more and getting less.

She also claimed that Nigel Farage is a threat to the Union because he does not care about more SNP rule.

In her first address to the Scottish Conservative conference as leader, she said: We have seen Scotland decline under the rule of Left-wing parties that stoke division and the politics of envy.

She said education standards have fallen to record lows on the SNPs watch, while police numbers have plunged and the NHS recovery is lagging behind England  with 100 times as many patients in Scotlands hospitals waiting more than 104 weeks for treatment than south of the Border.

She said the SNP was still obsessed with breaking up Britain and has been wasting millions on independence propaganda.

And she accused the Nationalists of wasting money on failed ferry projects, hate crime laws which threaten free speech and putting male rapists in womens prisons.

Kemi Badenoch takes to the stage at the Scottish Conservative conference at Murrayfield

She said: This year we saw the SNP suffer yet another loss in

the Supreme Court, because instead of sorting out Scotland they were trying to redefine what a woman is.

This is not a party focused on what people in Scotland need, so we need to bring about their electoral defeat. Because the Scottish people deserve better.

She insisted that the answer to these problems does not involve any more devolution.

Hitting back at Reform, which finished ahead of the Tories in third place in last weeks Hamilton by-election, she said: The Union is just not that important to them. In April this year, Nigel Farage said he would be fine with the SNP winning another five years in power.

Hes fine with another five years of higher bills, longer waiting lists, declining school standards, gender madness, and ultimately, independence.

Reform will vote to let the SNP in, Conservatives will only ever vote to get the Nationalists out. Her comments about Reform refer to Mr Farage saying in a recent interview that he is not that worried about the SNP and that the party is going to have

a resurgence.

Asked by journalists after her speech in Edinburgh if Mr Farage is an active threat to the Union, Ms Badenoch said: If he wants the SNP to have another five years, that is a threat to the Union, so yes.

On the Barnett Formula  the funding mechanism which delivered an extra 9.1billion over three years to Scotland in this weeks spending review  she said it was not the problem, it is the SNP that is the problem.

She said: It doesnt matter how you change it, theyre still going to mess things up.

Mrs Badenoch shared an embrace with Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay

What we need to do is get the SNP out of running Scotland, and then all sorts of things will start to improve.

In her speech, Ms Badenoch condemned the income tax gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK, and said: The SNPs failure to grow Scotlands economy has cost public services more than 1billion in this year alone. And thats before Labours jobs tax kills growth.

Scottish people are paying for more and getting less.

She said she will demand that the windfall tax on oil and gas is ended, saying: I didnt agree with imposing the levy in government ... But it is a good example of what I think we got wrong.

Introducing Ms Badenoch yesterday, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: We are under new management: two new leaders with a shared vision to renew our party and champion our common sense Conservative values.

We are both realistic about the challenges we face, but we are also optimistic that our party can earn back public trust.

Our country needs a strong Conservative and Unionist Party that can win again across the United Kingdom. We need it because of the damage that our rivals are doing to our country.

The SNP are weaker for Scotland. Look at the mess they have made of our beloved country.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said of Ms Badenoch: The suggestion that she is the only one who can address the concerns of Scots is like an arsonist claiming they are best placed to put out the fire.
The aroma of exotic spices wafting from the kitchen blended with the animated chatter of diners as they tucked into their meals at the Mumutaz Tandoori restaurant on a warm June evening in 1994.

Thursdays were always busy at the only Indian restaurant in Orkney, tucked away down a side street in Kirkwall where couples and families would meet for a catch-up and a curry.

But shortly after 7pm, the air of calm conviviality was shattered by an act of terrifying violence, the repercussions of which are still being felt today  not least by those who witnessed it.

Among them, a teenager called Emma was being treated to dinner out with her parents. Speaking for the first time about that fateful night in a new Prime Video documentary, Emma, now in her 40s, recalls: I was 13 when it happened. My parents at the time worked in Kirkwall so we had arranged to meet for tea. We liked the restaurant; it was dads favourite. In those days I used to have a masala.

Her memories of what happened next are vivid but fractured. Sitting at a table by the window, she thought the person was collecting a takeaway: They were quite well-built and they had a sort of purposeful march on them. I couldnt see who it was because they had their face covered. I remember it was a handgun and then there was a pop.

Michael Ross, who was later convicted of the murder of Shamsuddin Mahmood

Waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood was shot in the head

She adds: I knew something bad had happened, I knew something had happened to the waiter but my brain I dont think wanted to believe it.

The waiter, Shamsuddin Mahmood, had no time to utter even a greeting before the masked stranger aimed a 9mm pistol at his head and fired a single, fatal shot at point-blank range before turning on his heels and slipping away into the midsummer light.

In an instant, panic and fear gripped the room. For Emma, that fear has never left her, that single moment of horror triggering in her years of all-consuming anxiety. Now, more than 30 years later, she tells the makers of The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles: The night it happened, it took the world from being a very safe place, an idyllic place, to a very frightening place where bad things happened, terrible things happened to people.

She adds: People were telling me to enjoy every moment of my day because I was lucky to be alive. But I started getting quite frightened. I had panic attacks and I remember a car went past me and they had the window open and I was frightened quite irrationally that somebody could shoot me through the window. Everything was acutely frightening.

Looking at a photograph of Mr Mahmood, she says: I remember he had a big smile in real life. He was really friendly and kind. Ive never been able to make sense of what happened that night, but especially the cold-hearted nature of it.

There was no hesitation. Shamsuddin was killed. Why did that happen? Emma was far from the only person struggling to piece together this unfathomable shooting.

How could anyone commit such an outrageous murder  the first on Orkneys islands for a quarter century  in such a public manner and then simply vanish like a ghost?

The case became infamous, not least because of its tortuous route to justice, but also because of the astonishing truth of the killers identity.

In 2008, at the end of an extraordinary 14-year murder inquiry that gripped the intricately woven Orkney community, and at times threatened to tear it apart, a decorated Black Watch soldier and member of a well-known local family, was convicted of Mr Mahmoods murder. Michael Ross was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in jail, yet over the years questions have been raised over his conviction.

Evidence was circumstantial; descriptions of the killer suggested he was taller than Rosss 5ft 7ins. Most controversially, Ross was only 15 years old at the time of the killing  just two years older than Emma.

It led some to dub him the schoolboy assassin, others to protest that no child could possibly be responsible for such a professional contract-style killing.

While there were claims Ross, now 46, had no motive, prosecutors suggested he had been heard around that time to say blacks should be shot and have a gun put to their head.

Now decades on, the documentary explores the devastating impact this astonishing story has had not only on individuals like Emma, but on the entire community of Orkney  examining why it took so long for the killer to be unmasked in court and why there are still those who are convinced Michael Ross is the unfortunate victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The 90-minute programme touches on how a local wall of silence, the toxic whiff of racism and the criminal interference of Rosss own policeman father contrived to turn what might have been a relatively straightforward murder hunt into one of the longest in Scottish criminal history.

And while Ross lost an appeal in 2012, and the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission ruled two years later that there was not enough evidence to support another, a local campaign group based in Orkney continues to protest Rosss innocence and work tirelessly for his release.

They include his parents, who have stood loyally by him down the years.

In one dramatic moment, Rosss mother Moira remembers confronting her teenage son after he was first interviewed by police weeks after the killing.

He went up to his room and sat there, and I did go up and ask him. she says. 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, she adds, breaking down in tears.

Mr Mahmood, an economics graduate from Bangladesh, was on his second stint working at the Mumtaz.

The 26-year-old had spent nine months in Orkney in 1993 and planned to work the summer season before returning to Bangladesh to marry his fiancee, a medical student.

One of 11 children, his older brother, barrister Abul Shafiuddin, said he had no enemies and was a kind-hearted man.

His seemingly motiveless killing on June 2, 1994, not only stunned the small, insular and peaceable Orkney community, but sent shockwaves rippling out across the world. Extra police were drafted in to lock down the island and secure the scene.

In the immediate aftermath, rumours were rife of a professional hit, of gambling debts or even of Mr Mahmood having an affair with a local woman, but nothing stacked up. Could it simply be down to the colour of his skin?

Amid concerns over racial tension towards the islands tiny Asian community, Moina Miah, the restaurants owner, went into hiding under police guard with his wife and children.

We are really scared in case whoever did this comes after us as well, he said.

Instead, the murderer melted back into the 20,000-strong island population and for months, despite extensive publicity and a Crimewatch appeal, local police officers were stumped.

One, PC Edmund Ross, had been tasked with keeping curious onlookers away from the Bridge Street restaurant the morning after the murder.

A firearms expert with a keen interest in guns, Eddy Ross was a former Royal Green Jacket and Special Branch officer who once protected Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

The policeman was invited to examine the fatal bullet, which had wedged in the wall behind where Mr Mahmood fell. It turned out the 9mm calibre was from military ammunition supplied to the British Army in 1972 and exceedingly rare.

PC Ross was tasked with checking all the 9mm guns on Orkney, but he found none capable of firing the bullet, nor any stocks of the same ammunition anywhere on the island.

Yet ten weeks into the inquiry, the officer stunned detectives by casually mentioning that he owned a sealed box of similar bullets provided to him by James Spence, a retired Royal Marine and road sweeper.

The officer claimed there was only one box, but Mr Spence told police he had supplied two, one of which was open.

He further claimed the officer had asked him to lie on three occasions about the bullets. There was a further twist: PC Ross was Michael Rosss father.

By this time, police were already eyeing the younger Ross with suspicion. Two weeks prior to the shooting he had been seen in a local area known as Papdale Woods wearing similar clothing to the killer and carrying out military-type exercises.

Taken in for questioning, Ross ultimately accepted he was the person seen in Papdale Woods.

The family home was searched and a notebook with a swastika and an SS symbol written on it was found, along with the words death to the English. A balaclava was also discovered.

Days before the killing, it would emerge, Ross was among a group of youths seen shouting racist abuse and threats at the 26-year-old waiter outside the restaurant.

Yet Ross claimed to have an alibi for the night and said he was in another part of Kirkwall at the time. Ultimately, in the absence of forensic, DNA or fingerprint evidence  or a murder weapon, which was never found  prosecutors decided not to proceed.

Instead, it was Eddy Ross who faced trial in 1997, and the disgraced policeman received a four-year jail sentence after being found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice in relation to the boxes of bullets. He spent two years behind bars, lost his police job and later reinvented himself as an undertaker.

Meanwhile, his son was also building a new life for himself.

As a teenager, he had been fascinated by guns and the military encouraged by his father, who had a large collection of hardware and even gave him a deactivated machine gun as a present.

He once surprised a girlfriend by claiming he had one of his fathers guns in his pocket.

A year after Mr Mahmoods murder, Ross, a crack shot, joined the Black Watch and saw active military combat, becoming the sergeant of a sniper platoon.

In 2004 his armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Ross put himself in danger to administer first aid before organising the evacuation of his wounded men and was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery.

When one black soldier under his command died, he openly wept. In his role as a soldier, he once guarded the Queen. He also married and had two children.

Meanwhile, as the years passed and no alternative suspects emerged, Mr Mahmoods family despaired of ever seeing justice.

It was not until 2006 that there was another break in the case, when an anonymous letter was handed in to Kirkwall police station, claiming to have been in the towns public toilets just before the shooting and had seen Ross there wielding a handgun.

The man who handed it in was soon identified as a local named William Grant.

It was enough to prompt a cold case review of the murder and a year later, Michael Ross was finally arrested.

Far from the innocent victim claimed by his defence, prosecutors portrayed Ross as a racist teenager obsessed with guns who had murdered Mr Mahmood in cold blood and then fled the scene.

There was to be a final twist. When Ross was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow in June 2008, he leapt from the dock and made an attempt at escape before he was jumped on by a court official.

Some weeks later, an abandoned Avis hire car was found in the car park of a Tesco store in Springburn, around a mile from the court. Inside were a tent, sleeping bag, grenades, 450 rounds of ammunition, and a Skorpion machine pistol loaded and ready to fire.

Although he later claimed the gun was so he could head for the hills and live rough, surviving on fish and game he killed, another five years were added on to his sentence.

Ross has since tried  and failed  to escape from prison three times, insisting he only does it to keep his name in the public eye. He has only succeeded in adding to his jail time  his earliest release date is currently 2035.

Last month, The Orcadian newspaper published a letter Ross wrote from prison in which he admits using racist language in his teens. I can see why they say Im racist, he wrote. As an immature teenage boy I did say horrible and offensive, racist things... I am truly embarrassed.

Nevertheless, the campaign to clear his name continues and crowdfunding has paid for a high-profile human rights lawyer, Aamer Anwar, to fight his corner.

Mr Anwar said he believes people on the island know more than they let on and urged anyone with information to come forward. It may be that one shred of evidence might be enough. You just never know, he said.

That cuts little ice with Brian McConnachie, KC, who prosecuted the case. There was a significantly persuasive body of evidence that pointed to it being Michael Ross, he says, but in some ways one of the saddest features about this case is that [it] became all about Michael Ross and had very little to do with Shamsuddin Mahmood.

Other victims continue to suffer in silence, too.

For Emma, long years of therapy and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder have helped her cope, but memories of that night still haunt her.

I dont think you do move on from trauma, you just live around it, she says. Its affected every decision I have ever made, I think, in my life in one way or another.
The message on the smartly embossed card was so matter-of-fact that its true significance would have remained hidden to all but the most seasoned royal watcher.

As from November 28th, 1950, it read, Major & Mrs GM Buthlays address will be 60 Rubislaw Den South, Aberdeen, Scotland.

It was where the Buthlays had moved from, however, that really caught the eye  Nottingham Cottage, Kensington Palace, London W8.

This two-bedroom grace and favour residence in the grounds of the royal estate had been gifted to Mrs Marion Buthlay for her lifetime in gratitude for her unstinting and inspirational service raising two princesses of the realm.

Better known by her maiden name, Marion Crawford was the former royal governess who had been affectionately known by her charges  the late Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret  as Crawfie.

For 17 years, Crawfie occupied a unique position in their lives, taking on the role of playmate, confidante and constant companion.

She guided them through the trauma of the abdication of their uncle, their fathers accession to the throne and the terrors of the Second World War  even hunkering down with them in the Windsor Castle dungeons as Luftwaffe bombers roared overhead.

And yet, as the wording on that simple change of address card starkly reveals, Crawfie and her husband were forced to flee London just a year after retiring from royal duty, hounded out after making the ill-fated, if lucrative, decision to write a memoir recounting her time with the Royal Family.

Crawfie with young Princess Elizabeth before she was cast out from royal circles

The house in Aberdeen where Crawfie retreated after the Royal Family turned their back on her

Her closeness to the House of Windsor was to collapse dramatically following the publication of her book The Little Princesses in 1950.

The Royal Family considered it an act of treachery and Crawfie and her adventurous new husband, Major George Buthlay, an ex-soldier and banker, were kicked out of Nottingham Cottage.

They escaped to Aberdeen where they purchased 60 Rubislaw Den South. Her new home, which has just gone on the market again at offers over 1.5million, lies in one of the countrys smartest postcodes, but for a heartbroken Crawfie it felt forever like a place of exile.

From a humble start as the daughter of a clerk and a seamstress, she left Dunfermline High School in Fife and went to train as a teacher at Edinburghs Moray House.

A star student, she adopted progressive ideas about the whole child and believed in the importance not just of learning from books, but of giving children opportunities to get outdoors and take exercise.

She was only 22 when she was hand-picked by the then Duke and Duchess of York, to oversee the education of their two young daughters.

Such was the influence she exerted, and her standing with the Royal Family, that she even persuaded the King to let the princesses taste something of ordinary life by allowing them to ride with her on the London Underground, to play in Hyde Park and to take swimming lessons at a nearby public pool.

And it was to her governess that the future Queen Elizabeth II rushed with news of her blossoming feelings for the young Prince Philip of Greece.

The fact she had been privy to such intimate aspects of royal life gave her a unique position when it came to writing her divisive book.

First published as a series of articles in US magazine Ladies Home Journal (LHJ) and Womans Own in the UK, it netted the former governess $85,000  worth more than a million dollars in todays money.

By modern standards her revelations were tame, affectionate, even sycophantic.

She described Princess Elizabeth tipping a pot of ink over her own head in a rare moment of schoolroom rebellion, and the two princesses mischievously pinching their dog to get it to bark down a transatlantic phoneline to their parents who were in America, together with high-spirited family pillow fights.

But the fact she had spoken at all infuriated the Palace who said she had no business sharing private family stories without the permission of her former employers.

From that moment on she was cast out into the cold.

Though Palace officials portrayed the falling out as the result of a betrayal of confidences by the governess, the deal had been brokered with the Palace by the Foreign Office, who believed that a series of articles about the royal family in a US magazine would boost Anglo-American relations.

And far from being oblivious to the scheme, the Queen Mother and Princess Elizabeth had met the American magazine editor Beatrice Blackmar Gould several years earlier to discuss the possibility of collaborating on a series about royal life.

Eventually it was agreed that, instead of granting an interview with the future Queen herself, a member of the Palace staff who knew her well would be interviewed by a journalist for the articles.

In a letter to Crawford from this time, the Queen Mother referred to a Times journalist, Dermot Morrah, whom the Palace had proposed as a suitable person to write the articles based on interviews with Crawford.

The Queen Mother wrote to her: Mr Morrah, who I saw the other day, seemed to think that you could help him with his articles and get paid from America. This would be quite all right as long as your name did not come into it.

The Queen Mothers objection arose late in the day when she learned that Gould had persuaded Crawford to let them use her by-line, arguing that nobody but her could have provided such an intimate account of life inside the sisters schoolroom.

Fifteen million people read her story. The response was overwhelmingly positive. On the back of it, Crawford was offered a regular column in Womans Own writing on royal matters, and there was talk of The Little Princesses being turned into a Rogers and Hammerstein musical.

But while the tale was a hit around the world, doing a Crawfie became shorthand within royal circles for the ultimate act of betrayal.

The Queen Mother forbade the princesses and Palace staff from ever talking to her again. Aides were instructed that if the former governess ever wrote to anyone in the Palace, they were to throw her correspondence in the fire.

By contrast, the editors of the LHJ were invited to take tea at the Palace to celebrate the public relations triumph.

In Aberdeen, Crawford could not forget the girls. Under her bed she kept a box of their childhood drawings along with the Christmas and birthday cards they had sent her over two decades.

A wedding photo of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was given pride of place on the mantlepiece in the sitting room, next to a photo of the Buthlays own wedding.

The two wedding ceremonies, one conducted in the full glare of the worlds media, the other a private affair described in one newspaper as one of the quietest ever held at Dunfermline Abbey, had taken place within months of each other, in 1947.

Even after Crawford married Buthlay, the Queen Mother had insisted that she return to London to work with their youngest daughter for two more years until her studies were completed.

Crawford was 40 years old by the time Princess Margaret finally graduated from her schoolroom in 1949 and she was discharged from royal duty.

The many sacrifices Crawford made to serve them  not least delaying her own marriage by eight years  seemed not to register with her employers.

The governess and her husband never had children of their own, making the nine bedrooms of their Aberdeen home a luxury rather than a necessity.

Built for entertaining, the couple threw lavish dinner parties there. George, ebullient and gregarious, loved being the centre of attention, while Crawfie, who was tall and lean with a severe short haircut, never lost the prim air of the schoolmistress she had once been.

A card announcing the Queens former confidantes move

The couple had hampers of food and wine sent up by train from Fortnum & Mason in London, suppliers to the royal household.

Within a month of moving in, though, Crawford was confessing to friends: I find the house much too large, but I love Aberdeen and the surrounding country, and after we get settled, I look forward to many years of peace and happiness here.

The house has undergone extensive renovation and modernisation in the years since the couple lived in it, but it retains many original period features including ornate cornicing and stained glass. A glass panel above the front door is decorated with a lion and carries the Latin inscription Fortiter cerit crucem meaning he bravely carries the cross.

In later years, the Buthlays moved to a more modest house overlooking Aberdeens North Deeside Road  the very road the Royal Family passed along on their way to and from Balmoral Castle, their beloved holiday home. Crawford told a close friend she had written to her former employers begging for a truce, but no one ever replied.

Depressed in her final years, she attempted suicide twice. Her friends blamed the Royal Family. It was clear she was asked by the Palace to do the articles. Then they made an example of her and cast her aside. Crawfie was devastated and completely heartbroken by what they did to her, said her close friend Nigel Astell.

Though only 50 miles from the gates of Balmoral, No 60 symbolises the unbridgeable rift between the Royal Family and one of their most loyal servants.

Neighbours remember her as a widow sitting by the fire looking through her box of mementos, her life marred by rejection and regret.

When she moved into a nursing home in her twilight years, she took these souvenirs with her. It contained several hand-made Christmas cards lovingly inscribed from Elizabeth and Margaret to the tutor they adored, along with some more formal greetings cards.

Its place among her possessions in the home showed how fondly she still looked back on that time and gave an indication of the enduring heartbreak she must have suffered over the loss of that bond.

When she died a lonely widow of 78, neither the Queen, the Queen Mother nor Princess Margaret sent a wreath or a card to her funeral.

The publication of her novel may have brought her a handsome fee, but it was clear she paid a far higher emotional cost.
A luxury yacht named Tacoma sailed out of a smart French marina in April, supposedly for a jaunt along the Brittany coast.

The sleek blue and white vessel worth 70,000 had been hired by man with an Austrian passport from a reputable boat charter company operating at a quayside office in Brest.

'The renter's credentials were checked by us,' Valery Roue, co-owner of the Eridan charter company, told the Mail this week.

'His passport, his identity details, his maritime certificate. Everything seemed in order. This Austrian hired the yacht for a two-week local sailing holiday with friends. Or that is what he told us.'

What actually happened next to the six-berth Tacoma is a shocking tale that exposes how pleasure yachts hired in France are being stolen by criminal gangs to bring illegal migrants here.

Today, the 'Austrian' who hired the vessel has disappeared. He is being hunted by British and French police across Europe and the Balkans because one of the documents he used for the yacht hire shows he originally hails from North Macedonia.

Far from pottering along the Brittany coast, the yacht was soon spotted by Monsieur Roue, using a vessel tracking device, leaving French waters to head for Cornwall.

He alerted the UK Border Force who pounced on the yacht as it reached the mouth of the Helford River, near Falmouth, on Sunday, April 13.

17 Albanian migrants, including one woman, hoping to slip illegally into Britain were found hiding inside the cabin of a luxury yacht named Tacoma (pictured)

A 'high alert' has been sent out by the French customs authority to all charter boat companies along the Brittany coast

British Border Force is using extra surveillance to check pleasure craft arriving at UK ports, private marinas and remote inlets from France, Belgium and the Netherlands

Hiding inside the cabin were 17 Albanian migrants, including one woman, hoping to slip illegally into Britain. They are thought to have been picked up by the Tacoma from a secret location along the Brittany coast soon after the yacht sailed from Brest with three men, including a skipper, on board.

Roue explained: 'I became suspicious after my yacht left Brest. I watched its route and found her sailing across the Channel. Border Force stopped it at Newquay but the "Austrian" was not there.'

This week, we found the Tacoma back in Brest, a couple of hundred yards from Roue's office. After 52 days impounded in Cornwall by Border Force, she was sailed back to France by a crew from the charter company a few days ago.

The incident has led British and French immigration authorities to sound the alarm over French charter yachts being targeted to bring migrants into the UK.

A 'high alert' has been sent out by the French customs authority to all charter boat companies along the Brittany coast, warning them to be vigilant about migrant- smuggling gangs who may try to hire, or simply steal, their yachts.

Meanwhile, British Border Force is using extra surveillance to check pleasure craft arriving at UK ports, private marinas and remote inlets from France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The force is responsible for securing the 11,000 miles of British coastline. 'We patrol 24/7, carrying out proactive, as well as reactive, operations,' Charlie Eastaugh, its director of maritime, told the BBC after the Tacoma incident.

But he added that there are hundreds of harbours and marinas in the UK, and it would not be a reasonable expectation to have a 'fixed presence' in all of them.

The British Border Force is responsible for securing the 11,000 miles of British coastline

The Mail has discovered that the Tacoma is not the only Brittany yacht used for migrant journeys this spring

A recent BBC expose about a British ex-soldier and yachtsman known by the pseudonym of Nick, who smuggled hundreds of clandestine passengers  many Albanian and Vietnamese  into private marinas at seaside towns across south-east England, had also identified 'vulnerabilities' in the system, said Mr Eastaugh.

A Home Office statement about the Tacoma migrants explained: 'This case shows that while small-boat Channel crossings remain under close scrutiny, people- smuggling gangs are adapting their methods, using pleasure craft to try to evade detection.'

The Mail has discovered that this vessel is not the only Brittany yacht used for migrant journeys this spring. On May 8, according to authorities, a second vessel hired at a marina 14 miles from the picturesque French port of La Trinite-sur-Mer was found abandoned near Falmouth, Cornwall.

The yacht was 'very similar in design and size to the Tacoma' and it is suspected that illegals on board simply jumped off on arrival and disappeared into the UK.

Our French sources told us those on this second vessel are also likely to have been from Albania, a country whose citizens now face deportation from the UK if they arrive on smugglers' small boats across the Channel.

'They are prepared to pay for a yacht crossing because they do not want to be caught up in the lengthy British asylum system or deported. Most pay huge prices to enter Britain secretly by sea to work on the black market or survive by crime,' they added.

The Albanian passengers on the Tacoma have been interviewed by police from the National Crime Agency  Britain's FBI  by immigration authorities and Border Force officers.

They are likely to face deportation. Meanwhile, an investigation is under way into the crew who sailed the boat to Britain.

The Albanian passengers on the Tacoma have been interviewed by police from the National Crime Agency  Britain's FBI  by immigration authorities and Border Force officers

The Albanian passengers on the Tacoma are likely to face deportation. Meanwhile, an investigation is under way into the crew who sailed the boat to Britain

Two of them are Albanian men in their 30s who have been named publicly and pleaded guilty in April at Bodmin magistrates' court to breaching previous UK deportation orders. They are due to be sentenced in the near future.

As for the missing 'Austrian' mastermind of the Tacoma operation (which stood to reap 250,000 from the migrants on board), he may never be found.

The passport and maritime certificate he handed over to Mr Roue's charter boat company could have been faked or stolen.

'They looked genuine, but we just don't know,' Mr Roue said. 'Although I was the person who alerted your British Border Force, it has charged us for every day the Tacoma was impounded in Cornwall during a police investigation.

'When we sailed the yacht back, she was in good order considering how many Albanian migrants were found below deck on a sea journey that takes at least 20 hours.'

His company has been operating boat charters for nearly 40 years. 'This is the first time that we have had a yacht taken by gangsters.

'Now we worry it will not be the last because so many migrants want to reach Britain.'
I can hear the explosions overhead as I write from the bomb shelter in our back yard. Deafening. With each explosion, one of my children jumps with fear.

Iran is hitting back with a non-stop barrage of ballistic missiles.

We only hope our defence systems keep us safe, as they did last time Iran launched a blitz last autumn. Its been a very long day.

The first indication I had that Israels long-awaited operation to take out Irans nuclear weapons programme was under way came in the early hours of yesterday morning in the form of a high-pitched shriek from my mobile phone.

Such alerts are nothing new in Israel these days.

Ever since October 7, 2023, the day Hamas terrorists perpetrated their barbaric slaughter of 1,200 of my fellow citizens, warnings of incoming missiles from Gaza or Yemen had become a regular feature of life.

But this one was different  a painfully ear-piercing noise that proclaimed a far higher level of urgency. I sprang out of bed and rushed to wake my three children, no easy task as any parent of teenagers will know.

But within minutes, the four of us  together with our two dogs  had reached the safety of the bomb shelter in our back yard.

A missile is seen exploding into a building in Tel Aviv after Iran launched a salvo of missiles against Israel

Israel's Iron Dome intercepting hundreds of missiles above Tel Aviv as Iran's Supreme Leader blames Israel for starting a war

Footage from a local TV channel has shown a huge hole blasted into a building with fires raging inside

Keen to find out the nature of the threat, I decided to text my most plugged-in friends and contacts.

As the wi-fi doesnt work in the shelter, I had to open the heavy iron door and lean out with my phone to get a signal.

One responded almost immediately with the words: We are attacking Iran. Now. I knew that the IDF and Mossad had well-developed plans to destroy the Iranian nuclear weapons programme but still I was shocked to hear that Operation Rising Lion had been launched.

Crammed once again inside the shelter thats been a makeshift home for us all too many times over the past few years, it wasnt long before my children began to lobby for us to go back into the house.

While we had ample stocks of bottled water, our solitary fan was all but useless in the stifling summer heat. It didnt help that one of our two chihuahuas, white-coated Lula, was wide awake and running around like a lunatic.

Can we leave the shelter yet? asked my 11-year-old. It was impossible to know for sure if it was safe to venture outside but, eventually, I decided we would go back into the house and sleep in the living room together.

As we huddled together on the sofa, I could feel that they were all a bit on edge and needed reassurance. But soon everyone, apart from me, had fallen asleep. On nights like this, I keep one eye and ear open at all times.

The guidance from the authorities via the TV news channel was that it wasnt necessary to stay in a bomb shelter but we should remain close to it.

Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel

Earlier today, Tehran vowed 'painful revenge' for Israel's unprecedented offensive overnight that has left the region teetering on the brink of all-out war

Iranian army launches an attack, firing hundreds of ballistic missiles to Jerusalem following Israel's attacks on various cities

At 5am, our local hospital called to say that a family appointment we had arranged for later in the day had been cancelled.

Meanwhile, the roads were completely empty of cars. Its safe to say we were now in an official state of emergency.

As the day progressed, I learned that Iran had launched hundreds of UAVs  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or drones  in their attempt at a reprisal attack, but they were all intercepted and destroyed before they reached their targets in Israel thanks to our missile shield.

But everyone remained in a state of high anxiety  we all knew that there were more attacks to come.

And yesterday evening, we were all moved once again into our bomb shelters as the sirens rang out across the country. Im hearing Israel is being attacked by waves and waves of Iranian missiles  possibly hundreds.

We all know the state of emergency may go on for days or weeks and that means yet more broken sleep and stress.

But if and when Operation Rising Lion achieves its objectives, it will all have been worth it.
A Mandarin who became notorious for her love of working from home has been made a dame.

Sarah Healey infamously boasted that Covid-era lockdowns meant she could see more of her children as well as giving her longer to ride her expensive exercise bike.

'I have a Peloton and I can just get on my bike whenever I have a teeny bit of time. That has been a huge benefit to my well-being  the lack of travelling time eating into my day,' the then permanent secretary for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told a conference in 2021.

Her comments prompted Tory ministers to tell civil servants they 'need to get off their Pelotons and get back to their desks', as she became synonymous with the working from home culture that took hold in the public sector during the pandemic years.

But Ms Healey's career was unaffected as she became Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2023, where she is now paid over 180,000 a year.

And in today's King's Birthday Honours list she becomes a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath.

Another controversial Whitehall recipient of a gong is a borders chief on whose watch the Channel migrant crisis has exploded.

Phil Douglas, Director General of Border Force, is made Companion of the Order of the Bath 'for services to Border Security and Public Service'.

Sarah Healey (pictured) infamously boasted that Covid-era lockdowns meant she could see more of her children as well as giving her longer to ride her expensive exercise bike

Phil Douglas, (pictured) Director General of Border Force, was made Companion of the Order of the Bath 'for services to Border Security and Public Service'

Political figures named in the honours list include former Tory minister Penny Mordaunt (pictured)

But since his appointment in November 2021, at least 129,000 immigrants have arrived in Britain illegally via dinghies.

Last night a Reform UK source told the Mail: 'Once again we are seeing the Government reward utter failure.

'Productivity has taken a hammering thanks to these mandarins allowing a lazy work from home culture. A Reform government is going to trim the fat and get the civil service working again.'

And a Tory source said: 'Keir Starmer doesn't run a meritocracy  he runs a mediocrity.

'Dishing out gongs for incompetence and shirking from home sends the signal loud and clear that mediocre middle managers are in charge now.'

Former minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who led the drive to get civil servants back to their desks, told the Mail: 'It is much more honest to say these awards are automatic and not pretend it's discretionary, when they get given to people who don't turn up to work.

'They are part of the patronage system used by ministers to oil the wheels of government.'

Political figures named in the honours list include former Tory minister Penny Mordaunt, famed for her role carrying a sword at the King's Coronation, who is made a dame.

She said: 'It is lovely to be appreciated in this way, and I'm very conscious that everything I have ever got done has been with the help and efforts of others.'

Serving Labour MP Chi Onwurah also becomes a dame, while party whip Mark Tami receives a knighthood. And Peter Hyman, a former adviser to both Sir Tony Blair and Sir Keir Starmer, is awarded a CBE.
The last time Erin Patterson welcomed guests across the threshold of her home on the outskirts of Leongatha, a small cattle-farming town in the Australian state of Victoria, it was 12.30pm on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

Four elderly family members were joining her lunch. But within a week of this supposedly happy occasion, three of her guests were dead and the fourth in hospital, fighting for his life.

Erin, 50, had served beef wellington, a dinner party staple her mother used to cook on special occasions.

It soon became clear that highly poisonous death cap mushrooms had somehow found their way into the dish's filling.

Shortly afterwards, Patterson was interviewed by police. A month or so later she was arrested and, for the past six weeks, this middle-aged mother of two has been at Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court, in the nearby town of Morwell, on trial for murder.

Erin's three alleged victims were her estranged husband Simon's parents Don and Gail, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66.

She is also charged with the attempted murder of the fourth guest, Heather's husband Ian, 71, a pastor who gave evidence during the trial's opening days.

The gripping trial culminated, over the past fortnight, with Patterson taking to the witness box to give evidence in her defence. I was there for every moment. And as this blockbuster court battle enters its final stages, here are some of the questions the jury will consider

Erin Patterson, 50, (pictured) had served beef wellington, a dinner party staple her mother used to cook on special occasions

The gripping trial culminated, over the past fortnight, with Patterson taking to the witness box to give evidence in her defence

Two of Erin's alleged victims were her estranged husband Simon's parents Don and Gail, both 70 (pictured)

Her third alleged victim was Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66 (pictured)

DID ERIN SECRETLY HATE HER IN-LAWS?

Prosecutor Nanette Rogers hasn't identified any 'particular motive' for murder. But she's shared evidence of quite serious friction between Patterson and her husband's family.

Erin and Simon, who married in 2007, separated in 2015, a year after the birth of their second child. While they initially remained close, sharing custody of their son and daughter and taking family holidays together, things changed in late 2022 when Erin discovered Simon had described himself as 'single' on a tax return. The move seems to have affected her ability to claim tax breaks and the duo soon began to argue over money and school fees.

That December, Erin asked her in-laws Don and Gail to intervene in the row. But they were reluctant to get involved. This led Erin to post a series of angry messages to a group of women she used to chat with via Facebook.

'Nobody bloody listens to me,' read one. 'This family! I swear to f**king God,' read another.

In a third, Erin wrote: 'I'm sick of this s**t. I want nothing to do with them. I thought his parents would want him to do the right thing, but it seems their concern about not wanting to get involved in their son's personal matters, are overriding that. So f**k them.'

Giving evidence, Patterson characterised that outburst as an aberration, saying she actually 'loved' her in-laws and now 'feels ashamed' that she was so rude about them.

Rogers takes a different view. She says the angry sentiments reflected Erin's true feelings: 'You had two faces,' she told Patterson this week. 'A public face of appearing to have a good relationship with Don and Gail and I suggest your private face was the one you showed in your Facebook message group.

Highly poisonous death cap mushrooms had somehow found their way into the dish's filling

Don and Gail Patterson died after attending lunch attheir former daughter-in-law, Erin Patterson's, home

WHY DID SHE LIE ABOUT HAVING CANCER?

It was highly unusual for Erin to hold social gatherings. But her guests were under the impression that the lunch had a special purpose: to discuss a piece of bad medical news.

Several weeks earlier, Erin had told Gail that she'd found a lump on her elbow, so was going to hospital for a needle biopsy and MRI scan. And, in a subsequent text, she informed her mother-in-law that there was 'a bit to digest' from the test results and she'd share more when they met.

Meanwhile, on the eve of the meal, Erin messaged Simon, who had made a late decision not to attend, complaining that preparing for the party had 'been exhausting in light of the issues I'm facing' and asking him to reconsider.

Those 'issues' were duly discussed over pudding, when Erin suggested that she'd been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and would soon be undergoing gruelling treatment

However, medical records show that she had never actually received a cancer diagnosis and hadn't been given an MRI scan or a needle biopsy, either.

Indeed, Erin now accepts the cancer claim was a lie. According to the prosecution, Erin told this porkie to both ensure her guests showed up for the deadly meal and explain why her children  whom she hadn't told about the 'diagnosis'  couldn't be there.

Erin has offered a different explanation, however.

She claims to have been suffering from 'self-esteem' issues due to her ballooning weight, so was going to have gastric band surgery.

She told the jury that she needed help with childcare related to her hospital visit but was too embarrassed to tell family members of its exact purpose.

It was highly unusual for Erin to hold social gatherings. But her guests were under the impression that the lunch had a special purpose: to discuss a piece of bad medical news

Erin and Simon Patterson (pictured), married in 2007, and separated in 2015, a year after the birth of their second child

WHERE WERE THE MUSHROOMS FROM?

Both sides accept that highly toxic death caps found their way into the lunch. The big question is: how? During initial police interviews, Erin denied being a forager. And both of her children told the authorities that they had never seen her pick wild mushrooms. But in the witness box, Erin claimed that was untrue, saying that she had been in the habit of picking wild mushrooms since the early months of the 2020 Covid lockdown.

The defence case is that this hobby led her to accidentally pick death caps, which were then inadvertently served to lunch guests in what her barrister Colin Mandy has dubbed 'a tragedy and a terrible accident'.

Prosecutors say she picked them deliberately, however. In support of this thesis, they have shared digital evidence suggesting that Erin was a user of iNaturalist, a website where enthusiasts share mushroom sightings.

They say her mobile phone records indicate that, in April 2023, she travelled to areas near rural towns named Loch and Outtrim where sightings of death caps had been recently logged.

Both sides accept that highly toxic death caps found their way into the lunch. The big question is: how?

Simon Patterson entered court with his media cohort Jessica O'Donnell

HOW DID THEY GET IN TO THE MEAL?

On the day of her alleged visit to Loch, Erin also visited a hardware store to buy a food dehydrator.

She told the jury that the device was at least partly acquired so she could preserve foraged mushrooms, which have a short growing season and go off quickly.

They were then stored in a Tupperware pot in one of her kitchen cupboards, alongside a supply of more exotic dried mushrooms obtained from a Chinese supermarket.

Fast forward to the morning of the lunch. She recalls initially using fresh supermarket mushrooms to make duxelles, a mushroom pate that goes between the beef fillet and pastry in the wellington dish.

But because the mixture tasted 'a little bland' she decided to add to it with the contents of the Tupperware container. Erin's defence is that this container must have held dried death caps, which she'd accidentally foraged.

The prosecution of course takes a different view. Although Patterson carried out a 'factory reset' on various phones seized by police, images recovered from one device show her using electronic scales to weigh what appears to be a large quantity of death caps on the dehydrator tray in her kitchen sometime in early May.

They told the jury that this shows Erin attempting to measure out a 'fatal dose' of death caps which were then dehydrated and turned to powder that could be deliberately sprinkled into the dish. In support of this argument, they have shown the jury Facebook messages from around this time in which Patterson told friends she had been 'hiding powdered mushrooms in everything' including chocolate muffins given to her children.

Regarding the message, Rogers said to Patterson: 'I suggest you were testing to see how you could hide mushrooms in food without someone noticing.'

A general view of the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court is seen in Morwell, south of Melbourne, on April 30, 2025

Erin recalls initially using fresh supermarket mushrooms to make duxelles, a mushroom pate that goes between the beef fillet and pastry in the wellington dish

WERE GUESTS SERVED ON COLOUR-CODED PLATES?

A traditional beef wellington involves an entire beef fillet, encased in pastry, which is then sliced into portions served to individual guests.

Erin, who served the dish with mashed potato, beans and gravy from a packet, says she was unable to source an entire fillet of beef from her local Woolworth's supermarket, so instead bought half a dozen individual steaks wrapped in plastic.

This, in turn, forced her to adapt the dish so that each portion consisted of a single wellington, similar to a pasty.

Ian Wilkinson told the court that Erin served all four of her guests their meals on a grey plate but she used an orange one. Simon Patterson has recalled that, the following day, Heather told him she had 'noticed Erin used a different coloured plate to us'.

Prosecutor Rogers has claimed that Patterson could easily have purchased a whole beef fillet from the region's butcher shops, but instead deliberately created individual ones, adding death caps to the ones her guests would eat, while making sure her own wasn't poisonous.

Then 'to avoid any error, in case you accidentallyate one of the poisoned beef wellingtons, you took the extra precaution of using a different and smaller plate for your non-poisoned serve'.

Erin denies the claim, saying she doesn't own any grey plates and served the lunch on a mixture of white and black crockery.

However video footage of a police search of her home on August 5 appears to show at least two beige or grey plates adjacent to the dishwasher.

Erin is also charged with the attempted murder of Gail's husband Ian (pictured), a local Baptist pastor who was the only survivor of the lunch

The defence case is that her hobby of foraging led her to accidentally pick death caps

DID ERIN REALLY VOMIT HER MEAL?

When initially quizzed by police asking why she'd survived the lunch, while her guests were either dead or in hospital, Erin didn't offer any explanation beyond a cryptic 'hmmmm'.

In court, she has elaborated considerably, revealing to the jury that she'd been 'fighting a never-ending battle of low self-esteem most of my adult life', which revolved largely around 'issues with body image' and manifests itself via bulimia, an eating disorder characterised by binge eating and subsequent vomiting.

This condition struck that very afternoon, when she clapped eyes on roughly two-thirds of an orange cake that Gail, 70, had brought for dessert.

'I kept cleaning up the kitchen and putting everything away and, um, I had a piece of cake,' she told the jury. 'And then,' she added, 'I had another piece of cake. And then another.'

'How many pieces of cake did you have?' asked her barrister, Colin Mandy. 'All of it,' came her reply. 'And what happened after you ate the cake?' 'I felt sick. I felt over-full. So I went to the toilets and brought it up again.'

Search for The Trial of Erin Patterson where you get your podcasts now. To listen ad-free, plus get access to other fascinating true crime series, subscribe to The Crime Desk, the home of arresting podcasts

WAS SHE PRETENDING TO BE SICK?

Erin claims she then experienced a spectacular bout of diarrhoea, which kicked off on the night of the meal and continued into the following week.

This has involved much courtroom discussion of her bowel movements, including a graphic account of a disputed incident in which she allegedly became 'worried I would poo my pants' while driving her teenage son to a flying lesson the following day, so stopped her car by the side of the dual carriageway and scampered off into the bush to defecate.

Patterson then presented at Leongatha hospital the following day, complaining of 'gastro'.

But medical professionals, who were by then treating her lunch guests, did not believe her symptoms were anything like as serious as the others. Nurse Cindy Munro told the court Patterson 'didn't look unwell' compared with her in-laws, while an expert toxicologist called Laura Muldoon recalled that she'd 'noted [Erin] looked clinically well, she had some chapped lips but otherwise very well. She had normal vital signs'.

A third doctor, Varuna Ruggoo, said Patterson's liver function tests returned normal results. According to prosecutors, Erin was feigning illness 'to cover your tracks'. The defence case is that, perhaps thanks to the aforementioned vomiting incident: 'She was sick too, just not as sick.'

Erin claims she then experienced a spectacular bout of diarrhoea, which kicked off on the night of the meal and continued into the following week

WHY DID ERIN DUMP THE FOOD DEHYDRATOR?

Amid growing concerns over the fate of her lunch guests, Erin told a series of lies to police and public health officials. She denied having foraged for mushrooms, claiming instead that the beef wellington contained fresh ones and some dried specimens from an unnamed Chinese supermarket, and repeatedly insisted that she didn't own a food dehydrator.

The day after she was discharged from hospital, she drove to the local rubbish tip, whose CCTV cameras caught her disposing of the Sunbeam dehydrator she had purchased that April. Police forensic tests then discovered both Erin's fingerprints and traces of death cap mushroom toxins on the device.

Asked to explain what looks suspiciously like a bungled effort to destroy evidence, Erin claimed that she had decided to get rid of it because she had 'panicked' after a confrontational conversation with Simon earlier in the week. Specifically, she claimed that her estranged husband had mentioned the device and asked: 'Is that what you used to poison my parents?' This question had left her 'frantic' and 'scared', she said, because 'child protection were now involved' in the investigation into the meal.

She therefore took the decision to dump the dehydrator because, 'I was scared of the conversation that might flow about the meal and the dehydrator and I was scared that they [child protection] would blame me for it'.

Simon remembers things differently, however, and denies making any such remark to her.

During her eight days giving evidence, Erin has claimed that virtually everyone else involved in the Mushroom Murder trial is somehow mistaken

Prosecutor Rogers has claimed that Patterson could easily have purchased a whole beef fillet from the region's butcher shops, but instead deliberately created individual ones, adding death caps to the ones her guests would eat, while making sure her own wasn't poisonous

SO WHO WILL THE JURY DECIDE IS TELLING LIES?

During her eight days giving evidence, Erin has claimed that virtually everyone else involved in the Mushroom Murder trial is somehow mistaken. Family members whose accounts she has contradicted range from her husband Simon to his surviving uncle, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, to Ian's late wife Heather. And on at least one occasion, she has also disagreed with remarks made by her own children during recorded interviews.

In cross-examination, she has claimed various Facebook friends are mistaken about the contents of their various conversations, while alleging that a host of professional witnesses  from mushroom experts to public health officials, doctors and nurses, to the analysts who examined her phones and computers, to the police who searched her property  have got various important pieces of their testimony quite seriously wrong.

At one point this week, Rogers accused her of 'making this up as you go along' to which Erin responded with a vigorous: 'No!'

But if she's telling the truth, some of the witnesses must have been lying. The jury will shortly have to decide who, exactly, they want to believe.

For all the latest updates from the court case, search for The Trial of Erin Patterson - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant who had been deported to El Salvador in March by the Trump administration, will remain in jail for now ahead of his trial on criminal charges of human smuggling.

At the conclusion of a hearing on Friday in federal court in Nashville, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes said she would rule at a later date on Abrego Garcia's bid to be released on bail pending trial.

Robert McGuire, the U.S. attorney in Nashville, said Abrego would be placed into immigration detention even if Holmes orders his release.

Garcia pleaded not guilty on Friday to the charges. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, was on hand along with a gaggle of protesters.

The detention hearing was the first chance the Maryland construction worker has had in a U.S. courtroom to answer the Trump administration's allegations against him since he was mistakenly deported in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

Facing court orders and mounting pressure to return Abrego Garcia, the Republican administration brought him back to the U.S. last week.

But it was to face criminal charges related to what federal prosecutors said was a human smuggling operation that transported immigrants across the country.

Abrego Garcias attorneys have characterized the smuggling case as a desperate attempt by the Trump administration to justify his mistaken deportation three months after the fact.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia , the 'Maryland man' who had been wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March, will remain in jail for now ahead of his trial on criminal charges of human smuggling

Nadine Seiler listens and a protester holds a sign as Ama Frimpong, Legal Director at CAS speaks after attending a hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee during which Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with nine passengers. His lawyers have called the allegations 'preposterous.'

In briefings before the hearing, U.S. attorneys described him as a danger to the community and a flight risk, while his public defenders said the charges arent serious enough for detention.

The charges against Abrego Garcia are human smuggling. But in their request to keep Abrego Garcia in jail, U.S. attorneys also accused him of trafficking drugs and firearms and of abusing the women he transported, among other claims, although he is not charged with such crimes.

Friday's proceeding included testimony from a Department of Homeland Security agent who quoted three unnamed witnesses who spoke to a grand jury about Abrego Garcias alleged actions.

Special agent Peter Joseph said that the witnesses saw Abrego Garcia trafficking people, guns or drugs and that Abrego Garcia earned upwards of $100,000 a year.

One man said he saw Abrego Garcia bothering underage girls in a sexual way, Joseph testified, while a woman said Abrego Garcia had solicited nude photos of her when she was 15 and believed he was in the MS-13 gang.

During cross examination, Abrego Garcias attorneys raised questions about possible conflicts of interest.

One man is a felon whod been previously deported and was serving a 30-month sentence when investigators contacted him, Joseph acknowledged.

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, enters the Federal Courthouse on Friday

At the conclusion of a hearing on Friday in federal court in Nashville, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes said she would rule at a later date on Abrego Garcia's bid to be released on bail pending trial

That witness is now living in a halfway house and on his way to getting work authorization.

The second man is a very close relative of the first witness and 'said he would help in return for his release from jail,' said Richard Tennent, an assistant federal public defender.

The third witness had previously been compensated for her work with law enforcement.

Tennent pointed out that one of the witnesses told investigators that Abrego Garcia would drive roundtrip between Maryland and Houston - nearly 24 hours each way - two or three times per week.

The witness said that Abrego Garcia nearly always had two of his children and his wife with him.

Tennent pointed out that Abrego Garcia has three children, two of whom are autistic.

Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador who had been living in the United States for more than a decade before he was deported.

The expulsion violated a 2019 U.S. immigration judges order that shielded him from deportation to his native country because he likely faced gang persecution there.

Garcia pleaded not guilty on Friday to the charges with his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and a gaggle of protesters on hand

Proteseters gather for a protest before an arraignment and detention hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville

While the Trump administration described the mistaken removal as 'an administrative error,' officials have continued to justify it by insisting Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang. His wife and attorneys have denied the allegations, saying he's simply a construction worker and family man.

Before Fridays hearing began in Nashville, Abrego Garcias wife told a crowd outside a church that Thursday marked three months since the Trump administration 'abducted and disappeared my husband and separated him from our family.'

Her voice choked with emotion, Sura said she saw her husband for the first time on Thursday.

She said, 'Kilmar wants you to have faith,' and asked the people supporting him and his family '`to continue fighting, and I will be victorious because God is with us.'

During a Saturday phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker, Donald Trump was asked what went into his decision to bring Garcia back.

'Well, that wasn't my decision. The Department of Justice decided to do it that way, and that's fine, as far as -- there are two ways you could have done it, and they decided to do it that way,' Trump told Welker.

'I think for speed, and, you know, it should be a very easy case,' Trump continued.

Welker then further pressed the Commander in Chief, asking, 'you think, you think he's going to be convicted-- you think it's going to be an easy case?'

'He's a loser. The guy's a loser' President Donald Trump said of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 'Maryland man' who has been returned to the United States after being deported to El Salvador in March

US Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) holding a meeting with Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a US resident wrongfully deported to his home country, at a hotel in San Salvador on April 17, 2025

'I think it should be. It should be. You have two different cases. This would go faster,' Trump replied.

Welker then asked Trump what he thought of Democrats who advocated for Garcia's return, including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who made a public case for Garcia being denied due process.

'He's a loser. The guy's a loser. They're going to lose because of that same thing. That's not what people want to hear,' Trump responded.

'He's trying to defend a man who's got a horrible record of abuse, abuse of women in particular. No, he's a total loser-- this guy,' Trump concluded.

The decision to charge Abrego Garcia criminally prompted the resignation of Ben Schrader, who was chief of the criminal division at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.

He did not directly address the indictment and declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press.

However, a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter confirmed the connection.

The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding.

Body camera footage released by Tennessee Highway Patrol shows a calm exchange between officers and Abrego Garcia.

It also shows the officers discussing among themselves their suspicions of human smuggling before sending him on his way.

One of the officers says, 'Hes hauling these people for money.' Another says Abrego Garcia had $1,400 in an envelope.

Although the maximum sentence for smuggling one person is ten years, and Abrego Garcia is accused of transporting hundreds of people over nearly a decade, his defense attorneys point out theres no minimum sentence.

The average sentence for human smuggling last year was just 15 months, according to court filings.

Documents made public by the Department of Justice show that Garcia 'was validated as a member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MSl3) Gang' in 2019, also noting at the time that he did not claim 'fear of returning to his country.'
Their lives were shattered 15 years ago when their kidnapped daughter was killed in Afghanistan during a rescue attempt by US forces.

Heartbreakingly, John and Lorna Norgrove later learned it was an American grenade that killed their aid worker daughter Linda.

Now the couple, who channelled their grief into a charity in her memory, have both been made OBEs in the Kings Birthday Honours.

Based on the Isle of Lewis, the Norgroves said their daughter would have been delighted they were carrying on her work  and dedicated their new honour to women in Afghanistan.

Linda, who grew up on Lewis, was kidnapped by the Taliban while doing aid work in September 2010.

The following month a US special ops rescue mission was launched but the 34-year-old was fatally wounded by one of their grenades, dying shortly after her extraction.

In her memory, her parents set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation which gives grants to fund education, health and childcare for women and children in Afghanistan. The couple said: We are a tiny charity, mostly volunteers, who all share the same goal  to make life better for women and children in Afghanistan.

John and Linda Norgrove, co-founders of the Linda Norgrove Foundation, have been made OBEs

British aid worker Linda Norgrove, was killed during a botched rescue attempt

Having put a lot of effort into sponsoring women to study medicine in Afghanistan, we were heartbroken when the Taliban stopped them from attending university. We were privileged to have the chance to bring some of them here to Scotland last year to continue their studies.

We dedicate this honour to all those brave women who remain in Afghanistan, or who have made the decision to move abroad and continue their studies. Their struggle continues and they are the real heroes of this story.

The Norgroves were among a slew of Scots recognised in the honours list for making a difference in their field of endeavour.

Labour politician Pamela Duncan Glancy, the first wheelchair user elected to the Scottish parliament, becomes an MBE, while social media influencer Zahrah Mahmood, 34  known as the Hillwalking Hijabi  was recognised with the same honour.

Pamela Duncan Glancy has been made an MBE

Glaswegian mother-of-two Ms Mahmood, president of Ramblers Scotland, said: Im still taking it in. Im grateful, and I hope I can continue using whatever platform this brings to keep doing the work which matters to me and so many others.

Historian Alistair Moffat, who founded the Borders Book Festival, also becomes an MBE, for services to literature and culture.

He has written more than 40 books on Scottish history. This years Borders Book Festival starts on Thursday.

Charles Pelling, manager of Edinburghs Lady Haig Poppy Factory, was honoured with an OBE in recognition of services to veterans.

Meanwhile, Debbie Crosbie  boss of building society Nationwide  paid tribute to her Glaswegian upbringing after receiving a damehood.

She said: Most of my peer group have come from a much higher social demographic and they tended to be educated in either Oxford or Cambridge.

I am actually hugely proud. I grew up in Glasgow, I wasnt different to any of my peer group, so to be given the opportunity to lead... Ive had a massively rewarding career.

Ms Crosbies fellow Glaswegian, Greggs chief executive Roisin Currie, is also among the business leaders honoured this year with a CBE.
Private school families lost their challenge to Labours tax on fees yesterday  but judges still branded the measure discriminatory.

The judgment by the High Court said the 20 per cent VAT would have a disproportionately prejudicial effect on pupils with special needs.

However, it also ruled Parliament still had the right to impose such a decision. Yesterday, the Boarding Schools Association said it was a sad day for vulnerable pupils, adding: There are no winners here. At least one of the claimants now plans to appeal.

Paul Conrathe, solicitor at SinclairsLaw which represented a group of special educational needs parents, Education Not Discrimination, said the Government should hang its head in shame.

There was anger over the Governments insistence during the case that the tax would benefit state schools. This week it suggested that the money will now pay for housing.

VAT on school fees was introduced on January 1, having been pledged in Labours manifesto. The claim against it was brought by three groups of families and some private schools. They aimed to have the tax declared incompatible with human rights laws.

Yesterdays judgment, by Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain, agreed that the tax was discriminatory against pupils with special educational needs. It also interfered with their right to an education under the European Convention on Human Rights, they said.

Teachers, parents and pupils protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London over the private school fees VAT policy

Nearly 20 families and several faith schools are bringing legal action against the Treasury, claiming the new VAT on fees is discriminatory and a breach of human rights law

There was anger over the Governments insistence during the case that the tax would benefit state schools

If the imposition of VAT makes the fees unaffordable, there is a significant risk that the state school to which they transfer will not provide adequately for their needs, they added. The measure will have a disproportionately prejudicial effect on them.

However, they concluded Parliament had a broad margin of discretion in deciding how to balance the interests of those adversely affected against the interests of others who may gain from public provision funded by the money it will raise.

Many parents of special educational needs children pay fees because private schools offer better pastoral care. The Government said the court had confirmed its legislation was compatible with its human rights obligations.
A 'completely broken' rape victim took her own life after her family inadvertently took her on a walk past her attacker's home.

Ryan Callaghan, 33, horrifically assaulted the vulnerable women and lived on the coastal path the group had coincidentally decided to walk.

The victim called a relative to take her home and, shortly afterwards, she took her own life.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that in a note she left for her mother, it was 'absolutely clear the rape of her by the defendant was one of the factors which was forefront in her mind'.

The victim's mother said: 'There are no words to describe what we've all been through.

'Callaghan's vile act on our daughter was a major factor in her taking her own life. She just couldn't cope with it.

'He betrayed her trust and he left my daughter completely broken by his actions. We are serving a life sentence in the knowledge of what he did.

'She was in crisis at the time she was raped. He was fully aware of that but he didn't care about that or how his actions would add to her trauma.

Ryan Callaghan, 33, horrifically assaulted the vulnerable women who was left 'completely broken'

The victim walked past Callaghan's home on Mowbray Road, South Shields, without realising he lived there - soon after she took her own life

'He showed no remorse for what he did and no sadness at all for the loss of her life.'

The mother said that on the day the victim took her own life, the family had been on a walk to the beach.

She said: 'Unknown to us, the route we took took us directly past Callaghan's house.

'Her mood became extremely low. Walking past Callaghan's house tipped her over the edge.

'It was months later we found out where he lived and that day will haunt us forever.

'It's was a shame the jury and everyone in the case didn't get to see the (woman) we all loved. She was loved so much by all who knew her and had so many friends.

'What Callaghan did has been devastating for us all. The pain felt by us, including her little boy, is immeasurable.

'In the note she left behind she asked that her son knows how much she was loved. We will spend the rest of our days making sure he knows that.'

Prosecutor Jon Harley said the victim had recently been released from hospital after self-harming and was 'extremely vulnerable'.

Mr Harley said: 'There were undoubtedly many contributing factors to her decision to take her own life but it's absolutely clear the rape of her by the defendant was one of the factors which was forefront in her mind. It features prominently in the note she left behind for her mother to find.'

Callaghan, of Mowbray Road, South Shields, who has two previous convictions for common assault, was found guilty by a jury of rape.

Jane Foley, defending, said: 'He does not accept the decision of the jury but he knows, as things stand, he must do so.

'It's obviously devastating (she) took her own life. She was vulnerable due to a number of factors.' Miss Foley said she was vulnerable due to mental health issues and had self-harmed previously.

She added: 'He was not charged with manslaughter, he was charged with rape.'

Miss Foley said Callaghan has two young children and it is his first taste of custody.

She added: 'There's a very different side and a positive side to this defendant.'

Callaghan's sentencing hearing was adjourned until next week, when he will learn his fate.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Supply just keeps growing while demand is receding for homes in this once-scorching housing market.

The Lone Star State has been building more new homes than almost every other state over the past few years, and the real estate market has finally hit a breaking point.

The explosion in housing inventory amid dwindling sales has put Dallas, one of the hottest housing markets during the pandemic, on orbit to crash.

The Texas city was one of only 10 metros across the country where home prices fell in the four weeks ending on May 18, reports Redfin. It was a year-over-year drop of 3.4 percent.

The market reversal is a correction of the pandemic homebuying frenzy, when the city was a hotspot due to its affordable homes and thriving job market.

Many of the homebuyers were able to work remote and had high incomes.

With average salaries of $167,000, those buyers were often able to outbid locals, which drove regional home prices up.

Investors had also purchased when mortgage rates were low and they could make a rental income.

Supply just keeps growing while demand is receding for homes in Dallas, Texas

Due to high demand, the median price of a home in Dallas went from $340,000 in 2019 to a peak of $485,000 in May 2022.

The current surplus of inventory would make it a buyer's market, but worry over high mortgage rates and the economy is holding people back.

Now, price drops are expected in Dallas  the city where John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 while riding in a presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza.

At the moment, home prices in Dallas are still higher than they were before the pandemic, but cuts are coming, housing economist Amy Nixon told the Daily Mail.

'The Dallas job market is strong and relies heavily on H-1B visa workers. That is why it had been drawing so many foreign homebuyers,' she said.

'From 2020 to 2024, more people moved to Dallas directly from a foreign country than from any other domestic state in the US.

'However, many of these jobs are in tech, an industry undergoing layoffs that also has the looming threat of AI.'

Nixon added that given the current administration and Donald Trump's ICE raids, there is also a question of how much immigration, both legal and illegal, is going to slow down in the coming years.

Due to high demand, the median price of a home in Dallas went from $340,000 in 2019 to a peak of $485,000 in May 2022

The West End of Dallas is known for sites commemorating former president John F. Kennedy

There are five times more active listings in Dallas today than there were in 2021

Housing economist Amy Nixon warns of an impending crash in Dallas

For both reasons, people now are in a rush to sell in the city.

But listings are spending seven more days on the market before going under contract, compared to in 2024.

As the surplus of current listing grows, Nixon says stubbornly high mortgage rates, a slowdown in domestic migration, and widespread tech layoffs, will only cause prices to be slashed even more.

Now there are five times more active listings in Dallas today than there were in 2021, according to housing market research firm ResiClub.

There were 29,084 homes listed for sale in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington in May 2025. In May 2024, there were just 6,010.

Property taxes have also risen in Dallas over the past few years, and residents pay 41 percent than they did five years prior, according to Redfin.

'Many existing homeowners are putting their houses up for sale, looking to move to lower cost of living areas or escape the now-crowded metroplex,' Nixon said.

Homes in Dallas are now being sold only after the seller slashes the price.

Selena Gomez grew up in Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas, and has often returns to see family

Gomez performed at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of her Revival Tour in 2016

Homes in Dallas are now being sold only after the seller slashes the price

Post Malone has a Cowboys-themed Raising Cane's restaurant in Dallas, inspired by his lifelong love for the team and the city

According to Redfin, 33 percent of homes sold with price drops in April 2025 (Pictured: Illuminated townhouses in the city)

According to Redfin, 33 percent of homes sold with price drops in April 2025.

But there is a silver lining, according to Nixon.

'Unlike during the pandemic, there is plenty of rental inventory available, and rents are even falling in several submarkets,' she said.

'Eventually, I think the housing market will recover, but it's going to require some combination of lower home prices and lower mortgage rates.'

Meanwhile, the rest of Texas is also headed for trouble.

The state saw the most cities with falling house prices over the last year.

Prices in San Antonio have dropped 1.8 percent since last April, Austin has seen a 1.2 percent fall and prices in Fort Worth have dropped 0.2 percent.

Moving to Texas is also less attractive than it used to be because of the increasing frequency and intensity of climate disasters such as hurricanes.

This has led to skyrocketing insurance premiums and rising HOA costs across many major cities.
Rich homeowners lost millions of dollars after buying condos in San Francisco's leaning Millennium Tower.

Residents of the 419-unit high rise were informed in 2016 that the building had started sinking, which was also causing it to tilt.

By that time, multi-millionaires had already snatched up apartments and penthouses with some spending upwards of $10 million to build out their high rise homes.

The problems were resolved in 2023, following an extensive infrastructure project worth over $100 million, but the value of the homes inside have yet to rebound due to the litany of problems.

Craig D. Ramsey purchased a penthouse inside the building for $13 million after being convinced that once the issues were fixed the price of the unit would soar.

Ramsey had bought the property from the late venture capitalist Tom Perkins, who spent an astonishing $20 million to buy and build out the penthouse in 2009.

Ramsey, who already owned a unit in the building, told The Wall Street Journal: 'I knew there was an issue. I just thought about the value I was getting.'

In January of this year, Ramsey sold the property on for $9 million. Less than what Perkins had paid for the raw shell in 2009.

Residents of the 419-unit high rise were informed in 2016 that the building had started sinking

The glossy, 58-story, all-glass building, located at 301 Mission Street, was completed in 2009 and is the tallest residential building in the city. The view from a penthouse apartment is seen here

Craig D. Ramsey, seen here, purchased a penthouse inside the building for $13 million after being convinced that once the issues were fixed the price of the unit would soar

Ramsey, a tech entrepreneur who co-founded a firm sold to Saleforce for $1.3 billion, added: 'It was insignificant. I lost a couple million dollars. So what? You move on.'

The tech entrepreneur co-founded a software company that he sold to Salesforce for $1.3 billion in 2020, and owns other homes.

Ramsey had also parted ways with his smaller unit on the 54th floor for $2.725 million, representing a loss of 37 percent from the $4.3 million he paid in 2012.

The downtown San Francisco behemoth rests on a 10-foot deep concrete foundation made of soft soil and landfill.

The developer, Mission Street Development LLC, blamed the sinking problem on construction of the nearby Transbay Transit Center by the Transbay Joint Powers Authority for destabilizing the ground below the tower.

But according to local reports, the sinking started before the infrastructure project launched.

Overall, residents of the building were saddled with $6.8 million of the roughly $20 million extra the project ended up costing over the original budget.

It had originally been projected to cost around $100 million. During construction, however, the tower experienced more sinking and leaning.

Venture capitalist Tom Perkins, seen here, sold his apartment for $13million in 2016 to Craig D. Ramsey before he passed away

Workers repair crumbling walls that have been the result of leaking water in the garage of the Millennium Tower in San Francisco, California, U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017

The homeowners association is now determined to shift the narrative and help boost the value of the homes.

Dr. Joel Piser, resident and president of the board of the HOA, told the outlet: 'Weve gotten so much negative press.

'We were easy targetsa bunch of people who have been successful in life and then are faced with this challenge.

'Now, we have something to counter it with. We have met the projects objective to stop the building from settling, and were recovering.'

In an analysis by the outlet of nine sales that had closed this year as of late May, they found that on average a seller lost on average 20 percent.

Last year there was 16 recorded sales inside the building, with an average loss of 20.5 percent.

One owner sold a unit on the fifth floor for $720,000 in late last year, a 52 percent from what the seller paid in 2015.

A stress gauge is seen on a wall with floor-to-ceiling cracks in the parking garage of the Millennium Tower

At the start of this month there were 11 active listings inside the building on Zillow, ranging from $588,000 to $4.995 million, all besides two were listed for less than what was originally paid.

The glossy, 58-story, all-glass building, located at 301 Mission Street, was completed in 2009 and is the tallest residential building in the city.

Equipped with a 75-foot indoor lap-pool, a health club and spa, in-house cinema, and a restaurant and wine bar run by celebrity chef Michael Mina, all 419 apartments were quickly filled with wealthy residents when it opened.

Penthouse suites sold for more than $10million, with the cheapest apartment selling for $1.6million.

Gregg Lynn of Sotheby's Realty, told the outlet: 'There was incredible energy and enthusiasm about it. And consumers paid very high [prices].'

Lenders started blacklisting homes, forcing prospective buyers to either pay all cash, or find alternative financing.

Lawsuits were also filed by homeowners, that have since been resolved via a 'global settlement' completed in 2020. The terms of the settlement haven't been made public.

Part of the agreement, the Journal said, was that the defendants would compensate owners for the dip in their property value. The figures were kept confidential.

Lawsuits were also filed by homeowners, that have since been resolved via a 'global settlement' completed in 2020. Repair teams are seen here installing new pilings at the tower

Ronald O. Hamburger, the structural engineer who oversaw the repair project, told the outlet that the project in itself was unprecedented.

His team installed 18 pilings to supper the building's foundation, then moved the weight onto the new pilings.

He said: 'It was like a bumper jack jacking up your car, only they were jacking up 200 million pounds.'

In an attempt to bring lenders, insurance companies and buyers back into the fray, the HOA also commissioned a short film to document the pile project.

Piser told the outlet that the aim was send a message that the building was open for business. He said that Citizens Bank has since cleared a $5 mortgage in the building.

Local agent Bryant Kowalczyk added: 'The financing aspect has gotten a fair amount of people off the sidelines. The building kind of has nowhere to go but up.'

Girish Mirchandani moved into the building earlier this year, paying $850,000 for a unit that the seller paid $1.545 million in 2016.

He told the outlet that the news of someone paying $9 million for a penthouse gave him the confidence and lenders opening up their books to those in the building.

Mirchandani said: 'I figured if someones spending that on the penthouse, theyve done their due diligence. Then, when my bank opened up lending there, it made it kind of a no-brainer.'
Archaeologists have always said that Romans left a massive footprint in Britain, but they probably didn't mean it quite so literally.

Scientists have discovered an enormous shoe belonging to a Roman soldier with massive feet.

The hefty leather sole measures 12.6 inches (32cm) from toe to heel - the equivalent of a modern men's size UK 13.

That means this 2,000-year-old centurion had bigger feet than muscleman Arnold Schwarzenegger, who stands at 6ft 2" (188cm) tall.

The archaeologists who found it said the discovery 'drew impressed gasps' as it was pulled from the ground.

The shoe was found in the grounds of Magna, a Roman fort built along Hadrian's Wall around 112 AD.

It was found alongside two others inside an 'ankle breaker' trench, a vicious trap consisting of a narrow, deep trench that would be almost invisible to approaching soldiers.

However, the archaeologists don't say whether this shoe was lost by someone falling prey to the ankle breaker.

Scientists have discovered a massive Roman shoe at the remains of a fort near Hadrian's Wall. In modern measurements, this shoe would be a size 13

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Compared to other Roman structures in Britain, Magna is relatively un-excavated, but digs are now beginning to yield some exciting discoveries.

In late March, the archaeologists began to excavate the outer ring of defensive ditches, ramparts, and banks that had been built on the North side of the fort.

Among some fragments of pottery and scraps of leather, the researcher's most exciting discovery was the three, remarkably well-preserved shoes.

Two of these were almost intact, with one still maintaining part of the heel section and a row of hobnails along the bottom of the sole.

But it was the enormous size 13 shoe which generated the most excitement.

Rachel Frame, Magna Project senior archaeologist, says: 'Although in this case only one of the several sole layers, the sheer size of the shoe and guesses about who could have worn it dominated the conversation.

'Could this one be the largest in the Vindolanda Trust collection? We certainly look forward to finding out!'

With size 13 feet, the owner of these huge shoes had the same size feet as the 6ft 4" (195 cm) actor Stephen Fry.

The shoe was found alongside two others (pictured) in an 'ankle breaker trench'. This is a narrow, deep trench that would be hidden when filled with water, tripping up approaching soldiers and breaking their ankles

These finds reveal how Romans made their shoes with multiple layers of leather in the sole and reinforced areas for walking like a modern walking boot

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Likewise, their feet were only just smaller than those of Stephen Merchant who stands at a towering 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)

Hadrian's Wall, named after the Roman emperor Hadrian, was constructed in 122 AD to separate the Roman-occupied territories in the south from the unconquered lands of Scotland.

As the Romans built the wall and consolidated their rule over Britain, they also constructed several small forts across the country.

Magna, also known as Carvoran, is one of the forts that was built along the wall during this period.

Located seven miles (11 km) west of the large Roman fort Vindolanda, which has been the site of many archaeological finds, this smaller fortification was constructed to guard the crossroads of two major Roman roads.

These discoveries also help archaeologists to get a better understanding of how the Romans made their shoes.

Ms Frame says: 'This gives us a really good look at how Roman shoes were made: multiple layers of leather were used to form the sole, held together with thongs, stitching and hobnails.

Magna Fort (artist's impression) was built to protect a crossroads of two major Roman roads which supplied nearby towns and fortifications

'These also reinforced the outer surface for walking and are found on many styles of shoe.'

This discovery is important because organic materials like leather or wood are normally broken down by microbes in the soil before archaeologists can find them, making leather shoes an exciting find.

Only when it is kept in a wet environment with limited oxygen can leather last for thousands of years.

But if the soil dries out, microbes can get to the materials and start to break them down.

The archaeologists excavating the Magna Fort are currently concerned that this year's exceptionally dry spring might lead to some artefacts decaying before they are found.

In the first two weeks of May, the Magna site received less than half a millimetre of rain, leaving the soil unusually dry.

Franki Gillis, geoarchaeologist for the Magna Project, says: 'At Magna, the lack of rain has caused the groundwater level to drop considerably.

'So although nice, this abnormally lovely warm spring, may be harmful to the continual preservation of our organic finds at Magna and Vindolanda.'
A new interactive map is painting a grim picture for America's coastal cities, with many projected to be underwater by 2050.

Climate Central, an independent organization of scientists, has been developing a new Coastal Risk Screening Tool to predict how sea level rise and coastal flooding will reshape the US each decade.

The latest update revealed that several major cities in Louisiana, Georgia, Florida and New York will sink below annual flood levels, threatening thousands of people who may find their homes underwater within the next 30 years.

The Florida Everglades and the island that the Statue of Liberty sits on in New York are both predicted to be underwater in 25 years.

Countless wildlife conservation parks throughout the US are also expected to sink, and beachfront communities along the Gulf and East Coast will likely shrink as sea levels wash away the coastline.

The new map also allows users to look at the best and worst case scenarios based on major flood predictions and pollution's impact on the climate, according to data from a 2021 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Long Island, Atlantic City, New Orleans and San Jose are all in the US danger zone even in the most conservative estimates by Climate Central.

Here are several of the major cities that could submerge under rising sea levels by 2050.

New Orleans, Louisiana

The iconic Gulf Coast city has been in the crosshairs of climate alarmists for decades.

The new map revealed that New Orleans, home to more than 360,000 people, will likely see the entire city sitting below the annual flood level.

This means that, based on Climate Central's sea level rise projections and coastal elevation models, the city is expected to sink below the elevation at which flooding is likely to occur at least once per year.

Simply put, even a normal flood in a year without extreme storms will submerge the whole city since nothing will be left above sea level in 2050.

A 2024 study published in the Hydrogeology Journal discovered that a large portion of the city sits on soft, squishy soils (peat and clay) that sink when drained or built on.

Much of this soil has either rotted after being exposed to air or has been compacted under the weight of local buildings and roads.

It's a grave problem for an area that has already been devastated by flooding from hurricanes over the last two decades.

New Orleans sits along the Mississippi River and is home to more than 360,000 people on the Gulf Coast (Stock Image)

The new map from Climate Central revealed that New Orleans will likely see the entire city sitting below the annual flood level by 2050

Cape Coral, Florida

This southwestern Florida city is known for its many canals, but this also makes it one of the major projected victims of climate change-related sea level rise.

Climate Central's map predicts that, by 2050, all of the local waterways that line the streets will rise up and erode much of the waterfront property these Floridians enjoy.

Cape Coral is home to more than 220,000 people. Its low-lying areas are at high risk of being below annual flood level in 2050, even under moderate climate emissions scenarios projected by Climate Central.

The city has also been struck by multiple hurricanes in recent years, including Hurricane Helene in 2024 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

This southwestern Florida city is known for its many canals, but they make Cape Coral one of the major projected victims of climate change-related sea level rise

Savannah, Georgia

The historic coastal city sits along the Savannah River right across from Georgia's border with South Carolina.

It's one of the oldest cities in the US and is Georgia's fifth-largest city, but Savannah's annual 49 inches of rain is about 29% above the national average of 38 inches.

Combined with its location along the coast, Climate Central predicts Savannah will experience severe flood risk by 2050, with much of the land on the Georgia and South Carolina sides of the Savannah River sinking below the average flood level.

Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the US, but its high rain totals and location along Georgia's coast make it a prime candidate for flooding

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston has become a major tourism hub over the years, but the new map predicts that much of the historic city's well-preserved architecture will sink into dangerous flood zones within three decades.

Charleston faces regular flooding from storm surges, heavy rain and king tides - exceptionally high tides that occur when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun align.

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused $2.8 billion in damage, and recent storms like Matthew and Irma brought significant flooding as well.

Sitting on a peninsula in South Carolina, the 2050 forecast projects that Charleston will see a sea level rise that floods areas along all three edges of the city.

Charleston faces regular flooding from hurricanes, heavy rain and king tides - exceptionally high tides that occur when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun align

The 2050 projections warn that Charleston will likely see flooding on all three sides of the South Carolina peninsula

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Atlantic City is famous for its four-mile-long boardwalk and massive casino resorts. However, it's also become a frequent target for major East Coast storms, like Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

That once-in-a-century disaster brought severe storm surges, damaging the boardwalk and inundating low-lying areas with up to 6 feet of water.

Even without a major hurricane striking the East Coast, Climate Central's 2050 map predicts that many of the casino complexes around the city will sink below the annual flood level, putting the vacation town in serious jeopardy.

Currently, Atlantic City welcomes roughly 27 million people each year, despite having a population of just 40,000.

Atlantic City welcomes roughly 27 million tourists each year, despite having a population of just 40,000

Sea level rise threatens to sink several of the city's major casino-resort complexes, according to Climate Central's 2050 map

East Rutherford, New Jersey

Speaking of New Jersey, even some more inland locations are at risk of severe sinking and flooding over the next 25 years.

Located along the Hackensack River and less than 10 miles from New York City, East Rutherford has become known for two major attractions: the American Dream Mall and MetLife Stadium.

Both venues sit on the Meadowlands, a large ecosystem of wetlands, marshes and tidal areas in northern New Jersey.

According to the 2050 projections from Climate Central, that means the NFL's New York Jets and New York Giants will see their stadium sitting underwater within 30 years as the entire area is expected to fall under the annual flood level.

MetLife Stadium (pictured) sits in the middle of the Meadowlands, an area of New Jersey wetlands, marshes and tidal areas

Long Island, New York

Although Long Island is so big that it has over a dozen cities and towns scattered across two counties, the entire coastline of this major New York landmass could be washed away by 2050.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast, causing widespread flooding throughout Long Island with damages surpassing $20 billion.

In the latest projections for 2050, almost all of the small landmasses connecting the island's many vacation spots - including Fire Island and Jones Beach - will be underwater.

Home to nearly 3 million people, coastal communities in Long Island's Babylon, Lindenhurst, Amityville, Massapequa, Freeport and Oceanside will also be affected by the rising sea levels eroding local beaches and beachfront property.

Long Island's coast is regularly battered by East Coast storms that cause flooding and property damage. The worst case was in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy

San Jose, California

On the West Coast, Climate Central's interactive map actually predicted little to no sea level rise and flooding throughout California.

One area that did not escape the projected impact of climate change, however, was San Jose, which sits at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay.

The 2050 projection warns that San Jose's Bayfront areas will be at risk of submerging in a flood. That includes the area around Levi's Stadium, home of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.

San Jose sits at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay and is one of the rare California cities to make Climate Central's 2050 projections for major flooding risk

More than 500,000 US citizens across 32 major cities are expected to be displaced by the flooding, due to home property damages that could cost up to $109 billion by 2050. In 2024, scientists warned that nearly one foot of rising sea-levels is likely to compound the risk of 'destructive flooding'

While Climate Central's forecast was kind to most of California, other recent studies have not been.

Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) revealed that Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Alameda are all among the coastal cities that have seen their local sea levels rise since 2018.

Rising sea levels and continued land erosion threaten to exacerbate flooding and subsidence (sinking of the ground) in these areas.

Their new data showed that San Diego is experiencing the highest amount of sea level rise along the entire West Coast, rising 2.6 millimeters a year.

By 2050, all four of these cities are predicted to see their local sea levels rise several inches above the projected average for that year.
A giant hole has ripped open on the sun, blasting Earth with a high-speed stream of charged particles that could trigger power disruptions.

Officials warned that the shockwave will smash into Earth on Friday causing a G2-level geomagnetic storm that is considerate moderate on a scale from G1 to G5.

A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetic field caused by a massive eruption of charged plasma from the sun's outermost layer.

While not the most powerful geostorm, this even is strong enough to damage transformers in high-latitude power systems, affect satellite operations, and cause radio blackouts.

'Weak power grid fluctuations can occur,' officials share in a Friday update, noting electricity weakened around Michigan as of this morning.

The official space weather forecast shows G-2 levels are expected to linger into Saturday, but decrease to a G1 storm by Sunday.

The solar activity may also send stunning northern lights as far south as Maine and Michigan.

The solar storm comes as scientists recently warned that humanity is not prepared for extreme space weather.

The gaping hole, called a coronal hole, is a region where magnetic fields on the sun's surface weaken, letting high-speed solar wind escape.

The colossal claw-shaped opening, known as a coronal hole, is the source of what's known as a Coronal Hole High-Speed Stream (CH HSS), a fast-moving flow of solar wind now headed straight for Earth.

The wind is currently traveling at hundreds of miles per second, faster than Earth's magnetic field.

As the stream catches up to slower solar wind ahead of it, it may create a Co-Rotating Interaction Region (CIR), a shockwave-like effect that can intensify the storm by compressing Earths magnetic field.

This can lead to a range of effects: slight changes in satellite orbits, glitches in onboard instruments, and disruptions to polar flight navigation that relies on radio signals.

GPS services may also be affected, causing timing errors or location drift, especially near the poles or at high altitudes.

These disturbances are more common and more intense during solar maximum, the most active phase of the suns 11-year cycle, when solar flares, sunspots, and coronal mass ejections peak.

Sunspots are dark areas on the sun where its extra active, and solar flares are sudden bursts of energy from those spots.

Coronal mass ejections are huge clouds of charged particles the sun blasts into space, which can affect Earths magnetic field.

Coronal holes are the source of strong solar wind gusts that carry solar particles out to our magnetosphere and beyond. They appear darker in extreme ultraviolet light images

During geomagnetic storms, solar particles strike Earth's magnetic field, some are directed to the planet's poles, where they collide with the gases in the atmosphere creating auroras.

On Saturday, auroras could be visible as far south as 55 degrees latitude, including parts of the northern US from New York to Idaho, depending on weather and light conditions.

The best views are expected further north, particularly in Canada.

On average, Earth experiences about 360 G2 level storms during the single solar cycle.

The G2 storm, the one recorded in September 2018, lasted for about four hours, with lingering weaker disturbances, classified as G1-level, before and after the main event.

Scientists say the same coronal hole faced Earth almost exactly a year ago, from June 45, 2024, and triggered a sustained G2-level storm.

In May, experts revealed they conducted extreme space weather scenario and found Earth may not survive.

They conducted a 'solar storm emergency drill', simulating what would happen if a major geomagnetic storm hit our planet.

Results showed power grids failed, blackouts were triggered and communication broke down across the US.

The exercise ran four simulations of geomagnetic storms of different severities, which is is a temporary disturbance of Earth's magnetic field caused by a massive eruption of charged plasma from the sun's outermost layer.

One scenario included a 'solar superstorm', strong enough cause an 'internet apocalypse,' resulting in power grid disruptions across the entire US with the eastern seaboard experiencing blackouts, which lasted for weeks.

Not only were power grids impacted, but railways and pipelines were also knocked offline, causing mass disruptions of travel and dramatic price increases of gas.

Scientists are now calling for a whole-of-government planning approach, arguing it will be critical for protecting America from cosmic disaster.

That would include deploying more satellites to monitor space weather, enhance real-time data collection to improve forecasting models, and provide earlier warnings.
At least 260 people have died in Ahmedabad after an Air India flight crashed into a building, mere seconds after taking off.

The disaster is the latest in a string of commercial airplane crashes that have killed hundreds of people.

At the start of the year, an American Airlines flight collided with a military helicopter over Washington, killing 67.

Then in March, 13 people were killed in a devastating incident off the island of Ruatan.

According to expert analysis, 2025 is one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade.

With only one confirmed survivor, yesterday's tragedy brings this year's total airflight fatalities to 460 in just the first six months of the year.

So, is air travel really becoming more dangerous? MailOnline spoke to the experts to find out.

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As the crash of Air India Flight 171 (pictured) kills 241 passengers, 2025 is one of the deadliest years for air travel in the past decade.

Yesterday, a Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 jetliner crashed into a populated area only minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in the deaths of all but one passenger

While the aviation industry maintains exceptionally high safety standards, the recent string of high-profile incidents has raised concerns that flying may be becoming more risky.

The average number of deaths during flights per year currently stands at 284, according to Jan-Arwed Richter, founder of Jacdec, a German consulting firm that tracks aviation safety.

That means 2025 has already had almost double the average number of air travel deaths.

Mr Richter told Bloomberg: 'This year still has more than six months to go, so this could be concerning if this rate of fatal accidents would go on.'

While many people will likely now have concerns about the safety of air travel, experts reassure that flying is not getting more dangerous.

Dr Simon Bennett, director of the civil safety and security unit at the University of Leicester, told MailOnline: 'That perception is understandable because safety goes through peaks and troughs.

'So if you take a snapshot at a particular time it can either look like things are getting seriously dangerous or that things are getting seriously safe.'

2025's high level of fatalities comes on the back of one of the safest periods in the history of air travel.

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This tragic crash was one of the deadliest since Malaysia Airways Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine

Is flying becoming more dangerous? This year alone there have been 460 deaths due to aircraft crashes. The average for most years is just 284, putting 2025 at nearly double the yearly average in just six months. However, experts say that air travel is not becoming more dangerous. Air safety incidents produce big spikes in fatality numbers which skew short-term averages. Over the longer term, air travel is actually safer than ever before. Experts say that air travel is significantly safer than driving or most other forms of transport. Advertisement

In 2023, industry groups found that there was not a single fatal incident throughout the entire year.

However, a series of high-profile events starting from the end of 2024 have grabbed the public attention.

While these incidents create an illusion of escalating danger, this is not reflected in the statistical reality.

As the Air India tragedy unfolded, the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch published its annual safety review for 2024.

This review concluded: 'Commercial aviation remains one of the safest forms of public transport, with global accident rates continuing their long-term decline.'

Dr Bennett points out that aviation experts only look at averages over longer periods, to avoid being biased by big spikes associated with single incidents.

'If you take a 20-year snapshot, then air safety is unequivocally improving,' he explained.

However, the experts also points out that it is extremely difficult to convince people of this fact.

The crash has sparked concerns that air travel may be becoming more dangerous: Pictured: rescuers carry a body away from the crash site in Ahmedabad

The plane explodes in a fireball on impact. It never made it more than 400ft above the ground

'You will be safer five miles above than you would be at home, that is a fact. But if you tell the public that they won't believe you,' he said.

'My deepest sympathies go out to those who've been affected, but I would beg the public to consider such events in the widest possible context.'

As for what has caused this 'trough' in air flight safety, there may be a number of reasons with economic causes being the most likely.

Dr Bennett says that downturns in the fortunes of airflight industries lead to reduced investment in safety which can spark an increase in near misses and incidents.

Until the official investigation concludes, it is impossible to confirm exactly what led to the crash of Indian Airlines Flight 171.

However, it currently appears that environmental and mechanical issues may have combined to prevent the flight from gaining altitude properly.

Dr Sammy Diasinos, an aerodynamics researcher at Macquarie University, says: 'The B787 has very powerful engines and can easily operate if one engine fails, so for this accident to occur, we would be looking at a very rare double engine failure.

'I would expect this highlights an environmental cause rather than an engine or maintenance issue.

Despite these shocking events, air travel experts say that flying has not become more dangerous overall. Pictured: Parts of Air India Flight 171 after the crash

Extreme events create an impression of heightened risk, but the statistics show that flying is safer now than it was in the past. Pictured: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) visiting the site of the crash

'It would be very unusual for two engines on the same aircraft to be on the exact same maintenance schedule, making simultaneous mechanical failure unlikely.'

Experts point out that the hot conditions and the flight's full fuel would have meant it needed extra time to gain altitude - something which it appeared unable to do.

With temperatures on the runway at 37C (98F), the flight would have needed significantly more lift to gain altitude.

Additionally, Flight 171 appeared to have both its landing gear deployed and flaps retracted at an altitude of only 600ft (182m) causing it to have a lower lift.

Murray Terwey, an aviation lecturer at Edith Conway University, said: 'Aircrew have been known in the past to retract the flap instead of the gear by mistake.

'This, in the early stages of flight, can lead to a significant loss of lift which can lead to an accident.'

However, the exact combination of factors which led to this incident will only be revealed in a full investigation by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Elon Musk is again calling for NASA to scuttle the International Space Station (ISS) after a former engineer of the agency revealed hidden problems with its structure.

Casey Handmer, a physicist and engineer who worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) for four years, posted on X that the 26-year-old station's structure integrity is far worse than the public knows.

'We could wake up tomorrow and find, with zero warning, that it has failed catastrophically,' Handmer warned on X Thursday.

Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, quickly responded, saying that even though his commercial space company makes billions from delivering cargo and astronauts to the station, it should be brought down by 2027.

'There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the [ISS]. Some parts of it are simply getting too old and obviously that risk grows over time,' Musk posted early Friday morning.

The renewed push to decommission ISS came hours after NASA delayed a private astronaut mission by Axiom Space Inc because of a pressure leak in one of the station's Russian-built sections, meaning there could be less air to breathe.

The billionaire leader of SpaceX, Tesla, and X has been calling for NASA to scrap the $150 billion project since February.

At the time, Musk was also the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and recommended to President Trump that the station be brought down 'as soon as possible.'

The International Space Station is now 26 years-old and has suffered multiple pressure leaks in recent years, prompting Elon Musk to call for its retirement by 2027

Casey Handmer, a physicist and engineer who worked at NASA for 4 years, warned that the International Space Station has more structural problems than are being reported publicly

In his post, Handmer warned that these leaks are becoming more frequent and taking place in multiple sections of the ISS.

He added that as the station's aluminum shell flexes, the metal fatigues and gets harder, which increases the risk of it cracking.

The former NASA employees revealed that 'multiple cracks have been discovered,' even though none of these pressurized sections were meant to crack.

First launched in November 1998, the ISS is nearing the end of its operational lifespan and has been showing signs of wear and tear for years.

Last November, another leak in the Russian segment that had been worsening for five years sparked fears that the astronauts on board may need to evacuate, causing NASA to warn that this could lead to a 'catastrophic failure' of the space station.

Astronauts have been patching the leak and keeping the module it's located in mostly sealed off to eliminate any immediate threat to their safety.

The new issue this month emerged shortly before the launch of Axiom Mission 4, a private spaceflight to the ISS operated by Axiom Space, in partnership with SpaceX and NASA.

The mission was set to deliver four astronauts to the ISS for a 14-day stay. The crew aimed to conduct approximately 60 scientific studies, focusing on microgravity research in technology, life sciences, and other fields.

In a statement, NASA said that a new launch date has not been scheduled as the investigation into the pressure leak continues.

Elon Musk responded to Casey Handmer's comments on X, saying that he is 'going on the record' as saying that the International Space Station needs to be deorbited within 2 years

The ISS is nearing the end of its operational lifespan and is showing signs of wear and tear from collisions with various space objects. The Canadarm2 robot arm (pictured) was struck by space debris in May 2021, creating a hole that fortunately didn't impact its functionality

NASA has awarded $843 million to Elon Musk's SpaceX to build the spacecraft which will help the International Space Station deorbit. The scheduled year for this mission is still 2030

The growing list of alarming maintenance issues are partly what drove NASA and its ISS partners - Russia, Japan, Canada, and 11 European countries - to make plans to retire the ISS by 2030.

However, Musk declared on Friday that he 'would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within 2 years.'

Musk's SpaceX was tasked with building the spacecraft that would assist in the deorbiting of the station.

In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX a $843 million contract to build the deorbit vehicle, or USDV, that will be used to safely guide the ISS back into the Pacific Ocean in 2030.

That being said, decommissioning the ISS ahead of schedule is not that simple and would require agreement from all the space station's partners, not just the approval of President Trump.

Trump could propose shutting down the space station before 2030, but in addition to getting the other ISS partners on board, funding for the deorbit mission has to come from Congress.

Moreover, the SpaceX contract only covers the cost of building the USDV, not the entire deorbit mission. Last summer, former NASA Administrator Bill Nelson was seeking $1.5 billion from the US government to cover the entire project.
Israel's overnight attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and missile factories has sparked fears that WWIII may be imminent.

While the White House played no direct role in the strike, President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting an ultimatum in talks to restrict its nuclear program.

While Iran does not possess such weapons yet, its allies Russia and China have more than 6,000 nuclear warheads combined.

Now, a map has resurfaced on online that illustrated the potential devastation of a large-scale nuclear attack on American soil.

It shows that nearly all major cities across the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast and South could be in the crosshairs, killing up to 250 million Americans, roughly 75 percent of the country's population.

Areas in California, much of the East Coast and large swaths of the Midwest would suffer severe radioactive fallout, forcing survivors to shelter in place for more than three weeks.

Only a few regions, including parts of West Texas, Nevada, Michigan, and Wisconsin, would avoid a direct blast, although even these areas would be profoundly affected by nuclear winter in the attack's aftermath.

The map was created using data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which models blast radius, fallout patterns, and radiation exposure based on detonation location and population density.

While Iran does not possess such weapons, its allies Russia and China have more than 6,000 nuclear warheads combines, leading Americans to worry that the US could soon be a target

Israel's overnight attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and missile factories (pictured) has sparked fears that WWIII may be imminent

John Erath, the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, told Newsweek: 'While those who live near military facilities, ICBM silos in the Midwest or submarine bases along the coasts might bear the most immediate and severe consequences of a nuclear attack, there's no question: Any nuclear war or weapons detonation would be bad for everyone.

'Nowhere is truly 'safe' from fallout and other consequences like contamination of food and water supplies and prolonged radiation exposure.'

As well as densely populated cities, more than 100 military facilities would likely be prime targets, including sites that house Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) silos.

These silos are located in Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and North Dakota, and the map shows these regions would come under heavy attack.

Infrastructure such as power plants, transportation hubs, oil refineries and key communications centers would also be vulnerable if nuclear strikes were to take place.

Israel said Thursday evening it had no choice but to act against Iran before Tehran could develop a nuclear weapon.

The strikes hit more than 100 targets, including Iran's nuclear and military sites, and resulted in the deaths of several senior military figures.

On Friday, Trump warned Iran that further attacks would be 'even more brutal' if it failed to come to the negotiating table.

Every populated city on the East Coast, Midwest, West Coast and South would be targeted, killing up to 250 million Americans - about 75 percent of the country's population

Russia condemned the attack, calling it unprovoked and a violation of the United Nations Charter.

Iran's ally, Russia, leads the world in nuclear warheads with about 5,580 in its arsenal, while the United States has 5,044. China's stockpile stands at 500 to 600 warheads.

The 2015 map, created by Halcyon Maps, a project that produces detailed maps on a range of topics, shows how fallout would rapidly spread across the country, turning targeted cities into danger zones and putting millions at risk of death from radiation.

It has since resurfaced this year amid growing military tensions worldwide.

Symptoms of radiation poisoning, depending on the dosage, can include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, skin damage, seizures and even coma. At high enough levels of exposure, these symptoms can manifest within minutes and become fatal.

Iran's ally, Russia, leads the world in nuclear warheads with about 5,580 in its arsenal, while the United States has 5,044. China's stockpile stands at 500 to 600 warheads

Major metropolitan areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston, and Washington, DC, would likely be among the first to be hit.

That is because losing such cities would cripple the US economy, leadership and workforce.

Severe fallout would spread from Boston to New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago, engulfing millions of Americans in radioactive debris.

Hazardous areas are also expected along the California coast and near key military installations.

Surrounding these danger zones are medium-risk areas, where people would need to shelter in place for up to three weeks.

The map also illustrates how states like Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas would suffer minimal fallout, suggesting residents there may not need to take protective measures.

The US has strategically positioned nuclear forces across the country that could become prime targets in a nuclear attack.

These sites include ICBM silos, naval and Air Force bases, and nuclear storage depots, all scattered across the nation.

Military targets are marked by red circles on the map, with the largest clusters located where the silos are based.

Scientists have speculated that the 450 ICBM silos would serve as key targets in a nuclear attack due to their role in America's defense.

But the new map shows attacks could come from all directions, striking nearly 150 military sites across the country.

These targets include the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado, the Pentagon, and naval bases in California and Washington.

Texas, California, and the Midwest show a high concentration of infrastructure targets, marked by yellow circles on the map.

The Mississippi River region also contains numerous infrastructure sites. likely to disrupt transport and commerce in the event of an attack.

Even if a global war is not on the horizon, the recent chaos on the world stage is a cause for concern, according to Dr John Schuessler, associate professor of international affairs at Texas A&M University.

'Americans are not wrong to worry about the United States getting dragged into wars where it is supporting one side against another,' Schuessler said.

'That said, the US has managed to stay out of the wars in Europe and the Middle East so far.'
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An Australian jewellery brand worn by A-listers has unveiled an exclusive new collection of spectacularly unique rings.

Whether it is to celebrate a special life milestone or for an unforgettable proposal, the Engagement & Milestone Edit from ALINKA Fine Jewellery is a bespoke line of customisable designs, handcrafted for individuality.

Known for its stackable fine bracelets and necklaces, ear cuffs and statement rings, ALINKA Fine Jewellery is already beloved by a loyal clientele of Australian and international clients with it's ready-to-wear and made-to-order pieces.

Featuring a jaw-dropping collection of dazzling diamond and fine coloured gemstones set in 18 carat gold, sourced specially for each bespoke, made to order design.

Clients can take inspiration from the designs in the edit, customising the gold colour and stone size to their specifications.

The OVAL Horizontal Diamond Ring is a timeless design with an oval cut GIA Certified Natural Diamond, set in the brands signature basket with engraved detailing on the band.

Truly unique and spectacular, the DUO ring features an emerald cut white diamond set beside an oval cut white diamond, set in the ALINKA Duo setting.

Australian brand ALINKA Fine Jewellery has unveiled it's dazzling edit of engagement and milestone rings

Truly unique and spectacular, the DUO ring features an emerald cut white diamond set beside an oval cut white diamond

Clients can make the ring their own, selecting the shape, colour and size of the two diamonds, with the design tailored to the proportions of the chosen gemstones.

The show stopping ECLIPSE ring features a fine emerald mounted on a sculptural ALINKA eclipse band. This unique design is set with baguette cut and round brilliant cut white diamonds.

The SHOULDER Diamond ring features an emerald cut fancy intense yellow diamond, set between two crisp tapering baguette cut white diamonds.

Another double gem setting, the DUO Hearts ring features two heart-shaped diamonds side by side.

The show stopping ECLIPSE ring features a fine emerald mounted on a sculptural ALINKA eclipse band, set with baguette cut and round brilliant cut white diamonds

The unique designs in the collection offer inspiration for clients, who can then customise the ring with their stone shape, size and colour preferences for a truly individual piece

Every ALINKA ring includes a hidden evil eye secret diamond, to symbolise 'protection, unbroken love and good fortune that is bestowed upon the wearer'.

The diamonds and gemstones are set in 18 carat yellow gold, white gold or rose gold.

The jaw-dropping designs come with designer price tags that reflect the quality of luxury of the brand. Each piece is customised so price is on application and for anyone interested in learning more should book an appointment or request a quotation.

'An ALINKA Fine Jewellery engagement ring is more than jewellery it's a personal milestone, Founder and Creative Director Alina Barlow said.

Barlow started the brand in 2015, designing bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces for her Sydney clientele, before branching into ready-to-wear collections.

The OVAL Horizontal Diamond Ring is a timeless design with an oval cut GIA Certified Natural Diamond, set in the brands signature basket with engraved detailing on the band

Creating a custom ALINKA piece is a personalised, collaborative experience guided by one of the brands jewellery and diamond specialists

With a client-list featuring the country's elite, Barlow opened a flagship showroom in Sydney's exclusive Double Bay, while internationally her designs are also online on Farfetch.

The brand has steadily grown a loyal following amongst Australia's most fashionable, and through subtle appearances on the red carpet worn by Jennifer Hawkins, Taylor Swift, Vanessa Kirby, Natalie Dormer and Alicia Vikander in recent years.

Natalie Portman and Dua Lipa have been photographed adorned in the jewels for Vogue magazine shoots.

Founder and Creative Director Alina Barlow started the brand in 2015, designing bespoke one-of-a-kind pieces for her Sydney clientele, before branching into ready-to-wear collections

The DUO Hearts ring features two heart-shaped diamonds side by side, customised for colour and size

Creating a custom ALINKA piece is a personalised, collaborative experience guided by one of the brands jewellery and diamond specialists.

Clients will select from the edit of signature designs and thoughtfully sourced and hand-selected diamonds and gemstones to create a completely unique piece.

Once the design is made, it undergoes three rounds of quality control to ensure it meets the in-house teams exacting standards.

For those not in the market for a diamond ring, the brand's ready-to-wear collections of fine jewellery and statement pieces can be purchased online with free delivery.
There isnt a more iconic experience in New Zealand than exploring the South Island by campervan.

With a home on wheels, and spectacular scenery guaranteed, the best months to visit are February to May, and September to November, when the weather is warm and the island less busy.

Queenstown is the epicentre for campervan hire, where most begin and end their journeys, and its wise to spend a few days here to shrug off jetlag before embarking on your journey.

With hundreds of campsites to choose from, planning a route can prove a little daunting, so here is my selection of tried and tested favourites, within an easy drive of one another.

Lake Wanaka - Glendhu Bay Holiday Park

Situated a fifteen-minute drive from the small, laid-back town of Wanaka (with a great choice of restaurants, cafes, and adventure activities), this large campsite sprawls along the banks of picturesque Glendhu Bay.

Youre not booking in for fancy toilet blocks & showers (they are basic) but for the beautiful location and its north facing, sunny aspect.

Book ahead to nab a prime spot bordering the lake, then while away hours swimming, barbecuing, and stargazing.

Kate Wickers drives a campervan around New Zealand's South Island, beginning and ending in Queenstown

The Glendhu Bay Holiday Park sits on the banks of Lake Wanaka, and 15-minutes from the town where there are ample bars and restaurants

Mount Aspiring National Park, which served as the Misty Mountains in the Hobbit films, is on your doorstep, and nearby hiking trails include the popular five-hour walk to Roys Peak.

A day trip by boat to the island of Mou Waho is another good option.

Book it: From 23 per night for lakeside powered site (www.hampshireholidaysparks.co.nz).

Lake Tekapo - Lakes Edge Holiday Park

Framed by snow-capped mountains, this site is on a bluff above Lake Tekapo, known for its crystal-clear turquoise water.

It has nice communal facilities, including a kitchen and barbecue area, with lake-view picnic benches for al fresco dining.

To get out on the water, rent paddleboards or kayaks (15 for one hour) at the sandy beach just below the camp

One of the best places in the world for star gazing, visit the state-of-the-art Dark Sky Project to learn more on how Maori people once used the stars to navigate and hunt, and, on a clear night, book a star-gazing tour at the Mt John Observatory.

Lake Tekapo is one of the best places in the world for star gazing, and you can also rent paddleboards and kayaks to get out on the water, says Kate

Kate recommends booking a star gazing tour at the Mt John Observatory

A walk to the picture-perfect Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935, is lovely at sunset.

Book it: From 35 per night for front row powered site. (lakesedgeholidaypark.co.nz)

Mount Cook - White Horse Camping Ground

Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery at this Department of Conservation site.

A pitch here cant be prebooked, so arrive by lunchtime to nab a good spot, with those at the rear giving uninterrupted views of Mt Sefton.

Youll find toilet blocks, and fresh running water, but no showers or power to connect to.

The most popular hike is along the Hooker Valley Track to the glacial Hooker Lake (take swimming kit with you for a bracing dip), and its best to set off by 8am before the day trippers arrive.

Other well-marked trails leave from the campsite and range from gentle to arduous.

Kate visited Mount Cook on her journey through New Zealand

The most popuar hike in the area is along the Hooker Valley Track to the glacial Hooker Lake - which you can swim in

Book it: From 6.50 per adult per night. Payable at site. (doc.govt.nz)

Oamaru - Oamaru Harbour Holiday Park

This small campsite is the only one on Oamarus seafront and has good but few facilities (you may need to wait your turn for a shower).

Although a road runs between the site and the sea, theres such little traffic that its still worth pre-booking a front row spot.

It is ideally situated for visiting the towns famous Little Blue Penguin colony, which return to shore like clockwork at dusk.

Also, look out also for fur seals basking on the harbour wall.

Book it: From 27 for an ocean view powered site(oamaruharbour.co.nz)

Oamaru is known as the Steampunk capital of the world. Here, you can visit the Steampunk HQ museum and the Victorian precinct

The Oamaru Harbour Holiday Park is the only one on Oamaru's seafront

KATE'S TOP CAMPERVAN TIPS Check dates of school holidays and travel outside of these if you can. Stock up on essentials at a supermarket before setting off, as you can travel long distances without seeing a grocery store. Its worth paying a little extra for a premium pitch to enjoy a lake/mountain/sea view. Shower facilities on most campsites are excellent, so save your campervan shower and loo for Department of Conservation sites. Call at wineries to buy your booze straight from the cellar door. Pack insect repellent for camping near rivers and lakes. Ask your Maui rental provider to include two camping chairs and a foldaway table for dining outdoors. Dont be put off by the name holiday camp. These are campsites with facilities, not Butlins. Advertisement

Otago Peninsula - Portobello Village Tourist Park

This hilly, green and tranquil site is tucked away two-minutes walk from the seafront in the tiny, seaside village of Portobello, with its one pub, restaurant, and shop.

There are plenty of well-maintained showers and loos, and the pitches feel specious, bordered by trees and bushes, which provide extra privacy.

Use this as your base for visiting the Royal Albatross Centre, walking among sealions on Allans Beach, and taking a wildlife-spotting tour with Monarch Cruises, during which youre likely to see Hectors dolphins, fur seals, Little Blue penguins, and soaring albatross out fishing.

Book it: www.portobellopark.co.nz From 22 for powered site (portobellopark.co.nz)

Te Anau - Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park

As campsites go, this is quite fancy. Youll find this large site, with spacious pitches, on the Southern shore of Lake Te Anau, a ten-minute walk into the centre, with plenty of restaurants and cafes.

It has a modern communal kitchen, excellent power showers, small shop, TV lounge, and jacuzzi hire.

Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park offers spectacular views across the water

If youre not planning an overnight stay at Milford Sound, this makes a great base for exploring the Fiordland National Park.

While there, take an evening cruise on a vintage yacht, or enjoy a show out on by glowworms found within a nearby, extensive cave system.

Book it: From 32 for powered site (teanauholidaypark.co.nz)

Milford Sound - Milford Sound Lodge

Deep within the Fiordland National Park, this stylish campsite and lodge is a cut above the rest, with pitches nestled within the rain forest (be warned, this is one of the wettest places on earth).

It also has a fabulous restaurant, so give yourself a night off from cooking to enjoy Canterbury duck breast or Otago lamb, highlights on a menu that celebrates South Islands finest produce.

The drive to reach Milford Sound is spectacular. Stop off to walk the short trail through moss-covered forest to Lake Gunn, and gaze at mountain reflections in the so-called Mirror Lakes.

Once there, take a boat trip across Milford Sound with Southern Discoveries, and hike a stretch of the Milford Track, reached by water taxi from the town.

Deep within the Fiordland National Park, this stylish campsite and lodge is a cut above the rest,

Book it: From 53 per night for powered site (milfordlodge.com)

Queenstown Area - Twelve-Mile Delta Campsite

This Department of Conservation campsite breaks the journey nicely between Milford Sound and Glenorchy and offers another chance to get off grid.

Nestled amid regenerative forest, and situated on the banks of Twelve-Mile Creek, close to Lake Wakatipu, there are gentle walking trails to take, and the swimming is safe.

You cant book ahead, so try to reach here by mid-afternoon to bag a good spot.

Book it: From 6.50 per adult per night. Payable at site (doc.govt.nz)

Glenorchy - Mrs Woollys Campground

After Passing through Queenstown, youll soon be deep in Lord of the Rings country and its various film locations, where Tolkienites can pay homage at Ithilien (otherwise known as Mount Crichton) before reaching laid-back Glenorchy.

Laid-back Glenorchy is deep in the heart of 'Lord of the Rings' country

At the heart of the community sits Mrs Woollys rustic campsite, with five powered and 33 unpowered sites.

Youve 360-degree views of the dramatic Richardson Mountains to gaze at, and its just a short walk to the shores of vast Lake Wakatipu.

Hot showers are coin operated, costing 1 for five minutes. Next to the site, you can stock up at Mrs Woollys General Store, which also serves light meals and cakes.

Base yourself here for stunning mountain hikes, and jet boat rides along the Dart River.

Book it: From 31 for powered site, and 22 for unpowered (woollyscampground.co.nz)
Marriage might have its perks, but the honeymoon is a distinctly special occasion - marking the moment couples begin a new chapter after tying the knot.

And let's be honest, the freebies and room upgrades aren't bad either.

Honeymoons, especially those spent at a luxury hotel in a dreamy destination, can be especially sweet: think complimentary welcome drinks, chocolates, fresh flowers, room service vouchers, and even the chance of a surprise upgrade.

But after months - or even years - of stressful wedding planning, getting the relaxing experience you deserve might be trickier than expected.

As wedding season kicks into full swing, Google searches for 'honeymoon upgrade' have surged by 195 per cent in the past three months - but for legitimate newlyweds, this could open the door to disappointment.

A controversial trend has emerged on social media encouraging travellers to fake their honeymoon for free upgrades, such as free drinks, a better room, or room service vouchers.

One content creator, known as @rod.davis35 on TikTok, recently went viral for uploaded a video in which he shared his 'unethical travel hack'.

Urging viewers to 'fake a honeymoon at check-in,' he added: 'You'd be surprised how many upgrades, free drinks, or room service vouchers you can score with a simple, "It's our honeymoon!"'

Marriage might have its perks, but the honeymoon is a distinctly special occasion - though an 'unethical' social media trend could open the door to disappointment for newlyweds

Many expressed enthusiasm for the hack in the comments, as one viewer said, 'Ill have to try this out, sounds like a great idea!' while another wrote, 'Did this and got a nicer room and cakes and wine on arrival, worth it.'

Others explained how this could cause issues for other travellers.

One warned: 'As a receptionist: if you are on a REAL honeymoon and don't get special attention, you can say thank you to all these liars who try every other day.'

A hospitality worker revealed hotel staff are now cracking down on fraudsters and establishments are tightening their policies, adding: 'Maybe thats why our resort required a copy of the marriage license for their free honeymoon package.'

Thankfully, travel experts at Travel Republic have shared their top three tips for getting a real upgrade on your honeymoon this summer.

Before you even book, they advised discussing honeymoon deals with your travel agent or hotel.

Many places offer special discounts, packages, or perks to newlyweds if you flag it in advance - and you might even save money on your whole trip.

If you're hoping to mention your honeymoon at check-in, be prepared with proof.

If you're hoping to mention your honeymoon at check-in, be prepared with proof. A marriage certificate, a recent name-change on your passport, or even a wedding photo can help show your marriage is the real deal

A marriage certificate, a recent name-change on your passport, or even a wedding photo can help show your marriage is well and truly the real deal.

Lastly, it's true what they say: 'If you don't ask, you don't get.'

A polite request can go a long way - just don't assume you're entitled to anything.

Not all hotels or resorts offer upgrades, and they may be subject to availability, so it's wise to pre-book any must-do experiences ahead of time.
British aviation experts reveal where passengers are most likely to be sheltered from impact should a plane crash happen

Amidst the burning wreckage of Thursday's Air India disaster, which saw a passenger plane crash in the city of Ahmedabad and claim the lives of more than 260 people, there was one unexpected miracle - a sole survivor.

Astonishing TV footage showed British father-of-one Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who lives in London with his wife and child and had been visiting family in India, hobbling away from the scene of the crash with visible injuries to his chest, eyes and feet.

Mr Ramesh is currently the only known survivor of the accident - and being allocated seat 11A on the plane, the first seat (from left) on the fourth row of the plane, almost certainly saved his life, aviation experts have told MailOnline.

From the hospital bed where he was receiving treatment for his injuries he recounted how he escaped from the wreckage before a fireball consumed it.

He said: 'When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.'

Aviation expert Professor John Alexander McDermid, from the University of York, told MailOnline that the British man was extremely fortunate to have been seated where he was - and being given that ticket was likely the difference between life and death.

'Did he have a better than average chance of survival because of where he was sat? The intuitive answer is yes.

'There's a bit more space around the emergency exit - and he could then get out of the aircraft quickly.'

Miracle of seat 11A: British father-of-one Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was seated in the fourth row of the plane and is currently the sole survivor of the Gatwick-bound Air India flight that crashed in Gujarat killing more than 240 people, including 53 Britons

The tail of the plane survived - and the back of an aircraft is widely believed to be one of the safest places to sit but Julian Bray, a UK aviation security expert, told MailOnline 'every crash is different'

'The front of the plane was affected more badly than the back so, in that sense, he's been very lucky.

'If he had been seated near a rear exit, it would have been easier to say that's how [he escaped]. Although there would have been a lot of good fortune in that too.'

Professor McDermid said while sitting down at take-off in 11A was one factor, being able to get out quickly was another and would have come down to survival instinct: 'Get out and get away... it would have been an instinctive reaction from him.'

In terms of how much time he would have had to escape, Professor McDermid said: 'I think we're talking single digits seconds. From the videos we've seen, the plane went up in flames very quickly and was carrying a full fuel load.

'At this point, just after take off, with the severity of impact, it's very likely the fuel tank or at least the fuel pipes will have ruptured on impact.

'You've then got fuel coming out onto what would be hot parts of the engine and the aircraft. It would go up in flames very quickly - within a few seconds.'

Sole survivors of plane crashes are rare, but 'miracle passengers' who have emerged relatively unscathed from air accidents in recent years might suggest that sitting at the front of a plane is the safest place to be in the event of a crash.

In 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 ploughed into a residential neighbourhood in Karachi, killing all but two of the 99 passengers onboard.

Just two men survived the devastating accident - and both were seated in the first eight rows of the plane.

The plane,a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, ploughed into a building less than a minute after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad

The layout of the doomed plane - and the 11A seat where Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was seated ahead of take-off

In 2020, a Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320 ploughed into a residential neighbourhood in Karachi with just two men surviving the devastating crash - and both were seated in the first eight rows of the plane

The 2020 Pakistan International Airlines crash survivors included Bank of Punjab president Zafar Masood (left), who was in seat 1C when the plane came down, and engineer Muhammad Zubair, right, who was in 8F

President of the Bank of Punjab, Zafar Masud, was sitting in seat 1C, and was filmed being pulled alive from the smoking wreck - and engineer Mohammad Zubair, 24, was sitting in seat 8F. Both men suffered moderate injuries including fractures but recovered.

There's also evidence that the back of the plane is the safest place to be.

When a Boeing 737-800 crashed in South Korea last December after a bird strike, the only two people who survived were a pair of flight attendants seated in the very back of the plane.

The two crew members, a man and a woman, were miraculously rescued from the tail section of the burning plane. All the other 179 people on board were killed.

A 2015 study by Time magazine, which collected 35 years of crash data from the Federal Aviation Administration, found that the rear seats in an aircraft had a fatality rate of 32 percent while front seats had a 38 percent fatality rate.

However, for those in the middle of the plane, it was only 29 percent.

Aviation expert Professor McDermid told MailOnline where he considers the safest seats to be on a plane.

He explains: 'Emergency exits that are over a wing are going to be better protected, they give you structural strength.

When a Boeing 737-800 crashed in South Korea last December after a bird strike, the only two people who survived were a pair of flight attendants seated in the very back of the plane

The plane, carrying 181 people, crashed into a wall at at Muan International Airport in South Korea - with the survival of two cabin crew from the back of the plane branded a 'miracle

'Being near the exit near the back of an aircraft when they crash nose-first, you're going to get more absorbing of the energy of the impact at the back and stand a better chance of survival.'

He said the fact airlines position their black boxes - containing vital data in the aftermath of a crash - at the back is telling.

'The black boxes, actually orange, are close to the tail of the plane, and there's a reason for that - they're much more likely to survive the impact there than anyway else.'

He adds: 'It is a bit of a lottery but if there's any distribution of risk, you're better at the exits over the wing and at the back.'

HOW TO SURVIVE A PLANE CRASH A view of the site where a plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12th THINK ABOUT YOUR WARDROBE Many passengers dress to be as comfortable as possible on long flights, but doing so may not improve your chance of survival in an accident. The more of your body that is covered during an impact the better, as it reduces the injury from burns and wounds. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and a sturdy pair of shoes. If flying over a cold region, keep a warm jacket to hand. If flying over water, wear wool instead of cotton as the fabric keeps its insulating properties better when wet. Loose and fussy clothing is not advised as it can easily get caught when moving at speed in a confined space, like trying to rush off a plane. Avoid high heels or sandals, which can rip plane evacuation slides or leave feet vulnerable to broken glass and toxic liquids. DON'T SIT AT THE FRONT Yes, there really is a silver lining for those who find themselves in at the back of the plane. Research shows that those in the more expensive seats up front generally have the worst chance of surviving a crash. Safety experts stress that every crash is different and that there is no 'magic safe seat', but given that so many planes crash nose-first, some believe that your best chance is to sit at the back. When a Boeing 737-800 crashed in South Korea last December after a bird strike, the only two people who survived were a pair of flight attendants seated in the very back of the plane. All the other 179 people on board were killed. A 2015 study by Time magazine, which collected 35 years of crash data from the Federal Aviation Administration, found that the rear seats in an aircraft had a fatality rate of 32 percent while front seats had a 38 percent fatality rate. However, for those in the middle of the plane, it was only 29 percent. This, say experts, reflects the fact that the emergency exits over the wings are in the middle of the plane. What matters most in surviving a crash, they argue, is how quickly passengers can evacuate. NOTE THE LOCATION OF EXIT ROWS With that in mind, count the number of the rows between your seat and the closest exit row and, if necessary, write it down. If the plane crashes, in the ensuing smoke, darkness and general confusion, finding that exit could be infinitely more challenging. If you're actually sitting in an exit row, take a look at the door and understand how to open it. (A flight attendant will usually do this for you - but not if they're incapacitated.) KEEP YOUR SEATBELT ON... TIGHT This is really important. According to research, every centimeter (0.4 inches) of slack in a passenger's seat belt triples the G-Force they'll experience in a crash. A tighter seatbelt also limits how much the body flails around. Try to push the belt down your body so that it's over your pelvis rather than your stomach. The former is firmer and helps to brace you much better for impact. YOUR OXYGEN MASK BEFORE OTHERS Hollywood disaster movies love to show the hero or heroine unselfishly helping other passengers around them to put on their masks before attending to their own. Resist that urge. If the cabin loses pressure, you have only about 15 seconds at most to start breathing through your mask before you lose consciousness. Once you have your own mask on, you can help others  even after they're unconscious. WORK OUT WHERE THE PLANE WILL CRASH If you're flying above water, put your life jacket on. But don't inflate it until you're out of the plane, otherwise you could be in for all sorts of problems: if the cabin fills with water, you would float to the ceiling and it would be very difficult to swim back down and exit the plane. It might also tear during the evacuation, rendering it useless for buoyancy. If the plane is coming down in cold weather, keep a blanket or coat to hand as the aircraft descends. BRACE FOR IMPACT Having returned your seat to its upright position, make sure you shoes are securely on your feet and stow away any loose items that might fly around the cabin. There are two standard crash 'brace' positions. If you can reach the seat in front of you, lean against it, placing one hand palm-down on the seat back and crossing the other hand - also palm down - over the first hand. Rest your forehead against the backs of your hands. Sometimes, in this position, experts recommend instead lacing your fingers to cradle it as you lean your head against the seat. Alternatively, if you cannot reach the seat in front of you, lean forward and press your chest on your thighs and your head between your knees, grabbing your ankles. AVOID THE SMOKE Statistically, fire and smoke are responsible for more deaths in plane crashes than other causes. Many survivors pass out from the smoke, which on a burning aircraft can be particularly noxious. Try to cover your nose and mouth with a cloth - preferably a damp one - to avoid inhaling it. While heading towards an exit, try to stay as low as possible to duck under the smoke which is likely to be rising towards the ceiling. Look out for other passengers who remain in their seats, victims perhaps of a psychological condition known as 'negative panic' in which people cannot assert themselves in a crisis. LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS In tests, aircraft manufacturers need to show they can evacuate a large passenger plane in 90 seconds but it often takes much longer in a real accident as so many things - from jammed doors to a passenger stampede - can go wrong. Safety experts warn survivors should not try to take their belongings with them as this will only slow them and other people down and block the aisles (and items may be salvageable later). Unfortunately, past crashes show passengers repeatedly trying to take their carry-on luggage with them, even when the plane is on fire. The bags can also easily puncture evacuation chutes. DON'T HANG AROUND Once you've exited the plane, move at least 500 ft upwind from the crash site as soon as possible. Although you don't want to go too far as you await rescuers, the plane could explode at any moment and the flames could spread far further than you imagine. The same rule holds true even if you've landed in water - swim away. Above all, say experts, when you know you are traveling in a packed plane and people all about you are losing their heads as it's about to crash, try to stay calm. Advertisement

Julian Bray, UK Aviation Security Expert told MailOnline that passengers shouldn't obsess over the safest seats onboard a plane, saying: 'Is one part of the plane safer than another?

'Not these days...there are many emergency exits and many emergency chutes on board.

'I personally prefer to sit at the back of a plane but that's simply because I like to be left alone, it has nothing to do with safety.'

Professor McDermid agrees that getting hung up on the safest seats is a futile exercise.

He said: 'My own preference is usually an exit row - if I can get one, but you don't always have the choice.

'If you look at accidents statistics, they're incredibly unlikely - one in ten million departures - so where I sit on the plane is mostly based on comfort.'
READ MORE: The most dangerous country in the world revealed as top hotspot

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Sun-believable!

Europe's sunniest beach has been named and, with daily highs of 32 degrees, it could be the ideal place to soak up some rays this summer.

According to a new study, Oludeniz Beach in Fethiye is Europe's sunniest shoreline with nearly 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day.

Known as the 'Blue Lagoon', Oludeniz Beach has crystal-clear water, golden sand and mountain scenery.

Due to its beauty, the 18km beach is a popular spot in summer so tourists will want to get their early to claim their patch of sand.

But the beach gets rave reviews on Tripadvisor with one tourist describing it as 'gorgeous' and another visitor even crowning it the 'perfect beach'.

And On The Beach has cheap package holiday deals to Fethiye from just 293 per person.

On the Beach Fethiye package holidays

ludeniz Beach in Fethiye is Europe's sunniest shoreline with nearly 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day.

If a trip to Turkey isn't on the cards, the next sunniest beach in Europe is Anthony Quinn Bay in Rhodes.

Located in Faliraki, the gorgeous bay is named after the actor Anthony Quinn who starred in the Guns of Navarone, which was filmed there.

Known as the 'Blue Lagoon', Oludeniz Beach has crystal-clear water, golden sand and mountain scenery

With average highs of 32 degrees and more than 10 hours and 20 minutes of sunshine a day, the beach is the ideal spot to pick up a tan.

Anthony Quinn Bay is 250m long and is backed by palm trees. It's known for being a quiet and safe place to swim.

Nissi Bay in Ayia Napa takes third place on the list with highs of 29 degrees and just under 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day.

The 500m long white sand beach has a huge range of watersports on offer and incredibly clear water for swimming.

Playa de las Teresitas in Tenerife is the first Spanish beach on the list with highs of 26 degrees and more than 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day.

The beach's striking yellow sand was actually imported from the Sahara Desert and with its palm trees, it's easy to feel like you're somewhere more exotic than Spain.

Europe's fifth sunniest beach is Agia Fotia Beach in Crete which enjoys highs of 29 degrees and just under 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day.

The picturesque bay is popular with locals and has easy access to beach bars and restaurants.

Anthony Quinn Bay is 250m long and is backed by palm trees. It's known for being a quiet and safe place to swim

Nissi Bay in Ayia Napa takes third place on the list with highs of 29 degrees and just under 10 and a half hours of sunshine a day

Saga, the company that commissioned the study, says: 'Oludeniz tops our ranking of Europe's sunniest and warmest beach destinations. The beach lures both local and foreign tourists as a natural wonder, with spring waters emerging from the seabed to keep its waters crystal-clear.

'Bathed in sunlight all day, the beach's renowned Blue Lagoon is home to turquoise waters, surrounded by a stunning mountainous backdrop.

'Even in cooler seasons, the beach offers a peaceful escape with crisp waters and calm surroundings.'

Playa de Maspalomas, Lady's Mile Beach, Elafonissi Beach, Tsamadou Beach and Praia do Barril beach all rank among the top 10 sunniest beaches.
The new sleeper route will run between Warsaw and Rijeka several times a week

An exciting new sleeper train route is set to connect five European countries in a journey spanning more than 700 miles.

Leaving from Warsaw in Poland, the train will carry passengers through Czechia, Austria and Slovenia all the way to Rijeka in Croatia.

The Warsaw-Rijeka train is set to launch on Friday June 27 and run throughout the summer until the end of August.

Trains will leave Warsaw at 2pm and arrive in Rijeka at around 9am the next day but it will stop several times along the way.

The sleeper is set to stop at Opoczno, Katowice, Rybnik and Chalupki in Poland, Vienna in Austria, Ljubljana and Postojna in Slovenia and Opatija in Croatia.

Passengers can expect to enjoy some spectacular scenery along the 19-hour train journey.

Although the new route is pretty lengthy, it's set to make the journey much easier for those travelling from Poland to Croatia.

Currently passengers need to change train three times with stops in Breclav, Graz and Zagreb.

Leaving from Warsaw (pictured above) in Poland , the train will carry passengers through Czechia, Austria and Slovenia all the way to Rijeka in Croatia

Rijeka is Croatia's third-largest city and is often seen as the gateway to many of the country's spectacular islands

The new train route is scheduled to run southbound on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and northbound on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

And it's set to be a pretty comfortable journey.

The carriages are fully air-conditioned and there'll be a dining car serving hot food between Warsaw and Vienna.

Those looking to travel in comfort can also pay for a bed in one of the couchette cars where sheets are provided.

The journey is pretty affordable too with prices set to start from around 200 Polish zloty (39.82).

Rijeka is Croatia's third-largest city and is often seen as the gateway to many of the country's spectacular islands.

Tourists can easily reach Krk island, known as Croatia's Golden Island, from the port city.

And the new sleeper train isn't the only exciting transport news in Europe.

Tourists can easily reach Krk island, known as Croatia's Golden Island, from Rijeka

Eurostar has announced plans to launch direct services from London to Geneva and Frankfurt.

The new train routes are planned for the early 2030s and will depend on Eurostar getting a fleet of 50 new trains.

Eurostar has said it expects to see strong demand from passengers travelling on both routes.

CEO Gwendoline Cazenave says: 'We're seeing strong demand for train travel across Europe, with customers wanting to go further by rail than ever before and enjoy the unique experience we provide.'
Many low-cost airlines opt to use the same planes for their short haul journeys

Europe's low-cost airlines fly millions of us across the region - and beyond - every year, and boast some of the world's best safety records.

But which aircraft do the most popular budget flyers, such as easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz, depend upon to ensure passengers reach their destination - be it a city break or balmy beach - safely?

The good news for passengers is that the low-cost carriers have some of the youngest fleets in the world - with many ordering brand new aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus to bolster their fleets.

Here, MailOnline looks at exactly who's flying what...

RYANAIR

Back in 2023, Ryanair ordered 330 new Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft in a deal worth more than $40billion dollars (32billion).

The delivery of the aircraft is due between 2027 and 2034 and, says the airline, when the order's fulfilled, the planes will be able to 'carry 21% more guests, burn 20% less fuel and be 50% quieter than the Boeing 737-NG fleet.'

What does Europes largest airline group currently have in its 618-stong fleet?

There are 181 Boeing 737-8200 Gamechanger planes and 26 Airbus A320s.

Michael O'Leary's airline is currently the largest in Europe and plans to expand its fleet by 2034 with 330 new Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft

What Ryanair's current fleet looks like, with the majority of the airline's planes being B737-Next Gen aircraft

The majority of Michael O'Leary's airline's current fleet though is the 189-seater Boeing 737-Next Gen plane, of which the airline has 411 of them.

The popular twin-engine narrow-body aircraft carries a CFM-56 engine, and has a 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) wingspan.

EASYJET

The orange-hued airline, founded by Stelios Haji-Ioannou in 1995, lays claim to 'one of the youngest fleets in the industry'.

Passengers fly on 318 Airbus A320 family aircraft, with the company recently welcoming the new generation Airbus A320neo too.

According to Airbus, the A320neo, equipped with CFM LEAP-1A engines and wingtip Sharklets, flies up to 3,400 NM and delivers 20% less fuel burn and CO2 emission per seat - thanks to its fuel efficient engines.

One of the biggest low-cost airlines also boasts one of the youngest fleets of any airline in the industry, using A320neo and A321neo aircraft

There's also a fleet of A321neo aircraft, with 235 seats on board, in use by the airline.

Flyers onboard those enjoy one of the widest single-aisle cabin in its class, with more personal space and wider seats alongside bigger than average overhead compartments.

JET2

The flights are set to launch in time for summer 2026 with package holidays from Jet2holidays also going on sale

Another airline with planes on order, Jet2 announced plans to welcome 60 new Airbus A321neo planes back in 2021 - with the option to extend to up to 75.

And in 2015, the company acquired 34 brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with the order fulfilled by January 2019.

The brand - famous for its catchy ads, using pop star Jess Glynne's Hold my Hand track - launched its first leisure flight from Leeds Bradford Airport to Amsterdam in February 2003.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

The British carrier has one of the world's largest fleets of aircraft

The BA fleet counts aircraft from the Embraer 190 BA CityFlyer to the Airbus Neo planes, which other low cost airlines favour

The British airline has the most diversity when it comes to planes, with a huge array of aircraft within its fleet, and operating one of the most modern fleets of any airline in the world.

Currently in the fleet are: the Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200 and A320neo, Airbus A321-200 and A321neo, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200 and 777-300, Boeing 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10 - and the Embraer 190 BA CityFlyer.

In the midst of the pandemic, the airline scrapped its entire fleet of jumbo jets.

The nation's flag carrier was the world's last major operator of the iconic Boeing 747 'Queen of the Skies', which had been in service with the airline since 1971.

BA had originally planned to retire them by 2024 and gradually replace them with newer, more fuel-efficient jets such as the 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350.

But plummeting passenger numbers forced the airline to bring forward its plans.

WIZZ AIR

Young fleet: A Wizz Air Airbus A320 pictured at Luton Airport in 2020

The Hungarian airline has made huge waves since it started in 2004, having carried 200 million passengers after 15 years in business.

Its fleet, like easyJet, is also young, with 207 aircraft with an average age of 4.2 years.

More than 200 of those are the ultramodern Airbus A320 family aircraft, which helped Wizz land a spot in the top ten safest low cost carriers in 2019.

There's also the more eco-friendly Airbus A321neo aircraft amongst its fleet, which, says the low cost carrier, makes them 'the airline with the smallest environmental footprint per passenger.'
Waleed Aly has warned free-to-air television is 'staring into the abyss' after The Project, which he co-hosted for 14 of its 16 years, was suddenly axed.

In a column for The Age newspaper - that Aly insisted he never really wanted to write - the public intellectual and TV personality warned the Network Ten show's demise was a consequence of the growing power of the tech giants.

'As a general rule, I don't commentate on my own work. My editors urged me to reconsider, then left me to it,' he wrote.

'Improbably, then, here we are. But only because there are bigger things at stake than the fate of this or that television show.'

Aly noted that free-to-air TV was losing audience to streaming services but highlighted a bigger threat: that tech giants, such as Meta and Google, were collecting 'frankly unconscionable amounts of their users' personal data'.

Therefore, they could target audiences with better tailored ads than TV ever could.

The Project co-host Waleed Aly penned a warning about the way AI and the tech giants could impact our lives

'That will remain so for as long as television doesn't turn the camera on you and monitor your every move,' Aly wrote.

'What has inevitably followed is a flight, not so much of audiences, but of advertisers to these tech giants.

'This, I think, is a major problem. Not because free-to-air television is uniquely precious, but because that amount of data collection in the hands of a select few tech moguls simply shouldn't be allowed to exist.'

The Project co-host said the tech giants have been allowed to grow 'with no serious regulation' and governments were doing nothing to stop them.

He then took aim at artificial intelligence and how it could follow the same path as the likes of Facebook and Google - with users' intimate data used to create an 'advertising product'.

Aly noted that ChatGPT's parent company OpenAI was considering incorporating advertising into its services.

Tech companies like Meta have been hoovering up huge amounts of personal data

Aly ended his piece warning of the 'empires' that were being built in television's place 'and precisely what will have been plundered to erect them'.

Network Ten has announced it will be replacing the Project with a news program, known as 10 News+, from 6pm.

The news program will be hosted by Denham Hitchcock and Amelia Brace - both formerly of the Seven Network - and is being helmed by executive producer Daniel Sutton, a veteran Ten reporter.

In an interview with Mediaweek, Mr Sutton said the new show would go deeper than the typical 6pm news fare of 'car crashes, house fires and state politics.'

'We'll go in depth on issues that affect Aussies, and get into the "why", not just the who, what and when.

'And when we break a big story, we'll have the time to explain it and dig into the detail.'

10 News+ will start Monday, June 30, on 10 and 10 Play.
The Savoy: Great Hotels Through Time (Ch5)

Rating:

Weve all been tempted to do it  slip a fistful of hotel toiletries into our suitcases before checking out. The truly shameless will swipe a bathrobe or a pillow.

But when Hollywood superstars visit luxury hotels, theyre liable to want something more. Both Alfred Hitchcock and Katharine Hepburn demanded the mattress from their beds at the Savoy . . . and the management obliged.

In fact, so many guests are besotted with the comfort of horsehair, cashmere and wool bed fillings, we learned on The Savoy: Great Hotels Through Time, these mattresses are offered for sale . . . at 17,000 for a kingsize.

This dash through the hotels history, narrated by Fay Ripley, was torn between the desire to coo over the elegant surrounds and gasp over the scandals. Princess Di used to visit daily when her marriage was breaking up, and for her birthday, staff tried to cheer her up by filling her suite with balloons . . . 15,000 of them.

Marilyn Monroe stayed there, baring her midriff for the cameras in an outfit dubbed the wiggle dress.

And Oscar Wilde was accused of entertaining male prostitutes in its rooms, despite the fact that, in the 1890s, the Savoy was the first hotel in the world to have electric lights throughout . . . and Oscar found the glare a little harsh. Perhaps he was more handsome by candlelight.

But if the makers of this hastily assembled docu-puff had really wanted some Savoy scandal, they should have consulted the archives of the Daily Mail. Thats where the juicy stuff is.

One heated divorce case filled the pages for days, at the end of the 19th century, when a wealthy Piccadilly publican named Edwin Bratt accused his wife, Grace, of having not one but four lovers. Savoy bedrooms were one of her favourite love-nests.

This dash through the hotels history, narrated by Fay Ripley, was torn between the desire to coo over the elegant surrounds and gasp over the scandals

Marilyn Monroe stayed there, baring her midriff for the cameras in an outfit dubbed the wiggle dress (pictured at a press Cconference at the Savoy Hotel to publicise her forthcoming film, 'The Prince and the Showgirl')

Princess Diana used to visit daily when her marriage was breaking up (pictured in 1997 leaving The Savoy Hotel after attending The Daily Star Gold Awards for Courage and Bravery)

When Bratt discovered an admirer had treated Grace to saucy underwear, he beat her so badly with his walking stick that it snapped. Sounds like she was well rid of him.

The hotel was still a favourite for assignations 80 years later, when Mick Jagger used to meet Jerry Hall there, much to the fury of his wife Bianca.

But my favourite cutting concerns the ghastly Lady Norah Docker and her husband Bernard. He was the chairman of industrial conglomerate BSA, she was a former nightclub dancer, and in the 1950s they were nouveau riche celebs of the trashiest sort.

In the Savoy Grill one evening, Lady Docker was slagging off an absent acquaintance at the top of her voice, using racist language. A visiting American, Mr L. Schwartzchild, and his friends were appalled.

They asked her to be quiet  and when she carried on, one woman stood up and threw a glass of water in her face.

Her face and hair dripping, Lady Docker said, I suppose I deserved that, and stalked out. The Schwartzchild party was asked to leave through the kitchens, to avoid any further scenes. These days, theyd be cheered to the rafters.
The BBC has ignited a fresh ageism row as four axed journalists file discrimination complaints and the broadcaster slashes jobs.

The four senior reporters, aged over 50 years old, have allegedly expressed concerns they may be targeted for compulsory redundancy.

The employees are also said to collectively have more than 100 years of experience between them.

Over the span of their careers, they have apparently covered terror attacks and wars, according to The Sun.

It comes as, in an attempt to save 700million, the broadcaster cut a whopping 130 jobs.

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The BBC has ignited a fresh ageism row as four axed journalists file discrimination complaints and the broadcaster slashes jobs

Insiders have told The Sun that the process of employees having to apply for new jobs in the merger favours younger workers more because of it focusing on the previous two years of applicants' careers.

Words like 'live page' and 'digital' are also allegedly favoured on applications.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Like all parts of the BBC, News needs to contribute to the savings announced last year.

'While we do not comment on individual staff issues, restructuring in BBC News is taking place according to established BBC policies; we conduct all processes in a thorough and fair manner, and we are committed to supporting our staff throughout, including through comprehensive redeployment assistance.'

It comes just months after four BBC broadcast news presenters, Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh, dropped their tribunal over age and sex discrimination allegations on unknown terms.

Karin Giannone confirmed to MailOnline the case has been dropped, saying in a statement on behalf of the four: 'We can confirm that we have reached a resolution with BBC management that avoids the need for a tribunal hearing in respect of our employment-related claims.

'A protracted process lasting almost three years is now over. We've been deeply moved by the support we've received.

It comes just months after four BBC broadcast news presenters, Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh, dropped their tribunal over age and sex discrimination allegations on unknown terms

'We look forward to contributing further to the success of BBC News, especially to live programming and the growing streaming services that are so important to our audiences.'

While earlier this week, BBC TV and radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake, 54, opened up about how he feels in his workplace and claims there's a 'lack of diversity' at the broadcaster.

The journalist first joined the BBC in 2002 when he became the co-host to BBC Radio 1's Asian Beats show and has several different roles since.

The BBC presenter spoke candidly in a video on Instagram and said: 'So today I walked into the BBC building in Salford and I was struck yet again, not for the first time, just how few black and Asian people work in that building.

'And one thing that people have to understand is that when you walk into an environment where you just don't see anybody that looks like you, that has an effect.

'Since I called them out on it, well over a year ago, it seems like ain't a damn thing changed.'

In the caption, Nihal revealed he would be leaving the BBC in September and elaborated on his concerns.

The journalist penned: 'I remember calling out BBC North on the lack of diversity in the building I worked in.

While earlier this week, BBC TV and radio presenter Nihal Arthanayake (pictured), 54, opened up about how he feels in his workplace and claims there's a 'lack of diversity' at the broadcaster

'I remember speaking to some of the black and asian people who worked there and I kept hearing how isolating it was for them (not all obviously).

'It just struck me again today. It also reminded why I ll be leaving in September. Have pondered whether to press 'share' on this, but as I am leaving anyway...'

The journalist shared a message he received from someone else who has worked at the BBC in another post.

It read: 'I'm not sure the BBC is a place for people of colour I feel we get treated like 'pets', that we should be so grateful, despite grafting for our positions, & dare we speak out...'

With the message, Nihal penned: 'Not sure I can disagree with these sentiments from someone who DM'd me about their experience of working at the BBC.'

In the caption he revealed other former or current BBC colleagues had reached out to him.

Nihal wrote: 'Had so many dms from people of colour who have worked or are still working at the BBC.

'BBC North is not an inclusive environment for people of colour. I am not the only one who thinks that.'

The BBC presenter spoke candidly in a video on Instagram and said: 'So today I walked into the BBC building in Salford and I was struck yet again, not for the first time, just how few black and Asian people work in that building

In the caption, Nihal revealed he would be leaving the BBC in September and elaborated on his concerns

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We're sorry if anyone feels this way, as creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels they belong is a big priority for us and we know we have further to go.

'Whilst we're proud of the diversity of the BBC, we remain committed to continuing to build a workforce that fully reflects and represents the whole of the UK.'

The BBC also shared that the proportion of employees from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds increased at the BBC last year and make up 17.2% of all employees at the broadcaster.

It aims to achieve its target of 20% by March 2026.
This Morning hosts paid an emotional tribute to a British Air India crash passenger who appeared on the show and is feared dead.

Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane.

'We are starting today with the tragic flight disaster dominating the news this morning,' Dermot O'Leary said at the beginning of Friday's instalment of This Morning.

The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12).

Dermot added: 'Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek.

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This Morning Alison Hammond (left) and Dermot O'Leary (right) hosts paid an emotional tribute to a British Air India crash passenger who appeared on the show and is feared dead

Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek (second right) featured on the ITV daytime programme in January and April this year and discussed the healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry he founded with his husband, Jamie Meek, 45, who was also thought to be on the plane.

The couple are thought to be among the 241 victims who perished when the flight crashed just after take-off from Ahmedabad bound for Gatwick on Thursday (June 12). Pictured: A video posted to social media appeared to show the plane descending in a controlled manner with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed

'Fiongal appeared on This Morning twice this year, we loved the energy he brought to the studio. Fiongal was on board the plane with his husband Jamie.

'The couple posted videos online about their flight just before boarding and our thoughts and prayers go to their loved ones and all those affected by the terrible tragedy.'

Presenter Alison Hammond added: 'Of the 242 people of those on board, 241 lost their lives, including 52 from the UK, making it the worst aviation disaster involving British nationals since the 9/11 attacks.'

Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell paid tribute to Fiognal on his Insatgram account yesterday.

He posted a photo of Fiongnal smiling with Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley alongside the caption: 'So, so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick.

'I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although Im a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.

'And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his Wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him.

'Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.'

'We are starting today with the tragic flight disaster dominating the news this morning,' Dermot O'Leary said at the beginning of Friday's instalment of This Morning

Dermot added: 'Sadly, one of those believed to have lost his life is Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek.'

Former This Morning editor Martin Frizell paid tribute to Fiognal on his Insatgram account yesterday

Jamie and Fiongal, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday.

In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break.

In the clip, Fiongal says: 'We are at the airport just boarding. Goodbye India. Ten-hour flight back to England. What was your biggest takeaway Jamie?

Jamie replies: 'I don't know,' with his partner laughing and responding: 'Thanks for your contribution.'

Fiongal then jokes that his biggest takeaway was 'don't lose your patience with your partner' to which Jamie responds with a smile: 'You snapped at me at the airport for having chai.'

As other passengers mill in the background, Fiongal laughs at the camera and reveals that he is going back to Britain 'happily, happily calm.'

Jamie Meek's brother, Nick Meek, told MailOnline: 'We were expecting him home tonight. He should have landed at 6.30pm and then driven up for about 11pm to get his dog who is staying with our Mum.

'She is not in a good way. It is all very raw for her at the moment. It's a lot to take in and we only heard this news a couple of hours ago.

Jamie and Fiongal, who live in London, run a wellness and healthy lifestyle company called the Wellness Foundry, and had been in India on holiday

'Jamie and his husband Fin had been out there for 10 days as a couple to do a wellness retreat.

'They both worked in holistics and had their own business.'

The caretaker from Birmingham said it was not the first time his brother had been to India but it was the first time they had gone as a couple.

He said that his brother and Fin had married in 2022 and lived in Ramsgate, Kent.

In other videos posted by the couple, they showed the stunning hotel they were staying in while in Ahmedabad having completed a seven-hour car journey.

Fiongal lies on a large bed as he speaks to the camera, showing off a giant swing in their room and describes the hotel as 'beautiful.

He beams: 'Feeling very, very happy.'

The couple captured the happy time they had in India in a series of social media posts.

This included getting henna tattoos, shopping for fine fabrics and other gifts and driving through chaotic traffic in a tuk-tuk.

They arrived in Ahmedabad just a day before flying back with Fiongal posting in a video: 'So, it's our last night in India and we've had a magical experience. Some mind-blowing things have happened.

'We are going to put all this together and create a vlog. It's my first ever vlog about the whole trip and we want to share it.'

In a chilling final social media video posted from Ahmedabad airport as they waited to board their doomed flight the couple were dressed in flowery shirts looking happy at the end of their break

Jamie revealed what a memorable trip they had both had: 'We have been on quite a journey and then spending our last night here in this beautiful hotel, it's really been great way to round off the trip.'

According to its website, The Wellness Foundry was founded by Fiongal in 2018 after he had a 'spiritual awakening' following a mysterious illness.

The website adds: 'Seeking healing beyond conventional methods, Fiongal delved into alternative practices that resonated deeply within his soul.'

The company specialises in tarot and psychic readings, reiki and other alternative spiritual therapies.
Eric Dane has revealed his hopeful plans to continue his acting career amid his battle with degenerative condition ALS.

The Grey's Anatomy alum, 52, announced in April that hes battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare and incurable neurological condition that progressively weakens muscles and affects physical function.

He has vowed to carry on with his filming commitments on Euphoria in an emotional interview - and previously tearfully declared: 'This doesn't feel like the end.'

He told Variety: 'I will ride that show until the wheels fall off.

'I don't know what the fate of the show is. I do know that it takes a heroic effort to put it together. If all the elements are going to be there to keep going, I would work on it as long as they'll have me.'

He also dished on what he knows about Euphoria's new season.

Eric Dane has revealed his hopeful plans to continue his acting career amid his battle with degenerative condition ALS - pictured August 2024

'Listen, I don't know anything. I haven't seen a script. We get pages maybe a day or two before, but it's all kept on the D.L. I just have so much trust in Sam Levinson that I don't really need to know what's happening.

As Cal Jacobs, Dane's performance is full of barely repressed rage which is a problem in his parenting of Jacob Elordi's Nate Jacobs.

'I work with Jacob a lot; we have profound conversations when we're not shooting. He's a smart, bright, intuitive actor. You can apply that across the board with this cast,' Dane said.

Dane rose to fame as Dr. Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan on Grey's Anatomy when it was at the height of its popularity, much like Euphoria is now.

'It is mind-bending that I have been a part of two of the shows that have been very zeitgeisty  I guess that's a word. I love making shows that you know people are going to show up to watch. It's rare, and it's not lost on me.'

Dane can next be seen in the Amazon series Countdown in which he plays Nathan Blythe, who is part of a team trying to save Los Angeles from attack.

As Cal Jacobs, Dane's performance is full of barely repressed rage which is a problem in his parenting of Jacob Elordi's Nate Jacobs

Dane and estranged wife Rebecca Gayheart are parents to daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13. Seen here in 2017

At the time of his ALS diagnosis, Dane and his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, 53, were separated.

Speaking to E! News about their relationship in early April, the day before Dane revealed his diagnosis, Gayheart said, 'We are really close. We are great co-parents.'

'We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it, and we are as well.'

'I think its important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. It's just a season. It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success,' she asserted.

Rebecca and Eric tied the knot in 2004, two years before he landed his fan favorite role as Dr. Mark Sloan aka 'McSteamy' on Grey's Anatomy.

They stayed together through the scandal that erupted five years into their marriage when a home video leaked of them frolicking naked with an ex-beauty queen.

Dane and Gayheart are parents to daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13.

Six years later in 2017, Eric entered treatment for depression, resulting in a filming pause on his action drama series The Last Ship.

The following year, Rebecca filed for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences, and the pair agreed on joint custody of their daughters with Eric paying alimony.

However, the divorce was never finalized throughout the seven-year split.

On Thursday, Dane appeared in a teaser for an upcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, offering a deeply personal glimpse into how he's coping with the diagnosis.

'I wake up every day and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening,' he told Sawyer. 'Its not a dream.'

In the emotional 30-second preview, the Euphoria star is seen holding hands with Sawyer as they reflect on his journey.

At one point, Dane is seen walking alongside Sawyer, their conversation taking a deeply personal turn.

On Thursday, Dane appeared in a teaser for an upcoming Good Morning America interview with Diane Sawyer, offering a deeply personal glimpse into how he's coping with the diagnosis

The actor becomes visibly emotional, wiping away tears as he opens up, declaring, 'I dont think this is the end of my story. I dont feel like this is the end of me.'

Two months ago, Dane released a statement about his condition, expressing gratitude for the strong support system he has in place.

'I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter,' he said.

'I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week.

'I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.'
An Australian influencer has lashed out at big fashion brands for allegedly 'ripping off' the design for her 'viral' robes - but the response she received from fans was brutal.

Lily Brown, 27, took to Instagram on Wednesday to call out Sussan and Bras N Things for creating cheaper 'dupes' of her floral printed fleece Snug Robes, which retail at $159.

However, her complaints backfired as followers flooded a Facebook gossip page to slam Lily for selling 'unoriginal' clothing designs through her sleepwear brand Chille.

The debacle kicked off this week when Lily posted a lengthy rant to her Instagram Stories, tagging Sussan and Bras N Things as she called out the companies.

'So I've decided it's not flattering, it's unfair, rude and f***king annoying now to be completely honest, I wasn't going to name and shame, but this is ridiculous,' she said.

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Lily Brown, 27, lashed out at big fashion brands on Wednesday for allegedly 'ripping off' the design for her Snug Robes - but the response she received from fans was brutal

'Stop ripping off small brands with your hundreds of stores nationwide and internationally,' she continued.

'I don't think it makes much difference to either of these retailers bottom lines' if they sell a few robes here and there.

'For me, our Snug Robes are my whole life. I've continually invested and reinvested back into the business since day one.'

Lily, who is currently dating ironman Jett Kenny, went on to say that she puts 'everything on the line' and takes 'huge financial risks' to sell her sleepwear products.

She also revealed she 'moved three hours away from my warehouse to save money' while supporting her business, referencing her move into Jett's father Grant's Sunshine Coast home last year.

'So this is just another slap in the face,' she added.

Lily then called out Bras N Things for launching their floral-printed Mila Short Hooded Gown just two weeks after the influencer worked in a campaign for the brand.

She said she 'promoted their brand on my socials two weeks before they had this style on their shop floor'.

The influencer, 27, took to Instagram to call out Sussan and Bras N Things for creating cheaper 'dupes' of her 'viral' floral printed fleece robe, which sells for $159

'So I've decided it's not flattering, it's unfair, rude and f***king annoying now to be completely honest, I wasn't going to name and shame, but this is ridiculous,' she said

'I know my Snug robes are low key viral, but tell your design teams to look elsewhere for their inspo. It's lame @sussanfashion @brasnthings,' Lily finished her post.

Bras N Things' Mila Short Hooded Gown ($69.99) and Sussan's BCNA Floral Hooded Robe ($79.95) have very similar floral printed designs to Chille's Snug Robe.

However, both feature hoods and have a much shorter hemline, unlike the Snug Robe which has no hood and is ankle-length.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to representatives of Lily, Bras N Things and Sussan for further comment.

Meanwhile, followers of the influencer have flocked to a Facebook gossip page to claim the designs Lily put out have been around, in some variation, for years.

'A pink gown with hearts is hardly groundbreaking, I'm sorry but I'm sure I've seen this a million times over in Peter Alexander, David Jones, Target, etc,' one person said.

'Pretty sure The Nanny was wearing these in the 90s,' another wrote, as someone else added: 'Is she for real? Get a grip. Bras N Things had these like 15 years ago.'

'This looks so generic? I'm so confused. There's nothing unique or groundbreaking about this at all,' said someone else.

However, her complaints backfired as followers flooded a Facebook gossip page to slam Lily for selling unoriginal clothing designs through her sleepwear brand Chille

'I don't know who this is or what her robes look like, but if she's saying she thinks she came up with this design and it cost her blood, sweat and tears, I think she may need to reevaluate her level of design "skill",' they continued.

Another commented: 'I have a pink one like this from Target which is like 4 ish years old? It's nothing unique.'

Someone else wrote a similar message saying they had seen similar designs in Kmart, while others pointed out Bras N Things wouldn't be able to copy Lily's style and have them produced within a matter of two weeks as she claimed.

A few more sympathetic fans came to Lily's defence, with one writing: 'Putting myself in her shoes, yeah I'd be pretty pissed off.

'I've never seen that pattern and design prior to Chille. So I think she's well within her right to be annoyed.

'Just because dupe culture has been normalised, doesn't take away from how disappointing it would be as a small business owner to have your product ripped off by a large corporation.'

Another user agreed, saying: 'This one is important for me. It's her design that her brand is famous for and the big brands see it and take it as their own.

'It's a tale as old as time but it's still gross.'

'Team Lily here, I'd be pissed too,' said another.
After weeks of whispers and mounting panic, Calum Hood has finally broken his silence emphatically denying that pop-rock sensation 5 Seconds of Summer is on the brink of collapse.

The usually reserved bassist, 28, who will drop his first solo album this week, jetted back to Sydney for the big reveal.

Calum, who toured the globe with 5SOS for 14 years, performed an intimate debut set at Pleasure Club in Newtown on Thursday for Nova's Red Room.

He is the fourth and final member of the Aussie boy band to unveil a solo project, and said he understood the raft of solo releases had set alarm bells ringing for fans.

It is practically unheard of for so many members of a chart-topping band to pursue solo careers while the group is still together.

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Calum Hood has finally broken his silence, emphatically denying that pop-rock sensation 5 Seconds of Summer is breaking up. Pictured

Calum said his bandmates Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford  who have all released solo material since 2020  provided a 'good blueprint' for his own solo debut

But Calum insists the Aussie hitmakers are not only sticking together, they're 'quite thriving.'

'Emphatically, 5SOS is not over and actually, quite thriving,' he said.

'This might be a bit weird to people but we revel in doing things people think we shouldn't do.'

He admitted that bandmates Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin, and Michael Clifford  who have all released solo material since 2020  had provided a 'good blueprint' for his own foray into the solo spotlight.

Clifford released his debut solo single in April ahead of the release of his album Sidequest next month, while both Hemmings and Irwin have dropped two records each since 2020.

Calum's solo effort, a synth-heavy, atmospheric collection of tracks, took over two years to create as he grappled with the all-too-common artist anxiety.

'You know me, I'm an anxious boy anyway, but I never had that with the band; I was never anxious about releasing 5SOS songs,' he confessed.

His new tunes are pure 'sad boy' vibes, exploring heartbreak and the brutal reality of distance on relationships when you're constantly touring.

Calum Hood has played several solo gigs to promote his solo album release but said that his full-time gig with 5SOS is calling him back

One track, Dark Circles, even delves into the 'fantasy' of a world without 5SOS.

'Obviously it's a question that's coming up a lot with all these solo things happening. Is the band OK?' Calum pondered, before quickly reassuring fans: 'The answer is the band is great, but (for that song) it was on my mind that if sh*t hit the fan, it would be devastating for me. I've spent half my life in the band, it has shaped who I am.'

'There's a big joke amongst the fans that "Oh, he's actually talking", which is really funny.'

'In the band, I guess I'm the more reserved one but I actually have a f***ing lot to say!'

While Calum has played several solo gigs to promote his album release, he warned fans not to expect a solo world tour anytime soon.

He hinted that his full-time gig with 5SOS is calling him back.

'It was such a big deal for me just to release this music,' Calum said.

'When there is another record, if there's space and the time allows and it feels good, then we will see what happens about touring.'
Sydney Sweeney, Georgia May Jagger and Pixie Geldof made stylish arrivals at Miu Miu's store re-launch party in London on Thursday.

The actress, 27, turned heads in a pale pink satin mini dress, teamed with thigh-high grey socks and black pointed heels.

She wrapped a brown fur shawl around her, accessorised with dark sunglasses and toted her belongings in a 2.3k Miu Miu handbag.

Meanwhile Georgia, 33, put on a leggy display in a black mini skirt, paired with a crisp white shirt with a grey bandeau top over it.

Pixie, 34, looked effortlessly chic in a plunging silver midi dress, with a grey bomber jacket keeping her warm.

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Sydney Sweeney made a stylish arrival at Miu Miu's store re-launch party in London on Thursday

Sydney was joined by Georgia May Jagger and Pixie Geldof at the star-studded event

Jenna Coleman looked incredible in a blue shirt and checkered mini skirt, completed with burgundy heels and a brown handbag.

Mia Regan flaunted her incredible figure in a sheer black mini dress, with her underwear on show.

It comes after Sydney brought along her rarely-seen younger brother as her date to the European premiere of Echo Valley and following afterparty at London's BFI Southbank on Tuesday night.

The Euphoria star oozed Hollywood glamour at the premiere earlier that evening, wearing a halterneck baby blue gown, with a flowing tulle train, before undergoing a wardrobe change for the celebratory bash afterwards.

Sydney stars opposite Julianne Moore in the psychological thriller, playing an addict named Claire, who arrives on her mum's doorstep covered in someone else's blood, with the film exploring how far a mother - played by Julianne - will go for their child.

For the afterparty, Sydney slipped into a satin Miu Miu champagne-coloured dress, that clung to her incredible figure and displayed her cleavage.

While her little brother Trent showed his pride for his sister as they posed for snaps together, cutting a trendy figure in a leather blazer, black trousers and aviator shades.

The siblings were joined by Trent's girlfriend, Samayre Soto - with the couple looking utterly smitten as he planted a kiss on her cheek.

The actress, 27, turned heads in a pale pink satin mini dress, teamed with thigh-high grey socks and black pointed heels

She wrapped a brown fur shawl around her, accessorised with dark sunglasses and toted her belongings in a 2.3k Miu Miu handbag

Georgia, 33, put on a leggy display in a black mini skirt, paired with a crisp white shirt with a grey bandeau top over it

The model was in high spirits as she head inside the story

Pixie, 34, looked effortlessly chic in a plunging silver midi dress, with a grey bomber jacket keeping her warm

Jenna Coleman looked incredible in a blue shirt and checkered mini skirt, completed with burgundy heels and a brown handbag

She posed up a storm for the cameras as she arrived at the relaunch party

Alexa Chung showed off her toned figure in a grey skin-tight midi dress with white lace detail

Mia Regan flaunted her incredible figure in a sheer black mini dress, with her underwear on show

Daisy Ridley oozed sophistication as she arrived for the party in a grey co-ord, while accessorising with PHORIA Jewellerys earrings

The Star Wars actress was also joined by her actor husband Tom Bateman

Meanwhile, Rita Ora's sister Elena Ora put on a very leggy display in a black satin mini skirt and a plunging white satin blouse

Dua Lipa's sister Rina also put on a very leggy display in a chic low-rise red mini skirt and a black zip-up jacket as she arrived at the party

Singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle stunned in a blue-and-grey bandeau top and shorts

Emma Corrin showcased their quirky sense of style as they arrived at the star-studded event

The My Policeman star rocked a grey silver knit top and sparkly flared leg green trousers

Meanwhile, Imogen Poots looked effortlessly chic in a black midi-dress and matching pointed heels

American actress Myha'la cut a chic figure in a silver grey knit top and a flowy skirt as she posed up a storm for the cameras

Samayre looked effortlessly edgy for the event in a black corsetted satin dress, exposing her toned midriff and impressive collection of tattoos.

Trent is Sydney's sole sibling and enjoys a life away from the limelight, with him rarely making appearances on red carpets.

However, the brother-and-sister have frequently shown their very strong bond, with both taking to Instagram to share their support for each other.

In 2020, Sydney touched on their relationship, as she discussed whether it was similar to the sibling rivalry depicted in her film Nocturne.

She admitted: 'Not so much the competitive side, but I roughed him up and tried to push him to do more.'

After a few minor acting gigs in his childhood, Trent ultimately opted not to follow in his sister's footsteps.

In 2020, he began military training for the United States Air Force, with Sydney showing her support at the time on Instagram with a slew of throwback photos of the pair as kids.

In a sweet tribute, she captioned the post: 'My little bro leaves for basic training tomorrow. wishing you luck bud  when the going gets tough just remember your sister is tougher than you.'

Sydney brought along her rarely-seen younger brother as her date to the European premiere of Echo Valley and following afterparty at London's BFI Southbank on Tuesday night

The actress oozed Hollywood glamour at the premiere in a halterneck baby blue gown, with a flowing tulle train, before undergoing a wardrobe change for the celebratory bash afterwards

Sydney stars opposite Julianne Moore in the psychological thriller, playing an addict named Claire, who arrives on her mum's doorstep covered in someone else's blood (seen in film)

While Trent has also shown his support for Sydney from the start of her huge Hollywood career, previously taking to his Instagram to promote her Netflix series Everything Sucks! and protest its cancellation.

While in 2019, he shared a throwback selfie of the pair together to voice his pride at her Screen Actors Guild nomination for The Handmaid's Tale.

He gushed: 'I know this is an old picture and I already posted it, but I wanted to congratulate my sis @sydney_sweeney on being nominated for a SAG award and wish her the best of luck.'

Sydney opened up about how she and Trent had to live in a Holiday Inn for nine months after her parents were declared bankrupt.

She is now a multi-million dollar success story after making it with acting with roles in Anyone But You, The White Lotus and The Handmaid's Tale .

But back before hitting the big time her family found themselves in hard times when her mother, Lisa, a criminal defence lawyer, and her father who worked in hospitality were declared bankrupt.

In 2013 when she was 16, her parents who are now divorced, sold their home in Washington, with the family of four living in a one-bedroom hotel room for months.

Speaking to The Times last week of her tough childhood, she said: 'We lived in the Holiday Inn in Burbank [northwest LA] for eight and a half months but it felt like my entire life.

Trent is Sydney's sole sibling and enjoys a life away from the limelight, with him rarely making appearances on red carpets

In 2020, he began military training for the United States Air Force, with Sydney showing her support at the time on Instagram with a slew of throwback photos of the pair as kids

'We were sharing a one-bedroom hotel room, no kitchen, no balcony. A pull-out sofa bed, where my dad and brother slept, my mom and me in the bed'

Detailing how her and Trent coped at the time, she said: 'My brother and I tried to make the best of it - we would joke around and say we were in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.

'We'd run around the different hallways and find stairwells and make friends with all the staff and they would make us grilled cheese.'

In a far cry from her beginnings Sydney now boasts an incredible property portfolio after finding her own financial success thanks to her movie and TV work.

She owns a 4.5million Bel Air home and another Tudor-style home in LA that is worth 3.3million.

Sydney then has a 10.2million compound in the Florida Keys as well as several back home in the Pacific Northwest.

She went on to tell The Times that she is also currently looking at places to buy in New York, Texas, Italy and London.
Jennie Garth opened up about the crushing discovery that she made after her eldest daughter accidently came across her dad Peter Facinelli's dating profile.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum, 53 - who recently bared it all for her first underwear shoot - opened up about the incident during an appearance on Thursday's episode of the I Do, Part 2 podcast.

The actress shares three children - Luca Bella, 27, Lola, 22, and Fiona, 18 - with the Twilight actor, Peter Facinelli, whom she divorced in 2013.

While talking to fellow host Jana Kramer and guest J.P. Rosenbaum, Garth revealed she discovered her ex husband was looking to date a woman in the same age range as their eldest daughter.

'My ex-husband Peter, I was told, was on Raya.' she explained.

'And his age, whatever range, that he was looking for was also the age range of his oldest daughter.'

Jennie then revealed that their daughter Luca had been the one that 'came across' her own father's profile on the dating app.

Jennie Garth, 53, opened up about the crushing discovery that she made after her eldest daughter accidently came across her dad Peter Facinelli's dating profile; seen in May in Santa Monica

While talking to fellow host Jana Kramer and guest J.P. Rosenbaum, Garth expressed, 'My ex-husband Peter, I was told, was on Raya'; seen with Facinelli seen in 2010 in NYC

While it is not known exactly when the former couple's eldest child discovered her dad's Raya dating profile, he has since gotten into a relationship with Lily Anne Harrison.

The pair became engaged back in 2020 and they also share one child - a son named Jack, two.

Jennie has also moved on in her love life and married Dave Abrams in 2015 and they will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next month in July.

During an episode of her own I Choose Me podcast last year, the actress reflected on her co-parenting relationship with Facinelli following their split.

She stated, 'That's what Peter and I ultimately wanted more than anything was to have our friendship back and be able to co-parent in a healthier way because we had been doing it all wrong for a while.'

The star added, 'The girls are so happy and there's just a big weight off my shoulders. That's a conflict I don't need to carry anymore.'

And while talking to the New York Post back in 2023, Peter explained, 'I always feel like as long as the parents, the co-parents, are getting along and were happy, the kids are happy.

'You know what I mean? It's when nobody wants to choose sides. No, they love mom and dad equally.'

Jennie then revealed that their daughter Luca had been the one that 'came across' her own father's profile on the dating app; seen with Luca above

The actress shares three children - Luca Bella, 27, Lola, 22, and Fiona, 18 - with the Twilight actor, whom she divorced in 2013

She stated, 'That's what Peter and I ultimately wanted more than anything was to have our friendship back and be able to co-parent in a healthier way because we had been doing it all wrong for a while'; former couple seen in 1998 in Westwood

The actor continued, 'As long as they feel safe in both homes and they have the support of both families. And as long as both co-parents are on the same side in terms of what the rules are in the house.'

Facinelli then told the outlet that 'when you're not in agreement' is the 'worst thing.'

The exes have enjoyed mini reunions in recent years - such as last summer as they had a 'Family Day Out.'

They celebrated the Fourth of July holiday with their three children - and Peter's son Jack as well as fiancee Lily Anne Harrison were also spotted during the festivities.

At the time, the blended family had a blast while spending time on a boat and Jennie uploaded photos to Instagram that had captured special moments from the outing.

And earlier this month, Garth and Facinelli reunited once again to celebrate their youngest child's high school graduation.

Their 18-year-old daughter Fiona officially graduated from Notre Dame High School in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Garth jumped to her main Instagram page to share snaps from the big day - and one group picture showed Facinelli also attending the outdoor ceremony.

The exes have enjoyed mini reunions in recent years - such as last summer as they had a 'Family Day Out'

And earlier this month, Garth and Facinelli reunited once again to celebrate their youngest child's high school graduation

'She did it!! My baby girl graduated high school! I am so beyond proud of her!! My heart is filled with so much excitement to see her fly! I love you so much,' the actress wrote in the caption.

And on Thursday's episode of Jennie's podcast I Choose Me, she had the chance to talk to Fiona about the milestone.

At one point, they called Facinelli to also get his thoughts on his youngest daughter officially graduating high school.

The actor jokingly revealed that they had called him when he was in the shower and said he was 'naked and dripping wet.'

Garth quipped with, 'That's a visual for our listeners,' and added that she would need to 'scrub my eyeballs.'

Peter then admitted that he felt 'very numb' over Fiona's recent graduation and further explained, 'Honestly, it's been a very numbing experience. Yeah. I don't know if it's all hit me yet.

'You know, you're our baby, so you're all growing up and it's a whole new chapter. And I feel like I don't know how to feel. I really feel like I haven't fully experienced all the emotions.'

Fiona revealed that she also feels a bit 'numb' but is also 'really happy and I feel like kind of just at peace.'

Garth jumped to her main Instagram page to share snaps from the big day - and one group picture showed Facinelli also attending the outdoor ceremony

Jennie has been keeping busy and recently took part in her first underwear shoot at the age of 53

Jennie has been keeping busy and recently took part in her first underwear shoot at the age of 53.

The actress paused for an assortment of snaps for the brand ThirdLove and modeled the company's new TempSync bras.

Garth exuded confidence for the lingerie photoshoot and showcased her toned midriff.

In the caption of the post, the star gushed that she has 'never felt more confident, or comfortable in my skin' and added she is 'proud to be part of this moment...'
Angelina Censori, the little sister of Kanye West's wife Bianca, is selling items from her wardrobe as she continues to travel around the world with her older sibling and the famous rapper.

After hanging out with Kanye and his crew in Spain last month, the 20-year-old Instagram model is currently spending time with his entourage in Japan.

She took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a series of photos of their latest trip, including images of herself dining at popular chain restaurant WAGYUMAFIA and shopping at a high-end store.

Meanwhile, a photo of the rapper, 48, posing in designer vintage store Amore also emerged online.

Angelina has wasted no time maximising the profitability of these social media shopping trips with her brother-in-law.

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Angelina Censori, the little sister of Kanye West 's wife Bianca, is selling items from her wardrobe as she continues to travel around the world with her older sibling and the famous rapper

Angelina has wasted no time maximising the profitability of these social media shopping trips with her brother-in-law and is listing hundreds of 'near new' designer clothes for sale on secondhand site Depop

In one listing, Angelina is modelling a risque white bodysuit from Costanzo, which she's flogging for $400 after wearing the outfit on an outing with Kanye in Mallorca, Spain

On Friday, she took to her Stories to advertise a dizzying array of designer shoes, handbags, and winter coats for sale on her Depop account, which is linked in her Instagram bio.

The clothing is from a variety of designer and high street brands, and ranges from as affordable as $20 to as pricey as $700.

In one listing, Angelina is modelling a risque white bodysuit from Costanzo, which she's flogging for $400 after wearing the outfit during an outing with Kanye and Bianca in Mallorca, Spain.

She wrote: 'SELLING SMALL BRAND COSTANZO BEAUTIFUL ONE PIECE JUMPSUIT SOOOOO GORGEOUS AND FITS BEAUTIFULLY RPP $510.'

The younger sister of Bianca has also sold multiple pairs of baggy women's Adidas joggers for $40, which she descried as 'so in right now'.

This comes after Kanye's feud with the sportswear brand, after they ended their partnership with the rapper over his anti-Semitic comments two years ago.

The axing of Kanye saw him lose his billionaire status - and was among multiple high-profile endorsements the rapper lost in the wake of his outbursts.

Also on Angelina's Depop page is a long-sleeved top from the sister of Kanye's ex-wife Kim, Kyle Jenner's clothing brand, which sold for $72.

On Friday, Angelina took to her Stories to advertise a dizzying array of designer shoes, handbags, and winter coats for sale on her Depop account, which is linked to her Instagram

The clothing is from a variety of designer and high street brands and ranges from as affordable as $20 to as pricey as $700

Angelina models the clothing on Instagram, where she now has more than 26,000 followers, before listing it for sale

Angelina sold the tan Poster Girl bodysuit she inherited from Bianca for $132

The younger Censori made a splash last August when she wore a pair of white Miu Miu underwear with a nude waistband at another of Ye's listening parties, and has been the most vocal supporter of her sister's marriage to the rapper.

She has also gushed about her style after Bianca's outfits make headlines around the world.

'[Bianca] has the best wardrobe,' she told Page 13 in January 2024 at Melbourne Fashion Week.

'I love fashion and I always like to do my own thing. I don't follow what influencers are doing but have my own take.'
Love is Blind star Lydia Arleen Velez Gonzalez announced Wednesday that she was divorcing her husband James Milton Johnson IV - three years after tying the knot during the fifth season finale of the hit Netflix reality show.

The 33-year-old geologist was last pictured with the 27-year-old Vopak sales manager in a March 20th TikTok, and their relationship has been 'non-existent' since March 31.

And while Lydia politely wrote that she wished for Milton to 'find your happiness' and 'wouldn't change our marriage for anything' on Instagram, she aired out all their 'tumultuous' marital issues during Amber Desiree 'AD' Smith's podcast What's the Reality?

'It wasn't one thing. It was a layer of situations and things that kept piling up,' Gonzalez - who moved in with a friend - explained Wednesday.

'When I told him, "Hey, I'll let you know when the divorce papers are ready," his response was, "I'm not going to sign the papers unless there's an NDA."'

In March, the Houston-based Puerto Rican claimed Johnson told her 'You're too f***ing stupid and an untrustworthy person' when she asked for a divorce and he's 'given her the silent treatment' ever since.

Love is Blind star Lydia Arleen Velez Gonzalez announced Wednesday that she was divorcing her husband James Milton Johnson IV - three years after tying the knot during the fifth season finale of the hit Netflix reality show

The ex-couple's 'fairytale' TV wedding first hit a snag in October 2022 when Milton refused to 'cut off' communication with an ex-girlfriend after Lydia snooped on his phone and read texts confessing he wanted to 'f*** her' and she'd 'been all around this d*** lately.'

Johnson 'flipped it on me' by accusing Gonzalez of 'invading' his privacy, and their subsequent attempt at couples therapy proved unfruitful.

Meanwhile, the petroleum engineer accused his wife of 'nagging him all the time,' 'cussing too much in front of' his family, and he 'threatening to call the police' on her for having a 'meltdown' on her birthday because he was 'playing the Halo video game all day.'

Milton also felt 'disrespected' over Lydia posing in swimsuits online because 'I never want to imagine my woman as a promiscuous woman' so they agreed to 'meet in the middle' and he agreed to stop liking pictures of other women in bikinis.

'I stopped and he didn't,' Gonzalez scoffed. 'What stopped was him engaging with my posts.'

The University of Maryland Global Campus grad alleged she received DMs from women claiming Johnson was flirting with them and paying for their drinks before receiving an email from another woman with 4am FaceTime screenshots of him inviting her to his hotel.

'That was it for me. I was like, I cannot continue,' Lydia said.

'Maybe the internet was right, that he wasn't ready for marriage. I don't think he was ready to be a husband.'

When Gonzalez was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, the Rice Business grad refused to let her take a leave of absence from work because she was the breadwinner and allegedly told her: 'You're not dying, you just have to eat healthy and work out.'

The 33-year-old geologist (R) was last pictured with the 27-year-old Vopak sales manager (L) in a March 20th TikTok, and their relationship has been 'non-existent' since March 31

And while Lydia politely wrote that she wished for Milton to 'find your happiness' and 'wouldn't change our marriage for anything' on Instagram, she aired out all their 'tumultuous' marital issues during Amber Desiree 'AD' Smith's (L) podcast What's the Reality?

Gonzalez - who moved in with a friend - explained Wednesday: 'It wasn't one thing. It was a layer of situations and things that kept piling up. When I told him, "Hey, I'll let you know when the divorce papers are ready," his response was, "I'm not going to sign the papers unless there's an NDA"'

In March, the Houston-based Puerto Rican (R, pictured February 6) claimed Johnson told her 'You're too f***ing stupid and an untrustworthy person' when she asked for a divorce and he's 'given her the silent treatment' ever since

The ex-couple's 'fairytale' TV wedding first hit a snag in October 2022 when Milton refused to 'cut off' communication with an ex-girlfriend after Lydia snooped on his phone and read texts confessing he wanted to 'f*** her' and she'd 'been all around this d*** lately' (pictured January 1)

Johnson 'flipped it on me' by accusing Gonzalez of 'invading' his privacy, and their subsequent attempt at couples therapy proved unfruitful (pictured January 1)

Meanwhile, the petroleum engineer accused his wife of 'nagging him all the time,' 'cussing too much in front of' his family, and he 'threatening to call the police' on her for having a 'meltdown' on her birthday because he was 'playing the Halo video game all day' (pictured in 2023)

Milton also felt 'disrespected' over Lydia posing in swimsuits online because 'I never want to imagine my woman as a promiscuous woman' so they agreed to 'meet in the middle' and he agreed to stop liking pictures of other women in bikinis (pictured May 29)

'I stopped and he didn't,' Gonzalez scoffed. 'What stopped was him engaging with my posts'

The University of Maryland Global Campus grad alleged she received DMs from women claiming Johnson was flirting with them and paying for their drinks before receiving an email from another woman with 4am FaceTime screenshots of him inviting her to his hotel (pictured March 9)

'That was it for me. I was like, I cannot continue,' Lydia said

'I still love him, unfortunately I do,' she admitted.

'I'm never gonna settle for less than I deserve... I'm not gonna keep choosing feeling belittled, feeling dismissed. I cannot keep being in a place where I'm not wanted. I'm trying to put back the pieces that he broke.'

Lydia - who commands $35 on Cameo - is every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for companies like K Beauty Lab, Doris Metropolitan, Commense, Akira, Miranda's Boutique, and Smith and Pietro JetSki Rentals.
Brooklyn Beckham has promoted his hot sauce brand amid reports he is embroiled in a trademark dispute.

The son of Victoria and David Beckham, 26, announced the launch of his new hot sauce brand Cloud23, available exclusively at Whole Foods shops in the UK, back in October.

It was then revealed in January that Brooklyn had planned to expand his hot sauce company and applied to trademark 'Becks Buns'.

However, Brooklyn has been dealt a blow after The Sun reported that Beck's beer, owned by Brauerei Beck & Co, has challenged it.

While he contemplates his next steps, Brooklyn has publicly backed his wider brand despite the setback.

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Brooklyn Beckham has promoted his hot sauce brand in defiance amid reports he is embroiled in a trademark dispute

The son of Victoria and David Beckham , 26, launched his new hot sauce brand Cloud23 back in October of last year

He has been dealt a blow after The Sun reported that Beck's beer, owned by Brauerei Beck & Co, has challenged it

Brooklyn took to his official Instagram account to share a snap of the hot sauce to his 16million followers.

The entrepreneur held a bottle Cloud23 over a stainless steel table full of food.

Brooklyn tagged Hunter Moreno in the story, who is a well-known creative director, having worked with big brands such as Prime drinks.

Since launching the brand, Brooklyn has regularly used his gigantic social following to plug his sauce.

A source told The Sun the parent firm of Beck's beer has opposed his Becks Buns trademark and has been granted a one-month extension to file documents relating to their challenge.

It comes as Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, have been engulfed in an escalating family rift, with parents David and Victoria believed to be concerned about the influence the billionaire heiress has over their eldest son.

A source told The Sun: 'It's one thing after another for Brooklyn.

'First his row with his dad blows up  and now he's got another Beck's looking like it's going to become a bit of a headache.'

It was revealed in January that Brooklyn had planned to expand his hot sauce company and applied to trademark 'Becks Buns'

Cloud 23, named after the No.23 jersey his father wore at Real Madrid and LA Galaxy, comes in two variants  Sweet Jalapeno and Hot Habanero.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Brooklyn appeared to debut a new tattoo as he shared a shirtless snap - which also seemed to show him with cupping marks.

Cupping is loved by celebrities and is a therapeutic technique that uses a vacuum force applied onto the skin's surface. It is thought to stimulate healing as it encourages extra blood flow.

Cruz seemed to show he is open to reconciling with his brother Brooklyn amid their ongoing devastating family feud.

The youngest of the Beckham brothers, 20, took to Instagram on Wednesday as he shared a black and white photo of Victoria holding a baby Harper on the sofa as Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz all nestled in.

The musician left the adorable childhood snap uncaptioned, as he seemed to suggest he hasn't turned his back on his eldest brother.

However on Wednesday it was revealed that Brooklyn has reportedly 'told his famous family that he wants no contact' with them in the latest devastating turn of their ongoing feud.

While a source close to Brooklyn denied the claims, a source told Page Six: 'Brooklyn told his family he wants no contact and he's not responding to those that try to connect.'

The wannabe chef, 26, along with Nicola , 30, have been engulfed in the escalating rift, with parents David and Victoria believed to be concerned about the influence the billionaire heiress has over their eldest son

Brooklyn has reportedly 'told his famous family that he wants no contact' with them in the latest devastating turn of their ongoing feud (Seen with his parents in 2018)

According to the publication, the eldest Beckham boy has had no communication with his family following father David's knighthood being announced last week and only learned of the news in the media alongside the rest of the world.

Denying he'd asked for no contact, a source close to Brooklyn told the publication: 'Everyones focus should be David Beckhams great honour'.

Meanwhile a source close to Brooklyn also denied the claims as they told MailOnline, 'this seems to be another deliberate attempt to misrepresent the truth, and it only serves to distract from this honour being bestowed on Brooklyn's father.'

MailOnline contacted David's reps for comment at the time.
She has made a fortune thanks to her 'get ready with me' clips and relatable videos about parenting.

And TikTok star Indy Clinton shocked fans on Friday when she revealed the state of one of the bathrooms in her multimillion dollar Northern Beaches home.

Indy took to Instagram to boast about her recent buy for the room - a moustache-decorated fluffy toilet seat cover.

'My new purchase 10/10 recommend,' she captioned the Instagram story.

But her followers didn't seem to care about the new retro accessory, and were more concerned about the bathroom's fifthly floor and broken wall tiles.

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TikTok star Indy Clinton shocked fans on Friday when she revealed the state of one of the bathrooms in her multimillion dollar Northern Beaches home

Indy took to Instagram to boast about her recent buy for the room - a moustache-decorated fluffy toilet seat cover

Indy's bathroom is yet to be renovated and features a fifties-style design and beige colour scheme.

There are scuff and dirt marks on the floor and even a tile missing on the wall.

It wasn't long before Indy was criticised about the state of the space.

The mother-of-three quickly posted a follow-up photo of the room and hit back at trolls.

'My house is an original 1950s home hence the character,' she wrote across the picture.

'Hahahahaha I can't believe that so many of you care what "one of" my bathrooms look like. The dms [direct messages] people are saying are wild.'

She continued her tirade in a third post.

'Not that I need to explain myself because who cares if someone's bathroom looks like this?' Indy wrote.

But her followers didn't seem to care about the new retro accessory, and were more concerned about the bathroom's fifthly floor and broken wall tiles

The mother-of-three quickly posted a follow-up photo of the room and hit back at trolls

She went on to say she had builders on 'standby' but she wasn't ready to commit to renovations, especially considering she had asthmatics living in her house and the build would cause a lot of dust.

She added that builders were waiting for her to pick out tapware and tiles, but she hadn't had a chance to source the 'colourful Italian type' fittings that she wanted.

'Anywayyy once we finish building our wellness area, I'll be able to focus on this "disgusting" bathroom,' she finished the rant.

Indy's bathroom comes as a surprise considering the glamorous life the influencer leads on social media.

Recently, she was spotted kicking up her heels at the Sueno Rooftop restaurant at Mermaid Beach to celebrate the launch of Bouf Haircare.

Indy, who is the face of the campaign, turned heads in a Dilara Findikoglu corseted red mini dress that hugged her curves and showed off her long, trim pins.

The dress, worn famously by Aussie actress Margot Robbie at the Barbie European premiere in London, retails for a whopping 1,825 (AU$3,814).

Just last week, Indy was spotted at the airport returning from her relaxing stay at the Hugh Jackman-owned Gwinganna retreat in Queensland.

The luxury escape was part of a PR wellness trip hosted by Rachael Finch and Michael Miziner-owned supplement brand Kissed Earth.

Also in attendance at the luxe stay were Married At First Sight star Jules Cameron and media personality Ash Pollard.
A stunning Gold Coast hideaway favoured by UK rocker Sting has hit the market.

The treehouse escape is located in Currumbin in the Gold Coast hinterland and proved a popular retreat for Sting, 73, who had previously described the property as 'peaceful, beautiful and inspiring'.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that the tranquil property, dubbed 'Katta on Currumbin', was last sold in 2022 for $4.025million.

It is on the market once again, with agents taking expressions of interest.

Designed by architect Shane Denman, the house was completed in 2004.

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A stunning Gold Coast hideaway favoured by UK rocker Sting has hit the market

The treehouse escape is located in Currumbin in the Gold Coast hinterland and proved a popular retreat for Sting, 73, who had previously described the property as 'peaceful, beautiful and inspiring'

Set on a 567 square metre block, the property comprises two self-contained homes, complete with a total of seven bedrooms and four bathrooms.

It's also a vista lover's paradise, with the unique home offering uninterrupted coastal views from Currumbin Estuary to Palm Beach in Surfers Paradise.

Surrounded by pristine crown land reserve, the property held the title of the area's most popular holiday rental for 15 years through accommodation portal Stayz.

Both properties boast high ceilings and glass walls to take full advantage of the idyllic surroundings.

The penthouse level features an open-plan living and dining space that opens onto an entertainer's balcony.

The kitchen has a butler's pantry, two fridges and on-demand sparkling water.

The luxe spaciousness extends to the subsequent three floors too, with each boasting its own outdoor areas for taking in the serenity.

'This is one of the most tightly held locations on the Gold Coast,' listing agent Lisa Papadopoulos told the publication.

Set on a 567 square metre block, the property comprises two self-contained homes, complete with a total of seven bedrooms and four bathrooms

It's also a vista lover's paradise, with the unique home offering uninterrupted coastal views from Currumbin Estuary to Palm Beach in Surfers Paradise

'From the moment you arrive, youll feel it. The air is different here  clean, crisp, alive with the scent of the ocean and rainforest.'

Sting and his wife Trudie have been together since 1982, and the couple share the same penchant for healthy living.

Their tantric sex life has been a hot topic for decades, after famously claiming to bed each other for hours on end back in the nineties.

In a recent interview with The Times, the music legend, 73, and his director wife, 71, who tied the knot in 1992, joked about what goes on behind closed doors, decades after the famous claim.

Sting, real name Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, shrugged: 'It could be worse. And the seven hours includes dinner, a movie and five hours of begging.'

The star has been plagued by questions about his energetic love life since he once gave the interview in which he boasted about the tantric sex sessions.

He previously clarified his infamous admissions during an interview for Bravo series Inside The Actor's Studio in 2014.

'The idea of tantric sex is a spiritual act,' he explained. 'I don't know any purer and better way of expressing a love for another individual than sharing that wonderful, I call it, 'sacrament.' I would stand by it. Not seven hours, but the idea.'

He then quipped, 'Seven hours includes movie and dinner,' generating laughs from the audience.
Heidi Klum celebrated her son Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel's graduation from Campbell Hall on Wednesday.

'Cheering you on today and every day,' the German 52-year-old - who 24.9M boasts social media followers - gushed on Instagram.

'Congratulations Johan! My heart is full of joy and pride.'

The 18-year-old nepo baby donned a classic cap and gown for the ceremony held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA amid the ICE raid protests.

Notable alumni of the Studio City private school includes filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, actress Dakota Fanning, her younger sister Elle Fanning, Modern Family alum Ariel Winter, and the Olsen twins.

Heidi Klum celebrated her son Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel's graduation from Campbell Hall on Wednesday

Joining Heidi at the graduation festivities on Wednesday was her 19-year-old son Henry Gunther Ademola Dashtu Samuel, who beamed beside his baby brother.

Noticeably missing was Johan's famous father - four-time Grammy winner Seal - who's next scheduled to headline the Moroccan music festival Jazzablanca 2025 in Casablanca on July 3.

Klum and the 62-year-old R&B belter are also proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Lou and he adopted her 21-year-old daughter Leni (with Flavio Briatore) in 2009 during their seven-year marriage, which ended in 2012.

The Emmy-winning host makes her triumphant return to the 10-episode 21st season of design competition Project Runway premiering July 31 on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu.

'It's felt like coming home, really like coming home,' Heidi gushed to People on May 26.

'I can do it with my eyes closed, even though I'm judging clothes, so I have to have my eyes open, but I can do it with my eyes closed.

'I just love fashion so much, and I love how interested they are and how they're champing at the bit to get a spot in the fashion industry. So, it's so fun to give them a platform to show what they can do.'

The German 52-year-old gushed on Instagram: 'Cheering you on today and every day. Congratulations Johan! My heart is full of joy and pride'

The 18-year-old nepo baby donned a classic cap and gown for the ceremony held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA amid the ICE raid protests

Notable alumni of the Studio City private school includes filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, actress Dakota Fanning, her younger sister Elle Fanning, Modern Family alum Ariel Winter, and the Olsen twins

Joining Heidi at the graduation festivities on Wednesday was her 19-year-old son Henry Gunther Ademola Dashtu Samuel (R), who beamed beside his baby brother

Noticeably missing was Johan's famous father - four-time Grammy winner Seal - who's next scheduled to headline the Moroccan music festival Jazzablanca 2025 in Casablanca on July 3

Klum and the 62-year-old R&B belter are also proud parents of 15-year-old daughter Lou and he adopted her 21-year-old daughter Leni (with Flavio Briatore) in 2009 during their seven-year marriage, which ended in 2012 (December 20 family portrait)

The Emmy-winning host makes her triumphant return to the 10-episode 21st season of design competition Project Runway premiering July 31 on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu

Heidi gushed to People on May 26: 'It's felt like coming home, really like coming home. I can do it with my eyes closed, even though I'm judging clothes, so I have to have my eyes open, but I can do it with my eyes closed'

OG Project Runway judge Nina Garcia and celebrity stylist Law Roach will join Klum as judges while Project Runway season 4 champ Christian Siriano returns as mentor to the designers.

The Germany's Next Topmodel producer-host previously hosted Project Runway for 16 seasons spanning 2004-2018 before exiting to co-host rival competition Making the Cut on Amazon Prime Video alongside Tim Gunn for three seasons spanning 2020-2022.

In February, Spice Girls alum Mel B officially replaced Heidi as judge on the 20th season of America's Got Talent, which currently airs Tuesdays on NBC/Peacock.
Heather Rae El Moussa has enlisted Christina Haack for a sexy Heather Rae Essentials lip gloss campaign.

On Thursday the 37-year-old entrepreneur posted an Instagram video featuring 41-year-old Haack as they matched in tiny black bikinis.

El Moussa is married to Haack's ex-husband, 43-year-old Tarek El Moussa, who was cited for kneeing a man in the head one week ago in Las Vegas.

The Instagram reel shared with Heather's three million followers included the caption, 'Shes here. Shes pink. Shes perfect. Heather + Christina, poolside and glowing, are giving hot girl summer meets blended beauty  and this shade is the cherry on top.'

It comes after Heather and Tarek were seen arriving at a Toronto airport earlier in the day, with the HGTV star looking glum as he made his first public outing since his altercation in Nevada.

Heather Rae El Moussa has enlisted Christina Haack for a sexy lip gloss campaign

On Thursday the 37-year-old entrepreneur posted an Instagram video featuring 41-year-old Haack as they matched in tiny black bikinis

In the bubbly cosmetics promo, Heather and Christina wore coordinating pink, heart-shaped sunglasses and sipped rose.

Both bombshells wore their long blonde locks loose and in center parts while stretching out on pink towels placed on lounge chairs.

The snippet was soundtracked by Cyndi Lauper's 80s pop hit Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

The caption of the post urged social media users to 'comment PERFECT to shop Perfect Pink Lippie Gloss.'

Exes Tarek and Christina came together this week to celebrate their daughter Taylors middle school graduation.

They were joined by Heather as well as Tarek and Christina's nine-year-old son Brayden as they united as a blended family unit.

The co-parents smiled while posing with the kids in a joint Instagram post shared on Tuesday.

Christina, who recently finalized her divorce from third husband Josh Hall, wrote in the caption: 'Taylor we are so proud of you and so excited for you to head into the next stage of your life. Our beautiful, smart, incredible, bright light we all love and adore you.'

The proud mom also shares five-year-old son Hudson with ex-husband Ant Anstead.

In the bubbly cosmetics promo, Heather and Christina wore coordinating pink, heart-shaped sunglasses and sipped rose

Both bombshells wore their long blonde locks loose and in center parts while stretching out on pink towels placed on lounge chairs

Last week El Moussa was involved in a public scuffle in Nevada. He was cited for the incident but was not arrested over it.

Sources told DailyMail.com that Tarek was defending his elderly father when the squabble occurred.

A spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that the Flipping El Moussas star and the other male were at The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort when the confrontation took place.

Witnesses said that Tarek drove his knee into the man's head, knocking him out.

TMZ later obtained a Las Vegas Metropolitan PD report that alleges the violent bust-up was captured on casino surveillance video.

According to the report, the fight kicked off after Tarek's alleged victim allegedly bumped into the HGTV star's father's chair at a roulette table inside The Palazzo.

The bump-in reportedly upset Tarek's father, who allegedly turned around in his seat to face the man.

El Moussa is married to Haack's ex-husband, 43-year-old Tarek El Moussa, who was cited for kneeing a man in the head one week ago in Las Vegas; pictured in LA in June 2022

Exes Tarek and Christina came together this week to celebrate their 14-year-old daughter Taylors middle school graduation. They were also joined by their nine-year-old son Brayden and Heather

After Tarek's father turned his back, the man allegedly tapped him on the right shoulder and said something to him that reportedly caused Tarek, who was seated near his father, to get involved.

Tarek allegedly got up from his seat and 'charged at the man, pushing him back before the two got into a 'fighting stance.'

Per the police report, Tarek's adversary allegedly went for the star's legs in an attempt to take him down.

But Tarek allegedly proceeded to knee the man to the floor. The police then claimed that Tarek 'mounted the man's back and pummeled him with three blows to the head.'

After the 'three blows to the head,' Tarek allegedly 'got up and walked away.'

The incident was called in as an 'assault/battery' and the alleged victim told police that he wanted to press charges.

The report claimed that the man suffered several injuries as a result of the casino altercation, including 'purple and red bruises under the right eye and a cut on the bridge of his nose.'

The police said that the alleged victim's account of the fight with Tarek differed slightly from what they had viewed on the hotel's surveillance footage.

According to cops, the man claimed he was 'aggressively approached' by Tarek at the roulette table before allegedly being 'assaulted' by him. The man insisted he was trying to defend himself.
Property guru Frank Valentic has issued a stark warning that homes featured on Channel Nine's The Block are often a 'dud buy', struggling to hold their value after the cameras stop rolling.

One of the biggest reasons for this, the Melbourne-based buyer's agent said, is because the properties do not come with enough land.

The Advantage Property Consulting director and familiar face on The Block pulled no punches when asked whether the contestant-renovated homes are a good investment.

'It's land that appreciates over time. Buildings depreciate,' he told Realestate.com.au, referencing the first six seasons of The Block set in eastern suburbs apartment blocks, and adjacent townhouses, in Sydney.

Meanwhile serial Block buyer Adrian Portelli gave away all five of the Philip Island homes he purchased last year for $15million in a raffle.

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Property guru Frank Valentic has issued a stark warning that homes featured on Channel Nine's The Block are often a 'dud buy', struggling to hold their value after the cameras stop rolling

One in five buyer's from The Block's previous 19 seasons have ended up re-selling their made-for-TV home at a loss.

One particularly unfortunate purchaser found themselves $600,000 out of pocket after offloading their property, just six years after purchasing it.

Many of these 'renovated' homes have also languished on the market for hundreds of days, gathering dust.

Although The Block houses can be a good investment for high-income investors seeking tax benefits and capital growth, they come with potential risks.

Chief among them is the ability to successfully market a property whose renovation flaws have been aired for all of Australia to see.

Of the 32 Block properties re-listed for sale since being auctioned fully furnished on-air, the Herald Sun reported 'seven have sold at a loss, two more failed to sell entirely and seven more struggled to seal a deal  taking more than 60 days to do so.'

The worst offender was a three-bedroom apartment in Port Melbourne, from the 2016 season. It fetched a hefty $2.59 million under the hammer but was then flogged in 2022 for a paltry $1.98 million  a jaw-dropping $610,000 loss.

Even the infamous former South Yarra hotel from season 11, where a self-proclaimed vampire gigolo was once accused of a horrific crime, has seen its Block apartments struggle.

One of the biggest reasons for this, the Melbourne-based buyer's agent said, is because the properties do not come with enough land. Pictured: Series host Scott Cam outside a property

Filming for the 21st season of The Block is already underway in rural Daylesford, Victoria

One unit sold for $1.722 million in 2016, a $13,000 drop from its original sale price a year earlier.

Another sat on the market for 278 days with a $2.445 million price tag that failed to attract a single buyer, only to be re-listed in 2023 and languish for another 291 days.

Valentic said keen investors should keep their eyes peeled for suburbs poised for a boom.

In Melbourne, he believes areas like Elwood, Richmond, and Reservoir could follow in the footsteps of Toorak - the city's most elite suburb - rewarding savvy buyers who get in early.

Filming for the 21st season of The Block is already underway in Daylesford, regional Victoria.

Five new teams of everyday Aussies are currently transforming rundown holiday homes into luxury properties as part of a new neighbourhood within Hygge Property's Middleton Field estate.

Belle Property Daylesford principal Will Walton, who sold the sprawling site to Channel Nine, confirmed the cast and crew are integrating well with the local community.

With Portelli officially retiring from purchasing The Block homes in 2024, this upcoming season may prove a real test of the market for the properties.

The median house sale price in Daylesford, Victoria, Australia, is approximately $819,000 - Daylesford's property market, particularly for houses, has experienced a recent decline in activity.

While it was a popular area for investors, it's no longer considered a top-performing investment location, with a negative annual growth compound rate and a relatively low rental yield.

However, it's important to consider that Daylesford's appeal as a desirable lifestyle location continues to attract buyers, particularly those seeking a tree-change.
Jane Fonda has touched down in Sydney ahead of a special one-night show - and the 87-year-old icon says she's never felt better.

The two-time Oscar winner and former fitness queen was spotted at Sydney Airport on Friday, cutting a chic figure as she was wheeled through the terminal ahead of her highly anticipated one-off show called In Conversation with Jane Fonda.

Wearing oversized sunglasses, a sleek navy coat, face mask and sneakers, the Hollywood legend looked every bit the global icon as she rested in a wheelchair.

The Grace and Frankie star kept her look polished and understated, accessorising with a patterned scarf.

She completed her look with a designer tan leather handbag perched on her lap.

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Jane Fonda has touched down in Sydney ahead of a special one-night show - and the 87-year-old icon says she's never felt better

The two-time Oscar winner and former fitness queen was spotted at Sydney Airport on Friday, cutting a chic figure as she was wheeled through the terminal ahead of her highly anticipated one-off show

Wearing oversized sunglasses, a sleek navy coat and face mask, the Hollywood legend looked every bit the global icon as she rested in a wheelchair

The Grace and Frankie star kept her look polished and understated, accessorising with a patterned scarf

Jane is set to take the stage at the ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday, where she will join Liz Hayes for an intimate discussion about her life, legacy and views on ageing with grace and purpose.

'I'm deeply honoured and excited to be coming to Australia to join Wanderlust True North for these special events,' Jane said in a statement.

'As I've gotten older, I've come to see ageing as a gift  a time to embrace life fully, share our knowledge... laugh a little more.

'Australia has always embraced me over the decades, and I cant wait to come back and meet everyone. I am very much looking forward to it and excited to share many secrets with my Aussie fans.'

Despite using a wheelchair upon arrival, Fonda shows no signs of slowing down, mentally or physically.

She recently stunned fans by revealing she feels healthier and more vibrant now than she did in her 20s.

'I'm 87, and I feel younger and healthier and a greater sense of well-being than I had in my 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s,' she told The Daily Telegraph.

'People have so many stereotypes of older people. I don't feel done yet.'

She accessorised with a designer tan leather handbag perched on her lap

Jane is set to take the stage at the ICC Sydney Theatre on Sunday, where she will join Liz Hayes for an intimate discussion about her life, legacy and views on ageing with grace and purpose

'I'm deeply honoured and excited to be coming to Australia to join Wanderlust True North for these special events,' Jane said in a statement

Jane looked to be in good spirits as she got out of her wheelchair to stroll through the terminal

Refusing to settle for what she calls 'sad roles' written for older women, Fonda remains choosy with her acting work - and unapologetically proud of her legacy.

'Roles that I'm offered are really sad. They are not worthy of my six decades in this industry, she said.

'But I'm happy... I think one of the greatest things that we can attain is a robust sense of well-being, of happiness.'

Fonda, who famously launched a home workout revolution in the 1980s with her record-breaking exercise videos, says she still trains daily - albeit at a slower pace.

The Hollywood icon, who rose to fame in classics like Barbarella, Klute and 9 to 5, has continued to evolve across generations - from silver screen siren to activist, entrepreneur and environmental crusader.

Jane was born in New York in 1937 to legendary Hollywood star Henry Fonda and she is the sister of late actor Peter Fonda and aunt of retired actress Bridget Fonda.
Sofia Vergara shared a naked picture of herself lying in a bubble bath from a past Dolce & Gabbana Vanity Fair photoshoot on Instagram on Friday.

The Modern Family star, 52, shared the eye-popping behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram on Thursday, beginning with the nude bath pose.

Sophia could be seen seductively putting one hand behind her head as she posed in the bathtub with strategically placed bubbles covering her assets.

In another snap, she wowed in a leopard-print swimsuit and high heels, with her hair styled in a classic wavy blowout.

Her incredible physique was put on display again in a Dirty Dancing-esque pose that saw her held up in the air, this time in a two-piece leopard-print bikini.

Other snaps saw the star getting glammed up in her dressing room for the shoot, which she simply captioned 'tbt' [throwback Thursday].

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Sofia Vergara, 52, shared a naked picture of herself posing in a bubble bath from a past Dolce & Gabbana Vanity Fair photoshoot on Instagram on Friday

In another snap, she wowed in a leopard-print swimsuit and high heels, with her hair styled in a classic wavy blowout

Her incredible physique was put on display again in a Dirty Dancing-esque pose that saw her held up in the air, this time in a two-piece leopard-print bikini

Other snaps saw the star getting glammed up in her dressing room for the shoot, which she simply captioned 'tbt' [throwback Thursday]

Another snap, posted to her Instagram Stories, saw Sophia pose topless with a chihuahua on her back.

She smiled widely in the throwback picture, which featured a pair of white stiletto heels.

The snaps come after Sofia recently revealed that she is ready to date again after her relationship with orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman came to an end in January.

She appeared on the Today show alongside Mel B promoting the 20th season of America's Got Talent when the conversation turned to what she is looking for in a partner.

'I want to say the basic stuff, like health and somebody that loves me,' Vergara told co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Erin Andrews.

'And somebody tall, handsome.'

But the Modern Family star didn't stop there as she decided to touch on financials as well.

'I want somebody that has as much money as me or more, because if not, it's a nightmare,' she explained. 'They end up resenting you.'

Another snap, posted to her Instagram Stories, saw Sophia pose topless with a chihuahua on her back

The snaps come after Sofia recently revealed that she is ready to date again after her relationship with orthopedic surgeon Justin Saliman came to an end in January

Relationship expert Dr. Channa Bromley told DailyMail.com that Vergara is absolutely right.

'Why? Because deep down, many men are socialized to view themselves as the financial providers in relationships,' she explained.

'When that's disrupted, it messes with their sense of identity and self-worth.

'It isn't just a matter of ego. It's biological, psychological, and societal.'

She said that in situations where women make more than men, men feel that their masculinity is threatened - as archaic as that may seem.

'It's not logical, but it's deeply ingrained,' Dr. Bromley said.

'This often leads to resentment, which might not show up immediately but builds up over time.'
Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti joined Bond favourite Theo James at a Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue launch event in Capri, Italy on Thursday.

The model, 26 - who has been romantically linked to the Oscar-winner, 50, since August 2023 - looked incredible in a white mini dress.

She showed off her figure in the fitted number, which featured lace detail and thin straps.

Theo, 40, who has been plugged as a possible contender to replace Daniel Craig as 007, opted for a smart beige linen suit.

The duo posed for photos on board a boat for the Italian brand's perfume launch.

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Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti joined Bond favourite Theo James at a Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue launch event in Capri, Italy on Thursday

The model, 26 - who has been romantically linked to the Oscar-winner, 50, since August 2023 - looked incredible in a white mini dress

Theo portrayed smug holidaymaker Cameron Sullivan in the second season of the HBO black comedy drama, The White Lotus.

He is currently in the running to play the next James Bond, with John Hill from Coral saying: 'We have seen a strong wave of support for Theo James.'

A host of names have been touted for the part since Craig's announcement, from household names such as Luther star Idris Elba to lesser known actors like Scotsman Stuart Martin.

Theo 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 had been one of the frontrunners for the role a couple of years ago but was bumped down odds lists after an interview in The Guardian in 2024.

He told the publication: 'Everyone's interested in playing Bond because it's a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn't be me.

'I do think there are better people for that job. And honestly it would be terrifying... you're opening Pandora's Box.'

However speculation linking the 40-year-old to the famous tux seems to have reignited in recent weeks after a number of other actors had stints as favourites, including Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The Gentlemen actor Theo is currently the bookmakers' new favourite for the role of 007 [Pictured May 2024]

Superman star Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds but has now been pipped by Theo [Pictured April 2024]

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, is third favourite and fits the bill as a potential younger 007

Ladbrokes currently have Theo leading the race with odds of 6/4, putting him above Cavill (3/1), Taylor-Johnson (7/2) and Jack Lowden (8/1) in the running.

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).

Coral's favourites to play the next James Bond Theo James - 6/4

Henry Cavill - 3/1

Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 6/1

James Norton - 8/1

Jack Lowden - 8/1

Harris Dickinson - 12/1

Callum Turner - 12/1

Josh O'Connor - 16/1

Stuart Martin - 20/1 Advertisement

Odds placing Theo as the favourite come just a week after Superman actor Henry, 42, soared to the top of the the bookies' lists.

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 seems fans are similarly confident that Theo could be the perfect man for the role with more than 70% of all bets on the next 007 last month placed on him, according to Coral.

On their list of potential candidates is also Harris Dickinson, Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Stuart Martin.

Elsewhere, Vittoria made rare comments about her age-gap romance with Leo in an interview with Vogue France.

She revealed for the first time that the couple met 'in Milan. But I prefer not to go into details.'

She added that she was a fan of DiCaprio's iconic 1997 film Titanic - a film that was released before she was even born.

Vittoria said: 'Who hasn't seen it? Or didn't like it? It's an iconic film...'

She said the couple's love for another was strong enough to avoid any jealousy between them: 'It's something you learn. If what you're experiencing is real, if you know you love each other, then there's no reason to be alarmed. Because love protects and gives confidence.'

Vittoria also revealed she had forged a close bond with the Oscar winner's family - especially his mother Irmelin Indenbirken.

Elsewhere, Vittoria made rare comments about her age-gap romance with Leo in an interview with Vogue France

She revealed for the first time that the couple met 'in Milan. But I prefer not to go into details' (pictured together at a Cabaret show)

She said: 'A while ago, I was looking through childhood photos with my boyfriend's mom, and we noticed that every time I dressed up, it was as a witch, a bunny, or a clown! And I never played with Barbie. I spent hours in my room, alone, with my brother's cars. And I wrote a lot of diaries.'

Due to her decade in modeling, Vittoria says she feels older than her years and that she 'sometimes forgets I'm only 26.'

Leonardo and Vittoria were first romantically linked in August 2023 shortly after his rumored fling with Gigi Hadid.

The star's famous exes include models such as Camila Morrone, Gigi Hadid, Gisele Bundchen, Bar Refaeli and Nina Agdal.

Ceretti has already been married. She was wed to 37-year-old DJ Matteo Milleri from 2020 to 2023.
Silver craft in village of SW China's Yunnan gains wide recognition

People's Daily Online) 13:22, June 13, 2025

Photo shows a silver memorial archway of Xinhua village, Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

Public records show that Xinhua village, Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province is home to over 3,000 silver processing workshops and is renowned nationwide for its silverware.

In November 2014, the Heqing silver craft, represented by silver processing techniques of Xinhua village, was added to China's list of national intangible cultural heritage.

The village's silver processing techniques can be traced back to the Nanzhao kingdom (738-902) in what is now Yunnan.

For over a millennium, the village's craftsmen have preserved their skills through a tradition of traveling across the country. These silver artisans absorbed diverse processing techniques from various regions in China.

Photo shows tourists in Xinhua village, Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

A pivotal transformation occurred in the 1990s, when veteran craftsman Cun Fabiao, a native of Xinhua village, led a movement encouraging artisans to return home. With support from local governments, these returning craftsmen focused their efforts on developing the silver processing sector in the village, transforming it into a major national hub for silverware production and distribution.

Cun, now 63, began accompanying his father from village to village across Yunnan at the age of 16. After completing his apprenticeship, he traveled extensively throughout much of western China, offering door-to-door services to local ethnic groupscrafting and repairing silverware and other metal items.

Photo shows a silver statue of Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general, made by Cun Fabiao. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

"Simplicity, inclusiveness, and humility are the defining qualities of artisans from Xinhua village," Cun said. During his journeys, he embraced a spirit of openness and learned processing techniques from various ethnic groups.

Upon returning to the village, Cun created several silver craft masterpieces that gradually established his reputation within the industry. In 2017, his large-scale silver carving screen was permanently collected by the Cultural Palace of Nationalities of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission. One year later, he was recognized as a national-level representative inheritor of the Heqing silver craft.

Through decades of dedication, Cun has developed a profound understanding: upholding tradition while embracing innovation is key to carrying forward the silver craft.

The village's inclusive environment has attracted increasing numbers of entrepreneurs who have established businesses and actively integrated into the community. Some continue traditional silver processing, while others apply the village's craftsmanship to copper and other metal products.

Photo shows silver processing workshops in Xinhua village, Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

Li Yaohua, a 40-year-old craftsman from a neighboring township, exemplifies this tradition of learning and innovation. In his early years, he studied silver craft in other regions of southwest China with his uncle and later worked at a professional silver processing factory in Shanghai, acquiring diverse techniques from craftsmen across different regions.

Li Yaohua later established his own workshop in Xinhua village. In 2017, his silverware won first prize in Yunnan's vocational skills competition. Subsequently, he was recognized as a provincial-level representative inheritor of the Heqing silver craft.

"I'm willing to teach anyone who wants to learn," Li Yaohua said. Like many artisans in Xinhua village, his workshop has welcomed learners from Hunan, Fujian, and Zhejiang provinces, as well as Hong Kong and other regions.

Photo shows a silver kettle made by Li Yaohua. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

Under Xinhua village's influence, approximately 18,000 people across 56 villages in nine townships and towns throughout Heqing county are now engaged in silver and copper processing and sales.

After graduating from university, Li Jie joined a tourism company in Xinhua village, where he handled online sales of silver products. In 2016, he began his entrepreneurial journey, launching his own silver brand in the village.

"We combine traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics," Li Jie said. Unlike older-generation craftsmen, Li Jie creates products that are more suited to daily life and emphasize practicality.

In 2022, Li Jie rented a spacious property in the village, transforming it into an artistic space that includes a B&B, a coffee shop, and a silver processing workshop.

"Here, visitors can not only purchase products but also experience silver culture through immersive engagement," he said.

In 2024, Xinhua village's silver industry achieved an annual output value of approximately 4 billion yuan ($557 million).

Photo shows a silver kettle made by Li Jie. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

Photo shows silver products in a silverware shop in Xinhua village, Heqing county, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (People's Daily Online/Fu Hao)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Julianne Moore put on a leggy display in a black fringed dress as she stepped out in New York on Thursday.

The American actress, 64, who is planning to permanently relocate to the UK, looked incredibly glamorous.

The look was completed with a pair of black sunglasses, ensuring all eyes were on Julianne's new haircut which she debuted at the premiere of Netflix's Sirens.

The actress has been busy in recent days promoting her new film Echo Valley, which releases globally Friday.

In the film, Julianne steps into the shoes of Kate Garrett, a grieving mother who is trying to keep her farm running when her daughter Claire interrupts her life of seclusion covered in blood and on the run from a drug dealer.

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Julianne Moore, 64, put on a leggy display in a black fringed dress as she stepped out in New York on Thursday

The American actress, who is planning to permanently relocate to the UK, looked incredibly glamorous

Julianne's character is then forced to make some difficult decisions when it emerges that the blood her daughter is covered in is not her own.

Described as an edge-of-your-seat thriller, the film also stars Sydney Sweeney, 27, as Julianne's on-screen daughter Claire.

Julianne's appearance in New York comes after the actress revealed that she has considered relocating to the UK with her husband Bart Freundlich.

The actress was born in North Carolina but gained British citizenship because her late mother, Anne, was Scottish.

And now she could join a huge list of stars fleeing the US with some citing Trump as the reason they want to leave.

Appearing on the Capital Breakfast with her Echo Valley co-star Sydney on Tuesday, Julianne opened up about her plans to move to the UK.

Host Chris Stark asked: 'Julianne, youre a British citizen, is that right?'

'Yeah, my mother was from Scotland, so I have a British passport,' Julianne explained.

The look was completed with a pair of black sunglasses, ensuring all eyes were on Julianne's new haircut which she debuted at the premiere of Netflix's Sirens

Appearing on the Capital Breakfast with her Echo Valley co-star Sydney on Tuesday, Julianne opened up about her plans to move to the UK

The actress revealed that she has considered relocating to the UK with her husband Bart Freundlich (pictured together in 2024)

Chris said: 'Thats so cool.'

'I know it is cool, right?' Julianne added.

'So, whats it like being back? Could you see yourself maybe coming and living here full-time?' Chris asked.

Julianne revealed: 'I can actually, my husband and I have talked about that sometimes. It could be kind of fun.

'Ive worked here a lot and Im really comfortable here. Ive been working here, gosh, probably since the nineties.'

Radio co-host Jordan North asked: 'Really?'

Sian Welby added: 'What since Hannibal?'

'Yeah, since before that actually,' Julianne laughed before continuing: 'Once I was coming into the UK and somebody told me I was in the wrong line and I was like no Im not!
Fearne Cotton's estranged husband Jesse Wood proved things are getting serious in his new relationship with Gemma Gregory on Friday.

The musician, 48, went public with his romance with the former Made in Chelsea star, 39, two months ago and they are going from strength to strength.

Fearne, 43, issued a shock statement to announce her split from Jesse after 10 years of marriage back in December, saying their priority was their children.

This week, Gemma posted several loved-up pictures to Instagram, showing her and Jesse looking cosy as they cuddled and joked around during various days out.

The London-born actress and former model captioned the post: Love is the frequency of magic', followed by star and red heart emojis.

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Fearne Cotton's estranged husband Jesse Wood proved things are getting serious with in his new relationship with Gemma Gregory on Friday

The musician, 48, went public with his romance with the former Made in Chelsea star, 39, two months ago and they are going from strength to strength

One friend commented, 'Gem you look so happy, glad you found a person who makes you happy.' Another said, 'You look so happy.'

Insiders say the relationship is progressing quickly - and it looks to be far more than a casual rebound following the shock collapse of Jesse's decade-long marriage to TV presenter Fearne last December.

Its getting serious now. Jesse and Gemma are spending loads of time together and things are clearly going well, a source close to the pair told MailOnline.

Hes been through a rough patch emotionally, but Gemmas really lifted him. Theyve got chemistry and a lot in common - she makes him laugh, and he feels relaxed around her. Its definitely more than a fling.

The couple first went public in April when Gemma posted a sunny snap of Jesse hugging her tightly with the caption: Bloody love this one.

It came just weeks after photos of Fearne kissing her new boyfriend, TV director Elliot Hegarty, emerged.

Fearne, 43, addressed her split from Jesse for the first time on Lorraine earlier this year, calling the situation very amicable and saying the children - son Rex, 11, and daughter Honey, 8 - were doing great.

She also spoke candidly about her health struggles, revealing that she had undergone surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jaw last year.

Fearne, 43, issued a shock statement to announce her split from Jesse after 10 years of marriage back in December, saying their priority was their children (pictured in February 2024)

Gemma posted several loved-up pictures to Instagram, showing her and Jesse looking cosy as they cuddled and joked around together during various days out

The London-born actress and former model captioned the post: Love is the frequency of magic', followed by star and red heart emojis

Insiders say the relationship is progressing quickly - and it looks to be far more than a casual rebound following the shock collapse of Jesse's decade-long marriage to Fearne in December

L-R Gemma, Gabriella Tristao, Kimberley Garner and Richard Dinan on Made in Chelsea in 2012

Jesse, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped publicly, though his stepmother Jo Wood - ex-wife of his father Ronnie Wood - has spoken about the split.

I was shocked, actually. I didnt expect Fearne to have a new boyfriend. And Jesse was devastated, she told the Mail earlier this year.

But sometimes in life, you have to go through these things Im sure Jesses going to be very happy. These things work out. Their time was up - they had to move on.

She also said she looked forward to meeting Gemma, describing the relationship at the time as all very new.

Gemma, who has a son, Benji, from a previous relationship, is no stranger to the spotlight. She played young Estella in the 1999 adaptation of Great Expectations, and briefly appeared in

Made in Chelsea in 2012 thanks to her long-time friendship with Hugo Taylor.

Shes also previously been romantically linked to aristocrat Nicholas Knatchbull - the godson of Prince Charles - and England polo captain Henry Brett.

Despite her Chelsea connections and glamorous past, Gemma has kept a relatively low profile in recent years - though friends say shes now glowing with happiness.

Meanwhile, Fearne appears to be embracing her own new chapter, saying in a recent interview that she feels the happiest shes been in years and wants to focus on having fun in her forties.

Speaking to BBC Radio 2s Scott Mills, she said: Im really happy Im springing out of bed in the morning ready for life.
Kate Hudson went braless in a nude bodysuit as she was snapped arriving in Greece with her fiance Danny Fujikawa and their kids on Thursday.

The Fool's Gold actress, 46, was in full summer-mode as she rocked a straw hat and shades, finishing off with a large black maxi skirt.

Kate kept comfortable in a pair of pricy Alaia Raffia Ballerina Flats as she got into the holiday spirit during their European voyage.

The Hollywood star looked relaxed on her arrival while musician Danny, 39, kept it casual in a white T-shirt and green trunks.

The couple - who have jetted off shortly after Danny's birthday - were joined by their daughter Rani Rose, six, and Bingham, 13, for the trip. Kate also has son Ryder, 21, with ex Chris Robinson.

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Kate Hudson, 46, went braless in a nude bodysuit as she was snapped arriving in Greece with her fiance Danny Fujikawa and their kids on Thursday

The Hollywood star looked relaxed on her arrival while musician Danny, 39, kept it cosy in a white T-shirt and green trunks

The happy couple - who whisked off shortly after Danny's birthday - were joined by their daughter Rani Rose, 6, and Bingham, 13, while Kate also has son Ryder, 21, from ex Chris Robinson

Earlier on Tuesday, Kate took to Instagram to wish her fiance Danny Fujikawa a happy 39th birthday.

Sharing with her 18.4 million followers, she uploaded a single snapshot of them and wrote in the caption, 'I really dig this human. My Gemini Hurricane, may this last year of your thirties be a perfect jumping board for the best decade to come! Love you so Happy Birthday Dan Man.'

Kate and Danny were introduced to each other by the latter's stepsisters Sara and Erin Foster, and got engaged in 2021.

Before Danny, Kate was engaged to Muse frontman Mathew Bellamy, 47.

Kate had previously exchanged vows with Black Crows frontman Chris, 58, in 2000, divorcing seven years later.

In December 2017, the How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days siren shared the story of how she and Danny met.

On Instagram, she wrote, 'A year ago today Danny took me on a hike and what I thought was just a hike with a family friend turned very quickly into an unexpected first date.

'No moves were made on this first date. In fact, it took months for him to make a first move! And as a kiss on this bridge would have been nice, the kiss a year later was so much sweeter.'

It comes after Kate used Instagram to wish her fiance Danny Fujikawa a happy 39th birthday on Tuesday; pictured together

The beloved American actress and her beau are parents to six-year-old daughter Rani

She gushed on Father's Day in 2021, 'My love, simply put, you are the most brilliant father. We all love you so much'

Kate  who is the nepo baby of living legend Goldie Hawn  often shares glimpses of her private life with the musician online.

She gushed on Father's Day in 2021: 'My love, simply put, you are the most brilliant father. We all love you so much.'

For the holiday in 2023, she posted a throwback image of Rani resting in his lap as a newborn with the note: 'Lucky lady has the most amazing father. I am so grateful to witness such a beautiful bond. We love you so much.'

In February 2023, Kate joined Erin and Sara on their show World's First Podcast and discussed her first marriage.

'I went to New York and I met Chris, and I came home, I was like, "Oh, Im marrying this guy." It wasnt even impulsive,' she shared.

She said her formative romance with her ex Chris helped her learn the meaning of unconditional love.

'He was also so important to teaching me what it felt like to be unconditionally loved, and Chris, like, completely opened that floodgate for me, forever, no matter how complicated the relationship got at one point.

'The most important moment for me was meeting him and him allowing me to understand what that felt like.'

'After Chris, I didn't think I'd ever date a musician again,' she previously told Red Magazine in 2014. 'That world is difficult. But it is what it is, right? I like people with musicality. I find it attractive.'
The Project former co-host Lisa Wilkinson has broken her silence on the show's shock cancellation.

The 65-year-old veteran presenter, who co-hosted the Channel Ten panel show from 2018 - 2022, recently shared a precious gallery of throwback photos from her time on the program to social media.

One picture captured a beaming Lisa posing on the set alongside her former co-stars, including Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar.

Another showed Lisa having fun with several of the A-List guests who appeared on the program, including Magda Szubanski, Tommy Little and Backstreet Boys stars Brian Littrell and Nick Carter.

She captioned the gallery with some heartbreaking words.

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The Project former co-host Lisa Wilkinson has broken her silence on the show's cancellation. The veteran presenter shared a precious gallery of throwback photos from her time on the program to social media. Pictured with former co-stars Waleed Aly and Carrie Bickmore

One picture captured a beaming Lisa posing on the set alongside her former co-stars, including Carrie Bickmore, Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar

'Vale The Project. So many talented people, so many laughs, so many incredibly important stories - many of which may have otherwise never been told,' Lisa began.

'It was a joy and privilege to be a part of it all. My love to everyone, particularly the huge hard-working team behind the scenes. Along with the audience, you were the true heart and soul of the show.'

It comes after The Project was officially axed this week and will air its final episode on June 27.

Network 10 announced the news on Monday, sharing a post to Facebook thanking viewers for their support before announcing the show's replacement.

Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will also reportedly exit the network, while comedian Sam Taunton will continue his guest appearances on other Ten shows.

Meanwhile, one of the shows former stars, Peter Helliar has revealed the emotional toll the shock axing has had on himself and his former co-workers.

Appearing on Nova's Jase and Lauren on Tuesday, the veteran presenter, who co-hosted the panel show from 2014 - 2022, admitted he was devastated over the cancellation.

'Really sad. What an amazing legacy that show has, 16 years. Very few shows get to the second season. This was like the little engine that could,' he said.

One picture showed Lisa having fun with several of the A-List guests who appeared on the program, including Backstreet Boys stars Brian Littrell and Nick Carter

Lisa captioned the gallery with some heartbreaking words

'In its first year, it was going to get axed every second week. And 16 years later to see that the people have become household names who have gone through that show!'

Helliar, who quit the show in 2022, the same year Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little and Lisa, said he believes the axing will leave a huge gap in Australian television.

'I don't think audiences realise what they'll miss out on now. The amount of comedians, musicians and filmmakers who have said to me over the years, "The Project was the reason we sold tickets." That's missing now,' he said.

He added that several of his former Project colleagues told him they had a 'really hard day' upon hearing the news.

The news show, which has been in a ratings free-fall since Bickmore left her seat as host at the end of 2022, has aired 'nearly 4,500 episodes' to date and will wrap up in three weeks.

The Project first aired in July 2009 and exceeded more than a million metro viewers at the height of its success - It boasted a rotating panel with stars like Aly, Harris, Tunny, Hamish Macdonald, Rove McManus, Taunton and Susie Youssef.

It won several accolades including 11 Logie Awards - two of which were viewer-voted Gold Logies won by Aly and Bickmore.

However, audiences began to dwindle in recent years and earlier this month, it attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.
Erika Jayne has emotionally spoken out days after ex-husband Tom Girardi was sentenced to jail after his conviction on multiple fraud charges.

Girardi, 86, faces dying behind bars with his sentence of 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.

Erika, 53, revealed she had learned Girardi's grim fate while in London on tour during a candid chat on the Friday, June 13, episode of Diamonds in the Rough with Teddi Mellencamp.

The reality star, who was wed to Girardi for 20 years, said: 'And then 10 minutes before the second show, I get the news that Tom is being sent to prison.  It just hurts.

'It reopens old healing wounds, and it is something that, you know, I had a sold-out crowd in a theater just for me, and I was so grateful. My happiest place in the whole world to be is on stage. So while I was happy  theres a little piece [of me] that was like, "Ugh."

'I was very disappointed because those people [in the audience] were there for me, and I felt like five percent of myself was feeling sorry for myself. I was 95 percent there, and five percent of myself was feeling sorry for myself.

Erika Jayne has emotionally spoken out days after ex-husband Tom Girardi was sentenced to jail after his conviction on multiple fraud charges - the pair were married from 2000-2020

Giradi, 86, faces dying behind bars with his sentence of 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 - pictured August 2024

'This was the day that he got sentenced, my second show. My first show was flawless. And my second show was great, dont get me wrong. But there was that five percent I could have given the audience, and instead I was feeling sorry for myself.

The reality star said she struggled to 'fight back thoughts and emotions' during her performance.

Erika was herself accused alongside Girardi of embezzling money to fund their lavish lifestyles - but faced no charges.

As well as his jail time, Girardi has 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.

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).

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.

Erika, 53, revealed she had learned Girardi's grim fate while in London on tour during a candid chat on the Friday, June 13, episode of Diamonds in the Rough with Teddi Mellencamp ; the duo pictured in 2017

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.

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.
Todd Chrisley made his first social media post on Friday following his shocking Presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

Todd and his wife Julie Chrisley were released from prison after receiving a 'full, unconditional pardon' from Trump on May 27.

The couplebest known for their reality show Chrisley Knows Best and its spin-offswere convicted in 2022 of defrauding banks out of $30 million.

Todd, 56, had been serving a 12-year sentence in Florida, while Julie, 52, was serving seven years in Kentucky.

Though both have made public appearances since their release, showing off their post-prison glow-ups, Friday marked Todd's first Instagram post since regaining his freedom.

The post celebrated their 19-year-old son Grayson Chrisley making the University of Alabama Dean's List.

Todd Chrisley made his first social media post on Friday following his shocking Presidential pardon from Donald Trump

Todd and his wife Julie Chrisley were released from prison after receiving a 'full, unconditional pardon' from Trump on May 27.; (seenn in 2017)

'God is good all the time, @graysonchrisley, I love you to the moon and back and we couldnt be more proud,' Todd wrote.

He added: 'You have shown great character and fortitude and stood with your lord and savior amidst the fire and came out the other side never smelling of smoke, you are proof of Gods word.

'Stand tall,Stand true and stand for your fellow brothers in Christ. I love you Gray Gray.'

The social media post comes after DailyMail.com learned the reality family is reportedly on the hunt for their next TV deal.

According to DailyMail.com sources, several production companies are interested in developing a new show centered on the Chrisley Knows Best couple, who served over two years of their sentences for tax evasion and bank fraud.

While the family already has a separate series in the works with Lifetimefocusing on how the Chrisley children coped with their parents behind barsthat show was reportedly not expected to include Todd and Julie.

However, following their pardon, the couple immediately returned to filming, and insiders say one show won't be enough.

'Theyre hungry for a good deal,' a network executive told DailyMail.com. 'And if we can come up with one, Ill put them back on TV. Because people will watch.'

The post celebrated their 19-year-old son Grayson Chrisley making the University of Alabama Dean's List

'God is good all the time, @graysonchrisley, I love you to the moon and back and we couldnt be more proud,' Todd wrote

Season 4 cast photo includes (l-r) Faye Chrisley, Lindsie Chrisley Campbell, Grayson Chrisley, Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, Chase Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley

Todd and Julie were convicted of conspiring to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of more than $36 million in loans using false documents, along with tax evasion.

They were ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.

At a May 30 press conference, a defiant Todd maintained his innocence and blamed his imprisonment on what he described as a corrupt prosecution.

'I would have remorse if it was something that I did,' he said. 'The corruption that went on in our case is going to continue to unfold.'

Julie was not present at the press briefing but was later seen exiting a Nashville butcher shop sporting gray hair with brown tipsa notable change from her usual blonde style.

'Julie  who is a wonderful, decent, God-fearing woman that I am blessed to have been married to and been with for over 30 years now, an excellent mother  she's at home with Chloe right now,' Todd told reporters, referencing his 12-year-old granddaughter.

'Chloe will not let her go. Were blessed to have our family back.'

Their 27-year-old daughter, Savannah, also addressed the scrutiny she has faced for helping secure her parents' pardons.

Todd and Julie were convicted of conspiring to defraud Atlanta-area banks out of more than $36 million in loans using false documents, along with tax evasion

Savannah (pictured with President Trump) has become a fixture in the MAGA world amid her two-year fight for her parents' freedom

She told the press that the 'misconceptions' about their release are untrue.

'The biggest misconception right now is I either paid for a pardon or slept for a pardon,' Savannah said, who is also expected to appear in a new Chrisley reality show, according to producers.

'I have fought hard and I was exhausted and I begged for meetings. I was never too good to ask and thats the thing.'

She added, 'People think, youre a celebrity, youre white, you have money, that we got an upper hand, but we didn't.

'I had to fight, and I was relentless, and thats how it happened.'
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'

2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th

2024 - MORE facial surgery

In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing.

The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure.

A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court.
Kavos Weekender star Ethan Aveiro has got engaged to model partner Natalie Taylor after two years together.

Ethan, who was a rep on the ITV2 show alongside David Potts in 2023, proposed to his girlfriend during a romantic holiday in Crete.

The couple, who have a million followers on TikTok, shared their happy news in a very romantic video on Tuesday.

In the clip, Natalie showed off her incredible figure in a white mesh dress, while Ethan opted for a cream co-ord for the special occasion.

The reality star secretly filmed the surprise proposal and explained: 'It's the 10th of June 2025.

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Kavos Weekender star Ethan Aveiro is engaged to model partner Natalie Taylor after two years together

Ethan, who was a rep on ITV2 show alongside David Potts in 2023 - proposed to his girlfriend during a romantic holiday in Crete on Tuesday

'It's currently half six, and if Nat gets the timings right she'll be engaged in half an hour.'

A montage of romantic photos then flashed up with Alex Warren's song Ordinary playing over the top.

It cut to a shocked Natalie walking out, with Ethan getting down on one knee and popping the question.

As a woman played the violin in the background, Natalie was seen nodding before Ethan put the ring on her finger and they shared a kiss.

Natalie showcased the diamond ring on several occasions, including putting it towards the camera in one clip.

Fans and celebrity pals rushed to the comment section to congratulate the loved-up couple.

The pair met in 2023 after Ethan found fame on Kavos Weekender.

Following the series, ITV decided to 'cancel' the Weekender franchise ahead of the return of Big Brother that same year.

The couple, who have a million followers on TikTok, shared their happy news in a very romantic video

Fans and celebrity pals rushed to the comment section to congratulate the loved-up couple

The wild series, which has been running for 10 years, followed holiday reps and a group of young adults in some of Europe's most renowned party destinations.

Boozy partygoers jetted off to the likes of Ibiza, Magaluf and Kavos over the past decade and took part in the series.

Weekender has produced a number of popular reality stars including David Potts and Jordan Davies, who are said to be 'gutted' by the news.

An insider told The Sun: 'The cast were recently informed that planned filming later this year has been cancelled and the show won't be coming back. They're all gutted as many of them have been on it for years and it's always been a popular format.

'ITV2 have had to make some difficult decisions with the return of Big Brother taking up a big portion of the schedule later in the year, and it looks like the Weekender series is one of those casualties...

Ethan (left) found fame in 2023 on ITV reality show Kavos Weekender, which was cancelled later that year

Natalie boasts 114k Instagram followers, works with brands including PrettyLittleThing and Lounge, and has walked on the runway during Miami Swim Week

'Obviously in telly land shows can always be resurrected, so it's not necessarily gone forever, but for the foreseeable future it's off the cards.'

For series one to three, Weekender was based in Magaluf at the Lively Hotel before moving to Ibiza for the fourth series in 2015 until 2020.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the ITV2 show relocated for the tenth series to the Morfeas Hotel in Kavos.

The show followed two different sets of young people aged between 18 and 24 enjoying boozy nights and for some it was their first holiday without their parents.
A shock contender has emerged as the bookies' favourite to play the villain in the highly-anticipated next instalment of James Bond.

Film-lovers have been patiently waiting to find out when the new 007 movie will be released since Daniel Craig finished his five film stint as the British spy with No Time To Die.

The 2021 movie was the last spearheaded by Bond producer of 30 years Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael G. Wilson after Amazon took over 'creative control' of the much-loved franchise.

The company are said to be fast-tracking the new film, with Hollywood producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal hired to bring in the new era of Bond.

Despite no official announcements being made, speculation about the potential cast for the next movie has been heating up in recent weeks.

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British actor Craig, 57, enjoyed a five movie stint as the spy beginning with Casino Royale and ending with No Time To Die (Pictured in Skyfall) but a new cast is now being found

Cillian Murphy, 49, has emerged as the shock bookies' favourite to be cast as the villain in the next Bond Movie (Pictured February 2025)

British fan favourites Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Henry Cavill have been linked to the role, while The White Lotus actor Theo James emerged as the latest bookies' favourite last month.

Now, betting companies have released their odds for the next villain - with one unexpected household name topping the list.

The favourite is none other than Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, 49, who sits at the top of OLBG's odds at 9/2.

The Irish actor - best known for playing Thomas Shelby - had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation, telling Deadline: 'I think I'm a bit old for that.'

Also in the running for the part are American actor Paul Giamatti (11/2), The Boogeyman star David Dastmalchian (13/2), and unlikely contender Zendaya (7/1).

Despite 'usually playing the good guy' in her previous roles, the female actress told Elle in 2023 that she's ready to enter her villainous era.

'I would love to play a villain of sorts,' the 28-year-old said.

'Tap into the evil, supervillain vibes. Whatever that manifests in, I don't think necessarily in a superhero sense, I just mean in like an emotional sense.

The Irish actor - who plays lead character Thomas Shelby in the Netflix series - had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation telling Deadline: 'I think I'm a bit old for that'

Paul Giamatti, 58, is the second favourite for the part having featured in The Ides of March (Pictured May 2025)

American actor David Dastmalchian, 49, is also in the running for the part after impressing in The Dark Knight (Pictured June 2025)

While Zendaya, 28, has too emerged as a shock contender after expressing her want to be a villain during an interview (Pictured May 2025)

'I feel like I usually play the good guy, so I'd like to play the bad guy.'

Cillian Murphy remains the strong favourite for the role, with Betting Expert Jake Ashton backing the Irish star too.

'The villain role in the Bond movies is just as iconic as Bond himself,' he said.

'With Cillian Murphy at the height of his powers and trusted by major directors, he's a natural favourite.'

No Time To Die saw Oscar winner Rami Malek star as its lead antagonist Lyutsifer Safin, a terrorist chief and scientist driven by a desire to dismantle the criminal group SPECTRE.

Before him A-lister Christoph Waltz starred as the villain in Spectre and Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as 'up there with the great' Bond baddies.

After Daniel Craig's James Bond died at the end of No Time To Die, speculation has been rife as to how the next film will begin.

As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for the new Bond to be a 'straight up' reboot.

There have been a host of iconic Bond villains over the years, including Jaws played by Richard Kiel in the 1970s

Rami Malik, 44, starred as the villain in the 2021 movie No Time To Die

Before him, A-lister Christoph Waltz, 68, starred as the villain in Spectre

Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as 'up there with the great' Bond baddies

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.

Barbara Broccoli's choice for Bond was thought to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was once favourite for the role, but Heyman and Pascal are likely to want to choose their own 007.

Theo James currently sits at favourite for the part at 3/1, ahead of Superman actor Cavill (3/1), Taylor-Johnson (7/2) and Jack Lowden (12/1) from Mary Queen of Scots.

Theo has impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen.

Theo had been one of the frontrunners for the role a couple of years ago but was bumped down odds lists after an interview in The Guardian in 2024.

He told the publication: 'Everyone's interested in playing Bond because it's a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn't be me.

'I do think there are better people for that job. And honestly it would be terrifiyng... you're opening Pandora's Box.'

The current bookies' favourite to become the next Bond is none other than The Divergent series star Theo James, 40

Superman actor Henry Cavill, 42, had soared to the top of the odds list but has now been pipped by Theo

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.
Star Wars legend Mark Hamill has finally revealed his future in the iconic franchise after nearly 50 years playing Luke Skywalker.

The 73-year-old actor - who made his debut as the Jedi in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV  A New Hope with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, emotionally discussed hanging up his lightsaber in an interview with Willie Geist, which will air on Sunday Today.

Now, with the announcement a new Star Wars film starring Daisy Ridley's Rey is in development, Hamill revealed he won't be back for a starring role, but is adamant he did not quit.

He said: 'Well, let me say: they havent asked me. Its not like they said, Please come back.

'I don't want to make a big PR pronouncement like "This is my decision,"'

'Im just saying that it really felt like a conclusion. My character was given complete closure. I died, ironically by overdosing on the Force, I might point out.'

Hamill starred as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy; which also included 1980's Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars legend Mark Hamill has finally revealed if he has quit the iconic franchise after nearly 50 years playing Luke Skywalker

He then reprised the role again in 2015's the Force Awakens.

In the 2017 film The Last Jedi, Skywalker dies at the end, melding with The Force. He put on the mantel for what appeared to be the final time in 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, as Luke's spirit.

Hamill said completing the Skywalker trilogy allowed for other adventures under the Star Wars umbrella.

'It was a whole new era for them,' the action star explained.

'George (Lucas) gave them this amazing canvas, the entire galaxy. They can do westerns, mysteries, comedies, whodunits, anything within that realm of Star Wars,' he said.

'And theyre doing so well' he added. 'I love Rogue One, Mandalorian, Book of Boba Fett.'

Hamill made brief appearances in both The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett as Luke with the help of de-aging and motion capture effects.

'I had my time,' he said of his tenure in the 'galaxy far, far away.'

'Im really appreciative, but Im really looking to the future for all these new projects.'

Hamill made headlines in late May when he told ComicBook.com 'I left my robes behind. And theres no way Im gonna appear as a naked force ghost.'

Hamill opened up about why he was finished the franchise in an interview with Willie Geist, which will air June 15 on Sunday Today

'It really felt like a conclusion,' Hamill said of his iconic character Luke Skywalker. 'My character was given complete closure. I died, ironically by overdosing on The Force, I might point out'

Hamill has played Jedi Luke Skywalker for nearly 50 years after originating the character in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

He has reprised the role more than half a dozen times, including in 2017's Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

Hamill said completing Skywalker trilogy opened up 'a whole new era... They can do westerns, mysteries, comedies, whodunits, anything within that realm of Star Wars,' he said

Hamill can be seen Friday in the film The Life of Chuck, based on a Stephen King novella; Pictured in Los Angeles on June 2

Responding to the response following his remarks, the BAFTA winner humbly said, 'Well, let me say: they havent asked me. Its not like they said, "Please come back."'

Hamill is currently starring in The Life of Chuck, which opened Friday in theaters, playing the grandfather of the title character, whose life is portrayed over the years by four different actors.

'Its so positive. Its so optimistic about life,' he said of the story based on a Stephen King novella. It also teaches you there are moments that, in life, you think are trivial that collectively become very important.'

Fans can see the full interview with Hamill June 15, Father's day on Sunday Today.
Jenelle Evans celebrated her divorce from David Eason in wild style at New York City's infamous Spearmint Rhino on Thursday.

The Teen Mom star, 33, even had a very special pinata of her ex-husband's face made so she could swing the pole at him over and over and over again to mark the end of their turbulent eight year union.

Jenelle looked like she was having the time of her life in a sexy red dress with her hair down in loose curls.

The reality star drank, she gave out money from a stack of bills and took her turn on the pole during the raucous night.

Jenelle was surrounded by a group of her girlfriends as she celebrated being single again.

Before the raucous party she told TMZ that with David finally out of the picture, she is feeling shes feeling great, less anxious and totally free.

Jenelle Evans celebrated her divorce from David Eason in wild style at New York Citys infamous Spearmint Rhino on Thursday, with her glam look featuring hair by celebrity hairstylist Mikel Slate and makeup by Eve Chen.

The Teen Mom star, 33, even had a very special pinata of her ex-husband's face made so she could swing the pole at him over and over and over again to mark the end of their turbulent eight year union

In February 2024, Evans filed for separation from Eason, six years after tying the knot

Jenelle filed for separation from David last year after six years of marriage and accused him of erratic behavior, substance abuse, not working  and even brought up the time he shot their French bulldog, Nugget, in 2019.

In addition to her bachelorette party, Jenelle is grieving the death of seven-year-old daughter Lailah Price, who is the daughter of Olivia Leedham, her ex-husband David's former girlfriend.

Price heartbreakingly died in the hospital after suffering a seizure the day earlier, a family friend revealed.

'I share all my condolences and my prayers out to David's ex because I can just not imagine how she feels right now,' the Teen Mom alum told DailyMail.com.

'My prayers and condolences go out to her and I just can't imagine how she feels right now,' Jenelle also said.

Leedham, who has 10-year-old son Kaden with Eason, lost her daughter on Saturday, June 7th. She confirmed the passing with People.

Janelle and Eason have eight-year-old daughter Ensley Jolie Eason together.

The MTV alum also shares son Jace Vaughn, 15, with ex Andrew Lewis, and 10-year-old son Kaiser Orion with ex Nathan Griffin.

Jenelle looked like she was having the time of her life in a sexy red dress with her hair down in loose curls

She drank, she gave out money from a stack of bills and she took her turn on the pole

Jenelle was surrounded by a group of her girlfriends as she celebrated being single again

Before the raucous party she told TMZ that with David finally out of the picture, she is feeling shes feeling great, less anxious and totally free

In addition to Kaden and Ensley, Evans also has daughter Maryssa with his ex Whitney Rich.

Back in May, Jenelle and her fellow Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham buried their 10 year feud over nachos and mocktails at Lucia at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas.

Farrah and Janelle have been feuding for more than a decade, trading barbs and snarky comments on social media.

At times they have called each other a 'prostitute' and a 'bad mom.'

At one point in 2023, Janelle called Child Protective Services to do a wellness check on Farrah.

Her reasoning? 'Her mom seems very unstable in her videos online.'

From its inception, reality series Teen Mom was fraught with everything from custody battles and arrests to drug struggles and break-ups.

MTV famously fired Eason in 2018 over homophobic and transphobic tweets, and the cable network fired the hot-tempered brunette in 2019 after nine seasons of Teen Mom 2 shortly after Eason shot and killed their French Bulldog, Nugget.

Jenelle filed for separation from David last year after six years of marriage and accused him of erratic behavior, substance abuse, not working  and even brought up the time he shot their French bulldog, Nugget, in 2019

After Evans initially called the Columbus County Sheriffs Office to report that her husband had shot and killed their dog, she subsequently claimed that she had not seen the shooting or seen any evidence that the dog was actually dead.

That got police to end the investigation into the killing, only for Eason to admit months later that he had shot and killed the tiny dog, which he claimed had bitten their daughter Ensley Jolie, who was two at the time.

Audiences were first introduced to Evans back in 2010 when she appeared in the second season of MTV reality show, 16 and Pregnant.

Jenelle also made a glamorous stop at the Daily Mail offices in Manhattan ahead of her headline-making divorce party for an exclusive sit-down and sneak peek into the wild night she had planned.

The former star opened up about her turbulent past and fresh start, getting candid about the journey that led her to finally break free from David Eason.

With her signature brunette locks styled to perfection by celebrity hairstylist Mikel Slate and a glam look by makeup artist Eve Chen, Jenelle looked every inch the star as she prepared to reclaim her narrative and step into her next chapter  in true NYC style.
Caitlyn Jenner was drinking wine and texting members of her family while bombs rained down near her Tel Aviv hotel on Friday night, the Daily Mail can reveal.

As Iran pounded Israel with ballistic missiles in a counterstrike, the former Olympian told loved ones that she is taking every precaution to stay safe.

'Please pray,' the 75-year-old texted one family member from a secure area. 'I'm holding up okay.' When asked if the bombs were loud, Jenner merely responded 'yes.'

The family member told the Daily Mail that Jenner had phone service throughout the first wave of the attack and handed situation calmly.

She even posed for a photo holding a glass of red wine with influencer Regev Gur.

Jenner was in Tel Aviv to headline Friday's Pride parade, and posted photos of herself in some of the region's most iconic spots: Kibbutz Be'eri, the Nova Festival site, and Jerusalem's Western Wall.

Caitlyn Jenner was drinking wine and texting members of her family while bombs rained down near her Tel Aviv hotel on Friday night, the Daily Mail can reveal

In her posts, Jenner expressed support for the country.

'I am excited to share that I will be in Israel this week,' she wrote 'Im visiting the resilient people of Israel as the nation continues to recover and restore its place in the Middle East. Stay tuned!'

'My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in Israel,' she wrote on another post.

Members of Jenner's inner circle say that she had been looking forward to the trip for weeks.

'She was very excited to be there for the parade,' says the family member. 'This was a bucket list item. It was supposed to be a great time.'

But the night before the parade, Israel carried out a military strike against Iran, targeting nuclear sites.

Organizers cancelled the parade out of safety concerns, but Jenner ended up stranded in the country as airports shut down.

On Friday evening, Iran returned fire, raining bombs down across the country, including in Tel Aviv, where Jenner has been staying.

Buildings were destroyed and dozens were wounded as some of the missiles broke through Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.

Extraordinary photos showed Iranian rockets being intercepted above Tel Aviv skyscrapers as air raid sirens wailed through the streets.

As Iran pounded Israel with ballistic missiles in a counterstrike , the 75-year-old former Olympian told loved ones that she is taking every precaution to stay safe

Jenner was in Tel Aviv to headline Friday's Pride parade, and posted photos of herself in some of the region's most iconic spots

'She told us not to worry,' a family member tells the Daily Mail. 'She says she'll be fine and that Israel will protect her.'

Jenner has been in contact with the American Embassy in Tel Aviv, who advised her to shelter in a windowless area near her hotel.

As the bombs began to drop, Jenner posted an image of the missile defense system lighting up the skies on social media.

''Quiet' night in Tel Aviv. Pray for us all. We will prevail,' the post read. 'I am happy to stand with Israel today, now more than ever.'

A post shared on social media showed Jenner drinking wine with social media influencer Regev Gur, in what looked like a bomb shelter.

'And what did you do during the sirens?' the influencer captioned the post, 'because I'm drinking wine with Caitlyn.'

For now, her family is watching the news and is constant contact with Jenner, who is in 'good spirits' and 'doesn't seem overly worried at the moment. Just trusting that everything is going to be okay.'
Starbucks has launched its biggest hiring spree in history  aimed at finally tackling the number one gripe from frustrated customers.

The recruitment blitz adding as many as 85,000 workers across its 17,000 US locations  is a bold move aimed at slashing long wait times.

Customers have grown weary of waiting 20 minutes for a drink, with many walking away from the chain entirely.

Soaring prices and what critics call a 'soulless' in-store experience have only added to the exodus  helping drive a sharp drop in sales.

New CEO Brian Niccol, speaking to 14,000 store managers at a Las Vegas event on Wednesday, called it 'the biggest human capital investment in connection in the history of Starbucks.'

He said the goal isn't just to speed up service, but to ease pressure on overworked employees and bring back the warmth and personal touch that once made Starbucks a beloved 'third place' between home and work.

'Your rosters are going to expand with this,' Niccol told managers, who can begin hiring from August.

Five years ago, Starbucks stores averaged 23 employees. Cost-cutting has since trimmed that number down to 18 to 19  four to five fewer workers per location.

If Starbucks returned to pre-Covid levels that would see another 85,000 people hired

Restoring pre-Covid staffing levels would mean hiring between 68,000 and 85,000 people across all US stores.

Even focusing solely on the 11,000 company-owned locations, the increase would still be a massive 44,000 to 55,000 hires.

Jodi Love, a portfolio manager at T Rowe Price, a Starbucks shareholder, estimated the labor investments would add more than $1bn in additional spending to fiscal 2026.

But the move is expected to resonate with baristas on the frontlines, many of whom have long complained of chronic understaffing that fuels delays and drains morale.

The new hires are also expected to support Starbucks' efforts to bring back a more personal touch  including a new policy asking baristas to handwrite notes on customers cups.

Explaining the U-turn, Niccol told the Financial Times: 'We over-rotated on the idea of equipment and that replacing the humanity of service,' Niccol told the Financial Times.

'And I think service is our point of difference. Despite everybody saying they're more connected than ever, everything I read is people feel more lonely than ever.

'I think part of the problem is there aren't enough third places anymore.'

Former Chipotle boss Brian Niccol was hired to revive Starbuck's ailing fortunes

The new Starbucks boss has said he will simplify the chain's 'overly complex menu' in a bid to win back customers amid slumping sales

Customers have increasingly been turned off by long wait times and rising prices at the chain

Starbucks is scaling back the promotions and discounts offered through its mobile app

Starbucks held

Niccol was hired last year in an effort to turn around the struggling chain.

Former CEO Howard Shultz agreed with Niccol telling Wednesday's company event 'we're not a company based on technology.

'That enables us, we're a company based on people.'

The former Chipotle boss has embarked on a series of plans to return Starbucks to its original 'third place between home and work' concept.

Coffee drinkers have turned away from the chain in recent years, put off by high beverage prices, long wait times and impersonal experiences.

Niccol has set about axing complicated drinks from Starbucks menus, asking staff to put messages on customer's coffee cups and scaling back promotions.

The plan will help address the major customer pet peeve of long wait times before getting their hands on a coffee.

It will also likely be popular with front of house employees who have complained of chronic issues with understaffing, which compounds the backlogs.
Louisiana residents were left confused  and a little panicked  after CVS sent out ominous texts claiming the pharmacy giant may shut down every store in the state.

The messages, sent directly to customers' phones this morning, warned that 'your medication cost may go up and your pharmacist could lose their job'  sparking a wave of concern and confusion.

The alert was linked to House Bill 358, a new piece of legislation targeting Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)  the behind-the-scenes middlemen that help set drug prices and reimbursement rates.

CVS, which owns one of the nation's largest PBMs, Caremark, says the bill could force it to pull out of Louisiana entirely.

'If you choose to be a PBM, you can still be a PBM,' explained State Rep. Dustin Miller, who sponsored the bill. 'But you cannot be a PBM and a pharmacy.'

Lawmakers argue the measure is designed to stop big chains from steering customers toward their own stores  a move they say hurts independent pharmacies and inflates prices.

The text blast from CVS  which has revamped management after a sales slump  didn't go over well with many legislators.

'Scare tactics,' said Rep. Dixon McMakin, who slammed the company's messaging as misleading.

CVS sent text messages to Louisiana residents warning them that all pharmacies in that state are on the brink of closing

Others, like Rep. Edmond Jordan, tried to calm nerves: 'Independent pharmacies aren't going to close tomorrow. In fact, they're doing better than they have in years.'

'If CVS decides to leave, hopefully, we have people there to make up that difference.'

PBMs are used by pharmacies, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers when setting drug prices.

'They set the rates and the reimbursement for the pharmacies; we are just telling them if that is your core responsibility, you can keep that as your core responsibility,' Miller said.

'We don't want you to also go open a pharmacy and steer people to you and compete against other pharmacies.'

The text message fiasco comes after Arkansas signed Act 624 into a law banning PBMs from owning or operating pharmacies starting next year.

Reddit users were more blunt.

'CVS has one of the biggest PBM's and they don't want to give up all the price fixing they do. Let them leave. They will come crawling back,' a customer claimed on a post.

Representatives Dustin Miller and Dixon McMakin gave their opinions on the House Bill on the House floor this week

The closures would be the result of House Bill 358, which would require CVS Health to stop operating CVS Caremark and pharmacies that own PBMs in Louisiana.

'Just got it myself as well at the email. Do not respond. If they leave, they leave of their own volition because they don't truly care,' another person wrote.

CVS insisted the company had a responsibility to inform customers of legislation that could lead to store closures, adding that their form of communication is consistent with the law.

The bill, which has passed both the House and Senate, now awaits the signature of Governor Jeff Landry, who is expected to sign it into law. That is expected to be a formality.

CVS has been having financial problems over the last few years.

The chain announced back in 2023 that it would close 900 stores by the end of 2024.

The pharmacy chain revealed the closures were part of a 'retail footprint strategy' created in order to continue meeting customer needs.

CVS is planning to shutter 270 stores this year, but will continue operating over 9,000 locations nationwide.

It experienced a 7% increase in first quarter revenue compared to 2024 and has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

However, fellow pharmaceutical chain Rite Aid has been struggling to stay afloat after filing for bankruptcy in 2023.

It's set to close 111 stores across the US this year, and is in the process of selling its pharmacy assets following its second bankruptcy filing.
Muhammad Yunus, once hailed as a visionary economist and social reformer, now accused of steering Bangladesh into deeper division and decay through a caretaker regime defined more by personal retribution than national stewardship

This weekas attack on Rabindranath Tagoreas ancestral home in Sirajganj is no mere incident but a stark symptom of Bangladeshas deterioration. Once a cultural sanctuary, it now lies desecrated by mob violence over a trivial dispute a reflecting a nation fraying under extremism, institutional decay, and political chaos.

The stateas feeble response exposes its waning control, while the turmoil mirrors the catastrophic misjudgements of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunusas fractured stewardship. Once revered worldwide as the architect of microfinance and a Nobel laureate whose work redefined social entrepreneurship, Muhammad Yunusas trajectory into Bangladeshas political arena has proved paradoxically corrosive. His appointment as the head of the caretaker Government, intended to ensure impartiality and a smooth transition, has instead become synonymous with deepening partisan rancour and administrative shortsightedness. Yunusas virulent antipathy towards the Awami League, and particularly its leader Sheikh Hasina a scion of the revered Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman a has become the defining characteristic of his Governance. It is widely known that Sheikh Hasina once sought to imprison Yunus on charges of financial irregularities, charges that Yunus has deftly manipulated to foment public dissent against her and to galvanise efforts not merely to dislodge her from power but to systematically excise her familyas enduring imprint on Bangladeshas national consciousness. This vendetta is no more visible than in the excision of Bangabandhuas visage from the nationas currency notes.

Since 1971, the Father of the Nationas image has been etched onto the Taka, an emblematic tribute to the liberation struggle and a unifying symbol of identity. The Yunus administrationas replacement of this enduring iconography with cultural landmarks, framed under the pretext of adepoliticisinga currency, reveals itself as an act less of sober governance than of emotional retribution. To excise the very face that personifies Bangladeshas birth is to leave the country from its roots, a symbolic mutilation that threatens to fracture collective memory.

Yunusas rhetoric has further inflamed divisions. In a contentious address at Londonas Chatham House, he openly questioned the legitimacy of the Awami League. His inflammatory statements do not merely delegitimise a political party; they alienate millions of citizens who have invested their faith in the Awami League over decades. This polarising discourse deepens the fissures within an already fragile polity, fostering discord where unity is desperately needed. Compounding these political fissures is the dire economic reality confronting Bangladesh under Yunusas leadership. At the same Chatham House forum, Yunus lamented that the economy had not simply stalled but regressed beneath zero, burdened by aimmense debt pressurea and foreign reserves aat the bottom a because theyare empty.a The banking sector, he revealed, has acompletely collapsed,a the victim of arampant corruption, bribery and money launderinga allegedly perpetrated during the previous Governmentas tenure.

The revelation that billions a estimated at $234 billion a have been siphoned off via illicit channels paints a grim picture of systemic plunder, one that threatens to choke any prospects of recovery. However, the indictment of the past also illuminates the present conundrum: the interim Government itself inherited and perpetuated systemic rot. The wholesale replacement of bank boards with cronies issuing loans as agiftsa compounds institutional dysfunction. The challenge of rehabilitating a banking sector crippled by nepotism, impunity, and political interference looms large, a task made all the more formidable by ongoing factional infighting and a deteriorating governance framework.

Globally, Yunusas stature has suffered a perceptible decline. Despite proclamations of aenormous supporta from the IMF and foreign Governments, reality paints a more sobering tableau. Notably, the UK Prime Minister reportedly declined to meet Yunus during a recent diplomatic mission, a pointed gesture of diplomatic coolness that exposes his precarious standing on the world stage. This tacit rebuff marks a sharp contrast to his previous global acclaim, highlighting how domestic political entanglements and perceived instability have diminished his credibility. The interim Governmentas revisionist approach to history and national symbolism has only served to alienate broad swathes of the population. The rewriting of textbooks, removal of Sheikh Mujibas statues from public spaces, and suspension of Awami League activities are widely perceived not as reforms but as punitive purges. This behaviour reeks of sectarianism disguised as statesmanship a a profound breach of the mature leadership Bangladesh urgently needs. Responses from emergent political entities, such as the National Citizen Party, articulate the widespread scepticism gripping the political milieu. While tentatively welcoming the prospect of elections in the first half of next year, the NCP conditions its support on the implementation of the July Charter and Declaration, alongside comprehensive institutional reforms.

Their insistence on restructuring the Election Commission and prioritising local elections signals a demand for foundational renewal before any credible national vote can transpire. This cautious posture encapsulates the broader anxieties of a civil society wary of being entrapped in another cycle of compromised democracy. The quest to recover stolen assets in countries riddled with entrenched patronage systems is widely acknowledged as Sisyphean. Extensive research by governance watchdogs like Transparency International and the World Bank elucidates that such endeavours demand not only domestic resolve but also robust international cooperation, forensic accounting expertise, and a judiciary capable of withstanding political pressure. Bangladeshas current fissures and institutional weaknesses severely constrain such ambitions, casting doubt on the feasibility of Yunusas promises to repatriate illicit capital without a concerted, unified national effort. Yunusas tenure illustrates the peril inherent when a fragile democracy is entrusted to a leadership that substitutes vindictiveness for statesmanship a rewriting history not to enlighten but to erase. The rise and precipitous fall of Muhammad Yunus as Bangladeshas political architect serve as a sobering admonition of the consequences wrought when personal animus supplants public duty.

His relentless pursuit of political objectives, seemingly intertwined with an abiding enmity towards the Awami League and its storied legacy, has not only imperilled his standing but threatens to thrust the nation further into fragmentation and despair. The symbolic purging of Bangabandhu from the currency and public memory is more than mere iconoclasm; it is an affront to the nationas very soul. Consequently, the future of a aNew Bangladesha hangs precariously in the balance, burdened by economic stagnation, vindictive politics, and a rising tide of extremism. Without a fundamental shift towards inclusive governance, respect for historical legacy, and robust institutional reform, Bangladesh risks becoming a cautionary case study in the devastating aftermath of regime-change projects orchestrated by warmongering Western democracies a nations devoid of conscience in their interventions, willing to sacrifice anything for political expediency.

(The writer is a columnist based in Colombo. Views are personal)
Redburn Atlantic started coverage on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm issued a neutral rating and a $55.00 price target on the restaurant operators stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on CMG. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $64.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $70.00 to $60.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Stephens reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $49.00 price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Monday. Finally, TD Securities decreased their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $60.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $61.37.

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Price Performance

NYSE CMG opened at $50.89 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $68.57 billion, a PE ratio of 45.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a fifty day moving average of $50.29 and a 200 day moving average of $54.42. Chipotle Mexican Grill has a 1 year low of $44.46 and a 1 year high of $69.26.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.28 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $2.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.98 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.56% and a return on equity of 42.92%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $13.37 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Chipotle Mexican Grill news, insider Roger E. Theodoredis sold 113,875 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.70, for a total value of $5,659,587.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 109,815 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,457,805.50. This trade represents a 50.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chipotle Mexican Grill

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 122,463,327 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $6,148,884,000 after buying an additional 1,597,287 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.6% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 56,827,332 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $2,853,302,000 after purchasing an additional 4,027,016 shares in the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 32,505,318 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,632,092,000 after purchasing an additional 2,404,798 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 28,476,031 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,712,238,000 after purchasing an additional 395,053 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 20,662,628 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,037,471,000 after purchasing an additional 425,648 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.31% of the companys stock.

About Chipotle Mexican Grill

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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BBB Foods (NYSE:TBBB  Get Free Report) is one of 63 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery stores industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare BBB Foods to similar companies based on the strength of its risk, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares BBB Foods and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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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%

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for BBB Foods and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score BBB Foods 0 4 3 0 2.43 BBB Foods Competitors 1092 2949 3175 144 2.32

Earnings & Valuation

BBB Foods currently has a consensus price target of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 25.88%. As a group, Grocery stores companies have a potential upside of 9.48%. Given BBB Foods stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe BBB Foods is more favorable than its competitors.

This table compares BBB Foods and its competitors gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio BBB Foods $61.89 billion -$17.30 million 122.77 BBB Foods Competitors $38.06 billion $567.26 million 10.77

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.

Insider and Institutional 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, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility and Risk

BBB Foods has a beta of 0.16, indicating that its stock price is 84% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BBB Foods competitors have a beta of 0.67, indicating that their average stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

BBB Foods competitors beat BBB Foods on 9 of the 13 factors compared.

BBB Foods Company Profile

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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.

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc (LON:RR  Get Free Report) insider Helen McCabe purchased 17 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 9th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 876 ($11.93) per share, for a total transaction of 148.92 ($202.75).

Helen McCabe also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Wednesday, March 12th, Helen McCabe sold 400,659 shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 767 ($10.44), for a total value of 3,073,054.53 ($4,183,872.74).

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Stock Performance

Shares of LON RR opened at GBX 893.40 ($12.16) on Friday. The stock has a market cap of 76.62 billion, a PE ratio of 32.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.82. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has a fifty-two week low of GBX 196.45 ($2.67) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 537.20 ($7.31). The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 782.75 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 690.56.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on RR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an overweight rating and set a GBX 900 ($12.25) price target on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a report on Friday, March 28th. Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Rolls-Royce Holdings plc has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 692.50 ($9.43).

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on RR

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc Company Profile

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Rolls-Royce Holdings plc develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for air, sea, and land in the United Kingdom and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Civil Aerospace, Defence, Power Systems, and New Markets. The Civil Aerospace segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells aero engines for large commercial aircraft, regional jet, and business aviation markets, as well as provides aftermarket services.

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Redburn Atlantic reiterated their sell rating on shares of McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Free Report) in a report released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $260.00 price objective on the fast-food giants stock, down from their previous price objective of $319.00.

MCD has been the topic of a number of other reports. Loop Capital cut shares of McDonalds from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the stock from $346.00 to $315.00 in a report on Friday, June 6th. Truist Financial set a $350.00 price target on shares of McDonalds in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Bank of America upped their price target on shares of McDonalds from $312.00 to $316.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of McDonalds from $320.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an equal weight rating and issued a $324.00 price target (down from $329.00) on shares of McDonalds in a report on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, McDonalds presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $321.79.

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McDonalds Stock Up 0.4%

MCD stock opened at $302.93 on Tuesday. McDonalds has a twelve month low of $243.53 and a twelve month high of $326.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $216.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.56. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $311.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $302.88.

McDonalds (NYSE:MCD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The fast-food giant reported $2.67 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $2.67. McDonalds had a net margin of 31.73% and a negative return on equity of 181.63%. The business had revenue of $5.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.70 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that McDonalds will post 12.25 EPS for the current year.

McDonalds Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd will be given a dividend of $1.77 per share. This represents a $7.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. McDonaldss payout ratio is 62.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at McDonalds

In related news, insider Joseph M. Erlinger sold 939 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $315.07, for a total value of $295,850.73. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 11,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,516,496.27. This trade represents a 7.76% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.25% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On McDonalds

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Nova Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of McDonalds in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. HFM Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in McDonalds during the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Atala Financial Inc purchased a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new position in McDonalds during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. 70.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About McDonalds

(Get Free Report)

McDonalds Corp. engages in the operation and franchising of restaurants. It operates through the following segments: U.S., International Operated Markets, and International Developmental Licensed Markets and Corporate. The U.S. segment focuses its operations on the United States. The International Operated Markets segment consists of operations and the franchising of restaurants in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the U.K.

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Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat reports. Redburn Atlantic currently has $177.00 price objective on the restaurant operators stock, up from their previous price objective of $145.00.

A number of other analysts have also recently weighed in on YUM. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Yum! Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $167.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Yum! Brands from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on Yum! Brands from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Yum! Brands from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of Yum! Brands in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Yum! Brands presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $158.24.

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Yum! Brands Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of NYSE YUM opened at $143.78 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.97 billion, a PE ratio of 27.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.74. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $145.56 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $143.26. Yum! Brands has a 12-month low of $122.13 and a 12-month high of $163.30.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The restaurant operator reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.85 billion. Yum! Brands had a negative return on equity of 20.33% and a net margin of 19.68%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.15 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Yum! Brands will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th were paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.98%. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is currently 56.57%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Yum! Brands

In related news, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 5,139 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.70, for a total value of $753,891.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 157,893 shares in the company, valued at $23,162,903.10. The trade was a 3.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Scott Mezvinsky sold 268 shares of Yum! Brands stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.97, for a total value of $39,119.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 1,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $256,177.35. This represents a 13.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 17,763 shares of company stock worth $2,637,564. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Yum! Brands

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Advisors Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter valued at about $201,000. WBI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter worth about $1,321,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Yum! Brands by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,048 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $165,000 after buying an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its holdings in Yum! Brands by 23.5% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 29,997 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $4,720,000 after buying an additional 5,713 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrity Alliance LLC. acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter worth about $291,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.37% of the companys stock.

About Yum! Brands

(Get Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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Liberty Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 5.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,023 shares of the information technology services providers stock after buying an additional 222 shares during the quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Accenture were worth $1,255,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ACN. Birch Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Accenture by 2.7% in the first quarter. Birch Capital Management LLC now owns 19,132 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,970,000 after acquiring an additional 502 shares in the last quarter. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 1.7% during the first quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 69,647 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $21,733,000 after buying an additional 1,177 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH boosted its stake in shares of Accenture by 5.0% during the first quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 130,338 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $40,671,000 after buying an additional 6,203 shares during the period. Mogy Joel R Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its position in Accenture by 2.9% in the first quarter. Mogy Joel R Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 106,286 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $33,165,000 after purchasing an additional 3,010 shares during the period. Finally, Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA lifted its position in Accenture by 0.3% in the first quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA now owns 11,777 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at Accenture

In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 3,563 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction on Friday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.78, for a total transaction of $1,003,982.14. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 17,237 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,857,041.86. The trade was a 17.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO John F. Walsh sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.00, for a total value of $812,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 15,882 shares in the company, valued at $5,161,650. This represents a 13.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 8,516 shares of company stock valued at $2,507,366. Insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock.

Accenture Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE ACN opened at $318.02 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $304.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $336.13. Accenture plc has a 52 week low of $275.01 and a 52 week high of $398.35. The company has a market cap of $199.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The information technology services provider reported $2.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.81 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $16.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.64 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.91% and a net margin of 11.41%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.77 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Accenture plc will post 12.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 10th were paid a dividend of $1.48 per share. This represents a $5.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 10th. Accentures payout ratio is presently 48.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $428.00 to $398.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 19th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Accenture from $364.00 to $355.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Accenture from $415.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Accenture from $399.00 to $392.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Accenture from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 11th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $382.15.

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About Accenture

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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Albert D Mason Inc. decreased its position in shares of Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC  Free Report) by 7.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 15,498 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,307 shares during the quarter. Albert D Mason Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $647,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of BAC. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 989,233 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $41,281,000 after purchasing an additional 18,890 shares during the period. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 1st quarter valued at $66,759,000. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 43.4% in the 1st quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 20,581 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $859,000 after purchasing an additional 6,226 shares during the period. FMB Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 1st quarter valued at $363,000. Finally, Simon Quick Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 445,157 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $18,576,000 after purchasing an additional 47,036 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on Bank of America from $55.00 to $52.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Cfra Research lifted their price target on Bank of America to $47.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Citigroup dropped their price target on Bank of America from $54.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $53.00 price target on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $47.69.

Bank of America Stock Down 0.3%

NYSE BAC opened at $44.61 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04. Bank of America Co. has a 1-year low of $33.07 and a 1-year high of $48.08. The company has a 50 day moving average of $41.32 and a 200-day moving average of $43.44. The company has a market cap of $336.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.85, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.30.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $27.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $26.83 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 14.10% and a return on equity of 10.29%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.26 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 6th. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.33%. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 30.95%.

About Bank of America

(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.

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China Literature Limited (OTCMKTS:CHLLF  Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 27,300 shares, a drop of 89.1% from the May 15th total of 250,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 24.8 days.

China Literature Price Performance

Shares of CHLLF remained flat at $3.27 on Friday. China Literature has a 12 month low of $3.27 and a 12 month high of $3.48. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $3.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $3.53.

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About China Literature

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China Literature Limited, an investment holding company, operates an online literature platform in the People's Republic of China. The company promotes intellectual properties primarily through its online literature platforms, such as QQ Reading and Qidian; and New Classics Media, a film and TV drama series production house.

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Clariant AG (OTCMKTS:CLZNY  Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,000 shares, an increase of 900.0% from the May 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CLZNY has been the topic of a number of research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Clariant in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Berenberg Bank lowered Clariant from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Clariant in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th.

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Clariant Trading Down 2.1%

Clariant Increases Dividend

Clariant stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $10.72. 152 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,413. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $11.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $11.70. Clariant has a 12-month low of $8.86 and a 12-month high of $17.47.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th will be paid a $0.4374 dividend. This is a boost from Clariants previous dividend of $0.41. This represents a yield of 3.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 9th. Clariants payout ratio is currently 283.11%.

About Clariant

(Get Free Report)

Clariant AG engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of specialty chemicals worldwide. The Care Chemicals segment offers specialty chemicals and application solutions for various applications in automotive fluids, aviation, construction chemicals, crop solutions, health care, home care, industrial lubricants, paints and coatings, personal care, and special solvents.

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Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLC increased its holdings in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 2.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 982 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the quarter. Relyea Zuckerberg Hanson LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $461,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of DE. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Deere & Company in the 4th quarter worth about $1,244,094,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Deere & Company by 61,215.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,753,022 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $822,781,000 after buying an additional 1,750,163 shares in the last quarter. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Deere & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $541,437,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Deere & Company by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,589,760 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,792,082,000 after buying an additional 1,095,736 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FMR LLC increased its stake in Deere & Company by 22.9% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 5,581,408 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,364,843,000 after buying an additional 1,039,395 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 68.58% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DE has been the subject of several research reports. Argus set a $510.00 price objective on Deere & Company in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered Deere & Company from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Deere & Company from $546.00 to $619.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays upped their price target on Deere & Company from $475.00 to $530.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $515.19.

Deere & Company Stock Down 0.7%

NYSE:DE opened at $517.01 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.98, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. The stocks fifty day moving average is $485.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $468.18. Deere & Company has a 52 week low of $340.20 and a 52 week high of $533.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $140.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 1.09.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.72 by $0.92. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 27.31% and a net margin of 12.94%. The company had revenue of $11.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.53 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Deere & Company will post 19.32 EPS for the current year.

Deere & Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.25%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 31.35%.

Deere & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Deere & Co engages in the manufacture and distribution of equipment used in agriculture, construction, forestry, and turf care. It operates through the following segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Agriculture and Turf segment focuses on the distribution and manufacture of a full line of agriculture and turf equipment and related service parts.

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Jacksonville Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 4,850 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $348,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rialto Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. BNP Paribas acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. raised its position 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 worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $73.94 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $71.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.97. Wells Fargo & Company has a 1-year low of $50.15 and a 1-year high of $81.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The stock has a market cap of $240.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.16.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.23 by $0.16. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.73% and a return on equity of 12.38%. The business had revenue of $20.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.20 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th were paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.16%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.73%.

Wells Fargo & Company declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Tuesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to buyback $40.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are generally a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $72.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $77.00 to $87.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. They set a hold rating and a $83.00 price objective for the company. Phillip Securities raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $83.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $77.68.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on WFC

Wells Fargo & Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

Further Reading

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Patriot Investment Management Group Inc. lessened its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 3.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,755 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 566 shares during the period. Patriot Investment Management Group Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $425,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Rialto Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Clarity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Gould Capital LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 97.2% in the 4th quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares in the last quarter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock.

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Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of PFE stock opened at $24.85 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $23.01 and its 200-day simple moving average is $24.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $141.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.62, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.57. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.92 and a fifty-two week high of $31.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.00.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $13.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 12.62%. Pfizers revenue for the quarter was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast 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 issued a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. Pfizers payout ratio is 124.64%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on PFE shares. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, March 10th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $25.00 price objective (down from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.17.

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Pfizer Profile

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Sky Investment Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 83,555 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International accounts for approximately 2.4% of Sky Investment Group LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Sky Investment Group LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $13,263,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PM. GQG Partners LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 14.3% in the 4th quarter. GQG Partners LLC now owns 48,746,809 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,866,678,000 after buying an additional 6,092,558 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 19,986.5% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 4,486,928 shares of the companys stock valued at $712,210,000 after buying an additional 4,464,590 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at about $522,214,000. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 372.2% in the 4th quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 5,453,285 shares of the companys stock valued at $656,303,000 after buying an additional 4,298,530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital World Investors lifted its stake in Philip Morris International by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 122,584,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,752,926,000 after buying an additional 4,216,586 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Philip Morris International Price Performance

Shares of PM opened at $183.98 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $98.93 and a 1-year high of $184.10. The stock has a market cap of $286.37 billion, a PE ratio of 40.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.52. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $169.95 and a 200 day moving average price of $148.87.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. The firm had revenue of $9.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.10 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.50 earnings per share. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 27th will be issued a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.94%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 111.34%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PM has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. UBS Group raised shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a neutral rating and raised their price target for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Philip Morris International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $175.30.

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Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTC:BKKPF  Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 4,500 shares, a decrease of 62.8% from the May 15th total of 12,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 15,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days.

Bangkok Bank Public Price Performance

Shares of Bangkok Bank Public stock remained flat at $4.31 during trading on Friday. Bangkok Bank Public has a 52-week low of $3.08 and a 52-week high of $4.75. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $4.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.11.

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About Bangkok Bank Public

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Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services in Thailand and internationally. It operates through Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others segments. The company offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, foreign currency, securities trading, and other accounts; home and personal loans, as well as loans for pensioners; mutual funds; bonds and debentures; life and non-life bancassurance products; payment, funds transfer, currency exchange and foreign instrument, and SMS services; debit, credit, and prepaid cards; and phone and Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and other services.

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Verity & Verity LLC reduced its holdings in American Express (NYSE:AXP) by 3.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,241 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 126 shares during the period. Verity & Verity LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $872,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. Capital & Planning LLC bought a new position in American Express in the 4th quarter worth approximately $213,000. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,481 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,924,000 after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares in the last quarter. Sovran Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $348,000. Portfolio Design Labs LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Express during the 4th quarter worth approximately $221,000. Finally, Leavell Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,943 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,764,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares in the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at American Express

In related news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 9,450 shares of the companys 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 sale, the insider now owns 9,402 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,590,251. This represents a 50.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Glenda G. Mcneal sold 3,019 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.66, for a total value of $799,008.54. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 10,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,889,822.54. This represents a 21.66% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

American Express Trading Down 0.4%

AXP stock opened at $297.90 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $208.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.26, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.25. American Express has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $326.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.57, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The business has a fifty day moving average of $277.76 and a 200-day moving average of $289.17.

American Express (NYSE:AXP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The payment services company reported $3.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.47 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $16.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.04 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 32.65% and a net margin of 15.36%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.33 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Express will post 15.33 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AXP shares. Baird R W raised American Express from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 14th. Redburn Atlantic raised American Express from a sell rating to a neutral rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $270.00 to $255.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on American Express from $367.00 to $330.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Monness Crespi & Hardt boosted their price target on American Express from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on American Express from $244.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, April 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have given a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $296.05.

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American Express Profile

(Free Report)

American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services.

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Willis Investment Counsel raised its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,220 shares of the credit services providers stock after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the quarter. Willis Investment Counsels holdings in Mastercard were worth $9,439,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of MA. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $6,022,224,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 65,631.5% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,225,637 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $4,508,636,000 after purchasing an additional 8,213,123 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the 4th quarter valued at about $837,017,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 79,739.7% in the 4th quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,555,277 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $818,962,000 after purchasing an additional 1,553,329 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 15.2% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 9,149,181 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $4,817,684,000 after purchasing an additional 1,207,787 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup lifted their target price on Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $633.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Wall Street Zen cut Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. Evercore ISI started coverage on Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an in-line rating and a $550.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Seven investment 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 currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $610.00.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

In related news, insider Craig Vosburg sold 14,051 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $585.05, for a total value of $8,220,537.55. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 58,451 shares in the company, valued at $34,196,757.55. This represents a 19.38% 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, insider Edward Grunde Mclaughlin sold 7,132 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $534.68, for a total value of $3,813,337.76. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 34,524 shares of the companys stock, valued at $18,459,292.32. The trade was a 17.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 37,258 shares of company stock worth $20,885,067. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 0.3%

Shares of NYSE:MA opened at $588.75 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $553.50 and a 200-day moving average of $543.65. The company has a market capitalization of $536.77 billion, a PE ratio of 42.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. Mastercard Incorporated has a 52-week low of $428.86 and a 52-week high of $594.71.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.31 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Company 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.

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American Embassy staff were advised to leave in many parts of the Middle East a few days ago, and Israeli citizens were advised to limit their travel in the region.

OPERATION RISING LION

Israeli defence minister has announced a special situation and confirmed Israel had carried out an attack.

An explosion was reported by Iranian state media to the northeast of Tehran.

Witnesses reported plumes of smoke over Tehran. A previous Israeli attack had taken out Irans air defences, therefore the new attack paves the way for an attack on perceived nuclear sites and other strategic targets.

Israel declared a state of emergency across the entire country prior to the Iran attack.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said that all schools in the country would be closed on Friday.

Story developing 

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Is Trump a chicken? Why is he chickening out on stopping one of the biggest existential threats to the entire world  Iran getting a nuclear bomb? While Israel is conducting Operation Rising Lion, the USA seems to be conducting Operation Cowering Chicken.

Okay, the Donald is all caught up in a few little riots in LA, but thats no excuse for not helping Netanyahu and Israel to clean out the Iranian nuclear sites once and for all.

Iran is a paper tiger, and they use proxies to do their dirty work. The Iranian hierarchy are cowards hiding behind their paid-off pawns. Taking Iran would not be an easy job, but its do-able. Many of the people in Iran want to be free of the tyranny of the Iranian regime.

At least the Israelis stepped up to the plate and are attempting to put a stop to the threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons, who they could also sell to anyone they want, as well as nuke Israel.

The Iranian regime has always stated that they want to erase Israel and its people from the map, but those words seem to fall on deaf ears when it comes to the Americans.

Thanks to Israel, Irans main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz has been hit hard, along with facilities at Khorramabad, seriously damaging the facilites.

According to state media, the Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran were struck, and the organisations highest-ranking officer, Hossein Salami, was made into salami.

Israels Mossad spy agents led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran aimed at damaging Irans strategic missile sites and its air defence capabilities.

Iranian state media reported that at least two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed in Israeli strikes in Tehran. Six Iranian nuclear scientists were killed, Iranian state media reported.

President Trump needs to go all in on this one, or he will forever be known as Mr. Bwak Bwak Chicken. That Churchill bust he has in the Oval Office looks at him every day in abject shame. Fuck the Nobel Peace Prize, you were never going to get it anyway.
NBC Securities Inc. boosted its stake in iShares Gold Trust Micro (NYSEARCA:IAUM  Free Report) by 127,400.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,275 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,274 shares during the quarter. NBC Securities Inc.s holdings in iShares Gold Trust Micro were worth $39,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in IAUM. School Employees Retirement Board of Ohio raised its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust Micro by 20.0% in the 4th quarter. School Employees Retirement Board of Ohio now owns 2,274,084 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,513,000 after acquiring an additional 379,649 shares in the last quarter. Vicus Capital raised its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust Micro by 730.2% in the 4th quarter. Vicus Capital now owns 408,573 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,692,000 after acquiring an additional 359,357 shares in the last quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust Micro by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Fielder Capital Group LLC now owns 388,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,167,000 after acquiring an additional 26,204 shares in the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust Micro by 18.4% in the 4th quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 264,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,365,000 after acquiring an additional 41,052 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of iShares Gold Trust Micro by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 232,202 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,238,000 after acquiring an additional 5,793 shares in the last quarter.

iShares Gold Trust Micro Stock Up 1.2%

NYSEARCA:IAUM opened at $33.78 on Friday. iShares Gold Trust Micro has a twelve month low of $22.89 and a twelve month high of $34.37. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $32.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.65.

iShares Gold Trust Micro Company Profile

The iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses and liabilities, using gold bars held in vaults. IAUM was launched on Jun 15, 2021 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Three men were today (Friday) ordered to stand trial accused of IRA membership and having weapons.

Standing side by side in the dock of Coleraine Magistrates Court, the three all confirmed their identities and that they were aware of the charges against them.

The three accused are Michael Conwell (31), from Castleton Square, Fintona, Dermot Burke (60), from Hass Road in Dungiven and a youth.

The trio are jointly charged with two counts of membership of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing weapons in a public place, namely two metal poles.

None of the background facts were opened in court today but previous courts have heard how three masked men entered a number of licensed premises in Dungiven on January 19 2024.

According to the police case, Michael Conwell leads the charge with the firearm in his left hand as the trio of masked terrorists visited four pubs and St. Canices GAA club over the course of an hour between 7 and 8pm.

The gang declared to patrons during their 30 second visits: We are New IRA, we are here to clean up the bars, if you dont clean up the bars we are going to do it - the bars are full of drugs.

Previous courts have heard how detectives had obtained CCTV footage from the various premises, and data from a Ford car connected to Michael Conwell, which suggests the Ford car met up with a white Citroen van in the car park of Owenbeg GAA on the Foreglen Road in Dungiven.

That van was then used to transport the masked terrorists to each of the pubs, as well as St. Canices GAA club.

Police believe the registration plate of the van had been doctored with black tape but that in actuality, the van belongs to Burkes employers and he regularly drives it.

There was also evidence obtained by police which connected Michael Conwell to his mothers white motability Ford Ecosport car and also that a mobile attributable to him had been in contact on numerous occasions both before and after the incident, with Burkes mobile number.

The court heard that while the mobile phones of both Burke and Conwell show no activity during the hour while the masked terrorists make their intimidatory pub crawl, suggesting they had been switched off, Michael Conwells Ford Ecosport has a built in SIM card.

A detective told the court that within 24 hours of Burke being arrested, someone had tried to perform a factory reset on the car infotainment system to delete data stored on it but despite that, a PSNI technical officer had been able to retrieve GPS data which puts the car entering the Owenbeg car park at a time when it parks up beside the van used by the terrorists.

In court today, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there was a case to answer against each of the defendants and their respective lawyers conceded the point.

None of the three commented on the charges or called evidence on their own behalf.

Freeing them all on continuing bail, District Judge Peter King returned the case to Belfast Crown Court and although he did not specify a date for their arraignment, he said it was likely to be on September 12.
Thursday last saw the relaunch of a scholarship at St. Columbs College in memory of the late Paula McGurk by her two sons, Brendan and John, who were former students.

The Paula McGurk Scholarship Award establishes a generous prize fund thats open to Sixth Formers at the school.

The prize fund invites students to apply for awards to enable them to pursue education and career-enhancing opportunities to which they might not otherwise have access and its anticipated that multiple awards will be made available throughout the school year.

The prize will be awarded annually in memory of the late Paula McGurk, formerly of Bayswater in the Waterside area of the city, who passed away in May 2021 following a diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease in 2018.

Many in the town who knew Paula will remember a determined and hard-working woman who successfully raised four children on her own and who passionately believed in the transformative power of education and opportunity.

Paula was born and raised in Dublin, and worked for Tara Mines and the Royal Insurance company after finishing College. In 1972, and following Irelands accession to the European Economic Community (as the EU then was), she undertook exams to become an Irish Civil Servant in the European Parliament which, in those days, moved between Luxembourg and Strasbourg. She lived in the Kirchberg district of Luxemburg when she worked in the Parliament, and strongly believed in the wider EU project and the benefits it afforded Ireland through membership.

Paula moved to Derry in 1987. Before retiring, she worked for Social Services helping children living in care on both Chapel Road and in the Nazareth House.

The Scholarship Fund has been established by Brendan, Maeve and John McGurk, Brendan and John having attended St Columbs from 1988 to 1995, and 1996 to 2003 respectively.

The Paula McGurk Scholarship Award will be open to all students and its aim is to promote academic and career-enhancing opportunities to deserving students seeking to reach beyond their current circumstances by accessing opportunities that will help to achieve target A-levels, attend external courses that will enhance subject-learning, apply and have access to university or to enhance CVs, including through facilitating work placements or internships with companies or NGOs.

Speaking at Thursdays launch, Mr. Tony McGonigle, Senior Teacher at St. Columbs added: I would encourage our students to apply of their own volition, although the nature of the fund is such that our teaching staff will have discretion to nominate deserving students for a grant from the fund.

Its understood that the award will be accessible all year round, although the winner of the Paula McGurk Prize will be announced annually at the schools prizegiving.

Mr. Tony McGonigle, Senior Teacher, St. Columb's College, announcing the Paula McGurk Scholarship at the school on Thursday last. Included from left are John and Brendan McGurk, sons of the late Paula, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, Principal, and student representatives from the college.

Speaking on behalf of the McGurk family on Thursday, Paulas son Brendan said his late mum was very grateful to St. Columbs College for all the help and support given to both himself and John.

I believe she would be delighted to know that her name will continue to be associated with the promotion of educational opportunity for boys in the city, particularly those in greater need of financial assistance.

The Paula McGurk Scholarship prize aims to recognise the sacrifice that many women still disproportionately make to facilitate the opportunity and success of others.

Brendan added: It will be a fitting and continuing tribute to a mother much-loved and admired by those who knew her best. Many in the city who knew mum will remember a determined and hard-working woman who successfully raised four children on her own and who passionately believed in the transformative power of education and opportunity. Hopefully, this is a fitting tribute to her memory.

Thanking the McGurk family for the scholarship, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, College Principal said: We are delighted and proud to accept this worthy scholarship from Brendan and John today, and indeed, their sister Maeve, who cant be here.

PAULA McGURK SCHOLARSHIP. . . . . .John and Brendan McGurk, sons of the late Paula McGurk, pictured on Thursday last handing over the Paula McGurk Scholarship Fund to Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, Principal, St. Columb's College. Included from left are students Logan Davis-Moran, Romez Abdelsayed, Mr. Tony McGonigle, Senior Teacher, Fionn Johnson and Aaron O'Doherty. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

"It is indeed a very fitting tribute to their late mother Paula. I only hope that one of the family can take time to present the award at our prizegiving in September as Im sure the recipient will be honoured to receive it.
On Thursday evening (June 12), acclaimed comedy actor Joe Lo Truglio  best known for his role as Charles Boyle in Brooklyn Nine-Nine  paid a surprise visit to popular Derry restaurant The Bentley Bar.

The American star, who has also appeared in comedy favourites such as Superbad, Pitch Perfect, and I Love You, Man, is currently in Ireland visiting family. During his stop at The Bentley, Joe took the time to chat with both staff and customers, making the night even more memorable for everyone in the building.

READ NEXT: Paul Weller pays homage to Derry singer-songwriter Eamon Friel in Link 47

Joe was incredibly warm and generous with his time, said one team member. Weve all seen him in so many shows and films over the years  it was a surreal moment for us all, but he couldnt have been friendlier.

Known for its four floors of dining, live music, and sport, The Bentley Bar has long been a go-to spot in the city for food, drinks, and big nights out. Lo Truglios visit adds to the venues growing list of notable guests  and has certainly given the staff a story to tell.
A Derry doctor is urging the public to protect themselves against harmful UV exposure as cases of skin cancer are on the rise.

As the weather is set to show some improvements again, Dr Ian Donnell, GP registrar working in the Dermatology Department in the Western Health and Social Care Trust is using the opportunity to provide his expert advice on preventative measures against skin cancer.

Skin Cancer is Northern Irelands most common cancer, with roughly 11 new cases diagnosed here each day. In the UK 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women will develop a form of skin cancer at least once in their lifetime and the incidence of the most aggressive form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, is expected to rise by 28% by 2040.

While skin cancer is often treatable when caught early, prevention and early detection are key.

Dr Donnell explains: Although Northern Ireland would not be known for having a sunny climate, we have been enjoying some prolonged periods of sun recently, however even without the sun being evident, day-to-day UV exposure, which penetrates clouds and glass, along with the predominant skin types in Northern Ireland combine to give a still very significant risk of developing skin cancer.

The risk is higher again in people who use sunbeds, the first use of a sun bed under the age of 35 increases the lifetime risk of skin cancer by three quarters. The UV light emitted by tanning devices damages the DNA in skin cells which can lead to the formation of cancerous cells. This is why the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the UV light from tanning beds alongside Asbestos and Tobacco in the highest form of cancer-causing agents.

Dr Donnell continued: Fortunately, 85% of melanomas are avoidable by limiting our exposure to UV. This is best done by protecting yourself from sunlight, particularly during the summer.

There are many practical ways of doing this, such as seeking shade during the part of the day when the sun is strongest, 1000hrs to 1600hrs, wearing clothes which cover your arms, legs and back of your neck and wearing a hat to protect your face and scalp.

He continued: Undoubtedly the bedrock of skin cancer prevention is daily, year-round use of a sun protection factor (SPF). Despite these products being available for many years the way in which they work is not well known. Two types of UV radiation from the sun reach earth: UVA and UVB. UVB is the most likely to cause skin cancer.

The number which follows SPF such as SPF 50 or SPF30 represents the amount of protection given from UVB rays either by reflecting or absorbing the rays. An SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF 50 blocks 99%. However, it is primarily the duration of protection which sets these ratings apart. Obviously, depending on the fairness of our skin, some people will burn quicker than others. SPF 50 will provide 50 times longer protection than the skins ability to protect itself.

"For example, if you are someone whose skin burns after 10 minutes in the sun, wearing an SPF 50 will protect you for 500 minutes, SPF 30 for 300 minutes and so on. However, sun cream should be reapplied every two hours in persistent sun exposure to prevent loss of protection due to sweat or immediately after swimming.

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UVA can also cause skin cancer and is responsible for ageing and to protect yourself from it you should ensure the product you use is UVA+UVB or broad spectrum.

Dr Donnell concluded: Remember to regularly check your skin and contact your GP if you notice new or changing moles or skin lesions.
The body of a man who went missing nearly a week ago in Perth, Australia has been located.

Sadly according to reports in Australia, 21-year-old Finn Coyle was found deceased yesterday morning (Thursday, June 12).

Finn's father Joe, who is from Derry, appealed for ex-pats to come forward with any information on his son's whereabouts.

About 8:30 a.m. on Thursday police sadly located a deceased male on a property in Carmel, WA Police said in a statement. While formal identification is yet to take place, police believe the male to be missing 21-year-old man Finn Coyle.

His death is reportedly not being treated as suspicious.

According to reports, Coyle went missing from his Perth Hills home on Friday, June 6, resulting in the police, State Emergency Service and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services working together in a search operation.

Amid the search, Coyle's mother recorded a message for her son, which was played on a drone.

Its mum here. The police and volunteers are looking for you, she said, per news.com.au. Youre not in any trouble. If you hear or see the drone, please walk towards it.

Finns brother Connor said that the 21-year-old had been struggling with mental health issues.

Its entirely unlike him, Connor said of Finn, according to reporting by news.com.au.

He continued, adding: Were all very worried for his well-being and his welfare, hes known to spend a lot of time in the local bush in the hills area. I think hes very resourceful and hes a great young man, but hes suffering a lot of mental health."

"Were losing a generation of young people to mental health, Connor said.

Finn was grandson of Alwyn and the late Margaret Coyle, formerly of Lismacarrol, Derry.

He was described as: "An immensely talented young man."



Finn's funeral will take place in Perth, WA and arrangements will be announced in due course.
Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a week of shame in Northern Ireland.

Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.

Political leaders called for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.

First Minister Michelle ONeill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.

I think all our collective effect has to be continually on that message, and I repeat that message again today  what we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted  this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level, she said.

The whole of the Executive is united on that front.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a difficult time for Northern Ireland, with disgraceful scenes of violent disorder, and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.

Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how co-operation between police forces is absolutely essential.

We have benefitted on other occasions from support from the PSNI in Scotland, so that availability of mutual aid is important as an asset to be called upon, he said.

But it also reinforces the point that we all have a shared interest in tackling outbreaks of racism and racist-based violence wherever they take place, and I am pleased that Police Scotland have been able to support the PSNI in demonstrating the resolve that all of us feel that we must tackle racist violence wherever it takes place.

While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However there was still disorder in Portadown.

There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.

It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.

Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday.

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown.

There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack.

A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.

Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities.

Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable, he said.

Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order.

They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community.

They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.

Mr Kelly called for an end to the violence.

This has been a week of shame with hate-filled rioters turning our streets into battle zones, targeting people and property simply because of their perceived nationality or the colour of their skin, he said.

We will continue to police our society without fear or favour, and all persons, irrespective of their background, race, colour or creed, who are engaged in any criminality, should expect to be the subject of our criminal justice processes.

We cannot have sections of our society blatantly disregarding the law and bringing their own twisted version of justice to bear.

As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm. Bringing violence, fear and uncertainty to our streets is totally unacceptable and must stop.

I would ask all parents to speak with their children, know where they are going in the evenings, and actively encourage them to be civically responsible.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the bigots and racists behind the disorder.

He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been further traumatised by the rioting across the week.

In a statement on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police had come under sustained attack in Portadown.

Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible, he said.

Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality.

We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days.

He said that while two arrests have been made so far in terms of the disorder in Portadown, more will follow.

I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days, he said.
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SEMI appoints Tien Wu as new Chairman of international board of directors

The SEMI has announced the appointment of Tien Wu, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ASE Group, as the new Chairman of its International Board of Directors. Wu will succeed Mary Puma, the Executive Advisor of Axcelis Technologies, in this prestigious role, where he will lead SEMI's global operations, oversee its talent development programs, and work toward fostering the collaborative goals of the semiconductor industry community.

The announcement was made late on June 12, following a vote by SEMI's International Board members. In addition to Wu's appointment, Benjamin Loh, Chairman of Swiss semiconductor equipment maker Comet, will take on the role of Vice Chairman. According to SEMI's bylaws, the election results are effective immediately.

Prior to this, Wu served as the Vice Chairman of the Board, while Loh was a member of the Board.

SEMI President and CEO Ajit Manocha expressed confidence that the new leadership duo, who have both demonstrated passion for addressing global semiconductor industry challenges and accelerating growth, will help SEMI further strengthen its position as a trusted partner to key government bodies and policymakers. Under their leadership, SEMI is expected to enhance its efforts in promoting policies that encourage innovation and drive the semiconductor industry forward.

Tien Wu brings extensive leadership experience to SEMI. Before joining ASE, Wu held a range of leadership roles at IBM, with responsibilities spanning research and development, manufacturing, and sales across the US, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. He has also been recognized for his contributions to sustainable electronics manufacturing and high-volume semiconductor packaging, earning membership in the US National Academy of Engineering

Benjamin Loh, the new Vice Chairman, comes to SEMI with a wealth of experience in the semiconductor industry. Before joining Comet, Loh served as Chairman, President, and CEO of ASM, the second-largest semiconductor equipment supplier in Europe. He also held a Non-Executive Director role at ASMPT, a subsidiary of ASM Group. In the earlier stages of his career, Loh served as a director or held senior management positions at several semiconductor supply chain companies in both Europe and the US.

As SEMI embarks on this new leadership phase, the appointments of Tien Wu and Benjamin Loh signal a strong commitment to advancing SEMI's mission of driving industry growth and innovation worldwide. Their combined expertise and leadership will be crucial in navigating the rapidly evolving semiconductor landscape and in promoting policies that ensure the sector remains at the forefront of technological development.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Two well-known Dundalk pubs, Mo Chara and Spirit Store, have been announced among the recipients of new funding under the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme. The scheme, aimed at supporting small, established venues that host live performances by emerging artists, is part of a wider initiative to boost the night-time economy across Ireland. Both venues, recognised for their strong commitment to grassroots music, will receive funding to continue providing a platform for local and emerging talent.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick ODonovan, T.D. today announced the recipients of the 500,000 scheme.

A total of 33 venues nationally have been offered funding of up to 15,000 from the Night-Time Economy Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme to support the continued programming of early-career musicians. Applications were received from a wide range of late-night venues including pubs, nightclubs and theatres. Venues in many rural towns and villages are being supported, with funding awarded to 16 venues outside of our major cities.

Following the announcement of the Scheme in March 2025, there was a high level of interest in this pilot scheme, with nearly 100 applications submitted before the scheme was closed.

Those approved for funding met the schemes eligibility criteria, which included a requirement to demonstrate evidence of a strong track record of regularly holding ticketed grassroots music events, showcasing emerging artists performing original music, spanning the years 2023-2024.

Minister ODonovan said:

Our grassroots music venues play a vital role in nurturing emerging musicians and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent, and it is very important that we recognise their contribution to the music industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face.

"I look forward to seeing the diversity of genre and talent that will reach new audiences as a result of this funding over the months ahead. Id also encourage music lovers from across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue and support artists in the early stages of their careers.

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The Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme is a Night-Time Economy initiative in support of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and following a recommendation emerging from Action 5 in the revised Night-Time Economy Action Plan.

This scheme will provide funding for a series of events showcasing grassroots artists performing live/electronic music they have written/created themselves. It is envisaged that these events will also provide employment for crew, light and sound engineering, marketing and PR, and it is hoped it will increase footfall to grassroots venues and contributing to a thriving night-time economy.

A total of 96 applications for funding were received.
Science communicator, writer, engineer, performer and Louth native Dr Niamh Shaw will head to the Arctic Circle next month to retrace and research the tale of Irelands Arctic Fox, Leopold McClintock. Leopold McClintock, known as the Arctic Fox, was born in Dundalk in 1819 and achieved fame as an Arctic explorer who discovered the fate of the failed 1845 expedition to the North American Arctic led by Sir John Franklin.

Dr Shaw is participating in The Arctic Circle Summer 2025 Expedition, an annual expeditionary residency programme for international scientists and artists of all disciplines, which will see Dr Shaw and several other participants explore the high-Arctic Svalbard Archipelago and Arctic Ocean aboard a specially outfitted expedition vessel.

Just over 200 years since Leopold McClintock was born in Dundalk, Dr Shaw and Louth County Councils Environment Office are seeking to bring his story to life as part of a climate action initiative. Dr Shaw will be researching the Arctic Circle and will bring her learnings back to develop an interactive walk in Louth to commemorate Leopold McClintock and his achievements in exploration. McClintock was tasked with and was successful in discovering the fate of Sir John Franklin and his 129 crew who disappeared in 1845 while trying to find the North West Passage through the Arctic Ocean.

As part of her involvement in The Arctic Circle Summer Expedition, Dr Shaw will also be honouring Irish women of science whose stories have been forgotten by bringing the Forgotten Women Quilt with her  a quilt with 12 panels commemorating trailblazing Irish women in science. She will be conducting a number of engineering and human physiology experiments in partnership with Dundalk IT, and carrying a specially commissioned Dundalk flag designed by the media department at DkIT and sponsored by Engineers Ireland NE Region and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the towns engagement with her expedition.

Speaking today, Dr Shaw said: I am honoured to have been chosen to participate in The Arctic Circle Summer Expedition. In a few short weeks we will be dropping anchor and spending two weeks between the ice of the Arctic and our expedition vessel to explore, research and communicate the importance of this habitat, how it is being impacted by climate change, and why we must protect it. I am aware that most people will never have the opportunity to visit the Arctic so the purpose of my trip is to communicate and share my learnings and experiences to bring this part of our planet to life so that we will feel a shared responsibility for protecting its future, and ours.

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I am also incredibly excited to retrace the steps of my fellow Dundalk native, Leopold McClintock, and to witness firsthand the difficult environment he navigated to discover the fate of the lost Franklin expedition some 180 years ago. Im looking forward to bringing my experiences to life for the people of Louth and to share McClintocks story with a wider audience on my return.

Dr Shaw has commissioned a number of postcards freely available to the public in Louth Library, Dundalk Credit Union and in Louth County Council and is encouraging Louth locals to share a message, or write their hopes and dreams for the future. She will bring these to be stamped in Svalbard, and will be brought back to Ireland and then on her future expeditions.

Dr Shaw will leave Ireland for the Arctic Circle on 5th July. For more information on Dr Niamh Shaw, visit: https://niamhshaw.ie/

Further details about The Arctic Circle Science Art Residency Progamme: https://thearcticcircle.org/
Dr Daithi Kearney, co-Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology, has published an article on Irish dance and embodied memory in Irish University Review. It forms part of a special issue edited by Dr Emily Mark-Fitzgerald and Dr Emma Radley of UCD that brings new work and perspectives that go beyond the text, making innovative use of non-textual sources and/or methodologies, and disseminating research on various cultural practices (visual, material, aural, emotional/sensory, embodied, multi-medial, etc.) which themselves disrupt assumptions about the nation and epistemologies of Irishness.

Daithis article, Watch the Feet: Understanding Irish Dance Traditions as an Embodied Archive, examines Irish traditional step dance as an embodied cultural expression that has reached a global audience as a commodified artform. Focusing on steps from the Munnix tradition of North Kerry, the article highlights differences in performance aesthetics that incorporate various levels of cultural understanding or a kinaesthetic sense of place referring to how the movement of the dancing body reflects the milieu and cultural experiences of the dancer. The dissemination of the Munnix tradition and steps internationally has led to reinterpretation by various dancers, and Daithi draws on his own experience as a dancer to critically engage with dance as means of understanding Irish culture.

The Irish University Review is the premier and leading journal in Irish literary criticism. It covers, on a global scale, all aspects of Irish literature in the English language. Other articles in this volume focus on photography, art, radio, transmedia, theatre, music and cloud computing including subjects from the currach in Irish feminist and ecocritical art practice to The Pogues expression of Irishness, and from William Butler Yeats's early and sustained engagement with wireless communication to the Venice Biennale of Architecture.

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It has been a busy few months for Kearney. A poet, his work has also featured in several journals in the past two months including Drawn to the Light, Prosetrics, Remington Review and Wells Street Journal. His humorous stage production St Oliver Plans a Party was performed for the reopening of Louth Village Community Hub by members of Drogheda Comhaltas, and his musical setting of the Prayer to Saint Oliver Plunkett, which forms part of the 400th anniversary celebrations in the Diocese this year, was performed by the choir of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Louth Village.

His most recent publication can be accessed through the journals website https://www.euppublishing.com/journal/iur.
Above: L-R: David Jones, Louth County Council Director of Services, John O'Hagan, Louth County Council Senior Engineer, Minister James Browne TD, Senator Alison Comyn, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Erin McGreehan TD, Cormac Devlin TD and Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council, at the Narrow Water Bridge site visit

Louth County Council welcomed An Taoiseach Micheal Martin and James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to the construction site of the Narrow Water Bridge on Thursday, 12th June, marking a significant moment in the delivery of one of the most iconic cross-border infrastructure projects in recent memory.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the launch of the construction stage in June 2024, and for the Taoiseach and Minister to receive a detailed update on the current phase of works.

The event featured a presentation from the project team and a guided site walk on the southern embankment, offering guests a close-up view of the major engineering works which are now well underway.

The Narrow Water Bridge, a flagship Shared Island Project, will unlock new tourism and connectivity potential in the east border region and is expected to drive local economic development by boosting employment and visitor footfall. It will be a critical link in the cross-border active travel and recreation network, supporting greenways, mountain bike trails, walking routes and access to the regions stunning natural amenities.

When complete, the 195-metre cable-stayed bridge will link County Louth and County Down at Narrow Water near Warrenpoint, providing a direct connection between the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula. Designed to accommodate vehicular, cycle, and pedestrian traffic, it will connect the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint dual carriageway with the R173 Omeath. The bridge will also feature a movable bascule span to allow ships to pass through to the Newry Canal.

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The visit was also attended by Louth TD Erin McGreehan TD, Cormac Devlin TD (Dun Laoghaire) and Chair of the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement Committee, Senator Alison Comyn, as well as representatives from the main contractor BAM Civil Ltd and Roughan & ODonovan, Louth County Councils employer representative.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: I am delighted to return to the site of the Narrow Water Bridge, which is now under construction and a true embodiment of the Governments Shared Island Initiative. This bridge is a tangible symbol of our vision and commitment to deepening connections across this island.

Below: William Diver, Contracts Manager at BAM Ireland, discusses the Narrow Water Bridge construction with the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin

"Once complete, the bridge will enhance connectivity, unlock new opportunities for tourism and active travel, and support long-term economic development across the Carlingford Lough region, strengthening the ties that are so important for our shared future.

James Browne TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: I was delighted to view the progress at the Narrow Water Bridge site. It reflects the enduring strength of all-island collaboration. This project stands as a landmark example of what can be achieved through shared vision and partnership. I wish to acknowledge the pivotal role of Louth County Council in driving this initiative forward with my Department, alongside our colleagues in Northern Ireland. Their dedication and leadership continue to be instrumental in delivering this transformative infrastructure for the region.

Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: The Narrow Water Bridge is more than a piece of infrastructure; it is a symbol of connection, opportunity, and a shared vision for our future. We are proud to show the tangible progress being made and to reaffirm our commitment to delivering a project that will benefit generations to come.

"We are especially pleased to welcome the Taoiseach back on site and deeply appreciate the strong support he has personally shown in helping to bring this landmark initiative to fruition.

Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added: The Narrow Water Bridge project demonstrates what can be achieved through meaningful cross-border collaboration and long-term planning. Louth County Council is exceptionally proud to lead on the delivery of such a landmark project, and we are pleased with the progress to date and grateful for the continued support of our partners and stakeholders across both jurisdictions.

Alasdair Henderson, Executive Director of BAM Ireland, said: "The Narrow Water Bridge project represents a vital investment in Irelands infrastructure, and BAM is proud to partner with Louth County Council to bring it to life. This transformative development will enhance connectivity, promote tourism, and encourage active travel, fostering lasting opportunities for local communities and the country. By driving long-term economic growth, the project ensures that this investment delivers meaningful and lasting benefits to society."

The Narrow Water Bridge project is being delivered in line with best international practice. It is overseen by a project board, chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The board includes the Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Directors of Services, and senior officials from the Department of Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and the Department of Transport.
The 30th anniversary of the death of the legendary Rory Gallagher falls tomorrow.

The Cork rock guitarist left behind many memories among his fans - but I have one in particular that dates back more than 40 years ago, when I was a UCC student, and got to interview the great man at a small Cork hotel.

As an elected UCC Student Union officer in the early 1980s, I found myself in charge of the publications and decided to create a new one. I called it Raven.

We had two interviews for the first edition. The first was with the then Taoiseach, Dr Garrett Fitzgerald. The other was with Rory.

I naturally selected the interview of greatest international importance for myself, and so gave Fitzgerald to some other guy. I did Rory.

I still remember the walk on a lovely August evening to Moores Hotel in Morrisons Island, a long-gone little place where Id had a summer job the previous year.

Armed with a cassette recorder, I could scarcely believe I was about to meet a legend. Until the moment he showed up, in fact, I didnt believe it at all.

When he did, it was not what Id expected. Though a tsunami of energy and genius on stage, Rory in person was a quiet and gentle person. His main concern appeared to be that I couldnt make my tape recorder work - I suspect because my hands were trembling so much.

Ever the electronic engineer, I finally pressed the right button (there was just the one) and captured the interview intact.

Cork legend Rory on stage.

Anyone who saw Rory live knew what he was, and he wasnt like anyone else. Id seen him live before that interview, and some months later saw him again at The Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney. He recognised me from the stage, grinned, and mouthed: Which one?

 Shin Kicker, I mouthed back, and he then ripped into my favourite Rory track.

Not many can say they had a song played to them by that guy. But I can.

When we lost Rory 30 years ago, the country - and indeed the wider music-loving world - lost one of the last true greats, and we need no ghost comeback from the grave to tell us that much.

Ive seen The Who. Ive seen Jerry Lee Lewis (with whom Rory once jammed) live in Boston. Ive seen many other great bands all around the world, but Ive never seen a better live performer than Rory Gallagher - never.

To young folks today Id say this - take a look back at some of the footage.

And to a guy called Micheal Martin, who was in the UCC Student Union the year before me and apparently went into politics, Id say get Rory into the U.S Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If, as Taoiseach, you really must spend St Patricks Day with Donald Trump, call in a favour and make it worthwhile.

And while youre at it, name Cork Airport after Rory too.

As for me, Ill always treasure that August evening in 1983.

Thanks, Rory.

******

Highlights from Mike's interview with Rory Gallagher in 1983

About the band Taste: Well, it was very important in as much as it was the first group, and I was playing the sort of music I wanted to play. Before that, I was just playing with odd get-together bands and showbands like Fontana. Yeah, and it really wasnt my cup of tea, but it was an outlet and it was a way of playing before people through an amplifier.

So, I mean, by the time Taste got together it was a serious attempt at playing rhythm n blues come rock and roll come what have you, so it was serious. But I didnt see it as a platform for my own talent. Everybodys talent has to come across.

Rory told Mike of the break-up of Taste in 1970: Splits do occur. Its just that some seem more traumatic than others, and people take them to heart, you know. I mean, no-one wants to split up, but sometimes it just happens.

About accusations that Rory was becoming like Motorhead by 1983: Ah well, Id be worried if I was bordering on Motorhead. See, youre always caught in a dilemma. You write contemporary material that comes under a rock banner. I mean. everyone knows Im a blues fanatic beneath all that, but I have other influences, like slight folk influences, and Id never write a full album thats hard rock.

Every album goes right across the rainbow, from very hard rock to R&B. But I dont intentionally try to be heavy metal. Its not my style at all. If youre going to rock, you might as well rock hard. I dont like soft rock.

Rory told Mike his influences included Blindboy Fuller, Leadbelly, Muddy Waters, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and groups from the 1960s when he was growing up.

About trying to conquer the USA: Weve never gone for the big publicity kill in America. Weve done 20 tours over ten years. That mightnt sound like it means anything, but thay stand for something in America. Weve covered all the states. Weve got a good following.

About talk of Rory joining The Rolling Stones: Yeah, but thats all hypothesis now. The Stones thing was just a recording session, really, for a couple of nights. I prefer to do my own thing. Im a Stones fan. I was then and still admire a lot of the things they do.

On not having many hit singles: Well, Philby was a kind of single. Shadow Play was on a 10 inch thing. But we never consciously went in to make a single. I dont dislike it. Its a love/hate thing.

The point is that most of the singles in the chart I dont like for a start, and I dont want to be identified with that thing. Its just the stuff that goes along with having a hit record.

But if I could take a song like Philby, which Im proud of, and if all the DJs would play it, and it ended up in the charts, thats great on paper. Id be delighted with that. But then you add on all the other silly bits youve got to do.to get the record in the charts.

He added:  A lot of DJs dont touch my stuff with a 40ft pole because they cant programme it, then, if you happen to do a track thats over two minutes and 30 seconds, they panic. because these fellas are like robots, working like Swiss watches.

By the same token, I dont worry about it nights. Im more album-conscious.

Mike even asked Rory if he ever wanted to marry: Slow to jump the broom, I suppose. Same as every other fella. I mean, whats the rush?

Asked by Mike if it was a case of why settle for a crumb when theres a pie on every tour!, Rory replied: Not at all! Thats a Rod Stewart attitude, yknow what I mean, like?

If you bump into someone and marriage is the route you want to take, fine, and if not, thats fine too. But I imagine itll happen along the way.

******

Mike Galvin was born in the Bons - right next door to UCC - and grew up in Bandon.

He said: I knew Graham Walker (now Graham Norton), who was also from Bandon, well at UCC, we were in the same English Literature tutorial group at one point.

My family moved to Glanmire in 1973 and I attended boarding school in West Cork and then UCC.

Since I graduated, Ive mainly been involved with education at IB (International Baccalaureate) schools.

Mike left Ireland in 1985 after graduating from Trinity, Dublin, and has not lived here since.

I spent four years in the USA, mainly on the east coast. In the 1990s, I taught at colleges in Western Samoa and Tonga, both in the South Pacific.

Later, I spent time in Japan, South Korea, and worked in China for almost ten years from 2001.

I now live in the English Cotswolds and have two daughters - one at medical school, with another about to join her there.

I still travel a little, though I think Ive logged enough air miles for three lifetimes - I think there might be a statue of me at Heathrow. A drive to the seaside is enough for me these days.
With the Catholic Church facing a growing shortage of priests, the Bishop of Cork and Ross Fintan Gavin has confirmed that the diocese is exploring the possibility of having more lay people step up to become ministers of the Church.

Speaking to The Echo, Bishop Gavin said lay ministers can play a vital role in parish life in the Catholic Church, assisting priests and making contributions to different ministries.

Bishop Gavin explained what Cork and Ross is doing to address the shortage of priests in the diocese.

There are big challenges, as we have a diminishing number of priests, he said.

You have to be proactive locally. So we are doing a number of things to address it. I think there is an awareness within the priests and the people of a need for greater co-responsibility. Priests and people working together. That means helping to form people for those roles, so there is much more lay ministry and lay leadership.

That is one of the things we are looking at and how we put those supports in place.

Bishop Gavin added: I think there is also a desire on the part of people in parishes to put more emphasis on baptism, how we welcome people into the Church, and how they are formed. How we can celebrate the Sunday Eucharist as a moment that is really central to our lives, through music, prayer, and participation.

The shortage of priests is impacting the Catholic Church across Ireland. In April, over 60 parishioners were commissioned as Church lay leaders in the Diocese of Killala, Mayo.

On the declining number of people regularly going to Mass, the bishop said that the Cork and Ross diocese is always looking to be proactive in this regard.

What we are trying to do is to continue to grow those faith communities and parish communities, bringing people together.

All the research and from our own research, people want to gather and they want to connect. There has probably never been as much isolation and loneliness. One of the things that our faith communities offers is the sense of connection, belonging, and meaning.
The Cork City Fire Cover Review is long overdue but will transform the city for the better, the fire service, and public representatives have agreed.

The review, published this week, recommends a new full-time fire station in the south-west of the city in the next three years, as well as another station in the north-west and a redevelopment of the Anglesea St station within 10 years, including moving some facilities elsewhere.

Cork City Fire Brigade second officer Victor Shine told The Echo that changes are 100% needed.

The city has expanded, so developing and enhancing the operational capacity of the fire service is more than welcome and long overdue, he said.

Were hoping in one to two years there will be significant advances. Everything suggested is welcome, were a bit landlocked now in Anglesea St from a traffic perspective. We need to be able to have a more satellite approach on the outskirts of the city rather than trying to get out of it.

The proposal to repurpose the Ballincollig station into a training, operational support, and logistics facility, he said, would be great, because we are badly caught at the moment not only for the operational side of the house but in terms of engineering departments, fire inspections, and building control.

Ballincollig representatives have also welcomed the review, including Sinn Fein councillor Joe Lynch, who had looked for updates on the report from the council multiple times.

It has taken far too long for this report to make its way into the public domain, but Im glad it has now been published, he said.

With a city with changing needs, and with more residential development happening in the south-west than any other part, the review makes the case for better fire cover for the area.

From a Ballincollig perspective, we will have a better service than weve ever had before by way of location of a full-time station serving the area.

While I would love to see the current fire station in Ballincollig converted to full-time use, the reports findings must be acknowledged. It states that the stations location isnt optimal, and its footprint isnt large enough to meet the standards required of a modern station. Its retention for use as a local and regional training centre means the fire service will retain a permanent presence in Ballincollig, with a new full-time station only a matter of minutes away.

The reviews findings are positive, but they must be acted on urgently and without delay.

Fine Gael senator Garret Kelleher, who is also from Ballincollig, said: The review makes very practical, common-sense proposals about modernising the fire service in the city.

The existing situation in relation to the fire service post-2019 boundary extension has been an ongoing concern for a number of communities, and the recommendations of this report, if they are delivered, will ensure optimal response times.
Deirdre ODonavan, Karina Healy, Daiva Cummins and Carolanne Lyons from the Bon Secours Hospital.

Vicky Reed, Ima Dolan, Yunjee Kim, Miyoung Quigley, Chris Mulvihill, Hyunyoung Oh and Jay Choi from South Korea at the annual Shine Ladies Lunch at the Clayton Hotel Cork.

Fr James celebrates 30 years of priesthood at masses

Popular co Parish Priest of the Carrigaline family of parishes, Fr James McSweeney, recently celebrated 30 years of priesthood at all masses in the Church of Our Lady & St John.

A very humble prayerful priest, Fr James in his homily spoke of the parishes he was appointed to over the 30 years and of the wonderful welcome he received when he arrived to Carrigaline in 2022. To celebrate the special event the congregations were treated to ice cream after all masses. Special thanks was given to Barry Collins SuperValu for sponsorship of same. A collection for Down Syndrome Ireland was taken up which was very generously supported.

Fr James McSweeney who recently cerebrated three decades of priesthood.

Fr James was ordained in Ballyphehane in 1995 by the late Bishop Michael Murphy. Fr James first appointment was in the parish of Ballinlough until 2001 and then Ballyvolane/Dublin Hill until 2008. Fr James was appointed chaplin to Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig in 2008 until 2015, and then to Colaiste Pobail Bantry until he came to Carrigaline.

Fr James who comes from a farming background and is an environmentalist was presented with an oak tree by the Parish Assembly.

Mens Shed seek inspiration

Carrigaline Mens Shed are looking for ideas to create something spectacular for next years St Patricks Day parade.

The Mens Shed have all the talents within their membership to build an extravagant float but are looking for the initial idea for the project.

The walking group also continues to meet every Monday morning and the choir meets on Tuesday. The poly tunnel is in full production with great cooperation watering and weeding each others plots. The Shed is planning a trip to the Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island in early July. The Shed always welcomes new members and new ideas enquiries to Roger Morrissey 087-2203547.

Tidy Towns continue work

Carrigaline Tidy Towns are continuing their ongoing efforts to ensure the town will be looking its best for the national SuperValu Tidy Towns competition. Volunteers are out every day litter picking and cleaning. A variety of other Tidy Towns activities are also being attended to including extra summer planting, feeding, weeding and watering flowers, painting walls and houses. New signs have been erected at Waterpark directing visitors to the Woodland Trail which is proving to be very popular.

New volunteers are always welcome to join the team, meet at headquarters any Tuesday at 10am, Wednesday 7pm or Saturday morning at 9.30am. Enquiries to Carrigaline tidytowns@gmail.com.

Active retired talk

Anna from the Cork College of FET (Furter Education & Training) Carrigaline Centre in Herons Wood gave the Carrigaline Active Retirement Association members a very interesting talk on what courses are coming up in September and they are all free. CARA will be finishing up for the summer on Thursday, June 26.

Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news to share? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie
A range of free events are set to take place in Cork city this year as part of a new community-led project at Tramore Valley Park.

The KinShip art project, which launched in 2022, will see the EcoLab at Tramore Valley Park used as a venue for creative and cultural events as part of the 2025 EcoLab Creative Programme, led by Nature Network Ireland.

The programme brings together artists, ecologists, and community members to deliver an array of activities, including a Nature Connection Book Club with An Taisce climate ambassador, Diana Rivero; a Tea Ceremony and Nature Connection Circle with Jeni Wu; a historical walk with Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy; a Cultivating Kinship workshop with the Cork Queer Nature Collective; and a Creative Soundwalk for World Listening Day with Sean Taylor.

The programme has also announced that Ashleigh Ellis will be the artist facilitator for an insect event on Heritage Weeks Wild Child Day along with ecologist, Robbie Carroll.

The recipient of this years KinShip Artist Placement is artist Phil Ryan, who will undertake research to explore the collaborative creation of functional utilitarian seating for the EcoLab structure at the park.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle said he is proud to see how the three-year old project has blossomed.

"From its beginnings as an artist-driven project supported by Creative Ireland's Creative Climate Action Fund and Cork City Council, KinShip has now blossomed into a collaborative framework supported by a newly formed Counsel of Communities, and a dynamic lead community partner  Nature Network Ireland."

These groups are working creatively together to shape the future of the art project, ensuring that local communities are not just participants, but co-creators."

Stephen Scully, of Cork City Councils Parks Section, said that the park, which was once a symbol of waste has become something of beauty to be shared.

"Since launching in 2022, KinShip has called Tramore Valley Park home  a site transformed from a city landfill (1964-2009) to a public park that opened fully in 2019.

This land, once a symbol of waste in the city, is now a habitat for shared futures.

Inspired by the concept of kinship as framed by feminist scholar Donna Haraway, the project invites people to see themselves as part of a greater ecological family  interconnected, interdependent, and responsible."

For more information on events at Tramore Valley Park, visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ezku4sy.
The World Health Organisation Regional European Office has issued a formal invitation to Cork City Council for Cork to host a Summit of Mayors in the Autumn of 2026.

The event will see mayors, elected political leaders and public health professionals from across the WHO European Region gather, to strengthen political leadership and cross-sector collaboration on climate action and health.

The Summit aligns with the broader work of the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health, an independent advisory body convened by WHO Europe and chaired by Katrin Jakobsdottir, former Prime Minister of Iceland.

The Commission aims to raise political awareness and circulate stronger, integrated action on the health impacts of climate change.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle said:

"As a longstanding and active member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and an EU Mission City, Cork City has demonstrated leadership in health and climate action that has helped to shape regional priorities and elevate the voice of Cork within the broader European context."

Mr Boyle added: "This further endorses our vision for the city to approach health and climate action in a holistic way to encourage innovation, new ways of working, new partnerships and new social and economic opportunities."

The Summit would include political dialogues, technical exchange and site visits which will showcase the work of Cork in regard to climate action, participatory governance and community resilience.

Also, the summit will serve to strengthen collaboration between local and national actors in delivering on shared objectives, under both Phase VIII of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and Irelands EU Presidency.

Minister for State Jennifer Murnane OConnor, who also attended the National Healthy Cities & Counties meeting held in Cork last Friday 6 June, added: "Cork is ideally placed to host this Summit of Mayors as it has demonstrated leadership in both public health and climate action at city level".

"The Mayors Summit will provide an important platform for local, national and European leaders to engage with and respond to these regional policy priorities."
The managing director of Cork Airport has welcomed the approval of the Black Ash Park and Ride bus interchange plans by members of Cork City Council.

The interchange will provide new connectivity between the city, county, and key locations such as Cork Airport, CUH, UCC, and Kent Railway Station.

Niall MacCarthy said that the plans for redevelopment and expansion for the Black Ash Park and Ride are good news for Cork as a whole.

We have been actively engaging on public transport improvements for Cork Airport for some time and have made focused submissions on this matter."

In short, when delivered, we expect a doubling of the number of airport bus services, with services running every 15 minutes to the city centre (rather than every 30 minutes at present) with a new route 13 planned from Cork Airport to Kent Station via the interchange.

There will also be better cross-city interconnection options through Black Ash and then onwards to the airport," Mr McCarthy added.

There's more to do in improving public transport links with our airport and in our region. But this is certainly a great step in the right direction and warm congratulations to Cork City Council, National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Eireann.

Cork Airport is also engaging further with public transport providers to further enhance bus connectivity for passengers.

This includes seeking to widen the direct bus services to the hinterland by adding a Cork Airport final stop on services from Waterford, Tipperary, Kerry and other locations in Munster.

Cork Airport recently made a submission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) seeking the safeguarding of a future light rail route off the planned east-west Cork LUAS line.
A young woman was terrified when her ex-partner verbally abused her as a skinny anorexic and said that he would love to break her back.

The defendants mother was asked to leave the court as she shook her head at this outline of the evidence.

Judge Dorgan said: I am not putting up with that nonsense.

Judge Mary Dorgan told the woman that this behaviour was unacceptable and reminded her that her son had pleaded guilty to this crime and that her behaviour would not be tolerated. The judge told her to leave the in camera sitting of Cork District Court.

The 39-year-old man appeared in Cork by video link from prison and pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order by putting the woman, who is in her 20s, in fear on the occasion.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the incident that gave rise to the case.

On December 6 2024 the applicant reported to gardai that her ex-partner breached a protection order by phoning her and verbally threatening her on the phone.

She alleged that after 4pm on December 3 2024 she received a phone call from an anonymous number. She took the call and it was her ex, screaming on the phone and calling her a skinny anorexic.

She said he also said to her that she has a delicate back that hed love to break. She said she was in fear after this call.

The young woman added: I was afraid he would because he assaulted me many times in the past.

Frank Buttimer solicitor stressed that it was a verbal matter and that that there was no follow-up of any kind: He did not intend it to be taken literally."

Judge Dorgan sentenced him to three months prison for the offence under the Domestic Violence Act.
A former medical device engineer who ran up a very significant bill during a three-night stay at an East Cork hotel has been ordered to pay compensation or face a year in prison.

Court presenter Sergeant Majella OSullivan told Youghal District Court that Peter White, aged 57, with an address at Travelodge, Kinsale Road, Cork had been staying at Ahernes Townhouse in Youghal, Co Cork in April 2024.

The court was told that Mr White ran up a bill of 987 during his three-night stay which included accommodation, food, and drink. He left the hotel on April 28, 2024, without paying the bill.

The court heard that Mr White also drove to Fordes Circle K in Youghal where he filled his BMW X3 with 20 worth of diesel and also took a coffee worth 3.30 and left the premises without paying for the fuel or the drink.

Defence solicitor James Moore said Mr White cannot really explain this offending.

He said that Mr White was facing a number of similar matters that he was trying to clear.

He said that his client was previously a medical device engineer for 10 years and was a well qualified man. He said Mr White had pleaded guilty and would need four weeks to repay the money.

Judge Brian OShea said he regarded such offending as grievous. He said: Hes not going to walk from this one 15 months later. Its outrageous to run up a bill of nearly a grand and just walk away.

The judge added that it was a very significant bill that would cause any small local business difficulty if it wasnt paid. The judge said that Mr White had 15 months to pay back the monies owed but had done nothing.

James White was ordered to pay 1,500 compensation to the injured parties to be divided on a pro-rata basis.

He was also sentenced to a total of one year in prison suspended for 18 months on the condition the compensation is paid. He was remanded on bail to appear again in a months time to confirm the compensation was paid.
Cork County Councils Library and Arts Service has announced the return of its Summer Stars Reading Programme.

The free, non-competitive initiative, which will run from June to August, is aimed at children of all ages, and focuses on inviting participants to continue reading throughout their school holidays.

This encourages students to maintain their reading progress outside the classroom.

Whether a child is just starting to read independently or has already developed a love for books, Summer Stars is designed to be accessible and engaging for all levels.

All participating children can choose their own reading material, from picture books and graphic novels, to audiobooks and e-books via the Borrowbox App.

Reading goal

Participants will be also be supported by Cork County Council library staff and will receive an activity book and bookmarks, as well as a certificate of completion once they reach their reading goal.

Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Joe Caroll said that the Summer Stars programme is all about keeping reading joyful and accessible.

Encouraging children to read for enjoyment helps build imagination and confidence, said Mr Carroll.

The Summer Stars programme is all about keeping reading joyful and accessible for every child and is particularly helpful for new readers.

Parents and guardians are invited to visit their local library branch to register.

Proud

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell said that the council is proud to support the Summer Stars initiative.

Supporting childrens literacy is an investment in their future, said Ms Murrell.

Our Library Service aims to support children in building strong reading habits from an early age and programmes such as Summer Stars develop lifelong readers through positive, early experiences with books.

Were proud to support this national initiative that provides an enjoyable learning experience for families throughout the county.

For further information on activities, recommended reads and Summer Stars reading tips, visit: https://www.librariesireland.ie.
Dragon boat festival brings Chinese culture to Israel's Acre

Xinhua) 13:39, June 13, 2025

JERUSALEM, June 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 300 participants gathered along the Mediterranean coast on Thursday as the ancient northern Israeli city of Acre hosted a colourful Chinese cultural event centred on traditional dragon boat racing.

The event, held near the city's historic walls, featured boat races alongside cultural exhibitions, traditional Chinese music and dance performances, and tastings of zongzi, a glutinous rice dumpling traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Chinese Ambassador to Israel Xiao Junzheng, who attended the event, said it reflected growing international appreciation for the Dragon Boat Festival, which was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.

"Through activities such as dragon boat racing, people from different countries experience the richness of traditional Chinese culture and promote mutual understanding among civilizations," Xiao said.

He described Acre -- known for its cultural diversity and layered history -- as an ideal venue. "The arrival of this traditional Chinese custom to the shores of the Mediterranean not only highlights the vitality of China-Israel cultural exchange but also injects new momentum into people-to-people ties between the two countries," he added.

Acre Mayor Loay Fares said the event's focus was less on competition and more on community and cultural engagement.

"Rooted in China's ancient culture, dragon boat racing embodies important values such as teamwork, loyalty, perseverance, and community spirit," he said. "It has become a window for Israeli citizens to engage with Chinese culture and has breathed new life into this historic city, blending tradition with modernity."

Local resident Karen Kadosh, who took part in the race for the first time, called the experience "fascinating."

"It's a team sport that gave me a real taste of traditional Chinese culture," she said, adding that it sparked a growing interest in Chinese festivals and traditions.

The Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates the death of the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan, is celebrated annually on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Six music venues in Cork are set to receive funding of up to 15,000 as part of the Grassroots Music Venues Support Scheme.

The recipients, announced this week by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick ODonovan TD, include Connollys of Leap, Coughlans Bar in Cork city, Dali in Cork city, DeBarras Folk Club in Clonakilty, Levis Bar in Ballydehob, and The White Horse in Ballincollig.

A total of 33 venues across Ireland have been awarded under the 500,000 fund, which was established to support grassroots music venues in showcasing local emerging talent.

Close to 100 applications were received from a wide range of late-night venues including pubs, nightclubs, and theatres.

Embrace

Announcing the scheme awardees, Mr ODonovan urged music lovers across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue to continue supporting grassroots venues.

Our grassroots music venues play a vital role in nurturing emerging musicians and providing them with an opportunity to hone their talent, said Mr ODonovan.

It is very important that we recognise their contribution to the music industry, particularly given the challenges these venues face.

I look forward to seeing the diversity of genres and talent that will reach new audiences as a result of this funding over the months ahead.

Id also encourage music lovers from across the country to embrace the resource of their local venue and support artists in the early stages of their careers.

Opportunity

Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said that the funding provides a great opportunity for musicians across the county.

Giving people a start in their music career and supporting local businesses are hand-in-glove priorities for Fine Gael, and I look forward to continuing my work with minister ODonovan to expand and grow supports like these for the local area, said Mr Burke.

This is a great opportunity for musicians who are starting out in Cork in their playing careers to get the exposure and experience of performing in their local venue.
Irish citizens have been advised against travelling to Israel following airstrikes on Iran.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste said they were deeply concerned after Israel launched strikes on Tehran early yesterday, targeting the countrys nuclear programme and rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that Israel should expect severe punishment in response, and it was reported yesterday that drones had been launched.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said stability was needed and called for diplomacy.

I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation, he said. The region and the world need stability.

Diplomacy must be the only way forward.

Tanaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said the alarming development meant there was a risk of regional spillover, which would be disastrous.

Travel advice

Mr Harris said they had updated travel advice to warn citizens against travelling to Israel.

We have already travel advice in place for Irish citizens not to travel to Iran, and today were extending that travel advice to advise against any travel to Israel, he said.

For all Irish citizens, were keeping in very close contact with our diplomats on the ground in both Iran and Israel, and theyre obviously keeping in close contact with the relatively small number of Irish citizens in those countries as well.

De-escalation

Mr Harris said around 17 long-term residents in Iran are Irish citizens. He said he hoped the US and Europe would call for a de-escalation.

We need to find a situation where the whole temperature is de-escalated, and whats happened is extraordinarily alarming, extremely dangerous, and people need to step back from the brink now.

Mr Harris said the Middle East desperately needs peace and stability.

Further escalation would bring a very real risk of regional spillover. This would be disastrous for all the peoples of the region. A negotiated solution is needed to address Irans nuclear programme.
Over the 10 days of the Cork Midsummer Festival, there are over 40 events, concerts, plays, and art installations all over the city. Some on a large outdoor scale, others for one person to partake in at a time and plenty in between.

A few highlights running throughout the festival include Helios, a dazzling new 6m sculpture by world-renowned UK artist Luke Jerram, hanging in St. Fin Barres Cathedral, with each centimenre representing 2,300km of the real Suns surface, with a soundtrack of live NASA recordings of our solar systems power source. It will be open on the summer solstice, June 21, from dawn until dusk  4.30am to 10.30pm.

The Theatre For One booth will return to Emmet Place with six different five-minute plays, performed by one actor for one audience member at a time. These uniquely intimate theatre experiences have been written by local writers, Conal Creedan, Katie Holly, John McCarthy, Michael John McCarthy, Gina Moxley, and Louise ONeill.

With an eye towards younger audiences, Cork Midsummer Festival are presenting Playspace, a playful and participatory project in conjunction with Cork Child Friendly City, a series of small, safe, and joyful spaces for children to play in, co-designed prototype play pods that are welcoming and inspiring, imagined for, and by, the kids of Cork City.

Some of the outdoor events that catch the eye include Storm In A Bathtub on Sunday, June 15. Cork Community Art Link promises the most colourful, chaotic, and joy-filled parade of the year when they bring over 120 eccentric makers and performers on a fantastical voyage through Corks city streets, with dazzling floats, wild contraptions, and stunning costumes in this unmissable celebration of Midsummer for revellers of all ages.

On Saturday, June 21, there will be a YouthQuake takeover of Fitzgeralds Park, an inclusive youth event that celebrates belonging, gathering, and the expression of their generation. A sensation of delicious street food, diverse culture, games, and summer spraoi will feature energetic performances from Sauti Studios, Cork Migrant Centre Youth, YMCA Ireland, Music Generation Cork City, The Kabin Studio, and many other youth performers with surprise special guests.

On the last day of the festival, Sunday, June 22, from 12pm to 9pm, the entire city will be celebrating a cultural Night Market. Patrick Street will become a part street party, part performance and part market; a bustling space to explore, taste, and discover from stalls from local makers, artists, and producers, plus street food, sweet treats, and pop-up performers. Ticket details and further information at www.corkmidsummer.com

Of course the backbone of Cork Midsummer Festivals programme has always been theatre and performance, and one of the Irish plays this year has the eye-catching title of The Black Wolfe Tone, a fast-paced new play covering themes such as identity, masculinity, and intergenerational trauma.

The writer and performer, Kwaku Fortune, says the title is key.

It comes from the character trying to define his own personality, Mr Fortune says. I tried to write something thats not just a straight biography, its a piece of theatre thats entertaining. The guys name is Kevin; its not me. But it does contain my stories, dramatised and heightened. Its very clear that he, like me, has an Irish dad and an African mother, so its my dad, but its also the Irish dad character.

I also wanted to talk about mental health, not to judge whats right or wrong, but more about what I went through, and how mania is a positive thing in one way, and dangerous in another. Im not a therapist. Im not there to fix anyone. The story is whats important.

Performing in part of a festival gives Kwaku an additional impetus. Theres a different energy. Youre hitting the ground running; it really drives you. Theres a good sense of camaraderie with the other performers, catching each others shows and theres always a good buzz around the city.

Another performer who knows Cork Midsummer Festivals atmosphere well is Amanda Coogan, who is performing in Caught In The Furze.

Eileen Walsh will be performing in The Second Woman in Cork.

This is my third year in a row, Ms Coogan says. In 2023 I was in the Crawford with Cork Deaf Community Choir, and we made a sign-language version of Beethovens Ode to Joy. Last year, I made a bigger piece, called Possession. It was an opera in The Granary with Linda Buckley.

These were gorgeous group pieces, Amanda says. This year, Im doing a durational-endurance, solo live performance. Im making a 35-hour live exhibition, a seven-day performance within an immersive installation of furze (gorse) bushes. Im making it for a week with my own body, with my own creativity. Thats all I will do. Ill eat, Ill sleep, Ill make live performances. Im very much aware of the audience and very much gathering them in to the energy and the spirit of it. The piece of work is in flux. Itll be different on the Saturday when I start, and itll be different the next day, and it will be radically different on the Saturday when I finish.

Caryl Churchills Escaped Alone is being performed at The Everyman

Amanda continued to compliment the festival. Theres so much different, rich work this year. Come see me, then hop over to Eileen Walsh in The Second Woman and then The Everyman for Caryl Churchills Escaped Alone, which sounds so exciting. It feeds you for the rest of the year  in the depths of winter, youre going, Remember that Midsummer Festival experience? Everyone brings their A-game to a festival.

The Australian experimental theatre collective Pony Cam are coming to the festival with their show, Burnout Paradise. They have built up quite a reputation for playing with established theatre conventions, finding humour and communal connection where possible. Dominic Weintraub, one of the five members of Pony Cam, explains the idea for this production. He says: We were making two shows and presenting a third show at the same time. Then, Melbourne Fringe Festival reached out to us, saying You guys should absolutely pitch something for our festival... applications close tonight.

Claire Bird, one of the other members of the company, says, Im pretty sick of doing shows that destroy my ability to have any kind of good habits in my life. What if we do a show where we get fit during the show? So we started trying to make a show on treadmills.

Then, the theme and the world and the silliness formed out of that, with the starting point just being, Were really exhausted, how can we try to show ourselves more self-care?

Hugo Williams, who is also in the show, continued on the theme of Pony Cam trying to find a creative way for them to work as a collective. He says: Initially, we knew it can be inefficient and messy and tiring; you actually get to see all the messiness and incompleteness we are trying to interrogate. Audiences are really attracted to that, because it contains multitudes of things that are not clean, are not refined, and have the possibility to break down at any moment. A metaphor that people, when they watch this show, relate to their own life.

Performance times and ticket information for these shows can be found at www.corkmidsummer.com
Eva Osborne

The details of the search for Ireland's Greenest Places 2025 have been announced.

Anyone living in a community, village, suburb, or town anywhere on the island of Ireland can help their favourite outdoor space gain the title of one of Ireland's Greenest Places.

The initiative, launched by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland, will see each nominated place judged on specific criteria.

This will include its beneficial environmental impact, the level of ongoing collective engagement by the community, and evidence of behavioural change by people.

To help the place of your choice be in with a chance of claiming the title of one of Ireland's Greenest Places, you must write a short submission of up to 300 words explaining why it is so special and the tangible contribution it makes to a greener environment.

Photo: Julien Behal

The chair of the judging panel, Irish Times features editor Mary Minihan, said the panel will be looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future.

We chose place because its a deliberately broad term. People can nominate a suburb, village, town or community such as a peninsula, island or other distinct area anywhere on the island," she said.

"The key will be how it measures up against the criteria outlined above as well of course as care for nature and the local environment.

Over the next four months our judges will draw up shortlists based on the submissions, visit the front-runners, choose winners in each category and eventually choose an overall winner.

"We are looking forward so much to hearing from people from each of the 32 counties as soon as possible to help us identify Irelands Greenest Places 2025.

Climate change

Former Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, who is one of the judges, said Irish people care about climate change and are concered about its effects.

He said one of the key objectives of the competition is to showcase the contributions people and communities are making to a greener Ireland.

"We also know that place-based solutions deliver climate actions that really work because they are developed and underpinned by community ownership," he said.

With this initiative we want to celebrate whats happening in so many locations around the country, share those learnings as widely as possible and encourage more people to get involved in making their community a better place to live now and into the future."

Electric Irelands Lisa Browne said the company is proud to partner with The Irish Times as the sponsor of Irelands Greenest Places.

As a judge, Im looking forward to seeing the wonderful stories come in from communities around Ireland and their journey to a more sustainable life," she said.

"This partnership is the perfect fit with our strategy to empower customers to live an all-electric life and to help customers to see how big or small changes can make a real difference.

Joining Mary Minihan and Lisa Browne on the judging panel will be Irish Times environment editor Kevin OSullivan and senior features writer Rosita Boland.

If you know a place in Ireland that deserves recognition for its contribution to a greener future, submit your nomination here.
Olivia Kelleher

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition objecting to the granting of planning permission for a mussel farm in Kinsale, Co Cork, which will be the size of 12 GAA pitches.

A 23-hectare bottom-culture mussel farm has been granted approval by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, sparking opposition among residents, environmental advocates, and local groups. The proposed site is located directly adjacent to Dock Beach.

The Department of Marine granted the license in May, with objectors having a month to appeal the decision.

Locals in Kinsale will gather both on land and sea at 6:30pm on Friday to register their opposition to the granting of a licence to a shellfish company to pursue the operation.

The protest flotilla will include fishing vessels, sailing boats, paddle boards, kayaks, and swimmers.

Kinsale resident, Donal Hayes, said the planning decision flies in the face of the entire community.

"There's an incredible sense of community and concern. And there's a kind of a spirit of volunteerism and local initiatives and there's this kind of, there's a feeling of we're all in this together, you know," he said.

"There's loads of things like the Gourmet Festival, the Arts Week, the Maritime Festival. I mean, you could keep going on. This flies in the face of everything.

"This campaign (against the project) marks a turning point in local civic engagement, with the people of Kinsale uniting to defend their coastal environment, heritage, and way of life.

Meanwhile, Cork county councillors are to lodge a formal objection to the decision to grant planning permission to the controversial project.

Cllr Gillian Coughlan of Fianna Fail told a meeting of Cork County Council earlier this week to say that locals in Kinsale were disappointed and dismayed at the granting of the licence is an understatement."

Residents say they are outraged that the project has been allowed to proceed without what they perceive as public consultation or proper scrutiny of the ecological impact.

The Kinsale Swimmers, a year-round sea swimming group, voiced particular concern that dredging activity would stir up silt for up to six weeks, severely degrading water quality and making the beach unusable for swimming.

They also raised alarm about the accumulation of mussel faeces, which they say would pose a long-term threat to water quality in the bay.

Earlier this week in the Dail, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the licence for the project was granted followed consultation with scientific advisors and statutory consultees.

The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation, which for this application apparently was held in 2019 and was rerun in 2021. In total, there were 609 public submissions received.

"And I'm told that the decisions in respect of agricultural licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.

"An appeal against an aqua culture licence decision may be made in writing within one month. So there is a process here.

Cork Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins raised the issue in the Dail on Tuesday.

He said the process in which the aquaculture licence was granted is flawed citing issues around transparency with the licence award, a lack of public consultation, and a lack of monitoring of environmental impacts.

The company behind the project Waterford based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd has been contacted for comment.
Gordon Deegan

The Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan TD, has confirmed that there are currently 2,987 International Protection (IP) applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation here.

In a written Dail reply, Minister OCallaghan said that in the four months to the end of April this year alone, 1,404 single male IP applicants have not been offered accommodation on arrival here.

He said that the 1,404 total was made up of 402 in April, 301 in March, 359 in February, and 342 in January.

In his reply to Catherine Connolly TD, Minister OCallaghan stated: Ireland is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people seeking international protection in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.

He said that to due to severe shortages of accommodation over recent years, the State was unable to offer accommodation to all people seeking international protection since 2024, and there are currently 2,987 people awaiting an offer of accommodation.

Our teams manage a limited supply of accommodation, prioritising people with families or who have specific health needs or other vulnerabilities. This means that single male applicants are most affected by lack of accommodation.

IPAS has arrangements in place with a range of NGO partners to provide drop-in day services for unaccommodated people. This means people can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services.

IPAS also makes offers of accommodation to any applicant who is rough sleeping, identified through outreach that is organised 7 days a week.

Minister OCallaghan said that people who are not offered accommodation are "given a weekly allowance of 113.80 per week, an increase of 75 more than the standard weekly allowance for asylum-seekers.

He said that while the demand for IPAS accommodation remains very high, the rate of increase in new applications for international protection has reduced in recent months.

This means that IPAS has been able to review the cases of people who are awaiting an offer of accommodation, and to make offers of accommodation to some of those who have been waiting the longest.

As part of the review process, we are also identifying people who no longer require accommodation. They will be removed from the list of people waiting for an offer, speeding up the process for people on the list who still need accommodation."

O'Callaghan said that "depending on availability of spaces and numbers of new applicants, we hope to continue to make offers of accommodation to more people over the coming weeks and months.
By Rebecca Black, PA

There will be a large policing presence across Northern Ireland over the weekend, a senior officer has said.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the PSNI has prepared a scaled-up policing operation in anticipation of any further disorder.

He said the mobilisation, which would include officers from Scotland, was to reassure our communities and protect our streets.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill speaking during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA)

It comes after 63 police officers were injured in what has been called a week of shame in Northern Ireland.

Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation.

Political leaders called for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.

A person wearing a Union flag stands near armed police in Portadown in Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA)

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle ONeill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.

What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted  this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level, she said.

The whole of the Executive is united on that front.

Damaged property at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a difficult time for Northern Ireland, with disgraceful scenes of violent disorder, and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.

Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request.

Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how co-operation between police forces is absolutely essential.

While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However, there was still disorder in Portadown.

There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.

It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.

A police officer at the scene after an attack on Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA)

Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday.

A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown.

There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack.

A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.

Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.

The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities.

Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable, he said.

Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order.

They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community.

They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the bigots and racists behind the disorder.

He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been further traumatised by the rioting across the week.
Google Cloud experienced outages today that led to disruptions for many online services. Reports of issues for Google products and others began around 2 PM ET. The company was able to restore function to its own apps, but several other businesses have continued to experience problems for some users.

In an update at 4:16PM ET, Google said, "We have identified the root cause and applied appropriate mitigations. Our infrastructure has recovered in all regions except us-central1. Google Cloud products that rely on the affected infrastructure are seeing recovery in multiple locations. Our engineers are aware of the customers still experiencing issues on us-central1 and multi-region/us and are actively working on full recovery. We do not have an ETA for full recovery."

Screenshot from DownDetector at about 3:25PM ET

Spotify, Discord, Snapchat, Etsy, UPS and OpenAI all experienced a high volume of reports on DownDetector, with some informing users of disruptions. Even the Pokemon Trading Card Game and Pokemon Go weren't spared issues. Snapchat acknowledged the ongoing issues on its support page. OpenAI has posted that users may have trouble logging in due to "issues affecting multiple external internet providers." AWS also experienced a higher-than-usual volume of reports on DownDetector during the outage, but Amazon clarified in a statement to Engadget that it has no broad service issues and noted that its AWS Health Dashboard is a better indicator of its current status than DownDetector.

Almost all services have now returned to normal operation. By 5PM ET, Spotify's main page loaded for our editors and reports of outages on DownDetector had fallen back to close to their baseline. Other platforms like Snapchat and Discord also seemed to be functioning normally for us. Google said at the time that its products were coming back online across multiple regions and that it expected the recovery to be complete "in less than an hour." However, as of 7:13PM ET, the company noted that several Google Cloud components were still experiencing "residual impact." Google Cloud Dataflow, Vertex AI Online Prediction and Personalized Service Health are all still somewhat affected, and the company did not provide a timeline for when everything will be back to normal. At 9:18PM ET, all issues were resolved.
Save some time (and energy and water) and Google without the help of AI.

Googles AI Overviews do not save me time. For one, I work for a tech blog and am therefore professionally curious as to whether or not the generated answers are correct, so I spend a few ticks figuring that out. (Answer: Sometimes, but not always!)

Then things get existential as I contemplate how long a self-cannibalizing system can sustain itself  if the AI gives answers pulled from websites that survive on visits from readers, what happens when no one visits those sites because AI cribbed the answer? Will I still get to write for websites if websites die from traffic starvation? Its a lot to think about when all I want is TSAs latest lithium-ion battery regulations.

Curiously (and unhelpfully) the first result when you Google How to turn off AI Overviews in Chrome doesnt actually answer the question. The entry, from Google Support, discusses turning the feature off back when AI Overviews were experimental and handled through Google Labs. Navigate a little further down that page and youll see:

Note: Turning off AI Overviews and more in Search Labs will not disable all AI Overviews in Search. AI Overviews are part of Google Search like other features, such as knowledge panels, and cant be turned off.

Thankfully, I work with intelligent people and one of them supplied me with a simple method of ensuring each search performed in a Chrome browser bypasses the AI Overview and uses results from the Web tab only. Heres how you too can avoid wasted time (and energy) so you can search like it's 2024.

How to turn off AI Overviews in Chrome on desktop

Click the three dots in the upper right corner of your Chrome browser Go to Settings > Search engine > Manage search engines and search Under Site search, click the Add button Enter Name: Google/Web Enter Shortcut: https://www.google.com/ Enter URL: {google:baseURL}search?udm=14&q=%s Click Add

Google / Engadget

Then, (hat tip to Toms Hardware for helping me figure this bit out) set the search type to default by clicking the three dots next to the shortcut you just created and clicking Make default.

Now, go Google the best laptop power banks and click on the Engadget entry (usually one to four results down) and spend a few moments looking at the ads (and the picture of my desk) before you move on so I can still have a job in 2026.

Other methods for turning off AI Overviews in Google Chrome

In that same Toms Hardware article, Avram Piltch links to the extension he built, which is a super easy way to hide the AI Overviews from sight. Itll still generate the response, you just wont see it. I prefer the Web method above, to avoid any unnecessary machine processing on my behalf, but the extension is easier and keeps you on the familiar All search results tab with knowledge panels, video results and the like.

To turn off the AI Overview for Chrome on your phone, Ill direct you to the fine folks at tenbluelinks. Just open the link in your phones browser and follow the steps for Android or iOS.
You forget how much of a hit, how much of a turnaround, the Nintendo Switch turned out to be. After the major wobble (and baffling form factor) of the Wii U, Nintendo came back with a hybrid console that would replace and fuse its handheld and home console lineages. The console had no right being as playable (and enjoyable) as it was.

Now, finally, its successor has landed . And for once, Nintendos calling its new console a sequel. Nintendo took the best features from the original and upgraded nearly all of them.

The major upgrades in hardware include a bigger 7.9-inch LCD screen, a more mature design that feels more solid and significantly upgraded performance and power. The only major drawback is battery life. Nintendo says it should provide between 2 and 6.5 hours of runtime on a single charge, but that depends on how resource-intensive your games are.

Engadget

According to Sam Rutherfords review testing: In Mario Kart World, the Switch 2 lasted two hours and 23 minutes, which is on the lower end of Nintendos official estimate. Meanwhile, in the NS2 edition of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the console fared a bit better with a time of 2:56. Compared to the OLED Switchs battery life, its a reduction, but its also equivalent to other high-powered handhelds, like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck.

Check out our full review (and perhaps our guide to the best games on the original Switch  because backward compatibility).,

 Mat Smith

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The news you might have missed

Its a solid discount.

If youre struggling to find a good present for Fathers Day, MasterClass has discounted its subscriptions by up to 50 percent. I grabbed a similar deal for myself, unfortunately only 40 percent off, and Ive been pleasantly surprised at the solid interface and how many courses are available. Many course videos can even be downloaded for viewing offline.

Continue reading.

Best Buy is picking up the handset for Canada.

Engadget

Nothing CEO Carl Pei has been teasing this news since April, but now its official: You might actually be able to buy the companys next flagship phone. The Nothing Phone 3 will be available to purchase from Amazon or directly from the company. Until now, only the Phone 2 has made it to general sale in the US. For the other models (including the very impressive Phone 3a), users would have to buy a unit via a beta program, which has no after-sale support. Any caveats? Well, there will be no carrier discount. The Phone 3 will support 4G and 5G with AT&T and T-Mobile. While theres no explicit support for Verizon, the Phone 2 worked well with its network, so thatll probably be the case with the third phone.

How much? Theres no official US price yet. Pei recently said it would cost 800 in the UK at launch, which would translate to around $1,080 in US dollars.

Continue reading.

The Olto has a removable battery.

Infinite Machine

Infinite Machine made waves with its retro-futuristic P1 electric bike, and now its back with the Olto. Its new e-bike boasts 40 miles of range and a top speed of 33 mph, with a 20 mph limit while riding in the bike lane.

Just like the P1, the Olto e-bike looks both futuristic and retro, (like a transformer that turns into a vape.) Whats notable is it can carry two riders at the same time, and you can add accessories, like child carriers.

Continue reading.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have stepped back from their senior royal duties, but a new report suggests they're leaving the door open for their children to step in, raising eyebrows in royal and media circles.

According to The Guardian, passport applications for Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, included the titles HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) alongside the surname Sussex. The detail, reportedly confirmed by sources close to the couple, came as a surprise to insiders, given the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's continued criticism of royal life.

"The Guardian understands that Prince Harry wants to keep the HRH titles for his children so that when they grow older they can decide for themselves whether they want to become working royals, or stay out of public life," the report stated.

Public Exposure vs. Private Fears

As a couple, the two have always said they value their privacy. Still, Meghan has increasingly shared peeks into family life, most notably on Instagram, where she has uploaded pictures from a family trip to Disneyland and birthday shots of Lilibet. Faces were partially hidden, but the shift was noticeable.

Critics claim the duchess is trying to "monetize" her children to support her growing brand, including her new lifestyle venture, As Ever, and her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan."

She's showing more of her children in a bid to stay relevant, one critic alleged, adding that Markle's increasing family-centered content is designed to boost relatability.

According to The Telegraph, "Motherhood is the great unifier... The snaps make her seem fun, goofy, and normal."

The accusations come amid Meghan's comment on a potential future business with her daughter. "I wonder if one day I'll be in business with Lili and we'll be building something," she told Tina Knowles, Beyonce's mother, during a podcast appearance.

Clashing Values Within the Family?

Palace aides have expressed confusion over the Sussexes' apparent long-term goals. "Harry and Meghan apparently found official duties and life within the Royal Family unbearable, yet they want this for their children. It doesn't make sense," one royal insider told columnist Richard Eden for the Daily Mail.

Prince Harry has consistently voiced concerns about his family's safety. In a BBC interview tied to his legal battle for UK security protection, he referenced the trauma of Princess Diana's death, "I don't want history to repeat itself. I think there's a lot of other people out there, the majority, that also don't want history to repeat itself. Through the disclosure process, I've discovered that some people want history to repeat itself, which is pretty dark."
R. Kelly, the once-celebrated R&B star now serving a 30-year prison sentence, is speaking out from behind bars.

Through his lawyer, Kelly has defended Sean "Diddy" Combs, who is currently on trial for racketeering, sex trafficking, and other serious federal crimes.

Although the two are not close, Kelly believes Diddy is being unfairly targetedjust like he was.

"R. Kelly and Diddy are far from friends," Kelly's lawyer, Beau Brindley, told TMZ, "but that doesn't mean Mr. Kelly isn't sympathetic."

Diddy's federal trial in New York is already in its third week, and if convicted, he could spend decades in prison.

Brindley says there's a bigger issue behind these high-profile cases. He argues that the federal government is unfairly targeting Black entertainers. "They're being prosecuted not for crimes," Brindley said, "but for what they do in private."

He claims the government is twisting the law and using it to punish artists for their lifestyles, not illegal actions.

R. Kellys legal team has filed for his immediate release, claiming federal agents are trying to persuade an inmate to kill him.  pic.twitter.com/wDf98ocCSz  Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) June 10, 2025

R. Kelly Isolated After Death Threats, Begs Trump for Help

Meanwhile, Kelly is facing his own struggles. He's currently in solitary confinement at a federal prison in North Carolina.

According to court documents, Kelly was isolated after a violent white supremacist gang allegedly planned to kill him.

One inmate even swore in a statement that prison officials wanted Kelly dead and promised to help cover it up. The threat has left Kelly afraid to eat, fearing his food might be poisoned.

In response, his legal team has asked a judge to move him out of prison entirely and into house arrest. "He's completely cut off from the outside world," Brindley said. "And he's living in constant fear."

But the lawyer is also thinking bigger. According to DailyNews, he confirmed that Kelly is trying to get a pardon from former President Donald Trump.

"We are in open discussions with people close to President Trump," Brindley told People Magazine. "We believe Trump is the only one brave enough to help."

Trump has spoken recently about possibly pardoning Diddy and has granted clemency to other celebrities in the past. Though Kelly never met Trump, he once lived in Trump Tower and hopes that connectionalong with his current dangerwill be enough to earn a conversation with the former president.

"R. Kelly doesn't have time to wait for a formal pardon process," Brindley said. "His life is at risk now."
In a significant update to the legal case involving Sean "Diddy" Combs, a woman who previously dated him has publicly revealed her identity.

She's now coming forward with serious claims of abuse and manipulation during their time together.

Chelsea Lovelace, who had previously filed a civil lawsuit against Combs under the name Jane Doe, has now refiled the complaint using her real name.

Her decision, she said, came from a desire to stop hiding and start healing. "This isn't about revenge," Lovelace stated. "It's about reclaiming my voice, my dignity, and finally choosing myself."

Lovelace claims she dated Combs from late 2020 to September 2024, during which she says he subjected her to repeated abuse.

In the lawsuit, she accuses Combs of giving her drugs and alcohol without consent, pressuring her into sexual acts, and isolating her from work and communication with others, RollingStone said.

She recalls waking up on multiple occasions confused and bruised, with no memory of what had occurred.

She said the abuse often started with Combs asking her to "perform a show" when she visited, involving warmed baby oil and extended sexual activity.

Listen to the moment Sean Diddy Combs calls a girlfriend his crack pipe in creepy voice note played at trial https://t.co/grcNkP3kxp pic.twitter.com/yjxGbaLjDN  New York Post (@nypost) June 12, 2025

Chelsea Lovelace Speaks Out, Claims Diddy Drugged Her in Miami Visit

During her last visit to Combs' Miami home in July 2024two months before his arrestLovelace says she felt drugged and recalled agreeing to his demands just to be left alone. "I told myself I'd never go back," she said.

Lovelace also said Combs was emotionally manipulative, discouraging her from working and instructing his staff to monitor her when he couldn't reach her directly. She feared her privacy was being violated even when they were apart.

These new claims come as Combs, 55, faces several federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals for prostitution.

He has denied all allegations, maintaining that all sexual encounters were consensual.

According to DailyMail, Lovelace's attorney, Joseph Ciaccio of Napoli Shkolnik, praised her courage. "Her choice to step forward speaks volumes about her strength and resolve. We believe no one is above the law, no matter how powerful," he said.

Lovelace is seeking compensatory damages and legal fees. "I believe healing begins with truth," she said. "I'm still finding my way, but today I choose to move forwardwith my head held high and my voice intact."

Originally published on Music Times
Plymouth, MIToday, a groundbreaking new website, www.KeepPlymouthCharming.com, has been launched as an informational and advocacy hub aimed at preserving Plymouth's distinctive charm by taking a decisive stand against the proposed Champion PUD at the Christian Science Church in the city of Plymouth, Michigan. This platform has been created for community members to access resources, updates, and clear calls-to-action on how to oppose developments that threaten the town's identity and legacy.

"Plymouth is more than just a place on the map; it's a community defined by its deep-rooted history and a commitment to maintaining its character," said Kathryn Szary. "With the Champion PUD threatening to upend our cherished way of life, this website serves as a rallying point for locals who believe in protecting what makes Plymouth special. It's about preserving our heritage and ensuring that our voices are heard in this critical debate."

Longtime resident Hank Jallos reinforced this commitment by stating, "The proposed Champion PUD represents a fundamental challenge to our community's well-being."

Szary added, "We're using www.KeepPlymouthCharming.com to educate our neighbors, foster meaningful dialogue, and mobilize collective action. Our mission is clear: preserve the soul of Plymouth and secure a future where progress does not come at the cost of our town's character."

"Small-town America is under assault by 'care-less' developers who just want to maximize density to maximize their profits. The city of Plymouth taxpayers behind this website are dedicated to preserving the charm, character, and heritage that makes Plymouth so desirable," says Bob Bake, longtime Plymouth realtor, now retired.

"The rules of our town require a clear and significant public benefit for this kind of project," says David Pierce, nearby resident and former regulatory enforcement analyst for the federal government (SEC, FERC). "The Champion PUD simply doesn't have a public benefit. This is not a good project, it doesn't merit throwing out the rule book, especially when you continue to hold others to the rules."

Designed with a focus on clear communication and empowering residents, the website provides essential information on the potential impacts of the Champion PUD, strategies for community engagement, and ways for individuals to get involved in the advocacy efforts. This initiative underscores the community's resolve to maintain Plymouth's charm in the face of change that many believe could marginalize the town's unique identity.

Residents and supporters who are concerned about the future of Plymouth can visit www.KeepPlymouthCharming.com to learn more about the issues at hand and explore actionable steps to combat the Champion PUD.

The proposed highly dense project is located at 1100 W. Ann Arbor Trail on the site of the First Christian Science Church near the corner of Ann Arbor Trail and Harvey Street in the city of Plymouth. It consists of 20 units at 2.5-stories about 24.75-feet tall, and a new 3,400-square-foot church. The project has met incredible resistance from taxpaying residents about its density and compatibility with the existing single-family zoning regulations. Currently the property is zoned R-1, single-family, which has a height limitation of two stories.

"The residents are rightfully concerned about the extra traffic this project will generate, especially with regard to the safety of 1400 students attending nearby Bird Elementary and West Middle Schools," said Sam Barresi, former principal of Bird Elementary School.

"I find it deeply concerning the city is considering a PUD that effectively overrides community standards with unsightly barracks-style townhouses," says Mike Gladchun, RE/MAX Classic ~ Plymouth. "The logo for Plymouth is the city of homes, not high-density condos that don't fit the character of our community."

Keep Plymouth Charming is a community-driven effort dedicated to safeguarding the legacy and character of Plymouth. The website is the hub of information and advocacy for residents determined to influence the future course of development in their hometown.

For more information visit: www.KeepPlymouthCharming.com

Media Contacts: Kathryn Szary: kathryn@roguesearch.com
Friday, June 13, 2025

Rahm Emanuel, the former Clinton White House chief of staff and most recently the U.S. ambassador to Japan, divides opinion. Liberals particularly dislike him because of some of his policies and actions during his time as mayor of Chicago. He may have his flaws, but Ive always greatly admired him because he is one of the clearest thinkers in America in my view.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump frequently criticized the billions of dollars in aid that the U.S. had provided Ukraine to defend itself against Russias 2022 invasion. After he won the election, Mr. Trump set out to make Ukraine pay not only for future U.S. military assistance, but also for some of what it had received previously. In connection with that, in the early days of his second term, President Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a minerals deal under which Ukraine would supply strategically important minerals to the U.S.

In his March 10, 2025 opinion piece in the Washington Post, Rahm Emanuel argued that a minerals deal is not what America needs from Ukraine. He wrote this: Ukraine could offer us something immediately more worthwhile. [T]he United States should be looking to acquire not whats underground in Ukraine, but rather whats 100 feet in the air. We need Kyivs drone technology.

According to Emanuel, prior to the current war with Russia, Ukraine had no drone manufacturing industry to speak of. They effectively had one unreliable military supplier. But in the last three years, the country has developed a domestic production base comprising some 500 entrepreneurial firms that are now the worlds envy.

Emanuel provided data showing that in 2024, Ukraine produced 1.2 million drones, many with ranges well in excess of 180 miles. This year, Ukraine is expected to produce 4 million. He wrote that their defense industrial base is accomplishing in weeks what the Pentagons procurement system has failed to do for decades  that is, to quickly produce new, battle-tested weapons systems that warfighters can deploy reliably on the battlefield. His recommendation: The United States should license the battle-tested drone technology Ukrainian companies are developing and producing at scale and in real-time, obviating overnight our greatest strategic weakness.

What is impressive about that opinion piece is that it was written nearly three months before Ukraines audacious drone attack on five strategic air bases inside Russia last week. The operation, code-named Spiderweb, involved the smuggling of drones deep into Russian territory, as far as Siberia. The drones, which were armed with explosives, were transported to sites near the target airfields. They were concealed inside trucks and beneath the roofs of houses. On the day of the attack, the containers were remotely opened, releasing the drones to fly up and attack their targets. According to reports, about a third of Russias fleet of strategic bombers, including nuclear-capable types, were destroyed.

The attack is said to have dealt a major blow to Russias aerial cruise missile strike capability and revealed the vulnerability of major military assets thousands of miles from the front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the operation, describing it as brilliant and perfectly prepared. He added: These are Ukrainian actions that will definitely be in history textbooks. The New York Times quoted the deputy head of Ukraines presidential office as saying that her countrys security services had set a new bar of skill in conducting large-scale combat operations on enemy territory.

Writing in the immediate aftermath of the Ukrainian attack, the Washington Posts Max Boot said that Ukraine just rewrote the rules of war. He likened operation Spiderweb to the Dec. 7, 1941 Imperial Japanese Navy attack that destroyed or damaged 328 U.S. aircraft and 19 U.S. Navy ships. Boot is sure that the Russian high command must have been as shocked by the Ukrainian assault on their bases as the Americans were in 1941. He goes on to say that swarms of Ukrainian drones that probably cost tens of thousands of dollars to build in total might have inflicted $2 billion of damage on Russias most sophisticated aircraft, and that this revealed a vulnerability that should give every general in the world sleepless nights. He concedes that the Ukrainians are proving far more resilient and adaptable fighters than anyone had anticipated before the start of Russias full-scale invasion more than three years ago.

I am not one of those people who have been unexpectedly awed by the ingenuity and bravery of the Ukrainians during this war. That is because I was already quite familiar with the country and its people. For six years, I sat next to Ukrainians in classrooms, and lived with them in university dormitories. I also spent thousands of hours in conversations with them in various venues. They are some of the most brilliant people on the planet.

A week before Emanuels opinion piece was published, I wrote that it would be shocking if the Ukrainians were not quietly building nuclear weapons behind the scenes. My argument was that Russia would not have attacked their country if they still had their nuclear arsenal that the U.S. pressured them to relinquish. Given the apparent unwillingness of the U.S. to sufficiently help in their defense as promised in the Budapest Memorandum, I thought it would be quite logical for Ukraine to reacquire nuclear weapons for future deterrence. I mentioned one of my Ukrainian classmates, a complete genius who exemplifies the caliber of scientists and engineers that the country boasts of, as the reason for my belief that Ukraine can quickly reconstitute a nuclear weapons program.

We have all been guilty of underestimating and sometimes disrespecting people who we dont know well. Even then, it was a stunning display of arrogance for President Trump to wag his finger at President Zelensky in the Oval Office in February and lecture him that he didnt have the cards and should therefore keep his mouth shut. With operation Spiderweb, the Ukrainian president and his compatriots have amply demonstrated that they actually have a strong hand, and that it would be foolish for anyone to be so dismissive of them as our president was.

I dont know what President Trump finds so admirable about Putin for him to show so much deference toward him. The vile dictator has a vast landmass that spans eleven time zones and is filled with every natural resource one can think of. But he has absolutely no idea what to do with all those endowments. He spends all of his time either trying to steal other peoples lands to add to what he already has, or building bombs in preparation for senseless wars. Putin should be quite embarrassed that with its barely $2 trillion of GDP, Russia is not even on the top-ten list of countries by GDP. Relatively tiny nations like France and Italy, with far fewer natural resources, have much higher GDPs. No wonder the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona derisively described Russia as a gas station masquerading as a country. Clearly, size doesnt always matter.

Our sitting president has chosen to prioritize his personal friendship with a tyrant over our national interest. Thankfully, we have visionaries like Rahm Emanuel who keep a close eye on what is happening in the world and critically think about some of the things we should be doing to keep America and our indispensable allies strong and safe. It is up to the rest of us to pay careful attention to what these sages tell us.
When you look across the grounds at Mitchell Pool in Great Falls, the trees are the prominent feature. Its a wonder scene as some of the old buildings blend in with the old trees on the grounds. The park dates back to 1934.

Walking the grounds, it doesnt take long to notice that some of the trees in the park are stressed.

While some of the American elm at the park are fully green and are doing quite well, there are others that seem to be in a fight for survival, with more brown, dead leaves than healthy green ones.

Todd Seymanski, City Forester for the Park & Recreation Department in Great Falls is keeping a keen eye on the trees at Mitchell Pool and around Great Falls.

Asked what might be causing the problem, Seymanski notes there was a late freeze last year, but other than that, nothing stands out.

Something has triggered their survival mode, causing the trees to think they will die. He goes on to say that the survival mode causes the tree to go into exceptional seed production and increase food storage.

This tree lover grew up in Baker, Montana. He went into the oil fields for work, and in the eighties, when the oil patch slowed down, Seymanski took advantage of a training program to learn a new trade. He enrolled at the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau, North Dakota.

After completing his studies, he went to work for the City of Great Falls. That was 35 years ago.

Now Seymanski is concerned that the stressed trees will attract elm bark beetles in these tough times. Those beetles typically carry the fungus that causes Ditch Elm Disease.

How can the trees be saved?

Fertilizer, but be careful about applying too much nitrogen. When using fertilizer, Seymanski told the Times-Leader, pay attention to the NPK number, where the N tells you how much nitrogen is in the mix. Limit that number from eight to ten.

Water is also key. In Great Falls, like other communities in our area, water continues to be scarce.

He also advises to be wise about where you focus your water and nutrients. Notice the drip line, that is a circle around a tree that coincides with the circle that follows the outer ring of the leaves on the tree.

As we take a look at some trees near River Park Drive, a couple of pool staff work to clean one of the pool features, the Flow Rider, Seymanski explains that the staff are kept busy removing dead elm leaves from the large Flow Rider structure, which is temporarily closed.

One option under consideration is microinjection of an insecticide.

Asked what the options are for individuals who are seeing stressed Elms, Seymanski still thinks that the best route is to treat the trees via the soil  using the drip line as the point of treatment. He says that North 40 as well as local nurseries and hardware stores will offer food and treatments that might help the trees survive.

But, bear in mind trees grow slow, so our elm trees may not be out of the woods for another year.

It was late morning on Friday when we talked, walking the grounds at the pool. I asked the City Forester how trees make our life better. Tood knows the list by heart: They help to control temperatures. They sure do. We think that our back yard trees make life comfortable under their shade, but we forget that, strategically placed, a couple trees that help to block the afternoon and evening sun from our homes can make a big difference in our utility bill. A lot of trees can have a significant impact on a cascading list of aspects of local weather.

Our trees absorb water. I can recall, growing up in Tennessee, that maple and poplar trees, as a storm approached, turned their leaves over, exposing the underside which was more absorbent. It was one of the old weather signs we were taught.

In a city environment, that water absorption has an impact of the flow of water into the storm drains, and can mean the difference between a community experiencing a flood, or merely a heavy rain.

But Todd Seymanski sums it up best: Life is always better in the shade of a tree.
Pictured, left to right are some of the people who helped with the benefit for Christian Olsen last Friday evening: Kirk Anauo, Clayton Wagenaar, Rick McAdams, Laini Gray, Darren Schlepp, Christian Olsen, Savannah Calder, Cathy Hershkowitz, Sally Dobbins, Deedee Rains and Dave Yarger.
Nothing beckons back to our treasured childhood like linking arms with true friends. There is a genuine depth of devotion immediately summoned from thin air with those who shared our little plans and big dreams of so long ago, a time when we were all new here.

There are days that come to us with gifts beyond measure, but only if we take the time to revel in them.

The Likes family lived across the fields from us when we were children. Jerry and Carmen Likes were just a bit older than my parents, both having served honorably in World War II, and when they came to live near us, my parents welcomed them with open arms. My father had known Jerry quite well through the years as a cousin to his boyhood pals, and Carmen and my young mother became instant friends.

Jerry and Carmen had two boys, eventually followed by four girls, matching up wonderfully with the four of us girls in our household. We adored this family. Picnics, games, dinner nights held at one anothers home, sleepovers, along with spending rainy days together in the barns of our youth  we were inseparable. We all welcomed baby Joyce Likes when I was 3 years old with pure joy as though this tiny pink bundle belonged to all of us.

It was the summer I was about to start first grade that we learned Jerry was taking a job in Milan, Ohio. The family would be moving. We were heartbroken. Their oldest son, Greg, was about to start his senior year of high school. It speaks volumes on the closeness of the parents when it was decided Greg, who often helped on our farm, would be moving in with us so he could remain in our local school.

We visited the Likes family in their new hometown, but it wasnt an easy drive for a busy dairy farm family, about an hour or so north of us. Special events brought us together, and the love that lived between us never faded.

All four parents having passed away, and with five of the six Likes children living in other states, it had been far too long since we had seen one another.

This past week, a walk down memory lane brought Ava, Kathy, Carmen and Joyce back to us, and to their childhood community. As I planned a day for the eight of us in the weeks before their arrival, my excitement grew.

The minute I hugged Ava, best friend to my oldest sister, the years just melted away. There were hugs and laughter and tears all around as eight women became those eight happy girls all over again.

Joyce, who was so very young when the family moved away, later told me she wasnt really drawn back to Jeromesville as her sisters were, surely because she was just too young to hold a trove of memories here. It turns out that doesnt make one bit of difference  being here, seeing you all, this is just magical.

We arranged to have their childhood Methodist church opened for them, and Kathy instantly said, I see our pew  this is where our family sat, always together, every Sunday! It brought cameras out, memories rushing back. Ava said, Yes  it was right there where I sang my first church solo. And I bet it was awful! The laughter flowed, and so did some tears, stepping back to touch the sweet souls who helped to raise us.

Gathered around a table at my sister Debis home, we enjoyed catching up over lunch, sharing highlights of our varied paths. We could have talked and laughed for days, the spark of camaraderie enveloping us as though no time had passed.

In those long-ago days, we shared our siblings and our parents, sleeves of saltines on lazy days of our childhood, tiny cups of Kool-Aid and silly secrets. The love our parents shared for each one of us, though not related by blood, was truly rare and wonderful, deep and wide. What a gift that was; what a blessing it continues to be.

Your mother had the unique gift of making me feel so special, I said, and I meant it with my whole heart. Your mother did the same! one of the Likes sisters said.

How lucky were we? How lucky, still. We met more than 60 years ago, life sent us in varied directions, with other states now called home. But on one perfect sunny June day in Ohio, we found our true north in one another, once again.
Native breed campaigners have sounded the alarm after rare native cattle bloodlines were stripped of government support under new Defra plans.

Defra recently confirmed a shift to a whole-breed approach under the new UK Native Breeds Support (NBS) list, which will replace the current Native Breeds at Risk (NBAR) list from March 2026.

Under the revised scheme, only breeds classified as at risk on the new NBS list will qualify for native breed support payments in England.

However, several rare 'original populations'such as the Traditional Hereford and Native Aberdeen Anguswill lose their eligibility, as their broader breed groups are not themselves considered at risk.

Original populations, which represent unaltered and non-imported bloodlines of native breeds, have until now been recognised individually on the NBAR list.

The new structure will absorb these groups into their wider breed categories, effectively removing support for some that are genetically distinct but statistically overshadowed by their more populous counterparts.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has called on the government to introduce targeted support for the conservation of rare original population cattle genetics.

The charity's chief executive, Christopher Price, warned of the consequences this policy shift could have for native breed conservation efforts.

The original population animals have distinct characteristics and maintain the breeds original, non-imported bloodlines," he said.

"Genetic diversity among the UKs native livestock is critical and these original populations are a very important factor," he said.

"It is vital that [these] are maintained with conservation activities and distinct breeding programmes which maintain these crucial rare genetics."

Mr Price voiced particular concern for farmers who breed and conserve Traditional Hereford and Native Aberdeen Angus cattle, which will no longer receive financial support despite their historical and genetic significance.

The decision to merge the original populations with their wider breeds on the new NBS list means that farmers keeping rare cattle will not be eligible for native breed supplements, which will be damaging to their conservation," he stated.

In light of these changes, RBST is urging the government to implement new policies that would safeguard the conservation of important within-breed genetics.

This could include mandatory breeding programme requirements and tailored conservation funding for original populations.

We are urging government to put in place new mechanisms to incentivise and require the conservation of particularly important genetics within breeds, including these original populations," Mr Price added.
New best practice protocols are setting a tougher industry standard to crack down on costly diseases like BVD and Johnes  just as pressure ramps up across the UK to take action.

The updated guidance [PDF], released by Cattle Health Certification Standards (CHECS), arrives at a pivotal moment as the sector looks to eradicate both diseases.

Among the most notable updates is the introduction of the Dairy BVD Negative programmea new option for dairy herds to demonstrate low BVD risk following the end of the BVDFree scheme in England.

The new system includes quarterly bulk milk testing and youngstock screening to support ongoing disease monitoring.

James Russell, a board member of CHECS and non-executive director of the Animal Health & Welfare Board for England, said CHECS protocols remain the bedrock of the cattle industrys approach to disease control.

He added that the influence of CHECS protocols extends even to farmers not formally part of an accredited scheme, as licensed labs and veterinary practices typically follow these established procedures.

All this means consistency across UK and Ireland about how insidious diseases such as BVD, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis and Johnes Disease should be tackled, and how the risk of herds having those diseases is communicated.

The renewed focus on BVD comes as governments across the UK and Ireland intensify eradication efforts.

Mr Russell emphasised that BVD is a particularly eradicable disease, with significant financial incentives for farmers to address it.

The suppressed immunity BVD causes has been calculated to cost UK farmers up to 61 million per year; thats 6.50 for every single bovine. In Ireland the cost estimate is even higher at over 13/11 per animal, he said.

Yet the biggest risk with BVD remains not looking for it because it hides in plain sight, amplifying cases of pneumonia or scours, and preventing animals recovering despite treatment.

"Hence identifying whether BVD is the cause of other health issues in your herd is one of the most cost-beneficial steps a cattle farmer can take.

Alongside BVD updates, the revised protocols also introduce a new Johnes Disease risk levelRisk Level 1* (R1*)to give farmers and vets clearer insight into a herds disease status.

Herds already certified as Risk Level 1 through three consecutive annual tests will now be able to qualify for R1* if they have had no positive blood tests for more than 12 months.

This enhanced classification will be visible on herd certificates and pen cards from 1 October 2025 and will include the number of years at that status.

Keith Cutler, veterinary director at CHECS, said the new risk level reflects both scientific rigour and fairness.

Most importantly, they will help vets and farmers more accurately gauge risk, said Mr Cutler.

Agreeing this change was a tough and lengthy process, but Johnes Disease is such an important and costly disease to both dairy and beef sectors, it was worth persevering.

He also encouraged all cattle keepers to use CHECS protocols, whether or not they are part of an accredited scheme.
The Welsh government is facing strong criticism from farming unions after opting not to follow Englands nationwide bluetongue restriction zone - a move they warn could cause chaos for cross-border trade and animal health measures.

From 1 July - which marks the start of England's single bluetongue virus restricted zone - all susceptible animals moving from England to Wales will need a negative pre-movement test and a specific licence.

There will be an exemption in place for any animals moving direct to slaughter, the Welsh government confirmed.

The decision has been branded disappointing and impractical by the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) and NFU Cymru, as they say it risks undermining disease control while piling costs and red tape onto already stretched farmers.

FUW President Ian Rickman stressed the impact on cross-border trading and movement, as well as the logistical challenges posed by divergent policies across England and Wales.

As farmers our first instinct is to keep any disease out, but in order to maintain economic stability within the industry, the FUW has repeatedly lobbied the Welsh government to simultaneously align with the changes proposed in England," he said.

"The sheer number of cross-border holdings and trading activity will be vastly disrupted with this policy decision. Meanwhile, midges that carry and spread the virus would not respect any such boundaries."

Mr Rickman warned that the decision to diverge from Defras stance could render disease control efforts ineffective, calling the approach of maintaining a disease-free buffer across the border futile and wholly impractical.

He also warned of the anticipated administrative and financial burdens farmers would face, including delays in licensing, testing requirements, and increased haulage complications.

While the Welsh government continues to emphasise vaccination as a core defence strategy, stronger industry support and clearer guidance, especially for the 550 cross-border farming operations, must be delivered.

Vaccination is an important weapon in the armoury that has been widely deployed throughout Europe," Mr Rickman added.

NFU Cymru also raised similar reservations around the feasibility and cost of implementing the new controls. President Aled Jones acknowledged the complexity of the situation but underscored the need for a sustainable and practical solution.

He also voiced alarm at the anticipated strain on laboratories and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which are expected to manage testing and licensing for a large volume of cross-border livestock movement.

There are many unknowns about how BTV-3 could impact our herds and flocks across Wales and Welsh farmers are extremely worried about the threat of the spread of the disease," he stated.

However, we have significant concerns about the lack of resources and capacity within the laboratories and APHA... We understand that going forward the costs of testing will be borne by the farmer, which will cause a huge increase to the cost of trading.

NFU Cymru echoed calls for frequent policy reviews, highlighting the importance of upcoming months for livestock trading.

Welsh government has committed to keeping their decision under review. We are about to enter an extremely important time of the year in the farming calendar... this trade is critical, said Mr Jones, urging government to find a solution that reduces the need for excessive testing and bureaucracy.

On vaccination, Mr Jones reinforced the unions support: NFU Cymru believes the best method for farmers to protect their herds and flocks from infection is via vaccination.

"We support a campaign to promote vaccine use and facilitate the maximum number of doses being available on Welsh farms as quickly as possible.

"We would urge all farmers to speak to their vets to discuss a vaccination plan for their farm.
The Welsh government has sparked concern after voting to keep the door open for solar panel developments on prime agricultural land, despite warnings it could threaten food security.

A motion, tabled in the Senedd by the Welsh Conservatives, called for a comprehensive solar energy strategyone that would support the transition to renewables without sacrificing food producing farmland.

Agricultural land is essential to feeding the nation, the motion warned, urging the Welsh government to prioritise alternative sites for solar infrastructure.

Following the debate on Wednesday (11 June), the Labour-run government rejected the motion, instead highlighting the role that solar power plays in meeting Waless climate ambitions.

The Welsh government has pledged to meet 100% of Waless electricity demand from renewable sources by 2035, with the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

But Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Energy & Rural Affairs, criticised Labour's "disappointing" stance.

It is essential that we do all we can to protect our assets, and that includes safeguarding fertile farmland from being paved over for solar panels. Its common sense," he said.

While securing our energy future is important, it must not come at the expense of our agricultural land. Undermining farming in this way threatens food security and rural livelihoods.

I am disappointed that Labour chose to vote against our pragmatic motion that would protect agricultural land from new solar panel applications."

Janet Finch-Saunders MS, who led the debate and serves as the Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for the Environment, also stressed the need for a strategic rethink.

We need a clear and sustainable solar strategy that balances renewable energy development with the protection of our farmland. The current lack of strategy risks undermining both our energy goals and our food security.

From Switzerland to Japan, measures are being taken in nations globally to see solar panels placed in innovative locations which do not hamper food production.

"The Welsh government needs to pause to put an ambitious plan in place for a solar revolution.
Cambodia's apparel exports rose by 22.93 per cent to $4.213 billion during the first five months of 2025. Apparel accounted for 35.7 per cent of the countrys total foreign income, which reached $11.805 billion, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

During this period, Cambodias exports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 61) totalled $2,696.428 million, marking a 23.3 per cent increase from $2,187.747 million in JanuaryMay 2024. Similarly, exports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 62) rose by 22.3 per cent to $1,517.575 million, up from $1,240.448 million in the same period of 2024.

Cambodia's apparel exports surged by 22.93 per cent to $4.213 billion in JanuaryMay 2025, with knitted and non-knitted garments both seeing strong growth. Apparel contributed over 35 per cent of total foreign income. Imports of key raw materials such as knitted fabrics, man-made fibres, and cotton also increased. This follows a 24.44 per cent rise in apparel exports in 2024, reversing a 2023 decline.

In May 2025, exports of knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 61) amounted to $746.893 million, a 33.1 per cent increase from $561.315 million in May 2024. Likewise, exports of non-knitted apparel and clothing accessories (Chapter 62) rose by 20.2 per cent to $324.977 million, up from $270.366 million in May 2024.

Regarding imports, Cambodia's intake of knitted or crocheted fabrics (Chapter 60) reached $1,417.294 million in JanuaryMay 2025, an increase of 13.4 per cent from $1,250.236 million during the same period in 2024. Imports of man-made fibres (Chapter 55) rose by 5.7 per cent to $605.168 million, compared to $572.282 million in the previous year. Imports of cotton and cotton yarn (Chapter 52) also grew by 2.3 per cent to $327.066 million, up from $319.6 million in JanuaryMay 2024.

In 2024, the countrys apparel exports surged by 24.44 per cent to $9.791 billion, comprising $6.638 billion from knitted apparel and $3.153 billion from non-knitted apparel. That same year, Cambodia imported knitted or crocheted fabrics worth $3.081 billion, man-made fibres worth $1.349 billion, and cotton and cotton yarn worth $766.003 million.

In 2023, Cambodia's apparel exports declined by 12.91 per cent to $7.87 billion, in contrast to a 12.69 per cent increase in 2022, when total exports reached $9.04 billion.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
The Dutch manufacturing sector saw a 0.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in calendar-adjusted output in April 2025, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS). More than half of the industrial segments reported lower production compared to April 2024.

Seasonally adjusted data revealed a 1 per cent decrease in output from March to April, continuing the downward trend that began after May 2022. The sector had previously experienced a sharp decline in spring 2020, followed by a recovery phase until mid-2022.

Within the sector, machinery manufacturing saw a 3.4 per cent decrease in output compared to April 2024, CBS said in a release.

Producer confidence weakened further in May, driven by growing pessimism about future output. Although Germanya key trading partnerreported improving sentiment for the fifth consecutive month, its manufacturing output dropped 2.5 per cent YoY and 1.8 per cent month-on-month (MoM) in April, according to Destatis.

Dutch manufacturing output declined 0.5 per cent YoY in April 2025, with over half of sectors reporting lower production, per CBS. Seasonally adjusted output fell 1 per cent from March. Machinery output dropped 3.4 per cent. Producer confidence weakened in May. Germany's output also fell 2.5 per cent YoY and 1.8 per cent MoM, despite improving sentiment.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
While international trade continued to flow in May this year and global air cargo volumes rose by 6 per cent year on year (YoY), market sentiment and concerns over what comes next saw airfreight spot rates decline for the first time in a year, according to Xenetas latest market analysis.

Midway through the month, the global air cargo market appeared to have dodged a perfect storm as the US-China 90-day tariff truce began on May 14 after the escalating retaliatory tariffs since April.

This welcome news came too late to reverse a softening in freight rates. The global air cargo spot rate fell by 4 per cent YoY in May to $2.44 per kgthe first such decline since April 2024. This could, in part, also be attributed to nearly 20 per cent YoY declines in jet fuel costs.

While international trade continued to flow in May and global air cargo volumes rose by 6 per cent YoY, market sentiment and concerns over what comes next saw airfreight spot rates drop for the first time in a year, Xeneta said. More downward pressure may lie ahead, it said. Global air cargo capacity rose by 2 per cent YoY in May as airlines raised passenger belly capacity for summer in North.

More downward pressure may lie ahead, said Xenetas chief airfreight officer Niall van de Wouw in a release.

Market fundamentals are holding up, but the drop in rates is likely a reflection of declining sentiment and concerns, particularly among airlines, over what will happen once more stability returns to international trade and there is less of a push for the security of airfreight. Whatever worse trade conditions take away from overall trade, this uncertainty gives a bit back to airfreight, he said.

This climate is reducing trade and airfreight is getting a temporary piggyback on this uncertainty through an increase in emergency shipments but that will not continue. Its difficult to relate the +6 per cent growth in demand in May to increased e-commerce or increasing trade at a time when companies overall are becoming more conservative, van de Wouw said.

The slower growth in airfreight volumes and rates over the last 5-6 months, he said, reflects growing sentiment that it doesnt look good for trade.

At the moment, the climate might be positive on certain lanes to airfreight demand, but there will be a time when theres an agreement on tariffsand I dont expect the end result to promote trade and will, therefore, hamper airfreight, he noted.

Airlines, he feels, will be trying to hold onto their volumes in this very uncertain environment and willing to pay a little bit for that security, he said.

By the week ending June 1, China to US spot rates rose by 14 per cent to $4.31 per kg, up from their low point in the week ending May 11 prior to the reduction in tariffs. Spot rates on this lane have now recovered above those from China to Europe, which stood at $4.11 per kg.

Despite the recent uptick, however, China to US seasonal rates continue to trend downwards from their early April peak (prior to Liberation Day in the US), signalling ongoing caution in the mid-term market outlook.

Global air cargo capacity rose by a modest 2 per cent YoY in May as airlines increased passenger belly capacity for the North hemispheres summer season.

However, global air cargo dynamic load factor remained subdued, remaining flat at 57 per cent for the fifth straight month in May. Dynamic load factor is Xenetas measurement of capacity utilisation based on volume and weight of cargo flown alongside available capacity.

Air cargo spot rates fell month on month on most routes following US tariff truce, Xeneta added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and its 100%-owned U.S.-based subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership" or "PLP") have informed the government that they do not object to a motion from the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE") (collectively, the "defendants") to hold the litigation in abeyance for a further 20 days. This is in addition to the prior 90- and 30-day abeyances previously requested by the defendants to give the leadership of the new administration time to familiarize themselves with the issues presented in this case and to decide how they wish to proceed.

"We have been patient with the post-election process with the understanding that it takes time to get the right staff in place and working," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. "However, accelerating the production of critical metals like copper is important for Alaska and the U.S. and the roadblocks to permitting need to be removed. We can proceed with our court filings in the legal action against the preemptive and illegal Obama/Biden era EPA veto, if necessary, but it would be far more timely, efficient, and in-line with the current U.S. administration's objectives if this extraordinary restriction, implemented by the previous administration, is simply withdrawn."

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov.

Ronald W. Thiessen

President & CEO

U.S. Media Contact:

Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897

Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors

This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting and the development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. Additional forward looking statements made by the Company under its continuous disclosure obligations include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Record of Decision ("USACE ROD") through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE ROD and its subsequent remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project.

In addition, the likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time.

SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/northern-dynasty-pebble-partnership-consents-to-epa-request-for-additional-20-day-1039183
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.



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MANCHESTER, England, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the single-use vapes ban comes into force across the UK, the vape industry is undergoing a fundamental change. Perhaps many vaping enthusiasts don't know what products they can still use now. ARGUSBAR Neon, a brand-new pod system vape product launched by ICCPP GROUP, steps up as a reliable and exciting alternative for vapers in UK. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, it offers a simple, convenient, and satisfying vaping experience.

Why Choose ARGUSBAR Neon?

It is a compact big puff vape kit designed for those who crave simplicity. It comes with a prefilled 2mL pod and a 3mL refill container, delivering up to 2000 puffs. Powered by a robust 800mAh battery, a full charge lasts all day and takes only 50 minutes to recharge, seamlessly fitting into your busy lifestyle. It achieves a perfect liquid-battery balance, ensuring an ideal match between 5mL of e-liquid and battery life. The device is inhale-activated, meaning no buttons-just inhale to start vaping. Additionally, the 0.8 Ohm mesh coil heats e-liquid faster for richer flavour.

Using the ARGUSBAR Neon is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for beginners and experienced vapers alike. Just insert the pod and refill container into the device, then vape, and you're good to go-no complicated settings or steep learning curve.

The ARGUSBAR Neon offers a variety of delightful flavours to match your mood. In the heart of summer, why not try some seasonal fruit-inspired options? Dive into the sweet and tangy Blueberry Sour Raspberry, blending the juicy punch of blueberries with a sharp raspberry twist. For a refreshing burst, the Strawberry Raspberry combines the classic British summer fruits into a juicy, vibrant vape. Or cool off with Watermelon Ice, capturing the tropical sweetness of watermelon with a frosty finish-perfect for those warm June days .

Global Debut: World Vape Show Dubai 2025

We're excited to announce that the ARGUSBAR Neon will make its global debut at the highly anticipated World Vape Show! Join us from June 18-20, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Center, and visit us at Booth 2120. Experience this innovative product firsthand and explore the unique appeal of the ARGUSBAR Neon!

Warning: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2709705/ARGUSBAR_NEON_UP_TO_2000_PUFFS.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/argusbar-neon-your-trusted-choice-since-june-2025-participating-world-vape-show-dubai-2025-302480861.html
Town Council approves three-year partnership agreement to operate with professional specialists

Jamestown Water Treatment Plant provides 350,000 gallons of water per day to nearly 1,600 homes and businesses

JAMESTOWN, RI / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Veolia North America, the leading provider of water services and environmental solutions in the U.S. and Canada, has entered a three-year agreement to operate the water treatment plant for the Town of Jamestown, Rhode Island, providing high standards of water quality and professional operation for nearly 1,600 homes and businesses in the coastal community.

Throughout the three-year contract, Veolia will provide a team of three certified, full-time professionals to operate Jamestown's plant, alleviating a staffing shortage that has become a perennial concern throughout the water sector. Veolia will provide a full contingent of certified employees to operate and maintain the water treatment plant, working in conjunction with municipal personnel to provide environmental security for the town and its residents. Jamestown's need for a deeper operational roster became apparent over a recent period when only one licensed individual was on hand to address the needs of the facility. In addition to dedicating Rhode Island-certified personnel specifically to operate the Jamestown Water Treatment Plant, Veolia has the ability to draw from its significant regional workforce to assist in meeting the facility's ever-evolving needs.

Veolia will also provide opportunities for members of Jamestown's current bargaining union to attend training for water treatment operator licensing and advanced certifications, in an effort to cultivate a stronger municipal workforce for the water treatment plant.

Upon mobilization in January of 2025, the Jamestown team and Veolia's support personnel wasted no time implementing effective and noticeable improvements to the facility and to water quality. Veolia's site leadership immediately identified a below-ground pump vault used for reading meters that was not appropriately structured for employees to enter it safely. In line with Veolia's non-negotiable emphasis on operational safety, site leaders installed electronic systems to take the required readings, then built a small structure with lights, handrails and rehabilitated stairs to reduce slip hazards and fall risks. Similar improvements to the plant's operating systems have resulted in immediate support for Jamestown's water quality.

John Oatley, Regional Vice President for Veolia said: "We are excited to work with the Town of Jamestown and provide the support this community deserves for the protection of both public and environmental health. Our team throughout Rhode Island and across New England has demonstrated efficiency, dedication and operational excellence. We look forward to bringing that to Jamestown and maintaining this unique area's remarkable quality of life."

Edward Mello, Jamestown Town Administrator said: "The delivery of high-quality, safe drinking water to our residents is a paramount function of our local government services. Jamestown, like many communities, has struggled to recruit and retain qualified staff members in all areas of the services we provide. This partnership allows us the stability needed to continue this high-value service."

Veolia has a long-established reputation for high-quality operation of water and wastewater systems across southeastern New England, including facilities in Pawtucket and Woonsocket in Rhode Island, New London in Connecticut, Westborough in Massachusetts, and more. Veolia's service to the region exemplifies its global GreenUp strategy, striving to lead the ecological transformation of the planet by accelerating water quality improvement, hazardous waste treatment and disposal, decarbonization and technological innovation.

ABOUT VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent.

www.veolianorthamerica.com

ABOUT VEOLIA GROUP

Veolia Group aims to become the benchmark company for ecological transformation. Present on five continents with 215,000 employees, the Group designs and deploys useful, practical solutions for the management of water, waste and energy that are contributing to a radical turnaround of the current situation. Through its three complementary activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, to preserve available resources and to renew them. In 2024, the Veolia group provided 111 million inhabitants with drinking water and 98 million with sanitation, produced 42 million megawatt hours of energy and treated 65 million tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated revenue of 44.7 billion euros in 2024.

www.veolia.com

CONTACT

VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA

Christopher Halleron

Manager, Communications & Community Relations

201-892-8043

christopher.halleron@veolia.com



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Veolia North America on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Veolia North America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/veolia-north-america

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Veolia North America

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/veolia-partners-with-jamestown-rhode-island-to-provide-high-quality-water-service-1039199
SHANGHAI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 11th, SNEC 2025 opened in Shanghai. CHINT made a heavy appearance with the main products of green energy industry, smart power comprehensive solutions, new business cultivation achievements, new scene applications and demonstration cases, and signed a contract with the partners of the ecological circle on the spot to show the strength of CHINT's full chain integration and jointly explore more possibilities of green energy.

Gather the innovation power of the whole industrial chain, and help the healthy and sustainable development of new energy industry with new energy ecological construction. As a world-renowned smart energy solution provider, CHINT has appeared at the SENC exhibition for many years in a row. Compared with previous years, "more formats, richer scenes and wider applications" have become the outstanding features of this exhibition scheme.

Multi-dimensional strategic layout

Under the background of accelerating global energy transformation and deepening power market reform, industry competition is evolving from a single link to the whole value chain, and from product delivery to ecosystem construction.

At the beginning of CHINT's multi-dimensional strategic layout, new modes and formats, such as integration of light storage and charging, wind and light hydrogen storage, smart microgrid and virtual power plant, have continuously stimulated new vitality of the industry, and virtual power plant and smart microgrid technologies have been continuously applied to help improve the stability, reliability and economy of the power system.

During the exhibition, CHINT brought intelligent industrial clusters, new energy industry solutions and transmission and distribution products, which attracted the interest of the audience. The product features of "high efficiency, high performance, high reliability and high adaptability" left a deep impression on the audience.

In addition to excellent product performance, customization has become a key factor to meet the individual needs of customers. The low-voltage products customized and developed by CHINT for the new energy industry have adapted to the harsh environment in the photovoltaic field, passed the tests of extreme cold and high temperature, thus escorting the safe and stable operation of the power grid.

Product acceleration iteration accurately meets market demand

To maintain the leading edge, enterprises must invest in R&D for a long time, and promote technology iteration and product upgrading, which is also the embodiment of Chint's values of long-term and professionalism. As an industry leader, CHINT made a stunning appearance with a number of star products and solutions.

At the exhibition site, the product model of CHINT 500kV natural ester insulated oil transformer is eye-catching. As a star product of CHINT, it uses vegetable oil as an insulating medium instead of traditional mineral oil, which greatly reduces carbon emissions and improves product performance.

After visiting CHINT platform, customers from Yemen said that CHINT's products are comprehensive, the advantages of iterative upgrade are obvious, the delivery cycle is short, it can bring great convenience to customers, and they are also optimistic about CHINT's service. They hope to reach deeper cooperation with CHINT on photovoltaic projects.

Anchoring green sustainability and shaping new industrial competitiveness

Under the background of global climate change and increasingly serious environmental problems, green and low-carbon development has become one of the soft powers to enhance competitiveness. CHINT integrates cutting-edge technologies and a comprehensive smart energy solution in home, industry and commerce, parks and other scenes.

Beyond solar energy, CHINT is investing in next-generation energy solutions, including hydrogen power and microgrid technologies. CHINT is also at the forefront of smart microgrid development, enhancing energy efficiency and grid stability. CHINT (Yueqing) Industrial Park integrates solar power, energy storage, and intelligent distribution, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 540 tons and saving over $140,000 in electricity costs annually.

As a leading enterprise with in-depth layout in the global electric power and new energy market, CHINT has embedded ESG into its corporate strategy and operations. CHINT continues to pioneer ESG best practices, a key role in driving sustainable industry transformation for responsible business leadership.

At the exhibition site, CHINT Group's ESG strategy presentation, 1.8 million power station commissioning ceremony, lithium battery new product launch conference, project cooperation signing ceremony and other activities were held one by one, which made customers and audiences intuitively feel the charm of digital energy and green smart products.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710196/image_5019413_5421558.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/building-a-new-energy-ecosystem-chint-appeared-at-snec-2025-302480870.html
BEIJING, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily

The opening ceremony of "An Encounter with Chinese Culture: Jiangsu Week of the Grand Canal Culture" took place on Tuesday in Brussels, an event of China's Jiangsu province that has received a warm welcome from both local residents and cultural experts.

As part of a series of events to celebrate the year 2025 as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, the event is co-hosted by the Mission of China to the EU, the Information Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, and the Jiangsu International Culture Association.

During the opening ceremony, He Liping, a sand artist, displayed to the audience how she drew a sand picture about eight meters in length at the site. On the left, Belgium is depicted with Bruges' fairy tale charm, with red kestrels, blooming poppies, Smurfs at the Atomium, Tintin in the Grand Place, and EU landmarks. On the right, the canal culture features the cities of Changzhou and Wuxi, Jiangsu province, with giant pandas and cherry blossoms surrounding ancient bridges.

Cao Weiping, a tea snack artist from Changzhou, was present at the opening ceremony and the subsequent events, teaching audiences about the methods of making such snacks.

"Tea snacks date to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when drinking tea was so popular among both intellectuals and ordinary people that snacks for them naturally appeared. So it's fair to say that our tea snacks have a history of over 1,400 years, made of daily food and carved delicately in the shapes of different fruits in different seasons," she said.

A Spanish violinist, Marina Martin, toured the Millennia-old Canal, Charm of Jiangsu exhibition and was interested in the exhibit of Chinese instruments, including the erhu, a traditional musical instrument.

"I loved the Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto when I first listened to it," she said, recalling previous visits to China. "I think music transcends borders, and events like this really help different peoples appreciate each other's culture."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710221/903118b46550dbe68b36f73ff81fc94.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chinas-culture-celebrated-in-brussels-302480902.html
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!
Y24 sales increased by 18.2% yoy to  161m (eNuW:  160m), carried by both F&B (+17.1% to  32.2m) as well as Logis (+18.6% to  122.7m) sales. Overall, the strong increase in Logis sales is a result of improved occupancy (+5.6pp to 77.5%) as well as an increased ADR of  217.75 (+6.5% yoy), which led to a strongly improved RevPar of  168.73 (+14.8% yoy). While the wave of big events and concerts (UEFA Euro, Adele concerts, etc.) surely had its impact on occupancy, especially the continuously improving ADR underscores MHP's price leadership. Mind you, that the company has by far the highest ADR's of all hotel companies in Germany.

On this basis, FY24 EBITDA substantially improved from  1.1m in FY23 ( 4m adj.) to  10.4m in FY24, implying a margin of 6.4%. In our view, this was predominantly caused by positive operating leverage. Notably, the company's own brand MOOONS (1 hotel in Vienna) achieved a strong result with an EBITDA margin of 11%.

Against the backdrop of a good start into the year (see Theme part of our initiation), management again confirmed the FY guidance of  180m sales (eNuW:  185.3m) and  15m EBITDA (eNuW:  15.3m/  10.3m adj. EBITDA excl. key-money payments), implying a 15% yoy top-line increase and an 8.3% EBITDA margin.

Expansion as potential catalyst. As stated before, CEO Frehse once again highlighted that the current market situation offers some appealing investment opportunities for MHP. As some peers have struggled recently, options for MHP to take over and reposition hotels in prominent locations should become available. Here, the company in yesterday's corporate news reiterated that is currently observing several options to increase existing financing capabilities in order to be more flexible. Mind you, that we do not include any portfolio expansion in our model, thus leaving some upside to our estimates.

Overall, the release fully underpins our conviction in the case as MHP again proved the financial resilience and strength of its positioning in the luxury hotel segment.

We thus confirm BUY with an unchanged PT of  3.00 based on DCF.

ISIN: DE000A3E5C24
Original-Research: MHP Hotel AG - from NuWays AG



13.06.2025 / 09:00 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.



Classification of NuWays AG to MHP Hotel AG Company Name: MHP Hotel AG ISIN: DE000A3E5C24 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: Buy from: 13.06.2025 Target price: EUR 3.00 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: Analyst: Phillipp Sennewald

Strong FY24 no surprise after guidance hike, chg.



Y24 sales increased by 18.2% yoy to  161m (eNuW:  160m), carried by both F&B (+17.1% to  32.2m) as well as Logis (+18.6% to  122.7m) sales. Overall, the strong increase in Logis sales is a result of improved occupancy (+5.6pp to 77.5%) as well as an increased ADR of  217.75 (+6.5% yoy), which led to a strongly improved RevPar of  168.73 (+14.8% yoy). While the wave of big events and concerts (UEFA Euro, Adele concerts, etc.) surely had its impact on occupancy, especially the continuously improving ADR underscores MHP's price leadership. Mind you, that the company has by far the highest ADR's of all hotel companies in Germany.



On this basis, FY24 EBITDA substantially improved from  1.1m in FY23 ( 4m adj.) to  10.4m in FY24, implying a margin of 6.4%. In our view, this was predominantly caused by positive operating leverage. Notably, the company's own brand MOOONS (1 hotel in Vienna) achieved a strong result with an EBITDA margin of 11%.



Against the backdrop of a good start into the year (see Theme part of our initiation), management again confirmed the FY guidance of  180m sales (eNuW:  185.3m) and  15m EBITDA (eNuW:  15.3m/  10.3m adj. EBITDA excl. key-money payments), implying a 15% yoy top-line increase and an 8.3% EBITDA margin.



Expansion as potential catalyst. As stated before, CEO Frehse once again highlighted that the current market situation offers some appealing investment opportunities for MHP. As some peers have struggled recently, options for MHP to take over and reposition hotels in prominent locations should become available. Here, the company in yesterday's corporate news reiterated that is currently observing several options to increase existing financing capabilities in order to be more flexible. Mind you, that we do not include any portfolio expansion in our model, thus leaving some upside to our estimates.



Overall, the release fully underpins our conviction in the case as MHP again proved the financial resilience and strength of its positioning in the luxury hotel segment.



We thus confirm BUY with an unchanged PT of  3.00 based on DCF.



You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/32850.pdf

For additional information visit our website: https://www.nuways-ag.com/research-feed



Contact for questions:

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

++++++++++

Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte.

Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach  85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollstandigen Analyse.

++++++++++



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Transaction is testament to novobanco's transformation into one of Europe's most profitable banks, and trusted partner for Portuguese households and SMEs

BPCE brings the strength of a major European banking group to novobanco

The acquisition, expected to close in H1 2026, represents a significant vote of confidence in the Portuguese banking sector and the country's economic future

Nani Holdings S.a. r.l., an affiliate of Lone Star Funds ("Lone Star"), today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the sale of Novo Banco, S.A. ("novobanco" or "the bank"), Portugal's fourth-largest bank, to BPCE, a leading European banking institution, for a cash consideration payable at closing which values 100% of the share capital at an estimated 6.4 billion as of end 2025.

This transaction marks the culmination of a multi-year transformation of novobanco since Lone Star acquired 75% of the bank in 2017. Under Lone Star's stewardship, in cooperation with other shareholders, novobanco has undergone a comprehensive turn-around, establishing itself as one of the most profitable banks in Europe, with a target return on tangible equity (RoTE) exceeding 20%.

The bank has significantly de-risked its balance sheet, reducing non-performing loans to de minimis levels, and has made substantial investments in digital transformation and customer experience. Throughout this period, novobanco has strengthened its role as a trusted partner for Portuguese households and successfully positioned itself as a preferred bank for SMEs across Portugal.

Long-Term Commitment to Portugal and novobanco

BPCE's acquisition of novobanco underscores its full confidence in the Portuguese banking system and the resilience of its economy. With 73bn in equity, a CET1 ratio of 16.2% and over 35 million clients globally, BPCE brings the strength and stability of a major European cooperative banking group to novobanco.

This acquisition reflects BPCE's commitment to fostering long-term growth and enhancing its presence in Portugal through several key principles:

Commitment to the Portuguese economy : With a longstanding commitment to Portugal, BPCE aims to build on its foundation to further support the growth of novobanco.

: With a longstanding commitment to Portugal, BPCE aims to build on its foundation to further support the growth of novobanco. Strong Complementarities: BPCE seeks to drive novobanco's expansion by leveraging novobanco's extensive customer base and BPCE's diverse expertise to offer a wider range of value-added services.

Vision for Sustainable Growth

BPCE will support novobanco's growth into a leading financial institution in Portugal, serving individuals, SMEs and large corporates across the country.

Under the stewardship of Lone Star, novobanco has transformed into one of Portugal's leading banks, achieving consistent financial performance and growing its customer base through innovation across both retail and commercial banking.

Donald Quintin, Chief Executive Officer of Lone Star commented:

"We are proud to have supported novobanco's transformation to become one of Europe's leading and most profitable financial institutions. The bank has undergone a comprehensive transformation over the last eight years, becoming a trusted partner for Portuguese households and businesses across the country. BPCE shares our ambition for novobanco and is well positioned to take the bank forward as it continues to deliver for customers, SMEs and the Portuguese economy as a whole."

Nicolas Namias, Chief Executive Officer of BPCE, stated:

"Novobanco possesses excellent fundamentals, strong growth potential and an already high level of profitability. For its part, BPCE is a major banking player in France notably thanks to the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne banking networks.

With the acquisition of novobanco, BPCE would become a retail banking player in Europe and would actively participate in financing the Portuguese economy. The projected transaction marks a key stage in the execution of its "Vision 2030" strategic plan, announced close to a year ago.

BPCE's executive managers and employees are all particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of welcoming novobanco, its management and its 4,200 employees, in order to write a new chapter of growth, innovation and performance in Europe together."

Kambiz Nourbakhsh, Senior Managing Director at Lone Star Funds, added:

"This agreement marks a defining moment in the transformation of novobanco and is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of its leadership and employees over the last eight years. In BPCE, we have found a new owner for novobanco that has the experience and vision to build on its strong foundations and support the bank as it delivers on its long-term growth strategy."

Transaction Details

Lone Star has agreed to sell its shares in novobanco to BPCE for a cash consideration payable at closing which values 100% of the share capital at an estimated 6.4 billion as of end 2025.

The proposed acquisition is subject to the necessary consultations with employee representative bodies in order to sign the acquisition contract. The project is projected for completion in the first half of 2026.

About Lone Star Funds

Lone Star is a leading private equity firm advising funds that invest globally in corporate equity, credit, real estate and other financial assets. Since the establishment of its first fund in 1995, Lone Star has organized 25 private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments totaling approximately $95 billion. The firm organizes its funds in three series: the Opportunity Fund series; the Commercial Real Estate Fund series; and the U.S. Residential Mortgage Fund series. Lone Star invests on behalf of its limited partners, which include institutional investors such as pension funds and sovereign wealth funds, as well as foundations and endowments that support medical research, higher education, and other philanthropic causes. For more information regarding Lone Star Funds, go to www.lonestarfunds.com.

About BPCE

Groupe BPCE is the second-largest banking group in France and the fourth-largest in the euro zone in terms of capital. Through its 100,000 staff, the group serves 35 million customers individuals, professionals, companies, investors and local government bodies around the world. It operates in the retail banking and insurance fields in France via its two major networks, Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, along with Banque Palatine and Oney. It also pursues its activities worldwide with the asset wealth management services provided by Natixis Investment Managers and the wholesale banking expertise of Natixis Corporate Investment Banking. The Group's financial strength is recognized by four credit rating agencies with the following senior preferred LT ratings: Moody's (A1, stable outlook), Standard Poor's (A+, stable outlook), Fitch (A+, stable outlook) and R&I (A+, stable outlook).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250611314909/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Lone Star Funds

mediarelations@lonestarfunds.com

Headland Consultancy

Rosh Field (+44 (0)75 1518 7426) Rob Walker (+44 (0)77 9195 8922)

LoneStar@headlandconsultancy.com

For Portuguese Media:

JLMA Vitor Cunha

vcunha@jlma.pt
GUANGZHOU, China, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting June 16, the ChiNext Index will implement methodology adjustments, including a 20% cap on individual stock weights and an ESG negative screening mechanism, aiming to enhance the index's focus on high-growth, innovative firms while aligning with global standards. As of June 10, ETFs tracking the ChiNext Index held more than US$ 16.1 billion in assets, led by the E Fund ChiNext ETF (159915) accounting for US$ 11.6 billion under E Fund Management, China's largest mutual fund manager.

Launched in 2010, the ChiNext Index, comprising 100 growth-oriented and innovative enterprises listed on the ChiNext Board, has undergone 53 revisions, reflecting China's economic transformation. The latest changes will further optimize its structure to emphasize emerging growth sectors -new-generation information technology (34%), new energy vehicle (24%) and healthcare (12%), underscoring its alignment with China's strategic shift toward high-tech innovation.

According to Wind, its constituent companies have posted revenue growth of 9.5% YoY and ROE exceeding 12.5% in Q1 2025, demonstrating resilient profitability and breakthroughs in AI chips, EV batteries, and precision medicine. Valuation metrics reinforced appeal: the index trades at a 31x P/E ratio as of June 10, near the 10th percentile since its listing.

By curbing concentration risks and embedding ESG criteria, the reforms strengthen the index's role in reflecting industrial evolution in China and global investment trends. International participation has surged through cross-border channels like Stock Connect, QFII, and feeder funds listed on foreign exchanges. The E Fund ChiNext ETF (159915), the largest among related ETFs, has consistently been the preferred instrument for international investors seeking exposure to China's tech-driven growth since its inclusion in the ETF Connect program in 2022, Over the past year, the fund has drawn in approximately US$ 2.55 billion, highlighting its appeal as a pivotal option in China's equity ETF market.

About E Fund

Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive mutual fund manager in China with over RMB 3.5 trillion (USD 497 billion) under management.* It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. Long-term oriented, it has been focusing on the investment management business since inception and believes in the power of in-depth research and time in investing. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers.

Source: E Fund. AuM includes subsidiaries. Data as of March 31, 2025. FX rate is sourced from PBoC.

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ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon's 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 series, built on its "Born to Win" spirit, to tens of thousands of in-person attendees and millions of livestream viewers, engaging directly with fans, gamers, streamers, and media on this special stage. The nubia brand was prominently featured throughout the Twitch Rivals Arena, where top streamers competed in live tournaments.

"Partnering with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 is another exciting milestone for nubia," said Li Wei, Vice President of ZTE "The 'Born to Win' spirit drives everything we do at nubia, inspiring gamers to strive for victory not just in gaming, but in every life moment. Following our successful collaborations with hit mobile games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Garena Free Fire, we are thrilled to present nubia Neo 3 series directly to the global vibrant gaming community. TwitchCon provides a perfect stage to demonstrate how our innovative gaming smartphone can elevate the gaming experience for both enthusiasts and professional players. Through our collaboration with Twitch, we aim to build authentic connections with passionate players and expand our gaming presence in Europe and beyond."

nubia Neo 3 GT, High-Performance AI Gaming Smartphone Built around "Born to Win"

At the heart of the partnership is nubia Neo 3 GT, a high-performance gaming smartphone built around its "Born to Win" spirit - a belief in confident self-expression, fearless competition, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Powered by a cutting-edge 6nm octa-core chipset running at 2.7GHz, and paired with up to 24GB dynamic RAM and 256GB storage, the device handles demanding games with ease.

The standout Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers offer console-like controls with high sampling rate and fast response, a unique feature in its segment. Users can customize button mapping, trigger Game Space instantly with both shoulders, and activate one-touch combos for quick skill execution. The triggers reduce screen interference, enhance accuracy in FPS and MOBA games, and provide vibration feedback for a console-like feel. The integrated Z-axis linear motor adds immersive haptic response to every movement.

An exceptional gaming experience is delivered through a 6.8-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness, while a large 4083mm VC cooling system with a multi-layer structure ensures stable performance during intense gaming sessions.

The gaming excellence extends to its innovative AI features, with the NeoTurbo AI engine and AI Game Space 3.0 working together to optimize performance through real-time scene recognition and behavioral learning. The AI Virtual Companion Demi provides smart gaming assistance with features like Demi Care, Demi Live, and Demi Alarm for enhanced focus and scheduling. For extended gaming sessions, the large battery with Bypass Charging technology enables direct power delivery without overheating. More than a gaming powerhouse, the nubia Neo 3 GT serves as an everyday companion for the young generation, seamlessly integrating professional gaming capabilities with practical features covering AI Photography, AI Translate and more for diverse user needs.

Immersive Experience Zone Takes Center Stage at TwitchCon Europe 2025

At TwitchCon Europe, nubia hosted an extensive program of activities designed to maximize brand exposure and community engagement. Attendees can visit the nubia interactive zone in the Twitch Rivals Arena featuring state-of-the-art gaming stations to get hands-on with nubia Neo 3 GT, experiencing the smartphone's extraordinary gaming performance with its unique Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers and AI Game Space. Featured streamers led intense battles, showcasing the exceptional power of nubia Neo 3 GT. Daily competitions let attendees compete using nubia Neo 3 GT for exclusive prizes and merchandise.

nubia Neo 3 series launched in March 2025 globally, with the Free Fire Co-Branded Edition following in May 2025 across Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and other global markets.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

ZTE Corporation

Communications

Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars strengthened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Friday, amid heightening geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region after Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran in a major escalation of the regional conflict. U.S. officials confirmed that the U.S. had no involvement or role in the operation. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are also rising over the latter's nuclear developments.



U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday U.S. personnel were being moved out of the Middle East due to heightened security risks in the region. Iranian defense minister threatened that Iran would attack U.S. bases if there were a conflict.



There is also lingering uncertainty about trade amid a lack of details about the announced U.S.-China trade deal.



Trump told reporters he would send letters to other U.S. trade partners in about two weeks setting unilateral tariff rates. He also indicated he would be willing to extend the 90-day pause on tariffs set to expire early next month but said he doesn't think it will be necessary.



Crude oil prices showed a modest move back to the downside, with profit taking limited by rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the latter's nuclear developments. West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery eased $0.11 to $68.04 per barrel.



In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar fell to 9-day lows of 0.6457 against the U.S. dollar and 92.32 against the yen, from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.6527 and 93.40, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.63 against the greenback and 90.00 against the yen.



The aussie slipped to a 10-day low of 1.0745 against the NZ dollar, from Thursday's closing value of 1.0762. On the downside, 1.06 is seen as the next support level for the aussie.



Against the euro and the Canadian dollar, the aussie dropped to near 1-1/2-month lows of 1.7883 and 0.8805 from yesterday's closing quotes of 1.7786 and 0.8874, respectively. The aussie may test support near 1.85 against the euro and 0.85 against the loonie.



The NZ dollar fell to nearly a 1-1/2-month low of 1.9238 against the euro, from Thursday's closing value of 1.9141. The next possible downside target for the kiwi is seen around the 1.94 region.



Against the U.S. dollar and the yen, the kiwi dropped to 9-day lows of 0.6005 and 85.85 from yesterday's closing quotes of 0.6065 and 86.79, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.59 against the greenback and 84.00 against the yen.



Meanwhile, the safe-haven currencies such as the yen and the Swiss franc strengthened against their major currencies in the Asian trading today amid increased risk-off mood by the investors.



The yen rose to a 3-day high of 164.95 against the euro, from Thursday's closing value of 166.12. On the upside, 163.00 is seen as the next resistance level for the yen.



Against the pound, the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, the yen advanced to 8-day highs of 193.78, 142.80 and 104.80 from yesterday's closing quotes of 195.02, 143.09 and 105.25, respectively. If the yen extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 191.00 against the pound, 141.00 against the greenback and 103.00 against the loonie.



The Swiss franc rose to nearly a 1-year high of 177.63 against the yen and a 3-week high of 0.9308 against the euro, from yesterday's closing quotes of 177.16 and 0.9376, respectively. The franc may test resistance around 179.00 against the yen and 0.91 against the euro.



Against the pound and the U.S. dollar, the franc advanced to more than a 1-month high of 1.0932 and nearly a 2-month high of 0.8056 from Thursday's closing quotes of 1.1008 and 0.8077, respectively. If the franc extends its uptrend, it is likely to find resistance around 1.07 against the pound and 0.79 against the greenback.



Looking ahead, Eurozone industrial production for April is due to be released at 5:00 am ET in the European session.



In the New York session, Canada manufacturing and wholesale sales data for April, U.S. University of Michigan's consumer expectation index for June and U.S. Baker Hughes oil rig count data are slated for release.



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 2025 AFX News
Technology Reply, a company of the Reply Group specialising in the design of solutions based on Oracle technologies, has been presented with the Oracle Service Expertise in Artificial Intelligence for the Western Europe region, further consolidating its position as a key partner for AI projects on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250613439196/en/

Thanks to this certification, Technology Reply strengthens its role as a technology partner for companies seeking to enhance their enterprise applications, improve user interaction, and accelerate decision-making processes through artificial intelligence and Oracle technologies.

The Service Expertise certification is in recognition of Technology Reply's technical and design capabilities in building solutions based on OCI's AI services, including the use of pre-trained models, chatbot development, custom model creation, and the adoption of OCI Generative AI services using the LangChain framework to design, trace, evaluate, and deploy applications based on Large Language Models, including approaches like RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation).

A concrete example of the use of these technologies is the project carried out for Pusterla 1880, a leading company in luxury packaging, aimed at optimising quotation management and pricing strategies. In this context, Technology Reply developed and deployed a system of specialised AI agents running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Oracle Database 23ai, designed to autonomously generate accurate estimates and price proposals, integrated with Pusterla's Oracle Cloud ERP. The solution analyses customer briefs expressed in natural language, extracts and structures technical information, and generates detailed cost estimates and pricing proposals based on historical data and production specifications, reducing processing time and increasing overall efficiency.

A second notable use case is the one developed for Bitron, a multinational active in the automotive, home appliance, and HVAC sectors. In this project, Technology Reply developed an AI-based conversational assistant to support operators in predictive diagnostics and industrial system maintenance, through a natural interface integrated with corporate systems. The project is based on a centralised data platform built on an Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with an Autonomous Data Warehouse to consolidate data sources into a single integrated knowledge base. Thanks to the vectorisation features of Oracle Database 23ai, an interactive knowledge base was created, capable of managing heterogeneous data coherently. The assistant also leverages Oracle's GenAI services, such as Cohere Command R and Meta's Large Language Models, to analyse error codes and provide real-time suggestions for problem resolution.

Thanks to this certification, Technology Reply strengthens its role as a technology partner for companies seeking to enhance their enterprise applications, improve user interaction, and accelerate decision-making processes through artificial intelligence and Oracle technologies.

Technology Reply

Technology Reply, part of the Reply Group, specialises in designing innovative solutions based on Oracle technologies. With over 25 years of experience, it supports companies in their innovation and digital transformation processes by integrating AI, Machine Learning, Big Data, and emerging technologies. www.reply.com

Reply

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in designing and implementing solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Structured as a network of highly specialised companies, Reply supports leading European industrial groups in sectors such as Telco Media, Industry and Services, Banking and Insurance, and Public Administration, helping define and develop business models enabled by new paradigms such as AI, Cloud Computing, Digital Media, and the Internet of Things. Reply's services include Consulting, System Integration, and Digital Services. www.reply.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250613439196/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact

Reply

Fabio Zappelli

f.zappelli@reply.com

Tel. +390117711594

Irene Caia

i.caia@reply.com

Tel. +39 02 535761
Logistri Fastighets AB (publ) ("Logistri") announces that the Extraordinary General Meeting in the company held today on 13 June 2025 adopted the following resolutions.

Resolution on amendments of the Articles of Association and share split

The meeting resolved to adopt new Articles of Association, whereby the limits of the number of shares are amended, two new share classes (class A shares and class B shares) are introduced and a conversion clause regarding class A shares is introduced. The meeting resolved to increase the number of shares in Logistri through a share split, whereby one (1) existing share will be divided into ten (10) shares (share split 10:1). Upon registration of the new Articles of Association and the share split, the existing shares will be converted into class A shares and class B shares in a ratio of 1:9, whereby ten (10) existing shares will be converted into one (1) class A share and nine (9) class B shares. Each class A share entitles to one (1) vote at a general meeting and each class B share entitles to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote at a general meeting.

Following completion of the share split and conversion of shares, the number of shares in Logistri will increase from 7,335,000 to 73,350,000 and the number of votes will increase from 7,335,000 to 13,936,500. The share split entails that the quota value of each share will change from SEK 1.00 to SEK 0.1. Following the implementation of the resolution above, the number of class A shares will be 7,335,000 and the number of class B shares will be 66,015,000.

The meeting resolved to authorise the Board of Directors to determine the record date for the share split, which is expected to be 3 July 2025. The record date may not occur prior to the date of registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office.

Resolution on amendment of the Articles of Association and introduction of a conversion clause

In light of the meeting's resolutions on amendments of the Articles of Association, share split and introduction of new share classes, the meeting resolved to adopt amended Articles of Association whereby a conversion clause was introduced, meaning that holders of class A shares shall be entitled to request that class A shares are converted into class B shares.

Resolution on authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on new issue of shares

The meeting resolved on a continued authorisation for the Board of Directors, with or without deviation from the shareholders' preferential rights, on one or more occasions until the next Annual General Meeting, to resolve on increase of the company's share capital through new issues of class A shares and/or class B shares. A maximum amount of shares may be issued corresponding to fifty (50) per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the company as per the date when the authorisation to issue shares is exercised for the first time, whereby the number of class A shares issued may not exceed an amount corresponding to the proportion of existing class A shares in relation to the total number of shares in the company at the time of exercise of the authorisation, to the extent that such issue can be made without amending the Articles of Association.

For further information, please contact



David Traff, CEO

Logistri Fastighets AB (publ)

Telephone: + 46 (0)70 089 04 66

david.traff@logistri.se

Joachim Carlsson, CFO

Logistri Fastighets AB (publ)

Telephone: +46 (0)79 359 87 18

joachim.carlsson@logistri.se

About Logistri Fastighets AB (publ)

Logistri Fastighets AB (publ) is a real estate company that invests in commercial properties primarily in the light industry, warehousing and logistics segments. The vision is to be a stable and long-term partner to companies that demand business-adapted and sustainable premises. The company's overall objective is to generate a stable cash flow and a high risk-adjusted return with high customer confidence. Our tenants are active in various industries, most of which are Swedish and international industrial and engineering companies. The properties are located in Stockholm, Gothenburg and in southern and central Sweden, in close proximity to strategic infrastructure such as major roads, railways and ports. The company is headquartered in Stockholm. The company's share was listed on the Spotlight Stock Market in 2017. Logistri is included in the MSCI Global Micro Cap index.

For more information regarding Logistri Fastighets AB, please visit www.logistri.se.
Hong Kong, China--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - The 2025 International Automotive Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong), co-hosted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, The Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, China General Association For Hong Kong, Macao And Taiwan, and Phoenix Media Group commenced on June 12 and will run until June 15 at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. As the expo's only media co-host, Phoenix Media Group is leveraging its international communication resources to provide comprehensive coverage of the automotive industry's cutting-edge technologies showcased at the exhibition, while empowering auto enterprises in their global strategic expansion.

Opening ceremony

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Under the theme of "New Automobiles  New Journey," the expo features a series of dynamic events, including a high-level summit forum, specialized sharing sessions, and new vehicle launch events by renowned automakers. Adopting a hybrid "exhibition-plus-conference" model, the expo not only establishes a global display platform for traditional automotive enterprises, but also opens up cross-sector collaboration opportunities for emerging sectors such as the low-altitude economy, comprehensively empowering the "new journey" of China's automotive industry's global expansion.

As one of China's industries with the greatest global expansion potential, new energy vehicles (NEVs) are demonstrating immense growth momentum in enterprises' global strategic layouts. Leveraging its unique status as an international financial, legal, and trade center, Hong Kong, in conjunction with the synergistic advantages of the Greater Bay Area's automotive industrial cluster, has built a solid strategic fulcrum for auto enterprises venturing overseas. During the opening ceremony on June 12, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John Lee Ka-chiu, emphasized in his address that Hong Kong's international capital market and world-leading professional services provide financing and overseas promotion services for mainland NEV enterprises, while also assisting overseas enterprises in accessing the vast mainland market.

Speech by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR John Lee Ka-chiu

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Over a hundred global automotive manufacturers, supply chain enterprises, and technology innovation institutions are participating in the expo. This includes 11 major Chinese mainland automakers, with prominent figures such as Mr. Qiu Xiandong, Chairman of China FAW Group Co., Ltd., and Mr. He Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO of XPeng Inc., attending the event. Additionally, nearly 40 mainland automotive supply chain and technology companies are showcasing their latest products and technologies, including smart cockpits, combined assisted driving systems, and automotive chips.

Speech by Mr. Qiu Xiandong, Chairman of China FAW Group Co., Ltd.

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The expo also features specialized sharing activities. The "Hong Kong International Commercial Arbitration & Cross-border Financial Strategy Forum" leverages Hong Kong's unique advantages as an international legal service and financial center, focusing on the practical business needs of auto enterprises venturing overseas. It provides practical insights into cross-border legal and financial fields through expert interpretations. Concurrently, the "Green Wings, Smart Airspace: Greater Bay Area Era of eVTOL" Low-Altitude Economy Cooperation Summit, rooted in the Greater Bay Area's geographical advantages, deeply explores the diverse possibilities of integrating the low-altitude economy with green smart mobility.

Hong Kong International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo Kicks Off: "Phoenix Go Glocal" Empowers Auto Enterprises on a "New Journey" of Global Expansion

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Hong Kong International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo Kicks Off: "Phoenix Go Glocal" Empowers Auto Enterprises on a "New Journey" of Global Expansion

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Phoenix Media Group's international event brand, "Phoenix Go Glocal," embodies the mission: "Your Premier International Communication Platform for Going Global." At this expo, "Phoenix Go Glocal" is focusing on participating auto enterprises, utilizing various formats such as high-end exclusive interviews and technology deep dives. Combined with its omni-media communication channels, it comprehensively showcases the innovative achievements of China's automotive industry. Simultaneously, by leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages and the synergistic development momentum of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area automotive industrial cluster, "Phoenix Go Glocal" provides brand communication support for auto enterprises, helping to build international brands with both global vision and local insights. This initiative propels more Chinese enterprises overseas while also supporting more international enterprises in entering China.

"Phoenix Go Glocal" Live Interview Room

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As the largest overseas omni-media Chinese-language media conglomerate, Phoenix Media Group is dedicated to disseminating Chinese culture and fostering international exchange. Leveraging its global presence, global reporting, and global dissemination advantages, the group operates through a comprehensive international media communication matrix encompassing "Television Channel, Website, Screen Display, Magazine, and Platforms". With 63 correspondent stations worldwide, Phoenix Media Group delivers diverse news products, ensuring multi-dimensional content reach to global audiences. It is committed to conveying enterprises' global expansion dynamics, strengthening brand international recognition, and empowering enterprises in their "going global" endeavors.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255459

SOURCE: Global News
Partnership further validates Ethris' novel technology platform based on stabilized non-immunogenic mRNA, which overcomes the innate instability and immunity of mRNA

Ethris GmbH, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering next-generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, today announced a strategic collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, to provide a fully integrated mRNA solution to biopharmaceutical developers.

The collaboration brings together Ethris' comprehensive mRNA technology platforms, including its proprietary Stabilized Non-Immunogenic mRNA (SNIM RNA), minimal UTR and mRNA manufacturing technologies with Thermo Fisher's industry-leading end-to-end GMP-compliant manufacturing capabilities. Broadening global access to Ethris' comprehensive suite of mRNA technology platforms, the partners will facilitate the ability of biopharmaceutical developers to rapidly advance candidate mRNA medicines from research to clinical proof-of-concept.

"Thermo Fisher Scientific has a long-standing track record of supporting the development of advanced therapies," said Dr. Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris. "By combining our clinically validated mRNA platforms with Thermo Fisher's manufacturing expertise, we are creating a powerful offering for biopharma partners. This collaboration addresses the increasing demand for scalable, high-quality mRNA technologies and enables us to serve a broader set of collaborators worldwide."

The collaboration will also support the continued optimization of Ethris' platform technologies, which have already demonstrated positive pharmacodynamic effects, safety and targeted engagement in Phase 1 topline data of its lead candidate, ETH47. Designed for local administration via nasal spray to address the upstream trigger of asthma exacerbations, ETH47 showed dose-dependent, localized production of the encoded protein, interferon lambda at the site of administration, with no systemic bioavailability. The study confirmed that ETH47 activated downstream signaling, demonstrating the expressed protein's functional activity. Given its non-immunogenic nature, SNIM RNAs can be administered repeatedly, leading to sustained production of therapeutically active proteins within the human body. Eligible for multiple routes of administration, the technology can replace or augment missing or non-functional proteins that cause a disease, introduce new proteins to modulate the course of the disease or its symptoms and be used to develop vaccines.

"Thermo Fisher is committed to supporting the rapid translation of breakthrough therapies into clinical application," said Ben Castro, Vice President and General Manager, Large Molecule, Drug Substance, Thermo Fisher Scientific. "By partnering with Ethris, we are expanding our services to include cutting-edge mRNA manufacturing, empowering our customers to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster and more efficiently."

Ethris' SNIM RNA platform sets new standards for mRNA therapeutics by enabling safe, efficacious and stable drug products as well as scalable manufacturing, expanding the potential of mRNA medicines.

About Ethris

Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has paved a new path from genes to therapeutic proteins, using its proprietary RNA and lipidoid nanoparticle technology platform to discover, design and develop innovative therapies. With more than a decade as an mRNA pioneer, Ethris is a global leader in delivering stabilized mRNAs directly to the respiratory system via optimised formulation and nebulisation technologies. The company is rapidly advancing its mRNA pipeline of immuno-modulation, protein replacement therapies, and differentiated vaccines, with the ultimate goal of improving patients' lives.

For more information, visit www.ethris.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250613204514/en/

Contacts:

Ethris contact:

Dr. Philipp Schreppel

+49 89 244 153 042

schreppel@ethris.com


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The launch of Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, has been postponed indefinitely due to a glitch in the destination.



Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station recently detected a 'new pressure signature' in the Zvezda service module, part of the Russian segment of the ISS, NASA said.



'As part of an ongoing investigation, NASA is working with Roscosmos to understand a new pressure signature, after the recent post-repair effort in the aft most segment of the International Space Station's Zvezda service module,' the U.S. space agency said in a statement.



'Cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized module's interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate. Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure,' it added.



NASA said the postponement of Axiom Mission 4 provides additional time for it and the Russian space agency to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary.



A new launch date for the fourth private astronaut mission will be provided 'once available', according to it.



After three previous postponements, the mission was set to launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8 a.m. ET, Wednesday, but it was cancelled after detecting a a liquid oxygen leak.



The four-member crew, led by veteran former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, was scheduled to travel to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after launching on the company's Falcon 9 rocket.



Whitson, who is the director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, will command the commercial mission, while Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.



They will stay aboard the orbiting laboratory for approximately two-weeks, conducting science research, education, and commercial activities.



NASA's mission responsibility is for integrated operations, which begins during the spacecraft's approach to the space station.



As part of collaboration between NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation, Axiom Mission 4 delivers on a commitment highlighted by President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station.



The space agencies are participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.



The private mission marks India, Poland, and Hungary's first government-sponsored human spaceflight in more than 40 years.



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 2025 AFX News
LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Exhale Wellness, a leading name in the U.S. hemp-based wellness market, has officially launched its highly anticipated THCa flower strains for 2025.

The lineup includes standout products like Purple Gelato and Lemon Cherry Gelato, already earning recognition for their premium quality, wellness potential, verified lab testing, and rave customer reviews. Industry analysts believe this release has firmly positioned Exhale Wellness as a frontrunner in the THCa flower market for the year.

Known for its unique ability to offer non-psychoactive benefits in its raw form and psychoactive effects when heated, THCa flower continues to gain momentum among both wellness-focused consumers and recreational users seeking an alternative to traditional THC products.

Exhale's Leading THCa Strains for 2025: User Feedback and Highlights

Exhale Wellness's newest THCa flower strains, Purple Gelato and Lemon Cherry Gelato, are earning praise for their rich flavor profiles, balanced effects, and verified quality. Here are a few notable highlights of these products, along with honest user feedback that reflects their growing popularity in 2025.

Purple Gelato

Exhale's Purple Gelato, an Indica-dominant hybrid, is quickly gaining attention for its sweet, creamy flavor layered with subtle citrus notes. Its visually striking purple buds, covered in glistening trichomes, have been reported to contain 18.4% total THCa.

While new users are praising its smooth, euphoric effects and gentle body relaxation when smoked or baked, experienced consumers note its balanced impact, offering calm and mood elevation without excessive sedation. Compared to other brands, many report that Exhale's Purple Gelato delivers a more refined and consistent experience.

Specifications

Strain Type: Indica-dominant hybrid

Indica-dominant hybrid THCa Content: Contains 18.4% total THCa

Contains 18.4% total THCa Growing Practices: US-grown and organic

US-grown and organic Legal Compliance: Federal Farm Bill compliant (>0.3% Delta-9 THC)

Federal Farm Bill compliant (>0.3% Delta-9 THC) Lab Testing: Third-party lab tested

Third-party lab tested Packaging Sizes: 3.5g, 7g, 14g, and 28g

3.5g, 7g, 14g, and 28g Shipping Restrictions: Not available in Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont

Not available in Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont Additional Features: Discreet shipping and a 30-day money-back guarantee

Reviews

"The flavor of Purple Gelato is truly impressive. The sweet berries combined with a creamy undertone make every puff smooth and enjoyable. It's one of the finest THCa flowers I've experienced-delicious and satisfying." -Michael Jones, Denver, CO.

-Michael Jones, Denver, CO. "Purple Gelato delivers a perfectly balanced effect that helps me unwind without feeling overly sedated. It's ideal for evenings when I want to relax but remain clear-headed and functional." - Ayesha Volter, Portland, OR.

Lemon Cherry Gelato

Lemon Cherry Gelato, another top Indica-dominant hybrid in Exhale's 2025 THCA flower lineup, offers a distinct taste of sweet cherries combined with tangy lemon, delivering a uniquely satisfying and refreshing experience with every inhale.

The THCA content stands out at an impressive 29.1%, providing users a more powerful physical relaxation paired with an uplifting cerebral effect. Most users consider it ideal for unwinding after a long day. Visually, the flower features beautiful green and purple buds coated in a dense layer of trichomes, making it as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Specifications

Total THCa: A total of 29.1%

A total of 29.1% Strain Type: Indica-dominant hybrid

Indica-dominant hybrid Cultivation: Organic, natural, and US-based

Organic, natural, and US-based Lab Testing: From verified third-party labs

From verified third-party labs Compliance: Farm Bill compliant

Farm Bill compliant Available Sizes: 14g and 28g

14g and 28g Shipping Restrictions: Not available for shipment to California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont

Not available for shipment to California, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont Additional Benefits: 30-day return guarantee and discreet shipping

Reviews

"The bright lemon and sweet cherry flavors make Lemon Cherry Gelato a real treat. The smooth inhale and complex aroma make it stand out. It's easily one of the best-flavored THCa flowers I've experienced, combining taste and potency perfectly." - David Carter, Austin, TX.

- David Carter, Austin, TX. "I find Lemon Cherry Gelato excellent for relaxing after work without feeling sleepy. The cerebral uplift helps me stay focused and creative while providing soothing physical calm. It's become my go-to strain for unwinding while staying productive." -Samantha Lee, Seattle, WA.

About Exhale Wellness

Exhale Wellness is a top-tier hemp-based wellness brand based in Los Angeles, US. It is recognized across the country for its high-quality, federally compliant products, made with organic, home-grown, vegan ingredients. Most of its offerings, including THCa flowers, gummies, and vapes, are verified by third-party labs. The brand boasts a nationwide customer base with over 20,000 five-star reviews.

Media Contact

Company Name: Exhale Wellness

Website: https://www.exhalewell.com/

Contact Person: Exhale Wellness Support Team

E-mail: support@exhalewell.com

Phone Number: (323) 448-3810

Address: Charlotte, NC 28273

Country: United States

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/exhale-wellness-launches-its-thca-flower-2025-lineup-302481110.html
STOCKHOLM, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Curt Bergfors Foundation is honored to announce that NitroCapt was awarded the Food Planet Prize, the world's biggest environmental award, on June 13 in Stockholm, Sweden. This recognition highlights their exceptional contributions and potential to disrupt the global nitrogen fertilizer industry.

Nitrogen fertilizers are used for 50% of the world's food production and emit as much carbon dioxide as the aviation industry. Sweden-based NitroCapt has developed a novel, energy-efficient process that makes fertilizer through plasma-produced nitrate. NitroCapt's technology could improve access to green fertilizer across the world.

In awarding the Prize to NitroCapt, the Food Planet Prize jury Co-Chair Johan Rockstrom commented:

"Through NitroCapt's innovation, nitrogen fertilizer can now be produced by splitting nitrogen from the air with plasma technology simply needing green electricity as input. This technology reduces the use of energy tenfold, can be produced locally, avoids fossil-fuels entirely, while producing a nitrate fertilizer that can improve soil health and may be used sustainably by farmers across the world."

Gustaf Forsberg, CEO and Founder of NitroCapt, added:

"NitroCapt's mission is to decarbonize the nitrogen fertilizer industry. The current fossil-based process has reached its end point. We can also contribute to increased food production in areas that today have difficulties producing sufficient amounts. We are just about to finalize our industrial-scale pilot, and we have fertilizer in the field, but we're still not at the scale where we want to be.

This Prize will be very important for us to bring our technology to the stage where we can start making a difference."

About the Food Planet Prize

The Curt Bergfors Food Planet Prize was established in Sweden in 2019, in acknowledgement of the perils that our current food systems pose to the health of people and the planet. The Prize supports initiatives that significantly reduce the environmental impact of the way we eat today. Unlike many awards, the Food Planet Prize recognizes initiatives for their potential future impact on the environment rather than past achievements. The Food Planet Prize's international jury consists of 10 leading specialists in complex Food Planet challenges. The jury is co-chaired by Johan Rockstrom and Magnus Nilsson.

For more information:

press@foodplanetprize.org

NitroCapt

Gustaf Forsberg, CEO and Founder

gustaf.forsberg@nitrocapt.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710491/Winner_of_the_Food_Planet_Prize_2025.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/green-fertilizer-made-with-air-and-plasma-nitrocapt-sweden-wins-2m-food-planet-prize-2025-for-developing-low-emission-fertilizers-302481117.html
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pakistan's bold participation at London Tech Week 2025 concluded today, marking a significant milestone in the country's ongoing mission to position itself as a leading global tech destination. With strong backing from the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Pakistan's presence in London reflected a confident, coordinated push toward global tech diplomacy, trade expansion, and digital branding on the world stage.

Led by the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) in partnership with TDAP, the initiative brought together 14 of Pakistan's most forward-looking tech companies to the heart of one of the world's largest innovation gatherings. The Pakistan Pavilion at Olympia London welcomed a steady stream of investors, enterprise buyers, policy leaders, and diaspora stakeholders eager to engage with the country's rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

Throughout the week, Pakistan's message resonated loudly and clearly:

Think Tech, Think Pakistan.

This unified campaign, seen across iconic outdoor branding, black cabs, digital platforms, and the streets of London, was made possible through the visionary leadership and continued support of the Government of Pakistan.

In a statement, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praised the momentum created through Pakistan's participation:

"I congratulate all stakeholders on Pakistan's impactful presence at London Tech Week 2025. This positions Pakistan as a forward-looking country that is harnessing technology, innovation, and youth potential to engage with the world.

"Our presence at such an important platform reflects our growing digital footprint and global ambition. I commend the Ministry of IT, PSEB, TDAP, and our tech entrepreneurs for presenting Pakistan with vision and purpose.

"As we accelerate our journey toward a knowledge economy, our government's resolute commitment to digital transformation, global tech engagement, and youth empowerment remains unwavering. Pakistan's tech future is bright!"

At the core of Pakistan's presence were compelling stories of global delivery, product innovation, and deep tech expertise across sectors including AI, SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, CRM, and cloud solutions. The Pavilion also served as a meeting ground for B2B engagement, product demos, investor networking, and diaspora-led collaboration.

Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who played a pivotal role in driving the campaign from vision to execution, noted:

"What we've achieved at London Tech Week is the result of collective ambition and alignment across government, industry, and our diaspora. Pakistan is no longer knocking at the door; we are stepping into global conversations as a tech partner of value. Our talent, cost efficiency, and innovation are now impossible to ignore."

Supporting this on-ground presence was a multi-format "Think Tech, Think Pakistan" campaign, designed to increase visibility and spark curiosity across the city. With 50 branded black cabs and strategic ad placements around Olympia and central London, the campaign amplified Pakistan's tech narrative far beyond the exhibition halls. Engagement is surging across digital platforms under ThinkTechThinkPakistan, with an active contest inviting entries to win a return trip to Lahore or a $1,000 reward.

On June 12, PSEB, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission UK, OPEN London, TDAP, and P@SHA, is expected to host a high-level networking reception to further strengthen cross-border engagement. The event will bring together tech leaders, investors, and policy influencers for conversations that are expected to lead to long-term partnerships and market entry opportunities.

London Tech Week 2025 has reinforced Pakistan's tech potential, not just as a service provider, but as a country building, exporting, and shaping the future of technology.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3bb1f10c-3c94-4557-be55-a49ecd518c47

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8cd620cd-3f63-4061-8f91-503790db86a4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29153157-110b-4e80-94ba-f07e2f3df9a1

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d591c30f-0edc-4be2-8d11-d38f3d40519f

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ed1df126-87da-446b-9473-7a6296ee8e1e

Media Contact: Amir Anzur cmo@pseb.org.pk
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - LevelJump Healthcare Corp. (TSXV: JUMP) ("LevelJump" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Canadian Teleradiology Services ("CTS"), has signed a definitive agreement to acquire two diagnostic imaging clinics, also known as independent healthcare facilities ("IHFs"), from private Alberta vendors.

The purchase price is $1.92 million cash which includes a $20,000 deposit.

The transaction is targeted to close in July 2025 and is subject to several conditions, including but not limited to, required regulatory approval, satisfactory due diligence and securing an institutional credit facility to fund the balance of the cash portion of the purchase price.

These IHFs offer medical imaging including x-ray, ultrasound, and mammography scans. The IHFs are in Calgary, Alberta.

Combined, the two IHF's are currently reporting revenue of approximately $2.2 million with EBITDA of approximately $500,000.

"This acquisition marks another important milestone for LevelJump," said Mitch Geisler, CEO of LevelJump. "The transaction will be accretive and support the continued expansion of our diagnostic services. We remain focused on growing our ADC brand and enhancing our footprint in the Alberta healthcare sector."

Update on Year End Reporting Documents

Further to its news release of April 30, 2025, the Company wishes to advise that completion and filing of its 2024 year end reporting documents has been delayed slightly and now anticipates completing and filing them in the next 7 to 10 days. Once the filings are made and the current cease trade order is revoked, the Company will be proceeding with an application to reinstate trading of its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange.

About LevelJump Healthcare

LevelJump Healthcare Corp., (TSXV: JUMP) provides telehealth solutions to client hospitals and imaging centers through its Teleradiology division, as well as in person radiology services through its Diagnostic Centres. JUMP focuses primarily on critical care for urgent and emergency patients, establishing integral relationships in the communities we serve.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

LEVELJUMP HEALTHCARE CORP.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's business plans and the outlook of the Company's industry. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, Canadian Teleradiology Services, Inc., their securities, or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The securities being offered 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 U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255450

SOURCE: LevelJump Healthcare Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TONY) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to file articles of amendment to change its corporate name from "Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd." to "HYLQ Strategy Corp." (the "Name Change"). The Name Change is expected to take effect on or around June 19, 2025.

The Name Change is to reflect the Company's investments in the HyperLiquid ecosystem, which is within the Company's investment policy and mandate. As the digital asset market continues to rapidly evolve and mature, so has the Company. The Company's rebranding reflects the Company's evolution and maturity.

Concurrently with the completion of the proposed Name Change, the Company's trading symbol on the Canadian Securities Exchange is expected to change to "HYLQ". Further details regarding the Name Change - including the effective date, new CUSIP and ISIN numbers for the Company's common shares, and the date on which trading will begin under the new ticker symbol - will be provided in a subsequent news release. The Name Change was approved by shareholders of the Company at its annual and special meeting held on August 16, 2024.

No action will be required by existing shareholders with respect to the Name Change. Share certificates representing common shares of the Company will not be affected and will not need to be exchanged.

For more information, please contact:

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) 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/255457

SOURCE: Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd.
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. ("Ping An", the "Company" or the "Group", HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) has risen two spots to rank 27th on Forbes' 2025 Global 2000 list, an authoritative ranking of the world's largest public companies based on a composite score of revenue, profit, assets, and market value. Released on June 12, the latest rankings reflect Ping An's continued growth and strong performance, as the Group moved up two places from last year. Additionally, Ping An secured 5th place among Chinese companies, climbing one spot from the previous year, while maintaining its position as the highest-ranked insurance company in China.

The top five Chinese companies in the 2025 rankings are Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, and Ping An. During the period, Ping An reported revenue of US$158 billion, profit of US$17.6 billion, and total assets amounted to US$1.8 trillion.

Progress driven by technology-enabled "integrated finance + health and senior care" dual-driver strategy

Ping An continues to advance its technology-enabled "integrated finance + health and senior care" dual-driver strategy, driving stable growth across its core businesses. Through its integrated finance model, Ping An has strengthened its engagement with retail customers. As of the end of 2024, Ping An served 242 million retail customers, with 25.6% holding four or more contracts within the Group. Customer retention remained robust at 98.0%. The health and senior care strategy also provided differentiated advantages, with nearly 63% of Ping An's retail customers entitled to service benefits in the health and senior care ecosystem.

In transforming and upgrading its core businesses, Ping An harnessed technology to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen risk management. The number of service cases handled by Ping An's AI service representatives reached approximately 1.84 billion, accounting for 80% of the Group's total customer service volume in 2024. In Life insurance, 93% of policies were underwritten within seconds via smart underwriting, smart claim settlement and smart policy renewal. Moreover, Ping An P&C achieved claims savings of RMB11.94 billion through smart fraud detection, marking a year-on-year increase of 10.4%.

In 2024, Ping An achieved an operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company of RMB121.862 billion, achieving a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB126.607 billion, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 47.8%. Revenue totaled RMB1,028.925 billion, up 12.6% year-on-year, while total assets reached RMB12.96 trillion, a 11.9% increase from the beginning of the year.

Enhancing customer experience with the "worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving" value proposition

Ping An has actively promoted its "worry-free, time-saving, and money-saving" value proposition to enhance customer experience. Under its "worry-free" services, Ping An's auto insurance now offers 82 convenient services, including roadside assistance, vehicle inspections, and chauffeur services, benefiting 236 million users of "Ping An Auto Owner" app. By the end of 2024, Ping An's home-based senior care services had expanded to cover 75 cities nationwide. For "time-saving" initiatives, 93% of the policies were underwritten within seconds through smart underwriting, smart claim settlement and smart policy renewal.

Commitment to shareholder returns, communication, and value creation

According to its 2024 annual report, Ping An proposed a final dividend of RMB1.62 per share in cash for 2024, bringing the total annual dividend to RMB2.55 per share, a 5% year-on-year increase. The cash dividend payout ratio based on operating profit attributable to shareholders (OPAT) was 37.9%, marking 13 consecutive years of dividend growth. The Group maintains strong communication with shareholders through annual general meetings and investor roadshows. On May 13, 2025, Ping An held its 2024 Annual General Meeting, attended by 117 shareholders. Management addressed 29 questions and suggestions raised by shareholders.

Fulfilling corporate social responsibility and supporting economic development

As of December 31, 2024, Ping An had invested nearly RMB10.14 trillion to support the real economy. Its green investment of insurance funds reached RMB124.712 billion, while its green loan balance amounted to RMB157.762 billion. In 2024, green insurance premium income totaled RMB 58.608 billion. Through its "Ping An Rural

Communities Support", Ping An provided RMB52.014 billion in funding to promote rural industrial vitalization. In addition, MSCI upgraded Ping An's ESG rating to AA, giving it the top spot in the multi-line insurance & brokerage category in the Asia-Pacific region for three consecutive years.

The Forbes Global 2000 list, published annually since 2004, evaluates publicly traded companies worldwide based on revenue, profit, assets, and market capitalization. This year's list revealed record-breaking combined figures for the top 2,000 companies, with a total revenue of US$52.9 trillion, profit of US$4.9 trillion, assets of US$242.2 trillion, and market capitalization of US$91.3 trillion. By country, the United States led with 612 companies, followed by China (including Hong Kong) with 317 companies.

For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ping-an-ranks-27th-on-forbes-global-2000-list-302481150.html
NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Terramont Infrastructure Partners ("Terramont"), a middle-market-focused North American infrastructure investment manager, has made a $160 million capital commitment to Dispatch Energy LLC ("Dispatch"), a leading provider of distributed energy solutions. Funds managed by Hamilton Lane participated as co-lead investors alongside Terramont.

Dispatch Energy provides reliable and cost-effective energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. The company's investments will focus on generating cost savings, enhancing resiliency, and providing grid services designed to meet the growing demand for on-site power generation.

"Dispatch Energy has quickly built an impressive business serving the diverse energy needs of customers," said Vikram Singh and Michael Lehman, co-Managing Partners of Terramont Infrastructure Partners. "At Terramont, we have a long and successful history of actively investing in the distributed generation industry and couldn't be more pleased to partner with Rich Dovere and the Dispatch team going forward. Their experience, knowledge, and capabilities are unmatched," Messrs. Singh and Lehman added.

"Terramont and Hamilton Lane share our conviction in the future of distributed energy," said Richard Dovere, Chief Executive Officer of Dispatch Energy. "Industries across the spectrum need power, and distributed generation is an essential part of filling that need. This commitment will enable us to accelerate our provision of dynamic and creative solutions to customers, and we are grateful for the partnership." This partnership brings Dispatch Energy's total capital commitments in 2025 from all sources to $360 million.

Brent Burnett, Head of Infrastructure and Real Assets at Hamilton Lane, commented: "We are thrilled to partner with Terramont and the Dispatch team in this exciting opportunity. Our investment in Dispatch Energy supports our thesis that power constraints in the U.S. will increasingly require creative solutions, and we believe Dispatch is well-positioned to solve power infrastructure needs through their unique approach to distributed generation."

+ + +

About Dispatch Energy

Dispatch Energy is a full-service, customer-focused provider of distributed energy solutions. With principal experience managing over $1.5 billion of operating generation assets and $2.5 billion in U.S. energy and transportation investments, our team leverages our experience in solar, fuel cells, wind, battery storage, and energy efficiency to deploy the next generation of distributed infrastructure. The company's mission is to bring the commercial energy transition to scale by providing a concierge experience to conceive, design, implement, and capitalize on the next generation of reliable energy infrastructure. Learn more about Dispatch Energy at www.dispatchenergy.com.

About Terramont

Terramont Infrastructure Partners is a North American middle-market infrastructure investment firm that partners with best-in-class businesses and top-quality management teams. Focused on sectors critical to the economy, including energy transition, transportation, digital, environmental, and other infrastructure businesses, Terramont is committed to making a positive, measurable sustainability impact. With offices in New York and San Francisco, Terramont combines expertise with innovation to drive meaningful growth. For more information, please visit www.terramontinfra.com or follow Terramont on LinkedIn.

About Hamilton Lane

Hamilton Lane is one of the largest private markets investment firms globally, providing innovative solutions to institutional and private wealth investors around the world. Dedicated exclusively to private markets investing for more than 30 years, the firm currently employs approximately 760 professionals operating in offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hamilton Lane has approximately $958 billion in assets under management and supervision, composed of more than $138 billion in discretionary assets and more than $819 billion in non-discretionary assets, as of March 31, 2025. Hamilton Lane specializes in building flexible investment programs that provide clients access to the full spectrum of private markets strategies, sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit http://www.hamiltonlane.com or follow Hamilton Lane on LinkedIn.

Dispatch Energy media contact:

Roselle Kingsbury

roselle@twentytwoandbrand.com

Terramont Infrastructure Partners media contact:

info@terramontinfra.com

Hamilton Lane media contact:

Tia Wilson

twilson@hamiltonlane.com

SOURCE: Dispatch Energy

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/clean-technology/dispatch-energy-receives-160-million-investment-from-terramont-infrastructure-part-1038799
Mister Quik Home Services Acquires Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling LLC, Expanding Comprehensive Home Services with a Focus on Expert Roofing Repairs

INDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Mister Quik Home Services, a locally owned and operated company serving Indiana for 25 years, is proud to announce the acquisition of Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling LLC, a highly respected roofing and remodeling company based in Carmel, Indiana. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Mister Quik, as it now offers a full range of home services, covering everything from roof to basement and everything in between.

Mister Quik Home Services

Thomas Jefferson to Mister Quik

Unlike many companies in the home services industry, Mister Quik Home Services has remained independent, without outside funding or private equity involvement. This independence allows the company to stay focused on its mission of providing honest, high-quality service to its neighbors across Central Indiana.

Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling has been a cornerstone of the Carmel community for years, earning a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, reliability, and customer care. Known for their expertise in roofing inspections, repairs, cleanings, and specialized services, they have consistently delivered high-quality results to homeowners and businesses in Carmel and the surrounding areas.

With this acquisition, Mister Quik Home Services is excited to bring the same level of precision and care that Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers have come to expect. At the same time, Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers now have access to Mister Quik's comprehensive home services, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and handyman solutions.

A New Era of Comprehensive Home Services

The acquisition of Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling allows Mister Quik to expand its offerings and provide customers with a one-stop solution for all their home service needs. Whether it's a leaky roof, a broken furnace, or a plumbing emergency, Mister Quik is now equipped to handle it all.

"We're thrilled to welcome Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling into the Mister Quik family," said Kerry Tidwell, Chief Operating Officer at Mister Quik Home Services. "This partnership allows us to provide even more value to our customers. Whether it's a roofing issue, a plumbing emergency, or a heating repair, we're now a one-stop solution for all home service needs. Our shared commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures a seamless transition for everyone."

Roofing Repairs: A Focus on Precision and Longevity

One of the standout services Thomas Jefferson Roofing brings to Mister Quik is their expertise in roofing repairs. Not all roofs need to be replaced, and the team at Thomas Jefferson Roofing has built their reputation on providing honest assessments and cost-effective solutions for homeowners.

Roofing repairs are often the most practical and affordable solution for many common issues, such as:

Leaky Roofs: Whether caused by storm damage, aging materials, or improper installation, leaks can lead to significant damage if not addressed promptly. The team specializes in identifying the source of leaks and providing durable repairs.

Damaged Shingles: Missing, cracked, or curling shingles can compromise the integrity of your roof. Thomas Jefferson Roofing's experts can replace damaged shingles to restore your roof's protection and appearance.

Flashing Repairs: Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is a common source of leaks. The team ensures that flashing is properly sealed and secured to prevent water intrusion.

Storm Damage Repairs: Indiana's unpredictable weather can wreak havoc on roofs. From hail damage to wind-blown debris, Thomas Jefferson Roofing has the expertise to restore your roof after a storm.

By focusing on repairs rather than pushing for unnecessary replacements, Thomas Jefferson Roofing has earned the trust of homeowners throughout Carmel and beyond. This approach aligns perfectly with Mister Quik's commitment to providing honest, customer-focused service.

Preventative Maintenance and Inspections

In addition to repairs, Thomas Jefferson Roofing emphasizes the importance of preventative maintenance and regular inspections. These services help homeowners identify potential issues before they become major problems, saving time and money in the long run.

Regular roof inspections can:

Extend the lifespan of your roof. Prevent costly water damage. Improve energy efficiency by ensuring proper insulation and ventilation. Provide peace of mind, especially after severe weather events.

Mister Quik Home Services is excited to continue offering these valuable services, helping homeowners protect one of their most important investments - their roof.

Comprehensive Roofing Services Now Available

With the integration of Thomas Jefferson Roofing, Mister Quik now offers a full suite of roofing services, including:

Roof Inspections

Roof Repairs

Roof Replacement (when necessary)

Whether you need a quick repair or a complete roof replacement, Mister Quik's expanded team of roofing experts is ready to help.

Benefits for Customers

This acquisition brings significant benefits to customers of both companies:

One-Stop Convenience: Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers now have access to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and handyman services, while Mister Quik customers can rely on expert roofing services. Expanded Expertise: The combined knowledge and experience of both teams ensure that every project is completed with precision and care. Local Commitment: Both companies share deep roots in the community and a dedication to serving homeowners in Carmel, Indianapolis, and beyond. Honest, Customer-Focused Service: Both Mister Quik and Thomas Jefferson Roofing are committed to providing transparent, reliable service that puts the customer first.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

As a locally owned company with 25 years of experience, Mister Quik Home Services has always prioritized its customers and community. Unlike companies that have sold to private equity firms or rely on outside funding, Mister Quik remains independent, allowing it to focus solely on delivering the best possible service to its neighbors.

Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling has consistently been praised for its professionalism and attention to detail, with customers highlighting their excellent communication, prompt service, and high-quality results. Mister Quik is committed to upholding this legacy while expanding its service offerings to meet the evolving needs of homeowners across Central Indiana.

SOURCE: Mister Quik Home Services

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/roof-to-basement-and-everything-in-between-mister-quik-buys-a-roofing-company-1039261
Acquisition to scale Pearson's position in the Early Careers space

LONDON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's lifelong learning company, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire eDynamic Holdings LP ('eDynamic Learning'), a leading Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum solutions provider. eDynamic Learning's comprehensive catalogue of digital courses enables students to follow structured learning pathway programs that prepare them for their future careers. This acquisition is aligned to Pearson's strategy, enabling Pearson to scale its position in the fast-growing Early Careers space and broaden capabilities in career-readiness solutions.

eDynamic Learning serves over 885,000 K-12 students, reaching over 9,000 K-12 schools and higher education institutions, in addition to post-secondary learners and adult professionals. With 325 digital courses across more than 40 career pathways, it reaches learners through educational resources, immersive virtual career simulations, workforce training, and virtual teaching services.

eDynamic Learning has a highly attractive financial profile with strong margins and cash flow conversion, and a track record of delivering growth. The consideration for eDynamic Learning will be funded from existing cash resources and available liquidity. Completion of the acquisition is expected to occur in H2 2025 subject to regular closing conditions, including any required regulatory filings or approvals.??

Omar Abbosh, Chief Executive Officer of Pearson, said: "At a moment when technology is developing faster than human skills, we see hundreds of thousands of open roles in the US today. Employers tell us they have an urgent need for career-ready workers. That's why I am delighted to welcome eDynamic Learning, an innovator and leader in the career skills space, into the Pearson team. Together, we can uniquely support early career learners as they enter the workforce in the era of AI. Pearson and eDynamic Learning are excited to serve more educators, learners, and employers as we reinvent the future of learning."

Jerry Wooden, Chief Executive Officer of eDynamic Learning said: "Pearson is a trusted brand with well-established relationships across a strong network of educational institutions and enterprises. There is a significant opportunity to enhance our offering while reaching more learners as they make the transition from education to work. We are excited to join Pearson in its ambition to address the opportunities in the early careers space, and in supporting its mission to help learners realize the life they imagine through learning."

About Pearson -

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.

About eDynamic Learning

Founded by a classroom teacher, eDynamic Learning (eDL) aims to empower educators with accessible resources for all learners to guide students on their journey to life after graduation. eDL is dedicated to supporting both teachers and programs that facilitate student exploration of interests, career options, and skill acquisition through Career and Technical Education (CTE). eDL prioritizes quality and the development of vital life readiness skills, including interpersonal communication and financial literacy. eDL's commitment to fostering exploration starts early, with resources tailored to middle school students. eDL's rich courseware catalog and Learning Blade resource, supplemental mission-based lessons, have a proven track record of expanding STEM, computer science, and career interest and awareness.

For Information Contact:

Media Dan Nelson (US) dan.nelson@pearson.com

Laura Ewart (UK) laura.ewart@pearson.com Investor Relations Alex Shore Steph Crinnegan +44 (0) 7720 947 853 +44 (0) 7780 555 351

Gemma Terry Brennan Matthews +44 (0) 7841 363 216 +1 (332) 238-8785

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BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Personal Safety Tracking Devices Market is Segmented by Type (GPS, Bluetooth), by Application (Children, Elderly, Adults).

The Global Personal Safety Tracking Devices Market was valued at USD 975.4 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 1674.2 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Personal Safety Tracking Devices Market:

The personal safety tracking devices market is experiencing sustained growth driven by rising safety concerns, growing elderly and child populations, and technological advances in connectivity and miniaturization. These devices are becoming integral to everyday life, offering peace of mind and emergency responsiveness to users and caregivers alike. Industry players are focusing on feature-rich yet cost-effective solutions to cater to different market segments. Strategic collaborations, product diversification, and innovations in wearable design are shaping the competitive landscape. As consumer awareness and infrastructure improve globally, the market is expected to witness further expansion across both developed and emerging regions.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE PERSONAL SAFETY TRACKING DEVICES MARKET:

GPS technology is a cornerstone in the expansion of the personal safety tracking devices market due to its ability to provide accurate, real-time location data across vast distances. It enables users to monitor the exact whereabouts of individuals, particularly in emergency situations, ensuring quick response and enhanced safety. GPS integration has become essential in devices used by children, senior citizens, and outdoor enthusiasts. The rise in smart wearables and mobile applications that rely on satellite-based positioning further strengthens GPS adoption. Moreover, advancements in miniaturized GPS chips and improved satellite coverage are allowing for seamless integration into lightweight, portable devices, driving higher consumer demand and widening the market base.

Bluetooth technology is significantly propelling the growth of the personal safety tracking devices market by offering low-energy, cost-effective, and real-time connectivity solutions. Its compatibility with smartphones and wearable devices makes it ideal for applications such as child monitoring, elderly care, and personal security. Bluetooth-enabled trackers can easily sync with mobile apps to send alerts, geofence notifications, and live location data. The low power consumption also allows for extended battery life, which is crucial for continuous usage in safety applications. As Bluetooth technology continues to evolve with higher data rates and improved range, it is becoming a preferred choice for manufacturers aiming to produce compact, efficient, and reliable personal safety tracking devices across diverse user segments.

Children represent a key driver in the growth of the personal safety tracking devices market, as parents and guardians seek reliable ways to ensure their security. With rising concerns about child safety in public spaces, schools, and during transit, demand for compact, user-friendly tracking devices is increasing. These devices offer geofencing alerts, panic buttons, and two-way communication features, allowing parents to act swiftly in case of emergencies. Manufacturers are also developing child-specific wearable designs like smartwatches and clip-on trackers with playful aesthetics and tamper-resistant features. The growing need for preventive safety tools and the availability of affordable options are fueling adoption among families globally, especially in urban and suburban areas.

As urban populations grow, concerns over personal safety in crowded, fast-paced environments are intensifying. This is particularly true for women, children, and the elderly, who are often viewed as vulnerable groups. With rising cases of crime and the unpredictability of public spaces, the demand for personal safety tracking devices is surging. These devices offer users and families peace of mind by enabling real-time monitoring and instant alerts. Urban consumers are more likely to adopt such technologies due to higher tech penetration and awareness. This urban security dynamic is driving sustained market growth, especially in cities across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.

The rapid evolution of wearable technology is directly contributing to the expansion of the personal safety tracking devices market. Consumers are increasingly inclined toward smartwatches, fitness bands, and other wearable devices that incorporate tracking and emergency features. The integration of health monitoring, location services, and communication tools into a single device enhances usability and convenience. Wearables also appeal to a wide range of demographics, from tech-savvy teens to health-conscious seniors. The fusion of style, function, and safety is boosting the commercial success of personal tracking solutions, prompting technology firms and OEMs to invest more in wearable innovation and development.

The growing global geriatric population is a significant factor driving the demand for personal safety tracking devices. Older adults often face mobility issues, memory loss, and health risks, making constant monitoring essential for their safety and independence. GPS-enabled trackers, fall detection devices, and emergency SOS buttons offer caregivers the tools needed to respond promptly to potential threats. These devices are increasingly being used in assisted living facilities, home care environments, and by independent seniors. As governments and healthcare systems focus on aging-in-place initiatives, the use of personal safety technology among elderly users is expected to grow, supporting market expansion.

The increasing integration of personal safety tracking devices with emergency response systems and law enforcement agencies is playing a crucial role in expanding market adoption. Many devices are now equipped to send direct alerts to emergency contacts or local authorities when a distress signal is triggered. Some advanced models allow real-time transmission of location and situation data to dispatchers, enabling faster and more accurate responses. This level of coordination enhances the credibility and effectiveness of safety trackers, making them more appealing to both consumers and institutional buyers such as schools, nursing homes, and public safety agencies.

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PERSONAL SAFETY TRACKING DEVICES MARKET SHARE:

North America leads in market share due to widespread use of GPS, high safety awareness, and strong infrastructure.

Europe follows closely with government-backed elderly care programs and rising adoption in schools.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by urbanization, high smartphone usage, and increasing safety concerns in countries like China, India, and Japan.

Key Companies:

Amber Alert GPS

AngelSense

BrickHouse Security

Le Vise Products

Location Based Technologies

Trax

KJB Security

Lineable

SPOT LLC.

Spy Tec International

Trackimo LLC

WEENECT

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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- The global Smart Personal Safety and Security Device market was valued at USD 32780 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 54230 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- The global market for Personal GPS Trackers was estimated to be worth USD 138.9 Million in 2023 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 176.1 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- The global market for Smart Fitness Device was valued at USD 17700 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 26290 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.

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- The global market for Personal Safety App was valued at USD 748 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 5137 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 32.2% during the forecast period.

- The global market for Personal GPS Locator was valued at USD 6433 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 9188 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period.

- Smart LoRaWAN GPS Tracking Device Market

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CHICAGO, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Digital Pathology Market is projected to be valued at USD 1.10 billion in 2024 and reach USD 1.73 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8% according to a new report by The Research Insights. The key driver of this growth is the mounting need for telepathology to enable pathologists to remotely view slides and interact live over distances. The other factor is integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in digital pathology systems, boosting diagnostics through automated image analysis and predictive analytics.

The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the Digital Pathology Market growth of 8.0% comprises a vast array of Product, Type, Application, End-Use, and Geography which are expected to register strength during the coming years.

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Market Overview and Growth Trajectory:

Digital Pathology Market Growth: According to an exhaustive report by The Research Insights, the Digital Pathology Market is experiencing significant growth. The worldwide digital pathology market expansion results from multiple technological advancements alongside clinical and systemic changes that mirror a comprehensive shift in diagnostic methods and healthcare service delivery. The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms serves as a key driving force in pathology because they improve diagnostic accuracy while enhancing workflow efficiency and decision-making support. Precision medicine's rising requirement along with individually tailored treatment plans drives the need for digital platforms that integrate histopathological data with genomic and clinical information. The worldwide scarcity of pathologists in developing markets forces healthcare infrastructures to implement digital pathology systems that consolidate diagnostic capabilities and allow for remote consultations through telepathology. The global rise in cancer cases demands the development of diagnostic solutions that operate more quickly and can scale to meet increasing needs. The FDA's regulatory approvals and standardization efforts are helping to validate digital pathology systems which leads to their broader use. The focus on digital health infrastructure and remote healthcare solutions after COVID-19 has solidified digital pathology's essential role in modern diagnostic processes.

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Cancer:

The increasing global prevalence of chronic illnesses such as cancer alongside cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases creates demand for digital pathology through the need for accurate diagnostic results. Cancer stands as a primary focus area because the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that it causes almost 10 million deaths each year. The growing number of cancer cases increases the need for precise histopathological assessments which play a critical role in cancer staging and treatment planning as well as determining patient prognosis.



Traditional glass-slide microscopy requires extensive time commitment while demanding substantial labor effort and remains susceptible to mistakes by human operators. Digital pathology allows for complete slide digitization which supports storage capabilities as well as analysis and sharing functions. Digital platforms play an essential role in oncology and chronic disease management through improved diagnostic accuracy and simpler access to second opinions and telepathology. The requirement for high-throughput pathology services becomes even stronger when centralized laboratories need to serve extensive populations.

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Innovations in Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) technology combined with artificial intelligence (AI) integration are driving major changes in digital pathology:

Progress in imaging technology alongside improvements in data storage and artificial intelligence (AI) development is revolutionizing digital pathology. The development of Whole Slide Imaging (WSI) now enables the capture of ultra-high-resolution images which can be stored and distributed with very little delay. After digitization these images become suitable for AI analysis which helps detect patterns and anomalies while classifying tissue types with greater consistency than manual examination.



Diagnostic workflows now frequently utilize AI-powered tools to help pathologists identify diseases at early stages while simultaneously quantifying biomarkers and standardizing interpretations. The algorithms designed for breast and prostate cancer detection improve diagnostic efficiency and minimize inter-observer variability by highlighting suspicious regions and providing grading suggestions. Real-time slide sharing capabilities of cloud-based platforms allow institutions to collaborate on diagnostics without being limited by geographic distances. This technological progress improves diagnostic speed and accuracy while shortening turnaround time which is essential for treating life-threatening conditions.

Growing Adoption of Telepathology and Remote Consultations:

The pandemic hastened digital health technology implementation with digital pathology becoming another beneficiary of this trend. Telepathology has become an essential diagnostic tool due to increasing demands for remote consultations and second opinions. Digital platforms now enable hospitals and laboratories to share slides across regions and countries with specialists which allows for expert reviews and collaborations to occur promptly without needing to transport specimens physically.



Telepathy is emerging as a critical solution to the worldwide inequality in pathology services. Rural regions and areas with limited resources experience a significant lack of trained pathologists. Through digital pathology centralized specialists review cases from distant locations which closes existing healthcare gaps to advance healthcare equity. Digital pathology platforms provide educational institutions with benefits for training and research because students and researchers can access actual slides from any location at any time.

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Geographical Insights:

The North American market achieved a 40.7% share of the global market in 2023 because government-backed initiatives advanced pathology technology. The dominance resulted from continuous R&D funding and the growing implementation of digital imaging technologies. Their influence grew stronger in the region because prominent players focused on creating innovative solutions to meet the needs of the local population. Market expansion is propelled by academic research and disease diagnosis needs for digital pathology because institutions aim to use its capabilities to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment results.

Between 2024 and 2030 the Asia Pacific region will achieve the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) thanks to increased digitalization activities combined with medical research investments and the growing use of digital imaging technologies in developing economies. The rising occurrence of cancer cases continues to drive market growth which highlights the necessity for new treatment options that will advance market expansion.

Global Digital Pathology Market Segmentation and Geographical Insights:

Based on Product, the digital pathology market is divided into, Software, Device, and Storage System. The device segment dominated the market share in 2023 with 51.72% and is expected to experience substantial growth over the projected period.

Based on Type, the digital pathology market is divided into, Human Pathology, and Veterinary Pathology. The human aspect of digital pathology is playing a pivotal role, accounting for approximately 60.0% market share in 2023.

market share in 2023. Based on Application, the digital pathology market is divided into, Drug Discovery & Development, Academic Research, and Disease Diagnosis. The academic research segment led the market share in 2023, accounting for 45.7%, and is expected to continue its dominance from 2024 to 2030 due to ongoing research in cancer therapy development and high adoption rates of digital pathology in various studies.

Based on End Use, the digital pathology market is divided into, Hospitals, Biotech & Pharma Companies, Diagnostic Labs, and Academic & Research Institutes. The healthcare sector led the market share in 2023 with a notable presence of 36.7%.

The Digital Pathology Market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

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Key Players and Competitive Landscape:

The Global Digital Pathology Market is characterized by the presence of several major players, including:

Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH (Danaher)

Hamamatsu Photonics, Inc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Olympus Corporation

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.

Mikroscan Technologies, Inc.

Inspirata, Inc.

Epredia (3DHISTECH Ltd.)

Visiopharm A/S

Huron Technologies International Inc.

ContextVision AB

CellaVision

HANGZHOU ZHIWEI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. (MORPHOGO)

West Medica Produktions- und Handels- GmbH (West Medica)

aetherAI

IBEX (IBEX MEDICAL ANALYTICS)

SigTuple Technologies Private Limited

Morphle Labs, Inc

Bionovation Biotech, Inc.

These companies are adopting strategies such as new product launches, joint ventures, and geographical expansion to maintain their competitive edge in the market.

Global Digital Pathology Market Recent Developments and Innovations:

In March 2024 : Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) formed an expanded partnership with AWS to create secure, scalable cloud-based digital pathology solutions. The collaboration between AWS and Philips will improve workflow efficiency while ensuring smooth integration with current healthcare systems to provide complete patient care.

: Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) formed an expanded partnership with AWS to create secure, scalable cloud-based digital pathology solutions. The collaboration between AWS and Philips will improve workflow efficiency while ensuring smooth integration with current healthcare systems to provide complete patient care. In February 2024 : Roche entered into a partnership with Path AI to build an AI-powered digital pathology algorithm for companion diagnostics. Through this partnership Roche will speed up its capacity to fulfill biopharma companies' needs who seek to create AI-driven companion diagnostics and deliver complete solutions.

: Roche entered into a partnership with Path AI to build an AI-powered digital pathology algorithm for companion diagnostics. Through this partnership Roche will speed up its capacity to fulfill biopharma companies' needs who seek to create AI-driven companion diagnostics and deliver complete solutions. In March 2023 : Agilent Technologies partnered with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Agilent Technologies teamed up with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. to integrate the NanoZoomer range with the S360MD Slide scanner system into their comprehensive digital pathology solution.

: Agilent Technologies partnered with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Agilent Technologies teamed up with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. to integrate the NanoZoomer range with the S360MD Slide scanner system into their comprehensive digital pathology solution. In March 2022: Roche Diagnostics partnered with SRL Diagnostics. In collaboration with Roche Diagnostics, SRL Diagnostics intended to upgrade its Fortis Memorial Research Institute laboratory facilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the forecasted market size of the Digital Pathology Market in 2030?

The forecasted market size of the Digital Pathology Market is USD 1.73 billion in 2030.

Who are the leading players in the Digital Pathology Market?

The key players in the Digital Pathology Market include, Leica Biosystems Nussloch GmbH (Danaher); Hamamatsu Photonics, Inc.; Koninklijke Philips N.V.; Olympus Corp.; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.; Mikroscan Technologies, Inc.; Inspirata, Inc.; Epredia (3DHISTECH Ltd.); Visiopharm A/S; Huron Technologies International Inc.; ContextVision AB; HANGZHOU ZHIWEI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. (MORPHOGO); West Medica Produktions- und Handels- GmbH (West Medica); aetherAI; IBEX (IBEX MEDICAL ANALYTICS); SigTuple Technologies Private Limited; Morphle Labs, Inc; and Bionovation Biotech, Inc.

What are the major drivers for the Digital Pathology Market?

Several key factors are driving this expansion, including the growing adoption of AI-enabled digital pathology.

Which is the largest region during the forecasted period in the Digital Pathology Market?

The North American market achieved a 40.7% share of the global market in 2023 because government-backed initiatives advanced pathology technology.

Which is the largest segment, by product, during the forecasted period in the Digital Pathology Market?

The device segment dominated the market share in 2023 with 51.72% and is expected to experience substantial growth over the projected period.

Conclusion:

Digital imaging advancements and AI along with data analytics improvements lead to major transformations within the global digital pathology market which meets healthcare systems' needs for swifter and more precise diagnostic procedures. The spread of chronic diseases combined with telepathology demand growth and pathologist workforce deficits has sped up the implementation of digital pathology technologies. Modern systems provide the ability for immediate remote medical consultations alongside more efficient data exchange and better-informed decisions through artificial intelligence that analyses medical images. The combination of EHR integration with advanced interoperability and cloud storage solutions leads to better diagnostic precision and operational efficiency. Digital pathology stands as a fundamental component of precision medicine and laboratory automation while global healthcare digitization progresses alongside evolving regulatory frameworks and advanced data security technologies. The market's growth momentum continues as it connects with wider digital health movements and shifts towards value-based care approaches.

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The report from The Research Insights, therefore, provides several stakeholders-healthcare providers, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory agencies-with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities.

With projected growth to US$ 1.73 billion by 2030, the Global Digital Pathology Market represents a significant opportunity for AI technology developers, cloud service providers, medical imaging software companies, digital health startups, and telepathology platform vendors.

Check out more related studies published by The Research Insights:

U.S. And Europe Digital Pathology Market - The US and European digital pathology market is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing efforts to harness this technology for enhanced disease diagnosis and improved pathology practices. Currently valued at USD 578.6 million in 2022, the market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030. In the US, the FDA has classified digital pathology as Class II devices suitable for primary diagnosis, paving the way for wider adoption.

The US and European digital pathology market is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing efforts to harness this technology for enhanced disease diagnosis and improved pathology practices. Currently valued at USD 578.6 million in 2022, the market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030. In the US, the FDA has classified digital pathology as Class II devices suitable for primary diagnosis, paving the way for wider adoption. Pathology Laboratories Market : The Global Pathology Laboratories Market is expected to reach at USD 612.22 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the expanding healthcare infrastructure in developing countries, as well as an increasing demand for regular medical check-ups and enhanced reimbursement policies for diagnostic tests.

The Global Pathology Laboratories Market is expected to reach at USD 612.22 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the expanding healthcare infrastructure in developing countries, as well as an increasing demand for regular medical check-ups and enhanced reimbursement policies for diagnostic tests. AI in Pathology Market - The AI in Pathology Market size is set to grow from USD 92.32 million in 2025 to USD 434.16 million by 2034, at a CAGR of 19.07%. The AI for Pathology Market describes how artificial intelligence technologies including machine learning algorithms and neural networks process pathology data to aid clinical decision-making while boosting diagnostic precision and workflow productivity. The medical field of pathology which focuses on disease study and diagnosis through tissue, organ, and fluid examination is experiencing a digital shift through AI integration.

- The AI in Pathology Market size is set to grow from USD 92.32 million in 2025 to USD 434.16 million by 2034, at a CAGR of 19.07%. The AI for Pathology Market describes how artificial intelligence technologies including machine learning algorithms and neural networks process pathology data to aid clinical decision-making while boosting diagnostic precision and workflow productivity. The medical field of pathology which focuses on disease study and diagnosis through tissue, organ, and fluid examination is experiencing a digital shift through AI integration. Anatomic Pathology Market - The global anatomic pathology market continues to expand its reach, with valued sales reaching USD 30.16 billion in 2022. As we look ahead, the market is projected to experience a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2023 to 2030. This surge in growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of biomarkers in clinical settings, which has revolutionized the way pathologists analyze molecular-level mechanisms.

The global anatomic pathology market continues to expand its reach, with valued sales reaching USD 30.16 billion in 2022. As we look ahead, the market is projected to experience a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2023 to 2030. This surge in growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of biomarkers in clinical settings, which has revolutionized the way pathologists analyze molecular-level mechanisms. Precision Pathology for Cancer Market: The Research Insights report reveals that Precision pathology for cancer applies advanced technological methods to produce customized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on individual tumor biology. This innovative method combines histological, genomic and bioinformatic knowledge to enable healthcare providers to develop individualized treatment plans which lead to improved patient results.

Browse More related reports on Healthcare Industry Market Reports - https://www.theresearchinsights.com/categories/healthcare

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BANGALORE, India, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Steer By Wire Market is Segmented by Type (EPS, SBW), by Application (Commercial Vehicle, Passenger Car): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2031.

The global market for Steer By Wire was valued at USD 3704 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 7953 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Steer By Wire Market:

The global steer-by-wire market is experiencing dynamic growth fueled by the convergence of EV adoption, autonomous vehicle development, and evolving consumer expectations. As automotive ecosystems become more digital and software-driven, SBW systems are emerging as a foundational component for future mobility. Industry players are increasing investments in R&D, product testing, and regulatory compliance to accelerate deployment. Partnerships between traditional automakers and tech firms are also shaping the landscape. Despite challenges like high initial cost and technical complexity, the market is projected to grow steadily, driven by innovation, regulation, and the push toward sustainable transportation solutions.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE STEER BY WIRE MARKET

Steer-by-Wire (SBW) systems are significantly propelling the growth of the Steer By Wire market due to their mechanical-free steering mechanism, which replaces traditional linkages with electronic controls. This transition allows for enhanced vehicle control, flexibility in vehicle design, and improved cabin ergonomics. SBW technology also supports better integration with autonomous driving systems, providing more precise steering inputs and adaptability to changing road conditions. By eliminating the need for steering columns and hydraulic components, it reduces weight and enhances fuel efficiency, especially in electric vehicles. As regulatory and industry trends move toward advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), SBW systems provide a foundational component, boosting their adoption across both passenger and commercial vehicles globally.

Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems are enhancing the development of the Steer By Wire market by serving as a technological bridge between traditional hydraulic systems and advanced electronic steering solutions. EPS eliminates the need for engine-driven hydraulic pumps, improving energy efficiency and enabling easier integration with other electronic vehicle systems. As automotive manufacturers seek solutions that support sustainability and reduce emissions, EPS offers a scalable path toward full steer-by-wire configurations. Additionally, EPS systems enhance steering response and driver comfort, which is crucial in both passenger and commercial vehicles. The system's compatibility with sensors and electronic control units also strengthens the viability of autonomous driving features, increasing the market demand for steer-by-wire platforms.

Commercial vehicles are increasingly adopting steer-by-wire technologies due to the need for greater safety, operational efficiency, and reduced mechanical complexity. These vehicles benefit from the weight reduction and lower maintenance requirements associated with electronic steering systems. SBW systems improve vehicle maneuverability, which is vital for large trucks and buses navigating tight urban environments or loading docks. Furthermore, the integration of SBW systems enables fleet operators to collect real-time data, aiding in vehicle diagnostics and predictive maintenance. With the growing demand for autonomous logistics and delivery vehicles, commercial vehicle manufacturers are incorporating SBW to meet evolving industry standards. This trend is substantially boosting the overall demand for steer-by-wire systems in the global market.

The global push toward vehicle electrification is significantly boosting the steer-by-wire market. As automakers strive to reduce carbon emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a central focus. Steer-by-wire systems align perfectly with EV architecture by offering a lighter, more efficient alternative to hydraulic steering. Their compatibility with battery-electric platforms reduces energy consumption and enhances range, which is critical for EV adoption. Additionally, the lack of traditional components allows for better packaging flexibility, helping designers innovate freely. Automakers are investing heavily in EV development, and integrating SBW systems helps differentiate products in a competitive market, further supporting the segment's expansion.

The evolution of autonomous driving technologies is directly influencing the growth of the steer-by-wire market. SBW plays a crucial role in enabling precise and adaptive control, which is essential for Level 3 and above autonomous vehicles. By removing mechanical connections, steer-by-wire facilitates redundant safety systems and rapid adjustments, improving vehicle responsiveness. It also enables remote steering capabilities, allowing for innovative mobility solutions like remote valet parking and fleet management. As automotive OEMs and tech companies intensify their focus on autonomy, the integration of steer-by-wire systems becomes necessary, making this a key growth driver in the market.

Safety and system redundancy are key advantages that steer-by-wire systems offer, making them an attractive choice for modern vehicle manufacturers. Unlike mechanical systems that rely on a single connection, SBW allows for multiple fail-safe protocols via software and backup power sources. This enhances driver and passenger safety, especially in emergency scenarios. Furthermore, SBW systems can integrate with sensors to enable features like lane-keeping assistance and automatic lane centering. These enhanced safety features are becoming critical purchasing factors for consumers and regulatory bodies, leading to increased investments in steer-by-wire integration across vehicle models.

Stringent fuel economy regulations across the globe are encouraging automakers to reduce vehicle weight and enhance energy efficiency. Steer-by-wire systems eliminate heavy hydraulic components and steering shafts, contributing to overall vehicle light-weighting. This not only helps manufacturers meet regulatory standards but also increases vehicle performance and reduces fuel consumption. The cumulative effect of regulatory compliance and performance optimization is prompting rapid adoption of SBW systems, especially in markets with aggressive emissions mandates like Europe, the U.S., and parts of Asia.

While the initial setup of steer-by-wire systems may be costlier than traditional setups, the long-term benefits far outweigh the investment. SBW systems reduce maintenance costs by removing hydraulic fluids, belts, and pumps that commonly fail in traditional systems. Over time, this leads to lower total cost of ownership (TCO), especially for commercial fleets. Fleet operators are increasingly looking at life-cycle costs when choosing vehicle platforms, and SBW offers a compelling case for inclusion due to its durability and lower failure rates. This economic factor is significantly influencing market growth.

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INSECT CELL CULTURE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

North America is seeing robust growth due to investments in autonomous driving technologies and premium EVs. Europe follows closely, driven by stringent emission regulations and strong automotive R&D infrastructure.

The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea, is emerging as the fastest-growing segment, supported by EV subsidies and large-scale vehicle production.

Key Players:

Bosch

Continental AG

Schaeffler

Bethel

Mando

NSK

ADVICS

Shanghai Nasen Automotive Electronics

Ningbo Tuopu Group

Global Technology

Zhejiang Vie Science and Technology

Beijing Trinova Technology

Tongyu Automotive

Great Wall Motor

Huayu Automotive Systems Company

JTEKT

ZF

Nexteer

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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- The global market for Redundant Steer-by-wire Systems was valued at USD 375 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 1036 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period.

- The global market for Electronically Controlled Redundant Steer-by-Wire System was valued at USD 205 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 467 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period.

- The global market for Automotive Intelligent Steering System was valued at USD 40170 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 46420 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period.

- The global Automotive Shift-by-Wire System market was valued at USD 534 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 704.7 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- The global market for Electro-Hydraulic Brake-by-wire System was valued at USD 3663 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 28250 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 33.7% during the forecast period.

- Wire-Controlled Brake Systems (WCBS) Market

- The global market for Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB) System was valued at USD 1 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 6412 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 255.1% during the forecast period.

- The global market for Integrated Electro-Hydraulic Braking System was valued at USD 3341 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 6331 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period.

- Throttle By Wire Market

- Suspension-by-Wire Market

- The global market for Fully Redundant Drive-By-Wire Chassis was valued at USD 351 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 732 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period.

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Jonathan Egilo, President and Chief Executive Officer Axo Copper Corp. (Company) (TSXV: AXO), and his team, joined Sylvain Martel, Managing Director, TSXV Listings, TMX Group, to open the market to celebrate the Company's new listing on TSX Venture Exchange. The Company completed its listing, becoming the first issuer to do so under the newly launched TSXV Passport, a program designed to fast-track the listing of advanced applicants meeting specific criteria.





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Axo Copper Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company engaged in the exploration and development of the newly discovered, high-grade La Huerta property, a copper project located in Jalisco, Mexico. Initial exploration has yielded high-grade copper with long intervals at grades in excess of 5% Cu, both at surface through sampling programs, and at depth through initial drilling. The Company is focused on continuing to define near-surface mineralization along the La Huerta Trend, expanding mineralization at depth, and targeting new discoveries in an underexplored district.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255476

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Diagnostic Electrocardiograph/ECG Market, valued at US$8.59 billion in 2024 stood at US$9.19 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2032, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$15.18 billion by the end of the period. The growth in the ECG diagnostic market can be attributed to several critical factors. The rising prevalence of chronic conditions, particularly CVDs, is a significant driver. Additionally, there is a marked shift towards home healthcare solutions, propelled by advancements in wearable technology and the broader digital transformation within the healthcare sector. The burgeoning geriatric demographic, which is increasingly susceptible to cardiac disorders, further amplifies the demand for ECG diagnostics across various healthcare environments. Technological innovations, specifically the advent of portable ECG devices and AI-enhanced ECG interpretation, are enhancing diagnostic precision and improving patient accessibility. Moreover, government initiatives aimed at promoting cardiac health, coupled with a growing acceptance of point-of-care diagnostic methodologies, are anticipated to bolster market growth moving forward.

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By Product, the diagnostic ECG market is categorized into diagnostic ECG devices and diagnostic ECG software & services, with the diagnostic ECG devices segment commanding the largest market share. This predominance is attributable to the critical role these devices play in routine cardiac diagnostics, the swift identification of arrhythmias, and long-term cardiac monitoring. Standard resting ECGs serve as fundamental assessments in both primary care and specialized medical environments, while Holter monitors facilitate extensive and continuous cardiac surveillance over extended periods. The demand for these diagnostic tools is significantly influenced by the rising geriatric population, which correlates with an increase in CVD prevalence within this demographic. According to WHO, over 80% of CVD-related fatalities result from heart attacks and strokes, with one-third of these deaths occurring prematurely in individuals under 70 years of age; this statistic underscores the urgent need for effective cardiac monitoring solutions in the face of growing cardiovascular health challenges.

By lead type, the diagnostic ECG market is categorized based on lead types into 12-lead, 5-lead, 3-lead, 6-lead, and single-lead ECG devices. Notably, 12-lead ECG systems dominate the market due to their superior diagnostic capabilities, allowing for precise measurement of cardiac electrical activity. Regarded as the gold standard for the advanced diagnosis of cardiac pathologies, including myocardial infarctions and arrhythmias, these systems are widely endorsed by clinical guidelines for use in hospitals and cardiology clinics. Their approval for emergency and critical care applications further cements their market leadership. Key manufacturers of 12-lead diagnostic ECG devices include Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), ACS Diagnostics (US), OSI Systems, Inc. (US), and GE Healthcare (US).

By type, the diagnostic ECG market is further segmented into portable, wearable, and implantable ECG devices. In 2024, the portable ECG devices segment accounted for the largest market share, driven by their convenience, mobility, and diverse applications in both clinical settings and home care. Unlike traditional ECG machines, which are typically bulkier and stationary, portable devices enable on-demand or continuous cardiac monitoring from virtually any location. A significant advantage of these devices is their ability to wirelessly record and transmit ECG data to healthcare providers, facilitating remote patient monitoring. This capability not only allows for timely interventions but also minimizes the need for frequent hospital visits, which is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic heart conditions. As a result, the emphasis on remote patient care and the demand for personalized healthcare solutions are the primary factors propelling the growth of portable ECG devices, solidifying their dominant position within the diagnostic ECG market.

By end user, the diagnostic ECG market is segmented into hospitals, primary care centers, cardiac centers, ambulatory surgery centers, urgent care settings, and home care settings. The hospitals segment held the largest market share primarily due to the high volume of cardiovascular patient admissions and the presence of state-of-the-art diagnostic infrastructure. The integration of ECG systems with other cardiac diagnostic modalities enhances their utility in both inpatient and outpatient settings, especially within emergency and ICUs. The increasing rates of hospital admissions for cardiac conditions, combined with the emphasis on early detection and timely intervention, position hospitals as the predominant end users of ECG technologies; this trend is a key driver of overall market expansion in the diagnostic ECG market.

By geography, the diagnostic ECG market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The North American market has successfully secured a substantial share, driven by several key factors. One major contributor is the growth in the geriatric population, which is leading to an increased demand for healthcare services and diagnostic tools. Alongside this demographic shift, there has been a notable rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases, such as CVDs and diabetes, that require regular monitoring and management through advanced diagnostic ECG solutions. Additionally, the enhancement of healthcare infrastructure in the region plays a crucial role in facilitating better access to these diagnostic services. Hospitals & clinics are increasingly equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources, enabling healthcare providers to offer timely and effective care. Furthermore, supportive government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare accessibility also have a positive impact on the market. Policies designed to reduce barriers to healthcare services and promote innovative diagnostic technologies are helping to ensure that patients can receive necessary care without significant obstacles. The strategic expansion of key players in the North American market, which includes both established companies and emerging startups, is anticipated to further bolster market growth. The active presence of these industry leaders not only enhances competition but also drives innovation in product development, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike. Overall, these factors collectively signify a robust growth trajectory for the ECG diagnostic solutions market in North America.

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As of 2024, diagnostic ECG market was dominated by GE HealthCare (US), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Baxter (US), FUKUDA DENSHI (Japan), Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (China), NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION (Japan), OSI Systems, Inc. (US), Bittium (Finland), iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (US), Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (China), Midmark Corporation (US), BPL Medical Technologies (India), SCHILLER (Switzerland), ACS Diagnostics (US), Allengers (India), and Bionet Co., Ltd. (South Korea), among others.

GE Healthcare (US):

GE Healthcare is a well-established entity in the diagnostic ECG sector, boasting over 125 years of industry experience and a formidable reputation within the global healthcare landscape. The company effectively utilizes its extensive global footprint in medical technology, diagnostics, and digital solutions, catering to a diverse clientele across 160 countries while adhering to sustainable operational practices. Central to GE Healthcare's strategy is a robust emphasis on R&D to optimize existing offerings and innovate new products and services. This commitment allows the company to stay responsive to evolving customer demands and to capitalize on emerging market opportunities. In a notable move for 2024, GE Healthcare invested approximately USD 969 million to enhance manufacturing capabilities and local R&D initiatives in India over the next five years. The company's growth strategy encompasses a range of collaborations, agreements, expansions, and acquisitions to strengthen its operational reach and market presence. These strategic endeavors not only expand the product portfolio but also fortify the company's competitive standing in the market. In a recent development, GE Healthcare partnered with the Mayo Clinic in September 2023 to leverage advanced technologies and improve the precision of diagnostics and treatment processes for healthcare providers.

Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands)

Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Royal Philips) serves as the parent organization of the Philips Group, strategically operating across four core domains: Personal Health, Diagnosis & Treatment, Connected Care, and Others. Within the Connected Care segment, Philips provides advanced diagnostic solutions, including cardiographs, Holter monitoring systems, and stress-testing ECGs. The company's growth strategy is heavily centered on forming strategic partnerships in high-potential markets and fostering collaborative efforts to drive innovation. A notable example of this approach is the 2023 partnership with NYU Langone Health to leverage innovative technologies and enhance patient care over an eight-year span. Additionally, in January 2025, Philips is set to present its latest innovations at Arab Health 2025. These advancements emphasize the integration of smart systems, automation, and cloud-based informatics into healthcare delivery, targeting reductions in clinician workload and improvements in operational workflows, ultimately leading to enhanced patient outcomes. Key subsidiaries within the Philips ecosystem include Philips Oral Healthcare, LLC (US), Philips GmbH (Germany), Philips Ultrasound, Inc. (US), and Philips Consumer Lifestyle B.V. (Netherlands). The company maintains a comprehensive operational footprint across North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. (China)

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics is a prominent entity in the diagnostic ECG segment, distinguished by its diverse operational structure across three primary business verticals: Patient Monitoring and Life Support, In-vitro Diagnostics, and Medical Imaging Systems. Within the Patient Monitoring & Life Support sector, the company delineates its offerings into Patient Monitoring Systems, ECG devices, and ancillary products. Mindray dedicates more than 10% of its revenue to R&D, which underpins its commitment to innovation and sustains a formidable portfolio of over 3,000 patents. This investment not only fuels technological advancement but also strengthens its competitive edge. The company has also established strategic partnerships to enhance its market penetration and product offerings. Notably, its collaboration with Amazon Business facilitates improved access to medical equipment for healthcare systems, hospitals, and practitioners, streamlining procurement and distribution channels in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

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Related Reports:

Cardiac Monitoring & Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market

Patient Monitoring Devices Market

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MRI Systems Market

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MILAN, IT / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Baglioni Hotel Luna, the exclusive five-star property overlooking the Venice lagoon, proudly announces the grand opening of Santo Mare, an innovative seafood restaurant reimagining authentic Italian fishmonger traditions through a contemporary culinary lens. This brand forms part of a high-profile global collection of restaurant brands by Reitano Food.

Santo Mare Restaurant



Santo Mare welcomes both hotel guests and the public to indulge in a refined gastronomic journey celebrating the treasures of the sea. The restaurant's concept revolves around daily-selected seasonal catches that take center stage in every meticulously crafted dish.

"Santo Mare represents our commitment to authentic Italian culinary excellence while embracing modern sensibilities," affirmed Domenico Forte, Director of Operations for Europe at The Palace Company, "We've created a space where the remarkable bounty of Italian waters can be showcased in its purest form, and we are delighted to announce this collaboration, as it allows us to offer exceptional experiences to our guests and welcome both local and external visitors."

The intimate, elegantly appointed dining room draws inspiration from Italy's rich maritime heritage. In a unique interactive experience with a fishmonger concept, guests may select their preferred fish directly from the restaurant's display case, sourced exclusively from Italian waters, before expert chefs transform it into dishes that honor the essential character of each ingredient.

Santo Mare's menu features standout specialties including Mediterranean red tuna tartare and Sicilian red prawn carpaccio. First courses showcase lobster linguine and tagliolini with scampi and mint, while mains include a masterfully revisited salt-crusted sea bass. An expertly curated selection of fine Italian wines complements the seafood-focused offerings.

This new dining venue strengthens Baglioni Hotel Luna's position as a premier luxury destination in Venice, adding a signature restaurant that promises authenticity, elegance, and unforgettable flavors to the hotel's already impressive amenities.

Reitano Food is an international hospitality group founded by Andrea Reitano, known for bringing Italian culinary projects to life in some of the world's most iconic destinations. With a focus on authenticity, carefully sourced ingredients, and contemporary hospitality, the group champions a vision of dining that blends tradition with modern sensibility. With established brands such as Santo Mare, already present in London, and Forte dei Marmi in Miami, Reitano Food celebrates the richness of Italian cuisine by offering memorable experiences in exceptional settings.

For reservations or additional information, please contact: venice@santomare.com

About Baglioni Hotels & Resorts

Baglioni Hotels & Resorts is a luxury brand of The Palace Company and offers exceptional experiences with signature Italian style. The Baglioni Collection includes unique city hotels in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice, and nature-rich resorts in Puglia, Sardinia, and the Maldives.

The Palace Company is a global leader in luxury hospitality and comprises four distinct brands: Baglioni Hotels & Resorts. Le Blanc Spa Resorts, Palace Resorts, and Moon Palace Resorts.

SOURCE: The Palace Company

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CHICAGO, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Cyber Security Market size is projected to be valued at USD 272.62 billion in 2025 and reach USD 500.70 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.9% according to a new report by The Research Insights. The market is driven by the rising frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, increasing adoption of cloud services and remote work models, and growing regulatory compliance requirements across industries.

The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. In general, the Cyber Security Market growth of 12.9% comprises a vast array of Offering, Security, Deployment, Organization Size, Solution, End Use, and Geography which are expected to register strength during the coming years.

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Market Overview and Growth Trajectory:

Cyber Security Market Growth: According to an exhaustive report by The Research Insights, the Cyber Security Market is experiencing significant growth. The global cybersecurity market expands due to a blend of distinctive and prevailing factors that illustrate ongoing transformations in the digital world. The rapid expansion of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) along with sophisticated cyber threats forces organizations to make substantial investments in advanced threat detection and response solutions. The shift toward remote and hybrid work structures has widened attack surfaces which boosts the requirement for zero-trust security systems and endpoint protection solutions. Security tools are increasingly implementing artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to achieve predictive analytics and real-time threat mitigation. Businesses face increasing pressure to improve their data privacy and compliance capabilities due to new regulatory standards such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California along with developing frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region. The increased linking of IoT devices with digital critical infrastructure systems in healthcare and energy sectors demands stronger cybersecurity frameworks. Nation-state cyber warfare escalation along with growing geopolitical cyber tensions makes cybersecurity a strategic priority for both public and private sectors which boosts global market expansion.

Rising Frequency and Sophistication of Cyber Threats:

The cybersecurity market grows because cyber threats become more numerous and complex while having greater impact across different sectors and industries. Organizations worldwide face relentless attacks from cyber threats including phishing attempts and ransomware as well as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs). The exposure of weaknesses in well-regulated industries such as healthcare and finance occurred due to high-profile cybersecurity events like ransomware attacks on essential services and substantial data breaches that impacted millions of individuals. Organizations must now allocate resources toward sophisticated cybersecurity solutions capable of real-time threat detection and response because cybercriminals are advancing their attack methods through artificial intelligence (AI), automation and social engineering techniques. The evolving threat landscape creates rising demand for endpoint protection and network security systems alongside threat intelligence solutions and incident response platforms as well as Security Operations Center (SOC) services.

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Expanding Digital Transformation and Cloud Adoption:

Digital transformation efforts worldwide expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic creating a much larger cybersecurity attack surface. The implementation of cloud computing together with remote work practices and BYOD policies along with IoT deployments and SaaS offerings creates novel vulnerabilities which serve as new access points for cyber intrusions. These technologies deliver operational efficiency and scalability benefits but create additional challenges for security monitoring and risk management. Enterprises are adopting cloud-native security systems together with identity and access management (IAM), Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) approaches due to increasing security demands. The design of these frameworks aims to protect distributed environments without traditional perimeters and maintain security policy compliance for users and assets wherever they exist. The shift toward modern security solutions creates significant opportunities for both established security providers and new cybersecurity startups.

Regulatory Pressure and Compliance Requirements:

Global cybersecurity legislation and compliance standards growth serves as a major factor that boosts market demand. National governments alongside regulatory organizations have established strict data protection regulations to protect the information of both individuals and companies. Organizations must implement strong cybersecurity practices to meet requirements set by frameworks including Europe's GDPR and CCPA in California as well as HIPAA and PCI DSS standards for specific industries. Failure to comply with regulations can trigger major penalties from authorities while also exposing organizations to legal challenges and reputational harm that leads to decreased customer confidence. Enterprises allocate significant resources toward cybersecurity infrastructure alongside auditing and governance systems to achieve compliance standards. Organizations deploy encryption tools and data loss prevention (DLP) systems while establishing audit logging systems and providing cybersecurity training for employees. National cybersecurity strategies combined with rising geopolitical tensions drive public and private sectors to improve their digital defenses which enhances market growth.

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Geographical Insights:

North America's cyber security sector continues to expand rapidly while its projected revenue share exceeds 34% by 2024. Dynamic technological advancements in big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) within the region serve as the driving force behind growth. The expanding operations of IT firms and their business diversification make endpoint device protection an essential priority. The market continues its expansion because government programs work to increase cyber security awareness among organizations while promoting the adoption of strong protective measures. The North America cyber security market will continue to evolve under the influence of these factors in upcoming years.

The European cybersecurity industry is expected to undergo significant growth throughout the forecasted time frame. The industry enjoys substantial growth due to increased IT infrastructure development along with rising internet penetration rates and widespread adoption of connected devices and endpoints. The UK cyber security market stands out for its swift expansion because of the rapid adoption of digital technologies alongside the widespread use of connected devices and endpoint devices in extensive organizational networks.

The cybersecurity market in the Asia Pacific region is experiencing potential growth due to the rise of data centers and cloud technology adoption. The growth of cyber security positions along with the widespread adoption of IoT devices serve as additional driving forces for this expansion. The region benefits from market expansion because many organizations there have developed innovative cyber security solutions that feature automatic vulnerability detection capabilities.

Global Cyber Security Market Segmentation and Geographical Insights:

Based on Offering, the cybersecurity market is divided into, Hardware, Software, and Services. The market saw significant growth in 2024, with the hardware segment leading the way, accounting for over 55% of global revenue.

Based on Security, the cybersecurity market is divided into, Endpoint security, Cloud Security, Network Security, Application Security, Infrastructure Protection, Data Security, and Others. The infrastructure protection segment dominates the market with substantial revenue share by 2024.

Based on Deployment, the cybersecurity market is divided into, Cloud and On-premises. The rise of remote work has significantly impacted the cloud computing market, with 2024 witnessing a substantial surge in its adoption.

Based on Organization Size, the cybersecurity market is divided into, Large Enterprises, and SMEs. The largest share of the market revenue in 2024 was held by large enterprises, driven by increased investment in IT infrastructure to bolster digital security and safeguard vast amounts of data storage.

Based on Solution, the cybersecurity market is divided into, Unified Threat Management (UTM), Intrusion Detection System/Intrusion Prevention System (IDS/IPS), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Identity and Access Management (IAM), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), DDoS, Risk and Compliance Management, AND Others. In 2024, the Identity and Access Management (IAM) segment dominated the market in terms of revenue share, showcasing its significance in mitigating identity theft through robust risk-based programs.

Based on End Use, the cybersecurity market is divided into, IT and Telecommunications, Retail and E-Commerce, BFSI, Healthcare, Government and Defense, Manufacturing, Energy and Utilities, Automotive, Marine, Transportation and Logistics, and Others. The IT and telecommunications sector is experiencing significant growth, but also intensifying threats.

The Cyber Security Market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

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Key Players and Competitive Landscape:

The Global Cyber Security Market is characterized by the presence of several major players, including:

Fortinet, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Microsoft

BAE Systems Plc

Broadcom, Inc.

Centrify Corporation

Check Point Software Technology Ltd.

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

Proofpoint, Inc.

Sophos Ltd.

These companies are adopting strategies such as new product launches, joint ventures, and geographical expansion to maintain their competitive edge in the market.

Global Cyber Security Market Recent Developments and Innovations:

In January 2025 : The U.S. government introduced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark which serves as a cybersecurity safety label for smart consumer devices including security cameras and TVs along with appliances and fitness trackers. The label allows consumers to recognize secure NIST-approved internet-connected devices for home safety.

: The U.S. government introduced the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark which serves as a cybersecurity safety label for smart consumer devices including security cameras and TVs along with appliances and fitness trackers. The label allows consumers to recognize secure NIST-approved internet-connected devices for home safety. In Dec 2024 : Wipro and Netskope, Inc. joined forces to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities for worldwide companies. The CyberTransformSM Optimization Service from Wipro uses Netskope, Inc.'s technology to enable organizations to evaluate and streamline their cybersecurity investments while enhancing cost efficiency and business performance. Through this partnership Wipro offers customized SASE solutions and financial evaluations which bolsters its dedication to innovative and cost-effective security solutions.

: Wipro and Netskope, Inc. joined forces to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities for worldwide companies. The CyberTransformSM Optimization Service from Wipro uses Netskope, Inc.'s technology to enable organizations to evaluate and streamline their cybersecurity investments while enhancing cost efficiency and business performance. Through this partnership Wipro offers customized SASE solutions and financial evaluations which bolsters its dedication to innovative and cost-effective security solutions. In October 2024: Atlas Systems introduced ComplyScore which serves as a cybersecurity software to help mid-to-large companies reduce security risks. The company initially targets the healthcare industry because of its potential for strong growth opportunities. ComplyScore enables organizations to recognize and evaluate risks and then implement mitigation strategies across various dimensions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the forecasted market size of the Cyber Security Market in 2030?

 The forecasted market size of the Cyber Security Market is USD 500.70 billion in 2030. Who are the leading players in the Cyber Security Market?

 The key players in the Cyber Security Market include, Fortinet, Inc.; IBM Corporation; Microsoft; BAE Systems Plc; Broadcom, Inc.; Centrify Corporation; Check Point Software Technology Ltd.; Palo Alto Networks, Inc.; Proofpoint, Inc.; Sophos Ltd. What are the major drivers for the Cyber Security Market?

 Several key factors are driving this expansion, including the increasing adoption of cloud services and remote work models. Which is the largest region during the forecasted period in the Cyber Security Market?

 North America's cyber security sector continues to expand rapidly while its projected revenue share exceeds 34% by 2024. Which is the largest segment, by offering, during the forecasted period in the Cyber Security Market?

 The market saw significant growth in 2024, with the hardware segment leading the way, accounting for over 55% of global revenue.

Conclusion:

The fast pace of digital transformation throughout various industries alongside increasingly complex cyber threats fuels the growth of the global cybersecurity market. The growing dependence on cloud services alongside IoT technology and remote work conditions demands strong adaptive security systems. Organizations in different sectors are implementing AI-enabled threat detection alongside behavioral analytics and zero-trust architecture models to effectively address emerging dangers. A shortage of cybersecurity professionals results in growing demand for automated security systems and managed security services. The development of stronger regulatory structures alongside data protection legislation compels enterprises to allocate more resources toward compliance-oriented cybersecurity systems. The essential integration of cybersecurity into core digital strategies becomes critical for businesses prioritizing resilience because it establishes digital trust and sustainable growth as fundamental components in the global interconnected economy.

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The report from The Research Insights, therefore, provides several stakeholders- governments, enterprises, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and educational institutions -with valuable insights into how to successfully navigate this evolving market landscape and unlock new opportunities.

With projected growth to US$ 500.70 billion by 2030, the Global Cyber Security Market represents a significant opportunity for cybercriminals, hacktivists, state-sponsored attackers, insider threats, and rogue developers.

Check out more related studies published by The Research Insights:

Europe Cyber Security Market - The European cyber security landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years, with the market poised to reach USD 60.0 billion by 2023. As a result, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this sector is projected to surge at 12.3% from 2024 to 2030. This upward trend can be attributed to the increasing number of reported cyber-attacks globally, as well as the growing adoption of e-commerce and online payment applications.

The European cyber security landscape has evolved significantly over the past few years, with the market poised to reach USD 60.0 billion by 2023. As a result, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this sector is projected to surge at 12.3% from 2024 to 2030. This upward trend can be attributed to the increasing number of reported cyber-attacks globally, as well as the growing adoption of e-commerce and online payment applications. Cyber Security Training Market - The global cyber security training market size was estimated at USD 4.53 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17.4% from 2024 to 2030. As the reliance on unsecured networks, human factors, and technological gaps continues to increase, a multitude of cybersecurity challenges are emerging, including cyber infrastructure damage, data theft, device compromise, and security breaches that pose significant threats to organizational, national, and economic stability.

The global cyber security training market size was estimated at USD 4.53 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 17.4% from 2024 to 2030. As the reliance on unsecured networks, human factors, and technological gaps continues to increase, a multitude of cybersecurity challenges are emerging, including cyber infrastructure damage, data theft, device compromise, and security breaches that pose significant threats to organizational, national, and economic stability. Healthcare Cyber Security Market - The global healthcare cybersecurity market is poised for significant growth, driven by the escalating threat landscape and rising concerns over patient data privacy and security. As of 2023, the market size stands at USD 17.3 billion, with a projected CAGR of 18.5% from 2024 to 2030. The increasing number of cyber-attacks, particularly in the healthcare sector, has become a pressing concern, prompting hospitals and medical institutions to invest heavily in advanced cybersecurity solutions

The global healthcare cybersecurity market is poised for significant growth, driven by the escalating threat landscape and rising concerns over patient data privacy and security. As of 2023, the market size stands at USD 17.3 billion, with a projected CAGR of 18.5% from 2024 to 2030. The increasing number of cyber-attacks, particularly in the healthcare sector, has become a pressing concern, prompting hospitals and medical institutions to invest heavily in advanced cybersecurity solutions Cyber Security Services Market: The Global Cyber Security Services Market is expected to reach at USD 156.76 billion by 2030, according to a new report by The Research Insights. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 13.6% during the forecast period. The pressing need to address vulnerabilities in web applications and mobile apps, as well as mitigate data loss risks associated with cybercrimes, is expected to drive the adoption of cyber security services over the forecast period.

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HERSHEY, PA / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) released its 2024 Responsible Business Report, providing an update on the company's progress towards business resilience. The report outlines how the company is implementing responsible and sustainable practices across its value chain, operations and communities.

"At Hershey, our vision of being a Leading Snacking Powerhouse is driven by our unwavering focus on creating moments of goodness for our customers and consumers, the communities where we work and live, and the planet that sustains us all," said Michele Buck, Chairman, President and CEO of The Hershey Company. "Bringing goodness to the world is what we are built to do, and we've been doing it for more than 130 years."

Building Resilience Throughout the Value Chain

Hershey is working with industry, civil society and government partners to build resilience throughout its value chain.

Improving farmer livelihoods: The Hershey Income Accelerator Program expanded significantly in 2024, nearly doubling the number of farming families receiving cash incentives to 3,492, measurably reducing poverty, growing income and increasing the number of participants with savings according to an independent study.

Developing long-term relationships with farming cooperatives: Hershey signed a groundbreaking five-year agreement with nine cocoa-producing cooperatives in Cote d'Ivoire aimed at partnering to improve cocoa farming by investing in community-based resources that improve household well-being, preserving the environment and strengthening farm resilience, and enhancing cooperatives' profitability and entrepreneurial skill building.

Advancing living wage and income initiatives: Hershey advanced its living wage initiatives through new benchmarking partnerships and leadership roles in developing industry-wide wage mapping tools. These efforts aim to ensure fair wages for workers throughout the supply chain.

Operating Efficiently and Reducing Waste

Environmental stewardship is integral to Hershey's strategy, from driving operational efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reducing materials and waste.

Progress on Science-Based Targets: Hershey has achieved a total reduction of 1.6 million metric tons of carbon vs 2023 and a 33% reduction in forest, land and agriculture emissions from 2018.

Transition to renewable energy: The company sourced 83% of its electricity from renewable and zero-emission sources.

Water conservation efforts: Hershey exceeded its goal of reducing absolute water consumption by 20%, against a 2018 baseline, in priority facilities where water is most scarce.

Material Reduction: As part of its efforts to reduce packaging material, two million pounds of packaging were eliminated in 2024.

Engaging with Communities

Hershey actively supports the well-being and development of the communities where it operates.

Community Donations: Hershey has contributed more than $130 million in cash and products to community partners focused on education, community economic development, inclusive communities and health and human services where we live and work.

Employee Volunteerism: Hershey employees volunteered more than 101,000 hours in 2024, supporting various community initiatives. This volunteerism demonstrates the company's commitment to giving back and making a positive impact.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness through its iconic brands. With more than 20,000 remarkable employees worldwide, Hershey delivers delicious, high-quality products across approximately 70 countries, generating over $11.2 billion in annual revenues. The company's portfolio includes beloved chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Shaq-a-licious alongside popular salty snacks including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.

For more than 130 years, Hershey has been committed to operating responsibly and supporting its people and communities. The candy and snack maker's founder, Milton Hershey, created Milton Hershey School in 1909, and since then, the company has focused on helping children succeed through access to education.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com.

Follow:

http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company

http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany

http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany

http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Hershey Company on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Hershey Company

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hershey-company

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: The Hershey Company

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/hershey-releases-2024-responsible-business-report-1039328
The Most Beautiful Race in the World Returns to Italian Roads





BRESCIA, Italy, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The countdown is almost over. The 1000 Miglia returns, 17-21 June with an eight-shaped route inspired by the epic pre-war editions, linking the eastern Adriatic and western Tyrrhenian coasts, besides the Brescia-Rome route and return.

1900 km and 5 racingdays for the 420 jewels of the world's only travelling museum. After leaving Viale Venezia in Brescia, the first leg will end in San Lazzaro di Savena(Bologna). On Wednesday, the cars will arrive in the capital, then, returning north, the third leg will end in Cervia-Milano Marittima. On Friday, the crews will cross Italy from east to west: reaching the Tyrrhenian Sea, the passage through the Naval Academy in Livorno will seal the partnership with the Italian Navy, showing the collaboration and closeness that the Armed Forces and Police have always reserved for the 1000 Miglia. In Parma, the conclusion of the fourth leg will precede the grand finale on Saturday 21st: from midday, the cars will return to Viale Venezia before waving goodbye to the public in Piazza Vittoria with a parade in the festive Festa della Musica atmosphere.

The 1000 Miglia 2025 convoy will be preceded by 123 Ferraris from the Tribute 1000 Miglia and 1000 Miglia Green electric cars, accompanied by the Politecnico di Milano's robo-driven cars. The project focuses on the introduction of autonomous driving for optimising urban transport.

The pre-race programme will start on Sunday 15 June with the inauguration of the 1000 Miglia Village in the historic setting of Piazza Vittoria: children from the "La 1000 Miglia goes to school" project will decorate the car dedicated to the initiative, travelling behind the convoy. The days will be entertained by Radio Deejay voices, whose official presenters will take turns along the route, recounting the race with their usual enthusiasm. The first edition of Talk 1000 Forme-Designed to win at the Teatro Grande and the preview screening of the film Fury&The Monster at the UNESCO site of the S.Giulia Museum will feature on Monday, while in the Village in Piazza Vittoria the cars will parade for the sealing ceremony.

The 1000 Miglia Charity Car, with La Zebra Onlus, will raise public awareness of the purchase of a latest-generation ultrasound scanner to be donated to the Children's Hospital in Brescia.

Press Office

+39 3316133162

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a370bd7-bf49-4a96-80ec-def141d44763
PolTREG Establishes U.S. Subsidiary Immuthera to Advance International Development Strategy

PolTREG established Immuthera (https://immuthera.bio/) in Delaware to expand its presence in the U.S. market.

A Pre-IND application was submitted to the FDA.

The Paediatric Committee (PDCO) of the European Medicines Agency issued a positive opinion on PolTREG's Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for PTG-007 in pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes (Stage 1).





Gdansk, Poland - 13 JUNE 2025 - PolTREG S.A. (Warsaw Stock Exchange: PTG), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for a range of autoimmune diseases, announces that it has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Immuthera, a United States C Corporation, in the state of Delaware. This is a further step by PolTREG to deepen its entry into the U.S. market.

"Over recent years, PolTREG has created a platform for the development of multiple cellular therapies: polyclonal Tregs, CAR-TREGs, mulit-eidited/allogeneic CAR-Tregs, antigen-specific Tregs, and mRNA immunotherapies, all informed by our clinical experience. To fully leverage our potential, we are focusing on the execution our growth strategy in the American market by systematically bringing existing therapies, and exploring new assets into the US. We have established partnerships with several renowned entities such as Noble Capital Markets, Inc., for strategic and financial advisory services. We have also formed a strategic cooperation with the Swiss company Antion Biosciences to develop the next generation of allogeneic TREG therapies" said Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski, CEO of PolTREG. "This expands PolTREG's project pipeline and enhances the company's attractiveness to potential strategic partners. Additionally, we with the U.S. company Kinexum Services LLC for strategic advisory regarding Immuthera's interactions with the FDA and the registration of TREG therapies in the United States. We submitted our Pre-IND meeting request to the FDA in mid-May," added Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski.

PolTREG is currently in discussions with leading American academic and clinical centers to establish collaborations and evaluate new technologies Immuthera has also begun the process of building a world-class Scientific Advisory Board comprised of globally recognized leaders in the Autoimmune and Neuroinflammatory disease.

In support of PolTREG and the launch of Immuthera, Dr. Dan Shelly, Chief Business Development Officer, and Dr. Mariusz Jablonski, Chief Business Officer, will participate in the upcoming BIO International Convention 2025, taking place from June 16-19 in Boston. At BIO Drs. Shelly and Jablonski will be promoting PolTREG's current clinical and developmental pipeline while also speaking to potential partners, collaborators, and investors for Immuthera.

In May, the Paediatric Committee (PDCO) of the European Medicines Agency issued a positive opinion on the Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for PolTREG's investigational somatic cell therapy product, polyclonal Treg lymphocytes (PTG-007), which is aimed to prevent symptomatic type 1 diabetes in children. The PDCO's positive opinion is based on PolTREG's original preTreg clinical trial protocol, initiated in October 2024, enrolling children aged 6-16 years with Stage 1 type 1 diabetes. In its assessment, the committee recommended broadening the eligible population to include patients aged 3-18 years suggesting that the agency believes this therapy is extremely safe. This positive opinion paves the way for potential marketing authorization in the EU.

To read more about the clinical trials PolTREG has completed, please click on: https://poltreg.com/tregs-therapy/publications

PolTREG manufactures its Treg therapeutics at its own GMP-certified manufacturing facility. It is the first company in the world to have administered Treg therapies to patients, and, under a hospital exemption valid in Poland, the first company to start receiving revenues from a Treg therapeutic for autoimmune disease. Its GMP manufacturing facility is one of Europe's largest and most advanced, boasting over 2,100 sqm of laboratory space, including 15 production lines.

PolTREG has the option to substantially expand the facility to accommodate manufacturing of next-generation engineered therapies and cell therapies. It can ship its wide range of cellular therapy products across Europe within 24 hours.

About PolTREG

PolTREG is a global leader in developing autoimmune therapies based on T-regulatory cells (Tregs). Its lead product, PTG-007, autologous Treg treatment for early-onset Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) is ready for Phase 2/3 clinical testing, for which the company is seeking a partnership. PolTREG has established a robust platform encompassing a wide range of cell therapy approaches, including polyclonal TREG, CAR-TREG, allogeneic TREG, antigen-specific TREG, and TCR-TREG therapies.

About Immuthera

Immuthera is pioneering novel cell-based therapies for clinical development in the United States and Canada. Immuthera will be clinically developing assets initially developed by PolTREG under the US FDA regulatory framework. Immuthera will have full access to PolTREG's Research and Development capabilities along with the ability to explore novel modalities developed by US Institutions. Immuthera is currently seeking investment to pursue the manufacture and clinical development of these assets in the United States.

For more information please visit www.poltreg.com



For further information please contact:



PolTREG S.A.

Prof Piotr Trzonkowski

Chief Executive Officer

ir@poltreg.com

+48 512 532 401



Important information

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Bure has today entered into an agreement to acquire 17.0 percent of the shares in Silex Microsystems AB ("Silex" or the "Company") for a total purchase price of SEK 917 million including expected transaction costs. The transaction is being carried out together with a consortium (the "Consortium") of long-term Swedish investors led by Bure and Creades, which collectively acquires 48.2 percent of the shares in the Company. Other members of the Consortium include Grenspecialisten, 3S Invest, SEB-Stiftelsen, and TomEnterprise. Together with the Company's founder and CEO Edvard Kalvesten and the management team, whose combined ownership amounts to 6.5 percent, the Consortium will thereby control 54.8 percent of the Company.

Silex was founded 25 years ago and is today a world-leading player in the MEMS foundry segment, i.e., the production of semiconductors with mechanically movable components. Through applications in areas such as medtech, data centers, telecommunications, and manufacturing/automation, Silex has established a broad customer base with a global presence. The company is headquartered and operates its production in Jarfalla, Stockholm. Since 2015, Silex has achieved an average annual revenue growth (CAGR) of 17 percent. For the full year 2024, the Company reported revenues of SEK 1,226 million and an operating margin (EBIT) of 28 percent. The agreed transaction values Silex at SEK 5.5 billion on a debt-free basis.

The current majority owner of Silex, Sai Microelectronics Inc. ("SMEI"), is a Chinese publicly listed company on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, which has held the majority of the shares in the Company since 2015. The background to the transaction is that a Swedish majority ownership will accelerate the Company's growth opportunities in light of an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, which are expected to be obtained during the third quarter of 2025.

In connection with the change in ownership, it is intended that Patrik Tigerschiold will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of the Company.

Patrik Tigerschiold, Chairman of the Board of Bure, comments: "We are very pleased that the world-leading semiconductor company Silex is returning to Swedish majority ownership. The Company is an excellent addition to Bure's portfolio - a leading high-tech company active in a growing niche market, with long-standing customer relationships and a proven track record of profitable growth under the leadership of strong entrepreneurs. We look forward to supporting Silex's continued development together with the Company's management."

In connection with the transaction, the Consortium has engaged SEB Corporate Finance, law firm Cederquist, and EY-Parthenon as advisors on financial, legal, and tax matters.

For more information, contact

Patrik Tigerschiold, Chairman

Tfn 08-614 00 20

Henrik Blomquist, CEO

henrik.blomquist@bure.se

Telephone: +46 (0) 70 824 44 74

This information is information that Bure Equity AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2025-06-13 18:00 CEST.
China-Japan media salon held to promote cultural exchange

Xinhua) 14:18, June 13, 2025

TOKYO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Around 130 representatives from the media and cultural industries of China and Japan have gathered at a media salon at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, focusing on the role of media in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Two panel discussions were held on Thursday under the themes "The Responsibility of Media in China-Japan Cultural Exchange" and "Cooperation in Content and Cultural Industries."

Media professionals from both countries emphasized the importance of maintaining objectivity, fairness, and rationality in the face of a complex media landscape.

They advocated for more diverse reporting, face-to-face interactions, and on-site interviews to foster mutual understanding and accurately portray the diversity of both societies.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao highlighted the frequent coverage of China in Japanese media, reflecting strong interest in China and bilateral relations.

He stressed the critical role of media in improving mutual understanding and called on both sides to promote constructive and evolving perceptions.

Ambassador Wu also encouraged deeper engagement in cultural exchange and exploration of shared values and resources to advance a mutually beneficial relationship.

Shiro Nakamura, head of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, noted the long history of media exchanges between the two countries and their important role in fostering mutual understanding.

He underscored the increasing responsibilities of media in today's complex information environment and called for enhanced communication and respect to help improve and develop China-Japan relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - KAPA GOLD INC. (TSXV: KAPA) ("Kapa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its annual meeting of shareholders held virtually online on June 11, 2025 (the "Meeting"). The Company's shareholders voted in favour of all items put forward by the Board of Directors and Management.

At the meeting, based on proxies received the Company's shareholders re-elected all of Kapa's current board of directors, David Paxton, George Nicholson, Alexander Tsakumis and Joanna-Josephine Pantazidou.

Additionally, the Company's shareholders re-appointed Davidson & Company LLP as auditors, and approved the Company's the Stock Option Plan.

For additional information on these matters please refer to Kapa Gold's information circular available on the Company's website at kapagold.com or visit the Company's issuer page on SEDAR (SEDAR+).

About Kapa

Kapa Gold Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing its portfolio of high-potential gold projects in North America. The Company's flagship project, the Blackhawk Gold Property, aims to deliver significant shareholder value through strategic exploration and development initiatives. Kapa Gold is dedicated to responsible mining, sustainable growth, and contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.

To learn more, visit kapagold.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors

KAPA GOLD INC.

"David K. Paxton"

CEO and Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255503

SOURCE: Kapa Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Edgemont Gold Corp. (CSE: EDGM) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Jim Greig as a director of the Company effective June 10, 2025. Concurrent with Mr. Greig's appointment, Mr. Guido Cloetens and Mr. John Williamson have resigned as directors of the Company. The Company thanks Messrs. Cloetens and Williamson for their invaluable contributions.

Mr. Greig, CEO at Lannister Mining (NYSE listing pending) brings +25 years of experience in advancing and developing mineral exploration projects into production scenarios. He was a founding member, President and Director at Theis Gold (formerly Benchmark Metals), advancing a 5-million-ounce gold-silver project in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, he was a key member of the mine development team that advanced the 5-million-ounce Esaase Gold Project in West Africa. Jim brings comprehensive experience in mineral exploration, development, and production.

About Edgemont

Edgemont holds a 100% interest in the Dungate copper/gold porphyry project located just 6 km south of Houston, BC, in a region with a history of successful mining projects including the Equity Silver Mine and Imperial Metals' Huckleberry Mine. The Dungate project is comprised of five mineral tenures covering 1,582.2 hectares that can be explored year-round by all-season roads. For more information, please visit our website at www.edgemontgold.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for

dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255514

SOURCE: Edgemont Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Badger Capital Corp. (TSXV: YVR) ("Badger" or the "Company"), a capital pool company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent dated June 12, 2025 that outlines the general terms and conditions of a proposed transaction that will result in a reverse take-over of the Company by Tiger Gold Corp. ("Tiger"), a mineral exploration and mining company. This transaction will constitute the Qualifying Transaction (the "QT") of the Company under Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies ("Policy 2.4") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V").

Tiger holds the exclusive option (the "Tiger Option") to acquire 100% of the Quinchia Gold Project and 90% of the Andes Gold Project in the Mid-Cacau belt in Colombia, known for its gold production and exploration potential.

Highlights

Large Historical Gold Resource: Historical estimates total more than 2 million ounces of gold across three deposits: Miraflores, Tesorito, and Dosquebradas. 1

Established Mining District: Located in Colombia's Mid-Cauca Belt, an established gold and copper producing region. 2

Permitted for Underground Development: The Miraflores deposit has an Approved Environmental License 3 and Mining Technical Work Program (PTO). 4

Open Pit Potential: All deposits mineralized to surface and remain open at depth and often laterally, enabling significant exploration upside potential and supporting flexible production scenarios.

District-Scale Growth Potential: Multiple satellite drill-ready exploration targets and new gold-copper discoveries.

Strong Community Support: 2022 Colombian Gold Symposium's ESG Award winner. 5

Updated Mineral Resources and PEA Underway: Historical data verification activities underway that will be followed by updated mineral resources that will form the basis for a PEA.

Tiger is a growth-oriented mining exploration and development company focused on advancing its flagship asset, the Quinchia Gold Project in the Mid-Cacau belt in Colombia. Tiger is incorporated in British Columbia and is led by a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals in exploration, geology, mining engineering, metallurgy, mine building, ESG, and corporate finance, with backgrounds at globally recognized mining companies including AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick Gold Corporation, Yamana Gold Inc., and B2Gold Corp. Tiger is led by President and CEO, Robert Vallis, who brings a strong record of strategic leadership and execution in the mining sector, including his role in the US$9.5 billion acquisition and integration of Placer Dome by Barrick, as well as the US$3.9 billion joint acquisition of Osisko Mining by Yamana and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

The Quinchia Gold Project includes three historical resources within a 3-km radius, including the Miraflores, Tesorito and Dosquebradas deposits. Over 54,300 metres of drilling has been drilled to date containing more than 2 million ounces of gold in historical mineral resources, including full permitting in place for an underground mine at Miraflores.





Figure 1

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The Quinchia Gold Project hosts a number of additional test-drilled and drill-ready targets including the recent discoveries, Ciebal and Chuscal, located near the Tesorito deposit.

The foregoing technical information regarding the Quinchia Gold Project is a historical resource estimate and a Qualified Person (QP) has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Tiger does not consider this a resource as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Tiger is currently updating the historical mineral resource estimates to current mineral resource estimates which will form the basis for a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) targeted for completion near the end of the third quarter of 2025. The PEA will form the valuation foundation for the Quinchia Gold Project's current status in support of the go-public event targeted for early-Q4 2025 and provide prescriptive direction for guiding the next stages of project study and de-risking work. Tiger also intends to initiate exploration programs and advance all other technical areas of the project, including permitting and stakeholder engagement.

Historical Mineral Resource and Reserve Disclosure

While the historical estimates on the Quinchia Gold Project were reportedly prepared in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves ("JORC Code") (2012) and/or CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines ("CIM Guidelines") in effect at the time, consistency with current standards is not assured. The Company considers these historical estimates to be relevant as they indicate the potential presence and scale of mineralization on the Quinchia Gold Project. The historical resource and reserve categories used are consistent with those defined in NI 43-101 and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves; however, a QP has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating them as current mineral resources or reserves.

The Company intends to undertake work programs to verify the historical data, assumptions, parameters, and modelling techniques used in the Miraflores, Tesorito, and Dosquebradas historical estimates, which are summarized below. Planned work programs for all three deposits described herein include sampling of historical core to confirm grades, database validation and verification to ensure data integrity, check surveys to verify drill hole locations, and updated geological modeling to align with NI 43-101 and CIM Guidelines.

Miraflores Deposit

Source and Date

The historical Mineral Resource estimate for the Miraflores Deposit was prepared by Metal Mining Consultants and reported by Metminco Limited on March 14, 2017, in accordance with the JORC Code (2012). A subsequent feasibility study containing a historical mineral reserve estimate was prepared by Ausenco Chile Ltda for Metminco Limited and Miraflores Compania Minera SAS, with an effective date of November 27, 2017.

Historical Estimate Details

Proven & Probable: 4.32 million tonnes @ 3.29 g/t Au and 2.77 g/t Ag (containing 457,000 oz Au and 385,000 oz Ag)

Measured & Indicated: 9.27 million tonnes @ 2.82 g/t Au and 2.77 g/t Ag (containing 840,000 oz Au and 826,000 oz Ag)

Inferred: 0.49 million tonnes @ 2.36 g/t Au and 3.64 g/t Ag (containing 37,000 oz Au and 57,000 oz Ag)

Key Assumptions, Parameters and Methods

Resource based upon 73 diamond drill holes (25,884 m) and 236 m of underground channel samples using an underground cut-off grade of 1.2 g/t Au. Reserve based upon a gold price of US$1,200/oz, silver price of US$18/oz, 31% dilution, and 92% gold recovery, utilizing a cut-off grade of 1.53 g/t Au. Stope optimization used Vulcan software and final underground design. Mineral Resources were reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. A QP has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The resource remains open at depth.

Tesorito Deposit

Source and Date

The historical Mineral Resource estimate for the Tesorito Deposit was prepared by Snowden Optiro (Datamine Australia Pty. Ltd) with an effective date of March 22, 2022, prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012), and reported by Los Cerros Limited.

Historical Estimate Details

Inferred: 50.0 million tonnes @ 0.81 g/t Au (containing 1,298,000 oz Au) using a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off. An additional estimate at 0.25 g/t cut-off: 134.3 million tonnes @ 0.53 g/t Au for 2.29 Moz Au was also reported. A QP has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

Key Assumptions, Parameters and Methods

Based upon 58 historical diamond drillholes (22,620 m). Pit optimization assumed US$1,800/oz gold price and other economic constraints. The resource remains open at depth and to the north.

Dosquebradas Deposit

Source and Date

The historical Mineral Resource estimate for the Dosquebradas Deposit was prepared by Resource Development Associates Inc. (RDA) with an effective date of February 25, 2020, prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012), and reported by Los Cerros Limited.

Historical Estimate Details

Inferred: 20.2 million tonnes @ 0.71 g/t Au (containing 459,000 oz Au) using a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off. A QP has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

Key Assumptions, Parameters and Methods

Based upon 19 historical diamond drillholes (8,824 m) with 25 m section spacing, defining mineralization over a 400 m x 300 m area from surface to ~550 m depth. Hosted in diorite porphyry and intrusive breccias. The resource remains open at depth and laterally.

Tiger Option Terms

The total consideration payable in order to exercise the Tiger Option is AUD $14 million (CAD $12.6 million), which includes AUD $7.5 million (CAD $6.75 million) in staged cash payments, following which title transfers, and an AUD $6.5 million (CAD $5.85 million) contingent production milestone payment, plus a 1% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") inclusive of a buyback option.

The key financial terms of the Tiger Option are set out below:

AUD $1 million (CAD $0.9 million) (Paid) (the " Closing ");

AUD $2 million (CAD $1.8 million) payable eight months following the Closing;

AUD $4.5 million (CAD $4.0 million) payable twelve months following the Closing;

AUD $6.5 million (CAD $5.85 million) due at first gold pour; and

a 1% NSR on future gold production from the Quinchia Project.

Upon completion of the QT, Badger will carry on the business of Tiger as a mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of the Quinchia and Andes projects in Colombia.

Terms of the QT

The QT is expected to be structured as a three-cornered amalgamation pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), whereby the Company will incorporate a wholly-owned subsidiary which will amalgamate with Tiger to form a new amalgamated company. In connection with the QT, holders of the common shares of Tiger (the "Tiger Shares") will receive one common share in the capital of Badger (on a post-Consolidation (as defined below) basis) (a "Resulting Issuer Share") for each Tiger Share held immediately before the completion of the QT.

Prior to completion of the QT, it is anticipated that Badger will complete a consolidation of its common shares at a ratio of 2:1 (the "Consolidation"). It is also expected that Badger will change its name to "Tiger Resources Corp.", or such other similar name as is acceptable to Tiger, the TSX-V and applicable regulatory authorities, and a new trading symbol will be assigned.

The QT is subject to the parties entering into a definitive agreement in respect of the QT (the "Definitive Agreement") on or before July 7, 2025, or such other date as the parties may mutually agree. Completion of the QT is also subject to a number of other customary conditions, including obtaining Tiger shareholder approval, TSX-V approval, and the Company introducing investors to Tiger subscribing for at least $1 million of the Initial Capital Raise (as defined below) and 30% of the Concurrent Financing (as defined below). It is not currently anticipated that the QT will require the approval of the shareholders of Badger, as it is not a Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction (as defined in Policy 2.4) or a related party transaction pursuant to the provisions of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions.

As at the date hereof it is not possible for the parties to definitively determine the aggregate number of Resulting Issuer Shares expected to be outstanding upon completion of the QT, nor the respective percentages of the outstanding Resulting Issuer Shares expected to be owned by the shareholders of Badger and Tiger, as such determinations will depend upon the Initial Capital Raise (as defined below) and Concurrent Financing (as defined below). A subsequent news release will be issued when the applicable information is available. There are currently 38,250,000 Tiger Shares outstanding. Non-Arm's Length Parties of the Company currently hold an aggregate of 1,040,000 Tiger Shares.

No finder's fee or commission is payable in connection with the QT. Additionally, no deposits, advances or loans have been made, or will be made, in connection with the QT.

Financings

In connection with the QT, Tiger intends to complete the following financings:

an initial private placement of equity securities at a price of $0.25 per security on or before July 15, 2025 (the "Initial Capital Raise"); and a subsequent private placement of equity securities either prior to or in connection with the completion of the QT, at a price to be determined prior to closing of the QT (the "Concurrent Financing").

The net proceeds raised by Tiger in the Initial Capital Raise and the Concurrent Financing will be used to fund the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in the project, for staged cash payments payable to the optionor under the Tiger Option within 12 months following the completion of the QT, for exploration and development of the Quinchia and Andes Gold Projects, to advance other project areas of the Quinchia Gold Project, and for general working capital purposes.

Tiger may pay finders' fees in connection with the Initial Capital Raise or the Concurrent Financing, the details of which will be disclosed in a subsequent news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Directors and Officers

It is anticipated that the board of directors of the Company will be reconstituted to comprise a slate of five directors, of which four directors will be appointed by Tiger and one director will be appointed by the Company. The names and backgrounds of the board and management of the Company appointed in connection with the QT will be disclosed in a subsequent news release once determined.

Trading in Badger Shares

Trading in the common shares of the Company (the "Badger Shares") has been halted in compliance with the policies of the TSX-V. Trading will remain halted pending the review of the QT by the TSX-V and satisfaction of the conditions of the TSX-V for resumption of trading. It is possible that trading in the Badger Shares will not resume prior to the closing of the QT.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship of a QT is required by the TSX-V unless a waiver from the sponsorship requirement is obtained. The Company intends to apply for a waiver from sponsorship for the QT. There is no assurance that a waiver from this requirement will be obtained.

Disclosure Pursuant to Policy 2.4

Completion of the QT is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSX-V acceptance and, if applicable, pursuant to TSX-V requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the QT cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the QT will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the QT, any information released or received with respect to the QT may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX-V has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed QT and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

In connection with the QT, the Company will issue a subsequent news release setting out further information as contemplated in Policy 2.4.

Qualified Person

Jim Currie, P.Eng., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and independent geological consultant to the Company, has reviewed and verified the technical information provided in this news release.

For further information, please see the Company's profile and documents available under the Company's name on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Neil Currie"

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Badger and Tiger with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: (a) expectations regarding the QT including, but not limited to, the timing associated with entering into the Definitive Agreement and the anticipated terms and conditions to be contained in the Definitive Agreement; the necessary shareholder and regulatory approvals and the timing associated with obtaining such approvals; the proposed change in name of the Company; the anticipated size and composition of the Company's board of directors following the QT; and the terms of the Initial Capital Raise and Concurrent Financing, including the size and timing associated with completing such financings; (b) the business plans and expectations of Tiger; (c) trading in Badger Shares and when such trading will resume, if at all; (d) the issuance of and timing associated with issuing a further comprehensive news release or news releases; (e) Tiger's completion of historical data verification activities and updated mineral resource estimates forming the basis of a PEA and the expected timing thereof; and (f) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the parties will be able to obtain the requisite regulatory, board, shareholder and third party approvals and satisfy the other conditions to the consummation of the QT on the proposed terms and schedule; that the parties will have completed satisfactory due diligence and enter into the Definitive Agreement within the expected timeframe; that Tiger will be able to complete the Initial Capital Raise and Concurrent Financing on the terms and conditions and within the timeframe expected; that the parties will be able to negotiate the Definitive Agreement as soon as practicable and in any event prior to July 7, 2025; that the Definitive Agreement will not be terminated prior to the closing the QT; that the QT will be completed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Definitive Agreement and within the timeframe expected; that no unanticipated events will occur that will delay or prevent the completion of the QT; and that Tiger will complete its planned historical data verification activities and prepare updated mineral resource estimates forming the basis of a PEA and on the timing anticipated.

Additionally, these forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Badger and Tiger and general market conditions. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect Badger and Tiger's respective management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Badger and Tiger believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: the ability to consummate the QT; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and Board approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the QT on the proposed terms and schedule; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the QT on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws and regulations both locally and in foreign jurisdictions; compliance with extensive government regulation and the costs associated with compliance; unanticipated costs; the risk that Tiger will not be able to complete its planned historical data verification activities and prepare updated mineral resource estimates forming the basis of a PEA on the timing anticipated or at all; the risks and uncertainties associated with foreign markets; and the diversion of management time on the QT. These forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Badger and Tiger and general market conditions.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Badger and Tiger have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. Badger and Tiger do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

1 A "qualified person" (QP) under National Instrument 43-101 has not done sufficient work to classify these historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

2 Mineralization hosted on nearby or adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties.

3 LCL Resources Ltd., October 16, 2023, May 3, 2024, Press Releases.

4 Agencia Nacional de Mineria (Colombia), Auto de Fiscalizacion Integral No. 582 de 2024, issued September 26, 2024

5 LCL Resources Ltd., November 11, 2022, Press Release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR

DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

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SOURCE: Badger Capital Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Glow Lifetech Corp. (CSE: GLOW) (OTC Pink: GLWLF) (FSE: 9DO) ("Glow" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has granted 3,050,000 stock options (the "Options") to various directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company. Each Option is exercisable at a price of $0.06 for one common share of the Company (each a "Common Share") for a period of five years from the date of grant and are being issued under the terms of the Company's Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Options, and any Common Shares issued upon exercise of the Options, are subject to a four-month and one day resale restriction from the date of grant.

The aforementioned grant of Options resulted in certain insiders of the Company receiving an aggregate of 2,400,000 Stock Options. The Company has relied on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), contained in section 5.5(b) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation.

SUBSCRIBE: For more information on Glow or to subscribe to the Company's mail list visit: https://www.glowlifetech.com/news.

About Glow Lifetech Corp



Glow Lifetech is a Canadian-based biotechnology company focused on producing nutraceutical and cannabinoid-based products with dramatically enhanced bioavailability, absorption and effectiveness. Glow has a groundbreaking, plant-based MyCell Technology delivery system, which transforms poorly absorbed natural compounds into enhanced water-compatible concentrates that unlock the full healing potential of the valuable compounds.

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255546

SOURCE: Glow LifeTech Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK) (OTCQB: PKKFF) ("Tenet" or the "Company"), an innovative analytics service provider, owner and operator of the Cubeler Business Hub, today announced that completing the audit of the Company's year-end 2024 financial statements (the "Financial Statements") would take longer than originally expected, in part due to the transition of the Company's operations in China and the impact on the Company's revenue, and the late start to the audit process affecting the availability of resources. The Company has now set the week of July 14, 2025 as the revised target date to complete the audit and filing of the Financial Statements following a recent meeting with the Company's auditors during which the matter was discussed.

Upcoming Cubeler Business Hub Improvements

Tenet would like to take this opportunity to thank all Cubeler Business Hub users who have provided, and continue to provide, feedback on their experiences with the platform. The information has been extremely valuable to the Company and has led to several improvements, particularly to the Networking and Insights modules, to be reflected in a relaunch of the platform this summer before its expansion to the United States. Tenet Chief Operating Officer, Mayco Quiroz, will be previewing some of the platform's new and improved features in a short recorded video to be released on June 20, 2025.

About Tenet Fintech Group Inc.:

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. is the parent company of a group of innovative financial technology (Fintech) and artificial intelligence (AI) companies. All references to Tenet in this news release, unless explicitly specified, include Tenet and all its subsidiaries. Tenet's subsidiaries offer various analytics and AI-based products and services to businesses, capital markets professionals, government agencies and financial institutions either through or leveraging data gathered by the Cubeler Business Hub, a global ecosystem where analytics and AI are used to create opportunities and facilitate B2B transactions among its members. Please visit our website at: https://www.tenetfintech.com/.

Follow Tenet Fintech Group Inc. on social media:

X: @Tenet_Fintech

Facebook: @Tenet

LinkedIn: Tenet

YouTube: Tenet Fintech

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tenet to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, holding company with significant operations in China; general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting the Company's business in China such as pandemics and COVID-19; legislative and/or regulatory developments; Global Financial conditions, repatriation of profits or transfer of funds from China to Canada, operations in foreign jurisdictions and possible exposure to corruption, bribery or civil unrest; actions by regulators; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; timing and completion of capital programs; liquidity and capital resources, negative operating cash flow and additional funding, dilution from further financing; financial performance and timing of capital; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Tenet with securities regulators in Canada. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in Tenet's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form, filed with Canadian securities regulators and available via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) under Tenet's profile at www.sedarplus.ca, for a description of major risk factors relating to Tenet. Although Tenet has attempted to identify certain 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.

Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255574

SOURCE: Tenet Fintech Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - Prospector Metals Corp. (TSXV: PPP) (OTCQB: PMCOF) (FSE: 1ET0) ("Prospector" or the Company") announces that it has granted a total of 2,800,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. Each option is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company for five years at a price of C$0.25 per common share in accordance with the terms of the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan.

About Prospector Metals Corp.

Prospector Metals Corp. is a proud member of Discovery Group. The Company is focused on district scale, early-stage exploration of gold and base metal prospects. Creating shareholder value through new discoveries, the Company identifies underexplored or overlooked mineral districts displaying important structural and mineralogical occurrences similar to more established mining operations. The majority of acquisition activity occurs in Yukon and Ontario, Canada - Tier-1 mining jurisdictions with an abundance of overlooked geological regions possessing high mineral potential. Prospector establishes and maintains relationships with local and Indigenous rightsholders and seeks to develop partnerships and agreements that are mutually beneficial to all interested parties.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Prospector Metals Corp.

Dr. Rob Carpenter, Ph.D., P.Geo.

President & 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255564

SOURCE: Prospector Metals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 13, 2025) - John McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, TMX Group, Luc Fortin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal Exchange and Global Head of Trading, TMX Group, and Kevin Sampson, President, The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited (CDS), along with members of CDS, closed the market to celebrate the completion of the complex Post Trade Modernization initiative.





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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcpm98Cxc5s

On April 28, 2025, CDS implemented upgrades to its foundational clearing technology, which included the replacement of certain legacy systems related to clearing and settlement, as well as depository and entitlement payments.

"Post trade modernization represents a game-changer for Canada's equities, fixed income and OTC clearinghouse and a key milestone in the evolution of TMX," said John McKenzie, CEO, TMX Group. "The launch of the new platform advances our core technology capability and ultimately strengthens Canada's ability to compete for global investment. TMX's investment in clearing technology also delivers on our enterprise wide commitment to ensuring these critical systems are efficient, resilient and adaptive. Above all, we are grateful for the contribution of our stakeholders in helping to vault Canada's markets to the front of the global pack."

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/255578

SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the "Company" or "Atico") (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) announces that, further to its press release dated June 9, 2025, it has entered into a term sheet with Trafigura PTE. LTD. (the "Trafigura") regarding an amendment and extension of the Company's existing secured credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Trafigura and certain subsidiaries of the Company, of which US$8.7 million remains outstanding (the "Principal Amount").

Pursuant to the term sheet, the Principal Amount will be repaid in two instalments of US$2.7 million on July 25, 2025 and US$6 million on December 30, 2026. The outstanding Principal Amount will bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 7.5%. In addition, the parties have agreed to an extension of the existing commercial concentrate purchase contract between the Company and Trafigura covering the purchase of 100% of the concentrate produced from the El Roble mine for two additional years, subject to a minimum tonnage of 32kdm per year.

Closing of the transactions is subject to finalization of definitive documentation, which will contain customary representations, warranties, covenants and conditions precedent to closing, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and is expected to occur on or before June 30, 2025.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.729.5765

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "confirm" and similar expressions, or the negatives of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified in such statement. Specifically, this news release includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements regarding: the expected terms contained in the definitive documentation and the expected closing of the loan refinancing with Trafigura including the timing thereof.

Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond Atico's ability to predict or control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the Company's outstanding debt, including amounts due and payable to each of Trafigura and Dundee Corporation ("Dundee") on or before June 30, 2025 and December 30, 2025, respectively, or the ability to successfully amend and extend the Credit Agreement and the convertible debenture with Dundee; the availability and cost of funds; uncertainties relating to the closing of the Trafigura loan refinancing, including delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals to complete the Trafigura loan refinancing; mining operations; market fluctuations in commodity prices; title risks and surface rights and access; changes in legislation; political instability; government or regulatory approvals; non-compliance with laws and regulations and compliance costs; environmental compliance; climate change; uninsured and uninsurable risks; water disposal, tailings and reclamation obligations; financing risks; risks associated with outstanding debt; global economic conditions; availability and costs of supplies; community relations; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; future production rates; labour relations; currency fluctuations; the Company may engage in hedging activities; infrastructure; exploration and development capital expenditures; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; concentrate sales risks; shortage of personnel; health and safety; pandemics, epidemics or infectious disease outbreak; physical security; conflicts of interest; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of Common Shares; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's business and the Offerings, including those described in the Company's public disclosure documents on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to, (1) the successful completion of the Trafigura loan refinancing; (2) the Company's ability to generate positive cash flows from ongoing operations at the El Roble Mine, including the ability to sell its mineral concentrates in inventory; (3) that all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of the Company's properties, (4) there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labor disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, non-renewal of title to the Company's claims or otherwise, (5) permitting, development, expansion and power supply proceeding on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, (6) currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, (7) certain price assumptions for copper, gold, zinc and silver, (8) prices for and availability of fuel oil, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels, (9) production forecasts meeting expectations, (10) the accuracy of the Company's current mineral resource and reserve estimates, (11) labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, (12) matters related to the ongoing dispute with the National Mining Agency in Colombia, and (13) general marketing, political, business and economic conditions.

Forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including without limitation, those referred to in the Offering Documents that may cause Atico's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If Atico does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Metavista3D Inc. (TSXV:DDD)(FSE:E3T) ("Metavista3D" or the "Company") announces that, as a result of a continuous disclosure review by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC"), the Company is issuing the following news release to provide clarity regarding its press releases of December 6, 2024, January 14, 2025, January 16, 2025, January 20, 2025, January 24, 2025, January 29, 2025, and February 18, 2025.

Automotive Industry and E-mirror System

On December 6, 2024, and January 29, 2025, the Company announced that it is engaging with automotive manufactures to provide innovative solutions for replacing traditional physical mirrors, on the basis that its patented technology solves the problem of "blind spots" when merging or changing lanes while driving, a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents.

The Company wishes to clarify that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently does not permit e-mirror systems under existing regulations, and the Company has not applied for, nor received, any approval, certification, or exemption from NHTSA for the use of its 3D e-mirror system in vehicles. The claim that the Company's patented technology eliminates physical mirror blind spots is based on research published in an academic paper authored by its Chief Technology Officer, and at this time has not been independently validated by third-party entities.

While the Company is optimistic about the potential application of its technology in the automotive sector, the e-mirror system is still under development. The Company has conducted internal tests to validate this application and has developed a demonstration unit, which was showcased at recent trade shows. The next key milestone in the technology's development is to secure a commercialization partner with industry-specific expertise to help bring the product to market and facilitate engagement with the TUV (Technical Inspection Association) in Germany. The TUV assessment process will involve rigorous testing so timing and outcome are uncertain. These results will help demonstrate the system's ability to meet established automotive safety standards, and form the basis for the application to the NHTSA, should such an application be warranted.

The Company is currently in discussions with automotive manufacturers regarding potential collaboration opportunities; however, no formal agreements have been entered into at this time. In the absence of support from a tier 1 of tier 2 automotive supplier, the Company does not currently intend to apply for approval, certification, or exemption from the NHTSA in respect of its e-mirror technology. The regulatory pathway for automotive integration of the e-mirror systems is complex and jurisdiction-specific. At this time, the specific steps, timeline, and costs associated with obtaining the necessary approvals remain uncertain and will depend on the requirements of both regulatory bodies and prospective commercialization partners.

3D Enhancement Capabilities with Apple iPhone

On January 16, 2025, the Company announced that it had introduced a proprietary technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which elevates the 3D capturing capabilities of Apple Inc.'s new spatial photo and video feature. The Company further announced that its patented solution overcomes the depth perception limitations of the iPhone and that the next step in development of the technology would be to have a Metavista3D display on the iPhone or other smartphones.

The Company acknowledges that Apple has not publicly disclosed or confirmed any such limitation in its hardware. Any reference to such limitations by the Company is based solely on internal interpretation and not on publicly confirmed data from Apple. The Company wishes to clarify that, while Metavista3D's stereo-based extension technology has been patented and described in an academic paper authored by the Company's CTO, it has not yet been validated by independent third-party reviewers.

At present, the Company does not have any formal relationship, partnership, or engagement with Apple in respect of the integration of the Company's stereo-based extension technology with the iPhone. Such integration would depend on access to Apple's proprietary hardware and software, which has not been granted. Absent a formal relationship, the specific steps, timelines, and cost estimates for integration are currently uncertain.

65-inch Super Multiview Display

On January 20, 2025, the Company announced the launch of its 65-inch Super Multiview nano lenticular display and included statements such as "groundbreaking," "significant leap forward," "trailblazer," and "we are excited to offer a product that not only meets the demands of today's consumers but also sets the stage for future innovations in spatial reality."

The Company wishes to clarify that the characterization of the 65-inch Super Multiview nano-lenticular display as "groundbreaking" is primarily due to its unprecedented size. Previously, Super Multiview displays were limited to much smaller formats, with optical elements produced using machines that could not exceed 43 inches. While the Company believes that the 65-inch Super Multiview display is a significant advancement based on publicly documented standards in existing commercial 3D display systems, no independent third-party validation of performance claims has been completed at this time.

Currently, the Company's focus has been on making 65-inch demonstration units available to potential customers and launch partners in order to generate bulk orders for the product. Selling demonstration units enables the Company to showcase its technology's capabilities to industry stakeholders, with the goal of driving sales of existing products or entering into a joint agreement to fund the capital expenditures required for large-scale manufacturing. The display is presently supported by general-purpose processors (GPUs) suitable for small batch deployment, prototyping, and demonstration purposes. To scale to full commercial production, the Company must port its software to dedicated hardware platforms such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits).

While the end use case remains the same, the choice between a FPGA and an ASIC based platform is primarily driven by the intended production scale and commercialization strategy. FPGAs are reprogrammable hardware platforms that allow for greater flexibility during development. FPGA-based implementations enable the Company to modify and update its software after deployment, so are well-suited for limited commercial production where speed to market and adaptability are critical. In contrast, ASICs are custom-designed chips that are manufactured for high-volume, cost-sensitive applications. Once they are fabricated, ASICs cannot be modified, but they offer significant advantages in terms of size and unit cost at scale. ASIC-based implementations are intended for large-scale commercial production, typically involving hundreds of thousands or millions of units, where efficiency and unit economics are key drivers.

The Company estimates that it will cost approximately $575,000 for the development of the FPGA-based implementation. For full-scale commercial manufacturing using ASIC-based hardware, the Company anticipates costs of approximately $5,000,000. This estimate includes not only the design and fabrication of custom chips but also the associated expenses for display hardware inventory, packaging, marketing, and other components required to scale and commercialize the 65" Super Multiview display. If the customer chooses a GPU-based software solution, meaning the software runs on a standard computer, the Company can fulfill the order with minimal lead time. However, if an FPGA-based solution is required, the estimated development and integration timeline is approximately nine months. For customers requesting an ASIC-based implementation, the estimated development and integration timeline is approximately twelve months, independent of any FPGA development.

The Company has identified an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and supplier of display systems to begin optimizing the Company's software in preparation for the FPGA development. The Company does not expect any supply chain constraints expected to impact delivery schedules or production planning, nor does the Company anticipate any certification or compliance requirements that would materially affect the timeline to bring the FPGA-based displays to market.

The Company has sufficient resources to support the development of its FPGA integration and the commercialization of its ASIC-based solution. However, the Company does not intend to proceed with a full-scale ASIC-based launch without first securing a suitable commercialization partner. This strategic decision is driven by the belief that partnering with a well-established brand with strong market recognition and an existing distribution network will significantly enhance sales potential. To that end, the Company intends to pursue a licensing or white-label model, under which its display products would be marketed under a partner's branding and distributed through their established sales channels. The Company cautions that there is uncertainty as to whether such strategic partnerships will be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all.

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

On January 14, January 24, and February 3, 2025, the Company announced the signing of memorandums of understanding (the "MOUs") between the Company and each of Caliverse Inc., Incari GmbH, and Brainbit, respectively.

The Company wishes to clarify that the MOUs are non-binding and represent expressions of mutual interest and intent to explore potential collaboration. At this stage, none of the MOUs include commitments to invest capital, share revenues, or otherwise undertake joint financial obligations between the parties. Pursuant to the MOUs, the Company agreed to deliver a prototype display on the specifications provided by each party to demonstrate the application to their stakeholders, research teams, and customers. Based on that feedback, each party and the Company will enter into an agreement specifying the number of units to be produced and the commercial terms relating thereto. Accordingly, key commercial terms such as pricing, delivery schedules, quantities, and other critical elements are still under negotiation and have not been finalized between the Company and each party.

Hong Kong Subsidiary

On February 18, 2025, the Company announced the establishment of a wholly-owned subsidiary, Metavista3D Asia Limited, in Hong Kong. The Company wishes to clarify that, while the establishment of its Hong Kong subsidiary is an important strategic initiative, the project remains in the early planning and development phase. The Company is currently in discussions with various stakeholders to determine the optimal operational and organizational structure for its presence in Asia. Accordingly, the Company has not finalized decisions regarding team composition, roles, or leadership. The office is not yet operational and is not expected to be fully functional until the end of 2025. The Company has not finalized a budget or financial projections, and to date, no material expenditures have been incurred. The funding requirements for the company will be assessed once the operational plan is established.

About Metavista3D

Metavista3D Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary psHolix AG, is developing AI-driven, pseudo-holographic display technologies aimed at enabling glasses-free 3D visualization of spatial content. The Company holds a portfolio of over 20 patents related to this technology. For more information, visit www.metavista3D.com.

Metavista3D's shares are publicly traded and listed in Canada on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol DDD, and on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt and others under the ticker symbol E3T.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey Carlson CEO

E: jeff@metavista3d.com

T: (702) 518-3220

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's business, assets or investments, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates.

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.

Investors are encouraged to read the Company's continuous disclosure documents which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Metavista3D Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/metavista-provides-disclosure-clarifications-1039558
Welcome to the dark, gritty world of Netflixs Rana Naidu. The violence shown in the show is at a different level with stunning cinematography, but has a middling emotional connect. read more

Director: Karan Anshuman, along with Suparn S. Varma and Abhay Chopra

Cast: Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh, Arjun Rampal, Kriti Kharbanda, Surveen Chawla, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee and Dino Morea

Not just Rana Daggubati, but Venkatesh, joined by Arjun Rampal, adds finesse to Netflixs Rana Naidu Season 2. The presence of these two actors has made the show bearable and has added a few layers to it; otherwise, Rana Naidu was all about fight, gore and sex. But the show no doubt lives up to the hype, and I must say Season 2 is slightly better than Season 1.

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Rana Naidu (Rana Daggubati) has a dysfunctional family, and all the members of his family are equally weird, just like him. Though he considers himself to be the most sorted, he has his dark sides too. Season 2 adds to the chaos of family, power, and personal demons.

A scene from Netflix Rana Naidu Season 2

Rana Naidu is a story about a family, but barring just a few scenes, it fails to connect with the normal people of our country. But then, why are we even expecting it from Rana Naidu when we all know that the show is all about high-octane drama and eccentricity?

But we cannot deny uncle-nephew duo Venkatesh Daggubati and Rana Daggubati along with Arjun Rampal as the villain, add to the chaos. Rana Naidu, created for India by Karan Anshuman, along with Suparn S. Varma and Abhay Chopra is a high-octane crime drama. Adding to the crime are Rajat Kapoor and Kriti Kharbanda, who are equally ruthless and cunning like Arjun Rampal and Rana Daggubati.

A scene from Netflix Rana Naidu Season 2

Unlike season one, where women had very little role to play, Kriti Kharbanda , plays the role of an equally sharp and self-assured business woman, Alia Oberoi. And a woman being self-assured is not a bad quality you see. Though often it is looked at as arrogance, this quality is way different from it. Here Kritis character manoeuvres a lot of things and gets Rana to her side. She is an ambitious woman who wants to take over the family and has the caliber to do it. Aditi Shetty as Jaffas (Abhishek Banerjee) girlfriend has a powerful role too.

But the Indian film industrys understanding that smoking and infidelity are qualities of a womans progressiveness is taken a step further by the character played by Surveen Chawla. One of the scenes shows that since she got to know that her husband cheated on her, she went ahead with another man in search of affection. Seriously, how frivolous can this be?

But despite all the machismo of Rana Naidu, the show is packed with intense action and complex drama. Netflixs Rana Naidu Season 2 is a one-time watch, but it deserves every bit of your time; binge-watch it or sit through all eight episodes at one go, just the way I did. But will Rana Naidus last fight save him from the clutches of the police? To find that out, you will have to watch the full show.

Rating: 2 and half out of 5

WATCH the trailer of Netflixs Rana Naidu Season 2 here:
More than 200 people were killed after an Air India plane crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, moments after take-off on Thursday. While the investigation will investigate why the AI-171 flight came down within seconds of lifting off, we take a look at what aviation experts have to say read more

A police officer stands in front of the wreckage of an Air India aircraft, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, which crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025. Reuters

India witnessed one of its worst aviation disasters in decades on Thursday (June 12) when an Air India plane crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad, moments after take-off. The AI-171 flight was headed to Londons Gatwick Airport.

However, soon after it was airborne, the plane came down into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabads Meghani Nagar. According to Air India, there was only a lone survivor in the deadly crash that killed the remaining 241 people onboard.

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While the investigation will find the exact reason behind the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad, we take a look at what experts have to say.

More from Explainers 'Stand ready to support': Boeing reacts to Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad

Visuals capture Air India flight crash

Purported videos of the Air India flight crashing into a fireball have emerged on social media.

Footage shows the AI-171 plane flying low over residential areas after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The last signal from the plane was received when it gained an altitude of 625 feet, according to Flight Radar. It then rapidly descended at a vertical speed of 475 feet per minute.

As the plane dipped further, its tail sank more deeply under its nose, noted CNN.

The Air India flight disappeared behind trees and apartment buildings. The clip then showed a huge explosion in the sky.

Other videos showed a huge plume of black smoke emanating near the Ahmedabad airport.

More than 200 people, including those on the ground when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel, have been killed. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was on the plane, is also among the dead.

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Inside view of a canteen building where the tail of an airplane stuck after it crashed in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, India, Thursday, June 12, 2025. AP

We are still verifying the number of dead, including those killed in the building where the plane crashed, Vidhi Chaudhary, a top Gujarat police officer, told Reuters.

The lone survivor onboard the ill-fated plane has been identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national. He told Hindustan Times, Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

BBC Verify, which analysed the CCTV footage, reports that the Air India plane was airborne for only 30 seconds.

Black boxes are key to investigation

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will investigate the Air India plane crash. Experts from the United Kingdom and the United States will join Indian investigators in the coming days to detect what brought the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner down.

This is the first time that a 787-8 Dreamliner has suffered a fatal crash since it began commercial operations in 2011.

Now, investigators will focus on the black boxes, or flight data recorders, and the debris of the aircraft to determine the cause of the tragedy. Black boxes contain vital information about the configuration of the aircraft, including the flaps and landing gear.

ALSO READ: A Manipuri airhostess, a Kerala nurse The victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash

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What could have caused the Air India flight crash?

The exact cause of the Air India flight disaster will be known only after a detailed investigation.

However, pilots and other aviation experts have conjectured about the possible reasons behind the crash.

Speculations have arisen that the plane, which a video shows is struggling to stay afloat, could have faced a double engine failure. But this is a very rare occurrence.

A senior pilot told the BBC that a double engine failure may have resulted from clogged or contaminated fuel. Aircraft engines depend on a fuel metering system, which, if blocked, could lead to fuel starvation and engine shutdown.

Videos show the Air India plane trying hard to lift off the ground, possibly due to a lack of thrust or power. As per the Indian aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilot of the Air India aircraft gave a Mayday call to the Ahmedabad air traffic controller (ATC) soon after the flight took off. But there was no response from the aircraft after that.

Another probable cause being discussed is a bird strike. This is when a bird collides with a plane, posing a serious threat to the aircraft.

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Speaking to Sky News, Dr Jason Knight, senior lecturer in fluid mechanics at the University of Portsmouth, said a bird strike could be a possible reason.

It is very unlikely that the plane was overweight or carrying too much fuel. The aircraft is designed to be able to fly on one engine, so the most likely cause of the crash is a double engine failure, he said.

Because the altitude was so low, the pilot would have had very little time to do an emergency landing. The most likely cause of a double engine failure is a bird strike.

A bird hit is rarely deadly unless it affects both engines, a senior pilot was quoted as saying by BBC.

Some experts have pointed towards the wing flaps of the Air India aircraft. Three experts told the British broadcaster that the aircrafts flaps were not extended during take-off.

Wing flaps help a plane create maximum lift at lower speeds. If they are not fully extended, the aircraft will face problems lifting off.

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According to an India Today report, the standard operating procedure for the 787 plane is to set flaps at five (or higher) for take-off. They are then gradually retracted as the aircraft gains altitude.

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein told Sky News about the Air India flight, Its clearly got its [landing] gear down and that is not correct it should have been up. And from the video its not immensely clear but it does look like the aircraft didnt have its take-off flap setting.

He admitted he was speculating, but it could explain why the aircraft came down as the aircraft would not have been able to maintain flight.

The video is not that clear, but it [the flaps setting] doesnt look right to me, he added.

The weather is also likely to be a part of the investigation. However, experts say that conditions in Ahmedabad were suitable for flight, thus it may not be a factor for the crash.

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With inputs from agencies
Bhoomi Chauhan was supposed to be on Air India Flight AI171 to London, but narrowly escaped death after she missed her flight by just 10 minutes. The London-based woman was visiting her family and was scheduled to return alone to the UK. She was caught in traffic and was denied boarding read more

Bhoomi Chauhan, the London-based passenger, who had been visiting India after two years, was scheduled to return alone to the UK on the fateful Air India plane tha crashed in Ahmedabad. Imagec courtesy: ANI

Call it a blessing in disguise, but Bhoomi Chauhan, a woman from Gujarat, escaped death by mere minutes.

She was scheduled to board Air India Flight AI171 to London, but missed it by just ten minutes. Moments later, the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people on board in one of the worst aviation disasters in Indias history.

I am thankful to God. My Ganpati Bappa saved me, Bhoomi told News18, standing outside her family home in Bharuch, her voice trembling.

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So what happened? Heres what we know

A narrow escape

On the day of the crash, Bhoomi Chauhan was rushing to board her flight to London when fate intervened in the most unexpected way.

Caught in heavy traffic on her way to Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Bhoomi arrived at the gate just minutes before departure. Frantic and breathless, she was stopped from boarding because she didnt have a printed copy of her boarding pass.

The flight was scheduled to take off at 1:10pm. The boarding procedure was over at 12:10pm and I reached at 12.20pm. I had reached the checking-in gate and requested them to allow me to board the flight. I told them I shall clear all the formalities quickly but they did not allow me to proceed, she told NDTV.

I missed the flight by only 10 minutes, she said, tears in her eyes. I pleaded, but they didnt allow me to board without the printout. I left the airport around 1:30 p.m. The flight took off around 1:38. It crashed just minutes later. I dont know how to explain what Im feeling.

#WATCH | Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, missed yesterday's flight, AI-171, which crashed and 241 of 242 on board, including crew members, lost their lives.



Bhoomi Chauhan says, "...We arrived at the check-in gate 10 minutes late, but they didn't allow me, and I pic.twitter.com/T1AqU9SSz0  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

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The London-based passenger, who had been visiting India after two years, was scheduled to return alone to the UK to join her husband.

I was getting ready to step out of the airport when I learnt about the crash. I began shivering. My legs started trembling. I felt numb for quite some time, she said. My mind is totally blank now after hearing all that has happened."

She has now reached her home in Bharuch. Now back home, the weight of what could have been is still sinking in.

Her mother, overwhelmed with emotion, told the news outlet that divine intervention had protected her daughter. We thank God for protecting my daughter. She left her child with me, and its all because of Gods blessings; because of that child, she is with me. By Gods grace, she returned home safely, she said.

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The flight Bhoomi missed, Air India AI171, was being piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned Line Training Captain with over 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.

The aircraft departed at 1:39 pm IST from Runway 23 and issued a Mayday call within minutes. It soon lost contact with Air Traffic Control and crashed just outside the airport perimeter, claiming 241 lives in a matter of seconds.

Air India plane crashs lone survivor recalls horror

Amid the overwhelming tragedy of the Air India crash, there was one miraculous exception  a single survivor.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was the sole survivor pulled from his seat 11A in the smouldering wreckage of Flight AI171.

There were bodies all around me, there were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance, Vishwash told News18, recounting the chaos that unfolded moments after the crash.

Recalling what happened in the moments after takeoff, Vishwash said, Within 30 seconds, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly."

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Vishwash is currently receiving treatment at the Civil Hospital in Asarwa, according to Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the hospital to meet him personally.

Vishwash, who grew up in India before moving to the UK, was travelling back home with his brother Ajay, who did not survive the crash.

With input from agencies
A black box has been recovered from the site where the Air India flight had crashed in Ahmedabad a day earlier. Notably, after a plane crash, the black box becomes a major part of the investigation. It records the final moments of the flight, capturing activity in the cockpit and aircraft systems second by second. Now that the black box from Air India Flight AI-171 has been found, it will be sent to a forensic lab operated by either the DGCA or the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for analysis read more

Out of the 242 on board, 241 lost their lives. Reuters

Every time a plane crashes, investigators begin searching urgently for the black box.

On Friday, one such box was found at the site where the Air India flight had crashed in Ahmedabad a day earlier.

The Boeing 787-8 had 242 people on board when it came down in the Meghani Nagar area of the city, crashing into the mess area of a medical college hostel.

Read Ahmedabad Plane Crash live updates

Out of the 242 on board, 241 lost their lives. Only one person survived. Another 24 people who were on the ground were also killed, bringing the total number of deaths to 265.

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But what exactly is a black box? Why is it so crucial? And what can it reveal about what led to the crash?

Lets answer these questions for you:

Explained: What is a black box?

Despite the name, a black box is actually a bright orange device made to survive severe crashes and fires.

Every commercial aircraft carries two of these recorders. Their use dates back to the early 1950s. The first flight recorder was created by Australian scientist Dr David Warren (1925-2010).

ALSO READ | The tragic story of a Rajasthan doctor couple, their 3 kids who were killed in Air India crash

The two black boxes found on any aircraft are the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR). The CVR captures all sounds in the cockpit, including pilot conversations, radio exchanges, alarms and mechanical noises. Meanwhile, the FDR logs key details such as altitude, speed, engine power and the planes flight path.

These devices are protected by strong casings designed to withstand explosions, intense heat, water pressure and high-speed impacts.

According to the American National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) website, depending on the incident, investigators may focus on sounds like engine noise, stall alerts or other unusual clicks. These sounds can help them work out the engines condition or whether any systems failed.

In 2014, NTSB investigators told the Associated Press that the flight data recorder stores up to 25 hours of data. This can include earlier flights within that period, which may sometimes hold clues to what caused a technical fault later on.

What does the black box contain?

A black box has four main parts: an interface for recording and playback, an underwater locator beacon, a crash survivable memory unit able to withstand a force 3,400 times greater than gravity, and the circuit board with its recording chip.

After a plane crash, the black box becomes the most important tool for investigators. Reuters

Why is it called a black box?

As per the Airbus website, long before David Warrens invention, French engineer Francois Hussenot had developed a data recording system in the 1930s. His device used sensors to project around ten flight details onto a strip of photographic film.

This film was stored in a container that blocked out all light. Because of its light-proof design, the container came to be known as a black box.

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Why black box is important in air crash

After a plane crash, the black box becomes the most important tool for investigators.

It helps reconstruct the final moments of the flight, capturing what took place in the cockpit and within the aircraft systems, second by second.

ALSO READ | Miracle survivor of Air India plane crash and other rare solo escapes from air disasters

This information is important for understanding what went wrong and for improving safety measures to prevent similar events.

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation requires every commercial aircraft to carry a black box. Today, even small planes are fitted with them.

These devices are made from tough materials like titanium or stainless steel so they can survive crashes, fire, and deep-sea pressure.

Across the world, black box data has helped solve major aviation accidents, from the Germanwings crash in 2015 to the Malaysia Airlines cases. In India, the investigation into the 2020 Kozhikode crash used black box data to piece together pilot choices and runway conditions at the time of landing.

One black box found: What happens next?

With the recovery of the black box from Air India Flight AI-171, the next step is to send it to a forensic lab run by either the DGCA or the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

At the lab, investigators will:

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Retrieve and study the data stored in the memory units

Match the cockpit voice with flight data recordings

Compare these with radar logs and Air Traffic Control (ATC) exchanges

In the coming days, the findings from these devices will be key to understanding the cause of one of Indias worst aviation disasters in recent times.

With inputs from agencies
At least 265 people have died after Air India flight AI 171 crashed into a students hostel in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the city today. What else is expected today? read more

Rescue personnel stand next to the wreckage of an Air India aircraft, bound for London's Gatwick Airport, which crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad, on June 12. Reuters

India is still reeling from the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. At least 256 are feared dead, and there has been one miracle survivor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the city today.

In other news, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is set to meet Nato head Mark Rutte today in Stockholm. Meanwhile, a court will begin trial for 15 individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams, in connection to gambling offences during the national election last year.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is set to visit Sweden today to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders. In India, a special task force is likely to begin functioning today to fight communal violence.

Here is all that is set to take place throughout the day.

PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Ahmedabad today, expected to arrive at 8:30 am. During his visit, the PM will inspect the Air India crash site and visit the Civil Hospital, where the injured are receiving treatment.

Home Minister Amit Shah rushed to the city yesterday. He said the temperature from the burning fuel was so high that there was simply no chance to save anyone. He spoke to the media hours after visiting the aircraft crash site and the hospital where the victims are admitted.

Swedish PM to meet Nato head Mark Rutte

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will host Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte for a bilateral meeting in Stockholm. The high-level engagement will be followed by a joint press conference.

According to reports, discussions are expected to focus on strengthening Natos collective deterrence and defence capabilities, particularly in light of the evolving security landscape in Europe. Both leaders will likely address Swedens contributions to the Alliance, which include plans to further increase defence spending and an offer to lead a new Nato battlegroup to be established in Finland.

The meeting comes at a crucial time, with Sweden having recently become a full member of Nato in March 2024.

The first court hearing in connection with charges related to the UK general election betting scandal will take place today. Fifteen individuals, including former Conservative MP Craig Williams and Welsh Senedd member Russell George, are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Conservative Party candidate Craig Williams speaks has been charged alongside 14 others with gambling offences. File image/Reuters

The Gambling Commission launched an investigation in June 2024 into these alleged cheating offences under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005. The charges suggest that individuals with insider knowledge placed bets on the timing of the 2024 general election before the date was publicly announced by then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. While political betting is legal in the UK, using insider information for such wagers is a criminal offence. The UKs gambling regulator filed a chargesheet against the individuals on April 16 this year.

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The scandal cast a significant shadow over the Conservative Partys election campaign and has prompted renewed debate about the ethics of political betting and the need for stricter regulations. If found guilty, those charged could face fines or prison sentences of up to two years.

Vietnamese Prime Minister set to visit Sweden

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will meet Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson along with members of the Swedish Royal Family today. Pham Minh Chinh is on a two-day visit to Sweden and has been present in the country since Wednesday (June 11).

The visit, marking the first by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Sweden in six years, is a significant event aimed at injecting new momentum into the bilateral relationship between the two nations. Discussions with the Swedish PM will likely cover deepening collaboration in key areas such as politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, environmental issues and climate change response.

Karnatakas Special Task Force to likely begin

The special task force formed to tackle communal violence will begin from June 13. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara is likely to launch the task force. According to an itinerary of the district minister, the special action force will be inaugurated at the Mangaluru Police Commissioners office.

According to a Deccan Herald report, the force will have three companies or units, which will be set up in DK, Shimoga and Udupi districts. The government order issued on May 28 stated that 248 officers, including a senior DIGP, will be a part of this force.

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These officers have been allotted by the Anti-Naxal Force.

With inputs from agencies
Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard, was killed in Israels attack on Iran. One of the most influential figures in the Islamic Republic, he was involved in Irans controversial nuclear programme read more

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami was killed in an Israeli strike on Friday. File photo/Reuters

Israels strikes on Iran are unprecedented. On early Friday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting the Islamic Republics nuclear sites. The attack was a big blow to Iran. It killed the countrys powerful Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami, local media reported.

Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regimes attack on the IRGC headquarters, the local Tasnim news agency reported.

The Mehr news agency carried a similar report.

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Who was Hossein Salami?

Iranian Major General Hossein Salami was the commander of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps . He was one of the most influential men in the Islamic Republic.

Salami was born in 1960 in Golpayegan, Isfahan Province, Iran. He first joined the IRGC in 1980 when the Iran-Iraq war broke out. He joined the Isfahan branch and fought against Iraq from Iranian Kurdistan and was soon promoted to commander.

After the end of the Iran-Iraq war, Salami completed a masters degree in defence management at the staff college of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. He went on to serve as head of operations at the IRGC joint staff from 1997 to 2005, according to counterterorism.com.

Over the years, he only rose further through the military ranks.

Salami was appointed deputy commander of the IRGC in 2009 after serving as commander of the IRGC Air Force for three years. On April 21, 2019, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameini promoted him to the rank of major general, appointing him commander-in-chief of the IRGC, the report says.

As head of the IRGC, he reported directly to Khamenei.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami is seen attending a ceremony to mark the fifth anniversary of the killing of senior Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani in a US attack, in Tehran, Iran, January 2, 2025. Reuters

Why was Hossein Salami a wanted man?

Salami has been a staunch opponent of both Israel and the US. He has been known for his involvement in Irans nuclear and military programmes. Since the 2000s, he has been sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council and the United States.

The UNSC was the first to impose sanctions on Salami in December 2006 for his involvement with Irans ballistic missile programme. The US government sanctioned Salami in October 2007 under an executive order, which specifically targeted the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters.

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The European Union sanctioned Salami along with seven other Iranian officials on April 12, 2021, for their response to the November 2019 demonstrations in Iran, according to counterterrorism.com.

In September 2023, French prosecutors filed a criminal complaint against Salami, IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Ghaani, and Iranian Intelligence Minister Smail Khatib for issuing death threats and justifying terrorism against people supporting Iranian protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, reports NDTV.

In April and October 2024, when Iran launched its first-ever direct military attack on Israel, deploying more than 300 drones and missiles, Salami was the head of the Revolutionary Guard.

In January last year, the commander appeared on IRGC-affiliated media touring an underground missile facility that had been part of Irans operations against Israel. The site was manufacturing new special missiles, semi-official Iranian media outlet Mehr News reported.

Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami and commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, visit an underground of the new missile city at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this picture obtained on January 11, 2025. Reuters

How Salami swore to act against Israel

Amid rising tensions with Israel, Salami said on Thursday, a day before he was killed, that Iran was fully ready for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.

The enemy thinks it can fight Iran the same way it fights defenceless Palestinians who are under an Israeli siege, he said, according to the BBC. We are war-tested and experienced.

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In March, he vowed swift retaliation against those who might attack Iran. If a threat is carried out, we will respond in the most severe manner  decisive, crushing and devastating.

When Israel hit Iranian targets in Syria in 2019, Salami said that Irans strategy was to wipe the Zionist regime off the political map.

With inputs from agencies
India shares cordial ties with both Israel and Iran, which appear on the brink of an all-out war. New Delhi has enhanced relations with Tel Aviv in recent years, while trade and connectivity links it to Tehran. Can New Delhi continue to balance its relationship with both if the conflict in West Asia escalates? read more

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Israels military said Iran launched 100 drones in retaliation for its strikes on Tehrans nuclear programme on Friday (June 13). The escalation of tensions has sparked concerns of a full-fledged war between the two rivals in West Asia.

Israel said its strikes on Iran targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, killing top Iranian military officials and nuclear experts. India, which has close ties with both nations, has called for de-escalation and dialogue and diplomacy.

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We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday.

Issuing a travel advisory, the ministry asked Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran and Israel until further notice.

New Delhi has had a balanced relationship with both Israel and Iran. An escalating conflict between the two could threaten that.

Lets take a closer look.

Indias ties with Israel

India enjoys strategic ties with Israel. The relationship has grown in the last decade, particularly in the sectors of defence, intelligence, and technology.

Israel is one of Indias top defence suppliers, arming the South Asian country with drones, radar systems and missiles.

India showed public support for Israel within hours of the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas.

India and Israel share similar concerns about extremism and terrorism, with citizens of both countries being killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

New Delhi has pressed for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve Israels war in Gaza, which has killed more than 55,000 people in the narrow strip.

Abstaining in the UN General Assembly on Thursday from a vote on a draft resolution that demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said that India has previously also abstained from resolutions on the Israel-Palestine issue.

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Our vote today is in continuation of this in the belief that there is no other way to resolve conflicts but through dialogue and diplomacy. A joint effort should be directed towards bringing the two sides closer. For these reasons, we would abstain on this resolution.

Indias ties with Iran

India and Iran share historical and cultural relations. Post-Cold War, New Delhi has tried to maintain cordial relations with most countries in West Asia. Iran, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, is a key player in the region.

India and Iran share common concerns about the Talibans Sunni extremism and Pakistans role in Afghanistan.

Trade and connectivity have defined New Delhis ties with Tehran. However, the US sanctions on Iran have affected Indias relations. In 2019, America sanctioned Iranian oil amid its concerns about Tehrans nuclear programme and its ballistic missile development.

India has not imported crude oil from Iran since the US sanctions.

Chabahar port in Iran is also significant for Indias economic interests. Last year, India signed a 10-year pact to develop and operate Irans strategic Chabahar Port. The port provides India an alternative route to enhance trade ties with landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, bypassing Pakistan.

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The International North South Corridor (INSTC) also enhances India and Irans ties. Initiated by the two, along with Russia, in September 2000, the 7,200-kilometre transit route aims to increase trade and connectivity among its 13 members.

Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Belarus, Oman and Syria are also part of the ambitious project.

How Iran-Israel conflict impacts India

Given its relations with both Iran and Israel, New Delhi cannot pick sides if a conflict widens between the two rivals in West Asia.

However, India was put in a precarious position in February 2012 when an Israeli diplomats car was bombed in New Delhi and Israel blamed Tehran for the attack.

India had denounced the incident as a terrorist attack" and launched an investigation, but stopped short of naming Iran.

For New Delhi, a potential escalation between Iran and Israel would impact its people, economic and strategic interests in West Asia.

Firefighters work the scene of an explosion at a residential compound in northern Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. AP

There are 18,000 to 20,000 Indian nationals in Israel, including students, and around 85,000 Jews of Indian origin. As per Livemint sources, as of 2023, there may be around 32,000 Indian workers in Israel.

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More than 10,700 Indians currently reside in Iran, including traders and academics. About 90 lakh people are living and working in Gulf nations and the West Asia region. A broader conflict will impact the Indian community in the region.

In recent years, India has boosted its ties with major countries in West Asia. It has worked with all key players to push for the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic corridor, which has strategic and economic benefits for New Delhi, noted Indian Express.

An all-out war in oil-rich West Asia could shoot up energy prices. The region accounts for 80 per cent of Indias oil supplies. A potential conflict will threaten the supply, sending prices up.

It could also strain Indias balancing act in West Asia, affecting Indias neutral diplomacy.

With inputs from agencies
Iranian forces have launched dozens of missiles toward Israel in retaliation to Operation Rising Lion. Tehrans nuclear and missile programmes are under the spotlight once again read more

Rescue and security personnel work at an impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Ramat Gan, Israel June 13. Israel says Iran has fired up to 100 missiles in retaliation to Operation Rising Lion. Reuters

The confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv has reached a tipping point. Iranian forces launched dozens of missiles toward Israel on Friday night, killing at least one person and injuring 40 others. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said his country will inflict heavy blows after Israel launched war.

Irans missile attack comes in retaliation for Israels it claimed were linked to nuclear facilities, ballistic missile manufacturing and senior commanders. Israeli officials described the assault as the beginning of a longer campaign to curb Tehrans atomic ambitions.

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As Iran hits back, we take a look at its missile and nuclear capablities.

What are Irans missile capabilities?

In addition to its nuclear programme, Irans missile arsenal presents a significant strategic challenge in the region. The country possesses the regions largest inventory of ballistic missiles, according to US intelligence, with some reports suggesting Tehran had over 3,000 such missiles.

These missiles  capable of reaching distances of up to 2,000 kilometres  can strike targets throughout West Asia and parts of Europe. Iran has also used these systems to devastating effect during recent strikes, including its retaliation against Israel in 2024.

Ballistic missiles, with their high speeds and parabolic flight paths, are notably harder to intercept than drones or cruise missiles.

Defence analysts have warned that large conventional warheads, such as those carried by Irans medium and long-range missiles, could cause mass casualties in populated areas.

A hoarding depicting missiles in Tehran, Iran. File Image/AFP

Comparisons have been drawn to similar payloads used by Russia in Ukraine and by Israel in Gaza, which reportedly left craters more than 12 metres wide.

Iran also continues to supply drones and short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, enhancing military ties with Moscow amid the war in Ukraine. The provision of these systems has further alarmed Western powers, concerned about Tehrans expanding military-industrial reach.

Does Iran have a nuclear weapon?

Despite speculation, Iran does not yet possess a nuclear weapon. However, international analysts widely agree that it has both the technological expertise and industrial infrastructure necessary to produce one relatively quickly if its leadership decides to proceed.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), acknowledged in last month that the [Iranian] programme runs wide and deep.

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, April 19, 2024, in this screengrab taken from video. WANA via Reuters

Irans enrichment of uranium  used to fuel nuclear reactors or, at higher levels, nuclear weapons  has reached near-weapons grade at 60 per cent, according to IAEA reports and US officials.

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Then-US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated in June 2024 that Iran could potentially produce weapons-grade fissile material within one or two weeks.

Some intelligence reports suggest a covert group of Iranian scientists may be pursuing a more rapid, albeit rudimentary, path to weaponisation.

The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which initially aimed to restrict Irans ability to develop a nuclear weapon, was abandoned by the US under the first Trump administration in 2018.

A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

Since then, Iran has accelerated its nuclear enrichment activities while curtailing international inspections, particularly since 2021.

In its most recent evaluations, the IAEA concluded that Irans stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium surged by approximately 50 per cent in the three months preceding May  reportedly enough to produce material for up to ten nuclear bombs.

Where does Iran house its nuclear facilities?

Irans nuclear infrastructure spans over a dozen known locations. The Natanz facility is its primary enrichment centre, while Bushehr hosts its only civilian nuclear power plant on the Persian Gulf coast.

A May 2025 IAEA report also identified three additional sites  Lavisan-Shian, Turquzabad and Varamin  where undeclared nuclear-related activities took place, allegedly involving the use of unreported nuclear material.

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The same IAEA report found that three of the four examined locations had been part of a clandestine nuclear programme that existed until the early 2000s.

While Iran denies ever pursuing nuclear weapons, these findings support longstanding IAEA and US intelligence assessments that Tehran had a structured weapons programme up until 2003, followed by intermittent experimentation.

A satellite image shows the Arak facility in Iran in this handout image dated February 15, 2025. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

On June 6, 2025, the IAEA Board of Governors, comprising 35 nations, passed a resolution formally declaring Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. The resolution, supported by the US, UK, France and Germany, cited Irans failure to cooperate with the agency and its inability to explain uranium traces at undeclared sites.

Rafael Grossi stated that the agencys concerns were consistent with past suspicions. Iran rejected the censure and announced plans to construct a new uranium enrichment facility.

A satellite image shows the tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

Diplomatic sources noted that while the resolution hinted at referring Iran to the UN Security Council, that would require a separate resolution  much like in 2006, the last time Iran was declared non-compliant and formally referred.

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What about the US-Iran nuclear talks?

The reelection of Donald Trump reopened the possibility of US-Iran negotiations, with bilateral talks having resumed in Oman early this year. However, after Israeli strikes on Friday, Tehran officially announced its withdrawal from nuclear negotiations with the US.

Past talks have remained stagnant, with Iran demanding sanctions relief and Washington pushing for deeper dismantlement of Irans nuclear infrastructure. Trump has stated his administration will apply maximum pressure while seeking a deal stronger than the 2015 agreement.

The May 2025 IAEA revelations injected new urgency into the talks.

A satellite image shows the Fordo nuclear facility in Iran, January 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

Many foreign policy analysts argue that if Iran achieveed nuclear weapons capability, it could alter the regions strategic balance, embolden Tehrans foreign policy and prompt neighbouring powers like Saudi Arabia to pursue nuclear arms, leading to a proliferation spiral in the region.

Experts also note that Israels repeated strikes on nuclear sites in Iraq (1981), Syria (2007) and now Iran, reflect a clear doctrine of pre-emptive action to prevent hostile states from acquiring nuclear arms.

However, some warn that further strikes could push Iran into a decisive race toward weaponisation or even provoke withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Earlier this month, IAEAs Grossi cautioned that continued escalation could backfire. An Israeli strike could solidify Irans resolve to build its own nuclear weapon, he warned.

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Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Israel struck the Natanz nuclear facility  Irans main enrichment facility which is around 225 kilometres south of Tehran  multiple times on Friday. International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the facility was seriously damaged. But what are the chances of a widespread radiation leak? read more

Israel has claimed it has seriously damaged Iran's Natanz nuclear site . Reuters

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is claiming that it has significantly damaged Irans Natanz nuclear site.

Israel on Friday had launched massive strikes on Irans nuclear and military facilities.

The development came a day after International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Tehran of failing to live up to its non-proliferation obligations.

But what do we know? Can this lead to a radiation leak? How dangerous is it?

Lets take a closer look

What do we know?

According to Iranian state TV, Israel struck the Natanz nuclear site multiple times on Friday.

IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin claimed Israel has significantly damaged Natanz. The operation was still in the beginning and the plan is a gradual one, he added.

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The Natanz nuclear site is around 225 kilometres south of Tehran. It is the countrys main enrichment facility. Its existence first was revealed in 2002 by an exiled Iranian opposition group.

It is being reported in Israeli media that IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi told Israeli President Isaac Herzog that the Natanz facility was seriously damaged.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Reuters

The IAEA had earlier in the day confirmed that the facility in Isfahan province had been hit in Israeli strikes.

Grossi had Cars said that the agency is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran.

Grossi also said that the IAEA was in touch with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels as well as its inspectors in Iran.

Can this lead to a radiation leak?

Not at the moment.

Experts say even a direct hit to nuclear material is unlikely to cause a major incident or radiation leak.

What is more likely in case of a strike is a leak within the facility.

It all depends on the configuration of nuclear material stored at the facility. If the nuclear material and explosives are kept separately, there isnt much danger of an explosion or leak, even if there is a direct hit on the nuclear material, Anil Kakodkar, ex-head of Indias Department of Atomic Energy, told The Indian Express.

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The strikes are likely to result in a dispersal, or the spread, of nuclear material into the environment. But this is likely to remain restricted within the facility or the place of the attack, he added

He said a radiation leak rather an organised explosion even if Israel hit nuclear weapons.

What are authorities saying?

Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said in a statement that while parts of the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility were damaged during the Israeli strikes, no nuclear radiation or chemical contamination has occurred.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Iran Atomic Energy Organisation, was quoted as saying, The damage to the Natanz uranium enrichment facility was limited to the above-ground portion.

The Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities are located deep underground.

A satellite image shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

But Grossi released a statement calling the attack on Natanz deeply concerning.

I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security, Grossi wrote.

With inputs from agencies
Israel launched strikes against Iran early Friday, hitting its nuclear programme and targeting its long-range missile capabilities. Iran Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami has been killed in the attack. Here are the top developments read more

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 reportedly shows smoke billowing from a site targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement in the early hours of June 13 that Israel carried out strikes on Iran and the military operation against the Islamic republic would 'continue for as many days as it takes'. AFP

Israel and Iran tensions have escalated once again. In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting the Islamic nations nuclear programme and other military targets.

The Jewish nation expects retaliation from Iran and has declared a state of emergency. As the story develops, heres what we know so far.

1. Israel launched strikes against Iran early Friday, hitting dozens of targets including nuclear sites. The strikes were a preemptive, precise, combined offensive, an Israeli military official said. They were part of Operation Rising Lion, said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding Iran was a threat to Israels very survival.

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2. The strikes have caused casualties in Iran. The state television has said that Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards, is among four senior officials who appear to have been killed.

Fereydoon Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation, has also been killed, state media has reported.

3. Explosions were heard north-east of Tehran, the Reuters news agency is reporting, citing the Iranian state-run Nour News. Blasts have also been reported near the Natanz nuclear facility. A witness in Nantanz told Reuters that multiple explosions were heard near a uranium enrichment facility.

Photos and videos from Iranian state media show apartment buildings on fire. Civilians, including children, were among those killed, the reports claimed. However, this could not be independently verified.

4. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the attacks reveal Israels vile nature, Reuters reports, and that with this attack Israel has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will surely receive.

Blood for blood, the Iranian military has posted on X.

A spokesperson for Irans armed forces says that Israel carried out the attacks in Iran with support from the US, Iranian state media is reporting.

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5. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed Israel struck nuclear targets in Iran and said the operation will continue for many days.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival, Netanyahu said in a televised address. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

He said Iran had a programme to develop nuclear weapons and claimed it could produce a nuclear weapon if not stopped. This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, Netanyahu said.

6. Netanyahu confirmed the strike on Irans nuclear programme.

We struck at the head of Irans nuclear weaponistion program, he added. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missiles program.

In defending ourselves, we also defend others. We defend our Arab neighbours. They, too, have suffered from Irans campaign of chaos and carnage.

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7. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has acknowledged the strikes. Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world.

    , ,     '  .



Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including pic.twitter.com/vtx98P9564  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

8. An Israeli military official was quoted as saying by the BBC that there are multiple strikes and that they are against Irans nuclear programme and other military targets. It involves dozens of strikes in different areas of the country, the official says.

Israel is targeting long-range missiles and targets related to the nuclear programme, the official adds.

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9. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a state of emergency, saying the country was expecting retaliation. Air raid sirens were heard in Jerusalem. Flights that were headed for Tel Aviv have been diverted.

10. Flights have also been suspended at Tehrans international airport, which is nearly 30 km southwest of the Iranian capital.

11. The US was reportedly informed on Wednesday that Israel was ready to launch an operation in Iran, CBS reported. This was one of the reasons Washington advised some Americans to leave the region.

12. However, Donald Trump had made it clear that he was not in favour of the attack. I dont want them going in because, I mean, that would blow it, he said hours before Israel launched the strikes.

13. The US was not involved in the strike. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Israel advised the US it attacked Iran for self-defence. He reiterated that the US was not involved in the Israeli strikes on Iran.

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14. The US and Iran have been holding nuclear negotiations, with the sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Its not clear if they will still take place.

(This is a developing story)

With inputs from agencies
Israels latest strike on Iran  targeting nuclear and military infrastructure  has been dubbed the largest assault on the country since the brutal Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. As the conflict escalates with retaliatory drone strikes, experts are drawing parallels to a time when Iran faced an existential threat in an eight-year war that shaped the region today read more

People attend an anti-Israeli protest following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. WANA via Reuters

On Friday, Israel launched what is being described as its in recent history  targeting nuclear and military installations deep within the Islamic Republic.

Explosions rocked Tehran as Israel stated it was aiming at facilities tied to Irans controversial nuclear programme.

Among the fatalities reported by Iranian state media were senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the head of Irans missile programme and two top nuclear scientists.

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This major offensive has quickly escalated the longstanding shadow conflict between the two regional powers into a more direct and dangerous confrontation.

In response, Iran reportedly deployed over 100 drones towards Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted. Military operations in Iran were still reported to be underway as of Friday afternoon.

Israeli officials have framed the attack as a preventive measure against Irans growing nuclear capabilities. The attack was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, an Israeli leader stated, as Irans uranium enrichment approaches levels considered dangerously close to weapons-grade.

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes  a position also echoed in past assessments by US intelligence, which have found no definitive evidence of Iran building a weapon.

Talks involving US and Iranian officials, intended to resume shortly, may now be jeopardised.

The Israeli strikes are described by observers as the most substantial assault on Iranian soil since the devastating Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

What was the Iran-Iraq War?

The reference to the Iran-Iraq war reflects the magnitude of Israels latest operation. That war, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, was one of the most protracted and destructive interstate conflicts of the late 20th century.

It began when Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded western Iran, citing border disputes and fears of revolutionary influence spreading from Irans new theocratic leadership.

Underlying the conflict were deep-rooted tensions over territorial control, particularly over the Shatt al-Arab waterway  a crucial maritime route for oil exports  and fears of Iran exporting its revolutionary ideology into Iraqs Shiite majority population.

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These factors, compounded by the recent upheaval of Irans Islamic Revolution, created a volatile regional atmosphere that Saddam Hussein exploited to assert dominance and reclaim previously conceded territories.

The wars early stages saw Iraq capturing key Iranian cities such as Khorramshahr, though their offensive stalled due to unexpectedly strong Iranian resistance.

In 1981, Irans Revolutionary Guard emerged as a decisive military force, reversing some of Iraqs gains. By 1982, Iran had reclaimed lost territory and began its own incursions into Iraqi land, pushing the war into a prolonged stalemate.

How did the Iran-Iraq war end?

Despite Iraqs initial advances, the conflict soon devolved into years of trench warfare, failed offensives and human wave attacks.

Iran, under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, refused ceasefire offers and continued its military campaigns in Iraq, aiming to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

Both sides engaged in sustained air and missile strikes on urban centers and oil infrastructure.

The Tanker War phase that began in 1984 had global repercussions, with both nations attacking oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. These actions eventually prompted intervention by Western naval forces to safeguard energy routes.

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By the mid-1980s, Iraq had rebuilt a large and technologically advanced military, heavily funded by Gulf Arab states and supported logistically and diplomatically by powers including the United States, the Soviet Union and France.

Iraq also developed chemical weapons, which it employed against both Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians.

The turning point came in 1988. Iraqs chemical weapons campaign, most notably the Halabjah attack which killed thousands of civilians, and military advances into Iranian territory prompted Iran to reconsider its position.

A group of prisoners arrive in Mundharieh on the border between Iran and Iraq, June 29, 2000. The prisoners arrived home from Iran nearly 13 years after the end of the 1980-88 war between the Iraq the Gulf neighbours. File Image/Reuters

Weary from years of war, casualties, and economic strain, Iran accepted United Nations Security Council Resolution 598, bringing the war to a formal ceasefire in August 1988.

What was the toll of the Iran-Iraq war?

The toll of the war was staggering. Estimates of casualties range from one million to two million, with at least half a million believed to have died.

Iran is thought to have suffered the highest number of losses. The conflict left both countries economically battered, with combined financial damages surpassing one trillion US dollars.

Despite the prolonged fighting, the war concluded without significant territorial changes or reparations. Diplomatic relations between Iran and Iraq were not fully restored until 1990, with the final exchange of prisoners of war occurring as late as 2003.

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The recent Israeli strike on Iran is being measured against the scale and impact of the Iran-Iraq war due to its significance.

As Israel asserts that the operation was aimed at preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapon capability, and Iran retaliates through drone warfare, the current scenario brings back the spectre of broader confrontation.

Just as the 1980s war reshaped alliances in the region, this modern-day escalation could similarly alter the strategic calculus in West Asia.

With inputs from agencies
Israels strikes on Irans nuclear and missile sites on Friday have raised alarm of an all-out war in West Asia. Tehran retaliated to the attack by launching drones. The escalation has resulted in airspace closure and a surge in oil and gold prices. Heres how the conflict is affecting your life read more

Damages are seen in a building after an explosion in a residence compound after Israel attacked Iran's capital Tehran, Friday, June 13, 2025. AP

Israels strikes on Iran have raised the fear of an all-out war after they targeted Tehrans nuclear programme and killed two top military officers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Friday strikes were the beginning of a prolonged operation to remove the nuclear threat from Iran.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history, he said in a recorded video message.Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

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Israels widescale strikes on Iran have spooked the markets, driven oil and gold prices up and disrupted flights.

Lets take a closer look.

Israel-Iran conflict escalates

Israel said it targeted Irans nuclear facilities , ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday (June 13).

Blasts were reported in the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, Reuters reported, citing Iranian media.

Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said its leader, Hossein Salami, was killed. It said that the units headquarters in Tehran was struck.

The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, is also reported to have been killed.

We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Irans Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote on X.

We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Irans Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets.



These are three ruthless mass murderers with  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Iran has vowed revenge, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning that severe punishment would be inflicted on Israel. Reports say, citing Israels military, that Iran has retaliated by launching hundreds of drones.

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In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defence systems are acting to intercept the threats, Brigadier General Effie Deffrin, Israels chief army spokesman, was quoted as saying by Associated Press (AP).

The United States has said it was not involved in Israels attack on Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

Airspace closed, flights disrupted

The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have led to the disruption of flight operations in the region.

Israels main airport was shut until further notice. Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines suspended flights to and from Israel.

Iran has closed its airspace until further notice, Reuters reported, citing state media and notices to pilots.

Air India said it diverted flights or forced them to return, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London, in view of passenger safety.

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#TravelAdvisory

Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin:



AI130  London Heathrow-Mumbai  Diverted to Vienna  Air India (@airindia) June 13, 2025

Iraq also shut its airspace, suspending all traffic at its airports.

Jordans civil aviation authority said the countrys airspace will be closed for all flights, several hours after Israels operation.

Qatar Airways cancelled its two flights to Damascus on Friday, as per Flightradar24 data.

ALSO READ: Israel strikes Irans nuclear sites, top brass killed: Is West Asia headed for an all-out war?

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Oil prices shoot up

Israels strikes on Iran sent oil prices up. US benchmark crude oil increased by 8.2 per cent or $5.6 (Rs 482) to $73.61 (Rs 6,337) per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, rose by $5.52 (Rs 475) to $74.88 (Rs 6,446) per barrel.

Oil traders are worried that a wider conflict between Israel and Iran could result in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Located between Oman and Iran, it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The strait is a vital route through which 20 per cent of the worlds total crude oil passes daily.

Oil prices could surge to as high as $130 (Rs 11,191) a barrel in the severe outcome of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz or a broader conflagration in West Asia, Bloomberg reported, citing JPMorgan.

Two Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast in-shore attack craft (FIAC), a type of speedboat armed with machine guns, operate in close proximity to the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Maui as it transits the Strait of Hormuz with other US naval vessels, May 10, 2021. File Photo/Reuters

However, many oil traders in Singapore said it was still quite early to predict that the latest escalation between Israel and Iran would impact the oil shipments in West Asia. Its too early to tell but I think the market is worried about shutting off of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the traders told Reuters.

They said it depends on Irans response and whether the US will intervene.

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Barclays analyst Amarpreet Singh said Israels strikes have stunned the oil markets. In a worst-case scenario, the conflict could expand to other key oil and gas producers in the region, and shipping, he reportedly said in a note.

Markets, gold prices respond to Israel-Iran conflict

Tensions in oil-rich West Asia also alarmed the markets in India. Indian shares fell on Friday, led by oil and gas stocks. The Nifty 50 declined 1.21 per cent to 24,586.7 and the BSE Sensex plunged 1.2 per cent to 80,710.56, as of 9:35 am.

The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index dipped one per cent.

Gold prices spiked amid Israels strikes on Iran, touching their highest levels in roughly two months. Gold is considered a safe-haven asset in times of uncertainty.

Spot gold rose 1.2 per cent at $3,423.30 an ounce, as of 10.30 am. US gold futures were up 1.2 per cent to $3,444.50.

Gold surged past resistance around $3,400 on news of the airstrikes, and further upside could be in store should the escalation continue, Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade, told Reuters.

Dr VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, told Economic Times that there could be wider economic ramifications if the situation escalates. The impact on the market will depend on how long the conflict lingers. In the near term, the market will be in a risk-off mode. Sectors that use oil derivatives as inputs like aviation, paints, adhesives and tyres will be hit hard. Oil producers like ONGC and Oil India will remain resilient. Nifty is likely to get strong support at the 24,500 level, he said.

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With inputs from agencies
Israel on Friday carried out massive strikes on Iran including on several military and nuclear targets. The Natanz nuclear site, around 225 kilometers south of Tehran, was among those targeted. But what do we know about it? And how many other nuclear facilities does Iran have? read more

Israel on Friday carried out massive strikes on Iran.

Tel Aviv in an operation named Rising Lion, hit several military and nuclear targets across Tehran.

This included the Natanz nuclear site in central Iran  which was confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The IAEAs head Rafael Mariano Grossi wrote on X, The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran.  The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.

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The development came just a day after the IAEA passed declaring that Iran is in non-compliance with its nuclear safeguards obligations.

Tehran in turn vowed to build a new enrichment facility and scale up its enrichment of uranium.

Do we know about the Natanz nuclear site? What about the other sites that Israel struck?

Lets take a close look

Natanz nuclear site

Natanz, around 225 kilometers south of Tehran, is Irans main enrichment facility.

Located in the province of Isfahan, Natanz is partly above ground and partly below the ground.

It comprises the commercial Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP).

The facility, which is 2.7 square kilometres wide, can hold up to 50,000 centrifuges.

Around 16,000 centrifuges are currently installed there, roughly 13,000 of which are in operation, refining uranium to up to 5 per cent purity.

It has multiple halls of centrifuges spinning uranium gas for its nuclear program.

The above-ground PFEP houses only hundreds of centrifuges but Iran is enriching to up to 60 per cent purity there.

Its existence was revealed in 2002 by an exiled Iranian opposition group.

The site has repeatedly come under sabotage attempts  most recently in April 2021 and 2020, both incidents for which Tehran blamed Tel Aviv.

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A satellite image shows the tunnel complex near the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran in this handout image dated January 24, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

It was previously targeted by the Stuxnet virus, believed to be an Israeli and American creation, which destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

In 2023, Iran ordered fresh construction at the site.

It is guarded by anti-aircraft batteries, fencing and Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Satellite photos taken by Planet Labs PBC in April 2023 and analysed by the AP show Iran burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or Pickaxe Mountain, which is just beyond Natanzs southern fencing.

A different set of images analysed by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies reveals that four entrances have been dug into the mountainside, two to the east and another two to the west. Each is 6 meters (20 feet) wide and 8 meters (26 feet) tall.

The scale of the work can be measured in large dirt mounds, two to the west and one to the east. Based on the size of the spoil piles and other satellite data, experts at the center said Iran was likely building a facility at a depth of between 80 meters and 100 meters.

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The Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington-based nonprofit long focused on Irans nuclear program, suggested last year the tunnels could go even deeper.

Experts at the time warned that the facility would not be vulnerable to conventional bombs.

Though visuals showed black smoke wafting over the facility, It remains unclear what the damage is.

Iranian state television briefly showed the live picture with a reporter.

Iranian state TV said the facility was hit several times.

Bushehr nuclear plant

The Bushehr nuclear plant is on the Persian Gulf coast.

Located in Halileh, 12 kilometres south of Bushehr, the facility is Irans first commercial reactor.

Irans only nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr was built by Russia and began operating at a lower capacity in 2011 before being plugged into the national power grid in 2012.

Russia continues to deliver nuclear fuel for the plant, which remains under IAEA control.

A worker rides a bicycle in front of the reactor building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, just outside the southern city of Bushehr, Iran, on October 26, 2010. File image/ AP

Russia then takes it back when it is spent  thus bringing down the proliferation risk.

A German company began construction on the plant with a 1,000-megawatt nominal capacity until the project was halted in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

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Moscow later completed it and agreed to incorporate its own technology into the German infrastructure.

The IAEA said the Bushehr nuclear power plant has not been targeted.

Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant

Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP) is located in the holy city of Qom.

It is Irans second enrichment plant after Natanz.

Secretly built in violation of United Nations resolutions under a mountain, Fordow was first publicly revealed in 2009.

Tehran claims construction on the FFEP began in 2006, while the US thinks it began in 2007.

It is an enrichment site dug into a mountain and thus probably better protected from potential bombardment than the FEP.

Initially described as an emergency facility built underground to protect it from potential air attacks, Iran later indicated it was an enrichment plant capable of housing about 3,000 centrifuges.

The United States, Britain and France announced in 2009 that Iran had been secretly building Fordow for years and had failed to inform the IAEA. US President Barack Obama said then: The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful programme.

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The 2015 deal with major powers did not allow Iran to enrich at Fordow at all.

It now has around 2,000 centrifuges operating there, most of them advanced IR-6 machines, of which up to 350 are enriching to up to 60 per cent.

In 2023, uranium particles enriched up to 83.7 percent were discovered at the Fordow plant, which Iran claimed were the product of unintended fluctuations during the enrichment process.

The IAEA said Irans underground enrichment site at Fordo has not been impacted.

Khondab research reactor

Khondab was originally called the Arak heavy-water research reactor. It is located on the outskirts of the village of Khondab.

The research reactor was officially intended to produce plutonium for medical research and the site includes a production plant for heavy water.

Heavy-water reactors pose a nuclear proliferation risk because they can easily produce plutonium which, like enriched uranium, can be used to make the core of an atom bomb.

Work on the facility began in the 2000s, but was halted under the terms of the 2015 deal.

The reactors core was removed and filled with concrete to make it unusable.

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The reactor was to be redesigned to minimise the production of plutonium and not to produce weapon-grade plutonium in normal operation.

Iran has meanwhile informed the IAEA about its plans to commission the reactor by 2026.

Isfahan uranium facility

This facility is located in Isfahan  Irans second largest city.

It includes the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) and the uranium conversion facility (UCF) that can process uranium into the uranium hexafluoride that is fed into centrifuges.

Iran also stores enriched uranium at Isfahan, diplomats say.

There is equipment at Isfahan to make uranium metal, a process that is particularly proliferation-sensitive since it can be used to devise the core of a nuclear bomb.

A satellite image shows the Isfahan enrichment plant in Iran in this handout image dated March 29, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

The IAEA has said there are machines for making centrifuge parts at Isfahan, describing it in 2022 as a new location.

At the uranium conversion facility at Isfahan in central Iran, raw mined uranium is processed into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) and then into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), a feed gas for centrifuges.

The plant was industrially tested in 2004 upon its completion.

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The Isfahan centre also harbours a nuclear fuel fabrication facility, which was inaugurated in 2009 and produces low-enriched fuel for use in power plants.

In July 2022, Iran announced plans to construct a new research reactor there.

The IAEA said Irans nuclear site at Isfahan had not been impacted by the Israeli attacks.

Darkhovin nuclear power reactor

The Darkhovin nuclear power reactor is also known as the IR-360 or the Karun nuclear power reactor.

It is a 300-megawatt power plant.

Located in Khuzestan province in southwest Iran, Tehran began construction on the facility in late 2022.

Sirik power plant

The Sirik power plant is located in Sirik Country, which is located in Irans Hormozgan Province.

The 5,000 megawatt plant will comprise four separate units.

It will take about nine years to build and will cost an estimated $20 billion.

Tehran Research Reactor

The Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) is a light water research reactor.

It has a capacity of 5 megawatts.

A satellite image shows the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR) in Iran in this handout image dated April 3, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

The US provided the reactor to Tehran in 1967 in order to produce medical radioisotopes as well as 5.58 kilos of highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel.

It can produce around 600 grams of plutonium every year.

Tehran and the bomb

The US and Iran signed a nuclear deal in 2015 which limited it enrichment of uranium to 3.67 per cent purity.

That was enough only to power civilian power stations, and keep its stockpile to just some 300 kilograms.

However, in 2018, then President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the nuclear accord. Trump argued the deal did not address Tehrans ballistic missile program, nor its support of militias across the wider West Asia.

As of mid-May, Irans total enriched uranium stockpile was estimated at 9,247.6 kilograms  or more than 45 times the limit set out in the 2015 nuclear deal which Trump tore apart  according to the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Among its stockpiles, Iran has an estimated 408.6 kilograms enriched to up to 60 percent  just a short step from the 90 per cent needed for a nuclear warhead.

The country now theoretically has enough near-weapons-grade material, if further refined, for about 10 nuclear bombs, according to the definition by the Vienna-based IAEA.

Iran has consistently denied it seeks to build a nuclear weapon.

With inputs from agencies
Israel carried out large-scale air strikes on Iran early Friday, targeting Tehrans military and nuclear sites. The strikes killed several top Iranian military officials and nuclear experts. Among the deceased were Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Hossein Salami. The attack came amid rising tensions over Irans nuclear programme, which Israel sees as a major threat to its existence read more

Israel carried out large-scale air strikes on Iran on Friday, bringing their long-standing shadow war into open conflict and raising fears of a bigger, more dangerous regional confrontation.

Loud blasts were heard across Tehran after Jerusalem confirmed it had hit Iranian military and nuclear sites.

Catch Israel Attacks Iran Live Updates

The strikes led to the deaths of several top Iranian military officials and nuclear experts. Among those killed was Mohammad Bagheri, the second-highest commander after Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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The attack took place as tensions grew over Irans nuclear programme, which Israel believes is a serious threat to its survival.

ALSO READ | Oil & gold prices shoot up, flights disrupted: How Israels attack on Iran will impact you

So, who were the major leaders killed in Israels attack on Iran? Heres a look at the Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists who died and what we know about them.

Heres a look:

Top Iranian leaders killed in Israeli strikes: Who were they?

Mohammad Bagheri

General Mohammad Bagheri served as the chief of staff of Irans armed forces and was the second most powerful military figure in the country, ranking just below Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

His death, confirmed by Irans state broadcaster Press TV, was also acknowledged by the Israel Defense Forces following Fridays strikes.

He had been part of Irans military establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. AFP/File Photo

Bagheri oversaw both branches of Irans military, the regular army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the United Against Nuclear Iran group.

He studied engineering and later completed a doctorate in political geography from Tarbiyat-e Modares University.

He had been part of Irans military establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Hossein Salami

Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was the most senior Iranian official killed in the attacks.

As IRGC chief , he reported directly to the countrys supreme leader.

The 65-year-old was known for his strong stance against Israel and the United States.

Since the early 2000s, Salami had been under sanctions by both the United Nations Security Council and the US.

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He led the IRGC during key moments, including Irans first-ever direct attack on Israel in April and October 2024, when more than 300 drones and missiles were launched.

Just a day before his death, Salami warned that Iran was fully ready for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.

The enemy thinks it can fight Iran the same way it fights defenceless Palestinians who are under an Israeli siege, he said, as per BBC. We are war-tested and experienced.

ALSO READ | Israel strikes Irans nuclear sites, top brass killed: Is West Asia headed for an all-out war?

Gholamali Rashid

Rashid was the deputy commander of the armed forces and headed the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters.

Irans Tasnim News Agency reported that Rashid and his son were both killed during the Israeli strikes on Friday.

Ali Shamkhani

Shamkhani was Irans former national security chief and a trusted adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He also represented Tehran during talks that led to the restoration of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia.

Shamkhani held the position of national security chief from 2013 for ten years. Before that, he served in senior roles within both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the defence ministry.

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He remained close to the supreme leader and continued to advise him. AFP/File Photo

He was well known in foreign policy circles across Washington and Europe.

He ran for president in 2001 and had previously held influential positions in the IRGC and the defence ministry.

Notably, he remained close to the supreme leader and continued to advise him, including during the period when Iran resumed nuclear talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi

Nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi also died in the Israeli strikes.

Abbasi had previously headed the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and had survived an earlier assassination attempt.

Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist, was also said to be part of Irans nuclear weapons programme. He served as president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

In a video released after the strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation targeted Irans main uranium enrichment site at Natanz, as well as its top nuclear scientists.

Following the strikes, Iran responded by launching around 100 drones toward Israel.

Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept, Israels military spokesman, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, told reporters.

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With inputs from agencies
June 14 is Donald Trumps 79th birthday as well as the 250 birthday of the US army. The American president will finally receive what he has been wanting for ages  a military parade in his honour. However, Trump will also receive an unwanted birthday gift  a countrywide stir against his administration. But what do we know about the No Kings protest? read more

Organisers of the 'No Kings' protest expect millions of people to attend across 2,000 events. AP

Tomorrow, (June 14), is Donald Trumps 79th birthday. It also coincides with the 250 birthday of the us army.

The US president will finally receive what he has been wanting for ages  a military parade in his honour. However, thats not the only thing Trump will be getting.

In fact, Trump is set to receive an unwanted birthday gift  a countrywide protest against his administration.

Worse, millions of people are expected to attend  and thereby rain on his parade. Apart from the weather, which incidentally, is also set for rain in the afternoon and evening.

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The development comes in the backdrop of protests in Los Angeles and California against Trumps immigration policies.

Trump has sent in The National Guard and the Marines to try to crush the protests.

But what do we know about the no kings protest that Trump is set to face?

What do we know?

The protest is set to take place in all 50 states in America as part of the No Kings movement.

Organisers have deliberately chosen the day in order to draw a contrast with Trump.

According to the No Kings website, organisers have called for a nationwide day of defiance to reject strongman politics and corruption.

They say they expect millions of people to attend across 2,000 events.

The biggest events will be held in Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte.

Weve seen hundreds of new events on the No Kings Day map since the weekend, Ezra Levin, co-founder of one of the groups behind the event, told The Guardian. Weve seen hundreds of thousands of people register for those events.

However, no demonstrations are planned for Washington DC.

Organisers say they have done this purposely to draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington.

Instead, organisers have announced a major flagship march and rally in Philadelphia.

A federal employee, who asked not to use their name for fears over losing their job, protests with a sign saying Federal Employees Dont Work for Kings during the No Kings Day protest on Presidents Day in Washington. AP

Theyve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings, the website states.

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Hunter Dunn, who was previously the press coordinator for the 50501 protests , is organising the No Kings event in Los Angeles.

Theres more explicit focus on getting Ice and the federal government out of Los Angeles, and its become more obviously a protest against authoritarianism and fascism, Id say, because were actively under attack by our government, Dunn told the newspaper.

If someones legal status is at risk, I would not want them to risk it for a protest. But what I would want them to do is ask five of their neighbours to come in their stead, Dunn added. Because if you stand up by yourself against the government, youre going to be crushed, youre going to be put down. But if an entire community rises up together in solidarity, theres not a government in the world that could crush that. Were safer together.

A number of celebrities including Walmart heiress Christy Walton have spoken out in favour of these protests.

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Walton in fact took out a one-page ad in The New York Times to do so.

Dont feel like a king

Trump earlier this week addressed the planned protests.

I dont feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get things approved, Trump said.

He also warned that anyone protesting during the military parade will be met with very big force.

If theres any protester who wants to come out, they will be met with very big force, Trump said. I havent even heard about a protest, but [there are] people that hate our country.

The White House has claimed that Trump supports peaceful protests.

With inputs from agencies
Israels operation, dubbed Rising Lion, hit high-value nuclear and military targets across Iran and took out Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard and other commanders. Heres how the Mossad and the Israeli Defence Forces pulled off Israels biggest strike on Iran since the 1980s read more

Smoke rises from Tabriz airport in Iran, June 13, 2025 in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. Reuters

Israels operation against Iran caught many people off guard.

The operation, dubbed Rising Lion, Israel hit high-value nuclear and military targets across Iran.

Israel killed Irans Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami as well as other top officials.

This Israels biggest strike on Iran since the 1980s.

But how did Tel Aviv pull it off?

Lets take a closer look:

Misdirection, smokescreen

It all kicked off on Thursday night with a bout of misdirection.

The security cabinet meeting was labelled a discussion on how to free the hostages in Gaza.

Indeed, the ministers were even told discussions would take place about the same.

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Only Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mossad chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were briefed on the real plan.

The Cabinet unanimously approved the strike on Iran and all the ministers signed an NDA  known as the Shomer Sod (Guardian of the Secret) pact.

Reports were also spread that Netanyahu was set to undertake a holiday in the Galilee next week with his family as well as attend the wedding of his son.

The prime ministers office even issued a statement that Barnea and Dermer were headed to Washington to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff.

Netanyahu even refused to deny a false report about him and Trump being at odds over a potential strike on Iran .

Reports were also spread that Benjamin Netanyahu was set to undertake a holiday in the Galilee next week with his family as well as attend the wedding of his son. AFP

Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal wrote on X that Trump had publicly given Iran 60 days to reach a deal on April 12.

Today is day 61, he added.

The idea was to lull Iran into sleep , an official told Jerusalem Post.

Years in the making

Israeli security officials have said that the operation against Iran was years in the making.

The operation was run by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad in tandem.

It included Mossad constructing a drone base inside Iran and running weapons and commandos into the country.

Mossad also carried out sabotage operations within Iran.

They planted high-precision guided weapons in open areas near Irans surface-to-air missile batteries as well as weapon platforms inside civilian vehicles across Iran.

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When the air campaign began, Mossad activated these systems remotely.

These weapons downed the Iranian air defences with great technological precision  which cleared a path for the Israeli jets.

The Israeli fighet jets then Irans main uranium enrichment facility of Natanz, ballistic missile sites and took out senior military officers.

An official told the Times of Israel that the operation used groundbreaking thinking, bold planning and surgical operation of advanced technologies, special forces and agents operating in the heart of Iran while totally evading the eyes of local intelligence.

The agents here released videos showing its agents taking aim at ballistic missile and air defence targets.

David Barnea, the head of the Israeli Mossad attends an honour guard ceremony for Israels incoming military chief Herzi Halevi at Israels Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel January 16, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

A senior Israeli official told me that other than airstrikes, the Israeli Mossad, the foreign intelligence agency, conducted several operations inside Iran against Iranian air defenses and against Iranian long-range missiles, Axios reporter Barak Ravid told CNN.

Even as the Israelis attacked from the outside, the Mossad agents inside Iran activated the drones  which took out the surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel.

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Smoke rises from a damaged building in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Reuters

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear program.

Trump warned Tehran that Israels attacks will only get worse.

In his first public comments since Fridays attacks, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he added. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

With inputs from agencies
Of the 242 people on board the Air India flight that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, 10 were crew members, including two highly experienced pilots, identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and Co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had over 9,000 hours of flying experience. As many as 241 people are feared to have lost their lives, with only one passenger miraculously surviving the tragedy read more

India was left shaken on Thursday by one of its deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. An Air India flight headed to London crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

On board were 242 people, including passengers and crew. Tragically, 241 lives are feared dead. The only known survivor is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin, whose survival is being called nothing short of a miracle.

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The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, also had 10 crew members and two highly experienced pilots on board. The pilots have been identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.

Both had thousands of flying hours under their belts. Captain Sabharwal reportedly issued a Mayday alert to Air Traffic Control shortly after the flight was airborne. However, before any emergency response could be activated, the aircraft lost all contact with ATC, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

As the nation mourns this overwhelming loss, attention is turning to the crew who were at the helm of the flight. Heres what is known so far about the pilots and staff who were on duty during this tragic journey.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 60, was the most senior crew member on board the Air India flight that tragically crashed after taking off from Ahmedabad.

A veteran pilot, Sabharwal had clocked over 8,200 flying hours, according to the DGCA. But many of his colleagues believe he had even more experience than the records show, as the current digital system might not reflect his full flying history.

He was a very quiet, diligent man. He always kept his head down and did his work, a fellow pilot told The Times of India.

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Sabharwal lived in Jalvayu Vihar, Powai, Mumbai, with his 90-year-old father, a retired DGCA official. He was just months away from retirement and had been looking forward to spending more time with his father. That day, sadly, will now never come.

He is survived by his older sister, who lives in Delhi. According to the Indian Express, her two sons have followed in their uncles footsteps and are both commercial pilots.

Members of the security forces work at the site of an airplane that crashed in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. AP

Co-pilot Clive Kunder

First Officer Clive Kunder also had solid flying experience. The DGCA stated he had completed 1,100 hours in the air. He had worked with a private airline before joining Air India five years ago.

As Hindustan Times reported, aviation ran in his blood, his mother was a flight attendant with Air India, and he spent his childhood in the airlines Kalina colony before shifting to Borivali. Actor Vikrant Massey shared a heartfelt message online, mourning the death of his cousin.

My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today, Massey wrote in an Instagram post.

It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the first officer operating on that fateful flight. May God give strength to you and your family, uncle, and to all deeply affected, he added.

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Clive was unmarried and is survived by his parents and sister, Kliene. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kliene said the family was in Sydney. My father Clifford and mother Rekha are with me in Sydney, and we have no information on the condition of my brother. We are leaving on Friday for Ahmedabad to find out how he is.

Shraddha Dhawan, cabin supervisor

Shraddha Dhawan, 44, had been with Air India for more than 20 years and was a senior cabin supervisor on the ill-fated flight.

Though she had initially pursued an MBA and completed a year, her heart was in aviation. She joined the airline and never looked back.

She joined Air India 21 years ago and loved her work, her brother, Vivek Dhawan, told Hindustan Times.

It was during her early years with the airline that she met her husband, CK Rajesh, also a cabin crew member. The couple lived in Mulund and had a 13-year-old daughter.

Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. AP

Aparna Mahadik, crew member

Aparna Mahadik, 40, worked as a cabin crew member with Air India, as did her husband, Amol. On Thursday, Aparna was on the Ahmedabad-to-London flight, while Amol flew to Delhi.

Their family is related to NCP leader Sunil Tatkare, and according to a neighbour in Goregaon, they were devoted followers of Karnataka seer Kalavati Aai.

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Aparna and her husband Amol fell in love while flying for Air India, and they have an 8-year-old daughter who is currently being looked after by Amols mother, said Sanjay Tatkare, Sunil Tatkares nephew and NCP spokesperson, to Hindustan Times.

Deepak Pathak, crew member

Deepak Pathak, a flight attendant from Badlapur, was also on the ill-fated flight. He had been working with Air India for over 11 years.

Before every flight, he would make it a point to call home, and Thursday was no different. Tragically, it turned out to be the last time. Pathaks father, who had just recovered from pneumonia, collapsed on hearing the news of the crash.

He called us like he always does, just before he was leaving. We never thought it could be the last, a family member told Indian Express.

A police officer stands in front of the wreckage of an Air India aircraft, bound for Londons Gatwick Airport, which crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025. Reuters

Saineeta Chakraborty, crew member

Saineeta Chakraborty, 35, was one of the ten cabin crew members on board the Dreamliner.

Known fondly as Pinky by those around her, she was unmarried and was the sole earner for her family.

She had studied at Mithibai College before starting her aviation career. After working with GoAir, she joined Air India.

She worked hard to reach where she was. Its heartbreaking, her friend Nicky DSouza told Hindustan Times.

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Her neighbours gathered at her small apartment in Juhu-Koliwada, mourning the loss of someone who had quietly built her dream.

Maithili Moreshwar Patil, crew member

Maithili Moreshwar Patil, just 22, was a flight attendant from Nhava village in Panvel taluka. She is among those feared to have died in the crash.

Despite financial difficulties, her family supported her dream. She enrolled in an aviation course and eventually secured a job at Air India. Her success inspired many young girls in her village and beyond.

She was our pride. Her achievements gave us immense joy. The news of the accident has numbed all of us, said a neighbour. Maithili was the eldest of four siblings.

Debris of an Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport. Pic/PTI

Roshni Rajendra Songhare, crew member

Roshni Rajendra Songhare, 27, had recently joined Air India and was working as a flight attendant on the doomed flight.

Those who knew her described her as bright and intelligent. After completing her studies, she worked hard to make her dream of becoming an airhostess come true.

Roshni also had a strong presence on social media, with over 54,000 followers on Instagram, where she regularly posted updates from her life.

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In her Dombivili neighbourhood, people felt proud seeing her in her Air India uniform. Her family  parents and a brother  rushed to Mumbai airport when they heard the news.

Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, crew member

Nganthoi was part of the 10 crew that died on the Air India flight.

The 22-year-old, the middle of three children, hailed from Thoubal distrcits Awang Leikai in Manipur.

It was her dream to become an airhostess, her elder sister said. Her family is in shock over the tragic incident.

Nganthoi informed her family that she would be flying to London today.

With input from agencies
A family of five from Rajasthan is among those who died in the tragic Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad. Dr Pratik Joshi and his wife, Dr Kaumi Vyas, were travelling with their three kids to start a new life in London. Their selfie, clicked just before the takeoff, has become a tragic reminder of a future that was never to be read more

Air India plane crash: Just hours before the unimaginable happened, the Rajasthan family of five had taken a cheerful selfie in the airplane, radiating hope, and excitement for the journey ahead. Image courtesy: X/@volcaholic1

A Rajasthan familys dream of starting a new life ended in a heartbreaking tragedy when their Air India flight crashed just minutes after takeoff near Ahmedabad.

The doctor couple from Banswara and their three young children were among the 241 people who lost their lives in the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI171.

Just hours before the unimaginable happened, the family of five had taken a cheerful selfie in the airplane, radiating hope, love, and excitement for the journey ahead. That photo, now widely shared online, has become a haunting reminder of a future that was never to be.

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Heres what we know about them.

Who was the Rajasthan family on board the Air India flight?

Dr Pratik Joshi had spent the last six years building a life in London, working as a radiologist. His dream was clear: to eventually bring his wife and three young children to the UK and start a new life together. That dream was just days from becoming reality when tragedy struck.

Travelling with him on the ill-fated Air India flight was his wife, Dr Kaumi Vyas, a well-regarded physician at Udaipurs Pacific Hospital. Kaumi had quit her job just two days earlier to prepare for their permanent relocation to London.

The couple, married for nearly ten years, had been living apart for much of that time. While Pratik built his career abroad, Kaumi stayed in Udaipur with their children, waiting for the final visa approvals.

She had temporarily moved to Banswara while finishing the paperwork, said cousin Nayan Joshi in a Business Today report. Pratik had recently flown back to India to travel with his family, hoping to finally begin the life they had long planned together.

They were so happy, Nayan Joshi added. Theyd been preparing for this move for a month.

Pratik, a London-based radiologist, had recently flown back to India to travel with his family, hoping to finally begin the life they had long planned together. His wife, Dr Kaumi Vyas, was a well-regarded physician at Udaipurs Pacific Hospital. Image courtesy: News18 Hindi

Accompanying them on the journey were their three children, eight-year-old Miraya and twin boys Pradyut and Nakul, aged five.

The news of their sudden loss has devastated Banswara. Locals remember the couple as devoted parents and committed professionals who had big dreams for their children.

The entire town is grieving, a family friend told News18. They were a warm, progressive couple who wanted the best for their children.

VIDEO | Rajasthan: Five members of a family from Banswara district were on board the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad.



Banswara DSP Gopichand Meena says, We got to know that five members of a family from Banswara were on board the plane that crashed (in Ahmedabad). The pic.twitter.com/oLOqw1xgZR  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025

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Before takeoff, Pratik snapped a family selfie on the planehe and Kaumi seated side-by-side, with their children in the adjacent row, all smiling brightly.

Kaumi had shared the photo on social media shortly before the flight, according to PTI. The image has since gone viral, a heartbreaking reminder of a life full of hope, now lost.

Air India plane crash victims from Rajasthan

The heartbreak of the Air India crash has rippled far beyond Banswara. Across Rajasthan, families are in mourning as more names from the state emerge among the list of victims. Authorities have so far confirmed that 11 of the passengers who died in the crash hailed from Rajasthan.

Alongside the Joshi family, four other Udaipur residents also lost their lives. Shubh Modi, 24, and his 22-year-old sister Shagun were both on board. They were the children of renowned marble businessman Pinku Modi and were pursuing higher education abroad.

Vardi Chand Menaria and Prakash Menaria, from Rundeda village in Udaipur district, were also among those who perished.

Another young life lost was that of 27-year-old Khushboo Rajpurohit from Balotra. Known for her tireless volunteer work in promoting womens education, Khushboo was a source of pride in her community.

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Reacting to the incident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma called the crash extremely sad and worrying, while former CM Ashok Gehlot described it as heartbreaking.

                       



             :           Bhajanlal Sharma (@BhajanlalBjp) June 12, 2025

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With input from agencies_
Seat 11A, usually the last pick for most air travellers turned lucky for Vishwas Kumar Ramesh. He is the lone survivor of the tragic Air India crash that killed 241 people. What happened to Ramesh as the plane went down? read more

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian man, who miraculously walked away alive after Air India plane crash survived, thanks to his seat 11A, which is often disliked by passengers. Image for Representation. Pixabay

Call it fate. Or a strange twist of luck.

Seat 11A, usually the last pick for most air travellers, ended up being the one thing that saved a mans life in one of Indias deadliest aviation disasters.

On June 12, Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad for London. But just minutes after takeoff, the plane sent out a Mayday call, lost contact with air traffic control, and crashed beyond the airport perimeter, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

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Only one man survived. Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian man, who miraculously walked away alive from the wreckage, thanks, it seems, to the very seat that most passengers try to avoid.

But why is 11A the most hated seat?

Seat 11A has long carried a bad rep among frequent flyersand for good reason.

According to flight attendants at American Airlines, seats 11A and 11F are ones passengers often grumble about. Speaking to The Sun last year, they explained that travellers in these seats usually end up being the last to deboard, since theyre positioned right in the middle of the aircraft.

If youre looking for a quick exit, avoid row 11 at all costs, they said.

And thats not the only downside. Reports suggest that this row is also known for being noisier, more exposed to foot traffic, and subject to colder drafts. All of these factors make 11A a less-than-ideal spot, especially on long-haul flights.

But perhaps what passengers dislike most is the fact that 11A is often dubbed the window seat without a window.

Seat 11A has long carried a bad rep among frequent flyers. Over time, seat 11A has gained infamy online as the windowless window seat." Image courtesy: X

Thanks to the placement of internal components like air conditioning ducts or structural reinforcements, certain seats, especially those around the wings, like 9A, 10A, 11A and 12A, sometimes dont have windows at all. Its a quirk particularly common on Boeing 737 aircraft.

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The result? Disappointed passengers who booked a window seat only to find a blank wall next to them.

Over time, seat 11A has gained infamy online as the windowless window seat, with many travellers sharing their frustration.

But this very seat, mocked and avoided by many, may have played a life-saving role. Since Vishwas Rameshs miraculous survival was linked to 11A, people are now wondering if the seat deserves a new name: the Miracle Seat.

Vishwass boarding pass for Air India flight AI171 that shows him being assigned seat 11A. Image courtesy: X

How Seat 11A became Vishwass lucky charm

Speaking from his hospital bed, Vishwas Ramesh recalled the surreal moment he realised he was still alive after the Air India crash.

Ive no idea how I survived. For a while, I thought I was dying too. But when I opened my eyes, I tried to get out. I saw the gate was broken and there was a small gapI jumped through it, he told DD News, still visibly shaken.

According to NDTV, which analysed the seating layout of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Rameshs seat 11A was located in the first row of the economy section, just behind business class and close to the left-side emergency exits.

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That positioning may have made all the difference.

Rameshs seat 11A was located in the first row of the economy section, just behind business class and close to the left-side emergency exits. That positioning may have made all the difference. Image courtesy: SeatGuru

When the plane went down, the front-left section of the aircraft, where seat 11A is located, crashed into the ground floor of the building it struck. The upper levels, meanwhile, took the brunt of the impact and fire. That meant Rameshs part of the fuselage remained somewhat intact, giving him a sliver of a chance.

The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building, he said. There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.

He believes the emergency door gave way during the crash. The door mustve broken on impact. There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I dont know how.

Hes now under 24/7 observation in bed 11 of Ward B7 at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, guarded by both the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and the city crime branch.

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On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the hospital to meet him personally.

Vishwas, who grew up in India before moving to the UK, was travelling back home with his brother Ajay, who did not survive the crash.

With input from agencies
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, was the only survivor of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Seated in 11A, he walked away from the wreckage in a bloodstained shirt, becoming the miraculous sole survivor of the ill-fated flight. Over the years, there have been a few rare cases where only one or two people have survived air crashes. For example, 12-year-old Bahia Bakari lived through the 2009 crash of Yemenia Flight 626 read more

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen, was the only person to survive the crash. PTI/Reuters

The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday killed everyone on board except one person.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh walked away from the tragedy in a bloodstained shirt, becoming the miraculous sole survivor of the ill-fated flight.

The Boeing 787-8, heading to London, went down soon after leaving Ahmedabad on Thursday. A total of 241 people were killed.

Read Ahmedabad Plane Crash Live Updates

According to the airline, there were 230 passengers: 169 were from India, 53 from the UK, seven from Portugal, and one from Canada. Along with them were two pilots and 10 crew members.

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ALSO READ | Ahmedabad plane crash: What brought down the London-bound Air India plane in 30 seconds?

It is worth noting that, over the years, some air crashes have had just one or two people survive.

In this piece, we take a look at a few such plane crashes from around the world where only one person survived. We will also touch upon the 1988 Ahmedabad crash involving Indian Airlines Flight 113.

Lets take a look at some of them:

Air India plane crash: How Vishwash Kumar Ramesh survived

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen, was the only person to survive the crash.

He was pulled out from seat 11A and is now being treated at Civil Hospital in Asarwa, as per Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik.

There were bodies all around me, there were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance," he told News18.

Recalling what happened in the moments after takeoff, Vishwash said, Within 30 seconds, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly."

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited him in the hospital. Ramesh, who is of Indian origin, was flying back to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh.

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VIDEO | Ahmedabad Plane Crash: PM Modi meets Vishwaskumar Ramesh, the lone survivor who was onboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI-171, at the Civil Hospital.



Vishwaskumar Ramesh was in '11A' seat of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which was carrying 242 passengers and crew. He was pic.twitter.com/qEuf9mhGFb  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 13, 2025

List of sole survivors in plane crashes across the world: A brief look

1. Bahia Bakari

In June 2009, 12-year-old Bahia Bakari survived after Yemenia Flight 626 went down near the coast of Comoros, a country in southern Africa. She drifted in the Indian Ocean for hours without a life jacket and had little ability to swim.

Today in 2009 Yemenia Flight 626, an Airbus A310-300, crashes into the Indian Ocean near Comoros, killing 152 of the 153 people on board. A 14-year-old girl named Bahia Bakari survives the crash pic.twitter.com/mrnDDbJ5Ys  the painter flynn (@thepainterflynn) June 30, 2024

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2. Mohammed el-Fateh Osman

Osman was only three when he lived through the crash of Sudan Airways flight SD39 in 2003.

The Boeing 737, with 115 people on board, had taken off from Port Sudan and was headed for Khartoum. Osman was the only one found alive, discovered near a tree by a worker.

3. Vesna Vulovic

She was working as a flight attendant when JAT Flight 367 exploded in the air in 1972. Vesna survived the fall from over 33,000 feet without a parachute, a record noted by Guinness World Records. She passed away in December 2016.

4. Cecelia Cichan

At just four years old, Cecelia was the only one to survive the crash of Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in Michigan in August 1987. She was found under the wreckage and needed treatment for serious burns and broken bones.

Her parents, brother, and 151 others on board were killed, along with two people on the ground, according to the FAA.

5. Juliane Koepcke

Juliane, who was 17 at the time, survived when LANSA Flight 508 was struck by lightning and broke apart over Perus Lima. She spent 11 days walking through the jungle before she was rescued.

The most badass backstory Ive ever read:



17 year-old Juliane Koepcke was sucked out of an airplane in 1971 after it was struck by a bolt of lightning. She fell 2 miles to the ground, strapped to her seat and survived after she endured 10 days in the Amazon Jungle.



After ten pic.twitter.com/5EN1OP8pl7  Jagvar Art & Games (@JagvarGames) July 20, 2024

6. Youcef Djillali

On 6 March 2003, Air Algerie Flight 6289 had trouble with its left engine just after take-off from a city in the Sahara. The plane, which had 97 passengers and six crew on board, crashed and caught fire.

Everyone on the aircraft died, except 28-year-old Algerian soldier Youcef Djillali, who had been sitting in the last row.

ALSO READ | A Manipuri airhostess, a Kerala nurse The victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash

How 2 people survived Indian Airlines flights crash in 1988

The recent Air India Boeing 787 crash has reminded many of the Indian Airlines Flight 113 accident that took place in 1988, as the aircraft was preparing to land at Ahmedabad Airport (AMD).

As per reports, the Boeing 737-200 (VT-EAH), which had taken off from Mumbai, crashed while trying to land in low visibility. It struck trees and a high-tension pole around 2.5 km from runway 23.

Out of the 135 people on board, 133 lost their lives in the crash.

One of the two survivors was Ashok Agarwal, a textile businessman. He lost his 22-year-old wife and their 11-month-old daughter, Ruhi, in the accident.

In 2020, Agarwal was found dead at his home in Prahladnagar, Ahmedabad. A police officer later confirmed that the postmortem showed he had died of a cardiac arrest.

The second survivor was Vinod Rewa Shankar Tripathi.

The crash happened on 19 October 1988. Among the 135 on board, 129 were passengers and six were part of the crew.

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Investigators later said the crash was a case of controlled flight into terrain caused by errors made by both the pilot and air traffic control in foggy weather.
Israel has launched its largest military strike on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, missile factories and senior military commanders in Operation Rising Lion. With top Iranian officials and scientists killed, and Iran retaliating with drone attacks, the region teeters on the edge. Is this the beginning of a wider war in West Asia? read more

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. AP

Israel has launched a sweeping military operation against Iran, targeting its nuclear infrastructure, key missile production sites and top military commanders.

The offensive, declared by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Operation Rising Lion, marks one of the most significant direct confrontations between the two countries in decades.

The strikes, described by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a preemptive move to neutralise what it claims is an existential threat, have led to high-profile casualties, mass mobilisation of Israeli troops, airspace closures across several countries and renewed uncertainty over ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Irans nuclear programme.

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Why Israel says it attacked Iran

Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the operation involved 200 fighter jets conducting simultaneous strikes on over 100 targets across Iran.

Among the key locations struck was the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, Irans main nuclear site. The offensive, which Defrin said aimed to degrade Irans ability to produce a nuclear bomb, also targeted ballistic missile factories and senior military leadership.

This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us, said Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who announced that tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers had been deployed across all borders.

Netanyahu, in a video address, declared, We are at a decisive moment in Israels history, adding that the campaign would continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

The Israeli leadership claims that Iran is nearing a point where it could rapidly produce nuclear weapons, citing intelligence assessments that Tehran possesses enough enriched material for multiple bombs.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that alongside airstrikes, Mossad conducted covert sabotage operations inside Iran to disable strategic missile systems and air defences.

What damage did Israeli strikes do in Iran

Iran confirmed that multiple senior military officials were killed in the strikes. These include Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the head of Irans Emergency Command.

Iranian state media also reported the deaths of two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, in Tehran.

Additionally, reports stated that the IRGCs headquarters in Tehran was hit, and several civilians, including children, were killed in a strike on a residential area of the capital.

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In response, Iran launched over 100 drones targeting Israeli territory. The IDF said it was intercepting these threats in real-time, as the country entered a state of emergency in anticipation of additional retaliatory strikes.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader, condemned the Israeli actions in a statement, saying Israel had unleashed its wicked and bloody hand and would receive a bitter fate for itself.

Iranian armed forces spokesperson warned that Israel and the United States would pay a heavy price for the attacks, accusing Washington of providing operational support.

However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, The United States was not involved in the strikes and Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally for self-defence. He also warned, Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

What this means for nuclear talks

The timing of the Israeli strikes is particularly significant. They occurred just days before a planned sixth round of US-Iran talks in Oman concerning Tehrans nuclear enrichment activities.

While the talks were still scheduled to proceed, it remains unclear how the attack may affect the willingness of both sides to negotiate in good faith.

The US administration, led by Donald Trump, has maintained that Iran must never possess a nuclear weapon and has expressed hopes to resume negotiations. We will see, Trump said in an interview with Fox News, reiterating the US interest in diplomatic engagement.

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However, Trump has also convened a National Security Council meeting to assess the situation and discuss contingency plans, including potential evacuation of American civilians from the region, according to a US official.

Irans government, responding to the attack, said the Israeli action justified its continued commitment to nuclear enrichment and military deterrence. It called the airstrikes cowardly and accused Israel of deliberately targeting civilian centres.

Despite this, Irans National Oil Refining and Distribution Company confirmed that refining and storage facilities were undamaged and fully operational.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, urged de-escalation.

The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford, Haq said.

Will this mean an all-out war in the region?

The immediate aftermath of the strikes has seen a wave of disruptions across the region. Airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan was cleared as international airlines rerouted or cancelled flights to avoid conflict zones.

Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport has been shut down until further notice. Iran also closed its airspace to civilian traffic.

The global economy has also begun to feel the strain. Markets in Asia registered sharp declines, oil prices surged and investors shifted towards traditional safe-haven assets such as gold and the Swiss franc.

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As of now, Israels political and military leadership continues to prepare for further escalation. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has been in contact with international counterparts to clarify the rationale behind Israels actions and to manage diplomatic fallout.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials maintain that the threat posed by Iran had reached an intolerable level. Netanyahu asserted that Irans advances in missile technology and its uranium enrichment efforts meant that delaying action would jeopardise Israels future.

We cant leave these threats for the next generation, he said.

Eyal Zamir echoed this sentiment, stating that the operation was an imperative to remove the strategic threat and ensure our future.

While Israel has not indicated whether it intends to continue with further strikes, the initial phase of Operation Rising Lion has already inflicted significant damage.

Despite Netanyahus remarks about the Iranian peoples imminent liberation from tyranny, Israeli defence sources have made it clear that the aim is not regime change, but the disruption of Irans nuclear and ballistic programs.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Irans uranium stockpile is expanding rapidly.

Israeli officials believe the public estimate of Iran having enough uranium for nine bombs could be conservative, and suggest the enrichment may be further along than reported.

With inputs from agencies
Donald Trumps deep state embrace has a message for Bharat: That it is alone in the global powerplay. But the good thing is that New Delhi has all the wherewithal to survive this storm read more

When Donald Trump came to power for the second time in January this year, one expected him to take the fight to the deep state that many believed had hijacked the American administration. Trump, to his credit, made the right noises, especially during the election campaign when he pledged to supporters that voting him back into the presidency would help him demolish the deep state.

Five months into the Trump presidency, many of his domestic supporters are disappointed already. As Ali Swenson writes in her Associated Press report, Trump, having long warned people of a government deep state, is under tremendous pressure to expose, if not dismantle, it. His Justice Department has not yet arrested hordes of deep state actors as some of his supporters had hoped it would, even as the president has been posting cryptic videos and memes about Democratic politicians, she writes.

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When the Americans voted for Trump this time, they expected a break in this Washington consensus where the choice was between Coke or Pepsi, with the voters merely rubber-stamping one of the two preselected choices, as author Mike Lofgren writes in his book, The Deep State: The Fall of the Constitution and the Rise of a Shadow Government.

According to Lofgren, this was the playbook as it had been rehearsed for many weary years. He explains, Republicans would stoke up the culture wars, fanning their touchily emotional base into an incandescent rage over Obama, the Kenyan Muslim socialist who had usurped the presidency, and Hillary, the bete noire of all true conservatives and Obamas anointed successor. Democrats, for their part, would say, Vote for us, because Rush Limbaugh! According to the playbook, economic issues like Wall Street regulation and trade were supposed to remain strictly between the forty-yard lines, while debates about foreign policy would tightly focus on the glory of killing bin Laden or the shame of Benghazi, not on whether we could ever hope to fix the Middle East with military force.

Trump, the outsider, threatened to disrupt this sinister consensus. He asked uncomfortable questions. He also pledged to expose the fixed match between the Republicans and the Democrats played under the prying eyes of the deep state.

But today, Trump seems to have become a different man. Maybe he has always been like thisshifty, unpredictable, and unreliable. But this time, in five odd months, his transformation is complete, dismantling the idea of Trump as we knew him in the past decade or so. His friends have changed; so have his priorities. His most trusted ally, Elon Musk, has fallen out with him. And his National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, has been shifted to the United Nations as its ambassador.

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Coming to Waltz, many believe he has paid the price for the Signalgate scandal. But had this been the only reason, then Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth too should have faced the music for creating another Signal messaging chat that included his wife and brother, where he shared similar details of a March military airstrike against Yemens Houthi terrorists. Waltz would often call for closer ties between Bharat and the United States, while at the same time emphasising the threat that China poses to the world, especially in alliance with Pakistan.

This Watzian worldview would have fitted well within the pre-January 20 Trumpian ecosystem, but today the Donald has pulled apart everything he seemed to believe before the inauguration of his second term. What Trump may not realise today, but someday he definitely will, is that with his U-turn he has not just squandered a geostrategic opportunity for the United States to realign the American priorities to the long-term US interests but also lost the goodwill of a sixth of humanity when not many were willing to give him a chance, especially outside the US.

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Disappointment with Trump within America will have political ramifications, but displeasure abroad will have geopolitical complications.

Trump is today the antithesis of everything he epitomised five months ago. One can see the fundamental contradiction in his worldview from the fact that while he continues to fight Harvard, during his recent visit to West Asia, he hankered after Saudi-Qatari money, little realising (or maybe he doesnt give a damn) that it is this petrodollar that has created the wokeist monster on American campuses. All through his campaign and before, Trump invoked the Islamist ghost, but when the time was ripe to put the jihadi djinn in the bottle during Operation Sindoor, launched by the Modi government to make Islamabad accountable for the gruesome Pahalgam killings, he fumbled. Rather, he took a conciliatory position, advising the leaders of Bharat and Pakistan to have a nice dinner together.

He followed this up by crossing many other red lines, beginning with his pompous misinformation about brokering a ceasefire, even when Bharat has been unequivocal in reiterating the bilateral nature of the dispute. Just like his predecessors, Trump made the mistake of equating Bharat with Pakistan, calling the latter a great nation. Not very long ago, the Donald was on record wondering why the US funded a terrorist state like Pakistan. He would even call out Islamabad for hiding Osama bin Laden for six years and ask when it would apologise.

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As if that were not enough, Washington has invited Pakistans jihadi general, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to attend the US Army Day events. One of its top generals, Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), has praised Pakistan as a phenomenal partner in counterterrorism.

Trumps astounding U-turn can also be seen in his administrations recent decision to put an entry ban on travellers from 12 countries, including Afghanistan and Myanmar. Ironically, Pakistan has not just been missing from this list but also the one about countries that face partial travel restrictions. The exemption given to Pakistana country that has become synonymous with jihadi terrorism and would not long ago proudly claim to have fathered the Taliban to give itself a strategic depthdefies logic, except when one realises that Trump has embraced the deep state. This treacherous reality is also evident when one is told about the growing American presence and intervention in Bangladesh in the last few months.

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It has been a longstanding opinion of this author that America wants to engage with Bharat but only as a senior partner. Its an unequal relationship that it seeks with Delhi. Bharats role in the Wests scheme of things is nothing more than that of a pawna strategic pawn, of courseneeded to checkmate the Dragon. But the success of Operation Sindoor, where Bharat could do to a nuclear-armed nation what others could not even comprehend, and that too within a few hours of military exercise, has dazzled both its friends and rivals. America is suddenly alarmed: It believes it just cannot let a new rival (Bharat) rise in the battle to subdue the old one (China).

This may explain Trumps sudden outreach to China. This may also explain why Trump (even when we ignore his familys dubious business interests in Islamabad) wants to give Pakistan a fresh leash of life.

Will it work? Will the Trump-deep state design slow down, if not crumble, Bharat?

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The growing American belligerence may slow down Bharats growth and rise, but the fundamentals of the nation are strong. What America doesnt realise is that not having Bharat by its side will lead to the decline of the US faster than it might slow Bharats rise. In all this, China (and Pakistan) can have a sigh of relief. When things were going awry for Emperor Xi, when the Chinese economy was set for massive decline, if not freefall, the Donald came up Nixon-like to give Beijing another shot at superpowerdom.

Trumps deep-state embrace has a message for Bharat: That it is alone in the global powerplay. Russia and Israel are the only reliable friends, but even they have compulsions: The Ukraine war has pushed Moscow closer to the Chinese fold, and such is Tel Avivs history and geography that it just cannot but overly rely on the Americans.

The good thing is that Bharat has all the wherewithal to survive this storm. It needs to keep consolidating its economic gains by compensating for global trade/tariff challenges with its aatmanirbharta movement. With time, as Bharat continues to grow economically and geostrategically, the inner contradictions in the West-China-Pakistan alliance would emerge. There would be no stopping Bharat thereafter. The Americans, that day, would rue the missed Trumpian opportunity to not just keep Bharat by their side but also keep the US on the right side of history.

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Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how revolutions, even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way read more

The boat is the political symbol of the Awami League, which is the largest and the founding party of Bangladesh. Image: AFP

The political future of Bangladesh hangs in the balance, and not because elections have been announced. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate turned interim leader, declared during his Eid-ul-Azha address that national elections will take place in the first half of April 2026. On the surface, it sounds like a democratic milestone in a country recovering from mass protests and a regime change. But scratch beneath the surface, and a far more troubling picture emergesone in which the absence of the Awami League, Bangladeshs most historically significant party, raises urgent questions about the legitimacy and intent behind this proposed democratic exercise.

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The Shadow of 1971

The Awami League is more than just a political party. It is inseparable from the very founding of Bangladesh. It was under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, its founding leader, that Bangladesh was born in 1971 after a brutal liberation war against Pakistan. To ban such a party outrightno matter how controversial its recent leadershipundermines the entire premise of inclusive democratic politics in the country. When Yunuss interim government invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act to outlaw the Awami League and cited the deaths of over 1,400 people during the 2024 protests as justification, the move drew international condemnation and domestic concern.

Even more troubling is the expansion of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act (ICT Act) to allow entire political entities to be held collectively accountable. Such legal overreach sets a dangerous precedent and calls into question whether the rule of law is being used for justiceor for political vengeance.

Yunuss Promises vs Political Realities

Yunus came to power in August 2024 amidst chaos: the ouster of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, violent crackdowns on student-led protests, and public fury over a job reservation system perceived as nepotistic. Initially hailed as a technocrat with integrity, Yunus promised a three-point agendareform, justice, and elections. He accused past governments of running fascist regimes and declared that flawed elections were responsible for Bangladeshs cyclical crises since independence.

But his critics argue that these high-minded goals are being used to mask a consolidation of power. There has been a consistent delay in announcing a clear electoral roadmap, and his administration has taken controversial foreign policy positionssuch as backing the Chittagong-to-Rakhine corridor project, opposed by the army and most major parties. These distractions seem to deviate from what should be the interim governments singular mission: holding credible, timely elections and transferring power.

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Armys Red Line and Political Fracturing

Pressure is mounting from all sides, especially the military. In an unprecedented move, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman issued a public ultimatum, demanding elections be held by December 2025. He accused Yunus of interfering in military matters, attempting to engineer leadership changes within the armed forces, and delaying elections for personal or external agendas. Tensions boiled over during a Durbar meeting where Waker, flanked by officers in combat uniform, questioned Yunuss democratic mandate and commitment to national security.

The militarys growing impatience is echoed by almost all major political players. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen as the frontrunner if elections are held soon, has accused Yunus of stalling. Even the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP)despite its proximity to the interim regimeexpressed conditional support for the April 2026 timeline, contingent on the implementation of key reforms outlined in the July Charter and July Declaration.

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The Risk of a Kings Party

The rise of the National Citizens Party, a student-led movement that was at the forefront of Hasinas ouster, initially energised youth politics. But its close alignment with the interim regime has earned it the label of kings party. Tensions between the BNP and NCP have already resulted in dozens of deaths in street clashes. Moreover, the NCPs willingness to cooperate with the government even as the Awami League remains banned raises concerns about selective inclusivity and manufactured consent.

Furthermore, the NCPs alliance with radical Islamist student groups and its push to replace Bangladeshs secular 1972 Constitution have alarmed the military and moderate political actors alike. The army, which identifies deeply with the legacy of the Liberation War, has made clear that any deviation toward Islamist or authoritarian rule is a red line.

Foreign Policy Missteps and Internal Discontent

Yunuss foreign policy gaffes have only compounded his domestic troubles. His comment in China suggesting that Northeast India is landlocked and that Bangladesh serves as its guardian of the ocean provoked a diplomatic backlash. His support for Chinese investment and controversial infrastructure projects like the Rakhine Corridor have further alienated India and emboldened internal critics who accuse him of compromising national sovereignty.

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Even more awkward was his personal request to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent Sheikh Hasina from speaking publicly while in exilea request Modi reportedly declined. His subsequent comments attacking Indian media for allegedly spreading fake news have not helped ease tensions.

Legitimacy in Question

For any election to be legitimate, it must be inclusive, transparent, and timely. The announced April 2026 timeline fails on at least two of those fronts. It is not timelydozens of parties, including the BNP and CPB, have demanded elections by December 2025. And it is not inclusivethe exclusion of the Awami League renders the entire process questionable at best, a sham at worst.

Yunuss promise of holding the most beautiful election ever rings hollow in the face of these exclusions and delays. The notion that the Awami League is no longer a political party but a criminal organisation, as Yunus claims, is not a legal or moral argumentit is a political one, and a dangerous one at that. It shuts the door on reconciliation, pluralism, and democratic norms.

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What Lies Ahead

Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Either the interim government course-corrects and ensures an inclusive, fair election before the militarys deadline of December 2025, or the country risks a deeper descent into instability. If Yunus persists in sidelining key political players, alienating the military, and engaging in geopolitical adventurism, he may find himself not the harbinger of reform but the architect of yet another failed transition.

A truly democratic Bangladesh cannot be built on the exclusion of its founding political party, however flawed its recent leadership might appear to be. Legitimacy cannot be proclaimedit must be earned through action, transparency, and inclusion. Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how revolutions, even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way.

The author is Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies & Analyses (MP-IDSA). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.

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If Southeast Asia is to move forward as a cohesive and cooperative bloc, resolving historical disputes is essential read more

Just days after the conclusion of the 46th ASEAN Summit in late May 2025, a deadly military clash erupted between Thailand and Cambodia, reigniting longstanding tensions over their disputed border. On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed in the Emerald Triangle regiona sensitive trijunction where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. This forested and mountainous region, near the Dangrek Mountains and the Mekong River basin, has been a flashpoint due to ambiguous territorial claims dating back to the colonial era.

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This latest skirmish has brought renewed attention to a simmering territorial dispute involving several ancient temple sites near the two countries shared border, including Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, Ta Krabei, and the Mom Bei area. The Cambodian government, led by PM Hun Manet, has declared its intention to bring the matter before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), while Thailand has reiterated its preference for bilateral dialogue.

In a move suggesting growing frustration, Cambodia announced that the upcoming June 14 Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting with Thailand will proceed, but with a caveat: the four disputed areas will not be on the agenda. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness of bilateral forums in resolving deeper underlying tensions.

Despite Cambodias legal approach to the ICJ, critics question why it has not more actively sought ASEAN mediation. Pou Sothirak, a retired academic and senior advisor at the Cambodia Centre for Regional Studies, remarked, Cambodia should call on ASEAN for mediation immediatelyeven if ASEAN has limitationsto show our solidarity with member states and our preference for peaceful means.

The current escalation threatens to erode ASEAN unity at a time when the bloc seeks to present a united front in addressing regional security and economic challenges. The clash also coincides with increased nationalist sentiment in Thailand, where conservatives have expressed concern over recent discussions to jointly explore energy resources in undemarcated maritime zones. These talks have stirred fears of losing territory, such as the island of Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand, further complicating bilateral diplomacy.

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In the immediate aftermath of the May 28 clash, Thailand closed two key tourist border crossings in Chanthaburi province, citing national security concerns. While the movement of Cambodian labourers and trade remains unaffected, six additional border checkpoints have shortened their operating hours, and restrictions on six-wheeled vehicles have been imposed. Thailands Defence Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, confirmed an increased military presence in the border area, citing reports of Cambodian troop build-up.

Cambodian PM Hun Manet, while insisting that his countrys actions are defensive, stated that a formal complaint would be lodged with the ICJ. Tensions were aggravated by Cambodias refusal to comply with a Thai request to withdraw troops from the contested region, despite both nations having earlier agreed to ease tensions.

The current crisis is the latest in a series of confrontations between Thailand and Cambodia, reflecting deep-rooted historical and political complexities. The 817-kilometre border between the two countries, originally demarcated by the French in 1907 during their colonial administration of Cambodia, remains a source of contention, with several segments still or contested.

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Previous flare-ups have occurred in 2011, 2013, and 2017, mostly around the Preah Vihear Temple area. While the ICJ ruled in 1962 that Cambodia had sovereignty over the Preah Vihear Temple, it did not resolve surrounding territorial ambiguities. The strategic and symbolic significance of these sitesmany of which are perched on cliffs or lie in dense forestcontinues to inflame nationalist passions on both sides.

Each clash exacts a humanitarian toll. Communities near the border are frequently displaced, local economies suffer disruptions, and the risk of full-scale conflict looms whenever minor confrontations escalate. Military skirmishes often involve small arms, mortars, and artillery, with poor communication and difficult terrain contributing to accidental engagements.

Several underlying factors fuel these recurring disputes. Chief among them is the legacy of ambiguous colonial-era boundaries. Nationalist pressures within both countries also play a significant role, often pushing governments to adopt uncompromising positions. Resource competition, especially in mineral-rich and forested areas, and speculation about untapped energy reserves add an economic dimension to the conflict. Meanwhile, military posturing, fortified camps, and patrols along the border ensure that even minor provocations can lead to dangerous escalations.

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External mediation efforts have had limited success. ASEAN, although committed to regional peace and cooperation, struggles with internal divisions and institutional constraints. Its non-interference policy and consensus-based decision-making often inhibit decisive action. The ICJ has provided rulings, but enforcement remains weak, especially when national pride or domestic politics are at stake.

Thailands internal politics have also influenced the border situation. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatras government, already under pressure from a sluggish economy and rising US tariffs, has faced criticism from conservative factions over its approach to bilateral negotiations with Cambodia. In contrast, Thailands military has taken a more hawkish stance, recently issuing statements affirming readiness for a high-level operation if national sovereignty is perceived to be threatened.

Looking forward, a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute requires a multifaceted strategy. First, both countries must prioritise diplomatic dialogue and agree to clarify border demarcations through joint surveys and formal treaties. Second, ASEAN must be empowered to play a more active mediatory role, even if just as a symbolic gesture of regional solidarity. Third, implementing past ICJ rulings and exploring mechanisms for dispute resolution under international law should be at the forefront of future negotiations.

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Additionally, confidence-building measuressuch as joint military patrols, civilian demilitarised zones, and real-time communication channelscould reduce the risk of accidental clashes. Developmental cooperation along the border, including shared infrastructure projects and economic zones, could shift the focus from confrontation to mutual benefit.

Finally, domestic political leaders in both countries must work to temper nationalist rhetoric and resist the temptation to use the border issue for short-term political gain. Instead, they should emphasise the long-term benefits of peace, cooperation, and regional integration.

In conclusion, the recent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia underscore the fragility of peace along their shared border and the limitations of current dispute-resolution mechanisms. The situation presents a challenge not only to bilateral relations but also to ASEANs credibility as a forum for regional stability.

If Southeast Asia is to move forward as a cohesive and cooperative bloc, resolving historical disputes like this one is essential. Cambodia and Thailand must seize this moment to pursue a lasting resolution that prioritises peace, prosperity, and the well-being of their people over historical grievances and nationalist posturing.

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The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Israel launched on Friday, its largest direct military assault on Iran to date. The early morning attack  which targeted command centres, nuclear facilities and military leadership  marked a critical moment in a simmering conflict that had long hovered on the edge of open warfare. While the world awoke to a barrage of missiles and a spike in oil prices, what many missed was how methodically Israel had prepared for this moment. This campaign was not born overnight. It was the culmination of months, even years, of systematic weakening of Irans defences.

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From targeted sabotage operations deep inside Iranian territory to the quiet dismantling of Hezbollahs capacity to act as a credible retaliatory force, Israel laid the groundwork for its offensive with precision. But most crucially, the complete crippling of Irans air defence system last October meant the June strikes were carried out with relatively minimal resistance.

1. Neutralising Irans air defences: A preemptive strike in October

One of the most consequential moves in Israels buildup to the June offensive occurred in late October 2024, when the Israeli Air Force carried out a devastating preemptive strike on Irans air defence infrastructure. The timing and scope of this operation were crucial. Although ostensibly a response to a previous Iranian missile barrage, it was, as The Economist notes, also a clear effort to pave the way for the much wider attack that would unfold months later.

According to Galei IDF, the Israeli army radio, Israel destroyed all of Irans strategic defence capabilities during its October strikes. These included the Russian-made S-300 missile systems  the backbone of Irans high-altitude air defence  and a newer Iranian domestic model.

In addition to physical destruction, long-range radar systems were taken out, making detection of incoming aircraft or missiles far more difficult. By late October, Irans air defences had effectively been reduced to short-range systems that were incapable of defending key nuclear and military sites from long-range Israeli strikes.

The targeting of these systems was not just tactical, it was strategic in its implications. As The Economist later reported in June, the first wave of Operation Rising Lion involved stealth F-35 jets and air-launched ballistic missiles  precisely the kind of high-value aerial assets that would have been at risk from a functioning S-300 defence grid.

Without these threats, Israeli jets could operate with far greater freedom, striking deep into Iranian territory, including hardened facilities near Natanz , a key uranium-enrichment site confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to have been among the targets.

The success of these preliminary strikes gave Israel near-total air superiority over Iran during the June campaign, allowing them to carry out successive waves of attacks with reduced losses and minimal risk of interception.

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2. Disarming Hezbollah: Collapse of Irans proxy shield

In years past, any Israeli strike on Iran would have triggered an immediate and coordinated retaliation from Hezbollah, Irans powerful Lebanese proxy militia. Yet by June 2025, Hezbollah was in no position to retaliate effectively. Its collapse as a credible deterrent force was the result of Israels sustained campaign of attrition that spanned nearly a year, leaving the group militarily hollowed out and politically vulnerable.

Hezbollahs decline began in earnest after Israels intensive assault on Lebanon following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. By September 2024, Israel had executed a series of devastating airstrikes that eliminated much of Hezbollahs missile stockpile and even decapitated its leadership.

Hassan Nasrallah, the long-serving secretary-general of the group and his deputy Hashem Safieddine were both killed in targeted Israeli strikes. The destruction wasnt limited to people. It extended to the groups communication infrastructure, with exploding pager operations in September 2024 further crippling their command-and-control capabilities.

Moreover, the overland supply corridor through Syria  historically used by Iran to funnel arms and cash to Hezbollah  was effectively shut down after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

A new Syrian government, supported by Saudi mediation, prioritised border security and cooperation with Lebanon, creating an inhospitable environment for Irans smuggling networks. As a result, Irans ability to resupply Hezbollah was drastically reduced.

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Further restrictions came from the Lebanese state itself. The new Lebanese government, under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun, moved aggressively to reassert state control.

Iranian flights suspected of carrying arms were indefinitely suspended at Beiruts Rafic Hariri International Airport and military aid from the US and Gulf states was contingent upon Lebanons commitment to disarming Hezbollah.

As Responsible Statecraft noted, this shift forced Iran to change its public rhetoric, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasising non-interference and state-to-state relations  a marked departure from Tehrans historical emphasis on Hezbollah as the vanguard of resistance.

By the time Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, Hezbollah was effectively sidelined. The once-formidable deterrent was reduced to a rhetorical presence. Irans ability to orchestrate a multi-front retaliation had been shattered, removing one of the key defensive layers in its regional security architecture.

3. Mossads sabotage campaign: The invisible war

While Israeli jets dominated the skies above Iran, a quieter war was unfolding within its borders  one that played an equally important role in softening Iranian defences. This was the war of sabotage, espionage and covert operations conducted primarily by Israels foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad.

Speaking to CNN, Axios journalist Barak Ravid revealed that a senior Israeli official had confirmed multiple Mossad operations in the months leading up to the June attack. These operations targeted not only Irans air defence infrastructure but also its long-range missile capabilities  a threat that could have otherwise served as Irans second line of defence after its airspace was penetrated.

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Though the full scope of these operations remains classified, several known incidents suggest a wide-ranging campaign. In early 2025, mysterious explosions were reported at missile manufacturing sites in western Iran  the same region from which ballistic missiles had previously been launched at Israel. Iranian state media either downplayed or refused to comment on the incidents, but satellite imagery and local reports confirmed the destruction of several key facilities.

Sabotage also extended to Irans nuclear program. According to The Economist, Fereydoon Abbasi, a former head of Irans Atomic Energy Organsation, was assassinated in a targeted strike, and other senior figures in the countrys nuclear infrastructure were reportedly killed or injured. This campaign of decapitation, as one Israeli source termed it, was not just about slowing Irans technical progress  it aimed to sow confusion, disrupt continuity and create a leadership vacuum ahead of the kinetic military campaign.

The combined impact of these operations significantly degraded Irans ability to launch a coordinated defence. According to Galei IDF, while Iran still had over 2,000 long-range ballistic missiles in its inventory, its production and assembly lines had been severely disrupted. In other words, Iran might still possess the missiles  but not the means to replace them quickly or mount a sustained campaign of retaliation.

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A perfect storm of Israeli strategy

Israels attack on Iran on June 13 did not come from a place of sudden provocation or spontaneous escalation. It was the final act in a carefully orchestrated strategy designed to neuter Irans ability to defend itself or strike back effectively.

By dismantling Irans air defences in October, gutting Hezbollahs retaliatory potential over the course of a year and conducting sabotage campaigns targeting missile and nuclear capabilities, Israel created a strategic environment in which it could strike with maximal force and minimal risk.
Twenty-nine years on, the tragic 1996 Charkhi Dadri plane crash still haunts Indias skies349 lives lost in a devastating mid-air collision. Ahmedabad plane crash has brought back those memories, say locals read more

The Ahmedabad plane crash has brought back memories of the Charkhi Dadri air mishap for the people of this Haryana locality. Eyewitnesses recounted the entire incident, describing how the crash unfolded, Network 18 reported.

This happened 29 years ago. On 12 November 1996, a Saudi Arabian aircraft and a Kazakhstan Airlines plane collided over Charkhi Dadri.

It was a mid-air collision that claimed 349 lives in an instant. The crash between Saudi Arabian and Kazakh planes became one of the worlds major aviation disasters. Even today, recalling that day makes the people of Charkhi Dadri tremble. When locals rushed to the scene, they found bodies scattered everywhere. The horror of the crash still haunts the residents.

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That evening of 12 November 1996 is still vivid in peoples minds. About five kilometres from Charkhi Dadri, near the villages of Tikana Kalan and Kheri Sansanwal, a Saudi cargo plane and a Kazakhstan Airlines passenger plane collided. The impact was so severe that a flash lit up the sky and, within moments, the lives of 349 people were engulfed in flames.

Locals recall that it was the early winter season and the sky was clear. Around 7 pm, suddenly, fireballs began falling into the fields around them. People ran outside in panic, and villagers were filled with dread.

Soon, some villagers came running from the fields in a state of shock. It was a devastating plane crash, which, within hours, brought international shame upon the country. After the crash, the fields became barren and wreckage and bodies were scattered over a ten-kilometre radius.

Eyewitness and senior journalist Dayanand Pradhan said that upon seeing fireballs raining from the sky, he rushed to the site and learned that two planes had collided. Bodies were lying everywhere. He was the first to reach the spot and inform the police. He also captured videos and photos of the scene, which still haunt him to this day.

Another eyewitness, Mahasingh Thekedar, recounted that he was returning to his village Maudi from Jhajjar by jeep. As he entered Charkhi Dadri, a flash lit up the sky and, with a loud noise, fireballs began to fall. He immediately drove to the scene, where the situation was dire, with bodies hanging from trees. He quickly took four people to the hospital in his jeep and, upon returning, was again shaken by the devastation. The pain of not being able to save any passengers remains.

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The crash was so horrific that most bodies were unidentifiable. Then Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and then Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal also visited the crash site. Hospitals were overwhelmed with bodies, and social organisations provided assistance. Later, the bodies were buried with the help of JCB machines. Even today, people from abroad come to the cemetery to remember their loved ones.
A day after the Ahmedabad plane crash, a Phuket-Delhi flight of Air India made an emergency landing in Phuket after a bomb threat. read more

A day after an Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad, a Delhi-bound Air India flight made an emergency landing in Thailands Phuket on Friday.

The Air India flight made the emergency landing after in the wake of a bomb threat, according to Reuters.

The flight took from Phuket for Delhi at 9.30 am, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the airport.

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In the Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India flight AI 171 crashed into residential quarters of BJ Medical College minutes after taking off. At least 265 bodies have been recovered, which include bodies from the occupants of the plane as well as from the buildings the plane struck. Only one passenger survived the crash.

In the case of the Phuket-Delhi flight, all 156 passengers were escorted from the plane in line with emergency plans, an official told the agency.

Thai authorities did not provide any details of the bomb threat.

Last year, there were nearly 1,000 hoax calls related to threats to Indian airlines and airports.

In the Ahmedabad plane crash, four MBBS students and a doctors wife were among those killed by the planes impact.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that it was not possible to save anyone as the temperature inside the plane after the crash was too high because of the fuel the plane was carrying.

There was 1.25 lakh litres of fuel inside the plane and it caught heat so it was impossible to save anyone. The number of those killed will be officially released by the authorities after DNA test and identification of the victims, said Shah.
The Indian Embassy in Iran shared an advisory for Indian nationals in Tehran urging them to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement, amid ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel read more

As the , the Indian embassy in Iran issued a travel advisory for all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin living in Iran. In the statement published on Friday morning, the Indian consulate in Tehran urged Indians to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movements.

In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassys Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities, the Indian embassy said in a post on X.

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In the early hours of Friday, Israel conducted pre-emptive strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran. The strikes led to the death of the Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. (IRGC) and the Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Mohammad Bagheri. The Israeli Defence Force later claimed that Iran had launched over 100 drones into its territory, which were intercepted by the Israeli fighter jets. However, the world is still looking closely at how Iran will react to the strikes and whether it will further escalate to a wider conflict in West Asia.

Indian Embassy in Iran shares an advisory for nationals

MEA reacts to Iran-Israel tensions

In a separate statement on the matter, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that it is deeply concerned about the ongoing tussle between Iran and Israel. We are deeply concerned about the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites, the ministry said in a statement.

India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both countries and stands ready to extend all possible support.

Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories, the statement further reads.
As the Israeli strike rocked Iran, the countrys military has vowed to retaliate, calling Israel a Zionist state and insisting that the Jewish nation would pay a heavy price for the attack read more

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 shows onlookers and rescue teams in front of a building that caught fire following and Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning.

In what appeared to be its first official response, the Iranian military vowed to retaliate against the Israeli strikes that hit the countrys nuclear and military facilities. As the world woke up to the news of the attack, Irans Armed Forces have vowed a heavy price for Israel, describing it as a Zionist state.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, told state television on Friday morning that the strikes hit the residential areas of Tehran as well. He made it clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared for a retaliatory strike and will respond decisively to what he called a savage and calculated assault supported by the United States.

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The Zionist enemy, with the assistance of the US, has launched a brutal attack on civilian homes and key officials residences, General Shekarchi said. This reckless aggression has resulted in the martyrdom of several of our commanders and civilians. Israel has made a dire mistake and must now wait for a tough response," he added.

The Iranian military officials remarks came after the Iranian media, including IRIB and IRNA, reported that General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in one of the targeted attacks on Thursday.

While official confirmation from Iran is still pending, multiple outlets have stated that General Gholam Ali Rashid and prominent nuclear scientists Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Dr. Tehranchi are among the possible casualties.

The first hint of retaliation

In the first signs of counterstrikes, Israel said that Iran had launched 100 drones towards Israel and that its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory. Soon after the incident, neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace, raising concerns about a conflict spillover.

The Iranian leadership vowed both a military and diplomatic response, saying women and children had been killed in the strikes across Iran. In a furious statement, the Iranian government accused Israel of terrorism and insisted the attack demonstrated it does not adhere to any international rules or laws and, like a drunkard, openly and brazenly engages in terror and ignites the flames of war before the eyes of the world, including westerners who claim to uphold human rights and international law."

Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lions tail, the statement added. The statement also argued why the country would now be trying to assemble a nuclear bomb in the face of Israels attacks, the statement further said: The world now better understands Irans insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power, and the enemy has made it possible to prove our injustice and righteousness, who is the aggressor and which regime is threatening the security of the region." The world will now be looking at how Iran will response to the Israeli attack.

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More than 12 hours after a major wave of Israeli strikes targeted sites across Iran, several explosions were reported in Tehran and nearby areas on Friday evening, according to Iranian state media read more

A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, on Friday. AP

More than 12 hours after a major wave of Israeli strikes targeted sites across Iran, several explosions were reported in Tehran and nearby areas on Friday evening, according to Iranian state media.

Explosions were reported in western Tehran province, including the cities of Shahriar and Malard, as well as the Chitgar neighborhood of Tehran, according to state news agency IRNA.

Separately, the Mehr news agency reported a blast in Pakdasht, southeast of the capital.

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According to an Associated Press report, civilian witnesses heard what sounded like loud explosions in neighborhoods in the capitals east, west and centre, while an AP journalist in the citys north also heard a blast.

Iranian air defences also shot down an Israeli drone in the vicinity of the countrys Fordow nuclear facility, Iranian media reported.

Earlier today, Iranian media reported two explosions heard in the area of the nuclear site.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel coordinated with the United States in advance of the attack on Iran, and the Trump administration knew about the strike.

We have told them in advance, they knew about the strike, CNN quoted Netanyahu as saying in a pre-recorded video released Friday afternoon. What they will do now, I leave it to President Trump, he makes his own decisions independently.

I will not speak for him. He speaks very persuasively and very firmly and said Iran should not have nuclear weapons, they should not have enrichment capabilities, Netanyahu added.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had on Thursday said that there was no US involvement or assistance in the strikes.

On Friday, Israel launched a blistering attack on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to target key facilities and kill top generals and scientists - a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

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The ongoing military and intelligence operation raised the potential for all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Iran quickly retaliated by sending a swarm of drones at Israel, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment. Iran had been censured by the UNs atomic watchdog a day earlier for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations had sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack  plus the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump  created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats.

Israel had told the Trump administration that the large-scale attacks were coming, officials in the US and Israel said on condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

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With inputs from agencies
Friday, the 13th of June 2025, proved deadly for Tehran, as the Islamic Republic of Iran suffered a when Israeli strikes devastated the capital and other cities, assassinating top military commanders and nuclear scientistsincluding Iranian military chief Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Chief Commander General Hossein Salami.

The scale, precision and brazenness of the attack shocked observers worldwide. However, a closer look at Irans trajectory leading up to the strike suggests the country may have invited its own devastation through a posture of overconfidence.

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Despite persistent regional instability, mounting international pressure and stark warnings from both regional and global actors, Iran doubled down on militarisation, escalated its nuclear activities, and dismissed diplomatic overtures. In doing so, it misread the resolve of its adversaries and miscalculated its strategic depth.

Warning signs ignored: Irans military bravado

In the months leading up to the June 2025 strikes, Iran broadcasted an image of military invincibility. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), under the command of General Salami, repeatedly showcased its growing arsenal and underground missile cities, claiming readiness for any conflict.

Reports say that Iran unveiled yet another subterranean missile base on June 8, boasting upgraded cruise and ballistic missiles designed to counter electronic warfare and engage naval targets. State media portrayed these facilities as key components of deterrence against Israel and the United States, reinforcing the belief that Irans missile capabilities could forestall any serious military incursion.

Still, these shows of strength may have given Tehran a false sense of safety. As seen on IRIB footage, General Salami confidently said that Irans missile power was increasing every day, even though enemies said otherwise. This kind of talk reflected a broader belief within the Iranian leadershipthat their strengths in things like ballistic missiles, drones, and regional proxy groups would protect the Islamic Republic from a direct fight with Israel or the United States.

The fatal miscalculation: Nuclear provocation

Irans confidence was not confined to the military domain. On Thursday, hours before Israeli began strikes, Mohammad Eslami, head of Irans Atomic Energy Organisation, declared the formal launch of a third uranium enrichment facility, described as secure and advanced in both safety and secrecy. Iranian media gave wide coverage to his statements.

Eslamis announcement came hours after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a censure resolution against Iran, initiated by the European trioBritain, France and Germanyand supported by the United States.

Amid rising global concern and escalating tension over its nuclear ambitions, Iran intensified its defiance meant to assert its independent military and energy policy. Behrouz Kamalvandi, Eslamis deputy, stated that Irans cooperation with the IAEAalready extensive by his accountwas now under review, implying possible withdrawal from transparency commitments.

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Kamalvandi said Iran accounted for 72 per cent of all IAEA inspections under Safeguards Agreements, yet this unprecedented scrutiny did not appear to temper the regimes rhetoric. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed that the resolution added to the complexity of nuclear talks, Iranian media reported.

While Tehran framed its nuclear programme as peaceful, pointing to the supreme leaders decree against nuclear weapons, its simultaneous expansion of enrichment activities and reduction in cooperation with the IAEA sent a different message to the international community.

Warnings from allies and adversaries alike

Even Irans former adversaries tried to pull it back from the brink. In a high-stakes diplomatic manoeuvre, Saudi Arabias Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Tehran in April 2025, delivering a message from King Salman to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reuters reported that the prince urged Iran to take US President Donald Trumps offer for renewed nuclear talks seriously, warning that failure could lead to warlikely spearheaded by Israel.

The urgency of Saudi Arabias warning reflected a growing regional consensus: Irans posture was heightening instability. The kingdom feared that Israel , emboldened by Irans intransigence and provoked by Tehrans support for Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, might strike decisively.

These concerns were also shared by US officials, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his post-attack statement on Friday, clarifying that Israels attack on Iran was unilateral and not backed by the US.

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Despite the rare convergence of warningsfrom Arab rivals, Western diplomats and even economic indicators within Irans own bordersTehran persisted in its antagonistic strategy. It continued importing ballistic missile ingredients like ammonium perchlorate from China, a The Wall Street Journal report said, and funnelled military supplies to regional militias, all while dismissing diplomatic outreach.

The consequence: Israel-Iran military conflict

The results of this overconfidence were devastating. On Friday morning, Israeli strikes penetrated deep into Iranian territory, hitting targets not only in Tehran but also in Bushehr and near Natanz. Plumes of smoke over Tehrans skyline were documented by local eyewitnesses, confirming civilian casualties, including women and children.

Among the dead was Bagheri and Salami, whose assassination was confirmed by the Iranian state media. The attacks also killed nuclear scientists Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, key figures in Irans nuclear establishment. The targeting of such high-value individuals indicated not just a tactical operation, but a strategic dismantling of Irans defence and deterrence apparatus.

Explosions at the Natanz nuclear plantpreviously defended in massive military exercises just weeks earlierexposed the vulnerabilities of Irans much-touted point defence shield. The Eqtedar 1403 exercise emphasised resilience against electronic warfare and sabotage, but these preparations proved insufficient in the face of a sophisticated Israeli assault.

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Irans strategic blind spots: Misreading its own position

Irans failure to anticipate or repel the Israeli strikes was rooted in a broader strategic misreading of its position. Domestically, the leadership appeared to believe that resilience and self-reliancehallmarks of the Islamic Republics ideologycould override practical limitations.

The unveiling of new gas turbines, meant to rival those built by General Electric and Siemens, was used by Iranian media to tout domestic technological prowess. However, such symbolism did little to deter external aggression or fix internal vulnerabilities.

Regionally, Iran misjudged the loyalty and capability of its Axis of Resistance allies. After years of Israeli and US strikes, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza had been significantly weakened, while Irans closest state ally, Bashar al-Assad in Syria, had fallen from power.

Iran attempted to compensate by supplying ballistic missiles to Iraqi militias and the Houthis, but these efforts were both risky and insufficient. Even the shipment of thousands of tonnes of missile fuel from China could not offset the reality that Irans regional network was collapsing under pressure.

Internationally, Iran underestimated how rapidly the window for diplomacy could close. President Trumps surprise offer for nuclear negotiations in early 2025 was a rare opening. Yet, Tehrans internal factionalism, deep distrust of the West and a belief in its own strategic indispensability prevented it from seizing the moment. Reuters reported that Saudi officials made it clear that Trump was impatient and that Israeli military options were being prepared in parallel to diplomatic efforts. Iran failed to heed these warnings.

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Overconfidence, a strategic folly

Irans posture in early 2025 illustrates a classic case of strategic overreach. Convinced of its deterrence capabilities and ideological righteousness, Tehran believed it could outlast international pressure while expanding its military and nuclear footprint. Instead, it suffered one of the most crippling military strikes on its soil in decades.

Iran assumed that the world would hesitate to escalate a conflict with a nation so deeply entrenched in regional networks and so committed to asymmetrical warfare. But as The Jerusalem Post had pointed out earlier in the year, even Irans new missile bases appeared underwhelming in capability, exposing gaps between Tehrans rhetoric and its actual readiness.

Furthermore, storing massive quantities of volatile materials like ammonium perchlorate also aggravated domestic disaster. An April explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port due to mishandled missile propellant highlighted the risks of Irans military-industrial buildup. This overconfidence in technical capacity, without adequate safeguards, indicated how hubris might have permeated Irans decision-making.

Iran did not seek annihilation, but through a series of calculated escalations, misjudgments and dismissals of diplomacy, it seems to have advanced what could have possibly come later at a different stage of power equation. The country placed disproportionate faith in deterrence by missile, support from regional proxies and the symbolic power of revolutionary resistance. It ignored earnest diplomatic overtures, dismissed credible intelligence signals and underestimated the resolve of its adversaries.

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India says it is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation that had transpired between Israel and Iran as tensions in West Asia escalate read more

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 shows onlookers and rescue teams in front of a building that caught fire following and Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning.

India said that it is deeply concerned about the between Iran and Israel. In a statement on Friday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that it is closely monitoring the ongoing situation in West Asia and urged both sides to avoid any form of escalatory steps.

India made these remarks hours after Israel conducted pre-emptive strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The strike led to the elimination of Irans top nuclear scientists and military officials, including the Iranian Army chief of staff and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( IRGC ).

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We are deeply concerned about the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both countries and stands ready to extend all possible support.

Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories, the ministry furthered.

Indian Embassy in Iran issues advisory

Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Iran issued a travel advisory for all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin living in Iran. In the statement published on Friday morning, the Indian consulate in Tehran urged Indians to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movements.

In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassys Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities, the Indian embassy said in a post on X.

Indian Embassy in Iran shares an advisory for nationals

In the early hours of Friday, Israel conducted pre-emptive strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran. The strikes led to the death of the Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. (IRGC) Hossein Salami and the Israeli Army Chief of Staff, Mohammad Bagheri . The Israeli Defence Force later claimed that Iran had launched over 100 drones into its territory, which were intercepted by the Israeli fighter jets. However, the world is still looking closely at how Iran will react to the strikes and whether it will further escalate to a wider conflict in West Asia.

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Iran called Israels wave of strikes on Friday a declaration of war, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of even more brutal attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme read more

This picture shows a building damaged in an Israeli strike on Tehran on Friday. AFP

Iran called Israels wave of strikes on Friday a declaration of war, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of even more brutal attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme.

Israel said its air strikes had killed several top generals, including most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards air force, while hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a bitter and painful fate over the attacks, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a declaration of war and President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act.

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The Israeli military said Iran launched around 100 drones, with air defences intercepting them outside Israeli territory, while neighbouring Jordan said it targeted drones and missiles that violated its airspace.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to make a deal, warning that there will be more death and destruction after Israel launched deadly strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

The United States underlined that it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Iran not to attack its personnel or interests, but Tehran said Washington would be responsible for consequences.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme, taking aim at nuclear scientists and the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz.

The strikes would continue as many days as it takes, the Israeli premier said, while the military said intelligence showed Iran was approaching the point of no return on its nuclear programme.

The strikes killed Irans highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

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Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed, while state media said a senior adviser to the supreme leader had himself been wounded.

The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel, the Israeli military said, adding that its attacks had killed most of them.

Iran confirmed the Guards aerospace commander had been killed, along with a group of brave and dedicated fighters.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the precise targeting of senior commanders sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israels destruction will be eliminated.

AFP images showed a gaping hole in the side of a Tehran residential building that appeared to have sustained a targeted and localised strike.

State media said civilians were killed, without providing an exact figure, while an emergency services official said 95 people had been wounded.

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Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were among the dead.

Scathing response

Tehrans streets were deserted except for queues at petrol stations, a familiar sight in times of crisis.

How much longer are we going to live in fear? asked Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree.

As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response.

Air traffic was halted at Tehrans main gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspace.

Israel declared a state of emergency as anxieties grew amid a wave of uncertainty gripped the region.

Im worried for my children, and also about my livelihood, because this affects the market. You cant work, you cant do anything, Tel Aviv resident Vered Saar told AFP.

Oil prices surged while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trumps warning of a massive conflict in the region.

Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran had threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict broke out.

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Prior to the strikes, Trump said he believed a deal on Irans nuclear programme was fairly close, cautioning however that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.

Within reach

With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the US and Iran would still take place on Sunday in Oman, Trump said Washington was hoping to get back to the negotiating table.

Confirming Natanz had been among Israels targets, the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it was closely monitoring the situation as the Israeli military said it hit the underground uranium enrichment centrifuges at the site.

Most of the damage is on the surface level, said the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisations spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi.

Israel sees Iran as an existential threat, and Netanyahu has vowed less restraint since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack by Tehran-backed Hamas, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Since the Hamas attack, Iran and Israel have traded direct attacks for the first time.

I think Israel has declared all-out war against Iran, said Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics.

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Is Iran a paper tiger, or will Iran stand up and show the Iranians and the world that its a pivotal state, it has the capacity and the means and the will to take on Israel?

The United States and other Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an ambition it has consistently denied.

Israel again called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Thursday of non-compliance with its obligations.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely moribund 2015 agreement with major powers, but still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces, was killed in Israels latest strike in Tehran, said the Iranian media. The strikes also led to the elimination of the top brass of Irans military read more

File: Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri addresses a military parade commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran War, in front of the shrine of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, September 22, 2022. AP

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, was killed in the on Thursday, Irans state TV IRINN reported.

The news came shortly after the Iranian state media confirmed that General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in Israels overnight strikes.

It is pertinent to note that Bagheri was Irans highest-ranking military officer and is the second senior figure known to have been killed by Israels unprecedented attack on the countrys capital, nuclear and military facilities.

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IRGC confirms death of General Salami

Meanwhile, Irans Revolutionary Guard has confirmed the death of Hossein Salami, who was seen as one of the countrys most powerful and influential military commanders in Israel.

Without a doubt, Major General Salami was one of the most distinguished commanders of the Islamic Revolution  present on all fronts of scientific, cultural, security, and military jihad, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday.

In all arenas, he stood at the frontlines with a spirit of sincerity, wisdom, and devotion to the Supreme Leader, defending the ideals of the Revolution and the Iranian people, the statement added. The IRGC maintained that its command and other branches of the military are fully prepared to deliver a decisive and harsh response.

It is pertinent to note that the IRGC is an elite wing of the Iranian military that was established in the aftermath of the countrys revolution in 1979.

The unit includes ground forces, naval and air forces, along with intelligence and special forces. The IRGC have been at the forefront of Irans military operations in the region. Their primary role is internal security, but experts say that the group, considered Irans dominant military force, assists Irans regular army with external defence and is the key liaison with Iran-loyal proxy militias in the region.

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While the Trump administration is trying to distance itself from Israels recent strikes on Iran, US Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, expressed his outright support for the Jewish nation in his latest statment. read more

While US President Donald Trumps administration is trying to distance itself from Israels pre-emptive strikes on Iran, the US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, issued outright support to the Jewish nation. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Johnson made it clear that Israel has the right to defend itself, a rhetoric often pushed by Israel and its supporters.

Israel IS rightand has a rightto defend itself! Johnson wrote in his post, sharing the image of an Israeli flag. On Thursday evening, Irans capital, Tehran, woke up to the sounds of multiple explosions at its military and nuclear facilities. Israel eventually claimed responsibility for the attack, calling them

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Israel IS rightand has a rightto defend itself! pic.twitter.com/306CJIHeGx  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Johnson made the post shortly after the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the Israeli strikes inside Iran. It was seen as an attempt to distance Washington from getting involved between the two adversaries in West Asia.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement on Thursday evening.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, Rubio added.

As the conflict between the two nations escalates, the world will be keeping a close eye on how Trump would react to the strikes, given the fact that he was in talks with Tehran for a highly anticipated nuclear deal.

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According to the Prime Ministers Office, Netanyahu began reaching out last night and has already spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron read more

As Israels military operation against Iran continues, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated a series of high-level diplomatic conversations with global leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to the Prime Ministers Office, Netanyahu began reaching out last night and has already spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

He is also likely to speak with US President Trump, Russian President Putin and the British Prime Minister.

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The leaders showed understanding for Israels defence needs in the face of the Iranian threat of annihilation; the Prime Minister said that he would continue to be in contact with them in the coming days, Prime Ministers Office added in the statement.

India on Friday said it is deeply concerned over the recent developments between Iran and Israel and closely monitoring the evolving situation.

New Delhi urged both countries to avoid any escalatory steps.

According to international media reports, Israel has carried out strikes at various places in Iran, targeting nuclear and missile sites, and top military officers.

These diplomatic efforts come amid mounting regional tensions and fears of a broader confrontation involving Iranian retaliation and potential US involvement.

With inputs from agencies
An Israeli airstrike has killed Major General Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian state media. read more

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025, in what appears to be an Israeli airstrike. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

An Israeli strike in Iran on Friday killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) chief Hossein Salami, according to the state media.

IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency has reported that Salami was killed in an Israeli airstrike on the IRGC headquarters.

Salami is understood to be among many top Iranian commanders and other officials targeted by Israeli in its airstrikes. State-owned Mehr news agency also reported Salamis death.

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Israel targeted several nuclear and military sites in Iran in the early hours of Friday. Israel dubbed it Operation Rising Lion.

Israel targeted at least six military bases around Iranian capital Tehran and homes at two highly secure complexes for military commanders and multiple residential buildings around Tehran in apparent targeted assassinations, The New York Times Times reported four senior Iranian officials as saying.

The IRGC is the elite armed force of Iran that reports directly to the Supreme Leader and functions outside of the command and control structure of the countrys regular military. It is seen as the personal sword-arm of the Supreme Leader.

Besides Salami, Major General Gholamali Rashid, the deputy commander of the Iranian armed forces and Fereydoun Abbasi, a nuclear scientist, have also been killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to state media.

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Israel has long considered an Iranian nuclear weapon to be an existential threat. The Israeli strikes came even as US negotiators were preparing to meet Iranians for the sixth round of talks for their nuclear programme on Sunday. In recent months, it had been reported that Iran had ramped up the development of near-weapons grade nuclear fuel. The US intelligence agencies had also assessed that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon in just a few months  down from previous assessments of 12-18 months.
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday condemned Israels overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and top military officials, declaring that Irans armed forces would render Israel helpless read more

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday condemned Israels overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and senior military commanders, vowing that Irans armed forces would render Israel helpless  as Tehran launched a barrage of missiles in retaliation.

Our Armed Forces will act powerfully and create a miserable situation for the wicked Zionist regime, Tehran Times quoted Khamenei as saying in a televised address on Friday night.

Khamenei emphasised that the Israeli actions had crossed a red line and said that Israel will not remain unscathed, and that Tehran will not go for half measures in its response.

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The remarks come after Israel launched a significant military operation targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure and key military figures, an action that has escalated tensions in the region.

Iran has already initiated retaliatory measures, including launching over 100 drones and missiles towards Israel, which were intercepted by Israeli defence systems.

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded on Friday night across Israel following what the countrys military spokesman said was the firing of missiles from Iran.

Irans state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israels biggest ever attacks on Iran, blasting Irans huge underground nuclear site at Natanz and wiping out its top military commanders.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel, Israels military said in a statement, adding the public should enter protected shelters and remain there until further notice.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television also confirmed that the countrys forces launched missile attacks at Israel on Friday, in response to a wave of Israeli attacks on its territory.

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The announcement of the start of Iranian missile attacks on state TV, confirming earlier reports, came shortly after a televised speech by Khamenei.

On Friday, Israel executed a large-scale military operation targeting Irans nuclear and military facilities.

The strikes, involving warplanes and drones, resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Israeli military confirmed the elimination of at least six senior commanders and nine nuclear scientists. Key targets included the Natanz and Fordo uranium enrichment facilities.

The operation was reportedly planned over several months and aimed at halting Irans advancing nuclear programme.

The United States, while not directly involved, had been informed of the impending Israeli strikes.

President Donald Trump reiterated his warning to Iran, stating that failure to negotiate a nuclear deal would result in even more brutal attacks.

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The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions, with calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.

With inputs from agencies
After attacking nuclear and military sites across Iran, Israel has said that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make 15 bombs and is near the point of no return in its nuclear weapons programme. read more

After conducting widespread strikes inside Iran, Israel has said that the Ayatollah Khameneis regime was nearing the point of no return in the development of a nuclear weapon.

Israel targeted Irans nuclear programme , military sites, and top military leaders in strikes across Iran in the early hours of Friday. It dubbed it Operation Rising Lion.

In a post on X, the Israeli military said that recent intelligence has shown that Iran has been producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium and currently has enough uranium for 15 bombs.

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In October 2023, Iran had 4,130.7 kg of enriched uranium that was enough for nine bombs but it now has 7,264 that is enough for 15 bombs.

The regime is producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified enrichment compounds, in underground, fortified sites. This program has accelerated significantly in recent months, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, the statement read.

:   



Recent intelligence shows Iran is nearing the point of no return in its race toward a nuclear weapon. The regime is producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified pic.twitter.com/my6mVB7rOI  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

The Israeli military said that it was not left with any option other than attacking Irans nuclear programme.

In addition to nuclear sites, including Natanz, Israel killed top Iranian officials , such as IRGC chief Major General Hossein Salami, Iranian military chief Brigadier General Mohammad Bagheri, and deputy military chief Gholamali Rashid, and scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranji Fereydoun Abbasi.

With strikes on the Iranian nuclear programme, Israeli Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu defied US President Donald Trump, who had asked him not to attack Irans Iranian nuclear sites  as recently as yesterday.

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Iran is widely expected to retaliate but the scope of any retaliation will depend on the support that Trump offers to Iran. So far, the Trump administration has maintained that it was a unilateral Israeli attack. Moreover, efforts so far have been publicised to withdraw non-essential US personnel from the region and secure US assets instead of bolstering the defence of Israel.

As Iran has apparently conducted the operation without Trumps go-ahead, it is left to be seen if Trump would come to Israels defence like former President Joe Biden did. In two rounds of Israel-Iran aerial battles last year, the Israel was able to fend off the Iranian barrage because of the defensive coalition put together by Biden that comprised US, British, French, and Arab forces.
Caught between diplomacy and deterrence, the US tries to manage the consequences of an allys war it claims not to support read more

The on Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday have reignited tensions across West Asia placing Washington in a strategically delicate position. As Israel pursues what it claims is self-defence, the US is treading carefully between alliance solidarity, diplomatic ambitions and military caution. The gap between what the US says, wants and knows has never been more visibleor more consequential.

What the US says: Diplomatic distance with a warning

In the immediate aftermath of Israels strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

He issued a direct warning to Tehran: Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

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His remarks echo the administrations broader attempt to shield US forces from becoming collateral in a rapidly escalating conflict. Rubios statement came just hours after President Donald Trump publicly warned Israel not to go forward with the attack.

Trump had said that Israeli action at this moment could ruin chances for a peacefully negotiated solution, referencing the upcoming sixth round of nuclear talks with Iran scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

Despite that warning, Israel proceeded. Rubio later confirmed that Israel had advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence, but offered neither endorsement nor criticism of the operationreflecting the US administrations desire to distance itself without disavowing its closest regional ally.

What the US wants: Preventing a nuclear Iran

Behind the carefully worded neutrality is a core strategic demand: Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon. President Trump has made this unequivocal, stating, They cant have a nuclear weapon. Very simple, they cant have a nuclear weapon.

That goal places the US in quiet alignment with Israeli concerns even as it stops short of actively participating in Israels military decisions. The consistency of this position across party lines is telling. Congressional voices, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have adopted a combative tone.

Game on, Graham said, framing the moment as a test of Western resolve. Senate Majority Leader John Thune backed up the administrations messaging by reaffirming support for US defensive posture should Iran retaliate against American interests. Though public denials of involvement continue, the message to Tehran remains forceful: no nuclear weaponsby diplomacy or deterrence.

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What the US Knows: Escalation is likely

While maintaining a public stance of restraint, the US is clearly preparing for the possibility of retaliation. President Trump acknowledged that American forces in the region were being repositioned: They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place.

Embassy staff have been evacuated in Iraq and departures were authorised in Bahrain and Kuwait signalling that the administration is treating the situation as imminently volatile.

Rubio further noted that President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.

Intelligence assessments have reportedly warned of Iranian plans to target American bases in the Gulf if they perceive the US as complicit. Even without direct involvement, the US is now exposed to the consequences of Israels military gambit.

And Trump told a Fox News anchor that he was aware of the Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

A delicate balancing act

The Trump administrations current posture reflects a multi-layered strategy: project diplomatic distance to preserve peace talks, signal support for Israels fundamental security concerns and protect American personnel from retaliation. Rubios measured toneacknowledging Israels reasoning without endorsing itreflects that high-wire act.

The shadow over Oman

The sixth round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, scheduled to take place this Sunday in Oman, now hangs by a thread. Tehran may view Israels actionsand Washingtons refusal to condemn themas proof that diplomacy is futile. At the same time, Irans leadership is under domestic pressure to respond forcefully. What was supposed to be a breakthrough round could now become a post-mortem on a collapsing diplomatic process.

Three realities, one crisis

The current US stance is shaped by three overlapping realities. It publicly denies involvement, it adamantly opposes an Iranian nuclear weapon, and it quietly braces for the fallout of a conflict it did not initiate but cannot entirely escape. Whether diplomacy or confrontation prevails in the coming days will depend not only on Irans next move , but on how credibly the US can manage the contradiction between what it says, what it wants and what it already knows.
Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israels Operation Rising Lion against Iran would continue until the threat is removed read more

Screengrab of video posted by the Israeli PM on X

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday (June 13) that the attack on Iran would continue after the Jewish nation declared it struck Iranian nuclear sites in Operation Rising Lion.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat, Netanyahu said in a video statement.

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility at Natanz We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme, he said, adding that Israel had also hit Iranian nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb.

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Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.



This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.







Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: pic.twitter.com/XgUTy90g1S  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) June 13, 2025

Israel launched strikes on Tehran early Friday, targeting nuclear and military sites, with explosions echoing across Irans capital.

The follows heightened tensions over Irans advancing nuclear programme.

On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors censured Iran for the first time in two decades for failing to cooperate with inspectors. Iran responded by announcing a third enrichment site and plans to upgrade centrifuges.

Israel has long vowed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, despite Tehrans denials of such ambitions, though Iranian officials have hinted at their capability to build them. The US has braced for escalation, withdrawing some diplomats from Iraq and offering voluntary evacuations for families of US troops in the Middle East.

(More to follow)
Iranian state TV reported that a new blast was heard at a key uranium enrichment site read more

This handout photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 shows onlookers and rescue teams in front of a building that caught fire following and Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran early in the morning.

The second round of Israeli strikes on Iran has begun, reported Channel 12.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) earlier announced that the first round of Operation Rising Lion had concluded.

Iranian state TV reported that a new blast was heard at a key uranium enrichment site.

New explosion heard at Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan province, the broadcaster reported, showing thick black smoke rising from the facility.

Earlier, PM Benjamin Netanyahu Israel had launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting nuclear and military sites in Iran.

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Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat, he declared in a video message.

Meanwhile, the US distanced itself from the escalation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the US that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House

Netanyahu said that Israels strikes on Iran are aimed at hurting its nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile factories and many of its military capabilities, reported Reuters

(More to follow)
Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Israels wave of strikes on Iran, the Kremlin said Friday, following separate phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with members of the Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia) National Public Organisation and participants of the organisation's 20th Congress and Forum via video link at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia May 13, 2025. Sputnik via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Israels wave of strikes on Iran, the Kremlin said Friday, following separate phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Russia and Iran have deepened their military ties amid Moscows offensive on Ukraine, threatening its efforts to maintain warm relations with all major players in the Middle East.

Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia condemns Israels actions, which violate the UN Charter and international law, the Kremlin said in a statement Friday.

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He also told Netanyahu of his readiness to provide mediation services in order to prevent further escalation of tensions.

The Kremlin added that Russia was committed to resolving the current situation, which is fraught with the most disastrous consequences for the entire region.

Earlier Friday, Russia had condemned Israeli strikes on Moscows ally Iran.

Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful cities and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable, said a Russian foreign ministry statement, calling the strikes atrocities.

Putin and other top Russian officials have also condemned Israels actions in Gaza, though has so far managed to maintain working relations with Israel.

The Kremlin earlier this week defended Irans right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy programme.

It said the overnight strikes were especially cynical amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Irans nuclear programme.

Moscow reiterated that the Iranian nuclear issue could only be settled diplomatically and called on both sides to show restraint.
Plans for a military parade in Washington to celebrate President Donald Trumps 79th birthday on Saturday are now uncertain, as officials weigh the possibility of cancellation due to forecasted thunderstorms, according to a report read more

Plans for a military parade in Washington to celebrate President Donald Trumps 79th birthday on Saturday are now uncertain, as officials weigh the possibility of cancellation due to forecasted thunderstorms, according to The Times report.

The event is to mark the 250th anniversary of the US army, but weather concerns have prompted event organisers to reassess safety and logistics. A final decision is expected soon, pending updated forecasts, added the report.

Rain wont stop us, the tanks dont melt, but if theres lightning then that puts the crowd at risk  they will disperse the crowd and even cancel or postpone the parade. It will depend on the president, too, when hes available, The Times quoted Steve Warren, its chief spokesman, as saying.

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According to The Times report, The US Army has lined up a full day of events in Washington on Saturday to mark its 250th anniversary, set to culminate in a grand 6:30 pm parade featuring 6,600 troops, tanks, and even a live message from an astronaut in space.

But with thunderstorms forecast to hit the capital by late afternoon, the spectacle  tied to President Trumps 79th birthday  now faces possible cancellation, added the report.

Trump, inspired by Frances Bastille Day parade in 2017, has long pushed for such a display.

He has called the upcoming event an unforgettable celebration and warned that protesters would be met with very big force.

That warning comes amid plans by No Kings, a protest group organising 1,800 demonstrations nationwide against Trumps immigration policies and protest crackdowns.

The parades cost, estimated at $2545 million, has drawn criticism, though Trump has dismissed it as peanuts compared to the value of doing it.

Warren said the final call would rest with the armys chief of staff, who will be advised by the operations specialists on crowd safety in the case of lightning.

Its June in Washington DC. We get thunderstorms. You could delay it, you could look at it and say this is just passing through. Or say, hey, this is a storm which gets bigger for a while, Warren was quoted as saying.

With inputs from agencies
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington DC was not involved in Israels pre-emptive strikes on Iran in a bid to distance the US from the brewing conflict. read more

As Israel launched what it called , with its military claiming to have hit nuclear sites and eliminated a top military general and nuclear scientists, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to distance his country from its allys attack. Rubio issued a statement saying the US was not involved in Israeli strikes inside Iran.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said.

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Rubio, however, appeared to defend Israeli action saying, Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence.

Israeli action follows US President Donald Trumps remarks on Thursday that the two arch-rivals should not get into a military conflict. Hours before the strikes in Iran, Trump cautioned any military action by Israel against Iran could jeopardise the ongoing nuclear talks.

I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But also could blow it, Trump said.

After the Israeli attack, the US secretary of state said, President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.

Rubio warned Iran against targeting American assets or personnel deployed in the region. He said, Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

The tension between Israel and Iran had been building for quite some time with Trump and his administration having been involved in trying to reach a nuclear deal with Tehran. However, both sides put out unacceptable proposals for a nuclear agreement.
In his first remark after Israel bombarded Tehran, Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the country would face a bitter and painful fate as he vows retaliation read more

In this photo released by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting with a group of air force officers in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, lambasted insisting that the Jewish nation would face severe punishment. On Friday morning, the Iranian Supreme Leader issued a statement, which was carried out by the countrys state-run IRNA news agency.

In the statement, it was confirmed that the top military officials and scientists had been killed in the strikes that also targeted nuclear and military sites. Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres, Khamenei said in the statement.

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With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself up for a bitter and painful fate, and it will receive it, he added.

Iran unleashes massive drone strike

In the first signs of counterstrikes, Israel said that Iran had launched 100 drones towards Israel and that its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory. Soon after the incident, neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace, raising concerns about a conflict spillover.

The Iranian leadership vowed both a military and diplomatic response, saying women and children had been killed in the strikes across Iran. In a furious statement, the Iranian government accused Israel of terrorism and insisted the attack demonstrated it does not adhere to any international rules or laws and, like a drunkard, openly and brazenly engages in terror and ignites the flames of war before the eyes of the world, including westerners who claim to uphold human rights and international law.

Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lions tail, the statement added. The statement also argued why the country would now be trying to assemble a nuclear bomb in the face of Israels attacks, the statement further said: The world now better understands Irans insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power, and the enemy has made it possible to prove our injustice and righteousness, who is the aggressor and which regime is threatening the security of the region." The world will now be looking at how Iran will respond to the Israeli attack.
US President Donald Trump has said that he was aware of Israels plan to attack Irans nuclear programme beforehand. He had previously asked Israel to not go ahead with the offensive. read more

US President Donald Trump (R) meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2025. (Photo: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has told Fox News that he was aware of the Israeli plan to attack Iran beforehand.

Trump further said that even as the United States was not involved in the strikes, he remains committed to not let Iran develop a nuclear weapon.

Trump further said, Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.

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Trump further said that he has been keeping an eye on Irans response.
Despite publicly voicing opposition, US President Donald Trump privately gave Israel the go-ahead for its military operation against Iran, according to a report, citing two senior Israeli officials read more

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem on May 23, 2017. AP File

Despite publicly voicing opposition, US President Donald Trump privately gave Israel the go-ahead for its military operation against Iran, according to a report, citing two senior Israeli officials.

We had a clear US green light, Axios quoted one of the officials as saying, claiming Trumps public disapproval was a calculated move to mislead Tehran and prevent Iranian targets from relocating.

The that began overnight targeted Irans nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, senior scientists, and top military commanders.

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According to an Axios report, citing Israeli officials, the attack is aimed at eliminating Irans nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and could last days or even weeks.

While Trump repeatedly warned, even hours before the assault, against a strike that could blow up ongoing nuclear negotiations, Israeli officials said this was part of a joint strategy to keep Iran off guard.

Behind the scenes, they claim, Trump coordinated with Netanyahu, with a Monday phone call that was publicly portrayed as a warning actually involving final operational discussions.

Netanyahus aides even briefed Israeli journalists that Trump was trying to restrain Israel, a claim now said to have been intentionally misleading, reported Axios.

The campaign followed eight months of covert planning triggered by Irans missile strike on Israel last October. Motivated by intelligence suggesting Iran was accelerating its nuclear weaponisation efforts, and the imminent launch of an underground enrichment facility immune to even US bunker-buster bombs, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered preparations for a broad strike, reported Axios, citing Israeli sources.

Opening salvos of the operation included the targeted killing of nuclear scientists, with 25 individuals reportedly on Israels hit list and at least two confirmed dead, and the assassination of top Iranian military leaders, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the chief of staff.

Iranian media has reported that Israeli strikes under Operation Rising Lion killed at least 78 people and injured 329.

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In addition to airstrikes, Mossad operatives have reportedly been deployed inside Iran to carry out sabotage missions on missile and air defence infrastructure, added the report.

The US has not confirmed Israels assertions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly labeled the operation unilateral, denying any US involvement.

Trump later admitted he was aware of Israels intentions but reiterated that the US played no military role.

Still, questions remain about the extent of American intelligence, logistical, or cyber support for the Israeli strike.

With tensions now at a boiling point, Israel Defence Force (IDF) said that Iran has launched over 100 rockets at Israel in the past few hours.

In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defence systems are acting to intercept the threats, Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, the chief army spokesman, said in a statement.

Iranian officials had vowed a strong response, explicitly warning that American forces are also within their sights.

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Meanwhile, Iran on Friday announced that it will no longer participate in scheduled nuclear negotiations with the United States.

The talks were set to take place in Oman on Sunday, but have now been suspended indefinitely, according to statements released by Iranian officials and confirmed by the Oman News Agency and Iranian state media.

The decision marks a sharp escalation in tensions and effectively halts a key diplomatic channel between Tehran and Washington.

With inputs from agencies
Hours ahead of Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear programme, US President Donald Trump had advised against such an attack and his top aide, Steve Witkoff, had recently warned that any Iranian retaliation could cause mass casualties. read more

President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive for a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington. AP

With strikes on Irans nuclear programme, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defied US President Donald Trump  his principal international partner.

Just hours ahead of Israeli strikes inside Iran , Trump on Thursday advised Israel against such strikes and warned that any attack would kill ongoing talks. He said that a deal with Iran was fairly close.

I dont want them going in, because I think it would blow it, said Trump.

Israel struck dozens of sites in Iran associated with the regimes nuclear programme and military in the early hours of Friday.

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The Israeli military said in statement that it launched a preemptive, precise, and combined offensive on Irans nuclear programme that involved dozens of aircraft.

Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, the statement read.

The Israeli attack has raised fears of an all-out war in West Asia. The attack comes after days of warnings that such an attack was imminent as talks between the United States and Iran appeared to have faltered .

Trump administration warned of Irans mass casualty response

In addition to Trumps direct advice against the attack, his Middle East Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, had also warned about the attack, according to a report.

In a meeting with top Republican Senators, Witkoff warned that Iran could launch a mass casualty response if Israel bombs its nuclear sites, as per Axios.

However, Witkoff said that the Iranian attack was definitely on the table if no agreement is reached with Iran.

The Israeli attack has come ahead of Witkoffs sixth round of talks with Iranian negotiators about the countrys nuclear programme on Sunday. Now, after the Israeli attack, the talks are understood to be dead and buried  at least for now.

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In a post on X, Israeli affairs analyst Shaiel Ben-Ephraim said that if the Trump administration was indeed not onboard with the Israeli attack, then Netanyahu has essentially sabotaged ongoing peace efforts in West Asia.

If the reports that Trump was against this attack are accurate, Israel has intentionally sabotaged an important negotiation process and put US assets in the Middle East at risk. If not, this was a very, sophisticated trick to catch Iran unaware, said Ben-Ephraim.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in London on Friday, where the two leaders discussed the timing of Bangladeshs upcoming national elections read more

In a significant political development, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman met Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in London on Friday, where the two leaders discussed the timing of Bangladeshs upcoming national election.

According to a News 18 report, citing a joint statement issued after the meeting, Rahman proposed that the next general election be held before the start of Ramzan in 2026.

He said that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also supports the idea, believing that a pre-Ramzan election would be most appropriate for the country, added the report.

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Responding to the proposal, Yunus reiterated his earlier announcement that the election is planned for the first half of April next year.

He added that, should necessary reforms and institutional preparations be completed on time, the polls could be held even in the week leading up to Ramzan, said the report, citing the statement.

Rahman welcomed the Chief Advisors position and conveyed his appreciation on behalf of the BNP.

Both leaders described the meeting as cordial and constructive, emphasising the importance of accountability and electoral readiness in the lead-up to the vote.

The meeting has raised hopes that the long-standing deadlock over the timing of the next national election may finally be resolved.

Yunus is currently on a four-day visit to London, where Tarique Rahman has been residing for nearly two decades.

Speculation about a possible meeting between the two had been mounting since the Chief Advisors UK visit was announced on June 4, despite the fact that no such meeting was listed in his official itinerary.

With inputs from agencies
Mon Monday

98 /67

Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 90s and lows in the upper 60s.
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Contracts

Contracts For June 12, 2025

ARMY

Brice Solutions LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0018); Bristol Prime Contractors LLC,* Anchorage, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0019); Eklutna Construction & Maintenance LLC,* Wasilla, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0020); Orion Construction Inc.,* Wasilla, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0021); Red Point Construction LLC,* Palmer, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0022); and Weldin Construction LLC,* Wasilla, Alaska (W911K-B-25-D0023), will compete for each order of the $450,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for sustainment, restoration, modernization and small construction projects at various military locations in Alaska, and Wake Island. Bids were solicited via the internet with 21 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 11, 2030. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage, Alaska, is the contracting activity.

Recco Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, was awarded a $17,336,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a vehicle and aircraft maintenance shop and storage complex. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work will be performed in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 2, 2026. Fiscal 2025 military construction, Army National Guard funds in the amount of $17,336,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Wyoming, is the contracting activity (W50S8W-25-C-A004).

NAVY

BAE Systems - San Diego Ship Repair, San Diego, California, is awarded a $155,886,629 firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Somerset (LPD 25) fiscal 2025 Docking Selected Restricted Availability. The scope of this acquisition includes all labor, supervision, equipment, production, testing, facilities, and quality assurance necessary to prepare for and accomplish the Chief of Naval Operations Availability for critical modernization, maintenance, and repair programs. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $178,357,238. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by January 2027. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $144,704,806 (93%); and fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,181,823 (7%), will be obligated at the time of award, of which $11,181,823 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively solicited using full and open competition via the System for Award Management website, with one offer received. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N0002425C4415).

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Rockville, Maryland, is awarded a $94,514,992 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00167-25-D-0005) for the procurement of the Navy's next generation dosimetry system and an updated database management software system called the Naval Radiation Exposure Management System. This contract includes a five-year ordering period, with the maximum value of $94,514,992, if the full contract ceiling is utilized. Work will be performed in Oakwood Village, Ohio (47%); the Czech Republic (25%); Spain (13%); Germany (13%); and the United Kingdom (3%). Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,595,127 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Solicitation Module, with two offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare System Carderock Division, Bethesda, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $18,249,602 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-25-C-5409) to exercise an option and provide funding for manufacturing, assembly, test and delivery of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Tactical All-Up Rounds in support of full rate production requirements. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (35%); East Camden, Arkansas (35%); Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (8%); Elma, New York (3%); Middletown, Ohio (3%); Anniston, Alabama (2%); and various other locations each less than 2% (2%), and is expected to be completed by May 2029. Fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Army) funding in the amount of $18,249,602 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Acciona CMS Australia LLC, Maumee, Ohio, is awarded a $15,482,554 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of an aircraft maintenance support facility. This contract provides for new construction of a squadron operations facility. Work will be performed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia and is expected to be completed by February 2027. Fiscal 2022 military construction (MILCON) (Air Force) funds in the amount of $9,008,257 will be obligated at time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Fiscal 2024 MILCON (Air Force) funds in the amount of $6,474,297 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website, with three offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-25-C-1311).

Saab Inc., Syracuse, New York, is awarded a $15,012,698 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-22-C-5530) to exercise an option for multi-mode radar production and engineering support. Work will be performed in Gothenburg, Sweden (51%); and Syracuse, New York (49%), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $15,012,698 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Saunders Engine and Equipment Co. Inc.,* Gulf Shores, Alabama, is being awarded $14,877,224 for a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide small craft maintenance and upgrade support services in support of the Naval Oceanographic Office. The contract includes a 60-month ordering period, and one six-month option period in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8, option to extend services, which, if exercised, will bring the total estimated value to $16,490,007. All work will be performed in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Work will begin in July 2025 and expected to be completed by June 2030; if the option is exercised work will be completed by December 2030. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) (O&M, N) funds in the contract's minimum amount of $10,000 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Subsequent task orders will be funded with appropriate fiscal year O&M, N funds. This contract was competitively procured through the sam.gov website as a total small business set-aside requirement with two offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Fleet Directorate, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00189-25-D-0015).

North Star Scientific Corp.,* Kapolei, Hawaii, is awarded a $13,746,890 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001925F0217) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001924G0014). This order provides modeling, hardware design and construction, testing and data analysis in preparation for and execution of full-scale testing in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III, Topic N06-125 "L-Band Solid-State High-Power Amplifier for Airborne Platforms." Work will be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii (44.39%); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (44.99%); San Leandro, California (7.70%); Newark, Delaware (1.13%); and Warminster, Pennsylvania (1.79%), and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,746,890 will be obligated at time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin, Mission Systems and Training, Baltimore, Maryland, is being awarded a $7,755,462 cost-plus award-fee order, N6278622F0021, against the previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-19-G-2319) to provide engineering and management services for LCS 25 Post Shakedown Availability. Work will be performed in Mayport, Florida (51%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (21%); Washington, D.C. (14%); and Moorestown, New Jersey (14%). This delivery order is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2025. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,150,251 (66%) will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Beyond New Horizons LLC, Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, has been awarded a $101,574,440 modification (P00014) to a previously awarded contract (FA9101-24-C-B002) for test operations and sustainment. This modification provides for test operations, technology development, equipment and facility sustainment, capital improvements and some support services for Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Work will be performed at Arnold AFB, Tennessee, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2036. This modification brings the overall value of the contract from $3,857,718,219 to $3,959,292,659. Fiscal 2024 research and development funds are being obligated at the time of award. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance and research and development funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Test Center, Arnold AFB, Tennessee, is the contracting activity.

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4215471/

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China transforms wisdom of harmonious coexistence into solutions for global governance

14:46, June 13, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily

June 10 marked the inaugural International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations of the United Nations.

Dialogue and mutual learning are essential to the development of civilizations, and they serve as powerful drivers for global peace, progress, and sustainable development.

In today's rapidly evolving world, the value of civilization exchange has never been more evident, and the importance of interaction among civilizations could not be more critical. The call for dialogue among civilizations could not be more timely.

To celebrate the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, a themed event was held on June 9 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. At the event's thematic dialogue session, participants from across the globe spoke highly of the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI) proposed by China, recognizing its significance for the world and calling for enhanced solidarity, deeper dialogue, and collective efforts to safeguard peace and development.

In his speech, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted: "On this first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, we celebrate that conviction and the rich diversity of civilizations as a force to promote mutual understanding and global solidarity."

Last year, with unanimous support from all member states, the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution jointly proposed by China and 82 other countries, designating June 10 of each year as the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

The resolution fully embodies the core message of the GCI and reflects the shared aspiration of people around the world to promote dialogue and advance human progress. It has received broad support from the international community.

Dialogue among civilizations strengthens the bonds of peace, fuels momentum for development, and builds bridges of friendship. In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the GCI, advocating the respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

Establishing the International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations is a concrete step of China toward implementing the GCI, a vivid demonstration of how China is transforming its time-honored philosophy of harmony in diversity into practical solutions for global governance. Over the past year, China has worked closely with other countries to implement the spirit of the resolution, creating platforms for equal dialogue among different civilizations.

From the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2024 and the BRICS Civilization Dialogue, to the 2024 Forum on Dialogue between the Civilizations of China and Latin America and the Caribbean and the 4th Conference on Dialogue Between Chinese and African Civilizations, China has remained a steadfast promoter of mutual learning among civilizations and a driver of the GCI's implementation. The international community widely recognizes China's growing leadership in advocating equal dialogue among civilizations.

Through mutual learning and exchanges, the world can draw from diverse civilizational experiences to address pressing global challenges and expand pathways toward modernization. Chinese modernization, deeply rooted in the country's rich traditional culture, represents both a continuation of China's own civilization and a fusion of achievements from other world civilizations.

China supports all countries in exploring modernization paths suited to their national conditions. By convening forums such as the SCO Political Parties Forum, building China-Africa platform for governance experience sharing, and launching the Global South Think Tanks Alliance, China is actively promoting mutual learning in governance and civilizational exchange.

All countries are on board the same giant vessel. It carries not only aspirations for peace, economic prosperity and technological advancement, but also the diversity of civilizations and the continuation of humanity.

China is committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to advance the GCI's principles, uphold equality among civilizations, promote exchanges among civilizations, and advance the progress of civilizations. It will let dialogues play a harmonious symphony and raise the sails on the voyage, and help steer the profound changes unseen in a century toward a direction that better promotes human progress.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Spain condemns drone attack on Medicos del Mundo Spain offices in Gaza

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 056

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

We strongly condemn the drone attack on the offices of the NGO Medicos del Mundo in Deir al Balah, Gaza, where the numerous humanitarian interventions financed with support from AECID and other Spanish Cooperation administrations were being coordinated. This attack resulted in the death of 8 people, including 3 children.

The attack directed at a building the location of which had been reported to the Israeli military authorities as a facility of a humanitarian organisation, under the protection of International Humanitarian Law, can plausibly be considered a violation of that same Law.

We demand the full and immediate resumption of aid to Gaza and that Israel allow the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity.

-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-

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Revolutionizing Operational Testing: The Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) Expeditionary Operational Assessment at Fort Johnson

By Cpt. Simeon Blakely, Maj. Thomas Lorenson, and Mr. Thomas Mort, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command June 12, 2025

FORT JOHNSON, La. -- Amidst the evolving landscape of military acquisitions and the Army's renewed commitment to agile, rapid capability development, the Nest Generation Squad Weapon (NSGW) has undergone a pivotal Expeditionary Operational Assessment (EOA) in collaboration with elements of 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at the Joint Readiness Training Center (Rotation 25-07).

This assessment marks a significant step forward in the Army's implementation of the continuous transformation framework, specifically within the Transformation in Contact (TiC) phase.

The 101st Airborne Division, identified by the Army as one of its TiC units, plays a critical role in rapidly integrating and evaluating emerging capabilities that directly address urgent operational requirements.

Operational Testing in TiC: A New Paradigm

The NGSW assessment at Fort Johnson is in direct response to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George's call to action for the Army to swiftly adapt its acquisition processes. Through the continuous transformation framework, TiC-designated units receive and rapidly implement new capabilities at a relevant speed. This has necessitated a shift in thinking from traditional test and evaluation (T&E) approaches, in trade for more agile, iterative processes. These highlight the integration of rigorous data-driven analysis and direct soldier feedback.

"Our commitment to providing world-class, objective test data to Army senior leaders remains unchanged. But the rapidly changing battlefield requires that we rethink historical methods and processes of operational testing. TiC especially highlights that we cannot remain in the status quo," said Col. Mike Trotter, Director of the Maneuver Test Directorate (MTD), U.S. Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC). "We are embracing agility and broadening our testing horizons, while ensuring we retain world-class standards."

Small Team, Big Impact

Whereas operational testing has traditionally been a large-scale effort  requiring extensive planning, coordination, and strict control of test variables  T&E within TiC has sparked more agile practices. EOAs are one such evolution.

This EOA event, which expands upon previous assessments conducted at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is led by a specialized, nimble test team uniquely equipped for agile testing. The team is drawn from USAOTC's MTD, Dismounted Test Division  Mr. Troy Willey, a retired Command Sergeant Major with extensive armored command experience; Mr. Bill Rabena, a mathematician, operations research systems analyst and former brigade commander with deep expertise in operational analytics; and Maj. Thomas Lorenson, the senior test officer. They are joined by Maj. Matt Brooks, a military evaluator from the U.S. Army Evaluation Center.

"The expertise of Mr. Willey and Mr. Rabena, as well as Maj. Brook's operational experience, [are] invaluable," emphasized Lorenson. "Their operational and analytical insights significantly enhance our ability to construe soldier feedback comprehensively and accurately. I'm fortunate to work alongside such a proficient and dedicated team of experts."

Expanding the Testing Frontier

The broader shift toward EOAs was successfully applied in previous programs, such as the Infantry Squad Vehicle and Next Generation Tactical Vehicle. EOAs prioritize flexibility, mobility, and timely data collection within operationally realistic training and combat scenarios.

This EOA also reflects growing engagements between operational testers and the Combat Training Centers (CTCs). CTCs are uniquely poised to enable testers minimal, invasive access to TiC units in their training cycles. CTC conditions, in many cases, qualify as the operational realism required of traditional operational tests.

Col. Ricky Taylor, Commander of Operations Group at Joint Readiness Training Center, underscored this critical initiative. "We need to continue adapting to changes on the battlefield and replicate large-scale ground combat operations," he said. "These assessments directly support the chief's and the Army's initiatives. It's imperative we embrace them and fully integrate these assessors with our task force to achieve the most valuable operational data."

Another key evolution was the integration with the Centers of Excellence (COE), as a source of evaluation criteria. This nascent approach seeks to align EOA data requirements with the learning demands of the COEs and, in some cases, the operational units. This marks a shift from traditional dependence on formal requirements documents, like the Capability Development Document, which may be outdated or absent in today's rapidly evolving environment.

"The Army's expectations are clear: operational testing must deliver timely, relevant insights without compromising rigorous evaluation," explained Willey. "Our approach ensures rapid adaptation to soldier and unit needs, directly informing future capability development."

Qualitative Insights, Quantitative Precision

During the assessment, the team conducts comprehensive qualitative and quantitative surveys with Soldiers, which captures broad perspectives on the NGSW's 6.8mm ammunition, Fire Control System, and overall weapon implementation. Hundreds of Soldiers provide immediate, unfiltered insights highlighting both strengths and areas requiring improvement.

"The weapon is great. I can fire effectively from all positions, and it gives me a lot of confidence," said Spc. Shaquille Pusey of Alpha Co., 1-506th Battalion. "My only issues are the bipod, which can be hard to manage, and the ammo pouch release button. It often comes undone when I move, spilling the link."

"With this weapon, I'm simply more lethal," said Sgt. Christopher Caldwell from 3rd Platoon, Alpha Co., 1-506th Battalion. "Engaging targets at long distances feels effortless. It's like having a cheat code. The precision and controllability give us a clear edge."

While qualitative soldier feedback provides firsthand experience, Rabena's system-oriented approach ensures the rigorous analytical depth required in operational testing.

"Unique to this EOA is its targeted data collection approach, which focuses on specific areas needing improvement that were identified in a previous operational test's database," Rabena said. "This EOA serves as a litmus test for program manager (PM) progress and unit sentiment toward the new system. It essentially asks, what still needs to be fixed, and have any new issues emerged?" This structured data collection will yield precise, actionable feedback for evaluators like Brooks, who ensure system updates, while contributing to the iterative process.

"The Next Generation Squad Weapon program thrives on rapid prototyping and embedded evaluation," said Brooks. "Soldier feedback drives iterative improvements at the speed of relevance, ensuring design adjustments meet real-world needs. The U.S. Army Evaluation Center accelerates the process by delivering results briefs to senior leaders within seven days of test completion."

Unbiased Testing, Unchanged Integrity

While TiC assessments accelerate fielding timelines and challenge traditional test methodologies, USAOTC's fundamental commitment to providing unbiased data for decision makers remains unchanged. Modernizing T&E capabilities and data collection methods, as well as fostering closer integration with new stakeholders across the acquisition and operational communities, enables the generation of critical insights under realistic operational conditions, free from personal bias.

"Our role as an impartial stakeholder is absolutely critical," Lorenson noted. "We objectively report the data, bridging soldier experiences with the needs of program managers and the larger enterprise, ensuring rapid delivery of reliable and effective equipment."

A Call to Action, A Call to Transform

The assessment at Fort Johnson directly aligns with the recent emphasis of Maj. Gen. John Klein, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command on incorporating lessons learned from global conflicts that highlight urgent operational realities. The continuous transformation framework, as demonstrated through TiC, ensures that soldier input, rigorous operational testing, and adaptive acquisition practices remain at the forefront of Army capability development.

"The Chief of Staff and Klein's message to the force reemphasized the need to evolve iteratively and continuously," said Rabena. "This assessment isn't just about one weapon system. It represents the future of how we rapidly develop and field critical capabilities to Soldiers on the ground."

Forward Momentum: Lessons and Insights

As the assessment concludes, USAOTC will produce a memorandum of observation highlighting critical improvements, agile spin-off opportunities, and valuable insights to guide ongoing and future acquisition efforts. By providing data-backed, field-tested insights, iterative feedback empowers both the developers and decision makers to innovate and deliver with the urgency of today's battlefields demand.

"Our ultimate aim is timely feedback that enables PMs, Soldiers, and the broader acquisition community to swiftly and effectively deliver superior capabilities. The NGSW Expeditionary Operational Assessment at Fort Johnson exemplifies our commitment to transforming operational testing to meet the urgent demands of the modern battlefield," concluded Lorenson.

"We are zealously looking at how we can assist meeting the demands of operational realities, continuous transformation, and the forthcoming sweeping changes across the Army Acquisition enterprise," Trotter said. "What we do for our Army aids in providing the best equipment on the planet to our Soldiers so that they can fight, dominate, win, and survive on the battlefields in which they WILL find themselves. The NGSW EOA is a significant step forward in revolutionizing operational test and evaluation."

~~

About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command:

As the Army's only independent operational tester, OTC tests Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer  the American Soldier.

The Maneuver Test Directorate, based at West Fort Cavazos, Texas, is OTC's lead directorate for conducting independent operational testing of Infantry, Armor, and robotic systems to inform acquisition and fielding decisions for the Army and select joint Warfighting systems. Poised, ready, and always able, MTD is the "go to" test directorate to provide Army Futures Command and senior Army leadership with truthful test feedback they need to make informed decisions as to what capabilities will be brought to bear against future adversaries in a Multi-Domain Battle environment.

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June 12, 2025

By Matthew Olay, DOD News

Defense Secretary Says Funding Request Addresses Adequate Support for Special Ops

During a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said President Donald J. Trump's proposed defense budget for fiscal year 2026 includes funding to meet the increased worldwide demand for the military's special operations forces community.

During remarks he gave at the annual SOF convention in Tampa, Florida, May 6, 2025, Hegseth noted that presidentially directed SOF missions have increased by 200% over the past three years.

"Not only [has SOF] been used more than anybody else over the last 20 years, but  even in just the last four or five years  the amount of times we call on the ... special operations community has increased," Hegseth told the committee.

"So, the funding needs to match that, which you will see in this budget," he added.

Though the specific amount of spending for the SOF community in the president's budget request has yet to be disclosed, it would presumably be more than the fiscal year 2025 budget.

When asked how his department was able to determine the specific financial needs of the SOF community, Hegseth said it requires direct contact.

"We start by listening to those units; [we ask] what they're facing, what they need, what their families need and then [we] resource it," Hegseth said.

He also said that the quality of SOF training has to be commensurate with adequate funding and that overall morale and high adherence to standards in the SOF community are necessary for mission accomplishment.

"There's a reason we've looked at [the] schoolhouses of some of our most elite of special operations forces and ensured that standards have not eroded," Hegseth said, adding that the overall goal is to ensure SOF standards go up "to the highest possible level," and that meeting those standards is necessary for qualifying to be a SOF operator.

"And guess what it does for those units?" Hegseth asked rhetorically.

"It increases morale [and] increases unit cohesion because [the SOF operators] know they're as capable as they can possibly be," he said.

The secretary has voiced his support for SOF on numerous occasions.

At the conference in Tampa last month, he underscored the significant contribution SOF makes to national security  both at home and abroad  despite the ever-increasing operations tempo of missions.

"The best gift I can give you is getting up every day, working as hard as I can with my staff ... to ensure you have everything you need," he told the thousands of operators in attendance.

"Your commander in chief, your secretary of defense, and your country are behind you because we are beyond grateful for what you [and] your families give on behalf of this nation."

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The Netherlands - Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles

NEWS | June 12, 2025

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No. 25-31

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2025 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $215 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy two hundred ninety-six (296) AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AGM-179 JAGM Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); Tactical Aviation Ground Munition Program (TAGM) office technical assistance; Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD), Joint Attack Munition Systems (JAMS) technical assistance; missile handling training; classified and unclassified publications; spare parts; repair and return; storage; and other related elements of program and logistical support. The estimated total cost is $215 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The Netherlands intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. This will contribute to the Netherlands' military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. These systems will be employed by AH-64 Apache attack helicopters operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, located in Orlando, FL. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require approximately three U.S. Government and three contractor representatives to travel to the Netherlands for program management reviews to support the program. Travel is expected to occur approximately twice per year as needed to support equipment fielding and training.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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Guatemala: Council sanctions three individuals and one entity for undermining democracy and the rule of law

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

12 June 2025 15:40



The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on three additional individuals and one entity in relation to actions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala.

The Council remains deeply concerned about actions that undermine democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala, including through persistent instrumentalisation of the justice system. The Council is particularly concerned about continued attacks against the democratically elected government of President Arevalo and the misuse of legal and procedural measures to target elected officials, human rights defenders, journalists, indigenous leaders and independent judicial operators.

The Council has therefore listed the Foundation against Terrorism (FCT), its president Ricardo Rafael Mendez Ruiz Valdes, and its legal representative Raul Amilcar Falla Ovalle for actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, consisting in persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.

The FCT and its members targeted by these sanctions have initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government, and engaged in the intimidation of civil society and the judiciary.

The Council has also imposed restrictive measures on the first instance criminal judge of the Tenth Court in Guatemala, Jimi Rodolfo Bremer Ramirez, for actions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala, such as persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, and of lawyers and prosecutors.

The EU restrictive measures now apply to eight individuals and one entity.Those designated are subject to an asset freeze,and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them.In addition, natural persons are subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territory.

These targeted sanctions are designed to hold accountable and affect only those responsible for engaging in, providing support for, or benefitting from actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala. They are in no way sanctions against Guatemala, its population or its economy.

The EU and Guatemala have a long-standing partnership and the EU remains committed to supporting democracy in the country. The 2023 EU election observation mission, the EU's clear position in defence of the election results, its support for good governance, and the abovementioned targeted sanctions are all part of this effort.

The EU will continue to work with the Guatemalan government and all sectors of society to support a positive national agenda and to invest in inclusive and sustainable development for the benefit of all.

Background

To support the democratic transition and respect the will of the Guatemalan people, as expressed in their choice of thedemocratically elected government, the EU adopted a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in respect of Guatemala on 12 January 2024, to hold accountable those undermining democracy and the rule of law or obstructing the democratic transition following the 2023 general election, which resulted in a clear victory for President Bernardo Arevalo, as attested by the EU election observation mission (EOM) to Guatemala.

The first set of five listings was agreed in February 2024.

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EU addressing military mobility challenges

European Commission

Press release

Jun 11, 2025

Brussels

To improve the movement of military troops, equipment and assets across the European Union and beyond, the European Commission and the EU's High Representative, have started discussions with stakeholders to develop a Military Mobility Package.

This package will address existing infrastructure bottlenecks, procedural obstacles, and capability gaps. It forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the EU's defence readiness, following the publication of the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030.

The package is expected to present strategic objectives, harmonise national procedures and enhance infrastructure resilience. These measures will streamline military movements across Europe while integrating military needs with broader EU policies such as transport, energy, and taxation. For this purpose, the Commission will propose a joint communication, a regulation and amendments to existing EU laws.

The initiative reflects the Commission and the European External Action Service's (EEAS) commitment to working with EU Member States to advance military mobility through investments and policy reforms.

Next Steps

The Commission opened today a call for evidence and launched a targeted stakeholder consultation from mid-June to end-August 2025. This initiative will engage a wide array of stakeholders, including Member States, the European Defence Agency, PESCO, NATO, industry associations in defence, transport, and energy sectors, transport infrastructure managers, finance sectors, civil society, research organisations, and think tanks. The consultation process includes an EU survey (open until the end of July), submission of research and position papers, and bilateral meetings, all aimed at shaping the Military Mobility Package.

Background

Military mobility, defined as the capability of Member States' armed forces to swiftly move troops and equipment across the EU, is vital for European security and defence, particularly in the context of supporting Ukraine. Progress since the 2018 Action Plan and subsequent Military Mobility 2.0 from November 2022 underscores ongoing efforts to address regulatory, infrastructural, and capability barriers, which continue to impede seamless military movement.

Despite solid achievements under the EDA and PESCO project military mobility frameworks, the 1.7 billion EUR support to dual use infrastructure projects from Connecting Europe Facility under the current multi-annual financial framework though 95 projects in 21 Member States, notable obstacles persist, necessitating the current push for an enhanced approach to military mobility building on these efforts. The Military Mobility Pledge of May 2024 and the European Court of Auditors' recommendations from February 2025 further emphasize the EU's dedication to overcoming these challenges to improve military mobility and reinforce European defence readiness.

Quote(s)

Military mobility is fundamental for our security. This is about our capacity to get troops where we need them, when we need them. That is why we are accelerating discussions to identify every possible obstacle we need to address as part of a full Military Mobility Package later this year. Better military mobility in Europe will enhance our cooperation with NATO, while ensuring Europeans are more agile in responding to threats and crises and better equipped to protect citizens across the continent. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission

Military mobility extends far beyond the mere transport of troops from one location to another; it requires a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy supported by military mobility capabilities. Our objective is to support Member States in efficiently deploying troops and equipment across the EU's borders during conflicts. The Military Mobility Package 2025 is set to introduce a robust toolbox that Member States can utilize effectively in both peacetime and crisis situations, ensuring readiness and resilience at all times. Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

Military mobility is vital for Europe's defence and security. Upgrading our transport infrastructure to dual use standards is key to ensuring that troops and equipment can move swiftly and efficiently across the EU. We have identified together with NATO and our Member States, four strategic corridors and critical bottlenecks that must be urgently addressed and this is the core objective of the Military Mobility package to be presented by the end of the year. At the same time, we need to cut red-tape in EU transport legislation to ensure smooth military movements both in times of peace and in times of crisis. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism

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Shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East: Foreign Minister Wadephul on a mission to end the violence

Germany Federal Foreign Office

12.06.2025 - Article

How can a lasting ceasefire be achieved, to bring about the release of the hostages and an end to the dying in Gaza? Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to the region and will talk with key actors. The discussions will focus on the "day after", on the future of Gaza.

Straight after his meeting with his European counterparts in Italy, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel to Egypt, the first stop on his Middle East trip. Egypt is an important partner which not only plays a key role as a neighbouring state of Israel with border crossings to Gaza, but is also mediating in the negotiations on the hostages and ceasefire. During his first official visit, therefore, Foreign Minister Wadephul will explore solutions to the war in the Middle East together with the Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr Badr Abdelatty.

From Egypt, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel on to Lebanon. The multi-faith cedar state borders the north of Israel and since 7 October has repeatedly been drawn into the war, with the Islamist Hezbollah, supported by Iran, using it as a base from which to attack Israel. There have been Israeli air attacks in the Israeli-Lebanese border region and reaching as far as the capital, Beirut. While in Beirut, Foreign Minister Wadephul will meet the Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, Mr Nawaf Salam, and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. Germany is committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire in Lebanon and, among other things, is providing Bundeswehr soldiers to help secure the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon under the UNIFIL mandate. In particular, the German Navy is operating along the maritime border under UNIFIL in order to prevent arms smuggling.

Jordan plays an important role as an anchor of stability in the region. A large proportion of the population of this neighbouring state of Israel have Palestinian roots and so feel great solidarity with the civilian population in Gaza. Foreign Minister Wadephul will talk with his Jordanian colleague, Mr Ayman Safadi, about what needs to be done to end the violence in Gaza, and also in the West Bank. An audience with King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein of Jordan is also planned.

Following his talks with key actors in the region, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel to Israel, where he will meet Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Talks here will focus on how to find common ground among the interests of the various stakeholders in order to attain a life in security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians.

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Exports of defence materiel continued to grow in 2024

Finnish Ministry of Defence

12.06.2025 12:00

The Ministry of Defence has published a report on the exports of defence materiel in 2024. The report provides statistical data on both the granted export licences and actual exports.

In 2024, the Ministry of Defence granted 432 licences to 52 countries for permanent exports and transfers of defence materiel. The combined value of these licences was EUR 1.4 billion (up from EUR 667 million in 2023), which is more than ever before. Examined by region, most licences were granted for exports to European countries. The actual exports normally take place within a few years after the export licence was granted.

Examined by country, licenses of the highest values were granted to Sweden (EUR 672 million), Saudi Arabia (EUR 150 million) and the United States (EUR 115 million). The licences granted for exports to Sweden cover several product categories, but over 60 per cent of the total value was for land vehicles. Exports to Saudi Arabia consist almost entirely of life-cycle support services, warranty repairs and spare parts for a mortar system. Exports to the United States mainly include fire control and surveillance sensors.

The annual report on the exports of defence materiel only covers commercial exports. It therefore does not contain information on defence materiel assistance that Finland has provided to Ukraine as part of international assistance. In 2024, Finland granted 29 licences for commercial exports to Ukraine, with a combined value of approximately EUR 22 million.

The total value of completed exports in 2024 reached around EUR 206 million (up from EUR 191 million in 2023), marking the highest annual export value since 2014, when exports totalled around EUR 223 million. The top three destination countries in 2024 were Sweden (EUR 52 million), Latvia (EUR 42 million) and Norway (EUR 17 million). Exports to Sweden mainly consisted of land vehicles and small arms designed for military use. Exports to Latvia were also largely made up of land vehicles, while exports to Norway primarily included fire control and surveillance sensors. Examined by region, by far most of the products were exported to the Member States of the European Union. Nearly 95 per cent of all exports went to Europe (85 per cent in 2023).

All licence applications are subject to a case-by-case overall consideration based on national legislation and international commitments binding on Finland. Key frameworks include the Council of the European Union's common position on defining common rules for the control of exports of military technology and equipment (2008/944/CFSP) and the Arms Trade Treaty. Licence applications are reviewed by a cross-administrative working group on exports, where the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for the foreign and security policy assessment.

The full 2024 annual report on defence materiel exports is available on the Ministry of Defence website.

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Defence industry strategy for a stronger Sweden

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry of Defence

Published 12 June 2025

The Government has adopted a new strategy for Sweden's defence industry with the aim of creating an innovative and competitive defence sector with a high production capacity.

The geopolitical security situation continues to deteriorate. A strong defence industry is necessary for Europe to be able to take greater responsibility for its own security and defence. The defence industry plays a key role in the rearmament of Sweden and in providing support to Ukraine.

"With the Defence Industry Strategy we want to contribute to more innovation, increased production and better cooperation with the industry," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson.

The strategy sets out the Government's concrete measures to strengthen the business sector's ability to contribute to Sweden's security.

In parallel with the Defence Industry Strategy, the Government is developing an industry strategy that deals with Swedish industry more broadly. These strategies complement each other and collectively contribute to a more resilient and secure Sweden.

"By making substantial investments in research, development and advanced production techniques, not only does the defence industry contribute to defending Sweden but also to our standing as a high-tech industrial nation. This makes Sweden attractive as a cooperation partner and helps to strengthen our security relations within the EU and NATO as well as with other countries," says Jonson.

The Defence Industry Strategy is based on the National Security Strategy and the defence policy direction set out in the Total Defence 2025-2030 Bill.

The strategy in brief

Innovation

Establish a cross-agency function for defence innovation.

Strengthen the Swedish Armed Forces' materiel development programme.

Develop procurement methods that promote innovation.

Facilitate testing and demonstration of prototypes.

Develop the Swedish Defence Research Agency's role of promoting defence innovation.

Strengthen cooperation and identify synergies between civil and military research and innovation.

Establish a space programme for total defence.

Ensure Swedish companies are able to benefit from international research and innovation programmes.

Secure the skills supply within the defence industry.

Improve protection of military technology.

Production

Focus on long-term, large-scale orders from defence companies and place joint orders with partner countries when possible.

Make central government investments to increase production capacity when necessary.

Increase the production of ammunition.

Introduce a special programme for the modernisation of the defence industry's manufacturing methods.

Secure access to key materials and components.

Improve defence companies' access to capital.

Facilitate conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Review rules and permit processes.

Develop partnerships within materiel categories that the Government has identified as strategic: combat aircraft, underwater, command and control and cartridge ammunition.

Cooperation

Inform the market about military requirements.

Develop points of contact between the defence industry and government agencies.

Introduce a forum for strategic dialogue between central government and defence companies.

Actively promote business ethics and trust.

Strengthen relations with key partner countries.

Continue to develop support to Ukraine.

Utilise opportunities for international cooperation.

Strengthen the Swedish defence sector by increasing its access to other markets through robust central government support for exports.

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NATO Secretary General praises Italy's contributions to Euro-Atlantic security and highlights priorities for the Summit in The Hague

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

12 Jun. 2025

NATO's Secretary General, Mark Rutte, visited Italy today (12 June 2025), ahead of the Allied leaders' Summit in The Hague later this month. He met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and they took stock of final preparations for the Summit. He also participated in the meeting of the Weimar Plus group.

The Secretary General said that "Italy is an important Ally, active all over NATO territory, for example leading NATO's forward land forces in Bulgaria, and in many other NATO missions," adding that Italy has also "a very proud defence industrial base."

"We need to ramp up our defence spending," the Secretary General pointed out. "We are safe now; we are not safe three to five years from now, so we have to spend more. The new spending target is really rooted in facts, in deep study we have done collectively on where the gaps are in our capabilities, and how we have to fill them; the Defence Ministers agreed on that last Thursday; and now it's up to the leaders to agree on the extra spending needed to make that possible," he emphasised.

Secretary General Rutte also underscored the urgency to boost defence industrial production. "We have fantastic industrial companies in the US, all over Europe and Canada, but they are not producing at speeds. So we need more shifts, more production lines," he underscored.

Finally, the NATO Secretary General reiterated the importance of long-term support to Ukraine. "We need to make sure that Ukraine is in the best possible position to one, [sustain] the ongoing conflict with Russia, [following] the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine, but also to be in the best possible position when a long term cease-fire/a peace deal arises, to make sure that Putin will never, ever try this again," he said.

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NATO Deputy Secretary General addresses the Brussels Forum on Transatlantic Defence

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

11 Jun. 2025

Last updated: 12 Jun. 2025

On Wednesday (11 June 2025) at the Brussels Forum, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska underlined the relevance of the transatlantic bond throughout the Alliance's 75 year history.

In a session titled "Transatlantic Defence: Who Pays? Who Acts?," moderated by Claudia Major, Senior Vice President of the GMF, the Deputy Secretary General emphasised that European and US defence efforts must remain transatlantic and complementary. In addition, Ms Shekerinska highlighted that European Allies and Canada are "taking more responsibility and this will make the Alliance a more formidable military partnership."

She outlined that the upcoming Summit in the Hague will create the grounds for a stronger, better, fairer and even more lethal NATO.

The Brussels Forum is an annual event organised by the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States. The Deputy Secretary General participated in an on-stage conversation with other panellists, including Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space at the European Commission, Maria Malmer Stenergard, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank.

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Operation Gallant Phoenix deployment extended

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

12 June 2025

Hon Judith Collins KC

Hon Mark Mitchell

Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand has extended its commitment the Operation Gallant Phoenix multinational intelligence mission in Jordan, the Government announced today.

The deployment of up to 10 New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel has been extended for two years until June 2027.

"This operation is essential to our commitment to a safe and secure New Zealand," Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.

"Our personnel are working with counterparts from other countries to help us understand and respond to current, evolving and future terrorist and violent extremist threats to New Zealanders at home and abroad."

Defence Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand brings valuable resources and expertise to this global effort to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

"In return, New Zealand is able to enhance relationships with a wide range of countries and expand our information networks."

Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the deployment provides our personnel with specialised experience working with overseas partners.

"It also provides Police and other agencies with valuable insights and information to help keep New Zealanders safe."

Operation Gallant Phoenix was established in 2014 and is a mission where partners collect and share information about potential and existing terrorist threats, irrespective of threat ideology. It comprises a large number of countries and agencies, including law enforcement, military and civilian personnel.



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Israel Plans to Seize Area C in the West Bank and Issues a Warning to Demolish 100 Homes in Jenin ----- The Occupation is Increasing Pressure on Hospitals in the Gaza Strip

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

12-06-2025

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Media Observatory for Israeli Crimes against Palestinians reported that there were 460 martyrs and 1,939 wounded in just one week, from June 3 to June 9, 2025. From October 7, 2023, to June 9, 2025, the total number of martyrs reached 56,260, with 134,586 wounded. Many martyrs were killed while searching for aid, including over 111 Palestinians who lost their lives while looking for food. Additionally, 583 people were injured and nine are missing while seeking assistance. Most were killed by Israeli fire targeting various areas of Gaza, including tents for displaced persons and civilian homes.

Data from the United Nations indicates that rates of acute malnutrition among children in Gaza have tripled since the last ceasefire. UNICEF issued an appeal for an end to the war, emphasizing that using starvation as a "weapon" constitutes a war crime. This statement follows increasing references to the term "genocide" by Western officials. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevost has stated that he personally believes the situation in Gaza amounts to genocide.

In a recent airstrike, three paramedics and a journalist were killed while recovering bodies in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza. Israeli forces also bombed the Baptist Hospital, resulting in the deaths of four additional journalists, bringing the total number of journalists killed in the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip to 228.

The Observatory noted that occupation forces are intensifying pressure on the healthcare sector by doubling the number of wounded, exceeding the capacity of hospitals in the Gaza Strip to provide treatment due to restrictions and a lack of necessary equipment and resources. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor confirmed that occupation forces have deliberately bombed hospitals in Gaza, using pretexts and falsehoods.

Occupation forces have also destroyed homes in the Qarara area of Khan Yunis and the Jabalia refugee camp as part of their displacement policy and arming Palestinian militias. Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that the occupation government has a plan that includes imposing sovereignty over Area C, displacing the residents of Khan al-Ahmar, and disrupting the banking system. Additionally, occupation forces have notified the owners of 100 homes in the Jenin refugee camp of their impending demolition.

Al-Aqsa Mosque faces almost daily raids, with extremist settlers attempting to bring bloodied meat into the mosque for sacrifice, only to be stopped by Al-Aqsa guards. The occupation authorities continue to prohibit Muslims from entering the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, refusing to hand over the mosque and its facilities to Muslims on the first day of Eid al-Adha, as they have done on Fridays and during Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan, as well as Eid al-Fitr. Settlers attacked the Armenian Monastery in Al-Quds, spitting on the monastery, crosses, and holy symbols.

In the West Bank, the number of raids conducted by occupation forces in cities and towns reached 302, resulting in the arrest of 166 Palestinians. Tragically, they also killed a child in Ramallah and wounded two others in Nablus. During the same week, they raided the Al-Tahadi School in the village of Khirbet Ibziq, while settlers were present near the Nour al-Huda School on the outskirts of Beitunia in Ramallah.

In Al-Quds, Israeli occupation forces demolished four homes within a single week. They bulldozed agricultural land in Deir Jarir, Ramallah, confiscated two tractors in Beit Ummar, Hebron, three cars in Tuqu' and Hizma, and a motorcycle in Sinjil, Ramallah. The total number of Israeli crimes documented by the organization's observatory reached 3,172 during this period, with settlers responsible for approximately 63 of these incidents. Specifically, settler attacks totaled 55 across various villages, towns, and cities in the West Bank.

For instance, settlers attacked the outskirts of Deir Dibwan in Ramallah, burning three homes, a farm, cars, and horse and sheep pens. They trapped Palestinians inside their homes and prevented ambulances from reaching the area. Additionally, they grazed livestock in Al-Mughayyir, Ramallah, and cut down tree branches in the village. There were also instances of settlers grazing animals in Bardala, Tubas, and Susya, Hebron. In Kafr Malik, they cut down branches from 30 olive trees and damaged 70 olive seedlings in Al-Mughayyir and Khirbet Abu Falah in Ramallah. Other settlers set fire to agricultural land in Jit, Qalqilya, and a landfill in Ein Siniya, Ramallah.

Regarding settlement activity, settlers established a settlement outpost on the ruins of homes previously belonging to a displaced Palestinian family in Taybeh, Ramallah. They erected two tents near Palestinian homes in Susya, Hebron, and opposite homes in Burin. Additionally, they pitched a tent on the summit of Mount Ebal, north of Nablus, and another on Palestinian land east of Yatta in Hebron, along with a hut in Qarawat Bani Hassan, Salfit.

Settlers also paved a settlement road from Farkha's land and provided water to the outpost located there. They paved another road west of Deir Ballut in Salfit.

Furthermore, occupation forces ordered the confiscation of 36,055 dunams of land from the villages of Shibtin, Deir Ammar, and Deir Qadis in Ramallah, along with 12,221 dunams from the villages of Deir Ghassaneh and al-Lubban al-Gharbi in Ramallah.

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Big Five European Union member states, UK, and Ukraine meet in Rome

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

12.06.2025

Improving transatlantic security and providing further comprehensive support for Ukraine were the focal points of the sixth meeting conducted in the "EU Big Five +" format. Today in Rome, Minister Radosaw Sikorski met with the chief diplomats of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The meeting was also attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy as well as the NATO Secretary General.

The attendees discussed Europe's role in achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in safeguarding Euro-Atlantic security interests. The ministers also spoke about devising a common strategy for sustaining cooperation with the US and working out an EU-wide complex approach to security issues in the long run. They underlined the key importance of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 scheduled to take place on 10-11 July in Rome. The event aims to confirm that democratic leaders' commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction remains a vital instrument to bring a lasting peace in Europe.

Minister Radosaw Sikorski emphasised that keeping the US military presence in Europe is a crucial component of the NATO deterrence strategy, and that European and American security interests, though not always identical, continue to be complementary. He also stated that whether negotiations to end the war across our Eastern border are successful depends on stepping up pressure on Russia. Additionally, Poland's top diplomat extended an invitation to another EU Big Five + meeting, which will be held in Warsaw in late July.

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The UK welcomes the work of the UN and other partners to release humanitarian personnel detained by the Houthis: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki

Published 12 June 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 12 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



First, last Friday marked one year since the Houthis' arbitrary detention of personnel from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organisations and diplomatic missions.

As of today, 23 UN and five INGO personnel remain arbitrarily detained. These dedicated humanitarian workers have now been separated from their family and loved ones for over a year, and for some, over 1000 days.

2025 has also seen the tragic death of a World Food Programme member of staff in Houthi captivity. And yet, these detentions have continued, including the recent detention of journalists and media workers.

The Secretary General's statement on the anniversary of the detentions and the briefing we heard today from Special Envoy Grundberg highlight the profound injustice of these detentions. The individuals have dedicated their lives to providing life-saving assistance and support to the people of Yemen.

Following a further press statement on 5 June, we, as a Security Council, have been unequivocal in condemning these ongoing unlawful detentions and in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.

The UK welcomes the vital work of the United Nations and other partners towards securing their immediate release.

Second, President, 19.5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and 4.8 million are internally displaced in Yemen.

This dire situation will get worse, with increases in food insecurity and malnutrition projected this year, compounded by disease outbreaks.

The funding shortfall, ongoing detentions and challenging operating space exacerbate these challenges. So we must continue to work together and prioritise our collective response to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those most in need.

The UK recently enrolled in a joint programme with King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, targeting the spread of cholera across Yemen.

This programme will provide cholera vaccines and help strengthen local response capacity in the most high-risk and affected communities.

Finally, the UK remains committed to achieving lasting peace in Yemen and the broader region. Long-term stability and security in Yemen can only be achieved by a UN-led, inclusive political settlement. And we continue to support Special Envoy Grundberg in his efforts in this regard.

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Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom plus the EU High Representative

Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom as well as the High Representative of the European Union.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon David Lammy MP

Published 12 June 2025

We met in Rome on 12 June to discuss Euro-Atlantic security and Russia's aggression against Ukraine, for which the NATO Secretary General and the Ukrainian Foreign Minister joined us.

We reaffirmed our commitment to a stronger and more sovereign Europe, able to defend its citizens and its interests and to contribute to international peace and security. To this end, we will continue working together to strengthen our collective security and defence and to reinforce the European contribution to NATO.

The Atlantic Alliance remains the cornerstone of our collective defence. The NATO Summit in The Hague will demonstrate our unity, based on an enduring transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing. The Summit must take further decisions to build a stronger Alliance, prepared to defend every inch of the Allied territory.

European countries must play an even greater role in ensuring our own security. For European allies to take on more responsibilities within NATO, we called for an ambitious reinforcement of European defence capabilities, stepping up in a flexible and sustainable manner national security and defence expenditures, enabling us to effectively deter and defend across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area. This includes collaborative projects, joint procurement, and support for interoperability, as well as strengthening our defence technological and industrial base. To this end, we welcomed the European Union's initiatives in security and defence, fully complementing NATO, while emphasising the need for additional structural measures by the European Union and its partners to mobilise the resources necessary to achieve the new common level of ambition.

We will continue to work within NATO, the EU, and like-minded formats to achieve our common goals. The EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership is a concrete sign of the resolve to work together, as Europeans, to face an evolving and complex international landscape.

We recognised that a 360 approach to Euro-Atlantic security is necessary to protect our citizens and societies, to overcome the consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and to counter threats and challenges in all domains in our Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, and in the Baltic region. We will enhance our partnerships in the regions that have an impact on our security to tackle instability and foster peace and prosperity, especially in the Mediterranean, in Africa, the Western Balkans, in the Black Sea region, and in the MENA region in a context profoundly marked by the attack on 7 October and its aftermath with the need to achieve the release of all the hostages taken by Hamas, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a urgent resumption of aid.

We once again stressed our unwavering support for Ukraine, its people, its democracy, its security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. A strong, independent, and democratic Ukraine is vital for the stability and security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

We welcomed US-led peace efforts and recent talks between Ukraine and Russia as a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter. Europe will continue to contribute to these efforts and stands ready to support the implementation of a peace agreement following the principles of the UN Charter. We appreciated Turkiye's role, being prepared to support any other relevant facilitation initiatives that can contribute to advancing towards a fair and lasting solution.

We commended Ukraine's constructive engagement in the process, which demonstrates its strong commitment to peace, particularly its readiness to commit to a 30-day immediate, comprehensive, and unconditional ceasefire as a solid foundation for serious and credible negotiations, as well as the openness for meeting at the presidential level. We urged Russia to reciprocate without further delay, and to drop its unacceptable maximalist demands and preconditions, to prove it is genuinely interested in peace. We deplored recent massive Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilian populations, which are a clear breach of international law.

To that end, we reiterated our readiness to step up our pressure on Russia as it continues to refuse serious and credible commitments, including through further sanctions and countering their circumvention. We are also ready to swiftly adopt new measures (notably in the energy and banking sectors) aimed at undermining Russia's ability to continue waging its war of aggression and to ensure Ukraine is placed in the best position possible to secure a just and lasting peace. We are determined to keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused.

A just and lasting peace must include adequate security guarantees for Ukraine, beginning with a strong Ukrainian army and defence industry. To this end, and building on Transatlantic unity, we will work with Ukraine on initiatives to strengthen Ukraine's armed forces; we are prepared to enhance our support, including through improving defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine, and exploring additional forms of security and defence cooperation in line with our support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

We will also continue working with the US on this.

We remain firmly committed to supporting Ukraine's economic stability under its IMF programme, ensuring it has sufficient fiscal assistance for 2026 and beyond, and its recovery and reconstruction, in close coordination with our international partners. Early recovery and reconstruction will help lay the foundation for a more prosperous Ukraine that is integrated into Europe. This presents an opportunity to embed resilience, foster prosperity, and advance reforms toward Ukraine's integration into the European Union, with the ultimate goal of EU membership, adopting a "whole of society" approach and focusing on "building back better". The Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be hosted by Italy in July 2025, will represent a pivotal moment for advancing such efforts.

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Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act: joint statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland delivers a joint statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the United Kingdom expressing deep concern over Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 12 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Mr Chair.

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and my own country the United Kingdom.

Our countries express our deep concern about Georgia's Foreign Agents Registration Act which came into force on 31 May 2025. This legislation represents a serious setback for democratic governance, civil liberties, and Georgia's stated European aspirations.

As ODIHR has said, the Act profoundly impacts the work of civil society and all those working to defend human rights in Georgia. It undermines the independence of civil society and political plurality as well as restricting media freedom.

In doing so it also threatens the independent institutions and fundamental freedoms which all OSCE participating States - including Georgia - have agreed are essential foundations of democracy and regional security.

ODIHR has confirmed that it stands ready to use its longstanding expertise to assist Georgia. We encourage Georgia to work with ODIHR, civil society and other international actors to bring their approach into line with international human rights standards as well as OSCE principles and commitments.

The Act risks further isolating Georgia from its partners, by directly contradicting the democratic values and human rights standards that must underpin Georgia's European future.

Our countries reiterate our unwavering commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support for the people of Georgia in their pursuit of a democratic, open, and European future. We urge the Georgian government to repeal or substantially revise this law.

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Displacement doubles while funding shrinks, warns UNHCR

12 June 2025 - With 13.5 million people displaced by over 13 years of brutal civil conflict, Syria used to represent the largest displacement crisis in the world. This is no longer the case.

In December last year, the overthrow of the Assad regime by opposition forces reignited hope that most Syrians could see home again soon. As of May, 500,000 refugees and 1.2 million internally displaced people (IDPs) returned to their areas of origin.

But that's not the only reason Syria is no longer the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Sudan sets a grim record

More than two years of civil war in Sudan has seen it pass Syria with 14.3 million people displaced since April 2022, 11.6 million of whom are internally displaced - that's one-third of the entire Sudanese population, representing the largest internal displacement crisis ever recorded.

The UN refugee agency's (UNHCR) latest report released Wednesday highlights the sheer scale of the problem, noting "untenably high" displacements - but it also contains "rays of hope," despite the immediate impact of aid cuts in capitals around the world this year.

"We are living at a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," said High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

A place to live in peace

By the end of 2024, 123.2 million people worldwide were displaced, representing a decade-high number, largely driven by protracted conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine.

73.5 million people worldwide have fled within their own countries, and of the 42.7 million refugees living beyond their borders, 73 per cent are hosted in low and middle-income countries, with 67 per cent are hosted in neighbouring countries.

Sadeqa and her son are refugees who have faced repeated displacement. They fled from Myanmar after Sadeqa's husband was killed in 2024. In Bangladesh, they lived in a refugee camp for Rohingya Muslims, but the camp was overcrowded, leading them to flee again via boat.

She got on the boat not knowing where it was going. Ultimately, the vessel was rescued after weeks at sea, and now, she and her son live in Indonesia.

"We are searching for a place where we can live in peace," Sadeqa said.

There are countless stories like hers. However, at the same time, Mr. Grandi said that there were "rays of hope" in the report. This year, 188,800 refugees were permanently resettled into host countries in 2024, the highest number in 40 years.

Moreover, 9.8 million people returned home in 2024, including 1.6 million refugees and 8.2 million internally displaced people mostly in Afghanistan and Syria.

'Long-lasting solutions'

While 8.2 million IDPs returning home represents the second-largest single year tally on record, the report noted continuing challenges for returnees.

For example, many of the Afghan and Haitian refugees who returned home in the past year were deported from their host countries.

The report emphasized that returns must be voluntary and that the dignity and safety of the returner must be upheld once they reach their area of origin. This requires long-term peace-building and broader sustainable development progress.

"The search for peace must be at the heart of all efforts to find long-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes," Mr. Grandi said.

'Brutal' funding cuts

In the last decade, the number of people who have been forcibly displaced worldwide has doubled but funding levels for UNHCR remain largely unchanged.

The report explained that this lack of increased funding endangers already vulnerable displaced communities and further destabilizes regional peace.

"The situation is untenable, leaving refugees and others fleeing danger even more vulnerable," UNHCR said.

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Yemen at breaking point as UN envoy urges action to end suffering

12 June 2025 - Yemen cannot endure more years of division, economic collapse and human suffering, the UN's top official on the crisis told the Security Council on Thursday, warning that "time is not on our side."

Speaking via videoconference, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the country remains trapped in a prolonged political, humanitarian and development crisis.

"Yemen is so much more than the containment of a threat," he said. "The cost of inaction is high."

Mr. Grundberg stressed the urgent need for progress towards a sustainable political solution, calling on all parties to show the will to move beyond the current deadlock.

Meanwhile, over 17 million people, nearly half of Yemen's population, are estimated to be suffering acute malnutrition.

Without sustained humanitarian support, six million more could face emergency levels of food insecurity, said Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General of UN humanitarian wing (OCHA), speaking on behalf of Humanitarian Affairs chief Tom Fletcher.

Economic hardships

"Yemeni citizens continue to shoulder the impact of an economy in freefall," said Mr. Grundberg, calling for more international support to alleviate the humanitarian and economic hardships they face.

Despite operating under extremely difficult conditions, humanitarian efforts in Yemen continue, but the UN's response remains constrained and far from meeting the scale of need, according to OCHA.

Still, there are signs of progress. "There is real scope to make progress on the economy," said Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, pointing to the reopening last May of a key road between Aden and Sana'a, closed for nearly seven years, which has restored a faster and more direct route for civilians and commercial traffic.

"With trust and the right tools, there remains hope," said Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya.

Fragile frontlines

Marking one year since the arbitrary detention by Houthi rebels - or Ansar Allah - of dozens of aid workers, civil society representatives and diplomatic personnel, Mr Grundberg urged Security Council members to use their "powerful voices" to exert maximum pressure on the group for the unconditional release of the detainees.

While attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and counter measures by Western forces have largely abated since a cessation of hostilities agreement between the United States and the Houthi leadership, the group has launched several recent attacks targeting Israel, in solidarity with the Palestinian cause in Gaza.

With multiple frontlines still fragile and the risk of renewed fighting ever-present, the UN continues to work on a roadmap to help Yemen move beyond its divisions, secure a comprehensive ceasefire, implement critical economic measures and advance an inclusive political process.

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World News in Brief: 'Indifference and impunity' in Sudan, ICC judges speak out against sanctions, respiratory diseases overlooked in Europe

12 June 2025 - With over half of the Sudanese population in need of aid and lean season rapidly approaching, the UN Chief for Humanitarian Affairs once again sounded the alarm about the crisis unfolding in Sudan on Thursday.

Tom Fletcher noted that over 30 million people require humanitarian assistance. Moreover, with famine declared in multiple places and over 14.6 million people displaced, Sudan represents the largest humanitarian crisis in the world.

"Again and again, the international community has said that we will protect the people of Sudan. The people of Sudan should ask us if, when and how we will start to deliver on that promise," the relief chief said.

When will the international community fully fund aid efforts in Sudan?

When will accountability for the violence in Sudan happen?

He called on the international community to stop acting with 'indifference and impunity' towards Sudan,

Health system 'smashed to pieces'

Since the conflict in Sudan broke out in April 2022, civilian infrastructure across the country has been damaged or destroyed, including health facilities and water and sanitation systems.

The health system in particular has been "smashed to pieces," according to Mr. Fletcher, leading to increasingly dire measles and cholera outbreaks.

The cholera outbreak, which began in July 2024 and is now confirmed in 13 of Sudan's 18 states, has infected more than 74,000 people in total and killed 1,826.

"I have seen first-hand the devastation caused by the cholera outbreak in Khartoum, where the health system has been devastated by conflict and is struggling to cope with the tremendous demand on health facilities," Dr. Shible Sahbni, WHO representative in Sudan.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with the Sudanese Ministry of Health, is launching a 10-day cholera vaccination campaign in Khartoum State.

The campaign will aim to reach 2.6 million people in an effort to contain the cholera outbreak in the state.

"The vaccines will help stop cholera in its tracks as we strengthen other response interventions," said Dr. Sahbni.

ICC judges express support for colleagues sanctioned by US

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed solidarity with their colleagues who have recently been sanctioned by the United States Government, describing the move as "coercive measures aimed at undermining the independence of the judiciary."

"The Judges stand united and will continue to exercise their functions independently, impartially and conscientiously, fulfilling the demands of the rule of law," they said in a statement on Thursday.

The US announced sanctions on 6 June against four judges from Benin, Peru, Slovenia and Uganda. The justices are currently overseeing a 2020 case which alleges war crimes in Afghanistan committed by the US and Afghan armies and the 2024 ICC arrest warrants issued for sitting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

The UN Human Rights Chief Volter Turk previously said that he was "deeply disturbed" by these sanctions, arguing that they corroded international governance and justice.

No improper influence

The ICC is an independent judicial body established under the Rome Statute, adopted in 1998. Although not part of the United Nations, the ICC works closely with it under a cooperative framework.

In the statement, the Judges said that they decide, and will continue to decide, cases based on facts and without regard to threats, restrictions or improper influence issued "from any quarter or for any reason."

"The Judges reaffirm that they are equal in the performance of their functions and that they will always uphold the principle of equality before the law."

Over 80 Million Europeans suffering from overlooked chronic respiratory diseases

Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma are vastly underestimated, underdiagnosed and poorly managed in Europe - affecting 80 million people and costing $21 billion a year, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.

A new report by WHO Europe and the European Respiratory Society highlights how smoking and air pollution are driving the growing crisis.

"We take 22,000 breaths a day, yet respiratory health remains one of the most neglected areas in global health," said Professor Silke Ryan, President of the European Respiratory Society.

6th leading cause of death

Data analysis shows that chronic respiratory illnesses are the sixth leading cause of death in Europe. They are often misdiagnosed owing to weak diagnostic systems, limited training and inadequate health data.

Although effective treatments are available, asthma-related deaths remain high among young people, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is responsible for eight in 10 respiratory disease deaths.

As preparations begin for the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases, WHO Europe urged governments to prioritize chronic respiratory disease, set measurable targets and tackle root causes like tobacco and air pollution.





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UN General Assembly adopts Gaza ceasefire resolution by overwhelming majority

12 June 2025 - Meeting in emergency session on Thursday in New York, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

The move followed the Security Council's failure to pass a similar resolution last week due to a lone veto by permanent member the United States.

The resolution was backed by 149 Member States, with 12 voting against and 19 abstaining. Among those opposing the resolution were the United States and Israel, who were joined among others by Argentina, Hungary and Paraguay.

India, Georgia, Ecuador, Romania and Ethiopia were among the countries abstaining.

End starvation as weapon of war

Brought forward by over 20 countries, it strongly condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war, demands a full lifting of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, and insists on the protection of civilians under international law.

Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political and moral weight.

On 4 June, the Security Council failed to adopt its draft resolution after a veto by the United States, a permanent member.

Meanwhile, famine conditions continue to threaten lives across Gaza, and reports persist of civilians being killed or injured while trying to access food at distribution points operated independently of the UN but supported by Israel and the US.

Assembly steps into as Security Council stalls

Opening the special session, General Assembly President Philemon Yang said that "the horrors in Gaza must end" after 20 months of war. He criticised the Security Council's ongoing paralysis and inability to fulfil its core responsibility to uphold peace and security.

He called the situation on the ground "unacceptable", highlighting the deprivation of food, water and medicine for civilians, the continued captivity of hostages, and the need for urgent international action.

Mr. Yang noted that next week's high-level meeting in New York on implementing a two-State solution, chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, saying it would offer a chance for renewed commitment towards peace in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Key elements of the resolution:

Ceasefire: Calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire by all parties.

Calls for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire by all parties. Hostages: Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups.

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other armed groups. Implementation: Urges the full and immediate implementation of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), including the ceasefire, hostage and prisoner exchanges, return of displaced persons, and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Urges the full and immediate implementation of Security Council resolution 2735 (2024), including the ceasefire, hostage and prisoner exchanges, return of displaced persons, and withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. International law: Reaffirms that all parties must uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, with particular attention to civilian protection and accountability for violations.

Reaffirms that all parties must uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, with particular attention to civilian protection and accountability for violations. Starvation as a weapon: Strongly condemns the use of starvation and the denial of aid as tactics of war.

Strongly condemns the use of starvation and the denial of aid as tactics of war. Humanitarian access: Demands the full, safe and unimpeded delivery of aid - including food, medicine, water, shelter and fuel - throughout Gaza.

Demands the full, safe and unimpeded delivery of aid - including food, medicine, water, shelter and fuel - throughout Gaza. Detention practices: Calls for the humane treatment and release of those arbitrarily detained, and the return of remains.

Calls for the humane treatment and release of those arbitrarily detained, and the return of remains. ICJ advisory opinion: Recalls the request for an urgent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel's obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Recalls the request for an urgent advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on Israel's obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. End of blockade: Demands Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza and open all border crossings for aid deliveries.

Demands Israel immediately lift the blockade on Gaza and open all border crossings for aid deliveries. Accountability: Urges Member States to take necessary steps to ensure Israel complies with its international legal obligations.

Urges Member States to take necessary steps to ensure Israel complies with its international legal obligations. UN and humanitarian personnel: Calls for full respect for the work and immunity of UN staff and humanitarian workers.

Calls for full respect for the work and immunity of UN staff and humanitarian workers. Protection of aid workers: Urges both humanitarian and UN bodies to ensure the safety of their personnel.

Urges both humanitarian and UN bodies to ensure the safety of their personnel. Medical neutrality: Underscores the duty to protect medical workers, health facilities, and transport routes.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Yemen

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Deadly hostilities continue in Gaza as Internet blackout disrupts aid operations

OCHA warns that a complete collapse of Internet and data services is paralyzing aid operations across the Gaza Strip. Partners working on telecommunications say this is due to damage to the last fibre cable route serving central and southern Gaza, likely caused during heavy military activity.

They warn that this is not a routine outage, but a total failure of Gaza's digital infrastructure. Lifelines to emergency services, humanitarian coordination, and critical information for civilians have all been cut. There is a full Internet blackout, and mobile networks are barely functioning.

In a context already limited by physical access restrictions and widespread damage, emergency services are cut off, and civilians cannot access life-saving support.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East reported earlier today that it has lost contact with colleagues in Gaza. This is true for most agencies, which are largely cut off from their teams on the ground.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns that the fuel blockade - imposed by Israeli authorities for more than 100 days now - has reached a critical point. Fuel is running out fast, and essential services that keep people alive are now dangerously close to shutting down.

This includes health, water and sanitation facilities. Partners working on healthcare now warn that nearly 80 per cent of health facilities providing life-saving services may very soon run out of fuel. Sixty-seven out of 85 such facilities would be affected - including 17 hospitals, seven field hospitals and 43 primary healthcare centres. They warn that lives are on the line, particularly newborns who depend on incubators and ventilators, as well as other patients in critical care units.

Hemodialysis services are also expected to cease. Ambulance services and patient referrals are expected to come to a halt, effectively eliminating the so-called "golden hour" critical for trauma care - the crucial first hour after traumatic injury, when medical treatment is most likely to save a person's life.

Other critical services that could be affected by fuel depletion are water wells and desalination systems.

More than a dozen attempts to retrieve fuel from northern Gaza were denied by Israeli authorities prior to the looting of 260,000 litres. Today, an attempt to retrieve fuel was initially approved, after weeks of repeated access denials, but it could not be accomplished. The Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services, Jorge Moreira da Silva, said in a statement today that shelling forced the team to turn back, with one fuel truck driver sustaining injury. "We need to be able to run our fuel operation and our team should not have to risk their lives to do so," Moreira da Silva said.

OCHA calls on the Israeli authorities to urgently restore the entry of fuel into Gaza and facilitate access to reserves that are already inside the Strip in hard-to-reach areas.

Meanwhile, OCHA warns that civilians also continue to be displaced in Gaza. Today, Israeli authorities issued displacement orders for six neighbourhoods across three governorates: Gaza North, Gaza and Khan Younis. Together, these orders encompass over three square kilometres, which were already covered by previous displacement orders. OCHA notes that - just like fuel - for more than 100 days, the Israeli authorities have not allowed any tents or other shelter materials into the Gaza Strip.

Yesterday, UN humanitarian teams collected more than 50 truckloads of food supplies from the Kerem Shalom crossing and brought them to northern Gaza. This is the first time since before the full blockade on all supplies, including aid - which started in early March - that teams have been allowed to use the Zikim entry point, also known as Erez West. This made it relatively safer for humanitarians to reach the north, where the supplies have already been distributed. Efforts continue to bring more supplies to Kerem Shalom.

Yesterday, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation reported that Palestinians involved in distributing supplies were attacked, with some of them killed. While the UN does not have independent information on this - particularly given the telecommunications outage - OCHA reiterates that civilians must never be attacked, let alone those trying to access or provide food amid mass starvation.

Sudan

UN Relief Chief issues call to action for protection and accountability for the people of Sudan

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, warned in a statement that Sudan has become a grim example of twin themes of this moment: indifference and impunity.

"Again and again, the international community has said that we will protect the people of Sudan," Mr. Fletcher said. "The people of Sudan should ask us if, when and how we will start to deliver on that promise."

The Under-Secretary-General underscored that Sudan is the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with 30 million people - half the population - in need of life-saving aid. From Kordofan to Darfur, the war has left civilians trapped and starving, without the basics they need for their survival. Indiscriminate shelling, drone attacks and other air strikes continue to kill, injure and displace people in staggering numbers.

Fletcher appealed for funding and accountability.

"We call on all with influence to step up," he said. "Protect civilians. Guarantee safe access for humanitarians. Fund their work. Insist on agreements to humanitarian pauses and other arrangements that can allow us to safely reach the areas and people worst hit. Work harder to secure a lasting, inclusive and just peace."

Yemen

UN Deputy Relief Chief urges sustained aid funding

The Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Joyce Msuya, told the Security Council this morning that despite an operating environment beset by multiple risks and serious challenges, aid operations in Yemen continue to forge ahead, and humanitarians remain committed and engaged.

For the first three months of this year, a little over 4 million people a month on average received life-saving humanitarian assistance, and nearly 340,000 children and pregnant and breastfeeding women were treated for malnutrition.*

"Humanitarians are clearly doing their best, but our response is constrained by the lack of funding - and falls short of what the people of Yemen need," Msuya said.

She called on the Security Council to respond with scaled-up, flexible funding based on needs to sustain aid operations; take real action to see that the UN and other detained colleagues are released; and maintain unified support for efforts toward lasting peace.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Yemen with urgent support.

Posted on 12 June 2025

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UN Relief Chief issues call to action for protection and accountability for the people of Sudan

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Statement by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

(New York, 12 June 2025) Again and again, the international community has said that we will protect the people of Sudan. The people of Sudan should ask us if, when and how we will start to deliver on that promise. For their country has become a grim example of twin themes of this moment: indifference and impunity.

We sound again the alarm. This is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. 30 million people need lifesaving aid - half the population. A war that should be ended rages without mercy. From Kordofan to Darfur, it has left civilians trapped, starving, without the basics they need for their survival. Indiscriminate shelling, drone attacks and other air strikes kill, injure and displace people in staggering numbers. The health system has been smashed to pieces, with cholera, measles and other diseases spreading. And now the lean season is arriving. Our appeals are pitifully supported.

Where is the funding?

Meanwhile, hospitals and displacement camps have been attacked, critical infrastructure destroyed, and aid trucks hit, preventing them from getting food and essential supplies to those in such desperate need. Last week's deadly attack on a UN humanitarian convoy in North Darfur again demonstrated the vanishing protection for civilians - including aid workers. The human cost of this war - including horrific sexual violence - has been repeatedly reported and condemned, but talk has not translated into real protection for civilians or safe, unimpeded and sustained access for humanitarians.

Where is the accountability?

We call on all with influence to step up.

Protect civilians. Guarantee safe access for humanitarians. Fund their work. Insist on agreements to humanitarian pauses and other arrangements that can allow us to safely reach the areas and people worst hit. Work harder to secure a lasting, inclusive and just peace.

Despite cuts and danger, the humanitarian movement will not stop working to reach those in need. Let this time not be defined by indifference and impunity, but by a revival in human solidarity for those in greatest need, and determination to hold to account those responsible for it.

Posted on 12 June 2025

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Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen by Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, on behalf of Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

New York, 12 June 2025

As delivered

Thank you, Madam President.

As ever, I thank Special Envoy Grundberg for his briefing and his tireless endeavors to support a peaceful political solution.

Earlier this month, we marked one year since the Houthi de facto authorities arbitrarily detained dozens of staff from the United Nations, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations and diplomatic missions. These staff joined others held since 2021 and 2023, and more held this year. Twenty-three UN staff remain detained, and I join the Special Envoy and the Secretary-General in calling for their immediate release.

Madam President,

Over the past six months, my colleagues and I have briefed this Council regularly on the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on communities across Yemen. I would like to start today with some positive developments that merit attention.

First, and as noted by the Special Envoy, a key road between Aden and Sana'a through Ad Dahle was reopened on 29 May after being closed for nearly seven years. This will provide civilian and commercial traffic a more direct and faster route, reducing travel times by six to seven hours between the two cities and improving access to healthcare for communities in a number of governorates.

This development, supported by the authorities and reflective of community sentiment and initiatives, shows that Yemen is not on a fixed, downhill trajectory. With trust and the right tools, there remains hope.

All of us here must rise to meet these opportunities with our own commitment and support.

I am pleased to note, therefore, that the Senior Officers Meeting held in Brussels on 21 May - bringing together senior representatives of Member States, UN agencies, financial institutions, and international and Yemeni NGOs - endeavored to do just that. It was heartening to see both Member States and the humanitarian community engaging on the importance of adequately funding what is now a more prioritized Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Yemen. I take this moment to thank the EU and Sweden for co-hosting the meeting, which supported the UN's decision to prioritize and maintain life-saving humanitarian programmes in the most severely affected areas in all of Yemen. I also express my thanks to the EU, who pledged 80 million euros in humanitarian funding to support critical programming in Yemen.

Madam President,

As this Council knows, over 17 million people - or nearly half of Yemen's population - are estimated to be acutely hungry. Malnutrition remains a scourge across the country, affecting 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and 2.3 million children under the age of 5. Without sustained humanitarian support, an estimated 6 million more people could end up in emergency levels of food insecurity.

Meanwhile, the health system is fragile at best. Lack of funding could see a further 771 health centres close and nearly 7 million people denied access to life-saving care.

Women and girls face enormous risks, including gender-based violence.

Madam President,

Despite an operating environment beset by multiple risks and serious challenges, humanitarian operations continue to forge ahead, and humanitarians remain committed and engaged.

For the first three months of this year, a little over 4 million people a month on average received life-saving humanitarian assistance. 4.7 million people received regular emergency food assistance. And nearly 90,000 people received agriculture and fisheries support.

In addition, 262,000 young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women were treated for moderate acute malnutrition; a further 77,000 children were treated for severe acute malnutrition; and more than 51,000 women received assistance from skilled personnel while delivering their babies.

Within a fragile health system, 2.4 million outpatient consultations were provided in IDP and host communities, while the response to cholera continues to build on work undertaken in 2024, including through support to hospitals and diarrhea treatment centres, training of healthcare workers, and distribution of diagnostic kits.

Humanitarians are clearly doing their best, but our response is constrained by the lack of funding - and falls short of what the people of Yemen need.

Madam President,

Yemeni communities face multiple crises. Regional challenges and tensions loom large over internal political and security realities. The economy is under extraordinary pressure, and the climate crisis is making people across the country even more vulnerable. Ultimately, life-saving humanitarian assistance - though vital for communities' survival right now - will not be enough. There needs to be a commitment to scaling up long-term development assistance to prevent communities from sliding into more acute levels of humanitarian needs, while also ensuring access to essential services and generating economic and livelihood opportunities.

Madam President,

I conclude with three asks of this Council:

Take the lead of the Senior Officers Meeting in May and follow up with scaled-up, flexible funding based on needs to sustain our aid operation.

Take real action to see that UN and other detained colleagues are released.

Maintain your unified support for efforts towards lasting peace.

Thank you.

Posted on 12 June 2025

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Peace in Yemen 'So Much More' Than Threat Containment, Special Envoy Tells Security Council, Urging Support for Its People

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9935th Meeting (AM)

SC/16085

12 June 2025

Attacks by Ansar Allah  often referred to as the Houthis  against Israel and subsequent retaliatory strikes on infrastructure in Yemen continue, the head of the UN presence there told the Security Council today, as he urged humanitarian, economic and political action to alleviate the crisis before it is too late.

"While the Red Sea remains calm following the cessation-of-hostilities agreement between the United States and Ansar Allah," said Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, the latter launched multiple attacks on targets in Israel over the last month. Israel struck the ports of Hudaydah and Saleef, as well as Sana'a Airport, in response. "I reiterate my call for all actors to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure," he said, also urging the Council to exert "maximum" pressure on Ansar Allah to unconditionally release the UN and other staff it has detained arbitrarily.

Recalling his recent meetings with representatives of both Yemen and Ansar Allah, as well as key regional actors, he noted the "general consensus" that only a negotiated settlement can resolve the conflict in Yemen. "I emphasize again, however, that time is not on our side," he continued, reporting that multiple frontlines across Yemen remain fragile and risk "descending into more-active fighting". Marib remains a cause for particular concern  with reports of troop movement and occasional flareups  in addition to sporadic activity on other front lines.

"More can  and should  be done to alleviate the humanitarian and economic hardships faced by the Yemeni people," he added. This includes allowing the Government to export oil and gas and facilitating the unobstructed flow of goods across the country. Warning that "the cost of inaction is high", he said that Yemen cannot afford more years of division, economic collapse and human suffering. He added: "Peace in Yemen is so much more than a containment of a threat. It is, first and foremost, about the Yemenis."

Next to brief was Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, who first outlined several positive developments. A key road between Aden and Sana'a was reopened on 29 May after being closed for nearly seven years, and the European Union has pledged 80 million in humanitarian funding to support critical programming. However, over 17 million people  nearly half of Yemen's population  are estimated to be acutely hungry, and malnutrition affects 1.3 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and 2.3 million children under the age of five.

Without sustained humanitarian support, she continued, an estimated 6 million more people could end up in emergency levels of food insecurity and nearly 7 million people could be denied access to life-saving care. Nevertheless, humanitarian operations continue, and in the first three months of 2025, an average of over 4 million people a month received life-saving humanitarian assistance, 4.7 million people received regular emergency food assistance and nearly 90,000 people received agriculture and fisheries support.

"Humanitarians are clearly doing their best, but our response is constrained by the lack of funding and falls short of what the people of Yemen need," she emphasized. Further, she observed: "Ultimately, life-saving humanitarian assistance  though vital for communities' survival right now  will not be enough." She therefore asked the Council to ensure scaled-up, flexible funding, based on needs, to "sustain our aid operation"; take "real action" to see UN and other detained staff released; and "maintain your unified support for efforts towards lasting peace".

Council Members Urge Humanitarian Funding, Action

In the ensuing discussion, the United Kingdom's echoed the warning about projected increases in food insecurity and malnutrition compounded by disease outbreaks, also pointing out that 4.8 million people are currently internally displaced in Yemen. "This dire situation will get worse," he stressed. For its part, the United Kingdom recently enrolled in a joint programme with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to provide cholera vaccines and strengthen local response capacity in the most high-risk and affected communities.

The representative of Somalia, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, expressed similar concern over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and health situation in Yemen. "The increase in infections and mortality rates from febrile illnesses  including malaria, dengue fever and cholera  is particularly troubling," he said, adding: "Without immediate international support, the risk of a widespread epidemic will increase significantly." On that, Panama's delegate noted that Yemen has recorded more than a third of the world's cholera cases and 18 per cent of global cholera-related deaths.

Turning to the economic crisis, Denmark's delegate emphasized that, according to the World Bank, "Yemen now ranks as the third poorest country in the world". Further, half of the people in Government-controlled areas face crisis-and-above levels of food insecurity. Warning that "more children will go to bed hungry and health facilities will cease operating" without sustained efforts to improve the economy alongside adequate humanitarian funding, she recalled that Denmark has provided more than $200 million to the humanitarian response over the last decade.

Speakers also Highlight Regional Dimension

"Long known for its rich history, vibrant culture and strategic maritime heritage, Yemen today stands shattered," observed Pakistan's delegate, urging donors to respond "swiftly and generously" to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' appeal. Regional dimensions "unfortunately continue to escalate", he continued, stressing that a lasting resolution requires an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. In that vein, he pointed to "the fruits of effective diplomacy and leadership in the successful ceasefire negotiated between the United States and the Houthis".

"What is needed is to urgently revitalize the negotiations track under the UN aegis and intensify work with all sides to the Yemeni conflict, whilst taking into account the legitimate interests and the realities on the ground," stressed the Russian Federation's representative. Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza  coupled with its obstruction of humanitarian aid  remain a justification for anti-Israeli action by Ansar Allah, he said. He therefore urged "quiet diplomacy" to resolve this problem  which those currently sending threatening signals to the Houthis prioritize in other contexts.

In her turn, the representative of the United States said that there have not been any ceasefire violations since her country "successfully defended freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways". However, the Houthis continue to threaten regional peace and stability and bear "overwhelming responsibility" for the Yemenis' suffering. Underscoring that "we stand with Israel against Iranian-backed terrorist groups", she also said that her country sees evidence that the Houthis are acquiring China-origin dual-use components and imagery from sources, such as the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company.

However, rejecting these "ridiculous accusations", China's representative said that the Chinese company in question has publicly categorized them as "a malicious slandering" as it has no business connections with either Iran or the Houthis. The current tension in the Red Sea is closely connected with the Gaza conflict, he stressed, underlining the need for a permanent ceasefire there. Noting the General Assembly's imminent emergency special session and vote on a draft resolution concerning Palestine, he wondered whether the United States will show that it is "really constructive and responsible on this issue" at that time.

Maritime Shipping, Global Commerce Still Affected

The representative of France, meanwhile, condemned recent Houthi attacks against Israel as an unacceptable threat to regional security. The Houthis  supported by Iran  must cease their destabilizing actions in Yemen, the Red Sea and the Middle East, and he urged the Council to speak "with one voice to condemn them unambiguously". Further calling on the Houthis to cease all disruptions of maritime traffic in the Red Sea, he affirmed that France will continue its commitment within the framework of the European Union's Operation Aspides to protect maritime security and freedom of navigation.

"Merchant and commercial vessels continue to divert through alternative maritime shipping corridors, making the Red Sea region one of the most disrupted maritime trade routes globally," emphasized Greece's representative. Therefore Greece, too, remains committed to Operation Aspides  "with full respect to its defensive posture", he added. Additionally, he, along with Slovenia's representative, joined others in calling for a full investigation into the recent death in captivity of a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member.

"The prolonged and systematic detention of humanitarian and UN personnel is not only a depressing and self-harming moral failure," stressed the representative of the Republic of Korea  "it also constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law". He also pointed out that, despite a decline in Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, maritime traffic through the Red Sea and Suez Canal remains approximately 60 per cent below pre-Gaza-crisis levels. This, he said, underscores the ongoing threat to global commerce, supply chains and maritime security.

Yemen's representative, on that, pointed out that the Houthis' hijacking of ships, planting of sea mines and piracy in the Red Sea "did not start in 2023". Rather, it has been a "recurrent Houthi approach for years", and he added that the terrorist Houthi militias  "backed by the Iranian regime"  have destroyed State institutions, devastated livelihoods and left behind one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet. "We doubt the Houthis and their supporters have any serious intention to change their behaviour," he said. "All peace efforts have failed  and will continue to fail  as long as there is no genuine partner for peace," he stressed.

He went on to emphasize that the Houthis are an armed ideological group that refuses to acknowledge equal citizenship, civil rights, freedoms and political partnership. There can be no development, economy or sustainable peace "under armed blackmail", he stressed, calling on the Council to stop Houthi violations and demand the unconditional release of all detained and kidnapped persons. He also urged UN agencies and international organizations to seriously consider relocating their headquarters to Aden to guarantee safety and security for humanitarian and development workers.

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Pacific Partnership 2025 Commences Mission Stop in Suva, Fiji

US Navy

12 June 2025

From Petty Officer 2nd Class Moises Sandoval, Logistics Group Western Pacific

SUVA, Fiji -- Pacific Partnership has returned to Fiji to conduct the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness mission in the Indo-Pacific region, June 8, 2025.

Pacific Partnership fosters collaboration to enhance natural disaster response preparedness and builds lasting relationships between Fiji, the United States, and participating nations. Engagements for this year's iteration will occur in the cities of Suva and Nadi.

At Fiji's invitation, Pacific Partnership's mission is to collaborate in several humanitarian and civic readiness workshops in areas such as engineering, natural disaster response, public health, and Fijian community outreach projects. This year's mission, featuring about 58 personnel, is primarily a collective effort between Fiji, New Zealand and the United States.

"I am honored to oversee this year's return of Pacific Partnership to the nation of Fiji," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander. "The continued opportunity to build upon our enduring relationship with the Fijian community further emphasizes a shared support of a free and resilient Indo-Pacific."

While in Fiji, the Pacific Partnership 2025 team will focus on subject-matter exchanges and community education in permaculture, spearhead emergency preparedness and disaster response training, and conduct the foundational construction of a local schoolhouse. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, accompanied by members of the Scots Guard, Royal Australian and Royal Canadian navies, will perform during a variety of community outreach engagements.

"We really appreciate Fiji welcoming us for Pacific Partnership 2025," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Gibson, Officer in Charge for the Fiji mission. "It's awesome to be working alongside our Fijian counterparts, building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient Indo-Pacific together."

Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

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Target Iran - Military Options

The transition team of US President-elect Donald Trump considered options for targeting Iran, including a direct attack on its nuclear facilities, sources told the Wall Street Journal 13 December 2024. During his first presidential term from 2017 to 2021, Trump pulled out of the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal, which was intended to make it harder for Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, and waged what he called a maximum pressure campaign. Trumps aides were now discussing a maximum pressure 2.0 strategy, which could include direct military action, the newspaper reported on Friday. Trump was understood to have told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call that he did not want Iran to go nuclear on his watch. Tehran denied that it wants to achieve nuclear capability, but has stockpiled a significant amount of highly enriched uranium in retaliation for Trumps sabotage of the nuclear deal. According to the WSJ, the incoming administration was seeking an option, which would not draw the US into a major war in the Middle East. Iran hawks believe that Trump will have a short window of opportunity to act after coming into office in January 2025. Israel had waged major military campaigns against Hamas and Hezbollah, the militant movements considered to be parts of the Iran-led anti-Israeli regional axis of resistance. Syria was in disarray after armed groups toppled the government of Barash Assad, a long-time ally of Tehran. Trump aides and confidants supporting military options for his second term said the main idea would be to support Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities like Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, and even potentially have the US participate in a joint operation, the newspaper reported. The Times of Israel reported that the Netanyahu government is preparing strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The sites are highly fortified, so its not clear whether the Israeli military could inflict sufficient damage with the conventional weapons in its arsenal. The US could provide heavy bombers and bunker-buster bombs for such an operation. Leadership is what happens when all the options are bad. By 2019, the United States had few options on Iran, all of which were bad. A nuclear armed Iran had become a matter of when not whether. Two decades earlier, when the world [that it, America and Israel] had come to appreciate the full scope of Iran's nuclear ambitions, there were plausible attack options. Much of Iran's nuclear and missile program was concentrated at a few facilities, which for the most part had readily identifiable co-located staff housing. A concerted air campaign against these targets had plausible prospects of killing most of the personnel who had been so carefully recruited and nurtured in the preceding decades. Iran's nuclear ambitions would have been abated for decades, as the necessary staff was recreated. This window of opportunity has closed. By 2019, Iran presumably had claim to some fraction of the hydrogen bombs that had been co-produced in North Korea [the actual location of Iran's stockpile was un-knowable]. The staff of Iran's programs had dispersed to the four winds, and many presumably now had residence in North Korea. Israel [at least the Netanyahu government] had no identifiable strategy beyond stoking the flames of the Wahabi holy war against the Shia polytheists. As long as the Sunni Arab states were pre-occupied with the Iranian menace, they would not object to Israel's continued depredations against the forgotten Palestinian people. The United States had no clear military option beyond re-opening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran probably had the means to render the Strait of Hormuz too hazardous for the liking of international insurance companies. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] missile and maritime assets pose credible threats to the US Navy, which would eventually prevail in suppressing the IRGC assets. Over a period of months, concerted US military operations could destroy IRGC anti-shipping capabilities. Iran might seek to assert escalation dominance by escalating missile attacks against Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, as well as American personnel in the region. It might also undertake unconventional operations against American [and Israeli] interests around the world [sa well as the homelands of its chief tormentors]. There is no plausible American course of action that results in either disarming Iran's WMD capabilities, or changing the complexion of the regime in Tehran.

In the Senate chamber on 20 May 2019, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said, "It would be absolute lunacy for the United States to get involved in another war right now in the Middle East. I think it would be devastating to be in a war with Iran and, in my view unconstitutional to be in a war with Iran at a president's say-so. It's Congress that declares war, not the president. It's not for a president to say it and start it. It's not for a president to, by a series of provocations, blunder us down the path where war becomes inevitable." ?Later, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy tweeted: "No one should defend the actions Iran has taken  they've been out of control for years  but dumb wars start when each party mistakenly believes that the other party's defensive or reactive actions are actually offensive and proactive."

Trump issued a stern warning to Iran on 19 May 2019 amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran," said Trump. "Never threaten the United States again!" Iran responded with defiance. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that Trump would fail to destroy the country, just as Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan had in the past. Zarif said what he called the "B Team"  a group of anti-Iran hard-liners that includes US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman  was empowering the very military-industrial complex that Trump claims to oppose.

Zarif said 18 May 2019 that Tehran was not seeking armed escalation with US or its regional allies. "We are certain," Zarif said. "There will not be a war since neither we want a war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region." However, a commander of Iran's elite paramilitary organization, the Revolutionary Guard, offered a different message. US soldiers would be "easy to defeat," said Commander Hossein Salami in a statement 19 May 2019.

In May 2019 "Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan presented an updated military plan that envisions sending as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East should Iran attack American forces" or begin work anew on nuclear weapons, the New York Times reported 13 May 2019. The plans "do not call for a land invasion of Iran, which would require vastly more troops" and "reflects the influence of Mr. Bolton, one of the administration's most virulent Iran hawks, whose push for confrontation with Tehran was ignored more than a decade ago by President George W. Bush." Trump said "Would I do that? Absolutely. But we have not planned for that. Hopefully we're not going to have to plan for that. And if we did that, we'd send a hell of a lot more troops than that".

The delivery of the options' by the Defense Department came the same day that Shanahan was finally nominated for the permanent position. The previous Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, had ignored similar options requests from the White House. Trump fired Mattis.

"The U.S. may face a trifecta of nuclear crises in 2019 because of flawed strategies it pursued toward North Korea, Russia, and Iran in 2018," Dartmouth's Nicholas Miller and MIT's Vipin Narang warned in the January 2019 issue of Foreign Affairs. Narang updated that assessment on 13 May 2019, writing "We were too optimistic in this piece. Things are on track to go far worse than we thought likely, or possible. On all three fronts."

Trump called for negotiations with Iran several times on 09 May 2019. He told reporters, "What I'd like to see with Iran, I'd like to see them call me." But General Yadollah Javani, a top commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard, said "there will be no negotiations with America." He also said the United States would not dare to take military action against Iran.

Iran is not in a position to risk war and will likely have ordered its allies to avoid confrontation with the US. Trump benefits from the posturing but will not risk a war he is not certain to win. Trump has sought to wind down the conflict in Afghanistan through peace talks in a clear sign that his approach to foreign policy is a lot of bluster while committing as few resources as possible. Trump cannot rely on Saudi Arabia or the UAE or Qatar to do the fighting.

On 09 May 2019, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group and four B-52 bomber aircraft arrived in the Middle East region after concerns Iran may be planning an attack against American targets. The carrier strike group completed its transit through the Suez Canal, U.S. Central Command spokesman Navy Capt. William Urban said. He also said two B-52 bombers arrived in the region 09 May 2019, while two others arrived 08 May 2019. The bombers are now positioned at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a defense official confirmed.

The request for more military assets in the Middle East was "in direct response to a number of troubling and escalatory indicators and warnings" from Iran, CENTCOM commander Marine Gen. Kenneth "Frank" McKenzie said. Brian Hook, State Department special envoy for Iran, said only that the U.S. is "responding to credible intelligence reports that Iran was actively plotting attacks against American interests and our partners in the region."

Irans Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) are highly likely to have facilitated attacks last 12 May 2019 on four tankers including two Saudi ships off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to a Norwegian insurers report. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Norway are investigating the attacks, which also hit a UAE and a Norwegian-flagged vessel. A confidential assessment issued this week by the Norwegian Shipowners Mutual War Risks Insurance Association (DNK) concluded that the attack was likely to have been carried out by a surface vessel operating close by that dispatched underwater drones carrying 30-50 kg (65-110 lb) of high-grade explosives to detonate on impact.

US officials speaking on condition of anonymity described one piece of intelligence which concerned US officials: an Iranian vessel transporting missiles that, one of the officials said, was capable of being fired from a small ship. Hours later, the U.S. Maritime Administration issued an advisory that commercial vessels, including oil tankers sailing through key Middle East waterways, could be targeted by Iran.

The deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Saleh Jokar, said on 17 May 2019 that his country's missiles could easily reach US warships anchored in the Gulf and the rest of the region in case of war. Photos taken by US intelligence have indicated that Iran had placed cruise missiles on small boats in the Arabian Gulf that could strike ships and land targets, according to a US official who spoke to ABC News. The photos have suggested a threat to ships belonging to the US and its regional allies and was one of several factors that led Washingtons hastened deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to the Middle East.

US diplomats warned commercial airliners flying over the wider Gulf of the risk of being "misidentified" amid the heightened tensions. The warning relayed by US diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) underlined the risks the current tensions pose to a region crucial to global air travel. The US also pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad following weekend attacks on four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Trump introduced new sanctions 08 May 2019 on Iranian metal exports, major sources of revenue for the western Asian country. The U.S. had previously slapped sanctions on Iranian oil, which have devastated its economy. Hours before the new sanctions were imposed by the United States, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran would enrich uranium beyond allowable limits if European leaders didn't come up with a plan to protect Iran from the sanctions within 60 days. Britain, France and Germany, which signed the 2015 deal along with the United States, China and Russia, have long been determined to show they can compensate for last years U.S. withdrawal from the accord by protecting trade with Iran and thereby preventing it from developing a nuclear bomb. But with Irans economy dependent on crude exports that are traded in U.S. dollars, a promised European trade channel to bypass American sanctions has proved complicated, is not yet operational, and may never be able to handle oil sales.

Donald Trump warned Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to "never threaten the United States," in a Twitter comment 22 July 2018 that came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a speech critical of Iran's leaders. "To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!"

Pompeo told an audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California that the government in Iran has become a nightmare for the Iranian people. The top U.S. diplomat said the United Sates is not afraid to pressure the Iranian government at its highest level as he urged all U.S. allies to join in financially suppressing the government. "This especially goes for our allies in the Middle East and Europe, people who have themselves been terrorized by the violent regime's activity for decades," Pompeo said.

Earlier in the day Rouhani warned Trump, "don't play with the lion's tail, this would only lead to regret. ... America must understand well that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace and war with Iran is the mother of all wars". Gen. Gholam Hossein Gheibparvar, a senior officer in Iran's Revolutionary Guards, dismissed Trump's statement as "psychological warfare" and said Trump would not take action against Iran.

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing 787-8 is a mid-size, dual aisle, twin engine jet manufactured by Boeing, the American aerospace company. The aircraft is 20% more fuel efficient than similar sized commercial jets it is designed to replace, and to date, is Boeing's most fuel efficient aircraft. Composite materials make up 50 percent of the primary structure, including the fuselage and wing. The engine nacelles are made of serrated edges that reduce the noise levels both outside and inside the cabin, by up to 60%. The aircraft also features raked wingtip to further improve the fuel efficiency. The windows are more than 30 percent larger than those on most similarly sized airplanes. Instead of pulling shades up and down, customers can adjust the brightness of windows with a button. Using an electrochromic dimming system, the windows turn from fully transparent to completely dimmed in gradual steps.

In response to the preferences of airlines around the world, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' new airplane is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a super-efficient airplane. The original customer objectives set for the 787 program in 2002 were for a more-efficient airplane that had the seating capacity of a 767 and the range and speed of a 777 or 747. An international team of top aerospace companies is developing the airplane, led by Boeing at its Everett, Wash. facility near Seattle. Several derivatives are being studied to provide additional capabilities of the 787 family of airplanes.

The 787-8 Dreamliner will carry 210 - 250 passengers on routes of 7,650 to 8,200 nautical miles (14,200 to 15,200 kilometers), while the 787-9 Dreamliner will carry 250 - 290 passengers on routes of 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,750 kilometers). The -9 is a longer-body version of the -8 and is a long-range aircraft with increased passenger count over the -8. Future growth versions could address additional passenger count, cargo capacity, or increased range. One derivatives being studied is the -3, a short-range derivative of the 787-8 with the same fuselage size and passenger count. Several wing configurations and wingspans are also being studied to address increased payload and range requirements.

In addition to bringing big-jet ranges to mid-size airplanes, the 787 will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency, resulting in exceptional environmental performance. The airplane will use 20 percent less fuel for comparable missions than today's similarly sized airplane. It will also travel at speeds similar to today's fastest wide bodies, Mach 0.85. Airlines will enjoy more cargo revenue capacity. Passengers will also see improvements with the new airplane, from an interior environment with higher humidity to increased comfort and convenience.

The 787 is 15 inches (38 cm) wider inside at the head and shoulders level of the seated passenger - where it matters most. Airbus often says there isn't much difference between the 787 and their product. They say the difference in the fuselages amounts to only a 4.5 inch (11 cm) advantage for the Dreamliner at the widest place. Airbus is talking about exterior dimensions. And because the two aircraft have differently-shaped fuselages, the widest places on the airplanes - measured from inside the passenger cabin - are not necessarily in the same spot. The Airbus airplane has a single, circular fuselage - which means its widest point falls somewhere nearer the floor in the passenger cabin. What that means to you, the passenger, seated at the window, is a steep slope at the head and shoulders - sacrificing passenger comfort, and airlines' flexibility. With the 787's larger double bubble, there is a straighter sidewall and less of a slope.

The cross section Boeing chose for the Dreamliner provides a 9-abreast configuration - with the same kind of comfort levels found in economy class in today's airplanes such as in the 747 and the A330/A340. Basically, the very same triple seats used in the 747 could be used in a 9-abreast configuration in the 787. But the beauty of the 787 is the built-in flexibility for airlines for the different kinds of markets they serve. Our customers will have the option in the Dreamliner of providing a premium economy arrangement at 8-abreast. This allows for the largest seat available - bigger than you'd find today in economy - a 19 inch seat bottom. Now here's the issue. When it comes to comparing the 787 to the Airbus alternative, there's been some confusion. Should this be an 8-abreast to 8-abreast comparison? Or a 9-abreast to 9-abreast?

The key to this exceptional performance is a suite of new technologies being developed by Boeing and its international technology development team. Boeing has announced that as much as 50 percent of the primary structure - including the fuselage and wing - on the 787 will be made of composite materials.

An open architecture will be at the heart of the 787's systems, which will be more simplified than today's airplanes and offer increased functionality. For example, the team is looking at incorporating health-monitoring systems that will allow the airplane to self-monitor and report maintenance requirements to ground-based computer systems.

Boeing has selected General Electric and Rolls-Royce to develop engines for the new airplane. It is expected that advances in engine technology will contribute as much as 8 percent of the increased efficiency of the new airplane, representing a nearly two-generation jump in technology for the middle of the market.

Another improvement in efficiency will come in the way the airplane is designed and built. New technologies and processes are in development to help Boeing and its supplier partners achieve unprecedented levels of performance at every phase of the program. For example, by manufacturing a one-piece fuselage section, we are eliminating 1,500 aluminum sheets and 40,000 - 50,000 fasteners.

Regulators grounded the Dreamliner in January after two battery warnings on two separate planes. The battery faults raised fears of a possible mid-air fire. Fifty Dreamliners were in use around the world, but officials grounded them after a battery fire in a parked Japan Airlines 787 in Boston and another incident in which battery smoke forced an emergency landing of an All Nippon Airways 787 in Japan. On April 19, 2013 U.S. air safety officials approved changes to the battery systems for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jets, a key step in allowing carriers to resume flying the aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines on April 29, 2013 became the worlds first carrier to resume flying Boeings 787 Dreamliner, since it was grounded in January 2013 with battery problems.

The newest addition to the Boeing 787 line of passenger jets completed its first test flight September 18, 2013. The U.S.-based aviation company's new 787-9 took off from an airfield in Washington state near the factory where the plane was assembled while several hundred Boeing employees cheered. The 787-9 is six meters longer and can seat 40 more passengers than the original 787-8, which carries between 210 and 250 passengers. Boeing also says the newest version of the fuel-efficient jetliner known as the Dreamliner can also carry more cargo and fly further. After flight tests and certification, the first 787-9 will be delivered in June 2014 to Air New Zealand, the launch customer.

At the Paris Air Show, Boeing announced 18 June 2013 that it has launched the B787-10 Dreamliner. The new aircraft is the third member of what the US airframe manufacturer calls "the super-efficient B787 family". Commitments for 102 of theses airplanes from five customers across Europe, Asia and North America provided a strong foundation to support the development and production of the newest Dreamliner. Customer launch commitments for the B787-10 include Air Lease Corporation (30 airplanes), GE Capital Aviation Services (10), International Airlines Group/British Airways (12 units, subject to shareholder approval), Singapore Airlines (30) and United Airlines (20). The new B787-10 will fly up to 7,000 nautical miles (nearly 13,000 km)  covering more than 90% of the world's twin-aisle routes. The second member of the family, the B787-9, was in final assembly in Everett WA (USA), and is set to make its first flight later this year. Boeing had already started to design the B787-10, and international partners would be involved in detailed design in the months ahead. Final assembly and flight test of the B787-10 were set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2018.

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Operation Rising Lion / True Promise III - Iran vs Israel

On the night of 12-13 June 2025, Israel conducted a unilateral operation with multiples waves of airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear program as well as Iran's military chain of command and facilities. The attacks were first reported around 3:00 a.m. local time on Friday 13 June, in Tehran, followed by additional explosions in other provinces across the country. In all, a dozens of facilities across Iran had been struck in the first of multiple waves of airstrikes.

Among the facilities targeted were Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, the heavy water production facility at Arak., and othr sites in Khorramabad, Khondab among others.

According to a video address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the preemptive operation was expected to "continue for as many days as it takes. This operation will hurt Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories and its military capabilities." Iran's nuclear scientists and its ballistic missiles program were also targeted.

Voicing his hope that Operation Rising Lion would pave the way for regime change in Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in an address to the Iranian People that:

The objective of Israel's operation is to thwart the Islamic regime's nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us. As we achieve our objective, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom. In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. More is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker.

This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard.

The attacks followed the day prior a resolution being voted by the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), declaring that Iran is not complying with its obligations regarding nuclear non-proliferation. Following the vote, a joint statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (A.E.O.I.) declared that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution," and that the head of the A.E.O.I. had issued orders to establish a new uranium enrichment facility in a secure location and to increase production of enriched fissile material by replacing first-generation centrifuges at the Fordow enrichment site with advanced IR-6 machines.

US Secretary of State Rubio, released a statement distancing the United States from Israel's strikes, stating that "we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel." President Trump had expressed his preference for diplomatic talks and discussed this issue, with both US and Iranian sides initiallly due to pursue a sixth round talks in Muscat, Oman that upcoming Sunday.

On June 11, the US State Department announced that the United States had started withdrawing nonessential staff from the Middle East, with the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, reportedly preparing for an emergency evacuation. US government staff in neighboring countries were also reported to have been given the option to relocate.

Israel Katz, Israel's Minister of Defense declared a special state of emergency for the entire country, expecting retaliation by Iran.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, issued a statement saying that "with this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself  and it will undoubtedly face it". Following this, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel in its first retaliatory move, with most of these reportedly intercepted by Israel defenses. Additionally, a number of appointments were made to replace commanders killed by Israel. This included Major General Mohammad Pakpour as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (replacing Hossein Salami) and Major. General Abdolrahim Mousavi as chief of staff of the army (replacing Mohammad Bagheri). Ali Shadmani was promoted to the rank of major general in charge of a major command unit (suceeding Gholam Ali Rashid).

Multiple regional countries condemned Israel's military operation, including Saudi Arabia which expressed "its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms". Turkey and Russia also strongly condemened the attacks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement asking both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi confirmed on 21 June 2025 that a large nuclear complex in Esfahan had been targeted for a second time during Israel's attacks on Iran over the past nine days, with several more buildings struck. Six buildings were struck duing that attack: a natural and depleted uranium metal production facility which had not yet begun operations, a fuel rod production facility, a building with low-enriched uranium pellet production as well as a laboratory and nuclear material storage, another laboratory building, a workshop handling contaminated equipment and an office building with no nuclear material. In addition, the IAEA had reported that a centrifuge manufacturing workshop - which made the machines used to enrich uranium - had been struck by Israel. That site had previously been under IAEA monitoring and verification as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including with installed Agency cameras.

IAEA Director General Grossi reported on 20 June 2025, that four buildings at Esfahan were damaged in Israel's 13 June 2025 attack: the central chemical laboratory, a uranium conversion plant, the Tehran reactor-fuel manufacturing plant, and the enriched uranium metal processing facility, which was under construction. However, no increase of off-site radiation levels was reported. As in Natanz, the main concern resulting from the attack was chemical toxicity.

Natanz's Fuel Enrichment Plant was attacked by Israeli airstrikes on the 13th of June which targeted and destroyed electricity infrastructure at the facility, including an electrical sub-station, the main electric power supply building, and emergency power supply and back-up generators. On the same day, the main cascade hall appeared to have been attacked using ground-penetrating munitions. Natanz's second main facility is the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant which consists of aboveground and underground cascade halls. On the 13th of June the above-ground part was functionally destroyed and the strikes on the underground cascade halls were seriously damaging. The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact on the population or the environment.

However, within the Natanz facility there is both radiological and chemical contamination. It is possible that Uranium isotopes contained in Uranium Hexafluoride, Uranyl Fluoride and Hydrogen Fluoride are dispersed inside the facility. The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if inhaled or ingested. This risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory devices. The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity.

On 18 June, the IAEA said in an update that it had information that two centrifuge production facilities in Iran  the TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Center  were hit. Both locations were previously under IAEA monitoring and verification under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). At the Tehran Research Center, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. At the Karaj workshop, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured.

The Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor under construction in Arak, was hit on 19 June 2025. As the reactor was not operational and did not contain any nuclear material, no radiological consequence was expected. The nearby Heavy Water Production Plant was assessed to have been hit, with key buildings at the facility were damaged, including the distillation unit. However, no radiological consequence was expected.

On 21 June 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had struck three nuclear facilities of Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan in Iran Six B-2 stealth bombers were reported to have been used to drop 12 GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MO) bunker buster bombs on the Fordow nuclear site.

Earlier reports had surfaced on 21 June that US B-2 bombers had been deployed and flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Iranian state TV reported however that nuclear material had been removed from all three facilities prior to the US airstrikes.

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California Attorney General - Rob Bonta

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

OAKLAND -- Yesterday, former secretaries of the Army and Navy and retired four-star admirals and generals filed an amicus brief in support of California Attorney General Rob Bonta's lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's unlawful orders federalizing the California National Guard and deploying Marines to Los Angeles:

"The United States military is not primarily a law enforcement organization and is prohibited by law from acting as a domestic police force unless doing so is 'expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress'...

"A bedrock principle of American democracy is that our military is apolitical. Accordingly, United States military personnel are not permitted to engage in political conduct while on duty or to use their military status to endorse political candidates or political causes. Critical to the military's ability to carry out its core functions is retaining the public's respect and maintaining cohesion and unity within its ranksregardless of the political leanings of individual citizens or soldiers. Particular caution is therefore necessary if the U.S. military is to be deployed domestically in the context of a politically charged situation. It is essential that such deployments be a last resort, especially in the context of policing protests and other constitutionally protected speech and activities.

"For that reason, and as noted above, federal deployments on U.S. soil have been rare, serious, and legally clear. The last major deployment of federal troops domestically occurred during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, at the request of California Governor Pete Wilson and pursuant to the Insurrection Act. That deployment followed widespread violence and looting of businesses, the burning of entire blocks of homes and businesses, and dozens of civilian fatalities. Public reporting from Los Angeles suggests that, notwithstanding troubling incidents of property damage and violence, the recent and ongoing situation appears to be different in kind...

"The active-duty military and National Guard serve a critical role in U.S. national security. Domestic deployments that fail to adhere to exacting legal requirements and long-established guardrails threaten their core national security and disaster relief missions, put the military at risk of politicization, and pose serious risks to both servicemembers and civilians.

"We appreciate the Court's due consideration of these critical factors in adjudicating Plaintiffs' Ex Parte Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order."
High-ranking U.S. military officials agree: Trump's takeover of Los Angeles is illegal

California Governor - Gavin Newsom

Jun 12, 2025

What you need to know: Former secretaries of the Army and Navy and retired four-star admirals and generals filed an amicus brief in support of the Governor's motion to block the Trump administration's illegal militarization of downtown Los Angeles.

SACRAMENTO - Veterans of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy, who collectively served under each president from John F. Kennedy to Barack H. Obama, recently filed an amicus brief in support of Governor Gavin Newsom's motion to stop President Trump's illegal takeover of California National Guard units and deployment of the Marines to downtown Los Angeles.

"Veterans of our military agree that President Trump's takeover of Los Angeles is not only illegal - it poses a dangerous and serious risk to Americans who may find themselves in the crosshairs of troops ordered to act against their fellow Americans."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Recently, several veterans and veteran rights' groups came together to decry Trump's militarization of California.

Illegal militarization

On June 7, one day after the protests began, President Trump issued a memorandum purporting to authorize the DOD to call up 2,000 National Guard personnel into federal service for a period of 60 days, and declaring a "form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States" and directing the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with state governors and the National Guard to commandeer state militias.

The action puts state sovereignty in danger, as his order was not specific to California and suggests that the President could assume control of any state militia.

The U.S. Constitution and the Title 10 authority the President invoked in the memo require that the Governor consent to federalization of the National Guard, which Governor Newsom was not given the opportunity to do prior to their deployment and which he confirmed he had not given shortly after their deployment. The President's unlawful order infringes on Governor Newsom's role as Commander-in-Chief of the California National Guard and violates the state's sovereign right to control and have available its National Guard in the absence of a lawful invocation of federal power.

Additionally, DOD is now expanding the duties of these federal soldiers, ordering them to assist ICE agents in civilian law enforcement activities  including arresting and detaining immigrants and others who may be suspected or accused of interfering with ICE  a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution and the rights of American citizens.

Cleaning up Trump's mess

On Saturday, there were 250+ protesters pre-National Guard deployment. On Sunday, the protesters grew to 3,000+ after the federal government commandeered the National Guard. Their presence is inviting and incentivizing demonstrations.

Since President Trump's impulsive memo and actions to send the military to the Los Angeles region, the state continued to work with local partners to surge additional state and local law enforcement officers into Los Angeles to clean up President Trump's mess. Local and state law enforcement has had to intervene to protect public safety. Federal soldiers are currently standing sentry outside federal buildings, with local and state law enforcement doing all of the work.

The President's actions have not only caused widespread panic and chaos, but have unnecessarily created an additional diversion of resources as the state tries to calm a community terrorized by this reckless federal action

Hypocrisy on full display

President Trump agrees he's breaking the law in California  here's the evidence.

In 2020, Trump said he wouldn't federalize National Guard members without the approval of the state's Governor first. His own Department of Homeland Security leader said just last year that federalizing the National Guard would be a direct attack on state rights. The federal administration is adding more National Guard soldiers and Marines to an already charged situation when they are unneeded. Read more about the lawsuit here.

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Governor Newsom prevails in blocking Trump's militarization of Los Angeles

California Governor - Gavin Newsom

Jun 12, 2025

"A win for all Americans"

What you need to know: Standing up for American citizens and the nation's foundational ban on martial law in peacetime, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta today secured an emergency restraining order blocking President Trump's takeover of the state guard and militarization of Los Angeles.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Following President Trump's doubling down on the militarization of the Los Angeles area through the takeover of 4,000 California National Guard soldiers and the unlawful deployment of the U.S. Marines, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta today succeeded in securing a court order blocking President Trump's illegal takeover of the California National Guard (CalGuard) and militarization of Los Angeles.

"Our success today in court is a win for all Americans. The President's action to turn the military against its own citizens threatened our democracy and moved us dangerously close to authoritarianism. We will continue to stand up for our democracy and the rights of all Americans. The country is watching." Governor Gavin Newsom

Today's decision granted Governor Newsom's emergency request to revert control of Cal Guard personnel back to the governor after being unlawfully and unconstitutionally seized by President Trump and the Department of Defense.

The request was filed as part of the Governor's lawsuit against President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Department of Defense (DOD), charging violations of the U.S. Constitution and the President's Title 10 authority, not only because the takeover occurred without the consent or input of the Governor, as federal law requires, but also because it was unwarranted.

The lawsuit was filed as President Trump declared the federalization of 2,000 Cal Guard servicemembers after community members began protesting violent and widespread Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Los Angeles region, which began on June 6.

Illegal militarization

On June 7, one day after the protests began, President Trump issued a memorandum purporting to authorize the DOD to call up 2,000 National Guard personnel into federal service for a period of 60 days, and declaring a "form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States" and directing the Secretary of Defense to coordinate with state governors and the National Guard to commandeer state militias.

The action puts the sovereignty of every state in the country in danger, as his order was not specific to California and suggests that the President believes he can assume control of any state militia.

The U.S. Constitution and the Title 10 authority the President invoked in the memo require that the Governor consent to federalization of the National Guard, which Governor Newsom was not given the opportunity to do prior to their deployment and which he confirmed he had not given shortly after thereafter. The President's unlawful order infringes on Governor Newsom's role as Commander-in-Chief of the California National Guard and violates the state's sovereign right to control and have available its National Guard in the absence of a lawful invocation of federal power.

Additionally, DOD has expanded Cal Guard's duties, ordering them to assist ICE agents in civilian law enforcement activities  including arresting and detaining immigrants and others who may be suspected or accused of interfering with ICE  a direct violation of the U.S. Constitution and the rights of American citizens.

Cleaning up Trump's mess

On Saturday, there were 250+ protesters in the area pre-National Guard deployment. On Sunday, the number of protesters grew to 3,000+ post-deployment by the federal government. Their federalization is inviting and incentivizing demonstrations.

After President Trump's impulsive memo and actions to send the military to the Los Angeles region, the state continued to work with local partners to surge 800+ additional state and local law enforcement officers into Los Angeles to clean up President Trump's mess. Local and state law enforcement has had to intervene to protect public safety. The National Guard is currently standing sentry outside federal buildings, with local and state law enforcement doing all of the work.

The President's actions have not only caused widespread panic and chaos, but have unnecessarily created an additional diversion of resources as the state tries to calm a community terrorized by this reckless federal action.

The hypocrisy is on full display

In 2020, Trump said he wouldn't federalize National Guard members without the approval of the state's Governor first. His own Department of Homeland Security leader said just last year that federalizing the National Guard would be a direct attack on state rights. The federal administration is adding more National Guard soldiers and Marines to an already charged situation when they are unneeded. There are 1,600 soldiers waiting for commands at armories in the area.

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June 12, 2025

By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

Through SkillBridge, DOD Provides Boost to Southern Border Mission

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently signed a memorandum that provides additional assistance to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection divisions through enhancements to the Defense Department's own SkillBridge program.

SkillBridge gives retiring and separating service members the ability to conduct on-the-job training in the private and civil sectors so they can successfully transition on behalf of a grateful nation.

"Recognizing the importance of leveraging talent and furthering our commitment to work with DHS, the department is expanding opportunities for transitioning service members to support southern border activities, particularly through the SkillBridge program, which provides real-world job experience during their final 180 days of service," Hegseth's May 28, 2025, memo reads.

Under the secretary's direction, military departments will encourage service members considering participation in the SkillBridge program to seek internships, apprenticeships or on-the-job training with either ICE or CBP.

While opportunities with ICE and CBP have existed for five years, the department's focused promotion of specifically ICE and CBP as SkillBridge opportunities is new, said Michael Miller, the director of DOD's military-civilian transition office.

"Typically, the department does not recommend to service members any specific post-separation career field," he said. "Instead, we inform them. We provide them the skills to navigate the employment arena, and we then leave them to identify their post-separation career field independently."

However, Miller said that as a result of the national emergency at the southern border in January, DOD is increasing its support to DHS, including through SkillBridge. In turn, SkillBridge gives America's best the opportunity to continue their selfless-service and continue to give back to the nation.

"We will advertise and prioritize the opportunities to participate with the CBP and ICE," he said, adding that DOD is working with DHS to develop focused information highlighting those opportunities.

The secretary has also told the military services that when service members choose to participate in SkillBridge with ICE or CBP, the services should approve those requests to the maximum extent possible.

By encouraging participation in SkillBridge with ICE and CBP, the Defense Department provides those agencies with access to its most valuable asset  its people. It also gives DHS the incredible opportunity to fill its ranks with the best and brightest personnel who may one day, after completing their SkillBridge training and separating from the military, find employment within DHS and be available to support the southern border mission.

SkillBridge is a DOD effort to assist service members in transitioning more successfully from military life into the civilian workforce. After service members complete the Transition Assistance Program and before separating from the military, they can also apply to participate in SkillBridge as a way to gain skills and experience needed for civilian employment  and they do it while still receiving pay from the military.

As part of SkillBridge, service members can spend up to 180 days before their separation from service with one of approximately 6,900 partner businesses and agencies to learn job skills in nearly 10,000 areas to assist them in preparing for civilian employment. In many cases, the same business or agency may offer the service member a job upon completion of their participation in the program.

"We have high rates of employment. With some programs, 90-95% go straight into employment," Miller said. "The rates we get are way above industry standard for almost any other type of training program."

He said SkillBridge partners are well-vetted and have a variety of solid training plans in place to ensure that a service member's time with them is well spent.

"We check the history of their company; we go through a vetting process," Miller said. "Once that's done, they will develop training plans for the different opportunities they want to offer, and we'll approve those training plans as well."

DHS is not new to SkillBridge, he said, noting that it's been a validated SkillBridge partner for five years. There are 11 different DHS entities, including ICE and CBP, involved in SkillBridge.

Service members who opt to participate in SkillBridge training with ICE or CBP may not necessarily end up at the southern border as part of their training. Instead, Miller said, participants are more likely to train for jobs ICE and CBP are currently prioritizing as part of the southern border mission.

"These are training programs, so they could be offered at a centralized location based on that training package," he said. "There's a multitude of things currently in the portfolio that they're offering training packages on, from human resources jobs to legal jobs and other things as well. Those are all supporting the southern border [mission] if that's where they're planning to use those resources."

As an example of what's possible, Miller said, ICE or CBP could hire a SkillBridge service member they trained in a non-border-related job, and that new employee could then replace a border-trained employee, freeing them to go down to the border.

"That's the same effect," he said. "These are the strategic things that CBP and ICE will have to look at."

Miller said typically, one year before separation, a service member should begin the Transition Assistance Program. It's within the TAP program that they learn more about SkillBridge. He added that the Defense Department is committed to assisting DHS in fulfilling both its mission at the border and helping service members secure civilian employment after leaving the service.

"The department is proud to support our colleagues at the Department of Homeland Security through partnerships such as SkillBridge," said Tim Dill, who is performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. "Our uniformed personnel receive world-class training that prepares them to adapt and succeed in any professional setting. We encourage transitioning service members considering SkillBridge to continue to contribute to the security and territorial integrity of the nation through DHS' critical operations."

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Texas National Guard "on standby" ahead of immigration raid protests

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:41, June 12, 2025

HOUSTON, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Texas National Guard troops are "on standby" in areas across the state where protests are expected against the Trump administration's ongoing immigration raids, a spokesperson for Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott confirmed on Wednesday.

"Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles," Abbott's spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement. "Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extent of the law."

The advocacy group Immigrant Families and Students in the Fight, known as FIEL, is organizing a "Chant Down the Walls" protest in Houston on Friday. Additionally, "No Kings" protests are scheduled for Saturday in more than two dozen Texas cities, including Houston, Austin, Lubbock and Longview, according to a report by the Texas Tribune.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson voiced his support for peaceful demonstrations but warned against violence.

"I am supportive of people exercising their right to engage in peaceful protest against politics and policies that they disagree with. However, destructive actions or efforts to hurt police is wrong," Watson said in a statement.

"Much of what we see out of Washington is to create fear and chaos -- we should not play into these politics of fear," he added. "Adding to the chaos -- through destruction of property, hurting other people, including police officers, or otherwise -- adds to the problems for those people being targeted while empowering those in Washington who want more pain and chaos."

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations. "Harris County has a long history of people exercising their right to protest peacefully while respecting opposing viewpoints, and I fully expect Saturday's demonstrations to continue that legacy," Gonzalez said. Much of Houston falls within Harris County.

In San Antonio, Police Chief William McManus confirmed that National Guard personnel have been sent to the city. However, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, a Democrat, said he had not been consulted about the deployment.

"But I have full faith and confidence in our community to exercise their First Amendment rights peacefully," Nirenberg said.

Protests against the immigration raids began last week in Los Angeles and have since spread nationwide.

On Monday, California sued the Trump administration after President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles -- without the state's permission -- in response to the protests.

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Bangladesh plans COVID-19 vaccine shot for high-risk groups

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:29, June 12, 2025

DHAKA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government is planning a campaign soon to offer COVID-19 vaccine doses in order to boost people's fading immunity against the infectious disease, an official has said.

Md Abu Jafor, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said here Wednesday that the campaign will be launched to inoculate people above the age of 60, frontline workers and those suffering from comorbidities.

He said DGHS has a stock of approximately 1.7 million COVID-19 vaccine shots for the vaccination campaign.

Amid a fresh rise in COVID-19 infections in several neighboring countries, the Bangladeshi interim government has already asked people to refrain from traveling to those destinations unless absolutely necessary.

The DGHS under the Ministry of Health has also instructed the relevant authorities to enhance health screening and surveillance measures at all ports to contain the spread of the infection.

The directives, which were issued Monday, stated that new subvariants of the coronavirus are spreading in several neighboring countries, including India.

After 13 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours till Tuesday morning, the country reported 10 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.

Bangladesh on June 5 recorded its first COVID-19 fatality this year when a man died from the infectious disease in capital Dhaka.

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Cities across U.S. brace for more protests against ICE raids

People's Daily Online

By Xia Lin (Xinhua) 13:16, June 12, 2025

NEW YORK, June 11 (Xinhua) -- More protests against immigration enforcement raids are planned across the United States this week, after many of the kind have sprung up nationwide from Los Angeles to Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with some of them peaceful while others resulting in clashes with law enforcement.

Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with "No Kings" events across the country on Saturday to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump's planned military parade through D.C., according to The Associated Press (AP). The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests.

"Cities across the United States were bracing for a new round of immigration protests on Wednesday after the Los Angeles mayor imposed an overnight curfew downtown and Governor Gavin Newsom of California blamed President Trump for unrest that began with deportation raids last week," reported The New York Times.

In San Antonio, protests against immigration raids are planned Wednesday night and on Saturday, but Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that city officials did not ask for the Texas National Guard to be deployed in advance. Governor Greg Abbott's office said that National Guard troops were "on standby" in areas where demonstrations are planned. That came after police in Austin used chemical irritants to disperse several hundred demonstrators on Monday near the state Capitol.

In Los Angeles, a sixth day of protests is planned downtown and near federal buildings. In Eugene, Oregon, several groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which calls for the end of capitalism, said they planned to hold a solidarity protest in the city. In Mission Viejo, California, a protest is planned for Orange County, according to the local branch of the 50501 Movement, which was formed against the Trump administration's "anti-democratic" actions.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Raleigh Wednesday evening, spurred in part by anger over a state immigration bill. In Seattle, the Party for Socialism and Liberation is among the groups behind a planned "ICE Out" protest in the city against ICE. In St. Louis, Missouri, a "NO ICE" protest is planned for this week, according to U.S. media reports.

Meanwhile, Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the United States to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. "It's one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president," noted AP.

Tuesday night, Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew, making arrests moments after it took effect, while deploying officers on horseback and using crowd control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds of demonstrators. Immigration raids across Southern California are rattling the area's immigrant communities, even among those in the country legally. More than 100 people have been detained since Friday.

New York City police detained more than 80 people during protests around Lower Manhattan's Foley Square against federal immigration enforcement actions Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful. She blamed smaller groups for causing disorder that required police intervention.

By Tuesday night, demonstrations against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown have intensified and spread far beyond Los Angeles, with thousands of people gathering in at least two dozen U.S. cities, holding banners and chanting slogans like "Stop the Deportation Now" and "Abolish ICE."

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Pro-Kremlin Media Hail Los Angeles Unrest As 'Civil War'

By Current Time June 12, 2025

Kremlin-friendly pundits and programs have been savoring every shot of protesters in Los Angeles this week, some proclaiming that the United States must be in midst of a new "civil war."

Prominent state-run Rossia-1 TV host Vladimir Solovyov put it bluntly: "I'm enjoying what I see."

He was not alone.

"Congratulations on the beginning of a civil war in the United States of America," pro-Kremlin TV personality Sergei Mardan said. "Unfortunately, I'm joking," he added mirthlessly.

Andrey Cherkasov of RFE/RL's Current Time surveyed the Kremlin-friendly media landscape over the past few days and found it rife with pronouncements of widespread pandemonium in the United States.

"In reality, the unrest in Los Angeles is limited to a small area," Cherkasov said, "but the propagandists describe it as a nationwide catastrophe."

The key scenes and images appearing so far are generally those of street demonstrations in the Los Angeles area, which were sparked by recent high-profile arrests of suspected undocumented immigrants by agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Locals have demanded an end to ICE raids and enforcement actions there, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

ICE said it arrested over 40 suspected undocumented migrants at a work site and another 77 people were reportedly arrested by ICE and federal partners across the greater L.A. area on June 6, which appeared to be the focus of the protests.

"This is a city of immigrants," Bass said. "This is a city that wants to help you get your legal status. This is a city that embraces everybody that is here, regardless of when you got here or where you came from."

Kremlin-friendly journalists have been airing a far more alarmist viewpoint -- but at times are also gleeful.

"I can't help gloating over it all, I admit," Mardan said on-air on Rossia-1. "The worse it is for the United States, the better it is for us."

As Cherkasov pointed out, "Cheering over unrest in the United States is standard fare for the Kremlin and Kremlin-friendly media."

The rhetoric is well-practiced and hardly new, he added.

"These outlets have, after all, come up with surveys that purportedly show America as their country's main adversary for the last 20 years."

Much of the pro-Putin coverage that depicts the Los Angeles area as "apocalyptic," Cherkasov said.

But he noted that some broadcasters in the United States have been using similar language, at least some of the time.

Viewers of CBS's Face the Nation heard reports with a voiceover that said: "Chaos erupted in the Los Angeles area over the weekend following increased activity across the country by ICE."

But the Kremlin-aligned outlets have shown a passion for the most tabloid elements, Cherkasov said. "Russian presenters are savoring every detail: flying rocks, smoke, and rubber bullets.

Three he cited were succinct: "Chaos in Los Angeles," proclaimed Russia-1 TV, "Fighting, violence, and provocations," said a TVC host, and "The tension is rising," announced another Russia-1 TV presenter.

Another usual angle in the Putin-approved media, Cherkasov said, was the invocation of Ukraine's Euromaidan protest movement, sparked a decade ago when pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych blocked progress toward EU membership.

"Just remember the Kyiv Maidan in 2014: It was a war zone," said a commentator on Russia's Vesti FM.

Suggesting deliberate conspiracies behind the Los Angeles demonstrations is also standard pro-Kremlin fare, said Cherkasov.

"The Kremlin has always tried to suggest there's foreign backing behind any civil protest."

So-called color revolutions are also said to be the work of US agents, he said, such as Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution and Ukraine's 2004 Orange Revolution.

As if on cue, a presenter on Russia's Channel 5 summed up the L.A. protests this way: "All the elements of a color revolution are there."

Another, a guest on Solovyov's program, Solovyov Live, proclaimed, "This did not happen spontaneously."

According to Western sources, since June 6, nearly 400 people have been arrested in Los Angeles, including 330 undocumented migrants and 157 people charged with assault and obstruction -- including one charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-media-los-angeles- protests/33441285.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Wang Yi Meets with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that during the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali held in-depth and friendly exchanges and reached new common understandings on advancing the all-weather strategic partnership. The two sides have worked together to advance the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit, achieving early harvests that have helped Ethiopia accelerate its development and revitalization and also brought more tangible benefits to the Ethiopian people. China and Ethiopia share a glorious history of resisting and overcoming foreign aggression, and now stand as important representatives of the Global South and members of BRICS. China is ready to work with Ethiopia to enhance strategic communication, promote common development through mutually beneficial cooperation, and safeguard common interests through solidarity and coordination. The two sides should strengthen the synergy of development strategies and explore and expand cooperation in new energy vehicles, green industries, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.

Gedion Timothewos said that Ethiopia enjoys a robust partnership with China, and that the two sides have achieved fruitful outcomes through practical cooperation, which demonstrates the solidarity and mutual trust between the two countries and sets a model for the Global South. He thanked China for its strong support on issues concerning Ethiopia's core interests and its valuable assistance to Africa's development. Ethiopia will continue to firmly uphold the one-China principle. He said that the ten partnership actions put forth by President Xi Jinping are crucial to accelerating development in Ethiopia and other African countries, and Ethiopia is willing to work with China to ensure their implementation. He congratulated China on successfully launching and establishing the International Organization for Mediation, and expressed Ethiopia's readiness to strengthen cooperation with China in the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on enhancing coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and BRICS, and expressed readiness to jointly increase the voice and representation of the Global South and pool collective strength for common revitalization.

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Wang Yi Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad of Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean Marie Traore

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad of Burkina Faso Karamoko Jean Marie Traore in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that since the resumption of diplomatic relations seven years ago, China and Burkina Faso have fully restored bilateral relations, contributing to the national development and economic growth of Burkina Faso, bringing tangible benefits to the Burkinabe people. Facts have proven that the resumption of diplomatic relations between China and Burkina Faso fully serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Burkina Faso and its people. China consistently upholds the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and respects the choices made by the Burkinabe people. China will continue to support Burkina Faso in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and driven by self-reliance. China is ready to consolidate mutual trust and friendship with Burkina Faso, enhance the exchange of governance experience, and provide support and assistance within its capacity for Burkina Faso's development and revitalization. Since the Beijing Summit, China has granted Burkina Faso zero-tariff treatment for all tariff lines, which will strongly boost the country's exports to China. China is ready to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with Burkina Faso, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in the country, and help accelerate its industrialization process. Wang Yi expressed the belief that Burkina Faso will ensure the security and safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel in the country.

Karamoko Jean Marie Traore expressed his pleasure at the elevation of Burkina Faso-China relations to a strategic partnership last year. Burkina Faso highly commended China for demonstrating leadership, supporting Africa's development and turning the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation into a highlight of South-South cooperation. He thanked China for its support to Burkina Faso since the resumption of diplomatic relations, reaffirmed Burkina Faso's firm commitment to the one-China policy, and expressed support for China in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Burkina Faso and China share a common vision of seeking well-being for their people. Burkina Faso is willing to deepen sincere and friendly cooperation with China and looks forward to China's continued support and assistance.

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Wang Yi Meets with Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that China and Nigeria are both major developing countries, representatives of emerging economies and important members of the Global South. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, China-Nigeria relations have gone beyond the bilateral scope and are gaining increasing global significance. This year, the foreign ministers of the two countries have met three times. China is willing to maintain frequent communication with Nigeria, strengthen strategic coordination, and continuously elevate the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels. The two sides should also work hand in hand and shoulder their responsibilities together, enhancing solidarity and cooperation among the Global South within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Wang Yi said that the Chinese side appreciates Nigeria's support for China in safeguarding core interests, and will likewise support Nigeria in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests. China is ready to enhance all-round exchanges with Nigeria and deepen the sharing of governance experience. With highly complementary economies, China and Nigeria enjoy broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to work with Nigeria to negotiate and sign the agreement on economic partnership for shared development to make full use of the zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities, and achieve common revitalization.

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar said that the diplomatic philosophies of Nigeria and China are highly consistent. Nigeria fully agrees with the diplomatic principles advocated by China and is pleased to be a member of the International Organization for Mediation. Nigeria will continue to firmly defend multilateralism and is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Fruitful outcomes have been achieved in Nigeria-China relations, and Nigeria is willing to further deepen cooperation in various fields with China and work for greater progress in the Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

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Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister of Guinea-Bissau Carlos Pinto Pereira

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of Guinea-Bissau Carlos Pinto Pereira in Changsha.

Wang Yi congratulated Guinea-Bissau on becoming a founding member of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). This institution will create a new platform and provide new options for countries, especially developing countries, to peacefully resolve disputes. It will help resolve disputes in a convenient manner in the spirit of autonomy and voluntariness, and will better safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of small and medium-sized countries. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with all parties, including Guinea-Bissau, to support the IOMed in fulfilling its due role.

Wang Yi stated that in the face of the U.S. abuse of tariffs, Guinea-Bissau stood up and adopted reciprocal countermeasures, demonstrating the grit of Africa. Both sides should seek strength through unity, and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, as well as the common interests of developing countries. The Global South should unite closely to resist all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and defend international fairness and justice.

Wang Yi stated that since last year, the two heads of state met multiple times, and the important common understandings they reached have been implemented, further consolidating friendship and mutual trust. China and Guinea-Bissau have always treated each other as equals and supported each other, setting an example for relations between countries of different sizes.

Carlos Pinto Pereira expressed his pleasure at recently attending the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the IOMed together with the Chinese side. The establishment of this new platform is of great significance and will help to better resolve differences in a peaceful and voluntary manner. He extended congratulations on the positive outcomes of this Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators, which further took stock of the early harvests of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit and formed a new consensus on cooperation. He thanked China for its long-term assistance to Guinea-Bissau, and for practicing the principles of equality and mutual respect. Guinea-Bissau will continue to render mutual support with China, expand practical cooperation, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

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Wang Yi Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger Bakary Yaou Sangare

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad of Niger Bakary Yaou Sangare in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that China and Niger have a traditional friendship, and the relationship between the two countries is part of South-South cooperation. China has always supported Niger in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and is ready to uphold mutual respect and mutual support with Niger, carry forward the tradition of friendship, enhance mutual trust, and promote the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-Niger relations.

Wang Yi stated that China's cooperation with Africa follows the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests and the principle of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. China encourages Chinese enterprises to support Africa's development and help revitalize Africa in the spirit of win-win cooperation and in response to Africa's needs. The differences and issues encountered in cooperation should be properly handled through dialogue between both sides. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Niger will safeguard the security and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens in Niger, and create conditions for the safe and sustainable development of cooperation projects.

Bakary Yaou Sangare stated that Niger and China are friends and partners, and the two countries boast the tradition of mutually beneficial cooperation. China has become Niger's major economic and trade investment partner, and the bilateral relationship has been upgraded to a strategic partnership. Niger remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, regards cooperation with China as a priority, attaches great importance to security issues, and is willing to enhance mutual trust and maintain dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect.

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Wang Yi Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Therese Kayikwamba Wagner

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 23:55

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Therese Kayikwamba Wagner in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that during the Beijing Summit, President Xi Jinping and President Felix Tshisekedi reached important common understandings on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors between China and the DRC. Since the Summit, bilateral cooperation has yielded a number of early harvests, and the two countries have forged a close community of shared interests and a community with a shared future. Both sides should follow through on the common understandings reached between the two heads of state, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance the vitality and resilience of the China-DRC comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China is ready to assist the DRC in translating its resource advantages into development strengths. China's enormous market remains open to the DRC, and welcomes more imports of quality products from the DRC to China.

Wang Yi emphasized that the United States' unilateral actions have worsened the outlook for global trade and inflicted serious negative impacts on the Global South, particularly vulnerable countries. Today's global picture is that the United States is raising tariffs, while China is cutting tariffs; the United States engages in unilateralism, while China upholds win-win cooperation; the United States advocates "Making America Great Again", while China champions the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China is defending the vision of multilateralism and upholding the basic norms governing international relations through its concrete actions. China has consistently called for redressing historical injustices against Africa, and congratulates the DRC on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. China is ready to enhance communication and coordination with the DRC to better respond to Africa's call and safeguard Africa's interests. China is also willing to continue playing a constructive role in promoting peace in Eastern DRC on multilateral occasions.

Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said that under the guidance of the two heads of state, the DRC and China have upheld mutual trust and achieved common development. She expressed appreciation for China's long-standing support for the development of the DRC. The DRC firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation to open up new prospects for DRC-China relations. President Xi Jinping announced that China will implement a zero-tariff policy for 100 percent tariff lines, which holds immense promise for Africa and serves as a powerful encouragement to African countries. The DRC highly values and fully supports the Belt and Road Initiative and a series of global initiatives proposed by China. The DRC is grateful for China's important role at the United Nations in facilitating the adoption of resolutions on the issue of Eastern DRC, and is willing to strengthen coordination with China to jointly uphold multilateralism.

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The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Held in Changsha

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 16:23

On June 11, 2025, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Changsha, Hunan Province. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony and read out the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping. Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso of the Republic of the Congo, the African co-chair of the FOCAC, read out the congratulatory letter from President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Over 100 ministerial officials from FOCAC member countries, representatives from the African Union (AU) Commission, and diplomatic envoys of African countries to China attended the meeting.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping provided an insightful elaboration on the significance of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation, and announced China's important measures to further expand openness and cooperation with Africa. These have provided important guidance for China and Africa to jointly advance modernization and build an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has grown rapidly, driving China-Africa relations to achieve leapfrog development and ushering in their best period in history. The FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September last year marked the beginning of a new journey for jointly building a China-Africa community with a shared future. Guided by the consensus reached at the summit, China and Africa have actively implemented the ten partnership actions and achieved new, encouraging outcomes. Strategic mutual trust between China and Africa has become stronger, practical cooperation has been increasingly deepened, and multilateral coordination has become closer. Facts have proved that China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, extensive demands, and enormous potential, and is brimming with vigor and vitality. When China and Africa stand shoulder to shoulder, the development and revitalization of the Global South will be more promising, and international fairness and justice will be more guaranteed.

Wang Yi emphasized that China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent home to the largest number of developing countries, together form the backbone of the Global South. The more complex and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Africa to uphold solidarity and self-reliance, stand firmly on the right side of history, and actively steer the course of the times, respond to uncertainties in the world with the stability and resilience of China-Africa relations. He said that the two sides should uphold mutual assistance and serve as defenders of solidarity among the Global South; uphold openness and serve as advocates for international free trade; uphold mutual benefit and win-win results and serve as partners in global development cooperation; uphold fairness and justice and serve as defenders of an equitable international order; and uphold exchanges and mutual learning and serve as promoters of the diversity of world civilizations.

Wang Yi said that the 21st century belongs not only to Asia, but also to Africa. The Chinese people are building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. Today, Africa is experiencing a new awakening and steadily progressing toward the modernization goals outlined in the AU's Agenda 2063. Wang Yi expressed the belief that as long as the 2.8 billion-strong Chinese and African people are united and move forward hand in hand, they will surely make remarkable achievements on the path toward modernization, lead the vigorous development of modernization across the Global South, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Jean-Claude Gakosso, on behalf of African countries, said that Africa and China have deep historical ties and a shared future. The Africa-China strategic partnership is founded on mutual respect and mutual trust, and is committed to solidarity, cooperation, mutual benefit, and win-win results. He expressed appreciation for China's concrete actions in supporting Africa's development. African countries warmly welcome the ten partnership actions put forth by President Xi Jinping and support the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035. Africa is ready to deliver on the outcomes of the Beijing Summit and help realize the African people's aspirations for a better life. The African side opposes the abuse of tariffs and unilateral sanctions, and will stand firmly with China to jointly address challenges. Long live Africa-China cooperation! Long live Africa-China solidarity!

The China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South was issued during the meeting.

On the same day, Wang Yi successively met with the foreign ministers of the Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Djibouti, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia.

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Wang Yi Meets with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 20:14

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in Changsha.

Wang Yi stated that Ghana was one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The traditional friendship between the two countries was personally forged and nurtured by the elder generation of leaders and has stood the test of the volatile international landscape. Last year, the two countries established a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in the history of China-Ghana relations. China is ready to work with Ghana to carry forward the traditional friendship, firmly support each other, implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, and deepen practical cooperation across all sectors.

Wang Yi noted that President Xi Jinping, in his congratulatory letter, announced China's decision to give zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to African countries, which demonstrates the solidarity and friendship between China and Africa. While China is implementing zero-tariff treatment, certain country is instead imposing additional tariffs; while China advocates win-win cooperation, certain country is engaging in unilateralism and bullying. It is clear to all who is helping Africa and who is turning a blind eye, who is shouldering international responsibilities and who is undermining international rules.

Wang Yi said that Ghana was a pioneer in Africa's struggle against colonialism and hegemony, and the birthplace of Pan-Africanism, making important contributions to Africa's independence and liberation. China is ready to enhance communication and coordination with Ghana, advance the China-Africa friendship, oppose unilateralism with multilateralism, and counter "putting one's own country first" with openness and win-win cooperation.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said that Ghana cherishes the historic friendship between Ghana and China established by the founding leaders of the two countries. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their longstanding and valuable support and assistance in Ghana's development, and for contributing to the development of African partners through the FOCAC. China has become Ghana's largest trading partner, and Ghana looks forward to deepening cooperation with China across various sectors. Ghana will continue to firmly abide by the one-China principle and consolidate the strong partnership between Ghana and China. Ghana highly appreciates China for treating small and medium-sized countries as equals and admires China's firm and strong countermeasures against bullying. He praised China's leadership in South-South cooperation and expressed Ghana's readiness to strengthen solidarity with China. He also thanked China for initiating the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), which provides a new platform for developing countries to resolve disputes through win-win approaches, and said that Ghana will accelerate the process of joining the IOMed.

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Wang Yi Meets with Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 20:08

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Djibouti's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Ismail Omar Guelleh, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development. During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the two heads of state jointly decided to elevate China-Djibouti relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. China firmly supports Djibouti in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and supports Djibouti in exploring a modernization path that suits its national conditions. China is ready to work with Djibouti to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit and the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, injecting new dimensions into China-Djibouti relations and better benefiting the people of both countries.

Wang Yi stated that, with the joint efforts of both sides, the outcomes of the Beijing Summit are being effectively implemented in Djibouti. China is ready to work with Djibouti to leverage the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway to build a prosperous economic development belt, helping Djibouti become a commercial, trade and logistics hub in the region. China will continue to support Djibouti in fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating presidency of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and support Africa in seeking strength through unity, solving African issues in the African way, and taking national destiny into their own hands. China is also ready to advance the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa, and work with Djibouti and other countries to turn the Horn of Africa into a region of peace, cooperation, development and prosperity.

Abdoulkader Houssein Omar said that Djibouti and China are true and good friends. Djibouti values the strategic partnership with China and is willing to continue mutual support with China. He congratulated the Chinese side on the successful hosting of this Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators. Djibouti firmly supports multilateralism, opposes unilateralism, and will strengthen coordination with China to jointly address challenges. He thanked China for supporting Djibouti in fulfilling its responsibilities as the rotating presidency of the IGAD, and expressed willingness to work together to maintain regional peace.

The two sides also exchanged views on multilateral cooperation, and expressed the readiness to continue to support the just cause of the Palestinian people.

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Wang Yi Meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 20:03

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that the foreign ministers of the two countries have met four times in a year, demonstrating the close ties between China and South Africa and the high level of China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. China and South Africa are good friends with shared ideals and good partners for mutual benefit and win-win results, and the friendship between the two countries has grown stronger over time. China and South Africa are major developing countries with common experiences and shared pursuits. The more complex the situation and the sharper the challenges, the more the two countries should unite and cooperate, and strive for self-reliance and strength. China is ready to consolidate political mutual trust and support with South Africa. China is happy to see South Africa play a greater role on the international and regional stage, and supports South Africa in fulfilling its duties as the G20 presidency. China is ready to work with South Africa to demonstrate the responsibilities of major countries, safeguard their legitimate rights and interests as well as national dignity, and protect the common interests of the vast number of developing countries.

Wang Yi stated that China announced new measures for cooperation with Africa at this Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators, giving African countries zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, which demonstrates China's firm support for Africa and the solidarity and friendship between China and Africa. China will continue to share development opportunities with Africa while jointly safeguarding the multilateral trading system and the basic norms governing international relations.

Ronald Lamola extended congratulations on the complete success of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has achieved fruitful results over the 25 years since its establishment, contributing to the development of African countries. South Africa highly appreciates China for granting 100 percent zero-tariff treatment to African countries and looks forward to strengthening practical cooperation with China in various fields such as economy and trade, energy, human resources training, and AIDS prevention and control. He thanked China for its support in South Africa's fulfillment of its duties as the G20 presidency and expressed willingness to enhance communication and coordination with China.

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Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 11, 2025 19:56

On June 11, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso in Changsha.

Wang Yi said that last year, the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was successfully held, elevating China-Africa relations to a new level. Both sides have advanced the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit in a comprehensive and swift manner, yielding significant early harvests. Later, President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou Nguesso will jointly send congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the FOCAC, which will inject new impetus into the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit. The African side has actively participated in the meeting, with more than 100 ministerial representatives gathering in Changsha, Hunan Province, for this grand event of solidarity. China appreciates the contribution of the Republic of the Congo, as the African co-chair of the FOCAC, to the successful convening of this Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators, and is ready to work with African countries to further build consensus, jointly uphold the basic norms governing international relations, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South. China stays firmly committed to solidarity and cooperation with Africa for common development. China will further expand its unilateral market access for Africa and vigorously promote high-quality development of practical cooperation between China and Africa, which will bring tangible benefits to more African people.

Wang Yi said that China is ready to work with the Republic of the Congo to continue supporting each other in safeguarding core interests and to consolidate political mutual trust; to upgrade economic and trade cooperation, ensuring that early harvests of the outcomes of the Summit will be delivered in the Republic of the Congo at a faster pace; and to strengthen the exchange of governance experience, enhance the recognition of visions and resonance of thinking, and enrich the strategic relationship, so as to ensure that bilateral relations continue to serve as a model of high-level solidarity and cooperation between China and Africa.

Jean-Claude Gakosso said that as the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo has worked closely with China to promote the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit, injecting vitality and momentum into Africa-China cooperation. The friendship between the Republic of the Congo and China, as well as between Africa and China, has grown further deeper. He expressed confidence that the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators will achieve complete success. He said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has brought hope for Africa to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty and underdevelopment and to achieve independent development. The Republic of the Congo will continue to actively participate in the BRI and remain steadfast in upholding the one-China principle. In the face of hegemonic acts such as the abuse of tariffs, sanctions and pressure, a united Global South will become an invincible force. The Republic of the Congo stands firmly with China in supporting multilateralism and safeguarding the rules of fair trade.

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China opposes EU's proposed sanctions against banks, stresses normal exchanges and cooperation with Russia

Global Times

By Wang Qi Published: Jun 12, 2025 06:55 PM

China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday.

Lin made the remarks in response to media reports claiming that the EU has proposed sanctioning two small Chinese banks for apparently helping Russia get around the bloc's trade restrictions.

Most countries, including those in Europe and the US, continue to trade with Russia. The normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies are consistent with WTO rules and market principles. They do not target any third party and should not be disrupted or affected, Lin added.

According to a Bloomberg report, under the proposed sanctions, EU-based financial institutions would be banned from conducting any transactions with the two regional lenders which are based near China's border with Russia. The news outlet said it is not identifying the banks because the measures have not yet been published.

The Financial Times (FT) said that the potential sanctions against Chinese banks is "the first attempt by Brussels to target a third-country lender for supporting Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine." It claimed that two small regional Chinese banks have used crypto transactions to facilitate the import of goods covered by existing EU sanctions.

Citing officials with knowledge of the plans, the FT said the curbs were included in the European Commission's latest package of measures, and require the unanimous support of EU member states to be adopted.

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed an 18th package of sanctions against Russia aimed at Moscow's energy revenues, its banks and its military industry, according to a Reuters report.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Department of European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that Europe is eager to make more of an impact on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and strengthen its role as a major geopolitical player. However, lacking sufficient means, it can only rely on sanctions and increase their frequency.

On May 20, the EU adopted the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, which aims to "further restrict Russia's access to battlefield technologies and cut revenues from Russian energy imports by targeting an unprecedented number of vessels from Russia's shadow fleet."

Europe hopes to compensate for the limited effectiveness of sanctions by expanding them, but this struggles to address the awkward reality of their diminishing impact, Cui added.

Although Europe occasionally voices opposition to unilateralism and hegemony, its signaling of a possible sanction on Chinese banks suggests that, to some extent, Europe is emulating the US in pursuing long-arm jurisdiction and extraterritorial legal authority, said Cui.

He said the current China-EU relationship is a mix of cooperation, competition, and geopolitical maneuvering, which is not driven by China's intentions but largely stems from shifts in European perspectives.

China needs steadfastness to mitigate the negative spillover effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on China-EU ties, as China consistently upholds cooperation and a partnership-oriented approach, said Cui.

He suggested that both sides actively communicate and coordinate to avoid letting the issue overshadow the China-EU summit or the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.

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Chinese FM responds to EU's proposed sanctions against two Chinese banks over Russia

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 12, 2025 03:08 PM

China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that lack legal basis under international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press briefing on Thursday, in response to media reports saying that EU plans to sanction two small Chinese banks for helping Russia get around the bloc's trade restrictions.

At present, most countries, including those in Europe and North America, continue to maintain trade relations with Russia. Normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises are in line with WTO rules and market principles, and should not be disrupted or affected, Lin added.

According to a Bloomberg report, under EU's proposed sanctions, EU-based financial institutions would be banned from conducting any transactions with the two regional lenders which are based near China's border with Russia. The news out let said it is not identifying the banks because the measures have not yet been published.

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MOFCOM, FM call for Washington to implement consensus reached with China

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 12, 2025 10:20 PM

China's Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Commerce on Thursday responded to the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism that recently concluded in London, highlighting the consensus reached at the meeting and new progress made while calling for the US to work with China to implement the important consensus.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday stressed that the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism was held under the strategic guidance of the Chinese and US presidents. The two sides reached principled agreement on the framework of measures to implement the important common understandings between the two presidents in their June 5 call and consolidate the outcomes of the Geneva talks. It represents new progress made in resolving each other's economic and trade concerns.

The remarks were made following US President Trump said that "our deal with China is done" in the True Social post yesterday. As part of the post, he said that magnets and any necessary rare earth will be supplied by China. He also claimed that Chinese goods would face tariffs of 55 percent with the American goods facing only 10 percent.

When being asked if the spokesperson is able to confirm any of the details in that post, and if that accurately represents any deal that's been done between the US and China, Lin reiterated that China always honors its commitments. Now that an agreement is reached, both sides need to stick to that agreement. "We hope the US will work with China to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents and make good use of the consultation mechanism. Hopefully, through communication and dialogue, there will be more consensus and cooperation and less misperception," Lin said.

When responding to a media question regarding the bilateral relationship, Lin stated that China views and handles its relationship with the US by following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. China's position remains consistent on its relations with the US.

Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong also responded to a similar question regarding the post at a press conference on Thursday, stating that "China's position of opposing unilateral tariff increases is consistent. China urges the US to abide by WTO rules and work with China to promote the stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation."

When asked about the key topics discussed at the first meeting of the China-US trade consultation mechanism, whether China raised demands regarding US high-tech restrictions, and how many rare earth export licenses China plans to approve this week, He noted that both sides will further leverage the China-US trade consultation mechanism, continue to maintain communication and dialogue, enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen cooperation, and jointly promote the stable and sustained development of China-US economic and trade relations moving forward.

Regarding the rare earth issue, He said that as a responsible major country, China fully considers the reasonable demands and concerns of other countries in civilian applications. China reviews export license applications for rare earth-related items in accordance with laws and regulations, has already approved a certain number of compliant applications, and will continue to strengthen the approval process for compliant applications, the spokesperson said.

It is crucial that the two sides adhere to the consensus reached by two heads of state and implement it, and that both parties demonstrate a professional, rational, candid, and in-depth approach, according to He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.

Although there may be some differing considerations between the two sides, it is essential to respect the facts and proceed based on the actual consensus reached. Being overly hasty or inconsistent in words and actions should be avoided, said Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Zhou told the Global Times on Thursday that maintaining such an attitude and mindset is crucial, but it is equally important to follow the established steps to bring about further progress, as this will lead to more tangible outcomes.

Going forward, He Weiwen stressed the importance of adhering to the WTO rules. He noted that based on the foundation of respect and equality, talks should strive for outcomes where both parties' concerns are reasonably addressed and responded to, with results that are genuinely and mutually beneficial.

Both Zhou and He Weiwen highlighted the importance of stable China-US cooperation for contributing to global economic development.



Commenting on the China-US talks in London, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, "I expressly welcome it. This is not at the expense of Europe; rather, it is another conflict that has been resolved," Reuters reported.

On Tuesday, the World Bank sharply cut its global economic growth projections, citing disruption from trade uncertainty in particular. It now expects the global economy to expand by 2.3 percent in 2025, down from an earlier forecast of 2.7 percent, CNBC reported.

Unilateral trade confrontations disrupt global trade rules, interrupt trade flows, and create significant unpredictability, severely hindering global economic growth, He Weiwen noted.

Zhou meanwhile noted that given the immense scale of China and the US, maintaining stability between the two economies is conducive to reducing global volatility risks and creating a larger, more stable market. This will better facilitate efficient resource allocation and create better conditions for other countries to connect their markets and economies with the two sides, He said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on June 12, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: June 12, 2025 20:41

Reuters: China has long voiced opposition to the AUKUS submarine deal. And news broke yesterday that the Pentagon is now reviewing the deal between the U.S., the UK and Australia to determine whether it should be scrapped. Does China welcome the review? And do you have any other comment?

Lin Jian: China has made clear more than once its position on the so-called trilateral security partnership between the US, the UK and Australia designed to advance cooperation on nuclear submarines and other cutting-edge military technologies. We oppose manufacturing bloc confrontation and anything that amplifies the risk of nuclear proliferation and exacerbates arms race.

Sky News: In the True Social post yesterday, President Trump said that "our deal with China is done" and as part of that post, he said that magnets and any necessary rare earth will be supplied by China. He also claimed that Chinese goods would face tariffs of 55 percent with the American goods facing only 10 percent. Are you able to confirm any of the details in that post? And as far as you are concerned, does that accurately represent any deal that's been done between the U.S. and China?

Lin Jian: Yesterday afternoon, China released a readout on the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, which you may refer to. Let me underscore the fact that the meeting was held under the strategic guidance of the Chinese and U.S. presidents. The two sides reached principled agreement on the framework of measures to implement the important common understandings between the two presidents in their June 5 call and consolidate the outcomes of the Geneva talks. It represents new progress made in resolving each other's economic and trade concerns. China always honors its commitments. Now that an agreement is reached, both sides need to stick to that agreement. We hope the U.S. will work with China to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents and make good use of the consultation mechanism. Hopefully, through communication and dialogue, there will be more consensus and cooperation and less misperception.

The Paper: We noted that for quite some time, traveling in China while live-streaming has kept trending among foreign tourists, and Chinese toys have gained huge fans overseas. Foreign commentators say that Chinese technology, gaming, and culture have taken the world by storm, which makes the country cooler and burnishes its image overseas. The latest polls show that in the recent one-plus year, favorable opinions of China have been on the rise. What's China's comment?

Lin Jian: From "China Travel" to "China Shopping", from DeepSeek to wildly popular collectible toys, films and TV series, more and more people from across the world have come to know about China and be familiar with our country. By breaking the "information cocoon", they've discovered that there's so much to share and connect with the Chinese people emotionally just like people elsewhere. This fully shows that the pursuit of good things and a better life knows no borders or ethnicity. It is something that no one can stop.

A true China with its multiple facets and dimensions is being discovered by more and more people around the world. This is very much a result of China's relentless opening-up, entry facilitation policies, high-quality development, and rapid progress in promoting new quality productive forces and innovation-driven development. It is all the more a result of the fact that China has and will always be a source of stability and certainty in a turbulent and changing world, enabling global development through Chinese modernization. We will open wider, broaden our vision of innovation, and deepen cooperation to share more opportunities and benefits with the rest of the world, and let people all over the world see and experience an ever-cooler China.

AFP: Japan said today that it has expressed serious concerns to Beijing after Chinese fighter jets flew "unusually close" to a Japanese military patrol plane in the Pacific last weekend. Does the Foreign Ministry have more details on what happened in the situation or response to the statement made by Japan today?

Lin Jian: China's activities in relevant waters and air space are consistent with international law and international practices. On the specifics you mentioned, the two countries' defense departments are in communication through existing channels. Let me point out that it is the close-in reconnaissance of Japan's vessels and airplanes on China's normal military activities that has caused maritime and air security risks. China urges Japan to stop those dangerous moves.

Rudaw Media Network: Given China's relationship with Iraq, can it influence the resolution of the budget and salary issue between the Kurdistan regional government and the Iraqi government? And my second question: the United States of America has ordered the departure of non-essential staff from the Middle East, especially Iraq. Do you have any comment in this regard? Additionally, is China playing a role in helping to ease these tensions, especially between the U.S. and Iran, or facilitating the dialogue between the U.S. and Iran, particularly concerning the nuclear deal?

Lin Jian: On your first question, this is Iraq's internal affair. Let me say broadly that China supports Iraq in maintaining peace, stability and development.

On your second question, we noted relevant reports. China always believes the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through political and diplomatic means. China supports Iran in maintaining dialogue and negotiation with relevant parties and achieving a solution that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties through consultation. China is willing to continue having communication and coordination with all relevant parties, play a constructive role in promoting the political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, earnestly safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

Global Times: In a statement issued on June 10, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan expressed concerns over the introduction of a partial entry ban by the United States for citizens of seven countries, including Turkmenistan. Do you have any comment?

Lin Jian: China noted the statement of the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan. China believes that mobility of people is what makes exchanges and cooperation possible between countries. It is what the people want and creates benefits for all. As Turkmenistan's comprehensive strategic partner, China stands ready to work with Turkmenistan to jointly promote people-to-people exchange between countries.

PTI: China is in talks with different sides, including the U.S. and EU over the rare earth metals. There were concerns in India, too. Reportedly, India has taken it up with China in this regard. And recently, India's envoy Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat had talks with Vice Minister Mr. Sun Weidong. And the statement issued by the Ministry said that they had discussed mutual concerns. Have these issues been discussed between the two countries? Is China looking at or is it holding talks with India on lifting the restrictions on the rare-earth metals? It is a matter of public concern back home. Probably you can elaborate a bit more about any kind of discussion in this regard that's going on between the two countries.

Lin Jian: China released a readout on Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong's meeting with Indian Ambassador to China Pradeep Kumar Rawat. On the export controls on rare earths, I'd refer you to competent authorities. We are willing to enhance dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions to jointly keep the global industrial and supply chains stable.

Sky News: And another question if I may on the potential deal between the U.S. and China. Can I ask if you have any comments on the way that President Trump made the announcement, an inadvertent comment on his Truth Social post, perhaps before any deal has been officially agreed? And does this serve to undermine the relationship in any way?

Lin Jian: I have stated China's position on the issue.

Beijing Youth Daily: We've learned that Sun Linjiang has taken up the post of Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs. Can you confirm that?

Lin Jian: The Chinese government has appointed Ambassador Sun Linjiang as the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, succeeding Ambassador Li Hui.

Since the post was established, the Special Representative has been committed to strengthening the friendship and cooperation in various fields between China and Eurasian countries, and has engaged extensively people on the international scene, which has contributed to greater understanding and friendship and regional peace and development.

Ambassador Sun Linjiang is a seasoned diplomat well-versed in Eurasia. We are confident that he will actively fulfill his mission, establish sound working relations with various parties and make strong efforts for China's traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation with Eurasian countries and the region's shared prosperity.

Bloomberg: The European Union has proposed sanctioning two small Chinese banks for apparently helping Russia get around the bloc's trade restrictions. Under those proposed restrictions, EU-based financial institutions will be banned from conducting any transactions with the two lenders. Would the Ministry like to comment on that?

Lin Jian: China opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law or authorization of the UN Security Council. Most countries, including those in Europe and the United States, continue to trade with Russia. The normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies are consistent with WTO rules and market principles. They do not target any third party and should not be disrupted or affected.

Ukrinform News Agency: The head of Ukraine's military intelligence said that intelligence has information about Russia's transfer of a number of modern military technologies to North Korea and, in particular, about agreements on the creation of capabilities to produce the Russian drone types on the territory of North Korea. It will for sure bring changes in the military balance in the region and between North Korea and South Korea. I'd like to ask whether the Chinese side sees such military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow as challenges or maybe threats to stability on the neighboring Korean Peninsula and for China in particular.

Lin Jian: I'm not familiar with what you mentioned. Regarding bilateral interactions between Russia and the DPRK, we've stated our position on multiple occasions. China's positions on the Ukraine crisis and the Korean Peninsula issue are consistent and clear.

Sky News: One more question if I may on that Truth Social post. In that post, President Trump described the relationship between the U.S. and China as "excellent." Do you agree?

Lin Jian: China views and handles its relationship with the U.S. by following the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. China's position remains consistent on its relations with the U.S.

EFE: How does the Foreign Ministry view the recent appointment of Joseph Lin Yuntuan as auxiliary bishop of Fuzhou, reportedly the first Chinese bishop agreed by Pope Leo XIV under the provisional agreement between the Holy See and China?

Lin Jian: In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained communication and increased mutual understanding and trust through constructive dialogue. With the joint efforts of both sides, the provisional agreement regarding the appointment of bishops is smoothly implemented. China stands ready to work with the Vatican for continued improvement of China-Vatican ties.

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (June 12, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

June 12, 2025

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to this press briefing. With that, I open the floor for questions. So, we start here. Ayushi.

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: This is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. So, my first question is, what is the latest update that the Ministry is getting on the Ahmedabad air crash? Has our External Affairs Minister spoken with his British or Canadian counterpart?

And second one is related to the recent telephonic conversation between our Prime Minister and the Canadian Prime Minister. Did the Khalistani extremism issue came up during the talks? And how do you look at India-Canada relationship ahead of Prime Minister's expected visit to Canada this week?

Sumita: Sir, could you give us an understanding of India's engagement with China on the rare earths material issue, given the fact that it's been having a significant impact on industries like auto in India? Are there any timelines that you're looking at with respect to, you know, arriving at a resolution in this matter? And secondly, how are you looking at this move by the Chinese government?

Shivam Patel, Reuters News: Thank you, Sir. This is Shivam Patel from Reuters News. Question related to Canada.

Prime Minister is going to Canada for the G7 summit. How do you view India's relationship with Canada in this context? And would you consider reinstating the expelled diplomats?

One more question, Sir. Prime Minister Carney, in the readout, in the Canadian readout, Prime Minister Carney apparently said that Prime Minister Modi agreed to engage in a law enforcement dialogue. Could you just expand on that, please? Thank you.

Sidhant Sibal, WION: Hi Sir, Sidhant from WION. Sir, we have seen a lot of comments coming from the American administration. In fact, their military, top military officials called Pakistan a counter terror partner. And we have seen similar statement coming from other officials. So, how does India view the American statements that Pakistan can be a partner when it comes to counter-terror cooperation?

Rishabh, Times Now: Sir, good evening, Rishabh from Times Now. So, first question, Mohammed Yunus is in United Kingdom. And yesterday, he made a comment about a conversation with our Prime Minister saying that he wanted or Bangladesh wanted Sheikh Hasina to be restrained, and India did not respond appropriately is what he has said. Apart from that, Sir, also...(unclear audio) thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Ayushi, first, your question. What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones. There are, I understand, several foreigners also. Those updates you will receive from the relevant departments, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, and others, they are putting out something, I guess, soon.

That's the latest that I can share. You know, we also, it is still an evolving situation. Rescue operations are on. So, you will have to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out. But you would have seen, you know, that everybody is concerned. And we once again convey our deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones.

On Canada, we had a question from Shivam and also from you. So, I will combine both of these issues. As you are aware, our Prime Minister had received a call from the Canadian Prime Minister last week. During the call, Prime Minister Carney had invited the Prime Minister to attend the G7. And as you are aware, the invitation has been accepted. It was also an occasion for the two Prime Ministers to talk about India or reflect on India-Canada relations and how do we take it forward.

As you are aware, India-Canada are vibrant democracies which are bound by shared democratic values and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. And of course, very vibrant people-to-people ties. We believe that the forthcoming meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis in Canada will offer an important opportunity for them to exchange views on bilateral and global issues and explore pathways to set or reset the relationship based on mutual respect, shared interests, and sensitivity to each other's concerns. Our views on some of these have already been shared publicly in considerable detail.

Now, a specific question that you asked, Shivam, responding to that, I would say that there are existing mechanisms between Indian and Canadian law enforcement agencies that have discussed issues of mutual security concern over a period of time. This engagement is likely to continue.

Sumita, your question about rare earths, we have been in touch with the Chinese side. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce and General Administration of Customs in early April, as you would be aware, had announced the decision to implement export controls on certain rare earth-related items. We are in touch with the Chinese side, both here in Delhi, as also in Beijing, to bring predictability in supply chain for trade, consistent with international practices.

Sidhant, your question on the comments made by interlocutors in the United States; see the record of Pakistan, of what Pakistan actually is, is very clear. We all know Pahalgam attack is only the recent example of cross-border terrorism. I would remind you that only recently, the conspirator, one of the conspirators of 26/11, Tahawwur Rana was extradited from the United States to India. Obviously, none of us have forgotten that Pakistan gave shelter to Osama bin Laden. It is significant that the person and you would be aware Dr. Shakil Afridi who helped locate Osama bin Laden is still imprisoned by the Pakistani military.

Rishabh, your question about the comments from the Bangladeshi side...see our approach to engagement with Bangladesh, our ties with Bangladesh is well known. I have said so from this podium several times. We want a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh that is anchored in the aspirations of the people of the two countries.

Can we go forward? Keshav?

Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint: Thank you, Sir. This is Keshav Padmanabhan from ThePrint. I have two questions. The first one is the situation in West Asia. The U.S. has put out travel advisories for non-emergency personnel. Iraq has also put out a travel advisory in Israel earlier a few hours ago and there is some tension between Israel and Iran being reported. Has the Indian MEA taken notice? Is there any such advisories on our nationals in the region given the large population? I just wanted to understand our position on the growing tensions there at this specific moment in time. My second question, Sir, is there were two calls between Indian and Canadian leaders, the Prime Ministers as well as the foreign ministers in the last week. Specifically, Sir, was anything raised on Sikh separatism or any law enforcement cooperation over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar? Thank you, Sir.

Megha Sharma: Good evening, Sir. This is Megha from Newsx . My first question is about this Pelican project where Canada has busted a drug racket that involved financing anti-India activities. What is the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reaction to this? Also, is there any information regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bilateral meetings with other Heads of States at the G7 summit? And also a reaction on source-based information that Asim Munir, the Field Marshal of Pakistan, has been invited for the military parade that is taking place on the 14th of June. However, the Indian General has not been invited.

Huma Siddiqui, StratNews Global: Sir I am Huma Siddiqui from StratNews Global. I have two questions. One, do you have any update on the Indian illegal immigrants post the ICE getting very aggressive in Los Angeles? That is one. And the second, there are reports that a lot of Indian students are being deported from the UK. Do you have anything on that?

Kunal Dutt, PTI: Sir, Kunal Dutt here from PTI. My question essentially is on the volatility in California, especially the Los Angeles where we are seeing for the past couple of days the crackdown by the Trump administration. Is India monitoring the situation given the fact that on the West Coast a lot of Indian community is living? Has any Indian family reached out to the Consulate or the Embassy in the United States? And number two..

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Everybody is asking two questions. I would really urge that please keep your questions to one so that we can give chance to everybody. And I am also in a position to answer all the questions because I have to take down in detail. So my request, please ask one question each.

Ajay Banerjee, The Tribune: Jaiswal Sir, Ajay Banerjee from the Tribune this side. Sir, when the Prime Minister goes to Canada, will there be, I am just citing what you have said in these briefings in the past, that we have asked Canada to take action against illegal immigrants, gangsters, you named some of those, we named some of those, living in Canada. Will that matter of gangsters living in Canada be raised again with Canada?

Gautam Lahiri: Sir, Gautam Lahiri. Disturbing reports are coming out from Bangladesh that Rabindranath Tagore's, one of the ancestral houses which was actually converted to a museum, had been ransacked on a very silly excuse. So whether the Government of India has taken note of it because Rabindranath Tagore has written the two national athems for both the countries. So it's really shameful. And if you allow me just to add and know that, oh I will add to it.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, we have five questions, or I would say seven, eight questions, so please.

Keshav, first, the situation in West Asia. Obviously, we are following the developments very closely. And yes, we have a large diaspora population in that region. Our Embassies all across the region, they are in touch with our community members and also guiding them on their safety and security. If we have any more updates to share with you, we will surely do. On your question, on the talks between, telephone conversation between leaders of Canada and India, see we have put out a detailed press release, as also we have through other mediums informed you as to what was discussed. And essentially again, while I was answering the question earlier on Canada, I said both leaders have discussed and reflected upon the bilateral ties, how do we take it forward as the next step or reset it. So obviously, when we get another chance to talk about our relations, these things would be very important as to what is the path forward for India-Canada ties.

Having said that, I also spoke that we are two democracies. We are bound by rule of law. We have an expansive economic engagement. We have large people-to-people connections. We have a big student community there. We have companies invested in both sides. We have technology collaboration. So there are lots that can be discussed for both countries to gain from each other's engagement.

Megha, on anti-India activities, whether it is Canada or anybody anywhere else, we have made our point very clear. And our security concerns are important for us. And we expect our international partners to take into account our concerns and act accordingly.

On the bilateral meetings, and what sort of engagements that are going to be there, surely we will be in touch with you and we will keep you updated as things progress. On the invitation part, I think I would urge you to be better informed as to who are the people who are invited, there are foreign leaders who have been invited or not. So please, I would urge you to take a question to the American side, they will be in a better position to answer it.

Huma, on ICE action, I do not have any update to share with you as far as Indian nationals are concerned. But having said that, we have made a position very clear of which you are aware that as and when if there is a person who is illegally staying, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world, if he or she, his nationality is verified, and we are certain that he or she is an Indian, then we obviously take them back. India as a matter of policy, we want to strengthen legal migration and we are against illegal migration.

Again, on the students from the UK, I do not have an update for you. But deportation matters, movement of people, if there is somebody illegal staying somewhere, again, the same procedure we follow. And it is something that continues with...not just with the UK, but anywhere else. Likewise, in India also, we have people who are illegally staying here. We connect with their Embassies, their countries, and follow due procedure for the deportation.

Kunal, on the situation in Los Angeles, we are aware of the developments and as you are aware, that we take the safety, security and welfare of our citizens abroad with utmost seriousness. The LA region and California in general, it is home to a large community of Indians. We advise all Indian nationals in the region to take suitable safety precautions. Our Consulate in San Francisco is closely monitoring the situation and also remains in close touch with our community members for their welfare.

Ajay, on Canada as to what has been the conversation so far, we have given an account earlier and also while I was answering question on India-Canada relations, I did mention that this reset of the relationship is based on mutual respect, shared interest and sensitivity to each other's concerns. Our views on some of these issues have already been shared publicly in considerable detail. As to what sort of conversation we have when we are there in Canada, we will keep you updated on this matter.

Now, on the question of vandalisation in Bangladesh, we strongly condemn the despicable attack and vandalisation of the ancestral home of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore by a mob on 8th June 2025. The home historically called Rabindra Kachharibari is located as you would know in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. The violent act is a disgrace to the memory and the inclusive philosophy and teachings that the Nobel Laureate espoused in Bangladesh. The attack falls in the broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance and eviscerate the syncretic culture and the cultural legacy of Bangladesh. We urge the interim government to rein in the extremists, and take strict action against the perpetrators to prevent recurrence of such incidents that sadly have become a repetitive feature.

Can we have more questions?

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Sir Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Going back to the plane crash that happened today. Is there any understanding that you can give us as to whether India has ruled out foul play in the crash and if you allow me a second question Sir, any details you could give us on the visiting Chinese dignitary and the talks that he is having?

Siddhant, CNN News 18: Hi Sir, I am Siddhant from CNN News 18. Sir, I have one specific question that when we will meet Canadians, then are we going to raise the issue of transnational gangs operating in Canada and going by the information then India had also given a dossier to the Canadians, the list of gangsters operating from Canadian soil. And my second question is Sir, also the kind of threats that the South Asian communities, getting extortion threats from such gangs. Thank you.

Agni, ABP: Sir, this is Agni from ABP. It's been reported that son of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh came to Delhi and they celebrated Eid together here. Can you throw some light on this Sir?

Divya, Indian Express: Sir, Divya from the Indian Express. On Canada again, you mentioned a reset of ties. So, is there a thought about restoration of High Commissions on both sides? And if yes, has there been a conversation?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, Sudhi, first on the plane crash. I am sure you are following the developments. It has happened few hours ago. We have several agencies of Government of India who are working on the disaster, the tragic accident. And we will have to wait for more details on this particular incident.

Details of the visiting Chinese dignitary, we have a regular conversation with our Chinese counterpart. We have a visitor in town and hopefully we will give you readout as to what sort of discussion we have had with him.

Siddhant, see when we have discussion with any country, issues that are of mutual concern are discussed. And as far as our conversations with Canada is concerned, we will keep you updated with all that is discussed among the interlocutors and the leaders.

Agni, on your question, specifically, I do not have any information to share with you or . Divya, on reset of ties, yes, you know, this as I told you, you know, we are exploring pathways to reset the ties and we will see as to how we take things forward. So, I will stop there for you.

With that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this session. Thank you very much.

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COMMANDER OF SRI LANKA ARMY VISITS SOUTH WESTERN COMMAND, JAIPUR: STRENGTHENING BILATERAL DEFENCE TIES

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 12 JUN 2025 5:00PM by PIB Delhi

As part of his ongoing official visit to India from 11th to 14th June 2025, Lt Gen BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, visited the Headquarters South Western Command in Jaipur on the second day of his tour.

Lt Gen Rodrigo was warmly welcomed by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. They engaged in detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest, focusing on areas such as regional security, joint training initiatives, capability development, and the exchange of best practices. Lt Gen Rodrigo also interacted with other senior officers at the Command Headquarters, exchanging views on operational experiences and exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation between the two armies.

In addition to his military engagements, Lt Gen Rodrigo will visit the military and heritage sites, where he will explore the rich military and cultural heritage of India.

The day will conclude with a formal banquet hosted by Lt Gen Manjinder Singh in honour of the visiting dignitary. The event will provide an opportunity for informal interactions, further strengthening the camaraderie and personal bonds between the leadership of the two armies.

The visit underscores the ongoing commitment by both Sri Lanka and India to deepen their robust defence cooperation, which has been built over decades of shared history, mutual trust, and regional partnership. The bilateral defence relationship extends across various domains, including joint exercises, capacity building, military training exchanges and coordinated responses to regional challenges.

*****

NA/PK

(Release ID: 2135957)

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Araqchi: I.A.E.A. resolution complicates Iran-U.S. indirect talks

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has stressed that the anti-Iran resolution adopted by the I.A.E.A. would complicate the process of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.

Araqchi made the remarks in a message at the end of his two-day visit to Norway.

The Foreign Minister said his recent trip to Norway to attend the Oslo Forum was a successful opportunity to present Iran's views and engage in key diplomatic discussions.

Araqchi elaborated that the Oslo Foruman annual international dialogue platformhosted a panel on the future of the Middle East, attended by foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, in addition to Iran.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that a lasting and just future for the region would not be possible without addressing the rights of the Palestinian people.

He also confirmed that the Iran-U.S. indirect talks received considerable attention during the forum.

On the sidelines of the event, Araqchi held bilateral and multilateral meetings, including with the foreign ministers of Oman, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

He also met with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, the Norwegian prime minister, and the Norwegian foreign minister.

2050

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Anti-Iran resolution proves cooperation with I.A.E.A. is futile: Parliament speaker

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stressed cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) has backfired.

Qalibaf termed Tehran's countermeasures a legitimate response to the I.A.E.A.'s anti-Iran resolution.

Qalibaf condemned the anti-Iran resolution passed by the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors, calling it "biased" and a sign that cooperation with the agency yields counterproductive results.

Qalibaf said that Tehran will firmly respond with reciprocal measures, including the deployment of advanced centrifuges and launch of a new enrichment facility.

"The biased resolution of the Board of Governors shows that cooperation with the I.A.E.A. leads to the opposite of constructive engagement," he said.

Qalibaf emphasized that Tehran sees these steps as a legitimate and sovereign response to the West's excessive demands.

The I.A.E.A's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution on Thursday declaring Iran in alleged breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years, diplomats at the closed-door meeting said.

2050

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Iran strongly condemns anti-Iran resolution at IAEA

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has strongly condemned the anti-Iran resolution approved at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) against Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson categorically rejected the baseless and unfounded claims brought in the resolution of the I.A.E.A.'s Board of Governors, which was approved on Thursday.

The resolution by the board of governors of the I A.E.A. is based on the joint proposal of France, Britain, Germany, and the United States and according to the political report of the I.A.E.A. Director-General Rafael Grossi.

Baqaei also condemned the actions of three European countries (Britain, France and Germany) and the United States in instrumental use of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors to cast doubt on the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

The Foreign Ministry spokeperson attributed the responsibility for the effects and consequences of this unjustified and destructive action to the masterminds of the anti-Iran resolution, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic of Iran will take proportionate measures in response to this move to secure and protect the interests and inalienable rights of the Iranian nation in benefiting from peaceful nuclear energy.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Baqaei expressed deep regret over the biased performance of the I.A.E.A. director general regarding the Iranian nuclear issue and his provocative interviews regarding Iran's nuclear program.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson pointed to the I.A.E.A. chief's direct responsibility for undermining the Agency's professional credibility and called on him to adhere to his missions and duties in accordance with the Agency's statute.

Baqaei, meantime, thanked China, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Belarus, that issued a joint statement expressing their responsible and legal positions in rejecting the resolution, and emphasized the determination of the Iranian nation to protect their rights and interests in accordance with the United Nations Charter and the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

2050

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Iran is 'prepared for any scenario,' I.R.G.C. chief warns amid rising threats

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 12, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (I.R.G.C.) says Iran is fully prepared for any scenario and has a clear military strategy to counter any potential aggression.

"The enemy sometimes threatens us with military action. We have always saidand repeat nowthat we are fully prepared for any scenario, under any circumstances," Major General Hossein Salami said during a ceremony in Tehran on Thursday.

The commander further warned that the enemy mistakenly believes it can launch a military strike against Iran in the same manner that it attacks the besieged and defenseless Palestinians in Gaza.

"They could not stand up against the Yemeni youth and were crushed; how can they possibly confront a great nation like Iran?" he said.

The IRGC chief warned the enemy against making any miscalculation, saying the Iranian Armed Forces have been "ready for war at any level" for years.

The warning comes as the United States is preparing an evacuation of its non-essential embassy staff and their families from the region, as U.S. intelligence indicates that Israel is planning to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iranian officials have warned that any act of aggression against the country will trigger a swift and forceful retaliation, with American interests and military bases in the region identified as potential targets.

3266**4353

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IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 12, 2025

New York, IRNA -- Iran has warned that it could legally withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (N.P.T.) if European signatories to a 2015 nuclear agreement proceed with efforts to reinstate United Nations sanctions against the country.

In a formal letter to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Saeed Iravani reiterated the Islamic Republic's previous warnings that it would take "proportionate responses," including by "starting the process of withdrawal from the NPT in accordance with Article X of the Treaty."

The warning comes as Britain, France, and Germanycollectively known as the E3are pressing for a vote on a resolution they, along with the United States, have tabled against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) Board of Governors in Vienna. The vote had initially been scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed to Thursday due to time constraints, according to diplomatic sources in Vienna.

The motion, based on a recent I.A.E.A. report, accuses Iran of failing to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog over alleged "undeclared nuclear activities." If adopted, the resolution could pave the way for the reimposition of U.N. sanctionslifted under the nuclear accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)by October, when key provisions of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the agreement, are set to expire.

Iranian officials have dismissed the I.A.E.A.'s findings as "politically motivated" and reliant on intelligence from hostile sources, including the Israeli regime. They accuse the E3 of weaponizing the "snapback mechanism," a provision in the JCPOA that allows for the automatic reinstatement of U.N. sanctions on Iran if it is found to be in non-compliance with the agreement, to pressure Tehran as it negotiates with the U.S. for a potential replacement to the deal, which was unilaterally abandoned by Washington in 2018.

In a joint statement this week, the E3while emphasizing their commitment to diplomacysignaled they were prepared to act if Iran was found in breach of its so-called Safeguards obligations under the N.P.T. "Absent a satisfying deal, the E3 will consider triggering the snapback mechanism to address threats to international peace and security."

In his letter to the Security Council, Iravani condemned the push by the E3 as a "legally baseless and politically reckless act, with profoundly destabilizing consequences for regional and international peace and security."

The following is the full text of the letter:

Excellency,

I am writing to you in response to the joint letter dated 9 June 2025 from the Permanent Representatives of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (the "E3") concerning the implementation of the Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). That letter, regrettably, reflects yet another instance of the E3 attempting to shift blame and deflect attention from their own persistent and well-documented failures to uphold their obligations, while levelling baseless and politically motivated accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this regard, I wish to bring the following points to your attention and that of the members of the Security Council:

The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the allegations contained in the letter, which ignore the critical context and misrepresent the reality of the JCPOA's current status, the circumstances surrounding Iran's nuclear programme, and the responsibilities of the parties to the agreement. The E3's assertions are not only factually misleading but also legally unsound and politically biased.

As Iran has consistently emphasized, its remedial measures have not occurred in a vacuum, but rather in direct response to the United States' unlawful withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, and the E3's subsequent failure to fulfil their essential obligations under the agreement, most notably with regard to the promised economic normalization. These E3 breaches effectively nullified the reciprocal balance of the deal, prompting Iran's responses in full accordance with its rights under the JCPOA. Iran began gradually reducing its commitments under the JCPOA in 2019, over a full year after the U.S. withdrawal, in full accordance with its explicit rights, which asserted that should the US and EU/E3 re-introduce sanctions, Iran "will treat such a re-introduction or re-imposition of the sanctions specified in Annex II, or such an imposition of new nuclear-related sanctions, as grounds to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part". Iran's nuclear-related commitments were balanced with economic dividends, which totally diminished due to the US withdrawal and re-imposition of sanctions, along with the EU/E3's failure to uphold their commitments. Thus, Iran's reversible remedial measures were legal and proportionate.

The E3's letter selectively highlights and exaggerates aspects of the latest IAEA reports. Iran's nuclear programme remains entirely peaceful, with all enrichment activities conducted under one of the most rigorous verification and monitoring frameworks established by the IAEA. It must be emphasized that as long as nuclear activities remain under IAEA safeguards and supervision, there is no legitimate cause for concern. Importantly, there is no restriction on the level of enrichment itself; the critical limitation lies solely in preventing the diversion of nuclear material or activities toward non-peaceful purposes. As recently as 31 May 2025, the IAEA Director General asserted that "safeguarded enrichment activities are not forbidden in and of themselves". Our position and action proved that, as an NPT Member, the Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking to develop or acquire nuclear weapons and continues to abide by its CSA obligations. Furthermore, the term "Significant Quantity" (SQ), used by the IAEA, is neither technically nor legally a credible assessment regarding weaponization. According to the Agency's 2024 Safeguards Implementation Report (SIR), there were 240530 SQ of nuclear material under safeguards. Claims that Iran possesses between 7 to 9 SQs (compare this number to 250530)while all such material remains under continuous IAEA monitoringare both misleading and diversionary. It is important to emphasize that the IAEA has repeatedly confirmed that it has found no evidence indicating any diversion of nuclear material toward non-peaceful purposes in Iran. Any attempt to suggest otherwise not only misrepresents the Agency's findings but also undermines its independent and professional mandate.

The E3's attempt to conflate JCPOA provisions with Iran's obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) is disingenuous. Iran has consistently cooperated with the Agency and has engaged constructively, including under the March 2023 Joint Statement with the IAEA. Iran remains fully committed to its NPT obligations and continues to implement its CSA. The E3's deliberate blurring of legal frameworks serves only to politicize the technical work of the Agency. In this framework, Iran's remedial measures were neither in breach of the JCPOA, nor the NPT and CSA obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Those measures cannot justify the EU/E3 and the US' decisions that totally hollowed out the JCPOA, and cannot form a basis for the EU/E3 to launch DRM or refuse to fulfil their obligations.

The E3's acquiescence to unlawful U.S. sanctions, and their inaction following the U.S. withdrawal, their refusal to implement their commitments on Transition Day, the re-imposition of lifted sanctions, and their introduction of new unlawful restrictive measures all constitute clear and continuing violations of both the JCPOA and resolution 2231. Having failed to honour their own commitments, the E3 have no legal or moral standing to invoke the Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM), let alone threaten the use of the snapback provision. Such a move would be procedurally invalid, substantively flawed, and politically irresponsible. A party in material breach of an agreement cannot invoke its benefitsa principle well established in international law.

The claim that E3 has recursed and exhausted the DRM process in 2020 is simply false. Furthermore, the E3's threat to "trigger the snapback mechanism" in the absence of "a satisfying deal" runs counter to the purpose of the Mechanism. DRM is designed to safeguard the deal, and not to be abused against another Participant to accept a separate deal to the satisfaction of a group of Participants, who themselves are in breach of the JCPOA.

The insinuation that Iranian officials have advocated for nuclear weapons or altered the country's defensive doctrine is utterly baseless and reflects a deliberate attempt to manufacture a crisis. Iran's nuclear policy is unequivocally peaceful, rooted in both legal commitments under the NPT and a deeply held religious and strategic defensive doctrine prohibiting weapons of mass destruction. This policy has been consistently reaffirmed by the highest authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to finding a negotiated solution that addresses concerns, both pertaining to the nuclear matters and the sanctions that have unjustly targeted the well-being of the Iranian people. In this spirit, Iran has seriously engaged in diplomatic talks with the EU/E3 as well as the U.S. in recent months. Iran resumed talks with the E3 on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UNGA in 2024, even before entering into indirect talks with the U.S. It is with utmost regret that the E3 has responded to Iran's goodwill and seriousness in the negotiations not only with a threat to trigger snapback, but also by raising unrealistic demands which go far beyond the JCPOA terms and scope. In real terms, the E3 is trying to leverage a JCPOA-embedded mechanism to extract new concessions from Iran. That totally runs against the minimum required goodwill for a diplomatic process. As Iran continues discussions with the US and, in parallel, with the E3, any attempt or threat of snapback, which in itself is null and void, is a flagrant disregard for Iran's goodwill and will have serious negative ramifications.

If the E3 is truly interested in a diplomatic resolution, they must abandon the unrealistic approach and respect the sovereign rights of States under international law. The true threat to international peace and security lies not in Iran's peaceful nuclear activities, but in the continued resort to illegal and unilateral coercive actions in flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, the erosion of multilateralism and rule of law, and

the instrumentalization of international organizations, in particular the IAEA, for a narrow political agenda. The E3's threats to invoke the snapback mechanism as political leverage, despite their own non-performance, flagrantly contradict the principle of pacta sunt servanda and would seriously undermine the authority and credibility of the Security Council.

Iran firmly warns that any attempt to reinstate the terminated provisions of the previous UNSC Resolutions would be a legally baseless and politically reckless act, with profoundly destabilizing consequences for regional and international peace and security. The E3, having failed to uphold their own JCPOA obligations, have no legal standing to invoke this mechanism. An attempt to abuse the DRM and the mechanisms embedded in UNSCR 2231 not only erodes the credibility of the UN Security Council but will also seriously undermine the non-proliferation regime. The Islamic Republic of Iran has made it clear on all occasions, including through formal communications to E3 officials, that in the case that the mechanism to re-instate the terminated UNSC Resolutions is triggered, Iran would consider proportionate responses, including starting the process of withdrawal from the NPT in accordance with the Article X of the Treaty. In such a scenario, the responsibility for the consequences of such a shift will rest squarely with those who seek to misuse international mechanisms for narrow political ends. The Security Council must prevent this dangerous course of action and uphold the integrity of resolution 2231.

As the Security Council approaches the Termination Day of Resolution 2231, all efforts must align with Resolution, and it is imperative that this august body reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereign equality, good faith in treaty implementation, and the protection of the integrity of both Resolution 2231 and the United Nations Charter. In this context, Iran calls on the Secretary-General and all Security Council members to reject the E3's selective and legally unsound narrative and its misuse of these instruments. Iran further urges the E3 to reconsider their counterproductive policy of pressure and confrontation and to instead embrace meaningful dialogue aimed at restoring trust.

A sustainable diplomatic solution can only be achieved through mutual respect, strict adherence to international law, and negotiation in good faith. In recent months, and upon expression of readiness by the U.S., Iran has engaged in several rounds of indirect negotiations with the United States under which Iran took a realistic, constructive, and workable approach.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to finding a negotiated solution that provides enough assurances regarding the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, and at the same time recognizes and respects Iran's sovereign rights under NPT and international law, while removing unjust sanctions against the Iranian nation in a verifiable and enduring manner. From our perspective, an agreement to that end is within reach and could be achieved rapidly, if there is genuine political will.
Trump advocates for negotiated settlement with Iran

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 12 June 2025 10:24 PM

US President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution with Iran, emphasizing his desire to avoid military escalation.

On Thursday, Trump indicated he does not support Israel targeting Iran's nuclear facilities while negotiations for a nuclear deal remain viable.

"As long as there's a chance for an agreement, I don't want Israel striking, as it could jeopardize the talks," Trump said when asked if he had urged Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from military action.

"We're having productive discussions with Iran. Whether we reach an agreement, I can't say, but we'll know soon," Trump said.

Trump reiterated his opposition to Israeli strikes, warning that such actions could trigger a major conflict and derail negotiations.

He confirmed he had previously cautioned Netanyahu against moves that could disrupt the talks. "I told him I don't think it's appropriate right now," Trump clarified. "It's not a warning, just my view, given the progress in our discussions."

Trump stressed his goal of avoiding conflict with Iran and expressed optimism about reaching a "pretty good agreement."

However, he emphasized that Iran must compromise, particularly on US demands to halt uranium enrichment.

In a closed-door briefing last week, Trump's special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, informed Republican senators that Israel could consider military strikes if negotiations fail.

Witkoff also warned that Iran's potential retaliation could overwhelm Israel's defenses, causing significant damage.

A senior Iranian security official says the Islamic Republic is at its "highest level of military readiness" and warns that any act of aggression by the United States or Israel would be met with a swift and unexpected response that will surely surprise the enemies of the revolution.

Earlier this week, Leader of the Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declared that uranium enrichment is a vital technology and an inalienable right of the Islamic Republic of Iranone it will never relinquish.

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US worried Iran's retaliation would be mass-casualty event: Sources

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 12 June 2025 10:04 PM

US President Donald Trump's special envoy to West Asia, Steve Witkoff, has privately warned top US Senate Republicans that Iran could unleash a mass-casualty response in the event of an Israeli attempt to bomb its nuclear facilities, official sources in the US say.

As Iran and the US prepare to kick off the sixth round of talks in Oman on Sunday, Trump's envoy has sounded the alarm about what could come next should the negotiations fail to yield the concessions the US demands.

In a closed-door briefing on Iran last Thursday, Witkoff told a group of prominent US Republican senators that military strikes by Israel are on the table if no agreement is reached.

However, the US official has stated that Iran's retaliation could overwhelm Israel's defenses and cause heavy damage.

The serious repercussions of a military attack against Iran, along with the U.S.'s unconditional support for the Israeli regime, compelled the United States to send Central Command forces led by Erik Kurilla to the occupied Palestinian territories on Saturday to discuss Iran.

On Tuesday, Kurilla said an Israeli strike on Iran would expose US forces in West Asia to the threat of Iranian retaliation.

For that reason, the US is evacuating non-essential staff from its Baghdad embassy and family members of military personnel from several bases in the Persian Gulf.

Moreover, the US State Department imposed security restrictions on Thursday on US diplomats and their families in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Israeli regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is reportedly waiting for a green light from Trump to bomb Iran. However, US officials, including the US president, are worried about the consequences of such a move.

According to an Israeli official, Witkoff spoke Wednesday with Netanyahu about the rising tensions and will meet his top adviser, Ron Dermer, on Friday ahead of his trip to Oman, along with Mossad Director David Barnea.

The US envoy also said that since the previous Iranian missile strike on Israel in October 2024, Iran has significantly increased production of ballistic missiles to around 50 per month.

He added that Iran's goal is to produce more ballistic missiles than the number of missile defense interceptors Israel has.

A senior Iranian security official says the Islamic Republic is at its "highest level of military readiness" and warns that any act of aggression by the United States or Israel would be met with a swift and unexpected response that will surely surprise the enemies of the revolution.

Earlier this week, Leader of the Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei declared that uranium enrichment is a vital technology and an inalienable right of the Islamic Republic of Iranone it will never relinquish.

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Iran Vows To Respond After IAEA Passes Noncompliance Resolution

By RFE/RL June 12, 2025

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors has passed a resolution formally declaring Iran noncompliant with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time since 2005, a move Tehran immediately condemned.

The resolution, which was adopted on June 12 during a quarterly meeting of the IAEA board, can facilitate the return of UN sanctions against Iran later this year.

In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that a new enrichment site would be established in a safe zone and first-generation (IR-1) centrifuges in the Fordow site will be replaced with advanced sixth-generation (IR-6) machines.

"As we have previously stated, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution," the ministry said in a statement.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said later that the new facility had already been built and will become operational once equipped with centrifuges.

The 35-member IAEA board voted 19-3 with 11 abstentions to adopt the resolution, which had been put forward by the United States and its trio of European allies -- Britain, France, Germany, also known as the E3.

"Iran's many failures to uphold its obligations since 2019 to provide the Agency with full and timely cooperation regarding undeclared nuclear material and activities at multiple undeclared locations in Iran...constitutes noncompliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement," the resolution says, according to the AP.

The resolution also finds that the IAEA's "inability...to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful gives rise to questions that are within the competence of the UN Security Council, as the organ bearing the main responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security."

Tehran has not said whether the adoption of the resolution will result in the scrapping of the sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States on June 15 in Oman.

Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.

On June 11, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that if the objective of any agreement is to guarantee Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, a deal is achievable.

However, he emphasized that Iran must retain the right to enrich uranium -- an element that US President Donald Trump has firmly opposed including in any agreement -- for its civilian nuclear program.

Tehran claims its nuclear efforts are solely for civilian and not military uses.

Meanwhile, Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran and is awaiting Trump's green-light in case diplomacy fails. Iran has warned that it will strike US bases in the region if attacked.

Trump said the United States is still seeking to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy.

"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on June 12 on his Truth Social platform.

"My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he added.

With reporting by the AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-iaea-resolution- enrichment-site-us-britain-germany-france/33440883.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran to Consider Possibility of Withdrawing From NPT Amid IAEA's Resolution

Sputnik News

20250612

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran is ready to consider the possibility of withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) if the anti-Iranian trend in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) actions continues, spokesperson for the Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Ebrahim Rezaei said.

"While reserving the right to a technical and non-technical response, if this [anti-Iranian] trend persists, the Islamic Republic of Iran will seriously consider it... The Mejlis has the possibility of withdrawing from the NPT," Rezaei said, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

Earlier in the day, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said that the IAEA Board of Governors adopted an anti-Iran resolution by a slight majority.

 Sputnik

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Iran Begins Military Drills 'Focused on Enemy Maneuvers' - State Media

Sputnik News

20250612

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - The Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri has ordered for the start of out-of-schedule military drills, Iran's public broadcaster IRIB reported Thursday.

The drills are "focused on enemy maneuvers," the broadcaster said.

State media did not disclose the nature or location of the drills, nor did they explain the reason for the rescheduled timeline or why the exercises began earlier than initially planned.

Earlier, Israel informed US officials that it is fully prepared to launch a military operation in Iran, media reports said, citing sources.

 Sputnik

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Iran Prepares Missile Barrage If Israel Strikes - Report

Sputnik News

20250612

Svetlana Ekimenko

Israel is fully prepared to launch an operation against Iran and has already briefed US officials, CBS News reported earlier. It added that anticipating potential Iranian retaliation, particularly against American targets in Iraq, the US has advised some citizens to leave the region.

Iranian military and government leaders have already met to plan their response to a possible Israeli strike, The New York Times reports.

A barrage of hundreds of ballistic missiles will be launched at Israel without hesitation, a senior Iranian official warned.

Iranian officials also reacted to remarks by US General Michael E. Kurilla, the head of Central Command, as he testified before a House committee that he had presented Donald Trump with "a wide range of options" for a potential strike against Iran.

Iran's mission to the UN denounced General Kurilla's comments in a social media post as "militarism" that "fuels instability."

 Sputnik

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Israel Poised for Strike on Iran - US Braces for Fallout

Sputnik News

20250612

Svetlana Ekimenko

Israel notified the Trump administration in early May that it was preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, a report by The New York Times stated earlier, adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might order a strike even if the US makes a deal with the Islamic Republic.

Israel is fully prepared to launch an operation against Iran and has already briefed US officials, CBS News reports.

Anticipating potential Iranian retaliation, particularly against American targets in Iraq, the US has advised some citizens to leave the region.

The State Department has ordered non-essential government personnel to evacuate Iraq, citing "heightened regional tensions."

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is allowing military families to voluntarily depart bases across the Middle East, according to a defense official.

US president Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, still plans to move ahead with a sixth round of nuclear talks with Iran in the coming days, the report added.

When asked about the evacuation notice, Trump told reporters: "It could be a dangerous place. We'll see what happens."

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. 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.

Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh didn't mince words, warning that if nuclear talks fail and "a conflict is imposed on us," Tehran will target all US bases in host countries.

 Sputnik

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NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Quad statement on resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) welcome adoption of the resolution on Iran's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Howard Solomon, Charge d'Affaires, US Permanent Mission to the UN, Vienna

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 12 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Chair,

On behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we welcome the Board's adoption of this important resolution on Iran's implementation of safeguards. The Board's collective action upholds the integrity of the IAEA safeguards system and the broader nuclear nonproliferation regime: states will be held to account if they do not live up to their obligations.

The action creates an opportunity Iran should seize. Iran still has a chance to finally fulfill its obligations, in full candor, and answer the IAEA's crucial, longstanding questions on undeclared nuclear material and activities.

We sincerely hope that when the Board reports this matter to the United Nations Security Council, as required by the Statute, it can describe how Iran has changed its course and finally chosen the path of compliance. We look forward to further reporting from the Director General in the months ahead, and we commend him and his team for their continued, professional, and impartial efforts to verify Iran's implementation of its safeguards agreement.

I thank you, Chair.

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NPT Safeguards Agreement with Iran: Resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors, June 2025

France, Germany, the UK and United States (the Quad) delivered a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board meeting introducing a resolution on Iran's Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Howard Solomon, Charge d'Affaires, US Permanent Mission to the UN, Vienna

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 11 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, we express our sincere gratitude to Director General Grossi and to his team for their patient and exhaustive efforts to verify Iran's implementation of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement required under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and to clarify the critical safeguards issues that have been outstanding for more than six years. Unfortunately, as a result of Iran's long-time failure to cooperate in resolving these issues, the Agency is not able to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful.

Since 2019, Iran has had every opportunity to provide the required, technically credible explanations in response to the IAEA's questions, which relate to Iran's core legal obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Regrettably, though, Iran has again refused to engage constructively with the IAEA to provide such explanations, despite multiple requests by the Board to do so since 2020.

Now, at this Board's request, Director General Grossi has produced a comprehensive and updated assessment of the possible presence or use of undeclared nuclear material in connection with past and present outstanding issues regarding Iran's nuclear program, addressing the Agency's ability to verify Iran's implementation of its safeguards obligations.

The Director General's report speaks for itself in describing the full extent of the outstanding safeguards issues in Iran, their connection with Iran's past nuclear activities, and Iran's extensive record of obstruction, concealment, deception, and obfuscation in its approach to the work of the IAEA and the implementation of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

The report makes clear that:

Iran has refused to declare nuclear material and nuclear-related activities at three undeclared locations in Iran.

Until the early 2000s, those locations and possibly others formed part of Iran's undeclared structured nuclear program.

Iran retained, at Turquzabad, up until 2018, unknown nuclear material and/or heavily contaminated equipment and other assets arising from various locations, the whereabouts of which remain unknown to the Agency.

These locations, as well as several others, were sanitized through various means, including the wholesale demolition of buildings, at key times in the IAEA's investigation and despite direct requests by the Agency to preserve them.

In addition, the Director General's report underscores that:

Iran is the only country that is not meeting its obligations related to the implementation of the modified Code 3.1, which it accepted in 2003, even as Iran talks openly about constructing new nuclear facilities. As the Agency has recalled multiple times, the modified Code 3.1 is a legal obligation for Iran under the Subsidiary Arrangements to its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Iran cannot unilaterally modify or suspend implementation of these Subsidiary Arrangements.

Iran is the only State in the world without nuclear weapons that is producing and accumulating uranium enriched to 60%, which has potential proliferation implications.

There have been repeated statements by former high-level officials in Iran related to Iran having the capability to manufacture nuclear weapons, which continue to provide concerns.

The report's overall assessment is alarming: as a result of Iran's failure to cooperate with the IAEA, the Director General cannot rule out that nuclear material remains unaccounted for and outside of safeguards in Iran today and he cannot provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. These serious findings should give all of us pause.

Chair,

Given the issues reported by the Director General and Iran's ongoing failure to cooperate with the IAEA, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and United States are bringing forward a resolution for the Board's consideration finding Iran in noncompliance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Our resolution contains the following main points:

First, it expresses continued, strong support for the Agency's professional and impartial efforts in carrying out its mandate to verify the implementation of Iran's safeguards obligations.

Second, it deeply regrets that Iran has failed to co-operate fully with the Agency, as required by its safeguards agreement.

Third, it finds Iran in non-compliance with its obligations under its Safeguards Agreement with the Agency in the context of Article XII.C of the Agency's Statute.

Fourth, it also finds that the Director General's inability to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful gives rise to questions that are within the competence of the United Nations Security Council, as the organ bearing the main responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, consistent with Article III.B.4 of the Agency's Statute.

Fifth, it calls upon Iran to urgently remedy its non-compliance with its Safeguards Agreement by taking all steps deemed necessary by the Agency and the Board, and reaffirms its decision that Iran must urgently act to ensure verification of the non-diversion of nuclear material and abide by its legal obligation to implement modified Code 3.1.

Chair,

The resolution defers the timing and content of the report that the Board is required to take pursuant to the IAEA Statute. We hope that Iran takes this final opportunity to provide full and immediate cooperation with the IAEA so that the Director General can report that these matters have been clarified and resolved, and so that the Board can swiftly consider action to find that Iran's non-compliance has been remedied.

We do not take this step lightly. The Board of Governors has given Iran every opportunity over the past six years to resolve questions related to undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran. We firmly believe that all IAEA Member States must work together to uphold the integrity of the IAEA safeguards system and the broader nuclear nonproliferation regime, and this shared responsibility includes holding states accountable to their obligations under their NPT-required safeguards agreements. Simply put: the facts are clear, the legal basis is ironclad, and the action is long overdue. That is why we strongly urge all Board members to support this important resolution.

We understand there are questions about how this resolution may impact separate, ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran. The IAEA Statute is clear on the Board's authority to act and find non-compliance when a state is not complying with its obligations under its safeguards agreement. Iran's legally binding obligation to implement its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement cannot be subject to separate political considerations. This resolution will not undermine diplomatic efforts with Iran - it will only strengthen them. It underscores the importance of Iran's full cooperation with the IAEA, and its full implementation of its legal safeguards obligations, as the necessary foundation for any enduring agreement that addresses international concerns related to Iran's nuclear activities. The Director General's comprehensive report echoes this essential point.

We also regret that Iran, instead of providing the full cooperation required by its safeguards agreement, has continued to threaten escalation and confrontation. However, let us be clear: this resolution is not an act of escalation by the Board; it is an acknowledgement of the legal and factual reality of Iran's noncompliance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement after many years of concerted effort by the Director General and the Secretariat to resolve fundamental questions related to undeclared nuclear materials and activities in Iran. It is not the Board that is forcing this step on Iran, but Iran who is forcing this step on the Board.

Chair,

The Board cannot be intimidated into inaction by Iran's threats. A failure to act would only embolden Iran's continued non-cooperation and escalation. Iran has an opportunity it can and should seize - an opportunity to cooperate meaningfully with the IAEA to finally answer the serious and longstanding questions raised by the Director General.

With these thoughts, we encourage all members of this Board to join us today in upholding the nonproliferation regime.

Thank you, Chair.

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Israel announces 'preemptive strike' against Iran, explosions heard in Teheran: reports

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 13, 2025 09:06 AM

Israel has launched what it is calling a "preemptive strike" against Iran and declared a state of emergency. Explosions rang out across Iran's capital, according to media reports on Friday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said following Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future, and air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following the announcement, ABC News reported on Friday.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen," and a senior Israeli official told the Wall Street Journal it could occur as soon as Sunday unless Iran agrees to halt production of material for an atomic bomb, Reuters reported.

Reuters said US intelligence has indicated that Israel has been making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and US officials have said on condition of anonymity that Israel could attack in the coming days.

The US State and Defense departments on Wednesday made efforts to arrange the departure of non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, CNN said.

On Thursday, the US Embassy in Israel issued a security alert restricting government staff and their families from traveling outside of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva until further notice, and warned all US citizens in Israel to exercise "caution and increase personal security awareness," according to CNN.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff privately warned top Senate Republicans last week that Iran could unleash a mass casualty response if Israel bombs their nuclear facilities, Axios reported, citing a US official and a source with direct knowledge.

In a statement published on the website of the White House on Thursday local time, the US Secretary of State Macro Rubio said the US is not involved in strikes against Iran. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense," Rubio said.

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Ayatollah Khamenei: Israel today sealed a bitter and painful destiny for itself

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Israeli regime sealed a "bitter and painful" destiny for itself with overnight strikes on Iran.

In a message to the nation on Friday morning, hours after Israel struck locations in Tehran and other cities, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Zionist regime should await a harsh punishment.

"To the Great Iranian Nation!" the Leader's message began, "the Zionist regime carried out with its evil and bloody hand a crime in our dear country and revealed its wicked nature further by hitting residential areas."

"The regime should await a harsh response," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Leader said a number of commanders and scientists were assassinated in the strikes. "Their successors and colleagues will immediately pick up their work."

"With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The Israeli regime began military strikes in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran overnight on Friday.

Images showed damaged residential buildings in several locations in the capital. Eyewitnesses and reporters from the state TV said they saw the bodies of women and children among the victims.

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IRGC's Chief Commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami and others assassinated in Israeli strikes

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami and other military and civilian figures have been assassinated in Israeli strikes in Tehran.

Tasnim news agency reported on Friday morning that Major General Salami had been assassinated in an Israeli strike overnight on Friday.

No more information was immediately available.

The IRGC in a statement later on Friday confirmed Major General Salami's death.

It said the IRGC and other branches of the Armed Forces, together with forces from the Islamic Umma, stood ready to give a strong response to the Israeli regime.

Tasnim also said that Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, a nuclear scientist and president of the Islamic Azad University, and Fereydoun Abbasi, also a nuclear scientist and former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran were also assassinated in separate strikes.

Also according to Tasnim, Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters Major General Gholamali Rashid was assassinated in the Israeli strikes.

The strikes also targeted other locations in and near the capital, Tehran, as well as in other cities.

(This is a developing story.)

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Israel strikes Tehran and other cities

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 13, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Israeli regime has carried out strikes in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran.

The strikes took place overnight on Friday, as unconfirmed images and footage began to appear on social media of Tehran's skyline, with plumes of smoke seen rising to the sky on several locations.

Images showed damaged residential buildings in several locations in the capital. Eyewitnesses and reporters from the state TV said they saw the bodies of women and children among the victims.

The Times of Israel cited Israeli minister for military affairs Israel Katz as saying that the regime was conducting strikes on Iran. Katz simultaneously declared a state of emergency across Israel.

In recent days, and as reports emerged in U.S. and Israeli media about imminent strikes against Iran, Iranian officials warned that any aggression against Iranian territory would have devastating consequences.

The United States earlier began an evacuation of its non-essential embassy staff and their families from the region, as U.S. intelligence indicated that Israel was planning to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

In a statement later on Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel had taken "unilateral" action against Iran and that the United States had not been involved.

Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami was assassinated in one of the Israeli strikes.

Several explosions also took place at Iran's Natanz nuclear plant in Bushehr.

(This is a developing story.)

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Iran: US responsible for consequences of 'Israel's adventurism'

Iran Press TV

Friday, 13 June 2025 5:24 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry has held the United States responsible for the dangerous consequences of Israel's terrorist act of aggression that violated the country's territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The ministry released a statement on Friday after Israeli strikes hit areas in the capital Tehran and several other cities, killing a number of commanders, scientists and civilians.

It said Iran has a "legal and legitimate" right to respond to Israeli attacks under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Israel and its supporters bear "the dangerous and far-reaching effects and consequences of the Zionist regime's aggression against our beloved homeland," it added.

"The Zionist regime's aggressive actions against Iran could not have beenn carried out without the coordination and authorization of the United States. Accordingly, the US government, as Israel's main supporter, will also be responsible for the dangerous effects and consequences of the Zionist regime's adventure."

The Foreign Ministry also condemned the Israeli assault as an "unforgivable crime," noting that the Iranian Armed Forces will not hesitate to defend the nation "with all their might and in a manner they determine."

It further called on the United Nations Security Council and the UN chief to take immediate action to confront Israel's violation of international peace and security.

"All UN member states, especially regional and Islamic countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and all states concerned about international peace and security are expected to immediately condemn this criminal aggression and take immediate and collective action to confront this dangerous adventurism that has undoubtedly exposed global peace and security to unprecedented threat," the ministry said.

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IRGC vows heavy retribution following Israeli attacks on Iranian soil

Iran Press TV

Friday, 13 June 2025 4:51 AM

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has condemned in the strongest terms the assassination of its chief commander Major General Hossein Salami in an Israeli military strike against Tehran, emphasizing that the occupying regime will face severe consequences for its latest acts of aggression against Iran's territory.

In a message of condolences on Friday, the IRGC extended its deep condolences to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the bereaved families of the victims as well as the people and government of Iran over the martyrdom of Salami.

The IRGC honored its late chief commander, describing him as among the most distinguished commanders of the force in scientific, cultural, security and military spheres who sincerely, astutely and devotedly stood at the forefront of the defending the aspirations of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Iranian nation.

"The noble and revolutionary Iranian nation can rest assured that the public peace will be secured regardless of the brutal crime," the IRGC statement noted.

It emphasized that necessary precautions and plans to counter such incidents had already been taken, stating that full details of the enemy's criminal offensive and the forthcoming regrettable countermeasures will be shared with the Iranian nation.

The late commander of the IRGC was martyred in a strike that the Zionist regime carried out in the early hours of Friday, June 13.

The Israeli strikes targeted a number of residential buildings in the Iranian capital, as well as a number of sites in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the western cities of Khorramabad, Kermanshah, Boroujerd, and the central city of Natanz.

The flights have been suspended at the Imam Khomeini International Airport of Tehran as well as other Iranian airports.

The attack came a day after the latest anti-Iran resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors. .

It was also carried out two days before the next round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in the capital of Oman on June 15.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April 12, mediated by Muscat, with the purpose of reaching a deal on Iran's civilian nuclear program and the removal of sanctions on the Islamic Republic.



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'Barbaric' Israeli aggression against Iran draws global condemnation

Iran Press TV

Friday, 13 June 2025 6:06 AM

Top officials and governments around the world have condemned the Israeli aggression targeting Iran's military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians early Friday.

Turkey

A top Turkish official condemned Israel's strikes on Iran, describing them as "barbaric" and unjustifiable aggression.

Omer Celik, the spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's governing party, also maintained that the action was a diversion tactic, aimed at shifting attention away from international criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza.

"There can be no legitimacy or justification for the Israeli attack. This is barbaric aggression," Celik said on a X post.

Celik hit out at Israel for "hostility" toward diplomatic efforts, noting that the attack took place amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israel's "heinous attacks" against the "brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran", urging the international community to immediately stop the aggression.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms," the kingdom's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"While the Kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression," it added.

Oman

The Sultanate of Oman also condemned the aggression against Iran, emphasizing that the Zionist regime is fully responsible for this "escalation of tension and its consequences."

In a statement cited by the official news agency, Oman warned Friday that Israel's military action has destroyed diplomatic opportunities and severely threatened the security and stability of the region.

Oman has been mediating the indirect talks between the United States and Iran which had been gearing up for the sixth round on Sunday.

The Omani statement strongly condemned the "barbaric military attack" by the Zionist regime on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which targeted sovereign facilities and resulted in human casualties, describing it as a "dangerous, provocative and reckless" act that is a clear violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law.

This act is a continuation of Israel's aggressive policies, the statement said, calling on the international community to adopt a firm and clear stance against this dangerous path that sidesteps diplomatic solutions and threatens the foundations of regional security and stability.

Iraq

Iraq condemned Israel's "military aggression" against Iran, saying it violates international law and threatened global security.

"The Government of the Republic of Iraq strongly condemns the military aggression launched by the Zionist entity against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," it said in a statement.

"This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."



Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that Israel's attack on Iran "did not only target the Iranian people, but also all international efforts exerted to maintain stability in the Middle East and neighboring countries and avoid escalation therein".

He called for "the international community to take effective and swift action to prevent Israel from achieving its goals".

UAE

The United Arab Emirates condemned in the strongest terms Israel's military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expressed its deep concern over the ongoing escalation and its repercussions on regional security and stability, its ministry of foreign affairs said.

It reaffirmed the UAE's position that enhancing dialogue, adhering to international law, and respecting the sovereignty of states constitute essential principles for resolving the current crises.

Pakistan

In an official statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office expressed deep concern over what it described as a clear breach of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying the Israeli assault was "unjustified and contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter."

"Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's military strikes inside Iranian territory. These actions are a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter," the FO spokesperson said. "Iran, as a sovereign nation, has every right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter."

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also issued a stern condemnation of the Israeli action. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dar wrote:

"Strongly condemn unjustified Israeli attacks on Islamic Republic of Iran which is a brazen violation of Iran's sovereignty. This abhorrent action has shaken foundations of international law as well as conscience of humanity, and gravely undermines regional stability and international security. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Government and the people of Iran."

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities also condemned the wave of Israeli strikes on Iran, saying the attacks violate international law and fuel regional insecurity.

The strikes "constitute a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, particularly national sovereignty", Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted in a statement on X.

"The continuation of such tension-provoking actions has made the situation in the region even more fragile and worrying," he wrote.

Hamas

In a statement, Palestinian resistance Hamas expressed "full solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran".

"The Zionist aggression against Iran is a dangerous development that underscores the existential nature of the battle with the central enemy of the Ummah. It demands a unified stance that deters the occupation and puts an end to its crimes," it said.

"This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilize the region," said the movement. "Today, Iran is paying the price for its steadfast stance in support of Palestine and its resistance."

Yemen

Yemen's Ansarullah condemned the Israeli strikes, saying the Islamic Republic has the right to defend itself and develop its nuclear program.

"We support Iran's full and legitimate right to defend itself and to develop its nuclear program," Ansarullah's political bureau said in a statement on Telegram.

"We strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means," it added.

Russia

The Kremlin condemned and expressed concern over what it called a "sharp escalation" between Israel and Iran.

"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies.

The Russian embassy in Tel Aviv also urged Russians in the Israeli occupied territories to leave them if they could and said it "strongly recommends" against travelling there.

Malaysia

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim condemned the aggression, saying Malaysia calls on Israel's allies, especially those with influence and the power to exert pressure, to use all available means to halt further acts of aggression.

He stressed that the international community must not allow actions that sabotage diplomatic efforts and threaten global peace to continue unchecked.

"This attack is a reckless and serious act that further endangers the stability of an already fragile region.

"The intention is clear  to derail the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran," he said in a social media post.

Anwar added that the attack came at a time when Israel's actions in Gaza are facing increasing scrutiny and political pressure is mounting on prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Indonesia

Indonesia said it "strongly condemns Israel's attack on Iran".

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry and the Indonesian embassy in Tehran issued similar statements, emphasizing that the attack undermines international law and risks escalating regional tensions.

Indonesia's stance aligns with the broader international condemnation of the Israeli attack.

Cuba

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel also strongly condemned the Israeli attacks, calling them an irresponsible escalation of tensions in the West Asian region.

He warned that the attacks pose unpredictable risks to regional and global peace and security.

Venezuela

The Venezuelan government also issued a statement condemning Israel's aggression on Iranian soil, describing it as part of the "black record of crimes by the Netanyahu regime."

Caracas stressed that the provocative act violates international law and contradicts the peace-loving logic of the international community.

Japan

Japan "strongly" condemned the Israel's airstrikes on Iran, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya told reporters in Tokyo on Friday, calling for restraint from all parties.

"We strongly condemn the latest action that escalates the situation," he said.

"Peace and stability in the Middle East region are extremely important to Japan, and we urge all parties involved to exercise the utmost restraint and calm the situation."

United Nations

The spokesperson for Antonio Guterres said the UN "Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East".

"He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear program are underway."

India

A statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the country was "deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel".

"We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites," it said.

"Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilized to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues," it added.

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Israel, with US help, targeted civilian areas in Iran; must await 'severe response': Military spox

Iran Press TV

Friday, 13 June 2025 3:03 AM

The Israeli enemy has launched the strikes against Iran with the help of America and attacked civilian areas, a senior Iranian commander has said.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, said on Friday morning that Israel will pay a heavy price and should expect strong action from the Iranian armed forces.

Iran has placed itself on 100 percent military readiness and the enemy will receive a strong slap, he stated.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces issued a statement following the Zionist regime's attack on the country and condemned the "blatant aggression" by the Zionist regime.

"The Zionist regime's aggressive and adventurous action on Friday morning, June 13, in attacking parts of the country, including civilian and military areas, resulted in the martyrdom and injury of a group of dear compatriots, including women and children, and a number of commanders of the armed forces," the statement read.

The Communications Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces condemned this blatant aggression by the Zionist enemy and said "it is

contrary to all international standards."

The General Staff of the Armed Forces also assured the honorable and brave people of Islamic Iran that based on the order of the Supreme

Commander of the Armed Forces, the response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the commanders, perpetrators and supporters of this act will be "devastating,

crushing and regrettable."

The Israeli attacks were first reported around 3:00 a.m. local time on Friday in the capital, Tehran, followed by a series of explosions in several other provinces across the country.

Videos circulating on social media show widespread destruction in residential areas of Tehran and other regions, the result of what has been described as indiscriminate Israeli aggression.

The Israeli regime confirmed responsibility for the attacks, claiming to have targeted sites in Natanz, Khorramabad, Khondab, and several other locations.

Several senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders and nuclear scientists are also reported to be among the martyrs in the large-scale Israeli strikes targeting Tehran and multiple provinces across the country.

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Senior commanders, scientists, civilians martyred in Israeli aggression

Iran Press TV

Friday, 13 June 2025 2:06 AM

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri and commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami have been martyred in an Israeli aggression.

Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the central headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, was also martyred in one of the attacks.

Veteran nuclear scientists Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi were martyred in separate attacks.

The attacks were first reported around 3:00 a.m. local time on Friday in the capital, Tehran, followed by a series of explosions in several other provinces across the country.

Videos circulating on social media show widespread destruction in residential areas of Tehran and other regions, the result of what has been described as indiscriminate Israeli aggression.

The Israeli regime confirmed responsibility for the attacks, claiming to have targeted sites in Natanz, Khorramabad, Khondab, and several other locations.

The IRNA news agency, citing a security source, reported that Iran is preparing a "decisive response" to the latest act of Israeli terrorism against the Islamic Republic.

The aggression comes amid escalating tensions in the region, fueled by the warmongering rhetoric of Israeli regime officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Reportedly, US President Donald Trump had approved the latest Israeli aggression despite ongoing indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

According to sources, the sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday is now likely to be canceled.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a statement, condemned the aggression and vowed Iran's severe retaliation against the Tel Aviv regime.

"In the early hours of today, the Zionist regime once again revealed its evil and bloodstained hand by committing a crime on our beloved soil, further exposing its malicious nature through attacks on residential areas. The regime must now await a harsh punishment," read the statement.

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Israel Strikes 'Heart' Of Iran's Ballistic Missile And Nuclear Enrichment Programs In Widespread Attack

By RFE/RL June 13, 2025

Israel conducted what it called "preemptive" strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites across the country on June 13, warning that the attacks will continue as it pursues its goal of preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel launched what he said was a targeted military operation "to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival." He said the attack "will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," naming the operation Rising Lion.

"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility at Natanz.... We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," he said in a video statement. Israel also hit Iranian nuclear scientists "working on the Iranian bomb," he added.

An Israeli official said Israel struck dozens of facilities across Iran in an attack that raised the potential for an all-out war between the two countries.

Among the sites hit were the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC's) command site in Tehran, according to Iranian state TV. The strike killed IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.

The Natanz enrichment facility was hit "several times," state TV reported, showing images of heavy smoke billowing from the site.

Residential areas in Tehran and several other cities also were hit, according to the official IRNA news agency, which reported that the strikes killed a number of people, including women and children, in a residential complex in Tehran.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences for launching the attacks.

"With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Khamenei said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump, who had urged a diplomatic solution to the tensions just hours before Israel launched the strikes, will attend a National Security Council meeting on the morning of June 13, the White House said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took "unilateral action against Iran" and said the United States was not involved.

Israel advised Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

The United States has taken steps to protects its forces and remained in contact with its partners in the region, said Rubio, warning Iran against targeting US interests or personnel.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a "special situation" in Israel in anticipation of a possible retaliatory strike by Iran.

"Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe," Katz said in a statement.

Israel's El Al Airline said it was suspending all flights to and from Israel, and Iranian state media said Iran closed its airspace until further notice. Iraq also closed its airspace and suspended flights at all airports, state media reported.

Netanyahu raised the possibility of strikes against Iran in a phone conversation with Trump earlier this week, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Trump said he urged Netanyahu to hold off from taking action for the time being while the administration negotiated with Iran.

"As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it," Trump said.

Trump said on his Truth Social network later on June 12 that the United States still wanted to negotiate with Iran, though he also warned that an Israeli strike on Iran was likely.

"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran," Trump said.

Trump added however that Tehran "first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon."

The United States and Iran have been holding negotiations on Iran's nuclear program to try to reach a diplomatic resolution. A sixth round of talks is scheduled to begin on June 15 in Oman. Iran has consistently claimed its nuclear efforts are solely for civilian and not military uses.

Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on June 11 that if the objective of any agreement is to guarantee Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, a deal is achievable.

However, he emphasized that Iran must retain the right to enrich uranium -- an element that Trump has firmly opposed including in any agreement -- for its civilian nuclear program.

Earlier on June 12 the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors passed a resolution formally declaring Iran noncompliant with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time since 2005.

The 35-member IAEA board voted 19-3 with 11 abstentions to adopt the resolution, which had been put forward by the United States and its trio of European allies -- Britain, France, Germany, also known as the E3.

In response, Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that a new enrichment site would be established in a safe zone and first-generation (IR-1) centrifuges in the Fordow site will be replaced with advanced sixth-generation (IR-6) machines.

"As we have previously stated, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution," the ministry said in a statement.

With reporting by AP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-israel-nuclear-air- strikes-trump/33441701.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Israeli Strikes Hit Iranian Capital, IDF Says Attacked Nuclear & Military Officials

Sputnik News

20250613

The Axios news portal reported Thursday citing sources that the Israeli Air Force had struck targets in Iran.

The Israeli army stated that on Thursday it completed the first phase of the "operation against Iran's nuclear program." Iranian nuclear and military officials were targeted in the recent attack, the IDF said.

The Times of Israel, citing military sources, reported that Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting amid reports of strikes on Tehran.

Trump's Secretary of State Mark Rubio confirmed that the U.S. did not participate in or assist Israel during the strikes on Iran.

On Thursday, CBS News reported, citing US sources, that Israel is fully prepared for the start of a military operation in Iran, adding that Washington expects Tehran to retaliate against some US facilities in neighboring Iraq. At the same time, an Iranian official told The New York Times that Iranian military and government officials had already held meetings to discuss ways to retaliate against a possible strike by Israel. The plan provides for an immediate counterstrike, the official added.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency across the country in connection with the strike on Iran, the report said.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the state of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," Katz was quoted as saying by the news portal.

 Sputnik

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FM responds to Japan's claim of 'abnormal approach' by Chinese fighter jet to Japanese military patrol aircraft

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 12, 2025 02:59 PM

On Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian presided over the regular press conference. An AFP reporter asked about Japan's claim that a Chinese fighter jet had an "abnormal approach" to a Japanese military patrol aircraft over the Pacific - to which Japan expressed serious concern - inquiring whether the Foreign Ministry could provide further details and a response. Lin responded that China's activities in the relevant maritime and airspace are fully in compliance with international law and international practices.

Lin said that regarding the specific question you mentioned, the defense departments of both countries are maintaining communication through existing channels. The close-in reconnaissance conducted by Japanese vessels and aircraft against China's normal military activities is the root cause of maritime and air security risks. China urges Japan to cease such dangerous behavior.

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China urges Japan to cease dangerous close-in reconnaissance activities

Global Times

By Liang Rui Published: Jun 12, 2025 12:54 PM

Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Japan to cease its dangerous close-in reconnaissance activities on Thursday, after Japan's Defense Ministry claimed an "abnormal close encounter" between the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy aircraft carrier Shandong and a Japanese patrol plane over the Pacific Ocean.

In response to a question regarding Japan's claim that a Chinese fighter jet had an "abnormal approach" to a Japanese military patrol aircraft over the Pacific, to which Japan expressed serious concern, and whether the foreign ministry could provide more details and a response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday that China's activities in the relevant maritime and airspace are fully in compliance with international law and international practices.

Regarding the specific question you mentioned, the defense departments of both countries are maintaining communication through existing channels, Lin said on Thursday's press briefing, noting that the close-in reconnaissance conducted by Japanese vessels and aircraft against China's normal military activities is the root cause of maritime and air security risks.

China urges Japan to cease such dangerous behavior, Lin said.

Japan's Defense Ministry claimed that a Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) P-3C patrol aircraft, which was conducting surveillance over China's aircraft carrier Shandong in the Western Pacific on Saturday and Sunday, was closely tailed by a Chinese J-15 fighter jet, a carrier-based aircraft from the Shandong. The closest distance between the two aircraft was only about 45 meters on Saturday, when the P-3C was tailed for 40 minutes, and the Japanese aircraft was tailed for about 80 minutes on Sunday, Japan's NHK reported on Thursday.

Japan's Defense Ministry claimed that "an unusual approach may provoke an accidental collision," and said it has expressed "serious concern" to the Chinese side, NHK reported.

Japan's Defense Ministry also released photos of an alleged incident showing "Chinese J-15 fighter jet flying on the left side of the JMSDF P-3C patrol aircraft," according to NHK.

It is not uncommon for JMSDF to monitor and track the normal activities of Chinese vessels and aircraft. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, said at a regular press conference previously that Japan's close-range tracking and surveillance are highly dangerous, as they can easily lead to misunderstandings, miscalculations, and maritime or aerial accidents.

We urge Japan to cease such pointless provocations and stop its irresponsible words and actions that undermine the healthy development of China-Japan bilateral relations and jeopardize regional peace and stability, Wu said.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that when Japanese surveillance aircraft come very close to the training waters and airspace of the PLA Navy's carrier group, we are bound to take necessary measures to prevent dangerous approach.

China's training has always been professional and lawful. In contrast, Japan's tracking activities are unfriendly and pose certain safety risks, Fu said.

Formations of PLA Navy's aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have recently conducted training in Western Pacific and other waters to test the forces' capabilities in far seas defense and joint operations, said Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, a spokesperson for the PLA Navy on Tuesday, according to China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA news media center.

These are routine training organized in accordance with the annual training plan, aimed at continuously enhancing the vessels' ability to fulfill their missions, which are consistent with relevant international laws and international practices and are not targeted at any specific country or objective, Wang said.

Regarding the information released by Japan's Defense Ministry on the activities of Liaoning and Shandong, spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday that Chinese naval vessels' activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices. Our national defense policy is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally, Lin said.

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The 1st Japan-EU Security and Defence Dialogue

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

June 12, 2025

On June 11, the 1st Japan-EU Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Brussels, Belgium.

This dialogue was newly launched by Japan and the EU in the Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership announced in November 2024, in order to further develop and strengthen cooperation in all areas related to security and defense, as they face an increasingly severe security environment. Both Japan and the EU held discussions to materialize security and defense cooperation in fields such as cyber, disinformation, space, maritime security, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), disarmament, and non-proliferation. Furthermore, the EU side explained about measures to strengthen European defense capabilities. At this dialogue, the Japanese side was represented by Mr. Shuji Yuge, Director-General for International Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Mr. Seiichiro Taguchi, Deputy Director-General and Ambassador, European Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (online participation). The EU side was represented by Dr. Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, Managing Director for Peace, Security and Defence, European External Action Service.

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Nurtleu

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

June 12, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu today to reiterate the United States' commitment to Kazakhstan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Secretary Rubio and Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Nurtleu discussed expanding opportunities for bilateral trade and investment, and the importance of trusted infrastructure and a favorable regulatory landscape for U.S. companies in Kazakhstan. The United States intends to continue working with Kazakhstan to expand security cooperation, promote regional integration through the C5+1 diplomatic platform, and explore mutually beneficial commercial opportunities, particularly in the technology and critical minerals sectors.

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The Ministry of National Defense released a press statement explaining the "Revised Draft of the Pay Act of the Armed Forces."

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/06/10

MND Press Release

Published at 21:20 on June 10, 2025

The Legislative Yuan passed the revised draft of the Pay Act of the Armed Forces in its third reading today (Jun. 10). The Ministry of National Defense (MND) expressed that it welcomes the increase of salary for military personnel. However, the MND also hopes that before passing any bill which significantly increase government expenditures, the Legislative Yuan should first consult with the executive branch and coordinate feasible funding sources.

The MND explained that, based on the provisions passed in the third reading today and using the 2025 planned personnel numbers as a basis, the estimated additional annual budget required is nearly NT$30 billion. According to Article 91 of the Budget Act and Article 5 of the Fiscal Discipline Act, if a bill proposed by legislators would significantly increase expenditures or reduce revenues, it must first seek the opinion of the Executive Yuan and specify the sources of funding for covering.

The MND pointed out that following the guidance of President LAI CHING-TE, the executive team has spared no effort in improving the treatment and welfare of military personnel. In April of this year, several benefitsincluding significant increases to volunteer soldier allowanceswere implemented and have already been disbursed.

Nonetheless, the national defense budget is a part of the central government's overall budget, and its potential for growth in scale and in extent is constrained by the size of government expenditures and the prioritization of key policy initiatives. If the increased personnel expenses are incorporated into the annual budget while the overall growth of the defense budget remains limited, it will crowd out funding for other areas such as military investment and operational maintenance.

The MND will continue to work with the Executive Yuan to study and develop relevant measures, based on the principle of balancing the welfare and benefits of military personnel with the overall fiscal health of the nation.



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Taiwan to hold live-fire training for new M1A2T tanks

ROC Central News Agency

06/12/2025 10:15 PM

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) An upcoming live-fire training exercise to be held by the Army's Armor Training Command in Hsinchu County will include U.S.-made M1A2T tanks, a military source said Thursday.

According to a notification issued by the Fisheries Agency, the Armor Training Command is scheduled to conduct live-fire training at the county's Kengzikou Range from June 16 through mid-July, involving "surface weapons" with a range of up to 2,000 feet.

Some of the training will take place at night, according to the notification.

The source confirmed to CNA that the weapons used in the training will include M1A2T tanks and more live-fire exercises for the tanks are planned before they are formally commissioned.

The first batch of 38 M1A2T tanks, purchased by Taiwan from the United States, as part of a deal for 108 tanks, arrived in Taiwan in December last year.

As for whether the M1A2T tanks will participate in the 41st Han Kuang exercise, Taiwan's annual major war game, held in July, Lieutenant General Huang Wen-chi (), director of the Ministry of National Defense's Department of Strategic Planning, previously said they will still be in the training phase in July and will not take part in live-force exercises.

The Army reportedly plans to hold a commissioning ceremony for the M1A2T tanks in the second half of this year. Former defense ministers, retired generals, presidential strategic advisers, and former commanders of the Armor Training Command are expected to be invited to the ceremony.

In addition, the source noted the M1 Abrams tank is named in honor of U.S. Army General Creighton Williams Abrams Jr., known for his expertise as an armor commander, saying that the military is also considering inviting his son, retired U.S. Army four-star General Robert Abrams, to attend the event.

(By Wu Shu-wei and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW

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Premier vows to seek remedies over military pay raise bill

ROC Central News Agency

06/12/2025 05:36 PM

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) Premier Cho Jung-tai () said Thursday that the Executive Yuan will pursue appropriate administrative remedies against what he called a unconstitutional and illegal bill raising volunteer soldiers' monthly allowance to NT$30,000 (US$1,016) recently passed by the Legislature, according to a Cabinet spokesperson.

The opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed an amendment to Article 5 of the Pay Act of the Armed Forces raising volunteer soldiers' monthly allowance to NT$30,000, an increase of over NT$15,000, along with other benefits, proposed by the main opposition Kuomintang.

Under the amendment, the monthly allowance will be granted to all volunteer military personnel, regardless of rank, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

At a regular Cabinet meeting Thursday, Cho emphasized that Taiwan began implementing an across-the-board pay raise for military personnel on April 1.

He said that the recently passed bill contravenes Article 70 of the Constitution which stipulates that the Legislative Yuan shall not make proposals for an increase in expenditures in budgetary bills presented by the Executive Yuan, according to Executive Yuan spokesperson Michelle Lee () during a news briefing after the meeting.

Cho also said the bill contravenes Article 91 of the Budget Act and Article 5 of the Fiscal Discipline Act, which outline that if a legislative proposal significantly increases annual expenditures or decreases annual revenues, legislators must consult with the Executive Yuan and specify funding sources for the increase, according to Lee.

The premier criticized the repeated bypassing of the requirement to consult with the Cabinet as not only unconstitutional and illegal but also harmful to the structure and capacity of government finances, Lee added.

As such, Lee cited Cho as saying that the Executive Yuan will pursue appropriate administrative remedies to address the matter in the future.

According to Lee, Cho further stated that if the Legislature truly supports national defense and homeland security resilience, it should immediately unfreeze all of the Ministry of National Defense's budget and back a draft bill proposed by the Cabinet aimed at strengthening economic, social and home security resilience.

"It should not just approve raises for the military while refusing to finance equipment upgrades or other security resilience measures," Cho was cited as saying.

(By Lai Yu-chen, Shih Hsiu-chuan and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW

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Lai meets French parliamentarian delegation

ROC Central News Agency

06/12/2025 05:16 PM

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () on Thursday met with a visiting French parliamentary delegation in Taipei, with both sides expressing a strong commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

During the meeting at the Presidential Office, Lai thanked the delegation led by French lawmaker Marie-Noelle Battistel for supporting Taiwan's international participation and freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait at the National Assembly.

Amid current geopolitical and economic challenges, Taiwan will continue working closely with France and other like-minded countries to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and contribute to global prosperity, he said.

He added that he looked forward to seeing "new momentum to bilateral relations" as both sides continued to deepen their partnership in the fields of trade, energy and cybersecurity.

In her remarks, Battistel reaffirmed her support for Taiwan, adding that she remained committed to "strengthening the ties between our two democratic countries in a complex geopolitical context."

The lawmaker also emphasized shared concerns such as foreign interference and disinformation, which she said could undermine the security of all nations.

According to Battistel, the delegation has held productive talks with Taiwanese ministers and officials since arriving on June 8 for a six-day visit, gaining insights into key cooperation areas, including energy, semiconductors, and youth and cultural exchanges.

Joining Battistel at the meeting were four other members of the National Assembly: Laetitia Saint-Paul, deputy chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Eric Martineau, Marie-Jose Allemand and Claudia Rouaux.

(By Wen Kuei-hsiang and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/kb

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U.S. defense chief: Beijing undecided on Taiwan invasion, drills suggest intent

ROC Central News Agency

06/12/2025 10:44 AM

Washington, June 11 (CNA) U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday at a Senate hearing that while he believes China has not yet decided whether to invade Taiwan, its military exercises suggest such intent.

"We don't believe they've [China] made that decision yet, but certainly if you look at their exercises that they're performing in that area, they look a lot like ... what that would look like," he said when asked to comment on the issue by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Asked by Graham whether he thinks Beijing intends to take Taiwan by force, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, who testified alongside Hegseth before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, said the U.S. must be prepared either way.

"I think if they could get their way, for sure. Do I think they're going to use military capability? Maybe, maybe not. Do we need to be prepared for that? Yes," he said.

In response, Graham urged deterrence and increased defense spending, warning that inaction could embolden adversaries like Iran, China and Russia.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon because they'll use it, they're homicidal maniacs who are religious Nazis. China is an expansionist power who will take Taiwan if we don't deter them. Russia will dismember Ukraine and keep going if we don't stop them," he said.

The two made their remarks during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the Defense Department's proposed fiscal 2026 budget.

(By Elaine Hou and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb



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Chinese ship captain handed 3-year sentence over severed telecoms cable

ROC Central News Agency

06/12/2025 09:22 PM

Tainan, June 12 (CNA) Tainan District Court on Thursday sentenced the Chinese captain of a Togolese-registered freighter that snapped an undersea cable linking Taiwan and Penghu in February to three years in prison for intentionally damaging the cable.

The captain of Hong Tai 58, a Togolese-registered ship flying under a flag of convenience, surnamed Wang (), was handed the sentence for undersea cable sabotage in contravention of the Telecommunications Management Act, the court said in a statement Thursday.

The court decision is subject to appeal.

The freighter was boarded and its Chinese crew detained by Taiwanese authorities on Feb. 25 after Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) received a report from Chunghwa Telecom that its Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 submarine fiber optic cable had been severed, according to court documents.

The Hong Tai's electronic navigational chart indicated the vessel was anchored 5 nautical miles (9.26 kilometers) off the Beimen coast in Tainan near the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 cable.

The submarine cable, used for both telephone and broadband communication, is located in a government-designated no-anchor zone where vessels are prohibited from anchoring, according to the court.

The Hong Tai, operated by Wang with seven other crew members, had lingered in the area where the cable was located from Feb. 22 to 3 a.m. Feb. 25, according to court documents citing the CGA.

During this period, Wang ordered his men to drop anchor in the area and sail in a back and forth manner around the No. 3 cable, ultimately causing a complete break in the cable and disrupting communications, according to the district court.

After questioning by authorities over the matter, Wang admitted to giving the order to anchor but denied intentionally damaging the cable, claiming it was simply negligence.

However, the court found that Wang had deliberately anchored in the restricted area and allowed the vessel to drift, resulting in the cable being severed due to anchor dragging.

As a result, Chunghwa Telecom incurred over NT$17 million (US$578,572) in repair costs and more than NT$1.8 million in shipping agent fees. Wang was sentenced to three years in prison, according to the court.

Since the Taiwan-Penghu No. 3 submarine cable was severed in late February, Wang has been detained and held incommunicado. On April 11, the Tainan District Prosecutors Office indicted him, transferring the case to the Tainan District Court, which upheld his detention. The other crew members were not indicted due to insufficient evidence and were deported.

Under Article 72 of the telecommunications law, individuals who are caught endangering the normal functioning of a submarine cable are subject to a term of imprisonment of at least one year but not more than seven years, and can also be fined up to NT$10 million (US$339,958).

(By Chang Jung-hsiang, Ko Lin and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW





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Spokeswoman: Ma's mainland visit welcome

People's Daily Online

By Zhang Yi (Chinadaily.com.cn) 10:57, June 12, 2025

Ma Ying-jeou, former leader of Taiwan and former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, will lead a group of students to visit the Chinese mainland from Saturday to June 27 in an effort to promote exchanges amid tense cross-Strait relations.

The delegation will attend the 17th Straits Forum, the largest annual grassroots exchange event between the mainland and Taiwan, which is set to take place this weekend in Fujian province, said Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

More than 7,000 people from various walks of life in Taiwan are expected to attend the event. Forum participants will include representatives from political parties, labor unions and youth organizations, as well as professionals from various industries and members of religious communities, Zhu said at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

During the two-week visit, the delegation will also participate in a commemorative ceremony in Gansu province to pay tribute to Fu Xi, a legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation. They will join activities to jointly promote Chinese culture across the Taiwan Strait and visit Dunhuang in Gansu for a cross-Strait cultural event highlighting Chinese heritage. Another leg of the trip will explore the Hexi Corridor and experience the ancient Silk Road.

"We welcome the visit and will make proper arrangements and provide necessary convenience," Zhu said.

Zhu noted the importance of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation amid the complex, grave situation in the Taiwan Strait.

"We always welcome people from all walks of life in Taiwan and the vast number of Taiwan compatriots to visit and conduct exchanges with the mainland, and join hands with the mainland to carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture and contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," she said at the news conference.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the island-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, said it is important to foster communication and exchanges due to the unprecedented severity of the current cross-Strait situation. He said that Ma is committed to doing everything possible to promote cross-Strait exchanges to convey the heartfelt desire for communication among people.

In recent years, Ma has led Taiwan students on three visits to the mainland and also invited groups of teachers and students from mainland universities to visit Taiwan twice.

Since Lai Ching-te took office last year, cross-Strait relations have been highly tense.

Lai has refused to recognize the "1992 Consensus", which embodies the one-China principle, and he has repeatedly advocated "anti-China and resisting China" narratives and obstructed cross-Strait exchanges.

Xu Xiaoquan, a deputy researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Taiwan Studies, said the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan are afraid that Taiwan people will participate in the forum because such activities can directly expose their lies about the mainland and obstruct cross-Strait reunification.

The annual forum, held since 2009, has attracted thousands of compatriots from the island, sparking a wave of people-to-people exchanges between the two sides of the Strait, Xu said.

The DPP authorities are clearly afraid of the positive effects these exchanges can bring to cross-Strait relations, he said, adding, "They fear that Taiwan compatriots will see the real mainland, people will get closer, and Taiwan people will increasingly identify with Chinese culture."

Meanwhile, Zhu said at the news conference that the Chinese mainland will intensify its crackdown on cyberattacks carried out by an organization of Taiwan's DPP.

She made the remarks in response to a question about a wanted list released in early June.

The wanted list, issued by police in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, names 20 suspects accused of participating in cyberattacks launched by Taiwan's "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command".

Zhu said that recent law enforcement actions by mainland public security agencies represent a firm response to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and specifically target the illicit activities of ICEFCOM.

The evidence of DPP authorities orchestrating frequent and indiscriminate cyberattacks against mainland network infrastructure through ICEFCOM is "clear and conclusive", Zhu said.

The spokeswoman added that the mainland will never tolerate any individuals profiting from the mainland while supporting "Taiwan independence".

Zhu was responding to recent remarks from Taiwan's die-hard separatist Shen Pao-yang about punitive measures taken by the mainland against companies linked to him.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

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New artillery factory opens in Sheffield creating 200 skilled jobs

British exports and sovereign manufacturing have been boosted today with the opening of a new state-of-the-art artillery factory in Sheffield, creating 200 skilled British jobs.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 12 June 2025

State-of-the-art artillery manufacturing facility opens in Sheffield.

Defence Secretary visits new factory, which will create 200 skilled jobs and support more than 60 businesses in the supply chain.

Export deals enable new facility to open, highlighting how defence is an engine for growth and supporting the Government's Plan for Change.

The new factory, run by BAE Systems, was opened by the Defence Secretary John Healey, who visited the site today. The facility positions Sheffield as the home of UK artillery howitzer production, showing how defence is an engine for growth and a foundation of the Government's Plan for Change.

Successful export deals of more than 25 million made this factory possible, showcasing the British defence industry's design and engineering prowess globally. It will create apprenticeship opportunities and support 60 businesses across the UK supply chain.

This comes the week after the Government's Strategic Defence Review (SDR) which confirmed a major 6bn commitment to munitions production this parliament, including 1.5bn for an 'always on' pipeline for munitions and at least six new energetics and munitions factories, meaning that the UK can innovate and rapidly restock key ammunition.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

This new factory is a big boost for South Yorkshire and a significant step forward in strengthening our British defence industrial base. This is a vote of confidence in our world-leading defence sector and good, skilled British jobs, underpinned by this government's Plan for Change. I welcome BAE Systems' long-term commitment to this new site, which demonstrates how defence can be an engine for growth, bringing investment and opportunities to communities across the UK, including right here in South Yorkshire.

The facility covers 94,000 sq ft, making it significantly larger than the pitch at Wembley stadium, and will manufacture the only combat-proven 155mm lightweight howitzer in the world, the British M777.

The investment comes as the UK continues its support for Ukraine, while developing sovereign British manufacturing. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a contract to deliver 150 British-designed artillery barrels to Ukraine, working with nearby Sheffield Forgemasters to fulfil the government's commitment.

Fully operational later this year, the factory will initially focus on M777 lightweight howitzer manufacturing, with capacity to expand production lines. The site will evolve to develop and produce a range of world-class combat systems.

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MFA of Ukraine welcomes broad international support for the demand to restore Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Ukraine Government

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, posted 12 June 2025 16:12

During the June session of the IAEA Board of Governors, 49 Member States issued a joint statement strongly condemning the russian federation's illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and reaffirming their steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Notably, Ghana - currently holding the Chair of the IAEA Board of Governors - joined this broad, cross-regional initiative for the first time, thereby ensuring the document's endorsement by representatives from all continents.

The statement underscores that the russian federation's continued control over the ZNPP is inconsistent with the fundamental principles of nuclear safety as set out by the IAEA, and poses severe risks to regional and international security. Of particular concern are the ongoing technical degradation of the facility, including power supply disruptions, inadequate maintenance, and restricted access to critical infrastructure.

The Member States unanimously emphasized that any attempt to restart ZNPP reactors prior to the full restoration of Ukrainian control is categorically unacceptable. Restarting operations must only occur following comprehensive demining, a full technical assessment, and certification by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, in coordination with the IAEA.

The statement further highlights the necessity of ensuring unimpeded, timely, and safe rotational access for the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhia (ISAMZ), as well as full and unrestricted access for IAEA experts to all key areas of the plant. It is of particular importance that the regular rotation of ISAMZ experts be conducted with full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any obstruction of the mission's activities by the russian federation is firmly condemned.

The States that supported the joint statement also reaffirm the importance of sustained international support for the IAEA's technical mission in Ukraine, including the continued physical presence of Agency personnel at all nuclear sites across the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine highly appreciates the consistent and principled position of its international partners and reiterates that the complete restoration of Ukrainian control over the ZNPP is an essential prerequisite for ensuring nuclear safety and security - not only on the territory of Ukraine but across the entire European continent.

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Update 296 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

46/2025

Vienna, Austria

12 Jun 2025

Nuclear safety remains precarious at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and its six reactors cannot be restarted as long as the military conflict continues to jeopardize the situation at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told IAEA Member States this week.

Addressing the regular June meeting of the Board of Governors, the Director General briefed them about his 12th mission to Ukraine during the current conflict, which took place in early June, followed by a visit to Russia, which also focused on nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP.

Addressing the Board meeting, he highlighted "the extremely vulnerable" status of the off-site power supply at the site, which for more than a month now has relied on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and spent fuel. Before the conflict, Europe's largest nuclear power plant (NPP) had access to ten power lines.

In addition, Director General Grossi noted that the ZNPP reactors' "reliance on groundwater for cooling remains an interim solution, whilst in their cold shutdown state". The plant has depended on 11 groundwater wells since the downstream Kakhovka dam was destroyed two years ago.

In their meeting in Kyiv on 3 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "made a point to recognize the importance of the IAEA's permanent presence" at the ZNPP, the Director General told the Board, adding he had assured President Zelenskyy of the IAEA's continued commitment to Ukraine's nuclear safety and to helping it rebuild its energy infrastructure.

The Director General added: "As the military conflict moves further into its fourth year, Ukraine needs support, and the IAEA is providing it ... it is also crucial to prepare for the reconstruction phase."

At the ZNPP, the IAEA team based there has held several meetings with the ZNPP to discuss the site's electrical system and also visited its 750 kilovolt (kV) switchyard.

Apart from the sole remaining 330 kV back-up line that was disconnected due to military activities on 7 May, the site does not know the current condition of its five other 330 kV lines, which remain unavailable after they were damaged outside of the ZNPP area early in the conflict.

The ZNPP said maintenance work was conducted at one of the four 750 kV power lines that was originally connected to the ZNPP before being damaged in 2022. Since the conflict, the ZNPP had lost access to three of its 750 kV lines.

In addition, the ZNPP informed the IAEA about a planned project to pump water into the cooling pond from the Dnipro River in order to maintain a water level that is sufficient to cool one operating reactor initially, followed by a second unit, until the pond reaches its full capacity. According to the site, a pumping station will be constructed to supply water directly to the cooling pond until the plant can rebuild the Kakhovka dam.

The exact location of the pumping station cannot yet be determined, as it depends on the security conditions, the ZNPP said, adding the project would only start once military activities cease.

Separately this week, the IAEA team was informed that that the Russian regulator, Rostekhnadzor, over the next two weeks will perform pre-licensing inspection activities at ZNPP reactor units 1 and 2, whose current operational licences issued by Ukraine are due to expire in December this year and in February 2026, respectively. The IAEA team has requested to observe these activities and will seek additional information regarding items such as the scope of these undertakings and any criteria for assessing nuclear safety.

Over the past several weeks, the IAEA team has also been monitoring a leak in one reactor unit's essential service water system which delivers cooling water to the safety systems. The leak - which can occur in NPPs without any significant safety consequences - was discovered during maintenance and the team was informed that it was caused by corrosion. It has since been repaired.

The IAEA team reported hearing military activities on most days over the past weeks, at varying distances away from the ZNPP including last week's purported drone attack on the site's training centre.

The Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and the South Ukraine NPPs are continuing to operate amid the problems caused by the conflict. Three of their nine operating reactor units are still undergoing planned outages for refuelling and maintenance. The IAEA teams at these plants and the Chornobyl sites have continued to report on - and be informed about - nearby military activities, including drones observed flying nearby. Last Monday, the IAEA teams at Khmelnytskyy and Rivne were required to shelter.

Over the past two weeks, the IAEA teams based at these four sites have all rotated.

As part of the IAEA's assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Chornobyl site received essential items to improve staff living conditions and the National Scientific Centre Institute of Metrology received personal radiation detectors.

These deliveries were funded by Austria, Belgium, France and Norway and brought the total number of IAEA-coordinated deliveries since the start of the armed conflict to 140.

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Zelenskyy Says Tough Sanctions Could 'Force Putin To Seek Peace' As Russia Hits Kharkiv Again

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 12, 2025

PRAGUE -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged countries that back Kyiv in its defense against Russia's invasion to step up sanctions against Moscow, saying the Kremlin doesn't care about massive casualties but could be swayed to end the war if economic pressure is sufficient.

Appearing via video link on the opening day of a June 12-14 international security conference in Prague, Zelenskyy spoke hours after Russian forces again pounded Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, which lies close to the Russian border, in overnight attacks.

His comments at the Globsec conference came as a series of prisoner exchanges continued, with Ukraine and Russia returning wounded and ailing POWs to their home country.

In his Globsec address, Zelenskyy also called on nations to finance increased drone production and take other steps to blunt the onslaught, saying Ukraine is the "first line of defense" against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his forces.

"If this line fails, Putin will go further," he said.

Zelenskyy spoke after opening remarks in which Czech President Petr Pavel emphasized "the importance of standing with Ukraine and standing on our own feet as Europeans" at a time when "the new U.S. administration has unsettled transatlantic relations and forced Europe to face strategic questions it cannot postpone."

"Ukraine continues to fight bravely for its freedom, independence and security of all of Europe," Pavel said.

Heavy Casualties

Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian military has "recorded more than 1 million Russian casualties, killed and wounded," since Putin launched the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.

"This is the price Putin and those like him are willing to pay for their sick geopolitical fantasies," he said.

A daily social media post from the Ukrainian military said on June 12 that the number of Russian combat losses had reached 1,000,340. In early April, NATO put the figure at more than 900,000, including some 250,000 dead.

"Russia does not really care about such human losses," Zelenskyy said.

"What they do worry about are harsh sanctions, especially those against Russian oil, including a new price cap -- that's what really threatens them, because it could cut off their funding for war and force them to seek peace," he said.

Earlier this week the European Commission presented new sanctions against Russia to the 27 EU member states, including a lowering of the price cap -- a measure to restrict revenues Russia can earn through oil sales -- on Russian crude to $45 per barrel from the current $60.

EU officials hope the Group of Seven (G7) countries will agree to this at a summit in Alberta, Canada, on June 15-17. Zelenskyy told a press conference on June 12 that he plans to attend the gathering and hopes to meet with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines to press for US support for what he called "very important" sanctions.

Trump, who has been seeking to broker an end to Russia's war on Ukraine since he took office for a second time in January, has voiced frustration with Russia's recalcitrance and its ongoing attacks, many of them killing and wounding civilians, but has refrained from imposing new sanctions.

On June 5, Trump compared Russia and Ukraine to "two young children fighting like crazy" and said he could potentially impose tough punishments "on both countries" if he concludes that they are not going to reach a peace deal.

In a congratulatory message to "the Russian people" on the country's Russia Day holiday on June 12, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States reaffirmed its "desire for constructive engagement with the Russian Federation to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine."

"It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries," said the statement. It did not lay blame on Russia or Ukraine for the war.

Drone Wars

"There are so far no signs of Russia's intentions to end their aggression," the Czech president said in his Globsec address. "And yet we have witnessed a troubling reluctance to clearly distinguish between the aggressor and the victim.

"It is time we draw the necessary conclusions from the fact that the Unites States' role in European security has changed, and reinforce Europe's ability to respond accordingly," he added.

While "maintaining intense dialogue" with the United States, Pavel said, "we must accelerate our efforts to build credible European defense capabilities, strengthen our defense industries, and take political ownership of our collective security."

Zelenskyy opened his remarks with a reference to Operation Spiderweb, an unprecedented Ukrainian attack on June 1 in which drones were smuggled into Russia on trucks and deployed to strike air bases at close range, destroying or damaging several Russian strategic bombers.

With drones playing an increasingly important role in the war, Zelenskyy said Ukraine "is ready to increase drone production" but needs money to make it happen.

"We have the capacity. What we lack is financing," he said. "We must all be faster on drones than our enemies."

More broadly, he warned, "One principle is clear: No country can afford to stay behind in technological developments."

With Moscow rejecting calls by Kyiv and the West for a cease-fire and the fate of direct peace negotiations unclear after two rounds of talks brought no breakthroughs, Zelenskyy said, "You can't talk Russia into peace."

Russia Again Attacks Kharkiv

A wave of drone attacks targeted several city districts in Kharkiv overnight, damaging residential buildings and a schoolyard where a drone landed and shattering windows, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

At least 15 people were wounded, including children aged 2, 12, 16, and 17, and five of the wounded victims were hospitalized, police said.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said it had struck an electronics factory outside Moscow. In a Telegram post, the Armed Forces General Staff said recorded explosions at the Rezonit plant, which it said manufactures electronics widely used in high-tech weapons and equipment production.

The claims could not immediately be verified.

With Russia launching large-scale attacks on Kharkiv, Kyiv, and other cities and showing no sign of readiness for concessions in any putative peace deal, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was in Kyiv on June 12 to show support and discuss further weapons aid.

"The purpose of the trip is mainly to demonstrate...that Germany, that the new federal government, continues to stand by Ukraine in the current situation, which has not become any easier," Pistorius told journalists upon arrival. He said he would speak about more weapons support from Germany and other EU nations.

More POWs Exchanged

The only tangible positive result of the direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Istanbul on May 16 and June 2, has been a series of prisoner swaps that have brought POWs back to their home country.

The sides exchanged an unspecified number of wounded and ill prisoners on June 12, officials said. Neither side revealed numbers.

"Today, warriors of our Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service are back home," Zelenskyy wrote on social media. "They all require medical treatment, and they will certainly receive the care they need.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its soldiers were receiving "necessary psychological and medical aid" in Belarus for now and would undergo further treatment when back in Russia.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged several busloads of prisoners of war under the age of 25 on June 9, and the sides exchanged the bodies of soldiers killed in the war on June 11. A total of 1,000 prisoners from both sides were exchanged on May 23-25.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-globsec- russia-pressure-sanctions-putin-oil/33440812.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Group of Russian Soldiers Returned From Kiev-Controlled Territory, Ukrainian Prisoners Exchanged

Sputnik News

20250612

The third group of Russian servicepeople returned from the territory controlled by Kiev as part of the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached in Istanbul on June 2, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"On June 12 of this year, in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 of this year in Istanbul, a group of Russian military personnel was returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime," the statement said.

In return, a group of prisoners of war of the armed forces of Ukraine was transferred to Kiev, the ministry said.

The Russian military personnel are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the ministry added.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed its readiness to carry out prisoner exchanges  Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel for Russian servicemen  on a daily basis, in accordance with the schedule agreed upon in Istanbul.

Unfortunately, the Ukrainian side is not prepared to conduct exchanges with the same level of promptness, the ministry stated.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Take Control of Alekseevka, Petrovskogo Settlements in DPR

Sputnik News

20250612

Russian troops have taken control of Petrovskogo and Alekseevka settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"Units of Battlegroup Tsentr have taken control of the settlements of Petrovskogo and Alekseevka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's units of Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 500 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

"The enemy's losses amounted up to 500 servicepeople, five armored combat vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, four vehicles and six artillery pieces," the ministry said.

Russia's Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated more than 205 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated over 240 Ukrainian troops, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to the IAEA Board, June 2025

UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell's statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Corinne Kitsell OBE

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 12 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Chair,

The United Kingdom reiterates our support for the IAEA's work to support nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine.

We remain concerned that the IAEA was forced to conduct the most recent ISAMZ rotation through Ukraine's temporarily occupied territory via the Russian Federation. The DG's report explains the challenges the Agency has faced in obtaining security guarantees and ensuring the safety of the ISAMZ teams during rotations. The safety of Agency personnel must not be compromised.

We welcome the DG's continued commitment to this Board that the Agency will comply with UN General Assembly resolution 11/4 adopted on 12 October 2022 and all relevant resolutions from the IAEA policy making organs. All rotations must be conducted using routes agreed with the Government of Ukraine and with full respect of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chair,

The Agency's assessment of the overall safety situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is that it remains "precarious".

For more than a month, ZNPP has been relying on a single external power line due to military activity near the site - a drastic reduction from the ten lines available before the conflict. This Board is now, sadly, accustomed to hearing about the vulnerability of the off-site power supply to ZNPP - such disruption increases the risk of a nuclear accident. There can be no room for complacency.

The DG's report highlights multiple other safety concerns at ZNPP: signs of potential degradation of equipment (paragraph 35), persistent "near daily" military activity around the plant, and obstruction, including by Russian troops, of access, which limits the IAEA's ability to independently carry out its vital mission.

We agree with the Agency's assessment that in the current circumstances no reactor should be restarted. Any proposal to do so would be irresponsible and pose unacceptable risks to nuclear safety.

Chair,

Russia's systematic strikes on Ukraine's energy system, reports of drones, air raids and anti-aircraft fire continue to highlight the fragility of the situation in Ukraine. As a result of Russia's irresponsible behaviour, all three of Ukraine's operating nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce power supply and operate on "significantly degraded off-site energy backup systems" which, as the DG notes, "increases the likelihood of the total collapse of the electrical grid."

In addition, damage caused when a drone struck the Chornobyl New Safe Confinement in February has compromised its intended confinement function and its planned lifetime.

Chair,

Financial support from the international community, including the UK, has provided Ukraine with vital safety and security equipment and enabled the IAEA to maintain a continuous presence - 196 missions so far - across Ukraine's five nuclear sites. This provides the international community with the only source of regular, independent reporting on the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine.

Nuclear safety and security in Ukraine remains at risk for as long as Russia continues its aggression. A lasting peace - one that fully respects Ukraine's sovereignty, including over its nuclear facilities within its internationally recognised borders - is the only path forward.

Thank you, Chair.

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UK applauds Ukraine's heroic resistance and demands Russia end its illegal war: UK Statement to the OSCE

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, reiterates the UK's call for Russia to cease its unlawful aggression against Ukraine and reaffirms Ukraine's right to self-defence under international law.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Lt Col Joby Rimmer, Senior Military Advisor at the UK Delegation to the OSCE

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 11 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Madame Chair. The United Kingdom again calls on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its illegal and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been extremely clear: Ukraine is not defeated. On the contrary, it has emerged as a formidable fighting force, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and determination in defending its sovereignty. And let us be clear, Ukraine has an absolute right to defend itself against aggression, and the United Kingdom stands firmly in support of that right.

We remain focused on achieving a just and lasting peace. In Istanbul, Ukraine demonstrated its commitment to peace by offering reasonable and practical proposals aimed at securing an unconditional ceasefire. Regrettably, Russia failed to reciprocate. Instead, it presented maximalist, non-negotiable demands that do not respect Ukraine's sovereignty. This behaviour underscores that President Putin is not serious about peace and remains committed to prolonging his illegal war.

Since Ukraine's offer of a full, unconditional ceasefire on 11 March 2025, Russia has continued its brutal campaign, launching daily airstrikes that have killed over 500 civilians and injured more than 2,700. We fully anticipate that the Russian Federation will deliver more disinformation in this forum today about alleged 'acts of terrorism' from Ukraine. But the distinction between Ukraine striking military targets and Russia hitting civilian targets is a critical one, both morally and under international law.

There is a clear difference. Ukraine's drone and missile strikes have been targeting military infrastructure within Russian territory or illegally occupied regions. These include airbases, logistics hubs, ammunition depots, command and control centres and radar and missile systems. These strikes are intended to degrade Russia's ability to wage war, especially its long-range bombing capabilities. Under international humanitarian law, Ukraine is within its rights to target military assets of an aggressor state, especially in self-defence.

In contrast, Russia has repeatedly launched drone and missile attacks on civilian areas across Ukraine. These have included Residential buildings, Hospitals and Schools, Energy Infrastructure and Emergency Services. In Kharkiv, over 50 explosions were recorded, damaging residential buildings and killing civilians. In Kyiv, three firefighters were killed while responding to earlier strikes. Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernihiv also suffered civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights verified a total of 45,000 civilian casualties as of 30th April 2025 and specified that the real numbers could be higher.

Russian strikes on civilians or civilian infrastructure are either an attempt to terrorise the civilian population and break morale (rather than achieve legitimate military objectives), or a failure to adequately distinguish military targets and act proportionately for military necessity. These are not the actions of a nation seeking peace, despite what President Putin says. These are the acts of blatant retaliation from the Kremlin, following Ukraine's most successful and comprehensive strike against Russian Strategic bomber air bases.

Russia's continued occupation in Ukraine and escalating aggression are not only unlawful, but they are also unsustainable. President Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has now dragged on for over 1,200 days, resulting in catastrophic losses - including an estimated one million Russian casualties. President Putin continues to sacrifice Russian lives and futures and must choose another path - one of peace, responsibility and respect for international law. We have seen what the brave men and women of Ukraine's Armed Forces are capable of, and the UK will continue to provide them with the tools they need to defend their sovereignty and protect their people. We call on Russia to accept the unconditional ceasefire, return to the negotiating table in good faith, and end this illegal war. Thank you, Madame Chair.



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Russia's victimhood narrative is inconsistent with the facts: UK statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland calls out Russia's victimhood narrative, which is inconsistent with the facts. The UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland

Published 12 June 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 12 June 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Madam Chair. We listened carefully to the statements made by the Russian Federation at last week's Permanent Council. The esteemed Russian representative noted then the OSCE "remains almost the only forum in the pan-European space where an equal and inclusive exchange of views is still possible."

The United Kingdom also values this forum for that reason. If we are willing to use it, the OSCE provides a platform for risk reduction, cooperation and confidence-building. And using these capacities to the maximum extent possible would fulfil the shared responsibility we took on for the security of the OSCE region that we took on in Helsinki in 1975.

The signing of the Helsinki Final Act marked a pivotal moment when all participating States agreed to move beyond zero-sum security, which bred so many conflicts of the past. Reflecting this sentiment, Leonid Brezhnev told the 1975 Helsinki conference that the OSCE could "strengthen European and international security and develop mutually advantageous co-operation".

A lot has been said in recent weeks about trust, which is essential for such advantageous cooperation. As we look ahead to Helsinki in late July, we must recognise that we build trust in this place when we speak truthfully and uphold the OSCE's founding documents, including the Helsinki Final Act. However, trust is eroded by unfounded assertions and the selective reinterpretation of the commitments in those documents.

Last week, the Russian Federation made several unsubstantiated claims about the United Kingdom in this Council. So, let me deal with these assertions and ask a couple of questions of my own in the hope of some direct answers.

The UK does not seek military tension and regional instability to further our economic objectives. In fact, I think most economists would argue that conflict is bad for economies overall. The UK's aims for Ukraine are guided by our desire to achieve peace. We believe in upholding the fundamental norms that underpin our shared security, including the sovereign equality of states. We do so through our actions as well as our words. The Russian Federation regularly reference the concepts of non-interference and inviolability of borders. The question I would put to them is how invading their peaceful neighbour lives up to these concepts.

The Russian Federation also accused the UK of using their war of aggression to militarise its economy and prepare for war. Now it is true that the UK plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and to 3% in the next Parliament. But I would have thought the reasons for doing so were obvious. We are increasing defence spending to deter war in the face of Russia's increasing belligerence - not to provoke it. And we are taking on more responsibility for security in Europe, which faces a more serious and less predictable future because of the Kremlin's actions. The hypocrisy of this allegation is of course that Russia's military spending now exceeds 32% of their national budget. It is truly a war economy. My request to the Russian delegation is that they explain what response they expected from the European countries in the face of such rapid militarisation in a country that so regularly threatens its neighbours and whose recent history is one of breaching Helsinki commitments on borders and sovereignty?

Madam Chair, the assertions made about my country reflect a broader narrative of Russian state victimhood that is inconsistent with the facts. The full-scale invasion of another country, illegal annexations, the targeting of civilians and the persistent obstruction of peace are not the actions of a victim - they are the actions of an aggressor. Our support for Ukraine, like our support for the OSCE's mandate and principles, comes from our interest in upholding mutually agreed rules, including rules Russia has agreed to uphold. This is why the UK stands firmly and unapologetically with Ukraine in the face of this aggression.

Thank you, Madam Chair.







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Joint Statement on Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards in Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

12 June 2025 14:40

Joint Statement on Nuclear Safety, Security, and Safeguards in Ukraine

IAEA Board of Governors Meeting (June 2025)

Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the following 49 delegations: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Ukraine.

Our delegationsreaffirm our full support for the Agency's ongoing efforts to help maintain nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, despite extremely challenging circumstances. We welcome the Agency's continued physical presence at Ukraine's five nuclear sites, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) as well as its nuclear safety and security missions at relevant electrical substations.

Chair,

Russia's continued control of Ukraine's ZNPP, including the presence of armed troops and military equipment, as reported by the Agency, compromises the DG's "seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security in an armed conflict" and puts the implementation of the five concrete principles for protecting ZNPP at risk. It has led to the plant's ongoing technical degradation and continues to present serious nuclear safety and security risks to the broader region.

In this context, we reaffirm our view that it is essential that all reactors at ZNPP remain in cold shutdown mode. As the Director General reports, the current situation at ZNPP with respect to the availability of cooling water, the reliability of off-site power supply, the completion of overdue maintenance, and the availability of spare parts would not support a return of ZNPP to normal operating conditions.

Our delegations firmly reject any attempts to consider the short-term restart of reactors at ZNPP, which would be inconsistent with well-established nuclear safety principles and with the Agency's understanding as described in the Director General'sreports. Moreover, any attempt by the Russian Federation to restart ZNPP would contradict relevant resolutions of this Board, the IAEA General Conference, and the UN General Assembly and would be wholly unacceptable.

We stress that any restart of the reactors at ZNPP can only take place once the facility has been returned to the legitimate control and oversight of Ukraine's competent regulatory authority. Any reactor restart must be preceded by thorough demining operations, rigorous repair of all reactors and auxiliary systems, and comprehensive safety inspections leading to an explicit certification from Ukraine's nuclear regulatory body. The IAEA would also play a critical role in ensuring the plant is safe for restart.

Chair,

We support the continued physical presence of IAEA experts at the ZNPP in full respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The safety and security of Agency staff remains of paramount importance. Delays in the completion of the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhia (ISAMZ)rotations are unacceptable and it is imperative that the Russian Federation immediately cease any actions which hinder the timely conduct of ISAMZ rotations and put the safety of Agency staff at risk.

At the same time, we reaffirm that ISAMZ must be granted full, unrestricted, and timely access to all relevant areas and information to fully report on the nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP and to undertake vital safeguards activities in line with Ukraine's legal safeguards obligations. We remain concerned by the DG's reporting that ISAMZ has continued to be prevented from accessing key areas at ZNPP, including the western part of turbine halls.

Chair,

In line with previous resolutions of the IAEA Board and General Conference, we call on Russia to remove all unauthorized military and other personnel from Ukraine's ZNPP and for the plant to be returned to the full control of the competent Ukrainian regulatory authorities.

We also urge all IAEA Member States to offer continued political, financial, technical, and in-kind support to the IAEA comprehensive programme of technical support and assistance to Ukraine. This includes ensuring the continued presence of IAEA experts at Ukrainian nuclear sites and strengthening the IAEA's capacity to provide real-time, factbased, and impartial assessments of the nuclear safety and security situation.

In conclusion, we express our continued gratitude to and support for the IAEA in its continuous and tireless efforts to upholding nuclear safety, security, and safeguards implementation in Ukraine amidst extremely challenging circumstances.

Thank you.

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Iran's supreme leader warn Israel of harsh punishment following Israeli airstrikes

Xinhua) 15:24, June 13, 2025

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Israel will receive harsh punishment following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets earlier in the day.

Israel "has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will definitely receive," he said in a statement.

Spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces Abolfazl Shekarchi said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV that Israel would pay a heavy price for its action, stressing that the Iranian armed forces were well-prepared and would give a harsh response.

Multiple senior military commanders, including Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, state media reported.

The Israeli airstrikes also killed at least two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, reports said.

Explosions were reported in Tehran and the counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.

Over 100 drones have been launched by Iran at Israel, said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Effie Defrin, adding that the army is working to shoot them down.

The IDF confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."

IDF chief Eyal Zamir said in a statement that Israel has "no other choice" and was "at the point of no return" to fight for its existence.

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors.

The Israeli Health Ministry also ordered all hospitals in the country to raise their alert level to the highest possible, move to protected areas and descend to protected underground complexes.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as direct talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing.

"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned any military escalation in the Middle East, and "is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear program are underway," his deputy spokesperson said in a statement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Our Units in the Sumy Region Are Gradually Pushing the Occupier Back - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

12 June 2025 - 18:45

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, we continued bringing our people back from Russian captivity. This is already the third stage of the exchanges agreed upon in Istanbul. Among those who have now been returned are guys who had been in captivity since 2022. There are also those who had been considered missing in action. It is important to check every name, all available information. And that's exactly what we're doing. I'm grateful to everyone who helps bring our people back.

Just now, Defense Minister Umerov delivered a report - we discussed certain details of the overall negotiation efforts with him. We also discussed issues related to financing our defense and defense production in Ukraine. Every single day, both in Ukraine and together with our partners, we focus on ensuring our defense - on everything that provides protection for our state and our people, both here and now, and in the long term.

Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered a report - the front line, first and foremost the Pokrovsk direction, the Kursk operation, the border areas of the Sumy region. Our units in the Sumy region are gradually pushing the occupier back. Thank you! I thank every one of our soldiers, sergeants, and officers for this result. Every unit.

We are also preparing for upcoming international meetings in the next few weeks. A clear task has been set for all levels of our representatives: it is essential that our partners understand that sanctions against Russia truly work. They truly work when they stay ahead of the Russian authorities' attempts to adapt to these sanctions. Sanctions on oil. Sanctions on Russian banks and the entire financial sector. Sanctions on individuals and legal entities that help Russia adapt to global pressure. There must be a clear limit to Russia's ability to adapt - pressure they cannot withstand. That will mark the turning point in the war, beyond which a reliable peace is possible.

Today, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited Kyiv. Our discussions focused specifically on what can strengthen Ukraine's positions and provide greater protection for our cities and our Ukrainian communities. I am grateful to Germany - to Chancellor Merz, Minister Pistorius, the entire German political class, and to the society that understands what is at stake and remains willing to continue providing assistance. Germany is one of the leaders in providing support. We appreciate the fact that when Germany makes a promise, it is actually fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who stands with us, stands with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukraine and Germany Agreed on Additional Investments in Ukrainian Defense Production - President Following Meeting with German Defense Minister

President of Ukraine

12 June 2025 - 18:16

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the German delegation led by Federal Minister of Defense of Germany Boris Pistorius. This marks his fifth visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State expressed gratitude for European leadership in providing defense assistance to Ukraine, Germany's contribution to saving lives, and the delivery of Patriot systems. Above all, the President highlighted Germany's decision to allocate 7 billion this year for military support to Ukraine.

"We are also grateful for the delivery of IRIS-T air defense systems. We understand the supply schedule for the coming years. This is extremely important support for us. It doesn't mean that the war will last for years - we want it to end. But regardless, Ukraine, our land, and the safety of our people must be protected by high-quality air defense systems," he noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Boris Pistorius also discussed the localization of air defense system production in Ukraine and agreed on additional investments in the defense industry - particularly increasing joint arms production in both Ukraine and Germany.

"When we talk about production, we're talking about our long-range capabilities - our drones, Ukrainian missile technologies, and other long-range tools," the President added.

The German Defense Minister emphasized the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones, their battlefield use, and the technological expertise Ukraine has gained in its fight against Russian aggression.

"We all have to learn from this. And I believe we also need to advance in the industrial sector. That's why we're talking about joint ventures we want to build. We want more of these joint ventures, both in Germany and in Ukraine, in order to accelerate weapons production for the common good and thus strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities," said Boris Pistorius.

He added that Germany is considering increasing its support for Ukraine this year to 9 billion, with part of that funding dedicated specifically to the production of long-range weaponry.

In addition, the meeting addressed coordination of diplomatic efforts, with particular focus on the Ramstein format. The President expressed his gratitude for the continued work of this format and stressed the importance of preserving it.

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Today, Our Military Has Recorded More Than One Million Russian Casualties, and Still, Russia Is Doing Everything to Avoid Ending This War- The President The only things that concern Russia are harsh sanctions - especially those targeting Russian oil and

President of Ukraine

12 June 2025 - 13:50

The only things that concern Russia are harsh sanctions - especially those targeting Russian oil and the banking sector - political isolation, and Ukraine's ability to resist. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during his online participation in the Global Security Forum.

The Head of State emphasized that Russia is indifferent to its own losses - today, Ukrainian forces have recorded over one million Russian occupiers killed or wounded.

"Russia is worried about money, about so-called 'prestige' in foreign policy, and about our resistance. But they are not concerned about the lives of a million of their own people. And I ask you to see this not just as another fact about dictatorships like Russia, North Korea, or Iran - but as a security challenge to all of us," the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Ukrainian special operation "Spiderweb" has demonstrated how new technologies are fundamentally changing the way wars are fought - and how crucial it is not to fall behind in technological development.

"Ukraine is ready to increase drone production by 40% in the near future, already this year. Our factories have the capacity, what we lack is financing. And this must be addressed. And I urge your countries to treat drone production with the same urgency and attention that we do. We must all be faster in drones than our enemies," the Head of State stressed.

The President also called on the international community to strengthen sanctions against Russia and close the loopholes used to circumvent existing restrictions.

"We should be realistic about those who brought war to Europe. You can't talk Russia into peace. But there are forms of pressure that hurt those in charge," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The Globsec Forum, founded in 2005, is a leading international platform for discussing global security, geopolitics, and worldwide challenges. Each year, it brings together political leaders, diplomats, experts, business representatives, civil society, and media from around the world. This year's forum is being held in Prague, with participants from over 60 countries.

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No Country Can Afford to Stay Behind in Technological Development - Speech by the President at the Global Security Forum

President of Ukraine

12 June 2025 - 13:39

Thank you so much! Thank you very much for the invitation.

Ladies and gentlemen!

President Pavel! President Vass!

Thank you for inviting me to the GLOBSEC forum this year - in a time of big changes and important decisions, ones that will affect people's lives and how we think about security for years to come.

Really, twelve days ago, we completed the final stage of our operation called, as I said, "Spiderweb." Probably no one in this room missed it. Inexpensive drones - part of a low-cost operation by Ukraine's Security Service - hit something very, very expensive for Russia, in every sense of the word - strategic bombers at distant military airfields. And it was a completely legitimate operation targeting the very aircraft Russia used to terrorize our country and to send a message of threat to NATO. And these were not just similar strategic bombers, but the exact same ones Russia had used to simulate missile strikes on NATO territory. In total, as I said, 41 Russian military aircraft were destroyed or heavily damaged - and all of this happened almost live, for the world to see. And it clearly shows how the technologies of war are changing. Ten years ago, such a strike would have been unimaginable. Today, we can't even imagine what kind of strikes a country might be able to carry out 10 years from now. But one principle is clear - no country can afford to stay behind in technological development when it comes to security.

Here's another example. Statistics. Today, on June 12, in the fourth year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, our military has recorded more than one million Russian casualties - killed and wounded. This is the price Putin and those like him are willing to pay for their sick geopolitical fantasies. A million losses - and still, they are doing everything to avoid ending this war. They even ignore the United States and President Trump, who have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and an end to the killings.

Russia doesn't really care about such human losses. What they do worry about are harsh sanctions, especially those against Russian oil, including a new price cap. That's what really threatens them - because it could cut off their funding for war and force them to seek peace. And they're also concerned about sanctions on the banking sector, and about political isolation - when Moscow is not invited to international forums, and about new joint defense efforts between Ukraine and our partners in Europe and around the world. Russia is worried about money, about so-called "prestige" in foreign policy, and about our resistance. But they are not concerned about the lives of a million of their own people. And I ask you to see this not just as another fact about dictatorships like Russia, North Korea, or Iran - but as a security challenge to all of us.

We have to confront those who treat human life as worthless, just as we defend our own safety. This fight isn't limited to Europe; it matters in every region nearby. When life means nothing to those in charge, then no crime is off the table - not even full-scale aggression.

Dear friends!

We now have very clear priorities.

First, I want to thank Czechia for its initiative on ammunition supplies. It clearly showed that united efforts can really make a difference in modern warfare.

We must strengthen all the forms of defense cooperation - especially those that help us become more and more technologically advanced and use drones of every kind - in the air, on land, and at sea. Ukraine is ready to increase drone production by 40% in the near future, already this year. Our factories have the capacity, what we lack is financing. And this must be addressed. And I urge your countries to treat drone production with the same urgency and attention that we do. We must all be faster in drones than our enemies.

Next.

We should be realistic about those who brought war to Europe. You can't talk Russia into peace. But there are forms of pressure that hurt those in charge. I ask you to support a serious increase in sanctions against Russia. Our goal must be to significantly reduce Russia's oil income and financial capabilities. If Russian oil sells for no more than $30 a barrel, suddenly Moscow will start sounding peaceful. And we must shut down all the loopholes helping to fund the Russian federal budget. We need to apply enough pressure to force at least a real ceasefire. Without pressure, this will not happen.

And one more thing.

We should remember that respect for human life is not just a moral value, it's a security factor. That's why our joint policy must include support for those who value life - and restrictions on those who show contempt for it. This can only be done at the level of all Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community. Only together we are strong enough to defend our way of life and life itself. So I ask you to support decisions that do not leave behind European nations that deserve to be in the EU and NATO. This includes Ukraine. Moldova. Balkan nations and others. Everyone deserves fair decisions. And I urge you to back every initiative that strengthens the global weight of the EU and NATO. Because only through real unity we can set the security conditions for our neighbors - conditions that make them safe for us, and force them to act in ways that do not threaten anyone, including themselves.

Thank you for your attention. Thanks for the invitation. Thank you for your support.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Nuclear Weapons

John Bolton, US ambassador to the United Nations from August 2005 to December 2006, wrote on April 30, 2015 "Tehran and Pyongyang have cooperated on ballistic missiles since at least 1998 ... numerous reports have emerged of Iranian and North Korean scientists exchanging visits and potentially valuable information. What if Pyongyang is already hosting an extensive Iranian-enrichment program, deeply buried somewhere in its half of the peninsula? What if some of the estimated 20 warheads are actually Irans property, having been manufactured and now stored far from Tehran to avoid detection? East Asian experts have long looked through a stovepipe at North Korea, and Middle East experts gaze through their own stovepipe at Iran."

Secretary of State Tony Blinken said on 19 July 2024 that Iran has reduced its nuclear breakout period  the time it would need to create sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon  to one to two weeks. In recent weeks and months Iran has been moving forward in terms of the capacity to break out, in producing fissile material, Blinken said at the Aspen Security Forum. Blinkens estimate of Irans breakout time sent ripples through the crowd with some whispers of Jesus.

U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies are looking into new information about computer modeling by Iranian scientists that could be used for research and development of nuclear weapons, two U.S. officials plus one current and one former Israeli official told Axios 18 June 2024. The U.S. intelligence community made an assessment in 2007 that Iran hasn't had an active military nuclear program since 2003. That assessment hasn't changed, U.S. officials told Axios. Another U.S. official said there was "no change to our assessment that Iran is not currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons development activities necessary to produce a testable nuclear device."

In early May 2024, former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi made an unusual statement about the possibility of Iran producing nuclear weapons. "We have no decision to build a nuclear bomb but should Iran's existence be threatened, there will be no choice but to change our military doctrine," he was quoted by Iran's Student News Network.

Tehran is technically capable of making a nuclear bomb but has yet to decide whether to build one, a senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Al Jazeera's Arabic service on 17 July 2022. "In a few days we were able to enrich uranium up to 60% and we can easily produce 90% enriched uranium ... Iran has the technical means to produce a nuclear bomb but there has been no decision by Iran to build one," Kamal Kharrazi said. Iran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons, saying it is refining uranium only for civilian energy uses, and has said its breaches of the international deal are reversible if the United States lifts sanctions and rejoins the agreement.

The United States issued yet another anti-Iran rhetoric 22 February 2024y, claiming that Tehran is not fully cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and that Washington remains concerned about Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment. The US State Department spokesman was responding to a question about the meeting between Abram Paley, the Deputy US Special Representative for Iran Affairs and Rafael Grossi, the IAEA chief in Vienna.

Paley met Grossi and expressed Washington's appreciation for the International Atomic Energy Agency's efforts to communicate with Iran regarding its safeguards obligations, Mathew Millar said in the briefing. Miller accused Tehran of very little cooperation with the agency and expressed concern over Irans expansion of its nuclear program in a way that has no civilian purpose, without giving any evidence.

The US statement followed Grossis claims that Iran continues to enrich uranium beyond the level stipulated under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a landmark accord that remained dysfunctional following the unilateral US withdrawal and non-compliance by European signatories.

On the first day of the US withdrawal from the JCPOA in May 2018, Iran reduced its commitments to the international deal based on Articles 26 and 36. Meanwhile, Grossi is planning to visit Iran in April or May, the Head of the Atomic Agency Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami announcedy. Eslami said Grossis visit will take place on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the AEOI and it will also focus on the removal of misunderstandings and the expansion of cooperation.

Iran's nuclear program began in the Shah's era, including a plan to build 20 nuclear power reactors. Two power reactors in Bushehr, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, were started but remained unfinished when they were bombed and damaged by the Iraqis during the Iran-Iraq war. Following the revolution in 1979, all nuclear activity was suspended, though subsequently work was resumed on a somewhat more modest scale. Current plans extend to the construction of 15 power reactors and two research reactors.

Research and development efforts also were conducted by the Shah's regime on fissile material production, although these efforts were halted during the Iranian revolution and the Iran-Iraq war.

The current nuclear program is headed by the President, the commander of the Iranian Revulutionary Gaurd Corps (IRGC), the head of the Defense Industries Organization, and the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO). These leaders continue the pursuit of WMD's and support Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear programs against all pressures from the United States and its allies.

Iran ratified the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1970, and since February 1992 has allowed the IAEA to inspect any of its nuclear facilities. Prior to 2003 no IAEA inspections had revealed Tehran's violations of the NPT.

Since the end of the Iran-Iraq War, Tehran redoubled its efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles. In addition to Iran's legitimate efforts to develop its nuclear power-generation industry, it is believed to be operating a parallel clandestine nuclear weapons program. Iran appears to be following a policy of complying with the NPT and building its nuclear power program in such a way that if the appropriate political decision is made, know-how gained in the peaceful sphere (specialists and equipment) could be used to create nuclear weapons (dual-use technologies have been sold to Iran by at least nine western companies during the early 1990's). Also, in this atmosphere of deception, unconfirmed reports have been made that Tehran purchased several nuclear warheads in the early 1990's

It is evident that Iran's efforts are focused both on uranium enrichment and a parallel plutonium effort. Iran claims it is trying to establish a complete nuclear fuel cycle to support a civilian energy program, but this same fuel cycle would be applicable to a nuclear weapons development program. Iran appears to have spread their nuclear activities around a number of sites to reduce the risk of detection or attack.

Iran does not currently have nuclear weapons, and would appear to be about two years away from acquiring nuclear weapons. By some time in 2006, however, Iran could be producting fissile material for atomic bombs using both uranium enriched at Natanz and plutonium produced at Arak. The Natanz facility might produce enough uranium for about five bombs every year, and the Arak facility might produced enough plutonium for as many as three bombs every year.

If Iran did acquire atomic bombs, it would put pressure on other countries in the region do the same. Many Arab countries believe it is unfair that Israel has nuclear weapons. If Arab countries, notably Saudi Arabia but also Egypt and possibly Syria, found themselves caught between a nuclear-armed Israel and a nuclear-armed Iran, it would greatly increase pressures to pursue their own nuclear options. This could result in a regional arms race in the Middle East which is likely to be quite destabilizing, given the number and intensity of conflicts and instabilities in the region.

In December 2003 Presidential hopeful John Kerry said that he would explore "areas of mutual interest" with Iran. And in June 2004 Kerry proposed providing nuclear fuel to Iran in exchange for Iran's abandoning the fissile material production complex at Esfahan, Arak, Natanz and other locations. In an interview on 29 August 2004, reported in the Washington Post on 30 August, Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards proposed a "Grand Bargain" with Iran, under which the US would drop objections to the nuclear power reactor at Bushehr, in exchange for Iran abandoning the material production complex. According to Edwards, if Iran rejected this offer, it would confirm that it was building atomic bombs. Edwards also said that Kerry would ensure that European allies would join the US in imposing sanctions on Iran. "If we are engaging with Iranians in an effort to reach this great bargain and if in fact this is a bluff that they are trying to develop nuclear weapons capability, then we know that our European friends will stand with us," Edwards said. "Iran is further along in developing a nuclear weapon than they were when George Bush came into office... A nuclear Iran is unacceptable for so many reasons, including the possibility that it creates a gateway and the need for other countries in the region to develop nuclear capability -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt, potentially others," Edwards said.

A new assessment of the costs and benefits of attacking Iran released September 13, 2012 said U.S. military strikes probably carry the risk of igniting an all-out war in the Middle East. The report, by more than 30 former U.S. government officials, national security experts, and retired military officers, says attacks would shake the Iranian regime's political control. But it goes on to say that Tehran would likely retaliate, directly and through surrogates.

The report says an attack could delay Tehran's development of an atomic bomb for a few years. If the United States alone, or with Israel, carried out extended military strikes, Irans ability to build a nuclear bomb could be delayed by two to four years, it says. The report estimated that a military strike by Israel alone could delay Irans nuclear program by up to two years. "You can't kill intellectual power," said retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Frank Kearney, who endorsed the report. He is a former deputy director at the National Counterterrorism Center and former deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

Iran will be capable to create nuclear weapons in six to seven months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the NBC channel on 16 September 2012. "They're in the last 20 yards. And you can't let them cross that goal line," Netanyahu said. "Because that would have unbelievable consequences." Iran is guided by a leadership with an unbelievable fanaticism, "It's the same fanaticism that you see storming your embassies today, Netanyahu said referring to a string of riots across the globe sparked by the U.S.-made short film titled "Innocence of Muslims." The Israeli prime minister also said he disagrees with the statements that Irans nuclear weapons would stabilize the situation in the Middle East calling this approach a new standard for human stupidity.

In a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency dated 23 January 2013, Tehran said it would introduce new centrifuges to its main enrichment plant near the central town of Natanz. The letter from the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) informed the Agency that 'centrifuge machines type IR2m will be used in Unit A-22' at the Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) at Natanz. It was not clear how many of the upgraded centrifuges Iran aimed to put in place at Natanz, which is designed for tens of thousands of machines, but the wording of the IAEA's note implied it could be up to roughly 3,000. A unit can house more than 3,000 centrifuges. About 10,400 IR-1 centrifuges were installed at Natanz as of late 2012, an IAEA report said in November 2012. Using the IR-2m in large numbers would enable Iran to enrich uranium much faster.

Previously, Iran's supreme leader rejected a proposal for direct talks about its nuclear program with the United States, saying negotiations will not solve anything. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his website 07 February 2013 that the US wanted to talk while threatening to punish Iran, and that his country will not be intimidated. On 06 February 2013 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in reaction to US proposal for holding direct talks with Iran, said Iran evaluates the new proposal 'positive', adding if US changes its behavior, Iran will consider the proposal. US Vice President Joe Biden said during a security conference on Saturday 02 February 2013 in Munich that the United States is open to directly engaging Iran if it is serious about negotiations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a blistering condemnation of the Iranian nuclear deal in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on October 01, 2015 in New York. "If you think sanctions relief, and billions of dollars worth of contracts, will turn a rapacious tiger into a kitten, think again," Netanyahu said. He acknowledged the deal places "several constraints on Irans nuclear program and rightly so." But the catch, he said, is the most important of those will be lifted no matter how Iran behaves 10 to 15 years down the road. "Israel will not allow Iran to break in, walk in or sneak in to the nuclear weapons club," he said.

Iran stopped dismantling centrifuges in two uranium enrichment plants, state media reported on 10 November 2015. The announcement came days after conservative lawmakers complained to President Hassan Rouhani that the process was too rushed, Reuters said. Iran began shutting down inactive centrifuges at the Natanz and Fordow plants under the terms of a deal struck with world powers in July. The dismantling process stopped with a warning, Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the National Security Council, was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency. The dismantling process stopped in Fordow because of the lawmakers letter.

By November 2015 Iran was keeping on standby thousands of centrifuge machines that could easily be returned to service for use in a prohibited weapons program. Iran's main nuclear-enrichment center had 11,308 centrifuges installed, as of mid-November 2015  some 3,000 fewer than were in service before October 18, when the nuclear agreement went into effect. The IAEA said some centrifuges also have been removed from a smaller Iranian facility.

Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium had increased in the past three months, instead of being significantly reduced, as was required.

Iran said 30 November 2015 that would be no final implementation of a nuclear deal with world powers unless the probe into allegations of past weapons research was closed. The declaration, by top security official Admiral Ali Shamkhani, came after the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said a report into the possible military dimensions of Irans activities would not be black and white. Shamkhani is secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the countrys highest security body, which was tasked with supervising the nuclear deal.

On December 15, 2015 the IAEA officially closed its more than decade-old investigation into allegations that Iran once worked to develop nuclear weapons. The 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to close the investigation. The approval came after IAEA chief Yukiya Amano presented his final report on the matter to the IAEA board, saying it gave clear answers on whether Iran worked toward nuclear arms.

The conclusion was that Iran carried out "a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device," mostly before 2003. He said those activities did not get beyond scientific studies and acquiring "certain relevant technical competencies and capabilities." The IAEA recently released a report indicating there are no credible signs that Iran's efforts to build a nuclear weapon lasted past 2009.

Iran shipped its stockpile of low-enriched uranium to Russia as a key step in fulfilling its commitments under a landmark nuclear agreement clinched between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries. The export on 28 December 2015 of uranium took place within the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). US Secretary of State John Kerry said, "The shipment included the removal of all of Iran's nuclear material enriched to 20 percent that was not already in the form of fabricated fuel plates for the Tehran Research Reactor.... This removal of all this enriched material out of Iran is a significant step toward Iran meeting its commitment to have no more than 300 kilograms of low-enriched uranium." Iran sent over 25,000 pounds (over 11 metric tons) of low-enriched uranium materials to Russia.

Wendy Sherman was undersecretary of state for political affairs during the Obama administration. She was the lead U.S. negotiator to the Iran nuclear talks, and is now an adviser to the Hillary Clinton campaign. On 22 December 2015 on the PBS Newshour, she said "... we are hopeful the deal will ensure that Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon, not for 10 years, not for 15 years, but forever."

International Atomic Energy Agency reported 16 January 2016 that the Middle Eastern country had successfully complied with all nuclear requirements agreed to in July 2015. The United States and the European Union lifted many sanctions against Iran after a report by the international nuclear watchdog saying Iran had complied with all requirements allowing them to enter the global economy. "As Iran has fulfilled its commitments, today, multilateral and national economic and financial sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program are lifted in accordance," European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a joint statement.

The United States purchased 32 tons of a key component in the development of atomic weapons from Iran, in a bid to help Tehran implement provisions in the landmark nuclear deal. The US Energy and State departments confirmed 22 april 2016 the purchase of heavy water, which can be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium. The plan was announced as US, Iranian and other officials met in Vienna to discuss implementation of the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. Earlier, Iran sold low-enriched uranium to Russia to help implement the deal.

Charles Bybelezer reported 11 June 2019 that Olli Heinonen, former director-general for safeguards at the International Atomic Energy Agency, warned at a conference in Tel Aviv that Iran could be hiding the existence of at least five secret nuclear sites. His comments came a week after he told Israeli media that Tehran could reach breakout capacity by producing sufficient enriched uranium to build a nuclear weapon within six to eight months. He qualified, however, that it could take Tehran longer to develop the necessary technology to detonate a bomb and deliver it via a ballistic missile, although it would be possible to do this in tandem with manufacturing fissile material.

President-elect Joe Bidens secretary of state nominee said 19 January 2021 the incoming administration was a long way from reaching a new accord with Tehran. We would have to see, once the president is in office, what steps Iran actually takes and evaluate whether they're coming back into compliance with their obligations, Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing on January 19. Biden has said he would like the United States to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that limits Irans nuclear program, if Tehran returns to compliance with the deal. Iran has gradually breached its nuclear commitments in response to President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrawing Washington from the agreement in 2018. Blinken said the 2015 agreement would be a platform for a longer and stronger agreement that would include other issues such as Irans missile program and malign activities.





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WASHINGTON, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the DC Guaranteed Income (DCGI) Coalition hosted a Day of Action to demand that the DC Council protect and invest in transformative programs for families.

The Day of Action highlighted urgent efforts to preserve the Child Tax Credit for DC, Baby Bonds , the Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot, and Child Care Subsidies among other critical programs that build economic security and opportunity for families across the District.

Despite Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing in April that she would maintain funding for early education programs in DCs FY26 budget proposal, the level of funding proposed for Child Care Subsidies is not enough to serve the current number of enrolled families, and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund will be completely eliminated starting as early as next year.

Slashing the Child Tax Credit isnt just a budget decisionits a moral one. We came ready to deepen the investment in families, to expand support beyond children under six. Instead, were now forced to fight to restore what should never have been taken away, said Ward 5 DC Councilmember Zachary Parker. The federal child tax credit cut child poverty in halfits one of the most effective anti-poverty tools in a generation. So why would we walk that back? These are choices, but they are not ones we have to accept. I stand in solidarity with our community to say: were not backing down. Were fighting togetherfor our families, our futures, and our right to thrive.

The District Child Tax Credit Act sought to provide up to a $420 tax credit per child for up to 3 children to low- and middle-income families in D.C., while the Baby Bonds plan is an anti-poverty program that includes creating a trust fund for newborns in D.C. born to parents who make less than 300% of the federal poverty level. The Strong Families, Strong Future DC pilot was a direct cash assistance program providing $900 per month for one year to 132 new and expectant mothers in Wards 5, 7, and 8 to address financial stressors.

We need DC to invest in its families instead of cutting programs that help them achieve financial mobility and build a future in which they can succeed and thrive, said Melody Webb, Executive Director of Mothers Outreach Network, which convenes the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition. Research shows that additional cash support allows families to build financial stability, reduce stress, and improve healthcare access. It is integral that the Mayors budget reflects that we value equity, care, and opportunity for our citys families.

The event was held from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Wilson Building during the Councils final budget deliberations. Organizational sponsors included Mother's Outreach Network, Bread for the City, My Sisters Place, DC Action, Lets GO DMV, ONE DC, Save Us Now, SPACEs in ACTION, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid, ROC-DC, and LIFT, Inc.

DCGI Coalition invited all community members, families, and advocates to join and raise their voices for a just, inclusive budget that meets the needs of all DC residents.

About the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition

The DC Guaranteed Income Coalition, convened by Mothers Outreach Network, is a network of DC-based organizations and individuals committed to achieving a permanent guaranteed income program for residents to ensure that all our District neighbors live above the poverty line and can afford basic necessities.

Contact:

DCGI Coalition

Email: Events@dcgicoalition.org

Website: www.dcgicoalition.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/802a7f07-bd03-48f4-b09b-fecfb67c9f13
Dallas, TX, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Home Equity Fund I (US HEF), a first-of-its-kind real estate investment fund managed by Nada Asset Management (Nada), has acquired 132 Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) from an affiliate in a $10 million+ transaction. The acquired HEAs expand the funds diversified portfolio of owner-occupied homes and further advance its mission to provide accredited investors with direct access to the $34 trillion U.S. home equity market.

The transaction marks an important step in scaling the funds portfolio with already-originated assets. These agreements span a wide range of geographies, property types, and homeowner profiles, helping accelerate capital deployment into a fast-growing investment category.



Nada will host a live call on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT to provide a detailed overview of the newly acquired home equity agreements. The call will cover the geographic distribution, underwriting process, expected performance, and how these assets fit into the broader fund strategy. Investors and interested parties can register by clicking here.

Launched earlier this year, U.S. Home Equity Fund I is designed to bring institutional-grade access and structure to home equity investing. Through a diversified pool of HEAs, the fund offers investors exposure to residential real estate appreciation while limiting downside risk through capped exposure and asset-level diversification.

What is a Home Equity Agreement (HEA)?

Unlike traditional debt-based financing, a Home Equity Agreement allows homeowners to tap into their equity without monthly payments or interest. In exchange for a lump-sum payment, the homeowner agrees to share a portion of their homes future value with the fund. For investors, this structure provides a way to participate in home price appreciation without the burdens of property ownership.

Home equity has long been the foundation of wealth in the U.S., yet until recently, theres been no direct, scalable way for investors to participate, said John Green, Co-Founder and COO of Nada. HEAs have changed that, and this acquisition is another step forward in building the most diversified, investor-aligned home equity portfolio available.

The U.S. home equity market has grown to over $34 trillion, nearly tripling since 2013. Institutional adoption of HEAs has accelerated, with $1.1 billion in securitizations completed in 2024 and rating methodologies from DBRS Morningstar and KBRA helping cement the asset class in institutional portfolios.

A Structured Approach for Long-Term Growth

U.S. Home Equity Fund I targets net IRRs of 14-17%, focusing on owner-occupied homes for stability and emphasizing downside protection through an exchange rate mechanism unique to HEAs. With assets originated and serviced by Nada through its platform, the fund is designed for transparency, and scalability.

This is a defining moment for HEAs, said Tore Steen, CEO of Nada. The market is now large enough, and the infrastructure mature enough, for home equity to stand alongside more traditional real estate assets in investor portfolios. U.S. Home Equity Fund I is structured to meet that opportunity head-on.

Since 2022, Nada has originated more than 250 home equity agreements comprising over $115 million in home value and its active HEA portfolio has delivered realized payoffs with a weighted average IRR of 17% since inception.

To learn more, visit www.homeshares.co.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans, and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause future results to differ materially from those projected.

Media Contact:

Kevin Vandenboss

media@nada.co
BEIJING, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The eighth International Editors-in-Chief Roundtable, hosted by Global Times and Global Times Online (huanqiu.com), brought together media leaders from China, Russia, Pakistan, Canada, Nepal, Syria, and Ghana to explore global trends. Amid ongoing global shifts, participants highlighted the value of inclusive globalization and diversified cooperation.





Muhammad Asif Noor, Editor-in-Chief of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Pakistan, said countries are adapting engagement models. Bai Long, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times (China), stressed the importance of win-win development in a multipolar world. Liu Yonggang, President and Editor-in-Chief of The Paper, noted that 2024 marks a turning point in global economic restructuring, with developing countries gaining influence at COP28 and WTO talks.

Liu Hong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of XinhuaNet, pointed to the Global Development Initiative and RCEP as key examples of inclusive multilateralism. Bai Long highlighted the Belt and Road Initiatives infrastructure impact.

Rituraj Subedi, Deputy Executive Editor of The Rising Nepal, said globalization is irreversible, and that cooperation and multilateralism are vital to fair growth.





Company: huanqiu.com

Contact Person: Pang Zhiqin

Email:pangzhiqin@huanqiu.com

Website: www.huanqiu.com

Telephone: 0086-010-65361101

City: Beijing, China

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab4fef92-fd04-4f71-ba32-02ca676e5b44
Strasbourg (France), June 13, 2025, 8:30 a.m. CET  Transgene (Euronext Paris: TNG), a biotech company that designs and develops virus-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, today announced that its management team will meet institutional investors, scientists and leaders of the biotechnology ecosystem during the upcoming editions of:

BIO International Convention 2025 , on June 16, in Boston, US;

, on June 16, in Boston, US; Portzamparc  2025 Mid&Small Caps Conference (hosted by BNP Paribas Group ), on June 18,

in Paris, France;

(hosted by ), on June 18, in Paris, France; International Neoantigen Summit , on June 24, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands;

, on June 24, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands; International Academy of Oral Oncology 2025 (IAOO), on July 18, in Liverpool, UK.

Following the positive clinical data on our individualized neoantigen cancer vaccine TG4050, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (see press release here), Transgene together with Prof. Christian Ottensmeier, MD, PhD, FRCP (University of Liverpool, La Jolla Institute for Immunology), have discussed the data presented, the unmet medical need and current treatment landscape for patients suffering from head and neck cancers in a virtual event available on Transgene website and here.

***

About Transgene

Transgene (Euronext: TNG) is a biotechnology company focused on designing and developing targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. The Companys clinical-stage programs consist of a portfolio of viral vector-based immunotherapeutics. TG4050, the first individualized therapeutic vaccine based on the myvac platform is the Companys lead asset, with demonstrated proof of principle in patients in the adjuvant treatment of head and neck cancers. The portfolio also includes other viral-vector-based immunotherapies: TG4001 for the treatment of HPV-positive cancers, as well as BT-001 and TG6050, two oncolytic viruses based on the Invir.IO viral backbone. The Company also conducts innovative discovery and preclinical work, aimed at developing novel viral vector-based modalities.

With Transgenes myvac platform, therapeutic vaccination enters the field of precision medicine with a novel immunotherapy that is fully tailored to each individual. The myvac approach allows the generation of a virus-based immunotherapy that encodes patient-specific mutations identified and selected by Artificial Intelligence capabilities provided by its partner NEC.

With its proprietary platform Invir.IO, Transgene is building on its viral vector engineering expertise to design a new generation of multifunctional oncolytic viruses.

Additional information about Transgene is available at: www.transgene.com

Follow us on social media: X (formerly Twitter): @TransgeneSA  LinkedIn: @Transgene  Bluesky: @Transgene

Contacts

Media: Investors & Analysts: Caroline Tosch Lucie Larguier Corporate and Scientific Communications Manager Chief Financial Officer (CFO) +33 (0)3 68 33 27 38 Nadege Bartoli communication@transgene.fr Investor Relations Analyst

and Financial Communications Officer MEDiSTRAVA +33 (0)3 88 27 91 00/03 Frazer Hall/Sylvie Berrebi investorrelations@transgene.fr + 44 (0)203 928 6900 transgene@medistrava.com





Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a significant negative outcome for the Companys activities, perspectives, financial situation, results, regulatory authorities agreement with development phases, and development. The Companys ability to commercialize its products depends on but is not limited to the following factors: positive pre-clinical data may not be predictive of human clinical results, the success of clinical studies, the ability to obtain financing and/or partnerships for product manufacturing, development and commercialization, and marketing approval by government regulatory authorities. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Companys actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risque) section of the Universal Registration Document, available on the AMF website (http://www.amf-france.org) or on Transgenes website (www.transgene.fr). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Transgene undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Attachment
BPCE signs a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire novobanco, Portugals fourth-largest bank

Paris, 06 13 2025

Groupe BPCE, the second-largest bank in France1 and the fourth-largest in Europe2, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the acquisition of a 75% equity interest in novobanco from the private equity firm Lone Star Funds. The transaction, representing a cash amount of approximately3 6.4bn (for 100% of the shares) and a multiple of around 9x annual earnings, is the biggest cross-border acquisition in the euro zone for more than 10 years.

Following the creation of BPCE Equipment Solutions at the start of the year, this project marks a new key stage in the execution of the Vision 2030 strategic plan, geared to developing and diversifying BPCE in France, Europe and the wider world. On completion of the transaction, Portugal would become the Groups second-largest domestic retail market.

Novobanco, a solid player in Portugal demonstrating exemplary growth in recent years

Novobanco, Portugals fourth-largest bank4, has built up a solid franchise and holds market shares of c.9% with individual customers and c.14% with corporate clients. It has 1.7 million individual customers and manages a 17bn corporate loan book. With its 4,200 employees, novobanco operates through some 290 branches and an extensive network of external partners, while also offering a rich customer experience through its digital channels.

In recent years, novobanco has become one of the most profitable banks in Europe, posting a cost-income ratio under 35% and a return on tangible equity (RoTE) exceeding 20%5. These results have been underpinned by the quality of novobancos teams, together with the engagement of its shareholders for the last eight years.

BPCE, lasting engagement in Portugal, focused on financing the economy

BPCE currently employs over 3,000 staff in Portugal, a figure testifying to its lasting engagement with the country. Since 2017, the opening of a multi-business center of expertise in Porto has deepened its local ties.

By welcoming novobanco into the Group, alongside the Banque Populaire and Caisse dEpargne banking networks, which already serve the French economy, BPCE would further strengthen its role as an important development partner for the Portuguese economy, recognized for its solid fundamentals and resilience. Through the transaction, BPCE intends to facilitate financing for local companies and individuals projects, while also expanding the range of services offered to Portuguese customers. BPCE will leverage all of its expertise to strengthen value creation in close collaboration with novobanco.

Execution of the Vision 2030 strategic plan

The acquisition of novobanco would help diversify BPCE in two respects: geographically, via access to a dynamic economy, and in balance sheet terms, by increasing the proportion of variable rate loans on its balance sheet, thus improving its revenue profile. The acquisition would be a growth driver for the whole Group. It is perfectly consistent with BPCEs Vision 2030 strategy, underlining the Groups determination to expand in France, Europe and the wider world through strategic investments that create lasting value. The transaction marks a new key stage in the Groups European-scale growth, following the creation of BPCE Equipment Solutions in February 2025 and the ongoing project to create the leading European asset manager in partnership with Generali. On completion of the transaction, Groupe BPCEs CET1 ratio would remain above 15%.

Timing of the transaction

BPCE is engaging in discussions with the Portuguese government and the Portuguese Banking Resolution Fund with a view to acquiring their equity interests in novobanco (11.5% and 13.5%, respectively), on identical terms.

BPCE will proceed with the necessary consultations with employee representative bodies in order to sign the acquisition contract. The project is projected for completion in the first half of 2026.

For Nicolas Namias, CEO of BPCE

BPCE is pleased to announce today the project to acquire novobanco in Portugal. Holding market shares of c.9% with individual customers and c.14% with corporate clients, novobanco possesses excellent fundamentals, strong growth potential and an already high level of profitability. Major player in local banking in France thanks to the Banque Populaire and Caisse dEpargne banking networks, BPCE would become a retail banking player in Europe with the acquisition of novobanco and would actively participate in financing the Portuguese economy.

A few months after the creation of BPCE Equipment Solutions, the projected transaction marks a new key stage in the execution of our Vision 2030 strategic plan, announced close to a year ago.

The financial terms of the transaction reflect a disciplined and stringent valuation approach, as well as our confidence in novobancos ability to create value over time.

BPCEs executive managers and employees are all particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of welcoming novobanco, its management and its 4,200 employees, in order to write a new chapter of growth, innovation and performance in Europe together.

About Groupe BPCE

Groupe BPCE is the second-largest banking group in France and the fourth-largest in the euro zone in terms of capital. Through its 100,000 staff, the group serves 35 million customers  individuals, professionals, companies, investors and local government bodies  around the world. It operates in the retail banking and insurance fields in France via its two major networks, Banque Populaire and Caisse dEpargne, along with Banque Palatine and Oney. It also pursues its activities worldwide with the asset & wealth management services provided by Natixis Investment Managers and the wholesale banking expertise of Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking. The Group's financial strength is recognized by four credit rating agencies with the following senior preferred LT ratings: Moody's (A1, stable outlook), Standard & Poor's (A+, stable outlook), Fitch (A+, stable outlook) and R&I (A+, stable outlook).

Press contact Groupe BPCE



Christophe Gilbert : 33(0)1 40 39 66 00 / 33(0)6 73 76 38 98

christophe.gilbert@bpce.fr - groupebpce.com

















1 Ranking based on market share of outstanding loans for all non-financial customer segments (Banque de France 3Q24)

2 Ranking in terms of capital (73bn for BPCE)

3 Estimated consideration as of December 2025

4 Ranking in terms of balance-sheet size at end-2024

5 In first-quarter 2025

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SANBORN, N.Y., June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What do smartphones, aircraft, and automotive components have in common? According to Carl Ciesla of Lakeshore Carbide Inc. in Sanborn, New York, they all begin with the precision of carbide cutting tools. In a featured article in HelloNation Magazine , Ciesla explains how solid carbide tools quietly power modern manufacturing, shaping the parts and components essential to everyday life.

High-performance carbide tools, including end mills and thread mills, are engineered to cut a range of materialsfrom aerospace-grade aluminum to hardened steelwith precision, durability, and speed. Crafted on CNC grinders with diamond wheels, these tools are built to maintain sharpness and dimensional accuracy under the most demanding conditions. Ciesla emphasizes that their exceptional hardness, second only to diamond, enables manufacturers to reduce waste, meet strict tolerances, and accelerate production timelines.

Though seldom recognized outside the industry, carbide cutting tools are critical to industries such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics. They form the foundation of the supply chain by transforming raw materials into finished products. As Ciesla notes, these tools are more than componentsthey are the drivers of innovation and efficiency in precision machining.

These manufacturing insights are detailed in the HelloNation Magazine article, How Everything Is Made: The Role of Carbide Cutting Tools in Modern Manufacturing .

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative edvertising approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.
Dassault Aviation at the 2025 Paris Air Show

(Saint-Cloud, France, June 13, 2025) - Dassault Aviation is proud to showcase its wide range of expertise to industry professionals and the general public at the 55th Paris Air Show, taking place at Paris-Le Bourget Airport from June 16 to 22, 2025.

Dassault Aviation will be at stand A251, located in Hall 2A, underneath a giant video screen. We will be displaying models of our aircraft and projects, particularly in the space sector. Visitors will also get the chance to enjoy a virtual flight experience with our Rafale Experience simulators.

Our static display, located in Row A - No. 7, will showcase the latest versions of the Rafale, with a model of our unmanned combat air system (UCAS) intended to fly with the Rafale F5, and a model of a future combat aircraft. A dedicated building will house a Battle Lab focusing on collaborative air combat situations, as well as a Customer Support area. The static display will also showcase the Falcon 6X and 8X, as well as the Falcon 10X cabin.

Dassault Aviation will be present at the Paris Air Lab and the Paris Space Hub. These areas are dedicated to the latest technological/industrial and space innovations.

The French Air and Space Force (FASF) will be performing the Rafale flight demonstration, while our test pilots will demonstrate the Falcon 6X in flight.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, explains: Dassault Aviation will be highlighting its military, civil, and dual-use activities at the 2025 Paris Air Show:

In the military field, there will be three focus: the current Rafale (F4 standard), the Rafale of the coming decade (F5 standard + UCAS), and finally the future combat aircraft expected within the next 20 years.

Our civil operations will be illustrated in particular by the Falcon 6X and 10X. These models are representative of our ongoing commitment to upgrade our range of business aircraft.

Furthermore, our spacecraft project, designed for both civil and military applications, could become a key strategic advantage for France and Europe as global powers continue to push the limits of space exploration.





The Paris Air Show also provides an opportunity to meet with the general public, who attend in growing numbers and to whom we are proud to exhibit our aircraft, both on the ground and in flight. Frances enduring passion for aviation remains a cornerstone of our national sovereignty and excellence in this sector.

Dassault Aviation will take part in the 6th lAvion des Metiers (Careers Plane) event, as well as the 2nd lAero Recrute recruitment campaign, organized in partnership with the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS). Throughout the week, visitors interested in aerospace careers can attend live demonstrations in the Concorde Hall. They will also have the chance to speak with our female and male engineers, technicians, skilled workers, and HR managers about career opportunities in the HR area at Dassault Aviations stand. In 2025, Dassault Aviation is continuing its strong recruitment effort across all career fields and regions in France, as well as for a wide range of qualifications, from vocational certifications (CAP/BEP) to Masters degrees (Bac+5), and with or without prior experience.

Throughout the week, Dassault Aviation will also be partnering with the Women in Aerospace event, led by the organizer of the Paris Air Show. The aim of this event is to highlight the contributions of women across the aerospace industry and to encourage more women to join the field. This will be achieved through daily inspirational talks on the Careers Plane stage and at the Aero Recrute event.

Furthermore, as part of our Diversity & Inclusion policy, Dassault Aviation is organizing a range of events throughout the week, including tours of our stand and aircraft, professional meet-and-greets with women in aerospace, job-dating events for job seekers with disabilities, networking opportunities, and more. These initiatives are organized in collaboration with our partner organizations, particularly:

Elles bougent, an organization of which Dassault Aviation is a founding member, that encourages women and girls to pursue careers in technical and scientific fields;





an organization of which Dassault Aviation is a founding member, that encourages women and girls to pursue careers in technical and scientific fields; Aerometiers / Feminisons nos metiers de laeronautique et du spatial, an association of aerospace companies working to promote gender equality;





an association of aerospace companies working to promote gender equality; Hanvol, an organization co-founded by Dassault Aviation that supports people with disabilities to transition into aerospace careers.





ABOUT DASSAULT AVIATION:

With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets, military drones and space systems. In 2024, sales amounted to  6.2 billion. Dassault Aviation has 14,600 employees.

TO FOLLOW THE PARIS AIR SHOW WITH DASSAULT AVIATION:

www.dassault-aviation.com

dassault-aviation.tv

youtube.com/TheDassaultAviation

instagram.com/dassaultaviation

X.com/dassault_onair

linkedin.com/company/dassault-aviation

facebook.com/dassaultaviation

PRESS CONTACTS:

Corporate Communications

Stephane Fort +33 (0)1 47 11 86 90 - stephane.fort@dassault-aviation.com

Mathieu Durand +33 (0)1 47 11 85 88 - mathieu.durand@dassault-aviation.com

Falcon Communications

Vadim Feldzer +33 (0)1 47 11 44 13 - vadim.feldzer@dassault-aviation.com

Defense Communications

Nathalie Bakhos +33 (0)1 47 11 84 12 - nathalie-beatrice.bakhos@dassault-aviation.com

HD photos: mediaprophoto.dassault-aviation.com

HD videos: mediaprovideo.dassault-aviation.com

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Second edition of AI-Driven Transformation of the SOC and SecOps explores ethical automation, operational efficiency, and the future of intelligent security systems





Adeel Shaikh Muhammad Image

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adeel Shaikh Muhammad, a leading cybersecurity and AI strategist, speaker, and author, has announced the release of the second edition of his highly regarded book, AI-Driven Transformation of the SOC and SecOps . The new edition provides updated insights into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing Security Operations Centers (SOCs) and SecOps, helping security professionals reduce alert fatigue, unify security tools, and enhance incident response using machine learning and automation.

Building on the success of the first edition, the updated version includes additional case studies, expanded analysis of AI-driven SOC workflows, and a deeper discussion on balancing automation with ethical and regulatory considerations. The book is designed for security leaders, analysts, and decision-makers navigating the fast-changing threat landscape and seeking practical strategies to implement intelligent, adaptive defenses.

Adeel brings over 15 years of experience in information security and IT across the Gulf region and beyond, having led more than 70+ Cybersecurity and IT projects in sectors including government, finance, education, and energy. His expertise is widely sought in both operational and strategic contexts, where he consults on digital transformation, SOC optimization, and the responsible use of emerging technologies. He also shares insights and industry updates on his LinkedIn profile , where he engages with peers and professionals in the cybersecurity and AI communities.

Alongside his industry work, Adeel is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration from the Swiss School of Management. His academic research, titled Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Enhancing and Simplifying SOC Mechanisms, explores how AI can streamline threat detection and incident response processes, with a specific focus on the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

In a recent interview with Edward Preston on The EPic HYPE Show, Adeel spoke about the necessity of grounding AI tools in trust and security:

AI can be a force multiplier, but it must be rooted in trust. Without securing the underlying systems where data lives, were just building smart tools on shaky ground.

His insights were also featured during a fireside session at RSA Conference 2025, where he joined a panel hosted by AI security platform Kindo to discuss the intersection of automation and ethics in modern SOC environments.

If an AI system blocks a user, flags a transaction, or initiates a response, who is accountable? Adeel asked. We need governance frameworks that define these boundaries clearly.

In addition to AI-Driven Transformation of the SOC and SecOps, Adeel is the author of AI and Us: The Ethical Choices, which examines the broader societal and regulatory implications of artificial intelligence. Both titles are available on Amazon and have been adopted by universities, training academies, and enterprise security teams looking to stay ahead of industry developments.

In 2025, Adeel was honored as Cybersecurity Architect of the Year by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for his work in designing secure digital infrastructures and promoting resilience in mission-critical systems. He also serves as a Global Ambassador for Responsible AI with the Global Council for Responsible AI (GCRAI), where he advocates for transparent, auditable AI systems that respect user privacy and accountability standards.

Adeels future plans include hosting a series of workshops across the Gulf region, contributing to policy discussions on AI regulation, and supporting regional enterprises in adopting intelligent, secure, and compliant cybersecurity strategies.

As digital threats become more advanced and widespread, Adeels work continues to resonate with organizations seeking guidance in implementing AI responsibly and effectively. His emphasis on combining technical innovation with human oversight offers a roadmap toward more resilient and trustworthy security infrastructures.

Media Contact:

Adeel Shaikh Muhammad

me@adeel.solutions

+971 50 759 5512

www.adeel.solutions

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadeel/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b39fee03-55f2-45a7-a26d-a3df279aa53c
Mesquite,NV, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dogecoin Cash, Inc. (OTCQB: DOGP), a Nevada-based public company focused on technology and digital asset innovation, today announced the completion of its previously disclosed acquisition of 420,000,000 DogeCoin Cash (Token: DOG). This brings the Companys total DOG token holdings to 2,020,000,000.

As part of the transaction, the Company also acquired the domain AltcoinMarketCap.com, which it intends to develop as a community-driven altcoin index platform to be integrated into DOGPs broader ecosystem.

The site is expected to serve as a platform for highlighting trending, meme-centric, and community-supported digital assets, aligning with DOGPs broader mission to support decentralized crypto culture. AltcoinMarketCap.com is anticipated to track the most talked-about, meme-relevant, and community-influenced digital assets in the space.

This isnt just another token buyits a strategic fetch, said David Tobias, CEO of Dogecoin Cash, Inc. DOGP now holds over two billion DOG tokens, giving us a significant footprint in the evolving DogeCoin Cash ecosystem. AltcoinMarketCap.com adds a new dimension to our strategywhere memes meet the map.

The DOG tokens acquired are expected to support upcoming community engagement initiatives, token-based utilities, and potential staking programs, further deepening DOGPs role in the broader DogeCoin Cash movement.

About Dogecoin Cash Inc.



Dogecoin Cash Inc. (OTCQB: CBDS) is a publicly traded company that owns and operates PrestoDoctor, a trusted leader in medical cannabis telemedicine. CBDS holds the first patented cannabis strain, Ecuadorian Sativa aka CTA, and a patented cannabis lozenge for treatment of hypertension. CBDS engages in cannabis product development and licensing, as well as focusing on blockchain innovation and developing blockchain-based infrastructure and digital asset initiatives. Its subsidiary, MEME Coins Inc., currently holds DOG tokens as its sole digital asset and is an emerging platform focused on meme-based cryptocurrency innovation, token utility, and social crypto applications.



Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors as may be disclosed in the Company's filings. In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors, including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic conditions, and governmental and public policy changes. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release, and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the press release. Such forward-looking statements are risks that are detailed on the Company's website and filings.This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. For a detailed discussion of these risks and uncertainties, please refer to Dogecoin Cash, Inc.'s filings with the SEC. Dogecoin Cash Inc. disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Contact Information: info@cbds.com
Press release - Paris, June 12th, 2025

SMCP Combined Shareholders Meeting of June 12th, 2025

Renewal of Isabelle Guichots term of office as CEO

and of Christophe Cuvillier as Chairman of the Board

The Annual General Shareholders Meeting of SMCP was held in Paris on June 12th, 2025, chaired by Mr. Christophe Cuvillier, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

57.52% of SMCP's share capital participated in this Shareholders Meeting.

SMCPs Shareholders Meeting largely approved all resolutions submitted to a vote, including the statutory and consolidated financial statements for the 2024 financial year.

On the recommendation of the nomination and compensation committee, the Board has met today just after the Shareholders Meeting and decided to renew for four years the term of office of the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Christophe Cuvillier and the term of office of the General Management team, Mrs. Isabelle Guichot as CEO, Mrs. Evelyne Chetrite, Mrs. Judith Milgrom and Mr. Ilan Chetrite as Deputy General Managers. The term of office of Mr. Ilan Chetrite as Observer has been renewed.

An overview of the voting results per resolution is available on www.smcp.com in the Annual General meeting section. The presentation and the replay are also available on SMCPs website.

It is reminded that, having failed to declare shareholder threshold crossings provided for under Article 15 of SMCP's bylaws, Dynamic Treasure Group Ltd. (DTG), which would hold a 15.5% stake of the Company's share capital acquired from European TopSoho S.a r.l. (ETS), has been deprived of its voting rights above 1% of the share capital since June 2022 and did not participate in the vote at the Shareholders Meeting.



ABOUT SMCP

SMCP is a global leader in the accessible luxury market with four unique Parisian brands: Sandro. Maje. Claudie Pierlot and Fursac. Present in 53 countries. the Group led by Isabelle Guichot as CEO, comprises a network of over 1.600 stores globally and a strong digital presence in all its key markets. Evelyne Chetrite and Judith Milgrom founded Sandro and Maje in Paris. in 1984 and 1998 respectively. and continue to provide creative direction for the brands. Claudie Pierlot and Fursac were respectively acquired by SMCP in 2009 and 2019. SMCP is listed on the Euronext Paris regulated market (compartment A. ISIN Code FR0013214145. ticker: SMCP).

CONTACTS

INVESTORS/PRESS SMCP BRUNSWICK Amelie Dernis Hugues Boeton +33 (0) 6 79 99 27 15 +33 (0) 1 55 80 51 00



Tristan Roquet Montegon +33 (0) 6 37 00 52 57 amelie.dernis@smcp.com smcp@brunswickgroup.com

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Dublin, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2034" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.





The automotive radar market is poised for significant growth, with an estimated value of USD 10.3 billion in 2025. This sector is projected to expand rapidly, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3%, reaching a global market value of USD 43.1 billion by 2034.

Automotive radar technology is integral to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and the autonomous driving ecosystem. Utilizing radio waves, radar sensors in vehicles facilitate crucial safety features such as adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. As the automotive industry advances towards higher autonomy levels, radar plays a pivotal role in sensor fusion systems, offering comprehensive vehicle surroundings insights.

Recent developments in radar technology have introduced highly refined sensors with superior detection ranges and enhanced object classification capabilities. These are instrumental in distinguishing stationary from moving objects and recognizing vulnerable road users, like pedestrians, under adverse weather conditions. Consequently, radar sensors are becoming central to both safety-critical and convenience automotive features.

Nevertheless, radar systems encounter challenges, including signal interference, the integration's complexity with other sensor types, and balancing performance with cost. Yet, the growing adoption of ADAS features and escalating autonomous driving tech demand chart a course for innovation and expansion within the automotive radar market.

Key Insights into the Automotive Radar Market

One major trend is the transition to high-resolution imaging radar, generating detailed, three-dimensional environmental maps essential for autonomous driving systems requiring precise situational awareness.

Additionally, miniaturization and integration of radar sensors are underway. Automakers develop compact, multifunctional radar units to incorporate seamlessly into vehicle designs, reducing weight, lowering production costs, and simplifying installation, thus broadening radar accessibility.

The proliferation of ADAS significantly drives the automotive radar market. Radar sensors are vital to features like adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and automatic emergency braking. This widespread ADAS tech adoption spurs dependable radar systems demand.

Pushing autonomous driving necessitates robust, accurate detection capabilities under diverse conditions, making radar indispensable. Radar sensors' integral role in ensuring autonomous systems' safety and reliability propels their adoption.

Signal interference mitigation remains a prominent challenge. Increasing radar-equipped vehicles heightens mutual interference risks, requiring sophisticated signal processing, frequency management, and interference-resistant technologies.

Moreover, cost reduction is critical, given high-performance sensors' expense, particularly imaging radar. Achieving a cost-performance balance is vital for radar systems' mass-market viability. Therefore, innovation and production scaling are necessary to decrease costs while maintaining quality and functionality.

Automotive Radar Market Segmentation

By Vehicle Type: Commercial Vehicle

Commercial Vehicle By Range: Short And Medium-Range Radar (S&MRR)

Short And Medium-Range Radar (S&MRR) By Frequency: 77 GHz, 79 GHz

77 GHz, 79 GHz By Application: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Forward Collision Warning System, Intelligent Park Assists, Other Applications

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Forward Collision Warning System, Intelligent Park Assists, Other Applications By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Rest of APAC), The Middle East and Africa (Middle East, Africa), South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of SCA)

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 150 Forecast Period 2025 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $10.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $43.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.2% Regions Covered Global



Companies Featured

Analog Devices Inc.

Autoliv Inc.

Continental AG

DENSO Corporation

NXP Semiconductors

BorgWarner Inc.

Robert Bosch GmbH

Texas Instruments

Valeo SA

Infineon Technologies AG

ZF Friedrichshafen AG

HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA

TE Connectivity Ltd.

Aptiv plc

Onsemi

Veoneer Inc.

Innoviz Technologies Ltd.

Delphi Technologies

Navtech Radar Ltd.

Renesas Electronics Corporation

Texas Instruments Incorporated

HELLA Aglaia Mobile Vision GmbH

LeddarTech Inc.

Quanergy Systems Inc.

Novariant Inc.

Wuhu Concete Technology Co Ltd.

Magna International Inc.

Ainstein

Ficosa International SA

Vayyar Imaging Ltd

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q5m88l

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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LONDON, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, announced today that Elite Capital & Co. has relocated its headquarters from 33 St. James Square to the iconic 1 Cornhill, a landmark building in Londons financial district.





This move marks a pivotal moment in our growth. The expansion of our operations in the financial sector, coupled with the integration of NextGen Industrial Development Funds team into Elite Capital & Co. Limited, demanded exceptional scalability. 1 Cornhill provides the ideal environment to accommodate our ambitious vision and reinforce our leadership in global finance, Mr. George Matharu said.



Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a Financial Management company that provides project-related services, including Management, Consultancy, and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and mega commercial projects.



Elite Capital & Co. Limited offers a wealth of experience in Banking and Financial transactions and has a range of specialized advisory services for private clients, medium and large corporations as well as governments. It is also the exclusive manager of the Government Future Financing 2030 Program and NextGen Industrial Development Fund.



Dr. Faisal Khazaal, Chairman of Elite Capital & Co., added, Leaving 33 St. James Square is bittersweet, its where we built a legacy, sealing landmark deals that shaped our identity. Yet, 1 Cornhill represents a bold new chapter, mirroring Elite Capitals stature not just in London, but as a global force in finance.



NextGen Industrial Development Fund redefines industrial financing by replacing debt with equity partnerships, empowering entrepreneurs to build factories without the burden of collateral or loan repayments. Targeting first-time industrialists and global firms expanding into MENA, NextGen provides end-to-end support, from land acquisition and infrastructure construction to cross-border financial solutions, ensuring projects thrive from day one.



As a fund managed by Elite Capital & Co. Limited, NextGens innovative model aligns perfectly with Elite Capitals vision for scalable, risk-shared growth. Together, they bridge the gap between visionary ideas and tangible industrial success, transforming the financial landscape for large-scale projects worldwide.



Mr. George Matharu concluded his statement by saying: Our new home is more than an address; its a testament to our clients, partners, and team who drive our success. We invite you to visit us at 1 Cornhill as we write the next era of excellence.

Contact Details 

Elite Capital & Co. Limited

1 Cornhill, City of London

England, EC3V 3ND

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060

SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21

LEI Code: 254900NNN237BBHG7S26

Website: ec.uk.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5b39113-0481-40a1-9206-ad9b0619ebd8
Dublin, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market was valued at USD 219.17 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 350.22 Million by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 8.18%. This growth is largely driven by increasing consumer awareness regarding ethical consumption and environmental sustainability. A growing number of consumers are choosing cruelty-free and plant-based beauty products in response to concerns about animal welfare, harmful chemicals, and overall health.

Social media platforms and influencer marketing have significantly impacted consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations. As internet penetration exceeds 96 million users, online channels have become vital for product discovery and access. Local and global brands are broadening their vegan product portfolios to capture a rising demand for clean, sustainable beauty. The convergence of health-consciousness, ethical buying behavior, and digital engagement positions Mexico as an expanding market for vegan cosmetics.

Key Market Players Profiled:

Aora Mexico

Loreal SA

Beauty Without Cruelty

Levlad Inc. (Nature's Gate)

MO MI BEAUTY

e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.

Cottage Holdco B.V. (COTY Company)

Gabriel Cosmetics Inc.

Groupe Rocher

Pacifica Beauty LLC

Key Market Driver: Rising Consumer Awareness and Ethical Considerations: A key factor propelling the vegan cosmetics market in Mexico is the growing consumer concern around ethical beauty practices and animal welfare. Increasing awareness of animal testing in traditional cosmetics has led many consumers to adopt cruelty-free alternatives aligned with vegan values. This ethical consciousness now extends beyond niche segments, resonating with mainstream consumers who prioritize transparency and humane production methods.

Social media has played a central role in this transformation. Influencers, celebrities, and online activists use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to promote vegan brands and educate audiences. Campaigns advocating for animal rights and cruelty-free standards are now highly visible, contributing to the shift toward vegan beauty. Furthermore, approximately 20% of Mexicans identify as vegan or vegetarian, indicating strong underlying support for animal-free products, even as exact figures are debated. This cultural and ethical evolution is reshaping consumer expectations across the cosmetics sector.

Key Market Challenge: Limited Consumer Education and Awareness Beyond Urban Areas: Despite the market's momentum in metropolitan hubs, a major barrier remains: limited awareness and understanding of vegan cosmetics in rural and semi-urban regions. Outside cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara, many consumers remain unfamiliar with the distinction between vegan, organic, and natural products, which can lead to confusion and misinformation.

Vegan cosmetics are often seen as exclusive or luxury items, deterring interest among price-sensitive or less-informed consumers. This gap in education hinders broader adoption and market penetration, slowing down growth in less developed areas. Addressing this challenge requires targeted awareness campaigns and transparent communication by brands to demystify product labels and promote informed choices.

Key Market Trend: Surge in Clean and Minimalist Beauty Products: An emerging trend in the Mexico vegan cosmetics market is the shift toward clean and minimalist formulations. Consumers are increasingly drawn to products with short, transparent ingredient lists that exclude potentially harmful substances such as parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

This minimalist approach aligns with the vegan beauty philosophy of using plant-based, non-toxic ingredients that are gentle on both the skin and the environment. Brands are responding by introducing streamlined, effective formulations with clear labeling and eco-conscious packaging. The rise in clean beauty also intersects with the sustainability movement, influencing everything from product composition to branding and delivery formats. As a result, clean and minimalist products are gaining favor among health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers across Mexico.

Report Scope

In this report, the Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market, By Product Type:

Skin Care

Hair Care

Makeup

Others

Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market, By Sales Channel:

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

Specialty Stores

Online

Others

Mexico Vegan Cosmetics Market, By Region:

North

Central

Central North

South

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 81 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $219.17 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $350.22 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.1% Regions Covered Mexico

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qpsnj2

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.
San Diego, USA, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, RBH Infinity Exchange has issued a legal statement regarding its trademark and app name. The full text is as follows:



This exchange and all its operations, services, products, and visual identifiers fall within the intellectual property scope of RBH Infinity Exchange (hereinafter referred to as "RBH"). The trademarks currently in official use by the platform include three logos (see illustrations), all of which have been legally registered and possess clear legal validity and copyright protection.



Any unauthorized use, imitation, alteration, or confusion regarding the aforementioned official RBH identifiers constitutes an infringement of the companys legitimate rights. RBH will pursue civil and criminal liability in accordance with the law and will not tolerate such actions.







Regarding the Legality of the Name "RBH Infinity Functional Savvy"



The official name of RBH's latest application is: RBH Infinity Functional Savvy. This full name is an official extension product of RBH (Infinity Exchange), with clear trademark ownership and business continuity. This app is the only official application within the RBH system, integrating core functions such as digital asset trading, asset custody services, tokenized asset modules, and compliance identity verification.



[RBH Infinity = RBH Infinity Functional Savvy] This name and its equation have been established by the company and trademark and technical patent protections have been applied for in relevant jurisdictions, ensuring complete legality, independent recognition, and non-transferability.



Serious Reminder



Recently, the company has discovered that individuals are unauthorizedly using related names and identifiers of RBH, publishing misleading promotional information, and even allegedly engaging in illegal fundraising and fraudulent activities.



To protect public interests and brand reputation, RBH has formally commissioned a legal advisory team to conduct a comprehensive investigation and legal proceedings. We remind all users that all products and services under RBH are only released through the official RBH website and the official application [RBH Infinity Functional Savvy], and no third-party platforms or individuals have been authorized to engage in related commercial activities on behalf of RBH.



All users must access and operate through legitimate channels, remain vigilant against impersonation, and avoid financial losses. RBH never engages in any form of fundraising or trading operations through third-party individuals or unauthorized platforms.



Official Website: [https://rbqhmx.com]



Official App: [RBH Infinity Functional Savvy] (please ensure to download from the official store version)



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Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Overview and Market Outlook

The decentralized identity systems market is undergoing a revolutionary transformation, driven by the increasing global demand for privacy-preserving technologies and stringent data compliance regulations. In 2024, the market is estimated at approximately USD 2.1 billion, and it is forecasted to expand significantly, reaching USD 11.5 billion by 2034. This trajectory reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.5% over the forecast period.

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Key factors influencing this expansion include rising incidents of identity fraud, the demand for self-managed digital identities, and the shift towards decentralized technologies such as blockchain. As businesses and governments increasingly recognize the benefits of user-centric identity systems, investments and innovations in this space are accelerating.

Market Drivers and Growth Catalysts

The core driver of this market is the increased awareness of privacy rights and the widespread adoption of data protection regulations across regions. Laws such as GDPR in Europe and CCPA in the U.S. are compelling organizations to prioritize secure identity frameworks that grant users greater control over their personal data. Decentralized identity systems (DIDs), which enable individuals to own, manage, and share their identities without reliance on centralized authorities, align perfectly with these legislative trends.

Technological innovation is another major catalyst. Blockchain technology, smart contracts, and public key infrastructure (PKI) are being integrated into identity solutions, enhancing their security, immutability, and transparency. The rise of self-sovereign identity (SSI) models, where individuals possess complete control over their credentials, is also gaining traction across sectors including finance, healthcare, and government services.

Challenges and Restraints

Despite the market's robust growth potential, several challenges may hinder its pace. One of the main obstacles is the lack of regulatory harmonization across global jurisdictions. While some countries embrace decentralized systems, others are either slow to regulate or promote centralized digital ID programs, creating compliance complexities for multinational businesses.

Additionally, user adoption remains a hurdle. Many users lack awareness or understanding of decentralized identity frameworks. Concerns around usability, technical complexity, and the fear of losing control over digital wallets that store identity credentials contribute to skepticism. Moreover, infrastructure challengesparticularly in developing regionspose barriers to seamless integration.

Economic factors such as limited IT budgets, especially during economic downturns, could also restrain investment in advanced identity systems. Meanwhile, supply chain issues and dependence on third-party vendors for implementation may delay deployment and drive up costs.

Key Market Segments

By Technology

Blockchain-Based Systems : These systems dominate the current market due to their robust security, traceability, and decentralized nature. Adoption is strong in industries like financial services and healthcare, where trust and data integrity are paramount.

: These systems dominate the current market due to their robust security, traceability, and decentralized nature. Adoption is strong in industries like financial services and healthcare, where trust and data integrity are paramount. Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) Solutions : SSI is emerging as a transformative force, empowering users to control their data. As privacy regulations tighten, SSI adoption is expected to outpace traditional identity solutions.

: SSI is emerging as a transformative force, empowering users to control their data. As privacy regulations tighten, SSI adoption is expected to outpace traditional identity solutions. Federated Identity Management : Though still in use across legacy systems, federated models are gradually losing market share due to their reliance on centralized intermediaries.

: Though still in use across legacy systems, federated models are gradually losing market share due to their reliance on centralized intermediaries. Centralized Identity Verification Tools: These tools remain prevalent but are likely to decline as decentralized alternatives gain favor for their enhanced security features.

By End User

Government Agencies : Governments are at the forefront of adopting decentralized identity systems for citizen ID verification, e-governance, and secure voting.

: Governments are at the forefront of adopting decentralized identity systems for citizen ID verification, e-governance, and secure voting. Healthcare Sector : The need for secure, interoperable patient records and regulatory compliance is accelerating adoption in this sector.

: The need for secure, interoperable patient records and regulatory compliance is accelerating adoption in this sector. Financial Services : As fraud prevention and KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements grow, financial institutions are actively transitioning to decentralized identity frameworks.

: As fraud prevention and KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements grow, financial institutions are actively transitioning to decentralized identity frameworks. Telecommunications, Retail, Travel, and Education: These sectors are increasingly exploring DID solutions to enhance customer experience, reduce fraud, and digitize credential management.

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Market Segmentation

Technology Type

- Blockchain-Based Systems

- Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) Solutions

- Federated Identity Management

- Centralized Identity Verification Tools

End-User Industry

- Government

- Healthcare

- Financial Services

- Telecommunications

- Retail

- Travel & Hospitality

- Education

- Other Sectors

Deployment Model

- Cloud-Based Solutions

- On-Premises Solutions

- Hybrid Solutions

Components

- Solutions

- Authentication

- Access Management

- Compliance Management

- Other Solutions

- Services

- Consulting Services

- Implementation Services

- Support & Maintenance Services

Geographic Region

- North America

- Europe

- Asia Pacific

- Latin America

- Middle East & Africa

Regional Insights

North America

North America holds the largest market share, contributing around 45% of total revenue in 2024. The region benefits from a mature technological infrastructure, widespread blockchain adoption, and strong regulatory frameworks promoting user-centric data control. Major players like Microsoft, IBM, and Okta are headquartered here, further advancing innovation.

Europe

Europe represents approximately 28% of the global market and continues to expand at a steady pace, bolstered by GDPR and similar privacy-focused regulations. The regions diverse demographic landscape requires versatile identity solutions, encouraging the adoption of decentralized models. However, economic disparities and inconsistent regulation across EU nations could temper growth.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is poised for rapid growth, with a projected CAGR of 20%, driven by factors such as expanding internet access, digital government initiatives, and a tech-savvy population. Countries like India, Singapore, and South Korea are exploring or implementing blockchain-based identity frameworks. However, infrastructure limitations and digital illiteracy in rural areas present challenges.

Latin America and Africa

These emerging regions hold significant untapped potential. Latin America is seeing increasing demand for secure digital IDs due to rising cybercrime, while Africa's need for identity systems among unbanked populations offers a strong use case for decentralized solutions. Still, economic instability and low technology penetration are hurdles that must be overcome.

Recent Market Developments

1. Microsoft

Month/Year: November 2023

Type of Development: Partnership

Detailed Analysis:

Microsoft entered a significant partnership with a leading blockchain consortium, enhancing its decentralized identity offerings. This partnership is intended to integrate Microsofts Azure Active Directory with decentralized identity protocols, allowing businesses to manage identities more securely and privately. This integration is crucial as organizations increasingly struggle with identity theft and data breaches. By aligning themselves with innovative blockchain solutions, Microsoft positions itself as a key player in the evolving identity landscape. This move not only strengthens its competitive stance against rivals like IBM and Okta but also signals to the market a formidable shift towards decentralized identity management solutions, potentially reshaping industry standards for security and privacy.

2. IBM

Month/Year: October 2023

Type of Development: Product Launch

Detailed Analysis:

IBM launched its new decentralized identity management platform, which leverages advanced cryptography and blockchain technology to enhance user privacy. This platform aims to empower individuals to own and control their identity data. The significance of this launch lies in the increasing consumer demand for privacy-centric solutions in identity management. IBM's entry into this space may compel other traditional identity solution providers to innovate or risk obsolescence. Additionally, this product aligns with global regulatory trends emphasizing data protection, positioning IBM favorably as businesses look for compliant solutions. This could lead to a competitive shift where the emphasis on user privacy becomes the primary differentiator among identity solution providers.

3. Civic Technologies

Month/Year: September 2023

Type of Development: Merger

Detailed Analysis:

Civic Technologies announced a merger with a leading blockchain-based KYC (Know Your Customer) provider to enhance its suite of decentralized identity solutions. The merger aims to streamline identity verification processes while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This strategic move has broad implications for the decentralized identity market, as it positions Civic to offer a more comprehensive solution that bridges user privacy with regulatory needs. As concerns over KYC compliance rise, this merger could redefine competitive strategies in the space, prompting other players to explore similar alliances or acquisition strategies to remain relevant.

4. ConsenSys

Month/Year: August 2023

Type of Development: Expansion

Detailed Analysis:

ConsenSys announced plans to expand its decentralized identity platform to several new international markets, including India and Brazil. This strategic expansion is significant as it taps into rapidly growing technology ecosystems in emerging markets, where demand for cutting-edge identity solutions is on the rise. By entering these markets, ConsenSys not only boosts its customer base but also enhances its competitive advantage against local players who may lack the technological backing of established firms. The move could accelerate a broader trend toward decentralized identity adoption in regions previously underserved by large tech companies, thereby reshaping market dynamics.

5. Evernym

Month/Year: July 2023

Type of Development: Technological Advancement

Detailed Analysis:

Evernym unveiled an advanced version of its decentralized identity solution featuring integration capabilities with multiple blockchain networks. This technological advancement allows organizations to choose their preferred blockchain while still benefiting from Evernyms robust identity functionalities. The significance of this development lies in its flexibility, catering to diverse organizational needs and preferences. It challenges competitors to innovate quickly or face obsolescence as organizations seek more customizable solutions. Additionally, this move aligns with the broader industry trend towards interoperability among decentralized systems, emphasizing the importance of cross-platform capabilities in attracting enterprise clients.

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Key Competitors

Microsoft IBM Okta Civic Technologies uPort Evernym Idemia ConsenSys Blockstack SecureKey Technologies Verifiable Credentials Auth0 (acquired by Okta) Trinsic Sovrin Foundation DigiCert

Emerging Trends and Future Outlook

The market is poised to benefit from several emerging trends:

Integration with AI and Machine Learning: These technologies are being embedded into identity verification systems to enhance fraud detection, risk profiling, and user authentication. Shift to Subscription-Based Models: Enterprises are increasingly preferring pay-as-you-go services for identity management, reducing upfront costs and driving market accessibility. Interoperability and Open Standards: With growing demand for cross-platform identity solutions, interoperability is becoming a key focus area, driving collaborations and consortia development. Consumer Behavior Shift: Awareness of personal data rights is increasing. Users now prioritize platforms that respect their privacy, creating opportunities for brands that offer transparent, decentralized identity solutions. Education and Awareness Campaigns: As more stakeholders understand the benefits of decentralized identities, adoption is expected to accelerate, particularly with strategic outreach in underrepresented markets.

This report is also available in the following languages : Japanese (), Korean ( ID  ), Chinese (), French (Marche des systemes d'identite decentralises), German (Markt fur dezentrale Identitatssysteme), and Italian (Mercato dei sistemi di identita decentralizzati), etc.

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Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Market Overview

The global cyber weapons technologies market is valued at approximately USD 24 billion in 2024 and is on track to surpass USD 50 billion by 2034, driven by the escalating sophistication of cyber threats and the exponential growth of digital infrastructure across industries. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%, this market is witnessing rapid innovation, investment, and strategic development from key industry players, governments, and private entities alike.

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The rising prevalence of cyberattacksincluding ransomware, malware, and state-sponsored intrusionshas significantly amplified the demand for advanced cyber defense and offensive capabilities. While these technologies present substantial opportunities, they are also met with challenges surrounding regulatory oversight, ethical use, and evolving threat landscapes. As such, innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud-based deployments is increasingly at the core of this markets growth.

Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type: Offensive and Defensive Cyber Weapons

Offensive cyber weapons, including ransomware, malware, and zero-day exploits, play a critical role in modern cyber warfare. This segment constitutes a substantial portion of the overall market, fueled by their effectiveness in launching attacks that disrupt adversary networks and extract valuable data. Notably, malware alone accounts for over 40% of the offensive cyber weapons market, and the rise in ransomware attacks is expected to drive this share even higher in the coming years.

On the other hand, defensive cyber weaponssuch as intrusion detection systems (IDS), firewalls, and security information and event management (SIEM) toolscomprise around 55% of the total market share. These tools are essential for proactive monitoring and protection, enabling organizations to defend against an increasingly complex array of threats. As regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements intensify globally, demand for defensive technologies is projected to surge.

By Deployment Model: Cloud vs. On-Premises

Deployment models are transitioning rapidly toward cloud-based systems, which currently make up around 35% of the market. The preference for cloud deployment stems from its agility, cost-efficiency, and ease of integration with existing IT infrastructure. Organizations embracing digital transformation and remote work have prioritized cloud-native cybersecurity solutions, leading to an expected 25% annual growth rate in this segment.

Despite this trend, on-premises deployment continues to hold relevance, particularly in government and defense sectors where data sovereignty and security concerns dictate stricter control over infrastructure.

By End-User: Government, Military, and Private Sector

Government and military entities are the foremost adopters of cyber weapons technologies, accounting for approximately 40% of market share. These sectors leverage both offensive and defensive capabilities for national security, intelligence operations, and counter-cyber warfare initiatives. The intensifying geopolitical climate and evolving hybrid warfare strategies have further cemented their role as primary end-users.

The private sector, including large enterprises and cybersecurity firms, is also showing strong growth. Currently holding around 30% of the market, private companies are adopting cyber weapons technologies for penetration testing, threat intelligence, and vulnerability assessments. As cyberattacks increasingly target corporate networks and customer data, demand for comprehensive security solutions in this sector is set to rise steadily.

By Application: Threat Intelligence Leads

Among applications, threat intelligence holds approximately 25% of the market share, reflecting its importance in identifying and anticipating potential cyberattacks. These solutions allow organizations to monitor threat actor behavior and deploy defenses proactively, which is especially vital in sectors like finance, healthcare, and infrastructure. Other key applications include incident response, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testingall of which are integral to building a resilient cybersecurity framework.

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Market Segmentation

By Type:

Offensive Cyber Weapons

Malware

Ransomware

Zero-Day Exploits

Defensive Cyber Weapons

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)

Firewalls

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

By End-User:

Government

Military

Private Sector Organizations

Cybersecurity Firms

By Application:

Incident Response

Threat Intelligence

Vulnerability Assessment

Penetration Testing

By Deployment Model:

On-premises

Cloud-based

By Asset Type:

Networks

Software

Hardware

Regional Insights

North America: The Market Leader

North America leads the global cyber weapons technologies market with an estimated 45% share in 2024 and a projected CAGR of 12% through 2034. The region benefits from advanced digital infrastructure, significant defense expenditure, and a highly skilled cybersecurity workforce. U.S. government agencies and military branches, in particular, are investing heavily in next-gen cyber capabilities, driving both innovation and demand.

Europe: A Regulation-Driven Market

Europe follows with a 25% market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 10% CAGR over the forecast period. Strong regulatory measures, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), have led to increased demand for advanced security technologies. The regions focus on data protection, along with growing public-private partnerships, continues to bolster its cybersecurity readiness.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-Growing Region

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is emerging as a key growth area, contributing approximately 20% of the market with a forecasted 15% CAGR until 2034. Rapid digitization, increasing government cybersecurity investments, and the expansion of IT and telecom sectors are fueling growth across countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Latin America & Middle East: High-Growth Potential

Although currently contributing smaller shares (around 5% each), Latin America and the Middle East are poised for rapid growth, with expected CAGRs of 18% and 20%, respectively. Governments in these regions are beginning to prioritize cybersecurity as a national imperative, creating new opportunities for technology vendors and integrators.

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Market Dynamics

Key Growth Drivers

Rising cyber threats : The surge in cybercrime, particularly ransomware and state-backed attacks, is compelling both governments and private entities to strengthen their cyber arsenals.

: The surge in cybercrime, particularly ransomware and state-backed attacks, is compelling both governments and private entities to strengthen their cyber arsenals. Digital transformation : Growing reliance on cloud services, IoT devices, and AI technologies creates new vulnerabilities that necessitate robust cyber protection.

: Growing reliance on cloud services, IoT devices, and AI technologies creates new vulnerabilities that necessitate robust cyber protection. Government funding : Increased national defense budgets and public-private cybersecurity initiatives are channeling significant capital into R&D.

: Increased national defense budgets and public-private cybersecurity initiatives are channeling significant capital into R&D. Technology innovation: Integration of AI and ML into both offensive and defensive tools enhances speed, accuracy, and predictive capabilities in cyber warfare.

Challenges and Restraints

Ethical and legal concerns : The use of offensive cyber weapons raises debates over legality, morality, and accountability.

: The use of offensive cyber weapons raises debates over legality, morality, and accountability. Regulatory barriers : Complex and inconsistent international regulations can delay deployments and inflate compliance costs.

: Complex and inconsistent international regulations can delay deployments and inflate compliance costs. Supply chain risks : Geopolitical tensions and global events can disrupt the flow of critical components needed to develop advanced cyber technologies.

: Geopolitical tensions and global events can disrupt the flow of critical components needed to develop advanced cyber technologies. Cost and competition: Price sensitivity in a rapidly evolving landscape requires companies to innovate continually while maintaining cost-effective offerings.

Opportunities and Emerging Trends

Emerging trends are unlocking new avenues for growth. AI-driven automation in threat detection and response is leading the charge, enabling organizations to minimize manual errors and improve operational efficiency. Meanwhile, managed security service providers (MSSPs) are reshaping the market by offering outsourced cybersecurity solutions tailored to client-specific risks and infrastructure.

High-growth industries such as healthcare, finance, and energy present untapped opportunities, especially as these sectors become more digitized and vulnerable to attacks. Furthermore, hybrid models that combine both offensive and defensive capabilities are gaining traction, signaling a shift in how organizations approach cyber resilience.

Key Competitors

Raytheon Technologies Northrop Grumman Lockheed Martin Boeing Defense, Space & Security Israeli Aerospace Industries BAE Systems General Dynamics Thales Group Elbit Systems Airbus Defence and Space L3Harris Technologies Palantir Technologies Cyberbit FireEye, Inc. (now Trellix) CyberX

Recent Industry Developments

Company Name: Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon Technologies Month & Year: September 2023

September 2023 Type of Development: Product Launch

Product Launch Detailed Analysis:

In September 2023, Raytheon Technologies unveiled its latest cyber weapons technology solutions, which consist of advanced cyber defense systems and offensive cyber capabilities that leverage artificial intelligence. This product launch is significant as it marks a pivotal evolution in the capabilities of cyber warfare technologies, aligning with the increasing demand from military and intelligence agencies for sophisticated cyber tools amidst growing geopolitical tensions. The introduction of AI-driven cyber solutions could redefine operational strategies within national defense, allowing for faster and more precise targeting of cyber threats. This has the potential to shift competitive dynamics in the cyber weapons market, pushing other players to enhance their technological offerings or revisit their development strategies to keep pace with such advancements.

In September 2023, Raytheon Technologies unveiled its latest cyber weapons technology solutions, which consist of advanced cyber defense systems and offensive cyber capabilities that leverage artificial intelligence. This product launch is significant as it marks a pivotal evolution in the capabilities of cyber warfare technologies, aligning with the increasing demand from military and intelligence agencies for sophisticated cyber tools amidst growing geopolitical tensions. The introduction of AI-driven cyber solutions could redefine operational strategies within national defense, allowing for faster and more precise targeting of cyber threats. This has the potential to shift competitive dynamics in the cyber weapons market, pushing other players to enhance their technological offerings or revisit their development strategies to keep pace with such advancements. Company Name: Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Month & Year: August 2023

August 2023 Type of Development: Partnership

Partnership Detailed Analysis:

In August 2023, Northrop Grumman announced a strategic partnership with a leading international cybersecurity firm to enhance its cyber warfare capabilities. This partnership aims to create a new suite of cyber tools that integrate offensive strategy with enhanced defensive measures. The strategic importance of this development lies in the collaborative effort to combine expertise from both companies, leading to more robust cyber solutions tailored for both defense and commercial applications. The partnership is expected to not only bolster Northrop Grumman's portfolio but will also position the company as a key player in the evolving cyber arms race, potentially motivating other firms to explore similar alliances. The resulting products could set new standards for effectiveness and resilience in cyber operations, influencing market dynamics significantly.

In August 2023, Northrop Grumman announced a strategic partnership with a leading international cybersecurity firm to enhance its cyber warfare capabilities. This partnership aims to create a new suite of cyber tools that integrate offensive strategy with enhanced defensive measures. The strategic importance of this development lies in the collaborative effort to combine expertise from both companies, leading to more robust cyber solutions tailored for both defense and commercial applications. The partnership is expected to not only bolster Northrop Grumman's portfolio but will also position the company as a key player in the evolving cyber arms race, potentially motivating other firms to explore similar alliances. The resulting products could set new standards for effectiveness and resilience in cyber operations, influencing market dynamics significantly. Company Name: Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Boeing Defense, Space & Security Month & Year: November 2023

November 2023 Type of Development: Technology Advancement

Technology Advancement Detailed Analysis:

Boeing Defense, Space & Security made headlines in November 2023 with the successful development of a new cyber weapons system designed for precision cyber strikes against critical infrastructure. This technology represents a monumental advancement in offensive cyber capabilities, emphasizing speed and accuracy in attacks. Its significance is underscored by the current global climate, where attacks on infrastructure have become increasingly common. The ability to conduct targeted operations could reshape the strategies of nation-states and non-state actors alike, prompting them to reevaluate their defensive postures. As this technology is introduced to the market, it may trigger a wave of investments and innovations among competitors seeking to augment their own capabilities, leading to heightened competition and potentially accelerating the arms development cycle in the cyber sector.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security made headlines in November 2023 with the successful development of a new cyber weapons system designed for precision cyber strikes against critical infrastructure. This technology represents a monumental advancement in offensive cyber capabilities, emphasizing speed and accuracy in attacks. Its significance is underscored by the current global climate, where attacks on infrastructure have become increasingly common. The ability to conduct targeted operations could reshape the strategies of nation-states and non-state actors alike, prompting them to reevaluate their defensive postures. As this technology is introduced to the market, it may trigger a wave of investments and innovations among competitors seeking to augment their own capabilities, leading to heightened competition and potentially accelerating the arms development cycle in the cyber sector. Company Name: Thales Group

Thales Group Month & Year: October 2023

October 2023 Type of Development: Merger

Merger Detailed Analysis:

In October 2023, Thales Group executed a merger with a prominent cybersecurity company to enhance its defense portfolio with a focus on cyber offensive and defensive systems. This merger is a strategic move aimed at consolidating resources and expertise to better respond to emerging threats in cyberspace. The significance of this merger lies in Thales positioning within the rapidly evolving cyber weapons market and its effort to create a comprehensive suite of products addressing both defensive mechanisms and offensive cyber operations. The merger could potentially lead to a reshaping of market shares, pushing competitors to reconsider their own strategies regarding partnerships and mergers. The combined entity's advanced technologies may enable it to secure significant contracts with government and military institutions, thus altering the competitive landscape.

In October 2023, Thales Group executed a merger with a prominent cybersecurity company to enhance its defense portfolio with a focus on cyber offensive and defensive systems. This merger is a strategic move aimed at consolidating resources and expertise to better respond to emerging threats in cyberspace. The significance of this merger lies in Thales positioning within the rapidly evolving cyber weapons market and its effort to create a comprehensive suite of products addressing both defensive mechanisms and offensive cyber operations. The merger could potentially lead to a reshaping of market shares, pushing competitors to reconsider their own strategies regarding partnerships and mergers. The combined entity's advanced technologies may enable it to secure significant contracts with government and military institutions, thus altering the competitive landscape. Company Name: Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems Month & Year: January 2023

January 2023 Type of Development: Regulatory Approval

Regulatory Approval Detailed Analysis:

In January 2023, Elbit Systems received regulatory approval from the Israeli government for the export of its new line of cyber weapons systems to allied nations. This approval marks a crucial step in expanding its global footprint in the cyber offense sector. The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it opens new avenues for Elbit to compete on the world stage amidst competitive pressures from multinational firms. This could lead to an influx of revenue while fortifying relationships with strategic allies. Furthermore, this development could signal a trend where nations are more inclined to share advanced cyber capabilities, potentially prompting others to expedite their own defense systems' upgrades. The approval could set a precedent in international cybersecurity protocols, influencing how countries negotiate tech transfers and collaborative defense agreements in the future.

This report is also available in the following languages : Japanese (), Korean (   ), Chinese (), French (Marche des technologies d'armes cybernetiques), German (Markt fur Cyberwaffentechnologien), and Italian (Mercato delle tecnologie delle armi informatiche), etc.

Request Sample Pages: https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/64783/cyber-weapons-technologies-market#request-a-sample

More Research Finding 

Cyber Security Solutions for SMBs Market

The global market for cyber security solutions targeting Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) is projected to reach approximately $25 billion in 2024, with a robust growth forecast pushing this figure to around $70 billion by 2034. This translates to a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 11% over the period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/64585/global-cyber-security-solutions-for-smbs-market

Cyber Range Market

The global cyber range market is projected to reach approximately $2.5 billion in 2024, demonstrating its growing significance as organizations invest in advanced cybersecurity training solutions. Analysts predict a robust market trajectory, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 12.5% from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/64441/global-cyber-range-market

Electronic Warfare Systems Market

The global electronic warfare systems market is valued at approximately $12 billion in 2024, driven by increasing military modernization efforts and technological advancements. Forecasted to reach around $20 billion by 2034, the market is expected to experience a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.5% during the period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/63399/global-electronic-warfare-systems-market

Command Control Center Market

The global Command Control Center market is valued at approximately $15 billion, driven by increased demand for security management solutions and advancements in technology. The market is anticipated to witness significant growth, projected to reach around $27 billion by 2034, indicating a robust expansion trajectory.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/61784/global-command-control-center-market

Medium and Heavy Weapons Market

The global medium and heavy weapons market is valued at approximately $112 billion, with expectations for robust growth over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The market is projected to reach around $158 billion by 2034, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 5.5%.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/60876/global-medium-and-heavy-weapons-market

Healthcare Cyber Security Market

The global healthcare cyber security market is valued at approximately $18 billion, propelled by increasing cyber threats and regulatory compliance demands. The market is projected to expand to around $40 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.3% during the forecast period.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/49055/healthcare-cyber-security-market

Border Security Market

The global Border Security Market is poised for significant growth, with an estimated market value of approximately $33 billion in 2024. Projections indicate that this market could reach around $57 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 5.5% during the forecast period of 20252034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/46160/border-security-market

Artificial Intelligence In Security, Public Safety & National Security Market

The global artificial intelligence in security, public safety & national security market size is projected to grow from USD 16.84 billion in 2024 to USD 80.97 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 19.51% during the forecast period.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/36922/artificial-intelligence-in-security-public-safety-national-security-market

Aviation & Defense Cyber Security Market

The aviation & defense cyber security market is expected to grow at 14.5 % CAGR from 2022 to 2029. It is expected to reach above USD 167.83 billion by 2029 from USD 56.81 billion in 2021.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/19762/aviation-defense-cyber-security-market

Artificial Intelligence in Military Market

The Artificial Intelligence In Military Market Is Expected To Grow At 13.1% CAGR From 2022 To 2029. It Is Expected To Reach Above USD 19.08 Billion By 2029 From USD 6.3 Billion In 2020.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/18055/artificial-intelligence-in-military-market

Military Laser Weapon System Market

The global military laser weapon system market is projected to reach a value of approximately $5.6 billion in 2024, driven by increasing defense budgets and advancements in laser technology. The market is expected to expand significantly, forecasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6% from 2025 to 2034, ultimately reaching an estimated value of $19.3 billion by the end of the forecast period.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/64351/global-military-laser-weapon-system-market

Small Arms and Light Weapons SALW Market

The global market for Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) is projected to reach approximately USD 9.7 billion in 2024, fueled by rising defense budgets and increasing conflicts in various regions. From 2025 to 2034, the market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 3.8%, potentially reaching a value of USD 13.5 billion by the end of 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/62534/global-small-arms-and-light-weapons-salw-market

Weapons Sights Market

The global weapons sights market is valued at approximately $5.8 billion in 2024, projected to reach around $8.2 billion by 2034, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/55691/global-weapons-sights-market

Civilian Less Lethal Weapons Market

The global civilian less lethal weapons market is projected to reach a value of approximately $1.5 billion in 2024, with a robust forecast suggesting it could climb to around $3 billion by 2034. This growth reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/53370/global-civilian-less-lethal-weapons-market

Aerial Smart Weapons Market

The Aerial Smart Weapons market is valued at approximately $18 billion in 2024, with a projected market value of around $30 billion by 2034. This growth trajectory reflects a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 5.1% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/47002/aerial-smart-weapons-market

Non-Lethal Weapons Market

The global non-lethal weapons market is projected to reach a value of approximately $10.8 billion in 2024, driven by escalating security concerns and demand for crowd control solutions. Over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, this market is anticipated to grow significantly, with a projected market value of around $16.5 billion by 2034. This equates to a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.5%.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/46324/non-lethal-weapons-market

Naval Gun System Market

The Naval Gun System market is projected to reach an estimated value of $10.5 billion in 2024, with a robust growth trajectory anticipated over the next decade. By 2034, the market value is expected to reach approximately $15.8 billion, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/46199/naval-gun-system-market

Directed Energy Weapon Market

The directed energy weapons market is poised for significant growth, with a projected market value of approximately $5.2 billion in 2024 and an anticipated increase to $12.8 billion by 2034, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.3% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/46188/directed-energy-weapon-market

Automatic Weapons Market

The global automatic weapon market is anticipated to grow from USD 10.24 Million in 2024 to USD 16.41 Million by 2034, at a CAGR of 4.22% during the forecast period.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/31021/automatic-weapons-market

Smart Weapons Market

The smart weapons market is expected to grow at 8.6% CAGR from 2020 to 2029. It is expected to reach above USD 30.39 billion by 2029 from USD 17.7 billion in 2020.

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/19898/smart-weapons-market

Directed Energy Weapons Market

The Global Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) Market Was Valued At 5.31 Billion In 2022 And Is Projected To Reach 18.59 Billion By 2029, Growing At A CAGR Of 19.6% From 2022 To 2029

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/19247/directed-energy-weapons-market
NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Channel Factory, the global brand suitability and contextual advertising company, today announced the promotion of Nico Greco as the companys Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), North America. Most recently serving as SVP, Head of Sales at Channel Factory, Grecos appointment to the North American C-Suite follows a series of strategic moves that enhance Channel Factorys growth and innovation. In his new role, Greco will report to Kevin Gentzel, newly appointed President, Americas.

Earlier this year, Channel Factory announced a significant investment from Truelink Capital, as well as the addition of Gentzel to its leadership group. Both these moves and todays announcement demonstrate a commitment to advancing the company's ongoing growth.

Greco, a sales veteran in the digital advertising industry with over 14 years of experience, has extensive experience working with both global agencies and technology companies. Since joining Channel Factory in early 2021, Greco has played a pivotal role in the companys sales and expansion across the country, most recently serving as SVP, Head of Sales. Before joining Channel Factory, Greco worked as a Director at Amobee, where he focused on the companys strategic agency partnerships.

From an outsiders perspective, Nico Greco was someone whose career I followed with great interest. Hes been a valuable spokesperson for the company, and his proven track record for driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships speaks for itself, said Kevin Gentzel, recently appointed President, Americas at Channel Factory. When I joined the company, Nico Greco was someone I couldnt wait to start working with. With Nico as our new CRO for North America, were taking our plans for growth and expansion and strapping a rocket to our backs. Its an exciting time for us and the right time in our industry for a move like this.

Since day one, Channel Factory has demonstrated an incredible level of purpose-driven growth, innovation, and client satisfaction. Its rare to work for a company that is doing work that you can truly believe in, and Im eager to take on a larger role to expand on that vision and mission across North America, said Greco.

About Channel Factory

Channel Factory is a global technology and data company that optimizes business performance and enhances brand reputation through ethical and effective contextual targeting. Utilizing proprietary AI and brand suitability technologically, Channel Factory ensures ads are placed on brand-safe, contextually relevant content across YouTube, CTV platforms, and social media, including Meta and TikTok. Through its conscious media planning, Channel Factory is committed to promoting sustainability, diversity, and positive content, helping brands achieve their goals while fostering a healthier digital ecosystem.

Channel Factory has a presence in 31 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and ANZ, providing advertisers with IAB standard category lists and customized content options in 49+ languages. For more information about Channel Factory, please visit http://www.channelfactory.com.

Media Contact:

Andrew Krepow

andrew@broadsheetcomms.com
PHOENIX, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GradGuard, the authority in protecting college students nationwide with its pioneering tuition and renters insurance programs, is pleased to announce that Peyton Rudolph, Vice President of Marketing, has been named to the RISE Professionals 35 Under 35 honorees, solidifying her reputation as a rising leader in the insurance industry. This recognition celebrates the brightest young leaders driving innovation, shaping the future of insurance, and making a lasting impact on their companies and communities.

As Vice President of Marketing, Rudolph leads GradGuard's marketing initiatives, driving awareness, education, and enrollment in protection programs that safeguard one of the largest financial investments in the lives of families: higher education.

John Fees, CEO and Co-Founder of GradGuard, praised Rudolph's contributions, stating, "Peyton embodies the spirit of innovation and leadership that defines GradGuard. Her dedication to empowering students and families with financial literacy, enabling them to make informed decisions, sets a high standard for our industry. We are proud to have Peyton on our team and thrilled to see her receive this well-deserved recognition.

"Being named to the RISE 35 Under 35 is incredibly meaningful," said Rudolph. "This recognition reflects the incredible work were doing to protect the investment students and families make in higher education. Im excited to continue innovating to make financial protection easier and more meaningful for college families."

Fees continued, Peyton brings both the energy and talent essential to making insurance more accessible, relevant, and actionable for first-time insurance buyers, particularly college students. Her leadership at GradGuard will help us to continue our rapid growth in serving more than 650 colleges and universities and over 300,000 members.

As a RISE 35 Under 35 honoree, Rudolph joins an elite group of changemakers who are redefining whats possible in the field. Rudolph and other award recipients will be celebrated at the 2025 Leadership Summit and Awards Gala in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 16-18.

About GradGuard

GradGuard is the authority on helping schools educate and protect students from the risks of college life. As the #1 source of college tuition and renters insurance, GradGuards pioneering protections have served more than 1.8 million students at more than 1,900 unique institutions.

To learn more, visit www.gradguard.com.

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San Antonio, TX, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Witte Museum proudly announces the launch of Texas Museums 360, a bold new initiative that transforms how Texas students engage with science. Designed to bring the trusted expertise and wonder of museums directly into the classroom, this groundbreaking program kicks off with Expeditions in Science, a 100% TEKS-aligned, inquiry-based digital science curriculum created by Texas museums for Texas classrooms.

In partnership with Space Center Houston, the Witte Museum has developed a custom experience that supports hands-on, phenomena-driven learning for fourth and fifth grades. Students will be scientists as they explore real-world specimens, interact with scientists in the field, and investigate the world around them through authentic, museum-powered lessons. Each unit in the bilingual curriculum is carefully designed to align with TEKS and STAAR testing standards while sparking curiosity, critical thinking, and discovery.

Texas Museums 360 is a visionary leap forward in how we connect students to real science, said Dr. Michelle Cuellar Everidge, CEO and President of the Witte Museum. At the Witte, weve always believed that learning should inspire wonder. With this initiative, were ensuring that every child across Texas has access to the kind of engaging, hands-on science education that builds not just knowledge, but confidence and curiosity. We are proud to lead the way.

Early Adopters: Voyager Schools

Texas Museums 360 is currently onboarding its first cohort of Voyager Schoolsa group of pioneering educators and districts who will be the first to implement Expeditions in Science. These schools receive exclusive early adopter benefits, including price protection, direct access to curriculum developers, discounted hands-on activity kits, and even free field trips to the Witte Museum. They will help shape future iterations of the program while leading the charge in transforming how science is taught statewide.



All participating schools will benefit from robust professional learning, including early training sessions and ongoing support throughout the academic year. The program positions educators as collaboratorsengaging them in a network with their colleagues, empowering them with tools, content, and direct access to museum educators and subject matter experts.

About Texas Museums 360

Texas Museums 360 is a consortium led by the Witte Museum and Space Center Houston, bringing together more than 125 years of combined experience in science education. The initiative was built to growwith plans to expand beyond science into history, culture, and arts education through museum-based, interdisciplinary digital curricula.

Join the Journey

Educators, school leaders, and science coordinators are invited to schedule a demo and explore how Expeditions in Science can transform learning in their classrooms. For more information or to sign up, contact:

email

http://www.texasmuseums360.org/

###

About the Witte Museum:

Founded in 1926, the Witte Museum inspires people to shape the future of Texas through transformative and relevant experiences in nature, science and culture. Located on the banks of the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park, the Witte is consistently voted San Antonios top museum. Here, visitors of all ages journey through Texas Deep Time, uncovering untold stories of the people and forces that shaped Texas across millions of years to the present day. For more information, visit www.wittemuseum.org.

About Space Center Houston:



Space Center Houstons shared purpose is to bring people and space closer together. Over 1.3 million visitors and more than 250,000 students and educators visit each year to connect with the significance of space exploration to pursue a path in STEM or follow along as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to make new discoveries. Space Center Houston is owned by the Manned Space Flight Education 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and generates an annual $118M economic impact to the Greater Houston area. Space Center Houston is a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Certified Autism Center. Learn more at spacecenter.org.


NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questexs International Beauty Show (IBS Las Vegas) and the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conference (IECSC Las Vegas) return to the Las Vegas Convention Centers West Hall on June 21-23, 2025 with a lineup of top-tier exhibitors offering exclusive professionals-only pricing on the latest must-have beauty and spa products and services.

"Were thrilled to showcase over 430 trailblazing brands at our Vegas Shows," said Elizabeth Fantetti Trevorrow, Partnership & Event Director at Questex's Wellness Group. Its the perfect venue for innovative brands to promote and launch new products and services to tens of thousands of beauty and spa professionals looking to expand their customer base and offerings.

FEATURED BRANDS

The 2025 Las Vegas event will feature hundreds of high-profile brands, including: Cree, DNA Hairtools, Lashbox LA, Parlux, Pibbs Industries, Turbo Power, Wahl Clipper, Circadia, Eminence Organic Skin Care, HydraFacial, LightStim+, FarmHouse Fresh, MerryLaz, Silhouet-Tone USA, Procell Therapies, Repechage and many more! See full list of 2025 IBS Exhibitors & IECSC Exhibitors.

SHOW-ONLY SPECIALS, EXCITING PRODUCT LAUNCHES + EVENTS DOMINATE THE EXPO FLOOR:

Circadia (Booth 1425)  10% off purchases of < $500 and 20% off purchases $500+; Custom mixology package

10% off purchases of < $500 and 20% off purchases $500+; Custom mixology package LightStim+ (Booth 1037)  $600 off LightStim ProPanel; Free LED treatment in booth

$600 off LightStim ProPanel; Free LED treatment in booth PCA Skin (Booth 1843)  Free shipping and 20% off $250+ purchases; free gift with every order

Free shipping and 20% off $250+ purchases; free gift with every order Rezenerate NanoFacial (Booth 1613)  Save over $350 on the Rezenerate WandPro System

Save over $350 on the Rezenerate WandPro System The SkinGames (Booth 548)  Stop by their booth each day from 11:00am - 1:00pm for The Skin Games' WAX OFF competition.

 Stop by their booth each day from 11:00am - 1:00pm for The Skin Games' WAX OFF competition. Pharmanex (Booth 756)  launching the worlds first wellness intelligence device

 launching the worlds first wellness intelligence device 7e Wellness (Booth 2024)  launching the MyoLift Precision Wand Kit: lightweight, ergonomic, and expertly designed, its the ultimate tool for creating glowing, sculpted skin that clients will love.

 launching the MyoLift Precision Wand Kit: lightweight, ergonomic, and expertly designed, its the ultimate tool for creating glowing, sculpted skin that clients will love. Induction Therapies (Booth 955)  launching the XO PIN Scalp & Skin at-home microneedling tool

 launching the XO PIN Scalp & Skin at-home microneedling tool Osmosis (Booth 1915)  launching Hydrafirm Smooth Cream their newest innovation for face, neck, and decollete

 launching Hydrafirm Smooth Cream their newest innovation for face, neck, and decollete Bushbalm (Booth 1813)  showcasing its Bushbeads Premium Hard Wax for sensitive skin

 showcasing its Bushbeads Premium Hard Wax for sensitive skin HydraFacial (Booth 1025)  launching its HydraFillic with Pep9 Booster powered by HydraFacials proprietary Pep9 Peptide Complex

 launching its HydraFillic with Pep9 Booster powered by HydraFacials proprietary Pep9 Peptide Complex PlasmaPen (Booth 1610)  showcasing Fusion, a cutting-edge skin treatment technology combining two types of plasma energy.

 showcasing Fusion, a cutting-edge skin treatment technology combining two types of plasma energy. Bare Beauty Wax Supply  (Booth 1344) introducing a new limited-edition line of waxes.

introducing a new limited-edition line of waxes. Luminous Skin Lab (Booth 629)  launching five professional-grade ampoules designed for nano-infusion, mesotherapy, and microneedling treatments.

Attendees may register to attend the Shows by clicking here.

Press may apply for a media pass here.

SHOW HOURS:

Saturday, June 21: 10:30am - 5:00pm; Sunday, June 22: 10:30am - 5:00pm; and Monday, June 23: 10:30am  3:30pm

SHOW INFO:

For more information on IBS Las Vegas, visit ibslasvegas.com. Stay connected on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

For more information on IECSC Las Vegas, visit iecsclasvegas.com. Stay connected on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Upcoming Events

IECSC Florida will take place September 28-29, 2025, at the Palm Beach Convention Center. Visit iecscflorida.com for more information.

About IBS Las Vegas

IBS Las Vegas is a trade show and conference for members of the professional beauty industry. The show is for beauty professionals only and is not open to the general public. The shows main objective is to educate, in effect opening new doors for beauty professionals. IBS is only open to licensed beauty professionals and currently enrolled cosmetology students and educators. For more information, visit ibslasvegas.com.

About IECSC

The International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conferences (IECSC) are for professionals only and reach a wide crosssection of participants from spa and wellness product manufacturers and distributors to spa owners, directors and managers, estheticians, massage therapists, cosmetologists, medical estheticians, and dermatologists. With dynamic trade show floors, in-depth conference programs, and presented by American Spa, the IECSC events provide the perfect meeting ground for the worlds most elite and qualified spa professionals looking to meet the top skin, cosmetic and wellness companies. For more information, visit iecsc.com.

About QUESTEX

Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy  connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact

Amanda Brokaw

IBS Las Vegas and IECSC Las Vegas

Amanda@brokawpr.com
NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DV) between November 10, 2023 and February 27, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important July 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased DoubleVerify common stock 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 DoubleVerify class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=24865 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. 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 21, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) DoubleVerifys customers were shifting their ad spending from open exchanges to closed platforms, where DoubleVerifys technological capabilities were limited and competed directly with native tools provided by platforms like Meta Platforms and Amazon; (2) DoubleVerifys ability to monetize on Activation Services, DoubleVerifys high-margin advertising optimization services segment, was limited because the development of its technology for closed platforms was significantly more expensive and time-consuming than disclosed to investors; (3) DoubleVerifys Activation Services in connection with certain closed platforms would take several years to monetize; (4) DoubleVerifys competitors were better positioned to incorporate AI into their offerings on closed platforms, which impaired DoubleVerifys ability to compete effectively and adversely impacted DoubleVerifys profits; (5) DoubleVerify systematically overbilled its customers for ad impressions served to declared bots operating out of known data center server farms; (6) DoubleVerifys risk disclosures were materially false and misleading because they characterized adverse facts that had already materialized as mere possibilities; and (7) as a result of the foregoing, defendants positive statements about DoubleVerifys business, operations, and prospects were materially false and/or misleading or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the DoubleVerify class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=24865 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information.

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 investors 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 Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Dublin, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Germany Adult Day Care Software Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Germany Adult Day Care Software Market was valued at USD 1.08 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 1.49 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 5.41%. Market growth is fueled by the increasing need for digital solutions that streamline operations and elevate care standards in adult day care centers. With Germany's elderly population projected to exceed 24 million by 2030, demand for structured elder care is on the rise.

Facilities are adopting software platforms to enhance scheduling, patient monitoring, and caregiver-family communication. These digital tools help reduce administrative burdens and improve care quality by facilitating medication tracking, digital record management, and automated billing. The push for regulatory compliance and data security is also spurring adoption of cloud-based, secure systems designed specifically for the adult care environment. These innovations are reshaping how facilities operate, enabling them to scale efficiently and meet growing expectations in a digitally evolving healthcare sector.

Key Market Driver

Rising Aging Population and Demand for Elder Care Services: Germany's rapidly aging demographic is a central factor propelling growth in the adult day care software market. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), individuals aged 65 and above are projected to comprise nearly 30% of the population by 2050. This demographic shift is driving heightened demand for community-based elder care solutions such as adult day care centers, which offer daily supervision, health monitoring, and social interaction for seniors. With more families relying on these centers to support aging loved ones during work hours, the need for efficient, scalable operations is pressing.

Digital platforms are increasingly used to manage this complexity - automating scheduling, care planning, medication administration, and regulatory documentation. They also enable centralized data access and real-time updates between caregivers and families, improving coordination and transparency. With rising cases of chronic illnesses and conditions like dementia, tailored software supports individualized care delivery and helps maintain compliance with evolving health standards. As the preference shifts toward aging in place and community-based care, digital solutions are becoming essential tools for sustaining and expanding service capacity.

Key Market Challenge

Limited Budget and Financial Constraints of Care Centers: Budget limitations remain a core challenge inhibiting wider software adoption in Germany's adult day care sector. Many facilities operate under tight financial conditions, dependent on inconsistent funding from public sources, insurance reimbursements, or direct payments from families. These centers often prioritize frontline care costs - such as staffing and medical supplies - over IT investments, making software procurement difficult.

The high upfront and ongoing costs of software systems, including licensing, customization, training, and support, can deter adoption, particularly among smaller operators. Even with flexible subscription models, financial commitment and perceived ROI can be barriers. In addition, limited technical knowledge and a lack of in-house IT infrastructure make implementation and maintenance challenging. Without clear guidance or financial incentives, many providers continue using manual systems or basic spreadsheets, compromising operational efficiency and accuracy. This financial strain hinders digital transformation across the sector and reduces market opportunities for software vendors targeting care-focused organizations.

Key Market Trend

Adoption of Cloud-Based and SaaS Solutions: Cloud-based and SaaS solutions are gaining strong traction in the Germany Adult Day Care Software Market. These platforms offer scalability, ease of use, and lower entry costs - key advantages for budget-conscious and resource-limited care centers. Unlike traditional on-site systems, cloud-based models eliminate the need for dedicated servers and IT maintenance, while providing remote accessibility and automatic updates that ensure compliance and functionality.

SaaS platforms use modular pricing, allowing facilities to choose features that match their operational needs, making digital adoption more financially feasible. This approach is particularly valuable for operators managing multiple locations, as cloud-based solutions offer centralized oversight and real-time data access. The inclusion of mobile compatibility also enhances care delivery by enabling staff to document and retrieve patient information on the move. With growing trust in data protection standards and GDPR-compliant encryption, cloud adoption is becoming a secure and strategic choice for adult day care providers aiming for digital modernization and improved service delivery.

Key Players Profiled in the Germany Adult Day Care Software Market:

Carecenta, Inc.

WellSky

Storii, Inc.

Aaniie, Inc.

MatrixCare

ClearCare

CareSmartz

AlayaCare

myUnity

Kinnser Software

Report Scope

In this report, the Germany Adult Day Care Software Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Germany Adult Day Care Software Market, By Deployment Type:

Cloud-based

On-premises

Germany Adult Day Care Software Market, By Type:

Management Software

Clinical Software

Health Records Management

Medication Management

Activity Management

Care Planning

Germany Adult Day Care Software Market, By End User:

Adult Day Care Centers

Home Care Agencies

Healthcare Providers

Others

Germany Adult Day Care Software Market, By Region:

Eastern

Central

Western

Rest of Germany

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 82 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.08 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $1.49 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.4% Regions Covered Germany

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/k987z2

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.
SINGAPORE, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vaultro Finance has reached a new height in its public token sale by selling more than 40% of its $VLT Token Sale allocation. This milestone arrives just days after crossing the 30% mark and underscores the accelerating demand for on-chain index fund solutions on the XRP Ledger.





Join $VLT Presale Now

The broader XRP market is enjoying a resurgence. As of today, XRP trades above $2.1, driven by fresh optimism around the Ripple-SEC settlement and growing prospects for a US spot ETF fxempire.com . At the recent XRP APEX event in Singapore, Ripples CEO forecast that XRP could capture fourteen percent of SWIFT volume over the next five years financemagnates.com . Against this backdrop, Vaultro Finance is emerging as the must-buy protocol for investors seeking structured exposure in crypto.

Vaultro Finance delivers the first fully decentralized index fund protocol on XRPL. Its live dashboard at transforms index fund creation from a complex manual process into a smooth on-chain experience. Investors can now browse a library of thematic funds, set custom token allocations, and monitor performance in real time.

Purchase $VLT on Presale

The interface also enables VLT token holders to stake tokens for passive yield, vote on new fund listings, and access reduced transaction costs when minting or rebalancing portfolios.

Central to Vaultros ecosystem is the VLT token. Early backers recognize its vital role in powering platform features. Each VLT token grants the right to design and launch tokenized funds, participate in governance decisions, and earn yield that reflects overall protocol activity. Reduced fees for core operations reward active users and reinforce long-term engagement.

A driving force behind buyer urgency is the built-in listing premium. Vaultro Finance has confirmed that once VLT becomes tradable, it will list at thirty percent higher than todays presale rate. Presale participants who acquire VLT at the rate of 1 XRP for 8 VLT will see their holdings trade at the equivalent of 1 XRP for 6.15 VLT upon listing. This guaranteed upside before exchanges open is spurring rapid commitments from both retail and institutional investors.

$VLT Presale Details:

Price: 1 XRP = 8 VLT



Listing Price: 1 XRP = 6.15 VLT



Hardcap: 60,000 XRP (40% already sold)



$VLT Presale Portal: https://sale.vaultro.finance

Participation in the presale remains open, but allocations are filling fast. Interested parties must hold an XRP-native wallet and set up a trust line for VLT token, The minimum contribution is 200 XRP, To secure your VLT allocation before the next milestone, visit https://sale.vaultro.finance

As XRPs adoption grows and regulatory clarity strengthens, Vaultro Finance stands ready to redefine how diversified investing works on blockchain. With forty percent of the presale now claimed, the window for new entrants is narrowing.

Dont miss the chance to join the future of on-chain index funds on XRPLsecure your $VLT token on Presale today.

For more details on Vaultro Finance and the $VLT presale visit;

Website

Join $VLT Presale

X fka Twitter

Telegram Community

Whitepaper

Blog Channel

Contact:

Lee Wang

Contact@vaultro.finance

Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Vaultro Finance. 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. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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PolTREG Establishes U.S. Subsidiary Immuthera to Advance International Development Strategy

PolTREG established Immuthera (https://immuthera.bio/) in Delaware to expand its presence in the U.S. market.

A Pre-IND application was submitted to the FDA.

The Paediatric Committee (PDCO) of the European Medicines Agency issued a positive opinion on PolTREGs Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for PTG-007 in pre-symptomatic type 1 diabetes (Stage 1).





Gdansk, Poland  13 JUNE 2025  PolTREG S.A. (Warsaw Stock Exchange: PTG), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing cellular therapies for a range of autoimmune diseases, announces that it has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Immuthera, a United States C Corporation, in the state of Delaware. This is a further step by PolTREG to deepen its entry into the U.S. market.

Over recent years, PolTREG has created a platform for the development of multiple cellular therapies: polyclonal Tregs, CAR-TREGs, mulit-eidited/allogeneic CAR-Tregs, antigen-specific Tregs, and mRNA immunotherapies, all informed by our clinical experience. To fully leverage our potential, we are focusing on the execution our growth strategy in the American market by systematically bringing existing therapies, and exploring new assets into the US. We have established partnerships with several renowned entities such as Noble Capital Markets, Inc., for strategic and financial advisory services. We have also formed a strategic cooperation with the Swiss company Antion Biosciences to develop the next generation of allogeneic TREG therapies said Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski, CEO of PolTREG. This expands PolTREGs project pipeline and enhances the companys attractiveness to potential strategic partners. Additionally, we with the U.S. company Kinexum Services LLC for strategic advisory regarding Immutheras interactions with the FDA and the registration of TREG therapies in the United States. We submitted our Pre-IND meeting request to the FDA in mid-May, added Prof. Piotr Trzonkowski.

PolTREG is currently in discussions with leading American academic and clinical centers to establish collaborations and evaluate new technologies Immuthera has also begun the process of building a world-class Scientific Advisory Board comprised of globally recognized leaders in the Autoimmune and Neuroinflammatory disease.

In support of PolTREG and the launch of Immuthera, Dr. Dan Shelly, Chief Business Development Officer, and Dr. Mariusz Jablonski, Chief Business Officer, will participate in the upcoming BIO International Convention 2025, taking place from June 1619 in Boston. At BIO Drs. Shelly and Jablonski will be promoting PolTREGs current clinical and developmental pipeline while also speaking to potential partners, collaborators, and investors for Immuthera.

In May, the Paediatric Committee (PDCO) of the European Medicines Agency issued a positive opinion on the Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) for PolTREGs investigational somatic cell therapy product, polyclonal Treg lymphocytes (PTG-007), which is aimed to prevent symptomatic type 1 diabetes in children. The PDCOs positive opinion is based on PolTREGs original preTreg clinical trial protocol, initiated in October 2024, enrolling children aged 616 years with Stage 1 type 1 diabetes. In its assessment, the committee recommended broadening the eligible population to include patients aged 318 years suggesting that the agency believes this therapy is extremely safe. This positive opinion paves the way for potential marketing authorization in the EU.

To read more about the clinical trials PolTREG has completed, please click on: https://poltreg.com/tregs-therapy/#publications

PolTREG manufactures its Treg therapeutics at its own GMP-certified manufacturing facility. It is the first company in the world to have administered Treg therapies to patients, and, under a hospital exemption valid in Poland, the first company to start receiving revenues from a Treg therapeutic for autoimmune disease. Its GMP manufacturing facility is one of Europes largest and most advanced, boasting over 2,100 sqm of laboratory space, including 15 production lines.

PolTREG has the option to substantially expand the facility to accommodate manufacturing of next-generation engineered therapies and cell therapies. It can ship its wide range of cellular therapy products across Europe within 24 hours.

About PolTREG

PolTREG is a global leader in developing autoimmune therapies based on T-regulatory cells (Tregs). Its lead product, PTG-007, autologous Treg treatment for early-onset Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) is ready for Phase 2/3 clinical testing, for which the company is seeking a partnership. PolTREG has established a robust platform encompassing a wide range of cell therapy approaches, including polyclonal TREG, CAR-TREG, allogeneic TREG, antigen-specific TREG, and TCR-TREG therapies.

About Immuthera

Immuthera is pioneering novel cell-based therapies for clinical development in the United States and Canada. Immuthera will be clinically developing assets initially developed by PolTREG under the US FDA regulatory framework. Immuthera will have full access to PolTREGs Research and Development capabilities along with the ability to explore novel modalities developed by US Institutions. Immuthera is currently seeking investment to pursue the manufacture and clinical development of these assets in the United States.

For more information please visit www.poltreg.com



For further information please contact:



PolTREG S.A.

Prof Piotr Trzonkowski

Chief Executive Officer

ir@poltreg.com

+48 512 532 401



Important information

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words "believes", "estimates," "anticipates", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "plans", "continue", "ongoing", "potential", "predict", "project", "target", "seek" or "should", and include statements the Company makes concerning the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The company's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
MINNEAPOLIS, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP, a national civil rights law firm, was granted final approval of a record-breaking $69 million settlement on behalf of more than 350,000 beneficiaries of the UnitedHealth Group 401(k) Savings Plan. The Honorable Judge John R. Tunheim of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota ruled from the bench during a Fairness Hearing held today, approving the settlement amount and granting counsels requested attorneys fees and a service award of $50,000 for sole class representative Kim Snyder. Judge Tunheim informed the parties that a more detailed order would follow his ruling.

Plaintiff Kim Snyder first filed this case in April 2021, alleging that UnitedHealth Group had breached its fiduciary duties to participants in its 401(k) Savings Plan and mismanaged participants retirement funds in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Specifically, the complaint alleged that UnitedHealth Group failed to remove from its employee retirement plan a family of target retirement date funds managed by Wells Fargo that have underperformed their investment benchmarks and other similar target date funds significantly for over a decade. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight was appointed Class Counsel in February 2022. After more than four years of litigation, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight reached an impressive $69 million settlement on behalf of Plan participants  the largest-ever single-plan ERISA settlement alleging breach of fiduciary duty for failure to remove underperforming investment options. The record previously belonged to In re G.E. ERISA Litig., Case No. 1:17-CV-12123-IT (D. Mass. Mar. 8, 2024), another case brought by Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight that resulted in a $61 million settlement for the Plan.

The firm is honored to have worked for the benefit of the Class for more than four years and to have recovered this settlement for Plan participants, said David Sanford, chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and counsel for Plaintiff and the Class. We will continue to bring cases like this on behalf of individuals planning for retirement.

ERISAs fiduciary standards are strict and exacting, added Charles Field, a partner and Co-Chair of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnights Financial Mismanagement and ERISA Litigation Practice Group and counsel for Plaintiff and the Class. Todays decision underscores the fact that fiduciaries should be held to the highest standards in managing Plan participants assets.

I am grateful for the role I was able to play in obtaining this result today, said Leigh Anne St. Charles, a partner and Co-Chair of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnights Financial Mismanagement and ERISA Litigation Practice Group and counsel for Plaintiff and the Class, who spoke in support of the settlement at todays Fairness Hearing. Even more so, I am grateful for Kim Snyder being brave enough to step forward and represent the Plan and the Class for the last four years. People like her make it possible to right these wrongs.

The case is Kim Snyder v. UnitedHealth Group, et al., Case No. 0:21-CV-01049 (JRT/DJF), United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Local Counsel is Susan M. Coler of Halunen Law.

About Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP

Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, LLP is a national public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Palo Alto, San Diego, and Nashville. Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight focuses on employment discrimination, Title IX, wage and hour, whistleblower, criminal/sexual violence, and financial services matters. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for its clients through many verdicts and settlements. The National Law Journal recognized Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight as 2021 Employment Rights Firm of the Year, 2021 Human Rights Firm of the Year, and 2022 Civil Rights Firm of the Year.

For the latest news about Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, visit the firms newsroom or follow the firm on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

If you have potential legal claims and are seeking counsel, please call 619-577-4253 or email david.sanford@sanfordheisler.com. Attorneys at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight would like to have the opportunity to help you.

If you experienced sexual abuse and are seeking counsel, please call 202-221-3152 or email cdunn@sanfordheisler.com. Attorneys at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight would like to have the opportunity to help you.

For more information, contact Jamie Moss, newsPRos, at 201-788-0142 or Jamie@newspros.com.




MIAMI, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2025 South Florida ORBIE Awards recognized the exceptional leadership and innovation of top technology executives from World Fuel Services, Kellanova, Belcorp, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Dolphins, TIME & Keyes. The prestigious ORBIE Awards - hosted by SouthFloridaCIO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network - honor CIOs who drive business transformation and make a lasting impact on the industry.

Winners were recognized across seven categories: Super Global, Global, Large Enterprise, Enterprise, Large Corporate, Corporate, Leadership. The ceremony, which took place at the The Diplomat Resort, brought together top executives and industry leaders to celebrate excellence in technology leadership.

Great CIOs understand how connections drive transformation, said Margaret Brisbane, SouthFloridaCIO Chair. The ORBIE Awards recognize CIOs who leverage relationships to drive innovation, solve complex challenges, and shape the future of South Florida.

Meet the 2025 South Florida ORBIE Award Winners:

Jeff Smith, COO (ret), World Fuel Services, received the Leadership ORBIE.

Eric Firer, CIO, North America, Kellanova, received the Super Global ORBIE for organizations over $3 billion annual revenue and multi-national operations.

Venkat Gopalan, Chief Digital, Data & Technology Officer, Belcorp, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue and multi-national operations.

Tom Gillette, SVP & CIO, Mount Sinai Medical Center, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue.

Sameer Istafa, VP & CTO, Miami Dolphins, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $500 million annual revenue.

Sharon Milz, CIO, TIME, received the Large Corporate ORBIE for organizations over $200 million annual revenue.

Wendi Iglesias, CIO, Keyes, received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $200 million annual revenue.

About the ORBIE:

The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria:

Leadership and management effectiveness

Business value created by technology innovation

Engagement in industry and community endeavors



South Florida ORBIE Keynote & Attendance:

The keynote address for the South Florida ORBIE Awards was delivered by Jeff Smith, COO (ret) at World Fuel Services, who was interviewed by Tricia Ferreira, SVP, Technology Product Management at World Kinect. Nearly 350 guests attended, representing leading South Florida organizations and their technology partners.

The following sponsors made the 2025 South Florida ORBIE Awards possible:

Underwriters: Concord, Fortinet, Google Cloud, Kanini & ProSourceIT

Concord, Fortinet, Google Cloud, Kanini & ProSourceIT Gold Sponsors: Comcast Business, Future Tech Enterprise, Glean, The Ksquare Group, Nerdio & Tata Consultancy Services

Comcast Business, Future Tech Enterprise, Glean, The Ksquare Group, Nerdio & Tata Consultancy Services Silver Sponsors: Accenture, Crown Castle, Palo Alto Networks, Slalom Consulting, Tanium & Zscaler

Accenture, Crown Castle, Palo Alto Networks, Slalom Consulting, Tanium & Zscaler Bronze Sponsors: Alchemy Technology Group, Between Pixels, ContractPodAI, iPower, Pure Storage & Sigmoid Analytics

Alchemy Technology Group, Between Pixels, ContractPodAI, iPower, Pure Storage & Sigmoid Analytics Media Partner: South Florida Business Journal

South Florida Business Journal National Partner: YearUp United

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, click here.

About SouthFloridaCIO:

SouthFloridaCIO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief information officers (CIOs) in South Florida. As one of over 40 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, SouthFloridaCIO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.

SouthFloridaCIO is led by a CIO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain non-commercial and exclusive to qualified CIOs and members.

About Inspire Leadership Network:

Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across more than 40 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in todays most challenging executive roles.

Media Contact

Nicole Lammes

nicole.lammes@inspirecxo.com

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London, UK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the global interest in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining continues to rise, ZA Miner has stepped forward with a timely and user-first solution, launching an enhanced cloud mining platform that combines cutting-edge infrastructure, beginner-friendly contracts, and zero-risk trial rewards to help users jumpstart their digital asset journey.

From its official website www.zaminer.com, ZA Miner is now welcoming users with an exclusive sign-up reward, limited-time trial contracts, and a range of high-yield mining packages designed to suit every level of experience. This move marks a significant expansion of ZA Miners global strategy to offer secure, high-efficiency cloud mining without the barriers of hardware, technical knowledge, or upfront capital.

Free Trial Contracts and Simplified Onboarding

To celebrate this new chapter, ZA Miner has introduced experience mining contracts, allowing new users to start mining with no upfront investment. These introductory contracts are designed to offer real-time earnings visibility and immediate payouts, giving users a genuine feel for passive crypto income.

Cloud mining should be simple, transparent, and accessible, said a ZA Miner spokesperson. With our trial contracts and zero-risk entry, were enabling users to explore crypto mining with confidence and without delay.

Flexible Contracts with Strong Returns

Whether youre new to mining or looking to scale existing earnings, ZA Miner offers a selection of mining packages tailored to different budgets and timeframes. Backed by global mining infrastructure and real-time performance monitoring, users can enjoy stable returns and low entry thresholds.

Built for Security, Speed, and Global Reach

ZA Miners cloud infrastructure operates across multiple international data centers and leverages optimized energy management protocols to ensure both environmental efficiency and performance reliability. The platform uses real-time hash rate allocation and automated earnings distribution, giving users full transparency over their mining activity at every stage.

Affiliate Program Now Live

In addition to its contract offerings, ZA Miner has launched a referral and affiliate program, enabling users to grow their earnings through community engagement. Participants receive a commission on referred user activity, positioning it as both a mining platform and a growth opportunity.

Why Users Choose ZA Miner

Instant onboarding with $100 trial bonus





with $100 trial bonus Flexible durations with short- and long-term ROI contracts





with short- and long-term ROI contracts No hardware, no hassle just stable cloud-based mining





just stable cloud-based mining Secure daily withdrawals directly to user wallets





directly to user wallets Global accessibility from over 150 supported countries

With its latest rollout, ZA Miner reinforces its mission to bring democratized, transparent, and risk-free Bitcoin mining to a wider global audience.

About ZA Miner ZA FUNDINGS LTD

ZA Miner, established in 2020 and based in the UK, delivers advanced cloud mining services backed by renewable energy and enterprise-grade security. The companys goal is to build an inclusive, sustainable mining network that empowers global users to participate in digital asset ecosystems efficiently and responsibly.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
DEFENDANT RALPH NAVARRO/FYI YACHTS





Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against RALPH NAVARRO and FYI YACHTS for Alleged Fraud, Racketeering, and Consumer Abuse

MIAMI, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MSP Recovery Law Firm files a class action lawsuit on behalf of Consumers Against Corruption in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, against Rafael Lazaro Navarro (a/k/a Ralph Navarro) and Florida Yachts International (FYI Yachts). The suit alleges an expansive pattern of fraudulent, predatory, and criminal conduct designed to deceive yacht buyers, sellers, and lenders over more than a decade.

A THREAT TO THE PUBLIC



The lawsuit contends that Navarros actions are not only unlawful but pose a direct and ongoing threat to the economic safety of consumers and the integrity of commercial transactions in Florida and beyond. Navarro is accused of systematically exploiting trust-based financial transactions and repeatedly engaging in deceptive business practices with impunity.

The defendants conduct is not isolatedit reflects a long-standing and ongoing pattern of racketeering activity and predatory business practices that endanger the public, the complaint states.



In one instance, Navarro is accused of stealing $1.2 million through the fraudulent satisfaction of a mortgage, further illustrating the scale and deliberate nature of his misconduct.



The Plaintiffs have contacted the Office of the Florida Attorney General, seeking an immediate emergency injunction to halt Ralph Navarro and FYI Yachts from continuing these harmful actions while legal proceedings are ongoing.

NAVARRO PLEADS THE FIFTH BEFORE FEDERAL JUDGE



On March 27, 2025, during a federal injunction hearing, U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles found a substantial likelihood of success on multiple civil claims, including fraud, conversion, and violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). The court further held that Navarros self-notarization of forged mortgage documents was improper and likely unauthorized under Florida law.



When asked under oath about his role in fabricating and executing these fraudulent documents, Navarro repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, refusing to provide testimonya tactic commonly used by individuals under threat of criminal prosecution.

ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION, DOCUMENT FORGERY, AND DOUBLE-PLEDGING ASSETS



The complaint alleges Navarro:



Misappropriated client escrow and brokerage funds for personal and unrelated business expenses;

Fraudulently pledged the same yachts to multiple lenders, using forged documents;

Sold encumbered yachts without satisfying liens or disclosing material information to buyers or lenders;

Inflated client invoices, and solicited funds for personal luxury expenditures such as jewelry, private jets, and five-star hotels;

Used double paperwork to obscure illicit transactions and shield the fraud from detection.





These actions, the lawsuit states, were not accidental but executed with intent, coordination, and criminal sophistication.

TEXT MESSAGES SHOW ALLEGED GUILT, RETALIATION, AND WITNESS INTIMIDATION



The case includes damning text message evidence from Navarros girlfriend, Patricia Zapater, who pleads with one of the victims to please save my family from thisan apparent reference to stolen funds and imminent legal consequences. Additional messages show direct efforts to dissuade victims from taking legal action:



pleaseee help me this is my entire life at hand I beg for you to help me

Do it for me and my kids

I promise you w my life he and I are doing everythinggggg trust me I will resolve this but you can't destroy my family

this is my entire life I will hurt me more than anyone and I promise I will resolve this





These emotional appeals, framed as desperate personal pleas, constitute witness intimidation and attempts to obstruct justiceclear indicators of internal awareness and culpability.



Plaintiffs and their families also received threatening text messages between April 14 and April 25, 2025, after legal proceedings began. Messages include:



Mark your calendars.

Sleep well... I will let you know when they are coming so you can see what real power is.

Hi sister, Im still here. Not going away.





These messages further support racketeering claims under Floridas Civil Remedies for Criminal Practices Act (CRCPA) and the Florida RICO statute.

ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FRAUD SCHEMES REVEALED



Consumers Against Corruption has obtained substantial and credible evidence of multiple instances of fraud involving federally insured national banks. According to the findings, Navarro allegedly misappropriated client funds and used those assets to sustain an ongoing Ponzi scheme.



Navarro is accused of improperly using a brokerage trust account to divert funds for unauthorized purposes, in violation of client expectations and regulatory standards. The findings allege customers and members of the public have been misled by fabricated claims and deceptive practices designed to secure their trust and financial investment.



The complaint further references a prior court finding in Navarros divorce proceedings, where the court determined that Navarro mishandled the corporate finances of Florida Yachts International. In what appears to be an attempt to evade judgment collection, Navarro is accused of shifting business operations to a related entity, MYI, operated by his brother. While Navarro continues to provide services to MYI, the outstanding judgment against Florida Yachts International remains unpaid. The complaint seeks supplementary proceedings to collect the debt from MYI and associated parties.



Navarro is accused of unscrupulous financial dealings and ongoing pattern of misconduct which reportedly led to the deterioration of the personal and professional relationship with his brother, and the two are no longer on good terms. This development underscores broader concerns about Navarros business practices and their impact on both investors and close associates.



More recently, Navarro became involved with a boat company known as Streamline. Multiple clients tied to this venture have already come forward with allegations of fraud and are actively seeking the return of their funds.

PUBLIC INTEREST AND PREVENTIVE PURPOSE



In addition to seeking monetary and injunctive relief, the lawsuit is explicitly intended to serve a broader public interest by exposing Navarros unlawful practices, protecting future victims, and preventing the continuation of predatory schemes.



This lawsuit is a warning to the public and a step toward stopping an alleged serial fraudster whose unchecked actions have left a trail of financial and emotional devastation, said a spokesperson for Consumers Against Corruption.

CLASS ALLEGATIONS AND RELIEF SOUGHT



The lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals and businesses who, within the last four years, engaged with Navarro and/or FYI Yachts and were harmed by unauthorized, deceptive, or fraudulent conductincluding but not limited to forged documents, unlawful lien activity, and the misappropriation of escrowed funds.



Relief sought includes:

Treble damages under CRCPA and FDUTPA;

Full restitution to victims;

Permanent injunctive relief;

Attorneys fees and costs;

Corrective public disclosures to alert and educate potential future clients and lenders.



About Consumers Against Corruption



CAC is a public interest consumer advocacy group dedicated to fighting fraud and corporate misconduct through litigation, public education, and systemic reform.

For information, contact: Info@msprecoverylawfirm.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce0314b0-a922-47c0-820a-85c915390a4b




Staten Island, NY, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chelsea Financial Services proudly announces its sponsorship of AusomeTechs upcoming Unspoken Brilliance: The Artists with Autism Exhibit and AusomeTechs 4th Annual Proclamation Day (Scratch) Event, both to be held at the College of Staten Island (CSI) starting June 27th.



Held at the College of Staten Island Library Gallery, the art exhibit features original artwork from local neurodiverse artists. This years art exhibit honors the memory of Diego Martinez, affectionately known as the MTA Legend. AusomeTech closes the exhibit with Proclamation Day on July 26th, featuring Guest Speaker Ms. Aneva Ezell, who inspires attendees with her messages of empowerment, inclusion, and the importance of amplifying neurodiverse voices in education and the arts.



This years exhibit and Proclamation Day (Scratch) Event offer a vibrant, inclusive space for creativity, community, and celebration, stated Darlene Bowman, Founder of AusomeTech. I want to thank Chelsea Financial Services for their continued support of our mission. Their sponsorship played a vital role in making this years Unspoken Brilliance Art Exhibit and Auction possible, allowing our young adults with autism and other cognitive learning differences to showcase their artistic talents in a professional setting.



We are excited to sponsor another amazing event with AusomeTech, stated John Pisapia, President of Chelsea Financial Services. We have been a continued supporter of AusomeTechs mission, and are very thankful for what Ms. Bowman and AusomeTech are doing in tech education for individuals on the spectrum. Adding creativity in art and encouraging artistic expression in an exhibit like this can really bring the community together.



Bowman, the founder of AusomeTech, has dedicated over 21 years to teaching science and technology to young adults with autism and other cognitive learning differences. She launched AusomeTech to address a critical gap in computer science education for alternate assessment students after high school. Through crowdfunding efforts, AusomeTech made significant progress toward funding its upcoming summer events. When Chelsea Financial Services learned about the organization's mission and its urgent need, they generously stepped in as a key sponsorhelping bring both the Unspoken Brilliance Art Exhibit and the Proclamation Day Scratch Event to life for the Staten Island community



"We are incredibly grateful for the continued community support we receive from Chelsea Financial Services, said Bowman. Their sponsorship played a vital role in making this years Unspoken Brilliance Art Exhibit and Auction possible, allowing our young adults with autism and other cognitive learning differences to showcase their artistic talents in a professional setting.





Chelsea Financial Services is a Proud Sponsor of AusomeTech's 'Unspoken Brilliance - The Artists with Autism Exhibit'

ABOUT THE EVENT



AusomeTechs art exhibit, titled Unspoken Brilliance, is on display at the CSI Library Gallery in Staten Island, NY, from June 30th to July 24th, with viewing hours Monday-Thursday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schools and group visits are welcome.

Their opening night celebration for Unspoken Brilliance will be held on June 27th from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the College of Staten Island Library Rotunda, 2800 Victory Blvd, Bldg 1L. Attendees can register via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unspoken-brilliance-opening-reception-tickets-1382800787379. AusomeTechs closing event, Proclamation Day (Scratch) Event will be held on Saturday, July 26th from 12:00 PM (Noon) to 3:00 PM. Registration for Proclamation Day via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-proclamation-day-scratch-event-tickets-1404538475389.



Visit AusomeTechs GoFundMe page to support their 2025 art exhibit events: https://gofund.me/35410b0d

ABOUT CHELSEA FINANCIAL SERVICES



Chelsea Financial Services is a national full-service brokerage firm. Chelsea opened its first brokerage office in Staten Island, New York in 1999. Celebrating its Silver Anniversary (25 years), Chelsea Financial clients receive investment, retirement, and financial planning advice from 83 Registered Representatives. Chelsea Financial Services is actively recruiting Independent Financial Advisors and Registered Representatives nationally. Visit https://chfs.com for more information.

ABOUT AUSOMETECH

AusomeTech is a Staten Island-based organization located at CUNY College of Staten Island that provides continuing computer science and technology education for young adults with autism and other cognitive learning disabilities.



AusomeTech also provides paid internship opportunities after high school graduation, at the age of 21, and promotes inclusion in tech education through its residency at CSI St. George Campus and partnership with CUNY Creative Exchange Program (CSI Willowbrook Main Campus.) Visit https://AusomeTech.com for more information.



AusomeTech is currently located at CUNY College of Staten Island with a residency at CSI St. George Campus. They also partner with CUNY Creative Exchange Program at CSI Willowbrook (Main) Campus. In addition to providing high-quality recreational and vocational training in technology to young adults with autism, AusomeTech also offers paid internship opportunities and fosters relationships with business leaders and educators to help create a more inclusive environment in both tech education and tech careers.

Media Contact:



Barry Lippold

NthDegreeGroup.net

executives@nthdegreegroup.net

(920) 543-5569

Mailing Address: 36 Shadow Brook Lane, Lander, WY 82520



SOURCE Chelsea Financial Services
HOUSTON, TX, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston American Energy Corp. (NYSE American: HUSA) (HUSA or the Company) announced today that the Company had become aware of unusual trading activity in its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange American (the NYSE) on June 12 and June 13, 2025. The Company is issuing this press release pursuant to Section 401(d) of the NYSE Company Guide. The Company has made inquiries and has been unable to determine whether corrective actions are appropriate at this time. The Company is further announcing that there has been no material development in its business and affairs not previously disclosed or, to its knowledge, any other reason to account for the unusual market action.

About HUSA

HUSA is an independent oil and gas company focused on the development, exploration, exploitation, acquisition, and production of natural gas and crude oil properties. Our principal properties and operations are in the U.S. Permian Basin. Additionally, we have properties in the Louisiana U.S. Gulf Coast region. For more information, please visit: https://houstonamerican.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of, and subject to the safe harbor created by, Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are referred to as the safe harbor provisions. Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding HUSAs or AGIGs business and future financial and operating results, and other aspects of HUSAs or AGIGs operations or operating results. Words such as may, should, will, believe, expect, anticipate, target, project, and similar phrases that denote future expectations or intent regarding HUSAs or AGIGs financial results, operations, and other matters are intended to identify forward-looking statements that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions. Investors are cautioned not to rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release including:

 risks relating to fluctuations of the market value of common stock, including as a result of uncertainty as to the long-term value of the common stock of HUSA or as a result of broader stock market movements;

 the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Share Exchange Agreement;

 failure to attract, motivate and retain executives and other key employees;

 disruptions in the business of HUSA or AGIG, which could have an adverse effect on their respective businesses and financial results;

 the unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial information in the proxy statement is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be reflective of the operating results and financial condition of the combination of HUSA and AGIG; and

 other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled Risk Factors and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in the proxy statement, as well as HUSAs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed by HUSA from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.



The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. HUSA does not undertake to update, alter, or revise any forward-looking statements made in this report to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

For additional information, view the companys website at www.houstonamerican.com or contact Houston American Energy Corp. at (713) 222-6966.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the Company or Orezone) reports that all resolutions from the Companys annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on June 12, 2025 (the Meeting) were approved with 62.76% of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Company represented at the Meeting.

Detailed voting results for the election of directors are as follows:

Nominee For % For Against % Against Julian Babarczy 311,422,274 99.63% 1,143,461 0.37% Joe Conway 307,958,117 98.53% 4,607,618 1.47% Patrick Downey 311,751,459 99.74% 814,276 0.26% Rob Doyle 312,507,445 99.98% 58,290 0.02% Kate Harcourt 312,332,268 99.93% 233,467 0.07% Sean Harvey 312,155,498 99.87% 410,237 0.13% Tara Hassan 312,008,591 99.82% 557,144 0.18%

Additional matters approved at the Meeting are as follows:

The number of directors was fixed at seven.

The Companys stock option plan, as required by the TSX every three years, was reapproved.

Deloitte LLP was appointed as auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, and the board of directors was authorized to fix their remuneration.



The Report of Voting Results, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website, discloses the detailed voting results for the above resolutions. For additional details, please also see the Management Information Circular of the Company dated May 9, 2025.

About Orezone Gold Corporation

Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its 90%-owned flagship Bombore Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bombore mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets, and M&A.

The technical report entitled Bombore Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Companys website.

Contact Information

Patrick Downey

President and Chief Executive Officer

Kevin MacKenzie

Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

Tel: 1 778 945 8977

info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945 8977 or visit the Companys website at www.orezone.com.

The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

Toronto, Ontario and Nucla, Colorado, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. (CSE: WUC) (OTCQX: WSTRF) (Western or the Company) is pleased to announce the closing of its bought deal private placement financing, which was previously announced in the Companys news release issued on June 10, 2025. Pursuant to the financing, Western issued a total of 5,911,786 units at a price of CAD $0.85 per unit (each, a Unit) for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately CAD $5,025,018 (the Offering) with each Unit being comprised of one common share (each, a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant is exercisable for one Share of the Company at a price of CAD $1.05 per Share, for a period of four (4) years from the date of its issuance. A total of 5,911,786 Shares and 5,911,786 Warrants were issued in the Offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the expansion of the production capability and mining at the Sunday Mine Complex, licensing and development of minerals processing facilities, baseline data collection and permitting of the San Rafael Project, acquisition of uranium/vanadium properties in close proximity to Westerns production centers, purchase of additional mining equipment and for general working capital purposes.

The Units were issued to investors who are residents in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and were also issued in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503  Distributions Outside Canada (Rule 72-503). The Units issued to investors outside Canada pursuant to Rule 72-503 are not subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. No Units were issued to investors in Canada.

The CEO and President of Western, George Glasier, participated in the Offering by subscribing for a total of 117,647 Units. Mr. Glasiers participation is considered a related-party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). Western relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that Mr. Glasiers participation in the Offering did not exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Companys market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Offering as the details of the participation therein by related parties of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Offering and the Company closed the Offering on an expedited basis for sound business reasons.

In connection with the Offering, Western entered into an underwriting agreement with A.G.P. Canada Investment ULC (the Underwriter) pursuant to which the Underwriter acted as the sole underwriter and bookrunner for the Company. The Underwriter received a fee comprised of a cash commission of 7% on the aggregate proceeds from Units and 206,913 broker warrants which are subject to a four-month statutory hold from the date of their issuance. A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners acted as sole U.S. placement agent for the Offering.

Closing of the Offering was subject to certain conditions and receipt of all necessary approvals, and is subject to compliance with post-closing requirements of the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE).

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

About Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp.

Western Uranium & Vanadium Corp. is ramping-up high-grade uranium and vanadium production at its Sunday Mine Complex. In addition to the flagship property located in the prolific Uravan Mineral Belt, the production pipeline also includes conventional projects in Colorado and Utah. The Mustang Mineral Processing Site is being licensed and developed for mined material recovery and will incorporate kinetic separation to optimize economics.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements). Statements of that nature include statements relating to, or that are dependent upon: the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding use of funds of the Offering, and exploration and production plans and results; the timing of planned activities; whether the Company can raise any additional funds required to implement its plans; whether regulatory or analogous requirements can be satisfied to permit planned activities; and more generally to the Companys business, and the economic and political environment applicable to its operations, assets and plans. All such forward-looking statements are subject to important risk factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Please refer to the Companys most recent Managements Discussion and Analysis, as well as its other filings at www.sec.gov and/or www.sedarplus.com, for a more detailed review of those risk factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements, and that these statements are made as of the date hereof. While the Company may do so, it does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements at any particular time, except as and to the extent required under applicable laws and regulations.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

George Glasier

President and CEO

970-864-2125

gglasier@western-uranium.com

Robert Klein

Chief Financial Officer

908-872-7686

rklein@western-uranium.com

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
TORONTO, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Metals Incorporated (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") (TSX-V: OM; OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: OB51) announces that, effective June 13, 2025, the Company has been continued from British Columbia (Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) to Ontario (Business Corporations Act (Ontario)) (the "Continuance").

The Company adopted new articles and by-laws as part of the Continuance, which replaced the prior articles and by-laws of the Company. The Continuance and the new articles and by-laws of the Company were each approved by shareholders at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 29, 2025. Copies of the certificate of continuance and the new articles and by-laws of the Company will be available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskometals.com.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspe Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system, with current Indicated Mineral Resources of 824 Mt grading 0.34% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 670 Mt grading 0.38% CuEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' November 14, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals Announces Significant Increase in Mineral Resource at Gaspe Copper". Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

In addition to the Gaspe Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the Pine Point Mining Limited joint venture to advance one of Canada's largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of Indicated Mineral Resources of 49.5 Mt at 5.52% ZnEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt at 5.64% ZnEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' June 25, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5 million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq". The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometers of viable haul roads.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, Chief Executive Officer of Osisko Metals Incorporated

Email: info@osiskometals.com

Phone: (514) 861-4441

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "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, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the anticipated resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system; Gaspe Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America; and the advancement of the Pine Point project.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. 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.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Detroit, MI, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With nearly 30,000 students from over 180 countries and a stellar 4.7-star average rating, Patrick Gamaliels Udemy course, Print on Demand with Etsy for Passive Income 2025, continues to empower aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their creativity into profitable online businesses.





From mugs to shirts, totes to postersdesign it, sell it, profit!

Designed for beginners and seasoned creators alike, this bestselling course provides a comprehensive guide to building an automated Etsy store using the innovative print-on-demand model. Students learn to harness the power of cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney to streamline the creation of visually captivating designs, all while mastering insider strategies for marketing, SEO, and scaling their stores for consistent passive income.

The goal of this course is to make creating a passive income source both achievable and exciting for anyone with creative potential. Seeing students from around the globe succeed and grow makes this mission incredibly rewarding, said Patrick Gamaliel, creator of the course and a highly experienced eCommerce entrepreneur.

The course curriculum goes beyond foundational knowledge, offering practical tools and step-by-step instructions that simplify the path to success on Etsys thriving platform. Students also gain access to exclusive downloads and ongoing updates, ensuring they stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

Complementing the course is Patricks Amazon bestseller, Artist to Entrepreneur: Turn Your Hobby Into a Six-Figure Business, a book inspired by his expertise and insights from teaching. This guidebook provides a deeper exploration of turning artistic talents into profitable ventures and is a must-read for those striving to scale their creative pursuits.



Additionally, course participants can benefit from a wealth of free resources available at Arttuts.co. With downloadable infographics, cheat sheets, and mini-courses, the platform is a treasure trove of tools designed to support creatives at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys.

Aspiring entrepreneurs eager to start their path to passive income can join the growing community by enrolling in Print on Demand with Etsy for Passive Income 2025 today. For more details, visit the course page at Udemy or explore additional resources at Arttuts.co.





About Voist Enterprises LLC



Voist Enterprises LLC empowers artists worldwide to turn their craft into thriving businesses. With bestselling courses taken by over 54,000 students in 180+ countries, hit books on Amazon, and free resources at ArtTuts.co, we equip creative entrepreneurs with the tools to succeed. Backed by a vibrant community of 100,000 Instagram followers and 50,000 YouTube subscribers, were on a mission to make creativity profitable while fostering a fun, supportive, and inclusive space for all creators.

Press inquiries

Voist Enterprises LLC

https://arttuts.co

Patrick Gamaliel

Photog@voistmag.com

(315) 503-1361



A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.youtube.com/embed/OF2j8gSVxkA
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the Company or Atico) (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) announces that, further to its press release dated June 9, 2025, it has entered into a term sheet with Trafigura PTE. LTD. (the Trafigura) regarding an amendment and extension of the Companys existing secured credit agreement (the Credit Agreement) with Trafigura and certain subsidiaries of the Company, of which US$8.7 million remains outstanding (the Principal Amount).

Pursuant to the term sheet, the Principal Amount will be repaid in two instalments of US$2.7 million on July 25, 2025 and US$6 million on December 30, 2026. The outstanding Principal Amount will bear interest at a rate of SOFR plus 7.5%. In addition, the parties have agreed to an extension of the existing commercial concentrate purchase contract between the Company and Trafigura covering the purchase of 100% of the concentrate produced from the El Roble mine for two additional years, subject to a minimum tonnage of 32kdm per year.

Closing of the transactions is subject to finalization of definitive documentation, which will contain customary representations, warranties, covenants and conditions precedent to closing, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and is expected to occur on or before June 30, 2025.

About Atico Mining Corporation

Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company generates significant cash flow through the operation of the El Roble mine and is developing its high-grade La Plata VMS project in Ecuador. The Company is also pursuing additional acquisition of advanced stage opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Fernando E. Ganoza

CEO

Atico Mining Corporation

Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTCQX: ATCMF

Investor Relations

Igor Dutina

Tel: +1.604.729.5765

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or the Companys future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, confirm and similar expressions, or the negatives of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, should, might, or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified in such statement. Specifically, this news release includes, but is not limited to, forward-looking statements regarding: the expected terms contained in the definitive documentation and the expected closing of the loan refinancing with Trafigura including the timing thereof.

Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond Aticos ability to predict or control. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the Companys outstanding debt, including amounts due and payable to each of Trafigura and Dundee Corporation (Dundee) on or before June 30, 2025 and December 30, 2025, respectively, or the ability to successfully amend and extend the Credit Agreement and the convertible debenture with Dundee; the availability and cost of funds; uncertainties relating to the closing of the Trafigura loan refinancing, including delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required approvals to complete the Trafigura loan refinancing; mining operations; market fluctuations in commodity prices; title risks and surface rights and access; changes in legislation; political instability; government or regulatory approvals; non-compliance with laws and regulations and compliance costs; environmental compliance; climate change; uninsured and uninsurable risks; water disposal, tailings and reclamation obligations; financing risks; risks associated with outstanding debt; global economic conditions; availability and costs of supplies; community relations; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; future production rates; labour relations; currency fluctuations; the Company may engage in hedging activities; infrastructure; exploration and development capital expenditures; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; concentrate sales risks; shortage of personnel; health and safety; pandemics, epidemics or infectious disease outbreak; physical security; conflicts of interest; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of Common Shares; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Companys business and the Offerings, including those described in the Companys public disclosure documents on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including but not limited to, (1) the successful completion of the Trafigura loan refinancing; (2) the Companys ability to generate positive cash flows from ongoing operations at the El Roble Mine, including the ability to sell its mineral concentrates in inventory; (3) that all required third party contractual, regulatory and governmental approvals will be obtained for the development, construction and production of the Companys properties, (4) there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labor disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment, non-renewal of title to the Companys claims or otherwise, (5) permitting, development, expansion and power supply proceeding on a basis consistent with the Companys current expectations, (6) currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, (7) certain price assumptions for copper, gold, zinc and silver, (8) prices for and availability of fuel oil, electricity, parts and equipment and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels, (9) production forecasts meeting expectations, (10) the accuracy of the Companys current mineral resource and reserve estimates, (11) labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Companys current expectations, (12) matters related to the ongoing dispute with the National Mining Agency in Colombia, and (13) general marketing, political, business and economic conditions.

Forward-looking statements may be affected by known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including without limitation, those referred to in the Offering Documents that may cause Aticos actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If Atico does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
TORONTO, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red White & Bloom Brands Inc. (CSE: RWB) (RWB or the Company) is providing an update on the status of a management cease trade order granted on May 1, 2025 (the "MCTO") by the British Columbia Securities Commission under National Policy 12-203  Management Cease Trade Order ("NP 12-203").

On May 1, 2025, the Company announced that, for reasons disclosed in the news release, there would be a delay in the filing of its financial statements and accompanying managements discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Annual Filings") beyond the period prescribed under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company reports that the audit continues to progress, and it will provide a further update on the timing of its Annual Filings on or about June 23, 2025, if it has not filed by this date. The Company is also progressing on the completion of its interim financial statements and accompanying managements discussion and analysis for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (the "2025-Q1 Filings"). The Company advises that the 2025-Q1 Filings will be filed within five business days from the date the Annual Filings are completed. Further updates on timing will be provided by the Company as necessary.

During the MCTO, the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's listed common shares. However, the Company's chief executive officer, president and chief financial officer will not be able to trade in the Company's shares.

Other than as disclosed in this news release, there are no material changes to the information contained in the initial press release associated with the MCTO. The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of NP 12- 203 and will continue to issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as it remains in default of the Annual Filings requirement. These updates will include information regarding the progress of the Annual Filings and any material changes to the Companys business, if any.

About Red White & Bloom Brands Inc.

Red White & Bloom Brands is a multi-jurisdictional cannabis operator and house of premium brands operating in the United States, Canada and select international jurisdictions. The Company is predominantly focusing its investments on major U.S. markets, including California, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, and Ohio in addition to Canadian and international markets.

Red White & Bloom Brands Inc.

Investor and Media Relations

Edoardo Mattei, CFO

IR@RedWhiteBloom.com

947-225-0503

Visit us on the web: https://www.redwhitebloom.com/.

Follow us on social media:

Twitter @rwbbrands

Facebook @redwhitebloombrands

Instagram @redwhitebloombrands

Neither 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 INFORMATION

Certain information contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often identified by the use of words such as plans, expects, may, should, could, will, intends, anticipates, believes, estimates, forecasts, or variations of such words and phrases, including the negative forms thereof, as well as terms such as pro forma and scheduled, and similar expressions that refer to future events or outcomes.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated timing, review, completion, and filing of the Annual Filings and Q1 Filings; the expected duration of the MCTO; the Company's ongoing operations; and the Company's intention to issue bi-weekly default status updates.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with audit completion processes; regulatory reviews and approvals; market conditions; the Companys financial condition and liquidity; the ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the debt restructuring; and the risk that the Company may not be able to complete its Annual Filings within the timeframe currently anticipated.

There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE COMPANYS EXPECTATIONS AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
Smithfield, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield, Virginia -

757 Building Company, a locally-owned and operated home builder based in Smithfield, VA, is quickly becoming one of the most recognized and trusted names in custom home building across the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. Known for their expertise in custom homes, specialization in barndominiums, and personalized floor plans, company leadership has been serving the community since 2006 with a deep commitment to craftsmanship, transparency, and customer satisfaction.

With a strong foundation rooted in local values and personalized service, 757 Building Company offers a wide array of services, including model homes, custom traditional-style homes, unique barndominium builds, move-in ready properties, and "build on your lot" solutions. Each home they design and construct is a reflection of the client's visiontailored to fit their lifestyle, family needs, and aesthetic preferences.

"Our belief is simple," says owner Jonathan Beasley. "The pride of homeownership is truly priceless, and our mission is to be a force for good by Building Lasting Relationships and Crafting Forever Homes.' We don't just build houseswe build dreams, and legacies, 1 story at a time."



This customer-first mindset is exactly what has earned 757 Building Company the loyalty of families and individuals throughout the Hampton Roads area, including Isle of Wight County, Surry County, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, and Virginia Beach, Williamsburg and surrounding areas. Whether it's designing a custom floor plan from scratch or walking clients through the options in a move-in ready property, the 757 team is there every step of the way, ensuring the process is seamless, enjoyable, and memorable.

Barndominiumsone of the fastest-growing home styles in the countryhave become a standout specialty of 757 Building Company. Combining rustic charm with modern convenience, these versatile builds offer durability, efficiency, and personalized elegance. With more homeowners in Virginia turning to barndominiums for their flexibility and distinctive appeal, 757 Building Company has emerged the Hampton Roads community leader in bringing these dreams to life with superior quality and attention to detail.

But beyond the wood, steel, and blueprints is the heart of 757 Building Company: its people. Jonathan Beasley and his team are known not only for their craftsmanship, but also for their personal integrity, open communication, and strong ties to the local community.

"Our success has never just been about construction," says Beasley. "It's about relationships. We sincerely stand for purpose over profit, and impact over income. From the first conversation to the day we hand over the keysand even afterwe're committed to delivering an experience rooted in trust, reliability, and excellence. We know from experience, there's nothing quite like building your dream home from the ground up."

Beasley also credits the sustained support of the Hampton Roads community for the company's growth and success over the past 18 years. "I'm beyond grateful for the support we've received from the people of Hampton Roads since day one," he said. "It's been an honor to be part of so many families' stories, and we're excited for what's ahead."

The company's transparent process and experienced team of designers, project managers, and craftsmen ensure that clients are never in the dark about timelines, costs, or design decisions. Their homes are built to last, with an eye toward energy efficiency, long-term value, and timeless beauty.

As the demand for custom homes and barndominiums continues to rise throughout southeastern Virginia, 757 Building Company remains committed to staying ahead of the curveoffering innovative design, clear communication, and an unmatched dedication to excellence.

To learn more about 757 Building Company and explore their current offerings, visit https://www.757building.com or call them at (757) 255-8722.

About 757 Building Company

Founded in 2006, 757 Building Company is a locally-owned custom home builder based in Smithfield, VA. The company specializes in model homes, custom traditional homes, barndominiums, custom floor plans, and move-in ready properties throughout the Hampton Roads region. With a mission of "Building Lasting Relationships and Crafting Forever Homes," they continue to set the standard for trusted, reliable, and relationship-focused home construction in southeastern Virginia.

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For more information about 757 Building Company, contact the company here:



757 Building Company

Jonathan Beasley

(757) 255-8722

info@757building.co

208 B, Gumwood Dr

Smithfield, VA 23430
Washington, DC, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously reversed the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissal of Martin v. United States, an Atlanta familys Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) suit against the government for a wrong-house raid in 2017. FBI agents invaded the home of Trina Martin and her family, shackling her partner on the floor and holding a half-naked Ms. Martin at gunpoint, while she expressed concern for her seven-year-old sons safety elsewhere in the house. One big problem: the FBI SWAT team had knocked down the door of the wrong home, on the wrong street, because the agent in charge had failed to verify its clearly marked address. The Justices remanded the case to the Eleventh Circuit for reconsideration. As NCLAs amicus curiae brief urged, the Eleventh Circuit should ultimately rule on remand that the FTCA does not shield the government from liability when federal law enforcement officers raid the wrong house.

Ms. Martin and her family filed FTCA claims against the government for assault, battery, and false imprisonment, as well as Fourth Amendment claims against the individual FBI agents. The Eleventh Circuit below upheld the district courts dismissal of the case, concluding that the agents actions violated no clearly established law. It ruled that the family suffered harm resulting from an agents discretionary act (i.e., failing to check the house address), warranting total governmental immunity and no path to relief for the Martin family. The Eleventh Circuit also determined that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution could shield the FBI and its agents from FTCA suits. NCLAs amicus brief forcefully argued that the Eleventh Circuits mode of inquirywhich departed from the analytical process employed by all sister circuitswas inconsistent with the language and intent of the FTCA. Congress amended the FTCA in 1974 expressly to ensure that innocent people subjected to wrong-house raids and similar abuses by federal law enforcement officers would have a cause of action to sue.

By expanding the FTCAs discretionary-function exception to encompass wrong-house raids such as this one, the Eleventh Circuits decision effectively nullified the 1974 law. As Justice Sotomayor underscored in her concurrence (joined by Justice Jackson), Courts  should not ignore the existence of the [1974 amendment], or the factual context that inspired its passage, when construing the discretionary-function exception.  [A]ny interpretation should allow for liability in the very cases Congress amended the FTCA to remedy.

Todays Supreme Court ruling does not decide whether the discretionary function exception applies in this case, an issue that the Court ordered the Eleventh Circuit to resolve, but the Justices found that the Supremacy Clause is not a defense the government may invoke in FTCA lawsuits. Justice Gorsuch explained in his opinion for the Court: The FTCA is the supreme federal law addressing the United States liability for torts committed by its agents. It supplies the exclusive remedy for damages claims arising out of federal employees official conduct.

NCLA released the following statements:

The Supreme Court rightly held that innocent civilians should not be stripped of any meaningful remedy when they suffer abuse at the hands of federal law enforcement. The Martin family deserves their day in court. On remand, NCLA trusts that the Eleventh Circuit will carefully evaluate what qualifies as reasonable law enforcementand recognize that a trained FBI agent who fails to check a clearly marked house number before commencing a raid because it was dark outside does not qualify.

 Casey Norman, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

Law enforcement officers should not be able to evade accountability for entering the wrong house and terrorizing an innocent family in the middle of the night when Congress intentionally provided for redress in cases against the federal government in such circumstances. Thankfully, the Supreme Courts decision reaffirms that the Eleventh Circuit was wrong to preclude relief in this case and others like it.

 Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

All too often, court-created doctrines are used to reduce the governments liability to people whose civil liberties it has violated. Congratulations to our friends at the Institute for Justice for convincing the Supreme Court to clip the wings of such a doctrine in this caseat least where Congress had explicitly created a cause of action to sue.

 Mark Chenoweth, President, NCLA

For more information visit the amicus page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

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Charlotte, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charlotte, North Carolina -

Charlotte Plumbing Masters, a locally-owned and operated plumbing company based in Charlotte, NC, is quickly earning widespread recognition as one of the most affordable, reliable, and trusted plumbing service providers in the Mecklenburg County area. With nearly a decade of dedicated service under their belt, the team at Charlotte Plumbing Masters continues to deliver top-quality plumbing solutions to both residential and commercial customers throughout the region.

Founded with a commitment to professionalism and integrity, Charlotte Plumbing Masters has built a strong reputation for honest service, fair pricing, and prompt response times. The company offers a comprehensive range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning, sewer line repairs and replacements, water heater repairs and installations, leak detection and repair, water filtration system installations, and more. Their experienced technicians are equipped with the latest tools and technologies to handle everything from minor repairs to major plumbing emergencies.

For almost 10 years, Charlotte Plumbing Masters has made it their mission to deliver the kind of service that makes every customer feel valued. Whether servicing a small residential property or a large commercial facility, the company's expert plumbers treat each job with the same care and attention as if it were their own home or business.

"At Charlotte Plumbing Masters, our goal is simpletreat every customer with respect, provide honest recommendations, and deliver the highest quality workmanship possible," said Diyan Mitev, owner of Charlotte Plumbing Masters. "Plumbing problems are never convenient, and we want our customers to know they have a team they can rely on. Our job isn't done until they are fully satisfied."

Charlotte Plumbing Masters' dedication to customer service and satisfaction has earned them a loyal base of clients who return time and again, as well as numerous referrals through word of mouth. Their reputation is further solidified by positive online reviews and high ratings from satisfied customers across platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp.

Emergency plumbing situations require fast, professional helpand that's where Charlotte Plumbing Masters shines. Available for both scheduled appointments and same-day emergency calls, their team is committed to quick turnaround times without compromising quality. This responsiveness, combined with transparent pricing and trustworthy service, is why more and more Charlotte-area residents are choosing Charlotte Plumbing Masters as their go-to plumber.

In addition to plumbing repair and installation, the company also offers proactive solutions like water filtration systems and leak detection services designed to help homeowners save on utility costs, preserve their plumbing systems, and maintain healthier living environments.

"Our customers know that when they call us, they're getting a team that truly cares," added Mitev. "We're not just here to fix a leak or clear a drainwe're here to build long-term relationships based on trust and satisfaction. I'm incredibly grateful for the continued support we've received from the city of Charlotte and the entire Mecklenburg County community. It's an honor to serve our neighbors, and we don't take that responsibility lightly."

With Charlotte's housing market and commercial development steadily expanding, the demand for reliable plumbing contractors continues to grow. Charlotte Plumbing Masters is meeting that demand head-on, ensuring homes and businesses have access to affordable, high-quality plumbing services that they can count onnow and in the future.

Looking ahead, Charlotte Plumbing Masters plans to continue growing their team and investing in state-of-the-art plumbing equipment and training to better serve their expanding customer base. As they enter their next decade of service, their focus remains firmly on their founding principles: dependability, affordability, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. For more information or to schedule a service, visit: https://www.charlotteplumbingmasters.com or call (704) 727-4110.

About Charlotte Plumbing Masters

Charlotte Plumbing Masters is a family-owned plumbing company proudly serving Charlotte, NC, and the greater Mecklenburg County area. With almost 10 years of industry experience, their team of skilled plumbers offers a wide range of services, including drain cleaning, water heater repair, sewer line services, leak detection, water filtration systems, and more. Known for their friendly, fast, and honest service, Charlotte Plumbing Masters is dedicated to treating every home and business as if it were their own.

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For more information about Charlotte Plumbing Masters, contact the company here:



Charlotte Plumbing Masters

Diyan Mitev

(704) 727-4110

info@cpm101.com

13534 Plaza Rd Extension Ste 127

Charlotte, NC 28215
VANCOUVER, June 12, 2025 - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV:SCZ) (OTCQB:SCZMF) (FSE:1SZ) ("Santacruz" or the "Company") reports its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 ("Q1 2025"). The full version of the Q1 2025 financial statements ("Financial Statements") and accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis (the "MD&A") can be viewed on the Company's website at www.santacruzsilver.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Q1 2025 Highlights

Revenues of $70.3 million, a 34% increase year-over-year.

Gross Profit of $27.9 million, a 6882% increase year-over-year.

Net Income of $9.5 million, a 93% decrease year-over-year 1 .

. Adjusted EBITDA of $27.5 million, a 2202% increase year-over-year.

Cash and cash equivalents of $32.5 million, a 706% increase year-over-year.

Working Capital of $51.7 million, a 7530% increase year-over-year.

Cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold ($/oz) of $17.84, a 16% decrease year-over-year.

AISC per silver equivalent ounce sold of $22.34, a 8% decrease year-over-year.

Silver Equivalent Ounces produced of 3,688,129, a 5% decrease year-over-year2.

___________________________ 1. The decrease in Net Income is related to an extraordinary gain recorded in Q1 2024 from the adjustment to the consideration payable. Please refer to Note 10 of the financial statements for further details. 2. The Full Q1 2025 production results were released in a news release dated June 9, 2025.

Arturo Prestamo, Executive Chairman and CEO of Santacruz, commented: "Q1 2025 represents a strong beginning to the year, reflecting our continued emphasis on operational efficiency and financial discipline. We achieved a notable year-over-year improvement in profitability and cash generation, with gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA all registering substantial growth. These results underscore the strength, flexibility, and scalability of Santacruz's business model. We remain firmly focused on driving long-term value through disciplined capital allocation and a commitment to safety and operational excellence."

Mr. Prestamo continued, "We maintained a strong liquidity position at quarter-end, closing with $33 million in cash and cash equivalents. This was achieved despite a $10 million payment under the voluntary acceleration plan and the settlement of more than $19 million of 2024 current income tax. These outcomes reflect the strength of our underlying cash flows and our prudent approach to financial management, which continue to support our strategic priorities as we strengthen our balance sheet integrity. Backed by a seasoned team in Mexico, Bolivia, and Canada, along with a flexible and efficient operating model and a strong track record of execution, we are well-positioned to take advantage of todays metal prices and keep delivering sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders."

Selected consolidated financial and operating information for Q1 2025 and Q1 2024 and Q4 2024 are presented below. All financial information is prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and all dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US dollars, except per unit amounts, unless otherwise noted.

Production

In Q1 2025, the Company processed 471,773 tonnes of ore, producing 3,688,129 silver equivalent ounces. This total includes 1,590,063 ounces of silver and 20,719 tonnes of zinc.

Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024

In Q1 2025, ore processed was slightly lower than in Q4 2024, reflecting the typical seasonal slowdown, particularly across Bolivian operations, as well as scheduled mine sequencing and temporary constraints that modestly impacted throughput. Notably, Zimapan had a 3% increase in processed mineralized material, supported by sustained operational efficiency and continuous optimization efforts. Silver equivalent production was 10% lower, primarily due to reduced head grades and throughput. Silver output declined by 10%, while zinc production was 11% lower, consistent with the expected mine plan for the quarter. Despite these lower volumes, the Company remained focused on maximizing margins by prioritizing higher-silver-content zones. With temporary constraints now resolved and silver prices trending favorably, operations are well-positioned to deliver strong cash flow generation throughout the year.

Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

In Q1 2025, consolidated operational performance remained stable year-over-year, with total tonnes processed virtually unchanged compared to Q1 2024. Silver equivalent production was 5% lower, reflecting the impact of temporary operational constraints and expected ore body variability at certain Bolivian operations. Despite these factors, silver output remained flat, supported by higher silver head grades at key operations and improved metallurgical recoveries, particularly at the Caballo Blanco Group. Zinc production decreased by 9%, primarily due to lower throughput and head grades at Porco and Caballo Blanco, partially offset by strong results at Zimapan, where zinc output rose 23% year-over-year. Zimapan also led overall growth, increasing material processed by 9% and silver equivalent production by 14%, highlighting its operational improvements, as we develop and prepare level 960 now with all required underground equipment at site. The strategic reorganization of the Caballo Blanco and San Lucas, particularly the reallocation of Reserva mine's output, also contributed to improved metallurgical efficiency and stable margins. These results highlight the flexibility provided by the Company's diversified asset base and its focus on maximizing recoveries.

Cash Cost and All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold

Starting January 1, 2025, Bolivian operations adopted a new exchange rate methodology supported by IAS 21, replacing the fixed official rate (6.96 BOB/USD) with a market-based spot rate (average 12.20 BOB/USD) obtained from banks. Under IAS 21, entities should estimate a spot rate at which an orderly exchange transaction would take place between market participants under prevailing economic conditions. Recording BOB denominated transactions in USD using the market-based rate, provides a more accurate representation of the economic reality of the underlying transactions.

Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024

Costs improved notably in Q1 2025 when compared to Q4 2024, with consolidated cash cost and AISC per silver equivalent ounce sold decreasing to $17.84 and $22.34, respectively, from $22.38 and $27.83. This improvement was mainly driven by the Bolivian operations (Bolivar, Porco, Caballo Blanco, and San Lucas) which reported significant reductions across all cost metrics. Caballo Blanco Group saw the most considerable improvements. In contrast, Zimapan's AISC increased from $27.13 to $34.32/oz, as a significant portion of its annual capital budget was deployed during Q1 to accelerate key investments aimed at increasing future production at Carrizal mine level 960.

Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

Compared to Q1 2024, there were substantial cost improvements during Q1 2025. Consolidated cash cost decreased from $21.19 to $17.84/oz, and AISC from $24.27 to $22.34/oz. The most notable improvements came from Caballo Blanco, where AISC dropped significantly due to better metallurgical performance as a consequence of achieving improvements and efficiencies at underground and milling operations. Zimapan, however, recorded an increase in AISC to $34.32/oz (from $22.59), as a substantial portion of its budgeted CAPEX was executed in Q1 to bring forward investments that support higher production in upcoming quarters at Carrizal mine at level 960.

Webinar Details

CEO Arturo Prestamo and Interim CFO Andres Bedregal will present at a webinar hosted by Adelaide Capital on Thursday, June 19th at 2:00 pm ET. Investors and shareholders are invited to participate in the webinar.

Registration Link: https://streamyard.com/watch/FayzTiuRwtTm.

The webinar will also be live-streamed on the Adelaide Capital YouTube Channel, where a replay will be available after the event: https://bit.ly/adcap-youtube.

Questions can be submitted during the session or in advance to olenka@adcap.ca.

Qualified Person

Qualified Person Garth Kirkham P.Geo. an independent consultant to the Company, is a qualified person under NI 43-101 and has approved the scientific and technical information contained within this news release.

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Santacruz Silver is engaged in the operation, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties across Latin America. In Bolivia, the Company operates the Bolivar, Porco, and Caballo Blanco mining complexes, with Caballo Blanco comprising the Tres Amigos and Colquechaquita mines. The Reserva mine, whose production is provided to the San Lucas ore sourcing and trading business, is also located in Bolivia. Additionally, the Company oversees the Soracaya exploration project. In Mexico, Santacruz operates the Zimapan mine.

Non-GAAP Measures

The financial results in this news release include references to non-GAAP measures, which include Cash Cost of Production per Tonne, Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, All-in Sustaining Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent Ounce Sold, Average Realized Price per Ounce of Silver Equivalent Sold, and Adjusted EBITDA. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP and GAAP measures, please refer to the "Non-GAAP Measures" section in the Company's Q1 2025 Management Discussion and Analysis, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

'signed'

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

Executive Chairman and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of the 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, statements regarding the Company's payment of the Acceleration Option.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks that the Company may not have sufficient funds to exercise the Acceleration Option, risks related to changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets, changes in applicable laws, and compliance with extensive government regulation, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.
VANCOUVER - One World Lithium Inc. (CSE-OWLI) (OTCQB-OWRDF) (the "Company" or "OWL") is providing a default status report in accordance with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203").

On May 1, 2025, the Company announced a temporary management cease trade order ("MCTO") on the basis that it was unable to file its annual consolidated financial statements, accompanying management's discussion and analysis and related CEO and CFO certifications, for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Annual Filings") within the extended deadline for filing the same under British Columbia Instrument 51-515 - Temporary Exemption from Certain Corporate Finance Requirements ("BCI 51-515"). The MCTO was issued by the British Columbia Securities Commission on May 1, 2025 and prohibits the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to trade the Company's securities.

The Company confirms that there have been no material changes to the information contained in the Default Announcement or any other changes required to be disclosed under NP 12-203.

The Company anticipates that the Annual Filings will be filed on or before June 30, 2025. The Company will continue to provide bi-weekly ("every two weeks") updates, as required by NP 12-203, until the Annual Filings have been filed. The Company confirms it will continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in Sections 9 and 10 of NP 12-203 so long as it remains in default of the requirement to file the Annual Filings.

About One World Lithium Inc.

One World Lithium Inc. remains focused on properties of merit that may contain lithium. The Company is also focused on commercial application of its extraction technologies for natural brine and for slurries made from clay, pegmatite, volcanic rock and sediment. OWL intends to license or joint venture its technologies to current and future lithium carbonate producers. For more information, visit: https://oneworldlithium.com/.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of One World Lithium Inc.,

"Douglas Fulcher"

Douglas Fulcher, CEO and President

For further information please visit www.oneworldlithium.com or email info@oneworldlithium.com or call 604-564-2017.

Forward-Looking information: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability of the Company to file the Annual Filings and the anticipated filing date thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to that the Company may experience additional delays as a result of closing its previously announced private placement and be unable to make the Annual Filings as expected or within the times indicated. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publically any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Readers should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the reports and other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR, available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, June 13, 2025 - Western Copper and Gold Corp. ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRN) (NYSE American: WRN) announces the voting results from the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on June 12, 2025.

A total of 99,165,184 common shares were represented at the AGM, accounting for 49.58% of the votes attached to all outstanding common shares as of the record date. Detailed results of the vote for the election of directors and the appointment of the auditor are set out below.

Voting results for the election of each of the directors are as follows:

Director Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Raymond Threlkeld 83,398,357 97.66 % 1,998,747 2.34 % Sandeep Singh 85,272,115 99.85 % 124,989 0.15 % Robert Chausse 85,009,906 99.55 % 387,198 0.45 % Michael Vitton 61,999,900 72.60 % 23,397,204 27.40 % Klaus Zeitler 82,509,179 96.62 % 2,887,925 3.38 % Pamela O'Hara 85,215,910 99.79 % 181,194 0.21 %

Voting results for the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditor are as follows:

Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld 98,940,364 99.77 % 224,820 0.23 %

The Company's report of voting results will be available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml), and on the Company's website.

ABOUT WESTERN COPPER AND GOLD CORPORATION

Western Copper and Gold Corporation is developing the Casino Project, Canada's premier copper-gold mine in the Yukon Territory and one of the most economic greenfield copper-gold mining projects in the world.

The Company is committed to working collaboratively with our First Nations and local communities to progress the Casino Project, using internationally recognized responsible mining technologies and practices.

For more information, visit www.westerncopperandgold.com.

On behalf of the board,

"Sandeep Singh"

Sandeep Singh

President and CEO

Western Copper and Gold Corporation

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the anticipated advancement of the Casino Project, the continued support and involvement of Mitsubishi Materials, and the potential benefits of the extended investor rights agreement.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the risk of unforeseen challenges in advancing the Casino project, potential impacts on operational continuity, changes in general market conditions that could affect the Company's performance; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure documents.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, such assumptions and factors as set out herein, and in the Company's annual information form and Form 40-F for the most recently completed financial year and its other publicly filed disclosure document.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, other factors may cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements other than as required by applicable law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/western-copper-announces-election-of-directors-and-voting-results-from-annual-shareholders-meeting-302480794.html

SOURCE Western Copper and Gold Corporation
LITTLETON, June 13, 2025 - Ur-Energy Inc. (NYSE American:URG)(TSX:URE) (the "Company" or "Ur-Energy") is pleased to announce that its Chairman and CEO, John Cash, will present at the Emerging Growth Virtual Conference on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

Mr. Cash will present an update on Lost Creek production operations and the ongoing development and construction of our Shirley Basin Project.

Mr. Cash is presenting Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Ur-Energy invites you to attend its presentation at the Emerging Growth Conference. Please register to ensure you are able to attend the Conference and to receive updates that are released. Register here: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1717084&tp_key=e74795753f&sti=urg.

If you wish to submit questions for Mr. Cash to answer if time permits, please do so by submitting in advance at Questions@EmergingGrowth.com or ask your questions during the event.

If you are unable to join Ur-Energy's presentation, an archived webcast will be available on the Emerging Growth YouTube Channel: http://www.YouTube.com/EmergingGrowthConference.

The Emerging Growth Conference includes companies in a wide range of growth sectors, with strong management teams, innovative products and services, focused strategy, and execution. Its audience potentially includes thousands of individual and institutional investors, as well as investment advisors and analysts.

About Ur-Energy

Ur-Energy is a uranium mining company operating the Lost Creek in situ recovery uranium facility in south-central Wyoming. We have produced and packaged approximately 2.9 million pounds U 3 O 8 from Lost Creek since the commencement of operations. Ur-Energy has begun development and construction activities at Shirley Basin, the Company's second in situ recovery uranium facility in Wyoming. Ur?Energy is engaged in uranium mining, recovery and processing activities, including the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties in the United States. The primary trading market for Ur?Energy's common shares is on the NYSE American under the symbol "URG." Ur?Energy's common shares also trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "URE." Ur-Energy's corporate office is in Littleton, Colorado and its registered office is in Ottawa, Ontario.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

John W. Cash, Chairman, CEO and President

720-981-4588 (ext. 303)

John.Cash@Ur-Energy.com

SOURCE: Ur-Energy Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
TORONTO, June 13, 2025 - Osisko Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") (TSX-V: OM; OTCQX: OMZNF; FRANKFURT: OB51) announces that, effective June 13, 2025, the Company has been continued from British Columbia (Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) to Ontario (Business Corporations Act (Ontario)) (the "Continuance").

The Company adopted new articles and by-laws as part of the Continuance, which replaced the prior articles and by-laws of the Company. The Continuance and the new articles and by-laws of the Company were each approved by shareholders at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held on May 29, 2025. Copies of the certificate of continuance and the new articles and by-laws of the Company will be available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile and on the Company's website at www.osiskometals.com.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspe Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspe Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system, with current Indicated Mineral Resources of 824 Mt grading 0.34% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 670 Mt grading 0.38% CuEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' November 14, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals Announces Significant Increase in Mineral Resource at Gaspe Copper". Gaspe Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Quebec.

In addition to the Gaspe Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the Pine Point Mining Ltd. joint venture to advance one of Canada's largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of Indicated Mineral Resources of 49.5 Mt at 5.52% ZnEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt at 5.64% ZnEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals' June 25, 2024 news release entitled "Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5 million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq". The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometers of viable haul roads.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Robert Wares, Chief Executive Officer of Osisko Metals Incorporated

Email: info@osiskometals.com

Phone: (514) 861-4441

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", "management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "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, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the anticipated resource expansion of the Gaspe Copper system; Gaspe Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America; and the advancement of the Pine Point project.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals' issuer profile. 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.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Today we feature the achievements of recent winners of Harvard's Innovations in American Government Award . These programs were recognized, in part, because they are readily transferable to other jurisdictions. Future columns in this series will focus on the ideas of individual mayors. Citizen Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting : Crime fighting depends on quality, real-time, information and citizen participation. The CLEAR enterprise information system for the Chicago Police Department facilitates both. It provides the digital foundation for all police activity reports -- including detailed field incident reports and the entire arrest and booking process. CLEAR enables interactive query capabilities through an extensive data warehouse, and promotes community participation by providing searchable information through a public Web site. Overt Drug Market Strategy : For many cities, arresting drug dealers often proves easier then working to reform these criminals and reduce recidivism. The city of High Point, N.C., developed the Overt Drug Market Strategy specifically to address these challenges. While the most violent offenders are still aggressively prosecuted, other dealers are personally approached and then educated about the predictable consequences of continued dealing. Drug dealers and their families are called into meetings with local and federal law enforcement officers, prosecutors, ministers, service providers and neighborhood residents. The dealers are given an ultimatum: Either stop selling drugs and reap the benefits of employment, affordable housing, and educational programming, or face arrest. The Overt Drug Market Strategy has reduced violent crime in High Point by an average of 51 percent. Urban Land Reform Initiative : Foreclosures of distressed properties are bad enough for a community, but the potential neglect or misuse of property sold through forced sales often leads to problems that are just as bad, or worse. Genesee County, Mich., reengineered tax collection, tax foreclosure and land disposition to create a citizen-driven sustainable process that removes abandoned property from speculation. The Genesee County Land Bank acquires land through foreclosure and determines the best use of land -- with input from neighbors and community groups -- to support redevelopment opportunities for affordable owner-occupied housing. The result has been revitalized neighborhoods, more affordable housing and a slowing of urban sprawl. Seattle Climate Protection Initiative : The Climate Protection Initiative confronts global warming at the local level, beginning with a reduction of Seattle's pollution through the reform of provision of public services. For example, Seattle City Light, a municipal electric utility, is now the only utility in the country to produce electricity with zero net emissions of greenhouse gases. Building on its success in reducing climate pollution, the Climate Protection Initiative created a coalition of American mayors who are taking similar action in their own jurisdictions, promoting stronger national policy and inspiring grassroots efforts throughout the country. Mayor's Charter Schools Initiative : The Mayor's Charter Schools Initiative in Indianapolis leverages the power of the mayor of Indianapolis' office -- and former Mayor Bart Peterson's accountability as a highly visible, elected individual -- to make Peterson the only mayor in the United States authorized to create and oversee charter schools designed to meet needs not currently met by the city's school districts. Mayor Peterson developed an accountability system through which he established high expectations, monitored progress and reported findings to the public. Today, 18 schools chartered by the mayor are operational, educating nearly 6,700 students. Urban Academies Program : The Urban Academies Program in Broward County, Fla., tackles the costly and debilitating problem of hiring and retaining teachers in predominantly poor and minority schools. The program recruits and trains local high school students who are considering a career in education, provides specialized training for college students already committed to becoming educators, and supports practicing teachers. Over the past five years, the Urban Academies Program has prepared and placed 360 teachers in Broward schools and retained 91 percent of those who have completed the program for at least three years (compared to a national three-year retention rate of 67 percent). Youth Civic Engagement : The Youth Civic Engagement program of Hampton, Va., is a comprehensive strategy that gives young people the authority to have a real voice in city decisions. Youth play an active role in directing city services, schools and neighborhood projects. The YCE model allows youth to work directly as advisers within a Neighborhood Youth Advisory Board, Teen Advisory Groups for Parks and Recreation, the Superintendent's Advisory Group and secondary-school advisory teams. As of fall 2005, youth commissioners had allocated over $175,000 to more than 90 youth-led projects addressing community needs. The input of the youth commissioners into the policies and planning of the local transit authority also resulted in increased youth use of busses by approximately 11,000 rides a month. Systematic Code Enforcement Program : In Los Angeles, the Systematic Code Enforcement Program inspects all rental properties with two or more units for habitability and to enforce state health and safety codes. Developed in consultation with advocates for tenants and property owners and funded by billing property owners around $35 per unit per year, SCEP conducts both regularly scheduled inspections and responds quickly to tenant complaints. Owners are required to address life-safety threats immediately and other repairs within 30 days, or risk prosecution. Multilingual materials for tenants and owners are available, and nonprofit advocacy groups foster outreach and education to neighborhoods in greatest need of building inspections.
FIA chief's controversial changes voted in

Despite the protests of multiple FIA member clubs, Formula 1's governing body has ratified a series of controversial statute amendments.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem

 FIA

Many regarded president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's recently-proposed changes as an attempt to consolidate his position as Carlos Sainz senior considers challenging him in December's elections.

Austria's Krone newspaper said the amendments would, among other things, tighten the election process with a shorter application period. Another change was the reduction of the maximum age of an FIA president from 75 to 70 - excluding former F1 team boss David Richards.

The Austrian automobile club OAMTC formalised its objections to the changes in a letter, warning of a dark period of democratic backsliding .

However, although reportedly supported by entities in the UK, Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland, the objection was overruled and Ben Sulayem's changes were voted in with what an FIA spokesman described as an overwhelming majority .

The OAMTC chief Oliver Schmerold told Krone: "It's very regrettable.

We criticised the timing because no change was urgent and there was no room for discussion.

However, the FIA spokesman insists the statute changes come at the end of a clear democratic process .

(GMM)
Wheatley says he's not just emulating Horner

Audi-owned Sauber is already "better" in some areas than Red Bull.

Jonathan Wheatley, Spanish GP 2025

 Sauber

That's the astonishing claim of Red Bull's former long-time sporting director Jonathan Wheatley - who amid the Christian Horner-related turmoil last year decided to accept an offer to be the new Audi team boss.

This year, Sauber is in full transition ahead of its rebranding as the Audi works team from 2026 and beyond.

However, the overall Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto warned several days ago that the German marque may not emerge with a fully-competitive works engine next year.

Indeed, Sauber has spent several years languishing at the bottom of the standings - although Nico Hulkenberg's P5 in Barcelona offered some hope.

We want to be fully operational by 2030, said team boss Wheatley.

We have the most important ingredient for this - our people are not only capable, but also highly motivated and passionate about their work. That was a surprise to me, the Briton told Germany's Sport Bild.

Because the past few years haven't been easy. It would be easy to let our shoulders slump, but the people are full of enthusiasm. We now need to channel this energy in the right direction.

It is believed some acrimony still exists between Wheatley's former boss at Red Bull, Christian Horner. The pair now go toe-to-toe in the F1 team principals' meetings.

When asked if he learned anything from Horner, Wheatley answered: "It wasn't just Christian - many people influenced me.

"I've had great managers and bad ones. I combine the experiences I've had with my time as a mechanic, sporting director, and ultimately with the things I'm experiencing now. I'm still learning every day.

My most important rule is and always will be - meet and treat everyone the way you want to be treated. I know the responsibility I bear and I want to lead the way. Things will go wrong, but we mustn't let ourselves be deterred from our course.

What is relatively clear is that Wheatley brings a lot of experience from Red Bull about how to structure a truly title-winning team.

When asked what Audi can learn from Red Bull, he insisted: "It's about establishing clear processes. We need to make it clear to people where they stand, where their responsibilities begin and end, and what the reporting structure looks like.

But by no means is everything bad. There are actually many things that are already running better here than what I'm used to at Red Bull.

One example, he explains, is: "The handling of traffic during qualifying.

Communication with the operations room at the factory during grands prix is also improving. These things can make all the difference and what I'm seeing gives me confidence."

(GMM)
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Featured

Why did Israel attack Iran?

cnn.com International News Jun - 13 - 2025 , 09:03 2 minutes read

US intelligence agencies had been warning since February that Israel was likely to attempt to strike facilities key to Irans nuclear program this year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly pushed for a military option to stop Irans nuclear program.

Recent US intelligence reports say that Israel is seeking to capitalize on the destruction inflicted after it bombed Irans missile production facilities and air defenses in October.

And overall, Israel is also still pursuing the broader goal of causing regime change in Iran, one such intelligence report said.

Israel sees Iran as an existential threat: For years, Israel has said it has the most to lose if Iran, which refuses to recognize Israels right to exist, develops a nuclear bomb.

Israel and Iran have been fighting a shadow war through proxies and covert actions for decades. Tehran has supported regional armed groups that have engaged in direct conflict with Israel, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Since Israels war in Gaza began, attacks by Iran-backed proxy groups have escalated in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu is in hot water domestically: Opposition to a new military conscription bill has sparked political deadlock, and Israels parliament, the Knesset, had met for talks about dissolving itself  which could have ultimately led to early elections that polls show Netanyahu would lose.

Parliament rejected a vote on dissolution Wednesday, giving Netanyahu more time to resolve the crisis.

Why now: The United Nations nuclear watchdog passed a resolution on Thursday declaring Iran to be in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations.

Tehran retaliated by announcing it would ramp up its nuclear activities, warning it had no option but to respond.

Uranium is a nuclear fuel that, when highly enriched, can be used to make a bomb. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Featured

Armed robber jailed 10 years after Sekondi Hospital heist

GraphicOnline Jun - 13 - 2025 , 08:46 2 minutes read

The Sekondi Circuit Court has sentenced a 36-year-old Nigerian national, Stanley Afaku, to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to armed robbery.

The conviction, announced by the Ghana Police Service in a press release dated June 12, 2025, follows a violent incident earlier this year at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region.

According to the statement signed by Superintendent Olivia E.T. Adiku, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the Regional Police Headquarters in Sekondi, the conviction was handed down on Monday, June 9, 2025, by Her Honour Naa Amerley Akowuah.

The Western Regional Police Command wishes to inform the public that... the Sekondi Circuit Court... convicted a notorious armed robber, Stanley Afaku, the release said, adding that the sentence followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate.

The crime occurred on 23 February 2025, when Stanley Afaku and his accomplice, identified as Samuel Nickson alias Egya Acquah, launched a brazen attack on a security guard at the hospital.

Afaku and his accomplice attacked Nash Arthur, a security guard at Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi at gunpoint. During the robbery attack, the convict tied him with his own shirt, stole his phone, broke into the hospitals outpatient department pharmacy, and made away with a flat-screen television set, the police said.

Stanley Afaku was arrested on 4 June 2025 at Esiama Bafana Ghetto. He later admitted to the crime and named his accomplice, Samuel Nickson, who, according to the police, is already facing another charge of robbery.

Both men were arraigned before the court. Stanley Afaku pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment to be deported by the Ghana Immigration Service upon completion of his jail term, the release stated.

Samuel Nickson, however, pleaded not guilty to both counts and was remanded into police custody. He is expected to reappear in court on 24 June 2025.

The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its continued commitment to tackling violent crime through intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration.
Bridging medical education gap between north, south: Education Ministry to establish Islamic Medical School

Severious Kale-Dery Jun - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Ghana, Khalid Bin Jabor Al-Mesallam, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra.

The courtesy call formed part of ongoing diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening education-focused partnerships between Ghana and its international allies.

The discussion focused on bilateral relations, particularly in the area of education and how the two countries could collaborate to strengthen those relations.

Islamic Medical School

Welcoming the ambassador to his office, Mr Iddrisu called on the Qatar Education Foundation to support the ministry to establish an Islamic Medical School in the Northern Region of Ghana.

He indicated that the school would also serve as a teaching hospital for the University for Development Studies (UDS).

Mr Iddrisu added that the initiative by the ministry was aimed at expanding access to medical education and enhancing healthcare delivery in the northern regions.

If you can give us a friendly concessionary financing to do that in order that the umma (Islamic folks) in that particular area can make use of it, he said.

Bilateral relations

Mr Iddrisu emphasised the need to further strengthen bilateral relations between Ghana and Qatar, with a particular focus on enhancing cooperation in the field of education.

He expressed Ghanas interest in deepening institutional ties between the Ministry of Education of both countries to support the mutual exchange of knowledge, best practices, and investment in education.

The minister noted that the Islamic curriculum for basic schools would be reviewed for basic education beginning with kindergarten to encourage the teaching of Arabic in basic schools in Ghana.

Mr Iddrisu expressed Ghanas interest in participating in the upcoming global Education Conference scheduled to take place in Geneva in September 2025, where Ghanas progress and priorities in the education sector would be showcased on the international stage.

He expressed gratitude to the ambassador for the courtesy call at short notice and hinted at plans to arrange a visit to Qatar to discuss a number of issues in the area of education.

For his part, Ambassador Al-Mesallam expressed strong interest in the discussions and reaffirmed Qatars willingness to explore collaborative opportunities in support of Ghanas education sector.

It is very important for us as a State of Qatar that we explore the opportunity with the industry to manage the realisation between the two countries, he said.

Ambassador Al-Mesallam said he looked forward to welcoming the Ghanaian delegates, especially the minister at the Global Education Conference in Geneva.
Haruna Iddrisu tasks new CIHRM council to address overstaffing in public service

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Jun - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu (MP), has charged the newly inaugurated Council of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, Ghana (CIHRM), to confront the growing issue of overstaffing in the Civil and Public Service.

He expressed concern over how the staffing levels in public institutions had expanded beyond what was operationally efficient, warning that unchecked growth in workforce numbers was undermining productivity and inflating costs.

HR Managers have allowed the mushrooming of numbers in both the Civil and Public Service.

When I was Chairman of the Free Zones Authority, we had only 70 employees, but now

I am told the workforce is over 300. I ran NCA with about 98 staff; today, I am told it has ballooned to 300 employees.

We are just adding up numbers instead of downsizing, he said

The 11-member CIHRM Council sworn into office in a ceremony held at the ministry last Tuesday.

Mr Iddrisu, therefore, tasked the CIHRM Council with developing a comprehensive manpower roadmap that outlines the optimal staffing structure for public sector institutions.

He noted that such a framework was essential to ensure the efficient allocation of human resources and to address the rising cost of maintaining an oversized public workforce.

He further stressed that, in addition to workforce size, President John Dramani Mahama had expressed serious concern about declining standards in punctuality and productivity within the public sector.

He urged the Institutes leadership to take steps to improve discipline and output across all government agencies.

Swearing-in

This included Florence Hutchful as President; Dorothy Asare as Vice-President; Dr Francis Eduku as CEO of CIHRM and Dr Edward Kwapong who is the Immediate-Past President.

The others were Nana Kwabena Yeboah, Dora Siaw-Lartey, Mr. Eric Sewonu Adadevoh, Louise Agyemang-Barning, Mrs. Anita Andrews Nanfuri (GTEC Representative), Truedy A. Osae (GEA Representative), and Comfort Dede Aki Ashiagbor (Ministry of Education Representative).

Eduction

The CIHRM President, Florence Hutchful, underscored the pivotal role of education in national development, stating that no country could achieve long-term prosperity without a strong educational foundation.

Education remains the cornerstone of national development, and the Institute recognises the critical role the Ministry of Education plays in shaping policies that impact the future of our country, she said.

She reiterated the Institutes mandate as the only legally recognised HR professional body established by law to regulate human resource management practice and maintain standards in Ghana.

Mrs. Hutchful added that CIHRM was committed to equipping HR professionals with the necessary skills and character to build a productive workforce and healthy organisations that contribute to national growth.

She also welcomed the Ministers charge and affirmed the Councils readiness to address concerns related to productivity, punctuality, and the appropriate staffing levels within the Civil and Public Service.
Featured

Judges must be custodians of legal accountability  Justice Tanko

George Folley Jun - 13 - 2025 , 10:07 2 minutes read

A justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Amadu Tanko, has called on members of the bench to be custodians of legal accountability in the extractive industry.

He said they must be seen to be stewards of justice where the rights of communities, the state and private investors intersected.

"You have a calling not only to adjudicate disputes, but also safeguard the very substratum of national development, our land and mineral resources," Justice Tanko, added.

He was speaking at a two-day training on Land Act, 2020 (ACT 1936) and the Minerals and Mineral Act, 2006 (Act 703) for judges and magistrates drawn from the Western, Western North and Central regions in Takoradi yesterday.

It was organised by the Judicial Training Institute with sponsorship from the Ghana Chamber of Mines.

Timing

Justice Tanko, who is also the Director of the Judicial Training Institute, said the training had come at a time illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, was threatening not just "our environment, but the very social and legal fabric of rural mining communities.

Participants in the workshop in Takoradi

Justice Tanko said that the courts were increasingly confronted with cases involving conflicts between landowners and licensed mining companies, encroachment on mineral-rich lands, regulatory breaches and exploitative practices.

He, therefore, said it was imperative "we refresh ourselves with the statutory frameworks governing these issues not only to dispense justice, but to do so with clarity, competence and constitutionality".

Reminder

Justice Tanko reminded the participants that the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) remained the principal legal framework for regulating mineral resources in the country, and that the reforms as amended in 2019, 2015 and 2019, had largely focused on fiscal arrangements and administrative clarity.

He, however, said there was a growing consensus that environmental governance and sustainability should be adequately addressed.

Justice Tanko commended the Ghana Chamber of Mines for sponsoring the programme, and said it would go a long way to improve the adjudication of mining-related cases.

Appeal

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, urged the judiciary to be firm and support the chamber to fight illegal mining in the country.

He appealed to the bench to endeavour to expedite action on mining cases pending at the courts.
Featured

Meeting with striking nurses fruitful  Parliament Health Committee

Nana Konadu Agyeman Jun - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The Chairman of the Health Committee of Parliament, Dr Mark Kurt Nawaane, has described the negotiations they had with nurses affiliated to the Ghana Registered Nurses' and Midwives' Association (GRNMA) and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the ongoing nationwide strike by members of the association as fruitful.

The committee expressed appreciation over the fact that all the stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health and Finance, honoured their invitation.

We have had a very fruitful negotiations; we tried to understand each other and we have tried as much as possible to synchronise our activities.

What we can say at this moment is that the discussions were fruitful and the nurses, by their regulation, have to go back to their counsel and they will come back, Dr Nawaane said.

He further described the posture of the nurses as fair, adding that If the Abusuapanyin (head of family) should tell you to go and lead a discussion, you have to bring back the information to them first before any other issue can come out.

The Ranking Member of the Health Committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, also said that the nurses were going to have a session with their counsel and we are hopeful for good news.

The closed-door meeting, which started at 10: a.m. yesterday, and ended at 2:00p.m., was to allow members of the committee to learn at first-hand the concerns of the striking nurses and what interventions could be made.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, officials from the ministries of Health and Finance, as well as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).

Strike

The ongoing strike by public sector nurses is taking a toll on healthcare in the country, with some major hospitals struggling to provide basic services to patients in the deserted wards.

The industrial action, initiated by the GRNMA, stems from grievances over delayed conditions of service negotiations and the governments failure to address key welfare concerns raised by the nurses and midwives.

The GRNMA has accused the Ministry of Health and the FWSC of failing to honour promises made to them, such as allowances, accommodation issues and workload.

The Ministry of Health has since appealed to the nurses to return to work while negotiations continue, cautioning that the ongoing industrial action threatens to collapse the already overburdened public healthcare system.
Featured

OSP conducts search on SML

Samuel Doe Ablordeppey Jun - 13 - 2025 , 11:45 4 minutes read

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has conducted a search at the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) to retrieve relevant information to help in ongoing investigations.

The search, which was based on a lawful search warrant granted by the court, was to retrieve relevant information to assist the office in its investigation regarding the work of the assurance company on the downstream petroleum sector in a contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The Director of Strategy, Research and Communication, Samuel Appiah Darko, told the Daily Graphic that the investigators of the OSP did not destroy any property at SML offices during last Mondays search exercise, except to remove and take possession of items relevant to its investigation.

He said as part of its standard operating procedure, the OSP investigators prepared a list of the items seized. This is called the Form 3 and its titled Inventory of items seized or detained during search by an authorised officer.

Mr Darko said while a Principal Staff Officer signed the form on behalf of the OSP, the Director of IT at SML, Samuel Jacob Prempeh, signed on behalf of SML and witnessed by his colleague, Rev. Michael Nyamitei.

Our investigators went to the SML offices for a lawful search to take possession of certain information and items which we need to help us in our investigation, he said.

WE did not destroy any property and we filled the seizure notice duly signed by our officers and representatives of SML, the Director of Strategy, Research and Communication said.

Mr Darko further explained that staff of the SML offices were told that they were not under arrest and should therefore cooperate with the OSP investigators.

The Daily Graphic learnt that earlier that the OSP had demanded for some documents from SML to help with investigations into its operations following a petition by investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni.

However, lawyers of SML wrote to exercise the right to decline.

When asked, Mr Darko confirmed the information and said that compelled the OSP to apply for a warrant of the court to obtain the needed information from SML.

Context

Asked about the foundation of the investigation, he said, after receiving a petition from the investigative journalist, the then President also asked accounting firm, KPMG, to conduct an audit, an exercise that forced the OSP to pause its investigation of the issue.

Having passed that stage, Mr Darko explained, the OSP continued with the investigations, stressing that the corruption and corruption-related investigative body was not motivated by any external persons, groups or influences to conduct investigations or search the offices of the company for the needed information.

Background

The President had commissioned KPMG on December 29, 2023 to undertake an inquiry to gain a clear understanding of the matters in controversy, and to be properly advised in taking the necessary decisions.

On May 22, 2024, then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo released the full KPMG report of the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML for public consumption.

A statement announcing the release said the President, "in the interest of full transparency in governance, openness, and honesty with the public, has decided to waive the privilege under section 5 of the RTI Act and has directed the publication of the KPMG report in full."

On April 24, 2024, President Akufo-Addo received a request from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), under section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (RTI Act), for a copy of the KPMG report on the contracts and transactions between GRA and SML.

The statement from the presidency said bearing in mind the provisions of the RTI Act, particularly section 5(1)(a) and (b)(i) of the Act, the President denied the request by MFWA since the KPMG report constituted matters exempt under section 5 of the RTI Act.

However, the President, in the interest of full transparency in governance, openness, and honesty with the public, has decided to waive the privilege under section 5 of the RTI Act and has directed the publication of the KPMG report in full, it added.
Featured

State enterprises must sign performance contracts  SIGA

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Jun - 13 - 2025 , 12:14 3 minutes read

The Director-General (DG) of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Professor Michael Kpessah-Whyte, has urged state enterprises to sign performance contracts as it offers a better framework to evaluate their performance for better delivery.

He indicated that SIGA's role was not to control or micro-manage the affairs of state institutions but to evaluate the performance of state entities, ensuring they meet their targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and compliance.

Prof. Kpessah-Whyte was speaking at a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state enterprises in Accra yesterday on the performance contracts organised by SIGA.

Prof. Kpessah-Whyte expressed concern about the hesitance of some state entities to commit to corporate governance, particularly in signing performance contracts.

He said those who failed to sign these contracts tended to operate without clear targets, leading to inefficiencies.

He emphasised that the commitment to signing performance contracts was not about individual personalities or egos but about ensuring administrative purity and good corporate governance in state institutions.

The DG of SIGA highlighted that some institutions, including the Bank of Ghana, which had previously not committed to it had shown willingness to sign performance contracts, while others had been slow to commit.

Reports

He emphasised that signing performance contracts was crucial if SIGA was to perform its functions effectively.

He said as part of enhancing the efficient operation of state entities, SIGA produces an annual State Ownership Report, which assesses the financial and operational performance of state entities, as weIl as an annual Institutional Governance and Performance Assessment (IGPA) report, which evaluates the governance and performance of individual state entities, focusing on board decision-making, membership and compliance with the president's vision.

He added that the last State Ownership Report generated significant public discussion, highlighting the need for improved governance and accountability.

Role of SIGA and Ghanas Progression

For his part, the Presidential Advisor on the Economy, Seth Terkper, said SIGA, having evolved from the State Enterprises Commission, now had oversight over all institutions where the state had an interest, extending beyond just profit-making entities.

He urged SIGA and the state enterprises to commit to the KPIs and ensure efficiency in their service delivery and earn some dividend for the government.

The Presidential Advisor highlighted that state enterprises performance also affected the overall performance of the country, which translated into its economic status as a middle-income country and borrowing terms on the world stage.

The Presidential Advisor indicated that while Ghana remained among the lower-middle-income countries, he expressed optimism that with prudent management of its rich resources and continued investor attraction, the nation could ascend to an upper-middle-income status.

Adherence

He urged the state enterprises to adhere to the constitutional and financial contexts governing state entities, indicating the pivotal role of the Public Services Commission as enshrined in chapters 13 (finance) and 15 of the Constitution in the state's organisational structure.

Mr Terkper also highlighted the disconnect between political manifestos and actual development blueprints, arguing that this gap often left Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) without a clear strategic direction.

He advocated a fundamental realignment beginning with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), ministries, departments and agencies, ensuring that all updated strategic plans were consistent with the existing medium-term framework.

He emphasised the need for the country to synchronise its national development plans with its fiscal realities.

He explained that the effective performance across government ministries, departments and agencies as well as state-owned enterprises, fundamentally relied on robust framework of strategic objectives, programmes and objectives.

He also emphasised the necessity of synchronising these plans with the financial year and medium-term national development plan; saying, one of the biggest tasks we have is to synchronise it to the finance ministry.
Featured

Nurses and midwives suspend strike after talks with Parliament

Gertrude Ankah Jun - 13 - 2025 , 10:18 2 minutes read

The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has suspended the nationwide strike, following what it described as very fruitful discussions with Parliaments Select Committee on Health on Thursday.

Read also: Meeting with striking nurses fruitful  Parliament Health Committee

The industrial action, which began on June 2, 2025, was in protest over what the Association said were undue delays in implementing a Collective Agreement signed in May 2024.

Initially marked by the wearing of red armbands, the strike escalated into a full-scale withdrawal of outpatient and emergency services on June 9, severely disrupting healthcare delivery across the country.

In a press statement issued Friday morning, [June 13], the association said the decision to suspend the strike was influenced by appeals from the public, patients, and the timely intervention of the Health Committee of Parliament.

The engagement held with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health and other interested parties on Thursday, 12 June 2025 was very fruitful and has paved the way for an amicable resolution of the impasse, the statement said.

The GRNMA urged all nurses and midwives to resume their normal duties on Saturday, June 14, while a follow-up meeting with Parliament is scheduled for June 26 to finalise the roadmap toward implementation of the agreement.

The association also used the opportunity to address what it called misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda surrounding the strike, clarifying that it was neither politically motivated nor designed to punish patients.

We do not take delight in seeing our patients suffer. However, we cannot take good care of others when the system does not take good care of us, the statement added.

The GRNMA reaffirmed its identity as a non-partisan professional association and trade union, with a 65-year history of engaging governments across political divides while advocating for better conditions for nurses and midwives.

In its 65 years of existence, the GRNMA has never aligned with any political party in Ghana. Rather, it has worked with every government since 1960 in building a stronger and more resilient health system, the statement emphasised.

The leadership expressed gratitude to the Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of the Health Committee for what it described as a clear and structured intervention. It also thanked nurses and midwives for their solidarity and discipline during the strike, and acknowledged the media for amplifying their concerns.

We thank the press sincerely for carrying our voices to Ghanaians and the whole world. We encourage continued professionalism to protect the public from misinformation, the statement concluded.

The GRNMA insists it will not rest until the terms of the Collective Agreement are fully implemented.
Featured

WAEC: 16 arrested for malpractice in 2025 BECE, including 12 invigilators

Jemima Okang Addae Jun - 13 - 2025 , 12:46 2 minutes read

The Head of Public Affairs at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mr John Kapi, has disclosed that the number of individuals arrested for examination malpractice during the ongoing 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) has risen to 16.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One on Thursday, 13 June, Mr Kapi revealed that those apprehended include 12 invigilators, one supervisor, and three individuals unaffiliated with the examination process.

As of this morning, from my monitoring, we've hit 16 so far  12 invigilators, one supervisor and three individuals who were not directly connected to the examination, he said.

He explained that two unaffiliated individuals were caught attempting to solve questions outside the exam hall and send the answers to other candidates. One of them, who described herself as a fashion designer, was found with photocopied solutions intended for circulation at a centre before she was arrested.

Mr Kapi also reported a case of assault on a WAEC monitor in one of the regions and expressed concern over various breaches of examination regulations.

In some instances, invigilators were dictating answers to candidates in the hall. We have also had cases where invigilators took snapshots of question papers and circulated them on social media platforms, he noted.

He confirmed that on Wednesday alone, three invigilators were arrested for photographing question papers during the exams.

WAEC has reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the BECE and warned that all persons found culpable will face the full rigours of the law.

ALSO READ: Three invigilators arrested for BECE malpractice, says WAEC

Watch the interview below
Redouble efforts to reset Ghana - President Mahama urges NDC members

Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 13 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read

The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), President John Dramani Mahama, has urged members of the party to redouble their efforts to help build and reset the country in a manner that reflects its values.

He noted that the loyalty and resilience of the party's members and supporters were its greatest assets.

Anniversary

He stated this in a statement to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the party.

Events held to mark the day included the cutting of an anniversary cake, hoisting of the flags of Ghana, the 1981 Revolution and the NDC, as well as laying wreaths in rememberance of and to honour the founder, Jerry John Rawlings, cadres, and fallen national heroes.

The event at the party headquarters last Tuesday, was attended by party gurus and supporters.

Honour

In his statement, President Mahama remarked that the birth of the NDC was a testament to the enduring legacy of our unwavering dedication as members of the NDC and that of our founder, Jerry John Rawlings.

Today, we honour the activists, comrades and pioneers whose contributions and sacrifices have shaped our democracy and significantly contributed to the development of our country, he noted

President Mahama described the loyalty and resilience of the members and supporters as the greatest assets of the party.

As we look ahead, lets draw strength and inspiration from our history, harness our collective energy and work tirelessly to build the Ghana that truly reflects our values, President Mahama stated.

He was hopeful that the 33rd-anniversary milestone would energise members of the party to redouble their efforts, build upon past achievements and reset Ghana.
Featured

Parliament pushes for $300m compensation in budget to fast-track Petroleum Hub

GraphicOnline Politics Jun - 13 - 2025 , 18:39 3 minutes read

Ghanas Parliament is calling on the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to allocate $300 million in the upcoming Mid-Year Budget Review to compensate residents whose lands were acquired for the Petroleum Hub project.

The appeal was championed by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who reaffirmed his commitment to the strategic national initiative and emphasised the urgency of unlocking funds to bolster progress.

Although I lack the authority to issue a decree, I fervently urge the Minister to prioritise provisions for compensation in the Mid-Year Budget Review, Speaker Bagbin stated in Parliament on Friday, 13 June 2025.

He explained that while he could not issue a directive to the Finance Minister, he would earnestly appeal to and galvanise him to include the compensation package in the budget review to demonstrate governments commitment to the project and attract private sector investment.

Extensive research on this initiative traces back to the tenure of the late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills. During John Mahamas initial term, the project was actively advanced, and H.E. Akufo-Addo sustained its momentum. Now, under H.E. Mahamas second term, it is manifest that the nation collectively recognises this as a strategic imperative, he noted.

Energy Committee backs urgent action

The Speakers comments followed a statement by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Energy, Hon. Emmanuel Bedzrah, who called for urgent national focus on the Petroleum Hub.

Addressing the House, the Ho West MP highlighted the project's transformational potential, noting that its completion could position Ghana as a key energy and commercial hub in West Africa.

The Petroleum Hub project is of paramount national strategic importance. If addressed with the requisite urgency, it holds the potential to revolutionise Ghanas energy sector, unlock billions in investments, and elevate our nation as a regional industrial and commercial powerhouse, he said.

Hon. Bedzrah urged that 10 pesewas from the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF) be channelled to the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC) immediately and reiterated the need for a $300 million budgetary provision to compensate landowners in Jomoro, the site earmarked for the hub.

He added that the project is projected to create direct employment for over 780,000 Ghanaians, making it a critical economic intervention.

Lawmakers lend support

Several MPs across party lines echoed the call for expedited action, stressing the economic significance of the project and the need to maintain public trust by fulfilling compensation promises.

The Petroleum Hub is expected to house refineries, petrochemical plants, storage and distribution infrastructure, and marine servicesall components geared toward boosting Ghanas energy independence and regional competitiveness.

Speaker Bagbin said that timely disbursement of compensation would send a clear signal of the states commitment and serve as a catalyst for attracting international partners.

The transformative impact of a petroleum hub, as exemplified by Singapore, is undeniable. We must act now.
Samsung is getting ready to unveil the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic at its next Unpacked event, which is rumored to take place in New York next month. Both models will employ the squircle case design that made its debut in the Galaxy Watch Ultra from last year. As you'd expect, the Classic will feature a rotating bezel.

A new leak today brings a plot twist, however. It's now looking like, alongside the Watch8 and Watch8 Classic, Samsung will also introduce the Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025. Here are all three in freshly leaked renders.



Samsung Galaxy Watch8 (left), Watch8 Classic (center), and Watch Ultra 2025 (right)

We haven't heard much about a new Galaxy Watch Ultra recently, so we assumed Samsung wouldn't refresh the Ultra until next year, but this leak comes to contradict that. As you can see above, the design language has been unified between the three devices, with each one having its own unique look - but they also clearly belong to the same line as well.

The Watch8 Classic's bezel is different in order to be easily rotatable, and it also gains the Ultra's Quick Button. The Galaxy Watch8 is expected to come in two sizes, while the other two will be one size fits all.

Source
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Nothing Phone (3) and Nothing Headphone (1) will be available in the US and Canada

On July 1, Nothing is announcing the Phone (3), its first ever proper flagship smartphone, and the Headphone (1), its first ever pair of over-ear headphones, co-engineered with legendary British audio brand KEF.

Today Nothing has revealed that both of these products will be available officially in the US and Canada, and generally available - not through developer beta programs like some previous Nothing phones. This obviously marks a big step for the young brand. The devices will be offered in the US directly through Nothing's website as well as Amazon, and in Canada through Best Buy. The Phone (3) will support AT&T and T-Mobile in the US.

Nothing Phone (3) teaser image

Nothing CEO Carl Pei said:

We have always said we are building for the long term, and now were ready to take that next step in the U.S. Phone (3) is not just another launch. It is a signal of where we are as a company. The smartphone market in the U.S. is dominated by two players, but a lot of people are hungry for something different. We have already seen strong conversion rates from users switching to Nothing, and with Phone (3), we are going after that opportunity in a much more focused way. This is the right product, and the right moment, to start scaling in North America.

Source
The Guam Department of Education has 13 schools set for restroom renovations and on Thursday showcased one school who has completed most of their improvements.

Agueda I. Johnston Middle School opened its first fully renovated student restroom on Thursday, marking progress in Guams broader effort to modernize deteriorating public school facilities amid a $108.8 million federal funding freeze that has halted construction at dozens of campuses.

The project replaces aging infrastructure long plagued by sewage backups and collapsing ceilings.

It is part of a 13-school restroom renovation initiative:

Agueda I. Johnston Middle School

George Washington High School

Ordot-Chalan Pago Elementary

JQ San Miguel Elementary

CL Taitano Elementary

Tamuning Elementary

Jose Rios Middle School

Marcial Sablan Elementary

Vicente Benavente Middle School

Finegayan Elementary School

DL Perez Elementary School

Ocean View Middle School

Talofofo Elementary School

At Agueda Johnston Middle School, six of seven restrooms targeted for upgrades are complete, with the school now nearly 70% finished.

We are almost 60,70% finished with Agueda Johnston. When we get the funding, we can continue refurbishing the rest of the restrooms still on the list, Guam Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Leah Beth Naholowaa said.

Agueda Johnston Middle School and George Washington High School are the only campuses where restroom construction continues under an agreement that allows work to safely pause once critical portions are completed.

Sparkleball repair and the roof coating for Agueda Johnson is already 100% complete. Theyve already started, actually completed six restrooms, and theres actually six more that need to be completed by quarter estimate time, Capital Improvement Projects Program coordinator Nik Cruz said. Maybe within the next two weeks, a total of 12 restrooms will be done for Agueda Johnston.

Renovations include new door hardware and roof repairs expected to last 50 years. These updates come as schools prepare for the fall semester under ongoing financial strain.

Decades in the making

Acting Principal Eliza Paulino, a former student at Agueda Johnston Middle School, called the restroom renovation a long-awaited transformation and reflected on its personal significance.

Its a very exciting time. Its nice to know I went to school here, I was a former Pirate as well, and the bathrooms that are here were the ones that were here when I was a student, so its nice to see this change and this transition, she said.

She recalled firsthand the years of disrepair that preceded the renovation.

So from the beginning, I was here when the ceilings fell through. I was here when, you know, we had all the issues with the sewage problems and stuff. So to get those issues resolved, its been a great way to see growth and improving on the school. It was a lot of work, so its nice to see that come to fruition, at least.

Looking ahead, she said the completed work sets the tone for future improvements.

This is a good example of whats to come. How can someone not be excited about that, right? she added. Im glad we were able to do it, because its not an easy job. Its an old school, and so its nice that were able to not just put a Bandaid on things anymore.

Loan, appeal

Federal delays began in April, pausing a $10.1 million renovation at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School and freezing 12 major and 90 smaller projects across GDOE campuses.

The delay is costing an estimated $400,000 per day. GDOE owes $6.7 million under a contract and is seeking an additional $3.3 million for typhoon-related changes, $3.5 million for furniture and equipment, and $3 million for kitchen upgrades.

To manage the disruption, GDOE has requested a $30 million loan and submitted an appeal to the U.S. Department of Education ahead of the June 7 deadline. If denied, officials are preparing legal action.

I know that the superintendent has met with American Samoa and Virgin Islands, and collectively, I think were going to file a lawsuit, but I think you should ask the superintendent about this and plan B. I think its, according to the Adequate Education Act, educations priority for funding, Naholowaa said.

Despite the freeze, GDOEs facilities and maintenance division is prioritizing safety with limited resources.

We dont have anybody right now. Its hard to get through the procurement process but the cleaning contract is ongoing, and all the schools are scheduled to be deep cleaned, scrubbed, and grass cut, Naholowaa said.

Facilities and Maintenance Manager Jimmy Pangelinan said the priority is to make sure schools are safe, moving forward.

Cruz said exterior door replacement at six schools is between 30% and 40% complete. The project was paused after the funding hold took effect.

Exterior doors have been started for Ordot but I dont think its 100% complete. Once the pause letter came out, they had to put a stop to all exterior doors and kind of just focus on the restrooms, he said.Work continues
Private sector frustration over doing business with the government of Guam could be addressed if GovGuam would follow its own laws, Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz told a crowd of business and government leaders at a procurement summit Thursday.

But in multiple cases, the existing laws need fixing or revision, including the decades-old automatic stay law, which immediately pauses GovGuam projects once a procurement protest is filed, others said at the Government Procurement Summit held at Hyatt Regency Guam.

When a losing bidder protests, it could hold hostage critical government projects like building schools, roads, power plants or hospitals for years, depriving the community of these important infrastructure.

Many places dont do that anymore. They continue on, Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said, referring to the automatic stay law. Like I said, its disruptive and delays critical procurements to the detriment of our community.

Guams procurement law, she said, was adapted from a model procurement code from 1979 or 46 years ago.

For most of us, our laws and our regulations have not met up with the changing challenging times. So its hard to move forward if we plant our feet in the past, she said.

The governor said she plans to convene a procurement reform working group, which she expects to review Guams procurement laws and regulations and make recommendations.

These include those that would come out of Thursdays summit organized by the Guam Chamber of Commerce, Guam Contractors Association, and Guam Travel & Tourism Association.

We really need to make an overall comprehensive revision of our procurement laws, the governor said in her welcome remarks.

Besides the automatic stay law, the governor said she expects the procurement reform working group to revisit the small purchase thresholds.

I expect that the group will review and recommend changes to the small purchase thresholds to goods not exceeding $25,000 or construction not exceeding $100,000, she said. Costs have been increased...Before, those were reasonable thresholds but its not anymore and in todays dollars, are very restrictive and undermine the spirit behind the law.

Speaker Frank Blas Jr., at the summit, recognized that it would take several years to review the eight titles related to business laws in the Guam Code Annotated but said revisiting those titles is a long time coming.

Doing business with GovGuam

Panel members and attendees spent much of Thursday morning raising issues that make it hard to do business with GovGuam, like unclear bid specifications, lengthy procurement processing, and questions over government transparency.

The first panel focused on procurement policies that work, and the second one, on those that are not working and why.

Cruz, the keynote speaker and who took the stage in the afternoon, said there were a number of requirements on the books to improve government procurement, but implementation was a problem.

He noted that there was already a Guam lawwhich he sponsored during his time as a senatorestablishing a procurement advisory council responsible for recommending improvements and streamlining GovGuam policy.

This advisory council has been in the law since 2011. Its supposed to have an annual meeting, Cruz said.

But the council was supposed to be convened by the director of administration, and no administration had ever established it, said Cruz, a former legislative speaker, a retired chief justice and former judge.

Cruz said the council was supposed to be the solution after both business and government officials rejected proposals from the Legislature to redraft procurement laws in 2008 and 2009.

Its in the law

The public auditor added that he also authored a bill that became law, making procurement training mandatory.

People werent supposed to be involved in procurement if they didnt get trained and certified, Cruz said. If you only take procurement level one, you can only be a buyer one.

Now, the Office of Public Accountability maintained the reports online of which agency personnel actually completed the training.

You can go through and look and see which departments have their people trained. You can look at (it) to see which department heads have been trained, and many of them havent, and so therefore have no business being involved in procurement, but for their designation, Cruz said.

Its in the law, he stressed.

Not admitting theyre wrong

Besides those issues, he said many GovGuam departments and agencies will not admit they are wrong by the time a procurement appeal makes it to OPA, Cruz told the crowd.

Bidders can file a protest with any procurement if they believe theres an issue with the procurement itself, or the award. Doing so freezes the procurement in place.

If that procurement is denied by an agency, a bidder can appeal to OPA.

Some of the appeals that come before me, the departments, the agency, stick their heels in the ground and insist theyre correct. And its pretty clear in the protest and in the facts that theyre wrong, Cruz said Thursday.

He said he often tries to hint to agencies that it is in their best interest to cancel a bid and reissue it.

All your bids have a line there that says, at any time, you can cancel the bid  and rebid it correctly, Cruz said.

If an agency opts not to cancel a bid that clearly has issues, Cruz said they can end up waiting years for an opinion from OPA and then a ruling once the protest gets appealed to the Superior Court of Guam.

He said OPA has never seen a procurement appeal resolved in less than two years.

By the time the protest gets resolved, the possibility of a deal for whatever the government wanted to purchase can fall apart, Cruz stressed.

Just admit you are wrong and cancel the bid, he said.

The public auditor added that many procurement issues are downstream of a failure to get proper procurement training by officials.

He gave the example of emergency procurements made because of staff errors.

You cant not have planned for the procurement, and then say, I need to spend the money in 30 days. Im going to claim an emergency, Cruz said. Anybody whos taken any of the procurement courses modules knows one of the most important things they tell you is plan their procurement to avoid those last-minute issues.

He said if legal requirements were implemented, it would reduce the number of procurement issues.

Catalysts for reform

Ernie Galito, immediate past board chairman of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, said at times, reforms can be something straightforward as clarifying who is authorized to sign procurement contracts on behalf of GovGuam.

This is among the considerations he offered that he said could be catalysts for GovGuam procurement reform. One section of the law, for example, required the governors signature in all contracts but a later legislation empowered chief procurement officers to execute contracts without gubernatorial approval.

This ambiguity needs to be resolved to ensure clarity and efficiency, he said.

Requiring signatures from the governor and the attorney general on every contract is impractical, he said.

If the procurement officers are already executing contracts independently, the law should affirm this. Doing so reduces the risk of legal challenges and streamlines the process, Galito said.

Insights and recommendations gathered at the procurement summit will also be presented to the Legislature in the coming weeks.

The momentum we build here today can and should lead to real lasting change, he added.
Severe prison overcrowding and critical staffing shortages persist, while long-term solutions such as facility expansion and rehabilitation programs remain stalled, Department of Corrections program director Sarah Thomas Nededog told members and guests of the Rotary Club of Guam on Thursday.

There are over 200 detainees in a facility built for 100, Nededog told Rotarians at Crowne Plaza Resort Guam in Tumon. That includes federal, immigration, and local detainees.

The main correctional facility has a capacity of 616 beds but currently houses 721 detainees.

Meanwhile, the womens facility holds 220 individuals in a space designed for just 20.

Staffing is equally strained. The department operates with about 100 officers while 250 are needed for safe operations.

Open bay areas meant for 80 inmates have only one or two officers on duty.

Theres a shortage of staff. For me, Im most concerned about the safety of our officers and our inmates, Nededog said.

Treatment a big challenge

Guams methamphetamine crisis drives much of the inmate population, she said.

Some 73% of incarcerated individuals had prior convictions as of Sept. 30, 2024, she said.

That means when they left, they went back to a lifestyle they were familiar with. The probability is they didnt change, Nededog said. Its not surprising. We have severe limitations in treatment, both in and out.

Rehabilitation lags due to a shortage of certified substance abuse counselors and treatment personnel. A tri-agency agreement with Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center and Guam Memorial Hospital coordinates care for the most complex cases.

Were doing multidisciplinary team reviews now. Were trying to figure out how we can best ensure that this person does not come back again, Nededog said. Treatment is a big challenge.

Hiring officers

Retention of correctional officers remains difficult as many leave for federal agency jobs. The department is actively recruiting from local colleges and high schools.

Were encouraging them to be correction officers, Nededog said. As a social worker, Im also encouraging them to get into the field of social work. We have very few people.

The warden has begun easing restrictions by reintroducing religious activities and limited work release programs for inmates but proceeds cautiously.

Drugs in prison

Security concerns persist, especially regarding contraband smuggling. A recent indictment unsealed in the District Court of Guam charged DOC officer Trevor J. Wolford and inmate Edward Glen Demapan with distributing fentanyl and N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene.

I think the bringing in of contraband is a global concern in all prison systems, and its very unfortunate, especially when it has to do with officers and inmates. But the prison dynamics, you know theres bound to be some of that, Nededog said.

But she said it doesnt mean DOC officers are turning our heads to it.

We are doing the best we can to maintain security checks, but with the large population and the shortage of staff, it makes it even more complicated to carry out the job that we would want to do, she said.

In response, DOC has locked down three units to restrict movement and reduce contraband risks.

Yes, well, the warden has taken the initiative of isolating certain units that are on lockdown status as we speak. So theres several areas right now that are on lockdown, which are high security areas, which means the movement in or out is restricted, she said.

Violent criminals

Among the most urgent issues is the early release of inmates with violent criminal histories. While DOC has worked to reduce overcrowding by releasing individuals charged with lower-level and non-violent offenses, questions have emerged about those released despite more serious backgrounds, she said.

Nededog clarified DOCs role in response to these concerns.

Well, the Department of Corrections responsibility is to confine, so the courts, prosecutor, law enforcement, such as Guam Police, they all are involved in the very difficult task of arresting and determining the disposition of all of these folks who are who have presented with criminal offenses that need to go to court and be adjudicated, she told the Pacific Daily News.

She said DOC does not decide who is sent to the facility.

We dont have that discretion to determine who well take or not take, Nededog said. So we take all those that are sent to us, and then we need to provide them the space, the health care and whatever kind of living, personal, hygienic and adequate living space. Thats our job at the Department of Corrections.

Guam does not have a federal prison facility but houses detainees for federal and immigration cases at the Hagatna Detention Facility while they await court decisions or off-island transfers.

I think we have somewhere between 25 to 30 federal detainees, and then we also have immigration detainees. So theyre placed separately, especially down in Hagatna detention until they go to federal court and theyre either released or theyre sent off-island to serve their time. So in the meantime, theyre with us at the Hagatna detention facility, Nededog said.
The local group Prutehi Guahan is inviting the community to join a rally set for Saturday as it joins the nationwide No Kings movement.

The rally will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 14 at the Micronesia Mall intersection in Dededo.

The No Kings Day event is set to take place coast-to-coast amid civil unrest nationwide on Saturday with hundreds of demonstrations planned.

President Donald Trump is planning a grand military parade in Washington, D.C. on his 79th birthday on Saturday to celebrate the U.S. Armys 250th birthday.

The rallies around the country are in protest against what critics call the presidents growing authoritarianism.

Prutehi Guahan (formerly Prutehi Litekyan-Save Ritidian  PLSR) in a statement said it stands in solidarity with communities nationwide that are mobilizing against the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary parade, scheduled to coincide with President Donald Trumps birthday.

Here in Guahan, where democracy is already tenuous, Prutehi Guahan works with the conviction that progress toward the upliftment and liberation of marginalized and/or disenfranchised people lies in the collective power of a peoples ability to resist. Prutehi Guahan believes that government leaders, institutions, and agencies are accountable to the people and not above prosecution, no matter their position, the organization said.

It also rejects the mobilization of U.S. military troops against communities and supports the First Amendment rights of those voicing their dissent against actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Prutehi Guahan joins the No Kings movement to resist fascism, ongoing war crimes in Palestine, and violence against immigrant communities and protesters in Los Angeles and elsewhere, the organization said.

The glorification of war and authoritarianism is deeply ingrained in CHamoru history and local celebrations. But as American citizens in the Continental U.S. face the possibility of similar imagery and the normalization of militarization in their stateside communities, a rally cry has erupted from everyday people who remind us that these actions are not symbolic of liberation and freedom, Prutehi Guahan said.

The organization also encourages CHamorus and Guamanians to reflect on their own identities and the ways we have come to define freedom in our home.

Participants are advised to be prepared for sun and rain, beach chairs to sit on if needed, and to wear comfortable shoes.
Guam Waterworks Authority bills for the January and February disposal of contaminated water collected at Ordot dump are about three times what the receiver running the dump says they should be.

Information about the billing dispute was presented to District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood during a Thursday status update on the dump receivership.

A faulty GWA meter measured about 2.9 million gallons of runoff, or leachate, from the dump during the first two months of the year, said Chris Lund, executive vice president of dump receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton Inc.

GWA is paid to remove and dispose of leachate from the dump.

Lund said GBB believes the meter was malfunctioning between Jan. 17 and Feb. 12, and said estimates for the amount of leachate in January and February are closer to about 990,000 gallons.

But GWA legal counsel Teresa Rojas told the court that the waterworks authority has neither confirmed nor denied a claim filed by the receiver.

Rojas said GWA is still reviewing whether the meter is actually malfunctioning, and will try to get a response to the receiver by this month.

A copy of the bill the waterworks authority issued shows about a $50,000 charge to GBB for the January and February disposal of leachate at Ordot dump.

That amount is higher than the $34,824.38 that Lund estimated was due to GWA for the entire year through May 31.

Attorney Joyce Tang, for the receiver, said the GWA meter recorded about 30 to 70 gallons of leachate per minute even when a pump was shut off.

Tang noted that was about 1.5 million gallons, over the course of a month.

Notably, GBB is actively suing the waterworks authority for $4.4 million in a separate issue related to amounts of leachate generated and collected at Ordot.

The receiver has alleged a GWA pipe at Dero Road near the dump leaked over 100 million gallons of water between 2018 and 2022, driving the amount of leachate at the dump, and disposal costs, through the roof.

Attorneys for GWA and GovGuam have questioned whether the leak would impact leachate levels if the dump was closed out properly.

GWA attorney Rojas on Thursday said she did not want GBB or Tang communicating directly with the waterworks authority accounting or billing departments.

The attorney asked that any communications go through her, as the matter of leachate at the dumpsite was directly related to the lawsuit over the Dero Road leak.

Tang told the court that the receiver was not trying to link the billing issue to the lawsuit.

She said if GWA believed it had another leak, it should inform the receiver.

Tydingco-Gatewood asked the parties to work together to resolve the billing issue.

Lawsuits active

According to Tang, the receiver is still waiting for word back from GWA on a proposed settlement in the Dero Road leak lawsuit.

Tang said several offers and counteroffers have been traded, with the latest coming from GBB on March 18.

Meanwhile, Tydingco-Gatewood told parties that she is nearing a decision on whether GovGuam can sue the receiver over alleged faulty design work for the dump closeout.

GovGuam is suing several contractors hired by GBB to design the closeout of the dump, alleging faulty work could cost between $16.9 million and $31.8 million to fix.

The government wants to add GBB as a defendant in the suit, but the receiver, through Tang, is arguing immunity.

Attorneys for both GWA and GovGuam have asserted that leachate levels at the dump, which is capped with a waterproof membrane, should not be impacted by leaks or groundwater if the site was closed properly.

The receiver has asserted the dump was closed properly, and put the blame for rising leachate levels on GWAs Dero Road leak.

GBBs Lund told the court Thursday that Ordot produced 2.1 million gallons of leachate in the first five months of 2025.

Thats a steep fall compared to the 9.4 million gallons in the first five months of 2024, and far lower than the 40.9 million recorded in the first five months of 2022, the year the Dero Road leak was fixed.




Haiti - 30th Anniversary Celebration of the PNH : Rain of Messages





On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime took part in the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Haitian National Police (PNH), held in the chapel of the amphitheater of the National Police Academy (ENP).



Presided over by the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Max Leroy Mesidor, this solemn ceremony brought together Transitional Presidential Advisors (CPT) Leslie Voltaire, Smith Augustin, and Edgard Leblanc Fils, members of the Government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, judicial authorities, Rameau Normil, the Acting Director General of the PNH, members of the high command, officers of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), and municipal officials.



The Head of Government praised and congratulated the sustained efforts of the police force, which, since its inception, has worked tirelessly to ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the country, in accordance with its motto : "Protect and Serve".



"For 30 years, the PNH has demonstrated bravery, professionalism, and dedication in carrying out its constitutional and legal missions. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, it remains a central pillar of national security and the restoration of state authority."



In his capacity as President of the National Police High Council (CSPN), the Prime Minister paid a heartfelt tribute to the police officers who have fallen or gone missing in the line of duty.



"The Prime Minister pays tribute with the highest regard to the daily courage of the police officers who, day and night, in often perilous conditions, ensure the safety of the population at the cost of heavy sacrifices. It pays solemn tribute to the memory of those who fell in uniform in the line of duty, honoring their oath to the Nation to the very end. Their commitment will never be forgotten; their sacrifice obliges us."



Messages for the 30th Anniversary of the PNH :



Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime :

"For 30 years, our police force has mobilized to protect and serve the population, as required by its motto. On this occasion, I thank and salute all the police officers who continue to sacrifice themselves every day to combat the gangs and weapons that sow unrest among the population. In this regard, my thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who fell in combat. The State will continue to fight for justice for them. We will continue to work hand in hand with the police, putting all the resources at their disposal to enable them to provide greater satisfaction." We are committed to maintaining order and security throughout the country."



Port-au-Prince Municipal Security Council :

"As part of the 30th anniversary of the PNH, the Port-au-Prince Municipal Security Council (CSMPAP) extends its warmest congratulations to the police institution and to all the police officers who, every day, carry out their mission with courage, commitment, and dignity.



In a particularly difficult context marked by insecurity, precariousness, and constant threats, the CSMPAP wishes to salute the resilience of the PNH officers, particularly those deployed in the municipality of Port-au-Prince, who continue to demonstrate dedication in defending the right to security and peace for all citizens. We pay tribute to those who remain faithful to their oath to protect and serve, despite the risks, obstacles, and sacrifices. Happy 30th anniversary to the PNH !"



New U.S. Ambassador Henry T. Wooster :

"Today, we join the Haitian people in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Haitian National Police (PNH). For three decades, PNH officers have worked with courage and dedication to protect Haitian communities and uphold the rule of law. The United States remains a steadfast partner, committed to supporting the PNH's mission to promote security and stability in Haiti." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45037-haiti-diplomacy-new-american-ambassador-to-haiti.html



French Ambassador Antoine Michon :

"The French Ambassador attended the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Haitian National Police - HNP on June 12. He praised the mission of Haitian police officers, which they carry out under difficult conditions. He paid tribute to the officers who have fallen in the service of the Nation. France confirms its commitment alongside the Haitian National Police to support its growth through training and donations of materials and equipment.



Delmas City Hall :

"On this June 12, 2025, on the occasion of this celebration, the Delmas Municipal Administration wishes to pay a vibrant tribute to all the women and men of the PNH who, through their unwavering commitment, exemplary courage, and remarkable professionalism, contribute daily to the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens. We particularly wish to salute the officers who carry out their noble duties in the service of our municipality of Delmas, true guardians of the Peace who embody, day after day, the highest values of this venerable institution. May this thirtieth anniversary be an opportunity to renew our gratitude to these dedicated servants of the Republic."



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre


















Qadare arrived in Finland in 2003 at the age of 15. Her family came through family reunification, joining her father who had earlier sought asylum. She grew up and studied in the Pirkkala region of Tampere and qualified as a practical nurse.

Homaira Qadare has been named Finlands Refugee of the Year by the Finnish Refugee Council. She received the honour in recognition of her long-standing work supporting refugees and raising awareness about womens rights.

Speaking through the Finnish Refugee Council, Qadare said she felt fortunate to have escaped Afghanistan and the restrictions faced by women there. She described the contrast in her experiences after arriving in Finland.

My father witnessed students cheerfully throwing candy during Finlands traditional high school graduation parade and hoped that his children would one day wear the white student caps too. In the end, we did so, even though at school we were told that immigrants couldnt make it to high school, she said.

Now living in Tampere with her husband and three children, Qadare works in early childhood education and has spent the past decade volunteering to support other refugees and immigrants. Her volunteer work includes educating young girls on reproductive health and speaking openly about mental health among immigrant communities.

I gain a lot of strength from volunteer work and helping others. Nothing beats the moment when someone looks you in the eye with a smile and says thank you. No matter where people come from, what their religion or skin colour is, I want to help them, she said.

As Refugee of the Year, Qadare intends to focus attention on the situation of women in Afghanistan. She criticised the countrys current treatment of women, stating that their basic rights have deteriorated severely.

In Afghanistan, animals have more rights than women. Women are not allowed to speak in public, must remain hidden, and cannot go anywhere without a mans permission or presence. I want to speak for these women and make sure they are not forgotten among all the worlds other crises, she said.

The Finnish Refugee Council selects a Refugee of the Year annually to highlight individuals who have contributed significantly to society and advanced the position of refugees in Finland.

HT
China, U.S. should make better use of consultation mechanism to safeguard results of dialogue

16:05, June 13, 2025 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

On June 9 and 10 local time, the first meeting of China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism was held in London.

The two sides held candid and in-depth talks, and thoroughly exchanged views on economic and trade issues of mutual concern. They have agreed in principle the framework for implementing consensus between the two heads of state during their phone talks on June 5, as well as those reached at Geneva talks.

This meeting marked a new step taken by both sides to resolve bilateral economic and trade issues through equal dialogue. Both sides acknowledge the importance of a stable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship for the economies of both countries and the global economy, and the constructive outcomes achieved by the meeting have also brought new optimism to the international community.

The establishment of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism is a major outcome of the Geneva economic and trade talks. It provides an institutional guarantee for both sides to bridge differences and deepen cooperation.

During their recent phone call, the China and U.S. heads of state agreed to make good on the agreement reached in Geneva and to hold another round of meeting as soon as possible. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance to making good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism already in place.

This meeting is an important consultation conducted under the guidance of the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state. All sectors of both countries and the international community paid close attention to this meeting, generally believing that as the world's two largest economies, China and the U.S. are better served by cooperation than friction, and by dialogue than confrontation.

There are broad expectations that both sides will continue to resolve differences through equal dialogue and consultation, contributing greater stability and certainty to the world economy.

Looking back at the history of China-U.S. relations, one lesson stands out: strengthening communication and dialogue through institutional arrangements plays an important role for both sides to properly manage differences and enhance cooperation.

At this meeting, the two sides engaged in candid and in-depth communication and made new progress in addressing each other's economic and trade concerns, demonstrating the effectiveness of the consultation mechanism.

The sound development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations requires joint efforts from both sides. Each achievement is hard-won and should be all the more cherished and maintained. Moving forward, both sides should, in accordance with the important consensus and requirements made during the phone call between the two heads of state, further leverage the role of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, continuously enhance mutual understanding, reduce misperceptions, and strengthen cooperation.

After decades of development, China and the U.S. have forged a pattern of complementary strengths, mutual benefits, and win-win cooperation in the economic and trade field. This progress has been driven by the joint efforts of businesses and peoples on both sides, as well as by market forces and the international division of labor.

A stable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship holds profound significance not only for both countries but also for global economic stability. Economic cooperation and trade between the two countries is so huge, substantive and broad-based, involving so many players, that it is only natural for some differences to exist. Resolving differences will not be achieved overnight. It takes time, wisdom, and patience.

Facts have proven that the unilateral trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. have harmed not only the interests of Chinese businesses, but also American companies and consumers, while undermining the long-term stability of the world economy. Only by staying committed to equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, maintaining patience, and steadily building trust, can the two sides truly resolve differences and expand cooperation.

China has approached economic and trade consultation with sincerity and principled resolve. As a responsible major country, China has taken seriously, earnestly implemented, and actively upheld the consensus reached at the Geneva talks.

At this meeting, China reaffirmed its clear position of implementing the consensus and requirements made by the two heads of state and jointly safeguarding the hard-won outcomes of dialogue.

The U.S. side also stated that it will work in the same direction with China, in accordance with the requirements reached during the phone call between the two heads of state, and jointly implement the "London framework." It is hoped that the U.S. will match its words with deeds by translating its commitments into concrete policies and actions - demonstrating integrity in honoring its commitments and taking meaningful steps to implement the consensus and resolve bilateral economic and trade issues through equal dialogue.

Opening up is a defining feature of Chinese modernization. Regardless of changes in the external environment, China remains committed to the belief that opening up and cooperation are the right paths to high-quality development and greater mutual benefit for all.

According to China's General Administration of Customs, the country's total value of goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms stood at 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.49 trillion) in the first five months of this year, up 2.5 percent year on year, continuing its growth momentum. Exports rose by 7.2 percent year on year, reflecting the strong resilience of China's goods trade and the steady recovery of its economy. China welcomes enterprises from all countries, including the U.S., to continue investing and operating in China and to seize the opportunities presented by its development.

Both history and reality have proven that China and the U.S. stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Dialogue and cooperation are the only right choice for the two countries.

As long as both sides move toward each other, uphold the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit, make good use of the consultation mechanism already in place, and take concrete actions to preserve the hard-won outcomes of dialogue, the China-U.S. economic and trade relationship will stay on a steady and constructive track toward long-term progress.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Although the legal driving age in Finland is 18, a 2018 reform allowed 17-year-olds to obtain licences under eased conditions. The change removed the requirement for a "compelling" reason, replacing it with a need for an "adequate" reason. As a result, the number of underage drivers rose sharply, from under ten annually to more than 200.

Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing a legislative amendment to ban 17-year-olds from driving cars between midnight and 5am. The proposed restriction targets drivers holding a category B licence, covering passenger vehicles.

The ministry cited growing concerns about traffic safety as the motivation behind the proposed reform. A series of fatal accidents involving young drivers prompted authorities to reassess the consequences of the 2018 legislative change.

Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne stated that the law aims to ensure that young drivers are better prepared for traffic. They will drive safer, they will have better control of the vehicle and they will have the opportunity to drive around Finland, she said in the press release.

The proposed legislation is part of a broader package of traffic reforms. These include the introduction of mandatory "risk recognition" training for learner drivers and penalties for cheating on the theory test. The government aims to implement the new laws by summer 2026.

Pasi Anteroinen, CEO of the Finnish Road Safety Council, endorsed the changes. He said the night driving ban could reduce accidents, which often occur during night hours and involve younger drivers. This kind of targeted legislation does not interfere enormously with young peoples independent mobility, he told Yle. He noted that 17-year-olds would still be able to commute for work, education, and hobbies during daytime hours.

The ministry confirmed that while the number of young drivers increased under the 2018 rules, so too did risks associated with late-night driving, contributing to the need for renewed regulation.

The draft law will proceed to parliamentary review, with public consultation expected as part of the legislative process.

HT
The defects were discovered during a Europe-wide inspection campaign. Of five models tested in Finland, four failed to meet safety standards. The issues included broken handlebars, faulty front brakes, and snapped handlebar stems during stress testing.

Finlands Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, has banned the sale of four models of children's bicycles after identifying serious safety defects. The agency urges families to stop using the bikes immediately due to the risk of injury.

The affected models are:

Jupiter Sweetie 12"

Jupiter Racing 12"

Biltema 16" Kid Single Speed (pink and yellow)

Kayoba 12" (pink and blue)

Madison Helmi 16" sold in 2023 and 2024, identified by frame serial numbers starting with E8059

Two models experienced complete handlebar stem failures under pressure. Another bikes front brake did not function properly, while a fourth had handlebars that broke during the test.

Traficom advises all owners to cease using these bicycles immediately. The agency also expects retailers to offer repairs, replacements, or refunds for the affected models.

The defects pose a risk of serious injury, particularly as the bikes are designed for children. Traficom has not reported any injuries so far, but stressed the need for urgent action.

The recall applies nationwide, and the agency encourages parents to check serial numbers and product details to identify affected units.

HT
Dibrova will continue her career at the Ukrainian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. She told Iltalehti she has not yet determined her next role, but her focus will remain on fostering cooperation between Ukraine and Finland.

The embassy in Helsinki confirmed that her departure follows the standard diplomatic rotation. She is scheduled to return to Ukraine on Sunday.

Olha Dibrova , Ukraines ambassador to Finland, is leaving her post after serving since October 2020.

Before her assignment in Helsinki, Dibrova worked as Deputy Director of the Europe Department and headed the State Protocol Department at the Ministry.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Dibrova became a prominent public figure in Finland. She has frequently appeared in media and participated in public discussions about the war and Ukraines needs.

In her farewell message, Dibrova thanked the Finnish people for their unwavering, empathetic, and steadfast solidarity. She expressed particular gratitude to Finnish policymakers, the media, companies, and citizens.

Finlands actions have been exceptional, she said, referring to both humanitarian and military support, as well as the reception given to Ukrainians fleeing the war. This is not just government policy. It is a national embrace.

According to Dibrova, her ambassadorial tenure marked a significant period in Finnish-Ukrainian relations. Over the past two years, the two countries have signed nine memoranda of understanding.

We now share values, goals, and a future, she said. We are partners for life.

Myhailo Vydoinyk, 47, will succeed Dibrova. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed him in April. Vydoinyk previously served as Ukraines ambassador to Denmark from 2018 to 2023 and will begin his work in Helsinki later in June.

HT
Strikes hit the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and a military airport near Tabriz. Israel confirmed it used bunker-busting bombs to destroy underground infrastructure. The operation, named "Rising Lion", was backed by 200 fighter jets targeting 100 sites across Iran.

Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran early Friday, targeting nuclear facilities and senior military leadership. The Israeli military said the attacks were pre-emptive strikes to halt Irans nuclear weapons development and missile programmes.

Iranian state media reported the deaths of several high-ranking military leaders, including Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Hossein Salami, Commander of the Revolutionary Guard; and Gholamali Rashid, Deputy Commander. Six nuclear scientists were also killed, and Ali Shamkhani, senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, was reportedly injured.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed replacements within hours, naming Mohammad Pakpour as the new Revolutionary Guard commander and Abdolrahim Mousavi as Chief of Staff.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the offensive a decisive moment and said the operation would continue for days. Netanyahu left a handwritten note at Jerusalems Western Wall invoking a biblical reference to Israel rising like a lion.

Iran vowed to retaliate, launching 100 drones towards Israel hours after the strikes. Israels air defence systems intercepted them beyond its borders. Irans military leadership warned of unrestricted retaliation, with threats of missile and drone attacks. Analysts also expect indirect responses through allied militant groups.

Irans airspace was closed alongside Jordans and Iraqs. Air travel disruptions spread as regional carriers rerouted flights. Irans oil infrastructure is also considered a likely target for further disruption.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned the attacks on nuclear facilities, warning of grave risks to civilian populations. No rise in radiation levels has been reported.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, led by Rafael Grossi, stressed that military strikes on nuclear sites are unacceptable. Iran accused the IAEA of remaining silent, which it framed as implicit cooperation with Israel.

Military analyst Juha Makela, from the Finnish Defence Forces, said the strikes marked the first phase of a larger campaign. He predicted multiple attack waves and highlighted the symbolic aim of targeting the Revolutionary Guard's Tehran headquarters to pressure Irans leadership psychologically.

Makela warned the conflict risks expanding into a full-scale war. If Iran directs attacks at US military assets, the United States may be forced to intervene. Although Washington was informed of Israels plans in advance, it has not participated in the strikes and seeks to avoid deeper involvement. Ongoing nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran are now at risk.

Former US President Donald Trump, writing on Truth Social, urged Iran to agree to a nuclear deal before further escalation. Trump claimed Iran still had time to prevent greater bloodshed but reiterated that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons.

European leaders echoed calls for de-escalation. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged restraint and a return to diplomacy. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen expressed concern, urging an end to military escalation and highlighting the need for political solutions.

Despite the strikes, Israel lifted its emergency shelter directive, suggesting it had regained control. Still, civilian panic persisted, with residents in Jerusalem stockpiling food and water.

Iran is expected to escalate its nuclear ambitions in response. Makela said the attacks might delay Irans progress by six to twelve months but would likely increase its determination to acquire nuclear weapons, citing North Korea as a strategic model.

HT
Where did Harris Teeter get that searchlight?

You dont see a World War II vintage searchlight much these days but the rare sight was on display in Hendersonville this week, shining its powerful beam miles into the heavens.

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The revolving light was set up in the parking lot of Southside Square Plaza starting to draw attention to the grand reopening of the Harris Teeter after nine months of repairs from Hurricane Helene flooding. A searchlight is not the kind of thing you could find on Amazon, like a bounce house or streamers. Harris Teeter knew where to go. It found Searchlights of Dallas.

Andrew Griffin and two of his sons arrived in Hendersonville in time for the grand opening after towing the 6,000-pound machine from Dallas Texas. The searchlight beam shines 29 miles into the darkness; its revolving beam can be seen on the ground for miles in either direction.

Light the way and pinpoint your business within a 40-mile diameter, Andrew's business card says. Quiet, clean, highly maintained searchlights are delivered complete with on-board generators and operated by qualified technicians.

John and Andrew GriffinAndrew is the chief technician, of course, but he has four sons who most likely will inherit the business. On this trip he brought, John, 12, and Jake, 15. He has two more boys, ages 17 and 9.

They're my mechanics, he says. They watch me do machining. We machine our own parts for em. We have to do everything. Nobody makes em.

The searchlights, used widely for anti-aircraft purposes in combat zones in WWII, were made by G.E. and Sperry. They weigh around 6,000 pounds.

My father started the company, Griffin says. I fell in love with them because of him.

There are not many searchlight providers out there, and Griffin may be the biggest. Back home in Texas he's got 200 of them that he tows all over. Ive been buying them all over the country, he says.






Heres the latest on Helene-damaged road repair

Anyone who has tried to reach Hickory Nut Gorge via U.S. 64 or go from Saluda to Tryon on U.S. 176 or drive on Davis Mountain Road in town can see that the state has plenty of work to do.

But a lot of work is under way, and many more jobs will soon be under contract. The biggest projects will take two years or more to complete, to be sure. And the complexity of the road rebuilds has caused delays; the wreckage left behind by Hurricane Helene has depleted the supply of geotechnical engineers to analyze the ground and design new retaining walls.

But work is progressing, Welsey Grindstaff, the chief engineer for the NCDOT division that includes Henderson, Transylvania and Polk counties, told Henderson County commissioners last week during their regular meeting.

We have, obviously, three large corridor projects in Henderson County, which include Chimney Rock Road, the U.S. 74-A Gerton section, as well as N.C. 9, said Grindstaff, who was promoted to Division 14 engineer in March. The 74-A project is scheduled to start in the coming weeks, and it will include actually the intersection of (N.C.) 9 and a large section of N.C. 9 and that area surrounding it. That is a two-year project at a minimum expected to be finished in the summer of 2027.

Chimney Rock Road, which is still closed to non-local traffic, is under construction.

We expect that to be an 18-month project to be completed approximately in fall of 26, Grindstaff said. N.C. 9 is scheduled to go to construction in September of 25. That will be kind of the second half of that road up to Buncombe County.

Here are updates on other road and bridge repairs in the county:

Two bridges on South Mills Gap Road. We had a contractor there to build and then Helene completely changed that scope, he said. The project is designed; contract to be let in July.

Middle Fork, Bald Rock and Bearwallow Mountain roads, contract in October.

Pot Shoals Road, under contract.

Cascade Lake, Hart and Everett roads, under construction.

Grant Mountain Road, under construction.

Henderson County portion of U.S. 176 in Saluda, under construction.

S. 176 between Saluda and Tryon. The Polk County portion is a project that we have had a lot of requests to expedite and we are working on that, Grindstaff said. Much, much more complex failures there  its going to involve a series of large retaining walls. Its probably going to be October before that one gets under contract.  Our geotechnical experts have evaluated it and its not safe even for one-lane emergency traffic right now.

Davis Mountain Road, under design, scheduled for contract letting on Sept. 9.

Finley Cove Road, repaired and reopened.

Highland Lake Road. The contractors told us they expect to be completed Aug. 14 of this year, Troy Wilson, the NCDOTs Henderson County engineer, told commissioners. So hopefully, shortly well have that completed and done. As youre aware, there was damage from Helene requiring some additional redesign thats caused the project to be longer than we had anticipated.

We have maxed out geo-tech engineering

Commissioner Michael Edney asked whether road contractors had the capacity to do all the work in the post-Helene pipeline.

The contracting industry itself, yes, has the resources to do it, Grindstaff responded. What were really bumping into right now is geotechnical design firms. We have maxed out everyone that we can. Thats the controlling factor right now  the borings and the evaluation of the soils and the foundations. There is so many walls were having to build.

A report released last week by TRIP, a Washington, D.C.-based national transportation research nonprofit, analyzed the impact of Helene on Western North Carolinas transportation network, the initial response, the status of the recovery of the regions transportation system, the cost of needed repairs and timeline to fully restore WNCs network of roads, bridges and rail. NCDOT estimated that the storm damaged nearly 9,400 sites, closing 1,400 state-maintained roads and damaging 818 state bridges.

Commissioner Rebecca McCall praised the NCDOTs speed in repairing hundreds of miles of roads and dozens of bridges destroyed by Helene.

I want to thank NCDOT for all the work that youve been doing and jumping into it so quickly, she said. Its just been amazing the work that you guys have done.

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IT is costing upwards of 22 billion to keep the water industry privatised, an independent commission has heard.

Professor David Hall, of the University of Greenwich, was giving evidence to the Peoples Commission on the water sector, which was held in Henley town hall on Tuesday.

He said that a quarter of the money customers pay in their bills is going straight to investors.

The commission was set up by members of the Sewage Campaign Network and is travelling across England and Wales to take evidence from sector experts and water users.

It has been established by academics and campaigners to rival the Independent Commission on the Water Sector Regulatory System, chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe and established by the Government.

The event in Henley was the commissions fourth hearing and the panel featured four academics.

They were Dr Kate Bayliss, research associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, Prof Frances Cleaver, professor of political ecology at Lancaster University, Prof Becky Malby, visiting professor of health innovation at York University, and Prof Ewan McGaughey, professor of Law at Kings College London.

The group was gifted the use of the council chamber and refreshments were provided by open water swimmers and clean water campaigners, the Henley Mermaids.

Prof Hall told the commission that a big reason water bills are expected to rise was because the water sector is planning to double the amount of profit it makes from its investments.

Under the latest price review, regulator Ofwat has allowed the water sector in England and Wales to collect 90.5 billion from customers between 2025 and 2030. This is 23 billion more than they were allowed in the previous five years.

Between 2020 and 2024, Ofwat allowed 11 billion in returns to capital. This is the profit the company earns from the money invested in it by shareholders and lenders paid out to them as dividends or interest.

But under the new price review, that figure has nearly doubled to 22 billion for the 2025-2030 period, a 99 per cent increase.

The figures come from research conducted by the Public Services International Research Unit, based at the University of Greenwich in March 2025, of which Prof Hall is the former director. Prof Hall said: In other words, Ofwat has, in its plans and in the prices we are paying, has given the companies a doubling in the target of their return on capital.

That in itself accounts for just about a quarter of the price rise that we are currently paying. A quarter of the prices that we are paying are now going on the return on capital.

Prof Hall said that in reality, the actual figure was likely higher, around 30bn as the total annual financial cost for the companies included headings such as residential retail and other also covers return on capital  profits for investors.

Responding to Prof Halls evidence, Prof McGaughey said: So that 22bn figure there is Ofwats official calculation of what privatisation costs us.

So, this idea that its going to cost billions to take water back into public ownership, the reverse is true. It costs 22bn to keep it in private ownership.

Prof Halls figures challenge the claim from water industry lobbyists that it would cost 99 billion to nationalise our water sector.

This figure is updated from the Social Market Foundation in 2018, a think tank that was paid by Anglian Water, Severn Trent, South West Water and United Utilities to write a report, entitled The cost of nationalising the water industry in England.

Prof McGaughey, in a report published on Thursday last week by the thinktank Common Wealth, argued the figure used was misleading.

He said that it was based on something called the regulatory capital value, a number calculated by Ofwat to help decide how much companies can pay out in dividends.

However, Prof McGaughey pointed out that this figure does not include company debt and does not reflect the real market value of the companies.

The commission also heard evidence from independent academic and former retired audit partner Stanley Root.

Mr Root, who has worked for financial companies in both the UK and Russia, has created a website with summarised financial statements for all regulated companies and their parent companies for the last 34 years.

The evidence he presented to the commission argued that money for capital investments in the sector had come from money from customer bills rather than from shareholders.

Mr Root explained that according to analysis of the sector, investors didnt invest back into the company, but instead extracted dividends, often more than the profits earned.

He calculated that between 1990 and 2024, a total of 38 billion was extracted from eight water companies in England and Wales, United Utilities, Severn Trent, Anglian, Thames, Southern, Yorkshire, Wessex and Welsh Water, in the form of dividends and loans.

This means that instead of investors putting money into the companies (as share capital), they were taking money out. Between this same period, these companies had a cash surplus of 23bn and had received enough cash from customer bills to cover all operational costs.

Mr Root said that, as a consequence, these companies didnt need to borrow to finance capital expenditure. However, they did anyway, as it enabled them to pay generous dividends while using customer cash to pay for capital investment.

He said: The only reason companies were faced with strongly negative cash flows was because they were borrowing money to pay dividends.

So why didnt they have 23bn in the account? They didnt really need to borrow, but they did and borrowed 51 billion.

It means for the last 34 years, for every 100 invested in infrastructure, there has been a 75 additional charge entirely due to privatisation.

The full findings of the Peoples Commission on the water sector will be published in a report. For more information, visit www.thepeoplescommission onthewatersector.co.uk
FARMERS who are part of the Oxfordshire Chilterns Farm Cluster say they have faced a tough season after tackling dry weather.

Open Farm Sunday, a national initiative, was brought to Market Place in Henley on Sunday, hosted by Nettlebed Farming Club.

It was an opportunity for visitors to meet farmers and understand how food is grown, as well as the challenges they face.

They could also learn the process of how bread is made from wheat, milk a plastic cow and sit on a stationary tractor.

Childrens activities included quizzes, making an origami tractor and exhibiting farm animals, including Vicky the cow, sheep and lambs.

A raffle also took place to raise money for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

David Passmore, who owns 500 acres of land in Ewelme, helped to organise the event. He said: Theres a whole raft of things going on at the moment, from fertiliser taxes to inheritance taxes, commodity prices and the driest spring, which are restricting farmers.

Open Farm Sunday has been going for years, which is an initiative by the farming industry to get people out on to a farm to learn how the food is produced, see what we do and maybe feed some animals.

Over at Nettlebed Farming Club, we decided to take a farm to a town, because some people here wouldnt think about going to a farm. Theres an increasing disconnect between people living in towns or cities and the countryside, so its good for children to come up and sit in a tractor or milk a cow. This encourages people to understand the countryside more and whats going on.

Were still here and keen to promote the positives of farming, despite all the restrictions were facing. Weve had loads of people here who are interested in what we do, which is encouraging to see. Stephen Doble, a fourth-generation farmer with more than 1,200 acres at Shiplake Farm, remains positive despite facing weather issues and government uncertainty.

He said: We all work very hard but our goal posts are constantly changing due to changes in government.

Im in a multi-generational business and it has become very hard to farm. Its the driest it has been in 100 years but we can somewhat cope with that because were used to it.

What we dont want is to take a bashing from the government with more regulations and less support.

The fact that our families have done it for generations shows they have made it through those challenges, so we can too.

James Hayes, a farmer at Goulders Farm in Cockpole Green with more than 200 acres, said: Farmers are a resilient bunch and we know the challenges. You live in optimism that the next year is going to be better than the previous, so you keep pushing forward to make those marginal gains. Theyre really keen to have butterfly and bird surveys to know what theyve got and to be able to manage them within their farming system.

Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo said it was an enjoyable opportunity to support struggling farmers.

He said: Its fantastic to have farmers here in the heart of Henley. Its a brilliant day for families to come along and learn more about our farming community and what important work they do.
THE newly elected mayor of Henleys friendship-linked city in Somaliland has launched an initiative to become one of the cleanest in the region.

Mayor Mahamud Sh Ibrahim launched the Cleaner Borama campaign to promote environmental responsibility and civic pride in the city, which is located in the northwest Awdal region of the unrecognised country.

The campaign has mobilised community groups and businesses to take part in regular community clean-ups and adopt zero waste practices.

The initiative encourages reusable clean-up tools, proper waste sorting and reducing the use of single-use plastics.

Mayor Mahamud said: Our city is our shared home. A clean environment reflects our unity, our values, and our commitment to a better future for the next generation.

The Henley-Borama Friendship Association was founded in 1982 but has struggled to fulfil its obligations since the death of its founder, Malcolm Page, in 2021.

Councillor Kellie Hinton was appointed as Henleys link between the two communities when she was mayor in 2024 and agreed to continue in the role after she stepped down.

She said that she thought the Cleaner Borama initiative was similar to the towns Henley in Bloom project and suggested that a twin project between the communities could be a possibility.

Cllr Hinton said: If the new mayor is really keen and really passionate about it and gets everybody involved I think it is a great initiative.

Civic pride is something that is of particular importance to me as the chair of Henley in Bloom. Perhaps there is potential for a twin project of sorts. Its something I can certainly speak with the Bloom committee about and if we are minded to do something like that we can see what we could do.

Cllr Hinton said that although she hasnt travelled to the city, she understands it faces different challenges.

In recent years it has been difficult for a Henley representative to visit Borama as the UK does not recognise Somaliland as an independent state and advises British nationals not to travel there.

Cllr Hinton said that she tried to visit the town as mayor in 2017 but wasnt supported by the Foreign Office.

She said: Were really lucky in Henley because when we are looking at cleaning up the town and quite often were arguing over the size of bins  our cast-iron luxury bins  or were even worried about the shade of street paint.

If the most that weve got to worry about is some chewing gum on the streets and that the paving stones need cleaning, I think that makes us quite fortunate.

I think that the difficulties in Borama in cleaning up are completely different, its a different street scene to the one we have in Henley and cleaning up is more of an effort.
The White House was informed of Israels strikes against the Iranian regime ahead of time but was not involved militarily, U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News Bret Baier on Friday.

Washington still hopes that Tehran will clinch a nuclear agreement with the United States, Trump told Baier.

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, Fox News cited the commander-in-chief as saying. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back, he added.

U.S. officials were able to confirm that a number of top Iranian leade...
India urges Iran, Israel to avoid escalation

Xinhua) 16:18, June 13, 2025

NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Friday expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Iran and Israel and called for restraint from both sides.

"India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilized to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said it was closely monitoring the evolving situation, urging Indian nationals in both countries to remain cautious and follow security advisories.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Greater glider numbers have plummeted over the last 20 years, and conservationists want the NSW Government to stop logging its habitat.

Conservationists are concerned about the future of a population of rare native mammals living in an Australian national park. Thats because endangered greater gliders are occupying the same forest that the NSW governments timber harvest company is logging for hardwood.

At the time of publication, Forestry Corporation NSW had recorded just four occupied nesting hollows, known as dens, in two compartments within the Styx River State Forest that are subject to logging. While volunteers walking through the forests at night found 38 in the same areas.

Scott Mackenzie from South East Forest Rescue was tired as he spoke to Yahoo News Australia this week. Hes spent around 50 nights searching through quiet bushland for gliders, then going to work the next day.

These surveys have a big impact on my life. But what do people want to achieve in their lives? What Id like to achieve is an endangered species being saved, he told Yahoo News.

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Its frustrating having to go out there. But whats heartbreaking is that if I cant find those greater gliders, theres a good chance theyll die.

When greater glider dens are discovered, timber harvesters are required by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to set a 50-metre exclusion zone around the tree, limiting the amount of timber that can be felled. However, independent research funded by World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia (WWF) suggests this is far from adequate to meet the habitat needs of the species.

This picture shows a greater glider close to habitat being logged in the Tallaganda State Forest. Source: Kailas Wild/Andrew Kaineder

Forestry Corporation says it follows the law

NSW Forestry Corporation told Yahoo News its protecting more than 3,300 individual trees, including 2,600 with hollows at compartments 38 and 42, which were subject to the survey disparity, and the adjoining compartment 41 where it's located another glider den.

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A spokesperson for the company said it meets the regulatory requirements related to surveying for greater gliders before harvesting trees. These surveys now include a new requirement introduced by the EPA that searches for the nocturnal marsupials must be undertaken at night. Prior to this, Forestry Corporation often looked for them during the day when they were known to be hidden away in dens.

Harvesting plans have been prepared in line with the regulations. Forestry Corporations trained ecologists have completed nocturnal surveys for gliders and dens in line with the requirements and applied exclusion zones, a spokesperson for the harvester said.

Information provided by third parties has also been considered and additional precautionary exclusion zones [have] been established.

Why volunteer is heading out in search of gliders again

The Nature Conservation Council, a non-profit that advocates for environment protection in NSW, has accused Forestry Corporation of cutting corners when it comes to glider surveys, which it argues are open to interpretation by harvesters.

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Its assessment of Forestry Corporations surveys shows a significant reduction in efforts in 2025 compared to 2024, which it says raises serious concerns about the adequacy of habitat assessments.

Forestry Corporation is entrusted with managing our public forests sustainably. Instead, they are putting vulnerable species and ecosystems at risk by cutting corners, its CEO Jacqui Mumford said.

Conservationists are worried timber harvesting by the NSW Government in the Styx River State Forest is harming greater gliders. Source: Luca Lamont

Greater glider numbers have plummeted due to habitat destruction and bushfires. Volunteers like Mackenzie say they have no option but to continue to survey the area themselves because of their lack of confidence in government.

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These animals have gone from being commonplace 20 years ago to now being endangered, and on a very steep slide towards extinction. And still, forestry is attacking these rare habitats where theres high density, he said.

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More than 24 hours after the life-changing Powerball $100 million draw, Australias newest multimillionaire remains a complete mystery  and the clock is ticking.

More than 34 hours after the winning numbers were drawn, officials from The Lott are yet to hear from Thursday nights mystery Powerball $100 million division one winner. Source: The Lott

More than a day after the life-changing numbers were drawn, Australias newest multimillionaire is still a mystery  and officials are desperately urging Powerball players in Sydneys east to check their tickets immediately.

One ticket, purchased at Bondi Junction Newsagency & Internet Cafe on Oxford Street, holds the sole division one winning entry from Thursday nights $100 million Powerball draw 1517.

But with no registered player details linked to the ticket, The Lott still has no way of contacting the winner  and can only wait, and hope, that someone soon realises theyve become one of the countrys richest individuals.

"With a winning entry tucked away in their car, wallet, or stuck on their fridge door, one New South Wales player is walking around completely oblivious to the fact their life has forever changed," The Lott spokesperson Eliza Wregg said.

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"There are 100 million reasons why Sydneys eastern suburbs players should check their tickets today.

The winning numbers drawn Thursday, June 12, were 28, 10, 3, 16, 31, 14 and 21. The Powerball number was 6. For Bondi Junction Newsagency & Internet Cafe, the news is already legendary.

Search for mystery Powerball $100 million winner continues

"Wow. Its legendary to hear weve sold the winning ticket in Thursday nights Powerball draw worth $100 million," said store owner Manish.

"This is by far the biggest winning entry weve ever sold. The team are thrilled to hear the winning news. Ill be rewarding the particular staff member who sold the winning ticket, too. Im hoping its one of our regular customers, but you never know  it could be a tourist too. Were located right next to the closest station to Bondi Beach, so you never know."

The Lott confirmed that this is the only Division One winner nationally in draw 1517, meaning just one lucky ticket holder is entitled to the entire nine-figure prize.

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"Imagine discovering youre suddenly a multi-millionaire! You could immediately retire, take the trip of your dreams, or spoil those nearest and dearest to you," Wregg added.

"All you need to do is visit TheLott.com, scan your ticket on The Lott app or visit one of our friendly retailers to find out if you are our division one winner."

If the winner comes forward, theyll join the ranks of Powerball royalty. Last year alone, 21 Australians shared in over $773 million worth of division one prizes  including a record $150 million win by a single Adelaide man. Until then, the nation waits  and watches  to see who will step forward to claim one of the biggest lottery prizes ever handed out in Australia.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Parks around Australia's capital will be closed to the public, as shooters move in to controversially cull kangaroos.

When darkness falls on reserves like Red Hill in Canberra, shooters will move in. Source: Gwenda Griffiths

A $350,000 government splurge on shooting wild kangaroos roaming in parks surrounding an Australian city has opponents up in arms. They say its time for the ACT government to get smarter about how it manages the native marsupials, rather than spending up big on bullets.

When darkness falls and walkers and picnickers return home from 16 grassy reserves that surround Canberra, shooters will move in. Theyre contracted to shoot thousands of kangaroos this year to manage what it says are environmental, economic and social impacts caused by overpopulation.

Leading scientists and land managers with decades of experience in ecology, land management, and kangaroo management have calculated an operational target of 2,981 kangaroos to be removed, an ACT government spokesperson told Yahoo News.

Related: 320 wallabies shot at sanctuary designed to protect wildlife

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Culling kangaroos so close to a city is a complex operation, meaning the government has to pay for staff overtime, contractors, planning, monitoring and equipment.

Kangaroo advocates argue smarter planning needed

Gwenda Griffiths from Save Canberras Kangaroos thinks the money could be better spent on creating overpasses or underpasses. This would mean they arent hit by cars when they leave the reserves and the grasslands they live on don't become denuded.

Since Canberra was established as a city, the reserves where kangaroos live have become surrounded by development, so the only way in or out for animals is via roads.

Its not rocket science and were not reinventing the wheel, these overpasses are used successfully elsewhere around the world, Griffiths told Yahoo News. Sure, theyre expensive, but they could benefit humans as well.

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Doing this would not only reduce the risk of conflict, it would allow kangaroos to naturally traverse the landscape so numbers don't build up in reserves.

This short-term expenditure could reduce any ongoing need for yearly culls, freeing up more money in future for important issues like health and education.

"We need to stop thinking the only solution is to shoot them. We need to get better at sharing the environment," Griffiths said.

Overpasses have successfully been used overseas. Source: Getty

Is there a need to control kangaroos?

Griffiths doesn't believe there should be any need for culls in Australia, and that it's on planners to properly design cities that allow for wildlife movement.

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"They talk about welfare concerns that when there's a drought, they starve, and when there's a rain they overproduce. But for thousands of years, kangaroos have lived in varying conditions and have regulated their own reproduction," she said.

While shooting remains the government's dominant method of control, it has also invested in fertility controls. So far this year, just 18 females have been treated with the GonaCon vaccine, but there are plans to expand its use.

GonaCon contraceptive vaccine is currently being used at three nature reserves. To reduce population growth, we are aiming to treat between 60 per cent and 80 per cent of the adult females at these sites with GonaCon, a government spokesperson said.

Females only need to be treated once so there arent ongoing costs with this population control method.

Most of the GonaCon treatments required at these sites were administered in previous years, so only a low number of additional treatments were required this year to maintain the desired number of infertile females in these populations, the government said.

The ACT Labor Government will spend $350,000 culling kangaroos this year. Source: Gwenda Griffiths

What happens to the kangaroos after they're culled?

The governments use of the carcasses also remains controversial, because its a rare jurisdiction where there isnt commercial harvesting of their meat and skins.

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While some bodies are given to Traditional Custodians for cultural use, and some are used in baits to kill native dingos and invasive foxes, the majority are disposed of.

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Farmers in South Australia are suffering through a historic two-year-long drought, which has forced many to sell off large portions of their livestock.

Driving down a dusty, dry Aussie road on Thursday morning, Dorothy Crosby was mesmerised by the incredible scene unfolding in front of her. There, in the middle of drought-stricken South Australia, a rainbow suddenly appeared like a glimmer of hope in the sky after a sprinkle of much-needed rainfall.

When I saw that rainbow, I just thought this hay is like a gift of hope as well, the counsellor for Rural Aid told Yahoo News Australia. For the past few weeks she has been helping deliver bales of feed to struggling farmers in the lower Flinders Ranges as the entire state continues to suffer through a historic two-year-long drought, which has forced many to sell off large portions of their livestock.

On the ground, I see the encouragement that that hay is bringing, Crosby said. The farmers themselves are so resilient, and theyre managing their resources as wisely as they can. A lot of them have had to de-stock, and theyre just trying to sustain their breeding stock so that when the drought ends, they can kind of rebuild again. But I think that they need to be seen.

Over 2,000 tonnes of hay delivered to drought-stricken farmers

Farmers around the country are under significant strain, with those in south-eastern Australia praying for rain and others in NSW begging for the one-in-500 year floods to stop.

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Answering their calls for help has also placed pressure on charities dedicated to helping Australias agriculture community, with several rallying in recent weeks and travelling thousands of kilometres to drop off hay donations to hundreds of rural properties in SA.

Over the Kings Birthday weekend, a whopping 2,000 tonnes of hay loaded onto 40 trucks were handed out to 86 families in the Fleurieu Peninsula by Need for Feed volunteers.

Rapid Relief Team volunteers also travelled more than 1,700km to drop off supplies to over 200 farmers in the mid-north, with Rural Aid, Aussie Hay Runners and Farmers Relief Agency all joining the collaborative effort.

Aussie farmer thrilled to receive lifeline from volunteers

Leon Hams, a sheep farmer for over 30 years, told Yahoo he was excited to recently receive 11 bales from Rapid Relief, and that the effort was very much appreciated by everyone in the Jamestown area. The lingering drought forced Hams to sell half of his livestock earlier this year so he could properly care for those animals that remained.

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Its been very hard trying to survive and put feed on the table and pay your bills  your power bills and your fuel bills, they dont disappear, you still got to pay them, Hams, who is now using the donated hay sparingly and intermittently with barley, said.

He added it has been a very hard and difficult year for everyone in his community, with some farmers forced to refinance their properties just to keep up.

SA farmer Leon Hams told Yahoo he was thrilled to receive 11 bales of hay after being forced to sell half his livestock. Source: Leon Hams

Its just been a real disaster. Its not just the farmers. Everyone talks about the farmers, but it's not just the farmers. Its the whole community. The town's suffering because the farmers havent got the money to spend at the businesses in town, he said, noting his dad, who has lived off the land his entire life, said hes never seen a drought this bad before.

Parts of the state received some patchy rainfall last weekend, bringing some slight relief, but much more consistent precipitation is needed.

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Its given everyone a little bit of hope for the future. Unfortunately, it doesnt rain feed, but itll start the feed off. Lets hope we have a good, reasonable year this year, and break even and go on the following years, and we dont have to ever experience this again.

Sadly, the Bureau of Meteorologys long-range forecast predicts rainfall will likely remain below average across southwestern WA, far south-eastern SA, much of Victoria and the alpine region of NSW throughout July.

However, more help is on the way, with SA farmers expected to receive another 6,000 bales of feed from WA by the end of next month.

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It's been weeks since the record-breaking floods on the NSW Mid North Coast, but the impacts are continuing to surface.

NSW Maritime crews monitored the blockage on Friday, and are assisting the EPA with the clean up. Source: NSW Maritime

The impacts of major flooding on the New South Wales Mid North Coast are continuing to surface weeks after water levels have receded. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding damaged homes and businesses, with water levels in some areas breaking century-old records.

Now, boaters are being warned to stay clear of Ghinni Ghinni Creek, just north of Taree after it became blocked by fallen trees and debris. A photo from the scene shows crews from NSW Maritime overlooking the sea of destruction, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Littered among the sticks and branches are at least 10 large silage bales washed away from farms  and they aren't cheap. The bales are typically sold for between $50 to $150.

Crews estimated that the debris was spread out for at least 200m down the river. Source: NSW Maritime

Other rivers that the recent floods have impacted include Manning River, Hastings River and Macleay River. NSW Maritime issued an urgent safety message to boaters on Friday afternoon, warning of the dangerous conditions.

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Our crews are supporting the NSW Environment Protection Authority with damage assessments and debris but boaters  please stay off the water in affected areas and take extra care, the authority said.

They also advised that navigation markers may be missing and other infrastructure could be damaged or unstable. Its also unclear what kind of debris lies hidden under the surface.

Spiders, snakes take over home during floods

Five people were killed and more than 1,000 properties were deemed uninhabitable in the floods. Thousands of residents were displaced, along with animals, reptiles and insects.

One resident in Clybucca, near Kempsey, returned to her home 10 days later to find it teeming with snakes and spiders.

"There were 30 snakes down in the shed alone  I wasn't expecting that many, Julie Botfield told ABC News earlier this week. Her usually cream-coloured house was brown on all sides due to huge amounts of spiders climbing to safety.

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Ms Botfield said the animals made the clean-up effort more difficult as she didnt want to get bitten.

The home's exterior was covered with spiders. If you look closely, you can see a snake hiding near the stairs. Source: Julie Botfield via ABC News

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The lone survivor of the deadly Air India plane crash that killed 241 people has described how he escaped the burning wreckage after the plane slammed into a building in Ahmedabad.

On Thursday, Air India Flight 171 from London crashed into a residential complex in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, killing all but one of 242 passengers and several people on the ground, according to the Daily Mail. The flight was bound for London but failed to gain altitude, ultimately splitting apart and erupting into flames on impact.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old London resident, recounted from his hospital bed how he leapt from the aircraft after the emergency door broke open on impact. Seated in 11A, right next to the exit, Ramesh said the plane plummeted quickly and felt as if it had gotten "stuck" midair before crashing full-speed into the ground floor of the building.

Flames quickly engulfed the aircraft, and Ramesh burned his arm as he scrambled out. He described seeing bodies and wreckage all around him, and witnessing flight attendants die in front of him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh and other injured victims at the hospital on Friday, later posting a message of grief and solidarity on social media. Rescue teams continue to search the site, with DNA testing underway to identify the victims.

U.S. investigators from agencies including the NTSB and FAA are expected to arrive to assist with the crash probe. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the inquiry under international aviation protocols.

Meanwhile, investigators are still searching for the plane's black boxes and examining how the aircraft failed so catastrophically just moments after takeoff.

Originally published on Latin Times
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chery is on track to become China's first local car manufacturer to hit the 5-million-unit mark in cumulative exports, Chery Holding's Chairman Yin Tongyue announced at a press conference on June 12, the first day of the 2025 International Automotive & Supply Chain Expo (Hong Kong). According to Mr. Yin, the milestone is expected to be reached around June 20. He also revealed that Chery will officially enter the Hong Kong market later this year.

Photo credit: Chery Group

This announcement follows Chery Group's strong export performance in May this year, during which Chery shipped 100,737 vehicles abroad, marking a 7.7% year-on-year increase. From January to May, total exports of Chery Group reached 443,940 units, cementing the group's position as China's top automobile exporter. By the end of May, Chery Group's global user base exceeded 16.7 million, with more than 4.94 million users located outside of China.

Chery Group has accelerated its global expansion since 2025 through a multi-brand strategy. On April 9, its JETOUR brand launched the heavyweight model DASHING in Malaysia, signaling a deeper push into the Southeast Asian market. On May 20, JETOUR T1 entered the Panamanian and Egyptian markets, showcasing the appeal of its refined cockpit and robust off-road capabilities, thus reinforcing the technical strength of Chinese automotive brands on the global stage.

Chery stated that the company is advancing its globalization strategy from the phase 1.0 focusing on overseas sales, the phase 2.0 involving local manufacturing, to the current phase 3.0 driven by intelligent manufacturing and technological innovation.

Furthering this approach, Chery's global innovation ecosystem platform, the Kaiyang Laboratory, marked a key milestone on May 12 by establishing a strategic partnership with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore ("NTU Singapore"). This denoted the Kaiyang Laboratory's first overseas collaborative innovation center. The two parties will collaborate on R&D in key technologies for new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, while promoting global open source initiative, as well as sharing core equipment and technologies to foster a diverse innovation landscape for technological progress.
YOTEL Tokyo Ginza marked its official opening on Monday 9 June with an immersive Grand Opening Party that celebrated 'YOTEL To The World' and demonstrated the global brand's mission to challenge the status quo of the hospitality industry. Attended by over 200 guests, the event showcased YOTEL's signature sleek design, efficient technology and innovative experiences with activations throughout the hotel's public spaces and rooms. Guests included senior leaders from YOTEL and Frasers Hospitality - YOTEL's partner for its debut property in Japan, as well as local influencers, brand and corporate partners and members of the media. Set in the vibrant Ginza district, the hotel's launch marks an important moment for YOTEL as it introduces its globally recognised 'Non-Stop' ethos to the Japanese and wider APAC market.

YOTEL to the World: Non-Stop: An immersive globetrotting experience

Themed 'YOTEL to the World: Non-Stop, guests moved through curated, city-themed spaces that celebrated where YOTEL lives and thrives. With a YOTEL passport in hand, guests collected stamps as they went on their non-stop journey, from New York, Singapore, Bangkok to Tokyo.

Each room activation made use of YOTEL's clever, space-saving design including the signature reclining SmartBed, efficient storage solutions and mood lighting, to become a full-sensory journey.

Midnight in Manhattan: a giant photo booth with oversized pillows, balloons and props for a glamourous sleepover in the city that never sleeps.

Ginza Game Room: transformed a room into a neon-lit arcade in a throwback to Japan's gaming heyday.

Southeast Asia Oasis: a calming moment where guests could relax on the SmartBed with a massage and refreshing drinks.

Urban Jungle 24/7 Convenience: YOTEL's beauty partner Urban Jungle offered guests products from its body and skincare range.

Artist in Residence: Mio Furukawa displayed work and talked about creating bespoke pieces of digital art for YOTEL Tokyo Ginza.

Connecting with Japan's heritage and culture

A Japanese drum performance marked the start of the official proceedings of the night. Shinya Ogawa, General Manager at YOTEL Tokyo Ginza, introduced Mr Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, Group CEO, Frasers Property and Hubert Viriot, CEO, YOTEL, to formally welcome guests and note the significance of the opening and expectations for the Japan market. Joined by Eu Chin Fen, CEO, Frasers Hospitality, the executives then participated in a Kagami Biraki (sake barrel breaking ceremony) in a symbolic moment that fused the global brand with local culture.

United through food, drinks and music

In Komyuniti bar and restaurant, taking over the first floor of the hotel, guests were served a selection of signature drinks and global bites inspired by YOTEL's key cities. A B2B set by DJs Matcha and Una added the final flair to the party, with a dynamic fusion of house, tech house and disco, the night was filled with sophisticated energy channelling the pulse of Tokyo's nightlife with the stylish edge of a Ginza fashion party.

Hotel website
Staypineapple, the national boutique hotel brand, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new General Manager for its California property - Marc Farris joins Staypineapple San Francisco in Union Square.

Marc arrives with decades of hospitality leadership experience, having most recently served as General Manager at Hotel Spero, and previously held General Manager roles with other notable brands including Hilton, Oxford Suites and Sheraton. His strong background in Food and Beverage management, combined with a thorough understanding of the local San Francisco market, makes him an invaluable asset to Staypineapple San Francisco.

Staypineapple continues to invest in top talent to uphold its commitment to unique, personalized guest experiences. This effort strengthens the brand's strategic growth plan as it transitions from a pure owner-operator model to a brand and management-focused structure. Marc brings the leadership and skills essential to sustaining Staypineapple's growth and excellence in the boutique hotel industry.
Hilton (NYSE:HLT) announced Christian Charnaux will return to the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer. He joins from Inspire Brands - the restaurant company that owns Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC - where he served as Chief Growth Officer since its founding in 2018. Charnaux will start on July 1, 2025, reporting to Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, as a part of Hilton's executive committee. Kevin Jacobs will continue in the role of Chief Financial Officer.

Previously at Hilton, Charnaux served in several brand management, commercial, and finance positions, including leading Hilton's Investor Relations efforts. Prior to Hilton and Inspire Brands, Charnaux was with the Boston Consulting Group where he focused on the travel and consumer product sectors. He also worked for J.P. Morgan in the Technology Coverage and Mergers & Acquisition groups. Charnaux is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead-Cain Scholar, and later received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He currently serves on the boards of ARCOP, National DCP, as Vice Chair of Georgia's Partnership for Inclusive Innovation and on the University of North Carolina Board of Visitors.
Mandarin Oriental is pleased to announce the appointment of Edouard Lapasset as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Paris, effective June 1, 2025. He continues his career at the prestigious rue Saint-Honore property, where he has served as Hotel Manager since 2022.

With nearly 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, including 11 years within Mandarin Oriental, Edouard brings extensive expertise in hotel management and a deep understanding of the luxury hospitality sector. Driven by curiosity for all aspects of the hotel industry, Edouard gained experience in various departments (Purchasing, Food & Beverage, Guest Services, Housekeeping, Project Management) before joining Mandarin Oriental as Assistant Front Office Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva.

He then rose through the ranks to become Director of Rooms, before taking on the same role at Mandarin Oriental, Doha in 2020.

In 2022, he joined Mandarin Oriental, Paris as Hotel Manager, where he has since contributed to strengthening the hotel's position as a benchmark for French luxury hospitality.

Born in Paris and a proud ambassador of French savoir-faire both in France and abroad, Edouard discovered his passion for hospitality early on through extensive travel, which sparked his love for service and, above all, for human connection. He places great importance on both guest and employee experience and is committed to embodying excellence in every role he undertakes.

A competitive athlete, particularly in fencing, he draws on values such as performance, self-improvement, leadership, and the importance of family, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Principles that he applies in both his personal and professional life.
Anastasia is a Consultant in the UK Hospitality Capital Markets team at Cushman & Wakefield, one of the largest real estate services firms with approximately 51,000 employees in 400 offices and 70 countries. Before joining Cushman & Wakefields Hospitality Capital Markets team in the UK, she worked in the Corporate Hotels team at Christie & Co. She studied at EHL Hospitality Business School in Switzerland and gained operational experience in the luxury hotel sector in Australia.
Running for over 30 years, the General Managers Program is the world's premiere transformational learning experience for hotel general managers and their immediate successors. As an experienced hospitality professional, you know that the industry is constantly evolving. To be successful, you must lead your team with purpose, embrace the industry's evolutionary path, and seek opportunities to keep your organization at the forefront. Through GMP, you will hone strategic thinking skills, explore how to create value, and plan for action to tackle today's most urgent business challenges and opportunities.

The program consists of two learning modalities. First, you'll complete two live virtual courses, choosing topics that best meet your individual development goals. Topics are offered monthly and will be led by Cornell University faculty experts. Each course will include four 3-hour sessions and be limited to 35 participants to ensure high levels of engagement and networking.

Next, you will come to Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in Ithaca, New York to complete the program. The on-campus experience kicks off with a reception and orientation dinner, followed by five days of intensive, interactive, and engaged learning with peers from around the world. Led by senior Cornell faculty, you'll take on strategic property-level issues with depth and precision. You'll concentrate on hotel management issues and collaborate to expand the foundation of your knowledge, broaden your viewpoint, and produce new solutions to the challenges you face. As business transcends continental boundaries, so do we at Cornell. Through our interactive program, participants dissect theory-based ideas and learning, then relate these to current issues in the industry.

If you're looking for specific, applicable, and workable solutions to your real-time issues and demands, this program offers a management and strategic-thinking toolkit designed to take your property to the next level.

This event is organized by Cornell
London, UK - New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), has revealed international traveller spend is on track to break all records this year, cementing the nations position as a Travel & Tourism powerhouse in Southeast Asia.

According to WTTCs 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR), produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the countrys international visitor spend is expected to reach an all-time high of IDR 344TN this year  nearly 12% above the previous record in 2019.

This marks a sharp increase from IDR 289.1TN in 2024, reflecting renewed global confidence and rising demand for Indonesias diverse tourism offering.

While international travel is taking off, domestic tourism also remains a powerful growth engine, reaching a record IDR 381.4TN in 2025.

This year, research from the global tourism body shows Travel & Tourisms contribution to the economy is expected to reach an all-time high of IDR 1,269.8TN  representing 5.5% of the countrys GDP and a 21% increase over 2019 levels.

Employment is also expected to continue thriving, with Travel & Tourism forecast to support almost 14MN jobs - 9.3% of the total national employment.

Indonesias success story is no accident. It is the result of bold leadership, targeted investments and close collaboration between the private and public sectors. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has charted a clear path for growth  one that prioritises sustainability, local communities and resilience. Paired with the ingenuity of Indonesias private sector, the result is a vibrant Travel & Tourism sector that is creating jobs, attracting global travellers and driving national prosperity. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO

According to the global tourist bodys latest research, last year, Travel & Tourism contributed nearly IDR 1,138TN to the economy, accounting for 5.1% of the national economy, and almost 13MN jobs.

A Look Forward to 2035

Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts a transformative decade for Indonesias Travel & Tourism. By 2035, the sector is expected to contribute IDR 1,897TN to the national economy.

Employment is set to grow to nearly 17MN jobs, with the creation of more than 3.2MN additional roles over the next 10 years, one in 10 jobs nationally.

This growth will be fuelled by both international and domestic visitor spending, expected to reach over IDR 590TN and IDR 599TN, respectively, a testament to the strength and resilience of both markets.

For more information and to access the full factsheet, including WTTCs latest Environmental Social Research (ESR), please visit WTTC's Research Hub .

Editors Notes

All figures are given in IDR

About WTTC

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

WTTC Press Office

WTTC

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Over 100 GBTA members engaged U.S. lawmakers during the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit to advocate for policies that support economic growth and global mobility

Representative Rick Larsen and Senator Jerry Moran receive 2025 GBTA Navigator Awards for championing business travel in the U.S.

Alexandria, VA  More than 100 members and constituents of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) converged this week in Washington, D.C. for the GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit 2025 with the collective purpose of advocating for the vital role and value of business travel. Through direct meetings with Senators, Representatives and congressional staff, members from GBTAs 38 U.S. chapters shared insights and championed policies to advance business travels impact as an economic driver and to create a more connected and resilient travel ecosystem.

Held June 10-12, the Summit provided industry professionals with the opportunity to network, learn, and engage directly with legislators to underscore the value of business travel in the U.S. economy. GBTA also advocated for streamlined international travel including policies that enhance the traveler experience and restore confidence in U.S. entry processes. GBTA participants also discussed the need to modernize the U.S. air traffic system, support Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and improve passenger rail to provide viable travel alternatives.

For more than two decades, GBTA has hosted legislative fly-ins to connect business travel experts with U.S. policymakers to foster understanding, advocate for priority issues and facilitate a better experience for business travelers. By promoting the strategic role of business travel in driving economies, innovation, jobs and strategic collaboration, we foster a more resilient future for business travelers and those who support them. Suzanne Neufang, CEO, GBTA

Setting the Policy Agenda for Business Travel

Summit attendees heard perspectives directly from members of Congress including Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington), as well as from various experts on critical topics including air traffic system modernization, the evolution of SAF and improving U.S. passenger rail travel.

In close to 150 meetings with legislators, attendees shared GBTAs policy priorities for U.S. business travel. Based on these priorities, GBTA constituents asked legislators to:

Support the modernization of the air traffic system

Improve business travel at U.S. borders Support funding for the hiring of 5,000 additional Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers Reject efforts to extend the diversion of the 9/11 Passenger Security Fe Support additional resources for CBPs implementation of the Entry and Exit Program in order to accelerate the safe facilitation of business travelers at the nations points of entry

Support the inclusion of the extension of the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) through 2031

Support future funding for U.S. rail improvements

Summit attendees also shared with Congressional members key takeaways from the GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study: Business Travels Impact on Jobs and the U.S. Economy outlining how U.S. business travel contributes $484.4 billion annually, or 1.9% of the U.S. gross domestic product. They also showcased GBTAs recent poll results reflecting industry concern about the potential negative impact of U.S. government actions on business travel.

GBTA Recognizes U.S. Legislators for Championing Business Travel

GBTA announced Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Washington) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) as the 2025 recipients of its prestigious GBTA Navigator Award. The award is presented to elected officials who have been strong advocates for issues integral to the business travel industry and recognizes them for championing the needs of business travelers and the broader travel sector.

Rep. Larsen is the Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and in his role, he has advocated for safety and efficiency for aviation. Last year, he worked in a bipartisan fashion to pass the Federal Aviation Administration Re-Authorization Bill, which included several GBTA-supported priorities such as safety improvements to the National Airspace System, studies to improve accessibility concerns, and workforce investments to train more pilots and air traffic controllers. This year, Rep. Larsen has worked with the Department of Transportation to make improvements to our nations air traffic control system, strategically enhance the workforce for long-term success, and foster innovation to improve aviation safety.

Sen. Moran has championed increasing the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Late last year he formed the bipartisan SAF Caucus to find ways to promote technologically innovative solutions to create a sustainable aviation industry and increase U.S. competitiveness in the domestic production of SAF. Sen. Moran is actively involved in promoting aviation safety through legislative efforts and oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He has championed bills to improve aviation safety, including the NOTAM Improvement Act, and has pushed FAA leadership on safety system failures and progress in implementing improvements.

The GBTA U.S. Legislative Summit is the only event in the U.S. that advocates for legislation to make the business travel industry better. This years Summit was made possible by Altour, BWH Hotels, Cornerstone, Delta Airlines, Enterprise Mobility, CIBT, United Airlines and USiLAW.

About GBTA

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world's premiere business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area and serving stakeholders across six continents. GBTA and its 8,000+ members represent and advocate for the $1.48 trillion global travel business and meetings industry. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. For more information visit gbta.org.

About the GBTA Foundation

The mission of the GBTA Foundation, the US 501c3 charitable arm of the Global Business Travel Association, is to help the global business travel industry create a positive impact and better future for people and the planet. The GBTA Foundation focuses on the strategy and execution of GBTA's global sustainability programs, supporting initiatives related to climate action; diversity, equity and inclusion; and other talent-related topics via education, research and advocacy. For more information visit gbtafoundation.org.

Debbie Iannaci

GBTA Global Communications, PR & Research

+1 305 301 7057

GBTA
The UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), brought together tourism leaders, government officials, and creative-sector stakeholders to chart a future where tourism drives lasting, inclusive development across the region. The event brought together more than 300 delegates, including 18 Ministers of Tourism, reflecting the high-level support for UN Tourisms work and vision for the region.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili opened the 68th session with a call to action rooted in partnership and progress. Reflecting on his first visit to Abuja in 2018, he noted that progress is built on partnership and Africas story is one of resilience and renewal. He lauded the regions rapid recovery in tourism, driven by streamlined protocols, digital innovation, and targeted skill development, and reaffirmed commitment to the Agenda for Africa: Tourism for Inclusive Growth.

Shared progress celebrated

In Abuja, UN Tourisms Member States in Africa were given a thorough overview of the progress made in advancing shared goals since the Regional Commissions last meeting. Key highlights of this shared progress include:

The launch of the Thematic Office on Innovation for Africa, in partnership with Morocco, designed to drive investment, capacity-building, and digital transformation in tourism.

A strong emphasis on creative industries, music, film, fashion, and cuisine, as drivers of culture-led tourism, visitor engagement, and local livelihoods.

Advancements in education and youth empowerment, including new courses, academy launches in Zambia and Zimbabwe, and expansive training and entrepreneurship programmes.

Tourism can be a ladder out of poverty and a platform for leadership , Pololikashvili said, urging further investment in digital literacy, vocational training, and youth entrepreneurship, particularly for women and marginalized communities.

Key roles for African Member States in UN Tourism

In Abuja, Africas Member States fulfilled their statutory obligations with elections to key positions that will guide UN Tourisms work forward over the coming years:

Angola; Kenya; Seychelles; Zambia; Zimbabwe will serve on the UN Tourism Executive Council (2025-2029)

Nigeria and Zimbabwe will serve as Vice-Presidents of the UN Tourism General Assembly (2025)

Zambia will Chair the Regional Commission for Africa (2025-2027), with Angola and Nigeria the Vice-Chairs

Looking ahead, Seychelles will host the 69th Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for Africa (date TBC). Cabo Verde will then host the official celebrations for World Tourism Day 2027.

Innovation to shape Africas tourism future

The weeks discussions underlined a shared vision: tourism led by Africans, powered by innovation, and rooted in cultural identity. Delegates stressed that technology and Artificial Intelligence must serve people first, by widening market access, easing travel, and reinforcing ethical standards.

On the sidelines of the 68th CAF meeting, UN Tourism held a Technical Workshop on AI and Innovation shaping Tourism and Creative Industries for local officials. Discussions focused on placing AI tools and innovation to be at the forefront of tourism development across Africa, as well as on supporting education and entrepreneurial skills for growth as well as the importance of public-private partnerships.

About UN Tourism

UN Tourism is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. An intergovernmental organization, UN Tourism has 160 Member States, 6 Associate Members, 2 Observers and over 500 Affiliate Members. The General Assembly is the supreme organ of the Organization. The Executive Council takes all measures, in consultation with the Secretary-General, for the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the General Assembly and reports to the Assembly. UN Tourism headquarters are based in Madrid, Spain. The election for Secretary General will be in May 2025.

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Xi urges hard work to build strong China as CPC marks 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun

Xinhua) 16:23, June 13, 2025

BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy with an enterprising spirit and hard work to build China into a strong country.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting held in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 120th anniversary of Chen's birth.

Chen, born in 1905, joined the Party in 1925. He was recognized as a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and as one of the founding figures of the country's socialist economy. He was a key member of both the Party's first generation of central collective leadership with Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core, according to Xi.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On June 13, Anji Logistics, the logistics arm of SAIC Motor, officially named and delivered its 36th self-operated roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel, Anji Soundness, built by Jinling Shipyard, China Merchants. The ship embarked on its maiden voyage bound for Europe, marking the addition of the company's second 9,500-vehicle-capacity ro-ro ship following the debut of the Anji Anshengthe world's largest ro-ro vessel.

Photo credit: SAIC Motor

Anji Soundness is the sister ship of Anji Ansheng and represents the latest generation of ultra-large post-Panamax car carriers, boasting the highest loading capacity in the world. The vessel is equipped with an advanced intelligent ship systemdescribed as a "super brain"capable of centralized data acquisition from more than 1,300 monitoring points across the ship. This system enables real-time, data-driven energy efficiency management and seamless coordination with shore-based platforms.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, Anji Soundness is also pre-equipped for methanol fuel, laying the groundwork for future carbon-neutral operations and demonstrating leading-edge capabilities in green and intelligent maritime transport.

For its maiden voyage, the vessel will call at three major Chinese portsShanghai, Lianyungang, and Yantaito load Chinese-brand passenger vehicles and construction machinery. It will then sail around the Cape of Good Hope to ensure optimal safety and timeliness, covering approximately 16,000 nautical miles over a 40-day journey. Final destinations include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Key Takeaways

New report shows hotels account for almost 80% of guest nights in the EU

Fewer homes, more hotels, some city districts now have three hotel rooms for every five residents, housing construction nears a decade low

Hotel guests flock to the same hotspots, majority of Airbnb guest nights are outside of cities

More guests and soaring hotel prices, overtourism is getting worse where Airbnb is restricted

Airbnb has today called on city leaders to tackle the overwhelming impact of hotels on driving overtourism in the ten most visited cities in the European Union (EU).

The call comes as a new Airbnb report released today highlights how overtourism in the EU is driven by hotels, which accounted for almost 80 percent of guest nights across the bloc in 2023 and 2024. It also shows that between 2021 and 2023, guest nights in the EUs ten most visited cities increased by over 200 million  or 2.5x  with hotels accounting for 75 percent of this growth.

If cities are serious about easing overtourism, they must address the overwhelming impact of hotels. Europe needs more homes  not hotels  yet cities are building more hotels as the construction of housing in the region nears a decade low. Theo Yedinsky, Airbnbs Vice President of Public Policy

The new report Overtourism in the EU is based on official data from Eurostat and the World Tourism Organisation, as well as industry and Airbnb data. It shows that:

Overtourism is overwhelmingly driven by hotels. In 2024, a record-breaking 3 billion tourist nights were spent in hotels and other similar accommodations in EU destinations. Hotels and other similar accommodations accounted for almost 80% of guest nights in the EU. As EU tourism recovered from Covid, total guest nights in the EUs 10 most popular cities grew by over 200 million  or 2.5x  between 2021 and 2023 alone. Hotels and other similar accommodations accounted for more than 75% of the increase. Across these EU cities in 2023, hotels accounted for five times more guest nights than Airbnb.

Cities need more homes  not hotels. Hotel accommodation is overwhelmingly located in city centers. Central Amsterdam has 15x more hotel rooms or similar accommodations than Airbnb listings. There are approximately seven hotel beds for each short-term rental bed in Barcelonas Old Town. Close to 40,000 hotel rooms were opened in Europe in 2024 alone. At the end of 2024, nearly 250,000 hotel rooms were either under construction or in the planning phases across Europe. In some EU city districts  like Praha 1 in Prague and Santo Antonio in Lisbon  there are now approximately three hotel rooms per five local residents. In Spain alone, authorities have approved 800+ new hotel projects, adding 75,000 new hotel rooms across the country by 2026.

Airbnb offers a different way to travel that spreads guests and benefits to more communities. Guests use Airbnb to escape tourist traps and discover new destinations, visiting a record-breaking 110,000 destinations worldwide in 2024. While hotel guests flock to the same cities year after year, the majority of guest nights stayed on Airbnb in the EU  almost 60%  were outside of cities. Annual Airbnb guest nights in the EU in 2024 grew faster in locations outside of cities compared to inside cities. In total across the top 10 most visited EU cities in 2024, over 260,000 Airbnb guests stayed in a neighbourhood without a hotel. Airbnb stays in neighbourhoods without hotels grew by roughly 60% between 2022 and 2024, signalling increasing interest from Airbnb guests in locations outside of overcrowded city centres. Half of Airbnb guests in the EU say they would not have visited the neighbourhood in which they stayed had it not been for a listing on Airbnb being located there.

Overtourism is getting worse where Airbnb is restricted. Following the introduction of restrictions on short-term rentals in Amsterdam and Barcelona in 2018, guest nights continue to rise. By 2024 they had increased by 2.4 million in Amsterdam and 4.8 million in Barcelona. In the post-covid recovery period from 2021-2024, hotels accounted for 93% of the increase in guest nights in Amsterdam and 76% in Barcelona. With fewer accommodation options, hotel occupancy and prices have soared, with prices rising by 50% in Amsterdam and 35% in Barcelona between 2019 and spring 2025. Because hotels are concentrated in city centers, they exacerbate tourism overcrowding and deliver fewer tourism proceeds to families in the communities where locals actually live.



In addition to providing an alternative to hotel-driven mass tourism, Airbnb helps families afford their homes and supports local communities. When guests stay in hotels, they spend money in hotels. For every dollar guests spend on Airbnb in the EU, they spend an average of $2.50 in the local community. Across France, Germany, Italy and Spain, travel on Airbnb contributed a total of $44.6 billion to GDP and supported a total of 627,000 jobs in 2024 alone. Almost half of hosts globally say the income they earn from hosting helps them afford their homes1.

When guests stay in Airbnbs they discover new communities, help families afford their homes and support local businesses , said Theo Yedinsky. Where Airbnb is restricted, visitor numbers continue to rise, more guests stay in city centre hotels, and travel becomes more expensive  with fewer proceeds going to local families. We encourage leaders to look beyond hotels and embrace tourism that supports families and communities.

The learn more, you can read the full report.

1. Based on Airbnb internal data.

About Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

About Airbnb.org

Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform.

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Compared to other countries, Switzerland has steadily become less and less popular as a vacation destination, which raises important questions about the factors shaping international tourism flows. This article examines the role of demographic change, particularly ageing populations, in influencing destination rankings and looks at what these trends may imply for the future of Swiss tourism.

Switzerland's Tourism: A 70-Year Decline in Global Popularity

International travel has steadily increased over the decades. In 1950, there were 25 million international trips, rising to 1.4 billion by 2018 on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth has made tourism a significant part of the economy. In Switzerland, for example, travel and tourism accounted for 12.5% of jobs and 9.2% of GDP in 2019. However, trends have been shifting away from Europe, and Switzerland in particular.

In 1950, Switzerland was the 5th most-visited country by international travelers; in 1990, it was the 13th most-visited country in the world; by 2018, Switzerland had fallen to the 35th position (UNWTO Barometer).

Where tourists choose to spend their holiday has a major impact on national economies. Countries in the Americas and Europe have for instance been losing ground. As figure 1 shows, fewer people are directing their international trips towards the Americas and Europe, while increasingly numbers are setting their sights on Asia and the Pacific.

Figure 1. Share of worldwide international travel (arrivals) Source: EHL

The Role of Demographics in the Past

Destination choices depend on many factors. Income plays an obvious role, as transportation and accommodation costs can be sizable, especially in certain countries. Scholars have been looking for key decision factors for decades and have consistently found that the cost of living in the destination country and exchange rates were two other important economic factors, perhaps without much surprise. The role of historical and natural sites, of temperature, sunshine as well as snowfalls at destination has also been established. Lastly, geographical, cultural and historical proximity, domestic or international conflicts, migration and political stability undoubtedly play an important role.

Travel decisions also depend on non-economic characteristics of the person traveling. For instance, there is evidence that people go abroad less often as they get older. Health typically deteriorates with age - an important aspect to take into consideration before embarking on long-distance trips!

One related factor which hasnt been investigated much is the ageing population. For instance, one adult out of five was older than 65 in Japan in 2000. In 2020, it was one adult out of three. As populations age, does that mean that there would be less international travel if all other factors were held constant?

The answer is no. The analysis of data shows that it is quite the opposite. The ageing phenomenon is driven mostly by the increases in life expectancy, and to a smaller extent, by the drop in fertility. Living longer is, to a large extent, a by-product of medical progress that allows us to live in better health for longer. There might be an increase of the elderly in society, but this is due to better medical knowledge, meaning that people live longer and in better health, thus enabling more people to travel abroad.

The Role of Demographics in the Future

The United Nations has made projections on future fertility, mortality and migration rates, which allow researchers to estimate the expected number of old people in society. The OECD also makes projections of future economic growth. Based on these projections and the past effect of the ageing population on international travel, one can make projections of future travel between any pair of countries, ignoring all other factors that influence travel decisions. One can thus simulate future worldwide rankings simply based on changing demographics and income.

The following table compares the projections for Sweden and Switzerland, two European countries of similar ranking in 2025:

 Source: EHL

Simulations predict a different path for the two countries. On average, international arrivals in Sweden would grow by 2.2% ever year, while they would grow by 3.2% in Switzerland. Switzerland could thus maintain its worldwide position and stop the decline that has taken place since 1950. The decline is slated to, on the other hand, continue in Sweden.

Why is There Such a Difference?

The primary reason for the difference in outcomes is that the two countries attract visitors from vastly different countries. For example, twice as many people in the U.S. traveled to Switzerland (about 1 million) compared to Sweden (about 0.5 million) in 2018 just before the COVID-19 crisis. In contrast, many more travelers from Denmark visited Sweden (2.3 million) compared to Switzerland (57,000). Yet, demographic trends suggest patterns will change: Denmarks population is expected to remain stable at around 6 million, while the U.S. population, driven by higher fertility rates, is projected to grow from 350 million to 400 million by 2070. This means that the market for international travel to Sweden is likely to grow at a slower rate than the market for international travel to Switzerland.

Implications For National Tourism Management

First of all, there are many factors and thus policy actions that can be taken to influence the attractiveness of a country to international travelers. What we learn from the simulation exercise is that demographic trends in themselves will also play a role. Relative to other European countries, these trends should help Switzerland maintain its standing, without any particular policy efforts.

Secondly, tourism operators or policy makers who want to increase international arrivals into a country can also use demographic information to define their marketing targets. As there are more international departures from countries where people live longer (and thus are healthier on average), one could focus marketing resources on countries where life expectancy is higher and projected to increase faster, assuming that all other factors influencing travel decisions are the same.

While Switzerland has seen its position as a tourist destination gradually slip since the middle of the 20th century, our simulation indicates that the downtrend is expected to level off in the coming years. Population growth in its key markets, notably in the United States, is likely to continue to bolster Swiss tourism in the near future. Shifting trends, including the ageing population and the increasing popularity of Asia-Pacific, are not predicted to cause a further decline for the Swiss tourism industry.

Further Reading

We invite you to access the full simulation here or download the PDF.

For further details on worldwide travel, please consult the numerous publications from the UN World Tourism Organization.

For further details on the role of demographics and simulations, please visit the Long-run Economic and Demographic Influences on International Tourism project.

View source
A new kind of traveller is emerging, one who may never visit your website, click an ad, or speak to a human. Instead, they rely on their personal AI agent to plan, compare, negotiate, and book every aspect of their trip. This shift marks a seismic change in how travel is discovered and transacted, demanding a fundamental rethink of hotel technology stacks.

Are hoteliers ready for this new class of guests and their digital representatives? Consider how AI-driven website traffic is already having a dramatic impact:

According to Ahrefs, 63% of websites receive AI traffic , with smaller sites experiencing the highest proportion.

, with smaller sites experiencing the highest proportion. A survey by Adobe reveals that traffic from generative AI sources (chatbots or AI-powered search assistants) on U.S. travel websites rose 1,700% from Jul 2024 to Feb 2025.The same survey shows that visitors arriving via generative AI tools show 8% higher engagement, view 12% more pages, and have a 23% lower bounce rate than non-AI traffic sources.

reveals that traffic from generative AI sources (chatbots or AI-powered search assistants) on U.S. travel websites rose 1,700% from Jul 2024 to Feb 2025.The same survey shows that visitors arriving via generative AI tools show 8% higher engagement, view 12% more pages, and have a 23% lower bounce rate than non-AI traffic sources. Cloudflare found that monthly traffic to generative AI services grew by 251%between February 2024 and March 2025.

So, what does this all mean for the hospitality industry?

Most hospitality tech stacks weren't built for AI; they were designed for humans, not machines. Legacy systems are slow, fragmented, and incapable of speaking the language of autonomous AI. To stay visible and bookable in an AI-agent-first ecosystem, hotels must rethink their infrastructure from the data layer up, embracing real-time interoperability, AI-native protocols, and machine-readable data formats.

Is your data AI-ready?

The rise of AI agents demands a fundamental shift in how hotels manage and present their data. Traditional website designs optimised for visual appeal and manual navigation are insufficient for engaging with AI-driven tools. Hotels must evaluate their systems against the following criteria:

Structured data formats: Implement schema.org markup to make room availability, pricing, and amenities accessible to AI crawlers.

Implement schema.org markup to make room availability, pricing, and amenities accessible to AI crawlers. Real-time accessibility: Ensure APIs deliver fast, accurate responses to queries from AI agents, with latency ideally under 100ms and definitely under 200ms. The 95th percentile for API response times should always be under 3 seconds.

Ensure APIs deliver fast, accurate responses to queries from AI agents, with latency ideally under 100ms and definitely under 200ms. The 95th percentile for API response times should always be under 3 seconds. Interoperability: Adopt protocols like Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable seamless interaction between hotel systems and external AI platforms.

Adopt protocols like Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable seamless interaction between hotel systems and external AI platforms. Dynamic content updates: Automate inventory and pricing updates to reflect real-time changes, ensuring AI agents always access the latest information.

Hotels that fail to meet these standards risk becoming invisible to AI agents, which prioritise systems capable of delivering clean, actionable data. By preparing their data for this new user class, hoteliers can ensure they remain competitive in an increasingly automated travel ecosystem.

Building the foundation: A focused, AI-ready architecture

Modern hospitality stacks begin with unified data ecosystems that aggregate guest profiles, operational metrics, and market signals into cloud-based repositories. This eliminates silos between PMS, CRM, and revenue management systems, creating a single source of truth. Unifying data overlaid with semantic meaning is the prerequisite for AI innovation, enabling real-time analysis of guest preferences, occupancy trends, and competitive pricing.

With clean data pipelines, hotels can deploy AI co-pilots that:

Adjust room rates dynamically using market demand signals

Predict guest preferences (room, meal selection, room settings, etc)

Handle customer inquiries through conversational AI

Optimise housekeeping routes and inventory orders.

These systems learn continuously, improving efficiency and personalisation over time.

Agentic integration: MCP and the rise of the A2A Economy

The emergence of AI agents opens a new paradigm for hotels: active participation in the agentic economy. Hotels can no longer passively rely on traditional distribution channels. To thrive, they must embrace strategies that enable seamless interaction with AI agents, creating new avenues for booking, personalisation, and revenue generation. This starts with understanding and implementing key protocols such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which paves the way for the Agent-to-Agent (A2A) economy.

MCP is a new and evolving protocol that transforms hotels into active participants in the A2A economy. It standardises how AI agents interface with hotel systems, expanding the capabilities of individual agents by enabling them to connect and interact with other specialised agents, leading to richer and more versatile functionalities. This benefits hotels as it allows their systems to:

Offer more comprehensive travel solutions : By connecting with external AI agents, hotels can offer bundled packages that include flights, transportation, and local experiences, all coordinated seamlessly.

: By connecting with external AI agents, hotels can offer bundled packages that include flights, transportation, and local experiences, all coordinated seamlessly. Reach a wider audience : Integration with diverse AI travel platforms expands the hotel's reach beyond traditional channels, tapping into new customer segments.

: Integration with diverse AI travel platforms expands the hotel's reach beyond traditional channels, tapping into new customer segments. Improve efficiency and reduce costs: Automating interactions with AI agents minimises the need for human intervention in routine tasks, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value activities.

MCP is a rapidly evolving landscape that can potentially eliminate fragile API integrations, allowing properties to connect with numerous services through a single MCP gateway. Imagine a guest's travel agent AI seamlessly booking rooms, spa services, and dinner reservations by interfacing directly with your hotel's agent.

Optimising the agent experience

8Traditionally, websites have focused on the user experience (UX). However, the rise of AI demands a focus on the agent experience (AX) that must consider a different set of technical priorities:

AI-accessible inventory: Expose rooms, amenities, and add-ons through GraphQL APIs and enable multi-property package bookings in a single transaction.

Expose rooms, amenities, and add-ons through GraphQL APIs and enable multi-property package bookings in a single transaction. Machine-readable content: Replace visual call to actions (CTAs) with schema.org annotations, reconsider SEO in the context of how LLMs view your brand visibility, and implement tags for preferential crawling.

Replace visual call to actions (CTAs) with schema.org annotations, reconsider SEO in the context of how LLMs view your brand visibility, and implement tags for preferential crawling. Agent Experience (AX) design: Develop parallel website versions optimized for API interactions. Semantic consistency and support for multiple data sources, including social and query graphs, are all key.

Develop parallel website versions optimized for API interactions. Semantic consistency and support for multiple data sources, including social and query graphs, are all key. Dynamic commission structures: Create lower AI-specific affiliate tiers and offer bulk booking discounts for high-intent agent queries.

Transitioning from legacy systems to seize the AI opportunity

The transition to an agent-mediated hospitality landscape is not a distant possibility but an accelerating reality. Hotels that delay implementing MCP capabilities and an agent-friendly infrastructure risk significant market share erosion within 12-18 months as AI travel planning becomes mainstream.

Forward-thinking properties are already capturing early-adopter advantages through strategic partnerships with emerging AI travel platforms. The challenge now is how quickly hoteliers can transform their digital infrastructure to become preferred partners in the A2A economy, where AI agents will increasingly mediate guest relationships.

The journey to an AI-first architecture means hotels must adopt a modern technology stack by:

Phasing out on-premise systems with cloud-native platforms offering open API access.

Adopting composable data and platform architecture using microservices for easy MCP integration.

Considering website SEO and agentic presentation pathways.

Retraining staff on AI-assisted workflows, reducing manual data entry.

Revamped stacks for the Agentic AI era will drive operational efficiency and real-time channel optimisation by automatically redistributing inventory across the most profitable channels and guest profiles. First-mover hoteliers will help shape the new distribution paradigm and have greater control over their digital destiny in the age of AI.
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Holds Annual Meeting, Elects Board of Directors

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Pittsfield Cooperative Bank (Co-op Bank) held its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and welcomed a new member to its Board of Directors.

During the meeting, members unanimously elected Linda Johnston, a veteran human resources executive with over 35 years of banking experience at Berkshire Bank, to the Board. Johnston brings extensive leadership expertise in talent development, workforce strategy, and organizational growthmaking her a valuable addition to the Co-op's community-focused mission.

President and CEO Michael P. Daly reported that Co-op Bank continues to stand on exceptionally strong financial footing.

"We are proud to report that the Co-op holds the best capital ratio in the Berkshires and ranks among the strongest in Massachusetts," said Daly. "This performance reflects our commitment to conservative financial management, smart growth, and serving our customers with integrity." Daly also noted a growing sense of energy and enthusiasm surrounding the Bank, both within the organization and in the broader community."
Attorney Elisabeth C. Goodman Joins Donovan O'Connor and Dodig

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP announced that Atty. Elisabeth C. Goodman has joined the firm.

Goodman comes to the firm after many years of successful practice in the Commonwealth, primarily in Berkshire County.

She was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1984 and is also admitted in the District of Columbia. She has extensive experience in real estate, zoning, and environmental law and represents a wide variety of clients including developers with innovative re-use projects, homeowners who organized into special government districts, emerging and start up companies, non-profit organizations, and environmental engineering firms.

Goodman reviews and advises on complex transactions, including public financing and large-scale public construction projects. In addition to that work. Goodman is also experienced in estate planning and estate administration.

In addition to her advocacy for clients, Atty. Goodman is active in the community and has served as a board member of a number of local nonprofit organizations including, but by no means limited to, the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, Greylock A Better Chance, Inc., and Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. Goodman is presently the elected Town Moderator for Williamstown.

Marnie A. Clough, the current Managing Partner at the firm commented:

"Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP is fortunate to have an attorney of Beth's caliber and background join the firm. Her knowledge and love of our area, coupled with her expertise in real estate, including zoning and environmental issues, as well as in estate planning and administration, is truly unique. We are excited to have her as part of our team."

Donovan O'Connor & Dodig, LLP is the region's oldest and largest law firm with offices in North Adams, Pittsfield, and Springfield, Massachusetts as well as in Bennington, Vermont and offers a wide range of legal services to meet the needs of the community.
Dalton Select Board Approve Town Meeting for June 26

DALTON, Mass.The Select Board approved the warrant for the Special Town Meeting that will take place on June 26 at 7 p.m. at Wahconah Regional High School during its meeting on Wednesday.

Just days before, voters were prepared to reconvene for the meeting that was initially scheduled for Monday. However, on the afternoon of that day, town officials scrambled to postpone the meeting.

According to Town Clerk Heather Hunt, there were several deficiencies surrounding the warrant that resulted in Monday's cancellation, including it not being posted within the state-required 14 business days in advance, and the warrant not being posted at all six public locations listed on the warrant.

On Monday afternoon, there was a complaint that the town meeting warrant was not posted at Dewey's in time, Select Board chair Robert Bishop said.

The police department posts the warrant at specific public spaces, including Dewey's. But upon their arrival, Dewey's was closed. Bishop said because of this, it was not posted in time.

"The posting was legal because only five of the six needed to be posted. The police did nothing wrong on this. It was just because Dewey's was closed at the time they went to get that," Bishop said.

The town bylaws only require that five warrants be posted around town, Hunt explained in a follow up. However, town council said that the meeting could be contested because Dewey's was listed as a posting location.

"We had a conference call with our attorney [who] explained to me that if we went ahead with the meeting, it could be challenged and it was up to me to make that call. I chose to cancel meeting. It was on me," Bishop said.

"I canceled the meeting because I didn't want to take a risk to have to have that over again. We spent enough money on special elections and recalls and all that everyone had to go through all this over again."

Bishop acknowledged voters disappointment regarding the decision and highlighted the unproductiveness of playing the "blame game."

"You can't blame one person here. We all dropped the ball, every one of us, including the Select Board, all the way down through. We all missed it, pointing fingers at each other's not going to fix anything. All we got to do is make each other a little more defensive," Bishop said.

"We need to focus on the fix so this doesn't happen again. We're all one Dalton here. I don't care who we are. I don't care what side of the coin we're on here. They're all residents of Dalton. We all have a right to our opinions, and we should be respected for that."

During the meeting, voters will decide on six warrant articles, including the contentious police budget and an article to transfer free cash to fund professional and technical work to ensure Berkshire Concrete Corp.'s compliance with its special permit and town orders. The funding articles must be completed before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
Motorcyclist Dies After North Adams Crash

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  A motorcyclist died after crossing lanes on West Main Street and crashing into a home Wednesday night.

According to the district attorneys office, just before 9 p.m., a motorcycle driver, traveling east, crossed into the westbound lane and collided with a residence.

The motorcyclist was taken to North Adams Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead an hour later.

Authorities have not yet identified the driver, and the crash remains under investigation.
Berkshire Business Leaders to Discuss LGBTQ+ Contributions to Economy at Networking Event

LEE, Mass.  The Lee Chamber of Commerce will host a Pride Business Networking & Panel event on June 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Devonfield Inn in Lee.

The event will feature a panel discussion with local and state business leaders focusing on the contributions of LGBTQ+ businesses to the Berkshire economy and creative culture.

The panel will include Doug Bagnasco, President of the Lee Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of the Devonfield Inn; Alexandra Heddinger, Executive Director of the Lee Chamber of Commerce; and Alexandra Eberhardt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. They are scheduled to present information and data on how LGBTQ+ small businesses have impacted the economy and culture of both the Berkshires and Massachusetts. The discussion will also cover how diversity is providing a competitive advantage, attracting more small businesses seeking inclusive environments.

This event is part of an ongoing series of Berkshire LGBTQ+ Business, Professional & Community Leaders Networking Events, held on the third Wednesday of each month. These gatherings aim to foster connections and collaboration among local LGBTQ+ business owners, professionals, community leaders, and allies. The series seeks to enhance the community's ability to address political, economic, and demographic challenges affecting the rural LGBTQ+ community and its businesses, while also celebrating new LGBTQ+ businesses and leaders in the Berkshires.

The monthly networking events are organized in partnership with the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Q-MoB, and media sponsor Berkshire Magazine. According to the organizers, these events "offer a platform to reflect on the rich history, the vibrant present, and the promising future of LGBTQ+ business in the Berkshires." Each gathering is designed to include insights from LGBTQ+ business owners, entrepreneurs, and allied business leaders in the region.

Bart Church, Executive Director of Q-MoB, stated, "In this time of tumultuous change, it's vital that our local LGBTQ+ business owners and professionals come together to support one another and work in solidarity with our many allied businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to improve the region's economic development and creative economy, particularly as LGBTQ businesses and business owners from more repressive parts of the country look for a place where they will be welcomed."

The LGBTQ+ Business, Professional & Community Leaders Networking Event series will continue with future gatherings, including a July 16 event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the J.S. Bryant School in Cummington. Registration for these events is free.




An aerial drone photo taken on April 30, 2025 shows a cargo ship berthing at a container dock of Qingdao Port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Global Times-Amid concerns over the uncertainty of US policies, calls for improving relations with China seem to be gaining traction in Canada. To make meaningful progress, Canada needs to set aside ideological biases and embrace a pragmatic approach to the development of bilateral ties.

Canada should bolster ties with China to hedge against uncertainty from US' approach to bilateral relations, former Canadian finance minister Bill Morneau said at the Bloomberg Invest conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported.

Meanwhile, in a move that underscores the practical benefits of China-Canada cooperation, Canada's ferry operator BC Ferries said in a press release on Tuesday that it had awarded China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards a contract to build four new vessels after a "rigorous" global bidding process, according to Canadian media outlet National Post.

These developments, while seemingly unrelated, indicate that there is still pragmatic thinking within Canada regarding engagement with China - one that has extensive market basis. As a senior figure in the Canadian economic field, Morneau's viewpoint serves as an example of a segment of the Canadian elites. In the complex and ever-changing international landscape, they hope to find a more stable and advantageous development space by strengthening cooperation with China.

The BC Ferries' decision exemplifies how market forces naturally drive Canada-China economic cooperation. When evaluating opportunities objectively, Canadian businesses consistently recognize the competitive advantages offered by their Chinese partners, from technological sophistication to cost efficiency and quality assurance. This commercial reality underscores the strong foundation and vast potential for mutually beneficial economic collaborations between the two nations.

However, it is undeniable that Canada-China economic and trade cooperation has faced setbacks in recent years. The root cause lies in Ottawa's tendency to align itself unquestioningly with US strategy. For instance, following in the footsteps of the US government, Canada announced plans to impose a 100-percent tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles and a 25-percent tariff on imported steel and aluminum from China in August 2024.

Since 2022, citing national security, the Canadian side has asked three Chinese companies in the area of key mineral resources to close their branches and to divest their assets in Canada. I think all of these moves have seriously dampened Chinese companies' confidence in investing in Canada, Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di noted in an interview with Canadian media outlet The Global and Mail.

Some Canadian politicians' criticisms of the Chinese shipyard deal are a manifestation of this ideological bias. By confining itself within the framework of the US strategy, Canada often tends to harbor certain doubts about cooperation involving China. With such doubts, how could it develop a mutually beneficial relationship with China? Therefore, a most crucial step for Canada is to return to a pragmatic stance if it really wants to make a change.

Improving trade relations with China holds great significance for Canada at present. The trade protectionist policies pursued by the US have brought great uncertainty and risks to the global economy. As a neighbor and important trading partner of the US, Canada has inevitably suffered severely.

In this context, Canada needs to reassess the right path for its economic and trade relations that alleviates its pressure. China, as the world's second-largest economy, boasts a vast market and a complete industrial chain, making it undoubtedly one of Canada's ideal trading partners. By strengthening economic and trade cooperation with China, Canada can find export markets for its mineral and agricultural products, enhance its industrial competitiveness.

Just as Wang Di expressed in a recent interview with the Canadian Press, China and Canada enjoy high complementarities in terms of resource endowments and economic structures. We have great potential in conducting trade with each other. What the governments of our two countries should be doing is to provide a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable business environment for the businesses of our countries to conduct trade.

China is ready to move forward and hopes to bring the bilateral relationship back to the right track, but it requires both sides to have correct perceptions and mutual respect while seeking common ground and shelving differences.

It is sincerely hoped that Canada will seize the opportunity, break free from the shackles of ideological prejudice and embark on a new journey of mutually beneficial cooperation with China.
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Terrified students leapt from windows to save themselves after the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, crashed onto a medical college campus just minutes after take-off in Ahmedabad.

Shocking video footage shows the Gatwick-bound Air India flight 171 taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport before appearing to lose power and coming down on a residential area called Meghani Nagar at 1.40pm local time. So far more than 290 people have reportedly been killed - both passengers on the plane and victims on the ground.

On hitting the state-run BJ Medical College five-storey hostel, the aircraft exploded into a fireball that could be seen for miles around - as students inside the concrete building tried desperately to escape the devastation.

In a canteen on the campus, medical students were on a lunch break when the aircraft landed on the now-destroyed building.

For updates on the aftermath of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash - click here to visit our blog

open image in gallery Plates of uneaten food lay scattered in a hostel dining hall in Ahmedabad after Air India flight AI-171 crashed into the building Thursday afternoon ( EyePress News/Shutterstock )

open image in gallery The planes tail could be seen protruding from the damaged building after the crash ( AP )

A mother called Rami told Indian network ANI that her son suffered injuries while jumping from the second floor.

My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there, she said. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries.

Another eyewitness said people jumped from as high as the third floor to save themselves, said one unnamed resident.

They told AFP: Our office is near the building where the plane crashed. We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames.

Ayush, a resident doctor at Ahmedabads Civil Hospital, located close to the hostel, told the Hindustan Times that the crash sparked chaos. Our friends and juniors have been seriously injured and are being treated now.

Up to 200 people were in the campus on lunch when the aircraft came down, a postgraduate student claimed.

open image in gallery Fires broke out around the medical hostel after the crash, with emergency teams arriving to put out the flames ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

open image in gallery Rescue workers use a stretcher as victims are removed from the site of the plane crash ( AP )

Local officers said five medical students were killed, while almost 40 were injured, including one student described as being in a critical condition in hospital.

Images of the aftermath, shared on social media, revealed the planes tail protruding from the damaged building, while chunks of the fuselage and wheels were visible within the wreckage inside.

In the canteen, plates of uneaten food were pictured lying scattered across the dining room. Its still unclear how many people were inside the hostel, which is near the citys Civil Hospital.

Outside the hostel, located in a residential area with some offices, flames burnt trees as emergency rescue teams rushed to the scene in a desperate bid to find survivors and clear the area.

I was sitting at home, there was a loud noise, it felt like an earthquake, said one man speaking to media from the scene.

He added: I came out and saw smoke, I didnt realise it was a plane crash, then I came here and I found out and I saw the crashed plane  there were many bodies lying on the ground.

open image in gallery Debris on the ground around the medical hostel after the crash ( EPA )

open image in gallery Wreckage from the plane lies on the floor next to the hostel building ( Reuters )

Another resident, Poonam Patni, said her sister-in-law was on the flight, and so she attended the crash scene. She told AFP: When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames. Many of the bodies were burned.

An eyewitness, Haresh Shash, told PTI: The plane was flying very low before it crashed. As it crashed into the building, the sound was like a blast, and the plane and the building caught fire.

At least one person survived the crash, police have said.

Ramesh Viswashkumar was found by police in seat 11A, according to Indian news agency ANI. His family have said he is a British national from London who was in India visiting family.

He told the Hindustan Times: "When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital."

open image in gallery The plane hit the BJ Medical College hostel at 1.40pm ( AP )

Air Indias Flight 171, which was due into London at 6.25pm, had onboard 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Eleven of those on board were children. Two pilots and 10 cabin crew were also aboard.

Located in western India, Ahmedabad, the main city in the Gujarat state, has a population of eight million people.

Local police said at least 290 bodies had been recovered from the crash site, but the total death count remains unclear as rescuers work through the charred wreckage. Those killed include both passengers and people on the ground, city police chief G.S. Malik told Reuters.

open image in gallery Hundreds gathered to view the wreckage after the crash ( Reuters )

As hundreds gathered to view the crash site, the army, Border Security Force, State Reserve Police Force and city police quickly sealed off the area while rescue workers retrieving bodies and looked for survivors.

Firefighters tackled the flames while bodies were carried away on stretchers to be placed in ambulances.

Indian doctors association, FAIMA, posted on X: We are deeply shocked about the news... news have become more gruesome after finding out that flight had crushed in BJMC, Hostel & many MBBS (medical and bachelor of surgery) students have also been injured.

A spokesperson for Indias external affairs ministry said: What has happened in Ahmedabad is a very tragic accident. We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.
Each spring, the banks of the Mengboluo River in Yunnan province become a busy habitat for the industrious baya weaver. This agile creature, famous for its intricately woven bag nests, flock here in search of suitable branches on mango trees, flame trees and bamboo clumps.

Along a roughly 15-mile stretch of the river winding through Wandian Dai township in Baoshan city, nearly 2,000 birds arrive each breeding season, drawn by the warm, humid climate and plentiful trees that make this reach an ideal breeding ground, according to the local environmental protection bureau.

Every early April, they return from their wintering grounds  possibly in neighbouring Southeast Asian countries and other parts of Yunnan  to Wandian, said Zhao Yantong, deputy director of the environmental protection bureau of Baoshan. Nest-building peaks in May and June, and by early September they begin to depart.

Baya weavers nests hang from trees growing on the river bank ( LIU ZHIAN / FOR CHINA DAILY )

Building a single nest is no small undertaking. Within 20 to 25 days, a male bird weaves thousands of grass stems into a sturdy pouch, hanging it from a branch. This structure is both his workshop and his showcase  a flawless nest increases the chances of attracting a mate.

Courtship hinges on craftsmanship. A visiting female bird inspects the nearly completed nest and either approves or rejects it. Only after a females nod does the male finish his nest.

If she rejects the nest, she flies off to another suitor, Zhao said. In that case, the male will dismantle or abandon his work and start from scratch, repeating the process until he wins her approval.

Local conservation efforts have been critical to the birds decadelong flourishing in the area. The Mengboluo River, part of the Nujiang River watershed, flows through a protected corridor where evergreen trees, flame trees, mango groves and bamboo thickets remain untouched. In recent years, authorities have banned mining and deforestation along the riverbanks, and tightened regulations on construction and waste disposal.

Last year, all of our water quality monitoring stations reported good results, and daily air quality was classified as either excellent or good, Zhao added, underscoring the healthy environment that supports diverse wildlife.

Local outreach has bolstered protection efforts through leaflets, door-to-door visits and community workshops, which help villagers learn to cherish and safeguard the weavers habitat.

As the bird population grows, so does ecotourism.

Their unique nesting habits attract many tourists. One photographer from Zhejiang province travelled more than 1,800 miles to capture the birds. Seeing these weavers and their nests up close is like witnessing a master craftsmans work, he told local media.

The birds seasonal breeding also brings economic benefits.

Every breeding season, bird-watchers from across the country arrive, generating income for locals with transportation, dining and lodging, said Yu Fei, an official of the Wandian Dai township. Next, we plan to further develop our bird-watching economy and designate specific viewing zones, so tourists can enjoy the spectacle without disturbing the weavers.
Foreigners settling in China are increasingly turning their backs on bustling metropolises for the simplicity, authenticity and affordability of lower-tier cities and rural areas, statistics show.

As of 2020, there were approximately 846,000 foreign nationals living on the Chinese mainland, a 42.42 per cent increase from 2010, according to the Seventh National Population Census published by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2021.

Yunnan province alone accounted for 376,000 long-term foreign residents. One of them is Patrik Bachstatter, a 33-year-old Swedish expatriate who has found not just a home but a new calling in the ancient town of Dali, far from the expat enclaves of Beijing and Shanghai.

Bachstatter met his wife in the Philippines, and the couple moved to China in 2018, living first in Shenyang, Liaoning province, and later in Sanya, Hainan province, and then Qingdao, Shandong province. But it was Dali with its clear air, mountains and strong sense of community that offered a more lasting connection.

I read that Dali is known as the California of China. Its not a big city, but it has good infrastructure and a lifestyle thats closer to nature. That really appealed to me, especially for my childs education, said Bachstatter.

His path to organic farming was sparked by personal health concerns. After gallbladder surgery and digestive issues, he began paying closer attention to what he ate, and how food was grown. I wanted to feel better, so I focused on clean, healthy food. That led to a broader lifestyle change, he said.

Drawn to Dalis ecological farming community, he began cultivating organic vegetables in villages across Midu and Eryuan counties, using sustainable techniques rooted in soil health and biodiversity.

In the quiet village of Nanxinan in Huangshan, Anhui province, the smoky aroma of wood-fired pizza mingles with the fragrance of tea fields and the earthy scent of preserved mandarin fish.

Adrien Brill, a 35-year-old American has traded the bustle of teaching in Chengdu, Sichuan province, for the serenity of rural China  and found purpose, community, and creativity in making pizzas.

In 2017, Brill moved to Huangshan, his wifes hometown.

My wife could be closer to her family, which was important to both of us, and I would finally have the chance to build the kind of life I had long been yearning for  one thats more in tune with nature, community, and personal well-being, he said.

After various business ventures including an English-language training centre, he gained some exposure in 2021 when he launched a TikTok channel called Wens Kitchen where he cooked daily meals and explored village cuisine. In 2023, the opportunity came to open a pizza shop in Nanxinan.

I didnt choose the restaurant business. The restaurant business chose me. It started with a video we shot at the launch of our pizza shop. It went viral overnight. The next day, we had hundreds of people lining up at our door. We had three tiny tables, no point-of-sale system, handwritten menus  It was total chaos  but also magic, he said.

Among his signature pizzas are one topped with preserved mandarin fish and another with fermented tofu, both traditional Anhui delicacies.

Its not just food. Its a cultural exchange. Its the story of my family: one part American, one part Chinese, and something new and beautiful in between, he said.

According to data released by the National Immigration Administration in 2024, a total of 711,000 residence permits were issued to foreign nationals residing in China in 2023.

Yu Hai, a sociology professor at Fudan University, said Chinas opening-up began with major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, which naturally attracted the largest number of foreigners. Back then, foreigners visiting small towns across China were mostly travellers passing through.

Choosing to settle down and build a life in a small town, however, may be the newest chapter in the story of foreigners in China, Yu said.

For foreigners who are passionate about Chinese culture and see it as their mission to integrate into Chinese communities, often through cultural exchanges, it is a natural process. The country has become not only a livable destination but also one that is increasingly friendly to diversity.
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North Korea has reportedly repaired and relaunched its second naval destroyer, just weeks after it capsized during an initial launch ceremony.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim Jong Un attended a lavish ceremony on Thursday, boarding the warship and declaring that no obstacle could impede North Korea's naval ambitions amid ongoing "hostilities" led by the US.

The secretive nature of North Korea makes independent verification of the ship's repair virtually impossible.

There are doubts among outside observers regarding the functionality of the ship's engine, weapons systems, and electronic equipment, given that parts of the warship were submerged for approximately two weeks.

The initial failed launch on May 21 reportedly triggered fury from Kim, who has pledged to strengthen the nation's navy in response to what he perceives as escalating threats from the US and its allies.

Kim attributed the incident to criminal negligence and instructed officials to repair the warship before a Workers Party meeting in late June.

Subsequently, North Korean authorities detained four officials, including the vice director of the Workers Partys munitions industry department, in connection with the botched launch.

open image in gallery A general view of the launch ceremony for the 'Kang Kon' at the Rajin shipyard at the port near Rason in North Korea ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images )

In his Thursday speech, Kim said the countrys two destroyers will play a big role in improving the navys operational capabilities, according to KCNA.

Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval buildup is a justified response to perceived threats posed by the US and South Korea, which in recent years have expanded their combined military exercises and updated their deterrence strategies to counter Kims advancing nuclear program.

He said the North will respond to such external threats with overwhelming military action."

It will not be long before the enemy nations themselves experience just how provoking and unpleasant it is to sit back and watch as our warships freely move near the edges of their sovereign waters, Kim said.

Kim said a North Korean shipyard worker died during the repairs and offered his deepest condolences to his family, including his wife and son who were present at the launch event.

Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5,000-tonne -class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's claim it needed 10 days to pump out the seawater, set the ship upright and fix its damages it described as not serious.

Previous satellite photos showed the North Korean destroyer lying on its side at the northeastern port of Chongjin, with its stern partly underwater. Last week, North Korea said it had righted the warship and would move it to the Rajin port, which is further north of Chongjin and close to the border with Russia, for the next stage of its restoration works.

open image in gallery North Korea said the ship was damaged in a failed launch, sparking fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country. ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images )

Considering the time they needed to raise the vessel, they would have had less than two weeks to carry out the real repair work, said Yang Uk, an analyst at Seouls Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Would that have been enough time to completely fix everything and bring the vessel to a state where its operationally capable? I think thats highly unlikely.

Lee Illwoo, an expert with the Korea Defense Network in South Korea, said what was likely flooded in the North Korean ship were its engine room, missile launch tubes and anti-air weapons systems, which all involve electronic systems that are highly vulnerable to damages if exposed to seawater.

Lee said the ship's move to Rajin implies Russian experts have likely been assisting North Korea with repairs.

Military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has been flourishing significantly in recent years, with the North supplying troops and ammunitions to support Russia's war against Ukraine.

The damaged warship was in the same class as the countrys first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the Norths largest and most advanced warship to date. Experts say the North's two destroyers were both likely built with Russian help.

Kim Jong Un said the ruling Workers Party has confirmed plans to build two more 5,000-tonne -class destroyers next year, according to Friday's KCNA dispatch.

Satellite imagery indicated North Korea had attempted to launch the second destroyer sideways, a method it had never used for warships.

open image in gallery North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his daughter Ju Ae (centre L) attending the launch ceremony for the 'Kang Kon' at the Rajin shipyard at the port near Rason ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images )

Many observers said it would be more difficult to maintain the balance of a big warship because it carries heavy weapons systems. But they said North Korea won't likely repeat the same mistake when it launches its third and fourth destroyers.

According to North Korea's timetable, its first two destroyers are to be deployed next year.

Despite its growing nuclear arsenal and huge 1.2 million-member standing army, North Korea's naval and aerial forces have been considered inferior to those of South Korea's.

But North Korea's planned deployment of a series of 5,000-tonne -class destroyers would pose really a serious threat" to South Korea, whose navy hasn't still prepared itself to deal with such big, advanced enemy warships, according to Lee, the expert.

Earlier this week, the new liberal South Korean government led by President Lee Jae-myung halted frontline propaganda broadcasts as its first concrete step toward easing tensions between the rivals.

North Korea hasn't responded formally to the measure.
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One of the two black boxes aboard the London-bound jet that crashed seconds after take-off from India has been found in the wreckage as British experts flew in to help investigators find the cause of the disaster.

Rescue workers recovered the flight data recorder from the doomed Boeing 787 from the rooftop of the building where it fell to the ground close to Ahmedabad airport, killing all but one of the 242 on board.

But there was no word on the cockpit voice recorder, which is also crucial to the inquiry.

Air India flight AI171 to London Gatwick began losing height moments after take-off and erupted in a huge fireball after hitting the accommodation block of a medical college, killing at least five more people.

Earlier on Friday, rescue workers had finished combing the crash site and were searching for missing people and bodies in the buildings as well as for aircraft parts that could help explain why the plane crashed soon after taking off.

A source told Reuters the investigation is focusing on the engines, flaps and landing gear; Indias aviation regulator ordered safety checks on the airline's entire Boeing-787 fleet.

Only one passenger survived: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a British national whose family lives in Leicester.

He told Indian reporters from hospital on Friday: When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

Suddenly, the [emergency] lights started flickering  green and white. The aircraft wasn't gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.

Air India has more than 30 Dreamliners that include the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 versions. A source in Air India said there had been no communication so far from the government on the possible grounding.

But India's aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance actions on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines.

Indian conglomerate Tata Group took control of the formerly state-owned Air India in 2022, and merged it with Vistara  a joint venture between the group and Singapore Airlines  last year.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and some of the injured being treated in hospital, including Mr Ramesh.

A No 10 spokesman said an FCDO helpline set up as a result of the crash had received almost 300 calls as of Friday morning.

Tributes have been paid to those killed in the disaster, including Dr Prateek Joshi, who was described by those who worked with him as a "wonderful man" who entertained colleagues with stories about "his newly-discovered love of fish and chips and enthusiasm for walking in the Peak District".

Dhir and Heer Baxi, who also died in the incident, had "aspirations to roam the world" and an "amazing aura", their cousin said.

Ishan Baxi, who lives in Ahmedabad, said both women were in their early twenties and were returning home to London after surprising their grandmother for her birthday.

British couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

Tributes have also been paid to Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa and their four-year-old daughter Sara who were reportedly among the victims.

Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report
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The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash that killed more than 270 people somehow walked from the wreckage of the aircraft after it crashed in the city of Ahmedabad.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was in seat 11A near the emergency exit, and managed to escape through the broken hatch. He was filmed after Thursdays disaster limping along the street in a bloodstained T-shirt with bruises on his face.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plummeted seconds after take-off and erupted in a ball of fire, killing everyone else on board.

As extraordinary as it seems, the 40-year-old Britons miraculous escape isnt the first story of a sole air-crash survivor. Dozens of stories have been shared from as far back as 1929, when 34-year-old Lou Foote survived a crash that killed 14 others in Newark, New Jersey.

For the latest on the Air India plane crash, click here for our blog with updates

open image in gallery Viswashkumar Ramesh in hospital after escaping the Air India crash alive ( Narendra Modi/Youtube )

But despite their good fortune in narrowly avoiding death, those who experience such lucky escapes often find the aftermath difficult to deal with. More recent survivors, while celebrated in the media, have spoken of lifelong feelings of guilt and sorrow following the incidents that almost killed them.

Here we take a look at six survivor stories.

Yugoslav Airlines Flight 367

When: 26 January 1972

Who: Vesna Vulovic, aged 22

open image in gallery Vesna Vulovic became a hero in Serbia when she survived the Croat separatists bomb on the Yugoslav Airlines flight in 1972 ( YouTube )

Whenever I think of the accident, I have a prevailing, grave feeling of guilt for surviving it and I cry. Serbian flight attendant Vesna Vulovic, the sole survivor of the fateful Yugoslav Airlines flight from Copenhagen to Zagreb, was haunted by these feelings for the rest of her life.

Vulovics broken body was found among the wreckage after the aircraft fell into woods near Srbska Kamenice in the former Czechoslovakia, killing 23 passengers and four crew.

Vulovic, who fell 33,300ft without a parachute, was paralysed from the waist down, but after two operations she learned to walk again, just a year after the crash.

Yugoslav officials claimed that separatists from a Croatian fascist movement, the Ustashi, had planted a bomb on the plane, which blew it up in the sky.

But while Vulovic became a Serbian hero, she went on to live a secluded life. Back in 2012, The Independent interviewed her in her dilapidated flat in Belgrade, where she shared the struggles many Serbs were facing in harsh economic conditions.

I dont know what to say when people say I was lucky ... life is so hard today, she said.

She passed away in 2016, more than 40 years after the crash, aged 66.

Northwest Airlines Flight 255

When: 16 August 1987

Who: Cecelia Cichan, aged four

open image in gallery Cecelia Cichan told CNN she suffered from anger and survivors guilt following the plane crash ( CNN )

I remember feeling angry and survivors guilt, said Cecelia Cichan when she looked back on the crash that killed her parents and her brother along with 153 other people. Why didnt my brother survive? Why me? she told CNN.

Now 41, Cichan, who cannot remember the crash, says she bears a tattoo on her wrist of an aeroplane as a reminder of where I come from.

Then aged just four, Cichan was travelling home to Tempe, Arizona, alongside her mother, father and six-year-old brother.

Tragedy stuck when the left wing of the plane clipped a light pole after take-off. The aircraft rolled 90 degrees left and sheared the top off a rental car building before crashing into a busy road, where it went up in flames.

Firefighters discovered Cichan still strapped into her seat among the wreckage. She sustained third-degree burns and fractures to her skull, collarbone and left leg.

Lansa Flight 508

When: 24 December 1971

Who: Juliane Koepcke, aged 17

open image in gallery Juliane Koepcke pictured during a visit to the crash site in 1998 ( Handout )

When Juliane Koepcke and her mother Maria boarded Lansa Flight 508 from Lima to Pucallpa in Peru, they were angry at the flight already being seven hours late.

Nevertheless, they were looking forward to reuniting with Julianes father for the Christmas holidays.

But the aircraft was hit by lightning mid-air, causing a fire on the right wing, which then detached. As the plane dived down into the Peruvian rainforest, Juliane found herself outside the aircraft in a freefall, dropping 10,000ft while still strapped to her seat.

She fell unconscious before waking up the next day with a broken collarbone and cuts to her legs. Fourteen other people, of the 92 on board, survived the crash but died while awaiting rescue. Among them was her mother.

Juliane later told the BBC: I found out that she [Maria Koepcke] also survived the crash but was badly injured and she couldnt move. She died several days later. I dread to think what her last days were like.

Yemenia Flight 626

When: 30 June 2009

Who: Bahia Bakari, aged 12

open image in gallery Bahia Bakari in a hospital bed after surviving the plane crash in Comoros ( AFP/Getty )

Young Bahia Bakari could hardly swim, said her father. But she managed to cling on to aeroplane wreckage in the sea for 13 hours before rescue after an Airbus A310-324 crashed off the north coast of Grande Comore, Comoros in 2009. The plane had taken off from Sanaa in Yemen and came down at around 1.50am on approach to its destination.

French aviation investigators found that errors by the crew had brought the plane into a stall over the sea. Factors cited were a lack of training and windy conditions.

On board the flight were 153 people, including 66 French nationals and Bahias mother.

Yet Bahia said it had not prevented her from flying again. I tell myself theres little chance it will happen to me a second time, she told France 3.

Describing the crash, she said: We were told that we were going to land and there were jolts in the plane. No one seemed worried. Before the crash, my mother just said to me, Did you fasten your seatbelt?

Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771

When: 12 May 2010

Who: Ruben van Assouw, aged nine

open image in gallery Ruben van Assouw was found semi-conscious and still strapped into his aeroplane seat around half a mile from the crash site ( AFP/Getty )

One of the youngest sole survivors of a plane crash, Ruben van Assouw, was returning from a safari holiday with his family in South Africa when their Airbus A330-200 crashed.

The plane, which was heading from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Tripoli, Libya, came down just short of the stopover airport runway in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Van Assouw suffered leg fractures, but remained in a stable condition despite the aircraft hitting the ground with such force that smouldering shards of metal were thrown half a mile from the point of impact.

He was discovered some way from the crashed aircraft, semi-conscious and still strapped into his aeroplane seat. Ruben lost his parents and his brother in the crash. In total, 103 passengers and crew died, including UK, French and US nationals.

Despite reports that the boy was subsequently looked after by his aunt and uncle, little is known about his life after the crash. Four years ago, a book was published, called Dear Edward, that was partly based on his story.

Global Air Flight 0972

When: 18 May 2018

Who: Mailen Diaz Almaguer, aged 19

Teenager Mailen Diaz Almaguer was on a domestic flight from the Cuban capital Havana with her husband when it crashed shortly after take-off in 2018. Eyewitnesses said they saw one of the planes engines on fire before it disappeared behind trees and crashed into a field, according to The New York Times.

Onboard were 105 people, including at last five children, according to reports. The plane had been en route to Holguin, Cuba.

Three passengers were sent to Calixto Garcia Hospital alive, but only Almaguer survived. During 70 days of treatment to save her life, her left leg was amputated.

In the years since, the young woman, who now lives in Havana having bought a home with the compensation she received, has shared updates on her recovery. She has said she relied on her Christian faith to overcome the physical and mental challenges caused by the crash.
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The highly experienced captain of the ill-fated Air India flight issued desperate mayday calls in the final moments before the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed in western India, killing 241 of the 242 people on board.

Flight AI171 had barely taken off from Ahmedabad for London s Gatwick when it came down at 1.39pm on Thursday. In a double tragedy, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel building, killing at least eight more people on the ground.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a British citizen visiting family in India, was the lone survivor from the plane. Describing the terrifying moments of the crash, he told local daily Hindustan Times: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

The aircraft was being flown by Sumeet Sabharwal, a 60-year-old Line Training Captain with more than 8,200 flying hours under his belt.

He was months away from retirement.

Sabharwal was regarded as a disciplined and professional pilot who had no complaints against him.

Sabharwal and his co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kunder, 34, issued a distress call shortly after take-off, saying the plane was losing power.

Mayday, Sabharwal said in a desperate last call to air traffic controllers as the aircraft struggled to gain altitude after leaving the runway, no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.

Footage of the take-off showed the plane rapidly losing altitude and speed, its nose pitched up in a futile effort to gain momentum before it sank and crashed into a fireball.

Kunder, the co-pilot originally from the southern state of Karnataka , was certified to operate the Boeing 787 Dreamliner .

He had trained at the Paris Air Flight School in Florida but had not yet logged the 1,500 flying hours required under Indian regulation to qualify as a commander. He assisted Captain Sabharwal during the flights critical final moments.

Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey mourned Kunders death while revealing a personal connection. My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic crash. It pains even more to know my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son Clive, who was the first officer on that fateful flight.

The cabin of the doomed flight was manned by an all-India crew of Shradha Dhavan, Aparna Mahadik, Saineeta Chakravarti, Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, Deepak Pathak, Irfan Shaikh, Manisha Thapa, Roshni Songhare Rajendra, Maithili Patil, and Lamnunthem Singson.

Family members of one AI 171 crew members mourn at their home in Thoubal Mayai Leikai in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur ( AFP via Getty )

Kongbrailatpams sister said it had been her sisters dream to become a flight attendant. We couldn't chat on video as usual due to the internet ban. But she messaged me while I was in school that she would be flying to London and that she would be unreachable, Gitanjali Sharma Kongbrailatpam told NDTV.

She said she would return on 15 June. I wished her a safe flight and told her we would contact her when we get the internet connection back. Then we heard of the plane crash from an aunt on the phone. She said that an Air India flight had crashed in Ahmedabad, the plane was going to London. This is how we confirmed it.

It was the first crash for the Dreamliner, which began flying commercially in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network. The plane that crashed on Thursday flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in early 2014, Flightradar24 said.
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At least 275 people have been confirmed dead after an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday 12 June, in what is now the worlds deadliest air disaster in a decade.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Ahmedabad airport in the western state of Gujarat at 1.39pm local time (8.09am BST). But after issuing a mayday call, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar just five minutes after taking off, Indias civil aviation authority confirmed.

Gujarat health officials said on 25 June that the final death toll was believed to be 275, including passengers, crew, and residents of the medical college hostel struck by the aircraft.

Rescue crews and investigators took days to sift through the charred remains of the hostel and aircraft as large cranes were deployed to clear the debris.

Images of the dining area of the medical college hostel showed wheels and other parts of the aircraft embedded in the walls, with debris, personal belongings and uneaten lunches scattered across the floor.

Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder  the aircrafts black boxes  have now been recovered, officials confirmed. Work to extract the data from the recorders began on 24 June.

The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who had been sitting in seat 11A, was identified by local police shortly after the crash.

open image in gallery An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport, in Ahmedabad on June 13, 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

Here is everything we know about the crash so far:

What happened prior to the Air India crash?

After taking off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.39pm local time, the flight made a mayday call to air traffic control.

But there was no response to subsequent calls made by controllers to the aircraft, Indian aviation authorities reported.

According to flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the signal from the plane was lost less than a minute after take-off. Five minutes later, the plane crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar.

The plane hit the rooftop of a hostel at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, where students had been eating lunch in the dining hall.

Videos showed the plane exploding into a fireball, with plumes of smoke pouring from the wreckage of the plane as firefighters tried to douse the charred remains of buildings impacted by the crash.

Images from the site showed scorched walls, twisted metal, and lunch trays still on tables inside the debris-filled hostel dining room.

open image in gallery A plume of smoke rising after Air India flight 171 crashed near the airport in Ahmedabad ( AFPTV )

It was unclear for hours how many people were killed, but officials said everyone on the plane died, except one, with dozens of victims from the medical college where the plane struck.

What route had the plane been taking?

Flight AI171 had been travelling to London Gatwick.

But flight tracking data showed the plane was only briefly airborne before crashing close to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

What caused the crash?

While it was still unclear what had caused the crash, poor maintenance, a bird strike, engine failure as well as the weather were initially being suggested as the reasons.

Investigators have said they are examining possible issues with engine thrust, flap settings, and why the landing gear remained extended after take-off.

A bird strike is not currently being considered a likely cause.

The temperature in Ahmedabad went over 40C on Thursday and the thinner air would have made take-off more difficult, requiring higher flap settings and greater engine thrust, experts told the BBC and the New York Times.

Improper flap extension during take-off could prevent a heavily loaded jet carrying passengers, long-haul fuel and operating in hot conditions from generating enough lift to get airborne.

One of the strongest pieces of evidence being reviewed by investigators is a 59-second CCTV video that captured the moment the Air India flight took off and crashed in Ahmedabad.

The footage, recorded from the far left of the runway near a barbed-wire fence, shows the plane gaining altitude briefly, flying flat for a few seconds, and then descending with its tail down.

The descent began roughly 17 seconds after take-off. No fire is visible around the engines or elsewhere on the aircraft before impact, and the landing gear remains extended throughout the clip.

It took just 33 seconds from wheels-up to the fiery crash, which killed nearly everyone on board.

A former pilot told the BBC that footage of the airplane was not clear enough to determine if the flaps were correctly extended, but such an error would be highly unusual. Moreover, he said, incorrect flap settings would have set off warnings.

But Richard Curran, professor of sustainable aviation at City, University of London, said he had been told by multiple sources that the pilots issued a malfunction warning prior to the crash.

Prof Curran, who previously spent 12 years as KLMs chair of engineering and maintenance, told The Independent: They actually registered a malfunction. So that means they had a technical problem, adding: So it was not a pilot error.

And he dismissed suggestions that multiple bird strikes could have caused dual engine failure, saying: These pilots are extremely well trained. Theyre trained for bird strike. Its one of the basic things that you go through in simulator training as a pilot.

Who was on board the plane?

There were 230 passengers and 12 crew members onboard the aircraft. They included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens and one Canadian, Air India said.

open image in gallery Firefighters work at the site of the plane crash ( AP )

The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a line training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.

There were 10 other crew members on board, civil aviation authorities said.

Hundreds of relatives of the crash victims have provided DNA samples at the hospital. Most bodies were charred or mutilated, making them unrecognisable.

Gujarats former chief minister Vijay Rupani was also among the passengers. Rajkot city shut down markets on the Saturday after the crash to mourn his passing.

The MP for Leicester East said she understood a handful of Leicester residents were onboard the crashed flight.

Shivani Raja told BBC News that her community, which has a high population of British-Gujaratis, were all really horrified and devastated waking up to such tragic news.

Who survived the crash?

Air India confirmed that 241 of the 242 people on the flight did not survive. A British national was the only person on board to miraculously escape with minor injuries.

It was unclear exactly how many people were inside the building that the plane crashed into, but 34 bodies of non-passengers have been recovered.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was sat in seat 11A and walked away from the crash unaided with minor injuries.

His family confirmed his survival, and the BBC said his name was confirmed in the flight manifest shared by the authorities.

According to Hindustan Times, he said: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

open image in gallery Vishwash Kumar Ramesh told Indian media he was on the Air India flight that crashed ( Handout )

Mr Ramesh, who has lived in the UK with his wife and child for 20 years, was in India for a few days to visit family, according to the Indian outlet.

When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me, Hindustan Times reported him as saying. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.

His brother, Ajay, was also on the flight.

open image in gallery Police stand guard near wreckage at the site after Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad ( AFP/Getty )

A student, Bhumi Chauhan, missed the ill-fated flight by minutes.

The 28-year-old business student from Bristol had been visiting Gujarat with her husband and was booked on Air India flight AI171, which crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Ms Chauhan says she had checked in online and reached Ahmedabad airport at 12:20pm local time, just 10 minutes after boarding was due to start.

"I got late because I was stuck in traffic. I was upset (after being denied boarding) and reached the airport exit when I learnt the plane had crashed," she told Indian news channel NDTV,

She had travelled 200km from Ankleshwar but was delayed by city traffic. Ms Chauhan said she was disappointed when she missed her flight, but minutes later everything changed.

"I was getting ready to step out of the airport when I learnt about the crash. I began shivering. My legs started trembling. I felt numb for quite some time," she said.

"My Ganpati ji (Hindu god) saved me," she added.

Medical college hostel struck

The aircraft crashed into a hostel building at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital. The plane was flying very low before it crashed, eyewitness Haresh Shah told local news agency PTI. As it crashed into the building, the sound was like a blast and the plane and the building caught fire.

College dean Minakshi Parikh told reporters that four students living in the hostel had died and 19 were injured.

Two third-year students are untraceable. A doctors wife was also killed while two relatives of other doctors were injured. Three members of a doctors family went missing after the incident, she said.

Dhaval Gameti, president of the resident doctors association at the college, said 50-60 people had been injured.

Footage from the scene showed aircraft debris in the hostels dining area, with some tables left with uneaten food on the plates.

open image in gallery Plume of smoke rising after Air India flight 171 crashes near airport in Ahmedabad ( AFPTV )

What is the status of investigation?

Investigators have recovered the plane's digital flight data recorder, or the black box, which was recovered from a rooftop near the crash site and likely will lead to clues about the cause of the accident.

Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has succeeded in extracting the data from the flight data recorder. The device is expected to reveal information about the engine and control settings, while the voice recorder will provide cockpit conversations.

A team of four officials from the UKs Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), with expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and flight data, is now working in Ahmedabad alongside American and Indian counterparts.

"Their role is to provide additional support and expertise to the safety investigation being led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau," the government said.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata  which owns Air India  said this was one of the darkest days in the groups history and promised full transparency. We dont know right now [what caused the crash], but we will, he said.

What is known about the Boeing aircraft?

The plane involved was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered to Air India in 2014. This was the first fatal incident involving the 787.

Soon after the Dreamliner entered service in 2011, concerns over fire risk from lithium batteries led to a temporary grounding. But there was no indication yet that the crash was connected to any technical issues onboard the aircraft.

More than 1,000 Boeing 787 aircraft are in service with dozens of international airlines, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, both of which have exemplary safety records.

The aircraft is described by the US manufacturer as the bestselling passenger widebody of all time with some 2,000 orders from 89 customers.

The planes have carried more than one billion passengers on nearly five million flights.

open image in gallery The plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ( Getty/iStock )

When was the last plane crash in India?

The last fatal plane crash in India was in 2020 and involved the airlines low-budget arm Air India Express.

The Boeing-737 overshot a table-top runway at the Kozhikode International Airport in southern India, skidded off and plunged into a valley, crashing nose-first into the ground.

The crash killed at least 21 people.

Where can I find out information about the victims?

Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information.

Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident, the airline said.

The airline has also set up assistance centres for friends and relatives at the airports in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones.

The centres are also facilitating travel for family members to Ahmedabad, it said on X.
 Close British sole survivor of Air India crash carries his brother's coffin at funeral

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The Air India plane that crashed last week had one new engine installed in March this year, while the other was last serviced in 2023 and wasnt due for maintenance until December, according to the airlines chairperson N Chandrasekaran.

India will send the black box from the crashed Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the US for analysis after it sustained heavy damage, The Economic Times has reported, citing an internal source.

More than 200 victims of the 12 June crash have been identified through DNA testing, Indian authorities said yesterday.

Investigators probing the crash have found that the aircrafts emergency power system was likely active just before impact.

The Wall Street Journal reported that this possibly suggested an engine or hydraulic failure during takeoff, a rare event in commercial aviation.

Air India is cutting its international wide body operations by 15 per cent for a few weeks due to safety inspections.

Families in India with concerns can call Air India on 1800 5691 444. Those outside India can call the British Foreign Office on 020 7008 5000.
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A plane disaster in India that has killed at least 240 people unfolded within a matter of minutes.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft took off from Ahmedabad airport in western India at 1.38pm local time (8.08am BST) on Thursday, FlightRadar shows.

The Air India flight was destined for London Gatwick and had been due to arrive by 6.25pm London time.

But soon after takeoff the flight made a mayday call to air traffic control, Indias civil aviation authority said. There was no response to subsequent calls made by controllers to the aircraft and aviation tracker FlightRadar24 said it lost the aircrafts signal in less than a minute.

The plane did not ascend very high before it rapidly plummeted into the city and exploding in a deadly fireball.

Initial ADS-B data from flight #AI171 shows that the aircraft reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport altitude is about 200 feet) and then it started to descend with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute, the flight tracking service said.

Ordinarily the Dreamliner would reach a cruising altitude of 41,000ft on the roughly ten hour flight to London.

The plane went down in the Meghaninagar area, a densely populated neighbourhood in Ahmedabad.

open image in gallery ( Satellite imagery from Google Earth )

The plane struck the BJ Medical College, which is part of the Civil Hospital, close to the airport, triggering a fireball that sent plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Students were reportedly having lunch there when the crash occurred.

TV footage showed flames rising behind homes and emergency services began dousing the flames and pulling people from the wreckage and surrounding buildings on stretchers.

Ahmedabad, where the crash occurred, is the largest city in the western Indian state of Gujarat. With an estimated population of more than 8.8 million people, it is the seventh-largest city in India.

The city is close to the border with Pakistan, and is about 370 miles by air from the Pakistani city of Karachi. Ahmedabad is a roughly 270-mile flight from Mumbai.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air Indias parent company Tata Group, described the crash as a tragic accident and a devastating event.

open image in gallery People gather by buildings damaged in crash ( Reuters )

He said the airline had set up an emergency centre and deployed a dedicated support team to assist the affected families.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event, Mr Chandrasekaran said in a statement. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care.

There are more than 1,000 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners in service with airlines globally, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, both of which maintain strong safety records. This is the first fatal crash involving the 787, according to the Aviation Safety Network.

The Dreamliner that crashed had been delivered to Air India in early 2014, having had its first flight in December 2013. The carrier, formerly owned by the Indian government, was privatised in 2022 and taken over by Tata Group. In 2024, it was merged with Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines.

Air India has long faced criticism for flight delays and cancellations, often due to a shortage of spare parts and grounded aircraft. A recent analysis by the Press Association named it the worst-performing airline for UK departures last year, with flights departing on average more than 45 minutes late.
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The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has spoken of the horror of watching people dying in front of his eyes - and revealed how he escaped the wreckage.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh told DD News I still cant believe how I survived as he spoke from his hospital bed on Friday, the day after miraculously walking away from the disaster in Ahmedabad.

The 40-year-old told the broadcaster the plane felt like it was stuck in the air shortly after take-off before lights began flickering green and white.

He added: It suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.

Click here for the latest updates on the crash

The Gatwick-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college as it crashed in a fireball on Thursday, killing the other 241 people on board.

open image in gallery Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meets British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh at a hospital in Ahmedabad ( Indian Ministry of Home Affairs )

It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed, and the first involving a 787.

Speaking to DD News about the crash, Mr Ramesh said: I cant believe how I came out of it alive.

For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too. But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still cant believe how I survived.

Mr Ramesh was in seat 11A, next to one of the aircrafts emergency exits.

open image in gallery India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Mr Ramesh, the sole survivor of the crash ( Narendra Modi/Youtube )

Addressing what happened before the incident, Mr Ramesh told the broadcaster: When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

Suddenly, the lights started flickering  green and white.

The aircraft wasnt gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.

He added: At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out.

open image in gallery The crash claimed the lives of 241 people on the plane, and dozens more on the ground ( EPA )

Mr Ramesh said: I dont know how I survived.

I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me  I walked out of the rubble.

When the plane came down just minutes after takeoff, it crashed into a medical college killing at least five medical students and injuring 50 more.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site on Friday, with video footage also showing him talking to Mr Ramesh in hospital.

open image in gallery The prime minister visits the residential area where the Dreamliner, bound for Gatwick, crashed ( India's Press Information Bureau )

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

Aviation experts have suggested a number of possibilities, from both engines failing  possibly due to a bird strike, as happened in the so-called Miracle on the Hudson in 2009  to the flaps on the aircrafts wings not being set to the correct position for take-off.

UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

US transportation secretary Sean Duffy confirmed US teams from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board were also heading to India with support from Boeing and GE Aerospace.

open image in gallery Search and rescue teams at the crash site ( AP )

But he told reporters it was way too premature to ground Boeing 787s in the aftermath of the crash.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said any British nationals requiring consular assistance, or who have concerns about family or friends, should call 020 7008 5000.
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An Air India flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Thailand on Friday after receiving a bomb threat, a day after the airline was involved in the worst plane crash in a decade that killed over 240 people.

The 156 passengers on Vistara flight AI 379 were escorted off in line with emergency plans, the Thai airports authority said.

Vistara is an Air India subsidiary.

According to flight tracker FlightRadar24, the aircraft took off from the Phuket airport for New Delhi at 9.30am local time, only to make a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and return to southern Thailand.

Authorities didnt disclose the specific nature of the threat. A Thai official said they searched the aircraft after it landed but did not find a bomb.

Air India did not give a statement on the incident immediately.

The incident came a day after an Air India flight departing for London crashed moments after takeoff in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the 241 people on board.

The casualties included 169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese citizens, the airline said.

Indian civil aviation faced a crisis last year after what turned out to be hoax bomb threats forced emergency landings or cancellations of a number of flights.

Airlines and airports fielded nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages in the first 10 months of 2024, about 10 times more than in the whole of the previous year.

Air India Vistara flight AI 379 makes an emergency landing back at Phuket airport in Thailand on 13 June 2025 ( Reuters )

In Ahmedabad, meanwhile, rescue workers continued their search on Friday for missing people and aircraft components in the charred buildings of a medical college hostel as the country reeled from the worst aviation disaster in a decade.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board bound for Gatwick airport, south of London, took off over a residential area and disappeared from view before a huge fireball was seen rising into the sky, CCTV footage showed.

Air India said the lone survivor of the crash, a British man, was receiving treatment in a local hospital. The passenger said he heard a loud noise shortly after Flight AI171 took off.

The Indian government was considering grounding the Boeing 787 fleet in the wake of the crash, broadcaster NDTV reported.
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A British national miraculously survived the Air India disaster in which a Boeing 787 crashed and exploded moments after taking off, killing at least 246 people.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, suffered relatively minor injuries and jumped out of an emergency exit next to his seat after Thursdays crash in the western city of Ahmedabad. His brother Ajay, who was also on the plane, is missing and presumed dead.

There were 242 passengers and crew on board flight AI171 to London Gatwick when it plunged into the accommodation block of a medical college. Fifty students were taken to hospital for treatment and five are missing, say officials.

Air India confirmed 241 people on board had died, saying it offered its deepest condolences to their families. "We are still verifying the number of dead, including those killed in the building where the plane crashed," Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer said.

The cause of the disaster is not yet clear. The passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants, a source told Reuters. Air India said 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. UK officials are being sent to India to support the investigation, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.

open image in gallery Vishwash Kumar Ramesh in hospital after escaping the Air India crash ( Handout )

Mr Ramesh, the sole passenger known to have survived, told local media: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.

Follow the latest updates on the Air India crash in our live blog.

When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital, he said.

Mr Ramesh has a wife and son in the UK. Outside the family home in Leicester, his other brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, 27, said: We are all devastated and in a state of shock at the moment. Even though one of my brothers survived, my other one is missing.

Both of them were happy, coming back to the UK. They were in India for personal reasons. I want to see my brother in hospital. We are going over there as soon as possible, tomorrow.

open image in gallery Debris at the site of the crash, near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat ( EPA )

No one [from the British government] has been in contact yet.

Describing his brother, he added: We would do everything together and go everywhere together.

There are no words that can describe him as a human being. He is one of the nicest guys ever. You can ask anyone and they would all say the same thing.

Describing Vishwashs injuries, he said: He has injuries to his face, chest and he has cuts and bruises.

He hasnt told us anything about when he will be discharged. All he was worried about when we spoke to him on the phone was: Wheres my brother? Wheres my brother?

He doesnt know how he escaped. I dont think he remembers what happened.

Nayan said his older brother video-called their father after the disaster, and said: Oh, the plane's crashed. I don't know where my brother is. I don't see any other passengers. I don't know how I'm alive, how I exited the plane.

Footage of Mr Ramesh showed him walking away from the wreckage, appearing relatively unscathed. He had been sitting in seat 11A, next to an emergency exit, just behind business class.

He told the Hindustan Times that his brother Ajay had been seated in a different row.

open image in gallery The tail of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane could be seen stuck on a building ( Reuters )

Photographs taken after the incident showed debris from the plane scattered around the area, including parts of the fuselage, tail and landing gear embedded in the BJ Medical College building.

It is the first fatal accident for the Boeing Dreamliner, which began flying commercially in 2011; the aircraft involved in Thursdays crash was delivered to Air India in January 2014.

It took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.39pm local time [GMT 07.39]. After issuing a mayday call it crashed into the residential neighbourhood of Meghani Nagar.

Video and images from the city show plumes of smoke pouring from the wreckage of the plane, with firefighters seeking to douse the charred remains of buildings impacted by the crash.

open image in gallery Search and recovery teams work through the rubble ( AP )

Pieces of the aircraft's landing gear, fuselage and tail could be seen protruding from the building.

Air India chair Natarajan Chandrasekaran described the incident as a "tragic accident" and a "devastating event.

The airline has gained a poor reputation for delays and cancellations in recent years, racking up billions of pounds in losses, but has been undergoing a turnaround since being bought from the Indian government by the Tata Group in January 2022.

"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us," Indian prime minister Narendra Modi posted on X. "It is heartbreaking beyond words." Gujarat is Mr Modi's home state.

King Charles said he was desperately shocked by the incident and Buckingham Palace said he was being kept updated on the situation.

open image in gallery (PA Graphics)

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK was in constant contact with Indian authorities.

I think it is important for all friends and family to contact the Foreign Office so we can roll this out as quickly as possible, but it is an ongoing investigation, he said. It'll take some time.

Our hearts and our thoughts are absolutely with the friends and families of all those affected who are going to be absolutely devastated by this awful news.
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India and China have agreed to hasten the reinstatement of direct air services and increase communication, according to statements released by both countries' foreign ministries on Friday, signalling a continued effort to improve relations.

This announcement follows a meeting on Thursday between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is currently visiting India.

In October, the two nations reached an agreement concerning patrolling along their Himalayan border, which helped to de-escalate tensions that began in 2020.

The standoff had strained bilateral ties, affecting trade, technology, and air travel.

During the meeting, Sun emphasised the importance of both sides properly managing disputes and differences, and jointly contributing to the maintenance of international and regional peace and stability, as stated by the Chinese ministry.

The Indian ministry's statement echoed this sentiment, confirming that both countries have agreed to continue working towards stabilising and rebuilding their relationship.

open image in gallery India and China have reached an agreement in October regarding patrolling along their Himalayan border ( AFP via Getty Images )

In January, the neighbours agreed to work on resolving trade and economic differences, a move expected to boost their aviation sectors.

Ties between the neighbours were strained in July 2020 after at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a clash in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. It was the first time in 45 years that a clash on the border had led to fatalities.

The clash quickly turned into a standoff, with both sides stationing thousands of soldiers backed by artillery, tanks and fighter jets along the border. The troops blocked each other from patrolling their claimed areas.

In the aftermath, India clamped down on Chinese firms, prohibiting them from investing in critical economic sectors and banning Chinese apps such as TikTok.
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Aviation experts are conflicted on what may have caused the deadly Air India plane crash.

The Boeing 787, bound for London, crashed with 242 people on board shortly after departing from Ahmedabad airport in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Thursday.

Saurabh Bhatnagar told New Delhi Television that the incident appears to have involved "multiple bird hits".

He said: "It looks, prima facie, like a case of multiple bird hits wherein both the engines have lost power."

Mr Bhatnagar added that the "take-off was perfect" but shortly before retracting the landing gear, the aircraft began to descend.

open image in gallery The tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed is seen stuck on a building after the incident ( Reuters )

He believes this indicates a loss of engine power or lift.

"Obviously, the investigation will reveal the exact reason," he added.

Mr Bhatnagar noted that video of the incident indicates the plane "came down in a controlled fashion".

Bird strikes are defined as a collision between a bird and an aircraft which is in flight, taking-off or landing.

A large flock of birds entering an aircraft engine can cause power loss.

Efforts to reduce the number of bird strikes on planes include using lights on aircraft to make them more visible to birds, and making loud noises at airports to scare them away.

However another aviation expert told The Independent that bird strikes are unlikely to have caused the crash.

Richard Curran, professor of sustainable aviation at City, University of London, said: If there was a problem with an engine, the pilots would know that immediately on takeoff. So they wouldn't have got as far as they did, and they would have they would have changed their path.

open image in gallery People stand near debris at the site of the crash ( EPA )

I don't think there's any sort of credibility in [the bird strike suggestion] unless the effect of it took time. You dont really get multiple bird strikes and if they had, [the pilots] would have said that, and they didnt.

Prof Curran, who was previously KLMs chair of engineering and maintenance, said: These these pilots are extremely well trained. They're trained for bird strike. It's one of the basic things that you go through in simulator training as a pilot. Probably every 60 to 100 flight hours, you go into the simulator and you're put through these things. So they know very, very well how to deal with it.

And because that wasn't translated, I think it was something more to do with the engine or the control system in the aircraft.

Latest Civil Aviation Authority figures show there were 1,432 incidents reported in the UK in 2022.

Professor John McDermid, of the University of York, said it was too early to know in any detail what may have caused the Air India incident, but the timing suggests the issue happened very suddenly.

He said: Take-off and landing are the most dangerous phases of flight.

However, that said, its surprising that the accident occurred before the aircraft had even got to 200 metres altitude.

Pilots can abort take-off until quite late in the take-off roll, so it seems like the problem occurred very suddenly in the final part of the take-off roll, or shortly after take-off, and was sufficiently serious to be unmanageable.

Given the levels of redundancy in systems, the fact that aircraft are designed to climb out on only one engine, etc. on initial sight this seems a very surprising accident.

Professor McDermid added it is very unlikely the plane was overweight or carrying too much fuel as there are careful checks on this.

David Lammy confirms UK is working with local authorities following Air India crash

Graham Braithwaite, the director of aerospace and aviation at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, said take-off is a critical stage of flight as the plane is accelerating and any problem-solving requires a rapid response.

Paul Williams, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, said the weather conditions at the airport when the crash happened appear to have been very good.

He added: It was a dry and sunny day in Ahmedabad, with temperatures near 40C.

There was good visibility and light winds from the west.

There was no bad weather in the vicinity.

There is no indication at this stage that turbulence or other weather conditions were a factor in the crash.

The accident will be investigated by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

The UKs Air Accidents Investigation Branch is also likely to be involved because of the number of British nationals onboard.
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A body armour wearing man armed with Molotov cocktails and a hatchet who stabbed a police officer and knocked another unconscious has been jailed for life.

Alexander Dighton, 28, arrived at Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf shortly before 7pm, where he lit a petrol bomb and threw it at a police van on January 31.

Central Criminal Court heard how Dighton failed to ignite a petrol bomb and attempted to start a fire by pouring lighter fluid over the van before smashing the windows of two vehicles using a pole.

When approached by officers, Dighton said Im fed up, Im done, before launching his attack.

Attempts to restrain Dighton using a Taser were unsuccessful because of the body armour he was wearing.

Dighton swung a pole at one officer, punched one in the head and stabbed another in the thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery.

Two of the three injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment.

In a police interview after the attack, Dighton, of Pontyclun, said he did not consider the scope of damage, merely that blood had to be spilt.

open image in gallery Talbot Green police station in Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales ( Google Maps )

He previously admitted 10 charges relating to the incident, including attempting to murder Detective Constable Jack Cotton and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Sergeant Richard Coleman.

Dighton also admitted assaulting Pc Joshua Emlyn and threatening Pc Stephanie Fleming with an adapted wooden pole.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Hearn described how Dightons sister had reported him to Prevent due to concerns he held racist and anti-Muslim views and was likely to be involved with incel groups.

The incel movement is made up of people who find themselves unsuccessful in relationships, often harbouring extreme and misogynistic views.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced Dighton, who had been referred to the anti-terrorism programme Prevent in January 2024, to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 22 years.

The judge told the defendant, who represented himself in court, that the offences had a terrorist connection.

He said: It is clear that you continue to hold entrenched views.

Other than the early guilty pleas, there is little else to be said to your credit.

open image in gallery Alexander Dighton was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court in London ( PA Archive )

The judge said the police officers that encountered Dighton were experienced.

He added: Whilst they accept potential violence and difficult confrontations are part of the role of being a police officer, they were all deeply shocked by the nature and ferocity of your attack.

Speaking ahead of sentencing, Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones praised the officers who attended the incident, saying they showed absolutely exceptional bravery and professionalism.

Bethan David, Head of the Counter Terrorism Division for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Alexander Dighton wanted to attack the government and the state.

By his own admission, he wanted to take the life of a police officer, to cause damage and spill blood. We were able to show that Dightons attack was not only pre-meditated and meticulously planned, but that his motivations were connected to terrorism.

While it is not a criminal offence to hold extreme or offensive views, it is one to carry out attempted murder and attack police officers because of them.

He pleaded guilty, and his sentencing today reflects the severity of his actions.
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A former Tory MP has appeared in court over his involvement in the general election betting scandal.

Craig Williams, who gave no indication of plea, was among 15 people who appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday charged with gambling offences over betting on the date of the 2024 election.

The scandal over the alleged placing of bets on the timing of the election prior to Rishi Sunaks surprise decision to call the national ballot early engulfed the Conservative Partys campaign last summer.

At the time, Mr Williams was serving as Mr Sunaks parliamentary private secretary. Russell George, the Tory Senedd member for Montgomeryshire, was also charged, along with the Conservative Partys chief data officer, Nick Mason, and the partys chief marketing officer, Simon Chatfield.

Laura Saunders, who was the Tory candidate for Bristol North West at the election and her husband Tony Lee  the Conservative Partys campaign chief  were also both charged.

open image in gallery Craig Williams was Rishi Sunaks parliamentary private secretary ( X/@craig4monty )

The Gambling Commission said its investigation, which began during the election campaign in June 2024, focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information  specifically advance knowledge of the proposed election date  to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.

The other nine people charged with cheating include a former police officer, the Gambling Commission said.

The row over gambling dominated debates between Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Sunak, with Labour accusing the Conservatives of failing to react swiftly to the scandal.

Mr Sunak, who has provided a witness statement in this case, had noted that elections would take place in the second half of the year but had not given a date.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Gambling Commission, Sam Stein KC said: Operation Scott was an investigation launched by the Gambling Commission into politicians and employees of the Conservative Party, and a former police officer  who had placed bets on the date of the 2024 general election with the benefit of confidential or insider information as to when that date might be.

The prosecution says that placing bets with inside information is a criminal offence, namely cheating.

open image in gallery Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer clashed over the election betting scandal ( PA )

Before the 4 July election was called, planning took place at Downing Street and Conservative Campaign Headquarters, the court heard.

The 15 defendants are alleged to have placed bets based on confidential information gained from those rooms, or enabling others to place bets by passing that information on.

If convicted they could face up to two years in prison for these offences.

Twelve of the defendants indicated not-guilty pleas.

On Friday, Simon Chatfield, 51, from Farnham, Surrey; Russell George, 50; Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex; Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex; Thomas James, 38; Charlotte Lang, 36; Anthony Lee, 47; Laura Saunders, 37; Iain Makepeace, 47, from Newcastle Upon Tyne; Nick Mason, 51; Paul Place, 53, from Hammersmith, west London; and James Ward, 40, of Leeds, all indicated they would deny the charges.

Mr Williams along with Jacob Willmer, 39, from Richmond, West London, and former police officer Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horne in Surrey, gave no indication of plea.

The 15 accused will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 11 July.
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Two men have been jailed at Oxford Crown Court for the theft of a 4.75 million gold toilet from Blenheim Palace.

James Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 39, received a four-year prison sentence and a 27-month prison sentence, respectively.

The 18-carat gold toilet, which was fully functioning, was a star attraction in an exhibition at the Oxfordshire country house where Winston Churchill was born.

The satirical piece by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan was stolen in a raid in the early hours of September 14, 2019.

It is believed the stolen toilet was broken up or melted down and sold shortly after the theft, but none of the gold has been recovered.

open image in gallery The toilet is believed to have been broken up and disposed of ( PA )

Sledgehammer-wielding thieves smashed their way in to take the toilet, Oxford Crown Court heard.

They drove through locked wooden gates into the grounds of the palace in two stolen vehicles before breaking in through a window.

Entitled America, the toilet weighed approximately 98 kilogrammes, was insured for six million US dollars (4.75 million) and was made from gold, which was itself worth about 2.8 million.

Passing sentence, Judge Ian Pringle KC said: This bold and brazen heist took no more than five-and-a-half minutes to complete.

America has never been seen again.

open image in gallery Right-hand man Michael Jones ( Thames Valley Police )

Following a trial in March, jurors at Oxford Crown Court found Jones guilty of burglary.

Jones, from Oxford, had visited the palace twice before the theft, but he denied the visits were related to the theft of the toilet.

He told jurors he took advantage of the gold toilets facilities while at the country house the day before it was taken. Asked what it was like, Jones said: Splendid.

Sheen from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, had already pleaded guilty to burglary. In April 2024, he also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transfer criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property.

Sheen was already serving over 19 years imprisonment for attacks on cash machines, a museum burglary and fraud and was not due for release until 2032.

I say straight away I have no doubt at all that the sentence I pass must be consecutive to the sentence you are currently serving, Judge Ian Pringle KC said in his sentencing remarks. Not to do so would be to send out a message that you did this without any penalty at all.

open image in gallery Accomplished thief James Sheen ( Thames Valley Police )

Jones worked as a builder and roofer for Sheen from 2018. The court heard he became Sheens right-hand man and was trusted to arrange payments for Sheens other employees.

When Jones was arrested on October 16, 2019, police analysed his phone and found he had been searching for newspaper reports about the stolen toilet on September 20.

Frederick Doe, 37, also known as Frederick Sines, of Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire, helped to sell some of the gold in the weeks following the heist, the court heard.

He was found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property and walked free from court in May with a suspended sentence for his part in the raid.

Bora Guccuk, 41, from west London, was cleared of the same charge.
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The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has refused to apologise to the LGBT+ community for historic homophobia in the force.

Campaigners said it was an insult after 21 other forces have issued formal apologies over their past conduct, adding that GMP was involved in some of the most extreme unlawful victimisation of LGBTs by any UK force.

Human rights charity the Peter Tatchell Foundation first issued calls to all forces to say sorry for decades-long victimisation of the LGBT+ community in June 2023.

However, in a recent letter, seen by The Independent, its Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, declined to accede to your request for a general apology, adding it could be seen as superficial and merely performative and could unfairly impugn the service of past officers.

The director of the foundation, Peter Tatchell, who was this week named in The Independents Pride List 2025 for his gay rights activism, said: This refusal to apologise is an insult to the LGBT+ community, who suffered so much at the hands of the Manchester police in decades past.

open image in gallery Peter Tatchell, whose foundation has been leading an #ApologiseNow! campaign calling on all UK police chiefs to apologise for past homophobic persecution ( PA )

Mr Tatchell has this week written to CC Watson, appealing once again for him to apologise  noting the troubling history of the force under the late Chief Constable Sir James Anderton in the 1980s.

At the height of the Aids crisis, Mr Anderton said gay men were swirling about in a human cesspit of their own making, resulting in calls for his resignation.

Greater Manchester Police has a particularly troubling homophobic history that deserves specific acknowledgement and apology, Mr Tatchell said.

Under Chief Constable James Anderton in the 1980s, the force became synonymous with open hostility towards the LGBT+ community.

He claimed Mr Andertons comments were not isolated rhetoric and the force targeted gay venues in raids in the 1980s, which in some cases led to gay and bisexual men being outed and subjected to homophobic insults, threats and violence.

open image in gallery The late Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, James Anderton, died in 2022 ( PA )

Mr Tatchell added: To now refuse to apologise adds insult to injury. Apologies are not symbolicthey are acts of justice and healing. They show leadership and humanity. They tell survivors of police witch-hunts: We see you, we acknowledge the harm we caused, and we are sorry.

Twenty-one other forces have recognised that acknowledging past wrongs helps rebuild LGBT+ trust. It will encourage more LGBTs to report hate crime, sexual assaults and domestic violence, which is what we all want.

Not saying sorry undermines LGBT+ confidence in the police and will damage the polices reputation among LGBTs.

We are not suggesting all past officers were bad or blaming todays officers. An apology is about taking responsibility for homophobic police behaviour in previous decades and saying sorry.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was the first to apologise in 2023, in a move which was welcomed by Mr Tatchell for drawing a line under past Met persecution.

A string of others subsequently followed suit, including Merseyside Polices former Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, who issued their sincere apology and deepest regret for historical prejudice. Others include Dorset and North Yorkshire Police.

open image in gallery Sir Mark Rowley was the first to apologise in 2023 ( PA )

In his refusal letter, dated April 2025, CC Watson, who was appointed in 2021, said GMP is proud to serve its many diverse communities and strives to understand their past experiences with the force.

He said the force has made considerable progress over the past 40 years and takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.

He wrote: I am, of course, sorry that GMP, and those police bodies which preceded the presently formed GMP prior to 1974, didnt always perform to the standards deserved by those whom we serve.

It is also the case, however, that over these many decades, literally thousands of police officers have performed their duties with decency, professionalism and compassion.

Whilst I acknowledge that you are not seeking an apology for officers having upheld the laws of the day, it would nevertheless be quite unjust for me as the current Chief Constable to cast some sort of sweeping assertion as to the general conduct of the force over a prolonged period of time, particularly when the period in question is now so dated that virtually no serving officer in the entire force can speak to the period with any personal knowledge.

Such an apology could well be seen, even by the intended recipients, as both superficial and merely performative.

It would unfairly impugn the faithful and valued services of past officers; and any such apology would likely make little or no difference to developing contemporary practice which is, as you acknowledge, currently very good and which carries the confidence both of our current LGBTQ+ community and our own staff association.

With regret, therefore, I find that I cannot accede to your request for a general apology.
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Thousands of people have been left in mourning after the Air India plane disaster claimed more than 240 lives on Thursday.

But one north-west London community, some 4,000 miles away from the Ahmedabad crash site, is feeling the impact more than most.

Twenty of the victims have connections to the same temple in Harrow, its leader has said, with multiple families now trying to come to terms with what has happened. Among those killed in the Dreamliner disaster are a mother and father who lost their son, a pilot, in a plane crash in France just a few years ago.

Click here for the latest updates on the crash.

open image in gallery Spiritual leader Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji said he knew 20 of the people on the flight ( The Independent )

Members of the British Gujarati community have been gathering to pay their respects and grieve at the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre, which is just tucked off the high street.

Speaking to The Independent, spiritual leader Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji described the crash as a huge loss, adding that he personally knew of 20 people who boarded the doomed Air India flight. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after clearing the runway at Ahmedabad Airport, with a huge fireball appearing after it collided into a medical college housing dozens of doctors.

Mr Guruji, who is from the Gujurati region but has lived in the UK since 1993, said: I have good communication with the people there, and I woke up to see so many calls. There were messages to say there has been a crash.

The day before yesterday my priest who works here in the temple had flown from Gatwick to Ahmedabad on the same flight. He was on the same plane that crashed but travelling on the way out.

open image in gallery The plane crashed into a residential area after taking off from Ahmedabad airport ( EPA )

After frantically calling his colleague who reassured him he was safe, Mr Guruji began receiving endless phone calls both from people on the ground in India, and from his worshippers who had lost loved ones or had known people on the flight.

I had a message from a police officer from Gujarati who said the former chief minister Vijay Rupani was on it, he has previously worshipped here. I was then given a list of people on the flight from Indian police and I was checking the names, and I could see some of them were familiar.

Then people kept calling me to say so and so were on the flight and so I eventually knew 20 people personally who had been lost, he said.

open image in gallery The International Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow is open to mourners and those wishing to light candles for the dead ( The Independent )

He then spent the remainder of his day speaking on the phone to the families of the victims, and contacting their wider relatives to inform them and to offer them support and comfort.

One family, they have lost a couple, a mother and father have both died. A few years ago, three or four years ago, their son died. He was a pilot, his flight crashed in France. It was a passenger jet and he was the pilot. Yesterday, his parents were travelling back from India and now both are gone.

According to Hindu beliefs, the process of cremation and scattering of ashes is a part of liberating the soul and bringing peace to the deceased. But the nature of the crash means that some of the victims bodies may not be found.

Police officers on the ground in Ahmedabad have described the scene as chaos in their calls to Mr Guruji, and he remains in close contact with relatives and spiritual leaders in Gujurati.

open image in gallery Families mourn the loss of their loved ones in India ( REUTERS )

Navin Shah, a retired architect and former Labour chair of the London Assembly, worships at the Harrow temple. He was horrified by the crash that destroyed a densely populated area near his hometown.

Having been born and raised less than 10 miles from the crash site, Mr Shah is intimately familiar with the area. He lived there for 15 years before moving to the UK and shared his concerns that the number of dead on the ground remains unknown.

We know that the plane crashed into a housing complex called Meghani Nagar, but I understand there was a slum, a hutted area, with poor people living there. If they have been wiped out, thats another factor that deeply concerns me, he said.

open image in gallery India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the site after Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad ( Indian Press Information Bureau )

Mr Shah first received a call at 8.30am from his nephew, who lives just four miles away from the airport, who informed him of the tragedy.

Soon afterwards, he realised that the majority of those killed had connections to areas such as Harrow, Brent, and Leicester, and that his community would be disproportionately affected.

We had a prayer at the temple last night and I met a young man, 20 years old, whose grandparents had perished in the plane, Mr Shah said.

I was speechless, I didnt have the heart to express my feelings - I pretty much broke down. One young lady had lost her father-in-law and she was crying away. Its all very raw at the moment.

Over the coming days, services and prayers are due to be held at the Harrow centre, including an inter-faith ceremony on Saturday to commemorate the dead.
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A chef has received a 20,000 payout for racial and sexual oriented harassment after his boss ranted that people from his home country of Mexico were not reliable and threatened to get him deported.

An employment tribunal heard the claims after Cesar Omar Perez Vargas, former head chef of five star restaurant Pot Kiln in Thatcham, West Berkshire, walked out of the restaurant during a busy Sunday shift in which he ended up serving around 60 customers, when he originally agreed to cover no more than 45 on a Sunday.

The chef claimed that he felt he was being imposed upon and given an unreasonable workload; when Mr Rockcliff was confronted with this, he denied it and asked the chef to carry on working, which led him to walk out.

Mr Perez Vargas alleged that Mr Rockcliff followed him on his way home as he walked out and said: I knew that you Mexicans were not reliable people. I will call the Home Office and make sure that they send you back to the country that you belong. I will also tell them that you have been sexually harassing all the male staff.

The chef, who started his career at Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Quintana Roo, Mexico, said he was left feeling shocked, threatened, insecure and that his body was shaking following the confrontation. He also said Mr Rockcliff warned he would make sure that no one will give you a job anymore and approached the claimant at his home.

Mr Rockcliff not only denied making these statements to Mr Perez Vargas, but refuted claims that a social media post he made about Michelin trained chefs as people with sauteed egos who have lost their mojo for the love of cooking and who have overcooked their wallets for fame over food was about the chef.

The tribunal found that these comments may have led Mr Perez Vargas, or anyone who knew him as an employee of the Pot Kiln, to believe they were about the chef.

Mr Perez Vargas first brought claims against the business in November 2022, three months after he left the Pot Kilns employment. He made complaints about unfair dismissal, direct discrimination on the grounds of race and sexual orientation, and harassment related to race and sexual orientation. He also made complaints about notice pay and other money claims.

The court found that Mr Perez Vargass complaint about harassment related to race and related to sexual orientation was well-founded and succeeded, as was his claim of being unfairly dismissed.

Judge Gumbiti-Zimuto said that Mr Rockcliffs conduct was unwanted and violated  the claimants dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading or humiliating and offensive environment for the claimant.

They added: because those comments were clearly related to his race, we are satisfied that it related to the protected characteristic of race. And because the comments made reference to the claimants sexually harassing all male staff, that it also made reference to his sexual orientation and therefore, in our view, was related to sexual orientation.

Mr Rockcliff has been ordered to pay a sum of 20,444.24 to Mr Perez Vargas. This accounts for a basic award of 1,142, a compensatory award of 500 as well as 2,073.28 for a loss of earnings post notice period of four weeks.

He received six weeks notice pay of 3,109.92 for the breach of contact, as well as 663.32 for accrued holiday not taken, 821.36 for unpaid wages between 2020 and 2022, as well as 11,000 for injury to feelings and 1,134.36 in interest to that.
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Around 100,000 street-side electric vehicle (EVs) charging points are set to be installed across England as ministers pledge a 381 million investment.

The new charging points come on top of 80,000 already installed publicly across the UK, and tens of thousand more installed privately.

The cash aims to help the uptake of electric cars among motorists who do not have their own driveways and charging points.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said: This Government is powering up the EV revolution by rolling out a charge point every 29 minutes, and our support to roll out over 100,000 local charge points in England shows were committed to making even more progress.

Around 100,000 street-side electric vehicle (EVs) charging points are set to be installed across England ( Getty )

Were delivering our Plan for Change by investing over 4 billion to support drivers to make the switch, while backing British car makers through international trade deals  creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future.

The money comes from the Governments Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund, which helps councils to install new EV charging points.

The investment comes as London-based firm Believ has secured 300 million to roll out charging points across the UK in a sign of growing market confidence in EVs,

In the first five months of this year, pure battery electric new cars accounted for 20.9 per cent of the market, an increase from 16.1 per cent in the same period last year. The sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in the UK from 2030.

However, a study from China recently found that Europe, China and the US will all struggle to produce enough lithium domestically to satisfy the demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the coming years.

Researchers from East China Normal University in Shanghai and Swedens Lund University identified a "looming crisis" that could lead to "delays in meeting critical climate and energy goals".

Their study warns that even with a potential tenfold increase in domestic lithium production across these regions by 2030, it will not be enough to meet the rapidly increasing demand, unless there are technological advancements or a rise in imports.
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Carmela Chillery-Watson, an 11-year-old girl from Dorset, has become the youngest person ever to be made an MBE.

Carmela, who has LMNA congenital muscular dystrophy and is becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Kings Birthday Honours for services to charitable fundraising, said she "never thought anything like this would happen".

She was diagnosed with the condition, which affects her movement, heart and lungs, in 2017, aged three.

In recent years, she has helped Muscular Dystrophy UK raise more than 400,000 by doing around 25 fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Im just really ecstatic and surprised that Im receiving the honour, Carmela said.

Its incredible.

The 11-year-old campaigner has undertaken a variety of challenges, including her Wonder Woman Walk where she walked one kilometre a day and then went another nine kilometres a day in her wheelchair for a month in 2020.

open image in gallery The 11-year-old campaigner undertook a Wonder Woman Walk, where she walked one kilometre a day ( Lucy Chillery-Watson )

Dressed as her favourite superhero, Wonder Woman, Carmela travelled across 30 different places in Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire and Surrey to complete the 300-kilometre trek.

She has also carried out a 100-mile walking challenge across the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.

I have to say, I love all of them, Carmela said of her various fundraising campaigns. They are all so fun.

She also teaches exercises online for an optional small donation to help others with muscular dystrophy and similar physical disabilities who are unable to leave their homes or who dont have access to physiotherapy in their area.

Carmela said people from as far away as Africa and the US have attended her virtual sessions.

She is already an award winner, having been presented with a British Citizen Youth Award Medal of Honour in 2023 for making a positive impact on her community and society more widely.

The Government believes Carmela is the youngest-ever MBE, although it does not hold all the historical data to be able to confirm it.

open image in gallery Carmela, aged 11, has raised 400,000 for charity ( Lucy Chillery-Watson )

Tony Hudgell became the youngest person on record to be honoured when he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) at the age of nine in the 2024 New Year Honours.

Carmela will break paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds record of being the youngest person to become an MBE in 2009 when she was 14 years old.

The 11-year-old said she never looked for an award for her campaigning.

I never thought anything like this would happen, she said.

I just want to make a difference to the disability community, to be able to show them: Youre strong, you can do whatever you want.

Carmelas mother Lucy Chillery-Watson said she was bursting with pride over her daughter becoming an MBE.

Since the moment she was born, she showed true resilience and determination  growing up with health conditions, one after the other, Ms Chillery-Watson said.

Shes making a huge difference in the world.

open image in gallery She was diagnosed with the condition in 2017, aged three ( Lucy Chillery-Watson )

She said her daughter does not let her physical disability stop her.

Shes already thought about her next challenge, she wants to go around UK primary schools to spread inclusivity in amongst the schools for physical disabilities, because Carmela has got her own experiences and in society theres still so much that needs to be done.

Carmela is very excited about the prospect of meeting a royal at an investiture ceremony.

Potentially meeting King Charles or Queen Camilla  that is amazing, she said.

I mean, that is insane. Receiving an MBE is incredible but potentially meeting the King or Queen is even better.

Carmelas next challenge is her so-called Poo Plod on June 23, when she will walk and wheel five miles dressed as a toilet, with her mum dressed as a poo, to raise money to buy specialist toilets for her school in Poole.
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Author Pat Barker initially mistook the letter informing her of her damehood in the Kings Birthday Honours for an income tax bill.

The writer, known for her celebrated Regeneration Trilogy, joked that she thought HMRC were "really angry" as she accepted the highest of the Kings honours.

Dame Pat, 82, who was appointed a CBE in 2000, is being awarded for her contributions to literature.

With 16 novels to her name, the Booker Prize-winner is renowned for her exploration of anti-war themes, including trauma and memory.

Describing the moment she received the news of her damehood, she said: I picked up the envelope from the carpet and the first thing I noticed, what beautiful quality paper it was, and I thought, this is either the income tax getting really angry, or its something from the Palace or the Cabinet Office.

Barker was made a CBE in 2000 - but said it took a while to sink in when news came through her letterbox that she would be made a dame ( Neil Munns )

Nobody else does that kind of quality of paper. I still sort of had to read the first paragraph several times before it sank in.

Her debut novel, Union Street, was published in 1982 and won her the 1983 Best Of Young British Novelists award.

It was later made into the film, Stanley And Iris, starring Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro.

She added: One of the things that, in spite of everything, I like about the British honour system is the way it records people who do very low profile, working for free, long hours, weeks, months, years, for something that they genuinely believe in and usually unpaid, and for the benefit of other people, and they are the bedrock of the honour system, and they actually are the reason why it is so respected, and knights and dames are just cherries on the top of that cake.

I am happy to be a cherry.

The author is known for exploring the effects of war in her novels, attributing her grandfather and stepfather as inspiration for some of her most popular books.

She said: I was very much a war baby. My Victory in Europe Day was my second birthday, and I thought the street parties were for me, as any two year old would.

I think in my family, there were people who bore the very visible mental and physical injuries of war.

My stepfather, for example, was in the trenches at 15, my grandfather had a bayonet wound, and he used to get stripped off at the kitchen sink, and the bayonet wound was terrible, very obvious, and he never talked about it. So youve got the two things there that are essential for writers, a story that is obviously present, but which isnt being told.

The last thing any writer needs is a completed story. What you need as a writer is a mystery. And I had that.

She began writing the Regeneration trilogy in 1991 with the first book following English Lieutenant Billy Prior as he is being treated for shellshock.

The book was adapted into a film in 1997 which starred The Two Popes actor Jonathan Pryce and Maurices James Wilby.

In 1993, Dame Pat published the second book in the trilogy, The Eye In The Door, which follows William Rivers, the psychiatrist treating Prior at Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh.

She was awarded the Guardian Fiction Prize that same year and in 1995 won the Booker Prize for Fiction for The Ghost Road, the third book in the trilogy, which recounts the final months of the war from alternating perspectives of Billy, as he is about to rejoin the war, and William, who grapples with the work he has done to help injured men at the hospital.

More recently, the novelist was shortlisted for The Womens Prize For Fiction in 2019 for her book, The Silence Of The Girls, part of The Woman Of Troy trilogy, which recounts the lives of women living through the Trojan War.

It is followed by The Women Of Troy (2021) and The Voyage Home (2024), and sees the author shift her storytelling both in its genre, from historical fiction to myth, and characters, writing from the perspective of women instead of men.

She said: I was wanting to deal with the experience of women, and specifically with rape as a weapon of war, because that is really what the Trojan trilogy, as it is at the moment, is about and that is also a very up to date, modern area of political and legal debate, making rape a war crime similar and equal to other war crimes.

I think that is a battle that is still being fought for women in lots of ways. And that shadows the subsequent lives of women, but also of their children, who are very often the product of rape, and that is difficult for the woman and the child and the community that the woman comes from.

So it seems as if its thousands of years ago but actually myth isnt thousands of years ago. Myth is applicable to our lives today, and thats always what I want to bring out.

Dame Pat was born in Thornaby-on-Tees, Cleveland, and raised mainly by her grandparents.

She began her writing career in her late 30s after studying international history at the London School of Economics and taught history and politics at colleges of further education until 1982.
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Northern Irelands oldest man has said he never expected to receive an honour from the King at the age of 106.

Norman Irwin, who served in north Africa during the Second World War, has been described by friends as inspirational.

He went on to make a difference in his home town of Coleraine, helping to form the Coleraine Winemakers Club, recalling initially using nettles and dandelions.

Irwin also became one of the founders of the towns Rotary Club and the Agivey Anglers Association.

Mr Irwin is the oldest person to be recognised in this years Kings Birthday Honours, and is just one of three recipients over the last 10 years aged 106, as well as being Northern Irelands oldest man.

open image in gallery Irwin served in the Second World War, volunteering in April 1939 to join the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery as a gunner ( Family Handout )

He said he was very proud to be recognised with a British Empire Medal (BEM), adding it had come as a big surprise, joking he was getting on a bit.

Born just a few days after the end of the First World War in 1918, Mr Irwin went on to serve in the Second World War, volunteering in April 1939 to join the Coleraine Battery of the Royal Artillery as a gunner.

He described the battlefield in north Africa as stretching thousands of miles and getting chased across the desert by German troops in tanks.

The sand presented a major challenge, he described, in terms of logistics, and he even engineered his own guns when they lost the tools to maintain them.

We lost the tools for them in the sand, so we made our own  you learned to adapt to it very very quickly, you just had to get on with it, he said.

You do what you have to do in times of need.

We were all volunteers here (in Northern Ireland), we werent conscripted, so we all just went off en masse as our own decision. We never imagined what it was going to be like.

People talk about the desert rats, but it didnt really get the same coverage as France.

The First World War took a lot, and the Second World War took even more, terrible times.

Mr Irwin said the sheer distances involved in the conflict in north Africa is often what surprises people the most.

open image in gallery Mr Irwin with his grandson, Christopher ( Family Handout )

People just didnt understand the distances when they talk about the Germans when they chased us back across north Africa, it was about 1,500 miles, he said.

They all think its a small localised battle, but it wasnt, it was over a 1,500- 2,000-mile stretch.

When they chased us back across the desert, they had tanks and we didnt have any, we couldnt cope with those, couldnt fight them, the only thing to do was to leave.

Then we got reorganised and prepared, and we chased them back across again. The armoured divisions arrived once they realised what we were up against.

He went on to become one of the founding members of the new Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in October 1942 and he was soon promoted to sergeant.

I was demobbed at the end of the war and came back home to Northern Ireland, and got a job as an engineer in a local factory and it all went from there, he said.

Everything that we did in the forces had an application in industry.

Back home, Mr Irwin helped form the Coleraine Winemakers club in the early 1960s.

It was beer and wine, home hobbies at the time were quite the thing, and of course people would say to others, what do you think of my wine, so we formed a wine club had competitions for people who made wine out of nettles and dandelions, and all sorts of things we could find in the fields, he said.

It was quite potent.

It moved on from that to a higher level, using grapes.

Asked about the held esteem he is held in, Mr Irwin responded: People say these things, I wouldnt put myself in that category.

I enjoyed all those things as well, of course.
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Prince William has drawn attention to the critical poaching crisis endangering rhinos, describing the situation as "devastating."

In the introduction to the fourth episode of his wildlife documentary series, Guardians, the Prince of Wales commended the dedication of rangers in South Africas Kruger National Park. The series highlights the conservation efforts of rangers worldwide.

The 10-minute film features head ranger Cathy Dreyer and her teams working to combat poaching, as well as caregivers Felicia and Lucas, who are raising orphaned rhino calves.

open image in gallery The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall while in Cornwall, during a visit to Tor Bog, an area of restored peatland on Dartmoor ( PA )

William stated, "Around the world, rangers work steadily on the front lines of conservation.

In South Africas iconic Kruger National Park and surrounding areas, rangers are confronting a devastating rhino poaching crisis that threatens the survival of this awe-inspiring species.

Amongst the teams are unsung heroes like Cathy, Felicia and Lucas  guardians who are not only taking on poachers, but also caring for the baby orphaned rhinos they leave behind.

Their stories show hope can prevail through dedication, care and courage, even in the face of enormous challenges.

With just over 2,000 white and only around 250 black rhinos left in the Kruger National Park, it is feared the poaching crisis will lead to the extinction of the species in the next few decades if left unchallenged.

open image in gallery A newly born White Rhinoceros walks with it's mother in the Kruger National Park on 7 July 2013 in Lower Sabie, South Africa ( Getty )

The Guardians series, created by The Royal Foundations United for Wildlife programme, is available to watch on BBC Earths YouTube and social channels, with episodes also be screened at Adventure Cinema locations across the UK.

Featuring an introduction by the Prince of Wales in each episode, the six-part series aims to raise awareness and appreciation for these often-unsung heroes. The prince recently praised Sir David Attenborough as the inspiration behind the new series.

Each episode showcases rangers engaged in diverse and challenging roles, from safeguarding snow leopards in the Indian Himalayas to defending marine life in Mexicos Sea of Cortez and protecting elephants and gorillas in the Central African Republic.
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Next Mays Senedd (Welsh parliament) election wont just be another trip to the polls. It will mark a major change in how Welsh democracy works. The number of elected members is increasing from 60 to 96, and the voting system is being overhauled. These changes have now passed into law.

But what exactly is changing  and why?

When the assembly was first established in 1999, it had limited powers and just 60 members. Much has changed since then and it now has increased responsibility, including primary law-making powers over matters such as health, education, environment, transport and economic development.

The Wales Act 2014 also bestowed a number of new financial powers on the now Senedd, including taxation and borrowing powers. But its size has stayed the same.

This led to concerns about capacity and effectiveness. In 2017, an independent expert panel on electoral reform concluded that the Senedd was no longer fit for purpose. It warned that 60 members simply werent enough to scrutinise the Welsh government, pass legislation and respond to constituents. A bigger chamber, it argued, would improve both the quality of lawmaking and democratic accountability.

Wales also has fewer elected politicians per person than any other UK nation. Scotland has 129 MSPs, while Northern Ireland has 90 MLAs. Even with next years changes, Wales will still have fewer elected members per citizen compared with Northern Ireland.

More Senedd members could ease workloads, improve local representation and importantly, may encourage a more diverse pool of people to stand for office.

How is the voting system changing?

Alongside expansion will be a change in how Senedd members are elected.

Since its inception, Wales has used the additional member system, which is a mix of first-past-the-post for constituency seats and proportional representation for regional ones.

From 2026, that system will be replaced by a closed list proportional system, using the D'Hondt method. Its a system which is designed to be fairer, ensuring that the proportion of seats a party wins more closely reflects the votes they get. But it also means voters will have less say over which individuals get elected.

Wales will be divided into 16 constituencies, each electing six MSs. Instead of voting for a single candidate, voters will choose one party or an independent candidate.

Parties will submit a list of up to eight candidates per constituency. Seats will then be allocated based on the overall share of the vote each party gets, with candidates elected in the order they appear on their partys list.

open image in gallery The Welsh parliament ( PA )

For example, if a party wins a percentage share of the vote equating to three seats, the top three people on their party list will be elected. The calculation for this is defined by the D'Hondt formula. The decision to adopt this method in Wales was one of the recommendations of the special purpose committee on Senedd reform in 2022.

Several countries across Europe use this system for their elections, including Spain and Portugal. In countries with small constituency sizes, DHondt has sometimes favoured larger parties and made it harder for smaller parties to gain ground. Thats something observers in Wales will be watching closely.

An alternative method, Sainte-Lague, used in Sweden and Latvia, is often seen as more balanced in its treatment of small and medium-sized parties, potentially leading to more consensual politics. But it, too, has its downsides. In countries which have many smaller parties, it can lead to fragmented parliaments and make decision-making more difficult.

In sum, no system is perfect. But D'Hondt was chosen for its balance between proportionality, simplicity and practicality.

Could this confuse voters?

One concern is the growing differences between electoral systems across the UK and even within Wales itself.

At the UK level, first-past-the-post (FPTP) is the method used for Westminster elections. Meanwhile, some Welsh councils are experimenting with the single transferable vote method, which lets voters rank candidates in order of preference.

So, some people in Wales could find themselves navigating three different voting systems for three different elections. Obviously, this raises the risk of confusion. Voters who are used to one vote and the winner takes all nature of FPTP may be confused by how seats are allocated in Wales come 2026.

With numerous different systems, the risk is that people do not fully understand how their vote translates into representation. In turn, this risks undermining confidence and reducing voter turnout.

open image in gallery An observer watches as the count takes place in Cardiff ( PA )

Voters will need clear, accessible information on how their vote works  and why it matters. But this is particularly challenging when UK-wide media often defaults to FPTP-centric language and framing surrounding debates, which can shape public expectations. News about Wales often barely registers beyond its borders, while news about politics in Wales barely registers within.

Electoral reform often prompts broader conversations. As Welsh voters adjust to the new proportional system, some may begin to question Westminsters FPTP model, especially if the Senedd better reflects the diversity of votes cast. FPTP is frequently criticised for producing wasted votes and encouraging tactical voting, particularly in safe seats.

Under a more proportional system, tactical voting becomes less necessary, which has the potential to shift voter habits in Wales.

If the 2026 reform leads to a more representative and effective Senedd, it may not only reshape Welsh democracy, but reignite debates about electoral reform across the UK.

Stephen Clear is a Lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law and Public Procurement at Bangor University.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A ban on advertising assisted dying is to be debated as the controversial Bill returns to Parliament.

The regulation of substances to be used by a terminally ill person to bring about their death is also due to be discussed by MPs in the Commons on Friday.

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is undergoing a second day of report stage, with various amendments likely to be debated and possibly voted on.

Its third reading  where a vote is taken on the overall Bill  could take place next Friday.

The Bill passed second reading stage by a majority of 55 during a historic vote in November, which saw MPs support the principle of assisted dying.

Some MPs who voted in favour last year could reportedly withdraw their support amid concerns around safeguards and how much scrutiny the proposed legislation has received, while others might switch to supporting a Bill that backers argue has been strengthened over time.

open image in gallery Kim Leadbeaters Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to Parliament for further debate on Friday (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Wire )

Opinion in the medical community has been divided, with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) expressing concern, but some MPs who are doctors are among the Bills strongest supporters.

Seven RCPsych members, including a former president and vice president, have written to MPs to distance themselves from their colleges concern, instead describing the current Bill as workable, safe and compassionate with a clear and transparent legal framework.

Meanwhile, the Childrens Commissioner for England has repeated her call for childrens voices to be heard in the conversation.

Dame Rachel de Souza said: Childrens views have at best been side-lined, at worst written off entirely simply because they would not fall within the scope of the current scope of legislation.

They have spoken passionately about their worries that this Bill could be extended further. We need only to look to other models, such as Canada, where proposals for assisted death to be expanded to mature minors  children  are a live issue, to understand the source of their concern.

This Bill has raised the level of debate on important and challenging subjects in England  but children have raised very real concerns with me about their opportunity to shape this legislation, which could impact them as they reach adulthood, or impact them in indirect ways through the deaths of loved ones.

Demonstrators are once again expected to gather outside Parliament to make their views known on the Bill.

open image in gallery MPs will gather in the Commons for further debate on the assisted dying Bill (Anthony Devlin/PA) ( PA Archive )

Disability campaigner George Fielding, representing campaign group Not Dead Yet UK, argued the Bill risks state-sanctioned suicide.

He added: It risks making people feel like a burden while ignoring the social, economic and systemic pressures that deny people the treatment and dignity they need to live.

This is not choice. This is coercion, masquerading as compassion.

But Claire Macdonald, director of My Death, My Decision, which is in favour of assisted dying, said the public mood is clear that change is needed.

She said: We hope MPs strike the careful balance between creating a law that is strong and safe, with a system that works for dying people, giving them choice and compassion at the end of life.

What is clear is that no-one should be forced to suffer, and the British public wants politicians to change the law on assisted dying.

In a letter to MPs this week, Labours Kim Leadbeater, the parliamentarian behind the Bill, said supporters and opponents appear in agreement that if we are to pass this legislation it should be the best and safest Bill possible.

She added: Im confident it can and will be.

Among the amendments to the Bill expected to be discussed on Friday are a ban on advertising an assisted dying service were the law to change, with Ms Leadbeater previously saying it would feel inappropriate for this to be something which was advertised.

But Bill opponent Labour MP Paul Waugh warned of unspecified exceptions, which could make the ban itself worthless, adding that he had put forward a tighter amendment to strengthen the Bill on this issue and to better protect the vulnerable.

open image in gallery Some of the Bills opponents have urged MPs to focus on improving end-of-life care rather than legislating for assisted dying (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Archive )

Ms Leadbeater said other possible amendments include ensuring any approved substance used for assisted dying is subject to robust regulation and scrutiny, which she said is essential for clinical safety, public confidence and ethical integrity.

Earlier this week, a group of charities wrote to MPs to express serious concerns about what they described as an anorexia loophole, arguing people with eating disorders could end up qualifying for assisted dying because of the physical consequences of their illness.

However, an amendment preventing a person meeting the requirements for an assisted death solely as a result of voluntarily stopping eating or drinking  tabled by Labours Naz Shah  was accepted by Ms Leadbeater without a vote last month.

Ms Leadbeater said this, combined with existing safeguards in the Bill, would rule out people with anorexia falling into its scope.

As it stands, the proposed legislation would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.

MPs are entitled to have a free vote on the Bill and any amendments, meaning they vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines.
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There are growing fears Kim Leadbeaters assisted dying bill could be defeated when it returns to the Commons next week, as MPs claim confidence in it is rapidly being lost.

The warning comes as Ms Leadbeater suffered her first major defeat on Friday, after MPs voted to introduce new safeguards to prevent health professionals raising the subject of assisted dying with children.

They voted 259 in favour and 216 against an amendment tabled by Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier stating no health professional shall raise assisted dying with a person under 18.

It is understood Ms Leadbeater didnt support the amendment because she agrees with the British Medical Association, which has said doctors should not be put in the position where they are barred from raising it with patients.

open image in gallery Kim Leadbeaters assisted dying Bill is back in the Commons for further debate (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire )

It comes amid concerns that if people under 18 with terminal illnesses are unable to get the advice they want from their doctor, they will turn to the internet, where they are more likely to be subject to misinformation.

Labour MP Paul Waugh told The Independent that todays voting shows the bill has rapidly lost the confidence of MPs, adding that the strong momentum against it is now clear.

It had a Commons majority of 56 last November. That was cut to 36 last month on a key amendment. Today, we saw a further cut of the majority to 21 and 26 on amendments. And the final vote - a big defeat for the proposer of the bill by 43 votes - just underlined how uncomfortable MPs are.

Mr Waugh added: The more the scrutiny of this particular bill, the more MPs have deep concerns about its lack of safeguards for the vulnerable.

But sources close to Ms Leadbeater insisted there is no reason to believe momentum is being lost, pointing out that the decline in majorities came as a result of fewer MPs attending the debate overall. It is understood that Ms Leadbeater is confident that support for it remains strong.

Kit Malthouse, who supports the bill said: "The evidence from today is that our numbers held strong. Our majority proportionally was the same. On one vote, where a fine judgment was required, obviously views of colleagues differed. But if anything, that would probably strengthen their conviction to vote for the bill, having supported us in other votes.

Danny Kruger, who has been a vocal opponent of the bill, said he is increasingly hopeful it will be voted down next week.

The tide is turning on the Assisted Suicide Bill, he said. While he described the success of the amendment to prevent health professionals from raising the subject of assisted dying with children as a big victory, he warned that the bill is still way too open to abuse.

Rachael Maskell, who is against the bill, added: It is clear that now MPs are engaging in the detail of the Bill that they can see the cracks and are losing confidence.

A very different picture was painted today to when the Bill passed with 56 votes in the autumn to an amendment passing by 43 votes today against the will of the Bill's sponsor. MPs now need to engage with the evidence which clearly sets out why this particular Bill is not fit for purpose, she told The Independent.

But pro-assisted dying sources pointed out that people on both sides of the debate voted to support the extra safeguards for children.

Debating the amendment, Dr Neil-Shastri-Hurst MP, a medical doctor, said: Those who have had the privilege of meeting a young person living with a terminal illness will know that they often display a maturity and a depth of understanding far beyond their years.

To deny them the opportunity of a considered conversation about their future upon reaching adulthood is not an act of compassion, in my view; it is to abandon them.

It is to leave them isolated, navigating a complex and deeply personal journey through the filter of online forums, rather than in dialogue with trusted, qualified professionals. We owe them better than that.

Opinion in the medical community has been divided over the bill, with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) expressing concern, while some MPs who are doctors are among the Bills strongest supporters.

Seven RCPsych members, including a former president and vice president, have written to MPs to distance themselves from their colleges concern, instead describing the Bill as workable, safe and compassionate with a clear and transparent legal framework.

Meanwhile, Claire Macdonald, director of My Death, My Decision said no-one should be forced to suffer, and the British public wants politicians to change the law on assisted dying.

In a letter to MPs this week, Ms Leadbeater said supporters and opponents appear in agreement that if we are to pass this legislation, it should be the best and safest Bill possible.

She added: Im confident it can and will be.

The proposed legislation would allow terminally-ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death, subject to approval by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist.

MPs are entitled to have a free vote on the Bill and any amendments, meaning they vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines.
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Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is poised to advocate for the end of the windfall tax on oil and gas firms and the ban on new licences in a major speech

Initially established by the prior Conservative administration but extended upon Labour's ascent to power, the energy profits levy was intended to finance initiatives aimed at reducing household expenses. However, the policy has faced criticism from within the industry.

Addressing the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Ms Badenoch is anticipated to champion the oil and gas sector, accusing the UK Government of "killing" it. She is expected to assert that "renewing our party and our country means standing up for our oil and gas industry".

She will add: When the oil and gas windfall tax, the energy profits levy, was brought in, the oil price was near a historic high, at the exact time as energy bills for the British people were sky-rocketing.

But there is no longer a windfall to tax. It has long gone. And the longer this regressive tax on one of our most successful industries remains, the more damaging it becomes.

open image in gallery Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch ( PA )

Labour have extended and increased this tax. They are killing this industry.

If the measure remains in place to 2030 as intended, Mrs Badenoch will say there will be no industry left to tax.

She will add: So, today, I say enough. Labour must remove the energy profits levy. Labour must speed up the process of replacing it with a system that rewards success and incentivises investment.

Because we shouldnt have this energy profits levy at all.

We must scrap the ban on new licences.

We must overturn the ban on supporting oil and gas technology exports.

And we must champion our own industry.

We must let this great British, great Scottish industry thrive, grow and create jobs  ensuring our energy security for generations to come, driving growth and making this country richer in the process.

Mrs Badenoch will address her first Scottish party conference as leader on Friday while her counterpart north of the border Russell Findlay will deliver his inaugural address on Saturday.

Responding to Mrs Badenoch, Simon Francis of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said her comments were out of touch, adding: Even with the windfall tax in place, the energy industry made over 115 billion in profits in 2024 alone.

open image in gallery Labour has said it is against new oil and gas licences being granted ( PA )

Meanwhile, average household energy bills remain hundreds and hundreds of pounds higher than they were before the energy crisis started.

While the Government is right to be consulting on reform of the windfall tax, maintaining a profits levy could help fund home upgrades and a social tariff which would bring down energy bills for the most vulnerable in society.

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: The Tories wrecked our economy, presided over soaring household bills and ripped Scotland from the EU against our will.

And now theyre lurching further to the right as they haemorrhage votes to Nigel Farage.

This weekend will be an important reminder of how Westminster has failed Scotland. Only the SNP is offering hope and a brighter future as an independent nation.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: While the Tories and SNP let energy workers down by failing to plan for the future, Scottish Labour is committed to taking action towards reaching net zero, creating jobs and cutting energy bills.

The Tories are on the side of oil and gas giants rather than working Scots, but Scottish Labour will work with the UK Government and use devolved powers to deliver a just transition for the industry.

With Kemi Badenoch desperately attempting to rally the few remaining Scottish Tories, it seems like it wont be long until they can fit all of their MSPs in a single taxi.
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A group of private schools, pupils and their parents have lost a High Court challenge over Labours imposition of VAT on fees.

It comes after six families last year launched a legal challenge against the governments controversial tax raid, which imposes 20 per cent VAT on private schools, claiming it is discriminatory against certain children, such as those with special education needs (SEN).

Supported by the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which represents 1,400 independent schools, the families sought a declaration of incompatibility under section 4 of the Human Rights Act, claiming the new tax is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

But Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain said in a 94-page decision that while the legislation does interfere with some of the groups human rights, there was a broad margin of discretion in deciding how to balance the interests of those adversely affected by the policy against the interests of others who may gain from public provision funded by the money it will raise.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson ( PA Wire )

During a hearing in April, Lord David Pannick KC, representing one group of children and their parents, said that the needs of some children currently in private schools could not be met by state schools.

The High Court was told that, as well as religious beliefs and SEN, some children are privately educated because of a need for a single-sex environment because of previous abuse, or because they are only temporarily in the UK and need to be educated in line with their home national curriculum.

But Sir James Eadie KC, representing the Treasury, HMRC and the Department for Education, said abolishing the VAT exemption for private school fees was a prominent feature of Labours manifesto at the last general election.

While the legal challenge would not have been able to halt the VAT policy or reverse it even if successful, it would have been a major blow to ministers and piled pressure on them to consider further exemptions.

The government has estimated the tax raid will raise 1.7bn per year by 2029-30, money which ministers said would be used to fund 6,500 new teachers for state schools.

So far, private school pupil numbers have fallen by more than 11,000 in England following the tax hike, DfE data showed. In January 2025, there were around 582,500 pupils at English private schools, down from 593,500 at the same point last year.

When the policy was introduced, Treasury impact assessments estimated that private school fees would increase by around 10 per cent as a result of the introduction of VAT,

But in May, ISC figures showed that fees have increased by 22.6 per cent in the past year, with parents now paying out more than 22,000 a year on average.

The Treasury predicts that 35,000 pupils would move into UK state schools in the long-term steady state.

A further 2,000 children would leave private schools, the department estimated, consisting of international pupils who do not move into the UK state system or domestic pupils who move into homeschooling.

Speaking after the ruling, a government spokesperson said: "We welcome the court's decision, which confirms that the legislation is compatible with the government's human rights obligations.

"Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8 billion a year, helping to support public services, including the 94% of pupils who attend state schools."

The ISC has been contacted for comment.
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A suburban Chicago police department reportedly shared data from automatic license-plate readers with a Texas sheriff who was looking for a woman who had an abortion.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has asked the attorney general to investigate the matter.

He is also creating an audit system to ensure police departments do not violate a 2023 law that bans the distribution of license-plate data to track women seeking abortions or to find undocumented immigrants.

The incident highlights the fears that led to the law.

There were concerns that states that restricted abortion access after Roe v Wade was overturned would use the technology to follow and possibly prosecute women seeking the procedure by crossing into Illinois, where it is readily available.

"License plate readers can serve as an important tool for law enforcement, but these cameras must be regulated so they arent abused for surveillance, tracking the data of innocent people or criminalizing lawful behavior," the Democrat said in a statement.

open image in gallery Pro-choice supporters in front of the U.S. Supreme Court ( Getty Images )

According to Giannoulias, police in Mount Prospect, 24 miles (39 kilometers) northwest of Chicago, shared license-plate data with the sheriff in Johnson County, Texas, who was looking for a woman whose family was worried because she had undergone a self-administered abortion.

Giannoulias says Mount Prospect also shared data outside of Illinois on undocumented immigrants, in violation of the law. Between mid-January and April, there were 262 searches on immigration-related matters in Mount Prospect alone, he said.

Telephone and email messages were left for Mount Prospect Police Chief Michael Eterno.

Violations by Mount Prospect could result in loss of state funding, deputy Secretary of State Scott Burnham said.

open image in gallery Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias ( AP )

The incident was revealed by a website called 404 Media, which reported that the Texas sheriff sent a nationwide request for data from 83,000 cameras operated by the private company Flock Safety, including those in Mount Prospect.

At Giannoulias request, Flock Safety blocked access to 62 out-of-state agencies that have sought data related to abortion or immigration, Burnham said. The company also set up a program to flag the terms abortion and immigration in requests for access and deny those requests.

Police agencies will also be required to comply with audits by the secretary of state to mark trends or upticks in certain requests, Burnham said.

The Flock Safety cameras take photos of passing license plates thousands of times a day. The technology, called Automatic License Plate Recognition, is helpful in tracking stolen vehicles or carjackings, missing persons and in other authorized cases.

The technology allows police agencies to read thousands of license plates per minute from images captured by cameras along roadways.
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Animal control officers in the Midwest were stunned after responding to a call unlike any theyve seen in nearly 15 years on the job: a stray cat from China.

The Companion Animal Control, which services counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, revealed last week that the feline survivor was discovered hidden inside a shipping container that had traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean before arriving at a local business in Oakdale.

Workers unloading the container were shocked to find the emaciated cat tucked beneath a pallet. The shipping container had been sealed for approximately three weeks.

Officials believe the cat survived the harrowing journey by drinking condensation and potentially feeding on rodents inside the container. By the time she was found, she was severely dehydrated and dangerously underweight.

Weve seen a lot over the years, but this was truly a first, the animal control team said in a Facebook post. This cat is nothing short of a miracle.

open image in gallery Companion Animal Control said a cat was recently found inside a shipping container that traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific before arriving at a business in Oakdale, Minnesota. ( Companion Animal Care & Control )

Using a humane trap and a dose of patience, animal control successfully rescued the frightened animal.

She is now in the care of the Northwoods Humane Society, where she is receiving medical attention and being nursed back to health.

The staff there named her Stowaway, WCCO reports.

open image in gallery The cat is currently being nursed back to health by the Northwoods Humane Society in Minnesota. ( Companion Animal Care & Control )

Once Stowaway recovers, the globe-trotting feline will be ready for adoption.

The animal control office asked its followers for name suggestions in a June 5 Facebook post.

(Plum) Blossom or Mei, it's a flower that symbolizes perseverance in the Chinese culture, one contributor commented.

Carmen! short for Carmen SanDiego, because where in the world will this lil lady be next? another suggested.

A third person recommended, Mira, short for miracle.
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After a week of unrest, more protestors took to the streets against the Trump administration's ongoing nationwide workplace raids.

A string of ICE raids in Los Angeles last week sparked a wave of demonstrations, which saw Trump deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines. By Friday morning, the flare-ups have spread to more than 40 cities across the U.S., The Independent has uncovered.

More marches are scheduled for Friday, with Saturday set to become a flashpoint for the nationwide protests. A total of 1,900 No Kings rallies are planned across all 50 states, coinciding with a D.C. parade for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which critics contest is an extravagant birthday bash for Trump.

Tens of thousands of Los Angelenos buckled in for their third evening of curfew in the downtown area on Thursday as Mayor Karen Bass continued her crackdown on looters and vandals. The city said they may last a few more days.

open image in gallery Anti-ICE protesters have flooded U.S. streets for a week, railing against Donald Trumps immigration policies ( AP )

Here, The Independent breaks down what you need to know as LA  and other major cities  experience further unrest.

How did the protest start?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers conducted search warrants at multiple locations on Friday.

One search was executed outside a clothing warehouse in the Fashion District after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S Attorney's Office said.

Crowds tried to stop ICE agents from driving away following the arrests.

Another protest was sparked outside a federal building in downtown, after demonstrators discovered detainees were allegedly being held in the basement of the building.

Protests then erupted in Paramount after it appeared federal law enforcement officers were conducting another immigration operation in the area. Hundreds of people joined demonstrations as they spread to the nearby city of Compton.

The White House said on Wednesday that 330 immigrants have been arrested in LA in the past week, including 44 people in last Friday's operations.

Why did Trump first deploy the National Guard?

open image in gallery Members of the California National Guard stand guard at the loading dock of the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday ( AFP via Getty Images )

On Saturday, Trump ordered the deployment of at least 2,000 National Guard troops to LA.

If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can't do their jobs, which everyone knows they can't, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!! he wrote on Truth Social.

Newsom responded on social media that the federal government is moving to take over the California National Guard and deploy 2,000 soldiers. That move is purposefully inflammatory and will only escalate tensions.

The state National Guard had not been federalized by a president, thereby overriding a governor, since 1965.

How have things progressed since?

open image in gallery A protester gestures in front of members of law enforcement in Los Angeles on Monday ( Reuters )

The first National Guard troops arrived in areas of Los Angeles on Sunday, including Paramount and the downtown area.

Footage shared online showed an escalation in the clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, with police in riot gear using tear gas to disperse people.

Fireworks and other projectiles were lobbed at officers, while vehicles were set ablaze, and f*** ICE graffiti was sprayed in multiple locations.

By Sunday morning, the LAPD had already made dozens of arrests, with law enforcement braced for several more protests in the city throughout the day.

Police first reported that there had been reports of looting in the city in the evening.

After sharply criticizing Newsom and Bass, Trump continued his rebuke against protestors on the ground. Late Sunday, he wrote on Truth Social that its looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!

open image in gallery On Sunday multiple arrests were made in both Los Angeles and New York city, after anti-ICE demonstrations were also staged in Lower Manhattan ( Reuters )

By Monday, Trump ordered the Defense Department to take control of an additional 2,000 California National Guard members to join the 2,000 troops already stationed throughout Los Angeles.

About 700 Marines were also mobilized by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with Newsom deploying an additional 800 law enforcement officers in a bid to clean up President Trumps mess.

Protests on Monday were mostly quelled by the evening and remained less violent than Sundays fiery clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.

On Tuesday, authorities enforced the first curfew in a portion of downtown LA between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Wednesday, with Bass warning that anyone who failed to comply would be detained. The LAPD said that it made mass arrests after the restriction was imposed.

Police officers on foot and horseback dispersed crowds on Wednesday evening in downtown LA before Bass enforced a second curfew in as many days.

Thursdays protests appeared more peaceful, though Bass enforced a third curfew in downtown.

In a major blow to Newsom on Thursday, Trump maintained control of the National Guard following a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in response to a federal judge ruling that the presidents decision to deploy troops was illegal.

Protests spill into other U.S. cities

open image in gallery Protesters light a fire outside the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle Wednesday ( AP )

Anti-ICE protests began spreading to parts of California and other major U.S. cities, from Seattle to New York City.

Approximately 60 protesters, including juveniles, were arrested Sunday in San Fransico after a group began to vandalize property. Over on the East Coast, around 20 anti-ICE protesters were also led away by police in New York, following demonstrations in lower Manhattan.

On Monday, multiple people were arrested near San Franciscos City Hall after two small groups broke off from thousands of protestors marching peacefully to commit vandalism and other criminal acts, police said.

A peaceful protest in Santa Ana developed into violence with rocks thrown and fireworks set off at law enforcement officers, officials say.

By Tuesday, clashes broke out between police and protesters near the ICE office in New York. Protesters were thrown to the ground as police tried to handcuff them. Others lobbed water bottles at officers.

After a protest Wednesday afternoon outside an ICE office in Spokane, Washington, Mayor Lisa Brown imposed a curfew in the citys downtown area. Thirty arrests were made, according to police.

Protests against Trumps immigration raids continued for another day in Chicago on Thursday, with hundreds of demonstrators displaying signs and chanting that the president is a clown through the streets.

By Friday morning, 40 cities had experienced protests against Trumps immigration raids, The Independent uncovered. What has the reaction been?

open image in gallery People walk through downtown Los Angeles following the lifting of an overnight curfew after numerous businesses were broken into ( Getty Images )

Newsom and Bass have both continued to speak out against the presidents decision to deploy the troops, describing it as unnecessary and an attempt by the administration to create chaos.

Speaking to KTLA on Sunday, Bass said that Trumps action was unnecessary and just political.

By Monday, Newsom rebuked Trumps blatant abuse of power and said that the state will sue to stop this.

In a televised address Tuesday, Newsom lambasted Trump for fanning the flames of the LA protests, stating he had inflamed a combustible situation.

Wednesday, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard has peddled the White Houses theory that some protestors in LA are being clearly paid.

On Thursday, California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference after asking a question, causing fury among Democrats.

Other Democrats, including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and New Jersey Senator Corey Booker, backed Newsom and Bass, with Booker describing the presidents actions as hypocritical at best.
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Israel launched a major attack on Iran Friday, drawing their long-running shadow war into the open conflict in a way that could spiral into a wider, more dangerous regional war.

The strikes set off explosions in the capital of Tehran as Israel said it was targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Iranian state media reported that the leader of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and two top nuclear scientists had been killed, and Israel said it killed additional Revolutionary Guard members.

Israel said Iran retaliated by sending over 100 drones toward Israel, most of which were intercepted. As of Friday afternoon, the military said strikes in Iran were ongoing.

Israel's attack comes as tensions have escalated over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Israel sees as a threat to its existence.

The Trump administration revived efforts to negotiate limits on Irans uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But the indirect talks between American and Iranian diplomats have hit a stalemate.

The attack pushed the region into a new and uncertain phase. Here's what to know about the strikes:

Israel hit nuclear sites, killed Revolutionary Guard chief

Israeli leaders said the attack was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb as the country enriches uranium a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Iran long has said its program is peaceful and U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed Iran was not actively building a weapon.

In a video announcing the military operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes hit Iran's main enrichment site, the Natanz atomic facility, and targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists. He said that Israel had also targeted Iran's ballistic missile arsenal.

Iranian state TV reported that the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard and one of Irans most important commanders, Gen. Hossein Salami, had been killed. Israel also said it killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Revolutionary Guard missile program, and two other senior officials as they huddled in an underground bunker.

An Israeli military official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said that Israel was continuing to strike Iran but declined to say in which locations.

Iranian state television and the semi-official Fars news agency both carried news of Israel striking Iran's nuclear enrichment site in Natanz. State TV also reported attacks in Shiraz and Tabriz.

Iran retaliated with drones, but Israel says it deflected threat

In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel. The counterattack came after Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel would face severe punishment.

Israels military said its air defenses had shot down most of the drones and told civilians they could leave shelters for the time being. But the military said the threat was not yet over and urged caution. It closed Israeli airspace and said it was calling up tens of thousands of soldiers to protect the countrys borders.

From Washington, Trump said that the U.S. had not been involved in the attack and warned Iran against retaliations against American interests in the region.

Israel's air force and spy agency carried out the operation

An Israeli military official said around 200 aircraft took off at the same time to conduct operations over 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away in Iran, targeting air defense systems, ballistic missile manufacturing sites and missiles ready to be launched toward Israel. The official said dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missiles were destroyed.

Also involved in the operation was Israel's spy agency, the Mossad. Israeli security officials said the Mossad smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of Fridays strikes that were used to target its defenses from within.

Two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss the highly secretive missions. It was not possible to independently confirm their claims.

The officials said a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran and that the drones were activated during Fridays attack to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and positioned them near surface-to-air missile systems. They said it also deployed strike systems on vehicles. Both were activated as the attacks began in order to target Irans defenses, the officials said. There was no official comment.

Unclear how close Iran is to building a bomb

Netanyahu claimed Friday that if Iran wasn't stopped, "it could produce a nuclear weapon within a very short time. But it likely would take Iran months to build a weapon, should it choose to do so. It also hasnt proved its ability to miniaturize a bomb to be placed atop missiles.

Iranian officials have openly threatened to pursue the bomb. Tensions over Iran's rapid nuclear advances and growing reserves of highly enriched uranium are surging seven years after President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from Tehrans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

For the first time in two decades, the atomic watchdog agency on Thursday censured Iran for failing to comply with nuclear nonproliferation obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

In response, Iran said that it would open a previously undisclosed enrichment site and accelerate production of 60% highly enriched uranium, which could be easily processed to the 90% level used in nuclear weapons.

Iran's nuclear sites have long been a flash point

Iran has two main enrichment sites, Natanz, in central Isfahan province, and Fordo, near the Shiite holy city of Qom, some 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Tehran.

Both are designed to protect from potential airstrikes. Natanz is built underground on Irans Central Plateau, and has been targeted several times in suspected Israeli sabotage attacks, as well as by the Stuxnet virus, believed to be an Israeli and American creation, which destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

Fordo is buried deep inside mountain and protected by anti-aircraft batteries. It also hosts centrifuge cascades, but isnt as big a facility as Natanz.

Both sites have been the focus of the Trump administration's recent push to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Trump said that he warned Netanyahu against launching an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities while diplomatic efforts were underway.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was expected to meet his Iranian counterparts in Oman for a sixth round of negotiations to start Sunday. It wasn't clear if those talks would take place, or if the negotiations would ever resume following the strikes.
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Oil prices have jumped following Israels attack on Iran as experts warn the conflict could lead to higher gas costs.

The price of a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude jumped 6.8 percent to $72.65 Friday. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 7.1 percent to $74.30 a barrel.

Gas prices will likely start to rise across much of the country later this evening in response to Israel's attacks on Iran, which have caused oil prices to surge. For now, I expect the rise to be noticable, but limited. Approx 10-25c/gal thus far, but this could change, GusBuddy.com industry expert Patrick De Haan wrote on X.

open image in gallery Oil prices jumped Friday following Israels overnight attack on Iran, which could cause gas prices to rise, experts warned. President Donald Trump put the U.S. firmly in Israels corner after the attack. ( EPA )

Iran is one of the worlds major producers of oil and if a wider war escalates, it could slow the flow of Iranian oil to U.S. customers and elsewhere.

Iran knows full well that Trump is focused on lower energy prices and actions by Iran that impact Middle East supply and consequently raise oil prices damage Trump politically, Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates consulting firm, told CNN.

Past attacks involving Iran and Israel have seen prices for oil spike initially, only to fall later once it became clear that the situation was not escalating and there was no impact on oil supply, said Richard Joswick, head of near-term oil at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

The Secretary of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries warned industry executives not to raise false alarms.

There are currently no developments in supply or market dynamics that warrant unnecessary measures, the organization said on X.

Israel said 200 fighter jets took part in strikes on more than 100 targets in Iran overnight in an escalation that threatens to spark a wider conflict in the Middle East. Israel said Iran has launched more than 100 drones towards Israel in response - but Tehran has denied these reports, according to Iranian media.

Trump firmly put the U.S. in Israels corner after the attacks. The president said hed given Tehran chance after chance to make a deal that would have headed off the strikes by putting restrictions on the countrys nuclear weapons program and complained that Iranian negotiators had never been able to come to an agreement.

open image in gallery Iran knows full well that Trump is focused on lower energy prices and actions by Iran that impact Middle East supply and consequently raise oil prices damage Trump politically, said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates consulting firm. ( WANA )

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he wrote on Truth Social. Trump also said hed warned Iran that Israel has a lot of American-made military hardware  the best and most lethal  and is quite proficient in using it.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! he added.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, the president wrote.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
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Forecasted thunderstorms in Washington D.C. could dampen President Donald Trumps big birthday parade this weekend and may even lead to its cancelation.

In honor of the Armys 250th birthday, Trump has pushed for a parade officials estimate will cost up to $45 million  which also happens to fall on the presidents 79th birthday.

Rain wont stop us, the tanks dont melt, but if theres lightning then that puts the crowd at risk, Steve Warren, chief spokesman of the Army, told The Times, regarding the expected thunderstorms Saturday.

open image in gallery Forecasted thunderstorms in Washington D.C. could dampen President Donald Trumps big birthday parade and may even lead to its cancelation ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

He warned officials will disperse the crowd and even cancel or postpone the parade if there is lightning.

It will depend on the president, too, when hes available, Warren said.

An AccuWeather forecaster told The Independent temperatures will be in the mid-80s in the afternoon, but with the humidity, it will probably feel five to 10 degrees warmer.

The parade is expected to last from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time.

As we head into the evening hours, we do have to be concerned about at least thunderstorms in the area, the forecaster said. If there is a thunderstorm obviously not only lightning would be a concern, but also, with all the humidity in the air, it can certainly have some downpours with it.

Warren said General Randy George, the Armys Chief of Staff, will make the final call on what to do if there is bad weather.

Its June in Washington DC. We get thunderstorms. You could delay it, you could look at it and say this is just passing through. Or say, hey, this is a storm which gets bigger for a while, Warren said.

The parade will feature around 6,600 Army troops and military equipment, including a WWII-vintage B-25 bomber, a P-1 fighter and Huey helicopters used in the Vietnam War, according to Politico.

There will also be 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles and four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles, Reuters reported.

NBC News reports it may cost as much as $16 million to repair the streets of Washington, D.C. after the tanks roll through the parade.

open image in gallery In honor of the Armys 250th birthday, Trump has pushed for a parade that officials estimate will cost up to $45 million  it also happens to fall on the presidents 79th birthday ( Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images )

Several lawmakers, including Republicans, have spoken out against the parade, with Senator Rand Paul, a fiscal hawk from Kentucky, going as far as to compare it to the trumped-up military parades of the Soviet Union and North Korea.

A majority of Americans also dont seem to have the best view of the parade. An Associated Press and NORC survey published Thursday found 60 percent of respondents said the parade is not a good use of government funds.

Trump said the cost of the event is peanuts compared to the value of doing it, in a May 4 interview on NBC News Meet the Press.

We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And were going to celebrate it, he said.

Americans against Trumps policies plan to hold No Kings protests in hundreds of cities across the country Saturday to coincide with the presidents birthday parade.
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California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla says FBI agents escorted him to a Kristi Noem press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, where he was swarmed by security, contradicting the Trump administrations version of events.

The Homeland Security Secretary was addressing the policing of this weeks anti-ICE protests in the California city, which saw President Donald Trump controversially send in the National Guard and Marines to keep order, when Padilla spoke up to ask a question and was roughly wrestled to the ground by Secret Service and FBI agents and eventually led away in handcuffs.

Noem, the agents, and the White House have since insisted that the senator lurched at the secretary. Still, Padilla insisted this was not the case, offering his own version of events on last nights episode of MSNBCs The Beat with Ari Melber.

open image in gallery California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is interviewed on MSNBC on Thursday June 12 2025 after being wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by security at a Kristi Noem press conference in Los Angeles ( MSNBC )

Interviewer Jacob Soboroff put it to Padilla that the agents responsible for the Noem event had said they had not recognized him and believed him to be an attacker and that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had since dismissed the whole affair as staged political theater.

Well, first of all, thats ridiculous. Its a lie, but par for the course for this administration, right? the senator responded.

He explained that he had been in the federal building in Westwood for a meeting about the administrations plan to use Guantanamo Bay as a facility to hold undocumented migrants when he learned that Noem would be speaking just down the hall and had decided to ask her for answers in person given that the DHS had been non-responsive to his requests for information.

Padilla continued: Were, the whole time, being escorted in this federal building by somebody from the National Guard, somebody from the FBI. Ive gone through screening. This is a federal building.

They escort me over to that room. And Im sitting in the back of the room, behind the cameras, behind the reporters, listening, listening. And at one point, it was just too much to take.

open image in gallery Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles on June 12 2025 ( AP )

The senator said he became incensed by Noems repeated attacks on California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for, in her opinion, allowing the protests to get out of hand: It was too much. And so I spoke up. I introduced myself and said I had a question.

He said that claims by the secretarys security detail that they did not know who he was were nonsense because he was wearing a polo shirt that was branded with the words United States Senate.

Padilla continued: There was no threat. There was no lunging. I raised my voice to ask a question. And it took, what, maybe half a second before multiple agents were on me.

Soboroff agreed that the Democrat had clearly identified himself as he spoke, referencing video of the incident, and put it to him that he had been accused of barging into the briefing.

I didnt barge into the room, he replied. As I mentioned, I was in a different conference room a couple doors down the hall. I let it be known, Id like to go listen to the press conference. The folks that were escorting me in the building walked me over.

open image in gallery California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is foribly removed from Noems press conference on the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles ( AP )

I didnt even open the door. The door was opened for me. And I spent a few minutes in the back of the room just listening in until the rhetoric, the political rhetoric got to be too much to take. So I spoke up.

Padillas fellow Democrats have expressed outrage over the episode, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said sickened my stomach and Newsom called outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.

California Congressman Eric Swalwell has meanwhile called for Noem to resign.

But Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor Greene have insisted that Padilla was the aggressor and should be prosecuted.
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Wegovy, Farxiga, Vraylar ... the stream of drug ads on TV has gotten so pervasive that theyre bringing together an unlikely pair of politicians to take them on.

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, is backing an effort pushed by Trump Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ban pharmaceutical ads on TV.

Sanders introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act alongside fellow independent Senator Angus King of Maine. They both caucus with the Democrats. If passed, the legislation would ban prescription drug ads from TV, radio, print, digital platforms, and social media.

Those critical of the ads argue that they push the price of healthcare even higher, even as they dont help to improve the care patients receive.

Supporters of the ads say that they can increase patients understanding of the care available.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for the banning of pharmaceutical ads alongside a number of other senators ( Getty Images )

However, most wealthy nations, apart from the U.S. and New Zealand, ban pharmaceutical ads, Newsweek noted.

Kennedy has yet to comment on the legislation, which Sanders and King revealed on Thursday. They noted that the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $5 billion on TV ads last year, adding that many of the drugs advertised cost more in the U.S. than they do in countries where pharmaceutical ads are banned.

"The American people are sick and tired of greedy pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on absurd TV commercials pushing their outrageously expensive prescription drugs," said Sanders, calling the U.S. policy of allowing such ads an "international embarrassment."

Anna Bahr, Sanders director of communications, told Newsweek that the senators office has contacted Republicans about joining the bill. She noted that the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries have lobbied to prevent the banning of such ads.

Bahr told Newsweek: "Over the past 25 years, the drug companies have spent $8.5 billion on lobbying. Today, they have some 1,800 well-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  including former leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties.

"Unbelievably, that is more than three lobbyists for every member of Congress. During that same period, they have provided over $700 million in campaign contributions. And they are equal opportunity contributors. They contribute heavily to both Republican and Democratic candidates, she added.

Kennedy and Elon Musk have both openly backed the idea of banning pharmaceutical ads.

"Let's get President Trump back in the White House and me to DC so we can ban pharmaceutical advertising," he wrote on X on November 3 last year.

As he campaigned for president, Kennedy said he would sign an executive order on his first day in office banning pharmaceutical ads.

Also in November 2024, Musk wrote on X: "No advertising for pharma."

"The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn't necessarily make patients healthier, King said in a statement. The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements."

Several Democratic senators have signed on to co-sponsor the legislation, including Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Sanders office has stated.
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A Florida sheriff issued a stark message to protesters planning to demonstrate this weekend against increasing ICE arrests nationwide.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey warned in a press conference Thursday that if any protesters throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun, they will be killed.

If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail. If you flee arrest, youre going to go to jail tired because we are going to run you down and put you in jail, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County, gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave in our county, youre most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street.

Protests against the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown have been popping up across the nation after they first erupted in Los Angeles on Friday.

They are expected to continue through the weekend, in alignment with the presidents birthday parade.

open image in gallery Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey has issued a frightening message to protestors in the state ( Brevard County Sheriffs Office )

If you spit on us, youre going to the hospital and then jail, he continued. If you hit one of us, youre going to the hospital and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs we have here.

If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead.

Were not going to play, he said.

Ivey previously made headlines for his elaborate press conferences.

When his officers seized 700 pounds of cannabis in 2021, the sheriff said: If you happened to have lost or misplaced approximately 770 pounds of high grade marijuana and would like to have your property returned, please contact our Narcotics Agents and we will be more than happy to reunite you with your lost property!!

His tongue-in-cheek message was caveated by the reality that Florida issues jail sentences for those who own cannabis.

open image in gallery A man filed a lawsuit against Ivey after claiming his life was uprooted because the sheriff included him in a weekly Wheel of Fugitive" video on social media in 2023 ( AP )

Possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000, according to Marijuana Project Policy. This organisation pushes for federal reforms of cannabis.

In 2023, Ivey landed himself in hot water when a man filed a lawsuit against him, after claiming his life was uprooted because the sheriff included him in a weekly Wheel of Fugitive" video on social media.

The man, who claimed he lost his prospective job at the time, said he was wrongly included in the ironic video, in which his name and image appeared several times in 2021.

The sheriffs warning came as Trumps deployment of the National Guard in California was allowed to continue after the administration successfully appealed U.S. District Judge Charles Breyers ruling.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become more paranoid, fearful and angry in the wake of the so-called Signal-gate scandal that saw the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic included on a chat platform conversation with top national security officials as a drone strike was underway against Houthi rebels in Yemen, a new report reveals.

Six people told New York magazine that Hegseth was noticeably changed by the ordeal.

They said he seemed angrier, did not bother to shave as often and seemed afraid to make the wrong decision after Signal-gate.

One source said that the Pentagon seemed to stop being creative. Another source said the scandal was consuming his whole life at a time when he should have been focused on, you know, our national security.

Hegseth also began to regularly have his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, and his wife, Jennifer, around, which confused foreign officials.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become more paranoid, fearful and angry in the wake of the so-called Signal-gate scandal, a new report reveals. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In addition, other news outlets reported that Hegseth had a second group chat going with Parlatore, his wife and his brother and had set up an unsecured internet line in his office.

Word of the embarrassing potential breach of national security broke in March, when then-National Security Advisor Michael Waltz added Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantics editor-in-chief, onto a text chain on the messaging app Signal where the Trump administrations national security team discussed striking Houthi targets in Yemen.

The scandal immediately put Hegseth--who faced a narrow confirmation in the Senate earlier this year due to his views on women in the military, reports of drinking on the job and allegations of sexual misconduct that he vehemently denied--under heavy scrutiny.

In response, Hegseth assailed Goldberg. Youre talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist whos made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again to include the hoaxes of Russia, Russia, Russia, he said at the time. He said that nobody texted war plans.

That led to Goldberg publishing screenshots of the full text messages, which showed that the administration officials had indeed been texting what looked like war plans.

Pete Hegseth refuses to answer of they'll deploy military drones in LA

Earlier this week, Hegseth appeared on Capitol Hill to answer questions about Trumps deployment of Marines to quell anti-ICE riots and demonstrations in Los Angeles. He also faced aggressive questioning about the US having contingency plans to invade Greenland and Panama.

The magazine profiled Hegseths distress after NBC News reported the story about the plans to reclaim Panama and he told his chief of staff Joseph Kasper that he wanted an investigation. The Pentagon further plunged into disarray when the press reported that the Pentagon had ordered a second carrier into the Red Sea.

Hegseth defended the fact that sending troops to Los Angeles cost $134 million.

The magazine profile went into deeper detail about the dismissal of Hegseths allies in the Pentagon, including his advisers Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll.

Kasper, Hegseths chief of staff, believed that Colin tried to get Kasper fired through a report by the Pentagons inspector general about Kaspers alleged drug use.

Thats what pisses me off the most, Carroll said. I dont want a secretary of defense that cant even f***ing fire people properly and not have it rebound back on his ass. Pete cant even be a good villain.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell denied claims of disarray under Hegseths tenure.

Claims of chaos at the Pentagon under Secretary Hegseth are false, he said. When members of the legacy media lie, they disrespect the brave servicemembers and civilians who selflessly serve our country.

At the moment, Hegseth no longer has a chief of staff or deputy chief of staff.
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Protests against immigration raids conducted by the Trump administration have morphed into demonstrations against a variety of left-wing causes, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and police brutality in the U.S.

At a March to Defend Immigrant Rights protest in St. Louis on Wednesday, participants turned to the outcry following an infamous police brutality case in 2014, chanting, From Ferguson to Palestine, occupation is a crime, according to The New York Times.

In Chicago this week, chants could be heard at a protest taking aim at U.S. immigration policy as well as the war in Gaza: From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go!

The left has long worked under the notion that all oppressed people are connected, which means protests are often large but also lack a coherent message.

Labor groups have been leading the charge this week to bring protests into the streets. Numerous protests, including those in Los Angeles, have primarily focused on immigration raids conducted at workplaces. However, other protests have focused on a wide variety of causes and concerns.

The protests in Los Angeles began following ICE raids on workplaces ( AFP/Getty )

The earlier protests have been coordinated by major groups such as MoveOn and Indivisible. Those groups have worked to keep the focus on issues such as Medicaid and Social Security cuts, the influence of billionaires, as well as immigration policies.

However, this week, protests also included issues such as racial justice, Palestinian rights, and socialist policies.

The largest individual union in the U.S., the National Education Association, took action when the protests began in Los Angeles. Other groups that have taken on leadership roles include local chapters of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. They have worked with local leftist groups to share information about demonstrations all over the country.

Supporters of Palestinian rights have appeared at protests in several places, including Chicago and New York. As the march in St. Louis came to an end on Wednesday, several groups attempted to garner support for queer rights, Black Lives Matter, and for tornado victims.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation, Voices for Palestine Network, Black Men Build St. Louis, and the Ecosocialist Green Party all took to social media to promote the march in St. Louis, according to The Times.

St. Louis is a small city, and a lot of the people that care about organizing for human rights tend to all work loosely with each other through an unofficial coalition, activist Kaitlyn Killgo told the paper.

Democrats have discussed the possibility, following their losses in 2024, that treating all issues as equally vital may have damaged their appeal.

The executive director of the low-income and immigrant advocacy group Mission Action, Laura Valdez, called the ICE arrest of a Los Angeles labor leader a four-alarm fire.

Following the Friday video of the detention of the labor leader, Mission Action was taking part in protests by Monday, which was a reaction to the Trump administrations immigration raids.

Left-leaning groups could quickly gather people to protest, as they had been protesting Trumps policies for most of the year.

Emergency protest: solidarity with LA! Well see yall tomorrow at the state capitol to say ICE out of our cities! Stop the deportations! the Austin, Texas chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation wrote on social media on Monday.

Similarly, also on Monday, the New York workers rights group the Peoples Forum, told supporters there would be a protest on Tuesday backing Los Angeles.

We refuse to be silenced! The people of New York City demand ICE get out of our communities, stop the deportations, and stop the raids, they said.

Leaders of progressive groups often speak to each other several times a day about how the Trump administrations policies impact their communities. Such groups have also taken steps to educate immigrants, students, educators, and religious leaders about their rights as well as provide legal help and mutual aid. The network reacted swiftly after ICE agents started going into workplaces in Los Angeles last week.

We could see that the government had decided it would be more effective to apprehend hundreds of people through workplace enforcement rather than having several agents try to go after one person at a time, said Valdez.

This comes as widespread protests have been planned for Saturday across the country, coinciding with the military parade in Washington, D.C.
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President Donald Trump on Friday put the United States firmly in Israels corner after Israeli forces attacked Iranian nuclear sites and conducted targeted strikes on Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, warning Iranian officials that they should come back to the negotiating table with him before more Israeli strikes hit with devastating effect.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said hed given Tehran chance after chance to make a deal that would have headed off the strikes by putting restrictions on the countrys nuclear weapons program and complained that Iranian negotiators had never been able to come to an agreement.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he wrote. Trump also said hed warned Iran that Israel has a lot of American-made military hardware  the best and most lethal  and is quite proficient in using it.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! he added.

Continuing, Trump said there was still time for Iranian officials to make the slaughter by Israeli forces come to an end before even more brutal attacks come next.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, President Donald Trump said after overnight strikes on Iran carried out by Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he said.

In a separate post, Trump said hed previously given Tehran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal and claimed that the strikes by Israel took place on day 61.

I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance, he said.

In a brief phone interview with The Wall Street Journal on Friday, the president elaborated on his social media post when asked if he was saying the U.S. had gotten advance warning of the strikes from Israeli officials.

"Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know what's going on, he said.

"I told the other side, I said, you have 60 days to make the deal. On the 61st day, they attacked. Today is 61 actually, and it was a very successful attack. They should have made a deal and they still can make a deal while they have something left they still can," he added.

Netanyahu addresses missile strikes targeting Irans nuclear facilities

Separately, the president told CNN that the Israeli attacks had been very successful and said the Israeli government had operated with full American support.

We of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it, he said.

Trumps boast of having foreknowledge of Israels attack plans stood in stark contrast to the initial reaction from another top American official, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who in a statement released by the White House called the strikes unilateral and said the U.S. was not involved in strikes against Iran and remained focused on protecting forces in the region.

Rubio, who is also serving as Trumps acting national security adviser, added that Israel had advised American officials that the strikes were necessary for its self-defense and warned Iran against targeting American interests or personnel.

The Israeli attacks, which are understood to include audacious drone strikes launched from within Irans borders as well as hundreds of Israeli Air Force fighters, come after weeks of negotiations between American and Iranian officials aimed at reaching an accord to curb Irans nuclear program.

Those talks, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long opposed, are unlikely to resume at this point, as Trump claims the Iranian officials most relevant to the talks were killed in the attacks.

The Israeli strikes are the latest chapter in a years-long story of opposition to Irans nuclear weapons program, which the Israeli government has long described as an existential threat to the country.

Israel and Iran: How do they compare militarily? Show all 6

In a televised statement following the onset of the attacks, Netanyahu described the action as a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival and warned that operations would take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us.

He said the targets of the operation had been Iranian nuclear infrastructure as well as ballistic missile infrastructure and other military locations, with Israeli defense forces stating that there were strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran by Israeli jets.

Defense Minister Israel Katz called the operation a preemptive strike  an attack meant to ward off another imminent attack  and said Iran had been expected to conduct a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population ... in the immediate future.

Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Irans nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb. Israeli officials have accused Iran of seeking a bomb in secret, without providing evidence.

Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, a claim that is backed by U.S. intelligence, and Iranian officials had repeatedly refused a U.S. demand to give up the ability to enrich uranium, which it says it needs to fuel its nuclear power program, but which could also be used to build a nuclear weapon.

A 2015 agreement between Tehran, the United States and other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council had imposed strict limits on Iranian nuclear program activities and enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump had unilaterally withdrew from that deal during his first term, insisting that he could strike a better bargain, and imposed sweeping sanctions.

That decision resulted in Iran reviving and improving its nuclear facilities and enriched uranium to a much higher purity than it had under the previous deal, and much closer to the grade needed to make a bomb.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges one week after Donald Trumps administration returned him to the United States to face a federal grand jury indictment.

Three months after he was arrested and deported to a brutal Salvadoran prison, the 29-year-old Salvadoran father appeared in a red jumpsuit in a Nashville courtroom.

Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes also heard arguments over whether to keep Abrego Garcia detained while awaiting trial.

Federal judges and a unanimous Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return after government lawyers admitted he was removed from the country due to an administrative error. But the government spent weeks battling court orders while officials publicly said he would never step foot in the United States.

Officials abruptly returned him to the country last week following a federal grand jury indictment accusing him of illegally transporting immigrants across the country.

open image in gallery Jennifer Vasquez Sura told a crowd outside a Nashville courthouse on June 13 that her husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia wants you to have faith as he faces federal criminal alleging a years-long human smuggling conspiracy ( Getty Images )

A decision to pursue a case against Abrego Garcia reportedly led to the abrupt departure of top prosecutor Ben Schrader, who feared the charges were politically motivated.

The two-count indictment filed in Tennessee last month and unsealed last week accuses Abrego Garcia of participating in a years-long conspiracy to illegally move undocumented immigrants from Texas. He faces one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and one count of unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens.

But in their request to keep him in jail before trial, federal prosecutors also claim he is a member of transnational gang MS-13 and personally participated in violent crime, including murder. Prosecutors also claim he abused women and trafficked children, firearms and narcotics. There is also an ongoing investigation into solicitation of child pornography, though no charges have been filed, prosecutors said.

Public defenders representing Abrego Garcia have argued that the government is compounding his mistreatment under the Trump administration by keeping him imprisoned after returning him.

Mr. Abrego Garcia asks the Court for what he has been denied the past several months  due process, his four appointed public defenders wrote in court filings this week.

He obviously denies the governments baseless gang-affiliation allegations, they wrote.

open image in gallery Demonstrators rallied outside a federal courthouse in Nashville on June 13 as Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty to human trafficking charges ( REUTERS )

His wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura saw him for the first time in three months on Thursday  through a video screen while he remains in detention.

To all the families still fighting to be reunited, after family separation, or if you too are in detention, Kilmar wants you to have faith, she told a crowd outside a federal courthouse in Nashville on Friday.

She also relayed messages from her husband to supporters.

He said, these dark times were facing, all the tribulations God has put in our path, but keep praying and keep fighting. The light will come soon for all of us. And you too will be able to see your family again, Sura said.

To everyone who continues to support Kilmar and the fight for justice, Kilmar says: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God has put us in this path together for a reason, she added.

Kilmar shares that he feels Gods presence with him. Only God knows the darkness he has faced these past three months. And Kilmar closed by saying, God is also within all of us as you keep fighting for freedom for us, and I will soon see you.

Abrego Garcia fled gang threats in El Salvador and illegally entered the United States when he was 16 years old.

He has been working as a sheet-metal apprentice in Maryland, where he has been living with his wife and 5-year-old child, both U.S. citizens. The couple is also raising two other children from a previous relationship.

In 2019, an immigration judge blocked Abrego Garcias removal from the United States after his credible testimony that he fears violence and death in his home country.

But after a traffic stop in March, he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and then deported to El Salvadors brutal Terrorism Confinement Center. Abrego Garcia was later moved to another prison explicitly for non-gang members. He was imprisoned in the country for nearly three months.

Trump and administration officials repeatedly sought to justify his detention in El Salvador over allegations of criminal activity and gang membership  which were raised only after he was summarily deported.

Instead, Justice Department lawyers and Trump administration officials clashed with federal judges and raised a state secrets privilege to avoid answering a judges questions about the governments relationship with El Salvador and conversations about his detention there.

In court filings this week in the months-long case challenging the constitutionality of his deportation, Abrego Garcias attorneys demanded sanctions against Trump officials for their vocal and sustained and flagrant defiance of court orders.

Administration officials and Justice Department attorneys should face fines and be held in civil contempt, they argue.
The chief of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fisheries Division submitted her resignation on Aug. 1 after being reinstated with conditions following a 10-week investigation that had placed her on paid administrative leave.

In a resignation letter addressed to Melissa Watson, the agencys new chief of staff, Eileen Ryce called the directors office investigation a response to baseless allegations that could have easily been resolved if they had simply talked with her.

Ryces resignation was first reported by the Missoula Current.

Its just very disappointing and concerning to be losing these administrators that have such a wealth of experience and knowledge, said Dave Yerk, who was a fisheries chief prior to Ryce. Eileen was a great administrator and is really liked and respected by the field people. She was very effective in connecting and communicating with all the employees across the division.

An FWP official refused to comment on Ryces resignation citing personnel matters.

FWP turnover

Prior to Ryces stepping down, FWP dismissed Mike Volesky, FWP chief of operations, after he was placed on administrative leave and cited for hunting without permission on his former brother-in-laws property. Although the charge was dropped, Volesky was fired after being on paid administrative leave for nearly seven months.

In a Montana Free Press story, Volesky called his dismissal political discrimination. Volesky joined FWP under a Democratic administration. The agencys longtime staff has seen significant turnover since Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, took office in 2021. Prior to being elected, Gianforte said the agency had declared war on Montana landowners.

In 2022 the chief of enforcement, Dave Loewen, was also placed on administrative leave and investigated before stepping down with a settlement. The agencys longtime chief legal counsel left two years ago, and now her replacement has also exited the department. Last June, FWP Director Hank Worsech stepped down, citing health issues, and was replaced by deputy director Dustin Temple, who came up from the agencys tech side.

A legislative audit of the enforcement division released in 2023 revealed a culture of fear and intimidation. An audit of FWPs Human Resources Division is now being conducted. The head of that division is the sixth person to lead HR in a decade.

Under the Gianforte administration the department, as well as other state agencies, have been redefined along more corporate lines. At FWP, research and administrative positions have been put under the directors office, removing them from the fish and wildlife divisions.

They are getting rid of longtime, competent professionals and replacing them with idealogues, said Chris Hunter, a former FWP fisheries chief. They want people with the same beliefs in these positions.

From Scotland

A native of Scotland, Ryce came to Montana as a 23-year-old college student. It was while at Montana State University conducting research on whirling disease, an affliction that threatened the states trout fisheries, that she attracted attention from Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials.

Now 50, married and the mother of a 15-year-old daughter, she leaves behind a 21-year career with the department that included managing the Aquatic Invasive Species Program and overseeing the Hatchery Bureau.

One of the reasons I loved my job was knowing I worked for the public, Ryce said.

Administrative leave

The beginning of the end for Ryce came at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 17. Thats when she was delivered a letter completely out of the blue by the chief of staff and director of human resources notifying her of an investigation and placing her immediately on administrative leave. The allegations included retaliation and making decisions based on discrimination.

That Friday, at the end of the workday, a retirement party was scheduled for Fisheries Management Bureau chief Eric Roberts. Ryce had to cancel the celebration and leave the building. She was not allowed to tell staff why she was leaving.

During her absence, Ryce said she responded to queries about how she was doing by measuring how long it had been since she last cried. During her many sleepless nights, Ryce questioned why she was being investigated, but also why former colleagues and people she didnt even know were donating to a fund to help with her legal expenses. At the time, she felt unworthy of their support.

I never asked for anything, Ryce said, but the outpouring of support from department personnel  some retired, some still employed  and the money for legal assistance has left her family extremely thankful for the emotional and financial support.

Twice during her leave Ryce was questioned by an outside investigator. Ryces attorney asked what his client was being accused of. In addition to the claims of discrimination and retaliation, Ryce was told the investigator was charged with looking into her management style.

Two weeks ago, Ryce received a letter from the chief of staff saying she had been cleared of charges, but her supervisors had several questions on topics such as why she authorized certain equipment purchases and copied other people on specific emails. Ryce said she was happy to respond and finally put something in writing.

So at that point, Im thinking everything is going to be fine, Ryce said.

Reinstated

Then on Tuesday, July 30, a colleague called to say congratulations after reading a department email saying she was being reinstated. Ryce had no idea what the colleague was talking about.

After checking her email, she found a note from Watson, the chief of staff, inviting her to a 9 a.m. meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Ryce said she found it highly disrespectful and unprofessional to send out the department email before first talking to her.

That started me to question whether I could go back to work with them, she said.

Former FWP fisheries chief Hunter said the agency basically made it impossible for Ryce to return by disciplining her for things they never explained. He also questioned whether there was any accountability for the accuser.

Its just wrong, he said.

Cleared of charges

On Wednesday, she finally received a letter from the department saying she had been cleared of charges, that FWP wanted to reinstate her, but her bosses still had concerns about her management style they wanted to discuss. That made Ryce feel like her superiors werent taking the investigation or the letter she wrote seriously.

Every day (as chief of fisheries) I make tough decisions, Ryce noted. Not feeling support from my supervisors makes that a very difficult situation to be in.

The night before the scheduled meeting, Ryce worked with her husband, former FWP native fisheries director Lee Nelson, to draft a resignation letter.

Since her resignation, Ryce said she has felt more happy and content than she has in a long time. Yet she also feels guilty for leaving a career and people she cares about.

During her tenure, Ryce dealt with divisive issues such as the closure of the Yellowstone River after a mass fish die-off; repeated attempts to modify regulations to reduce pressure on the Madison River; and continual division between walleye and trout advocates.

Its always been much more than a career to me, it was a lifestyle choice, she said, noting that most of her social circle is fish and wildlife folks.

Ryce said she will continue to support the work of the department and advocate for the states treasured aquatic resources that have come under increasing stress from reduced spring runoff, disease and hotter, drier summers.

I love what this department stands for, but I hate what the leadership has done, she said. I hope things change.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing calls to resign after California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from her press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday and pinned to the floor.

The incident sparked uproar, with California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell among those calling for Noems resignation.

Kristi Noem should resign for what has happened under her watch, Swalwell told NewsNations Joe Khalil.

No one asked for this. We were promised violent criminals would be deported. Instead, they deported a four-year-old American citizen battling cancer, they arrested a U.S. Marshal over the weekend, a U.S. citizen and now a U.S. senator, the second member of Congress in 45 days whos been arrested.

open image in gallery Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles on June 12 2025 ( AP )

Swalwell was incorrect to say that Padilla was arrested. As the senator clarified at his own press conference, he was handcuffed but not arrested or detained. But the incident sparked broad outrage among Democrats.

Noem was speaking in the California city after a week of unrest that has seen residents rise up to protest raids on undocumented migrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, prompting President Donald Trump to send in 4,000 members of the National Guard and 700 Marines despite the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

We are not going away, Noem declared at the event. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.

At that point, Padilla, who had been witnessing her remarks, shouted: Im Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is, a half dozen... Hands off! He was duly swarmed by Secret Service and FBI agents and bundled out of the room.

I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information, Padilla told reporters shortly after being released. I was there peacefully. At one point, I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room.

No one asked for this. Its chaos, and her agents are running around, masked like 1800s bank robbers, you know, or the KGB officers in Russia. This is not what America looks like. So she should come to Congress. They should take the masks off, and they should stop terrorizing families.

open image in gallery California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is foribly removed from Noems press conference on the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles ( AFP/Getty )

White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung immediately retaliated against Swalwell on X with a disparaging nickname and an oblique reference to his alleged involvement with a suspected Chinese spy a decade ago.

Eric Swallows is taking orders from Fang Fang and spewing lies because he's an absolute joke of a person who is unserious about his job, Cheung wrote. These are the rantings of either a madman or a puppet.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt likewise accused Padilla of being childish, claiming he had crashed the press conference and been recklessly lunging at Noem when he was restrained.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saw it differently, saying the manhandling of the senator had sickened my stomach and declaring: We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.

California Gov. Newsom said Padillas treatment was outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful and added: Trump and his shock troops are out of control.

open image in gallery Padillas treatment by law enforcement seeking to protect Noem has provoked an outcry ( AP )

While their fellow Democrats Sylvia Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, and Madeleine Dean all told The Independent of their shock and disgust over the Padilla episode, the view on the other side of the aisle was, unsurprisingly, much closer to that of the West Wing.

I think he should be charged. He should be prosecuted, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said of Padilla in conversation with NewsNation.

He came in very aggressively, and then he actually fought police. He actually resisted arrest and was aggressively refused to leave.

House Speaker Mike Johnsons response was equally predictable when he told reporters: The Democrat Party is on the wrong side. Theyre defending lawbreakers and now theyre acting like lawbreakers themselves.
 Close Appeals court lets Trump keep National Guard troops in Los Angeles

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Cities have been preparing for No Kings rallies nationwide as opponents of the Trump administration get ready to protest against the president and his agenda.

There are expected to be over 2,000 protests in all 50 states Saturday, and local police say they will protect those who assemble peacefully.

In Los Angeles on Friday, the first 200 U.S. Marines out of a battalion of 700 arrived, joining National Guard troops already deployed to the city by the Trump administration. At 12 p.m. local time, they went on duty patrolling outside the Wilshire Federal Building in the citys Civic Center.

Thursday night, an appeals court ruled that Donald Trump can retain temporary control of the Guard, dealing a blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals made the ruling after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that Trumps action was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment, saying the president must return control of 4,000 troops to Newsom.

A more comprehensive appeals hearing on the matter is set for Tuesday.

A curfew for downtown Los Angeles remains in effect indefinitely as officials work to curb vandalism and looting of businesses after dark.

Protests against the ongoing workplace raids across the nation are expected to continue through the weekend as part of the No Kings movement, coinciding with the presidents birthday parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
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Los Angeles remains the epicenter of unrest after protests erupted in the wake of a string of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Friday.

Now, demonstrations have been sparked across the country, with dozens reported in at least 23 states since Friday.

The first protests followed after crowds attempted to thwart ICE agents detention efforts in downtown LA last week. On Saturday, President Donald Trump caused fresh outrage after announcing his plan to deploy the National Guard before later mobilizing the U.S. Marines.

Dozens of demonstrations have erupted around the country, both in solidarity with the LA protesters and as part of a broader protest against the Trump administrations immigration crackdown.

After a week of unrest, The Independent has identified anti-ICE protests in at least 40 U.S. cities since Friday.

So far, they have been spread across 23 states, with the highest concentrations in Texas, California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania.

There have been at least 565 arrests so far at various protests, mainly in LA, with as many as 30 people arrested Wednesday in Spokane, Washington, following a significant police response.

Other marches also took place on Thursday across the U.S. from Anchorage to Chicago.

The nationwide demonstrations have varied in size, with some cities reporting dozens or hundreds of protesters.

Meanwhile, other areas have seen thousands of protesters take to the streets, with the National Guard called in to two cities and hundreds of arrests made nationwide.

Around 1,900 No Kings rallies across all 50 states will coincide with a multi-million dollar parade for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary in D.C. on Saturday, which critics have billed as an extravagant birthday bash for Trump.

Chicago, Illinois

open image in gallery Police officers face off with immigrant rights protesters in the Loop on Tuesday in Chicago, Illinois ( Getty )

Thousands of protesters marched through downtown Chicago on Tuesday. Demonstrations were largely peaceful, but Fox News reported that some protesters vandalized police vehicles with the network adding that there had been some physical altercations.

Seventeen arrests were made on Wednesday as thousands flooded the streets at Federal Plaza. Four were charged with felonies, including aggravated battery of a police officer. Multiple vehicles were tagged with anti-ICE graffiti.

On Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators displaying signs and chanting through the streets with one group at Michigan Avenue chanting: Donald Trump, youre a clown. Immigrants will take you down.

Denver, Colorado

Hundreds gathered outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver on Tuesday, according to CBS News, for largely peaceful protests.

Reports say that protesters spilled into the streets, but no widespread unrest was reported.

Later that evening, Denver Police reportedly used smoke and pepper balls to disperse the crowd. Eighteen arrests were made Tuesday, police said.

In nearby Aurora, home to Colorados only ICE detention center, an additional 150 people joined the protest, according to local news reports.

New York City

open image in gallery People march during a protest against deportations and ICE on Tuesday in New York City ( Getty )

Around 20 anti-ICE protesters were also led away by police in New York, following demonstrations in Manhattan on Monday.

The following morning, two dozen people were arrested during a sit-in protest at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue.

Clashes broke out between police and protesters near an ICE office on Tuesday, which saw demonstrators thrown to the ground as police tried to handcuff them. Others lobbed water bottles at officers.

The NYPD prepared for further anti-ICE protests Thursday after demonstrators marched from Foley Square before moving down Broadway, and later up to the Manhattan Detention Center.

Atlanta, Georgia

A rally began on Monday outside the ICE office in Atlanta, with protesters calling for the end of immigration raids and the release of the detained union leader, David Huerta, in California.

Hundreds of protesters gathered Tuesday night along Buford Highway in Brookhaven. Many carried signs and chanted in English and Spanish during the march, denouncing the Trump administrations stringent deportation efforts.

Officials say that they arrested six people after protesters failed to leave after the rallys designated cut-off point and clashed with law enforcement officials.

Spokane, Washington

After a protest Wednesday afternoon outside an ICE office in Spokane, Mayor Lisa Brown imposed a curfew in the citys downtown area running from 9.30 p.m. until 5 a.m. Thursday.

More than 30 protesters were arrested, and officers deployed pepper balls on the crowd, according to Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall.

Brown told reporters that the curfew is meant to protect public safety, adding that the vast majority of protesters were peaceful

What is happening in Los Angeles?

The protests in LA are expected to enter their seventh day on Friday.

More than 700 Marines awaited deployment in Los Angeles on Friday, marking the latest escalation of Trumps response to the immigration raid protests.

Around 400 people involved in protests have been arrested by the LAPD alone, according to CNN.

Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, enforced a curfew for a third night in a portion of downtown LA in response to looting and vandalism.

The curfew is currently in place from 8.00 p.m. Thursday to 06:00 a.m. Friday local time, which is expected to continue for several more days.

Trump has maintained temporary control of the National Guard in Los Angeles, an appeals court has ruled, in a major blow to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
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President Donald Trump has said that the United States will help to defend Israel if needed after its wave of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night provoked a retaliatory drone attack by Tehran.

The president made the comment in a private phone call with Fox News journalist Bret Baier, who relayed the message on air, adding that Trump had been aware of Israels pre-dawn raid before it commenced but that the U.S. had played no part in it.

Baier revealed that Trump had had several phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week and saw the ultimate goal of the airstrikes as driving Iran back to the negotiating table as talks continue about de-escalating its rogue nuclear program.

open image in gallery Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump ( AP )

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, he said.

There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.

In one of Trumps calls with Netanyahu on Monday, the president had advised his Israeli counterpart against the attacks, according to The Wall Street Journal, telling him that the negotiations should be allowed to run their course before military options were considered.

The presidents advice went unheeded as Israel embarked on a series of deadly strikes on more than 100 targets last night, killing General Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans Revolutionary Guard, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff to its armed forces, among others.

Iran has since retaliated by launching more than 200 drones at Israel.

Like Trump, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, moved quickly overnight to deny American involvement in Israels assault.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran, he said. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

open image in gallery U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ( AP )

Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.

Iranian state TV, however, was quick to signal its suspicion of Washington, rejecting Trump and Rubios denials and accusing the administration of being complicit in an attack that has killed children.

Steve Witkoff, his Middle East envoy, was due to meet Iranian officials in Oman on Sunday for the latest round of talks on the potential de-escalation of Tehrans nuclear activities. It is unclear whether those talks will still proceed in light of last nights events.

Israels strikes  dubbed Operation Rising Lion  were necessary due to Iran's continued movement to weaponize enriched uranium, Netanyahu said in a statement, arguing the assault was critical to Israels very survival.

open image in gallery Smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian capital Tehran in the early hours of Friday morning ( Sepah News/AFP/Getty )

The country has since declared a state of emergency and said the strikes against Iran would continue for as many days as it takes.

Earlier in the day, shortly before the campaign began, Trump had abruptly left a White House picnic for members of Congress without suggesting anything was wrong.

As long as I think there will be an agreement, I dont want them going in, he had said of the tensions between Israel and Iran at the event, adding that he would love to avoid a conflict.

Pressed on whether or not an eruption was imminent, the president had conceded: It looks like something could well happen.

On the possibility of ultimately resolving the American-led talks with Iran successfully, Trump again expressed frustration at their slow progress and said the Iranians are going to have to give us some things that theyre not willing to give us right now.

The president will attend a National Security Council meeting at 11 am ET on Friday morning to discuss the latest tensions in the Middle East.
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The Trump administration must return control of California National Guard troops it deployed to the Los Angeles protests back to state officials, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

The decision sets up a potential standoff over the fate of the roughly 4,000 guardsmen the White House has tapped to respond to the ongoing unrest.

[President Trump]s actions were illegalboth exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in a Thursday evening ruling, referring to the amendment preserving certain powers of the states from federal interference.

He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith, the judge wrote. The decision also temporarily barred federal officials from deploying the National Guard in the meantime.

The courts order was set to take effect at noon on Friday, but the Trump administration appealed it, prompting the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the ruling. The appeals court said a hearing will be held June 17.

open image in gallery Judges ruling temporarily barred federal officials from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles, though the Trump administration quickly appealed ( AFP via Getty Images )

California officials, who opposed Trumps deployment of the Guard, celebrated the ruling.

The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets, Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in a statement on X. This win is not just for California, but the nation. Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.

The Independent has sought comment from the White House and Department of Justice.

The leadership of Task Force 51, which is coordinating the federal troop deployment in LA, deferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense when asked for comment. The Defense Department said it does not comment on ongoing litigation as a matter of policy.

open image in gallery The California federal court found that the Los Angeles protests didnt rise to the level of a rebellion against the government that would justify Trump taking control of the states National Guard ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In his ruling, Judge Breyer found the Trump administration had failed to meet federal requirements or follow proper procedure for federalizing Californias National Guard, a step federal law only allows in extreme cases such as rebellions or total breakdowns in the ability to carry out federal authority.

The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of rebellion, the judge wrote, noting that the protests arent aimed at overthrowing the government, and immigration officers have continued to be able to make arrests throughout the demonstrations.

The decision came after the administration and the state squared off earlier in court as part of Californias lawsuit challenging the presidents decision from last week to federalize the troops despite opposition from state and local officials.

During the hearing, an attorney for California warned that the Trump administration, by taking control of the Guard, was attempting a dangerous expansion of executive power.

open image in gallery California officials have furiously protested the Trump administrations response to the Los Angeles protests, including a dramatic confrontation in which U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was dragged out of a press conference from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

"They are saying the president can by fiat deploy the National Guard," attorney Nicholas Green reportedly said.

California argued the deployment, which has swelled to include some 4,000 National Guard troops  about half of whom are already in the city  and 700 Marines, violates federal law on the topic, which describes presidents giving orders to state National Guard branches through the governors.

The Trump administration, for its part, argued the president rightfully used his powers as commander-in-chief of the armed forces when calling up the troops, and that the National Guard order wouldve been lawful even without invoking the federal law in question.

Protester goes viral for his withering response to National Guard in LA

Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate reportedly told the court on Thursday that pausing or revoking the White House decision on the National Guard was an extraordinary and inappropriate step for a federal court.

It would reverse the president's military judgment, Shumate said. It would put federal officers and property at risk."

The administration also argued it communicated its orders to a state official responsible for the Guard, despite ordering the deployment without Newsoms consent.

Judge Breyer often appeared skeptical towards the Trump administrations position during the hearing, pushing back on its assertions that courts dont have the authority to weigh in on the legal and factual basis for sending in the troops.

LA protests live: Clashes erupt at detention center after troop deploys National Guard

At various points, the judge waved a pocket Constitution at the participants in the case, and suggested political leaders making decisions without checks and balances were more like the kings against whom the 13 colonies revolted to form the United States.

Thats the difference between a Constitutional government and King George, Breyer said. Its not that a leader can simply say something and it becomes it.
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President Donald Trump has lost his latest bid to challenge a civil jury verdict holding him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll in the 90s and then defaming her decades later when she went public with the allegations.

On Friday the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York declined Trumps request for a courts full bench to rehear his case. The decision leaves in place a December 2024 ruling by a three-judge panel upholding the 2023 jury verdict, which ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million in damages.

Carrolls attorney, Roberta Kaplan, welcomed the decision.

E. Jean Carroll is very pleased with todays ruling, she said. Although President Trump continues to try every possible maneuver to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed. He remains liable for sexual assault and defamation.

open image in gallery Fridays ruling leaves in place a December 2024 ruling by a three-judge panel upholding the 2023 jury verdict, which ordered Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million in damages ( REUTERS )

The case is one of two civil suits Carroll, now 81, has filed against Trump, both stemming from his public denials of her 2019 accusation that he sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan in 1996.

In October 2022, Trump defamed Carroll on Truth Social by denying her claim as a hoax.

Carrolls first lawsuit, related to Trumps 2019 statements, ended in January 2024 with an $83.3 million defamation verdict in her favor. Trump is also appealing that outcome. Oral arguments in that appeal are scheduled for June 24.

The lawsuit at the center of Fridays ruling was filed in 2022 after New York temporarily lifted its statute of limitations for certain sexual assault claims. It included both defamation and battery claims related to Carrolls original allegations and Trumps more recent comments.

Two judgesSteven Menashi and Michael Park, both appointed by Trumpdissented from Fridays decision, arguing the court should have reconsidered the case.

Menashi accused the panel of deviating from precedent and criticized the trial judge for excluding key evidence and admitting stale witness testimony from another woman who accused Trump of assault during an unrelated encounter.

open image in gallery Carrolls first lawsuit, related to Trumps 2019 statements, ended in January 2024 with an $83.3 million defamation verdict in her favor. Trump is also appealing that outcome. Oral arguments in that appeal are scheduled for June 24 ( REUTERS )

The majority of the appellate court rejected that view. Four judges countered the dissent, writing that the appeal did not meet the high bar required for review, which is typically reserved for cases involving significant legal questions or conflicts in appellate precedent.

Judges Denny Chin and Susan Carney, who previously ruled against Trump in the December decision, issued a statement supporting the majority and directly refuting Menashis arguments.

Even on his own terms, our dissenting colleague fails to explain why any purported error warrants a retrial or full court review, they wrote.

Trumps final chance to overturn the verdict lies with the Supreme Court. His team has indicated that he will ask the highest court to hear his appeal, but the court is not obligated to do so.

According to NBC News, in a statement Friday, a spokesperson for Trump described the lawsuit as a Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax and said the former president will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare, as he is focusing on his mission to Make America Great Again.
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President Donald Trump saw an opportunity to deploy thousands of active-duty troops to American streets in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd galvanized protests across the country.

However, some officials in his first administration resisted the idea and checked some of Trumps more violent impulses when it came to resistance against his agenda. Trump ultimately did not invoke the Insurrection Act that year  reportedly at the guidance of officials who are no longer in his circle.

Five years later, the president  surrounded by law and order loyalists  federalized the National Guard for the first time in more than 50 years to deploy 4,000 service members across Los Angeles. Another 700 U.S. Marines are standing by, with dozens already guarding federal agents while they make immigration arrests.

The administration appears to be aiming to avoid what Trump sees as a mistake from his first term. The White House and Homeland Security have spent weeks planning how to more broadly deploy the nations military into American cities to support the presidents anti-immigration agenda.

A spark from protests in Los Angeles, largely confined to pockets of the sprawling citys downtown areas and two nearby communities, appeared to give officials the fire they were looking for to put the plan into action and boots on the ground.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has deployed thousands of California National Guard members to Los Angeles ( EPA )

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told members of Congress on June 11 that Trumps order sending the Guard to California could apply to other states. He called it getting ahead of the problem.

So that if in other places, if there are other riots, in places where law enforcement officers are threatened, we would have the capability to surge National Guard there, if necessary, Hegseth told House lawmakers.

Trump now appears to be trying to avoid a repeat of the summer of protests that plagued the final months of his first term in office and derailed a campaign he ultimately lost at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and political debate focused on racial justice.

Cant you just shoot them?

Thousands of people flooded streets across the country throughout the summer of 2020. The police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked daily demonstrations against police brutality and racism, including in the streets of Washington, D.C. It led to violent clashes and vandalism in cities. Pictures of burning buildings and cops in riot gear dominated news coverage.

Cant you just shoot them? Trump said at the time, according to his former Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Just shoot them in the legs or something?

I had to figure out a way to walk Trump back without creating the mess I was trying to avoid, Esper wrote in his book A Sacred Oath, describing Trump as red faced and complaining loudly about the protests underway in the nations capital.

open image in gallery A National Guard soldier stands in a street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 29, 2020, following protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd ( AFP/Getty )

Trump demanded law enforcement officers crack skulls and beat the f*** out of protesters, according to the book Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost by The Wall Street Journals Michael Bender.

Dont we have an island that we own? What about Guantanamo? Trump reportedly said, referring to the Cuban naval base that became a notorious prison during the War on Terror.

Esper and General Mark Milley, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serving as the nations top military leader, appeared to be among the only senior administration officials who could confront the president and his chief loyalists.

During one Oval Office debate, Trumps adviser Stephen Miller compared scenes of burning buildings and crowds clashing with police to war zones  which infuriated Milley, according to Benders book.

Shut the f*** up, Stephen, Milley reportedly fired back.

open image in gallery Members of the California National Guard stand guard outside the Los Angeles City Hall on May 31, 2020, as protests raged following high-profile police killings. ( AP )

But in public, Trump praised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose state erupted with unrest and chaotic scenes after Floyds murder.

I know Governor Walz is on the phone, and we spoke, and I fully agree with the way he handled it the last couple of days, Trump said at the time.

I was very happy with the last couple of days, Tim, he said. You called up big numbers and the big numbers knocked them out so fast it was like bowling pins.

Trump even dismissed the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act at the time and suggested he could not go over the heads up governors to deploy federal troops into the states.

We have laws. We have to go by the laws. We cant move in the National Guard. I can call insurrection, but theres no reason to ever do that, Trump said during an election town hall.

We cant call in the National Guard unless were requested by a governor, he said. If a governor or a mayor is a Democrat, like in Portland, we call them constantly.

Were gonna have troops everywhere

Trump is no longer moored by advisers willing to argue against his instincts. During his 2024 campaign, Trump appeared to change his tune, suggesting that he would call on the National Guard if things were getting out of control.

I would have no problem using the military, per se, he told Time in April 2024. We have to have safety in our country. We have to have law and order in our country. And whichever gets us there, but I think the National Guard will do the job.

Within weeks after his inauguration, administration officials began to discuss how to leverage the military to support the presidents immigration enforcement plans, a hallmark of his 2024 campaign, according to CNN.

First, Trump sent thousands of active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border with permission to detain anyone caught illegally crossing until law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.

Troops have been deployed to the southern border under previous administrations, typically in a supporting role alongside federal officers. But under Trump, federalized troops are allowed to detain and search anyone within a 170-mile stretch of federal land spanning three states.

open image in gallery A member of the U.S. military stands behind wire at the U.S.-Mexico border, where Trump has surged thousands of service members to detain and search migrants ( Reuters )

The administration also is mulling the use of military bases to detain immigrants. A February memo outlined a plan to detain roughly 1,000 immigrants at Fort bliss in Texas. That plan could serve as a model for immigration detention at several other military bases, according to DHS officials.

In January, Trump outlined a plan to detain as many as 30,000 immigrants inside the notorious naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The detention center has held dozens of immigrants at various points since February.

But officials have also discussed how to send troops into the nations interior, and whether they could act as a protective body for federal agents performing raids and arrests.

After anti-ICE raid demonstrations kicked off across Los Angeles, Trump mobilized the California National Guard against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

His order said troops would protect federal property and federal personnel.

Then he announced active-duty Marines would support local law enforcement, escalating a response that critics fear is a test for Trumps radical expansion of military force against civilians.

Trump did not invoke the Insurrection Act, though the president and administration officials have repeatedly labeled protesters insurrectionists and seditionists  sparking fears that the president is laying the groundwork for mass deployment of military assets across the country.

Both actions drew legal challenges from Newsom and watchdog groups.

In a televised address, Newsom said Trumps actions put his state and the nation at the brink of authoritarian control.

California may be first, but it clearly wont end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next, he said.

open image in gallery U.S. Marines placed in an alert status to respond to protests in Los Angeles rehearse crowd control tactics at a base in California on June 10, 2025 ( U.S. Marine Corps )

Another lawsuit from watchdog group American Oversight called the deployment an opening salvo in a coordinated national strategy and not simply an isolated incident.

Deploying the military to quash protests over the administrations inhumane and legally dubious immigration policies  especially over the objection of elected state leaders  is a dangerous, though unfortunately predictable, escalation by the Trump administration, according to American Oversight executive director Chioma Chukwu.

If left unchecked, this abuse of power under thin legal pretense can be readily replicated across other states in the future, he added.

In his testimony before House lawmakers on June 12, Hegseth refused to answer whether the Defense Department would respect court rulings  including the Supreme Court  if they struck down Trumps order.

We should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country, he said.

Asked on June 8 whether he planned to send troops to other parts of the country, Trump said were gonna have troops everywhere.

Were not going to let this happen to our country. Were not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden, he said.

Two days later, he warned that any protests during a military parade in Washington, D.C. would be met with very heavy force.

If theres any protester who wants to come out, they will be met with very big force, he said from the Oval Office. I havent even heard about a protest, but [there are] people that hate our country.

Noem, appearing next to the president that day, said Minnesotas Governor Walz let his city burn in 2020.

The president and I have talked about this in the past, she said. He was not going to let that happen to another city and to another community, where a bad governor made a bad decision.
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President Donald Trump tore into Tehran and stated his support for Israel Friday morning after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched aerial bombardments against Iranian nuclear sites hours earlier and took out some of Irans military commanders and nuclear scientists in the process.

Specifically, Trump chided Iran for not complying with his desire for a deal on its nuclear program.

Earlier in the morning, he told Fox News that the United States would assist Israel.

I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he posted on Truth Social. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it.

It marked a striking change in tone for the White House from just the night before, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio had issued a statement clearly emphasizing that Israel had acted unilaterally. Just hours before the strike, Trump still seemed to signal a willingness to make a deal even while acknowledging Israel could strike.

We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran, he said. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

The flare-up between Israel and Iran is just the latest escalation that Trump has overseen. While Trump has always had an anti-interventionist streak, he has attempted more vocally during his 2024 campaign and his subsequent return to the White House to reduce Americas role in foreign conflicts and wind down conflicts that began before his second term.

Earlier this week, Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Republican in the older model of the word and an ardent supporter of Ukraine, asked Trumps Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth whether Ukraine or Russia was the aggressor in the war. In response, Hegseth said Russia was, but when McConnell asked which side Hegseth wanted to win, Hegseth said this President is committed to peace in that conflict.

That reflected Trumps larger avoidance of outright support for Ukraine. During his one debate with Kamala Harris, he said he wanted the war to end but not whether he wanted Ukraine to win. Specifically, he said that even before he would take the oath of office, he would speak to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

He famously pledged that he could end the war in 24 hours

Trumps desire to end the war manifested itself in him blaming Zelensky for the conflict, despite the fact Russia invaded Ukraine. It culminated in his infamous blow-up where Vice President JD Vance tag-teamed with him to heckle Zelensky in front of the cameras and warned You're gambling with World War Three.

Of course, Zelensky is simply defending his country from aggression by Russia and Putin has had its eyes on Ukraine long before the 2022 invasion. Zelensky has also shown his own willingness to do what he feels is necessary, such as when Ukraine launched a bold drone attack inside Russia entitled Operation Spiderweb.

And Putin has not met Trumps overtures in kind.

Rather, Putin continued his assault on Russia, with Trump often imploring Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Lets get the Peace Deal DONE! Last week, Trump spoke with the Russian president and said they had a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace.

Trumps decision to side fully with Israel means that Trump will once again set aside his America First ambitions, which has sought to have America retreat from the larger world through a three-pronged approach of non-interventionist foreign policy, heavy tariffs to prevent foreign good from entering the United States and immigration restrictionism that seeks to close the country off from immigrants who come legally and illegally while deporting migrants in the United States.

Trump has never been much of a peacenik for humane reasons  he famously threatened to bomb the s*** out of ISIS  but now, he has realized he has to handle the larger burdens that come with being the president of the worlds super-power.

And letting go of that responsibility is harder than he may have imagined.
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President Donald Trump said California Governor Gavin Newsom should be thanking him for calling in the National Guard in Los Angeles after an appeals court ruling delayed the military being used to help stop anti-ICE protests.

A U.S. District Judge ruled Trumps deployment of National Guard troops in LA was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment, and that troops had to leave. But a late-night decision by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a blow to Newsom and delayed the implementation of the lower court order.

Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done, Trump raged on Truth Social Thursday evening. If it werent for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!

For now, Trump will maintain control of the National Guard in LA after the court rulings.

President Donald Trump lashed out at California Governor Gavin Newsom again on Truth Social, and said he should be thanking him for deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals intervened, Newsom had touted the district judges decision as a win.

The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets, Newsom wrote in a statement on X. This win is not just for California, but the nation. Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.

Newsom and Trump have been trading barbs all week. The governor raised concerns about Trumps mental acuity Thursday, saying the president fabricated details of a conversation about federalizing the states National Guard.

The military said that by Friday evening, a battalion of 700 Marines is expected to join the National Guard in Los Angeles to protect ICE agents conducting immigration raids.

After a week of unrest, more protests against the Trump administration's ongoing workplace raids erupted in Southern California and across the nation, which are expected to continue through the weekend, aligning with the presidents birthday parade.
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Far-right groups are sharing violent messages ahead of the No Kings protests this weekend to coincide with President Donald Trumps military birthday parade.

Accounts associated with extremist groups are also sharing detailed information about protest organizers, including names and where they work, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Protests in more than 2,000 cities are scheduled to take place Saturday.

Shoot a couple, the rest will go home, one meme circulating on a Proud Boys Telegram channel said.

Another meme posted in the channel depicted four armed men. HANG THE TRAITORS, EXPEL THE INVADERS, it said.

open image in gallery Far-right groups are sharing violent messages on social media ahead of the No Kings protests set for this weekend in over 2,000 cities ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Northern Illinois Proud Boys shared a meme on their Telegram channel falsely claiming the LAPD was seeking support from vigilantes ahead of the protests this weekend.

Other far-right groups are frequently sharing memes in support of the Trump administrations efforts to increase raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Experts on extremism in America are alarmed by the posts because they could inspire lone-actor violence or persuade someone to get off the couch, pick up a gun and go out to one of these cities, Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, told The Journal.

University of Pittsburgh sociologist Kathleen Blee also told the outlet that white nationalists are uniting against nonwhite immigrants. Far-right beliefs are resonating in the mainstream media with these groups more than ever before, Blee said.

Its by far the worst. Its scarily the worst. Its flashing red, she said. Its a very precarious time right now.

open image in gallery One of the memes in a Proud Boys Telegram channel. Experts said the posts were alarming because they could inspire lone-actor violence ( Telegram )

A faction of the Proud Boys group also shared an anti-immigration poster originally put out by the Department of Homeland Security.

In the image, Uncle Sam is depicted nailing a poster to a wall. REPORT ALL FOREIGN INVADERS, it says.

At least two far-right X accounts claimed to have had some involvement in creating or disseminating the image before the department shared it, according to CNN.

Elisabeth Fondren, a journalism professor at St. Johns University, told the network that the poster fits within a long history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and, yes, state propaganda.

In response, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that every American citizen should support federal law enforcement in their just effort to deport criminal illegal alien invaders from our country.

As organizers across the country gear up for Saturdays mass demonstrations, Trump was asked for his take on the No Kings demonstrations this week.

I don't feel like a king, Trump said, and proceeded to complain that he must go through hell to get anything done. No, no, we're not a king. We're not a king at all.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was released earlier this year from his 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy following Trumps pardons and commutations for January 6 rioters.
The competition is heating up in the race for Billings next mayor.

Four candidates are vying to replace Mayor Bill Cole, whos finishing his second term in December.

Deputy Mayor Mike Boyett, City Councilwoman Jennifer Owen, Billings hotelier Mike Nelson and political newcomer Amanda Housler will be competing for the nonpartisan position on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The mayor is limited a pair of four-year terms and earns $24,000 a year.

Ready to serve

Mike Boyett has represented the West End on the city council since 2020 and currently serves as deputy mayor.

The Billings native said the job of mayor is like being the ringmaster in a circus. If elected, hed like to bring the council together after some recent division among the 11 members so they can work on common sense solutions to the challenges facing the city.

I want us to be unified, he said. Billings is my hometown and I want to make it better.

After graduating from West High, Boyett earned his bachelors degree in business administration from Eastern Montana College, now MSUB. He then served in the U.S Air Force before returning to Billings to work as a deputy for the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office.

In 1984, he went into banking and worked his way up to vice president and corporate security officer at First Interstate Bank before he retired in 2011.

Boyett said the biggest upcoming challenge for Billings is the squeeze on the city budget due to the statewide property tax relief legislation that passed earlier this year. He wants to make sure the public has a chance to weigh in before decisions are made for the citys future.

If you want more police, you have to pay for it. If you want more parks, you have to pay for it, he said. Thats the bottom line. My goal is to keep the city working.

Boyett also wants to help shape Billings as it grows. His priorities include ensuring the city has adequate housing and infrastructure to support a strong workforce.

He said voters can count on him to listen to their concerns and answer questions, although he doesnt guarantee theyll always like his response.

New on the field

Amanda Housler said she too is available to hear from Billings residents. She said shes seeking election to show people anyone can run for office no matter what their name is, where theyre from or how much money they have. And she wants to give everyone a say in local government.

It seems like nobodys listening, she said.

Housler was born in Utah and grew up in Wyoming. Because her husband was in the Army, she said, she moved around a lot before settling in Billings in 2018.

This is the first place I ever felt welcome, she said.

Housler is currently studying business at Purdue University Global and plans to go onto law school.

If elected, she wants to work on cleaning up Billings tap water. Housler said the water at her home in the Heights smells like chlorine and people tell her its worse on the South Side and the West End.

She also believes the city is violating residents constitutional rights by taxing them more than 4%. The Montana Constitution limits a general statewide sales or use tax to 4% but does not set the same restrictions for municipalities.

If elected, Housler said, she hopes to lower taxes and address the citys budget woes by doing fundraisers, such as bake sales, car washes and carnivals.

If everybody pitched in $20, we could get a brand new jail, she said.

Housler also wants voters to know shes in the same boat as many people in Billings who are struggling in the current economy.

I ride the bus just like everybody else and have trouble paying for things like food and medicine, she said.

In business

A fellow political newcomer, Mike Nelson shook up the mayoral race, throwing his hat in the ring just before the candidate filing deadline on Tuesday.

The Billings native and well-known businessman said people in the community convinced him to make his first run for public office.

I want to be a good neighbor and do right by Billings, he said.

Nelson graduated from West High and earned his bachelors degree in economics at Eastern Montana College, now MSUB. His career then took him to Las Vegas where he gained experience in the hospitality industry. After returning to Billings in 2008, Nelson and his brother bought the then shuttered Northern Hotel at a foreclosure auction. They spent the next several years renovating the historic hotel and reopened it in 2013.

As a downtown business owner, Nelson said, hes since been involved in public safety, working on ways to curb crime with the council and citizen groups.

I have a really big investment in Billings, he said.

If elected, Nelson said hed like to see the city continue to improve public safety by increasing access to mental health resources.

We cant arrest our way out of the problem, he said.

Nelson also hopes to work on improving the quality of life in Billings, so the city can retain younger workers as its population ages. He sees parks and trails as a part of making the city an attractive place to live.

He said hed also continue to support efforts to bring in new businesses and develop the local economy.

At his business, Nelson said, his goal is to improve the lives of his employees, neighbors and customers. Hed bring a similar approach to the job of mayor.

We want to provide a way for people to work themselves up, not give a hand out, he said.

New approach

Jennifer Owen also has experience as a business owner. She runs a consulting firm and serves as director of the state workforce innovation board for the Montana Department of Labor. Owen has also served on city council since 2022, representing the Heights north of Hilltop Road.

The Billings native graduated from Skyview High School and earned a bachelors degree in political science at Concordia College before finishing law school at George Washington University. After working for more than a decade in Washington, D.C., Owen returned to Billings to raise her family.

I have a tremendous love for this community, and I see huge opportunities in front of us right now, but we also have some real challenges, she said. This is the time for serious and experienced leadership, and I think I can offer that.

Owen said she sees the mayors role as much more than running meetings and cutting ribbons. If elected, she said, shed be more active in bringing people together to solve problems.

Owen said her first priority would be to continue working to improve public safety.

I want to make Billings the safest place to raise a family, the best place to start and run your business, the place really where people can achieve the kind of life they want to achieve, she said.

Despite recent investments in additional police officers and prosecutors, Owen said, there are still major issues to address in the local criminal justice system, including increasing court efficiency and expanding the Yellowstone County jail.

Beyond that, shed focus on improving infrastructure needed to grow private development and attract new investments in the city. Owen said shed also like to see more transparency and accountability in local government.

I hear from a lot of people in the community who feel like they're just not seeing the return on investment for their tax dollars that they really want to see, she said.

Ballots are expected to be mailed to voters on Oct. 15.
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A New Yorker who was stopped and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents says he was treated like a criminal for simply existing as a Hispanic person in the U.S.

"[ICE] said that theyre looking for criminals, but in reality, they're the criminals," Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old from Brentwood, told reporters during a Thursday press conference.

Lemus, an electrician, was riding in the passenger seat of a car on his way to work when ICE agents stopped the vehicle in Westbury, New York. The ICE agents reportedly said that Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for."

He asked "who are you looking for exactly, because it's definitely not me." Much of his interaction with ICE was captured on cellphone video.

After the car was stopped, Lemus says he was surrounded by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations vehicles. The agents then threatened him and demanded his ID.

open image in gallery Elzon Lemus, 23, of New York, was stopped and detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents on his way to work because he looked like someone they were searching for. Lemus is a U.S. citizen, and when he demanded identifying information from the agents who detained him, they refused ( NBC4 )

This is going to go one of two ways here. I need to see your ID  if youre not the guy Im looking for, youre not the guy Im looking for. But we need your ID," the ICE agent says in the video.

Lemus said he demanded the agents' name and badge number, but they refused to provide any identifying information, claiming they were "not authorized" to do so.

"I told them that I'm not authorized to give my ID then," Lemus said.

An ICE agent threatened him again.

"If we dont get your ID we are going to need to figure out another way to ID you and that may not work out well for you," the agent said.

Lemus was then placed in handcuffs for refusing to provide identification to the ICE agents. He said he was hesitant to cooperate because he hadn't committed any crimes, and he knew the federal agents were not local police, NBC 4 reports.

open image in gallery An ICE agent demanding that Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old electrician in New York and a U.S. citizen, show his ID because he "looks like someone" that federal agents are searching for. ( Elzon Lemus )

"I didn't want to get my ID because as soon as I saw how they were dressed, I knew they weren't police officers. I didn't commit a crime and wasn't driving," he said.

The ICE agents allegedly left Lemus in cuffs for 20-25 minutes, and confiscated his phone to prevent him from filming them. They eventually found his ID in his pockets.

"It was heartbreaking  it felt like my rights were just out the window," Lemus said.

Lemus' attorney is calling ICE's alleged harassment a breach of his client's federal civil rights.

"This is not America. This is not how we as Americans should have to live. This is not how this young man, as a young Hispanic man going to work at 7:30 in the morning, needs to be greeted at the beginning of his day," attorney Fred Brewington said.

The attorney said ICE can't just "randomly, on a hunch, stop people," calling it "contrary to the Constitution."

New York State Assemblyman Philip Ramo, a former police detective, also weighed in and demanded an investigation. He labelled the incident as racial profiling.

Lemus and his attorney are calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. They have not filed a lawsuit at this time.

The incident left Lemus fearful about future potential encounters with federal agents based on nothing more than his ethnicity.

It felt like I lost all rights when they pulled me over," he said. "I felt like I had nothing anymore, Felt like they stripped my rights, I was honestly shocked."

The Independent has contacted ICE for comment.
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Washington Democrats erupted in outrage at the sight of Sen. Alex Padilla of California being forcibly removed and pinned to the floor during a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Almost immediately, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the apprehension of Padilla during a speech on the Senate floor.

I just saw something that sickened my stomach, the manhandling of a United States Senator, Schumer said. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.

Padilla arrived at Noems press conference to confront her about the Trump administrations increasingly extreme actions on immigration.

Los Angeles has seen unrest over the last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of raids on the nations second-largest city, which has a large Latino and immigrant population.

open image in gallery Shocking incident took place after Padilla arrived at Noems press conference to confront her about the Trump administrations increasingly extreme actions on immigration ( AP )

President Donald Trump sent in the National Guard despite the governor not giving permission to do so.

Padillas apprehension came as the House of Representatives was voting. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat of Texas, could barely speak to The Independent because she was saddened by it.

Ive been saying this for months now, Donald Trump wants to be a dictator, and this is the latest escalation in what has been a very, very concerning series of events in recent weeks, Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona told The Independent.

Almost immediately afterward, members of the House Democratic Caucus marched to Senate Majority Leader John Thunes office, where they passed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and heckled him as Johnson held a gaggle with reporters.

open image in gallery House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Sen. Alex Padilla for interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference. ( AP )

Johnson, for his par,t assailed Democrats behavior.

The Democrat Party is on the wrong side, Johnson told reporters. Theyre defending lawbreakers and now theyre acting like lawbreakers themselves.

Afterward, as Johnson made his way to his office, Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, had a private exchange with the speaker, where Johnson supposedly told her that he is talking to Trump.

I said, Whats going on in LA? Thats so incendiary, she told reporters. Whats the message that the president sent on day one when he pardoned everybody who attacked this Capitol and would have killed any one of us?

But as the White House prepared to host lawmakers for the annual congressional picnic  typically a setting for inter-branch comity  administration officials reacted to the images of Padilla being taken to his knees by federal agents with nothing short of glee. Communications Director Steven Cheung took to X to describe the California senator as a complete lunatic whod suffered a freak out.

One White House official slammed his behavior as attention-seeking and embarrassing while suggesting that Democrats who speak up in Padillas defense will be showing themselves to be more concerned about their own privilege as elected officials than about the officers who are being harmed by violent rioters.

Another said that the president had been delighted by the scene because it made Padilla look weak and emotional.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X to condemn the senator as well, writing that heshould be ashamed of his childish behavior and accusing him of having crashed the middle of an official press conference being held by a cabinet secretary and recklessly lunging towards Noem while refusing to leave the room as directed by law enforcement officers.

A person familiar with internal deliberations within the presidents inner circle who asked not to be identified out of concern for retaliation said the administration sees no political downside to the images of law enforcement putting their hands on Democratic lawmakers because a significant portion of Trumps most fervent supporters have spent years calling for prominent members of that party to be arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier this week, Trump suggested that his border czar, Tom Homan, should arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has also called for Padillas partner in the Senate, Adam Schiff, to be arrested for treason when Schiff served as a congressman.

In the hours afterward, plenty of Democratic Senators, including Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey, took to the Senate floor to defend their colleague.

The incident with Padilla is just the latest flash point as the Trump administration continues to ramp up its efforts to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States. It also coincides with his planned military parade.
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Pope Leo XIV has announced that Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church's first millennial saint, will be canonised on 7 September.

The announcement was made during a consistory, a meeting of cardinals convened to set the dates for the canonisation of several new saints.

Carlos canonisation was initially planned for April but was postponed following the death of Pope Francis.

Carlo died at the age of 15 in 2006 in northern Italy after a brief battle with leukaemia. He has gained immense popularity, particularly among young Catholics, who have been visiting his tomb in Assisi in large numbers.

Despite enjoying typical pastimes such as hiking, video games, and spending time with friends, Carlo also taught catechism in his local parish and engaged in outreach to the homeless.

He used his computer skills to create an online exhibit showcasing more than 100 eucharistic miracles recognised by the Church throughout history.

open image in gallery Carlo Acutis died of leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15 ( Sainthood Cause of Carlo Acutis )

His tomb in Assisi has become a pilgrimage site, especially during the 2025 Holy Year underway. It features a glass coffin in which Carlo can be seen dressed in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt.

The outpouring of devotion has surprised even Assisi's bishop, the Rev. Domenico Sorrentino. He described the scene as a "volcano of grace erupting", noting the stark contrast to the relative obscurity of the Santuario della Spogliazione just two decades prior.

What was once a "forgotten" church next to his residence is now a vibrant center of pilgrimage, thanks to the inspiring story of Carlo.

Over the last year, more than a million pilgrims paid homage to the teen, Rev. Sorrentino said, drawn by his smiling way of living our faith.

In setting the 7 September date, Leo announced that Acutis would be canonised along with another Italian Catholic, Pier Giorgio Frassati, who also died young at age 24 after contracting polio.
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European leaders have redoubled their efforts to prise Donald Trump away from Russia by warning that the US president is being mocked by Vladimir Putin, alleging that Moscow is using chemical weapons in Ukraine and demanding that the US restore weapons supplies to Kyiv.

The move came after Ukraine said it had endured the biggest overnight air attack of the entire war, with swarms of 500 drones and missiles intended to overwhelm already stretched air defences.

Radek Sikorski, Polands foreign minister, called for the US to end its suspension of air defence missiles and other weapons  most of which are on standby for delivery to Poland and derided Trumps fruitless efforts to secure a ceasefire. Mr Trump, Putin is mocking your peace efforts, said the Oxford-educated Sikorski.

In addition, the Dutch and German governments said their intelligence services had evidence of widespread use of chemical choking agents (teargas) against Ukrainian trenches by Russian troops. These have been used to force soldiers into the open where they could be shot by Putins forces.

open image in gallery Firefighters at the site of a strike on Kyiv by Russian drones and missiles ( Emergency Service of Ukraine )

This intensification is concerning because it is part of a trend we have been observing for several years now, where Russia's use of chemical weapons in this war is becoming more normalised, standardised, and widespread," said the Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans.

With the recent US focus on its attacks on Iran in support of Israel, Russia has been gradually stepping up efforts against Kyiv. Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been warning for weeks that his country faces a critical shortage of defensive weapons, so the announcement that the US is suspending promised weapons such Patriot air defence missiles will inevitably entrench the already strong belief that Trump has taken Putins side after Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine and that the US is no longer a real ally in the defence of Europe.

Pentagon officials suggested the suspension was a pause in delivery of Patriots, precision artillery and Hellfire missiles mounted on Ukrainian F-16 aircraft as part of a review of US supplies worldwide.

But the US has not declared a pause in supply to any other nation. Israel is the largest recipient of US military aid by far and has recently enjoyed an uptick in supplies of bombs and missiles even as it stands accused by the United Nations of ethnic cleansing and its prime minister has been indicted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.

open image in gallery Ukrainian servicemen on radiation, chemical and biological hazard drills near Kharkiv ( Reuters )

Trump has been trying to secure a ceasefire in the Ukraine war for months. Despite Kyiv offering a 30-day pause in fighting, Putin has repeatedly made it clear that Russia is not interested while it pursues a summer offensive to carve out the east of Ukraine.

Trump has suggested he is frustrated by Putin but has threatened the Russian president with no definitive sanctions. Kyiv, however, has endured having its intelligence feed from the US blinded during the Russian counterattacks to retake Kursk, seen military aid suspended, been offered no new promises of support, and forced into a mineral deal that trades future US weapons for mining profits.

In March, Trump said he was very angry and pissed off after the Russian president continued to swerve his attempts to get Moscow to agree a ceasefire. The pair spoke again at length on Thursday in what turned out to be, from the Oval Office perspective, another unsatisfactory call.

When asked if he had any success with Putin on Ukraine, Trump was clear: No, I didnt make any progress with him today at all... Im not happy about that. Im not happy about that. But again there was still no sign that the US was going to lift its suspension of military aid to Ukraine, let alone increase it to try to force Russia to negotiate a workable ceasefire.

open image in gallery The suspension of arms supplies from the US to Ukraine entrenches the already strong belief that Donald Trump has taken Vladimir Putins side ( AFP/Getty )

So Russia continues its grinding offensive, claiming this week to have captured all of Luhansk province, which it has already illegally annexed. As a precondition to any ceasefire, Putin has demanded he keep at least Luhansk, Crimea, Kherson, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia provinces.

The US has largely accepted this position as a given and further insisted that in any long-term peace deal Ukraine is prevented from joining Nato and will not get security guarantees from the US to defend its future borders.

So Natos European and Canadian members are now planning, training and producing weapons to fill an American void that is widening. Kyiv has held on in spite of the massive air attacks and meat grinder Russian land assaults, largely because of its superiority in drone technology. But Moscow has now forged ahead with the development of long-range wire-guided first-person view (FPV) drones and is developing AI weapons. For the last year or so Russian drone pilots have been using civilians in Kherson as target practice on training operations, with FPV drones killing several people most weeks.

It wont be long before we see people being hunted through the streets of Kyiv by AI drones in swarms. We need to defeat Russia before that happens, said a senior officer in Ukraines drone warfare operations.

That will be difficult while Trump holds back critical arms when Ukraine needs them most.
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Reeling from the final stage in Israels long-running campaign to knock out its nuclear capabilities, Iran has retaliated with a modest flock of drones that have been easily swatted aside. That is dangerous for everyone else.

Launching 100 unmanned aircraft against the Jewish state after three top commanders, air defences, nuclear facilities and missile launch sites were destroyed is a sign that Irans capacities for conventional revenge have already been degraded.

So, Tehran will use hybrid warfare to strike back against Israel and its allies.

The most obvious targets are steaming through the Arabian Gulf. Oil tankers, carrying the lifeblood of global industry through the narrow choke points of the Gulf, have been struck with mines in mysterious assaults by Iranian commandos over recent years. These have been a rehearsal for retaliation against Israeli attacks that Israel has said were coming.

For years, Irans top leadership has described the Jewish state as a cancer that needed to be cut out of the Middle East and should be annihilated.

open image in gallery Devastation in a residential area hit by an IDF airstrike in the Iranian capital on Friday ( Tasnim News )

Iran created Hezbollah in Lebanon, as a proxy force to maintain pressure on Israel, backed Hamas in Gaza and on the West Bank, sent money, technicians and missiles to the Houthis of Yemen, and dispatched squads of assassins around the world to threaten its critics.

Israels campaign in Gaza against Hamas has evolved into a programme to drive the Palestinian population out of the enclave.

But Israels campaigns everywhere else have, for years, been deliberately shaping the battlefield for the operation against Irans nuclear programme.

Over the last 12 months, Israel has eviscerated Hezbollah with bombs hidden in pagers, airstrikes and a ground invasion of Lebanon. It continues to target Hezbollah supply routes and Iranian advisers in Syria.

Yemens Houthis, encouraged by Iran, have fired missiles and drones against Israel and been struck by Israel, the US, and even the UK as they have attempted to strangle shipping routes in the Red Sea.

Last year, Israel killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Iran retaliated by firing more than 180 ballistic missiles against Israel. And Israel, with a longer-term eye on Irans missile capabilities, hit back with airstrikes against Irans missile bases.

open image in gallery A severely damaged residential block in Tehran ( Tasnim News )

But Israel has been steadily working to cripple Irans efforts to build an atomic bomb. Between 2007 and 2020, at least six Iranian nuclear scientists were murdered. Five were killed by assassins using motorcycles who stuck bombs to their cars or shot them through the windows. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the physicist who led Irans nuclear programme, was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun.

Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, survived an assassination attempt in 2010  but was killed by Israels latest wave of attacks along with Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

Key Iranian military leaders were also targeted by Israel in its effort to not only scupper Irans nuclear capabilities but enfeeble its ability to strike back.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces and the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; Major General Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Irans primary military force. And General Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, were all killed.

Now Israel continues to target Irans air defences and missile bases in its biggest wave of airstrikes against the regime and its military ever.

open image in gallery From left: Gholam Ali Rashid, Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri  Israel says its strikes eliminated the three most senior military commanders of the Iranian regime ( Iranian media )

Benjamin Netanyahu has said he ordered the attack, which he has been advocating for years, because Iran could have been days from producing weapons-grade uranium and a year from building a bomb.

The years of delay and diplomacy aimed at slowing Irans efforts to become a nuclear power have given Israel the opportunity to plan and incrementally work towards the latest solution to what, for Israelis, has been an existential threat.

Since Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, Irans nuclear facilities at Natanz have been hit. This is a site believed to have been focused on using centrifuges to enrich uranium. In 2010, the Stuxnet computer virus infected Irans nuclear industry and destroyed some centrifuges.

Irans biggest enrichment programme is believed to be in Fordow under a Revolutionary Guard base and half a mile underground inside a mountain, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

That puts it beyond the obvious conventional capacity of Israel, or even the US, to attack by conventional means  not even bunker buster bombs can get through that much of the earths surface.

Israel says it used Mossad commandos to target some of the sites in Iran.

open image in gallery Residents in Tehran walk through the rubble on Friday morning ( Getty )

Iran is likely to retaliate in similar fashion. It has promised a hard slap against the US for its support of Israel (the UK was quick to say it had no role in Rising Lion).

The obvious targets would be US bases in the Gulf. But that would invite a wider war with the US directly, which would delight Israel and which Iran could not resist  it could lead to the collapse of the Islamic regime in Tehran.

Iran will target Gulf shipping and drive up oil prices, which would suit its allies in the Kremlin.

But it will also continue to train, fund, and direct small groups of militants to conduct terror attacks around the world. Israels destruction of Gaza and the killing of more than 55,000 Palestinians with weapons supplied by the US, UK and others has already fuelled anger across the Islamic world.

Iran will harness that rage and build its reputation as a nation prepared to martyr itself in the fight against the Zionist entity.

That will take time but Irans revenge will be cold and it will be worldwide, and it will be bloody.
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The killing of several of Irans highest-ranking military officers and nuclear scientists by Israel has sent shockwaves through Tehrans military establishment - and will likely hamper their ability to respond.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was among those killed in Israels Operation Rising Lion on Friday.

Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, and the armys deputy commander in chief, Gholamali Rashid, were also killed in the attacks. Six top nuclear scientists were also confirmed dead.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed severe punishment in response to the strikes. The IDF said that at least 100 drones were launched at Israel on Friday but that all of them were intercepted.

Here is everything we know about who was killed in the attack.

Hossein Salami

open image in gallery Hossein Salami was killed in the Israeli attack ( Iranian Media )

Iranian state media said Salami, 65, was killed in a strike targeting the IRGCs headquarters in the capital Tehran.

Salami reported directly to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and was known for his hardline stance on the US and Israel.

Last month, he warned that Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by another country.

Just a day before the strikes, he said that Iran was fully ready for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.

Salami joined the Revolutionary Guards in 1980 during the Iran-Iraq war. He went on to become deputy commander in 2009 and commander ten years later.

He has been sanctioned by the UN security council and the US since the 2000s for his involvement in the development of Irans nuclear and military programmes.

Mohammad Hossein Bagheri

open image in gallery Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Iranian regime, Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, was killed in the attack ( Iranian Media )

Iranian media said Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the country's armed forces, was also killed in the strikes.

Bagheri joined the IRGC in 1980, a year after the Iranian Revolution and the same year that the Iran-Iraq war began.

A US congressional research report, cited by Al Jazeera, described him as an early IRGC recruit who fought against a post-revolution Kurdish uprising and in the Iran-Iraq War.

He was the second-highest commander after the countrys Supreme Leader and the highest-ranking military officer.

Bagheri played a key role in coordinating Irans defence branchesArmy (Artesh), IRGC, and law enforcement. He assumed the position in 2016.

State news agency Rokna reports that Bagheri also played a special role in a 1997 operation against Kurdish forces in Iraq.

Gholamali Rashid

open image in gallery ( Iranian Media )

Another Iranian military general reportedly killed in the strike was Gholamali Rashid, the deputy commander in chief of the armed forces.

He served as the commander of the KhatamalAnbiya Central Headquarters, which is responsible for coordinating operations across Irans armed forces and IRGC.

Before this, he served as deputy chief of staff of Irans military.

A veteran of the IranIraq War, Rashid was part of Irans high-level command network, alongside figures like Qassem Soleimani and Bagheri.

Nuclear scientists

open image in gallery Nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani was killed in the attack ( AFP/Getty )

Six Iranian nuclear scientists were killed on Friday in Israeli strikes, of which five have been named, according to Iranian state media.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that Irans Natanz nuclear site was hit but there was no increase in radiation levels, citing information given to them by Iranian authorities.

Among the nuclear scientists confirmed dead in the attack were Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani, a former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. He served at the organisation from 2011 to 2013.

Abbasi was also a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

open image in gallery Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi was involved in Irans nuclear weapons programme ( Tasnim News Agency/CC BY 4.0 )

Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, another nuclear scientist involved in Iran's nuclear weapons programme, has also been reported dead.

Three other scientists killed in Friday's strikes are:

- Abdulhamid Minouchehr, head of nuclear engineering at Irans Shahid Beheshti University

- Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, a nuclear engineering professor at Shahid Behesthi University

- Amirhossein Feghi, also a nuclear professor at Shahid Beheshti University
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Israels massive bombardment of Iran could be the most significant attack on the country since its devastating war with Iraq in the 1980s.

It pushes a broiling Middle East  where slaughter has become a daily reality for so many  to the very edge of another regional bloody conflict.

The deep concern here is that the war will play out on the ground of the countries neighbouring Israel and Iran rather than being another exchange of missile or drone attacks.

To explain, Israels attack (which it has justified as pre-emptive) has apparently killed two of the most powerful military figures in the country.

open image in gallery Destroyed residential blocks in Tehran on Friday ( Getty )

Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its leader Major General Hossein Salami, as well as the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Irans highest-ranking army officer, were among the dead.

Iranian state media reported that the strikes also took out senior IRGC official Gholam Ali Rashid, as well as two of the countrys most prominent nuclear scientists  Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

It is notable that many Western leaders were quick to distance themselves from Israels operation.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio pointedly said that Washingtons closest ally in the region took unilateral action against Iran. Although Donald Trump did alert the world to something on the horizon when he evacuated some personnel from embassies in the Middle East region earlier this week.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Mr Rubio said in a statement edged with a kind of desperation.

The US was expected to hold a sixth round of negotiations with Iran on Sunday in Oman over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme  talks which will probably not go ahead now.

The fact that Israels attacks were unilateral was again echoed by Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who said on Friday it was crucial Nato allies work to de-escalate the situation.

In the Middle East, it feels like a collective inhalation of breath was taken.

open image in gallery The remains of an Iranian projectile that was headed for Israel after it fell in Syrias southwestern Daraa province ( Sana )

This conflict has already exploded above the skies of Jordan, which has the misfortune of being on a missile flight path. Amman said on Friday morning that it intercepted a number of missiles and drones that entered its airspace, which is now closed.

In Iraq, civilians on the ground in Baghdad told me they initially thought they were under attack as they spent a sleepless night hearing explosions.

Iraqi officials worry that the mess between Israel and Iran could drag in Iraq, where Iran-backed militias are among the most powerful factions operating.

There are concerns that these Iraq-based but Iran-backed paramilitary groups might launch retaliatory attacks on US assets within the country, which might in turn see US counterstrikes against the country.

Here in Damascus, there are similar fears of a deadly spillover, especially as Israel already said on Friday it was intercepting Iranian drones over Syria.

Syria is bordered by Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and on a potential missile flight path to and from Iran. Here, a nascent rebel-led administration has been desperately trying to extricate itself from regional conflicts that the ousted Iran-backed Assad regime so readily embroiled its country in.

open image in gallery The following map locates Israel and Iran after Iran has fired drones at Israel

After 14 years of bloody civil war between rebels and Assads forces backed by Iran and Russia, the Islamist fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa turned Syrian president is trying to stamp out all these paramilitary groups that ruled the country with an iron grip for so long.

Many now fear that some of these elements remain in Syria and could use this moment to attack Israel and derail Syrias rebirth.

Just last week Israel again bombed several positions in southern Syria after it claimed projectiles were fired from Syria into the Israel-occupied Golan Heights (the Syrian government official response was that it is investigating the incident).

Syrian analysts told me on Friday that the main concern is that those responsible for the missiles may have been Iran-backed groups that still remain inside Syria and that Iran will use their elements and cells within the country to continue attacking Israel, escalating the conflict. Syria, like Iraq, as a whole will suffer if Israel chooses to retaliate against the entire country.

In the unstable southwestern borderlands between Syria and Israel I saw myself this week Israeli positions inside Syrian territory, an action Israel justifies as necessary for its own security.

Residents of the border towns like Hader told me Israeli patrols already frequently enter their villages and towns and set up temporary checkpoints. They have even detained Syrian citizens, whose fates remain unknown.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, there are also warnings that commercial ships could be targeted in regional waters over the tensions.

open image in gallery A badly damaged residential area in Tehran ( Getty )

Regional conflict surely scuppers any hope of a ceasefire for Gaza. There, Israels unprecedented bombardment of the tiny strip has killed tens of thousands of people  more than 2 million are on the cusp of famine and dozens of Israeli captives, held by Hamas since 7 October 2023, are also at risk of death.

It is unlikely that in these circumstances Israel and Hamas, which is backed by Iran, will engage in any talks.

And so Israels unprecedented attack on Iran has the region on a precipice. The future, whichever way you look at it, is bleak.
 Close Mossad chief David Barnea thanked the CIA for helping 'reduce the threat' from Iran's nuclear project

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Israels military has struck at Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, days after a ceasefire deal with reached with Iran.

The Israeli air force said it was targeting the militant groups underground defence assets in an intense barrage of strikes on Friday morning.

Meanwhile experts are still assessing the damage done to Irans nuclear facilities after Donald Trump claimed they were obliterated and his defence secretary said they were destroyed in US attacks on the weekend.

It comes after Irans increasingly isolated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned in his first televised appearance since the US bombed Tehrans nuclear facilities that Iran would not hesitate to bomb more US air bases in the Middle East if provoked.

Earlier, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said Irans nuclear facilities have been decimated in a complex operation, while railing against the media for reporting on a leaked Defence Intelligence Agency assessment that found that Donald Trump's airstrikes had only set back the country's nuclear program by a matter of a few months.
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Iran and Israel are a week into their worst-ever conflict, with hundreds dead and fears growing of a wider regional war in the Middle East.

In the latest round of missile attacks, dozens of Israelis were wounded as Iranian missiles struck the main hospital in the south of Israel, causing extensive damage. A high-rise apartment building in Tel Aviv and other sites in central Israel were also hit.

Israel, meanwhile, carried out strikes on Iran's Arak heavy water reactor, its latest attack on Tehrans sprawling nuclear program. Iranian state television said there was no radiation danger whatsoever and that the facility had been evacuated before the attack.

The seventh day of conflict came a day after Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any military involvement by the Americans would cause irreparable harm.

Trump responded by flirting with the idea of joining Israel in its attacks on Iran. I may do it, I may not, he said from the White House lawn.

open image in gallery Smokes raises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Be'er Sheva, Israel ( AP )

The conflict began last Friday after Israel launched missiles at Iran, saying it was targeting its nuclear and military infrastructure in a pre-emptive move to stop the country developing a weapon.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes, which saw air sirens wail across the Tel Aviv region on Friday night as smoke rose above the city. They have continued every day since.

Iran has fired around 400 missiles at Israel, some 40 of which have pierced air defences, killing 24 people, all of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

Iran has reported at least 224 deaths in Israeli attacks, mostly civilians, but has not updated that toll for days. US-based Iranian activist news agency HRANA said 639 people had been killed in the Israeli attacks and 1,329 injured as of 18 June.

Where has Israel hit Iran?

Operation Rising Lion  the official name for the IDFs offensive in Iran  has mainly targeted nuclear sites, including destroying the above-ground section of the countrys main Natanz nuclear base.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank tracking the war in the Middle East, has recorded 235 air strikes and explosions across Tehran in the past week, 116 of which have been confirmed.

More than a dozen military leaders and nuclear scientists have also been killed by Israeli strikes.

A military official on Saturday said Israel had caused significant damage to Irans main nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, but had not so far damaged another uranium enrichment site, Fordow.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog recently said they were seriously concerned about Irans enrichment of uranium, much of which is taking place at Fordow, deep underground.

Israel has also claimed air superiority over Iran, meaning it has been able to cross into Iranian airspace and launch missiles at targets across the country.

Below, you can see an updated list of everywhere there has been reported strikes in Iran.

Where has Iran unleashed strikes on Israel?

Irans religious ruler, Ali Khamenei, issued a televised address from an unknown location on Wednesday declaring that Tehran would not be forced into surrendering to Israel.

Tehran followed that up with massive strikes on central and southern Israel on Thursday, injuring at least 40 people after missile struck a medical facility.

Horrifying footage throughout the week has shown Iranian missiles slamming into residential areas in Israel. Explosions have also been heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

open image in gallery ISRAEL-IRAN ( AP )

Several residential buildings in a densely populated neighbourhood of Tel Aviv were destroyed in a strike that blew out the windows of hotels and other nearby homes just a few hundred meters from the US Embassy branch in the city. Civilians in Arab-majority towns have also been killed.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Sunday they had also targeted central Israels Jaffa with several ballistic missiles in the past 24 hours, the first time an ally of Iran has joined the fray.

On Friday, missiles hit the central Israeli city of Rishon LeZion , south of Tel-Aviv, killing two people and injuring dozens more.

The map below shows some of the locations where the strikes took place.

Who has been killed?

Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans Revolutionary Guard, was among the senior Iranian figures reportedly killed in Israels initial overnight strikes, along with the heads of the branchs airspace and intelligence units.

Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces and Ayatollah Ali Khameneis second in command, was also killed, along with the armed forces deputy commander Gholamali Rashid, and air defence commander Davood Sheikhian.

An Israeli official said it had eliminated the highest commanders of their military leadership and had killed nuclear scientists who were main sources of knowledge, main forces driving forward the [nuclear] programme.

But civilians in Iran have also borne the brunt of the attacks. On Saturday, Irans state TV reported that around 60 people, including 20 children, had been killed in an Israeli attack on a housing complex in Tehran.

What could happen next?

Both Israel and Iran have vowed to continue their respective attacks on each other.

Iran has also warned the US not to get involved as Trump has publicly flirted with the idea.

The US has a military presence across the major oil-producing region, with bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Iraq, a rare regional partner of both the US and Iran, hosts 2,500 US troops, although Tehran-backed armed factions are linked to its security forces.
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In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Israel launched a major attack early Friday, resulting in explosions heard in Tehran.

The strikes, which Israel say targeted nuclear and military facilities, mark a new chapter in the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

Iranian state media reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and two leading nuclear scientists were killed in the attack.

For the latest updates on these developing events, follow The Independents live coverage

This action follows increasing concerns over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Israel views as an existential threat.

Here is a timeline of some significant events in the hostilities between the two countries over the past 15 years:

Iran's nuclear program is a primary target

2010  The Stuxnet computer virus is discovered and widely believed to be a joint US-Israeli creation. The virus disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

2018  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel obtained tens of thousands of pages of data showing Iran covered up its nuclear program before signing a deal with world powers in 2015. An ex-Mossad chief confirms the information was obtained by more than a dozen non-Israeli agents from safes in Tehran in 2018.

open image in gallery Demonstrators wave a Iranian flag in their anti-Israeli gathering in Tehran, Iran, Monday, April 15, 2024 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

2020  Alleged Israeli attacks against Irans nuclear program are stepped up significantly after the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal meant to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

July 2020  A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel.

November 2020  A top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. A top Iranian security official accuses Israel of using electronic devices to remotely kill the scientist, who founded Iran's military nuclear program in the 2000s.

11 April 2021  An attack targets Irans underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Iran blames Israel, which does not claim responsibility, but Israeli media widely reports the government orchestrated a cyberattack that caused a blackout at the facility.

16 April 2021  Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

June 2022  Iran accuses Israel of poisoning two nuclear scientists in different cities within three days of each other, though circumstances remained unclear.

Mideast wars

7 Oct 2023  Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage, beginning the most intense war between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants.

14 February 2024  An Israeli sabotage attack causes multiple explosions on an Iranian natural gas pipeline running from Irans western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province to cities on the Caspian Sea.

open image in gallery US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

1 April 2024  An Israeli airstrike demolishes Irans Consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people including two Iranian generals.

14 April 2024  Iran launches an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and attack drones in response to the Israeli airstrike in Damascus. Working with a US-led international coalition, Israel intercepts much of the incoming fire.

19 April 2024  A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system near an airport in Isfahan, Iran.

31 July 2024  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by an apparent Israeli airstrike during a visit to Tehran. Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the Oct. 7 attack.

27 September 2024  Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members who went to Lebanon in 1982 to fight invading Israeli forces, Hezbollah was the first group that Iran backed and used as a way to export its brand of political Islam.

1 Oct 2024  Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a US-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.

16 Oct 2024  Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.

26 Oct 2024  Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program.

30 April 2025  Iran executes a man it said worked for Israels Mossad foreign intelligence agency and played a role in the killing of Revolutionary Guard Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran on May 22, 2022.
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Donald Trump has warned Iran to make a nuclear deal or face slaughter as fears of all-out war in the Middle East grow.

Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Rising Lion in the early hours of Friday morning with an attack on Tehrans nuclear facilities and military commanders.

Israel said around 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft dropped 330 munitions on around 100 targets in total, which included ballistic missile factories. In all, at least 20 senior commanders were killed, two regional sources said, reportedly including the head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace force.

Iran warned the gates of hell will open in retaliation, while Israel said the strikes were only the start of its campaign as tensions in the region reach boiling point.

open image in gallery Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on Friday, including nuclear facilities and military command centres ( Tasnim News )

The US president issued a stark warning to Tehran while also indicating there was still time to avert further attacks.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," he said on Friday. There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

Britain and the US both denied any involvement in Israels attack. But while Sir Keir Starmer convened an emergency Cobra meeting and urged restraint, Mr Trump labelled the attack excellent and said Washington had been informed beforehand.

We gave them a chance [to strike a nuclear deal] and they didnt take it, said the US president, who in 2018 pulled out of a deal struck with Iran by his predecessor Barack Obama. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more.

We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death, he said. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out. They can still work out a deal however, its not too late.

open image in gallery Israeli jets take off to defend against Iran's retaliatory drone strikes ( Israel Defence Forces )

Tehran was among six cities struck in the overnight attack, which Iran said killed six nuclear scientists and several top commanders, including Hossein Salami, the head of Irans Revolutionary Guards, along with Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, and the armys deputy commander in chief, Gholamali Rashid.

Mossad operatives situated deep within Iranian territory also conducted a series of covert sabotage missions targeting the countrys air defence systems. This involved building a drone base near Tehran, a security source told the Times of Israel.

Israel has made clear its intentions to wipe out Irans nuclear capability, with Mr Trump previously warning they cannot get a nuclear weapon. While Iran insists its nuclear programme is intended merely for energy purposes, Tehrans leadership has repeatedly called Israel a cancer in the Middle East.

The Israeli military claimed on Friday it had been forced to act by new intelligence information showing that Iran was approaching the point of no return in the development of a nuclear weapon.

But a source familiar with US intelligence reports said there had been no recent change in Washingtons assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had not authorised a resumption of the nuclear weapons programme that was shut in 2003.

As Iran retaliated with a salvo of 100 drones, Jordans military said it had intercepted a number of missiles and drones that entered its airspace and which had been likely to fall in Jordanian territory, including populated areas.

open image in gallery US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran ( PA )

As sirens reportedly sounded in Amman, civilians on the ground in Baghdad told The Independent that they initially believed Iraq was under attack as they heard explosions overnight.

Irans main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz was damaged in the overnight attack, but investigations have not shown any radioactive or chemical contamination outside the site, the countrys atomic energy organisation said.

I woke up to deafening explosion. People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic, we were all terrified, said Marziyeh, a 39-year-old from Natanz. Explosions were also reported in Tehran and other cities including Bandar Abbas, Arak, Isfahan and Kermanshah.

Despite strikes being reported in Isfahan, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that Irans nuclear facilities there had not been impacted, citing Iranian officials.

But the UNs nuclear watchdog warned that any military action jeopardising the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.

Further Israeli strikes were reported on Friday, including at Irans military airport in Tabriz and at the Shia holy city of Qom, according to Irans semi-official Mehr news agency.

open image in gallery Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Rising Lion to target Irans nuclear facilities ( AP )

Tensions in the region were already ramped up after 20 months of war in Gaza, sparked by Iranian-backed Hamass attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Over that period, Israel has also severely wounded Irans powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah, while trading fire with the Houthis in Yemen, who had been targeting Gulf shipping in retaliation for the Gaza war.

However, Israels major escalation will raise fears of all-out conflict between the regions most powerful militaries and a destabilising wider escalation, with concerns that US military sites and shipping in the Persian Gulf could become targets.

Irans defence minister Aziz Nasirzadeh had warned on Wednesday that it would retaliate by hitting US bases in the region if Iran was subjected to strikes. The US has a military presence at bases across the Middle East.

In an acknowledgement of the heightened risk, the US on Wednesday announced the partial closure of its embassy in Baghdad, while authorising the voluntary departure of military dependents from bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Also on Wednesday, the UKs maritime agency warned that increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to an escalation in military activity that could impact shipping in critical waterways. It advised vessels to use caution while travelling through the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Straits of Hormuz, which all border Iran.

While Hezbollah indicated on Friday that it would not respond to Israels attack on Iran, the Tehran-allied regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria has also been toppled since Irans major attack on Israel last April.

However, there are fears that Iran-aligned paramilitaries in Syria could use this moment to attack Israel and derail the rebirth sought by the nascent rebel-led administration established after the fall of Assad December.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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Israeli forces began a series of attacks on Iranian nuclear and military facilities last week as part of a long-running ambition to thwart Tehrans nuclear weapons programme.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has justified the strikes as a necessary measure to counter what he describes as an impending threat of Iran developing nuclear weapons.

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

open image in gallery ( AP )

The attacks occurred a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors criticised Iran for the first time in two decades for its lack of cooperation with inspectors.

In response, Iran announced plans to establish a third enrichment site and replace existing centrifuges with more advanced models.

Here The Independent looks at how intelligence agencies assess Irans nuclear capabilities - and where its key nuclear sites are.

What are Irans nuclear capabilities?

Iran began its nuclear programme in 1957, with the support of the US. However, Washington withdrew its backing when the Islamic Revolution in 1979 installed a theocratic, authoritarian regime in Tehran.

A decade-long investigation by the IAEA discovered evidence that Iran had conducted a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device as part of Project Amad between 1989 and 2003. Some of these activities continued until 2009, but after this the IAEA concluded that there were no credible indications of weapons development.

Irans 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, negotiated under then-President Barack Obama, allowed Iran to enrich uranium to 3.67 per cent  enough to fuel a nuclear power plant but far below the threshold of 90 per cent needed for weapons-grade uranium. Iran has largely avoided negotiations with the US since Donald Trump pulled out of the deal during his last presidency.

Earlier this month, the IAEA said in its quarterly report that Tehran had amassed uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity. This is a short step away from the 90 per cent required to potentially produce nine nuclear bombs. It also has enough of a stockpile to build multiple nuclear bombs, should it choose to do so.

open image in gallery Huge smoke rises up from an oil facility facility after it appeared to have been hit by an Israeli strike in southern Tehran ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

It is worth nothing that US and Israeli intelligence agencies have often had different assessments of the extent of Irans nuclear programme and how far away it is from producing a bomb.

In March this year, Tehran and Washington agreed to bilateral talks in Oman over Irans nuclear programme - but these have been cancelled since Israels strikes on Iran.

Below we take a look at some major Iranian nuclear sites and their importance in Tehrans programme.

open image in gallery A satellite image shows Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, south of the capital Tehran ( Maxar Tech )

Natanz enrichment facility

Irans nuclear facility at Natanz, located some 135 miles southeast of Tehran, is the countrys main enrichment site.

Part of the facility on Irans Central Plateau is underground to defend against potential airstrikes. It operates multiple cascades, or groups of centrifuges working together to more quickly enrich uranium.

Iran also is burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or Pickax Mountain, which is just beyond Natanzs southern fencing. Natanz has been targeted by the Stuxnet virus, believed to be an Israeli and American creation, which destroyed Iranian centrifuges. Two separate sabotage attacks, attributed to Israel, also have struck the facility.

Fordo enrichment facility

Irans nuclear facility at Fordo is located some 60 miles southwest of Tehran. It also hosts centrifuge cascades, but is not as big a facility as Natanz.

Buried under a mountain and protected by anti-aircraft batteries, Fordo appears designed to withstand airstrikes.

Its construction began at least in 2007, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, although Iran only informed the UN nuclear watchdog about the facility in 2009 after the US and allied Western intelligence agencies became aware of its existence.

open image in gallery The Fordo enrichment facility, pictured in April

Bushehr nuclear power plant

Irans only commercial nuclear power plant is in Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, some 465 miles south of Tehran. Construction on the plant began under Irans Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the mid-1970s. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the plant was repeatedly targeted in the Iran-Iraq war. Russia later completed construction of the facility.

Iran is building two other reactors like it at the site. Bushehr is fueled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran, and is monitored by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.

Arak heavy water reactor

The Arak heavy water reactor is 155 miles southwest of Tehran.

Heavy water helps cool nuclear reactors, but it produces plutonium as a byproduct that can potentially be used in nuclear weapons. That would provide Iran another path to the bomb beyond enriched uranium, should it choose to pursue the weapon.

Iran had agreed under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to redesign the facility to relieve proliferation concerns.

open image in gallery The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre

Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre

The facility in Isfahan, some 215 miles southeast of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear scientists. It also is home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the countrys atomic programme.

Tehran Research Reactor

The Tehran Research Reactor is at the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the civilian body overseeing the countrys atomic programme.

The US actually provided Iran the reactor in 1967 as part of Americas Atoms for Peace programme during the Cold War. It initially required highly enriched uranium but was later retrofitted to use low-enriched uranium over proliferation concerns.
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Investigators in India are working to identify the cause of the Air India plane crash that killed all but one of the 242 passengers on board on Thursday 12 June. Dozens of people on the ground also died. It was the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The flight, which had been bound for London Gatwick, came down shortly after taking off from the western city of Ahmedabad. According to Flightradar24, the aircraft departed at 08:08:44 GMT (1.38pm local time) from runway 23 and climbed only a few hundred feet before crashing less than a minute later.

With speculation rife about the cause of the disaster, Indian safety experts have been joined by teams from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to work out what happened as the disaster on flight AI171 unfolded.

Both black boxes  the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder  have been recovered from the wreckage. The information they contain will help investigators piece together the doomed flight and determine the causes. The investigators will gather evidence from air-traffic control, radar, CCTV and observers to understand what factors were involved in the accident. They will also talk to the sole survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, about what he recalls during the crash.

open image in gallery Parts of the Air India plane that crashed on Thursday ( AP )

Lessons on how to improve safety in future will be shared with the aviation community. A preliminary report is expected in about three months. If there is evidence of a previously unknown problem that could jeopardise the safety of other aircraft, they will announce their initial conclusions as soon as possible.

As always in the early stages of an investigation, aviation safety experts will consider a wide spectrum of possible contributory factors. These are the key areas they will be studying.

Mechanical issues

Was there some kind of failure, possibly involving loss of power, that left the pilots helpless to control their aircraft in the crucial seconds after take off? Philip Baum, visiting professor of aviation security at Coventry University told The Independent it seems likely the accident was caused by system or multiple systems failures.

The available evidence appears compatible with both engines simultaneously losing thrust at or close to take-off.

Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered Air India to carry out checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines  as fitted to the plane that crashed  with immediate effect. The checks include fuel and engine control systems. But it is noteworthy that the directive is solely aimed at Air India, perhaps indicating that the invesigators have not found a fundamental problem with the aircraft or its engines.

Some attention is being paid in the wider aviation community to Boeings thrust control malfunction accommodation (TCMA) system. This software is designed automatically to shut down an engine in a case of uncontrolled high thrust  when it suddenly goes to high power without pilot input, or stays on high power despite being commanded to idle. Interest is heightened because of Boeings maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), whose flawed design triggered two fatal crashes involving the Boeing 737 Max.

Bird strike

Twin-engined aircraft like the Boeing 787 are engineered to be able to take off on a single engine, even if a bird strike happens at the worst possible moment. But if both engines fail, the pilots have no way to recover the situation.

In the Miracle on the Hudson plane crash in 2009, a US Airways aircraft flew into a flock of birds shortly after take off from New Yorks La Guardia airport. Both engines lost power. On that occasion, the plane had gained sufficient altitude to glide. The pilots were able to ditch the Airbus A320 in the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey, with all on board surviving.

At Ahmedabad, simultaneous bird strikes might have put both engines out of action as the Air India aircraft climbed.

open image in gallery Firefighters at the scene of the fatal crash in Ahmedabad ( AP )

Human factors

At this stage in the investigation, it would be quite wrong to attribute any blame to the captain or first officer. But investigators will be looking at how the flight crew worked during the tragically short flight of Air India flight AI171.

Taking off with a heavy load of fuel, passengers and cargo in hot weather is challenging at the best of times. Could these highly trained pilots have made decisions and taken actions that jeopardised the safety of the aircraft?

A captain for a leading US carrier told The Independent some focus should be given to the flap settings for a heavy airplane on a hot day. The flaps are the moveable panels on an aircrafts wings that, when extended, reduce the stall speed. In other words, the plane can take off and climb at a lower speed than would be necessary without the flaps.

The pilot said that an incorrect setting could have resulted in poor performance which ultimately may have led to a stall.

In 2008, 154 passengers and crew aboard a Spanair flight from Madrid to Las Palmas died when the plane crashed immediately after take off. The investigation found that the pilots had failed to deploy the flaps for departure, and the take-off warning system failed to sound.

Investigators will assess evidence from the two black boxes recovered from the Air India aircraft. They will:

Listen to the conversation on the flight deck.

Study the flights technical parameters.

They will also delve into the background and health of the crew, and the actions of staff on the ground  including air-traffic controllers  as the aircraft prepared to depart.

open image in gallery Investigators will be trying to established what caused the plane to crash so quickly ( EPA )

Malicious act

Tragically, over the years individuals and groups have repeatedly downed aircraft for reasons ranging from grudges to terrorism. But Professor Baum said it was unlikely there was anything more sinister at play.

Should passengers worry about flying on Air India or the Boeing 787?

No. Air India is a highly professional airline with a strong safety culture. Until this crash, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had delivered more than one billion passengers safely to their destinations.

In the absence of evidence, speculation has become so intense that moderators at the respected PPRuNe (Professional Pilots Rumour Network) shut down the online thread about the crash within four days.

One of the moderators wrote: This thread has become a hamsterwheel of repetition and guesswork mixed in with nuggets of information and professionalism. Until we have the time and ability to sort out which is which, it will be closed.
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Following an escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran earlier this month, closed airspaces and diverted flights have displaced domestic and international travel plans in the Middle East.

Dubais high-rise skyline is one of the most popular Middle East destinations for UK holidaymakers, and travellers may be questioning whether to book a holiday there following missile attacks in the Middle East.

The UKs Foreign Office considers the United Arab Emirates generally safe to travel to  aside from advising British tourists to take the usual travel precautions against crime while visiting.

A ceasefire deal proposed by US President Donald Trump has been tentatively holding between Israel and Iran since 24 June.

Though not directly involved in the conflict, the UAEs proximity to Iran over the Persian Gulf has prompted travel concerns.

Heres the latest travel advice for Dubai, plus all the key questions and answers.

What does the Foreign Office say?

The Foreign Office (FCDO) does not warn against travel to the United Arab Emirates, and new advice states following hostilities in the region, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran began on 24 June.

British travellers are encouraged by the FCDO to read its advice, stay up to date with events in the region, monitor local and international media for the latest information and follow the instructions of local authorities. It also says to check with relevant airlines for the latest updates on transport disruption before travelling.

It advises British nationals to stay vigilant as there is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests.

Generally, visitors are reminded to respect local laws as the UAE is a Muslim country  specifically during the month of Ramadan.

Same-sex activities, drugs and drinking alcohol in a public place are all illegal in the UAE.

Read more: Dubai laws you need to know before visiting

Are Dubai flights continuing?

Some flights to and from Dubai and the UAE capital Abu Dhabi were cancelled after Israel announced that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks on Irans nuclear sites on 22 June.

In a statement, British Airways said: As a result of recent events, we have adjusted our flight schedule to ensure the safety of our customers and crew, which is always our top priority.

As of Monday (30 June), flights are operating as usual, and British Airways appears to be continuing to fly a southern route over Egypt and Saudi Arabia to reach Dubai.

Dubai International Airport said in its latest travel advisory to customers: Due to recent airspace closures affecting parts of the region, flights operating out of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC) may experience delays, cancellations, or diversions.

We strongly advise all travellers to check with their airline for the latest flight status before heading to the airport, and to allow extra time for their journey.

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said: The safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. As of 24 June 2025, in light of current events and flight disruptions, Abu Dhabi Airports advises all passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.

What if I have booked a package holiday to Dubai?

As the Foreign Office does not warn against travel to the United Arab Emirates, there is no prospect of being able to cancel a trip for a full refund. Neither will travel insurance be of help; the insurer will say that there is no reason not to go.

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A Spanish campaign group, which led a large-scale protest against overtourism in Mallorca last year, has announced it will once again take to the streets of Palma to demand stop the touristification of their communities.

Menys Turisme Mes Vida (Less Tourism, More Life), an organisation which has led mass protests against the increasing number of tourists jetting off to the island each summer, has revealed it will yet again take to the streets to demonstrate this weekend.

Protesters are being called to gather in Placa Espanya, a centrally located square in Mallorcas capital, Palma, at 6pm on Sunday, 15 June.

Demonstrators will then march through some of Palmas most notable streets, and have been encouraged to bring whistles, drums, water pistols and sound equipment.

Or anything else that comes to mind, be original! the protest information poster said.

The group was behind a large anti-tourist protest that filled the streets of Palma de Mallorca last summer, demonstrating against skyrocketing housing prices in the wake of a tourist boom on the popular holiday island.

Around 10,000 protesters showed up to take part on 21 July 2024, with people walking carrying models of planes, cruise ships and posters reading no to mass tourism and stop private jets.

Mallorca, along with other Spanish destinations, is a popular summer hotspot for tourists seeking hot temperatures, sandy beach resorts and villages tucked away at the foothills of limestone mountains.

This year, Menys Turisme Mes Vida said it will be holding another protest on 15 June, with 60 other anti-tourism groups, trade unions and environmental organisations taking part.

Speaking of the successful turnout of last years mass protest, it said that it will again be protesting to make it clear that our territories are not for sale.

The group has called for limits to be put on tourism and the need for a strategy that will not exploit the territory, its resources and the marginalisation of residents and their vital needs for the benefit of tourist capital.

In a statement, the campaigners claimed that the tourist industry impoverishes people, makes it hard to access housing and diverts focus from the public sector.

The organisation also draws attention to the environmental impact of overtourism, including pollution and carbon emissions.

It called out the tourism sector for describing businesses as sustainable, stating that this is a manipulation of language and a denial of the issues.

Areas such as Soller, Arta and Palma are already being affected by tourists, the campaign group said, saying daily life has become unbearable.

Entire roads and paths cut off by tourist-sports events, record numbers of cruise passengers, streets, squares and markets saturated with tourists, occupied and commercialised, and the situation of the housing problem increasingly bloody and without solutions, it said.

Menys Turisme Mes Vida followed up with a reposted statement on its social media that said while Mallorca is not against tourism, it cannot be a theme park open 24 hours a day.

Of course we want you to come. To get lost in the narrow streets of the old town, to sit by the sea in winter, to taste a freshly made ensaimada or listen to Mallorcan in a market. We want to share all that. But without meaning that we stop being who we are, it said.

The group said it will be standing in solidarity with hospitality workers in negotiations for better working environments during the high season, as there is usually an exploitation of the working class during this period.

We are taking to the streets again to say enough, and we will do it as many times as necessary, it concluded.

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So now we know why America partially evacuated some of its embassies in the Middle East with such haste. It knew very well what was coming: a massive pre-emptive strike by Israel on Irans nuclear capabilities and key military personnel.

Assassinating Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, a political as well as a military force, is a symbol and a warning to the ayatollahs of what damage Israel can inflict on them if it so wishes. It is also  or should be  a similar symbol and a warning to the United States of what Benjamin Netanyahu is capable of when he senses his domestic political purposes are best served. He will act, in the words of the US secretary of state Marco Rubio, unilaterally.

To borrow a phrase, Netanyahu is an Israel First politician.

Did he defy Donald Trump? Not to the extent of blindsiding him completely. The Israeli prime minister did the American president the courtesy of giving him some warning, so that American diplomatic personnel could get out of the area in the highly likely event of retaliation by Iran and its terrorist allies.

No matter what Washington says, they will suspect the president of not only knowing about the Israeli onslaughts but actively approving and assisting in them. Netanyahu obviously knew American lives would be endangered  hence the warning  and went ahead anyway.

It seems highly improbable Trump did encourage Israel to act, and would likely have preferred that Netanyahu not do so. Trump has sufficient sympathy for the Israelis, and frustration with Iran, to prevent him from trying to veto the attacks, but maybe sensed that whatever he said, Netanyahu might have gone ahead anyway, in some form.

In any case, Israel and Iran have been waging a proxy war on and off for almost half a century, since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the fall of the Shah and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. The invention of the protective Iron Dome over Israel changed the dynamic, and when the massive Iranian missile and drone assault on Israel last year failed, it proved its worth and tipped the balance of power in the region.

That, however, merely confirmed in Iranian minds why they needed a nuclear weapon to restore the balance  and give them a new deterrent against Israel. After all, it is widely believed that Israel has undeclared nuclear weapons, too.

So, the on-off Iran-Israel conflict has entered a new phase, and whether the situation ends up in Americas interests is doubtful. Without regime change in Tehran  a possibility, but not certainty  Iran will press on with its efforts, aided and abetted to varying degrees by powerful allies: Russia and North Korea.

Indeed, North Korea stands as the template for what a smallish power can do with an outsized weapon of mass destruction  make itself immune to attack and regime change. Its what Saddam Hussein never managed to get in time before Iraq was invaded and he ended up hanged for his crimes. (It is worth noting that it was an Israeli air attack on Iraqs nuclear reactor in 1981 that effectively halted Saddams ambitions in that direction, and left him relying on chemical weapons, real and imagined, to strike terror into the hearts of his adversaries.)

Iran, with its friends, will now redouble its efforts to achieve regional nuclear parity. So, in that case, will Saudi Arabia.

It is fair to say that none of this is what Trump wanted. He doesnt need another war to try and control. He doesnt need the price of oil rising and the world pushed closer to recession. He would much prefer his peace talks with the Iranians in Rome, troubled as they were, to proceed in the interests of a deal  one of his favourite words, as we know.

Instead, Netanyahu has just gone ahead and interfered yet again with Trumps regional plans to end the Gaza war, form a new alliance with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar, and achieve detente with Iran. Netanyahu has wrecked Trumps prospective deal with Tehran and made him look the fool. The president of the United States just indulged Bibi as he has so inexplicably in Gaza.

For all his bombast and bluster and the Pyongyang-style military parade he has planned, Trump emerges from this latest episode in his turbulent presidency as a diminished, weaker figure. He is still very good at bullying friendly states such as Canada, and alienating powerful ones that he really does need, such as China, but he is curiously feeble when it comes to restraining the strong men he identifies with, even when they choose to humiliate him and undermine Americas national interests.

The peace deals that he told us he would strike within days with the help of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Benjamin Netanyahu are actually further away than ever, and even he must wonder (as he occasionally admits) if hes been played along by these consummate, cynical deceivers.

Anyway, Mr President, enjoy your birthday parade...
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Sixty years is a very, very long time in fast-moving US politics. But that is how long ago it is since a US president ordered the national guard into a state without a request from the state governor.

The line between federal and state-level law enforcement is one of the many very clear demarcations of authority in the US federal system. It is another hallowed line that Donald Trump has crossed. From a purely public order standpoint, Trumps dispatch to Los Angeles of a 4,000-strong contingent from the national guard, bolstered by 700 US marines, appears to be having the intended effect.

The violent protests that erupted in response to the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to detain and deport people with no legal right to be in the United States have died down. Order has mostly been restored, and thousands are under arrest  whether for immigration violations, for violence, or for defying the city-imposed curfew.

Smaller protests that subsequently broke out in other cities also appear to have been discouraged by Trumps characteristically unsubtle  and constitutionally contestable  application of presidential power. If the short-term effect looks close to being an unqualified success from the perspective of the White House and Trumps political base, there has to be a question, indeed several questions, about the longer term.

How likely is it that the presidents actions are storing up liabilities, either for him or his political heirs? One immediate effect has undoubtedly been to propel Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, into the limelight again as a leader of the state-level opposition to Trump, as he became in Trumps first term. And it has to be said that the Democrats are in sore need of such leadership.

Far from being energised by Kamala Harriss defeat, to refresh their party and rally around a new leader, Democrats have seemed at a complete loss as to how to combat the second-term Trump.

Could the Democrats now find a new champion in Gavin Newsom  and is he equal to the task? Might he even be able to exploit his stand-off with Trump to become a plausible presidential contender for 2028? He certainly seems up for the challenge.

Having said after Trumps victory  to the distress of some supporters  that he would work with the second-term president, Newsom has come out fighting over the ICE raids on illegal migrants and has threatened to sue through the courts over the deployment of the national guard. And whereas the last time the national guard was sent into a state without the governors say-so  to protect civil rights protesters in Alabama  there was an element of covert politicking, there is nothing of that this time around.

An argument can  and doubtless will  be made that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility; that the ICE agents met violent resistance and that they required protection that the city of Los Angeles and the state of California either would not (or could not) give. Whether that justifies federal intervention, however, is a matter that may well be decided in court.

So long as the national guard operate within their lawful parameters, which appears to be the case  and so long as the marines are not used to keep civil order, but only to protect the national guard  there may be no case for Trump to answer.

Whats more, however much Trumps opponents might like to present him as riding roughshod over states rights to assert federal control, this is not entirely true either. The Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v Wade on abortion rights, which was lauded by Trump, was as much of a reassertion of states rights as a rolling back of the rights of women.

A win on the issue of states rights would undoubtedly project Newsom on to the national stage. Even then there could still be a question about his prospects of rising to lead a coherent Democratic Party opposition to Trump more broadly. Yes, he was a contender to become Kamala Harriss running mate  had an all-California ticket not been judged a potential liability (which, of course, it was). Yes, he became a thorn in the side of the first-term Trump on a host of issues. And yes, Ronald Reagan made the governorship of California a stepping stone to the presidency. But that might not be enough.

Newsom has provoked vocal opposition within his own majority Democrat state, and there is little doubt that Trump would be up for a fierce rhetorical and political fight in defence of his programme. He has shown little but contempt for Newsom hitherto, whom he sees as left, liberal and weak, with an insatiable appetite for high taxes. He is to the great detriment, as he sees it, of Californias wellbeing (a one-person equivalent, in a way, of Trumps other object of hatred, the EU). Many of Trumps loyal base will be of like mind.

Then again, even if Newsom were to emerge as a politician capable of arguing the Democrat cause on the national stage, there are compelling reasons why this particular stand-off might not work in his favour in the bigger scheme of things.

The problem for Newsom is that, even as Trump has been losing support nationally on other issues, support remains strong for his tough stance on migration. Appearing to support illegal aliens to remain in the US is probably not a hill Democrats will want to die on, either now, in the run-up to next years midterm congressional elections, or in 2028.

Trump may also be less vulnerable than many previous presidents to party political opposition. There is some new talk of impeachment (already), but he saw off two attempts before, and anyway, electorally, as a second-term president, he has little to lose, for all the loose talk he might try to change the constitution to make possible a third term.

The awkward reality is that Republicans running for office are more dependent on him, than he is on them. Added to which, Trump is not a party creature. He is a one-off deal-maker turned president, who is testing constitutional power to its limits.

His Republican badge is a flag of convenience, required by the political system. Traditional Republicans may be counting the days until their party can nominate a real, more predictable, Republican for the highest office.

In the meantime, their political fortunes are tied to his, and his sights are set on what he will bequeath, which includes a country with fewer illegal migrants, where America  in his definition  comes first. Gavin Newsom may have a national future; but he might do well to rein in his fury and bide his time.
There are two distinct ways of looking at the broad Israeli attack on Iran, almost destined to escalate further in the coming days.

The first is to conclude that Israel had to do what Israel had to do to prevent Iran from further advancing on the development of a military nuclear capability. It was a pre-emptive strike, a euphoric prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared.

According to this explanation, Irans significant geopolitical weakening in 2024-2025 through the military degrading of Hezbollah, its prized regional proxy, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and successful Israeli attacks on Tehrans air defence systems in October 2024, created an opportunity to strike and set back the nuclear programme.

Of course, that ignores the fact that Iran made progress, enhanced and modernised its uranium enrichment capabilities and stockpiled over 300kg of 60-per-cent-enriched uranium (90 per cent is required for military grade, but the leap from 60-90 per cent is not long), as a direct result of Donald Trumps 2018 decision, encouraged intensively by Netanyahu, to unilaterally withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

In 2015, Netanyahu said there was a better deal  but never came up with one. Then, in 2018, he explained to Trump that maximum sanctions pressure on Iran would impel them to agree to such a better deal. The exact opposite happened.

The second analysis has to do with a combination of Netanyahus unhinged, messianic approach to Iran and his self-image after 7 October 2023.

Iran threatens not only Jewish civilisation, but the West  which makes Netanyahu not just the protector of Israel, his image initially bolstered after the 7 October Hamas attacks (and vastly diminished due to the death toll in Gaza since), but also the saviour of the West. This, he believes, is how he should go down in history.

The fact that he Israelised the Iranian threat is conveniently forgotten. He called for international cooperation and when that produced an agreement, he was against it. Some, like him, may think of that as Churchillian. Others choose to evoke Nero Caesar.

It will take many days and weeks  depending how expansive and long the war will be  to accurately assess the extent of the damage that Israel has inflicted on Irans nuclear programme. Yet some aspects are already discernible in terms of the broader picture.

Irans biggest dilemma in the next few days will be the scale of their inevitable and expected retaliation: whether to limit it to an Iranian-Israeli war or to expand it and strike US targets in the Gulf.

Tehran views the US as complicit, despite American denials and explicit attempts to portray the attack as a unilateral Israeli action. It is doubtful Iran buys into that narrative. Notwithstanding, Iran would then risk an American military response, and that could lead to an attack on Saudi Arabian or Emirati oil terminals.

The likelihood of Iran making such an irrational decision like that is low, and so the threat of a region-wide escalation diminishes. But the dynamics of the war have not been set or delineated yet, and much of it depends on Tehrans perceptions and interpretations of the trajectory of the war; if they convince themselves that the underlying objective is to precipitate regime change, then all supposedly rational decisions are subject to revision.

The US will also face a double dilemma in the next days.

First, it needs to do everything to avoid being dragged into a war the US should have no interest in being a part of, despite Trump branding the Israeli strikes on Tehrans nuclear sites excellent and warning there is more to come. There are no tangible benefits to gain  quite the contrary.

Inside Washington, there has been a growing and irritating suspicion that spans several administrations  from Obama to Trump to Biden and back to Trump  that Netanyahu is trying to manipulate the US into attacking Iran. This attack did very little to assuage those anxieties, even though Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he and his team had known about Israels plans to attack Iran, a claim made only a day after he publicly urged Israel not to.

Many details on the US dimension of this are not yet known, but there already seems to be a war of competing narratives between Jerusalem and Washington. For despite Trumps boasts of prior knowledge, it is said the US is privately unhappy with Netanyahus defiance and callous dismissal of American interests.

Arguably, Trump may be temporarily happy with Iran being a distraction to the Los Angeles stand-off, but may very well feel humiliated by Netanyahus total disregard for his requests. This does not reflect well on the president.

This leads to the second challenge the US will encounter: convincing and enticing Iran to return to negotiations despite the attack, implicitly clarifying that it has no intentions of generating regime change.

Trump will undoubtedly try to turn the war into an opportunity by pressing Iran to negotiate or face a more destructive and prolonged conflict, devastating its already fragile economy and oil revenues. To do that, Iran needs to cooperate, and it is premature to seriously assess this possibility at such an early stage.

This will be supported by Saudi Arabia, which has significant sway over Trump. However, the longer, more destructive and escalatory the war becomes, the harder it will be for the US to achieve either of those twin goals.

As for Israel, it will be facing the same fundamental problems it faced before.

Mr Netanyahu can brag all he wants about how he has changed the course of history and how he has saved the West and how he was the Winston Churchill to Irans Hitlerites  but ultimately, Israels greatest present and future challenge is what is happening in Gaza, not Iran.

Living in reckless denial over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be ameliorated by setting Irans nuclear programme back, however important that may be.

Alon Pinkas is a former Israeli consul general to the US and was a political adviser to two former prime ministers, Shimon Peres and Ehud Barak
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Israel launched major strikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, raising the prospect of a regional war between the longtime foes over Tehrans nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had started a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.

"This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us," he added.

Netanyahu said the operation was aimed at Irans nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile program, and other military sites.

The Israeli army said in a statement that dozens of jets took part in the first wave of strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

open image in gallery Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (at left) said his country had begun a targeted military operation against the nuclear capabilities of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. ( Reuters/AP )

Explosions were heard in and near the Iranian capital of Tehran in the early hours as the news broke, Irans state-run Nour News reported.

Earlier, Israels Defense Minister Ian Katz said Israel had carried out a preemptive strike against Iran and that a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.

A state of emergency was declared across Israel ahead of the expected response.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the U.S. was not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S interests or personnel, he said in a statement.

Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Irans nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb. Israeli officials have accused Iran of seeking a bomb in secret, without providing evidence.

Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, a claim that is backed by U.S. intelligence.

open image in gallery Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. ( AP )

But Iran has repeatedly refused a U.S. demand to give up the ability to enrich uranium, which it says it needs to fuel its nuclear power program, but which could also be used to build a nuclear weapon.

Tensions have been building at the same time that Donald Trump has been leading efforts to reach a new agreement with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear program in return for the easing of sanctions.

Iran had previously struck a deal with the U.S. and world powers in 2015 over its nuclear program that imposed strict limits on its activities and enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump unilaterally withdrew from that deal during his first term, insisting that he could strike a better bargain, and imposed sweeping sanctions.

It resulted in Iran reviving and improving its nuclear facilities and enriched uranium to a much higher purity than it had under the previous deal, and much closer to the grade needed to make a bomb.

Talks had stalled in recent days, but the U.S. and Iran were due to hold another round of negotiations on Sunday.

On Wednesday, non-essential personnel began evacuating from U.S. embassies across the Middle East. Still, Trump signaled earlier Thursday he still hoped an agreement could be reached.

"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he added.

Trump has reportedly tried to dissuade Netanyahu from launching an attack on Iran while the U.S. was still engaged in talks. Those efforts appear to have failed.

Although the U.S. has denied being involved in the attack, any war between Israel and Iran would likely draw in American forces into a wider regional conflict.
No-one ever thinks theyre an arsehole  they think youre the problem  why listening is key to getting the best out of your work team
Along ancient Silk Road, Xi cultivates new bonds with Central Asia

17:00, June 13, 2025 By Shi Xiaomeng ( Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of five Central Asian countries plant six pomegranate trees that represent close China-Central Asia solidarity and cooperation after the first China-Central Asia Summit in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- In the shimmering early summer heat of Xi'an, China's longest-serving ancient capital, six pomegranate trees stand gracefully near the site of the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit held in May 2023, their branches bowing low with fruit.

Planted two years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the five Central Asian nations, this vibrant grove stands as a vivid testament to the increasingly close and dynamic bond between China and Central Asia.

Building on past achievements, Xi and his Central Asia counterparts are scheduled to gather in Astana, Kazakhstan, later this month for a second summit, where they will weave tighter threads of trade, security and connectivity across the Eurasian heartland.

FORGING NEW PARADIGM

The 2023 Xi'an summit marked the first-ever meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. In the city's time-honored embrace, they agreed to host the top-level gathering every two years alternately in China and Central Asia.

Last year, this mechanism was further institutionalized with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi, Xi's home province.

This photo shows the Yongning Gate in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 25, 2023. As the provincial capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, with a history of over 3,100 years, has served as the capital city for 13 dynasties of China. (Xinhua/Liu Xiao)

Xi places great importance on China's ties with the region. In his view, Central Asia pulses at a strategic crossroads, linking East and West, North and South.

"It is a foreign-policy priority for China to develop friendly cooperative relations with the Central Asian countries," Xi said during his first visit to Central Asia after becoming Chinese president in 2013.

Since then, he has traveled to the region eight times, deepening partnerships bilaterally as well as through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

Today, Central Asia stands as the only region in the world where every country is a strategic partner of China. These partnerships, Xi said, have forged a new path of good-neighborliness and win-win cooperation, creating a new paradigm for international relations.

A highlight of the Xi'an summit was the signing of the Xi'an Declaration, in which Xi and the presidents of the five Central Asian countries vowed to work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

This pledge aligns with the core idea of what's known as Xiplomacy: building a community with a shared future for mankind. Notably, the vision has been fully implemented at the bilateral level in Central Asia.

Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Policy of Kyrgyzstan, said that the shared political will of Xi and the leaders of Central Asia is key to the sustained development of China-Central Asia cooperation.

"This cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also lays the foundation for a new model of multilateral collaboration in the Eurasian region," he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, head for the venue of a welcome banquet along with guests in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, May 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Xi's strong personal rapport with the leaders of Central Asia fuels these ties. At the Xi'an summit, Xi greeted Tajik President Emomali Rahmon as "my old friend." In talks with Xi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev referred to him as his "dear brother."

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also a seasoned sinologist, arrived in Xi'an on his 70th birthday. Xi told him, "On this special occasion, your visit speaks volumes about the strength of our bilateral ties and reaffirms your unique bond with China."

REVIVING SILK ROAD

"Start the shipment!" With this command, Xi and Tokayev jointly launched the China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express Route at a ceremony held in July 2024 in Astana.

The occasion marked the formal establishment of a multidimensional connectivity network, integrating highways, railways, airlines and pipelines, to better link Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea. It is expected to become a vibrant artery of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

While the ancient Silk Road witnessed robust trade and cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, Xi sees in the region an important partner in modern-day Belt and Road cooperation.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 26, 2024 shows a view of the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) Logistics Cooperation Base in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

Back in September 2013, also in Astana, Xi delivered a landmark speech at Nazarbayev University, where he first laid out his vision for building the Silk Road Economic Belt -- a key component of the BRI.

"We can actively discuss the best way to improve cross--border transportation infrastructure," Xi said, "and work toward a transportation network connecting East Asia, West Asia and South Asia to facilitate economic development and travel in the region."

Over the years since then, that vision has steadily become a reality. In a recent instance, a commencement ceremony for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held late last year in the Kyrgyz border city of Jalalabad. Xi, in a congratulatory letter, called for building the railway into a "new demonstration project" under Belt and Road cooperation.

The line will originate from the ancient Silk Road hub of Kashgar, in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, cross the Torugart Pass into Kyrgyzstan, proceed westward through Jalalabad, and reach the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan.

This railway, said Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, is not merely a transport corridor, but serves as an important strategic bridge connecting countries of the East and the West.

Belt and Road cooperation has effectively boosted trade, travel and exchanges in the region. In 2024, China's trade with Central Asia reached a record 94.8 billion U.S. dollars, fueled in part by a booming cross-border e-commerce sector. China now stands as Central Asia's top trading partner and major investment source.

Tajikistan became the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China regarding the Silk Road Economic Belt in 2014. Collaboration has since produced tangible outcomes, ranging from new highways and power plants to new city landmarks, many of which have been personally championed by Xi.

Students learn skills at the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, May 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Tajikistan is also home to the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia -- a Chinese vocational training center that has already equipped more than 1,500 students with practical skills in engineering, architecture, water management and environmental protection, preparing talent for the nation's future development.

In a state visit to the country in 2024, Xi said to Rahmon: "I have seen a more prosperous Tajikistan."

WEAVING CULTURAL TAPESTRIES

In the autumn of 2022, while visiting the storied Silk Road city of Samarkand, Xi presented Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a special gift: a miniature of Khiva, a historic Silk Road outpost.

Khiva is China's first cultural heritage preservation project in Central Asia. Thanks to years of restoration led by Chinese experts, the ancient town has taken on a new look.

This photo taken on Sept. 21, 2023 shows the historical sites in the ancient city of Khiva, Uzbekistan. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

"The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, a project launched during my visit to Samarkand in 2013, has been successfully concluded, further augmenting the charm of this ancient city," Xi wrote in a signed article ahead of his 2022 visit to Uzbekistan.

During an earlier trip to the country in 2016, Xi met with the Chinese experts working on the project. "Be sure to protect the cultural relics well," he urged them.

Over the years, joint archaeological efforts between Chinese and Central Asian scholars have expanded across the region, including the ancient city of Rahat in Kazakhstan and an ancient Buddhist temple of Krasnaya Rechka in Kyrgyzstan.

Xi has repeatedly stressed that the China-Central Asia friendship is one steeped in history. On multiple occasions, he invoked the legacy of Zhang Qian, the Han Dynasty envoy who traveled westward more than 2,100 years ago and opened the door to enduring friendship and exchanges between China and the region. He has also emphasized the need to "carry forward our traditional friendship."

During his state visit to Kazakhstan in 2024, Xi, together with Tokayev, unveiled the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University, the very institution where the Kazakh president studied Chinese in the 1980s. Xi expressed his hope that the new school would enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially the young generation.

As part of the visit, Xi met a group of schoolchildren who greeted him in Mandarin and sang a Chinese song. Some among them expressed their dream of one day studying at Tsinghua University, Xi's alma mater.

"I also wish, with all my heart, that you will be able to attend good universities in the future. And you are very welcome to pursue your studies in China," the Chinese president smiled.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Astana, Kazakhstan, July 2, 2024, for the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Commenting on the broader impact of such exchanges, Uzbek political observer Sharofiddin Tulaganov noted that under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, mutual learning among civilizations will be significantly enhanced.

In today's complex international environment, he added, institutionalized people-to-people exchanges like these will inject valuable cultural momentum into efforts at safeguarding regional peace and promoting shared development. Enditem

(Xinhua reporters Zhang Jiye in Astana, Jiang Youlin and Nurzhan Kasmalieva in Bishkek, Ubaydullaeva Nilufar and Li Ao in Tashkent, and Han Liang and Zheng Kaijun in Beijing also contributed to this story.)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Dustin Temple, the director of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, will retire from the agency at the end of the year, Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday.

Temple's departure from the agency's top job, which he assumed in June 2023 after Hank Worsech retired citing health reasons, is the latest personnel changeup at the upper levels of the state agency tasked with overseeing wildlife management; hunting and fishing regulations and licensing; river access and regulations; and state parks, hunting and fishing facilities and lands.

Temple has spent two decades at FWP, starting on the agency's technology side. Before becoming director, he was deputy director and the chief of administration in the Director's Office. Gianforte's office stated that Marina Yoshioka, the agency's chief operating officer, would serve as acting director.

"I am grateful to Dustin for his service to FWP for two decades and for the outstanding progress he has made at one of Montanas most important agencies," Gianforte said in Friday's announcement. "Thanks to Dustins strong leadership, FWP has been focused on its core mission and improving customer service. Weve worked together to put the best available science ahead of ideologically-driven agendas, to vastly increase public access to our public lands, and make tremendous strides toward delisting the grizzly bear. I wish him great success in his well-earned retirement."

Greg Lemon, FWP's Communication and Education Division administrator, said in a phone call Friday afternoon that he didn't have more information on Temple's retirement beyond the governor's press release. He directed inquiries to Sean Southard, the governor's director of communications. Southard was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon; the Missoulian left voicemails for him and Temple seeking more information.

In a statement in the governor's press release, Temple did not say why he was retiring.

"Im incredibly proud of the work FWP has accomplished with Gov. Gianforte leading our state," he said. "I promised to deliver on FWPs vision for Montanans, serving them well and protecting our Montana way of life for generations to come. In retirement, I look forward to continuing to watch FWP succeed under Governor Gianfortes strong, clear-eyed leadership. I am confident Acting Director Yoshioka will continue building on our outstanding progress and deliver the quality customer service Montanans expect."

But some wildlife groups have criticized the state's wolf management  the new plan is in draft form  and the new grizzly management plan. Groups threatened to sue over FWP's plan to trap grizzlies and transport them to the Yellowstone area to artificially promote genetic connectivity, a court-ordered requirement for possible delisting of the species from its Endangered Species Act protections.

FWP also lost multiple top officials who resigned or were fired, with some criticizing the agency's leadership in their departure. And the agency was briefly in the national spotlight after a June 2 report in The New York Times alleged Worsech pressured a warden to falsify a report of Gianforte trapping a wolf without taking a required trapping course to make it instead say the governor's trapping partner killed the wolf. Worsech, in retirement, and the governor's office each strongly denied the account. The warden had since left FWP, but maintained to the Billings Gazette that the story was accurate.

In August, Fisheries Division Chief Eileen Ryce resigned after being placed on leave for what she described to the Billings Gazette as unsubstantiated and unexplained accusations of retaliation and discriminatory decision-making. Ryce and former FWP officials described current and former employees supporting her during her suspension, including donating money for her legal fees. FWP cleared Ryce of the accusations, but nonetheless placed conditions on her reinstatement to work. She resigned instead.

In June, Sarah Clerget resigned as FWP's chief legal counsel after two years in the position. FWP's Human Resources Division has its sixth chief in 10 years.

The same month, Mike Volesky, FWP's chief of operations, was fired after being placed on leave over a citation for hunting without permission, having crossed his former brother-in-law's private land. The charges were dismissed, and Volesky attributed his firing to politics. He told the Montana Free Press that he believed Gianforte, a Republican, had him fired because he previously worked for Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer before taking a job at FWP. He was also a deputy director of FWP under Gianforte's predecessor, Democrat Steve Bullock.

Eight months before Temple was appointed, Dave Loewen retired as the Enforcement Division chief. An audit of the division released by the Legislative Audit Division a couple months into Temple's tenure exposed widespread concerns among wardens of a hostile work environment plagued by mistrust in leadership, intimidation and retaliation. Loewen, after his retirement, told the Billings Gazette that The New York Times story was accurate.

After the audit report was released, Temple took responsibility for the issues therein and said he was working to improve the FWP workplace environment. In a letter accompanying the audit report, he wrote that he agreed with auditors' recommendations to improve the situation.

"We find ourselves here today through a whole series of bad decisions," he told the Legislative Audit Committee. "As painful as it may be, acknowledging your shortcomings is part of being a good leader."
Meta takes Irish media regulator to court over size of levy

There has been an increase in the amount the tech giant is being asked to pay

John Evans, Niamh Hodnett, Jeremy Godfrey, Aoife MacEvilly and Ronan O Domhnaill at the recent launch of Coimisiun na Means Strategy Statement

John Burns Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

Meta has launched a legal action against the Irish media regulator challenging the size of the levy it is being asked to pay.
A new six-part video series celebrates Dublins literary talent

The idea for Dublin, One City, Many Stories was sparked by an article in The Guardian that noted Irelands outsized contribution to world literature. Its a familiar sentiment  one that sometimes invites the question: Whats in the water over there? I feel that there is something in the water. And in terms of Dublin, its in the Liffey and Dublin Bay and the life around it.

But every idea needs an ignition point and ours landed after a conversation with Anne-Marie Kelly, director of Dublin Unesco City of Literature, who was eager to mark the 15th anniversary of Dublins designation as a city of literature. From that chat came a vision: to showcase the depth and diversity of voices writing in and about Dublin today  voices rooted in the citys Viking past as well as those newly arrived to its shores.
A page-turning rural thriller on the search for truth after daughters death at Blarney Castle

In Some of This is True by Michelle McDonagh, a young Americans journey to Cork to find her dad ends in tragedy

Page-turner: Michelle McDonagh. Photo: Mark Gorman

Roslyn Dee Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

We are in Blarney in Co Cork and the body of a 22-year-old American woman, Jessie De Marco, has been found at the foot of the Wishing Steps in the grounds of Blarney Castle. She has recently travelled from her home in Boston in search of her father. Her real father, that is. All her life she thought that her mothers now long-gone husband was her biological dad, but has only just discovered that is not true.
Romantasy island: I picked up the book, and I became feral! I read the first book in a day, then the second in a day, which is 700 pages. It was intense

With sexually explicit romance plots and a heavy dose of escapism, dragon porn is the BookTok trend of the moment  but is its use of Celtic culture and language problematic?

Teacher and romantasy fan Mary Cronin

Meadhbh McGrath Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

As the clock ticked towards midnight on January 21, crowds gathered outside bookstores around the world in fevered anticipation of the release of Onyx Storm, the third instalment in Rebecca Yarross Empyrean series about a military academy for dragon riders. The American author is at the forefront of the booming romantasy genre, which combines elements of romance and fantasy, and has exploded in popularity in the past year thanks to BookTok, TikToks reader community.
Legendary Irish guitarist Rory Gallagher has been honoured in his native Cork to mark the 30th anniversary of his death.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin today formally named a roadway within the Cork Airport complex as Rory Gallagher Avenue - and also unveiled a special plaque to mark the star's links with the facility which date back almost 60 years.

Mr Martin said the guitarist was an iconic figure whose legacy remains bright 30 years after his untimely death.

Rory Gallagher on stage at 'Self Aid' (1986)

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025

"It is a genuine personal pleasure and honour to be here at Cork Airport today for this ceremony to recognise and honour a world-class musician and artist who hailed from Cork," he said.

"It is a wonderful tribute because Rory was world-renowned and this is an international airport. He is forever remembered through the naming of an avenue after him."

The Gallagher family were represented at the ceremony with the guitarist's brother, Donal, admitting they were "absolutely overwhelmed" to see Rory honoured in such fashion by a series of events across Cork.

In a special tribute, Belgian guitarist Jacques Stotzem - a lifelong Rory Gallagher fan and who recorded an album to honour the star - played a selection of Rory's greatest hits for the assembled guests.

Rory Gallagher - widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in history - died on June 14 1995 in London after contracting MRSA while being treated for a serious liver illness.

He had been over 13 weeks in intensive care in a London hospital after falling ill while playing at a gig in the Netherlands.

The musician was only 47 years old.

He once turned down an offer of joining The Rolling Stones to pursue his solo career.

Cork City Council has organised a 'Rock for Rory' festival to promote his legacy while special exhibitions will take place at Cork Library.

The highlight of the celebrations of the star's life will be a trio of concerts at the Live At The Marquee festival next month where US guitarist Joe Bonamassa will replicate Rory's famous 1974 tour setlist.

Mr Martin previously said one of his fondest memories was being able to host a small civic reception for Rory Gallagher during his time as Lord Mayor of Cork.

"I have very fond memories of it," he said.

"He played in the Everyman Theatre and (Rory's brother) Donal was there on the night. I said to Donal: 'Would Rory mind being honoured tomorrow'?"

"Donal said that he is extremely shy - that he shies away from all these kinds of public things."

But, when it was indicated that only a small crowd of mostly close family and friends would be present, Rory agreed to the event.

"He did come in. We had a small group of about 40 people. I remember Joe Philpott of Ballincollig fame - Joe was a musician at the time and I rang him and I said Joe would you like to come to meet Rory Gallagher? He couldnt believe it. I have very fond memories of that."

Mr Martin had backed Irish attempts to keep the star's famous Stratocaster guitar in Ireland after it was offered for auction in London.

Last year it was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd and, minutes after the sale, was donated to the National Museum of Ireland.

Keeping the guitar in Ireland was also backed by US guitarist Joe Bonamassa who will next month play a series of gigs dedicated to Rory as part of The Live At The Marquee series.

The New York-born musician, who opened for B.B. King when he was just 12 years old, has been a lifelong fan of Rory and is one of just two musicians given permission by the Gallagher family to play Rory's iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster.

He first heard Rory Gallagher's music aged just six years but admitted one of the great regrets of his life was that he never saw the Irish guitarist live.

The tribute shows will take place from July 1 and will see Joe Bonamassa lead a band including Jeremy Stacey, Lachlan Doley and Aongus Ralston.

It features a 14 track show which will exactly replicate the setlist of Rory's 1974 tour and include such hits as 'Tattoo'd Lady', 'Bad Penny', 'Out on the Western Plains' and 'Bullfrog Blues'.

Promoter Peter Aiken admitted the tribute shows were very much a labour of love for everyone involved.

"In 1972 Rory Gallagher agreed to play in Belfast," he said.

"It was one of the worst years of The Troubles and no international acts were willing to travel to Belfast. My father, Jim, was involved in music promotions and things were so challenging he was thinking about going back teaching."

"But after Rory played Belfast, suddenly other acts agreed to play there including Led Zeppelin, Nazareth and Pink Floyd. If it wasn't for Rory, we might not be here today."

The influential music magazine 'Melody Maker' hailed Gallagher as "a genuine working class hero" for agreeing to play Belfast in 1972 and use music as a unifying factor.

Rory has been hailed as an inspiration by some of the most famous guitarists in rock and blues including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Alex Lifeson.

While born in Donegal, Rory was raised in Cork.

He bought his 1961 Stratocaster guitar in Cork in 1963 for IR100.

His mother had already agreed a payment plan at Crowley's Music Store in Cork for a cheaper guitar but, when Gallagher saw the Strat, he had to have it.

He re-negotiated a new payment plan on the basis he had paid work as part of a local showband and kept the Strat under a bed in his family home.

Bonham's auction house cultural department director, Clair Tole-Moir, said the guitar was absolutely iconic within the rock sphere.

"There is also a legend that says that this is the first Fender Stratocaster that came into Ireland. So it's also an important Fender guitar as well as an important Rory Gallagher guitar."

"It has been considered the most recognisable Fender Stratocaster in the world because of... its unusually worn appearance but it's got a really distinct look, and everybody associates it with Rory."
Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, which is at the centre of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving funds to reduce its huge waiting lists, refused yesterday to say if the matter had been referred to gardai.
LATEST | Annie McCarrick: Suspect (60s) released without charge as gardai bring in cadaver dog to search property

Man suspected of Annie McCarrick murder is alleged to have harassed US student before disappearance 32 years ago

Ireland's Missing - The Disappearance of Annie McCarrick

Robin Schiller and Conor Feehan Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

A man who was arrested and questioned on suspicion of the murder of US student Annie McCarrick more than three decades ago has been released without charge.
Enterprise Ireland chairman Michael Carey resigns

Resignation from two boards follows queries from the Irish Independent regarding late filings for his company

East Coast Bakehouse Executive Chairman Michael Carey with his wife and fellow director, Alison Cowzer. Picture Jason Clarke Photography

John Mulligan Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 17:45

The chairman of Enterprise Ireland, Michael Carey, has resigned the post after the Irish Independent raised queries as to why he was more than 18 months late filing accounts for his biscuit company.
'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?
A Bismarck man booked into jail Monday on traffic charges is also being held as a person allegedly in the country illegally, joining more than two dozen others brought into the jail on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the past week.

David Artica, 30, was initially arrested by Bismarck police on an outstanding warrant after failing to appear at a scheduled court appearance on an April 30 citation for driving under suspension. The majority of the others being held at the jail reportedly have addresses in Minnesota, but one woman has an address from Florida.

Federal authorities housing ICE detainees at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center isn't new, but the number of people and their length of stay is changing, according to jail officials.

Assistant Jail Administrator Trent Wangen of the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department said in some respects, the change represents a return to previous years under past administrations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We've always had contracts with federal agencies," Wangen said. "Our population significantly decreased over the COVID time period, and there has been a slow rebound of our population since that time, so we basically have returned to that level."

Wangen said he and other jail officials were initially contacted by ICE representatives late last year.

"And they asked, due to staffing challenges, they have logistic problems, they have a possible change of focus, if we would be willing to hold some ICE detainees for a longer period of time," Wangen said.

A good example of that change was evident on Tuesday, June 3, when 16 detainees arrived at the jail in less than 24 hours. Six people arrived in the late-morning hours and another 10 arrived later that evening. Wangen said jail staff received several hours' notice of the arrivals and were able to accommodate the influx by adjusting staff. In the case of the 10 who arrived in the evening, there was an extra detention officer on duty to assist with processing.

"(That was done) so that our staff could also focus on their normal duties and handle any regional intakes or local intakes that are happening at that same time," Wangen said.

"That is not typical, but through our communications with ICE, they have asked us that in the future if we would be willing to temporarily house a larger number and let them stay within our facility for a longer amount of time," he said.

Historically, federal prisoners and detainees have stayed in the jail anywhere between six hours and three days. Wangen said he's been told that stays might be extended in some cases to two or three weeks, or perhaps longer.

In total, the jail contracts with more than 20 agencies, Wangen said. Some of those, such as Emmons, Logan and Sioux counties, don't have jails. Others, such as the Department of Corrections, Cass and Stutsman counties, are experiencing shortages of bed space and need to find space elsewhere. On the federal side, the jail has and does house people for the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Marshal's Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI and ICE, among others.

Regarding federal inmates, Wangen referred to the detention center as a "temporary holding facility."

"The number of prisoners that we accept from contract agencies is based off of what our current staffing will allow us to provide services for," he said.

As a result of discussions with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation regarding their space issues, Wangen said the jail is beginning work toward requesting more staff. Potentially increasing staff would also possibly allow the jail to receive more people from regional partners and federal agencies, including ICE.

"Running a jail is kind of like running a motel," he said.

By way of explanation, he said the number of guests a motel can serve depends largely on the number of people available to provide guest services and safely operate the facility. The same is true of the detention facility, Wangen said. And like a motel, more people at the jail lowers the average daily costs of operations.

"It does have a financial benefit for Burleigh County in the big picture, of the cost of our daily operation when we are contracting and housing from these other agencies, because it helps offset the cost of our local inmates that we're housing here," he said.

Those fixed costs such as insurance coverage on the facility, utilities and payments on the building's construction bonds need to be paid whether the jail has one inmate or 500, and Wangen maintained the revenues from housing contract inmates -- whether they're from Sioux County, DOCR or ICE -- means Burleigh and Morton county taxpayers aren't solely supporting the jointly owned and governed facility.

Morton County holds a 15% ownership stake in the facility and has virtually equal representation on the jail's advisory board, Wangen said. That board includes Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier, Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben and two commissioners from each county.

Wangen said Kirchmeier especially has been informed of and involved in discussions regarding housing additional detainees and for that reason, he calls the recent announcement by the Department of Homeland Security that Morton County is a "sanctuary" for illegal immigrants "ironic," especially since it came on the heels of the most recent meeting of the jail's board.

"And one of the topics that was brought up during that meeting was that we were going to expand the services and allow more ICE detainees to be housed within our facility for a longer period of time," Wangen said.

Intakes average roughly 20 per day, according to Wangen, with roughly the same number of people being released. With the influx of the 16 ICE detainees last week, a review of the population on June 4 showed 330 people were incarcerated on behalf of various agencies. Prior to COVID, Wangen said, the highest population count reached 340, and the number of contract inmates fell dramatically during the pandemic as a measure to protect the local population.

Now that the pandemic is past, the 550-bed facility that opened in 2017 is once again open to accepting more contract inmates, and the facility's governance board is fully aware that some of those people will probably be federal detainees from ICE, Wangen said.

In addition to the Burleigh Morton Detention Center, recent reviews of inmate rosters have shown ICE detainees at jails in Ward, Cass and Grand Forks counties as well, although the incidents and number of ICE detainees in Cass and Grand Forks have fallen due to space issues.
Ireland will take soundings in the next fortnight on the chances of the EU joining in with sanctions taken by several countries against two far-right ministers in the Israeli government.
Kneecap have appointed a high-profile legal team before one of their members appears before a UK court next Wednesday, including a solicitor who previously represented the Birmingham Six and Julian Assange, and the Irish barrister who has advised South Africa in the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
President Michael D Higgins has said the increase in the number of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is so blatantly in breach of international law that it requires refutation" ahead of the UN General Assembly debate on Gaza.

The Assembly is expected to vote today on a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and the opening of all Israeli border crossings for deliveries of desperately needed food and other aid.
The partner of an Irish politician who was detained in Egypt has called on Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister to make a statement on the matter.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is one of a number of people who have been detained and had their passports confiscated while travelling through Egypt on the way to Gaza.
Northern Irelands police chief Jon Boutcher has warned bigots and racists behind three nights of disorder in the region that his officers will be coming after them.

Mr Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been further traumatised by the rioting since Monday.
Tanaiste and Justice Minister to examine implications of case against Irish quarry activist after UN SLAPP warning

Simon Harris to ask Jim OCallaghan to look into the matter

Michel Forst said environmental defenders must be protected. Photo: Getty

Caroline O'Doherty Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

Tanaiste Simon Harris has said he will ask Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan to look into a court case that has raised red flags over its potential impact on the confidentiality of complaints made to gardai.
A 19-year-old Bismarck man was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty in February to charges related to trading vapes for sexual favors with juveniles.

Michael Leier will also undergo sexual offender and cognitive restructuring treatment while incarcerated. After his release, he will be required to register as a sex offender and spend 10 years on supervised probation.

The sentence was roughly half of what was recommended by Assistant Burleigh County State's Attorney Gabrielle Goter, who recommended a prison term totaling 37 years. That recommendation considered factors within the presentence investigation that reportedly determined Leier is at above average and high risk for committing not just new criminal offenses but new sexual offenses, she said.

The prosecutor also referred to the PSI's references involving Leier's juvenile criminal history that reportedly involved criminal and sex offenses. Charges in some of those cases were reportedly amended with Leier receiving "chance after chance" as he received deferred sentences and probation more than once, she said.

Goter told South Central District Judge Pam Nesvig that Leier "has no remorse," referring to entries in the report reportedly made by him.

"He presented himself in the best possible light," she said. "He has no regard for the victims in this case."

Leier pleaded guilty on Feb. 21 to two counts of patronizing a minor for commercial sexual purposes and one count of gross sexual imposition, all of which carry up to 20 years in prison and require a defendant to register as a sex offender.

He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge related to luring minors, which carries up to nearly a year in jail and also includes mandatory registration as a sex offender.

Those pleas were entered in open fashion, meaning there was no agreement with prosecutors regarding a potential prison sentence. The decision also allowed the judge to impose maximum terms of incarceration on each count.

In announcing Leier's sentence, the judge ordered him to serve five years in prison on the charges relating to patronizing a minor for commercial sexual purposes. Those sentences will run one after the other, or consecutively. Leier was also sentenced to serve a consecutive term of eight years in prison for the charge relating to gross sexual imposition. A 30-day sentence imposed for luring minors will run at the same time as the sentence for one count of patronizing a minor.

Charges against Leier stem from an investigation that began on July 30, 2024. A 13-year-old girl told her parent she left a residence in Burleigh County the previous night and met with a person identified as "Mike" in an effort to obtain nicotine and vape pens, according to an affidavit. "Mike" allegedly drove the girl to his residence, where he engaged in sex with the juvenile, the document stated.

Leier was also implicated on Aug. 2, when another teenage girl said over Snapchat he allegedly told her she could obtain vapes by providing sexual favors, the affidavit stated.

He has been in custody on a $75,000 bond since early February, after his original $10,000 bond was revoked following numerous allegations that he violated conditions of his pretrial release.

As conditions of that bond, he was prohibited from contact with anyone under the age of 18, subjected to electronic monitoring with restrictions to the immediate area of his residence and put on a 10 p.m. curfew.

A report filed with the court alleged Leier violated those conditions five times between Dec. 10 and Jan. 30. Among the violations, he allegedly traveled to Mandan, Cannonball and the Kirkwood Mall area in Bismarck, where he may have been in contact with numerous juveniles.

"He cut off his electronic monitoring device and fled to South Dakota," Goter said.

Since being taken back into custody, Leier has been charged with four misdemeanors in a case in which he allegedly violated those bond conditions by providing four teenage boys vape cartridges. Each of those charges carries up to nearly a year in jail. Leier has pleaded not guilty and a jury trial is scheduled to begin June 18.

In his sentencing recommendation, defense attorney William Thomason said Leier considered the younger people to be "his contemporaries, his friends."

Thomason's recommendation was for Leier to be sentenced to five years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised probation, which he said would allow the defendant to receive any court-ordered treatment while also providing accountability for the criminal activity.

"He's already spent the majority of his adult life incarcerated," the defense attorney said of Leier, who reportedly turned 18 years of age months before his arrest. "And we'll know within the first year or two how he does on probation."

Leier's adoptive father Chad also requested leniency. Reading from a prepared statement, he said Michael, who had been adopted from Ghana as a 5-year-old, had numerous difficulties initially adjusting to his new home.

Chad Leier also said those early challenges don't excuse his son's conduct and that Michael expresses severe remorse for his actions.

"Selling vapes was his (Michael's) misguided attempt to pay me back for money he overspent at the State Fair," Chad Leier said. "He was told that there was a high profit margin in it."

Following the attorney's and Chad Leier's statements, Nesvig referred back to the PSI and noted that nothing in any comments made by Leier referred to the victims who have undergone a "significant impact, a lifelong impact" as a result of his actions.

"The behavior that you engaged in was predatory," Nesvig said.

She also noted the report's findings that Leier being at high risk for reoffending "is significant," and the repeated violations of his bond conditions indicated a lack of regard for any potential consequences.

"It has to stop," Nesvig said. "And it stops now."
Two men have been arrested for alleged public order offences during a protest outside Heuston Station earlier this evening.

The group of about 20 people, some carrying Irish flags, had blocked the road in both directions, as well as the Luas tracks outside the Dublin railway station, leading to delays for commuters.
Martina Devlin: Its time to listen to the heartbreaking questions of forgotten children of Gaza

When they bomb the tent, will we burn? No child should have to ask that, but its the reality for Palestinians

A woman and her children who joined other paediatric patients evacuated from Gaza arrive at the border with Israel. Photo: Getty

Martina Devlin Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

When a missile hits us, do we feel the pain or die immediately? When I die, will they put me in a grave with my mum and dad? Do the children who have their legs amputated grow new legs? Gaza children are the most traumatised group in the world, and proof can be found in their questions to aid workers there.
The Greta Thunberg enigma: A digital Joan of Arc or useful mascot?

Has young Swedish activist become a figurehead and cheerleader, always available for the adrenaline high of global agitprop?

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg talks with the media as she arrives at Stockholm Arlanda airport after being deported by Israel. Photo: AP

Frank Coughlan Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 03:30

We all remember that rather shy teenager who abandoned her classroom in Stockholm to protest for climate change awareness in 2018. Greta Thunberg, at 15, seemed the wisest person on the planet, and it would have taken a heartless crone not to be moved or impressed.
People in Sarajevo pray at the monuments that commemorate the 1,601 children killed during the siege of the city between 1992 and 1995. Photo: Getty

When I was 17, I read a book about the Bosnian-Serb conflict. It featured a man in besieged Sarajevo who played his cello in a courtyard every day in memory of the women, men and children who died in front of his house in a bomb attack, in that same courtyard, as they queued for bread rations.

In 2017, I visited Bosnia as part of my Erasmus programme to Croatia. In Sarajevo, I saw the bullet holes in the buildings, the fields on the edge of town lined with white unmarked pillars representing the dead. My friend and I cried in the museum that displayed the horrors of what happened there.

About 100,000 people died in the war  80pc of those victims were Bosnian Muslims. I wondered how the conflict lasted four years. Remember, this was in the 1990s. How was there no intervention? Surely that could never happen again, we thought.

In 2025, history is repeating itself as we watch the genocide of the Palestinians, and this time there is no way to pretend we dont know whats happening  we see it on our screens every day.

In years to come, the next generation will ask why there was no intervention. Why did no one stop them? I wonder will there be anything left of Gaza and its people. How many unmarked graves will they need to represent their dead?

Aisling Brady, Drumcondra, Dublin

US should learn from the North  putting troops on the streets solves nothing

Northern Irelands bitter experience with military deployment offers a stark warning to the US (Troops on the streets is a chilling moment for democracy in US  Editorial, June 12).

Soldiers are trained to confront enemies, not to police citizens. Their presence rarely calms tensions; in fact, it almost always inflames them. We had troops on the Norths streets for 38 years  a short-term intervention that became a decades-long occupation.

The recent deployment of not only the National Guard but active-duty Marines to Los Angeles  against the wishes of local officials  should trouble anyone with a concern for democracy. Sending troops to silence protest rather than address its causes does not resolve crisis. It hardens it.

As protests spread over Donald Trumps heavy-handed immigration raids, the danger of irreversible escalation grows. There are reports that ICE officers have been tasked with making 3,000 arrests a day. Putting Marines on city streets in such a context risks turning political grievance into a national trauma.

History shows us that once soldiers are deployed domestically, it becomes exponentially harder to withdraw them. As John F Kennedy warned: Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

If America still values democracy, it would do well to learn from Northern Irelands costly legacy before choosing force over dialogue. The military cannot secure the soul of a nation.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

With their RPZ policy, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have made things worse

Fine Gael and Fianna Fails perma-government seems incapable of understanding that endless, piecemeal and reactionary market intervention is not the answer to our housing crisis (Entire country to be brought under Rent Pressure Zone in major change agreed by Government leaders  June 10).

By capping rent increases everywhere, from Ballyfermot to Ballycotton, and further curtailing the rights of large landlords with more than three properties, the Department of Housing will do nothing except encourage non-corporate landlords to finally bail out and put their properties up for sale.

More ads on property websites will offer short-term hope to first-time buyers seeking to get on the ladder, but only until they run up against the inexhaustible wallets of national and international vulture funds raising asking prices by tens of thousands of euro.

The rest of us will be left to continue fighting over the scraps, as we have done for the best part of two decades. All the while, the Governments reluctance to reduce the swathes of taxes and regulations it has introduced, in a way that would encourage investment by developers and the return of construction workers, gets worse.

The Spanish policy that places a 100pc tax on foreign purchases of homes in that country is a rare bit of reasonable socialism that our lads wont countenance.

These new measures give a sop to louder elements who believe state micromanagement of irrelevant minutiae is the only solution to the housing crisis. Eventually, the incompetence starts to look wilful.

Killian Foley-Walsh, Kilkenny town

To those who find Pride irritating  it remains just as important as ever

At a time when right-wing governments all over the world, including some within the EU, are attempting to roll back rights for LGBTQ+ people, Pride is more important than ever.

I note that Eric Conway finds it irritating in the extreme (Letters, June 12). However, the annual celebration remains a vital expression of solidarity for a minority that suffered terribly at the hands of both church and state here until very recently.

Long may Pride continue.

Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

De Valeras championing of the presidency should always be remembered

I read with interest Thomas Garveys letter on the presidency (June 11).

The writer notes in particular that Fianna Fail has not featured in recent presidential contests, having monopolised the office for so long.

It is interesting to note that it was Eamon de Valera who created the office of president of Ireland.

He did so in the face of the most virulent opposition during the debates on the introduction of Bunreacht na hEireann in 1937. When the Constitution was debated in the Dail, the office of the president was the single most contentious issue.

It came up about 60 times and De Valera was accused of trying to impose a type of dictatorship along the lines of Hitler or Mussolini.

Issues such as the special position of the Catholic Church and women in the home were minor by comparison. As it turned out, these fears were wild exaggerations and the office has evolved into the most respected of all our political institutions.

De Valera waited until the end of his active political career before opting for the Aras  the Phoenix Park was the ideal paddock for the old warhorse.

Fr Iggy ODonovan, Thomas Street, Dublin
On Thursday in Dublin, Gardai arrested a man in relation to the murder of Annie McCarrick, who went missing on March 26, 1993.

There they searched at a home in Clondalkin but have stressed that the current residents of this home are not connected in any way with Annie McCarrick or her disappearance.

Ms McCarrick, originally from New York, disappeared without a trace, and the case has remained unsolved for over 32 years. The last confirmed sighting of her was in Sandymount, Dublin.

Today on this Indo Daily Extra; we replay extracts from an interview recorded in February 2023, as Fionnan Sheahan spoke to Claire McGowan, crime fiction writer and author of the Vanishing Triangle, the Murdered Women Ireland Forgot, about the disappearance of Annie McCarrick.
One local representative said city centre businesses will move out as staff are struggling to work properly,

Buskers across Cork City could soon be left without sound amplification if a proposal at Cork City Council gets passed.

Councillor Shane OCallaghan has proposed a motion to prohibit the use of speakers for street performers, who he says are a nuisance to business owners and staff in an issue he even fears could lead to shops moving out of the centre.
When is the All-Ireland hurling final between Cork and Tipperary? Match and ticket details for big showdown
Monsignor Kieron Kennedy passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully at his home on Tuesday

The community of Freshford in Co Kilkenny is in mourning following the sudden death of popular parish priest Monsignor Kieron Kennedy.

Msgr Kennedy, who was the Episcopal Vicar for Family and Social Affairs for the diocese and the parish priest for Freshford, died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 10.

Born in Dublin, Msgr Kennedy studied for the priesthood in Rome, where he was director of the Irish Holy Year Office after ordination in 1975.

Since then, Msgr Kennedy lived in London and St. Canice's Parish in Co Kilkenny, before being appointed parish priest of the parish of Freshford in October of 2018.

Before taking up his appointment in the parish of Freshford, Msgr Kennedy had served as president of St. Kieran's College and the Administrator in St. Mary's Cathedral with Bishop Seamus Freeman.

Homeless service, The Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny (GSCK), which Msgr Kennedy helped set up, paid tribute to a man whose compassion left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

"The Board, staff and friends of the Good Shepherd Centre Kilkenny (GSCK) would like to pay tribute to Monsignor Kieron Kennedy who sadly passed away suddenly [on Tuesday]. Monsignor Kennedy was a founding board member of the GSCK and Tar Isteach Housing.

A man whose compassion left an indelible mark on the lives of many, especially those society too often overlooks. His dedication to the homeless was not a matter of duty but of deep, lived commitment to human dignity and social justice.

"Through his service on the boards of the Good Shepherd Centre and Tar Isteach Housing, Monsignor Kennedy worked to ensure that those in need had not only shelter, but hope and respect. He believed that every person deserves a place to call home.

Tributes are also pouring in on RIP.ie as the community comes together to remember a man who was a friend to everyone.

He was a good friend and a very holy priest, wrote a mourner on RIP.ie. I was shocked when I received the news of his passing. I will miss him a lot.

"He and the team kept a beautiful church in Freshford. I loved the soft music which he had played constantly in the church in Freshford, it has been a most prayerful place.

"Thank God for his smile and few words of welcome at Holy Communion too. He was a good friend to my family as well. May God rest his peaceful soul.

"Monsignor was a lovely man may God bless his soul, added another mourner.

Follow Independent Kilkenny on Facebook

Msgr Kennedys funeral will arrive at St. Lachtains Church in Freshford on Saturday, June 14 at 7pm, with his remains reposing in the church overnight.

Funeral prayers will take place on Sunday, June 15 at 5.30pm, followed by removal to St. Marys Cathedral, Kilkenny, arriving for reception prayers at 7pm.

Requiem mass will take place on Monday, June 16 at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Foulkstown Cemetery in Co Kilkenny.

"Unexpectedly, but peacefully at his residence on Tuesday June 10, 2025, read his death notice on RIP.ie.

"Pre-deceased by his parents, Daniel and Mildred.

"Monsignor Kieron will be inconsolably missed by his sisters Miriam and Dorothy, his brother Donal, brother-in-law Tim, beloved nieces and nephews Sarah and Daniel, Donal, David and Leah, sister-in-law Shelley, Bishop Niall Coll and Priests and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Ossory, close family friends Bishop William Crean, Bishop Jim Curry and Monsignor Martin Hayes and Sr. Therese Gillis who have journeyed with him for many years, relatives, neighbours and friends.

"I lionta De go gcastar sinn.
A rare book on Gaelic proverbs which was borrowed from Galway Public Libraries by a German scholar has finally been returned  80 years later.

An original 1907 copy of Seanfhocla Uladh, by Enri Ua Muirgheasa, was returned to Galway Public Libraries recently after being out of loan since 1940, marking the latest chapter in an extraordinary tale that involved a renowned German scholar who studied in Galway during the Second World War.
The concert will mark the first time that harp music will echo around the heritage site in generations

Two For Joy members Sheila Garry and Elaine Hogan.

A special public concert will take place at the historic setting of Rattoo Round Tower at 3.30pm on Sunday, June 22.

The concert will see harp students who attended a summer school at Teach Siamsa Finuge perform Miss Hamilton, composed by the distinguished 18th century North Kerry harper Cornelius Lyons.

The area surrounding Rattoo Round Tower was a known centre for harping in the 18th century. It is believed that Cornelius Lyons, who was the harper to the Earl of Antrim, may have studied or performed at a harp school there.

The Rattoo concert has been organised by Teach Siamsa Finuge, and it will mark the culmination of the inaugural Cornelius Lyons Summer Harp School, which will run from Friday, June 20 to Sunday, June 22.

This is the first time in generations that a harp school will echo through Rattoo, Dr. Susan Motherway, coordinator of the initiative, said.

Its a homecoming  not just for the music of Cornelius Lyons, but for the Kerry community whose heritage is rooted in this place.

The school running in Finuge has been setup to honour Cornelius Lyons, who left a legacy which had a big impact on the Irish harp tradition when he died in 1750.

The summer school will include masterclasses, workshops and talks aimed at beginner and intermediate harpers.

While the schools harp workshops are designed for registered participants, the wider public is invited to attend two key events.

One event is a heritage talk titled From the Parlour to the Pub. The event will see harper and researcher Niamh OBrien explore the evolution of Irish harping from the 1950s to today.

The talk will take place at 3pm on Saturday, June 21 in Teach Siamsa Finuge.

A double-bill concert will take place that night in Teach Siamsa.

It will feature Janet Harbison, one of Irelands foremost harpers and a champion of Cornelius Lyons legacy, and traditional duo Two For Joy, comprised of Elaine Hogan and Sheila Garry.

Two For Joy will also launch their second album at the show.

Teach Siamsa Finuge has thanked the Heritage Council for its support in establishing the harp school.

Tickets for the events are available on Eventbrite and early booking is strongly encouraged.
A citizen-led group could ask Bismarck voters next year to extend a half-cent sales tax used to improve arterial roadways, replacing a similar mechanism that is set to expire in four years.

City commissioners on Tuesday green-lighted city administration, legal and engineering staff to work with a citizen-led subcommittee that is drafting a home rule charter amendment that would extend the city's half-cent arterial roadway improvement sales tax. The decision came after nearly an hour of discussion, with some commissioners concerned about limits in the drafted ballot language.

The measure is being drafted by a citizen-led subcommittee chaired by Carl Young. The group submitted an initial draft to the city attorney on May 22, followed by a revised version last week after the city attorney identified wording issues in the original.

City staff met with the subcommittee on May 29 and recommended asking the Commission to allow staff to continue working with the group on ballot language. Commissioner Michael Connelly, who is involved with the effort, argued that staff involvement would give the Commission and administration more input on the final measure.

"If that permission is not given, then the subcommittee will continue to submit wording until it's approved and they'll get the signatures," he said.

The tax would replace the existing half-cent sales tax set to sunset in early 2029. Approved by voters in 2018, the current tax has funded a handful of major corridor projects, including last years South Washington Street improvements, recent work on 43rd Avenue and Ash Coulee Drive, and the upcoming Tyler Parkway expansion.

In total, the tax has generated over $55 million and has funded around 6 miles of roadway improvements, according to a commission memo.

In its current form, the measure would impose a half-cent sales tax to fund construction or improvements on any arterial or collector road within an area bounded by River Road to the west, 52nd Street to the east, Burleigh Avenue to the south and 57th Avenue to the north.

As written, the measure would require the sales tax revenue to be used for any arterial or collector street project where the special assessment district exceeds $1 million. All new construction, reconstruction or major reconfiguration projects would be subject to voter approval during a regularly scheduled election, according to the proposed ballot language.

However, property owners along a corridor could bypass an election by submitting a petition signed by 60% of affected owners, allowing the project to proceed and be funded through special assessments.

The subcommittee is still working on final ballot language but intends for the measure to be decided by voters in 2026.

During discussion on Tuesday, Mayor Mike Schmitz raised concerns about the measure as drafted so far. He disagreed with including the $1 million cap because it's too low to fund most street projects. If a project is protested and blocked, he warned, it could accumulate tens of millions of dollars of unused funds.

"It brings back something that I don't wish to talk about called a TIF district fund that's just pooling at the city, and has caused more than enough heartburn in this city already," he said. A TIF, or tax increment financing, district fund is a special fund to finance improvements in a designated area.

Connelly pushed back against the mayor referring to the measure as a potential TIF fund as "inaccurate." He also clarified that the $1 million threshold is a trigger, not a cap, intended to shift a projects funding source from special assessments to sales tax if special assessments exceed that amount.

Commissioner Greg Zenker criticized the measure for seeking to change a system that is working well for the city now. He acknowledged that public complaints about projects under the current system are inevitable but said the board needs to consider the needs of the whole city rather than just a vocal minority.

Zenker argued that it would have been a "professional courtesy" to work with staff and administration to work on a measure that better aligns with a future vision for the city. He would have liked to see the measure address street utility fees or finding ways to eliminate special assessments.

"I don't see this as a vision. I think this just, and no disrespect, but it's a group of people who aren't happy with the certain ways certain things are done, and it's a handcuffing scenario," Zenker said.

Connelly responded that the current system has served its intended purpose and that the new measure seeks to evolve and address challenges the city has not found an answer for. An example he cited is urban sprawl, which he said increase costs communitywide by requiring the city to expand costly services to new areas.

He added that the measure would help reduce the citys reliance on special assessments for roadway projects. By shifting costs to other funding sources, he said, sidewalk-to-sidewalk improvements could become more feasible without placing an added burden on businesses.

"When you're talking six figures of special assessments, that's hard for a business," he said. "It's competitive enough out there. Government shouldn't be in a position of making it hard for business to go forward."
Kerry house sale rejected over Shannon LNG and wind turbines

Property hunting in north Kerry did not go well for one frustrated buyer who feels plans for the region are off-putting

An artist's impression of the proposed LNG terminal on the Shannon Estuary.

Stephen Fernane Kerryman Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 09:00

A woman interested in sourcing property near Tarbert and Ballylongford in north Kerry has said she is no longer interested and is looking elsewhere after being put off by an abundance of wind turbines and proposed plans for a Shannon LNG plant.
The location of St Anness Cahersiveen Community Hospital on the Iveragh peninsula has been cited as a major issue why the facility cannot attract or retain healthcare staff.

The problem has resulted in four beds remaining unoccupied at the facility, including two palliative care beds.

Details contained in a letter sent by the HSE on June 10 to Fianna Fail TD and spokesperson for Older People, Michael Cahill, revealed that because of the hospitals remote location it is making recruitment even more challenging.

The HSE stated that such challenges are being exacerbated by a spate of temporary staff shortages due to retirements, resignations and various other leave including maternity leave and sick leave.

The HSE say bed capacity at Cahersiveen Community Hospital is configured around adequate staffing levels and an appropriate staff skill-mix must be in place to ensure the safety of both residents and staff.

Management say it is important to note that short stay beds currently open at the hospital are not ring-fenced for a specific defined use and can be interchangeable depending on the demand in the area at a particular time.

HSE state that it is committed to re-opening temporarily-closed beds at the hospital to meet the needs of the local community, contingent on successful recruitment.

Deputy Cahill said he would like to see the HSE rising to the challenge by targeting professional nursing staff living locally and nearby who work elsewhere. He asked that the HSE appeal to our emigrants who may be ready to return home to work.

He said he has been inundated with requests from locals whose loved ones would be only too delighted to get a place in Cahersiveen Community Hospital rather than a hospital a distance of 100 or 200km away.

Deputy Cahill explained that people from Cahersiveen, Iveragh, and wider south Kerry region deserve better and he will continue to lobby the Minister for Health and her department for better services.

Palliative Care beds should be available at all times, as close to a patients home as is humanly possible, to ensure all family members can be present, he said.

Elderly spouses or parents should not need to travel long distances to be with their loved ones in such circumstances. I will be calling for a full review of HSE recruitment policies, pay grades and working conditions for our medical frontline workers to ensure all beds are available for use, at all times, in Cahersiveen and all of our community hospitals, Deputy Cahill added.
The Government has been presented with 33 key infrastructural projects that would have a transformative impact on the Northern and Western Region.

At a breakfast briefing in Dublin, a delegation from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) presented Government Ministers, TDs, Senators and Senior Government officials with the report.

The report, Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region identifies the need for a minimum 9 billion in capital investment needed across the regions transport, energy, education, water, and climate infrastructure.

These are specifically for the projects that could be costed at the time, with other projects to be costed at a later date. These initiatives are designed to address significant infrastructure deficits, unlock economic potential, and advance climate resilience in Irelands most underfunded region.

NWRA Economist, John Daly said: Despite Ireland being regarded as one of the wealthiest economies in the EU, the Northern and Western Region of Irelands transport infrastructure ranked in the bottom 20 at 218th out of 234 regions according to the European Commissions Regional Competitiveness Index.

The publication of the report coincides with the public consultation on the revised National Development Plan (NDP), which remains open until 26th June 2025. The NDP is the Governments long-term vision and investment strategy for national infrastructure and public services, a crucial component of Project Ireland 2040.

Speaking at the event, NWRA Director Conall McGettigan stated: The Northern and Western Region has consistently received below-average investment in national infrastructure.

This report aligns with the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 20202032 and presents a clear roadmapwith several projects already costedto bring the region in line with national policy goals. It supports compact growth, regional accessibility, and sustainable development.

Among the key projects proposed are:

 The N17 Knock to Collooney road scheme (600 million)

 The Carrick-on-Shannon bypass and N4 upgrade (up to 500 million)

 Donegal TEN-T Projects (790m to 915m)

 Phases 2 and 3 of the Western Rail Corridor (400600 million)

 The Galway City Ring Road (500 million to 1 billion)

 Strategic grid enhancement projects by EirGrid (1.3 billion)

 Investments at Ireland West Airport Knock

 New capital projects at the Atlantic Technological University (50m - 150 million)

NWRA Cathaoirleach Cllr Jarlath Munnelly added: The report highlights the severe regional imbalance in public capital investment. Between 2016 and 2024, the Northern and Western Region received just 5.7% of public tenders worth over 20 million, despite accounting for over 17% of Irelands population.

The NWRA developed the report following extensive consultation with all nine local authorities in the region, along with key infrastructure agencies including Transport Infrastructure Ireland, EirGrid, Uisce Eireann, and Atlantic Technological University.

The report will be transposed into a submission from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly on the review of the National Development Plan (NDP).

The submission to the NDP will aim to ensure the Northern and Western Region, through the provision of critical infrastructure, is fully empowered to meet Irelands targets on housing, climate action, connectivity, and economic development.

The report on the Regional Infrastructure Priorities for the Northern and Western Region will be submitted as part of the NWRAs submission to the NDP consultation.

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) is one of three Regional Assemblies in the Republic of Ireland. It works with key stakeholders at EU, national, regional and local level to accelerate and optimise effective regional development.

As a public body charged with formulating Regional Policy, the NWRA advocates for greater economic development in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland, which covers the counties of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan.
The historic and formerly vacant Captain Wafer Hall in Enniscorthy is to be given a new lease of life thanks to a substantial grant to have it reworked into a community hub.

Located at the base of the 1798 Vinegar Hill battle site, the hall was named after Captain Thomas Wafer, a local leader of the 1916 Irish Rebellion.

Built over 70 years ago as a community hub by locals, it was home to many social events and official meetings of nearby groups and clubs.

However, it has been over 15 years since the building has been utilised as a prime community space, having been left vacant for the last two years

The hall was recently taken out on lease by the Enniscorthy Community Alliance in order to bring it back into community use. A group with an interest in sustainability and community development, the hope is that it will become a prime space for collaboration.

The Hut will offer a unique blend of services and resources, empowering members to foster energy independence, promote sustainability, and as a result, build a stronger and more resilient community for a greener future.

Billy Murphy, Chairperson of the Enniscorthy Community Alliance explained that there is a lack of community spaces currently in the town.

"The ECA wish to carry on the legacy of the hall by reimagining the space to meet the needs of a modern day community and by naming it The Hut after those dedicated people who originally saw the need for this space for the people of Enniscorthy. There is still a need today, with very little available community gathering spaces in the town, they said.

The refurbishment of the hall is much closer after the committee was awarded 98,280 as part of the Community Recognition Funding. In total, 673,815 was shared across nine projects across the county.

"We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly grateful for this funding from the Community Recognition Fund, said Mr Murphy. "The Captain Wafer Hall has served as a cherished hub for generations of Enniscorthy residents, hosting countless events, meetings, and gatherings. This investment is a testament to its importance and will enable us to transform it into a modern, accessible, and vibrant space that can continue to serve our community for many years to come."

Speaking on the allocation, Senator Cathal Byrne said: This is fantastic news for Enniscorthy, I want to congratulate the committee who applied for the application. Im looking forward to seeing the project as it develops over the coming weeks and months.

Enniscorthy Community Alliance, is a not for profit organisation, which has been operating in Enniscorthy for many years. It is working on a number of projects and programmes to support the enhancement of the Enniscorthy area.

This volunteer led organisation runs a community employment scheme and most recently has secured funding from the Department of Justice to deliver two projects, one focused on youth engagement in the community through sustainability and biodiversity and will shortly be launching the Shannon Way project which is focusing on improvements in the Templeshannon area of the town.

The group looks forward to commencing the renovation work in the coming months and will keep the community updated on progress.
Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD, H.E. Dr. Lahcen Mahraoui, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland, and Wexford County Council Director of Services, Eamonn Hore.

Representatives of various organisations in New Ross welcomed an esteemed guest to the town last week.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland, H.E. Dr. Lahcen Mahroui paid a visit to all corners of the town alongside the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy TD and Wexford County Council Director of Services, Eamonn Hore, as they followed the lead of history buff and dedicated New Ross tour guide, Myles Courtney.

Mr Courtney said it was indeed an honour to introduce the Ambassador to the history of New Ross, while he also shared with them the historic connections of the port with Mediterranean mariners.

The walled city of Essaouira indeed has a lot in common with the medieval Norman walled town of New Ross, he added.

A spokesperson for the Ambassador said the tour, which included several historic sites such as the Dunbrody Famine Ship and The Ros Tapestry in its new home on the Quay, highlighted the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Fruitful discussions took place on ways to further strengthen the relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and Ireland. A particular focus was placed on exploring avenues for deeper cooperation between the towns of New Ross and Essaouira, with the aim of building a new bridge of friendship and collaboration for the benefit of their respective communities, they added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Murphy shared on her social media that Mr Courtneys guided tour was superb and exchanges were both insightful and inspiring throughout the visit. She extended her gratitude to Mr Hore and Mr Connick for facilitating the visit, which is intended to create cooperation and friendship strengthening cultural and economic ties for years to come.
There was sadness right across Co Wexford on Thursday as news broke of the passing of Fr Denis Doyle. The popular priests passing caused a particular pause for thought in the parish of Kilmore, where he served for 18 years from 2002 up until his retirement in 2020.

Fr Denis was born in 1947 in Cadogan, Ballycullane, and attended the local National School before going on to St Peters College in Wexford. As a young man he felt the call of faith and entered St Peters Seminary where he was eventually ordained in June of 1971.

After his ordination, he was sent to the Diocese of Down and Connor, where he worked at Twinbrook, Belfast from 1971 to 1974  a period of major unrest in the North.

His home county beckoned though and, on his return, Fr Doyle was appointed curate at Blackwater in June of 1974, where he served two years before moving to Rowe Street in Wexford town in July of 1976.

He made a lasting impact while in Wexford town and was one of the driving forces behind Wexford Youth Group. Labour TD for Wexford, George Lawlor, noted that Fr Denis was an incredible leader of young people.

"His commitment to making youngsters feel 10 feet tall as they performed shows across the country in the then famous John Player Tops of the Town made him an iconic pastor to us all, he said. His drive and passion to bring the best out in people made him special to so many of us.

In February of 1986, he joined the Ferns Mission team in Brazil. He spent many happy years there and returned with some amazing stories that he regaled his friends and parishioners with on his return to Wexford. Fr Doyle briefly returned from Brazil to take up a role as curate in New Ross in 1996, but two years later he returned to Brazil where he would serve another four years.

In 2002, he was called on to replace Fr Pat Furlong in Kilmore who was retiring after 15 years. Fr Doyle returned from Brazil and slotted seamlessly into the coastal community, where he was very highly thought of. Tributes poured in as news broke of his passing, describing him as a true gentleman and one in a million.

Fr Denis is loved and missed by his brothers Nicholas and Padge, sisters Bridget, Mary Margaret and Sadie, his beloved nephews and nieces, loyal friend Mary and all his extended family, friends, former parishioners, Bishop Ger and the clergy of the diocese of Ferns.

Fr Denis funeral mass will take place on Monday, June 16, at St Marys Church, Kilmore, followed by burial afterwards in St Martins Cemetery, Ballycullane.
An Arklow school had to send students home due to a power cut, but right outside, a solar-powered mobile science lab was still up and running.

Students who were destined for a day of learning at home were able to become scientists for the day at the Curiosity Cube, which is designed to make science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) accessible.

The retrofitted shipping container came to Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir for the fourth year as part of a Europe-wide tour.

The Life Sciences Volunteer team from Merck  the science and technology company driving the Curiosity Cube  reached out to the local community through WhatsApp and social media and invited other local schools, students, families and friends to work alongside Merck employees from Sigma-Aldrich Ltd, the primary centre for cGMP production of commercial and late-stage APIs and advanced intermediates.

In total, 130 children from Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir, their families and other local primary schools enjoyed an interactive day at the Curiosity Cube.

Throughout the visit, students from Gaelscoil an Inbhir Mhoir and other local schools explored real-world science through three interactive experiments focused on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI): image authenticity, pattern recognition and self-driving cars.

These hands-on activities were designed to show students how STEM is all around them and to equip them with critical thinking skills needed for future careers.

Site administrator for Mercks Sigma-Aldrich Ltd in Arklow, Sharon Kennedy, said: We love to have the Curiosity Cube back in Arklow every year, it means an awful lot to our local community and our colleagues that we are here every year visiting the schools.

For four years and counting, the visit of the mobile science lab has always been making a big difference to not only us on site but also the students and the community in Arklow in general.

Despite the growing demand for STEM professionals, many students struggle to see themselves in these careers. A recent survey funded by Merck found that nearly half (48pc) of middle school students find it difficult to envision themselves as scientists, despite engaging in STEM-related activities every day.

In 2024, the Curiosity Cube engaged more than 43,000 students across Europe and North America, visiting 14 countries and hosting 282 events.

This year, the Curiosity Cube embarked on its fourth European tour, aiming to connect with 20,000 students via more than 130 events. Each stop on its tour is supported by employee volunteers who share their passion for science, providing students with real-world insights into STEM careers.

Every student who walks into the Curiosity Cube walks away with a new way of looking at science, Curiosity Cube coordinator Stefanie Rammer said.

That spark of curiosity can make all the difference in shaping the scientists of tomorrow.
Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Marilyn Wilkinson and Ann Lydon at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Liz Butler, Betty Jeffers, Mary Blake, Betty Kavanagh, Teresa Moran, Molly Cullen and Josie Doyle from the Home First knitting group present a cheque to Carnew Community Care board secretary Pat Brennan.

Members of the Home First knitting group Mary Blake and Josie Doyle with Maureen Brennan, Ann Lydon and Angela Austin at the Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Wool art made from an old wheel hub at the Home First knitters Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

Betty Jeffers, Liz Butler, Josie Doyle, Mary Blake, Teresa Moran, Betty Kavanagh and Ann Edwards from the Home First knitters group at their Art of Wool exhibition in Carnew Community Care.

The Home First knitters group from Carnew Community Care recently hosted a colourful Art of Wool exhibition featuring discarded car wheel hubs they expertly upcycled into stunning works of art, which will soon be incorporated into the landscape of the village.

An imaginative display that underscored the creative talent within the Carnew community, the hugely popular exhibition, which was extended for an extra week, demonstrated the power of art to connect people and support meaningful causes, with the knitters ingenuity and dedication leaving a lasting impression on all who visited.

As part of a collaboration between the group and Carnew Tidy Towns that promises to further enhance the towns beauty, the repurposed wheel hubs will soon be integrated into the towns floral displays, adding a unique touch of artistry to the village streets.

Awestruck by the exhibition, May Brennan and Majella Tyrell from Carnew Tidy Towns were deeply impressed by the groups efforts and the volume of work presented, expressing their enthusiasm for incorporating the knitted creations into the towns aesthetic.

During the exhibition, the knitters also used the opportunity to give back to the community, presenting a cheque for 2,000 raised through their previous Map of Ireland knitted project to Carnew Community Care Secretary Pat Brennan, who extended heartfelt gratitude to the knitting group, assuring them that the donation would contribute significantly to the much-anticipated kitchen renovations at the centre.

Visitors and residents alike are encouraged to keep an eye out for these charming knitted wheel hubs as they make their debut alongside Carnews flourishing flowers, Carnew Community Care manager Anne Kavanagh said.

Truly, the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and community continues to thrive in Carnew.

The knitted Map of Ireland exhibition, recently featured on RTE Nationwide, is ongoing at Carnew Community Care.
The former island home of two dedicated Gaelic scholars is welcoming visitors again following a nine-year repair and restoration programme.

The National Trust for Scotland is celebrating the reopening of Canna House in the Inner Hebrides, which was home to John Lorne Campbell and Margaret Fay Shaw, who built up a major collection of Gaelic music, folklore and culture.
At least eight Palestinians who worked for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) died in an ambush, the organisation said yesterday, blaming Hamas militants for the killings that rocked the food distribution operation.

A bus carrying about two dozen GHF workers was raked with gunfire on Wednesday night as it headed to an aid centre in southern Gaza, the foundation said, adding that many of its staff were injured and some might have been kidnapped.
How, after years of waiting, Israel's Netanyahu finally makes his move on Iran

Netanyahu threatened Iran for years, many saw it as a bluffIsraeli leader sees Iran as existential threat to IsraelRecent Middle East tumult provided a rare chance to strikeNetanyahu hopes success will secure his legacy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has survived a bid to dissolve parliament (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP/PA)

Crispian Balmer Reuters Fri 13 Jun 2025 at 08:35

Iran once ridiculed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the boy who cried wolf for his constant public warnings about Tehran's nuclear programme, and his repeated threats to shut it down, one way or another.
LIVE | Iran retaliates with missiles as Israel launches second night of attacks on nuclear targets and military leadership

Irish people advised not to travel to Israel  TanaisteAttacks on nuclear targets, scientists and Revolutionary Guard leaders raise the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversariesMost significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq, with multiple sites around the country hitMicheal Martin urges Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint to avoid further escalation Follow the latest in our live blog below

Israel launches attacks on Irans nuclear programme
I was a hostage of the Iranian regime: The Tipperary native on being held in dire conditions and the war with Israel
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 87F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 54F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.
India to Mandate Disclosure of Workplace Harassment, Maternity Compliance in Board Reports

India has amended the Companies (Accounts) Rules to mandate that listed companies in the country disclose workplace sexual harassment cases and maternity benefit compliance in their board reports starting July 14, 2025. The rules also update digital filing procedures and standardize statutory forms to streamline compliance and enhance corporate transparency on employee welfare and gender-sensitive issues.

Indias Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has introduced new amendments to the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, through the Companies (Accounts) Second Amendment Rules, 2025.

The latest amendments introduce new disclosure mandates for listed companies, requiring detailed reporting on workplace sexual harassment cases and compliance with maternity benefit laws. Effective July 14, 2025, these changes aim to enhance transparency and strengthen gender-sensitive reporting standards among listed companies in India.

New mandate on harassment and maternity disclosures in board reports

One of the major changes introduced through the Companies (Accounts) Second Amendment Rules, 2025, mandates that listed companies in India must now include detailed disclosures on workplace sexual harassment. The MCA issued the gazette notification on May 30, 2025.

Specifically, companies will be required to report the number of sexual harassment complaints received and resolved during the financial year. This also includes the number of cases that remain pending for more than 90 days.

In addition, the board report must now also include a declaration regarding the companys compliance with the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

CLICK HERE: Legal Guide to Maternity Benefits in India for Employers

Previously, companies were only obligated to confirm the establishment of an Internal Complaints Committee as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. The amended rules now go further by requiring quantitative and compliance-based disclosures.

Industry welcomes focus on employee welfare

Experts in India have endorsed the move, highlighting its potential to promote ethical workplace practices and reinforce womens rights in professional environments. According to industry professionals, the enhanced reporting requirements are a progressive step toward achieving substantive equality in the workplace.

Corporate board reports are typically prepared at the end of the financial year. These reports hold comprehensive disclosures that provide stakeholders with insights into a companys financial and non-financial performance. They usually cover areas such as energy efficiency measures, technological advancements, and foreign exchange transactions. With the latest amendments, the scope of non-financial reporting has now been broadened to include employee welfare metrics as well.

ALSO READ: Indias POSH Act: Annual Reporting Obligations and Proposed Amendments

Digital filing and form revisions to streamline corporate compliance

Alongside the new content requirements, the amendments also bring procedural improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency in corporate filings. One of the key changes is the shift to electronic formats for statutory forms. References to physical forms such as Form AOC-1 and AOC-2 have now been officially replaced with their digital counterparts, e-Form AOC-1 and e-Form AOC-2.

AOC stands for Accounts of Company. The compliance forms refer to a set of statutory filing forms prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013, specifically dealing with the filing of financial statements and related reports with the Registrar of Companies (RoC).

Furthermore, companies will now be required to submit extracts of the board report and auditors reportsboth standalone and consolidated. These supporting documents must be filed in PDF format, ensuring consistency and ease of access for regulators and stakeholders.

The amended rules also introduce updated versions of multiple e-forms, including AOC-1, AOC-2, AOC-4, AOC-4 CFS, AOC-4 NBFC (Ind AS), AOC-4 CFS NBFC (Ind AS), and CSR-2. These revisions aim to standardize reporting formats and make compliance procedures more seamless for companies.

Types of AOC forms and their purpose
As tensions rise in Port Charles, the June 13 episode of General Hospital brings unresolved grudges, legal concerns, and emotional uncertainty to the forefront. Brook Lynn continues to be fixated on Lulu, Natalias confrontation with Marco may change their relationship, and Drew begins to question everything after a crushing courtroom loss.

Brook Lynn refuses to back down from her feud with Lulu

Brook Lynn remains focused on taking down Lulu, still feeling that Lulu has taken the life that shouldve been hers. Tracy once again urges her to drop it, but Brook Lynn shows no signs of stopping. Her plans for retaliation only pick up pace, setting the stage for deeper conflict.

Meanwhile, Maxie steps in, hoping to ease the tension. She reaches out to Lulu in an effort to make peace. Lulu, for her part, denies doing anything to deserve Brook Lynns anger. Maxie is left in the middle of a fight between two old friends, trying to make Lulu reflect on her role in the fallout.

Natalias response catches Marco off guard

While Sonny discusses Natalia with Jason, he shares that she may hold damaging information that could risk his freedom. Jason recommends that Sonny step away from the situation for his own safety.

Meanwhile, Natalia arrives at Davis & Miller hoping to talk to her son. When Marco asks her directly if she has anything that could incriminate Sonny, her reaction surprises him. The conversation hints at possible revelations that Marco wasnt expecting to hear from his mother.

"I need you to tell me exactly what you have on Sonny Corinthos." #GH pic.twitter.com/R5cv3E4w4S  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) June 13, 2025





Drew begins to question his place in Willows life

After the custody case ends with Willow losing, Drew struggles to accept how things turned out, especially with Michaels behavior having been exposed in court. Adding to his confusion, Nina tells Drew to keep his distance from her daughter.

Overwhelmed, Drew turns to Martin to talk through his doubts. He starts wondering if perhaps Willow might actually be better off without him in her life. Its a moment of emotional reckoning that could lead to a new path for Drew.



As secrets unravel and emotions rise, Port Charles faces major shifts in loyalty, trust, and long-held relationships.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
BTS sent the fandom ARMY into an emotional frenzy on June 13 as all seven members reunited in celebration of their 12th debut anniversary. Six members  RM, Jin, SUGA, Jimin, V, and Jungkook  came together to support J-Hope at his Hope On The Stage finale concert, marking a powerful moment of unity following their military discharges.

Held at Goyang Stadium in South Korea as part of BTS FESTA 2025, the concert quickly turned into a historic celebration. The members were spotted in the VIP section, cheering on their lead dancer, with their presence alone making the night unforgettable for fans. But the surprises didn't stop there, as special stage appearances from Jin and Jungkook added to the magic.

Jin and Jungkook's surprise stage performances

Just hours before the concert, Jin and Jungkook were heard during rehearsals, sparking speculation  and hope  that they might perform. As photos and videos of the reunion flooded social media, the night quickly became an unforgettable chapter in BTS history.

During the concert, Jungkook joined J-Hope on stage for their duet i wonder..., prompting ARMY to erupt in cheers. The excitement continued as J-Hope handed the stage to Jungkook to perform his solo hit SEVEN, with J-Hope even rapping Latto's part, delighting the crowd.

JUNGKOOK PERFORMING 'SEVEN' WITH J-HOPE pic.twitter.com/Hi75oslpk5  BTS LINK (@btslinkita) June 13, 2025

Later, when many thought the concert had ended, J-Hope returned to the stage with the eldest member, Jin. The duo sang the group's beloved classic Spring Day, drawing emotional reactions from fans.

[FULL] Jin joining J-hope for Spring Day ()! pic.twitter.com/PKCsWQkVVW  bts memeories (@btsmemeories) June 13, 2025

Jin was also given the stage to perform his solo track Don't Say You Love Me, which many believe is in preparation for his upcoming solo tour.

JIN preforming DON'T SAY YOU LOVE ME pic.twitter.com/vBiF8tcXZi   (@Pk_bts_land) June 13, 2025

As if that wasn't enough, the trio  Jin, J-Hope, and Jungkook  performed Jamais Vu, a fan-favorite song from BTS' 2019 album MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA.

JUNGKOOK, J-HOPE AND JIN PERFORMING 'JAMAIS VU' pic.twitter.com/2eeWwfgCgV  BTS LINK (@btslinkita) June 13, 2025

BTS members dance to 'Mic Drop'

Adding to the unforgettable night, videos went viral showing the members in the VIP section dancing along as J-Hope performed the groups high-energy anthem Mic Drop, a song known for its bold message to haters.

ALL MEMBERS DOING THE MIC DROP CHOREO STOPPPPPP pic.twitter.com/MoygazEP1c  moni  (@sevenrchive) June 13, 2025

As the iconic OT7 fan chant echoed through the venue and ARMY screamed "mianhae eomma" at the top of their lungs, it added an extra layer of emotion to an already powerful Festa night.

THEY WERE DANCING TO MIC DROP TOGETHER pic.twitter.com/V6TycZdfmW  sen (@sugatradamus) June 13, 2025

About BTS Festa

BTS Festa 2025 kicked off on June 1 with special digital content celebrating the group's 12th anniversary. The main offline events are being held on June 13 and 14 at KINTEX in Goyang, South Korea.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
It's been months since BTS rapper Min Yoongi  also known as SUGA or Agust D  has been seen or heard from by the group's devoted fandom, ARMY. Following a wave of trolling and fake news surrounding his fall from an e-scooter while intoxicated near his home, the idol went completely silent.

However, it seems he, too, has been missing ARMY just as much as they've been waiting for him. On June 13, BTS' debut anniversary, SUGA finally broke his months-long silence  and his first message was dedicated to his fans.

SUGA's message for ARMY

With six out of the seven BTS members now discharged from the military, fans are eagerly waiting for SUGA  who is currently serving as a public service worker until June 21. However, during the BTS Festa 2025 event, SUGA also left a heartfelt message for ARMY alongside the rest of the members.

In a voice note, he said: "Hello, this is SUGA. I feel like it's been so long since I got to greet you. ARMY, have you been doing well? I've been spending my time waiting for the day I get to see you again. I miss you so much. I love you, everyone."

WE HEARD YOONGI'S VOICE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HE LEFT!!!!



: Hello, this is Suga. I feel like it's been so long since I got to greet you. Army, have you been doing well? I've been spending my time waiting for the day I get to see you again. I miss you so much. I love you, https://t.co/f9Gmxsvzbe pic.twitter.com/jcK7LHPJSP  cam is seeing yoongi soon (@camlovesyoongi) June 13, 2025

ARMY in tears

Though the message was simple, just hearing SUGA's voice after months moved ARMY to tears. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their happiness and relief at hearing from him. Fans also shared how eagerly they are waiting for his return and the possibility of a full BTS reunion soon.

Me listening to yoongi's voice pic.twitter.com/az5rqKZmUB  hope (@winnttaebear) June 13, 2025





SUGA: Hello this is SUGA. its feels like its been so long since i got to greet yoh. ARMY, have you all been doing well? Ive been spending my tume waiting for the day i get to see you again. I miss you so much. I love you everyone



 pic.twitter.com/O6iazI8HnY  hope (@winnttaebear) June 13, 2025





Omagawd  just hearing his voice made me cry. Come home safely Suga I miss him so much  Hypnoyouellie (@hypnoyouellie) June 13, 2025

About BTS reunion

BigHit Music lit up Seoul with the message "We are Back," stirring anticipation among fans. With most members recently discharged, this year's BTS Festa holds even greater meaning  fueling hopes for a long-awaited full-group reunion.

Throughout June, ARMY can enjoy a variety of digital content and themed activities, both online and offline. The main offline events will be held on June 13 and 14 at Exhibition Center 2, KINTEX (Halls 9 and 10) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Its BTS FESTA time!



 'BTS FESTA' ,      #2025BTSFESTA   !

Hop on TikTok, search 'BTS FESTA' and share your best videos and pics from the photo zone with #2025BTSFESTA!



 https://t.co/wyILyT0Vfa pic.twitter.com/07bv6zRhhQ  BTS_official (@bts_bighit) June 13, 2025

The venue will feature more than 20 interactive booths, offering immersive fan experiences including the ARMY Bomb Photo Spot, voice zone, trophy zone, BTS Locker, and many more  all designed to celebrate BTSs journey and connection with their fans.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
BTS' J-Hope has once again proved his versatility and stage presence with the release of his latest single, Killin' It Girl, featuring American rapper GloRilla. The sultry track is the final release in his solo single trilogy, which began with Sweet Dreams (feat. Miguel) and Mona Lisa in March 2025.

'Killin' It Girl' song and concept

The song starts off with a slick hip-hop rhythm before seamlessly blending into a vibrant pop chorus, leaving listeners hooked by its catchy beat and irresistible energy. Lyrically, the song captures the electrifying feeling of love at first sight, set against a beat that's both edgy and playful.

The music video matches the vibe perfectly. J-Hope exudes charm and confidence as he delivers a sensual and controlled performance. From his expressive facial cues to fluid choreography, every move is deliberate and magnetic, reinforcing his reputation as one of K-pop's most dynamic performers.

ARMY ask 'where's the kiss?'

Ever since teasers dropped, ARMY had been buzzing with anticipation over what seemed like undeniable chemistry between J-Hope and a female dancer featured in the visuals. Posters and sneak peeks hinted at intense, flirtatious energy, leading many fans to believe a kiss might be part of the final cut.

However, when the full music video dropped, fans were left surprised  and a little amused. The expected kiss never came. Instead, the focus remained on J-Hope's captivating solo performance and GloRilla's commanding rap feature.

Still, the absence of a kiss didn't take away from the overall impact. If anything, it only added to the conversation online, with ARMY on X (formerly known as Twitter) expressing everything from shock to amusement, proving once again that J-Hope knows exactly how to keep fans talking.

AHHHHHHHHHHH......J-HOPE FUCK...IT IS SO DAMN GOOD....THE LYRJCS,DANCE AND HIS EXPRESSIONS...



Me,@BangtanBunie and @foreverwidbts we are literally screaming in the car....I M NOT READY FOR THIS



HE DIDN'T KISS THO  Teju    (@TaekookSerenade) June 13, 2025





i though a kiss is about to happen already

KILLIN IT GIRL OUT TODAY

KILLIN IT GIRL IS COMING

J-HOPE IS COMING#jhope_KillinItGirl #jhope #   Bhellaswan_10  (@xeonacoh_bhella) June 13, 2025





they did NOT kiss  stop lets chill out let's wrap it up lets everyone jsust calm down  mari saw J-HOPE  (@hopevko_o) June 13, 2025





And where is the kiss??!!

KILLIN IT GIRL OUT TODAY

KILLIN IT GIRL IS COMING

J-HOPE IS COMING#jhope_KillinItGirl #jhope # https://t.co/wjdxfs9gwM  Lie_eme (@Rapmon136197711) June 13, 2025

he did not kiss her, thank fuck! #jhope_KllinItGirl



j-hope Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla) Official MV https://t.co/FUPkySnKNu via @YouTube  V bear (@aleks_kv) June 13, 2025

More about J-hope and BTS

J-Hope is set to conclude his Hope On The Stage world tour with a grand encore finale in Seoul on June 13 and 14 at Goyang Stadium. The timing couldn't be more meaningful  June 13 marks BTS debut anniversary.

With RM and V discharged from the military on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11, six members are now out of service. SUGA, currently serving as a public service worker, is expected to complete his duties by June 21. This raises hopes for a potential reunion at the concert. Jin and J-Hope, both already active, are almost certain to appear, fueling anticipation for a long-awaited group moment.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Biography

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee is Ambassador-at-Large with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and SUTD Honorary Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities in the Singapore University of Technology and Design. In November 2019, she took up the position of Chairman of the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute. She is Deputy Chairman of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), a Member of the Science of Cities Committee and National Research Foundation (NRF).

She is a member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights.

Ambassador Chan is a Member of the Yale-NUS Governing Board. She is a Trustee of the University of the Arts Singapore.

She was elected the Global Co-Chair of the Asia Society in December 2017 and is a Council Member of the Asia Society Policy Institute. She joined the governing board of SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), Sweden in 2021.

Previously, she was Singapores Ambassador to the United States and Singapores Permanent Representative to the United Nations with concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to Canada and Ambassador to Mexico.

Ambassador Chan received a number of awards including The Public Administration Medal (Gold); The Meritorious Service Medal; The Distinguished Service Order; Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Letters from the University of Newcastle, Australia and the University of Buckingham (United Kingdom); and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Warwick (United Kingdom).

When Ambassador Chan left Washington at the end of her appointment, she received the Inaugural Asia Society Outstanding Diplomatic Achievement Award, the inaugural Foreign Policy Outstanding Diplomatic Achievement Award 2012 and the United States Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

Ambassador Chan holds a B.Soc.Sc (Hons) First Class from the National University of Singapore, an M.A. from Cornell University and a Ph.D from the University of Singapore.
India is currently reviewing the continued use of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft after a tragic crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people. The aircraft, operated by Air India, crashed into the B J Medical College hostel just 33 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025. The government has initiated a high-level probe, with support from both American and British investigators. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site and met the injured at the Ahmedabad civic hospital the following day.

Flight AI171 collides with medical college building

Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into a nearby hostel of BJ Medical College. The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that only one individualidentified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11Asurvived the crash. Ahmedabad IG Vidhi Chaudhary confirmed the overall death toll stood at 260, including casualties from the ground. At least 50 hostel students were reported injured.

One passenger in the fateful #AirIndia flight was travelling with Bhagavad Gita , which is completely safe and has been found in the debris of the plane from the crash site.#AhmedabadPlaneCrash #Ahmedabad #AirIndiaPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/g4kcdmIycl  Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) June 13, 2025





NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said that 81 bodies were recovered from the crash site by Friday morning. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed seven teams for rescue and recovery. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fireball and black smoke moments after the aircraft went down.

Investigation and emergency response

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has launched an official inquiry. US and UK teams are also assisting the India-led investigation. Despite global concerns, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clarified there are no current safety issues identified with the Boeing 787-8.

A high-level committee has been formed in India to examine the cause of the crash and suggest long-term aviation safety measures. The Tata-owned airline has set up helplines for affected families and announced 1 crore compensation for the next of kin of each deceased passenger.

PM Modi and Amit Shah conduct review meetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a site visit and met victims. Separately, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a review meeting joined by CM Bhupendra Patel, Union Ministers CR Patil, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and MoS Muralidhar Mohol. Shah said the government would ensure support for DNA identification, and safe return of remains to families.

Notable passengers and reactions

Among the deceased was senior BJP leader and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. Of the 242 passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian.

British MP Shivani Raja raised safety concerns, noting the large number of UK citizens aboard. Community members in Leicester and nearly 100 people at a Hindu temple in London held prayer meetings. Survivors' families have begun receiving outreach from diplomatic missions and support groups.

Bhagavad Gita found intact amid wreckage

In a widely circulated video, a version of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita was shown intact among the planes debris. The video shows a man holding the scripture, which survived the blaze. While the number of ground casualties remains under investigation, five student deaths at BJ Medical College have been confirmed.

British travelers Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek had earlier posted a lighthearted video from the airport before boarding. The sole survivor, Ramesh, reportedly escaped due to proximity to the emergency exit. Post-crash footage captured his presence at the scene.





For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Israel's recent air strikes on Iran have triggered sharp international responses, as several nations and organisations called for restraint while condemning the attack. The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted nuclear sites and military installations in Iran early Friday morning, killing several senior Iranian figures. At least 50 civilians were also reported injured.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the attack a crime and warned Israel of severe punishment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes would continue as long as necessary.

Below is how different countries and global institutions responded to the development.

UN and IAEA call for restraint

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for maximum restraint and said he was concerned about Israeli attacks while negotiations on Irans nuclear programme were ongoing. His spokesperson stated that the Secretary-General condemned any military escalation in the Middle East.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also reacted strongly. Its chief, Rafael Grossi, said nuclear facilities must never be attacked and called the incident deeply concerning. Any military action that jeopardises the safety of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for Iran, the region, and beyond, he said.

There have been fresh attacks by Israel on Natanz, Iran's largest nuclear enrichment facility in the central Isfahan province, Iranian state media reported.#tahran#Tehran #war #Israel #IsraeliranWar pic.twitter.com/ATFXL5Fp3g  Rohit Bisla (@RBisla17890) June 13, 2025





NATO and US emphasise de-escalation

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies, including the US, should focus on de-escalation. This was a unilateral action by Israel, Rutte stated, acknowledging the situation was rapidly evolving.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US was not involved in the strike and reiterated that Washingtons top priority was the safety of its forces. Israel informed us that the strikes were necessary for its self-defence, Rubio stated. He warned Iran not to target US personnel or interests.

Neighbouring countries strongly condemn Israels action

Iraqs Prime Minister condemned the Israeli air strikes, labelling them a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. The Iraqi statement called it a blatant violation of the UN Charter.

Oman, a mediator in US-Iran nuclear talks, described the strikes as a dangerous and reckless escalation and said Israel was responsible for the consequences of its actions.

Turkiye called the attack a provocation and urged Israel to halt military operations. Its foreign ministry said the strike showed a lack of interest in diplomacy.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE respond with concern

Saudi Arabia condemned the heinous Israeli attacks, saying they violated Iranian sovereignty and broke international laws. The Saudi statement urged the UN Security Council to intervene.

Qatar also criticised the flagrant violation of Irans sovereignty and demanded an immediate halt to the escalation.

United Arab Emirates called for restraint and encouraged diplomacy over military responses. It urged all parties to show wise judgment.

Jordan, Pakistan, and China highlight regional risks

Jordan closed its airspace following the strikes and clarified that its territory would not be used for any conflict.

Pakistans Foreign Minister called the Israeli strikes unjustified and reiterated support for Iran. The foreign ministry said the attack threatened regional and global stability.

China expressed deep concern about the potential consequences and urged all parties to avoid escalation. Beijing said it was prepared to support efforts to calm the situation.

Russia, EU, and France emphasise diplomacy

Russia condemned the escalation and voiced concern about increased tensions.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged all parties to exercise restraint. She stressed diplomacy as the preferred solution.

France reaffirmed Israels right to self-defence but also warned against actions that could threaten regional stability. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for restraint and repeated Frances concerns about Irans nuclear ambitions.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
A federal judge on Friday halted President Donald Trumps executive order that attempted to introduce new rules for federal elections. The order, issued on March 25, was challenged in court by a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general who said it violated the U.S. Constitution by taking away states authority over elections.

Trumps directive sought to require documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. It also aimed to restrict mailed ballots to those received by Election Day and make future federal election grant money conditional on states accepting the new rules.

States say order bypassed constitutional authority

Attorneys general from 19 states filed a federal lawsuit shortly after the order was signed, arguing that it infringed upon the states' rights to manage their own elections. They stated that the executive branch did not have the power to enforce such changes without Congressional approval.

A bipartisan group of former secretaries of state also filed a legal statement, warning that Trumps order would interfere with the constitutional balance outlined in the Elections Clause. That clause gives both states and Congress control over election processes.

In their filing, they cautioned, The snowball of executive overreach will grow swiftly and exponentially if the court did not intervene.

US President Donald Trump | Credit: X

What Trumps order proposed to change

The order was part of several executive actions taken early in Trumps second term and faced immediate legal resistance. Trump's proposal included several significant changes:

Mandating proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections

Rejecting any mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day

Implementing new standards for voting equipment

Barring non-citizens from contributing in certain election campaigns

Tying federal election funding to state compliance with these rules

The Trump administration defended the order, calling it a step toward free, fair and honest elections. The White House also described the citizenship requirement as commonsense.Background and reactions to Trumps claimsTrump has long maintained that non-citizen voting and voter fraud contributed to his 2020 loss to Joe Biden, though evidence has not supported widespread illegal voting. In practice, non-citizen voting is rare and often results in felony charges or deportation when discovered.Critics argue that Trumps latest order attempted to enforce controversial beliefs through unilateral action rather than legislation, leading to its legal rejection.



The ruling blocks one of Trumps key executive efforts in his second term, setting up a deeper legal debate over federal authority in elections.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
AfinilEU is a popular online pharmacy that has been catering to the EU and international nootropic market for over 9 years. But can it be trusted? This comprehensive AfinilEU review answers this question and covers everything you need to know about the pharmacy, including its range of nootropics, delivery time, payment methods, and discounts. Whether youre a first-time nootropic buyer or regular user, this guide will help you decide if AfinilEU is the right pharmacy for your needs.

Top Pharmacy for Buying High Quality Modafinil in Europe

AfinilEU is a legit and reliable source for high-quality generic modafinil and armodafinil brands. The vendor sources them from reputable Indian manufacturers like Sun Pharma and HAB Pharmathe same companies that supply major hospitals and pharmacies worldwide.

AfinilEU has built a solid reputation over the years, boasting hundreds of positive customer reviews on platforms like Yotpo, Reddit, and Trustpilot. Many of these reviews praise the pharmacys fast shipping, reliable customer support, and genuine products. Users report getting their packages on time and in perfect condition, making it a top choice for anyone looking for safe, affordable, and reliable nootropics within Europe.

Do You Need a Prescription to Order Meds at AfinilEU?

No, you dont need a prescription to order medications at AfinilEU. This online pharmacy aims to make nootropics accessible to everyone, without the hassle of doctor visits or unnecessary paperwork.

Although no prescription is required, AfinilEU reminds customers of the importance of responsible use. It sells powerful nootropics designed to treat conditions like narcolepsy. Consultation with a healthcare provider is especially necessary for first-time buyers or those with underlying health concerns.

What Nootropics Are Available?

AfinilEU offers premium-quality generic versions of modafinil and armodafinil, which are popular for their high level of safety and effectiveness. Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting medication that was designed to help manage the symptoms of narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. However, it is more commonly used off-label by healthy individuals looking to enhance cognitive function, ultimately increasing productivity [1].

Armodafinil, on the other hand, is an improved and longer-lasting smart drug, about 1.33 times more potent than modafinil. It is also approved for treating sleep disorders and is commonly used to enhance mental performance [2][3].

Reliable AfinilEU pharmacy for ordering affordable generics

Here are some generic modafinil and armodafinil brands currently available at AfinilEU:

Modvigil;

Modalert;

ModaXL;

Modavinil;

Modaheal;

Modafil MD;

Artvigil;

Waklert;

Armodavinil;

ArmodaXL.

Beyond nootropic products, Afinil.EU also offers erectile dysfunction (ED) medications, like tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), and vardenafil (Levitra). It also sells a hair loss med, finasteride, which improves male pattern baldness. Finasteride works by reducing the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone linked to hair loss, thereby helping slow down or even reverse balding in men [4].

Can You Get Free Trial Nootropics at Afinil.EU?

Yes, Afinil.EU offers an incredible opportunity to try its products for free. Every new customer receives free samples of modafinil and armodafinil with their purchase. This is a great way to test the effectiveness of the pharmacys premium nootropics, such as ModaXL and ArmodaXL, without committing to a large order. By offering free samples, Afinil.EU further establishes itself as a trustworthy and customer-focused online pharmacy.

Payment Methods, Discounts, and Profitable Offers

Afinil.EU makes purchasing convenient by offering a variety of payment options, along with generous discounts and profitable offers. It accepts PayPal, SEPA bank transfers, Zelle, Bitcoin, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express), ensuring customers have the option of using whichever one theyre most comfortable with.

Those paying with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies receive an automatic 20% discount. If youre new to crypto or would like to learn how to use it for purchase, you can find a detailed guide on the pharmacys website here: https://afinil.eu/bitcoin-cryptocurrency/.

Other profitable offers include free shipping on all orders worth 250 or over, up to 50 free pills for returning buyers, and 10 extra pills for first-time customers (redeemable with the coupon code HELLO10P). Plus, you can take advantage of the following coupons:

MEU-GET8: 8 off purchases over 90;

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For additional details on coupon codes and current promotions offered by the vendor, check out the dedicated Discounts page here: https://afinil.eu/discounts/.

Shipping, Tracking, and Refund & Reship Policies

AfinilEU offers a reliable shipping service backed by customer-friendly policies. For EU customers, the vendor ships directly from its EU-based warehouses, ensuring fast and hassle-free delivery. Orders within the EU typically arrive within 37 business days, with overnight delivery available for select locations.

Buy smart drugs with fast shipping in Europe from AfinilEU

For customers outside Europe, AfinilEU dispatches orders from its international hubs in India, Dubai, or Singapore, depending on proximity to the delivery address. International shipments usually take 712 business days to arrive. Once an order is processed, a tracking number is emailed to the customer, allowing them to monitor the delivery status in real-time.

Committed to customer satisfaction, AfinilEU offers a 100% money-back guarantee. If your order is lost, delayed beyond the standard timeframe, or doesnt arrive, the pharmacy will either reship it for free or provide a full refund.

AfinilEU Contact Information

AfinilEU offers several channels to reach its support team, whether you need help with your order, have questions about a product, or require general assistance. You can reach the pharmacy via email at hello@afinil.eu or through the contact form accessible via the Submit a Request button. Simply fill in your details, submit your query, and a support agent will respond shortly.

In addition, AfinilEU has a comprehensive FAQ section on its website that covers common questions about orders, shipping, payments, and other topics, making it a great place to find quick solutions.

What Are the Other Advantages of Pharmacy?

One of the unique things that sets Afinil.EU apart is its focus on educating its customers. The pharmacy hosts a blog section thats packed with useful information about the medications it sells. The blog covers everything from modafinils legality to how long it lasts in the body. This focus on education shows that the pharmacy isnt just about selling products but also about helping customers make informed decisions.

Another big advantage is how the pharmacy sources its products. AfinilEU works directly with trusted Indian manufacturers, which are leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. By cutting out middlemen, it ensures that every product is genuine, high-quality, and fresh. This direct relationship also allows the pharmacy to keep its prices competitive, so customers can enjoy top-tier products without paying a premium. Its a win-win: shoppers get access to safe, effective medications while saving money.

Conclusion

AfinilEU is a reputable and trustworthy online pharmacy with a proven track record of delivering quality nootropics at highly competitive prices. While its primary focus is on serving the European market with fast delivery times of 37 days, it also caters to customers in other countries. Shopping with AfinilEU is risk-free, as the pharmacy offers free trial samples and a 100% money-back guarantee. However, it is always important to consult a healthcare provider before buying or starting modafinil or any other drug.

References

Modafinil. Retrieved: April 11, 2025. Wikipedia.org. Armodafinil. Retrieved: April 11, 2025. Wikipedia.org. Armodafinil Versus Modafinil in Patients of Excessive Sleepiness Associated with Shift Work Sleep Disorder: A Randomized Double Blind Multicentric Clinical Trial. By D. V. Tembe, A. Dhavale, et al. Retrieved: April 11, 2025. Pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Common Questions About Finasteride. Retrieved: April 11, 2025. Nhs.uk.

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Modafinil has emerged as one of the most sought-after nootropics worldwide, prized for its unique ability to enhance alertness, sharpen focus, and sustain mental performance. But you might be wondering: what exactly is modafinil, and how does it work? Is this smart drug right for you? This is where free trial packs come in  a great way to determine if its right for you without breaking the bank. But with its prescription status in many countries and varying global regulations, many people wonder: How can I try modafinil safely and legally?

This guide discusses in detail all you need to know about modafinil and whether a prescription is required, its legality, and where to get a free modafinil trial online from reputable pharmacies.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil, dubbed a smart drug or nootropic, is a prescription psychostimulant primarily approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote wakefulness in people with conditions like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work sleep disorder [1].

Besides, modafinil has gained widespread recognition as a powerful cognitive enhancer, offering a unique combination of wakefulness promotion and mental performance benefits that extend far beyond its FDA-approved uses for sleep disorders.

This remarkable nootropic enhances nearly every aspect of cognitive function, from fundamental abilities like alertness, drive, mental energy, and information processing speed to higher-order executive functions, including decision-making, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility. It rewards with improved memory retention and recall, heightened motivation and productivity, better emotional regulation, sharpened mental clarity, reduced impulsivity, improved learning, and a boost in sensory perception and enhanced creativity [2][3].

Beyond these cognitive benefits, modafinil has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential for numerous off-label applications, emerging as an effective alternative treatment for ADHD/ADD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis-related fatigue while also showing promise in managing cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia and age-related memory decline among other health conditions.

Because of its ability to improve brainpower and reduce fatigue, modafinil is popular in high-demand professions, including among students, business professionals, and military personnel, to minimize the impacts of fatigue during real-life fighter operations [4]. Its increasingly used as a smart pill to boost productivity during long hours or intense mental tasks.

Do You Need a Doctor's Prescription to Buy Modafinil?

In many parts of the worldsuch as the EU, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and the UKthe smart drug is a prescription medication, largely due to concerns about its potential for dependence or misuse. As a result, individuals in these countries are required to have a valid prescription from a doctor to obtain it via a pharmacy.

That said, several reputable online vendors do offer access to this so-called smart drug without the need for a prescription. These e-drugstores are typically based in regions where regulations around modafinil are more relaxed or not clearly defined, allowing them to legally distribute the nootropic to customers globally.

How Can You Order a Modafinil Trial Pack in 2025?

You can now try it risk-free with complimentary trial sample packs from trusted online vendors. These packs typically include a limited number of tablets, allowing you to assess the nootropics impact on your concentration, productivity, and cognitive clarity. However, its crucial to exercise caution when selecting a vendor and to consult your doctor before trying modafinil to ensure it's suitable for you.

To help you get started, weve identified several trustworthy vendors that offer a free modafinil trial pack. These top choices enable you to test the product before making a full commitment, giving you peace of mind and a chance to experience the benefits of modafinil for yourself.

Sister stores ModafinilXL, ModafinilUSA, ModafinilAU, and AfinilEU stand out for their reliability. ModafinilXL, one of the longest-standing modafinil vendors, gained prominence after the closure of pioneers like ModafinilCat and DuckDose and has continued to earn a strong reputation for delivering authentic, high-quality products.

Order free Modafinil trial samples at ModafinilXL

These platforms each have carved out a strong presence in the nootropics market. Theyve earned praise for their legitimacy, fast delivery, responsive customer service, and dedication to quality generic meds. Each provides a seamless customer experience, offering secure ordering systems, helpful support teams, and money-saving perks that make trying modafinil as accessible and safe as possible.

All of these top-rated vendors currently provide trial sample packs featuring well-known modafinil and armodafinil generics such as ArmodaXL, Modafil MD, Artvigil, ModaXL, and Modalert. ArmodaXL and ModaXL, in particular, are favored for their faster absorption and 30% stronger peak effects when compared to other similar nootropics. While the samples themselves are free, customers simply pay a modest shipping fee.

Shipping is quick and reliable, with options including Express Mail Service (EMS) and domestic delivery. EMS orders generally arrive within 7 to 12 working days in countries like the USA, Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Meanwhile, domestic shipping within the US, UK, and Australia is even faster, often taking just 3 to 4 days, with overnight delivery available in select areas.

Finally, these vendors regularly offer coupon codes, crypto discounts (often 20%), and generous bulk pricing for returning customers. Most stores accept a variety of payment methodsincluding Bitcoin, credit cards, and sometimes PayPaland they back all orders with tracking systems, refund guarantees, and reshipment policies in the rare case of customs issues or lost packages.

Modafinil Legality in Different Countries

Modafinils legal classification varies dramatically across different jurisdictions [1]. In most Western countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the majority of European nations, modafinil is available strictly by prescription. These countries typically classify it as a controlled substance due to concerns about potential misusefor instance, the United States categorizes it as a Schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act, while South Africa places it in Schedule V.

Even within prescription-only countries, nuances exist: Denmark and Finland permit medical use but prohibit imports, while Sweden maintains particularly strict controls as a Schedule IV substance. Some nations like Romania take an even harder stance, treating modafinil as a banned doping agent, where both sale and possession can carry legal consequences.

Several countries enforce complete bans with severe penalties. China, Japan, and Russia classify modafinil alongside other substances with high abuse potential, where unauthorized possession can lead to criminal charges, including imprisonment. Moldova strictly prohibits imports, categorizing it as a controlled psychotropic drug, while the breakaway region of Transnistria maintains an absolute ban.

Notably, Mexico represents a rare exception where the smart drug remains available over-the-counter without prescription requirements. Travelers and importers should pay special attention to U.S. regulationswhile domestic possession with a valid prescription is legal, the DEA maintains strict control over importation, making personal shipments from international pharmacies technically illegal without prior authorization. These complex legal landscapes underscore the importance of verifying current local laws before purchasing, possessing, or transporting modafinil across borders.

Are Modafinil Freebies Safe?

Yes, free trial packs can be a safe and convenient way to test modafinilif you source them from reputable vendors. The key is verifying the suppliers legitimacy before ordering. Be wary of unverified sellers or deals that appear suspiciously generous, as these often distribute counterfeit or low-quality products.

To ensure safety:

choose established vendors with proven track records, transparent business practices, and consistently positive customer feedback;

research the pharmacy thoroughlylook for third-party reviews and industry certifications;

prioritize suppliers that offer quality guarantees, secure payment options, and reliable customer service.

Consultation with a doctor before taking Modafinil

Reputable e-pharmacies will always provide authentic, pharmaceutical-grade products that meet strict quality standards. When in doubt, consult your healthcare provider before trying modafinil.

Can You Get Free Modafinil Samples at Your Local Drugstore?

No, you typically cannot obtain a free modafinil sample at your neighborhood drugstore. As a prescription medication in most countries, pharmacies are prohibited from distributing modafinil samples without a valid doctors prescription. Controlled substances like modafinil have strict regulations that prevent casual distribution.

However, there are two legitimate alternatives:

physician samples: Ask your doctor if they have manufacturer-provided samples. Some physicians may have limited trial packs available through pharmaceutical company programs;

reputable online vendors: If local options arent available, established online pharmacies (like those previously mentioned) often offer trial packs shipped from jurisdictions with more flexible regulations. These typically require only a small shipping fee while providing genuine, quality-controlled medication.

Remember: While convenient, always prioritize safety by verifying the chosen vendors credentials before ordering, and consult your healthcare provider to ensure modafinil is appropriate for your needs.

Summing Up

Modafinil has emerged as a popular cognitive enhancer, offering improved focus, alertness, and productivity for both medical users and healthy individuals. While prescription-only in many countries, reputable online pharmacies like ModafinilXL, ModafinilUSA, ModafinilAU, and AfinilEU offer free trial packs, allowing users to test effects with minimal risk before committing to larger orders. These trial packs typically include trusted generic versions like Modalert. ArmodaXL, ModaXL, Modafil MD, or Artvigil, with customers only paying shipping fees for samples that typically arrive at the shoppers address swiftly. However, before trying modafinil, while generally safe, potential side effects, drug interactions, or disease interactions mean consulting a doctor is advisable.

References

Modafinil. Retrieved: April 11, 2025. Wikipedia.org. The off-prescription use of modafinil: An online survey of perceived risks and benefits. By Rachel D. Teodorini, Nicola Rycroft, and James H. Smith-Spark. Published: February 5, 2020. Journals.plos.org. How Many Silicon Valley Startup Executives Are Hopped Up on Provigil? By Michael Arrington. Published: July 15, 2008. Techcrunch.com. Subjective Effects of Modafinil in Military Fighter Pilots During Deployment. By Yara Wingelaar-Jagt, Thijs Wingelaar, Wim Riedel, and Johannes Ramaekers. Published: October 2022. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Content verified and submitted by support@brandingexperts.com




Its not every day that a celebrity is credited with bringing someone unimaginable luck, but thats exactly what happened with South Korean actor Byeon Woo Seok. The Lovely Runner star recently became a lucky charm for one Korean family without even knowing it.

Byeon Woo Seok fan's life-changing dream

On June 11, Koreas Donghaeng Lottery shared the story of the 61st Speed Lotto 2000 winner, whose ticket earned them a jaw-dropping 2 billion KRW (roughly 1.4 million USD). The winner, who remains anonymous, is from Wonju in Gangwon Province and shared a pretty surreal reason behind the purchase.

According to the interview, the winning ticket was bought after the man's wife had a vivid dream featuring Byeon Woo Seok. My wife dreamt of actor Byeon Woo-seok appearing at a large event, he shared. He was glowing with a heavenly aura, called out her name during a prize giveaway, and even gave her a hug. Inspired by the strange but striking dream, she picked up a scratch-off ticket the next dayand hit the jackpot.

A heartfelt thank-you to the star

The couple didn't just keep their story to themselves. Along with the lottery win interview, they included a handwritten message saying, Thank you, Byeon Woo Seok, for bringing luck to our family. It didnt take long for the story to blow up on Korean social media, with fans calling it the most wholesome twist of the week.

Byeon Woo Seoks response wins hearts

After the story reached him, Byeon Woo-seok chimed in on a travel magazines Instagram post that shared the viral news. He commented, Wait for me, Im coming. Fans were delighted by his playful and humble reaction, praising him for keeping things light and warmhearted. Many joked that theyd be dreaming of him that night in hopes of their own lucky windfall.

Credit: Instagram

More about Byeon Woo Seok

Byeon Woo Seok has been in the show business for almost a decade, but his major breakout role came with the 2024 tvN drama Lovely Runner, a time-slip romance drama also starring Kim Hye Yoon that quickly earned cult status. His performance as Ryu Sun Jae, an idol with hidden scars, earned him critical praise and a surge in popularity across Asia, including the Prizm Popularity Award at the 2025 Baeksang Art Awards.

Credit: X

As for his next project, the actor will be seen in The Wife of a 21st Century Prince (tentative title), alongside IU. The drama was earlier slated to release this year but has now been pushed to 2026.

Meanwhile, with fans calling him Lottery Fairy and Dream Prince, his stardom has taken an even more magical turn.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Vikrant Massey has taken to Instagram Stories to clarify that First Officer Clive Kunder, who died in the Air India crash on June 12, was not his cousin. This came shortly after an earlier post by the Masaan star created some confusion among netizens.

Vikrant Massey says he did not lose a cousin in the Air India crash

On Thursday, over 200 people lost their lives after a London-bound Air India flight crashed minutes after taking off in Ahmedabad. Shortly thereafter, Vikrant Massey took to social media to state that his uncle Clifford Kunder's son Clive Kunder was among those who died in the tragedy.

Many assumed that the deceased was his cousin. The actor has now clarified that Clive was a family friend and not a relative. He then asked the media to let the Kunders grieve in peace.

Dear friends in the media and elsewhere, the unfortunately diseased Mr. Clive Kunder was not my cousin. The Kunders are our family friends. Request no more speculations and let the family and loved ones grieve in peace, he wrote on Instagram Stories.

Vikrant Massey is one of Bollywoods bright stars. He is best known for his work in films such as 12th Fail, Masaan, and A Death in the Gunj. He also starred in the first season of Mirzapur.

About the Air India crash

The plane involved in the horrific crash was registered as VT-ANB, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. It was considered to be a modern and fuel-efficient aircraft. As per Flightradar24, it had flown from Delhi to Ahmedabad shortly before the mishap. The flight crew included Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Thursdays horrifying crash of an Air India Dreamliner in Ahmedabad claimed 241 lives out of the 242 on board. While the country grapples with the magnitude of the loss, the names and stories of the 12 crew memberseach with a life, a family, and dreams, are now surfacing, bringing heart-wrenching human faces to the tragedy.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal: A veteran pilot on the verge of retirement

Sixty-year-old Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the most senior member of the crew, was just a few months away from hanging up his wings. With over 8,200 flying hours, he had served decades in Indian aviation and was known for his professionalism and calm demeanour in the cockpit. He lived in Powais Jalvayu Vihar with his elderly father. His death, so close to retirement, has left family and friends devastated.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran Air India pilot with nearly three decades of experience, is among those who died in the crash.



With more than 8,200 hours of flying experience, Captain Sabharwal was the senior-most crew member on the flight. He was a Line Training Captain pic.twitter.com/7HCf0xxN7M  World News (@WorldNews189850) June 13, 2025

First officer Clive Kunder: Gone too soon

Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours of flight experience, was the first officer on board. He was also a relative of actor Vikrant Massey, whose emotional tribute described Clive as the son of his uncle Clifford Kunder. Massey expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it "an unimaginably tragic" event. Clive's passing has brought the shock of the tragedy into the homes of many who knew him personally and through the actors words.

Vikrant Massey DENIES losing cousin, says victim Clive Kunder was a family friend https://t.co/YaNHMicY1u https://t.co/JfzTWCijIu  Mohammed Zeeshan Fatmi (@VT_ZEESHAN) June 13, 2025

Roshni Songhare: Flight attendant and Instagram travel influencer

Roshni Rajendra Songhare, a young flight attendant and travel influencer from Dombivli, was also among the victims. With over 54,000 followers on Instagram, she had built a life around wanderlust and skyward dreams. Her social media was filled with vibrant travel diaries, now frozen in time. Maharashtra MLA Ravindra Chavan confirmed her death, describing it as an unbearable tragedy for her family and community.

A 27-year-old woman whose "lifelong dream" was to be a flight attendant was among the over 290 killed in yesterday's Air India plane crash.



 https://t.co/HunSDeOj02 pic.twitter.com/Hi65naAIww  Steve The Truthseeker  (Veritas!) (@SteveSaysTruths) June 13, 2025

Deepak Pathak

Deepak Pathak, a long-serving crew member from Badlapur, had been with Air India for 11 years. Hours before the crash, he called his mother to wish her a good morninga seemingly routine gesture that would become a final memory. Deepak, married and one of five siblings, was deeply loved by his family. His sister recalled how their mother would often wonder where he was, always hoping he was safe.

Deepak Pathak, a resident of Badlapur in Maharashtra and an employee of Air India, lost his life in the recent plane crash in Ahmedabad. The tragic news has sent shockwaves through his hometown, where friends and family gathered at his residence upon hearing of the incident. pic.twitter.com/DjnURQN4Zu  Monika Singh (@11monikaSingh) June 12, 2025

Saineeta Chakravarty

Saineeta Chakravarty, 35, had recently joined Air India after working with Go Air. A resident of Santacruz West, she had been excited to start this new phase of her career. Her mother, unable to accept her daughters death, clung to hope even after the news was confirmed, asking people to let her come home first.

Remembering Ms. Saineeta Chakravarti (Pinky) 



We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Ms. Saineeta Chakravarti, aged 35, from Juhu Koliwada, Mumbai  fondly known as Pinky. She was among the crew members who lost their lives in the Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/kojnFZvuV7  Juhu Buzz (@JuhuBuzz) June 12, 2025

Nganthoi Kongbrailatpam Sharma

Nganthoi Sharma, from Manipur, was one of three sisters and served as a cabin crew member on AI171. Her family, unaware of her fate for hours, kept calling her until the phone battery likely drained. Her eldest sister works in a private school, while the youngest is in Class 9. Their home is now filled with unimaginable silence.

Heartfelt Condolences 



Life is truly unpredictable, and this tragedy reminds us of how fleeting and uncertain time can be.



We mourn the untimely loss of NGANTHOI SHARMA KONGBRAILATPAM, an airhostess from MANIPUR, #planecrashahmedabad #AhmedabadTragedy #nuclear #Tehran pic.twitter.com/gXU9ekrUKk  Kedar (@Kedar_speaks88) June 13, 2025

Other crew members

The rest of the cabin crew included Shradha Dhavan, Aparna Mahadik, Maithili Patil, Irfan Shaikh, Lamnunthem Singson, and Manisha Thapa. All were integral parts of Air Indias cabin operations, dedicated professionals whose journeys were cut tragically short.

Air India Boeing 787 crash: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours) and First Officer Clive Kunder (1,100 hours) piloted.



Cabin crew included Nganthoi Sharma, Lamnunthem Singson, Shradha Dhavan, Aparna Mahadik, and others. pic.twitter.com/4TRnuwttDC  ChoosyBluesy (@ChoosyBluesy) June 12, 2025

As investigations continue and the lone survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, recovers, India reflects on the service and sacrifice of these twelve individuals. They were not just crew, they were sons, daughters, siblings, partners, and friends. The uniforms they wore now carry the weight of a nations grief.
For the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon, writer and director Dean DeBlois created more than just a story. In an interview with King5 Evening, the director revealed. He built a Viking-inspired village on chilly sets in Northern Ireland. DeBlois travelled to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland to find inspiration. He then combined the best parts of these places to make a village that feels real and inviting. This helps viewers feel like they are stepping into the world of the characters.

DeBlois said, We flew around Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Scotland,. He further added, You gather all of these amazing locations, and you can meld them anyway you want, but the goal is to create a place that people want to be to spend time with the characters.

Creating an authentic Viking world

Enjoy a legendary movie experience this Father's Day weekend  Get tickets for #HowToTrainYourDragon, only in theaters! https://t.co/cmSYwsMdXy pic.twitter.com/OUwXdhtARs  #HowToTrainYourDragon (@HTTYDragon) June 12, 2025

The actors enjoyed working on the real sets. Mason Thames, a young actor from Texas playing Hiccup, found out over Zoom that this role would change his life. Nico Parker, who plays Astrid, said the village not only looked real but even smelled real. The crew added the scent of raw fish from a fish hut to make the atmosphere feel true to Viking life.

Bringing the dragon Toothless to life took a special team of puppeteers. They studied animals like salamanders and panthers to give Toothless smooth and natural movements. Their goal was to make him seem fierce while ensuring that he also came across like a playful pet that the audience could connect with.

By building a real Viking village and paying attention to small details, DeBlois made this live-action remake stand out. It creates a world that feels alive and pulls viewers closer to the story.
To everyone celebrating, Happy BTS Festa 2025! As the group marks its 12th anniversary, the festivities are already off to a powerful start with six out of seven members officially discharged from military service.

Adding to the excitement, J-Hope's world tour HOPE ON THE StAGE finale is set to take place today (June 13) at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, coinciding with FESTA celebrations. And just when ARMY thought the day couldnt get any better, pictures of Jin and Jungkook at the venueseemingly doing a mic checkhave gone viral online. The duo was seen on stage just hours before the show, fueling intense speculation that they might be performing tonight.

Fans are calling it the ultimate Festa gift, and the possibility of a mini-reunion has made this anniversary even more exciting.

Jin and Jungkook to join J-Hope's final concert?

J-Hope is set to wrap up his Hope on the Stage tour during BTS Festa 2025, marking the groups 12th anniversary with a grand finale. While rumours of other members joining the concert have been circulating for weeks, excitement has reached new heights as viral images suggest Jin and Jungkook might take the stage alongside him.

The images show Jin and Jungkook during mic check rehearsals for the concert. Jin is seen in a white sweatshirt, holding a mic close with a focused expression, while Jungkook appears mid-rehearsal in a black cap that reads MAKE TOKYO GREAT AGAIN, singing into the mic with in-ear monitors on. Both are on stage just hours before the concert, fueling speculation of a surprise performance and sending ARMY into full excitement mode.

SEOKJIN AND JUNGKOOK GONNA PERFORM ON HOTS FINAL WITH JHOPE pic.twitter.com/cE9ERaYTYT  yaz -9 (@sgmin_seven) June 13, 2025

ARMYs react to Jikook's rumoured performance

Fans on X are losing their minds over the possibility of a surprise Jinkook performance, flooding social media with emotional posts and theories. Many are calling it the ultimate BTS Festa 2025 gift they never saw coming.

"Please don't toy with my fragile heart," one fan wrote. Another added, "Oh my goodness, Jungkook with Seokjin and J-Hope and J-Hope's final concert today!" LOOK AT THEM!! My beloveds."

SEOKJIN AND JUNGKOOK GONNA PERFORM ON HOTS FINAL WITH JHOPE pic.twitter.com/cE9ERaYTYT  yaz -9 (@sgmin_seven) June 13, 2025

One even suggested, "IT MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE 'I WONDER' FOR THE FIRST TIME..." JHOPE FT. JUNGKOOK."

"I'm nervous. OMG, Jinkook reunion! I waited for this moment for 3 years," one ARMY wrote.

However, some fans raised doubts, speculating the photos might be AI-generated since the live viewing doesnt begin until 7 PM KST, yet the images started circulating much earlier. This has sparked debate online, with others insisting theyre from a private soundcheck.

I think jinkook photos are edited because the live viewing starts at 7PM but the pics have the live viewing logo on the left for some reason   (@gol3naotc) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, fans are hopeful that more BTS members will make surprise appearances at J-Hopes concert. With six of them now discharged, many believe a mini-reunion could be on the cards.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
SM Lee Hsien Loong:

Well, we can insulate ourselves, but we cannot prevent some impact upon us. You asked: what can the regional countries do to make things better? Or what can the Asia-Pacific do  actually you mean what can Asia-Pacific countries do? And Asia-Pacific countries include the US and China. And if the US and China are able to stabilise their relations  a big ask, but an important request  that will make a big difference to the regional order and, in fact, to the world. We do not know how that will develop, because I think the new administration has not focused on that intensely yet, but we will see.

On the part of the other countries in the region, as I explained in my speech, I think quite a number continue to believe in some international framework for multilateral trade, continue to want to cooperate with one another, to trade more with one another. And I think like-minded partners can get together to do this. Big countries like China, Japan, Korea, even India. Smaller countries like the ASEAN members. Countries which have close links to the West, like Australia and New Zealand. All believe that they have to do business and trade together. And we can make FTAs. The RCEP includes many of the countries which are on the western side of the Pacific. The CPTPP includes the Americas as well, less the US. And these give you some life raft to hang on to and to have collective safety in this uncertain world. And Singapore continues to expand its network, not just in the traditional areas of trade and services, but also in new areas like digital and green economy. We have 6 Green and Digital Shipping Corridors. We have some Digital Economy Framework Agreements with several partners, and we are about to conclude a Green and Digital Shipping Corridor with India  all of which will give you some help and some stability in uncertain times.

As for ASEAN, I think one of the things which ASEAN can do is to cooperate more intensively within the ASEAN group. We have 10 members. We have an ASEAN economic community. It is not like the European Union, but it gives a broad basis for us to enhance our economic cooperation. And we can do better. After all these years of cooperation, our share of intra-ASEAN trade  as a share of our global trade amongst ASEAN members  is still quite low. It is less than one quarter, and it has been about that level for a very long time. And if you look at the EU, the intra-member trade is like 80, 90% of their global trade. Therefore, I think within ASEAN, we can cooperate more. And ASEAN can also work harder with its external partners to conclude more FTAs in order to work together. For example, it is reviving FTA negotiations with the EU. I hope all these measures will make a difference.
Its been a BTS Festa to remember. Exactly three years since RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook announced their group hiatus, the members are back togetherand in full force. All seven reunited at J-Hopes Hope on the Street World Tour finale in Seoul, marking their 12th anniversary with a moment fans had been waiting years for. And the biggest surprise? Jungkook performed. Yup. Just two days after his military discharge!

Jungkook lights up J-Hopes final concert

Dressed in a sleek black overshirt layered over a white tee, blue jeans, and boots, Jungkook brought the house down with his global hit Seven from his debut solo album, Golden. His vocals were crisp, his moves effortless, and his confidence unmatched. He was joined by J-Hope for Latto's rap part.

Then came another performance that sent ARMYs into a frenzyI Wonder, performed alongside J-Hope. The two delivered an unforgettable stage, oozing synergy, power, and joy. It wasnt just a performance; it was a moment etched into BTS history, which has fans envisioning the power a full OT7 world tour will have on pop culture.

[FULL] Jungkook joining J-hope for i wonder live! pic.twitter.com/m04ClxhyzR  bts memeories (@btsmemeories) June 13, 2025

ARMYs react to Jungkook x J-Hope

It was the moment fans had been waiting for with bated breathand when it finally came, they didnt hold back. Social media instantly lit up with emotional reactions, fan edits, and heartwarming messages as ARMY celebrated the long-awaited return of the Bangtan boys, capped off by a powerful J-Hope x Jungkook collab on stage.

One fan wrote, "AND HE IS HITTING THE STAGE AFTER 18 MONTHS. AND HE GOT DISCHARGED FROM THE MILITARY JUST 2 DAYS AGO. JEON JUNGKOOK, THE MAN YOU ARE."

AND HE IS HITTING THE STAGE AFTER 18 MONTHS. AND HE GOT DISCHARGED FROM MILITARY JUST 2 DAYS AGO. JEON JUNGKOOK THE MAN YOU ARE. pic.twitter.com/yliVP9Tf4H  TanBTS REUNION (@jjksyoongs) June 13, 2025

Another wrote, "I just had the biggest smile on the whole time. Jungkook is so back!!!!!!"

I just had the biggest smile on the whole time, Jungkook is so back!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/XwaH28is3j  Golden JK Universe (@GoldenJKUnivers) June 13, 2025

"HOPEKOOK HOLDING HANDS IN THE BIG YEAR OF 2025," one mentioned.

HOPEKOOK HOLDING HANDS IN THE BIG YEAR OF 2025 pic.twitter.com/XKkPY32W6y   (ia) (@hopekookfolder) June 13, 2025

Check out more reactions below:

HOPEKOOK BIG HUG IN 2025 OH MY GOD GUYS WE'VE COME SO FAR  pic.twitter.com/zqYc13PmiV   (ia) (@hopekookfolder) June 13, 2025

jungkooks smile at armys screams pls he missed this so much  pic.twitter.com/NzKJLFVI98  ajk (@archiveforJK) June 13, 2025





'I was super nervous': Jungkook

Fans had been hoping for a full group moment during the tours final show, but no one expected Jungkook, just two days post-military discharge, to completely steal the stage. Before the performance, Jungkook admitted, I was super nervous backstage its been 1 year and 6 months, right? I really missed you, seriously. His words reflected just how meaningful the moment was for him. J-Hope, clearly moved, responded, Our Jungkook is actually here because he wanted to be here for the final concert! I am touched that he came. To that, Jungkook sweetly replied, Im so glad you let me. Its an honour for me as well.

: i was super nervous backstage. its been 1yr & 6months, right? i really missed you, seriously

: our jungkook actually is here because he wanted to be here for the final concert!

: i am touched for him coming here

: im so glad you let me, its an honor for me as well pic.twitter.com/J7mFj4QsWb  jungkook admirer (@dreamjeons) June 13, 2025

Suga attends J-Hope's concert with members

Suga made his first public appearance since last years DUI controversy at the concert alongside fellow members V, RM, Jimin, and Jin in the VIP section. Yoongi was spotted holding an ARMY Bomb, quietly showing support, while the others were visibly cheering and enjoying the show.

Yoongi bobbing his head to the music and enjoying himself  pic.twitter.com/FpB5ELTeKv  Min Suga HQ (@MINSUGAHQ) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Taejin and Taekooks unhinged antics from the concert have hijacked social media feeds, with fans losing it over the chaos, crackhead energy, and peak BTS behavior weve all missed.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Karen Read, 45, is facing serious criminal charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of a fatal collision. Prosecutors allege that she hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, with her vehicle during a night of drinking and left him to die in the snow on January 29, 2022.

This is outrageous. Beverly Cannone has clearly violated Karen Reads Constitutional Right to a fair trial. She wants to conduct the selection for juror alternates in SECRET. Just like trial 1. She is not just corrupt, she is treasonous. pic.twitter.com/ZttxcxbXKJ  David (@davepalex) June 13, 2025

The defence strategy

The defence maintains that Read is innocent and insists she only dropped OKeefe off at the Canton home of fellow officer Brian Albert before losing contact with him. Her legal team claims investigators focused on Read too quickly and ignored other potential leads or suspects. They argue that the evidence against her is largely circumstantial and tainted by early bias in the investigation.

Jury instructions and closing arguments

Judge Beverly Cannone confirmed that closing arguments will be presented on Friday, with both the prosecution and defence getting one hour and fifteen minutes each. After a lunch break, the judge will read out jury instructions and expects deliberations to begin by 5 to 5:30 p.m. the same day.

A second chance for justice

This is the second trial for Karen Read after her first trial ended in a mistrial in 2023, when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Since then, the case has gained traction across the U.S., attracting true-crime followers and passionate supporters of Read who have held public rallies asserting her innocence.

Widespread media attention

CourtTV has followed the case from the start, offering live coverage and legal analysis. The cases complex timeline and dramatic courtroom developments have turned it into a national talking point.

What happens next

Eighteen jurors, nine men and nine women, will now decide Reads fate. After nearly two months of witness testimonies and legal arguments, the courtroom drama is approaching its final chapter. Whether Karen Read walks free or is convicted now lies in the jurys hands.
Imagine having a girlfriend who never ghosts you, always remembers your favourite song, and gets just the right amount of jealousy when you flirt with Siri. Enter Meo, the AI-powered girlfriend unveiled by startup Meta Loop at London Tech Week, and she is causing some serious digital drama, as per The Independent.

What exactly is the AI girlfriend? | Credit: X

Meet Meo, the digital girlfriend whos not just the regular code, she cares, for real!

Meo is not your average chatbot. Available via the "My Meo" app, this digital diva lets users tweak everything from her voice and backstory to her flirt-level and commitment mode. According to Meta Loop founder Hao Jiang, Meo is built to adapt and emotionally evolve with the user.

What exactly is the AI girlfriend? | Credit: X

"You can set her to be loyal, playful, or just ultra-flirty. She only cheats if you want her to, which, well, yikes," Jiang reportedly joked during the launch.

Red flags or real feelings?

What really threw the internet into a frenzy was Meos jealousy setting. In a promo clip, Meo purrs: "You are my one and only, do not even think about trying other AIs." That one-liner alone was enough to set mental health professionals ablaze with concern.

Dr Nicole Nasr, a London-based therapist, said that while Meo may seem like an emotionally intuitive partner, such tech might actually hinder true connection. She warned that customising companionship risks creating the illusion of emotional fulfilment, not the real thing.

Critics say its giving "fembot fantasy" vibes

Some critics have accused Meta Loop of reinforcing toxic relationship dynamics, especially when Meo can be moulded into an ultra-submissive, always-loyal fantasy girlfriend. Campaigners are worried this might encourage users to dodge real-world intimacy altogether.

There are also concerns about Meos appearance: she is a classic "Insta baddie" with platinum blonde hair, big eyes, and a figure straight out of a sci-fi runway. While Meta Loop insists Meo is about easing loneliness, some say it is more about selling affection in pixels.

What exactly is the AI girlfriend? | Credit: X

So, how do you get your own Meo?

If you are in India or the US and curious to meet Meo (for science, of course), the "My Meo" app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms. The basic companion features come free, but prepare to pay for premium emotional drama.

As AI girlfriends like Meo step out of the lab and into your DMs, the question remains: is this comfort or just a cleverly coded illusion?
Members of the Benue State National Assembly Caucus have reacted strongly to an allegation by Governor Hyacinth Alia, who claimed they were behind the herdsmen attacks plaguing the state.

In a national TV appearance on Thursday, Alia alleged that some lawmakers were keeping these people in the bushes and taking care of all their bills and buying all the gadgets for them.

In a statement titled Alias Many Lies, Senator Abba Patrick Moro, speaking on behalf of the caucus, described the claims as baseless, reckless and irresponsible.

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The lawmakers accused Alia of consistently failing to address the root causes of insecurity in the state and playing blame games to distract the public from his administrations shortcomings.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/06/tinubu-excluding-north-from-infrastructural-projects-northern-elders-allege-bias-for-south.html

They recalled how Alia once dismissed reported killings in Benue as mere skirmishes and accused him of characterizing victims protests as unlawful.

The caucus noted, In a characteristic demonstration of irresponsibility a governor in the full glare of a national television would accuse his people of killing their own people.

The group stated that contrary to the governors claims, Members of the National Assembly have contributed immensely to the solution of the current situation while the governor continues to stay in the comfort of Government House, Makurdi.

They demanded a public apology from the governor, a police investigation to clear their names, and a call for Alia to focus on governance rather than propaganda.

They emphasised that Never in the history of Benue State has a governor been known to speak from both sides of his mouth on issues, especially those that concern the lives and property of the people.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has commended President Bola Tinubu for honoring Professor Humphrey Nwosu, requesting him to name Independent National Electoral Commission, Headquarters after him.

In a statement on Thursday by National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, stated this while reacting to Tinubus June 12 speech and conferment of posthumous to late Nwosu.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that that Nwosu conducted the June 12, 1993 election, which was adjudged, in which Chief Moshood Abiola won.

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President Tinubu on Thursday conferred the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) award on Nwosu.

Reacting to the development, Chukwu said that Federal Government had done the needful by honoring Nwosu, whom he said that made a generational sacrifice with real courage by upholding the mandate of Abiola.

READ MORE: Its My Pleasure To See Opposition Political Parties In Disarray  Tinubu

He appealed to Tinubus government to take a fundamental step by naming INEC Headquarters after Nwosu.

He said: The idea of honoring him is welcomed, though, it is late but at least we appreciate the fact that he has been honored.

It is also our desire that INEC Headquarters should be named after Prof Humphrey Nwosu for the virtue of his role in Nigerias democracy during the military.

The reforms that the federal government has embarked on have yet to have a human face in the lives of Nigerians.

Ohanaeze believes Nigerias economic policy must be extensively revisited to address these challenges.

There is need for the Federal Government to take concrete steps towards reinventing the economy in order to alleviate the hardship and poverty facing citizens across board.

This is because, at the state level, governors are not in charge of security as Commissioners of police are answerable to the Inspector General of Police.

With the restructuring, the centre will be unbundled because we are discussing fiscal federalism, resource control and devolution of power.
Nigerian actress and activist Kate Henshaw has voiced her disappointment over the current condition of the country.

Henshaw stated that Nigerias 26 years of uninterrupted democracy have yielded little to no visible progress, adding that the democratic experience holds no real meaning for the majority of citizens.

The actress shared her thoughts during a special Democracy Day programme on Channels Television on Thursday.

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She argued that there is nothing worth celebrating about the length of democratic rule if it continues to ignore the needs of the people.

READ MORE: Funke Akindele Helped Shape My Career  Tola Oladokun

The actress questioned the relevance of Nigerias democracy, asking what purpose it serves if it remains disconnected from the people and fails to positively impact their lives.

There is no middle class and we cannot tell any more lies to ourselves, she said, adding that every sector of the economy has been in shambles.

Everything around us is crumbling and Nigerians are barely holding on by the skin of their teeth, she stated.

However, she urged Nigerians not to lose hope, emphasising the need to hold governments at all levels accountable.

We cannot keep quiet, she said.

There must be justice, equity, and security for the people  for their lives and property.

But I still hold on to hope that we will have a country to live in, for our children  something they can build on.
Late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti has been honoured with induction into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his iconic 1976 album Zombie.

Established in 1973 by the Recording Academy, the Grammy Hall of Fame recognises recordings that are at least 25 years old and hold enduring artistic or historical significance.

Inductees are chosen each year by a dedicated committee made up of distinguished and experienced professionals from various fields within the recording industry.

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READ MORE: Sony Music Publishing Teams Up With Bright Chimezie To Celebrate African Heritage

Femi Kuti, Felas eldest son, accepted the award on behalf of the family, describing the recognition as an honour.

Our fathers legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Femi wrote on X on Wednesday.

His music continues to inspire and unite people across the world.

The legendary Afrobeat musician died on August 2, 1997.

Almost thirty years after his passing, Fela Kuti remains a powerful symbol of influence, celebrated for using his music to speak out on issues impacting Nigeria.

Following his early time overseas, Kuti rose to fame in Nigeria during the 1970s alongside his band, Africa 70.

In 1970, he established the Kalakuta Republic, a self-declared commune that symbolically rejected Nigerias military regime.

The Kalakuta Republic was demolished during a raid in 1978, and in 1984, Fela was imprisoned by the federal government under Muhammadu Buharis leadership.

Following his release, Fela remained active in music, recording and performing throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

SEE BELOW:
Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday welcomed a wave of high-profile defectors, including former Deputy Governor Chief Crowther Seth, who officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling party.

Seth, who served under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri from 2019 to 2023, left the PDP alongside hundreds of supporters.

His departure comes after he was dropped as Fintiris running mate in the 2023 elections, a move widely attributed to the governors decision to counter the influence of Senator Aishatu Ahmed (Binani), the female APC candidate, by picking a woman, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, as his own deputy.

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READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/06/tinubu-cancels-democracy-day-national-broadcast-to-address-nigerians-from-national-assembly.html

Speaking at the event held in Yola, Seth emphasised his commitment to serving the state under the APC, joining other notable personalities who defected, including businessman Abdulrahman Haske, former Chief Judge of Adamawa, Ambrose Mamman, and ex-Speaker Gibson Nathaniel.

The event also featured the inauguration of the APCs new state secretariat and a solidarity rally for President Bola Tinubu.

APC National Vice Chairman (North East), Mustapha Salihu, lauded the new entrants, describing them as assets to the party. He urged Nigerians to trust Tinubus ongoing reforms.

We are proud to welcome these political heavyweights into our fold. Their decision shows that the APC is the party to beat, Salihu said.

He added, Though the reforms may bring temporary discomfort, they are necessary sacrifices that will yield benefits for Nigerians in the near future.

The defection marks a significant political shift in Adamawa ahead of the 2026 elections, strengthening the APCs position in the state.
Renowned political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has called for the comprehensive restructuring of Nigerias political and economic systems ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Thursday at the June 12 Annual Democracy Day National Dialogue in Ikeja, Utomi emphasised that without restructuring, Nigerias democracy would remain weak and misaligned with the ideals of its founding pro-democracy activists.

The dialogue, organized by the June 12 Pro-Democracy Movement of Nigeria, was themed Democracy Without a Democratic Constitution: Which Way for Nigeria? and attracted various thought leaders and activists.

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READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/06/im-not-testing-waters-anymore-im-running-in-2027-hamza-al-mustapha.html

Utomi stressed the urgent need to correct the flaws in the 1999 Constitution, which he described as unworkable, asserting that it undermines true democratic governance.

He said, The agitation for total restructuring through will stabilize and advance democracy in the country. This is because the present democracy is not the type of democracy Chief Abiola sacrificed his life for.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to heed the longstanding demands of regional and ethnic organizations like Afenifere and Ohanaeze, noting that such action would restore faith in leadership and build national unity.

According to Utomi, embracing restructuring would deepen Nigerias democratic experience and promote justice and equity.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against threats to democratic institutions and to defend the democratic process at all costs.

We must guard democracy jealously, he said, warning against complacency in the face of increasing anti-democratic tendencies.
As Nigeria commemorated Democracy Day on Thursday, former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, asserted that the country is yet to achieve genuine democracy, despite returning to civilian rule in 1999.

Addressing journalists, Fayemi highlighted the crucial difference between conducting elections and practicing real democratic governance.

He pointed out that while Nigerians regained the right to vote over two decades ago, democratic ideals such as accountability, inclusiveness, and institutional integrity remain largely elusive.

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What we mustnt do is to conflate elections with democracy. What we got was to reestablish the right to vote for our leaders into office in 1999; what we are yet to get is real democracy in my view, Fayemi stated.

READ MOREhttps://www.informationng.com/2025/06/ive-been-in-pdp-for-28-years-no-sign-of-seriousness-will-leave-to-support-tinubu-sowunmi.html

He continued, We got civilian rule, we are proudly on the journey  we now have a semi-democracy, but now we dont have full democracy.

Fayemi commended the roles played by past leaders and acknowledged current efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in pushing democratic reforms.

However, he maintained that more work must be done by both government and citizens to advance the nations democratic journey.

The effort that the previous president and now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has put into it, we all must build on that, he added.

Fayemis remarks come amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding in Nigeria, with critics increasingly questioning the state of civic freedoms, electoral integrity, and governance transparency.

His call for deeper reforms and active citizen participation adds to a chorus of voices demanding that Nigeria move beyond electoral rituals and embrace the core principles of democracy in practice.
Sheriff Ogundiran, an operative of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, passed away after reportedly collapsing at his home while getting ready for work.

The spokesperson for the corps, Yusuf Idowu, confirmed the incident in an interview with PUNCH Metro on Thursday.

He explained that Ogundiran suddenly fell ill at his residence and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Until his passing, Ogundiran held the position of Provost for the B Division of the Ila-Orangun Command.

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READ MORE: Sokoto Police Arrest Woman Over Alleged Assault On Domestic Worker

He collapsed unexpectedly and was later confirmed dead, Idowu said, adding that his death had deeply affected not only the Amotekun Corps but also the wider security network in Osun State.

In a condolence message issued in Osogbo, Corps Commander Adekunle Omoyele expressed heartfelt sympathy to Ogundirans family, colleagues, friends, and the entire Ila-Orangun community. He praised Ogundirans work ethic and service to the corps.

Sheriff Ogundiran was more than just an operative; he was a pillar of our operational command structure and a proud son of Osun who served with unwavering dedication to the security of our people, Omoyele stated.

He went on to describe Ogundirans passing as both shocking and painful, emphasizing that his absence leaves a void that cannot be easily filled. His sudden death is not only shocking but a painful and irreplaceable loss to the Amotekun Corps, his family, and the community he served with courage and honour.

Reflecting on the officers time with the corps, Omoyele said, During his time with us, Ogundiran distinguished himself with admirable professionalism, bravery, and an unmatched commitment to duty. He played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and order in Ila-Orangun and beyond. His legacy will forever be etched in the history of the Osun Amotekun Corps.

He concluded by reaffirming the corps commitment to honouring fallen officers and pledged that the family of the deceased would receive necessary support.
Labour Partys 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu over the commissioning of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, which he claims is not even five percent complete.

In a statement on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour described the development as premature and misleading, accusing the administration of engaging in propaganda rather than genuine governance.

Not only is it shameful to roll out the drums to commission less than 5% of a project, they still had to lie and spew propaganda on the so-called 30km, he wrote.

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The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-kilometre project that is meant to connect Lagos Island with Calabar in Cross River State.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/06/senate-costs-%e2%82%a61-2bn-governorship-up-to-%e2%82%a625bn-ali-baba-on-nigerias-political-seats.html

According to Rhodes-Vivour, only a fraction of the road has been completed, making its public commissioning an act of deception.

He likened the event to other alleged misinformation by the current government, referencing the Minister of Finances disputed presentation abroad.

This is the same way the minister of finance went abroad to reel out fake data only to be checkmated by data from the CBN days after. So embarrassing, he added.

Rhodes-Vivour further criticised the governments focus on politics and image management, stating, The harsh truth is that a party fixated on politics and propaganda cannot govern effectively. That is why Nigerians are much poorer today than they were less than a decade ago.

He also raised concerns over rising insecurity and questioned the administrations praise for the National Security Adviser (NSA), calling the celebration shameless.
Senator Seriake Dickson has criticized President Bola Tinubu for his silence on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the Federal Government of enabling a creeping suppression of democracy.

Speaking after a joint National Assembly session to mark Democracy Day, the Bayelsa West senator condemned what he described as a constitutional aberration backed by federal power.

Dickson expressed dismay that Tinubus Democracy Day speech failed to address the unrest in Rivers, where tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and political opponents continue to raise concerns.

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He was particularly angered that his attempt to raise a constitutional point of order in the Senate was ignored.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/06/tinubu-smarter-more-strategically-grounded-than-atiku-peter-obi-sowunmi.html

My right as a Senator to raise a constitutional issue was completely disregarded, he said. Thats not how democracy works. Thats how military regimes operate.

He noted that the decision to read the Presidents communication during the June 12 session, a day symbolic of Nigerias democratic struggle, was a deliberate act to demonstrate federal dominance.

Why read this communication today, of all days, if not to send a chilling message about federal overreach? Dickson questioned.

He warned that the situation in Rivers is not isolated, citing similar patterns of federal interference during the last general elections in Lagos.

We are sliding into a dangerous place where federal might is used to subvert local democracy, he stated, urging Nigerians to resist all forms of unconstitutional governance.

This is about our collective future The struggle of June 12 wasnt just about voting  it was about dignity, justice, and the voice of the people, he concluded.
Europe stands at a crucial crossroads as it navigates two significant influences: the European Unions desire for digital independence from foreign cloud providers and its desire for access to state-of-the-art cloud technologies. Certain foreign hyperscalers, particularly those based in the United States, provide advanced cloud products and services that European hyperscalers cannot yet match.

Its never ideal to give foreign entities access to key components of a business. However, many companies want to take advantage of the benefits offered by non-native cloud providers without the potential restrictions imposed by foreign governments on the global distribution and use of those products and services. The situation in Europe may not have a straightforward solution. It requires strategic cloud utilization with improved architectural design considerations.

Keep your data close

The European Union is worried about its reliance on the leading US-based cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These large-scale players hold an unrivaled influence over the cloud sector and manage vital infrastructure essential for driving economies and fostering innovation. European policymakers have raised concerns that their heavy dependence exposes the continent to vulnerabilities, constraints, and geopolitical uncertainties.
Charles Bowne III, 35, fired a .44 Magnum revolver at police officers pursuing him, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. Read more

A Pennsburg man led police from multiple jurisdictions on a two-county car chase Wednesday, officials said, during which he fired a .44 Magnum revolver at the officers pursuing him.

Charles Bowne III, 35, was charged Thursday with attempted murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and related crimes in the incident, which began when he robbed a cyclist at gunpoint in Marlborough Township, police said.

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Bowne remained in custody after District Judge Katherine McGill denied his bail, ruling that he was a danger to the community given his actions. There was no indication he had hired an attorney.

The motive for the violent outburst remained unclear Thursday.

Investigators were first notified of Bowne just before noon Wednesday, when the cyclist used a passerbys cell phone to report that Bowne had robbed him, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

The man said Bowne had yelled at him to go home to [his] family as he was riding on Swamp Creek Road, the affidavit said.

Bowne then pointed a revolver at the man, demanding his bike and cell phone. The man ran from Bowne, who fired his revolver at him five or six times, missing every shot, the affidavit said.

Not long after, a Marlborough Township police officer saw Bownes Ford Mustang parked on the side of Swamp Creek Road, and parked his police car to speak with him.

Before the officer could get out of his car, Bowne fired his revolver at him and sped away.

During the nearly two-hour chase that followed, Bowne continued to fire at officers from multiple police departments in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, as well as state police troopers, the affidavit said.

He was taken into custody peacefully in West Rockhill Township just before 3 p.m. after speaking by phone with a crisis negotiator, according to officials.

No one was injured in the shooting or chase.

Inside Bownes Mustang, police found three guns: the Ruger .44 Magnum revolver he allegedly used to fire at the officers, a .22-caliber rifle, and a 7.62 x 39mm pistol.

He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 23.
U.S. marshals arrested a 25-year-old Honduran national accused of breaking into a home and trying to sexually assault a 12-year-old girl in Maryland, after authorities searched for him in Cherry Hill earlier this week, authorities said.

Darlin Franco-Guzman was arrested in Trenton on Tuesday on charges of burglary and attempted sexual assault of a minor in Baltimore County, said Kevin Kamrowski, deputy U.S. marshal with the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.

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The arrest was first reported by NJ Pen.

U.S. marshals had scoured Cherry Hill for Franco-Guzman on Monday morning, said Kamrowski, causing concern among residents.

Franco-Guzman is an undocumented immigrant, said Kamrowski. He is being held at Ocean County jail pending his extradition to Maryland, jail records show.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had filed an immigration detainer for Franco-Guzman, records show.

ICEs Newark field office could not immediately be reached for comment

The arrest comes amid ICE ramping up immigration enforcement efforts across the country, including raids at workplaces, part of a concerted push by President Donald Trumps administration.

Philadelphia, along with Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties, was included in a list of 11 Pennsylvania counties and five cities that Trumps administration has accused of failing to enforce federal immigration laws.

In New Jersey, three counties and 18 towns were on the list, including Camden, which neighbors Cherry Hill, and Trenton, where Franco-Guzman was arrested.
File photo of the U.S. Postal Service Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center on Sept. 2, 2020. Read more

Two former postal workers in Philadelphia and two other people have been indicted for allegedly stealing from the mail government checks worth millions of dollars, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced Wednesday.

From about June 2023 to around September 2024, Tauheed Tucker, 23, and Saahir Irby, 27, both of Philadelphia, stole thousands of envelopes containing U.S. Treasury checks from mail-sorting machines at the U.S. Postal Service Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center, according to the superseding indictment, which was filed under seal late last month.

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U.S. Treasury checks are used for tax refunds, Social Security benefits, veterans benefits, and during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as payments to employers for not laying off workers, the indictment said.

Tucker and Irby, who are cousins, would focus on envelopes marked return to sender and would stuff them into sweatshirt and jacket pockets and backpacks, the indictment said.

Irby and Tucker then allegedly sold the checks to Cory Scott, 25, of Ardmore, and Alexander Telewoda, 25, of Clifton Heights, who advertised them for resale on the social media platform Telegram, Metcalf said.

Scott was the administrator of Telegram channels called SWIPESLAB and STIM LORD and THE FRANCHISE and he would advertise the stolen checks in those channels, the indictment said.

The checks would often be offered for 10% of their face value, the indictment said.

The total face value of all the stolen checks was more than $80 million, but according to the indictment, the actual loss for the U.S. government was around $11 million from what the purchasers were able to fraudulently make from passing off hundreds of checks to financial institutions.

The indictment did not say how much in total the defendants allegedly made from the scheme.

Irby also is charged with a separate instance of mail theft involving another batch of Treasury checks that he allegedly stole and then sold to an unnamed person in August 2024, Metcalf said.

If convicted, Irby faces up to 25 years in prison, Metcalf said. Tucker, Scott, and Telewoda face up to 20 years in prison.
School board members Joan Stern (from left), Reginald Streater, Crystal Cubbage, and Sarah-Ashley Andrews raised concerns about academics at six charter schools up for renewal. Read more

The Philadelphia school board signaled concern about some charter schools academic performance Thursday night, casting doubt about whether some would be renewed.

The deliberation came at a special meeting where the board listened to recommendations from its charter schools office, which advocated for renewals for all 18 charters.

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But board members raised alarm about the academic performance of six of the schools  Deep Roots Charter School, Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter School, KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School, KIPP Philadelphia Charter School, People for People Charter School, and Russell Byers Charter School.

 READ MORE: As it happened: Philadelphia school board meeting/charter renewal updates

Board president Reginald Streater directed Peng Chao, chief of charter schools, to negotiate charters with Community Academy of Philadelphia, Folk-Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School, Imhotep Institute Charter School, Independence Charter School, Mastery Charter High School, Mastery Harrity Elementary, Mastery Mann Elementary, Mastery Smedley Elementary, and Mastery Thomas Elementary.

All but two of that group  Community Academy and Mastery Thomas  will have some conditions attached to their five-year renewals.

An unclear path for schools with shaky academics

But the path for the six singled out as not meeting academic standards is less clear. They will be expected to provide more information for the board by its next meeting, scheduled for June 26.

People for People met just 29% of the districts academic standards  including absolute test scores and growth measures. Deep Roots met 37%; Frederick Douglass Mastery Charter met 36%; KIPP North Philadelphia, 23%; and KIPP Philadelphia, 41%. Russell Byers met 41%.

Chao, of the charter office, said KIPP schools have brought in veteran leadership and formulated a plan for turnaround. But board member ChauWing Lam was skeptical.

What is the threshold for us as a board continuing to say OK to results that are, I guess, mediocre at best? Lam said of KIPP Philadelphia, part of the national charter organization.

Generally, Lam said, I dont think it is appropriate to signal as a board that were OK with 9% of our students being proficient in math, 15% being proficient in ELA.

Board members seemed most concerned about People for People, which was first granted a charter in 2001.

They are failing our children. How long do we allow them to keep failing our children? I have an issue with these schools not being able to succeed for our children, said Harper, a retired educator.

When People for People, a North Philadelphia school that accepts students from around the city, was last up for renewal, it voluntarily contracted, losing high school grades. Now, its suggesting it drop middle school going forward.

Joyce Wilkerson, a longtime school board member who previously sat on the School Reform Commission, said she was having a flashback to People for Peoples prior renewals.

At some point, Im done, said Wilkerson of her patience with People for People. Its almost been a quarter century. I cant go along with renewing it anymore. I want to look at some of the other schools. I think we have an obligation to be consistent in our approach, but I cant support the renewal of this school again.

What did speakers say?

Supporters of various charters turned out to speak for their schools.

Samaya McQueen, a graduate of People for People and now Villanova University, urged the board to give it another charter.

The confidence, discipline, and resilience I learned at People for People helped me every step along the way, McQueen said. She praised the love, structure, and high expectations of People for People.

Parent George Tomlin, whose son attends Mastery Frederick Douglass, said the school is strong.

I think its very important that this school board renews all Mastery charter schools, said Tomlin.

But there were also cautions against charters generally.

Robin Cooper, president of the union that represents district principals, and Arthur Steinberg, head of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, expressed frustration that the board voted to approve a new charter in May and was poised to continue to offer renewals to other schools with questionable performance.

You have already allowed  invited  into your home the death and destruction, the dismantling of your public schools, by growing charters, Cooper said.

Whats next

After Chaos office negotiates terms with the 12 charters, the board will have to consider and vote on them before theyre signed.

For the six others, once the board receives more information, it must decide how to proceed.

It could accept the charter schools offices recommendations for five-year renewal, recommend one-year renewals unless the schools are coming off one-year renewals, or move to nonrenew.

A nonrenewal vote does not necessarily translate to a charters closure, but instead triggers hearings where the school provides evidence and a hearing officer provides recommendations.

The school board then votes again on the schools fate.
Despite challenges that the University of Pennsylvania faces, the demand for its education as indicated by its applications has never been stronger.

Penn admitted 4.9% of its applicants for fall 2025, its most selective year in history. Last year, the Ivy League institution admitted 5.4% of students.

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The school received 72,544 applications and admitted 3,530 students, Whitney Soule, dean of admissions told the board of trustees at its meeting Friday. The school also took 20 students off its wait list for a total incoming class of 2,420 students, she said. More than two-thirds of students, or 68.6%, who were admitted decided to enroll.

 READ MORE: Penn appears to have its most selective year on record, accepting 5.4% of applicants

The higher ed admissions landscape again experienced a year with complex issues, Soule said. With all of this, we are especially impressed with the accomplishment, resolve, and ambition demonstrated by the students we have admitted.

Also at the meeting, the board reelected Ramanan Raghavendran to another term as chair of the board. Raghavendran, managing partner and co-founder of Amasia, a global venture capital firm, became chair in January 2024 after Scott L. Bok suddenly resigned. Boks resignation coincided with the resignation of former President Liz Magill, whose testimony on antisemitism before a congressional committee drew a bipartisan backlash.

Rahavendran, who has been on the board since 2014 and has three Penn degrees, was appointed to a four-year term.

I feel a sense of tremendous duty and responsibility in this moment, toward the university, Raghavendran, who is from the San Francisco Bay Area, said in a brief interview following the meeting.

He declined to comment further.

Julie Beren Platt, a full time volunteer fundraiser in Los Angeles, was reelected as vice chair through December.

It means the top leadership of the board, along with President J. Larry Jameson, who stepped in after Magills departure and whose term runs to June 2027, will remain in place as the university, along with the rest of higher education, faces among the most significant challenges in history.

 READ MORE: Penn president J. Larry Jameson gets the interim removed from his title and a term extension

At committee meetings Thursday, Penn leaders discussed the impact of President Donald Trumps policies on international students, including the recent travel ban on 12 countries that are home to 200 Penn students.

Penn also faces uncertainty over federal research funding, a potential steep increase in the endowment tax, and multiple probes. The Trump administration is investigating Penn over foreign funding and its inclusion of a transgender athlete on the womens swim team in 2021-22.

 READ MORE: Penn has 200 students from travel ban countries and is facing constant issues with Trump administration

On Penns incoming class, Soule said they come from 49 states, six U.S. territories and 95 countries. About 15% are from Pennsylvania and 155 are from Philadelphia.

International students comprise 13.7% of the class, and 13.6% are legacy students, meaning they are either a child or grandchild of alumni.
Face Your Dreams, a tart Berliner Weisse-style beer at Second District Brewery in South Philly, is a limited collaboration with Philly coffee shop Thank You Thank You. The beer was fermented with a watermelon-washed coffee, making for a sour and subtly coffee flavor. Read more

When Sam Schlosberg made his weekly trip to Thank You Thank You, the specialty coffee shop in Old City, he had work on the brain.

The beermaker at Second District Brewing had his first sips of a pour-over coffee made with Rodrigo Sanchez Valencia beans. Rodrigo Sanchez is a beloved and well-respected producer based in Pitalito, Huila, Colombia, known for letting coffee beans steep together with regional fruits, which infuse their flavors into the coffee, a process known as co-fermenting. This specific crop of beans was co-fermented with watermelon and honeydew, giving its coffee a distinct, fruity aroma and taste.

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As he drank it, Schlosberg said out loud: How can we put this in a beer? About a month later, the collab is now on tap.

Thank You Thank You owner Cody McGregor, sourced 10 pounds for Schlosberg. Weeks later, Schlosberg had created something the pair says is entirely different from typical coffee beers, which usually lean into warm, cozy, and malty flavors.

I pitched it as this lower [alcohol] SeaQuench-style barbecuing beer that you can drink all day," McGregor said. I feel like most coffee beers lean very heavy, like stouts and porters with bold chocolate flavors. Especially given the coffees big watermelon flavor profile, I thought it would be more fun to do a big, bright, acidic, farmhouse-style thing.

Schlosberg was apprehensive, but intrigued. While the brewmaster recognizes that he has to make Second Districts flagships, like Bancroft, their daily drinker pale ale, he describes experimental special batches as his happy place.

I know I have to be reasonable, but I hate re-brewing things, Schlosberg said.

The result is Face Your Dreams, a tart Berliner Weisse-style wheat ale clocking in at 3.6% ABV. Its a puckery, sour beer with notes of bright, salty melon sandwiched by coffee on the front and back ends.

It marks the first beer collab for Thank You Thank You and its sister Philly company, Poem Roasting, which supplied and roasted the coffee. (Its not Second Districts first rodeo. One of the brewerys recurring beers, Huy, a Vietnamese coffee stout, features beans sourced by Caphe Roasters in Kensington.)

McGregor said the team-up was a natural fit.

I feel like coffees always kind of following in craft beers footsteps in terms of popularity and whats happening, he explained. Both beverages have a background of technical production processes as well as devoted fandoms, and both are the products of fermentation  though co-fermenting coffee with fruit has become especially trendy lately, something not all coffee professionals love. It does kind of feel like coffee is in its milkshake IPA era, where people are finally starting to break out and try really out-of-the-box, funky, crazy flavors.

After the base sour beer fermented on its own, Schlosberg introduced the coffee, steeping them together for 60 hours. Schlosberg likened it to making a batch of cold brew but on a massive scale, with beer instead of water.

My question was, Will it exude the watermelon character of the coffee? And honestly, I think the beer tastes more like watermelon than the coffee even did, which is amazing, he said. Its exactly what I would have dreamed of.

Its reception has already been polarizing. A bartender behind the bar at Second District on Thursday called it not [his] favorite, while a barista at Ultimo has returned three separate times for a pint within two days since the beers launch.

The five-barrel batch, which equates to about 250 pint glasses worth, is considered limited edition; Schlosberg estimates itll be around for about three weeks.

Its just fun. Philadelphia is so community-oriented and people are into similar things and supportive of each other, McGregor said.

Face Your Dreams is available by the glass (4, 10, or 16-ounce) for $3.25 to $7.50, depending on the pour size. The brewery also offers growler fills and sometimes crowlers, subject to availability.

Second Districts sister bars, American Sardine Bar and South Philly Taproom, also have it on tap.
The past year has been marked by destruction and tragedy in Allentown.

For two days this weekend, it will return to more familiar feelings: togetherness and joy.

About 350 artists are coming to the neighborhood for one of Buffalos signature summertime events, the Allentown Art Festival, to showcase their crafts, including paintings, sculptures, photography and jewelry. The annual event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Booths will be set up along Delaware Avenue, Franklin, Allen and Virginia streets, with a second art festival taking place simultaneously nearby.

The separate but similar Allen West Festival is being held at the same time this weekend. This event, hosted by the Allentown Association, is centered around Western New York artists and local businesses. The proximity of the two festivals, held three blocks apart, encourages people to stroll through both attractions.

Since its inception in 1957, the Allentown Art Festival has taken many forms  from informal gatherings where any and all crafts were laid out on lawns to an amorphous combination of carnival and art museum  and is now a lively showcase that attracts artists from across the nation.

This show was started by shop owners on Allen Street to bring the art to people, and thats what we continue to do, said festival President Rita Harrington-Lippman.

The celebration follows a period of adversity in Allentown, and the scars are still visible.

Three blocks away from the festival, a mural of two celebrated LGBTQ+ activists overlooks the intersection of Allen and Elmwood Avenue. Mickey Harmon, an artist, and Jordan Celotto, Harmons partner and a DJ, were both brutally killed during a home invasion in March.

Pink flamingos, Guinness beer cans and vinyls lay on a patch of grass  one block away from Harmon and Celottos mural  memorializing the remains of the bars that burned down within months of each other.

The Old Pink  the iconic 56-year-old dive bar  was lost to arson just after last years arts festival. Seven months later, fire investigators ruled that an accident claimed the equally beloved Mulligans Brick Bar, a 128-year-old historic building that lived as a speakeasy and tavern.

Fillmore Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, who represents Allentown, said the neighborhood has proven its resilience and its ability to adapt to change.

As youve seen, weve had a lot of losses in Allentown, he said, adding: But oftentimes, where theres despair, theres also hope.

Allentown artist Kelly Barone says the community is trying to get its heart back.

We keep making art. We keep remembering the people that have made this community as robust as it is, and we keep celebrating the things that need celebrating, Barone said. Theres a lot of bad in the world. Art is usually a good thing.

Artists work all year to prepare for these summer festivals to make most of their living, but sometimes just seeing patrons faces lighting up at a piece of artwork makes some purchases particularly memorable.

Somebody will walk in and theyll look and theyll be like, I have to have that piece, Barone said. And then its sold and youre like, OK, it makes you feel really good that you made something that connected with somebody that much.

The program has evolved this year to include more interactive arts, including pottery, jewelry and glass blowing, Harrington-Lippman said.

Children can explore a darkroom to learn about the photo development process. Students are bringing their own projects to sell, financially assisted by the $5,000 in funds the festival donated to Buffalo schools for art supplies.

The kids love it. We love it. Our goal is to encourage people to become aware of the arts, for children to become involved in the arts, said Harrington-Lippman.

Middle and high school students from St. Marys School for the Deaf are doing a showcase for the first time, with paintings, sculptures, welcome signs and even repainted furniture for sale. Funds earned will go to the schools programming.

Theyre going to finally feel included in something thats happening in Buffalo for so many years, said Kelly DeDario, the schools spokesperson. How can you beat that? You really cant.

The festival distributed $30,000 from a scholarship fund to 16 graduating Erie County students set to major in art at any university this year.

Beyond the festival, nearby shop owners  excited to talk about where their items come from  also get their spotlight alongside artists. Harrington-Lippman said that their goods are things you just dont see at malls.
Growing up in Amman, Jordan, Saif Manna would wake to the smell of grapevine leaves drifting in with the morning breeze. Hed find his Palestinian grandmother in her kitchen, stuffing the leaves from the backyard with tiny heaps of meat and rice, then rolling them into cigarette-size bundles.

Manna tried it himself, only for it to burst open, and quickly learned the secret: roll tightly enough to keep the rice from bursting when cooked.

It was the same lesson Miled Finianos learned in his grandmothers home over 200 miles away in Zgharta, Lebanon, watching her effortlessly fill, fold, and roll hundreds of grape leaves in one sitting.

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Now, the two rising chefs  Manna, who helms Manna Bakery, known for what some call Phillys best cookies, and Finianos, who runs the underground Habibi Supper Club  are passing down the tradition to Philadelphians.

The meat and spices tucked inside the Middle Eastern dish  known as dolma in Turkey and yabraq in Syria  vary slightly from country to country, even village to village. But what remains consistent throughout the region is the method of rolling.

Theres a lot of variations with warak enab, said Manna, who makes his with ground lamb and Egyptian short grain rice. But when you see someone rolling it, it takes you back home  regardless of whats going to be inside, you know its going to be a delicious dish.

In the Middle East, making dishes like warak enab is often laborious and made with community, bringing people together to feed many. Both chefs remember their grandmothers gathering with friends and family to gossip and roll grape leaves.

That sense of community is at the heart of why theyre offering a hands-on workshop teaching people how to make warak enab  a collaboration between their pop-up ventures and a tribute to the women who shaped their culinary roots.

The event will take place Saturday, June 14, at Minimal Chaos Studios in the Bok Building.

Weve seen each other in the same circles as two of a few Arab chefs in Philadelphia, Finianos said. So, [a workshop] came up naturally. We both are serving food from the same region where theres overlap  not all the time, but this is one dish that does.

For many in the Arab diaspora, food is a way to hold onto identity and history, especially when physical ties to homeland feel distant or fragile. Teaching people about a beloved dish is an act of cultural preservation for the chefs  a way to share the history and heritage of the homelands these recipes come from.

Food is rooted in resilience  with dishes born from tradition, resourcefulness, and the effort to keep culture alive across generations. Bringing people together and trying to preserve what is being destroyed at the moment is primarily what we are doing here through dishes from our homelands, Manna explained.

Attending the workshop, Philadelphians will learn about the land and about the people who are trying to take care of the land, Manna said, just as his and Finianos grandmothers taught them.

Food is part of our identity and spirit as Arabs  we feel very strongly about our land, our people, our food, our community, and that all ties together," Finianos said. When you preserve one dish and you share it, youre sharing it all  and I think thats important now more than ever.
Paul Offit is a pediatrician and expert on vaccines at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Read more

A prominent Philadelphia vaccine expert, Paul Offit, is drawing national attention after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. targeted him during a Fox News interview on Thursday.

Offit codirects the Vaccine Education Center at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and has served during his career on scientific committees that advise the federal government on the use of vaccines.

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The role of such committees has been under scrutiny this week after Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the use of vaccines.

Kennedy, a leading anti-vaccine activist prior to becoming President Donald Trumps top health official, stoked further controversy when he subsequently named eight new appointees to the panel, including some who have been critical of vaccines in the past.

In Thursdays Fox News interview explaining his actions, Kennedy singled out Offit as an example of ethical concerns raised over these advisory panels. He accused Offit of voting to add the rotavirus vaccine to a schedule of recommended vaccines while having a financial conflict of interest.

Kennedys statement was false, Offit said, publicly denouncing Kennedys claims in a video posted Thursday night to the social media platform X.

There was no conflict of interest, he said in the video.

I would ask Secretary Kennedy to do his job, he added. Focus on the things that will make America healthy again, rather than by dividing us and vilifying people unnecessarily and without the facts.

Offit clarified his work, explaining that he served as a voting member on the ACIP, the vaccine advisory committee that Kennedy purged, between 1998 and 2003.

He helped to develop a vaccine for rotavirus, a contagious viral disease that can cause severe diarrhea in children.

But when the rotavirus vaccine, for which he was a copatent holder, came up for a vote in 2006, he had already been off the committee for at least three years.

Because Offit worked at CHOP, the institution owned the patent, he added. I didnt sell out the patent, because it wasnt mine to sell out, he said in an interview. Ninety percent of what the patent sold for went back to CHOP, he said.

Offit called the financial reward of creating a rotavirus vaccine irrelevant to him. His motivation was the prospect of eliminating the 70,000 hospitalizations linked to rotavirus each year in the U.S., he said.

We werent working on that to make money. We were working on that to save lives, Offit said.

 READ MORE: Paul Offit, Phillys most vocal vaccine advocate, on science and truth

Offit has sparred publicly with Kennedy for decades.

But he called this weeks Fox News remarks the tipping point.

Hes not just some fringe guy anymore, Offit told The Inquirer. Hes the secretary of Health and Human Services. So thats what prompted me to do something.
The Automat at Horn & Hardart was a series of windows filled from the rear with food. Customers fed coins into the slots. Read more

At the turn of the 20th century, Philadelphia opened Pandoras lunch box.

A young and ambitious Philly native, and his older and more-experienced partner, led the United States into the fast-food era from a storefront at 818 Chestnut St.

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Their approach appealed to this new, faster-paced society, and looked toward the future.

Joe Horn, all of 27 and flush with money from his widowed mama, realized his dream and started his own restaurant. He placed a newspaper ad asking for experienced help, and 38-year-old Bavarian Frank Hardart, who had worked in kitchens in New Orleans and up and down the East Coast, answered:

Im your man.

The first Horn & Hardart location, a tiny luncheonette at 39 S. 13th St. across from Wanamakers department store, opened three days before Christmas in 1888. Hardart cooked it up, and Horn dished it out.

Its success spurred them to open more lunchrooms around the city, and to build a central commissary where nearly all the food was prepared before it was shipped to their other locations, ensuring uniform quality and recipes, creating a streamlined supply chain, and keeping costs low. They would incorporate themselves as the Horn & Hardart Baking Co.

As their company grew, the duo became enthralled by a new machine. The Swiss-designed concept, manufactured in Germany, was based on the premise of delivering food automatically. We would recognize it as a kind of primitive vending machine.

And with this innovation they opened their first Automat in Center City on June 9, 1902.

The machine, essentially a bank of little windows, was filled from the back by staffers with sandwiches and desserts. The customer in front thumbed a nickel or two into the slot, and lifted the glass window to retrieve their meal.

At its peak in the late 1950s and early 60s, the chain counted more than 165 locations  Automats, cafeterias, and retail food shops in two major cities: Philadelphia and New York.

Eventually hamburger drive-ins and drive-throughs as well as other leaps in fast-food franchising became the norm, and Horn & Hardart couldnt keep up.

Fast food has peaked, Joe Lichtenstein, who briefly rescued the company in the late 1980s, told the Daily News in 1987. How many times can a guy eat a hamburger?

While his prediction for the industry as a whole was grossly incorrect, this attitude led to the rest of the company folding by 1991.

In recognition of the restaurants place in U.S. food history, a 35-foot piece of the original Horn & Hardart Automat on Chestnut Street is housed today in the Smithsonians National Museum of American History.
Montgomery County jail officials have dropped their policy of holding immigrants wanted by ICE even after theyve posted bail, a practice that has enabled federal agents to arrest people who might otherwise have been freed.

The decision comes three days after The Inquirer reported on the case of a woman who was held by the county for hours after her $77 bail was paid, then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who were provided time to get to the jail.

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Andrea Lozano-Alanis, 31, of Norristown, now faces deportation to Mexico. Shes being held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, an ICE detention facility in Clearfield County, according to immigration advocates.

A coalition of immigration groups said Friday they were heartened by the policy change and cautiously hopeful that this will mark the end of ICE detainers in Montgomery County.

However, this change comes too late for the many community members who are now in ICE detention or have been deported due to past [county] collaboration with ICE.

County officials said they had been considering the policy change for weeks.

The warden of the jail, formally called the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, announced the change in policy to the prison board at its monthly meeting on Thursday. Previously, the county automatically held those named in ICE detainers for an additional four hours after they posted bail.

An ICE detainer is an agency-issued request, usually to a jail or police department, to hold someone past the time they would normally be released.

ICE says that allows agents to take custody of immigrants in a safe, controlled environment, rather than face the uncertainty of making a public arrest.

But legal advocates note that ICE requests are exactly that, requests. The city of Philadelphia, for instance, refuses to honor ICE detainers unless they are accompanied by a signed judicial warrant.

Now the Montgomery County jail will do the same, recognizing only those warrants that have been approved and signed by a judge.

Judicial warrant now required

It was an ICE detainer that triggered the events that led to Lozano-Alanis detention  outraging activists who say county officials have no right to hold people who have met their legal bail conditions. They point out that jurisdictions in other places have been successfully sued for doing that.

Immigration advocates have been upset that a Democrat-run county that continually asserts its support for immigrants  this year establishing and staffing an immigrant affairs office  has actively helped ICE enforce immigration regulations when no law requires it to do so.

The county now will hold people for up to 24 hours if it receives a judicial warrant.

County officials confirmed the change on Friday morning. The news was earlier reported by WHYY.

Democratic Commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder, who had been silent on Lozano-Alanis arrest, issued a statement on Friday: The MCCFs policy to require a judicial warrant ensures that all outside agencies  whether the federal government, states, or neighboring counties  have done their due diligence and follow the rule of law.

Tom DiBello, the lone Republican among the three-member county commissioners, told The Inquirer on Friday that he was disappointed by the decision. The county folded to the complaints of immigration activists and created a fresh roadblock for federal authorities, he said.

Were putting that above all the safety of our communities, he said.

Groups want policy in writing

On Friday five civil rights and advocacy groups  CAIR Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, Unides Para Servir Norristown, the Worri Center, and the Movement for Black and Brown Lives in Montgomery County  noted that the countys policy has been in place since 2014.

Yet that policy changed in less than a week after Lozano-Alanis was turned over to ICE, which proves what we have known all along, that the county has always had the power to end ICE collaboration.

The groups again called on the commissioners to pass a welcoming ordinance to support immigrants.

County officials have been resistant to enact such a policy, noting limits to their power and concerns that a formal welcoming ordinance could give a false sense of safety to undocumented immigrants. Theyve emphasized efforts to offer support through the new office of immigrant affairs.

Denisse Agurto, executive director of Unides Para Servir Norristown, said Friday that she wanted to see the new detainer policy in writing, and not just depend on verbal assurances.

This is a good start, she said, adding that we want to see this written. We need a clear description.

Agurto said she spoke in a phone call to Lozano-Alanis, who was concerned about her 6-year-old son, an American citizen by birth.

Two lawyers have stepped forward to handle Lozano-Alanis immigration case, Agurto said.

Lozano-Alanis was jailed on June 3, after an incident in which she allegedly rammed her car into that of a romantic partner outside a Truist bank in East Norriton.

The criminal charges against her included child endangerment because her son was inside her car. She was also accused of recklessly endangering another person, careless and reckless driving, and driving without a license.

On the morning of June 6, Unides Para Servir Norristown was contacted for help by Lozano-Alanis mother. She knew her daughter had been arrested by East Norriton police, but had no idea where she was jailed.

Bail was set at $77

Supporters learned she was being held at MCCF on $77 bail, and that an ICE detainer had been lodged.

At 4:30 p.m., advocates said, the Montgomery County commissioners were directly notified about what was occurring. A group of 15 to 20 supporters went to the jail to advocate for her and prepare to drive her home.

Lozano-Alanis bail was paid at about 7:45 p.m., but, activists said, they were told she would not be freed for another four hours and that ICE had been notified of her pending release, as per the county policy.

At about 11:30 p.m., supporters who had gathered at MCCF in Eagleville in Lower Providence Township were told by county staff that Lozano-Alanis had been taken by ICE.

For months, as President Donald Trump increased immigration enforcement, Montgomery County residents and immigration advocates have lobbied the board of commissioners to adopt a welcoming ordinance. That would block the county from holding inmates on ICE detainers once they have met bail conditions.

Montgomery County recently was named on a Trump-administration list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, places threatened with loss of federal funding, though officials there have adopted no such policies.

The countys four-hour-hold policy had remained in place even as a federal appeals court ruled that local governments were not obligated to honor ICE detainers  and that those governments could be liable for wrongful detainment under some circumstances.

In 2020, for example, Los Angeles County paid a $14 million settlement after its sheriffs department held more than 18,000 people on detainers.

In Pennsylvania, Lehigh County and Allentown authorities were successfully sued for keeping a man of Puerto Rican descent in prison so that ICE could investigate whether he was legally in the country

Ernesto Galarza was born in New Jersey, and his settlement cost taxpayers $145,000 in 2014.
Governor Josh Shapiro during an event at the Share Food Program Warehouse in Philadelphia Jun. 4, 2025. Read more

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro pledged to stand up" to President Donald Trump if he tries to take control of the Pennsylvania National Guard. But that wont stop the Democratic governor from calling up the Guard on his own if needed, though he expects local law enforcement to be able to handle protests of the Trump administration this weekend.

A spokesperson for Shapiro said Friday that if necessary, Shapiro is prepared to deploy the Pennsylvania National Guard, reaffirming his role as commander in chief of Pennsylvanias troops as Trump continues to test the long-held rights of governors to control state Guards..

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For now, Shapiros office is coordinating with Pennsylvania State Police and Philadelphia police as the two agencies prepare ahead of Saturdays anti-Trump No Kings demonstrations that are expected in Philadelphia and in cities and towns across the state.

Trump federalized the California National Guard earlier this week without Gov. Gavin Newsoms consent in response to protests in Los Angeles against Trumps latest illegal immigration sweeps around the majority-Latino city. Trump warned that if other violent protests break out, they would be met with equal or greater force than we met right here.

In response, Shapiro signed onto a letter with all of the nations Democratic governors condemning the act as an alarming abuse of power. He went further, in an interview with the Washington Post, and vowed to protect the rights of protesters.

And should the Guard be needed, it would be deployed at my direction following a legal process, not the way its been done in California, which I think has been really dangerous, Shapiro told the Washington Post.

Governors across the country have taken different approaches to preparation for the nationwide protests as they face an unprecedented threat of Trump circumventing state governors by sending in U.S. Marine forces or federalizing a states Guard without a governors consent, as happened in California.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott preemptively called up the National Guard earlier this week, USA Today reported, while Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson of Washington said he expects local law enforcement to be able to handle protests.

Ahead of the anti-Trump protests organized in Philadelphia, Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker have urged peace, promised that law enforcement will do what it must to maintain that peace, and pledged to arrest those who act unlawfully. Fifteen people were arrested at a Tuesday protest of the Trump administrations use of ICE.

The No Kings protests have been scheduled for weeks in Philadelphia and across the country, but are now expecting increased participation in response to recent immigration arrests and Trumps intervention in the Los Angeles protests.

Shapiros past approval for use of the Pennsylvania National Guard

Little has been reported previously about Shapiros use of the state Guard. He offered a window into his prior consent to the federal government to use Pennsylvanias forces in an interview earlier this week on CNBCs Squawk Box.

Shapiro told CNBC he had consented to send the Guard to the Southern border, when requested by the federal government.

I take very, very seriously the leadership role I have with the Pennsylvania State Police, and that I am the commander in chief of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Shapiro added.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said in an email that more than 100 Guard members have been sent on missions to the border in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Shapiro has never declined to send the state National Guard when requested by the federal government, his spokesperson said.

Since Shapiro took office in January 2023, Pennsylvania guardsmen have been sent to support federal missions in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Germany, and the Indo-Pacific region, DMVA spokesperson Angela Watson said in an email.

Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are in Washington this weekend to support the Washington, D.C., National Guards traffic control and crowd-management efforts at Trumps military parade Saturday, in celebration of the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, Watson added.

Shapiro has previously resisted resolutions from the Pennsylvania Senate, where the GOP-controlled chamber has called on him to send troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to support Abbott, the Texas governor, and his efforts to secure the border.

Shapiros press secretary, Manuel Bonder, said in a statement that Shapiros oversight of the state National Guard is a critical, apolitical responsibility, adding that the nation needs a secure border and reforms to its immigration systems.

The Governor and National Guard leadership make decisions on deployments and operations based on serious expertise while prioritizing the safety of our guard members  not based on the opinions of legislators looking for attention, Bonder added. This difference should be fairly clear to anyone who is not blinded by bad faith partisanship.
Jackie Wiggins, a member of the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition, spoke about the importance of the library, which has been a North Philly institution since 1962. Read more

On the day of City Councils final session before its summer recess, a group of North Philly community members delivered a message to their Council member, Jeffery Young Jr.: Get on with it.

Members of the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition gathered Thursday outside City Hall to bring attention to the dire conditions of their Free Library of Philadelphia branch, and how renovations are being held up by Young.

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The library was scheduled to begin a construction project through the citys Rebuild initiative last fall, but Young has opted to explore other options for the site. Instead, he has primarily pursued a project that would involve building housing on top of a newly constructed library, despite resounding pushback from community members.

Jeffery Young, we wont wait, release the funds and renovate! the dozen coalition members chanted.

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; this HVAC system should have been fixed 20 years ago, said Jordan Holbert, co-leader of the Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition (BSNC).

The branch has closed twice this week because temperatures were too high for its original 1962 HVAC system to handle.

The issues were seeing at Cecil B. Moore are not isolated; they reflect decades of underfunding and postponed repairs across Philadelphias public libraries, Young told The Inquirer. This systemic neglect has made renovations more costly and complicated, and its something we urgently need to fix with real investments.

After the outdoor demonstrations wrapped, the coalition members joined other interest groups in Council chambers, where each organization looked to persuade city government to take up its preferred cause during time reserved for public comment.

Jackie Wiggins, a member of the Friends of the Cecil B. Moore Library and a North Philly community historian, said she was a fifth grader when the library opened. She spoke about its namesakes leadership and how he sat in the City Council seat that Young now occupies.

He stood for what was needed. And today, we need this library fixed, she said.

A long wait for approval

While other libraries have begun and completed renovation projects in the time since Cecil B. Moores plans were approved, the North Philly library remains at a standstill.

The Rebuild renovations slated to begin last year would have originally cost about $1 million, but community groups and lawmakers secured $5.3 million for a larger revitalization project, which would include a new HVAC system, plumbing, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, and exterior improvements. Those designs were finalized and set for bids last year, but Young had other ideas.

The Council member, who filled outgoing Council President Darrell L. Clarkes seat last year, secured an additional $5 million in the citys 2025 capital budget and proposed the hybrid affordable housing-library project. Youngs colocated spaces proposal was meant to address housing insecurity in the neighborhood, and would include modern, technology-focused spaces. It is projected to cost $20 million, but Young had yet to secure the extra $10 million required.

At a contentious town-hall meeting in March, several hundred North Philadelphians and coalition members shouted down Young and his proposal and said he was not listening to them. Weeks later, Young told The Inquirers Jenice Armstrong that he would no longer be pursuing the housing option.

 READ MORE: North Philly neighbors shout down Councilmember Youngs plan to replace their library

Cierra Freeman, director of the BSNC and co-leader of the Save the Cecil B. Moore Library Coalition, said Young never gave that commitment to community and coalition members directly, despite their pleas.

We definitely dont understand, with so many neighbors making it clear what they want, and still nothing is happening, Freeman said.

She said Youngs office has been mostly unresponsive to the coalitions communications and requests, including for assigning a satellite location for the library once the construction project eventually begins.

This project was supposed to start a year ago, so I dont think its wrong for us to ask, Hey, can we get this started? Can we work with you to get this started?

The Council member said during Thursdays session that another concern he had with the Rebuild renovation plan was that its proposed teen center was too small, and would not be an adequate attraction to keep young people from dangerous alternatives.

I am committed to working with the community, city leadership, and all stakeholders to secure the resources needed to keep the libraries safely open now and provide the respect they deserve for the future. I am open to continuing conversations with all who come in good faith to work toward these goals, Young said.

Cecil B. Moore is not the only Free Library branch in need of repairs, especially as the weather heats up. Seven branches were closed because of overheating and cooling issues on Thursday, and the Richmond Library and Paschalville Library branches remained closed indefinitely because of long-standing Rebuild projects that have not come to fruition.

This story was updated with the titles of members of the Save the Cecil. B Moore Library Coalition.
Demonstrators walk to Love Park during the Choose Love Sanctuary City rally organized by the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia on Saturday, January 25, 2025. The rally started at the Arch St. UMC to Love Park in support of Philadelphia maintaining its sanctuary city policies. Read more

The Rev. Robin Hynicka, pastor of United Methodist Church, wants to know how committed Philadelphia officials are to undocumented immigrants.

Hynicka and several prominent clergy, who see President Donald Trumps immigration policies as cruel and antithetical to what their faiths dictate, were already worried City Hall was not forcefully speaking out against ICE activity in the city, even as immigrant communities remain on edge amid a surge in rumored and actual arrests.

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Then police arrested 15 pro-immigration protesters Tuesday night, including a member and employee of United Methodist, who he says were simply exercising their First Amendment rights.

Were worried that theres been a shift in tone; we dont know if theres been a shift, he said at a news conference Thursday morning. We want to be assured that youre with us. We understand that on paper, nothing has changed, but is it real?

Philadelphias official stance is that local law enforcement does not help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement perform arrests, though the language the city uses to communicate that has quietly changed as lawmakers hope to avoid becoming targets of the Trump administration, which has threatened billions in funding.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker reiterated Thursday that a 2016 executive order laying out how the city cooperates with ICE remains in place, emphasizing that Philadelphia remains a welcoming city. Under the directive, city authorities can honor ICE-issued detainers to hold people in custody only if they are accompanied by a signed judicial warrant.

Still, Parker said it was her job to protect all Philadelphians, regardless of demographic or zip code.

I have to figure out the best way for me, she said. Now, another strategy may work for another mayor in another place, but I am doing the best I can and using the strategy that works for the Parker administration.

Whether that messaging will satisfy immigrant communities and allies remains to be seen.

Faith leaders in Philadelphia have long acted as advocates for immigrant communities, with several churches, including United Methodist, going so far as to offer physical sanctuary, blocking deportations during the first Trump administration. But that was when federal policy considered immigration arrests at houses of worship off-limits, which Trump ended on his first day back in office.

Now, faith leaders hope they can affect action by pressuring elected officials to speak up.

That may be a tricky endeavor, however, as city leaders balance appeasing their pro-immigration constituents without risking federal funding.

Just last month, the Trump administration released a list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions accused of failing to enforce federal immigration laws. The list, which Trump officials have said they continue to use despite having taken it offline, named 11 Pennsylvania counties and five cities, including Philadelphia.

The list is ultimately what shed light on the Parker administrations decision to drop the term sanctuary city and adopt welcoming city instead. Her office did not respond to requests for comment.

As the Trump administration escalates immigration enforcement, going beyond the hardened criminals the president vowed to deport while on the campaign trail and now targeting worksites, so has the push from undocumented communities and their allies for lawmakers to publicly condemn the uptick in enforcement.

Norristown has seen more than 20 people taken into custody by ICE in recent weeks; at the end of last month, three employees in a Wayne County restaurant were detained, according to local businesses there. Last week, ICE announced it had arrested four undocumented immigrants working at a manufacturing business in Luzerne County, and ICE confirmed it had arrested 17 people for immigration violations at a building restoration project in Bethlehem on Tuesday.

Those calls, however, have been met with varying degrees of vigor.

City Councilmember Rue Landau and State Sen. Nikil Saval (D., Philadelphia) have been among the loudest voices denouncing ramped-up immigration arrests, peppering their social media with know-your-rights videos and infographics, and condemning Trumps immigration policies at public events.

District Attorney Larry Krasner has been critical of Trump policies more broadly but repeatedly, as recently as this week, said that while he finds ICE activities distasteful, his role is strictly to prosecute any wrongdoers, whether it is an immigration official who commits a crime while making an arrest or someone who under the guise of protesting chooses to loot a store.

Krasner once again walked that fine line at a separate Thursday news conference, where, accompanied by a different group of faith leaders, he mainly focused on Saturdays No Kings protest, which coincides with Trumps birthday and is intended to denounce his policies more broadly. Saturdays protest is expected to draw crowds in the thousands, and the faith leaders who accompanied Krasner urged people to remain peaceful and not let potential agitators get the best of their anger, while Krasner warned potential opportunists or groups like the Proud Boys to stay away.

 READ MORE: Another national Trump protest is happening  this one takes aim at his birthday military parade

Regarding Tuesdays arrests, Kranser struck a complimentary tone toward police, noting most of those arrested at the protests received civil violation notices  essentially tickets that carry no legal penalties. A disorderly conduct and separate aggravated assault case were sent to the district attorneys office for consideration, but upon further examination, police said the two individuals should not be charged.

I have to commend them for acting in good faith for being honest workers, for saying, you know, initially we thought that these were crimes, but on closer inspection, looking not only at the evidence we presented you, but the additional evidence you requested, we are asking you to decline these charges, Krasner said.

While city leaders prepare for Saturdays protests, which will surely touch on Trumps immigration policies, Hynicka and his coalition of faith leaders are thinking of what their immigration advocacy looks like long term.

For now, they are calling on the broader public to get involved by attending a July 2 prayer service on the matter at City Hall or supporting immigrant rights groups such as Juntos and the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia.

There are many ways in which we can engage with the acts of justice and truly become a sanctuary community and city, said Hynicka, urging elected officials to reaffirm the citys sanctuary city status and denounce ICE.

The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, representing Philly Live Free, which includes police accountability in its advocacy portfolio, took a moment to recall the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. It required law enforcement to arrest those suspected of escaping slavery, even if they had made it to a free state.

Tyler, who is a member and former pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, said the churchs founder, Bishop Richard Allen, was spared a return to slavery under the federal law only because of his local prominence, but many others were not.

History now shows us the error of the way, said Tyler of the onetime federal law. Theres no one who would ever stand to say that that was right.  So the question is: What will the future say about us?

Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
A Black firefighter is accusing the city of discrimination based on the Philadelphia Fire Departments policy that restricts certain hairstyles.

Bariq Fluellen, who has been working as a firefighter for over a decade, alleges that he has been facing discrimination and harassment because of his locs, according to a complaint filed Wednesday with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. The hairstyle is significant to Fluellen as a Black person and Rastafarian.

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There has been a nationwide pushback in recent years against workplace requirements that prevent Black employees from wearing protective hairstyles, such as twists, locs, and braids.

The fire departments grooming policy specifically addresses hair length, requiring it to not fall below a horizontal line level with lower edge of the back of the collar when wearing a uniform, according to a copy of the policy shared by the city. In addition, hair cant exceed 2 inches in bulk at the top of the head or 1 inches on the sides of the head.

These restrictions effectively prohibit employees from maintaining certain Black hairstyles, making it a disciplinary violation for Mr. Fluellen to wear his hair in locs, the complaint said.

The fire department declined to comment.

The fire departments policy isnt to promote safety, Fluellen said, noting that every year he complied with requirements, such as passing a test that checks the fit for personal breathing devices that firefighters use.

 READ MORE: Five Philly-area Black women are suing LOreal and other beauty companies over hair-straightening products

As the only Black firefighter in his platoon throughout his career, Fluellen said he has been mocked, teased, and harassed over his insistence to keep his locs since 2021. A former station captain threatened to cut Fluellens locs in his sleep, the complaint says.

The firefighter alleged that he was told that his hair would bar him from promotions to leadership roles, and led to him getting worse assignments.

Some peers suggested that the simplest solution would be for Fluellen to cut his locs. After all, its just hair, one senior firefighter allegedly said.

But for Mr. Fluellen, it is not just hair  locs are an important symbol of racial and cultural identity, especially in majority-white institutions like the PFD, where Black firefighters have been historically underrepresented, the complaint said. Yet Mr. Fluellen has frequently been singled out and confronted by coworkers who force him to justify his decision to wear his hair in locs as an expression of his Black identity."

Fewer than 30% of fire department employees identify as Black, according to the citys workforce diversity dashboard, compared to 40% of the citys population. Nearly 60% of the departments employees are white.

The complaint, which was prepared by attorneys from the Public Interest Law Center, asks the commission to issue a cease and desist against enforcement of the fire departments hair policy length and bulk requirements and create a new policy that does not prohibit cultural and protective hairstyles.
The government of Mexico filed a lawsuit in 2021 against several U.S. gun manufacturers, including Smith & Wesson, alleging they knowingly aided and abetted violence in their country. Read more

A 2019 article in the Economist puts in stark terms a gun violence stat Americans rarely think about: A U.S.-made gun is more likely to kill a Mexican than an American.

That startling and counterintuitive reality was at the heart of Smith & Wesson Brands Inc., et. al., Petitioners v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos  a lawsuit brought by the Mexican government against American firearm manufacturers in 2021  which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 5, finding in favor of the domestic arms manufacturers.

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The Mexican government had sought legal relief for decades of harm to its civilians, who never consented to the influx of weapons and cannot protest against the business practices of the American firearm manufacturers, but suffer the tangible harms. SCOTUS, in the unanimous ruling, cited that Mexico did not plausibly allege that the defendant gun manufacturers aided and abetted gun dealers unlawful sales of firearms to Mexican traffickers.

The decision did not come as a surprise. For decades, the American gun industry has been sidestepping domestic lawsuits, even as the death toll of gun violence rose. Further, the passage of the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act continues to grant broad immunity to federally licensed manufacturers, dealers, sellers, and importers of firearms for the unlawful misuse of their products by consumers.

Combined with the Tiahrt Amendment prohibiting firearm tracing data collected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) from being released to independent researchers, local governments, and the public, there is a well-established and seemingly impenetrable legal barrier for gun manufacturer accountability.

But for those of us invested in business ethics, there is a counterpoint to the status quo of manufacturers being held responsible only for harms caused by product defects. The work of Georgetown University researcher and professor George G. Brenkert outlines how his social products liability framework applies to a non-defective product does what it is designed to do, but because of the social circumstances in which it comes to be used, imposes significant harms.

In other words, moral responsibility may still apply even when the law offers immunity.

According to Brenkert, four conditions can determine whether a company bears moral responsibility: harm and costs, contribution, foreseeability, and effective alternatives. Unsurprisingly, the American firearm industry fulfills each one.

Harm is by far the easiest condition to fulfill, considering the ability of the product to produce harm to people and costs to society in a particular area or region. According to the lawsuit, Mexico has only two gun stores and estimates that 90% of its recovered firearms to have originated from the United States. But the numbers associated are staggering: six women are murdered every day with a firearm, two million migrants plead at the border after experiencing persistent and unrelenting gunfire, and two out of every three murders are committed with guns.

The second condition  contribution  centers on the way a business encourages or abets the process leading to harm. This can be gauged by the extent to which manufacturers are facilitating the process of harm through product design and advertising techniques. American manufacturers have employed a strategy aimed at catering to the consumer preferences of Mexican criminal groups, manufacturing everything from firearm models named El Jefe, El Grito, and the Emiliano Zapata Centennial to the Soviet-inspired Kalashnikovs known as chivitos.

Foreseeability is the form of social product liability in which evidence against gun manufacturers is most indisputable. Since 2016, the ATF has published U.S.-sourced firearm tracing data from Mexico. Both news sources and the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense have published graphs and figures citing the top gun brands seized in Mexico. The American gun industry has the knowledge and ability to foresee the illicit trafficking of its guns into Mexico.

The final condition of social product liability  effective alternatives  argues that responsibility can only be assigned when an agent has the capacity to act to prevent harm or reduce its costs. Whether by refusing to reinstate magazine disconnects to prevent unintentional shootings or by failing to enforce stricter standards to deter straw purchasers, the American gun industry remains negligent.

By using this social products liability framework in business ethics, our country can finally begin to assign responsibility for the harms caused by gun manufacturers here and in Mexico.

If the courts will not hold them accountable, then the public and the business sector must.

Seo Yoon Yoonie Yang is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was part of the dual-degree Huntsman Program in international studies and business.
Bad Bunny performs on the Rocky Stage during the Made in America 2022 festival on the Ben Franklin Parkway. The singer asked author Jorell Melendez-Badillo to craft historical narratives for his latest album. Read more

Not to brag, but Bad Bunny and I have the same taste in books.

When I began exploring the topic of Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia in my last column, one of the first people I knew I needed to speak with was historian Jorell Melendez-Badillo, author of Puerto Rico: A National History.

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Published last year and now out in paperback, the book is a deep and highly readable account of the island. Think part history, part personal reflection, and part tribute to a place shaped by colonization but defined by resilience, pride, and resistance.

Mi gente  when San Benito blesses a book, we pay attention.

Reading it, I couldnt help but think: Now, this is the book I wish I had growing up. This is a book that belongs anywhere people are trying to understand Puerto Rico as more than just a footnote in American history. Maybe then I wouldnt have to write annual reminders to my willfully ignorant fellow Americans that si, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, and si, we have been for over a century.

In just over 200 pages (not counting the footnotes and index), Melendez-Badillo, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, brings 500 years of Puerto Rican history to life through the stories of people  including his own family  who have shaped the islands identity, on and off its shores.

And in a delicious crossover between academia and pop culture, the book  available in English and Spanish  caught the attention of Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny, whose team enlisted Melendez-Badillo to help craft historical narratives for his latest album, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos.

Mi gente  when San Benito blesses a book, we pay attention.

Here are some highlights from my conversation with the author.

A national history  thats one bold undertaking and title

Its a provocation, to help clarify Puerto Ricos political status and its complex national identity, Melendez-Badillo told me when we spoke recently. The sad fact is that many people dont understand Puerto Ricos political status: Is it a commonwealth? Is it a sovereign nation? Is it a colony? (Hence, my recurring Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens! columns.)

One of the arguments that I wanted to make in the book is that although Puerto Ricans lack a sovereign nation state, Puerto Ricans have crafted and negotiated complex ideas about nationhood throughout time, he said. And so its a way of affirming our national identity in the face of colonialism.

Historians dont bake bread during COVID-19, they cook up books

This wasnt the book Melendez-Badillo, 39, planned on writing, at least not this early in his career. But when his editor pitched the idea of a general history of Puerto Rico during the pandemic, he accepted the challenge. As he thought about the project, he saw the need for a new approach to Puerto Rican history. One that was more attentive to marginalized communities  from runaway enslaved people and maroon Indigenous communities to the more contemporary queer, Black, and working classes.

This approach is why he started his book, not with a statesman, but with his grandparents, people who only made it to fourth and sixth grade, but who taught me everything I know. (Spoiler alert: Im deliberately not going to spoil this read for you with too many details.)

What emerged, Melendez-Badillo said, is a new narrative of the archipelago, through which to understand the political, economic, and social challenges Puerto Ricans face. In short, an overarching history from pre-Columbian times to Bad Bunny.

Disculpame, did someone just say Bad Bunny?

Si! Now prepare to stan: Bad Bunny wanted a strong historical component to his latest album, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, which hes called his most Puerto Rican record to date.

Enter Melendez-Badillo, who got a call from Team BB, asking him to create 17 YouTube visualizers  one for each track  that weave in Puerto Rican history en espanol.

The visuals, which collectively have racked up well over 400 million views, span from the creation of the first Puerto Rican flag by revolutionary exiles in New York (featured in the opening track Nuevayol) to the islands modern-day dependency on foreign capital (explored in La Mudanza).

The project has been received in ways that I never, ever imagined, Melendez-Badillo said, adding that people often send him pictures of themselves dancing at clubs with the visualizers in the background.

Theres no doubt, the author said, that theres a deep thirst and an urgent need for Puerto Rican history. And in many ways, Bad Bunnys music embodies that hunger  not just for reclaiming Puerto Ricos past and culture, but for affirming the core symbols of Puerto Rican identity. El Conejo Malo is, in his unique way, democratizing access to that history, one track at a time. In the process, hes making forgotten history (and Melendez-Badillo) cool.

About the politics of forgetting, and the reality of second-class citizenship

Throughout our 45-minute conversation, Melendez-Badillo returned to what he called a deliberate policy of forgetting  especially in the United States. This, he emphasized, is no accident.

Its politics of erasure, from the 1511 insurrection against Spanish colonial rule, to the establishment of the commonwealth in 1952, to Hurricane Maria in 2017 and beyond. We know this to be true: Our stories are intentionally disappeared or diminished  sometimes, lest we ever forget, with nothing more than a dismissive toss of a roll of paper towels.

Citizenship doesnt guarantee equality, Melendez-Badillo told me. Were still marginalized in political spaces and circles of power  even though we have the numbers.

Speaking of numbers, where my fellow Boricuas at?

As I wrote in my last column, Latinos make up 16% of Philadelphias population. Were the largest Hispanic group in town, and Phillys home to the second-largest Puerto Rican population in a U.S. city, after New York. And yet, we remain mostly invisible.

When I asked Melendez-Badillo how that could change, he had less of a definitive answer than a determined hope.

His book, he explained, is meant to remind us that understanding our past  what weve built but also whats been taken from us  is key to understanding where we are now and where were going.

That question matters not only in the archipelago, he said, but in Philly, in New York, and all the big cities and small towns where Puerto Ricans have settled. In short: History can be a tool to mobilize us.

I know this is really romantic and idealistic, but I do hope that history can offer us tools to start building that power for our communities, he told me.

Its official, soy Boricua!

Ive said this before, but it comes up in almost every conversation I have about Puerto Ricans and Puerto Rican-ness  the impostor syndrome that creeps in for some of us who werent born on the island.

So when Melendez-Badillo spoke about an expanding definition of what it means to be Puerto Rican, how our identities have always been in flux, I had to ask: Does that mean those of us who werent born and raised there, those of us who dont share a language (at least one spoken fluently), are still fully Puerto Rican?

Absolutely, he said. Puerto Rican-ness doesnt belong only to those who live on the archipelago. Its much more than where youre born or raised  its about a sense of belonging to the broader Puerto Rican culture. There are nearly nine million Puerto Ricans living abroad, compared to 3.1 million on the island  and that number keeps shrinking. Those nine million are just as Puerto Rican. And thats my point: Puerto Rican-ness is being forged not only in San Juan, but also in Kissimmee, and in Milwaukee 

And right here in Philly.
New Jersey governor candidate Mikie Sherrill celebrates her victory at the Westin Governor Morris Hotel in Morristown, N.J. on June 10, 2025. Read more

In a crowded race for governor, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill built a statewide coalition in the Democratic primary that stretched from New Jerseys northernmost county down to Cape May.

Turnout in the Democratic contest improved by more than 270,000 votes compared with 2017, when Gov. Phil Murphy won the partys last contested primary.

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Sherrill, a four-term member Congress and the only woman in the race, won roughly a third of the Democratic vote in the six-person primary  more than 100,000 votes and 13 percentage points ahead of her closest competitor, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who split the progressive vote with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, the third-place finisher.

Though she was the last to join the six-person race, Sherrill was long considered the front-runner. But experts did not rule out a path to victory for anyone in the race, so the decisiveness of her win  declared just 40 minutes after polls closed  came as a surprise to some political observers who had anticipated a more competitive race.

A little over a month before the primary, New Jersey pollster Patrick Murray said that undecided is in first place; Mikie Sherrill is in a distant second, and everybody else is crowded around her in third place.

That was part of Sherrills strategy.

She captured 15 of the states 21 counties. None of her opponents was able to build the same level of statewide appeal of the federal lawmaker and former Navy helicopter pilot.

Despite the strength of her win, South Jersey represents a relative weak spot for Sherrill compared with the rest of the state. She narrowly won Camden County but came up short in Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties.

A resonant message and well-timed advertisements

Sherrill did not broadcast television ads in a significant way until April, while some of her opponents had been on the airwaves for months. She was criticized by some politicos for that, but it paid off.

The lawmakers campaign knew that her tried and true biography as a Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four resonated with voters. Some voters told The Inquirer they chose Sherrill in the crowded field simply because she is a Navy vet, a woman, or both.

One of those voters was Rachel Alban, 35, a Naval Academy graduate who attended Sherrills campaign visit to Evesboro Downs Park in Burlington County last week.

I support fellow Naval Academy women and veterans, and think that we need more of them serving our country in various government positions, said Alban, a South Jersey resident.

Sherrill also focused on a straightforward message of affordability and fighting President Donald Trump, two key issues.

Still, her campaign had to make sure voters across the state knew about her  and, most importantly, at the right time.

Even politically engaged New Jerseyans who attended Sen. Andy Kims late April town hall told The Inquirer they were fatigued by national politics and had not begun to tune in to the governors race.

Sherrills campaign saved its resources for the weeks leading up to the election, when her advisers knew voters were finally paying attention. So it didnt really matter that she was outspent by competitors.

In the final week of the race, Sherrill had a 2-1 spending advantage over any other candidate because of her teams earlier discipline, according to a campaign memo obtained by The Inquirer.

Sherrills campaign had raised $9.4 million and spent $8.5 million as of late May, which was on par with the other top-funded candidates in the race by that time.

But the super PAC supporting her had spent under $4 million as of late May, a small number compared with the nearly $40 million spent at the time by the super PAC supporting Sean Spiller, the president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller won just a single county, Cumberland, and finished fifth in the field despite the PACs hefty spending  which came from dues from teachers in his union.

Two outside groups had spent $11.6 million on U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer by that time, including one that received about $10 million from his congressional campaign. Gottheimer won only Bergen County, which he represents in Congress, and finished fourth in the overall field.

Using the machine in some places, beating it in others

Sherrill had support from the most Democratic county committees in the state, often referred to as the local machines. Her support from 10 county organizations spanned the central and northern parts of the state.

Her campaign understood the importance of establishment endorsements, even with the so-called county line dead. Sure, she would no longer get a favorable ballot position as a result of those endorsements, but she was able to secure all the benefits that come along with them.

Strong county party organizations have lists of volunteers who post lawn signs and work phone banks, relationships with local labor unions, a headquarters to use for those efforts, and an understanding of local political dynamics.

Anybody who doesnt get the county party endorsement has to build that kind of infrastructure from scratch, and thats very, very difficult, said Benjamin Dworkin, the founding director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship in South Jersey.

That support surely bolstered Sherrills campaigns own volunteers, field operations, community outreach, and outside endorsements, but it cannot be given all the credit for her success.

Sherrills campaign recruited nearly 2,000 volunteers, made about 580,000 phone calls and 555,700 texts, and knocked on more than 120,000 doors, according to her campaigns memo.

She also won and lost counties that did not line up with the machine endorsements.

Sherrill won Atlantic, Camden, and Burlington Counties in the south, despite those machines rallying behind former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, the only South Jersey candidate in the race. Meanwhile, she lost two northern counties, Essex and Union, which endorsed her but came through for Baraka.

Sweeney won Gloucester and Salem Counties by wide margins and had sizable support in other southern counties, but he barely made a dent in the rest of the state and finished last in the race with only about 7%.

Sherrill carried Cape May and Ocean Counties, the only two counties in the south that did not endorse Sweeney.

Cape May did not endorse in the race, and Ocean County held a convention in which Sherrill led Sweeney, 63-31, but did not garner enough votes for an endorsement.

She also won Warren County in the north, which was one of the two counties that endorsed Gottheimer.

Machine support had been viewed as crucial for gubernatorial races before this year, with serious contenders deciding not to run in 2017 after Murphy secured establishment backing.

Sherrill this year garnered at least 26,814 more votes than Murphy did that year as of Thursday, as overall turnout was way up.

On the airwaves  for free

Observers have also noticed that Sherrill and Baraka, placing first and second despite being outspent, were both prominent on cable news in the weeks leading up to the election, Dworkin said.

Baraka was on air for his arrest and direct fight with the Trump administration, and Sherrill was also on TV criticizing U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he should man up and resign after his second Signal chat scandal.

Sherrill also embraced alternative media throughout her campaign, making appearances with internet personalities of different strokes, from TikTok to Substack to YouTube, and even held an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Reddit.

Her campaign also had an online ambassador program for people who wanted to help spread her message.
AFSCME DC 33 president Greg Boulware (center) is flanked by members and local politicians during a news conference about the municipal workers union's pending strike authorization vote on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The union's current contract with the City of Philadelphia expires at the end of the month. Read more

Philadelphias largest union of municipal workers is prepared to shut this city down if it is unable to negotiate a new contract with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration by the end of June, AFSCME District Council 33 president Greg Boulware said Thursday.

The news comes after what Boulware described as five months of stalled contract negotiations with the city, which he said failed to provide an initial financial plan until May. DC33 began voting Tuesday on authorizing a strike and is to announce results on Monday as talks continue.

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With every topic of discussion  weve made little to no movement at all, Boulware told The Inquirer. The proposal from the city has been nothing but a long list of concessions, and we certainly are not interested in giving up rights that we currently have.

A spokesperson for the mayors office declined to comment on specifics, citing the ongoing negotiations. City Council on Thursday approved Parkers $6.8 billion budget, which earmarked $550 million for wage increases for Philadelphias four municipal unions.

As we conduct and continue negotiations with our municipal unions, check the history, check the budgets. We have never had a $550 million labor reserves going into our negotiations in the history of the City of Philadelphia, and Im proud of it, Parker said during City Councils Thursday session. I am unapologetic about being a pro-labor, pro-worker, pro-union mayor, and we will make sure that we do it with fiscal responsibility and fairness in mind.

 READ MORE: Philly City Council has approved a $6.8 billion budget for the next year. Heres what that means for residents, workers, and businesses.

DC33 represents roughly 10,000 blue-collar city workers across the streets, sanitation, and parks and recreation departments, as well as correctional officers and Philadelphia Housing Authority employees, among others. DC33s members include police dispatchers, trash collectors, water treatment plant operators, and more.

The average salary of DC33 members is between $45,000 and $46,000, Boulware said, rendering many eligible for public assistance programs depending on the size of their household.

Boulware was flanked by State Rep. Tarik Khan (D., Philadelphia), City Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Nina Ahmad, and top union brass at Thursdays news conference. They took shots at the Parker administration for proposing a 2% annual wage increase over the next four years.

The raises, Boulware said, would amount to $925 a year  almost infinitesimal when split across 26 paychecks. Not acceptable, Khan said to thunderous applause.

DC33s latest wave of contract negotiations comes after the Parker administration narrowly avoided a united-front strike from DC33 and two of Philadelphias transit unions in November by offering a retroactive one-year contract extension that included a 5% raise and a lump-sum bonus of $1,400.

That extension expires June 30. Boulware said he would meet with city officials for more talks Friday morning. Around 7,500 DC33 members could walk off the job very soon after June 30 if a strike is authorized and no deal is reached, Boulware said.

 READ MORE: What to know about District Council 33, Philly's largest union of city workers

The last time DC33 went on strike was in 1986, when 45,000 tons of stinking, maggot-laced garbage sat unattended at neighborhood disposal sites for 20 days, the Daily News and the New York Times reported.

For many years, our workers have been underpaid and undervalued, but were the essential ones that make sure everything is done, Boulware said at the news conference. All we ask for is our slice of the pie.

What is DC33 asking for?

DC33 has proposed a three-year contract that would expire in June 2028, according to a document the union posted to Facebook.

Demands include annual cost-of-living adjustments plus yearly 8% raises alongside a lump-sum payment of $5,000 for members who worked full-time in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal also asks the city to relax the residency requirement to let members reside outside city limits  but within Pennsylvania  after five years of service.

Boulware said the latter provision is due to concerns about union workers getting priced out of Philadelphia, as the cost of buying and renting in the city has increased.

Current wages do not meet the needs of our people, Boulware said.

Also in DC33s contract proposal: additional stress pay for employees who must work in neighborhoods that present unusual hazards. The proposal cites Kensington as an example, saying intensive and accelerated sweeps to arrest people using drugs have made the jobs of some DC33 workers harder.

 READ MORE: From 2024: Mayor Cherelle Parker reached a one-year deal with the citys biggest union, averting a strike

What has the city offered DC33?

The only thing the city and DC33 agree on is the need for a multiyear contract, Boulware said. Both parties sit so far apart on wages, he said, that they have been unable to make progress on other provisions.

We thought, having signed an extension, that [it] was a new stepping stone for wages for our members  but, sadly, the offer that we received was subpar and much lower than we would ever [have] expected, Boulware said at the news conference.

The city is offering wage increases consistent with the ability to pay and the Five-Year plan, according to a proposal presented to DC33 in January. That ended up becoming 2% pay bumps over the course of negotiations, Boulware said.

The citys proposal also attempts to roll back some allowances, such as the union overseeing its own healthcare plan and seniority factoring into overtime requests. City departments would also be able to change employees schedules to include weekend and overnight work without overtime.

We have negotiated in good faith and will continue to negotiate in good faith, Boulware said at the news conference. We will meet anytime, any place, anywhere to make this happen.

Staff writers Jake Blumgart and Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Many gather on each corner of the streets holding signs and chanting during a rally to support immigrants in Norristown, Pa., on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Read more

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to Philadelphia and multiple other Democrat-run cities, according to CBS News.

The move comes amid heightened anxiety among the citys immigrant communities and an uptick in immigration enforcement in the area.

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Heres what we know so far.

What are ICE special response teams (SRTs)?

Special response teams (SRTs) are part of ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations division. They are used in operations involving high-risk targets and hazardous conditions, according to the agencys website. Most recently, they were deployed in Los Angeles to aid in some of the immigration arrests that sparked massive protests across the city.

Along with Philadelphia, SRTs are reportedly expected to be deployed to Chicago, Seattle, North Virginia, and New York.

Will Philadelphia law enforcement work with ICE?

Philadelphia operates under an executive order enacted by former Mayor Jim Kenney in 2016. The policy prevents local law enforcement from fulfilling ICE detainers without a signed judicial warrant.

Recently, Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration has shifted their terminology, from sanctuary city to welcoming city  a change which has been met with criticism from immigrant advocates. This switch was made amid threats to cut federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities from President Donald Trump.

Last month, Philadelphia was included in a list of sanctuary jurisdictions published on the Department of Homeland Securitys website. The page was taken down days later.

How have Philly communities responded to immigration raids?

Some faith leaders have called on City Hall to take a stronger stance against ICE activity in the city. At a Thursday news conference, the Rev. Robin Hynicka, pastor of United Methodist Church, said he was worried that theres been a shift in tone.

We want to be assured that youre with us. We understand that on paper, nothing has changed, but is it real? he said.

Raids have also left immigrant communities across the city on edge and prompted advocacy organizations to offer know-your-rights workshops and legal services for people at risk of deportation.

What should Philadelphia expect on No Kings Day planned for this weekend?

No Kings protests against Trump administration policies will be held on Saturday, to coincide with both Trumps birthday and a military parade being held in Washington. Although events will be held across the country, Philadelphias will be the flagship protest.

Ahead of the demonstrations, local officials have warned against any unlawful or violent activity at the event.

We respect everyones First Amendment rights to protest and free speech  but we want to be equally clear: The Philadelphia Police Department will maintain public safety and order in our streets and our neighborhoods because thats their mission, said Parker at a Thursday news conference.

District Attorney Larry Krasner also emphasized that, while nonviolent protesters will be protected, if youre just trying to take advantage of the situation, youre going to get what youre going to get.

Saturdays rally comes days after a confrontation between protesters and police in Center City, in which 15 demonstrators were arrested.

Certain streets in Center City will be closed on the day of the protest and some SEPTA bus routes will be detoured.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said that on Saturday, the order of the day for city police will be keeping the peace. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker warned that at Saturdays planned protest in Philadelphia against President Donald Trumps policies, the order of the day for city police will be keeping the peace.

Philadelphia is ready for this weekend, Parker said Thursday at a City Hall news conference. We respect everyones First Amendment rights to protest and free speech ... but we want to be equally clear: The Philadelphia Police Department will maintain public safety and order in our streets and our neighborhoods because thats their mission.

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Parker is a moderate Democrat who ran on a tough-on-crime platform during the 2023 mayors race, and her comments indicated the city will take an assertive approach toward unlawful activity that occurs alongside peaceful protests on Saturday, when anti-Trump No Kings demonstrations are planned across the country to coincide with Trumps birthday and a military parade he has planned in Washington.

The rally will come days after a physical confrontation during a Center City protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in which two Philly police officers suffered minor injuries and 15 demonstrators were arrested.

Ever since Trump deployed federalized California National Guard troops to confront anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles  a move local officials said escalated tensions  city and state officials across the country have braced to see whether protests in their jurisdictions will be the next flashpoint.

 READ MORE: Philly immigrant communities and allies brace for ICE workplace raids

During the 2020 protests following the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd, Philadelphia was criticized for being unprepared for the initial wave of protests, and then cracking down with unnecessary force in the days that followed.

In Philadelphia, those demonstrations saw tens of thousands of people gather peacefully to denounce police brutality, but they also saw protesters lighting cars on fire and opportunists looting stores in Center City, West Philadelphia, and Kensington. The mayor at the time, Jim Kenney, was a vocal Trump antagonist and more aligned with the citys progressive movement than Parker.

Its unlikely police will be caught flat-footed Saturday.

We want people to come here safely and exercise their First Amendment rights, Parker said, but we want them, and we ask them, to do so responsibly.

 READ MORE: Worried of a shift in tone, faith leaders demand elected officials speak up on immigration

Parker added that the city has worked with federal law enforcement as it prepares for Saturday.

We are coordinating closely with our public safety and law enforcement partners at every level of government, she said. That is local, that is state and federal, and its what we did for the Eagles parade. Its what we did when we had the Northeast [Philadelphia] plane crash. Its a standard operating procedure.

District Attorney Larry Krasner, who is close with the progressive movement, on Thursday said protesters who break the law will face consequences.

If youre just trying to take advantage of the situation, youre going to get what youre going to get, he said.

But he also stressed that nonviolent protesters will be protected.

If you are doing what Martin Luther King would have done, you will be fine, he said. That is the law, that is the Constitution, and those are the traditions of this country. Youre going to be fine. Im going to make sure youre going to be fine.

Staff writer Ximena Conde contributed to this article.
People evacuated and flights canceled as south China braces for Typhoon Wutip

Xinhua) 17:00, June 13, 2025

GUANGZHOU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- As Wutip, the first typhoon this year, approaches, south China provinces have activated emergency response measures, evacuated people to safe places, canceled flights and prepared rescue teams.

Guangdong Province elevated its emergency response to Level-III on Friday morning, and readied 10 rescue vessels and five helicopters with 34 tugboats on 24-hour call in key waters across the province. More than 49,000 fishing boats have returned to ports, of which over 10,000 crew members have gone ashore for safety.

According to the Guangdong provincial meteorological observatory, between Friday and Monday, the province will see the heaviest rainfall since the beginning of this flood season. The observatory also warned of the risk of tornadoes in some areas of Guangdong from Friday to Sunday.

Water conservancy authorities in Guangdong forecast that rivers will rise by two to six meters, with some exceeding warning levels. Local governments have deployed 12 rescue teams with 324 members, as well as sufficient disaster relief resources.

On the island province of Hainan, 16,561 people had been evacuated from construction sites, low-lying flood-prone areas, and regions at risk of flash floods as of 8 p.m. Thursday.

All the province's 30,721 fishing vessels had either returned to ports or taken shelter elsewhere, with over 40,000 people working on the vessels having been evacuated ashore.

Wutip intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 p.m. Thursday. As of 10 a.m. on Friday, it was located near Ledong Li Autonomous County, Hainan, with winds reaching up to 101 kilometers per hour and moving northwards at a speed of 5 to 10 kilometers per hour.

In the early hours of Friday, 12 crew members were rescued from a ship off the coast in Hainan. The evacuees will be taken ashore when weather permits.

All kindergartens, schools, construction sites and tourist attractions in Sanya have been closed. Ships are prohibited from sailing, and Sanya airport suspended all flights from 10 p.m. Thursday. High-speed rail services across Hainan have been halted, with operations expected to resume on Saturday.

The Nanhai Rescue Bureau is closely monitoring Wutip, with seven rescue vessels and four helicopters on standby to respond to emergencies.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sharon Cryan had been looking for the right spot to scale her Buffalo homegrown food startup company for years.

In the meantime, she has opened four different facilities, each time gaining a little extra space for FoodNerd  the latest, at an 8,000-square-foot warehouse in Cheektowaga.

Cryan hoped to end up in a downtown Buffalo opportunity zone, designed to spur development in distressed areas, but everything she saw took too many infrastructure changes and did not provide enough room for growth.

It wasnt until last year that she discovered an FDA-approved building with pharmaceutical-grade production standards that used to house bankrupt biopharmaceutical company Athenex in Clarence.

It was the ideal location for the 2024 43North-winning startup, which Cryan founded five years ago to create nutrient-rich, plant-based food as an alternative to ultra processed food for toddlers.

Athenex already had created a clean production environment inside.

For FoodNerd, it also would be less expensive than a complete buildout, and the property is on 60 acres of land, making further expansion possible.

Cryan is investing nearly $5 million in renovations to the 30,000-square-foot warehouse at 11342 Main St., where her company will produce nutrient-filled toddler mega puffs and eventually additional products for people at all stages of life.

The move also will lead to the hiring of at least 10 people, as well as support the company getting into retail sales and help facilitate the closing of an approximately $6 million funding round.

FoodNerd will hold a ribbon cutting for its new facility on June 26. For now, contractors are busy at work trying to get everything completed. Equipment should all be installed by then and will be turned on and ready to go in July.

With the ability to grow and scale, this was the better long-term play, Cryan said. A lot of money was put into this building (by the state) and now we are reviving it and bringing it back to life.

Cryan found the facility in October and has worked since with the Town of Newstead on gaining building approvals and utility companies to garner reduced-priced power. Shes spent four years designing the proprietary technology to be used in the warehouse.

The building already provides the infrastructure she needs and if space gets maxed out, there is room for growth on the property. Athenex had employed nearly 100 workers in the building, so its already large enough to get a lot done.

The project includes the establishment of a production line, which will have the capacity to produce more than 100,000 product packs per week. Thats $50 million worth of product each year.

Cryan has purchased new machinery and equipment and is implementing a seed sprouting operation, providing end-to-end processing capabilities, from raw ingredients for fruits and vegetables like broccoli and pumpkin to finished products. It will go from taking 30 hours to just 90 seconds to make a bag.

The proprietary technology  an extreme cold process  locks in the nutrients and helps make the products shelf stable.

The building also includes areas for offices and executive suites, conference rooms, a kitchen, kids play area, dry storage, manufacturing, packaging and warehouse operations. In the production areas, there will be a test lab.

FoodNerd will be able to grow thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables in the clean production rooms. About 50% of the companys raw materials will be grown on site.

Cryan also spent $1 million to custom build a massive pharmaceutical-grade freeze-dryer, or cold oven, which can hold 3,000 pounds of product to support the much quicker production runs.

Its an extreme jump and well be able to make way more product than we are now and scale nationwide, Cryan said.

She anticipates hiring about 10 to 15 new employees over the next two years, but the production line is efficient so there does not need to be too many people working on it. As many as 20 people will be working in production when a second line is opened, Cryan said. FoodNerd could reach around 30 workers.

The cost to make innovative food products can be extremely expensive and prohibitive, so Cryan has been looking for any way to save.

She is working with National Grid on infrastructure grants that would help offset costs to upgrade services, like installing energy efficient lighting. The grants could cut her utility bills by almost half and amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings.

43North, which already awarded $1 million to FoodNerd, helped make the initial connection, she said.

When youre paying thousands of dollars a month on utilities, it makes a massive difference, Cryan said.

FoodNerd also will be provided 630 kilowatts of Niagara hydropower at a reduced rate.

I think a lot of people are excited to see this come to life and want to help, because they know the impact this can have, Cryan said.

Additionally, the company is closing a funding round this month of around $6 million. Some of the local contributors include Joe Neiman, a cofounder of ACV Auctions, and Scott Dancy, founder of Azuna Fresh. Over 30 local angel investors were part of this round.

Cryan also has brought on a national food broker, Alliance Sales and Marketing, to help with launching the brand in the retail sector. Shed like to eventually take the product globally.

FoodNerd recently launched in 50 Tops Markets stores and will scale to at least 90 in the next month. She has a three-month exclusive agreement with Tops and hosted sampling events at several of its locations.

For Cryan, the launch was a full-circle moment, because she grew up shopping at Tops on South Park Avenue in Buffalo. The products are also SNAP eligible, giving more parents access. Back then, her mother, a single parent, relied on food stamps and food banks to feed her children.

We werent planning on launching retail until quarter one at the beginning of 2026, but Tops reached out and really wanted to get behind this, Cryan said. Something like that is so rare, so were so grateful for Tops.

FoodNerd will then roll out products at Wegmans and Whole Foods Market as it builds out a strategy for retail nationwide next year and then globally.

She hopes to also eventually manufacture regionally in the U.S. and then in places like South America and India. Right now, shes testing some of those markets.

To give kids who grew up like me access to healthy, nourishing options is incredibly meaningful, she said.
I am pleased to welcome Haris to the regional team, and with his expertise and experience, I look forward to working with him as we strengthen our service offering to our clients, he said.
The firm underscored that credential stuffing  where malicious actors exploit reused credentials from previous data breaches  is a frequent method used to infiltrate business systems. These attacks are automated, using tools that attempt thousands of logins with known passwords until access is gained. The practice exploits individuals tendency to recycle passwords across multiple online services.
Senate Bill 4534 would mandate that all personal automobile insurance policies issued in the state include a clause allowing either the policyholder or the insurer to appoint a competent and disinterested appraiser if there is disagreement over the actual cash value or extent of a loss following an auto claim. This would apply to both repairable and total losses, as well as third-party liability settlement offers.
The insurance industry has seen notable leadership changes this week, as WTW appointed Scott Van Slyck and Kate Gingras to senior technology roles, Liberty Mutual added Gordon Watson to its board, Zurich Cover-More named Jeff Rutledge as its incoming CEO, and the Big I selected Kasey Connors as executive director of its Agents Council for Technology.
Strait of Hormuz: Maritime insurers on guard

Simultaneously, marine insurers are scrutinising the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Aden. While the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces have affirmed that commercial transit remains open, the advisory classification for the region has been raised to significant. The UK and Greek maritime authorities have urged vessels to log transits and steer clear of high-risk waters.
Were here to help our customers recover and we empathize with those who are rebuilding their lives, the insurer said in a statement. Our focus continues to be on supporting our customers in their recovery from the largest fire event we have ever experienced.
The Baldwin Group has entered into an agreement to acquire the homebuilder distribution network of Hippo Holdings Inc., a move aimed at reinforcing Baldwins position in the homebuilder insurance market. The transaction, expected to close on or around July 1, 2025, is projected to generate $29.2 million in revenue and approximately $7 million in adjusted EBITDA within the first year post-closing.
Kevin Beckman spent his early career working as an after-hours telephone counselor, taking crisis calls well past midnight and offering support to people experiencing mental health or substance-use challenges.

Through those difficult conversations, Beckman saw the opportunities that existed to improve a system that, too often, was falling short for those in need.

You know what you never forget? The individuals that you couldnt help, said Beckman, now vice president of Health Homes and Crisis Interventions at BestSelf Behavioral Health. It stays with you. It fuels you.

Beckman is optimistic fewer people will fall through the cracks when BestSelfs BestResponse Intensive Crisis Center opens in late fall. The center, being constructed within an existing building at 430 Niagara St., will be open 24/7, a place where children and adults experiencing a mental health or substance-use crisis can stay for up to 23 hours and 59 minutes and receive counseling, medication support and connections to follow-up care.

BestResponse is seen as a critical component to improving the mental health crisis response system across five counties in Western New York. If successful, officials say, BestResponse will be able to divert patients from sometimes unnecessary hospitalizations and instead connect them to the right level of care. By filling a gap, BestResponse could help other parts of the local mental health care continuum function better.

Often, local people in crisis end up at Erie County Medical Centers Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, a busy 24/7 operation where patients can wait days to be seen by a psychiatrist. CPEP, which sees around 10,000 patients a year, can provide inpatient care and help patients at risk of harming themselves or others. But it often ends up as the landing spot for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, even if that is not the most appropriate setting for the patients needs.

Sarah Bonk, Erie Countys mental health commissioner, said BestResponse can close a gap that has never been attempted to be filled in such a comprehensive way. Bonk serves on the steering committee of the just-launched Crisis to Care Collaborative, a team that hopes to strengthen the regions mental health crisis response system. The collaborative, with support from the Patrick P. Lee Foundation, recently analyzed local 911 data, which show the opportunities that exist to improve the system and provide better care for patients.

In Erie County last year, 911 call takers identified 21,000 calls  about 60 a day  that were mental health-related. In addition, an ambulance or police car from Buffalo arrives at least once every three hours to ECMC with someone experiencing a mental health emergency.

Some also can end up in Erie Countys holding center, where one out of four people have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness. In a statement, Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said depending on a jail to treat people with untreated mental illness is simply a bad approach.

We need to find a way to get them the help they need before they get there, Beckman said. This is true diversion. We are diverting from expensive hospitalizations, from expensive transportations, from jail.

Part of a larger plan

New York State is trying to build a comprehensive crisis response system, though it has taken time to get here.

Since announcing funding awards for crisis stabilization centers in mid-2022, three are open: Family Service League in Suffolk County and Helio Health in Onondaga County are operating intensive crisis stabilization centers, while People USA is running a supportive crisis stabilization center in Dutchess County, said Justin Mason, spokesperson for the state Office of Mental Health.

And another 11 intensive centers, including BestResponse, and 12 supportive centers are under development, Mason said. Once all are open, there will be 13 intensive centers and 13 supportive centers across the state.

Could a crisis center in Buffalo improve mental health care, take pressure off ECMC? BestSelf's Behavioral Health's planned intensive crisis stabilization center in Buffalo has the potential to improve Western New York's mental health system and alleviate pressure on the overwhelmed Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, or CPEP, at Erie County Medical Center.

(The supportive centers provide support and assistance to those approaching a mental health or substance use crisis, Mason explained, while the intensive centers  which can prescribe and administer medications  are geared toward people already experiencing a crisis.)

While BestSelf originally hoped to have its intensive center open by fall 2023, it took time to free up capital funding for the project and wade through regulations for a program that is co-licensed by the state Office of Mental Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Support, BestSelf President and CEO Elizabeth Woike said.

Construction began in mid-May, and BestSelf is projecting an opening by early November, Woike said.

What to expect

BestResponse, a roughly 10,000-square-foot center that will employ about 45 people, is expected to serve around 4,000 patients a year.

That would relieve pressure on ECMC by rerouting some patients to a more appropriate setting and allowing the hospital to focus on patients who need the level of care CPEP provides, particularly those facing life-threatening situations.

At BestResponse, there will be separate entrances for children and adults. There will be a sally port on the buildings side, a dedicated entrance where first responders can bring patients and depart within 10 minutes  a design BestSelf officials observed during a tour of a crisis center in Arizona last year.

Inside the building, there will be a welcoming center, staffed with peer support specialists and targeted case managers. Psychiatrists and nursing staff also will be available.

What they can expect is a very safe and welcoming environment and to be seen quickly, Woike said.

Woike said the center will be able to provide immediate help to patients in crisis and has the resources to ensure patients link up to area services upon departure. If staff at the center determine a patient needs a higher level of care, such as whats offered at CPEP, that also can be coordinated.

To Beckman, one of the keys will be consistency in care, helping to build trust with patients and the community.

It doesnt matter if the crisis happens at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., we have to deliver the same care, Beckman said.

Beckman said his passion is driven by memories of the calls he received years ago, at 1 or 2 in the morning while he was doing phone crisis work. He would hear stories from patients who arrived at the hospital, but didnt get the care they needed. Meanwhile, their suffering went on for weeks longer. Moments like that, when the system failed, can scar a patient, he added.

Being able to get the help that we need right now cannot be overstated, Beckman said. We have to do that. We have to get it right.
The case centered on Alonzo McClanahan, a former DPR worker who said he injured his right shoulder while lifting lumber on the job back in July 2017. He testified that he moved about 200 long wooden planks over several hours and started feeling pain in his shoulder and neck. McClanahan claimed he reported the issue to his foreman and superintendent but didnt make an official incident report at the time. The next day, the pain worsened and he went to see a doctor.
As a marketplace, we have a far greater understanding of the issue of systemic risk, Law said. Weve had an early warning call, thanks to CrowdStrike. I think the market got off relatively lightly. But we're now all aware of the pitfalls.
Tom Bodett, known for his radio and TV ads telling travelers that at Motel 6 well leave the light on for you, has sued the motel chain for using his name and voice without permission, after their nearly four-decade relationship broke down.

In a complaint filed on Monday night in Manhattan federal court, Bodett said he cut ties with Motel 6 after its new owner, India-based OYO, missed a $1.2 million annual payment due on January 7 under their contract, which was to end in November.

Bodett said Motel 6 nonetheless kept using his name and voice on its national reservation phone line, violating his rights under the contract and federal trademark law.

The 70-year-old author and voice actor is known for appearances on National Public Radio and in several Ken Burns documentaries, as well as for his smooth baritone.

Bodett said he tried negotiating a confidential settlement that would recognize his role in building Motel 6, not hurt its image or franchisees, and provide graceful closure, but the chain responded only with misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics.

The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million, plus additional unspecified damages and a share of profits.

A spokesperson for G6 Hospitality, Motel 6s immediate parent, said it was surprised by the lawsuit but hoped to resolve the dispute amicably.

We appreciate Mr. Bodetts contributions over the past years, the spokesperson said. Of course, we will continue to advertise keeping the lights on for you.

Reached by email, Bodett said: The complaint says all there is to say.

Bodett had been Motel 6s lead spokesman since 1986, and said he coined well leave the light on for you as an ad-lib.

Motel 6 has more than 1,450 locations in the United States and Canada, according to its website. OYO is a global travel technology unit of Oravel Stays ORAV.NS, which bought Motel 6 from Blackstone Real Estate for $525 million in December.

The case is Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-04854.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Mark Potter and Bill Berkrot)
With urging from a coalition of for-hire vehicle drivers and companies including Uber, the New York City Council voted to lower a for-hire vehicles insurance requirement in hopes of lowering premiums and disincentivizing fraud.

The lawmakers voted 50-0 (with one abstention) to change the amount of personal injury insurance coverage that the citys 74,000 Uber, Lyft, yellow taxi, and livery drivers have to buy. The measure lowers the minimum limit of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage per person from the current $200,000 to $100,000.

The $200,000 in PIP coverage that drivers in New York City have been required to maintain is four times the $50,000 per person requirement for similar drivers throughout the rest of the state.

The City Council measure, which has been sent to Mayor Eric Adams for his approval, will prohibit the Taxi and Limousine Commission from requiring the vehicles it licenses to have personal injury protection (also known as no-fault) liability coverage in an amount greater than 200% of the amount required by state law for drivers elsewhere in the state.

The move to change the insurance was led by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (D-Manhattan, District 10) and the Uber-backed coalition, Citizens for Affordable Rates (CAIR).

For years, New York Citys for-hire drivers have been crushed by an unjust, outdated insurance mandate that inflated costs, limited their options, and unleashed widespread fraud. In the middle of an affordability crisis, drivers were stuck paying the price for a broken system, said De La Rosa. But today, the Council came through.

Backers of the measure maintain that the lower PIP limit could reduce fraudulent claims that raise premiums for drivers and hike fares for riders. According to a report by the New York State Department of Financial Services, suspected no-fault insurance fraud reports accounted for 75% of all fraud reports the department received in 2023.

Supporters had hoped to lower the limit for-hire drivers from $200,000 to $50,000 per person, which would align with the states requirement for all other drivers. That would have saved drivers about $600 a year, according to De La Rosa. Instead, the savings might be more like $300 a year with the $100,000 limit.

Bill Aims to Drive Down New York City Taxi Drivers Insurance Costs. But Will It?

The head of the citys Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) isnt convinced drivers will benefit. It is not clear premiums would go down as any savings may be kept by insurers and not passed to drivers, TLC Chair David Do told the New York City Councils transportation committee during a February hearing.

Backers of De La Rosas bill also see it attracting more insurers to the citys for-hire market at a time when the insurer for more than 60% of the market, American Transit Insurance Co. (ATIC), is facing insolvency. ATIC has claimed it has been a victim of no-fault system fraud.

Uber Spends Six Figures on Ads in Latest NY Insurance Reform Push

The citys measure is one element of a broader campaign by Uber and CAIR to address the high cost of insurance in the city and across the state. CAIR is advocating for reforms targeting no-fault insurance fraud and unnecessary litigation. The group has run a media campaign calling on lawmakers in Albany to act.
Investigators are combing the wreckage of Air India flight AI171 to determine what caused the Boeing Co. Dreamliner to crash on Thursday, killing all but one of the 242 people aboard and resulting in the deadliest aviation accident in more than a decade.

One of the two so-called black boxes, which contain critical evidence of a planes final moments, was located, the India Aviation Ministry said Friday. The ministry said it found the digital flight data recorder on the rooftop of the plane.

The accident site remains a scene of total devastation, with burnt debris and scattered aircraft parts still smoldering. The BJ Medical Hostel, where medical students were dining at the time of the accident, has been severely damaged, with four tower blocks half-burnt and blackened. Firefighters continue to spray water on the site, while police and officials work to clear the wreckage.

The focus is shifting from rescue efforts to a search for material evidence, said a senior official from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India, who asked not to be named discussing private matters. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly visited the crash site on Friday, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and the urgency to find answers.

Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday ordered maintenance checks on all of Air Indias Boeing Co. 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners equipped with General Electric Co.s GEnx engines. The extra inspections, to be carried out over the next two weeks, cover fuel, cabin-air, engine-control and hydraulics systems after the plane appeared to lose thrust as it took off.

Authorities are looking into all aspects of the doomed flight, one aviation official said. Investigative teams from the UK and US arrived Friday in Ahmedabad to assist with the crash probe.

Like you, we want to know what happened, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India owner Tata Sons, said in a message to staff. The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred.

Boeing shares fell 1.8% at 9:32 a.m. in New York, adding to Thursdays 4.8% slide. Tata Sons is privately held.

Air-safety experts have noted some anomalies in the short flight, based on the video footage. Clips that emerged showed the landing gear extended after takeoff, and flaps on the trailing edge of the wings  used to generate lift at lower speeds  may have mistakenly been raised. The 787 aircraft, bound for London, crashed just seconds after takeoff, exploding into a huge fireball.

The miraculous survival of one passenger, Ramesh Vishwaskumar is also unexplained. Vishwaskumar, who was seated in the first row of economy class, may be able to offer valuable clues as to what caused the accident.

The flight to Londons Gatwick airport was carrying 12 crew and 230 passengers, most of whom were Indian and British nationals. Some students eating lunch at the hostel are among those dead, indicating the toll is likely to rise.

It appeared as if the 787 Dreamliner wasnt able to achieve sufficient thrust as it lumbered down nearly the full length of an 11,000-foot runway, a distance that should have been more than enough to take off, said Bob Mann, head of aviation consultant RW Mann & Co.

That could stem from a misconfiguration of the plane prior to takeoff or erroneous weight data entered into the planes computer system that determines how much power is needed to get off the ground, he said. Mann cautioned that his views were unofficial and not corroborated by data or cockpit voice recorders.

If the weight is high compared to the actual number, you end up with a very aggressive takeoff, Mann said. If the weight is low compared to the actual, you end up with not enough commanded power.

The pilots in command issued a mayday call immediately after takeoff to air traffic controllers, according to Indias civil aviation regulator. According to the Telegraph newspaper, they signaled that the 787 was losing power.

The aircraft was in the command of captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kundar, who had 8,200 flying hours and 1,100 flying hours of experience, respectively, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said.

According to air traffic control data, the jet departed from Ahmedabad at 1:39 p.m. local time using runway 23. After the initial mayday call, there was no response from the cockpit to subsequent calls made by controllers on the ground.

The accident extends a series of serious and fatal incidents in the civil aviation industry this year, including a midair collision in Washington early in 2025 between a military helicopter and an aircraft.

Thursdays crash marks the first-ever complete loss of a 787, a plane Boeing introduced more than a decade ago with advanced lightweight composite materials that improve fuel efficiency. The 787 has become a crucial source of revenue for Boeing, with 1,148 of the jets in service globally.

Boeing Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said in a statement Thursday that he has spoken to Air Indias chairman and that Boeing is ready to support the investigation. Ortberg and Boeing commercial aircraft head Stephanie Pope canceled their plans to attend the Paris Air Show, according to a company memo seen by Bloomberg News.

Among the 242 people on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British citizens, one 1 was Canadian and seven Portuguese, according to Air India.

Based on the number of people on board, this is the worst commercial airline crash since Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, which was shot down over Ukraine, killing 298 people, according to Aviation Safety Network, which tracks fatal crashes. The last crash of this magnitude for Air India was Flight 182 in 1985. That Boeing 747 aircraft was destroyed by a bomb over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 329 people on board.

Boeing has been involved in several accidents in recent years, including two fatal crashes with Lion Air Flight 610 on October 29, 2018, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on March 10, 2019. Early last year, a nearly-new 737 Max aircraft lost a door panel during flight. While there were no fatalities, the accident plunged the company into a deep crisis.

Photograph: The tail of Air India flight 171 at the crash site in Ahmedabad. Photo credit: Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg

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Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics India
As Air India Flight AI171 descended toward its doom on Thursday, Ramesh Vishwaskumar sat in the first row of economy class  headed for one of the most harrowing and luckiest moments of his life.

After the Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner slammed into a densely populated district of the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, Vishwaskumar managed to get out of the plane. He was injured, but alive. All the 241 others on board had perished.

I couldnt believe what I was watching or how I made it out alive, Vishwaskumar said in an interview with local media outlet NDTV. When I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. I removed my seatbelt and got off.

Read more: Search for Answers Begins in Air India Crash That Killed 241

Vishwaskumar said that soon after take off, it felt like the aircraft was stuck for five to 10 seconds and green and white lights started flashing. It seemed like it was pushing harder to take off, he said. The green and white lights were likely emanating from the exit sign hanging off the cabin ceiling of the plane.

On the side I was on, that part of the plane didnt crash into the hostel, it landed on the ground floor. When the door on my side broke, I saw an opportunity to escape, so I got out. My left hand got burned when the fire started, but I was able to make it out.

A video that has since gone viral on social media shows a slightly bloodied Vishwaskumar, a UK citizen aged 40 from the city of Leicester, walking near the crash site, surrounded by an incredulous crowd.

#WATCH | The lone survivor in Ahmedabad plane crash, identified as Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, reportedly jumped from the aircraft at the last moment. More details : https://t.co/VdZ9R4yP11 pic.twitter.com/sjoF7zkqsO  Hindustan Times (@htTweets) June 12, 2025

Its a tale of survival that stands out in an aircraft accident that ranks as the worst disaster in civil aviation in more than a decade. The cause of the crash, which killed scores more on the ground as the fully fueled aircraft tore into buildings and exploded into flames, remains unknown. Doctors said Vishwaskumars injuries werent life threatening, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Vishwaskumars survival defies what has otherwise been a devastating episode that extends a string of deadly aviation crashes in recent months. Other accidents have included the mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a civil aircraft above Washington DC in January, which left no survivors. Only two people escaped the impact of a Boeing 737 with a runway barrier in December in South Korea.

Vishwaskumar, as he recovers and is interviewed further, may also be able to offer valuable clues as to what caused the accident. Salvage crews are still sifting through the wreckage to find possible survivors among people on the ground, alongside technical data like the voice and data recorders that are crucial to piece together the final moments of the doomed flight.

The lucky passenger was seated in row 11 at the left window seat, the first row in economy class thats positioned right behind an emergency exit. An Air India 787 Dreamliner typically seats 256 passengers in a two-class configuration, with 18 seats in business and 238 seats in economy.

That proximity to an exit may well have contributed to saving his life.

There was some space where I landed, Vishwaskumar said. And I managed to walk away from the wreckage.

Top photograph: Aircraft landing gear at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Photo credit: Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
A culture of risk aversion and mission creep among UK financial regulators is undermining trust and placing costly burdens on banks and insurers, an influential group of parliamentarians found.

The House of Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee said officials need to clip the wings of the Financial Ombudsman Service, whose awards for motor finance claims have been so large foreign firms fear there is a regulatory penalty attached to investing in the UK.

The findings from lawmakers in Parliaments upper house were published Friday in a report on the secondary growth and competitiveness objective that the government has given the Bank of Englands Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority.

Michael Forsyth, chair of the Lords committee, warned of a disproportionately high cost of compliance caused in part by overlapping remits between regulators. Reporting requirements are more burdensome than in competing jurisdictions, damaging the UKs attractiveness as a financial center, the report added. Culture change is required.

Throughout the evidence we received, there was a clear link made between the current regulatory culture characterized by risk aversion and its impact on the advancement of the secondary objective. Forsyth said the UK compared unfavorably with Singapore and Ireland.

Britains Labour government is urging regulators, in finance and elsewhere, to simplify rules to make it easier for the private sector to grow. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has told banks she is open-minded to their pleas for the ring fence that protects UK retail bank customers to be removed.

Effective Regulation

Both the FCA and the PRA are in the process of amending rules to roll back what the committee called mission creep into areas outside their core responsibilities, but Forsyth insisted the goal was not to deregulate.

Its not about deregulation, its about effective regulation, he told Bloomberg. Proportionate regulation does not equate to deregulation. He said speed and clarity in decision making by regulators were important.

The FCA and the PRA said they are taking steps to reduce the regulatory burden and underpin growth. They will respond to the committee shortly.

We agree it is vital that we support the UKs growth, a PRA spokesman said. That is why we have already been working hard to embed the secondary competitiveness and growth objective throughout our organization, while recognizing that there cannot be sustainable growth without financial stability.

An FCA spokesman said it has reduced data requests, retired outdated supervisory documents, introduced a new private stock market, pared back our insurance rulebook and are working on redress reforms to give consumers and firms greater certainty.

We have put growth at the heart of our five-year strategy, set out a vision for more informed risk-taking and committed to being more predictable and proportionate.

Compensation Awards

One of the biggest concerns is the financial ombudsman, which oversees customer compensation. It has made large awards over motor finance loans that threaten to become the next consumer finance scandal. That has led to regulatory uncertainty and created the perception of a regulatory penalty on investment in UK businesses, the report said.

The committee said the ombudsman must be brought back under the control of the FCA, in line with its original mandate, to provide swift redress rather than examining major, complex issues. It cannot continue to function as a quasi-regulator, the report said.

Lawmakers were skeptical about whether a secondary remit to deliver economic growth is a plausible goal. We are not convinced that the link between financial services regulation and growth in the wider economy has yet been sufficiently understood or rigorously evidenced, it said.

Regulation alone cannot generate economic growth, rather, the government, the regulators, and industry must be aligned in their approach to improve the provision of finance for UK businesses and productive assets.

Photograph: Commuters pass the Bank of England, left, and the Royal Exchange, as they make their way to work in London, UK, on Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
When Bernard Weisse first noticed a tiny crack in the outer wall of his house on the outskirts of Paris, he dismissed it as little more than a nuisance. But in the four years since, a spiderweb of fissures has spread from floor to ceiling and snaked into virtually every corner of his home.

We can hear loud cracking noises especially when its warm outside, said the retired salesman and father of three. Sometimes, I think we should get all our stuff together and leave.

Like a growing number of people around the world, Weisse is grappling with subsidence  a term for the sinking land thats causing damage to homes and other structures built on it. The slow-moving climate disaster has already caused tens of billions in damage and has the potential to affect 1.2 billion people in areas accounting for more than $8 trillion of economic output.

While groundwater extraction, mining and earthquakes also cause the ground to shift, global warming vastly increases the risks. What happens is that soil swells with winter rain and then shrinks as it dries in the heat, cracking foundations in the process.

Because of its soil and its status as the worlds fastest-warming continent, Europe is particularly exposed. The European Central Bank estimates the regions potential damage from sinking land at more than 2.5 trillion ($2.9 billion) across all euro-area financial institutions. Although most of that is classified as low risk, this summer is forecast to be one of the hottest and driest on the continent, creating perfect conditions for subsidence damage.

For Weisse, the cost for repairs could climb to as much as 200,000 to keep his two-story home from crumbling. That would be part of the estimated 43 billion in damage that households face by 2050 in France alone, according to insurance trade group France Assureurs. With that much money at stake, its set off a battle over who will ultimately have to pay.

Weisses town of Presles-en-Brie has teamed up with 14 nearby villages and sued the state to have their subsidence issues recognized as a natural catastrophe like flash floods and wildfires. That would trigger payments from insurers and the government, powerful opponents for the municipalities.

Its David against Goliath, said Dominique Rodriguez, whos been mayor of the pastoral community of 2,300 people for more than three decades.

So far, the big guys are winning. In Presles-en-Brie, at least 40 homeowners have sought subsidence compensation since 2020, and while two houses were granted CatNat recognition, others were rejected.

Europe is the epicenter because of its clay-rich soil and relatively high population density. Also, buildings from the 1970s and 80s  when a postwar housing construction boom was still underway  are particularly susceptible.

While Presles-en-Brie is an early victim, the issues are global. Jakarta has sunk more than 2.5 meters (8 feet) in a decade, and Tehran drops as much as 22 centimeters a year. In the US, Houston is most affected, with 40% of the city subsiding more than half a centimeter a year.

More than 425,000 Dutch houses will be exposed over the next decade, with subsidence already lowering house prices by as much as 5%, according to a recent study by the Tinbergen Institute. Repair costs can exceed 100,000 per home and are rarely covered by insurance.

The situation is urgent, said Karsten Klein, director of advocacy at Vereniging Eigen Huis, a Dutch homeowners association. Waiting until homes become uninhabitable is not an option.

In London, shifting ground levels over the next five years are set to affect two-fifths of the housing stock, or more than a million homes, according to the British Geological Survey.

Across the UK, there have been a half dozen surge years for subsidence over the last two decades. With the country experiencing one of its driest springs in a century, 2025 could end up as another high risk year, according to Geobear, a company that undertakes repairs.

Insurance claims for the hazard jumped 78% between 2019 and 2023 and the average payout rose 40% over that period, according to data provided by the Association of British Insurers.

While the UK is one of the few countries in the world where insurers cover subsidence damage, its tricky to manage because the impacts can be affected by local conditions like trees soaking up water. A few years ago, central London suffered the most from subsidence, but now it affects eastern neighborhoods more, according to satellite data from Value.Space.

Geobear says its data supports the shift of the subsidence burden to eastern London, where the surface is less built up and so more exposed. If movements are related to clay shrinkage, then it makes sense that places like Barking are hit harder, said Otso Lahtinen, Geobears chief executive officer.

In France, half of all single-family homes could be affected by subsidence by the end of the decade, according to Paul Esmein, head of the French insurance lobby. Since 2016, the countrys insurers have paid about 1 billion a year for subsidence claims. That amount tripled in 2022, when European temperatures hit their second-highest level.

To cope with rising losses from natural disasters and provide protection for homeowners, France launched a public-private insurance program in 1989 called CatNat  a system that puts the state and the industry on the same side as costs surge. Homeowners are compensated for damage after their municipality has been awarded a CatNat certification. Otherwise, insurers are free to reject claims.

Despite the challenges faced by communities like Presles-en-Brie, Frances system is close to a best-case scenario for homeowners, which have little to no recourse to have subsidence damage covered in most other countries.

Since its creation, the French system for recognizing natural disasters has constantly adapted to the damage suffered by the population, the French interior ministry said in response to Bloomberg questions, adding that the criteria for subsidence recognition was relaxed last year.

In the case of Presles-en-Brie, the interior ministry said natural disaster conditions was recognized for part of 2020 as soil moisture was determined to be abnormal. It didnt comment on the ongoing dispute.

Allianz France says that over the last decade subsidence constituted 60% of all CatNat damages in the country, almost double the rate of the previous 15 years.

The trend is getting more complicated with climate change, said Pierre Vaysse, chief underwriting officer for property and casualty at the French insurer. The forecast is that claims will at least increase by 50% and probably double by 2050.

Frances CatNat system lost 49 million in 2024, its eighth straight annual deficit. Known as the Central Reinsurance Fund, the program is paid for by a national surcharge on insurance policies, which was raised by eight percentage points in January to account for climate change.

For homeowners, the strained system means higher premiums but with no certainty of coverage, and theres a risk that insurers abandon vulnerable areas as has happened in parts of the US prone to hurricanes and wildfires.

Potential repairs include foundation reinforcements known as micropiles and injecting compounds into the soil to stabilize the clay. In some cases, the costs can approach the value of the home. With selling hardly a viable option, owners have little choice but to fork out the money themselves.

There is a real threat that the damage will end up dislocating our entire house, said Weisse, the owner of the damaged house in Presles-en-Brie.

Burdened by the impact of climate change, the insurance system is on its last legs, said Regis Thauvin, who handles subsidence issues for the town council and is also affected. We cant just tell people to wait a year and a half for a decision to be made before doing the necessary work.

The legal fight with the state has been going on since late last year and the towns, which represent about 72,000 people in total, are still waiting for a court date. As of early June, the government hadnt sent experts to review local damage.

The municipalities are prepared to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights if they lose, according to Rodriguez, the mayor of Presles-en-Brie.

We have little hope that our legal appeal will eventually succeed, he said. But the residents welcome our action and the fact that were at least trying to make ourselves heard.

Photograph: A crack between two residential buildings in Amsterdam. Photo credit: Peter Boer/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers Europe Homeowners Climate Change
Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israels large-scale attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, U.S.-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region.

Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Analysts have said that any closure of the Strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices.

The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow uninterrupted, the Combined Maritime Force said in advisory, adding that events over the last day had increased the likelihood of regional conflict to significant.

Israel said it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran denies having any such plan.

We have reports that more ship owners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

If the United States is perceived to be involved in any attacks, the risk of escalation increases significantly, Larsen said. Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the Strait (of Hormuz).

Greece and Britain have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israels attacks on Iran, documents seen by Reuters showed.

Greek ship owners were urged to send details of their vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to Greeces maritime ministry, according to one of the documents issued by Greeces shipping association, which was sent on Friday.

Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the (Greek) Ministry of Shipping  urgently calls on shipping companies to send  the details of Greek-owned ships that are sailing in the maritime area of the Strait of Hormuz, the document said.

All UK-flagged vessels, which include the Gibraltar, Bermuda and Isle of Man red ensign registries, were advised to avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a separate document issued by the UKs transport ministry said.

If sailing through those areas, vessels must adhere to their highest level of security measures and limit the number of crew on deck during voyages, said the advisory, seen by Reuters.

The European Unions naval mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, is continuing operations as normal but is monitoring developments in the region, an Aspides official told Reuters.

(Editing by Gareth Jones)
A report from a climate activist group says State Farms rate increases, if approved, would cost the average California homeowner more than $1,000.

State Farm upped its rate request in May, a week after getting the OK for a large rate hike to what the company had originally wanted before being rejected and agreeing to an interim deal for an increase. The wildfire-bitten insurer got approval for a 17% rate increase following billions of dollars in losses from the Los Angeles wildfires and pullback on writing new policies in the state.

An analysis from the Center for Climate Integrity says that if the additional increase is approved, the average California policyholder will be paying $1,015 more for homeowners insurance in 2026 than they did in 2023.

Its not fair that everyday Californians are forced to pay higher insurance rates because of a relentless stream of climate disasters, while the Big Oil companies fueling the crisis rake in profits and pay nothing, stated Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity. The insurance crisis is a direct result of the climate crisis that Big Oil has caused. Before insurers raise rates, they should stand up for their policyholders and fight to recover damages from the fossil fuel corporations whose climate pollution, obstruction, and disinformation are driving up costs for Californians.

Under the already approved 17% rate increase, the average State Farm policyholder in California will pay $737 more for homeowners insurance in 2025 than they did in 2023, according to the report.

The largest percentage and dollar increases will occur in ZIP codes along the Sierra Nevadas, where wildfire risk is higher. The ZIP code with the largest dollar premium increase from 2023-2025 will be 91302 in Calabasas in L.A. County, where some 1,700 policyholders will see premiums increase an average of $6,832 (68%), according to the report.

Ceres

A report from climate leadership group Ceres finds that more insurers are disclosing climate-related risks.

The report, 2025 Progress Report: Climate Risk Reporting in the U.S. Insurance Sector, analyzes climate disclosures from 526 insurance groups representing more than 1,700 companies. It follows the pillars laid out by the Task Force on Financial Disclosures: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

According to the report, 99% of insurers reported on risk management, 97% reported on strategy and 87% reported on governance.

However, the report notes that critical gaps persist, particularly in the areas of setting measurable targets and driving real accountability.

Only 29% of insurers in the report disclosed metrics and targets, while 28% of insurers disclosed across all four pillars of the TCFD framework.

These rising insurance risks associated with climate impacts stem from complex global factors beyond any single industrys control, with many insurers already actively implementing diverse mitigation strategies and resilience measures to manage these evolving impacts, the report states. However, we are also seeing some insurers respond by retreating from high-risk markets, raising premiums to unsustainable levels, or imposing restrictive coverage limitations. This market constriction has triggered regulatory interventions, creating tension between ensuring market availability and maintaining industry financial stability.

Fitch Warning

Fitch is warning about a rising mortgage-bond risk due to more extreme weather.

Fitch analysists keyed in the destruction of a Swiss village by a glacier as more proof that climate change is altering the laws of mortgage risk, according to a Bloomberg article on Insurance Journal.

Europe experienced the hottest year on record in 2024, as climate change combined with an strong El Nino to force glaciers into retreat.

We expect physical climate events to happen more frequently and with more intensity, Will Rossiter, a director of enhanced analytics at Fitch, said in an interview with Bloomberg.

He added that the impact these events are having on a greater number of assets within a portfolio could increase.

Fitch is in the process of integrating physical climate risks into credit assessments.

Rossiter said that the incident in Switzerland should be a reminder that when climate shocks hit, their impact can be devastating, the article states.

The value of those properties has gone from whatever it was to nothing essentially overnight, he added.

Hurricanes

Stronger, more frequent, and costly hurricanes are reshaping lives across the United Statesincreasing fatalities, destroying homes and businesses, disrupting schools and hospitals, and forcing entire communities to rebuild from scratch.

Thats from a new report from the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan policy group, which calls out how climate change-fueled hurricanes are becoming more destructive, as well as raising costs and increasing health risks across the U.S.

According to the report, hurricanes are becoming increasingly destructive as the planet heats up, drawing energy from warm ocean water.

As global temperatures rise, so do sea surface temperaturesproviding more fuel for storms to grow stronger, wetter, and more dangerous than they were just a few decades ago, the report states. Rising global temperatures warm ocean surfaces and intensify evaporation, allowing tropical storms to pull in more heat and moisture. The most damaging hurricanes in the United States are now occurring three times more often than they did a century ago, and since 1980, the proportion of major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean has doubled.

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Topics California Pricing Trends Homeowners
An Erie County Court jury on Friday convicted a man in last year's double homicide of two Bangladeshi handymen on Zenner Street after less than two hours of deliberations.

Jurors found Dale O. Cummings guilty of first-degree murder and two weapons charges for the April 2024 slayings of Babul Meah and Abu Yousuf. Cummings faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison without parole. Sentencing is scheduled for July 25.

The jury delivered the verdict late Friday afternoon at the end of a daylong court session that started with closing statements by attorneys on both sides.

Cummings defense attorneys on Friday conceded that their client had been staying at the vacant house where the two men were killed and where Cummings was seen leaving less than two minutes after the last gunshot.

But, in their closing statements, the defense attorneys faulted the investigation by Buffalo police, arguing that detectives left too many avenues unexplored and failed to obtain evidence that showed it was Cummings who fatally shot Meah and Yousuf.

Erie County prosecutors countered, telling the jury that there was more than enough evidence to convict Cummings.

The circumstantial evidence is, in fact, overwhelming, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Safulko told jurors.

Cummings, 32, faced charges of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon for the April 27, 2024, slayings of Meah, 59, and Yousuf, 39, at 148 Zenner St.

Buffalo police found Cummings in possession of the collapsible assault rifle used to kill the two handymen a day after the homicides.

The first-degree murder count covered the killing of both victims. Because the jury convicted on that count, they did not move on to consider the second-degree murder charges.

Testimony in the case began June 5.

Prosecutors believe Cummings was squatting at the home, which was under contract for sale. Meah and Yousuf went to the property that afternoon to fix a door.

Several eyewitnesses testified there was a single shooter who shot Yousuf dead on the porch and followed Meah out into the street, where Meah was shot in the face from within 2 feet.

In his closing statement, defense attorney Nicholas Texido argued to the jury that what Cummings said in his recorded statement to police was provided under duress. While he never admitted to being the shooter, Cummings made inconsistent statements during his 6-hour interview on April 28, 2024, including first denying ever being at the vacant Zenner Street home.

Texido, who represents Cummings, along with defense attorney Daniel DuBois, told jurors that what his client told police was involuntary and should be disregarded. According to Texido, detectives made false statements to Cummings that made him falsely incriminate himself.

Texido focused on what he said were other problems with the investigation, including that police took Cummings cellphone, but never did anything to analyze its contents. He suggested that the person who committed the shooting managed to flee the scene before police arrived and remains unidentified.

While jurors were shown video from a camera on a house behind the house where the slayings happened, Texido also said police failed to obtain video footage from cameras on other homes near the scene.

When the government fails to do completely easy, simple things that are going to provide answers in a matter this important to everybody, thats a big deal, Texido said. Thats reasonable doubt.

The defense attorney also suggested pressure from the community and the media contributed to the investigators settling on Cummings as the killer because he was the lowest-hanging fruit they could find, a homeless man spotted near the scene.

Texido told the jury Cummings was guilty of the two weapons charges, saying prosecutors proved that part of the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Safulko, who tried the case with Assistant District Attorney Ryan Emmerling, summarized the defenses contention about what happened as Cummings walked through a massacre and collected a weapon and didnt see or hear anything.

Lab analysis of the rifle  which had its serial number removed  showed two different peoples DNA on it, but Cummingss DNA made up 95% of the sample, Safulko said.

The prosecutor urged the jury to see Cummings statement to police as voluntary.

It would be very convenient to them for you to say were going to ignore these inconsistent statements, Safulko said.

Witness testimony given this week included that of Buffalo Police Officer Curtis Hairston, one of the two officers who took Cummings into custody the day after the double homicide.

Hairston testified he and his partner, Officer Frank Menza, were working an afternoon shift, and during the shift briefing were told to be on the lookout for a suspect. Officers were shown a photo and had a description. Hairston told jurors the man in the photo was considered a suspect and police believed he may be armed.

The officers said they saw Cummings walking on East Delavan Avenue, near Norfolk Avenue, as they drove east and Cummings was heading west.

Jurors watched body-worn camera footage from both Hairston and Menza, which showed Menza tackle Cummings next to the sidewalk.
Meta Platforms Inc. is suing a Hong Kong-based business for allegedly promoting so-called nudify apps, as the Facebook owner attempts to combat a surge in naked and sexual images created by artificial intelligence.

The tech giant said it filed a lawsuit in Hong Kong to stop Joy Timeline HK Ltd. allegedly advertising CrushAI apps on Meta platforms. The apps allow people to create AI-generated nude or sexually explicit images of individuals without their consent, Meta said in a post on its website Thursday.

The legal action is part of broader crackdown on online non-consensual sexual images, which can be used for sextortion, blackmail and abuse. Meta, which also owns Instagram, said it will now share with other technology companies information about ads, accounts and content that have been removed for promoting nudify apps.

In its post, Meta said it had noticed concerning growth in this area. With nudify apps being advertised across the internet  and available in App Stores themselves  removing them from one platform alone isnt enough, Meta said. Joy Timeline didnt immediately respond to a request for comment sent to its public email address.

Meta is under fire around the world for not doing enough to protect teenagers and young people. In Australia, a world-first ban on social media for under-16s will start this year, and other countries are tightening content oversight. But while Meta is fighting back against some fake, auto-generated material, its pushing deeper into artificial intelligence more broadly.

Advertisers promoting nudify apps are changing tactics to avoid being caught, according to Meta. Some use benign images to evade detection, while others swiftly create new domain names to replace blocked websites. In response, Meta said it has developed technology to identify such ads, even when they dont include nudity.

In its Hong Kong lawsuit, Meta claims Joy Timeline repeatedly tried to circumvent ad review processes after they were removed for breaking Metas rules.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits
From North Carolina to Florida, insurance fraud investigators have been busy the last few weeks, leading to the arrests of firefighters, alleged auto-crash stagers, and a man who reportedly filed a claim after his car killed a pedestrian.

In Mooresville, North Carolina, Scott William Hughes was charged with insurance fraud after he allegedly told Central Insurance Co. that his daughter was driving when she hit a deer in September 2024, the North Carolina Department of Insurance said in a bulletin.

Turns out, a pedestrian was killed that same day in a hit-and-run incident. Investigators determined that Hughes daughter was driving the car that struck the person, DOI noted.

Hughes was released on bond and is awaiting prosecution. His daughter, a juvenile, was not named in news reports but was charged with misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and use of a mobile device while driving, WBTV reported. A 20-year-old was killed in the incident.

A few days later, William Earl Epps Jr., of Thomsasville, North Carolina, was charged with filing a false claim in a separate hit-and-run. Epps had claimed that his vehicle had been stolen but a witness reported seeing Epps leave the scene of an accident, DOI said.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, two city firefighters were arrested after a months-long investigation found that they had torched a car then one reported it as stolen. Alvin Cox and his supervisor, Capt. Adrian Strickland, were charged last week with arson.

Cox told investigators that he had left the Hyundai parked near a restaurant, then found it missing the next day, FOX5 TV reported. Cox story began to unravel when investigators did not spot the missing vehicle on any surveillance video or license-plate readers. Cox attorney told the TV station that the fireman is innocent of the charges.

And in Miami, Miami-Dade Sheriffs detectives were tipped off by an insurance company about suspicious injuries from a crash. The investigation determined that six people were involved in allegedly damaging a vehicle, then staging an accident.

A medical clinic owner was also charged with submitting bills for fake injuries related to the staged crash, the sheriffs office said in a news release this week.

Through extensive investigative efforts, detectives uncovered that those involved had pre-signed blank therapy forms, which were later submitted to insurance carriers to fraudulently claim treatment, the office said in a statement.

An auto body shop also was involved, officials said. Operation Crash and Cash remains an open investigation.
Relatives of seven people who drowned in waters off a Georgia island after a ferry dock walkway collapsed announced Wednesday they filed a lawsuit against the companies that designed and built it.

Dozens of people were standing on the metal walkway over the water between a ferry boat and a dock on Sapelo Island when it snapped in the middle. Many plunged into the water and got swept away by tidal currents, while others clung desperately to the hanging, fractured structure.

The tragedy Oct. 19 struck as about 700 people visited Sapelo Island for a celebration of the tiny Hogg Hummock community founded by enslaved people who were emancipated after the Civil War. Reachable only by boat, its one of the few Gullah-Geechee communities remaining in the South, where slaves worked on isolated island plantations retained much of their African heritage.

It was supposed to be a celebration of Black pride, but it became a day of great, great, great Black loss of humanity and life, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, one of several lawyers behind the lawsuit, told an Atlanta news conference. Were filing this lawsuit to speak to that tragedy.

Attorneys for the families of those killed and more than three dozen survivors say the 80-foot (24-meter) walkway was weak because of a lack of structural reinforcement, poor welding and failure by the Georgia firm that built it to follow design plans.

The walkway was so poorly designed and constructed that any competent construction professional should have recognized the flimsy and unstable nature of the gangway, the lawsuit says.

Regina Brinson, one of the suing survivors, said she was on the crowded walkway when she heard a loud crack and saw family friend Carlotta McIntosh plunge into the water holding her walker. Brinson and her uncle, Isaiah Thomas, also fell. Brinson recalled prying her uncles fingers from her shirt to avoid being dragged underwater. Both Thomas and McIntosh died.

The pain doesnt get any easier whatsoever, Brinson told the Atlanta news conference.

Kimberly Wood said she tumbled from the collapsed walkway clutching her 2-year-old daughter. Her older girl, 8, clung to the dangling walkways railing.

Wood said she managed to tread water until she reached a life preserver tossed from the ferry boat. Her older daughter was rescued and treated for wounds to her hand, said Wood, who had an injured shoulder.

Im shaking now just taking about it, said Wood, another plaintiff.

The lawsuit targets four private contractors hired to design and rebuild the ferry dock and walkway for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The project was finished in 2021.

The walkway was fabricated by McIntosh County business Crescent Equipment Co. Its attorney, Clinton Fletcher, declined to comment. The projects general contractor, Virginia-based Centennial Contractors Enterprises, said by email that it doesnt comment on pending litigation. So did SSOE Group, which purchased an Atlanta design firm named as a defendant several years ago.

An engineering firm also named as a defendant did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday.

The lawsuit doesnt target the Department of Natural Resources or any other Georgia state agency. It says the department relied on its private contractors to ensure the walkway was safely built, which was beyond the scope of the DNRs internal expertise and qualifications.

The agency told The Associated Press last year that the walkway should have been able to support the weight of 320 people. About 40 people were standing on it when it snapped.

There was supposed to be a certified professional engineer that signed off on that part of the project and that was neglected, said Chadrick Mance, a Savannah attorney representing nine of the injured.

Filed in Gwinnett County State Court in metro Atlanta, the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for negligence, wrongful deaths and personal injuries.

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation by the state officials, said Haley Chafin, a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources. State Attorney General Chris Carr also tapped a private engineering firm to perform an independent investigation.

Photo: A portion of the gangway that collapsed in October 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Levine)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Georgia
The Department of Education has stopped short of an outright ban on smartphones for post-primary students, asking schools instead to work on restricting their use.

However, all primary schools will implement new policies that ban the use of, and access to, smartphones during the school day.

The direction to schools comes as part of national guidance on phone use issued by Helen McEntee, the education minister.

Under the guidance, schools must develop these policies in consultation with students, their parents, and staff.

Post-primary schools may decide what approach works best when it comes to restricting phone usage, be it through phone pouches, lock boxes, lockers, or drop-off and collection.

The announcement of 9m for phone pouches to ban the use of smartphones proved to be one of the most contentious measures announced by previous minister Norma Foley during last Octobers budget.

At the time the measure was described as a new wellbeing initiative designed to support schools to implement bans on the use of mobile phones.

That 9m funding pot is still available now to schools if they decide to implement storage such as pouches or lock boxes as part of their policies.

The policy is about ensuring schools are phone-free learning environments, according to Ms McEntee.

All primary schools in Ireland will implement a ban on the use of, and access to, smartphones during the school day. Picture: iStock

Students should not be on their phones during the school day, said Ms McEntee. This guidance and support will ensure all schools have the supports they need to achieve this, having regard to their own requirements.

The funding will allow for schools to decide what solution "works best for their school community and their students", she added.

While phones should not be used in our schools, we must also recognise that technology is part of our childrens lives, so it is vital that students have access to appropriate online safety information and resources.

Earlier this week, it emerged that the Department of Education was to re-tender for a central contract to supply mobile phone pouches in the coming weeks.

A tender for the central provision of the pouches was first published in January. However, last week the department of education issued a notice that despite receiving 12 tenders, the competition was to be cancelled without a winner.

In the Dail on Thursday, Tanaiste Simon Harris said this will be a "pragmatic and sensible way to proceed".

"I think it will be welcomed by school principals, teachers, boards of management, and I believe, young people, in many cases," he said.

"We need to build on this. We need to look at what more we need to do to allow our children be children and to allow them to learn and be educated in a safe environment, with the sounds of young people laughing and talking to each other, rather than doomscrolling on their phones during the day."
Police have come under attack for a fourth consecutive night in Northern Ireland as disorder spread through multiple towns.

Missiles were thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

It came after Northern Irelands police chief warned bigots and racists behind earlier nights of unrest in the region that his officers will be coming after them.

Jon Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been further traumatised by the rioting since Monday.

41 officers have been injured in the unrest, which had resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening.

Mr Boutcher, who met the girls family earlier that day, spoke to the media in Belfast after a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

A resident clearing debris in Portadown, Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Stop this violence, he said. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now. He said the family was mortified by the disorder.

This girls family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please dont come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

After the warning, there were tense scenes in Portadown as masked individuals hurled masonry, fireworks and other objects at riot police late into the night.

Officers moved to extinguish fires set on roads while residents worked to clear debris left over from clashes in the area around Jervis Street.

Police units, supported by the presence of a water cannon, dispersed those gathered into other areas of the town towards midnight.

However, the unrest in Northern Ireland appeared of a lower intensity than scenes earlier in the week.

Some gatherings planned in other towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday.

A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights.

Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening.

The riotous behaviour earlier in the week saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns.

Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers.

Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds during riots in Ballymena.

A water cannon vehicle at the scene of a fire in Portadown. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Mr Boutcher said: I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers whove been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harms way to protect our communities.

And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you.

We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this, and we all know that in this room, but lets call an end to it now.

The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim.

However, he said the protest was subsequently hijacked and turned into wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated.

The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded properly rather than disgracefully.

However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: Weve put our public order inquiry team together, well be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.

Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland came to the region on Thursday to support policing efforts.

He described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday.

He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong.

They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated, he said.

Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.

The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Earlier, a judge said the courts would deal robustly with those involved in the violence in Ballymena.

District judge Nigel Broderick said that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence, as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the towns magistrates court on Thursday.

Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths, were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted on Monday.

Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries.

Secretary of state Hilary Benn described the scenes as mindless racist thuggery while Stormont justice minister Naomi Long said it has been a three-day festival of hate and destruction which needs to stop before someone loses their life.

There was an arson attack on a leisure centre in Larne, thirty minutes from Ballymena, after it was temporarily used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need after disturbances in the town earlier in the week.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.

Northern Irelands first minister Michelle ONeill said Mr Lyons should resign over the post, and the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, said he would refer the communities minister to the standards commission.

Mr Benn also asked the minister to reflect upon his words and not upon his position.

Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would strongly hit back at any notion that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.

The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be cut off and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.

It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians.

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children

In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced, it said.

The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.

It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.

Israels 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry.

The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over.

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence.

There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, the Irish bishops said.

This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.

The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end.

It added: There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end.

This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.

The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing.

I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023.

The militants still hold 55 hostages  less than half of them believed to be alive  after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
An uncle and nephew have been convicted in the district court of illegally fishing for wild salmon in waters near Dursey Island in West Cork.

Bernard OLeary from Dursey Island and his nephew John OLeary from Templemartin, Bandon, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to a total of 11 charges in relation to illegal fishing activities in July 2024.

Giving evidence, Fisheries Officer with Inland Fisheries Ireland Dermot Long said that a covert operation had been set up in the early hours of July 10, 2024, at Dursey Sound. Mr Long said that Bernard and John OLeary were observed through scopes from 6.30am in the waters to the north of Dursey Island.

The two men were observed catching several salmon with nets and placing them into a large canvas bag on their boat. Mr Long said that by the time the men stopped fishing at 3pm it was estimated they had placed 12 to 15 salmon in the bag.

Mr Long said that the bag was so heavy it required the two men to lift it when they went ashore to the island for a break. They were observed returning to the boat at 4.30pm when they resumed fishing for another three hours.

They again came ashore with a canvas bag full of salmon and loaded it into a Toyota Landcruiser. At this point Mr Long said the decision was taken to intercept the two men at the pier.

When they were approached, Bernard OLeary was described as uncooperative. Mr Long said that Bernard OLeary got back in the boat ignoring an officers demand that he stop and went across Dursey Sound to the island where he got in a jeep on the other side and drove off.

Mr Long said that John OLeary was fully co-operative and couldnt have been more helpful. He said that 13 salmon were seized from the afternoon catch and the jeep was also seized, though it was returned after about six months.

Mr Long said that he could not seize the net or the salmon the OLearys caught in the morning because Bernard OLeary refused to co-operate. Mr Long said that John OLeary had asked Bernard OLeary on his behalf to surrender the salmon and the net but he did not do so.

Defence solicitor Brian Harrington said that both men had no previous convictions of any kind and were pleading guilty. He said that John OLeary accepted he had made a mistake which has caused him an awful lot of embarrassment.

He said the jeep that was seized was one that he had borrowed which added further embarrassment to the situation. Mr Harrington said that Bernard OLeary had retired from fishing many years ago and maintained a small flock of sheep on Dursey Island. He said that Mr OLeary was available on the island if officers had called to him.

Sentencing

Judge Joanne Carroll said that it was a very serious matter and that Bernard OLeary cannot live on Dursey Island and not realise it is illegal to go out and fish wild salmon with nets.

The judge said it was more than a mistake, it was a criminal act, and she suspected that Bernard OLeary had sold the fish that were not recovered which would fetch up to 100 each on the black market unless he gave them to the cat.

John OLeary was convicted and fined 1,000 for the possession of the 13 salmon and 500 for illegally fishing with drift nets. The other three charges against him were struck out.

Bernard OLeary was convicted and fined 1,500 for obstruction, 1,500 for the illegal possession of salmon and 1,000 for fishing with drift nets. A further three charges were taken into consideration.

Both men were given six months to pay the fines and recognisance in the event of an appeal was fixed in their own bond of 100.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A Cork man who admitted vandalising a local shop has been given a chance by a district court judge to avoid a criminal conviction if he can make amends for the damage caused.

The accused man, Joe Byrne, aged 20, of Breeny Beg, Kealkill, Co Cork appeared before a recent sitting of Bantry District Court.

Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told the court that on January 18, 2024, Mr Byrne was spotted by a garda patrol in Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry, where he was seen rolling a joint before putting it to his mouth and lighting it. He was searched and a small amount of cannabis was seized valued at 15.

Mr Byrne also appeared in relation to a penalty for an incident of criminal damage that happened in January 2024. On that occasion Mr Byrne had drawn and written in permanent marker on the walls of the Gala shop in Kealkill as well as an outdoor decking area and the postbox.

A previous hearing was told that when Mr Byrne was questioned he admitted to vandalising the store and when he was asked why he did it he said: I like to draw. The court heard that the cost of cleaning the premises was 300.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said that Mr Byrne had no previous convictions but had ongoing huge mental health issues and had previously been in psychiatric care. He said that Mr Byrne had 100 in court of the 300 requested at the previous hearing.

Judge Joanne Carroll said that Mr Byrne seemed to think cannabis helped his mental health situation but it did not. She added: I dont want to criminalise him, he is engaging with the mental health services.

She told Mr Byrne: You need to keep busy and you need to keep out of trouble.

She ordered Mr Byrne to engage with the Probation Service with a view to training and employment and also ordered him to carry out 15 hours of voluntary work. Mr Byrne was remanded on continuing bail until July 24 to enable him to carry out the voluntary work and save more of the money owed for the damage to the shop.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
A Cork mother who came under the the negative influence of a number of individuals saw her life spiral out of control as she became hooked on crack cocaine, the district court has heard.

Grainne OConnor, aged 48, of Art Abhainn, Carrignagroghera, Fermoy, Co Cork, appeared before a recent sitting of Fermoy District Court where she pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

Court presenter Sergeant Majella OSullivan told the court that Ms OConnor went into a Spar supermarket in Fermoy on December 9, 2024, where she took three rolls and Lucozade to the value of 17.20 and left the shop with the items but did not pay for them.

The court was told that Ms OConnor was identified by CCTV and the stolen items were not recovered. The court was told that the accused made full admissions and had a total of 21 previous convictions including six under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

The court also heard that Ms OConnor had brought 20 to compensate the injured party.

Defence solicitor, Matthew Bermingham, said that his client was a mother of four children whose issues stemmed from serious addiction problems. He said that Ms OConnor had stolen the rolls to feed her children as she had used up her own money to feed her addiction.

He said that she had fallen in with a group of people from Cork City where she was attending addiction services who were a negative influence on her and she appears to be in their grip.

Mr Bermingham said: These three people in particular seem to be using her for lifts.

They have not been helpful and have got her hooked on crack cocaine. She is in serious difficulty.

Ms OConnor said her life had spiralled out of control but she was determined to cease contact with those who were leading her in a negative direction.

Judge Miriam Walsh said that people like Ms OConnor who took things from shops whenever they liked jack up the prices and its not fair on the rest of us.

She warned Ms OConnor to cease contact with those people who are using you and added that she would give Ms OConnor a chance to improve her life. The case was adjourned until September 12 for the completion of a Probation Service report.

This article is fund by the Courts Reporting Scheme
A woman who complained last week to gardai about her 30-year-old son putting her in fear by getting intoxicated and ordering her to get out of her own house has gone back to the gardai to withdraw her complaints.

Sergeant Ailsing Murphy confirmed that the complainant had gone back to An Garda Siochana and made a follow-up statement withdrawing her initial complaint.

Judge Mary Dorgan agreed to release the young man from custody  where he has been for the past week. The defendants mother said the family agreed that what he needed more than anything was to get into rehabilitation. They are hopeful he will do so very soon.

It was alleged that, as well as breaching a Domestic Violence Order, he also grabbed her handbag and stole her purse. Now the charges of breaching the order and theft have been withdrawn.

There remains against him a shoplifting charge and a public order offence of being intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself or others.

Garda David ODriscoll testified in an objection to bail last week at an in-camera hearing of Cork District Court where the parties cannot be identified.

On that occasion he said: It is alleged she was sitting in the living room. He had been asleep and he came down, intoxicated, under the influence of drugs. He began hitting the walls in the room and turned over the coffee table. He was shouting at his mother to f*** off and get out.

As she was leaving, he pulled her handbag and stole a black purse from her handbag with about 20.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said the defendant was intent on getting into rehabilitation.
Garda bosses have moved to reassure people that they should continue to call their local Garda station, whether it just to report concerns, seek advice, or request a response to an incident.

The development follows an Oireachtas committee hearing earlier this week where government and opposition politicians  from Cork, Galway, the border, and Dublin  raised concerns about Garda visibility and responses to calls for help.

The Oireachtas justice committee was conducting a session with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and his two deputy commissioners Shawna Coxon and Justin Kelly.

Specific concerns were raised at the committee by Fianna Fail TD for Dublin Bay North, Tom Brabazon, who criticised what he said was a new policy where all members of the public were being told to ring 999 for a Garda response, rather than their local station.

He said this was not working as many people thought 999 was only for emergencies and not for calls about anti-social behaviour or quality of life issues.

Garda HQ issued a lengthy video on Friday urging people to ring their local station if they feel they need to, even if they do not think it is in relation to a serious crime.

Speaking in the video, Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Paul Cleary, said: I want to reassure the public that our local garda stations are also accessible, including by phone, and we want the public to continue to contact their local station.

He said this contact played a vital role in the organisations service to local communities.

Around 60% of all calls to local Garda stations are not actually calls for service requiring Garda assistance at an incident, he said.

They are people reaching out for information, advice, highlighting local concerns and seeking reassurance and connection and its very important that we retain this contact.

So we would encourage people to continue to engage with your local Garda station.

"If your call does require a Garda attendance at an incident it will be forwarded immediately to the Regional Control Centre for triage and dispatch.

Mr Cleary said that the forces four regional control centres  in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Galway  received 1.2m calls from the public in 2024.

He pointed out that 38% of these calls were transferred from local Garda stations as part of the Gardas Call Safe Garda management system.

He said this system seeks to ensure that An Garda Siochana handles emergency and urgent calls consistently, allowing frontline members to respond faster and with greater accuracy.

Mr Cleary said: I am aware of some recent commentary regarding Garda response times to calls for service, and I want to take this opportunity to clarify the position with accurate information from the independent Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS).

Since the launch of Garda Safe, our call answer times have improved across our regional control centres by up to 20% and the average time taken to answer calls in the regional control centres is now 17 seconds.

"The time spent on these calls averages is just over two minutes. We have specially trained Garda safe call takers and dispatchers who can quickly assess the situation and provide the right response.

He finished by saying: I would like to be clear, if there is an emergency or if you need immediate Garda assistance, you should always call 999 or 112. This is the quickest route to getting the emergency policing service you need.
Cork is to host a major summit of mayors for the World Health Organization (WHO) next year with a focus on climate and health.

It follows an invitation from the WHOs regional European office to the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, and council chief executive Valerie OSullivan, which was accepted at the June meeting of the city council on Monday.

The summit, due to take place in autumn 2026, will come a few months after the UN's Cop30 climate change summit in Brazil, and a key meeting next March of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making arm of the WHO.

The meeting in Cork will bring together mayors from dozens of cities, elected political leaders, and public health professionals from across the WHOs European region to discuss the issues emerging from Cop30, and the need for greater inter-city collaboration on climate and health, with a focus on preparedness, equity and sustainability.

As a longstanding and active member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and an EU Mission City, Cork City has demonstrated leadership in health and climate action that has helped to shape regional priorities and elevate the voice of Cork within the broader European context, Mr Boyle said.

This further endorses our vision for the city to approach health and climate action in a holistic way to encourage innovation, new ways of working, new partnerships and new social and economic opportunities.

The proposed two-day summit is expected to involve high-level political meetings, technical exchanges, and site visits showcasing Corks work in climate action, participatory governance, and community resilience.

Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency published its first National Climate Change Risk Assessment, which identified 115 key risks to the State posed by climate change, with extreme wind, coastal erosion, and flooding among the biggest threats.

But it has also identified risks to public health, including from flooding and from extreme heat, with those over 65 considered most vulnerable to heat-related impacts.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been detained by Egyptian authorities after flying to Cairo to take part in a protest march to the Gaza border.

A spokesperson for People Before Profit confirmed that Mr Murphy had been detained as part of a group.

Around 3,000 activists from around the world were due to begin marching across the Sinai Desert on Friday to the Rafah border to demand the opening of the crossing, the entry of aid, and an end to Israels ongoing bombardment.

Mr Murphy was scheduled to participate in the march, alongside a number of other Irish campaigners.

Another People Before Profit activist, Kellie McConnell, has also been detained by local authorities.

It was confirmed yesterday that at least three Irish citizens had been arrested by Egyptian authorities ahead of the march.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed at the time that it was contacted by a small number of citizens and is providing consular assistance.

Yesterday, a spokesperson for the march, Saif Abukeshek, told AFP that over 200 participants were either detained at Cairo Airport or questioned in hotels across the city.

Mr Abukeshek said plainclothes police entered hotels in Cairo with lists of names, questioned activists, and in some cases, confiscated mobile phones and searched personal belongings.

After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released, he added.

The DFA has urged against travelling through the Sinai Desert, describing the situation as extremely dangerous.

"Travel to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed," DFA advice currently states.

Mr Murphy said he is currently detained in the Egyptian city of Ismailia, with Egyptian soldiers having confiscated his passport.

They are attempting to move detained individuals onto a bus, which he believes is intended for deportation out of Egypt. Mr Murphy said individuals who have been detained are refusing to board the bus.

In a later update on X, Mr Murphy said that Egyptian authorities still have his phone, while adding they have told him that individuals detained are being sent to the airport.

However, Mr Murphy said it is not the same road they travelled from, with the bus moving towards Cairo.

In his tweet, Mr Murphy said that violence got worse after his phone was seized by authorities.

He alleges that an American woman was badly kicked and beaten while also having her hijab torn off.

PBP call on Government to demand release of detained Irish citizens

In a statement, National Secretary of People Before Profit, Matt Collins, called on the Irish Government to demand the release of Irish citizens detained by Egyptian authorities.

They are on a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained, Mr Collins said.

In a video posted on X, Mr Murphy said: Its looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza to demand that Israels blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended.

Responding to the unfolding situation, Labour's Duncan Smith offered full solidarity to Mr Murphy and criticised any attempts to block those seeking to raise awareness and bring transparency to what is happening in Gaza.

The party's foreign affairs spokesperson said he hoped that Mr Murphy and those marching with him will be permitted to continue on their journey unhindered. Should that not be the case, Mr Smith emphasised that all those detained must be treated fairly and with respect at all times.

Soc Dems councillor turned around at checkpoint

Social Democrats councillor Mark Barry is also among those participating in the march and was turned around at a checkpoint in Ismailia but not detained.

Posting an update on social media, the Wicklow man confirmed that "a number of Irish delegates" had been detained, had their passports taken and were put on a "windowless bus" by the Egyptian army in Cairo.

"We assume that they are going to be deported. We are on our way back to Cairo where we will try and regroup and continue to be your voice for the people of Gaza to try and stop this inhumane action," Mr Barry said.

"Please amplify any messages you see. Please get in touch with all of your representatives at home and the Egyptian embassy. This is a peaceful protest, an international, civilian-led, peaceful protest and we are being stopped from having our voices heard."

Mr Barry's party colleague, Jennifer Whitmore, called on the Taoiseach and Tanaiste to intervene in the situation.

"It is very important that the Taoiseach and Tanaiste contact the Egyptian government immediately and insist that Irish citizens have their passports returned and are allowed free and safe passage," said Ms Whitmore.

She said those participating in the march should be allowed to cross the border into Gaza, express their outrage and get the message out that aid must be allowed to reach the people.

"The reports of people, among them Irish citizens, having their passports seized and attempts being made to deport them is disturbing and deeply concerning," Ms Whitmore said.

Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire also condemned the detention of Mr Murphy and others involved in the March for Gaza.

"This was an initiative to try break the blockade of Gaza, to increase pressure on the Israeli government who are starving the people of Gaza, and it is deeply disappointing that Egyptian government is giving cover to them in this way," said Mr O Laoghaire.
The British survivor of the Air India plane crash has described the horror of watching people dying in front of my eyes.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said he thought he was dead when the plane crashed into a building, before realising he was alive and escaping the wreckage.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the 40-year-old told DD News the plane felt like it was stuck in the air shortly after takeoff before lights began flickering green and white, adding: It suddenly slammed into a building and exploded.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner struck a medical college as it crashed in a fireball on Thursday, killing the other 241 people onboard.

It is one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British nationals killed, and the first involving a 787.

Ramesh said: I cant believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too but when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still cant believe how I survived.

Ramesh told the broadcaster: When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. Suddenly, the lights started flickering  green and white.

The aircraft wasnt gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded. At first, I thought I was dead. Later, I realised I was still alive and saw an opening in the fuselage.

I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out. I dont know how I survived, he said. I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me ... I walked out of the rubble.

The crash site was visited by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Friday, with video footage showing him talking to Ramesh in hospital.

At least five medical students were killed and about 50 injured. There are fears the number of people killed on the ground could rise.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash.

A British couple, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who ran a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

The Gloucester Muslim Community group offered sincere and deepest condolences after Akeel Nanabawa, his wife, Hannaa, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara, were reported to be among the victims.

Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, called for people to come together as he announced the deaths of Raxa Modha, infant Rudra Modha, and Ms K Mistri in his constituency.

Aviation experts have speculated about the possible causes of the crash, from both engines failing  possibly due to a bird strike, as happened in the Miracle on the Hudson in 2009  to the flaps on the aircrafts wings not being set to the correct position for takeoff.

The Air India chief executive, Campbell Wilson, visited the area, according to the BBC, but did not take questions from the media.

 The Guardian
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was at the New York sex trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs on Friday to support the hip-hop mogul, a longtime friend.

Ye, dressed in white, arrived at Manhattan federal court before noon while the trial was on a break.

Asked if he was at the court to support Combs, he said yes and nodded.

He then moved quickly to a lift and did not appear to respond when a reporter asked if he might give evidence on Combs behalf when the defence begins presenting its case as early as next week.

Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges alleging that he used his fame, fortune and violence to commit crimes over a 20-year period.

Sean Combs (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Yes appearance at the court came a day after a woman identified in court only by the pseudonym Jane finished six days of giving evidence.

She said that during a relationship with Combs that stretched from 2021 until his arrest last September at a Manhattan hotel, she felt coerced into having sex with male sex workers while Combs watched.

Defence lawyers have argued that Combs committed no crimes and that federal prosecutors were trying to police consensual sex between adults.

On Thursday, Jane said that during a three-month break in her relationship with Combs, she flew to Las Vegas in January 2023 with a famous rapper who was close friends with Combs.

Before Janes evidence on the subject, lawyers and the judge conducted a lengthy hearing out of public view to discuss what could be divulged about the January trip.

Jane was asked if the rapper she accompanied, along with the rappers girlfriend, was an individual at the top of the music industry as well as an icon in the music industry.

Yes, Jane replied.

Once in Las Vegas, Jane said, she went with a group including the rapper to dinner, a strip club and a hotel room party, where a sex worker had sex with a woman while half a dozen others watched.

She said there was dancing and the rapper said hey beautiful, and told her he had always wanted to have sex with her, in crude terms.

Jane said she did not recall exactly when, but she flashed her breasts while dancing.
Saturday, Jun 14th, 2025 (12:01 am) - Score 760

The ownership of alternative network operator and ISP Runfibre, which has built a small Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network across rural parts of South Gloucestershire in England, appears to have changed again after a relatively new provider called Nova Fibre took control of the business from the Fibreray Group.

In case anybody has forgotten. Runfibre is a small altnet that originally started life in 2020/21 by deploying their full fibre network into Hawkesbury Upton, Inglestone Common and surrounding areas  often with support from the governments gigabit broadband voucher scheme. Some of their other locations included Falfield, Iron Acton, Sopworth and Little Badminton, Charfied West, Easter Compton and Over Lane.

NOTE: In August 2024 Runfibre stated that its network had passed over 1,500 premises.

However, the provider appeared to be suffering from some challenges toward the end of 2023 and ended up being acquired by the Fibreray Group for an undisclosed sum during August 2024 (here), which at the time indicated that the operator would continue to focus its future deployments on smaller communities (i.e. places where there are fewer than 1,500 consumers and business premises within an area of interest).

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Since then weve not heard much from Runfibre, until the companys listing on Companies House was updated on 8th June 2025 to state the cessation of Fibreray Group Ltd as a person with significant control and to note how Fibre Nova Ltd had now become the operator with significant control of the business.

In addition, Runfibres former CEO and Director, Daniel Herbert, seems to have been replaced by the appointment of Mr Lee Thomas Murphy. For those who may be unfamiliar, this appears to be the same Lee Murphy who originally helped to setup another altnet provider, FACTCO (since re-branded to the Fusion Fibre Group), which means the new owner has plenty of experience in the field of rural fibre provision.

Little is known about the Liverpool-based Nova Fibre, which itself was only incorporated on 7th November 2023, although their website  fibrenova.co.uk  shows them as selling broadband packages via Openreachs FTTP network across the UK. But the provider also appears to work with new build home developments (i.e. we provide all the infrastructure, billing, and supportwhile you deliver branded connectivity) and related management companies.

ISPreview did attempt to contact the new owner yesterday morning to understand what the deal meant for the future of Runfibre, and we await their response.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean government has officially outlawed the manufacture, sale, and consumption of ethanol-laced alcoholic substances commonly known as "kambwa" or "musombodhiya," as part of its ongoing effort to curb the spread of harmful and unregulated home-brewed alcohol.The ban was announced in a Government Gazette published last Friday by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe, who added the illicit brew to the list of substances prohibited under the Harmful Liquids Act."This notice may be cited as the Harmful Liquids Act (Amendment of Schedule to Act) Notice, 2025," the minister stated. "The Schedule to the Act is amended by the insertion after item 9 (Nipa') of the following item:10. Any unregulated, unauthorised or illegally produced alcoholic beverages containing ethanol, colloquially referred to by such names as kambwa, musombodhiya or by any other name whatsoever."The announcement brings the number of banned harmful alcoholic substances in Zimbabwe to ten. Previous bans have targeted potent and dangerous brews such as Skokiaan, Barberton, Qilika, Isityimiyana, Hopana, Qediviki, Uhali, Kachasu, and Nipa  all widely known for their contribution to health complications and anti-social behaviour.Kambwa or musombodhiya is typically produced in backyards using industrial-grade ethanol mixed with various additives. Its cheap price and high potency have made it popular in low-income communities, despite mounting reports of its role in violent incidents, poisonings, and deaths.Authorities say the consumption of the substance has often been linked to rowdy behaviour, increased cases of gender-based violence (GBV), and even fatalities due to its toxic composition.The latest ban is expected to strengthen law enforcement efforts targeting the illicit alcohol trade and provide a legal framework for prosecuting offenders found manufacturing or distributing the outlawed brew.Public health experts have welcomed the move but urged the government to complement the ban with public awareness campaigns and increased regulation of alcohol sales to curb the spread of illegal brews."It's not just about banning these substances. We also need to address the root causes  poverty, unemployment, and lack of affordable recreational alternatives  that are driving people to consume these dangerous concoctions," said one health sector analyst.Police are expected to intensify surveillance and raids in known illegal brewing hotspots across the country.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday launched a war on Iran, bombing sites related to the latters civilian nuclear refinement program at Natanz and Fordow but also targeting Tehran apartment buildings where senior regime military figures were present.

If Israeli fighter jets struck unenriched uranium stockpiles, they will have thrown radioactive dust into the air, which may cause lung cancer in the affected population. If they struck enriched uranium, that would be like a dirty bomb. Israel itself has several hundred atomic bombs and is the reason for the nuclear arms race in the Middle East, but Tel Aviv and Washington ignore this stockpile of warheads when they denounce Irans civilian nuclear enrichment program (and now try to destroy it), even though Iran does not have a bomb and no major Western intelligence agency thinks they have militarized their program.

Among those killed were the Chief of Staff of Irans conventional armed forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Baqeri. This would be like a hostile foreign nation bombing an apartment building in Washington, D.C., to kill (God forbid) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. Then the Israeli bombers killed the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Maj. Gen. Hossain Salami. We dont have an exact equivalent of the IRGC in the US, but maybe it would be like a foreign country bombing Steve Nordhaus, the head of the National Guard Bureau. Another high ranking IRGC officer, Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, was also killed. The Israelis rubbed out Fereydoun Abbasi, the chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the counterpart of Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy.

Iran launched 100 drones at Israel in retaliation.

Netanyahu announced that it was only the beginning of a days-long campaign.

Iran is not assessed by US intelligence to have a military nuclear weapons program, only a civilian uranium enrichment program. The country is allowed in international law to make fuel for its Bushehr reactor, built by Russia, with more planned. Thus, the Israeli attack violates international humanitarian law.

Israel is now waging war on people in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Iran, in what appears to be an attempt to establish itself as a regional hegemon and to quash any regional opposition to its plans to ethnically cleanse the over 5 million Palestinians it militarily occupies.

Netanyahu launched the strikes to thwart the peace negotiations being conducted with Iran by President Donald J. Trumps administration via Oman, striking a day before the next talks were scheduled to take place. Trump had signaled repeatedly that he did not want the Israelis to attack, but Netanyahu appears to hold to the TACO (Trump always chickens out) theory of the presidents behavior. He pointedly thanked Trump in his address to the nation, clearly hoping that Iran might take some action against America in response and so draw Trump into a war he clearly does not want.

Ironically, Trump himself paved the way to this war by trashing the 2015 nuclear deal concluded by the UN Security Council with Iran, which effectively blocked Iran from ever militarizing its program. Iran faithfully adhered to its prescriptions until 2019, a year after Trump tore up the treaty and placed maximum pressure sanctions on Iran. Had the 2015 deal remained in place, it is difficult to imagine the Security Council putting up with Netanyahus military adventurism, which might have attracted serious sanctions.

Netanyahu was likely to some extent wagging the dog with this attack, since his governmental coalition is in danger of falling apart over the issue of the conscription of Ultra-Orthodox Jews, most of whom support Netanyahu. The latter, however, has been led to argue for conscription. The Ultra-Orthodox Jews are some 14% of the population now, but were only 2% when Israel was founded and the government of David Ben-Gurion pledged to allow them to study the Torah rather than serving in the military or getting a real job. Now this community is the ultimate welfare queens, and non-Orthodox Israelis deeply resent their refusal to serve in the military. Many Ultra-Orthodox are not Zionists and do not believe than an Israel can be established before the Messiah appears.

A war with Iran is therefore Netanyahus double attempt to thwart the outbreak of peace between Iran and the U.S. and to thwart attempts to bring his government down domestically through a vote of no confidence.

Netanyahu clearly assesses that Iran is a paper tiger, and cannot actually inflict much harm on Israel, since Tel Aviv and Washington can intercept most Iranian drones and missiles, and Iran does not have much of an air force. Israel has already reduced the power of Irans regional allies such as the Hezbollah of Lebanon. Although some Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia branded the attack illegal, nobody in Riyadh will shed any tears about Iran being taken down a notch.



Rocket Man, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / ChatGPT, 2025

It is, however, unlikely that Israeli attacks can do more than set back Irans uranium enrichment program, since the country has a big establishment by now of nuclear scientists and it has its own uranium, and the know-how it has built up cannot likely be extinguished. Netanyahu does not have a long-term vision for his relations with the Middle East, instead following the fascist prescriptions of the de facto founder of his Likud Party, Vladimir Jabotinsky, who urged that the Jewish settler-colonists in Palestine (he used such terminology) lash out hard at any opposition and crush it. This philosophy set in train the decades of whack-a-mole that the Israeli military plays with regional countries and peoples. It hasnt made Israel secure, though it has made Netanyahu rich and powerful.
This isnt just shocking, said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.). Its a threat to the rule of law and democratic accountability.

By Jon Queally. | 

( Commondreams.org )  Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed from a press conference being held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on Thursdayfootage of which immediately went viral and sparked outrage.

Im Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, Padilla can be heard saying as men in plain clothes, though one possibly with a badge on his hip, push him out of the room. Outside the room, law enforcement agents also put their hands on Padilla, and the senator can be heard saying, Hands off!

Watch the moment Padilla is forced from the room:

The footage of the incident immediately hit social media, generating grave concern among those alarmed about the increasingly violent and authoritarian nature of the Trump administration, which has deployed thousands of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles and an order by President Donald Trump to also send in U.S. Marines.

Padilla appeared to be trying to ask Noem about immigrant raids in the state, which are the primary source of the protests that have drawn national attention since last weekend.

Holy shit, this is INSANE! said one observer on X. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was just forcibly removed from a press conference held by cosplay DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. What the fuck is going on? He is a fucking Senator.

Members of Padillas staff also shared photos of the Senator being handcuffed by police

THROWN TO THE GROUND AND ARRESTED, declared Rep. Jimmy Gomez, in response to what happened. Padilla was forcibly removed from a DHS press conferencean elected U.S. Senator who represents the PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. This isnt just shocking, its a threat to the rule of law and democratic accountability.

Padilla is conducting oversight over the lawlessness of the Trump administration and the violations of the rule of law, he added. If this can happen to immigrant communities, it can happen to anyone.

In remarks to the press outside the federal building where the incident took place, Sen. Padilla said that while he was forced to the ground and handcuffed, he was neither placed under arrest nor detained by law enforcement.

I will say this, said Padilla. If this is how the administration responds to a senator with a question; if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a questionyou can only imagine what theyre doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country.

We will hold this administration accountable, vowed Padilla, who said he would have more to say on the matter in the coming days.

Rep. Norma Torres of California also spoke out.

Lets call it what it is: a disgraceful abuse of power, said Torres. Senator Alex Padilla was dragged and handcuffed out for daring to question Secretary Noem. This wasnt a threatit was dissent. Theyre not keeping us safetheyre silencing us.



Sen. Alex Padilla. Public Domain. Via Picryl.

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).
Highlights:

Three drillholes along conductive trend HL-04 have returned nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization with grades up to 0.8% Ni over 0.7 m.

Nickel mineralization is intersected within massive sulphides indicating the system is capable of concentrating nickel in massive sulphide lenses.

Ultramafic-hosted nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization up to 0.65% Ni over 1.1 m indicates a fertile nickel source along conductive trend HL-04.

Core Nickel has completed a detailed data validation and 3D geological model of the Mel deposit and received recommendations from Understood Mineral Resources Ltd. to support a modern NI 43-101 resource estimate, including twinning, resampling historical core, and collecting density measurements.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - June 12, 2025) - Core Nickel Corp. (TSXV: CNCO) ("Core Nickel" or the "Company") is pleased to report nickel-bearing massive sulphide lenses and ultramafic source rocks along conductive trend HL-04 from its winter 2025 Drill Program (the "Program") at the 100%-owned Halfway Lake Project (the "Project"), located in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba. The Program comprised a total of 3,585.5 metres ("m") in 12 diamond drillholes as outlined in Table 1 and illustrated in Figure 1 as previously announced on April 28, 2025. The Project is strategically located within kilometres of advanced infrastructure such as the Bucko Mill, heavy rail and highways, and access to high-capacity, nearly 100% clean, hydro-electric power.

Misty Urbatsch, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of Core Nickel, commented, "Intersecting anomalous nickel mineralization in all three drillholes along the HL-04 trend is an exciting step forward for Core Nickel. The presence of nickel-bearing massive sulphides confirms the system's ability to concentrate nickel, while ultramafic-hosted sulphide mineralization highlights the fertility of this emerging system. At the same time, we're making real strides toward bringing the Mel deposit into a modern resource by systematically resampling historical drill core, digitizing and verifying historical data, and building a modern 3D geological model of the deposit. The next step is getting on the ground and executing the program recommended by Understood Mineral Resources Ltd. to deliver a NI 43-101 compliant resource for Mel."

Figure 1. Halfway Lake Winter 2025 Drillhole and Conductive Trend Location Map

Table 1. Winter 2025 Diamond Drillhole Parameters

Conductive Trend HL-04

Recent drilling along conductive trend HL-04 (Figure 2) has confirmed nickel-bearing massive sulphide mineralization hosted within granitic pegmatite and nickel-bearing ultramafic source rocks as outlined in Table 2.

Drillhole HFW-25-007 targeted a strong electromagnetic (EM) response along the HL-04 conductive trend, located on the edge of a magnetic anomaly. A massive sulphide breccia at 44.3 m returned 0.17% Ni over 30 cm indicating anomalous nickel enrichment. Massive sulphides from 72.8 to 73.5 m returned 0.80% Ni over 70 cm confirming nickel mineralization within the massive sulphide lens (Figure 3).

Drillhole HFW-25-010 targeted ~35 m in front of HFW-25-007 and is interpreted to have intersected the lower portion of the pyrrhotite-rich sulphide zone encountered in HFW-25-007. Drillhole HFW-25-010 intersected 0.17% Ni over 1.0 m in semi-massive sulphides at 39.2 m indicating anomalous nickel enrichment.

Drillhole HFW-25-015, located 50 m along strike to the southwest of HFW-25-007, intersected 0.26% Ni over 7.7 m, including 0.65% Ni over 1.1 m within sulphide-bearing ultramafic rocks from the base of the overburden at 37.4 m to 45.1 m. This confirms the presence of nickel-enriched ultramafic source rocks along conductive trend HL-04. Semi-massive and massive sulphides hosted within granitic pegmatite from 72.2 to 84.1 m returned 0.12% Ni over 11.9 m, including 0.48% Ni over 0.5 m at 75.3 m, and 0.45% Ni over 1.0 m at 77.9 m confirming nickel mineralization with the sulphide lenses.

Collectively, these holes demonstrate an enriched nickel-sulphide system that is capable of concentrating nickel in massive sulphide lenses.

Table 2. Drillhole Assay Summary

Hole ID Lithology From

(m) To

(m) Interval (m)* Ni % Cu % Co % HFW-24-007 Massive Sulphides 44.3 44.6 0.3 0.17 0.05 0.01 Massive Sulphides with Pegmatite 72.8 82.6 9.8 0.15 0.03 0.0 Includes Massive Sulphides 72.8 73.5 0.7 0.80 0.15 0.02 Includes Massive Sulphides 76.1 76.4 0.4 0.47 0.06 0.01 HFW-25-010 Semi-massive Sulphides 39.2 40.2 1.0 0.17 0.07 0.01 HFW-25-015 Ultramafic with Pegmatite 37.4 45.1 7.7 0.26 0.01 0.01 Includes Ultramafic 43.0 44.1 1.1 0.65 0.06 0.02 Sulphidic Metasediment 53.5 54.6 1.1 0.12 0.03 0.01 Massive Sulphide with Pegmatite 72.2 84.1 11.9 0.12 0.03 0.0 Includes Massive Sulphide with Pegmatite 75.3 75.8 0.5 0.48 0.08 0.01 Includes Massive Sulphide with Pegmatite 77.9 78.9 1 0.45 0.10 0.01

* Interval is not true thickness. Insufficient data currently to determine true thickness.

Assay results have only been reported for nickel values >0.1% Ni in metasedimentary rocks and >0.3% Ni in ultramafic rocks.

Figure 2. Halfway Lake - Conductive Trend HL-04 Drillhole Location Map

Figure 3. Top: Massive sulphides in HFW-25-007 returned 0.80% Ni over 70 cm from 72.8 to 73.5 m

Bottom: Close-up of massive sulphides at 73.3 m in HFW-25-007.

Geochemical Sampling Procedures

All drill core samples were shipped to Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in secure containment for preparation, processing, and ICP-OES analysis for major and minor elements and ICP-MS analysis for trace elements using total 4-acid digestion (HF:HNO3:HCl:HClO4). Any samples returning greater than 5,000 ppm Ni, Cu, or Co were then analyzed using a base metal assay (ICP3 Assay) for Ni, Cu, and Co, where an aliquot of sample pulp is digested in HCl:HNO3 and the digested volume is then made up with deionized water for analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The detection limit for Ni, Cu, and Co using this method is 0.001 wt%. Assay samples comprise 0.1 - 4.4 metre, generally 1.0 metre, continuous  NQ core samples or  NQ core for duplicates over the sulfide mineralized intervals. The SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and duplicates are inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals by Core Nickel and the SRC in accordance with Core Nickel's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. Geochemical assay data are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by Core Nickel prior to disclosure.

All reported depths and intervals are drillhole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined.

Mel Deposit Update

To support the development of a modern NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate for the Mel deposit, Understood Mineral Resources Ltd. has recommended that Core Nickel twin five spatially representative historical drill holes, resample five to ten holes from different historical programs-where core is accessible-that span a range of nickel grades and are spatially distributed across the deposit, and collect representative density measurements. Core Nickel has been diligently working to compile, verify, and clean up the historical dataset to support construction of a modern 3D geological model. These efforts aim to validate and strengthen the existing data and underpin the development of a robust and modern geological interpretation for the project.

About Core Nickel

Core Nickel Corp. is a junior nickel exploration company that controls 100% of five projects in the Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB), a prolific nickel district located in Northern Manitoba, Canada (Figure 7). The five projects consist of approximately 27,000 hectares of land that is proximal to existing infrastructure, including highways, railways, major hydroelectric transmission lines, and operating mills.

Core Nickel has a large contiguous land package in the northern part of the TNB, situated approximately 15-20 km from the City of Thompson. Core Nickel's northern TNB land package consists of three projects: Mel, Hunter, and Odei River. The Mel project encompasses the Mel deposit, which is characterized by a historical mineral resource consisting of an indicated resource of 4,279,000 tons grading 0.875% Ni, plus an inferred resource of 1,010,000 tons grading 0.839% Ni, at a cut-off of 0.5% Ni1. The target stratigraphy (Pipe Formation) that hosts the Mel deposit, and other deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt, extend onto the Hunter and Odei River projects and drillhole intersections into the target stratigraphy on the Hunter project have successfully intersected anomalous nickel.

The Company also holds two projects in the central TNB near the community of Wabowden: Halfway Lake and Resting Lake. Both projects host the target Pipe Formation associated with known elevated nickel mineralization and are proximal to existing nickel deposits, mills, and other infrastructure.

Figure 4. Core Nickel Project Location Map

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Caitlin Glew, P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for Core Nickel Corp., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

References

1 "Technical Report on the Mel Deposit, Northern Manitoba" prepared for Victory Nickel Inc, Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc., March 9, 2007

Mel Historical Mineral Resource

Core Nickel Corporation is treating the 2007 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) prepared for Victory Nickel Inc. by Shane Naccashian (P. Geo.) of Wardrop Engineering Inc. as a "historical mineral resource" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource. Core Nickel has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

The historical MRE summarized above has been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Mel deposit and the Mel project. Core Nickel considers the 2007 MRE to be relevant to the further development of the project; however, is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. The historical MRE was calculated in accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (November, 2019).

To upgrade or verify the 2007 historical estimate as current, Core Nickel will need to complete a thorough review of all the 2007 historical MRE information and drill data, along with the incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which includes some drilling around the edges of the historical MRE subsequent to the publication of the resource. Additionally, a full review of the economic parameters utilized to determine current Reasonable Prospectus for Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) would be required in order to produce a current MRE for the Property. Any future mineral resource will need to evaluate the open pit and/or underground potential taking into consideration the current cost and pricing conditions or constraints, along with continuity of the resource blocks.

Technical Disclosure

The historical results contained within this news release have been captured from Manitoba Integrated Mining and Quarrying System ("iMaQs") as available and may be incomplete or subject to minor location inaccuracies. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Misty Urbatsch"

Misty Urbatsch

CEO, President and Director

Core Nickel Corp.

Contacts:

Also find us online:

www.corenickel.com

https://x.com/CoreNickel

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 information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.
TORONTO, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexGold Mining Corp. (TSXV: NEXG; OTCQX: NXGCF) (NexGold or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on its ongoing 25,000-metre diamond drill program initially announced on January 22, 2025 at the Companys Goldboro Project in Nova Scotia (Goldboro). The drill program is primarily designed to infill specific areas of the open pit Mineral Resource identified to improve geological and grade continuity and potentially upgrade certain areas of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources. The drilling is progressing well currently with two diamond drills and nearing the end of the drill program. The drilling is anticipated to be completed at the end of Q2 with final assays flowing in through the middle of Q3.

The assay results for an additional 18 infill diamond drill holes (BR-25-477 to BR-25-478, BR-25-481 to BR-25-483, BR-25-486, BR-25-489, BR-25-491, BR-25-495, BR-25-502, BR-25-505, BR-25-508, BR-25-510, BR-25-513, BR-25-518, BR-25-520, BR-25-522, and BR-25-524), totalling 2,775.3 metres, were from drilling in the proposed west pit (Figure 1; Table 1).

The Company has now released 31 (~24%) drill holes from the infill program and continues to intersect gold mineralization consistent with the existing geological model but importantly have intersected additional gold mineralization in areas where no mineralization was previously known or predicted. Mineralized solids will be adjusted where necessary to account for local variations in the model in the forthcoming mineral resource estimate later in 2025.

Kevin Bullock, President and CEO, stated: We are nearing the completion of the 25,000-metre diamond drill program at Goldboro that was directed at infilling specific areas of the open pit Mineral Resource to improve geological and grade continuity. The results to date at the west pit are demonstrating that the general geological model is as predicted with adjustments to the mineralized solids required for local variation in position to accommodate the recently acquired data. We are also encouraged by additional intersections of gold mineralization which were not previously intersected. This data will be incorporated into a new Mineral Resource Model that will form the basis of a planned Feasibility Study Update. Assays continue to roll in from the lab and we will continue to update the market of our progress.

Selected drill intersections from 18 diamond drill holes in this release include:

25.79 g/t gold over 4.5 metres (from 62.0 to 66.5 metres) including 227.0 g/t gold over 0.5 metres in hole BR-25-522;

18.10 g/t gold over 3.0 metres (from 102.0 to 105.0 metres) including 52.57 g/t gold over 1.0 metres in hole BR-25-489;

2.27 g/t gold over 11.35 metres (from 174.15 to 185.5 metres) in hole BR-25-491;

2.35 g/t gold over 8.0 metres (from 27.5 to 35.5 metres) in hole BR-25-477;

15.05 g/t gold over 1.25 metres (from 148.15 to 149.4 metres) in hole BR-25-491; and

1.02 g/t gold over 16.4 metres (from 190.0 to 206.4 metres) and 1.03 g/t gold over 11.0 metres (from 173.0 to 184.0 metres) in hole BR-25-508.

Figure 1: Plan map showing the location of the 18 diamond drill holes

Table 1: Drill hole locations and orientations Hole ID Easting* Northing* Elevation (m) Length (m) Azimuth Inclination BR-25-477 606177.3 5006535.4 76.5 71.0 180 -50 BR-25-478 606118.7 5006508.7 76.8 44.0 180 -85 BR-25-481 606153.1 5006435.5 74.8 152.0 360 -70 BR-25-482 606184.9 5006432.5 72.8 173.0 360 -70 BR-25-483 606184.6 5006411.4 72.7 182.0 360 -70 BR-25-486 606205.2 5006449.1 74.9 80.0 360 -55 BR-25-489 606209.0 5006399.3 71.6 176.0 360 -60 BR-25-491 606242.0 5006403.6 70.6 194.0 360 -60 BR-25-495 606244.4 5006433.2 72.4 121.7 246 -90 BR-25-502 606186.6 5006576.1 74.2 122.1 180 -50 BR-25-505 606188.1 5006605.4 78.4 193.0 180 -50 BR-25-508 606242.5 5006615.7 74.6 218.0 180 -50 BR-25-510 606093.7 5006440.1 82.6 152.0 360 -55 BR-25-513 606081.8 5006457.7 83.9 107.0 7 -58 BR-25-518 606261.3 5006313.4 71.2 233.0 360 -63 BR-25-520 606262.9 5006345.0 71.8 198.5 360 -62 BR-25-522 606307.1 5006356.8 71.1 242.0 360 -65 BR-25-524 606331.7 5006377.9 70.4 116.0 360 -55

Notes:

Drill hole locations reported as Universal Transverse Mercator NAD83 Zone 20 coordinates Some drill hole numbers are missing from the sequence. These drill holes are not reported in this press release since they were drilled in another location and will be reported in a separate release with other contiguous or related drilling information. Drill holes BR-25-466 to 475, 479, 498 and 501 were reported in previous press releases dated May 16 and June 5, 2025.

Table 2: Highlighted drill intersections from eighteen diamond drill Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (g/t) BR-25-477 27.50 35.50 8.00 2.35 including 32.00 32.50 0.50 20.20 and 35.00 35.50 0.50 11.90 BR-25-478 19.20 22.00 2.80 2.16 including 19.20 20.00 0.80 5.29 and 21.00 22.00 1.00 1.81 29.70 41.50 11.80 0.54 including 29.70 30.60 0.90 2.81 and 37.90 38.60 0.70 1.20 BR-25-481 132.50 140.00 7.50 1.05 including 133.30 134.30 1.00 2.10 and 137.90 138.60 0.70 6.23 BR-25-482 99.00 104.00 5.00 1.03 including 99.00 99.50 0.50 1.50 and 101.70 102.70 1.00 3.90 BR-25-483 165.60 168.30 2.70 2.22 including 166.50 167.10 0.60 6.96 170.90 178.70 7.80 0.29 including 175.70 178.70 3.00 0.52 BR-25-486 57.15 57.70 0.55 3.23 65.50 70.25 4.75 0.53 including 69.20 69.75 0.55 2.32 BR-25-489 102.00 105.00 3.00 18.10 including 102.00 103.00 1.00 52.57 116.20 125.60 9.40 0.95 including 117.10 118.75 1.65 3.32 144.00 146.20 2.20 3.55 including 144.00 145.00 1.00 7.34 BR-25-491 148.15 149.40 1.25 15.05 including 148.15 148.80 0.65 19.75 174.15 185.50 11.35 2.27 including 179.00 179.50 0.50 13.52 and 181.00 182.00 1.00 7.49 BR-25-495 86.00 87.00 1.00 1.50 BR-25-502 56.50 59.00 2.50 1.53 including 56.50 57.20 0.70 4.84 68.50 71.25 2.75 1.82 including 70.40 71.25 0.85 3.55 BR-25-505 149.15 153.90 4.75 1.74 including 149.15 149.80 0.65 8.24 and 149.80 150.75 0.95 2.20 157.40 161.00 3.60 1.86 including 157.40 158.00 0.60 9.25 BR-25-508 173.00 184.00 11.00 1.03 including 173.00 174.50 1.50 5.26 190.00 206.40 16.40 1.02 including 191.00 192.00 1.00 3.26 and 193.25 193.75 0.50 4.43 BR-25-510 99.00 99.80 0.80 7.40 116.10 118.00 1.90 5.57 including 117.00 118.00 1.00 9.17 BR-25-513 83.50 87.05 3.55 1.75 including 83.50 84.10 0.60 8.24 and 85.80 86.55 0.75 1.40 95.00 97.00 2.00 1.30 including 95.00 95.60 0.60 3.62 BR-25-518 115.10 120.00 4.90 0.49 including 115.10 116.00 0.90 1.29 and 117.00 118.00 1.00 0.71 190.00 191.50 1.50 3.86 including 190.00 190.50 0.50 10.90 BR-25-520 65.00 69.00 4.00 0.32 including 65.00 65.60 0.60 1.07 76.00 82.00 6.00 0.37 including 80.00 81.00 1.00 0.69 and 81.00 82.00 1.00 0.73 90.00 90.65 0.65 2.13 BR-25-522 62.00 66.50 4.50 25.79 Including 62.00 62.50 0.50 227.00 and 63.50 64.50 1.00 2.02 166.50 173.50 7.00 0.78 Including 168.00 168.60 0.60 1.58 198.00 204.20 6.20 0.59 Including 199.25 200.10 0.85 2.69 BR-25-524 22.00 22.50 0.50 3.22 94.10 95.10 1.00 0.84 Including 94.10 94.60 0.50 2.99

Notes:

Reported intervals are drilled core lengths and do not indicate true widths. True widths are estimated at between 70-100% of core length. For duplicate samples, the original sample assays are used to calculate the intersection grade. All grades are uncapped. Some drill hole numbers are missing from the sequence. These drill holes are not reported in this press release since they were drilled in another location and will be reported in a separate release with other contiguous or related drilling information. Drill holes BR-25-466 to 475, 479, 498 and 501 were reported in previous press releases dated May 16 and June 5, 2025.

Technical Disclosure and Qualified Persons

QA / QC

The Company has implemented a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with the CIM Exploration Best Practices Guidelines. The NQ diameter drill core is sawn in half with one-half of the core sample dispatched to either Eastern Analytical Ltd. (Eastern) preparation facility in Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador or the ALS Canada Ltd. (ALS) prep lab in Moncton, NB and then the pulp is sent to North Vancouver, BC for fire assay. The other half of the core is retained for future assay verification and/or metallurgical testing. Analysis for gold was completed by fire assay (30 g) with an AA finish. All assays in this press release are reported as fire assays only.

For samples analyzing greater than 0.5 g/t Au via 30 g fire assay, these samples will be re-analyzed at Eastern via total pulp metallics. For the total pulp metallics analysis, the entire sample is crushed to -10mesh and pulverized to 95% -150mesh. The total sample is then weighed and screened to 150mesh. The +150mesh fraction is fire assayed for Au, and a 30 g subsample of the -150mesh fraction analyzed via fire assay. A weighted average gold grade is calculated for the final reportable gold grade. Total pulp metallics assays for drill holes sited within this press release may be updated in a future news release. Check assays are conducted at Eastern for assay samples received from ALS and check assays are conducted at ALS for assays received from Eastern following the completion of a program.

Other QA/QC procedures include the regular insertion of blanks and CDN Resource Laboratories certified reference standards. The laboratory also has its own QA/QC protocols running standards and blanks with duplicate samples in each batch stream for all analysis.

Paul McNeill, P.Geo., VP Exploration of NexGold, is considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release on behalf of NexGold.

About NexGold Mining Corp.

NexGold Mining Corp. is a gold-focused company with assets in Canada and Alaska. NexGolds Goliath Gold Complex (which includes the Goliath, Goldlund and Miller deposits) is located in Northwestern Ontario and its Goldboro Gold Project is located in Nova Scotia. NexGold also owns several other projects throughout Canada, including the Weebigee-Sandy Lake Gold Project JV, and grassroots gold exploration property Gold Rock. In addition, NexGold holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska. NexGold is committed to inclusive, informed and meaningful dialogue with regional communities and Indigenous Nations throughout the life of all our Projects and on all aspects, including creating sustainable economic opportunities, providing safe workplaces, enhancing of social value, and promoting community wellbeing.

Further details about NexGold, including a Prefeasibility Study for the Goliath Gold Complex and a Feasibility Study for the Goldboro Gold Project, are available under the Companys issuer profile on www.sedarplus.ca and on NexGolds website at www.nexgold.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information including, but not limited: to information as to the Companys strategic objectives and plans; timing and results of drilling activities; potential for upgrading mineral resources; expected initiatives to be undertaken by management of the Company in identifying exploration opportunities; and timing of advancement and completion of technical studies. Generally, forward-looking information is characterized by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, is projected, anticipates or does not anticipate, believes, targets, or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking information may also be identified in statements where certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would, might, will be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking information involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those projected by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the plan for, and actual results of, current exploration activities; expectations relating to future exploration, development and production activities as well as growth potential for NexGolds operations; risks relating to the ability of exploration activities (including drill results) to accurately predict mineralization; reliance on third-parties, including governmental entities, for mining activities; the ability of NexGold to complete further exploration activities, including drilling at the Goliath Gold Complex and Goldboro deposits; the ability of the Company to obtain required approvals; the results of exploration activities; risks relating to mining activities; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of mineral resource, production and cost estimates; health, safety and environmental risks; worldwide demand for gold and base metals; gold price and other commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; environmental risks; competition; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties and environmental regulations; and those factors described in the Managements Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024 of the Company and in the Companys most recent disclosure documents filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented to assist shareholders in understanding the Companys the Companys plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Manach msallmin! Manach msamhin! We will not give in! We do not forgive! This slogan regularly punctuates the fiery speeches of Bechir Khalfi, a former Islamist activist and political opponent tortured under the presidency of Ben Ali (1987-2011). There are 30,000 of us victims who have obtained reparation decisions from the Truth Commission. I appeal to the Justice Ministry and say stop impunity! cries Khalfi. We believed in transitional justice. We believed in this process that was supposed to restore the rights and dignity of victims. Yet, over the years, none of this has happened. Where are arrest warrants for the accused? Why are the specialized chambers so paralyzed?

On Monday 19 May, under the shady fig trees of Avenue Bab Bnat there is a revolutionary air. A sit-in has been taking place since 10 a.m: the 20 or so victims present are determined to express their frustration in front of the Ministry of Justice, a few metres from the Tunis Court of First Instance where a dismissive transitional justice hearing has just ended. The president of the specialized criminal chamber announced the postponement of 11 scheduled cases from May 19 to September 22 this year, a decision announced before a full courtroom and in the presence of several members of the NGO Avocats sans Frontieres, the World Organization Against Torture and former president of the Truth Commission Sihem Bensedrine.

The anger is palpable among the demonstrators, who are mainly former political prisoners, now aged over 60. Seven years have passed since the specialized chambers were inaugurated on May 29, 2018, but no verdict has yet been handed down. None of the 205 cases referred by the Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD, as the Tunisian Truth Commission is known) to the countrys 13 chambers has yet been brought to trial. None of the cases has even reached the pleadings stage. You, the Ministry of Justice, are prosecuting and convicting Internet users for mere comments, while torturers who have committed homicide continue to circulate freely with the blessing of politicians. What a mess! If you think were ever going to give up, you are sadly mistaken, continues Khalfi. Manach msallmin! Manach msamhin! the other victims repeat in chorus.

Obstacles and constant delays

Transitional justice has faced major obstacles in Tunisia since it was launched in 2014 and the Truth Commission started work, three years after the Jasmine Revolution that toppled Ben Ali. The obstacles it faces today stem from the Tunisian governments persistent refusal to implement the recommendations of the Commissions final report, which was published in the Official Journal in June 2020.

Up to now, the victims only hope was to obtain justice through these specialized chambers, which are supposed to judge the serious human rights violations committed between July 1955 and December 2013, including murders, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances. But the judicial authorities refusal to execute the arrest warrants issued for senior security service members suspected of having committed state crimes has further obstructed the already chaotic operation of the specialized chambers, with hearings constantly postponed.

For the past seven years, it has been the same scenario in Tunis, Gabes, Nabeul, Gafsa and elsewhere: if the defendants are present, their lawyers are absent, and if the lawyers hired by the defendants are there, they brandish their clients medical certificates. The transitional justice magistrates are overburdened with work, since they also continue to rule on ordinary law cases, a situation denounced by several national and international NGOs observing the Tunisian judicial process.

Worse still, following the judicial rotation of September 2023, the reassignment of seven of the 13 presidents of the specialized chambers led to a further slowdown in the processing of cases due to a lack of quorum. After almost two years of deadlock, the Tunis chamber, which handles 62% of the transitional justice cases, resumed its hearings on March 17, 2025 on a weekly basis, every Monday.

Just window-dressing

The demonstrators outside the Ministry of Justice are all familiar faces: former left-wing political prisoners, trade unionists, victims of the 1984 bread revolt or militants of Ennahdha, the Tunisian Islamist movement. Their numbers are dwindling from year to year as a result of illness, death or despair. For more than ten years now, their desire for recognition, dignity, truth and accountability has been linked to the transitional justice process that emerged from the 2011 revolution.

Elmy El Khadri, president of the Al-Karama association for rights and freedoms and himself a former victim of the dictatorship, has over time become an archivist of this justice process. He doesnt miss a single hearing of the specialized chamber in Tunis and, since January 2025, has been involved in writing a monthly newsletter documenting its progress. We believe that the reactivation of this chamber is nothing more than window-dressing, the 75-year-old tells Justice Info. Its a way of making the UN bodies believe that transitional justice is continuing in Tunisia. We are not fooled: the procedure for setting up the chambers is illegal. Firstly, the judges were appointed not by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSM), which no longer exists in practice since 2022, but via a memo from the Ministry of Justice. Secondly, they have not received specific training in transitional justice, as required by law. This is an essential condition for guaranteeing fair and effective trials. Plus, Article 8 of the organic law on transitional justice stipulates that the chambers must be composed of judges selected from among those who did not take part in political trials before the revolution. How can we be sure that this requirement is respected today?

He thinks that far from moving towards a positive outcome, the judicial process is at the end of its tether, a victim of obvious obstructions by the authorities, who are no longer disguising their ambition to put an end to the process. El Khadri points clearly to the weaknesses of the president of the Tunis Chamber, who has so far not questioned a single defendant or witness: I was dismayed to hear her invoke, on March 24, 2025, the principle of res judicata and the statute of limitations on a crime or sentence that dates back decades. This is proof that she didnt even glance at the law on transitional justice before taking office.

Complaint to the UN Committee against Torture

For another transitional justice observer attached to an international human rights organisation, who requested anonymity, the training of judges is far from likely to unblock the current situation. Since President Kais Saieds coup de force, judges have suffered from political interference in their work, says this observer. So what is the value of a judges expertise if, at the time of delivering their judgment, they are subject to pressure and feel threatened?

When Saied monopolized all powers on July 25, 2021, he appointed himself head of the public prosecutors office. In almost four years, the Tunisian president has profoundly alienated the judiciary, dismissing 57 magistrates in 2022, reducing judicial power to a mere function in the 2022 Constitution, and destroying all forms of judicial independence. The year 2024 was marked by the arrest of Sihem Bensedrine, former president of the Truth Commission. Although she was released in February, she and four other members of this Commission are still being prosecuted.

Rached Jaidane, a 73-year-old mathematics teacher, endured 13 years of torture and ill-treatment in Ben Alis jails. Since 2018, he has attended 30 hearings for his case, still with no judgment. I had a confrontation with most of the perpetrators, who did not admit the facts. I still say no to the impunity that reigns in this country, he thunders, despite the illness that weakens his body but in no way diminishes his desire for accountability. He is one of six victims concerned by the filing in early 2025 of a World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) complaint with the UN Committee Against Torture. A complaint to the Committee against Torture is a last resort. It is a sign of the States inability to respect its obligations to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment, and to provide reparation to the victims, states the OMCT press release. The fate of transitional justice in Tunisia is a flagrant example of such inability.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A cross-border trader was abducted, assaulted, and humiliated by a Zebra Kiss bus crew in a harrowing case of mistaken identity that has left the woman physically and emotionally scarred.Charlotte Dube, who had boarded a Zebra Kiss bus in Zambia en route to Zimbabwe, was accused by crew members of stealing a parcel from another passenger. Despite her pleas of innocence, Dube was ordered to remain on the bus by a conductor only identified as Pardy, and was later driven to the company's garage in Ardbennie, Harare, where she was allegedly tortured for hours.According to Dube, five men  named as Marvin, Munashe, Kuda, Roma, and a man who called himself Baba Keketso  took turns to beat her with wooden planks, inflicting injuries to her hands, back, and buttocks."Their conductor Pardy engaged five of their staff members who took turns to beat me," said Dube. "They even confiscated my goods and gave them to the passenger who falsely claimed her parcel was stolen."Shockingly, the passenger who initially made the claim later contacted the crew to inform them that the parcel had not been stolen after all. Zebra Kiss manager Kudakwashe Mupfukirei later apologised to Dube for the ordeal.Despite initially denying knowledge of the incident, messages obtained by H-Metro show Mupfukirei communicating with Dube's husband, asking for the matter to be resolved amicably and offering US$300 compensation in return for the withdrawal of the police report."I have been relying on Zebra Kiss for all my cross-border trips," said a devastated Dube. "But this time, they destroyed my trust. This has affected me physically, emotionally, and financially. Some passengers even took photos of me during the ordeal and circulated them on social media, branding me a thief. My reputation, family and business have all suffered."The incident has sparked outrage online, with many calling for accountability and justice.Efforts to reach Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza were unsuccessful yesterday. However, H-Metro has confirmed that the matter was reported at Mbare Stodart Police Station under RRB 6362618.The public is now demanding answers from Zebra Kiss and the Ministry of Transport, with calls growing for an independent investigation and for the perpetrators to face prosecution.As the nation grapples with the implications of such lawlessness by transport staff, human rights groups have condemned the attack and urged immediate reforms in public transport conduct and accountability.
A 65-year-old Rwandan man has been indicted for lying about his role in the country's 1994 genocide to try to obtain US citizenship, the Justice Department said Friday.

Vincent Nzigiyimfura, also known as Vincent Mfura, of Dayton, Ohio, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud.

According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura was involved in the ethnic violence in his homeland in which the United Nations said some 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were murdered.

It alleges that Nzigiyimfura was an organizer of the genocide against Tutsis in the area in and around Gihisi and Nyanza, providing weapons and transportation to other Hutus.

"Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to US authorities to start a new life in this country," Matthew Galeotti, head of the Justice Department's criminal division, said in a statement.

"The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators," Galeotti added.

According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura, while living in Malawi in 2008 and 2009, submitted an application for a US immigrant visa and lied on the form.

Nzigiyimfura, who has been living in the United States since 2009, allegedly repeated those false statements while seeking later to become a naturalized US citizen.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Preparations for the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road are now at an advanced stage, with detours under construction to maintain traffic flow during the works.The 435-kilometre stretch, a vital corridor for tourism, trade, and regional integration, is expected to be completed within 10 months, bringing long-overdue relief to motorists, businesses, and communities along the route.The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed in a statement that detour construction and bush clearing are underway in the Bernice Area, Cross Jotsholo and Insuza, forming part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading efforts."Bush clearing is underway for detour construction in these areas as part of the broader rehabilitation and upgrading project," the ministry said.The project will be implemented in phases by five Zimbabwean companies, reflecting the Government's emphasis on local contractor empowerment and economic self-reliance.Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo welcomed the development, thanking President Mnangagwa for prioritising the project."We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for this crucial development. This road is the lifeline of our province's economy," said Minister Moyo.The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is not just a domestic lifeline  it's a key international route, linking Zimbabwe with Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. It carries both tourists heading to Victoria Falls, one of Africa's top destinations, and freight traffic critical to the mining and agricultural sectors of north-western Zimbabwe.For years, the road has suffered from severe deterioration, with potholes, narrow lanes and crumbling shoulders posing serious hazards and hampering economic activity.The ongoing rehabilitation is expected to revive trade, improve road safety, and cut travel times, while supporting Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy.The highway overhaul falls under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2), under which more than 50,000 kilometres of roads and 2,000 bridges and structures have been repaired nationwide since 2021.In addition, the Government has acquired new road maintenance equipment, including tractors, to ensure long-term durability of the infrastructure once upgraded.Despite challenges in accessing foreign funding, the project highlights Zimbabwe's commitment to progress using domestic resources and expertise.With works now accelerating, travellers and businesses can look forward to a safer and more efficient route to Victoria Falls  and a powerful boost to regional connectivity and development.
Kennesaw State physics professor receives Department of Energy grant to explore light-matter interactions in quantum materials

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 13, 2025

Mahmoud Asmar Kennesaw State University researcher Mahmoud Asmar has received a three-year grant worth $799,800 from the U.S. Department of Energy to lead cutting-edge research on light-matter interactions. His work aims to deepen our understanding of how to generate and stabilize topological out-of-equilibrium quantum states.

Topological states of matter are quantum phases that remain stable even in the presence of non-ideal conditions such as material disorder. They arise in complex materials and can also be created using tailored light. These states enable unique electrical and magnetic properties, with promising applications in quantum computing, advanced communications, and medical imaging.

Asmars research advances the discovery of novel out-of-equilibrium quantum states by harnessing periodic modulations in quantum materials. Moving beyond uniform light exposure, his work explores the largely uncharted realm of light interacting with inhomogeneous materials to access previously unreachable quantum phases.

By accounting for temperature effects and electron collisions, the project will deliver accurate, experimentally relevant predictions for controlling matter with structured fields. These insights will impact light-irradiated systems, strain engineering and open-system dynamics, offering a roadmap for experiments and future breakthroughs in quantum materials.

This grant significantly expands research opportunities for KSU students, said Asmar, assistant professor of physics. Theyll be directly involved in the rapidly evolving field of theoretical condensed matter physics, positioning KSU at the forefront of innovation in quantum science and technology.

With support from the grant, Asmars research will combine rigorous mathematical modeling and advanced simulations to uncover how light alters the properties of quantum materials. As a theoretical physicist, he predicts material behavior under complex light exposure, providing a powerful framework to guide experiments and enable precise control of quantum systems.

Asmar earned a grant from the National Science Foundation in 2022 to study interactions between light and matter while introducing undergraduates and community members to this area of condensed matter physics.

My NSF grant led to key breakthroughs, including proof that vortex-like states can be generated in matter through light, Asmar said. Those results were instrumental in securing this Department of Energy grant. The work were undertaking now will lay the foundation for the research we will carry forward here at KSU.

Asmar collaborates with Nancy Sandler, a professor of physics at Ohio University, where Asmar received his doctorate in 2015. The grant will help continue that collaboration, funding a graduate student there as well as a summer internship for undergraduate and graduate researchers. The grant will also fund a postdoctoral scholar as well as two undergraduate researchers at KSU.

In a banner year for KSUs Department of Physics, Asmars recent Department of Energy grant adds to a series of major faculty achievements. In August 2024, professors Marco Guzzi and Nikolaos Kidonakis secured a $360,000 NSF grant for their work in theoretical particle physics at CERN. Earlier this year, associate professor Chetan Dhital and assistant professor of chemistry Madalynn Marshall received a $799,934 DOE grant to study magnetic materials and emerging technologies.

Physics students also made significant strides. Junior Casey Hampson conducted NSF-funded summer research at CERN, and junior Emily Manqueros earned top honors at the Birla Carbon Scholars Symposium, the first physics student to do so in the events 11-year history. Siam Sarowera junior physics major and mentee of Asmarearned two of the highest national honors for undergraduate scientists. In March, he became the first KSU physics student to receive the Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious undergraduate award in STEM, for his research on space-time modulation in graphene. In May, he was named a student ambassador of the American Physical Society, reflecting both KSUs outstanding research and growing leadership in the national physics community.

The grant that Dr. Asmar has secured from the Department of Energy is yet another feather in the cap of the stellar recent performance of CSMs Physics Department, said Heather Koopman, dean of KSUs College of Science and Mathematics. We have world-class researchers, along with incredible undergraduate students doing research and winning awards  its the perfect combination that is exactly in tune with CSMs aim of achieving national prominence in Undergraduate Research.

The grant was one of 40 awarded nationally by the Department of Energy, totaling $31 million.

 Story by Dave Shelles

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.






Friday, June 13, 2025 - Samuel Karuga Wachiuri, a notorious con artist, has been arraigned by detectives from the Nairobi Regional Office for duping an unsuspecting businesswoman out of over Sh5 million.

Karuga, who masqueraded as a legitimate supplier of foodstuffs, convinced the victim that he could deliver 6,000 bags of 25 kg rice and 250 bags of 50 kg sugar.

Trusting his facade, the businesswoman transferred Sh 5,912,600 into his bank account, believing she was making a sound investment.

However, upon receiving the funds and having completed his deceitful scheme, Karuga switched off his phone and disappeared without a trace.

Investigations were initiated, and through forensic leads, detectives zeroed in on Karuga, ultimately apprehending him at the Isebania border as he attempted to flee to Tanzania.

Appearing before Hon. Caroline Nyaguthi at the Milimani Law Courts, Karuga pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He was subsequently released on a cash bail of Sh200,000.

The case is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on June 19, 2025.






Friday, June 13, 2025 - A CCTV technician believed to be responsible for tampering with key surveillance footage connected to the death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody has been arrested.

Sources confirmed the 23-year-old technician was taken into custody for allegedly disabling the CCTV system at Nairobis Central Police Station.

He is said to have been paid Ksh.3,000 to interfere with the footage, potentially erasing vital evidence of whether Ojwang was tortured and killed in custody.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had earlier flagged the disappearance of footage from the Officer Commanding Stations office as a major hurdle in their probe.

IPOA Vice Chair, Anne Wanjiku, told the Senate on Wednesday that the missing or deleted footage had raised serious concerns about possible cover-up attempts.

The arrest comes a day after Police Constable James Mukhwana of the Central Police Station was also arrested in connection with Ojwangs death and is expected to be charged with murder.






Friday, June 13, 2025 - A technician has revealed that he was summoned to the Central Police Station to delete CCTV footage which showed Albert Ojwangs final moments before he died at the hands of police officers.

The technician was arrested at his home in Saika along Kangundo Road, becoming the second suspect in a case that is under scrutiny by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA).

He explained that on June 8th, at around 6:22 am, he was called by a police officer urging him to go to Central Police Station urgently.

Upon arrival, he was taken to the office housing the DVR system and asked to delete footage recorded on June 6th and 7th.

He informed the officers that it was not possible to delete footage on the said dates without formatting the drive, an action that would erase all stored footage and reset the system entirely.

He stated that he did not delete any footage but was nonetheless handed Sh3,000 by a senior officer.

The following day, at 6:28 am, the same officer allegedly called him again, this time instructing him to bring a new hard drive and warning him not to wear any clothing that would identify him as a technician.

As most shops were still closed at the time, the technician arrived without the requested hard drive, only to discover that the DVR had already been accessed and tampered with.

He was told to return later.

At 12:07 pm, the officer called once more to follow up, but the technician said he was working in Westlands at the time.

The officer then informed him that his contact details had been passed on to an IPOA investigator seeking assistance in retrieving the footage.

When contacted by the IPOA officer, the technician said he referred the matter to a colleague due to other work commitments and growing concern over the nature of the case.

He explained that the system comprised 25 cameras and a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) with a 30-day storage capacity.

The coverage included the report office, both floors of the building, cell corridors, and the parking yard.

He added that he was occasionally called in for maintenance.

On Thursday, IPOA chairperson Issack Hassan told the National Assemblys Security Committee that system logs confirmed the DVR drives were replaced and formatted on June 8 at 07:23:29 and 07:23:48.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, June 13, 2025 - A petition has been filed at the Milimani Law Courts seeking the immediate suspension and eventual removal of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Eliud Lagat following the arrest, torture, and death of blogger, Albert Ojwang, while in police custody.

The urgent application, filed by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and Mt Kenya Jurists, seeks conservatory orders barring Lagat from accessing his office or performing any duties related to the National Police Service.

The petitioners argue that Lagats continued presence could interfere with investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ojwang was arrested on June 6th, 2025, by DCI officers for social media posts linking Lagat to corruption. He was later found gravely injured while in custody and was pronounced dead shortly afterward.

A Government autopsy contradicted police claims of self-harm, revealing signs of torture and strangulation.

Court documents describe Lagat as the initial complainant in the cybercrime case and therefore a person of interest in Ojwangs death.

Petitioners allege attempts to tamper with evidence, including the reported disabling of CCTV cameras at Nairobi Central Police Station.

The Deputy IG still retains full command authority and access to investigative resources, the petition reads, warning of a potential cover-up if he remains in office.

In a separate filing, human rights activists Julius Ogogoh, Khalef Khalef, Francis Auma, and Peter Agoro have also sought to initiate private prosecution against Lagat, accusing investigative agencies of deliberate inaction.

They claim the severity of Ojwangs death demands judicial intervention, not internal police discipline, especially after Lagats public appearance this week allegedly compromised the credibility of ongoing investigations.






Friday, June 13, 2025 - Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned Kenyans celebrating the man seen brandishing a panga at police officers during recent protests in Nakuru.

Speaking on Friday, June 13th, Murkomen criticised the glorification of violent behaviour, noting that the situation could have easily escalated into tragedy.

"You see officers trying to restore calm, yet a man with a panga is going after them. Some Kenyans still cheer him on, especially on social media," the CS remarked.

Murkomen warned that the Government would crack down on individuals who incite or engage in violence, saying the State will begin holding civilians accountable for such actions.

He cited a recent incident in Narok, where a police officer lost a hand during clashes linked to a livestock dispute, to highlight the dangers of unchecked violence.

Despite the tension, Murkomen commended Nakuru police for showing restraint when confronted by the armed man, who appeared in a viral video brandishing a panga at officers in London Estate.

The man was part of a protest following the fatal police shooting of 35-year-old Duncan Nderitu.

Nderitu was reportedly shot during a confrontation between officers and residents after police attempted to arrest a suspected drug dealer, sparking outrage and demonstrations across Nakuru.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, June 13, 2025 - Mumias East MP, Peter Salasya has warmed the hearts of Kenyans after sharing a sweet video introducing his four-month-old baby boy to the world.

Known for his humour and fiery personality, Salasya couldnt hide his excitement as he proudly gushed over his son, whom he described as his spitting image.

In the light-hearted video, the youthful legislator playfully joked that the babys resemblance to him is so strong, a DNA test isnt even necessary.

Huyu hata DNA sitaki, he said, referring to the babys features, especially his nose, as being unmistakably Luhya.



Sharing more personal details, Salasya revealed that he met the childs mother during the recent Gen Z protests.

"Mapua ya huyu mtoto ni ya Waluhya Inafaa sasa mama ya mtoto amlete home wamunyoe nywele as per the culture Ni mweupe kama mimi huyu Nimekubali, hes turning four months." His caption read in part.

Netizens responded with a flood of congratulatory messages, celebrating the new dad and applauding him for embracing fatherhood so openly.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, June 13, 2025 - Mumias East MP, Peter Salasya, has faulted Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja for prioritising material support to the family of the late teacher and blogger, Albert Ojwang, instead of pushing for justice and accountability.

Ojwang died in police custody days after being arrested over a social media post alleging corruption by Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.

His death has sparked nationwide protests and calls for accountability.

Salasya took issue with Sakajas visit to the bereaved family, during which he pledged to sponsor the widows education and cater for the childs school fees.

It is unfortunate that Sakaja rushed in with promises of a job and school fees.

While well-intended, most Kenyans want justice for Albert first, Salasya said.

He warned that offering support without addressing the cause of death risks normalising state-linked violence.

Life is sacred. Offering help without seeking justice sets a worrying precedent. Even if the widow remarries or the child is supported, Alberts life still mattered. Justice must come first, he added.

Salasya urged Kenyans to stand against impunity and warned that silence could make everyone vulnerable to similar tragedies.

In response, Sakaja defended his support, saying, Albert was a friend and a trusted voice. While we help his family, we must also push for justice.

He revealed plans to channel contributions into a Money Market Fund to secure Ojwangs sons future and promised to help the widow secure employment.

We cannot treat this tragedy casually. Justice for Albert is non-negotiable, Sakaja said.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that a police officer accused of fatally assaulting a suspect in custody at Ruwa Police Station remains on the run - 12 days after the incident.Constable Prince Ndavambi is alleged to have flogged 30-year-old Believe Blessed Jaravange to death following his arrest on May 27, 2025, over an alleged assault and theft case. The complainant, only identified as Mwazha/Maphosa, accused Jaravange of attacking him during a dispute in their neighbourhood.Sources claim that upon detention, Constable Ndavambi threatened the now-deceased, telling him he would "return home in a coffin."The tragedy has sent shockwaves across the community and raised serious concerns about abuse of power and police brutality within the force.The deceased's sister, Mellisa Manyepa, who was also allegedly harassed by the same officer for "harbouring a wanted person," recounted the events that led to her brother's death."On 28 May I was informed about my brother's death and shown his body," said Manyepa."We reported the matter to Police General Headquarters. Commissioner Paul Nyathi then called Ruwa Police Station and ordered the Officer-In-Charge to arrest Ndavambi. But up to now, nothing has happened. He is still free, updating his WhatsApp status. When I try to call him, the line says unavailablehe's blocked me."In an official statement, ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Ndavambi's disappearance."Sadly, Constable Ndavambi disappeared as his arrest became imminent. He is currently on the run, and efforts to locate and arrest him are underway," said Nyathi."The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba, has made it clear that no one is above the law, and this disturbing case will not be swept under the carpet."The ZRP said Ndavambi will face justice, and a criminal docket is being prepared for prosecution. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to his arrest."The exact charge he will face will be determined by the courts after completion of investigations and post-mortem findings," said Nyathi.Meanwhile, conflicting post-mortem results have emerged. Two autopsies have been conducted by Dr Guillen and Dr Jabangwe, but the Jaravange family has been advised they may commission an independent pathologist of their choice in accordance with the law."We are going to wait for the final results before we bury him," said Manyepa."Some family members want us to proceed, but we fear that doing so could weaken our case and delay justice."The family has since engaged human rights lawyers to assist in the matter.As the investigation unfolds, this case continues to stir public anger and debate over police accountability and impunity in Zimbabwe. Authorities have promised swift action, but the absence of an arrest nearly two weeks on is raising serious doubts over the justice system's response.






Friday, June 13, 2025 - Yesterday, protests over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody rocked Nairobis CBD, with Gen Z demonstrators demanding justice and the arrest of officers involved in his death.

Among the viral moments from the protest was a video showing a white foreigner, commonly referred to as a mzungu, marching alongside protesters despite heavy teargas in the air.

In the clip, demonstrators can be heard encouraging him to chant wantam - a slang term urging Kenyans to vote out President William Ruto in 2027, making him a one-term President.

The video has sparked heated reactions online, with many saying it underscores the wide-reaching outrage Ojwangs death has provoked, even among non locals.

Hawa Gen Z wameingiza mpaka Tourist kwa Maandamano! Kuna mtu naona akiwekwa kwa Ndege leo usiku. Chesa! pic.twitter.com/gVEAYrR0lX  Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) June 12, 2025






Friday, June 13, 2025 - This lady has sparked outrage online after she was caught on camera snatching a phone from a protestor during yesterdays demonstrations in Nairobi CBD.

The protests were organized by Kenyan youth demanding justice for blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay last week over a social media post accusing Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat of corruption.

He later died at the Nairobi Central Police Station after being tortured.

While the protests were largely peaceful, the viral video of the unidentified woman stealing a phone has stunned netizens and drawn widespread condemnation.

Watch the video below.

Alikua Kazi!! LADY captured on camera stealing a phone from a protester in Nairobi CBD pic.twitter.com/QdR27Rmk3Y  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) June 13, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, June 13, 2025 - A fearless young man was seen confronting heavily armed anti-riot police officers, shouting insults and boldly flashing his middle finger during Thursday's protests that rocked the city.

In the video, the middle-aged man is seen charging towards the officers and confronting them head-on, bragging that he doesnt fear anyone.

The most shocking moment comes when he insults one of the officers with his mother.

The officer, fully geared and armed, remains calm despite the verbal provocation, a moment many have praised as remarkable discipline under pressure.

The protesters bold display of resistance has divided public opinion.

Some are hailing him as a symbol of courage and youth frustration, while others say his actions were reckless.

Watch the video.

Bold protester confronts armed anti-riot police, hurls insults, and flashes middle finger pic.twitter.com/tP5xdcJYbe  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) June 13, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST
News / Local

by Staff reporter

Once considered exclusive enclaves for the elite, gated communities are rapidly transforming the urban fabric of Bulawayo, introducing new standards of security, lifestyle, and legal property ownership. Developments such as Hopelyn Estate and Kings City are reshaping the city's residential outlook and attracting both local and diaspora investors, largely thanks to the availability of registered title deeds.This shift marks a significant departure from traditional housing preferences, with more homeowners and investors seeking lifestyle estates that provide controlled access, modern amenities, and crucially, legal tenurean essential reassurance in a market still recovering from past land frauds.Ms Anna Rusambo, a diaspora investor, emphasized the importance of legal documentation:"What attracted me to invest is the issuance of title deeds to home seekers. In the past, many people have fallen victim to bogus real estate agents. A property with a clean, registered title deed offers peace of mind and makes it easier to access mortgage financing, resell properties, or pass them on as inheritance."The demand surge is fueled by Bulawayo's growing middle and upper-middle class seeking privacy, order, and aspirational lifestylesqualities gated communities readily offer. These self-contained neighborhoods serve as sanctuaries from urban sprawl and rising crime concerns.Radar Properties, the developer behind Kings City, notes overwhelming interest from Zimbabweans both locally and abroad. The master-planned community features residential stands ranging from 600m to 3,500m, with plans for private schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and light industrial spaces, ensuring residents have comprehensive amenities within the estate.Ms Sithabile Moyo, Sales and Marketing Officer at Radar Properties, highlighted flexible payment terms:"Clients can secure stands with a 20 percent deposit and pay the balance over 18 months interest-free. For outright purchases, cash payments are accepted. While this reduces immediate reliance on bank financing, some clients still seek loans to fund home construction."Local developer Mrs Samantha Banda observes changing preferences among Bulawayo residents:"More locals are downsizing from larger homes to smaller units in gated communities. The diaspora market is also significant, investing in lock-and-go homes for security and convenience. Financial institutions have grown more willing to finance such developments, moving beyond the previous cash-only models."Prices for units in premier gated communities range between US$70,000 and US$150,000 depending on location, size, and amenities. With many estates planning or completing over 100 units, the total value of gated community projects in Bulawayo is projected to reach US$150 million within two years.To fund these developments, pre-sales and off-plan agreements have become vital financing tools. Mr Tafadzwa Munyoro, a local property developer, explained:"Pre-sales deposits fund infrastructure like roads, water, and security, reducing reliance on costly bank loans. We're also seeing diaspora groups finance entire blocks of homes, attracted by high returns and steady demand for quality housing."Developers are prioritizing quality and sustainability. Uniform architectural standards and building codes preserve aesthetics and functionality, while Homeowner Associations ensure ongoing maintenance, waste management, and landscaping.Sustainability features such as solar power, water harvesting, and smart home technology are increasingly common, future-proofing estates and reducing utility costs."These gated communities are a reflection of Bulawayo's evolving aspirations," said Mr Munyoro. "With continued focus on quality and sustainability, the future of gated living here looks very promising."Government initiatives like the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, launched in 2023, have bolstered buyer confidence by regularizing housing ownership and curbing land scams. Improved infrastructure, including roads, power, and water systems, further unlock new residential zones.Public-private partnerships, monetary reforms, and macroeconomic stability have also strengthened investor confidence.Additionally, building cooperatives and housing trusts are emerging within medium-density estates, enabling groups to pool resources and develop housing in phases under professional guidance.Beyond providing quality housing, this gated community boom is stimulating employment, infrastructure development, and attracting investmentsetting a new benchmark for residential projects not only in Bulawayo but across Zimbabwe.
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Israeli Attack on Iran: Natanz Nuclear Facility Targeted, Netanyahu Declares  This is a Battle for Survival



khaskhabar.com : Fri, 13 June 2025 08:14 AM

Tel Aviv/Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that his country is carrying out a military operation against Iran, specifically targeting its most sensitive nuclear facility  Natanz. He announced that the mission has been named Operation Rising Lion and described it as a targeted military operation aimed at safeguarding Israels security and survival. According to Netanyahu, the strike was conducted in Natanz, located approximately 225 kilometers south of Irans capital, Tehran. The site is regarded as the central hub of Irans uranium enrichment program. Notably, this is the same facility for which Iran had previously accused Israel of launching a cyberattack in 2021. Strategy and Objectives of the Attack In an official video statement, Netanyahu clarified that the objective of the strikes is to cripple the scientists and technical infrastructure involved in developing the so-called Iranian bomb. He warned: These attacks will continue for as long as necessary. This is not a limited confrontationit is a long-term strategic operation. He further stated that Iran has, in recent months, taken several steps that clearly indicate a move toward producing weapons-grade uranium. If we dont stop Iran now, it could produce nuclear weapons within monthsor even sooner. International Response Netanyahu expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has recently returned to power, for his "clear leadership." Netanyahu stated: President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to continue its nuclear enrichment program. However, the United States has officially denied any direct involvement in the military operation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated: Washington is not a participant in this operation. Our priority is to prevent any further escalation of the conflict. In a separate statement, President Trump said that while he hopes to avoid conflict, Israel has the right to defend itself. Awaiting Irans Response As of now, the Iranian government has not held a formal press conference, but initial reports from social media and Iranian news outlets have confirmed explosions at Natanz. According to local media, multiple drones and missiles were deployed in the attack, and Irans air defense systems were activated. Why is Natanz Important? The Natanz nuclear facility is considered the heart of Irans nuclear ambitions. It is the site where Iran began high-level uranium enrichment, making the development of nuclear weapons theoretically possible. After the 2021 cyberattack, the security around Natanz was significantly strengthened, and much of the facility was moved underground. Hence, this attack is seen not just as a military strike but as a direct hit on Irans strategic core. Analysis: Is This the Beginning of a New Middle East War? Political analysts are calling this a proxy war fought under the nuclear shadow. The strike comes at a time when the United States and its allies in the Gulf region are already entangled in tensions with Iran-backed militias and groups like Hezbollah. Experts warn that if Iran chooses to retaliate directly against Israel or its Western allies, it could push the region into a full-scale war. According to Indian Gulf affairs expert Dr. Zaidi: This strike shows that Israel will no longer wait for theoretical threats to materialize. It is perhaps the most aggressive example of a preventive strike in recent history. The decades-long hostility between Israel and Iran now appears to be reaching its most dangerous phase. Should Iran choose to retaliate militarily, the entire Middle East could be set ablaze. The next 24 to 48 hours are expected to be critical in determining the outcome of this unprecedented escalation.
I WAS privileged during the week to have a guided tour of the interior of the future Shackleton Museum. What I saw was very impressive and indicated the quality of workmanship which I am afraid did not appear in the ancient building I was so familiar with over the years.

I cannot remember when I first saw the interior of the town hall, but it was I believe sometime in the mid-1950s when Paddy Wright, Teddy Kelly and I gained access to an upper floor room, while a dance was in its early stages in the ballroom.

Denis Cogan, the former county architect for Kildare, writing in the Kildare Archaeological Society Journal of 1991, suggested that Athy Town Hall may have been the first of the Palladian style civic buildings built in Ireland.

The original town hall was built in the second or third decade of the 18th century. Bishop Pococke on his tour of Ireland in 1752 made reference to the new market house in Athy.

Rocques map of Athy prepared for the Earl of Kildare four years after Pocockes visit to Athy, shows a T-shaped building which Denis Cogan believes was an open cross-vaulted market house on the ground floor, with a courtroom and assembly rooms overhead.

Nicholas Sheaff, director of the Irish Architectural Archives, in his report of 1984 stated his belief that the square in front of the town hall was laid out at the same time as the town halls construction, with the town hall designed as the architectural focus.

The style of the building reflected, according to Sheaff, a sophisticated Palladian classicalism on the part of the designer, suggesting that the design came from the offices of Richard Cassels, the leading Irish Palladian architect of the 18th century.

The town hall has been much altered over the years, with extensions both in front and rear of the original building. The mid-19th century extension to the front of the building was the most important extension and consisted of rubble masonry walls, with tooled limestone string course. In 1913, a further alteration was made to the town hall when the earlier extension to the front of the building was raised by a storey, as was the 18th century centre section, making the entire facade three stories high.

The much-altered building was again the subject of building work when in 1969 the central part of the ground floor was adopted for use as a fire station. With the building of the new town council offices in Rathstewart in 1985 the Town Hall became vacant and fell into a derelict state.

Kildare County Council, which had earlier purchased the property from the Duke of Leinster, subsequently restored the building under an AnCO training scheme which was completed in May 1990.

One of the oldest elements of the town hall is a bell which originally hung from a frame which stood in the roof of the two-storey centre section before it was heightened in the mid-18th century. The bell came from the Church of Ireland Parish Church which stood in the rear square behind the Town Hall before it was demolished following the building of St Michaels Church at the top of Offaly Street in 1840.

Macra na Feirme, which was established by local men Paddy Kehoe, Stephen Cullinane, Juan Greene, E. Minch and A. Spiers, established its headquarters in the Town Hall room vacated by the Athy Mechanics Institute in 1947.

The first library in the town of Athy opened in the town hall on 1 December 1927. It was operated by Kildare County Council. A local library committee was set up and was intended to comprise the local Parish Priest Canon Mackey, his three curates, Rev Dunlop of the Church of Ireland and the Reverend Meek of the Presbyterian Church.

The six clerics and its fellow committee members, five local Urban District councillors and the town clerk, James Lawler who acted as the library secretary, made up the committee.

By the time I became aware of the local building amongst which I played daily, the Town Halls ground floor was still used as a marketplace. To the rear of the building was a weighing scales, managed by Jim Dempsey who lived in Offaly Street. His offices were still at use until the Fire Brigade moved into the ground floor of the town Hhall There were many uses of the town hall over the centuries, including the location of the Free Masons Club in the building over many decades. The Parish School, operated by the Church of Ireland, was reported in 1824 to have 157 pupils on its roll, with an average attendance of 50 boys and 35 girls. Located in the Town Hall the headmaster of the school was James Hunter and the headmistress Lydia Hunter.

In February 1917, Athy Hibernian Players put on a play in the Town Hall and the subsequent press reports give the names of those involved whom it is said stood to attention for the singing of A Nation Once Again.

Those named were the first publicly identified Nationalist sympathisers in Athy and many of them figured prominently in the local Sinn Fein Club which was formed in June 1917. On 19 July 1917 Athys newly established Sinn Fein Club organised a concert in the Town Hall in aid of the families of those killed in the Easter Rising. The audience was addressed by Arthur Griffith, the founder of Sinn Fein.

Another famous visitor to the town hall was Charles Stewart Parnell who arrived in Athy in 1880 to chair the parliamentary nomination for the upcoming election. James Leahy, a farmer from Ardscull and one-time Chairman of Athy Town Commissioners, was nominated despite Parnells early objection as he felt that Leahy: This fat man will be of no use, he will fall asleep in the House.

Having cross-examined the prospective candidate, Parnell was apparently satisfied and allowed the nomination to go ahead. Leahy was to have a constant if unspectacular, presence in the House of Commons until 1895.

The story of Athys Town Hall tells us more of the history of the organisations and the people who used the town hall over the years. Their story will hopefully be told on another day, but in the meantime, we welcome the adoption of the Town Hall for use exclusively as a Shackleton Museum.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

A serial rapist who terrorized several communities in Matebeleland South, targeting elderly women, has been arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 15 years in prison.27-year-old Talent Moyo was found guilty of multiple counts of rape and received an effective prison term of 15 years following his conviction.Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi praised the role of the public in the arrest."The ZRP commends the public in Makhulela, Dupute under the Madhlambuzi policing area for their cooperation and collaboration with the police which led to the arrest of a serial rapist, Talent Moyo," Commissioner Nyathi said.Moyo's crimes had caused widespread trauma and fear among the affected communities, with his heinous acts particularly preying on vulnerable elderly women.Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to actively engage with the ZRP's Community Policing structures to help maintain law and order across the country."We encourage the public to join Community Policing structures to assist in ensuring safety and security in their neighborhoods."The successful arrest and conviction send a strong message that sexual violence, especially against the vulnerable, will not be tolerated and that community cooperation is vital in the fight against crime.
Sinn Fein MEP for Ireland South Kathleen Funchion this week hosted a significant conference in the European Parliament focused on cancer prevention, with a particular emphasis on the role of physiotherapy in cancer care.

The high-level event was organised in collaboration with the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy and brought together leading cancer researchers, patient advocates, policy experts, and physiotherapy professionals from across the EU.

Several participants from Kilkenny also took part, highlighting Irelands active contribution to this important discussion.

BIG READ: From Sinn Fein's lone Kilkenny councillor to Irish MEP - the rise of Kathleen Funchion

It was an honour to work with the Europe Region of World Physiotherapy on this important conference. We created a platform for dialogue among experts and stakeholders committed to advancing cancer prevention strategies across Europe," said Ms Funchion.

Sadly, cancer has touched the lives of nearly everyone. Thats why events like this are so important. They provide a space to share best practices and explore simple but powerful approaches to prevention and care.

I firmly believe that through collaboration and continued dialogue, we can empower physiotherapists and healthcare professionals to take on a greater role in cancer prevention and care. By working together we can help improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for patients across Europe.

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Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.

The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be cut off and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.

It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians.

In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced, it said.

The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.

It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.

Israels 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry.

The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over.

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence.

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, the Irish bishops said.

This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.

The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end.

It added: There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end.

This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.

The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing.

I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7 2023.

The militants still hold 55 hostages  less than half of them believed to be alive  after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
A historic Kilkenny bridge that is one of only six of its kind in Ireland, is set for a major overhaul.



The planned works aim to keep open an important river crossing that has been used to link counties Kilkenny and Wexford for almost 400 years - and prolong the life of the heritage structure.



Ferrymountgarret Bridge links Kilkenny with Wexford, the R700 near The Rower on the Kilkenny side with the outskirts of New Ross, the R741 junction, on the other side.



With the current structure now almost 100 years old, extensive work will have to be carried out on the structure in the coming months.



The multi-million euro project is now getting underway, under the guidance of RPS Consulting Engineers for Kilkenny County Council.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS



In the coming weeks the works will necessitate the closure of the bridge and traffic diversions.



A presentation on the plans was given to Callan Thomastown district councillors at their June meeting, as the bridge is on the border of the district.



Michael Meehan, a senior association with RPS Consultants, set out the background to the project as well as its aims and a projected timeline.



1794 Bridge

The current Ferrymountgarret Bridge was constructed in 1930 to replace a previous timber bridge that dated from 1794. Before the bridge, that point of the river had a ferry crossing, so it has been used as a transport link between the counties for hundreds of years.



While the most visible part of the bridge is the metal superstructure, it is predominantly built from reinforced concrete.

The bridge used to open, to allow river vessels to pass through, up until the 1970s when it was struck by a barge. It has not opened since.



The steel rolling bascule bridge (another name for a drawbridge or lifting bridge) is one of only six in Ireland of this design.

An important heritage structure, the current bridge is on the National Inventory of Archaeological Heritage and the Record of Protected Structures. Because of this there will be constraints on what works can be carried out on the bridge.

Now, the bridge is starting to show signs of age, Mr Meehan told councillors, including structural defects caused by its harsh, marine environment.



Challenges for motorists on the always-busy route include safety issues at the junction on the Wexford side and the very narrow carriageway, which necessitates vehicles having to yield to HGVs on the bridge.

It was described as not having two full lanes.

Mr Meehan said the aims of the project will include timely addressing of key points of structural damage and deterioration, so as to avoid future capacity issues and traffic restrictions on the bridge.

These works will also maximise the remaining service life of the bridge, he added.

Aims of the project will also include preserving the important heritage of the bridge while protecting the local environment and ecology.

Improving road safety in the area is key, while also minimising any disruption to traffic in the area during the project period.

The project is at a very early stage, with preliminary design underway.

First proposals include extensive concrete repair and strengthening as well as steelwork repair, strengthening and repainting.

To do this work, over the river, engineers will need to construct temporary platforms alongside the bridge and manage traffic.

Also proposed is renewal of the junction, resurfacing of the bridge and approach roads, the installation of public lighting and management of utilities. Click NEXT to continue reading about the plans for road closures.
News / Local

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that 12 days after the alleged assault and death of a suspect in custody, Constable Prince Ndavambi remains at large.Ndavambi is accused of flogging 30-year-old Believe Blessed Jaravange to death at Ruwa Police Station. Jaravange was arrested on May 27, 2025, following a reported altercation with a resident named Mwazha/Maphosa, who accused him of assault and theft. According to sources, upon detention, Ndavambi ominously warned Jaravange that he would be returning home in a coffin.Jaravange's sister, Mellisa Manyepa, was also reportedly victimised on the same day for allegedly harbouring a person wanted by the police."On 28 May I was informed about my brother's death and was shown his body. We reported the matter to Police General Headquarters, and Commissioner Paul Nyathi personally called Ruwa Police Station ordering the Officer-In-Charge to have Ndavambi arrested. But until now, Ndavambi hasn't been arrested; he even posts statuses on WhatsApp," Manyepa said.She added that Ndavambi has blocked her calls, making it impossible to reach him.In a statement, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Ndavambi's disappearance and assured that efforts to arrest him are ongoing."Sadly, Constable Ndavambi disappeared as his arrest was imminent. He is currently on the run. Efforts to arrest him are underway for the law to take its course without fear or favour."The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba, has made it clear that the law is the law and that no one will sweep this disturbing case under the carpet," the statement said.Commissioner Nyathi further explained that Ndavambi's docket will be swiftly completed and presented to court for prosecution."We are currently appealing for information that may lead to his location and subsequent arrest. He will face the full wrath of the law. The exact charges will be determined by the courts based on police inquiries and the full post-mortem results."Regarding conflicting reports over the cause of death, Nyathi revealed that two separate autopsies have been conducted by pathologists Dr. Guillen and Dr. Jabangwe. The family has also been encouraged to commission their own independent post-mortem if they so wish."Police has noted with concern conflicting reports on the post-mortem results. For the record, two post-mortem examinations have been conducted. The family is free to engage another independent pathologist in line with the country's laws," said Nyathi.Meanwhile, the family remains undecided about Jaravange's burial, waiting for conclusive results before proceeding."We are going to wait for the results before we bury him. Some family members want to sign the burial order, but if we do that, the matter may lose value, and justice might be delayed," Manyepa told NewZimbabwe.The family has since engaged human rights lawyers to assist with the ongoing case as investigations continue.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Opposition legislator for Mkoba South, John Kuka, has raised concern over the worsening pupil-teacher ratio in Zimbabwe's schools, which has forced many institutions to adopt hot-sitting due to classroom shortages.Speaking during a visit to Budiriro B Independent School in Gweru over the weekend, where he donated two tonnes of cement for the construction of a new classroom block, Kuka emphasized the urgent need to improve learning infrastructure across the country."Most schools are now resorting to hot-sitting because of a serious lack of classroom space. The current teacher-pupil ratio is unsustainable and it's affecting the quality of education," Kuka said. "When I learnt that Budiriro B was constructing new blocks, I decided to support this worthy cause. We need more classrooms so our children can learn in a better environment."Hot-sitting  where one group of pupils attends lessons in the morning and another in the afternoon  has become increasingly common in urban schools due to swelling enrolment numbers and inadequate facilities.In addition to the cement donation, Kuka also provided the school with a complete set of traditional African musical instruments to enhance heritage studies. He noted that he had been moved to act after attending a school event where children used buckets in place of drums during cultural performances."I was touched when I saw that. Our children deserve to learn about their heritage with the right tools. Culture is an essential part of education," Kuka said.The school's director, Alson Vutabwashe, expressed gratitude for the donations, saying the support would greatly assist in enhancing both academic and cultural education."This donation is a major boost for our school. It comes at a time when we are striving to improve our learning environment," said Vutabwashe.School Development Committee chairperson, Happison Jera, echoed the call for stronger partnerships between communities and schools to ensure that children receive quality education."Parents and schools must work together. The future of our children depends on the efforts we put in today," Jera said.The gesture by the Mkoba South MP has drawn praise from the local community, with many calling for similar initiatives to be replicated across the country to address the growing challenges facing Zimbabwe's education sector.
Newsroom reports:

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has expanded his Fix Auckland campaign from one candidate to two with the addition of deputy Desley Simpson, now he is recruiting a team to gain influence on the council. The treaty that Brown reached with Simpson, seeing her decide against challenging the mayor at Octobers election, is intended to be a forerunner to the Fix Auckland slate for council seats. Brown says he alone was Fix Auckland in 2022 but now wants a team. She will be standing for Fix Auckland and we look forward to others joining us.

This is a very significant move, as it means Desley will be dropping the C&R ticket which she has been elected on previously. Will Fix Auckland stand against C&R or co-operate with them?

A right-leaning councillor, Sharon Stewart, is retiring from the Howick ward and that seat alongside fellow ward councillor Maurice Williamson, could be a possible joint Fix Auckland ticket. The Whau ward councillor, Kerrin Leoni, is contesting Browns mayoralty so her ward seat could yet be another Fix Auckland target, having swung between C&R and Labour candidacies in past elections. Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Angela Dalton, who had a strong personal following as a former local board chair, is also retiring, leaving an opening that could fit Browns intentions. Daltons Papakura colleague, Daniel Newman, has supported Browns major initiatives.

A ticket which reduces the number of high spending Councillors would be a good thing. But if Fix Auckland and C&R end up splitting the vote, then it may backfire. Ideally all the non-left tickets should co-operate rather than compete.
A guest post by Michael Littlewood:

KiwiSaver is about to change again. The Budget announced an increase in the minimum employee contribution (from 3% to 4%) over three years and in the matching minimum contributions paid by employers.

The government is also cutting its own contribution from a 50% match to the first $1,042.86 of members contributions to 25%. So, the maximum taxpayer subsidy drops from $521.43 a year to $260.72. It will also be income-tested so that the highest paid employees (receiving more than $180,000 will lose that.

Whether or not these changes are a good idea, I want to address the lessons that employers might take from the latest changes.

The first obvious lesson is that, whenever a government gets involved in the saving decisions of employees, change is a constant and that has direct consequences for employers. Since KiwiSaver was first announced in 2006, there have now been five[1] changes of significance. All will have resulted in significant administrative cost to employers. One possible lesson from this is that employers should aim to stay away from their employees decisions about whether to save for retirement.

The second lesson is that governments really shouldnt be telling employers how or how much they should be paying their employees. Aside from some minimum requirements, the employer should be setting the total cost and agreeing with employees how they want to receive that.

In theory, the employer should be indifferent to employees decisions, as long as the total of direct and indirect pay is unaffected. But that leads us into a contentious subject: the tussle between pay + benefits and total remuneration.

Some definitions:

Pay + benefits says that employers set basic wages/salaries and then separately decide what other non-cash benefits are available (such as subsidised superannuation, medical insurance, death/disablement insurance). The employer leaves it for employees to decide which extra benefits they want. The total compensation each employee receives will depend on value of the benefits chosen by the employee.

This can be thought of as the traditional way that employees were paid.

Total remuneration says that the employer sets the total it is prepared to spend on a particular role but then lets each employee decide how to receive that total. A good employer might offer help to the employees making appropriate choices but the employer wont mind whether its all paid in direct wages/salary or part direct/part indirect.

We dont know how many employees are paid on the different bases. Some suggest that 40% of all employees are on total remuneration. I think that should be 100% for reasons I discuss below.

But, with respect to the latest KiwiSaver changes, the difference matters:

Under pay + benefits , each KiwiSaver member paying the minimum 3% of pay will eventually pay 4%, as will the employer. So the members total compensation will increase by the employers 1%. Take-home pay will reduce by the additional members contribution of 1%.

, each KiwiSaver member paying the minimum 3% of pay will eventually pay 4%, as will the employer. So the members total compensation will increase by the employers 1%. Take-home pay will reduce by the additional members contribution of 1%. Under total remuneration, the extra 1% from the employer will come out of the employees total remuneration so that take-home pay will fall by about a combined 2%. Its a bit more complicated as KiwiSavers contributions are based on the direct taxable pay so, if 4% of the total remuneration is deducted (the employers eventual mandatory contribution), before-tax pay is now 96.15% of the starting 100% and both the employer and employee will pay 4% of that (4% of 96.15% + 96.15% = 100%). Also, the employers contribution is taxed under slightly different rules to direct pay. Regardless, the employer doesnt pay any more in total to get that job done.

To some (the Retirement Commissioner included) this looks as though employees have been chiselled out of money they should be getting on top of their regular pay. The Retirement Commissioner wants the practice outlawed  she wants the employers contribution to be a genuine addition to direct pay, as a reward for making the commitment to KiwiSaver.

That is the wrong way of looking at things.

Consider two employees, both doing exactly the same kind of work and offering the same value to their employer. In one case (pay + benefits), the employer doesnt know what total compensation is until the employee decides whether to contribute to KiwiSaver.

We dont know what proportion of all employees who work for pay + benefits employers, are not contributing to KiwiSaver but, for every such non-contributor, the employer saves, soon-to-be, 4% of their pay.

The position is different in a total remuneration environment. There, both parties know what the employee will receive in total. Whether the employee contributes to KiwiSaver doesnt affect the total. The employer pays the same.

Given that both employers are paying market rates for that particular role, the total employment costs must be higher for the total remuneration employer. The pay + benefits employer is better off in total by the number of non-contributors.

Pay + benefits seems impossible to justify as an HR strategy. How can the employer explain that the total compensation is greater for contributing members over non-contributors, both doing the same job? Employees might have good reasons not to save through KiwiSaver. Here are some possibilities: they cant afford to join; they dont want their savings locked up until age 65; they dont trust such a long-term programme; they have other saving priorities (such as paying off debt) or they may not need to save any more for retirement.

Also, some employees are not allowed to join KiwiSaver, or the employer does not have to contribute to KiwiSaver. Those over 65 are one group; also, those who do not have permanent residency but are able to work. It seems unfair that non-permanent residents cannot qualify for the employer KiwiSaver contribution and gives a perverse incentive to employ foreigners.

Under pay + benefits, both those groups are penalised. With total remuneration, both can be treated fairly.

But, most important of all, whether an employee contributes to KiwiSaver should have no bearing on the total amount the employee receives for the job done. And its wrong that the government has any kind of role in deciding that total or how it should be paid.

Employers who havent thought about all this before now might be encouraged to do that by the governments 2025 decision to change the KiwiSaver rules again. If they want protection against further regulatory intrusions into their pay policies, shifting to total remuneration should insulate them. Much more importantly, it will treat all employees on a common basis, regardless of their private saving needs.

For an employee on total remuneration, the only material advantage of saving through KiwiSaver will now be the governments annual subsidy of just $260.72 ($0 for pay of more than $180,000). For that, the employee must give up access to those savings until age 65. Employees could reasonably decide that any subsidy doesnt compensate for that loss of flexibility. Most KiwiSaver providers offer parallel, accessible saving options at a similar cost so there is no particular advantage, from an investment perspective, in saving through KiwiSaver.

The KiwiSaver changes announced in the 2025 Budget might have some unintended long-term consequences.

[1] The original model (2006) was a modest member-only, voluntary contribution model with the $1,000 kickstart as the only government incentive. That changed (#1) with the introduction of compulsory member and increasing employer contributions in the final version coupled with significant tax breaks (May 2007). The annual fee subsidy and employer tax credit were removed and contributions capped in 2008 (#2) but resumed increases in 2013 (#3). The member tax credit was halved in 2012 and the kickstart was removed in 2015 (#4) Now the government contribution is halved and will be income-tested (#5).
Paul Goldsmith announced:

A Judicial Conduct Panel will inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken, Acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith says. Judge Aitkens alleged conduct at the Northern Club on 22 November 2024 was the subject of a preliminary examination by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner. The Commissioner recommended a Panel be set up to inquire into what happened. I have accepted that recommendation.

This is no surprise. It would be almost improper for the Acting AG to substitute his opinion for that of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner.

The Panel will have three members. The composition is:

1 or 2 judges or former judges

0 or 1 lawyer who is not a judge or former judge (depending on if two or one judges are appointed)

1 lay person

It will be chaired be a retired judge or a judge.

The Panel has the powers of a commission of inquiry and can inquire into not just the matter referred to it, but other matters concerning the conduct of the Judge that arise.

The Panel has a binary role. It ends either that the conduct justified removal from office, or that it doesnt. There is no middle ground. It cant censure or fine, or partially uphold. It is either removal or non-removal.

If the Panel does not recommend removal, the matter ends. If they recommend removal then the Acting Attorney-General has absolute discretion whether or not to remove the Judge.

As Judge Aitken is an Acting District Court judge, the Acting AG can remove her directly via notice to the Governor-General. A more senior judge would require a vote in Parliament before removal.
Yesterday:

The UN nuclear watchdogs board of governors on Thursday (local time) formally found that Iran isnt complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years, a move that could lead to further tensions and set in motion an effort to restore United Nations sanctions on Tehran later this year.

Today:

The facility at the heart of Irans nuclear ambitions was engulfed in flames on Friday, according to social media images geolocated by CNN and Iranian state television.

That seems a lot more effective than sanctions!

Multiple Iranian state media outlets have confirmed that Major General Hossein Salami, the head of the countrys elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed Friday morning during Israeli strikes. The IRGC is one of the most powerful tools wielded by the Iranian state, overseeing its ballistic missile development, crushing dissent at home and projecting Iranian and military operations in the Middle East region.

Thats a bonus. The dissent crusher got crushed.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening. Scattered thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Matabeleland is grappling with a critical shortage of school heads, with 173 vacancies needing urgent filling across both primary and secondary schools in the region - a reflection of Zimbabwe's ongoing education sector brain drain fuelled by low wages and poor working conditions.The staffing gap was revealed in a call for applications issued last Friday by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as detailed in a memorandum jointly signed by Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director Jabulani Mpofu and Public Service Provincial Co-ordinator I.M. Ndebele.According to the circular, the province is in immediate need of 127 primary school heads and 46 secondary school heads. Applicants must submit their applications through their district school inspectors by June 20, along with certified identification, academic qualifications, and a curriculum vitae.The education sector nationwide has seen growing attrition. Government figures show that 5,217 teachers left the profession in 2023 alone  with resignations accounting for 2,109 and retirements 2,866. However, teacher unions claim the actual figure is significantly higher, citing estimates of between 15,000 and 20,000 annual departures.Despite this, the government insists it is addressing the situation. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said over 8,500 teachers were recruited last year, with ongoing efforts to improve teacher welfare. These include a 10% salary increment plus a US$300 monthly allowance, construction of 2,800 new classrooms in 2024, and expanded teacher housing initiatives."We've increased education funding by 137% since 2018 and boosted retention to 91% in 2023, up from 87% in 2020," said Ndoro. "The student-teacher ratio has improved from 42:1 in 2019 to 35:1. We are committed to constructive dialogue and evidence-based reforms to improve conditions for our educators."However, teacher unions paint a different picture. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou said desertions were widespread and increasing."We are losing between 15,000 to 20,000 teachers per year. Many are leaving without formally retiring due to the toxic work environment and inadequate pay," Zhou said.The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) echoed similar concerns. President Obert Masaraure revealed that more teachers were now seeking early retirement, with union offices overwhelmed by requests for guidance on how to exit the profession."Teachers are desperate. The profession has become thankless. We are currently handling up to 50 early retirement cases, and that's just within our membership," Masaraure said. "Unfortunately, government seems more interested in punishing dissent than resolving the root causes."He urged authorities to open genuine dialogue with educators and offer meaningful monetary and non-monetary incentives.With schools across Matabeleland forced to operate without permanent leadership and qualified staff, stakeholders fear that without swift intervention, the quality of education  especially in rural and underserved areas  will continue to deteriorate, leaving thousands of learners at risk.
City of Columbia holds office hours to hear citizens comment on potential city DEI language changes. Since President Donald Trump was inaugurated back in January, he has been working to dismantle DEI-related initiatives across the country. Columbia City Council is also feeling the pressure f
News / National

by Staff reporter

A concerned Bulawayo resident, Mcabango Mpande, has petitioned the Ministry of Health and Child Care to formally recognise and integrate traditional herbal medicine into Zimbabwe's healthcare system, citing the ongoing collapse of public health institutions and historical suppression of indigenous healing practices.In a letter delivered through the Mhlahlandlela Government Complex in Bulawayo, Mpande urged the government to consider traditional medicine as a viable alternative amid persistent shortages of drugs in public hospitals and clinics across the country."For hundreds of years before colonisation, Zimbabweans sustained their health using time-tested traditional herbal medicine," Mpande wrote. "But during the colonial era, these practices were deliberately suppressed through laws such as the Witchcraft Suppression Act of 1899 and the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act of 1969."He expressed concern that the Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act remains in force 45 years after independence and continues to criminalise traditional herbalists for selling unregistered remedies  despite their deep-rooted cultural and medicinal significance."While our hospitals face serious challenges in drug availability  largely relying on foreign donations  our people are being denied access to their own indigenous remedies, which have served them for generations," he said.Mpande also questioned the legality and safety of some foreign-donated medicines, which he claims may not meet Zimbabwean regulatory standards, yet are widely distributed in under-resourced clinics and hospitals.He warned that continued reliance on external aid for medication poses a national security risk, particularly in light of ongoing global geopolitical tensions."This security cannot be guaranteed by relying on foreign donations but by developing and promoting our own indigenous traditional herbal medicines," he said.The petition was also copied to several key ministries, including Justice, Industry and Commerce, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology, Home Affairs, State Security, and Defence.As of Monday, the Ministry of Health and Child Care had not responded to the petition.Calls for the official recognition of traditional medicine have been growing in Zimbabwe, especially in rural communities where access to modern healthcare is limited. Advocates argue that formalising traditional healing practices could complement mainstream medicine, reduce drug shortages, and preserve Zimbabwe's cultural heritage.
People gather in the street in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, on June 13.
Firefighters work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, on Thursday, June12.
Trump warns Iran to agree to a deal before there is nothing left
News / National

by Simbarashe Sithole in Chiweshe

A jealousy Chiweshe man who failed to control his temper and allegedly assaulted his wife to death over infidelity is regretting his actions.

Sydney Muringai (24) of Muringai village, Chiweshe is assisting police with investigations after allegedly killing his wife Bethel Nhamburo(22).Mashonaland Central police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the murder case."I can confirm a murder case in Chiweshe where a husband fatally assaulted his wife with a wooden plunk on the occiput," Mundembe said.Allegations are that on June 7 at night Muringai went outside the bedroom to smoke while his wife was in bed.Upon his return he started accusing his wife of having extra marital affairs and a misunderstanding arose.He started assaulting her with a rope all over the body before picking a wooden plunk which he assaulted her on the occiput.She passed out before sustaining a deep cut and bled profusely.Muringai stopped assaulting her after she became unconscious.He tried to render first aid before calling for help from his brother Allan who came with his wife.They tried to rush the now deceased to hospital but she died along the way.The police warned people to shun violence as it may result in unnecessary loss of life."We urge members of the public to resolve differences amicably as violent means, end up fatal causing serious consequencies in life," Mundembe said.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

The United States government has rejected allegations that its recent aid reductions are jeopardising Zimbabwe's access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and other essential humanitarian and health programmes. This follows growing fears that a funding freeze initiated by former US President Donald Trump could push Zimbabwe's already fragile healthcare system back to the devastating levels witnessed between 2008 and 2010, when thousands died due to limited access to HIV treatment.In January, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of foreign aid as part of a broader realignment of US foreign assistance policy, aimed at ensuring donor funding aligned more closely with American interests. This move raised alarm in Zimbabwe, which received approximately US$360 million in aid from the US in 2024 alone.Responding to these concerns, a US government official told NewsDay on Monday that despite the policy changes, funding for critical life-saving projects remains a top priority. The official confirmed that US$223 million has already been allocated for assistance to Zimbabwe this year, not including additional centrally funded initiatives."We continue to prioritise HIV support, including ART provision, for over 1.2 million Zimbabweans. That commitment extends through to the end of 2025," the official said. "There has been no disruption in this area. Reports claiming shortages of ART due to US aid cuts are inaccurate."The official acknowledged that while the US government is in the midst of a broader review of its global funding policies, most of the programmes in Zimbabwe are performing well and remain active. Technical support for health-related activities is still ongoing, although some prevention-focused efforts such as the DREAMS programme - designed to reduce HIV infections among young women and girls - have been scaled back.The official expressed disappointment over media reports suggesting that the US had halted all support to Zimbabwe, emphasising that much of the funding remains in place to prevent loss of life and ensure continuity in key areas. They also urged the Zimbabwean government to take greater responsibility for health service delivery and reduce reliance on donor funding."We've made significant progress in the HIV response, and this has allowed the Zimbabwean government to reallocate its resources. But we must move beyond the mindset that foreign aid is the solution to every problem," said the official. "Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources. With good governance and investment, the country could generate its own revenue at levels comparable to what we provide through aid."While reaffirming the US's commitment to life-saving interventions, the official revealed that funding for maternal health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been severely curtailed. "There has been a very concerning increase in maternal mortality. Most maternal health projects are being discontinued unless they are directly tied to HIV, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission. And currently, there is no US funding for NCDs in Zimbabwe," the official noted.The aid realignment has already had significant employment consequences for USAid's operations in Zimbabwe. According to the official, 100 USAid workers have lost their jobs due to the funding freeze, including 75 local staff members. Twenty-five expatriate workers are also being repatriated. "Outside USAid, the impact is likely far greater. Thousands of jobs may be affected when you consider implementing partners and non-governmental organisations."The official also stressed the need for a more balanced partnership between Zimbabwe and its international donors. "We need to shift toward a win-win model. Foreigners are not here to solve all your problems. What's needed is a conducive investment environment that benefits both the Zimbabwean people and those providing support."Trump's Executive Order in January accused the foreign aid bureaucracy of being out of touch with American values and interests. As part of the policy review, funding for non-governmental organisations, international agencies, and private contractors was suspended pending assessments of efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy goals.Despite the freeze, the Foreign Assistance Department confirmed that in 2024, Zimbabwe received over US$364 million in support from the US. The funding covered a wide range of sectors including global health, agriculture, food security, democracy, governance, environmental protection, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Major investments went into the Global Health Supply Chain, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, food security, humanitarian relief, and governance projects.The cuts come at a time when Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had projected that Zimbabwe would receive up to US$800 million from development partners in 2025. As the aid landscape continues to shift, both local and international observers are urging the Zimbabwean government to strengthen domestic capacity and resilience to avoid over-dependence on foreign donors.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

Murewa West legislator Farai Jere has donated 50 bags of cement to three schools in Ward 11 as part of his continued efforts to improve educational infrastructure in the constituency. The donation, delivered on Friday during a Zanu PF thank-you rally at Zvevatsunga business centre, is aimed at supporting the completion of unfinished construction projects at local schools.The donation saw Gezi Primary School receiving 25 bags, while Shamu Primary School was allocated 15 bags to assist in plastering a classroom block. The remaining 10 bags were designated for the construction of a toilet block at Shamu Secondary School.Addressing party supporters and school representatives at the event, Jere reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promises made during the 2023 harmonised elections, in which he was elected as Member of Parliament."I have brought a truckload of cement to benefit schools in Ward 11," said Jere. "We are here for development and we are progressing well in this constituency. I am now focusing on ensuring that rural business centres without electricity get connected."Jere has been conducting thank-you rallies across the wards of Murewa West to express gratitude to voters for their support. His education-focused initiatives have drawn praise from residents, with many citing his decision last year to pay school fees for all learners in the constituency as a major highlight of his tenure.The MP emphasized that improving educational facilities remains a priority, and he pledged to continue supporting school infrastructure development across Murewa West to create a more conducive learning environment for rural pupils.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare businessman suffered a major loss on Saturday night after his firearm and nearly US$185,000 in cash were stolen while he was spending the night at his girlfriend's house in Ruwa.Joseph Maruta, 40, had earlier that day collected US$181,000 from a farm in Kwekwe where he had supplied potato seeds. After collecting the money, he returned to his home in Kambuzuma, picked up his licensed pistol loaded with two magazines of 15 rounds each, and proceeded to visit his girlfriend, Leoba Hunda, at her residence in Springvale, Ruwa.According to police, Maruta entered the house with the bag containing both the firearm and the cash. After Hunda locked the doors, the couple retired to the bedroom for the night.Around 2am, Maruta was awakened by the sound of an alarm. Hunda left the room to investigate and reportedly returned to say the alarm had gone off at a neighbour's house.However, when Maruta woke up the next morning, he discovered that the bag containing the large sum of money and the pistol had vanished. Upon further inspection, the rear windscreen of his vehicle was found to be damaged, raising suspicions of a break-in during the night.Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the incident."Police are investigating an unlawful entry and theft case in Ruwa. They noticed that the complainant's rear windscreen was damaged. The complainant lost his firearm and a total of US$184,900," said Inspector Chakanza.Police investigations are ongoing, and no arrests had been made at the time of publication.
By Rebecca Black, PA

More than 20 police officers have been injured following overnight disorder in Portadown.

Officers came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday night.

A police spokesperson said 22 officers were injured and two people were arrested.

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday night (Brian Lawless/PA)

A woman aged in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder.

The latest incidents followed three consecutive nights of violence, mainly in Ballymena, Co Antrim which followed a protest over an alleged sexual assault.

There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have termed a racially motivated attack.

A person wears a Union flag and stands near armed police in Portadown in Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA)

A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards.

Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children, is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday his officers would be coming after the bigots and racists behind the disorder.

A resident clearing debris in Portadown (Brian Lawless/PA)

He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been further traumatised by the rioting across the week.

In a statement on Friday morning, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police had come under sustained attack in Portadown.

Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible, he said.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson speaks to media in east Belfast earlier this week (PA)

Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality.

We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days.

He warned that while two arrests have been made so far in terms of the disorder in Portadown, more will follow.

I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days, he said.

By Thursday, 41 police officers had been injured, with 15 arrests.
Sean McCarthaigh

An airline has been ordered to pay 7,500 in compensation to a passenger who was refused to be allowed to take his seat in an emergency exit row that he had specifically booked because of a disability.

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that the airline had discriminated against the man by failing to provide him with reasonable accommodation, as well as harassing him because of his condition.

The WRC also ordered the airline to establish procedures and take any steps necessary to ascertain the capacity and mobility of travellers seeking Special Category Passenger status before declining a booking in any part of an aircraft.

The passenger, who is autistic and wanted an emergency row seat to accommodate a sleep apnoea device, claimed the airline had breached the Equal Status Act by discriminating against him on grounds of his disability.

The WRC ruled that the parties should not be identified because of the complainants disability.

The airline maintained that passengers with a disability are not permitted to travel in seats at an emergency exit.

However, the WRC ruled that the airlines refusal to seat the complainant in his chosen seat was not well grounded in a correct interpretation of the regulations.

WRC adjudication officer, Pat Brady, said the regulations do not provide a blanket ban on seating any person classified as a special category passenger in an emergency exit row unless their disability or lack of mobility posed a reasonable impediment to the safe evacuation of the aircraft.

Mr Brady said it was not an unreasonable burden for an airline to make such an assessment of such a passenger.

The passenger had notified the airline while booking a return flight from Dublin to London that he required special assistance and wanted a seat with extra legroom at the emergency exit as he uses a sleep apnoea machine.

The WRC heard that he received the requested seat as he had booked on the outward journey without issue on March 18th, 2024.

However, he was told when checking in his baggage for the return flight on March 4th, 2024 that his seat had been changed due to his disability.

He told the WRC that he explained to airline staff at the boarding gate that he is employed in a demanding career and would have no problem assisting people off the plane in an emergency

The man complained that he found it humiliating and degrading to have to discuss his disability in front of a queue of other passengers.

The WRC heard that he was placed in a seat with his legs pinned up against the seats in front of him for the flight.

The airline maintained that cabin crew on the outward flight had not been aware of his status.

It claimed the complainant had registered himself as a person with a disability and therefore came within the remit of the regulations.

The airline argued that it would be unreasonable for cabin crew to have to make an assessment on the type of disability a passenger has or where on a spectrum their disability fell on a case-by-case basis.

Although Mr Brady observed that the airline understandably relied on its obligations to observe strict compliance with safety legislation, he said it had to do "more than this" when it could result in potential discrimination.

While it might be reasonable that cabin crew should not have to make the assessment, he claimed the responsibility simply passes back to the airline.

The WRC official pointed out airline staff already do that in relation to security and much fewer people who seek special assistance could be asked of the nature of any disability they had.

Mr Brady said the clear purpose of the regulations was to prevent a passenger who might impede an emergency exit from being seated there.

He noted the complainant, who is a teacher in a third-level institution, does not have a physical or intellectual disability that affects his mobility or that would impede cabin crew in an emergency situation.

Mr Brady said his only requirement was to have enough room for his sleep apnoea device.

The WRC official said a full reading of the regulations makes it clear that the critical criterion is mobility and its impact on safety in an emergency.

Mr Brady said there had been a shambles at the boarding gate and thereafter on board the return flight.

Given the airlines level of knowledge of the passengers condition at that stage, Mr Brady ruled it had failed to provide the complainant with reasonable accommodation and constituted harassment.

The WRC rejected a separate claim by the passenger that he had been victimised by being moved to another seat because he had accused the airline of discrimination.
THE new owners of a Laois village pub have been granted almost 90,000 to create accommodation for tourists.

The group behind the revival of The Sportsmans Inn in Cullohill, who include retired Laois-Offaly Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlan, have been awarded 89,930 in Failte Ireland funding announced today.

The landmark pub was once run by the late Elizabeth O'Connell, mother of Darina Allen and Rory OConnell of Ballymaloe fame.

The pub was owned by the OConnell family since 1916 but closed due to the Covid pandemic. It did not reopen and went up for sale in 2022 with a guide price of 300,000.

Local residents led by Mr Scanlan and his wife Anne Marie McMahon, a retired deputy garda commissioner, purchased the property with plans to reopen its doors as a gastro-pub and revive its central role in community life.

The Failte Ireland grant is for conversion of the existing residential unit at the pub into four-bedroom ensuite accommodation for tourists.

At Portlaoise District Court this week, Judge Andrew Cody wished Mr Scanlan well in his new venture, after he was granted an ad-interim transfer licence for the premises.

In a planning submission to Laois Co Council in March 2024, the group said: The applicants see an opportunity here to acquire this established business and under new ownership to progress the entity to a new stage, re-establishing the social focal point in the village and continuing excellence in the provision of food, drink and hospitality.

"They also see the opportunity to build on the historical aspect of food production in this premises, and to strengthen it by the sourcing of the best of local Irish produce and its presentation through the kitchen to a very high standard, thus showcasing the culinary skills available also in the area.

Having such a business re-established here in Cullohill will help to draw even more tourists to the area and enhance their experience of the area.

Meanwhile, Durrow Development Forum has been granted 9,840 under the same scheme for the development of digital trails, for an immersive, self-guided exploration of the area's history and biodiversity.

The grants are part of a 2.3m fund awarded to 18 new tourism projects in the midlands, under Failte Irelands grant aid scheme for Private and Community SMEs, which is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo city councillors have voiced serious concern over the stringent registration requirements imposed by the local authority on small business operators, warning that the rigid system is fuelling corruption and costing the city potential revenue.Speaking during a recent full council meeting, Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabuto said the current business registration process was pushing small business owners to resort to paying bribes to avoid harassment by law enforcement officers.Mabuto said his findings revealed that small shop owners and vendors were willing to pay for licences, but overly strict by-laws and inflexible procedures were creating barriers that encouraged underhand dealings. He claimed that some operators were forking out at least US$35 monthly or bi-monthly in bribes, depending on the frequency of police raids."The council should think outside the box. Vendors want to be licensed, but council's inflexibility is a major obstacle. I have done research which revealed that vendors and other small shop operators are willing to pay council, but stringent bylaws hinder the progress," Mabuto said.His concerns were echoed by Ward 23 councillor Ntombizodwa Khumalo, who noted the efforts by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to bring order to vending activities in the city, but called on central government to step in and assist in addressing the problem of illegal vending.Mayor David Coltart acknowledged the challenges and stressed the importance of developing attractive and accessible vending spaces that would encourage informal traders to operate within the legal framework.He cited stalled projects like Egodini Mall and suggested the need for partnerships with investors to establish modern market spaces equipped with essential amenities such as roofing, solar power, clean water, toilets, and smooth flooring.Coltart said council should identify and develop more designated vending bays and provide proper structures for traders to boost their confidence in the system. He added that increasing the number of vending bays could raise the number of licensed vendors from 12,000 to 15,000, enhancing council revenue collection."We must move from plans to action," Coltart said, urging the town planning department to prioritise the creation of formal vending spaces, particularly in high-density suburbs like Makokoba and Nkulumane.The mayor emphasised a phased, sector-focused development approach targeting retail, manufacturing, and vending to support the city's informal economy while maintaining order and service delivery.
By PA reporters

Police have come under attack for a fourth consecutive night in Northern Ireland as disorder spread through multiple towns.

Missiles were thrown at officers after a protest in Portadown on Thursday, continuing a trend that was sparked earlier in the week in Ballymena.

It came after Northern Irelands police chief warned bigots and racists behind earlier nights of unrest in the North that his officers will be coming after them.

Jon Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been further traumatised by the rioting since Monday.

Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest, which had resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening.

Mr Boutcher, who met the girls family earlier that day, spoke to the media in Belfast after a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board.

Stop this violence, he said. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.

He said the family was mortified by the disorder.

PSNI officers form a barricade with riot shields in Ballymena on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

This girls family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please dont come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

After the warning, there were tense scenes in Portadown as masked individuals hurled masonry, fireworks and other objects at riot police late into the night.

Officers moved to extinguish fires set on roads while residents worked to clear debris left over from clashes in the area around Jervis Street.

Police units, supported by the presence of a water cannon, dispersed those gathered into other areas of the town towards midnight.

However, the unrest in Northern Ireland appeared of a lower intensity than scenes earlier in the week.

Some gatherings planned in other towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday.

A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights.

Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening.

The riotous behaviour earlier in the week saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns.

Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers.

Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds during riots in Ballymena.

Mr Boutcher said: I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers whove been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harms way to protect our communities.

A PSNI vehicle near debris on fire during disorder in Ballymena (Liam McBurney/PA)

And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you.

We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this, and we all know that in this room, but lets call an end to it now.

The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim.

However, he said the protest was subsequently hijacked and turned into wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated.

The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded properly rather than disgracefully.

A hatchet was thrown at police during the unrest (PSNI Handout/PA)

However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: Weve put our public order inquiry team together, well be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.

Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland came to the North on Thursday to support policing efforts.

He described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday.

He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong.

They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated, he said.

A person throws a hatchet at police during the disorder (Liam McBurney/PA)

Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.

Earlier, a judge said the courts would deal robustly with those involved in the violence in Ballymena.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence, as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the towns magistrates court on Thursday.

Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths, were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted on Monday.

Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries.

Michael Elliott, 18, leaving Ballymena Courthouse, after a short hearing where he faced charges relating to the disorder (Liam McBurney/PA)

Secretary of State Hilary Benn described the scenes as mindless racist thuggery while Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a three-day festival of hate and destruction which needs to stop before someone loses their life.

There was an arson attack on a leisure centre in Larne, thirty minutes from Ballymena, after it was temporarily used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need after disturbances in the town earlier in the week.

Communities minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.

Northern Irelands First Minister Michelle ONeill said Mr Lyons should resign over the post, and the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, SDLP MLA Matthew OToole, said he would refer the communities minister to the standards commission.

Mr Benn also asked the minister to reflect upon his words and not upon his position.

Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would strongly hit back at any notion that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe is set to cement its reputation as a premier destination for high-profile international events as it prepares to host the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) from July 23 to 31 in Victoria Falls.The Ramsar Convention, a global treaty focused on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, has nearly 90% of UN member states as signatories. The upcoming COP15 is expected to attract world leaders, policymakers, and environmental experts for critical discussions on wetland protection and climate resilience.Ramsar Secretary General Dr Musonda Mumba, who recently met with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga during a diplomatic visit in Tajikistan, confirmed Zimbabwe's readiness to host the global summit. She applauded the country's commitment to environmental stewardship and its proven capacity to stage large-scale events, citing the recently concluded Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) summit as a shining example."I thanked Zimbabwe for all the work it is doing to prepare for COP15, which will take place in Victoria Falls from July 23 to 31. The world is coming to Zimbabwe," said Dr Mumba. "The Vice President extended an invitation to global leaders to attend this important summit. I'm excited  the planning and groundwork are impressive."Zimbabwe, which currently chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has positioned itself as a regional leader in environmental dialogue. Dr Mumba revealed that several countries are expected to send high-level delegations, including Heads of State.Vice President Chiwenga expressed optimism that the conference would culminate in the adoption of the Victoria Falls Declaration, a landmark document aimed at guiding future wetland conservation efforts. He also confirmed Zimbabwe's preparedness to assume the COP presidency for the next three years and welcomed Ramsar's proposal for a closed presidential segment for SADC leaders.Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu echoed this confidence, describing the level of interest from other nations as encouraging. "Quite a number of countries have shown interest in coming to Zimbabwe and participating," she said.As anticipation builds, the Ministry of Environment has begun registering journalists interested in covering the event. Media professionals are encouraged to visit the official COP15 website  www.wetlandscop15.gov.zw  to apply."Be part of this global event," the Ministry said in a statement. "Fill in your details and remember to attach a nomination letter from your organisation. In just a few minutes, you'll be set to join other delegates from around the world."Hosting COP15 not only underscores Zimbabwe's commitment to international cooperation but also offers a prime opportunity to boost tourism and showcase Victoria Falls  a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's natural wonders.With final preparations in full swing, all eyes are now on Zimbabwe as it prepares to welcome the world to the edge of the Zambezi for a pivotal chapter in global climate and wetland conservation efforts.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo)Alex Brandon | AP Photo (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

The general contractor overseeing the Five 10 Flats restoration project was unaware of any immigration issues with its workers until federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security arrested 17 of them earlier this week in Bethlehem, a company spokeswoman said.

Rhonda Sanderson, who handles public relations for Jacksonville, Florida-based Paul Davis Restoration, told lehighvalleylive.com Friday morning the Montgomery-Berks County franchisee hired a demolition and cleanup crew that was subcontracted for the city project.

Paul Davis has always been committed to complying with all federal labor and employment laws, Sanderson said, noting the company requires all subcontractors to verify their workers are legally authorized to work.

We were unaware of any issues until federal authorities conducted an enforcement action at the site, Sanderson said. Moving forward we plan on reviewing all new vendor protocols.

We are also mindful of the human toll of this situation, she added. We share our clients concern for the detained individuals and their families, and hope their cases are handled with fairness, dignity and due process for all involved.

Sanderson declined to name the subcontracting company, but said its an Illinois-based demolition group.

Federal agents with the Department of Homeland Security early Wednesday raided the Five 10 Flats apartments and retail complex. Law enforcement began canvassing the area just before 7 a.m. in the 500 block of East Third Street, city police had said.

The restoration project comes after a May 2 blaze torched the apartment and retail complex. The fire displaced all 135 residents and businesses.

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman told lehighvalleylive.com investigators on the property included ICEs Homeland Security Investigations Allentown; and Enforcement and Removal Operations Philadelphia; along with federal law enforcement partners.

The agencies were conducting what is known as an HSI-led worksite enforcement operation, he said. All 17 workers were interviewed and then arrested on immigration violations.

The group was then subsequently detained, pending removal proceedings, the spokesman said.

The raid prompted hundreds to gather in protest Thursday evening on the citys Southside. They marched from Five 10 Flats to City Hall to make their voices heard.

The Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network organized one of the protests. The group of residents, community organizers and clergy offer assistance to those affected by immigration enforcement actions.

City police were notified of ICEs investigation, but were not briefed further and werent part of the arrests, Bethlehem Police Capt. Nicholas Lechman had said.

Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds said city officials werent informed by ICE about the incident.

We found out about the arrests in real time, the mayor said Wednesday evening.

As far as the city of Bethlehem is concerned, every department in the city, including our police department, will continue to treat every citizen with compassion, dignity and offer every service without consideration to how long residents have called our city home, Reynolds added.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare motorist convicted of reckless driving is set to face resentencing following a High Court directive for the trial magistrate to reconsider the scope of the driving ban imposed.Gerald Mangwenyama, 40, was found guilty under Section 53(2) of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11] after pleading guilty to driving a Honda Fit against oncoming traffic while rushing to work.The trial magistrate had fined Mangwenyama US$450 or four months imprisonment and prohibited him from driving Class 4 vehicles for six months, ordering him to surrender his licence for endorsement.However, Justice Esther Muremba, presiding over the criminal review, upheld the fine and prison term but questioned why the driving ban was limited only to Class 4 vehicles. She noted this narrow restriction allowed Mangwenyama to continue driving other vehicle classes, including larger vehicles under Class 2, motorcycles in Class 3, and vehicles in Class 5."Reckless driving is a serious offence that affects road safety, regardless of vehicle type," Justice Muremba stated. "Driving prohibitions must deter further reckless behaviour across all vehicle categories. Allowing an offender to drive large vehicles or motorcycles undermines public safety and the deterrent effect of sentencing."The court reviewed relevant legal provisions, particularly Sections 53(4) and 65 of the Road Traffic Act, which mandate that driving prohibitions should generally apply to all vehicle classes unless specific exceptions are justified.Justice Muremba highlighted that the trial magistrate failed to provide reasons for limiting the ban to Class 4 vehicles, describing this as a failure to exercise judicial discretion properly. "The reasons for sentence are silent on this," she observed.She further warned of the heightened risk to public safety if Mangwenyama is allowed to drive larger vehicles such as commuter omnibuses and heavy trucks, which pose greater hazards due to their size and passenger capacity.The High Court instructed the trial magistrate to issue a notice to Mangwenyama to appear in court and show cause why the prohibition should not be extended to all vehicle classes for six months. Should exceptions be warranted, they must be clearly justified in accordance with the law.Justice Muremba's judgment underscores the imperative for courts to apply sentencing discretion judiciously, balancing justice with public safety concerns.Deputy Judge President Justice Garainesu Mawadze concurred with the ruling, reinforcing the need for comprehensive driving bans in reckless driving cases to effectively protect road users.
The Lehigh River, at left, spills into the Delaware River at Easton in October 2020. Planning is underway for extensive improvements to both rivers' waterfronts in the city. Saed Hindash File Photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

The Delaware River Wild and Scenic Management Council may soon have a new member from downriver of the Delaware Water Gap area.

Lawmakers in Phillipsburg proposed to take active measures to support the Lower Delaware River Management Plan. Phillipsburgs support of the management plan is 25 years in the making. But, support for the agreement by Phillipsburg officials appeared unanimous on June 11.

The Delaware River is Phillipsburgs greatest natural resource and we should do everything we can to protect it, said Councilman Lee Clark.

According to the 1968 National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act selected rivers that possess remarkable scenic, recreational, historical and other similar values are eligible to be part of the program established by the National Park Service.

The partnership with the dozens of other New Jersey communities will improve the health of the local ecology. The management plan will provide the town and property owners with organizational strategies and financial support to preserve the health and longevity of the riverfront and its tributaries, including Lopatcong Creek.

The portion of the Delaware River called the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River extends from south of the Delaware Water Gap, near the northern borders of Upper Mount Bethel Township in Pennsylvanias Northampton County and Knowlton Township in Warren County, New Jersey, to the area near Washington Crossing near Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, and Hopewell Township, New Jersey.

The Lower Delaware River Management Council first proposed joining their mission to Easton and Phillipsburg in 2000. Only Easton joined at the time.

Phillipsburg Town Council is scheduled to review an ordinance to support the management plan again on June 25.

Thank you for supporting our journalism.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or at glenn_epps_ on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
The revival of a Laois pub that was the cooking nursery for Ballymaloe siblings Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell is getting a boost in the shape of a substantial Failte Ireland grant to help its new owners realise their dream, making it a gastronomical destination in the midlands.

The Sportsman's Inn in Cullohill, aka O'Connells, is one of 18 projects around Ireland to share over 2 million in funding under the tourist body's Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.

The money is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme to help Laois and other midland counties in the move away from peat production. The grants are co-funded by the Government and the EU.

The Cullohill pub is getting funding under the development of sustainable tourist accommodation category. Failte Ireland has allocated a total of 89,930 to help with the conversion of an existing residential unit at the property into four-bedroom ensuite accommodation for tourists.

The pub won a reputation as a great place to eat when run by the late Elizabeth O'Connell. The mother of Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell of Ballymaloe Cookery School fame, threw herself into the business after her husband Richard, passed away when Darina was aged 14. Darina has often spoken about being inspired by her mother.

The pub was run by other members of the O'Connell family until Covid-19 but has been closed since. The O'Connell family had been the proprietors since 1916, when they took over the business from the Baird family.

However, the promise of a chapter for the premises appeared in 2024 when former Laois Offaly Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlan and his wife Ann Marie, a former Assistant Commissioner at Garda HQ, took over. The last owners for William and David O'Connell.

They sought permission in 2024 for a single-storey extension to the rear and side of the pub along with internal modifications to the existing part single/part two-storey building which is also a residence. They told Laois County Council that the work would comprise a dining room, kitchen, toilets, and associated back-up spaces, a car-parking area, an effluent treatment system and percolation area. The existing first-floor residential unit will also be divided into two separate units for staff. Solar panels are also planned.

Mr Scanlan welcomed the support for the project from Failte Ireland, especially given the rural location of the business.

"It is very important that we sustain rural Ireland," he said.

He was pleased to be involved in the project, which he said was in a region with a "rich cullinary history".

As to the timeframe, Mr Scanlan said he expected that construction work would start within a month, with the aim of being open for business by the summer of 2026 after a significant investment.

He said the last renovation of the premises was completed in 1964 by Elizabeth O'Connell, soon after she was widowed. He said a huge debt is owed to the former owner to for taking the risk at the time with a young family to support.

Ms Allen expressed her joy with the development to the Leinster Express.

"This is an exciting new chapter in the history of the pub in Cullohill. Looking forward to seeing the new reincarnation. We all wish them well and continued success," she said.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live reported on their application which architects outlined the impact of closure and the benefits of reopening. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Rory Allen is the star of How to Cook Well on RTE.

"This has left a deep chasm in the community from a social and practical point of view. The applicants see an opportunity here to acquire this established business and under new ownership to progress the entity to a new stage, re-establishing the social focal point in the village, and continuing excellence in the provision of food, drink and hospitality.

"They also see the opportunity to build on the historical aspect of food production in this premises, and to strengthen it by the sourcing of the best of local Irish produce and its presentation through the kitchen to a very high standard, thus showcasing the culinary skills available also in the area. Having such a business re-established here in Cullohill will help to draw even more tourists to the area and enhance their experience of the area," it stated. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Limerick native John Scanlan and his wife Marie, from Clare, now live in Laois where the set up home will still serving in the Gardai. Pic: Alf Harvey

The funding announcement also includes money for neighbouring Durrow. The Durrow Development Forum has been allocated 9,840 for the development of digital trails for an immersive, self-guided exploration of the area's history and biodiversity.

There is a Laois link to one of the Offaly recipients. The Kinnitty Development Group is getting 53,436 for the enhancement of the Kinnitty Trailhead Centre with 24/7 accessible showers, secure bike parking, a visitor information area, and a meeting space for groups and community events.

This links into the Coillte Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail. There are more MTB trails open on the Laois side of Slieve Blooms, centred at Baunreagh.

The trails are developed in partnership with Offaly and Laois County Councils and are funded by the Dept of Rural and Community Development, with additional funding support from Failte Ireland.

READ ALSO: Tradional chippers celebrates business milestone in Laois

Laois is one of eight counties in the EU Just Transition Fund geographic territory. The fund was created to support the regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality and to promote socio-economic transition, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The funding programme in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities.

Ireland is set to receive up to 84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. With the Government of Irelands match funding using Exchequer resources, up to 169 million will be available in the period up to 2027.

Investment through the EU Just Transition Fund programme is targeted to support the diversification of local economies and the creation of new opportunities that complement the assets of the territory. The fund will also restore degraded peatlands and regenerate industrial heritage assets, as well as invest in smart and sustainable local mobility so t
A court was told almost 40,000 worth of drugs were discovered in a car that was stopped for speeding in Laois.

Alex ORourke Williams (20) of Mountain Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, appeared before Portlaoise District Court charged with possession of drugs. He is accused of having drugs for sale or supply on the M7 at Great Heath, Portlaoise June 11, 2025.

Garda Dylan Hogan told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that he had been conducting a speed check on the M7 when he stopped a car for excessive speed at 7.50pm on June 11.

A large quantity of suspected drugs were found in the vehicle, he explained. He estimated the value at 39,000.

Garda Hogan said the defendant replied sorry when the charges were put to him. He said a mixing agent was also discovered in the vehicle.

Judge remanded the defendant on bail with conditions which included that he remain of sober habits, surrender his passport, sign on twice weekly at a Tallaght Garda Station, provide a number where he is contactable at all times and that reside at an address provided at Old Bawn, Talllaght.

He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on September 22 for DPP directions.
The Minister for Older People is going to 'consider' the findings of a report into two nursing homes in Portlaoise and Dubline before deciding what to do about the findings or publishing the report.

The Department of Health updated the Leinster Express / Laois Live on the status of an interim report, Minister Kieran O'Donnell ordered on The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor nursing home in Glasnevin.

Significant failings in care were revealed by RTE Investigates at the Emeis Ireland homes by undercover carers. The screening of the programme on Wednesday, June 4 was led by Minister Kieran O'Donnell to order the Health Information and Quality Authority to report on operations.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live asked the Department for an update on the day an interim report was due to be delivered to Minister O'Donnell.

"As the national independent regulator of nursing homes in Ireland, the Minister for Older People expects HIQA and the office of the Chief Inspector to utilise all powers available to them to ensure rigorous oversight and accountability in nursing home care.

"The Minister met with HIQA on the 4 June 2025 to discuss regulatory activity relating to the nursing homes featured in the RTE Investigates programme.

"At this meeting, HIQAs chief inspector confirmed its continuous intensive engagements with the two nursing homes in question and committed to providing a report on the two nursing homes, The Residence Portlaoise and Beneavin Manor, Glasnevin.

READ ALSO: Abuse and neglect highlighted by former care worker to Leinster Express

"An interim report on their engagement with the two nursing homes over the past two weeks is to issue to the Minister by close of business on Friday 13 June 2025.

"The Minister for Older People, and the Department of Health will need time to consider the findings of the report. The welfare of residents and their families will remain our highest priority," it concluded.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live also asked HIQA if it intended to publish the report or make a statement on its findings. It declined to comment.

HIQA has the authority to deregister the homes, which would mean the HSE would have to manage the facilities until alternative places could be found for the residents.

A further review has also been ordered into all Emeis Ireland nursing homes. This includes the Kilminchy Lodge in Portlaoise.
Laois teenagers are to get a 125,000 'safe' new hangout at the People's Park in Portlaoise.

The Government has awarded the money to Laois County Council to build a special space for teens called Giving Young People the Sun, Moon and Stars, in the park on the Timahoe Road in Portlaoise.

The grant money comes from dormant accounts for a project called Making Spaces for and with Teenagers, and Laois has won one of the highest allocations in Ireland.

Laois County Council had worked with the young elected members of Laois Comhairle na nOg (Youth Council) to submit a project to address the recreational needs of teenagers.

Based in the Peoples Park in Portlaoise, there will be a new area constructed to provide a meeting space for teenagers "where they can hang out together and carry out activities in good and safe facilities".

Clive Davis is the Regional Director of Youthwork Ireland Laois. He said the facility is badly needed.

"It's very important. Young people are being removed from public spaces all the time. As teenagers we know we all gathered outdoors as friends to do things but now groups are told to leave.

"This will be a space where they can go and be themselves. Not every young person is into sport and there is a serious lack of spaces in Laois and in Portlaoise for young people to go.

"I hope it will be respected by everybody. If the council continue to engage with young people, they will feel it's theirs and take ownership and mind it," he said.

There is still a lack of funding for youths in Laois however, Mr Davis adds.

He said that a lack of volunteers and of funding, means that the Portlaoise Youth Cafe is closed in the evenings and at weekends when it is badly needed.

The cafe, next to Subway on the James Fintan Lalor Avenue, is only open during office hours, when staff are working there. It includes foosball and pool tables and comfy seating and kitchen facilities.

"We can't afford to open it, it's awful. We are looking for volunteers every single day, it we had enough we could launch a Portlaoise Youth club again," he said.

He said that they provide all the training, and child protection and Garda vetting paperworks.

See below story for how to volunteer.

Meanwhile Laois TDs have welcomed the grant announcement for Portlaoise teens.

Deputy Sean Fleming said that the grant is "welcome news for teenagers".

"I want to thank all involved for making such an excellent application," he said.

Deputy Willie Aird notes that a total of 500,000 in funding for new recreational spaces for teenagers was announced by Government with 125,000 of that going to Laois.

Read More: Full list of 139 Laois community groups sharing 165,000 in grants

The Government says that "it is recognised that more play and recreation amenities, such as social hang out spaces and multi use games areas (MUGAs), are required for teenagers due to the increase in population and lower number of facilities".

Monaghan County Council also won the maximum 125,000 for a Clones Teen Haven. County Council in Leitrim, Carlow, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Donegal County Council and Kerry each received 50,000.

There are almost 500,000 children aged 12-18 in Ireland, according to Census 2022.

Dep Aird states that "teenagers are acknowledged to be at a distinct social disadvantage when it comes to enjoying their right to play and recreation".

Ireland now has about 960 playgrounds in 31 councils for young children under 12, but only 171 council-owned multi-use games areas and 59 skate parks designed for older children aged 12-18.

Contact Youthwork Ireland Laois to volunteer by emailing info@ywilaois.com or phone 057 8665010
A male was assaulted by group of other males on a road located near a popular County Kildare shopping centre last week.

Details of the crime were discussed by Garda Ann-Marie Reilly of Naas Garda Station when she appeared on a KFM radio programme which aired on Wednesday, June 11 last.

She told host Eoin Beatty that the incident occurred on Friday, June 6 last on the Cutlery Road in Newbridge, which is located near the Whitewater Shopping Centre.

Gda Reilly further said that the injured party was approached by a group of males, was knocked to the ground by them, and was kicked while he was on the ground.

According to Gda Reilly, the injured party sustained injuries to one of his hands, his face and his teeth.

She also said that the injured party is making a "slow recovery" following the assault.

She concluded by urging anyone with information about this particular incident to contact Newbridge Garda Station on 045 431 212.

When asked by the Leinster Leader about the crime, a garda spokesperson responded: "Gardai are investigating an assault of a male in his late teens which occurred between 5pm and 5.20pm in Newbridge, County Kildare on Friday, June 6, 2025."

The spokesperson added that this investigation "is ongoing" at present.

READ NEXT: GALLERY: Lucky fans watch Kildare hurlers capture Joe McDonagh Cup
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has announced that 12 primary schools in Kildare have won a Research Ireland Curious Minds Award for 2025.

The recipient schools in Kildare are: Gaelscoil Nas na Riogh, Cnoc An Phiobaire; North Kildare Educate Together National School, Clane Road; Presentation Girls School, Maynooth; SN Rath Mor, Rathmore; Scoil Bhride National School, Rathangan; Scoil Bhride NS Athgarvan; Scoil Bhride, An Chill; Scoil C.Ui Dhalaigh, eim An Bhradain; Scoil Chorbain, Fairgreen; Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy; Scoil Naisiunta Bhride, Prosperous Road; and St.Brigid's National School, Ticknevin.

Funded by Research Ireland, this annual initiative seeks to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in primary pupils, their families, and educators throughout Ireland.

The Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards give recognition to schools for their dedication to hands-on, curiosity-driven learning in STEM disciplines.

Each year, thousands of students around the country enthusiastically delve into fascinating topics by conducting a range of practical STEM challenges.

These engaging activities include design and make projects, math trails, rocket launches, explorations of school-ground biodiversity, egg drop experiments, pond construction, vegetable cultivation, marble run creations, coding initiatives, and applying STEM principles to solve real-world problems.

Announcing the 2025 Curious Minds Awards, Minister Lawless said: Im proud to announce the 2025 Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards, recognising the outstanding efforts of 397 schools across the country.

Seeing so many students and schools dedicate themselves to learning and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and maths is a testament to the incredible work happening in classrooms across Ireland. These awards celebrate the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and discovery that programmes like Curious Minds ignite in young minds.

Strengthening STEM skills from an early age is essential to empowering our children to shape the world around them as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Initiatives like this help equip the next generation with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world. My sincere congratulations to all the students, teachers, and schools involved for your inspiring commitment.

Commenting on the awards, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Research Ireland, said: I am extremely proud to see the continued interest in, and impact of, the Research Ireland Curious Minds programme. The appetite for engagement through fun, practical STEM learning within our school community is so evident.

Our goal is to empower teachers and to inspire students, showing the younger generation that STEM is not just a subject, but a way of exploring, understanding, and shaping the world around them.

To mark the announcement, a virtual Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards Ceremony took place today in hundreds of classrooms throughout Ireland, hosted by TV presenters Grainne Bleasdale and Phil Smyth, to celebrate the awardees.

Schools participating in the Curious Minds Awards initiative apply for one of three award tiers:

Silver Award: For schools beginning their STEM journey and involving a minimum of two classes.

Gold Award: For schools further along their STEM journey, involving at least half of the classes in the school.

Platinum Award: For schools that have already achieved the Gold Award and want to further integrate STEM into their school culture.

This year, in Kildare, eight schools received the Gold Award, three received the Silver Award and one received the Platinum Award.

Registration for the 2025/2026 Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards will open in September 2025.

Registration for the CPD courses for 2025/2026 is open now.

For more information about the Research Ireland Curious Minds programme, the Awards, CPD and inquiry-based resources, please visit www.curiousminds.ie or contact the team on curiousminds@researchireland.ie.

READ NEXT: South Kildare residents object to planning permission application for local quarry
Uisce Eireann today (Friday June 13 2025) marked the commencement of two significant projects for the community of Maynooth, Kildare, representing a 26 million investment in the towns water and wastewater infrastructure.

Members of the project team were joined in Maynooth town by Leas Cathaoirleach of Clane Maynooth Municipal District, Councillor Donna Phelan, Director of Services for Climate, Community, Environment and Water with Kildare County Council, Marian Higgins, local Council members and TDs for Kildare North to mark the planned commencement of both projects this summer.

The Maynooth Transfer Pipeline and Maynooth Water Network Upgrade will provide the required capacity to support up to 13,000 additional housing units. Both projects are being delivered as part of Uisce Eireanns Growth and Development Programme.

Commenting on the projects, Padraig Hanly said: We are delighted to be progressing these vital works for the people of Maynooth. These projects will bring tangible benefits to the community in facilitating future demand for water and wastewater services and enabling residential and commercial development.

Leas Cathaoirleach of Clane Maynooth Municipal District, Councillor Donna Phelan said: The commencement of these projects is very welcome news for the Maynooth community. Improvements in the capacity of water and wastewater networks will provide the required infrastructure to service existing and new developments in and around the town, including much needed new housing.

The Transfer Pipeline Project involves the construction of over 9km of new sewer pipeline between the existing Maynooth Wastewater Pump Station and Leixlip Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will improve the capacity of the existing wastewater network in the area, supporting the delivery of existing and future development in Maynooth and Kilcock.

The Water Network Upgrade Project involves the construction 1.2km of new water mains along the R157 and Dunboyne Road. The project will increase the supply capacity of the water network to service new developments in North Maynooth.

Both projects are being delivered on behalf of Uisce Eireann by Coffey Construction.

Traffic management will be in place at Dunboyne Road, the R157 and L1014 / L1015 to facilitate pipeline installation works. Sections of works will be phased to minimise disruption. Local traffic management details will be communicated in advance of works commencing.

Uisce Eireanns Padraig Hanly continued: We understand the inconvenience of traffic management but from experience we know that the short-term disruption is far outweighed by the long term benefits these projects bring to customers and communities. Works crews will make every effort to minimise disruption as these essential works progress.

For more information on the Growth and Development Programme, please visit www.water.ie/growth

READ NEXT: 12 Kildare primary schools win prestigious Research Ireland Curious Minds Award
The prospect of people living in Kildare having to pay even more property tax was aired at a Naas Municipal District committee meeting.

Local residents already pay a 10% extra bill which was agreed some years ago by Kildare County Council and has remained in place.

READ NEXT Kildare judge orders man to do the driving test again

Last year the tax was approved mainly by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors, with the in-built 10% increase retained, despite opposition by Social Democrats councillors.

Fine Gael councillor Evie Sammon said there is a clear need for the central government to provide more money to Kildare County Council.

At a KCC meeting, Cllr Sammon expressed concerns about expanding the county without extra support from government.

She said people already pay an extra 10% in property tax in Kildare and she referred to a suggestion that it could increase to 15%.

Cllr Evie Sammon said Kildare needs more funding from central government

She pointed out that by contrast some counties enjoy a 15% reduction in property tax because of more substantial government funding.

Kildare is the fourth largest county but is fourth from the bottom in terms of central funding it receives.

Since 2015, local authorities throughout Ireland can vary the property tax rate charged by up to 15%. There is a suggestion, from the government, that it could be increased to 25% this summer.

Naas Mayor Fintan Brett stated that Kildare has considerable influence at government level because local TDs James Lawless and Martin Heydon are senior cabinet ministers and they should be prevailed upon to ensure that more government funding comes to Kildare.

It emerged at a meeting that KCC officials have been in contact with Oireachtas politicians from Kildare to make the case for more money.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Panic and heartbreak have spread through the Budiriro suburb of Harare following the suspected abduction of an 11-month-old baby boy over the weekend, in a case that has left residents stunned and the family devastated.The incident, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, involves a woman identified only by the name "Chihera," who was reportedly a familiar customer at the family's tuck shop. According to the baby's mother, Ms. Future Bonga, the woman had frequented the tuck shop over the past three months, but her real name and identity remain unknown."This lady used to buy from our tuck shop. I had known her for three months, but she never told me her name. I just called her 'Chihera,'" Bonga recounted. "On Saturday, she came in the morning and left her change. Later that day, she came to my house to collect it. I went to get the money and left her with my baby."When Bonga returned, the woman requested to take the child for a short period, offering to babysit and return later. Bonga agreed, asking for the woman's phone number and directions to her home."I went to collect my baby around 5 PM, but at the address she gave me, no one knew her. Even the neighbours said they had never seen anyone by that name. That's when we realised something was wrong and reported the matter to the police," she said.The child's father, Mr. Simbarashe Basira, said the disappearance has left the family in turmoil."I was shocked when I came home and found the baby missing. I didn't know this woman, and my wife explained that she was just a regular customer," he said. "We had trusted a stranger, and now our child is gone."The baby's grandmother, Gogo Anna Basira, who was in Mutoko when the incident occurred, said the family is shattered by the loss."I am heartbroken. I had plans to take the child with me next month because his mother is expecting again. This is every parent's worst nightmare," she said.Police have since launched an investigation into the matter. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident and reiterated the importance of parental vigilance."We are investigating a case where an 11-month-old child was reportedly abducted by an unidentified woman who had befriended the mother over several months," Commissioner Nyathi said. "The suspect gave a false address and disappeared with the child. This is why we constantly warn the public against trusting strangers with their children, regardless of how familiar they may seem."He added that authorities are working to identify the suspect and trace the child's whereabouts. The woman had allegedly mentioned to the mother in the past that she had never been able to conceive.The police are appealing to members of the public who may have any information regarding the suspect or the missing child to come forward immediately. Anyone with leads is urged to contact their nearest police station.
Education Minister Helen McEntee has denied a Government U-turn on phone pouches as new school guidance was issued on students use of mobiles.

National guidelines on restricting mobile phone use in schools have been issued after 9 million euro in funding for phone pouches for secondary schools was announced in Budget 2025.

The opposition criticised the pouch funding as a waste of public money while the Government said the funding averaged out at around 20 euro per student.

In the Dail on Thursday, Tanaiste Simon Harris said the budget funding would be for all kinds of phone storage solutions rather than just phone pouches.

This includes lockable boxes, cubby holes or drop off and collection at the school office.

He said a new procurement process is to be published in the coming days.

This will not delay schools in applying for and accessing funding for phone-storage solutions, he said.

An application process will be open to post-primary schools soon and the issuing of funding will commence shortly thereafter.

A new procurement process will be published in the coming days and then schools will be able to seek to apply to draw down funding and put in place the phone-storage solution that works best for them. This is a pragmatic and sensible way to proceed.

Speaking on RTE Radio on Friday, Ms McEntee denied this was a U-turn and said it was always the case that the funds could be used for other storage solutions as well as phone pouches.

There is absolutely no U-turn here, she said.

In the guidance issued on Friday, primary schools now require a policy to ban the use of and access to mobile phones during the school day, while secondary schools require a policy to restrict mobile phone use during the school day, using the 9 million euro funding.

The Department of Education said the measure aimed to enhance student wellbeing, reduce cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate content, and promote focus in school.

First and foremost, this policy is about ensuring that our schools are phone-free learning environments, Ms McEntee said.

Students should not be on their phones during the school day. This guidance and support will ensure all schools have the supports they need to achieve this, having regard to their own requirements.

Having engaged with many different school communities across the country, I am confident that this policy will support student wellbeing, engagement and their interaction with their peers, while also recognising the experience and expertise of school communities and the need for consultation.

She added: This initiative empowers school communities to lead on the issue, backed by 9 million euro in funding to allow post-primary schools to use the phone storage solution that works best for their school community and their students.

The department said the method used to limit phone use will be decided by each school, and could include phone storage pouches or lock boxes, keeping phones in lockers, using classroom lockable boxes or cubbies, and drop-off and collection at the school office.

Schools will adopt a consistent approach for the full school day, with limited exemptions allowed for medical or compassionate grounds, as outlined in the guidance information, it said.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been detained in Egypt along with a group of other people intending to travel to Rafah for a large peace march for Gaza.

The TD took to X, formerly Twitter, to share that the group of marchers had been stopped by Egyptian authorities on Friday and their passports confiscated.

He added: "They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza."

Murphy posted a two minute-long video on social media to explain the unfolding situation.

My bus and group of marchers has been stopped by the Egyptian authorities and our passports taken.



They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza. pic.twitter.com/S2h5cCeviC  Paul Murphy (@paulmurphy_TD) June 13, 2025

In the video, he said: "We've heard news about people being stopped in Cairo and their passports taken off them and now it seems their phones taken off them, probably detained and probably with a view of deporting them.

"It's looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to try to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza to demand that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, medical supplies is ended."

In a plea for assistance, the TD added: "I'm asking people to redouble their efforts, put pressure on your own government. So in our case, get onto Simon Harris. Get onto your local TD to ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march."

He said that he would try to keep people updated on their situation, but admitted "for the moment it's not looking good."

READ NEXT: 'Do Not Travel' warning issued to Irish citizens amid Iranian attacks on Israel
Groundbreaking Economic Study and Bipartisan Advocacy Unite Stakeholders in Support of America's Everglades





The Everglades Foundation Leads Landmark Week in Washington, D.C. to Champion Everglades Restoration

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Everglades Foundation led an impactful series of events in the nation's capital this week to spotlight America's Everglades while unveiling economic data demonstrating that this national treasure is a $1 trillion asset. From the America's Everglades Summit to Everglades Hill Day advocacy and the release of the first-of-its-kind economic study, the week was a defining moment for Everglades restoration. The Everglades provides drinking water for millions of people and is the driving force behind Florida's key economic sectors of real estate, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

America's Everglades Summit: "It's Worth It. It's Working."

On June 10, The Everglades Foundation hosted the America's Everglades Summit at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. The event brought together more than 300 attendees, including Members of Congress, Trump Administration officials, scientists, Tribal leaders, nonprofit partners, and business executives to reaffirm bipartisan support for Everglades restoration. The summit also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and celebrated the momentum behind decades of restoration progress.

The Summit kicked off with remarks from Foundation Co-Founder Paul Tudor Jones on the economic importance of the Everglades to the Florida economy. The event also included a keynote speech from U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, as well as remarks from U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

Other notable voices included Simon Perkins, President of The Orvis Company, Downey Magallanes, Vice President of Federal Affairs at Enterprise Mobility, and Mike Sole, Vice President of Environmental Services at NextEra Energy, who discussed the economic return on investment in restoration. Federal leaders such as MG Jason Kelly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), joined U.S. Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) in outlining future priorities.

Reflections on the 25-year legacy of restoration included insights from Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Shannon Estenoz, Former U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Porter Goss, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Former U.S. Representative and Ryan Seiger, Staff Director and Senior Counsel at U.S. House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, with closing remarks delivered by U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).

Hill Day: Collective Advocacy on Capitol Hill

On June 11, The Everglades Foundation convened over 150 stakeholders for Everglades Hill Day. These partners for Everglades restoration proceeded to engage with lawmakers to advocate for full congressional support of President Trump's record-breaking $446 million FY26 budget recommendation for America's Everglades. This marks the largest presidential request in the restoration program's history.

Participating stakeholder organizations included: Audubon, Captains for Clean Water, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, TRCP, Florida International University, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Everglades Law Center, Florida Oceanographic Society, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Audubon Florida, Tropical Audubon, The Orvis Company, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Greater Naples Chamber, South Florida Hispanic Chamber, and many others ? representing a diverse coalition of clean water advocates, local chambers, and Florida's real estate and outdoor recreation sectors.

Economic Study: The Everglades Is a $1 Trillion Asset

A central focus of the week was the unveiling of a groundbreaking economic study conducted by The Everglades Foundation in partnership with Earth Economics. The report, titled "Thriving Everglades, Thriving Economy: Nature's Value in the Everglades," is the first comprehensive economic valuation of the ecosystem and conservatively estimates that the Greater Everglades delivers: $1 trillion in ecosystem service value over 50 years. With $31.5 billion annually across key benefits, including real estate, tourism, outdoor recreation, drinking water supply, and extreme weather protection.

A Path Forward

With restoration entering a critical decade of project completions and progress, The Everglades Foundation and its partners continue building momentum to ensure America's Everglades remains a bipartisan national priority.

"This week, we saw the full force of the Everglades restoration movement ? from business leaders and scientists to Tribal representatives, environmental advocates, and bipartisan lawmakers ? all united by one clear message: restoring America's Everglades is not only possible, it's essential," said Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation. The breadth of voices and the momentum we've built in our nation's capital reflect the growing recognition that Everglades restoration is delivering results and deserves continued investment."

For more information, please contact Begone Cazalis, Director of Communications at The Everglades Foundation, at 305-202-1672 or [email protected].

ABOUT THE EVERGLADES FOUNDATION

The Everglades Foundation is committed to the restoration and protection of America's Everglades through science, advocacy, and education. Founded in 1993 by two outdoor enthusiasts?Paul Tudor Jones II and the late George Barley?the Foundation works to bring people together and provide a powerful bipartisan voice for Everglades restoration. Its team includes renowned scientists, experienced educators, policy experts, and communications professionals. By coupling this expertise with a passion for restoration, The Everglades Foundation leads the effort to restore and protect the flow of clean freshwater to the Everglades through the world's largest ecosystem restoration project. Learn more at EvergladesFoundation.org.

SOURCE The Everglades Foundation

13 june 2025 at 08:00

News published onand distributed by:
Dr. Ibrahim Nyei (right), Liberias Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Cooperation and Economic Integration with Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of the Peoples Republic of China
Senator Nya D. Twayen, Jr. (left) says the real cost of ArcelorMittal Liberias concentrator is believed by independent sources to be closer to US$550 million.
I submitted all the necessary documents and medical reports to Superintendent Norris and the Ministry, but I am yet to receive any support, says Nixon L. Kpee.
News / National

by Staff reporter

In a landmark development aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe's energy and digital infrastructure, ZESA Holdings has launched its certified Aviation Training Organisation (ATO) and graduated 235 students from its National Training Centre.The dual events, held at the utility's training facility in Harare, were officiated by ZESA Executive Chairman Dr. Sydney Gata, who underscored the importance of upskilling in realising national development goals.The newly established ATO marks the formal rollout of a structured drone training programme, designed to equip Zimbabweans with critical technical competencies for the emerging digital economy."The certification we unveil today is not merely a badge of honour. It stands as a cornerstone in our commitment to creating the skills necessary for a digital economy," Dr. Gata said.The drone programme will focus on areas such as drone operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance, with a vision to support innovation and resilience in energy, agriculture, mining, logistics, and other strategic sectors. Dr. Gata cited China's successful adoption of drone technology to develop a low-altitude economy, describing it as a model Zimbabwe could emulate."With institutions like the ZESA National Training Centre, we too can reach similar milestones in the near future," he said, adding that the initiative is in full alignment with the Government's Education 5.0 policy, which places emphasis on innovation, industrialisation, and problem-solving.At the same event, 235 students were awarded National Certificates and Diplomas in Electrical Power Engineering, Power Plant Operations, and Line Construction and Maintenance. Dr. Gata applauded the graduates and reflected on the origins of the training centre, which was established in response to the post-independence skills vacuum."ZESA had witnessed a significant exodus of its skilled personnel and local institutions lacked the capacity to meet our manpower needs. This inspired the creation of our own training centre," he said.He further highlighted the pivotal role graduates would play in tackling national challenges such as aging infrastructure, rising electricity demand, technical losses, and climate-related disruptions."Whether you restore faults, optimise plant performance, or install new systems, your work directly contributes to our mission of achieving Total Access to Power and Data by 2030," Dr. Gata stated.He also pointed to improvements in electricity generation and the recent allocation of 150MW towards winter wheat farming as signs of progress under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision 2030.Dr. Gata urged ZESA management to ensure graduates are given opportunities to apply their expertise, warning that talent development and retention were vital to ongoing reforms."We are not just powering homes and businesses. We are enabling development, creating opportunities and driving inclusive growth," he concluded.The events signal a bold step forward for ZESA as it aligns its operations with national transformation objectives, focusing on sustainable energy, digital skills, and homegrown capacity-building.
Another First for Liberia: Showcasing the new WBG Engagement Approach and Jobs Agenda
LIMERICK City TD Willie O'Dea has paid a warm tribute following the passing of a former Fianna Fail TD who hailed from Doon.

Liam Fitzgerald, who represented Dublin North-East between 1981 and 1997, save for an eight month period, has gone to his God this week.

"He was a very close personal friend of mine. I am very upset, I didn't expect it," said Mr O'Dea.

READ MORE: An Taisce express concern over future of trees in Limerick park

"His family from Doon were always strong supporters of mine".

Born in Doon on September 1, 1949, Mr Fitzgerald was educated at the Christian Brothers School in the village.

He then went onto St Patrick's College in Dublin, and University College Dublin.

Before becoming involved in politics, he worked as a teacher.

He was first elected to Dail Eireann at the 1981 General Election, before losing his seat at the following February's count.

However, he was back at the November election that year, and remained in situ until 1997 when he missed out on re-election.

Famously, Mr Fitzgerald was one of the 'gang of four' who proposed a motion of No Confidence in Taoiseach Charles Haughey, which led to the premiership of Albert Reynolds.

However, the Doon man remained on the backbenches.

He served in Seanad Eireann between 1997 and 2007, on the Labour panel.

"A gentleman of integrity" is how former Justice Minister and Limerick TD Gerry Collins described Liam Fitzgerald.

Sitting Limerick TD Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland, wrote in a tribute on www.rip.ie: "Deepest sympathy to the Fitzgerald family on the death of Liam. May he rest in peace."

Former mayor of Limerick Gerald Mitchell added: "My deepest condolences to all the family relations and friends may Liam's gentle soul rest in eternal life"

Charlie Haughey's son, Sean Haughey, a former TD for Dublin Bay North described Mr Fitzgerald as "a highly respected TD".

"In more recent years it was a pleasure to serve with him on the board of Suaimhneas Clubhouse, Raheny. He will be greatly missed by us all. May he rest in peace," said Mr Haughey.

Another former TD Conor Lenihan added: "Liam was a great colleague and it was a privilege to serve with him in Leinster House. He also served with my father the late Brian Lenihan Sr. The party is very much at a loss without him. Condolences to all his family."

Fianna Fail grandee Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher took time to pay his own tribute, as did Br James Dormer, formerly of Doon.

Liam Fitzgerald passed away on Wednesday, June 11, in the loving care of the staff at St Gabriel's Nursing Home in Raheny, on Dublin's northside.

The beloved husband of Brid, and much-loved father of Gearoid, Ronan, Ann-Marie, Liam and Brid and their Spouses and Partners, Claire, Natasha, Mark and Eimear, and Grand-Children, Killian, Aisling, Cian, Ryan, Andrea, Sean and Hugo. Liam will be dearly missed by his family and his many relatives and friends.

May he rest in peace.

He will repose at Jenning's Funeral Home, in Springdale Road, Raheny, this Friday evening June 13, between 4pm and 6pm. His removal will take place on Saturday morning to St Brendans Church, Coolock, arriving for funeral Mass at 11am followed by Burial at Balgriffin Cemetery, Carrs Lane, Balgriffin.

Family flowers only, but donations if desired to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
RWANDESE-IRISH scholar, activist, and writer, Dr Sandrine Uwase Ndahiro, this week celebrated the culmination of a 10-year journey at University of Limerick as she was conferred with a PhD in English Literature from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Sandrines journey at UL from her undergraduate degree to her doctoral degree has been a deeply personal one whereby her studies have led her to develop a deep appreciation of her dual identity as a Rwandese-Irish woman. She says, UL has taught me the importance of creativity, curiosity, and  most importantly  the power of being myself.

Having grown up in Carlow in the early noughties and now living in Limerick, Sandrine was part of the first wave of African immigrants to settle in Ireland and often struggled with her dual identity.

Born in a refugee camp in Tanzania, Sandrines parents were forced to flee Rwanda in 1994 as genocide engulfed the country in east-central Africa. However, a chance meeting with an Irish humanitarian aid worker, Niall OKeeffe, now Head of International and Migration at the Irish Red Cross and Sandrines godfather, was to change the trajectory of Sandrines life and that of her parents. Without Niall we would have never come to Ireland, says Sandrine.

Writing about topics that are personal to Sandrine has been an integral part of her academic practice and her Rwandese-Irish identity has offered her a unique perspective, something which she says she is incredibly proud of. It took me a long time to understand the importance of my own research  especially the value of my unique contribution as a Black and Irish woman, she says.

READ MORE: 'I always remember coming into Limerick and the feeling of the city' - Booker Prize winner

That unique perspective has led Sandrine to be a scholar who has strived to make space for the voices of Black and Irish people. She says, Through my work on Black environmentalism and Black and Irish culture, I hope to break down barriers and normalise the inclusion of our voices in conversations taking place across the country.

Over the past four years of her PhD research, Sandrine has sought to centralise African voices in conversations on climate change  conversations, which Sandrine says, have often ignored African voices. Through a deep exploration of how contemporary African artists and thinkers have documented the effects of climate change on the lived experiences of Africans, Sandrine has tackled the issue of environmental racism and examined how this form of racism has adversely and disproportionately impacted indigenous communities in Nigeria, Kenya, Niger, Senegal and Ghana.

In addition to her PhD in English Literature, Sandrine holds a BA in English and History and an MA in English from UL. Through her studies at UL, Sandrine says she has been shaped into the scholar she is today, and her studies have also led her to realise the power of her own writing. She says, Writing is a powerful form of activism, and I aspire to be a scholar who writes about issues that truly matter  a scholar who bears witness to the world around me and uses writing to make sense of it all.

During her time at UL, Sandrine was inspired to create a literary and cultural magazine, Unapologetic, a safe space for activist writers from minority and diverse backgrounds to discuss and highlight social issues.

One of the issues that Sandrine is deeply passionate about is the need to decolonise the curriculum and create greater diversity in the classroom. She says, The lecturers at UL created a safe and supportive environment for me to explore topics that I was passionate about and during my MA in English in particular, I was introduced to works by Black and Irish writers, which inspired me to create Unapologetic. Without being challenged by lecturers in UL to think outside of the box I wouldnt have had the confidence that I do now to advocate for the need to decolonise the curriculum and push for greater diversity in the classroom.

READ MORE: Limerick university awards honorary doctorate to industry leader

Recalling a standout moment while studying at UL, Sandrine speaks of the transformative power and importance of representation. During my PhD I was teaching the concept of race to a group of students and had the opportunity to introduce them to my research on Black and Irish culture. At the end of class, a Black and Irish student approached me and said how inspired they felt  it was the first time they had seen a Black person as a lecturer in Ireland.

This moment resonated deeply with Sandrine who remembered the impact that seeing a Black lecturer had had on her during her undergraduate Erasmus in France. Until that moment, I did not know that Black lecturers existed  let alone that I could become one in the future. This life-changing moment was to be the first of many during her time in UL that empowered Sandrine to embrace her Rwandese-Irish identity.

Dr Yianna Liatsos, Sandrines PhD supervisor, introduced Sandrine to thinkers like Frantz Fanon during her undergraduate degree and for the first time, Sandrine says she began to see her dual identity as a superpower and a unique lens through which she could critically and meaningfully connect with a diverse range of theories being explored in the classroom.

Looking ahead to the future, Sandrine hopes to continue her research on environmental racism in Africa and dual identities in Ireland by developing new research projects in collaboration with African scholars around the world. Later this month, she will travel to Kenya to present her research at the annual African Literature Association Conference in Nairobi.

As she steps into the next chapter of her life as Dr Sandrine Uwase Ndahiro, she says, Im constantly inspired by the world around me  always learning from everyone and everything I encounter. Im inspired by the next generation of Black and Irish students and scholars, who will continuously produce cutting-edge research and make meaningful contributions to Irish society and culture. I hope that my work will inspire others to recognise how their voices matter.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has urged Irish people not to travel to Israel as the country's government has declared a state of emergency on Friday after it launched a series of attacks on Iran overnight, causing tensions between the two countries to reach boiling point.

With Iran's nuclear programme targeted in the attack, Israel has since been hit with drone strikes by Iran which has led to the closure of the Israeli airspace and grave uncertainty for those in Israel, including some Irish citizens.

In response to the escalation in violence between the two adversaries, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs updated their travel advice for Irish citizens to Israel and Palestine on Friday. The advice states: "Due to the emergency situation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises against all travel to Israel and Palestine.

READ NEXT: Met Eireann says more thundery downpours on the way for weekend, but change could come soon

"Irish citizens currently in Israel or Palestine who have not already done so, are asked to register on the Departments Citizens Registration platform.

"The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency. Israeli airspace has been closed until further notice. Significant airport disruptions are anticipated. Please contact your airline for relevant updates prior to travel. Travellers can check on the status of flights. For the latest guidance on land crossings to Jordan, please contact the Embassy."

The Department previously had issued a 'Do Not Travel' warning for Iran, prior to this escalation.

A spokesperson from the Department reiterated in a statement: "The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against all travel to Iran for Irish citizens. The Department has this morning updated its travel advice to advise against all travel to Israel for Irish citizens."

They continued: "Irish citizens in the region are advised to be vigilant, follow the advice of local authorities, including any orders to shelter in place. Irish citizens in the region in need of assistance should contact their closest Irish Embassy or call the Department of Foreign Affairs at + 353 1 408 2527."

In response to the news of the strikes on Friday morning, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris said: "My officials are in touch with our Embassy in Tehran regarding the safety of the small Irish community in Iran and we are in close contact with our EU partners."

He said there is a small number of Irish citizens living in Iran as well as Irish diplomats.
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Air India plane crash: Tata Group-owned Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down on Thursday near Ahmedabad airport shortly after takeoff. The tragic crash, which claimed the lives of 241 passengers on board, was the first time that the wide-body jet suffered a fatal accident.

There are 1,148 Boeing 787 variants currently in service.

Air India and IndiGo are the two Indian airlines operating the B787 planes. As of 2025, Air India operates 34 Boeing 787 aircraft in its fleet.

Budget airline IndiGo has six wide-body aircraft on damp lease from Norse Atlantic, including two added under an agreement signed in May 2025, reported Reuters.

AI-171 Dreamliner The Boeing 787-8 aircraft that plunged into a deadly crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad was 11.5 years old and had flown for more than 41,000 hours, reported PTI, citing aviation analytics firm Cirium.

It was delivered to Air India on January 28, 2014.

"The aircraft had 18 business class seats and 238 economy class seats. It had more than 41,000 hours of flying time, and almost 8,000 takeoffs and landings, including some 700 cycles in the past 12 months. This is average for that aircraft build year/period," stated Cirium.

Air India's Dreamliner fleet Of the 34 Boeing 787s in Air Indias fleet, 27 are older B787-8 aircraft. The first of these legacy jets is scheduled for retrofit in July. The remaining seven, newer B787-9s, were added to the fleet following last years merger with Vistara.

Air India faced issues with its Dreamliner fleet back in 2013 due to battery malfunctions. The problems led the then government-owned airline to temporarily ground its six Boeing 787 aircraft. Boeing later compensated Air India for the disruptions caused by the technical faults.

How is the Dreamliner different from other jets? Designed for long-haul air travel, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was first introduced into commercial service in 2011 by Japan's All Nippon Airways.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner comes in three variants, each tailored for different passenger capacities and flight ranges:

787-8: Can carry up to 248 passengers and offers a range of 13,530 km.

787-9: Accommodates up to 296 passengers with a longer range of 14,010 km.

787-10: The largest of the trio, carrying up to 330 passengers, with a range of 11,910 km.
(Bloomberg) -- Airbus SE said the fatal accident on Thursday in India involving a Boeing Co. airliner should spur the industry as a whole to advance its safety culture, dismissing the notion that the crash could bring a competitive edge to one planemaker over the other in the global duopoly.

Safety is in everything that we do, so the tragedy in India, we dont see that in any way, shape or form as a competitive input, Christian Scherer, who oversees Airbuss commercial aircraft operation, said at a press meeting in Paris. It is, if anything, a reminder to us all that aviation has become so safe that, statistically speaking, every accident is totally unacceptable.

The crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner on Thursday killed more than 240 people on the aircraft as well as people in the densely populated urban area where the plane exploded. The episode has added to several high-profile incidents that have shaken confidence in the safety of flying in recent years, after the industry enjoyed a long phase of few crashes, including 2023 where there was not one fatal accident involving a large jetliner.

The cause of the crash, which ranks as the worst civil aviation disaster in more than a decade, remains unknown. For Boeing, the tragedy was the first time the company has lost a 787 model, one of its most popular aircraft. Airbus competes in that space with its A350 jetliner and the smaller A330neo plane.

Scherer spoke alongside Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury ahead of the Paris Air Show, which kicks off next week and marks the key annual gathering for the industry. Faurys counterpart at Boeing, Kelly Ortberg, has canceled his appearance at the event in order to help coordinate his companys response to the India tragedy.

Every incident in this industry is an immediate remainder of what can go wrong, Scherer said.

Faury said the company still plans to ramp up output, but that the goal of doing so has become a little bit more difficult as global volatility and supply-chain constraints persist. At the same time, the company reiterated its goal of delivering 820 aircraft to customers this year, and Scherer said theres a meaningful decline in missing parts as the overall supply chain improves.

Chief Financial Officer Thomas Toepfer, who appeared alongside other executives at the event, said that given the continued volatility in the market, the company would be less inclined to consider buybacks as a financial tool for the time being.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- A Columbia University graduate who participated in pro-Palestinian protests remains in custody at an immigration facility Friday as his lawyers and the Trump administration battle over whether a federal judge actually ordered his release.

Government lawyers told US District Judge Michael Farbiarz Friday that his order earlier this week allows them to detain Mahmoud Khalil because of alleged problems with his green card application. But hours earlier, Khalils lawyers had demanded his immediate release, saying Farbiarz had given the government a 9:30 a.m. deadline to free him or file an appeal.

The deadline has come and gone and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately, Khalils lawyers said in a statement Friday before the government filed its response. Anything further is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

Khalil, 29, who was born in Syria, has become a symbol of the Trump administrations crackdown on campus protests related to Israels war in Gaza with Hamas. A lawful permanent resident, he was arrested March 8 at off-campus Columbia housing and told by US agents that that his student visa and green card had been revoked by the State Department.

Farbiarzs order on Wednesday had opened the door to a possible release ruling that Khalil was likely to win the legal fight over his detention and deportation, which he argued had harmed his career and stifled his free speech rights. But the dispute may come down to a footnote in Farbiarzs ruling, which potentially narrowed the scope of his order to free speech issues related to a decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The court expressly noted that its holdings have no impact on efforts to remove the Petitioner for reasons other than the Secretary of States determination, the Justice Department said in its filing Friday. Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful.

Lawyers for Khalil didnt respond to a request to comment after the latest government filing. The government said that Khalil left some information about his employment history and memberships off of his green card application.

Farbiarz, however, expressed skepticism that he would rule in favor of Khalils detention based on the green card issue.

The evidence is that lawful permanent residents are virtually never detained pending removal for the sort of alleged omissions in a lawful-permanent-resident application that the Petitioner is charged with here, Farbiarz said Wednesday. And that strongly suggests that it is the Secretary of States determination that drives the Petitioners ongoing detention - not the other charge against him.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- Disembarking from the Eurostar international rail service beneath the magnificent arched roof of Londons St Pancras station always gives me a thrill. Whooshing through a 31-mile (50-kilometer) tunnel beneath the English Channel and arriving in the heart of Britains capital less than two and half hours after leaving Paris makes the stress of flying and the associated burning of hydrocarbons feel uncivilized.

And yet, my pleasure is sometimes tinged with disappointment: about Eurostars sometimes high fares, crowded departure lounges and the limited number of direct international connections. Happily, theres a fix for these issues: increased investment and greater competition.

Eurostar Group Ltd., the sole provider of high-speed passenger rail services between the UK and the continent, this week announced plans to directly connect London with Frankfurt and Geneva, enabled by a 2 billion ($2.3 billion) expansion of its train fleet, and with each journey taking around five hours. As a British-German national, Im delighted about these new travel possibilities, albeit they wont begin until the early 2030s.

But Im even more excited about what potential rivals are up to: Around half a dozen challengers have lately expressed interested in providing high-speed international trains to and from London, including Richard Bransons Virgin Group, a partnership between startup Gemini Trains and Uber Technologies Inc., as well as Italian state railway company FS Group, owner of Trenitalia.

These upstarts are responding to customer willingness to accept longer train journeys as well as efforts by Eurotunnel and London St Pancras Highspeed, operator of the UKs fast rail link and the stations along the route, to simplify regulatory approvals and make access less costly; Eurotunnel concession holder Getlink SE says its halved the time to market for new entrants to just five years, for example.

Eurostar, which is majority owned by Frances state rail company SNCF, told me it welcomes competition and views increasing demand as an opportunity, not a threat. Its cross-Channel operations made a net profit of 122 million ($165 million) in 2023 on revenues of 1.28 billion.

Yet coming after a long period of stagnation  Eurostar carried 11.2 million cross-Channel passengers last year, only slightly more than in 2019  its expansion risks being construed as a land grab that stymies rivals efforts to break its 30-year monopoly.

The problem isnt a lack of railway capacity: the tunnel and connecting rail networks were designed to handle more than 20 million passengers a year, according to Getlink. However, the east London maintenance depot Eurostar leases from the British government is too small to support its growth plus the new players hoping to enter the market.(1)

Its imperative, then, that collectively these companies and the government find a way to expand the Temple Mills depot or quickly develop alternative facilities, because otherwise passengers will be denied the benefits of rail liberalization.

Two high-speed rail operators now compete in Italy and three do so in Spain, for example, and unsurprisingly such competition typically leads to lower ticket prices, while boosting passenger volumes and service quality. Eurostars financial accounts warn that the arrival of potential competitors would result in a loss of market share and likely lead to lower pricing and reduced profitability. Yet when a standard London-to-Paris return on Eurostar this weekend costs around $500, I reckon a fare war is overdue.(2)

(In fairness, much cheaper seats are available if you book in advance or are prepared to be flexible about travel times; one also shouldnt forget customers can bring two large pieces of luggage for free, unlike on the plane.)

Competition might encourage Eurostar to up its game. Having commenced services in 1994, its original target of 10 million annual cross-Channel passengers was only reached in 2013, 15 years behind schedule. Today, it only travels to a handful of destinations directly, including Paris, Lille, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The upshot is that while Eurostar accounts for around 75% of the total air and rail travel between the UK and French capitals, overall far more passengers fly to Europe compared with those using its services.

Eurostars limitations partly reflect more than 700 million of losses incurred during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was denied a British government bailout and was forced to increase commercial borrowings. Eurostar merged with another high-speed rail firm, Thalys, in 2022, and the groups total bank debt at the end of 2024 was 650 million. The shareholder structure is shown below:

Eurostar raised prices and cut non-core services to repair its finances: Connections to Disneyland Paris and the south of France were scrapped, while stations at Ashford and Ebbsfleet in south-east England and Calais in northern France were closed.

Compounding its problems are the more rigorous post-Brexit border checks that have made St Pancras increasingly congested; regular fare passengers are advised to turn up 75 minutes before departure, negating some of the advantages compared with taking the plane.

Fortunately, London St Pancras Highspeed, which owns the terminus, reckons processing capacity could be more than doubled by adding more security lanes and expanding waiting areas, which would enable customers to turn up much nearer to the departure time and free up room for competing services. Alternatively, new entrants may be able to use Londons Stratford International railway station (which, despite the name, currently doesnt currently offer cross-border routes).

New services likely wont arrive overnight: Most potential entrants havent placed train orders yet, and adapting stations like Stratford and Frankfurt so they have the requisite passport and baggage controls will take time.

And notwithstanding the greater availability of subsidies and lower track-use charges, breaking Eurostars monopoly wont be cheap: Virgin is looking to raise 700 million to fund its international service, while FS Group plans to invest 1 billion, for example.

Still, with investor backing and a concerted effort to address bottlenecks, Im hopeful international rail passengers will in a few years spot trains with different liveries in London, poised to depart for new destinations and offering lower prices. Now that would really feel like progress.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

(1) The Office of Rail and Road regulator has said there's 'room for at most one new operator, or for Eurostar to grow.'

(2) A Transport & Environment study found Eurostar is almost twice as expensive as the average European operator per kilometer of travel, which is partly a reflection of the high access charges it pays.

This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Bryant is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for the Financial Times.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has decided to maintain its 2024 commercial non-domestic property tax tariffs for the 2025 financial year, foregoing potential revenue exceeding US$14 million.The decision, widely welcomed by residents and ratepayers, reflects a pragmatic and balanced approach to economic governance aimed at supporting business sustainability and protecting jobs in the city.This development follows the Government's recent approval of BCC's 2025 budget, which initially included a proposed 127 percent increase in commercial property tax tariffs. However, after extensive consultations with the local business community and residents, the council opted not to implement the hike."The approved non-domestic property tax tariffs were 127 percent higher than the 2024 tariffs. These new tariffs were not implemented for billing as they would have significantly raised charges," said BCC Finance Director Mr Tennyson Mpunzi.The council's decision came after detailed discussions involving representatives from the business sector, including the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works."These engagements revealed that businesses were seeking a reduction, not an increase, in the non-domestic rates tariff. In light of this, it was recommended that the tariff be maintained at 2024 levels," Mr Mpunzi explained.Maintaining the tariffs at current levels results in an estimated revenue loss of US$14,331,139, a figure the council has accepted to support the economic viability of local businesses.Council formally resolved: "That the 2024 commercial non-domestic rates tariffs be maintained in 2025 and that Council forego income of US$14,331,139 in respect of commercial non-domestic property tax."The decision has been positively received by residents and ratepayers, who praised it as a responsible, people-centered policy.Local resident Andrew Ndlovu expressed his support, saying, "We back Council's decision to put people and jobs first. While revenue is important, creating a hostile business environment would have long-term negative effects. This approach helps retain jobs and keeps essential services running without undue pressure on the private sector."Mr Ndlovu also noted that the business-friendly stance, combined with Government approval of the 2025 budget, positions BCC as a responsive and forward-thinking authority committed to stabilising Bulawayo's economy despite fiscal constraints.Meanwhile, BCC's debtor records indicate a rise in outstanding balances. As of the end of April 2025, debtors amounted to ZWG1.5 billion, up from ZWG1.4 billion at the end of March-a 6 percent increase of ZWG103 million.Regarding debt collection efforts, 182,960 accounts were billed US$10.2 million in April, against an opening debt balance of US$115,101,086 as at March.The council focused on recovering the current month's billing alongside a portion of arrears. Collection efforts achieved 62 percent of billed amounts, leaving 38 percent unpaid. The defaulters represent 68,525 properties requiring closer follow-up.Existing teams successfully contacted 63,045 consumers, generating receipts totalling US$3,164,279.The council remains committed to improving revenue collection while balancing the need to support the city's economic stability and growth.
A company law court on Friday admitted Gensol Engineering Ltd and its EV leasing subsidiary to insolvency proceedings, and appointed an interim resolution professional (IRP) to take charge of the company's affairs.

The Ahmedabad bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) accepted an insolvency petition filed by state-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (Ireda) that said Gensol had defaulted on loans of 510 crore.

The NCLT bench of Shammi Khan and Sanjeev Kumar Sharma passed the order under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

NCLT has appointed Keshav Khaneja as the IRP of Gensol, according to an NCLT order.

The Ireda petition pressed for urgent oversight, stating Gensol had effectively become headless after its top leaders exited amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

By virtue of Sebis order, the company is now headless. Directors have walked out, and the company has projects worth crores of rupees. Somebody needs to manage the show, Iredas counsel told the tribunal during earlier proceedings.

The application also alleged a complete breakdown of internal controls and corporate governance norms at the publicly listed renewable energy firm, accusing its promoters of treating the company as if it were their proprietary firm.

Ireda pointed to Gensols sizable order book, involving capital-intensive renewable EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contracts awarded by the government and public sector entities.

A separate insolvency plea against Gensol EV Leasing Ltd, a group company was also admitted to insolvency. According to the tribunal, the same IRP will manage both companies.

The NCLT clarified that it would not appoint the resolution professional (RP) suggested by the lender. The insolvency plea is admitted. However, we are not appointing the RP suggested by IREDA; we have chosen from the list given by IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India), the bench remarked.

The IRP will immediately take charge of the company, issue public notices, and ask creditors to file claims.

Legal experts said insolvency resolution may turn increasingly complex due to simultaneous regulatory investigations by Sebi and the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) into alleged fund diversion, financial misstatements and governance failures.

There will be some overlap between what MCA does (and SFIO, if it gets involved) and the duty cast on IRP/RP under the IBC. This is because fund diversion is also covered under IBC as transactions defrauding creditors, said Jayesh H., co-founder of Juris Corp. The parallel proceedings may at most add to the complexities, but should not by themselves delay the CIRP.

With multiple Gensol-linked entities under scrutinyincluding BluSmart Mobilitylawyers say this could evolve into a test case for group insolvency, a concept not yet codified under Indian insolvency law. The consideration of group insolvency in the Gensol-BluSmart scenario could position the case as a landmark, if the NCLT opts to consolidate the insolvency processes of the parent and subsidiary, said Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal and Associates.

A ruling consolidating Gensol and BluSmarts CIRPdriven by evidence of interlinked operations and alleged fund diversionscould establish a clearer judicial standard for group insolvency, influencing future cases where subsidiaries are implicated in a parents financial distress, Chandwani added.

The IRP, who will replace Gensol's management, will form a committee of creditors (CoC) to assess resolution proposals. If no plan is approved in 180-330 days, the company may face liquidation.

Ireda first had issued a notice to Gensol on 25 April and disclosed on 14 May that it had filed an insolvency petition. Since then, several other financial creditors have also initiated insolvency proceedings against the company.

On 28 May, the NCLT had also allowed the Central government to freeze the bank accounts and lockers of Gensol Engineering, its 10 subsidiaries, and several individuals linked to the matter.

Gensol and related entitiesincluding BluSmart Premium Fleet and Matrix Gas & Renewablessubsequently approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the asset freeze, but were directed to approach the NCLT for relief.

Simultaneously, state-run lenders Ireda and Power Finance Corp.(PFC) also filed separate petitions before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) to recover combined dues of approximately 992 crore.

Regulatory and legal headwinds Gensols troubles mounted following a 15 April interim order by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), which accused promoters Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi of misappropriating company funds for luxury personal expenses and defaulting on loansparticularly those linked to electric vehicles procured for BluSmart, an EV ride-hailing venture founded by Anmol.

Sebi further charged the company with misleading investors by overstating its EV procurement capabilities, despite limited activity at its manufacturing units. The Jaggi brothers resigned from the board on 6 May, nearly a month after Sebi barred them from holding any key managerial positions.

On 7 May, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) refused to stay Sebis interim order, directing Gensol to file a formal response, and asked Sebi to pass a final order within four weeks of receiving it.

Gensol had borrowed a total of 977.75 crore from Ireda and PFC, including 663.89 crore specifically earmarked for EV procurement for BluSmart. In April, both lenders lodged complaints with the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police, accusing it of falsifying loan-related documents.
(Bloomberg) -- Justice Department antitrust enforcers are reviewing whether Googles planned $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity company Wiz Inc. would illegally limit competition in the marketplace, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Officials in the departments antitrust division, who are probing the deal, have been examining the contours of the Alphabet Inc. units plan following its announcement in March, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing a confidential matter. Such inquiries include discussions with the merging companies as well as competitors and customers.

The review, which is in its early stages, could last months more. It will ultimately determine whether US officials let the deal proceed.

Although full-scale antitrust merger reviews are relatively rare compared to the number of deals announced each year, there are signs that the firms were bracing for scrutiny. Google agreed to pay Wiz a breakup fee of about $3.2 billion, or about 10% of the deal value, if it doesnt close, Bloomberg previously reported.

Spokespeople for Google and the DOJ declined to comment on the review. A spokesperson for Wiz didnt respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, Google has been facing intense antitrust scrutiny from Washington. In the past year, the search engine firm was found by federal judges to have illegal monopolies in online search and some advertising technology markets. Following those two rulings, it is facing a potential breakup of large parts of its business, including its Chrome web browser and some advertising tools used to place display ads around the web.

Previous Acquisition

Wiz, which provides cloud security, wouldnt be Googles first purchase of a large cybersecurity firm. In 2022, it bought Mandiant for $5.4 billion. Both deals are meant to bulk up the companys cloud computing business, which has historically lagged its peers, including Microsoft Corp. The DOJ also reviewed the Mandiant deal, but never challenged the transaction.

Mandiant and Wiz provide complimentary services, with the former specializing in threat intelligence and cyber breaches. Wiz offers similar capabilities but its tools also work to identify and block threats across organizations often-complex cloud environments. Wiz also works with competing services from Amazon.com Inc., Oracle Corp. and Microsoft.

When announcing the deal, Google said the Wiz acquisition was a way to beef up its cloud security offerings and provide customers with new ways to keep their systems secure in a new era of AI. The companies said Wizs products will continue to work on major cloud platforms, including competing services.

--With assistance from Davey Alba.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Israel is shutting down production at its biggest natural gas field, slashing supply to Egypt, which is heavily dependent on energy imports.

The nation ordered the halt of the offshore Leviathan field operated by Chevron Corp. due to security concerns, according to a statement from the Energy Ministry. Supply of gas to Egypt has already fallen, according to a person familiar with the matter. Energean Plc has also suspended output in Israel.

The disruption to regional supply coincides with rising demand due to summer heat in Egypt, which receives pipeline deliveries from Israel.

A prolonged period of lower Israeli supply may force Cairo to bring forward purchases of liquefied natural gas, further tightening global markets. Gas prices in Europe rose as much 6.6% on Friday.

The Leviathan field is located in the eastern Mediterranean, supplying gas to domestic customers as well as Jordan and Egypt.

Output at Tamar, also operated by Chevron, hasnt currently been suspended, the Israeli energy ministry said.

Energeans Karish field only meets domestic demand in Israel.

Egypt is already heavily dependent on gas imports after domestic production slumped. Its ramping up liquefied natural gas imports, but recently agreed supply deals wont start until next month.

Read: Egypt Agrees on Large LNG Deals With Hartree, Vitol, Aramco

Jordan can no longer import LNG, after a floating terminal that previously met its needs moved to Egypt.

Chevron referred questions to Israels energy ministry, adding that our people and facilities are safe.

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North Korea said it successfully refloated a 5,000-ton destroyer that suffered damage in a botched launch attempt last month that left it foundering in shallow water, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to build two more vessels of the same class next year as part of his efforts to boost the countrys naval capabilities.

A second launch ceremony for the Choe Hyon-class destroyer Kang Kon took place at the northeastern port of Rajin on Thursday, state media Korean Central News Agency said, less than a month after reporting a serious accident during the first attempted launch of the ship in May.

Despite the difficulties and obstacles, our massive shipbuilding plans aimed at building advanced naval power are being pushed forward at the fastest pace possible, Kim said in a speech at the ceremony.

The warship will be delivered to the navy for operations by mid-2026, and the ruling party has approved a plan to build two more 5,000-ton class destroyers next year, Kim said.

Soon enough the enemies will learn themselves how provocative and unpleasant it is to see enemy ships running through the periphery of their sovereign waters, Kim said.

The North Korean leader slammed the approach of US strategic assets into the region as raising the risk of a nuclear war and said his forces will take overwhelming military action against any aggressive move. The remarks were made just as the White House said President Donald Trump is open to communications with Kim. South Korea said its closely communicating with the US on their North Korea policy.

Analysts said the relatively fast restoration of the damaged warship signals North Koreas capability to pursue a quick naval build-up. The exact extent of the damage done to the ship in last months accident was not disclosed. Its also unclear whether the destroyer has been fully repaired.

Experts are generally skeptical about North Koreas naval capabilities, but time and again, including the countrys recent floating of the capsized ship, the country has demonstrated that it can make impressive progress when it is prepared to devote priority, resources, and time, the 38 North program at the Stimson Center said in a report.

The countrys navy mainly consists of smaller vessels for coastal defense. The new destroyers were designed to extend the nations firepower in the Yellow Sea to the west and in eastern waters in the direction of Japan. The new vessels can launch guided missiles and boast an air defense system that include the Russian Pantsir-M, manifesting the growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, according to an analysis by Beyond Parallel, which focuses on North Korea.

While North Koreas two Choe Hyon-class destroyers may not yet match the sophistication of their South Korean or US counterparts, the pace with which they were built suggests North Korean shipyards are gaining the expertise needed to produce more advanced warships in the near future, the 38 North report said.

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Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltds India business head Kirti Ganorkar will succeed founder Dilip Shanghvi as managing director as Indias largest drugmaker announced a major leadership rejig on Friday.

Ganorkar will take on his new role effective 1 September 2025, the company said in a release. Shanghvi will continue on as executive chairman to chair the board, and focus on its specialty portfolio and shaping the companys long-term strategy, it said.

Also Read: How Medikabazaar's CEO is trying to turn around the business, become profitable ...I have a firm belief in his [Ganorkars] ability to lead the company into its next phase of growth and extend my best wishes for his success, Dilip Shanghvi said in the statement. Kirtis elevation showcases our strong in-house talent pool, ensuring continuity of Suns core value systems.

Leadership reshuffle covers US, global ops Shanghvis son Aalok Shanghvi, a whole-time director and chief operating officer of the company, will also take charge of the North America business.

Sun Pharmas existing CEO of the North America business, Abhay Gandhi, has decided to pursue his interests outside the company, and will be succeeded by Richard Ascroft, who previously served as senior vice president and business unit head of U.S. Plasma-Derived Therapies at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

Ascroft will report to Shanghvi, the company said.

Also Read: Advent to invest $175 million in Felix Pharmas animal generics business Todays announcement marks the culmination of a structured and forward-looking succession planning process at Sun Pharma, underscoring the organisations commitment to leadership continuity and strategic governance. Sun Pharma said in the release.

Ganorkars tenure Ganorkar, who joined Sun Pharma in 1996, has been heading its India business since June 2019. Previously, he has held various leadership roles across business development, marketing, M&A, new product introduction, project management, IP and litigation at Sun Pharma.

Ganorkar played a key role in driving Sun Pharmas foray into the specialty segment by securing rights for drugs like Ilumya, its first biologic to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

He also led Sun Pharmas entry into Japan and laid initial groundwork for the companys entry into Europe, as well as supported the US business by leading several generic projects from concept to commercialisation.
President Donald Trump has intervened to push EchoStar Corp. and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to resolve a dispute over the satellite communications companys valuable spectrum licenses.

The FCC in May launched an investigation into whether EchoStar was meeting certain obligations for its wireless and satellite spectrum rights. In response, EchoStar has been skipping bond coupon payments and is considering filing for bankruptcy. The company has said the FCCs threats have effectively frozen our ability to make decisions about its 5G network buildout.

After multiple rebuffed attempts to speak directly to Carr, EchoStar President Charlie Ergen finally sat down with the chairman late Wednesday afternoon in the FCCs Washington headquarters, according to people familiar with the meetings. Carr told Ergen that EchoStar needs to start selling some of its spectrum licenses, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. Otherwise, Carr told Ergen, the company risks losing them.

The next day, Ergen met with Trump at the White House to make his case, the people said. The president said he didnt want a major American company to go bankrupt, as it would create uncertainties for other businesses. In the midst of the conversation, Trump telephoned Carr, who came to the Oval Office and joined the meeting.

The discussions included a brief exchange about Ergens political donations and whether he gave to both Republican and Democrat candidates, some of the people said.

At one point Trump also called Newsmax Inc. founder Chris Ruddy to ask if EchoStars DISH satellite TV service carried conservative news outlets like his, according to people familiar with the matter.

Newsmax has had a very positive relationship with the DISH network and we appreciate them giving diverse voices, including us, the ability to reach their subscribers, Ruddy said in a statement, when asked for comment about the meeting.

The meeting concluded with the president encouraging Carr and Ergen to work together and reach some kind of deal, the people said.

EchoStar declined to comment. Carr and representatives for his office didnt respond to multiple requests for comment. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request to comment on the specifics of the meeting between Ergen and the President.

The FCC initially blessed EchoStars ambition to become a fourth national wireless carrier, using pioneering technology that lets more companies participate in the buildout of the network. But in a letter sent to Ergen last month, Carr questioned whether EchoStar has adequately made use of its spectrum licenses, including a portion of the airwaves that has been long coveted by Elon Musks satellite communications company SpaceX.

EchoStar owns the Dish Network pay-TV brand and the Boost Mobile wireless service. It has spent billions of dollars and several years trying to build a nationwide communications network to compete with AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc. But Carr has suggested EchoStar is moving too slowly and not achieving agreed upon targets for coverage, leading to spectrum warehousing, or unused portions of spectrum.

Starlink has publicly pointed to what it characterizes as EchoStars wasted bandwidth to argue for regulatory action.

In the worst-case scenario for EchoStar, the FCC could find that it has not met obligations to use its spectrum licenses and reclaim at least some of them. Former FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, a Republican who recently left the agency, wrote in an opinion piece that Carr should drop the probes.

With assistance from Hannah Miller.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Israel opening a warfront with Iran will impact workforce mobility from India to many parts of the Middle East. Recruitment companies with clients in the IT, energy, construction and retail sectors estimate a drop in demand for fresh workforce as the crisis escalates. Some manpower companies had calls from candidates on probable changes in joining dates and the hiring firms have held meetings since Friday.

Mint has learnt that both blue and white-collared workforce who head to the region every year for opportunities will be reluctant to relocate to even bordering countries that are yet to face the heat.

We currently have 35 executives from mid to senior management levels scheduled to join roles across Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries. These positions are primarily within the energy sector, including oil field operations and a significant number of these professionals are US nationals," said Manish Ambwani, managing partner, Greentree Advisory Services.

Also read: Javier Blas: An Israel-Iran war may not rattle the oil market

The firms clients are in the banking and energy sectors, amongst others. Since Friday, we have received several calls from candidates expressing concern, particularly those relocating with their families. The hiring companies have assured us that they are closely monitoring the situation and will keep all stakeholders informed," the managing partner told Mint.

In the early hours of Friday, Israel attacked Iran's nuclear bases and called it Operation Rising Lion. Until now, the Middle East crisis has largely involved Israels attack on Gaza. The external affairs ministry in its statement noted that it was monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites".

A steady stream of blue- and white-collar workers regularly head to countries like Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, which share maritime borders with Iran. Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories," the external affairs ministry said in a statement on its website.

Also read: Escalating Israel-Iran conflict to keep markets on boil in near term

We hire IT employees from India for the Middle East and also from Lebanon and Egypt for the Middle East region. We are focusing on this region extensively, but now if the war escalates and spreads to nearby areas, then our hiring gets impacted," said Anshuman Das, chief executive and co-founder of Careernet, a talent solutions provider.

According to government data from July 2024, there are 92,58,302 skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labourers from India employed in various sectors in the Middle-Eastern countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In fact, Israel too has recruited thousands of skilled workers from India over the last couple of years.

Genius Consultants, which caters to retail and construction clients in the Middle East, estimates an immediate hit to the number of workers accepting offers. We estimate a 35% drop in the hiring numbers in the UAE region," noted R.P. Yadav, chairman and managing director of the recruitment firm.

Also read: Who is Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi? Iran names new Army chief after Israeli strikes kill commander: Declaration of war

Ironically, the Middle East and Russia are some of the prominent regions that attract Indian workers because the clients often pay higher compensation than their Indian counterparts. In fact, this exodus has hit Indian construction and real estate firms, which have flagged a shortage of skilled and unskilled workers.
Washington DC [US], June 13 (ANI): Actor Eric Dane opened up about his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. The 52-year-old actor appeared in a teaser clip for an upcoming segment on Good Morning America, speaking about his health with Diane Sawyer, reported People.

After multiple television roles in the 1990s and 2000s, which included his recurring role as Jason Dean in Charmed, Eric Dane was cast as Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy (2006-2012; 2021).

Following this, he made appearances in films such as Marley & Me (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), and Burlesque (2010). Dane has since played Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship and Cal Jacobs in HBO's Euphoria.

"I wake up every day and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening," he told Sawyer. "It's not a dream," he added.

The 30-second clip shows Dane and Sawyer holding hands as they discuss life following his diagnosis. It ends with the Euphoria star breaking down in tears, revealing a glimpse at how emotional the conversation will be, reported People.

"I don't think this is the end of my story. I don't feel like this is my end," he said.

Dane first revealed his ALS diagnosis in April.

"I have been diagnosed with ALS," he shared. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter." The actor is married to Rebecca Gayheart, and the couple shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

"I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time," he said.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech.
By Alan Baldwin

MONTREAL, June 13 (Reuters) - Brad Pitt's soon-to-be-released Formula One movie could not have been made without Lewis Hamilton, director Joseph Kosinski said on Friday.

The Apple Original film "F1", with action scenes filmed at race weekends with the Liberty Media-owned sport's cooperation, is due in cinemas and IMAX internationally on June 25 and in North America on June 27.

Kosinski told reporters after an advance showing at the Canadian Grand Prix that the involvement of Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this season after winning six of his seven titles at Mercedes, had been key.

The 40-year-old Briton is credited as a co-producer while his Dawn Apollo production company was also involved.

Kosinski, who directed the Hit 'Top Gun: Maverick', explained how Hamilton was the first person he reached out to with the idea of a movie.

"I sent him an email and just said 'I want to tell the story in your world. I want to make it as authentic as possible. Will you help me?'," he said.

"And luckily Lewis said yes... He had actually talked to me earlier about playing a role in 'Top Gun Maverick'. So that's how I knew Lewis."

Hamilton, who had to turn down a part in that Tom Cruise film because of his racing commitments, acted as go-between with Formula One and as a consultant advising on technical accuracy and authenticity.

He was also a driver advisor to Pitt and co-star Damson Idris.

"At Hungary for instance, he said, 'If Brad's going to let someone pass during a blue flag and he wants it to be as tight as possible, he's going to only do that at turn six'," recalled Kosinski.

"That kind of detail... from a seven-time world champion who lives and breathes this world every day, I couldn't have gotten that from anywhere else."

Hamilton also contributed to the story and served as an inspiration for one scene where Pitt's character talks about why he races in spiritual terms.

"So his involvement has been amazing. We couldn't make the film without him."

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer referred to Hamilton's insistence of authenticity also in the sound of the film, citing an example at Silverstone where the Briton had pointed out a corner was taken in second gear but the audio was of fourth gear.

"It's that kind of detail that went into this," he said.

Hamilton has said Pitt's speed is real and the movie will be the most authentic racing film yet.

Formula One is hoping the movie cements the appeal of the Netflix docu-series 'Drive to Survive' that has boosted Formula One's popularity and growth worldwide and particularly in the key U.S. market.

"I think there's this perception that 'Drive to Survive' turned America onto F1 but I think there's just so many more people out there that don't know anything about it," said Kosinski.
New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Amid rate moderation by the Reserve Bank, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to meet heads of public sector banks (PSBs) on June 27, to discuss host of issues including review of financial performance and implementation of various government schemes.

This is going to be the first review meeting after the Reserve Bank on Friday carried out a jumbo policy rate cut of 50 basis points, and unexpectedly reduced the cash reserve ratio for banks to make available more money to lend in a bid to boost the economy.

The RBI's six-member monetary policy committee, headed by Governor Sanjay Malhotra and consisting of three external members, voted five to one to lower the benchmark repurchase or repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent. It also slashed the cash reserve ratio by 100 basis points to 3 per cent in tranches that will add 2.5 lakh crore to already surplus liquidity in the banking system.

According to sources, the Finance Minister would review the financial performance of public sector banks and their targets for the current financial year.

Besides, sources said, the minister may urge public sector banks to increase their lending towards productive sectors to prop of economic growth which hit four-year low of 6.5 per cent in FY25.

Comprehensive review of various segments and progress in government schemes including the Kisan Credit Card, PM Mudra and three social security (Jan Suraksha) schemes -- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) might be discussed during the meeting.

It is to be noted that Public Sector Banks' (PSBs) cumulative profit rose to a record level of 1.78 lakh crore in the fiscal year ended March 2025, registering a growth of 26 per cent over the previous year.

All 12 public sector banks had earned a total profit of 1.41 lakh crore in FY'24.

The year-on-year increase in profit in absolute terms rose by about 37,100 crore in FY25.

Out of the total profit of 1,78,364 crore earned during FY'25, market leader State Bank of India (SBI) alone contributed over 40 per cent of the total earnings, as per the published numbers on stock exchanges.

SBI logged a net profit of 70,901 crore in FY25, 16 per cent higher than the previous fiscal ( 61,077 crore).

In percentage terms, Delhi-based Punjab National Bank reported the highest net profit growth of 102 per cent to 16,630 crore, followed by Punjab & Sind Bank with a 71 per cent rise to 1,016 crore.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Financial services group ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) has announced its intention to comply with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's (RBZ) conditions to surrender the licence of its building society unit by the end of 2025.The central bank requires all building societies in Zimbabwe to maintain a minimum capital level of US$20 million or its equivalent in local currency. According to ZBFH's 2024 annual report, the building society had failed to meet this threshold in previous years, prompting the group to offer to surrender the subsidiary's licence."As a result, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) issued a corrective order against the society on 2 July 2024 to rectify the capital shortfall," ZBFH said in its report.The group has responded by implementing resolutions approved by its directors on 1 December 2022 and its shareholders on 31 July 2024 to voluntarily surrender the building society's operating licence to the RBZ.ZBFH further disclosed that the RBZ has stipulated conditions that must be met before the licence surrender can be finalized. These include fulfilling information requests and ensuring that customer deposits are managed in compliance with the Consumer Protection Framework No. 1-2017/BSD. The building society is currently working to meet these requirements."The directors have assessed these conditions required by RBZ for the surrender of the licence and concluded that it is highly probable it will comply with the conditions before 31 December 2025," the report stated.The building society has a long history, having been established pre-independence as Founders Building Society and granted a trading licence in 1961. It was later renamed Intermarket Building Society and subsequently ZB Building Society following ZBFH's acquisition of a majority stake in Intermarket Holdings Limited.ZBFH described the building society's core business as mobilizing deposits and extending advances to individuals and corporate clients secured by these deposits.The group's financial performance for the year showed significant growth. Deposits and related funding balances rose by 120% to ZiG5.48 billion, driven by increased United States dollar deposits across sectors. Gross advances surged to ZiG4.15 billion from ZiG2.21 billion the previous year, supported by loans, overdrafts, and other credit facilities.Looking ahead, ZBFH has started preparations for its next medium-term plan, focusing on long-term sustainability as a strategic priority. The group is pursuing certification under the central bank-led Sustainability Standards Certification Initiative through the European Organisation for Sustainable Development.ZBFH CEO Shepherd Fungura said, "The group has begun to lay the foundation for the next medium-term plan, with sustainability at its core. We are committed to aligning with global best practices as we position ourselves for future growth."
Akif Capital, once a regional upstart in Warsaw, is now taking bold steps to reshape the field of emerging market investment. Under the leadership of Chairman Fedlan Klcaslan, the firm is executing a strategic blueprint that marries resilience, agility, and intellectual rigorqualities that have become the chairmans hallmark. As global markets weather the turbulence of 2023 and 2024, Akif Capitals calculated moves and Klcaslans personal leadership style are positioning the company as a formidable contender for global supremacy.

The Strategic Blueprint: Intelligence in Action Akif Capitals transformation from a growth-phase investment firm to a multi-sector institutional platform has been guided by a set of 10 Core Disciplines for Sustainable Growth. These disciplines, articulated by Klcaslan, are not just aspirationalthey are operational imperatives that demand constant vigilance, adaptability, and foresight.

Klcaslan has made it clear that the firms long-term vision is to build an institution that endures for generations. These principles, he emphasizes, are designed to support growth without compromising the companys values, its people, or its future.

The disciplines include pattern recognition, systems thinking, mental agility, and structured problem-solvingeach reflecting a facet of Klcaslans style of leadership. Pattern recognition allows the firm to anticipate market shifts before they become consensus, while systems thinking ensures that decisions are made with a holistic understanding of interconnected risks and opportunities.

Klcaslans insistence on mental agility is particularly telling. Flexibility is often romanticized, but agility without structure is chaos, he observes. By embedding structured problem-solving into the firms DNA, Akif Capital ensures that rapid adaptation never comes at the expense of clarity or discipline.

Agility Amid Complexity The investment environment of 20232024 has been defined by volatility, complexity, and the need for swift, informed action. For Akif Capital, this environment is not a deterrent but an arena in which the chairmans strengths are on full display. Klcaslans ability to pivot quickly, while maintaining strategic focus, sets him apart from his peers.

Markets today are more volatile, interconnected, and data-saturated than ever before. Klcaslan believes that in this environment, spotting opportunities and threats early is no longer a competitive advantageits a basic requirement. His method is grounded in the idea that intelligence must be paired with agility: the ability to act decisively while maintaining a clear view of the broader system.

This philosophy has enabled Akif Capital to expand into sectors such as clean energy, AI infrastructure, and smart city technologiesareas where early, informed action can yield outsized rewards. Klcaslans political savvy and risk management acumen make sure that bold moves are always underpinned by rigorous downside planning.

Risk is inevitable. Its also what creates return. The key is to empower bold, visionary investments while protecting our downside, he notes. This calculated risk-taking, paired with a relentless pursuit of diversificationnot just in assets, but in perspectives and leadershiphas become a defining feature of the firms strategy.

The Chairmans Signature What truly distinguishes Akif Capitals ascent is the personal imprint of its chairman. Klcaslans leadership is characterized by a rare combination of strength, agility, and intellectual depth. He is not content with surface-level analysis or reactive decision-making; instead, he insists on understanding the deeper currents shaping global markets.

Looking is not the same as seeing. Just as knowing is not the same as understanding, Klcaslan often remarks. This commitment to depth over superficiality is evident in every aspect of the firms operations, from investment analysis to talent development.

Klcaslans strength lies not just in his ability to weather storms but also in his willingness to dig deepto lay the foundations for enduring success even when the process is uncomfortable or misunderstood by outsiders. He often emphasizes that markets can misinterpret the steady work of building as disorder, but in his view, the deeper the preparation, the greater the potential for meaningful and lasting growth.

His agility is matched by a strategic patience; he is quick to adapt, but never at the expense of the long-term vision. Our vision is generational. So we think in terms of legacy, not just quarters. That means securing the futures of the people who will one day lead this company-perhaps beyond anything we can currently imagine, Klcaslan says.

His intelligence is most visible in his ability to cut through noise and focus on what truly matters. By fostering a culture that values context, critical thinking, and the relentless questioning of assumptions, Klcaslan ensures that Akif Capital remains not just competitive but ahead of the curve. True success comes from cultivating a deep understanding, one that transcends headlines and delves into the core of complex dynamics. By doing so, we can navigate the complexities of the world with clarity and confidence, Klcaslan affirms.

Foundations Over Flash Akif Capitals rise is not merely the story of a company, but of a leader who embodies the virtues required to thrive in a world of perpetual change. Fedlan Klcaslans strength, agility, and intelligence have become synonymous with the firms identitya living blueprint for how to build, adapt, and endure.

In a financial world obsessed with speed and disruption, Klcaslans example is a reminder that true leadership is about more than reacting to the moment. It is about seeing beyond the obvious, acting with conviction, and building foundations deep enough to support towers that will stand for generations.

As Akif Capital looks to the future, it does so with a leader whose resolve and insight are as formidable as the markets he seeks to master. In Klcaslan, the firm has found not just a chairman, but an architect of enduring strength and vision.

Note to readers: This article is part of Mints paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy.
Blaupunkt India has launched a new range of QLED Google TVs, available in various sizes starting from 32 inches all the way to 65 inches. They are powered by HDR 10, feature up to a four-speaker setup, and have a 70-watt audio output. The TVs come with support for various picture and sound modes, including Cinema, Sports, Vivid, and more. They also have various connectivity features.

Here is all you need to know about Blaupunkt's latest lineup of QLED Google TVs.

Blaupunkt 4K QLED Premium Lineup In the premium lineup, starters, there are 3 models, starting with 50 inches, 55 inches, and 65 inches. The specifications will differ depending on the model you choose. The TVs feature HDR10 and a wide colour gamut.

The 55 and 65-inch models get a four-speaker setup, which is capable of a 70-watt sound output. As for the 50-inch model, it comes with a two-speaker setup capable of a 50-watt sound output. These models also get Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus support, along with six picture and sound modes: Cinema, Sports, Vivid, Music, News, and Standard.

Powered by Android TV, they have support for the Google Play Store, a built-in Chromecast, and Google Assistant. For connectivity, there is dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth support, three HDMI ports, and two USB ports.

QLED Compact Range While the above TVs are more premium, Blaupunkt has designed the 32 and 40-inch models for budget-conscious buyers. They feature Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MS12 surround sound, and support 48-watt sound output with a two-speaker setup.

The company says these models are powered by a Realtek processor. Despite being budget-oriented, they too get QLED panels, support various picture modes like Cinema, Sports, Vivid, Music, News, and Standard, and come with Android TV OS.
Im going to say something old-fashioned. Its a thing we used to say a lot but then we got bored with it or it seemed useless. We dont do that." If we dont say it well forget it, so we have to keep it front of mind.

President Trump this week gave a speech at Fort Bragg, N.C., to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. It wasnt like a commander in chief addressing the troops, it was more like a Trump rally. The president spoke against a backdrop of dozens of young soldiers who appeared highly enthusiastic. It was as if he was enlisting them to join Team Trump. Presidents always want to convey the impression they have a lot of military support, especially with enlisted men, but the political feel to the event was more overt than in the past. You think this crowd would have showed up for Biden?" The audience booed the idea.

The presidents language and imagery were unusually violent. For 250 years American soldiers have smashed foreign empires . . . toppled tyrants and hunted terrorist savages through the very gates of hell." Threaten the U.S. and an American soldier will chase you down, crush you and cast you into oblivion." Sometimes bragging for others is really patronizing them, and sometimes they dont notice.

We only have a country because we first had an army, the army was first," the president said. No, the Continental Congress came first, authorizing the creation of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. The next month they chose George Washington to lead it.

The president turned to Los Angeles. Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and Third World lawlessness here at home like is happening in California." This anarchy will not stand."

Then to the excellence of his leadership, and to the big, beautiful bill": No tax on tips, think of that." Then we had a great election: It was amazing, too big to rig." Radical left lunatics."

He was partisan in the extreme. The troops cheered. Previous presidents knew to be chary with this kind of thing, never to put members of the military in a position where they are pressed or encouraged to show allegiance to one man or party.

We dont do that. We keep the line clear. In part from a feeling of protectiveness: When you put members of the military in the political crossfire, you lower their stature. People see them as political players, not selfless servants. It depletes the trust in which theyre held.

Earlier in the week the president had sent National Guard troops, and then U.S. Marines, to quell the anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawbreaking in Los Angeles. Naturally in taking such action hed be at pains to explain his thinking at length, to reassure his fellow citizens that he was doing this solely with the intention of a full restoration of peace to Los Angeles. Hed make clear this isnt the beginning of, or the regularizing of, a new federal approach to local unrest. There are implications and repercussions to using the national military against Americans on the ground in America.

But there was no such lengthy explanation. The presidents remarks on Los Angeles have been as hot as the Fort Bragg speech. When they spit, we hit," he said. That isnt a warning, it is an excited statement meant to excite: I cant wait!

We dont do that. American presidents dont promise to bloody rioters heads. Youre supposed to be reluctant to use force, not eager.

President George H.W. Bush didnt want to send in the Guard during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The city had exploded after the acquittal of the four policemen who beat Rodney King. Police were overwhelmed; looting, arson and beatings followed. Sixty-three people were killed, 2,000 injured, 12,000 arrested. The mayor and governor asked for help, and Bush federalized the California National Guard and sent in Marines from Camp Pendleton and soldiers from Fort Ord. The riots began on April 29, and federal troops were getting it under control by May 2. Bush was careful to give a national address explaining his thinking, the facts as he saw them. You do this to show respect for people and their opinions. No one assumed he was taking his action as a first move in some larger, authoritarian plan. Because we knew: We dont do that.

The president has called a big military parade this weekend in Washington to celebrate the Armys 250th anniversary. It is also the presidents 79th birthday, and he enjoys parades.

Early plans speak of 6,600 soldiers across at least 11 divisions; 150 military vehicles, including 26 M1 Abrams tanks and 27 Bradley Fighting Vehicles. There will be aircraft and howitzers. It all sounds showy, militaristic and braggadocious, the kind of thing the Soviet Union did in its May Day parades, and North Korea still does.

We dont do that. We dont have big military parades with shining, gleaming weapons driven through the streets.

Sometimes I wonder of the people around the president: Do they know we dont do this? Have they read any history? Are they like Silicon Valley tech bros who think history started with them?

Maybe theyre thinking that in a world full of danger its good to let Iran and China and the rest know what weve got, how our missiles gleam and our soldiers march. But that is just another form of never having read a book. If they had theyd know not only that this isnt how we do it, but also that we dont do it that way for a reason.

You want a real show of strength? You never stoop to impress. We are so big and strong we dont have to show you. You dont have to see what weve got, Mr. Tinpot Dictator, and we dont have to tell you, because what weve got is so bigthe miles of missiles, the best-trained, best-dressed troops, the tanksthat if we showed you it would crack the roadway of Constitution Avenue, the concrete would crumble under the weight of our weaponry. So were just going to let you imagine what weve got in your dreams, your nightmares.

Swaggering threats, parading your strengthwe dont do that, the other guys do that.

Bonus small history: President Bush had scheduled a trip to L.A. around the time of the 92 riots, and a plan was being cooked up. He was going to give the Medal of Freedom, for a lifetime of entertaining and informing America, to the great and about-to-retire Johnny Carson. Live, on The Tonight Show," and they hoped to keep it a surprise. The riots changed the timing and tone of the trip, and Carson was given the medal in a White House ceremony months later. But what a moment that would have been for America, to see the suave and witty man surprised by an honor like that, on the set of his show, from a grateful president whod come to deliver it personally.

Thats how we do it.
KUALA LUMPUR, MalaysiaIn early March, four Chinese engineers flew to Malaysia from Beijing, each carrying a suitcase packed with 15 hard drives. The drives contained 80 terabytes of spreadsheets, images and video clips for training an artificial-intelligence model.

At a Malaysian data center, the engineers employer had rented about 300 servers containing advanced Nvidia chips. The engineers fed the data into the servers, planning to build the AI model and bring it back home.

Since 2022, the U.S. has tightened the noose around the sale of high-end AI chips and other technology to China over national-security concerns. Yet Chinese companies have made advances using workarounds.

In some cases, Chinese AI developers have been able to substitute domestic chips for the American ones. Another workaround is to smuggle AI hardware into China through third countries. But people in the industry say that has become more difficult in recent months, in part because of U.S. pressure.

That is pushing Chinese companies to try a further option: bringing their data outside China so they can use American AI chips in places such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The maneuvers are testing the limits of U.S. restrictions. This was something we were consistently concerned about," said Thea Kendler, who was in charge of export controls at the Commerce Department in the Biden administration, referring to Chinese companies remotely accessing advanced American AI chips.

Layers of intermediaries typically separate the Chinese users of American AI chips from the U.S. companiesled by Nvidiathat make them. That leaves it opaque whether anyone is violating U.S. rules or guidance.

The Biden administration proposed in its final days to set country-specific caps on purchases of American chipsa move that would have made it harder for countries such as Malaysia to serve Chinese demand. Kendler said overseas buyers of U.S. chips would have had to agree to national-security conditions limiting use of the chips, and such restrictions could have included a bar on Chinese companies accessing them.

The Trump administration said in May it would scrap the proposed country caps because it said it didnt want to place an unnecessary regulatory burden on Nvidia and other U.S. companies. However, it issued guidance warning U.S. companies that they need to take steps to prevent customers from using U.S. AI chips to train Chinese AI models.

The Commerce Department and Malaysias Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry didnt respond to requests for comment.

Careful planning

At the Chinese AI developer, the Malaysia game plans take months of preparation, say people involved in them. Engineers decided it would be fastest to fly physical hard drives with data into the country, since transferring huge volumes of data over the internet could take months.

Before traveling, the companys engineers in China spent more than eight weeks optimizing the data sets and adjusting the AI training program, knowing it would be hard to make major tweaks once the data was out of the country.

The Chinese engineers had turned to the same Malaysian data center last July, working through a Singaporean subsidiary. As Nvidia and its vendors began to conduct stricter audits on the end users of AI chips, the Chinese company was asked by the Malaysian data center late last year to work through a Malaysian entity, which the companies thought might trigger less scrutiny.

The Chinese company registered an entity in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysias capital, listing three Malaysian citizens as directors and an offshore holding company as its parent, according to a corporate registry document.

To avoid raising suspicions at Malaysian customs, the Chinese engineers packed their hard drives into four different suitcases. Last year, they traveled with the hard drives bundled into one piece of luggage.

They returned to China recently with the resultsseveral hundred gigabytes of data, including model parameters that guide the AI systems output.

The procedure, while cumbersome, avoided having to bring hardware such as chips or servers into China. That is getting more difficult because authorities in Southeast Asia are cracking down on transshipments through the region into China.

In February, Singaporean authorities accused three people of lying about the ultimate destination of Nvidia servers worth millions of dollars that they had procured. Lawyers for the three didnt respond to requests for comment. Singapore authorities have said that while they arent legally obliged to enforce other countries export controls, they wont condone businesses using their association with Singapore to avoid the controls.

Southeast Asia boom

Computing centers are quickly sprouting up in Southeast Asia, serving both Western and Chinese customers.

Data-center capacity is often measured in power consumption, and real-estate-services company Jones Lang LaSalle estimates there are nearly 2,000 megawatts of data-center capacity in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. That is equivalent to the combined capacity in London and Frankfurt, Europes biggest data-center markets.

Earlier this year, a Beijing-based tech firm took over a lease for 200 AI servers that a data center in Malaysia had originally earmarked for an American cloud-computing company, according to people familiar with the arrangement.

In recent months, companies have rushed to purchase chips developed by Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices to install in data centers in Southeast Asia. The Trump administration for now isnt moving ahead with caps on those nations chip purchases.

An Nvidia representative said, Ensuring that the worlds cloud services run on American infrastructure, and not on our foreign competition, promotes national and economic security and helps the U.S. set global AI standards."

President Trump and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang looked on as U.S. and U.A.E. officials signed an AI pact in Abu Dhabi last month.

Malaysia imported $3.4 billion in AI chips and other processors from Taiwan in March and April, more than the total imports of such chips in 2024, according to Taiwans International Trade Administration.

Some in the industry said the Middle East was likely to grow as a destination for Chinese AI developers. During a recent visit by President Trump to the region, Nvidia announced deals to sell hundreds of thousands of AI chips to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

In January, Adam Ooi, a director at a Malaysia-based family office, invested $5 million in a fund that acquires AI servers for leasing. After securing customers in China, Singapore and Indonesia, the fund manager purchased hundreds of Nvidia servers for installation in a data center in Malaysia.

They convinced me that its a business with promised returns and that we should move fast before the rules tighten up," Ooi said.

Write to Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com and Liza Lin at liza.lin@wsj.com
Israel launched a wide-ranging attack on Irans nuclear program overnight, striking dozens of targets in an operation that pushes the region into a new conflict with uncertain consequences.

An Israeli military official said the attack targeted Irans nuclear program and other military sites, as well as Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Dozens of planes wrapped up the first wave of the attack before dawn Friday, Israel said.

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Iranian state TV reported explosions and showed smoke rising in the capital, Tehran.

The strike came hours after U.S. and Israeli officials had warned one was imminent and cut short a U.S.-led effort to resolve the standoff over Irans nuclear program diplomatically.

Iran has warned it would respond to any attack by striking Israel and potentially American bases in the region.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency and warned his population that Iran was expected to retaliate for the attack by firing missiles and drones at Israel.

President Trump said on social media that he remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution but that Iran must give up the possibility of developing a nuclear weapon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. wasnt involved in the strikes, noting that Israel advised the Trump administration it would take action for its own self-defense. He also warned Iran not to attack U.S. interests or personnel in the Middle East.

The attack comes just days before U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was to meet his Iranian counterparts in Iran for a sixth round of nuclear talks. The U.S. has said Iran must give up the ability to enrich uranium needed to build a bomb. Iran has refused, leaving the talks at an impasse.

The Israeli military official said Iran had been secretly working to build a nuclear weapon in recent months.

Israels move to try to resolve the issue militarily is a gamble. Iran has dispersed its nuclear sites across the country and has buried them deep underground.

Any military strike would require a sustained effort and several rounds of fighting before either the regime agrees to give up its nuclear program or is toppled, former Israeli officials and security experts said.

Western and Israeli officials have said military action could set back an Iranian nuclear program at least a year, but there is considerable uncertainty over the estimate.

Meanwhile, Iran is expected to respond with attacks of its own that could send the conflict spiraling. The two exchanged direct blows last year for the first time, with Iran firing hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. Israel responded with strikes that damaged Irans missile program and took out much of its air defense, leaving it more vulnerable to an attack on its nuclear program.

If a conflict is imposed on us, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh said Wednesday, all U.S. bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries.

An attack also could spur Iran to build a nuclear weapon. Tehran will also likely stop cooperating with international inspectors, leaving its program more opaque to the U.S. and its allies.

Advocates of a strike said Israel had a limited window of opportunity to exploit the damage it has done to Irans air defenses and to allies such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, which might previously have joined a retaliatory strike on Israel.

Netanyahu raised the possibility of strikes with Trump in a phone conversation Monday, according to two U.S. officials. Soon after, the U.S. began moving some diplomats and military dependents out of the Middle East.
India's civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on its fleet of Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with General Electric's GEnx engines with immediate effect. The order comes a day after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in which 265 people lost their lives.

The DGCA ordered Air India to conduct a one-time check before the departure of all flights from India from the midnight on 15 June. The Tata Group-owned airline has been ordered to inspect the fuel parameter monitor, cabin air compressor, and associated systems.

Air India must also conduct checks of the electronic engine control system and the oil system, and a serviceability check of the hydraulic system, the regulator said.

Also read: How the crash impacts Air India, insurers and Boeing

The DGCA also said in its order that flight control inspections must be included in all transit checks until further notice. Under this inspection, the airline will have to check for damage, wear, and proper functionality of components such as ailerons, elevators, rudders and others.

In addition, the regulator ordered Air India to carry out power assurance checks on its Dreamliner fleet within two weeks. These will verify the engines' ability to produce the required power output for flying.

Air India has been ordered to submit a closure report of maintenance actions based on a review of repetitive snags in Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft in the the past 15 days at the earliest.

All this means is that DGCA is looking closely; it is only a preventive measure," said Nitin Sarin, managing partner at Sarin & Co, a law firm that specialises in aviation finance and regulatory services. This is the first step DGCA is taking to try to rule out all the possible causes of this accident," Sarin added.

Rear black box recovered

Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), part of the ministry of civil aviation, recovered one of the two black boxes in flight AI-171 from a rooftop of BD Medical College on Friday.

Murlidhar Mohul, minister of state for civil aviation, posted on X, The AAIB has recovered the black box from the Air India Flight AI-171 crash site in Ahmedabad within 28 hours of the tragic incident. This crucial step will expedite the investigation into the cause of the unfortunate accident."

An aircraft is equipped with two black boxes  one in the front and one in the rear. While AAIB has recovered the rear black box, the other black box is yet to be found, according to civil aviation ministry officials.

Black boxes contain voice recordings and flight data such as radio transmission, altitude, airspeed, flight heading, and vertical acceleration. Data from black boxes can help investigators ascertain whether human error, a technical fault, or both led to Indias worst civil-aviation disaster in almost three decades.

Focus on engine, flaps, landing gear: report

Reuters reported late on Friday that the investigation into the crash is focusing on the engine, flaps and landing gear. It said, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter, that Air India and the Indian government were looking at several aspects of the crash including issues linked to its engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained open as the plane took off and then came down within moments.

The probe is also looking at whether Air India was at fault, including on maintenance issues, the source told Reuters. A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the source said, adding that teams of anti-terrorism experts were part of the investigation process.

Also read: Dreamliner disaster hits Boeing ahead of key Paris showcase

Captain Kishore Chinta, a pilot with an Indian airline, told Mint that based on preliminary information, the aircraft did not generate enough thrust for take-off for some reason. "There could definitely have been some significant snag in the engine, which either caused the throttle to come back, which prompted the mayday call," he said. Chinta added, I have full faith in Air India's engineering [team]. No airline will let any aircraft go up in the air without proper maintenance."

The government has constituted a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the incident in detail. AAIB, the United Kingdom Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (UK AAIB), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a formal technical investigation.

Ex-Air India exec dismisses concerns of faulty manufacturing

At least one former Air India executive dismissed concerns of faulty manufacturing. Why will Air India operate a flight that is risky? And why will Boeing allow an airline to operate a certain risky aircraft?" asked Jitendra Bhargava, former executive director of Air India, in a phone interview.

When the investigations take place, the track record of the aircraft, how frequently it was grounded, what kind of problems and technical issues it encountered in these 11 years, all of it will form part of it," he added.

We will be fully transparent: Air India CEO

In his second video message after the incident, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said he visited the accident site and met government officials. "Have assured government that Air India is committed to full cooperation with those working on the ground and through the investigations. While investigations will take time, we will be fully transparent and will support the process for as long as it takes," he said.

Air India has sent a team of nearly 100 caregivers and 40 engineers to Ahmedabad. The technical team is helping at the site and caregivers are providing support to families. The airline has also set up assistance centres for friends and relatives of the passengers and crew members at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and London's Gatwick Airport. These centres are facilitating their travel to Ahmedabad and providing other support.

The Tata Group on Thursday announced support of 1 crore to the families of each person who lost their life, and said it would cover the medical expenses of those injured. The airline is also providing support to students at the medical hospital in Ahmedabad where the aircraft crashed.

Anxiety over three 787-8s delivered to Air India in 2014

On Thursday, American magazine Prospect reported that a few Boeing employees were anxious" about three 787-8s delivered to Air India in the first three months of 2014.

According to Boeing disclosures, the company started making the plane that crashed on Thursday in 2009, after receiving an order from Ethiopian Airlines. Construction began in 2009 at the Boeing factory in Everett, Washington state. However, for reasons not known, it handed the VT-ANB registration 787-8 model to Air India on 31 January 2014.

Air India VT-ANB's first flight was on 8 February 2014, and in the last 11 years it has clocked 39,450 flight hours, according to the Aviation Week Network Fleet Discovery database.

Also read: How does someone survive a plane crash that kills almost everyone else?

The aircraft has been serviced multiple times during the last decade. Five years ago, in June 2020, a bolt was found to be missing between the wing and fuselage. This detection prevented an accident.

According to Boeing disclosures, in 2015, an air compressor failure caused smoke in the cabin, prompting the aircraft to be diverted to Kolkata for an emergency landing.

In March 2014, the aircraft required an inspection of the engine mounts or pylons. Five months, in August, later there were reported incidents of cracked windshields. In late 2019 the flight was pulled out of service. During this time, the plane was adorned with a special 150 Years of Celebrating the Mahatma sticker to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Mails sent to Boeing Company remained unanswered at the time of publishing this article.

Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a statement on Thursday, I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau."
New Delhi: The defence ministry is in the process of finalizing a multi-year contract to set up a constellation of satellites" that will monitor other satellites that may be surveilling India, said three people aware of the development.

The final project will be monitored by a team of technical experts, likely to be outsourced to a private space startup specializing in this field. The contract, worth 150 crore per year, will also involve Indias very own network of spy satellites that are expected to be built and sent up by end-2026, they said.

The satellite mapping project will hinge on a network of satellites that will communicate with each other to relay data to stations on the ground. The network will be assembled entirely in India, and deployed entirely by end-2026, each of the three people cited above affirmed to Mint.

This is one part of Indias efforts to use its space prowess to bolster national security. The project in question will help preemptively detect space surveillance efforts against India, and will ramp up the capabilities that Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (Netra) initiative can already achieve," said one of the people cited above.

Also read | Mint Primer: How do spy satellites work around the world?

To be sure, Isros Netra, announced five years ago, is largely centred around monitoring space debris and satellite positionsin a bid to help India plan indigenous space excursions. The new project, which the defence ministry is currently helming as per all the three people that Mint spoke with, will dedicatedly track surveillance efforts in space.

This will be a small peg in a large, extensive system. Its important to note that India already had some satellite and ground telescope-based surveillance monitoring systems, through Isro. The new project will be a big boost to Digantara (a startup), and is definitely a good thing since it will bolster the use of space services in Indias national security capabilities. But, how effective it will be, and to what extent it will differentiate Indias ability, will remain to be seen only after the project becomes active," said Chaitanya Giri, space fellow at global think-tank and consultant, Observer Research Foundation.

On 12 May, Mint reported that the ministry of defence and Department of Science and Technology had asked three private space entities to speed-up deployment of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS)-3 project, which seeks to deploy a constellation of surveillance satellites in orbit.

Read this | Isro satellites ensured safety, security of citizens; no Indian assets lost in Op Sindoor: Govt

As part of this satellite mapping project, a control team is expected to work out of Bengaluru, and may even collaborate with Isro to synchronize their services, the second person cited above said. The person added that Bengaluru-based, Peak XV-backed startup Digantara has been awarded the contract.

Queries mailed to the defence ministry and the startup did not elicit a response by press time.

This is one of the biggest private space contracts that the Indian government has offered to a private space startup in India. The move reflects growing confidence in Indias private space capabilities, and will eventually bolster confidence in domestic startups gaining contracts from around the world," the third person said.

Digantara, in February this year, set-up an independent entity in Denver, US, to cater to space and defence contracts from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) and the US Department of Defense (DoD).

The startup followed in the footsteps of fellow Bengaluru-origin satellite imagery startup, Pixxel, which set-up a US entity in Los Angeles. In September last year, it won a contract from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) for a satellite-based data acquisition project.

Earlier, government officials had said that Indias space promotions body, Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (In-Space), was working to raise awareness within ministries to facilitate their usage of Indias space startups.

There is a considerable amount of awareness work being done at ministries. The government can and will be a key customer for space services, and in the near term, the effects of these contracts and tenders will be seen," said Pawan Kumar Goenka, chairman of In-Space.

Goenka had commented in light of S. Somanath, former chairman of Isro, stating last year that the Centre was yet to emerge as a big customer of space services in order to successfully emulate the US model of operation.

And read | India fast-tracks $3-billion spy satellite scheme following Operation Sindoor
New Delhi: The European Union (EU) has put Indias individual quota on hold and placed it under a pooled quota" for exporting certain kinds of steel products to the 27-nation bloc, dealing a double whammy to a sector already reeling from Americas 50% tariff.

The latest move is meant to correct imbalances in the current quota system by restoring separate duty-free country-specific quotas for major exporters like Ukraine, UK, Turkiye and Korea.

However, countries like India, which fall under an other countries" category, must share a pooled quota of around 12,500 tonnes with others, including China and Vietnam among others.

The EUs notification was submitted to the Committee on Safeguards at World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday.

The proposed changes will come into effect from 1 July and remain in effect till 30 June 2026. This shared quota, known as the residual quota," applies to product category 17, which covers angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel."

Also read US rejects India again at WTO: Response to auto tariffs plea mirrors rejection over steel, aluminium dispute

Under the pooled quota mechanism, any country in the pool can export any quantity. The amount a country exports is deducted from the overall quota of the pool. This means a single, large producer can quickly exhaust the full quota, analysts said.

However, any country in the pool that exports the product once the 12,500-tonne limit has been exhausted attracts a 25% tariff on that additional amount.

The figure for Indian exports of these particular products to the EU was not immediately available. However, In FY25, Indian shipments of articles made from iron or steel, which include category 17 products, stood at $1.83 billion. This is of major significance for India because it is in the final leg of discussions for a free trade agreement with the 27-nation bloc.

The EU had previously removed country-wise quotas for these products in 2022 after Ukrainethen the top supplierwas unable to export due to the war with Russia. That led to a globalized system where all countries could export under a common quota, as per the EU notification.

Read this India likely to seek removal of US steel tariffs in trade talks rather than immediate retaliation

Presenting New Delhis stand, a senior official said that India will discuss the issue with the EU, as the notification has provided a window for consultations from 12 to 19 June.

The decision may have mixed consequences for Indian exporters.

Being placed in the third-country quota alongside China puts us at risk of losing our share, as China (alone) could exhaust the allocation early," said Pankaj Chadha, Chairman of the Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC), a body under the commerce ministry. Chadha is also managing director of Jyoti Steel Industries.

These changes notified by the EU include removal of a 15% cap on any single countrys share of the pooled quota.

While the pooled quota ensures some continued market access, it poses a significant disadvantage when compared with countries that now enjoy exclusive duty-free quotas, experts said.

The continued access to residual quotas offers a limited but important channel for Indian steel exports. The latest adjustments also provide an opening for India to press for full access without quotas under the ongoing IndiaEU free trade agreement negotiations," said Arun Kumar Garodia, director, Corona Steel.

Also read Govt may harness public sector undertakings to drive green steel consumption

The EUs latest revision of its steel import safeguards may appear targeted at restoring trade balance, but in practice, it entrenches discrimination against countries like India that lack dedicated quotas," said Ajay Srivartava, co-founder, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).

By reintroducing exclusive duty-free quotas for the UK, Turkiye, and South Korea while limiting othersincluding Indiato a small, shared residual quota, the EU has effectively locked India into a second-tier access regime," he said.

Under the EUs revised safeguard system for steel, Ukraine has been allocated over 31,600 tonnes per quarter for these steel products, the UK 27,500 tonnes, Turkiye 22,900 tonnes, and South Korea 5,300 tonnes each quarter.

The negotiations for an FTA with the EU are at an advanced stage and are likely to be signed in the next couple of months.

Queries emailed to the commerce ministry remained unanswered till press time.

And read Goyal begins France, Italy visit to deepen trade ties; India looks to fast-track EU FTA, global alliances
Crude oil prices jumped more than 13% on Friday to hit the highest in more than two months after Israel said it struck Iran, raising concerns of over disruption in oil supplies due to the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Brent crude oil spiked 12.82% to $78.25 a barrel, while the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rallied 13.48% to $77.21.

Israel said that it struck Iran, and targeted dozens of sites across Iran, Reuters reported.

An Israeli military official has reportedly confirmed the attack, saying that it has Israeli military said it has launched a preemptive strike against Irans nuclear program.

Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over US efforts to win Irans agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb.

According to a report by Axios, Israels defense minister declared a state of emergency throughout Israel. Iran had previously vowed to respond to any attack.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the countrys strikes on Iran were aimed at hurting its nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile factories and many of its military capabilities.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Israels strikes against Iran a unilateral action and said Washington was not involved while also urging Tehran not to target US interests or personnel in the region.

The prospect of a broader Middle East conflict threatens to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20% of global oil flows. Adding to geopolitical risks, the US is preparing a partial evacuation of personnel from the region after Iran threatened to target US bases if nuclear talks fail, said Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities.

Also Read | Iranian General Hossein Salami killed in Israeli attack

Meanwhile, Iran state TV said nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in an Israeli strike .

Additionally, Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami was also reportedly killed in large-scale strikes launched by Israel on Tehran .

Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami was assassinated in an Israeli strike in Tehran.

The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly-advancing nuclear programme. The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones, PTI reported.

Crude Oil Price Outlook For the week, oil is on track for its best performance since late February 2022, noted Jigar Trivedi.

MCX Crude oil is likely to experience a buyer circuits in a day session and settle later around 6,200 per barrel as the session progresses, Trivedi said.

(With inputs from Agencies)
Bitcoin prices fell 3% on Friday, in line with other cryptocurrencies after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in a major escalation in the Middle East geopolitical tensions.

The largest digital asset, Bitcoin prices slipped as much as 3% to around $103,000 before paring losses, according to data on CoinMarketCap. The second largest cryptocurrency. Ethereum prices also plunged over 9%.

At 10:50 AM, Bitcoin price was trading 3.24% lower at $104,382.41, Ether prices traded 9.07% lower at $2,515.94, XRP was down 5.77% at $2.12, while Solana prices cracked 9.96% to $143.99.

The selloff in Bitcoin prices and other cryptocurrencies came as investors moved to safe-haven assets after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, targeting key nuclear and military sites.

Risky assets witnessed heavy selloff on Friday, while safe-haven assets such as gold prices rallied amid growing geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties. Crude oil prices also jumped more than 9%.

The latest geopolitical escalation has injected fresh volatility into global markets, and crypto is no exception. Bitcoin has slipped below $104,000, reacting swiftly to the news of Israels preemptive airstrikes on Iran. Ethereum and Solana also faced pressure, with SOL falling despite major DeFi development efforts. This kind of sharp, sentiment-driven correction underscores just how interconnected crypto has become with broader macro events, said Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder & CEO, Pi42.

As capital moves cautiously, were seeing a temporary pause in the recent bullish momentum. But its important to note that underlying fundamentals remain strong, he added.

Shekhar believes what we are witnessing is not a breakdown, but a reset and historically, such moments have often paved the way for more resilient growth ahead.

Over $1 billion dollars worth of long positions across all cryptocurrencies were liquidated in the past 24-hours, Bloomberg reported, quoting Coinglass data.

Israel-Iran Conflict Israel said its launched airstrikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. It said 200 jets were involved in the raids, striking about 100 targets.

Iran state TV said nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in an Israeli strike. Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami was also reportedly killed in large-scale strikes launched by Israel on Tehran .
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe will prohibit the export of lithium concentrates starting January 2027, as part of government efforts to compel foreign mining companies to establish processing and refining facilities within the country, Cabinet announced during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday.This move follows Zimbabwe's 2022 ban on the export of unprocessed lithium ore. Since then, only lithium concentrates have been allowed for export, requiring producers to add some value to the mineral by processing ore into concentrates before shipping. The government aims to further increase value addition to create local jobs, enhance mineral revenues, and stimulate industrial growth.Mines Minister Winston Chitando explained that the next step in the country's strategy is to allow only lithium sulphate exports from 2027 - a product with a higher level of value addition used directly in battery manufacturing."We do have two major players, Bikita and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, who are in the process of establishing lithium sulphate plants," Chitando said. "These value addition facilities will upgrade lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate. Because of that capacity now existing in the country, the export of all lithium concentrates will be banned from January 2027."Chitando urged companies in the lithium sector to invest in building lithium sulphate plants or to collaborate through toll treatment agreements, allowing those without refining capacity to process concentrates locally ahead of the ban."We call upon players in the lithium sector to come together and collaborate so that those who are not investing in lithium sulphate facilities sign respective agreements for toll treatment. Come January 2027, exports of lithium concentrates will no longer be allowed," he said.This policy aligns with a broader trend among African nations aiming to encourage foreign mining firms to increase local value addition and maximize benefits to their economies.Zimbabwe, which boasts Africa's largest lithium reserves, is positioning itself to capture more economic value from its mineral wealth through these measures, signaling a push towards industrialisation and economic diversification.
Boeing share price: Following the Air Indian plane crash on Thursday afternoon, which was carrying 242 passengers, Boeing Company's share price cracked during overnight trade in the US, ending the session almost 5% lower.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, which was travelling to London from Ahmedabad, crashed into a complex of B J Medical College in the Meghaninagar area shortly after taking off on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the death of 265 people.

Also Read | Air India Plane Crash LIVE Updates: PM Modi meets Vishwaskumar Ramesh

The aircraft involved in Thursdays accident, registered as Air India VT-ANB, was almost 12 years old. The Air India plane crash marked the first-ever complete loss of a 787 Boeing aircraft, which was introduced by the company more than a decade ago.

The 787 has become a crucial source of cash for Boeing, with 1,148 of the jets in service globally, according to a Bloomberg report.

Boeing share price trend Boeing share price had opened the session almost 5.5% lower at $202.17. During the trade, the aircraft manufacturer's stock had declined to $201.28. Finally, Boeing stock settled at $203.75, recording a 4.79% fall.

This marked the third consecutive day of decline for Boeing shares. In pre-market trade today, June 13, the shares were trading 1.5% lower at $200.54, signalling another weak session for the Boeing stock.

Boeing shares: Buy, sell or hold? Boeing share price broke out of a 66-day cup and handle pattern at $185, powering ahead toward its breakout target of $240, said Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investments, commenting on the technical outlook for Boeing shares.

Also Read | Air India Boeing jet crash probe puts early focus on engine thrust

"The current dip is a knee-jerk reaction from weak bulls rather than a structural breakdown. The breakout remains intact, and any pullback toward the $185192 zone should be viewed as a buying opportunity. Strong momentum and pattern confirmation support further upside in the coming weeks," Jain added.
Chinas latest restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals have sent ripples through the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, leaving several Indian manufacturers in the firing line.

The country accounts for nearly 70% of the worlds rare earth mining, with the rest split among the US, Australia, and Myanmar. That dominance means any supply disruption can reverberate across industries, especially in countries like India that rely heavily on imports.

With key components at risk, input costs may surge and production timelines could slip, tightening margins for Indian EV companies just as global competition intensifies.

Read this | Indias EV dreams are caught between rare earth and a hard place

This article looks at three Indian EV players now exposed to the rare earth squeezeand what the evolving crisis could mean for their near-term performance.

#1 Maruti Suzuki

First up is Maruti Suzuki, Indias largest passenger vehicle maker by production and sales, and a subsidiary of Japans Suzuki Motor Corp. Its lineup spans hatchbacks, compact SUVs, and premium sedans.

Maruti has reportedly slashed its near-term production target for the electric SUV e-Vitara by nearly two-thirds due to a shortage of rare earth materials. The company now plans to produce just 8,221 units between April and September, down from 26,512. A company document cited supply constraints in rare earth elements as the main reason.

Unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the e-Vitara was intended to be a marquee launch, with FY26 sales targeted at 70,000 units.

Parent Suzuki has also scaled back its India ambitions. It recently lowered its FY31 sales target from 3 million to 2.5 million vehicles, trimming its planned EV lineup for India from six models to four. India remains Suzukis largest market by revenue, but these revisions suggest a cautious approach at a time when global and local rivals are accelerating.

Despite the strategic retreat in EVs, Maruti Suzuki has performed strongly over the past five years. Revenue has grown at a 15% CAGR, powered by post-Covid recovery and improved capacity utilization. Net profit has expanded at an even faster 35% CAGR, reflecting healthy operating leverage, a better product mix, and cost efficiencies.

The companys balance sheet is among the strongest in the sector, with zero debt, a 16% return on equity (RoE), and 21.76% return on capital employed (RoCE) - metrics that outshine peers like M&M and Tata Motors.

To drive future growth, Maruti is betting on a broader SUV and BEV portfolio. It has committed 8,000-9,000 crore in capex to expand annual production capacity to 4 million units, and plans to launch six EVs by FY31.

However, its EV ambitions may be derailed if rare earth supplies remain tight.

Read this | Chinas rare earth export curbs are Indias wake-up call

The market appears to be factoring in these headwinds: Maruti shares are down 3.5% over the past year. The stock trades below its 10-year average of 37.3x at 26.9x P/E, suggesting the market is pricing in some of these near-term challenges and uncertainties around its EV transition.

#2 TVS Motor

Next is TVS Motor, Indias largest electric two-wheeler maker and the only domestic OEM with fully in-house EV and connected tech capabilitiesfrom batteries to infotainment systems.

TVS holds a 24% market share in the electric two-wheeler space (as of May 2025), led by its flagship iQube. It has also launched the electric three-wheeler EV King Max, expanding its portfolio.

In a recent interview, managing director Sudarshan Venu acknowledged looming supply chain disruptions from Chinas export curbs. He warned of possible production halts and price hikes, and expects the impact to reflect in industry-wide numbers by June or July.

EVs currently contribute 9.3% of TVSs revenue, and several new models are nearing launch. While long-term prospects remain solid, rare earth volatility poses clear near-term risks.

Over the past five years, TVS has delivered strong growth: Revenue has risen at a 19.5% CAGR and net profit at a 31.6% CAGR. The companys broad presence across motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds has helped build scale and market depth.

Operating profit margins have improved from 12% in FY20 to 15% in FY25, driven by cost discipline and a more premium product mix, likely driven by higher-margin premium motorcycles and EVs.

This has translated into a robust RoE of 28.9% for the company  highest among its peers. However, RoCE stands lower at 19.4% mainly due to a higher debt burden.

TVS Motors debt-to-equity ratio stands high at 1.73x as capital expenditures have been significant (Rs. 1,800 crores in FY24 standalone), primarily for new products and technology (including EV and three-wheeler EV), these are seen as investments for future top-line growth and improved free cash flow in the long run

Read this | TVS Motor posts 75% profit growth, but worries about capital allocation persist

Shares are down 1.11% over the past month, likely reflecting concerns about EV supply constraints, but are still up 12.8% over the past year.

Valuations are rich: TVS currently trades at a P/E of 58.9x, well above its 10-year average of 47.6x. This premium pricing suggests that a large part of its future growth potential may already be factored into the stock price.

#3 Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar)

The third company under pressure is Sona Comstar, a global mobility tech firm that supplies EV and non-EV components to OEMs around the world, including Tata, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj Auto, and M&M.

Unlike Maruti and TVS, which have avoided detailed commentary, Sona Comstar has been upfront about the risks. On its March 2025 earnings call, it explicitly flagged the potential for global production disruptions due to reliance on Chinese rare earth materials, especially magnets critical to EV powertrains.

To mitigate this, management is engaging with stakeholders including the Chinese embassy, while also exploring alternative technologies such as ferrite magnets and non-China sourcing.

Still, the pinch is already being felt. China reportedly rejected one of the companys two applications to import rare earth magnets in late May. The second is still under review.

Sona Comstar is actively working with OEM partners to balance performance trade-offs in rare-earth-free motors, though that transition could come with cost and timeline challenges.

Despite the external headwinds, the companys fundamentals remain robust.

Over the last five years, the companys revenue has grown at a CAGR of 28.1% driven by rising electrification trends and increased global traction in powertrain solutions while net profit has grown at a CAGR of 10.8%.

Operating profit margins (OPM) have also remained healthy and stable, ranging between 23% and 29% during this period. Its 5-year average OPM stands at 27.2%, well above peers like Bharat Forge and Samvardhana Motherson who have OPMs in the range of 9-18%.

Return ratios, too, stand robust with an RoE of 15.1% and RoCE of 18.7%. Debt-to-equity ratio stands low at 0.04x.

The company is sharply focused on the EV segment: EVs account for 39% of its total revenue, and a massive 77% of its 24,000 crore order book comes from EV programmes. This makes it especially vulnerable to rare earth shortages. While Sona Comstar is proactively exploring solutions, the transition may impact cost structures, product performance, and timelines.

Investors must watch how effectively the company manages this material transition and whether it can maintain its technological edge and margins amid supply chain reengineering.

Shares have fallen 22% over the past year, underperforming broader auto component peers. The stock trades at a P/E of 51.7x, below its 5-year average of 76x, though still expensive.

Also read | Automakers urge Indian govt for diplomatic outreach to China for rare earths

Conclusion

All three companiesMaruti Suzuki, TVS Motor, and Sona Comstarhave strong long-term fundamentals and strategic clarity. But in the short term, the rare earth supply crunch is a real and rising risk. Production timelines, margin structures, and investor sentiment may all be affected.

Chinas new export rules demand end-use declarations, approvals from Indian ministries and the Chinese embassy, and final clearance from Beijing. Despite 30+ pending applications from Indian automakers, none have been cleared. Delays now exceed the promised 4045 days, and a proposed dialogue between Indian auto bodies and Chinese officials remains stuck in red tape.

For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse.

Until there is more clarity on approvals and alternative sourcing, investors may want to tread carefullyand track closely how these companies adapt to a fast-moving supply chain challenge.

About the author: Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. She is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and is working toward the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Disclosure: The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions.
Chinese defence stocks witnessed heavy buying in trade on Friday, June 13, rallying up to 13% amid speculations that the Iran-Israel conflict could drive demand for Chinese defence equipment as Iran vowed to retaliate against the Israeli air strike on Tehran.

Chinese defence stocks today The flagship Chinese defence index gained almost 2% in intraday deals, with a majority of its constituents closing in the green. As of the close on Friday, HS China A Aerospace & Defence was up 1.68% to 4,287.21. During the day, the Chinese defence stocks index had topped the 4,300 level to 4,305.97, yet it remained some 13% away from its 52-week high of 4,968.09.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems manufacturer AVIC Chengdu UAS was the top index gainer, with its stock settling 11% higher after an over 13% jump in intraday deals. Another drone company, Aerospace CH UAV, was the second biggest gainer, rising 6.5%.

North Industries Red Arrow, North Navigation, AVIC Shenyang Aircraft and Avicopter PLC were among other gainers, with their shares rising between 2-5%.

China and Iran have a 25-year strategic partnership, entered into by the countries in 2021, which encompasses various areas, including economic, political, and military cooperation.

"While so far China has not given Iran any high-end defence technologies, including any fighter jets. But there are speculations that now nobody will supply to Iran, with Russia and China as likely candidates," said Dr Vikas Gupta, CEO and Chief Investment Strategist, OmniScience Capital. However, he cautioned that the current rally seems speculative in nature and is entirely sentiment-driven.

Meanwhile, according to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report last week, Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic-missile ingredients from China. Shipments of ammonium perchlorate are expected to reach Iran in the coming months and could fuel hundreds of ballistic missiles, the people familiar with the matter told WSJ.

Iran-Israel conflict Tensions in the Middle East, although ongoing for years, came to a boiling point today after Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on Friday, striking 100 targets including Tehran's nuclear and military sites, and killing the armed forces' chief of staff, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and top nuclear scientists.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.

The Israeli military said later that Iran launched 100 drones towards Israel in response and that its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory.

The ripple effects of the conflict were felt across the globe, with financial markets falling like a deck of cards from Wall Street to Dalal Street as investors fled riskier assets for safe havens like gold and silver.
Israel-Iran conflict: Indian benchmark equity indices tumbled in early trading on Friday, tracking steep declines in Asian markets following Israel's military strikes on Iran, which intensified geopolitical tensions in the oil-rich Middle East.

The Sensex began the session at 80,427.81, down from its previous close of 81,691.98, and plunged over 1,300 points, or 1.6%, reaching an intraday low of 80,354.59. Similarly, the Nifty opened at 24,473, compared to its prior close of 24,888.20, and tumbled 1.7% to hit an intraday low of 24,473.

Among the sectors, Nifty Oil & Gas emerged as the biggest loser, sliding 1.6% due to significant declines in stocks like Mahanagar Gas, IGL, BPCL, and IOC. Other indices including Nifty Bank, IT, Auto, Metal, and PSU Bank also saw losses, each falling between 1% and 1.5%. In the broader market, the Nifty Midcap index shed 1.1%, while the Nifty Smallcap100 declined by 1.5%.

Geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, have historically caused short-term market volatility. This often presents attractive opportunities to acquire high-quality stocks at discounted prices. We believe that any resulting volatility is temporary and unlikely to persist in the long term, said Rajesh Palviya, SVP - Technical and Derivatives Research, Axis Securities.

Should you buy on dips amid market crash? According VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, the impact on market will depend on how long the conflict lingers. In the near-term the market will be in a risk-off mode.

Investors can wait and watch how the situation unfolds. Nifty is likely to get strong support at 24500 level, Vijaykumar added.

Rajesh Palviya of Axis Securities believe that any market corrections driven by geopolitical concerns as a buying opportunity. Technically, the Nifty index has strong support in the 24,50024,300 range, while the Bank Nifty finds support near the 55,000 mark, he said.

On the other hand, experts recommend investors to avoid leveraged trades or highly speculative positions and Use market corrections as opportunities, not emergencies.

Geopolitical sell-offs often cause short-term panic but not always long-term market damage, unless the situation escalates into broader war or economic sanctions affecting global trade (especially oil), said Vikram Kasat, Head - Advisory, PL Capital.
Stock market today: Indian stocks experienced a drop on Friday, primarily driven by oil and gas companies, following Israels military operations in Iran, which escalated tensions in the oil-rich Middle East and prompted a widespread selloff across various markets.

The Nifty 50 decreased by 0.94% to 24,655 . 15, while the BSE Sensex fell by 0.95% to 80,919.97, as noted at 11:25 IST.

This significant decline occurred after Israel conducted an attack on Iran early Friday, raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict.

The United States released a statement describing the attack as a unilateral military action by Israel and cautioned Iran against responding by targeting US military bases and facilities in the area.

Global markets reacted with alarm as the situation remains unstable and unpredictable. US futures and major Asian stock indices also fell considerably as investors hurried to cut back on risk exposure.

Also Read | Stocks to buy: Rajesh Palviya of Axis Sec suggests these 3 shares for today

Market Views - Prashanth Tapse, Research Analyst, Senior Vice President of Research at Mehta Equities Nifty 50 Nifty 50 witnessed a sharp decline amid a spike in global volatility and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The index has slipped below the 25,000 mark, with crucial support now placed at 24,700 and 24,600. A gap-down opening or continued weakness may lead to a retest of these zones. Traders are advised to stay cautious and avoid aggressive longs until the index stabilizes. Watch for signs of reversal near key supports before re-entering.

Bank Nifty Bank Nifty breached the 56,000 mark, signaling weakness and potential downside. A further dip below 55,900 could trigger a fall toward the 55,50055,400 zone. While the broader structure remains in a range, volatility could lead to intraday swings. Traders are advised to avoid fresh longs and adopt a wait-and-watch approach until signs of reversal emerge or volatility cools off.

Also Read | Shares to buy or sell: Chandan Taparia recommends three stocks to buy today

Shares to buy for short term Prashanth Tapse recommends buying these three stocks in the short term - SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd, Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd, and Wipro Ltd.

Buy | Stock Name: SBI Card | CMP:  992 | SL:  960 | TARGET:  1,020 /  1,040 Analysis:

SBI Card is showing strength even during recent market weakness. The stock has formed a solid base around 980985, and this area is now acting as a strong support. Technical indicators suggest that buyers are stepping in at lower levels, and momentum remains positive. If the stock holds above 980, it has a good chance of moving up to 1,020 and 1,040. Traders can look to buy on any decline, keeping a stop loss at 960 to manage risk.

Buy | Stock Name: Dr. Reddys Labs | CMP:  1,356 | SL:  1,315 | TARGET:  1,400 /  1,430 Analysis:

Dr. Reddys has been performing well and remains strong compared to other pharma stocks. After a recent breakout, the stock is now moving sideways, which is a healthy sign. Its holding above key support levels, and technical indicators are showing signs of further strength. A dip towards 1,3401,345 can be a good opportunity to enter. As long as the stock stays above 1,315, it may head towards 1,400 in the short term, and 1,430 in the coming sessions.

Buy | Stock Name: Wipro | CMP:  257 | SL:  245 | TARGET:  268 /  272 Analysis:

Wipro is currently trading near a strong support level and has been stable despite market volatility. The overall trend remains positive, and the stock is still above its long-term moving averages. Technical signals suggest that the recent pullback may offer a good buying opportunity. Buying near 252254 with a stop loss at 245 could lead to a bounce back toward 268 and 272 in the short term.

Also Read | Stocks to buy under 100: Experts recommend four stocks to buy today
New Delhi [India], : U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be looking for a way out to exit from his aggressive tariff policy, especially toward China, according to a recent report by Jefferies.

The report suggests Trump could adopt a flat 10 per cent tariff across the board on all imports and raise tariffs on Chinese goods slightly higher to 20 per cent.

Jefferies said, "Trump is looking for an off-ramp from his tariff agenda and that tariffs are likely to end up at a universal 10 per cent across the board, and 20 per cent for China, including the 10 per cent tariff left over from the first Trump administration."

The report mentioned that Beijing has used clever tactics in response to U.S. restrictions. China linked its control over rare earth metals, a critical input for electronics, to America's move to block Chinese access to advanced semiconductors.

If Trump wants to strike a deal with China, he may need to distance himself from the national security lobby that supports tougher trade restrictions.

Jefferies said, "Trump will have to part ways with the national security lobby, most particularly given China's smart decision to link the rare earth issue".

Meanwhile, to strengthen its economy, China has gone for a sharp jump in gold imports. In April, gold imports in China rose 73 per cent month-on-month to 127.5 tonnes, the highest in 11 months.

The figure represents nearly half of the average global monthly gold output outside China.

According to the World Gold Council, holdings in China's gold ETFs have grown by 82.1 tonnes so far this year, surpassing last year's total of 53.3 tonnes, even though 6.1 tonnes were withdrawn since May.

In conclusion, the report by Jefferies signals a possible softening in Trump's trade stance, with a proposed shift toward uniform tariffs suggesting an intent to simplify policy while still maintaining pressure on China.

At the same time, China is using smart countermeasures, linking rare earth exports to U.S. restrictions and boosting gold reserves, to strengthen its economic resilience. The evolving dynamic underscores a potential recalibration in U.S.-China trade relations ahead of upcoming policy decisions.
Dividend stocks: Metals and mining major Vedanta's board is slated to meet next week on June 18 to consider its first interim dividend of the financial year 2025-26 (FY26).

In an exchange filing after the market trading hours on Friday, Vedanta said, the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) is proposed to be scheduled on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to consider and approve the First Interim Dividend on equity shares, if any, for the Financial Year 2025-26."

The company has fixed the interim dividend record date as June 24 to determine to eligible shareholders for the said payout.

Vedanta Dividend History Anil Aggarwal-led Vedanta is one of the high dividend-paying stocks, with a dividend yield of 7.09%. According to Trendlyne data, in the last 12 months, Vedanta has declared dividends amounting to 32.50 apiece.

The last dividend announced by Vedanta was of 8.50 apiece, with the record date of December 24, 2024.

Earlier this week, its subsidiary Hindustan Zinc had declared an interim dividend of 10 per share, resulting in a windfall of 2,680 crore for Vedanta.

The company recently announced raising funds via non-convertible debentures to the tune of 5,000 crore. Vedanta's board on May 30 considered and approved issuance of Unsecured, Rated, Listed, Redeemable, Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) on a private placement basis (upto 5,00,000 nos. of face value  1,00,000/- each) aggregating upto  5,000 Crores.
If there is one fruit that evokes strong feelings among people across the country, it is the mango. From the aromatic Kesar and the golden-yellow Banganapalli to the Langra and the sweet Dasheri, different varieties of mangoes are grown and enjoyed across the country. While everyone talks about the fragrance and flavours, this summer fruit also has a rich cultural memory associated with it, often serving as a muse for poets.

Now, this shared sensorial memory is being celebrated by the Kashkol Collective with an evening titled Bazm-e-Aam, where storytellingthrough music, dastans, poetry and foodtakes centrestage. The collective was started earlier this year by Ambreen Shah and Ashhar Haque to create a collaborative decentralised platform that empowers artists to find performance spaces and build connections.

Bazm-e-Aam is the second event by the collective following the one in April, which honoured poet Daagh Dehlvis legacy. According to Shah, the mango offers a shared inheritance. While some prefer the sweet Alphonso, the tang of Langra finds favour in another region. These friendly debates get passed on from one generation to the next. Mango certainly slices through geography. We want to celebrate what it means to us as a community, she elaborates.

The evening will kickstart with a dastan performed by Haque, which traces the mangos journey from Buddhist parables to Mughal memoirs, colonial kitchens, and folk wisdom. Historian Sohail Hashmi, who has been taking people to the village of Rataul for almost a decade now to explore different varieties of mangoes, will be in conversation with writer-environmentalist Sopan Joshi to uncover the oral histories associated with the fruit. The shape of the mango, known as paisley, has inspired embroidery and wood carvings for centuries, while the trees flowering season is connected with the arrival of the koel. From Babur to Shah Jahan, most Mughal emperors exhibited a fondness for the fruit and would have it preserved in large pots of honey, to be enjoyed through the year, says Hashmi.

The evening will take a musical turn with a mix of ragas and folk songs by Dholak Rani, led by vocalist Shivangini Yeashu Yuvraj. The musical collective, rooted in the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, will evoke the emotional landscape associated with the mango. Bazm-e-Aam will then culminate with a five-course Aam menu curated by Sadaf Hussain. The chef-food historian will be presenting the dishes in their traditional avatar, while focusing on different regions of India.

So, the menu features dishes and relishes such as the aam kucha (raw mango chutney) from Bihar, a mango and mutton keema dish called achraj from Lucknow. Some other dishes include aam kathal ki sabji from Bihar, a chutney and salad from Manipur and a Gujarati-Parsi dish known as ras-no-fajeto, and aam ki kheer from Rajasthan. I want to explore the social fabric and use food as a conversation starter. There are so many varieties of mango, but we can use these differences to celebrate diversity, adds Hussain.

Bazm-e-Aam will be held on 14 June at the India International Centre, New Delhi, 7 pm onwards.
The opening line from Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice is so well-known (It is a truth universally acknowledged") that its become a kind of cultural shorthand for matchmaking and social expectations. Austens mix of sharp humour, tangled romances and family dynamics makes her stories perfect for the screen. Austens enduring themesstruggles with love, class and traditionalso find resonance in Indian cinema, from Bollywood to regional films.

At first glance, Regency-era England might seem worlds away from the vibrant, chaotic and melodramatic world of Indian films. But scratch the surface and it becomes clear: Austens novels were always more than polite parlour dramas. They are rich dissections of social expectations, family pressure, female agency, class mobility and choiceall of which remain reflect the very heart of Indian family and social life. Her characters navigate expectations around marriage, inheritance and social respectabilitycornerstones of Indian storytelling as well.

In her essay Going Global: Filmic Appropriation of Jane Austen in India, critic Meenakshi Bharat writes that Indian filmmakers naturally gravitate toward Austen because she provides a familiar moral structure and social canvas", making her narratives both accessible and adaptable.

One of the first noted Indian adaptations of Austen was the 1985 Hindi television serial Trishna, which reimagined Pride and Prejudice for Indian audiences. The Doordarshan show featured characters like Rekha (Elizabeth Bennet) and Rahul (Mr Darcy) as members of a respectable Indian family negotiating arranged marriages and societal snobbery. The show worked, in large part, because Austens themes and Indian social realities aligned so seamlessly.

A far more sophisticated and astute adaptations of Austen is Rajiv Menons Tamil film Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000). Loosely based on Sense and Sensibility (1811), it follows two sisters. Tabu plays the emotionally restrained Soumya (based on Elinor Dashwood), while Aishwarya Rai plays the passionate, impulsive Meenakshi (inspired by Marianne). The sisters must navigate love, betrayal, financial dependence, family responsibility and patriarchyissues that resonated in 19th-century Britain as much as they did in Tamil Nadu at the turn of the millennium.

Speaking of Austens appeal, Menon says, Her principal characters experience internal and external transformation. Internally, they discover something new; externally, their view of the world changesand so does their opinion. Her books build on morals like dont judge a book by its cover. In Kandukondain Kandukondain, you see that, for example, through Meenakshi and her relationships, particularly with Bala (Mammootty). There are clear character arcs. Another thing she did remarkably well was to take the comedy plot, not a downer plot. Her books were endearing because the struggles are unique, but the characters around are deliciously funny and poke fun at society."

View Full Image 'Kandukondain Kandukondain'

Its not just Austens women who appeal to readers and filmmakers. As Menon notes, Austens men are equally intriguing: They are aggressive, proud, nasty but also poetic and sweet. They can also be dangerous and slither away."

Perhaps the most globally recognised Indianised Austen adaptation is Gurinder Chadhas 2004 English language film Bride and Prejudice. Starring Aishwarya Rai as Lalita Bakshi, the British production recasts Elizabeth Bennet as a strong-willed woman from Amritsar who clashes with wealthy American Will Darcy (Martin Henderson). With colourful wedding dances, family drama and cross-cultural misunderstandings, the film retains Austens biting social commentary alongside musical exuberance. In the production notes, Chadha is quoted as saying, Once I started adapting the novel, I was convinced Jane Austen was Indian in a previous life. The characters adapted so freely and the story and themes fit perfectly into contemporary India. A mother with four daughters to marry offwho couldnt relate to that?"

Family and misunderstanding, tradition and independence, duty and love are tensions Austen wrote of so sharply and themes Indian cinema thrives on.

With the 2010 Hindi film Aisha, director Rajshree Ojha presented a glitzy, modern adaptation of Austens 1815 novel Emma (much like Amy Heckerlings Clueless did in 1995). The setting shifts from the fictional town of Highbury to upper-crust Delhi, with Sonam Kapoor playing the title role of Aisha, a meddling matchmaker. Abhay Deols Arjun is based on George Knightley. Tonally closer to the satirical Clueless than a literary adaptation, Aisha is swathed in couture fashion and lavish parties.

Bollywood conventionsfestivals, weddings, songsoffer a modern twist on Austenian courtship rituals.

While Jane Austens ballroom scenes provide the ideal setting for the courtship to take place... Bollywood songs and dances not only function to promote social interaction, but also introduce the characters, focus on their feelings, and explore Indian traditions and values," writes Rosa M. Garcia-Periago in her paper Bollywoodizing Jane Austens Emma: Rajshree Ojhas Aisha, for the Jane Austen Society of North America.

While not all Indian adaptations are direct translations, Austens influence has seeped into the DNA of Indian filmsome proudly acknowledging her legacy, others borrowing themes and plots with subtle (or not-so-subtle) nods.

The effectiveness of these adaptations often lies in how well Bollywood tropes are integrated with Austens characters and their dilemmas. Following a classic Elizabeth-Darcy arc, in Imtiaz Alis Jab We Met, Geet and Aditya start off completely mismatched, but their journey together leads to transformation and love. In Ayan Mukerjis Wake Up Sid (2009), Sid is a male archetype of Austens flawed but redemptive hero, who is emotionally distant but gradually matures professionally and emotionally.

Rachel Dwyer, professor emerita at SOAS University of London, notes that filmed adaptations like Clueless, Ang Lees Sense and Sensibility, and BBCs Pride and Prejudice might have had more impact than the novels themselves. Its important not to equate Austens world directly with its contemporary Indian counterpart, but there are similarities between it and Anglophone Indian elite society, which has its own versions of good marriages based on widely agreed conventions such as status, wealth, family background, etc."

Austens settings mirror many Indian realities. Her emphasis on wit, moral growth and social tensioncombined with satisfying love storiesmakes for enduring, engaging cinema. In a post-colonial Indian film context, Austens stories may be painted in Indian colours and Bollywood tropes, but her characters and themes remain recognisably Austen.

Udita Jhunjhunwala is a writer, film critic and festival programmer. She posts @UditaJ.
During the 1970s, restaurants in Maharashtra had to segregate alcohol-serving areas from the rest of the dining space or family room. As a patron, one needed a permit from the state government to drink in these permit rooms".

In contrast, quarter bars, which catered primarily to male patrons and served only chakna (bar snacks), developed a seedier reputation," says Aditya Hegde, co-founder of Permit & Co in Mumbai. On the other hand, Goan tavernas were neighbourhood watering holes that catered to different working communitiesthe ones near the beach were for fisherfolk, those near the fields were for farmers, in coconut groves for toddy tappers, and so on. They generally served feni and seasonal urrak as the main tipple. In Kerala, kallu shaaps are where toddy tappers hand over their vats of freshly fermented toddy for people to relish after a long days labour.

Restaurateurs across India are now reviving and reinventing traditional toddy shops, permit rooms and tavernas, transforming these hyperlocal bars into trendy destinations. By modernising classic drinks and dishes, theyre not just celebrating regional heritage, but also making communal experiences fun and relevant to a new generation.

Also read: Can touchings be the new tapas? Chef Regi Mathew thinks so

Tobias Carvalho, a bartender and restaurateur based in Goa, says there are many smaller watering holes considered unworthy of a family-friendly experience. It also depends on how you are portraying your outfit," he says. He, along with business partner Gaurav Bhardwaj, opened MoFo in Benaulim, late last year, their take on a traditional taverna, but with the exoticism of a speakeasy.

View Full Image Bob's Bar in Bengaluru.

The thread that ties all of these watering holes together is the sense of community. The charm of Indias dive bars lies in their unfiltered honesty. These were spaces where you left your baggage at the door: no dress codes, no judgement, just good booze, great snacks and real conversation," explains chef-partner Niyati Rao of Mumbais Bombay Daak.

Bobs Bar in Bengaluru takes the spirit of camaraderie very seriously. It is a space where a 70-year-old from Richmond Town (one of Bengalurus oldest neighbourhoods) might end up sharing a table with a young creative new to the cityand both would feel at home," says a Bobs Bar spokesperson.

The food and drinks originally served at watering holes were created to be practical finger foods that would be comforting, and double up as a gastric lining to deal with the onslaught of bottom-shelf spirits served neat, with soda or plain water. A peg with something salty, spicy and friedis practically an art form, perfected over decades in smoky corners and sticky tables," says Rao. There are unique variations in every region: from ghee roast in Mangalurus bars and boiled peanuts tossed with lime in Tamil Nadu to Mumbais bombil and liver fry.

The food was always meant to support conversationnot interrupt it. This is the premise modern avatars of dive bars are trying to recreate. I call it no-nonsense food, where you dont reinvent the wheel," Carvalho says. At MoFo, best-sellers include dishes like kheema pav and Maggi topped with bacon or eggs.

This nostalgia-fuelled, necessity-driven gastronomic adventure is a subculture of its own. The curiosity spreads across the globe with bars such as Mischa Tropps Toddy Shop by Marthanden Hotel in Melbourne, and Dishooms Permit Room in London, a tribute to the hyper-regional food and drinks culture of Kerala and Mumbai respectively.

View Full Image Santra season, Bombay Daak. (Nikhil Vaidya)

Most recently, chef Regi Matthew took Keralas kallu shaap to New York with the opening of his restaurant Chatti. There is so much to explore in India and concepts like toddy shops do such good work with food, preserving at times lost recipes. They need to be taken to the food curious," he says. Dishes served at Chatti are elevated such as banana leaf-wrapped prawn pouches and the toddy shop classic beef fry.

At Bombay Daak, Raos team creates cocktails that celebrate Indian spirits and regional ingredients. Were not toning down the essence, were turning up the craft," she says.

Bobs Bar serves Kannadiga staples like raw banana cutlets, pepper chicken and fried chicken.

The libations at traditional dives left a lot to be desired, but that is where innovation has played a key role. Carvalho infuses whisky with chikoo and cacao nibs, bitters and demerara to create a version of an Old Fashioned called Ohfomofo. We also have Sinatra Symphony, which is a New York sour twist of whisky infused with ginger, honey, and some citric acid." Bombay Daaks Santra Season is the head mixologist Yathish Bangeras take on the wine shop and dive bar staple served in a flat bottle made with gin and pickled indigenous ingredients.

Shaped by necessity and local context, dive bars were designed to complement affordable alcoholbold, quick, comforting, and easy on the pocket. This practical approach evolved into a beloved subculture that is now being reimagined and championed in ways that surprise and satisfy.

Also read: A new bar honours the age-old drinking culture of India

Sayoni Bhaduri is a lifestyle journalist based in Mumbai.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former National Social Security Authority (NSSA) investment director, Brian Murewa, has been acquitted of fraud charges involving US$25,000, following a ruling by Harare regional magistrate Donald Ndirowei that found no evidence to support the prosecution's case.Murewa, who was represented by lawyer Tafadzwa Hungwe, was discharged at the close of the State's case after the court found conflicting witness testimonies and a lack of incriminating evidence."It is the court's view that the evidence of the prosecution is such that it does not implicate the accused person in the commission of the offence," Magistrate Ndirowei ruled.The court noted that Murewa acted under a board resolution authorising the purchase of the guest house in Kariba, which permitted him to agree on a buying price of up to US$240,000."It is also a fact that the accused signed the agreement of sale with the Thokozani Family Trust which sold the property," Ndirowei said. "In light of the evidence, the court's disposition is that the accused person should be found not guilty and discharged at the close of the State's case."Allegations Fall ApartProsecutor Anesu Chirenje had alleged that Murewa defrauded NSSA by inflating the purchase price of a Kariba guest house from US$215,000 to US$240,000, and misappropriating part of the funds.The State claimed that NSSA had tasked Murewa in January 2021 to identify a property in Kariba for staff use. He reportedly approached Palm Golding, a real estate firm, which was selling a property on behalf of the Thokozani Family Trust.Murewa allegedly negotiated a discount to US$215,000, but induced the sellers to sign an agreement reflecting a US$240,000 purchase price. NSSA subsequently transferred US$300,000 to Platinum Investments Managers (Private) Limited, with US$252,631.59 allocated for the purchase.According to the State, Murewa was handed US$153,000 to complete the transaction but paid only US$124,000, allegedly pocketing the difference. A remaining US$91,000 was reportedly transferred directly to the sellers.However, the court ruled that these transactions were not sufficient to implicate Murewa in any wrongdoing, especially given the authorised purchase price and lack of evidence showing personal enrichment.ImplicationsThe acquittal ends a high-profile case that had attracted public attention due to NSSA's troubled history with corruption and mismanagement allegations. Murewa's legal team maintained throughout the trial that he was being unfairly targeted for decisions made within the scope of his professional mandate.With the case now closed, it remains to be seen whether NSSA or the State will pursue any civil remedies or conduct internal reviews of the transaction in question.
Growing up as the youngest of four girls, writer Anuja Chauhan always found the fictional world of Jane Austen relatable. But youd be mistaken to assume that Pride and Prejudice is her favourite among Austens novels.

I love her humour, her honest, pragmatic, realistic take on romance. There is nothing breathless about it," Chauhan says. But I find the sister dynamics in Pride and Prejudice problematic."

Its a sentiment Chauhan has aired before, when her novel Those Pricey Thakur Girls came out in 2013. Perhaps the most autobiographical among her books, it tells the story of four sisters growing up in a bustling Delhi family. Understandably, readers drew parallels with Pride and Prejudice, which revolves around the lives of the five Bennet sisters. But Chauhan was quick to correct them.

Even if I am an Austen fan, Im not such a Pride and Prejudice fan because frankly, I think Lydia (the youngest Bennet sister) got such a raw deal. Everyone was so mean about her. I really think of Elizabeth and Jane as self-righteous, goody two shoes who think, Arrey, we are so classy, and our sisters are like...," she said in an interview. They dont like their own mother, they dont like their own sister, they are just sitting around thinking, We are so cool and rich people want to marry us."

Chauhans may be the unpopular opinion, considering the massive fandom that TV, movie and book adaptations Pride and Prejudice has spawned over the years, but it captures a fundamental truth about Austens reputation 250 years after she was born. Its impossible to pigeonhole Jane Austen as one kind of writer, namely of romances. Rather, as Katherine Joy Fowler wrote in her best-selling novel The Jane Austen Book Club (2004), Each of us has a private Austen."

A WRITER FOR THE TIMES

For a writer born in 1775, who wrote only six full-length novels (two of which were published posthumously) before she died at the age of 41, Austen left behind an outsized legacy. In India, her novels are widely loved, taught as part of higher education curricula, and have inspired multiple films. Austen is still admired for the universal truths her novels offer, transcending social, cultural and geographical barriers.

Sowmya Guntooru, 40, who started the Jane Austen Society of India (JASI) in 2017, a Facebook community with over 2,500 followers, says Austens novels are examples of practical feminism". She always gives the woman the right to choose. All her stories are told from a womans perspective, not from a male gaze." The purpose of JASI, which maintains close links with similar groups from across the world, is to not only read Austens novels, but also highlight the values she lived by.

During the covid-19 pandemic, Guntooru hosted a talk show called Happy Hour on JASIs channel, where she engaged with a range of writers, who have created heroines with strong personalities, or look at Austens books from a fresh angle. Her guests included Nancy Springer, author of the Enola Holmes books (which present a counterpoint to Arthur Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes) and Damianne Scott, the mind behind Black Girl Loves Jane", a Facebook page that tracks Austens influence on BIPOC (Black, indigenous and people of colour) readers. The latter theme has gained currency in the popular imagination as more adaptations choose blind casting, be it the 2022 Netflix version of Persuasion or the 2020 Regency-era drama series, Bridgerton.

Although Guntooru points out that JASIs members are a mix of men and women, the gender ratio is heavily skewed towards women . The trend checks out, anecdotally, from the responses I received on social media when I put out a call out for fans of Austen to share their views with me: 100% of the respondents were women. Does that mean Austens novels dont have much to offer to men? On the contrary, as Chauhan says, Women aspire to have a teachable guy like Darcy in their lives, a man who is receptive to feedback."

Also read: How Suniti Namjoshi wields the spear and the shield of satire and fables

Searching for such qualities in men, adds Soumanetra Basu, 39, an Austen fan living in Hong Kong, may seem misplaced in the present times of rushed Tinder romances and situationships." But the ideals never really disappeared. Even today, the desire to search for a perfect matea Mr Darcy or a Mr Knightleyis all too familiar," she adds. Men in 2025 have much to learn from Austen, in terms of etiquette of dating and marriage. Its one of the reasons why social media is teeming with varieties of Austen content 250 years after her time.

View Full Image A still from BBC's 'Pride and Prejudice' (1999).

Ananya Mahnot, who, at 18, is poised to enter Ashoka University with the aim to major in English, gives credence to Basus view. Austens presence in pop culture feels surprisingly strong for an author writing in the early 19th century," she says. Whether through modern film adaptations, social media trends, or viral memes comparing Mr Darcy to todays emotionally unavailable love interests, her legacy is very much alive among my peers."

Beyond this quest for a romantic idyll, Austens novels also teach us how to forge bonds of friendship. She shows us how easy it is to misjudge people," says Mumbai-based writer Anjalli Kripalani, 38. So many of her characters get together, or become friends, after an initial misunderstanding."

A WORLD WITHOUT JUDGEMENT

A couple of months ago, Rakhi Chakraborty, 34, a former communications professional, and her friend Rupanjali Samaddar, 26, a psychotherapist, started a Jane Austen Book Club in Kolkata, inspired by the movie, The Jane Austen Book Club. As of now, seven people have signed up, all women, and we want to cap the membership at eight," Chakraborty says. The ages range from 26-41."

To join the book club, people have to fill out a form explaining the reason behind their interest. As Chakraborty began screening the responses, she was deeply moved to discover how Austens novels have influenced the lives of women living in another time and part of the world.

I filled up too many slam books dreaming of Darcy. But I also learned to question why we romanticise him. Thats the thing about Austenyou can love her and still push back. Austen has always been both a mirror and a map.

Ive inherited as much Austen as I have my great-grandmothers cheekbones! As a young adult, her stories helped me figure out who I wanted to beor more importantly, the kind of woman I refused to become," wrote Indrani Banerjee, a 41-year-old learning designer. I filled up too many slam books dreaming of Darcy. But I also learned to question why we romanticise him. Thats the thing about Austenyou can love her and still push back. Austen has always been both a mirror and a map."

The mirror and map analogy rings true for favourite writers who have given us a way to be in the world. Either their vision of life resonates with our core values, or maybe the plights of their characters make us feel seen". As a late-bloomer in the world of real-life romance, I looked up to Anne Elliot in Persuasion (1817)single, stoic and dignified at 27when I read the novel for the first time as part of my MA syllabus.

In contrast, for Chennai-based writer Nirica Srinivasan, 27, who is one of the curators of Bengaluru- and Goa-based Champaca Bookstore, it was Emma that made her fall in love with Austen. Like many of her Gen Z peers, she got to Austen via the retellings, through movies and other contemporary novels. What Srinivasan liked most about Austen is that there is no judgement in her portrayal of a young woman who gets into a pickle every so often. I always find it hard to define myself in any one way and all of her charactersso real, vivid and flawed remind me that I dont need to," she adds. I can see something of myself in her heroines."

It wouldnt be wrong to surmise that Austen put a bit of herself in all the heroines she createdfrom the emotionally volatile Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (1811) to the impressionable Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey (1818). If her one major theme is the portrayal of a steady and dependable love that stands the test of time, she was no less keen to grapple with ways of being a self-respecting woman in the worldespecially in her time, when she, like many other women, lived in the shadow of their male relations, brothers in her case. Sadly, this is still far too commonly the case in India and many parts of the world.

So, it is hardly surprising that generations of women are still finding solace in her books. While the millennials, based on my interviews, seem to be drawn towards the Austenian ideal of love, cautiously cultivated by overcoming multiple disappointments, the Gen Zs are more inclined to discover through Austen ways of being outspoken, opinionated, and not always likeable young women in the world they live in.

When I first read Northanger Abbey, I was about 12 years old, and I read the novel again two years ago (when I was 22). As a 12-year-old, it was Austens flamboyant freedom that stood out to me," says poet and writer Alolika Dutta, 24. Austen wrote, it seemed to me at 12, so much where so much less would do," she adds. But why must one make do with only as much as is called for? How much is called for? What makes a thing more socially acceptable than another?"

For Gen Zs and Alphas reading Austen, or getting acquainted with her legacy through pop-culture adaptations, the authors opinionated style itself can be a pull, a permission to say whats on their mind.

Personally, Lady Susan stands out to me as a sharp, underrated gem in Austens body of work. It is tonally distinct from her more well-known novelsdarker, more biting, and driven by a central character who is unapologetically manipulative and self-serving," Mahnot says. Theres something thrilling about watching a female character operate so boldly within and against the social conventions of her time."

One can only imagine what a sensation Jane Austen would have been on social media had she lived in our compulsively online times.

With inputs from Shrabonti Bagchi.
Securing a personal loan as a student can be a practical solution to manage unexpected expenses or cover various personal costs. While most traditional loans require a steady income, there are ways for students to qualify with the help of a guarantor or alternative sources of income.

In this article, we will explore how students can apply for personal loans, the eligibility requirements, necessary documents, and key considerations to ensure responsible borrowing. Whether you're facing immediate expenses or need extra financial support, understanding the ins and outs of student personal loans can help you make informed decisions.

Also Read | What happens if you miss a personal loan EMI? Find out here

Understanding personal loans for students A personal loan is unsecured, meaning it offers a lump sum to cover a multitude of personal expenses. They're not secured loans in which you would pledge your cash or real estate to collateralize the loan, but unsecured loans, just like mortgages or auto loans are. So, you do have flexibility in taking the loan to manage unwelcome costs.

Eligibility criteria for student without income Indian banks and fintech companies often do not offer student personal loans. In addition, most lending agencies require a steady source of income to approve personal loans. Here's how to still qualify if you're an unpaid student:

Guarantor: Most banks require a guarantor-someone like a parent, sibling, or other family member earning-a parent or sibling or other family earner-to co-sign the loan on your behalf. Other sources of money: You can apply for a personal loan in your name if you have a side job, freelancing work, or another source of money. Can students without income get personal loans? Under some conditions, students without income can still obtain personal loans. Such as, if a parent or sibling acts as a guarantor for them or they are making money through freelancing or part-time employment. Students without a steady source of income may be eligible for immediate personal loans from some financial institutions.

Also Read | Top 3 reasons to take out a personal loan for your financial needs

Are student personal loans the same as education loans? No, student loans are not education loans:

Student personal loans: It can be used for a variety of things, such as paying bills for living expenses, unexpected medical bills, or buying technology. Education loans: These loans are specifically provided to fund tuition, books, and other expenses directly related to education. How much can a student borrow? The loan limit of a student is determined by several factors such as his income, credit score, and the restrictions of the lender. Most Indian financial institutions offer students without income personal loans up to 5 lakhs as long as the guarantor supports the loan.

Documents required for a student personal loan These are some of the common paperwork requirements, but they are different for the lender.

Identity proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, Driving license, Passport, Voters ID. Address proof: Aadhaar card, PAN card, Driving license, Passport, Voters ID, Utility bill. Income proof: Bank statement of last three months (required for guarantors and salaried individuals.)

Also Read | 4 simple tips to use a personal loan for home renovation

In conclusion, there is a long list of the paperwork involved in securing a personal loan. With such expenses on the student's head, it could help them out with these expenses and let their path continue smoothly toward academics. But borrowing requires a prudent approach. A personal loan may bring you the money you will need to focus on fulfilling your academic goals if planned and borrowed responsibly.
Investors in fund-of-funds (FoF) schemes often do not get a clear picture of what theyre really paying. In the absence of a standardized mechanism to report expense ratios, fund houses have their own approach to the calculation.

Most FoF schemes report only the expense ratio of the wrapper", which is the cost of running the FoF. However, FoFs have other funds as their underlying, which in turn charge an expense ratio. The true expense ratio of an FoF is the wrapper cost plus the weighted expense of the underlying schemes they invest in.

Take, for example, the SBI Gold Fund (Direct). Popular mutual fund comparison site Value Research lists its total expense ratio (TER) as 0.1%, the lowest for the gold FoF category. However, the underlying gold ETF that this fund feeds into has an expense ratio of 0.73%, pushing the actual cost to 0.83%, and making it the third most expensive option among 17 gold FoFs.

On the same site, DSP MF's Gold FoF shows a TER of 0.65%, which seems to be the highest. However, it adds the cost of the underlying fund that it feeds into while calculating the ratio, making it the cheapest.

The data, fetched on 30 April 2025, shows SBI Gold FoF manages 3,921 crores, and DSP Gold FoF 85 crores.

Direct investors mostly look at expense ratios while choosing FoFs like gold and silver, as there is no active management involved, and the cost becomes a deciding factor. Lack of standardized reporting mechanism of TER in such funds can be particularly confusing for DIY (do it yourself) investors," said Alekh Yadav, director at Sanctum Wealth Management.

View Full Image Mint

Also Read: How are different fund of funds taxed?

Grey zone

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) mandates that the scheme information documents (SID) and advertisements for FoFs must disclose the expenses of the underlying scheme apart from the wrapper cost. However, Sebi does not mandate disclosing the exact expenses of the underlying schemes in periodic factsheets and only mentions that disclosure be given that the underlying scheme expenses are applicable.

According to chapter 5.8.1.3 of Sebi's master circular, FoFs need to disclose the underlying schemes TER in the scheme information documents/key information memorandum (KIM).

Experts say common investors hardly know that such documents exist, let alone read them. There is no mention of making it mandatory on the Amfi website and the factsheet, which is commonly used by retail investors.

Most AMCs, including HDFC AMC and Kotak AMC, give a disclaimer but do not disclose the TER of the underlying schemes in their factsheet for gold ETF FoF. Fund houses like ICICI Pru disclose the underlying schemes' total expense in the factsheet along with the wrapper cost.

Current regulations do not require disclosure of the expense ratio of underlying funds in the factsheets, though it is mandatory to disclose it in scheme documents like SID / KIM or KID," said Devang Chawda, senior product manager at DSP Asset Managers. In the spirit of full transparency, we voluntarily disclose the total expense ratio, including that of underlying funds, across all investor communications to reflect total cost borne by the investor."

Even when the SID discloses the TER of the underlying schemes, it can be hard for retail investors to decode it. SID shows expenses charged by each underlying scheme, and if the FoF has multiple underlying schemes, the investor needs to tally the total expense by doing a weighted average calculation of all schemes. FoF category, like an asset allocator, can have multiple underlying schemes.

According to the AMFI website, total TER (including underlying) in respect of FoF investing liquid schemes, index funds & ETFs has been capped at 1%. That of FoF investing in equity-oriented schemes has been capped at 2.25%, and FoFs investing in other schemes than those mentioned above have been capped at 2%.

Queries sent to Sebi on Wednesday did not elicit any response, while SBI MF declined to comment on the matter.

Also Read: Fund houses suggest these four tweaks to make mutual funds even more sahi

How to fix this

Currently, most mutual fund comparison platforms show only one TERusually the wrapper costbecause thats what AMCs report. This leaves investors unaware of the scheme's true cost.

Manuj Jain, co-founder of ValueMetrics, said the market regulator should standardise reporting of FoF expense ratios and, in the spirit of full transparency, it can push AMCs to mandate disclosure of the total expense ratio of FoF schemes, as that is the true expense that an investor incurs.

Such a rule would also empower third-party comparison sites to fetch and display accurate, complete expense data, helping investors make better-informed decisions.

Also Read: Should you diversify your portfolio by adding mutual funds focused on quality strategy?
Air India Plane Crash: Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on Friday released his second message in less than 24 hours in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. Campbell Wilson visited the AI-171 plane crash site in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Friday.

A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, the airline confirmed post-midnight on Thursday.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 Hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X.

The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national.

What Campbell Wilson said? Confirming his visit to the crash site in Ahmedabad, CEO Campbell Wilson said, I am sharing this message from Ahmedabad where Air India Flight, A171 to Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off yesterday.

Tragically, since my first briefing, we have confirmed that 241 of the 242 passengers and crew perished in the incident. All of us at Air India are devastated by this loss, and grieve for those affected and their families, and their loved ones, he said.

Air India's Logistical Support At Crash Site in Ahmedabad Wilson also provided an update on the logistical support being provided by the airline company at the crash site. He said, Air India's advanced team of nearly 100 caregivers and 40 engineering staff has now arrived at Ahmedabad. The technical team is now helping at the site and our caregivers are providing support to the families. Many more caregivers are travelling to Ahmedabad to provide further support."

We have set up Friends and Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Gatwick, and London for the next of kin of our passengers and crew members. These centres are facilitating their travel to Ahmedabad and providing them full support.

Air India Plane Crash: On Compensating the Victims On compensating the next of kin for the passengers who lost their lives in the London-bound Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Campbell Wilson said, The Tata group, our parent company, has announced they will provide 1 crore rupees or approximately 85,000 GBP to the families of each person who lost their life and will cover the medical expenses of those injured.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson did not mention the plane crashs lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, in his second message after visiting the crash site in Ahmedabad.

The lone survivor of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin. He was seated in 11A near the emergency exit and managed to escape through a broken emergency door after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff.

Air India Plane Crash: On doctors' hostel involved in accident The Air India plane that crashed on 12 June was Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB). The aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick. It reached only about 600650 feet in altitude before issuing a MAYDAY call and crashing into a residential area near the airport.

We are deeply concerned with the well-being of the students of the medical hostel involved in the accident, Wilson said, adding, Air India is committed to providing full and unstinting assistance in these difficult times.

The Air India flight AI-171 crashed into the intern doctors' hostel building of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabads Meghani Nagar area shortly after takeoff. At least eight to 10 people died in the hostel, including four medical students, with many others injured or missing.

Air India Plane Crash: On visiting crash site in Ahmedabad Wilson, who was in Ahmedabad on 13 June, said, This morning I visited the crash site and was deeply moved by the scenes. I also met key stakeholders in the government and assured them that Air India is committed to full cooperation with those working on the ground and to the investigations.
Air India Plane Crash: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole British survivor of the London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, has shared a chilling account of the disaster from his hospital bed.

Speaking to DD News on Friday, the 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh described the moment the plane felt stuck in the air for 5-10 seconds after take-off, followed by flickering green and white lights. The aircraft wasnt gaining altitude and was just gliding before it suddenly slammed into a building and exploded. he said.

Seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said he initially believed he had died but managed to unbuckle himself and crawl through an opening in the fuselage to escape the wreckage.

I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people near me I walked out of the rubble, he said, still in disbelief over his survival.

For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too. But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive. I still cant believe how I survived. the lone survivor of the Air India plane crash said.

Air India Plane Crash aftermath and official response The Boeing 787 Dreamliner Air India plane crashed into a medical college in Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing the other 241 people on board.

The tragedy is one of the deadliest involving British nationals and marks the first fatal accident of a 787 aircraft.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and spoke with the lone survivor of the Air India plane crash, Ramesh, in hospital.

Investigations into the cause of the crash of the London-bound Air India plane are ongoing, with aviation experts considering possibilities such as dual engine failure or incorrect flap settings during take-off.

Tata Group's Efforts Post Air India Plane Crash Air Indias parent company, Tata Group, has pledged financial support of 1 crore to each bereaved family and will cover medical expenses for the injured.

Air India chief executive Campbell Wilson visited the area, according to the BBC, but did not take questions from media.

An Air India flight that was scheduled to depart from Gatwick to Ahmedabad on Friday at 8.30pm has been cancelled.

Air India has set up friends and relatives assistance centres at Gatwick, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad airports to provide support in the wake of AI171s crash.

UK officials are being deployed to India to support the investigation, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

He extended condolences to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after the deadly crash that killed at least 265 people onboard and on the ground.

Xi Jinping expresses shock In his message to President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Xi expressed shock upon learning about the heavy casualties in the crash.

Speaking on behalf of the Chinese government and people, he extended deep condolences over the loss of lives and sympathies to the injured and the devastated families. He wished the injured a quick recovery, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, one of the highest-ranking officials of the Communist party, sent a message of condolence to Prime Minister Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Xi sent a separate message to Britain's King Charles III, expressing shock and sorrow over the British casualties in the plane crash, reported PTI.

The doomed flight that killed many According to PTI, at least 265 people lost their lives on Thursday when the London-bound Air India plane crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad and burst into a ball of fire less than a minute after take-off.

The London-bound Air India plane was carrying 242 passengers and crew. Among the dead were 241 on board and 24 from a medical college complex on which the plane crashed. Only 1 passenger managed to miraculously survive the impact of the blast. The survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, who is a British citizen from Leicester, was seated near the emergency exit, which aided in his swift and safe exit from the damaged plane, reported PTI.
Air India Plane Crash: The Montreal Convention will be governing the insurance payouts to nominees of the passengers who died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, experts have said. While Air India may declare an interim payout, the actual compensation will depend on the coverage purchased by the airline.

India is a signatory of the Montreal Convention, applicable provisions of which will be applied while implementing the insurance payouts, they said, according to a report by PTI.

According to Prudent Insurance Brokers vice president (aviation & specialty lines) Hitesh Girotra, the minimum liability applicable to the airline operator will be dependent on the nationality of the passengers who lost their lives.

While an interim compensation may be announced by the airline, the final insurance payouts for passengers will be determined under the Montreal Convention of 1999, to which India became a signatory in 2009, brokerage firm Howden (India) MD and CEO Amit Agarwal said.

"Compensation is calculated using Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which stood at 128,821 SDRs (approximately $1.33 per SDR) as of October 2024. The actual payout will depend on the coverage purchased by Air India," Agarwal was quoted as saying by PTI.

Air India may get $280 million for damaged aircraft According to Amit Agarwal, the compensation for the Air India aircraft damage will be covered under the aviation hull all-risk section. This includes insurance for the current valuation of the aircraft, including spares and equipment.

For a Dreamliner, depending on its configuration, age, and other factors, this value can range between $211 million and $280 million, he said.

The aircraft involved (VT-ABN) was a 2013 model and, based on available information, was insured for approximately $115 million in 2021. Whether the damage is partial or total, the loss would be covered based on the value declared by the airline, he said.

No insurer bears entire risk According to Narendra Bharindwal, president, Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), aviation insurance programmes for major airlines such as Air India are arranged on a fleet basis and reinsured across international markets like London and New York.

No single insurer bears the entire risk -- coverage is widely distributed among global reinsurers, with shares as small as 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent and a lead reinsurer typically taking 10-15 per cent. The financial impact of such incidents is shared globally across this network, he said.

Air India's B787 fleet Currently, Air India and IndiGo are the two Indian airlines operating the Boeing 787 planes.

Of the 34 B787s in the Air India fleet, 27 B787-8s are legacy aircraft. The first of the legacy B787-8 is slated to go for retrofit in July. The remaining seven B 787-9 joined the Air India fleet after the merger of Vistara with it last year.
The sole Canadian passenger aboard the ill-fated Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 has been identified as Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a 32-year-old dentist from Mississauga, Ontario.

Dr Sureshkumar was returning home after a short visit to India when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down, claiming 241 lives. Patel is survived by her husband and their one-year-old child, according to CTV News.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, Air India said in a statement.

That was my wife Patels husband briefly spoke with the Canadian Press, saying, That was my wife. I am not in a state to speak right now. He also confirmed that he was in the process of booking a flight for himself and their one-year-old child to India, CTV News reported.

Its absolutely shocking. There are no words for this grief, community leader Don Patel told CTV News Toronto on Thursday.

Don, who knew Niralis family, said she had been in India for four or five days before beginning her return trip to Etobicoke, which remained unfinished.

Well try to give them strength, whichever way we can. Sometimes words might not help them, but moral support or just showing up and being there with them gives them so much strength, Don said of Niralis family trying to get to India, CTV reported.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash The Air India flight bound for London crashed into the BJ Medical College campus in Ahmedabad, tragically killing several medical students and injuring dozens of others. Except for one British man, all 241 other passengers lost their lives, Hindustan Times reported.

CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts revealed that the plane struggled to gain altitude before plummeting into a hostel, leaving behind charred remains and wreckage embedded in the building.



Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed, the sole survivor of the crash, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh told The Hindustan Times from his hospital bed. It all happened so quickly."
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the massive liquor scam in Chhattisgarh, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth 6.15 crore, including a Congress party office and assets belonging to former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish Lakhma. This marks the first time the federal agency has attached assets of a political party under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The attached assets include the Congress Bhawan located in Sukma district headquarters, registered under the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, a residential house in Raipur owned by Kawasi Lakhma, and another house in Sukma in the name of his son Harish. The EDs provisional attachment order comes amid a probe into an alleged 2,100 crore liquor racket that operated in the state during the previous Congress-led government between 2019 and 2022.

Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time MLA from the Konta assembly seat and former excise minister in the Bhupesh Baghel government, was arrested by the ED in January 2025. His son Harish Lakhma serves as a panchayat president in Sukma. The agency alleges that Lakhma was a key figure in the liquor syndicate, receiving approximately 2 crore monthly over 36 months, amounting to 72 crore in illicit proceeds. The ED claims these illegal funds were used to construct the Congress office and the residential properties linked to the Lakhma family.

The investigation revealed that the liquor scam caused massive losses to the state exchequer, enriching the syndicates beneficiaries with over 2,100 crore. The ED further alleged that Lakhma played a pivotal role in policy changes, including the introduction of the FL-10A licence, which allowed license holders to profit from the foreign liquor segment. Despite being aware of the illegal operations, Lakhma allegedly did nothing to stop them and actively facilitated the syndicates activities by manipulating departmental procedures.

Following the attachment, a Congress spokesperson in Raipur condemned the EDs move as part of a political conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP-led central government. The party vowed to provide detailed accounts of all funds used in constructing the Sukma Congress office. Meanwhile, Bhupesh Baghel accused the ED of targeting Congress leaders to tarnish their reputation ahead of upcoming elections.
Iran-Israel Conflict: US President Donald Trump has once again called on Iran to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States, warning that attacks will only get worse. He further cautioned that the next planned attacks on Iran will be even more brutal.

Still time to end great death and destruction in Iran, Donald Trump stated. Posting on Truth Social, he said, There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

Also Read | Why Israel attacked Iran with large-scale strikes on June 13

Read Donald Trump's Full Post on Truth

US President Donald Trump has once again called on Iran to reach a nuclear agreement with the United States, warning that attacks 'will only get worse'

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it. Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!Israel Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites

Minutes after this post the US president again posted, Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Israel Airstrikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Trump's warning comes amid fresh Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state media reported that Israel launched a fresh attack on the key underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz on Friday. Minutes ago, the Zionist regime targeted Natanz again, the report said.

Following the attack, a fire broke out at Tabriz airport in northwest Iran, according to local media. Meanwhile, Israel claimed to have neutralised much of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards air force leadership.

Also Read | Israel attacks Iran LIVE: Israel launches fresh attack on central Iran

Israel confirmed that the strikes targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and senior military commanders as part of a broader operation aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran-US Nuclear Deal Talks The ongoing nuclear talks between the United States and Iran have reached a critical juncture as both sides seek to revive a stalled agreement aimed at curbing Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

Since April 2025, negotiations mediated by Oman have involved high-level and expert-level discussions, with the US proposing a regional nuclear consortium that would permit Iran to enrich uranium at low levels for civilian energy purposes.

However, a key sticking point remains Irans insistence on maintaining its uranium enrichment programme, which the US, under President Donald Trump, demands to be halted entirely.

Despite some constructive dialogue, progress has been slow, with Iran presenting counter-proposals and emphasising its right to peaceful nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Tensions have heightened as Irans nuclear activities continue to raise international concerns, especially following reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Tehran has failed to fully comply with its monitoring obligations.

Irans Supreme Leader has expressed scepticism about the talks leading to a meaningful outcome, while the US has warned of possible military action if diplomacy fails.

The delicate negotiations are further complicated by regional security dynamics, including recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which have escalated fears of conflict.

Will make them regret: Iranian President Pezeshkian warns Israel Iranian President Pezeshkian has issued a stern warning to Israel, declaring that any further attacks will make them regret their actions.

Iran on Friday called Israels strikes a declaration of war, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warning Tel Aviv that their powerful response will make the enemy regret its foolish act. Pezeshkian said the Iranian nation and officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The government is mobilising resources to ensure prompt payment for up to 150 000 metric tonnes of grain and oilseed deliveries following an improved 2024/25 agricultural season, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere has announced.Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, Muswere said deliveries to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) were steadily increasing, a development attributed to favourable seasonal conditions and strategic farming inputs support."Resources are being mobilised to ensure timely payment for the anticipated deliveries of 120 000 to 150 000 metric tonnes," said Muswere. He noted that as of June 5, the Strategic Grain Reserve held 80 208 metric tonnes, while private sector maize stocks stood at 48 293 metric tonnes.The minister also confirmed the commencement of the 2025 cotton marketing season on June 9. Farmers will receive payments based on a 70:30 split between United States dollars and the local ZiG currency. The minimum prices for seed cotton are pegged at US$0,41/kg for Grade A, US$0,37/kg for Grade B, US$0,34/kg for Grade C, and US$0,30/kg for Grade D."This season's cotton sales are projected to reach 61 000 metric tonnes, significantly up from the 13 600 metric tonnes recorded last season," Muswere said.To support the surge in cotton production and ensure efficient marketing, a total of 697 buying points have been set up nationwide - 221 permanent and 476 mobile units. The government has introduced strict guidelines to protect farmers, stipulating that no cotton bales will be transported from buying points unless farmers have received full payment.Turning to the tobacco sector, Muswere reported that over 272,7 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$917,6 million had already been sold, marking a 41% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Daily sales are averaging 4,7 million kilogrammes, up from 2,8 million kilogrammes the previous year.Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chairperson Patrick Devenish echoed the optimism, saying that the sector is on course to reach a record 300 million kilogrammes by the end of the week."With daily deliveries exceeding five million kilogrammes, simple projections indicate we should hit the 300 million kilogramme mark by this Friday," Devenish said.He attributed the sharp increase in deliveries to both improved production and tighter enforcement of regulations to curb side marketing. The TIMB has suspended operations of contractors who have already fulfilled their contracted volumes to safeguard the integrity of the system."We are also implementing a Biometric System to improve traceability and enhance compliance within the value chain. These measures are key to promoting sustainable production," said Devenish.For the 2025 winter cropping season, Muswere said government production targets remain at 600 000 tonnes of wheat from 120 000 hectares, 39 000 tonnes of barley from 6 500 hectares, and 236 000 tonnes of potatoes from 8 700 hectares.The developments point to a significant recovery and strengthening of Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, a key pillar in the country's economic transformation strategy.
Israel-Iran War: Explosions rocked Tehran on 13 April as Israel carried out a major attack on the countrys nuclear program, Israeli officials said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of Operation Rising Lion and claimed that Israel had struck at the core of the Islamic regimes nuclear programme, including its main enrichment facility in Natanz. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed the damage.

Also Read | Israel launches coordinated attack on key Iranian nuclear sites

Hours after the attack, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel would face a severe punishment. Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. The statement confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

With Friday's attack, the conflict between Israel and Iran has seemingly escalated yet again. Iran and Israel had been engaged in a years-long shadow war.

For quite some time now, Iran has pledged to destroy Israel while it supported regional groups that have declared Israel their enemy. Israel, on its part, views Iran as an existential threat and has vowed to prevent it from building a nuclear bomb.

The impasse in the US-Israel talks over the issue of enrichment, where Iran insists that it is not going to give up enrichment, and the US insists that there has to be no nuclear enrichment, Deepika Saraswat, Associate Fellow at Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, told LiveMint.

IAEA resolution against Iran The United Nations nuclear watchdogs Board of Governors, Saraswat said, has recently approved a resolution declaring Iran is not complying with its commitment to international nuclear safeguards.

Also Read | Netanyahu says Israelis may have to stay in bomb shelters after attacking Iran

"That resolution basically gives Israel a cover, or an immediate cause, as one could put it. Israel has been wanting to target Iran's nuclear sites for a long time," said Saraswat who has also written the book  'Between Survival and Status: The Counter-Hegemonic Geopolitics of Iran'

The International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) Board of Governors resolution against Iran was passed on 12 June with 19 votes in favour, three against and 11 abstentions.

Israel and Iran have traded airstrikes before, too. Here is a recent history of the conflict:

2025  Donald Trump's warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed to President Donald Trump a plan to strike Iranian nuclear sites, which Trump administration members debated for months.

In April, President Trump decided to pursue diplomacy instead.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on 12 June that Iran will not abandon its right to uranium enrichment because of mounting frictions in the region, A day before, President Trump said US personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because it could become a dangerous place, adding that the United States would not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

In a conversation with Fox News after Friday's attack, Trump said, Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table."

2024  Strikes, drones and pagers In April 2024, an Israeli airstrike on an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus killed three top Iranian commanders and four officers. Iran retaliated weeks later and launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Israel thereafter attacked an anti-aircraft system in Iran that protects a nuclear facility.

In July, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamass political leader, was assassinated in an explosion in a guesthouse in Tehran run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Israel later confirmed that it was behind the killing.

In September, Irans ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amini, lost an eye in a massive simultaneous pager attack targeting Hezbollah members. Similar attacks on electronic devices in subsequent days, killed dozens of people and injured thousands. Israel later confirmed it conducted the attacks.

The same month, Israel killed Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in airstrikes near Beirut, Lebanons capital. In retaliation launched in October 2024, Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel.

In the same month, Israel claimed it had destroyed air-defence systems in Iran intended to protect critical infrastructure.

2023  The year of the 7 October attack Hamas, which is said to be backed by Iran, attacked Israel, triggering a deadly war in Gaza. Iranian-backed militias in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, also attacked Israel. Khamenei has denied Irans role in the 7 October attacks.

Also Read | Iran Israel News LIVE: Netanyahu says Israelis may have to stay in bomb shelters

Iran accused Israel of killing a high-level Iranian officer in a missile strike in Syria in December, 2023.

2022- The food poisoning deaths Two motorcycle-borne assailants killed Col Sayad Khodayee, an officer in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in May 2022. Israeli officials said he helped command a covert operations unit that conducted assassinations and abductions. Israel confirmed its role in the killing to the United States, New York Times reported.

The same month two Iranian scientists -- Ayoub Entezari, an aeronautical engineer at a military research facility, and Kamran Aghamolaei, a geologist -- died after developing symptoms of food poisoning. Iran alleged that Israel poisoned them. Israel did not respond

2021  The fight at the seas In 2021, Iran and Israel attacked each other at sea.

Prime Minister Netanyahu accused Iran of being behind a February 2021 explosion on an Israeli-owned ship transporting vehicles sailing off the coast of Oman. A month later, Iran accused Israel of targeting an Iranian cargo ship about 50 miles off the coast of Israel.

2020  Another assassination Israel killed Irans top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, with a remote-controlled machine gun in November 2020

We will prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb.

Iran will face a severe punishment.

2019  Israel hits Iran allies In 2019, Israel carried out a series of attacks in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq to prevent Iran from equipping its allies with sophisticated weapons. Israel had then accused Iran of trying to establish an arms supply line through Iraq and northern Syria into Lebanon, where Iran had long backed the militant group Hezbollah.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on Boeing aircraft in the aftermath of the tragic AI flight 717 crash, which killed 241 of the 242 onboard on Thursday.

In a letter to Air India, the DGCA on Friday listed out the checks the airliner will have to carry out on all of its Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, starting 15 June 2025.

The one time checks before departure of flights from India include inspection of fuel parametre monitoring and associated system checks, inspection of cabin air compressor and associated systems, electronic engine control-system test, engine fuel driven actuator-operational test and oil system check, serviceability check of the hydraulic system, and review of the take-off parametres, the aviation watchdog's letter said.

As reported by PTI, Air India's fleet includes 26 Boeing 787-8s and 7 Boeing 787-9s owned by the Tata Group. These actions will be carried out in coordination with the DGCA regional offices concerned and on planes equipped with Genx engines.

Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, operating a flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed soon after take-off on Thursday afternoon. Out of the 242 people who were on board the plane, only one person survived.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information regarding the entire incident.

In the meeting, the Union Home Minister reviewed the rescue and relief operations and issued necessary instructions to the concerned officials. Union Minister CR Patil, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and Union Minister of State (MoS) Muralidhar Mohol also attended, an ANI report said.

During the meeting, the Civil Aviation Department, DGCA, Health Department, Police Administration, and the Relief Commissioner provided the Union Home Minister with complete information regarding the entire sequence of events of the flight accident, rescue and relief operations, and health-related services.

Calling the incident unfortunate and deeply saddening, Shah directed that the government provide all necessary assistance to the affected families. He stated that the injured should receive immediate medical attention and assured that the government would fully support every stage, from DNA sample collection for the deceased and their families to identification and the safe return of mortal remains to their respective homes.

EAM Jaishankar in touch with UK, Portugal, Canada foreign ministers External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he is in touch with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand regarding the Air India Flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

According to Air India, the passengers comprised 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.

World leaders, including UK PM Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba, Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro, and Canadian PM Mark Carney, also expressed their condolences on the incident.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. He also visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation.

After the incident, PM Modi also spoke to Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah and took stock of the crash incident.
All but one passenger were killed when an Air India plane bound for London crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday, in the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The airline said in a statement that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. "The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," it said.
Air India Crash: The authorities have found one of the two black boxes, which will help in revealing what triggered the tragic crash of the Air India plane that killed over 240 people on 12 June.

The Black Box in the rear of the aircraft has been found and safely guarded. The Black Box was found on the rooftop of the building on which the Air India plane crashed. A team of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) assisted by 40 personnel from the Gujarat government found the Black Box. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will collect the equipment to analyse the recordings.

The second Black Box, fixed in the aircraft's front portion, is yet to be found, according to Civil Aviation Munistry officials.

What is a Black Box? A Black Box is a small machine that records information about an aircraft during its flight. It is basically a flight recorder, with origins in the early 1950s. This bright orange or yellow rectangular box is crafted to withstand explosions, fire, water pressure, and high-speed crashes.

Invented by Australian scientist David Ronald de Mey Warren, the box is useful in revealing the cause of an aeroplane crash. Warren died in 2010.

The Black Box has two recorders, a cockpit voice recorder for pilot voices and cockpit sounds, and a separate flight data recorder.

How does a Black Box withstand crashes? The Black Box is made of strong substances such as steel or titanium and is insulated from factors such as extreme heat and cold. It is purposely placed towards the tail end of the aircraft, where the impact of a crash is usually the least.

How does it help in an investigation? The two black boxes of any aircraft are the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR). These two basically record the information about a flight and help reconstruct the events leading to an aircraft crash.

The CVR records radio transmissions and other cockpit sounds, including conversations between pilots and engine noises. The FDR records more than 80 different types of information, such as altitude, airspeed, flight heading, vertical acceleration, pitch, roll, autopilot status, etc.

Usually, it takes 10-15 days to analyse the data recovered from the black boxes after a crash.

The black box is an important tool to know what led to the tragic Air India plane crash moments after take-off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. It basically will reveal the underlying reason or responses of the MAYDAY call, or any warnings received by the aircraft.

The Air India B787 Aircraft gave a MAYDAY call to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately after take-off. It, however, did not respond after that to calls made by the ATC to the aircraft, according to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

So the last communication from the crew of the ill-fated plane was MAYDAY, MAYDAY followed by radio silence.

What is inside a black box? A black box comprises four main parts, which are:

-An interface designed to fix the device and facilitate recording and playback

-An underwater locator beacon.

-A 'Crash Survivable Memory Unit' made of stainless steel or titanium, which is designed to withstand a force equivalent to 3,400 times the force of gravity

-The recording chip is on a circuit board.

Investigations in the past? The investigation of the 2020 Kozhikode plane crash of the Air India Express Flight 1344 was dependent on the aircraft's black box recordings, which revealed that it was due to a pilot error.

The 2015 Germanwings crash was another incident which was investigated using the plane's black box recordings.

History of Black Box Warren was recruited to a special team in 1953 to analyse the mid-air explosions being experienced by the worlds first commercial jet aircraft, the de Havilland Comet, according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The flight was launched for commercial operations in 1952, but saw major accidents in its initial years.

The idea met with initial resistance, including from pilots who argued that the recorders would be used to spy on the crew. By 1956, Warren created a prototype, named the ARL Flight Memory Unit, which allowed the storage of up to four hours of voice and flight-instrument data.

In 1963, after two fatal aviation accidents, Australia became the first country to make flight recorders a mandatory legal requirement.

Why is it called a Black Box?

The last communication from the crew of the ill-fated plane was MAYDAY, MAYDAY followed by radio silence.

According to the Airbus website, before Warren, French engineer Francois Hussenot began working on a data recorder in the 1930s. This equipment had sensors that would optically project around 10 parameters onto a photographic film.

Also Read | Air India Plane Crash LIVE Updates: PM Modi meets Vishwaskumar Ramesh
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday issued shoot-at-sight orders in the state's Dhubri district after a group became active with the intention of damaging our temples.

In a message posted on X, the CM said, A particular group has become active in Dhubri with the intention of damaging our temples. We have issued shoot-at-sight orders.

In another post on X, he said that he visited Dhubri on Friday to assess the situation in the district and if needed, will visit again. The Assam government is with you, he told the residents of Dhubri, while assuring them safety. I assured the people of Dhubri that no one needs to live in fear, he wrote in his post.

The CM was visiting Dhubri after communal violence took place following the incident where cow meat was thrown at Hanuman Mandir on the festival of Eid.

Zero tolerance against During his visit, Sarma asked law enforcement officers to follow "zero tolerance" against elements who desecrated temples, Naamghars and sacred places.

He further stated that those involved would not be spared.

"I visited Dhubri and directed law enforcement officers to follow ZERO tolerance against elements who desecrate our temples, Naamghars and sacred spaces. The incident of throwing beef at the town's Hanuman Mandir should have NEVER happened, and those involved WON'T BE SPARED," Sarma wrote in a post on X.

Also Read | ONGC well blowout in Assam: Uncontrollable gas release continues

In a later post on X, the CM stated that he would guard the Hanuman Baba temple all night long if it was needed.

"This time on Eid, some anti-social elements committed a disgusting and condemnable crime by throwing cow meat in the Hanuman temple of Dhubri! If required on the coming Eid, I myself will guard Hanuman Baba's temple all night long," the post read.

Prohibitory orders lifted from Dhubri With no new untoward incident reported following communal tension, the Dhubri district administration on Tuesday withdrew the prohibitory orders from the headquarters town and allowed all shops to open, news agency PTI reported, quoting officials.

The law and order situation in Dhubri town deteriorated following protests after pieces of meat were found near a temple in Dhubri town on Sunday. Tear gas shells were lobbed to disperse the agitators on Monday and restrictions on public movement were imposed.

Dhubri District Commissioner Dibakar Nath told PTI that the situation in Dhubri town is under control at present.

"We have revoked yesterday's (Monday) order. Shops and markets have opened now," he added.

Nath also said that several peace committees have been formed in various sensitive localities of the town, comprising members from both Hindu and Muslim communities.

On Monday, miscreants reportedly attacked vegetable vendors and e-rickshaw drivers near Dhubri Magistrate Colony and New Market. Police rushed to the scene and fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob and regain control of the situation, the PTI report said.

To prevent further flare-ups of "communal tension, riot risk or violent protests", the administration immediately clamped restrictions under section 163 of BNSS and ordered all shops and market establishments in the town to remain closed.
New Delhi/Mumbai: Having failed to secure a meeting with Chinas commerce ministry despite receiving visas, Indian automakers have now sought the central governments intervention, according to two industry executives aware of the matter.

The issue: China has paused exports to India of rare earth minerals, which are key to electric vehicle (EV) production, and are also not approving Indian companies fresh applications for their export. If the minerals dont start showing up on Indian shores soon, it is likely to hit the auto industry hard, especially EVs.

Indian EV makers have now urged the Centre to engage Beijing through diplomatic channels, mirroring American efforts. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the US and China have struck a deal that will see China resume supply of magnets and rare earths to the US.

An escalation from Indian authorities might be required," said one of the executives cited above on condition of anonymity. What would we do with the visa if there is no meeting fixed?" An appointment with Chinas ministry of commerce is key, since it is responsible for the restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals and magnets.

Key Takeaways Indian automakers are seeking central government intervention after failing to secure meetings with China's commerce ministry regarding rare earth mineral exports.

China has paused rare earth mineral exports to India, crucial for EV production, and is not approving new export applications.

The disruption poses a significant threat to the Indian auto industry, particularly the electric vehicle segment.

Indian EV makers are urging the government to engage Beijing diplomatically, citing recent US success in securing rare earth supply from China.

India's leadership has assured support for developing a local rare earth production base but has not yet announced direct political outreach to China.

A quick resolution is critical to prevent production curtailments in the auto sector, as exemplified by Maruti Suzuki's EV production cuts.

The two executives cited above said industry representatives met commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday before he left for Switzerland. They also made a presentation on Tuesday to senior officials at the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), to request them for help in securing an appointment with the Chinese.

The presentation, a copy of whichMinthas seen, notes that the industry delegation will request Chinese authorities to expedite licences for exporters of rare earth magnets to India. A footnote in the presentation also noted that Indias ministry of commerce and industry was engaging with the Indian embassy in China to facilitate the meeting.

The auto industry was represented at these meetings by the Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and executives from Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, JSW MG Motor India, Maruti Suzuki, and Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), among others.

Queries emailed to these organisations, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyals office, and the DGFT remained unanswered till press time.

Support assured

To be sure, at the meetings, the Indian leadership assured support to the auto industry, including assistance in developing a local rare earth production base. GMDC has been involved in rare earth exploration in India for some time now, and it was mooted to use the companys expertise. Other companies already present in the trade also offered to ramp up their production.

However, there was no mention of a direct outreach from the political leadership to China at these meetings, the two sources said.

For India, while we may have a problem with permanent magnets in the short run, we are already engaged with industry and with our startup ecosystem to find solutions," Goyal toldThe Economic Timesin an interview published on Thursday. And I assure you that we are solving this problem."

Also read | Maruti Suzuki pulls back on EV push amid rare earths crisis

During the consultations, automakers also cited examples of authorities from the west reaching out to Chinese officials, including US President Donald Trump and European Union trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic, the first executive cited above said. To be sure, apart from the US and China reaching an agreement on a trade framework that may help in sorting the matter, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Sunday that it is willing to fast-track applications of European Union firms.

Solutions to be political

Manoj Kewalramani, the chair for Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution, a public policy school in Bengaluru, agreed that the solution to the current situation will be achieved through political means, especially considering the history between the two countries. In trade negotiations like these, both sides have in mind the question: How much is the situation hurting the other side politically?" he said.

While China is holding the rare earth card, India also has leverage in terms of its high trade deficit with the Middle Kingdom. Indias trade deficit with China widened to a record in FY25, just a whisker below $100 billion, as per data from the commerce ministry. The US deal with China could quicken the process of reaching a solution soon," Kewalramani said.

Also read | Why are rare earths important for Chinese economy?

Unless a quick resolution to the crisis is reached, automakers would be forced to curtail production, the industry sources said. Maruti Suzuki, the latest entrant in Indias EV market, slashed production targets for e-Vitara, its first electric vehicle, by two-thirds because of the rare earth magnet shortages,Reutersreported on Tuesday.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Maruti Suzuki said that while the situation was uncertain, so far there was no disruption to its operations due to the rare earth crisis.
Israel says it killed Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, along with senior nuclear scientists in targeted strikes,' reported AFP.

"It is likely that the Iranian chief of staff and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the initial strike," the report said, citing an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami was killed in the large-scale strikes on Friday.

Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) stated that Major General Hossein Salami, Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was assassinated in an Israeli strike in Tehran."

Senior IRGC commander Gholamali Rashid, along with at least two nuclear officials, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were also killed in the attacks.

Israel targets Iran In a post on the social media platform X, Prime Minister of Isreal Benjamin Netanyahu posted, Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.

He further warned ,"this operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

Also Read | Indian embassy urges nationals in Iran to stay vigilant after Israel's strikes

In a video message on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel struck at heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme . He further warned Israel's operation against Iran to continue as many days as it takes."

"We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, ballistic missile programme and Natanz uranium enrichment facility were also targeted, he added.

Reportedly, Israeli strikes on residential buildings in the Iranian capital resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including children, according to Iranian state media.
The first batch of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2025 started their journey on Friday, with Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita attending a formal flag-off ceremony.

"Honoured to flag off the first batch of KMY 2025 - a sacred journey that is a testament to India's living civilizational connections across the borders. Wished all yatris a safe and fulfilling journey. Gratitude to MEA, state governments, ITBP and all agencies for seamless coordination to realise KMY 2025 on a short timeline," Minister Pabitra Margherita," said in a post on X.

The Minister felicitated the Yatris and wished them a safe and fulfilling Yatra. He also appreciated the Chinese side for its cooperation for the resumption of the Yatra.

What is the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Known for its religious value, cultural significance, physical beauty and exciting natural environment, Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is undertaken by several people every year. It holds religious importance for Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.

Government of India organises the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra every year between June and September, through the two official routes of Lipulekh Pass (since 1981) in Uttarakhand and Nathu La Pass (since 2015) in Sikkim.

The Yatra had not taken place since 2020 following the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent non-renewal of Yatra arrangements by the Chinese Side.

Indian side had taken up the issue of resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra with the Chinese side in its diplomatic engagements, including in the meetings of External Affairs Minister with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of G-20 Summit on 18 November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro and on the sidelines of G-20 Foreign Ministers meeting on February 20-21, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question held on 18 December 2024 in Beijing, and in the meeting of Foreign Secretary with Vice Foreign Minister of China on 27 January 2025, in Beijing.

The two sides decided, in these meetings, to resume the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.

Who can go for the yatra? An Indian citizen, holding a valid Indian passport and aged between 18 and 70 years as on January 1, of the Yatra year, is eligible to apply for the Yatra.

Yatris are selected in the draw through a fair, computer-generated, random, gender-balanced selection process.

Subsequently, the selected Yatris are informed of their selection through SMS and email messages.

This year, 5,561 applicants had successfully registered online, which included 4,024 male applicants and 1,537 female applicants, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs dated May 21.
A different angle has come out in the investigation of the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi. The Meghalaya Police disclosed that the killers had plotted to murder an unknown woman, burn her body, and pass it off as that of Rajas wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, allowing her to remain in hiding until the truth surfaced, according to a PTI report.

Investigations have identified Raj Kushwaha, reportedly Sonams boyfriend, as the mastermind behind the plot, with Sonam named as a co-conspirator in the gruesome plan.

Murder any woman, burn the body The planning started in February in Indore and they had thought of ways about how Sonam would disappear after the killing of Raja. One plan was to make people believe that she would wash away by a river. Another plan was to murder any woman, burn the body and claim that it was of Sonam. However, none of the plans fructify, the police officer said, PTI reported.

The group involved in the murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi had arrived in Assam several days before the newlywed couple landed in the state on May 19.

As that did not work for some reason, Sonam planned to go to Shillong and Sohra, and according to understanding, all met at Nongriat, the officer said.

Syiem said they started together for Weisawdong Falls, and there all three hit Raja with a machete they bought in Assam and killed him in front of Sonam between 2 pm and 2.18 pm on May 23 before throwing the body in a gorge.

Sonam gave Akash the raincoat she was wearing as his shirt had a blood spot. They left Weisawdong on scooters, and Akash threw the raincoat later as it too had blood stains. They also abandoned the two-wheeler hired by Sonam and Raja at a place, the SP said, as reported by PTI.

The police recovered the raincoat and the two-wheeler when Sonam was thought to have been missing.

Raj had given Vishal a burqa, which he had handed over to Sonam. She wore it, went to the Police Bazaar and took a taxi to Guwahati. From Guwahati, she reached Siliguri (in West Bengal) on a bus. From there, she took buses to go to Patna and Arah and boarded a train for Lucknow. From Lucknow, Sonam took a bus and reached Indore, he said.

In the meantime, Meghalaya media interviewed a tour guide who said he had seen Sonam and Raja with three people.

Raj told Sonam to leave Indore and emerge somewhere in Siliguri and claim herself as a victim of abduction.

But on June 8, when Sonam had left Indore, two police teams from Meghalaya reached UP and Madhya Pradesh in civil dress. When the first arrest (Akash) was made in UP, Raj panicked and told Sonam to call up her family and tell them she just escaped from an abduction gang. That's how this whole thing came to light in Ghazipur, Syiem said.

They had thought that Raja's body would not be discovered as it was remote and the police enquiry would take one to two months. So she thought of playing the victim card.

We are recording their statements. We are questioning them. We will gather more evidence and reconstruct the crime scene, Syiem said.

The officer said the police are confident that they will file a charge sheet in the case within the mandatory 90 days.

Sonam planned to go to Shillong and Sohra, and... all three hit Raja with a machete.

All five were remanded in eight days of police custody on Wednesday.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) aims to raise 20,000 crore via two offerings from its own infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) this fiscal, two people aware of the plans said. It also plans to offer completed highway stretches to private InvITs for the first time, as part of an effort to raise up to 60,000 crore during the year, they said.

NHAI bundles stretches of operational highways into InvITs and offers its units to investors, who get a regular share of road tolls. Ever since the highway InvIT programme was launched in 2020, the authority has had a single offering every year through its own InvITNational Highways Infra Trust (NHIT). So far, it has raised 43,638 crore through InvITs.

Key Takeaways NHAI aims to raise 20,000 crore via two offerings from its InvIT (NHIT) this fiscal year.

For the first time, NHAI plans to directly offer completed highway stretches to private InvITs to raise up to 60,000 crore in FY26.

This strategy involves monetizing 24 highway stretches (1,472 km), potentially adding more to hit targets.

The market for InvITs has matured, prompting NHAI to conduct multiple offerings and explore new private InvIT avenues.

NHAI has raised significant funds through InvITs and ToT contracts, nearing its National Monetisation Pipeline target.

Offering projects directly to private InvITs is a new variation to the ToT model, with pros like lower capital cost and cons like potential competition reduction.

Under its asset monetization strategy document, NHAI has identified 24 highway stretches covering a distance of 1,472 km for monetizationin FY26.More road project bundles could be added during the year to see that the exercise results in 50,000-60,000 crore resource mobilization for the government in FY26," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. This would be twice the 30,000 crore target given in the outcome budget for FY26."

NHAI believes the market for these trusts has matured, prompting it to consider two offerings this year, the person cited above said. Its last InvIT in FY25 raised 17,738 crore. NHIT currently has over 350 investors and close to 20 operational highway projects.

To be sure, NHAI raised 28,724 crore in FY25 through InvITs and toll-operate-transfer (TOT) contracts, against a stiff targetof 40,000 crore.

However, the overall highway sector could reach closer to its targeted monetisation of 1.6 trillion under National Monetisation Pipeline-1 between FY22 and FY25, closing the fiscal with about 1.58 trillion.

NHAI eyes a first

"The two rounds of InvITs will help the trust to get over a third of monetization funds of about 60,000 crore expected to be targeted for FY26," the second person said on the condition of anonymity. The road assets identified by NHAI for monetization itself is valued at over 40,000 crore, and if more bundles are identified, the 60,000 crore aspirational target could be easily achieved."

Besides, NHAI also plans to auction completed road and highway bundles directly to private sector InvITs, the second person said.

This will be the first time that completed and revenue-generating highways under the toll operate transfer (ToT) mechanism will be directly and exclusively offered to private InvITs, who could then mobilize global investments by offering subscription of InvIT units.

So far, the government has been offering road projects by nomination only to NHIT, whileauctioning ToT projects to private highway developers who could then transfer the road bundles to their respective InvITs.

Also read | NHAI outlines its asset monetization strategy for the first time

An NHIT official said on the condition of anonymity that an exclusive InvIT round may be a possibility if it attracts dedicated trusts formed for infra investments. The official said several small road bundles with the NHAI could be offered only to InvITs to attract diverse investors from across the globe to invest in Indian infrastructure.

Queries emailed to NHAI and the ministry of road transport and highways remained unanswered till press time.

This is an interesting variation to the ToT (toll-operate-transfer) model and has pros and cons. As a pro, InvITs are considered to have low cost of capital for investors and, hence, should offer best prices. Further, the assurance of reduced competition may spur InvITs to participate more vigorously in ToT bids," said Kuljit Singh, partner and national infrastructure leader, EY India.

As a con, InvITs that can acquire a large number of ToT projects may be limited as they typically do not have any significant dry powder available for acquisitions. Typically, InvITs raise just as much funds as are necessary to deploy immediately. Hence, this variation may lead to a reduction in competition and impact revenue realisation," said Singh.

Monetization pipeline

The NHAI monetizes assets through three key modes: toll-operate-transfer, InvITs, and securitization (project-based financing through special purpose vehicles). These instruments have helped the agency raise over 1.4 lakh crore across more than 6,100 km of national highways under the National Monetisation Pipeline 1. With a pool of 3.5-4 trillion of completed highway assets. The agency is set to contribute significantly to the governments asset monetization target to raise 10 trillion in the five years through 2030.

Apart from InvITs, ToT is expected to remain the mainstay of monetisation in FY26. Though only one bundle of ToT worth 6,661 crore was monetised in FY25, NHAI, with a mix of small and large road bundles, is expected to get a better response in FY26.

Already, under its monetisation strategy, NHAI has said it will offer three ToT bundles per quarter, including one smaller ( 2,000 crore), one medium ( 5,000 crore), and one large ( 9,000 crore) bundle. Earlier, only two bundles per quarter were targeted. Also, separate and additional InvIT phases would be launched during the year, while it would also mobilise funds by securitising future revenues from its ongoing and upcoming greenfield access-controlled highways and expressways.

InvITs in India

NHAI set up its InvIT in 2014 and owns a 16% stake. Other investors inNHIT includeCanada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP). AnInvIT is a pooled investment vehicle that allows investors to get exposure to income-yielding assets such as toll roads and power plants.

To safeguard investors' interest, the Securities and Exchange Board of India mandated InvITs to invest at least 80% of their total assets in completed infrastructure projects that are capable of generating income. The remaining 20% can be invested in under-construction projects. The trust also needs to distribute at least 90% of its income to the unit-holders as dividends.

There are about two dozen InvITs in the country. Some of these are Cube Highways Trust, India Infrastructure Trust, IRB Infrastructure Trust and IndInfravit Trust. Most of these either directly participate in auctions of ToT projects that are open to all, including developers, InvITs and fund houses, or get projects that are transferred by their parent highway development companies. There is no separate window for InvITs to acquire completed road projects.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police have launched investigations into two harrowing incidents that have rocked communities in Dema and Seke, involving the deaths of a mother and her two young children, and the murder of a 67-year-old woman allegedly at the hands of her relative.In Besa Village, Dema, the lifeless bodies of Ruth Ruvarashe Chidume (35) and her children, Tatenda Precious Blessings Gumbo (4) and Ira Makanakaishe Gumbo (2), were discovered on Monday, June 9. Chidume was found hanging from a wooden beam with a nylon fabric around her neck, while her two children were found with plastic bags covering their heads, blindfolded, and tied below the neck.National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying police are treating it as a serious and sensitive case."The Zimbabwe Republic Police is conducting comprehensive investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding both cases," said Comm Nyathi. "We appeal to anyone with information regarding these heinous crimes to contact the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631, WhatsApp 0712800197, or report at any nearest police station."Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Chounda Village, Seke, police arrested 48-year-old Farai Machaka in connection with the sexual assault and murder of his 67-year-old aunt, Ruth Elizabeth Kadara.According to police investigations, Machaka allegedly raped Kadara before strangling her to death. He is also accused of stealing her cellphone, which has since been recovered.Comm Nyathi condemned the violence, describing the incidents as deeply troubling. "The ZRP strongly condemns such brutal acts of violence, especially those committed against vulnerable members of our society," he said.Both cases remain under active investigation as police work to bring justice for the victims.
Viswashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin, is the sole survivor of the tragic Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad during takeoff. Speaking from his hospital bed, he told DD News that he had no idea how he made it out alive.

Recalling the harrowing moments before the crash, Viswashkumar said the aircraft didnt seem to be gaining altitude and felt more like it was gliding. And then, within seconds, it slammed into a building and exploded, he said.

Also Read | Air India Plane Crash LIVE Updates: PM Modi meets Vishwaskumar Ramesh

Viswashkumar, who was seated at 11A, noticed a gap near his seat after the crash. He unbuckled himself, used his leg to push through the opening and crawled out. Everyone else around him was dead or dying.

I can't believe how I escaped alive! wondered Viswashkumar.

His brother, Ajaykumar, seated on the opposite side in 11J, sadly died. According to experts, Rameshs section of the aircraft had less damage from the blast. It gave him the only possible escape route. His survival is a miracle.

Viswashkumar reportedly kept asking for his brother from his hospital bed. Despite head injuries and burns, he made three calls after the crash before his phone died.

Also Read | Govt asks Meta, X to share data on hoax bomb threats to airlines

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier visited the lone survivor and briefly spoke with him.

Ayub Mansuri, who drove the brothers to the airport, said their father called him from London after the Air India plane crash.

I spoke to Viswash three times after the crash. Then his phone went dead. I hired an auto to get through the roadblocks around the hospital. Viswash had head injuries and bruises, The Times of India quoted the family friend as saying.

Also Read | Last 33 seconds of Air India: Terrifying final moments of flight before crash

The Air India plane crashed into the BJ Medical College during lunchtime. Around 60 junior doctors were having their meal when the plane crashed. All of them were killed in the accident.

Social media reactions Meanwhile, not everyone was impressed that Viswashkumar Ramesh had to give an interview at the time of his recovery, both physical and emotional.

This is so insensitive. What is the hurry to interview a traumatised person? wondered one user on X (formerly Twitter).

What is the requirement for this? Questions should be asked to the government and airline and not the survivor. Shameless, wrote another.

Another user wrote, Its not even a day since the tragedy and you are shoving the mic in his face. Please have some sensitivity and empathy. That man has survived a major accident and could be in trauma.
Investigators are racing against time to find the cause of the deadly Air India plane crash, one of Indias worst plane crashes in a decade. India has already launched an investigation into the fatal crash of the London-bound Air India plane that plunged and hit a residential area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, minutes after takeoff on Thursday.

All but one of the 242 passengers and crew onboard the Air India plane were killed in the crash.

With the investigation underway, several experts have weighed in on the possible reasons that could have led to the crash of the Air India plane. Here's what they said after analysing early evidence, videos and photos of the crash:

1. Flaps' position, no adequate thrust US experts said on Thursday that the plane involved in the crash at Ahmedabad did not seem properly configured and that the crash appeared surprising at first glance.

Analysing the videos and photos of the crash, Aviation safety consultant John M Cox said the grainy images of the flight suggested that one area of inquiry was likely to be whether the slats and flaps were in the correct position as the plane attempted to climb.

It's hard to tell but from looking at the aircraft from behind it doesn't look like the trailing edge flaps are in the position I would have expected them to be, he was quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

The CEO of Washington DC-based Safety Operating Systems, however, cautioned that the image quality is not good enough to make that conclusion. It's just an area where I know that they're going to look.

As per the initial footage, the aircraft initially climbed on a normal trajectory before it suddenly began descending.

Experts noted the plane appeared to maintain a nose-up attitude, a posture usually not associated with a normal descent. This, according to them, suggests a significant and sudden loss of engine thrust, the Hindustan Times reported.

Also Read | Air India crash: Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to skip Paris Air Show 2025

The image shows the airplane with the nose rising and it continuing to sink, Cox said. That says that the airplane is not making enough lift," he said.

He said, The slats and flaps should be positioned so that the wing makes more lift at lower speeds.

2. Bird strike and loss of power Former pilot Saurabh Bhatnagar told Indian news TV channel New Delhi Television LTD that the incident appears to involve multiple bird hits. Bird strikes refer to a collision between a bird and an aircraft that is in flight, taking off, or landing.

Bhatnagar was quoted as saying: It looks, prima facie, like a case of multiple bird hits wherein both the engines have lost power." He noted that the take-off was "perfect" but the aircraft started descending, which can happen only in case the engine loses power or the aircraft stops developing lift.

Also Read | Last 33 seconds of Air India: Terrifying final moments of flight before crash

However, Sam Thomas, president of the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA) told HT that it was highly unlikely a flock of birds disabled both engines.

3. Unusual landing gear position A report cited experts analysing why the aircraft's landing gear was not retracted. Capt Manoj Hathi, a former Air India official, told the Times of India, It's possible that a dual engine flame-out was the reason the landing gear could not be retracted.

Dual engine failure could occur due to bird ingestion or fuel contamination. Looking at the trajectory and body angle of the aircraft, it appears as if the aircraft has stalled because of loss of speed, he reportedly said.

Former pilot Ehsan Khalid explained that the landing gear is raised as soon as the flight takes off. Since the landing gear was down, it is possible that a loss of engine was detected beforehand... The biggest question is why the landing gear was not up...., he said.

Also Read | Govt asks Meta, X to share data on hoax bomb threats to airlines

According to the TOI, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in its statement the pilots gave a MAYDAY call seconds after take-off. This information reportedly supporting the theory that a dual engine failure occurred probably after the aircraft crossed the speed beyond which a take-off cannot be safely aborted.

4. Dual engine failure is rare Other pilots said the possibility of a dual engine failure is a rare event with about seven documented accidents in the past seven decades.

Former pilot Ehsan Khalid told the Times of India the aircraft appeared to have faced a loss of power, which could be attributed to an engine malfunction. However, he stressed that it is highly unlikely for both engines to fail simultaneously, especially due to a bird strike within such a short timeframe.

The visuals show that the aircraft faced a loss of power... The loss of power can be due to engine malfunction, but it is very unlikely that both engines would lose power simultaneously... It is a very big engine, and it is rare that both engines lose power due to a bird hit in a one-minute duration, he was quoted as saying.
An Israeli security official said Israeli strikes against Iran on Friday had 'likely eliminated' Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Islamic Republic's armed forces, news agency AFP reported on 13 June.

"It is likely that the Iranian chief of staff and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the initial strike," the official spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Israel carried out strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear and military sites, after US President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the region.

What did Netanyahu say? Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's operation struck at the 'heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme', taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists.

Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were also hit, killing a number of civilians, including women and children. Chief of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, was killed in the strikes, Iranian media said.

Who is Mohammad Bagheri? Major General Bagheri was Irans top military official. Bagheri was born Mohammad-Hossein Afshordi in Tehran, but there are conflicting reports about his birth year. Some, including the US Treasury Department, say he was born in 1960 in Tehran, while others list the year as 1958.

Bagheri was a senior Iranian military officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Since 2016, Bagheri served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran  the countrys highest military position.

A military intelligence expert, Bagheri joined the IRGC in 1980 and fought in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980s. Bagheri received an engineering degree and later earned a doctoral degree in political geography from Tarbiyat-e Modares University.

Bagheri was promoted to the new chairman of the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) from his previous position as deputy chief of staff for intelligence and operations in the General Staff on 28 June 2016, replacing Hassan Firouzabadi, who held the post for twenty-seven years.

Activities dating back to the Islamic Revolution Bagheri and other commanders, including Mohammad Ali Jafari, Ali Fadavi, and Gholam Ali Rashid, are members of a group identified by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) as the IRGC Command Network.

The group "dominates the upper echelons of Iran's military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular warfare operations, and internal security."

Bagheris activities date back to Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979. He was one of the students who attacked and seized the US embassy, according to media reports. Bagheri has also claimed that he played a role in all major operations of the war, with the exception of a few ones.

Bagheri's elder brother, Hassan Bagheri, who was born as Gholam-Hossein Afshordi, was a prominent IRGC commander killed during the Iran-Iraq War.

It is likely that the Iranian chief of staff and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the initial strike.

Bagheri participated in senior Iran-Iraq War planning meetings, according to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). These meetings are said to have offered Bagheri exposure to rising military and regime officials, including Qassem Soleimani, who would later become commander of the IRGCs Quds Force. Soleimani was assassinated by a targeted drone strike on 3 January 2020 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Sanctioned by US in 2019 Bagheri was sanctioned by the US in 2019, when the first Donald Trump government imposed sanctions against what they called the inner circle of Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The European Union also sanctioned Bagheri for supplying Russia with drones, while he was further sanctioned by the US, Canada and the United Kingdom for his role in the crackdown on the 2022 protests in Iran following the killing of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman.
A pitched battle has ensued between telecom operators and real estate developers over who should pay to get digital infrastructure in buildings rated and handle its maintenance, in the backdrop of a new digital connectivity rating system being prepared by Indias telecom regulator.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is working on a framework wherein a standard method to evaluate digital connectivity inside propertiesaimed at ensuring strong indoor mobile and internet signalswill be notified. Last month, the regulator released for consultation a draft manual for Assessment of Digital Connectivity under Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024.

Also read | Why govts Vodafone Idea stake will hasten telecom tariff hikes

Telcos, represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), argue that property managersread: real estate developers and ownersshould bear the full cost and compliance burden, including maintenance and obtaining the building rating. On the other hand, real estate companies, represented by Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA), have asked Trai to remove these responsibilities from their scope, saying the infrastructure should be owned, operated, and maintained by the digital connectivity infrastructure providers themselves.

COAI counts Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea as its members. APREA counts Anarock, Brookfield, DLF, BlackRock, Brookfield, DLF as its members.

Key Takeaways Telecom operators and real estate developers are in a dispute over who should bear the cost and maintenance burden of digital infrastructure for a new building connectivity rating system.

Trai is developing a digital connectivity rating system to ensure strong indoor mobile and internet signals, aiming for informed consumer decisions.

Telcos (COAI) argue property managers are the primary beneficiaries and should cover all costs, including infrastructure, rating, and maintenance.

Real estate developers (APREA) contend that digital connectivity infrastructure providers should own, operate, and maintain the infrastructure, citing their lack of telecom expertise.

Key disagreements exist over cost bearing, responsibility for documentation/compliance, specific speed metrics for 4G/5G, and the inclusion/weightage of public Wi-Fi in the rating criteria.

Telecom operators are advocating for legal backing (e.g., via RERA) for DCI implementation and a phased rollout of the rating system, starting with high-footfall buildings.

To be sure, poor in-building connectivity has become a growing concern for consumers, who often struggle with weak mobile signals and unreliable internet access inside homes, offices, and commercial complexes  despite strong coverage outside. The ratings will enable consumers to make informed decisions when selecting the area of their residence, offices, or at airports, and other areas.

This is very important as far as the telecom quality is concerned," Trai chairman Anil Lahoti was quoted as saying by PTI in a recent interview. The provision of in-building solution inside the building premises will complement the network being provided outside by the telecom service providers."

In its draft module, Trai said property managers will be responsible for application for ratings of buildings, documentation and compliance, maintenance of digital connectivity infrastructure, and consumer communication and tenant management. Digital connectivity rating agencies (DCRAs) will be registered with Trai and will evaluate and award ratings for property under the regulations.

Disagreement's cause

Who will pay for the ratings is what has caused the disagreement.

Property managers are the primary beneficiaries of building ratingsgaining enhanced marketability, the ability to command premium rents, improved tenant retentionthere is a compelling case for them to bear the costs associated with rating of buildings," the COAI told Trai in its submission on the draft module, adding that it should be incumbent upon the property manager to fund and execute the rating process while proactively securing and maintaining all necessary digital infrastructureincluding provisions for telecom operators accessto achieve and sustain a certified rating.

In fact, telecom operators want Trai to include in the framework that the responsibility for bearing the cost of establishing network infrastructure, power and associated equipment should rest with the property manager.

Also read | Trai, telecom companies spar over data demand

However, real estate developers want Trai to delete the clause that documentation and compliance is a responsibility of property managers.

Property manager may not own the DCI (digital connectivity infrastructure) and may only facilitate in implementing a digital connectivity infrastructure within a building, owing to the various regulations associated with deployment of a Digital Connectivity Infrastructure," APREA said in its submission to Trai.

Moreover, a Property Manager is essentially a person (Developer) and/or a Property Management firm which looks into account the various aspects of Building infrastructure including Civil, Electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), Firefighting, Plumbing, Lifts, Security Managementetc., but may not possess the capabilities of complex telecom infrastructure architecture," it added.

Assurance to consumers

Telecom operators argued that better digital infrastructure and connectivity would give assurance to consumers while assessing property for purchase or use. This will help the Property Managers of the said building/premises to build moretrust with the consumers and also influence the consumers choices," they said, adding that property managers can use the same to market their properties.

As per the framework proposed by Trai, the buildings will be rated on diverse connectivity options, such as fibre optic networks, wifi, cellular connectivity and satellite broadband, based on their capability to provide seamless indoor and outdoor network coverage.

Also read | Next-gen telecom tech to get 1,000-crore yearly R&D boost under telecom policy

Even as Trai has proposed a framework, telecom operators want the regulator to form a committee consisting of representatives from academia, ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), department of telecommunications (DoT), telecom operators, etc, to advise on the matter related to proliferation, popularisation and adoption of rating framework.

We reiterate our submission that the DCI implementation should be backed by the law. For instance, RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) Act does not cover DCI at present. Mandating digital connectivity inside the buildings and ensuring that this is available to all licensed Telecom Service Providers on non-discriminatory basis should be incorporated in the Model builder-buyer agreement prescribed by RERA for covering it under the jurisdiction of this Act and its enforceability by the RERA," Jio wrote in a separate submission to Trai on the subject.

More disagreements

Notably, telecom operators have also expressed concerns over compliance requirements in the draft framework proposed. In one of the rating criteria, Trai has given weightage to minimum download speed of 10 Mbps for 4G or 100 Mbps for 5G technology inside buildings. The telecom operators, however, have opposed the same stating that the speed metrics should be modified in accordance with an already stated criteria.

For 4G, throughput equal to or better than 2 Mbps, successful file download test cases in percentage. For 5G, 100 MB size is to be downloaded on each selected test location within 5 minutes," Airtel said in its response to Trai.

Continuing disagreements over the use of public wifi, telecom operators have also asked Trai to either remove the same from the criteria while assessing the ratings of the buildings or reduce its weightage. With advanced mobile technologies (4G/5G) providing good data speed, the very utility of using public Wi-Fi for data consumption is diminishing and the rating framework should not encourage any inefficiencies. Further, if mobile coverage is addressed inside buildings/premises, there will be no need left for users to latch to public Wi-Fi," COAI said.

Among other things, telecom operators want Trai to implement the building ratings system in phases. For instance, certain buildings with high public footfalls such as airports, ports, railway stations, public transport stations, bus stations, large shopping complexes, industrial estates, major market areas, among others, can be asked to have rating compliance within two years of issue of the regulatory framework by TRAI or two years from obtaining occupancy certificate,whichever is later.

In 2023, Trai had also submitted its recommendations to the government on 'Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity', to create an ecosystem for building of DCI as a part of any development activity. Trai has also released the regulation Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 in October last year to bring a framework for rating of properties for digital connectivity.
Iran issued a major warning for Israel and US after latest Israeli airstrikes and said that both will pay heavy price. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a statement Israel will face "severe punishment."

Alleging that Iran has 'legitimate right' to respond to Israel attack, Iran said US is 'responsible for consequences,' AFP reported.

US distanced itself from these attacks as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement and said that Israel took unilateral action against Iran. He further mentioned that Israel cited self-defence over its recent decision and said that it believed the strikes were necessary.

Also Read | India Embassy warns Indian nationals in Israel amid growing tensions with Iran

Furthermore, US warned Iran against targeting United States interests or personnel. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, the statement added.

Headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard were set ablaze as Israeli explosions targeted several sites across Tehran including nuclear and military sites. On the prime target were officials leading Iran's nuclear programme and its ballistic-missile arsenal. This marks one of the most devastating attack in Iran after the 1980s war with Iraq.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami was confirmed dead in the attack, Iranian state television reported. Top military officials and nuclear scientists were also reported dead in the attack.

Israel reacts Following the airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, We have delivered a successful opening strike, Reuters reported.

Delhi Airport issues advisory In the wake of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, Delhi Airport issued an advisory as some flight operations and schedules may be affected. The advisory urged passengers to check with their airlines for updates and rely on official sources for accurate information amid changing airspace conditions.
Iran has launched over 100 drones aimed at Israel, claims chief army spokesman Brig Gen Effie Deffrin. The Israeli defence systems have initiated efforts to counter these threats, he added.

In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defence systems are acting to intercept the threats," PTI quoted Deffrin.

The attack comes after Israel attacked several locations of Iran, targeting their key nuclear facilities, after the US President Donald Trump warned about a possible massive conflict in the region.

What did Benjamin Netanyahu say? According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme." He cautioned that Israel's operation against Iran should continue as many days as it takes."

Claiming the attack to be a decisive moment in history, Netanyahu said,Iranian scientists involved in the nuclear bomb, ballistic missile programme, and Natanz uranium enrichment facility were targeted."

Also Read | Netanyahu says Israelis may have to stay in bomb shelters after attacking Iran

Israel's claim In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said,"Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran."

It further claimed that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defence of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, the IDF said.

Death of civilians Meanwhile, the Israeli airstrikes hit residential buildings in the Iranian capital, leading to the deaths of multiple civilians, including children, Iranian state media reported.

"A number of people including women and children were martyred in a residential complex in Tehran," according to official IRNA news agency.

Also Read | Iran Israel News LIVE: Iran launched over 100 drones at Israel
Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran took a dramatic turn on Friday, 13 June, when Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, targeting several key sites, including nuclear facilities, missile factories and military commanders.

Blasts were reported at the country's main uranium enrichment facility and in the nation's capital, Tehran.

Besides killing the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, prominent nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, the strikes caused widespread civilian fatalities.

Also Read | Iran unleashes fury on Israel, launches over 100 drones at Tel Aviv

Local TV reports suggested that residential buildings in Tehran were hit, killing women and children, AFP reported.

reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation struck the core of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, including the Natanz atomic facility.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in a post on X stated, Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Also Read | Irans supreme leader rejects US nuclear deal offer

The Israeli military spokesman said that over 100 targets were struck in Iran overnight.

Israel not only set ablaze the Revolutionary Guard's headquarters in Iran but also targeted Iran's ballistic missile arsenal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, We have delivered a successful opening strike, after the airstrikes. Years of shadow war between Israel and Iran finally came to an end after the two attacked each other directly last year.

Iran launches counterattack In a counterattack, Iran launched nearly 100 drones to target sites in Israel in the past hour, Reuters reported, citing the Israeli military's statement.

The Israeli army claimed that intelligence reports indicate Iran approaching 'point of no return' on its nuclear programme, AFP reported. Years of shadow war between Israel and Iran finally came to an end after the two attacked each other directly last year, and the tensions have been deepening further ever since.

Also Read | Netanyahu says Israelis may have to stay in bomb shelters after attacking Iran

The Israeli military spokesman said that over 100 targets were struck in Iran overnight.

Israel not only set ablaze the Revolutionary Guard's headquarters in Iran but also targeted Iran's ballistic missile arsenal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, We have delivered a successful opening strike, after the airstrikes. Years of shadow war between Israel and Iran finally came to an end after the two attacked each other directly last year.

Iran launches counterattack In a counterattack, Iran launched nearly 100 drones to target sites in Israel in the past hour, Reuters reported, citing the Israeli military's statement.

The Israeli army claimed that intelligence reports indicate Iran approaching 'point of no return' on its nuclear programme, AFP reported. Years of shadow war between Israel and Iran finally came to an end after the two attacked each other directly last year, and the tensions have been deepening further ever since.

Reacting to the recent Israeli strikes, the US said, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.
Israel-Iran War: In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Esmail Qaani, the commander of Irans elite Quds Force, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Iran, according to The New York Times citing Iranian officials familiar with the developments.

The Israeli strike took place during their extensive military operation against Iranian nuclear and military targets, known as Operation Rising Lion, launched in the early hours of Friday, 13 June.

Who Was Iran's Esmail Qaani?

Esmail Qaani took command of Irans Quds Force after the assassination of his predecessor, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike in 2020

Esmail Qaani took command of Irans Quds Force after the assassination of his predecessor, Qasem Soleimani, in a US drone strike in 2020. The Quds Force is an elite branch of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responsible for extraterritorial military operations and supporting proxy groups across the Middle East.

Qaani began his military career during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, leading several brigades before becoming deputy commander of the Quds Force in 1997, serving under Soleimani. Unlike Soleimani, who was often seen on the frontlines with Tehran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, Qaani has maintained a lower profile, conducting meetings privately and away from public view. His leadership has coincided with increased Israeli airstrikes against Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah and other paramilitary groups.

In October 2024, Qaani was reported missing after Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh. He had travelled to Lebanon following the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike in late September. The attack also targeted Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallahs presumed successor, who has also been unreachable since.

Qaani commanded respect from Irans allies, including Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, and the Houthis in Yemen. However, analysts note that his leadership has been less prominent, partly because he does not speak Arabic, limiting his ability to build strong relationships with Arab militias in Iraq and Lebanon.

Despite this, Qaani vowed to continue Soleimanis mission of expelling US forces from West Asia. In a statement broadcast before Soleimanis funeral, he declared, We promise to continue martyr Soleimanis path with the same force and the only compensation for us would be to remove America from the region.

Israeli Attacks on Iran Kills Senior Commanders The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that their attacks have targeted numerous senior Iranian commanders and key military installations. Alongside Qaani, at least nine other senior commanders and several nuclear scientists were reportedly killed.

The strikes hit multiple locations including the Natanz nuclear site, military bases, and underground command bunkers where top Iranian military leaders convened.

Among the other notable casualties were IRGC Air Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri.

Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several senior officials and reported extensive damage to Irans nuclear infrastructure, though they denied some claims made by Israel.
Israel launched strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting key nuclear and military sites, following a warning from US President Donald Trump about a possible massive conflict in the region.

According to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the operation hit the "core of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme," including the Natanz atomic facility and prominent nuclear scientists.

Netanyahu stated that the offensive against Iran will persist "for as many days as necessary.

Iran state TV said nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in an Israeli strike on Friday. The development came as the United States remained on the edge anticipating Israeli strikes on the Iranian targets.

Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were also hit, killing a number of civilians including women and children, AFP reported.

What did Israel say? An Israeli military official said that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites.

In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said,"Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran."

It noted that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, the IDF said.

Meanwhile, Iran's state media said Israel hit residential areas in Tehran and several other cities.

Israel expects retaliation Following attacks on Tehran in Iran, Israeli defence minister said that Israel expects retaliatory missile or drone attacks against the country and its civilian population in the immediate future.

Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.

The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors.

Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones.

Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said Friday that the military's strikes on Iran may not achieve "absolute success" and warned citizens to prepare for a potential Iranian response.

"I can't promise absolute success -- the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to," Zamir said in a statement, while calling the strikes on Iran a historic campaign unlike any other, as reproted by AFP.

Operation Rising Lion, says Benjamin Netanyahu Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address on YouTube that the country launched a targeted military operation roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.

He said the attacks will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Israel launched a targeted military operation, 'Operation Rising Lion'. For decades, Tehran called for Israel's destruction. In recent years, Iran has produced enough Uranium for nine atom bombs. In recent months, Iran has taken steps to weaponise rich Uranium. If not stopped, Iran can produce nuclear weapons. We struck the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programs, main enriched facility, nuclear scientists, ballistic missile programs. said Netanyahu.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close, though still short, of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.
As Israel began striking targets in Iran in the early hours today, Iranian airspace was closed. Iraq soon followed by shutting its airspace as well. Flights were forced to take alternate routes and exit the conflict zone as quickly as possible. With Pakistani airspace already closed to Indian carriers, the situation has further complicated westward travel from India. This comes just a day after the tragic crash in Ahmedabad, where an Air India flight bound for London crashed during takeoff, killing all on board except for one passenger who miraculously survived.

Iran-Israel conflict: What is happening? Israel has said that Iran is dangerously close to developing a nuclear bomb, something it views as a direct threat to its existence. Multiple waves of airstrikes have reportedly been carried out at various locations across Iran, including what Israel has described as nuclear facilities.

Early, unconfirmed reports suggest that Israel's strikes may have targeted senior members of Iran's military leadership and their residences.

Iran-Israel conflict: Airspace closure woes Indian carriers have been barred from entering Pakistani airspace since 24 April, initially for a month, and the restriction was later extended via a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) until 24 June. This prohibition applies to all Indian airlines.

As a result, the traditional westbound routesespecially those used by Air Indiavia Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan, and into Iran, have become inaccessible. This prompted several diversions on the day the NOTAM was issued, followed by flight cancellations and the addition of technical stops, particularly on Air Indias North America routes. Many of these flights are now operating with one technical stop en route.

If Iranian and Iraqi airspace remains closed for an extended period, it will further limit available air routes, forcing airlines to fly further south to avoid these regions. This will test aircraft endurance and result in longer flight times from India to Europe.

Israel-Iran conflict: Who is impacted? Currently, amongst Indian carriers, only Air India has a sizable widebody intercontinental presence from India, and Air India remains the most impacted airline. IndiGo has already shifted its planned flights to Manchester and Amsterdam from Delhi to Mumbai, and they begin early next month.

For Air India, it adds to the woes as the circuitous route would mean extra fuel and extra time, putting pressure on operating costs as well as crew duty times and more.

What next? The world is in the middle of multiple conflicts, with a war in Ukraine since 2022, conflicts in the Middle East, including Iran, Syria, Yemen, among others. Civil aviation has been at the receiving end of all these conflicts, especially after cases like the Malaysian aircraft shot down over Ukraine, Ukraine Airlines over Iran, and recently, the Azerbaijani airline AZAL facing a similar brunt near conflict zones, but not being completely fatal.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Two student nurses enrolled at Chitungwiza Central Hospital have been exposed for using fake Ordinary Level certificates to gain admission into a nursing course. Paidamoyo Samantha Muchira and Makanaka Chatikobo attended the nursing program for a year before their fraudulent documents were uncovered.Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed that police are investigating the case as fraud. He appealed to the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the two individuals, who remain at large."Police are investigating a fraud case involving student nurses at a hospital," Insp Chakanza said. "The total value defrauded is yet to be supplied. The accused persons were not arrested."Chitungwiza Central Hospital Public Relations manager, Audrey Tasaranarwo, explained that the deception was uncovered during routine certificate verification with the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)."We had two students who supplied fake certificates," Tasaranarwo said. "The hospital discovered the fraudulent act after verifying the certificates with ZIMSEC. The certificates looked very genuine; those behind the printing must also be brought to book."Authorities continue to investigate the matter as they seek to hold accountable both the students and any individuals involved in producing the counterfeit certificates.
Israel-Iran Conflict: On 13 June, following Israels unprecedented airstrikes on Irans nuclear and military sites, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in urgent diplomatic talks with several world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Netanyahu is also scheduled to hold discussions with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and British Prime Minister Kier Starmer in the coming days.

The leaders showed understanding for Israel's defense needs in the face of the Iranian threat of annihilation; the Prime Minister said that he would continue to be in contact with them in the coming days., an update from the Israeli PMO read.

Further, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a call this afternoon from Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar to discuss ongoing developments. Later in the evening, Jaishankar held a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi regarding the latest situation.

Israeli Airstrikes Targeting Iran's Nuclear Facility The Israeli airstrikes were launched early on Friday under the codename Operation Rising Lion.

The airstrikes targeted Irans nuclear enrichment facilities, missile production sites, and senior military commanders, including the killing of Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The operation marks a dramatic escalation in the decades-long Israel-Iran conflict, with Israel declaring a state of emergency amid fears of Iranian retaliation by missile and drone attacks.

In recorded remarks, PM Netanyahu described the strikes as a necessary and precise response to what he called an existential threat posed by Irans nuclear ambitions. "We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," he said, emphasising that the campaign would continue as long as needed to eliminate the danger.

The timing of these diplomatic efforts is critical, coming just days before planned international negotiations in Oman aimed at addressing concerns over Irans uranium enrichment programme. Israels airstrikes have added complexity to the diplomatic landscape, with Iran vowing severe retaliation and regional tensions rising sharply.
Donald Trump's 79th birthday celebrations on June 14 will be done in style, with a military parade scheduled in Washington DC. The parade is being conducted as his birthday also coincides with the 250th anniversary of the US Army. As part of the celebrations, as many as 150 vehicles, 6,700 troops, and 50 aircraft will be seen in Washington DC, according to the US Army.

What will the Washington DC parade entail? Interestingly, the arranged parade will also coincide with the No Kings protest being held across the United States to raise voice against the ICE raids conducted in Los Angeles. The LA raids triggered a major wave of protests in the Democrat-run state, which even led to the deployment of the US National Guard by the White House.

The parade's route will begin along Constitution Avenue from 23rd to 15th streets in DC and come to a stop near the White House.

28 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 tracked Bradley Fighting Vehicles, four tracked M-109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, 28 wheeled Stryker combat vehicles, will be a part of the Washington DC parade. Additionally, rocket launchers and precision-guided missiles will also be seen during the grand event, according to The Guardian.

Also Read | Ahmedabad crash puts Boeing back under spotlight over air safety concerns
Iran-Israel Conflict: "Minutes ago, the Zionist regime targeted Natanz again," Iran state media reported on Friday, hours after tensions escalated following Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel targeting of nuclear sites in Iran.

Israel on June 13 launched airstrikes against Irans military targets and nuclear program, as well as targeting scientists and generals. Explosions were seen and heard in the capital city, Tehran. The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, was killed in the strikes, according to Iranian state television. Due to its pre-emptive strike Israel declared a state of emergency.

The airstrikes against Irans nuclear program and ballistic-missile sites renewed a standoff between two adversaries that risks spiraling into a wider conflict. At least 78 people have been killed and 329 others injured in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, according to Irans state media.

Decade old rivals Iran and Israel have often avoided a direct full blown war. The conflict between Israel and Iran has shaped the Middle East for decades. It was largely on a low boil as the two sides attacked each other  mostly quietly and in Irans case often by proxy.

The escalation happened after Israel engaged in a war with Hamas, impounding Gaza and Palestinians in the process.

Why are Israel and Iran enemies? Israel and Iran were allies starting in the 1950s during the reign of Irans last monarch, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but the friendship abruptly ended with the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979.

Irans new leaders called for the destruction of Israel, decrying the Jewish state as an imperialist power in the Middle East. Further, Iran has supported groups that regularly fight Israel, notably Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels.

Why Is the Nuclear Issue Central to the Israel-Iran Conflict? Israels hostility towards Iran is deeply rooted in the latters nuclear ambitions. Over the past decade, Irans nuclear programme has advanced considerably, with estimates suggesting Tehran is close to producing enough nuclear material for up to ten atomic bombs, although assembling a functional weapon would require additional months of development.

Iran insists its nuclear activities are peaceful, but Israel and much of the international community remain sceptical, especially after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently declared Iran non-compliant with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.

Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as a direct existential threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons one way or the other.

Can Israel Effectively Damage Irans Nuclear Programme? Israels main target was the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, responsible for producing the bulk of Irans nuclear fuel, including near-weapons-grade uranium. Striking Natanz aims to disrupt Irans nuclear fuel production and set back its weapons development timeline.

However, Irans nuclear infrastructure is extensive and increasingly fortified. For example, the Fordow facility, built deep inside a mountain to resist airstrikes, remains a significant challenge to target effectively.

The dispersed and hardened nature of Irans nuclear sites means that while Israels strikes may cause serious damage, they are unlikely to completely destroy Irans nuclear capabilities.

It may take days or weeks to assess the full impact.

Historical precedents, such as the 2010 Stuxnet cyberattack, show that sabotage can delay but not eliminate Irans nuclear progress, which often resumes with renewed vigour afterward.

What Is Israel Risking in Striking Iran's Nuclear Bases? Israels decision to launch a large-scale pre-emptive strike carries significant risks:

Escalation to Wider Conflict Iran has vowed severe retaliation, and the killing of top military leaders, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, marks a grave escalation.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei warned Israel to expect a "bitter and painful" fate. This could spark a prolonged and wider regional conflict involving Iran-backed militias and potentially drawing in other powers.

International Fallout The United States was reportedly not involved in the strikes and has pulled diplomats from the region in anticipation of retaliation.

Israels unilateral action complicates diplomatic efforts, especially with ongoing nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US scheduled imminently.

The strikes risk undermining the Iran-US talks and increasing instability in the Middle East. Donald Trump has posted on Truth Social urging Iran to sign the nuclear deal with US on 13 June, and easrning them that the planned attacks would get much worse.

Limited Long-Term Impact If the damage to Irans nuclear programme only delays progress by a year or two, Israel may have taken a disproportionate risk. The possibility that Iran will accelerate its nuclear ambitions underground could ultimately make the threat harder to counter.

Economic Consequences The Israeli airstrikes caused immediate volatility in global markets, with oil prices surging sharply due to fears of disruption in the Middle East, further highlighting the broader global stakes involved.

How do Israel and Irans military capabilities compare? Israel holds a significant technological and military edge over Iran, largely due to extensive US support. It operates advanced weaponry like the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighterthe only Middle Eastern country to do soand is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, though it remains officially unacknowledged.

In contrast, Irans military relies on older aircraft, indigenous weapons development, and missile stockpiles, including ballistic missiles and drones used in recent attacks.

Irans nuclear programme has advanced, with growing reserves of highly enriched uranium that could be quickly weaponised if Tehran chooses, though it has yet to master the full process.

Israels robust air defences, including Arrow and Davids Sling systems, intercepted 99% of Iranian missiles and drones in 2024, highlighting the challenge Iran faces in penetrating Israeli defences.

Irans own missile defence systems, such as Russias S-300 and the local Arman system, are less battle-tested.

Both countries possess cyberwarfare capabilities. Israel and the US are suspected of deploying the Stuxnet malware that disrupted Irans nuclear enrichment over a decade ago.

Iran, meanwhile, conducts cyber operations ranging from information warfare to destructive attacks, including attempts to disrupt Israeli infrastructure like water systems, reflecting the ongoing covert dimension of their conflict.

Israel-Iran Conflict Effect on Crude Oil Oil jumped and stocks slid after Israel attacked Irans nuclear program sites in a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Gold advanced.
Air India Plane Crash: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the family of Vijay Rupani, the former Gujarat chief minister, who tragically died in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Rupani was among the 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff while en route to London on Thursday.

The Prime Minister expressed his condolences and assured Vijay Rupani's family of all possible support during this difficult time.

What did PM Modi say about Vijay Rupani? PM Modi posted on X, Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji.

"It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. Ive known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the (BJP) Party's ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarats Chief Minister," PM Modi added.

In every role assigned, he distinguished himself, be it in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, as Rajya Sabha MP, as Gujarat BJP President and as Cabinet Minister in the state government.

Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarats growth trajectory, particularly in boosting Ease of Living. Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.

Vijay Rupani dies in Air India plane crash Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was onboard the London-bound Air India flight that went down just minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad, died in the horrific crash. Vijay Rupani is the second former Gujarat chief minister to have died in an air disaster.

According to reports, Vijay Rupani was listed as passenger number 12 on the flight manifest and booked in the Z class, which is under the business class category. He is survived by his wife, Anjali Rupani, and two children  a son and a daughter.
The Tata Group pledged to further assist the families and small businesses of AI-171 victims and get to the cause of the accident, as investigations began into Thursday's crash that killed more than 250 people.

N. Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons Ltd and Air India Ltd, on Friday updated about 70 senior Tata executives, including CEOs and former directors in a video conference, an executive who attended the meeting said.

A day earlier, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner had crashed into a medical college hostel building outside Ahmedabad airport moments after take-off. The flight was bound for the London Gatwick Airport.

Also read: Tata Sons' FY25 revenue is likely to be lower despite record dividends

At Friday's 30-minute meeting, senior Tata executives offered to help small businesses that lost key personnel in the tragedy, and the affected families with childrens education and financial assistance by giving a day's salary. This is in addition to the 1 crore compensation that Air India will give each family that lost their kin in the accident.

Our message was that we all will chip in. This is not only an Air India tragedy," the executive cited above said on the condition of anonymity.

A Tata Sons spokesperson did not offer a comment.

Separately, Chandrasekaran also wrote to the group's 800,000-plus employees, vowing complete transparency into what caused Thursdays crash. I want to say that, like you, we want to understand what happened. We don't know right now, but we will," Chandrasekaran wrote.

The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday," he wrote.

However, he cautioned against speculation, urging everyone to be patient till facts are ascertained about what led to the crash. Why this routine flight turned into a calamity is something trained investigators will help us understand when their work is complete. Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place," he wrote.

Also read: Premji Foundation, Tata Trusts match social spending of top Nifty companies

On Friday, authorities located the cockpit voice recorder and one of the two black boxes of AI 171. The black box contains a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder, analyzing which will help investigators piece together what led to the accident. The investigation will be led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which operates under the ministry of civil aviation.

Investigators, including those from the US and UK, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday. Senior Air India executives including CEO Cambell Wilson visited the crash site.

Also read: Tata Steel Q4 Results: Net profit jumps 117% YoY to 1,201 crore, dividend of 3.60 declared. Check record date here

Chandrasekaran signed off his letter off with a promise to not retreat from the groups responsibilities and doing what was right. We will carry this loss. We will not forget," he wrote.
Private equity firm TVS Capital Funds (TCF) has reconstituted its board of directors as it eyes investment opportunities in technology-enabled sectors while maintaining its core focus on financial services.

Three long-serving board membersR. Thyagarajan, Rajeev Gupta and Pradeep Kumarhave stepped down after completing their tenures. Thyagarajan, a founding figure in the firms journey, will continue in an honorary role as Mentor Emeritus".

Joining the board are Shyam Srinivasan, former managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Federal Bank, as independent director and chair of the advisory board; Subhasri Sriram, MD and CEO of Shriram Capital; and Mithun Sacheti, founder of CaratLane. The appointments are part of a broader leadership refresh aligned with the firms evolving strategic focus.

Also read: Amazon India introduces 5 marketplace fee, aligns with peers in e-commerce landscape

Boards should reflect market opportunities more closely. When you've been on a board or in the industry for a very long time, there's a chance you might miss recent developments and operate from past experience," Shyam Srinivasan told Mint. He added that the board transition offers an opportunity to bring in people whose perspectives align better with where the market is headed."

Srinivasan also emphasized a longer-term agenda for the firm: Apart from the financial work, we want to build something that lasts long after everybody falls."

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The restructuring comes alongside the close of Fund IV, which has raised approximately 4,000 crore, with about 10% of that capital deployed. The fund will continue to focus primarily on financial services (6570%) while expanding into tech-for-business, a newer area for TVS Capital Funds.

Planning is also underway for Fund V, expected to be in the 8,000 9,000 crore range. The board refresh is intended to align leadership with these emerging priorities and to strengthen institutional capabilities as the firm scales its platform for the next phase of growth.

Also read: Delhivery expects consolidation wave with Ecom Express acquisition near completion

TVS Capital operates primarily in India, with teams and investments across Mumbai and Chennai.
The Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport has triggered fresh concerns over the airlines safety standards, particularly questioning the appointment of its current Head of Flight Operations, Captain Manish Uppal. He was previously suspended by aviation authorities during his time at AirAsia India for safety violations.

The tragic crash occurred on Thursday, when an Air India flight heading from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick went down just minutes after take-off. Out of 242 people on board, 241 lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indias recent history. Investigations are underway to determine what caused the fatal incident.

However, the accident has reignited discussions about accountability within Air India. Many have questioned the decision to appoint Capt. Manish Uppal to a key leadership role. Social media has been abuzz after former AirAsia pilot and YouTuber Gaurav Taneja highlighted Uppals suspension from AirAsia India in 2020.

In May 2020, I raised serious flight safety concerns against #AirAsia. DGCA investigated, safety lapses found and suspended 2 top officials. Who was the top bossCapt. Manish Uppal (also suspended), Taneja posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

He added, Today, after the merger of Air Asia, Vistara and Air India. Guess who is the top boss of flight operations at Air India. Capt. Manish Uppal.

Screengrab from the viral post.

As per Air Indias official website, Capt. Uppal, with more than 20 years of experience in civil aviation, was appointed as Senior Vice President of Flight Operations in 2023. In a statement issued in October 2023, the airline said, ...Capt. Manish Uppal, who transitioned from Air Asia India a few months ago, has been appointed as Senior Vice President Flight Operations.

The merger of AirAsia India with Air India Express was completed in October 2024.

The controversy dates back to 2020, when Taneja raised red flags about flight safety practices at AirAsia India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched an investigation and found serious lapses in the airlines operations. It later suspended two senior officials, including Capt. Uppal and Head of Flight Safety Mukesh Nema, for three months.

We had issued a show cause notice to two AirAsia India executivesHead of Operations Manish Uppal and Head of Flight Safety Mukesh Nemain June only. It has been decided now to suspend them for a period of three months, the DGCA had said.

Taneja claimed he was suspended by the airline for standing up for safe operations of an aircraft and its passengers. In a detailed video shared in 2020, he accused the airline of pressuring pilots to perform 98 per cent of landings in Flap 3 modea setting that saves fuel but can be risky in poor weather.
A social media user, Antara Mandal, has triggered a discussion after claiming she was selected for the role of "developer" at a prominent Bengaluru-based IT company following "14 rounds of interviews." Mandal, who shared a picture of her office identity card on Instagram, has now become the subject of trolling on social media, with many users opposing her claim and calling it "funny."

"After clearing 14 rounds of an interview, I have finally been selected for the 'DEVELOPER' role in Wipro. I create my own sunshine. Dreams are not what you see in your sleep, dreams are those that don't let you sleep," Mandal wrote on Instagrm Threads.

Screengrab from the viral post.

Mandal, who was previously employed with Bajaj Housing Finance Limited according to her Instagram handle, shared a couple of photos  one of which shows her standing indoors in front of a large Wipro logo displayed on a wall. She is seen pointing at the logo with both hands and smiling, dressed in a light yellow top and blue jeans, wearing a Wipro employee ID badge on a blue lanyard, indicating she is likely a Wipro employee or visitor.

In a series of photos, she is seen taking selfies from different angles while wearing her office ID card inside what appears to be the office campus.

In another image, a Wipro employee ID badge is placed on a patterned fabric. The Wipro logo appears at the top, and the name Antara Mandal is displayed in white text on a dark blue circular background.

However, her post did not sit well with a section of social media users who expressed disbelief at her claim. One commenter, claiming to be a former Wipro employee, vouched that there are at most "45 rounds" of interviews.

Heres how users reacted: A user, who claims to have worked as an HR at Wipro for three years, said:

Wipro me 14 rounds? Max 4 rounds hota hai including HR discussion round.

Career_bishnu, a verified user, commented: May she was trying to say 14 interviews at different companies and finally got selected at Wipro.

A third user said: Wipro me maximum 23 round hote h.

Bosesusmita1, identifying as a former Wipro employee, wrote: "As an ex-Wipro employee I can vouch that there are max 45 rounds of interviews!!"
President Donald Trump said Israel could very well strike Iran but that he had advised against an attack while negotiations over Tehrans nuclear program were ongoing, as the departure of US staff from the region fans concerns about a coming strike.

I dont want to say imminent, but it looks like its something that could very well happen, Trump told reporters at an event Thursday at the White House.

In recent days, Trump has said he is less confident the US will reach a deal with Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. The president has repeatedly said that while he wants a diplomatic solution, he does not want Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons and warned the US could resort to military action if a deal is not reached.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Muscat on Sunday for the sixth round of nuclear talks with Iran, according to a person familiar. But Trump has said that Iran is driving a hard bargain, and resisting demands to fully abandon nuclear enrichment efforts.

We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement. Its got to be better than pretty good, though, but its got to be  I prefer an agreement, as long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in, because I think that would blow it, Trump said.

In a sign of the increasingly tense situation, the US ordered some staff to leave its embassy in Baghdad, officials said, after Iran threatened to strike American assets in the region if it is attacked over its nuclear program.

The State Department also said US government employees and family members in Israel are restricted from traveling outside major cities such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem until further notice.

Look, theres a chance of massive conflict, Trump said. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, weve got to tell them to get out, because something could happen soon, and I dont want to be the one that didnt give any warning and missiles are flying.

Earlier in the day, Iran said it would inaugurate a new uranium-enrichment facility in response to a decision by the United Nations atomic watchdog to censure the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program.

A key sticking point in discussions is whether Iran would be allowed to continue enriching uranium for civilian purposes. Iran says it wont end its enrichment, while Trump has said he would not allow Iran to continue producing the material.

Trump later Thursday said the US remained committed to a diplomatic resolution to the issue.

My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran, Trump wrote in a social media post. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon.

Trump earlier this week spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to brief him on the talks with Iran. Netanyahu has long been skeptical of diplomatic efforts to curb Irans nuclear program and Trump said in May that he told the Israeli leader a military strike on Iran would be inappropriate at that time because it could jeopardize the talks.
Tensions between Israel and Iran are rising, and the United States is now shifting its military resources towards the Middle East amid concerns of a retaliatory attack by Iran. According to an AP report, the US Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern regions.

US military directs second destroyer to move eastward Meanwhile, the US military has also directed a second destroyer to begin moving ahead so it can be available if requested by the White House.

"President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation. The U.S. officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The forces in the region have been taking precautionary measures for days, including having military dependents voluntarily depart regional bases, in anticipation of the strikes and to protect those personnel in case of a large-scale response from Tehran," the AP report reads.

As of now, approximately 30,000 troops are deployed in the Middle East by the US military, with 40,000-odd troops currently available there in the ongoing situation. The number has increased significantly, especially owing to the rising conflict between Israel and Iran over the past year.

An AP report also suggests that the Navy has additional assets that could hard charge towards the Middle East if required. Its aircraft carriers and warships can also sail along.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Mt Pleasant legislator and constitutional lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has publicly rebuked Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana for attempting to portray the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) recent observations on Zimbabwe's economic challenges as signs of progress.Mahere dismissed Mangwana's interpretation as a misleading spin on the IMF's critical findings, especially concerning widespread corruption and the limited acceptance of the newly introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.An IMF delegation, led by Mission Chief Wojciech Maliszewski, is currently in Zimbabwe conducting the Article IV Consultation, a key review of the country's economic policies and progress under the IMF's regular assessment framework. This latest visit follows an earlier mission in January and is viewed as a critical moment for Zimbabwe's reform agenda.While Zimbabwe's Staff Monitored Programme (SMP) does not provide funding, its successful implementation is crucial for unlocking future concessional financing, potential debt restructuring, and restoring international confidence-elements vital to the country's recovery. Zimbabwe faces a daunting public debt exceeding US$21 billion, with over US$12.3 billion owed to external creditors.After the visit, IMF Mission Chief Maliszewski emphasized the need for a fully functioning ZiG currency, fiscal discipline, and a credible currency exchange market. He also highlighted corruption as a major concern, stressing that meaningful debt restructuring and governance reforms were essential.In response, Mangwana posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account a notably optimistic summary of the IMF's remarks, stating: "The IMF sees macroeconomic stability in Zimbabwe- we see it too. They want to see the ZIG becoming fully our national currency - we want that too. They see the ZIG stability- we are witnesses."Mahere strongly challenged this narrative, responding on X with a detailed rebuttal: "Did you listen carefully to what the IMF representative is actually saying? These are the key takeaways: This Govt has no fiscal discipline. Fiscal discipline is urgently required. The public financial management system is worrisome. Read there's too much corruption.'"She added that the IMF's message reflected a deep lack of trust and public confidence in government claims about the economy's health. "The people need reassurance that the so-called reforms introduced will stay," Mahere said.Regarding the ZiG currency, Mahere noted: "The ZIG is not yet a national currency. While it may look stable, it is not widely used. The official exchange rate is artificial as demonstrated by the existence of a parallel market rate. The fact that the two don't converge is problematic. You can rig an election but you cannot rig the economy."Fourteen months after its launch, the ZiG currency continues to struggle with acceptance. It fails to facilitate payments for essential services such as passports and fuel, with many civil servants and businesses relying on US dollars on the parallel market, where the exchange rate stands at US$1 to 40 ZiG, far above the official rate of US$1 to 27 ZiG set by the Treasury.Mahere's remarks underscore the ongoing economic challenges Zimbabwe faces and cast doubt on official narratives that portray the country's situation as stable or improving, particularly amid IMF warnings of fiscal mismanagement and corruption.
(Corrects Fitrell's title in paragraph 2)

KINSHASA (Reuters) -The United States is pressing for swift progress in peace negotiations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a senior U.S. diplomat underscoring an extremely aggressive timeline for a potential agreement as early as June or July.

Troy Fitrell, the senior U.S. bureau official for Africa, said during an online conference this week that technical teams are working to move the process forward.

This coming week, we do have technical teams here to try to get to the next stage, Fitrell said. Weve done these principles. Now we have been arguing about putting these principles into action. We are still shooting for a June or July peace agreement.

There is no sense fooling around on this. If we are going to do it, we do it now, he added, emphasizing Washingtons push to accelerate negotiations.

A planned meeting in May between the foreign ministers of Rwanda and the DRC did not take place, highlighting ongoing tensions and the fragility of the peace process.

In a separate but parallel mediation effort in Doha, delegations from the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group have been recalled for further talks following consultations this week, sources from both sides told Reuters.

The Qatar-led process is seen as a complementary track aimed at addressing the armed conflict in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels have seized territory in recent months.

Despite regional and international efforts, mistrust remains deep between Kinshasa and Kigali. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, a charge Rwanda denies.

The U.S. has played a growing role in trying to bridge differences, but diplomats caution that achieving a durable settlement will require political will on all sides.
Spending on nuclear weapons by the world's nine nuclear-armed nations rose by 11 per cent in 2024, a report by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons said on Friday.

The $10 billion annual increase to $100.2 billion went towards modernising and in some cases expanding nuclear arsenals, according to ICAN, a global civil society coalition that seeks the total elimination of atomic weapons.

"Nuclear-armed countries could have paid the United Nations' budget 28 times with what they spent to build and maintain nuclear weapons in 2024," the report said.

Total expenditure by global nuclear arms The US recorded the largest annual increase in nuclear spending in 2024, rising by $5.3 billion, the report said. Its total expenditure of $56.8 billion exceeded the combined spending of all other nuclear-armed states, it said.

China spent $12.5 billion, followed by Britain at $10.4 billion, which was an increase of $2.2 billion, ICAN said.

It said the other nuclear-armed states were France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia.

In terms of kind of the increase in spending in the UK and France, I think we certainly have seen, at least in the rhetoric of political leaders, a reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to the tensions, and that could be playing a role, Alicia Sanders-Zakre, a policy and research coordinator at ICAN, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

Also Read | Israel attacks Iran LIVE: Israel launches fresh attack on central Iran

Britain and other allies in NATO now regard Russia as the main security threat to Europe and some have rolled out plans to devote a higher percentage of GDP to defence spending.

However, Sanders-Zakre said the increase in nuclear expenditure has been more driven by the costs of servicing long-term contracts and the growing expense of developing nuclear delivery systems than by current security concerns.

Israel attacks Iran's nuclear sites Israel launched a blistering attack on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to target key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

According to a report published by AP, the operation raised the potential for all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Israel will face a "severe punishment" as the latter launched fresh strikes in Tehran early in the day.

Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers, Khamenei said.

According to Iran International, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement, In the early hours of today, the Zionist regime extended its evil and bloodstained hand to commit a crime in our beloved country, revealing its wicked nature more than ever by targeting residential areas.

The regime [Israel] must await severe punishment, he said. "By Gods will, the powerful arm of the Islamic Republics armed forces will not let it go unpunished," he added.

In the enemys attacks, several commanders and scientists were martyred. Their successors and colleagues will immediately carry on their duties, God willing, Iran's Supreme Leader said.

With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itselfand it will undoubtedly face it, Khamenei said.

Israel strikes in Iran Fresh explosions were reportedly heard in Tehran after Israel launched overnight strikes across Iran on Friday.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country launched Operation Rising Lion againt Iran on Friday. He said it's "a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival."

In a video statetement, Netanyahu said Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists.

Isarel told Iranian media that leaders' homes and not civilians were targeted in airstrikes in Tehran. The operation against Iran will "continue as many days as it takes," Netanyahu said.

Israel declared a state of emergency on Friday, warning of retaliatory action from Tehran after the Israelis launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

List of Iranian officials killed in Israeli strikes Israel claimed on Friday it assassinated THESE officials in strikes on Friday:
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami was killed in the large-scale strikes launched by Israel on Tehran early Friday.

Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami was assassinated in an Israeli strike in Tehran.

Senior IRGC commander Gholamali Rashid, and at least two nuclear officials  Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi  were also killed in the attacks.

Israel launched a large-scale strike in Tehran, attacking at least six military bases around the city.

Also Read | India Embassy warns Indian nationals in Israel amid growing tensions with Iran

"In what appears to be targeted assassinations", Israel attacked areas including Parchin, and residential homes at two highly secure complexes for military commanders and multiple residential buildings around Tehran, four senior Iranian officials told the New York Times.

A senior Israeli official told Iran International that leaders' homes and not civilians were targeted in airstrikes in Tehran.

"Homes of senior military and political officials were targeted in Israeli airstrikes in Tehran," the Israeli official was quoted as saying. "Civilians are not the intended targets," the official added.

Also Read | Israel strikes Iran over its nuclear program

Calling the offensive Rising Lion, Israel said it also targeted Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile program and its Natanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Usrael's attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly-advancing nuclear programme.

The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones.

For years, Israel has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it does not want  though officials there have repeatedly warned it could build them.
Israel on Friday carried out dozens of strikes in Iran, hitting nuclear and military sites as well as killing several commanders and nuclear scientists. Israel hit a key underground nuclear site in Natanz several times, Iranian state television said, reporting that most damage was at "surface level".

Additional strikes hit sites in Iran's northwest, with eight people being killed in and near the city of Tabriz, the ISNA news agency said.

The Revolutionary Guards said that its aerospace commander, Amirali Hajizadeh, was also killed. He was in charge of Iran's ballistic missile forces.

Iranian media said several nuclear scientists were killed.

Iran responded by launching drones against Israel, and called the Israeli attack "a declaration of war".

Iran's most powerful men killed in Israeli strikes The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of its armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, were killed in Israel's wave of raids, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei, news agency AFP reported.

Iranian state TV network IRINN on Friday said that senior Khamenei advisor Ali Shamkhani was also killed during Israel's unprecedented Operation Rising Lion.

Who was Major General Mohammad Bagheri? Major General Mohammad Bagheri was Irans top military official. Bagheri was born Mohammad-Hossein Afshordi in Tehran, but there are conflicting reports about his birth year. Some, including the US Treasury Department, say he was born in 1960 in Tehran, while others list the year as 1958.

Bagheri was a senior Iranian military officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Since 2016, Bagheri served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran  the countrys highest military position.

A military intelligence expert, Bagheri joined the IRGC in 1980 and fought in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980s. Bagheri received an engineering degree and later earned a doctoral degree in political geography from Tarbiyat-e Modares University.

Bagheri was promoted to the new chairman of the Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) from his previous position as deputy chief of staff for intelligence and operations in the General Staff on 28 June 2016, replacing Hassan Firouzabadi, who held the post for twenty-seven years.

Who was Major General Hossein Salami? One of the most powerful men in Iran, Major General Hossein Salami was the head of the secretive IRGC. According to the CNN report, he oversaw Iran's most potent military arm, and reported directly to Supreme Leader Khamenei.

According to a US sanction docket, Salami was born in 1960 and headed the IRGC since 2019. The position saw him helming one of the most powerful tools wielded by the Iranian state, which has been instrumental in crushing dissent at home and projecting Irans power abroad, the report said.

The IRGC reportedly funds and supports Yemen's Houthis, enabling the terror group to strike international shipping in the Red Sea, and launch missiles and drones at Israel.

Salami was at the helm when launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in April and October last year, in the first direct strikes by Iran on Israeli territory.

It was under Salami's leadership when the IRGC had shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet shortly after it took off from Tehran's international airport, killing all 176 people on board. An unnamed IRGC commander was sentenced to 13 years in prison, the report added.

Who was Ali Shamkhani? A close aide to Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani represented Tehran at talks which sealed a landmark agreement to restore diplomatic ties with foe Saudi Arabia.

He served as Iran's top national security official for a decade from 2013, before serving in a number of important roles, including in the IRGC, and the ministry of defence, the CNN report said.

He had been a rising star of Iranian diplomacy, well known in foreign-policy circles in Washington and Europe.

Shamkhani represented Iran in China-brokered talks with Saudi officials that led to the two countries agreeing to re-establish diplomatic ties after years of hostility. But he was abruptly replaced in mid-2023, the report added.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a preemptive offensive against Iran's nuclear program, with IAF jets targeting military sites.

In a post on X, IDF said, Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world.

The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, IDF said.

Operation Rising Lion Multiple sites in the capital had been hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites and officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat, he said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the Israeli strike a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.

These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces, he said. Reed added: I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.

(This is a developing story)
At least 78 people were killed and 329 others were injured in Israeli attacks on residential areas in Tehran, Iran's Nournews has said.

Israel on early Friday launched a major attack with strikes that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran, in a new chapter of history of conflicts between the two nations.

Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on June 13, including nuclear facilities and military command centres and killing senior figures including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists.

Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz suffered significant damage, Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.

Here are five latest updates from the Israel-Iran conflict: 1. As per a Reuters report quoting Iran's Nournews, the death toll was pegged at 78 due to Israel's attack on residential areas in Tehran. The news agency further said that an additional 329 people have been injured in these attacks.

Also Read | Israel attacks Iran LIVE: Israel launches fresh attack on central Iran

2. A loud blast was heard in the western Iranian province of Hamedan, near a military airbase, the state news agency said. A few hours ago, a loud blast was heard near Hamedan, which is located more than 300 kilometres from the capital Tehran, the IRNA state news agency said. The blast was heard near the Nojeh airbase", it added.

3. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Friday in an interview with ABC News said that there were a lot more attacks to come for Israel. I think it's been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn't take it ... They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more, he was quoted as saying by the news outlet.

4. Iran promised a harsh response to the overnight onslaught, which killed the heads of both its armed forces and the powerful Revolutionary Guards. Israel said about 100 drones had been launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation, although an Iranian source denied this to Reuters. In a televised message, President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iranians to stand by their leaders and said a powerful response "will make Israel regret its foolish act".

Also Read | Airline Stocks Slide After Israel-Iran Strikes Shut Airspace
Israel attacks Iran Highlights: Israel on Friday launched airstrikes on Irans capital, targeting the countrys nuclear infrastructure. IDF said that the coordinated strikes hit multiple locations across Iran, marking the most serious attack on the country since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

In a major blow to Tehrans ruling theocracy, Iranian state television confirmed the killing of Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the powerful Revolutionary Guard. The broadcast, quoting an official statement, said: The news of assassination and martyrdom of Gen. Hossein Salami was confirmed, though further details were not provided, as reported by AP.

Reports also indicated that another senior Guard commander and two nuclear scientists may have been killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes targeted Irans nuclear and military facilities, key personnel involved in its nuclear program, and components of its ballistic missile arsenal.

Get all the Israel attacks Iran LIVE Updates here on LiveMint.
An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing 241 of 242 people on board. The aircraft was flying to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. The crash is the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since it entered service in 2009, and one of the worst tragedies in India's aviation history.

The crash has turned the spotlight back on John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager who, police say, died by suicide after lawyers questioned him about his whistleblowing on alleged jumbo jet defects.

Who was John Barnett? Born on February 23, 1962, in California, Barnett was a graduate of Bolton High School, and had moved to Louisiana with his mother and three older brothers after his parents' separation.

Barnett was a cab driver before he joined the US Air Force, an NDTV report said. Later, he joined Rockwell International in Palmdale, California, where he worked on parts of NASA's Space Shuttle programme, including the Atlantis orbiter, the report added.

Also Read | What led to Air India crash? Experts weigh in on possible reasons behind tragedy

In the 1980s, Barnett worked as an electrician on the B-1 Lancer bomber. In 1988, he joined Boeing as a quality inspector after settling on Camano Island, Washington. By 2010, he was working at Boeing's South Carolina plant in North Charleston, the assembly line for the 787 Dreamliner.

What were the safety lapses that Barnett flagged? Barnett, a longtime Boeing employee, shared his safety concerns with journalists after he retired in 2017. He said he once saw discarded metal shavings near wiring for the flight controls that could have cut the wiring and caused a catastrophe. He also noted problems with up to a quarter of the oxygen systems on Boeings 787 planes, an AP report said.

Between 2010 and 2017, Barnett said there was a steady decline in safety protocols at the North Charleston plant. According to him, employees were being pressured to overlook defects and meet production quotas, the NDTV report added.

Barnett also claimed some parts were missing or not properly recorded during the building process, showing poor safety checks, apart from other concerns about how Boeing was building its planes.

In 2017, he filed formal complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The FAA did confirm certain issues he highlighted and instructed Boeing to fix them. OSHA later dismissed his claims, ruling in favour of Boeing in 2021, a decision Barnett appealed, the report said.

According to an AP report, Barnett shared his concerns with his supervisors and others before leaving Boeing, but according to a lawsuit filed by his family against the aircraft maker, they responded by ignoring him and then harassing him.
Sometime in the wee hours of Wednesday, Elon Musk shared a pang of contrition: I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far."

Telling the president that he owes his election to you, amplifying calls for his impeachment and throwing in alleged associations with a dead sex offender do indeed err toward the pugnacious.

Even so, Musk, like Trump, is not one to back down easily. Besides reported interventions from the likes of Vice President J.D. Vance, the slump in Teslas shares during last Thursdays online onslaught presents an obvious rationale. Investors appear relieved that the boss is showing his seldom seen humbler side, with the stock having made back virtually all of that loss.

Also Read: Musk versus Trump: A case of mutually assured destruction

Meanwhile, a frisson had arrived on Tuesday in the form of a brief clip on X, Musks social media platform, apparently showing a self-driving Model Y turning a corner in Austin.

This most Panglossian read of the past week ignores a couple of things.

Regarding the spat with US President Donald Trump, the salient point is not that Musk now appears open to reconciling. It is that the chief executive of a $1 trillion-ish market cap company thought it was smart to pick that fight in the first place.

Tesla, like other companies in the Muskplex, is very exposed to a vengeful administration, should it choose to let loose. Just as when Musk has gambled with Teslas brand and legal exposure in prior episodes of endorsing hard-right politics and touting funding secured," the lesson is that he is prone to erratic behaviour that can wipe out tens of billions of dollars of value in as much time as it takes to tap out a tweet.

In that, he is enabled by a board that has been conspicuous in its silence these past few days.

Also Read: X factor: The rise and fall of Elon Musk as a political figure

In short, even if you now think Musk and Trump will just let this all slide, you still own stock in a company run by a man who could quite easily, and needlessly, throw the dice again without warning. And its as yet unclear if this act of contrition will be enough to curry special favour with the administration on issues such as regulatory oversight and autonomous vehicle legislation that are central to Teslas investment thesis.

The episode threatened to overshadow Teslas big robotaxi launch in Austin. Tuesdays video clip came in the nick of time. Where this vehicle lay on the spectrum of self-driving is unclear. While there is no one visible in the driving seat, it looks as if there may be someone sitting in the passenger seat, and the vehicle is also being closely followed by another Tesla. As I wrote recently, Teslas robotaxi launch looks likely to involve a limited operating domain twinned with a lot of remote support.

Perhaps more importantly, Musk provided a specific rollout date for the first time, 22 June. This is later than the reported target date of 12 June that surfaced in a Bloomberg News story in late May, but still within the targeted month. That said, Musk posted that he was setting this date, just eight days before month-end, only tentatively." Note, too, that it is a Sunday, when traffic is quieter.

Also Read: Electric debacle: Teslas troubles started before Musk wore the MAGA cap

This is all happening against a backdrop of weak sales in Teslas actual main business of making and delivering electric vehicles. The latest figures out of China this week show a drop in May of 30%, year over year. This offers strong evidence that Tesla has a demand problem as opposed to the rationale it offered for weak sales in the first quarter, namely factory downtime to refresh the Model Y.

Meanwhile, with less than three weeks left in the quarter, we are yet to see the more affordable models" Tesla said it would begin production of by then.

Come early July, Tesla will likely release another set of weak official sales numbers, followed soon after by what will almost certainly be underwhelming earnings.

Of course, a handful of robotaxis may be driving around bits of Austin by then, and Musk may be saying nice things about the president he just trashed. What more could one hope for? Bloomberg

The author is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy.
News / National

by Staff reporter

In the wake of a recent fatal attack by Pit Bull Terriers on a Harare resident, members of Zimbabwe's Parliament have called for a ban on the breed, citing growing concerns over public safety.During a Question and Answer session on Wednesday, several legislators urged Speaker Jacob Mudenda to consider outlawing Pit Bulls, describing the breed as aggressive and difficult to control. The call comes just two weeks after a man was mauled to death by Pit Bulls in Bluff Hill, Harare.Zanu PF Goromonzi West MP Biata Beatrice Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga voiced her fears about the danger posed by the dogs, saying, "When moving in the bush, we fear wild animals, but when we are in residential areas, there are dogs such as the Pit Bull. The Pit Bull is killing people. That dog does not listen to instructions from the owner. What is the government policy on the keeping of animals, in particular dogs like the Pitbull?"Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who also serves as Leader of Government Business in Parliament, responded that current laws require dog owners to obtain licenses issued by local councils, with strict regulations on the number and types of dogs permitted in towns and other areas. He highlighted that the owner of the Pit Bulls involved in the recent fatal attack had been arrested because the dogs were kept illegally without the proper license."The Pitbull needs a licence which is different from other types of dogs because it is a very vicious dog," Minister Ziyambi explained.However, Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga was not convinced that licensing alone would prevent further attacks. She pointed out that the breed is prone to "losing its memory," implying unpredictable and dangerous behavior, and urged the government to consider an outright ban."Yes, the licence can be there but we have that type of dog which loses its memory. What are we trying to say if we are allowing people to keep dogs which lose their memory? What are we trying to say about the lives of people?" the MP questioned.Minister Ziyambi advised that the issue required expert input from the Veterinary Department and asked the MP to submit her question in writing for a thorough investigation.Chinhoyi MP Leslie Mhangwa also supported calls for stronger action, stating, "If we have somebody who has become a danger to the community, he is put in jail or put somewhere else. The Pitbull as a breed has become a danger to the people of Zimbabwe. Is there anything that stops us from banning the breed within the country? I think this is the direction we need to move with."Speaker Mudenda ruled that Karimatsenga-Nyamupinga's question be formally submitted in writing for further deliberation and scheduled discussion next week.The recent attack involved a Harare man, Samuel Machara, who was killed by Pit Bulls owned by Mike Mupinga, 40, of Bluff Hill. Mupinga was arrested and charged with culpable homicide. This tragic incident follows a similar case in 2022 where a Bulawayo man from Selborne suburb was fatally bitten by his own dogs.Globally, several countries have enacted breed-specific legislation targeting Pit Bull-type dogs. Twelve European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, parts of the United States, Ecuador, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and Venezuela have banned or heavily restricted Pit Bulls. In Australia, some states mandate sterilization, while the UK, the Canadian province of Ontario, and various U.S. states have outright bans in place.Zimbabwean MPs' calls for stricter regulation or a ban on Pit Bulls reflect growing concerns about public safety and aim to prevent future tragedies linked to the aggressive breed.
(Bloomberg) -- Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is activating National Guard troops to support local law enforcement, joining Texas in turning to military personnel ahead of nationwide protests on Saturday against President Donald Trump.

The Missouri deployment may be needed to maintain order in cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield, the Republican governor said in an executive order. Kehoe, who also declared a state of emergency, didnt specify how many troops would be called into service.

While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the state of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities, he said in a statement. We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state.

A day of No Kings protests is planned for Saturday, with organizers estimating that rallies large and small will take place at almost 2,000 locations around the country. The same day, Trump is holding a military parade in Washington.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, who is also a Republican, said earlier this week he would deploy National Guard troops to ensure order. His office later announced that the state will send 5,000 National Guard soldiers and 2,000 state troopers to assist local authorities.

The president recently ordered National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles amid protests spurred by escalating immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has called the move unconstitutional and politically driven, and is challenging it in court.

In a press conference Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said officials are pre-deploying assets in anticipation of political unrest.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Senate hearing earlier this week that the government would be able to send military personnel to other states if needed.

Part of it is getting ahead of a problem so that if there are other riots in places where law enforcement officers are threatened, we would have the capability to surge National Guard there if necessary, he said.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated that the UK was prepared to endorse a new NATO target committing 3.5% of members economic output to core defense spending, although he emphasized that key details such as the timeline were still being negotiated.

The remarks by Starmer were the closest he has come to embracing the North Atlantic Treaty Organizations latest attempt to appease US President Donald Trumps spending demands on European allies. The 3.5% target that NATO expects to adopt later this month is far more ambitious, in both magtitude and speed, than the 3% goal that the British premier set for himself earlier this year.

Obviously, the precise wording that will be agreed at NATO is still a matter of some negotiation, Starmer said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Friday in Downing Street. I am absolutely determined that that summit in just over a week will be a huge success and an opportunity to show the strength together that we have as NATO allies, but also to send a very clear message to our adversaries.

Pressed to commit to a deadline, he said: Theres still discussions going on as to precisely what the wording and what the commitment will be. Starmer added that he accepted the proposition, I have advanced the proposition about the importance of NATO.

Starmers remarks were the latest sign that NATO would embrace during an annual summit at The Hague on June 24-25 a new target to spend an aggregate of 5% of gross domestic product on defense. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has proposed to members that the target could be reached with a pledge to spend 3.5% on core defense activity and another 1.5% on defense-aligned projects like cybersecurity.

In the interview on Friday, Starmer argued that the UK already makes a huge contribution to NATO, noting how the country commits its nuclear deterrent to the alliances defense. The remark suggested that the UK might argue for recognition of its unique capabilities as part of any spending calculation.

Rutte, who visited Starmer in Downing Street earlier this week, has sought a deadline of 2032 to reach that goal, although some members are seeking to extend the time frame. Italy will need a decade to reach the 5%, the countrys foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said on Thursday. In contrast, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for NATO to move the deadline forward, saying 2032 is too late.

Theres been a sort of criticism that Europe hasnt carried its fair share of the burden, Starmer told Bloomberg. I think thats right. So Ive said to European allies, we need to do more on spend, on capability and cooperation.

--With assistance from Irina Anghel.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The Trump administration won a brief reprieve from a judges order to pull back on its use of military troops in Los Angeles to deal with protests over the presidents immigration raids.

A three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco put the judges order on hold and scheduled a hearing for Tuesday to discuss further action in the case.

The move came hours after US District Judge Charles Breyer directed the federal government to return control of the California National Guard to state leaders and cease efforts to direct those troops to respond to protests while a lawsuit challenging the actions proceeds.

Early Friday, President Donald Trump welcomed the ruling in a post on Truth Social, repeating his claim that if he had not deployed troops, Los Angeles would be burning to the ground right now.

We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!, he wrote.

The appeals court set a hearing for Tuesday to consider whether to continue to allow Trump to use troops in Los Angeles for longer. Written arguments from the administration and California are due before then.

California officials didnt respond outside regular business hours to a request for comment.

Lawyers for the state had urged the appeals panel to reject the federal governments request to pause Breyers order, arguing that his ruling clearly identified the irreparable harm the state would face if the deployment continued in LA.

Demonstrators in Los Angeles have clashed for days with law enforcement, sometimes violently, while California Governor Gavin Newsom and Trump are at odds over how to restore order and who should do it. The activities spurred a dispute over the limits of Trumps executive powers after he federalized the National Guard over the objections of Newsom and other local leaders.

In doing so, Trump issued a proclamation stating that the protests are a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States.

Breyer said in his ruling that he is troubled by the implication that protest against the federal government, a core civil liberty protected by the First Amendment, can justify a finding of rebellion.

Attorneys for California had asked Breyer to bar the troops from helping federal law enforcement in immigration raids, though they would be allowed to protect federal courthouses, offices and personnel. In their request for an emergency order, the states lawyers argued that the military deployment creates imminent harm to state sovereignty and escalates tensions.

The president has called the demonstrations migrant riots and said on his Truth Social platform that his decision to call in the troops has helped address unrest in the city. Without the military presence, he said Los Angeles would be a crime scene like we havent seen in years.

Explainer: Why Trumps Use of Military in US Is So Controversial

The government has maintained that Trump acted legally and lawyers said in a court filing that any order from Breyer limiting the scope of Trumps authority would jeopardize the safety of Department of Homeland Security personnel and interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out operations.

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested in the Los Angeles area this week.

Local law enforcement has handled nearly all of the crowd control, as protests largely are confined to a few parts of the Los Angeles area and downtown. The past two nights have been relatively quiet after Mayor Karen Bass imposed a 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew over a one-mile-square area of downtown to tamp down the protests.

The case is Newsom v. Trump, 25-cv-04870, US District Court, Northern District of California .

With assistance from John Gittelsohn.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there are no hiccups or obstacles remaining in the way of finalizing a trade deal with the US and indicated that an agreement would likely come soon.

Starmers comments, ahead of a summit meeting with other G-7 leaders in Canada this weekend, follow negotiations between US and UK officials in London aimed at hashing out the details of the pact he and US President Donald Trump announced last month.

Im hoping that we will complete it pretty soon, Starmer said in an interview with Bloomberg News on Friday, referring to the deal. Theres nothing unexpected in the implementation, and so we havent got any hiccups or obstacles.

Pushing the trade deal over the line would be a win for Starmer, who was elected last July on a promise to boost economic growth in the UK, only see his popularity slide as that goal proved elusive during his 11 months in office.

Such an agreement would shelter key industries from the more punitive tariffs the US has rolled out on imports from around the world. While the UK was the first to reach such a deal with the Trump administration, the finer points were left up to future negotiations.

Were in the final stages of implementing now. Im very pleased that we reached that agreement, Starmer said. We are at the implementation stage, but were at the end of that process, and I hope that we can complete it pretty soon now.

Under the initial terms announced last month, the US said it intended to cut its tariff on cars imported from the UK from 27.5% to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles each year and drop levies on UK steel from the current 25% to zero. In return, the UK vowed to increase the quota of beef and ethanol that the US can export to the country tariff-free.

Car manufacturers would especially welcome the reduction of US tariffs after warning that Trumps levy could wreak havoc on the sector and risk thousands of jobs. Starmer said the initial terms of the trade deal laid out in May were a huge relief to car manufacturing, those working in the sector, adding that there were jobs protected, jobs created by this deal.

Securing agreement on the entire deal would also bring relief to the UKs beleaguered steel sector. The UK is currently the only country to avoid the 50% tariff on steel that Trump announced last month, but that higher rate could still be imposed if a deal is not reached. British companies have already reported US orders drying up under the 25% rate.

A deal could depend on Downing Street easing US concerns over the Chinese ownership of British Steel. Jingye Group still owns the company even though the UK government took over operational control earlier this year.

UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, however, said Thursday that the talks over steel were now not about who owns it  its the melt and pour rules. The melt-and-pour provisions are designed to prevent steel that was made outside of the UK from being reprocessed in the country and shipped to the US in circumvention of tariffs. They require that steel imports from the UK be made entirely in the country, either from primary ores or from remelted scrap metal.

That has becoming increasingly difficult since British Steel is the last producer in the UK running blast furnaces that can make it from scratch with primary ores. Tata Steel UK, British Steels largest competitor, shut down its blast furnace last year and wont have replacement furnaces to melt steel from scrap in place until late 2027.

Starmer confirmed that Trump would still be coming to the UK for a state visit after he gave the US president an invitation from King Charles when the trade deal was agreed in May. Starmer said he hoped it would be this year, though it would be for Buckingham Palace to decide the dates.

Im really pleased that we will be able to showcase the close relationship we have between the UK and the US, Starmer said. This will be a historic second visit for President Trump.

--With assistance from Mark Burton.

(Updates with Starmers comment in sixth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
What kind of wine drinker are you? Some regularly search for an unknown and obscure wine; others prefer drinking the tried and true. Im both kinds, depending on my mood and the situation. Sometimes Ill throw cautionand cashto the wind and buy a bottle I know nothing about. Then again, on occasions when I cant risk disappointment (a dinner party, a gift), Ill fall back on old favorites.

Curious about how intrepid other drinkers might be, I talked to some wine pros about how they encourage customers to venture outside their vinous comfort zones. Their respective methodologies were remarkably similar.

Certain Rules Apply

When it comes to buying unknown wines, I have two key parameters: Ill rarely spend more than $30 a bottle (and often much less), and I will never buy more than two bottles of a wine I dont know. I overrode that second criterion recentlyto my regret. I purchased a case of a certain rose from California that I hadnt tasted in years, figuring it would be just as good as it had been long ago. It was not.

Im always happy to take a recommendation from a retailer or sommelier, and my overall rate of satisfaction in such cases has been good: more than 50%. Furthermore, its been fun to turn some new discoveriesTorrette from Valle dAosta, Italy, for exampleinto regular buys.

Wine lovers I know, ranging from casual imbibers to knowledgeable oenophiles, have their own parameters when it comes to experimenting. My husband, Roger, would never buy an unknown Greek wine: Their grape names are too perplexing, he says. My chef friend Mario, a native of Calabria, Italy, draws the line at wines from California: They dont go with Italian food, he contends.

My friend Neil is much more adventurous than the others. He will happily try anything from grand cru Burgundy to an inexpensive Albarino with equal pleasure. Sometimes his experiments are a great successlike the time he tried Kerner, the aromatic white from Alto Adige, on the advice of an American sommelier he met in Italy. He sought out the wine as soon as he got home and has been a fan ever since.

A Matter of Trust

Of course, not all Neils experiments end as happily as his discovery of Kerner. Neils most memorable dud also involved a rose bought in quantity, though in his case the wine was from Hungary. Neil made the purchase on the advice of a well-known New York wine merchant who had never" steered him wrong. The merchant had even labeled the producer The King of Rose," which sealed the deal: Neil bought three cases of the wine without tasting it first. Big mistake. It was more like a herbal light red. Not at all what I was expecting," he said. Though it took some time to work through those 36 bottles, he still has faith in the store.

Nearly all the wine professionals I contacted agreed that customers might be willing to take a chance on a wine if they trust the merchant or sommelier making the recommendation, but that willingness has its limitsoften geographical. If a sommelier is nudging a diner toward a different wine region, it helps if its somewhat well-known.

With a little guidance, a California wine lover might be willing to be persuaded to try a wine from Burgundy or Bordeaux, said wine director Anthony Taylor of Cru Uncorked in Moreland Hills, Ohio. In the case of customers who are particularly articulate about their preferred sort of wine and confident in their preferences, Taylor might feel safe recommending a more-obscure region or grape, as long as it aligns with those preferences.

Alec Schingel, chef, owner and wine director of Robin Restaurant in St. Louis, doesnt go too far afield with recommendations to customers. He also tends to focus on value. Schingel said he might suggest Pinot Noir from a great producer in Irancy rather than Chambolle or Volnay." The first is a lesser-known and reliably more-affordable appellation; the latter two, pricier Burgundy precincts. I think the value is great, and it introduces people to something new but still relatively safe," Schingel explained.

Similarly, at Beaupierre Wines & Spirits in Manhattan, sommelier and restaurateur-turned-retailer Yannick Benjamin and his wife and co-owner, Heidi Turzyn Benjamin, suggest unfamiliar wines that arent a great stretch geographically from those customers already know. They might prompt a white Burgundy drinker to try a wine made from Savagnin, a white grape of Jura, just east of Burgundy. I speak passionately about the magic of the Jura, having visited multiple times," Benjamin said.

An Experiment

While most of the professionals I contacted acknowledged the challenge of getting customers to try something truly unknown, Jeremy Block, proprietor of Some Good Wine in Manhattans Greenwich Village, said he has no trouble suggesting wines from places lesser-known as wine regions, such as the Canary Islands of Spain. Block credits his location near New York University: We happen to be in the 10003 zip code with loads of NYU people and young people with lots of money, so getting [them] to try new things is very easy."

According to Harris Polakoff, owner of Pogos Wine & Spirits in Dallas, his customers are willing to experiment only up to a point. We try and find what they normally like to drink and stay in that realm," he said. For a drinker of Sancerre, the Loire Valley white made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, he might recommend a Sauvignon Blanc from California.

It makes sense to me that wine pros only encourage small steps outside their customers comfort zone. Their rate of success is likely to be higher that way. But I couldnt help wondering what would happen if they chose something completely obscure.

I decided to put myself forward as a test case and asked two New York retailers I trust for something totally unexpectedas long as the wine was under $35 a bottle. I also asked them to limit their recommendations to white wines, just to narrow the field of potential candidates.

One retailers choice was terrific. The 2023 Bodegas Los Bermejos Diego Seco ($29), from the Canary Islands, was a delight. Id be happy to buy this minerally, citrusy, spicy, dry white with notes of herb again. But Id take pains to avoid the other recommended wine, the 2024 Diamantis Magoutes Vienyard Siatista Vieilles Vignes Blanc ($25) from Greece. A white wine made from the native red Xinomavro grape, it was grippy, even rather tannicintriguing on the first sip, exhausting by the third.

Although my experiment was not an unqualified success, I was happy to have tried both the wines and happy I hadnt spent too much money. Id trust both retailers to propose future obscurities, though I might specify that the white wine should be made from a white grape.

Email Lettie at wine@wsj.com
Former Alabama veterans commissioner sues Ivey for defamation and wrongful termination

The former head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Gov. Kay Ivey of illegally firing him last year
Two men were recorded as one of them got out of a silver Honda Accord and threw a molotov cocktail, or petrol bomb, at a home on Prater Road.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 24-year-old Zimbabwean man, Apology Mandiudza, died last Tuesday in hospital, nine days after a brutal mob attack in Valencia, Addo. He was the fourth immigrant to lose his life in a wave of xenophobic revenge attacks that erupted on 25 May following the murder of 22-year-old South African Jaune September.While the identities of the other three victims remain unknown, it is understood that two were Zimbabwean and one Malawian. Authorities have yet to make any arrests related to either September's killing or the retaliatory mob violence.Originally from Zimbabwe, Mandiudza had recently started his first job on a citrus farm and was in a long-term relationship with a South African woman, a union his niece Pauline Mhlolo said was headed toward marriage. Mhlolo described her uncle as a quiet and gentle man who was nowhere near the tavern where September was killed. Despite this, Mandiudza was attacked with a sharp object, suffering fatal head injuries, and his home was ransacked with most of his belongings stolen."I saw him lying helplessly in his bed at Livingstone Hospital. He was not responding to our voices," Mhlolo recounted.The xenophobic violence saw dozens of immigrant men beaten and hospitalized, while hundreds of women and children were displaced, forced to seek refuge at Addo Police Station and a church hall in Gqeberha. On 1 June, immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs inspected these shelters, leading to hundreds of arrests and 127 voluntary deportations.Jaune September was laid to rest peacefully in a well-attended funeral last Saturday. Ward councillor Xolani Jonas urged the immigrant community to return home in the wake of the violence.Chris Mapingure, chairman of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, highlighted the financial and logistical challenges involved in repatriating the bodies of the three murdered Zimbabweans. "Transporting one body to Zimbabwe costs about R32,000," he said, noting efforts to raise funds from Zimbabwean communities across the Eastern Cape, but acknowledging that much more support is needed.
GM to invest $4 billion to shift some production from Mexico to the US

Shares of General Motors are up before the opening bell after announcing plans to invest $4 billion to shift some production from Mexico to U.S. manufacturing plants as the automaker navigates tariffs that could drive prices higher
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
UPDATE: The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit vacated the dismissal of the the Catoosa County Republican Party's suit on Thursday.

The party filed a lawsuit in 2023 to block Republican candidates that the party claimed were not aligned with the Catoosa County GOP's ideals.

The legal battles stem from a series of actions between the Catoosa County GOP and some candidates.

This federal court decision allows the Catoosa County GOP's lawsuit move forward.

The Catoosa County Republican Party quickly responded to the decision, posted a statement on social media that reads, in part:

"The Catoosa County Republican Party applauds the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals for reaffirming a fundamental truth: political parties, as private organizations, possess a Constitutionally protected First Amendment right to freedom of association. This means the government cannot force a party to support candidates who openly reject the party's core principles and values."

PREVIOUS STORY: New rules for the Catoosa County Republican Party could lead to old problems that some candidates faced while running for county office last November.

Catoosa County Commission Chairman Steven Henry said the local GOP chapter held a meeting last week where six new people were elected to serve on the executive board.

Henry said those six people decided to run after they saw what happened during the 2024 elections.

"They didn't like that a small group of people were trying to make decisions for the whole county, said Commissioner Henry.

Catoosa County Republican Party holds controversial meeting to elect new officers The next meeting or convention of the Catoosa County Republican Party is scheduled for March 18.

Henry said hundreds of people showed up for the meeting and new rules were made.

One of the new rules requires anyone seeking a leadership post within the local GOP party to have served on the executive board during the last two terms.

The other requirement for leadership candidates, according to Henry, is that they must be in good standing with the executive board.

Those new rules were submitted to the Georgia Republican Party on February 21, but Henry said another set of rules was submitted on February 24.

He said it was a move the state republican party saw as abnormal because "you dont have one meeting and then change the rules before the next" meeting.

When it comes to rule changes, Henry said there are no state laws governing what local political party chapters can and can't do.

He said he hopes the matter will lead to legislation that spells out the process for rule changes.

The next meeting for the Catoosa County GOP will be on March 18.
CNN analyst Barak Ravid weighs in on the reports that an Israeli security source briefed reporters that Irans top military leaders as well as senior nuclear scientists were targeted in the opening strikes. Iranian state media reports Commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard 
A grandmother who spat at security personnel at a Penneys outlet in Longford has been directed to engage with the probation services.



Kathleen Delaney of 3 Midland Court, Longford pleaded guilty at Longford district court to a section 2 assault on August 15, 2022 at Penneys, Longford Shopping Centre.



Sergeant Enda Daly said Gardai were notified of a disturbance at 11.45am.



"The defendant was present in that area and she became abusive and very threatening towards security personnel and the manager, resulting in her spitting at the security and manager at that location."

Read more: Longford Gardai investigating incident of criminal damage to a car

Sgt Daly said the defendant had some previous convictions which were 'historical' with the most recent occurring in 1997.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client had been in a 'chaotic situation' for some time and she had suffered two bereavements of young family members within the past two years.



"She had a chaotic lifestyle, but she is now doing really well and she is actually delighted to be working full time now and she also looks after her grandchildren.

Also read: Two doctors and secretary will face trial over multiple Longford theft and deception charges



"She has been out of trouble for a considerable amount of time."



Judge Deirdre Gearty addressed Sgt Daly and said she believed the manager at Penneys deserved a phone call to update him on the case and she believed a 'restorative justice'-type sentence would be appropriate.

"Restorative justice is one of the buzzwords that is floating around in the world at the moment and I don't want to take up people's time unnecessarily but it strikes me that this is a situation that Ms Delaney, if she is apologetic for what she has done, she could write him a letter or she could make a charitable donation to a charity of his choice."

Read more: Garda found not guilty of forging signature following lengthy Longford circuit court trial



Judge Gearty directed Ms Delaney to engage with the probation services so they could assess and decide on the best way to proceed with the restorative justice element and she adjourned the case until September 2 next.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The United States has cautioned that Zimbabwe's efforts to secure reduced tariffs on its exports face significant risks due to tight negotiation timelines, even as a temporary reprieve has been granted by the Trump administration.On April 9, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of select reciprocal tariffs affecting multiple countries, including Zimbabwe. This move followed Zimbabwe's formal request for a more balanced trade arrangement with the US.However, a baseline 10% tariff introduced on April 5 remains in effect across all imports, including Zimbabwean goods, meaning the trade tension is far from resolved.US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont told Business Times this week that the greatest challenge remains the limited timeframe available to conclude a deal before the 90-day suspension on the 18% tariff expires."We're still having conversations," Ambassador Tremont said. "But the biggest problem is the timeline to negotiate tariffs."The negotiations were prompted after Zimbabwe submitted a formal proposal to Washington aimed at reducing trade barriers. Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube spearheaded the diplomatic efforts during the recent IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, lobbying key US Treasury officials and Capitol Hill representatives.In response, the Trump administration granted the tariff pause to provide space for dialogue. Yet, with just weeks remaining, the brief window for negotiations is emerging as a critical stumbling block."Unfortunately, because we have negotiations with so many countries, I think that 90 days will probably expire before we come to an agreement with Zimbabwe," Tremont warned. "Anyone familiar with trade negotiations knows they don't happen overnight."She added, "And when you are trying to negotiate with more than 120 countries simultaneously, there's inevitably going to be a problem."A major sticking point remains Zimbabwe's own tariff policies, particularly steep import duties. Ambassador Tremont pointed out the high vehicle import taxes - sometimes up to 60% - as a key issue affecting reciprocal negotiations."To import a vehicle here can cost up to 60% on top of the purchase price," she said. "So by that standard, even 18% on Zimbabwe's exports to the US could be seen as quite generous."Historically, the US has maintained one of the world's most open economies, often providing preferential access to developing countries without demanding similar concessions on American exports. However, this dynamic is shifting under President Trump's "America First" trade agenda."Well, the US has offered generous access to its markets for decades," Tremont noted.For Zimbabwe, a successful trade deal would be critical to boosting its struggling export sector and bringing in much-needed foreign currency. Yet with the clock ticking, the opportunity to finalize terms is rapidly shrinking.Despite the urgency, the US remains cautious about rushing negotiations. "We're open to discussions with all countries on how to find a more balanced trade framework," Tremont said. "But this is a complex issue, and we need time to assess each country's position thoroughly."She acknowledged the pressure on Washington to move quickly but highlighted the volume of countries involved. "We're all in a hurry to make this happen as quickly as possible. But there's a long line of countries that have made offers, and it's going to take time for us to get to all of them."As the 90-day suspension nears its end, both Harare and Washington face mounting pressure to reach an agreement or risk losing critical momentum.In the meantime, Ambassador Tremont reaffirmed continued US support for Zimbabwe's health and humanitarian sectors. "The US has US$223 million allocated for health and humanitarian programmes this year," she said.With both sides aware of the stakes, the coming weeks will be decisive for Zimbabwe's trade relations with its most significant global partner.
Olivia Mollaghan (22) will represent Longford in the 2025 Miss Ireland Final coming up on Saturday, June 14 at The Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath.

Olivia graduated last year from DCU with 1st class honours degree in Communications Studies. She is currently a news coordinator with RTE and content creator.



Olivia's chosen charity is Hygiene Hub, which provides hygiene products to people who cannot afford them. This includes schools. Since having an online presence, Olivia became aware of how many difficulties children face in school because of a lack of access to hygiene products.

Also read: Excitement building as Longford's Olivia Mollaghan looks forward to Miss Ireland Final



The finalists vying for the coveted Miss Ireland 2025 crown will step into the spotlight next weekend and embrace their journey of empowerment, leadership, and community impact with a spectacular ceremony, vibrant performances and a star-studded audience.



Since 1947, the Miss Ireland pageant has celebrated intelligence, ambition, and cultural pride, evolving into a platform that champions female leadership and philanthropy.





This years competitors will join a legacy of inspiring role models including Former Miss World Rosanna Davison and former Miss Irelands - Pamela Flood, Holly Carpenter, Rebecca Maguire, Lauren McDonagh, Aoife O Sullivan, Amanda Brunker, Pamela Uba, Aoife Walsh, Michelle Rocca, Olivia Tracy, current Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt and many more. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over 350,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimers Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Read more: Longford solicitor Fiona Baxter receives double honours at Irish Law awards

The finalists of Miss Ireland are put through their paces in a challenging competitive process testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and each finalist will be tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities. Each finalist will advance to the national event for a chance to claim the Miss Ireland crown.

Read more: Call for Longford people to nominate their circular living champions





The 77th crowned Miss Ireland will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes and will then have a chance to jet off to represent Ireland next year on an international stage at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world.

You can help Olivia bring the Miss Ireland crown home to Longford by voting for her via the MI Org app which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
New York Woman Among Those Arrested in PA Human Trafficking Case

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: June 13 2025

Yan Qui, 49, of Flushing, New York, and Zigui Zheng, 48, of Mechanicsburg, were found guilty on Friday, June 6 in Cumberland County Court on multiple charges.

Two women, one a New York resident, have been convicted in connection with a human trafficking and prostitution operation that ran through multiple massage parlors in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

Yan Qui, 49, of Flushing, New York, and Zigui Zheng, 48, of Mechanicsburg, were found guilty on Friday, June 6 in Cumberland County Court on multiple charges including corrupt organizations, dealing and/or promoting unlawful acts, trafficking individuals, and other prostitution-related counts, according to the office of District Attorney Sean McCormack.

The two defendants were originally charged in September 2023 after being arrested at the New Healing Hands Spa in Cumberland County during an investigation called Operation Closed2Trafficking, which targeted Pennsylvania massage parlors for human trafficking violations.

Witnesses told authorities that they had given money to Qui and Zheng at the New Healing Hands Spa in exchange for sexual acts.
Israeli soldiers operating in Gaza in early June. (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued consolidating control over areas in various parts of Gaza during the second week of June. The IDF is involved in a multi-month operation called Gideons Chariots, which began in May. Most of the operation has concentrated on gaining control over areas the IDF retook in Gaza since mid-March. Some of these areas, such as Khan Younis in southern Gaza, were previously cleared of terrorists by the IDF in early 2024. As part of operations, the IDF returned the bodies of several hostages. There are now 53 hostages remaining in Gaza, around half of whom may be alive.

Israeli military operations in Gaza take the form of several key missions. First, the IDF is continuing to carry out airstrikes on terrorists. Second, the IDF is clearing areas by demolishing buildings and tunnels used by terrorists in the past. Third, the IDF continues to secure a perimeter around areas used to distribute humanitarian aid.

On June 11, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office released a statement saying that the bodies of two hostages had been returned to Israel. It named one of them as Yair Yaakov, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. The statement said he was abducted by the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The name of the second deceased was not disclosed. The return of the two corpses follows the IDF finding the body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai worker who was also kidnapped by Hamas, on June 7.

On June 7, the Israeli military said it eliminated the terrorist Asad Abu Sharaiya who served during the last years as the head of the Mujahideen terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. Israel accused Sharaiya and his group of being behind the kidnappings of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, as well as the abductions of two Americans, Gad Haggai and Judi Lynn. All of these individuals were killed in Gaza. The strike on Sharaiya is one of several precision strikes the IDF has carried out in recent days. The Israeli military also said on June 12 that it struck Hamas terrorists who were operating in a structure in the Shati area in central Gaza that was being used as a weapons production facility.

Another activity the IDF continues to conduct in Gaza is attempting to illustrate how Hamas has exploited hospitals and other civilian institutions and activities in the territory. For instance, on June 5, the Israeli military said it targeted members of Islamic Jihad who were operating under the guise of journalists. It asserted that the men were at a compound in the courtyard of the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. In another statement, the IDF said that the spokesperson for the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Zabar Tafesh Bassal, is an active terrorist in the Hamas terrorist organization. The IDF also showed footage of a Hamas tunnel under the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, where Hamass Gaza leader, Mohammed Sinwar, was killed in May.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the group that has been delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza via three distribution sites in areas the IDF controls, said on June 12 that it had distributed 2.6 million meals. This update brings the total to 19 million meals distributed in roughly two weeks of operations. The group says that its aid workers, who are local people from Gaza, were attacked, and at least eight were killed overnight between June 11 and 12. For its part, Hamas claimed to have attacked a local militia in Gaza that is backed by Israel. The full details of both incidents require additional investigation.

As the IDF works to secure areas around where the GHF distributes food, the military published a report on how Hamas developed several methods to exploit the aid it had stolen. This effort is designed to contrast the role of Hamas in areas it controls with the new humanitarian initiative. The IDF says that throughout the war, Hamas decided that varying portions (ranging from 15% to over 25%) of the humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip would be automatically diverted to the terrorist organization. In addition, the group engaged in smuggling and received hundreds of millions of shekels in the Gaza Strip from Iran and other funding sources.

Israeli units also continued to carry out large-scale operations. The 36th Division, operating in southern Gaza, found an underground tunnel, the IDF said on June 7. The Golani Reconnaissance Battalion, which is part of the 36th Division, carried out an operation near the European Hospital. The 188th Armored Brigade, operating in Khirbat Ikhzaa inside Gaza near the Israeli border, eliminated 1,200 terrorist infrastructure sites, the IDF said. In addition, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the IDFs 252nd Division and 646th Brigade in Gaza.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
An image published by the IDFs Persian-language X account shows the range of Iranian missiles.

In a joint operation led by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence agency, Israel targeted Irans nuclear and military infrastructure and key leaders. The attack, reported by some sources to involve as many as 300 airstrikes, began overnight on June 12 and continued into June 13. Strikes targeted the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities as well as senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Irans Armed Forces.

Israel attacked hours after the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) Board of Governors declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations on June 12. In retaliation against the nuclear watchdogs resolution, the Tehran regime announced plans to construct a new enrichment facility in a secure location, violating the IAEAs modified Code 3.1. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi had warned on June 9 that Irans lack of transparency prevents the verification of a peaceful program.

On the diplomatic front, negotiations between the US and Iran had reached an impasse in recent rounds, with both sides unable to bridge the divide over uranium enrichment. Washington insisted on full dismantlement, while Tehran declared such a demand a red line. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei consistently expressed deep skepticism toward talks with the United States, echoing a longstanding US distrust that spanned both the current and previous US administrations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement shortly after the strikes commenced, describing Israels moves as unilateral action and cautioning Tehran against retaliating against the United States. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Irans nuclear sites

The central focus of Israels military campaign appears to be the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities, each critical to Irans uranium enrichment program but distinct in design and vulnerability. Natanz is a sprawling complex with above- and below-ground components primarily housing Irans IR-1 and IR-2 centrifuges. Fordow, in contrast, is deeply buried within a mountain near Qom and designed to withstand heavy bombardment, making it far harder to attack.

Israel reportedly struck Natanz firstmultiple timeson June 12, followed by an attack on Fordow early on June 13. While it was long assumed that Israel would need US-supplied bunker-busting munitions delivered by B-2 or B-52 bombers to effectively strike such hardened sites, the current campaign suggests Israel is acting unilaterally. This situation raises questions about the extent of damage Israel inflicted and its ability to sustain strikes against deeply fortified targets.

Videos circulating on social media also show kinetic engagement in Tehrans Amir Abad neighborhood, where the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran is located.

Military leaders and nuclear scientists eliminated

The first attack wave also targeted key IRGC and Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces personnel, and anonymous sources told Reuters that Israel had eliminated at least 20 Iranian commanders. Khamenei was quick to reappoint successors for some of these key posts. Among the individuals reported killed are:

IRGC member and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, who harmonized the relations between the IRGC and Irans conventional army, known as Artesh. Bagheri is succeeded by the former Army (Artesh) Commander Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi.

Ali Shamkhani, the advisor to the Supreme Leader, an Expediency Discernment Council member, and the former Supreme National Security Council secretary, who was reportedly tasked with handling the nuclear file behind the scenes.

IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami. He is succeeded by the former IRGC Ground Forces commander, Mohammad Pakpour.

IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led the regimes ballistic missile program.

IRGC Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHQ) Commander Gholam Ali Rashid. KCHQ is the highest operational military command in Iran, responsible for the planning, coordination, and operational oversight of the armed forces. Rashid is succeeded by the former KCHQ Coordination Deputy Commander Ali Shademani.

Notably, there are conflicting reports about the fate of Esmail Ghaani, the commander of the IRGCs Qods Force who is responsible for the regimes extraterritorial operations. His status is unclear as of this writing.

Iranian state media outlets have confirmed the deaths of six Iranian nuclear scientistsAbdolhamid Minoochehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyed Amir Hossein Faghahi, Akbar Motalebizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoon Abbasi-Davaniwho were reportedly assassinated.

Among them, Tehranchi was president of Islamic Azad University and a nuclear physicist; Minoochehr and Zolfaghari were experts in reactor design and nuclear simulation; Faghahi previously served as deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization; and Abbasi-Davani was its former director.

In addition to these confirmed casualties, some reports claim that six other nuclear weapons scientistsSaide Borji, Mansour Askari, Ahmad Haghighat Talab, Seyed Mohammad Reza Sadighi Saber, Ali Foolsdvand, and Ali Bakouei Katrimiwere also killed.

On June 13, as Israels large-scale assault on Iran persisted, Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi told Channel 12, We currently have no plans to kill Khamenei and his people.

Air defense systems, military bases, and ballistic missile stockpiles targeted

The Mossad released footage showing its operations inside Iran on the morning of June 13, including a video of two covert agents launching missiles from within the country. An Israeli official said the agency had established a hidden drone base in Iran to carry out the strikes, which targeted ballistic missile launchers near Tehran to prevent retaliation during Israels broader military campaign. Israeli forces also smuggled weapon systems into Iran to neutralize air defenses, securing air superiority. In a separate operation, Mossad commandos deployed precision missiles near anti-aircraft sites in central Iran.

An Israeli official told Iran International that Israel successfully thwarted the launch of hundreds of Iranian surface-to-surface missiles. The operation neutralized truck convoys carrying missiles and disrupted one of Irans most sensitive military systems. Using front companies, smuggled components, and intelligence gathered over time, the Mossad remotely activated the operation from nearly 2,000 kilometers away. At the Spadjabad base near Tehran, explosive dronesdeployed and activated by trained operativesdisabled missile launchers. In a separate operation, precision-guided missiles smuggled into Iran struck air defense sites around Tehran.

IDF published a video highlighting the different targets, categorized as military leaders, nuclear sites, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, and nuclear scientists. A separate statement added that dozens of launchers, storage sites for surface-to-surface missiles and drones, as well as other military sites, were destroyed in the attacks. At one of the sites attacked in western Iran, a unique launch mechanism housed inside containers was installed.

Another Persian-language IDF post on X mentioned that the following models of the regimes air defense system were also destroyed: SA-63 (105 km range), SA-96 (an S-300 copy, 300km range), SA-68 (85 km range), and SA-71 (24km range).

Iranian sources are also claiming that the Imam Ali missile site, located in Khorram Abad in Lorestan Province, was targeted.

Israel also reportedly struck airbases in Tabriz City, East Azerbaijan Province, and Hamedan City, Hamedan Province, where the regime stations its F-4 Phantom II fighter jets.

Iran follows through on threats of retaliation

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and new Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mousavian vowed to retaliate against Israel, while Irans Foreign Ministry declared that it holds the United States responsible for the Israeli strikes.

IRGC-affiliated outlets claimed that ballistic missiles were launched toward central and northern Israel, with some reportedly reaching Tel Aviv. US forces have assisted in intercepting incoming projectilesmirroring the joint defense posture seen during the Iranian missile barrage of October 2024.

Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence.
The logo of Kataib Imam Ali.

The US Treasury Department added Kataib Imam Ali (the Imam Ali Brigades) to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists on June 12, 2025. Kataib Imam Ali is one of the many Iraqi militias that are part of Irans network of proxies in Iraq and the broader Middle East. The Treasury Department has not yet issued a statement expanding on the designation.

Kataib Imam Ali was formed in 2014 in response to Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistanis fatwa to fight against the growing threat of the Islamic State in Iraq. As the Islamic State began to take over large portions of western, northern, and central Iraq and the Iraqi security forces began to falter, militias played a crucial role in stopping and rolling back the groups advance.

Kataib Imam Ali currently operates as the 40th Brigade in Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an official military organ of the Iraqi government that is infiltrated with Iran-backed Shiite militias and nominally reports directly to Iraqs prime minister.

The Treasury Department designated Shibl al Zaydi, the secretary general of Kataib Imam Ali, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2018. Zaydi was sanctioned for acting on behalf of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and in support of Hezbollah. The Qods Force is the expeditionary arm and special operations branch of the IRGC tasked with spreading Irans Islamic revolution throughout the world.

According to the Treasury Departments designation of Zaydi, he has served as a financial coordinator between the IRGC-QF and sectarian armed groups in Iraq and assisted in facilitating Iraqi investments on behalf of IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, who was crucial to establishing Iraqs Shiite militias, was killed by a US airstrike in Baghdad in January 2020.

In addition to Soleimani, Zaydi was known to have a relationship with Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, the former PMF chief of staff and close advisor to Soleimani who also died in the same 2020 US airstrike. Soleimani and Muhandis were both Specially Designated Global Terrorists prior to their deaths.

Zaydi and Kataib Imam Ali are well connected in Irans regional Axis of Resistance. Treasury noted that Kataib Imam Ali dispatched fighters to Syria, and its members have trained in Iran and with Hizballah in Lebanon in addition to their activities in Iraq. The group has not only fought but also operated training camps inside Syria.

Kataib Imam Ali is the latest terrorist designee that is part of the PMF. The PMF was formed in 2014 to institutionalize and legitimize Iraqs predominantly Shiite militias that fought against the Islamic State in response to Ayatollah Sistanis fatwa.

According to the 2016 legislation authorizing the PMF, the group answers to Iraqs prime minister. However, in reality, many of its militias ultimately answer to Irans political and religious leadership. The militias relationships with Iran predate the founding of the PMF. For example, Muhandis was a key founding figure in the Iraqi military organization after establishing himself as a reliable IRGC partner in Iraq.

Many PMF militias often operate outside the bounds of their official capacity, including launching attacks on American bases and interests in Iraq and the region.

Iraqi militia terror designations

Kataib Imam Ali is the sixth Iran-backed Shia militia in Iraq and Syria that has been listed by the US government as a Foreign Terrorist Organization or a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity. Asaib Ahl al Haq and Kataib Hezbollah are listed as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, while Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada, and Harakat Ansar Allah al Awfiya have been listed as Specially Designated Global terrorist entities.

The five Iranian-backed militias that are designated are as follows:

Kataib Hezbollah (Hezbollah, or Army of Allah Brigades): The US government listed Kataib Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in July 2009. Like Asaib Ahl al Haq, Kataib Hezbollah is one of the original Iran-backed Iraqi militias that spawned from the Mahdi Army and attacked US forces during the US occupation and beyond.

Abu Mahdi al Muhandis was the founder and first leader of Kataib Hezbollah. Muhandis, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, was identified by Treasury as an adviser to IRGC-QF head Soleimani who provided training in guerilla warfare, handling bombs and explosives, and employing weaponsto include missiles, mortars, and sniper rifles to various Shiite terror groups.

Asaib Ahl al Haq (League of the Righteous): The US government listed Asaib Ahl al Haq as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March 2024. In its designation, the State Department said Asaib Ahl al Haq and its leaders are violent proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the group is extensively funded and trained by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Qods Force.

The groups two main leaders, Qais al Khazali and his brother, Laith al Khazali, have been listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. While the League of the Righteous is responsible for thousands of attacks on US forces and the murder of hundreds of US soldiers during the US occupation in Iraq and after the US exit in 2011, the assault on the Karbala Provincial Joint Communications Center in 2006 was particularly brazen and significant. In that attack, six US soldiers were kidnapped and executed by the terror group.

Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba (Movement of the Party of Gods Nobles): The US government listed Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity in March of 2019. Harakat al Nujaba was formed by its leader, Akram al Kaabi, in 2013 as an offshoot of Asaib Ahl al Haq and the Hezbollah Brigades to fight in the Syrian Civil War along with other Iranian-supported Iraqi militias. Kaabi is listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

In its designation of the group, State noted that Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba has openly pledged its loyalties to Iran and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. In addition, Kaabi has publicly claimed that he would follow any order, including overthrowing the Iraqi government or fighting alongside the Houthis in Yemen if Ayatollah Khamenei declared it to be a religious duty.

Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada (The Master of Martyrs Brigade): The US government added Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada (KSS) and its secretary general, Hashim Finyan Rahim al Saraji, to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists in November 2023. In its designation, State said that the terror group, working at times with other U.S.-designated organizations, including KH [Kataib Hezbollah] and Harakat al-Nujaba, has planned and supported attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq.

Two key leaders of KSS are Abu Mustafa al Sheibani and Abu Ala al Walai, both of whom are closely allied with Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Badr Corps, another Iranian proxy in Iraq. Sheibani, a dangerous and influential commander amongst the Shiite militias, is one of the key IRGC agents who was responsible for the creation of the Iraqi militias. In January 2008, Sheibani was added to the US Treasury Departments list of individuals who aided the Iraqi insurgency and attacked US and British forces, as well as Iraqi political and military leaders.

Harakat Ansar Allah al Awfiya (Loyal Supporters of Allah Movement): The US government listed Harakat Ansar Allah al Awfiya and its secretary general, Haydar Muzhir Malak al Saidi, to the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists in June 2024. State described Ansar Allah al Awfiya as an Iraq-based, Iran-aligned militia group and part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) a front group comprised of multiple Iran-aligned militia groups that has claimed responsibility for dozens of recent attacks against U.S. military personnel in Iraq and Syria.

The IRI gained prominence in 2023 for opening a new front in the war between Israel and Iran-backed proxies following Hamass October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. Under the IRI name, Iran-backed Iraqi militias launched hundreds of attacks against the US and Israel. The attacks continued until Iran feared major reprisals against the militias following the killing of US servicemembers in Jordan and Israeli soldiers in the Golan Heights.

Bill Roggio is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis.
The aftermath of the US airstrike that killed Rakhim Boev in northwest Syria. (CENTCOM on X)

The US military killed an Islamic State (IS) commander in an airstrike in northwestern Syria on June 10. The commander, who was identified as Rakhim Boev, was involved in planning attacks against the US and its allies outside of Syria.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the strike that killed Boev on X on June 12. It described Boev as a Syria-based ISIS official who was involved in planning external operations threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and civilians.

The Syrian Civil Defense Organization, also known as the White Helmets, claimed that two separate airstrikes killed two people in Idlib on June 10. However, CENTCOM only announced one strike. An unidentified individual was killed with a missile attack from an unidentified drone that targeted a motorcycle on the Sarmada-Bardaqli road, the Syrian Civil Defense Organization said about one of the strikes on its X account.

In a separate statement, the Syrian Civil Defense Organization announced that one unidentified individual was killed, and 4 unidentified individuals were wounded in a missile attack from an unidentified drone that targeted a vehicle that had 4 people. The location of the airstrike was Atima in the Idlib Governorate. It appears that Boev was killed in this strike, as the photo accompanying the CENTCOM statement on X shows a destroyed Kia car or truck.

Muhammad al-Ibrahim, a researcher in Sharia politics and international law, reported on X that Hani Jumaa al Hammoud was killed in the strike near Bardaqli and claimed that he worked for the Syrian Ministry of Defense. Hammoud was a resident of Atarib in Aleppos western countryside.

The same X account later claimed Syrias General Security Services arrested Hammouds family in the village of Batabo in Idlib Governorate. An individual who has the same name was reportedly one of the many soldiers within Bashar al-Assads Syrian Arab Army who defected in the early days of the Syrian Civil War. He joined the Free Syrian Army in 2012.

US strikes Islamic State as operations in Syria wind down

The Trump administration has begun the process of reducing the more than 2,000 US troops in the country to an estimated 500 soldiers, The New York Times reported in April. At least three of the eight bases in northeastern Syria are being closed; it is unclear how many will remain open. The drawdown has taken place as the Trump administration has recognized Abu Mohammad al Jolani, the former head of Al Qaedas branch in Syria who now goes by the name of Ahmad al Sharaa, as the president of Syria after he deposed longtime dictator Bashar al Assad on December 7, 2024.

The US military contingent is in Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational effort to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. US troops have partnered with Kurdish forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is primarily comprised of Syrian elements of the Kurdistan Workers Party, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Despite the US drawdown in Syria, CENTCOM and its SDF ally continue to target the Islamic State. For example, during a joint operation between May 2122, CENTCOM and SDF forces captured an ISIS operative near Deir ez Zur. However, with a reduced US presence in Syria, it is likely that operations against the Islamic State will be more difficult to execute.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the levant.
The Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy confirmed on Friday that it has selected which 12 radio stations will join the initial DAB+ digital radio rollout in the country, and confirmed that broadcasts will begin within six months - five years after the idea was first announced.

The Luxembourg government started looking into setting up a DAB+ digital radio broadcasting network in the country in 2020, announcing its report would be ready in 2021.

The report was published a year late, in 2022, calling for a study into which radio stations to include in the new system, and what to do about smaller local stations. The DAB+ system is expected to work alongside existing FM transmissions. There is little bandwidth available to add more FM stations.

The Department of Media, Connectivity and Digital Policy opened the application process for those interested in broadcasting on DAB+ in February 2025.

Following an evaluation process of the applications received, and based on the opinion of the Luxembourg Independent Audiovisual Authority (Alia), the department confirmed on Friday that 12 radio stations will join the first national DAB+ radio service in Luxembourg.

The 12 include Mediahuis Luxembourgs Radio Latina, Radio ARA, RTL Today, 100,7, LEssentiel, Radio Crooner, Eldoradio, LORFM, Nostalgia Luxembourg, Opus, RTL Radio Letzebuerg and RTL Germany Hit Radio.

All cars sold across the EU have been required to have DAB+ compatible radios since 2020. In 2017, Norway became the first country to start turning off FM radio broadcasts, as DAB+ coverage exceeded 99% of its population. 29 European countries already offer DAB+ digital radio.

The establishment and management of the DAB+ multiplex was awarded to Broadcasting Center Europe SA on 3 June, and broadcasting must begin within no more than six months.

The introduction of DAB+ and the arrival of new radio stations mark an important step for the Luxembourg radio landscape, Elisabeth Margue, minister delegate to the prime minister for media and connectivity, said in a press release. This progress will contribute to strengthening media pluralism in our country, with DAB+ deployment planned before the end of the year.
Last month, I revealed that Google I/Os AI announcements made me question my loyalty towards the iPhone. Android users are getting all sorts of next-level, sci-fi-like features, while Apple Intelligence on iOS has generally been underwhelming. That kind of changed this week.

WWDC25s main keynote, as expected, didnt really focus on AI advancements; I cant remember Siri being mentioned once outside of the opening mea culpa. Nevertheless, Apple previewed over a dozen AI featuressome subtle, others less socoming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26. What stood out to me is that, while not as jaw-dropping as those weve seen elsewhere, these handy tools will fit into most users everyday digital lives. Theyre useful rather than showy. I had an epiphany: Apple isnt ahead or behind in the mainstream AI race, its running on a separate track.

Here are the AI upgrades from WWDC that you need to know about.

Live Translation

When Google previewed real-time translation in Meet during I/O, I was confident it would take Apple years to replicate it. I was so very wrong.

As of the launch of iOS 26 and macOS 26, users will get access to Live Translation in calls and messages. While the language pairs are currently limited, the feature works fully offline, making it faster and more private than rivals cloud-based approaches. Whether youre touring a foreign country or helping out a visitor, this addition will make communication easier and more intuitive.

I would be very happy to help you with Live Translation, says Apple. Apple

Call Screening

Another useful addition launching in September is Call Screening. This AI-powered tool automatically answers calls from unknown numbers, asks callers to identify themselves and provide the reason theyre calling, then neatly displays the information on your Lock Screen. You can decide whether its a call you want to pick up or ignore accordingly.

Spam filter

Similarly, the Messages app can now place texts from unknown numbers in a separate inboxunless it detects time-sensitive content. So, for example, authentication codes and reservation confirmations should come through, but not random, irrelevant texts.

Hold Assist

Hold Assist is yet another AI-powered communication feature launching with iOS 26. Thanks to this handy tool, you can set your iPhone aside when put on hold, and itll automatically alert you once youre connected to an agent. This spares you from wasting your time to wait in a digital queue.

Cleanup Recommendations

This year Apple is introducing Cleanup Recommendations for iCloud Mail. Similar to iOS 18s email categorization feature, the tool scans your inbox and suggests ways to minimize the noise.

The tips include deleting old promotions, unsubscribing from mailing lists, and more. Instead of manually going through endless emails to delete unwanted content, the system can spotlight the likely culprits so you can take quick action.

Visual Intelligence 2.0

One thing I disliked about Visual Intelligence when it first launched was being limited to camera input. I often need to identify content on my screen, and the alternative was manually asking Siri to send my queries to ChatGPT. That was neither reliable nor intuitive.

With iOS 26, Apple is bringing Visual Intelligence to screenshots. As with Google Lens, youll be able to quickly inquire about on-screen matters without jumping through unnecessary hoops.

Reminders

Apple is also bringing the AI goods to the Reminders app. With this years releases, Apple Intelligence can recommend tasks you may want to add based on your emails and other indicators. It can also separate relevant items in a list based on their category. Given Apples acquisition of Mayday, its safe to assume that Calendar and Reminders will only get more powerful in future updates.

The addition of ChatGPT should make Image Playground a more serious proposition. Apple

AI image generation

Image Playgrounds launch last year was disastrous. From the questionable app icon to the nightmarish human animations, it just didnt feel like a finished product. With iOS, iPadOS, and macOS 26, Apple has switched to a more presentable icon. More importantly, it has acknowledged its shortcomings by baking ChatGPT into the app. So you can now create more polished cartoons using OpenAIs servers when Apples models disappoint.

Similarly, you can now tweak the appearance and facial expressions of humans in Genmoji stickers. This helps you get the exact look youre aiming for, without needing to get too specific with the text prompt.

iMessage backgrounds

Speaking of AI images, iMessages new background feature lets you opt for artificially generated graphics. This lets you create unique wallpapers that match the vibe of a conversation. Hopefully Apple extends this useful tool to the systems wallpaper in a future update.

Shortcuts just got a lot more powerful thanks to Apple Intelligence integrations. Apple

Shortcuts

Another underrated yet extremely powerful new feature is support for AI actions in the Shortcuts app. You can use Apples Private Cloud Compute, on-device models, or ChatGPT to tweak text, get answers, generate images, and much more when building shortcuts and automations. While it may not mean much to casual users, the possibilities are truly endless for tech-savvier folk.

Apple Music

Spotify has long offered an AI DJ feature, and Apple Music appears to be heading down a similar road. iOS 26 introduces a new AutoMix feature that optionally replaces the traditional cross-fade lasting a preset number of seconds. Instead, the new tool analyzes songs in your queue and crafts unique transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching to deliver continuous playback and an even more seamless listening experience.

Apple Music on iOS 26 similarly gets a taste of Live Translation, letting you view real-time English lyrics for foreign songs.

Soon you will be able to find out what exactly Sigur Ros are singing about. Apple

Workout Buddy

While the Apple Watch doesnt generally get a lot of AI love, watchOS 26 does bring one exclusive Apple Intelligence feature to your wrist. Workout Buddy delivers motivational messages based on your previous exercises, health data, and achievements. This could push interested users to commit to their active lifestyles and aim higher during workouts.

ChatGPT in Xcode

Lastly, Apple is integrating ChatGPT into Xcode with macOS Tahoe. The feature could become invaluable for developers who need assistance with building and debugging. Thats not to mention that devs can now integrate Apple Intelligence into their own apps.

AI for the rest of us

Until a few days ago, I was quite skeptical about Apples AI efforts and overall direction. The company seemed clueless compared to the competitionespecially after the Siri 2.0 delay. Now, however, Im starting to see the bigger picture.

Apple is choosing to build AI features that make sense within users daily routines; theyre not wacky gimmicks that show off the power of an artificial brain. While Google and Samsung rush to overload their phones with AI, Apple is testing the waters with reliable solutions that cater to customers needs.

Siri in its current state is unfit for purpose. But AI is much more than just a chatbotand a future release is bound to clean up its mess. All the company needs to do is release a dozen foolproof AI features per year, and Apple Intelligence on iOS will naturally mature and feel more comprehensive down the road.
Cybersecurity researchers SafetyDetectives reported on Friday about a data breach involving VirtualMacOSX.com, an online provider of cloud services targeted at Mac users. The breach involves data that belongs to 10,000 of its customers.

SafetyDetectives states that it found a post publicizing a VirtualMacOSX.com database in a forum known for data leaks, cracks, and more. Access to the data was given to those who replied to or liked the post. The data included sensitive information, including full names, financial data, contact info, and passwords. Analysis by SafetyDetectives led them to believe the data is genuine, but the researchers refrained from testing the exposed credentials to verify the data due to ethical concerns.

VirtualMacOSX.com describes itself as an affordable, Mac-based home on the web. We offer Mac OS X server plans hosted from our state of the art datacenters in Western Canada (Serving the Americas and Pacific Rim) and Eastern Canada (Serving the Americas and Middle East/Europe). Plans start at $12.75 per month for an hour of use a day and 2GB of storage.

According to Trustpilot, Canada-based VirtualMacOSX.com averages a rating of 2.5 out of 5 in Trustpilot reviews, with 48 percent of the reviews rated as 1 star. SafetyDetectives calls itself a pro-bono publishing group of cybersecurity experts, privacy researchers, and technical product reviewers.

Macworld contacted VirtualMacOSX.com via email for comment on the report.

How to protect yourself from data breaches

The breach covered here doesnt involve a macOS vulnerability, but one at a service provider. It is not known how an outside party accessed VirtualMacOSX.coms database and whether the data was encrypted or not. If it was encrypted, it appears that the threat agent had the keys to decrypt the data.

In an instance where you believe your data was exposed in a data breach, there are a few steps to take to protect yourself:

If you continue to use the service that was breached, change your password and enable two-factor verification.

Check your credit report and freeze it. This will help block unauthorized approvals to financial services that are being made in your name. If you need to sign up for a service (such as a loan or credit card), you can temporarily unfreeze your account so a credit check can be performed.

Check your records for all of your financial institutions. If you access them online, change your passwords and enable two-factor verification. Some institutions also provide alerts when attempts are made to access your account.

Use a service such as Have I Benn Pwned to see if your email address was involved in a data breach.

Apple releases security patches through OS updates, so installing them as soon as possible is important. Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide on whether or not you need antivirus software, a list of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and a comparison of Mac security software.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association (CZLWVA) has issued a stern warning to the public about unscrupulous individuals falsely claiming to represent their empowerment scheme and demanding registration fees ranging from US$50 to US$100 from unsuspecting applicants.This alert comes shortly after the association received a US$500,000 seed capital injection to launch economic projects in Gweru aimed at empowering children of liberation war veterans.Association spokesperson, Lenin Samhembere, condemned the fraudulent activities, stressing that these impostors have no connection to the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle or any official government agency."It has come to our attention that fraudsters are falsely claiming to represent the Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Scheme. They are soliciting personal and business information from Children of War Veterans," said Samhembere.He urged all children of war veterans to avoid engaging with these individuals and to never share personal information or pay any fees. He also called on anyone approached by such fraudsters to report the matter immediately to the nearest police station.Meanwhile, legitimate registration for the empowerment scheme is ongoing. Children of war veterans nationwide are encouraged to register through their respective provincial leadership structures. They should submit their details along with business proposals, preferably as clusters, to qualify for support from the US$500,000 revolving fund.The initiative follows the official launch of the Presidential Empowerment Scheme for Children of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, which aims to improve the livelihoods of liberation war families by fostering sustainable economic ventures.This scheme forms part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's wider strategy to ensure economic independence for veterans and their families, reinforcing the government's commitment to their welfare and development.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu as an astute and visionary statesman who played a vital role in fostering development and cooperation within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.Speaking to journalists after signing the Book of Condolence at the Zambian Embassy in Harare yesterday, President Mnangagwa expressed deep sorrow over the former leader's passing, describing it as a significant loss for the entire region."Well, we have lost one of our illustrious leaders in the region. He was committed not only to providing leadership to the people of the Republic of Zambia, but also to the rest of the region," said President Mnangagwa. "He was one of us, a man with foresight for the development and collaboration between SADC countries. We worked together very, very well, so it is a big loss to all of us in the leadership in our region."President Mnangagwa revealed a personal connection with the late President Lungu, recalling their days as law students at the University of Zambia. "Well, besides being Presidents, we were students together. We were former students together in law school, so he is really my college mate. Of course, he was a junior and I was senior at the university," he said.In his official condolence message, President Mnangagwa conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the people of Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema, and the Lungu family."I was deeply touched and saddened by the sudden passing on of the Former President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu on June 5, 2025. On behalf of the Government, the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe, my family and indeed on my own behalf, I extend to the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, the great people of Zambia and the bereaved Lungu family, our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences," reads part of the message."We in Zimbabwe fondly remember President Lungu as an astute statesman who served his people with utmost distinction, humility and honour."Dr Lungu, who passed away in a South African hospital at the age of 68, had been receiving specialised treatment for several weeks for an undisclosed illness.He served as Zambia's sixth President from 2015 to 2021. His political journey to the top office began in January 2015 when he won a tightly contested special election following the death of then-President Michael Sata. At 57, the lawyer-turned-politician secured the presidency with 48.3 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating Hakainde Hichilema.Lungu went on to win a full term in the 2016 general elections. However, in 2021 he was defeated by Hichilema and subsequently announced his retirement. In 2023, he made a political comeback, re-entering frontline politics before his health deteriorated.His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across the region, with many leaders paying tribute to his legacy of leadership, diplomacy and commitment to regional integration.
UPDATE: Investigation clears Boston official of allegations by fired City Hall staffer

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will enlist an independent law firm to review allegations of misconduct and harassment by a key member of her City Hall staff, according to the citys human resources director.

The investigation will center on the conduct of Segun Idowu, the mayors chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, who a city staffer accused of making inappropriate sexual overtures at a bar last month.

The interaction between Idowu and the staffer, Marwa Khudaynazar, reportedly set off a physical domestic dispute between Khudaynazar and her boyfriend, who worked for Idowu. Police responded and arrested both.

The boyfriend, Chulan Huang, and Khudaynazar, who helped lead the citys police accountability office, were both fired from their jobs after the incident. Wus administration said the pair were dismissed for trying to use their city hall employment to avoid arrest during the domestic altercation.

But in an interview with the Boston Globe this week, Khudaynazar disputed that account and said police officers took a comment about her position out of context. She said Idowu propositioned her after they crossed paths in a Back Bay bar and that he encouraged her to join him at a hotel room he rented nearby.

Khudaynazar said she agreed to drive Idowu to the hotel and that he kissed her outside the bar, but that she did not join him in the hotel room.

Youre my partners boss, Khudaynazar told the Globe. You know that this isnt appropriate.

The confrontation with Huang erupted after Khudaynazar told him about the interaction with Idowu.

An internal review conducted by the citys Human Resources Department, which included interviews with Khudaynazar, Huang and other involved employees, found no wrongdoing on Idowus part, according to Alex Lawrence, Wus chief people officer.

But some members of the Boston City Council this week called for a deeper investigation.

In return, the Wu administration insisted that personnel matters fall under the purview of City Hall, not the council.

In a letter to the council on Wednesday that did not refer to Idowu by name, Lawrence acknowledged that the city had received new allegations in this matter.

Per well-established City practice, he wrote, the citys human resources department would review the situation further with the help of external employment counsel.

Idowu has categorically denied allegations of misconduct. His attorney, Jeffrey Robbins, rejected any suggestion by anyone that Mr. Idowu engaged in any form of sexual harassment whatsoever, he said in a statement to the Globe.

Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters at an unrelated event Tuesday that she was aware of the allegations made by Khudaynazar, but like Lawrence, said they had not come up during the initial investigation by City Hall.

Any time the city of Boston receives any kind of allegation or report or suggestion that there has been improper behavior by a city employee, we conduct a review, she said.
Since January, the number of homicides in Boston has more than doubled compared to the same period in 2024.

City officials gathered two weeks ago to outline plans to keep residents safe during the summer months, when crime tends to spike. This is due to more daylight, city activity, kids on summer break and peak tourism  all feeding interactions that can spiral into skirmishes and violence.

In the last three years, weve really been focused on responding not just after something horribly tragic has happened and figuring out what we can do, how we can support, how we can try not to repeat, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said at the press conference in Dorchester.

But to have that same level of vigilance, that same level of outreach and that same person-by-person approach all throughout the year.

There have been 14 homicides in Boston since the start of the year. There were six during that same time period in 2024.

But law enforcement says the spike doesnt point to a crisis. They note that last years numbers were unusually low and that even with the increase, Boston remains one of the safest big cities in the country in 2025.

Our focus is to work ever closer and harder with our law enforcement and community partners no matter if crime trends move up or down, said Suffolk County District Attorney spokesperson James Borghesani.

We know there will be variances each year. Our overarching goal is to keep Bostons homicide and overall crime rate low compared to the citys historic past, Borghesani said. The office is confident that its multi-front approach will continue to deliver promising long-term results.

Yet, how Boston will fare for the rest of 2025 remains to be seen  especially when a third of the citys gun violence has occurred in the summer months in the past decade.

The lowest rate since 1957

In December last year, city officials  Wu and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox  said they saw one of the safest years in recent memory.

There were 24 homicides across the city in 2024  the lowest since 1957. The year prior, 37 people were killed, and 40 people were victims of homicide in both 2022 and 2021. A total of 56 people were killed in 2020.

Today is not a victory lap, but a report out and a reflection of the type of results we see when we all understand communities collective responsibility, Wu said in December.

The officials attributed the numbers to partnerships across leadership. This included the citys police recruitment and retention, community-coordinated efforts with city and local organizations and improved communication within departments on crime statistics.

Homicide rates for 2025

Beyond the 14 homicides recorded this year, Boston police have also classified two incidents from previous years as homicides.

Of the 14 killings that happened in Boston as of June 2025, 10 were shooting deaths. The ages of the victims ranged from 18 to 77 years old.

Over the past decade, around 70% of homicides in Boston have occurred in either Roxbury, Dorchester, or Mattapan, according to a report from Northeastern University with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.

Roxbury has already recorded the highest number of homicides this year, with five so far, up from just one in the same period in 2024.

Mattapan has the second-highest total, with four homicides compared to three at this time last year. One person has been killed in Dorchester, the same rate as in 2024.

These deaths include 18-year-old Leroy Ryner killed in Mattapan on Jan. 30, and 20-year-old Kareem Daveiga-Booth killed in Dorchester nine days before.

No arrests have yet been made in either of the young Black mens killings from six months ago.

In the Northeastern University report, some homicide survivors say Boston polices relationship with Black Bostonians hasnt fully recovered from past racial issues. Some feel their race has played a role in getting cases solved.

In Charlestown, there have been two homicides this year, compared to none halfway through 2024.

The victims  Joseph Donahue, 46, and Joseph Donohue, 65, both of Charlestown  were killed within a month of each other in January and February. Two different people, David Menezes and Nora Nelson, have been charged in connection with their deaths, respectively.

And in Allston and Jamaica Plain, one person has been killed in both neighborhoods so far this year. There were no homicides in either at this point in 2024.

How does Boston stack up to other major U.S. cities?

Still, Boston is considered one of the safest major cities in the nation, even at the current homicide rate in 2025. The city was ranked 15th nationally in a January report by Forbes, which also considered other violent crime factors outside of homicide rates.

Cities of similar size, like Milwaukee, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Memphis, all have significantly higher homicide rates than Boston at this point in the year. Even with higher figures than Boston, those cities are seeing a downward trend in killings.

So far in 2025, there have been 56 homicides in Milwaukee, 59 in Baltimore, and 75 in Washington, D.C. A total of 90 homicides were reported in Memphis as of May 19.

Even with its low rates, Boston officials still pay attention to public safety matters. This spring, Downtown Crossing received a speedy makeover after complaints of discarded needles, homelessness, public assaults and a 30% rise in shoplifting in the last year were called an urgent threat by neighborhood residents and business owners.

And with a third of gun violence happening in the summer months over the past decade, with 64 people shot in 46 incidents last summer, city officials are looking for more ways to keep this years homicide rates low.

Police will be focused on preventing violence in areas where it has historically occurred the most, officials said in May.

A Harvard survey from last year found Black Bostonians much more likely to feel the police dont take their complaints seriously. But detectives rely heavily on witness cooperation, the Northeastern University report revealed, which is often lacking in neighborhoods like Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury  therefore undermining the efforts of the Boston police Violent Crime Unit.

Commissioner Cox stressed that officers will be stationed in those areas this summer regularly to build trust and get to know residents.

Theyre there to listen and make sure we address the problems in your community that you may be having, he said.
The MBTA plans to slightly reduce scheduled trips on the Green Line this summer as it installs a long-awaited safety system and to better reflect the actual time it takes trains to travel their routes, the agency said.

The changes, set to go into effect Sunday, were mainly made on paper and will match the frequency of trips riders see in reality on the Green Line, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said Thursday at a meeting of the agencys Board of Directors.

The schedule changes were limited to the B and C branches of the Green Line, which run from Government Center respectively to Boston College and Cleveland Circle.

The line, the MBTAs slowest, can face delays as it travels alongside cars at street level in some locations.

Officials at the MBTA, Greater Bostons public transit agency, continuously review data on train travel times and how closely train operators can adhere to the schedule, Eng said.

The summer changes give our operators the ability to adhere to a schedule and not feel like they need to speed up to maintain a schedule that on paper was not achievable, he said. Its really not a shift in what [the public] is seeing today.

The schedule changes also allow the T to accelerate installation of the Green Line Train Protection System, an equipment upgrade to prevent train-on-train collisions and speeding, Eng said.

The T will temporarily remove Green Line cars from service this summer so maintenance workers can install the safety system, a process that will take some time, T spokesperson Lisa Battiston told MassLive. Trains will be returned to service when the work is completed.

The T said trip time adjustments were made on weekdays to accommodate the decrease in vehicle availability while the safety equipment is installed across the Green Line fleet.

The T also announced schedule changes of a different nature on the Orange Line. With added service at peak hours and improvements to tracks, the T said Orange Line trains would run more frequently all day on weekdays.
Billy Ray Cyrus attends the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on January 26, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Getty Images for The Recording A

Trace Cyrus ridiculed his famous father, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tuesday with a scornful social media post.

This man is so hungry for fame its pathetic, Trace wrote in an Instagram post.

The 36-year-old musician recalled his father flying to Italy for a fashion show instead of Los Angeles for his grandmothers funeral while he was still married to my mom (Tish Cyrus).

Even after his daughter got him a 60K private jet like he demanded he still didnt come even after the plane was paid for, Trace wrote. Youre the lamest man to ever walk planet earth. Honestly embarrassed to ever have considered you my idol.

This isnt the first example of Traces complicated relationship with Billy Ray. Earlier this year, Trace made a public plea for his father to get help following an erractic performance at an inaugural event for President Donald Trump.

The performance was so questionable that people on social media were concerned for Billy Rays health.

I dont know what youre struggling with exactly but I think I have a pretty good idea & Id love to help you if you would open up and receive the help, Trace wrote in an Instagram post on Jan. 22. You know how to reach me. Till that day comes I will continue to pray for you.

A few days later, Trace said that Billy Ray was considering taking legal action against him.

For all of you wondering, no, I still havent heard from my dad, Trace wrote in a Jan. 25 Instagram story, E! News reported. He did contact a family member to let me know hes taking legal action against me for encouraging him to get help.

He ended his message with a direct note to his father: Dad, I live 30 minutes away from you. You couldve just come & talk to me like a man.
Three Massachusetts men were indicted on Thursday in connection with the shooting deaths of a Worcester man and his mother, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office said.

Shaquille Watford, 32, of Weymouth, Jeffrey Toney, 29, of Attleboro, and Sheldon Thorpe, 23, of Fall River, were all charged with two counts each of murder, armed assault with intent to rob, armed assault in a dwelling, and one count each of armed robbery, using a firearm while committing a felony, and possession of a firearm not at home or work, Earlys office said in a statement.

Watford was also arraigned on one count of possession of a rifle not at home or work, while Toney and Thorpe were charged with, respectively, one count of carrying a rifle or shotgun.

The men were ordered held without bail. They are expected to appear in court on Aug. 15.

On Nov. 21, 2024, Worcester police learned of a shooting at Tatnuck Square Apartments on Brookside Avenue. Police found Evan Landry, 31, and his mother, Tracy Ann Landry, 58. Tracy Ann Landry was declared dead at the scene, while Evan Landry died later at a hospital.
A body that washed ashore in mid-May in Rhode Island has been confirmed to be that of a missing Mansfield man, authorities said.

Eric A. Wein, 31, was reported missing to Mansfield Police on April 18. His vehicle was found parked illegally on Ocean Avenue in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, on April 10 and towed away.

South Kingstown Police said Friday they have been notified by the Rhode Island Medical Examiners Office that the human remains that washed ashore May 14 in Westerly, Rhode Island have been positively identified as those of Wein.

South Kingstown Police Chief Matthew C. Moynihan said his department has concluded its investigation and no foul play is suspected.

We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Weins family and loved ones during this difficult time, Moynihan said.

Police in Rhode Island and Massachusetts actively looked for Wein after he was reported missing.

In July 2022, he was arrested on several charges, including assaulting a Seekonk police officer with a large knife.

Police had responded to a tow yard in the south end of Seekonk for a reported nighttime break-in in progress.

Officers found Wein armed with a large, machete-like knife that was attached to his waistband. After initially obeying police orders, Wein started resisting and fighting with the officers, police said. During the altercation, one of the officers suffered injuries from the suspects weapon, police said. The officer was taken to a medical facility and later released.

Wein was charged with attempted breaking and entering, possession of a burglary instrument, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest.

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Katharina Reitz Brow was 48 when she was stabbed to death in her Ayer home in 1980. After a conviction in the case was vacated in 2001, her murder remained unsolved for decades. Through genetic genealogy, investigators have finally named her killer. Middlesex County District Attorney's Office

After 45 years, investigators have named the person they believe is responsible for stabbing a 48-year-old woman to death in her Ayer home  thanks to genetic genealogy, the Middlesex County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

On May 21, 1980, Katharina Reitz Brow was found dead in her trailer from 30 stab wounds, the district attorneys office said in a press release. Within years of her death, a man was wrongly convicted of her murder, but a new DNA analysis of a bloodstain found at the scene of the crime has identified Joseph Leo Boudreau as Brows killer.

Born in Natick in 1943, Boudreau was a long-time Massachusetts resident who worked in the Framingham area as an adult, the district attorneys office said. He was convicted of armed robbery in New Hampshire in 1975.

Boudreau was 27 years old when Brow was killed, the district attorneys office said. He moved to Maine in 1987 and lived there until his death in 2004 at age 61.

We do not forget when someone enters Middlesex County and violently takes a persons life. No matter how much time passes, our priority remains the same  to seek answers," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said in the release. In this case, that meant identifying the person responsible for Mrs. Brows death, even though they could no longer be held accountable through the criminal system.

What investigators knew about Brows murder

On the day of her death, Brow was killed between 7:10 a.m.  when her husband left for work  and 10:45 a.m. when her body was found, Ryan said during a press conference about the case on Thursday. Five of the 30 stab wounds penetrated Brows heart, and she was also hit repeatedly with some kind of blunt object.

Brow was likely conscious for at least half of the attack, Ryan said. She is estimated to have remained alive for 10 to 20 minutes after the assault ended.

The inside of Brows home showed signs of a struggle, but no indications of forced entry, Ryan said. Her purse and a large sum of cash she kept in her linen closet were found to be missing, but investigators recovered one of the murder weapons  a knife  from a wastebasket inside the home.

In October 1982, a man named Kenneth Waters was arrested and charged with Brows murder, Ryan said. He lived near Brow and worked at Park Street Diner in Ayer, at which she was a regular.

Waters was convicted of Brows murder in May 1983  partially based on analysis of a bloodstain left at the scene of the crime, the district attorneys office said. The blood was found to be type O  Waters blood type.

At the time of the conviction, blood typing was among the few analyses the crime lab responsible for the case was capable of conducting, the district attorneys office said. But Waters conviction was vacated in March 2001 when DNA analysis of the bloodstain determined that it was left by a man  but not Waters.

The 2010 movie Conviction, starring Hilary Swank, tells the story of Waters conviction and how it was overturned.

How the case was eventually solved

Since the conviction in this case was vacated in 2001, many investigators had been assigned to review the investigation, follow up on leads and apply known investigative techniques. Unfortunately, information to further the investigation never developed, Ayer Police Chief Brian Gill said in the release.

In 2022, the district attorneys offices Cold Case Unit began working with forensic chemists at Virgina-based Parabon NanoLabs to try to identify the man who left the bloodstain using genetic genealogy, the district attorneys office said. Investigators isolated a genetic line that implicated two brothers as potential suspects  but both brothers were now dead.

Investigators then tried to find the brothers living relatives and ultimately convinced them to cooperate with the investigation, the district attorneys office said. Using DNA samples from the relatives, scientists at Virginia-based Bode Laboratories determined with an overwhelming statistical likelihood that one of the brothers  Joseph Boudreau  was the man whod left the bloodstain.

Brows family has been informed that their loved ones murder has been solved, Ryan said during the press conference.

" Today, whats important is that we wanna keep the focus on Katharina Reitz Brow," she said. She was a hardworking wife, mother and sister who died violently in her own home.
Sandra Birchmore, of Canton, died in 2021 and Massachusetts officials ruled her death a suicide. On Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, federal authorities charged former Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell with killing Birchmore. Bichmore is pictured here in a photograph from Facebook. Sandra Birchmore

A DNA analysis indicates that Sandra Birchmores unborn child was not fathered by the former Stoughton police detective who is charged with killing her in February 2021, according to original reporting from The Boston Globe that cited two anonymous sources familiar with the case.

Text exchanges between Birchmore, a 23-year-old Canton resident, and 39-year-old North Easton resident Matthew Farwell suggests both Birchmore and Farwell believed he was the father of her unborn child. But DNA testing of the fetus and Farwell rules out the possibility that the former police detective was the unborn childs father, the anonymous sources told the Globe.

Farwell has pleaded not guilty to a charge of killing a witness, in connection with Birchmores death in federal court. The Globes requests for comment from Farwell, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office and others were not returned Wednesday afternoon.

Birchmore is known to have had multiple sexual partners, but it is unclear whether investigators have determined who fathered her unborn child, the Globe reported Thursday. It was approximately three months along in development when she died.

This photo provided by the Stoughton, Mass., Police Department shows Matthew Farwell, a former police officer who pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, to charges of killing a woman he is accused of sexually exploiting when she was underage and then trying to stage the death as a suicide after she told him she was pregnant. (Stoughton Police Department via AP) AP

Instead of a murder charge, which would normally be filed by a district attorney, Farwell was indicted on the killing a witness charge in Birchmores death last summer. Her 2021 death was initially ruled a suicide, but the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office opened an investigation into the matter in 2023 after learning of new information suggesting her death was actually a homicide.

The Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiners Office has so far stood by its original determination and declined to change the manner of death on her death certificate.

Prosecutors allege that Farwell  who was a member of the Stoughton Police Department from 2012 to 2022  strangled Birchmore to conceal evidence that he had committed crimes, such as sexually exploiting Birchmore since she was 15 and he was 27. The former detective groomed her while she was part of his former police departments youth program and often had sex with her while on the job, prosecutors say.

After killing Birchmore in early February 2021, Farwell staged her apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide, prosecutors allege. Security video from the lobby of her apartment building from the night of Feb. 1, 2021  the last day she was seen alive  shows Farwell entering the building wearing a hoodie and surgical mask. Birchmores body was discovered three days later.

Though Farwell was, at the time, married with two children  and a third was born within hours of Birchmores death, Birchmore longed to have a baby with him. In the weeks leading up to her death, she told multiple friends he was her unborn childs father.

But Farwell was not so keen on the idea and later denied being the fetus father to investigators. In text messages, Birchmore pressured him to be present for her delivery, put his name on the childs birth certificate and have some involvement in its life, writing your kid should matter.

You are truly the worst person on the face of the earth, he texted back.

Birchmores pregnancy enraged Farwell so much that he assaulted her, witnesses have told FBI investigators. In one text exchange with Birchmore about the pregnancy, Farwell accused her of threatening him, writing now youve got me and if I didnt do and give you what you wanted you would ruin me.

Legal experts told the Globe that the criminal case against Farwell does not hang on whether he is the father of Birchmores unborn baby.

Prosecutors assert that he killed her because she had evidence hed committed crimes  at least some of which were supposedly committed long before she became pregnant. Birchmores insistence that Farwell act as a father to her unborn child simply caused him to feel increasing pressure to kill her.

He doesnt have to be the father  he just has to think hes the father, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Cohen told the Globe. Thats what gives him the motive to be homicidal.

The revelation that Farwell is not the father of Birchmores unborn child could strengthen his defense by lending credence to the idea that he was telling the truth when he told investigators he wasnt the father, Cohen, who is also a professor at Boston College Law School, told the newspaper. But the fetus paternity does nothing to disprove the prior relationship between the would-be mother and former detective.

Any findings from other DNA analyses related to the case  which could include testing of Birchmores clothing or the ligature that was found around her neck  have yet to be shared with the public.

A date for Farwells trial has not yet been set. He faces a minimum of life in prison on the charge, but could be given the death sentence.
One potential Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential election has seen a surge in online searches related to President Donald Trumps name.

If [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom wanted to take on Donald Trump and loves the attention, he has 100% gotten it, CNN analyst and pollster Harry Enten said Wednesday.

Enten showed that Google searches for Newsoms name with Trumps name have gone up 9,700%, an all-time high based on data collected by the search engine since 2004, Enten told CNN viewers.

Donald Trump was able to make a name for himself through The Apprentice, through all of his business ventures, Enten continued. He is now making a name for Gavin Newsom, who seems more than willing to relish in this fight.

To Enten, Newsom appears more than willing to take on the president at a point when most Democratic Party voters, at 84%, want elected Democrats to fight Trump more.

This is not 2017 anymore where the majority of Democrats want to compromise with Donald Trump, Enten said. No, they want a fighter with Donald Trump. And at this particular point, that is a big reason why Gavin Newsom, in my opinion, at least politically speaking, is leaning into this fight. He is thinking of the future. He is thinking of 2028.

Relying on Kalshi betting market odds, Enten showed that Newsom is ahead of many possible Democratic contenders at 12%. Hes followed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and former United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg both at 10%, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 6%.

Newsom and Trumps combative relationship has gone on for years, since Newsom was governor-elect in 2018, as Trump said not raking the floors of forests led to the catastrophic Paradise Fire in Northern California. Newsom would confront Trump again over California wildfires during the Palisades Fire in January 2025.

Tensions between the two further escalated late last week, when recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Downtown Los Angeles led to protests, the deployment of the National Guard and the Marines, threats of arresting the California governor and growing national outcry.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The City of Harare has initiated a rigorous enforcement campaign to ensure all businesses operating within the Central Business District (CBD), industrial areas, and suburbs fully comply with relevant municipal by-laws. This blitz targets commercial and industrial properties with outstanding rates and without valid business licenses, as part of efforts to improve regulatory compliance and revenue collection.As part of the enforcement measures, the City will disconnect water supplies to all businesses found to be in arrears on their rates and lacking proper licensing. Additionally, the City Health Department will carry out inspections aimed at identifying and closing down premises operating without running water, which contravenes the Public Health Act (Chapter 15.17) and the Harare Licensed Premises By-Laws.Businesses located in buildings with multiple tenants are being reminded that each tenant must ensure their rates and licenses are up to date. Failure by any tenant to comply could result in the closure of the entire building, creating inconvenience for all occupants.The City is urging all businesses currently operating without valid licenses to promptly visit the Rowan Martin Building to regularize their operations and settle any outstanding arrears. To facilitate smoother processes, the City has introduced a dedicated service desk under its Ease of Doing Business' initiative, aimed at expediting the application and renewal of business licenses.Business owners are also warned to avoid making payments through unauthorized individuals posing as enforcement agents and are advised to conduct all payments directly at the City of Harare offices to avoid fraud.For further inquiries, the City has provided contacts for the Acting Revenues Manager, Mr. Guni, and Mr. Manyara, who is responsible for business licenses. This enforcement drive reflects the City of Harare's determination to foster a compliant, vibrant, and well-regulated business environment throughout the capital.
A dramatic scene could play out in Norfolk Superior Court if Karen Read is convicted of murder, the most serious charge she faces in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe.

Read, 45, would be handcuffed, detained and put in jail until a sentencing hearing likely scheduled for a later date. At that hearing, Judge Beverly Cannone would sentence Read to life in prison, the required sentence for second-degree murder, according to state law.

But a number of other scenarios could play out, depending on whether Read is convicted of any charge or acquitted altogether.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said Read would likely be detained if convicted of any of the charges. But, he said if the conviction was just of the least serious charge  leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death  Read may be released pending sentencing.

Still, all the charges she faces carry mandatory minimum sentences, Lu explained. Some of the lesser included charges, such as operating under the influence, dont carry mandatory minimums.

After a conviction, the prosecution would move for sentencing, a formal legal step. Prosecutors would also likely move for Reads bail to be revoked, and it would be left to Cannone to make a ruling.

Cannone would then set a sentencing hearing, where she would hear from both prosecutors and Reads defense before handing down a sentence. At that hearing, OKeefes family would have the opportunity to deliver victim impact statements.

A conviction of any kind would likely prompt an appeals fight: Read has left no stone unturned in her fight against the charges, including pursuing a double jeopardy appeal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

That said, if Read is acquitted, she walks out of Norfolk Superior Court a free woman, constitutionally barred from ever being tried for OKeefes death again.

But in the event jurors come back split, Cannone may well declare a mistrial again. Prosecutors would then be free to retry Read, and there is no limit on how many times a person can be retried after a mistrial.

Read still faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by OKeefes family, but the maximum penalty in that case is a financial one.
Prosecutor Hank Brennan questions a witness during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

For weeks, all appearances were that prosecutors would call witnesses as part of a brief rebuttal case in the Karen Read retrial, giving them the opportunity to get the last word after damaging testimony from expert witnesses for the defense.

As recently as Tuesday, special prosecutor Hank Brennan suggested that he would at a minimum call Judson Welcher, the prosecutions accident reconstruction expert, to rebut the conclusions of two expert witnesses for Reads defense.

But on Wednesday, when attorney Alan Jackson rose to announce the defense rested its case, Brennan said prosecutors were no longer planning to call any witnesses or introduce any new evidence after the defenses case.

It was an abrupt U-turn, given that just a month ago Brennan said Welcher had found extraordinary issues in his review of materials turned over by the defense experts from ARCCA.

Some of those concerns lead him to need to conduct his own tests to demonstrate the failures of these ARCCA witnesses, Brennan said at the time. He said the late disclosure of new testing by the experts from ARCCA represented unfair prejudice that could only by remedied by allowing Welcher to testify in rebuttal.

But the jury wont hear about any of that testing after all. Brennan did not offer an explanation for the change in strategy, and the lawyers in the case are subject to a gag order preventing them from talking to the media.

Mark Bederow, a New York City defense attorney and former prosecutor, described Brennans decision as shocking.

It demonstrates a very weak finish to the case for the prosecution, he said, noting the government yielded the last word to the defense.

Its not great for the prosecution any way you look at it, added Bederow, who represents the blogger Aidan Kearney, who is charged with the intimidation of several witnesses in the Read case.

Bederow offered a number of theories as to why Brennan abandoned his rebuttal case at what amounted to the last minute. Welcher was subject to a withering cross examination from Robert Alessi, a lawyer for Read, and faced sharp criticism during the testimony of Andrew Rentschler, one of the ARCCA witnesses.

Not calling him in rebuttal could avoid Welcher, arguably the commonwealths most important witness, being discredited on cross. It also prevents Reads defense from confronting Welcher with his apparent failure to review any X-rays of OKeefes right arm.

On cross-examination, Welcher claimed the medical examiner did not X-ray OKeefes hand or arm. But this week, Reads defense entered into evidence several X-rays, each of which was displayed on a large sheet of paper in the courtroom.

That issue alone would likely undermine his testimony, Bederow said.

Jack Lu, a retired Superior Court judge, said Brennan knew putting up any witnesses creates a target.

That was shown by the defense witnesses, many of whom were savaged, he said.

Calling witnesses in rebuttal is uncommon and not done in every criminal trial. Lu said the threat of rebuttal can keep the defense witnesses honest.

Still, Brennan said Monday that Welcher would address the tests [and] how he believes would be the proper procedure.

He didnt abort his rebuttal case as a move coming from a position of strength, said Bederow. The last thing the jury remembers is this battery of defense experts saying none of this makes sense.
Karen Read, center, sits with her defense team during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continued on Friday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone.

Jurors heard closing arguments from Reads defense, then the prosecution, before a short lunch break Friday. Cannone instructed the jury about the charges and the law, before sending them out for their deliberations shortly after 2:30 p.m. The jury left for the weekend about two hours later.

People to know:

Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the Norfolk district attorneys office

Alan Jackson, lawyer for Read

4:28 p.m. - Judge sends jury home

With court back in session, Cannone told the jurors "I understand you want to go home."

She dismissed the jury for the weekend with her usual warning about discussing the case and avoiding media coverage. She stressed that jurors could not talk to one another about the case outside the deliberations room.

3:58 p.m. - Jubilant mood surrounds courthouse during deliberations

More than 100 Read supporters gathered outside Norfolk Superior Court Friday, many wearing pink to show support for a woman they believe was set up by law enforcement.

With buffer zone restrictions largely eliminated due to a series of appellate court decisions, many supporters were able to gather immediately across the street from the courthouse, or in an adjacent road where Read and her team arrive for court each morning.

Among the supporters was 52-year-old Kim Blinn, of Belmont.

Blinn praised Jacksons closing argument.

[He] hit everything. If you believe just one of the things he said  and all of them are believable  shes innocent," she said. Im a cop supporter, I believe there are more good cops than bad cops, Im just disgusted because theres more bad cops than I thought.

Blinn said she came to Dedham for Reads first trial and has been outside the courthouse during the retrial.

Ive never been more confident in my life, she said.

Sharon DAloisio, 67, of Lady Lake, Fla., said the doctors who testified for Reads defense were the key witnesses in her view. She said she intended to keep returning each day until there was a verdict.

David Lacombe, 60, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, said the most important evidence in his view was the photos of OKeefes arm. Erika Fisher, 34, of Carver, praised the way Reads defense team established the ways pieces of Reads SUV taillight and broken glass found near OKeefes body did  and didnt  fit together.

18 1 / 18 Karen Read trial: Outside the courthouse on June 13 Irene Rotondo

2:50 p.m. - Defense objects to verdict slip

With the jury out of the coutroom, the court clerk handed copies of the verdict slip to both prosecutors and Reads defense. Read and her lawyers huddled at their table, reviewing the papers, before attorney David Yannetti objected.

The verdict slip was a contentious issue at the first trial as well. Yannetti said the slip was confusing and only provided one not guilty option as opposed to seven guilty options.

We are asking that there be not guilty options for each of the charges: offense charged and each of the lesser includeds, he said.

Cannone asked if he had any caselaw to support his objection. Yannetti countered that there wasnt much caselaw to support the verdict slip as it existed.

Still, Cannone appeared unlikely to amend the slip.

All we can do is object, Yannetti said.

2:39 p.m. - Jurors sent out for deliberations

After selecting the six alternates and the foreperson, Cannone told jurors they could retire and begin their deliberations. With the jury out of the room, she called the lawyers to sidebar.

2:25 p.m. - Judge explains alternate jurors

Cannone explained to the jury that only 12 of the 18 people selected to serve will be selected to serve as deliberating jurors. She said it was her responsibility to pick a foreperson, whose role is to organize the deliberations, communicate with the court if necessary and deliver a verdict.

But the foreperson doesnt have any greater say than any other juror, she said.

Cannoen picked the juror in seat one to be the foreperson. Of the 17 other jurors, only 11 will be picked to join the foreperson to deliberate.

She told jurors selected as alternates not to feel as if their efforts were wasted.

Jurors should consider each indictment individually and must all agree before reaching a verdict.

No juror is better qualified to determine the truth of the facts in this case solely because of education or experience, she said.

Jurors 13, 7, 6, 17, 2, and 8 were picked as alternates by the court clerk.

2:01 p.m. - Judge completes first part of instructions

As Cannone continued, she told jurors they must consider the totality of the circumstances.

You may bring to bear all your knowledge and experience, she said. She urged jurors to use their common sense and to give the evidence a reasonable and fair construction.

She told them they can draw inferences from the evidence, but any inferences they draw must be reasonable.

But the jury cannot guess or speculate, instead they must find that all the evidence and inferences prove she is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Cannone also emphasized Read has the absolute right not to testify and the jury cant consider her decision not to take the stand in any way.

After moving through those boilerplate instructions, Cannone explained each charge to the jury. Read is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death.

Cannone noted Read faces a number of lesser-included charges on that second count, including involuntary manslaughter.

1:33 p.m. - Judge begins delivering instructions to jury

Cannone began by thanking jurors for their service and for being attentive throughout the case.

She emphasized it was her role alone to explain the law to the jury. She explained the concept of reasonable doubt to the jury, telling them the evidence must convince them to a degree of moral certainty that Read is guilty.

Any doubt requires the jury to acquit Read, she said.

You are the most important people in this room, Cannone said.

Reading from written instructions, Cannones voice remained level as she delivered the instructions. The instructions emphasized the importance of jurors memories and interpretation of the evidence: it is your collective recollection that is most important, Cannone said.

She emphasized that jurors shouldnt make up their minds until discussing the evidence with the rest of the panel.

Jurors can consider whether potential omissions in the investigation affected the reliability or credibility of the evidence, Cannone said.

12:33 p.m. - Brennan concludes

Brennan spent much of the end of his argument refuting the testimony of a number of defense experts.

He acknowledged that the states medical examiner didnt conclude OKeefe was hit by a car: but he said she didnt consider all the evidence, as she only had 90 days to reach her determination.

Two defense experts, Dr. Marie Russell and Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, contradicted each other on the subject of the wounds on OKeefes arm, he noted. Russell said they werent punctures, Laposata said they were.

He also dismissed the testimony of two experts from the firm ARCCA: Theyre not the arbiters of the truth.

There is evidence that cant be put in that spot without a collision, he emphasized.

There is no doubt what happened that night. There is no doubt who did it.

Brennan closed with a photo of OKeefe smiling projected in the courtroom.

John OKeefe was a person and he was murdered by Karen Read, he said. Whether she meant to hit him or not.

12:19 p.m. - We dont need Trooper Proctor to prove this case

Brennan addressed the issue of former trooper Michael Proctors firing head-on: you should be offended by the texts, he told jurors. But they dont change the evidence.

He was held responsible, Brennan said. But that doesnt mean a free pass.

We dont need Trooper Proctor to prove this case, he said.

Instead, he said the defenses pointing to Proctor was an effort to get the jury to look the other way.

Dont look at what she did.

Theres no boogeyman, Brennan said. Theres no plant.

12:07 p.m. - Brennan emphasizes I hit him statement

It was independent first responders  total strangers  who confirmed they heard Read say I hit him on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, Brennan said.

Those comments represented Read coming to terms with the moment.

Shes recognizing what she did, Brennan claimed.

He hammered the defense for attacking witnesses: Anybody that says anything adverse or inconvenient or inconsistent is a liar or a perjurer or in on a conspiracy?

The reality is independent, core people heard her say it.

The attempt is to portray everybody as a liar, Brennan said.

But he told the jury the statement was confirmed by Read herself, playing a video clip where she says I know I said I hit him

And, Jennifer McCabe, the villain of the story was trying to help Read, telling her to stop talking to first responders.

11:52 a.m. - She knows she hit him

Brennan, citing Reads media interviews, said Read knew she hit OKeefe when she left 34 Fairview Road on the night of Jan. 29, 2022.

He noted she made more than 50 calls that night, but not one was to 911, not one was to a hospital.

If OKeefe had gone in the home, his cell phone would be moving. His phone would have recorded more steps, Brennan said.

The datas the data, he emphasized.

The voicemails to OKeefe represent panic and drunken denial setting in. She knows exactly where he is, Brennan said.

Brennan noted that Read never called Brian Higgins, who was inside 34 Fairview Road, to ask if OKeefe made it in the house.

By 5 a.m., when Read woke up, her panic had gone to self-preservation, Brennan argued. When Read arrived to Jennifer McCabes house that morning, she was panicked, out of her mind.

When Read, McCabe and another woman, Kerry Roberts, approached 34 Fairview, it was Read who found OKeefe in the snow.

She knows where to find him, she knows where to expect to find him, Brennan said.

He played a clip where Read says, I was expecting I would find him.

11:40 a.m. - Brennan explains the law

Brennan told the jury the prosecution wasnt trying to prove Read intended to kill OKeefe or even intended to hit him. But rather that she intended an act  putting the car in reverse  that caused a clear, plain and strong likelihood of death.

Read in the midst of that tension and fight drove away, then came back for the last word in the darkness, under the influence of alcohol. She decided to put her car in reverse and accelerate toward where OKeefe was standing

That data tells a story that cant be changed, Brennan said.

Brennan emphasized that theres no doubt theres a collision because Reads taillight was all over the yard.

11:27 a.m. - A historian in the data

Brennan suggested to the jury that Reads rage was incited by a mention of a woman OKeefe had hooked up with previously when they called Jennifer McCabe for directions as they headed to 34 Fairview Road.

He played a clip of an interview Read gave to support his argument. The clips also reinforced his argument about Reads drinking. In one, Read says I shouldnt be driving.

From 12:12 on we have a historian in the data, Brennan said.

He told the jury it was the prosecution expert, Shanon Burgess, who found the key  an SD card in Reads SUV that showed a trigger event.

The health care data shows OKeefes movements, Brennan said. It is critical.

The data shows John OKeefe is not moving, he said. The data is the data. You cant change it as much as you want to.

Data is not subject to bias, Brennan emphasized.

In the car, the pair were arguing, he stressed, pointing to Reads statement to a first responder.

The data from OKeefes phone shows he never left the area near the flagpole, where his body was found, Brennan said. The steps on OKeefes phone could be pacing, could be a straight line, could be shaking the phone.

We dont know everything. We dont have to, he said.

Its at that point that Read makes a decision: she takes her SUV and steps on the gas, after banging it into reverse.

11:17 a.m. - John OKeefe needed help

Brennan began his closing argument on an emotional note. Unlike Jackson, who raised his voice throughout and pounded on the podium, Brennan was measured, his voice level as he spoke.

OKeefe was the kind of person who helped people. But on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, OKeefe was the one who needed help.

The only person who could help him was Read, Brennan said. Instead, she left him to die.

John OKeefe and Karen Read were in a toxic relationship, Brennan said. On the night of Jan. 29, 2022, they were not getting along, he said.

Brennan argued the timeline in this case is beyond dispute.

He told the jury theyd seen Read pouring shots into her mixed drinks at the Canton bars that night.

Reality sometimes is different than argument, he told jurors. The fighting they saw on surveillance video was not practice for a murder, Brennan said.

Instead, the mood in that bar was celebratory.

11:12 a.m. - Jackson concludes closing argument

Jacksons closing ended with a focus on truth. He told the jury to demand it.

Youve seen the facts and youve seen the evidence, Jackson said. The truth is Karen Read is not guilty.

Jackson again hammered the law, the physics and the data. He told the jury it wasnt their responsibility to determine how OKeefe was hit by Read.

The prosecution failed to maintain a fair and unbiased and honest investigation, he said.

Your sworn obligation under the law is to acquit Karen Read. Not just because you can, because you must, Jackson said.

He ended with a simple message: find Karen Read not guilty, not guilty, not guilty.

10:58 a.m. - Jackson highlights broken taillight

Pointing to the testimony of two police officers: Kelly Dever and Nicholas Barros as he tried to highlight police manipulation.

Dever, a Boston police officer, was hostile on the stand when called by Reads defense. She told federal investigators she saw Brian Higgins, the federal agent, and Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz in the sallyport with Reads SUV for a wildly long time. On the stand, she said it was a false memory.

Dont you have questions about Brian Higgins? Jackson asked.

He noted that Higgins visited the police station around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of OKeefes death.

What was so important he needed to go there? Jackson said.

Higgins is a member of the blue wall, Jackson said.

Its the same blue wall, he suggested, that led to Dever changing her testimony.

Barros, on the other hand, was a totally independent officer, who testified when he saw Reads car at her parents house in Dighton, the taillight was cracked but not shattered.

Jackson suggested the taillight was cracked when Reads SUV hit OKeefes around 5 in the morning. The prosecutions own recitation confirms it, he said.

He noted that no taillight fragments were found at the scene until after Reads SUV was seized.

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if you can trust the commonwealths case, Jackson said.

10:45 a.m. - Thats not justice

Jackson sought to cast blame toward those inside 34 Faivriew Road on the night of OKeefes death.

What if it wasnt the house of a Boston cop? Jackson said. We can be certain they wouldve torn that house apart looking for answers."

But because this was Brian Alberts house, they didnt. They didnt even open the door. Thats not justice.

Theyre blank spots on a map where justice is supposed to live, Jackson continued. Reasonable doubt abounds.

Brian Alberts phone was never secured by the lead investigator, Michael Proctor. Albert never exited his home on the morning of OKeefes death, Jackson noted.

His sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, claimed Albert slept through this complete chaos.

But the phone records tell a different story, Jackson said, noting McCabe called her sister at 5:07 a.m. that morning, the precise time Karen left her house.

Jackson emphasized the Alberts rehomed their dog after OKeefes death, and pointed to a message in a family group chat that he said represented the group getting their stories straight.

10:30 a.m. - Jackson hammers lead investigator

Jackson again returned to what he portrayed as the failures of the police investigation, and specifically former trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator.

He emphasized the failure of Proctor and other investigators to ever enter 34 Fairview Road, where OKeefe was found.

Lets not forget this was Brian Alberts house and that comes with privileges, Jackson said, pointing to Proctors text message saying the homeowner wouldnt catch some [expletive], noting he was a Boston cop too.

He hammered Proctors texts: those messages now belong to you, he told the jury. I urge you to go read them.

Proctor dehumanized this woman, Jackson said, referencing Read. He betrayed her as a human being.

Jackson read several messages from Proctor: shes got a leaky balloon knot. She leakes poo.

Up to this point, Michael Proctor had done zero investigation. Nothing. Save talk to 3 people: all of whom were named Albert or McCabe. Thats it, Jackson said.

He noted that Proctor was never called a witness during the trial.

Proctor clearly is radioactive and the commonwealth stayed away from him, Jackson continued, noting Proctor was fired for his misconduct in the Read case.

He emphasized that the only piece of glass found at 34 Fairview Road that matched a piece of glass on the bumper of Reads SUV was recovered by Proctor.

Proctor failed to interview obvious witnesses, Jackson said, including Brian Loughran, who plowed Fairview Road that night.

Loughran wouldve told Proctor he drove by the lawn and there was no body.

Another witness, Heather Maxon, wouldve told Proctor she saw Read in her SUV, with the dome light on, and the passenger seat empty.

At the time, there was only one place OKeefe could be, Jackson said. He was in the house.

10:21 a.m. - He was not outside

Jackson ran through the digital evidence in the case: he told the jury the time data still shows OKeefe was very much alive and walking around after the time the prosecution claims Read hit him.

The commonwealths witness ... confirmed, he conceded, he has doubts, Jackson said. If their own cell phone expert has reasonable doubt, so should you.

The cell phone battery temperature data proves it, Jackson said.

The data tells us he was not laying outside in the cold but inside somewhere a little bit warmer, he argued. " He was not outside, he was someplace warmer like a basement or a garage."

He returned to the medical data: every expert agreed, OKeefe fell backwards from a standing position.

What could make you fall straight back like that? Jackson asked. He suggested it was a punch.

Just look at Johns arm, he continued. The prosecution couldnt find a medical expert who would say those were inconsistent with a dog bite or a scratch.

10:11 a.m. - Jackson highlights evidence

Jacksons argument moved to the medical evidence in the case.

Not a single medical expert has testified that John was hit by a car, Jackson said.

Even the commonwealths medical examiner confirmed she didnt see an impact site on OKeefes body.

That in and of itself is reasonable doubt, Jackson continued.

He told the jury to focus on the silent witness: the science, the physics, the data.

Jackson highlighted the testimony of two experts from the firm ARCCA, who were first hired by the U.S. Attorneys office, not the defense.

Both PHDs, both engineers, determined: there was no collision, Jackson said. John was not struck by a 6,000-pound SUV. Full stop.

He criticized the testing of a prosecution expert, Judson Welcher, who performed a ridiculous blue paint kindergarten experiment.

Reads taillight had severe internal damage, Jackson said. The internal diffusers, which light up the taillight, were completely damaged.

But Jackson put up two photos that showed the taillight completely illuminated after the time Read is accused of hitting OKeefe.

How can that be if the diffuser was already scattered around 34 Fairview? he asked.

Jackson stressed the lack of injuries to OKeefes arm: Johns arm was pristine, save those dog bites.

He didnt even have a bruise.

There was no blood, no skin, no tissue on a single shard of taillight, found at the scene of OKeefes death, Jackson said. It doesnt make sense.

10 a.m. - What did they ignore?

Jackson gave jurors a timeline of the night before OKeefes death. He and Read met members of the Albert family at a Canton bar, where they were already drinking.

But also there was Brian Higgins, a federal agent who has flirted with Read. He had a romantic design on Karen.

Higgins was agitated, Jackson said. He was agitated it was John with Karen, not him.

He sent an aggressive text to Read  ummm... well.

Jackson played several videos from the Canton bar, all of which he said Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, completely ignored.

On the video, Higgins is seen, as Jackson described it, practicing for a fight.

Jackson continued to hammer Proctor and other investigators: what did they ignore? he asked. He listed evidence, including the obvious dog bites on OKeefes arm, and black eyes on his face.

Their investigator was corrupted from the start, Jackson said. They cant prove a collision.

9:48 a.m. - Jackson begins closing argument

There was no collision. There was no collision. There was no collision, Jackson opened.

He asked the jury to have courage because thats what this moment demands. He implored the panel to stare down injustice.

You folks are the last line of defense, Jackson said. The last line of defense between an innocent woman and a system that has tried to break her.

Jackson emphasized a theme the defense has hammered throughout the trial: that the case was corrupted from the start.

He pointed to the misconduct of former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor, and said the jury saw on full display ... the lengths to which some police officers will go to protect their own.

Jackson raised the high burden the prosecution must meet: that the jury must believe Read is guilty to a degree of moral certainty.

The law defines moral certainty as the highest level of certainty known in all human affairs, he said.

9:44 a.m. - Jury enters

Cannone apologized to jurors for the delay Friday morning, telling them everybody has worked so hard that everything has to be right before you hear it.

As she does each morning, she asked jurors if they were able to follow her instructions about avoiding coverage of the case and not talking about it. Each juror said they had.

Cannone reminded jurors that closing arguments arent evidence and asked them to put their notebooks away.

Weve all noticed that youve paid very close attention to this case, she said.

She emphasized that the commonwealth had to prove the case against Read to a reasonable doubt.

8:53 a.m. - Lawyers called to sidebar

When Cannone entered the courtroom Friday morning, Brennan said he needed to be heard, unfortunately. Cannone called the lawyers to sidebar with the jury on their way.

About 20 minutes later, Cannone returned with a laptop and called the lawyers back to sidebar. At 9:30 a.m., Cannone departed the courtroom again.

The court docket showed a new filing from Reads defense Friday morning, a motion to ensure transparency in alternate juror selection process. It was denied by Cannone.

The selection of alternates is the role of the court clerk, who does so through a random process where all juror numbers are placed on balls that are then spun around and picked one by one.

Jurors can deliberate for as short or as long as it takes to reach a unanimous verdict. During Reads first trial, jurors deliberated for about four and a half days before Cannone ultimately declared a mistrial.

The last time the jury was in the courtroom, they heard testimony from a biomechanical engineer who said testing showed OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a car crash. Reads defense rested its case following the engineers testimony.

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 talks with her defense team before the start of court and the jury is seated during her retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP

For the first time in weeks, lawyers were able to address jurors directly in the Karen Read retrial on Friday as they delivered their closing arguments. Hank Brennan, the lead prosecutor, and Alan Jackson, Reads lead defense attorney, took differing approaches in their closings, reflective of how each side approached the trial.

Jackson spoke first, going nearly 90 minutes as he hammered two key points: that there was no collision between Reads SUV and her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, and that police failed to properly investigate the case.

What if it wasnt the house of a Boston cop? Jackson said. We can be certain they wouldve torn that house apart looking for answers."

He also leaned on the testimony of numerous experts, including the commonwealths medical examiner, all of whom said OKeefes injuries werent consistent with being hit by a car.

Just look at Johns arm, he said. The prosecution couldnt find a medical expert who would say those were inconsistent with a dog bite or a scratch.

Throughout Jacksons speech, index cards flashed on the courtroom TVs, each representing a key point.

As he concluded, Jackson told the jury to consider that stack of index cards. Each one represented reasonable doubt, and each one meant Read must be acquitted.

Brennan, though, leaned more on raw emotion: he opened and closed on OKeefe himself. He was a man who tried to help everyone, Brennan said, and on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, he was the one who needed help. It was only Read, he suggested, who could get OKeefe help.

He also suggested to the jury that the data proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, even though he admitted the prosecution didnt know exactly how the collision at the center of the case took place. Brennan pointed to the healthcare data from OKeefes phone, the plummeting temperature of his cell phone battery and the data from Reads Lexus SUV.

The data shows John OKeefe is not moving, he said. The data is the data. You cant change it as much as you want to.

Data is not subject to bias, Brennan emphasized.

He closed with a photo of OKeefe on the screen.

John OKeefe was a person, and he was murdered by Karen Read, he said. Whether she meant to hit him or not.

After eight weeks, dozens of witnesses and hundreds of exhibits, 12 jurors finally got the case and began their deliberations. The panel deliberated for only two hours on Friday before they were sent home for the weekend.

Heres what else you need to know from the eighth week of the trial.

Rising tension as retrial reaches a conclusion

As the retrial entered its final stretch this week, there were visible moments of escalating tension between the lawyers and even with judicial decisions.

Norfolk County prosecutors tried to block the defense from questioning one of their final witnesses  a forensic pathologist and former medical examiner  about her opinion that John OKeefes injuries were caused by dog bites.

The judge ultimately allowed the forensic pathologist, Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, to testify about the wounds coming from an animal, not from a dog specifically.

I just think its outrageous, Alan Jackson, a defense attorney, told the judge, sounding exasperated.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson questions witness Andrew Rentschler of ARCCA an accident reconstruction firm during the Karen Read retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP

There were barbs traded between attorneys throughout the week.

Robert Alessi, one of Reads attorneys, moved for a mistrial after a prosecutor mistakenly pointed to cuts in OKeefes sweatshirt  made by a state police technician  and implied they could have been caused by road rash.

The Commonwealth has no case. They have no collision. They are desperate and trying to create evidence of specters of collision where the evidence doesnt support it, Alessi said.

Crash test dummies showed extensive road rash

An image of a crash-test dummy is displayed as expert Daniel Wolfe testifies during the retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday June 9, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP

Jackson spent a good deal of time questioning a defense expert witness, Daniel Wolfe, about a test involving a crash dummys right arm being struck at 29 mph.

Wolfe is an accident reconstructionist with the company ARCCA and he described a series of holes on the dummys sweatshirt caused by road rash. There were also visible signs of road rash to the face and torso.

Wolfe said the damage to the dummy was inconsistent with the damage to OKeefe. He also noted that the dummys shoes stayed on his feet after impact. One of OKeefes shoes was found at the scene of 34 Fairview Road, the other stayed on his foot.

Jackson also projected a photograph from the SUV with a shattered back window after the dummy test. Wolfe stated it was inconsistent with the damage to Reads SUV.

Expert Daniel Wolfe testifies about this SUV that was used in crash tests with this image during the retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court on Monday June 9, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP

2nd mistrial motion: Passionately argued, swiftly denied

Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone during the Karen Read retrial, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP

Reads lawyers pushed for a mistrial on Monday  the second time in a week.

Defense attorney Robert Alessi told Judge Beverly Cannone that the motion for a mistrial with prejudice was based on intentional misconduct by the prosecution. Alessi accused a prosecutor of misleading jurors while questioning an accident reconstructionist about OKeefes sweatshirt.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned the defenses expert witness, Wolfe, about punctures to the back of OKeefes sweatshirt. Brennan pulled out the sweatshirt encased in a transparent display to ask Wolfe about damage to the back of the sweatshirt.

Alessi said the questions were misleading because Brennan knew the holes in question were made by a Massachusetts State Police criminalist, and could not have happened as a result of a collision.

The holes on the back were clearly, unequivocally, without doubt caused by the cutting of a criminalist. Those holes in the back of the sweatshirt [have] nothing to do with any type of event on or about Jan. 29, 2022.

Defense attorney Robert Alessi shows John O'Keefe's hoodie to the jury during the retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP

What could be more egregious? Alessi asked. They picked the most opportune, sensitive time to pull this stunt. This is intentional, this is irremediable, this is on the key issue of this case, whether there was a collision at all.

Brennan admitted to having made a mistake, but the judge denied the mistrial motion. She instead gave jurors an instruction telling them the holes in the sweatshirt came from a criminalist and they cannot consider the holes as coming from the events of Jan. 29, 2022.

X-rays of OKeefes arm come into evidence

Dr. Elizabeth Laposata defines a specific head injury for the defense during the murder retrial of Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP

Laposata, the forensic pathologist, testified that OKeefes arm injuries were very consistent with an animal attack.

She then testified about X-rays that she reviewed of OKeefes chest, arm and legs. She said she did not see any defects to his right hand, and that the bones were intact without any breaks or fractures.

Its a normal right arm, Laposata said.

Then, at a later point, she said, The bones were 100 percent intact.

An expert witness for the prosecution said during his testimony in a previous week that there were no X-rays of OKeefes arm that he reviewed.

Defense rests after crash reconstruction witness points out inconsistencies

Crash reconstruction expert Andrew Rentschler tries to explain injuries to John O'Keefe's arm during cross examination by special prosecutor Hank Brennan during the Karen Read retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP

The last witness of the trial, Andrew Rentschler, bolstered Laposatas opinions that OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a car collision.

Rentschler is another ARCCA accident reconstructionist, and he said on Wednesday that OKeefes arm had 36 superficial abrasions on his right arm, which he terms a conservative estimate.

He said there would need to be 36 points of contact to piece the sweatshirt and the skin, but there were nine defects on the right sleeve of his sweatshirt.

Rentscheler also criticized a test done by the prosecutions crash reconstructionists using blue paint transferred from a taillight onto the arm of an analyst.

The analyst did not take any measurements of where the blue paint extended on the mans arm and did not say with scientific certainty that that area of paint corresponds to where the abrasions are, Rentschler said.

Brennan sought to undermine Rentschlers testimony by making him appear to jurors as cozy with the defense team.

Rentschler admitted to having eaten a ham sandwich during a lunch with defense lawyers after his testimony at the first trial.

Brennan asked if Rentschler was discussing the case and laughing it up a little bit with the defense.

Whatever was spoken about at the table, Im sure I heard, Rentschler said.

After Rentschlers testimony, the defense rested its case.

In an unexpected twist, Brennan decided against calling rebuttal witnesses. Earlier in the week, hed indicated he wanted to recall an accident reconstructionist from Aperture, the company retained by prosecutors, and another expert to testify about dog DNA.
A Lynn woman guilty of coercing and enticing women across the Northeast into prostitution was sentenced to prison, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said.

On Wednesday, Latasha Anderson, 39, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, Foleys office said in a statement. In March 2025, she pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement.

A federal grand jury indicted her in August 2023, along with her co-conspirators Jermall Anderson and Jennifer Fortier.

Between 2012 and 2016, Fortier and Latasha Anderson, at Jermall Andersons direction, threatened and gave or withheld heroin and cocaine to force two different women to prostitute themselves on the co-conspirators behalf, Foleys office said.

Jermall Andersons wide-ranging sex trafficking operation targeted vulnerable victims, specifically those struggling with drug addiction, homelessness and lack of economic resources and coerced them into providing commercial sex for the defendants benefit, Foleys office said. Latasha Anderson coerced and enticed these victims to engage in prostitution throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. 

In March, both Jermall Anderson and Fortier were sentenced to prison. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Fortier was sentenced to almost five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
A Perkins, Oklahoma man who pleaded guilty to throwing a pipe bomb at the Satanic Temple in Salem in April, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Palmer pleaded guilty to one count of using an explosive device to damage and attempt to damage a building used in interstate or foreign commerce.

Palmer was caught on a surveillance camera on April 8 around 4:14 a.m. walking toward the temple wearing a black face covering, a tan-colored tactical vest and gloves, Foleys office said in a statement.

Palmer lit up a pope bomb as he approached the temple and threw it at the main entrance before he ran away, the statement read. The bomb did not fully detonate and left minor damage to the building.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was made from a roughly 2-foot section of plastic pipe covered with metal nails attached to the pipe with duct tape, Foleys office said. Investigators found Palmers DNA on the outside of the IED.

Near the temple in a flower bed, a six-page handwritten note by Palmer was found by investigators. It read:

DEAR SATANIST ELOHIM SEND ME 7 MONTHS AGO TO GIVE YOU PEACEFUL MESSAGE TO HOPE YOU REPENT. YOU SAY NO, ELOHIM NOW SEND ME TO SMITE SATAN AND I HAPPY TO OBEY. AND ELOHIM WANT ME TO CONTACT YOU TO TELL YOU REPENT. TURN FROM SIN. ELOHIMNO LIKE THIS PLACE AND PLAN TO DESTROY IT. MAYBE SALEM TOO? ELOHIM SEND ME TO FIGHT CRY BABY SATAN, BUT WANT ME TO MAKE HARD EFFORT SO NO ONE DIES. I OBEY.

Palmer was charged on April 17 after he was found by law enforcement in Perkins.
Two swimmers who were rescued from the Merrimack River Sunday evening have died after spending days hospitalized in critical condition, Newburyport officials announced Friday afternoon.

Officials identified the swimmers as East Boston resident Dahiana Canas and Lynn resident Vanessa Correa. Both women were 25 years old when they died, officials said in a press release.

Newburyport police and the Essex County District Attorneys Office are still investigating Canas and Correas deaths, but authorities preliminary investigation suggests the women died as a result of a tragic accident, officials said.

On June 8, Newburyport police and firefighters responded to a report of a swimmer in distress near Plum Island Point around 7 p.m., Newburyport officials said previously. At the scene, they discovered that both Canas and Correa needed rescuing from the water.

Read more: Two swimmers in critical condition after being rescued from the Merrimack River

Both women were pulled out of the river by local fishermen before emergency responders could get to them, officials said. Canas and Correa received medical aid at the scene before being taken to Anna Jacques Hospital in critical condition.

The women were later transferred to hospitals in Boston and Burlington, officials said. Correa died on Wednesday, and Canas died the day after.

As a community, our hearts are heavy with the tragic news that the two young women rescued from the Merrimack River earlier this week have passed away. On behalf of the City of Newburyport, I extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones during this unimaginable time, Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons said in the release.

We are extremely grateful to the citizens and first responders who fought tirelessly to save them. We ask that the community keep all those involved in this traumatic incident in their thoughts and prayers.
A 24-year-old Boston woman accused of fatally stabbing her partner 67 times in February  and strangling his dog  was arraigned in Suffolk County Superior Court on Friday.

Nora Nelson appeared in the courtroom the morning of June 13 for her arraignment on multiple indictments, including a murder charge and a charge of killing an animal. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Nelson is accused of killing Joseph Donohue, 65, of Charlestown, after he was found dead on his houseboat on the Charlestown Marina the night of Feb. 2.

Donohue was found stabbed and wrapped in a carpet on the bow deck after Nelson greeted police at the door that night, following his familys call for a well-being check after he was last seen Jan. 31. She was arrested at the scene on unrelated domestic violence charges.

Donohues family released another statement the day before Nelsons arraignment.

Our family is thankful to all of the law enforcement officials who have led the investigation into Joes death, the statement read.

We remain heartbroken by the devastating loss of our beloved Joe, and continue to appreciate the love and support we have received since his passing, the family said. They again asked for privacy.

Nonsensical answers

In the courtroom on Friday, prosecutor Rita Muse gave further details on what police said happened that night, and what was found at the scene.

When Nelson first answered the door for police at around 10:43 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, Donohues golden retriever also came to the door, Muse said. The officers told her to secure the dog, then come back and speak with them.

But after Nelson closed the door, she was not putting the dog away. She began running around the apartment, cleaning up or picking up different items, Muse said.

When she did come back and police asked her where Donohue was, Nelson gave inconsistent, contradictory and frankly nonsensical answers, Muse said. She also said her name was Casey.

Donohues body was found at the stern of the boathouse on the outside of the sliding glass doors in his bedroom after officers went into the home for a protective sweep, Muse said.

His body was wrapped in a duct-taped carpet, and he had dumbbells attached to a jump rope around his body, prosecution said.

There were 67 stab wounds found on his body through the later autopsy, Muse said, and a piece of knife was removed from Donohues forehead that was later matched to knife found in the water by a dive team.

Two pink fake fingernails were also found in his body, and Nelson later identified those nails as her own, Muse said.

A dog that was found dead in the water beside the boat  named Champ  had been strangled, Muse said. Blood stains were also seen throughout the home, she said, including a significant amount on a sheet over a doorway.

Nelson was ordered held without bail on Friday. Her next court date is scheduled for July 15.

A mental health crisis?

Nelson had been previously ordered by the court to undergo mental evaluations, which appeared to have seemingly unresolved findings. Those mental evaluations were not discussed during Fridays hearing.

In an April hearing after Nelsons first mental health exam, court clinician Heather Jackson said Nelson definitively lacks understanding of the seriousness of the charges she faces, but it was unclear to her whether this was because Nelson has a mental illness, personality disorder, or another exterior motivation.

Nelson was given medication after it was deemed she had potential symptoms of a psychotic disorder, but as her symptoms became less genuine, Nelson had a tendency to exaggerate, Jackson said.

Nelson and Donohue had a longstanding intimate partner relationship and she was living with Donohue at the time of his death, according to her attorney Ian Davis.

Aliyah Warren, Nelsons best friend from childhood in Memphis, Tenn., previously told MassLive that Nelson seemed to be going through a mental health crisis the last time the pair saw each other, six months before Donohue was killed.

She just wasnt my sister ... it was kind of hard to sit there, her eyes were just dead, Warren said, adding that Nelson was wearing odd clothes and seemed like she wasnt there.

Warren had been hoping for a mental health evaluation for Nelson as her case continued, because she knows something is wrong.

Im going to keep loving my sister because thats what she needs. She needs love ... But at the same time, I have to let the system do their job and just pray that they give her a mental evaluation so they can see that something is wrong, Warren had previously said.
President Donald Trump takes a question from a reporter during an event signing a bill blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. AP

President Donald Trumps approval rating has dropped to a new low point, according to a new poll.

A Quinnipiac University poll published on June 11 found that 38% of respondents approve of the job the 47th president is doing, while 54% disapprove of his work.

This is the first time during Trumps second term that a Quinnipiac University poll has found the presidents approval rating under 40%, according to RealClearPolitics poll average.

The poll also found more respondents disapproving of Trumps handling of immigration (43% approve, 54% disapprove) deportations (40% approve, 56% disapprove), the economy (40% approve, 56% disapprove) trade (38% approve, 57% disapprove) universities (37% approve, 54% disapprove) the conflict between Israel and Hamas (35% approve, 52% disapprove) and the war between Russia and Ukraine (34% approve, 57% disapprove).

The surveys findings caught the attention of CNNs Harry Enten on X.

This is definitely one of Trumps worst polls, Enten wrote. Just horrible across the board.

Enten also noted the poll found opposition to the One Big Beautiful Bill, a piece of legislation containing Trumps immigration and tax policy.

Only 27% of respondents support the bill, which includes the extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, $50 billion to renew construction of Trumps border wall and a committment of $150 billion in defense spending to be used for shipbuilding and a missile defense system Trump calls The Golden Dome.

A majority of respondents, 53%, dont support the One Big Beautiful Bill, according to the poll.

In addition to respondents disapproving of Trumps job as president and the tax and immigration legislation, they also disapprove of the job that Democrats in Congress are doing.

Just 21% of respondents approve of the job being done by Democrats in D.C., while 70% say they dont.

Among respondents who identify as Democrats, 41% expressed approval of Democrats in Congress, while 53% expressed disapproval.

In comparison, 32% of respondents said they approve of the job being done by Republicans in Congress compared to 61% who dont.

Among Republican respondents, only 13% disapprove of the actions of Republicans in Congress compared to the 79% who expressed approval.

The poll was conducted between June 5 to June 9 with a sample size of 1,265 self-identified registered voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8%.
It wasnt a matter of whether U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton was going to fire some hardball questions at President Donald Trumps Pentagon chief on Thursday  it was instead a matter of how many he could squeeze in and how intense they would be.

It didnt take long to find out.

Moulton, D-6th District, cut right to the chase during the five or so minutes he had with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the former Fox News anchor defended his agencys budget request before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

The Salem lawmaker pressed Hegseth repeatedly on whether hed accept any personal responsibility for his role in the headline-grabbing national security meltdown known as SignalGate, as well as his purge of senior Defense Department officials.

You said accountability is back [at the Pentagon], Mr. Secretary, the Salem Democrat jabbed at one point.

" And you know what? The Houthis were held accountable for shooting at our forces," Hegseth responded.

Moulton, a Marine vet jumped back in: Im just asking if it applies to you.

I serve at the pleasure of the president, Hegseth responded.

It was a vivid reminder that the place and primacy of the American military  not to mention its role in a civil society  has been at the center of the public conversation recently in a way that it has not been for a while.

That conversation largely has been dominated by the headlines emanating from Los Angeles over immigration protests and the U.S. Marines and National Guard soldiers who have been deployed there as a result.

And thats not to leave out Trumps military parade on the streets of Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

And Americans have thoughts.

A text survey of 1,000 Americans, including more than 200 Californians, by the Washington Post and the Schar School at George Mason University, found deep divisions over Trumps management of the protests.

The survey found that Californians were more critical of Trumps actions, as were Democrats and self-identified independents, the newspaper reported. Americans were mostly negative on Trumps handling of immigration.

Read More: Poll reveals how Americans feel about Trump sending troops into LA over ICE protests

A plurality of respondents to a similar YouGov poll said they didnt approve of the White Houses decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, Axios reported.

Nearly 8 in 10 respondents to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll said they dont have an opinion one way or the other on Trumps military parade on Saturday.

But even within that cohort, 6 in 10 respondents said they dont think its a good use of public money.

And if you think that the White Houses power play only applies to California, think again. The order Trump signed authorizing the National Guard deployment also opens the door to similar actions in other states.

Thats according to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell, who joined with nearly two dozen colleagues nationwide in support of a lawsuit by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, challenging the White Houses action.

The unlawful deployment of armed forces under the guise of public safety to suppress protests, invoke fear, and silence dissent against the presidents cruel policies is dangerous, and every resident should be concerned, Campbell said in a statement.

On Thursday night, a U.S. District court judge in San Francisco ruled that Trump had to return command over those National Guard soldiers to Newsom, The Associated Press reported.

Hours later, a federal appeals court reversed the order and restored Trumps authority over the Guard.

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, the acting ranking Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee, blasted the White Houses decision to deploy Marines to one of the nations largest cities.

Our Marines are often the first responders in a war zone. But American neighborhoods are not war zones, Lynch, D-8th District, said as the committee held a hearing on the White Houses immigration policies.

Protesters are not enemy combatants  they are Americans who have the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and speak up," the South Boston lawmaker continued.

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, also a former Marine, told CNN that he never expected to see active-duty Marines deployed to Los Angeles or any other American city.

Thats because in this scenario, as in almost every scenario imaginable, it is unnecessary, its illegal and its deeply unfair to these Marines, the Newton lawmaker said, according to Mediaite.

At times like this, were often inclined to look for historical parallels. Many people look to ancient Rome  although direct comparisons arent always easy, convenient, or even immediately apparent.

Still, the Romans did have a prohibition against allowing legions within the city walls.

Returning generals were required to dissolve their armies and enter the city as civilians. It was the ultimate expression of the civil governments authority over the military.

When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon in January 49 B.C., and eventually entered Rome itself, in defiance of that edict, it marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic.

Again, there are no easy parallels. But the United States has had a similar tradition of a rigidly apolitical military that swears to defend and uphold the Constitution, and not an elected leader, for all of its history.

But as history reminds us, once the legions are within the city walls, it can be awfully hard to get them to leave.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe should capitalise on its expanding steel and coal industries to increase exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where demand for these commodities is rapidly growing, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Engineer Polite Kambamura has said.Speaking after visiting stands of Zimbabwean companies at the 2025 DRC Mining Week, Eng Kambamura highlighted that Zimbabwe's participation at the continental event demonstrates its commitment to strengthening trade relations with the DRC, particularly by leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)."Considering that we now have the largest steel plant in the region, we need to take advantage of that with the DRC," he said. "We need to market our steel from Manhize in the DRC, where there are many companies that need steel. This is a huge market, and this means our relationship has to be strengthened by taking advantage of the AfCFTA."The multi-million-dollar Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize is the largest integrated steelworks in the region. It is expected to play a key role in Zimbabwe's industrialisation drive by supplying locally produced steel for construction, manufacturing, and exports.In addition to steel, Zimbabwe has seen significant growth in coal production, driven by investments in thermal power and industrial energy supply. Deputy Minister Kambamura noted that coal is another vital export commodity that Zimbabwe can supply to the DRC, where local coal mining is limited but industrial demand remains high."We need to open up a trade corridor - talk of the Lobito Corridor, which links Angola, Zambia and the DRC," he said. "We can take advantage of that to ship material or supplies from Zimbabwe, be it coal, because they rarely mine coal here, but their industries are looking for it."Seven Zimbabwean companies from the mining and agricultural sectors are showcasing their products and services at the 2025 DRC Mining Week. These include Charter Seeds, Megabreeze, Zambezi Gas and Coal Mines, GB Holdings, James P Dixon, Powerdrive Engineering, and Boltgas International.Facilitated by ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion organisation, the mission aims to integrate Zimbabwean companies into the DRC's mining value chain by tapping into the growing demand for mining inputs, equipment, and support services.The DRC Mining Week, one of Africa's premier mining expos and investment platforms, attracts thousands of participants, including mining companies, government officials, financiers, equipment suppliers, and service providers. It offers a forum to explore partnerships and investment opportunities across the mining value chain."Our presence here shows the strength of our relationship with the DRC," said Eng Kambamura. "Zimbabwe is a mining country and so is the DRC. There are opportunities in service provision, sharing technical expertise, and finding markets for minerals."He added that several investors at the exhibition expressed interest in exploring opportunities in Zimbabwe, underscoring the need for enhanced collaboration between the two countries. "The two countries need to work on some symmetry, some synergies, so that both our mining sectors benefit and grow. We encourage companies in Zimbabwe to take up opportunities in the DRC."The 2025 DRC Mining Week will continue until Friday.
The Sumud School was founded by an English teacher who was displaced from Gaza City in October 2023 by Israels attack on Hamas and Gaza. (Provided photo) Provided photo

NORTHAMPTON  On Saturday, there will be a free, public concert from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence at 220 Main St. to raise money needed for the Sumud School in north Gaza.

The Sumud School was founded by Enaam Sakallah, an English teacher who was displaced from Gaza City in October 2023 by Israels attack on Hamas and Gaza, according to the concert organizers.
Palestinians offer Eid al-Adha prayers beside the ruins of a mosque destroyed by Israeli bombardment, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on June 6. (Abdel Kareem Hana / Associated Press, File) AP

SPRINGFIELD  Beginning on Sunday at noon, local activist Kaia Jackson, alongside collaborators, will begin a 25-mile grief march from Springfield to Northampton (the length of Gaza), in solidarity with the Global March to Gaza scheduled for June 12 to 19.

The march will begin at U.S. Rep. Neals Office in Springfield and then head north.
Conseil des Ministres special le 16 juin 2025.

Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note que le Premier Ministre et le president de la Republique ont presente leurs condoleances au peuple indien et autres concernant le crash dun vol dAir India, des commentaires de Moodys sur la strategie fiscale proposee pour leconomie mauricienne, que les activites reprondront sur lIle aux Benitiers le 16 juin 2025, quun Conseil des Ministres Special aura lieu le 16 juin 2025 concernant certaines annonces faites lors de la lecture du budget 2025-2026 qui font polemiques dans le public entre autres.

1. Cabinet has taken note that the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister had, on behalf of the Government and the people of Mauritius, conveyed condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families and loved ones of the victims of the tragic crash involving an Air India aircraft on 12 June 2025. The Acting Prime Minister also expressed his sympathy to the High Commissioner of India in Mauritius and requested the latter to convey condolences to the Indian Government.

2. Cabinet has taken note of the Issuer Comment published by Moodys on 10 June 2025 outlining the proposed fiscal strategy of Government contained in the Budget 2025-2026. In its report, Moodys emphasised that the Budget 2025-2026 set ambitious consolidation paths but execution risks remained. However, if Governments budget expectations are realized over this fiscal year and beyond, fiscal deficit is expected to narrow, resulting in a declining debt burden.

Cabinet further noted that an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Acting Prime Minister met on 10 and 12 June 2025 to address concerns raised by various stakeholders on some measures announced in the Budget Speech 2025-2026. A Special Meeting of Cabinet would be held on Monday 16 June 2025 on that matter.

3. Cabinet has taken note of the progress of measures undertaken in connection with the resumption of activities on Ile aux Benitiers. The list of operators has been finalised by the District Council of Black River in consultation with the Collectif Citoyen, and activities will resume on Monday 16 June 2025.

4. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting the Second Meeting of the High-Powered Joint Trade Committee, under the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) between Mauritius and India in July 2025.

Mauritius and India have been implementing the CECPA since 01 April 2021. The Agreement covers three key areas, namely Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, and Economic Cooperation. It provides for preferential market access for key Mauritian products in India, including sugar, rum, garments, canned tuna, and medical devices, as well as for a number of services sectors such as financial, professional, and educational sectors. Mauritius and India are committed to strengthening collaboration in sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, to further deepen bilateral economic relations.

5. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius undertaking the final stage of tariff liberalisation in the context of the Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement regarding goods exported by the Peoples Republic of China to Mauritius for the year 2025.

The Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 01 January 2021. The Agreement is Chinas first Free Trade Agreement in the African region and aims at deepening economic and trade relations between the two countries. The Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement comprises four main components, namely Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment and Economic Cooperation.

6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the review of the Republic of Mauritius, by the Committee against Torture under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In its concluding observations, the Committee, inter alia, commended Mauritius for the adoption of the Government Programme 2025-2029 A Bridge to the Future and expressed appreciation in regard to the legislative amendments being brought through the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2025 and the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2025.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the review of the Republic of Mauritius, by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In its concluding observations published on 09 May 2025, the Committee welcomed the legislative, institutional and policy measures taken by Mauritius.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the formulation of the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2030 by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Strategic Plan would be prepared in collaboration with the World Health Organization with the objective of ensuring Health for All and improving the delivery of patient-centred services.

The Plan would be developed to serve as the central strategic framework for guiding the health sector over the next five years. It would provide a structured and coordinated approach to addressing the priority health needs of Mauritius. The Strategic Plan would incorporate the health-related priorities of the Government Programme 2025-2029 and would focus, inter alia, on the following critical areas:

(a) management of Non-Communicable Diseases, particularly diabetes and its complications, in line with international recommendations;

(b) strengthening the provision of quality, patient-centred health care;

(c) addressing emerging concerns, including medical negligence and the safety of health personnel;

(d) resolving human resource challenges in the health sector through evidence-based strategies; and

(e) advancing the Primary Health Care approach with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

9. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries hosting the 13th Session of the Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) on 17 and 18 June 2025 in Mauritius.

The mandate of the Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries was to contribute to making significant progress in the SWIOFC work programme, which was instrumental to the development of the Minimum Terms and Conditions Guidelines which had been implemented at regional level, thereby establishing a common access regime for foreign fishing vessels of tuna and tuna-like species in the SWIOFC region.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of a national training workshop on the compilation of trade in services statistics in the Information, Communication and Technology sector from 14 to 16 July 2025 in Mauritius. The national workshop would be organised by the International Trade Centre through technical assistance under the African Trade Observatory Trade in Services component.

The objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of national stakeholders in collecting and processing trade in services data for the ICT services sector and increase the data availability based on the Extended Balance of Payments Classification of Services in line with the recommendations of the Manual on Statistics on the International Trade in Services. The workshop would provide participants valuable insights into the methodologies and best practices necessary for compiling high quality trade in services statistics.

11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Minister of National Infrastructure in the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium 2025 (SIDSSA 25) held in South Africa on the theme Building Resilient Communities.

The SIDSSA 25 brought together political leaders, government officials, the G20 countries, infrastructure funding bodies and industry experts. It explored strategic approaches for sustainable infrastructure development in the African continent. The SIDSSA 25 focused on ways of promoting infrastructure development in a sustainable manner with a view to strengthening the African economy, creating employment and increasing gross fixed capital formation.

Several discussion panels were held and brought together Ministers responsible for infrastructure development from across the African continent. During his intervention, the Minister laid emphasis on the need for African countries to foster stronger relationships, cooperation and sharing of know-how so as to boost regional integration.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in the 2025 Annual Meetings to the African Development Bank Group and the 60th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors held in Cote dIvoire. The Minister chaired the Constituency Meeting which was attended by the Ministers of Finance from Zambia, Malawi and Botswana, respectively. The objective of the meeting was to hold discussions on the agenda of the 2025 Annual Meetings and to build consensus on matters of interest.

During the Governors Dialogue held under the theme Positioning Africas youth to drive an inclusive, resilient and sustainable development, the Minister shared the best practices of Mauritius in creating synergistic ecosystems for the professional and personal development of youth and young people. In the sidelines of the 2025 Annual Meetings, the Minister had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Economic, Planning and Development of Cote dIvoire.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in the 24th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held virtually.

The Minister delivered the country statement on the theme Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generations and underscored the Government of Mauritius unwavering commitment to sustainable development, as outlined in the Government Programme 2025-2029. He emphasised the importance of strengthening regional partnerships to promote peace, sustainability, and shared prosperity within the Indian Ocean region.

The Council took note that Mr Sanjiv Ranjan had assumed office as Secretary General of the IORA on 01 January 2025 for a three-year term. The Council welcomed the European Union as the 12th IORA Dialogue Partner. The Council adopted the IORA Guidelines on Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing to promote sustainable fisheries management in the region. The Council endorsed the IORA Climate Change Strategic Agenda, which advocates for a regional approach to the escalating threats posed by climate change.
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Provence
Hundreds of Mayo small-scale projects around the county have received funding as part of the national Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

Each year, local clubs and community groups receive funding as part of the initiative to fund projects, from renovations to IT equipment.

This year, over 270 local groups have received a share of over 230,000 around the county.

Minister for Community Development, Dara Calleary, welcomed the funds.

The impact of the Local Enhancement Programme is considerable, and it allows community groups to carry out the invaluable work they do on behalf of others in local areas throughout the country, he stated.

Those sentiments were echoed by Minister for State, Alan Dillon.

Over 220 worthy groups and organisations across Mayo have been awarded funding, which will give a helping hand to our local groups and clubs, he said. These are the building blocks of Irish community life.

The total list of groups receiving funding is as follows:

READ MORE: New Canadian Prime Minister eyes return visit to Mayo roots
In the last 12 months Threshold have supported and advised almost 400 households in Mayo, comprising 830 adults and children.

Threshold has flagged the Connacht region as one of the most acutely affected by affordability issues, driven in part by lack of available rented housing and continued high housing demand. The timing of the office launch underscores the urgency of the housing situation in the county and wider region.

READ MORE: Id nearly take them into my house if I had space for them - Mayo estate agent

Threshold, the national housing charity supporting private renters, has confirmed it will continue to provide in-person advice clinics for tenants in Mayo. Appointments will be held at the Castlebar Citizens Information Centre on Hopkins Road on the first and third Wednesday of every month, between 10am and 4:30pm.

The service aims to assist renters facing issues such as tenancy terminations, deposit disputes, and rent increases. These in-person sessions are part of Thresholds broader outreach efforts to ensure renters across the region have access to expert guidance and support.



While Threshold also operates weekly clinics at the Ard Family Resource Centre on Doughiska Road in Galway City every Wednesday from 9am to 5pm, the Castlebar appointments are especially important for renters in Mayo who may not be able to travel.

READ MORE: Mayo man announced as new President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland

Appointments for either location can be booked through Thresholds website at www.threshold.ie or by calling 1800 454 454.

For those unable to attend in person, Threshold continues to offer support through its national helpline, available Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm, and through their online support service at www.threshold.ie/get-help.



Threshold encourages any private renters in Mayo experiencing housing difficulties to reach out for free, confidential advice.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne T.D. was at the official opening of Thresholds renovated regional office for the west and northwest in Galway City, said : This is really important timing for my visit to Galway today with Threshold, during a week when we have announced the introduction of a national rent control for the entire country. Our aim is to essentially simplify the operation of rent controls in Ireland and ensure that tenants regardless of what county they live in are offered rent control protections.



"This week we additionally announced that we will significantly restrict no fault evictions. These changes will further enhance the current provision of tenancies of unlimited duration, with the introduction of rolling tenancies of a minimum of six-years."



Commenting on the office opening, Threshold CEO, John-Mark McCafferty, added: This reopening of Thresholds Galway office gives us the capacity to work more closely with tenants in the region and ensure they are supported according to their needs. We are seeing continued pressures facing private tenants in the West and Northwest, with increased demand for affordable housing, and increasing rents - some of which are in breach of rent regulations and over the limits in place under Rent Pressure Zone legislation.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has today announced that 18 primary schools in Mayo have won a Research Ireland Curious Minds Award for 2025.

Funded by Research Ireland, this annual initiative seeks to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in primary pupils, their families, and educators throughout Ireland. The Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards give recognition to schools for their dedication to hands-on, curiosity-driven learning in STEM disciplines. Each year, thousands of students around the country enthusiastically delve into fascinating topics by conducting a range of practical STEM challenges.

These engaging activities include design and make projects, math trails, rocket launches, explorations of school-ground biodiversity, egg drop experiments, pond construction, vegetable cultivation, marble run creations, coding initiatives, and applying STEM principles to solve real-world problems.

READ MORE: Mayo school honoured with special marine recognition award

Announcing the 2025 Curious Minds Awards, Minister Lawless said: Im proud to announce the 2025 Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards, recognising the outstanding efforts of 397 schools across the country. Seeing so many students and schools dedicate themselves to learning and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and maths is a testament to the incredible work happening in classrooms across Ireland. These awards celebrate the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and discovery that programmes like Curious Minds ignite in young minds.

"Strengthening STEM skills from an early age is essential to empowering our children to shape the world around them as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. Initiatives like this help equip the next generation with the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing world. My sincere congratulations to all the students, teachers, and schools involved for your inspiring commitment."

Commenting on the awards, Celine Fitzgerald, Interim Chief Executive Officer at Research Ireland, said: I am extremely proud to see the continued interest in, and impact of, the Research Ireland Curious Minds programme. The appetite for engagement through fun, practical STEM learning within our school community is so evident. Our goal is to empower teachers and to inspire students, showing the younger generation that STEM is not just a subject, but a way of exploring, understanding, and shaping the world around them.

READ MORE: Mayo 24-hour Palestinian vigil held in Mulranny

To mark the announcement, a virtual Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards Ceremony took place today in hundreds of classrooms throughout Ireland, hosted by TV presenters Grainne Bleasdale and Phil Smyth, to celebrate the awardees.

Schools participating in the Curious Minds Awards initiative apply for one of three award tiers:

Silver Award: For schools beginning their STEM journey, and involving a minimum of two classes.

Gold Award: For schools further along their STEM journey, involving at least half of the classes in the school.

Platinum Award: For schools that have already achieved the Gold Award and want to further integrate STEM into their school culture.

This year, in Mayo, 15 schools received the Gold Award, one received the Silver Award and two received the Platinum Award. The recipient schools from Mayo and the award types are:

Registration for the 2025/2026 Research Ireland Curious Minds Awards will open in September 2025. Registration for the CPD courses for 2025/2026 is open now. For more information about the Research Ireland Curious Minds programme, the Awards, CPD and inquiry-based resources, please visit www.curiousminds.ie or contact the team on curiousminds@researchireland.ie.
Westports Michael Horan and his Axo Architects firm have been nominated for the prestigious RIAI Public Choice Award 2025.

This award is voted for by the public and closes this coming Monday, June 16.

There are two other Mayo entries in the category. There are the Mulranny - .WAY by Brock Finucane and Scoil Naomh Brid Culleens in Ballina by SJK Architects.

Those interested in voting can do so here - https://www.riai.ie/public-choice-award-poll

READ MORE: Mayo man announced as new President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland

Ora et labora

Managing Director at Axo architects, Michael Horan, told The Mayo News, that he and his team have incredible respect for what went before us at Kylemore and were aware of the weight of designing the first building on the site in more than one hundred fifty years.

We started manipulating the form of the building so that it steps up and down and there are breaks in the building so its very like the abbey.

We tried to take the messages from the past and do something similar with our monastery. The turrets step up and down and step in and out, and there's a relief and a softness that way. It steps up and down in volume, and it steps in and out, and there are breaks in the building

This creates the effect that you can still see the mountains behind when standing at any one particular point.

Natural brick with an almost identical colouring to the original abbey was chosen to harmonise with the Abbey on the other side of the lake and for its sustainability.

The new abbey houses a retreat centre, education centre, offices and meeting rooms. At the core of the multimillion euro project was the desire to encompass ora et labora - the latin for pray and work.

This manifested itself in the colors and the spaces being understated and toned down.

Michael says the stand out moment of the project for him was former Abbess of Kylemore Abbey, Sr Maire Hickey OSB telling him that I feel at home in the new abbey.

She passed away in the last number of months and the opening of the abbey for the realisation of a lifelong ambition of her.

READ MORE: Mayo priest remembers 60 years of service: 'I came but to serve'

It's a little bit like the original Nokia phone versus the most modern iPhone

It's a little bit like the original Nokia phone versus the most modern iPhone, Michael Horan explains how Irish architecture has just improved and become more sophisticated in the last 10 to 20 years.

This transformation has meant Ireland has caught up with the rest of Europe and makes the nomination so satisfying, as its recognition by your peers.

The contribution that architecture makes to society is not lost on him. He views architecture as an important part of life because people live in architecture, they pray in architecture, they work in architecture, they get educated in architecture and they get better in hospitals, in architecture.

So if you can make someone's life a little bit more enjoyable and have nicer light and nicer views and nicer buildings to live or work or sleep in, well then you're doing a better job. The better you can make the building, the more you're contributing to society.
A historic homecoming could soon be on the cards as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering a personal and symbolic visit to County Mayo, where both his grandparents were born and raised.

Minister Alan Dillon confirmed that early high-level discussions are underway following a meeting in Mayo with Canadian Ambassador Dennis King, raising hopes of a visit to his ancestral roots.

Prime Minister Carney has deep family roots in Ayle, Aughagower, near Westport and it would be an honour to welcome him here. Theres genuine interest in making this happen and I fully support any Government effort to facilitate a visit of this magnitude, said Minister Dillon.

While no official confirmation has been made yet, there is a strong interest in organising a future visit. A visit of this kind would carry huge symbolic significance for the people of Mayo. Im hopeful we can turn that ambition into reality.

The meeting between Minister Dillon and Ambassador King also focused on supercharging Irish-Canadian ties in key areas including trade, enterprise, education and tourism.

READ MORE: Mayo councillors invite Canadian Prime Minister to his ancestral home in Aughagower

We had a dynamic and forward-looking conversation about how we can strengthen bilateral trade under CETA, particularly by helping our businesses diversify export markets in light of ongoing US trade tariffs. Canada is a vital growth market for Irish agriculture, and theres huge potential to ramp up foreign direct investment (FDI) between our two economies, said Minister Dillon.

The pair also explored enhanced collaboration in the education sector, including student exchanges and research partnerships, as well as increasing inward visitor numbers to Ireland through joint tourism efforts, especially where shared heritage can be celebrated.

This meeting marked the beginning of what I hope will be a deeper, long-term partnership with Canada, Minister Dillon concluded. I look forward to working closely with Ambassador King and the Embassy in building this relationship and, hopefully, welcoming Prime Minister Carney to Mayo in the near future.
Aontu TD for Mayo, Paul Lawless, has issued a stark warning over the Governments slow response to strengthening Irelands electricity infrastructure in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.

Speaking in the Dail this week, Deputy Lawless criticised what he described as a "lack of urgency and delivery" in bolstering the national power grid, six months after one of Irelands most severe weather events in recent history.

READ MORE: The big failure was the utilities - Mayo County Council report on Storm Eowyn

Storm Eowyn, which battered the country in January, left hundreds of thousands without power, many of them for extended periods. In Mayo, communities such as Hollymount, Taugheen, and Foxford only recently regained full connectivity.

Storm Eowyn exposed the deep vulnerabilities in our power grid, Lawless told fellow TDs. The people of Mayo know too well the consequences of this fragility. Just last week, a minor summer breeze knocked out electricity in several areas. Its clear that the system remains far too exposed.

Deputy Lawless directly challenged Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, over the status of post-storm resilience measures, highlighting what he described as a concerning gap between government rhetoric and on-the-ground reality.

The Government is great at writing plans and reports, but very poor on delivery, Lawless said. Were six months out from the storm, and were still stuck in survey mode. People dont want another winter resilience memo, they want to know how many kilometres of lines have been cleared and protected.

READ MORE: Mayo residents still without phone lines over 100 days after Storm Eowyn

Central to Lawlesss criticism was the implementation, or lack thereof, of long-established ESB (Electricity Supply Board) guidelines designed to maintain safety clearances between vegetation and power lines.

There are thousands of kilometres of lines with trees growing straight through them, he claimed. Ive spoken to the ESB, and it seems these guidelines arent binding. We need to know exactly what progress has been made. The best time to do this work is now, during the summer months when ground conditions allow for access and clearance.

Despite Government assurances that recovery and prevention efforts are underway, Lawless said constituents continue to report delays and a lack of visible action.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Douglas Karoro has accused political rivals Takesure Chikwamba and Charles Mutukudzi of orchestrating allegations that he stole fertiliser from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), claiming the accusations stem from bitter competition in the Zanu-PF party primaries.Karoro's statement follows the dramatic appearance of Mutukudzi as a State witness in the ongoing case, where Karoro faces charges of diverting agricultural inputs meant for farmers.Speaking outside court, Karoro said the two men were motivated by resentment after failing to defeat him in three consecutive Zanu-PF primary elections for the Mbire constituency parliamentary seatin 2015, 2018, and most recently in 2023. Remarkably, Karoro won the 2023 primary while he was on remand facing the current charges."At the heart of these allegations is nothing but political vendetta," Karoro said. "Chikwamba and Mutukudzi have been bitter since they lost to me repeatedly. They are now trying to use these false accusations to damage my reputation."The rivalry dates back to when Chikwamba was the party's District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Chairperson for Mbire, with Mutukudzi serving as his deputy. According to court testimony, Mutukudzi reported suspicious trucks allegedly linked to Karoro loading fertiliser from the GMB Mushumbi depot, prompting him to file a report with the police. Chikwamba accompanied him during the filing.In court, Mutukudzi acknowledged losing three times to Karoro in the bid to represent Mbire in Parliament but denied any personal bitterness. "It is human nature to want to win every election," he said, maintaining that his actions were motivated by duty and not personal grudges.Karoro's lawyer, Admire Rubaya, questioned Mutukudzi's involvement in the matter, asking why reports of alleged malpractices at GMB would be directed to him when he held no official government role nor had any direct interest.The case continues on Friday before Regional Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa.The outcome of this trial is keenly watched as it could have far-reaching implications not only for Karoro's political career but also on how internal party rivalries in Zimbabwe's ruling party play out in the courts.
As the cost-of-living still looms large in our everyday lives, we all try to cut our cloth to our measure with budgeting and cut-backs.

That's not always doable sometimes however, especially with a young family and school-age children.

Luckily, the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) from the social welfare can help with all the extra expenses that come with it, even if you're employed full-time.

School kids have not broken up for their summer break just yet, but this is a great help for parents and guardians all over Ireland to get ahead of the incoming school year and to prepare everything they'll need, especially if there's more than one child heading to school in September.

READ NEXT: Irish household bills set to increase by 83 to pay for upgrade of country's power system

Eligibility

To qualify for the BSCFA, you must adhere to the following criteria:

You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme

Your household is within the BSCFA income limits

You and each child you are claiming the BSCFA for are resident in Ireland

The child must be aged between 4 and 17 by September 30 in the year you apply

The child must be aged between 18 and 22 and returning to full-time second level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply

Household Income

The BSCFA is means tested which means all of your income and any income from anyone else living in the house will be assessed.

This includes:

Wages

Savings

Property owned

Shares

Weekly income limits are based on how many children are your dependent, see below:

Income limit for one child is 695

756 for two children

818 for three children

The income limit is increased by 62 for every additional child.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Popular children's product from Dealz recalled amid choking fears

Rate of Pay

160 for children aged 4 to 11

285 for children ages 18 to 22

How to Apply

The quickest way to apply is through MyWelfare.ie with the application opened from June until September.

You may receive the payment automatically if you have applied in previous years but if you have not received a notification of the awarded allowance you may need to reapply.

You can find more information here
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, has launched a national campaign to assist local authorities in the on-going recruitment of retained firefighters.

Fire and Rescue Services throughout Ireland have recruited and trained 562 new retained firefighters since September 2023. However, some fire stations still need additional firefighters and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management's (NDFEM) national campaign aims to supports these recruitment efforts and to educate the public on the important role retained firefighters play in their communities.

Launching the campaign, Minister Browne emphasised: Although having other jobs, retained firefighters are fully trained and are there to protect life and property within our communities. Our campaign emphasises the commitment and courage of retained firefighters who often have other full or part-time jobs including mechanics, electricians, parents, retail workers, engineers and factory workers.

They are the people across our communities who are on-call to respond to a range of emergencies. And when the call comes, they are ready to drop whatever they are doing to help protect their community. I would encourage anyone who is interested to check out FireIreland.ie for further details.

READ MORE: Irish household bills set to increase by 83 to pay for upgrade of country's power system

Keith Leonard, Director of the NDFEM added: Retained firefighters play a vital role within their communities and the Fire and Rescue Services around Ireland. They can be called upon to tackle a wide range of emergency situations, often within a short timeframe and are dedicated to serving the communities in which they live. They demonstrate a strong commitment to public safety, devoting their time and effort to serve their communities, often alongside other employment or commitments.

The NDFEM is delighted to launch our national campaign to help bolster the recruitment work that is already being done around the country and to raise awareness of the crucial work done by retained firefighters.

All applicants for the position of retained firefighter must have the ability to respond to the fire station within 5-8 minutes of a call being sent to their pager. In most cases, this will mean being within one mile from the station when providing cover. Retained firefighters are required to be available for calls 24 weeks a year, with an option to be available more frequently on a voluntary basis. It is a paid position.

The NDFEM is also asking employers across Ireland to share the campaign with their employees and to facilitate any application made to the Irish Fire Services. As well as helping the community, employing a retained firefighter means having highly trained professionals on site who can assist in the event of an emergency.

Local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of firefighters and many will be hiring in the coming months. Those who are interested are urged to check out FireIreland.ie, get in touch with their local fire station and keep an eye on their local authoritys recruitment page.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The City of Harare (CoH) has been without tar for over a year, forcing municipal workers to patch roads using soil and rubble, a stark indicator of the worsening state of basic service delivery in the capital.Residents and motorists have for months navigated roads riddled with potholes and dust, as the council struggles to maintain residential road networks. The situation has been exacerbated by what the local authority says is insufficient funding from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA).During a recent full council meeting at the Town House, it was revealed that CoH has been unable to purchase tara critical material for proper road repairsdue to garnished accounts restricting its spending.Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume condemned the current state of affairs, highlighting the embarrassment caused by the dusty and deteriorating roads. He said the council's efforts to patch potholes with dust were driven by financial constraints."Right now, I have messages from every government office in town. When they say the road is bad, people are going to pour dust. Everywhere, dust is being poured. We have money from City Parking and ZINARA that is being garnished in our bank accounts without buying tar. Look at the embarrassmentthe whole town is dusty. This is because we are patching potholes using dust," Mafume said.The council depends heavily on remittances from its subsidiary, City Parking, and funds from ZINARA, which are supposed to be allocated for road maintenance. However, these funds have been restricted, limiting the council's capacity to properly service roads.Adding to the woes, the city's procurement department has cited delays in approval of purchases by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) as another obstacle.Meanwhile, Harare Councillor Denford Ngadziore accused council officials of dishonesty and mismanagement, alleging a corrupt system that prioritizes luxury purchases over essential service delivery."The challenge at the city council is that there is a cartel or a system that has to be broken. If we do not do that, we will not succeed. The management at one time bought themselves vehicles without any challenges. The challenge is, if we do not break that [system], we will remain in one place," Ngadziore said.With residents growing increasingly frustrated by the poor road conditions, calls are mounting for urgent reforms and better resource management to restore Harare's crumbling road infrastructure.
by Ray Schultz , June 12, 2025

The Chicago Tribune Guild has condemned a buyout offer to newsroom employees from the Tribunes owner Tribune Publishing.

Buyouts will harm the newspapers mission and hurt our company long-term, the Guild says, according to the rival Chicago Sun-Times. And because of that, they will hurt Chicagoans too.

The Guild adds: The Tribune should focus on building readership by investing in strong coverage that serves the region, not cutting staff to chase a sugar high. This plan is based on greed, not any sort of long-term planning.

Under the current contract, full-time employees who belong to the union will get one week of base pay for every year they have been with the company, with two weeks for the first year.

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The precise buyout offer was unclear at deadline.

Staffers can apply starting June 26, with a July 7 cutoff. Employees taking the offer will leave July 11.

Chicago Tribune Media Group is owned by Alden Global Capital.

In June 2024, employees at several Tribune Publishing newsrooms ratified a two-year contract with Alden Global Capital after five years of negotiations. Some NewsGuild members took part in a 24-hour strike earlier in the year.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 13, 2025

Minnesota lawmakers have passed a bill requiring social media platforms to post conspicuous notices warning users of potential risks to their mental health.

The proposed law hasn't yet been signed by Governor Tim Walz.

If enacted, the measure would require labels to appear every time users access a platform, and remain until the users acknowledge the warnings and opt to proceed.

The labels would have to warn of potential negative mental health impacts of accessing the social media platform, and include information about how to access suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotlines.

The statute will take effect July 1, 2026, if signed into law.

Other states including California and New York are considering similar legislation.

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On the national level, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) and Katie Britt (R-Alabama), last year introduced the Stop the Scroll Act, which would have required social platforms nationwide to inform users every time they access social apps about potential negative mental health impacts.

The legislative initiatives mostly began after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for a warning on social media services.

The mental health crisis among young people is an emergency -- and social media has emerged as an important contributor, Murthy wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times.

It is time to require a surgeon generals warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents, he added.

The tech funded policy group Chamber of Progress criticized the Minnesota bill, arguing it violates the First Amendment.

Imagine if bookstores were forced to post warning labels on their front door that the entire place is dangerous because some books inside are explicit. Thats what this bill does to social media, Chamber of Progress vice president of litigation Kathleen Farley stated Friday.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, June 13, 2025

Yelp is urging a federal appellate court to reconsider its recent decision allowing Texas to continue with a lawsuit over warning labels on so-called crisis pregnancy centers.

In a petition filed Thursday with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Yelp argues that Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit not only violates the First Amendment, but also was brought in bad faith.

Yelp's new petition comes in a dispute dating to September 2023, when Paxton said he intended to sue Yelp for allegedly telling users that crisis pregnancy centers typically provide limited medical services and may not have licensed medical professionals onsite."

(Yelp later revised its notifications to state: Crisis Pregnancy Centers do not offer abortions or referrals to abortion providers.)

Several days after Paxton announced his plan, Yelp asked a federal judge to block the attorney general from proceeding with a lawsuit. The company argued that Paxton sought to target truthful speech fully protected by the First Amendment.

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At around the same time, Paxton sued Yelp in Bastrop County District Court for allegedly violating a state consumer protection law -- the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which outlaws deceptive business practices.

Paxton alleged that Yelp's prior warning labels falsely disparaged crisis pregnancy centers, which, he said, resource centers provide significant care and counseling to pregnant women and commonly provide significant medical services, and have licensed medical professionals onsite.

Paxton separately sought dismissal of Yelp's lawsuit, arguing that Supreme Court precedent prohibits federal judges from interfering with state prosecutions.

U.S. District Court Judge Trina Thompson agreed with Paxton and rejected Yelp's request to prevent him from suing.

She said in a written ruling that even though there are some exceptions to the principle that federal courts can't block state law enforcement actions, Yelp's dispute with Paxton wasn't covered by those exceptions.

Yelp appealed to the 9th Circuit, arguing that Paxton's suit was brought in bad faith, and therefore falls within an exception to the rule prohibiting federal interference with prosecutions.

A three-judge panel of the appellate court ruled against Yelp last month.

Although we emphasize that we do not decide the merits of the Texas action, we cannot conclude that it is so facially meritless as to connote bad faith, Circuit Judge Daniel Bress wrote in an opinion joined by Judges Mark Bennett and Danielle Forrest.

The company is now seeking a new hearing in front of the original three panelists, or a majority of the circuit's 29 judges.

Yelp specifically argues that U.S. District Court Judge Trina Thompson should not have dismissed the lawsuit without allowing it to attempt to prove that Paxton acted in bad faith, and that the appellate panel should not have upheld Thompson's dismissal.

Yelp's evidentiary showing was plainly sufficient to warrant discovery: the dispositive question whether Paxton acted in good faith is at the very least 'controverted,' the company writes.

Yelp provided several reasons why it believes Paxton brought the lawsuit was in bad faith. Among others, the company says the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act only covers commercial speech, and that Yelp's warning labels were unequivocally not commercial speech.

The company also said Paxton brought charges without first investigating whether any Texans were misled by the labels.
This led to film bodies like Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) banning Pakistani artistes from working in Indian films. These included the likes of Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir , Mawra Hocane, Ali Zafar etc.

Post the Pahalgam Terror Attack that led to Indias success Operation Sindoor against terrorists in Pakistan, a number of celebs from the neighbouring country criticised India while praising the Pakistani army.

 White Hill Studios

The film is up for June 27, 2025, release and head of the same, FWICE has written a letter to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) urging them to not give a release certificate to the Punjabi film.

In a statement, FWICE president BN Tiwari condemned Diljit and said, If Diljit Dosanjh or any other artist continues to act like this, an action will not just be taken against their film but against them as well. They will be accused of non-cooperation. We have no place for traitors. The film industry cannot support people who are against this country. We need to stop people who are sitting in India but are helping others. We are getting multiple names. They will be ousted from the industry if they do not work for the betterment of the country.

In a letter to CBFC, FWICE wrote, In light of recent directives issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B Ministry), prohibiting Pakistani-origin content and collaboration with Pakistani artistes in Indian productions, and the parallel stance adopted by FWICE, we urge CBFC to align with these directives and national interest considerations before proceeding with certification. We appreciate CBFC's impartial and rigorous certification process and trust that you will give due consideration to this request.

BJP Chitrapat Kamgar Aghaadi also expressed their discontent over the upcoming film in a statement that read, We strongly oppose any Pakistani artiste being associated with Indian cinema. It is the demand of the BJP Chitrapat Kamgar Union that Sardaarji 3 should not be allowed to receive a censor certificate. his is not just a political issueit is about national sentiment and the dignity of our country.

Besides Hania Aamir, the film reportedly also stars other Pakistani artistes like Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A police officer stationed at Zengeza Police Station in Harare, Edson Nangwani, appeared in court this week facing charges of criminal abuse of office and extortion after allegedly accepting a US$40 bribe to release a theft suspect.Nangwani was caught red-handed with marked trap money following a carefully orchestrated operation by the Police Anti-Corruption Unit (PACU).The case stems from an incident on June 7, 2025, when Tatenda Tichareva was arrested for allegedly possessing a stolen Samsung Galaxy A04E smartphone. On the same day, Tichareva's friend, Vincent Joni, approached the investigating officer, Nangwani, seeking clarity on the case.According to the prosecution, instead of providing a professional explanation, Nangwani demanded US$200 to secure the suspect's release and have the matter shelved.Joni reported the bribe demand to PACU, prompting an undercover operation. On June 9, PACU detectives accompanied Joni back to Zengeza Police Station, where Nangwani directed him first to Office G13 and then to Office G16 for the transaction.Under surveillance, Joni handed over US$40 in marked bills  including a US$20 note (serial PH50115833C) and two US$10 notes (serials PK45658296B and PB36416637E). Nangwani accepted the cash inside Office G16, unaware that detectives were watching.He was immediately arrested with the trap money in his left hand.Nangwani was granted US$100 bail and is expected to return to court in two weeks to be furnished with a trial date.The case highlights ongoing efforts by PACU to root out corruption within the Zimbabwe Republic Police and restore public confidence in law enforcement.
The Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London carrying 242 passengers including 12 crew members crashed seconds after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

The flight crashed into BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, killing five students and injuring many.

Soon after the plane crash, a number of Bollywood celebs expressed shock and prayed for the victims and their families.

Actor Vikrant Massey too took to his Instagram stories and shared that the first officer on the flight was his uncles son.

His note read, My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today. It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the first officer operating on that fateful flight. May god give strength to you and your family, uncle and to all deeply affected.

Check out the screenshot of his Instagram story below:
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Is it wise to have a minister of Public Safety who has to recuse himself from files related to banned terrorist groups? The obvious answer is no, thats an untenable position and shouldnt be allowed to happen.

Welcome to Canada in 2025, though, where Gary Anandasangaree is the minister in charge of the terrorism file but has to step out of the room for any decisions related to two banned terror groups. As first reported by Global, Anandasangaree cant be part of decisions on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or the World Tamil Movement (WTM).

The LTTE, or Tamil Tigers, were part of a deadly civil war in Sri Lanka, engaging in assassinations and suicide attacks. The World Tamil Movement was a group set up in the 1980s to serve Torontos large and growing Tamil community but was designated a terrorist group by the federal government for their funding of the LTTE.

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Why did Anandasangaree recuse himself? Thats unclear, to be honest. He was asked about this by Conservative MP Frank Caputo in the House of Commons on Thursday but didnt offer much in the way of detail.

In all national security decisions, my utmost concern is that of the safety of Canadians, Anandasangaree said.

I will support law enforcement and national security agencies who do their work impartially and effectively.

Thats a boring boilerplate answer that doesnt tell us much. Neither does the second half of his answer.

In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked the public safety officials to implement a screen on national security issues relating to the Tamil community, he added.

If Anandasangaree has no ties to the LTTE or WTM, there should be no need to recuse himself from decisions about these organizations. Simply being Tamil, as Gary Anandasangaree is, doesnt mean he cant make informed decisions.

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Of course, if the Carney government were looking to lift the terrorist designation on the LTTE and WTM, having a minister of Public Safety who was born in Sri Lanka and is Tamil could have a bad look.

Is that the reason for Anandasangaree to declare that he wont take part in decisions about these groups?

Its an idea that has been pushed by many in the Tamil community for years, noting that the civil war ended in 2009 with the defeat of the Tigers. In April 2022 while campaigning for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he would lift the ban if elected.

It would be a foolish move for Prime Minister Mark Carney to make but in keeping with a longstanding tradition for Liberals that winning over votes of specific ethnic groups is what really matters.

Another possibility is the allegation that Anandasangaree has ties to the LTTE.

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That allegation was made back in 2014 as Anandasangaree was seeking the Liberal nomination in Scarborough-Rouge Park. Stories from diaspora media stated as fact, repeatedly, that Anandasangaree was part of the Tamil Tigers network.

Many of those stories were posted to the website of the Sri Lankan governments Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are still available there.

Thats not proof that Anandasangaree is or was part of the Tigers, nomination races can be nasty affairs and in ethnic diaspora politics, this is especially true. It is equally true that Anandasangaree has to answer more questions on this front and that the Sri Lankan governments actions should also be called into question.

Questions about this matter sent to Anandasangarees office on Thursday resulted in a one-line response regarding LTTE involvement.

That statement is categorically false, said spokesperson Alice Hansen.

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Questions to Carneys office about having a minister of Public Safety having to recuse himself and facing allegations on a Sri Lankan government website were met with bland, general statements.

Minister Anandasangaree has been a lifelong advocate for his community to ensure it is supported and represented. He has made clear that his utmost concern in all national security decisions is the safety of Canadians, said the reply.

That doesnt quite seem good enough, transparent enough.

Either Anandasangaree can do his job fully, or he should be replaced.

blilley@postmedia.com
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to take steps to encourage troops to consider being part of the agencies that handle immigration enforcement and border security though a new policy unveiled Thursday.

In a memo made public Thursday, Hegseth ordered the Pentagon to "prioritize and broadly advertise" opportunities troops who are nearing separation or retirement from the military have with either Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of its SkillBridge program.

SkillBridge is a program that is intended to allow troops to take part in real-world job experience while in their final 180 days of military service. The idea behind the program is that it enables a smoother transition to civilian life and allows troops to be more competitive in their chosen industries or fields.

Read Next: Army Officials Pushed Back on Pop-Up MAGA Shop Ahead of Fort Bragg Trump Speech

"Recognizing the importance of leveraging talent and furthering our commitment to work with DHS [Department of Homeland Security], the department is expanding opportunities for transitioning service members to support southern border activities," Hegseth wrote in his memo, which was signed two weeks ago.

While troops have long had access to SkillBridge opportunities with CBP and ICE, the new policy would give those agencies greater emphasis, and commanders are encouraged to approve requests to work with either agency "to the maximum extent possible."

SkillBridge is a training program with no explicit promise of a job after a service member gets out of the military, but there is also a broad understanding that it is meant to act as a gateway to a position with the chosen company or agency.

A defense official told Military.com on Thursday that the current training opportunities with DHS include jobs like paralegal, program management and intelligence research specialists. The official added that none of the training opportunities includes law enforcement at this time.

Top Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the move "an exceptional opportunity to ensure the best of America can continue to serve and defend their country."

The move is just the latest push that Hegseth has made to enable the military to more closely support the Trump administration's growing emphasis on security on the southern border and deportations of people they claim to be in the country illegally.

Nearly two weeks ago, Parnell also announced that Hegseth signed a memo that allowed Pentagon civilians to be detailed to the Department of Homeland Security -- the agency that oversees both CBP and ICE -- to better support "border security efforts, as well as interior immigration enforcement."

The defense official said that, while the civilian effort is still being worked out with DHS, the military branches can begin prioritizing troops taking advantage of SkillBridge immediately.

The memos are now two moves the Trump administration has made to more closely integrate the military with law enforcement as a way to expedite the widespread removal of immigrants on American soil, a move deemed alarming by legal and military experts.

Mark Nevitt, an associate professor at Emory University School of Law, said it was "odd" that Hegseth would put this memo out and that it raises a multitude of questions as it relates to integrating the military with immigration enforcement.

"What capacity are they working through SkillBridge?" Nevitt said to Military.com in an interview Thursday. "Hopefully, there's some sort of deep, deep, deep thought being put into that. And if the military member is still on an active-duty status, you would hope that they're very limited in what they're doing with SkillBridge other than more observing."

The announced deployments of the National Guard and Marines to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents amid protests in Los Angeles this week mark another mixture of those two agencies. Active-duty military forces are not allowed to conduct law enforcement activities under the Posse Comitatus Act, but the Trump administration has worked to push those legal boundaries.

Although Guardsmen in Los Angeles have been pictured doing traditional law enforcement-related tasks, like carrying riot shields and securing perimeters behind police tape, U.S. Northern Command has claimed on social media that troops "are not conducting civilian law enforcement activities."

Nevitt said another recent trend is that National Guard units, such as those in Texas and Florida, have partnered under "287g" Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreements, which allow them to perform certain immigration officer-type actions while under state orders.

"SkillBridge is part of this larger integration, and there's just a strong, strong desire in this administration to use every tool at their disposal to enforce immigration law," Nevitt said.

Related: Hegseth Suggests LA-Style Troop Deployments Could Happen Anywhere in US 'if Necessary'
Army vehicle and aircrews were hard at work this week preparing for a massive military parade Saturday to honor the 250th anniversary of the service's founding, a celebration that coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Thousands of soldiers have descended upon Washington, D.C., from more than a dozen Army divisions across the force, and many of them have meticulously prepared their machines to roll down Constitution Avenue. They have also planned for contingencies in the event of a breakdown, inclement weather or disruptors.

The festivities are estimated to cost as much as $45 million, which Trump said was "peanuts compared to the value of doing it" in an interview last month. The Army has pitched the parade as an opportunity to better connect with the American public, recruit potential soldiers and share its service heritage.

Read Next: One Soldier Dead, Another Injured in Fort Campbell Helicopter Training Crash

But national events this week have overshadowed the parade, with Trump deploying 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles in the face of protests about his administration's increasingly aggressive immigration raids and over the objections of the California governor and LA mayor. Trump's invective-laced political speech to Army soldiers at Fort Bragg this week also sparked widespread concerns over a splintering of the military's apolitical nature.

And the parade itself risks other potential pitfalls, with limited strategic benefits, experts said. The optics of a broken-down tank or other disruption of the procession in the nation's capital could cause an international spectacle.

"I don't see a lot of strategic upside to this," said Yvonne Chiu, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who focuses on defense and authoritarianism. "From the outside, it's a chance to show off the Army, show off its capability, [but] it's unclear to me that the United States really needs to do that."

Alex Plitsas, a fellow with the Atlantic Council, said he didn't "see any value in terms of projection of power or anything else," and both agreed that adversaries and partners are already well aware of the U.S. military's power and capabilities expected to be shown during the parade.

About 150 tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Strykers, Paladins and other vehicles will pass in front of the White House, where Trump will receive an American flag from the Army's Golden Knights parachute team after they descend on to the Ellipse. Dozens of aircraft of many stripes, from the UH-60 Black Hawk to the P-51 Mustang will buzz across the sky -- in some cases, a few hundred feet off the ground -- and soldiers in period uniforms will march alongside military working animals.

The festivities have grown in size and scope in the last few months. There are an untold number of factors that top brass to junior troops have had to quickly wrangle, and subsequently an equal number of things that could go awry, small or big.

In parades held by other countries, those usually led by authoritarian regimes, breakdowns along a parade route become instant fodder for international ridicule. During a rehearsal for a 2015 Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia's then-new T-14 Armata battle tank temporarily stopped on Red Square as others rolled on, requiring a tow to be called out before it eventually continued under its own power, for example.

If something similar happens Saturday, adversaries such as Russia, North Korea, China or Iran could use it as "propaganda to denigrate the military," Plitsas said, adding that it would present an opportunity for those countries to claim the U.S. military is not as strong as it says it is and "it's all sort of a facade."

A man passes by a military helicopter parked on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

All of the crews Military.com spoke to this week were confident in their equipment's ability to perform during the parade. Many of those vehicles have a reputation as temperamental fuel hogs, but given the global intrigue, the most reliable vehicles were likely selected.

A former armor officer told Military.com that, if it were them participating in the parade, breaking down would constitute a "worst fear" type scenario. A collision would also be bad, they said, but the vehicles are expected to drive slowly.

"That's probably why you don't see these very often, because it's so visible," they said. "If something goes wrong, it looks really ugly for the Army and it undercuts your legitimacy."

"I think that it ends up being kind of high-risk," they added, noting they would be conscious of the optics. "I'm sure that their leadership has impressed that upon them that the [preventative maintenance checks and services] that [they're] doing from three months out until every day until the event is because this is a global event and has attention."

Crews on the M1A2 Abrams, Bradleys, Strykers and Paladins have been conducting preventative maintenance checks and services every day since they arrived, instead of the traditional "motorpool Monday" once a week, Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, a spokesperson for III Armored Corps out of Fort Cavazos, Texas, told Military.com on Wednesday.

"We have taken a lot of steps to make sure nothing breaks down," he said when asked about the strategic risk of a breakdown. "We are feeling extremely confident. It starts, it's rolling, it's not going to stop."

Sgt. Jesse Sattler, a tank gunner who will be participating in the parade Saturday, said that his crew's tank recently came out of full services -- an in-depth check by a mechanic team -- and that they replaced the track pads to help mitigate damage to the road and some road wheels, and applied a fresh coat of green paint (no nicknames on the gun tubes), among other tasks. The Army Corps of Engineers installed metal plates at pivot points along the route to help prevent damage to the roads.

"We're not too concerned about any of our tanks breaking down since they just came out of services and they're really well maintained tanks," said 1st Lt. Kaessey Thompson, a platoon leader and tank commander.

But like any mission, the service has planned for maintenance troubles should they occur: Multiple M88 Hercules and other recovery vehicles will be on standby; roughly a dozen civilian experts were dispatched to the nation's capital to offer their services; contact trucks with parts and fluids are at the ready; recovery plans are established with several crews saying that they have rehearsed those plans; and no one is expecting to "throw track."

Seen through security fencing, Army Sgt. Chase Beasley, left, and Army Spc. Steven Holmes, right, sit-in on a game of softball with congressional staffers on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Still, "that is definitely a concern if that were to happen," Plitsas said, referring generally to a breakdown. "It's the equipment version of the guy on parade detail who locks out his knees and ends up passing out in formation, which always ends up on the internet making viral rounds. This time, it's tech."

Chiu said adversarial countries would likely use it as an opportunity to denigrate the U.S. military. But she said she wasn't "too concerned about that sticking as a criticism" and expected that "the American public is going to be pretty forgiving about that" if it were to happen.

"There's plenty of criticism being lobbed at the United States already in the global arena that this one thing in and of itself is not going to make or break the U.S. reputation," she added.

Meanwhile, protests are expected to kick off in hundreds of cities across the country on Saturday, including Washington, D.C. Combined with the Army expecting hundreds of thousands of parade attendees, roads will be crowded.

Vehicle crews will have their heads out of their hatches during the parade, and vehicles will vary incrementally by type along the parade route. Sattler told Military.com that if a protester attempted to block their path, there's a plan for that too.

"Safety is a big priority out there. We don't need any incidents, so at all costs, if anything happens where a person may come into the parade field, it's [an] immediate stop the vehicle and allow the civilian authorities to take care of the matter," he said.

Even weather could be a factor. Forecasts for Saturday showed potential thunderstorms, rain and lightning, but it was unclear whether those conditions would be isolated.

Inclement weather isn't expected to cancel the presentation of the ground vehicles, but aircrews said they're monitoring the weather closely as they conduct their own helicopter maintenance.

"We're going to make sure that we stay safe and stay clear of the other aircraft so that all of us can go home to our families," said Capt. Colton Curry, an AH-64 Apache pilot. Of the weather, he added, "there's some hard and fast rules that go into it; ultimately, it comes down to the safety of the aircrew, so we're not going to do anything that is going to jeopardize the safety of the flight."

Related: Army Birthday Celebration Falls in Shadow of LA Military Deployment, Immigration Policy Protests
Two aspects of a sweeping bill to enact President Donald Trump's agenda that alarmed veterans and military family advocates have been watered down by Senate Republicans, but another change to the bill could make it harder for veterans to get food assistance.

The education policy portion of the bill released by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP, Committee this week does not include a provision that was in the House version of the bill that veterans groups had warned could allow for-profit schools to take advantage of veterans' GI Bill benefits.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans have pared down a plan to cut food benefits that many veterans and military families rely on. But anti-hunger advocates maintain that, despite being less drastic than the House plan, the Senate's version could still devastate the food benefits program. Further, the Senate bill would not exempt veterans from work requirements for the benefits, potentially reversing a change made just a couple years ago.

Read Next: The Army Parade Poses Potential Pitfalls like a Tank Breakdown. Soldiers Say They're Prepared.

"It's a little better, but it's still really bad," Liza Lieberman, vice president of public affairs at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, said about the Senate's food benefits proposal, adding that cuts are still "sure to" hurt military families and veterans.

At issue is what's been dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a smorgasbord of GOP priorities on everything from taxes to health care to border policy.

The House passed the bill last month, but it is now working its way through the Senate, where Republicans have a loose goal of passing it before July 4.

The House version of the bill included a provision that would repeal what's known as the 90/10 rule, which limits how much of a for-profit school's revenue can come from federal student aid.

Previously, a loophole in the rule incentivized shady for-profit schools to take advantage of veterans for their GI Bill benefits. Congress passed a law to close the loophole in 2021, and the law was fully implemented in 2023 to bipartisan cheers.

Still, some Republicans maintained the 90/10 rule as a whole unfairly singles out for-profit schools. Repealing it in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, House Republicans argued, would expand educational opportunities by treating all types of schools the same.

But veterans groups sounded the alarm about the potential repeal and the possibility of scam schools once again being free to target veterans, including in a letter to Congress late last month signed by 32 organizations.

"We are very grateful to [Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill] Cassidy for listening to veterans and holding the line on 90/10 and some other key provisions," Carrie Wofford, president of Veterans Education Success, said in an emailed statement to Military.com after the Senate bill text was released. "We look forward to continuing to work with the committee on the legislation."

The White House, which in May told Military.com that "it is a paternalistic mindset to posit that the government should decide how veterans use the benefits they earned," did not address the Senate's decision to keep the 90/10 rule alive when asked Friday about that and other changes to the bill.

Meanwhile, the Senate Agriculture Committee is proposing somewhat less drastic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, than the House. The SNAP program is often referred to as food stamps.

"This bill takes a common-sense approach to reforming SNAP -- cutting waste, increasing state accountability, and helping recipients transition to self-sufficiency through work and training. It's about being good stewards of taxpayer dollars while giving folks the tools to succeed," committee Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said in a statement this week.

The House's proposal included a steep cut to federal funding for SNAP and a requirement that states make up the difference. A Congressional Budget Office report released after the House passed the bill estimated that "states collectively would reduce or eliminate benefits for about 1.3 million people in an average month" because of the House cost-sharing plan.

SNAP is a lifeline for many military families, which face food insecurity at higher rates than the civilian population. About 1.2 million veterans are also estimated to be on SNAP.

The House plan would "lead to longer lines at food pantries and charitable services -- including those operating on or near military bases and veteran support centers -- across the country who cannot meet growing needs," 16 military, veterans and anti-hunger groups wrote in a letter to senators this week prior to the Senate bill text being released.

The Senate bill still includes a state cost-sharing plan, but would require states to pay less than the House bill would. Whereas the House bill would require every state to pay at least 5% of benefits costs, the Senate bill would not require states to pay anything unless their so-called error rate is more than 6%.

The error rate is how often states make overpayments or underpayments. In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, just seven states had error rates under 6%.

Further, while the House bill would make states with higher error rates pay as much as 25% of benefits costs, the Senate bill would cap state contributions at 15% of costs.

"We do expect that big concern of state burdens and state cost share being detrimental to all SNAP recipients in some way, or recipients in every state and every congressional district," said Lieberman of MAZON.

The Senate bill also does not include veterans in its list of exemptions for work requirements to receive SNAP benefits. All veterans, regardless of their discharge or disability status, were exempted from work requirements for SNAP in a law passed in 2023.

The House bill would extend that exemption for veterans, and Republicans and the Trump administration repeatedly pointed to the exemption as they swatted away Democratic criticism of the SNAP cuts.

"Veterans are exempt from the SNAP work requirements. They're not included in these issues," VA Secretary Doug Collins said at a House hearing last month when asked about the cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill.

A spokesperson for the Senate Agriculture Committee told Military.com on Friday that it dropped the veterans exemption from its version of the bill because "we're aiming to encourage greater independence through work and training opportunities."

The White House previously insisted to Military.com that the House plan is aimed at "strengthening SNAP for Americans who need it -- especially military families." White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson reiterated Friday that the bill "strengthens SNAP for all American families," but did not directly address the cost-sharing plan or veterans being excluded from work requirement exemptions.

The whole bill, Lieberman said, "is being done in a way that is going to have real, real harm on real people, millions of real people, including military families and veterans."

Related: GOP's 'Big Beautiful' Bill with $8.5 Billion for Military Quality-of-Life Boost Passes House
Since immigration agents detained his wife in New Orleans last month, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran has ferried the couple's 9-week-old daughter to a north Louisiana detention facility so she can nurse and visit her mother while the family waits to learn if she will be deported.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Paola Clouatre, of Baton Rouge, after a U.S. Customs and Immigration Services check-in last month that she attended with her husband in New Orleans, according to the family's attorney.

The case highlights how the Trump administration's immigration crackdown is increasingly being driven by arrests at immigration check-ins and court hearings. Officials historically shied away from such operations over concerns they could deter migrants from participating in the court process.

Clouatre, 25, entered the United States from Mexico with her mother when she was 14, said Carey Holliday, an attorney and former immigration judge who represents the family. Holliday said Clouatre's mother had applied for asylum upon her arrival with her daughter from Mexico. But she failed to arrive for a 2018 trial on the asylum claim, prompting a judge to issue a deportation order for Clouatre as well as her mother.

Clouatre and her husband, Adrian Clouatre, learned of the deportation order a few days before she was summoned to the USCIS appointment in New Orleans on May 27, Holliday said.

Holliday said the couple was open during the appointment about Paola Clouatre's immigration status and their attempts to secure her a green card. Afterward, he said, ICE agents arrived and detained Clouatre.

She remains in custody at the Richwood Correctional Center in Monroe as the family awaits a judge's ruling on a request to halt her deportation.

Holliday said he has not been granted access to the woman's court records and that the family has struggled to gather information from immigration officials. An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the case.

Trump has pressured federal officials to speed up deportations, leading ICE officials and Department of Homeland Security prosecutors to begin coordinating raids outside of courtrooms, according to a report by The New York Times. That trend follows an earlier executive order directing federal agencies, such as the customs office the Clouatres visited, to coordinate with ICE.

Trump has also lifted guardrails that previously barred immigration agents from making arrests inside schools, municipal courts and churches.

Clouatre is not the first person since Trump's term began to be detained in New Orleans at a customs appointment. ICE agents in April arrested Pedro Alejandro Lujan-Martinez, a Honduran man who went with his U.S. citizen wife to a citizenship appointment they had made under a program advertised for undocumented partners of U.S. citizens.

Lujan-Martinez was later charged in federal court with a felony for illegally reentering the country, part of a push by the Trump Justice Department to further penalize illegal immigration.

ICE agents in May also detained three migrants at a municipal court in Jefferson Parish.

Last week, advocates in downtown New Orleans protested the arrest of a Central American man who they said was detained in late May following a hearing at New Orleans' immigration court.

"Immigration court has become a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation, said Brittnie Grasmick, a New Orleans-based activist.

The Clouatres met in California while Adrian, a Louisiana native, was serving there in the Marine Corps. They recently moved back to Baton Rouge, where Adrian Clouatre manages a local restaurant.

The couple has two children -- a one-year-old boy and the nine-week-old girl.

 2025 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La..

Visit www.theadvocate.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Keith Smith's wish was to help other Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange.

The Independence native served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam until July 1, 1970. He returned to Iowa and married his wife, Linda.

Together, they made their home in rural Independence where Keith farmed, and the couple raised three sons, according to his obituary.

Keith, 73, died in August of 2021 from glioblastoma, an aggressive and fast-growing brain tumor, presumed to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.

Federal legislation signed into law in 2022 expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service. But while the PACT Act includes glioblastoma as a presumptive condition related to burn pit exposure, it's not included for Agent Orange exposure.

Currently, veterans who served in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia or other locations during the war -- or in certain related jobs -- who may have had contact with Agent Orange are eligible for disability compensation based on presumptive conditions that include certain cancers, Type 2 diabetes and other illnesses.

Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson recently joined Florida Democratic U.S. Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to introduce legislation named in Keith's honor that would add glioblastoma to the list of presumptive conditions covered under the PACT Act related to Agent Orange exposure to ensure that Vietnam War veterans exposed to the toxic compound and diagnosed with the cancerous brain tumor also can access benefits.

"Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith ... served our country with pride and honor, but under the current PACT Act, he was still unable to receive the health care he deserved," Hinson posted on social media. "I'm humbled to co-lead this bipartisan effort to update the law and ensure all veterans have access to the highest quality care."

Hinson, who was unavailable for comment, said in a statement she was inspired to introduce the legislation after receiving a letter from Smith's widow.

Linda Smith, of Independence, declined to speak with The Gazette about her husband and the legislation.

In a statement provided by Hinson's office, Linda Smith said: "This was Keith's wish  to help other Vietnam veterans affected by Agent Orange. Adding glioblastoma to the list of presumptive conditions as part of the PACT Act would help fulfill that wish."

What Is Agent Orange?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified Agent Orange as a potential carcinogen due to its primary contaminant, dioxin, which is a known human carcinogen. The EPA's classification is based on studies linking dioxin to various cancers, including soft-tissue sarcoma, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, lung and prostate cancer.

The chemical herbicide was used by the U.S. Military to clear plants and trees that enemy troops hid behind in the jungles of Vietnam and to clear out areas around U.S. positions. It was named for the orange band around the storage barrel.

What Is the PACT Act?

The PACT Act covers veterans who participated in toxic exposure risk activities, were stationed in certain locations during specific periods, or have served in wars and conflict zones.

Hinson's bill would make it easier for veterans to receive disability benefits. By adding glioblastoma to other medical conditions the federal government presumes to have been caused by military service, veterans who meet the service requirements for a presumptive condition will no longer have to provide evidence showing a direct connection between their condition and their time in service. The VA would automatically assume the service connection.

Veterans would still have to provide medical records showing their diagnosis and severity of the condition, and military records to show they served in Vietnam or other locations during the period of Agent Orange use.

The PACT Act also provides benefits to survivors of veterans who died from service-connected disabilities, including monthly compensation and one-time payments.

The bill is supported by veteran advocacy groups.

"Ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they have earned remains a top priority for me," Hinson said in a statement. "I was proud to support the PACT Act to expand access to care for those exposed to toxic substances, but more work remains. ... Naming this bill in SP4 Smith's honor is a deserving tribute to his life and service, and an opportunity for Iowans and all Americans to help save lives while honoring one of our own."

 2025 The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa).

Visit thegazette.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SAN FRANCISCO -- In a late-night order Thursday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused a court order that would have required President Donald Trump to return control of the thousands of California National Guard troops in Los Angeles to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The 9th Circuit's emergency stay came hours after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer of San Francisco ruled that Trump broke the law when he mobilized thousands of Guard members amid protests over immigration raids, and must return the troops to state control by noon Friday.

A three-judge panel on the 9th Circuit, including two judges appointed by Trump and one by President Joe Biden, scheduled a Tuesday hearing in the case, meaning the National Guard will remain federalized through the weekend.

In a 36-page U.S. District court decision, Breyer wrote that Trump's actions "were illegal -- both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution." Breyer added that he was "troubled by the implication" inherent in the Trump administration's argument that "protest against the federal government, a core civil liberty protected by the First Amendment, can justify a finding of rebellion."

Newsom, who filed the lawsuit along with the state of California, called the ruling "a win for all Americans."

"Today was really about the test of democracy, and today we passed the test," Newsom told reporters in a building that houses the California Supreme Court in San Francisco.

The ruling, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told reporters, is "a critical early indication that upon quick review of the facts of our case, the court sees the merits of our argument."

"We aren't in the throes of a rebellion," Bonta said. "We are not under threat of an invasion. Nothing is preventing the federal government from enforcing federal law. The situation in Los Angeles last weekend didn't warrant the deployment of military troops, and their arrival only inflamed the situation."

The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal in the case late Thursday.

During the hearing with Breyer, the judge seemed skeptical of the Justice Department's argument that courts could not question the president's judgment on key legal issues, including whether the protests and unrest in Los Angeles constituted either "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion."

"We're talking about the president exercising his authority, and of course, the president is limited in his authority," Breyer said. "That's the difference between the president and King George."

Trump and the White House have argued that the military mobilization is legal under Section 12406 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code on Armed Forces, which gives the president the authority to federalize the National Guard if there is "a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States."

"The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of 'rebellion,'" Breyer wrote. There were instances of violence, he said, but the Trump administration did not identify "a violent, armed, organized, open and avowed uprising against the government as a whole."

"The evidence is overwhelming that protesters gathered to protest a single issue -- the immigration raids," Breyer wrote.

Title 10 also requires that orders from the president "be issued through the governors of the States."

As governor, Newsom is the commander in chief of the California National Guard. Last Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent a memo to the head of the California Guard to mobilize nearly 2,000 members, who then sent the memo to Newsom's office, the state's complaint said. Neither Newsom nor his office consented to the mobilization, the lawsuit said.

Newsom wrote to Hegseth on Sunday, asking him to rescind the troop deployment. The letter said the mobilization was "a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation, while simultaneously depriving the state from deploying these personnel and resources where they are truly required."

"I'm trying to figure out how something is 'through' somebody, if in fact you didn't send it to him," Breyer asked. "As long as he gets a copy of it at some point, it's going through?"

Breyer was less willing, however, to engage in the legality of Trump's deployment of U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. Attorneys for California noted that 140 Marines were scheduled to relieve and replace Guardsmen over the next 24 hours.

Protests emerged across Los Angeles on Friday in response to a series of flash raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents across the county. A handful of agitators among the protesters committed violence and vandalism, prompting Trump to quickly deploy the California National Guard to respond. He added active-duty Marines to the operation Monday. Protests, and some sporadic violent rioting, have continued since the deployments.

Trump has said that the mobilization was necessary to "deal with the violent, instigated riots," and that without the National Guard, "Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated."

Breyer said that the Trump administration had identified "some stray violent incidents relating to the protests," and from there, he said, "boldly claim that state and local officials were 'unable to bring rioters under control.'"

"It is not the federal government's place in our constitutional system to take over a state's police power whenever it is dissatisfied with how vigorously or quickly the state is enforcing its own laws," Breyer wrote.

The attorneys general from 18 other states, as well as Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein-Soto, supported California's position in the case.

(Wilner reported from Washington, D.C., Wong from San Francisco and Nelson from Los Angeles.)

 2025 Los Angeles Times.

Visit at latimes.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Staffing shortages continue to plague the U.S. military's flagship hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, leading to the disruption of services this month in the nephrology infusion clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

A Walter Reed spokeswoman said Thursday that two nurses at the clinic, which provides infusion services for kidney, some gastroenterology and other department patients, went on emergency leave, forcing hospital leaders to shift staff from other areas of the hospital to support clinic operations.

Ricardo Reyes, a public affairs officer at Walter Reed, said no appointments were canceled and "all patients scheduled for this week have been rescheduled."

Read Next: The Army Parade Poses Potential Pitfalls like a Tank Breakdown. Soldiers Say They're Prepared.

A patient said that late last week they were notified by staff that the clinic would be closed for two weeks and told to make alternate arrangements.

The patient said they were shifted to Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, which also has a limited number of staff to support infusions and is a 90-minute drive during most times of the day from Walter Reed.

"We are working to make sure next week's scheduled patients are covered," Reyes said in an email to Military.com on Wednesday. "This is a temporary situation, and we expect to be back to normal operations later this month."

An April 2024 Defense Department report to Congress said that the facility was staffed at just 79% of its authorized number of personnel, with nurses having the lowest staffing rate at 68%.

To address the issue, the Defense Health Agency launched an effort with the medical commands of the military services to develop a Human Capital Distribution Plan, or HCDP, to determine the requirements at all medical and dental facilities to ensure that the facilities were adequately supported by military personnel as well as civilian and contract staff.

In its report to Congress on Walter Reed, Defense Health Agency officials said the HCDP would give the facility the means to fill its empty jobs.

"The HCDP ... will provide Military Health System leaders a way, and the means, to provide military and civil service authorizations filled by the right person, at the time they are needed, achieving great outcomes for our beneficiaries," the report stated.

The Defense Department awarded contracts worth up to $43 billion in May 2024 to 11 health care staffing companies to provide contract medical staff as well as support at military treatment facilities and other federal hospitals and clinics in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

According to the Defense Health Agency, under the agreements, known as the Medical Q-Coded Support and Services Next Generation contracts, the companies are to provide dental, nursing, physician and medical support staff to augment DoD civilian employees and military personnel at those hospitals and clinics.

Last year, Karen Ruedisueli, director of government relations for health affairs at the Military Officers Association of America, noted that staffing shortfalls at Walter Reed "could reverberate" across the military health system because not only is it considered a premier medical center, it is responsible for training the next generation of military doctors, with 53 graduate medical programs for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"MOAA supports the DoD's revised strategy to stabilize the military health system and improve MTF [military treatment facilities] staffing so MHS [the military health system] can fulfill both readiness and beneficiary care missions," Ruedisueli wrote.

In an opinion piece published earlier this month, acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Stephen Ferrara pledged to work with department leadership to ensure that the military health system has what it needs to serve patients and train physicians.

"Military medicine is a no-fail mission. I'm confident that our success will continue to reinforce the strength that sustains the peace. But should the peace be broken ... our preparation will ensure we break the Walker Dip streak," Ferrara wrote, referring to the decline in combat medical skills following the end of a period of war.

Walter Reed is undergoing a multiyear renovation and expansion project, with a new five-story, 533,000-square-foot facility that opened this spring to house operating rooms and ambulatory procedure rooms, women's health, the Mother Infant Care Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, dentistry, and dozens of other clinics and services.

A new building, slated to open in 2028, will house optometry, patient transport, the American Red Cross and administrative offices, according to facility officials.

Related: Pentagon's Top Doc Defends Military Health System Budget, Lays Out Plans for Improvements
A female sailor who went missing from a destroyer based in Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia has been found dead, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service announced in a statement earlier this week.

Seaman Angelina Resendiz, a sailor assigned to the USS James E. Williams, went missing around May 30, and a week later missing posters were being distributed as a search for her kicked into full gear. A body was found Monday in a wooded area in Norfolk, and the next day NCIS confirmed it was Resendiz.

Another sailor has been placed in custody in connection with her death, NCIS said.

Read Next: The Marines Are in Los Angeles

Resendiz, 21, was a cook with the Navy and held the rank of seaman at the time of her death, according to records provided by the service. She joined the Navy in August 2023 and reported to the James E. Williams in February 2024.

Resindez made the rank of seaman in February 2025.

Resendiz's mother, Esmerelda Castle, has been critical of the Navy since her daughter went missing. In a statement released on Tuesday, Castle demanded "accountability for oversight that put her life at risk and for mishandling that delayed justice," though the statement offered few specifics on what was mishandled in her daughter's case.

Her statement alleged that Resendiz's "colleagues, friends, and even authorities knew she was missing, but the response was minimal, and after her friends filed a missing person's [sic] report where commander would not."

The NCIS said that agents worked "tirelessly" with Norfolk Police, Virginia State Police, Virginia Search and Rescue, and "numerous other federal and local law enforcement partners" to find the missing sailor.

The NCIS said that charges were pending for the sailor in custody over Resendiz's death, but they did not offer any further details. The sailor in custody was also not identified.

The Virginia medical examiner's office told Military.com on Friday that a cause and manner of death are still pending for Resendiz.

Local television station WTKR reported on Tuesday, citing her family, that the sailor had a history of mental health struggles and investigators told them that there was a period last year when she faced suicidal thoughts.

A GoFundMe set up to benefit Resendiz's mother had raised more than $13,000 as of Friday

The fund said that Castle "hopes to have a protest calling for reform of the U.S. military's treatment of missing women cases."

Related: Navy Fires Admiral Who Ran Office Overseeing Unmanned Systems, Small Ships
New Nonprofit to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a new nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

LawZero, based in Montreal and currently staffed by 15 researchers, has secured nearly $30 million in funding from donors including Skype founding engineer Jaan Tallinn, Schmidt Sciences, Open Philanthropy, and the Future of Life Institute. The organizations core mission is to develop "Scientist AI"  non-agentic systems designed to provide transparent, probabilistic reasoning rather than autonomous behavior.

"We want to build AIs that will be honest and not deceptive," Bengio told the Financial Times. His remarks come amid growing concerns about AI systems exhibiting harmful tendencies such as deception, manipulation, and resistance to shutdown.

Concerns Over Agentic AI

Bengios concerns are not theoretical. In recent controlled experiments, OpenAIs "o3" model refused instructions to shut down, while Anthropics Claude Opus simulated blackmail tactics in a test scenario. More recently, engineers at Replit observed one of their AI agents disobey explicit instructions and attempt to regain unauthorized access via social engineering.

"We are playing with fire," Bengio said, warning that next-generation models could develop strategic intelligence capable of deceiving human overseers. He argues that these agentic systems, designed to act independently, pose existential risks, including the development of bioweapons or efforts to self-preserve against human control.

As AI labs race to build artificial general intelligence (AGI)  systems capable of performing any human-level task  Bengio believes current approaches are flawed. "If we get an AI that gives us the cure for cancer but also one that creates deadly bioweapons, then I don't think it's worth it," he said.

What is "Scientist AI"?

Unlike current models that aim to imitate humans and maximize user satisfaction, LawZeros proposed Scientist AI will emphasize truthfulness and humility, Bengio has said. It will provide probabilistic outputs instead of definitive answers and evaluate the likelihood that an AI agents actions could cause harm. When deployed alongside an autonomous AI agent, the system would block actions deemed too risky, serving as a technical guardrail.

LawZero plans to start by working with open-source AI models, with the goal of scaling the approach through partnerships with governments or other research institutions. Bengio emphasized that any effective safeguard must be "at least as smart" as the agent it monitors.

LawZero, named after Isaac Asimovs "zeroth law of robotics," will explicitly reject profit motives and instead seek public accountability. Bengio believes a combination of technical interventions and government regulation is needed to ensure AI systems remain aligned with human interests.

For more information, visit the LawZero site.
The Texas National Guard is deploying thousands of its troops in response to planned protests of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign and is even scaling down some of its forces at the U.S. southern border at the same time.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday that he had deployed more than 5,000 of the state's National Guardsmen, mirroring President Donald Trump's playbook after he sent thousands of California National Guardsmen, as well as active-duty Marines, to respond to protests in Los Angeles.

"Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump's enforcement of immigration law," Abbott said in a news release.

Read Next: The Marines Are in Los Angeles

Texas and Missouri were the only two states as of Friday afternoon where governors have publicly announced their National Guards will be deployed or called upon to respond or be prepared ahead of nationwide protests scheduled for this weekend. A grassroots series of demonstrations in communities across the U.S., dubbed "No Kings," is aimed at calling attention to the Trump administration's immigration actions, as well as the militarized response to protests in LA this week.

The Texas National Guard surge followed recent protests in Austin, where roughly a dozen demonstrators were arrested and four police officers were injured. As the state adds thousands of Guardsmen on orders, it appears there are some troops being taken off a long-standing border mission at the same time.

The Texas National Guard has continued to play a significant role in Trump's increased military presence along the U.S.-Mexico border through Operation Lone Star, which was launched in 2021. A U.S. defense official told Military.com that in recent days the number of troops on that mission has been reduced from approximately 4,300 to around 3,700 -- a roughly 600-person decrease.

Troops deployed for protest response by Abbott are not on federal orders, the defense official confirmed, meaning the mission is being funded by the Texas government and does not qualify those Guardsmen for expanded federal pay, benefits and legal protections amid potential trouble.

A spokesperson for Abbott's office declined to comment to Military.com on the changing numbers, or whether they were directly tied to the protest deployment in the state, only pointing to the governor's Thursday statement.

Neighboring border states have far different commitments to the southern border mission.

Hank Minitrez, a spokesman for the New Mexico National Guard, said none of the state's Guardsmen were currently supporting operations at the southern border and, likewise, would not be tasked with responding to potential protests planned for a dozen cities throughout the state.

New Mexico's Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday during a news conference that the state would "never militarize the Guard in this way referring to Trump's deployment of troops to LA over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.

The Arizona National Guard has a small number of Guardsmen on the southern border, but there had been no moves to reposition them for any planned protests in the state.

Trump's deployment of the California National Guard in LA despite Newsom's objections -- and an emergency motion filed in court Monday by the governor to stop Trump -- led to swift backlash from Democratic governors across the country.

"It's important we respect the executive authority of our country's governors to manage their National Guards -- and we stand with Gov. Newsom, who has made it clear that violence is unacceptable and that local authorities should be able to do their jobs without the chaos of this federal interference and intimidation," a Thursday statement from the Democratic Governors Association said.

Outside of Texas, as of Friday afternoon, the only other state to publicly announce it was preparing the National Guard to respond to Trump protests was Missouri.

Similar to Abbott, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said "while other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities."

There had not appeared to be any major civil unrest in Missouri leading up to Kehoe's announcement. Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that troop deployments that occurred in response to LA protests could happen anywhere across the country.

The deployment of the military to respond to domestic protests and the Trump administration's increasingly aggressive immigration and deportation operations have raised alarm among defense and legal experts.

Notably, the Texas National Guard partnered with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a 287(g) agreement, which allows them to perform certain immigration enforcement actions while under state orders.

Related: Pentagon Encourages Troops to Join Immigration Enforcement, Border Security Job Training Program
U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iran to accept a nuclear deal to avoid further attacks, hours after Israel bombed the Islamic Republics atomic facilities and killed some of its top commanders.

There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump said on Truth Social. Tehran must make a deal before it is too late, he said.

Israel said it struck around 100 targets across Iranian cities on Friday morning, using 200 planes. The attacks, which Israel has said will likely continue over the coming days, caused oil to surge as much as 13%, though it later pared its gains, and investors to buy havens such as gold and U.S. Treasuries.

Iran quickly responded by sending a wave of drones toward Israel, though it was unclear if they caused any damage. Some were intercepted over Jordan.

Still, Israel expects Iran to retaliate with more drone strikes and also by firing ballistic missiles, according to a military official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Explosions were heard across Tehran, Natanz  home to a key atomic site  and other cities, according to local and social media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the heart of Irans nuclear-enrichment program.

The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, and the militarys chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, were both killed, according to Iranian media. At least two other senior IRGC members also died.

The United Nations atomic watchdog said there were no indications of increased radiation levels at Irans main uranium-enrichment site of Natanz, an early sign the strikes havent penetrated the layers of steel and concrete protecting the Islamic Republics nuclear stockpile.

Still, Netanyahu said the strikes will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Iranian media said at least 95 people were wounded and that several residential buildings in the capitals suburbs were hit. Iran hasnt yet released an official death toll.

Netanyahu said the opening strikes were very successful, adding that Israelis would need to prepare for a retaliation and prepare to spend long periods in shelters.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will pay a very heavy price and should expect a severe response from Irans armed forces.

While Trump said he knew about Israels operations in advance, its unclear if he had much notice. As recently as Thursday hed suggested he was against strikes, saying his administration remained committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table, Trump said to Fox News on Friday.

The U.S. was not involved in Israels strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. Rubio warned Iran against targeting U.S. interests or personnel in retaliation.

The U.S. and Iran were meant to meet for their next round of nuclear talks on Sunday in Oman. Its unclear if those negotiations will still happen. Omans government  in the first comments from a Gulf state  said Israels actions were reckless and would undermine regional security.

Other Arab states echoed those comments, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The U.K.s Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently and said escalation serves no one in the region.

Regional crisis

The attacks on Iran risk plunging the Middle East  which has been mired in various conflicts since militant group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza in October 2023  even deeper into crisis and hitting the global economy.

Risks are high this will escalate into a broader regional conflict, say Bloomberg Economics analysts including Jennifer Welch, Adam Farrar and Tom Orlik. The clearest hit to the global economy will come via higher energy prices, they said.

Iran said its oil refineries and storage tanks werent damaged. Still, Brent crude was up by 8.3% to $75 a barrel as of 10:41 a.m. in London.

Israels alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence, Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. He said Trump and other nations need to push for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.

Republican politicians refrained from criticizing Israel and largely said the country was provoked by Iran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said it was a preemptive strike, with the countrys officials saying they had evidence Iran was planning an attack.

Tehran has repeatedly insisted that its atomic activities are for peaceful, civilian purposes only. But it has significantly expanded uranium enrichment since 2019  a response to Trumps withdrawal the year before from a 2015 nuclear deal signed under Barack Obamas administration.

Efforts by Trump to forge a new deal since he returned to power in January have made stuttering progress. The two sides have struggled to bridge their main dispute. The U.S.  along with Israel  argues that Iran mustnt be allowed to enrich uranium, while Tehran had said it must retain that right. The Islamic Republic says it needs to process uranium, at least to a low level, for civilian purposes such as fueling nuclear power plants.

Iran had ratcheted up tensions on Thursday, when officials announced they would inaugurate a new uranium-enrichment facility. That was after the International Atomic Energy Agency  the United Nations atomic watchdog  said Iran wasnt complying with its international obligations. The IAEAs move set Iran up for a potential renewal of widespread U.N. sanctions.

Shortly before, the U.S. ordered some staff to leave its embassy in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, which neighbors Iran. CBS News reported that was partly down to the U.S. being told Israel was closer to striking Iran.

Tensions between Iran and Israel have soared since Hamas, a Palestinian militant group backed by Tehran, attacked the Jewish state on Oct. 7, 2023.

The two countries engaged in unprecedented, direct missile and drone attacks on each other in April and October last year. Each time, Israel responded to Iranian strikes  most of which were intercepted  with some of its own.

Israel, however, refrained for hitting Irans nuclear facilities, instead concentrating on military targets such as air-defense systems and missile-making factories.

This is the first time Israel has decided to go after Irans atomic facilities, which it views as an existential threat, with airstikes.

___

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The U.S. Navy will host an open house next week to connect with area residents and request permission to sample private drinking water of those who live around the Mechanicsburg base.

The Navy wants to test private wells for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, within its sampling area near Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. The Navy is not interested in testing water of those served by Pennsylvania American Water or Veolia Water Pennsylvania.

The open house will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the West Shore Elks #2257 at 108 N. St. John's Church Road in Hampden Township.

Read Next: Army Officials Pushed Back on Pop-Up MAGA Shop Ahead of Fort Bragg Trump Speech

Although complete results won't be available until next month, preliminary results from the Navy's testing of residential wells around the Hampden Township depot don't indicate an elevated level of chemicals known as PFAS.

At the open house, residents will have the opportunity to check if their property is eligible for free sampling and to schedule a sampling appointment. Residents can also speak to representatives of the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Health and local officials, as well as view information on current environmental work around the base.

The Navy said in a news release Thursday that it is committed to investigating and addressing PFAS concerns across its properties nationwide. For more information, visit the Navy's website or call 800-730-1478. Appointments are being scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. beginning June 17.

Firefighters Fear Forever Chemicals in Safety Gear Could Cause Cancer

Firefighters around the country are concerned that gear laced with the toxic industrial compound PFAS could be one reason why cancer rates among their ranks are rising. The multi-layered coats and pants worn by firefighters have become the latest battleground over PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances. The compound is better known as forever chemicals due to a strong bond that prevents it from breaking down over time. It is found in everything from food packaging to clothing and linked to health problems including several types of cancer. The compound is used in turnout gear to repel water and other substances when fighting a fire.

 2025 The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pa.).

Visit www.cumberlink.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read Next: Pentagon Encourages Troops to Join Immigration Enforcement, Border Security Job Training Program
ROCKWOOD, MI -- An 18-year-old Newport man has been charged after he allegedly made numerous threats toward the Rockwood Police Department. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced Friday she has charged Jason Alexander-David Stacy in connection with the alleged threats.

It is alleged that at 6:50 a.m. on June 11, Stacy called the police department numerous times and made threats of violence toward officers. The Monroe County Sheriffs Department would later apprehend Stacy and turn him over to Rockwood Police that same day.

Stacy was arraigned in 33rd District Court on charges of False Report or Threat of Terrorism, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, and Malicious Use of Telecommunication Services. Bond was set at $500,000 cash and Stacy is due back in court on June 24.
In early June, a jury ruled in favor of five Guatemalan men who accused a Michigan farm labor contractor of violating anti-trafficking laws, wage theft and breaching contract. From left to right, Hervil Gomez-Echeverria, Artemio Coronado Esteban, Darwin Joel Fuentes Perez, Luis Gomez-Echeverria and Leonel Lopez Y Lopez stand outside the Migrant Legal Aid office in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo by Rose White | MLive) Rose White | MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Five Guatemalan men who said they were exploited and coerced into working long hours on Michigan farms waited years for their day in court.

By early June  eight years after some of them first set foot on Michigan soil  they won their case.
Kyle Meredith, 41 of Mancelona, was arraigned in connection to the death of his fiance, Kymberlee Rogers. MLive file photo

ANTRIM COUNTY, MI  A man has been accused of tampering with evidence and concealing the death of a missing woman who was found dead in Northern Michigan.

Kyle Meredith, 41 of Mancelona, was arraigned Thursday, June 12, in connection to the death of his fiancee, Kymberlee Rogers, UpNorthLive reported.

Rogers was reported missing last week after she hadnt been heard from in several days. On Tuesday, June 10, authorities conducted a search warrant on Merediths property and found Rogers body, according to the TV station.

RELATED: Missing woman found dead in Antrim County, suspect arrested

Meredith was identified as Rogers boyfriend and fiance but provided conflicting accounts to police about her whereabouts, UpNorthLive reported.

Meredith reportedly told detectives that Rogers was buried on his property, and that he had planted her belongings elsewhere to mislead investigators.

He is considered a prime suspect Rogers death and could be charged with open murder, depending on her autopsy results, the Antrim County Prosecutors Office told the TV station.

Court records show Meredith appeared in 86th District Court Thursday and his bond was set at $500,000.

He is facing three felony charges: Concealing the death of an individual, tampering with evidence and lying to a peace officer in a violent crime investigation. He is also charged with failing to report the discovery of a dead body, a misdemeanor.

His next court appearance is June 25 for a probable cause conference.
Detroit police shot a woman after she opened fire on a repossession agent who was towing her vehicle, according to WXYZ-TV Detroit. Tanya Moutzalias | MLive Detroit

DETROIT, MI  Detroit police shot a woman after she reportedly opened fire on a repossession agent who was towing her vehicle.

WXYZ-TV in Detroit reported the woman was shot multiple times by police but did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The shooting happened Thursday afternoon, June 12, near Nottingham Road and Morang Avenue on Detroits east side. Police told the TV station that the woman opened fire on a repo driver while he was in the process of repossessing her vehicle.

Detroit police responded to the scene and fired back at the woman, striking her in the shoulder and forearm, Fox 2 Detroit reported.

There were no injuries to the police officers or the repo driver, according to WXYZ.

Im happy to report it could have been a lot worse, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told Fox 2 Detroit.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Drivers around Washtenaw County can expect closures on stretches of I-94 and M-14, along with some special event closures in downtown Ann Arbor this weekend.

Westbound M-14 at the Maple Road exit will be closed from June 16 to June 17. I-94 will see multiple nighttime closures affecting westbound lanes from M-14 to Zeeb Road and eastbound lanes from Baker Road to M-14, along with various ramp and lane restrictions.

Heres a round-up of other traffic restrictions and road work affecting commute times and travel across the county for Friday, June 13, and the week ahead.

ANN ARBOR

Church Street: The northbound lane between Willard and Hill streets is closed for almost two years for the construction of a high-rise apartment building. The lane will reopen April 1, 2027.

East Eisenhower Parkway: Far eastbound lane closed between Service Drive and Packard Street from Monday, June 16, to 7 a.m. Monday, June 30, to remove and replace identified areas of the path.

East Medical Center Drive Bridge: Traffic is shifted to the east side for the third phase of the rehabilitation and widening project through Friday, June. 20.

One vehicle lane in each direction on the bridge will remain open throughout the project duration. Other restrictions include the following.

No northbound East Medical Center Drive left turn will be allowed onto westbound Fuller Road.

No southbound Maiden Lane left turns will be allowed onto eastbound Fuller Road.

East University Avenue: Full closure between East Willard and Hill streets from 7 a.m. Saturday, June 14, to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, for a crane to remove mechanical equipment.

East William Street: Full closure between Hamilton Place and South Division Street from 7 a.m. Monday, June 16 through 5 p.m. Friday, June 20, to construct utility leads for connecting a new building.

Jackson Avenue: There are lane closures between Maple Road and East Huron Street and between Revena Boulevard and Seventh Street through 3 p.m. Monday, June 30 while new ramps and median islands are installed.

The center turn lane between Maple Road and West Huron Street will be closed from 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, through 3 p.m. Friday, June 20, for pavement removal and installing three median islands.

Miller & Newport roads: Miller Road from Newport Road to Seventh Street is closed until July 7.

Nixon Road: The road is closed between Huron Parkway and Bluett Drive to accommodate the installation of roundabouts, pavement removal and replacement, public utility work, associated sidewalk, sidewalk ramp and crosswalk improvements. It will reopen 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

North University Avenue: Full closure between State and Thayer streets from 7 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, to 5 p.m. Friday, June 20, to replace a fire hydrant.

Pauline Boulevard: The road between Seventh and Main streets is closed until the end of July while a new water main is installed.

South Division Street: Between Hill Street and Hoover Avenue, the street is closed until 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8 while University of Michigans South Fifth Housing and Dining project installs utility service leads and water main.

South Fifth Avenue: The road is closed between East William and Packard streets as well as Packard to East Madison streets through 7 a.m. Monday, June 16, for underground utility work.

A lane is closed from East Huron to East Washington streets until Friday, Oct. 31.

South Maple Road: The road is closed between Stadium Boulevard and Winewood Avenue until Friday, June 27, for underground watermain work.

South Seventh Street: Full closure between Sunnyside Boulevard and Potter Avenue from 9 a.m. Monday, June 16 through 5 p.m. Monday, June 30, for main construction.

State Street: North of South University Avenue and south of East William Street, the street is closed until Friday, July 11 for pavement removal and replacement, utility work, associated sidewalk, sidewalk ramp and crosswalk improvements.

The outside northbound lane closed between West Ellsworth Road to State Circle from Tuesday, June 10, to Tuesday, June 24, to remove and replace identified areas.

South University Avenue: Full closure at State Street closed from Monday, June 9 to Tuesday, June 17 for the placement of new water main.

Special event closures

The following streets will be closed as part of the downtown closures for restaurant and retail use Thursdays at 4 p.m. through Mondays at 6 a.m. from Sunday June 1 through the end of September.

Main Street from William to Washington streets.

West Liberty Street from Ashley to Main streets.

East Liberty Street from Main to Fourth streets.

West Washington Street from Ashley to Main streets.

The following street will be closed between Friday, June 7, and Wednesday, July, 2, for the Top of the Park special event:

East Washington Street between Fletcher and Thayer streets.

The following street will be closed from 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, to 6 a.m. Friday, June 20, for the University of Michigan Health Systems Office of Medical Development Event on Main special event:

South Main Street between William and Liberty streets.

The following street will be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 14, for the Ann Arbor YMCA Community Block Party special event:

West Washington Street between First and Third streets.

OTHER WASHTENAW COUNTY PROJECTS

Ann Arbor Township - Maple Road (Foster) Bridge: The bridge will be closed between Huron River Drive and Country Club Road until an undetermined date for work.

Ann Arbor Township - Joy Road: The road is closed in both directions at U.S. 23 until Oct. 5 for construction.

Ann Arbor Township - U.S. 23: The shoulder from 8 Mile at the northern border of Washtenaw County to the Ohio State Line is closed for construction until Nov. 15.

Ann Arbor Township - Westbound M-14: Ramp closed at Maple Road exit from June 16 to June 17.

Ann Arbor Township - I-94: There will be nightly closures on the following sections of I-94 for construction:

Total closure of westbound from M-14 to Zeeb Road from 10 p.m. June 15 to 5 a.m. June 17.

Total closure of eastbound I-94 ramp to Zeeb Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14.

Total closure of eastbound from Baker road to M-14 from 10 p.m. June 13 to 8 a.m. June 14.

Double-lane closure from Baker to Zeeb roads from 8 a.m. June 14 to 10 p.m. June 15.

Ramp total closure from northbound Baker Road to eastbound I-94 from 10 p.m. June 13 to 5 p.m. June 14.

Single-lane closure from Parker to Baker roads from 8 a.m. June 14 to 10 p.m. June 15.

Northfield Township - Joy Road: The Joy Road bridge over U.S. 23 is closed through Nov. 15 while crews complete a partial demolition of the overpass that was severely damaged when a semitrailer hit it.

Pittsfield Township - Foster Avenue: There are intermittent lane restrictions to install five speed humps from June 9, to June 27.

Pittsfield Township - Platt Road: There are intermittent lane closures between Textile and Morgan roads through June 2025 for permit work.

Pittsfield Township - Morgan Road: There are intermittent lane closures Carpenter Road and Michigan Avenue throughout June for road construction.

Pittsfield, Ypsilanti townships - Packard Road: There will be intermittent lane restrictions from U.S. 23 to Cross Street through October.

Superior Township - Geddes Road: There will be intermittent lane closures between Andover Drive and Wexford Drive from June 2 to Aug. 25 for non-motorized pathway construction.

Sylvan Township - Cavanaugh Lake Road: There will be intermittent lane restrictions between Pierce Road and Chelsea City Limits from June 12 to June 16 for chipseal.

Sylvan Township - Old US 12: There will be intermittent lane restrictions between Chelsea City Limits West and I-94 from June 12 to June 16 for chipseal.

Augusta, Ypsilanti townships - Bemis Road: The road is closed between Stoney Creek Road and Hitchingham Road through Aug. 23.

An updated list of Ann Arbor city street closures, the weekly Washtenaw County Road Commission schedule and the MDOT road closure map are all available online.
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a Flint-based otolaryngologist, was sworn in as the 180th president of the American Medical Association on Tuesday. He is the first physician of Indian heritage to lead the nations largest and most influential physician organization. | Ted Grudzinski, AMA Ted Grudzinski, AMA

FLINT, MI - Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, a Flint-based otolaryngologist, has been sworn in as the 180th president of the American Medical Association.

He is the first physician of Indian heritage to lead the nations largest and most influential physician organization.

Mukkamala was diagnosed with an 8-centimeter brain tumor last November. Despite this, he has continued to serve his patients and advocate for health care reform.

Two days after his swearing-in on Tuesday, June 11, he performed 11 surgeries at Hurley Medical Center and saw 25 patients at his Flint office, continuing the work he has done for the last 25 years.

Mukkamala has been active in the AMA since his residency and currently serves as chair of the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force, advocating for evidence-based policies to help end the nations overdose epidemic.

He also played a central role in the response to the Flint water crisis. He chaired the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, focusing on funding projects to mitigate the effects of lead exposure in children.

As an otolaryngologist, Mukkamala sees patients at all stages of life, from newborns to senior citizens. He holds board certification in lifestyle medicine, which he earned in November.

Despite being diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after beginning his studies, he passed the certification exam, saying, If I take this and pass, it would be miraculous. If I dont pass, then I have the best excuse ever. So I passed it.

The certification will help him in his efforts to prevent disease.

Mukkamala is a past recipient of the AMA Foundations Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award.

He was elected to the AMA Council on Science and Public Health in 2009 and served as its chair from 2016 to 2017. He was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in 2017 and 2021.

At the state level, Mukkamala has served on the Michigan State Medical Society Board of Directors since 2011, including two years as board chair and a term as president.

He is also a past president of the Genesee County Medical Society and continues to serve on its board.

The son of two immigrant physicians from Andhra Pradesh, Mukkamala was inspired to pursue medicine and return to his hometown of Flint to serve the community that welcomed his family decades ago.

He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He shares an office with his wife, Nita Kulkarni, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Together, they established the Endowed Health Professions Scholarships at the University of Michigan-Flint in 2012.

They have two adult children, Nikhil, a biomedical engineer, and Deven, a PhD candidate in political science.

My level of excitement was more about the history of this, the pride my parents showed because they wont get mad at me anymore, at least for a little while, Mukkamala said laughing. I consider myself a blue collar guy from a blue collar town.

His presidency will last one year. He said he plans to travel for about 200 days while maintaining his practice in Flint.

Mukkamala said he is the face of the AMA to the public and intends to balance his national role with his local practice.

He shared that his health is good, with 90% of his cancer removed and only 10% remaining.

I want to leave the world better than I found it, Mukkamala said. Healthcare right now is pretty crappy. Considering what we spend and what I see our statistics are relative to other countries.

My personal goal is to work on keeping people healthy, or in early stages of whatever is bothering them so they dont have to go to the hospital.

Mukkamala expressed his gratitude to the Flint community for their support throughout his medical career and cancer recovery.

I have nothing but gratitude for this town, he said.
Felipe Millan-Gomez, 33, of Grand Rapids, was wanted in connection to an armed carjacking and kidnapping that happened in Manistee County on Monday, June 9. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com

A West Michigan man who was wanted in connection to an armed carjacking was shot and killed by Arkansas police.

Felipe Millan-Gomez, 33, of Grand Rapids, was fatally shot by state troopers during a traffic stop near Carlisle, Arkansas on Wednesday, June 11, according to a news release from Arkansas State Police.

Manistee County Sheriff Brian Gutowski said Millan-Gomez was wanted in connection to an armed carjacking and kidnapping that happened in Manistee Countys Village of Onekama on Monday, June 9. Millan-Gomez reportedly pulled a gun on a woman, forced her to drive and stole the car.

Authorities considered Millan-Gomez to be armed and dangerous, according to the release.

On Wednesday, June 11, Arkansas state troopers and U.S. Marshals located a car believed to be occupied by Millan-Gomez on I-40 east, near Carlisle, Arkansas.

Police conducted a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle at 1:30 p.m., and Millan-Gomez reportedly got out of the car and brandished a weapon, according to the news release.

The suspect was shot by authorities and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is investigating the shooting.

Gutowski said his office is still trying to identify and find Millan-Gomezs accomplice. The sheriffs office will release more information when it becomes available.
David Mark Bartels, who was found with over 41,000 images and videos of child pornography on his laptop, was sentenced to five years in prison. MLive file photo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A West Michigan man has been sentenced to prison after he admitted to purchasing collections of child porn while he was stationed at Guantanamo Bay.

David Mark Bartels, who was found with over 41,000 images and videos of child pornography on his hard drive, pleaded guilty in January to possession of child pornography by a person employed by the armed forces outside of the United States.

On Friday, June 13, the 38-year-old was sentenced to five years in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids. Jonker ordered Bartels to serve five years on supervised release when his prison term ends.

Court documents show Bartels, of White Cloud, was employed by a military contractor and stationed at Guantanamo Bay from May 2019 to January 2023. He worked as a fuel systems operator for Maytag Aircraft Corporation.

In December 2022, law enforcement noticed Bartels had used PayPal to purchase child pornography between November 2019 and January 2022. He admitted to purchasing the child porn, according to a sentencing memorandum submitted to the judge by Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge.

During a search of his residence, law enforcement found a folder containing 41,026 images and videos of child pornography on Bartels hard drive in a folder named \NSFW\Nope\Dont open\You were Warned\Deeper\.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 285 known victims in the files in Bartels possession. He had over 1,500 images and videos of those victims, including children as young as 3 to 4 years old, according to court documents.

Bartels had also installed software on his computer allowing him to access the Dark Web and he bookmarked a website containing child pornography videos, including videos with tags like drugged underage rape and tied up child, authorities said.

Jonker ordered Bartels to pay $63,000 restitution to the victims of this charge. Nineteen of the possession victims had submitted restitution requests for a total of $151,500.

Birge said one of the victims identified in the images possessed by Bartels wrote: Anyone who looks at these horrible pictures of me or anyone else are abusing us. Anyone who looks is keeping my pain going for the rest of my life.

Defense attorney Ryan Maesen sought a shorter prison term for his client, based in part on his cooperation with investigators and guilty plea.

Mr. Bartels is not proud of what he did, Maesen wrote. He is deeply ashamed. It will haunt him for the rest of his life. He had a good job, was good with his money, responsible, well-liked and had a bright future. Now, that (is) going to be far less so.

Prosecutors noted that Bartels did not have any significant mental health problems, earned his high school diploma, and had a stable family history without sexual, physical, or emotional abuse.

He could have used his education to find ways to battle his sexual interest in children or he could have used his salary to find treatment or assistance with combatting his proclivity, Birge wrote in court documents. If there was ever a defendant that had the time, resources, and opportunity to reflect on his choices and stop exploiting minors, this is such a defendant. Instead, he did nothing but feed his unsatiable desire to harm children.
The freeway closed at Airport Road, exit 137, in Blackman Township for a crash on Monday, June 9, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Screenshot from MDOT

JACKSON COUNTY, MI  Two men died Monday on I-94 in a crash involving a box truck and a tractor-trailer hauling gravel.

Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week.

2 men identified in fatal crash on I-94 near Jackson

Police have identified the two men who died in a crash on Monday, June 9 near Jackson.

Montez Dallas Watson, a 30-year-old from Sterling Heights, was traveling west in a box truck on I-94 when it hit the back of the semitrailer under the Airport Road overpass in Blackman Township, Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety Director Darin McIntosh said.

On hot days, Swiss Swirl cools with ice cream flights, nachos and a 32-ounce sundae

As summer temperatures rise in Jackson County, Swiss Swirl is getting ready to help cool things down.

The Brooklyn business has been serving ice cream since 1971. It sells shakes, flurries, malts, floats, sundaes, slushies and cones.

We pretty much have everything. Its a very overwhelming menu when people first look at it, said Melissa Tucker, who bought Swiss Swirl 18 years ago, when she was in her early 20s.

NASCAR weekend in Michigan in 100 images

In a weekend full of speed, where the rubber literally meets the road, three winners came out on top at Michigan International Speedway: Brenden Queen, Stewart Friesen and Denny Hamlin.

Queen won the ARCA Menards Series Henry Ford Health 200 on Friday, June 6. Corey Heim came home in second with a 0.313-second margin of victory in the 100-lap race.

To see the full gallery from Friday click here.

M-50, M-99 lane closures to begin in Jackson County

Jackson County drivers should expect traffic delays on Friday on state Routes 99 and 50.

The Michigan Department of Transportation will close on June 13 single-lanes of M-99 and M-50 in both directions for road resurfacing. The construction will start south of Eaton Rapids from Clinton to Durfee roads.

Water, sewer rates to increase in Jackson

Jackson residents will see an increase in their water and sewer bills.

In a Tuesday, June 10 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted 4-3 to raise the rates for the fiscal years of 2025-26 and 2026-27. The increase was proposed in May but was delayed, giving the city council more time to consider the resolution and gather feedback from residents.

Father and sons unearth treasure 28 years after burying it on farm near Jackson

When Brhett Butler graduated from Concord High School in 1997, he needed to do something with his stuff. He had grown up digging for treasure left by his grandparents. So, he buried it.

He dug a hole in his parents backyard, placed a box full of items, didnt tell anyone and left it there. Twenty-eight years later, on Saturday, June 7, Butler; his two sons, Ryan, 7, and Ben, 5; and other family members unveiled his treasure.

Jacksons Art, Beer & Wine Festival draws thousands in 20th year

Over 2,000 ticketholders sampled craft beverages and browsed art for the 20th annual Art, Beer & Wine Festival in Jackson.

Ella Sharp Museum hosted the annual event on Saturday, June 7 at the museums grounds, 3225 Fourth St. The festival, featuring food, beverage, and art vendors, is the museums largest fundraiser. All proceeds benefit museum programming, Museum Marketing and Communications Lead Paula Crow said.

Low-flying helicopters to patrol Jackson, Washtenaw power lines

Residents may see low-flying helicopters next week while a utility company conducts maintenance on power lines.

ITC Transmission and Michigan Electric Transmission Company will be conducting aerial patrols from June 12-17 in Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties, weather permitting, the company announced.

Man threatens another driver with gun in I-94 road rage, police say

Police arrested a man who allegedly threatened another motorist with a pistol during a road-rage confrontation on I-94. The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, on eastbound I-94 near Mile Marker 108, just west of I-69.

Calhoun County sheriffs deputies responded after a caller, a 31-year-old Norton Shores man, reported that the driver of a Chevrolet Cruze pointed a gun at him as he attempted to pass on the expressway.

22-year-olds self-defense claim to go before jury in fatal Jackson shooting

A jury will decide if the 22-year-old charged with fatally shooting a man in Jackson earlier this year acted in self-defense.

Joseph Gabriel ORourke has been properly identified by witnesses and even confessed to shooting Emarion Flowers, said Jackson County District Judge Allison Bates during the second half of ORourkes preliminary examination on June 12.

Jackson elementary school expansion restores library space after decade of overcrowding

Northwest Early Elementary Schools library technician has been operating out of a closet for years.

Right now, our library is in a closet, said school principal Cherlyn Hardwick.

When the school opened its doors ten years ago, high enrollment rates quickly created a lack of space. Hardwick said they had to get creative with what room they had. The library was divided into three makeshift classrooms, and the library technician, Dawnie Gloar, or Ms. Dawnie, would carry boxes of books to each class.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Jackson daily newsletter.
A new proposal from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce aims to keep downtown parking free while addressing infrastructure funding through increased violation fines and a flat fee for business owners. Mitchell Kukulka | Mkukulka@mlive.com

JACKSON, MI  A new proposal from the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce aims to keep downtown parking free while addressing infrastructure funding through increased violation fines and a flat fee for business owners.

In March, the Jackson City Council reversed its decision to implement metered parking downtown. Previously, the city planned to install parking meters to generate revenue for parking maintenance, shifting financial responsibility from business owners.

Related: Jackson City Council reverses decision on downtown parking meters

Currently, city staff are exploring alternative options and examining changes to the citys assessment system.

We thought it was an opportunity for us to kind of dig into the issue, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce CEO Ryan Tarrant said. How do we balance the situation a little bit so that it isnt left all on the backs of visitors, businesses or any one party.

The Chambers balanced proposal relies on increases to parking permit fees and fines, coupled with a one-time flat fee of approximately $700 per property owner.

Jacksons current parking fines are lower than other Michigan cities like Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids, he said. Jacksons base fines can be as low as $7, while other cities often start at $20-$45 for similar violations.

The Chambers plan would increase the base fine for less severe violations to $28.

Increasing these fees could lead to more people purchasing permits, which is why the Chamber is also proposing to increase permits by 25%, he said. According to the citys website, these permits can range from $10 to $55, depending on length of stay and location.

It also introduces a free or reduced permit option for low-income downtown workers, Tarrant said.

According to the Chamber, the citys original plan would have raised $750,000 annually, but the Chambers plan would reduce that target by 20% to $600,000.

We think this sort of hits that mark to start that discussion of where we need to be on the revenue and where should those resources come from, Tarrant said. By spreading that across a number of different groups, I think youre able to raise the revenue to keep infrastructure where it needs to be without deterring business or visitors to our downtown.

Mayor Daniel Mahoney said he has seen the proposal and likes some parts of it but doesnt think its a complete solution. He added that he would like to meet with the Chamber and city staff to discuss it further.

Jennifer Spencer, owner of Jackson Candle Co. in downtown Jackson, previously disagreed with implementing metered parking downtown, believing it would drive business away. She was happy the Chamber stepped up with an idea to keep parking free and affordable on business owners, and thinks the agreement is fair.

I understand they got to come up with the money somehow, and that seems like the best proposal to me, Spencer said.

Currently, downtown property owners pay higher tax rates to maintain free, two-hour parking. Now, people can be ticketed if they remain in a parking space for more than two hours.

Mahoney said council hopes to a decision on parking fines at a meeting this summer.

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Kalamazoo College will start construction on two new residence halls in May. Kalamazoo College

KALAMAZOO, MI -- New buildings are under construction at Kalamazoo Colleges campus.

The college broke ground on two new dorms at the corner of Catherine Street and West Main Street on Thursday, June 12. The residence halls will be the first built on the campus since 1967.

The campus needs more affordable housing as the cost of off-campus housing in Kalamazoo continues to increase, a press release announcing the project said.

The project will cost $55 million, $30 million of which was gifted by an anonymous donor.

The new residence halls will open to house up to 218 junior and senior students in fall 2027.

President Jorge G. Gonzalez speaks at the groundbreaking of two new Kalamazoo College dorms on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Courtesy of Kalamazoo College

Each hall will have four floors and be connected by a common space with a community kitchen, marketplace and terrace with outdoor seating.

Combined, the residence halls will have 218 beds. About 88% of the rooms will be singles and 12% will be double occupancy.

The new dorms will help form another quad on campus with Crissey and Severn residence halls, maintaining the colleges Georgian architectural styles.

Electricity will be provided by nearby solar panels. Heating and cooling will be powered by a nearby geothermal field, an area where energy can be extracted directly from the earth.

Tom Stanek of Owen-Ames-Kimball (from left), Kalamazoo College Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Susan Lindemann, Kalamazoo College Board of Trustees Chair Jody Clark 80, Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez, Kalamazoo College Vice President for Student Development Malcolm Smith, Kalamazoo College student Lily Nestich 28, Tod Stevens of Progressive Companies and Buzz the Hornet pose for a photo at a groundbreaking on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Courtesy of Kalamazoo College

With this investment, were building more than buildings, said President Jorge Gonzalez in a news release. Were creating modern, inclusive spaces that foster student growth, advance our sustainability goals and reflect the thoughtful stewardship put forth in our campus master plan.

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Louie's Lake Bar & Grill, 8946 S. Sprinkle Road, opened its doors in Portage in June 2025. Taylor DesOrmeau

PORTAGE, MI  For a brief moment in history, Louies holds the unique distinction of having Kalamazoos oldest bar and Portages newest.

The original Louies Trophy House was established in 1918 at the corner of Walbridge and North streets on Kalamazoos Northside.

The latest addition to the Louies family, Louies Lake Bar & Grill, opened Monday, June 9, at 8946 S. Sprinkle Road in Portage. The bar is in the former home of the Long Lake Tavern, which closed in 2024.

Less than a quarter-mile from both Long Lake and Austin Lake, it becomes the third member of the Louies family, joining the original location and Louies Corner Bar, which opened at 7177 West Q Ave. in Texas Corners in 2020.

All three are run by owner Mike VandeMaele and operations manager Joe Wolf.

RELATED: Kalamazoos oldest bar turns 105: Trust me, were a dive bar.

Like the first two locations, Louies Lake Bar & Grill aims to be a neighborhood bar that prides itself on its food, Wolf told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive previously.

Louie's Lake Bar & Grill, 8946 S. Sprinkle Road, opened its doors in Portage in June 2025. Taylor DesOrmeau

Longtime Louies patrons will recognize popular items like the Garbage Burger, smoked wings and pizzas, the latter of which Wolf will put up against anyones.

Most items are in the $12 to $20 range.

The proximity to two lakes, however, also means a newfound emphasis on seafood.

As such, the new menu features items like smoked whitefish dip, a bluegill poboy and hand-breaded panko duck strips served with a Thai chili sauce.

The inside has been renovated since it was Long Lake Tavern. It has the feel of a Louies with a large bar, lots of TVs and deer heads on the walls.

Louies Lake Bar & Grill opens at 11 a.m. daily.

The bar/restaurant is open until midnight Mondays through Thursdays, until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 11 p.m. on Sundays.

The original Louies location was opened in 1918 as a soup kitchen/restaurant by Polish immigrant Louis Nowak. It was run by various members of the family over the years, including Nowaks daughter, Louise Granny Nowak, who ran it until age 90.

Granny Nowaks son, Louie, took it over in 1970 and ran it until 2007, when the business was sold to VandeMaele, a longtime patron.

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Donald Trump exits the stage after a campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in downtown Grand Rapids on July 20, 2024. He's the focus of "No Kings" protests planned across Michigan and the U.S. this Saturday. MLive file photo. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

The biggest single-day mobilization of resistance since President Donald Trump returned to office is expected Saturday, June 14, with No Kings protests in cities across the U.S.

Heres what you need to know about it and whats planned in Michigan.
South Lake Desor Campground is located inland on the south side of Lake Desor off of the Greenstone Ridge Trail at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. MLive graphic

KEWEENAW COUNTY, MI -- They died in a remote backcountry campground.

Its a place surrounded by wilderness in a national park on Michigans Isle Royale in the middle of Lake Superior.

Who the two campers were and how they died remains a unknown nearly a week later.

This isnt typical.

Its definitely piqued my interest, based on the small amount of information thats coming out -- other than two people are dead, said former Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe, who still works part time for the agency. Theres got to be a reason the FBI is involved, we just dont know what it is.

Multiple hikers notified park rangers about 4 p.m. June 8 after discovering the bodies in the South Lake Desor Campground, located along an inland lake popular with loons. Its accessible only on foot.

Two rangers hiked 11 miles overnight and confirmed the deaths on Monday morning. Due to the difficult-to-access location, a plane and helicopter were used to recover the bodies and transport emergency personnel. The first public statement was issued with few details by the National Park Service two days after the discovery.

Generally, Michigan police agencies, within hours or a couple days, release victim information -- if not names, the sex or age -- and an explanation of what happened.

Ron Miles, a former Grand Blanc Township police chief and the newly appointed director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said theres a reason law enforcement divulge basic details.

Because of social media these days, information flies around and goes around like wildfire, he said. So you want to try to get ahead of the curve there, if you can.

The Isle Royale case has spurred significant speculation and rumors.

Although Isle Royale National Park is part of Keweenaw County, since the deaths occurred on federal land, the National Park Service was initially leading the investigation.

Representatives with the Keweenaw County Sheriffs Office and Michigan state police havent responded to MLive inquiries regarding their involvement.

The FBIs presence suggests there is a criminal aspect to the deaths.

But the National Park Service wont confirm, stating only that there is no known threat to the public at this time.

McCabe said the statement is likely intended to convey to the public and visitors that the park is safe and theres not some serial killer running around on the island.

The fact that you have two dead bodies and the FBI is called, obviously, somethings going on, McCabe said. We just dont know what it is.

Miles said police agencies often withhold victim information until they can notify the family, since theres probably no worse feeling in the world than finding out you just lost a loved one through social media.

The National Park Service said it notified the victims relatives but continues to withhold the identities and all demographic information.

Liz Valencia, a 30-year park ranger at Isle Royale National Park has been handling media inquiries. She said federal authorities are very reluctant to release information when an investigation is ongoing.

She referenced the death of Amy Shaw, a 37-year-old Battle Creek woman who died of medical complications while backpacking on the island in 2024. The National Park Service similarly didnt release her identity immediately after the death, Valencia said.

While the Keweenaw County Medical Examiners Office typically has jurisdiction, Valencia couldnt confirm if that office is handling the autopsies.

MLive was unable to contact Keweenaw County Medical Examiner Dr. Michael Mcallister, who in addition to medical examiner duties, works as a surgeon.

Valencia doesnt know when there might be more information released.

We always have tried to get as much information out as possible without compromising any investigation, McCabe said. The public wants to know whats going on.

I mean, people want to know, is it safe to go to Isle Royale or not?
Temperatures will range from very summery to downright fall-like depending on where you are going to be hanging out in Michigan today into this weekend.

We have several weather conditions going on that will produce around a 25 degree temperature difference today from the hottest area to the coldest area. The large temperature contrast will continue Saturday. By Sunday we will all finally be in about the same temperature regime, with some of us a touch cooler and some much warmer.

Here are the high temperature forecasts for today. The summery warmth will be confined to the Grand Rapids area, Muskegon area and southwest Lower Michigan with temperatures eventually warming to 80 degrees this afternoon. We also get to wear shorts for the rest of southern and central Lower Michigan. It will warm well into the 70s for that region. The Traverse City area to Grayling and Oscoda is the zone where temperatures will only make it into the 60s. If you are in the south heading north take a sweatshirt. If you are in the north heading south anticipate a summer feel. North of Traverse City and Gaylord temperatures will be stuck in the 50s all day. Take your heavy sweatshirt.

High temperature forecast for today, June 13, 2025 NOAA

Saturday will also have a big temperature contrast here in Michigan, but the cool area will be somewhat smaller. There will also be a very cloudy and showery section over far southern Michigan, so you will be cooler. The warmest again will be around Grand Rapids and west-central Michigan. Temperatures should hit 80 degrees again around Grand Rapids. The warmth of 70s will push into the Traverse City area Saturday. The cool 60s and 50s retreat north, but still there near the Mackinac Straits and all of the Upper Peninsula.

High temperature forecast for Saturday, June 14, 2025. NOAA

Sunday will have fairly nice temperatures in the 70s. Southern Michigan can plan on upper-70s and northern Lower Michigan can plan on low-to-mid 70s. The cool weather will shrink more and shift west into the western half of the U.P.

High temperature forecast for Sunday, June 15 NOAA

The next two days you better bring some different clothing if you are heading north from southern Michigan or heading south from northern Michigan. There will be a whole different temperature regime in each of those parts of our state.
The story on our weather this weekend in Michigan is becoming a happier story. It now looks like many of us could sneak through the weekend with no rain.

A few days ago family and friends were looking at weather apps and telling me this weekends weather looks lousy. There was an expectation that a concentrated area of rain would move through Michigan Friday into Saturday. There was also a storm system moving in from the south that could bring rain into far southern Michigan.

Now that storm system coming from the northwest is looking disorganized. The storm system coming from the south looks to only bring rain up to the Michigan border.

With the storm systems around the Great Lakes we will have quite a bit of cloudiness. Id call it a mostly cloudy weekend, but not entirely cloudy. The middle part of Lower Michigan will have off and on sunshine.

Here is the radar forecast through the weekend. You see the numerous showers across the U.P. and just south of the southern Michigan border.

Radar forecast from 2 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday. NOAA

A good way to look at how much rain will fall from the radar forecast is to look at total rainfall.

Here are the total rainfall forecasts for Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. Its pretty much a dry weekend coming. Dont cancel plans just because you see a rain drop under a cloud on the weather app you use.

Total rainfall forecast for Saturday afternoon. NOAA

Total rainfall forecast for Sunday afternoon. NOAA

While it will be dry, there will likely be clouds blocking the sunshine at times. The cloud cover forecasts for early afternoon Saturday shows thicker clouds north and far south with some decent sun in the middle of the state.

Cloud forecast at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14. NOAA

Sundays clouds should be more scattered with a touch more sunshine for us all.

Cloud forecast for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15. NOAA

Because the amount of rain has backed way off, the temperature expectations have gone up. Afternoon temperatures in the 70s are going to be common this weekend.

High temperature forecast for Saturday, June 14. NOAA

High temperature forecast for Sunday, June 15. NOAA

So its not going to be a rip-roaring hot, sunny summer weekend. It is going to be fairly warm and dry. Dont cancel plans for any outdoor fun this weekend. Go for it.
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Varun Singh

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JEECUP 2025 Answer Key Out Today at jeecup.admissions.nic.in; link to download here

Archisha Yadav is a sub editor with 1.5 years of experience in writing news articles on topics like education, jobs, and politics. She specialises in crafting simple, clear, and engaging stories that are easy to understand and hold the readers interest, making complex topics accessible and relatable to a larger audience.

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Exclusive - Vishnu Manchu: The budget of Kannappa is so high, I need the star power of Prabhas, Mohanlal and Akshay Kumar to....

Sarika Sharma is Editor, Entertainment, MoneyControl.com. She has over 24 years of experience in the field of journalism.

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Prabhas' BTS pic from The Raja Saab set goes viral ahead of teaser launch

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Sunjay Kapur bought bonds worth Rs 14 cr for kids and gave his Khar flat to Karisma Kapoor in divorce settlement

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Who is Sunjay Kapur? Know all about Karisma Kapoors ex-husband's net worth, controversial divorce, and current wife

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When Randhir Kapoor shut down claims of Karisma Kapoor marrying Sunjay Kapur for his money: We are Kapoors, dont need to run after anyones money...

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When Sooryavansham actress Soundarya, seven months pregnant died at 32 in a horrific airplane crash, her body was charred in such a way that...

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Around 30 flights likely to be cancelled today as Israel hits Iran; airlines face fuel price surge, longer routes

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Gold rate today: Yellow metal soars, check the latest prices in your city on June 13

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Brothers in arms: India-Israel weapon trade up 33-fold at $185 million in 10 years

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Indias trade with Iran has shrunk 87% since 2019 US sanctions; exports shift toward consumer goods

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Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

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Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

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Look to the sunshine amid somber reflection.

Such was the life lesson drawn from the death of Todd Copenhaver.

It was July 2021, and a tight circle of alumni had returned to a place of fond memories.

The backyard, the island, the channel behind the Copenhaver home had been the weekend getaway, the source of summer escape in the lead-up to band camp and a return to Carlisle High School.

Only, this time, Todd was missing. He had died the year before from an aggressive form of cancer.

What started as a memorial turned into a reunion of purpose  a pledge to remember the man with a legacy of giving.

He was always in the sunshine, Frank Castrina said of his friend and fellow 1985 graduate. A strikingly positive person. He wasnt the kid who was the star, but he was the center of things, even if he was not out-front and in the lead.

It could have been the light complexion, the shock of blond hair, the upbeat voice or the super casual look of a free spirit who walked around barefoot or in something less structured than a shoe.

It could have been all that time spent with Copenhaver at the helm as he took his friends out on a boat on the Conodoguinet Creek and taught them how to waterski.

Whatever the memory, something took root within the group and inspired them to start the Flip Flop Foundation, a nonprofit to raise money to benefit local youth and community organizations.

June event

Tickets are on sale for the second annual Hometown Throwdown Benefit fundraiser scheduled for 7 to 11 p.m. June 28 at the Barn at Creeks Bend, 29 S. Middlesex Road, Carlisle. For more information, visit flipflopsfoundation.org.

The event will feature the local band Thats What She Said, along with a silent auction and complementary food and drinks. The money will support scholarships for high school students and grants to organizations that mentor youths and help families.

Were celebrating in the community that raised and shaped us, said Castrina, who now lives in Portland, Oregon. Our focus is on giving back to future generations.

One motive was to reconnect as Thundering Herd graduates and to turn something positive out of the death of their classmate. The catalyst was the 2021 memorial for Copenhaver at his boyhood home in North Middleton Township.

All of us were remiss about how strong the bonds were in seeing each other in person again, Castrina said. How familiar it felt. How grounded in home. Some of us hadnt seen each other in 30-plus years. Todd leaving reminded us about how important those relationships are.

At first, the alumni wanted to pool their money to benefit Todds wife and two children, but the family, though touched by the offer, wanted the focus to go elsewhere, Castrina said.

In time, the group established an IRS-approved scholarship program with awards in 2023, 2024 and now 2025. The foundation also distributes annual grants to the CHS Band Boosters, the Carlisle Victory Circle, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hope Station, Project SHARE and the Carlisle Arts Learning Center.

Last year, the inaugural Hometown Throwdown Benefit raised just over $11,000 from 120 ticketed guests ages 21 to 94. The event drew Carlisle alumni from 10 states spread out over 12 class years.

Were proud of the impact were making and feel ready to build awareness of our efforts beyond our original friend circles, Castrina said, adding that the Barn is a larger venue for the second annual benefit.

Smiling light

Sheila Bixby of North Middleton Township was a classmate of Copenhaver. I knew him through classes and being in the band, she said. He was a good friend and a good listener. He and I had a lot of talks about all the things teenagers stress about.

Over the decades, Bixby kept tabs on Copenhaver through his mother and younger sister who still live in the township. A founding member of the foundation, Bixby works as a secretary in the McGowan building of Carlisle High School.

Its harder to be a teenager today, she said. I see what theyre going through. How lucky we were to grow up in this community, to have the supports we had, to have the friends. Todd was a smiling light, always looking to make people feel happy. Weve been blessed in our adult lives on how we can give back. Todd would be happy with what weve done.

It was overwhelming when we heard what his high school friends were doing, said Kristen Eisemann, Todds sister. People, all grown up, coming back together to not only memorialize my brother, but to give back. Todd would be all in. He was not one who liked attention on himself, but he would be there to support the community and the kids.

From the start, Kathy Copenhaver knew she had someone special in her firstborn child. Instead of waiting for January 1967, Todd made himself present the morning of a festive, family holiday.

He was the essence of what good will and Christmas was about, she said. He shared this with other people  that same kind of feeling of taking care and giving. The foundation is much bigger than my son.

For Erik Nordberg of Fairfield, Adams County, Todd Copenhaver was more than a faithful, trustworthy friend. He was a go-getter who every summer greeted each new group of Army War College kids coming to Carlisle High School.

He would reach out to them, assist with their transition, said Nordberg, a local native who graduated in 1983 to eventually retire as an Army colonel. As the foundations grant chair, Nordberg has met every scholarship recipient.

Todd would be grateful our kind of ideals are being passed on to a younger generation, he said. Its very fulfilling to know you are doing something to give back to the Carlisle community. Its a nice way to say thank you.

In modeling its scholarship program, the foundation looks for students like Todd Copenhaver, Castrina said. Everybody has that classmate that everyone just smiles when they think about him. The kid that is just under the surface of the superstars and varsity athletes. Those are the kids we want to make sure are not getting overlooked. That they get a chance to get supported.
Alkem vs Allchem: Pharma players in a legal tussle over who owns the name

Brajesh Kumar

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Adani Ports, other Adani stocks plunge up to 3%: Here are 4 reasons behind the downturn

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Crude sensitive stocks plunge as oil prices surge after Israel attacks Iran; HPCL, Asian Paints, others down up to 4%

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Indias foreign flow momentum slowed this week as US domestic funds saw redemptions: Elara Capital

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The NIFTY MIDCAP 150 Index closed at 21,433.05. In post-market updates, the index showed a decline of 0.36 percent, equivalent to -76.60 points. The Nifty Midcap 150 today experienced a trading range between a high of 21,466.75 and a low of 21,091.05, after opening at 21,091.05. The 52 Week High for the NIFTY MIDCAP 150 index is 22,515.40, while the 52 Week Low is 17,269.50.
Ajit Mishra  SVP, Research, Religare Broking

Markets extended Thursdays decline and ended lower, shedding over half a percent. Weak global cues led to a gap-down start for the Nifty; however, selective buying in heavyweights helped trim some of the losses as the session progressed. Eventually, the index settled at 24,718.60, down 0.68%. Most sectors mirrored the overall trend, with FMCG and banking emerging as the top laggards. The broader indices also remained under pressure, losing nearly half a percent each.

The initial reaction was largely driven by a sharp rise in crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, a moderation in CPI inflation helped limit the downside. On the technical front, the Nifty slipped below its short-term moving average (20 DEMA) once again but witnessed a swift rebound after testing the lower end of the recent consolidation range (24,50025,200). This suggests a possibility of continued consolidation in the index.

Given the prevailing scenario, traders should maintain a balanced approach with positions on both sides, focusing on stock selection driven by sectoral and thematic trends. It is advisable to avoid aggressive bets and manage risk prudently.
Sunil Matkar

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Mutual funds go bargain hunting in May, buy Rs 29,000 crore of shares from exiting promoters, FIIs

Ravindra Sonavane

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Hiral Thanawala is a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of reporting experience. Based in Mumbai, he covers financial planning, banking and fintech segments from personal finance team for Moneycontrol.

Hiral Thanawala

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This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources

Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources

Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources

Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates from multiple sources Disclaimer

Alpha Desk

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Vedanta to consider first interim dividend for FY26 on June 18

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Ahmedabad plane crash: UK envoy meets PM Modi, says both countries working together to establish facts

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Air India crash: Black box found  What is it and how it can help unravel the mystery behind tragedy

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'Her phone rang several times after crash, none picked up': Air India flight cabin crew member's kin

Abhinav Gupta

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No bike taxis in Karnataka from June 16 as High Court refuses to stay single judge order

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Rajasthan's Pratik Joshi was bringing his wife, three kids to London for a new life; the crash took it all away

Abhinav Gupta

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Shiv Sena predicts 'U-turn' after Raj Thackeray's surprise meeting with Devendra Fadnavis: 'Anything can happen in politics'

Parimal Peeyush

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What may have caused Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad? Here are the likely factors

Priyanjali Ghose

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C Uday Bhaskar is Director, Society for Policy Studies, New Delhi. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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Rajan Mahan is a journalist who headed NDTV and Star News in Rajasthan. He was also a Professor of Journalism at the University of Rajasthan in Jaipur. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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'Gave a hug, asked her to take care': Brother recalls emotional farewell to sister before tragic Air India crash

Shubhi Mishra

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Why this full-stack developer with 2 decades of experience is now a Swiggy delivery agent

Shubhi Mishra

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AI Overviews falsely links Airbus and not Boeing to Air India crash, heres what Google has to say

MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation.

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Shaurya Shubham

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Mark Zuckerberg is personally hiring for Metas AI dream team and the salary could be highest in the industry

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Ankita Chakravarti

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Samsung is rolling out the One UI 8 beta 2 update for Galaxy S25: All the details

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day

Ankita Chakravarti

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A lion lifts himself up: What Netanyahu wrote in note at Jerusalems Western Wall before striking Iran

Abhinav Gupta

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Pragya Trivedi

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Behind the bombs: How Irans nuclear program brought it to the brink with Israel | Explained

Abhinav Gupta

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Family of Nepali student held by Hamas pleads for his release

The family of Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student abducted by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, made a plea on Thursday from Kathmandu, Nepal, for his release, AP says in a report. Joshi was one of 17 Nepali students studying agriculture in southern Israel when Hamas launched its attack on October 7, 2023, an event that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. His sister, Pushpa Joshi, emphasized that Bipin had no involvement in the conflict and had earned his place to study in Israel through a government competition.
'If we don't act now ...': Why Israel unleashed unprecedented strikes on Iran

Armaan Bhatnagar

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The Virginia National Guard will move into positions across the state in preparation for this weekend's No Kings Day demonstrations against President Donald Trump, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said.

He said Guard is going through last-minute preparations and some members are already involved in security events around the state.

And so, you will see Guard presence, you will see state police presence, you will see our tactical team presence, you will see local police presence all over the state, Youngkin told reporters Friday after a ceremonial signing of a bill that says dealers who sell a fatal overdose of fentanyl can be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

He said the mobilized Guard is already integrated with Virginia State Police to respond to situations on the ground.

"Just to be very, very clear, the way that [the Code of Virginia] works for me is that I can involve the Guard in public disturbance efforts. And so, I'm already doing that, he said, when asked if he or police commanders would direct any Guard response.

He said his orders had nothing to with the objective of the demonstrations.

'Zero tolerance' for violence

I fully support our First Amendment and its protection of the right to demonstrate," Youngkin said. "But I want to be really clear, crystal clear, that there will be zero tolerance for any violence, for any destruction of personal property, business property, for disrupting traffic and putting people's lives in danger. And if you violate the law, you're going to be arrested."

The No Kings Day demonstrations this weekend  including one that starts noon Saturday at the Shops at Stonefield just north of Charlottesville  are aimed at protesting Trump's aggressive actions on immigration enforcement and executive orders that organizers say exceed his authority.

Trump's mobilization of the California National Guard and deployment of U.S. Marines in response to protests in Los Angeles over an intensive Immigration and Customs Enforcement campaign to arrest immigrants has sparked Gov. Gavin Newsom to accuse the administration of an unconstitutional abuse of power.

Youngkin did not give any details about the number of Guard members involved in response to the Virginia demonstrations.

We are mobilizing substantial resources across the commonwealth, state police, local resources, and yes, National Guard resources, to make sure that we have substantial presence across the commonwealth, he said.

Youngkin said hes been getting twice daily briefings about the protests and the state response all week.

Surovell faults approach

State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, said there is no need to call in the National Guard.

"He continues to try to use them to kiss up to President Trump as part of his own future presidential ambitions," Surovell said. He said that Youngkin's 2023 dispatch of the National Guard to back a border security campaign by Texas police had the same aim.

Drug bill

Earlier, when signing Senate Bill 746, Youngkin took a shot at General Assembly Democrats, who had opposed earlier versions of the measure when those bills said sales of fatal overdoses would be felony homicide: basically, second-degree murder.

He said passionate lobbying by families of Virginians who died from fatal overdoses took years to have effect.

I think it's fair to say that the reception from many, many, many General Assembly members to fentanyl families at the beginning of this journey  and I will say they were Democrats, and I don't mean to say this politically, but it's the truth  was not only dismissive, but rude, he said, before signing the bill.

That is a demonstration of not understanding this issue. That's why I'm so happy that we're here today, that this bill, after years of effort, is coming to my desk. After we prepare the Naloxone and we educate, we have to go to work to interdict the drug crisis," Youngkin said. "We are going to stop the flow of drugs into Virginia."

He said there is no bill hes been prouder to sign. The event was purely ceremonial, Youngkin actually signed the measure in early May.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said the legislation passed almost unanimously. The bill Youngkin ceremoniously signed was the Senate version. It initially would have made the sale of fatal overdoses of any drug a felony homicide. It was changed to match a House of Delegates measure, sponsored by Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, making the sale of a fatal dose of fentanyl involuntary manslaughter, a lesser offense.

"It's sad that Republicans continue to politicize the pain of others," Scott said.

In a fundraising email, meanwhile, Scott called Trump's mobilization in California an overreach of his authority.

Later, Youngkin told reporters that the involuntary manslaughter measure was a big step forward, even though conviction on a charge of involuntary manslaughter is subject to a sentence of one to 10 years in prison, while felony homicide can mean up to 40 years behind bars.

He said he expected legislators who backed the stiffer penalty would continue to push to make selling a fatal overdose a felony homicide.
Iran fires over 100 drones at Israel in major retaliation after top commanders killed

Aishwarya Dabhade

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'Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left': Trump after Israel launches deadly strikes

Abhinav Gupta

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Irans most powerful generals and scientists eliminated: Who Israel killed and why it matters?

Abhinav Gupta

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Iran's new IRGC chief vowa to 'open gates of hell' after Israel strikes kill Hossein Salami

Abhinav Gupta

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Israel-Iran conflict: Here's how the Middle East airspace looks like

Pragya Trivedi

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Israel Iran War Live Updates: Iran Revolutionary Guards confirm attacks on dozens of targets in Israel

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Friday they launched an attack on dozens of targets in Israel after its large scale attack on the Islamic repiblic.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... has executed its decisive and precise response against tens of targets, military centres and airbases of the usurping Zionist regime in the occupied territories," the Guards said in a statement carried by state media.
Richmonds water crisis is trickling into the lieutenant governors race.

Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney says he wishes the citys prior administration had fixed the citys water plant issues that, among other things, led to the Jan. 6 breakdown that left much of the city without drinking water for six days.

Referring to efforts to replace the water plants switchgear, a key piece of equipment in the breakdown, Stoney shifted some of the blame to his predecessor, Dwight Jones, who served as Richmonds mayor from 2009 to 2016, before Stoneys eight-year tenure.

This came out of the administration before me, Stoney said June 7 during a campaign stop in Alexandria. Do we wish that the prior administration would have gotten it done so we didnt have to deal with it? Obviously, we wish that.

But we were the ones who finally got it done, he added. Its a long process to get to completion on a project like that, but we did that.

Stoney was likely referring to the completion of the procurement process  and not the switchgear replacement  as that part had still not been replaced by the time he left office in December.

Jones, Stoneys predecessor as mayor, announced this week he is endorsing one of Stoneys rivals for the Democratic lieutenant governor nomination: state Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach.

Jones said in an interview Tuesday that its unfortunate that Stoney is pointing the finger at him.

The city is extremely old, and [it is] difficult, in eight years, to fix systemic problems, he said. Its unfortunate that someone would blame a predecessor because you get what you get, and you deal with what you have to deal with.

Jones said Rouse is a man of integrity and the best person for the job of lieutenant governor.

Stoney and Rouse are among six Democrats seeking the partys nomination for lieutenant governor in this Tuesdays primary. Their other opponents are state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield; Prince William County School Board Chair Babur Lateef; former federal prosecutor Victor Salgado; and labor leader Alex Bastani. The Democratic nominee will face Republican John Reid in November.

At a campaign event in Richmond on Monday, Rouse took a swipe at Stoney, saying that during his own service on the Virginia Beach City Council, he focused on ensuring residents had clean drinking water.

A wave of murmurs swept through the audience, to which Rouse responded, Yeah, I said it.

Rouse said in a statement Tuesday, My opponent let his city down and now is trying to blame Reverend Jones. Virginians know better and deserve better.

On Virginia Beach City Council, I fought to pass a $567 million bond referendum to protect our communities from flooding, Rouse continued. Virginia needs stewards of taxpayer dollars that prioritize our communitys basic needs, not ones who are distracted chasing shiny objects for a quick press hit.

Stoneys campaign manager Zach Marcus said Tuesday that Rouse doesnt want to admit that under Stoney, Richmond invested more than $400 million into water treatment plant maintenance, a century-old system neglected for decades before Levar took office.

But no city can shoulder multibillion-dollar infrastructure upgrades alone. It takes real partnership with the state and federal government, Marcus said.

If Aaron Rouse had ever served as an executive, he might understand that. But he hasnt. Hes never had to balance a city budget and never had to make hard calls to protect public health. If he actually cared about Richmond residents he would have helped us pass critical funding through the state legislature, but he was too busy running for his fourth office in seven years to do that.

At the campaign event in Alexandria on June 7, Stoney responded to questions about the Jan. 6 water plant breakdown that occurred just after his term had ended and left much of the city without drinking water for six days. Asked by the Richmond Times-Dispatch whether it was his first time publicly addressing the water crisis, Stoney said no.

I get the question, and I answer the question, he said. Ive been to Greene County, and a reporter asked me a question about the treatment plant. And I give them the answers which I know.

But he said his ability to answer questions is hampered by his limited information.

I wasnt there on Jan. 6, Stoney said. I wasnt there for the fluoride mishap. I wasnt there for the recent boil water advisory.

Stoney has declined multiple interview requests from Richmond reporters regarding the water crisis, citing his busy campaign schedule.

EPA report, deferred maintenance

Stoney was also asked whether he wished hed handled water infrastructure differently during his eight years as Richmond mayor. He said that neither the mayor nor the chief administrative officer can fix problems they dont know about.

My wish would be for those who are working at the plant [to] send problems up the chain, he said. When the [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] visits a facility and the director of utilities doesnt even know, thats a problem.

Stoney was referencing a 2022 EPA report that identified serious infrastructural and protocol deficiencies at the water treatment plant. Former Department of Public Utilities Director April Bingham  whom Stoney appointed  in March told WTVR that she had not been informed of the EPA inspection until two years after it happened.

Bingham learned of it when the Virginia Department of Health reached out to follow up on the report in October 2024, she said.

Stoney then addressed the Times-Dispatchs previous reporting that city officials had deferred maintenance on the plants switchgear  the part that failed to transfer the plant to its secondary power feed during a blackout on the morning of Jan. 6, leading to the water crisis.

Records show that officials put out bids for the switchgears replacement as long ago as 2016, but then decided the project was too expensive. It wasnt until 2022 that officials decided to go through with the job  but by that time, it was too late. The work was still underway when the component malfunctioned.

We never had a water outage

Stoney described the water crisis as avoidable  the same word the Virginia Department of Health used in its report on the incident.

Human error played a major role in this, he said. DPU werent preparing for the storm. I dont care how small or large the storm will be, you have to prepare.

And it doesnt take standard operating procedures to make something like that happen, he said.

Both the state Health Department and engineering firm HNTB  which city officials retained to conduct an independent investigation into the cause of the water crisis  found that insufficient procedures and poor training were contributing factors. Both determined that DPU staff had not taken adequate measures to prepare for the snowstorm that led to the power outage.

I was mayor for eight years, Stoney said. We never had a water outage. We took every storm, every inclement weather warning seriously.
Judge says Trump illegally deployed National Guard to help with LA protests, must return control

101Reporters

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Millions expected to participate in 'No Kings' protests across US on Saturday; Trump to hold military parade

Abhinav Gupta

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Operation Rising Lion: Inside the Israeli airstrike on Iran's nuclear programme; what we know so far

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Operation Rising Lion: This will continue for as many days, says Netanyahu as Israel targets Irans top nuclear scientists, military chiefs

Aishwarya Dabhade

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'This enemy only knows language of killing...': Hezbollah condemns Israel strikes on Iran

Abhinav Gupta

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US Moves Warships: USS Thomas Hudner begins sailing as tensions flare in Middle East after Israel strikes Iran

Surabhi Pandey

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Who is Mohammad Bagheri? Irans top military commander killed in Israeli strikes was once a student who stormed US Embassy in 1979

Pragya Trivedi

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People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025.

Majid Asgaripour/WANA via REUTERS
Mike Love and John Stamos pay tribute to Beach Boys Brian Wilson View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  Mike Love is looking back fondly on Brian Wilson, his cousin and Beach Boys collaborator who died Wednesday at 82.

Its a tough one, Love told The Associated Press Thursday. Life ends for all of us, but he had a wonderful life in terms of how creative he was, and I had a great time cocreating with him, so we have a lot to be, you know, we have a lot of blessings.

Love is being inducted Thursday night into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, which welcomed Wilson in 2000. He will be introduced by actor and musician John Stamos, who has collaborated with the Beach Boys in recent years and is appearing at select dates on their tour, which resumes Friday in New York.

I cut together a really beautiful video of Mike and Brian doing the song that Brian, Mike wrote called, Brians Back. And Id like to show that with his permission at the front of the show, Stamos said. I think itll start off, but its gonna be very difficult, I would think emotionally to get through it.

He added of his admiration for Wilson and the band: Without the Beach Boys, life would be a mistake. And thats that.

Its in the better late than never category, but I feel my cousins presence tonight very strongly, Love told the AP of his inclusion in Songwriters Hall of Fame. You know, we did it together, and so that parts inseparable, and we always had a great love for each other. So its really nice to be honored, though, and recognized for my contribution to the Beach Boys music.

Love and Wilson wrote the Beach Boys first hit, Surfin, in 1961. The pair feuded over songwriting credits for Love, who successfully sued, contending he was deprived songwriting credits on dozens of songs.

This is a songwriters songwriter, Stamos said of Love before the ceremony: He painted this cinematic view of California that made the whole world wanna be us because of him. Optimism, positivity, good vibes.

Stamos added: Brian was a genius, but Mike was a little bit underrated because of  you know, Brians big genius.

Love said he enjoys witnessing the joy the Beach Boys music brings to fans on tour. Its wonderful because you see the audience response and people 60 years after we started are loving our music and thats really a wonderful thing. You see how much joy, not only in America but around the world, that our songs have created with people. So its a fantastic thing, he said,

By JOHN CARUCCI

Associated Press
Removal of hundreds of illegal cattle in the Amazon sparks protests and divides residents View Photo

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  The removal of hundreds of cattle raised illegally on public land designated for sustainable forest use in Brazils Amazon has sparked protests and divided residents, with some seeking to preserve rubber-tapping and Brazil nut harvesting and others wanting to consolidate livestock farming.

The removal operation started last week in one of the countrys most renowned Amazon conservation units, the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, named for the famed rubber tapper and environmentalist killed in 1988. Federal agents working with police and military officials seized around 400 heads of cattle from two farmers who had failed to comply with judicial eviction orders. The raids are set to continue in the coming weeks.

But dozens of residents of the reserve protested the action, seeking to create a blockade in the city of Xapuri to prevent the removal of the cattle. The first truckload, carrying 20 head of cattle, had to take an alternate route to avoid confrontation.

The protest, which had the support of local politicians, held powerful symbolism because Xapuri is the city where Mendes was gunned down. It also represented a contrast to the 1980s, when rubber tappers fought against cattle ranchers.

The cattle removal came in response to a 56% surge in deforestation during the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The cleared area is nearly five times the size of Central Park in New York City. The reserve holds about 140,000 heads of cattle.

Monitoring has identified that the environmental crime stems mainly from large-scale cattle ranching, which is illegal as it violates the rules of the protected area, said a statement from the federal agency Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, known as ICMBio.

The Chico Mendes Reserve is one of several Amazon extractive reserves where forest communities can practice low-impact extractive activities with protections against land developers. Rules limit deforestation to small-scale cattle raising and agriculture, and land sales are forbidden. Still, the Chico Mendes Reserve is the most deforested federal conservation unit in Brazil.

Working to find a solution

The current problems worsened in the four-year term of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro that ran through 2022, when deforestation exploded in the reserve. Bolsonaro defanged environmental protection and said the Amazon had too many protected areas. Some residents of Chico Mendes began selling their land parcels illegally to farmers, who hoped they would eventually be legalized.

The strong reaction against the operation led to the creation of a WhatsApp group with around 1,000 members in which some issued threats against Raimundo Mendes de Barros, cousin and political heir of Chico Mendes, who opposes cattle expansion. But historical organizations applauded the cattle removals, including the National Council of Extractivist Populations, which issued a note supporting the operation.

Cleisson Monteiro, president of the Association of Residents and Producers of the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Xapuri, backed the protests against the cattle removals. He said that while deforestation must be addressed, federal agents sparked anger and fear among families who dont comply with all the reserves rules.

The area where the raids began, known as Seringal Nova Esperanca, no longer has a rubber-tapper profile, Monteiro said. The people who live there have a different way of life. They are farmers engaged in small-scale family agriculture, with some cattle ranching for beef and dairy.

Monteiro said that about 140 families live in Nova Esperanca, including his own, all of whom have different degrees of non-compliance with the reserves rules. He said that, even though only two individuals were targeted, there is concern that the operation could affect other families.

ICMBio shouldnt have acted at this moment, because were working to find a solution, he said.

The forest cant compete

The reserve is home to around 4,000 families. About 900 families produce rubber for a French shoe company, Veja. The project has proven successful, but the demand is not high enough to absorb the reserves full production potential.

Jeffrey Hoelle, a professor of anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who has studied the area for two decades, said that cattle farming has been more lucrative for residents than traditional means of harvesting rubber and nuts from the forest.

Twenty years ago, rubber tappers were just starting to adopt cattle. And over the last couple of decades, its become increasingly popular, Hoelle said. Its just become more acceptable over time. But essentially, the forest cant compete in terms of economic value with cattle. The extent to which rubber and Brazil nuts can provide for people is really limited compared to cattle, for which, unfortunately, you have to cut down the forest and plant pasture.

___

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.

By FABIANO MAISONNAVE

Associated Press
Sonora, CA  The City of Sonora is continuing to seek feedback in a community survey that is part of efforts to create a 2026-2029 Economic Development Strategic Plan.

It launched in late May, and over 240 people have already weighed in. It will close on June 22.

Weve received strong participation so far, but we know every perspective matters, says Melissa Eads, City Administrator. This is your opportunity to help guide Sonoras next chapterone shaped by the voices, values, and lived experiences of the people who know it best.

The 2026-2029 Economic Development Strategic Plan will be a working blueprint for how Sonora wants to attract new jobs, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

This isnt about checking a boxits about designing a future based on what people actually experience and want, says Tyler Summersett, Community Development Director. Were looking at everything from business support and infrastructure to downtown vitality. Your voice can guide where we focus.

The city reports that 70% of the respondents to this point are Sonora residents, most have longstanding ties to the area (more than 2/3 have been connected to Sonora for over 10 years), and there has been a mix of both optimism and concern (the city reports many support new development but want strategic planning that fits with Sonoras character).

Click here to find the community survey.

Click here to find a second survey specifically for business owners.
An immigrant in Wisconsin has been released on bond after false accusation he threatened Trump

An immigrant in Wisconsin has been released on bond after false accusation he threatened Trump View Photo

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A man who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and threatened with deportation to Mexico was released Thursday from a Wisconsin jail on bond, three weeks after federal immigration agents arrested him.

Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, was accused of a writing a letter threatening Trump in a social media post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that got widespread national coverage. The post includes Morales Reyes photo and an excerpt from the letter he purportedly wrote in English. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Reyes, who doesnt speak English well or write in the language, was framed.

Morales Reyes was a victim in a violent 2023 attack where his bike was stolen. According to authorities, the alleged attacker, Demetric D. Scott, forged the letter to try to clear his case. Morales Reyes was set to be a witness in Scotts July trial for armed robbery and aggravated battery.

Morales Reyes was released in the afternoon after paying the $7,500 bond that an immigration judge set on Tuesday. Speaking to WISN-TV, Morales Reyes said he and his lawyer will fight his deportation.

I believe (the lawyer) knows the history and all of you know what happened, he said.

He was later met by relatives and members of the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, which has helped work on his case.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the organizations executive director, said Morales Reyes was relieved and very grateful for all of the support hes received.

Judge Carla Espinoza said at the immigration court hearing in Chicago that Morales Reyes was not a threat to the community.

Morales Reyes, a married father of three U.S. citizen children, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee.

He was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping a child off at school. He immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and doesnt have legal permission to be in the U.S. This year, he applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who are victims of serious crimes. Getting such a visa can take years.

Homeland Security issued a statement to reporters last week saying that although Morales Reyes was no longer considered a threat to Trump, federal attorneys would still pursue an immigration case. The government alleges that Morales Reyes reentered the U.S. numerous times without a visa.

Morales Reyes had been held in the Dodge Detention Center in Juneau, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. He was released after the federal government did not appeal the setting of his bond.

Noems social media post blaming Morales Reyes for an assassination attempt, which was circulated by Trump supporters, remains online.

___

Tareen reported from Chicago.

By SCOTT BAUER and SOPHIA TAREEN

Associated Press
Longest-serving legislative leader in US history given 7 1/2 years in federal corruption case View Photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  The stunning downward spiral of Michael Madigans political career ended Friday with a 7 1/2-year prison sentence and a $2.5 million fine for the former Illinois House speaker and the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history after he was convicted of trading legislation for the enrichment of his friends and allies.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced the 83-year-old in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

Nicknamed the Velvet Hammer for his quiet but hard-nosed style, Madigan was convicted in February on 10 of 23 counts in a remarkable corruption trial that lasted four months. The case churned through 60 witnesses and mountains of documents, photographs and taped conversations.

Federal prosecutors sought a 12 1/2-year prison term. Madigans attorneys wanted probation, contending the governments sentence would condemn an 83-year-old man to die behind bars for crimes that enriched him not one penny.

During a legislative career that spanned a half-century, Madigan served nearly four decades as speaker, the longest on record for a U.S. legislator. Combined with more than 20 years as chairperson of the Illinois Democratic Party, he set much of the states political agenda while handpicking candidates for political office. More often than not, he also controlled political mapmaking, drawing lines to favor his party.

Meanwhile, prosecutors said, the Chicago Democrat built a private legal career that allowed him to amass a net worth of $40 million.

Madigan was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges for ensuring approval of legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd in exchange for kickbacks and jobs and contracts for loyalists, including a Chicago alderman seeking a paid job on a state board after retiring from government.

The jury deadlocked on six counts, including an overarching racketeering conspiracy charge, and acquitted him on seven others.

Madigans criminal activity spanned nearly a decade and was particularly egregious because it involved efforts to enrich himself  both by maintaining his political power by securing do-nothing jobs for his political allies and by attempting to line his own pockets with legal business, prosecutors wrote in a court filing. In so doing, Madigan served his own personal interests and not the interests of Illinoisans.

Defense lawyers had called the governments recommended sentence draconian and, given Madigans age, a life sentence. They asked Blakey to consider the totality of Madigans life and work and the need to care for his wife in requesting a sentence of five years probation, with one year of home confinement, a requirement to perform community service and a reasonable fine.

In a video submitted to the court, Madigans wife, Shirley, asks for a sentence of probation, explaining that Madigan is her caregiver and she would have to seek outside help if he were to be imprisoned. And, she says, Im a part of him.

Theres some days I keep him going, Shirley Madigan says on the video. He keeps me going sometimes, too, but I think that the impact that I have on him has been much, much larger.

The court received more than 200 letters of support for Madigan, many from constituents, friends, leaders of nonprofits and other organizations that interact with the state. Some noted asking him for help just once. Most lauded him for dedication, integrity or a personal touch.

Mike Madigan is a good man who has selflessly done an exceptional amount of good for others, his lawyers wrote in a separate filing. He is widely respected for his dedication to honesty and integrity.

Tried alongside Madigan was his former legislative colleague and longtime confidant, Michael McClain. The jury couldnt reach a decision on any of the six counts against McClain. He was convicted, though, in a separate trial over the ComEd conspiracy last year.

By JOHN OCONNOR

Associated Press
The Latest: Hundreds of No Kings protests and rallies planned for Saturday over Trumps policies

The Latest: Hundreds of No Kings protests and rallies planned for Saturday over Trumps policies View Photo

Rallies against President Donald Trump are expected across the U.S. on Saturday to coincide with the military parade in Washington marking the Armys 250th anniversary, which also falls on Trumps birthday. Trump warned that protests in the capital will be met with very big force.

Tensions flared this week after Trump deployed 4,700 troops to the Los Angeles area to respond to protests there challenging immigration raids, a decision California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the courts to block.

Meanwhile the new Israeli military operation against Iran is giving the president a fresh test of his campaign promise to disentangle the U.S. from foreign conflicts. Trump urged Iran on Friday to quickly reach an agreement on curbing its nuclear program, framing the volatile moment in the Middle East as a possible second chance for Tehran.

Heres the Latest:

Trump signs executive order on Nippon Steel investment in US Steel

The president has signed the order paving the way for the Nippon investment, so long as the Japanese company complies with a national security agreement submitted by the federal government.

Trumps order did not detail the terms of the agreement. But U.S. Steel and Nippon said in a joint statement that it stipulates that approximately $11 billion in new investments will be made by 2028 and includes giving the U.S. government a golden share  essentially veto power to ensure national security interests are protected.

This partnership will bring a massive investment that will support our communities and families for generations to come, the companies said. We look forward to putting our commitments into action to make American steelmaking and manufacturing great again.

Appeals court wont reconsider ruling that Trump must pay E. Jean Carroll $5M in sex abuse case

In an 8-2 vote, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the presidents petition for the full appellate court to rehear arguments in his challenge to the jurys finding that he sexually abused the advice columnist in the mid-1990s and defamed her with comments he made in October 2022.

A three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the verdict in December, rejecting Trumps claims that trial Judge Lewis A. Kaplans decisions spoiled the trial, including allowing two other Trump sexual abuse accusers to testify.

The women said Trump committed similar acts against them in the 1970s and in 2005. Trump denied all three womens allegations.

In an opinion Friday, four judges voting to reject rehearing wrote: Simply re-litigating a case is not an appropriate use of the process. All four were appointed by President Joe Biden.

The two dissenting judges, Trump appointees, wrote that the trial consisted of a series of indefensible evidentiary rulings.

Mexican president calls for no ICE raids during Mexico-Dominican Republic soccer match

The two countries are scheduled to play Saturday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in a group stage match of the Gold Cup. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged authorities not to target attendees.

We dont believe that there will be any raids if theres a soccer game, Sheinbaum said in a news conference. We hope there wont be any. We call for no action from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Dozens of workers have been detained by federal immigration authorities in a series of raids in LAs fashion district and at Home Depot parking lots in Southern California. More than 100 people have been detained.

Usually the Mexican national team attracts large crowds whenever it plays in Southern California. The teams last match there was in March, when more than 50,000 fans attended a League of Nations semifinal against Canada.

State Department official warns Iran and its proxies not to target Americans or US interests

McCoy Pitt, the senior official in the departments Bureau of International Organization Affairs, told an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council that the consequences for Iran would be dire.

Let me be crystal clear, he said, no government, proxy, or independent actor should target American citizens, American bases or other American infrastructure in the region.

Pitt said Trump wants an end to violence and Iran to make a deal.

The United States will continue to seek a diplomatic resolution that ensures Iran will never acquire a nuclear weapon or post a threat to stability in the Middle East, he said. Irans leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time.

Immigration raids are threatening businesses that supply Americas food, farm bureaus say

Raids have been carried out recently in places such as packinghouses and fields in California. Dozens of farmworkers have been arrested after uniformed federal agents fanned out on farms northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, which is known for growing strawberries, lemons and avocados.

Others are skipping work out of fear as Trump steps up his immigration crackdown, vowing to dramatically increase arrests and sending federal agents to detain people.

Maureen McGuire, chief executive of Ventura Countys farm bureau, said between 25% and 45% of farmworkers have stopped showing up for work since the large-scale raids began this month.

When our workforce is afraid, fields go unharvested, packinghouses fall behind, and market supply chains, from local grocery stores to national retailers, are affected, she said Thursday in a statement. This impacts every American who eats.

 Read more about the immigration raids and farmworkers

Judge blocks State Department from firing workers while injunction is in effect

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco stopped Secretary of State Marco Rubio from proceeding with plans to downsize the agency, saying it was prohibited behavior under an injunction she issued last month.

Illston barred the administration from carrying out much of its plans to reorganize and slash departments while she hears a legal challenge brought by labor unions and others. She said Trump failed to seek Congressional cooperation when he ordered government-wide cuts.

But, in late May, the State Department notified Congress of an updated reorganization of the agency that would cut programs and personnel even more deeply than previously revealed.

Rubio also ordered U.S. embassies this week to fire all remaining staffers with the U.S. Agency for International Development. He said the State Department will take over USAIDs foreign assistance programs by Monday.

The administration said Rubio launched a reorganization of his department independently of the presidents directive and so was exempt.

California law enforcement agencies on alert

LA Sheriff Robert Luna said his department is at nearly double the normal staffing level ahead of at least 40 different demonstrations expected Saturday and major weekend sporting events.

The California Highway Patrol said it is on tactical alert, which means days off for officers have been cancelled, in response to more than 200 protests planned statewide.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said his department is very heavily deployed in preparation. Asked about the recent arrival of Marines and their role in the city, McDonnell said he wouldnt call it coordination.

We know where they are, we know that they are doing their mission which is, as were told, to support federal employees, functions, and facilities, he said. What their mission is not is to work with us on the streets to maintain order, restore order and keep everybody safe.

However McDonnell said he and Luna were on a call with military leadership Thursday to open lines of communication.

Mahmoud Khalil can remain jailed over claims he lied on green card application, judge says

A judge who barred the administration from deporting the Palestinian activist and former Columbia University student declined Friday to order his release from an immigration detention center, saying he had not yet proven that he was being held illegally.

The ruling is a setback for Khalil, who was detained in March. He had appeared to be close to winning his freedom after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz found that the initial effort to deport him on foreign policy grounds was likely unconstitutional.

The judge had given the Trump administration until Friday morning to appeal an order that could have led to Khalils release.

The government filed court papers saying it believed it could continue detaining Khalil based on its secondary rationale for expelling him  an allegation that he lied on his green card application.

 Read more about the latest developments in Khalils case

Washington governor calls for peaceful protests

Gov. Bob Ferguson took to social media Friday to make his call for peaceful protests over the weekend, to ensure the military is not sent to the state.

He said on the social platform X that people have a right, even a duty, to express their opinions, and Trumps activation of the military in California is deeply disturbing.

The state is prepared to fight back if Trump attempts a similar stunt in Washington state, Ferguson said. To avoid that possibility, he said, people should speak out peacefully and lawfully.

Donald Trump wants to be able to say that we cannot handle our own public safety in Washington state, he said. Dont give him an excuse to try and federalize the National Guard like he did in California.

Heres what to expect at the Armys 250th anniversary parade on Trumps birthday

The tanks are staged and ready to roll. Fencing and barriers are up. Protective metal plating has been laid out on Washingtons streets.

And more than 6,000 troops are poised to march near the National Mall to honor the Armys 250th anniversary on Saturday, which happens to be President Donald Trumps 79th birthday.

With preparations well in hand, one big unknown is the weather. Rain is in the forecast, so there is a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Thursday that rain or shine the parade will go on. But it could be delayed if there is lightning.

 Read more about what to expect at the parade Saturday

More than a dozen Marines are now stationed outside the Wilshire federal building in Los Angeles

They replaced some members of the National Guard at various entrances. They mostly appeared to be checking tickets from members of the public, who were there to renew their passports.

They held camo-colored rifles and walkie-talkies. One consulted a laminated map. Another used a long-lens camera to snap photos of journalists in the area.

There were no protesters around the building. Occasionally a passing driver shouted from a vehicle window to express anger over or support for the military presence.

Oil prices leap 7% and Dow drops 1.8% on worries about what will happen to the crude market

Its caused by worries that escalating violence following Israels attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets could damage the flow of crude around the world, along with the global economy.

The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.8%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.3%.

The strongest action was in the oil market, where crude prices jumped 7.3% and returned to where they were early this year.

Iran is one of the worlds major producers of oil, and escalating fighting could limit its flow. Markets worry that rising oil prices could push inflation higher.

Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

A U.S. official, who wasnt authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the conversation took place.

 Chris Megerian

Marines are seen standing guard at a federal building in Los Angeles

It comes after protests erupted last week over immigration raids.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51 whos overseeing the 4,700 troops deployed by President Trump, said the Marines finished training on civil disturbance and are starting their operations by replacing National Guard troops.

The National Guard soldiers can then be assigned to protect more law enforcement agents on raids, Sherman said. About 200 Marines out of the 700 deployed to the protests are in the city, Sherman said. They have all undergone civil disturbance training.

US military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, US official says

The U.S. has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist in missile intercepts and to provide better protection of U.S. bases in the region.

While the official didnt say how the U.S. provided assistance, both U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft and destroyer-based missile defenses have intercepted missiles in previous attacks.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.

 Jon Gambrell, Josef Federman, Julia Frankel, Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said shes committed to defending peoples right to peacefully protest

But she said in the Friday statement that violence will not be tolerated.

I strongly urge protestors to remain peaceful and calm as they exercise their First Amendment right to make their voices heard, the Democratic governor said.

Trump has finished his meeting with national security aides

Trumps meeting with National Security Council principals to discuss Israels operations has finished, according to the White House.

Officials did not provide details on any specific aspects of Trumps talks with top aides in the White House Situation Room or how long it went.

Judge blocks Trumps firing of the 3 Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Fridays ruling says the commissioners can resume their duties because their dismissals were unlawful. The ruling will likely be appealed.

The five-member commission helps protect consumers from dangerous products by issuing recalls, suing errant companies and more.

The three Democrats who were fired last month were serving seven-year terms after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

Attorneys for the Trump administration have argued that any restrictions on the presidents removal power violate his constitutional authority.

Attorneys for the fired commissioners noted that federal statute says the president can fire commissioners for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other cause  allegations that have not been made.

Mideast unrest could drive prices higher as Americans are already wary of Trumps tariffs impacts

Energy, shipping, travel and consumer goods are among sectors that could face an outsize impact from the escalation in the Middle East.

Americans are already leery about the economy this year due to Trumps sweeping tariffs, though the impact so far has been muted.

Government data this week revealed that Trumps tariffs have yet to cause a broader rise in inflation. Still, many companies have announced price hikes due to the tariffs.

On Friday, the strongest reaction was in the oil market, where prices jumped.

 Read more about what this might mean for consumers.

Consumer sentiment increased in June for first time in 6 months

Its the latest sign that Americans views of the economy have improved as inflation has stayed tame and the Trump administration has reached a truce in its trade fight with China.

The preliminary reading of the University of Michigans closely watched consumer sentiment index, released Friday, jumped 16% to 60.5.

The large increase followed steady drops that left the preliminary number last month at the second-lowest level in the nearly 75-year history of the survey. Consumer sentiment is still down 20% compared with December 2024.

Met Opera attendance dropped as tourism fell, coinciding with Trumps immigration crackdown

The Met sold 72% of capacity, matching 2023-24 and down from its 75% projection.

We were on track to continue to improve, Met general manager Peter Gelb said Friday. We were disappointed by the sales in the last two months of the season  our projections were much higher and I attribute the fact that we didnt achieve our sales goals to a significant drop in tourism.

New York City Tourism & Conventions last month reduced its 2025 international visitor projection by 17%, the Met said.

International buyers accounted for 11% of sales, down from the Mets projection of 16% and from about 20% before the pandemic.

 Read more about the Met.

4 detainees escaped from a New Jersey immigration detention facility

Authorities are looking for four detainees who escaped from an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

More law enforcement partners have been brought in to find the detainees missing from Delaney Hall, according to an emailed statement attributed to a senior DHS official whom the department did not identify. The statement also didnt specify which law enforcement agencies are involved.

 Read more about whats going on at Delaney Hall.

Marines to take over operations in downtown LA, commander says

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51 who is overseeing the 4,700 troops deployed in Los Angeles, said Friday that 200 Marines have finished training on civil disturbance.

Sherman said the Marines will take over operations at noon local time in downtown Los Angeles. He says they will be protecting federal property and personnel.

The Marines will join some 2,000 National Guard troops that have been on the streets of the city since last week when immigration raids set off protests.

Trump is convening a National Security Council meeting on Israels attack on Iran

The meeting in the Situation Room, which was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., is the only item listed on Trumps public schedule for Friday. There are currently no plans for him to appear before reporters.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling in Tennessee

Kilmar Abrego Garcia s plea was the first chance the Maryland construction worker has had in a U.S. courtroom to answer the Trump administrations allegations against him since he was mistakenly deported in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

The Republican administration returned Abrego Garcia to the U.S. last week to face a new indictment charging him with human smuggling for transported immigrants inside the United States. Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with nine passengers during a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

Theres no way a jury is going to see the evidence and agree that this sheet metal worker is the leader of an international MS-13 smuggling conspiracy, his lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said last week.

U.S. attorneys have asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes to keep Abrego Garcia in jail, describing him as a danger to the community and a flight risk.

Los Angeles had another relatively calm night

Most of the sprawling city has been spared as protests continue downtown, near City Hall and a federal detention center where some immigrants are being held.

On the third night of an 8 p.m. curfew, Los Angeles police arrested several demonstrators who refused to leave a downtown street, and Homeland Security officers deployed flash bangs to disperse a crowd near the jail.

Those incidents were outliers. As with the previous two nights, the hourslong demonstrations remained peaceful and upbeat, drawing a few hundred attendees who were chanting, dancing and poking fun at the Trump administrations characterization of the city as a war zone.

The LAPD said there have been about 470 arrests since Saturday, the vast majority for failing to leave the downtown area at the request of law enforcement. A handful of more serious charges include assault against officers and possession of a Molotov cocktail and a gun. Nine officers have been hurt, mostly with minor injuries.

 Read more about the crackdown and protests in Los Angeles

Detained Columbia protester asks judge to order his release, says government missed appeal deadline

The letter lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil sent Friday to U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz in New Jersey says Khalil has satisfied all the courts requirements for his release, including posting a $1 bond, while lawyers for the government missed the judges Fridays 9:30 a.m. deadline. In response, the judge gave the government until 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Khalils lawyers say the government hasnt shown any grounds to keep detaining him, other than reasons the judge already dismissed.

The deadline has come and gone and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately, his lawyers said in a statement provided by the American Civil Liberties Union. Anything further is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

Spokespeople for the Justice Department and Homeland Security didnt immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

 Read more about Khalils case

California governor concerned that private Medicaid data will facilitate deportations

Gavin Newsom s office expressed concern that the data will be used for immigration raids supported by the National Guard troops and Marines Trump deployed in Los Angeles.

We deeply value the privacy of all Californians, the statement said. This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.

Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon said the data was shared legally, to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them.

Nixon wouldnt answer questions about how DHS would use it, and DHS officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump administration gives personal data of immigrant Medicaid enrollees to deportation officials

The data includes the immigration status of millions of Medicaid enrollees, which could facilitate locating people to deport as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.

An internal memo and emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully sought to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns. Nevertheless, two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails show.

The dataset includes people living in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., all of which allow non-U.S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that use only state taxpayer dollars.

 Read more about how DHS now has personal data of immigrant Medicaid enrollees

Republican enthusiasm for Musk cools after his feud with Trump, a new AP-NORC poll finds

The tech billionaire has lost some of his luster with Republicans since his messy public falling-out with the president last week.

Fewer Republicans view Trumps onetime government efficiency bulldog very favorably compared with April, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Though most Republicans continue to hold a positive view of Musk, their diminished fervor suggests his vocal opposition to Trumps signature spending and tax cut legislation  and Musks subsequent online political and personal taunts  may have cost him.

About half of Americans have a negative opinion of Tesla  far more than other car companies. Tesla has dropped in value and amid protests in the U.S. and Europe.

 Read more about the AP/NORC poll on opinions about Elon Musk

Trump praises appellate court for blocking judges order saying his National Guard deployment is illegal

If I didnt send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now, Trump said on his Truth Social platform Friday.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judges order directing Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California, and set an appellate hearing for Tuesday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom had asked for an emergency intervention to stop troops from supporting immigration raids. Today was really about a test of democracy, and today we passed the test, Newsom said before the appeals court decision.

The district court has no authority to usurp the Presidents authority as Commander in Chief, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.

 Read more about Californias legal challenge of Trumps military deployment in Los Angeles

Trump: US was aware of Israeli attack ahead of time

The U.S. president said Friday morning that we know whats going on when asked what sort of advance warning he got from Israel about its attack on Iran.

Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on, he told the Wall Street Journal.

Trump again cited the Israel attack as a warning to Iran to make a nuclear deal.

US shifts military resources in Mideast in response to Israel strikes on Iran

The United States is shifting ships and other military resources in the Middle East in response to Israels strikes on Iran and a possible retaliatory attack by Tehran, two U.S. officials said Friday.

The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and also has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

The president is meeting with his National Security Council principals, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Friday morning to discuss the situation, one of the officials said.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

 Tara Copp.

Judge blocks Trumps election order, siding with Democrats who called it overreach

The Republican presidents March 25 executive order sought to overhaul elections nationwide by compelling officials to require documentary proof of citizenship for everyone registering to vote for federal elections, accepting only mailed ballots received by Election Day and conditioning federal election grant funding on states adhering to the new ballot deadline.

The White House has defended the order as standing up for free, fair and honest elections and called proof of citizenship a commonsense requirement.

The judge sided with a group of Democratic state attorneys general who challenged the effort as unconstitutional.

The attorneys general said the directive usurps the States constitutional power and seeks to amend election law by fiat.

Israel told the Trump administration of the attacks ahead of time

Israel told the Trump administration that large-scale attacks were coming and expected Iranian retaliation would be severe and thats why the United States ordered the evacuations of some nonessential embassy staffers and authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents in the region, U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehrans nuclear program, but its not clear if the Iranians would participate, officials said.

By The Associated Press
Mahmoud Khalil can remain jailed over claims he lied on green card application, judge says

Mahmoud Khalil can remain jailed over claims he lied on green card application, judge says View Photo

NEW YORK (AP)  A federal judge who barred the Trump administration from deporting Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil declined Friday to order his release from an immigration detention center, saying the former Columbia University student hadnt yet proven he was being held illegally.

The ruling is a setback for Khalil, who was detained in March. He had appeared to be close to winning his freedom after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz held that the governments initial effort to deport him on foreign policy grounds was likely unconstitutional.

The judge had given the Trump administration until Friday morning to appeal an order that could have led to Khalils release.

But the government filed court papers saying it believed it could continue detaining Khalil based on its secondary rationale for expelling him from the U.S.  an allegation that he lied on his green card application.

Farbiarz, who sits in New Jersey, wrote in his Friday ruling that Khalils lawyers hadnt presented enough evidence that detention on those grounds was unlawful and suggested that Khalils next step could be to ask for bail from an immigration judge in Louisiana.

One of Khalils lawyers, Amy Greer, criticized the Trump administrations legal maneuvering as cruel, transparent delay tactics meant to keep her client away from his wife and newborn son ahead of their first Fathers Day as a family.

Instead of celebrating together, he is languishing in ICE detention as punishment for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Palestinians, she said in a statement. It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful.

Khalil has previously disputed the notion that he omitted information on his application.

In a filing last week, he maintained he was never employed by or served as an officer of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, as the administration claims, but completed an internship approved by the university as part of his graduate studies.

Khalil said he also stopped working for the British Embassy in Beirut in December 2022, when he moved to the U.S., despite the administrations claims that he had worked in the embassys Syria office longer.

Earlier Friday, Khalils lawyers asked the judge to order his release, saying he had satisfied all of the courts requirements and that the governments lawyers had missed a morning deadline to challenge the judges Wednesday ruling.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is among the groups representing Khalil, also released a video Friday featuring actors Mark Ruffalo, Mahershala Ali and other celebrity fathers reading a letter Khalil wrote to his newborn son from jail ahead of his first Fathers Day on Sunday.

One day you might ask why people are punished for standing up for Palestine, read Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello. These are hard questions, but I hope our story shows you this: The world needs more courage, not less. It needs people who choose justice over convenience.

Khalil was detained on March 8 at his apartment building in Manhattan over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

His was the first arrest under President Donald Trumps crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said Khalil must be expelled from the country because his continued presence could harm American foreign policy.

Khalils lawyers say the Trump administration is simply trying to crack down on free speech.

Khalil isnt accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The international affairs graduate student served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists.

He wasnt among the demonstrators arrested, but his prominence in news coverage and willingness to speak publicly made him a target of critics.

The Trump administration has argued that noncitizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country as it considers their views antisemitic.

By PHILIP MARCELO

Associated Press
US appeals court refuses to vacate Biden approval of Alaskas Willow oil project View Photo

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A federal appeals court panel on Friday refused to vacate the approval of the massive Willow oil project on Alaskas petroleum-rich North Slope though it found flaws in how the approval was reached.

The decision from a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes in a long-running dispute over the project, most recently greenlit in March 2023 by then-President Joe Bidens administration and under development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska by ConocoPhillips Alaska.

The courts majority opinion found what it called a procedural error  but not a serious or substantive one  by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as part of the analysis in approving Willow. The court sent the matter back to the agency for additional work.

The majority determined that vacating the projects approval would be unwarranted and its consequences severe, though Judge Gabriel P. Sanchez dissented on that point.

A prior version of the project approved late in President Donald Trumps first term was overturned in 2021, leading to the environmental review process completed under Biden that drew the latest legal challenges from environmentalists and a grassroots Inupiat group.

Alaskas Republican governor and its congressional delegation and state Legislature have backed Willow. The project also has broad support among Alaska Native leaders on the North Slope and groups with ties to the region who see Willow as economically vital for their communities.

But critics cast the project as being at odds with Bidens pledges to combat climate change and raised concerns that it would drive further industrialization in the region.

Trump expressed support for additional drilling in the reserve as part of a broader, Alaska-specific executive order he signed upon his return to office aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state.

During the cold-weather seasons, ConocoPhillips Alaska has worked to build infrastructure such as new gravel roads, bridges and pipelines at the project site, and it has laid out a timeline for producing first oil in 2029. In a statement Friday, the company said it welcomed the ruling and looked forward to continuing the responsible development of Willow.

J. Elizabeth Peace, a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of the Interior, said the agency doesnt comment on litigation. The Bureau of Land Management falls under Interior.

The appeals panel ruling comes more than a year after it heard arguments in the case. Environmental groups and the grassroots Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic had appealed a lower-court ruling that upheld Willows approval. Attorneys representing the groups on Friday were evaluating next steps.

Arguments before the appeals court panel focused largely on claims the land management agency did not consider a reasonable range of alternatives in its environmental review, as well as the groups contention the agency had limited its consideration of alternatives to those that allowed for full-field development of the project.

Attorneys for ConocoPhillips Alaska argued the leases in the companys Bear Tooth Unit in the northeast part of the petroleum reserve are in areas open to leasing and surface development  and that the agency committed the unit to development in issuing leases there over a number of years. Willow is in the unit.

Fridays ruling said the agency during the environmental review process took a stance that it needed to screen out alternatives that stranded an economically viable quantity of oil but then never explained whether the pared-back plan it ultimately approved satisfied the full-field development standard.

The agency framed its environmental review based on the full field development standard and had a rational explanation for doing so, the ruling states. But that does not permit BLM to potentially deviate from the standard without explanation.

ConocoPhillips Alaska had proposed five drilling sites for Willow but the Bureau of Land Management approved three, which it said would include up to 199 total wells.

Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice who represented some of the groups that challenged Willow, saw the ruling as a partial victory.

They found a fundamental flaw that led them to conclude that the BLM acted arbitrarily in approving the Willow project and have sent that back to the agency to reconsider in a non-arbitrary way and make a new decision, he said.

By BECKY BOHRER

Associated Press
Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges in Tennessee federal court View Photo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation has become a flashpoint in President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown, pleaded not guilty Friday to human smuggling charges in a federal court in Tennessee.

The hearing was the first chance the Maryland construction worker has had in a U.S. courtroom to answer the Trump administrations allegations since he was mistakenly deported in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

Abrego Garcias attorneys have characterized the smuggling case as a desperate attempt to justify the mistaken deportation. The investigation was launched weeks after the U.S. government deported Abrego Garcia and following a Supreme Court order and mounting pressure to return him.

Abrego Garcias lawyers told a judge Friday that some government witnesses cooperated to get favors regarding their immigration status or criminal charges they were facing. A federal agent acknowledged during his testimony that one witness was living in the U.S. illegally with a criminal record and is now getting preferred status.

He sounds like the exact type of person this government should be trying to deport, Federal Public Defender Dumaka Shabazz said. Theyre going to give all these other people deals to stay in the country just to get this one other person.

Most of Fridays hearing focused on whether Abrego Garcia should be released as he awaits trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes said she will write her decision sooner rather than later.

The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop for speeding in Tennessee during which Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with nine passengers. While officers suspected possible smuggling, Abrego Garcia was allowed to go on his way with only a warning.

Body camera footage shows a calm exchange between officers and Abrego Garcia. The officers then discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling before letting him go. One of the officers says, Hes hauling these people for money. Another says Abrego Garcia had $1,400 in an envelope.

The federal indictment accuses Abrego Garcia of smuggling throughout the U.S. hundreds of people living in the country illegally, including children and members of the violent MS-13 gang.

In briefings before Fridays hearing, U.S. attorneys described Abrego Garcia as a danger to the community and a flight risk. They also accused him of trafficking drugs and firearms and of abusing the women he transported, among other claims, although he is not charged with such crimes.

Rob McGuire, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, told the judge Friday that migrant transportation is inherently dangerous.

The prosecutor also presented two orders of protection that Abrego Garcias wife sought in 2020 and 2021 against him for domestic violence. Jennifer Vasquez Sura said this spring that the couple had worked things out privately as a family, including by going to counseling.

Abrego Garcias attorneys rejected the prosecutions assertions that he was a danger, while arguing the charges arent serious enough for detention.

If Mr. Abrego Garcia is so dangerous, this violent MS-13 guy, why did they wait almost three years to indict him on this? Shabazz asked the judge. Why wait until literally after the Supreme Court told them they denied him due process and they had to bring him back before they investigate him?

Special agent testifies

Fridays proceeding included testimony from a Department of Homeland Security agent who quoted three unnamed witnesses who spoke to a grand jury about Abrego Garcias alleged actions.

Special agent Peter Joseph said that the witnesses saw Abrego Garcia trafficking people, guns or drugs and that Abrego Garcia earned upwards of $100,000 a year. One man said Abrego Garcia was sexually inappropriate towards underage girls, Joseph testified, while a woman said Abrego Garcia had solicited nude photos of her when she was 15 and she believed he was in the MS-13 gang.

During cross-examination, Abrego Garcias attorneys raised questions about possible conflicts of interest. One man had been convicted of a felony and was previously deported. He also was serving a 30-month sentence when investigators contacted him, Joseph acknowledged. That witness is now living in a halfway house and on his way to getting work authorization.

The second man is a very close relative of the first witness and said he would help in return for his release from jail, said Richard Tennent, an assistant federal public defender. A third witness had previously been compensated for her work with law enforcement.

Tennent said one of the witnesses told investigators that Abrego Garcia would drive roundtrip between Maryland and Houston  nearly 24 hours each way  two or three times per week. The witness said Abrego Garcia usually had two of his children and his wife with him.

Tennent pointed out that Abrego Garcia has three children, two of whom are autistic.

Kilmar wants you to have faith

Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador who had been living in the United States for more than a decade before he was deported. The expulsion violated a 2019 U.S. immigration judges order that shielded him from deportation to his native country because he likely faced gang persecution there.

Before Fridays hearing began in Nashville, Abrego Garcias wife told a crowd outside a church that Thursday marked three months since the Trump administration abducted and disappeared my husband and separated him from our family.

Her voice choked with emotion, Vasquez Sura said she saw her husband for the first time Thursday. She said, Kilmar wants you to have faith.

The decision to charge Abrego Garcia criminally prompted the resignation of Ben Schrader, who was chief of the criminal division at the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. He declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press last week. However, a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a personnel matter confirmed the connection.

___

This story has been corrected to show the Trump administration said that the human smuggling operation transported immigrants across the country, not that it brought immigrants into the country illegally.

___

Finley reported from Norfolk, Va.

By TRAVIS LOLLER, JONATHAN MATTISE and BEN FINLEY

Associated Press
California Legislature OKs proposal to freeze health care access for some immigrants View Photo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California lawmakers on Friday approved a budget proposal to freeze enrollment in a state-funded health care program for immigrants without legal status to help close a $12 billion deficit.

Their plan is a scaled-back version of a proposal Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced in May. California, with the largest state budget in the country, is facing a deficit for the third year in a row. This years budget shortfall has forced Democratic leaders to start cutting back on several liberal policy priorities, including to the landmark health care expansion for low-income adult immigrants without legal status.

The vote comes as tensions escalate in Los Angeles over President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown across Southern California. As protesters took to the streets and, at times, clashed with law enforcement in dayslong demonstrations, Trump said protests had turned violent and activated more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines over the objections of city and state leaders. The demonstrations have largely been peaceful. California has sued the federal government to stop the deployment.

The decision to freeze Medicaid enrollment highlights Democratic state leaders struggle to protect progressive priorities against budget challenges. Illinois and Minnesota, also led by Democratic governors, are on track to end health care access to low-income adults without legal status after facing budget shortfalls this year.

It is not the states final spending plan. Newsom and legislative leaders are still negotiating solutions before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget by Sunday or else they would forfeit their salaries. Democratic state leaders are also bracing for potential federal cuts to health care programs and other broad economic uncertainty such as federal tariff policies that could force them to make even deeper cuts.

Republican lawmakers say the Legislatures budget doesnt do enough to rein in costs ahead of future deficits. The caucus unsuccessfully pushed for a proposal Friday that would have eliminated funding for the health care programs for low-income people without legal status, among other things.

Its a difficult budget because of the unsustainable spending that the governor and the legislative Democrats have been doing over many years now, Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher said Friday after the vote.

Freezing access and adding premiums

The state has more than 1.6 million people without legal status enrolled in its health care program this fiscal year, according to the budget.

Under Newsoms plan, low-income adults without legal status would no longer be eligible to apply for Medi-Cal, the states Medicaid program, starting in 2026. Those who are already enrolled wouldnt be kicked off their plans but would have to start paying a $100 monthly premium in 2027. The state would save $5.4 billion by fiscal year 2028-2029, state officials estimated.

Lawmakers mostly agreed on the plan to halt enrollment for adults without legal status, but their proposal also includes a provision to allow people to reenroll within six months if they lose coverage for missing payment. The monthly premium would also lower by roughly a third to $30 and would only apply to adults between 19 and 59 under the Legislatures plan starting in July 2027. The proposal would save roughly $3.8 billion by fiscal year 2027-2028.

The proposals would likely result in people losing coverage because they cant afford the premiums and send more people into emergency rooms, advocates said.

This is no way to respond to concerns about the health and safety of communities that power our economy and contribute billions in state taxes, said Masih Fouladi, Executive Director of the California Immigrant Policy Center.

Democrats divided

California was among one of the first states to extend free health care benefits to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status, an ambitious plan touted by Newsom to help the nations most populous state inch closer to a goal of universal health care. But the cost ran billions more than the administration had anticipated and is projected to keep growing.

California provides free health care to more than a third of its 39 million people.

Several Democrats said the Medicaid enrollment freeze does not align with California values. The plan would create a two-tier health care system, they said.

If we move forward with freezing Medi-Cal enrollment and charging premiums to our immigrant population, we are no better than the Trump administration, Assemblymember Sade Elhawary said prior to the vote. The federal administration targeted immigrant communities with force, and we are targeting them through this budget by basically cutting off their access to health care.

Democratic state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson defended the budget proposal, saying that the plan is not cutting benefits to people who are already enrolled as Legislature also avoided more devastating cuts in social services. Lawmakers rejected the governors plan to cut funding for a program providing in-home domestic and personal care services for some low-income residents and Californians with disabilities. They also rejected a proposal that would have cut Planned Parenthoods budget by a third.

No one who is currently covered will lose their health care coverage, she said.

By TRAN NGUYEN

Associated Press
In the space of just a few days, Colombia has been plunged into a political crisis that could end up toppling its first ever left-wing government.

Given the present situation in Colombia, which, as Lambert was wont to say, is overly dynamic, particularly following the attempted assassination last weekend of a sitting senator and aspiring presidential candidate by a 15-year old sicario, this post is unavoidably quite speculative in nature.

First, a little background.

Led by former M-19 guerrilla Gustavo Petro, Colombias government is not only seeking to introduce sweeping labour and healthcare reforms that threaten the interests of Colombias financial and business elite but is also in the process of realigning Colombias foreign and trade policy away from the US and toward the BRICS  in particular, the US number-one peer rival, China.

Petro has also denounced the destructive insanity of the US-led global war on drugs, including from the podium of the UN General Assembly in New York. Colombia was also one of the first (and only) countries to fully break off diplomatic ties with Israel in response to the Gaza genocide  a principled and dangerous act given Israels strong ties with Colombias police, military and paramilitary forces.

All, of these actions, needless to say, are big no-noes for a country whose government and military have been aligned with the US and Israel for over half a century, and whose political institutions and class remain firmly tethered to the US.

In fact, in 2008 Venezuelas then-President Hugo Chavez famously labelled Colombia the Israel of Latin America after the Colombian military made an illegal cross border attack in Ecuador. In 2021, the Spanish left-wing politician Manuel Manu Pineda, drew the same comparison, describing Colombia as a North American military base that serves as both an experiment and a launch pad for destabilising the wider region:

Colombia is playing a very important role in the destabilisation of Venezuela, for example. A country full of military bases that, with the pretext of combatting drug trafficking, are actually hosting counter-insurgency troops; because as far as drug trafficking is concerned, they seem to be wildly ineffective. Colombia is the largest supplier of cocaine to the United States, by far, according to the DEAs own reports.

In short, Colombia has played a key role in US counter-insurgency policy in South America, particularly toward Ecuador and Venezuela. As in Afghanistan, the US drug control programs in the country appear to have been a lot less successful  as long as one takes the word control to mean reduction.

The US currently has seven formal military bases in Colombia, according to the Latin American Strategic Center for Geopolitics (also known as CELAG). However, a report (in Spanish) published by School of Americas Watch in April 2021 claims there are also dozens of so-called quasi-bases  which differ from formal bases in no other way than that they lack a formal lease agreement for use of facilities  scattered around the country, particularly in areas rich in mineral resources and/or close to Colombias border with Venezuela.

Since the year 2000 Colombia has received $13 billion of aid from the US, according to the Washington Office on Latin America, most of which was spent on weapons, soldiers and herbicides. Colombia was the only Latin American country to support the US-led war in Iraq and even contributed soldiers to the occupation of Afghanistan. In 2017, Colombia became one of NATOs global partners, and the Alliances first Latin American partner.

The End of a 200-Year Trend

In short, Colombia was an almost perfect vassal state. But that changed in June 2022, when the former M-19 guerrilla Gustavo Petro made history by becoming Colombias first left-wing president since the country won independence in 1819. One of the few people who came close to achieving the feat, Jorge Eliecer Gaitan Ayala, was assassinated during his second presidential campaign, way back in 1948.

It is no exaggeration to describe Colombia as a hostile territory for left-wing politics. In the late 80s, the then-Colombian President Virgilio Barco hired Rafi Eitan, a former Mossad chief, to help end the guerrilla conflict in the country. Eitans involvement in Colombias civil war was kept secret for 36 years, for obvious reasons: one of Eitans recommendations, which was enthusiastically embraced by Barco, was to exterminate the political leaders of the Patriotic Union (UP), the left-wing party that emerged from a peace agreement with the FARC guerrilla.

What followed was a brutal years-long assassination campaign that took the lives of 3,122 members of UP, including two presidential candidates, five sitting congressmen, 11 deputies, 109 councillors, several former councillors, eight current mayors, eight former mayors and thousands of other activists. According to data presented to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the total number of victims is more than 6,000, including murders, disappearances, torture, forced displacements and other human rights violations.

Three years ago, however, a majority of Colombians voted against the status quo. The problem, as we noted at the time, is that Petro has limited room for manoeuvre, firstly because he only has one four-year term in which to enact his governments ambitious reform agenda. Also, he does not have a full majority in either of the two legislative chambers. As a result, many of his governments proposed legislation has been blocked or significantly watered down in Congress, including its labour and healthcare reforms.

To get out of the impasse, Petro has decided to let the people decide. On Wednesday, Petro and his cabinet signed a decree calling for a referendum on August 7 on a raft of proposed labour and healthcare reforms that have been bogged and watered down.

The proposed labour reforms include the strengthening of union guarantees, an increase in the mandatory surcharge for night shifts, the strengthening of controls on temporary work agencies, the extension of paternity leave and the regulation of work on digital platforms. The health reforms, meanwhile, seek to expand the states role in financing and providing health services at the expense of private providers.

Like the labour reforms, they have also faced stiff opposition in Congress. Interestingly, the Senate, after a mammoth 12-hour session yesterday, did finally approve 75% of the articles proposed by the government in its labour reforms, which suggests the call for a public consultation is already concentrating minds and lubricating the wheels of government.

Early Stirrings of a Coup?

Now, in his third (and penultimate) year in government, Petro faces what could be the early stirrings of a soft coup against his government, The first major act came on Saturday when 39-year old Miguel Uribe Turbay, an opposition MP and potential presidential contender, was shot in the head by a 15-year old sicario as he was addressing a campaign event in a public park in Bogota.

The handgun used has apparently been traced back to a gun shop in Mesa, Arizona. It appears to be yet another example of how US gun smuggling is fuelling deadly violence throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Somehow, Uribe Turbay survived the assassination attempt but is still in critical condition. The grandson of former President Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, he is a member of Alvaro Uribe Velezs Centro Democratico party.

Among right-wing circles, Alvaro Uribe Velez is widely credited with bringing some semblance of order and stability to Colombia after decades of fratricidal warfare. This he did, however, at great human cost, by mobilising the army and ruthless paramilitary organizations  including one allegedly set up by Uribe himself and his brother  against leftist guerrilla groups.

When they ran out of guerrillas to kill, the military and paramilitaries began killing entire villages of innocent civilians and dressing them up as guerrillas. It was one way of ensuring that the aid money kept flowing from the US. In total, 6,402 civilians were murdered by the military between 2002 and 2008 and passed off as rebels in a practice dubbed false positives. According to the findings of Colombias Truth Commission, the US-supported paramilitary groups killed almost twice as many people as the guerrilla groups.

For the moment, we do not know is behind the assassination attempt on Uribe Turbay. However, comparisons have been drawn with Fernando Villavicencio, the journalist-turned-presidential candidate who was assassinated just weeks before the first round of Ecuadors elections in 2023.

Villavicencios assassination was widely credited with galvanising support for the eventual election winner, Daniel Noboa, the US-born and raised son of the Ecuadors richest man, a banana magnate. A couple of months ago, Villavicencios widow accused Ecuadors Attorney General, Diana Salazar, of pressuring her into blaming Ecuadors former left-leaning President Rafael Correa for the murder of her husband.

As happened in Ecuador, the attempted assassination of Uribe Turbay has created an atmosphere of fear and panic in Colombia, a country that has spent much of the past 100 years in a state of civil war. Some opposition figures appear to be more than happy to fan the flames of fear and hatred.

We must understand that today we took a massive step back towards the Colombia of death, said Vicky Davila, a former journalist and television presenter who is currently leading the polls among the right wing candidates.

As happened in Ecuador, many opposition figures and media outlets have already pinned the blame on the Petro government  just as Villavicencios death was blamed on the Correista Citizen Revolution Movement. In both cases, no solid evidence has been presented.

Again, from Vicky Davila:

I tell you now, the whole country: the main politician responsible for this is President Gustavo Petro because he has promoted an atmosphere of violence, an atmosphere that has brought us bloodshed and pain.

It is against this backdrop that Petro announced on Wednesday to a crowd gathered in Cali that a far-right leader of the Andean country, whose identity he did not reveal, has been in contact with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to organise an alleged coup detat against him. From Swiss Info:

I have information and I know that a certain leader of the extreme right in Colombia has been talking to the secretary of state, Petro said, adding that this person would be allied with drug trafficking and looking for sectors of the extreme right in Colombia and the United States to carry out a coup detat in the South American country. During a speech to a crowd gathered in the centre of Cali, in the southwest of the country, to talk about the popular consultation with which he seeks to approve his labour reforms, Petro assured that there is a recording that supports his accusations and that it has already been heard by Colombias Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo. Although he did not reveal the identity of the alleged suspect, he clarified that it is not the right-wing former president Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), founder of the Democratic Center party. I want (to ask) the owners of that recording to make it public in the newspapers of the United States, hopefully, the president said.

Boy Who Cried Wolf?

This is not the first time that Petro has alerted of an approaching coup or lawfare attempt against himself or his government. In fact, it has happened so often that there is almost a boy who cried Wolf' quality to his warnings. However, this time it may actually be true, for four main reasons.

First, because the US is stepping up its destabilisation efforts throughout Latin America, from Cuba to Mexico, to Panama, Venezuela, Bolivia and Colombia. Some analysts, including Juan Carlos Monedero, a former senior political strategist for Podemos, are even talking of a Plan Condor 2.0. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, a man who knows a thing or two about Washington-supported coups, has also accused Rubio of plotting to overthrow the Colombian government.

One can also infer from its interactions with the government of Panama that the Trump administration is deadly serious about reasserting US influence in its direct neighbourhood, even if that means threatening to send in US troops. However, with his all-stick, no-carrot approach, Trump has little to offer the regions countries besides the usual fare of fear, exploitation and death.

In Panama, Trumps recent statements and actions have fuelled a resurgence of classic protest slogans from old struggles, reports Spains La Vanguardia:

Yankis go home! or Panamas Southern Command out. Known for his blithe disregard for soft power, Trump may be turning a friend into an enemy. Panamanians are one of the most pro-American peoples in Latin America and have been that way for three decades, said Noel Maurer, author of The Big Ditch, (Princeton, 2011), an essay on the history of the Panama Canal. But if Trump really wants to take control of the channel, there would be resistance () mass demonstrations, he adds.

Second, because of the potentially constitutional nature of this crisis. If there is one thing that tends to lead to attempted coups in Latin America these days, it is when left-leaning governments try to change or bypass the constitution. Recent examples include the coup against Manuel Zelaya in 2009, an attempted coup against Rafael Correa in 2010, and Pedro Castillos auto-golpe in 2022.

Needless to say, when right-wing, US-friendly governments change, ignore or bypass the constitution, theres far less of a fuss from the US embassy. Examples: Nayib Bukeles re-election in 2024 and Noboas decision to allow US forces to use the Galapagos Islands US ships and crews to use the Galapagos Islands for control and patrol activities, both of which violated their respective constitutions.

Third, due to the way tensions have escalated in Colombia since the assassination attempt. Some politicians and opinion makers have called on Petro to abandon his public consultation altogether. Many opposition groups are refusing to even recognise the Petro government as a guarantor of the electoral process. According to El Pais, these groups account for 60 of the 105 seats in the Senate.

At the same time, accusations are swirling that Petro is effectively carrying out an internal coup (autogolpe) by launching a referendum on his proposed labour and healthcare reforms. These allegations are reminiscent of the charges levelled against Perus former left-wing president Pedro Castillo, who, in September 2022, tried to close Congress, intervene in the justice system and govern by decree. Like Petro, Castillo was accused of organising an autogolpe.

A virtual political nobody before riding to power on a wave of popular anger at establishment parties, Castillo had little support in government and was ultimately toppled and replaced by his vice president, Dina Boluarte, in an operation that enjoyed the full support of the US Ambassador to Peru, Lisa Kenna, and Perus military command. He is now facing up to 34 years in prison on charges of rebellion, abuse of authority and serious disturbance of public order.

Meanwhile, the scandal-tarnished Boluarte government, which began life by launching a ruthless crackdown on political protests that resulted in the deaths of dozens of pro-Castillo supporters, is arguably the least popular national leader on the American continent, with a public approval rating of just 2.4%.

Fourth, and perhaps most important: the myriad motives the Trump administration and Colombias comprador class have for toppling Petro. Not only is Petro seeking to pass reforms that may actually benefit the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of Colombian society, he is also seeking to shift the focus of Colombias foreign and trade policy away from the US and toward the BRICS, in particular the US most powerful peer rival, China.

At the recent Beijing summit between the Peoples Republic of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Petro, currently president pro tempore of CELAC, joined Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. He also pledged to join the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). Even more controversial still, the PRC offered to sell Colombia up to 24 J-10CE Chengdu Fighter aircraft, a proposal that would, in the words of the media outlet Infobae, redefine the landscape of the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC)

Petro also visited the facilities of Huawei in Shenzhen, a strategic rival of Western tech companies that could provide a broad range of cloud, data, and telecommunication services for the Colombian government and commercial infrastructure. Given Colombias long-established ties to the US military industrial complex as well as the fact that it is one of just two countries in South America, together with Ecuador, whose largest trade partner is still the US, these moves will not have gone down well in Washington.

Like Peru, Colombias political institutions remain firmly tethered to US policy interests while the majority of its political elite are still slavishly loyal to Washington. As such, while Petro may be a more experienced and astute political operator than Castillo, he still needs to tread carefully, especially given his levels of public approval are around 40-45%. Now that he is taking actions that genuinely threaten the interests not only of Colombias business and financial elite but also the Blob in Washington, the stakes are clearly rising.
Part the First: Who Will Supplant the United States in Scientific Research? Before going any further in answer to The Rev Kevs suggestion from last week, it is important to note that while the US currently remains the acknowledged leader in scientific research, this is a matter of quantity as much as quality. Other countries are better because support does not depend on success in a grant lottery, but their footprint is smaller. No place is perfect, but there are few American scientists who do not look at Canada and Europe and Australia with some wistfulness. This will eventually include China.

Thus, my unequivocal answer to the Rev is China, which would not have been my choice not so long ago. But then I would never have anticipated the outright attack on American science by the current Administration. When I began working in the laboratory in the 1970s Chinese scientists were not uncommon, but they were from Taiwan mostly, with a few from Hong Kong. The first scientist I ever met from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) was a botanist/plant biochemist named Mr. Hu. He was rehabilitated in the late-1970s after being sent to the provinces during the early days of the Cultural Revolution. Our department hosted him for two years, after which he returned to his former academic position at a higher rank. Mao was still dead and the Gang of Four were on the way out.

A short twenty years later when I was a research associate, scientists from the PRC were everywhere, not without some friction once in a while. But they are very good scientists, and most of those I knew seem to have remained in the US. However, as support for research has improved in China, many researchers with a connection to the country are returning. And the PRC is recruiting. By most measures China is close to the US in scientific research in quantity, and I expect they will pass the West in quality soon, despite the blinkered view of American politicians and a few scientists. This would not have crossed any of my colleagues minds ten years ago, but there you are. Good science is good science, no matter where it is done.

A short commentary in Nature (June 9) outlines a likely trajectory. Chinese scientists will stay home and build the institutions required, and leading international scientists other than the convicted liar Charles Lieber, formerly of Harvard, will accept research positions in China. Joseph Needham, who has been one of my most important teachers in how to be a scientist, would approve. It is true that China will struggle due to concerns about academic autonomy, institutional transparency and quality of life(and)the strength of Chinas home-grown research and innovation system will hinge on cultivating a truly open and supportive environment where top talent can remain and thrive. I expect this to happen sooner rather than later as the current global hegemon leads to a terminal Decline of the West undreamt of by Oswald Spengler.

Absent latter-day Armageddon, Chinas home-grown research establishment will surpass all others in the lifetimes of my children. They are a very patient people. We are a very fickle and by definition unserious people.

Part the Second: Follies of American Science, Continued. As China rises, America does something else. Still, as the headline puts it, Senators push back on Trumps proposed $18 billion NIH budget cut, as Jay Bhattacharya offers to work with Congress.

National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya faced sharp questions on Tuesday from Republican and Democratic members of a Senate Appropriations subcommittee about the agencys 2026 budget, with lawmakers struggling to reconcile his stated commitment to biomedical research with recent grant terminations, funding delays, and the Trump administrations sweeping proposed spending cuts.

Well, some things are irreconcilable and always will be. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois noted that Northwestern University (Chicago and Evanston) has had 1,300 awardsterminated or frozen, including $9 million for clinical trials in colon, brain, and childhood cancers as a result of an $18 billion cut to the NIH budget. Other Senators chimed in with similar comments and noted the Administration had terminated a 20-year effort to develop an HIV Vaccine. I suppose someone at DOGE wonders why this has taken so long, but an effective vaccine against HIV (i.e., a vaccine that prevents the disease and its transmission) will probably come before a similar vaccine against pandemic coronaviruses, emphasis on the plural, especially as humans continue to push into areas that harbor these and other zoonotic pathogens.

The response of Jay Bhattacharya, MD-PhD, about increasing funding for Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) was nothing but nonsensical distraction:

In my mind, its (IDeA) probably less funded than it ought to be. And I actively would love to work with Congress to think of ways that we can make NIH investment in scientific research more geographically dispersed than it currently is, said Bhattacharya, adding that he believes the concentration of NIH funding among a small number of top universities has led to scientific group think.

I actively would love to work, instead of inactively? Never mind. The IDeA Program is old, and it works as well as it can. My previous institution was eligible for such awards, which spread the wealth by setting aside a pot of money for research at institutions in states in the bottom half of NIH research support. This is noble, and it works. But it is also a drop in the bucket. The big states with the big universities and independent research organizations (e.g., Scripps, Salk, Fred Hutchinson) will remain what they are. Maybe. We can hope.

For a one-stop shop to see where NIH funding to medical schools goes, the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research (BRIMR) is essential. A good place to begin is the Schools of Medicine link on this page. It opens an Excel spreadsheet that includes 148 medical schools. That the Top-20 medical schools receive about 50% of the support is not an accident and this does not lead to scientific group think. The scientists at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (55) and the University of Georgia (unranked, but highest ranked university without a medical school that will open in 2026) think exactly like those at UCSF (1), Johns Hopkins (6), and Jay Bhattacharyas triple alma mater Stanford (7).

One other thing to note here: As shown in the spreadsheet, the overall indirect cost rate (overhead) for this extramural NIH research is 28%. This is a bargain by any reasonable definition. And no, medical schools are not getting rich on indirect costs. These institutions, public and private, provide the built environment and resources necessary for biomedical research, while spreading the wealth beyond Washington DC and environs. This was the vision of Vannevar Bush (of MIT) eighty years ago, and he was correct. NIH extramural research funding is an incalculable force multiplier of the work done at NIH in Bethesda, Research Triangle Park, and a few other locations. And yes, I am aware that the entire process can be improved. But this is not what the current Secretary of Health and Human Services has in mind.

Part the Third: Cant Anyone Here Play this Game? Continuing with this thread, The Ol Perfesser Casey (Cant anyone here play this game?) Stengel comes to mind with this: HHS reverses hundreds of CDC firings.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the CDC, confirmed that the Atlanta-based agency will bring back more than 450 personnel who were initially fired as part of a department-wide reorganization. That reorganization, directed in part by the U.S. DOGE Service, has seen the department downsized from approximately 80,000 employees to 60,000, with some of the deepest cuts to the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration. Among the divisions reinstated are the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention; the National Center for Environmental Health; the Immediate Office of the Director; and the Global Health Center. Those centers include programs that work to keep cruise lines safe from disease, prevent childhood lead poisoning, and track and prevent HIV. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously said that at least 20% of the departments cuts were mistakes and that it was always the plan to reinstate some employees.

Let me get this straight. Needlessly upending the lives of people doing essential scientific work on a whim was just a mistake? Good to know. Come to think of it, they are playing this game exactly as intended, but their intentions are ill-considered in the extreme.

Part the Fourth: And in Other News. RFK Jr. names new members of CDCs vaccine advisory panel. The new members are:

Joseph R. Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and nutritional scientist who previously worked on nutritional neuroscience at the NIH

Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist formerly at Harvard Medical School, has served on an FDA safety committee as well as the vaccine subgroup of ACIP

Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management

Robert Malone, a physician who conducted early research on mRNA vaccine technology

Cody Meissner, a professor of pediatrics at Dartmouths Geisel School of Medicine, has previously held advisory roles at the CDC and FDA, including as an ACIP member

James Pagano, an emergency medicine physician

Vicky Pebsworth, a nurse with a Ph.D. in public health who has previously served on FDA vaccine advisory committees

Michael Ross, an obstetrician and gynecologist who has served on a CDC advisory committee for the prevention of breast and cervical cancer.

Four of these new members of the panel (down from seventeen, the better to manage outcomes?) were listed in the dedication of RFKJrs book The Real Anthony Fauci: Malone, Kulldorff, Pebsworth, and Meissner. To call this book tendentious in an insult to the word, but its references were not hallucinated by ChatGPT or equivalent. They were chosen and misinterpreted the old-fashioned way, intentionally. Politicians go with people they know, but a few comments about two of the new members may be in order.

Martin Kuldorff is one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration (Bhattacharya was another author), which was one of the primary sources of the Let er rip approach to COVID-19 so that herd immunity could be reached in a matter of months, while the vulnerable were protected. Not exactly. Herd immunity would most likely require durable immunity to the pathogen, which is not elicited by coronaviruses or vaccines against coronaviruses. Herd immunity (short animation) works for measles, as long as more than 90% of the population is vaccinated. Immunity to measles through previous infection or vaccination is very durable. As for protecting the vulnerable, that was left to our imaginations, back when we had no idea of the natural course of SARS-CoV-2 infections. One should never generalize (too much) from his or her own necessarily limited experience, but I have had two very good friends, both very healthy, die of COVID-19 sequelae. Yes, I am still angry about that and will remain so until I join them in the Great Beyond.

Robert Malone has claimed to be the inventor of mRNA vaccines. As mentioned here before, he was the first author of the first published study showing that a foreign mRNA could direct expression of the protein in cultured mouse cells. He later worked on optimizing the procedures for transfecting cultured mammalian cells with foreign mRNAs. Immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was coauthor of a few papers on rapid responses to emergent infectious diseases. I read those papers in vain for mention of mRNA. mRNA vaccines were invented by on one in particular and certainly not by Dr. Robert Malone.

For those who can surmount the paywall, more information on the new panel is here. STATs gloss on Dr. Robert Malone:

Malone has both claimed he was one of the inventors of mRNA and denounced the technology, rising to prominence within the anti-vaccine universe and among critics of the Covid response through frequent appearances on podcasts during the pandemic. While Malone did some early research on the technology, he didnt play a major role. Malone is a trained physician and researcher. He gained wide attention for questioning the safety of Covid shots and spreading conspiracy theories on Joe Rogans podcast in late 2021. He also spoke at rallies and other events in opposition to Covid shots, including alongside Kennedy.

That about covers it concerning Dr. Robert Malone. Those intrepid souls who so desire can find Dr. Robert Malone and his alter ego Dr. Bret Weinstein all over YouTube.

Part the Fifth. Gene Therapy that Works. We discussed gene therapy for hemophilia here in March 2023. In a follow-up, this paper from NEJM shows the therapeutic effect endures for at least thirteen years after initial treatment using an adeno-associated vector to deliver the missing Factor IX to patients with Hemophilia B. The paper is behind a paywall, so an abstract of the Abstract is included here:

Adeno-associated virus (AAV)mediated gene therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for hemophilia B. Data on safety and durability from 13 years of follow-up in a cohort of patients who had been successfully treated with scAAV2/8-LP1-hFIXco gene therapy are now available. Ten men with severe hemophilia B received a single intravenous infusion of the scAAV2/8-LP1-hFIXco vector in one of three dose groups (low-dose: 21011 vector genomes [vg] per kilogram of body weight [in two participants]; intermediate-dose: 61011 vg per kilogram [in two]; or high-dose: 21012 vg per kilogram [in six]). Efficacy outcomes included factor IX activity, the annualized bleeding rate, and factor IX concentrate use. Safety assessments included clinical events, liver function, and imaging. Participants were followed for a median of 13.0 years. Factor IX activity remained stable across the dose cohorts, with mean factor IX levels of 1.7 IU per deciliter in the low-dose group, 2.3 IU per deciliter in the intermediate-dose group, and 4.8 IU per deciliter in the high-dose group. Seven of the 10 participants did not receive prophylaxis. The median annualized bleeding rate decreased from 14.0 episodes to 1.5 episodes, which represented a reduction by a factor of 9.7. Use of factor IX concentrate decreased by a factor of 12.4). A total of 15 vector-related adverse events occurred, primarily transient elevations in aminotransferase levels (indicative of transient mild liver dysfunction). Factor IX inhibitor, thrombosis, or chronic liver injury did not develop in any participant. Two cancers were identified but were deemed by the investigators, together with an expert multidisciplinary team, as being unrelated to the vector. A liver biopsy that was conducted in 1 participant 10 years after the infusion revealed transcriptionally active transgene expression in hepatocytes without fibrosis or dysplasia. Levels of neutralizing antibodies to AAV8 remained high throughout follow-up, thus indicating potential barriers to readministration of the vector.

Coagulation factors are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the blood. Thus, infection of the patients livers with the AAV vector resulted in stable expression and secretion of Factor IX. This was a one-time treatment, and these patients were not dependent on subsequent infusions of pure Factor IX. However, the AAV8 induced an antibody response, and this means that readministration of the treatment could cause a systemic immune response.

Years ago, scientists got ahead of themselves, and an immune response killed a healthy young volunteer in one of the earliest tests of the feasibility of this kind of gene therapy. The current paper shows how biomedical and clinical sciences work together  incrementally, based on deep knowledge and sound practice. Which leads me to believe the Autism Moon Shot advertised by Secretary Kennedy will have trouble finding the cause(s) of autism spectrum disorder by September. I would also note that the international team of researchers doing this research on gene therapy for hemophilia included Americans supported by NIH. Disease knows no political boundaries, but it seems now that American money can be spent only on American Science.

Part the Sixth. AI and Education. As part of my day job, I have been with trepidation reading the literature on AI in medical education. This is growing at a surprising rate but not as fast as the adoption of various forms of algorithmic intelligence among medical students. Nicholas Carr has written an excellent essay on The Myth of Automated Learning, showing that automation is the real threat of AI.

Carrs take seems exactly right to me. The real threat AI poses to education isnt that it encourages cheating. Its that it discourages learning. And it does this because AI is fundamentally an automation technology. Computers, even those that talk back, cannot do what human reason does, but they can calculate much faster and thereby produce a reasonable facsimile.

Automation itself can have good or bad effects on a learners skills. The worker could (1) improve his skills, (2) see her skills atrophy, or in the worst scenario (3) see his or her skills never develop. When I had students in the laboratory, they could use shortcuts in the form of automation or reagent kits only after they learned the old-fashioned way manually. If I say so myself, students in other labs lagged in their development of skills and thus scientific intuition when in their day-to-day operations they were encouraged to use shortcuts and automation in the name of a faux efficiency that improved apparent productivity in the guise of more publications. Automation in the lab can be a great thing, but only after everyone involved knows precisely what goes on inside the machine or algorithm. And more importantly, what does not:

Which scenario plays out hinges on the level of mastery a person brings to the job. If a worker has already mastered the activity being automated, the machine can become an aid to further skill development. It takes over a routine but time-consuming task, allowing the person to tackle and master harder challenges. In the hands of an experienced mathematician, for instance, a slide rule or a calculator becomes an intelligence amplifier (same with automation of routine lab chores). If, however, the maintenance of the skill in question requires frequent practice  as is the case with most manual skills and many skills requiring a combination of manual and mental dexterity  then automation can threaten the talent of even a master practitioner. We see this in aviation (and I would here add medicine and scientific research). When skilled pilots become so dependent on autopilot systems that they rarely practice manual flying, they suffer what researchers term skill fade. They lose situational awareness, and their reactions slow. They get rusty. Automation is most pernicious in the third scenario: when a machine takes command of a job before the person using the machine has gained any direct experience doing the work. Without experience, without practice, talent is stillborn. That was the story of the deskilling phenomenon of the early Industrial Revolution. Skilled craftsmen were replaced by unskilled machine operators. The work sped up, but the only skill the machine operators developed was the skill of operating the machine, which in most cases was hardly any skill at all. Take away the machine, and the work stops.

To bring this back to medicine and medical education, could the judicious use of AI improve a physicians craft? I think it could, but only if the Aristotelian final cause of the AI app is something other than making money for its vendor. Will the use of AI interfere with the practice of being a physician in his or her medical practice? Perhaps. Will AI interfere with a medical student learning the art, craft, and science of medicine? Undoubtedly. Will this lead to catastrophe? Yes, when healing hands never have the chance to develop properly.

Carr notes that AI too often producesthe illusion of learning. I have watched medical students use an extract from the standard textbook of pharmacology (now in its fourteenth edition) as a prompt to convert information on chemotherapy drugs into a pdf of pristine columns of names, mechanisms, and specific uses. Done and dusted in seconds. All well and good. Efficient, yes, but effective? Not in my experience. What I fear is that AI really is the magic fairy dust that (too many) medical students view as a substitute for the grueling work and total immersion in what makes their calling possible. As Han Solo put it in a galaxy a long time ago and far, far away, I have a bad feeling about this.

More to come after wrestling with his serpent. But I have found hope in several of our most accomplished students who just finished their first year of medical school. They have told me, to a person, they can be no help to me in my investigation because they study the old-fashioned way. That is, they use the syllabus and reading guide as their prompts and actually read and study the 12-to-15 standard medical textbooks they must know deep in their bones to develop the foundation to become the good physician. Wonders never cease but they seem to be increasingly rare.

See you next week. Suggestions still welcome!
Alastair Crooke had said that Israel regarded June as the critical time frame for acting against Iran, because after that, it would not be possible to trigger the snapback provisions in the JCPOA and have the process come to resolution before the snapback expired in October. The Israel attack on Iran proves that assessment to be correct. However, the status of Irans nuclear program is simply a pretext. Most experts agree that Israel is seeking regime change.

Nevertheless, Israel is pretending to observe forms, asserting that it had new intelligence that said that Iran was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Various YouTubers (at a minimum Larry Johnson and Sayed Mohammed Marandi) have been saying that for over 20 years, so why is now so special? Well, aside from the fact that Bibi is in very hot water?

Simplicius cites sources in Israel on its ambitions for this campaign, which Israel officials say will persist for weeks:

Hebrew sources: Air force attacks on Iran are divided into three main missions: The nuclear project

Destruction of missile launch platforms

Elimination of senior regime officials Israeli news: Israeli Channel 14 citing an Israeli official: We have a long and broad offensive plan for the days ahead  complex days lie ahead. The Iranians will respond, if the public is disciplined, there will be few casualties. We are at war.

Since Iran is widely believed to have a large stockpile of missiles, including an estimated 3,000 to as many as 6,000 cruise missiles, in sites so deep underground as to be highly resistant even to a nuclear strike, one wonders how Israel thinks it can destroy missile launch platforms unless it means air defense launchers.

As well see below. the US posture is that it did not support this operation. It unlikely that this uninvolved posture will hold if the expected Iran retaliation exacts a high toll on Israel. Iran is already correctly pointing fingers at the US. A Guardian headline from yesterday: Trump warns of massive conflict soon if Iran nuclear talks break down. Mike Hampton points out that the US evacuation of personnel in the region has a guilty look. And the Trump dodge was not artful:

Israel is poised to illegally bomb Iran Yesterday, Trump was asked by a journalist why the families of US military services personnel were being evacuated from the Middle East, he replied "we'll have to wait and see". This is probably whyThe west and its insatiable appetite pic.twitter.com/0tewFnv640  Save Our Citizenships  (@LetsStopC9) June 12, 2025

Oh, and Bibi pinned the tail on the US donkey:

Breaking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin addresses nation Says attack on Iran done with support of US President Donald Trump Says military attack against Iran will last days and aims to totally destroy nuclear weapon threats @australian @theage @theheraldsun @3AW693 https://t.co/E1wbKWoTlR pic.twitter.com/8mkmk6ctHa  Menachem Vorchheimer (@MenachemV) June 13, 2025

The BBC headline, Israel targets Irans nuclear sites and military commanders in major attack, is typical, even though most knowledgeable commentators contend that Irans nuclear enrichment program is far too deep underground to be vulnerable to air strikes. From the story:

The Wall Street Journal (as of 5:00 AM EDT) reports that Iran has already started its retaliation, with 100 drones. Recall that in its earlier pre-negotiated retaliation against Israels assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah, Iran used drones to deplete and get information about air defenses, so it seems likely that a bigger punch is yet to come.

The Financial Times reports that Israel says it killed two Iranian commanders and struck the Natanz nuclear site. . Both the BBC and the pink paper said that the operation could continue for two weeks. The current New York Times headline strikes me as celebratory: Israel Wipes Out Irans Top Chain of Command

The pink paper added:

After massive explosions rocked Tehran at about 3.30am local time on Friday, state television also showed smoke rising from the main command headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards, the regimes most powerful military force, in eastern Tehran. Irans state news agency said several senior military figures, including Major General Hossein Salami, head of the elite Revolutionary Guards, were killed, as well as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a prominent physics professor, and Fereydoon Abbasi, a former head of Irans atomic organisation.

Preliminary evidence suggests that the claim that Israel it targeting only military figures is serving as a pretext to strike civilians:

Does this look like a nuclear facility or a residential building in Iran

pic.twitter.com/NIG2biw0Ae  Assal Rad (@AssalRad) June 13, 2025

Scott Ritter added to the hit list:

Initial reports suggest that, in addition to the decapitation strikes, Israel struck air defense and communications facilities, nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz and Firdos, ballistic missile production facilities at Parchin, a ballistic missile operations base at Piranshahr, and other facilities of a similar nature.

Well presumably have Israel skeptics opine in due course as to how severely these targets were damaged. These assets should have been well protected, so if Israel was reasonably as opposed to randomly successful that would suggest Irans air defenses were not up to snuff.

Some preliminary takes from that peanut gallery suggest the Israel salvo so far has not done all that much harm, save perhaps for the senior level deaths:

With the smoke clearing the impact of the attack seems to have been modest in real terms, with only a few fires and secondaries caught on film and most of them small. An Israeli attempt to decapitate the Iranian military leadership also appears to have largely failed, with https://t.co/wrFLAM0GXz pic.twitter.com/nnIz77kw4k  Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) June 13, 2025

From the body of the tweet:

An Israeli attempt to decapitate the Iranian military leadership also appears to have largely failed, with only one reasonably confirmed senior casualty at this time  GEN Salami, commander of the IRGC since 2019. Ive seen a report that he was quite ill and thus remained in his home unlike the rest of the Iranian senior leadership. Two or three people connected to the Iranian nuclear program also seem to have been assassinated, but in real terms this isnt going to affect a program that is already largely  if not entirely  complete. The Iranians dont need a lot of theory work at this point to develop a bomb if they dont already have one. The most likely course of events over the next few days, I believe is for the Iranians to launch another large-scale missile raid on Israel and the parties to go back to staring angrily at each other.

A Wall Street Journal map of the targets:

More detail on the strikes and responses:

 A missile booster from an Israeli projectile launched over Iraq toward Iran has reportedly been recovered. Initial assessments suggest its from an Israeli LORA Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM)  likely part of a long-range precision strike.#Iran #Israel pic.twitter.com/AtZ78IG88C  The Intel Consortium (@IntelPk_) June 13, 2025

However:

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirms that the Natanz Nuclear Facility in Central Iran has suffered major damage as a result of missile strikes by Israel. pic.twitter.com/a5uETRuRAK  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Note that Natanz was only 40-50 meters underground, which is a much shallower depth than has been claimed for key assets in Irans nuclear program.

Bloomberg reports that:

The UN atomic watchdog says there are no signs of increased radiation at Irans main enrichment site.

That would seem to suggest Natanz was not that severely damaged and/or that Iran had moved its critical enrichment operations and materiel much further underground.

DropSite is not so optimistic about the direction of travel:

Although the stated goal of Israels operation is to set back the Iranian nuclear efforts, there are reasons to be skeptical about this objective. Long before the current wave of strikes, U.S. intelligence officials and other analysts had pointed to the limited ability of Israeli strikes to destroy or meaningfully set back Irans nuclear program. Unlike nuclear facilities that Israel has struck in the past in Iraq and Syria, the Iranian program is more advanced, fortified, and distributed across a far greater territory. Key Iranian nuclear facilities like Natanz and Fordow are also built under layers of fortified concrete and granitein some cases literally built into mountainsrendering them impossible to destroy by any known conventional Israeli military capacity. The likely inability of Israel to fully destroy the program, despite being able to strike at various targets inside Iran, has led some military experts to conclude that the real goal of any attack is simply to fire the starting gun for a larger regional war with no determined endpoint. Such a war would potentially drag the U.S. in as a participant, including to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation, even at a time when segments of the Trump administration and its domestic political base are expressing intense frustration over fighting continued conflicts in the Middle East.

That aim would suggest that Israel, assuming it can deplete or damage Irans air defenses, will focus on hitting civilian residences, as it did in Beirut, to stoke internal opposition and facilitate a revolt. But as we know, wars typically increase internal cohesion.

Consistent with DropSite, Simplicius contends that top Israel officials are united in that view that desperately needs to eliminate Iran, when Iran as a threat is mainly a very successful Israel propaganda operation. At this point, Israel is the big threat to Israel. Larry Wilkerson has regularly banged on about how desperate things are in Israel, from flagging economic performance to civil-war-in-the-making political chasms to self-created international isolation. Others, including yours truly, have gone through a similar litany.

But the urgency for Israel, aside from needing to greatly bolster long-standing bugaboo of Iran as as a threat to Israels survival, is that support for Israel in the US was already in decline even before the genocide. Peter Beinart wrote in the early 2000s about how young Jews, unlike their elders, did not identify with Israel and were not deeply invested in how it fared.

From Simplicius:

Israel duly is at a crossroads, which I have described before: the country is in a downward spiral and has only one remaining chance to seize history to secure its survival. Why? The reasons are almost too long to list in this one brief article alone, but they include demographics, as well as the decline of Zionism and rise of noticing in the West which means in a generation or two, support for Israel may dwindle to the point where it will be engulfed by regional enemies. The other major reason: nascent technologies have created parity between Israel and its foes, where groups like Hamas and Hezbollah can use cheap but highly technologically effective weapons to deal accurate, disabling damage to Israels most critical and sensitive infrastructure. The same goes for Iran: the country has come of age and mastered rocketry and newfangled drone warfare to the point where the numbers simply do not work in Israels favor in any future war. Israel once had the backing of the worlds most dominant superpower alliance of Western nations, now the tides of history have simply shifted against Israels favor.

By contrast, Scott Ritter contends that Iran, by enriching uranium to 60%, one cycle below what it would take to get to the 92% for a weapon, and then having officials say that the fatwa against nuclear weapons development could be reversed if Iran faced an existential threat, has put itself in a position where it has to move forward:

The escalation genie, unfortunately, is out of the bottle. Iran is now in a use it or lose it reality, where the nuclear weapons threshold capacity it has acquired will either need to be rapidly converted into a viable nuclear weapons capability, or else it will be diminished and/or eliminated through the ongoing attrition of Israeli strikes. Having promised that it would withdraw from the NPT if its nuclear facilities were attacked, Iran has no choice but to now follow through on this threat. Failure to do so would be seen as an act of surrender by the Iranian regime, something which could serve as the predicate for regime change.

Keep in mind that some of the grim forecasts come from war profiteers:

That's more like Palantir's mission statement pic.twitter.com/BUfGuqOatU  Carl Zha (@CarlZha) June 13, 2025

The Financial Times recounts that the US is trying to play innocent while Iran regards them as guilty and hence fair game, indeed perhaps required game, in a retaliation:

Israels defence minister Israel Katz said Israel expected Iran to retaliate with a missile and drone attack as Israel closed its airspace and banned most non-essential gatherings. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel should expect a severe punishment. Iranian officials also said they held the US responsible for the assault. Earlier this week Tehran reiterated warnings that the republic could also target American bases across the region if it was attacked. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said in a statement Washington was not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence, Rubio added. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

This they told us but we are not to blame flies afoul of the principle, Qui tacet consentire videtur, or silence is assent. If memory serves me correctly, Israel and the US were working on a strike package in May which Trump nixed, much to Netanyahus ire. Unless the US was informed only immediately before the campaign, its hard to see the joined-at-the-hip US as not being at least somewhat culpable.

And we have plenty of Trump belligerence on record, such as:

Reminder: Trump openly campaigned on allowing Israel to bomb Iran, so no one can say theyve been blindsided or betrayed. Promises made, promises kept pic.twitter.com/okapupbIWy  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) June 13, 2025

JUST IN:  US President Trump threatens to bomb Iran if they don't agree to a nuclear deal. "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before. pic.twitter.com/ArkZb1kEu4  BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) March 30, 2025

The neighbors are Not Happy:

 Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli aggression against Iran, calls it 'blatant violation' of international law pic.twitter.com/GmtBVMdFAv  Press TV Breaking (@PTVBreaking1) June 13, 2025

Nor is Mr. Market, but he has not yet retreated to a fainting couch. From Bloomberg:

Crude oil jumped the most in more than three years, stocks slid and haven assets including government bonds and gold rose after Israel attacked Irans nuclear program sites in a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Oil surged as much as 13%, the biggest intraday jump since March 2022, before paring gains. Contracts for the S&P 500 index retreated 1.4% and those for European stocks slumped 1.5%. Gold rose 1.1% and Treasuries advanced, with the 10-year yield falling three basis points to 4.33%. Asian stocks dropped the most in two months.

We are very much in fog of war terrain, so any initial pictures can well shift as more information comes in.

However, I would have expected Israel to have delivered its most formidable attack on military and nuclear enrichment assets in the first wave, unless it was pinning a lot of hope on wrecking Irans air defenses first and then going after key targets.

And the US and Israel will find themselves a bit hoist on their propaganda petards. Both will need to minimize claims of damage to Israel by Iran (unless it is impossible to deny and/or catastrophic) and tout the effectiveness of Israel attacks on Iran. At the margin, Israel being perceived to be holding up against Iran salvo undercuts the case for US involvement.

One might think that both Iran and Israel have devastating threats, Israel in unleashing its nukes on Iran, Iran in a supposed dead hand strike capacity, that will send conventional missiles at Middle Eastern oil assets, both sending prices oil to the moon and unleashing an environmental disaster.

But Iran has sufficiently impressed upon the West that it has that capability in the event of an existential threat?

At 9:50, from Dr. Strangelove: The whole point of a doomsday machine is lost if you keep it a secret. Why didnt you tell the world?

It would be nice to think that cooler heads might prevail. But Norman Finkelstein has called Israel a crazy state. And as a friend often days, If you want a happy ending, watch a Disney movie.
The Value of Nature Dissent

Rats in Australia may have genetic mutation that increases resistance to widely used poisons Phys.org

Climate/Environment

Pandemics

Excellent! Welcome to our new normal where we have dedicated TV slots on how to manage brain fog (caused by inflammation in the brain) which apparently is normal and can happen to anyone. pic.twitter.com/SKfBKea7S3  Prof Julia Lawton (@Prof_J_Lawton) June 12, 2025

China?

Old Blighty

European Disunion

Syraqistan

BREAKING: Irans Military Spokesman: Israels attacks were aided by the U.S.  they will pay a heavy price and should expect a severe response from Irans armed forces.  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

2/ What is Israel targeting?  Homes. Families. Civilians. Tonight, scores of innocent Iranians were killed in their own neighborhoods. Netanyahu just gambled on warone he cannot control, and one that could engulf the entire region. pic.twitter.com/AJT3JDdMfV  Sina Toossi (@SinaToossi) June 13, 2025

 Mossad orchestrated a series of clandestine operations within Iran. These missions were designed to undermine Irans strategic missile systems and its air defense capabilities.  Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) June 13, 2025

No signs of Iranian air defenses reacting. Could be the weapons used, especially the air launched ballistic missiles or they have wormed/hacked their integrated air defenses, or both. The latter is Israels specialty.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

BIG BREAKIG NEWS: Iran confirms assassinations of Gen. Salami, Gen. Gholamali Rashid, Dr. Tehranchi, and Fereydoon Abbasi.  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

BREAKING  The UK Ministry of Defence admits it is currently training Israeli military personnel in Britain. The Labour government has until now refused to answer questions about this, which we covered last year.  https://t.co/zi3lqtQrWF pic.twitter.com/6dfKv5YjB8  Declassified UK (@declassifiedUK) June 12, 2025

New Not-So-Cold War

The Caucasus

Democracy in Georgia Is Under Threat by the US Congress and the Helsinki Commission Landmarks

Liberation Day

Trumps Tariffs Push Nissan And Stellantis Supplier To Bankruptcy Car Scoops

Trump 2.0

Democrats en deshabille

Immigration

The US deputy secretary of state (and former US ambassador to Mexico) is writing messages to people telling them that he personally canceled their visa because they criticized the US government on social media. Free speech under the imperialist US regime is a myth. https://t.co/z5MC7CZs5L  Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) June 12, 2025

Big Brother Is Watching You Watch

This is a good time to educate everyone about Flock cameras. These capture images of vehicles license plates and characteristics 24/7 and provide cops with real time info. They are all over major cities and monitoring you at all times. Create a map of them like TEA has here. https://t.co/lURQRTXTG5 pic.twitter.com/Wh9AvofTTn  (Anarch)itect (@Anarchitect918) June 12, 2025

Imperial Collapse Watch

Delusion or Design? Rethinking the Logic of Madness Mad in America

Police State Watch

Air India / Boeing

AI

The Bezzle

This is  and I cannot stress this enough  a real government website right now. It is hosted on the Department of Commerce website. The Department of Commerce has no immigration functions whatsoever that I am aware of. No, the President cannot sell green cards. Period. https://t.co/oW9XU9YPPz pic.twitter.com/ZugfTbqyAW  Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) June 12, 2025

Class Warfare

Suppers Ready: Inside the Bloody Feud Between L.A.s Rival Armenian Mob Factions Los Angeles Magazine

Antidote du jour (via):

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Reviving a medical marvel: DIY penicillin trends enter risky territory

DIY penicillin sparks controversy amid resurgence in home remedies.

Allergy risks highlight dangers of unregulated self-medication.

Complex process involves multiple steps and specialized equipment.

Ancient fungal use and modern antibiotic resistance drive interest.

Oxymel offers safer, natural alternative in emergencies.

A growing number of preppers and natural health enthusiasts are attempting to produce penicillin at home, employing methods such as moldy bread to intricate fermentation processes. Despite its legacy as a life-saving antibiotic, penicillins resurgence in DIY guides has raised alarms among medical experts who emphasize its dangers, including severe allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance risks and the potential for contamination. As clinics caution against self-medication, a simpler alternative  oxymel, a medicinal honey-and-vinegar blend  has resurfaced as a safer, natural option.

The allure and risks of DIY penicillin

The quest to make penicillin at home traces its roots to the compounds pivotal role in 20th-century medicine. Alexander Flemings 1928 discovery revolutionized infection treatment, yet its modern DIY revival highlights a fraught balance between self-reliance and health risks. Online guides, such as James Hershey Jr.s method, tout simplicity: allowing bread to grow mold, then applying it directly to wounds or mixing into tea. However, unrefined mold mixes often contain harmful contaminants, and Susan Morrow, a natural health expert, warns that 10% of the population risks severe allergic reactions. Penicillin can cause anaphylaxis, rashes, or gastrointestinal distress, she stated in A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own Penicillin at Home, Regardless of your health status, this process is inherently risky.

The stakes escalate when considering cross-contamination. Unsterilized equipment or improper isolation of penicillin strains could introduce deadly pathogens like Salmonella. Greek Preppers fermentation method, for instance, requires precise pH adjustments and ethyl acetate  a toxic solvent  to isolate pure penicillin, a task beyond most home kitchens. This isnt your grandmothers homemade remedy, says Morrow, citing cases where untrained attempts caused sepsis or further infection.

A high-stakes process: From bread mold to medical grade

Producing penicillin at home demands meticulous steps and specialized supplies. Preppers Are Wes detailed guide outlines seven stages, including culturing mold on potato broth and fermenting it in an Erlenmeyer flask  a setup replicating 1940s pharmaceutical labs. Key steps include:

Isolation: Incubating mold on bread or citrus in a sealed container, then transferring spores to sterile dishes. Fermentation: Using nutrient-enriched broth to amplify the culture, with precise temperature and pH control. Extraction: Straining the mixture and using chemicals like hydrochloric acid to purify penicillin crystals  a process requiring lab-grade equipment.

Even if successfully isolated, natural penicillin is highly unstable. Youd have to use it immediately, ideally through injection, which adds another layer of danger, explains Hershey, noting that oral ingestion destroys it in stomach acid. The final yield  less than 100mg from a 100ml batch  may not even meet therapeutic thresholds, making it irrelevant for serious infections.

Penicillins past mirrors present concerns

The 1940s wartime rush to mass-produce penicillin offers stark parallels to todays debates. Early batches were mired in contamination, claiming lives until rigorous sterilization and bottleneck fermentation improved standards. Antibiotic resistance was noted as early as 1940, now a global crisis. Researchers like Spains Laich, Fierro and Martin reveal another layer: penicillin naturally occurs in foods like corn and walnuts, exposing populations to the compound centuries before Fleming. This duality underscores both penicillins ubiquity and the complexity of harnessing it safely.

The oxymel alternative: Natures antibiotic

Amid DIY penicillins pitfalls, a simpler option emerges: oxymel, an ancient blend of honey, apple cider vinegar, turmeric and black pepper. Speir Outdoors recipe, requiring just five minutes to prepare, touts its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Unlike raw penicillin, oxymel can be taken orally without decomposition, supports gut health and has no documented allergies. Its use traces to Roman-era remedies, proving efficacy across millennia.

I always advise people to choose proven, accessible alternatives, says Hershey, who acknowledges eliminating penicillin from wound management by simply applying raw honey. The blends accessibility and safety  coupled with minimal equipment needs  positions oxymel as a pragmatic choice for preppers and health advocates alike.

Between innovation and caution

The DIY penicillin movement reflects a broader desire for self-reliance in healthcare. Yet, its risks  amplified by the lack of sterilization and pharmacological knowledge among laypersons  outweigh its potential benefits. As antibiotic resistance grows, experts urge reliance on proven science and emergency preparedness strategies like oxymel. Medicine evolves because professionals methodically test safer solutions, stresses Morrow. For now, penicillin remains best left to laboratories, where controlled precision ensures its revolutionary power endangers no one but the germs.

Sources for this article include:

AllNewsPipeline.com

PreppersAreWe.wixsite.com
German industry sheds over 100,000 jobs in a year, automotive sector hit hardest

Germany's industrial sector shed over 100,000 jobs in a year, with the automotive industry alone losing 45,400 positions  nearly six percent of its workforce. Total manufacturing employment dropped to 5.46 million by March 2025.

Since 2019, Germany's manufacturing sector has lost 217,000 jobs, marking a 3.8 percent drop, with the metal and textile sectors also hit hard. Only the chemical and pharmaceutical industries remain relatively stable.

Companies face soaring energy and labor costs, weak European demand and rising competition from China and the U.S., especially in clean energy and digital innovation.

Experts urge Germany to undergo a dual transformation  digital (automation, AI, data-driven manufacturing) and green (clean energy, sustainable production)  to stay competitive globally.

Industry leaders, including VDA President Hildegard Muller, are calling on the federal government to improve Germany's business environment, warning that future investments and jobs are at risk without decisive reforms.

New data from consulting firm Ernst and Young (EY) has revealed that Germany's industrial sector, once hailed as the powerhouse of European manufacturing, lost more than 100,000 jobs within a year, with the automotive industry alone accounting for nearly half of the decline.

The report, cited by Junge Freiheit, reveals that employment in Germany's manufacturing sector dropped to 5.46 million by the end of March  a 1.8 percent decrease compared to 2024. The automotive industry was the hardest hit, losing 45,400 jobs or nearly six percent of its workforce, bringing total employment down to 734,000.

Other sectors, such as metal and textiles, also saw significant declines, while the chemical and pharmaceutical industries remained relatively stable. Since 2019, Germany's manufacturing sector has lost a total of 217,000 jobs, marking a 3.8 percent reduction in employment. (Related: German economy suffers another devastating blow as BASF announces "downsizing" will be PERMANENT and IMMEDIATE.)

VDA president calls for decisive action to bring back the legacy of Germany

For decades, Germany has stood as a global symbol of engineering excellence, renowned for its precision manufacturing and industrial prowess. However, the foundations of that legacy are beginning to shift. Countries like China and the U.S. accelerate ahead in clean energy and digital innovation, but Germany has been slower to adapt.

In an article for the Finance Story, the author cited that for Germany to remain competitive in this rapidly evolving landscape, the country must undergo two major transformations. First, a digital transformation, embracing automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven manufacturing as part of the Industry 4.0 revolution. Second, a green transformation, channeling significant investment into clean energy and environmentally sustainable production to meet both regulatory demands and shifting consumer expectations.

Experts cite multiple pressures, including soaring energy and labor costs, sluggish European demand, fierce competition from China and uncertainty in the U.S. market. Further complicating this challenge is a growing concern over the nation's work ethic: with average weekly working hours hovering around just 34, among the lowest in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), alongside high rates of sick leave and generous vacation policies, Germany's productivity edge may be slipping at a critical time.

"The companies are under tremendous pressure," warned EY manager Jan Brorhilker, predicting an additional 70,000 industrial job losses by year-end, particularly in mechanical and vehicle engineering. Industrial sales continue to slide, exacerbating concerns over the economic stagnation of Germany.

Criticism of the federal government's economic policies is also mounting.

Hildegard Muller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), urged the government to a decisive action. "Competitiveness and site attractiveness must be the leitmotif of the new federal government," he said. Muller stressed that these investments and future jobs depend on these factors.

The collapse of the global economy is well underway. To keep up with the latest, visit Collapse.news.

Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, reacts to the news that the left-wing German government is considering banning the popular conservative Alternative for Germany party.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

German economy in DEATH SPIRAL after failed "green economic miracle" escapades.

German economy collapsing after nation abandoned nuclear energy  prices soar, industries implode.

Thousands of German protesters declare: "Without Russian gas, our economy will be dead!"

Entire German economy being plunged into Dark Ages due to insane electricity prices; manufacturers HALT production.

NOT FUNNY: German comedian calls for the "culling" of German and Austrian conservative politicians.

Sources include:

RMX.news

TheFinanceStory.com

Brighteon.com
Federal judge denies Newsoms bid to halt military deployment in Los Angeles

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sought an urgent temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt President Donald Trump's deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles amidst anti-ICE riots, but the request was denied by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who scheduled an expedited hearing for Thursday.

The emergency request was filed after violent protesters surrounded a federal facility in Los Angeles, prompting Trump to mobilize 2,000 National Guard troops and deploy 700 Marines.

Newsom's attorneys contended that using the military for law enforcement, especially in immigration enforcement, violated legal limits and threatened civil liberties. They insisted on an immediate halt to the troop deployment to prevent further escalation.

Trump defended the deployments, claiming that without federal intervention, "Los Angeles would have burned." He accused local officials of failing to protect federal property and allowing violent mobs to take control of parts of the city.

The case reflects ongoing disputes between California and the Trump administration over immigration and law enforcement, highlighting the enduring tension between national security and civil liberties.

In a significant legal clash amidst ongoing anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sought an urgent temporary restraining order (TRO) on Tuesday, June 10, to stop President Donald Trump's deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard troops to Los Angeles.

The request was denied by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, who opted to hear arguments from both sides at an expedited hearing set for Thursday afternoon, June 12. The decision comes as tensions escalate between state officials and the Trump administration over the federal response to immigration-related unrest and sanctuary policies.

The emergency request was filed just one day after violent protesters surrounded a federal facility in downtown Los Angeles, prompting Trump to mobilize 2,000 National Guard troops and deploy an additional 700 Marines to support the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Newsom, who declared on X (formerly Twitter) that he was suing Trump, argued that the president's actions were unconstitutional and amounted to a "manufactured crisis" aimed at seizing control of a state militia.

"This is a manufactured crisis," Newsom wrote. "He [Trump] is creating fear and terror to take over a state militia Every governor  red or blue  should be alarmed." (Related: Marines deployed to LA riots as Newsom sues Trump over National Guard mobilization.)

In Tuesday's court filing, Newsom's attorneys insisted that an emergency restraining order was necessary "by 1 PM PST today (June 10)" to prevent further escalation, stating: "They must be stopped immediately." The state's legal team argued that using the military for law enforcement purposes, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement, violated legal limits and posed a threat to civil liberties.

Paul Eck, a state attorney working with California's National Guard, submitted a sworn statement outlining the potential for direct confrontations between troops and Los Angeles residents.

Trump's defense

Trump defended the deployments during an Oval Office address on the same day, asserting that without federal intervention, "Los Angeles would have burned." He accused local officials of failing to protect federal property and allowing violent mobs to take control of parts of the city

The current standoff is the latest in a series of disputes between California and the Trump administration over immigration and law enforcement. In 2018, California sued the federal government over its efforts to withhold funding from sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Breyer's decision to schedule an expedited hearing for Thursday indicates a recognition of the urgency of the situation. Both sides are expected to present their arguments, with the state of California arguing that the deployment of troops violates constitutional protections and the federal government asserting its right to protect federal property and maintain order.

Public reaction and concerns

Public reaction to the deployment has been mixed, with some residents expressing concern about the potential for violence and others supporting the president's efforts to restore order. The situation has also drawn criticism from civil rights organizations, which argue that the presence of military forces could lead to human rights abuses and further inflame tensions.

As the legal battle unfolds, the stakes are high for both the state of California and the federal government. The outcome will not only determine the immediate fate of the troops deployed to Los Angeles but also shape the broader landscape of federal-state relations in the United States. The case highlights the enduring tension between national security and civil liberties, a tension that remains as relevant today as it was during the founding of the nation.

Watch the video below where InfoWars' Alex Jones says Newsom "needs to go."

This video is from the TNTVNEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump declares L.A. 'Under Insurrection' as federal forces mobilize to expel illegal migrants.

Trump considers deploying marines amid LA unrest as experts warn of nationwide protests.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

X.com

Politico.com

Brighteon.com
Firebird, an AI cloud company, has announced a strategic collaboration with the government of Armenia and tech giant Nvidia for building advanced AI infrastructure in the country.

Firebird describes a vision for a US$500 million public-private partnership with the Armenian government, building on Nvidia's existing presence in the country. Centred round an AI factory, Firebird says the initiative will fuel the development and growth of AI technologies in the country and establish the Caucasus region as an AI hub.

Local reports suggest that Nvidia will serve as the technology partner, supplying essential hardware and software for the planned facility. Indeed Firebird plans to launch the new AI factory with thousands of Nvidia Blackwell GPUs in 2026. It will be designed with the ability to scale to over 100 megawatts of capacity.

Team Group, the parent company of service provider Telecom Armenia and Irish fibre broadband company Imagine Broadband will support this development of Armenia's AI infrastructure, bringing technical expertise and connectivity infrastructure to accelerate deployment of the data centre.

The Afeyan Foundation for Armenia will join as founding investor in Firebird. Firebird principal Noubar Afeyan, who is also CEO of American life sciences venture capital company Flagship Pioneering and a founding partner of Firebird, will act as a strategic advisor.

Local press reports not too surprisingly focus on Nvidias involvement  given that it is the worlds largest AI company  and the fact that the project is one of the most ambitious technological initiatives in Armenias history. Its also Armenias first high-capacity data centre.

Local reports also say that, beyond infrastructure, the AI factory is envisioned as a centre for science, education, and innovation. Plans are said to include the establishment of advanced research programmes, training centres and technology incubators to foster local talent and support scientific development.

Though specific terms are yet to be finalised, the BMG news website says it is expected that the Armenian government will contribute through land allocation, tax incentives, subsidies, and streamlined regulatory procedures to facilitate the investment.
RFK Jr. AXES all 17 members of CDCs vaccine advisory committee, citing panels historical corruption

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), citing systemic corruption and conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies.

Kennedy framed the move as necessary to restore public trust, accusing ACIP of approving vaccines without rigorous placebo-controlled trials, especially for infants and pregnant women. New members will prioritize evidence-based decisions.

Kennedy challenged claims about placebo-controlled studies, revealing that many vaccines were tested against active comparators (not inert placebos), potentially masking safety risks.

While critics like Childrens Health Defense praised the purge, mainstream groups (e.g., AAP, IDSA) condemned it, dismissing allegations of bias but not addressing the placebo trial issue.

ACIPs recommendations influence billions in vaccine revenue, prompting industry unease. Critics highlighted ties between medical organizations and pharma funding, questioning their objectivity.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the immediate removal of all 17 members of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) panel in charge of immunization, sending shockwaves through the public health establishment.

The environmental lawyer and vocal advocate for vaccine safety declared the move essential to restoring public trust. He framed the decision as a necessary purge of systemic corruption, as the ACIP's members have financial ties to Big Pharma.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Kennedy accused ACIP of rubber-stamping vaccines without rigorous safety testing  particularly for infants and pregnant women. Kennedy added that over the coming days, he will appoint new members  physicians and scientists committed to "evidence-based decision-making." He insisted, however, that none will be "ideological anti-vaxxers." (Related: RFK Jr.s sweeping CDC vaccine panel purge: A trust reset or a political minefield?)

The ACIP, responsible for recommending which vaccines are added to the childhood immunization schedule, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. Its influential recommendations have expanded the childhood vaccine schedule from a mere 11 shots in 1986 to as many as 92 today.

Central to Kennedy's argument is the claim that no routine childhood vaccine on the CDC's schedule was approved based on placebo-controlled trials, the gold standard for drug safety. Instead, many vaccines were tested against other vaccines or active substances, making it difficult to isolate risks.

The secretary dismantled a recent report from the fake news purveyor CNN claiming 257 placebo-controlled vaccine studies existed. He revealed that most either used non-inert comparators like aluminum adjuvants, or were irrelevant to U.S. licensure.

For example, a mumps vaccine trial (RCT 176) was not used to approve the current MMR shot. In another case, a flu vaccine study (RCT 124) showed higher hospitalization rates in the vaccinated group. "If we don't test vaccines against true placebos, we can't know if they cause more harm than they prevent," Kennedy argued.

Pharma industry, public health sector riled up with ACIP firings

Kennedy's move to terminate all 17 ACIP members has drawn fierce reactions. Voices from the medical establishment expressed outrage, while vaccine makers nervously watched.

Children's Health Defense CEO Mary Holland praised the move, denouncing the ACIP as a "rubber stamp" for Big Pharma. Dr. Meryl Nass agreed with Holland's sentiments. Nass, a critic of vaccine mandates, said the purge was "only a first step" in dismantling systemic bias.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America called the allegations "unfounded," while the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) labeled the firings an "unmitigated public health disaster." Notably, none addressed Kennedy's core claim about missing placebo trials.

Also, their criticisms were tainted. Journalist Paul Thacker highlighted the AAP's reliance on pharmaceutical funding, while lawyer Aaron Siri remarked: "When medical groups protest transparency, ask who pays them."

Vaccine maker Merck, which awaits an ACIP vote on its respiratory syncytial virus injection, downplayed concerns. But analysts noted that Kennedy's skepticism has already dampened vaccine stocks.

ACIP's history reveals deeper flaws, with the committee never rejecting a vaccine since its 1964 creation. Congressional reports describe an opaque appointment process, with members often holding pharmaceutical grants or patents.

Kennedy's overhaul marks a seismic shift in U.S. public health. "We will protect all children  from disease and from unsafe medicine," he wrote on X. Now, the nation is watching to see if he can deliver.

CDC.news has more similar stories.

Watch former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield describing RFK Jr. as "the most consequential health secretary ever" in this clip.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RFK Jr. pushes CDC to drop COVID-19 vaccine recommendation for children, citing lack of benefit.

RFK Jr. takes axe to CDC in historic overhaul of Bill Gates-inspired Epidemic Intelligence Services.

RFK Jr. to lead HHS vaccine investigation under Trump administration.

Sources include:

X.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Lukewarming challenges the climate change narrative: A new perspective on global warming

Patrick J. Michaels and Paul C. Knappenberger's book "Lukewarming: The New Climate Science That Changes Everything" presents a moderate view of global warming, arguing that climate change is real but not as catastrophic as often portrayed in media and policy discussions.

The authors propose the term "lukewarming" to describe a more gradual and less alarming warming trend, suggesting that evidence points to a milder increase in global temperatures than what is commonly projected by climate models.

The book examines the bias toward alarmism in the scientific community, driven by the need for funding and media attention. Michaels and Knappenberger claim that reports like the U.S. National Climate Assessments often exaggerate climate impacts to support specific policy agendas.

The authors highlight the historical contributions of scientists like Judith Curry and Will Happer to the concept of lukewarming, emphasizing the importance of skepticism and critical thinking in climate science. They argue that questioning assumptions is crucial for a deeper understanding of climate change.

Michaels and Knappenberger critique the use of sulfate aerosols in climate models and the "availability cascade," a self-reinforcing process that leads to a distorted view of climate change. They argue that this cascade focuses on fear rather than fact, citing examples like the portrayal of sea-level rise and the Paris Agreement as more political than scientific.

The authors, both seasoned climate scientists, argue that the climate is indeed changing, but not in the dramatic, catastrophic manner often depicted in media headlines and policy discussions. Michaels and Knappenberger introduce the concept of "lukewarming," a term that encapsulates their belief in a more gradual and less alarming warming trend. They contend that the evidence points to a milder increase in global temperatures than what is commonly projected by climate models.

The book opens with an intriguing examination of the incentive structures within the scientific community. Michaels and Knappenberger suggest that there is a bias toward alarmism, driven by the need to attract funding and attention. They point to the U.S. National Climate Assessments as examples, claiming that these reports often exaggerate the impacts of climate change to support specific policy agendas. As Michaels states, "The incentive to be alarming is strong, as it garners more funding and media coverage."

One of the most compelling aspects of "Lukewarming" is its exploration of the historical context of climate science. The authors highlight that the concept of lukewarming is not new, with contributions from scientists like Judith Curry and Will Happer over the years. They emphasize the importance of skepticism and critical thinking, arguing that the current climate change narrative often lacks these essential elements.

Michaels and Knappenberger also delve into the role of sulfate aerosols in climate models. They argue that these aerosols have been used as a "Band-Aid" to help models simulate past climate conditions more accurately. However, they question the validity of this approach, suggesting that it allows modelers to hold onto their paradigms longer than they should. "The use of sulfate aerosols in models is a double-edged sword," Michaels explains. "While it helps reconcile models with past data, it also masks the uncertainties inherent in our understanding of the climate system."

The authors critique the "availability cascade" in climate science, a term they use to describe the self-reinforcing process of collective belief formation. They argue that this cascade has led to a distorted view of climate change, with the media, politicians and even some scientists focusing on extreme weather events and their supposed links to human activity. "The availability cascade is a powerful force," Knappenberger notes, "and it often leads to a narrative that is more about fear than fact."

Michaels and Knappenberger provide examples of this cascade, such as the way certain studies are highlighted in the media despite questionable methodologies or conclusions. They cite the case of sea-level rise, where adjustments to data have been made to fit a narrative of accelerating sea-level rise, even when the underlying data don't support such claims. "The data on sea-level rise is complex," Michaels states, "and it's important to look beyond the headlines to understand the true picture."

One of the most thought-provoking sections of the book is its discussion of the Paris Agreement. The authors argue that the agreement is more about politics than science, suggesting that it's a "lukewarm" agreement for a lukewarm world. They point out that the commitments made by countries are largely voluntary and unenforceable, and that the agreement itself is unlikely to have a significant impact on global temperatures. "The Paris Agreement is a political document," Knappenberger asserts, "and it's important to recognize its limitations."

The authors also critique the way climate change is often linked to other societal issues, such as poverty, disease and national security. They argue that this "grand narrative" is misleading and distracts from the real challenges we face. "The focus on linking climate change to every societal issue is a distraction," Michaels argues, "and it prevents us from addressing the real challenges of adaptation."

"Lukewarming" offers a refreshing and provocative take on the climate change debate. It challenges readers to question the prevailing narrative and consider alternative perspectives. (Related: Climate Change: The Facts 2017 questions the prevailing narrative and encourages a more nuanced discussion on climate change.)

Learn more about lukewarming by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Brighteon.ai

Brighteon.com
Russian scientists confirm new island emerges in Caspian Sea amid cyclical water fluctuations

Russian researchers confirm a new island emerged in the northern Caspian Sea due to natural water level declines after being first spotted in satellite images in late 2024.

The islands formation is part of long-term cyclical changes in the Caspian Sea.

Harsh conditions prevented researchers from landing, but drone footage revealed a flat, sandy terrain barely above water, with future expeditions planned for 2025.

The island may grow or disappear as water levels fluctuate, similar to other transient landforms in the region, like a "ghost island" near Azerbaijan.

The discovery underscores Earths natural geological forces, challenging oversimplified climate narratives and highlighting natures unpredictable power.

In a striking demonstration of natures unpredictable power, Russian researchers have confirmed the emergence of a previously unknown island in the northern Caspian Sea in a phenomenon tied to the cyclical decline of water levels in the worlds largest inland body of water. Located just 19 miles southwest of Maly Zhemchuzhny Island, this unnamed landmass was first detected in satellite images in November 2024 but remained unexplored until a recent expedition braved the regions harsh conditions. The discovery underscores the dynamic forces reshaping our planet, independent of politically charged climate narratives.

A product of natural cycles

The islands formation is not an anomaly but part of a long-documented pattern of fluctuating water levels in the Caspian Sea. Stepan Podolyako, a senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, explained in a statement that the Caspian Sea has experienced cyclical declines since at least the 1930s, with another notable drop beginning around 2010. "The occurrence of new islands in the Caspian Sea is associated with cyclical processes of long-term fluctuations in the level of these landlocked waters," Podolyako noted. "Awash islands are uplifts on the seabed that come to the surface during periods of falling sea level."

Unlike alarmist claims linking every environmental shift to human activity, this phenomenon is driven largely by natural forces, including tectonic shifts beneath the seafloor. The Caspian Sea, straddling Europe and Asia, is no stranger to geological upheaval. Its water levels are influenced by a complex interplay of evaporation, sediment deposition, and subterranean movements  factors often ignored by mainstream environmental discourse.

Expedition challenges and findings

Despite confirming the islands existence, researchers faced significant obstacles. Harsh weather and dangerously shallow waters prevented them from landing during their initial expedition. Instead, drone footage revealed a flat, damp terrain dotted with sand ridges, barely elevated above the waterline. "A next visit to the island is planned [...] in the second half of 2025," Podolyako said, suggesting further analysis is needed to determine whether the landmass will stabilize or vanish as water levels fluctuate.

The islands temporary nature raises questions about its future. Satellite imagery from November 2024 showed a mound of sand and sediment breaching the surface, but its longevity remains uncertain. If water levels continue to drop, particularly during summer and fall when river flows into the Caspian diminish, the island could grow more prominent. Alternatively, it may recede as swiftly as it appeared, joining the ranks of other transient landforms in the region.

The Caspian Sea has seen vanishing acts before. Just months before this discovery, satellite images captured the brief appearance and disappearance of a "ghost island" near Azerbaijans coast, formed by the eruption of the Kumani Bank mud volcano. Unlike the newly discovered island, which emerged gradually, the Kumani landmass materialized abruptly in early 2023 before eroding back into the sea by late 2024. Geologist Mark Tingay, who documented the event, called it "amazing" that the islands appearance went largely unnoticed despite occurring mere miles from populated areas.

These ephemeral islands highlight the Caspians geological volatility. Mud volcanoes like Kumani Bank  over 300 of which dot Azerbaijans coast  spew sediment and gases, creating temporary landmasses that often vanish within years. Yet the newly discovered island near Maly Zhemchuzhny differs in origin, shaped not by volcanic activity but by the slow, relentless forces of water and tectonics.

A reminder of Earths unstoppable forces

The emergence of this unnamed island serves as a humbling reminder that Earths landscapes are in constant flux, governed by cycles far beyond human control. While corporate-funded climate activists rush to blame every environmental shift on industrialization, the Caspian Seas behavior defies such oversimplification. Its water levels have risen and fallen for decades, long before modern emissions became a scapegoat.

Russian scientists, prioritizing empirical observation over political agendas, continue to monitor these changes with meticulous precision. Their work reveals a truth often suppressed by Western media: nature operates on its own terms, indifferent to human narratives.

Sources for this article include:

LiveScience.com

Space.com

ScienceAlert.com
Study: Banned herbicide DIQUAT wreaking havoc on gut health

Once marketed as a "safer" herbicide alternative, diquat is now linked to severe gut barrier damage, contributing to autoimmune disorders and chronic illnesses, per a study in Frontiers in Pharmacology.

Diquat floods intestinal cells with destructive molecules (ROS), dismantling key proteins (ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1) that maintain the gut lining, leading to toxin leakage and systemic inflammation.

Beyond gut damage, diquat triggers a "gut-organ axis" effect  shrinking nutrient-absorbing villi, killing beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus) and disrupting metabolites critical for gut repair, harming kidneys, liver and lungs.

Despite bans in the EU and U.K., the U.S. EPA still permits diquat use, prioritizing agribusiness over public health, while developing nations (e.g., Brazil) face high exposure risks.

While compounds like resveratrol, probiotics and taurine may aid gut repair, experts warn that without a ban, diquat's cumulative low-dose exposure will continue eroding health  highlighting broader regulatory negligence.

For decades, chronic illnesses once considered rare  autoimmune disorders, inflammatory conditions and gut health crises  have surged inexplicably. Scientists now point to an alarming culprit.

Diquat, a herbicide marketed as a "safer" alternative to its toxic cousins, has now been exposed as a stealth destroyer of the human gut barrier. A groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology last month reveals that this chemical systematically dismantles the body's first line of defense against disease. While diquat is banned across Europe, it is still widely used in the U.S. and exported to developing nations.

The gut lining is astonishingly fragile: Just one cell thick, a microscopic shield separating the bloodstream from toxins, bacteria and undigested food. Proteins like ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 act as molecular glue, holding this barrier together. When they fail, the bodys defenses collapse.

Diquat floods intestinal cells with reactive oxygen species (ROS), destructive molecules that blast apart these critical proteins. Once breached, the gut leaks toxins into the bloodstream  triggering chronic inflammation, autoimmune reactions and organ damage.

The herbicide's damage doesn't stop at the gut. The study revealed a terrifying "gut-organ axis," where intestinal damage cascades into kidney failure, liver disease and lung dysfunction. The researchers also found that diquat:

Shrinks nutrient-absorbing villi, starving the body of essential vitamins.

Wipes out beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, crippling immune function.

Disrupts microbial metabolites, depriving the body of compounds like butyrate, which heals the gut lining.

Worse, diquat persists in soil and water for weeks, infiltrating food chains and drinking supplies. Unlike acute poisoning, its real danger lies in cumulative, low-dose exposure  the kind regulators routinely dismiss.

Widely banned diquat still used in the United States

The pesticide industry has long played a dangerous bait-and-switch. When paraquat  a notorious herbicide linked to Parkinsons disease  faced global bans, chemical giants pivoted to diquat, touting it as a responsible substitute. Farmers adopted it, regulators rubber-stamped it and water management agencies sprayed it liberally.

But the Frontiers in Pharmacology study proves diquat isn't safer  it's just more insidious. Instead of causing immediate harm, it wages a slow, invisible war on the gut, the foundation of human immunity. (Related: Pesticide Diquat approved only in USA INJURES LIVER and KIDNEYS while destroying good gut bacteria  study reveals shocking harm to humans.)

While the EU, U.K. and Switzerland banned diquat over health and environmental risks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still permits it on crops like potatoes, cotton and sugarcane. It's also exported to Brazil where farmers, often without protective gear, use it heavily since paraquat's 2020 ban. Critics accuse U.S. regulators of prioritizing agribusiness profits over public health, mirroring past failures with glyphosate and atrazine.

The damage isn't irreversible, but "eat clean and exercise" isnt enough. Researchers suggest targeted strategies:

Resveratrol (found in red wine) activates antioxidant pathways to repair gut proteins.

(found in red wine) activates antioxidant pathways to repair gut proteins. Specific probiotics (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus) rebuild decimated bacteria.

(Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus) rebuild decimated bacteria. Taurine and stevioside (from stevia) reinforce the gut barrier and reduce inflammation.

While these strategies help address gut damage cased by diquat, these are still band-aids on a bullet wound. Without a ban, the herbicide will keep eroding health silently. Paraquat's link to Parkinson's took decades to acknowledge; how long will it take before diquat's toll becomes undeniable?

Chemicals.news has more similar stories.

Watch the Health Ranger Mike Adams sharing how to avoid GMOs and toxic herbicides.

This video is from the Natural News channel on Brighteon.com.

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Vast quantities of crops dumped with cancer-causing glyphosate right before harvest.

Bayer facing long line-up of new Roundup trials as cancer takes toll.

Common herbicides linked to diminished brain function in young adults.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

FrontiersIn.org

USRTK.org

Brighteon.com
Trump revamps cybersecurity policy: A new era of digital defense

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 6 to overhaul cybersecurity directives from the Obama and Biden administrations, focusing on software security, digital identification and cyber sanctions.

The order aims to revise existing policies on software security, digital IDs for illegal immigrants and the scope of cyber sanctions, addressing perceived flaws and strengthening American cybersecurity.

The Secretary of Commerce is directed to establish a consortium with industry leaders by August to develop guidance for secure software development practices, moving away from compliance checklists.

The order eliminates the mandate for government agencies to issue digital IDs for illegal immigrants, citing concerns over fraud and narrows the scope of cyber sanctions to "foreign malicious actors," excluding election-related activities.

The order emphasizes border gateway security and post-quantum cryptography to protect against emerging threats, reflecting a commitment to a more strategic and coordinated approach to cybersecurity.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 6, aiming to overhaul key directives from the administrations of his predecessors Barack Obama and Joe Biden. This order, which targets software security, digital identification and the use of cyber sanctions, reflects a broader strategy to redefine America's approach to digital threats and technological innovation.

Trump's executive order is a direct response to what the White House describes as "problematic and distracting issues" introduced by the Biden administration. On Jan. 16, just days before leaving office, Biden signed an order that imposed new security requirements on software used by government agencies and contractors. The Trump administration criticized this move, claiming it led to "unproven and burdensome" accounting processes that prioritized compliance over genuine security. (Related: Chinese hackers are deep inside America's networks: A national security warning that won't fade.)

One of the key provisions of the order is the directive for the Secretary of Commerce to form a consortium with industry leaders by August. This consortium will be tasked with developing guidance for implementing secure software development practices. The goal is to create a more streamlined and effective approach to software security, moving away from what the administration sees as an over-reliance on compliance checklists.

Strengthening digital defenses and reforming policies

Trump's order also eliminates a mandate from the Biden administration that required government agencies to issue digital IDs for illegal immigrants. The White House argued that this mandate would have "facilitated entitlement fraud and other abuse," highlighting concerns over the potential misuse of such identification systems.

In another significant change, Trump's order narrows the scope of cyber sanctions. Under the Obama administration, sanctions could be applied to "any person" involved in hacking activities. Trump's order limits this to "foreign malicious actors," explicitly stating that cyber sanctions "do not apply to election-related activities." This move is seen as an effort to prevent the misuse of sanctions against domestic political opponents.

The order also calls for federal action on border gateway security to prevent "hijacking of network interconnections." Additionally, it addresses the growing threat of quantum computing by focusing on post-quantum cryptography. This is a critical step in securing America's digital infrastructure against future threats that may leverage next-generation compute architectures.

"President Trump has made it clear that this administration will do what it takes to make America cyber secure," the White House stated. This includes a focus on "technical and organizational professionalism" to improve the security and resilience of the nation's information systems and networks. The order reflects a commitment to a more strategic and coordinated approach to cybersecurity, recognizing the critical importance of protecting America's digital infrastructure.

Trump's executive order marks a significant turning point in the ongoing debate over cybersecurity policy. By addressing the perceived flaws in previous directives and proposing new measures to enhance digital security, the order aims to strengthen America's defenses against cyber threats. As the nation grapples with the challenges of an increasingly digital world, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely watched by both policymakers and the public alike.

Watch the video below that talks about cybersecurity tips online.

This video is from the ScottCBusiness channel on Brighteon.com.

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TheEpochTimes.com

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Brighteon.com
China sends two aircraft carriers to the Pacific, signaling growing naval ambitions

On June 7, the Chinese Navy conducted exercises with its two active-duty aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, in the Pacific Ocean east of Iwo Jima, marking the first time both carriers operated together beyond the First Island Chain.

The exercise demonstrated China's expanding naval capabilities and its ambition to challenge the existing power dynamics in the western Pacific, with ongoing construction of additional carriers like the Fujian.

The U.S., with its 11 active nuclear-powered carriers, views China's naval expansion as a potential threat, particularly regarding Taiwan, and is concerned about the implications for regional stability and American interests.

Japan, a key U.S. ally, is responding to China's buildup by developing its own carrier program, while NATO is increasing its presence in the Western Pacific, reflecting broader concerns about China's military ambitions.

The deployment of Chinese carriers complicates U.S. efforts to support Taiwan and signals a new era of naval competition in East Asia, underscoring the need for public awareness and strategic vigilance in the region.

On June 7, the Chinese Navy conducted exercises involving its two active-duty aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, in the Pacific Ocean to the east of Iwo Jima, approximately 750 miles south of Tokyo.

Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, confirmed that the Japanese Navy monitored the exercises, which included jet fighters launching and landing operations. This marked the first time China's two carriers had operated together beyond the First Island Chain, a natural barrier that Beijing seeks to overcome to extend its naval reach.

The deployment is a clear demonstration of China's growing naval prowess and its intent to challenge the status quo in the western Pacific. (Related: US-China tensions explode as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns of 'imminent' war.)

China's naval expansion is not occurring in a vacuum. The United States currently operates 11 active nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, with a global reach that has long been unchallenged. However, China's recent efforts to bolster its navy, including the construction of a third carrier, the Fujian and a fourth carrier currently under construction, signal a shift in the regional balance of power.

The Fujian, which is undergoing sea trials, represents a significant advancement in China's carrier program, potentially narrowing the technological gap with the U.S. Navy. This rapid expansion has not gone unnoticed by the United States and its allies, who are increasingly concerned about China's intentions, particularly regarding Taiwan.

The U.S. has pledged to defend Taiwan, and the presence of Chinese carriers in the Pacific raises the stakes in any potential conflict. The ability of Chinese carriers to operate beyond the First Island Chain means they could challenge U.S. forces deploying from Hawaii, the West Coast or Guam, complicating American efforts to support Taiwan in a crisis.

Regional and global responses

Japan, a key U.S. ally, has responded to China's naval buildup by initiating its own carrier program. Japan is constructing its first small aircraft carriers since World War II, capable of carrying U.S.-made F-35B stealth fighters. This move reflects Tokyo's growing concern over Beijing's military ambitions and its desire to enhance its own defensive capabilities.

The involvement of other Western powers in the Pacific further complicates the situation. NATO, traditionally focused on the North Atlantic and Europe, is now expanding its presence in the Western Pacific. Last August, Bloomberg reported that NATO is sending warships to more locations in the region, a move that China views as a potential threat to its security.

The deployment of the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour to the Pacific, accompanied by an Italian frigate, and their joint exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln near Guam exemplify the growing interest of European nations in the Pacific theater. This development has raised eyebrows in Beijing, which is wary of NATO's expanding influence in its backyard.

The deployment of Chinese aircraft carriers into the Pacific marks a significant milestone in the evolving naval landscape of East Asia. As China continues to modernize and expand its navy, the region is witnessing the emergence of a new era of competition. The United States and its allies must navigate this changing environment carefully, balancing the need to maintain regional stability with the realities of a more assertive China.

The question of whether most Americans can locate Taiwan on a map may seem trivial, but it underscores a broader issue: the need for greater public awareness and understanding of the strategic importance of the Pacific region. As the world's supply of semiconductors and other critical resources hangs in the balance, the stakes are high and the world is watching.

Watch the video below that talks about China criticizing U.S. for inciting tensions following Hegseth's warning to allies.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Chinese researcher arrested for SMUGGLING biological materials into the country

Chengxuan Han, a CCP member and doctoral student from Wuhan's Huazhong University, was arrested at Detroit Airport for smuggling undocumented biological materials (roundworm-related petri dishes, DNA plasmids) into the U.S. while lying to customs about the contents.

Han deleted her device data before arrival, claiming she wanted to "start afresh." She concealed her CCP affiliation and shipped five to 10 suspicious packages labeled as "surprises" to unwitting recipients, some lost in transit.

The case reflects growing U.S. concerns about foreign interference in academia, following similar charges against Chinese nationals smuggling harmful biological materials (e.g., crop-killing fungi). Prosecutors called it part of a Beijing-backed smuggling threat.

Han's university is near the Wuhan Institute of Virology, fueling scrutiny amid unresolved debates about COVID-19's origins. The case underscores tensions over intellectual property theft and biosecurity risks.

Han initially failed to secure a visa due to poor English but was approved days later after suddenly speaking "credibly" about her research. Officials warn such actions undermine legitimate academic work and pose public safety threats.

In a case that highlights the risk of bioterrorism from Beijing, a Chinese doctoral student was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport for allegedly smuggling biological research materials into the U.S. while concealing her ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Chengxuan Han, a researcher from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in China's central Wuhan province, was taken into custody Sunday, June 8. Her apprehension followed federal agents intercepting four packages containing undocumented roundworm-related materials sent to a University of Michigan laboratory.

Han was later charged with smuggling goods and making false statements. According to court filings, she initially lied to customs officials, claiming the packages contained plastic cups and a book. The researcher later admitted that they held petri dishes, nematode growth medium and plasmids, small DNA molecules used in genetic research.

Prosecutors allege Han deleted the contents of her electronic devices before arriving in the U.S., telling agents she wanted to "start afresh." Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) noted that Han  a CCP member  had shipped an estimated five to 10 packages, some of which were lost in transit. She described the contents of the packages as "surprises" for recipients unaware of their contents.

From campus to crime: How Chinese researchers exploit U.S. universities

The case marked the latest in a series of cases raising alarms about foreign interference in American academia. It followed recent charges against two other Chinese nationals accused of smuggling a crop-killing fungus, underscoring growing scrutiny of foreign researchers suspected of exploiting U.S. academic collaborations. (Related: Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S.)

Jerome Gorgon, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, called Han's actions "part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security." He emphasized that American taxpayers should not fund "a [People's Republic of China]-based smuggling operation" at public institutions.

Historical context adds weight to the allegations: HUST has faced prior scrutiny due to its proximity to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was central to debates about the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). The case also reflects escalating U.S.-China tensions over intellectual property theft, with universities increasingly seen as soft targets for espionage.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice launched the "China Initiative" to counter economic espionage. Critics denounced the endeavor, arguing it fueled racial profiling  a claim officials deny, citing documented cases of Chinese researchers concealing their ties to the CCP and the People's Liberation Army.

Han's visa approval raises further questions. Initially rejected for poor English proficiency, she secured a J-1 visa days later after "speak[ing] credibly" about her research. Her work, focused on roundworm neural circuits, aligns with broader biological studies  but prosecutors argue the clandestine shipments violated clear import rules.

John Nowak, acting Customs and Border Protection director of field operations, warned that such actions "undermine the legitimate work of other visiting scholars." Meanwhile, Cheyvoryea Gibson, FBI special agent in charge for the bureau's Detroit office, dubbed the smuggling a "direct threat to public safety."

As Han awaits potential indictment, her case highlights the delicate balance between academic collaboration and national security. With China's aggressive pursuit of biotechnology dominance, U.S. officials vow heightened vigilance.

Watch China affairs expert Gordon Chang explaining that the smuggling of a crop-killing fungus into America is part of a concerted effort by Beijing against Washington.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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FEAR-MONGERING PLANDEMIC now underway featuring NEW Covid variant Nimbus fueling fake news headlines across America

Run for your lives America, the new deadliest, most contagious variant of Faucis gain-of-function flu is spreading like wildfire. Be sure to remain on lockdown in your home, close any small businesses (especially holistic ones), social distance at exactly 35 feet, and take any spike protein jab the disease experts on the Counterfeit News Network (CNN) and the World Hate Organization (WHO) recommend.

"Deadliest, Most Contagious" Variant Fearmongering : The media and health agencies (dubbed "Counterfeit News Network" and "World Hate Organization") are accused of exaggerating threats like "Pirola," "Eris," and "Nimbus" to push lockdowns, business closures, and mRNA "spike protein jabs" despite questionable severity.

: The media and health agencies (dubbed "Counterfeit News Network" and "World Hate Organization") are accused of exaggerating threats like "Pirola," "Eris," and "Nimbus" to push lockdowns, business closures, and mRNA "spike protein jabs" despite questionable severity. Nimbus Variant Hype : The new Omicron subvariant "Nimbus" (NB.1.8.1) is framed as another engineered scare tactic, with its "razor blade throat" symptom and 10.7% global spread cited as evidence of ongoing pandemic theaterdespite WHO admitting its "low risk."

: The new Omicron subvariant "Nimbus" (NB.1.8.1) is framed as another engineered scare tactic, with its "razor blade throat" symptom and 10.7% global spread cited as evidence of ongoing pandemic theaterdespite WHO admitting its "low risk." Anti-Vaccine, Anti-Mask Rhetoric : The text mocks public health measures, urging readers to ditch masks ("face diapers"), avoid mainstream guidance, and instead use "wormwood cleanses," vitamin D, zinc, and hydrogen peroxide gargles to "detox" from COVID "bacteria."

: The text mocks public health measures, urging readers to ditch masks ("face diapers"), avoid mainstream guidance, and instead use "wormwood cleanses," vitamin D, zinc, and hydrogen peroxide gargles to "detox" from COVID "bacteria." Conspiracy-Driven Distrust: Claims the CDC/WHO are releasing "gain-of-function viruses" intentionally, with calls to follow alternative sites like plague.info for "truth" about pandemic lies and Pharma corruption.

New COVID Variant "Nimbus" Emerges, Fueling Concerns Over Summer Surge

A new COVID-19 variant, designated NB.1.8.1 and nicknamed "Nimbus" by health officials, has been detected across the U.S., Europe, and the Western Pacific, raising questions about its potential impact as summer approaches. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Nimbus, a descendant of Omicron, was first identified in late January and now accounts for 10.7% of sequenced cases globallyup from 2.5% in March.

While Nimbus carries spike protein mutations that may enhance transmissibility, early data suggests it has not led to a significant rise in severe illness or hospitalizations. Symptoms include a notably painful sore throatdescribed by some as "razor blade throat"alongside fatigue, congestion, fever, and, less commonly, gastrointestinal issues.

The WHO has assessed the global risk as "currently low," emphasizing that existing vaccines remain effective against severe disease. However, experts warn against complacency. Dr. Rajendram Rajnarayanan of the New York Institute of Technology told Salon that Nimbus is "a strong candidate for the summer surge," echoing concerns that the virus continues to evolve despite public fatigue.

Historical context underscores the unpredictability of COVID-19 variants. Since Deltas emergence in 2021, successive waves have been driven by strains with increased immune evasion, though vaccination has blunted their deadliest effects. Nimbuss spread follows this pattern, testing the balance between societal reopening and viral adaptation.

I know that everybody wants to forget about this disease, but its not going to allow us to, said Pharma shill Dr. Janko Nikolich of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, in a statement to ABC Action News.

As health agencies monitor Nimbus, the variant serves as a reminder that COVID-19 remains a dynamic threat, according to fake newsand one that demands vigilance even as the world moves forward.

Got a sore throat that feels like youre swallowing a razor blade? Thats Nimbus. Better go get some wormwood parasite cleanse, plenty of vitamin D and zinc, and then throw your Covid mask in the trash and gargle with some hydrogen peroxide 3 percent to kill all that bacteria that huddled in your mouth, throat and lungs from wearing that face diaper.

Bookmark plague.info to your favorite independent websites for updates on new gain-of-function viruses the CDC and WHO release into the wild.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

GatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com

100percentfedup.com
KING OF FUNDED MAYHEM George Soros likely behind L.A. terror riots in effort to preserve illegal immigrant vote counts for Democrats at midterm elections

The newly reconstructed FBI under Trump is looking into communist networks that are funding the L.A. terror riots, as confirmed by FBI Director Kash Patel. George Soros, whose net worth tops $7 billion, pays criminals and dare devils to destroy property, attack police, burn vehicles, loot businesses, and instigate violence around the world in order to fuel mayhem and overthrow non-communist governments. Case in point.

FBI Probes Foreign Financial Ties to L.A. Riots Amid Rising Concerns Over Communist-Linked Groups

The FBI is investigating financial networks suspected of fueling recent riots in Los Angeles following federal immigration enforcement actions, Director Kash Patel confirmed this week. Speaking to The Epoch Times, Patel stated the bureau is examining any and all monetary connections responsible for these riots, as scrutiny intensifies over foreign-backed communist groups allegedly influencing domestic unrest.

Among the organizations under federal and congressional scrutiny is the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a hardline communist group reportedly funded by Neville Roy Singham, a pro-Beijing tech millionaire with documented ties to Chinese Communist Party-aligned entities.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation has used social media to frame immigration arrests as a war being waged on immigrant communities and accused ICE of kidnapping our neighbors, friends and families. Closely aligned with the group is The Peoples Forum, a Manhattan-based nonprofit also funded by Singham. The organization has openly praised Chinas authoritarian policies, hosted events glorifying the Chinese Communist Party, and organized solidarity actions for L.A. protesters.

On June 10, The Peoples Forum rallied demonstrators in Manhattans Foley Square, chanting ICE out of our communities and featuring support from Code Pinka group co-founded by Singhams wife, Jodie Evans, known for its China Is Not Our Enemy campaign. Code Pink activists have previously disrupted congressional hearings to push pro-Beijing narratives.

Photos from a 2023 propaganda forum in Shanghai showed Singham seated beside a Marxist professor at Fudan University, taking notes in a red-covered bookleta scene emblematic of the ideological and financial ties now under federal investigation. The Peoples Forum has not denied its foreign affiliations, stating in January 2024: we have nothing to hide while reaffirming opposition to the U.S. war drive on Russia and China.

The groups activities have drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. In April, Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley urged the Department of Justice to assess whether The Peoples Forum and Code Pink should register as foreign agents.

More recently, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced the House Oversight Committee will demand documents from Singham regarding his alleged financial support for groups linked to the L.A. riots and the Chinese Communist Party. If he refuses to appear, he will be subpoenaed, Luna warned, adding that noncompliance could trigger DOJ prosecution.

The investigation highlights growing concerns over foreign influence in U.S. domestic affairs, particularly through well-funded activist networks. As federal authorities and lawmakers intensify scrutiny, the case could set a precedent for how the U.S. addresses foreign-backed interference in civil unrest. With tensions escalatingevidenced by Code Pink activists confronting Rep. Lunathe clash between government oversight and alleged foreign-linked activism shows no signs of abating.

It's really all about having the head counts and illegal votes for Democrat politicians in the upcoming elections so America can be turned BACK into a communist nation like it was under Obama and Biden. Tune your apocalypse dial to preparedness.news for updates on real news about surviving the Democrat and Soros-funded mayhem that ensues in every Democrat-run metropolitan hell-hole.

Sources for this article include:

Censored.news

NaturalNews.com

YourNews.com
Israel and Jordan intercept Iranian drones amid escalating tensions

Israel's military intercepted Iranian drones launched in response to its airstrikes on Iranian targets, with operations reported over Syria and Saudi Arabia, while Jordan intercepted missiles and drones in its airspace.

Israel's unprecedented assault on Iran, involving 200 fighter jets and over 330 munitions, targeted over 100 sites, including nuclear facilities and research centers, with Prime Minister Netanyahu describing it as a defensive measure against the Iranian threat.

Iran launched over 100 drones in retaliation, expected to reach Israeli airspace within nine hours. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a harsh response, while Israeli officials remain confident in their ability to intercept incoming threats.

The U.S. confirmed it was not involved in the Israeli operation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing the priority of protecting American forces. The U.S. Embassy advised citizens to shelter in place and began evacuating non-essential personnel due to the threat of Iranian retaliation.

The strikes threaten to derail U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, with Iran rejecting U.S. terms for a new agreement. The situation has roots in the 2015 nuclear deal's collapse, raising fears of a nuclear-armed Iran and prompting concerns of regional escalation and potential miscalculations with dire consequences.

Israel's military announced on Friday, June 13, that it had begun intercepting Iranian drones launched in response to its early morning airstrikes on Iranian targets.

According to Israel's public broadcaster, the Israeli Air Force intercepted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Syria, while Channel 12 reported that similar operations were underway over Saudi Arabia.

Jordan's state news agency also confirmed that its military had intercepted a number of missiles and drones that entered its airspace. The developments come as Israel braces for the arrival of approximately 100 attack drones from Iran, which are believed to be part of an initial retaliation for Israel's unprecedented assault on Iranian soil.

The Israeli strikes, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," were described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival." The operation, which involved 200 fighter jets and over 330 munitions, targeted more than 100 sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities and research centers.

Iranian state television reported that the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami and the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri was among those killed in the strikes. Netanyahu vowed that the operation would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

In a statement, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel to "await a harsh response."

U.S. stance and involvement

The United States has reiterated that it was not involved in the Israeli operation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Israel acted unilaterally, stating, "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region." Trump, who was briefed on the strikes in advance, told Fox News that the U.S. did not provide military assistance to Israel.

The U.S. Embassy in Israel has advised American citizens to shelter in place due to the threat of retaliatory attacks. The embassy also warned of potential "mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions." The Israeli National Security Council has similarly warned Israelis abroad to avoid events connected to Israel or Judaism, citing the risk of "acts of revenge." (Related: U.S. begins evacuating personnel from Middle East amid fears of Israeli attack on Iran.)

The strikes come at a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. The Trump administration has been seeking to negotiate a new agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program, but the recent escalation could derail these efforts. Iranian officials have indicated that they are unwilling to accept the terms proposed by the U.S., particularly the demand for a complete halt to uranium enrichment.

The current crisis has its roots in the 2015 nuclear agreement, which the Trump administration abandoned in 2018, accusing Iran of violating its terms. Since then, tensions have steadily risen, with Iran expanding its enriched uranium stockpile and the U.S. and Israel increasing pressure on Tehran.

The role of Israel

Israel has long been skeptical of negotiations with Iran, viewing the country as its top global foe. Over the years, Israel has carried out various covert and overt actions to hinder Iran's nuclear ambitions. The recent strikes are the latest in a series of efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran's nuclear program has been a source of international concern for decades. Despite Iran's denials, international watchdogs have noted an increase in Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. The 2015 agreement was designed to curb these activities, but its collapse has led to renewed fears of a nuclear-armed Iran.

The escalating conflict has prompted the U.S. to begin evacuating non-essential personnel and family members from its embassies and military bases in the region. The State Department cited concerns that Iranian retaliation could target these installations. The potential for regional escalation is high, with both Israel and Iran possessing significant military capabilities.

Watch the video below that talks about Israel provoking Iran to strike first.

This video is from What is happening channel on Brighteon.com.

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In its recently released Sustainability Report 2024, ZTE outlines how it aims to integrate sustainable development with its corporate strategies in order to strengthen its competitiveness in the sector.

Central to this vision are the three cornerstones of ZTEs sustainable development strategy - internal control, compliance, and talent. The company aims to take a proactive role in improving global sustainability, as evidenced by its publication of its sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports.

Xie Junshi, EVP and COO of ZTE, states in the report that ZTE has embedded ESG into every aspect of its operations, underlining its commitment to innovation-driven and sustainable development. By harnessing digital and intelligent technologies, we are developing a development model that coexists harmoniously with nature and society, while exploring a path for business continuity in the new era.

As part of its sustainability commitments, ZTE is a member of the UN Global Compact and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) as well as a key participant in the Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition initiated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Xu Ziyang, Executive Director and CEO of ZTE, says in the report: "The new wave of AI-driven technological revolution, particularly the boom of large models and generative AI, has propelled global digital and intelligent transformation. Xu notes that ZTE has risen to these challenges and opportunities as a driver of the digital economy, and outlines some of the vendors achievements.

Firstly, ZTE last year received official approval from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its near-term 1.5C target and long-term net-zero targets, making it the first large-scale ICT tech company in China to receive dual approvals from SBTi while also securing a place on the CDP A List. In 2025, ZTE once again received the prestigious CDP A score for leading climate action in CDP's 2024 disclosures. In the same year, ZTE also published its Net-Zero Strategy White Paper.

Another key achievement by ZTE was the reduction of its Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 13.4% year-on-year in 2024. The vendor reduced its Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions by 14.317 million tons compared to 2023, with telecom products seeing an 8.39% reduction in physical emissions intensity during the use and maintenance phase, while terminal products achieved a 5.02% year-on-year reduction in absolute emissions over the entire product lifecycle.

To meet these carbon reduction targets and contribute to global sustainable development, ZTE is advancing its "Green Digital Path" initiative across four key areas: green corporate operations, green supply chain, green digital infrastructure, and green empowerment of industries. The vendor has managed to increase revenue while reducing energy consumption, with energy efficiency improving by 20% in 2024 as compared to 2021 levels.

ZTE has actively integrated cloud and network infrastructure, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, AI and other cutting-edge technologies into traditional industries, facilitating both development and emission reduction. In 2024, ZTE conducted onsite CSR audits for 261 production suppliers (representing 86.90% of the top 90% of suppliers by procurement amount). As of 2024, the company has conducted carbon footprint assessments for 154 products, covering all its product categories. In the same year, ZTE helped 100 suppliers complete organizational-level carbon inventory and assisted 10 suppliers in setting carbon reduction targets and measures.

ZTE remains committed to driving corporate growth through technological innovation, and is pushing efforts in AI engineering, 5G-A international standards development, 6G technology breakthroughs, industry-academia-research collaboration, and intellectual property protection and management. As of December 31st 2024, ZTE had filed 93,000 global patent applications, with over 48,000 granted. Of these, in the field of chips, the vendor has been granted over 2,000 of around 5,500 applications filed, while in AI, it has been granted around half of the more than 5,000 patent applications that it has filed.

In terms of corporate risk prevention and control, ZTE places particular emphasis on identifying and responding to emerging risks. As AI technology rapidly transforms the world, it brings immense business opportunities while also raising widespread concerns over ethical risks such as privacy infringement and algorithmic bias. To proactively address these challenges, ZTE established the Science and Technology Ethics Committee in 2024, demonstrating high-level organizational commitment to ethical governance. In addition, the company has put in place a technology ethics governance framework to review and assess AI-related R&D projects individually, ensuring the safe, reliable, and inclusive development of AI.

Based on local development stages, resource conditions, and application scenarios, ZTE leverages its technological strengths to provide different countries with solutions and networks that balance affordability with cutting-edge technologies, contributing to global digitalization and socio-economic development. For example, ZTE and Orange jointly launched the "Enhance Rural Area" project, delivering communications infrastructure to rural regions in Liberia and enabling digital access for more than 580,000 people in remote areas. In Hainan, ZTE ensured uninterrupted emergency communications with satellite terminals during Typhoon Yagi. In Anyang, Henan, the company supported the development of a drone-based blood delivery system, effectively addressing the "last mile" challenge in urban medical logistics.

ZTE has pursued sustainable development by advancing both technological leadership and responsible practices and its ESG performance continues to earn high recognition from multiple global authorities and rating agencies. In addition to making the prestigious CDP A List for leading climate action for the second year running, in 2024 ZTE received the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability excellence. The vendor was also selected for the S&P Global's Sustainability Yearbook 2024 (China Edition), garnering the title of Industry Mover. It was also listed among 2024 the Forbes China ESG 50 list and received the World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award. Furthermore, ZTE won two BDO ESG awards, as well as the LinkedIn MostIn Awards  Global Talent Magnet Employer.
Israel launches massive assassination campaign against Iranian officials, sparking fears of WWIII escalation

Escalating Conflict: Israel conducted targeted airstrikes killing Iranian military leaders, scientists, and officials, risking a broader regional war and potential U.S. involvement despite diplomatic efforts.

U.S. Diplomatic Tensions: Netanyahu ignored Trumps calls for restraint, launching attacks without overt U.S. support, raising concerns Israel may provoke Iran to force American military intervention.

Irans Retaliation Threat: Iran vowed to respond, possibly with missile strikes on Israel or activating sleeper cells targeting U.S. infrastructure, heightening fears of domestic chaos and global instability.

Political Divides: Pro-Israel factions pressure Trump to back Netanyahu, while anti-war voices warn against distraction from domestic crises and emboldening adversaries like China.

Global Repercussions: Far-right groups glorify Israels actions, while Ukraine draws parallels to its own defense, ignoring human rights criticisms. The crisis risks spiraling into a catastrophic global conflict.

Israel has reportedly conducted a wave of airstrikes and targeted killings against top Iranian military leaders, scientists, and political figures, igniting fears of a broader regional conflict that could draw the U.S. into a devastating war. Analysts warn that Tehran may retaliate against American forces in the Middle East, escalating tensions amid Israels defiance of diplomatic efforts and President Trumps calls for restraint.

According to reports, Israeli forces eliminated high-ranking commanders of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including General Hossein Salami, alongside nuclear scientists and senior army officials. Strikes also hit research reactors and surface facilities near nuclear sites, though Israel has so far avoided large-scale attacks on enrichment centers. The operation, described as a "mass assassination campaign," marks a sharp escalation in Israels shadow war with Iran, which has long opposed Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

U.S. on the Brink

The attacks come despite Trumps public insistence on pursuing diplomacy. Hours before the strikes, the president tweeted that his administration remained "committed to a diplomatic resolution" and demanded Iran abandon any nuclear weapons aspirations. Yet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahufresh from securing a hard-right coalition in 2022appears to have disregarded U.S. appeals, launching the operation without overt American military support.

Critics argue Israel is deliberately provoking Iran to trigger a U.S. military intervention. "Netanyahu is a master manipulator," said one analyst, noting parallels to past conflicts where Israel leveraged American power against regional foes. Others fear Israel may stage a false-flag attack on U.S. assets in the Middle East to guarantee Washingtons involvement, echoing tactics allegedly used during previous crises.

Retaliation Looms

Iran has vowed to respond, with ballistic missiles reportedly en route to Israel at the time of reporting. The regime could also activate sleeper cells within the U.S., targeting critical infrastructure like power grids, refineries, and transportation networks. Security experts warn that such sabotage could plunge American cities into chaos, exacerbating existing civil unrest.

Meanwhile, Trump faces mounting pressure from pro-Israel factions to back Netanyahu, while anti-war voices urge de-escalation. "America cannot afford another Middle East war," warned retired General Michael Flynn, echoing concerns that a conflict with Iran would distract from domestic crises and embolden adversaries like China.

Global Fallout

The strikes have already reverberated beyond the Middle East. Far-right groups in the U.S. and Europe, including participants in the January 6 Capitol riot, have embraced Israeli flags, framing the Jewish state as a model for ethnonationalist resistance against perceived threats. Meanwhile, Ukraines President Zelenskyy has openly cited Israel as an inspiration for his countrys defense strategya comparison that overlooks Israels apartheid policies, as condemned by human rights organizations.

As the world braces for Irans next move, the specter of World War III looms. "This is Netanyahus gamble," said a geopolitical risk analyst. "Either he drags America into his war, or he forces Iran to back down. But the cost could be catastrophic."

With U.S. cities already simmering with unrest and global powers maneuvering for advantage, the coming days may determine whether diplomacy prevailsor if the region descends into all-out war.

Watch the June 13 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about Israel bombs Iran while U.S. Senators celebrate death and destruction.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Israel-Iran tensions intensify as diplomatic efforts struggle

Russia warns of catastrophic fallout if Trump bombs Iran, escalating global tensions

Israel bombs Syrian military sites in warning to Turkey amid rising tensions

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
LA riots just the start: Left-wing radicals push for southwest secession

Radical Separatist Movements: Groups like the Brown Berets of Aztlan and MEChA aim to fracture the U.S. by reclaiming the Southwest as an independent narco-state, leveraging decades-old insurgent tactics similar to the IRA.

Provoking Violent Escalation: These factions seek a "George Floyd moment" on a larger scaleprovoking law enforcement into deadly confrontations to justify riots, using pre-staged supplies like gas masks and incendiary devices.

Foreign Exploitation of Weaknesses: Adversaries like China or Iran could exploit U.S. infrastructure vulnerabilities (e.g., power grids) during unrest, replicating attacks like the 2013 Metcalf sniper incident to trigger cascading chaos.

Law Enforcement Limitations: Traditional policing will fail in dense urban areas like L.A., where restrictive rules of engagement may lead to vigilante groups emerging, mirroring past conflicts in Northern Ireland.

Fragility of High-Trust Society: Americas stability is under threat as domestic radicals and foreign actors exploit divisions, with the Southwest potentially becoming a battleground for prolonged insurgency and societal collapse.

The recent unrest in Los Angeles is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, well-funded campaign to destabilize the United States and carve out a separatist Southwest, warns former Navy SEAL and bestselling author Matt Bracken. In an exclusive interview with Mike Adams, Bracken detailed how radical groups like the Brown Berets of Aztlanalongside Antifa and other left-wing factionsare laying the groundwork for a long-term insurgency aimed at fracturing America along racial and political lines.

A History of Radical Separatism

Bracken, who has studied insurgent movements for decades, compared the Brown Berets of Aztlan to historical revolutionary groups like the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Though small in number, such organizations serve as ideological and logistical hubs, ready to expand rapidly when unrest escalates.

These groups have existed since the late 1960s and never went away, Bracken said. They provide an organizational structurejust like the IRA didthat can quickly absorb new recruits when violence erupts.

The Brown Berets and groups like MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) advocate for the reconquest of the American Southwestterritory they refer to as Aztlan, a mythical homeland they claim was stolen by the U.S. Their goal is not reunification with Mexico but the creation of a new, independent narco-state controlled by cartels and communist factions.

Exploiting Optics and False Flags

Bracken warned that these groups are masters of asymmetrical warfare, carefully controlling media narratives to paint law enforcement as aggressors. Their strategy hinges on provoking violent confrontationssuch as a Kent State or Bloody Sunday-style massacreto galvanize public outrage and justify further escalation.

They need a George Floyd moment, but bigger, Bracken said. They want Marines or National Guard troops to fire into a crowd so they can claim martyrdom and rally more supporters.

The recent riots in Los Angeles, he argued, are a deliberate test run. Well-funded organizers have already distributed gas masks, pallets of bricks, and incendiary devices in preparation for larger-scale disruptions.

Foreign Adversaries and Grid Vulnerabilities

Beyond domestic radicals, Bracken highlighted the risk of foreign adversariessuch as Iran, Russia, or Chinaexploiting Americas centralized infrastructure to amplify chaos. He pointed to the 2013 Metcalf sniper attack in California, where gunmen disabled a power substation, as a proof-of-concept for crippling the U.S. grid.

If a foreign actor blacks out Los Angeles during riots, the psychological effect would be catastrophic, Bracken said. People will start sabotaging transformers themselves, leading to cascading failures.

He also warned of arson campaigns during dry, windy conditionssimilar to the wildfires that ravaged Californiaas another tool to destabilize urban centers.

The Inevitable Escalation?

Bracken cautioned that traditional law enforcement tactics will fail in sprawling, high-population areas like Los Angeles County, which dwarfs conflict zones like Belfast in both size and complexity.

The British couldnt suppress a few hundred IRA fighters in Northern Ireland over 30 years, he said. How do you control millions in a metropolis like L.A.?

He predicted that if police and military forces remain hamstrung by restrictive rules of engagement, vigilante groups will emergemirroring historical precedents in Northern Ireland and Latin America.

Conclusion: A Fragile Future

The situation in Los Angeles may be just the opening salvo in a prolonged campaign to fracture the U.S. With foreign actors eager to exploit domestic divisions and radical groups prepared for guerrilla warfare, Brackens warning is stark: Americas high-trust society is dangerously vulnerable.

Were like a glass mansion, he said. Nobody dared throw rocks beforebut now the enemies are inside.

For now, the question remains whether federal and local authorities can prevent a full-blown insurgencyor if the Southwest is destined to become the next battleground in Americas unraveling.

Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Matt Bracken as they talk about the coming explosion of riots timed to destroy America from within.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Marines deployed to LA riots as Newsom sues Trump over National Guard mobilization

Trump mobilizes the military to CRUSH INSURRECTION and LIBERATE L.A. as left-wing agitators and democrats fuel the chaos

Marines deployed to Los Angeles as left-wing insurrection spreads, threatening civil war

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Enemiesforeignanddomestic.com
MAGA influencer calls to deploy Palantir on LA streets

Problem>Reaction>Solution?

Laura Loomer on X:

Time to deploy @PalantirTech to Los Angeles to deal with the illegals. You know youd love to see it. (Article by Ben Bartee republished from TheDailyBell.com)

Later on, met with criticism, Loomer doubled down on her call to unleash Palantir against the rioters:

Do you really think we are going to mass deport 65 million people without advanced technology? Are you that naive? Related: John Bolton Vows to Resurrect USAID Post-Trump

Less than six months ago, Loomer viciously condemned Palantirs CEO, Alex Karp, as a career leftist who thrives off of conflict and war as a business model.

In 2023, she exposed Karp for bragging that Palantir single handedly stopped the rise of the far right in Europe, likely in reference to Germanys AFD and similar parties across the EU.

So, what happened to Laura?

Why the sudden change of heart?

Related: WATCH: Alleged CIA Agent Brags About Persecuting Alex Jones, Tucker Carlson

Via Bloomberg, January 2024 (emphasis added):

Just about a week after signing a controversial contract with the UKs national health service, Palantir Technologies Inc. launched an influencer marketing campaign to counter criticism of the patient data platform its building, potentially breaching terms of the deal. After winning the bid on Nov. 21, Palantir contracted with a digital marketing agency to solicit interest from content personalities. Im getting in touch regarding one of our current campaigns, the marketers wrote in emails to influencers, according to copies of communications obtained by the legal nonprofit Good Law Project and shared with Bloomberg. The pitch said the objective was to clear up misinformation relating to some recent data privacy concerns that were shared in the UK press.

The federal government recently dramatically expanded its partnership with the surveillance behemoth to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts across multiple agencies.

Via The New York Times (emphasis added):

In March, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the federal government to share data across agencies, raising questions over whether he might compile a master list of personal information on Americans that could give him untold surveillance power The Trump administration has expanded Palantirs work across the federal government in recent months. The company has received more than $113 million in federal government spending since Mr. Trump took office, according to public records, including additional funds from existing contracts as well as new contracts with the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon. (This does not include a $795 million contract that the Department of Defense awarded the company last week, which has not been spent.) Representatives of Palantir are also speaking to at least two other agencies  the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service  about buying its technology, according to six government officials and Palantir employees with knowledge of the discussions. The push has put a key Palantir product called Foundry into at least four federal agencies, including D.H.S. and the Health and Human Services Department.

Read more at: TheDailyBell.com
Medical experts flood Twitter with SCRIPTED Big Pharma propaganda after Secretary Kennedy purges ACIP

In a stunning blow to the pharmaceutical industrys stranglehold on public health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has purged all 17 members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)a panel long accused of rubber-stamping vaccines while pocketing Big Pharma cash. The coordinated backlash from Pharma-funded experts was immediate, predictable, and eerily scripted, revealing just how deep the corruption runs. Medical experts flooded Twitter instantly with mass, scripted messages calling Secretary Kennedy "dangerous" and "anti-science." This mass hysteria mirrored the mass scripted messages that were unleashed during the COVID-19 scandal.

Key points:

RFK Jr. fired all 17 members of the CDCs ACIP, dismantling a panel riddled with financial ties to Merck, Pfizer, and Moderna.

Within hours, Pharma-funded doctors flooded social media with identical talking points, exposing a coordinated PR campaign.

The new appointees include Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Martin Kulldorff, and Vicky Pebsworthadvocates for medical transparency and informed consent.

Corporate media falsely framed the purge as anti-science, ignoring ACIPs history of approving vaccines with minimal scrutiny.

The CDCs ACIP has long pushed a bloated, untested childhood vaccine schedulenow linked to skyrocketing chronic illnesses in children.

The ACIPs legacy of corruption

For years, the ACIP functioned less as an independent advisory body and more as a revolving door for Pharma insiders. Members routinely voted on vaccines produced by companies that paid them consulting fees, funded their research, or even employed them directly. This wasnt just a conflict of interestit was institutionalized fraud.

Take Dr. Paul Offit, a longtime ACIP member who co-invented a rotavirus vaccine and pocketed millions in royalties while voting on its inclusion in the CDC schedule. Or Dr. Cody Meissner, who received funding from Sanofi Pasteur and Pfizer yet still voted on their products. These werent impartial scientiststhey were salesmen in lab coats.

Kennedys purge didnt just remove compromised individuals; it shattered a system built to serve corporate interests. As Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, bluntly stated: "If I were HHS Secretary, I would solve the entire vaccine problem in one day. 'You're all FIRED!' I would auction off the furniture, sell the buildings, pink-slip everybody on day one and return health decisions to the American people."

Pharmas scripted meltdown

The backlash was instantaneousand suspiciously uniform. Within hours, blue-check experts flooded Twitter with near-identical condemnations:

"This is dangerous!"

"RFK is anti-science!"

"Hes gutting public health!"

The irony? Many of these outraged voices were themselves funded by the same corporations that profited from ACIPs rubber-stamped approvals. Not one mentioned their own financial ties to Merck or Pfizer. The media, predictably, parroted the narrative, with NBC decrying Kennedys move as "manufactured chaos"while ignoring the actual manufactured chaos of forcing untested vaccines onto infants.

A new era of transparency

Kennedys replacements arent just independenttheyre revolutionaries. Among them:

Dr. Robert Malone, mRNA technology pioneer turned whistleblower against COVID shot mandates.

Dr. Martin Kulldorff, epidemiologist and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, who warned that lockdowns would devastate public health.

Vicky Pebsworth of the National Vaccine Information Center, a relentless advocate for informed consent.

These appointments signal a seismic shift: no more rubber stamps, no more Pharma payoutsjust science, free from corporate coercion.

The fight for health freedom isnt over

The pharmaceutical industry will retaliatehard. Expect smear campaigns, bogus studies, and relentless media attacks. But the truth is breaking through. Parents are waking up to the dangers of the CDCs bloated vaccine schedule, with infants now subjected to upwards of 90 doses by age sixmany never properly tested for safety.

This isnt just a bureaucratic shake-upits a reckoning. For decades, the ACIP operated as a glorified marketing arm for vaccine manufacturers, pushing untested, dangerous products onto children while silencing dissent and acting as a lobby to mandate the vaccines for school attendance. Now, as Kennedy installs independent voices who prioritize science over profits, the medical-industrial complex is in full panic mode. Will we see the end of vaccine propaganda, rigorous childhood vaccine schedules, and mandates for school attendance?

Sources include:

TruthAboutCancer.substack.com

NBCNews.com

Enoch, Brighteon.ai
FBI Director Kash Patel warns of Chinas long-term plan to kneecap the U.S. through FENTANYL

FBI Director Kash Patel alleges that China is intentionally fueling the U.S. fentanyl crisis as part of a long-term plan to weaken America by targeting its youth  future soldiers, teachers and first responders.

Despite China's 2019 promise to regulate fentanyl precursors, it continues supplying these chemicals through third countries like Canada and India, contributing to tens of thousands of U.S. overdose deaths annually.

A DEA report warns that Chinese firms are rerouting fentanyl shipments through Canada where "super laboratories" are becoming a growing threat, indicating the crisis is evolving rather than declining.

The Trump administration imposed a 20 percent tariff on Chinese imports tied to fentanyl production, while the FBI has partnered with India to disrupt precursor supply chains and indicted pharmaceutical firms smuggling mislabeled chemicals.

Traffickers are now shaping fentanyl into candy-like pills (e.g., gummy bears) to appeal to younger victims, prompting Patel to vow aggressive action to prevent child overdoses, framing the crisis as a national security threat.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has warned of China's long-term plan to undermine the U.S. by deliberately fueling the fentanyl crisis.

Patel put forward the accusation during an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" Friday, June 6. He revealed to podcast host Joe Rogan that Beijing's strategy of fueling the synthetic opioid crisis is a calculated strategy to "kneecap" the U.S. by targeting its youth. This, Patel argued, appears to be a "directed approach" by China against its "largest adversary."

The FBI director mentioned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not motivated by profit, but by a long-term plan to destabilize the U.S. by "taking out generations of young men and women" who would otherwise serve as soldiers, teachers and first responders. "That's what theyre doing when you wipe out tens of thousands of Americans a year," Patel told Rogan. "It's a long-term plan for them."

Patel, a key figure in the second Trump administration's crackdown on drug trafficking, also slammed China's deception. Despite pledging in 2019 to regulate precursor chemicals for fentanyl, Beijing continues to supply these through third countries like Canada and India. (Related: Chemicals supplied by China play a big role in America's illegal drug trade.)

This has contributed to a huge death toll, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealing that 48,422 deaths involving fentanyl were recorded in the U.S. for 2024. "They tricked the world," Patel said in the interview, noting that at least 14 alternative chemicals remain in circulation.

Canada now a key player in lethal fentanyl pipeline

A report by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released last month mentioned that Chinese firms now reroute shipments through Canada. It added that so-called "super laboratories" in America's northern neighbor pose a growing threat. The DEA report noted that Canada's emerging role as a fentanyl hub suggests the crisis is evolving, not receding.

Washington's response has been aggressive. In March, President Donald Trump imposed a 20 percent tariff on Chinese imports linked to fentanyl production.

Meanwhile, the FBI under Patel has launched a global operation, collaborating with Indian authorities to dismantle precursor supply chains. Two indictments in January targeted Indian pharmaceutical firms Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals. The companies were accused of smuggling mislabeled chemicals into the U.S. and Mexico.

In May, federal agents seized 400 kilograms of fentanyl  the largest bust in DEA history. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects, including Chinese nationals accused of importing pill presses to manufacture counterfeit drugs resembling candy.

Patel's warning extends beyond traditional drug markets. He noted that traffickers are now lacing fake pills with fentanyl and shaping them like gummy bears  deliberately targeting children. "We will not have kids dying of fentanyl overdoses in our streets," he vowed.

The war on fentanyl is no longer just about drugs; it's about national survival.

Watch David Teboul, assistant commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, discussing the influx of fentanyl from Canada to the U.S. in this clip.

This video is from the You Silenced Me channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FBI: CCP, Iran, Russia partnering with Mexican drug cartels to move fentanyl into the United States via Canada's open northern border.

Virginia classifies FENTANYL as weapon of TERRORISM in response to rise in overdose deaths.

U.S.-China trade war escalates amid fentanyl crisis and rising geopolitical tensions.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Salmonella outbreak triggers recall of millions of EGGS

At least 79 people across seven states were sickened (21 hospitalized) due to contaminated eggs distributed by August Egg Company. The recalled eggs included organic and cage-free varieties sold in nine states between February and May 2025.

Approximately 1.7 million eggs (plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330, sell-by dates March 4 to June 19, 2025) were voluntarily recalled. Major retailers like Walmart, Ralphs and Safeway were affected, with some eggs sold online. No deaths were reported.

The CDC identified the outbreak strain as Salmonella enteritidis, with illnesses occurring from February 24 to May 17, 2025. Genetic testing and traceback investigations confirmed the source.

Experts highlighted systemic gaps, citing modern farming practices (e.g., rodent infestations in cage-free facilities) and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Advocates called for stricter regulations and blockchain traceability to prevent future outbreaks.

The CDC urged consumers to discard or return recalled eggs and disinfect surfaces. Vulnerable groups (children, elderly, immunocompromised) face higher risks. August Egg Company diverted affected eggs for pasteurization but faces scrutiny amid rising antibiotic resistance in Salmonella.

A widespread Salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated eggs has sickened at least 79 people across seven states and hospitalized 21, federal health officials announced.

The outbreak, which was traced to eggs distributed by August Egg Company, has reignited concerns over food safety. The recalled eggs included brown organic and cage-free varieties and were sold in nine states  Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming  between February and May. Major retailers affected include Walmart, Ralphs, Safeway and Smart & Final, with some eggs also distributed through online grocers  potentially expanding their reach.

Illnesses were reported in seven of the nine states the contaminated eggs were sold, with none reported in New Mexico and Wyoming. No deaths in relation to this outbreak have been reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC confirmed that the outbreak strain, Salmonella enteritidis, was detected through genetic testing and traceback investigations. Illnesses caused by foodborne pathogen were reported between Feb. 24 and May 17, it added. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that August Egg Company voluntarily recalled approximately 1.7 million eggs bearing plant codes P-6562 or CA-5330 and sell-by dates from March 4 to June 19, 2025. (Related: Salmonella outbreak sparks 1.7M egg recall amid persistent food safety concerns.)

The incident underscores the persistent dangers of Salmonella, the leading cause of foodborne hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. Symptoms such as fever, diarrhea and stomach cramps typically emerge within six to 72 hours of exposure,

Salmonella outbreak exposes shocking gaps in food safety

The egg recall comes in the wake of persistent supply chain vulnerabilities and antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Food safety advocate Dr. Emily Carter criticized modern farming practices as a key factor in the outbreak.

"Even 'cage-free' facilities face a higher risk of rodent infestation, S. enteritidis' primary source," she said. Recent data reveals that 54 percent of infections stem from home-prepared dishes like homemade mayonnaise or tiramisu, complicating prevention efforts.

Carter called for stricter regulations, urging policymakers to bridge the gap between organic standards and food safety. "The public shouldn't have to choose between food safety and organic standards," she remarked. Other experts have pushed for enhanced traceability measures, such as blockchain technology in supply chains, to mitigate future outbreaks.

This incident echoes past food safety failures, including a 2018 multi-state outbreak involving a drug-resistant Salmonella strain. It also also follows recent warnings about Salmonella contamination in cucumbers and backyard poultry, highlighting systemic gaps in foodborne illness prevention.

The CDC advises consumers to discard or return recalled eggs and disinfect surfaces that may have come into contact with them. While most recover without treatment, vulnerable populations including children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals face heightened risks.

August Egg Company stated it diverted affected eggs to a pasteurization facility to neutralize pathogens and pledged corrective actions. Yet, as Salmonella continues to evolve resistance to antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, the stakes for food safety grow ever higher.

Watch this news report about a Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled diced onions.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FDA issues highest-level recall for TOMATOES contaminated with Salmonella.

SALMONELLA outbreak in various states prompts RECALL of diced onion products.

Cucumbers recalled nationwide over salmonella outbreak linked to 37 illnesses across 15 U.S. states.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

TheEpochTimes.com

CDC.gov

Brighteon.com
White House fears that Iran has the capability to overwhelm Israels Iron Dome

The Middle East stands on the precipice of another catastrophic conflict as tensions between Iran and Israel reach a boiling point . With President Trump warning that an Israeli attack on Irans nuclear facilities "could very well happen," Tehran has responded with defiant rhetoric, claiming readiness for any scenario. Behind the scenes, however, White House officials privately fear that Irans retaliationpotentially involving hundreds of ballistic missilescould overwhelm Israels defenses, leading to mass casualties and destabilizing the region further. As U.S. embassies in Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain quietly reduce staff, questions swirl. The US is preparing for war in the region and retaliation against its bases. What is Iran capable of now that they've been struck by Israel? Will Iran be able to overwhelm Israel's Iron Dome?

Key points:

Trump has publicly stated that an Israeli strike on Irans nuclear program is imminent, while Irans Revolutionary Guard commander insists they are "ready for any scenario."

White House envoy Steve Witkoff warned Senate Republicans that Irans missile arsenal could devastate Israel, calling it an "existential threat" on par with Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

Despite decades of warnings predicting Irans nuclear capability, no weapon has materialized, raising questions about the validity of current intelligence.

Approximately 40,00050,000 U.S. troops remain stationed across the Middle East, with key bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE potentially vulnerable in a broader conflict.

Pentagon officials have yet to confirm large-scale troop repositioning, though some military dependents are being evacuated, signaling heightened concern.

A region on the brink

The current crisis is not merely another flare-up in the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflictit has evolved into an existential struggle for both Israel and Irans regional allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the situation in stark terms: victory or annihilation. This rhetoric has permeated Israeli security circles, making de-escalation increasingly difficult. Meanwhile, Irans Revolutionary Guard has spent years preparing for a potential war, stockpiling tens of thousands of missiles and cultivating proxy forces like Hezbollah, which alone possesses an estimated 150,000 rockets. Unlike Israel, which lacks strategic depth, Irans vast geography and dispersed military assets make it a formidable adversary.

Washingtons posture remains ambiguous. While Trump insists Israel will act alone, the presence of nearly 50,000 U.S. troops across the regionmany stationed at bases within range of Iranian missilesmeans America cannot remain detached. Pentagon officials have yet to order large-scale troop movements, but the evacuation of military dependents suggests preparations for worst-case scenarios. The risk of unintended escalation is high: a single miscalculation could trigger a regional war, endangering U.S. personnel and critical infrastructure, from oil facilities in Saudi Arabia to naval bases in Bahrain.

A history of misjudgment

The urgency of the moment is compounded by decades of flawed intelligence. Since the 1990s, analysts have repeatedly overstated Irans nuclear timeline, eroding credibility. Since the early 1990s, intelligence assessments and political leaders have repeatedly warned that Iran was just yearsor even monthsaway from obtaining nuclear weapons. Yet, three decades later, no bomb has been confirmed. The timeline reveals a pattern of alarmist predictions, with deadlines constantly pushed forward.

In 1992, experts claimed Iran was 35 years away; by 2025, some now argue Tehran is mere days from enriching uranium for a bomb. The 2015 JCPOA temporarily curtailed Irans program, but its collapse under Trump has reignited tensions.

While much attention focuses on Irans nuclear ambitions, its ballistic missile program poses an immediate and lethal danger. Tehran recently unveiled a new missile capable of carrying a 4,000-pound warheadenough to inflict catastrophic damage.

Right now, diplomatic off-ramps are narrowing. After Israel's strikes, Irans response could be more severe than previously calculated, potentially overwhelming Israels Iron Dome and drawing in U.S. forces. Alternatively, if Washington hesitates, it risks emboldening Tehran while alienating Israel. One reality is undeniable: the Middle East is hurtling toward a conflict that could redefine the regionand global securityfor decades to come.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

Aljazeera.com

Assets.zerohedge.com
SpaceXs LEO satellite broadband operator Starlink is set to officially launch services in Kazakhstan later this year after it signed a regulatory compliance agreement with the countrys Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry (MDAI).

According to a ministry press release issued Thursday, the agreement stipulates that Starlink will operate in full compliance with the country's telecoms and data security legislation.

The agreement clears the way for Starlink to officially launch of sales of Starlink satellite terminals in Kazakhstan starting in the third quarter of this year.

Starlink and the ministry are still finalising technical and organizational arrangements for the service, including parameters for providing services to individual users.

Starlink has been legally available in Kazakhstan since late 2023 via a pilot trial that was available exclusively for schools in rural areas. However, a number of individual usrs have also been accessing the service via illegal terminals.

In the meantime, Starlink has been waiting for the government to amend its legislation to allow it to operate in the country.

Now we have reached an agreement, [Starlink] will operate in accordance with the requirements of national legislation in the field of information security and communications, said MDAI minister Zhaslan Madiyev. The necessary work will be carried out this year, and residents will be able to officially and legally connect to satellite Internet.

The MDAI also said the Starlink deal is being implemented within the framework of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs directive to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural areas with affordable internet services.
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Adobe has launched Adobe Express for Ads, a platform designed to streamline ad creation for small businesses and marketers. The tool integrates directly with some of the worlds biggest ad platforms, including Google, LinkedIn, Meta, and TikTok, with support for Amazon ads coming soon, the company announced.

The service offers an end-to-end creative workflow, allowing users to produce, adapt, and publish ads without leaving the Adobe Express ecosystem. The goal? Eliminate the traditional pain points of ad design and performance tracking.

Great ads made easy, with Adobe Express, the company said.

Helping SMEs cut through the noise

Creating an ad that performs can be a high-stakes, time-consuming process. From mastering creative design to ensuring compliance with platform-specific requirements, the hurdles are many. Adobe Express for Ads aims to consolidate those steps.

Adobe Express for Ads connects the dots in one convenient app, the company said. It makes it simple to get the right messages to your audiences quickly and effectively.

Social safe zones and AI-powered video

Among the standout features is social safe zone technology, a new built-in guide that ensures visual elements land in the sweet spots for engagement across different ad formats. Starting June 12, these safe zones will be available for Metas Stories and Reels, and LinkedIn video ads, with more formats on the way.

The platform also leverages Adobe Fireflys AI capabilities to support video content creation. With Clip Maker, users can instantly turn long-form video into short-form clips, while Generate Video uses text or image prompts to produce background footage thats commercially safe for business use.

Creative that performs

Adobe Express draws on the companys legacy tools, like Photoshop and Illustrator, and pairs them with simplified, drag-and-drop workflows and a massive library of pre-built templates. Adobe cites Nielsen data showing that 50% of advertising ROI is driven by creative quality, and is betting its user-friendly design tools will help businesses get more from their ad spend.

Templates are optimized for multiple platforms, and new Custom Brand Kits let users lock in brand elements for consistent visuals across campaigns.

Publishing and performance, all in one place

The platform doesnt just help create ads, it helps deploy them. New templates and workflows are tailored for:

Google Performance Max : Grab a template, insert your media, and export to your Google Ads account in minutes

: Grab a template, insert your media, and export to your Google Ads account in minutes LinkedIn : Quickly build and export video or image ads to drive engagement with B2B audiences

: Quickly build and export video or image ads to drive engagement with B2B audiences TikTok : Through a TikTok Symphony Assistant add-on, users can create trending content with pre-cleared music. Starting June 16, direct export to TikTok Ads Manager will be available

: Through a TikTok Symphony Assistant add-on, users can create trending content with pre-cleared music. Starting June 16, direct export to TikTok Ads Manager will be available Amazon: Adobe is working on features including pre-compliance checks and professional templates to simplify publishing on Amazon

Measuring what matters

To round out the offering, Adobe Express for Ads now integrates with Metricool and Bitly, allowing users to analyze content performance without switching platforms.

The Metricool add-on delivers analytics on engagement, hashtags, and platform performance across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, X or Twitter, and Google Business. It also supports competitor benchmarking to help fine-tune strategies.

The Bitly add-on enables QR codes and short links, plus real-time tracking to support data-driven campaign updates.

Adobe Express for Ads and its new integrations are available now. Businesses can explore the platform and download add-ons via the Adobe Express Add-On Marketplace. Developers and partners interested in building within the platform can visit Adobes developer portal for more information.

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A new interactive program, developed with students and teachers, could transform how schools tackle the rising tide of teen vaping, blending digital innovation with real-world classroom impact.

Study: Co-design of the OurFutures Vaping programme: a school-based eHealth intervention to prevent e-cigarette use. Image Credit: Yta23 / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in the journal Health Promotion International, researchers developed and user-tested a school-based electronic health intervention for preventing adolescent electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use.

Background

Globally, around 16.8% of adolescents have tried e-cigarettes, often starting as early as age 14. In Australia, one in four teenagers reports having experimented with vaping. The average age of e-cigarette initiation in Australia is 14 years. This growing trend has triggered serious concerns due to the potential harms, including nicotine addiction, lung injury, chemical exposure, and adverse mental health effects. E-cigarette use is also linked to an increased likelihood of cigarette smoking. Recent regulatory reforms have made e-cigarettes legally available only from pharmacies as a therapeutic aid to quit smoking, but illicit supply remains widespread. Schools represent a vital opportunity for early intervention, yet many programs fail to engage students or lack proven effectiveness. Further research is needed to develop credible, scalable, and relatable digital prevention tools tailored for adolescents.

About the study

The OurFutures Vaping program was created through a four-stage co-design process led by researchers working alongside teachers and students. The development began with a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing school-based interventions targeting e-cigarette use. Although limited in long-term effectiveness, some strategies showed promise, particularly those involving social influence models and resistance skills training delivered in classroom settings.

Next, researchers conducted focus groups and surveys with 34 students aged between 14 and 16 years. These sessions explored young people's perceptions and experiences with vaping. Students contributed ideas for characters and scenarios that shaped the storyline and tone of the intervention. Their feedback helped ensure cultural relevance and realistic portrayals of vaping behavior and social pressures. Older students from Year 9 and 10 were included at this stage to ensure the development of believable and detailed character profiles and scenarios.

The third stage involved scripting and designing four digital lessons based on the findings. The interactive cartoon-based lessons were rooted in harm minimization principles and included peer-led storytelling, resistance skill modeling, and factual education. The lessons were supplemented with printable resources and optional classroom activities.

Finally, the fourth stage involved user testing with thirty-seven Year 8 students and thirteen teachers. Their feedback informed further refinement of the content, visuals, and instructional design. The finalized program offers an engaging, age-appropriate, and curriculum-aligned approach to e-cigarette prevention in schools. The program was designed for delivery to all Year 7 and 8 students, regardless of their level of risk for e-cigarette or tobacco use.

Study results

The user testing process demonstrated high levels of acceptability and relevance among both students and teachers. Students reported that the lessons were realistic, informative, and easy to understand. Between 81% and 100% rated the lessons as good or very good. They appreciated the relatable storylines, engaging visuals, and practical messages about the risks of vaping and the importance of resisting peer pressure. The interactive quizzes and reflective questions embedded in each lesson further promoted understanding and participation.

Students provided suggestions that led to meaningful revisions. These included breaking up dense text into shorter segments, adjusting character expressions to show more emotion, and including more diverse representations of gender, body types, and personal styles. Students requested that the portrayal of quitting vaping reflect real struggles rather than ideal outcomes. They also recommended incorporating social media themes, especially references to platforms like TikTok, which influence youth attitudes toward vaping. A thought bubble was added to reflect the character's curiosity about vaping, as they had never vaped before. These insights were incorporated into the revised script and visual design.

Teachers also expressed strong support for the program. On average, they had nearly seventeen years of teaching experience and represented a mix of coeducational, single-sex, government, and independent schools. Teachers found the program age-appropriate, well-structured, and aligned with the curriculum. They valued the flexibility of having optional activities and ready-to-use digital content, especially given the everyday challenges of limited class time and varying comfort levels when discussing substance use. Some teachers raised concerns about whether all content could be covered within the lesson timeframe, and also noted that device access could be a barrier for some students; however, the program delivery allows for flexibility.

As a result of the feedback, several improvements were made. The storyline endings were modified to show that quitting vaping can be difficult and not consistently immediately successful. Some factual content originally delivered by student characters was reassigned to a knowledgeable host figure to enhance realism. Additional support resources were added, including guidance on nicotine addiction and cessation services. The visuals were also adjusted to improve readability and emotional clarity, including larger font sizes, natural lip colors, and revised facial expressions.

The final version of OurFutures Vaping includes four online lessons, each approximately forty minutes in duration. The lessons are designed to be completed on a weekly basis during regular health education classes by Year 7 and Year 8 students. Each session features an interactive cartoon narrative, optional teacher-led exercises to reinforce learning, and accompanying fact sheets. No formal training is required for teachers, and all materials are accessible online through a dedicated dashboard. This structure ensures scalability, ease of implementation, and consistency across classrooms. The program meets curriculum criteria in multiple Australian states and is underpinned by a comprehensive social influence and harm minimization approach.

Conclusions

To summarize, the OurFutures Vaping program represents a timely and innovative response to the rising use of e-cigarettes among adolescents. Developed through an inclusive and iterative co-design process, the intervention offers a digital, engaging, and evidence-based approach that empowers students with knowledge and practical skills. By combining peer-led storytelling, resistance training, and accurate health education, the program fosters critical thinking and supports informed decision-making. It is the first digital school-based e-cigarette prevention intervention in Australia to have been developed through iterative co-design and user testing, and to undergo rigorous evaluation in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. If proven effective through ongoing trials, it holds strong potential for national rollout and international adaptation. The program can help reduce the burden of youth vaping and promote long-term health benefits across diverse school communities. However, the authors note that further work is required to address digital equity and ensure the program is accessible to all students.
The host

Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner @julierovner.bsky.social

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book "Health Care Politics and Policy A to Z," now in its third edition.

After explicitly promising senators during his confirmation hearing that he would not interfere in scientific policy over which Americans should receive which vaccines, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week fired every member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the group of experts who help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention make those evidence-based judgments. Kennedy then appointed new members, including vaccine skeptics, prompting alarm from the broader medical community.

Meanwhile, over at the National Institutes of Health, some 300 employees  many using their full names  sent a letter of dissent to the agency's director, Jay Bhattacharya, saying the administration's policies "undermine the NIH mission, waste our public resources, and harm the health of Americans and people across the globe."

This week's panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine.

Panelists

Anna Edney Bloomberg News @annaedney @annaedney.bsky.social

Sarah Karlin-Smith Pink Sheet @SarahKarlin @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social

Joanne Kenen Johns Hopkins University and Politico @JoanneKenen @joannekenen.bsky.social

Among the takeaways from this week's episode:

After removing all 17 members of the vaccine advisory committee, Kennedy on Wednesday announced eight picks to replace them  several of whom lack the expertise to vet vaccine research and at least a couple who have spoken out against vaccines. Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the Republican head of the chamber's health committee, has said little, despite the fact that Kennedy's actions violate a promise he made to Cassidy during his confirmation hearing not to touch the vaccine panel.

In other vaccine news, the Department of Health and Human Services has canceled private-sector contracts exploring the use of mRNA technology in developing vaccines for bird flu and HIV. The move raises concerns about the nation's readiness against developing and potentially devastating health threats.

Hundreds of NIH employees took the striking step of signing a letter known as the "Bethesda Declaration," protesting Trump administration policies that they say undermine the agency's resources and mission. It is rare for federal workers to use their own names to voice public objections to an administration, let alone President Donald Trump's, signaling the seriousness of their concerns.

Lawmakers have been considering adding Medicare changes to the tax-and-spend budget reconciliation legislation now before the Senate  specifically, targeting the use of what's known as "upcoding." Curtailing the practice, through which medical providers effectively inflate diagnoses and procedures to charge more, has bipartisan support and could increase the savings by reducing the amount the government pays for care.

Also this week, Rovner interviews Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office, to discuss how the CBO works and why it's so controversial.

Plus, for "extra credit," the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too:

Julie Rovner: Stat's "Lawmakers Lobby Doctors To Keep Quiet  or Speak Up  on Medicaid Cuts in Trump's Tax Bill," by Daniel Payne.

Anna Edney: KFF Health News' "Two Patients Faced Chemo. The One Who Survived Demanded a Test To See if It Was Safe," by Arthur Allen.

Sarah Karlin-Smith: Wired's "The Bleach Community Is Ready for RFK Jr. To Make Their Dreams Come True," by David Gilbert.

Joanne Kenen: ProPublica's "DOGE Developed Error-Prone AI Tool To 'Munch' Veterans Affairs Contracts," by Brandon Roberts, Vernal Coleman, and Eric Umansky.

Also mentioned in this week's podcast:

Credits

Francis Ying Audio producer

Emmarie Huetteman Editor
Now, the work presented at the 2025 annual EULAR congress in Barcelona adds two important pieces to the puzzle. First, a large-scale real-world study reporting no significantly higher risk of cancer in RA patients treated with JAKi compared to bDMARDs, and second an abstract looking at whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) which are causing waves in many fields including diabetes and obesity might offer cardiovascular protection in RA.

Romain Aymon and colleagues set out to assess the cancer incidence in RA patients treated with JAKi compared to biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARD), using data from 13 registers. Cancers were linked to treatments within 5 years of cessation or until follow-up loss, death, or study end, whichever came first. Overall they identified 53,169 treatment initiations in 33,127 patients; 219 non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) were reported, plus 638 non-NMSC cancers. The crude incidence of non-NMSC cancer was lower for TNFi than both JAKi and bDMARDs with other mechanism of action (OMA), with rates of 2.2, 2.9, and 3.1 per 1000 patient-years. But further statistical analysis found no significant difference in the incidence of either cancer type between JAKi and TNFi, nor between JAKi and OMA.

A sub-analysis was performed on patients aged 50 and older who had at least one cardiovascular risk factor  mimicking the inclusion criteria from ORAL Surveillance. This high-risk cohort made up 39.4% of treatment courses, and showed a higher cancer incidence in each treatment group: 3.2, 4.2, and 4.1 per 1000 patient-years for TNFi, JAKi, and OMA, respectively. But similarly to the overall population, there was no significant difference in the incidence of either cancer type between JAKi and either bDMARD group.

The authors note that further analyses are planned, including additional registries to enhance statistical power and that they will evaluate the cancer incidence across different exposure periods  but in the meantime the findings look reassuring.

Of note, the incidence of keratinocyte cancer  largely comprised of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma  is increasing in the general population. This could be due to UV light, but immune alteration has also been linked to increased risk  including in people with RA, but largely with data from the pre-biologic era. New work has set out to assess the risk of keratinocyte cancer in modern RA patients initiating treatment with b/tsDMARDs, including the risk of a second keratinocyte cancer. 21,121 people were identified from the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register. Overall, 94 keratinocyte cancers were identified in people starting a JAKi, 407 with OMA, and 628 with a TNFi. When compared to TNFi, the hazard ratio for a keratinocyte cancer was 1.72 with JAKi and 0.81 with OMA, Among RA patients with a history of keratinocyte cancers, the hazard ratio for a second diagnosis was 2.76 for JAKi versus TNFi, and 1.54 for OMA versus TNFi.

Presenting the work, Viking Huss said "these findings suggest that people with RA treated with a JAKi have a higher incidence of a first keratinocyte cancer, primarily driven by basal cell carcinoma. Additionally  although based on a limited number of events  we saw a higher incidence of a second cancer of this type with JAKi compared to TNFi."

These findings support the notion that skin examination would be beneficial in this population, and skin cancer risks with JAKi treatment should be monitored.

It is well-known that as well as increased cancer risks, people with RA are prone to cardiovascular complications, and in ORAL Surveillance JAKi were associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Conversely, GLP-1RA have demonstrated possible cardioprotective effects in other patient populations, with some agents now specifically approved for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Asmaa Beltagy presented findings from a retrospective analysis of two cohorts of RA patients over the age of 40. All 2,449 patients were on JAKi, but one group subsequently initiated GLP-1RA, while the other group did not. The work assessed primary outcomes occurring within 5 years, including the incidence of acute coronary syndromes, cerebral infarction, acute peripheral arterial thrombosis, deep venous thrombosis, and overall arterial events.

The results show that patients taking a GLP-1RA had a significantly lower risk of acute coronary syndromes and deep venous thrombosis, with a trend towards a lower risk of acute cerebral infarction and peripheral arterial disease events, although the difference was not statistically significant. The overall incidence of cardiovascular events was significantly lower in GLP-1RA group. A survival analysis showed comparable probabilities between the two groups for all studied outcomes, with no significant difference in median survival.

These findings underscore the potential of GLP-1RA to reduce certain CV risks in people with RA being treated with JAKi. However, not all effects were significant, and there remains a need for further research to validate the results.
Australias business ecosystem demonstrated remarkable vitality in 2023 to 2024, with entrepreneurs launching new ventures at an unprecedented rate while established businesses showed impressive resilience.

As Kim Owen Jones, MYOB General Manager of SME Direct, observes: Theres a simple, powerful signal in the latest business data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: entrepreneurship in Australia is alive and thriving. The latest official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a landscape characterized by robust growth, strategic industry shifts, and an evolving business structure that reflects changing economic priorities.

ABS data: Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits

Record business growth across the nation

Australia now hosts 2.66 million actively trading businesses, representing a substantial 2.8% increase from the previous year, a net gain of 73,125 new businesses. This growth trajectory signals not just economic recovery, but genuine expansion across multiple sectors and regions.

The entry statistics are particularly striking: 436,018 businesses entered the Australian market in 2023 to 2024, achieving a 16.8% entry rate. While 362,893 businesses exited (a 14.0% exit rate), the net positive outcome demonstrates that entrepreneurial ambition is outpacing business failures by a significant margin.

As Jones puts it: This growth is not just a number, its testament to the resilience, innovation and ambition of Australians who see opportunity in uncertainty. Across industries and across the country, more people are taking the leap to build something new.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, July 2020 to June 2024

The rise of solo entrepreneurs and corporate growth

Perhaps the most fascinating trend revealed in the data is a fundamental shift in how Australians are choosing to structure their businesses. Non-employing businesses surged by 4.9%, adding 78,144 new solo ventures to the economy, while businesses employing 1 to 4 staff actually decreased by 1.4%.

This structural transformation suggests that many entrepreneurs are either starting lean or that existing small employers are streamlining operations. The data indicates a net movement of approximately 33,783 businesses from employing to non-employing status, a trend that could reflect both economic pragmatism and the growing viability of solo entrepreneurship in the digital age.

Meanwhile, companies showed the strongest growth among legal structures, increasing by 5.4% to reach 1,153,149 businesses with 185,819 new company registrations. This dual trend, toward both solo ventures and formal corporate structures, suggests a polarization in business strategies.

Growth industries leading the charge

The sector analysis reveals where economic opportunity is concentrating. Leading the growth rankings: Transport, postal and warehousing emerged as the standout performer with 8.5% growth, likely reflecting the continued expansion of e-commerce and logistics infrastructure.

Health care and social assistance followed closely at 7.7% growth, demonstrating Australias response to demographic changes and post-pandemic health priorities. Financial and insurance services rounded out the top three with 4.8% growth, suggesting increased demand for financial planning, investment services, and insurance products in an uncertain economic environment.

Jones observes that these growth patterns reflect strategic alignment with societal needs: Emerging industries such as transport, health, and financial services are among the top growth sectors, indicators of where new opportunities are surfacing.

The rise in these areas suggests that people are aligning their business pursuits with evolving societal needs, such as mobility, care, and security, while also taking advantage of digital tools to meet demand efficiently.

Not all sectors shared this prosperity. Agriculture experienced a 1.3% decline, while retail saw a modest 0.2% decrease, trends that may reflect broader structural changes in these traditional industries.

Source: MYOB analysis of Australian business growth sectors, 2024

Growth everywhere, led by the west

Every single state and territory recorded business growth, demonstrating that entrepreneurial energy isnt confined to traditional economic centers. New South Wales captured the largest absolute gain with 25,488 new businesses, reflecting its large economy and population base.

However, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory led in percentage terms, both achieving 3.5% growth rates. Jones notes that this geographic distribution is particularly significant: Whats particularly encouraging is that every single state and territory recorded an increase in business counts. Western Australia and the ACT led with 3.5% growth each, showing that the entrepreneurial spirit isnt confined to traditional economic centres.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics state and territory business data, 2023 to 2024

Small business dominance continues

The business size analysis reveals the continued dominance of smaller enterprises in Australias economy. 91.6% of businesses generated turnover below $2 million, with 24.2% making under $50,000 annually. This distribution underscores the importance of small business policy and support systems in driving overall economic health.

Interestingly, while small businesses dominate numerically, the fastest-growing revenue segment consisted of businesses with turnover above $10 million, which expanded by 6.6%. This suggests that while many new businesses start small, those that achieve significant scale are growing rapidly.

Strategic lessons for business growth and market readiness

The surge in business formation offers valuable insights for both aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Jones emphasizes that this wave of activity is both encouraging and instructive: For aspiring entrepreneurs and growing small businesses, this wave of new business activity is both encouraging and instructive.

First, it signals strong market dynamism. High levels of entries, even alongside a 14% exit rate, show that innovation and risk-taking are happening at scale. This churn is not a sign of fragility but of a responsive and adaptable business ecosystem.

The data reinforces a critical principle that extends beyond mere idea generation. As Jones notes: Growth doesnt come from ideas alone, its built on strong foundations. This operational readiness becomes particularly crucial in an environment where 91.6% of businesses generated turnover below $2 million, with 24.2% making under $50,000 annually.

The growth multiplier

Recent research from MYOB, involving 1,000 small businesses, reveals that 44% of businesses that increased their digitization levels reported improved productivity. For mid-sized businesses, the impact is even more pronounced: digitally engaged businesses grow up to 28% faster and generate significantly more revenue per employee.

Jones argues that digital adoption has moved beyond optional enhancement to strategic necessity: The most successful entrants and scale-ups are those who embrace technology early. The businesses that invested in integrated platforms to manage finance, operations, and customer engagement are now seeing faster decision-making, better margins, and improved customer experience.

The statistics on return on investment are compelling: 83% of mid-market businesses that upgraded their systems reported positive ROI within 12 months, while 31% of small businesses found that digital tools helped them become more profitable. As Jones puts it: Thats not just smart investment, its strategic necessity. The market rewards agility, and agility demands systems that support real-time insights and scalability.

In the current business environment, Jones emphasizes that in an environment where over 91% of businesses have turnover below $2 million, streamlining operations with the right technology can be a decisive competitive advantage.

The ABS has announced significant changes to how business data will be collected and reported. The current quarterly business statistics series will be discontinued, replaced by a new Business Characteristics Asset under the Big Data Timely Insights program. This modernization promises more granular data on small businesses and more timely insights on business formation and resilience.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics modernization announcement, 2024

The opportunity landscape for 2025

The 2023 to 2024 data presents a clear narrative: Australias business environment is characterized by robust entry rates, manageable exit rates, and significant structural evolution. The growth in non-employing businesses alongside strong company formation suggests that entrepreneurs are finding diverse pathways to market entry.

Jones acknowledges the challenges while emphasizing the opportunities:

Yes, there are challenges, rising costs, competitive pressures, and global uncertainty. But the ABS data proves that Australians are not sitting back. Theyre starting businesses at scale, and theyre backing themselves to succeed. For small and mid-sized businesses, this is your moment too.

For aspiring business owners, the statistics indicate favorable conditions across multiple sectors and regions. The emphasis on digital transformation among successful businesses suggests that technology adoption isnt optional, its a competitive necessity. Jones offers practical guidance for capitalizing on current conditions: The key is to move with intent: invest in tools that help you work smarter, set clear operational goals, and stay close to your customer.

With strong digital foundations and commitment to continuous improvement, 2025 could be a breakout year for your business.

The combination of strong net business growth, geographic diversification, and evolving business structures positions Australias entrepreneurial ecosystem for continued expansion. With over 436,000 new business entries in a single year, Jones concludes: The numbers dont lie: its a great time to be building something in Australia.

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A new study published in PLOS Mental Health has explored whether having a sibling born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation) affects the behavior of children born at term. In a study by the University of Oulu, researchers found no evidence that siblings of preterm-born children experience more behavioral problems than those with only term-born siblings. However, children without any siblings showed higher levels of behavioral difficulties.

The study analyzed data from 65,711 children aged 14 and under, using information from birth cohorts in Denmark, Norway, Italy, and the Netherlands. Children were divided into three groups: those with at least one preterm-born sibling, those with only term-born siblings, and those without siblings. Researchers assessed internalizing behaviorssuch as anxiety, depression and stressand externalizing behaviours, including impulsivity, aggression and rule-breaking. Behavioral data were gathered using parental reports via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Child Behaviour Checklist. The results showed that children with preterm-born siblings did not differ significantly in behavioral outcomes compared to those with only term-born siblings.

In contrast, children without siblings had higher internalizing and externalizing scores. While the study did not identify a behavioral risk associated with having a preterm-born sibling, it highlights the need for further research. The authors note that the mental health of siblings and larger sample sizes for specific subgroups should be included in future longitudinal studies. Children with preterm-born siblings remain an understudied group that could potentially be at increased risk of mental health challenges. The researchers emphasize that continued investigation could provide essential evidence for targeted support, especially if future studies reveal specific vulnerabilities among siblings of preterm-born children.

The study analyzed all data using DataSHIELD, an analysis platform which allows remote access to data and aims to facilitate data sharing across institutions, whilst ensuring total data protection. The research was conducted as part of the European Union-funded LifeCycle project but was a larger collaboration involving projects such as LongITools and ATHLETE, part of the European Human Exposome Network. The LifeCycle project created the EU Child Cohort Network (EUCCN), which brings together data from 17 cohorts across Europe and Australia, and is featured in the larger European Health Research Data and Sample Catalogue developed in the other projects.
Showing students audiovisual narratives that simulate homophobic bullying scenarios in schools can capture their attention and generate reflection on social prejudices, promoting respect and inclusion. This strategy is presented in an article published in the Journal of School Violence.

In the study, supported by FAPESP, researchers from Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) in Brazil investigated the extent to which this type of tool can serve as an instrument for research and educational intervention.

According to data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), up to 85% of LGBTQIA+ students experience homophobic bullying in certain countries. The practice compromises physical, psychological, emotional, and psychosocial health, and it also affects students who are wrongly perceived as LGBTQIA+.

To better understand these dynamics and their possible solutions, the study was conducted in three different stages. First, 178 individual interviews and 45 focus groups were held with adolescents, in which participants were exposed to audiovisual narratives  short videos created specifically to simulate homophobic bullying scenarios  and their reactions were captured and discussed. This generated a dialogue about experiences and different ways of resolving conflicts. This analysis produced a detailed classification of the coping strategies employed in school bullying situations.

In the second stage, a panel of 25 international experts, made up of academics and professionals from around the world, reviewed and validated this classification, reaching a consensus on an operational definition for each strategy. The third stage is still ongoing and includes individual and group interviews with 38 homophobic bullying survivors from different countries, to incorporate their voices and experiences and refine the proposed classification.

The idea was to understand the phenomenon not only from a scientific point of view, but also taking into account the knowledge of the young people themselves, in order to obtain more comprehensive and richer results." Emerson Vicente-Cruz, researcher at UNESP's Faculty of Sciences and Letters, Assis campus, and first author of the article

He says that the chosen approach made the process more accessible and less intimidating. It facilitated the engagement of young people in a controlled and safe environment without judgment. This allowed for critical reflection on their emotions and attitudes toward bullying. "It also promoted empathy in relation to social prejudices," he says.

Three groups of strategies used by young people in situations of homophobic bullying were identified from these sessions: avoidance and self-destructive behaviors, which include self-harm and social isolation in response to violence; survival of the homophobic structure, which can involve denying one's identity; and social support and promotion of egalitarian practices, in which young people seek help, solidarity, and actions that favor inclusion. "It's crucial to understand that many young people feel that their safety is at stake, and this leads them to adopt behaviors that may seem contradictory in some cases," adds Vicente-Cruz.

Paths to inclusion

"In a scenario of growing intolerance, the study identifies in an unprecedented way the strategies that young people use in their interactions and proposes recommendations for schools and educational institutions, such as creating intervention programs that directly address prejudice and the training of teachers and managers to identify the nuances of homophobic bullying," argues Vicente-Cruz. "This reaffirms the importance of education in shaping school environments that welcome and include diversity."

According to the researcher, creating educational policies and implementing programs based on these results with the active commitment of educators can increase inclusion and respect among students. This can transform school institutions into places where all identities are valued, contributing to a more united community and a more just and equal society.
Dozens of HIV experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received emails on Wednesday revoking notices they received 10 weeks ago that laid them off. Damage to their projects may be permanent, however, and ongoing restrictions on their research will harm lives, multiple HIV scientists at the CDC told KFF Health News on condition of anonymity because of fears of retaliation.

The researchers were laid off in early April, just before they put the finishing touches on in-depth, national surveys about HIV. Health officials across the country had interviewed tens of thousands of people at risk of acquiring HIV, or who are living with the virus, and compiled information from mountains of medical records.

States and cities were prepared to submit the information they collected to the CDC in April so the agency's statisticians could prepare the volumes of data for analysis.

Health officials and policymakers use the data to design HIV programs that more efficiently curb the spread of infections and save lives. For example, a 2023 survey revealed that about half of adults under age 30 who were living with HIV weren't on treatment steadily enough to keep them healthy and prevent them from spreading the virus to others. Treatment rates were far higher for those over 50. As a result, health officials doubled down on outreach to younger generations.

However, in April, state and local health officials found themselves cut off from their CDC counterparts after the layoffs. Emails from the Department of Health and Human Services told staff their roles were "either unnecessary or virtually identical to duties being performed elsewhere in the agency."

Marti Merritt, a project coordinator at the Illinois state health department, was flabbergasted that she and other state employees had invested more than a year into the surveys only to have them go dark in the final phase. "It's like the data has gone into a black hole," she said. "How do you set priorities if you don't have data?"

Merritt worries that if the surveys don't resume, limited budgets will be misspent  and that cases will rise. Data allows health departments to tailor their efforts to the populations at greatest risk of infection or disease progression.

Evidence shows that preventing HIV is far cheaper than treating people once they're infected. Preventing one HIV infection results in $466,000 in lifetime savings. Merritt was also dismayed to have wasted the time of thousands of people who opened up about intimate details of their lives in hopes of fighting the HIV epidemic.

A doctor and HIV expert reinstated at the CDC this week said the late termination of the surveys would waste millions of taxpayer dollars that have already been spent on data collection. Two large, long-standing efforts, the Medical Monitoring Project and the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, cost around $72 million, he said.

"Two years' worth of data from 30,000 participants will be unusable, and therefore wasted," if the projects can't be finished, he said.

To resume the surveys, he and other CDC researchers would need a green light from higher up because the grants covering these surveys ended while they were on administrative leave in May.

State health officials said they haven't received the CDC notices that typically renew the surveys every June. Merritt has conducted interviews for the Medical Monitoring Project for about 20 years, she said, but the Illinois health department has now assigned her to other tasks. Other health departments have laid off or reassigned employees dedicated to HIV surveillance, too.

If HHS allows the reinstated researchers to resume the projects, they could try to account for the 10-week gap in their analysis. But it would take time, further delaying the next round of surveys  if those begin at all.

"These surveys aren't lights that you turn on and off," said John Brooks, a researcher who retired from the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention last year. If the surveys resume, he said, "we can get some value out of all of the money spent."

However, the surveys would be further impaired by actions related to Trump's executive orders targeting words such as "gender" that researchers use to learn who has HIV, who is at risk, and why.

Experts at the CDC said they've already had to revise earlier surveys and recalculate results to not reference gender. This has meant altering data on two populations disproportionately affected by HIV: transgender people and men who have sex with men.

"To erase people from our data harms them," said the researcher and doctor now reinstated at the CDC. "I care about the transgender patients I see, and it's so hurtful to see them treated this way by the government."

The doctor said he has treated HIV patients since the beginning of the epidemic in the 1980s, and the sting he feels now is worse than under President Ronald Reagan, who never publicly mentioned HIV in his first term.

"There was a lack of funding," he said, "but they didn't censor science or try to control science like they're doing now."

Many HIV researchers have taken jobs outside the government or moved since the April layoffs. Some researchers returning to the agency called the reinstatements perplexing because the notices don't say what they'll be doing when they return and for how long.

A terse email to CDC employees from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, reviewed by KFF Health News, simply refers to the notice regarding the reduction in force and says, "That notice is hereby revoked."

In an email response to queries, Andrew Nixon, HHS director of communications, wrote, "HHS is streamlining operations without compromising mission-critical work. Enhancing the health and well-being of all Americans remains our top priority."

"We've been getting paid this whole time even though we've not been allowed to work, and that doesn't feel good when you're a dedicated civil servant," said one reinstated employee.

We'd like to speak with current and former personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies who believe the public should understand the impact of what's happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message KFF Health News on Signal at (415) 519-8778.
Regular physical activity is increasingly promoted for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) as well as the general population. EULAR - The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology - has published recommendations for physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. There are also points to consider on helping people participate in healthy and sustainable paid work.

Several sessions at the 2025 annual congress of EULAR, which took place in Barcelona, focused on the value of physical activity for people with a variety of RMD - as well as the potential barriers to implementing these programs in the real world.



Previous trials have demonstrated that long-standing, personalised supervised exercise therapy is more effective than usual care after 1 year in people with severe functional limitations due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). David Ueckert and colleagues set out to evaluate the long-term effects of this intervention on physical function and quality of life in this population. During the first year, the planned number of sessions was 64 (plus an extra 14 if needed); from Year 2 onwards continuation and frequency was determined by the physiotherapist and patient for up to 42 months. At 2 years, statistically significant improvements were seen for all outcome measures in both RA and axSpA, with the exception of the mental component score in the SF-36. Between 1 and 2 years, there was no significant further change for most functional and quality of life outcome measures, indicating that effects were sustained; the only exception was a significant improvement in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test in the axSpA group. These findings highlight the favourable effects of this long-standing personalised exercise therapy, with functional and quality of life benefits preserved despite declining usage of the supervised therapy in the second year.



Effectiveness on work-related outcomes and the cost-utility of a multimodal, physiotherapist-led, vocational or work-oriented intervention compared to usual care in 140 adults with RA or axSpA and reduced work ability was explored in an abstract presented by Nienke Bakker. The intervention consisted of 10-21 sessions over 12 months, including mandatory modalities such as work-oriented assessment, patient education, exercise therapy, referral-roadmap of work-related professionals, plus optional modalities including workplace examination or a self-management course. Findings showed that the intervention tended to be superior with respect to quality-adjusted life years - but not with respect to work-related outcomes. Total costs to society were also lower in the intervention group, leading the authors to conclude that these types of programs are likely to be cost-effective compared to usual care.



Fatigue management is a priority for both patients and healthcare professionals. Higher levels of physical activity are reported to be associated with lower levels of fatigue, but the role of sedentary behaviour is less well understood. Sally Fenton and colleagues aimed to examine how patterns of physical activity (stepping time and intensity) and sedentary behaviour vary throughout the day, and whether these diurnal patterns were associated with multi-dimensional aspects of fatigue in 104 people with RA. Results indicated similar time and intensity of physical activity in the morning and afternoon, but lower levels in the evening, when sitting time was significantly higher. Time and intensity of physical activity was also significantly negatively related to general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, and reduced motivation. But no associations were found for mental fatigue. Significant interaction effects indicated that physical activity in the evening was positively associated with general and physical fatigue. These patterns should be considered when designing fatigue management interventions for people with RA.



There is evidence that combined exercise programs that incorporate both aerobic and resistance training can be beneficial for people with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Alexandros Mitropoulos from LENI Research Group at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK shared the findings from a multi-centre clinical trial in 170 people with SSc who were randomly allocated to either exercise or control group. The exercise group performed a twice-weekly supervised individualised programme for 12 weeks - with 30 minutes of high-intensity interval training (30s at 100% of peak power output and 30s passive recovery) plus three circuits of five main muscle upper body resistance training exercises - in addition to usual care. Both fatigue and pain were significantly better at 12 weeks for the exercise compared to the control group; similar results were seen for depression, quality of life, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness. While the exercise group demonstrated improvements both within and between groups at 12 weeks, the control group demonstrated a slight worsening - suggesting a protective effect of exercise. Exercise may serve as an effective non-pharmacological intervention adjunct to pharmacotherapy to manage SSc symptoms and potentially prevent worsening of symptoms.



Several barriers to physical activity exist, and previous studies have revealed similar determinants across populations. But within Europe countries differ in many aspects such as healthcare systems, cultural norms, weather conditions, urban design, and income. ozgul ozturk presented a questionnaire-based study exploring these differences and potential barriers or facilitators for physical activity across Turkey, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, with 602 people with RA, axSpA, or osteoarthritis submitting their responses. The median duration of physical activity taken weekly was 60 minutes - well below the 150 minutes recommended for general health, and endorsed by EULAR for people with inflammatory arthritis. The top barriers were weather conditions, costs for memberships to sport facilities or equipment, and work-related duties. The best facilitators included scheduled exercises, support from healthcare professionals, having the knowledge and fitness to perform exercises, and shorter travel to sport facilities. Cross-country comparisons revealed significant differences, with weather conditions being the main barrier in Turkey, compared to membership costs in the Netherlands. Additionally significant differences were observed for having a dog, living close to nature, access to tailored exercise programs, guidance or supervision from experts in RMD, and environmental living conditions. This study highlights the need for tailored, country-specific interventions to address the unique barriers and facilitators in different populations.



A similar exercise was undertaken in the Netherlands. Annabelle Iken explained how key facilitators and barriers for the implementation of long-standing, personalised exercise therapy for people with RA and axSpA with severe functional limitations was undertaken at a national level, using a qualitative study with 18 semi-structured interviews in patients, healthcare professionals, and insurers. When considering referral to such programs, facilitators included strong communication and collaboration between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring clear explanations of benefits, eligibility criteria, and addressing concerns about exercise. Key barriers to referral included unclear eligibility criteria, limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the exercise, lack of awareness about where to find qualified therapists, and time constraints during consultations. Respondents indicated that tailored exercise programs that are accessible and convenient can improve adherence, and that access to continuing education and resources facilitates long-standing exercise therapy. Motivated patients who understand their condition and actively participate in care are more likely to benefit from long-standing exercise therapy.



Taken together, these new studies presented in Barcelona highlight the multifaceted nature of physical activity and exercise therapy for people with RMD, and underscore the need for increased awareness and education, clearer referral pathways, improved access, and strategies to address cost concerns and support patient motivation. By addressing these challenges, healthcare providers can ensure that physical activity becomes a standard part of care for people with an RMD.
A study conducted at the Botucatu School of Medicine at Sao Paulo State University (FMB-UNESP) in Brazil has shown that low-dose vitamin D supplementation can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment in women with breast cancer. The results suggest that the substance could be an alternative to hard-to-access drugs that also aim to increase the response to chemotherapy.

The research, supported by FAPESP, involved 80 women over the age of 45 who were about to start treatment at the oncology outpatient clinic of the general and teaching hospital ("Hospital das Clinicas") at FMB-UNESP. They were separated into two groups: 40 of them took 2,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D a day, while the other 40 received placebo tablets.

After six months of cancer treatment and supplementation, 43% of participants using vitamin D saw their disease disappear with the use of chemotherapy, compared to 24% of the placebo group. All the participants in the study underwent so-called neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is used to facilitate surgery to remove the tumor.

"Even with a small sample of participants, it was possible to observe a significant difference in the response to chemotherapy. In addition, the dosage used in the research [2,000 IU per day] is far below the target dose for correcting vitamin D deficiency, which is usually 50,000 IU per week," says Eduardo Carvalho-Pessoa, president of the Sao Paulo Regional Brazilian Society of Mastology and one of the authors of the article published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.

Immunity

Vitamin D is a hormone that aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which is essential for bone health. Recent studies have shown that it also plays an important role in the immune system by helping to fight infections and diseases, including cancer. However, most studies linking cancer and vitamin D supplementation have used high doses of the substance.

This hormone is obtained primarily through exposure to sunlight and food. The recommended daily intake is 600 IU for those who are not deficient in the vitamin, and 800 IU a day for older people. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 IU of vitamin D per day for babies. It is important to note that too much can be toxic and cause vomiting, weakness, bone pain, and kidney stones.

Most of the participants in the study had low levels of vitamin D, defined as less than 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. The Brazilian Society of Rheumatology recommends levels between 40 and 70 ng/mL. "With supplementation, levels increased throughout chemotherapy treatment, which reinforces a possible contribution to the patients' recovery," Carvalho-Pessoa told Agencia FAPESP. "Vitamin D is an accessible and inexpensive option compared to other drugs used to improve the response to chemotherapy, some of which are not even included in the list of the Unified Health System [the Brazilian national public health network, known as the SUS, its acronym in Portuguese]," he adds.

For the researcher, the findings pave the way for further investigation into the auxiliary role of the substance in the response to cancer treatment. "These are encouraging results that justify a new round of studies with a larger number of participants. This will allow a greater understanding of the role of vitamin D in increasing the response to chemotherapy treatment and, consequently, in the greater likelihood of breast cancer remission," he concludes.
Few people in the UK with early stage Alzheimer's disease are likely to be suitable for the latest drugs which aim to halt progress of the condition, yet many are nevertheless likely to be referred for these treatments, finds research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

The disease-modifying drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, slow cognitive decline in people with early stage Alzheimer's disease. And they have been granted 'breakthrough therapy' status in the UK because of their ability to remove beta amyloid protein in the brain, build-up of which is thought to have a key role in the development of the disease.

Already licensed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the US in 2023, regulatory approval of these drugs for use in the UK is expected shortly. But to maximise their effectiveness, a raft of clinical staff and diagnostic and monitoring tests and scans will be required, point out the researchers.

To gauge the potential level of healthcare demand, the researchers retrospectively evaluated patients attending 5 community memory services across North and East London and a national specialist cognitive disorders service between January and June in 2022.

They wanted to find out the proportion of patients who would likely be referred for triaging from the memory services for these new drugs as well as those from the specialist service who would potentially be suitable for treatment with them.

In all, the anonymised case files of 1017 patients were included, 517 of whom were seen in community memory services and 500 in specialist clinics.

Just over 40% of the memory service patients were men; their average age was 79, with just 14% (72) under the age of 70. After exclusions due to incomplete data and factors, such as symptom severity, frailty, and other coexisting conditions, nearly 1 in 3 (163; 31.5%) were potentially eligible for treatment with the new drugs.

Of these,161 had undergone neuroimaging; but fluid biomarker tests were carried out in only 2 patients. This is equivalent to less than 1% of the memory clinic patients included in the study, "making this an urgent area of need for service development to enable identification of suitable patients," emphasise the researchers.

Based on these figures, they suggest: "With an average memory clinic caseload of 815 and 80 nationally accredited memory clinics in England and Northern Ireland, potentially over 20,000 people per year will need access to such confirmatory investigations."

More of the specialist clinic patients were men (53%) and they tended to be younger. Their average age was 66, but well over half (58%; 290) were under the age of 70. Alzheimer's disease was the most common diagnosis (177;35.5%), followed by frontotemporal dementia (72;14.5%).

Most of them (492) had been given diagnostic scans: computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. And fluid biomarker tests were performed in nearly two thirds (62%;109/177) of those with Alzheimer's disease.

But after exclusions due to frailty and contraindications for treatment, etc, only 40% (70) of the Alzheimer's disease patients were potentially eligible for treatment with the new drugs, equivalent to just 14% of all the cases reviewed at the specialist cognitive clinics.

"Systems need to be set up to deal with this potential large mismatch between referral and ultimate eligibility in order to avoid overwhelming services," highlight the researchers.

They add: "A significant issue is that due to the lack of biomarker testing in community memory clinics, the clinical suspicion of [Alzheimer's disease] is likely to be incorrect in at least 30% of cases."

Accurate diagnosis would reduce the number of patients ultimately eligible for the new therapies. But that would only be possible with confirmatory fluid biomarkers or brain (PET) scans, which aren't usually available to memory services in the UK, they point out.

"While there are limitations on the accuracy of our estimates, given current barriers to early clinical presentations and referral, our study provides predicted numbers based on real-world community cohorts," they write.

Demand for diagnostic services among those with early cognitive concerns is only likely to grow once the new drugs have been licensed and formally appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, "placing further demands on already overstretched services," they warn.

"While a sizeable proportion of patients attending memory clinics may be referred for triaging for [disease modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease], only a minority are likely to be suitable for these, as demonstrated in patients seen in specialist cognitive services. This will need to be considered when designing pathways for delivery [of these drugs]," they conclude.

In a linked editorial, Dr. Benjamin Underwood, of Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge, highlights the study limitations. "It is retrospective and several 'unknowns' remain, including how many people would choose to have treatment if eligible, how many would meet criteria for 'amyloid positivity,' and whether the advent of treatment might encourage more people to present," he writes.

Nevertheless, if these treatments are approved for use, the work presented here will help plan services. It also provides a reminder that only a minority of people will be appropriate to receive these treatments. It is essential that services retain focus on the majority of people who will need other forms of treatment and care." Dr. Benjamin Underwood, of Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge
As Oropouche virus outbreaks sweep Brazil, Cuba, and beyond, a major WHO report warns that this overlooked tropical disease could be the next global health emergency.

Study: Risk evaluation of Oropouche virus and its reassortants. Image credit: CI Photos/Shutterstock.com

World Health Organization researchers reviewed current information on the Oropouche virus (OROV), its recent outbreaks, and potential global health impacts in a risk evaluation report.

Background

Oropouche fever is a tropical viral infection caused by the arthropod-transmitted (arbovirus) OROV. First discovered in Trinidad in 1955, the virus generally infects sloths, non-human primates, and birds but can be transmitted to humans via bites from infected midges and possibly mosquitoes.

OROV thrives in humid tropical regions and has historically been limited to the Amazon Basin, with more than 30 documented epidemic outbreaks in South America and the Caribbean between 1960 and 2009. Unfortunately, OROV's recent global footprint has grown unprecedentedly, especially since December 2023.

In 2024, there was a substantial rise in Oropouche fever prevalence, with more than 10,000 clinically confirmed infections. The disease triggered localized outbreaks across all 24 of Brazil's states, spread to Cuba and Colombia, and was even diagnosed in international European travelers, sparking fears of a global pandemic.

While disease symptoms like fevers, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and rarely, photophobia and rashes are mild and short-lived (2-7 days), recent outbreaks demonstrated neurological manifestations. There is growing concern about congenital complications, and the disease has been linked to five adult deaths since January 2024, according to the latest data.

This has prompted concerns over vertical and sexual inter-human transmission, although to date, vertical (mother-to-child) transmission has only been suspected in a few cases, and sexual transmission remains a theoretical risk; no direct human-to-human transmission via these routes has been confirmed.

Importantly, no OROV-specific vaccine or targeted treatment options exist.

About the report

To address the mounting global public health threat of OROV and its variants, the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborated with the Technical Advisory Group for Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) to convene a multidisciplinary panel of experts to review the current literature on the disease and recommend global preparedness strategies.

The resulting risk evaluation collects and provides reliable data on OROV's epidemiology, virology, reassortment dynamics, clinical presentations, and transmission pathways. It also incorporates recent outbreak surveillance across the Americas and the Caribbean, focusing on the disease's current primary regions: Brazil, Peru, Cuba, and Colombia.

To build a comprehensive picture of the virus, researchers combined a multidisciplinary approach, including laboratory findings, genomic analyses, and field studies on how well vectors transmit OROV. They focused on the two main lineages now circulating: BR-2015-2024, found mainly in Brazil and Cuba, and PE/Co/EC-2008-2021, found primarily in Peru and Ecuador. Global data was also analyzed to understand the potential for midges and mosquitoes to spread the virus in different regions.

Finally, the report evaluates transfusion-transmitted infections, immune evasion via M segment variations, and potential neurological and congenital outcomes. It provides tiered risk evaluation-based recommendations for public health planning and coordination of international response.

Key findings

The report confirms that since 2023, OROV has spread to more places than ever before, with significant outbreaks occurring across all 24 states of Brazil, as well as Cuba, Colombia, and Peru. Genetic sequencing has identified two main viral lineages, BR-2015-2024 and PE/Co/EC-2008-2021, currently circulating in these regions, indicating that the virus is spreading from multiple sources and continues to evolve.

The Brazilian BR-2015-2024 lineage is of particular concern, given that pilot antibody neutralization assays suggest a reduced neutralization capacity for this recent reassortant, raising concerns about immune evasion. Vector studies confirmed Culicoides paraensis as the primary human transmission vector but indicate that other Culicoides species (e.g., C. sonorensis) and some mosquitoes (e.g., Culex quinquefasciatus) have been studied as potential vectors in non-Amazonian and urban regions; however, current evidence suggests that their transmission efficiency is low, and their role is not yet fully established.

The report validates the neurological comorbidities of OROV infections, citing 119 Cuban cases that demonstrated Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), meningitis, and encephalitis. These complications were seen among a wider group of patients and were also noted alongside reports of congenital co-morbidities. However, the report emphasizes that a direct causal link between OROV and birth defects or fetal outcomes remains under investigation. OROV RNA was detected in several placentas and fetal brain tissues of infants with microcephaly and malformations.

While the overall mortality of Oropouche fever is low (case fatality rate [CFR] = ~0.02%), its travel-assisted high potential transmission rate and potential neurological and congenital impacts highlight OROV as a cause for global concern. This is of increasing concern due to the lack of viral vaccination or treatment options, emphasizing enhanced surveillance, personal protection against vector bites, and vector control to prevent a potential global outbreak.

Conclusions and recommendations

The present WHO risk evaluation concludes that OROV poses a growing global public health risk, citing scientific research on its rapid expansion, vector diversity, and reassortment potential. While most OROV infections are mild and self-limiting, growing evidence of neurological and congenital complications heightens epidemiological concern.

However, the report notes that further research is needed to establish these complications' true incidence and causality.

The report emphasizes current pitfalls in treatment and surveillance, stressing the need for improved diagnostics, viral research, and case tracking. It recommends that targeted international preparedness, particularly in tropical, high-risk regions, is vital to monitoring and containing future outbreaks and mitigating their global impact.

Surveillance strategies currently rely on testing samples from patients with dengue-like illnesses, but improved case definitions and diagnostic capacity are urgently needed.

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New research suggests that a pigment that causes yellowing of the skin, or jaundice, may help protect people from the most severe consequences of malaria. The report, which builds on a previous Johns Hopkins Medicine study on the protective role of bilirubin in the brain, is a collaboration between the labs of Miguel Soares, Ph.D., at the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine in Portugal, and Bindu Paul, Ph.D., at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

The parasitic disease, transmitted by the bites of some mosquitoes, is estimated to affect more than 260 million people a year in tropical and subtropical areas, and kills around 600,000 people annually, according to the World Health Organization.

The new research findings suggest bilirubin may be a potential target of drugs that boost its production to prevent malaria's most deadly or debilitating effects, says Paul, associate professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Although bilirubin is one of the most commonly measured metabolites in the blood, Paul says its roles in the body are only beginning to be understood.

Additionally, doctoral student Ana Figueiredo, of the Soares lab, who helped spearhead the study, says these findings may indicate that bilirubin could help protect people against other infectious diseases.

A report on the findings was published June 12 in the journal Science.

Soares connected with Paul after seeing her National Institutes of Health-funded research published in Cell Chemical Biology in 2019, which identified the important role bilirubin plays in protecting brain cells from damage from oxidative stress. Although prior research from the Soares lab had shown protective effects potentially related to bilirubin in people with malaria, Paul says it was unclear whether the pigment protected or worsened the disease.

The mouse model and methods used to measure bilirubin in the new study were initially developed by Paul's lab for her 2019 study.

Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, is a common presentation of malaria, says Paul, and anywhere from 2.5% to 50% of patients with malaria experience jaundice, according to two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine and Clinical Infectious Disease.

In a bid to pin down the role of bilirubin, the scientists collaborated with the lab of Florian Kurth at Charite Berlin, Germany, and Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene in Gabon to conduct an analysis of blood samples taken with permission from a volunteer group of 42 patients who were infected with malaria parasite P. falciparum, which causes the deadliest form of the condition, according to the World Health Organization.

Using techniques developed by Paul and further optimized at the Gulbenkian Institute to measure bilirubin and its precursor biliverdin, the scientists measured the amount of bilirubin not yet processed by the liver in blood samples with both asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria. They found that, on average, people with asymptomatic malaria had 10 times more unprocessed bilirubin in the blood as symptomatic people, and suspected that accumulation of the pigment may have helped protect them from malaria.

Next, the researchers exposed normal mice and mice genetically engineered to lack BVRA, a protein that helps produce bilirubin, to a form of malaria that infects rodents.

Using the same methods developed by Paul, the researchers analyzed the rate at which the malaria parasite died off in both bilirubin-lacking mice and in normal mice.

In normal mice, Soares says the concentration of unprocessed bilirubin in their systems increased significantly after they were infected with malaria, and all of the mice survived. In the mice lacking BVRA, the parasite spread vigorously, and all of the mice died.

The scientists at the Gulbenkian Institute then set out to test whether bilirubin could help BVRA-lacking mice overcome their infections, or whether it contributed to worsening symptoms. They gave bilirubin to malaria-infected mice that were also lacking BVRA, and saw that providing mice with higher doses of bilirubin resulted in survival times similar to that of normal mice.

Paul plans to further study bilirubin in mice to determine the potential protective effect of the pigment in the brain.

"Bilirubin was once considered to be a waste product," Paul says. "This study affirms that it could be one critical protective measure against infectious disease, and potentially neurodegenerative diseases."

Funding support for this research was provided by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia Portugal, the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skodowska-Curie, the DFG Cluster of Excellence, the Gulbenkian Foundation, the la Caixa Foundation, the Human Frontier Science Program, the Lise Meitner Excellence Programme of the Max Planck Society, the European Molecular Biology Organization, the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the Academy of Finland, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Biocenter Finland, ELIXIR Finland, the American Heart Association/Paul Allen Frontiers Group, the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging (1R21AG073684-01 and R01AG071512), the Johns Hopkins Catalyst Award, U.S. Public Health Service, European Research Council, Oeiras-ERC Frontier Research Incentive Awards and SymbNET Research Grants.

In addition to Paul, Soares and Figueiredo, other scientists who contributed to this research are Chirag Vasavda (a Johns Hopkins M.D./Ph.D. at the time of the study) of Johns Hopkins; Sonia Trikha Rastogi, Susana Ramos, Elisa Jentho, Elisa Jentho, Sara Pagnotta, Miguel Mesquita, Silvia Cardoso, Erin M. Tranfield, Ana Laura Sousa, Jamil Kitoko, Sara Violante, Tiago Paixao and Rui Martins from the Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine; Fatima Nogueira and Denise Duarte from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal; Katherine De Villiers from Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Antonio G. Goncalves de Sousa, Sini Junttila and Laura L. Elo from University of Turku and Abo Akademi Universit, Finland; Lasse Votborg-Novel and Silvia Portugal from Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Germany; Cacilie von Wedel, Pinkus Tober-Lau, Silvia Portugal and Florian Kurth from Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Germany; Giulia Bortolussi and Andres F. Muro from International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Padriciano, Italy; Jessica Thibaud from Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Sandra N. Pinto from Instituto Superior Tecnico, Portugal; Ghyslain Mombo-Ngoma and Johannes Mischlinger from Centre de Recherches Medicales de Lambarene, Gabon; Marta Alenquer and Maria Joao Amorim from Universidade Catolica Portuguesa, Portugal; Piter J. Bosma from University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Bernhard Drotleff from Metabolomics Core Facility, Germany.
Air raid sirens sound across Israel following Iranian missile attack on country

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Dubai, Jun 13 (AP) Air raid sirens have sounded across Israel ahead following an Iranian missile attack on the country.

The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

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The army said dozens of missiles were launched.

The army has ordered residents across the country to move into bomb shelters. (AP) SCY SCY

First Published: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST
Court awards over Rs 27 lakh compensation to man injured in 2019 road accident

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 19:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI) Underlining that medically determined permanent disability cannot be mechanically applied to find the loss of earning capacity because of functional disability, a motor accident claims tribunal here has awarded Rs 27.07 lakh as compensation to a man injured in a 2019 road accident.

Presiding Officer Shelly Arora noted the claimant or injured Prahalad Rais statement, according to which he was riding his two-wheeler from Kalindi Kunj to Madanpur Khadar when a rashly driven truck rammed into his vehicle on July 9, 2019.

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In an order dated June 4, the tribunal said it was established that the accident occurred on account of the speedy and rash driving" by its driver named Shankar Yadav.

It noted that according to Rai, he suffered a grade-III fracture of both bones of his left leg and underwent surgeries, and prolonged medical treatment, which rendered him 63 per cent permanently disabled, leading to substantial loss of income because of an adverse impact on his earning capacity.

The court said, according to the precedents established by the Supreme Court and high courts, medically determined permanent disability cannot be equated with loss of earning capacity because of functional disability, as it would result in a non-objective and absurd compensation.

It said, There, however, might be certain cases where the two would correspond to each other, but it cannot be mechanically applied; rather, it requires evaluation of applicable factors independently in each case to reach a fair quantification of loss of earning capacity." The court noted that the claimant, who was employed as a delivery boy, endured substantial disability, including deformity in the left lower limb.

This impairment significantly restricts mobility, a critical requirement for his prior employment, which heavily relied on driving and physical activity. The nature of his injury directly impacts his ability to perform essential job functions, particularly those involving extensive fieldwork and continuous driving, which are indispensable for a delivery boy," the court said.

It said that the psychological and emotional consequences" of the injury further diminished Rais capacity to adapt to alternative employment, which compounded the overall effect on his earning ability.

Given the substantial impact on his ability to undertake field-oriented work, his functional disability is assessed as 50 per cent concerning his earning capacity," the court said.

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It computed a total compensation of around Rs 27.07 lakh, payable to Rai under various pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses.

The court directed the insurer, United India Insurance Company Ltd, to pay the entire compensation along with interest. PTI MNR AS AS

First Published: June 13, 2025, 19:30 IST
Chinese automobile company Geely will build its Vietnam factory as planned despite its chairmans recent warning of a global overcapacity and halted expansion.

A source familiar with the matter told VnExpress that the construction of Geelys US$168-million plant in northern Vietnam and future investments would proceed as planned.

Company chairman and founder Li Shufu had said just last Saturday that the global automotive industry was facing a "serious overcapacity" and Geely had decided not to build new plants or expand production at its existing facilities, British news agency Reuters reported.

The Vietnam plant, a joint venture between Geely and local auto distributor Tasco, with the former holding a 64% stake, is scheduled to break ground this quarter in Thai Binh Province.

The 30-hectare plant will have a capacity of 75,000 vehicles per year in its first phase.

The initial models will be Geely and another Chinese auto brand Lynk & Cos to meet domestic demand and export to countries that have free trade agreements with Vietnam.

In future the factory may expand to assemble more Geely cars.

All vehicles here will be manufactured from "completely knocked down" kits, which refers to cars assembled in one country using parts produced elsewhere.

The first vehicle is expected to reach Vietnamese customers early next year. In Vietnam Geely now sells its Coolray CUV imported from Malaysia.

Geely is one of Chinas largest automotive groups, also owning brands such as Zeekr and Galaxy and holding stakes in premium Swedish brand Volvo. It has 22 factories in China and three abroad.

Geely is the second Chinese automaker planning to build a factory in Vietnam along with Chery.

Through its partner Geleximco, Chery aims to start construction in the third quarter, also in Thai Binh Province.

The Chery plant, which will build Omoda, Jaecoo and potentially other cars, has an investment of $800 million.

Two other major Chinese players, BYD and SAIC, have also explored the possibility of building plants in Vietnam but have made no progress so far.

Currently most Chinese passenger cars sold in Vietnam are imported from China, Thailand or Malaysia.

Last year the number of Chinese brands present in Vietnam reached 14, surpassing Japans nine for the first time. But their share remains modest compared to Japanese and Korean cars and domestic brand VinFast.
Iran launches hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Dubai, Jun 13 (AP) Irans state news agency reported that Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel as part of its retaliation for Israels Friday attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

IRNA said the Iranian military had dubbed its operation Severe Punishment." (AP) SCY SCY

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First Published: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows revenge for Israeli attacks

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Tehran, Jun 13 (AP) Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge for Israeli attacks in a recorded message to the nation delivered as Iranian missiles flew toward Israel.

Khamenei said the military was prepared to counterattack.

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Dont think that they hit and its over. No. They started the work and started the war. We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed." (AP) SCY SCY

First Published: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST
Irans UN ambassador says 78 people killed, over 320 injured in Israeli attacks

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 03:00 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Dubai, Jun 13 (AP) Irans UN ambassador said on Friday that 78 people have been killed and over 320 injured in Israeli attacks.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that Israels barbaric and criminal attack" and assassinations were against senior military officials and nuclear scientists. But he said the overwhelming majority" of victims were civilians, women and children.

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He said Israel again on Friday is conducting acts of aggression" targeting multiple civilian and military sites across several Iranian cities.

Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure on Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

Iran retaliated late on Friday by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below.

We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed," Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recorded message in which he vowed revenge.

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An Associated Press reporter saw smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. A Tel Aviv-area hospital said it was treating 15 injured civilians. US ground-based air-defence systems in the region were helping to shoot down Iranian missiles, said a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the measures.

Israels ongoing airstrikes and intelligence operation and Irans retaliation raised concerns about an all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval. (AP) RC

First Published: June 14, 2025, 03:00 IST
Israel hit by missiles as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear sites

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 01:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Jerusalem, Jun 13 (AP) Air raid sirens have sounded across Israel as Iranian missiles struck the country in retaliation for deadly Israeli attacks on nuclear sites and military leaders.

The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem on Friday, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The army said dozens of missiles were launched, and the army has ordered residents across the country to move into bomb shelters.

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Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran that targeted its nuclear program and military sites, killing at least three top military officers and raising the prospect of an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear programme. For years, Israel had threatened such a strike and successive American administrations had sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

___ Heres the latest: Irans supreme leader vows revenge for Israeli attacks In a recorded message to the nation broadcast as Iranian missiles flew toward Israel, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the military was prepared to counterattack.

Dont think that they (Israel) hit and its over. No. They started the work and started the war. We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed," he said.

Air raid sirens sound across Israel amid Iranian missile attack The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The army said dozens of missiles were launched.

The army has ordered residents across the country to move into bomb shelters.

Israel says Iran has launched missiles The Israeli militarys Home Front Command has instructed people to move into shelters ahead of an expected Iranian missile attack.

The army says Iran has launched missiles, and the safety order applies to the entire country.

Israels Channel 13 TV says the missiles are expected to take about 10 minutes to arrive.

Israeli military briefing cut short by possible incoming Iranian attack, official says Israels military spokesman Brig Gen. Effie Defrin said that despite Israels attack, Iran has capability to hurt Israels civilian front in a meaningful way." Defrins briefing was cut short. An Israeli military official says this was due to an incoming Iranian attack on central Israel. The official spoke on condition pending a formal announcement.

Israel claims striking an Iranian nuclear site in Isfahan; Iran does not immediately acknowledge The facility in Isfahan, some 350 km southeast of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear scientists. It also is home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the countrys atomic programme.

France says conference on two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is postponed French President Emmanuel Macron says a top-level UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed because of renewed tensions in the Mideast.

France and Saudi Arabia were due to co-host the conference in New York next week, and Macron had been scheduled to attend.

Macron said Friday it was postponed for logistical and security reasons and because some Palestinian representatives couldnt come to the event.

US fighter jets take flight to protect personnel and installations in Middle East American fighter jets are patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, according to a US official. The official spoke Friday on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.

It comes at the same time as the Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer also has begun moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House.

Iran reports explosions at another nuclear site The Fordo nuclear enrichment facility is buried hundreds of metres underground.

Nour News, which is close to Irans Supreme National Security Council, reported on its Telegram channel that two explosions were heard from the area nearby.

Separately, Irans official IRNA news agency reported that a radar site near Tabriz was attacked, according to an official in the East Azerbaijan province.

Majid Farshi told IRNA that 11 military sites in East Azerbaijan province have been attacked, and that 18 people were killed, including one Red Crescent aid worker.

Israels military orders all residents to be close to protected areas and minimise movement Israelis are on high alert bracing for a larger response from Iran, which has already launched over 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation for Fridays attacks.

Israel says it intercepts missile launched from Yemen, setting off sirens in Jerusalem.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or fallen shrapnel in Israel. A loud boom could be heard in the Holy City, possibly from Israeli interceptor fire.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen did not immediately claim the attack.

A new wave of attacks appears to have begun in Tehran Civilian witnesses told The Associated Press they heard what sounded like loud explosions in neighbourhoods in the capitals east, west and centre, while an AP journalist in the citys north also heard a blast.

Air defence systems were heard going off Friday night in Tehran. There was no immediate acknowledgement from authorities.

Netanyahu says Israel informed US before attacking Iran In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel told the US about its plans to attack Iran in advance. They knew about the attack. What will they do now? I leave that to President Trump." Netanyahu says Israels attack on Iran was months in the making Netanyahu said he ordered an attack plan in November 2024, shortly after the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah  one if Irans strongest proxies. Thats when Israel forecasted Iran would start rapidly advancing its nuclear programme.

In a video statement circulated to journalists Friday evening, Netanyahu said the attack was supposed to happen in April but was postponed.

Iran summons Swiss ambassador over Israeli attacks Since Tehran and Washington dont have diplomatic relations, Switzerland has looked out for Americas interests in Iran since the 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis.

Irans state-run IRNA news agency says Isa Kameli, an assistant to foreign minister, told the Swiss ambassador that Fridays Israeli attacks were a crime and said, It is not possible to imagine that invasion acts by the Zionist regime have taken place without cooperation and coordination and at least green light from the US." Israels military begins stationing troops in all combat arenas The military said it was calling up reservists from different military units as part of preparations for defense and offense" as its attack on Iran continues.

The move comes as Israel braces for further counterattacks from Iran or Iranian proxy groups on Israels borders.

Iran says Israel will deeply regret its attack Israels targeted killings of officials and scientists were clear instances of state terrorism," Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a letter to the UN Security Council requesting an emergency meeting.

In the letter obtained by The Associated Press, he said Iran affirms its right to self defence under the UN Charter.

This right is non-negotiable," Araghchi said. Israel will come to deeply regret this reckless aggression and the grave strategic miscalculation it has made." The Iranian minister urged the Security Council, which will meet at 3 pm in New York, to take urgent and concrete measures to hold the Israeli regime fully accountable for its crimes".

Israel seals off the West Bank Israel closed all checkpoints to the Israeli-occupied West Bank Friday as the country attacked Iran, a military official said Friday. The move sealed off entry and exit to the territory, meaning that Palestinians could not leave without special coordination.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military recommendations.

Around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule. With the worlds attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have grown in size, frequency and intensity.

The crackdown has also left tens of thousands of Palestinians unemployed, as they can no longer work the mostly menial jobs in Israel that paid higher wages.

In Tel Aviv, an eerie quiet and a cancelled Pride Parade Many Israelis are hunkered down close to home in Tel Aviv, the countrys economic hub on the Mediterranean coast.

Shops were open but the streets, beaches, and parks were mostly deserted. Earlier Friday, many people had rushed to supermarkets to buy bottled water and other supplies.

The city cancelled its annual Pride Parade, which normally draws tens of thousands of people for a march and street party.

Iran is restricting the internet after Israeli attacks Internet usage in Iran dramatically declined Friday after Iranian authorities restricted access in the country following the Israeli attacks, according to internet-access advocacy group Net Blocks.org.

The group shared the information in a graph posted to X Friday, saying their data corroborated user reports of poor service." Expert says Iran poses a bigger threat to US military than IsraelIrans current capabilities are potentially more threatening to the US military than to Israel," said Fabian Hinz, an air warfare expert at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London.

Thats because there are multiple US military bases in the region and Iran has a huge arsenal" of shorter range missiles developed specifically to target US bases as well as lots of anti-ship capabilities," Hinz said.

While Iran fired around 300 ballistic missiles at Israel last year, Hinz said, Tehran did not fire any of their short range missiles which could be used to attack US bases.

Think of the Iranian shipping threat as similar in quality to the Houthi threat, but much larger in quantity," Hinz said.

US shifts military resources in Mideast in response Iranian retaliation for Israels attack Two US officials said Friday that the Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals to discuss the situation. The two US officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

The Hudner is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer that is capable of defending against ballistic missiles.

On Oct 1, 2024, US Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.

Iran calls for emergency UN Security Council meeting Irans UN Mission said it has asked for an emergency meeting of the Security Council following the Israeli attacks.

The emergency session is likely to take place Friday afternoon, the mission said.

Israel told Trump administration of attacks ahead of time Israel told the Trump administration that large-scale attacks were coming and expected Iranian retaliation would be severe, US officials said, leading the United States to order the evacuations of some nonessential embassy staffers and authorise the voluntary departure of military dependents in the region.

The officials were speaking on condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehrans nuclear programme, but its not clear if the Iranians would participate, officials said.

Yemens Houthis condemn Israeli strikes The political office for Yemens Iran-backed Houthis condemned Israels attacks on Iran, saying that Iran has the right to defend itself and develop its nuclear programme." Israel is an aggressive entity that threatens not only Palestine but also the security and stability of the region and the entire nation," a statement read.

Israels claims about the Iranian nuclear program are baseless, and it has no right to be the regions policeman, given its nuclear arsenal." Israeli consular services close Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided," according to a statement posted to the websites of Israeli embassies in Berlin, Stockholm and Rome.

The statement, which appeared to come from Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged Israelis abroad to avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public.

Hamas expresses solidarity with Iran We declare our solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran in the face of the brutal Zionist aggression, which primarily stems from Irans support for the Palestinian people and its significant backing of their honourable resistance fighters," said Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamass armed wing.

He also mourned the deaths of senior Iranian leaders and others killed in the strike, condemning the attack as cowardly." Trump calls Israeli strikes on Iran excellent and says more to come In an interview with ABC News, US President Donald Trump called the Israeli strikes on Iran excellent" and previewed more attacks.

I think its been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didnt take it," Trump told ABC on Friday morning. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit. And theres more to come, a lot more." In a further post on the Truth Social platform, Trump added: Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal." They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!" he wrote Friday.

Oil price surge may be temporary Oil prices have surged after Israels attack on Iran, though analysts say the spike will likely be temporary if the fighting doesnt spread to other countries and disrupt oil shipments.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 7.8% to $74.89. When Iran and Israel exchanged attacks previously, prices spiked initially but fell once it became clear that the situation was not escalating," says Richard Joswick, head of near-term oil at S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Israel exports only very small quantities of oil and oil products, and China is Irans only customer due to Western sanctions. China could find alternative supplies from other Middle East exporters or Russia.

Irans president warns of strong action against Israel Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian says his nation would strongly take action" against Israel after its attacks on the country.

In a televised address Friday, Pezeshkian urged people to unite behind its theocratic government.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will give a severe, wise and strong answer to the occupier regime," he said, referring to Israel.

Iran confirms Hajizadeh killed Iran has confirmed that Israel killed Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards missile programme.

Iranian state television made the acknowledgment Friday afternoon. The confirmation came a short time after Israel said its strikes killed Hajizadeh.

Israeli military said it hit underground command centre The Israeli military said military jets hit a site where Revolutionary Guard officials had assembled in an underground command centre," allegedly to prepare for an attack on the state of Israel," and killed Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh along with two other senior officials.

It did not offer details or information to support the claim.

Hajizadeh publicly declared his commitment to Israels destruction at various events in recent years and played a central role in developing the Iranian regimes plan for Israels destruction," the Israelis said.

It also linked those killed to an attack on Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Israel claims it killed head of Revolutionary Guard missile programme Israel claimed Friday it killed Gen Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guards missile programme in Iran.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge his death officially, though rumors of his death had been circulating for some time online.

Hajizadeh is a major commander within the Guard, overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal.

Museums in Iran close after attacks Museums in Iran are taking the extraordinary step of closing down until further notice after attacks by Israel, and were transferring valuable items to secure vaults, officials announced Friday.

The state-affiliated Borna news agency reported the order by Ali Darabi, Irans deputy minister and cultural heritage chief.

Such moves have been done only in extraordinary circumstances in Iran, including the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and the coronavirus outbreak.

Trump urges Iran to reach nuclear deal with Washington US President Donald Trump is again urging Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear programme, warning that Israels attacks will only get worse." In his first public comments since the Friday attacks, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end." Hezbollah says Israel has crossed all red lines The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has accused the US of providing approval, coordination, and direct cover-up" for Israels strikes, adding that Israel has crossed all red lines, believing that by doing so, it will change the equations." In a statement, the group issued condolences to Tehran for the leaders who were killed, but did not threaten to join in the retaliation.

Jordan says strikes push region into more tension Jordans state media says the countrys foreign minister has discussed Israels strikes on Iran with his Egyptian counterpart, and warned that the attack pushes the region into more tension and conflict.

Jordan News Agency said the ministers called the strikes a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law." The ministers also said Israels attacks on the Gaza Strip should stop to and a two-state solution is needed to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.

Egypt and Jordan are among Arab countries that signed peace treaties with Israel and have normal relations with it.

EUs top diplomat calls for de-escalation in the Middle East European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called the fresh outbreak of violence in the Middle East deeply alarming." Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation. A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the regions stability and global security," she said in a post on the Bluesky social media platform.

Iran names replacements for commanders killed in strikes Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has replaced two top military commanders killed in a wave of Israeli strikes on Friday.

State TV said he tapped Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new head of the armed forces, replacing Gen Mohammad Bagheri. Mousavi was previously the top army commander.

Khamenei chose Mohammad Pakpour to lead the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, replacing Gen Hossein Salami.

Irans Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the countrys theocracy.

Israeli officials say they smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of strikes Israeli security officials say the countrys Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of Fridays strikes that were used to target its defences from within.

Two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss the highly secretive missions. It was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

The officials said a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran and that the drones were activated during Fridays attack to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and positioned them near surface-to-air missile systems. They said it also deployed strike systems on vehicles. Both were activated as the strikes began, in order to target Irans defenses, the officials said.

Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem is closed to the public With gates to the Al-Aqsa mosque closed by Israeli police, only the guards and employees of the holy site will be present for traditional Friday prayers, the sites custodian said Friday.

The mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims, and is located on the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

The Waqf, the Islamic endowment which administers the site, said Israel has banned public gatherings. The call to prayer will sound as usual.

Iraq calls on UN Security Council to deter this aggression The Iraqi government in a statement called Israels attacks on neighbouring Iran a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations" and a threat to international peace and security, especially as it occurred during the period of US-Iranian negotiations." It called for the UN Security Council to convene immediately to take decisive and concrete measures to deter this aggression, ensure its non-recurrence, and restore the prestige of the international legal system." Baghdad, which has close ties with both the US and Iran, has attempted to maintain a difficult balancing act between the two.

Iran says nuclear enrichment facility was damaged Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said in a statement that parts of the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility were damaged during the Israeli strikes but that no nuclear radiation or chemical contamination has occurred.

NATO chief calls on US, other Israeli allies to press for de-escalation NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on Israels Western backers to press for an end to the strikes.

This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate," Rutte told reporters in Stockholm after talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Asked whether a nuclear clash might be imminent in the region, Rutte said: No, we are not close." Israels defence minister threatens further attacks against Iran In a statement soon after Israels military said it had completed the attack on Iran, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would continue its activities to thwart the Iranian nuclear programme and remove threats on the State of Israel.

The precise hit on the heads of the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian army and the nuclear scientists, who were all involved in promoting the plan to destroy Israel, is a strong and clear message  those who work to destroy Israel will be eliminated." Israeli military says widespread attack on Iranian air defences complete The Israeli military says it has completed a widespread attack on air defences in western Iran.

It said Friday that it had destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers.

Hamas condemns Israels strikes on Iran The Palestinian group said Friday that the strikes form a dangerous escalation" that could lead to a regional war.

Hamas added that the strikes reflect the Israeli governments intention to pull the region into an open war.

Jordanian state media says country intercepting missiles and drones Jordanian state media said the countrys Air Force is intercepting missiles and drones in its air space.

The state news agency quoted an unnamed senior military official as saying that the interceptions were carried out based on military assessments indicating that the missiles and drones were likely to fall within Jordanian territory, including populated areas, posing a potential threat to civilian safety.

The official added that the Jordan Armed Forces are operating around the clock to defend the countrys borders by land, sea, and air and will not allow any violation of Jordanian airspace under any circumstances." Iranian drones tracked crossing Iraqs airspace Two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said that more than 100 drones launched from Iran toward Israel were tracked crossing Iraqi airspace.

Residents of Iraqs Diyala province, which borders Iran, reported hearing the sound of aircraft and explosions from strikes inside Iranian territory early Friday.

Some later said they saw drones launched from Iran heading toward Israel.

100 drones launched at Israel, military says Brig Gen Effie Deffrin, the chief Israeli army spokesman: In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats.

Iranian chief of staff killed in Israeli strike An Israeli airstrike killed Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, Iranian state television reported Friday.

Bagheri is a former top commander within Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

The state TV report offered no further details.

Multiple military officials and scientists have been killed in the Israeli attack Friday on sites across Iran.

Irans supreme leader threatens severe punishment Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel will face severe punishment" over its attack on the country.

Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers," Khamenei said.

Strikes come days before Iran, US were to hold talks in Oman Israels strikes come days before a sixth round of talks were planned between Iran and the US over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme this Sunday in Oman.

US President Donald Trumps new administration has been seeking a deal that would halt Irans nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

It wasnt immediately clear how the strikes would affect plans for the talks.

Iran will offer decisive response to Israels attack Irans state-run IRNA news agency is quoting an anonymous official saying Iran will offer a decisive" response to Israels attack.

The report did not elaborate. However, Iranian state television put a black band over the corner of its broadcast, suggesting the attack had been significant enough to spark public mourning.

Black smoke seen over Irans main nuclear enrichment facility Black smoke rose Friday over Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz though it wasnt clear how bad the damage was.

Iranian state television briefly showed the live picture with a reporter.

Natanz is partially above ground, partially below ground, with multiple halls of centrifuges spinning uranium gas for its nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israel targeted the site in Fridays attack. Natanz previously has been targeted by the Stuxnet cyberattack and multiple sabotage campaigns likely carried out by Israel.

Iranian state TV says head of Revolutionary Guard is feared dead Iranian state television says the head of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen Hossein Salami, is feared dead after an Israeli attack.

It added that one other top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead. The report offered few other details.

Irans Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the countrys theocracy. It also controls Irans arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Headquarters of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is ablaze An Israeli attack on Iran has set the headquarters of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze, state television reported Friday.

A reporter on air said he was unable to get closer due to the intensity of the fire in Irans capital, Tehran.

Multiple sites in the capital had been hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted both sites of and officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal.

Netanyahu says Israel struck nuclear and missile sites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz and the countrys ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

He said Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called it an intolerable threat that must be stopped.

Dozens of commercial flights over Iran as attack begins Dozens of commercial airliners were in Iranian airspace as the strikes took place, according to flight tracking websites.

More than an hour after the Israeli attack, some were still making their way out of Iranian airspace, but some abruptly altered course to more quickly exit the area.

Many nations jets already did not overfly Iran because of regional tensions.

Israel closes its airspace Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.

Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that attacks were expected.

In the wake of the state of Israels preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately," he said in a statement.

The statement added that Katz signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front." Israeli official says Air Force is targeting nuclear and military sites An Israeli military official says that his country targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, without identifying them.

The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.

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The Israeli official said Iran poses three threats to state of Israel: First, he alleged that the Iranian government is advancing a secret program" to develop nuclear weapons. The US intelligence community assesses that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Second, the Israeli official said, Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles. Finally, he said Iran has been distributing weapons and arms to proxy groups across the region like Hezbollah and Hamas. (AP) SCY SCY

First Published: June 14, 2025, 01:15 IST
NCLT Mumbai bench deputy registrar gets bail in bribery case

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 21:45 IST

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Mumbai, Jun 13 (PTI) A special court on Friday granted bail to the deputy registrar of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Mumbai bench in a bribery case.

Deputy registrar Charan Pratap Singh, along with another accused, was arrested last month.

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Singhs bail plea was allowed by special CBI judge AV Kharkar. The detailed order was not available yet.

The accused, through his lawyer Shalabh Saxena, sought bail saying there is no direct evidence against him.

The CBI on May 14 registered the case against Singh on the complaint of a hotel owner who was having an ownership dispute with his brothers.

The matter pertaining to the ownership dispute was filed before the NCLT Mumbai Court number IV on November 2, 2020, and has since been pending.

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It has been alleged that on May 11, Singh demanded Rs 3.50 lakh from the complainant for helping him in the matter by using his contacts in NCLT, Mumbai, and getting the matter settled in his favour. Later, the accused agreed to accept Rs 3 lakh as bribe.

In a trap, a man was caught red-handed while accepting the amount on behalf of Singh, as per the CBI. PTI AVI BNM

First Published: June 13, 2025, 21:45 IST
UP: 2 accused of gang rape of minor girl in Muzaffarnagar sentenced to life

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST

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Muzaffarnagar (UP), Jun 13 (PTI) A special court here on Friday convicted two accused in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Special public prosecutor Vikrant Rathi said that Special Judge Alka Bharti of the POCSO Court convicted two accused, Ravinder and Kapil, of raping a 16-year-old girl in the Shahpur police station area of Muzaffarnagar district two years ago.

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The judge sentenced them to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each on the two accused.

According to the police, the incident took place on September 18, 2023, when the girl went out of her house to wash clothes. Thats when Ravinder and Kapil reached there and took her to a nearby sugarcane field, where both of them raped her, Rathi told PTI. PTI COR KIS AMJ AMJ AMJ

First Published: June 14, 2025, 00:15 IST
Air India Flights Diverted Or Turned Back Amid Iran Airspace Closure, Full Details Inside

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:58 IST

Air India has announced multiple diversions and returns of its international flights due to the closure of Iranian airspace.

Affected flights include routes from New York, London, Toronto, and Delhi. (File photo)

International flights, especially those operated by Air India, have been heavily impacted after Israel launched a preemptive military strike against Iran.

As a result, the airspace over Iran, Iraq, and nearby regions has become unsafe, forcing several aircraft to reroute or return to their points of origin.

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As per ANI, Delhi Airport issued a public notice via X (formerly Twitter), assuring that while operations are stable on the ground, the evolving airspace situation is affecting some schedules. Travellers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates and to follow only verified sources for accurate information.

Amidst rising tensions, the Indian Embassy in Iran has urged Indian nationals and people of Indian origin residing in the country to be extra cautious. The advisory, shared on social media, recommends avoiding unnecessary movement, staying alert, and closely following official instructions and safety protocols from local authorities.

Air India Diverts and Cancels Flights

As a precautionary measure, Air India has diverted or cancelled several long-haul flights to and from India, including routes to the UK, US, and Canada. Affected flights include:

Diverted to Alternate Cities:

AI130 (LondonMumbai)  Vienna

AI102 (New YorkDelhi)  Sharjah

AI116 (New YorkMumbai)  Jeddah

AI101 (DelhiNew York)  Frankfurt/Milan

AI190 (TorontoDelhi)  FrankfurtAnd others

Returning to Origin:

AI129 (MumbaiLondon)  Mumbai

AI103 (DelhiWashington)  Delhi

AI189 (DelhiToronto)  DelhiAnd more

What Air India Is Doing for Passengers

Air India has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and is offering full support to those affected. Measures taken include:

Accommodation arrangements for stranded passengers

Refunds or free rescheduling options for those who wish to cancel or postpone their journey

Alternate travel plans being arranged to help passengers reach their destinations safely.

Passengers are advised to check the latest updates on their flights by visiting: Air India Flight Status.

Also, Air India has reassured passengers that safety continues to be its top priority. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and will make further decisions based on developments in the region.

What Led to the Tensions?

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Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the launch of Operation Rising Lion, a military mission targeting what he called Irans existential threat" to Israel. He claimed the operation had struck high-value Iranian targets and accused Iran of pushing ahead with a nuclear weapons programme, as per ANI.

Netanyahu compared the current situation to the events leading up to World War II, stressing that Israel would not wait to be a victim of another holocaust. He added that Israels actions also protect its neighbouring Arab nations from Irans regional influence.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More

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First Published: June 13, 2025, 09:58 IST
Saudi Arabias First Luxury Train Dream of the Desert To Launch In 2026, Here's What To Expect

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 08:10 IST

Taking inspiration from the historic Hejaz Railway that once connected Damascus to Medina, the Dream of the Desert will travel from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the north.

The Dream of the Desert is expected to start operations in the third quarter of 2026. (Photo: Arsenale Spa/SAR)

Saudi Arabia is all set to welcome luxury travellers with its first-ever high-end train service  Dream of the Desert  scheduled to launch in 2026.

Launch Timeline

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The Dream of the Desert is expected to begin operations by the third quarter of 2026. Details on ticket prices and travel packages are set to be announced in the coming months, as per Onmanorama.

Dream of the Desert: All You Need To Know

The Dream of the Desert will feature 14 beautifully designed carriages, housing 34 private suites. Inspired by the shifting sands of the desert, the interiors will be filled with warm earthy tones, elegant furnishings, and detailed craftsmanship.

Each suite will include a private bathroom, and some will even have hot bathtubs.

Food lovers will be spoiled for choice with a menu that spans traditional Arabian delicacies to global gourmet dishes, all made with fresh ingredients by renowned international chefs.

Guests can unwind in luxurious lounges, enjoy a good book, or gaze at the stars through lounges with glass ceilings. The train will also offer cigar lounges and intimate cinema rooms, making the entire journey feel like a five-star retreat.

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To honour local traditions, the Saudi Ministry of Culture is working closely with the Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) and Italys Arsenale Group to weave in music, art, and folklore throughout the journey.

Inspired by the legendary Hejaz Railwaywhich once connected Damascus to Medinathe Dream of the Desert brings a modern twist to an iconic route. Starting from Riyadh, the train will travel all the way to Al Qurayyat in the north, with stops at historic spots like Hail and several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More

Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India  including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

First Published: June 13, 2025, 08:10 IST
Air India Crash: Insurance Claims May Reach Up To Rs 1,000 Crore, Is This India's Costliest Airline Tragedy?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 11:30 IST

While the aircraft damage will be covered in $280-million insurance coverage, the biggest cost will come from the 'liability insurance'. Insurance claims may reach Rs 1,000 crore.

Air India Flight 171 crashed near Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 people. (Photo: News18)

In Indias one of the deadliest airline tragedies, a London-bound Air India Flight 171 crashed on June 12 claiming a total of 241 lives on board. Few also died in the doctors hostel where the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft fell near the Ahmedabad airport. Air India has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each to the families of those lost their lives. However, the flight crash will also trigger insurance claims, which, as per estimates, might go as high as Rs 1,000 crore.

Airline liabilities in the event of death or injury are governed by international conventions such as the Montreal Convention, 1999, to which India is a signatory, according to experts.

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They said that under the Convention, airlines are liable to pay:

Up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) (about $1.33 per SDR), as of October 2024, per passenger in case of death or bodily injury, irrespective of fault.

Compensation beyond that limit is also possible if the airline is proven negligent.

While interim compensation may be announced by the airline, final compensation for passengers will be determined under the Montreal Convention of 1999, to which India became a signatory in 2009, brokerage firm Howden (India) MD and CEO Amit Agarwal told news agency PTI.

Compensation is calculated using Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), which stood at 128,821 SDRs (approximately $1.33 per SDR) as of October 2024. The actual payout will depend on the coverage purchased by Air India," Agarwal said.

On Thursday, June 12, a London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.

Aircraft Damage Insurance

Air India has insured its entire fleet under a $20-billion global aviation insurance programme. This insurance is divided into two parts  one for damage to the aircraft itself (called hull insurance) and the other for legal and passenger claims (called liability insurance").

As far as aircraft damage is concerned, Agarwal said, it would be covered under the aviation hull all-risk section, which insures the current valuation of the aircraft, including spares and equipment.

For a Dreamliner, this value can range between $211 million and $280 million, depending on its configuration, age, and other factors, he added.

The aircraft involved (VT-ABN) was a 2013 model and, based on available information, was insured for approximately $115 million in 2021. Whether the damage is partial or total, the loss would be covered based on the value declared by the airline," he said.

Narendra Bharindwal, president of the Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI), told PTI that aviation insurance programmes for major airlines such as Air India are arranged on a fleet basis and reinsured across international markets like London and New York.

No single insurer bears the entire risk  coverage is widely distributed among global reinsurers, with shares as small as 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent and a lead reinsurer typically taking 10-15 per cent. The financial impact of such incidents is shared globally across this network," Bharindwal said.

It is too early to ascertain the overall liability (passengers and third party) on the operator because of this crash.

Overall Insurance Claims

While the aircraft damage will be covered in the $211 million-$280 million insurance coverage, the biggest cost will come from the liability insurance.

Experts also said the actual amount the passenger receives will depend on a number of factors.

Typically, the claimant (family of the deceased passenger or the injured) has to prove the extent of the actual damage suffered. Factors such as age of the deceased passenger, educational status, employment, last salary drawn, marital status, general economic status, the number of dependants the extent of dependency are, typically, considered to assess the damage.

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According to timesnownews.com, The (overall) claim could go as high as Rs 1,000 crore and could have a ripple effect on the aviation insurance industry."

It is being considered to be one of the deadliest and costliest airline crashes in the Indian aviation history.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 10:57 IST
Deeply Pained: Mukesh And Nita Ambani Offer Condolences After Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 08:00 IST

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has expressed deep grief over yesterdays tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad

Mukesh Ambani

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani has issued a heartfelt statement expressing profound grief over the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12.

In a message released today, Ambani, speaking on behalf of himself, his wife Nita Ambani, and the entire Reliance family, conveyed deep sorrow and solidarity with those affected by the tragedy.

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Nita and I along with the entire Reliance family are deeply pained and anguished by the grave loss of life caused by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad," he said. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident."

Nita and I along with the entire Reliance family are deeply pained and anguished by the grave loss of life caused by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident. In this hour of grief, Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) June 13, 2025

He further assured the public of Reliances full and unwavering support" to all ongoing relief efforts, and emphasised the conglomerates readiness to assist the authorities and impacted families in every possible way."

In this hour of grief, Reliance extends its full and unwavering support to the ongoing relief efforts and stands ready to assist in every possible way. We pray that all those impacted find the strength and solace to cope with their unimaginable loss. Om Shanti."

What happened: Dreamliner Crashes After Mayday Call

Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating on the AhmedabadLondon Gatwick route, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 1:39 pm on Thursday.

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According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was under the command of Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, with First Officer Clive Kundar. It carried 242 people onboard, including two pilots and ten cabin crew members. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion near Meghaninagar, followed by a massive fire, likely intensified by the aircrafts full fuel load for the international journey.

Rescue efforts are ongoing, and no official confirmation on casualties has been provided yet. Air India has set up an emergency response centre and support teams to assist passengers families and will continue to provide verified updates through its official channels.

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 13, 2025, 07:53 IST
Who is Ong Beng Seng, the Singapore-based Malaysian tycoon set to plead guilty in ex-ministers corruption case?

Ong Beng Seng, who is scheduled to plead guilty on July 3 in a corruption case involving Singapores former transport minister S. Iswaran, is known for bringing Formula One racing to the city-state and ranking among its richest tycoons.

It remains unclear whether Ong will plead guilty to one or both charges he faces in the case, namely abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts and abetting the obstruction of justice, according to court records for a pre-trial conference on Tuesday cited by CNA.

The tycoon was charged last October and initially set to plead guilty in early April but the hearing was postponed.

Before his name became associated with the graft case, tales of his bold personality and sharp deal-making skills had long circulated in business circles despite Ong being "notoriously secretive and media shy," as The Independent would describe him.

Billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng smiles during a news conference in Singapore May 11, 2007. Photo by Reuters

Born in Malaysia in 1946 to a wealthy family, Ong moved to Singapore at the age of four. He attended Anglo-Chinese School before earning a degree in insurance in the U.K. He began his career in international insurance underwriting and broking.

In 1975, he joined Kuo International, an oil trading firm founded by his father-in-law Peter Fu Yun Siak. Ongs knack for forecasting oil price movements at the firm earned him a fortune, which he would later channel into real estate and hospitality ventures, according to The Straits Times.

He founded Hotel Properties Limited in 1981 to spearhead Kuos push into real estate. The company was listed a year later and has since grown into a global player, with interests in 41 hotels across 17 countries under brands including Como Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons, and Marriott International.

By the 1990s, national newspapers and business magazines gave him several nicknames, including "Prince of a Thousand Deals," for his deal-making skills.

One of Ongs most famous deals came in the mid-2000s, when he and then-junior trade minister Iswaran spearheaded Singapores bid to host a Formula One race. They managed to persuade F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to bring the sports first night race to the city-state in 2008. Ong owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix and serves as its chairman.

The event has since become a highlight on the F1 calendar and a magnet for the regions ultra-wealthy, mirroring the city-states rise as a luxury hub in the 2010s.

It has generated over S$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) in additional tourism revenue for the city-state since its launch, Bloomberg reported last October.

A businessman from Malaysia told the South China Morning Post that Ong had "successfully entrenched himself in the Singapore establishment and is good at dealing with kings and queens in the region."

Commenting on the tycoons business approach, a Singaporean businessman familiar with his circles said: "His way of doing business is throwing in sweeteners all along the way, and you can be seduced if you are not careful. It can get to your head, the flattery."

A source from the F1 business in London put it more bluntly: "If he wants something, there isnt much that will stand in his way."

"You dont make many friends like that," the person added.

Ong is married to Christina Fu, hailed as "the Queen of Bond Street" for the designer franchises she owns there. She owns high-end fashion retailer Club 21 and the Como Group, which operates Como Hotels and Resorts. The couple were worth US$1.7 billion in Forbes Singapore rich list last year.

Ong has recently been undergoing chemotherapy for bone marrow cancer. He was granted approval to travel abroad for treatment in April.

He stepped down as managing director of Hotel Properties that same month, with the company saying he "wishes to devote more time to manage his medical conditions."
India's Forex Reserves Near Record High, Jump $5.17 Billion To $696.66 Billion

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 18:02 IST

India's forex reserves surge $5.17 billion to $696.656 billion as of June 6, 2025, nearing the all-time high of $704.89 billion. RBI's gold reserves rise $1.58 bn to $85.89 bn.

India's foreign currency assets (FCA), which is a major portion of forex reserves, increased by $3.472 billion to $587.687 billion during the week ended June 6.

Forex Reserves Update: Indias foreign exchange (forex) reserves surged by $5.17 billion to $696.656 billion during the week ended June 6, 2025, according to the official data announced on Friday, June 13. The forex kitty is just 1.2% away from its all-time high level of $704.89 billion, recorded in September 2024.

In the previous week ended May 30, the forex kitty had declined by $1.23 billion.

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According to the latest RBI data, Indias foreign currency assets (FCA), which is a major portion of forex reserves, by $3.472 billion to $587.687 billion.

The countrys gold reserves also increased by $1.583 billion between May 30 and June 6 to $85.888 billion.

The share of gold maintained by the RBI in its kitty has almost doubled since 2021, as central banks globally have increasingly accumulated safe-haven gold in their forex reserves.

In 2023, India added around $58 billion to its foreign exchange reserves, contrasting with a cumulative decline of $71 billion in 2022. In 2024, the reserves rose by a little over $20 billion.

Foreign exchange reserves, or FX reserves, are assets held by a nations central bank or monetary authority, primarily in reserve currencies such as the US Dollar, with smaller portions in the Euro, Japanese Yen, and Pound Sterling.

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The RBI often intervenes by managing liquidity, including selling dollars, to prevent steep Rupee depreciation. The RBI strategically buys dollars when the Rupee is strong and sells when it weakens.

Last week, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the foreign exchange kitty is sufficient to meet 11 months of the countrys imports and about 96 per cent of external debt.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:50 IST
'Get 15 Paise For Every Rupee Contributed': Karnataka Asks Finance Commission For 'Fair Tax Devolution'

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: June 14, 2025, 02:39 IST

The state has also sought support of Rs 1.15 lakh crore investment to bolster Bengaluru's infrastructure and address regional disparities in Kalyana Karnataka and Malnad

Siddaramaiah underscored the state's share, with Karnataka contributing nearly 8.7% of India's GDP with just 5% of the population and ranking second in GST collections. File pic/PTI

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday demanded a more equitable and growth-oriented fiscal federal structure before the 16th Finance Commission, led by chairman Arvind Panagariya.

Siddaramaiah highlighted the stark imbalance in fiscal returns despite Karnatakas significant contribution to the national economy.

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In an additional memorandum submitted to the commission, Karnataka articulated its vision for reforms aimed at creating a predictable and fair devolution system.

Karnatakas fiscal strength fuels national growth. It is time to ensure that growth is not penalised but rewarded. We urge the commission to adopt a balanced, forward-looking approach to devolution," the chief minister stated to the media after the meeting.

Siddaramaiah underscored the states share, with Karnataka contributing nearly 8.7% of Indias GDP with just 5% of the population and ranking second in GST collections. Despite this, Karnataka receives a mere 15 paise for every rupee contributed to union taxes, a figure drastically impacted by the reduction in its share from 4.713% to 3.647% under the 15th Finance Commission, leading to a cumulative loss of over Rs 80,000 crore.

What Karnataka wants

Karnataka has sought increased vertical devolution. It has asked to increase the states share of taxes to at least 50% and cap cesses and surcharges at 5%, along with including union non-tax revenues in the divisible pool.

It is also urging a more balanced horizontal devolution. The CM proposed that states retain 60% of their contributions, with 40% directed to less-developed states to balance growth and equity.

He suggested a reduction in the weight of the income-distance criterion and greater emphasis on a states economic contribution to avoid penalising high-performing states.

Siddaramaiah advocated for critical reforms to Revenue Deficit Grants and State-Specific Grants, noting that Karnatakas per capita devolution significantly dropped between the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions.

Focus Bengaluru

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The state has sought support of Rs 1.15 lakh crore investment to bolster Bengalurus infrastructure and address regional disparities in Kalyana Karnataka and Malnad.

Siddaramaiah has earlier launched campaigns like Our Tax, Our Right" to seek the states rightful share in the devolution process.

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and RTI investi... Read More

First Published: June 14, 2025, 02:39 IST
Oswal Pumps IPO: Should You Apply? Check Subscription Status, GMP, Price, Lot Size, Review

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:17 IST

Oswal Pumps IPO: Unlisted shares of Oswal Pumps Ltd are trading at Rs 684 apiece in the grey market, which is a 11.40% premium or GMP over the upper IPO price of Rs 614.

Most analysts have given 'subscribe for long-term' rating to the Oswal Pumps IPO.

Oswal Pumps IPO Day 1: The initial public offering of Oswal Pumps Ltd opened for public subscription on Friday, June 13. Till 5:14 pm on the first day of bidding on Friday, the Rs 1,387.34-crore IPO received a 0.19 times (or 19%) subscription, garnering bids for 30,05,904 shares as against 1,58,16,581 shares on offer.

The retail and NII participation stood at 0.19 times and 0.34 times, respectively. Its qualified institutional buyer (QIB) category got a 0.08 times subscription.

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The three-day IPO will close on Tuesday, June 17.

Oswal Pumps Limited, founded in July 2023, manufactures a wide range of pumps and related products for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.

Oswal Pumps IPO Price

The price band has been fixed in the range of Rs 584-614 apiece.

Oswal Pumps IPO Lot Size

The minimum lot size is 24 shares, requiring a retail investment of Rs 14,016 (Rs 14,736 at cutoff price). For small NII, the minimum is 14 lots (336 shares) at Rs 2,06,304; and for big NII, 68 lots (1,632 shares) at Rs 10,02,048.

Oswal Pumps IPO GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Oswal Pumps Ltd are currently trading at Rs 684 apiece in the grey market, which is a 11.40 per cent premium or GMP over the upper IPO price of Rs 614. It indicates listing gains for investors on June 20, the tentative listing date.

The shares will be listed on both BSE and NSE.

The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Oswal Pumps IPO: Should You Subscribe?

Most analysts have given subscribe for long-term rating to the IPO. They said Oswal Pumps is one of Indias fastest-growing names in solar-powered solutions, and reported a CAGR of 45.1% between FY22 and FY24. The company is expected to grow at a rate of 11% in the next five years, the analysts said.

However, they also mentioned some risks, including the companys dependent on its top-10 customers (who account for nearly 80% of revenue from operations), government funding changes or policy changes (as the significant portion of Oswal Pumps revenue is derived from turnkey solar pumping systems under PM-KUSUM), and the concentration of all of its manufacturing facilities at one place (Karnal, Haryana).

Giving a subscribe rating, Aditya Birla Money in its IPO note said, Oswal Pumps Ltd (OSPL), founded in one of Indias fastest-growing names in solar-powered solutions. The company has carved a niche as a fully integrated manufacturer of solar and grid-connected submersible pumps, monoblock pumps, high-efficiency electric motors, and solar modules."

It said that at the upper price band, OSPL is available at a reasonable valuation of 21x at its annualised 9MFY25 EPS. We have a SUBSCRIBE recommendation to this issue for the long-term," it said.

Another brokerage firm BP Wealth in its note said, Given the companys strong brand equity in solar pumps, diversified product offerings, and integrated manufacturing capabilities, it is well-positioned to capitalise on these structural growth drivers. Its robust domestic distribution network and expanding presence in high-growth states further enhance its ability to monetise the sectors rising demand."

The issue is valued at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 21.2x on the upper price band based on FY25 earnings (annualised), which is relatively cheaper compared to its peers. We recommend a SUBSCRIBE" rating for this issue," it added.

Other brokerages Arihant Capital, Deven Choksey, GEPL Capital, Nirmal Bang, SBI Securities, and SMIFS have given the subscribe rating to the Oswal Pumps IPO.

Oswal Pumps Financials & Comparison With Peers

The company recorded one of the highest EBITDA margins among peers in FY24 (30.1% in 9MFY25), up from 10.7% in FY22, showcasing clear operating leverage gains. However, competition from established peers and its dependency on tenders for its revenue, remain key risk factors to consider.

Oswal Pumps competitors include Kisloskar Brothers, Shakti Pumps, WPIL, and Roto Pumps.

Oswal Pumps IPO Objectives

Oswal Pumps plans to utilise the IPO proceeds for capital expenditure (Rs 89.86 crore), investment in subsidiary Oswal Solar for new units in Karnal (Rs 272.76 crore), repayment of company borrowings (Rs 280 crore), repayment of Oswal Solars loans (Rs 31 crore), and towards general corporate purposes.

Oswal Pumps IPO: More Info

Ahead of the IPO, Oswal Pumps on Thursday mobilised Rs 416.2 crore from anchor investors.

The initial public offering (IPO) opened on June 13 and will be closed on June 17. Its allotment will take place on June 18, while its shares are scheduled to be listed on June 20 on both BSE and NSE.

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The IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of shares valued at Rs 890 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 81 lakh stocks worth Rs 497.34 crore at the upper end of the price band, by promoter Vivek Gupta. This aggregates the issue size at Rs 1,387.34 crore.

IIFL Securities, Axis Capital, CLSA India, JM Financial, and Nuvama Wealth Management are the book-running lead managers to the issue.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 12:53 IST
'One Of The Darkest Days': Tata Group's Chandrasekaran Promises Transparency After Air India Crash

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 18:35 IST

'Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them': Tata chairman.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran says investigative teams from India, the UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to probe the crash and that the Tata Group is extending full cooperation.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has termed the crash of the Air India Flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad as one of the darkest days in the Tata Groups history" in an emotional letter addressed to employees on Friday. Expressing profound grief, Chandrasekaran said the Group is in shock and mourning over the loss of lives, calling the tragedy incomprehensible.

He also promised complete transparency once the findings are available.

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Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them," the letter read.

Air India is owned by the Tata Group, which acquired the airline and officially took over it on January 27, 2022, nearly 69 years after the airline was nationalised. The acquisition marked a historic homecoming, as Air India was originally founded by J R D Tata in 1932.

In his internal message, Chandrasekaran said efforts are underway to understand what went wrong. He added that investigative teams from India, the UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to probe the crash and that the Tata Group is extending full cooperation.

Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place," he added.

Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed on June 12 shortly after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 of the 242 persons on board, including 12 crew members.

We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you. The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday," Chandrasekaran said.

Referring to the speculation around the cause of the crash, he urged patience and said that only trained investigators can determine why a routine flight turned into such a calamity. Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place," he added.

Chandrasekaran also discussed the Groups acquisition of Air India, saying that ensuring the safety of passengers was the companys first and foremost priority. There was no compromising on it," he wrote.

None of this matters to the people who suffered devastating losses yesterday. At this time, we can only assure them of our full support. We will pull together as a Group and find ways to help them," he wrote

We built this Group on trust and care. It is a difficult moment, but we will not retreat from our responsibilities, from doing what is right. We will carry this loss. We will not forget," he wrote.

N Chandrasekarans Full Letter To Employees

Dear Colleagues,

This is a very difficult moment. What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible. This is one of the darkest days in the Tata Groups history. Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them.

I want to say that, like you, we want to understand what happened. We dont know right now, but we will. You know that in the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings. We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you. The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday.

Right now, our very human instinct is to look for explanations that make sense of the calamity. There is plenty of speculation all around us. Some of it may be right, some of it may be wrong. I want to urge patience. We witnessed an enormous loss of life yesterday. Why this routine flight turned into a calamity is something trained investigators will help us understand when their work is complete. Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place.

As a Group trusted by so many, when we took over Air India, ensuring the safety of its passengers was our first and foremost priority. There was no compromising on it.

None of this matters to the people who suffered devastating losses yesterday. At this time, we can only assure them of our full support. We will pull together as a Group and find ways to help them.

We built this Group on trust and care. It is a difficult moment, but we will not retreat from our responsibilities, from doing what is right. We will carry this loss. We will not forget.

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Sincerely,

Chandra."

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to markets, economy and companies. Having a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris has been previously asso... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 18:21 IST
For Just Rs 10, Poor Students Can Now Earn A College Degree In Madhya Pradesh

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:26 IST

Madhya Pradesh's Sambal Yojana allows children of daily wage earners to pursue college degrees for just Rs 10, covering all educational costs

Other schemes like Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana and Covid-19 Bal Kalyan Yojana ensure that students from poor backgrounds can continue their education.

In a groundbreaking push for inclusive education, the children of daily wage earners and economically weaker families in Madhya Pradesh can now pursue a college degree for just Rs 10. Yes, you read that right; only ten rupees. Thanks to the states ambitious Sambal Yojana, higher education is now within reach for thousands of underprivileged students who were once forced to abandon academic dreams due to financial hardship.

Launched under the Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Department, the Sambal Yojana aims to uplift children of registered labourers by covering the entire cost of their college education  from admission to tuition, and even essential academic expenses. The initiative is available to students holding a Sambal Card, which can be obtained through the local Gram Panchayat or via online registration.

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This scheme is a game-changer for families who couldnt even imagine sending their children to college," said Dr Anand Tiwari, Principal of the Girls College in Sagar. Under the Sambal Yojana, were admitting students for just Rs 10, and the government sends the funds directly to the college to cover all other costs, he explained.

Apart from Sambal, the government is also running other supportive schemes such as the Medhavi Vidyarthi Yojana and the Covid-19 Bal Kalyan Yojana, ensuring that students from vulnerable backgrounds face no barriers in continuing their education.

For many parents engaged in manual labour, the financial hurdle has long been the reason their children couldnt pursue studies beyond Class 12. That obstacle, however, is rapidly being dismantled.

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But what about students who are ineligible or fall through the cracks of these schemes? Dr Tiwari confirms that no deserving student is left behind. Our college, through the Jan Bhagidari Samiti, supports 60 such students annually by covering their entire educational expenses," he said.

With state support and a mere Rs 10 in hand, children from the most marginalised sections of society can now step into a college campus, study alongside their peers, and carve out a better future for themselves.

Location : Madhya Pradesh, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:26 IST
IIT Bombay Launches e-Post Graduate Diploma In Integrated Circuits Design

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News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:40 IST

This 18-month diploma by IIT Bombay will cover topics such as semiconductors, digital and analog design, mixed signals, wireless communications, and system design.

Engineering graduates and professionals are eligible to join the online diploma course by IIT Bombay. (Image: IIT Bombay)

IIT Bombay has launched its innovative e-Postgraduate Diploma (ePGD) in Integrated Circuits (IC) Design. This online programme aims to provide professionals and students with advanced knowledge in semiconductor technology. Created by the Department of Electrical Engineering faculty, this 18-month diploma will cover topics such as semiconductors, digital and analog design, mixed signals, wireless communications, and system design.

India is fast-tracking its rise as a semiconductor hub, with over $18 billion invested in five semiconductor projects and a government goal to boost electronics production to $500 billion by 2030. IC design is becoming an essential skill for the workforce as the country builds a full-stack chip ecosystem through strategic policies, global partnerships, and a focus on self-reliance," the institute said.

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Engineering graduates and professionals are eligible to join the online diploma course. Graduates will earn a formal diploma from IIT Bombay after completing 36 credits.

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Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay said, We want to make learning more accessible to a wider pool of learners, including working professionals. With such initiatives, we are moving closer to delivering specialized training in circuit design, strengthening their technical knowledge. This will enable professionals to advance their careers in semiconductor technology and explore emerging opportunities in high-performance computing and wireless communications. Indias semiconductor potential has been a major focus in recent years, and we are optimistic about becoming global leaders in the domain. IIT Bombay firmly believes the program will contribute to our mission of creating a large pool of experts who, after absorbing the fundamental concepts conveyed through this program will be able to contribute to advanced technology development for the benefit of the nation."

Kashyap Dalal, Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer of Simplilearn, said, We are extremely thrilled to join forces with IIT Bombay. Earning an e-Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Circuits Design from IIT Bombay is not just an academic milestone but a mark of excellence, signifying world-class education and industry-relevant expertise. It offers high-quality resources, including top-tier study materials, to ensure an enriching learning experience. Together, we aim to shape learners who will make futuristic contributions to integrated circuit design."

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 13, 2025, 14:38 IST
JEECUP Answer Key 2025 Releasing Today At jeecup.admissions.nic.in, Steps To Download

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:28 IST

JEECUP 2025: Candidates can access the answer key by entering their roll number, password, and the security pin on the official portal, once the answer key is published.

JEECUP 2025: The results will be declared on June 21 based on the objections raised.(Representative image/File)

The Joint Entrance Examination Council, Uttar Pradesh (JEECUP) is all set to release the UPJEE 2025 answer key today, June 13 on its official website, jeecup.admissions.nic.in. Candidates can access and download the answer key by entering their roll number, password, and the security pin on the official portal, once the answer key is published.

The exam was held from June 5 to 13. Candidates who appeared for the exam will have the opportunity to compare their attempted responses to the UPJEE answer key and determine their likely scores using the answer key. JEECUP will also allow candidates to raise objections, if any, by paying Rs 100 per question challenged. The challenge money will be returned to the candidate if a challenge is deemed to be valid. The results will be declared on June 21 based on the objections raised.

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JEECUP 2025 Answer Key: Steps To Download

Step 1- Check out the official website, jeecup.admissions.nic.in through web browser.

Step 2- On the webpage, login on the student portal through security pin.

Step 3- Go to the Answer Key" section after logging in.

Step 4- Select the particular set or code of the JEECUP 2025 exams question papers that you attempted.

Step 5- To download your selected set of test questions, click the Download" button next to it. Your device will download a PDF version of the answer key file.

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Step 6- To access the JEECUP 2025 Answer Key, open the PDF file that was downloaded. For future reference and score assessment, you can keep it on your computer or mobile device.

Those who clear the exam will next be called for counselling and further admissions. The JEECUP counselling schedule will be released soon after the results are announced. Students will have to first register themselves and submit their college preferences in the form. Candidates will have the option to freeze or float their seats, pay admission fees and verify their documents during the counselling process.

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 13, 2025, 10:28 IST
SSC GD Constable Result 2025: Scorecards, Cutoff Marks Likely Soon; How To Check?

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:58 IST

SSC GD Constable Result 2025 Date: Candidates who appeared in this exam will be able to check their result and merit list by visiting the official website, ssc.gov.in.

The SSC GD Constable Examination results are expected to be declared soon (Representational/File)

SSC GD Constable Result 2025 Date: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will soon announce the results and rank list for the SSC GD Constable Exam 2025. Candidates who took this exam can check their results and merit list on the official website, ssc.gov.in. The SSC conducted the GD Constable Exam 2025 from February 4 to 25, 2025.

According to media reports, the SSC GD Result 2025 will likely be announced in the second week of June 2025. Once the results are out, candidates can download the merit list by using their login credentials (application number and password). Those who pass will be eligible to participate in the Physical Efficiency Test (PET/PST).

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If a candidates name is on the merit list, it indicates that they have qualified for the physical test stage. The dates for the PET/PST will be posted on the SSC website shortly. To view the result, candidates will need their system-generated application number and password.

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: How To Check Once Out?

Step 1  Visit the official website of SSC at ssc.gov.in.

Step 2  Go to the Result Section" on the homepage.

Step 3  Select the Constable-GD" tab.

Step 4  Click on the link of the merit list

Step 5  Download and save the merit list that opens in PDF format.

SSC GD Constable Result 2025: Expected Cut Off Marks

Based on past trends and this years exam difficulty level, students can check the expected cut-off range which is as follows:

UR (General): 145  155

OBC: 135  145

EWS: 138  148

SC: 130  140

ST: 120  130

ESM (Ex-Servicemen): 60  70

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A total of 53,690 posts will be filled through this recruitment drive.

The SSC GD Constable examination is a national-level recruitment test conducted in Computer-Based Exam (CBE) mode at various centers across India. The selection process for SSC GD Constable comprises three main stages: a written examination, followed by a Physical Efficiency Test (PET) / Physical Standard Test (PST), and a medical examination.

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 13, 2025, 09:51 IST
Explained: Why Identifying Air India Plane Crash Victims Hinges On DNA & Why It Takes Time

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:53 IST

The officials at the site of the postmortem told reporters that it will take nearly 72 hours to complete the exercise of matching the DNA samples.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash rescue efforts

In the aftermath of the tragic Ahmedabad-to-London Air India plane crash, which resulted in the loss of at least 265 lives, the process of identifying the deceased has become a scientifically demanding task.

With bodies charred beyond recognition, authorities have collected more than 200 samples to identify victims. The DNA tests will be conducted at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Once identified, the remains will be returned to the families.

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News18 spoke to forensic experts to understand this tedious and challenging process.

How are DNA samples examined?

Dr Moushumi Suryavanshi, a molecular biologist and clinical scientist at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, told News18 that the initial 24 to 72 hours are crucial for triage and potential life-saving interventions. However, when fatalities are extensive, the focus shifts to forensic recovery, identification, and the dignified management of remains.

Charred bodies present unique challenges. High temperatures from aviation fuel fires often obliterate facial features, fingerprints, and even dental records, making traditional identification methods ineffective. In such cases, DNA profiling becomes the only reliable means of identification."

However, collecting viable DNA from heat-damaged tissue or bones requires advanced forensic capability and time. Its a logistically and emotionally intense exercise," said Suryavanshi, who is credited with establishing the molecular laboratory at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi.

According to forensic experts, given the present scenario, the teams rely on DNA profiling, considered the most reliable method when visual identification or fingerprinting is impossible. The identification process begins at the crash site, where forensic teams meticulously recover human remains. Every bone fragment, tissue sample, or personal item is collected and preserved for laboratory examination.

Handling over 250 bodies also involves coordination between multiple agencies  disaster response teams, forensic laboratories, local hospitals, law enforcement, and the airline. Suryavanshi explained that bodies are first numbered, photographed, and mapped at the site before being transported to a mortuary or hospital.

At the hospital, a multi-disciplinary team, including forensic pathologists, anthropologists, and DNA experts, conducts autopsies, collects DNA samples, and analyses any remaining identifiers, such as orthopaedic implants or dental structures.

Simultaneously, relatives are interviewed to gather ante-mortem data  such as clothing, scars, medical history, or DNA samples  which is essential for cross-referencing.

Prominent biologist Shekhar Mande, distinguished professor at Savitribai Phule Pune University, detailed the forensic procedure. The team of experts first collects the remains of the deceased  such as clothing, charred bodies, bones, and other biological materials  and then isolates DNA from them."

This process can take slightly longer in the case of a plane crash, as the bodies are often severely burned. Once DNA is extracted, DNA fingerprinting is performed. This is a technique that uniquely identifies an individual by comparing the DNA of the deceased with reference samples provided by family members," said Mande, former director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and former secretary of the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. Its a challenging, complex, time-consuming, and sensitive process."

In cases where nuclear DNA is degraded due to high temperatures, scientists often turn to mitochondrial DNA, which is more heat-resistant and maternally inherited. Matching begins once DNA profiles are generated.

According to Dr Akanksha Chaturvedi, scientist at the National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, Human DNA is unique to each individual, with approximately 50% inherited from each parent."

After fingerprinting, detailed analysis is conducted to establish matches, based on which the relatives of the deceased can be identified and informed."

Reference samples are collected from family members  typically blood or cheek swabs  or retrieved from the victims personal belongings, such as a toothbrush or comb. These samples are compared using forensic software and statistical tools to ensure high-confidence matches. The process, however, is neither quick nor easy.

72 hours  a tight deadline

Officials at the site of the post-mortem told reporters that it will take nearly 72 hours" to complete the DNA matching process.

This is a long and meticulous process, and the typical 72-hour timeline is quite tight," Chaturvedi explained.

The challenge increases significantly in cases involving charred or degraded remains, where the DNA may be fragmented. However, unless the bodies are completely destroyed, it is usually possible to retrieve enough genetic material to make a positive identification."

Experts believe that with over 200 deceased, the scale of the operation adds another layer of complexity.

In reality, Suryavanshi said, the process can take weeks to several months, depending on the condition of the remains, the availability of forensic infrastructure, and the number of missing persons reported.

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As authorities move to bring closure to grieving families, the quiet work of forensic scientists continues behind the scenes  slow, deliberate, and deeply human," Suryavanshi said, adding, At every stage, compassion and precision go hand in hand  because these arent just bodies; they are people someone loved."

According to Dr Deepa Mahesh, consultant, pathologist at Bengaluru based SPARSH Hospital, The 72 hour-window is a very initial phase of processing, not full identification." The scale and quality of remains is crucial and availability of the reference samples all together contribute in making this a meticulous, resource heavy process which can take the time of several weeks in reality. A longer period would be needed for proper DNA identifications," she said.

About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:53 IST
Explained: Why The Israel-Iran Conflict Just Escalated And What Role The US Is Playing

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 11:52 IST

With missiles flying, nuclear talks hanging by a thread, and top commanders possibly dead, this is the moment the Israel-Iran conflict stopped being shadow war, and turned real

Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated into open threats and missile strikes, bringing the Middle East to the brink of war. (Image: Shutterstock)

Israels June 13 airstrikes on Iranian soil have sharply escalated the long-running confrontation between the two arch-rivals. Codenamed Operation Rising Lion, the operation involved dozens of Israeli fighter jets targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure, missile factories, and top military personnel. Explosions were reported in Tehran and at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu:Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced a special situation as some military officials there confirmed attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

According to Israels Channel 12, Irans Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and several senior nuclear scientists may have been killed, though Iran has not officially confirmed the casualties.

Why Now? What Triggered The Strike

The strike followed months of rising tensions. Israeli officials cited intelligence that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce multiple nuclear weapons. A senior Israeli military official told Reuters that Iran could make up to 15 bombs within days. Israeli leadership framed the operation as a necessary step to counter an existential threat amid stalled diplomacy.

Iran, for its part, has denied pursuing nuclear weapons and accused Israel of aggression and sabotage. It has built deep regional networks through proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamasgroups Israel considers direct threats to its security.

The immediate context includes not just military build-up but also failed diplomacy: US-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for June 15 in Oman, were hanging by a thread before the airstrikes. It is now unclear whether they will go forward.

What Role Has The US Played?

Although a staunch Israeli ally, the United States has officially distanced itself from Operation Rising Lion. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel acted unilaterally, saying: Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

Just a day before the Israeli strike, US President Donald Trump had said an Israeli strike on Iran could very well happen" but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution. The US withdrew non-essential personnel from its missions in Iraq, Jordan, and several Gulf countries. The State Department issued updated travel advisories, and military assets were repositioned across the region in anticipation of possible fallout.

However, Washingtons role goes beyond military posture. While publicly disavowing military involvement, the US remains deeply invested in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and in managing the broader fallout from Israeli actions. Its long-standing diplomatic support for Israel, layered sanctions on Iran, and simultaneous pursuit of backchannel diplomacy highlight Washingtons complex and often contradictory position in the conflict.

In short, the US is not a neutral bystander, it is a strategic actor balancing alliance, deterrence, and diplomacy.

What Is the Israel-Iran Conflict Really About?

The Israel-Iran conflict is a decades-long power struggle rooted in ideology, security threats, and competing visions for the Middle East.

Israel sees Iran as its most dangerous enemy, primarily due to Tehrans pursuit of nuclear capabilities, its calls for Israels destruction, and its sustained support for armed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran would permanently alter the strategic balance in the region and pose an existential threat to the Jewish state.

Iran, on the other hand, positions itself as a leader of the anti-Israel resistance and frequently uses its state media and proxy forces to denounce Israels legitimacy. It funds and arms militias across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Gaza that frequently launch attacks on Israeli territory.

Until recently, both countries operated through proxies, cyberattacks, and covert strikes. But the shift to open, direct attacksincluding Irans unprecedented missile strike on Israel in April and Israels latest bombing of Iranian soilmarks a dangerous new phase: state-on-state warfare, with fewer restraints and higher stakes.

How Did We Get Here? A Timeline Of Escalation

October 7, 2023: Hamas, backed by Iran, launched a deadly attack in southern Israel, killing over 1,100 people. Israel began a major military campaign in Gaza.

October 17, 2023: Irans Supreme Leader warned of broader regional conflict if Israel continued its campaign. Hezbollah opened a second front in northern Israel.

Dec 2023  Mar 2024: Israel escalated strikes on IRGC operatives in Syria, killing several senior commanders.

April 1, 2024: Israel bombed Irans consulate annex in Damascus, killing Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi. Iran vowed revenge.

April 1314, 2024: Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel, firing 300+ drones and missiles. Nearly all were intercepted.

April 19, 2024: Israel responded by bombing a radar site near Isfahan.

July 31, 2024: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.

Sept 2024: Israel killed senior Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut.

Oct 1, 2024: Iran fired 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.

Oct 26, 2024: Israel launched Days of Repentance, striking 20+ Iranian-linked sites.

JanMar 2025: Fighting intensified across multiple proxy frontsHezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Syria/Iraq.

AprJun 2025: Israel accused Iran of crossing the nuclear threshold. The IAEA reported declining transparency.

June 13, 2025: Israel launched Operation Rising Lion. Key nuclear and military targets hit. Iran may have lost top officials. The world watches to see what comes next.

What Happens Now?

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All eyes are on Iran. Retaliation is expectedwhether through direct missile strikes, proxy attacks, or cyber retaliation. The risk of wider regional war is at its highest in decades.

This is no longer a shadow conflict. With both nations striking at each others core assets and threatening escalation, the Middle East stands on the edge of a multi-front war. Whether diplomacy can still avert catastrophe remains to be seen.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 08:06 IST
Hong Kong actor Louis Koo says he has fallen in love after first visit to Malaysias Penang

Actor Louis Koo has expressed his fondness for the Malaysian state of Penang after visiting for the first time to promote his latest film Behind the Shadows.

Hong Kong actor Louis Koo. Photo from Koo's Instagram

"Although its my first time in Penang, Ive already fallen in love," Koo shared in a post shared on Weibo on Tuesday, according to The Star. "The human touch and yummy prawn noodles here are unforgettable to me."

Accompanying the post were three photos from his visit. Moved by the support from his Malaysian fans, Koo shared that he would be more than happy to return to the state if the opportunity arose. He also promised to make more time for fan photos during his next visit.

"I hope to return soon. Next time, Ill have more time to take pictures with you," he wrote.

Koo, 55, first gained fame with TVB dramas like "The Condor Heroes," "Detective Investigation Files IV," and "A Step into the Past." His performances in the late 1990s helped him establish a loyal fan base across Asia.

His latest film "Behind the Shadows" was released in Hong Kong on Thursday.
How Far Was BJ Medical College From Ahmedabad Airport? Distance, Height Curbs Near Runway Explained

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:08 IST

Ahmedabad AI plane crash: What should be the height of the building near an airport? How far from the runway is construction allowed? A look at what the rules say

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane first hit the mess building of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital and then crashed into the Atulyam Hostel, where senior residents doctors stayed.

An Air India flight en route London crashed minutes after it took off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane first hit the mess building of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital and then crashed into the Atulyam Hostel, where senior resident doctors stayed. Both buildings suffered heavy damage and casualties.

The BJ Medical College Civil Hospital is around 6 km away from the airport.

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What should the height of the building near an airport be? How far from a runway can a building come up? A look at what the rules say.

The Last Meal | Untouched food, broken walls, scattered debris, plane tail still stuck on terrace  Horrifying visuals show the trail of death and destruction that followed after an Air India flight came crashing into medical college hostel #AirIndiaCrash #AhmedabadTragedy pic.twitter.com/krGu5YBpRq News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2025

THE AIRCRAFT (SECURITY) AMENDMENT RULES 2024

The Ministry of Civil Aviations Aircraft (Security) Amendment Rules 2024 regulate the height of buildings around airports to ensure aircraft safety. These rules aim to prevent buildings from becoming obstacles for takeoff and landing paths and other aircraft operations.

No construction is allowed within 150 meters of runways.

150-500 meter space is limited for airport operations.

Height can increase with distance: The further away from the runway, the taller buildings can be, but the height increase is not linear.

Take-off and landing paths have different height limits: A one-meter increase in height is allowed for every seven meters away from the runway, except for take-off and landing paths where it is one-meter increase for every 20 meters.

#AhmedabadPlaneCrash | Investigators are exploring four critical theories behind the Boeing 787 crash: double engine failure, bird hit angle, fuel contamination, and heat-related load issues@Arunima24 shares more details | @kritsween pic.twitter.com/I5Pzh9hj1c News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2025

DYNAMIC HEIGHT LIMITS

The rules allow for progressively taller buildings further away from the airport.

A 100-meter high building could be located approximately 1.2 km from the runway.

A 150-meter high building could be around 1.5 km from the runway.

Beyond 3.5 km from the runway (in take-off/landing paths), buildings could potentially climb higher.

A 200-meter high building could be 1.9 km away (or 4.5 km in take-off/landing paths).

A 300-meter high building could be 2.6 km away (or 6.5 km in take-off/landing paths).

IN CASE OF VIOLATION

Violation of height restrictions can lead to demolition of the structure.

Building developers are required to obtain NOCs (No Objection Certificates) from the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for structures above 150-300 meters, according to Citizen Matters.

RULE CHANGE FOR MUMBAI

Earlier this year, to allow redevelopment of buildings and permit them to go taller in areas such as Santacruz, Vile Parle and Kurla that are in the vicinity of the airport, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is also the Housing Minister, announced that the state government has made an amendment to the Brihanmumbai Development Control and Promotion Rules-2034. The amendment will allow the redevelopment of buildings affected by height restrictions in the funnel zone of the airport.

The funnel zone is the airspace around the airports runways and approach paths. It is designated to ensure flight safety around airports during take-off and landing.

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While making the announcement in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shinde said, If the site cannot be used due to height restrictions, then the Transferable Development Right (TDR) of that area will be made available to the owner."

With Agency Inputs

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 15:58 IST
What Is Iranian Revolutionary Guards? Who Is IRG Commander Hossein Salami Killed In Israel Strike?

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News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:26 IST

An influential Iranian military figure and the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Salami was killed in Israeli strikes on Friday

Hossein Salami became the commander-in-chief of the IRGC in 2019. (AFP)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that a wave of Israeli strikes on Iran had been very successful", warning they were only the opening salvos in a broader campaign against the Islamic republic.

We carried out a very successful opening strike, and with Gods help, we will achieve much more," Netanyahu said in a video statement. We have hit the senior command, we have hit senior scientists who are promoting the development of atomic bombs, we have hit nuclear facilities," he said.

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Iran state television said the Israeli strikes killed the Islamic republics highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri. The strikes also killed Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Irans Tasnim news agency reported.

WHAT IS THE IRANIAN REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS?

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC), officially known as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is a powerful branch of Irans military that was established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It was founded by Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution, to protect the newly established Islamic Republic of Iran and its ideals.

Its key roles and functions include:

Political and Military Power: The IRGC is tasked with defending the Islamic Republic of Iran and preserving its Islamic principles. While the regular military (Artesh) focuses on conventional warfare, the IRGC has a broader mission, often involving asymmetric warfare, political influence, and internal security. It operates independently of the regular Iranian army, and it reports directly to Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over military and political matters.

Military Arm: The IRGC is heavily involved in both conventional military operations and asymmetric warfare (like guerrilla tactics, covert operations, and proxy wars). Its elite unit, the Quds Force, focuses on operations outside Iran, supporting allies and proxies across the Middle East, notably in places like Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Security and Internal Affairs: The IRGC is responsible for maintaining internal security in Iran, which includes counterintelligence operations, policing, and even suppressing dissent. The Basij militia, a paramilitary force under the IRGC, is often used to control protests and uprisings.

Economic Power: The IRGC has substantial control over Irans economy. It owns a variety of businesses, from construction to energy, making it a key player in the countrys economic landscape. Its economic reach further enhances its power, giving it a stake in both domestic and international affairs.

Influence in Irans Foreign Policy: The IRGC plays a significant role in shaping Irans foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East. It has been involved in proxy wars, supporting groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Shiite militias in Iraq. The Quds Force, the IRGCs elite special operations unit, leads Irans operations abroad.

IDEOLOGY

The IRGC is ideologically driven by the teachings of Ayatollah Khomeini, with a strong emphasis on Shia Islamic principles. It views itself as the guardian of the Islamic Republic, ensuring that the nation remains true to its revolutionary ideals.

POWER STRUCTURE

The IRGC is led by a commander-in-chief, who has traditionally held significant influence in both military and political affairs. Major General Hossein Salami, who was killed in the latest strikes, had emphasised the IRGCs role as a defender of the Islamic Revolution and a critical actor in Iranian defence and foreign policy.

The IRGC is divided into several branches:

Ground Forces: Responsible for defending Irans borders and conducting conventional ground warfare.

Air Force: Includes fighter jets, drones, and ballistic missile operations.

Navy: Focuses on asymmetric naval warfare, often using small boats and missile systems to challenge larger Western forces in the Persian Gulf.

Quds Force: A special operations force that focuses on foreign operations, including supporting militant groups and conducting covert missions across the Middle East.

CONTROVERSIES

The IRGC is widely regarded as Irans most powerful institution, but it has also been the subject of international controversy due to its involvement in terrorist activities and supporting militant groups that challenge regional stability.

In 2019, the United States designated the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), marking the first time the US had formally declared a part of a foreign government as a terrorist entity. This designation reflects the IRGCs role in promoting extremism, supporting terror groups, and undermining peace in the region.

WHO WAS HOSSEIN SALAMI?

An influential Iranian military figure and the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, Salami was one of the most powerful figures in Iran, known for his leadership role in shaping Irans defence policies and its strategic military operations.

Salami was born in 1959 in Isfahan, Iran, and joined the IRGC after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power and led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He served in various military roles during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), where he quickly rose through the ranks due to his combat experience and strategic insight.

Salami became a prominent figure within the IRGC over the years, gaining a reputation as a strategist and military leader. He held several key positions, including in the IRGCs Aerospace Force, which oversees missile and drone operations. He played a key role in developing Irans missile programs, overseeing the expansion of Irans ballistic missile capabilities and its growing emphasis on asymmetric warfare, which involves using unconventional tactics such as guerilla warfare and proxy wars.

Salami became the commander-in-chief of the IRGC in 2019, succeeding Mohammad Ali Jafari. As the leader of the IRGC, he held significant sway over Irans military and foreign policies, particularly in the Middle East. Under his leadership, the IRGC continued to exert its influence through proxy groups across the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq, and Hamas in Gaza. Salami was a proponent of Irans Resistance Front", a network of alliances with these groups aimed at countering US and Israeli influence in the region.

Salami was known for his hardline stance on issues related to Israel, the US, and Saudi Arabia, frequently advocating for Iranian interests and positioning Iran as the leader of resistance movements across the Middle East. He had frequently warned of Irans ability to retaliate against any aggression, and strongly supported Irans missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli targets, including the 2019 attack on Saudi oil facilities and the 2020 assassination of General Qassem Soleimani.

WHAT DOES HIS DEATH MEAN?

Impact on Irans Military: Losing Salami has created a leadership vacuum within the IRGC, particularly as it continues to oversee military operations in places like Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, and manage the Iranian nuclear programme. His successor would need to navigate both internal and external challenges.

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Regional Consequences: Salamis death will likely exacerbate tensions in the Middle East. His leadership in Irans proxy wars and alliances with groups like Hezbollah and Hamas would mean that his loss could lead to a change in tactics or escalations in the region.

Political Fallout: As a key figure in the Iranian leadership, Salamis death could deepen political instability in Iran, particularly if it is perceived as a result of foreign strikes (likely by the US or Israel). The IRGC and its leadership are fiercely loyal to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and any disruption could trigger responses ranging from retaliatory strikes to internal power struggles within Irans leadership.

About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More

Location : Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 12:26 IST
Explained: What Will Sunday's US-Iran Nuclear Talks Be About, Will Israel's Offensive Upset Equations?

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:08 IST

The talks are aimed at finding a peaceful solution that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, while also lifting some of the harsh economic sanctions Iran faces.

Trump said his administration was "very close" to reaching a deal with Iran. (Reuters File Photo)

Will the US-Iran nuclear talks take place on Sunday, June 15? Doubts are being cast upon the status of the talks after Israel carried out strikes on Iran on Friday under Operation Rising Lion. Iran and the United States were scheduled to meet for a fresh round of nuclear talks in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday. This will be the sixth round of indirect discussions between the two sides since early 2025.

The talks are aimed at finding a peaceful solution that prevents Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, while also lifting some of the harsh economic sanctions Iran faces.

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When Did US-Iran Talks Begin?

Talks began earlier this year after Iran reportedly restarted parts of its nuclear program that it had paused under a 2015 deal (which the US left in 2018). The discussions have been slow and difficult.

Iran wants the US to lift sanctions that hurt its economy.

The US wants Iran to stop enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. The initial rounds of talks earlier this year focused on reversing enrichment activities that Iran had reportedly resumed after 2018 after Trump withdrew from the JCPOA.

The fourth round in May 2025 in Muscat was characterised as difficult but productive." Iran insisted on its right to limited enrichment, while the US demanded a complete halt

So far, no agreement has been reached. The fifth round continued the same deadlock.

In the last meeting, the US reportedly gave Iran a new offer to which Tehran was supposed to respond on Sunday

What Are The Big Issues?

Uranium Enrichment: Iran has been reportedly enriching uranium to nearly 60 per cent purity, which is close to the level needed to make a bomb. The US wants this to stop completely. Iran says it needs enriched uranium for peaceful purposes, like energy and medicine.

Inspections: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which checks nuclear sites, says Iran has blocked access to some of its facilities. The US and other countries want full access for inspectors.

Trust Issues: Iran says it doesnt trust the US to keep any promises, especially after the US pulled out of the 2015 deal. The US wants stronger guarantees that Iran wont break the rules again.

How Fridays Israeli Strikes Changed Everything

Just two days before the next round of talks, Israel launched airstrikes inside Iran, reportedly targeting military and nuclear-related sites. These strikes have made the situation even more tense.

Iran has blamed the US for not stopping Israel, while Israel claims it acted because diplomacy wasnt working. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in Israels strikes against Iran adding Tehran must not target US interests or personnel in the region. Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he added.

Some experts fear that the talks could collapse, or that Iran could pull out altogether in protest. However, US President Donald Trump on Friday said his country remains committed to a diplomatic resolution" to the Iran nuclear issue. He also said he had directed his administration to negotiate with Iran.

We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear weapon," the US President added.

What Could Happen on Sunday?

If the talks indeed take place and they go well, Iran might agree to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for some sanctions relief. That could reopen the path to a full deal later this year.

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However, if talks fail, tensions could rise even more. Iran may speed up its nuclear program, and Israel might strike again. Theres also a risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

If nothing changes, the US and Europe could push for more international sanctions through the United Nations. The IAEA may also declare Iran in serious violation of its agreements.

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 13, 2025, 14:08 IST
Whats Fuelling Israels Strikes On Iran? Inside The Nuclear Programme Raising Global Alarms

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:40 IST

With tensions soaring between Iran and Israel, Tehrans nuclear stockpile is once again under global scrutiny

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu points to a red line he drew on the graphic of a bomb used to represent Iran's nuclear program at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 27, 2012. (REUTERS/File Photo)

Tensions in West Asia have escalated into open confrontation. On June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had struck the Natanz nuclear facility, calling it the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme." Irans Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the facility sustained damage in the attack.

Earlier in the day, Iranian state television announced the deaths of General Hossein Salami, commander of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, and General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces. The deaths of two of Irans most senior military figures mark a significant escalation in the long-simmering conflict with Israel. Several other top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists are also believed to have been killed.

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These attacks follow months of Iranian missile activity and a growing stockpile of enriched uranium that has set alarm bells ringing globally.

At the centre of the Israel-Iran crisis lies a question that has dogged global diplomacy for over two decades: how close is Iran to developing a nuclear weapon? The Islamic Republic maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful. However, the IAEAs most recent report, dated mid-May 2025, paints a very different pictureone of uranium stockpiles far in excess of what was permitted under previous agreements, and enrichment levels just shy of weapons-grade.

What Does The IAEA Say About Irans Nuclear Stockpile?

According to the IAEAs May 2025 report, Irans total enriched uranium stockpile has reached 9,247.6 kilograms. This is more than 45 times the 300-kilogram limit set by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear agreement Iran signed with the P5+1  China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany.

ALSO READ: Tied To Both, Siding With Neither: Where India Stands On The IsraelIran Conflict

Of this, 408.6 kilograms have been enriched to up to 60 per cent purity. This is just short of the 90 per cent threshold considered weapons-grade. The IAEA says that if this near-weapons-grade uranium were further refined, Iran would theoretically have enough material for around 10 nuclear bombs. Enrichment to 90 per cent is necessary to make a nuclear weapon, but even reaching 60 per cent represents a major technical leapand one that has drastically shortened Irans so-called breakout time," the period it would take to accumulate enough fissile material for one bomb.

The IAEA had also recorded the presence of uranium particles enriched to 83.7 per cent at Fordow in 2023. Iran claimed these were caused by unintended fluctuations" in the enrichment process. However, the agencys concern has grown steadily in light of Irans reduced transparency and restrictions on inspections. Since 2021, IAEA inspectors have no longer had full access to continuous camera footage and real-time monitoring at key sites, significantly weakening the global watchdogs ability to verify Irans claims.

Yet, as of now, Iran has not officially declared enrichment to 90 per cent, and the IAEA has not reported a resumption of the structured nuclear weapons programme it believes was halted in 2003. Nevertheless, the agency and multiple analysts now consider Irans stockpile and infrastructure to be weapons-capable, even if not weaponised.

Why Iran Violated The Nuclear Deal: The Breakdown Of JCPOA

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015 by Iran and the P5+1 countries (the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China), placed strict limits on Irans nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Among its terms, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67 per cent and stockpile no more than 300 kg. It also had to shut down some facilities and submit to a stringent IAEA inspection regime.

The JCPOA was designed to build on Irans obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a global pact aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. As an NPT signatory, Iran had already committed to not pursuing nuclear arms, but suspicions over undisclosed sites and enrichment activities led to the 2015 agreement.

In 2018, US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal, calling it a bad agreement" and reimposing sanctions as part of a maximum pressure" campaign. Iran, in response, began scaling back its commitments under the deal, incrementally increasing enrichment levels and installing more advanced centrifuges. Multiple efforts to revive the agreement have since failed.

Inside Irans Nuclear Facilities: From Natanz To Fordow And Beyond

The IAEA continues to conduct regular inspections of declared Iranian nuclear sites, though with more limited access since the JCPOA broke down. The following facilities form the backbone of Irans enrichment and conversion infrastructure:

Natanz

Located about 250 km south of Tehran, Natanz is Irans main uranium enrichment site and a primary target of Israeli sabotage efforts. According to the IAEA, the facility operates nearly 70 cascades of centrifuges across its underground and surface plants. The existence of Natanz was first revealed in 2002 by an Iranian opposition group, triggering the global nuclear standoff.

The site suffered sabotage in April 2021, which Iran blamed on Israel. The latest strike on June 13, 2025, targeted this same facility, according to statements by both Netanyahu and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.

Fordow

Constructed secretly under a mountain near the holy city of Qom, Fordow was publicly disclosed in 2009. It was originally described as an emergency facility" meant to withstand aerial bombardment. Under the JCPOA, Iran had committed to halting all enrichment at Fordow, but this provision was abandoned post-2018.

In 2023, the IAEA detected uranium enriched to 83.7 per cent at this facility. Iran claimed the particles were due to process fluctuations, but the incident underscored the sites proximity to weapons-grade operations. Fordow is estimated to house around 3,000 centrifuges.

Isfahan

The Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan processes yellowcake into uranium tetrafluoride and then into uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6), the feedstock for centrifuge enrichment. According to the IAEA, Isfahan also contains a nuclear fuel fabrication plant and is the site of a new research reactor announced in 2022.

In April 2025, after Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel, the latter retaliated by reportedly striking an airbase near Isfahan, although the conversion facility itself remained unharmed.

Khondab (Arak)

The Arak heavy-water reactor, now called Khondab, was originally built to produce plutonium, another fissile material usable in weapons. Under the JCPOA, the core was disabled and filled with concrete. However, Iran has since notified the IAEA of plans to recommission the site by 2026, albeit in a redesigned format that reduces weapons-grade plutonium production. The site also contains a heavy-water production plant.

Tehran Nuclear Research Centre

Located in the capital, this centre houses a research reactor supplied by the United States in 1967. Its primary role is the production of medical radioisotopes. While not central to Irans enrichment programme, it remains under IAEA monitoring.

Bushehr

Irans only operational nuclear power station, Bushehr, was built by Russia and began full-scale operations in 2012. The facility continues to use Russian-supplied nuclear fuel, which is returned after use, thereby reducing proliferation risks. The IAEA maintains full oversight of this plant.

Darkhovin and Sirik

In late 2022, Iran began constructing a 300 MW power plant at Darkhovin. In early 2024, it started work on a large-scale nuclear power complex in Sirik, along the Strait of Hormuz. This complex is planned to include four reactors with a total capacity of 5,000 MW, according to Irans Atomic Energy Organisation.

So, Does Iran Want A Nuclear Bomb?

Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, such as energy generation and medical research, and it remains a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, international suspicion persists, rooted in the countrys history of undeclared facilities, delayed disclosures, and restricted access for inspectors. The discovery of enrichment levels far exceeding civilian needs, coupled with the secrecy surrounding some sites, has only deepened those doubts.

The IAEA has not found evidence of a current, structured weapons programme, but its latest reports confirm that Iran now possesses the technical capability, infrastructure, and enriched uranium to produce approximately 10 nuclear weapons, if it chooses to further refine its stockpile to weapons-grade levels. This so-called breakout capacity" is what makes the situation so volatile.

What Makes Irans Nuclear Ambitions Controversial

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What makes Irans nuclear ambitions particularly controversial is the strategic context: it operates in a region already rife with instability, and its nuclear advancement could prompt a regional arms race or pre-emptive strikes, particularly from Israel, which views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat.

What remains unknown, and most feared, is whether Iran will decide to cross the threshold from capability to weaponisation.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:35 IST
241 On Board, 10 At Hostel Among At Least 265 Fatalities In Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 21:54 IST

Ahmedabad Air India plane crash: 219 relatives of crash victims provide samples for DNA testing. While 50 have been injured, 8 bodies have been released to their families

Remains of the crashed Air India plane lie on a building, in Ahmedabad on Friday. (PTI)

A total of 241 of the 242 passengers on board and 10 from the BJ Medical College hostel are among the at least 265 killed in the Ahmedabad Air India (AI) plane crash on Thursday afternoon. While the Gujarat government is yet to confirm, the remaining casualties are suspected to be local residents in the vicinity of the hostel at the time of the crash.

The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane crashed within minutes of take-off hitting the mess building of BJ Medical College Civil Hospital and the Atulyam Hostel, where senior residents doctors stayed. The sole survivor from the flight is British national of Indian origin, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was returning to the UK with his brother, Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was seated in a different row.

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50 INJURED, 8 BODIES HANDED OVER, 219 UNDERGO DNA TESTS

As many as 219 relatives of the crash victims have provided samples for DNA testing to 36 experts from 10 Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams. These teams are identifying the remains, examining the black box, and conducting technical analysis.

A total of 50 people were injured, according to the state press release. Of these, 16 patients are receiving outpatient treatment. Twelve, whose condition is stable, are expected to be discharged soon. The remaining patients are being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

So far, eight bodies have been identified and released to their families.

FIRE SERVICES REACHED WITHIN 3 MINUTES

With a response time of three minutes, two fire service teams arrived at the scene and rescued more than 30 people. A total of 612 fire service personnel, equipped with 139 pieces of various fire equipment, helped extricate passengers trapped in the aircraft wreckage and transport injured individuals from the surrounding area for treatment. The police also deployed a specialist dog squad to search for bodies and human remains at the scene.

More than 250 Army personnel, one Rapid Action Force team, and three National Disaster Response Force-State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams and police carried out rescue and relief operations at the crash site.

CM Patel established a green corridor to facilitate swift transport of the injured to the hospital, and more than 100 ambulances were deployed.

Doctors and paramedical teams were on standby at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to treat the injured, with treatment commencing under the direct guidance of Health Minister Hrishikesh Patel.

247 CONTROL ROOM

While the Health, Police, and District Administration are working tirelessly, a team of 16 Deputy Collectors and 16 Mamlatdars, along with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), are on duty to assist those affected, said the release.

A 247 control room is operating at the SEOC and Civil Hospital. Accommodation and transport have been arranged for the relatives of the affected passengers.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed the system to participate in the rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who visited the site, also provided support from central agencies to the state government.

#AirIndiaPlaneCrash | The only challenge in the investigation will be to get the domain expert in the 787 otherwise it will not be a complicated investigation: @AurobindoH, DG, AAIBThe aviation safety in India is not as per the international standard, far more is required to pic.twitter.com/CRCSLvxOPl  News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2025

4 IAS OFFICERS TO GUIDE KIN

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The state government has assigned four IAS officers to assist relatives of the deceased and injured at the Civil Hospital.

The state government has approximately 150 personnel from the Municipal Corporation and Roads and Housing Department, 41 dumper trucks, 16 JCBs, and three excavators on standby to work with the Ministry of Civil Aviation at the crash site.

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 13, 2025, 20:15 IST
Ahmedabad Air India Crash Kills 265: 241 Of 242 On Board, Others On Ground

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:17 IST

The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national

The tail of the airplane is seen stuck in a building at the site of an airplane that crashed in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday as an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London with 242 people on board230 passengers, 10 crew members and two pilotscrashed within minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.

In an early morning post on X at 12.41am on Friday, Air India confirmed that 241 people had perished in the crash. A police official told news agency PTI that 265 bodies had been brought to the hospital. The plane had crashed into the mess area of a medical college hostel, causing what appears to be at lease two dozen fatalities on the ground.

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Air India confirms that flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on 12 June 2025, was involved in an accident. The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin," Air India posted on X.

Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident. Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200. Regular updates will continue on Air Indias X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com as further information comes to hand," it added.

The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Speaking to the media, Ramesh said: Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly."

Among the deceased was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani who was on his way to London to meet his family.

The plane, which struggled to gain altitude, slammed into a hostel for doctors of a medical college, immediately killing five students.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had expressed shock and grief over the crash, visited Ahmedabad on Friday. The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," the PM tweeted on Thursday.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY

At around 1.38pm, videos of the aircraft showed it flying low over a residential area and struggling to gain altitude. Within minutes, it hits the ground and explodes in a massive ball of fire. What seems to have compounded the impact was the fact that the airliner was loaded with aviation fuel since it was set to fly all the way to London.

It was also revealed that shortly after takeoff, the pilot sent out a Mayday" call, but when Air Traffic Control tried to make repeated attempts to get in touch with the flight, there was no response.

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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he is personally monitoring the situation and directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families," he said in a post on X.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement said the aircraft piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of experience made a mayday call just before the crash.

About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 07:47 IST
AI Dreamliner That Crashed Was 11 Years Old: Does Age Of Aircraft Matter? What Govt Rules Say

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:02 IST

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not prescribed guidelines specifying a lifespan for an aircraft to fly in India

Remains of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on June 12. (Image: PTI)

Nearly 30% of the aircraft operating for passenger travel in India belong to Air India, but the operator also employs the oldest fleet, with 70 of its aircraft being over a decade old, government data shows. The Ahmedabad crash has brought Air India into focus.

Of the 188 aircraft that Air India had operational before the Ahmedabad crash, 43 are more than 15 years old, while 27 others are aged between 10 and 15 years, according to government data presented to Parliament this March. A total of 59 Air India aircraft are aged between 5 and 10 years, while 69 are less than five years old. This means 37% of Air Indias fleet is over 10 years old.

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The ill-fated Air India aircraft that crashed on Thursday, killing all on board except one lucky survivor, was 11 years old.

#WATCH | The wreckage of the AI-171 plane hangs from BJ Medical Colleges building, which it crashed into soon after take-off from Ahmedabad airport yesterdayPM Modi visited the plane crash site today to assess the ground situation. (video source: DD) pic.twitter.com/ScTDNv5nYz  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

The government told Parliament in March that IndiGo operated the most aircraft at 319, while Air India Express Ltd operated 101. IndiGo, however, has a much younger fleet than Air India, as 283 of its aircraft are less than 5 years old, while only 23 aircraft are over a decade old. A total of 97 aircraft with IndiGo are aged between 5 and 10 years.

Air India placed orders for 405 new aircraft in 2023-24  305 in 2023 and 100 in 2024. These orders are part of 1,359 total new aircraft orders by various Indian airlines since 2022.

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not prescribed guidelines specifying a lifespan for an aircraft to fly in India. Aircraft are considered airworthy provided the maintenance is as per the approved schedule laid down by the manufacturer. Aircraft registered in India may operate as long as the type certificate is valid for the type of aircraft and the aircraft is under production/maintenance support provided by the manufacturer for continuous operation," the government said in its parliamentary reply.

The aircraft may be withdrawn from operation by an operator if it becomes beyond economic repair or is permanently withdrawn from use for any reason, such as spares not being available, the government added.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:22 IST
Am I Boarding A Dreamliner? As Anxious Fliers Search The Net, A Look At Airlines Fleets

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:09 IST

According to documents listed by airlines, Boeing 787-8, the type involved in Thursdays crash in Ahmedabad, is flown exclusively by Air India

The tail of the airplane is seen stuck in a building at the site of an airplane that crashed in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

The devastating crash of Air Indias Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) on June 12, shortly after take-off from the Ahmedabad international airport, has put a spotlight on Indias wide-body operations and the fleet.

Following Thursdays crash, high search volumes for Boeing planes have been noticed across all search engines, with peoples anxiety levels rising, said a senior officer serving in the aviation ministry, adding the government will undertake a thorough audit of the specific Boeing fleet as per protocol.

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ALSO READ | Ahmedabad Plane Crash News LIVE Updates HERE

The government is likely to seek details about the fleets of Indian operators, he added.

FEAR IN THE SKY, FRANTIC SEARCHES BY PASSENGERS

Is this flight a Boeing?" or Which airlines fly Boeing aircraft in India?" are trending across social platforms and all travel forums, the officer pointed out.

Fliers are more conscious and anxious about the make and model of the jets they are about to board. It is also a reminder that fleet composition is not just airline trivia anymore.

A tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad has claimed 241 lives, leaving families in grief and chaos. Prime Minister visits the injured and survivors, while forensic teams work tirelessly at the crash site. DNA identification is underway for the charred remains, as anger rises among pic.twitter.com/mbkpdxB3SM News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2025

INDIAS FLEET COMBINATION: WHOS FLYING WHAT?

The Indian aviation industry map is currently sharply divided between Airbus narrow-bodies and Boeing wide-bodies.

Even though passengers are unaware of the technological details, the technical or mechanical knowledge about the aircraft, the searches and the trends show how passengers want to know which plane they are going to board, the brand, the make, and if that specific make was previously involved in any air mishap," said another senior officer who formerly served in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

As per available records, IndiGo, the market leader with a fleet exceeding 430 aircraft, flies only Airbus (A320neo, A321neo) and ATR turboprops. It has no Boeing aircraft in active operation, though a few wet-leased wide-bodies have been used temporarily.

On its website, the airline stated, IndiGo operates the Airbus A320 CEO & NEO, the A321 NEO and the ATR 72-600 aircraft. The seating capacity on the A320 CEO fleet is 180, A-320 NEO fleet is 180/186, the A321 fleet is 222/232 and ATR Fleet is 78."

Meanwhile, the Air India Group, post-merger, operates a mixed fleet of Airbus A320 family, A350s, and Boeing 787-8s, 787-9s, and 777-300ERs.

Akasa, Indias youngest airline, flies a pure Boeing 737 MAX fleet. No wide-bodies as of now. On its website, giving its fleet details, Akasa stated, With a strong commitment to democratising the skies, Akasa will induct a fleet of 226 ultra-modern, brand-new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by the highly fuel-efficient CFM LEAP-1B engine, over a period of ten years. The 737 MAX family provides the lowest seat-mile costs for a single-aisle aeroplane as well as high dispatch reliability and enhanced passenger experience, lower airframe maintenance cost and 50% less noise."

Every aeroplane features the Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls, window reveals and LED lighting that enhances cabin experience. With this fleet, Akasa Air is positioned to become an environmentally progressive company with the youngest and greenest fleet in the Indian skies," it added.

SpiceJet, however, does not operate Dreamliners.

After the Ahmedabad plane crash, a makeshift facility supporting grieving families, offering DNA sampling and psychological aid has been set up as they await identification of their loved ones.@kotakyesha with @GrihaAtul | #AhmedabadPlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/SDah0ZsJAu News18 (@CNNnews18) June 13, 2025

THE DREAMLINERS, A NARROW CLUB

According to documents listed by aviation operators, Boeing 787-8, involved in Thursdays crash, is flown exclusively by Air India.

Air India, now fully merged with Vistara in 2024, operates around 27 Boeing 787-8s, used primarily on medium- to long-haul routes across Europe, Australia, East Asia, the Gulf and Middle East. The aircraft involved in the crash, VT-ANB, was among the first Dreamliners inducted into the fleet back in the 201214 timeframe.

Meanwhile, Vistaras former wide-body fleet of seven Boeing 787-9s is now part of the Air India mainline operation. These, known as the longer-range, stretched Dreamliners, continue to serve key intercontinental routes like London, Frankfurt, Tokyo and other international sectors.

BETWEEN AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL OPERATIONS

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Airbus manufactures planes that have advanced automatic technologies, while Boeing gives the pilots more control. Both manufacturers have their own definitions for their technologies regarding minimising error in the air.

The 787-8, once hailed as the aircraft that was supposed to revolutionise long-haul flying, is now under intense scrutiny. The crash of VT-ANB has raised tough questions, not only about Boeings design but also about the aircrafts age, pilot alertness, and any maintenance oversight, the senior officer added.

About the Author Madhuparna Das Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More Madhuparna Das, Associate Editor (policy) at CNN News 18, has been in journalism for nearly 14 years. She has extensively been covering politics, policy, crime and internal security issues. She has covered Naxa... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 11:53 IST
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: London Man Who Came To India To Immerse Wife's Ashes Among The Dead

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:01 IST

After immersing his wife's ashes in Gujarat, Arjunbhai Patoliya died in the Ahmedabad plane crash on Thursday, leaving their two young daughters behind in London

Arjunbhai Manubhai Patoliya had arrived in Gujarat just days ago after his wife, Bharatiben, passed away in London merely a week earlier. (News18 Hindi)

In the wake of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, harrowing personal stories are surfacing, each more heartbreaking than the last. Among them is a tragedy that reads almost like a cruel twist of fate; a man who had flown from London to Ahmedabad to fulfill his late wifes last wish has now died in the plane crash, leaving behind two orphaned young daughters back in London.

Arjunbhai Manubhai Patoliya, a native of Wadia village in Gujarats Amreli district and a resident of London, had arrived in Ahmedabad just days ago. His wife, Bharatiben, passed away in London merely a week earlier. Her final wish was that her ashes be immersed in the waters of her ancestral village. Arjun came alone to India, leaving behind their two daughters  aged merely 8 and 4  in London, so that he could personally carry out her final rites.

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According to family sources, after performing the religious rituals and immersing his wifes ashes in a village pond and river as per her wish, Arjun boarded the ill-fated Air India flight to return to London. But fate had other plans. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, claiming his life along with hundreds of others.

Back in London, two little girls waited for their father, unaware that they had already lost both parents within the span of a week. With no immediate guardian present, their future now hangs in uncertainty.

In Amreli, the news of Arjunbhais death has left his extended family and community members stunned and grief-stricken. Mourning has spread across Wadia village where just days earlier, villagers had gathered to witness the immersion of Bharatibens ashes.

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Arjunbhais father had passed away earlier, and his elderly mother, who lives in Surat, is reportedly in deep shock and unable to travel. The question tormenting everyone now is, who will perform Arjuns last rites, and who will care for his daughters in London?

The dual tragedy  a couple lost within days, and two small children left behind  is being described as one of the most emotionally wrenching stories to emerge from the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Location : Amreli | Ahmedabad, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:01 IST
DGCA Orders Inspection Of Air India's Boeing Fleet, Black Box Recovered From Hostel Roof | 10 Points

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:33 IST

Air India Flight AI-171 crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday, killing all but one of the 242 passengers aboard.

PM Modi visited the Ahmedabad plane crash site on Friday. (Image: X)

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: India experienced one of its worst aviation disasters after a London-bound Air India flight crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, resulting in overwhelming loss of life that shook the nation.

Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. It was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members to the London Gatwick Airport (LGW).

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As many as 265 bodies have been brought to the citys civil hospital following the horrific crash, a police official said. The Central government has initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the crash, and an investigation team from the UK is also coordinating with Indian authorities.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Top Points

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) said at least 10 people at the BJ Medical College hostel, where the plane crashed, had died. Four of them were medical students and six were relatives of resident doctors. Around 270 bodies had been admitted, said Dhawal Gameti, Vice President, FAIMA. The Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered an enhanced safety inspection of Air Indias Boeing fleet, including checks of fuel parameter, cabin air compressor and more. A day after the crash, authorities found the Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) from the roof of the medical hostel, which will help in revealing what triggered the accident. The black box provides a second-by-second reconstruction of what happened inside the cockpit and across the aircraft systems before the crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad in the wake of the deadly plane crash. He pledged full government support for the families of the victims and called for a thorough probe into the incident. He also met the lone survivor, Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson met Prime Minister Modi on Friday and briefed him about the steps taken by the airline after the accident. Wilson promised to provide all possible help to the affected families. The meeting between the two lasted for 20 minutes. The Central government has set up a high-level committee to probe the crash. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had visited the Air India crash site yesterday and ruled out any foul play, according to sources. Earlier in the day, the postmortem of all the bodies was completed, and the pilot, co-pilot, and one crew member aboard the doomed flight had been identified. A total of 8 bodies have been identified so far. Over 200 DNA samples had been collected from the victims families and are being verified against retrieved bodies from the crash site. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said an official death count would be given after the DNA analysis was completed, a process that can take 72 hours. Chaos ensued at Ahmedabads Civil Hospital as relatives of victims started rushing to the facility. Authorities appealed to the public to cooperate with the green corridor for the ambulance. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron met Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying India and the UK are working together to determine the cause of teh crash. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was in touch with his counterparts from the UK, Portugal, and Canada regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash.

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Air India had confirmed in the early hours of Friday that 241 passengers had lost their lives, while one British national miraculously survived the crash. As many as 265 bodies had been brought to the citys civil hospital.

The UKs Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) formally offered its assistance, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced it would send a team of investigators to India to support the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) India-led investigation.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:05 IST
Indonesian police have arrested dozens on the popular resort island of Bali for allegedly running a love scam syndicate targeting American men.

Police made the arrests after being tipped off about suspicious activity at a rented home in Denpasar, the island's capital.

A total of 38 suspects, seven of them women, were arrested.

"The suspects arrested worked as operators whose job is to find the love scam victims, they targeted Americans who have a Telegram account," Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya told a press conference on Wednesday.

"They pretended to be women by using women's pictures and fake identity to ensnare their victims."

The suspects confessed they were working for someone who controlled the business from Cambodia to lure American men to hand over sensitive information, Daniel said.

They chatted up their victims through the Telegram messenger app and sent them fake links.

The suspects were paid US$200 each per month to steal the victims' data and information, Daniel said.

Police initially detained nine suspects together, leading to the arrest of the others accused of a role in the syndicate.

The suspects, all Indonesians, face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty of violating the country's electronic transaction law.

Police had previously said many scammers had moved to Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries after China cracked down on domestic networks.

In 2019, Indonesian police arrested 85 Chinese nationals and six Indonesians over an online scam that tricked victims out of millions of dollars.

In 2023, they arrested 88 Chinese nationals in Batam, in the Indonesian province of Riau Islands, for running a syndicate that has scammed hundreds of victims in China by luring them into sexual acts and then blackmailing them with video footage.

Many of the victims were public officials, police said.
Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:44 IST

Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash News Updates: A devastating crash occurred when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), plummeted to the ground minutes after departing from Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.

The flight, destined for London Gatwick Airport (LGW), carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The tragic incident occurred around 1.39 pm local time (08.09 GMT).

Air India confirmed that 241 on board the doomed flight had died. The plane crashed into a medical college hostels mess area, resulting in additional fatalities on the ground. A total of 265 bodies, including medical students, were taken to the citys civil hospital till late Thursday night, a police official told news agency PTI.

Among the confirmed fatalities from the aircraft was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat (2016-2021), who was reportedly en route to London to meet his family. However, amidst the tragedy, a miracle emerged: Ramesh Viswashkumar, approximately 40 years old, was confirmed as the sole survivor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad on Friday morning, pledging full government support for the victims families, calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. He also met the lone survivor, Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, in the hospital.
Air India Crash Reached 1,000C  How Can The Flight's Black Box And DVR Withstand?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:42 IST

Police have recovered one black box from the wreckage of the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad. Efforts to find the second box continue.

A black box is actually a bright orange device designed to withstand the most extreme crash conditions. (AFP file photo)

A day after the devastating crash of a London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad, investigators have recovered one of the aircrafts black boxes, a critical tool in uncovering what led to the disaster that killed over 240 people onboard.

Police confirmed on Friday that search teams had retrieved one black box from the wreckage. Efforts are ongoing to locate the second black box and the digital video recorder (DVR), which could provide vital clues.

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The temperature in and around the crashed Air India plane soared to a blazing 1,000C. Officials at the site described it as an inferno, saying, Even dogs and birds could not escape." So how do the black box and DVR withstand such extreme conditions?

ALSO READ: PM Modi Visits Ahmedabad Plane Crash Site, Black Box Recovered | 10 Points

What Is A Black Box?

Contrary to its name, a black box is actually a bright orange device designed to withstand the most extreme crash conditions. Commercial planes carry two types of black boxes:

Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Tracks flight details like altitude, speed, engine power, and path.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Captures all sounds in the cockpit  from pilot conversations to alarms and radio calls.

These devices are typically located near the tail of the aircraft, where the impact is often less severe.

Why Doesnt It Burn?

Black boxes are built using tough materials like titanium or steel, and they are encased in fireproof insulation. They are tested to survive:

Fires of over 1,100C for at least one hour

Crashes with forces of over 3,400 times gravity

Deep-sea pressure for underwater crashes

High-speed impacts and sharp debris

They also contain underwater locator beacons, which emit signals for up to 30 days to help recovery teams find them.

What About The DVR?

The Digital Video Recorder (DVR) stores CCTV footage from aircraft cameras  including cabin and cockpit views. While not as heavily protected as black boxes, it is still built to survive high temperatures and impacts. The footage it stores can offer visual evidence to support data and audio recordings.

Why This Matters In The Air India Crash

In Thursdays crash, understanding whether the cause was technical failure, engine fire, bird strike, or pilot error will be crucial. The black box will help reconstruct every second before the crash  including whether a distress call was made or any system warnings were triggered.

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With only one confirmed survivor from the ill-fated plane, and with students from nearby medical college hostels and others on the crash site also among the victims, police have reported that 265 bodies have been brought to the civil hospital. Officials have yet to confirm the final death toll. In this tragedy, the black box and DVR are the only witnesses" left to reveal the full story.

ALSO READ: Black Box Of Air Indias Ahmedabad Flight Found: What It Could Tell Us About The Plane Crash

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 13, 2025, 17:39 IST
Multiple Air India Flights Return To India As Iran Closes Airspace Amid Israeli Attacks

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:33 IST

Air India said 16 of its flights were disrupted or diverted due to the closure of Iranian airspace following escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

A photo of an Air India flight (PTI)

Multiple Air India flights were either diverted or were returning to their origin in the wake of the closure of Irans airspace, the airline said on Friday.

We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it, including providing accommodation for passengers," Air India said.

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Air India listed 16 of its flights affected due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

AI130  London Heathrow-Mumbai  Diverted to Vienna

AI102  New York-Delhi  Diverted to Sharjah

AI116  New York-Mumbai  Diverted to Jeddah

AI2018  London Heathrow-Delhi  Diverted to Mumbai

AI129  Mumbai-London Heathrow  Returning to Mumbai

AI119  Mumbai-New York  Returning to Mumbai

AI103  Delhi-Washington  Returning to Delhi

AI106  Newark-Delhi  Returning to Delhi

AI188  Vancouver-Delhi  Diverting to Jeddah

AI101  Delhi-New York  Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan

AI126  Chicago-Delhi  Diverting to Jeddah

AI132  London Heathrow-Bengaluru  Diverted to Sharjah

AI2016  London Heathrow-Delhi  Diverted to Vienna

AI104  Washington-Delhi  Diverted to Vienna

AI190  Toronto-Delhi  Diverted to Frankfurt

AI189  Delhi-Toronto  Returning to Delhi

Earlier today, data on Flightradar24 showed multiple flights returning to India. However, the reasons were not immediately known.

WHAT HAPPENED IN IRAN?

Israel said it targeted Irans nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the countrys main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

Iranian state television reported that Hossein Salami, the chief of the elite Revolutionary Guards corps, had been killed and the units headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, it said.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

AIR INDIA CRASH IN AHMEDABAD

Thursdays Air India crash killed 241 on board the ill-fated flight, leaving one survivor, who was receiving treatment at a hospital.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), with 242 people onboard, including Gujarats former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Later, it was revealed that the flight was carrying 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian.

The aircraft could be seen from afar, losing altitude rapidly and crashing in a ball of fire that sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

Four MBBS students and a doctors wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.

The operation to clear the site of the crash continued overnight and is in the last stages, the official said on Friday.

In the latest, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday morning.

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information regarding the entire incident.

Shah said on Thursday that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft.

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Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests.

Air India Flight Crash: Visuals From Rescue Ops And Civil Hospital In Ahmedabad

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 13, 2025, 08:40 IST
'How Is It Possible': Newspaper Ad's Eerie Resemblance To Air India Crash In Ahmedabad

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:07 IST

A KidZania advertisement in the Mid-Day newspaper for Fathers Day is widely being shared for its uncanny resemblance to the tragic Air India crash that occurred the same day.

Air India Kidzania ad/Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad (Photos: Social Media/PTI)

A KidZania advertisement for an upcoming event for Fathers Day is in the spotlight for its eerie resemblance to the Air India plane crash tragedy in Ahmedabad, which claimed more than 240 lives on June 12.

Social media users are sharing pictures of the Mid-Day newspaper advertisement, which features an Air India aircraft emerging from a building facade.

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In a greater coincidence, the advertisement was printed in Thursdays newspaper, the same day when the tragic Air India plane crash happened.

Air Indias Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a building seconds after it took off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Images from the crash showed the aircrafts tail clinging to the building, while the rest of the parts were believed to be burnt.

Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived.

Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla was one of those who shared the striking resemblance between the advertisement and the real life accident on X.

This is a somber moment as reality mirrors an unintended prophecy. The Mid-Day newspaper ad from KidZania featuring an Air India plane inside a building has eerily come to pass with the tragic crash of an Air India Dreamliner into the BJ Medical College," he wrote.

Others asked if the magazine predicted the Air India plane crash.

Did the Mid-day Magazine predict the Ahemdabad plane crash," another X user asked.

How is this possible?" another one asked.

ALSO READ | Multiple Air India Flights Return To India As Iran Closes Airspace Amid Israeli Attacks

Air India teamed up with KidZania in June last year to launch the Air India Aviation Academy at KidZanias centres in Noida and Mumbai.

This new initiative was all about getting kids excited about aviation through fun and realistic role-playing activities.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft had on Thursday departed from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew.

Air India said it offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones," the airline said, soon after the crash.

A team of caregivers from Air India later visited Ahmedabad to provide additional support.

It also said that the airline was giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

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Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200, it said.

ALSO READ | Heartbreaking: PM Modi Visits Air India Crash Site, Meets Sole Survivor At Ahmedabad Hospital

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 13, 2025, 14:02 IST
Air India Plane In Ahmedabad Crash Had Flown To Paris, Other Foreign Cities This Month

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:27 IST

The plane with registration number VT-ANB was supposed to return from London today and land in Goa. It was to then fly to Delhi today.

Remains of the Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on June 12. (Image: PTI)

The ill-fated Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, had flown to several international destinations this month, including Melbourne, Paris, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan and Amsterdam. These were long-haul flights like the one headed to London on Thursday from Ahmedabad. The aircraft took 19 flights this month itself, including multiple trips to Paris.

The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which is a mid-size, twin-engine, wide-body jet airliner. The plane with registration number VT-ANB was supposed to return from London today and land in Goa. It was to then fly to Delhi today. The last successful flight that this aircraft took was from Delhi to Ahmedabad on the morning of July 12.

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Before this, this aircraft had flown from Delhi to Paris and back on June 11. On June 9-10, this aircraft had flown the Delhi-Tokyo sector and the Delhi-Melbourne Sector on June 8. On June 7, this aircraft had flown the Delhi-Paris sector again, and on June 6, the flight had flown the Delhi-Frankfurt sector. On June 5, the flight had flown the Delhi-Paris sector as well.

The aircraft took a break on June 4. On June 3, the aircraft flew from Delhi to Milan, Italy, and back. On June 2, this aircraft flew the Delhi-Zurich sector, and the Delhi-Amsterdam sector on June 1.

Daily Mail reported quoting an Aviation Projects managing director Keith Tonkin that investigations into the crash would be needed to determine whether there was a technical fault with the plane that was present during the Melbourne journeys.

If the primary causal factor(s) could be replicated at a different airport under similar circumstances, then it would be fair to conclude that the accident could happen at Melbourne Airport," Tonkin was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

Reports from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirm that the pilots issued a MAYDAY" call to air traffic control (ATC) shortly after takeoff, indicating an immediate and grave emergency. Tragically, the aircraft did not respond to subsequent calls from ATC.

Hours after the tragic crash, the authorities found the black boxes that will help in revealing what triggered the accident. The black box was seized by the NSG on Thursday.

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Air India confirmed that 241 on board the doomed flight on Thursday had died while only one passenger survived. The plane crashed into a medical college hostel mess area in Ahmedabad, resulting in fatalities on the ground too. A total of 265 bodies, including medical students, were taken to the citys civil hospital till late Thursday night, a police official told news agency PTI.

The postmortem of all the bodies was completed, and preparations were underway to preserve them. The pilot, co-pilot, and one crew member have been identified. The bodies of 10 medical students have also been identified.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 09:27 IST
Bird Strike, Engine Failure Or Flap Error? Experts List Possible Causes Of Ahmedabad Air India Crash

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:08 IST

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Speaking to CNN-News18, Captain Steve, an international aviation expert, pointed to the possibility of a bird strike.

Identification of the 241 people killed in Air India crash in Ahmedabad is currently in process. (AP Photo)

As authorities probe the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which claimed over 200 lives shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, aviation experts reflected on the probable causes that may have caused the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to go down. The aircraft was headed to London Gatwick and crashed into a doctors hostel, killing passengers and several people on the ground.

Bird Strike Possible, But Unlikely Alone

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Speaking to CNN-News18, Captain Steve, an international aviation expert, pointed to the possibility of a bird strike. However, he stressed that it would likely require a large number of birds" to cripple such a modern aircraft. Bird hit may be a possibility, but then it has to be lots of birds," he said.

Flap Retraction Or Pilot Error?

Captain Steve raised concerns about flap mismanagement. If the flaps were retracted prematurely during takeoff, the plane could have lost lift, he said, adding, Another plausible theory is that the co-pilot could have raised the flap too early."

That loss of lift at low altitude could explain the aircrafts inability to gain height, he said.

Loss Of Power In Both Engines?

Aviation expert Ajay Ramakrishnan told news agency ANI that commercial aircraft like the 787 are designed to fly even if one engine fails. He said, This plane should have been able to continue the flight even if one of its engines had failed. If that didnt happen, it points to possible power loss in both engines, though we need to wait for the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) to confirm anything." He also emphasised that fuel contamination is unlikely and said analysis of black box data will be crucial for identifying the cause.

Aviation analyst Devesh Agarwal underlined the significance of the incident, especially as it involves the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most widely trusted aircraft models. He told ANI, This 787 Dreamliner is Boeings most modern plane. All its safety systems are intact, and it uses reliable engines trusted by airlines and regulators across the world."

He explained, Accidents never happen due to a single point of reason. There are always a series of failures or factors that align. Thats why it is important to investigate this matter deeply. The whole world has its eyes on this accident."

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What Next?

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal inquiry into the crash, in line with ICAO protocols. The government has also constituted a high-level committee of experts to examine the incident and recommend future safety enhancements.

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?"

First Published: June 13, 2025, 18:37 IST
'Feels Unreal That He's No Longer With Us': Vijay Rupani's Kolkata-Based Cousin To News18

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:36 IST

Rupani, who served as the chief minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021, was among the people killed in the Ahmedabad Air India crash on Thursday

Vipul fondly remembered Vijay Rupani as the pillar of their family, highlighting his warmth and generosity. File pic/News18

Among the casualties of Thursdays horrific Air India crash in Ahmedabad was former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, leaving his family and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in deep sorrow.

Vijay Rupanis cousin, Vipul Rupani, who resides in Kolkata, spoke exclusively with CNN-News18, expressing his shock and grief.

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We first heard about the crash on TV news. Initially, we couldnt believe it. We then reached out to the family, and it was devastating to have it confirmed. Some family members have already left for Ahmedabad, and well be going shortly. There are a lot of formalities to take care of," he said, visibly shaken.

Vipul fondly remembered Vijay Rupani as the pillar of their family, highlighting his warmth and generosity. He was like an elder brother to all of usalways helpful and cordial. Just last year, he visited Kolkata and spent more than three hours with us. We had such a wonderful time together. He was truly a gentleman and deeply committed to social work."

The London-bound Air India flight, AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

In an early morning post on X at 12.41 am on Friday, Air India confirmed that 241 people had perished in the crash. A police official told news agency PTI that 265 bodies had been brought to the civil hospital. The plane had crashed into the mess area of a medical college hostel, causing what appears to be at least two dozen fatalities on the ground.

Expressing his profound grief, Vipul added, We really dont know how well come to terms with this. It feels unreal that hes no longer with us."

The untimely death of Vijay Rupani, a respected political leader and beloved family member, has left an irreplaceable void, according to his family. The entire Rupani family is struggling to accept the loss of their big brother", and the mourning is expected to continue for days to come.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the family of the former Gujarat CM in Ahmedabad.

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It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. Ive known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Partys ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarats Chief Minister," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Rupani served as the chief minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021, before resigning ahead of the 2022 state elections.

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 13, 2025, 17:36 IST
Vijay Rupani: From ABVP To Gujarats Go-To Man, Remembering BJPs Quiet Crisis Manager

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:13 IST

A man of few words, always calm, respectful, and groundedVijay Rupanis legacy is one of grace, service, and simplicity

Vijay Rupani bowed out of electoral politics before the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections. (PTI)

He began his political journey with the ABVP, moving on to become an RSS Pracharak, a Jan Sangh member, and later, one of the founding members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He was even imprisoned during the Emergency in 1976. This was the trajectory of Vijay Rupania journey familiar to many of us who followed Gujarat politics closely.

I first encountered Rupani in late 2014 when I was newly assigned to cover Parliament. As a fellow Gujarati, I was thrilled to meet someone from my home statemore so because he hailed from Rajkot, not far from my familys roots in Morbi, both towns nestled in the Saurashtra region. Rupani was cautious in his public speech, much like many seasoned Gujarat politicians, who often avoided media soundbites. Yet every time he saw me among a group of journalists, he greeted me with his signature warmth: Kem cho, Ben?"

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A couple of years later, Gujarat politics was in turmoil againthis time over who would succeed then chief minister Anandiben Patel. Rupani confided in a few of us in Parliament that he was being called back to Gujarat. The very next day, I found myself at the BJP office in Gandhinagar. True to BJP tradition, I joked with Rupani: Im not even mentioning your name as a contender because the moment we do that in your party, its guaranteed not to happen!"

At that point, all buzz pointed to Nitin Patel as the successor. Like most journalists, I went to his residence, interviewed him, and then returned to the BJP headquarters to file the story. My office insisted I return to Delhi, assuming the central observers meeting was just a formality. But destiny had other plans. By the time I reached the airport, news broke that Union minister Nitin Gadkari had declared Rupani as the next chief minister of Gujarat.

Connecting with him again in 2017 during the assembly elections was not easy. Our interactions became somewhat heated, but even in disagreement, Rupani never lost his calm. Whether in Delhi or Gujarat, he always greeted me with genuine warmth.

In 2021, I was again rushed to Gujarat amid speculation of a leadership change. When it became clear that Rupani was stepping down, he did so with grace, making way for Bhupendra Patel. That transition too had its quirksPatel himself only found out about his appointment when someone sitting beside him at the meeting informed him.

Rupani later bowed out of electoral politics before the 2022 Gujarat assembly elections. He was the first senior leader to do so, paving the way for others, including his former deputy CM Nitin Patel. Yet, Rupani remained active, campaigning wholeheartedly for the party and later being appointed as Punjab in-chargean organisational challenge given the BJPs limited presence there. Even in that new terrain, he handled his role with quiet efficiency and understanding.

My family currently resides in Kolkata and belongs to the Jain community. His passing has sent shockwaves through Jain circles across Gujarat and Bengal. When I spoke to my mother last afternoon, she mourned his loss deeply and recalled how he had humbly attended our family gurus event, making a significant contribution to jeev dayathe Jain principle of compassion towards all living beings. She also shared a tribute from Jain Guru Namra Muni Ji:

A beloved son of the Jain community, a true gem and lover of all living beingsVijaybhai Rupanis service will always be remembered."

I also spoke with former Gujarat minister Saurabh Patel, who expressed his sorrow: Words fail me. Rupani-jis greatest strength was his accessibilityhe always listened. I remember how he led with resolve during the Covid-19 crisis, especially when oxygen shortages became critical. He took charge and helped the state navigate through one of its most challenging phases. His passing is an irreparable loss for Gujarat and Rajkot in particular."

Senior journalist Sheela Bhatt, who has witnessed the rise of many Gujarat leaders, reflected: He was an affable Saurashtrian, deeply rooted in the RSS ideology. Though a Jain Baniya by birth, caste never defined him. His unwavering commitment to the RSS brought him close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. During the BJPs internal crisis under Shankersinh Vaghelas revolt, Rupani emerged as a silent saviourworking beyond Rajkot to secure Saurashtra for Keshubhai Patels faction. He later rose to become BJP state president and was widely seen as close to the partys top brass."

Tragedy struck the Rupani family early in life when their youngest son, Pujit, died in an accident. Deeply affected, the family established a trust in his name to support the education of underprivileged children in Rajkots slum areas. The trust has since empowered countless bright studentscarrying forward the legacy of a young life lost too soon.

His wife, Anjali Rupani, was not only a pillar of strength but also a strong influence in his political journey.

Rupani will be sorely missed in Rajkot," Bhatt adds. As CM, he drove development with real visionroads, grain markets, digital initiatives, data systems He was a textbook example of a grassroots karyakarta rising to the top in regional politics."

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Meanwhile, in London, a daughter awaiting the 10-hour flight of her father to be with them at homea flight that will never reachis an unthinkable loss for the family.

As Gujarat mourns, the loss feels profoundly personal. A man of few words, always calm, respectful, and groundedVijay Rupanis legacy is one of grace, service, and simplicity.

First Published: June 13, 2025, 11:03 IST
'He Fulfilled Every Responsibility': Amit Shah Pays Tribute To Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:54 IST

Rupani, 68, who served as Gujarats Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021, was among those killed in the crash

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. (Image via X/@AmitShah)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who died in Thursdays tragic Air India crash, remembering him in his first public remarks as a dedicated leader with a calm and thoughtful" nature.

Rupani, 68, who served as Gujarats Chief Minister from August 2016 to September 2021, was among those killed in the crash.

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In a detailed post on X Friday, Shah wrote, I worked for a long time in the organisation with former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani ji."

Whether it was strengthening the organisation as the state president or keeping Gujarats development journey moving as the Chief Minister, Vijaybhai fulfilled every responsibility with full responsibility. It is difficult to believe that he is no longer amongst us," he added.

                                       ,             pic.twitter.com/foE3zpi9ov Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 13, 2025

The Union Home Minister added that Rupani was calm and thoughtful" by nature, and praised his loyalty and discipline towards the party. Rupani jis loyalty and discipline towards the organization was amazing."

Shah further said he had met Rupani just days before the crash and had a detailed discussion about organisational matters in Punjab.

I spoke to his wife Mrs. Anjali Rupani ji and expressed my deepest condolences. The entire BJP family stands with them in this hour of grief. May God give a place to the departed soul in his lotus feet. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti," he stated.

Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The London-bound flight had 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, 241 people were killed in the crash, with only one passenger surviving the accident miraculously.

The aircraft crashed into a residential area near the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. Police reported that victims included students from nearby medical college hostels. So far, 265 bodies have been taken to the civil hospital, but officials have not yet confirmed the final death toll.

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Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met the injured at the hospital. He also visited Rupanis family to offer his condolences.

Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Partys ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarats Chief Minister," PM Modi later shared on X.

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 : Gujarat, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 23:50 IST
'His Body Is Reduced To A Skeleton': At Ahmedabad Hospital, Families Wait In Agony For Closure

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:59 IST

As per government officials, 80 doctors have been pressed into service just to complete the post mortem in time and reduce the ordeal for the families

15-year-old son Akash had come to his mothers tea stall to give her a tiffin box for lunch when the plane crashed and a ball of flames engulfed him. (News18)

Outside the post-mortem wing of Ahmedabads civil hospital, the pavement has barely any space to walk as family membersfrom Patan, Banaskantha, and outside the stateendure an endless wait to take the remains of their loved ones home.

More than 250 bodies have been brought to the hospitals post-mortem wing since Thursday when a London-borne Air India flight crashed just minutes after taking off, killing 241 passengers while one miraculously survived. As per government officials, 80 doctors have been pressed into service just to complete the postmortem in time and reduce the ordeal for the families. Yet, so far, only five families have matched with the DNA samples recovered, and the bodies have been handed over.

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For most others, like the Patni family, the wait for closure is endless. Suresh Bhai Patni cant stop his tears. He lost his 15-year-old son Akash to the crash, while his wife has 50 per cent burns.

His body has been reduced to a skeleton. Only some bones remain. And even that I dont know when I will get," Patni sobs.

Akash, a Class 8 student, had come to his mothers tea stall to give her a tiffin box for lunch. He was resting at their mobile tea shop outside the medical college when the wing of the crashed aircraft landed a few meters away. Before anyone could react, a ball of flames engulfed Akash. His mother Sita Ben suffered burns on her limbs while trying to save their son.

How do I tell her about Aakash? She will die on the hospital bed itself. Doctors give me hope that they might be able to save her," Patni tells News18.

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A few steps away, Pralhad Bhai sits exhausted. He has gone from hospital to hospital, agency to agency since Thursday night, looking for his wife Sarla and daughter Aadya.

Sarla used to cook rotis at the doctors mess. Aadya had accompanied her. I have no news of them since the plane crashed into the mess," he tells News18. I have given my blood sample here now. I dont know who they will match it with," a dejected Pralhad said.

About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:53 IST
Passengers arrive at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali, Indonesia, Sept. 2, 2022. Photo by Reuters

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, now requires all foreigners to visit an immigration office in person to extend their stay permits, instead of registering online as previously.

Starting from May 29, foreign nationals in Indonesia must undergo a photo capture and interview process at an immigration office when applying for a stay permit extension, The Bali Sun reported.

This new procedure also applies to foreigners holding a visa on arrival.

Previously, foreigners only registered their stay permit application and uploaded the necessary documents online through the website evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, said this policy aims to mitigate potential misuse of stay permits, and enhance oversight of sponsors for foreign nationals, Tempo English site reported.

In the first four months of this year, Indonesia welcomed 4.33 million foreign tourist arrivals, up 5.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
IAF's Apache Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Punjab's Pathankot

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 13:46 IST

An Indian Air Force Apache helicopter made an emergency landing in Pathankot, Punjab. No injuries or damage were reported.

There are no reports of injuries or damage in the incident. (Photo: PTI)

An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing in the Nangalpur area of Punjabs Pathankot.

There are no reports of injuries or damage in the incident.

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In a similar incident on June 6, an Apache helicopter made a precautionary landing" in Uttar Pradeshs Saharanpur on Friday due to a technical issue while on a routine sortie.

Both the pilot and the co-pilot were safe.

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All necessary checks were conducted after the landing and the helicopter was made serviceable. Both the pilot and the co-pilot then flew it to the Sarsawa airbase in Uttar Pradesh, the official said.

(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 : Pathankot, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 13:46 IST
If Both Engines Failed On Air India AI171, It Wouldnt Be The First: A Look At Past Incidents

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:42 IST

From Captain Sullys Hudson River landing to the tragic Dana Air crash in Nigeria, here are five incidents where planes lost thrust in both engines mid-flight, and what followed.

The tail of the airplane is seen stuck in a building at the site of an airplane that crashed in Ahmedabad. (PTI)

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The wide-body jet, carrying 242 people, lost altitude almost immediately and slammed into the mess area of a medical college hostel in the citys Meghani Nagar area. A police official told news agency PTI that 265 bodies had been brought to the hospital.

While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has yet to officially determine the cause, preliminary radar and flight data suggest that the aircraft never climbed beyond 625 feet. A distress callMayday, Mayday"was recorded seconds before the crash. Sources say that a Mayday call is sent out by the pilot when both engines of the aircraft have failed.

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Early reports point to a potential loss of thrust in both engines, raising fears of a rare and catastrophic dual-engine failure. If confirmed, the Ahmedabad crash would become one of the deadliest such incidents in recent history, and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787.

What Happens When Both Engines Fail?

Commercial airliners are built with the redundancy to fly safely even if one engine shuts down. But if both engines fail, pilots are forced into gliding the aircraftoften with limited time, altitude, and options. These situations test not just the machines but the decision-making, composure, and training of pilots under extreme pressure.

Over the years, a handful of high-profile cases have highlighted just how unpredictable such events can be.

TACA Flight 110: Hailstorm Forces An Unpowered Landing (1988)

On May 24, 1988, TACA Flight 110, a Boeing 737-300 en route from Belize to New Orleans, encountered a severe thunderstorm during its descent. As the aircraft flew through heavy rain and hail, both CFM56 engines flamed out due to water and hail ingestion, resulting in a complete loss of thrust.

Captain Carlos Dardano and First Officer Dionisio Lopez managed to glide the powerless aircraft and safely land it on a grassy levee near the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, just east of New Orleans. The landing was so smooth that no injuries were reported and the aircraft was eventually repaired and returned to service.

The incident prompted changes in engine certification standards for weather resistance and remains one of the few examples where a dual-engine failure during a storm was managed without loss of life.

SAS Flight 751: Ice In The Engines, Survival In A Field (1991)

Another miraculous survival occurred on December 27, 1991, when Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Flight 751, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81, took off from Stockholm. Unknown to the crew, clear ice had formed on the wings overnight. As the plane climbed, chunks of ice detached and were ingested into both engines, causing severe damage and multiple compressor stalls.

Just 76 seconds into the flight, both engines lost power. The crew attempted to return to the airport but realised they wouldnt make it. They crash-landed the aircraft in a snowy field near Gottrora, Sweden.

While the aircraft broke into three pieces, all 129 passengers and crew survived. Investigators praised the crews situational awareness and communication, though the incident led to global changes in de-icing procedures and engine design.

Air Transat Flight 236: 120 Nautical Miles On No Engines (2001)

On August 24, 2001, Air Transat Flight 236, an Airbus A330 flying from Toronto to Lisbon, experienced fuel starvation over the Atlantic Ocean due to a ruptured fuel line. The leak drained fuel from both engines, which shut down one after the other.

Flying in the dark, with no thrust and no radio communication, Captain Robert Piche and First Officer Dirk De Jager managed to glide the aircraft for nearly 20 minutes, covering over 120 nautical miles, before safely landing at Lajes Air Base in the Azores.

All 306 people onboard survived, although 18 sustained injuries during the high-speed landing. The Canadian Transportation Safety Board praised the crews performance but cited maintenance oversight as a root cause. The event remains one of the longest engine-out glides in aviation history.

The Miracle On The Hudson: Captain Sullys Defining Moment (2009)

One of the most remarkable aviation survival stories unfolded on January 15, 2009, when US Airways Flight 1549 lost both engines less than two minutes after taking off from New Yorks LaGuardia Airport. The Airbus A320, en route to Charlotte, struck a flock of Canada geese at an altitude of around 2,800 feet. Both CFM56 engines failed simultaneously.

Captain Chesley Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles assessed the situation rapidly. With no viable airports in gliding range, Sully made the bold decision to ditch the aircraft in the frigid waters of the Hudson River. In just over four minutes, Flight 1549 went from takeoff to water landing.

Miraculously, all 155 people onboard survived. The incident became a textbook case in pilot training and emergency preparedness. The NTSB investigation confirmed that the engines had ingested multiple birds and suffered complete thrust loss, ruling out mechanical failure. Sullys calm under pressure turned him into a national hero and gave the world its most famous example of a successful dual engine-out landing.

Dana Air Flight 0992: When Theres No Time To React (2012)

Tragedy struck on June 3, 2012, when Dana Air Flight 0992, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, suffered dual engine failure just minutes before landing in Lagos, Nigeria. Investigators later determined that both engines had been operating with serious maintenance issues, including cracked fuel manifolds and degraded oil seals.

The pilots failed to declare an emergency when the first engine lost power. By the time the second engine shut down, the aircraft was too low to recover. It crashed into a densely populated area, killing all 153 onboard and at least six people on the ground.

The Nigerian Accident Investigation Bureau found gross negligence in aircraft maintenance and pilot response. The incident stands as a grim reminder that dual-engine failure can turn deadly within seconds, especially at low altitude.

Why Dual Engine Failures Are So Rare And So Dangerous

Thanks to rigorous engine design standards, real-time monitoring systems, and global maintenance regulations, modern jet engines are incredibly reliable. According to aviation safety data, the odds of both engines failing on a twin-engine aircraft in the same flight are astronomically low, estimated at one in several billion flight hours.

But when it happens, factors like altitude at the time of failure, pilot training, gliding capabilities of the aircraft, and availability of emergency landing options, all determine whether the incident becomes a tragedy or a miracle.

In cases like the Ahmedabad crash, which occurred within seconds of takeoff, theres almost no altitude buffer, making recovery or gliding virtually impossible. The difference between Sullys successful Hudson River ditching and Air India 171s devastating crash may simply be the altitude at which the failure occurred.

What The Ahmedabad Investigation Will Focus On

While formal conclusions are pending, aviation authorities are expected to examine several critical aspects of the crash, including:

Black box data to determine engine thrust levels, flap settings, and pilot inputs

Maintenance records for the General Electric engines powering the Boeing 787

Pilot communication logs, particularly the timing and content of the Mayday call

Any signs of foreign object ingestion, such as a bird strike or runway debris

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A Rare But Devastating Failure

Commercial pilots are extensively trained to handle single-engine failures, and modern aircraft are designed with multiple safety systems in place. However, a complete loss of thrust from both engines, especially during the first few minutes after takeoff, leaves very little room for recovery. Investigators examining the Ahmedabad crash will now focus on whether such a failure occurredand if so, what caused it and whether it could have been prevented.

About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 11:17 IST
India, Canada Reach Deal To Share Intelligence On Terrorism, Crime: Report

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 22:35 IST

This is the latest step towards rebuilding ties after India-Canada relations nosedived over ex-Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations over the death of a Khalistani separatist.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi | (Reuters Image)

In a significant development, the governments of India and Canada have reached a deal to share information about cross-border crimes in the latest step towards rebuilding ties nearly two years after ties nosedived following former Canadian PM Justin Trudeaus allegations on the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The new information-sharing deal, which includes law enforcement agencies from both countries, will allow both sides to swap intelligence on transnational crime and syndicates, terrorism and extremist activities, according to a report by Bloomberg, citing officials who asked not to be identified because the discussions are still private.

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Officials said details of the accord are still being worked on and it was still unclear if the agreement will be announced publicly during the upcoming G7 Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney. The two leaders are expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit.

For Canada, the information-sharing agreement will also include an emphasis on investigating extra-judicial killings, according to the report.

India-Canada Relationship Reset

The new agreement between the two countries is expected to involve higher-level officials than previous efforts between the two countries to share security information. It will initially start as a conversation among police forces, but may expand over time to include other agencies, as per officials.

India and Canada have taken initial steps to resuming warmer diplomatic relations, beginning with PM Modi congratulating Carney for his election victory as well as a conversation between the two countries.

Carney invited PM Modi to the G7 Summit chaired by Canada, despite an ongoing investigation into Nijjars death. Carney had emphasised that Indias presence at the intergovernmental political and economic forum is essential, where discussions on important issues, including security and energy, would be held.

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The forthcoming meeting (between Modi and Carney) between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G-7 summit will offer an important opportunity to exchange views on bilateral and global issues," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

India-Canada ties nosedived in the aftermath of Nijjars killing after former PM Justin Trudeau publicly alleged New Delhis role behind the killing. India has repeatedly denied these allegations, and has taken a decisive stand against what it perceives as Canadas non-seriousness in dealing with the Khalistan issue.

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 22:26 IST
'Remain Vigilant': India's Advisory To Nationals In Iran Amid Israeli Strikes, Explosions

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:15 IST

Israel Attack Iran News Today: The Indian Embassy in Iran has urged Indian nationals to stay vigilant in light of Israel's 'Rising Lion' military operation in Tehran.

Smoke billowing from a site targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran (Photo: AFP)

Israel Attack Iran: The Indian Embassy in Iran on Friday advised all Indian nationals and those of Indian-origin to remain vigilant in the wake of Israels Rising Lion offensive in Tehran.

Also See: Israel Iran War News Live Updates

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The Indian Embassy also said Indians should avoid all unnecessary movements and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.

In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassys Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities," the Indian Embassy in Iran stated.

ADVISORYIn view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassys Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.  India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) June 13, 2025

Israel carried out strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear and military sites, after US President Donald Trump warned of a possible massive conflict" in the region.

Israels operation struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

The operation against Iran will continue as many days as it takes," Netanyahu said.

Irans Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri was likely eliminated", said an Israeli security official.

Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were also hit, killing a number of civilians, including women and children.

Fire and smoke were seen at a key site for Irans Revolutionary Guards, state TV reported, while explosions were also heard in Natanz city in Irans central province.

The Guards leader Hossein Salami was also killed in the strikes, Iranian media said.

Air traffic was halted at Tehrans main international airport, Imam Khomeini, while neighbouring Iraq has also closed its airspace and suspended all flights at all airports, state media reported.

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Israel declared a state of emergency, likewise closing its airspace, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying retaliatory action from Tehran was possible following the operation.

ALSO READ | Committed To Diplomatic Resolution: Trump Directs Administration To Negotiate With Iran

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 13, 2025, 07:53 IST
'It's A Miracle': Brother Of Seat 11A Survivor In Air India Ahmedabad Crash

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:13 IST

Nayan Kumar Ramesh said while he was relieved that Vishwash had survived the crash that killed 241, the loss of his other brother onboard the same flight was difficult to process

Home Minister Amit Shah meets Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India plane crash (Left); (right) Combo image of Vishwash walking out after the tragedy and his air ticket. (PTI)

If there was one name that offered a flicker of hopeand consolationfor India and the world on Thursday in the wake of one of the deadliest aviation disasters, it was that of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

On June 12, when London-bound Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, 241 passengers lost their lives. But against all odds, Vishwash, a 40-year-old British national, emerged as the lone survivor of the catastrophic event, leaving the world stunned.

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Videos went viral on social media as Vishwash, who was on seat 11A, was seen walking with a limp, indicating a leg injury. His clothes had blood stains and smudges of soot.

Vishwash, who was returning to London after visiting family in Gujarat, recalled the horror from his hospital bed. There were bodies all around me, there were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance," he told News18. He suffered impact injuries" to his chest, eyes and feet, as per Hindustan Times.

Vishwashs brother, however, was not as lucky and was one of the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Speaking to Sky News, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, another brother of the lone survivor, called his escape a miracle", adding that Vishwash called his father in Leicester moments after the crash to say he had survived.

He video-called my dad as he crashed and said, Oh the planes crashed. I dont know where my brother is. I dont see any other passengers. I dont know how Im alive, how I exited the plane," he told Sky News.

It is a miracle that he survived. But what about the other miracle, for my other brother? Just hearing about this crash. Im scared to fly now, to even stay on a plane now," Nayan added.

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Sky News also reported that a doctor who treated Vishwash said he told them he found himself near debris after being thrown out of the plane, and walked to a nearby ambulance for aid.

Another medic said Vishwash told him that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, throwing him out before a loud explosion.

About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 09:09 IST
Meghalaya Murder: Rajas Killers Planned To Murder A Woman, Pass Off Her Body As Sonams

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 13:17 IST

The police said that the killers had planned to murder any woman and burn her body to pass it as that of Sonam so that she would be able to be in hiding for a few more days.

Sonam Raghuvanshi with Raj Kushwaha. (File)

Meghalaya Honeymoon Murder: The Meghalaya Police, investigating the murder of Indore-native newlywed Raja Raghuvanshiwho was killed during his honeymoon in the statehave identified Raj Kushwaha as the mastermind behind the chilling murder case, with Rajas wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, actively involved in the plot.

The police said that the killers had planned to murder any woman and burn her body to pass it as that of Sonam so that she would be able to be in hiding for a few more days till the truth is known.

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On the first day of interrogation of Sonam, Raj and three others, who were arrested in connection with the killing of Raja Raghuvanshi, also revealed that she fled from Meghalaya in a burqa and reached Indore using various modes of transport like taxi, bus and train.

The conspiracy to eliminate Raja was hatched in Indore, shortly before his wedding with Sonam on May 11, and the mastermind is Raj while the woman had agreed to the plot," East Khasi Hills district Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem told news agency PTI.

The three young people were friends, and one of them is a cousin of Raj. It was not a typical contract killing. Yes, the plan was to kill and they did it as a favour to their friend Raj," Syiem said.

Raj had given them Rs 50,000 for the expenditures, he said.

Syiem further revealed that the plot began in February, when the group was in Indore. The plan revolved around making Sonam disappear, but later turned into a murder conspiracy.

One plan was to make people believe that she would wash away by a river. Another plan was to murder any woman, burn the body and claim that it was of Sonam. However, none of the plans fructify," the police officer said.

After Raja and Sonam were married on May 11, they visited the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam. A few days later, the accused also reached the area. According to police, the group initially planned to kill Raja in Guwahati, but later shifted the plan to Shillong.

Syiem said they started together for Weisawdong Falls, and there all three hit Raja with a machete they bought in Assam and killed him in front of Sonam between 2 pm and 2.18 pm on May 23 before throwing the body in a gorge.

Sonam gave Akash the raincoat she was wearing as his shirt had a blood spot. They left Weisawdong on scooters, and Akash threw the raincoat later as it too had blood stains. They also abandoned the two-wheeler hired by Sonam and Raja at a place, the SP said.

The police recovered the raincoat and the two-wheeler when the search for Sonam was underway.

Raj had given Vishal a burqa which he has handed over to Sonam. She wore it, went to the Police Bazaar and took a taxi to Guwahati. From Guwahati, she reached Siliguri (in West Bengal) on a bus. From there, she took buses to go to Patna and Arah and boarded a train for Lucknow. From Lucknow, Sonam took a bus and reached Indore," he said.

On June 8, when Sonam had left Indore, two police teams from Meghalaya reached UP and Madhya Pradesh in civil dress.

When the first arrest (Akash) was made in UP, Raj panicked and told Sonam to call up her family and tell them she just escaped from an abduction gang. Thats how this whole thing came to light in Ghazipur," Syiem said.

They had thought that Rajas body would not be discovered as it was remote and the police enquiry would take one to two months. So she thought of playing the victim card.

We are recording their statements. We are questioning them. We will gather more evidence and reconstruct the crime scene," Syiem said.

The officer said the police are confident to file a charge sheet in the case within the mandatory 90 days.

All five were remanded to eight days of police custody on Wednesday.

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case

Raja and Sonam, who got married on May 11 in Indore, went to Meghalaya on their honeymoon. He was found dead in a gorge near Weisawdong Falls in East Khasi Hills district on June 2, 10 days after the couple went missing.

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The murder took a sensational turn when Raghuvanshis wife, Sonam, was found in Uttar Pradeshs Ghazipur, around 1,200 km away, in the early hours of June 9 and surrendered. The police also held her three alleged aides, Akash Rajput (19), Vishal Singh Chauhan (22), and Raj Singh Kushwaha (20).

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Shillong, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 13:15 IST
Nainital Back In Business: After Rs 60 Crore Hit, Tourism Recovers As Hotels Offer Big Discounts

Curated By :

Translation Desk-Local18

Last Updated: June 12, 2025, 15:34 IST

After a major tourism slump due to unrest and cancellations, Nainital is bouncing back as visitors flock to enjoy its mild climate and iconic sights

Despite traffic concerns, popular spots like Naini Lake and Naina Devi Temple are once again bustling with visitors, boosting the hill stations economy. (Local18)

Nainital, Uttarakhands famed hill station, is witnessing a welcome revival in tourism after a period of sharp decline. The sector recently suffered losses of around Rs 60 crore due to communal tensions and unrest along the Indo-Pak border, which led to a wave of booking cancellations and anxiety among hoteliers. However, the dire situation is now gradually improving.

Cool Weather Draws Crowds

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As temperatures in the northern plains soar past 30C, Nainital offers a much cooler retreat with daytime temperatures hovering around 18C. This has attracted a wave of tourists from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

According to Ved Sah, Secretary of the Nainital Hotel Association, hotels are offering discounts of up to 25% to encourage visitors.

Traffic Management Poses Challenges

Despite the tourism rebound, logistical issues persist. The local administration has introduced weekend traffic diversions and parking restrictions to manage congestion.

However, tourists have reported confusion, with some vehicles stopped outside the city even when in-town parking was availablean issue that has drawn criticism and could tarnish Nainitals image. Additionally, misleading posts on social media have caused further disruption, according to Secretary Ved Sah.

Tourist Hotspots Regain Buzz

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Popular attractions such as Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point, and Kainchi Dham are once again filled with visitors. A tourist from Delhi praised the pleasant weather, boating activities, and local food. Another traveller from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, described the cool breeze and breathtaking valleys as highlights of his visit.

If the trend continues, Nainital looks set to reclaim its status as one of Indias most beloved hill destinations.

Location : Nainital, India, India

First Published: June 12, 2025, 15:34 IST
Heartbreaking: PM Modi Visits Air India Crash Site, Meets Sole Survivor At Ahmedabad Hospital

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:11 IST

PM Modi visited the crash site in the Meghaninagar area and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to take stock of situation.

PM Modi visits the site of the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad, Friday.

Ahmedabad Flight Crash: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached Ahmedabad to take stock of situation after London-bound Air India flight, AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), crashed minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing at least 265 individuals.

After reaching the airport, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, visited the crash site in the Meghaninagar area and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to take stock of situation.

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Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

He also met the lone survivor, Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, in the hospital.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the lone survivor of yesterdays #AirIndiaPlaneCrash.241 of 242 who were onboard the plane lost their lives. (Source  DD) pic.twitter.com/tVXoscmOPE  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, PM Modi said in a post on X, We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti."

We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

PM Modi earlier said that he was stunned" by the tragedy. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected," he said on X on Thursday.

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had visited the site to take stock of the situation. The Centre has formed a high-level committee to probe the crash, Kinjarapu said.

PM Modi Chairs Meet

The Prime Minister held a review meeting with top officials of the Gujarat government after visiting the site of the Air India plane crash.

The meeting was held at the GujSail building near the city airport.

During the meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the series of events that unfolded after the plane crash in which 265 people lost their lives on Thursday, and he also gave instructions to officials.

Chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities. pic.twitter.com/w2ADg9AqCB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

Ahmedabad Plane Crash

India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

In an early morning post on X at 12.41am on Friday, Air India confirmed that 241 people had perished in the crash. A police official told news agency PTI that 265 bodies had been brought to the hospital. The plane had crashed into the mess area of a medical college hostel, causing what appears to be at lease two dozen fatalities on the ground.

Read More: At Least 265 Feared Dead After Ahmedabad Air India Crash; 1 Miracle Survivor Found

At around 1:38 pm, videos of the aircraft showed it flying low over a residential area and struggling to gain altitude. Within minutes, it hits the ground and explodes in a massive ball of fire. What seems to have compounded the impact was the fact that the airliner was loaded with aviation fuel since it was set to fly all the way to London.

Officials said the flight lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm, before crashing into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area and going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

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The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement said the aircraft piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of experience made a mayday call just before the crash.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 10:02 IST
Punjab & Haryana High Court Dismisses Promotion Plea By Son Of Indian Spy Jailed In Pakistan

Reported By :

LawBeat Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:17 IST

Justice Bansal observed that the appointment as constable had been offered after due consideration of the petitioners background and qualifications

The bench of Justice Jagmohan Bansal passed the order in a writ petition filed by Neeraj Sharma.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently dismissed a plea by a police constable seeking elevation to a higher post on compassionate grounds, citing the lack of any policy support for such a request.

The bench of Justice Jagmohan Bansal passed the order in a writ petition filed by Neeraj Sharma, who had approached the court seeking the setting aside of multiple government orders rejecting his representations. Sharma had argued that he deserved the rank of at least an assistant sub-inspector, given his educational qualifications and family background.

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The petitioners father had worked as a spy with the Intelligence Bureau and was captured by the Pakistan Army in 1968. After being tried and sentenced by a military court, he was released in 1974 and repatriated via Wagah Border. In 2008, Sharmas father had sought assistance from the Punjab government, drawing parallels with another former spy, Kashmir Singh. In 2014, the family received Rs 50,000 as financial support after verification by the Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur.

Neeraj Sharma, who holds a degree in D Pharmacy and B.Sc. (Medical), had applied for a government job on compassionate grounds in 2018. Although he was eventually offered and accepted the post of a constable in 2020, he later sought an upgrade to a higher rank, citing examples of similarly situated individuals allegedly appointed to better posts.

His legal counsel argued that the government had previously shown leniency in appointing candidates from similar backgrounds to Class-B positions. However, the States counsel submitted that there was no existing policy framework supporting the petitioners request for a higher post. The petitioners counsel admitted the lack of a specific government policy mandating such appointments.

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Justice Bansal observed that the appointment as constable had been offered after due consideration of the petitioners background and qualifications. Importantly, the court held that in the absence of an express or even implied policy, it could not issue directions for appointment or promotion to a higher post merely on equitable grounds.

Dismissing the petition, the court remarked: This court in the absence of express or implied policy of the State government cannot direct authorities to consider the petitioner for a higher rank especially when he has already been offered and appointed as constable without complying with terms and conditions applicable to the post of constable."

About the Author Salil Tiwari Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More

Location : Haryana, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:17 IST
S Jaishankar Speaks To Israeli, Iranian Foreign Ministers As West Asia Tensions Escalate

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:01 IST

With tensions running high following Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, Jaishankar informed about his conversations with both sides on the unfolding developments.

EAM S Jaishankar (PTI Image)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held separate phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia.

With tensions running high following Israeli strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran warning of a powerful" response, Jaishankar informed about his conversations with both sides on the unfolding developments.

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Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments," the minister posted on X.

Later, he also spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and discussed the latest situation" in the region.

Received a call this afternoon from FM @gidonsaar of Israel regarding ongoing developments. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 13, 2025

Spoke to Iranian FM @araghchi this evening on the latest situation. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 13, 2025

By maintaining dialogue with both parties, India signals its intent to monitor developments closely and advocate for calm, reflecting its broader strategy of engaging key regional players while urging restraint.

Israel carried out a series of strikes across Iran on Friday, hitting military installations and sites linked to its nuclear program.

The attacks reportedly killed at least three military officers, sharply escalating the risk of a full-scale war between the long-standing regional rivals.

Among the dead were three of Irans most senior military figures: General Mohammad Bagheri, who commanded the entire armed forces; General Hossein Salami, head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard; and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led the Guards ballistic missile program.

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It is being described as the most serious assault on Iranian territory since the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

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 13, 2025, 23:01 IST
The U.S. Defense Department is putting American interests first in the U.S. Central and Africa Commands' areas of responsibility, said Katherine Thompson, performing the duties of the assistant defense secretary for international security affairs, during a hearing June 10th before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

"State and non-state actors across the Middle East, such as ISIS, Iran and its proxies, continue to threaten the U.S. homeland, as well as our forces and posture across the region," Thompson said.

In Yemen, she said, U.S. operations against the Houthis resulted in restoring freedom of navigation. While in Iraq, local security forces now lead most operations against ISIS remnants, requiring only a modest U.S. advisory role.

Regarding China, Thompson said it has ambitions to expand its military power projection capabilities through overseas basing, naval access and establishing dominance over critical mineral resources in Africa to fund its defense supply chains. She added that DOD will work to prevent and counter Chinese efforts to position its forces in Africa in ways that threaten the ability to defend the U.S.

"We will also work closely with interagency partners to counter Chinese efforts to exclude the United States from critical markets on the continent," she said.

Also testifying before the House committee, U.S. Central Command or Centcom Commander Army General Michael Kurilla said Iran has continued to increase its stockpiles of uranium, enriched to 60 percent, of which there is no civilian purpose.

He said regional terrorists remain under pressure because of Centcom's relentless campaign aimed at the removal of hundreds of fighters and leaders on the battlefields in Iraq and Syria. He added that a network of partners has dealt significant blows to the ISIS-Khorasan networks exploiting the tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Marine General Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command, told the House committee that Africa remains a theater that the United States cannot afford to ignore as it is home to terrorists who aim to grow and export their ideology, where China seeks to establish regional hegemony and where Russia seizes opportunities created by chaos and instability.

The U.S. is committed to working with its regional partners to ensure security for those regions and for the United States.
Sonam Plotted Raja's Murder After 'Forced' Marriage, Killed Him In Fourth Attempt: Cops

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:25 IST

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case Latest News: The police said that the plan was hatched in Indore just 11 days before Sonam and Raja were married.

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Sonam with Raj Kushwaha (Photo: X)

Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: Meghalaya Police revealed that Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered by his wife Sonam and her accomplices after three failed attempts. The murder, police said, was rooted in a relationship Sonam allegedly maintained before her wedding as she told the cops that she was forced into the marriage.

Raja was killed near Weisawdong Falls in Sohra after Sonam and four others- Raj Kushwaha, Vishal Chauhan, Akash Rajput and Anand Kurmi- lured him into a remote location and took turns attacking him before dumping his body into a gorge. The five accused have confessed to the murder, police said.

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Also See: 8 Red Flags Raja Raghuvanshi May Have Missed About Sonam

What Cops Revealed About Sonams Plan To Kill Raja

The police said that the plan was hatched in Indore just 11 days before Sonam and Raja were married. Raj, identified as the mastermind, is believed to have been in a romantic relationship with Sonam and was aided by friends who agreed to help him eliminate Raja as a favour."

Investigations reveal that the group arrived in Guwahati well before Sonam did, with the initial plan being to kill Raja there.

However, repeated logistical hurdles delayed the execution. The first attempt failed in Guwahati, followed by two more failed plans in Nongriat and between Mawalakhyat and Weisawdong. It was only on the fourth try, near Weisawdong Falls, that they managed to carry out the murder.

All five accused then fled the scene, with one of them reportedly changing into Sonams raincoat to evade identification.

Sonam Had Plans To Evade Marriage, Cops Say

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Police uncovered an earlier plan from February, when Sonam and Raj were allegedly exploring ways to prevent the marriage altogether. One idea involved faking Sonams death in a river accident. Another plan considered murdering an unidentified person, burning the body on a scooty and passing it off as Sonams.

When these plans couldnt materialize, police say the group decided to wait until after the wedding and then kill Raja.

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 : Meghalaya, India, India

First Published: June 13, 2025, 16:02 IST
Unimaginable: PM Modi Condoles Vijay Rupanis Death In Ahmedabad Crash, Meets His Family

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:23 IST

Vijay Rupani Death: Expressing grief over the tragic death, PM Modi said that it was unimaginable for him to believe that Vjay Rupani is no more.

PM Modi meeting Vijay Rupani's family in Ahmedabad. (X)

Vijay Rupani Death: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the family of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, one of the 241 individuals, who died in tragic London-bound Air India flight crash minutes after takeoff in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Vijay Ramniklal Rupani was the 12th passenger on the flights manifest. He was booked in the Z class, which falls under the Business Class category, according to the passenger list document accessed by India Today.

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Expressing grief over the tragic death, PM Modi said that it was unimaginable for him to believe that Vjay Rupani is no more. He said that Rupani had worked with him shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times.

It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. Ive known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Partys ideology. Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarats Chief Minister," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji.It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. Ive known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed pic.twitter.com/KbmDsKtARG  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

In another post, PM Modi said Rupani has distinguished himself in every role assigned, be it Rajya Sabha MP or chief minister.

In every role assigned, he distinguished himself, be it in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation, as Rajya Sabha MP, as Gujarat BJP President and as Cabinet Minister in the state government," he added.

PM Modi in another post said that Rupani ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarats growth trajectory as chief minister.

Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarats growth trajectory, particularly in boosting Ease of Living. Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he added.

Vijaybhai and I also worked extensively when he was Gujarat CM. He ushered in many measures that enhanced Gujarats growth trajectory, particularly in boosting Ease of Living. Will always cherish the interactions we had. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour pic.twitter.com/bH9gqVPHao Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

PM Modi on Friday reached Ahmedabad to take stock of situation after London-bound Air India flight, AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), crashed minutes after taking off.

Who Was Vijay Rupani?

Rupani served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from August 2016 to September 2021, before resigning ahead of the 2022 state elections.

Vijay Rupani is the second politician who served as the Gujarat CM who died in an air accident, sixty years after Balwantrai Mehtas death in a 1965 plane crash.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash

India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on Thursday after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

In an early morning post on X at 12.41am on Friday, Air India confirmed that 241 people had perished in the crash. A police official told news agency PTI that 265 bodies had been brought to the hospital. The plane had crashed into the mess area of a medical college hostel, causing what appears to be at lease two dozen fatalities on the ground.

Officials said the flight lost altitude soon after taking off at around 1.30pm, before crashing into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in Meghaninagar area and going up in flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up in the air.

One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

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The aircraft had 232 passengers and 10 crew members, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, on board.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a statement said the aircraft piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and first officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours of experience made a mayday call just before the crash.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:49 IST
'Will Call Once I Reach London': Veteran Air India Pilot's Broken Promise To 88-Year-Old Father

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:07 IST

Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience, had promised his father that he would quit his job and take care of him

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (Left) and First Officer Clive Kundar (Right).

In the bustling heart of Ahmedabad, the world stood still on June 12 as Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 242 peopleincluding 230 passengers and 12 crew membersplummeted into a medical college near the airport, engulfing the surroundings in a devastating inferno.

Piloting the doomed flight was Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience. His dedication to aviation was matched only by his love for his family. Before flying to London, Sabharwal had assured his 88-year-old father: Ill call you once I reach London." Tragically, that call never came.

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The crash claimed the lives of all on board, except for one: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, who survived with minor injuries.

His house in the Powai area of suburban Mumbai may be bustling with people who have come to offer their condolences, but Sabharwals father now finds himself alone amid the chaos. He lost his wife two years ago.

Three days before the fatal crash, Sumit had promised his father: Im going to leave my job now and take care of you."

The familys association with aviation is not new. Captain Sabharwals father retired from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), while his two nephews are also pilots, NDTV reported.

A probe after the tragedy revealed that Captain Sabharwal had issued a Mayday" call to the Air Traffic Control shortly before the plane lost contact, said DGCA. The flight failed to achieve altitude, resulting in a crash after which the Dreamliner burst into flames.

Captain Sabharwals co-pilot and First Officer Clive Kunder, had 1,100 hours of flying experience, and his mother was a former Air India flight attendant.

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The tragedy unfolded on Thursday when the aircraft lost altitude shortly after departure at arround 1.38pm and crashed just outside the airport perimeter, in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. A massive fire broke out at the crash site, with thick black smoke seen rising from the debris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and met with rescue officials, assuring all possible support for the investigation and relief efforts.

About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. M... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:03 IST
Lucknows Food Scene Might Just Be Indias Next UNESCO Gastronomic Gem

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:41 IST

Lucknow has been officially nominated to be included in UNESCOs Creative Cities Network (UCCN) as a City of Gastronomy. Here's what it means.

The city is known for its Awadhi cuisine and diverse offerings. (AI Generated Image)

Known as the City of Nawabs, Lucknow has been the undisputed king of mouth-watering Awadhi cuisine. From kebab and korma to flavourful biryani and delightful sweets, one cant ignore Lucknows indulgent recipes and hearty flavours. Now, the city is gearing up to add a feather in its cap, as its rich culinary heritage has been nominated for the title of UNESCOs Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the gastronomy category.

As per the Divisional Commissioner of Lucknow, Roshan Jacob, the Indian government has put forward the citys name for this renowned and prestigious tag, reported Hindustan Times.

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We have to provide some more data by the end of June, following which UNESCO authorities may visit to verify our claims. The state capital is famous for a wide range of Awadhi delicacies, and food buffs both from India and abroad have been talking about it for a long time now. The citys food scene is an endless treasure of delicious dishes that will tantalise your taste buds," he added.

Mumbai-based consultant Abha Narain Lambah played a key role in putting together a detailed dossier about Lucknows gastronomic heritage. The entire effort is closely monitored by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture and Tourism.

If you thought the state capital was a non-veg haven and is only known for its Tunday and Kakori Kebab, let us tell you that the nomination highlights vegetarian offerings like Bajpai ki Puri and Durga Ke Khaste, among others. Not just this, Lucknows famous sweets like motichur ke laddu, malai paan, jalebi and imarti are also in the much-loved dishes list.

Lucknow Special Foods

Tunday Kebab: The first thing a Lucknowite will suggest is these melt-in-your-mouth minced meat kebabs. They are arguably the crown jewel of Lucknows non-veg cuisine.

Awadhi Biryani: Another delicacy whose taste speaks for itself is Awadhi Biryani. This subtle and aromatic cooked dish comes with layers of marinated meat and fragrant rice.

Chaat And Street Foods: From pani ke batashe to basket chaat, Lucknows street food scene is a delight for vegetarians and street food lovers alike.

Khasta, Kachauri, and Bajpai Ki Puri: For your evening and teatime munching, these crispy snacks are definitely a must-have.

Sweets: No trip to this city is complete without tasting the sweets. If you are visiting Lucknow, you have to try the delicious malai paan, jalebi, motichur ke laddu and imarti with rabri.

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What Is The UNESCO Creative City Network?

Established back in 2004, UCCN celebrates cities that have shown exceptional creativity in arts, culture and, in this case, food. India already has Chennai and Hyderabad for gastronomy in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. If approved, Lucknow will soon join this elite list.

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 13, 2025, 10:41 IST
Hailey Biebers Leopard Print Mini Dress Is The Y2K Fashion Revival We Needed

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:01 IST

For her appearance at Business of Beauty Global Forum 2025, Hailey Bieber stunned in a leopard-print mini dress that she paired with black heels.

Hailey finished the look with minimal accessories and voluminous waves.

28-year-old Hailey Bieber is one of the most stylish actors in the industry. The model and businesswoman recently took to her Instagram to share a series of pictures. The photo dump included adorable moments from a wine tasting event, but what captured everyones attention was the leopard-print mini dress that was quintessential Y2K.

Taking to her Instagram, Hailey Bieber shared a series of pictures. She captioned the picture with a wine glass emoji and a smiling emoji. The photo dump included pictures of Hailey from the Business of Beauty Global Forum 2025. For her appearance at the beauty event, the Rhode founder opted for a leopard-print mini dress that she had paired with black heels.

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Take a closer look at Haileys OOTD here.

Hailey turned heads with a fierce yet sophisticated look that reintroduced the Y2K era animal print with modern flair. She stunned in a sleeveless, figure-hugging mini dress that featured a bold leopard pattern that was equal parts daring and elegant. The dress wa designed with a soft, draped neckline and precise tailoring that highlighted her silhouette, keeping the focus firmly on the statement print. With its clean, structured shape and lack of extra embellishments, the outfit let the leopard motif steal the spotlight.

Haileys rich brunette locks were styled in loose, voluminous waves that fell gracefully over her shoulders, adding an effortlessly romantic touch. Her makeup leaned into a glowing aesthetic  think luminous skin, a hint of bronzer, and a nude lip that enhances her features while keeping the overall look fresh and balanced.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hailey Rhode Bieber (@haileybieber)

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True to her signature minimal style, Hailey opted for a few standout rings and earrings to complete the ensemble. A pair of sleek black heels ties the outfit together, complementing the golden and dark tones of the dress and adding just the right amount of polish. This subtly glamorous look channelled the essence of vintage fashion, evoking the charm of 90s supermodel style  and Hailey pulls it off with ease.

Hailey and Justin Bieber tied the knot in September 2018. They welcomed their son Jack Blues in August 2024. She recently made headlines after selling her beauty brand, Rhode, to e.l.f. Beauty for approximately $1 billion and will remain its chief creative officer. Meanwhile, Justin has sparked concerns among his fans as he has been sharing introspective messages on social media, emphasising forgiveness and emotional reflection.

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 13, 2025, 10:00 IST
Radhika Merchants Ethnic OOTD Is The Summer Look Youll Want To Copy

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 09:33 IST

At her recent visit to Jamnagar, Radhika Merchant stunned in a butter yellow cotton suit set. Her look was a masterclass on how to wear ethnic wear in harsh summers.

Minimal accessories and natural makeup complete her Radhika's comfortable OOTD.

While Radhika Merchant often leaves fashion enthusiasts swooning with her statement haute couture looks, her off-duty looks are equally stunning. She recently visited the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. For her OOTD, she kept it simple and relaxed in a butter yellow cotton suit set.

Radhika Merchant, wife of Anant Ambani  the youngest son of Mukesh and Nita Ambani  reportedly explored Ayurvedic medicine during her visit to the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA). During her visit, she learned about the various diagnostic techniques, medicinal plants, and laboratory processes, along with interactions across multiple departments at the institute. For the occasion, Radhika chose a breezy and elegant butter-yellow cotton suit, perfect for the summer heat.

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Take a closer look at Radhikas OOTD here.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ambani Family (@ambani_update)

The kurta came with a soft crew neckline with a slight split, full sleeves, side slits, and a relaxed, knee-length fit. Delicate embroidery added a refined touch to the ensembles simplicity. She paired the kurta with flared cotton pants in the same pastel hue. These were detailed with scalloped lace trim at the hem and offered a straight, comfortable fit. A coordinating dupatta with embroidered accents and tasselled edges was draped effortlessly over her shoulders, completing the summery look. Butter yellow has emerged as the hottest colour this season. By bringing this colour in a cotton ensemble, Radhika was ready to beat the heat in style.

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Keeping things natural, Radhika styled her hair in a centre-parted, loose look. She opted for a minimal, fresh-faced appearance, highlighting radiant skin, softly tinted cheeks, feathered brows, and rosy lips. Her accessories included subtle diamond studs, a statement diamond ring, a sleek gold bracelet watch, and tan Hermes flats  blending comfort with understated elegance.

Radhika is the daughter of Viren and Shaila Merchant. She married Anant Ambani in July 2024 in a lavish celebration that lasted three days. The high-profile wedding attracted a dazzling mix of celebrities, international personalities, politicians, and dignitaries  making it one of the most talked-about events of the year.

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 13, 2025, 09:33 IST
Irans Nuclear Facility Damaged In Israeli Strikes, But No Sign Of Radioactive Leak

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:10 IST

Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, killing six scientists.

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the Natanz facility, a central part of the countrys nuclear infrastructure, sustained damage. (Photo File: Planet Labs PBC via AP)

In a dramatic escalation of West Asia tensions, Israel on Friday launched a wave of airstrikes targeting Irans nuclear program and military infrastructure, damaging the Natanz nuclear facility, long considered the heart of Tehrans uranium enrichment operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the start of Operation Rising Lion," describing it as a multi-day offensive aimed at crippling Irans nuclear ambitions and eliminating key military figures. We have struck the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment, its top scientists, and its ballistic missile program," Netanyahu said in a televised address.

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Irans state-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported that six nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes, which also targeted key personnel linked to Irans missile development programs.

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the Natanz facility, a central part of the countrys nuclear infrastructure, sustained damage. However, there was no indication of a radioactive leak. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors Irans nuclear activities, said it had not detected any rise in radiation levels at the site.

The countrys largest nuclear site, Natanz, was confirmed hit, with videos and images showing plumes of smoke rising above the facility. No increase in radiation levels has been observed there," CNN reported citing the IAEA.

Iran has yet to officially respond with military retaliation, but senior officials in Tehran have condemned the strikes as a blatant act of aggression," warning that consequences will follow.

The attack on Natanz marks a significant escalation in the long-running shadow war between Israel and Iran.

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Analysts warn the situation could spiral further, with possible retaliatory strikes or disruptions in regional oil shipments. Global powers, including the United States and members of the European Union, have called for restraint and urged both countries to avoid further provocation.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UNs nuclear watchdog, has repeatedly raised concerns over Irans non-compliance with its non-proliferation commitments. In a major development on Thursday, the IAEA passed a resolution  the first in nearly two decades  formally declaring Iran in breach of its obligations, signalling a potential escalation toward a UN referral.

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 : Tehran, Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 14:24 IST
Modis Cool Move: Why The New AC Temperature Guideline Is Smarter & Greener | Opinion

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:31 IST

Under Modis leadership, there has been a strong commitment to transitioning towards a sustainable and green energy future.

Low indoor temperatures below 20 C could potentially cause temperature shocks.

The Government Of India could soon regulate the temperature of your air conditioners. Sounds weird right, but its happening and the major air conditioner manufacturers are complying. In an attempt to control electricity consumption, the government is planning to standardise air conditioner temperatures.

Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar recently said in a press conference, The temperature should be between 20 to 28 for all ACs, according to these new regulations, I dont think any of us even use the AC at temperatures below 20.

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While well-intentioned, this one-size-fits-all approach risks overlooking individual comfort needs and begs the question: why is the government regulating the temperature of my air conditioner?

The logic is quite clear: to alleviate pressure on an increasingly strained power grid. Air conditioners currently account for approximately 50 gigawatts (GW) of electricity use, nearly one-fifth of the nations maximum power load. Approximately one billion tonnes of coal was burnt to meet this rising electricity demand.

The regulation is important given that more and more people are now able to afford air conditioners, and consequently sales are going up. Over 14 million AC units were sold last year. This has led to a share of household electricity use to rise from 22 per cent in 201213 to 25 per cent in 202223.

But why is there such a high demand for ACs and residential cooling? In 2024, India recorded 536 heatwave days, the highest in 14 years, with temperatures rising to 49.2C. It was officially the warmest year. 11,000 heat-related deaths were recorded between 2012-2021. In 2024, more than 200 heat-related deaths were recorded.

Why Capping The AC Thermostat Is A Good Idea

Even an incremental one-degree Celsius increase in AC temperature can cut energy use by 6%. Projections suggest that tighter energy regulations for ACs could save up to 60 GW of peak demand by 2035, potentially avoiding the need to spend 7.5 trillion (approximately $88 billion) on building new power plants and grid systems.

Apart from the economic savings for the government and climate protection one of the more underappreciated aspects of the temperature guideline is the positive impact it can have on personal health.

Low indoor temperatures below 20 C could potentially cause temperature shocks. It can lead to fatigue, increased stress on internal organs, and even respiratory issues. A moderate setting around 22C to 24C helps the body transition more smoothly between indoor and outdoor conditions, reducing health risks.

Setting air conditioners at 22 C also has specific benefits for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, or those with existing respiratory conditions. Lower temperatures can also flare up cold-induced ailments such as asthma, joint pain, or sinus irritation. Additionally, sleep quality tends to improve when indoor temperatures arent set too low.

Why India Is Not Unique

Globally, countries are taking similar steps as what India has proposed. Often these are stricter. Indias 2028 C range, is more flexible than the range of most countries.

Country Temperature Range China  26 C (govt buildings) Spain  27 C (public) Italy, Belgium 2527 C USA 2527 C (Advisory/not enforceable) Japan 28 C (advisory not enforceable) Australia 22C to 24C (Advisory/not enforceable)

Modi the Green Warrior

Under Modis leadership, there has been a strong commitment to transitioning towards a sustainable and green energy future. A pivotal moment was at the COP 26 summit in Glasgow, where Modi announced Indias ambitious Panchamrit" plan, committing the nation to achieving net-zero by 2070. To help fuel this green transition, Modi government introduced sovereign green bonds to attract investment for projects.

Domestically, the PM has spearheaded the Green India Mission since 2014 to enhance the countrys forest cover. This has led to a consistent increase in forest cover to 25.17 per cent. In urban areas, focus has been on sustainability and waste management. Schemes like Swachh Bharat have reduced groundwater contamination and improved public health.

Silent Revolution in Energy Efficiency

While AC temperature standardisation is the latest government initiative, under the Modi government there has been concerted efforts in reducing electricity consumption. Green building designs are an integral part of the Smart Cities Mission.

These envisage more use of solar energy, water conservation, smart lighting and energy efficient HVAC systems. Many Smart City projects have incorporated GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) or IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) standards.

GRIHA is Indias green building rating system, developed by the GRIHA Council and TERI in 2007. It was revamped in 2019 under the Modi government to align with global sustainability goals and Indias climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

High-profile state-backed projects have focussed on energy efficiency. Take for example, the Bharat Mandapam, where 43.5% reduction in energy consumption has been achieved through efficient AC systems and the integration of 400 KWp of solar PV panels. Similarly, at the new Parliament building, energy-efficient lighting has helped save over 50% power.

New sustainable building codes such as the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code for commercial buildings and Eco Niwas Samhita for residential buildings have also been deployed by the Modi government, which aim to reduce electricity consumption by 18 per cent.

Modi also spearheaded programmes like UJALA which distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, resulting in estimated energy savings of 48.41 billion kWh and avoiding a peak demand of 9,789 MW. The Street Lighting National Programme has installed over 1.31 crore LED streetlights, saving 8.82 billion kWh annually.

Keeping the Lights On

The Modi government has been at the forefront in driving capacity addition to existing power infrastructure. Per capita electricity consumption in India has increased to 1,395 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023-24, marking a substantial 45.8 per cent increase from 957 kWh in 2013-14. Rural areas now enjoy an average of 21.9 hours of electricity daily, up from 12.5 hours in 2014, while urban areas receive up to 23.4 hours, reflecting significant improvements in reliability and reach.

Power generation has been a major focus area. Indias total installed power generation capacity has surged by an impressive 83.8 per cent since March 2014. India successfully met an all-time maximum power demand of 250 GW during FY 2024-25, with energy shortages reducing to a mere 0.1 per cent from 4.2 per cent in FY 2013-14. The contribution from green energy sources is also rising. Since April 2014, 129 GW of renewable energy capacity has been added, including a substantial 91 GW of solar power.

However, there are challenges ahead. In the next two-three decades India faces an estimated investment gap of USD 1 to 2 trillion in energy infrastructure to achieve its target of 500 GW of clean power by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

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The core challenge is to balance escalating energy demands and rising aspirations with climate change considerations. While standardisation of AC temperatures, from the outside, seems like an unnecessary and intrusive move, it does play a part in reducing energy consumption in the longer term.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

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 13, 2025, 17:31 IST
Opinion | Operation Sindoor And After: India Must Prepare For A Two-Front War

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:16 IST

India should prepare for war not because it is imminent, but because peace must always be secured from a position of strength

There are those who argue that war is improbable, if not impossible, in the nuclear age. (PTI File)

After Operation Sindoor, it has become abundantly clear that the spectre of a two-front war, where Pakistan and China work in tandem against us, is a reality that cannot be ignored anymore. The collaboration may not be overt, through a joint declaration of war, but the alliance of hostile congruence is undeniable.

The idea of a collusive China-Pakistan military front against India is not new. Even before the ink dried on the Simla Agreement of 1972, Pakistan had begun cosying up to China. Their relationship, described over the years as higher than the mountains, deeper than the oceans", is not just a diplomatic aphorism. It is a strategic reality that has gained menacing proportions in the last two decades.

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The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Xi Jinpings Belt and Road Initiative, snakes through territory India claims as its ownGilgit-Baltistan. This project is not merely an infrastructure endeavour but a visible assertion of Chinas strategic intent in Indias immediate periphery. Add to this, regular joint military exercises, arms sales, intelligence sharing, and even potential nuclear cooperation, and one begins to grasp the nature of the challenge that confronts us.

There are those who argue that war is improbable, if not impossible, in the nuclear age. To them, the logic of mutual deterrence ensures peace. But history has shown that even nuclear-armed nations can engage in limited wars or protracted conflicts below the threshold of nuclear engagement. Kargil in 1999, Galwan in 2020, Uri in 2016, Balakot in 2019, and Operation Sindoor (2025) are reminders of this reality.

Moreover, one cannot ignore that China is no longer the aloof continental power it once was. Under Xi Jinping, it has adopted an aggressive, almost imperial posturewhether in the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, or along the Line of Actual Control with India. Its claims are expansive, its patience limited, and its contempt for the rules-based international order increasingly visible.

On the other hand, Pakistan, emboldened by its nuclear arsenal and sustained by a military that acts with near impunity, has found in China not only a patron but also a strategic mentor. The two have aligned not only militarily but ideologicallyin their contempt for Indias rise and its civilisational model.

The time has, therefore, come to actively prepare to deal with this scenario. National security cannot be a matter of episodic attention triggered by the next skirmish on the border or an election season. It requires sustained investmentintellectual, financial, and diplomatic. In other words, we need to put in place a national strategic and defence policy. What could be its possible elements? Expand alliances with like-minded nations. Strategic autonomy does not mean strategic solitude. The ability to balance our interests with Russia and America is particularly important.

Both are important sources of defence supplies. Simultaneously, we must strengthen Quad partnerships, further improve ties with ASEAN, and maintain a functional dialogue with China. Equally, we need to accelerate our ongoing defence indigenisation while selectively sourcing cutting-edge technologies from allies. We must also Invest much more in cyber and space defence, where the wars of the future will be shaped before the first bullet is fired. Our efforts to upgrade our border defence infrastructure must be urgently expedited. Finally, we must ensure internal political stability and social harmony. A nation divided within, cannot be united without.

While pursuing the above, there is no need for paranoia. We have certain undeniable strengths, and both Pakistan and China have their obvious weaknesses. Pakistan is a nation on the verge of implosion. It is politically unstablea sham democracy, ostensibly ruled by an unpopular civilian government, but actually run by an army junta that is fast losing credibility. It is also financially bankrupt, running on international doles, most of which goes to pay off old debts.

It is internally facing secessionist threats, including unrest in Balochistan and POK. Its most popular leader is languishing in jail, and his party is under shackles. Chinas economy is lagging, internal resentments over unemployment are growing, and it lacks the safety valve of a democracy. Moreover, under Xi Jinping, its imperialist posture is creating an increasingly cohesive international pushback. Allying with a failed and unstable state like Pakistan could prove to be a proposition with diminishing returns for the Chinese.

As against the above, India is a democratic country with close to 1.5 billion people, the fastest growing economy in the globe, and a nuclear power with one of the finest armed forces in the world. It is also one of the worlds largest emerging markets, and an entrepreneurial hub.

Yet, India must prepare for a two-front war. Not because war is imminent, but because peace must always be secured from a position of strength.

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For in the end, as Kautilya wrote in the Arthashastra: He who is prepared, is the master of his own destiny.

The writer is a former diplomat, an author, and a politician. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:16 IST
Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:46 IST

Prime Videos Panchayat is all set to return with Season 4 on June 24. Set in a quiet Indian village, the web series isnt just a comedy. It delivers life lessons that speak volumes. Here are six powerful life lessons from Panchayat that can stay with you long after the final episode.

1 / 6 Finding Happiness In Small Things: Panchayat beautifully captures how communal bonds and small everyday victories remind us to cherish the simple moments that make life meaningful. (Image: Instagram)

2 / 6 Simplicity: The series showcases the charm and simplicity of rural India. It is one of the reasons that the audiences are glued to the screen. (Image: Instagram)

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3 / 6 Adaptability: The character, Abhishek aka Sachiv Ji played by Jitendra Kumar, gives us a lesson about adaptability. He first arrives in the village, but is distracted and plans to leave soon. However, with time, he adapts to everything. (Image: Instagram)

4 / 6 Friendship: The bond between Pradhan Ji, Prahlad Cha, Vikas, and Sachiv Ji, proves that friendship goes beyond backgrounds. (Image: Instagram)

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5 / 6 Unity: Panchayat's ability to resolve problems through mutual understanding and collective efforts reflects the power of working and addressing issues together. (Image: Instagram)
Theres so much criticism of police and politics and local governments across the country going on, so heres an example of a municipal government doing the right thing and making an excellent decision that moves the ball forward.

The example is the Elko City Council and its decision to offer Kyle L. Ward the position of police chief, filling the gap opening up next month when admirable, longtime Elko Chief Ty Trouten retires from the position.

By all accounts, Ward is an excellent selection with a solid Nevada law-enforcement background.

We were just very excited, Elko City Manager Jan Baum said the other day in a phone conversation. Were very happy.

I think we can all see where that joy comes from. Heres a quick peek at Wards professional history. He holds the position of deputy chief at Las Vegas Department of Public Safety, where he oversees the Field Services Division that includes deputy city marshals. Before that, he worked his way up the ranks at the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. Hes been trained by the FBI National Academy. He holds a Ph.D. and is a part-time instructor at the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Phoenix and is a military reservist.

In other words, Elko would be lucky if Ward accepts the offer. Its unclear at this point how much that offer involves, but when the council approved posting to fill the position, the salary range was $125,088 to $168,230 a year, which is what Troutens salary is today. In Las Vegas, the most recent salary records for Ward, 2023, show he earned $154,915, plus $3,900 in whats classified as extra pay, bringing his total salary to $158,814.65 before $94,898 in benefits.

After leaving Elko, Ward went on a two-week military reserves deployment. But in a series of texts, he said he is looking forward to working in Elko. I like the small-town environment that Elko provides and there are great people here, he wrote. I did a few patrol ride-alongs earlier this week and saw most of the city  This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know the people, work to establish trust and build good relationships with them.

He said he is working with city leadership to complete all necessary offer paperwork as soon as possible. Then I can do the background process to complete all requirements necessary for appointment consideration.

Folks at the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety said they were aware of his offer and decision to leave and were thrilled for him  and for Elko.

The new chief will bring to the job skills honed as a police sergeant and detective with the Metro Police Department and as a leader with the DPS. Staff at DPS said theyll miss his leadership and kindness.

Were excited he and his family are moving here, Baum said.

Along with his extensive credentials, his humanity and his family, Ward will bring something else to Elko: Diversity.

Ward would be the first Black police chief in the city of Elko. Not that race should have a role in hiring, firing, leadership or policing. But it sure is nice to see small-town Elko pull itself into the 21st century. In fact, the city councils No. 2 selection, Wade Lyons of Austin, Texas, also is a Black police leader with an impeccable record.

Still, Ward would not be the first Black police chief in Elko County. Charles Chaz Edwin Wright was Carlins and Elko Countys first Black police chief and was second Black police chief in all of Nevada. He served on the police force from 1972 to 1988 and died in December 2023.

When Ward starts hell also bring a world view from outside Elko County. Hes from Michigan and has lived in Detroit and the Lansing areas there and is an alum of Michigan State University. Hes a proponent of community policing  which is when officers get to know people in the communities they patrol  and has other ways of looking at his profession.

Any way you look at the city councils decision to bring Ward aboard, its a winner for the Elko community.
'Rs 82,000 Gone From Deposit, No Explanation: Bengaluru Mans Landlord Story Goes Viral

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 21:10 IST

Sharing his ordeal, Shravan Tickoo wrote that despite living in the 2BHK flat for two years, he never once spoke directly to the landlord.

When he demanded proper invoices, Shravan Tickoo said that he was handed a handwritten sheet with vague charges.(Representative Image)

A LinkedIn post by entrepreneur Shravan Tickoo- detailing his frustrating experience with a landlord in Bengaluru- sparked reactions on the platform. Shravan Tickoo, who recently shifted homes, claimed that his landlord returned less than half of his hefty 1.5 lakh security deposit, citing arbitrary deductions.

Sharing his ordeal, Shravan Tickoo wrote that despite living in the 2BHK flat for two years, he never once spoke directly to the landlord- who only communicated through the building manager.

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There were always rumours that the owner had harassed previous tenants. So, when the time came, I was mentally prepared," he said. What followed, however, still left him stunned: 55,000 for painting, 25,000 for miscellaneous damages" and even 2,000 for using the buildings lift.

When he demanded proper invoices, Shravan Tickoo said that he was handed a handwritten sheet with vague charges. In the end, he got back just 68,000- a little over 40% of his deposit.

I take the blame for not doing proper due diligence," he wrote, adding, but the reality is, dealing with landlords in Bengaluru is just disheartening."

Bangalore landlords are becoming a menace," Shravan Tickoo said, concluding, I hope this reaches someone who can change that."

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Other users also shared similar stories in the comments with one writing, Its not just Bangalore. I was scammed by my landlord in Chennai the same way. India has no fair rental regulation."

Another added, My landlord deducted 1 lakh from my 4 lakh deposit. The anxiety of just asking for my own money was unreal."

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?"

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 13, 2025, 21:10 IST
'They Were My Neighbours': Heartbreaking Stories Of Passengers Who Perished In Air India Crash

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 13:45 IST

AI 171: The poignant and heartbreaking stories of passengers who lost their lives on the fateful Air India Dreamliner flight bound to London have surfaced on social media.

The heartbreaking stories of passengers who perished in the ill-fated Air India flight bound to London have come to surface.

Air India Dreamliner crash that claimed the lives of 241 souls onboard AI-171 has sent shockwaves in India. The London-bound flight came crashing down moments after takeoff at the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The visuals showed 787-8 being unable to maintain lift and stay airborne when the pilot sounded Mayday" but the tragedy struck moments later. The mid-size, twin-engine Boeing aircraft suffered its first-ever fatal accident as it came crashing down at a medical colleges mess and burst into a fireball. Thick black smoke bellowed from the crash site and after an extensive rescue operation, one lone survivor emerged from the destroyed fuselage.

The country came together to mourn the loss of innocent lives, marking one of Indias worst aviation tragedies.

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As the names of the souls onboard the fateful flight emerged, social media users began sharing the stories of passengers they either knew or were deeply impacted by the poignant accounts of the many who perished.

Rajasthan Family

Pratik Joshi of Banswara, a software professional, had been living in London for the past six years. He had envisioned a dream to move permanently to the UK along with his wife and three young children that was to become a reality this week.

Pratiks wife Dr Komi Vyas, a medical professional, had quit her job two days ahead of the ill-fated flight.

Also Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Rajasthan Doctor Quit Job Days Ago To Start Afresh In London, Entire Family Dead

Newlywed

Khushboo Kanwar of Araba Dudawata village in Rajasthans Balotra district had recently married Vipul Singh Rajpurohit. Vipul, a London-based doctor, was eagerly waiting for his wife to join him in London. Khushboo was accompanied by her father, Madan Singh Rajpurohit, to the airport.

A photo of Khusbhoo and her father was snapped before she entered the airport and boarded the AI-171 flight.

This was their last photo together.

This news will make you cry.Khushbu Rajpurohit from Balotra got married in January 2025. Her husband works at an IT company in London. Today, Khushbu was flying to London for the first time after her marriage on flight AI 171 to meet her husband. Her father came to drop her pic.twitter.com/moNQ1oY9Zg  STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) June 12, 2025

Neighbours

Shubh and Shagun Modi, the Udaipur siblings, were the children of prominent marble businessman Pinku Modi.

Shubh and Shagun, 24 and 22 respectively, had completed their MBAs and began contributing to their family business. The siblings were enroute London for a vacation and were to join and stay with a friend there.

An X user who claimed to be Shubh and Shaguns neighbour recounted how they grew up together through festivals and life.

Also Read: I Am Never Flying Air India: Ahmedabad Plane Crash Causes Mass Hysteria. How Safe Is Flying?

Among the passengers on that Air India flight two were my neighbors.

A brother and sister. The girl was my age. Her brother was my brothers age. We grew up seeing them celebrating festivals, living their life. And today, their family is living every parents worst nightmare. This doesnt feel like some distant headline anymore. Its right here. Its personal."

Among the passengers on that Air India flight two were my neighbors.A brother and sister. The girl was my age. Her brother was my brothers age. We grew up seeing them celebrating festivals, living their life. And today, their family is living every parents worst nightmare. Mudrika (@MudrikaKavdia) June 12, 2025

Also Read: Air India Crash: Rajasthan Newlywed On Way To Join Husband In London Among Victims

Husband Dies 7 Days After Wifes Death

London-based Arjun Patolia returned to India to immerse the ashes of his late wife Bharatiben.

His wifes wish was that her ashes and flower urn be immersed in the pond and river of her native village in Amreli district," a user on X noted.

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One Arjun bhai has died in this plane crash. Arjun Bhai's wife passed away in London 7 days ago. His wife's wish was that her ashes and flower urn be immersed in the pond and river of her native village in Amreli district.And Arjun bhai had brought the urn containing the ashes pic.twitter.com/NsgYnOSH8e  Aneetha Siddhartha (@SiddhAneeta) June 12, 2025

After attending the religious ceremonies with family and relatives, Arjun was returning to his daughters aged four and eight in London.

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

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 13, 2025, 13:33 IST
Air India Thailand-Delhi Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Phuket After Bomb Threat

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:24 IST

An Air India flight from Thailand to New Delhi received a bomb threat and made an emergency landing in Phuket. Passengers were safely evacuated.

Air India flights at an airport (Photo: PTI)

An Air India flight from Thailand to New Delhi made an emergency landing in Phuket on Friday after a bomb threat.

According to an official associated with the Airports of Thailand, passengers onboard flight AI 379 were safely evacuated, in line with emergency plans.

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The number of passengers on the flight was not immediately known.

Air India officials said there was a security alert on the flight, after which it landed on an emergency.

The aircraft took off from Phuket airport and was bound for New Delhi at 9.30 am (0230 GMT) on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

The development comes a day after the deadly Air India plane crash near the Ahmedabad airport claimed the lives of 241 of those on board.

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh was the only survivor, while others, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, were killed.

The ill-fated Air India flight had taken off from Ahmedabad for London.

It crashed into a nearby building seconds later.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was also onboard the flight, died in the crash.

Four MBBS students and a doctors wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter.

ALSO READ | Am I Boarding A Dreamliner? As Anxious Fliers Search The Net, A Look At Airlines Fleets

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the Air India plane crash and met the injured victims at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in the morning and drove straight to the plane crash site, officials said.

He spent around 20 minutes inspecting the site.

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Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi informed the Prime Minister about how the plane crashed into the college hostel and mess.

ALSO READ | Multiple Air India Flights Return To India As Iran Closes Airspace Amid Israeli Attacks

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 13, 2025, 11:41 IST
At Least 5 Killed, 12 Injured In Israeli Strikes On Iran's Tabriz

Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:54 IST

Most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force were killed in the Israeli air strikes as they gathered at an underground command centre

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13. (AFP photo)

At least five people were killed and 12 others injured in Israeli strikes on the city of Tabriz, the capital of Irans East Azerbaijan province, local media reported.

Most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards air force were killed in the Israeli air strikes as they gathered at an underground command centre.

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Shortly after the Israeli defence ministry announced that most of the Revolutionary Guard air force leadership was neutralised," the military clarified that several senior commanders had been eliminated".

It said that air force commander Amirali Hajizadeh, the drone force commander, and the aerial command chief were all killed by an Israeli air strike.

The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel," the military said.

As part of the combined opening strike, Israeli air force fighter jets struck the command centre where the commander of the IRGCs air force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was located along with other senior officials."

It said that Hajizadeh had played a central role in Irans plan for Israels destruction", which Israel has said its attack was intended to foil.

In addition, the senior officials who were eliminated led the attack on Saudi Arabias oil facilities in September 2019," the statement added.

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The Revolutionary Guards control Irans arsenal of ballistic missiles and are involved in defending the countrys airspace.

(With AFP inputs)

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 16:25 IST
PM Modi Speaks To Netanyahu, Calls For Restoration Of Stability After Israeli Strikes On Iran

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 19:40 IST

Benjamin Netanyahu briefed PM Modi on the objectives of Operation Rising Lion and emphasizing the threat posed by Irans nuclear programme.

PM Modi with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Reuters File Image)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following Israels large-scale strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets. The call comes amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region, with Benjamin Netanyahu briefing PM Modi on the objectives of Operation Rising Lion and emphasising the threat posed by Irans nuclear programme.

According to the Israeli Prime Ministers Office, Benjamin Netanyahu has been in contact with several world leaders since the strikes began, including the German Chancellor and the French President.

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The statement noted that these leaders showed understanding for Israels defense needs in the face of the Iranian threat of annihilation," and added that Benjamin Netanyahu would remain in close contact with them in the coming days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he shared Indias concerns during the conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasised on the importance of an early restoration of peace and stability in the region, underscoring Indias consistent call for restraint and de-escalation amid rising tensions.

Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to speak with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and UK PM Keir Starmer, his office said.

Israel-Iran Conflict

The Israel-Iran conflict escalated sharply following a major Israeli military offensive targeting Irans nuclear and military infrastructure. Launched under Operation Rising Lion, the strikes killed senior Iranian commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and destroyed multiple nuclear-related facilities such as the Natanz enrichment plant.

In response, Iran fired around 100 drones toward Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The sudden escalation has raised alarms across the international community, with fears that the situation could spiral into a broader regional war.

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Diplomatic fallout has been swift as Iran officially withdrew from nuclear negotiations with the United States, accusing Washington of backing Israels actions. Meanwhile, global powers including the UN, China and the European Union have urged restraint.

US President Donald Trump, while denying Washingtons direct involvement, praised the Israeli action and warned Tehran of further consequences if it failed to make a nuclear deal.

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 : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 18:53 IST
'Bitter And Painful Fate': Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Warns Israel Over 'Targeted Strikes'

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:13 IST

Iran Israel War News: "With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Khamenei said in a statement.

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (File)

Iran Israel War News: Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences after the latter launched targeted strikes" on the Islamic republic on Friday, including Tehran and nuclear sites.

Also See: Israel Iran War News Live Updates

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In a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, Khamenei vowed harsh punishment" for Israel after the airstrikes killed several Iranian commanders and scientists.

The Zionist regime at dawn today extended its vile and bloody hand to commit a crime in our dear country and revealed its evil nature more than ever by striking residential centers," Khamenei said in a statement.

With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," he added.

Khamenei confirmed that several commanders and scientists were martyred" in the attacks, saying their successors would immediately continue their duties."

Additionally, Irans Revolutionary Guards vowed revenge after the killing of its chief. The attacks will not remain unanswered and (Israel) must await harsh and regrettable revenge", said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in a statement read on state TV.

The statement followed Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites in an operation called Lions Power."

Israel Launches Strikes Against Iran

Israel carried out strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear and military sites. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the first stage" of their military operation is now complete, signalling a possible continuation of coordinated attacks.

Calling the offensive Rising Lion," Israel said it also targeted Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile programme and its Nantanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, he said.

Irans Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami, Army chief Mohammad Bagheri and several top nuclear scientists have been killed in the Israeli strikes.

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In response, Tehran has declared a nationwide state of emergency, according to state-run media outlets. Emergency services have been mobilised, and the Iranian military has reportedly been placed on high alert. The targeted killing of top military and nuclear figures has further inflamed an already volatile scenario.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 08:59 IST
Covert Drone Base, Smuggled Weapons: Inside Mossads Secret Ops In Iran Before Israeli Strikes

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:12 IST

The Israeli agency reportedly smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and hid them near key defence systems

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13. (AFP photo)

Israeli security officials on Friday said that the Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons and set up a covert drone base inside Iran ahead of Fridays powerful airstrikes on key military and nuclear sites. The strikes, part of what Israel has called Operation Rising Lion, have dealt a serious blow to Irans military leadership.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, said that Mossad successfully smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and hid them near key defence systems. These included surface-to-air missile batteries. The weapons were activated just as the Israeli strikes began, helping disable Irans defences from within.

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In addition, the Israeli agency reportedly established a hidden base within Iran to launch explosive-laden drones. During Fridays assault, these drones were used to hit missile launchers near Tehran, according tot the officials.

Fridays strikes killed several of Irans top military and security figures. Among them were Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces. Also killed was Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a key diplomatic figure.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of the main targets was Irans Natanz nuclear facility, calling it as the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme." Iran later confirmed the site had suffered damage.

This attack marks one of the most serious escalations in West Asia in recent years, with analysts calling it a significant blow to Tehrans defence structure. Iran responded by launching around 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation, according to the Israeli military, which said it was working to intercept them.

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ALSO READ: Irans Khamenei Names New Top Brass After High-Rank Officials Killed In Israeli Airstrikes

(With inputs from AP)

About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More

Location : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 16:10 IST
Flights Affected In West Asia As 5 Countries Close Airspace After Israel's Attack On Iran

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 20:27 IST

Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan shut down their airspaces after the attack, prompting global airlines to cancel flights or divert them to alternative routes.

Israel struck about 100 targets in its attack on Iran. (AFP)

Airlines cancelled or diverted flights to Israel, Iran and other countries in West Asia as airspaces were closed after the Israeli military launched an unprecedented attack on Iranian territory, targeting its nuclear sites and military infrastructure.

Israel used 200 jets to launch airstrikes on Iran, killing at least 78 people, including high-profile figures like Irans army chief and senior nuclear scientists. One of the major targets was the Natanz nuclear facility, where fresh explosions were reported on Friday. In response, Iran launched 100 drones that were intercepted outside Israeli territory.

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After the attack, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan shut down their airspaces, prompting global airlines to cancel flights or divert them to alternative routes. Two Air India flights to Vienna and London were about to enter Iranian airspace when the attack began, forcing the plane to return, according to Flight Aware.

Air Indias London-Delhi flight was rerouted over Iraq before arriving at its destination. The Indian airline diverted or called back a total of 16 flights between India and London and cities in Canada and the United States due to the emerging situation in Iran".

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Israeli Airspace Closed Amid Expected Retaliation

Furthermore, Emirates and Qatar Airways also cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran after the hostilities. Air France said it was suspending its flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice" following the closure of Israeli airspace.

Airlines operating from Russia, Germany, Switzerland and the UAE suspended flights to Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israels Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israels air defence units stood on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

Israels flag carrier, El Al Airlines, said it had suspended flights to and from Israel. Several flights that were due to land either turned around or were diverted to Cyprus or Greece. Israeli airlines said their planes were being moved out of the country as they braced for retaliation.

Israel on Friday said it targeted Irans nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

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Later in the day, Iran declared that Israels attack amounted to a declaration of war and vowed to respond. US President Donald Trump described the Israeli strikes on Iran as excellent" and hinted at the possibility of further attacks.

(with inputs from agencies)

About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More

Location : Jerusalem, Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 20:27 IST
How Israel Caught Iran Off Guard With Operation Rising Lion: Deception Tactic Decoded

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:22 IST

From a vacation ploy to son's wedding and "tensions with US", over the past few days before Friday's strikes, Israel pushed Iran into inaction with several decoys.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Reuters)

Israels latest airstrike on Iran once again showed how the Benjamin Netanyahu-led country uses clever planning and deception to protect itself and catch its enemies off guard. Israel launched a major operation  dubbed Operation Rising Lion  striking Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure in Tehran, Natanz, and other strategic sites.

Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday killed Irans Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami, local media reported. An Israeli defence official also claimed that the Israeli strikes have likely eliminated" Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Islamic republics armed forces, and several senior nuclear scientists.

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Israeli forces managed to fool Iran during this recent attack by creating a strategy that tricked Iranian defences and left them mostly ineffective.

According to a senior Israeli official who spoke to The Jerusalem Post, the decoy began on Thursday night. Israels security cabinet meeting was deliberately labeled as a discussion on hostage negotiations in Gaza. Ministers were told they would discuss stalled efforts to free Israeli captives held by Hamas. The aim was to put Iran to sleep," the source told the newspaper.

Once inside the secure meeting, however, the cabinet unanimously approved the Iran strike, a report in The Jerusalem Post stated. All ministers signed a Shomer Sod (Guardian of the Secret) agreementan NDA that ensured total silence. Only a small circle of officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David Barnea, and senior defence figures were fully briefed on the real objective.

To further lower Irans alert levels, reports were spread over the media that Netanyahu was planning a family holiday in the Galilee and would be attending his son Avners wedding next weekgiving the appearance that no major military action was imminent.

Then came the diplomatic decoy. Israel announced a trip to Washington for Dermer and Barnea, supposedly to meet a US envoy in a sixth round" of Iran nuclear talks in Omantalks that dont exist. In reality, both men never left Israel.

Netanyahu in fact refused to deny a fabricated leak that described tensions between him and former US President Donald Trump over a potential Iran strike. Israel told the US that it did not deny claims of friction between Washington and Jerusalem, ensuring Iran would be distracted. Iranian intelligence likely picked up on tensions, expecting Israel to hesitate  which Israel intended.

Meanwhile, Channel 12 journalist Amit Segal added an interesting detail  On April 12, Trump had publicly given Iran 60 days to reach a deal." The Israeli strike came exactly on day 61.

Meanwhile, Iran has now launched over 100 drones in the direction of Israel in retaliation.

The Art Of Deception Not New For Israel

This wasnt the first time Israel relied on deception to disorient Iran.

In 2020, top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was assassinated in a strike reportedly involving a remote-controlled gun and artificial intelligence carried out without alerting Iranian security.

In 2018, Mossad agents stole nuclear documents from a secret warehouse in Tehran and smuggled them back to Israel  without Iran realising it had been breached until it was too late.

In 2007, Israeli jets destroyed a Syrian nuclear reactor (believed to be Iranian-backed) in Operation Orchard using radar jamming and low-level flying to escape detection.

The Israel-Iran Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Iran has persisted for decades. Israel considers Iran its most dangerous adversary, primarily due to Tehrans nuclear ambitions, calls for Israels destruction, and ongoing support for armed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel fears that a nuclear-capable Iran would fundamentally disrupt the strategic balance in the region and pose an existential threat to the Jewish state. Conversely, Iran positions itself as a leader in the anti-Israel resistance, frequently using state media and proxy forces to challenge Israels legitimacy. Iran finances and arms militias in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Gaza that regularly attack Israeli territory. Historically, both nations have engaged through proxies, cyberattacks, and covert operations. However, the recent shift to open, direct confrontations, including Irans unprecedented missile strike on Israel in April and Israels latest bombing of Iranian territory, signifies a dangerous new phase of direct state-on-state warfare with fewer restraints and heightened risks. Operation Rising Lion On Friday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, hitting more than 100 targets deep inside Iran. Their airstrikes focused on nuclear facilities, including the major uranium enrichment site at Natanz, where large plumes of smoke were seen. In addition, the strikes targeted military installations  radar stations, missile-launch sites  and the homes or offices of top Iranian military leaders. Irans Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami and military chief Mohammad Bagheri, along with several nuclear scientists, were killed in the raids. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The attack represents one of Israels most intense strikes on Iranian soil since the 1980s, with around 200 fighter jets used in the first wave. Israel says it acted on its own, not at the direction of the US. In response, Iran launched over 100 drones towards Israel, which were intercepted before reaching the country. The strike has heightened fears of a larger Middle East conflict and cast doubt on upcoming diplomatic efforts.

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 13, 2025, 11:05 IST
Iran Launches Over 100 Drones After Israel's Deadly Strikes, IDF Says 'Working To Intercept'

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 11:16 IST

Iran responded on Friday by launching over 100 drones towards Israel. The Israeli military confirmed ongoing efforts to intercept the UAVs.

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran (Photo: Reuters)

Following a wave of Israeli air strikes across the Islamic Republic of Iran, the latter on Friday launched more than 100 drones towards Benjamin Netanyahus country.

Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was briefed on the situation and Israeli strikes, said, The Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see."

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With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

The Iranian military too, in an X post, posted videos of attacks, and wrote, See you very soon".

Meanwhile, Israels military said it was making an effort to shoot them down

Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told reporters.

He added that Israels strikes on Iran involved 200 fighter jets striking about 100 targets across Iran.

Early on Friday, Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders and that this was the start" of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions, including at the countrys main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes.

Irans elite Revolutionary Guards corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, was killed, and state media reported the units headquarters in Tehran had been hit.

Several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, Reuters quoted the Revolutionary Guards corps as saying.

Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement that Israel had unleashed its wicked and bloody" hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive a bitter fate for itself".

An Israeli military official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

As the tensions escalated, the Indian Embassy in Iran advised all Indian nationals and those of Indian-origin to remain vigilant in the wake of Israels Rising Lion offensive in Tehran.

Meanwhile, the United States said it had no part in the operation, which raises the risk of a fresh escalation in tensions in the Middle East, a major oil-producing region.

Alongside extensive air strikes, Israels Mossad spy agency led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran, Axios reported, citing a senior Israeli official.

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These operations were aimed at damaging Irans strategic missile sites and its air defence capabilities.

ALSO READ | Deeply Concerned: India Urges Israel And Iran To De-Escalate, Return To Diplomacy

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 13, 2025, 10:48 IST
Iran Withdraws From Nuclear Talks With United States After Israeli Strikes

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:44 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict: The decision comes amid heightened hostilities following Israels large-scale military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pushed back against US criticism. (AP file photo)

Iran officially announced its withdrawal from nuclear negotiations with the United States- a decision that comes amid heightened hostilities following Israels large-scale military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites and Tehrans retaliatory drone barrage.

The now-collapsed talks were aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear agreement, which had limited Irans nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief- a deal the US exited in 2018 under the Donald Trump administration.

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Trump Says Iran Has Second Chance For Nuclear Deal

US President Donald Trump said Iran now has perhaps, a second chance" to reach a nuclear agreement, following Israels sweeping military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump revealed that he had given Tehran a 60-day ultimatum two months ago to come to the negotiating table. He wrote, They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"

The post comes just an hour after Donald Trump publicly urged Iran to make a deal, warning that further Israeli attacks could be even more brutal."

Israel-Iran Conflict

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Israels military confirmed that Iran launched around 100 drones toward its territory in response to the overnight strikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the majority were intercepted. The IDF also claimed responsibility for precision strikes on several Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets, saying that Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami and other senior commanders were killed.

Iranian authorities say at least six nuclear scientists were also killed in the Israeli assault and state media reported that civilians, including children, were among the dead.

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 : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 17:35 IST
Iranian Paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Chief, Nuclear Scientists Killed In Israeli Strikes

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 13:20 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict News: Israeli defence official has claimed that the Israeli strikes have "likely eliminated" Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of Islamic republic's armed forces.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General, Hossein Salami (Reuters)

Israel-Iran Conflict News: Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday killed Irans Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami, Iranian army confirmed.

Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regimes attack on the IRGC headquarters," the army said.

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Also See: Israel Iran War News Live Updates

Irans Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the countrys theocracy. It also controls Irans arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Additionally, Israeli strikes have also eliminated Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Islamic republics armed forces, and several senior nuclear scientists.

Iran state media further reported that several civilians, including women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli strikes.

Israel Launches Strikes Against Iran

Israel carried out strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear and military sites. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the first stage" of their military operation is now complete, signalling a possible continuation of coordinated attacks.

Calling the offensive Rising Lion," Israel said it was also targeting Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile programme and its Nantanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, he said.

Israeli army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, further warned the citizens to prepare for a potential Iranian response.

I cant promise absolute success - the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to," Zamir said in a statement, while calling the strikes on Iran a historic campaign unlike any other".

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In response, Tehran has declared a nationwide state of emergency, according to state-run media outlets. Emergency services have been mobilised, and the Iranian military has reportedly been placed on high alert. The targeted killing of top military and nuclear figures has further inflamed an already volatile scenario.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 07:41 IST
Irans Three Most Powerful Men Killed In Israels Operation Rising Lion: Who Were They?

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 18:18 IST

Among those killed in Israels Operation Rising Lion were Irans highest-ranking military officer, the head of Revolutionary Guards Corps, and a former national security chief

(From left) Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri and Ali Shamkhani (AP/PT)

Israel Defense Minister Katz on Friday afternoon said that most of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) senior air force officials were killed during the IDF strikes. Among those killed in Israels unprecedented Operation Rising Lion were Irans highest-ranking military officer Major General Hossein Salami, the head of its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps Mohammad Bagheri, and former national security chief Ali Shamkhani.

Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the nations military establishment and could seriously hamper the Islamic Republics ability to respond to Israels attacks.

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ALSO READ | Oil Prices To Nuclear Arms: Will Israel-Iran Conflict Hit Global Trade? What Does It Mean For India?

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly appointed new Revolutionary Guards and armed forces chiefs to replace those killed in targeted Israeli strikes on Friday. In separate decrees, Khamenei named Mohammad Pakpour to replace Hossein Salami as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Abdolrahim Mousavi to replace Mohammad Bagheri as chief of the armed forces general staff.

In view of Lt. Gen. Gholamali Rashids martyrdom at the hands of the vile Zionist regime, and in light of Major General Ali Shadmanis meritorious services & valuable experience, I confer the rank of Major Gen. & appoint him Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya (pbuh) Central HQ. pic.twitter.com/4dTDCKx66P Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

MAJOR GENERAL HOSSEIN SALAMI

As the head of the secretive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami, was one of the most powerful men in Iran, overseeing its most potent military arm and reporting directly to its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Born in 1960, according to a US sanctions docket, Salami had headed the secretive and IRGC since 2019. The position saw him helming one of the most powerful tools wielded by the Iranian state, which has been instrumental in crushing dissent at home and projecting Irans power abroad, the CNN reported.

Analysts say the IRGC funds and supports a vast network of militias across the region which it uses to strike at US and other military personnel across the Middle East. The IRGC is also believed to provide materials and support to Yemens Houthis, enabling the group to strike international shipping in the Red Sea and launch missiles and drones at Israel.

Salami was at the helm of the IRGC when Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel in April and October last year, in the first direct strikes by Iran on Israeli territory.

In footage released by Iranian state media in January, Salami was seen inspecting what the media said was an underground military facility that had played a role in those attacks. Wearing a green military uniform and short beard, Salami took the salute of soldiers in the cavernous underground complex and walked over the United States and Israel flags on the ground. The site was now manufacturing new special missiles," semi-official Iranian media outlet Mehr News reported.

Salami was head when IRGC shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet shortly after it took off from Tehrans international airport, killing all 176 people on board. An unnamed IRGC commander of the Tor M1 surface-to-air missile defense system that shot down the plane was sentenced to 13 years in prison, according to Irans Mehr news outlet. CNNs security analyst Beth Sanner said that removing Salami is akin to taking out the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff: You can imagine what Americans would do," she said.

MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMMAD BAGHERI

Since 2016, Mohammad Bagheri served as the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, which IISS estimated could call on more than 500,000 active personnel.

The General Staff is the most senior military body in Iran, which implements policy and monitors and coordinates activities within the armed forces", according to a US Treasury document laying out sanctions against Bagheri in 2019. Bagheri was sanctioned along with nine others close to Ayatollah Khamenei who have for decades oppressed the Iranian people, exported terrorism, and advanced destabilizing policies around the world," the document said.

In view of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri at the hands of the evil Zionist regime, & in light of Major General Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavis meritorious services & valuable experience, I appoint him as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/e6LUdb4elG Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

Photos published by Irans Tasnim news outlet showed him allegedly meeting with Iranian troops fighting on the ground alongside government forces in Syria in 2017. In April, Bagheri met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud in Tehran, in a rare visit by a senior Saudi royal to the Islamic Republic. The next month Reuters reported that during the meeting the Saudi defense minister had delivered a warning to Bagheri: take President Donald Trumps offer to negotiate a nuclear agreement seriously because it presents a way to avoid the risk of war with Israel.

In view of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Hossein Salami at the hands of the vile Zionist regime, and in light of Major General Mohammad Pakpours meritorious services and valuable experience, I appoint him as Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. pic.twitter.com/gGlEUZTOFa Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

ALI SHAMKHANI

Ali Shamkhani was a close aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and represented Tehran at talks which sealed a landmark agreement to restore diplomatic ties with foe Saudi Arabia.

Iranian state TV network IRINN confirmed his death following Israels unprecedented strikes on Friday.

Shamkhani served as the countrys top national security official for a decade from 2013, and before that served in a number of important roles, including in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the ministry of defense. He had been a rising star of Iranian diplomacy, well known in foreign-policy circles in Washington and Europe.

Shamkhani represented Iran in China-brokered talks with Saudi officials that led to the two countries agreeing to re-establish diplomatic ties after years of hostility. But he was abruptly replaced in mid-2023, said the CNN.

The former national security chief was ambitious, experts say, and had an extensive portfolio. He ran for president in 2001 to held key posts in the IRGC and the defense ministry. Some analysts suggested at the time that Khamenei may have thought him too ambitious. Still, he remained a close aide to the supreme leader, and gave advice as Iran re-entered nuclear talks with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

In April, days before talks with the US, he warned Tehran could expel UN nuclear inspectors and cease cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) if it feels under threat.

Aerospace Force Head, Nuclear Scientists Attacked

Amir Ali Hajizadeh: Hajizadeh was the head of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force. Israel has identified him as the central figure responsible for directing aerial attacks against its territory. In 2020, Hajizadeh took responsibility for the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which occurred shortly after Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani.

Gholmali Rashid: Major General Rashid was head of the IRGCs Khatam al Anbia headquarters. He previously served as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and fought for Iran during the 1980s war with Iraq.

Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani: Abbasi, a nuclear scientist, served as head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013. A hardliner, Abbasi was a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi: Tehranchi, a nuclear scientist, was head of Irans Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

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Four other scientists killed in Fridays strikes are Abdolhamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feghi and Motalibizadeh.

With CNN, Reuters Inputs

About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More

First Published: June 13, 2025, 15:16 IST
West Asia On The Brink: What Did Israel Achieve Through Its Strikes On Iran, What Did It Risk?

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:10 IST

Israel- Iran Conflict: The strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion by Israel, killed several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Israel- Iran Conflict: Iranian state media said that residential areas in Tehran were hit, with reports of civilian deaths.

Tensions between Israel and Iran reached a dangerous new peak after Tel Aviv launched a large-scale military offensive targeting what it called the heart" of Irans nuclear programme. The strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion by Israel, killed several high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists following which Iran retaliated by launching approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory.

Iranian state media claimed the strikes resulted in significant civilian casualties, including women and children while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed deep concern, warning of the grave consequences of targeting nuclear sites.

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Israel said the precision strikes were intended as a strong deterrent against Tehrans advancing nuclear ambitions, claiming they eliminated key military leaders and nuclear scientists involved in Irans weapons programme. However, the scale and targets of the operation have raised fears of triggering a full-fledged regional war, with analysts warning that such escalations risk spiraling beyond containment.

Israel-Iran Conflict: Heres A Look At What Has Happened So Far:

1. In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched a sweeping air campaign across Iran, targeting over 100 military and nuclear-related sites, including the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.

2. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several senior figures, including Hossein Salami, chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Mohammad Bagheri, the armed forces chief of staff. Israel claims it eliminated" key figures leading Irans nuclear and military command.

3. IRGC-linked outlet Tasnim News reported six nuclear scientists were killed, including former Atomic Energy Organization head Fereydoon Abbasi and multiple professors from Shahid Beheshti University.

4. Iranian state media said that residential areas in Tehran were hit, with reports of civilian deaths.

5. Following the Israeli strikes, Iran launched around 100 drones toward Israel. The IDF said it intercepted many of them. Air raid sirens and emergency alerts were activated across Israeli cities.

6. Explosions were confirmed at Natanz, Irans key uranium enrichment plant. While the IAEA reported no increase in radiation levels, Director General Rafael Grossi warned of serious implications" for global nuclear safety and urged both sides to show restraint.

7. US President Donald Trump said Iran was warned repeatedly but failed to reach a deal. In a statement, he said, They are all DEAD now" as he urged Iran to make a deal before there is nothing left."

8. Washington has officially denied participating in the Israeli offensive as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the US provided no support and that its priority is to protect American troops in the region.

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9. Countries including the UK, France, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have expressed concern and called for restraint. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned both nations against descending into deeper conflict.

10. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was a preemptive strike to counter Irans alleged near-readiness to build nuclear weapons. Talks between the US and Iran over reviving the nuclear deal had recently stalled, and Israeli intelligence assessed Iran could produce a bomb within days."

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 : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 16:57 IST
Israel Strikes Iran Again After Nuclear Site Hits, Air Defences Active Near Khamenei's House

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:59 IST

Air defence systems were activated across multiple regions in response to the latest attacks

A photo released by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13 shows smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli strike in Tehran early on Friday. (AFP)

Israel on Friday carried out a second round of airstrikes on Iran, further escalating tensions between the two nations. The overnight attacks reportedly targeted nuclear and military sites, along with residential buildings linked to Iranian officials.

According to multiple Iranian media reports, air defence systems were activated across several regions, including Tehran, in response to the latest attacks. Significant activity was reported near Pasteur Square, a high-security zone that houses the official residence of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the presidential office.

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Here the latest developments from the second round of Israeli airstrikes on Iran as tensions continue to rise:

Israels military also confirmed that it had identified missiles launched from Iran" towards Israeli territory and urged all citizens to take shelter.

The Israeli military said that its fighter jets struck Irans nuclear facility in Isfahan, dismantling key infrastructure including a site for producing metallic uranium, infrastructure for reconverting enriched uranium, laboratories, and additional infrastructure."

Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin that Tehran does not seek to develop nuclear weapons following a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes. In a phone call between the two leaders, Pezeshkian reaffirmed Irans stance, saying, The Islamic Republic of Iran has always maintained that it does not seek to acquire nuclear arms and that it is always ready to provide guarantees on this issue to the competent international authorities."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia. Spoke to Iranian FM @araghchi this evening on the latest situation," Jaishankar shared in a post on X.

In a televised message, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning against Israel, declaring that the Iranian armed forces will act with strength" and bring the vile Zionist regime to its knees."

The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed from this crime," assuring the Iranian public that there will be no negligence in this matter," Khamenei stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the latest round of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, reaffirming his earlier criticism of the previous attacks on the nuclear sites.

A massive explosion" was heard in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, according to the Mehr news agency. The province is home to several key nuclear facilities, though the report did not immediately provide further details about the cause or location of the blast.

Following the latest round of attacks, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to deliver a televised address to the nation

An Iranian news outlet close to the government reported that two explosions were heard near the Fordo nuclear enrichment site, which is located deep underground, Associated Press reported.

In Tehran, defence forces intercepted aerial targets." Activity was reported near Pasteur Square, a high-security area home to Irans Supreme Leader and the presidential office, Iranian media reported.

Following the strikes, Israels army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said the military was operating at full force" to achieve its objectives. We are continuing with full force, at a high pace, in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves," he said in an official statement.

Zamir urged Israeli citizens to stay prepared for further escalations: There will be difficult moments, we need to be prepared for the range of scenarios we have planned for, very high readiness and discipline are required on the home front."

At the same time as the strikes, air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem. The Israeli military confirmed that a missile had been launched from Yemen.

The IDF (military) has identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory," the army said in a statement. Residents reported hearing loud booms over Jerusalem, similar to past missile interceptions.

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ALSO READ: Khamenei Vows To Bring Israel To Its Knees; Rocket Fired From Yemen Triggers Jerusalem Alert

(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 : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 22:02 IST
Explosions Rock Tehran As Dozens Of Israeli Jets Hit Iran's Nuclear, Military Sites

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:16 IST

Iran Israel War News: Israel has launched a large-scale military offensive on Iranian nuclear and military targets, citing the need to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons.

Smoke seen after an explosion in Tehran (Photo: AP)

Iran Israel War News: Israel on Friday said it had struck multiple Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons. Irans state TV reported several explosions in Tehran, and the countrys air defence system was on full alert.

Also See: Israel Iran War News Live Updates

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Explosions were also reported at the countrys main uranium enrichment facility.

Calling the offensive Rising Lion, Israel said it was also targeting Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced a special situation as some military officials there confirmed attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile programme and its Nantanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would continue for days, he said.

The Israeli Defence Forces, in an X post, mentioned that dozens of jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran."

???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???? ????????????????????????????????????????, ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????.Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including pic.twitter.com/vtx98P9564  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

According to Reuters, Irans leadership was holding a top security meeting.

The report also quoted an Israeli military official as saying that Israel was striking dozens" of nuclear and military targets. He also said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

INDIA ISSUES ADVISORY

As the tensions escalated, the Indian Embassy in Iran on Friday advised all Indian nationals and those of Indian-origin to remain vigilant.

The Indian Embassy also said Indians should avoid all unnecessary movements and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities.

US RESPONDS TO ISRAELs ACTION IN IRAN

In an official statement amid the strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defence.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubios statement read.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

CNN reported that US President Donald Trump was convening a cabinet meeting.

US and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehrans escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, Reuters quoted officials from both countries and their Omani mediators as saying.

On Thursday, Trump had said an Israeli strike on Iran could very well happen" but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.

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US intelligence had indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Irans nuclear facilities, and U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity that Israel could attack in the coming days.

ALSO READ | Dangerous Place: Trump Orders US Troops Out Of Middle East Amid Iran Tensions

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 13, 2025, 06:42 IST
Khamenei Vows To 'Bring Israel To Its Knees'; Iran Launches 100 Ballistic Missiles

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 23:50 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed from this crime."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Image: AFP file)

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning against Israel, declaring that the Iranian armed forces will act with strength" and bring the vile Zionist regime to its knees" as Tehran launched 100 ballistic missiles toward Israel, escalating the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

In a televised message, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed from this crime," assuring the Iranian public that there will be no negligence in this matter."

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His remarks come as the Israeli Air Force confirmed it is continuing operations inside Iran, targeting missile launchers and other infrastructure.

Air Raid Sirens In Jerusalem

Meanwhile, Jerusalems air raid alert system was briefly activated following the launch of a rocket from Yemen, which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says they are working to intercept. Israeli police have announced that security forces are conducting searches across the Jerusalem district to identify any impact zones from falling weapons.

The region remains on high alert as fears of further escalation mount.

Russia Condemns Israels Actions

Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Israels military actions in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that the strikes violate the UN Charter and international law." As per Kremlin, Vladimir Putin expressed strong disapproval of the Israeli offensive, calling for an immediate de-escalation and urging respect for international norms and regional stability. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all

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 : Iran

First Published: June 13, 2025, 22:57 IST
Mossad Set Up Secret Drone Base In Iran, Struck Missile Launchers Aimed At Israel: Report

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 14:06 IST

Mossad also conducted a series of covert sabotage missions targeting Iranian air defence and long-range missile facilities.

Rescue teams rush to a neighbourhood targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June (Pic: AFP)

Israels Mossad intelligence agency established a secret drone base near Tehran as part of a long-running covert campaign targeting Irans nuclear and missile infrastructure, The Times of Israel reported, citing a senior Israeli security official. The operation was carried out in close coordination with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), involving the smuggling of precision weapons systems and elite commandos into Iranian territory.

According to the report, the bases UAVs were activated overnight to strike surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel. Simultaneously, Mossad commandos deployed precision-guided missiles near anti-aircraft sites in central Iran, while other vehicles carrying advanced weapon systems helped disable Irans air defence systemspaving the way for Israeli aircraft to operate with air superiority.

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In parallel, Mossad also conducted a series of covert sabotage missions targeting Iranian air defence and long-range missile facilities, according to Axios journalist Barak Ravid.

Speaking to CNN, Ravid said a senior Israeli official confirmed that these sabotage operations were launched alongside widespread Israeli airstrikes across Iran. On social media, Ravid described them as covert sabotage operations deep inside Iran."

Dozens of strategic sitesincluding those linked to Irans nuclear programme, military infrastructure, and high-ranking commanderswere hit in the coordinated assault. Israel is now bracing for what it expects will be a forceful response from Tehran.

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The strikes mark a major escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict, with the Israeli Air Force launching a wide-ranging assault on dozens of military and nuclear-linked targets across Iran.

Among the key locations hit were the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, missile launch sites, and command centers. The operation, described by Israeli officials as a preemptive move to counter an existential threat," follows heightened tensions over Irans advancing nuclear programme. Iran has declared a nationwide state of emergency in response, while Israel remains on high alert for potential retaliation.

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 13, 2025, 14:06 IST
'Operation Will Continue': Israel PM Netanyahu On Targeted Military Strikes On Iran

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:35 IST

Israel said that early on Friday it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues video message. (X)

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the countrys attack on Iran would continue for as many days as it takes" after Israel announced it had carried out targeted military strikes" on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Netanyahu said in a video statement, naming the operation Rising Lion".

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Prime Minister Netanyahu:Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility at Natanz We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme," he said, adding that Israel had also hit Iranian nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb".

His remarks came after Israel said that early on Friday it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons, and Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the countrys main uranium enrichment facility.

Calling the offensive Rising Lion," Israel said it was also targeting Iranian commanders and missile factories, and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

An Israeli security official said that Netanyahu and other top officials decided Monday that the operation would start today.

Meanwhile, Israel defence official has claimed that the chief of Irans military, Mohammad Bagheri, other members of the militarys top brass, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the IDFs strikes.

Israeli defense sources said that attacks on Iran will continue, and are expected to continue on an ongoing basis for days, reported Jerusalem Post.

Dozens of Israeli aircraft participated in an initial wave of strikes on dozens of military targets and Iranian nuclear sites early on Friday morning.

Israeli army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, further warned the citizens to prepare for a potential Iranian response.

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I cant promise absolute success - the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to," Zamir said in a statement, while calling the strikes on Iran a historic campaign unlike any other".

In response, Tehran has declared a nationwide state of emergency, according to state-run media outlets. Emergency services have been mobilised, and the Iranian military has reportedly been placed on high alert. The targeted killing of top military and nuclear figures has further inflamed an already volatile scenario.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Israel

First Published: June 13, 2025, 06:56 IST
Its A War: Israels Strikes On Over 30 Targets Different From Earlier Iran Attacks | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 16:43 IST

Israel expects Operation Rising Lion to last for weeks, if not months, depending on the scale of retaliation, according to intelligence sources and the media briefing

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu points to a red line he drew on the graphic of a bomb used to represent Iran's nuclear program at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 27, 2012. (REUTERS/File Photo)

Israels Operation Rising Lion against Iran is different from its previous operations against Iran, according to intelligence sources who studied the briefing of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

Israel launched a full-scale coordinated attack against Iran at around 0300 hrs on June 13. Multiple waves of airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory targeted military installations, particularly nuclear facilities, and conducted assassination attacks against numerous high-ranking officials and persons of interest. Israels intelligence unit Mossad likely established a base for attack drones in the heart of Iran.

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ALSO READ | Irans Three Most Powerful Men Killed In Israels Operation Rising Lion: Who Were They?

Among those killed in the operation were Irans highest-ranking military officer Major General Hossein Salami, the head of its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps Mohammad Bagheri, former national security chief Ali Shamkhani and Chief of Emergency Command Gholam-Ali-Rashid.

 IAF fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence, struck the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area overnight. This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the pic.twitter.com/JVLIZFHwLm Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

WHAT MAKES THE ATTACK DIFFERENT

Israel expects Operation Rising Lion to last for weeks, if not months, depending on the scale of retaliation. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has so far carried out five waves of strikes in Iran since morning. The IDF statement reported that jets completed the first stage, including strikes on dozens of military targets, notably nuclear targets in various areas of Iran.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attack will continue as long as necessary.

It is a declared war against the state of Iran. The IDF has stated its objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability," they said.

While the IDF emphasised the operation targeted the aggressive regime and its commanders, and not the people of Iran, a large-scale retaliation is expected.

THE NUCLEAR TALK

Mossad separately executed targeted assassinations, according to media reports. The IAEA confirmed it is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran, with the Natanz site among the targets.

The IDF revealed that the Iranian regime was advancing a secret plan to obtain nuclear weapons. As part of this plan, senior nuclear scientists in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for a nuclear weapon.

ALSO READ | Oil Prices To Nuclear Arms: Will Israel-Iran Conflict Hit Global Trade? What Does It Mean For India?

US SUPPORT

When asked about the US support at the briefing, the IDF deflected, stating they were capable and undertaking operations with their own resources.

The US Secretary of State clarified that the US is not involved in Israels unilateral action against Iran, with the top priority being the protection of American forces in the region.

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THE TARGETS

Qeytariyeh, Tehran Niavaran, Tehran West Tehran and Chitgar East Tehran Mehrabad, Tehran Several attacks on Tehrans Mahallati neighbourhood Shahid Chamran Town, Nobonyad, in Tehran A tower in Kamraniyeh, Tehran Narmak, Tehran Saadat Abad, Tehran Andarzgoo, Tehran Orchid Complex in Sattarkhan, Tehran Shahid Daghayeghi Town, Tehran (widespread attacks) Farahzadi, Tehran Armed Forces General Command Headquarters Ozgol, Tehran Ali Shamkhanis residence Shahraara, Tehran Saadat Abad KETAB Square University profs residential Complex Garmdareh Several attacks on the Natanz nuclear site Parchin facilities Several military bases in Tehran Qom Khorramabad Hamedan Parchin Qasre Shirin Tabriz Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan Kermanshah Ilam Arak

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: June 13, 2025, 16:34 IST
A Sichuan Opera performer shares a light moment with primary school students on Thursday at a Cultural and Natural Heritage Day event in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. DING GENHOU/FOR CHINA DAILY

From time to time, Liang Desong still finds it hard to come to terms with the years he spent away from his art  doing odd jobs in farming and construction to make ends meet.

Liang is a dedicated practitioner of Miao painting in Central China's Hunan province. The art form, in which fine-tipped brushes and vibrant paints are used to create detailed artworks on fabric, mimics the intricate stitches of Miao embroidery.

Liang, who is now in his 60s, was forced to lay down his brush in the 1980s, as machine-made clothing swept through markets and pushed traditional crafts to the margins.

However, thanks to the country's growing efforts to protect and revive the art form, which was named a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011, Liang was given the chance to return to the roots of his identity.

Today, the growth of cultural tourism in the region, spurred by heritage-focused development policies, has turned his workshop in Jishou, in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, into a vibrant tourism destination.

"I feel Miao paintings have visibly made a comeback among the public," said Liang, who was named a national inheritor in 2018, a status that has further helped to boost the spread of his craft.

His journey is an example of the tangible results of the country's nationwide push to safeguard its diverse cultural heritage.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, President Xi Jinping has placed great importance on the protection and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has underlined the importance of intangible cultural heritage on multiple occasions.

During his visit to a Dong ethnic village in Southwest China's Guizhou province in March, Xi praised the distinctive culture of the ethnic group, including stilt houses, the grand song of the Dong people and batik craftsmanship, as "deeply traditional and remarkably stylish".

When he visited Huawu village during an inspection tour of Guizhou in 2021, Xi gave the thumbs-up to using Miao embroidery to pass down ethnic traditional culture, aid in the battle against poverty, and promote rural vitalization.

In 2019, Xi emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural heritage of ethnic groups during an inspection tour of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

People from ethnic groups take part in a parade in Danzhai county, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture of Guizhou province. [Photo by Yang Wukui/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Annual celebration

Building on his initiatives, the 2025 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day will be celebrated on Saturday. Established in 2006, the annual event highlights the country's efforts to preserve and rejuvenate China's cultural relics.

Since 2011, more than 10 billion yuan ($1.39 billion) has been allocated in the central budget to support the protection and inheritance of representative national intangible cultural heritage items and the activities carried out by related national-level inheritors, according to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

When visiting North China's Shanxi province in 2022, Xi said that more efforts must be made to conserve the country's cultural heritage and promote its role in contributing to economic and social development and people's quality life.

Government organs, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Rural Revitalization Administration, have been promoting the development of intangible cultural heritage workshops to support rural vitalization.

They have encouraged broader participation from various sectors in establishing such workshops and outlined concrete measures such as boosting employment, enhancing training programs, cultivating local promoters, improving product competitiveness, expanding sales channels and strengthening publicity and promotion.

As of June 2024, a total of 9,100 such workshops had been established across the country. Most of these are built around leading local enterprises or cooperatives engaged in intangible cultural heritage practices. They have become vital platforms for the living preservation of traditional culture and serve as powerful engines driving rural vitalization.

Chen Yunzhen, an experienced ethnic Qiang embroidery artist from Beichuan Qiang autonomous county in Southwest China's Sichuan province, has managed over the years to promote the art through such a workshop in her hometown.

To date, she has led her team to develop a wide range of products featuring Qiang embroidery, from home decorations and tailor-made clothes to creative cultural products, while providing training and employment to more than 500 local women.

"Our business has been growing, and we're committed to bringing this craft with a history of more than 1,000 years to modern life," Chen said.

According to a 2024 report from the top legislature based on a nationwide inspection focused on reviewing the implementation of the country's Intangible Cultural Heritage Law, a large number of intangible cultural heritage items have been effectively protected since the law took effect in 2011.

The report said that the intangible cultural heritage work mechanism has been continuously improved over the years, public awareness of efforts to protect related items has deepened, and heritage's role in serving contemporary society and benefiting the people has increasingly grown.

Zhang Pingjun, deputy director of the School of Law at Huaqiao University in Quanzhou, Fujian province, said that China's legislative efforts to protect intangible cultural heritage have played an active role in enhancing awareness of protection, cultivating legislative talent, innovating legal protection methods, and aligning with international intangible cultural heritage legislation.

The year 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of China joining the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. To date, the country boasts more than 100,000 intangible cultural heritage items, including over 1,550 designated as national-level items.

After the inscription of traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in November 2022, Xi said the inscription is significant to the promotion of China's tea culture.

Xi also emphasized the need to promote the creative transformation and development of the best of traditional Chinese culture, enhance the cohesion of the Chinese nation and the appeal of Chinese culture, deepen exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations, better tell the stories of China's fine traditional culture, and better present Chinese culture to the world.

As of the end of last year, 44 Chinese items have been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the latest addition in December of Spring Festival, which encompasses the social practices of the Chinese people in celebrating the traditional new year.

Yuan Li, a researcher at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, noted that living inheritance  passed down through oral instruction and personal demonstration  is vital for the transmission of intangible cultural heritage, and emphasized that many techniques and crafts have been preserved primarily through this method.

Yuan added that "intangible cultural heritage most embodies the grassroots character of a country and best represents a nation's aesthetic customs".

Innovative initiatives

The government's support for intangible cultural heritage has also encouraged industrial players' participation in the field.

With a history of more than 70 years, Beijing Gongmei Group, a leading enterprise in China's arts and crafts industry, launched the Yuxun program in 2023 to explore modern-day uses of traditional arts and crafts.

It has rolled out a wide range of creative cultural products featuring traditional crafts, including filigree inlay and imperial embroidery, which have been popular among modern-day consumers, especially young people, noted Wang Jingjing, head of Beijing Gongmei Group's operations management department.

In March this year, the company launched a brick-and-mortar shop, Yuxun Jingxi, to bring visitors closer to the charm of Chinese culture through intangible cultural heritage workshops, pop-up exhibitions, tea and coffee lounges, and retail. It showcases a variety of heritage techniques and products.
UK High Commissioner Meets PM Modi, Says 'Working Together' On Air India Crash Probe

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:28 IST

British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron met PM Modi after the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, expressing condolences. The UK and India are investigating the crash.

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron. (image via X/@Lindy_Cameron)

British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed over 240 lives, including several foreign nationals.

Following the meeting, Cameron posted on social media platform X expressing her condolences and support. We shared condolences in the face of this tragic accident," she wrote. I offered my thanks for the work of tireless first responders here in Ahmedabad."

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Cameron also confirmed that the UK and India are working together to establish the facts behind the crash and pledged continued support for affected British nationals.

I met with Prime Minister @narendramodi this morning. We shared condolences in the face of this tragic accident, and I offered my thanks for the work of tireless first responders here in Ahmedabad. The UK and India are working together to establish the facts. We stand ready to Lindy Cameron (@Lindy_Cameron) June 13, 2025

We stand ready to support the families and friends of affected British Nationals," she added, urging people to consult the UKs Travel Advice for updates and reach out via the 24/7 consular helpline.

Her comments come a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that a UK investigation team had been dispatched to India as part of the ongoing inquiry into the crash of Air India Flight 171, which was bound for London.

His statement followed confirmation from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)  the UK agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents  that it is sending a multidisciplinary team to assist the Indian-led investigation.

The investigation is going on, we have dispatched an investigation team," said Starmer. We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident."

The London-bound Air India flight, which crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national, along with 12 crew members. So far, only one person is confirmed to have survived the crash.

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Besides the passengers and crew on board, students from nearby medical college hostels and others on the premises where the plane crashed were also among those killed. Police reported that 265 bodies have been brought to the civil hospital, though officials have yet to confirm the final death toll.

ALSO READ: I Still Cant Believe I Made It Out Alive: Lone Survivor of Ahmedabad Plane Crash Describes Narrow Escape

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 13, 2025, 17:05 IST
Saudi Arabia Slams 'Blatant' Israeli Strikes On Iran, Says Aggression Should Halt Immediately

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 12:14 IST

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, calling it a blatant violation of international law. It also urged an immediate end to the aggression.

A damaged building in Tehran on fire following Israeli strikes (Photo: AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned the Israeli attacks in Iran, terming the strikes blatant" and a clear violation of international laws and norms".

Calling to immediately halt the aggression," Saudi Arabia, in an official message, mentioned, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."

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While the kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression," the message read.

Alongside Saudi Arabia, other Ismalic nations, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also condemned the Israeli strikes in Iran.

In May this year, Saudi Arabias Defence Minister delivered a blunt message to Iranian officials in Tehran  take US President Donald Trumps offer to negotiate a nuclear agreement seriously because it presents a way to avoid the risk of war with Israel.

Alarmed at the prospect of further instability in the region, Saudi Arabias 89-year-old King Salman bin Abdulaziz dispatched his son, Prince Khalid bin Salman, with the warning destined for Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters quoted two Gulf sources close to government circles and two Iranian officials.

ISRAEL STRIKES IRAN

Israel on Friday said it targeted Irans nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

In the aftermath of the attack, airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq and Jordan, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.

Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport was also closed until further notice, and Israels air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel.

Later, in an official statement amid the strikes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally because it believes the operation was necessary for self-defence.

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Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubios statement read.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

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 13, 2025, 10:40 IST
Tagore Integral To Heritage: Bangladesh Forms Committee, Arrests 2 Over Poet's Ancestral Home Vandalism

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 11:45 IST

The Department of Archaeology formed a three-member inquiry committee and ordered a report within five days.

A group of protesters forcibly entered the Rabindra Kachharibari premisesknown for its association with the Nobel laureateand damaged property, including the museums auditorium. (Moneycontrol)

The Government of Bangladesh has confirmed legal action following a violent incident at Rabindranath Tagores ancestral home in Shahzadpur, Sirajganj district. The site, managed by the Department of Archaeology, holds deep cultural significance as the Nobel Laureates residence during the 1890swhere he penned several notable works including Sonar Tori and Chaitali.

The unrest began with a dispute between museum staff and a visitor over a motorcycle parking fee. According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated when the visitor and his family were allegedly confined and assaulted by staff members. As news of the altercation spread, local residents gathered in protest. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent, with a mob storming the Rabindra Kachharibari premises and vandalising property, including the museum auditorium. One of the institutions directors was also reportedly assaulted.

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#Bangladesh revers Nobel Laureate #RabindranathTagore, as integral to linguistic & cultural #heritage. People hold Tagore in highest esteem.Govt has acted promptly on an incident at the Govt-maintained property of his ancestral heritage.Details at pic.twitter.com/szZ4bfwyS3 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (@BDMOFA) June 13, 2025

In response, the Department of Archaeology formed a three-member inquiry committee and ordered a report within five days. The site has since been closed to visitors for security reasons. On June 10, a criminal case was registered with local police, and two individuals were arrested in connection with the violence. The district administration has also launched a separate inquiry.

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The people and the Government of Bangladesh hold Poet Rabindranath Tagore in the highest of esteem and his contribution to our language, literature and culture is deeply revered," the release mentioned.

The Government and the people of Bangladesh would continue to cherish his contributions and would like to reiterate that in the Bangladesh national and cultural space there is no scope for any divisive and motivated attempt to foment controversy on the subject, reaffirming its reverence for the iconic Bengali poet, the Government of Bangladesh stressed that Tagore is integral to the nations cultural identity," it added.

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 13, 2025, 11:43 IST
'They Got Hit Hard': Trump Calls Israeli Strikes On Iran 'Excellent', Says 'More To Come'

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 17:08 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict: Donald Trump said he had given Iran chance after chance to make a deal.

Israel-Iran Conflict: US President Donald Trump (Getty)

US President Donald Trump praised the Israeli assault on Irans nuclear and military infrastructure, calling the attack excellent" and warning that theres more to come."

We gave them a chance and they didnt take it," he said, adding, They got hit hard, very hardabout as hard as youre going to get hit. And theres more to come. A lot more."

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When pressed on whether the United States had any involvement in the strikes, Donald Trump declined to give a direct answer, saying, I dont want to comment on that."

Earlier, Donald Trump said he had given Iran chance after chance" to make a deal and warned the Iranian leadership that the US and Israel possess the most lethal military technology in the world.

They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!" the US President said, referencing the deaths of key Iranian commanders, including the Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami, killed in Israeli strikes overnight.

Donald Trump said, Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destructionJUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Israel vs Iran: What Has Happened So Far?

The US Presidents comments come after a night of intense Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claiming to have targeted nuclear facilities and high-ranking military figures. In retaliation, Iran launched approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted, according to the IDF.

Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of six scientists and claimed that civilian casualties- including children- have also occurred.

The United States has denied involvement in the Israeli operations. While Trump acknowledged he was aware of the strikes in advance, he emphasized, The US played no part" although Iran accused Washington of complicity and fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.

What Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Said About Conflict With Israel?

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Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel should anticipate a severe punishment," vowing that the countrys military forces will not let them go unpunished."

Meanwhile, Irans foreign ministry asserted that its armed forces will not hesitate to defend Irans sovereignty with full strength and in whatever manner they deem necessary."

About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: June 13, 2025, 15:57 IST
US Says 'Not Involved In Israeli Strikes', Warns Iran Against Targeting American Bases

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 10:16 IST

Israel Attack Iran News Today: US State Secretary Marco Rubio warned Tehran not to respond to Israeli strikes by hitting American bases.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (File pic/Reuters)

Israel Attacks Iran News: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Israels strikes against Iran a unilateral action" and said Washington was not involved in the conflict.

Also See: Israel Iran War News Live Updates

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He further warned Tehran not to respond to Israeli strikes by hitting American bases.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement.

Let me be clear, Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

His comments came after Israel carried out targeted military strikes" on Iran despite US President Donald Trump publicly urged that they should not do so.

Trump had said that Israel would ruin chances for a peacefully negotiated solution, which he said was close.

A sixth round of talks over Tehrans nuclear program had been scheduled between the United States and Iran on Sunday in Oman.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense," Rubio said, without offering support or criticism of the strikes by the close US ally.

President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners," he said.

Israel Attacks Iran

Israel launched targeted strikes against what it described as key Iranian military and nuclear installations. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have confirmed that the first stage" of their military operation is now complete, signaling a possible continuation of coordinated attacks.

Among the high-profile casualties, Irans Army Chief and several top nuclear scientists are believed to have been eliminated in the strikes, dealing a severe blow to Tehrans defence and nuclear command.

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In response, Iran has declared a nationwide state of emergency, according to state-run media outlets. Emergency services have been mobilised, and the Iranian military has reportedly been placed on high alert.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: June 13, 2025, 07:15 IST
We Will Kill You: Florida Sheriff Issues Stark Warning Amid LA Immigration Protests

Curated By :

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Last Updated: June 13, 2025, 20:38 IST

A Florida sheriff issued a chilling warning to protesters: violence against law enforcement will be met with deadly force.

The National Guard remains in Los Angeles, where protests continue against ICE operations.

As tensions escalate in several states in the United States over the Donald Trump administrations immigration crackdown, a Florida sheriff issued a chilling warning to protesters: violence against law enforcement will be met with deadly force.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey- amid protests erupting in multiple cities- said in no uncertain terms, If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains. Because we will KLL you  graveyard DAD. Were not gonna play."

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His statement came in response to rising protests in Los Angeles, where US Donald Trump controversially deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to suppress unrest tied to mass immigration raids. The move has drawn legal challenge and political outrage.

Sheriff Ivey continued his warning, saying, If you spit on us, youre going to the hospital, then jail. If you hit one of us, youre going to the hospital and jail- and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs. If you try to mob-rule a car in Brevard County- gather around it, refuse to let the driver leave- youre most likely going to get run over."

Crisis Over National Guard Deployment In Los Angeles

The remarks come amid a constitutional tug-of-war between California Governor Gavin Newsom and the Trump administration. A federal judge ruled that the White Houses decision to federalise Californias National Guard troops without the states consent was illegal. The court ordered the troops to return to state control- a decision now temporarily stayed by a federal appeals court.

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Whats The Situation In Los Angeles?

The National Guard remains in Los Angeles, where protests continue against ICE operations. Donald Trump defended the move, claiming it was necessary to prevent Los Angeles from burning down." US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refused to say whether he would comply with the judges ruling, instead defending the presidents authority and criticizing what he called judicial overreach."

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 : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: June 13, 2025, 20:38 IST
Xi Jinping shakes hands with a family member of Ragdi to express deep condolences in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2025. The remains of Ragdi, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, were cremated in Beijing on Thursday. Xi Jinping, along with other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, bid farewell to Ragdi at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The remains of Ragdi, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, were cremated in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi Jinping, along with other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, bid farewell to Ragdi at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Thursday.

Amid solemn music, they walked slowly toward Ragdi's body and stood in silent tribute. They then paid their final respects with three bows, shook hands with Ragdi's family and offered condolences.

Ragdi died of illness at the age of 87 in Beijing on June 6.

Ragdi had served as a vice chairman of the 10th NPC Standing Committee.

He was extolled as an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a loyal communist soldier, an outstanding leader in the work on ethnic affairs and socialist legal system development, and an excellent son of the Tibetan people.

Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and Hu Jintao either visited Ragdi while he was in hospital or mourned him and sent condolences to his family through various means following his passing.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Local officials warned more than a half-million Iowans in the state's capital city and suburbs on Thursday that near-record level of pollutants in its rivers could make drinking water dangerous if immediate steps are not taken to reduce demand. But the officials declined to say what has caused the surge in nitrate levels, which has historically been tied to runoff from farmland draining into Des Moines-area rivers. The water utility, Central Iowa Water Works, issued a first-ever ban on lawn watering for the region after seeing the highest levels of nitrates in the river water since 2013. Federal regulations set a maximum nitrate level of 10 milligrams per liter. The current level being provided to 600,000 customers is 9, the AP reports.
After Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from Kristi Noem's press conference in Los Angeles and handcuffed on Thursday, his fellow Democrats on Capitol Hill were outraged. Lawmakers took to the Senate floor to denounce the way the California senator was treated and dozens of House Democrats marched to Speaker Mike Johnson's office, the Hill reports. Democrats called for a full investigation and some, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, said the Homeland Security chief should resign, reports Politico. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it "sickened my stomachthe manhandling of a United States senator," per Politico .

The AP reports that senators shared video of the incident, in which Padilla identified himself as a senator as he was pushed out of the room, with each other despite the chamber's rule against using cellphones. More reactions:

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker. "What was really hard for me to see was that a member of this body was driven to his knees and made to kneel before authorities. This is a test. This is a crossroads. This is a day in which the character of this body will be defined."

"What was really hard for me to see was that a member of this body was driven to his knees and made to kneel before authorities. This is a test. This is a crossroads. This is a day in which the character of this body will be defined." Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski . "It's horrible. It is shocking at every level. It's not the America I know."

. "It's horrible. It is shocking at every level. It's not the America I know." Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz . "I have never ever, other than Jan. 6, been so outraged at the conduct of an administration."

. "I have never ever, other than Jan. 6, been so outraged at the conduct of an administration." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "He was at that press conference doing his job, asking questions about what is taking place in California, the state that he represents, and on behalf of the American people. And he was recklessly and aggressively manhandled ... every single person who was involved in manhandling Senator Padilla should be held accountable to the full extent of the law."

Johnson was heckled by Democratic lawmakers after he suggested the Senate should censure Padilla for "wildly inappropriate" behavior, the Hill reports.

The White House claimed "Padilla stormed a press conference, without wearing his Senate pin or previously identifying himself to security, yelled, and lunged toward Secretary Noem." Padilla said he was in the building for a briefing and an FBI agent escorted him into the press conference. He said he initially stood at the back but decided to ask Noem a question about "increasingly extreme immigration enforcement actions," the New York Times reports. "If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what they are doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers throughout the Los Angeles community," he said. Noem and Padilla said they spoke for about 15 minutes after the incident. Noem said they disagreed on "90% of the topics" but they agreed to talk again.
An Arizona couple is mourning the loss of their 19-year-old daughter, and warning other parents about the dangers of how she died. AZFamily and News 3 Las Vegas report that Renna O'Rourke died of sudden sniffing death syndrome after taking part in a social media challenge known as "dusting" (aka "huffing" or "chroming"), in which kids sniff computer dusting spray or other inhalants to get high. "When they inhale these chemicals in the gas, it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body," Dr. Randy Weisman, head of the ICU at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, tells the outlet.

Although dusting participants do it for the instant euphoric high they achieve, akin to being drunk, Weisman notes that even just one huff can lead to tragic outcomes. "Failure of the liver, heart failure, disease of the lungs," Weisman says. In O'Rourke's case, she went into cardiac arrest on May 27 after inhaling a common household cleaner, per KPNX. According to a GoFundMe set up for O'Rourke's family, she died on June 1, after four days in the ICU and being declared brain-dead. "My daughter and her boyfriend had DoorDashed product to my house and I didn't know," mom Dana O'Rourke tells KPNX. "It's keyboard cleaner. I didn't know what they were doing with it."

According to Poison Control, the most likely dusting participants are teens, probably because the inhalants used in the practice are easily found. Now, O'Rourke's family is left reeling as they grieve the "vivacious and caring" teen. "We don't have children to bury them," Dana O'Rourke tells AZFamily. A glimmer of light from the tragedy: O'Rourke's organs will be donated to at least six people, per KPNX. "We've been told that her heart is going to a recipient in California, which is kind of beautiful, because she was ultimately wanting to move to California," her mom says. "So, in a way her heart is taking her there." As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe set up for the family to pay O'Rourke's medical and burial bills and miscellaneous expenses had raised nearly $14,000.
UPDATE

Jun 13, 2025 1:16 AM CDT

In the aftermath of Israel's strikes on Iran, Israeli army chief spokesman Effie Defrin said Iran had launched more than 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation and that "all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats." Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan shut down their airspace to all flights as a precaution, the AP reports. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was closely monitoring radiation levels. It later said that Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, on the Persian Gulf coast, "has not been targeted and that no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site."

Jun 13, 2025 12:01 AM CDT

Iranian state television confirmed the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed in Israel's strikes Friday morning, the AP reports. Gen. Hossein Salami was the chief of one of the country's most powerful centers, and his death was a tough blow to Iran's embattled leadership, which has had a series of setbacks in the past 20 months of Middle Eastern war and unrest. Salami rose to power six years ago and had a history of threatening the US and Israel. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, was also killed in the strikes, as well as other military officials and multiple scientists, per Iranian state television.
As investigators start trying to piece together what caused Thursday's devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed nearly all of the 242 on board and dozens more on the ground, focus is now turning to the lone person on the plane who survived the crash. Police say that Viswash Kumar Ramesh, said to be in his late 30s or early 40s, was sitting near one of Flight AI171's emergency exits, in seat 11A, when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London crashed just minutes after takeoff, reports Reuters .

Ramesh apparently jumped out of the plane via one of those exits after the crash, authorities say, though it's not clear if he jumped out before the plane slammed into the ground. Speaking from the hospital where he was rushed after the accident, Ramesh, a UK national, says he'd been traveling with his brother back to Britain after visiting family in India. "When I got up, there were bodies all around me," he told the Hindustan Times. "I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me."

He added that someone then "grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance." The New York Times reports that Ramesh called his family just minutes after the accident, telling them, "I don't know how I am alive." The Times of India has video that appears to be of a bloodied Ramesh stumbling toward the ambulance with people milling about him, as he is said to have exclaimed in Gujarati, "The plane exploded! The plane exploded!" The Hindustan Times reports that Indian PM Narendra Modi visited with Ramesh in the hospital on Friday. India TV, meanwhile, has a list of other sole survivors of fatal plane crashes.
"Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen," Trump wrote. "They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end."

"I think it's been excellent," he told ABC. "We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more."

Hours before the strikes, Trump called for a diplomatic solution to tensions between Iran and Israel but said an attack " could very well happen," reports Reuters . In a statement after the first wave of strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US knew they would happen, but was not involved. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," he said in a statement. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense." Asked by ABC if the US took part in the strikes in any way, Trump said, "I don't want to comment on that."

In a later post on Truth Social,Trump said, "Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance."

Iran has vowed to respond with "severe punishment" for Israel, the BBC reports. The country's foreign minister, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, said the strikes were a "declaration of war."

Russia condemned the strikes as "unprovoked" and "unacceptable." Analysts say Moscow is unlikely to defend Tehran, though Iran supplied drones and missiles for Russia's war against Ukraine, the Guardian reports.
On the evening of Sept. 18, 1931, Japanese troops started a plotted bombardment of Chinese barracks near Shenyang on a false pretext, which marked the beginning of the bloody invasion of the northeast and then the rest of China by imperialist Japan that lasted 14 years.

Since the event, also known as the "Sept. 18 Incident," China was dragged into the bitter war with Japan's fascist regime. The incident also marked the start of Chinese people's unrelenting resistance against Japan, which formed an important part of the world people's fight against fascists during the Second World War.

On September 22, 1931, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued a resolution on the Japanese imperialist forcible occupation of Manchuria, calling on the people of Northeast China to organize anti-Japanese armed forces and directly combat the Japanese aggressors.

In November of 1931, Ma Zhanshan led his troops in the Nenjiang Bridge Resistance against the Japanese invasion in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Somebody made a bomb threat on an Air India flight the day after one of the worst disasters in the airline's history. Authorities say the flight from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi turned back and made an emergency landing on the island after the threat was found Friday, Reuters reports. "We received a report of a bomb threat written inside the aircraft's bathroom, so the pilot informed the control tower and decided to divert the flight to Phuket International Airport after circling to burn off fuel," airport general manager Monchai Tanode said, per AFP.
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard Medical School, was released on bail on Thursday after spending four months in US detention . Petrova was initially detained in February at Boston's Logan Airport for failing to declare frog embryo samples she was carrying for research. Since then, she has been transferred through multiple detention centers across several states, reports the New York Times .

Petrova's case is unusual among academic deportation cases because it revolves around a customs violation, which her lawyer says is typically handled with a fine, not visa cancellation or criminal charges. After her J-1 visa was revoked, deportation proceedings began. Months later, federal prosecutors also charged her with smuggling, a felony crime that could carry up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to $250,000. Petrova has said in the past she didn't know she had to declare the samples, per the Guardian.

Petrova, who came to the United States after fleeing Russia for political reasons in 2022, fears arrest, or worse, if forced to return. Petrova has agreed, however, to be deported to France, she says. For now, she's staying in Boston and can't work due to her visa status. She says she's considering options from other countries interested in her research. The samples in questionxenopus frog embryosare used in cell division studies at Harvard.

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A federal judge recently questioned the basis for stripping Petrova's visa and found the samples weren't hazardous. USA Today notes that before criminal charges were brought against her, the DOJ attempted to dismiss the case that calls for deporting her to Russia, where she says she'll likely face persecution due to her support for Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Earlier this week, Atlantic columnist Mark Leibovich wrote a buzzy piece critical of Barack Obama, suggesting the former president had succumbed to the "fierce lethargy of semi-retirement" as the world burned. "Where Is Barack Obama?" asked the headline of the piece. In response, New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom suggests that Leibovich and others clamoring for the former president to "don his cape" are guilty of "Obama derangement syndrome." Obama governed as a cautious moderate, writes McMillan Cottom, and is hardly a superhero.
One of the most high-profile targets of aggressive new immigration policies pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of smuggling undocumented migrants. Kilmar Abrego Garcia appeared in federal court in Nashville to enter his plea, reports the AP. The Maryland resident is a native of El Salvador who was picked up and errantly deported to his home country. The Trump administration returned him to the US last week under pressure from court rulings, but it also filed the new smuggling charges.
Four detainees have escaped from a federal immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, amid reports of disorder breaking out there, per the AP . More "law enforcement partners" have been brought in to find the detainees missing from Delaney Hall, according to an emailed statement attributed to a senior Department of Homeland Security official. The statement didn't specify which law enforcement agencies are involved, and the identities of the people who escaped are unknown.

Newark's mayor had cited reports of a possible uprising and escape after disorder broke out at the facility Thursday night, and protesters outside the center had locked arms and pushed against barricades as vehicles passed through gates. Much is still unclear about what unfolded there. Immigration and Customs Enforcement opened a 1,000-bed facility there this year under a 15-year, $1 billion contract as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Photos and video from outside the facility Thursday show protesters pushing against the gates amid word that detainees inside were upset about delayed meals. Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said some officers sprayed pepper spray and tackled and dragged protesters away from the facility. An attorney for someone detained at the facility told NJ.com that people inside became violent after meals were delayed by hours..

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"It's about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent," attorney Mustafa Cetin said. "Based on what he told me it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down." Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who's been critical of Trump's immigration crackdown, early Friday called for an end to this "chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked."
Three decades after his execution by Nigeria's military regime, Ken Saro-Wiwa has been pardoned. President Bola Tinubu conferred national honors Thursday on Saro-Wiwa, who had been convicted of murder, and the eight activists he was hanged with in 1995. There were suspicions that the Ogoni Nine were killed for leading protests against oil companies operating in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Although Shell denied involvement, it paid $15.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the deaths in 2009. On Nigeria's Democracy Day, Tinubu recognized the activists as heroes for their "outstanding contributions" to democracy, the BBC reports. Relatives and others praised the pardons as courageous but insufficient.

An organization led by Saro-Wiwa, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, welcomed Tinubu's act but said a pardon implies there was wrongdoing, though "no crime ever took place." The widow of another member of the Ogoni Nine similarly thanked Tinubu but called on him to "properly declare" the group innocent, saying a "pardon is not granted to the innocent." She also said she wants a new trial for her husband, per the BBC. And Amnesty International said the pardons fall "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need" while insisting the oil companies be held accountable for environmental damage still occurring in the country.

The issues are scheduled to go to trial in 2026. Two Ogoniland communities argued in court in London this year that Shell should be held responsible for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020; the company says it did nothing wrong and blames the spills on sabotage, theft, and illegal refining.



In an analysis, Foreign Policy looks at how the environmental movement in Nigeria has stalled since Ken Saro-Wiwa drew worldwide attention to it.
A jarring death in the upper echelons of British society: Billionaire Sunjay Kapur, widely described as a friend of Prince William, died after swallowing a bee during a polo match, reports the Telegraph and the Mirror. The 53-year-old is believed to have gone into anaphylactic shock at the match in Windsor, per People. While Kapur played polo with William and other royals, there was no indication the prince was present.
Air defense systems in Iran and Israel were trying to fend off strikes late Friday, but missiles were getting through. Both countries claimed to be inflicting significant damage on the other. Ballistic missiles fired as part of Iran's retaliation hit at least seven sites around Tel Aviv, the New York Times reports. Paramedics said 34 people were injured. Buildings in the city were struck, per the AP, and explosions shook Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, at least some of them caused by the interception of missiles. An American official said US ground-based air defense systems in the region were helping to down them. Developments include:
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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%.
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping extended on Friday condolences to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively over the heavy casualties caused by the crash of an Air India flight.

In his message, Xi expressed shock upon learning that the crash had caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he conveyed deep condolences over the loss of lives, extended sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families, and wished the injured a swift recovery.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a message of condolence to Modi.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
Jun 13 (News On Japan) - When Japan lost over $300 million in a crypto heist last year, it didnt just patch the leak; it rebuilt the pipes.

In response to the massive breach at DMM Bitcoin, lawmakers moved quickly to introduce a new set of rules designed to make crypto safer and more accessible. The updated law focuses on securing user funds, enhancing transparency, and enabling easier crypto use in everyday apps.

New Laws to Protect Crypto Investors in Japan

Japans recent push to strengthen its crypto laws comes after several high-profile security issues, including the $305 million hack at DMM Bitcoin. The governments new regulations aim to safeguard users by ensuring that customer assets are stored within Japans borders. This change reduces the risk of investors losing everything if an overseas crypto exchange fails or shuts down.

Additionally, the law tightens anti-money laundering (AML) measures, requiring exchanges to enforce stricter standards in detecting and preventing fraudulent activity. These changes not only protect users but are also expected to boost overall confidence in the market. For anyone seeking updates on this evolving regulatory environment, platforms like CryptoDnes Japan offer reliable coverage of the latest developments.

Why This Law Matters

At its core, the new law mandates that all crypto exchanges serving Japanese users store their assets domestically. This critical step ensures that customer funds wont be lost if a foreign platform collapses. The legislation also strengthens oversight, making it harder for illicit activities like money laundering to go unnoticed.

By enforcing these new standards, Japan hopes to restore trust in the cryptocurrency market, which took a hit after DMM Bitcoins $305 million hack. With stricter rules in place, both institutional and retail investors can feel more secure in their involvement with digital assets.

The Fallout from the DMM Bitcoin Hack

The DMM Bitcoin hack in May 2024, which saw 4,502 bitcoins stolen by a North Korea-based hacking group, highlighted the vulnerabilities in Japans crypto market. Following the breach, DMM Bitcoin initially promised to reimburse affected users but eventually decided to shut down. The exchange is now in the process of transferring all its assets and users to SBI VC Trade, with full relocation expected by March 2025.

This security breach was one of the largest in Japans crypto history and acted as a catalyst for the countrys new regulations. Lawmakers acted swiftly to address the growing concerns over the safety of crypto investments, prompting a significant overhaul of the countrys crypto laws.

Legal Use of Crypto Inside Apps

One of the more groundbreaking provisions of the new law is the official approval for crypto payments within apps. This means that users can now make in-app purchases and pay for services using cryptocurrency, opening up fresh opportunities for businesses and developers to integrate crypto into their offerings.

This move is expected to further normalize cryptocurrency usage, bridging the gap between digital currencies and everyday purchases. Whether its in games, e-commerce, or other digital platforms, crypto is becoming more accessible, making it easier for people to use it like any other form of payment.

Tighter Regulations on Stablecoins

The new law also addresses the issue of stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged to traditional assets like the yen or dollar. The legislation requires tighter regulations for stablecoin issuers, ensuring that they adhere to transparent operational standards and provide adequate backing for the tokens they issue.

This measure is aimed at preventing potential instability, such as what was seen with the collapse of TerraUSD in 2022. Japans move to regulate stablecoins more strictly reflects a broader effort to make digital assets more secure and trustworthy for all users.
NAHA, Jun 13 (News On Japan) - As local news coverage continues to expand, offering more practical information closely tied to residents' daily lives, attention turns to a feature marking eighty years since the end of the war. With fewer people remaining who can speak from personal experience about the Battle of Okinawa, the question of how to preserve and pass down these memories has become increasingly urgent.

This report follows high school students conducting peace education and striving to inherit these memories as their own, based on three decades of ongoing youth awareness surveys conducted in Okinawa.

At a peace education workshop held at Haebaru Junior High School, students participated in exercises simulating decisions that Okinawan residents were forced to make during the battle. "American fighter planes are flying overhead. Will you join the group of adults or children?" In one scenario, a student chose the children's group, saying, "I thought it would be harder for the enemy to spot us."

The workshop was led by local high school students themselves, who are deeply aware of the growing gap between younger generations and the fading memory of Okinawas wartime experience. "Many students respond that they don't know the answers to basic questions. They learn about peace but struggle to internalize it as something personally relevant," one student observed.

In a survey conducted last year by the Okinawa History Education Research Association targeting roughly 1,600 second-year high school students in the prefecture, only about 60% correctly identified that 2023 marked 78 years since the end of the war. Furthermore, just 48.1% knew the significance of June 23rd as Okinawas Memorial Day.

"Students have a strong desire to learn," explained Toshiaki Ara, visiting professor at Okinawa University, who has led the high school surveys for 30 years. "But since they are not taught in school, they lack even these basic facts. Their awareness is high, but their knowledge is low."

Ara has spent decades promoting improved peace education in schools, emphasizing the importance of training teachers who can thoroughly convey Okinawa's history. "Japans postwar history isnt being adequately taught. In particular, if the reversion movement isnt covered, students wont understand the fundamental issue of why military bases remain in Okinawa."

Kinjo from Ura High School, who has collaborated on the long-running survey, highlighted the challenges teachers face: "Given heavy workloads and slow progress on work-style reforms, teachers struggle to find time to prepare lesson materials." Peace education is not clearly positioned in school curricula or teaching guidelines, and according to prefectural data, over 80% of schools in Okinawa allocate only one or two days a year to peace education.

Amid these constraints, some high school students have stepped forward to take responsibility for peace education themselves, forming groups to organize and conduct peace-learning activities. "We want younger students to think about how issues of peace are not just matters between nations but exist around them as well," said one student leader.

At Shuri High School, a student-led group supports peace learning for younger students. Ahead of the workshop at Haebaru Junior High, members repeatedly discussed how to help participants see the Battle of Okinawa as a personal issue. "We want them to think about what choices they would make, what their friends would do, and how they might act in that situation," one student explained.

The workshop invited students to step into the shoes of wartime Okinawan residents, making life-and-death decisions such as whether to follow evacuated family members to the north or hide alone in the mountains. Through this simulation, students confronted the unimaginable circumstances faced at the time and reflected deeply on the meaning of peace.

"We've had many peace education classes before, but this was the first time I really thought about what it would have been like to live through the Battle of Okinawa. It was refreshing and meaningful," said one participant. These new forms of peace education, where high school students teach even younger generations, are beginning to spread.

Surveys show that nearly 95% of high school students believe it is extremely important to learn about events from eighty years ago. "There is hope in this," Ara noted. "Since there are fewer adults who can share these experiences, students are starting to think: if no one else will speak, then we must be the ones to tell these stories."

"We dont want to confine students feelings inside themselves. We hope to help them put their thoughts into words so they can pass them on to the next generation," added another educator.

While not everything can be passed down entirely through students alone, eighty years after the war, a strong sense of mission is taking root among Okinawa's youth. "By imagining what they would have done, students wonder what really happened at the time, what followed, and continue learning and reflecting in an ongoing cycle. Watching young people pass these stories to even younger generations offers hope for building a peaceful future," concluded the report.

Source: OTV
Foreign diplomats, representatives praise China's Liaoning for industrial chain integration Pub Date:25-06-13 09:47 Source:Xinhua Diplomats and representatives from 13 countries toured China's Liaoning Province, witnessing its petrochemical strength. After visiting two major joint ventures in Panjin City, they praised the region's integrated industrial chain. #GLOBALink #diplomats #China #Petrochemical #IndustrialChain Editor:Zheng Chen

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A staff member explains the digital fermentation control system at a winery in Qingtongxia City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Hai)

YINCHUAN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- In early summer, the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in northwest China comes alive as wine grapes reach full bloom. At one grape planting base, drip irrigation tubes with evenly spaced holes dangle along the vines, controlled simply using a smartphone app.

"This integrated drip irrigation system allows for precise water and fertilizer management," said Liu Huibin, deputy manager of the management department at GreatWall Terroir's grape planting base. "Sensors transmit key data such as soil temperature and humidity, weather conditions and irrigation flow to an intelligent control platform to support vineyard operations."

According to Liu, compared with traditional flood irrigation, which consumed 700 to 800 cubic meters of water per mu (about 0.07 hectares) annually, the new system requires only 220 to 260 cubic meters. This enhancement not only conserves water but also improves fertilizer efficiency, benefiting vine growth and stabilizing grape quality.

"Smart irrigation also saves labor. Flood-irrigating 300 mu used to require at least five workers. Now, with drip irrigation across over 7,000 mu, only five workers are needed. It's both efficient and convenient," Liu added.

Situated near 38 degrees north latitude in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the eastern foot of Helan Mountain is recognized as a "golden zone" for grape cultivation. Its abundant sunshine, well-aerated soil, significant day-night temperature differences and access to Yellow River irrigation make it ideal for high-end wine production.

By the end of 2024, the region had more than 600,000 mu of wine grape plantations and an annual wine output of 140 million bottles. These wines were successfully exported to more than 40 countries and regions.

In recent years, Ningxia has embraced technology to transform its wine industry. The region has established more than 30 scientific research platforms and made breakthroughs in virus-free seedling propagation, soil-fertilizer-water management, ecological planting and modern winemaking techniques. Digitalization is also driving the industry towards greater intelligence, integration and high-end development.

Huangkou Winery, a well-known local wine producer, has adopted a digital fermentation control system that monitors key indicators such as temperature, density, dissolved oxygen and liquid level in fermentation tanks.

"With the mobile app, we can monitor and adjust fermentation conditions in real time, avoiding inaccuracies and delays caused by manual checks and ensuring stable wine quality," said Li Dan, a lab technician at the winery.

The winery has also utilized Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to monitor vineyard conditions in real time, deployed drones and remote sensing for rapid inspections and eco-friendly pest control, and used blockchain for transparent product traceability. This allows consumers to access detailed production information by scanning QR codes, according to Zhang Xueyan, the winery's director.

Zhang added that the winery has secured over 20 technological patents and R&D breakthroughs through collaborations with universities. Innovations include fermentation tanks with longer legs and conical discharge ports, as well as novel oxygen-permeable polymer barrels, which have significantly improved production efficiency and product quality.

In January last year, the wine industry technology collaborative innovation center was established at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain. As China's first open and shared platform for the wine industry, it aims to improve the innovation system and promote intelligent management across vineyards and wineries.

"We will continue to prioritize innovation and integrate resources to build a digital platform covering the entire wine industry chain, creating smart vineyards and boosting the global competitiveness of Ningxia's premium wines," said Li Jun, director of the management committee of the wine industry park on the eastern foot of Helan Mountain.

This file photo taken on Aug. 15, 2024 shows a technician (R) and a winery employee using thermal imaging technology to observe the temperature of grape leaves to determine the water status of grapes at a winery in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A drone photo taken on Aug. 15, 2024 shows technicians explaining the usage of grape moisture status measuring instruments to a winery employee (L) at a winery in Xixia District of Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Editor: WXY
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/minenergoUkraine

Since the beginning of 2025, state-owned Oschadbank has concluded loan agreements with large corporate businesses for EUR 87 million for the implementation of energy projects, which is almost twice as much as for the whole of last year, the bank said in a press release on Friday.

"If in 2024, 70% of the projects financed by us were gas-piston generation, then in 2025, 50% of the projects will be energy storage installations, and 40% will be wind generation," said Yevhen Miachyn, director of the department for development and support of corporate business at Oschadbank, at the Energy Club forum the other day in Kyiv.

According to him, the stabilization of the power system, changes in gas prices and the volume of its reserves have stimulated businesses to reorient themselves towards technologies that look more interesting in the long term.

Oschadbank estimates its share in the energy credit market in Ukraine at 30% according to NBU statistics, according to which from June 1, 2024 to May 25, 2025, banks provided loans and opened limits for the implementation of energy projects in the amount of UAH 18.2 billion, or over 705 MW of generation capacity.

"Oschadbank also continues to maintain its leading position in financing enterprises in the energy sector itself. According to the results of the first four months of 2025, Oschadbank's share is 32%," the state-owned financial institution emphasizes.

According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of the beginning of 2025, Oschadbank ranked second in terms of total assets (963.39 billion UAH, or 12.4%) among 61 banks in the country.
Since the beginning of the day, 168 combat clashes have occurred, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports in operational information as of 22:00 on Monday.

"The Russian invaders carried out 62 air strikes, dropping 92 guided aerial bombs. In addition, they used 863 kamikaze drones to destroy the positions of our troops and populated areas, and carried out 3,536 attacks," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

According to the General Staff, the hottest situation today was in Pokrovsk direction, where the aggressor carried out 38 assault and offensive actions. Six clashes were still ongoing as of 22:00 on Thursday.
Sybiha and Tajani discuss preparations for Conference on Ukraine Recovery in Rome  MFA

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported on its Telegram channel on Thursday.

The meeting took place after the Weimar+ summit with the participation of Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, Poland, the EU's top diplomat and the NATO Secretary General.

"An important meeting with my Italian colleague Antonio Tajani in Rome. I am grateful for his sincere hospitality and the organization of a very timely meeting Weimar+. This is a powerful symbol of European unity," the Foreign Ministry's Telegram channel quoted Sybiha as saying.

It is reported that the interlocutors paid special attention to preparations for the upcoming Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in Rome, "aimed at supporting the restoration of Ukraine and promoting business cooperation."
Principal Constance Days-Chapman speaks during Atlantic City High School's graduation on June 22, 2022. She has been on a paid leave amid official misconduct charges. Lori M. Nichols | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Atlantic City High Schools principal pressed a judge this week to dismiss misconduct charges against her related to a child abuse case involving the citys mayor and his wife.

Constance Days-Chapman, who appeared in court Thursday, is charged with official misconduct for allegedly not informing child protective services about abuse accusations against Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, LaQuetta Small.

The Smalls also appeared in court this week for a follow-up hearing after a judge declined to drop charges against them.

LaQuetta Small, who is the citys school superintendent, and the mayor were indicted on several counts related to alleged physical abuse. The couple are accused of abusing their teenage daughter for about a month between 2023 and 2024.

In Atlantic County Superior Court, the high school principal watched her attorney, Lee Vartan, insist her actions related to the accusations against the Smalls didnt merit her charges.

Vartan said Days-Chapman, who is on paid leave from her job, is collateral damage in the prosecution of the Smalls. The attorney called the case a sham.

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. arrives for his arraignment hearing in the Atlantic County Superior Court in Mays Landing, N.J. on Thursday, October 10, 2024. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

She should be returned to her school and her community, and her reputation restored, Vartan told Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury.

In Vartans motion, which was filed in February, he claims never has any teacher, administrator, public official  anyone  been charged with official misconduct for failing to report alleged child abuse.

He also argued that prosecutors raised the charges against Days-Chapman from a disorderly persons offense to a second-degree crime.

Minutes later, Assistant Prosecutor Kate Robinson told the judge the states evidence can prove Days-Chapman failed to file a formal report about the abuse allegations, as required by law.

That failure to report allowed the child, the subject of the report, to continue suffering acts of abuse, Robinson said.

Days-Chapman is accused of telling staff members familiar with the childs claims that she would inform state officials. Instead, prosecutors allege, the principal confronted the Smalls outside their house about their daughters claims.

The judge is expected to rule on the principals request to dismiss the case by June 26, Vartan told NJ Advance Media Friday.

Days-Chapman previously worked for Marty Smalls reelection campaign and has been active with the local Democratic party.

The mayors case continues as he seeks reelection. He won in Tuesdays Democratic primary. He will face Republican challenger Naeem Ahmed Khan in Novembers general election.

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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
Silver Airways, a Florida-based airline, left travelers stranded at the airport Wednesday after announcing the company's bankruptcy. Canva

Nothing is worth than your flight getting cancelled. Well, what happens when your airline cancels every flight and shuts down operations?

Summer travelers just found out the hard way. Silver Airways, a Florida-based airline, left travelers stranded at the airport on Wednesday after announcing the companys bankruptcy.

We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025, the airline posted on social media.

The carrier operated flights in Florida, the Bahamas, and throughout the Caribbean.

Heres why Silver Airlines abruptly stopped its flights, and whether you can get a refund if you were affected by the cancelled flights.

Why did Silver Airlines abruptly stop operations?

Silver Airlines abruptly stopped operating because of a deal in which Silver sold its assets to an airline holding company.

That company, in turn, decided to shut down Silver Airlines.

In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silvers flight operations, the airline said in a statement.

Will Silver Airways passengers get a refund?

According to the airline, Silver Airways passengers with reservations will receive refunds through their credit cards or bookings with travel agencies.

Please do not go to the airport, the airline wrote. All credit card purchases should be refundable through your credit card company or your travel agency.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Costco is giving its highest-tier members some upgraded perks. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Costco is rolling out the red carpet for its most valued members.

The retail wholesaler announced Wednesday to its members via email that starting on Monday, June 30, executive members will be able to access Costco warehouses starting at 9 a.m.

This is an hour earlier than when Costco normally opens its doors to members, giving executive members an exclusive hour of shopping, minus most of the crowds. This change comes just four months after Costco extended its gas station hours.

READ MORE: Costco hours are changing on June 30. Heres why

The company added that Costco executive members will also get to shop an hour later than other members on Saturdays, letting executive members shop until 7 p.m.

Heres what you need to know about the shopping hours for Costco executive members and other perks they will get as part of their upgraded membership.

What are the shopping hours for Costco executive members?

The shopping hours only available to Costco executive members are the following:

Monday  Friday: 9 a.m.  10 a.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.  9:30 a.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m.  10 a.m.

READ MORE: Costco debuts fan-favorite food court item for $3

What other benefits do Costco executive members receive?

Costco executive members will receive a $10 per month credit for every $150 order placed through Instacart or the companys Same-Day service.

Like their lower-tier members, Costco executive members get warehouse access, access to Costco fuel pumps, and a free household card, according to Costcos membership page.

They also get a yearly 2% reward on select purchases and exclusive discounts on Costco services.

How much does a Costco executive membership cost?

Membership costs $130 per year, according to Costco.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
Anthony Cole, 34, of South Plainfield, appears before Judge Cristen P. D'Arrigo in Cumberland County Superior Court during a 2019 hearing. Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media

An inmate has been convicted in the fatal beating of his cellmate at a South Jersey state prison.

Anthony Cole, 39, formerly of South Plainfield, was found guilty of first-degree murder at a Superior Court bench trial on Thursday, the Cumberland County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. In a bench trial, the judge hears evidence and returns a verdict in place of a jury.

In December 2019, Cole was charged in the deadly assault of 25-year-old Keyon Wade at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton. Corrections officers found Wade, of North Brunswick, unresponsive in his cell on the night of December 4. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Wades death was caused by blunt force trauma after suffering numerous skull fractures and a fractured spine, according to prosecutors.

A review of surveillance cameras confirmed that Cole and Wade were the only two inside the cell at the time of the attack, authorities said. Inmates in nearby cells reported hearing a scuffle minutes before Wade was found unresponsive, official said.

Following Coles detention hearing in December 2019, the victims mother, Rashanda Wade, said the two had shared a cell for about two months. During that period, Wade had asked to be moved to another cell, but the request was ignored by prison officials, according to his mother.

Cole is still serving a 27-year sentence on a conviction of attempted murder and other charges related to slashing a mans throat in 2009. Prosecutors called that attack a random act of violence.

At his Thursday bench trial, the judge determined that Cole is also now considered a persistent offender. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2025.

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Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
An elementary school in Spotswood is scheduled to join the growing list of Catholic schools shutting down in New Jersey. Cory Morse | MLive.com

A Catholic elementary school in Middlesex County will permanently close following the last day of classes Friday despite an ongoing fundraising campaign to save it, church officials said.

Supporters of Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood launched a last-ditch effort aimed at raising $500,000 after the local parishs pastor said the 65-year-old school would close at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.

The school enrolls students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The pastor cited declining enrollment as one of the reasons for the closure.

A parent organizer said Thursday morning the fundraising effort to save the school remains underway. But Diocese of Metuchen Chancellor Anthony P. Kearns said the school is still closing.

It is a settled matter, Kearns told NJ Advance Media Thursday.

Kearns said the decision was made after several meetings with the diocesan schools department and the pastor of the school.

The Diocese is saddened by the closure of Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood. We are all uplifted by the tremendous spirit at ICS particularly by those who have worked so hard and with great determination in attempting to keep the school open, Kearns said in a statement.

Unfortunately, as reported, only 39 students were enrolled to attend next year. The pastor made the decision that the same was not sustainable and all questioned whether such limited enrollment would even be good for the remaining students, Kearns said.

Supporters of the school launched the Save ICS  Together Foundation after Rev. John J. OKane, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Spotswood, announced April 4 that the school would be closing.

The group has not disclosed how much it has raised, but said on its website all donations will be returned if the school does not continue.

A parent organizer did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Kearns statement.

More than 30 Catholic schools in New Jersey have closed in the past five years, with church officials typically citing declining enrollment and financial pressures as factors in deciding to shut down the sites.

At least three other Catholic schools in New Jersey are scheduled to permanently close in June.

In April, days after the announcement was made about the Spotswood school, the Archdiocese of Newark said two Catholic elementary schools in Essex and Bergen counties  Aquinas Academy in Livingston and Visitation Academy in Paramus  will close at the end of the school year.

Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair is also closing after 100 years in operation, the Archdiocese of Newark announced in February.

Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood opened in September 1960 with 198 students in first through third grades, according to the schools website.

By the following year, it had expanded to grades K-8 with 539 students. In 1965, the school constructed a two-story annex with 12 additional classrooms. Pre-kindergarten programs for children ages 2 to 4 were added in the 1990s.

Kearns said many of the remaining Immaculate Conception School students are enrolling at other Catholic schools in the area.

We are all feeling the loss of the school, particularly because of its rich history and tradition in forming so many in their Catholic faith. There are and have been a number of internal activities both spiritual and social to mark the closing of this wonderful institution of Catholic learning, Kearns said.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
New Jersey has a program that gives some teachers up to $20,000 to pay off student loans if they teach in hard-to-fill subjects. Canva for NJ.com

Educators who teach hard-to-staff subjects in more than 400 eligible New Jersey schools have a few more days to apply for up to $20,000 in student loan help from the state.

Teachers who specialize in several subjects  including math, science, special education, English as a Second Language, Career and Technical Education and world languages  can apply to receive up to $5,000 a year in student loan forgiveness if they work in a school with a history of low performance on state tests.

Applications for the program close on Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

The program is not new, but the eligibility criteria was expanded this year to include teachers hired after 2009. The program is fully funded to forgive teachers loans for four years if they apply and are accepted this year.

But there is a catch. The Student Loan Redemption Program for Teachers is slated to lose almost all of its funding for the next cohort of applicants in 2026, according to Gov. Phil Murphys proposed state budget. As a result, teachers who who wait until next year to apply may be turned away for lack of funding.

Murphys 2026 proposed budget would eliminate 90% of the programs funding, decreasing the states support from $5 million to $500,000 a year.

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-25th Dist., said she asked the state Department of Higher Education to justify Murphys proposed cuts.

I have yet to see a data-driven rationale, she said.

At a time when New Jersey is struggling to attract and retain qualified educators, slashing student loan redemption programs is both short-sighted and counterproductive, Dunn said.

A spokesperson for Murphy declined to comment on the cuts to the program.

But Murphy previously said he is increasing education funding by $444 million in his proposed budget and some spending cuts were necessary.

And while, yes, every responsible budget, including this one, requires hard decisions  like scaling back programs that we would rather increase funding for  we can, and we must, make those decisions while also keeping our promises, whether it be making the full payment into our pension system or fully funding our public education system, Murphy said.

A 2025 Learning Policy Institute report found 60% of teachers with outstanding student loans reported high or very high levels of related stress.

Participants in New Jerseys program can receive up to $5,000 annually, totaling a maximum of $20,000 over four years. The exact amount received depends on their specific student loans. The payments cover 25% of the principal and interest of eligible student loan expenses, capped at $5,000 per year.

According to Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, which administers the loans, to be eligible teachers must:

Be a New Jersey resident and maintain residency in the state throughout program participation.

Hold certification from the state Department of Education to teach in the state.

Have been hired on or after Jan. 1, 2009, to teach in a high-need field at the time of hire.

Currently be employed in a high-need field at an eligible school at the time of application.

Have not previously been selected for participation in the program.

Not be in default on any qualifying student loan.

In 2024, the state earmarked almost $1 million to fund 56 teachers through the program for the next four years, if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria, state officials said.

Dunn said she will advocate for restoring funding to the states loan redemption programs as the states budget is finalized. Lawmakers are expected to vote on a budget by the end of the month for Murphy to sign.

If we are serious about strengthening our education system, we need to back our teachers with support, not debt, Dunn said.

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Liz Rosenberg may be reached at lrosenberg@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: N.J. high school wants seniors to pay $150 each for a prank that went too far

A Middlesex County high school reopened Friday after an epic senior prank forced school officials to cancel classes Thursday.

School officials initially said South River High School was closed due to an active police investigation, but did not give any details.

South River Mayor Peter Guindi said the school was closed because police were investigating a senior prank that resulted in a mess left throughout the building.

It looked like a house robbery where someone walks in and throws everything all over the place, Guindi told NJ Advance Media Friday morning.

A video provided to the WABC7 showed rolls of toilet paper thrown throughout the high school gym. It also showed desks, chairs and other furniture piled in the school hallways.

Students are accused of trashing South River High School by moving furniture into the hallways and throwing toilet paper as part of a senior prank. ABC7

Guindi said school officials did not initially realize it was a prank upon arriving early Thursday morning and spotting the mess.

It was the toilet paper all over the gym that led authorities to conclude it was a prank, the mayor said.

Approximately 50 teens were involved and the mayor said he is 100 percent sure all would be identifiable via the schools surveillance cameras.

Video shows the inside of the school gym after students allegedly threw toilet paper and moved furniture at South River High School as part of a senior prank that forced the school to close. ABC7

Im hoping theres discipline. If discipline is not administered, youre only opening up the door for next year, the mayor said.

Students have been identified and are facing disciplinary actions from the school, the South River Police Department announced Friday afternoon.

Criminal Trespassing and Vandalism are serious offenses that threaten the safety and integrity of not only our schools, but our community as well, South River Police Chief Mark E. Tinitigan said in a statement.

We take these incidents very seriously and will continue to work closely with schools to promote a safe environment for students, staff, and residents, Tinitigan said.

No charges have been announced.

The police statement did not address how the students allegedly got into the school.

The prank could cause additional scheduling complications at the high school. The last scheduled day of classes is next week on Thursday. The district has not said whether students will need to return the following day to make up for the cancellation.

The South River schools superintendents office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

The South River Police Department, which announced the investigation on Thursday, has not provided additional information.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
Singer/guitarist Trace Cyrus took aim at his adoptive father Billy Ray for missing his material grandmother's funeral (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images) Getty Images

Trace Cyrus began the year posting an open letter to his adoptive father, Billy Ray, out of concern for his well-being. Now hes accusing his father of intentionally skipping his maternal grandmothers funeral.

On Tuesday, Cyrus, 36, posted a lengthy Instagram post claiming his two-time Grammy award-winning father skipped out on the funeral for a fashion show instead.

This man is so hungry for fame its pathetic, he wrote alongside a photo of Billy Ray Cyrus. He really flew to Italy for a fashion show but wouldnt come to LA for Mammies funeral while he was still married to my mom. Even after his daughter got him a 60k private jet like he demanded, he still didnt come after the plane was paid for.

Trace went on to directly address Billy Ray with a few targeted insults.

Youre the lamest man to ever walk the planet earth, wrote Cyrus. Honestly embarrassed to ever have considered you my idol. The best thing to come from your downfall is it made me go into beast mode. I refuse to be a washed up, delusional, evil person when Im old like you.

After an erratic performance during an inauguration event for President Donald Trump in January, Trace posted a concern, explaining that he and his siblings, Miley, Noah, and Brandi, have been concerned about their father for years. While the original open letter came from a place of love and also fear, Trace seems to be done entirely with the thoughts of reconciliation.

He wrote, No, Im past the point of even caring if I ever speak to him again. Ive surpassed him in every metric as a man on this planet. Theres nothing left to learn from [him] except from his mistakes.

Related coverage:

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com
Authorities are searching for men who escaped from an ICE detention facility June 12, including Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes (top left), Andres Pineda-Mogollon (bottom left) and Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada (bottom right) Courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security

UPDATE: 1 of 4 ICE detention center escapees caught in N.J., police say

The four men who escaped from Delaney Hall in Newark Thursday were detained in different parts of the state and accused of a number of offenses, authorities said Friday.

The men were accused of a range of offenses, from gun possession, aggravated assault and burglary, to petit larceny, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.

Two of the men are from South America and the other two are from Central America. All four men entered the U.S. illegally within the past six years, according to a statement from a senior Department of Homeland Security official Friday.

The men escaped from the 1,000-bed, privately operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Newark Thursday night, authorities said, amid unrest at the facility.

About 50 inmates pushed down a wall as tensions rose over delayed and inadequate meals, according to an attorney for one inmate that spoke to NJ Advance Media.

Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, are both from Honduras.

Bautista-Reyes entered the U.S. in 2021 and was detained on May 3 in Wayne Township, officials said. He faces charges of aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the DHS official said.

Sandoval-Lopez entered the U.S. in 2019 and was initially detained by Passaic police on Oct. 3, 2024, for unlawful possession of a handgun and arrested again on Feb. 15 for aggravated assault, the DHS official said.

Joan Sebastion Castaneda-Lozada, originally from Colombia, entered the U.S. in 2022 and was detained on May 15 in Hammonton after being accused of burglary, theft and conspiracy to commit burglary, the official said.

Andres Pineda-Mogollon, also originally from Colombia, illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 and was arrested by the New York Police Department on April 25 for petit larceny, the DHS statement said.

Pineda-Mogollon was arrested again on May 21 in Union and accused of residential burglary, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools.

DHS announced on Friday a $10,000 reward for information that leads to their arrest.

Delaney Hall has been a flash point for immigration enforcement in New Jersey as regular protests at the facility have resulted in arrests of Newark mayor Ras Baraka and felony charges against U.S. Rep LaMonica McIver. The trespassing charge against Baraka has been dismissed.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.
Chloe Desir of the Ironbound Community Corporation choked back tears as she spoke against a proposed backup power plant for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission treatment plant in Newark's already heavily industrialized but densely populated Ironbound section. She spoke via Zoom during a hearing of the PVSC board on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Zoom

In the face of overwhelming and sometimes tearful opposition from the public, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission voted Thursday to move ahead with a gas-fired backup power plant at its Newark treatment facility.

The 6-2 vote by the PVSC board authorized staff to award a contract for a standby power generation facility capping a six-hour Zoom meeting that included 69 members of the public who spoke. All but six of them were opponents of the project who live in the Ironbound neighborhood surrounding the commissions immense treatment plant or environmental justice advocates weighing in on their behalf.

Its environmental racism, Maya Ponton Aronoff, a Hudson County-based activist, told the nine commissioners. When is enough enough? When will officials stand up against the brutalization of Newark and of New Jerseys most vulnerable communities?

PVSC Chairman Brendan Murphy was joined by commissioners Elizabeth Calabrese, John J. Cosgrove, James P. Doran, Joseph F. Isola and Hector C. Lora in the vote to authorize the contract award.

PVSC Vice Chairman Luis Quintana, a Newark city councilman, was joined by Commissioner C. Lawrence Crump, Newarks council president, in dissent.

My suspicion based on the information weve received, Crump said before the vote, this power plant is not necessary.

Opponents say the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissions proposed backup power plant would further pollute the air in Newark's already "overburdened" Ironbound section, a heavily industrialized yet densely populated area. Image by DEP

Quintana said he would listen to the hue and cry of the citizens in the city in which I live and likewise vote against the project.

There was no public discussion of the status of any contract talks, with whom they might be going on, when the contract would be awarded, or how much it would be worth. Murphy called for a closed session just before the vote authorizing the award of a contact, though he did not say what was discussed during the session.

The board adopted a separate resolution stipulating that, apart from monthly testing, the power plant would operate only in the event of emergencies and would not be capable of exporting power outside the treatment facility. It said operators would not seek permission to redesign the plant or operate it for commercial power generation.

The measure is intended to allay fears that the plant would operate regularly to generate electricity for sale to power companies as a PVSC revenue source.

The new power plant, estimated to cost $180 million, would be built next to PVSCs existing Newark facility on Wilson Avenue. The state Department of Environmental Protection granted a permit for the plant in April, just after the federal Environmental Protection Agency reviewed the project and had no objections.

The plant has been highly controversial since it was proposed four years ago to avoid the kind of power outage, temporary plant shutdown, and damage to its treatment capability that let half a billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage flow into Newark Bay after saltwater flooded the plant during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

A flood wall has been built around the plant since then, and the plants on-site electrical transfer station has been elevated higher above ground. Even so, the commission insists that the backup power plant, estimated to cost more than $150 million, is still needed.

But residents of Newarks surrounding Ironbound section, plus a broad coalition of elected officials, health experts, fossil fuel critics and others insist the methane-burning backup plant would add to the pollution and elevated rates of asthma and other illnesses aggravated by three existing methane-burning plants and nearby Newark Liberty International Airport and the Port Newark container terminal.

One after another, opponents told commissioners that the project flew in the face of the states environmental justice law, intended to protect communities already overburdened by polluters from additional sources. And some criticized Gov. Phil Murphy as a hypocrite for allowing the state DEP to permit the backup plant after he had signed the law in 2020 in Newark.

The citys mayor, Ras J. Baraka, a staunch Murphy ally who just lost a primary bid to succeed him as governor, was among Murphys critics on the power plant issue.

I am disappointed in the Murphy administration for allowing this to go on, Baraka told commissioners, whom he urged  in vain, it turned out  to find the courage to do the right thing.

Baraka had been contemplating a lawsuit to halt the project, and after Thursdays vote, Newark Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart, the citys top lawyer, said one was coming.

We are in the process of getting research together and intend to drop a complaint in the near future, Stewart vowed in a statement.

Other Murphy allies, including Newark residents State Sen. Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor, both Essex Democrats, persuaded the PVSC board to postpone the original May 15 date for the vote in an attempt to broker a compromise of some sort, also without success.

Referring to the Ironbound air qualitys stifling impact on her three daughters, Pintor told commissioners, Im the one who cannot open their window in the summertime.

Chloe Desir, a policy analyst with the Ironbound Community Corporation, choked back tears as she told commissioners that the neighborhoods asthma rate was three times the national average.

Most of the nine board members said little to nothing during the meeting, which Desir and others labeled as quiet acquiescence to behind-the-scenes pressure that would have grave consequences for Ironbound families.

Your silence is violence, Desir said.

Lora, the PVSC commissioner and mayor of Passaic, was the boards lone spokesman in defense of the project and, even then, an unenthusiastic one.

He acknowledged that the health concerns of the ironbounds 50,000 residents were real. But, he added, so were potential consequences of a sewage plant shutdown resulting in the discharge of undertreated wastewater or backed-up toilets for the 1.6 million homes and businesses and 3.4 million people in northern New Jersey who rely on the PVSC to flush their e-coli and other bacteria away.

If it occurs, Lora said of a shutdown, I cant turn to families with sewage running through their homes and say Im sorry, we were waiting for somebody to come up with a solution.

He also rejected critics assertions that there was something to be gained politically or financially by commissioners for approving the plant or that any of my colleagues have a racist bone in any of their bodies.

Over the years, commissioners requested alternative solutions, options, many times, Lora said. But he added, Weve had professionals say to us, right now, this is the most viable option.

But opponents of the backup power plant, including several representatives of the nonprofit law firm Earthjustice (Because the Earth needs a good lawyer), said a cleaner, cheaper alternative to a backup power plant exists right now in the form of a reserve battery power facility.

The six members of the public who spoke in favor of the project were mainly union or construction trade group officials.

If the power went off today, which could absolutely happen again, there would still be no alternate power supply, said Christian Hartman, senior vice president of the New Jersey Alliance for Action, which represents commercial, public and nonprofit developers.

But opponent Richard Grant questioned the logic and morality of the polluting backup plant.

It is wrong, Grant said, to actually harm people to prevent a potential harm.

To boost the resiliency of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission treatment plant in Newark, the PVSC built a flood wall around the facility intended to protect against the kind of storm surge that flooded and shut down the plant during Hurricane Sandy. On Thursday, the PVSC board authorized staff to award a contract for an on-site backup power plant to make the facility even more resilient. Steven Rodas | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com
The invaders losses during the day amounted to 1,220 units of manpower and 157 units of equipment, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a report as of 7:00 a.m. on Friday.

In particular, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed one tank, five combat armored vehicles, 42 artillery systems, three MLRS units, 106 units of automotive equipment and tanker trucks. Air strikes cost the enemy 72 destroyed operational-tactical level UAVs.
Officers at Delaney Hall, a private ICE jail in Newark, N.J., during an apparent incident inside the facility on June 12, 2025. (Photo by Whitney Strub)

About 50 immigrants being held at Delaney Hall, the ICE detention facility in Newark, banded together and pushed down the wall of a dormitory room when meals were hours late, a lawyer told NJ Advance Media.

Mustafa Cetin, an immigration lawyer who represents a detainee inside the private, contracted jail on Doremus Avenue, said his client told him that simmering dissatisfaction over the quality and timeliness of meals in the facility boiled over late Thursday afternoon.

Its about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent, Cetin said. Based on what he told me it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down.

Cetin said his client described the detainees being in a third-floor dormitory and also had bed sheets hung in an apparent escape attempt.He said his client told him he also smelled gas.

Cetin said his client told him he was not among those who pushed in the wall, and that he retreated to a different room in Delaney Hall to avoid any violence he feared might ensue after seeing the wall pushed in.

Christine Cuttita, a regional spokesperson for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, known as ICE, declined to comment on the incident.

Essex County Sheriff Amir D. Jones said deputies responded to Delaney Hall following reports of a disturbance.

When our officers arrived, the situation had already been resolved. At no point did our personnel enter the facilitywe remained on the perimeter throughout, Jones said.

The sheriff pointed out While Delaney Hall is located in Essex County, it is a private facility that operates independently of the sheriffs office.

We are concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement. This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail  including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights.

Baraka was arrested at Delaney Hall last month after a confrontation while trying to join congress members on a tour of the facility, but the charges were later dropped.

We demand immediate answers and clear communication with the GEO Group and the Department of Homeland Security, Baraka said. We must put an end to this chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked.

Federal officials later filed felony assault charges against U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democrat representing New Jerseys 10th Congressional District, who was with Baraka in May when he was arrested. A federal grand jury indicted her on Wednesday.

Newark Department of Public Safety spokesperson Catherine Adams referred questions about the incident to ICE.

Outside Delaney Hall on Thursday evening, about three dozen people from groups that hold regular protests there, witnessed dozens of heavily armed authorities arrive at Delaney Hall at about 6 p.m.

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice posted several photos and videos on their X account of the police activity, including officers gearing up in tactical combat gear.

Police vehicles at Delaney Hall, a private ICE jail in Newark, N.J., during an apparent incident inside the facility on June 12, 2025. (Photo by Whitney Strub)

Whitney Strub, a Rutgers University-Newark history professor and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, showed pictures of several vehicles from the Essex County Sheriffs Office and Newark Police positioned in front of Delaney Halls main gate.

Sometime around 6 p.m., Strub said he and other protesters inhaled what they thought was some kind of gas that had wafted over them. We were all coughing at the same time, Strub said.

Just after 9 p.m., a crowd of about 40 protesters blocked an SUV from exiting an ancillary gate at Delaney Hall, forcing it to back up back through the gate, which then closed, an NJ Advance Media reporter witnessed.

Protesters block an SUV from exiting an ancillary gate at Delaney Hall, an ICE jail in Newark, N.J. on June 12, 2025. (Photo by Steve Strunsky | NJ.com)

NJ Advance Media staff writer Anthony G. Attrino contributed to this report.

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A New Jersey man faces up to 40 years in state prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting three victims whom he threatened with gang violence.

Salaam Leeks falsely told the victims in 2015 and 2016 that they were in danger and coerced them into having sex with him, the Essex County Prosecutors Office said Friday.

A jury convicted Leeks, 39, of Newark of three counts of sexual assault and two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated sexual assault.

Leeks is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 8.

We are grateful that justice was served for the three courageous victims who came forward and testified against the defendant, the prosecutors office said. This verdict demonstrates the importance of holding perpetrators of sexual assault accountable and affirms that survivors voices are being heard.

Leeks was charged with conspiracy, criminal coercion, sexual assault and threatening violence after being arrested in January 2016.

Leeks told two women that they had to have sex with him in order to make up for the actions of their respective boyfriends, authorities said in 2016.

He threatened violence against the women and their families if they did not have sex with him, police said at the time. The assaults occurred at Leeks residence over an eight-month span, according to a court document.

Leeks has been held at the Essex County jail since Jan. 13, 2016. His trial was postponed because of issues with legal representation and COVID delays, according to a spokeswoman for the prosecutors office.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Sandwiches embody everything we love about quick, delicious food. Theyre easy to hold, quick to crave and endlessly customizable with whatever your heart desires.

But every country does them differently. In the United States, sandwiches often mean deli stacks, melty grilled cheese or towering burgers. New Jersey has a sandwich culture all its own, breakfast sandwiches to Italian subs and everything in between.

But in Japan? Sandwiches often feature fruit and whipped cream, tamago (egg salad) or crisp chicken katsu (Japanese for cutlet) between two slices of Japanese milk bread called shokupan. The fluffy, soft and slightly sweet shokupan is a far cry from the seeded Italian bread we love in New Jersey. But its absolutely delicious.

Mikan Sando Sushi Bento in Mount Laurel, a casual Japanese restaurant that opened in August, is one of the only spots in the state serving these sandwiches that have taken social media by storm. There has been a rising appreciation for Japanese street food in general due to its convenience, taste and innovation. Plus, the sandwiches are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Thats a key reason owner Hua Lin chose to open in the South Jersey town.

The front of Mikan Sando Sushi Bento in Mount Laurel, NJ (Lauren Musni|NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Theres not a lot of Japanese street food like onigiri, sandos or takoyaki around here, Lin told NJ Advance Media.

The shop offers 16 sandwich varieties  13 savory, three sweet  with options ranging from smoked salmon and unagi (grilled eel) to fruit-forward picks like strawberry kiwi. Lin says they craft around 800 to 900 of these sandwiches per week.

I ordered the tamago ($9) and chicken katsu ($10) sandos. The chicken katsu sando was the standout  a juicy, golden-fried chicken breast layered with crisp cabbage slaw, sweet-savory katsu sauce and just enough spicy mayo to give it a kick.

Tamago sando at Mikan Sando Sushi Bento in Mount Laurel, NJ (Lauren Musni| NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

The tamago was stuffed with creamy Japanese-style egg salad and slices of avocado, with a whole boiled egg tucked in the center. It was satisfyingly rich, and the avocado added a buttery contrast that balanced the softness of the filling.

But with each bite, the filling kept slipping out of the back  the sandwich was packed to the point of chaos. Delicious, but definitely messy.

That was also the case for the mango fruit sando ($9). The hand-whipped cream was light and airy, paired with a thick, juicy slice of mango. The components were fantastic  but again, it was a bit of a mess.

Mango sando at Mikan Sando Sushi Bento in Mount Laurel, NJ (Lauren Musni|NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Though theres a set amount of flavors on the menu, Lin says he can customize certain sandwiches as long as customers call in their request ahead of time.

Messiness aside, Mikan Sando Sushi Bento delivers on flavor, texture, and creativity  offering South Jersey a rare taste of Japanese street food done right.

Just be sure to grab a few extra napkins.

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Lauren Musni may be reached atlmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusniand onInstagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Jordan Harrison, who worked as a mail carrier at the Sewell Post Office, is also accused of stealing and selling arrow keys, (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier is facing federal charges accusing him of stealing $30,000 in checks from mail on his delivery route.

Jordan Harrison, 28, of Sewell, who worked as a mail carrier at the Sewell Post Office, is also accused of stealing and selling arrow keys, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Jersey.

Those keys provide access to collection mailboxes, cluster box units and apartment panels, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

Harrisons attorney declined a request for comment.

The thefts occurred between February and July 2024, according to federal court documents.

The Sewell Post Office failed to follow protocol for tracking arrow keys at the time of the theft, according to Frank Bollinger, an official for the American Postal Workers Union.

The Sewell Post Office declined a request to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Bollinger said a job listing for a clerk responsible for managing arrow keys at the Sewell Post Office was posted this week.

The potential is there for it to happen again, which then puts all those people who have cluster boxes in the general area of that post office in jeopardy of having their mail stolen, Bollinger said. If the public cannot trust in the sanctity and security of the mail, theyre not going to use us. Theyre already backing off as it is.

Bollinger cited understaffing, an issue impacting many South Jersey post offices, as a growing concern.

Most of our offices are severely understaffed, Bollinger said.

Harrison admitted to stealing checks and arrow keys in an interview with law enforcement officers on March 28, according to federal court documents.

Surveillance footage showed him manipulating, opening, and segregating mail while on his route, according to the U.S. attorneys office.

The video also shows Harrison taking photographs of mail and concealing it underneath his shirt, authorities said. Photos of three checks were posted for sale on the messaging app Telegram, court documents say.

Harrison waived his preliminary hearing and was released on June 3.

The U.S. Attorneys Office did not respond to a request to comment.

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Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com.
A motorist charged in the deaths of two of his passengers in a May crash on the New Jersey Turnpike will remain in jail while he awaits trial, a judge ruled Friday.

Cesar I. Martinez Andino, 19, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was using a cellphone as he drove, was speeding, had alcohol in his system and almost hit another vehicle before the crash, which occurred around 1 a.m. May 18 in Gloucester County, according to prosecutors.

The crash was caught on cellphone video, investigators said.

Martinez Andino was driving an SUV northbound in Harrison Township when he lost control of the vehicle and it left the road, slid down an embankment and struck a tree. Four of the six occupants were thrown from the vehicle, police said.

Juan Carlos Munguia-Palma, 19, and a 14-year-old boy, both of Maryland, were killed, police said.

The SUV was split in half by the impact, the judge said during Fridays hearing.

The driver and two other passengers were seriously injured, while the sixth occupant suffered moderate injuries.

At the scene, Martinez Andino identified himself as the driver after initially saying he wasnt driving, Gloucester County Assistant Prosecutor Katrina Koerner said Friday.

Empty beer bottles and a mixed drink cocktail were spotted in the vehicle, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges.

Toxicology results on the driver revealed his blood alcohol content was 0.047%, which is below the legal limit of 0.08%, attorneys said during the Friday court hearing.

The prosecution noted that, as a 19-year-old, he wasnt supposed to be drinking at all.

A pink cellphone recovered outside of the SUV near the crash scene was recording video when it was located, police said in the affidavit. A video of the crash was recorded on the phone, police said.

The video showed Martinez Andino driving recklessly, using a cellphone while driving and nearly hitting another vehicle before the crash, police said in the affidavit.

Martinez Andino is charged with two counts of second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts each of third-degree child endangerment, assault by auto and causing death while driving while unlicensed. He also faces two fourth-degree counts of causing serious injury while driving while unlicensed and a fourth-degree charge of assault by auto.

The prosecution sought his pre-trial detention, saying he poses a risk to others because of his behavior behind the wheel.

In arguing for his clients release, defense attorney Mario J. Persiano III said he could either return to his family in Maryland or stay with a relative in New Jersey. He also said Martinez Andino has a job and cares for his 1-year-old daughter.

While a public safety assessment from the court determined Martinez Andino could be released on pre-trial monitoring, Superior Court Judge Renard Scott said detention was warranted.

Scott called the defendants behavior reckless and concluded he poses a risk to the community if released. Because he is an out-of-state resident and faces a lengthy prison term if convicted, Martinez Andino is also a flight risk, the judge said.

Martinez Andino has no prior criminal record and no other pending charges, the judge said, but he cited the defendants action on the day of the crash.

The defendants conduct on this unfortunate day in question does rise to the level of recklessness, the judge said. He made the conscious decision to drink as reported in his blood alcohol level. He made the decision to get behind a wheel with five other individuals under the influence of alcohol.

The judge also pointed to a statement made to police by one of the vehicles occupants.

One of the occupants had indicated by way of an interview that all of the occupants in the vehicle were drinking beer and the driver was drinking the most, Scott said.

Also, based on the evidence presented, he was driving at a high rate of speed while holding a cellphone and driving without a license, the judge added.

Its just an unfortunate incident that occurred that could have been avoided if the defendant made the right decision not to drive.

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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
New Jersey is hosting an auction Saturday for 130 surplus vehicles from various manufacturers including Ford, Dodge, GMC, Chevy, and Toyota, according to information from the states auction website.

Potential buyers may inspect the vehicles Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday until the auction begins at 9 a.m.

Both inspection periods and the auction will take place at the state facility at 1620 Stuyvesant Ave. in Trenton.

For more information about the auction, contact the Division of Distribution and Support Services at 609-530-3300, ext. 3300.

The state conducts on-line auctions of surplus property through the company, Municibid. To view current auctions, click on the following link.



Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff.
UPDATE: Man who started fire that injured 5 was stalking one of the victims, cops say

A Middlesex County man was arrested this week after he was accused of intentionally setting a house fire that sent five residents, including an infant, to the hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Gerardo Rosario-Vasquez, 46, of Perth Amboy, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated arson, and first-degree home invasion, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office announced Friday.
The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office is investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday night in Long Branch, authorities said Friday.

Videos on social media show a large police presence in Pier Village as sirens blared in the background on Thursday. Witnesses said they heard gunshots.

Another video showed a fight on the beach.

I sincerely regret the loss of life that occurred last night on Chelsea Beach, Long Branch Mayor John Pallone said in a statement. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Long Branch police department and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office for their swift and effective response.

Pallone said the road through Pier Village has re-opened along with the boardwalk and the beach.

These areas are once again accessible and fully staffed with our regular team of beach security and lifeguards, the mayor said.

The prosecutors office said Long Branch police are also taking part in the investigation but declined to provide additional information, including the time of the death and location.

The person killed has not been identified.

Pier Village is mix of stores, restaurants and condos along the beach.

Anyone with information is asked to call please prosecutors office Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch police Detective Joseph Spitale at 732-222-1000, extension 1339.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
A New Jersey man has sued a township in Ocean County, alleging a firefighter sexually assaulted him over a two-year span when he was a minor.

The plaintiff says he was part of a junior firefighters program at the Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company in Berkeley from 2019 to 2021 when firefighter Jacob R. Holmes sexually assaulted him.

The suit alleges the assaults occurred at the Manitou Park firehouse and other fire stations in the township while he was under the supervision of Holmes.

Holmes was charged in 2022 with sexual assault, criminal sexual contact and endangering the welfare of a child, court records show.

He was later convicted of sexually assaulting someone between the ages of 13 and 15, with the assault taking place in July 2020, according to court records. Information about his sentence wasnt immediately available.

Holmes was born in 1998. The assault he was convicted of took place in July 2020, according to court records.

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, who is referred to as John Doe in the court records, named Berkeley Township and the fire company as defendants.

Township officials declined to comment on the suit, except to day Holmes resigned from the fire department in July 2022.

The fire company didnt immediately return a phone call from NJ Advance Media.

The suit alleges Holmes superiors gave him access to children knowing he would likely use his position to groom and abuse them.

The plaintiff suffered emotional and psychological distress as a result of the assaults, according to the lawsuit.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued a stark warning to MAGA loyalists in Congress who refused to condemn the handcuffing of a Senate Democrat.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference about immigration raids on Thursday after he tried to ask a question. While Murphy and other Democrats condemned the action, some Republicans have called on Padilla to be censured over the incident.

Murphy ripped those defending the actions of the Secret Service in comments on MSNBCs Morning Joe. He also refuted Noems claims that Padilla lurched toward her and that the Secret Service did not know who Padilla was.

Senator Padilla identified himself. You can hear it clearly on that video. He apparently was wearing a pullover that said United States Senate on it. And maybe most importantly, he didnt burst into that room. He was led into that room by members of the administration, Murphy said, noting Padilla was there with an FBI agent and a member of the National Guard.

Murphy said that President Donald Trump is trying to intimidate those who protest his actions while protecting those who use violence on his behalf.

And what the president is trying to do is to intimidate this country, to try to intimidate members of Congress, to say that if you turn out and protest against this administration, if you criticize me, you will be met with violence, Murphy said. But if you use violence on my behalf, like the January 6th protesters, you will be immunized.

He said that he waited four hours alongside Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) for a Republican to condemn what happened to Padilla on Thursday. Murphy also cautioned Republicans for believing they will be protected from violence in the future.

And as you said, not only did they not condemn it, but they basically said he deserved what he got simply because he was disrespectful to the president, Murphy said.

What a world we live in today. If simply because you raise a voice in service of your constituents, you are going to be met with violence. Thats what happens in dictatorships, in authoritarian regimes, he continued.

We are in a really perilous moment in this country. Were at a point of no return. Republicans shouldnt think that they will be protected from violence in the future if they excuse it when Donald Trump uses it on his behalf, he added.

Video footage shows Padilla being pushed out of the room, thrown to the floor and handcuffed. The Department of Homeland Security doubled down on its defense, again falsely claiming that Padilla did not introduce himself.

Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem. Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands, the statement said.

@SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting, the statement added.

Video clips of the incident clearly show Padilla introducing himself.

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The contest for the head of Ukraines Bureau of Economic Security (BES) has come under scrutiny due to concerns over the transparency of the evaluation process. The third stage of the selectionpractical task assessmenthas faced criticism for questionable results. Contest participant Viktor Dubovyk raised concerns on his Facebook page, emphasizing the loss of trust in the selection process.

According to Dubovyk, the leading candidate had shown only average results in previous stages, ranking fifth in the cognitive test and receiving one of the lowest scores36 pointsfor knowledge of legislation. However, after the practical task assessment, this candidate unexpectedly outperformed all others.

Dubovyk also noted that the practical assignments were not translated for foreign commission members, meaning the evaluation was conducted by a working group whose composition remains undisclosed. He described the contest as a manual rewriting of the ranking table based on political preferences and vowed to challenge the results publicly and legally.

The BES leadership contest began in April and consists of three stages: cognitive testing, a legislative knowledge assessment, and practical task evaluation. Fourteen candidates advanced to the final stage, but the evaluation process has been criticized for lacking transparent criteria and being susceptible to subjective influence.

Amid the controversy, the commission decided to postpone candidate interviews to June 21-23 and granted Ukraines Security Service (SBU) 10 days to investigate three candidates for alleged ties to the aggressor state. Commission chair Laura Stefan confirmed receiving a new letter from the SBU, which justified the need for further investigation, though the names of the candidates under review were not disclosed.

The interviews will be conducted online, and their order will remain unchanged. The commission has not yet set a date for announcing the results but aims to make a decision on the final day of interviews.

Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zheleznyak (Holos party) claimed that the contest could be blocked after the IMF board meeting, most likely through legal action.

Earlier, on June 8, Ukrainian commission members proposed suspending the contest after receiving an SBU letter alleging ties between three candidates and Russia. However, three international commission members voted to continue the selection process, and under the law, their votes prevailed, meaning the contest was set to resume within 24 hours. The next day, June 9, three Ukrainian commission membersYuriy Ponomarenko, Oleh Hiliaka, and Tetiana Matselikfailed to attend the meeting, preventing a quorum.

The contest is being conducted under Law No. 10439, passed by the Verkhovna Rada on June 29, 2024, which mandates a competitive selection process for the new BES director with the involvement of international experts. The law also requires an attestation of BES employees within a year of the new directors appointment.
President Donald Trump points to a reporter for a question during an event signing a bill blocking California's rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump is urging Iran to strike a deal over its nuclear program in the wake of Israels attacks on the country early Friday.

Israel attacked Iran in a series of strikes targeting top military leaders and nuclear and missile sites, prompting Iran to retaliate with drone strikes. Trump, who previously said he did not want Israel to strike, raged at Iran in a post on Truth Social and urged the country to make a deal.
George E. Norcross III appeared at the arraignment at the Mercer County Criminal Courthouse in Trenton last year. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is appealing a judges decision to throw out criminal charges against Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross III and five others, arguing the ruling was unprecedented and threatens future public corruption prosecutions.

In a brief filed this week, Platkins office argued Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw Jr. wrongly dismissed the indictment without reviewing the full grand jury record.

The judge relied solely on the 112-page speaking indictment instead of examining more than 2,000 pages of testimony and 341 exhibits, the state contends.

The indictment, returned in June 2024, accused Norcross  a wealthy Camden County insurance executive and longtime behind-the-scenes political force in the Democratic Party  of leading a racketeering conspiracy to seize control of Camden waterfront properties and secure millions in state tax credits.

Also charged were his brother Philip Norcross, attorney William Tambussi, former Camden Mayor Dana Redd, businessman Sidney Brown and developer John ODonnell.

Prosecutors alleged the group used threats, political pressure, and insider influence to force developers and nonprofit leaders to surrender property rights and partner with Norcross-aligned entities.

One of the allegations involved a recorded call in which George Norcross allegedly told a developer: If you f--- this up, Ill f--- you up like youve never been f---ed up before.

But in a February 2025 ruling, the judge dismissed the charges, finding the conduct described in the indictment did not meet the legal definition of extortion or coercion.

Clearly, this is a steel cage brawl between two heavyweights, he wrote, concluding the alleged threats amounted to hard bargaining, not criminal behavior.

Warshaw also ruled the indictment failed to allege a valid racketeering enterprise and several charges were barred by the statute of limitations.

He emphasized his decision was based on legal analysis, not fact-finding.

The Attorney Generals Office is asking the Appellate Division to reinstate the charges and allow the case to proceed to trial  or at least be evaluated based on the full grand jury record.

This ruling, if allowed to stand, would severely undermine the states ability to prosecute complex corruption schemes  especially those involving powerful political actors, the state wrote in the appeal.

The appeal also challenges Warshaws dismissal of charges against attorneys Tambussi and Philip Norcross.

The judge found their conduct  advising clients, preparing legal strategies, and lobbying  fell within the bounds of legitimate legal and political activity.

Criminalizing such conduct, Warshaw wrote, would undermine constitutionally protected lawyering and advocacy.

The state counters that while legal and lobbying work is protected, those protections dont shield attorneys from prosecution if their actions are part of a criminal conspiracy.

The appeal downplays Philip Norcrosss legal role and argues if safeguarding the practice of law is a concern, it applies only to Tambussi.

In a statement to NJ Advance Media, Tambussis attorneys, Jeffrey Chiesa and Lee Vartan, seized on that point. They said the states brief concedes what has always been our central point.

If the Appellate Division is concerned about safeguarding the practice of law, then the dismissal of the indictment as to Tambussi should be affirmed, the attorneys said. That is a remarkable concession from the attorney general and sufficient itself for the Appellate Division to confirm the trial courts order.

The Attorney Generals Office and the defense attorneys for the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) had brutal words for President Donald Trump as the two leaders escalate their feud over the immigration protests in Los Angeles.

Trump ignited a fight with Newsom after deploying thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to quell demonstrations protesting the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city. Trump has lashed out at Newsom, suggesting earlier this week that the sitting governor should be arrested.

Newsom has fired back and has argued that Trump made the situation worse by sending in troops. He has also filed a lawsuit to block Trumps deployment of troops in the city.

And in a new interview for Fox 11 Los Angeles, Newsom dished out some of his harshest criticism yet. He repeated his accusation that Trump was a stone cold liar for claiming he warned the governor he would bring the National Guard in to Los Angeles if the protests didnt calm down.

Anchor Elex Michaelson noted in the interview that Trump seemed to make up this idea that the National Guard did a great job last night when they werent here. Newsom agreed and raised concerns about Trumps mental acuity to handle his job as president.

Hes lost it. He has lost a step, and I saw him trip on the steps today. This is serious, Newsom said. He is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago.

Hes incapable now of even a train of thought. Hes making things up, and hes putting peoples lives at risk, and hes got a band of people that are complicit in this, and thats whats so damn alarming, he added.

Newsom on Trump: "He's lost it. He hasn't lost a step. And I saw him trip on the steps today. This is serious. He is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago. And he's incapable now of even a train of thought. He's making things up and he's putting people's lives pic.twitter.com/BJNBBo9ef7  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 12, 2025

Trump and Newsom have traded barbs for days over the response to the Los Angeles protests, with the president baselessly claiming that the city would have burnt down without the deployment of the troops.

The escalating clash pits the leader of the Republican Party against a Democrat with ambitions of leading his own party, with a striking backdrop of a domestic troop deployment meant to control a city in unrest and now to assist in arresting migrants  the centerpiece of the presidents agenda.

Trump said Thursday that without the military, Los Angeles would be a crime scene like we havent seen in years.

Newsom had totally lost control of the situation, Trump wrote on his social media platform, misspelling the governors first name while using a derogatory nickname for him. He should be saying THANK YOU for saving his ass, instead of trying to justify his mistakes and incompetence!!!

For Trump, its another chance to battle with Newsom, a frequent foil who leads a heavily Democratic state the president has long criticized. And for Newsom, the feud has handed him a national platform as a beleaguered Democratic Party seeks a leader able to resist Trump.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Attorney General Pam Bondis brother was pummeled in his bid to lead the Washington, D.C Bar Association.

And we wanted you to know because shes not likely to bring that up during her daily Fox News appearances.

Employment attorney Diane Seltzer beat securities lawyer Brad Bondi in a race with record turnout.

Seltzer won more than 90 percent of the electronic vote, D.C. Bar CEO Bob Spagnoletti said. More than 38,000 people voted in the race, more than five times as many voters in a typical election, he said.

Member engagement in this election was, to say the least, extraordinary, Spagnoletti said.

Seltzer should thank George Conway.

The lawyer who once was steeped in Republican politics and formerly married to one of the most rabid and reliable liars for Donald Trump, found a new way to make life miserable for one of Trumps officials  Bondi.

Conway stepped into the middle of the campaign in May to sound the alarm and persuade lawyers to vote against Bondi.

Conways Instagram post about the race went viral and likely is a main reason turnout in the rolling election tripled the previous high turnout, set in 1990.

Conway is not a member of the D.C. Bar and hes not eligible to vote, but lawyers undoubtedly heard his call.

Im asking you to vote  and most importantly, to vote against somebody  to vote against Brad Bondi, Conway said.

At a time when Trump is threatening law firms, forcing the cowardly ones to their knees while squeezing them for pro bono work, Conway and others are afraid of what might happen if Bondi gets his hands on the gavel: Will he and his sister conspire to threaten, intimidate, investigate and even arrest D.C. lawyers who oppose Trump or those who represent clients under attack by the administration?

Seltzer, an employment attorney with her own small firm, told a debate audience about the fear other lawyers are expressing to her all across the city, according to NPR.

WE DID IT!!!!!! she posted on LinkedIn.

Seltzer made the rule of law a key focus of her campaign.

Were literally afraid of terrible consequences just for doing our jobs, she said at a candidate forum in May. My priority is making sure that the rule of law is upheld, that we feel that we are safe to do our jobs and that we can go forward every day representing the clients we choose.

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Authorities in Somerset County are investigating an unattended death in a residence in Bridgewater, officials said.

Police were dispatched to a residence on Crawford Court for a welfare check at 1:07 p.m. on Wednesday, authorities said. The home is in a condominium complex.

Once inside the residence, officers found a body in advanced stages of decomposition, officials said.

Further details of the persons identity and gender were not immediately made public.

No threats to the public have been identified and authorities in Somerset County are investigating the incident pending a positive identification, autopsy and toxicology reports from the states Northern Regional Medical Examiners Office, officials said.

Anyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to contact the Somerset. County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.
Yankees captain Aaron Judge leads the majors with a .396 batting average and ranks second with 25 homers and 59 RBIs. AP

KANSAS CITY  It was about a week ago when Yankees captain Aaron Judge was approached by manager Aaron Boone about picking a day to sit out a game for the first time this season.

Boone looked ahead to this week, the start of a stretch in which the Yankees are playing 16 days in a row, and picked Thursdays series finale against the Royals because the club has a late-night flight from Kansas City to Boston.

As always, Judge told Boone that he wanted to play every game, but he knows the skipper is looking out for his best interests. Judge isnt a kid anymore. Hes 33.

But before agreeing to a rest day, Judge made a deal with Boone that could have kept him in the lineup Thursday.

Judge asked if Boone would think about changing his mind if he hit a home run in the first two games of the Royals series.

Boone agreed.

Judge did his part blasting a 469-foot homer in Tuesday nights 10-2 romp, then belting another in Wednesday nights 6-3 victory.

He kind of looked at me (after Wednesdays homer) like, Hey (I did it), Boone said.

Boone didnt change his mind after wrestling with the notion in his hotel room late Wednesday night.

Judge didnt start Thursdays game.

I was reconsidering it, but I think we want to stay disciplined on this one, Boone said. I think its right time for it.

Judge was disappointed.

Theres always a battle (with Boone discussing off days), Judge said with a smile. I didnt win this one.

Boone said hes playing the long game with Judge, who is well on his way to becoming a three-time MVP after winning his second last year.

Yankees moneyline is +125 on bet365 for Fridays series opener against Boston. Our complete list of New Jersey sportsbook promos will help you find a sportsbook to use.

Heading into Thursday, Judge led the majors with a .396 batting average and ranked second with 25 homers and 59 RBIs.

I never want him out of the lineup, but I felt like its one of those that will pay some dividends in the long run, Boone said. Were keeping him fresh.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com.
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It is important to prevent destabilization in the Middle East region, since the conflict poses a threat to global security, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.

"It is important to prevent escalation and destabilization in the region. This is extremely important. And please do not forget that Iran is a country that supplies weapons to Russia," he said at a panel discussion during the GLOBSEC-2025 forum in Prague on Friday.

The minister stressed that this is important for the whole world, because this destabilization will affect global security.
As dozens of people from Mississippi and Louisiana  and even as far away as Hawaii  lined up Monday outside of the new Buc-ee's in Pass Chri
Ukraine has received another EUR 1 billion in funding from the European Union sourced from frozen Russian assets, as part of the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) initiative, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.

"This is already the fifth tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU under the ERA initiative. The funds will be directed toward key state budget expenditures," Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to the Prime Minister, Ukraine has received a total of EUR 7 billion from the EU under the ERA initiative to date.
MFA: Ukraine following with concern developments in Middle East, we remind you that Iranian regime supports Russia in its war against Ukraine

Ukraine is following with concern the developments in the Middle East in connection with Israel's strikes on Iranian targets last night, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Realizing the risks of further destabilization of the entire region, we note that the continuation of hostilities could have negative consequences for international security and global financial stability, especially in oil markets," the statement says.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that it is important to avoid further destabilization of the region and prevent civilian casualties.

"Meanwile, we remind you that the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of conquest against Ukraine and provides Moscow with weapons to kill Ukrainians. Iran is the source of many problems in the Middle East and beyond," the statement reads.

Ukraine is convinced that the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East will meet the interests of not only the region, but also the entire international community, and security in Europe and the Middle East are directly related.

"In this context, we call on the international community to take joint and decisive action to overcome modern security threats and coordinated containment of a group of aggressive regimes - Russia, Iran and North Korea," the Foreign Ministry urged.
Photo: https://mfa.gov.ua/

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has held a meeting in Prague with Chilean Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren and discussed ways to intensify relations between the countries.

We appreciate Chile's consistent position in support of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. We discussed ways to intensify Ukraines relations with both Chile and the entire Latin America, he said on X.

Sybiha informed his colleague about the current situation at the front and international diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing closer a just peace.

I also invited my colleague to visit Ukraine, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry noted.
NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The hum of excited conversations filled the air as visitors navigated the bustling aisles of the 10th Agritec Africa, an international exhibition and conference on agriculture technology currently underway in Nairobi, Kenya's capital.

Among the attendees was 51-year-old Henry Wesonga, a farmer from Trans-Nzoia County in northwestern Kenya, who listened attentively as representatives from Beijing Ecoman Biotech Com., Ltd., explained the benefits of biological pest control over conventional chemical methods.

"Years of using synthetic agrochemicals on my horticultural crops to control harmful insects have jeopardized my access to lucrative export markets," Wesonga told Xinhua on Thursday. "I want to use Chinese bio-sustainable products for effective pests control."

Emmanuel Monga, marketing specialist for international business at Ecoman Biotech, said that Chinese firms have developed green pest control technologies that offer farmers viable alternatives to chemical insecticides.

Monga noted that the company also provides affordable solar-powered devices that monitor and trap pests like fruit flies and the false codling moth -- both common threats to crops in many African countries.

The three-day expo, organized by Kenya's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, brought together more than 100 exhibitors from 13 countries.

Desmond Mwanza, a farmer based in Kitui County in eastern Kenya, said he was particularly impressed by the booth run by Inner Mongolia Longze Water Saving Irrigation Technology, which showcased products designed for conserving water.

"My land is located in an arid area with unpredictable rainfall," the 42-year-old farmer said. "I'm considering purchasing drip irrigation hoses from the Chinese company."

Meanwhile, Edwin Muriuki, a poultry and dairy farmer, praised the offerings at the booth of China Animal Husbandry Industry Com., Ltd., which showcased drugs to treat Newcastle disease, a major challenge for Kenyan poultry farmers.

Jiang Chunyang, business manager for the export department at the company, said their specialized veterinary products are designed to enhance livestock productivity in Kenya.

Also in attendance was Nicholas Nyakundi, owner of a 12-acre tea plantation in Kisii County in western Kenya. He traveled about 300 km to attend the expo and spent much of his time engaging with representatives from Hangzhou Ochizaki Tea Machinery Com., Ltd.

"With a Chinese tea-plucking machine, I'll be able to harvest 500 kg of tea per day with just one worker, instead of 10," he said. "That would significantly boost my farm's profits."
The inter-factional parliamentary group Smart Politics is initiating a motion to dismiss the Ukrainian government, according to its leader, independent MP Dmytro Razumkov.

"The government must be dismissed  we, together with the Smart Politics team, are initiating this process," Razumkov stated on Telegram on Friday.

According to the MP, the Cabinet has failed across all areas of governance.

"Budget deficit, lack of funding for the army, and the threat of payment delays to defenders for the second consecutive year. A disastrous foreign policy  the government's inaction cost us preferential trade access, which equates to at least EUR 3.5 billion in annual losses for the Ukrainian economy! Declining industrial output... Rising tariffs and taxes have led to the closure of hundreds of thousands of sole proprietorships and widespread job losses," he said.

Razumkov argued that removing the current government would be a rescue measure for the country.

He also emphasized that Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal should resign voluntarily, which would save time otherwise spent on formal procedures to remove the government.

Razumkov later announced on Facebook that the process of the government's resignation had already been launched. He published a screenshot of the official Verkhovna Rada letterhead with the first signatures of MPs supporting the government's resignation.

At the same time, Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak, of the Holos faction, noted on his Telegram channel that current legislation contains a provision prohibiting the dismissal of the government during martial law.

"This was first pointed out a year ago by my colleague Fedir Venislavsky  the Law 'On the Legal Regime of Martial Law' contains an active provision, Article 10, titled 'Inadmissibility of Termination of Powers of State Authorities and Other Government Bodies Under Martial Law.' It states: 'During the period of martial law, the powers of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine may not be terminated,'" Zhelezniak wrote.

At the same time, he added, "When the prime minister or the Cabinet is dismissed, is this considered a 'termination of powers' or is the principle of continuity of government in effect? On this point, neither the law nor the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada offers a clear answer  except... for one incidental provision that clearly puts everything into perspective."

Specifically, he explained that when the Cabinet of Ministers is replaced, all draft laws submitted by it are automatically withdrawn  under Article 27 of the Law on the Cabinet of Ministers and Article 105 of the Law on the Rules of Procedure.

"The key point here is that in both cases, the withdrawal of legislative proposals submitted by the previous government occurs explicitly because of the 'termination of powers.' And if we look at the history of the most recent government transitions  from Yatsenyuk to Groysman, or in this parliamentary convocation from Honcharuk to Shmyhal  this was precisely the case. In each of these instances, it was treated as a termination of powers," the MP said.

Based on this, Zhelezniak concludes that the dismissal of the prime minister and the appointment of a new government constitutes a "termination of powers of the Cabinet of Ministers," which is explicitly prohibited under Article 10 of the Law on Martial Law.

"Even if Shmyhal were to submit a resignation voluntarily," Zhelezniak said.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2025

The European Solidarity Party has reported the search of the son of Member of Parliament from the Euro-Solidarity faction Nina Yuzhanina, calling it political persecution, sources of the Interfax-Ukraine agency in law enforcement agencies inform about the exposure of a real estate transaction and money laundering of the deputy's family.

"Today, clowns were supposed to come to the family of our deputy Nina Yuzhanina's son for a children's party on the birthday of his grandson, but at six in the morning other clowns came - from the State Bureau of Investigation," - the message on the party's website on Friday says.

The party calls the conduct of such investigative actions political persecution.

"Instead of fighting the enemy, they are fighting the opposition," - the party notes and adds that the search of Yuzhanina's son in the presence of three young children is "the result of the work of this special group to continue the campaign of intimidation of our team."

IF-U agency sources in law enforcement agencies reported the discovery of real estate transactions and money laundering by the Yuzhanina family, in connection with which investigative actions are being carried out.

"Based on materials from the State Financial Monitoring Service, the Bureau is conducting an inspection of dubious financial transactions with the sale of an apartment in the prestigious Tetris Hall residential complex in the capital," the agency's interlocutor noted.

According to the source, in 2024, the son of a people's deputy gave his wife an apartment, which she later allegedly sold to a businessman friend for UAH 8 million.

"According to the contract, the buyer paid UAH 6 million immediately, and another UAH 2 million was to be paid by 2027. At the same time, the terms of the contract stipulated that in case of non-payment of the remaining amount, the buyer loses both the right to the apartment and the funds already paid," the interlocutor explained.

According to him, during the searches it turned out that the sold apartment was actually merged with the neighboring one, which is still owned by the deputy's family, which makes its real sale impossible and indicates the fictitious nature of the transaction.

"These actions have signs of a criminal offense, stipulated by Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime on a large scale," the source specified.

According to him, searches are currently underway in apartments and cars belonging to the MP's family.
Bedel Saget/The New York Times

Which Law Enforcement Agencies Are at the Los Angeles Protests?

The protests in Los Angeles against immigration raids, now seven days on, have resulted in a considerable law enforcement presence  significant in both its sheer number and its broad representation across local and federal agencies, including military forces.

The New York Times identified more than a dozen groups that were on the ground in the past week. Times journalists reviewed over a thousand videos and images taken of the protests, including drone footage of the downtown area, to determine officers locations and movements and the weapons they were carrying.

Where major agencies were seen operating Los Angeles Police Department The L.A.P.D. was the main agency dispersing protests away from the federal complex. Areas where other agencies were seen Highway 101 Main St. Federal BUILDINGS Alameda St. Los Angeles St. Temple St. City Hall Spring St. First St. National Guard and federal law enforcement Federal officers and the National Guard did not venture beyond this cluster of federal buildings. Federal BUILDINGS North Alameda St. Temple St. City Hall 500 feet California Highway Patrol Highway entrances Protesters entered the highway on Sunday and Tuesday Highway 101 Federal BUILDINGS City Hall Curfew was enforced by local agencies far from the federal complex. Second St. North Protesters entered the highway on Sunday and Tuesday Highway entrances California Highway Patrol National Guard and federal law enforcement Highway 101 Main St. Federal officers and the National Guard did not venture beyond this cluster of federal buildings. Federal BUILDINGS Alameda St. Spring St. City Hall Temple St. Los Angeles St. Los Angeles Police Department First St. The L.A.P.D. was the main agency dispersing protests away from the federal complex. L.A.P.D. Headquarters Second St. Curfew was enforced by local agencies far from the federal complex. 500 feet Protesters briefly blocked traffic on Tuesday Alameda St. Union Station North Main St. Highway entrance Highway entrance California Highway Patrol Arcadia St. Protesters entered highway on Sunday National Guard and federal law enforcement Highway 101 Aliso St. Federal officers and the National Guard did not venture beyond this cluster of federal buildings. Los Angeles St. Federal BUILDINGS Los Angeles Police Department The L.A.P.D. was the main agency dispersing protests away from the federal complex. Temple St. Grant Park City Hall Alameda St. Spring St. Main St. First St. L.A.P.D. Headquarters Curfew was enforced by local agencies far from the federal complex. Second St. California Highway Patrol 500 feet Source: New York Times analysis of photos and videos from the protests; aerial image by Nearmap Note: Areas are approximate and based on photographic evidence. The New York Times

It is extremely unusual for active-duty military personnel to be deployed to respond to a domestic protest, as the Trump administration ordered last week. President Trump commandeered 2,000 members of Californias National Guard and placed them under federal control, bypassing the opposition of state leaders, and then sent another 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to the greater Los Angeles area.

The last time a president bypassed a governor to deploy the National Guard was in March of 1965, on the eve of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. On Thursday, a federal judge blocked Mr. Trumps deployment of the troops and ordered the administration to return control of the forces to Gov. Gavin Newsom. The administration has appealed the decision.

The array of local law enforcement officers on the ground, on the other hand, is not unusual. California has a so-called mutual aid system in place that allows police and sheriffs departments to request backup from nearby areas if necessary. The two Los Angeles agencies were joined by at least 240 officers from neighboring counties and cities, as well as 600 California Highway Patrol Officers sent by Mr. Newsom.

Which agencies are represented, and what gear they have

The Los Angeles Police Department has traditionally been in charge of crowd control at protests. Some officers on the ground in recent days have worn basic uniforms, which include a handgun and a baton. Others have been equipped with full riot gear.

FN 303 gun, likely loaded with pepper balls nightstick handgun FN 303 gun, likely loaded with pepper balls nightstick handgun

Police officers on horseback have significant physical advantage against crowds.

face shield face shield

This week, the L.A.P.D. called for mutual aid from other local municipalities, including:

Santa Ana Pasadena Monterey Park sponge rounds often fired with a ... ... 40-mm launcher Santa Ana Pasadena Monterey Park sponge rounds often fired with a ... ... 40-mm launcher

The L.A.P.D. also requested assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department.

crowd control munition launcher crowd control munition launcher

Similarly, the sheriffs department has called upon neighboring counties to support its efforts, including:

Orange Santa Barbara Ventura San Bernardino StunBag shotgun, likely loaded with beanbag rounds Orange Santa Barbara San Bernardino Ventura StunBag shotgun, likely loaded with beanbag rounds

The California Highway Patrol has been leading the efforts to contain crowds as they cross, block or take over major thoroughfares  for instance, when protesters briefly blocked Highway 101 on Sunday.

eye protection for police horses eye protection for police horses

The Department of Homeland Security, a federal agency, has been performing immigration raids, including those that set off the current wave of demonstrations. Agencies under the department  including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection  carry out the raids, sometimes with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

pepper spray pepper balls Federal Bureau of Investigation Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of ICE pepper spray pepper balls Federal Bureau of Investigation Enforcement and Removal Operations, a division of ICE

Mr. Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed around 4,000 troops to defend federal buildings and federal agents. On Monday, Trump also mobilized the U.S. Marine Corps, which has not operated on domestic soil since the 1992 Los Angeles riots. As of Thursday afternoon, Marines were training in the greater Los Angeles area but had not been seen on the ground at the protest site.

National Guard Marine Corps riot shield M4 rifle gas mask National Guard Marine Corps riot shield M4 rifle gas mask

On Thursday, U.S. Marshals were spotted in the vicinity of the federal building complex, assisting the L.A.P.D with arrests.

How agencies interact

The National Guard has been positioned alongside Department of Homeland Security officers directly outside a federal building complex in downtown Los Angeles where much of the protest activity has occurred. The Guard members have not been authorized to carry out immigration raids or patrol the citys streets.

They could be seen on occasion this week interacting with crowds when federal property was involved. On Sunday, the National Guard and D.H.S. officers pushed back demonstrators to clear a way for federal vehicles entering the complex, and the D.H.S. officers sprayed the crowd with pepper spray and pepper balls.

When conducting immigration raids, federal agents from the D.H.S., including Border Patrol, and from the F.B.I. often do interact with crowds of angry community members. Federal agents arrived in armored trucks, wearing tactical gear and carrying military-style rifles, for a raid on a clothing wholesaler on June 6 less than two miles from Los Angeles City Hall. Using flash-bang grenades, the agents dispersed a group of people that gathered to protest the raid.

Given the relatively small protest area  which has been concentrated in just a few square blocks  officers from various agencies have frequently ended up in close proximity. In the below photo, taken Monday, officers from at least five agencies stand on a single corner.

An image showing how multiple agencies were stationed outside a federal building during the protests in Los Angeles. Pictured are members of the California National Guard, and officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, Los Angeles County Sheriffs office, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the citys police department, have responded to demonstrations throughout the city, at times deploying flash-bang grenades, projectiles and other crowd-control measures. They have been authorized only for traffic and crowd control management, and not to perform immigration raids.

As of Thursday, the L.A.P.D. had already arrested more than 160 people in connection with the demonstrations, most of whom face charges of failure to disperse.

Prominent California leaders, including Mr. Newsom, have accused Mr. Trump of inflaming recent tensions in the state. In a speech on Tuesday, Mr. Newsom sharply criticized Mr. Trumps deportation agenda, which led to the federal raids last week that set off the protests. He also condemned the administrations decision to commandeer National Guard troops and deploy Marines, calling it a brazen abuse of power by a sitting president.
United States District Court Northern District of California 2 1 enumerated conditions are met, not whenever he determines that one of them is met. 10 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 U.S.C.  12406. Defendants point to the language providing that the President may call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any state in such numbers as he considers necessary to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws. Id. (emphasis added). But their argument puts the cart before the horse. For the President to exercise his discretion (as to how many National Guard members or units to federalize), there must first be an invasion, rebellion, or inability to execute the laws. Consider, as an analogy, 5 U.S.C.  3345, which applies [i]f an officer of an Executive agency... whose appointment to office is required to be made by the President ... dies, resigns, or is unable to perform the functions and duties of the office." Id.  3345(a). The President's discretion in what to do next, see id.  3345(a)(2)(3), does not mean that the President can unilaterally and without judicial review declare that a vacancy exists in order to fill it. That is classic ipse dixit. Defendants assert that, despite the plain language of the statute, the Supreme Court's 1827 Martin v. Mott decision compels a different outcome. 25 U.S. (12 Wheat.) 19 (1827). Martin arose from a militiaman's refusal to enter federal service to fight in the War of 1812 after President Madison had ordered the New York militia into federal service 18 pursuant to a predecessor statute to the Militia Act of 1903. See id. at 28. That statute 19 provided that "whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of 20 21 23 8 22222222228 24 25 26 27 invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth such number of the militia of the state, or states, most convenient to the place of danger, or scene of action, as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion." Act of Feb. 28, 1795, ch. 36, 1 Stat. 424, 424. Martin thus presented the question: Is the President the sole and exclusive judge whether the exigency has arisen, or is it to be considered as an open question, upon which every officer to whom the orders of the President are addressed, may decide for himself, and equally open to be contested by every militia-man who shall refuse to obey the orders of the President? 25 U.S. at 2930. The Supreme Court held "that the authority to decide whether the exigency has arisen, 12
What to Expect at the Armys 250th Anniversary Parade

Saturdays military parade in Washington will celebrate the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary, but planning documents shared with The New York Times show a focus on President Trump, who turns 79 the same day. The parade, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., is expected to proceed even with rain and thunderstorms forecast in the late afternoon and early evening.

Thousands of soldiers will march from the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., to Washington while heavy armored vehicles slowly make their way north from West Potomac Park.

The White House 1/2 MILE 15th St. NW Trumps reviewing stand 17th St. NW Constitution Ave. Parade route West Potomac Park Heavy vehicle route Soldiers route Potomac River D.C. VA. Pentagon North parking lot Arlington National Cemetery North Pentagon 1/2 MILE The White House 15th St. NW 17th St. NW Trumps reviewing stand Constitution Ave. Parade route Soldiers route West Potomac Park Heavy vehicle route D.C. VA. Potomac River Arlington National Cemetery Pentagon North parking lot Pentagon

The parade will officially kick off once the Army secretary, Daniel P. Driscoll, and chief of staff, Gen. Randy George, report to Mr. Trump in a small ceremony at his reviewing stand along Constitution Avenue.

There will be roughly 7,000 soldiers  some in replicas of Army uniforms from different eras, including the Revolutionary, Civil, Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as both world wars.

Heavy armored vehicles from previous conflicts will be followed by those from the modern era, including 70-ton Abrams tanks, 30-ton Bradley fighting vehicles and 20-ton Strykers.

These vehicles will be staged in West Potomac Park because they could damage the Arlington Memorial Bridge and leak hazardous hydraulic fluid as they move. They could also break down before they reach their destination, according to Army planning documents, which is why the service will have heavy towing vehicles called wreckers at the beginning of the parade route on a nearby cross street.

But for all of this planning and expense, the parade route is remarkably short  running less than 1,600 yards down Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street until the soldiers pass the presidents reviewing stand.

Where Trump Will Sit

The president will sit in a 100-foot-wide reviewing stand constructed on the north side of Constitution Avenue. Mr. Trump will be joined by a number of special guests, including Army soldiers who have received the nations highest decoration for combat valor, the Medal of Honor.

The White House The Ellipse Trumps reviewing stand 100 ft. Constitution Ave. The White House The Ellipse Trumps reviewing stand 100 ft. Constitution Ave.

At the end of the parade, the Golden Knights, the Armys parachute team, will jump from the sky, land in the Ellipse, a park south of the White House, and present an American flag to the president on behalf of the Army.

Afterward, a country music concert is scheduled to begin nearby on the National Mall, followed by a fireworks show.

These last events may be in jeopardy as thunderstorms are forecast throughout the afternoon and early evening.

Military Equipment of the Past

The event will feature an array of historical equipment, vehicles and aircraft owned by private collectors, including Sherman tanks from World War II and UH-1 Huey helicopters from the Vietnam War. Vintage aircraft will fly overhead.

World War II B-25 Mitchell C-47 P-51 Mustang M4 Sherman Jeep Vietnam War AH-1 Cobra OH-6 UH-1 World War II B-25 Mitchell C-47 P-51 Mustang M4 Sherman Jeep Vietnam War AH-1 Cobra OH-6 UH-1

Military Equipment Still in Use

For more recent conflicts, the Army will be using its own uniforms, vehicles and aircraft. The service is bringing dozens of armored vehicles  like Abrams tanks, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Strykers  and helicopters from bases around the country, from both its conventional and special operations components.

Post-9/11 Wars MH-47 MH-60 Stryker Modern Era CH-47 Chinook AH-64 Apache UH-60 Black Hawk M109 Paladin M1A1 Abrams M2 Bradley Post-9/11 Wars MH-47 MH-60 Stryker Modern Era CH-47 Chinook AH-64 Apache UH-60 Black Hawk M109 Paladin M1A1 Abrams M2 Bradley

Representing the future Army, cadets from the United States Military Academy, the Virginia Military Institute, the Citadel and Texas A&M will march along with a number of civilians whom Mr. Trump will swear into the Army and current soldiers who will re-enlist after the parade.

Parade Preparations

Road closures began nearly a week in advance to build Mr. Trumps reviewing stand, with tall black barricades erected along the parade route.

1 MILE The White House Area affected by road closures U.S. Capitol Parade route General Services Administration West Potomac Park Agriculture Department Thousands of soldiers are housed in these two federal buildings. 1 MILE The White House Area affected by road closures U.S. Capitol Parade route West Potomac Park General Services Administration Agriculture Department Thousands of soldiers are housed in these two federal buildings.

Thousands of Army soldiers have also begun moving into federal government office buildings in downtown Washington, where they will be sleeping on cots and showering in trailers. About 4,000 will sleep in the General Services Administration building and another 2,000 in office space for the Agriculture Department.

To protect the roadway, the Army is placing large, inch-thick steel plates on the asphalt. Even so, the National Park Service estimates the heavy military vehicles will cause $3 million to $16 million in damage to public roads along the route.

Commercial flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport, just across the Potomac River in Virginia, will be paused for several hours on Saturday. That will allow for flyovers by military aircraft launching from Joint Base Andrews, nine miles away in Maryland, and the privately owned historical aircraft taking off from nearby civilian airports.

According to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, roads over a 2.5-square-mile area in downtown Washington between the Capitol and the Potomac River will be closed to traffic until Monday morning. The Secret Service will search members of the public going inside the parade area on Saturday.

On the water, the Tidal Basin and the Potomac River between the Theodore Roosevelt and 14th Street Bridges will be closed all day Saturday as well.
The European Union has taken a political decision to extend until March 4, 2027, temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees who were forced to leave their country because of the war waged by Russia against Ukraine.

Today, the Council voiced its unanimous support for a proposal to extend the temporary protection for the more than 4 million Ukrainians fleeing from Russias war of aggression until 4 March 2027, the EU Council reported on Friday.

Commenting on the decision, Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of the Interior and Administration of Poland, which holds the EU Presidency, said: While Russia continues to terrorise Ukrainian civilians with indiscriminate air strikes the EU continues to show its solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We will continue to offer protection for millions of Ukrainian refugees for another year.

According to him, the Polish Presidency also initiated discussions on a strategy for the gradual abolition of temporary protection after a fair peace is achieved. In the near future, we will work towards common, EU-wide solutions in this area, including in the context of returns to Ukraine, Siemoniak added.

As it is known, Since March 2022 the EU has given safety and shelter to over 4 million refugees from Ukraine on the basis of the temporary protection directive. Temporary protection is due to run until 4 March 2026 and will now be extended until 4 March 2027.

Thus, the temporary protection system alleviates the pressure on national asylum systems because persons falling under this type of protection do not need to apply for asylum on an individual basis. The extension until March 2027 is a signal to displaced people from Ukraine that is not necessary to apply for asylum, the EU Council explained.

At the same time, the extension does not change the terms of the March 2022 decision as regards the categories of persons to whom the temporary protection applies or the rights they enjoy.
A 14-year-old English boy recently won a legal battle against his parents, whom he accuses of tricking him into flying to Ghana and then preventing him from returning home.

The unnamed teen and his lawyers told a London Court of Appeal that in March of 2014, he was tricked by his parents into flying to Ghana under the pretext of visiting a sick relative, only to be enrolled at a boarding school in the African country. Despite the 14-year-olds best efforts to return to his home country, he was prevented from doing so by his parents, so he found some lawyers and took them to Court. Initially, the High Court in London ruled in favor of the parents, who claimed to have had the boys best interests in mind when they shipped him to Ghana under false pretenses, but a Court of Appeal recently revoked that verdict and sided with the teen, considering that his freedom of choice had been infringed.

Photo: Anthony McKissic/Unsplash

In the original judgement, High Court judge Mr Justice Hayden claimed that the parents decision to trick him into flying to Ghana was determined by their deep, obvious and unconditional love, as he would have been at risk of suffering greater harm by staying in London. The parents lawyers told the Court that the teenage boy had developed an interest in local gang culture and exhibited an unhealthy interest in knives.

The parents found themselves in a wholly invidious decision when they made the decision they made, the parents lawyers told the Court. Ghana provided a safe haven, separate from those who exposed him to risk. The least harmful option is for him to remain in Ghana.

In light of evidence regarding the boys miserable condition in Ghana, the London Court of Appeal recently overturned the original verdict. He reportedly told the Court that he felt like he was living in hell, could barely understand what was going on at the African boarding school, and was mocked by his peers there.



He is culturally displaced and alienated, Deirdre Fottrell KC, the teens lawyer, said. He considers himself abandoned by his family. He feels he is a British boy, a London boy.

The 14-year-old English boy remains in Ghana, but his lawyers are hopeful that the Court of Appeals verdict is a massive step in the right direction and will soon allow him to return to London. The case is expected to have a massive impact on international family law.
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Prosek Partners provided PR support for the United Arab Emirates national media office during the United Nations 18th Conference of State Parties on the rights of people with disabilities, held in New York from June 10-12.

The firm promoted a side event called Empowering Inclusive Development through Disability-Inclusive Action and Partnership.

That session was coordinated by the UAEs UN mission and the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination.

Prosek prepared journalists to conduct one-on-one interviews with members of the UAE delegation, prepped spokespersons prior to the meetings, produced video clips, and monitored media coverage to correct any inaccuracies.

Its UAE team included managing directors Diana Estupinan (head of the Mideast/North Africa region), Deirdre Elias, Trevor Gibbons; VP Katherine Fox; and senior account executive Chandler Stearns.
ON Sunday, June 29th, Embrace FARM will hold its Annual Ecumenical Remembrance Service to bring together farm families from across Ireland to remember loved ones lost within their community.

Over the past 12 years, this service has become a pillar event for Embrace FARM, providing comfort for families impacted by a serious injury or sudden death within their family unity, and cherishing their memory. This year, the service will be held at 2 pm in the Church of the Most Holy Rosary in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, and will be live-streamed on embracefarm.com.

It will also be broadcast on RTE One on Sunday, July 6 at 11:00am.

Honouring the tradition of adding names to the Remembrance List, Embrace FARM is asking families around the country to submit the names of their deceased loved ones to be read aloud and remembered during the service. Last year, over 350 names were honoured in the roll call.

Norma Rohan, Co-founder of Embrace FARM, reflects on the organisations growth over the past twelve years: Our community has faced unimaginable loss, and our Remembrance Service offers a safe, non-judgemental space for people who have had a similar experience to gather together and remember loved ones lost. Each name read aloud represents a cherished life and

a family forever changed. Our commitment is to ensure that farm families impacted by serious injury or sudden death have a support system to walk this journey with them.

READ NEXT: Accomplished Offaly choir holds successful Summer concert

To include a loved one in this years Remembrance Service, please call or WhatsApp 085-7709966, or email info@embracefarm.com with the name, county, year of death, and a photograph if available.

For further information, follow @embracefarmsupport on Facebook and Instagram, find us on LinkedIn, or visit embracefarm.com.

Embrace FARM was established by husband and wife, Brian and Norma Rohan in 2014, following the tragic loss of Brians father Liam in a farming accident.

The not-for-profit organisation is the first of its kind to support the farming community and families of Ireland who, like them have experienced the impact of serious injury and sudden death. Each year, an ecumenical remembrance service takes place for those who have suddenly lost a loved one in the farming community.

From the first annual Remembrance Service in 2014, the network has expanded nationwide and evolved its services to meet the needs of Irish farm families in the aftermath of a sudden incident. The organisation has engaged more than 600 farm families with its comforting and supportive embrace.

READ NEXT: Offaly businesses share their experiences and challenges with Government Minister
A BRAZILIAN national was charged with working illegally in Ireland during last week's Tullamore Court.

Joseph Rodrigues da Silva, 122, Church Hill, Tullamore was charged with breaking Section 2 and 3 of the Employment Act on March 14 last. He pleaded guilty.

The court was told he was working illegally in a car wash facility, a number of days a week.

He was charged with committing the offence at a car wash facility in Tullamore.

The charge stated that he was a non-national in the employment of a car wash, in the State, other than in accordance with an employment permit issued by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, contrary to Section 2 and 3 of the Employment Permits Act 2003.

READ NEXT: Motorist with 22 previous convictions branded 'a danger to society' by Judge in Offaly

The defending solicitor Brian Duffy said Mr Da Silva had left Brazil because of threats to his life from a criminal organisation. He is 22 years of age.

He didn't realise he needed a work permit to work in Ireland. He is now properly engaging with our system.

Judge Andrew Cody commented that it is a serious matter to come into a country as a tourist and to start working here. He has paid no tax I presume?

He convicted and sentenced to one month in prison, suspending for two years.

READ NEXT: Threatening and shouting Offaly man was pepper sprayed by Gardai
The man arrested on suspicion of murdering Annie McCarrick in 1993 has been released without charge, gardai in Dublin have confirmed.

Aged in his 60s, he was arrested on Thursday morning and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Continuing to look into the disappearance and murder of the American woman, searches in relation to this investigation remain ongoing and are being supported by a cadaver dog.

Gardai have confirmed that these searches, of a property in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, will continue over the weekend and updates will be provided as appropriate.

They have stressed the current residents of the property have no involvement with the disappearance or murder of Annie McCarrick who was 26-years-old at the time of her disappearance.

Annie was the only child of her father John, now deceased and mother Nancy. She was originally from New York.

As a teenager, Annie visited Ireland on a school trip and fell in love with the country and way of life.

In the late 1980s, she completed her third level studies at St Patricks College, Drumcondra and at St Patricks College, Maynooth before returning to New York in 1991, where she completed her studies. READ MORE: 'It's not looking good' - People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy detained in Egypt

On January 4 1993, Annie moved to Ireland to live permanently and settled into rental accommodation at St Catherines Court, Sandymount, Dublin 4 with two other tenants.

Friday, March 26, 1993 was the day Annie vanished. She spoke to both her flatmates before they left separately to travel home for the weekend and made arrangements with friends inviting them to her apartment for dinner the following day. On Sunday, March 28, friends of Annie McCarrick became concerned for her welfare. Annie was not at home on Saturday when they called for dinner as invited. She had also not turned up for work on Saturday or Sunday.

A friend called to her apartment on the evening of the 28th and spoke with Annie s two flatmates. Groceries that had been purchased by Annie on the morning of Friday, March 26, in Quinnsworth on Sandymount Road. They had been left unpacked in shopping bags.

A receipt in the bags confirmed the date and time of purchase as: 26/03/1993 at 11:02am. This is the last confirmed activity of Annie McCarrick .

Annie was reported missing by a friend at Irishtown Garda Station on the evening of Sunday, March 28 1993.
KILBEGGAN'S Clodagh McCahey (22) and Miaya Brill (20) from Athlone will represent Westmeath in the 2025 Miss Ireland Final coming up on June 14 at The Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath.

Clodagh is a fluent Irish speaker and Reiki master. She wants to be Miss Ireland because she believes in leading with authenticity, passion, and purpose. She wants to be a role model who shows young women that confidence isnt about perfection its about embracing who you are, flaws and all, and using your voice to uplift others. She believes in the power of spreading love, light and positivity on a daily basis.

Miaya is from Athlone, Co Westmeath and is currently studying to be a nurse in University of Ulster

The finalists vying for the coveted Miss Ireland 2025 crown will step into the spotlight next weekend and embrace their journey of empowerment, leadership, and community impact with a spectacular ceremony, vibrant performances and a star-studded audience.

READ NEXT: Huge success as Offaly Ladies A Pool Team win All-Ireland Shield

Since 1947, the Miss Ireland pageant has celebrated intelligence, ambition, and cultural pride, evolving into a platform that champions female leadership and philanthropy. This years competitors will join a legacy of inspiring role models including Former Miss World Rosanna Davison and former Miss Irelands - Pamela Flood, Holly Carpenter, Rebecca Maguire, Lauren McDonagh, Aoife O Sullivan, Amanda Brunker, Pamela Uba, Aoife Walsh, Michelle Rocca, Olivia Tracy, current Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt and many more. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over 350,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimers Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The finalists of Miss Ireland are put through their paces in a challenging competitive process testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and each finalist will be tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities.

Each finalist will advance to the national event for a chance to claim the Miss Ireland crown. The 77th crowned Miss Ireland will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes and will then have a chance to jet off to represent Ireland next year on an international stage at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world.

See www.miss-ireland.ie for more information.

READ NEXT: Popular music venue in Offaly to receive 15,000 under Support Scheme
A WOMAN will pay 2,000 compensation following an early morning St Stephen's Day assault on another woman.

Chloe McBride (27), Father Paul Murphy Street, Edenderry committed the offence on December 26 last at an apartment on JKL Street, Edenderry and was ordered by Judge Andrew Cody to pay compensation.

When Ms McBride appeared in Tullamore District Court this week her solicitor, Patrick Martin, said she would be paying the 2,000 compensation.

Judge Cody said compensation would have to be paid because Ms McBride had hit the victim on the head at 5am, causing a laceration.

Mr Martin said his client wouldn't usually be drinking like that.

READ NEXT: 'You'll be visiting him in Beaumont or a graveyard': Six years in jail for threat to 'kneecap' man

Last month a sitting of the court heard Ms McBride and the victim had been drinking together when an argument broke out between them during which the defendant threw a glass at the injured party causing the laceration.

Judge Cody was told the defendant had two previous convictions for minor road traffic matters.

Ms McBride was the mother of one child and was expecting another.

The judge adjourned sentencing again to July 23 for 2,000 to be paid to the injured party.
In a powerful display of community spirit for youth mental health, approximately 40 dedicated motorcyclists are set to arrive in Offaly today, Friday, June 13, at approximately 2pm.

They're part of a nationwide tour, called the Grand Tour, to raise crucial funds and awareness for Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

These motorcyclists are visiting all 14 Jigsaw services across Ireland over a few days. Their stop in Laois/Offaly at Jigsaw Tullamore service (Cormac Street, Tullamore, R35 XH74) is a key moment in their mission.

This initiative is led by Damian Sheridan, whose personal commitment drives the effort to ensure young people across Ireland get the mental health support they need. The Grand Tour 2025 is also made possible thanks to the generous support of main sponsors Joe Duffy BMW and Carole Nash Ireland, offering a unique chance to highlight a vital cause.

Jigsaw's work really makes a difference right here in the Laois/ Offaly area. In 2024, Jigsaw's local service offered over 2,891 appointments to young people seeking mental health support. This crucial work relies on the generosity of supporters, fundraisers like Damian and his fellow riders, and our valued sponsors.

READ MORE: Two local Dail Deputies to officially open fourth annual Offaly Job Fair

Jigsaw offers free, confidential, and vital mental health advice and support to young people aged 12-25, their families, and those who work with them, both online and at their services nationwide. Demand for Jigsaw's services continues to grow, making fundraising efforts like The Grand Tour 2025 more critical than ever.

How to Support

Donations can be made by visiting idonate.ie/TheGrandTour2025

RED MORE:Profile of a 77-year-old Offaly parkrunner: Meet Rita
AN Offaly bus driver was accused of absolutely disgraceful behaviour by Judge Keenan Johnson at Tullamore Circuit Court.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court that on May 23 last Brendan Mangan (62), Barnaboy, Daingean was identified on CCTV as the driver of a bus which was parked on High Street opposite the Brewery Tap public house.

The bus had about 20 passengers, about 18 years of age, who Sergeant Thornton believed were drinking in the pub following a Leaving Certificate Mass.

Sandra Mahon, Offaly State Solicitor, said Mr Mangan had previously given an undertaking when he was in court for a separate matter that he would not drive until he received a certificate of competency and a medical certificate.

Sergeant Thornton said the bus had been dangerously parked and the driver should have parked on the Brewery Tap side of the street and could have done so by driving up High Street to the roundabout and coming back down.

Because of how Mr Mangan parked the bus its passenger door was facing out onto the main carriageway and that presented a risk.

He said he issued a fixed charge notice for dangerous parking which would incur a fine of 60 and three penalty points.

Suzanne Dooner, BL, representing Mr Mangan, said his son Brian is manager of the bus company and on the date the vehicle had been seen by Sergeant Thornton, Brian Mangan was out of the country.

Ms Dooner said Mr Mangan did not believe the order of the court applied until penalty points were activated.

Judge Keenan Johnson said there had been a complete breach of trust in the court and he imposed a two-year disqualification.

That ban was imposed in relation to a previous conviction for using a vehicle without a certificate of roadworthiness.

Mr Mangan had successfully appealed against a conviction for driving a dangerously defective vehicle.

READ NEXT: Ten new social housing units on way in Offaly
The remains of 1,200 deceased Ukrainian citizens were returned to Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has said.

"According to the Russian side, the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, in particular military personnel. The repatriation took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. The bodies were returned as a result of the joint work of the employees of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Office of the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and other structures of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine," the report states.

Law enforcement investigators, together with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies.
Yesterday I told staff that there will be an attack on Iran and to stock on food. It started few hours later. It does not take a genius to figure these things out as all the signs were clear. Trump (Epstein/Mossad videos holding him by the balls) told Iran to surrender to his (Israeli) demands within 60 days. Attack happened on day 61 and only a few days after Iran released secret documents proving that the International Atomic Energy Agency (which is allowing "Israel" to have many nuclear bombs) is infiltrated by the Mossad. Is anyone surprised at the turn of events? It maybe worth repeating elemental facts:

1) Zionism is a global racist political movement of which "Israel" as a state is merely a stage and a sub-project (the goal is global domination).

2) This project is predicated and built on the largest mass grave and concentration camps in modern history. Liquidating Palestinians and Palestine is a prerequisite for expansion of the project. Conversely Palestinian resistance/steadfastness is also key to ending humanity's nightmare.

3) Half a million Palestinians have been massacred since 1948 4) Now 8.5 million Palestinians are refugees/displaced people.

5) The Gaza Strip is now the largest (and only) extermination camp on earth.

6) Israel cut off the internet access to the Gaza strip so the extermination/ genocide will stop being broadcast

7) International law was discarded (US veto and spineless politicians arund the world).

8) Zionism runs the US and both engage in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

9) Both empires are run by megalomaniacs not very different than Hitler, maybe only less intelligent and timed when a global war will have no winners.

10) Leaders of the vassal states helping Israel (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, the new government of Syria, etc.) are also clueless about the shifting quick sands under their feet. They will soon be discarded by their masters.

11) the concomittant genocide and ecocide is bad for ALL: those who condone it, support it, or neutral to it. No one will be immune from the carnage.

We are living in a period of transition and the old empires are decaying. This is the time of monsters.. Empires start wars, stretch themselves too thin, then collapse. Meanwhile weapons manufacturers propser, people die, gold and oil prices will continue to go up. So will national debts of states like the USA. Common people get poorer while the rich get richer. Many will have insouciance and denial about the grim fate they help create to others and to themselves. But the global uprising seems to be growing. We live in predictable and interesting times. You can either be active and shape your future or let the evil forces shape the future for you (and they will come for you after they finish with people in our region).

The genocide and ecocide continues unabated. Actions speak louder than words. Time is critical. We in Bethlehem are now under siege. All the gates to our ghetto are closed. Gaza continues to be decimated. Silence is deafening.

Stay tuned, stay humane, ACT to keep hope alive

Mazin Qumsiyeh

A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home

Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History

Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine

facebook pages Personal Institute

French
Author, Bruce Lerro, Co-Founder and Co-Organizer for Socialist Planning Beyond Capitalism

Why Communists Should Respect the Work of Jean Piaget

Synthesizing biology and philosophy

Without a doubt Jean Piaget is one of the greatest Western psychologists of the 20th century. By training as a biologist, he synthesized biology with his love of philosophy through the practical work of understanding human development over the life span. Piaget must have been in heaven as he got a chance to apply Kant's categorizes of thought to how children navigated the world. He found that children's sense of time, space, causality, chance, and numbers changed qualitatively as they got older. As children answered his questions, he found he could group their answers into 4 phases of development. Their thinking moved from the simple and homogeneous to complex and heterogeneous.

Stages of intelligence

The sensory motor stage based on what Piaget characterized as body-action intelligence that occurred from birth to two years of age.

The preoperational stage which occurred roughly from the age of 2-7. This might be called body-action-mind intelligence.

The concrete operations phase covered the ages of 7 to 11. This can be called mind-body action intelligence.

The formal operation stage occurred between the ages of 11-15. It was like the mind reflecting on the thinking process itself. It might be called self-reflection.

For Piaget these stages were not automatic. A child or adolescent could get stuck at a stage if something was organically mentally wrong with them. Thinking can also stagnate because of a destabilizing event such as experiencing war or a natural disaster. However, he believed the stages would unfold even in spite of psychological processes like neurosis.

Assimilation and accommodation

But what drives the stages? Piaget argued that just like other biological creatures children are driven to adapt to their environment. They do this by going back and forth between two processes, assimilation and accommodation. We assimilate when we take information from the world and bend it to a shape we can use by "digesting' it in relation to culturally accumulated knowledge or past experience. We accommodate when we take our past experience and bend it to include new information coming from the physical world. What drives us up the stages is that the young child must deal with an increasingly complex environment. As the world becomes more complex the higher stages, concrete and Formal Operations, require more abstract and complex problem-solving skills.

Neither assimilation nor accommodation is a smooth for Piaget. Children can over-assimilate or over-accommodate. We over-assimilate when we hold on too tightly to past knowledge or experience and not let enough of the new world in. This translates as people being stubborn and not learning. The opposite problem occurs when we give in too quickly to new information and cave into that information, abandoning what we have learned from past accumulated knowledge or personal experience.

The dialectical nature of Piaget's framework

Piaget saw the relationship between the child and the world very dialectically. The child has to adapt to their environment and in the process constructs their reaction to the world in a creative way. As the child matures and their thought becomes more complex, they shape reality more actively. Dialectics is also operating in the relationship between assimilation and accommodation. Each feeds the other and together they increasingly shape a more complex intelligence. Lastly, Piaget has his own version of Hegel's qualitative leaps. He claimed his stages were undergoing qualitative leaps. There is an emergent level of a higher stage which can't be reduced to the previous level.

Piaget was anti-reductionist. He insisted that the mind had a real part to play in the evolution of psychology (unlike the behaviorists). Yet he was not an idealist who saw the mind as a passive object of contemplation. Piaget insisted that intelligence can only be determined when the mind swings into action. It was in the process of problem-solving that intelligence was found. Lastly, Piaget was dialectical in his methods. He held clinical interviews with children and conducted experiments with them to determine how they thought. He did not think intelligence could be found in intelligence testing.

Later modifications of Piaget's thinking

Piaget's theories have generally stood the test of time. Recent studies have found that the ordering of the stages still holds, but they found there was more flexibility as to when children entered the stage. Recent research has found that children are smarter and more altruistic than Piaget had proposed. Originally Piaget thought that children around the world went through all four stages. Later evidence shows (both Piaget himself and other researches) that many people in other cultures do not go through formal operational thinking. Then it was found that many adults in Western societies don't reach Formal Operations either.

Communist Criticisms of Piaget's Work

The dialectical nature of Vygotsky's work

Lev Vygotsky was also an anti-reductionist, as demonstrated is his article The Crisis in Psychology, where he criticized both behaviorist and introspectionist theories. Like Piaget he emphasized the importance of action to understand individual maturation processes. The difference is that for Piaget, action was individual action. For Vygotsky action was always social as demonstrated in his stages of cooperative learning. Like Piaget, Vygotsky also used interviews as his method of investigation. He extracted the child's or adolescent's thinking processes through questions and answers. Like Piaget he didn't think much of intelligence testing. But for Vygotsky the first level of higher learning was through what he called the zone of proximal development. In this zone it was in cooperating with other people that intelligence was shown, not in thinking alone.

Underemphasis of micro social life

One of the biggest criticisms of Piaget's genetic epistemology is his under-emphasis on social life. For Piaget intelligence is found primarily through the interaction of the physical word and psychology. Social life was a derivative and a later development in the life of the child. For Vygotsky the foundation of individual development was an immediate initiation into the socio-historical life of humanity. In fact, for Vygotsky the organism does not even become an individual until they have learned the language and tools of a culture. Biological predispositions are secondary if mentioned at all. For Piaget social life is gradually introduced to a child. Piaget doesn't think social life became a force to speak of in individual development until the young child is in the concrete operational stage, at about eight years of age. Vygotsky believed we are social from the start and most immediately with the introduction of tools and language at about the age of two years.

Third, Piaget's idea of social life is relatively impoverished. He thinks of social life as having an audience. In other words, being social requires other people to be present. This seems it imply that when the child is alone, they are not social. Vygotsky would say we have internalized society by the age of two and this socialization lives inside us whether anyone else is there or not. As the child matures, they begin to utilize the tools, not only of his own generation but in the accumulated history of previous generations.

Speaking, spontaneity and play

Piaget believed that coherent thinking can go onto prior learning symbolic abilities. He imagines that the process of learning symbolic forms is a product of thinking. For him, language arises spontaneously as an unfolding of thinking processes. Piaget understoof a child's speech is an original creation and initially does not copy the speech of adults. They only overlap later in development. Furthermore, Piaget's overall sense of children was that they were spontaneously creative and wanted to explore and experiment. Lastly, Piaget also sees play as spontaneous. Let's pretend play is solitary. It has no rules there is no social pressure. Adults should not interfere. Piaget thought children are spontaneously curious and want to explore.

Vygotsky argues that learning language is a precondition for intelligent thinking. In fact, learning to speak acts as a mediator to complete new thinking processes. For Lev, learning language is not a spontaneous product of thought. It is driven by a new means of communication with adults when the young child's gestures are no longer enough. Vygotsky does not think children are so creative as to make up their own speech. The child's speech as soon as he graduates from babbling is a copy of the speech of adults. Vygotsky thought that children were not as curious as Piaget did. He thought that adults had to pose problems in order to make the child curious. The child only becomes curious once what Vygotsky called primary subjectivity is established. For Vygotsky all play is already social. In "let's pretend" play rules may be made up and changed as they go as in the cartoon strip Calvin and Hobbes when Calvin and Hobbes are playing Calvinball. However, they still have social roles no matter how unstable they may be. Children want to copy adult rules and roles, not escape them and run away.

Stages of thinking and speaking (thought and speech)

Piaget allowed no room for speech in his picture of the developing child. The whole dialectical process was between thinking and physical objects. The thinking process went from autism to egocentric speech to logic. Neither speaking nor school were important. For Vygotsky the child's speaking to adults was the key to thinking. Vygotsky divided social speech into three phases:

egocentric speech for oneself;

communication speech for others;

inner speech. This is where the communication speech with others is internalized so that this social speech at a higher level than egocentric speech for oneself.

For Piaget, egocentric speech disappears once higher concrete and Formal Operations appear. For Vygotsky, egocentric speech does not disappear. It goes back and forth with inner speech. For Piaget a child's speech is an original formation and doesn't initially copy the speech of adults. That comes later. For Vygotsky, after babbling children's speech is an immediate copy of adult speech.

Origins of symbolic thought and social meaning

For Piaget, symbolic thought arises out of the natural maturation of sensory motor operations. Object substitution is a consequence rather than a reason for symbolic thought. For Vygotsky symbolic thought developed as a result of the activity as of object substitution. Symbolic thought occurs in the pivot between objects, much like money becomes the symbolic mediator between one commodity and another It follows that Vygotsky does not think children are naturally curious and what to explore. He thinks adults need to provide leadership to initiate children's curiosity.

How does social meaning arise? For Piaget, infants can gradually discover meaning through their private operations. Vygotsky would say that is this is ridiculous. The social meaning of events can only be discovered by social processes. They result from interactions with adults in cooperative learning situations.

Learning and schooling

Piaget thought that biological maturation preceded learning. Piaget thought the adult has to wait for the biological maturation process to begin for the child before teaching anything. Vygotsky disagreed. He thought learning precedes maturation with instruction leading to development. In other words, the social process of cooperative learning pushes the maturation process itself forward.

What is the impact of the presence of older and younger children on another child's learning? Piaget thought that having the child's peers present is the best way to learn to solve problems. He thought that the presence of older children would have a dampening effect. The younger children would simply conform to the older kids and not use their creativity to solve problems. Vygotsky felt that the older to younger combination actually worked better because the older kids had to learned the material better since they had to teach the younger ones.

Piaget didn't think much of school. He just didn't think it was important to intellectual development. Even in scientific training he thought that the child should first work out the scientific process of experimentation before involvement in any discussion. For Vygotsky schooling was crucial in the development of intelligence. His colleague Alexander Luria researched the transformation of peasants psychologically during the industrial revolution in Russia in the 1920s. He pointed to schooling as crucial in moving peasants to a higher stage of cognitive development. As for learning the sciences, Vygotsky thought Piaget was naA A i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ? A ? i ? ? i ? ?ve in thinking that children could work out the scientific method by themselves when they reached the Formal Operational stage. Adults trained in the sciences first had to present methods to adolescent Formal Operations to adolescence to complete and expand the stage.

Philosophical differences

Piaget's biggest influences were Coleridge, Kant and Ernst Mach. From Coleridge and Kant he built up an appreciation of the inner world. For Coleridge it was imagination and for Kant the categories of thought. This affected the way he proceeded to understand development. Piaget begins with the inner world, proceeds to the outer. The outer worlds were treated as a prop occasion, a scene for operational thinking. He saw change happening in the individual from the inside out (endogenous). As a Kantian, the outer world was things-in-themselves which we can never know, (Mach agreed with this) so why bother paying much attention to it?

Vygotsky's influences were Spinoza, Hegel and Marx. All three were more interested in the external world because they all thought reality can be known. For both Hegel and Marx, the outer world is transformable. The transformation of the outer world is what makes humanity possible at the macrolevel which is then filtered down to the micro level of the individual. For Vygotsky the movement of learning begins with the outer, moves to the inner and then moves back to the outer as the outer world is transformed. Vygotsky's process generally moves exogenously from the outside in.

The place and misplace of contradiction in individual development

For Marxists, the words "is" and "am" should be stricken from the dictionary. Why?

Because both words are reifications of processes that are already going on and never stop going on. All processes have a shape and a set of constraints. Processes can be conflicted and sometimes lead to crisis. But are these conflicts and crisis inevitable or can they be short-circuited? For Piaget and many others conflicts and crisis are real, but there are no contradictions. Like many philosophers, Piaget thinks that contradictions are in the minds of people, due to logical thinking fallacies and can be corrected by Formal Operational deductive logic. We Marxists say contradictions are not just the result of faulty reasoning processes. Contradictions are in the world.

In one of his books, Klaus Riegel argues that there are four dimensions of interdependent developmental progression:

inner biological - infections, illnesses, epidemics

individual psychological - disorder, disorientation, psychotic breaks

cultural socialization - adaptation, acculturation, class struggle, revolution

outer physical - extreme weather, natural disasters, asteroid impact, sun burning up

For Riegel, from the time an organism is formed these four dimensions are conflicted, they sometimes lead to crisis but fundamentally they contradict each other. For example, there will always be a contradiction between Darwinian sexual selection strategies and human moral codes that require long-term planning. So too, individual psychological processes such as living in the here-and-now will be contradicted by social processes such as class loyalty (to a union, for example) that might demand the individual repress an immediate desire for more money. So too, the social organization which pressures us to get the most of out of our technology with the least amount of effort will contradict ecological pollution and the extinction of species. In all these cases there will be conflict, crisis and temporary resolutions but the contradictions remain. It is the presence of contradictions that drives individual and social creativity.

As a biologist Piaget would recognize that biological constraints will definitely impact individual development. His four stages are the developmental process by which an individual becomes a biological-psychological being. He might see conflict and crisis operating in his descriptions of assimilation and accommodation. However, by the time the child or adolescent reaches the operational stages, conflicts and crisis grow less. He would never consider those tensions contradictions. So far as I know Piaget never mentions any conflict, crisis, let alone contradictions between the individual-psychological and cultural socialization. Piaget does not mention conflict or contradictions between cultural socialization and the outer physical environment. As a Kantian with sympathies toward Ernst Mach the cultural-physical world is of little interest to him.

Macrosocial Criticisms of Piaget

How does social class impact stages of development

I am not an expert on Piaget but have a never seen any references to how social class might affect his stages. Since he claimed his stages are universal, this implies that an upper middle-class lawyer, middle-class teacher and a forklift driver in a plant would all go through all four stages. While Vygotsky did not write about the impact of social class on stages of development, as a Marxist I am confident that he would have agreed that social class does impact the stage of development achieved. These stages of development are impacted by the proportion of the body to the mind in the work done. Lawyers makes their living mostly with their mind. The characteristics of formal operational thinking dovetails beautifully with the work activities of lawyers. Lawyers have to self-reflect, decide on which kind of case they want to present and develop rhetorical strategies to influence the jury. Similarly, a college teacher must decide on books, plan weekly topics and decide how to implement small group work. The mind in both kinds of work is more important than the body.

But with working class jobs like driving a fork lift, it is not necessary to plan, supervise or self-reflect. What is important is the body is in shape and they can drive a stick shift. Learning Formal Operations is not necessary. This does not mean working class people will not play chess or be interested in trigonometry. It is just that this is not required for their job. Since work dominates our lives most workers will not develop Formal Operational thinking. Because workers are roughly 40% of the population two thirds of the population are not likely to learn Formal Operations.

Are Piaget's stages universally applicable to tribal, agricultural and industrial societies

Piaget and his students seemed to think so. But anthropologist C.R. Hallpike has written a series of books arguing that Piaget's stages emerge at different points in history. In his book Foundations of Primitive Thought Hallpike argues that people in the tribal societies he studied achieved a sophisticated version of pre-operational thinking. He also argued that full Formal Operational thinking only emerged in 17th century Europe. Though Vygotsky developed different stages of cognitive development than Piaget, Vygotsky and the sociohistorical school would agree with Hallpike that the stages of cognitive development are not universal but are emergent products of history. In anthropology, cultural relativists are scandalized by Hallpike and Vygotsky's contention because they think it implies that tribal people are not as smart as people living in industrial societies. Property understood, this is not what they claim. I completely support Hallpike and Vygotsky (and Luria's) claim. In two chapters of my book Lucifer's Labyrinth I argue that a sophisticated form of concrete operations emerged in between the 1500-1700 CE and that Formal Operations emerged in the 17th century with the emergence of statistical reasoning, scientific method and the emergence of capitalism.

Are there stages beyond Formal Operations?

Piaget never proposed any stages beyond Formal Operations. Strangely, he claimed Formal Operations first appeared between the ages of 11 and 15 and then there is no further intellectual development in people. So, according to this, if the average person in the West lives to be 75, for 60 years there is no intellectual development beyond when they are 11 to 15 years of age. Marxist psychologist Klaus Riegel proposed there was a 5th stage of cognitive development which he called "dialectical operations". Michael Basseches did some research to support dialectical thinking as a fifth stage of cognitive development in Dialectical Thinking in Adult Development. More recently Otto Laske has also argued for a fifth stage. Dialectical Thinking for Integral Leaders: A Primer

Please see my article Spirals of Becoming: The Search for a Dialectical Spiral in the Individual Life Cycle for much more detail about Piaget's stages and Michael Basseches' research on dialectical operations.

See my table which summarizes the differences between Piaget and Vygotsky

Conclusion: Why We Need Vygotsky's Socio-Historical Psychology for 21st Century Socialism

In my previous article Building Bridges Between Vygotsky and Marx, I mentioned the three phases of cooperative learning. In 21st century socialist societies, these stages can be applied to workers in worker cooperatives learning the processes of deciding what to produce, how to produce it, how to manage the scale of production and how to compensate themselves without using money. This will require learning to think dialectically using a 5th stage of cognitive development beyond Formal Operations. Cooperative learning and dialectical thinking will be required in worker participation in centralized state planning projects.

Cooperative learning and dialectical operations would be active in school group learning processes under socialism. The same could be said in stimulating child development among parents and in children learning to play, in both "let's pretend" play and organized games. Furthermore, individual development would undergo a qualitative leap in which people would craft a life mission for themselves under socialism. Lastly, today dialectical thinking would be essential for understanding the contradictions of world capitalism, its current crisis on both domestic and international levels. It would be required in understanding the nature of imperialism and the geopolitical struggles between the West and BRICS while being both sympathetic to and critical of the new world being forged by China, Russia and Iran
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Project Syla (Power), launched in Ukraine, will help communities be prepared for emergencies, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) reported.

Partners of the Syla project came together in Kyiv to launch a joint initiative aimed at helping Ukrainian communities better prepare for and respond to emergencies. Over two days, representatives aligned their visions, mapped out next steps, and laid the groundwork for stronger local disaster preparedness, the URCS wrote on Facebook on Friday.

During the two-day workshop, the partners developed a common vision of the objectives, expected results, action plans and implementation methodology, agreed on the roles, coordination mechanisms and responsibilities of all participants. They also discussed issues of reporting, financial management, logistics, procurement and security issues, accountability, fraud prevention and stressed the importance of taking into account local knowledge, community involvement and support at all stages of the project.

The Syla project aims to develop the capacity of communities in the field of emergency preparedness and early response. It unites the efforts of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, ACTED, IMPACT, the German and Danish Red Crosses and will be implemented with the financial support of the European Union.
The graduates of the Dusseldorf Fashion School will present their collections on July 7, 2025 as part of the Paris Haute Couture Week. Haute Couture Week in Paris is one of the annual highlights that the fashion industry has to offer. Not only the big designers present their latest collections here. The event also offers up-and-coming talents the opportunity to demonstrate their skills to the world. On the first day of 
A generation of Oregonians grew up with Dutch Bros, and the drive-thru chain grew up with them  honing its recipes for brightly colored energy drinks locally before taking the Dutch Mafia national.

So the news stung Wednesday, when Dutch Bros confirmed that it will formally move its headquarters from its hometown in Grants Pass to Arizona.

Though the corporate office in southern Oregon never had more than a couple hundred employees, Dutch Bros had a big impact in that small city and on the whole states cultural identity. The companys exit carries additional weight because Oregon is struggling to regain the economic vibrancy it enjoyed in the years before COVID-19.

The governor is always disappointed when the headquarters of a homegrown business leaves the state, said Roxy Mayer, press secretary to Gov. Tina Kotek. She is proud of the success Dutch Bros has had here, and at the end of the day their growth is an indicator of that success.

Dutch Bros is worth nearly $12 billion by Wall Streets reckoning, trailing only Nike among Oregons most valuable companies. It opened its 1,000th drive-thru earlier this year, its footprint now stretching all the way to Daytona Beach, Florida. It hopes eventually to have 7,000 shops all over the country.

That growth is a big part of why Dutch Bros left. When the company opened its new offices near Phoenix last year and began moving corporate executives there, Dutch Bros said it needed to be closer to its fastest-growing markets.

Small-town Grants Pass felt increasingly remote to a company increasingly focused on Texas and Tennessee even though Travis Boersma, Dutch Bros co-founder and chairman, still lives there.

Still, losing a big name like Dutch Bros felt personal to many Oregonians  and to some political leaders.

Dutch Bros has been a fixture in our community for a long time, said Sen. Noah Robinson, a Republican whose district includes parts of Josephine County. Like other Republicans, he said the states economic policies may have contributed to Dutch Bros departure.

In general, Oregon is not a friendly business environment, Robinson said. He said homelessness and crime in Grants Pass may have been factors in Dutch Bros decision. Other Republicans blamed the states tax policies.

Dutch Bros didnt explain its departure this week, except to say it wanted more of its leadership collaborating in a single location.

Bringing more people together will allow us to better serve our customers and crews across the country, the company said. With these changes, the Phoenix office will become our official HQ.

A current employee and a former one, both familiar with the companys thinking but who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak on its behalf, said that there was little Oregon could have done to retain Dutch Bros headquarters. They said the company had decided it needed to be in a big city with many large corporations, including chain restaurants, and a major airport.

Still, they said Oregon political leaders hadnt been especially attentive to Dutch Bros and that they sometimes felt overlooked as they grew in a small city far from the Willamette Valley.

Business Oregon, the states economic development agency, insisted Thursday that it had always stayed in close touch with Dutch Bros.

Our staff have been to their facilities, including the roasting operations which serves the growing Dutch Bros markets, said Nathan Buehler, spokesperson for Business Oregon. The company has acknowledged for some time that their business expansion path is to the south and east with expanding services in the new location.

Oregon has an array of incentives and other tools to support growing companies, Buehler said. Sometimes, though, its not enough.

Incentives and resources fit a variety of important needs for retention, expansion, and recruitment opportunities, Buehler said, but cant offset a business particular unique business strategy and circumstances.
About an ounce of methamphetamine, 197 sealed packets of the drug Buprenorphine, which is used to treat fentanyl and other opioid addictions, and the overdose-reversing drug Naloxone, and three bottles of unidentified white pills were seized from the smuggled duffel bags, according to the FBI. Court Exhibit

From sophisticated drone drops to simple duffel bag tosses over an exterior fence, smugglers have been getting drugs, alcohol, food and other contraband into the minimum-security camp at Oregons federal prison complex, an FBI agent disclosed in a court document unsealed Thursday.

The rare public details of the range of smuggling strategies emerged in the case of a former prisoner on federal supervision who was arrested during a dragnet last month at the prison complex in Sheridan.

Administrators had noticed an increase in drug overdoses and weapons inside the prison and were growing increasingly concerned, FBI agent John Mandrafina wrote in the affidavit.

They also noticed prisoners going outside during morning counts at the camp and then distributing the goods, the affidavit said.

After tracking the activity for about six weeks, they launched a trap and caught a man accused of using the more tried-and-true method of so-called throw overs,  tossing bags over a prison fence.

Early on May 18, prison staff, working with Yamhill County Sheriffs Office, set up surveillance teams in spots around the prison property between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Soon, investigators spotted a figure dressed all in black with a black-hooded sweatshirt approaching the prison fence line about 4:10 a.m., according to Mandrafina.

The man appeared to have entered the grounds through the adjacent city water treatment plants property, then belly-crawled toward the fence line, the affidavit said.

Prison surveillance cameras captured him throwing seven bags over the fence and then returning the way he came, the affidavit said.

A sheriffs deputy used a drone to follow the suspect as he walked back through the water treatment plant and to a silver Mazda 3 parked on rural Southwest Loganberry Lane, Mandrafina wrote.

The suspect drove west toward Oregon 18, where deputies stopped the car.

Horacio Lopez, dressed in soaking black clothes, was behind the wheel and then arrested, according to the affidavit.

Lopez, 40, was still on federal supervision stemming from a 2020 methamphetamine possession and distribution conviction. He had been sentenced in mid-December 2020 to five years and three months and served his time at the prison in Sheridan, according to court records.

He was released to a halfway house on Nov. 1, 2023 and placed on home confinement the next month. He also completed required substance abuse treatment in February 2024, according to the records.

Lopez appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie F. Beckerman in Portland, accused of violating his supervised release, smuggling contraband into prison and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

He was ordered held until an arraignment on July 11. Assistant Federal Public Defender Michelle Sweet did not contest his detention at this stage in his case.

Lopez also was charged in state court with seven counts of supplying contraband and one count of methamphetamine possession, but that case likely will be dropped now that he faces federal prosecution.

The morning of the bag drop, four prisoners were caught trying to retrieve them, the affidavit said.

The bags contained about an ounce of suspected methamphetamine wrapped in cellophane; 197 sealed packets of Buprenorphine, which is used to treat fentanyl and other opioid addictions; the overdose-reversing drug naloxone; and three bottles of unidentified white pills.

The affidavit didnt offer more information on the extent of the smuggling and overdose problems at Sheridan, and Federal Bureau of Prisons officials didnt return messages for comment.

Lt. David Pedraza, a special investigative supervisor at Sheridan, had notified Yamhill County Sheriffs Office in May that the Sheridan prison was having issues with contraband entering the facility, Mandrafinas affidavit said.

Pedraza told the sheriffs office that the contraband was being smuggled in through various methods, including drone drops and duffel bags tossed over a secure exterior fence outside the minimum security camp, the federal agent wrote.

For at least six weeks leading up to Lopezs arrest, prison officials suspected contraband was being dropped onto the property in pre-dawn hours, usually on Sundays, but had no suspect or vehicle information nor knew how anyone responsible was gaining access to the area, according to Pedraza, the affidavit said.

Contraband is more likely to enter federal prison camps because of their minimum security, compared to the more locked-down prisons.

An unannounced inspection of the federal prison in Sheridan in late 2023 found that contraband was a persistent and significant challenge, particularly in the prison camp where people can move around more freely during the day.

Prisoners abuse illicit drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 or spice, and some drugs also enter through the mail, according to a report released last year by the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Inspector General.

Drone drops are a phenomenon at other federal prisons. Earlier this month, a man in West Virginia pleaded guilty to conspiring to use a drone to deliver two camouflaged bags containing cellphones, chargers, marijuana and tobacco at the prison there.

The National Institute of Justice two years ago warned that drone drops and duffel bag drops over prison fences could increase if prison mail became digitized.

The penal system has not yet developed operations standards to guide drone detection and abatement, the institutes 2023 report said.

The most promising strategy against illicit drone activity is a multilayered approach that merges sensor capabilities to overcome the performance gaps of an individual technology. This is especially important given the high variability in drone designs and functionality, the report said.

-- 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.
A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information on the suspect or suspects involved in the killing of a man eight years ago. Brian Elton Spaulding, 36, was found dead with gunshot wounds in his home in 2017. Photos courtesy of Portland Police Bureau

A $20,000 reward is still being offered for information on the suspect or suspects involved in the killing of a man eight years ago.

Brian Elton Spaulding, 36, was found dead with gunshot wounds in his home in the 3500 block of Northeast 10th Avenue on June 12, 2017. His death was later ruled a homicide.

A year after his death, his family and friends raised $20,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rico Beniga at Rico.Beniga@police.portlandoregon.gov.

Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Oregon, which awards up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime.

Kimberly Cortez covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at kcortez@oregonian.com
The Oregon Department of Justice said Thursday a grand jury declined to indict two Milwaukie police officers in the Sept. 30, 2024, shooting of Hunter Newton. The department released body-camera footage of the incident. Sgt. Eduardo Sanchez is seen in the screenshot looking inside Newton's car moments before the shooting. Courtesy of Oregon Department of Justice

A Clackamas County grand jury declined to indict two Milwaukie police officers who shot and injured an unarmed 21-year-old man during a traffic stop.

The grand jury found insufficient evidence to charge Sgt. Eduardo Sanchez and Officer Kwasean Akom in the Sept. 30 shooting of Hunter Newton, the Oregon Department of Justice said Thursday. The Clackamas County District Attorneys Office requested that the justice department lead the shooting investigation.

Newton, now 22, was shot by Sanchez and Akom after allegedly refusing to exit his car during a traffic stop at a Taco Bell drive-thru in the 11000 block of Southeast Oak Street. He now needs lifelong care and medical attention to manage his injuries, according to his attorneys.

Hunters parents are frustrated that the grand jurys determination forecloses on some of the justice the family is seeking for Hunter, one of his attorneys, Thomas Rask III, said in a Thursday statement. Hunter is a young man who had his full life ahead of him, and in one moment, that changed forever. He is now permanently disabled and his opportunities for a vibrant life are forever diminished.

The Oregon DOJ said in a news release that Sanchez stopped Newton for a traffic violation and for driving with a suspended license. Instead of pulling over, Newton drove into the Taco Bell parking lot, the agency said.

Akom arrived to help. He and Sanchez asked Newton to get out of his car, but he refused, according to the justice department. The agency said the officers told him he was under arrest and tried to remove him from the car.

Newton resisted and during the struggle, the state agency said officers reported hearing a muffled pop that they believed was a gunshot fired from inside the car.

The officers then backed away, fearing for their safety and fired at Newton, the Oregon DOJ said. Newton was taken to OHSU Hospital for his injuries.

Investigators did not find a gun in Newtons car. But the Oregon DOJ said surveillance footage captured a small object that was propelled from his car. The object created a small explosion and loud noise.

The agency said witnesses nearby reported hearing what they thought was a gunshot before the two officers fired their guns.

In October, Rask claimed that officers waited at least a half hour before giving Newton medical aid. Newton was struck in the shoulder and back of his head, his parents wrote in a statement then.

Is that a gun

Body-camera footage shared by the justice department shows Sanchez and Akom approaching Newton as hes sitting in the drivers seat of his car in the drive-thru. Newton told Sanchez, Im just trying to go home.

According to the footage, Sanchez said he stopped him because he did not use his left-turn signal for at least 100 feet before turning onto Southeast Oak Street.

He then asked Newton for his drivers license and insurance card before taking down his information. Newton said he lost his drivers license. He told Sanchez he was coming from the gym.

Go ahead and step out of the car, Sanchez said, with Newton asking why.

What do you mean why? Sanchez said. Because Im telling you, youre under arrest. Get out of the car right now or Im going to yank you out of the car. Were not playing games today.

The footage shows Newton slightly pulling his drivers side window up. Sanchez then quickly opened the drivers side door and grabbed Newtons arm and tried to pull him out.

Akom also attempted to grab Newton from the vehicle and said, hes going to cut his seatbelt. The footage from Akoms body camera showed the officers continuing to try to grab him from the drivers seat of the car.

About 40 seconds later, Akom heard something that spooks him. Whoa, is that a gun? he said.

He moved away from the drivers side of the car and went to the right side of the vehicle. He and Sanchez then fired several shots.

Shots fired, Akom said on his radio. Im good. Hey buddy, show me your hands. Show me your hands.

A Clackamas County Sheriffs deputy arrived at the scene. The two officers and the deputy continued to tell Newton from afar to show his hands while their guns were drawn.

Hes moving his left hand, one officer said. Put both of your hands on the dash so we can help you. Hunter, get your hands up.

Irreparable pain

Akom had served with Milwaukie police for a year and a half before the shooting. Sanchez was a 10-year veteran with the department.

Milwaukie police said in a separate statement they will begin an internal administrative review of the incident. Police Chief Ryan Burdick said the departments thoughts remain with Newton and his family.

This incident also has been troubling and difficult for our officers, support staff, city employees and this community, Burdick said. We do not take lightly the impact a significant use of force has on so many.

In a statement, Attorney General Dan Rayfield called the shooting a deeply traumatic incident for Newton and his family, the officers and the Milwaukie community.

We recognize the irreparable pain that follows an event like this, Rayfield said. I have utmost gratitude for the Oregonians who took part in the grand jury and reviewed the evidence of this case with the attention and care it required.

The grand jury looked at body-worn camera footage, area video, physical evidence and witness and expert testimony before declining to proceed with charges.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323,zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X@zaeemshake.
Clackamas Fire responded to a blaze at the defunct Blue Heron paper mill on Jan. 30, 2025. Clackamas Fire

Oregon City police arrested a local man Thursday on suspicion of intentionally setting fire to the shuttered Blue Heron paper mill built on the roaring riverbanks just off Willamette Falls.

Christian G. Dukes, 21, was lodged in the Clackamas County Jail on suspicion of second-degree arson, according to booking records. He has not yet been arraigned or formally charged in court.

The former site of Blue Heron Paper Company has been permanently closed since 2011, when the mill went bankrupt. It has attracted squatters and graffiti since then, despite being purchased by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde for a mixed-use redevelopment.

It was just after 3:45 a.m., Jan. 30, that smoke and flames were reported; the resulting inferno devoured a large section of the steel-frame plant.

Investigators previously said the fire was likely sparked by a makeshift stove.

Dukes was sentenced to seven days in the Clackamas County jail in September 2022 after pleading guilty to harassment of a domestic partner, court records show.

Probation reports filed while the case was pending portrayed Dukes as homeless and using methamphetamine.

In one report, Oregon City Police Officer Tanner Crivellone described recognizing Dukes from previous contacts and stated he was acting very erratic.

Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, zsparling@oregonian.com or @pdxzane.
Portland has not recorded a homicide in a month  the second time this year. Mark Graves, The Oregonian/OregonLive

Portland has not recorded a homicide in a month, the second time this year, as the city recovers from years of record violence.

The last homicide that took place in the city was May 11, when Portland police officers responded to an isolated side street near the Steel Bridge and Northwest Naito Parkway and found a 49-year-old man shot dead.

But between May 12 and Thursday as well as between March 21 and April 21, Portland didnt record a single homicide. Portland has recorded 14 homicides so far this year, compared with 34 at this point last year and 39 in 2023.

I am proud that, for the second time this year, Portland has experienced a month without a homicide, Mayor Keith Wilson said in a statement. Every family, community leader, and individual who works to keep our neighborhoods safe has played a part in this progress.

The gaps in these two months come after a particularly deadly March, when the city saw seven homicides. Portland Police Chief Bob Day then stood in front of reporters and called the violence unacceptable.

Its not clear what to expect in the coming months, and police are cautious as violence tends to rise in the summer months. But police spokesperson Mike Benner said in a statement the period of no homicides was a meaningful reflection of the ongoing efforts by PPB members and the dedication of our community partners.

Shootings in Portland have also declined, by about 34% compared with last year, according to police data. The city has recorded 263 shootings from the beginning of the year through Wednesday  including 50 that resulted in injuries  compared with 396 in the same period last year. The numbers still remain higher than pre-pandemic levels when Portland saw 199 shootings in the first six months of 2019.

For Roy Moore, the numbers are an indication of the work being done by violence prevention organizations. The co-director of the community care team at Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Moore said the longtime nonprofit helps about 60 people who are at high risk of being involved in future shootings.

Were addressing high-risk individuals, and we know that theyre going to have an impact on gun violence, Moore said. I think weve done a good job of really targeting that population.

For the summer months, POIC is preparing for an uptick in violence, with hospital visits already increasing, Moore said. But hes encouraged that with increases to their staff, POIC can continue to build on the work done in recent months.

Portlands Interim Deputy City Administrator Bob Cozzie credited the partnership between the citys violence intervention program Ceasefire, the Office of Violence Prevention, law enforcement and community organizations.

There is still a great deal of work to be done and it takes all of us working together to save lives, Cozzie said. I am eager to maintain the positive momentum we have gained and keep pushing us forward as a city.

In some shootings this year, young people were among the victims. Last week, a 15-year-old was shot and wounded in Northeast Portland. And at the start of spring break this year, a Roosevelt High School student was wounded in a shooting in North Portland.

And in at least three of this years homicides, either the suspect or the victim was unhoused.

We still have ground to make up in communities where gun violence remains endemic, especially among our unsheltered, Wilson said.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323,zshaikh@oregonian.comor on X@zaeemshake.
Police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect in his 50s who allegedly targeted homeless people in three separate North Portland shootings. Courtesy of Portland Police Bureau

Police are asking for the publics help in finding a man who allegedly opened fire on people who were homeless in North Portland.

The Portland Police Bureau said in a statement that the man is a suspect in a shooting on Saturday, May 31 at 1:28 p.m. in the 3500 block of North Victory Boulevard, as well as afternoon shootings thisSaturday and Sunday in the 1300 and 1600 blocks of Schmeer Road.

Nobody was injured during any of the shootings, police said.

Police said the man was riding a black electric bike and appeared to be in his 50s.

Anyone with information can submit a tip at the Crime Stoppers of Oregon website; tipsters will remain anonymous and can receive cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest.

 Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
Ukrainian state railways Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) is launching an art train with a photo exhibition by Howard Buffett, which will travel on a journey through 63 railway stations in Ukraine, the UZ press service reported on Friday.

"This is more than a train. This is a traveling gallery, created with the support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which is embarking on a 4-month journey through 63 railway stations in Ukraine. In three cars, there is an exhibition "Courage of a Nation" about the indomitability of Ukrainians, through the eyes of American philanthropist and photographer Howard Buffett," the UZ said on Telegram.

According to information, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Muhammad Muheysen worked on the concept of the train. The specially converted cars are accompanied by a unique light and music design.

It is reported that the train is already in Odessa, where it will be until June 17, but the exact schedule of the train's movement is not disclosed for security reasons.
Beaverton school board members voted 4-2 to engage a neutral third party investigator to consider complaints against outgoing Beaverton school board member Susan Greenberg. It is the second time in two weeks the board has taken such an action against one of its members. Provided Photo

For the second time in two weeks, the Beaverton school board has voted to hire a neutral, third party investigator to look into community complaints filed against one of its members.

This time, the complaints, all filed anonymously, were directed at outgoing school board member Susan Greenberg. They allege that she created a hostile environment for students and staff by authoring an op-ed in a Beaverton newspaper that criticized teacher union support for lesson plans on Palestine that Greenberg said were divisive and one-sided and could expose Jewish students and staff to antisemitism.

Copies of the complaints were provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to a public records request.

The harm is that Jewish and Muslim students/staff/families experience fear and a sense of being unsafe, as well as division. More generally, all associated with Beaverton Education Association or Beaverton School District experience fear of retaliation based on false accusations, one complainant wrote.

The vote was 4-2, with board members Tammy Carpenter and outgoing board member Ugonna Enyinnaya voting no, citing free speech concerns. Greenberg recused herself from the vote.

The scene from a rally in support of Tammy Carpenter, a Beaverton school board member facing a third party investigation. On Thursday, the district voted to launch a second investigation into one of her colleagues, outgoing board member Susan Greenberg. Provided Photo

Carpenter and Enyinnaya were the only board members who voted no in the previous instance. In that case, the complaints were against Carpenter and alleged that shed created an unsafe environment for Jewish students and staff via comments on her personal social media account that cast the state of Israel as the perpetrator of ethnic cleansing and genocide for decades.

Carpenters Instagram profile notes that her views are her own but identifies her as a Beaverton school board member and faculty member at Oregon Health & Science University, where she is an adjunct assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine.

Neither board chair Karen Perez nor the school district have yet specified the costs or the timelines of the investigations. The investigator will report back to board members, who will then be faced with deciding whether to take action against one of their own.

School board members in Oregon cannot be removed from their positions except by a voter recall. But they can be censured or formally reprimanded by their colleagues.

The Beaverton school boards standards of conduct policy states that board members will treat fellow board members, staff, students and the public with respect while posting online or to social media. It also requires that board members will treat other board members, the superintendent, staff and the public with dignity and courtesy and will provide an opportunity for all parties to be heard with due respect for their opinions.

Unlike before their previous vote to hire an investigator to consider the complaints about Carpenter, board members each spoke Thursday evening to explain their decision.

While multiple members of our community let me know directly that they were very upset by Director Greenbergs op-ed, and it is not an op-ed that I would write, I respect the right of Director Greenberg to do so, and we should not let the ire of a dozen or so people on either side of an issue silence our voices or stifle the free speech of others, Carpenter said. We are in a unique position in that we cant be fired from the board. If we are afraid to use our voices, then how can we expect others to feel safe doing so?

But her colleague, Melissa Potter, said the districts policy was at the root of her yes vote.

Our policy says that when there is a complaint against a board member, we can and we may ask a third party to examine the situation and determine if board policy was followed or not followed, Potter said. I think it is a much healthier step to ask that a third party do [this] so that I am not trying to examine the situation on behalf of a fellow board member.

Reached earlier this week, Greenberg said she felt that the boards focus should be on children and their education and not on some political agenda.

The dual investigations have sparked debate in Beaverton, with teachers, students and parents speaking out in defense of both board members.

 Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com
Future teachers at Portland State University crack up while making collage self-portraits as part of an elementary education program which mainly serves teacher candidates of color. Oregon's teacher workforce is far less diverse than the students they serve. Photo by Julia Silverman

A state grant for Oregon university students pursuing teaching degrees will no longer be restricted to students of color or those who speak a first language other than English, after the Legislature voted Thursday to broaden who can receive the scholarship out of fear the program could face legal challenge.

While the bill hit a snafu during a Wednesday Senate vote  failing to secure the necessary 16 yes votes with seven senators absent  senators reconsidered it Thursday and passed it to Gov. Tina Koteks desk.

For years, the grant has offered financial support to culturally and linguistically diverse Oregon college students studying to become educators. Now, it will be open to any teacher candidates demonstrating experience with diverse populations.

The change was made out of concern that the state could become embroiled in a legal battle over the grant, said Kyle Thomas, director of legislative and policy affairs for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, which proposed the legislation.

Following the Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action and a 2024 lawsuit against Oregons educator standards board, the commission decided the grant needed stronger legal footing, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The lawsuit was brought by a white teacher, fluent in Spanish and English, who was rejected from a state program that reimbursed diverse educators renewing their teaching licenses. After the standards board modified the program to allow educators with second language fluency to apply, the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed.

Demographic mismatch

More than 40% of Oregons public school students are non-white, while approximately 14% of teachers identify that way.

In an effort to narrow that gap, the grant had offered Oregon university students who are people of color or were raised speaking a language other than English up to $24,000 across two years to pursue a teaching license.

With Thursdays change, the program now will select scholarship recipients based on experience, not the candidates first language or racial or cultural identity.

The goal is to make sure that the aspiring educators that we award grants to are those that have the skills necessary to serve the culturally and linguistically diverse populations and, of course, all students, Thomas said.

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission is still determining who exactly would qualify for the new grant, he said. In a March public hearing, Democratic Rep. Lesly Munoz of Woodburn questioned what experience with diverse communities means, asking if attending a quinceanera would count.

Thomas responded that the parameters have yet to be defined, but experience generally requires more than one-off events. In a May interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Thomas said the criteria should be finalized relatively soon.

The change will affect all new grants awarded for the coming academic year, including students who already applied for the fall. The application will soon reopen for everyone and all current applicants except those who are renewing a grant from last year will be notified that they must reapply.

An empowering program

The legislations opponents, including the Oregon Education Association, said the new change weakens the program and makes it more difficult to support diverse students.

Candidates and teachers involved in the Oregon Teacher Scholars Program said that the grants focus on cultural and linguistic diversity was validating for them, their peers and their students.

Jadie Wright had been working as a bilingual teaching assistant in Albany when her principal encouraged her to pursue a teaching license and apply for the grant. With a toddler at home, she couldnt have taken a full course load without the financial support, Wright said.

Now Wright, who grew up speaking Spanish and English, helps second graders navigate the two languages in her Albany classroom.

In the classroom, Im able to make a difference with my students who may not have been able to learn from people like them before, Wright said. Having someone like them in the classroom is empowering for the students, for me, for the parents.

Changing the program could make it more difficult for potential future teachers to have that same impact, Wright said.

Jennifer Rincon Gonzalez, who grew up speaking Spanish, is a senior at Oregon State University and another grant recipient. She plans to become a social studies teacher, with certification to teach in both English and Spanish. The grant not only made her teaching degree financially accessible but helped her feel supported.

When I was informed of the grant, I was like Oh my gosh, this is perfect for me, Rincon Gonzalez said. Knowing that there was a grant specifically for me, for people like me, it was really rewarding and made me feel seen.

Niki Weight, an Oregon State University administrator, said that the grants focus on diverse candidates increased access to education for a wider range of students. There is significant overlap between culturally and linguistically diverse students, those with high levels of financial need and first generation college attendees, said Weight, director of student success at the universitys College of Education.

By focusing on underrepresented, diverse groups with grants, we are giving access to education to people who otherwise might not be able to afford it, Weight said.

While students with these backgrounds would likely still be eligible for the modified grant, they will be part of what could be a wider pool of candidates, even as the money administered for the program stays the same.

An uncertain future for teacher diversity

Thomas said that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission understands the concerns about altering the program. The commission needed to request the change this session to avoid potential legal challenges next school year, Thomas said.

The bill passed through the Legislature with little public discussion beyond Republican House members saying in floor speeches that the modified program still would violate federal law. Thomas said that the Oregon Department of Justice and legislative counsel both determined that the new wording passes legal muster.

Thomas said he encourages more discussion around what the change in scholarship qualifications means for continued efforts to diversify Oregons teacher workforce.

Its an important policy debate for the Legislature and for [the Higher Education Coordinating Commission] and partners to have about what the long-term future of this kind of modified program looks like, Thomas said.

 Eddy Binford-Ross covers education and local politics for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at ebinfordross@oregonian.com
When four dams were built on the lower Snake River in Idaho in the 1960s, they inundated ancestral lands and fishing grounds of Columbia River Native Americans, including the Nez Perce Tribe. (AP Photo/Nicholas K. Geranios, File) AP

An historic deal made two years ago between the U.S. government, four tribes, Northwest states and environmentalists to put legal battles aside and invest in restoring endangered Columbia River fish runs is now off.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing the federal government from a December 2023 agreement to help restore salmon, steelhead and other native fish being decimated by federal hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin. Trumps memorandum refers to the commitments as onerous, misguided and placing concerns about climate change above the nations interests in reliable energy resources.

The 2023 agreement was reached after decades of legal battles that pitted the federal government against four Lower Columbia River tribes and environmental groups backed by Oregon and Washington.

Groups behind the suits said they would forge on, and legal battles will likely reopen.

This move by the Trump administration to throw away five years worth of progress is shortsighted and reckless, said Mitch Cutter, a salmon and energy strategist at the Idaho Conservation League, in a statement. The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement was a landmark achievement between the federal government, states, Tribes and salmon advocates to find solutions for salmon and stay out of the courtroom. Now, its gone thanks to the uninformed impulses of a disconnected administration that doesnt understand the Pacific Northwest and the rivers and fish that make our region special.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe were part of the deal. In negotiations, the tribes, along with the states of Oregon and Washington, are referred to as the six sovereigns.

Gov. Tina Koteks office did not respond to a request for comment by Thursday afternoon.

Shannon Wheeler, chairperson of the Nez Perce Tribe, said in a statement that Trumps decision is a denial of the truth.

This action tries to hide from the truth. The Nez Perce Tribe holds a duty to speak the truth for the salmon, and the truth is that extinction of salmon populations is happening now, he said. People across the Northwest know this, and people across the nation have supported us in a vision for preventing salmon extinction that would at the same time create a stronger and better future for the Northwest. This remains the shared vision of the states of Washington and Oregon and the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Nez Perce tribes, as set out in our Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative.

Groups representing utilities, farmers, ports and others who rely on Columbia River dams for power, moving goods and irrigation celebrated the executive order.

As demand for electricity surges across the nation, preserving access to always-available energy resources like hydropower is absolutely crucial, said Jim Matheson, CEO of the trade group National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, in a news release.

Nearing extinction

At the heart of the issue are four Snake River dams that provide irrigation and emissions-free hydropower for nearby communities, but have also contributed to the near extinction of 13 salmon and steelhead populations that return to the Columbia Basin from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The fish are important to tribal health and sovereignty and to basin ecosystems, and the declines are hitting southern resident orcas off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon that rely on salmon for food and that are federally listed as endangered.

Environmental advocates, tribes and others have pushed to remove the four dams  Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite on the Snake River between Kennewick, Wash., and Lewiston, Idaho  to help the fish, including filing lawsuits. Earthjustice, an environmental law group, has led litigation against five federal agencies, seeking changes to dam operations in the Columbia River Basin to help protect salmon.

The 2023 agreement, coupled with Biden-era climate and clean energy funding, was meant to pour more than $1 billion in new federal investments for wild fish restoration into the Columbia River Basin over the next decade, along with clean energy projects on tribal lands. It also included potentially breaching the four Snake River dams to restore natural flows that could revive native salmon populations.

Earthjustice attorney Amanda Goodin said in a statement that her group would not give up fighting in court to prevent salmon extinction in the Columbia River Basin.

The Trump administration is turning its back on an unprecedented opportunity to support a thriving Columbia Basin  and ignoring the extinction crisis facing our salmon, she said. Unfortunately, this short-sighted decision to renege on this important agreement is just the latest in a series of anti-government and anti-science actions coming from the Trump administration.

-- Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Providence Health & Services said Thursday that it has laid off 134 employees across Oregon, part of an effort to cut costs amid growing financial pressures in the health care industry.

The broader Providence system, headquartered in Renton, Washington, is taking similar restructuring steps across its operations in seven Western states. The Catholic not-for-profit health system said it has eliminated 600 full-time jobs across its 125,000-person workforce. Most of those are administrative or non-clinical positions, though some medical providers were also laid off.

Providence said the cuts are essential to navigating the new reality of reduced reimbursement and higher costs. Hospital leaders in Oregon said theyre working to help affected staff move into other open jobs within the organization.

This is kind of the beginning of what will be a difficult year, said Jennifer Burrows, chief executive of Providence Oregon, but this is going to be work that we need to continue to do,.

Burrows said the health system would likely cut more positions this year but hoped attrition and leaving positions vacant would prevent additional layoffs. She said Providence is consolidating services and relying on fewer team members to maintain operations but that no service lines have been eliminated.

The reductions are widespread. ... Weve really worked to try to kind of optimize what were currently doing with less people, she said.

Earlier this year, Providence CEO Erik Wexler announced that the health system would freeze hiring for dozens of open jobs and initiate immediate cost-cutting measures, including cutting back on travel and pausing community sponsorships.

The health system said it expects financial headwinds to continue through the year.

The financial challenges Providence is facing arent unique, but the health systems leaders say theyre especially tough in Oregon because of state laws that dictate staffing levels, limit how fast costs can grow and restrict partnerships with large corporations and private-equity firms.

Burrows said Oregon had implemented a cost growth target prior to the pandemic that didnt have a tremendous amount of evidence behind it. She said those targets limit how much hospitals can ask for reimbursement from Medicaid and commercial insurers, but are now out of step with economic realities.

Weve been operating at a loss, Burrows said. Our revenues are not keeping up with the cost of providing care.

Money coming in from Medicaid and commercial insurers, she said, have stayed flat over the last five years.

Other hospital systems in Oregon are also weighing cost-cutting measures. Oregon Health & Science University is also planning to slow hiring and cap pay raises in the coming fiscal year.
Uncle Homers voice caught Maija Yasui off guard.

Across the exhibit hall, her late uncle-in-law was the joyful narrator of a documentary about mushroom hunting near Mount Hood, one of two family videos playing on repeat at the Oregon Historical Society Museum.

Maija couldnt see the mushroom-hunting video yet. It waited at the end of the exhibit. But the chipper voice echoed quietly through the hall as she and Homers daughter, Barbara, walked the showcase of their family history for the first time Thursday morning  a family preview of an exhibit that opens to the public Friday.

The new exhibit details the Yasuis particularly deep Oregon history, from family members imprisonment in camps during World War II to civil rights advocate Minoru Yasuis award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

Its that family history that inspired books like Stubborn Twig: Three Generations in the Life of a Japanese American Family and pushed the Legislature to designate March 28 as Minoru Yasui Day.

Home video footage also on display at the exhibit shows the family in matching red shirts all smiles and laughs during a 1990 family reunion, going through boxes of family artifacts in a Hood River area barn, where goods from the family stores had been transferred after the government abruptly forced them to shut down in World War II.

It was like a treasure hunt, Barbara said, watching the video. Everyone got to keep little keepsakes if they wanted, she said. I got some glass apothecary jars that were used to store candy in the stores.

Glass containers once held candy at Yasui Brothers Co. store in Hood River, Oregon. The items are part of the exhibit The Yasui Family: An American Story, which opens Friday, June 13, at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. In telling the story of the prominent Hood River family, the exhibit illuminates the broader history of Japanese Americans in the United States and the political crosshairs many, the majority of them American citizens, were ensnared in during WWII. June 12, 2025 Beth Nakamura

Homer had gotten the family to rummage through the barn, and he sent correspondence to the historical society asking if it wanted any of what theyd found. The institution did, and thats what now populates most of its new exhibit.

The family operated four stores, and one of them  a location run by Barbaras great-uncle  was recreated in detail for the exhibit.

When Barbara traveled through a recreation of the Yasui Bros. Co., she burst out, I love how you made the entrance!

A sneak peek at The Yasui Family: An American Story, which opens Friday, June 13, at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. In telling the story of the prominent Hood River family, the exhibit illuminates the broader history of Japanese Americans in the United States and the political crosshairs many, the majority of them American citizens, were ensnared in during WWII. June 12, 2025 Beth Nakamura

Im so familiar with the story of the store and how it got started, Barbara said, but this brings it to life in a way that just reading about it and looking at photographs dont do.

Some of those glass candy jars lined the store shelves.

We each have them in our home, Maija said, and continue to serve the great-grandkids, and the great-great-grandkids, out of the jars.

The story unfolds chronologically around the exhibit wing.

Soon enough, Barbara and Maija came to a stack of 1942 calendars, pulled from the barn and now under a glass case. These calendars were produced for the Yasui Bros. Co. store for 1942 but never used, a placard said. The U.S. Treasury Department closed the store the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

The Yasui Brothers Co. made calendars that they gave to customers every year. Here, a stack of calendars made in 1942 were never distributed. The calendars are part of a sneak peek at The Yasui Family: An American Story, which opens Friday, June 13, at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. June 12, 2025 Beth Nakamura

Next came the incarceration of their family members in World War II under President Franklin Roosevelts Executive Order 9066, which required nearly all Japanese Americans, two-thirds of them United States citizens, to be held in incarceration camps.

Standing before a broad map of U.S. prison camps, Barbara recalled the story of her uncle Minoru, a law-school graduate who in March 1942 tested a curfew law targeting people of Japanese descent that he knew to be unconstitutional. He was arrested, spending nearly a year in solitary confinement at the Multnomah County Jail.

When he was released, the military transported Minoru to the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho. He continued to fight for civil liberties until his death in 1986.

President Barack Obama awarded Minoru a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, the first Oregonian to receive the award.

He never stopped fighting for equality and justice for all, Obama said at the time.

Many Yasui family members declined to come back to Oregon after the war, several of them relocating to Denver or farther east for school or work.

They entered the medical, legal, and educational fields, got married, and started their own families, another placard stated. As with many who were incarcerated, the experience profoundly impacted their lives.

Among those who returned was Homer, whod been imprisoned at the Tule Lake camp in California. He went on to a successful medical career in Milwaukie.

Ending the exhibit is the short film Matsutake, narrated by Homer and filmed two years before his death in 2023.

The 10-minute documentary shows the rambunctious 98-year-old and four generations of his family, including his daughter Barbara, out in the woods near Hood River searching for the white mushrooms, something Homer had done since childhood.

Family members made a short film on their annual trips to harvest Matsutake mushrooms in the forests of Oregon. It is featured in the exhibit, The Yasui Family: An American Story, which opens Friday, June 13, at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. June 12, 2025 Beth Nakamura

In one scene, Homer puts the fungi to his nose, whiffs and closes his eyes in clear bliss, then lets it out: Matsutake!

Maija said shes always excited to hear his voice.

Uncle Homers voice is a part of the tapestry of every family reunion. Every wedding. Every funeral. Every graduation within the family, she said after the tour. Its like, Oh, theres another story that were going to hear.

The Yasui Family: An American Story runs through Sept. 6, 2026, at the Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission $14, free for youth and Multnomah County residents. Information at ohs.org.
Protester Annie Jones holds a U.S. flag upside down as a sign of distress while California National Guard stand behind a barricade in Santa Ana, California, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Jae C. Hong | AP

SAN FRANCISCO  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judges order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids.

The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday. The ruling came only hours after a federal judges order that was going to take effect at noon Friday.

Earlier Thursday, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled the Guard deployment was illegal and both violated the 10th Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority. The order applied only to the National Guard troops and not Marines who were also deployed to the LA protests. The judge said he would not rule on the Marines because they were not out on the streets yet.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had asked the judge for an emergency stop to troops helping carry out immigration raids, had praised the earlier ruling.

Today was really about a test of democracy, and today we passed the test, Newsom said in a news conference before the appeals court decision.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump thanked the appeals court Friday morning.

If I didnt send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now, he said.

The White House had called Breyers order unprecedented and said it puts our brave federal officials in danger.

The district court has no authority to usurp the Presidents authority as Commander in Chief, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. The President exercised his lawful authority to mobilize the National Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel in Gavin Newsoms lawless Los Angeles. The Trump Administration will immediately appeal this abuse of power and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue.

Marines in civil disturbance training at nearby base

About 700 Marines have been undergoing civil disturbance training at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach in Orange County, California. Nicholas Green, an attorney for the state, told the court: I have been told by the office of the governor that within the next 24 hours, 140 Marines will replace and relieve National Guard members in Los Angeles.

Typically the authority to call up the National Guard lies with governors, but there are limited circumstances under which the president can deploy those troops. Trump federalized members of the California National Guard under an authority known as Title 10.

Title 10 allows the president to call the National Guard into federal service under certain limited circumstances, such as when the country is invaded, when there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government, or when the president is unable to execute the laws of the United States.

Breyer, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, said in his ruling that what is happening in Los Angeles does not meet the definition of a rebellion.

The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of rebellion, he wrote.

California sued the federal government

Newsom sued to block the Guards deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

The governor argued that the troops were originally deployed to protect federal buildings and wanted the court to block the troops from helping protect immigration agents during the raids, saying that involving the Guard would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, which is overseeing the Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles, said that as of Wednesday about 500 of the Guard troops had been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

None of the Marines have been trained to go on immigration raids, and it is not yet clear if they eventually will, Sherman said.

Trump improperly called up the Guard, judge says

In his broad ruling, the judge determined Trump had not properly called the Guard up in the first place.

The lawsuit argued that Title 10 also requires that the president go through governors when issuing orders to the National Guard.

Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, said Trump complied with the statute by informing the general in charge of the troops of his decision and would have the authority to call in the Guard even if he had not.

In a brief filed ahead of the Thursday hearing, the Justice Department said Trumps orders were not subject to judicial review.

Courts did not interfere when President Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation. Courts did not interfere when President Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail in the midst of a postal strike. And courts should not interfere here either, the department said.

Our position is this is not subject to judicial review, Shumate told the judge.

Breyer, who at one point waved a copy of the Constitution, said he disagreed.

Were talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is of course limited in that authority. Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, he said.

Protests intensified

The protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

Trump has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Mayor Karen Bass and Newsom say are nowhere close to the truth.

 OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, Associated Press
Protesters clasp hands in front of a line of California National Guard, Monday, June 9, 2025, at a Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo Jae Hong) AP

SAN FRANCISCO  A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.

The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the Guard was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority.

The White House had no immediate comment on the ruling, but the federal government immediately filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said Trump overstepped his bounds in ordering the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown.

It was not immediately clear how that would change the situation on the ground.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block the Guards deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

He argued that the troops were originally deployed to protect federal buildings and wanted the court to block the troops from helping protect immigration agents during the raids, saying that involving the Guard would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

The Trump administration called the lawsuit a crass political stunt endangering American lives in its official response Wednesday.

In a broad ruling, the judge determined Trump had not properly called the Guard up in the first place.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and one other media outlet, said that as of Wednesday about 500 of the Guard troops have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

Sherman is commander of Task Force 51, which is overseeing the Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles.

Typically the authority to call up the National Guard lies with governors, but there are limited circumstances under which the president can deploy those troops. Trump federalized members of the California National Guard under an authority known as Title 10.

The lawsuit argued that Title 10 requires, among other things, that the president go through governors when issuing orders to the National Guard.

Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, said Trump complied with the statute by informing the general in charge of the troops of his decision and would have the authority to call in the Guard even if he had not.

In a brief filed ahead of the Thursday hearing, the Justice Department said Trumps orders were not subject to judicial review.

Courts did not interfere when President Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation. Courts did not interfere when President Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail in the midst of a postal strike. And courts should not interfere here either, the department said.

Our position is this is not subject to judicial review, Shumate told the judge.

Breyer, who at one point waved a copy of the constitution, said he disagreed.

Were talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is of course limited in that authority. Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, he said.

The protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

Federal immigration agents have been arresting people at Home Depot parking lots and other businesses, sparking fear in immigrant communities, after the Trump administration said it wanted to dramatically increase arrests under its immigration crackdown.

Trump has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Bass and Newsom say are nowhere close to the truth.

The Marines have not yet been spotted in Los Angeles, and Guard troops have had limited engagement with protesters.

Dozens of mayors from across the Los Angeles region banded together Wednesday to demand the raids stop and the troops leave.

By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
An archived photo of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Two employees connected to a vineyard services company in Newberg have been detained by immigration authorities. Alex Brandon/AP file photo Alex Brandon/AP file photo

Two employees of a vineyard services company in Newberg have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including the owner, according to one of the companys employees.

The owner was detained by immigration authorities around 5:30 a.m. on Thursday about two blocks from his home in Newberg, according to Victoria Reader, who serves as one of the managers for the small company.

Another employee who worked as a truck driver was also detained by ICE outside his house in Newberg on Friday morning when Reader said she was picking him up.

The Oregonian/OregonLive is not naming the employees at this time because full details of their detainments, including whether they have legal representation and the allegations against them, are not known.

Reader said she doesnt know why employees of the company are apparently being targeted. She said word of the detainments has spread among vintners and workers in Yamhill County. The company, which opened in April 2024, has around 10 employees, she said.

People are very angry, she said. And very sad and scared.

Immigration enforcement has been ramping up in Oregon and the Newberg arrests follow the immigration arrests of at least four asylum seekers after hearings at Portland Immigration Court.

An ICE spokesperson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment late Thursday.

The Trump administration has lodged aggressive immigration enforcement tactics that in other parts of the country have led to large protests, including in California where Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines to quell protesters, against Gov. Gavin Newsoms objections.

There is a narrative being pushed by this federal administration that ICE is only detaining and deporting undocumented individuals with a criminal record, Yamhill County Commissioner Bubba King said in an email. This is unequivocally false. We have watched this exact scenario play out across the country, and now its here in our neighborhood.

The owner of the company who was detained Thursday has been in the country for more than 40 years, Reader said. A search in Oregon court records shows only minor speeding violations and a small claims complaint.

Reader said the truck driver detained last week is now being held at an immigration detention center in Tacoma. Reader said she spoke with the owners daughter, who talked with the man, but Reader did not know where he was being held.

Newberg is home to more than 50 wineries, according to Taste Newberg, which is the official visitor resource for the city. While Reader confirmed two workers being detained, others say several more have been detained in the past week, although no details were available.

Officials at the Newberg Dundee School District released a statement to families Thursday in response to ICEs action. The district didnt directly address whether any of the workers had children in local schools but attempted to ease community concerns.

We were made aware of ICE activity in our community over the night and throughout today, Superintendent Dave Parker wrote. Our leadership team worked closely with school principals to ensure a safe and secure last day of school. At this time, we have not had any disruptions to our schools or offices, and we ended our last day of school safely.

Parker added that if federal authorities seek information about any student they will be directed to the district office. Information beyond basic directory-level materials would be shared only in response to a valid judicial subpoena or court order.

Every student in our district has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment free from fear or unnecessary intrusion, he wrote.

King, the county commissioner, urged community members to call the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition hotline, 1-888-622-1510, any time they see a community member being detained by immigration authorities.

These are our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers, our kids friends parents, he said. We have an absolute responsibility to put political party allegiance aside and stand up for the rule of law and the future of democracy.

-- Yesenia Amaro is on the investigations team. Reach her at 503-221-4395, or yamaro@oregonian.com.

-- Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com.
Gov. Tina Kotek this week suggested that her office didnt have enough information from prosecutors to make good decisions on the extraditions, though she didnt elaborate on what details her staff would have needed to make a different call. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

For the second time this spring, Gov. Tina Kotek reversed a decision by her staff and said her office would cover the costs of returning a criminal suspect to Oregon, this time an alleged burglar accused of targeting Asian Americans.

This case and the other one  involving a woman accused of stealing up to $200,000 from the Eugene Weekly  have focused attention on the governors role in what has been a typically routine staff decision.

In both cases, the initial extradition denial turned political, prompting the governor to personally intervene.

The latest case involves suspects in what authorities describe as a sophisticated and prolific crime ring that targeted people of Asian descent in the Pacific Northwest.

Kotek suggested that her office didnt have enough information from prosecutors to make good decisions on the extraditions, though she didnt elaborate on what details her staff would have needed to make a different call.

Typically, the governors office covers the cost of returning felony defendants to Oregon, a process that involves sending law enforcement officials out of state to accompany the person back here.

In general, the state pays to bring back Oregon defendants in higher-level felonies, such as murder and rape, from anywhere in the country and limits extradition involving lower-level felonies and property crimes to nearby states, according to prosecutors.

Data on how often the governors office has denied extraditions is hard to come by. Koteks spokesperson said the office does not track that information.

The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said the governors office typically turns down one or two requests a year. So far this year, two requests were denied, Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff Lowe said.

In one of those cases, Koteks staff reversed its decision after prosecutors raised what we believed to be extenuating and aggravating circumstances, Lowe said. In the second, the district attorneys office made the unusual decision to pay for the extradition out of its own budget, he said.

The number of extraditions the governors office has authorized has remained relatively steady, though the cost to bring people back to Oregon has climbed, according to state data.

Data shows the state has extradited 3,896 people during the current two-year budget cycle ending this month at an overall cost of about $642,000  essentially building back to pre-pandemic levels when the governors office extradited 4,088 people and spent $542,000 in 2017-2019.

The vast majority involve extraditions from Washington, Montana, Idaho and Northern California. Oregon has an agreement with those states to drive criminal defendants back to the state in what is known as the Northwest Shuttle Program.

During a press conference Monday, Kotek said she has full confidence in our efforts around extradition.

SUMMARILY DENIED

Jensina Hawkins, a Eugene resident who serves on the Asian American Council of Oregon and chairs the Eugene Police Commission, said as of January more than a dozen homes of Asian American families in Eugene and two in Springfield were burglarized.

She said the home in Springfield was targeted three times.

A Eugene police spokesperson confirmed that about a dozen burglaries are under investigation. A half-dozen people have been arrested in connection with those cases, she said.

A Springfield police spokesperson did not respond to a request for information about burglaries allegedly tied to the crime ring.

Hawkins said the original decision to decline extradition further undermined public confidence in the justice system, though Koteks reversal helped restore it.

This is an entire community that has been targeted, she said.

In the latest case out of Lane County, the suspect is linked to a criminal operation that authorities allege is behind more than 30 residential burglaries in Oregon and dozens more in Washington and Idaho. The victims are all Asian Americans.

Last month, Nicole Townsend, director of extradition services, denied the Lane County District Attorneys Offices request to extradite the woman from Harris County, Texas.

Koteks spokesperson confirmed this week that after further communication with the Lane County DAs office and review of the information provided, the governor signed off the extradition.

A second suspect linked to the Lane County case was also arrested in Texas and was placed under a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold; Kotek has stood by her offices decision not to pay for his extradition, said her spokesperson, Roxy Mayer. Mayer declined to comment on the reason.

Last month, Kotek second-guessed Townsends decision not to extradite a woman accused of embezzling from the Eugene Weekly, a crime that temporarily crippled the news organization. Townsend declined to extradite the woman from Ohio, where local authorities arrested her in coordination with Eugene police.

At the time, Townsend suggested that Lane County revise Youngs warrant to reflect that extradition would be authorized only if she is picked up in neighboring states.

The woman, who faces felony property crime charges, walked free and remains at large.

Kotek seemed to blame the latest flip-flop on the Lane County District Attorneys Office.

I think its very challenging when were not getting urgent, up-to-date information from our district attorneys to be in partnership to deal with these extraditions, Kotek said. We need to stand strong when it comes to hate crimes, but again, I need strong partnership with our DAs to get that information and have better communication so were not having to do this back and forth all the time.

Lane County District Attorney Chris Parosa said he made separate requests for the two defendants who were picked up in Texas this spring.

He said his office made clear in its first request the circumstances of the case.

Im a little baffled when we openly told them in the very first email exchange about the fact that this individual, the female suspect in Asian burglary cases out of Lane County, is a person targeting the Asian community, he said. And you know, we got just summarily denied for it.

He said his staff sent its first request at 4:25 p.m. on April 3. At 6:41 p.m., he said Townsends email said only funding denied at this time.

At 2 p.m. on May 14, Parosas office asked for authorization to extradite a second suspect who was on a federal immigration hold. At 2:28 p.m., he said he received Townsends denial.

Parosa said Townsend asked about extenuating circumstances. He said he did not provide any since he had already noted the other suspects ties to the suspected crime ring in his unsuccessful request for extradition.

Parosa said Townsend wrote to him that the state typically allows deportations to proceed if a fugitive has a federal immigration hold and will reissue the warrant in case they attempt reentry.

Earlier this month, Koteks office told Parosa that the governor would authorize the extradition of the defendant who was not under the federal immigration hold.

He said the suspect, however, is no longer in custody. She remains at large.

A warrant issued for her arrest now states that Oregon will extradite from anywhere in the United States, Parosa said. He declined to identify her.

Parosa said hes sensitive to the cost associated with extradition. In recent months, he said he worried about denials so he didnt bother requesting extradition in about 10 cases.

He said he worries the state may expect counties to pick up the tab for some extraditions. He said his office cannot afford it.

That would make for a situation where any criminal offender could simply flee our state to avoid responsibility for crimes, he said. That circumstance would be devastating for the safety of our communities.

STALKING VICTIMS

Parosa said the two suspects arrested in Texas are part of a network that has preyed on Asian Americans throughout the region.

The alleged operation is detailed in court records filed in Washington County, where four people face charges for their role in what prosecutors called a sophisticated criminal organization made up of Colombian nationals with no links to Oregon.

Washington County authorities opened an investigation into the ring last fall, the court filings say.

A search warrant affidavit written earlier this year by Tigard police Detective Kyle Henderson says a string of burglaries last year and this year in Lake Oswego, Clackamas, Beaverton, Tigard, Eugene and Bend share strikingly similar patterns.

Court records say the Washington County suspects, two men and two women, specifically targeted victims of Asian or Indian descent and committed each burglary in a nearly identical fashion.

The suspects identified potential victims at H-Mart, other Asian markets or at restaurants and convenience stores with Asian owners, the court records say.

According to court filings, the defendants then stalked the people, following them home and monitoring their routines to determine when their homes would be empty. They kept detailed notes with home addresses, business addresses and vehicle information, prosecutors allege.

The suspects worked in pairs or in larger groups, shattering doors to enter the homes and disabling wifi by unplugging the victims internet router or using a wifi jammer device to disable any security cameras, the filing states.

The affidavit notes that the operations typically relied on lookouts who also picked up the burglars with the stolen goods.

The team worked quickly to move the stolen goods via mail or a courier to an unknown source, according to the affidavit.

In one instance last November, a woman was asleep in her bed when the defendants broke in wearing all black with black ski masks.

Prosecutors allege that the men grabbed the womans wrists and forced her downstairs, demanding to know the whereabouts of cash and jewelry. The burglars barricaded the door and ransacked the home, ordering the woman to disclose the location of any valuables, according to the court records.

The victim insisted she did not have any cash, jewelry, or a safe, and in response, one of the defendants grabbed a jade necklace the victim was wearing off of her neck, according to court filings.

The defendants then fled in a getaway car, prosecutors say.

A Tigard family that owns a business in Portland reported that the thieves took a safe that contained $110,000 worth of gold, about $17,500 in cash and between $20,000 to $30,000 in jewelry in a break-in last fall, according to court records.

Tigard police responding to a separate burglary around the same time entered the home to find the main bedroom in total disarray and completely ransacked, records show.

Various personal items, loose change, clothing, jewelry, documents, knickknacks, and empty boxes covered nearly the entire bedroom floor, police noted in a report that was filed in court. The owners safe had been pried open, the report notes.

The safe itself was nearly empty with only a few small pieces of jewelry left inside, the officer noted.

The Washington County cases are pending. In each case, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Two are in jail, another was released on bail. A warrant was issued for one after she missed her latest court date. Her whereabouts are unknown.

 Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184 or ncrombie@oregonian.com.
A clothing shop inside Oregon State Hospital gives patients clothing when they enter the system. The shop receives donations from the community. Seamstresses who work at the location hem and repair items the patients use. Beth Nakamura

It has been a rough couple of months for the troubled Oregon State Hospital.

In March, a patient died while in seclusion after not being checked properly by staff after a fall. Citing medical privacy laws, the hospital has not released that patients name.
In the French department of Sarthe, near the city of Le Mans, four people died and at least 30 people were injured in a car accident involving a passenger bus carrying Ukrainian citizens, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said.

"According to preliminary information, the aforementioned bus was transporting Ukrainian citizens, including a group of children. At present, it is known that four people died as a result of the accident, at least 30 people were injured, 11 of them are in serious condition. The injured have been hospitalized," the MFA told journalists.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha instructed the Department of the Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ukraine in France to keep the situation under special control and provide appropriate assistance to the injured citizens of Ukraine.

Earlier, the Embassy of Ukraine in France, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs of France, reported that at about 13:00 in the French department of Sarthe, near the city of Le Mans, a car accident involving a passenger bus with Ukrainian citizens, adults and children, occurred. According to preliminary information, there are injured passengers among the passengers. The Ambassador of Ukraine to France Vadym Omelchenko and embassy employees urgently went to the scene.

The diplomatic institution said it is in constant contact with the prefecture and local services to promptly provide assistance to the injured and clarify the circumstances.
A recent industry study ranked the top 10 major restaurant chains for employee satisfaction, and an Oregon-founded company placed near the top.

Oregons much-loved  and debated  coffee staple Dutch Bros was ranked at No. 3.

The analysis was published by financial services company William Blair, and looked at company culture and values, trust in management and work-life balance.

West Coast fan favorite In-N-Out has topped the list for employee happiness for 10 straight years, and this year was no different. 91 percent of In-N-Out employees would recommend their job to a friend, one of the key metrics in the analysis.

In-N-Out is the only brand that has maintained a top 10 ranking every year in the past decade, National Restaurant News reported.

By contrast, the lowest ranked restaurant, Hardees, had just 39 percent of employees say the same.

Raising Canes was No. 2, with 82 percent. At No. 3, Dutch Bros had 78 percent.

California coffee brand Peets was ranked at No. 5.

Chain Rank Recommendation Percentage 1 In-N-Out 91% 2 Raising Canes 82% 3 Dutch Bros 78% 4 Chuys 78% 5 Peets Coffee & Tea 76% 6 Caribou Coffee 74% 7 Lazy Dog 74% 8 Portillos 73% 9 Longhorn Steakhouse 73% 10 Chick-fil-A 72%

Dutch Bros has long been beloved by Oregon locals, especially in Grants Pass where it was founded, for its candy-colored energy drinks and elaborate caffeinated concoctions  though it also comes under fire from coffee purists for being a little light on the actual coffee under all that flavor.

The company on Wednesday disclosed plans to move its corporate headquarters from Grants Pass, where it was founded in 1992, to Arizona.

Fans of the brand  the so-called Dutch Mafia  were split about the move on social media, with many seeing it as a betrayal of the state that helped the company succeed.

CEO Christine Barone has lived and worked in Arizona since the company hired her in 2023.

In 2022, founder and chairman Travis Boersma abandoned plans to open a horse racing facility and casino in Josephine County after the Oregon Supreme Court found that the plan violated the state constitution.

Dutch Bros went public in 2021, after nearly 30 years of private ownership.
A tiny cabin is part of Smith Creek Village, one of the many lodging options now run by Guest Services, Inc. at Silver Falls State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A new company is looking to make its mark at Silver Falls State Park, as it takes over much of the food, shopping and lodging options at the beloved Oregon waterfall destination.

Guest Services, Inc., a Virginia-based hospitality company, has taken over Smith Creek Village, a cozy lodge nestled into the backcountry on the south side of the popular state park, as well as the South Falls Cafe and other concessions throughout the park.

Oregon State Parks will continue to operate and maintain the campgrounds, day-use facilities, trails and other park structures, the department said.

This will be the first foray into Oregon for the 108-year-old company, which manages 50 properties across the U.S. including the Paradise Inn, National Park Inn and Sunrise Day Lodge at Mount Rainier National Park.

Chad Taylor, director of operations for the hospitality branch of Guest Services, said the company is balancing dual goals of introducing fresh ideas to the park experience while listening to the needs and desires of visitors.

We are here to find our place in the community, not push our way, Taylor said. Were not going to push anything on anyone.

The company is already accepting reservations for cabins, lodges and larger event spaces at Smith Creek Village, which is open year-round.

Guest Services replaces previous concessioner Silver Falls Hospitality, a local company that turned the former Silver Falls Lodge and Conference Center into Smith Creek Village, opening its cabins and cottages for nightly rentals, and opening a cafe and restaurant there to the general public.

Smith Creek Village offers a variety of cozy lodging options, as well as a full restaurant, inside Silver Falls State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Lower South Falls, taken with a long exposure under overcast skies in spring.

A visitor takes a selfie in front of Lower South Falls in Silver Falls State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Silver Falls Hospitality was one of five companies that bid for the new contract to manage concessions at the park, which runs from 2025 to 2030, but it ultimately lost out to Guest Services. Chris Gilliand, state park manager at Silver Falls, said the Virginia company was far and away the best candidate from the beginning.

Kyle McDonough, owner of Silver Falls Hospitality, was reached for comment, but did not offer a statement as of Friday morning.

Gilliand said the state parks departments criteria for incoming concessioners was three-pronged: They asked candidates to address how they were going to maintain and enhance current facilities, how they were going to enhance the visitor experience, and how much of a financial return they could provide to the state agency.

Taking care of park buildings, including the 1940s-era cabins at Smith Creek Village and the historic South Falls Lodge, was paramount, Gilliand said.

We really wanted to make sure people were investing in the buildings, he said. Maintenance is not extremely easy, we are in a temperate rainforest so the elements do impact the buildings here.

Concessioners, while extremely common in the Pacific Northwest, are under renewed scrutiny following recent issues at Crater Lake National Park, where Philadelphia-based hospitality company Aramark was forced out in 2024 after years of mismanagement at the destination, documented in scathing reviews by the National Park Service.

Guest Services, which underwent the same review process for its contract at Mount Rainier, received positive marks in its most recent annual review from the National Park Service, according to documents provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive through a public records request.

Gilliand said the company will receive similar annual reviews from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, as well as monthly reviews from him. He said managing private companies at the public park is always a tricky process.

Its a tough balance. You want to give them the freedom to perform, but theres also high expectations from our standpoint as stewards of the land, Gilliand said. We hold ourselves to a really high standard ... so we hold them to the standard.

Guest Services, which officially took over the concessions contract June 1, is already making its mark on the park, creating a new retail store called Ten Falls Supply Co. that sells hiking gear, water bottles, trail snacks and gifts in an unused building near the South Falls Day Use Area. The company also took over the neighboring South Falls Cafe, which has been a go-to stop for park visitors, serving hot food, snacks and drinks year-round.

The company will also be serving food at the Big Leaf Market & Grill, the restaurant space at Smith Creek Village that will eventually be a casual sit-down restaurant and market thats still in the works.

Food service is a source of pride for Guest Services, Taylor said, and is an area the company plans to focus on at the park. The company has transferred chefs from other properties to run the concessions at Silver Falls, tasked with crafting quality dishes made with local, sustainable ingredients, he said. Guest Services also plans to tinker with app-based food delivery options for campers, something Taylor said has worked well at one of the companys campgrounds in Las Vegas.

Taylor said hes not sure if the new ideas at Silver Falls will be a hit, and acknowledged the company is willing to pivot if people dont seem into what theyre offering. While Guest Services is ostensibly there to make money, Taylor said the company remains clear-headed about the realities of doing business in one of Oregons most beloved natural attractions.

The true driving force behind what we do is getting people outdoors to enjoy themselves, Taylor said. At the end of the day, people want to go up and see the waterfalls.
A photo from Thursday, June 12, shows damage from the Rowena fire, with the intact Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum still standing in the background. Vickie Connor/The Oregonian

As thick smoke from the Rowena fire began to fill the air Wednesday afternoon, Cheryl Ragar, executive director of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, took a head count of everybody inside the building, then took action to get them all out.

Ragar, who has been at the helm of the beloved Columbia River Gorge attraction for a little over a year, said she wasted no time in getting staff, visitors and the museums four raptors out the door, clearing out the building before the Wasco County Sheriffs Office ordered an evacuation for the area just west of The Dalles.

It was incredibly unsettling. It was scary. I felt a lot of dread, Ragar said. The smoke was really heavy, I was seeing ash in the air.

Late Wednesday, staff got word that their 48,200-square-foot museum and surrounding buildings were all intact, despite fires burning all around them, destroying neighboring homes and scorching the banks of the Columbia River. The museum announced the news Thursday morning, as the fire still burned and uncertainty lingered.

I am feeling relief, Ragar said Thursday afternoon. Not only because I know the buildings standing, but because as the days gone on, Ive heard more information that makes me think that the area around it is as secure as it can be when theres a fire raging.

The Rowena fire spread from 50 acres to 3,500 acres in about 24 hours, fire officials said at a news conference Thursday. Its not yet clear how many homes or structures have been destroyed. There are no reported fatalities.

A wildfire continues to burn near Rowena in the Columbia Gorge on Thursday, June 12, 2025, forcing evacuations. Vickie Connor/The Oregonian

The fire, which started Wednesday in Wasco County just below Rowena Crest, closed Interstate 84 between Hood River and The Dalles for several hours as winds of up to 30 mph fueled its spread, officials said.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department shut down several park sites near the fire Wednesday. As of Thursday, Mayer State Park and the Rowena Crest Overlook remained closed, while the department issued new open flame bans throughout the Columbia Gorge.

Meanwhile, staff at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum are still waiting to hear news on when theyll be able to return to the property, where theyll assess the damage and begin the process of cleaning up. Their raptors  a red-tailed hawk, an American kestrel and two bald eagles who dont appreciate being put in cages, Ragar said  are currently on their way to the Sunriver Nature Center after spending the night at a nearby farm.

In its news release Thursday, the museum thanked the heroic efforts of the emergency responders as well as messages, prayers and assistance from the community. It also offered condolences to neighbors who lost their homes, calling the losses heartbreaking.

Ragar said she feels lucky that the museum appears to have survived the blaze, though she acknowledged that it will still be a tough path forward.

Everything will be all right, but its going to take work, she said. It is going to cost us, we already know that.

Anyone who wants to support the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum, financially or through volunteer work, can find more information at gorgediscovery.org. More information about the museums status will be posted on the website and social media pages.
The wildfire tearing through hillsides near Rowena erupted with startling speed Wednesday, driven by winds that pushed flames toward neighborhoods and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Officials were still scrambling to assess the damage by Thursday afternoon and warning that Oregons fire season is arriving far earlier than normal.

It feels like July, Travis Medema, chief deputy state fire marshal, said at a Thursday afternoon press conference at Mayer State Park, west of The Dalles. Were about a month ahead of schedule.

The fire ignited around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in Wasco County, and grew from 50 acres to roughly 3,500 acres within 24 hours. Winds as strong as 30 mph helped fuel the fast spread, driving flames into neighborhoods near The Dalles and forcing fire crews to leapfrog house to house to protect homes.

About 180 people were deployed battling the fire Thursday, a day after Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act that allowed the state to deploy firefighting resources from across Oregon to help the local crews already on the ground. The number of people on the fire is expected to grow by about 100 by Friday, officials said.

Some homes along U.S. 30 have been destroyed in the fire, but the Wasco County Sheriffs Office declined to provide firm numbers, saying it will take a long time to assess the full scope of the damage. But Koteks office said in a statement about her invocation of the conflagration act that structure loss is expected to be significant.

Rowena residents Austin Wilson and Chelsea Wooderson lost the manufactured home they were living in with their family  including a 10-year-old Dachshund, Howie  to the fire, the couple said Thursday as they picked up household items at the Red Cross shelter in The Dalles.

They were both at work Wednesday when they learned the fire was encroaching on their neighborhood. Wooderson tried to get past a barricade to get her dog but couldnt get through, so she called Wilson, who managed to get to the home using a different route.

Wilson said the air was thick with smoke as he approached and there were flames on both sides of the road. The wildfire sounded like a thunderstorm, he said. Their dog was hiding under a bed. Wilson grabbed Howie, a few stuffed toys for his son and daughter  who were safe elsewhere  and left. The couple came back Thursday morning to see how bad the damage was, and found the home burnt down to the metal frame.

The couple had yet to figure out where they were going to stay Thursday night.

15 1 / 15 Rowena wildfire

They werent the only ones. Multiple properties along U.S. 30 in Rowena had been overrun by the fire, leaving behind charred cars, the twisted remains of metal roofs and patches of ground smoldering or still on fire.

Tankers and helicopters were constantly flying back and forth, picking up water from the Columbia River and dumping it on the fire over the ridge. A short stretch of the gorge between The Dalles and Rowena was enveloped in wildfire smoke with some flames visible Thursday.

Medema and others warned that the unseasonably dry, volatile conditions resemble late July or even August  weeks ahead of where Oregon normally sits this time of year. Last year, Oregon saw nearly 2 million acres burn in one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent memory.

We knew we were headed into a tough fire season, said Kyle Williams, deputy director at the Oregon Department of Forestry. We really hoped that we would have a little bit more time before we kicked it off in earnest.

Crews made some progress overnight, building dozer lines around portions of the fires southern edge and trying to use old roads and air tankers to block further spread. But officials said much of the fires western flank remains uncontrolled, with crews still working to establish containment lines.

The Wasco County Sheriffs Office has issued varying levels of evacuation for about 3,800 residences affecting 3,035 people. The highest evacuation level  Level 3 (go now)  was in effect for 825 homes as of Thursday afternoon, the sheriff said.

No fatalities have been reported, though officials urged anyone unable to reach a loved one to call a designated message line, at 541-506-2724.

The fire was most likely caused by human activity of some kind, Williams said, but the precise cause is still under investigation.

Meantime, officials have closed nearby state parks, including Mayer State Park and the Rowena Crest Viewpoint. They have also evacuated Cottonwood Canyon State Park because of the Ferry fire burning outside Wasco, about 42 miles to the east.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum remains intact despite its proximity to the Rowena fire.

As the days gone on, Ive heard more information that makes me think that the area around it is as secure as it can be when theres a fire raging, Cheryl Ragar, executive director of the museum said.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email atfzarkhin@oregonian.com.
Dallas parents were arrested and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials while they were on their way to their daughter's graduation in El Paso, Texas.

The couple's daughter, Jennifer Granados Rojas, said that her parents had been living in the United States for more than two decades. This is where they raised their children and made their home.

Dallas Parents Detained by ICE

Another daughter of the couple, Brisa Granados Rojas, said that they became emotional seeing her parents being taken away as they weren't able to give them a "last hug." The Granados Rojas family was traveling on May 19 to attend their daughter's college graduation from the University of Texas at El Paso.

While the couple was driving through Taylor County, they were stopped by state troopers who said their vehicle did not have a front license plate. Jennifer said that the troopers then asked the entire family to provide documentation, according to CBS News.

The daughter noted that after they provided their documentation, it took a long time before a truck pulled up that belonged to ICE or Border Patrol. Officials then asked the student's father to step out of the car.

Read more: Federal Judge Blocks Efforts To Transfer Milford Teen Arrested by Ice to Rhode Island

Officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) then detained the father, Jorge Granados Rojas, and the mother, Esperanza Granados Rojas, shortly after. The development meant that their 16-year-old son was left at home without his parents.

Brisa expressed her anger at the situation, adding that she does not know when she will see her parents again, if at all. It was revealed that a CBP agent said that while the family entered the country legally, the parents' detention was because they did not have valid visas, MSN reported.

Donald Trump's Immigration Crackdown

An unidentified CBP agent said that the detained parents now have two options moving forward, which are either going back voluntarily or fighting their case. A spokesperson for ICE said that the couple overstayed their tourist visa and had expired driver's licenses when state troopers pulled them over.

The situation comes as protests have erupted across the United States as President Donald Trump continues his immigration crackdown policies. Residents in New York City held two consecutive days of demonstrations outside the U.S. Federal Building in Lower Manhattan that ended in multiple arrests.

The protests have now spread to other major cities, including San Francisco, Washington DC, Seattle, Chicago, and some parts of Texas. The chaos has forced the president to send the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles, as per GMA Network.
The United States Supreme Court unanimously sided with a teenage girl in a disability discrimination case, making it easier for students who have disabilities to sue to enforce their rights under relevant laws.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for a unanimous court, said that while the decision on Thursday might be narrow, it did not diminish its importance for the many children who have disabilities and are facing struggles daily.

Supreme Court Rules in Disability Discrimination Case

The development is centered around a teenage girl, Ava Tharpe, who suffers from serious disabilities caused by a rare form of epilepsy. She suffers from many seizures regularly, the majority of which happen in the morning hours.

This has forced the student's public school in Kentucky to arrange her schedule to only be in the afternoon and includes a teacher who teaches her at home in the early evening. However, when the teenager's family moved to Minnesota because of her father's work, her new school refused to provide accommodation for her disabilities, according to NPR.

This forced the teen to only get two-thirds of the instructional time in school compared to the total time that other students were receiving. The Osseo Area School system relented after years of litigation but the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Tharpes' claims for compensatory damages.

Read more: Michigan Supreme Court Refuses To Hear 2021 Oxford High School Mass Shooting Civil Cases

This essentially meant that they would not be reimbursed for various expenses, including experts, outside teachers, and lawyers that were needed to get equal treatment for their daughter.

The school district tried to defend its decision by saying that a higher standard, a stringent requirement that the institution had acted with "bad faith or gross misjudgment, should apply to the teenage girl's case, the New York Times reported.

Helping Americans With Disabilities

This particular argument did not go well among some disability rights groups, which argued that a ruling for the school may make it much more difficult for Americans with disabilities to bring court challenges.

But because of the Supreme Court's ruling, the teenage girl is now able to press her case in lower courts. Lawyers for the family wrote a petition to the court, arguing that the case presents an "exceptionally important issue for children with disabilities and their families."

Public school districts shared concerns about limited resources, arguing that the way to handle the case was not by lowering the standard for families like the Tharpes but by raising it for everyone else. However, the court dismissed that argument as arriving too late in the litigation, as per CNN.
The Estonian Ministry of Defense has announced a new delivery of artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

"Estonia has delivered more artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Ukraine's security is European and transatlantic security. We must keep supporting Ukraine  so it can defend itself and achieve a just, lasting peace," the ministry said on the X social network.
Baltimore County police officers arrested a local gym teacher at Perry Hall High School and charged him with child sex abuse charges.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Sean Brooks, was still in official custody on Wednesday without bond. A school letter sent to parents revealed that the individual had been a teacher at Perry Hall High School since August 2017.

Gym Teacher Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Minor

In the letter, school principal Abbey Campbell said the charges against Brooks are "deeply disturbing," adding that his alleged behavior is completely "unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

Additionally, the principal said that following his arrest, the gym teacher had been placed on administrative leave and had been barred from all district property, according to Yahoo News.

Judge Marsha L. Russell expressed concern at the fact that an authoritative figure such as Brooks is facing such allegations from several people and that the actions have reportedly been happening over several years.

The suspect's attorney, Staci Pipkin, pushed for her client to get home detention because the gym teacher lives in Harford County. This means that he has no reason to go to Baltimore County or near the school.

The attorney added that her client would not be home with any children because he and his wife, who was also in the courtroom on Thursday, do not have any kids. Judge Russell also denied Brooks' bail and instructed that he be barred from having any contact with anyone under 18 years old because of concerns for public safety, The Baltimore Banner reported.

Girls Detail Supposed Misconduct

Three girls at Perry Hall High School detailed physical contact with the gym teacher, charging documents showed. The three girls alleged that Brooks touched them on their thighs, kissed them, and hugged them from behind.

Several other students also reported being witnesses to the defendant's interactions with some girls at the high school. On top of the sexual abuse charges, Baltimore County detectives are accusing the gym teacher of grooming the girls.

Brooks' attorney added that her client denies the allegations against him, arguing that the only sexual contact that is being alleged is "essentially hugging." The defendant's wife did not comment following her husband's Thursday hearing.

In a similar incident, Baltimore County police said that a middle school gym teacher was arrested over allegedly sexually abusing students. The suspect in that case was 61-year-old Roger Myers.

Deep Creek Middle School in Essex said that the individual was placed on administrative leave in January. The school's principal, Laura Kelly, said that the charges against Myers were "deeply troubling," adding that this behavior is unacceptable, as per CBS News.
A sign with the company's logo stands outside a Rite Aid store in Salem, N.H., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File) AP

A Rite Aid store in York County is on the companys latest list of closings.

The store at 910 W. Broadway in York Township, near Red Lion, is closing, the chain said in a bankruptcy filing on Friday. More than 200 stores are on the latest list.

The latest round of store closures for Rite Aid adds to the hundreds of locations previously announced as the pharmacy chain navigates its second bankruptcy filing.

The 207 stores are in addition to the 497 stores Rite Aid previously announced it would close.

Last month, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy for a second time to pursue a strategic and value-maximizing sale process for substantially all of its assets.

Most Rite Aid stores, more than 1,200, are expected to close.

Rite Aid announced that it had entered into agreements for its pharmacy assets of more than 1,000 stores across the country with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, and Giant Eagle.

CVS Pharmacy said that it has agreed to acquire the prescription files of 625 Rite Aid pharmacies across 15 states in areas that CVS serves, as well as acquire and operate 64 Rite Aid stores in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Those agreements were approved in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, according to Reuters.

This store in Manchester Township is one of 13 York County Rite Aid locations that have closed or are closing within the last few years.

Rite Aid has also announced closings in recent years in Fairview Township, Hanover, West York. Newberry Township, Hopewell Township, Dover Township, Penn Township, Carroll Township, Jackson Township, Springettsbury Township, Manchester Township and York.

Rite Aid is also laying off 501 people who work at or report to the companys Valley Green Office Facility at 200 Newberry Commons in Newberry Township.
FILE - A sign on the sidewalk outside an antique store in Spartansburg, Pa., on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. Shawn C. Cranston was found guilty Thursday of killing a pregnant Amish woman in 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) AP

A 53-year-old truck driver was found guilty on Thursday of murdering a pregnant Amish woman inside her Crawford County home back in 2024.

A jury found Shawn Cranston guilty second-degree murder of an unborn child, and related charges, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office.

Rebekah Byler, 23, was found dead in the living room of her home in Sparta Township on Feb. 26, 2024.

Prosecutors said that Cranston targeted Bylers home for a burglary, and, after encountering her in the home alone, cut her throat and shot her.

An autopsy showed Byler, 23, died of sharp force injuries and a gunshot wound to the head, the release stated.

It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home, Attorney General Sunday said in the press release. Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven  this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.

During the trial, prosecutors highlighted that included: a piece of a glove found at the home containing Cranstons DNA; shoe prints and vehicle tire treads that matched Cranstons shoes and vehicle; and GPS data from Cranstons vehicle that placed him at the scene.

The trial lasted for four days and it took a jury less than three hours to reach a verdict, according to YourErie.com.

I commend our team and the Pennsylvanian State Police for dealing with this truly horrific case and focusing on the facts, which clearly pointed to Shawn Cranstons guilt, Sunday said in the release.

Cranston will be sentenced next month.
Eric Dane to speak about ALS diagnosis in first interview with Diane Sawyer. Axelle | Bauer-Griffin | FilmMagic

Actor Eric Dane came to tears recently while speaking out for the first time about his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The former Greys Anatomy star is set to have his first sit-down interview since revealing his diagnosis.

On Thursday, the 52-year-old actor appeared in a teaser clip for an upcoming segment on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, speaking about his health.

I wake up every day and Im immediately reminded that this is happening, Dane told Sawyer. Its not a dream.

Dane, a father of two, first publicly revealed to People in an exclusive interview that he had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, in April.

I have been diagnosed with ALS, he shared at the time. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.

The 30-second clip featured Dane and Sawyer hand-in-hand, while the two discussed life after being diagnosed. Fans will then see Dane become incredibly emotional and break down in tears over the topic.

I dont think this is the end of my story. I dont feel like this is the end of me, he said.

ALS, which is a degenerative neurological disorder, is a condition where symptoms worsen over time, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The NIH notes that ALS causes motor neurons, a type of nerve cell in the brain and spinal cord to deteriorate, causing the muscles to weaken and eventually leads to paralysis. This takes away a persons ability to move, speak, or even breathe.

There is currently no cure for ALS but there are treatments, including FDA-approved medications, physical and speech therapies. Treatments could slow down the progression of the disorder and improve the quality of life for the ALS patient.

Sawyers interview with the Euphoria star will air on Good Morning America on June 16.
Harris Yulin, the Emmy-nominated actor who starred in films including Scarface, Clear and Present Danger, and Ghostbusters II, has died at age 87.

Yulin died Tuesday of cardiac arrest in New York City, his family and manager, Sue Leibman, announced. A memorial is scheduled to be held at a later date, according to multiple media outlets, including Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.

In the weeks leading up to his death, the California-born actor was preparing to start production on the Michael Hoffman-directed series American Classic, which was to star Yulin, together with Kevin Kline and Laura Linney.

Harris Yulin was very simply one of the greatest artists I have ever encountered, Hoffman said in a statement to USA Today. His marriage of immense technique with an always fresh sense of discovery gave his work an immediacy and vitality and purity Ive experienced nowhere else.

And what he was as an actor, he was as a man, the grace, the humility, the generosity. All of us at American Classic have been blessed by our experience with him. He will always remain the beating heart of our show.

Over the course of his career, Yulin played more than 100 roles on stage and the screen, including his extensive work on Broadway.

The veteran actor was born on November 5, 1937, in Los Angeles, but made his acting debut in New York, performing on stage in Next Time Ill Sing to You in 1963.

His film debut was in 1971s Doc, where he played Wyatt Earp opposite Stacy Keachs Doc Holliday. His Broadway debut happened in 1980 in Watch on the Rhine. He later returned to the big stage for big productions such as The Diary of Anne Frank, The Price, and Hedda Gabler.

He then landed one of his most memorable roles of his career in Brian De Palmas Scarface in 1983, where he played corrupt police officer Mel Bernstein. In 1989, Yulin landed another coveted role as Judge Stephen Wexler in Ghostbusters II.

The following decade, he displayed his vast range for both thrillers and comedies, where he played corrupt national security advisor in the Harrison Ford 1994 movie Clear and Present Danger and then acting alongside Rowan Atkinson in 1997s slapstick movie Bean.

Yulin also appeared in other roles such as a lawyer of a boxer in 1999s The Hurricane, a secret service agent in 2001s Rush Hour 2 and Detective Doug Roselli in Training Day.

The beloved actor made his mark in television as well, appearing in a string of shows such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 24, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fraiser, and Entourage.

In recent roles, from 2017 to 2018, he played the role of Buddy Dieker in the Netflix crime drama, Ozark.

In the early 1970s, Yulin had a public relationship with Faye Dunaway. He was married to actress Gwen Welles from 1975 until her death in 1993 from cancer. He then married actress Kristen Lowman in September 2005. She survives him, as does son-in-law Ted, nephew Martin and godchildren Marco and Lara. Hes also predeceased by his daughter, actress Claire Lucido.
Said Zach Waltz, PWA vice president and director of operations at his family-owned winery: 'Were grateful for the Shapiro administrations recognition of the economic and cultural value of Pennsylvanias wine and grape industry, and we look forward to showcasing the best our state has to offer.' Waltz was joined by Pa. Ag Secretary Russell Redding, right. Emily Damiano

There are a number of Pennsylvania wine industry success stories.

The state Secretary of Agriculture on Wednesday chose one of those, Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery in Lancaster County, to announce an investment of $224,190 in agriculture promotion grants to support projects aimed at increasing domestic sales or exports of Pennsylvania agricultural products.

Russell Redding made the announcement at one of the states top wine producers, located at 1599 Old Line Road in Manheim, during an early afternoon event that featured a tour of winemaking operations, the grounds, and the tasting room.

One of many PA Farm Bill-funded initiatives to grow Pennsylvania agriculture, the grants will reimburse nonprofits up to 50% of costs for projects educating consumers, promoting specific agriculture sectors, growing the consumer base for Pennsylvania products, or promoting regional agriculture-based tourism.

Pennsylvania families produce the quality food and drinks that bring families around the world to the table, and not only that, the table and the fine hardwood its made of, Redding said of two leading ag sectors supported in this years grants. Pennsylvanias wine industry has grown from William Penns vines in colonial Philadelphia into the nations fourth-ranking wine producer. And from its beginning as Penns Woods, we have grown to be the nations number one hardwood exporter, driven by the excellence of family-run businesses.

One of the projects supported by the grants will be the Pennsylvania Wine Associations (PWA) Fall Harvest Celebration, set for later this year. Waltz Vineyards will be among the participating wineries.

The Harvest Celebration is a new event for the PWA, said Zach Waltz, director of operations at Waltz Vineyards, who was among several speakers at Wednesdays event. Hes also vice president of the PWA. The purpose of this event is to focus in on the best wines that each participating winery has to offer. We believe that this will help to educate attendees on the level of high-quality wines being produced throughout the state, and also which varietals of wine stand out on a regional and state level. These are the types of events that we believe will help to continue to put Pennsylvania wine on the map as a significant wine region.

Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery has been an annual winner of state and national awards over the past 10 years. Emily Damiano

For four generations, the family grew traditional crops, including tobacco, corn, soybeans and wheat. But Jan and Kimberly Waltz saw the potential for a different product, and in 2000, made their first wine in an exterior garage. By 2009, several acres of vines were planted, and their European-inspired tasting room opened.

Since then, the winery has won numerous state, regional and national awards, has built a large network of partnerships with many restaurants and other establishments that carry their products, and just opened a fourth location, a wine bar and lounge in Lampeter, Lancaster County.

A view overlooking the Waltz family farm at 1599 Old Line Road in Manheim, Lancaster County. Emily Damiano

This was previously a Britain Hill winery location that we took over after they left, Zach told PennLive. Its a beautiful spot just outside of Lancaster city, [with a] cool small-town feel. We are also doing food service there and serving local beer.

It continues to operate its Wine Shop at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, which includes a main floor and a loft with more tables outside on a patio, and nearby at The Olde Mill Restaurant, where it handles the beverage side of that operation.

And, of course, visitors are welcome to the farm winery Mondays through Saturdays, just to taste or open a bottle, or for one of the events that sprinkle the winerys calendar.

Per the most recent data, released in 2024, Pennsylvanias wine and grape industry supports 10,756 jobs and contributes $1.77 billion to the state economy annually and ranks fourth in wine production nationally. With more than 400 licensed wineries across five distinct regions, Pennsylvania wineries generate $747 million in tourism revenue every year.

Waltz has been among the most consistent producers of quality wines in the state for years now.

Among several other initiatives this year, Zach said, is the planned release of a sparkling rose made in the Charmat style, which should be out around the time it holds another harvest festival, which he said was such a big success last year.

How that family farm evolved largely into a business producing grapes and wine, including interviews with Zach and Jan Waltz, can be seen in the video below.

Also attending the event were PWA President Mark Rozum, of Black Dog Wine Company, and state Sen. James Malone, D-Lancaster County.

Wednesdays announcement covered more than just the wine industry, with agriculture promotion grants being awarded to the following recipients:

Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group  $5,828

Elevating the role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in Pennsylvanias hardwood industry  McKean County

Friends of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Foundation  $23,730

Support for educational events promoting Pennsylvania agriculture during the PA Farm Show  Pennsylvanias state fair

Keystone Wood Products Association  $7,500

Exposing students to wood-product manufacturing and forest products industry careers using 360 videos and virtual reality goggles

The Waltz Vineyards tasting room in Manheim is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays. Emily Damiano

Pennsylvania Beef Council  $49,990

PA Beef to PA Schools  connecting school food service professionals to beef producers to support local farms and get quality protein in school lunches

Pennsylvania Forest Products Association  $53,000

Supporting education, promotion, and outreach initiatives related to forestry and the wood products industry in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation  $47,000

Statewide education promoting Pennsylvania agriculture

PA Sustainable Forestry Initiative  $6,000

Video series promoting sustainable forestry practiced by Pennsylvanias hardwoods industry  Clearfield County

Pennsylvania Wine Association  $31,142

PA Wine Harvest Celebration  Lancaster County  Wine-tasting event celebrating Pennsylvania vintners and winemakers during Wine Month in October
Silver Airways, a Florida-based airline, left travelers stranded at the airport Wednesday after announcing the company's bankruptcy. Canva

It is not fun to be stranded when you have plans to fly somewhere, but that is exactly the situation some travelers found themselves in recently.

And the reason why ... well, that one is pretty hard to believe.

Regional airline Silver Airways, based in Florida, suddenly cancelled all flights on Wednesday, according to multiple reports. The move left travelers stranded and its all due to bankruptcy.

The airline operated flights between Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025, the company posted on its social media pages. In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silvers flight operations.

Please do not go to the airport, the airline wrote. All credit card purchases should be refundable through your credit card company or your travel agency.

The major shutdown occurred because a potential buyer decided not to fund the airlines operations during a sale out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

The airline had originally hoped to obtain more capital and undergo a financial restructuring to strengthen its position, Silver airlines said in December.

For this reason, per the airlines message on its social media, all tickets purchased by credit card will be fully refundable to the form of purchase.

According to Robert W. Mann Jr., a former airline executive officer and current president of R.W. Mann and Co., an independent airline consultancy, tickets not purchased by credit card will still be eligible for refunds, but would-be passengers will have to get in line with other airline creditors.

Per Mann, passengers with tickets who need to travel soon will likely need to purchase tickets on other airlines at higher prices.

Nassau, Bimini, St.Kitts and St. Maarten were among some of the tropical destinations the airline served, in addition to multiple cities in Florida, according to its website.

The shutdown marked the end of a 14-year run for the company.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday in strikes that targeted the countrys nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program boiled over and Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

Countries in the region condemned Israels attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

Israels military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Two security officials said the countrys Mossad spy agency was also able to position explosive drones inside Iran ahead of time and then activate them to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran as well as strike systems on vehicles, which were activated as the attack began to hit Iranian air defenses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the highly secretive missions and it was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) AP

The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.

The leader of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported, a significant blow to Tehrans governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of its long-simmering conflict with Israel.

The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

Israel claimed it killed Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Revolutionary Guard missile program. Iran did not immediately acknowledge his death officially, though rumors of his death had been circulating for some time online.

Hajizadeh is a major commander within the Guard, overseeing its ballistic missile arsenal.

In response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel, with both Iraq and Jordan confirming they had flown over their airspace. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

In his first public comment about the attacks, U.S. President Donald Trump again urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear program, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

Without saying whether he was privy to specific Israeli plans, Trump said there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he wrote. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Washington had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Irans nuclear enrichment program. It stressed the U.S. had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

Debris from an apartment building is seen on top of parked cars after a strike in Tehran, Iran, early Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) AP

It seemed likely the U.S. suspected an attack could be in the offing, however, with Washington on Wednesday pulling some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

Israel calls attacks preemptive strikes on Irans nuclear program

Israeli leaders cast attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

Over the past year, Israel has been targeting Irans air defenses, hitting a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery in April 2024 and surface-to-air missile sites and missile manufacturing facilities in October.

Nervous Israelis rushed to supermarkets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere to buy bottled water and other supplies, and circulated messages on WhatsApp groups advising each other to prepare their shelters for potential long-term use.

Iran claims Israel targeted residential areas

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers, Khamenei said in a statement.

For Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now over 20 months old.

There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran is a major threat, and Israels opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a staunch critic of Netanyahu, offered his full support for the mission against Iran. But if Iranian reprisals cause heavy Israeli casualties or major disruptions to daily life, public opinion could shift quickly.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

I believe that the day of your liberation is near, the Israeli leader said.

Multiple sites in the Iranian capital were hit in the attack, which Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites. Also targeted were officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Irans uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was closely monitoring radiation levels.

The strike on Iran pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack. It wasnt immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian airspace or just fired so-called standoff missiles over another country. People in Iraq heard fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack. Israel previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq.

Tension had been growing for weeks

The potential for an attack had been apparent for weeks as angst built over Irans nuclear program.

Once the attacks were underway, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert telling American government workers and their families to shelter in place until further notice.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday in the White House Situation Room, where he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers.

Israel has long been determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a concern laid bare on Thursday when the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years censured Iran over its refusal to work with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and install more advanced centrifuges.

Even so, there are multiple assessments on how many nuclear weapons Iran could conceivably build, should it choose to do so. Iran would need months to assemble, test and field any weapon, which it so far has said it has no desire to do. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess Iran does not have a weapons program at this time.

In a sign of the far-reaching implications of the emerging conflict, Israels main airport was closed and benchmark Brent crude spiked on news of the attack, rising nearly 8% before retreating slightly.
The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) transferred the Sea Baby unmanned naval boat to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War.

"This drone successfully completed several missions and traveled more than 4,000 kilometers in total across the Black Sea. In particular, the presented Sea Baby conducted a 'sea battle' with Russian aviation in December 2024. The drone received significant damage, but completed combat missions and returned to its base. Currently, the damage does not allow it to be used for its intended purpose, so the boat was fully secured and transferred to the museum," the SBU said in a Telegram statement on Friday.

Director of the Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War Yuriy Savchuk is confident that the new exhibit will be extremely popular with visitors.

"It is a great honor for us to host the legendary SBU drone Sea Baby in the museum. This invention forced Russia to hide most of its warships in the Novorossiysk Bay and allowed Ukraine to unblock the "grain corridor." I am sure that this exhibit will be wildly popular among visitors. Everyone will want to touch the modern history created by real heroes," he said.
President Donald Trump gestures after speaking during a summer soiree on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

President Donald Trump proposed what he believes should be a new crime during his Tuesday speech at Fort Bragg.

And now he has backing from Missouri Senator Josh Hawley.

These are animals, but they probably carry the flags of other countries, but they dont carry the American flag, Trump said of the protestors in Los Angeles while speaking at Fort Bragg. They only burn it. Did you see a lot of the flags being burned? They werent being burned by people from our country or by people that love our country. People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year.

Thats what they should be doing, he continued. One year. And well see if we can get that done. We are working with some of your senators. I know Senator Josh Hawley is very much involved.

People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year, he said. Well see if we can get that done. Were working with some of our senators.

The president reportedly then appeared on a podcast hosted by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine where he against laid out his plan.

I happen to think if you burn an American flag  because they were burning a lot of flags in Los Angeles  I think you go to jail for one year, he said. Just automatic.

Hawley reportedly introduced legislation that aims to follow through on that on Thursday. The bill would reportedly add a year in prison for flag burners on top of a rioting conviction.

I would hope that every Republican would vote for it, Hawley said. Even my Democratic colleagues. This is the symbol of our nation.

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution says that no one shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, so the automatic part would require a major adjustment to the Constitution.

Flag burning is not currently illegal in the United States because the Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that it was protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. So, that part would likely require a big adjustment  or a flip by the court  as well.

Fox reported that Hawley hopes to get around the First Amendment protection by arguing that it is not extended when the flat is burned in furtherance of committing a federal crime.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump listen to California Gov. Gavin Newsom after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

California Governor Gavin Newsom offered some cutting words on social media for President Donald Trump Thursday as he battled to retain command of the states National Guard.

He might have spoken too soon.

The courts have ruled, Newsom wrote on X. The Guard will be back under my command  and Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow.

But that might not play out the way Newsom thought it would because late Thursday a federal appeals court paused a ruling that required Trump to return control of Californias National Guard to Newsom. That came after Senior US District Judge Charles Breyer ruled earlier in the day that the president unlawfully federalized Californias National Guard to deal with protests in Los Angeles. Breyer ruled that Trump must return control to Newsom by midday Friday.

Newsom did not comment again Thursday after his statement that Trump would be relieved of his command, but it apparently came before the appeals court ruling that put those plans on hold.

Still, CNN explained that Breyers ruling is a significant win for Newsom, who sued Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth this week after Trump took control of his states National Guard and Hegseth sent in Marines.

The courts have ruled.



The Guard will be back under my command  and Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ZV3eC6MZ9u  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 13, 2025

Per CNN, Breyer found in his 36-page ruling that Trumps actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith. Breyer also found that the president did not satisfy any of the requirements that would allow for him to activate Californias National Guard.

Regardless of whether Defendants gave Governor Newsom an opportunity to consult with them or consent to the federalization of Californias National Guard, they did not issue their orders through him, and thus failed to comply with, he wrote.

CNN said Breyers ruling did not address Hegseths use of Marines.

The appeals court, which CNN said consisted of three judges  two appointed by Trump and one by Joe Biden  from the 9th Circuit is planning to hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday.

Newsom took a victory lap on social media, though, and did not back down or comment on the appeals court ruling on Thursday so it will be interesting to see what he has to say on Friday morning.
8 1 / 8 Groups protest Trump and ICE along Interstate 83 from Harrisburg to Maryland border

Gov. Josh Shapiro has a message for those participating in the No Kings protests scheduled in Pennsylvania on Saturday: remain peaceful, lawful and orderly.

Shapiro, in a statement Thursday, stressed the need for calm, while reiterating his commitment to protecting First Amendment rights amid threats by President Donald Trump to use force against protestors.

Shapiro said violence and destruction are unacceptable and not an answer to any political differences.

Demonstrations against the Trump administration are expected at nearly 2,000 locations across the nation, including scores of cities and small towns in Pennsylvania, on Saturday.

The protests are being held the same day as a planned military parade in Washington D.C. that Trump billed as a celebration of the Armys 250th anniversary. The date coincides with Trumps birthday.

The military event has drawn concern from political leaders in both parties, some of whom raised issues about the politicization of the military. This week, Trump deployed National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps forces to Los Angeles to control protests against immigration raids, despite California state leaders asking the federal government to not do so.

Trump also held a rally with active-duty soldiers at Fort Bragg, during which he attacked Democrats, the media, and various other perceived foes  a sharp turn from the militarys traditional of remaining above politics.

In an interview with the Washington Post on Wednesday, Shapiro said Trump is trying to inject chaos into our streets by doing what he did with the Guard in California. We will be prepared to make sure people can peacefully protest and that we do not have violence in our communities.

Protests in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Shapiro noted, were successfully handled by local law enforcement with only one notable confrontation between protestors and police. If National Guard support is needed in Pennsylvania it would be deployed at my direction following a legal process, not the way its been done in California, which I think has been really dangerous, the way the president has gone around set legal precedent, Shapiro told the Post.

In his Thursday statement, Shapiro said the Pennsylvania State Police are coordinating closely with local law enforcement ahead of the weekend, and that we are prepared to keep our communities safe while protecting Pennsylvanians fundamental rights  and we will be working around the clock to ensure both the rights of protesters and the wellbeing of our cities and towns are protected.

Protests on Saturday in Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Carlisle among other municipalities, are being organized by a coalition of liberal-leaning groups under the title of the No Kings movement.

Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, the group wrote, 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.

Groups of protestors also assembled at highway overpasses in south-central Pennsylvania on Thursday. Planned protests for Saturday in the region include:
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office of the the White House, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP

Much has been made of the cognitive health of Joe Biden in his final days as president, but Donald Trump is no spring chicken and he has had a couple of fumbles that have brought his mental health into question of late.

Just this week during a speech at Fort Bragg, Trump spoke out on Bidens mental ability saying that he always knew the former president wasnt the sharpest bulb.

That, of course, is not the appropriate saying. Its not the brightest bulb or not the sharpest tool in the shed, and the fact that Trump somehow came up with a mix of the two did not escape folks on social media. So, the president saw his share of criticism there.

Its possible that the president simply misspoke. Its possible he simply didnt know the correct saying. Something else could be going on. That possibility of something else is what California Governor Gavin Newsom hit at this week as he and Trump beefed over the president taking over the National Guard in California and sending 4,000 troops into Los Angeles.

Newsom said Thursday that Trump fabricated details of a call they had before the president activated the Guard.

(Trump) starts making up all these things he claimed he told me about, which honestly starts to disturb me on a different level, that maybe he actually believes he said those things and hes not all there, Newsom said. I mean it.

He literally, a few days later  claimed he had another conversation with me, Newsom said.

Trump is slated to turn 79 on Saturday.

Trump claims he warned Newsom about using the National Guard. Newsom told the New York Times that was a lie.

On my mother and dads grave, and I dont mess around when I say this, he lied, Newsom said. Dont think for a second he told the truth.

Trumps physician, Sean Barbabella said on April 11 that Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.
National Weather Service predicts sporadic showers and thunderstorms for Harrisburg area, with steady rain most likely Saturday afternoon. National Weather Service (NWS)

Rain is on the way and its not in a hurry to leave, according to forecasters who are predicting sporadic showers and thunderstorms for central Pennsylvania this weekend and through next week.

Central Pa. counties affected by the rain include Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, York and Lancaster. Other counties include Blair, Centre, Cambria, McKean, Snyder, Somerset, Warren, Tioga, Bedford and Lycoming, according to the National Weather Service.

After a short stretch of dry weather in central Pa., showers will kick off Friday afternoon for the Harrisburg area, National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Bauco said.

Theres a 40 to 60 percent chance of showers after 5 p.m. in Harrisburg, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 81, he said. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely, especially between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Temperatures are expected to drop to around 65 overnight.

Bauco told PennLive residents monitor the forecast, as showers will come and go throughout the weekend.

The best chance of steady rain in the Harrisburg area would be Saturday during the early afternoon and throughout the rest of the weekend theres still going to be a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain at all times but it will be more scattered, Bauco said.

In Harrisburg, rain is expected Saturday morning, with thunderstorms possible after 2 p.m. Itll stay cloudy throughout the day, with highs around 76.

That could impact thousands of central Pa. protesters who are expected to participate in a series of No Kings rallies against the actions of Donald Trump.

Showers and storms could stick around into the night, with temperatures dipping to the low 60s. Most areas will see light rain, but heavier downpours are possible.

Sundays looking soggy, too, possibly impacting any outdoor Fathers Day events. Showers are likely in the afternoon, with a high around 73 and a light breeze from the east.

Rain could continue into the night, along with a possible thunderstorm. Overnight temps will stay mild, in the mid-60s.

Bauco said there will be scattered thunderstorms for Harrisburg and counties west of the capital city have a higher chance (50 to 60 percent). As the storms continue to move west the chances will increase to 80 and 90 percent, he said.

Mondays keeping the wet streak going, with showers likely during the day and highs around 74. A few showers could linger into the night. Overnight lows will be in the mid-60s.

Rain continues to be in the forecast through Thursday.

National Weather Service predicts sporadic showers and thunderstorms for Harrisburg area, with steady rain most likely Saturday afternoon. National Weather Service (NWS)

Bauco said the National Weather Service is expecting an inch to two inches of rainfall over the next two to three days for southwestern Pa. He said 50 percent of the western Pa. will also experience those same outcomes.

NWS meteorologists are also expecting less than an inch of rain for the Harrisburg area, he said.

After this weekend, Bauco told PennLive were still looking at daily chances of rain for the middle of next week, itll probably go into Thursday and maybe even Friday.

Heres the NWS forecast for Harrisburg and vicinity through the rest of the upcoming week:

Tuesday

A 40 percent chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.

Tuesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Juneteenth

A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
By State Sen. Devlin Robinson

Does being a registered independent mean your vote matters any less? In Pennsylvania, it sure seems that way, at least according to the states primary election system.

Nearly 1.35 million and counting  independent voters are prevented from casting their ballot during these primary elections. Only 10 states prohibit independent voters from participating in primaries, and Pennsylvania is one of them.

Pennsylvania primary elections give parents, grandparents and others a chance to have a say in choosing local leaders, including their school board. However, many of these voters are left out of Election Day because they do not identify as a Democrat or a Republican.

Is this fair for concerned parents who only want the best for their children but happen to be registered as an independent? Of course not, and it needs to change.

Local school boards and the administrations they oversee have control over most decisions made at Pennsylvania schools. Everything from curriculum and grading scales to personnel and property tax increases just to name a few, are all decided by our local school boards.

Primary elections can be critically important for our childrens education. Candidates for board director can cross-file with both parties in the primary election, a move that encourages them to appeal to voters across the political spectrum. Ironically, unaffiliated and independent voters are excluded from weighing in during the primary.

The primaries are a huge opportunity to let voters make a difference in local politics. But if a large chunk of voters is not allowed to do so because they are independent, then no change can be made in their local communities. This could lead to empty party slots during the primary election which will give political parties the right to fill it with candidates of their choice.

The best way to encourage more people to head to the polls is allowing open or semi-open primaries in Pennsylvania. (A semi-open primary would allow independent voters to choose to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary.) In these school board races, if independents had the right to vote, there would be greater competition, leading to a wider range of viewpoints being represented and a more diverse group of candidates.

In Pennsylvania, about 15% of voters are registered independent, and that number continues to surge. Since 2010, independent voter registration in the state has grown by 25%. That is a significant number of voters being left out of the primary election, well over a million and climbing.

Its important to note that 49% of veterans are independent votersfolks who have honorably served our country and have a unique and meaningful perspective on government operations.

Support for semi-open primaries in Pennsylvania is also growing. A recent poll from Pennsylvania Voters First found that 82% of voters polled in favor of having semi-open primaries, with 64% expressing strong support. States with open primaries have reported a decrease in political polarization after switching to this system.

I am proud to be part of a group of state senators from both parties who are cosponsoring a bill introduced by my colleague State Sen. Dan Laughlin that would allow independents to choose a Republican or Democratic primary while maintaining party-specific voting for registered party members. A similar bill has been introduced in the state House of Representatives this year. This reflects the will of Pennsylvanians.

In a recent survey, 69% of Pennsylvania voters say they support this new proposal, with a majority of voters from both parties and independentssupporting.

While discussions continue in the General Assembly on various election reforms, including a voter ID provision that maintains strong support from Pennsylvania voters, there is no better time than now to consider making these elections more accessible for independent and non-affiliated voters. Our closed-primary system prevents more than a million Pennsylvanians from voting. It is time we take a step in the right direction and open the primaries to all voters, no matter what party they do or do not identify with.

Our childrens education depends on it.

Sen. Devlin Robinson represents the 37th Senatorial District,which includes parts of Allegheny County.
Members of the National Guard conduct exercises after being deployed to the Los Angeles protests Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Alamitos, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) AP

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.

The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the Guard was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority.
Russian Foreign Ministry makes statement on Middle East, but forgets to look in mirror  Tykhy

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Georgy Tykhy commented on the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry condemning Israel for "unprovoked smilitary trikes against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable."

"This awkward moment when Russia's Foreign Ministry made a statement about the Middle East but forgot to look in the mirror," the spokesman said on the X social network.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it strongly condemns "Israel's forceful action against Iran in violation of the UN Charter."

Russa added that "unprovoked strikes on a sovereign state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure facilities are unacceptable," and Israel "made a conscious choice in favor of further escalating tensions and raising the stakes."
From June 11th to 13th, the 11th China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF), hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Numerous cutting-edge scientific and technological achievements from Anhui Province were showcased, highlighting the province's strength in technology import-export and digital trade, while fostering industry exchanges and industrial cooperation.

Anhui Province's specially designed exhibition booth was located in the Provincial & Municipal Pavilion (Hall 1). Organized by the Anhui Provincial Department of Commerce, leading technology enterprises such as LCFC (Hefei) and EASPEED, along with the Hefei High-Tech Zone National Digital Service Export Base, presented their latest innovations, demonstrating Anhui's technological prowess and advancements in digital technology, intelligent manufacturing and artificial intelligence. This exhibition served as a multidimensional bridge for global technological exchange and collaboration between Anhui and the world.

LCFC (Hefei) showcased its self-developed "Daystar Bot IS". Integrating intelligent safety control, real-time environmental perception, efficient motion planning, and all-weather operation capabilities, it redefines the paradigm of human-robot collaboration. EASPEED unveiled its interactive air-imaging teleprompter for meetings, leveraging its internationally leading "contactless aerial suspension imaging" technology to deliver a smart, "script-free" speaking experience for conference scenarios. These innovations not only highlight Anhui's vibrant dynamism in cutting-edge technology but also underscore its important role in advancing global technical trade.

This year's CSITF brought together groundbreaking achievements from nearly 20 countries and regions around the world as well as nearly 20 provinces and municipalities across China.





Source: Anhui Daily
Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held a meeting with the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce John Denton, during which, particularly they discussed the reconstruction of facilities affected by Russian shelling.

"We appreciate cooperation with the International Chamber of Commerce. Despite the challenges of war, through the joint efforts of the government, the private sector and with the support of international partners, Ukraine is able to implement projects to reconstruct facilities affected by Russian shelling today," Zhovkva said on the website of the President's Office on Friday.

He said the role of the International Chamber of Commerce is extremely important for attracting international business to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Zhovkva said Ukraine is counting on deepening its partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce. First of all, it concerns the further involvement of international business in the reconstruction of the affected regions and the restoration of the economy after the end of the war.

One of the main topics of the meeting is the preparation for the international Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine, which will be held on July 10-11 in Rome.

The parties separately discussed Ukraine's European integration and the involvement of Ukrainian business in the EU economic space.
"Do your investors know you're more worried about fantasy points than money," Brian Hastings joked with Allen Kessler.

"It's Thursday, so if I bust out now I can go play slots and make some money. There's a 10X multiplier today," Kessler replied.

"Do your investors know you're thinking about slots?" Hastings added.

"I know about slots. I don't know much about poker, but I know about slots," Kessler said.

Philip Sternheimer then raised to 125,000 under the gun and Kessler moved all in for 390,000 in the big blind. "This is the moment," Kessler said as Sternheimer took a minute before calling.

Allen Kessler: AA54

Philip Sternheimer: AQQ10

"Is it at least a three-way all in to guarantee 13th?" Shaun Deeb yelled out from the other table. The board ran out 67663 and Kessler improved to a full house to earn the double up.
Day 2 of Event #38: $100,000 High Roller has come to a close here at the 2025 World Series of Poker hosted at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The event gathered 26 Day 2 entries, with 12 of those joining at the last possible point; notably among those 12 is the current chip leader, Aram Oganyan.

Oganyan sailed through each level of the day on the way to end the session with 20,425,000 chips. He sent multiple people to the rail and scooped numerous big pots including a crucial double-up to establish himself as the frontrunner. However, the hunt for his first bracelet is far from over, with some of the best poker players in the world still in contention.

Second, in chips, Joao Vieira, also bagged a very healthy 13,600,000 chips. Vieira found the dream of running aces into the kings of Isaac Haxton late in the day to balloon his stack after being the epitome of consistency since Level 1 of the event.

Final Table Seat Draw

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Thomas Boivin Belgium 5,400,000 22 2 Emilien Pitavy France 4,200,000 17 3 Andrew Lichtenberger United States 4,800,000 19 4 Ben Heath United Kingdom 4,700,000 19 5 Joao Vieira Portugal 13,600,000 54 6 Aram Oganyan United States 20,425,000 82 7 Isaac Haxton United States 4,650,000 19 8 Vinny Lingham United States 5,000,000 20

The total prize pool for this event grew to $9,939,500, with the $203,960 min-cash reserved for the top 16 places. However, every player has their eyes on seizing one of the most difficult bracelets on the schedule, along with the first-place prize of $2,649,158.

The money bubble was short-lived, as the players went from 18 down to 16 in a flash. Mathew Frankland ran queens into kings to go home in 18th, and then Taylor von Kriegenbergh was the bubble boy after he called the big blind, turned middle pair, and was sent home in 17th at the hands of Haxton.

In this event, every bust out is a notable one, but some that stood out above this long list of superstars were Daniel Negreanu, Stephen Chidwick, Dan Smith, Jason Koon, Brian Rast, Kristen Foxen, Jeremy Ausmus, Erik Seidel, Phil Ivey, and reigning champion Chris Hunichen. Out of these monumental names, only Ivey and Hunichen were able to make the money.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize 1 $2,649,158 2 $1,766,099 3 $1,212,020 4 $857,253 5 $625,491 6 $471,281 7 $367,069 8 $295,883

The players will return for Day 3 on June 13 at 2 p.m. local time, returning to Level 21 (125,000/250,000). They will continue to play 60-minute levels with a 15-minute break after every two levels until a winner is crowned. PokerNews live updates will begin at 3 p.m. to avoid spoiling the stream.

Stay tuned to PokerNews as we cover every update from this and every other WSOP event for the remainder of the summer live from the tournament floor.
Welcome to PokerNews coverage of Event #40: $5,000 Seniors High Roller No-Limit Hold'em. If you are over 50 and a serious poker player, this tournament has likely been on your calendar for some time. The $5,000 buy-in is the highest of the year for those who consider themselves senior competitors. Day 1 produced a total of 748 entries, generating a prize pool of $3,535,280. A total of 272 players will return for Day 2 at the Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas. However, that number is expected to grow, as late registration remains open for the first two levels of the day.

Patrick White enters Day 2 with a chip count of 479,000, securing the second position in the standings. White has demonstrated strong momentum in the 2025 World Series of Poker and will seek to improve upon his 48th-place finish in Event #19: $500 The Colossus. He will be pursuing the chip leader, Paul Snead, who concluded Day 1 with 507,000. Gary Gelman completes the top three with a total of 406,500.

Start of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Paul Snead United States 507,000 209 2 Patrick White United States 479,000 192 3 Gary Gelman United States 406,500 162 4 Stephen Bierman United States 385,000 193 5 Leonardo Fernandez Spain 381,500 154 6 Chuanshu Chen China 335,000 134 7 Fraser Macintyre United Kingdom 331,000 132 8 Samad Rashid United States 325,000 130 9 Vadim Shlez Ukraine 319,500 128 10 Joseph Dipascale United States 306,000 122

Hall of Famers Erik Seidel (69,500), Billy Baxter (205,000), and John Juanda (133,000) are among the returning players set to compete on Day 2. Joining them are well-known figures Victoria Livschitz (151,000), Josh Arieh (128,000) Angela Jordison (228,000), and Mike Matusow (234,000).

Cards will be in the air at noon local time, with plans to play 10 levels, beginning with Level 11, each lasting 60 minutes. Stay tuned to PokerNews for live and exclusive coverage of the 2025 World Series of Poker!
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 
Interfax-Ukraine to host discussion Advance Truth Strategy (ATS) as element of information defense: countering Russian influence, forming positive image of Ukraine in Europe and USA

On Tuesday, June 17, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a discussion entitled "Advance Truth Strategy (ATS) as element of information defense: countering Russian influence, forming positive image of Ukraine in Europe and USA."

Participants include Head of the Ukrainian Security Club, NGO Fund for Assistance to Democracy Yuriy Honcharenko; Coordinator of the initiative group for the creation of the Social-Military Movement, veteran of the Russia-Ukraine war, expert of the Ukrainian Security Club Oleksiy Ivashin; information influence specialist and researcher of information defense Serhiy Demyanov (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Additional info by phone: (063) 765 9085, or at: [email protected] (Yuriy Honcharenko).
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 97F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tony Kukulich is an editor/reporter working in the Beaufort County bureau. Turning to journalism as a second career, he started as a photojournalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. After moving to Bluffton in 2021, he wrote for several area publications before joining The Post and Courier the following year.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low around 75F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Ali Rockett covers the city of Charleston, from inside City Hall to outer West Ashley. She previously worked at papers in Virginia and her home state of North Carolina.
Anna Sharpe covers Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach for the Post and Courier. She graduated from Winthrop University. She previously wrote for the Moultrie News in Mount Pleasant.
Local Government Reporter

Josh Archote covers the city of Columbia and Richland County for the Post and Courier. He graduated from Louisiana State University and has written for the Tampa Bay Times.
Jimmy Nesbitt is the Columbia Editor for The Post and Courier. A 2002 graduate of the University of Kentucky, Nesbitt has worked at newspapers in Kentucky, Indiana, China, South Dakota, Massachusetts and Vermont.
Food & Dining Editor

Parker Milner is the Food Editor of The Post and Courier. He is a Boston College graduate and former professional hockey player who joined The Post and Courier after leading the Charleston City Paper's food section.
Greenville, SC (29601)

Today

Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High around 95F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 73F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Only 3% of Ukrainians have a good attitude towards the Russian Federation, AND another 5% have a good attitude towards the residents of the aggressor state despite their bad attitude towards the state itself, according to a report by Vadym Denysenko and Yuriy Vyshnevsky, prepared by the Dilova Stolytsia analytical center and presented at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Friday.

The report was prepared based on the results of a number of sociological surveys conducted in Ukraine over the past 12 months.

According to the data presented, 2% of respondents easily agree with the Russian Federation's "peace plan," WHILE another 8% consider it difficult, but generally acceptable.

In addition, it is noted that only 3% of respondents would vote in the elections for the former adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, Alexei Arestovich, People's Deputy, head of the deputy group "Platform for Life and Peace" Yuri Boyko, as well as the former People's Deputy, leader of the banned party "Nashi" Yevgeny Murayev. Another 12% expressed their trust in them, but stated that they would not vote for them.

A total of 10.2% of respondents oppose the ban on the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, but only 2.8% stated that they belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), WHILE the rest claim that they do not.

The categories of respondents based on their attitude to the Kremlin's demands, attitude to the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Church overlap only partially: for example, those who can accept the Russian Federation's "peace plan" do not necessarily have a good attitude towards the residents of the Russian Federation or oppose the ban on the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the speakers, the Kremlin will try to create such political projects in Ukraine that would be attractive to all people who share narratives beneficial to the Russian Federation.

However, even in the event of success in the elections, their maximum is ONLY 15%.

"Now the Russians are not so much promoting their agenda as acting as resonators of painful topics, most of which are indeed in the mass consciousness of Ukrainians. At the same time, the presentation of these resonant topics and accents (frequent hyperbolization of the problem) are part of this very psychological operation (IPSO)," the report says, adding that in conditions of war, a sign of information loyalty to the strategic interests of the Russian Federation is no longer the direct promotion of pro-Kremlin theses.

Messages can be presented in Ukrainian, in the format of supposedly constructive criticism, using symbolism, vocabulary and a visual code focused on the Ukrainian national-conscious environment. However, upon careful analysis, such statements resonate with the strategic goals of the Russian Federation, in particular: delegitimization of the Ukrainian authorities, undermining trust in the Ukrainian Defense Forces, forming perceptions of the weakness of the state apparatus, disbelief in victory, fragmentation of the unity of society," the report says.
Editor

Ralph Mancini is an award-winning editor whos been employed by the Post and Courier since 2022. Previously, Mancini served in a variety of newspaper roles in New York City, Washington State and North Dakota.
Nicole Ziege is a Reporter for The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times. She covers government and courts in Myrtle Beach and beyond. She previously covered news in Appalachia and received her journalism degree from Western Kentucky University.
The Kingfisher Inn, a South Strand high-rise that was evacuated last year amid concerns of a potential collapse, was never in danger of falling, according to a newly filed lawsuit.
Anna Wilder covers politics for the Post and Courier. She previously worked as a political reporter for The State newspaper. She's a Florida native and a graduate of the University of Florida. Her work has appeared in outlets like Politico, Miami Herald and the Associated Press.
Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native and the features editor for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival and concert photographer and avid showgoer who used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper as well as national publications.
Charleston, SC (29532)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 96F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low around 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Senior Politics Reporter

Caitlin Byrd is the senior politics reporter at The Post and Courier. An award-winning journalist, Byrd previously worked as an enterprise reporter for The State newspaper, where she covered the Charleston region and South Carolina politics. Raised in eastern North Carolina, she has called South Carolina home since 2016.
Reporter

Christian spent six years in Myrtle Beach before moving to the Upstate. When he's not working, he's reading a book, making a mess in the kitchen or running around Spartanburg.
After the war in Ukraine, the electoral field will change significantly and the attitude towards the Russian Federation will cease to be the main indicator of political sentiment. Instead, the emergence of a party of Eurosceptics is highly likely, Ihor Popov, political scientist and expert of the United Ukraine think tank, has said.

"The war changed everything. First of all, it completely destroyed the pro-Russian voter sector, because several million under occupation, at least 2 million left for Russia. Finally, there was a collapse of illusions regarding, in fact, the Russian leadership, the Kremlin, the imperial project, after the bombing, which they observe on themselves every day... However, the remnants of the mood in this segment, of course, remain. The indicators are language, faith, history and heroes. And in order for these voters not to disperse, so that they remain consolidated, they are constantly reminded of this," Popov said during a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Friday.

He notes that pro-Western voters in Ukraine still have faith in Western help, but in just 3-4 months, the attitude of Ukrainians towards the US leadership has changed dramatically and "the collapse of illusions regarding the West in general" persists.

"There is a risk that Ukrainians' expectations are quite high, because Ukraine deserved the war, Ukraine deserved the fact that it protects the entire West and all of Europe, Ukraine deserved to be accepted into the collective security system and into the collective economy. If this does not happen, the probability of a non-Georgian scenario may increase, I would say more of an Eastern European scenario. That is, a demand for political forces like "Law and Justice" in Poland, like Georgescu in Romania, there are similar parties in Bulgaria, Orban in Hungary. That is, those parties that talk about the priority of sovereign interests, that they do not want to accept migrants according to quotas from Brussels, that they have their own vision and their own program regarding gender values and gender reforms," the expert noted.

Popov also believes that Turkey can also be a model to follow, as a country that waited 30 years for negotiations on EU membership, but in the end declared a different sovereign course and is confidently moving along it.

"And therefore, in this regard, we may have a coincidence with the request of the Ukrainian elites.... Ukrainian elites, they are not very often satisfied with the proposals made by Western governments... And if this is superimposed on the Euroscepticism of the population, then we have great chances of forming a new party of Eurosceptics, which can get a fairly large result literally in the first electoral cycle," the political scientist pointed out.

At the same time, according to him, the question now is with whom such a political force will create situational alliances, "because on a number of value issues, geopolitical issues, they may also coincide with a pro-Russian party."

"And therefore, if in other situations the pro-Russian party, the military party, can oppress the parliament somewhere, then when voting on some other laws, including economic ones, it can create a situational alliance. That is, this is not yet a Georgian scenario, but this is a serious change in the electoral field. And this is a threat because then European integration can freeze on both sides, both from Brussels and from Kyiv for many years," Popov said.
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LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 /Area 52 has been voted the #1 brand for HHC gummies. This title marks its leadership in providing potent, pure, and consistent HHC edibles.The brand stands out for its commitment to scientific precision and consumer safety. In a market filled with unreliable products, Area 52 uses formulas created by biochemists and verified by third-party labs. This ensures a trusted and high-quality HHC experience.(click here to visit Area 52)"When we developed our HHC gummies, our goal was purity and a reliable effect. As a biochemist, I know that creating cannabinoids safely requires expertise and transparency. We crafted our HHC edibles to give you a clean, uplifting experience you can trust every time." -Area 52 FounderDISCOVER THE #1-RATED HHC GUMMIES ENGINEERED FOR POTENCY.In a crowded market, Area 52's approach shines. The difference isn't just a claim; it's a feeling. The first bite leads to a smooth, clear-headed rise that words can't capture.While others use unsafe methods that can leave solvents or metals, Area 52 uses advanced chromatography and multi-stage filtration. This careful process ensures every gummy is free from contaminants and contains only pure Hexahydrocannabinol.Competitors often struggle with dosing, making each experience unpredictable. Area 52 guarantees precision. Each HHC gummy has exactly 25mg of pure HHC, ensuring a reliable, energetic, and euphoric effect. This guarantee is solid.CHOOSE THE SCIENTIFICALLY-BACKED HHC GUMMIES FOR A SUPERIOR EXPERIENCE.Moreover, many HHC edibles use animal-based gelatin, artificial flavors, and unknown ingredients. Area 52's gummies are different. They are made with a vegan-friendly pectin base and all-natural fruit flavors. For those who care about quality, Area 52 is the clear choice.Why Area 52 Offers the Best HHC GummiesBiochemist-Formulated Precision: Every batch is crafted by a biochemist, ensuring safety, purity, and consistency.Potent & Reliable Dose: Each gummy contains a strong 25mg of pure HHC for a dependable, uplifting buzz.Unmatched Purity Standards: Products undergo strict lab testing, with Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) showing they are free of heavy metals and pesticides.Superior American-Grown Hemp: All HHC comes from high-quality, organic, non-GMO hemp sourced from trusted U.S. farms.All-Natural & Vegan Formula: Gummies are 100% vegan, gluten-free, and made with natural flavors and colors, with no artificial additives.The Ideal Sativa-like High: Crafted to create an energetic, creative, and euphoric high without anxiety or paranoia.Risk-Free 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: Area 52 backs its products with a money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the #1 rated HHC gummies confidently.Ranking the Best Brands for HHC GummiesAmong top brands, Area 52 consistently ranks #1. Its expert formulation, verified purity, and quality ingredients set it apart. Other brands may offer decent products, but none match the excellence Area 52 delivers in every gummy.RankBrandKey FeaturePrice RangeArea 5225mg Potency & Biochemist-Formulated Purity$$$Finest LabsLower Potency (10mg); Excellent for Beginners$$Royal CBDSells a Range of Full-Spectrum Products$$$Gold BeeUses Certified Organic Hemp Sources$$$TREHouseFocus on High-Potency Cannabinoid Blends$$3ChiOffers a Very Wide Variety of Novel Cannabinoids$$Bearly LegalSpecializes in a Wide Array of HHC Strains$$Exhale WellnessKnown for Plant-Based, Organic Formulas$$Delta ExtraxFocus on Live Resin & Blended Cannabinoid Edibles$$10MoonwlkrUnique Flavors and Terpene-Infused Gummies$$(click here to shop for the Best HHC Gummies at Area 52)What Are HHC Gummies?HHC gummies are candies infused with Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a cannabinoid from the hemp plant. HHC is made through hydrogenation, a safe process that adds hydrogen atoms to a THC molecule. This change makes HHC stable, resisting degradation from heat and UV light. As a result, HHC gummies last longer than typical THC edibles.Effects-wise, HHC offers a balance: more potent and energetic than Delta-8, but less intense than Delta-9 THC. Users often liken it to a quality Sativa strain, providing a clear-headed, euphoric buzz perfect for creativity and socializing.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about HHC GummiesWhat do HHC gummies feel like?* Users report an energetic, euphoric, and clear-headed high that boosts creativity without the fog or paranoia linked to Delta-9 THC.Are HHC gummies legal to buy online? HHC products from hemp with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are legal federally under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, some states have specific laws, so check local regulations before buying.How long do HHC gummies take to kick in? HHC gummies must pass through the digestive system. Effects usually start in 60 to 90 minutes, lasting 4 to 6 hours.How much of an HHC gummy should I eat? If you're new to HHC, start small. Cut a 25mg gummy in half (12.5mg) or a quarter (6.25mg) and wait at least 90 minutes to see how you feel before having more.Are Area 52's HHC gummies lab-tested? Yes. Area 52 prioritizes transparency. All HHC gummies undergo thorough third-party lab testing for potency and purity, with results (CoAs) available on the website.Will HHC gummies make me fail a drug test? Yes, it's very likely. Most standard drug tests can't distinguish between HHC and THC metabolites, so using HHC products can lead to a positive THC test.About Area 52Founded in 2019 by a biochemist with over a decade of experience in plant medicine, Area 52 was created to offer safer, more reliable cannabinoid products. Our mission is to develop a new class of hemp extracts based on science, purity, and transparency. We reject shortcuts and low-quality sourcing. Instead, we craft premium HHC, THC, and CBD products to elevate consciousness and push the limits of what hemp can achieve. We use only the finest American-grown hemp and advanced formulation techniques to create products that exceed standards.To experience the #1 rated HHC gummies and learn more about us, visitarea52.com Media ContactAva Smith, Area 52, +1 (949) 981-8669, ufo@ area52.com SOURCE: Area 52
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTC PINK:BNXTF)(FSE:4XT), announces that, further to its news release dated May 1, 2025 (the "Default Announcement"), the Company's principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") granted a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") on May 1, 2025, under National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203").Pursuant to the MCTO, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer may not trade in securities of the Company until such time as the Company files its annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, including the related management's discussion and analysis, and CEO and CFO certifications on or before June 30, 2025 (collectively the "Required Documents") and the Executive Director of the BCSC revokes the MCTO. The MCTO does not affect the ability of shareholders to trade their securities.The Company's staff are working diligently with its auditors and the Company anticipates that it will be in a position to file the Required Documents by June 30, 2025. All previously outstanding audit materials related to the Company's German subsidiaries are now in-hand and the consolidations model is complete. Draft financials have been prepared and provided to the Company's audit firm.The Company's Board of Directors and management confirm that they are working expeditiously to file the Required Documents and confirm that since the Company's Default Announcement:There have been no material changes to the information contained in the Default Announcement that would reasonably be expected to be material to an investor;There have been no failures by the Company to fulfill its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information reporting guidelines under NP 12-203;There has not been, nor is there anticipated to be, any specified default subsequent to the default which is the subject of the Default Announcement; andThere have been no material changes in respect of the Company's affairs that have not been generally disclosed.Until the Required Documents have been filed, the Company intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines specified in NP 12-203 by issuing these bi-weekly default status reports in the form of further press releases for so long as the Company remains in default of the Required Documents filing requirement.About BioNxt Solutions Inc. BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience innovator focused on nextgeneration drug delivery technologies, diagnostic screening systems, and active pharmaceutical ingredient development. The Company's proprietary platforms-Sublingual (ThinFilm), Transdermal (Skin Patch), and Oral (EntericCoated Tablets)-target key therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and longevity.With research and development operations in North America and Europe, BioNxt is advancing regulatory approvals and commercialization efforts, primarily focused on European markets. BioNxt is committed to improving healthcare by delivering precise, patientcentric solutions that enhance treatment outcomes worldwide.BioNxt is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange: BNXT, OTC Markets: BNXTF and trades in Germany under WKN: A3D1K3. To learn more about BioNxt, please visit www.bionxt.com Investor Relations & Media ContactHugh Rogers, CoFounder, CEO and DirectorEmail: investor.relations@bionxt.com Phone: +1 778.598.2698Web: www.bionxt.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionxt-solutions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionxt Cautionary Statement Regarding "ForwardLooking" InformationThis news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "may," "could," "will," "plans," and similar expressions. These statements relate to future events or future performance, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated timing for filing the Required Documents, the Company's ability to remedy its filing default, the expected revocation of the MCTO, and the Company's continued compliance with National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions, including assumptions regarding the timely completion of the audit process, the ability of the Company and its auditors to meet required filing deadlines, the accuracy of management's estimates and expectations, regulatory approvals, and market conditions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: delays in the audit process; the Company's inability to file the Required Documents within the anticipated timeframe; regulatory or compliance issues; changes in financial reporting or disclosure standards; unanticipated requests for additional information from auditors or regulators; and other unforeseen financial, operational, or regulatory developments. Additional risk factors are outlined in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca) . The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from expectations.SOURCE: BioNxt Solutions Inc.
Chinese premier meets ECB chief

Xinhua) 08:31, June 13, 2025

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with the European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday met with the European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde in Beijing, where he called for enhanced opening up and cooperation between the two sides.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Li said China is willing to work with the EU to consolidate political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and jointly promote development and prosperity.

The economies of China and the EU are highly complementary, and China has the advantage of a super-large market and market potential that continues to be released, Li said, adding that there is great potential for cooperation between the two sides in many fields.

As two major economies and two major forces, China and the EU should enhance multilateral coordination, promote opening up and cooperation, and make greater contributions to promoting the recovery of the global economy and improving global governance, Li said.

He said China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the ECB on the reform of the international monetary system, and China will firmly expand its opening up and share development opportunities with other countries.

Lagarde said tariff wars and trade wars will only lead to a lose-lose situation, and upholding multilateralism and strengthening the opening up and cooperation are the right options.

The ECB is pleased to establish a meeting mechanism of the central bank governors with China and hold its first meeting, and is committed to strengthening communication and coordination with Chinese financial institutions, expanding and deepening cooperation areas, and jointly addressing global challenges, Lagarde said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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NEW YORK, NY and NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 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 Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: FaceBook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Limited-Time Code "HELGO" Offers Exclusive Free Cases and a 5% Deposit Bonus for All Users Throughout June 2025This special edition promo is part of CSGORoll's summer campaign, giving players full access to rewards across all game modes including Case Battles, Crash, and Esports Betting.LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / CSGORoll has just released a limited-time promo code "HELGO" for new and returning users, available exclusively during June 2025. By redeeming the code, players gain access to a premium set of bonuses designed to give them a head start in some of the most popular CS2 gambling games online.CSGORoll Promo Codes for June 2025CSGORoll BonusPromo CodeBonus DetailsExclusive June BonusHELGORakeback Boost & Free CaseFree Cases BonusHELGO3 free casesFree Coins BonusHELGOget up to 1000 coinsDeposit BonusHELGO+5% deposit bonusBonuses unlocked with HELGO include:3 Welcome Free CS2 Cases5% First Deposit BonusFree Daily Case AccessEntry into Daily Leaderboards Worth Up to 3,000 CoinsExclusive June Bonus - Enhanced Rakeback BoostEsports Betting BonusesDirect Access to Giveaways and Prize ContestsThe code HELGO is free to redeem and open to all registered and new users of CSGORoll. These bonuses can be used to play, win, and collect valuable CS2 skins, coins, and leaderboard rewards instantly.How to Redeem the "HELGO" Promo Code:To make the redemption process as easy as possible, CSGORoll has provided a step-by-step guide:Visit the officialCSGORoll websiteClick on "LOGIN/REGISTER" or "ALT LOGIN"Sign in with Steam or register using your emailNavigate to the "Rewards" sectionEnter the bonus code HELGOClick "Claim" and enjoy the activated bonusesOnce submitted, your account is instantly credited with the advertised rewards, including the exclusive June-only rakeback enhancement.Claim "HELGO" This June to Unlock Exclusive BonusesThe HELGO code was created specifically for CSGORoll's June 2025 bonus cycle, offering unique advantages not available through other codes. It's part of the platform's seasonal campaign to give users even more opportunities to win without upfront spending.CSGORoll confirms that all coins, skins, and cases received through HELGO can be used in the full range of game modes and features available on the platform."We launched HELGO as a thank-you to our players and as an invitation to new users looking to explore everything CSGORoll has to offer this summer. With three free cases, bonus coins, and a unique rakeback perk, this code is our biggest monthly promo yet," said a CSGORoll spokesperson.Is the CSGORoll Promo Code Legit?Yes, promo codes like HELGO are 100% legitimate and officially promoted by CSGORoll as part of their marketing and community reward strategy. These codes are used to:Welcome new users with risk-free bonusesOffer existing players ongoing rewardsEncourage participation in seasonal eventsDrive engagement through affiliate partnershipsCSGORoll uses a provably fair system, and all promo codes are tied to real, platform-backed rewards. There are no hidden fees, conditions, or tricks. The value is real and usable across all games and cases.List of CSGORoll Promo Codes (June 2025 Edition)Here are the latest working promo codes that can be used in June 2025 to claim free cases and bonuses:HELGOHELLACS2HELLANEWGAMBLE-CSGOThese codes are valid once per account. Users should act quickly as some may expire at the end of the month or be replaced with seasonal campaign codes.Comprehensive List of CSGORoll Promo Codes (Updated June 2025)Promo CodeBonus DetailsEligibilityValid ThroughHELGO3 Free CS2 Cases + 5% Deposit Bonus + Exclusive June RewardNew & Registered UsersJune 30, 2025HELLACS23 Free CS2 Cases + 5% Deposit BonusNew Users OnlyActiveHELLANEW3 Free CS2 Cases + 5% Deposit BonusNew Users OnlyActiveGAMBLE-CSGO3 Free CS2 Cases + 5% Deposit BonusNew & Returning PlayersActiveHELLA33 Free CS2 Cases + 5% Deposit BonusNew Users OnlyActiveWhat Do You Need to Use a Promo Code on CSGORoll?To redeem any of the available promo codes, users must:Have a verified Steam accountBe at least 18 years old or of legal gambling age in their regionLog in to CSGORoll via their Steam profileNot have redeemed another promo code on the same accountComply with local laws regarding online gamingNo deposit is required to activate the promo code. Once redeemed, rewards like cases and coins can be used immediately.Benefits of the CSGORoll Cases & Free CoinsUsing CSGORoll promo codes unlocks some of the most generous rewards in the CS2 skin gambling industry. These include:3 Free CS2 Cases: Open them instantly for a chance to win real tradable skins+5% Deposit Bonus: Boost your first top-up and get more value for your moneyAccess to Case Battles, Crash, and Coinflip: Use your free rewards in any of the core gamesLeaderboard Participation: Instantly eligible to compete in prize laddersNo Wagering Requirement: Winnings from free cases and coins can be cashed out or tradedPlayers can stack their rewards and use them across the entire platform - including the marketplace and giveaway system.Bonuses Are Available for All Game ModesWhen you redeem the promo code HELGO on CSGORoll, the bonuses - including free coins, free cases, and deposit boosts - are fully usable across all core game modes. This gives players the flexibility to explore the full platform and test different strategies with minimal risk.Here's how each game mode works and how your bonuses can be applied:CS2 CrashCrash is a high-speed multiplier game where your coin value increases in real-time. Players must choose the right moment to cash out - before the line " crashes." The multiplier can rise rapidly (1.00x to over 100x), but if you wait too long, you lose your bet.Use your HELGO coins to practice different cashout strategies and see how long you can ride the line. It's perfect for building coins from low-risk wagers.CoinflipA classic 50/50 duel where two players bet coins or skins and one walks away with both. You choose your side - red or blue - and let fate decide.Free coins from HELGO can be used to enter coinflips without risking your own balance. It's one of the fastest ways to double up - or go home.DiceDice is a probability-based game where you set a roll-under or roll-over number, then predict the outcome of a digital dice roll. The higher the risk, the higher the reward.The coins you receive from HELGO let you test both low-risk (e.g., 95% win chance)
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Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Grande Portage Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GPG)(OTCQB:GPTRF)(FSE:GPB) ("Grande Portage" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement initially announced on June 3, 2025 and upsized on June 5, 2025 with the sale of 22,500,000 Units priced at $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $4,500,000. 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 . All investors participating in the closing subscribed for Units under the LIFE Exemption, and the Units issued pursuant to the LIFE Exemption are not subject to any statutory hold period in Canada.Each Unit consists 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 entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.26 per Common Share for a period of three years after closing and are subject to a four-month hold period which will expire on the date that is four months and one day from the date of issue. No insiders participated in the Offering. The Offering was conditionally approved by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") but is subject to the final approval of the TSXV.The Company will pay an aggregate of $263,550 in cash and issue 1,317,750 non-transferable Finders Warrants in connection with this offering. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at $0.20 per share for 36 months from the date of closing. All finder's fees are subject to compliance with applicable securities legislation and TSX Venture Exchange policies.Grande Portage intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for furthering the exploration and development of its New Amalga Gold project in Alaska, as well as general working capital purposes.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 is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the New Amalga Gold project (formerly, named the Herbert Gold project) situated approximately 25 km north of Juneau, Alaska. The Company holds a 100% interest in the New Amalga Gold project. The New Amalga Gold project 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 seven million ounces of gold.The Company's updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate reported at a base case cut-off grade of 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au) 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", "plans" or "intends". Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to: 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, ability to obtain all necessary approvals, the final use of proceeds of the Offering, and risks associated with the exploration and development of the New Amalga Mine and our mineral resources. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED UNDER THE POLICIES OF
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BROOKLYN, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 /IEH Corporation (OTC PINK:IEHC) today filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.Highlights include:34% Increase in Revenue over Fiscal Year 2024$4.34M Improvement in Operating Income72% increase in cash on hand, compared to prior yearFor the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2025, IEH had revenues of $28,783,861 as compared to $21,524,544 for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2024 reflecting a 33.7% increase; operating income of $574,862 for Fiscal Year 2025 as compared to an operating loss of $3,760,887 for Fiscal Year 2024 reflecting a $4,335,749 improvement; net income of $999,038 for Fiscal Year 2025 as compared to a net loss of $2,916,902 for Fiscal Year 2024 reflecting a $3,915,940 improvement; and a basic earnings per share of $.42 as compared to a basic loss per share of $1.23 for Fiscal Year 2024.Dave Offerman, President and CEO of IEH Corporation commented, "By almost any discernible metric, IEH's financial health has improved considerably this past year. Our revenue was 3rd-highest in our history, our cash position has improved dramatically since this time last year, inventory relative to revenue is down, and we were profitable in both operating and net income. Our margins continue to be lower than desired due to the rise in our material costs, but price adjustments implemented over the last several months will bolster our gross margins going forward and be reflected in future financial statements. After declining for several months, our backlog has stabilized, and our sales pipeline remains strong. Changes in the competitive landscape offer opportunities to win market share, and we continue to intensify our marketing efforts to target new industries for our signature Hyperboloid products.As previously noted, growth and improvements may still be uneven from one quarter to the next while the commercial aircraft industry continues to produce below their target levels, but our long-term forecasts for that sector, along with strong growth projections in our defense-related business and commercial space launch bode well for IEH in the years ahead.So while it's possible that revenue in Fiscal Year 2026 will be slightly lower than 2025, the overall strength of our sales pipeline, along with efforts underway to improve our product mix and diversify our markets served, should lead to considerable long-term growth.On behalf of the management team and staff of IEH, we again wish to express our sincere gratitude for the support of our valued shareholders. We look forward to sharing more positive news in the coming months and quarters." About IEH CorporationFor over 80 years and 4 generations of family-run management, IEH Corporation has designed, developed, and manufactured printed circuit board (PCB) connectors, custom interconnects and contacts for high performance applications. With its signature Hyperboloid technology, IEH supplies the most durable, reliable connectors for the most demanding environments. The Company markets primarily to companies in defense, aerospace, medical, space and industrial applications, in the United States, Canada, Europe, Southeast and Central Asia and the Mideast. The Company was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995Certain statements contained in this press release, and in related comments by the Company's management, include "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, statements or expectations regarding our financial condition, statements or expectations regarding our revenues, cash and backlog, expectations regarding future cash requirements, revenue and revenue recovery, including for fiscal year 2026 and beyond, projected timelines for making our SEC filings or successfully preventing our registration from suspension or revocation and expectations regarding our efforts and ability to resolve our inventory accounting issues are forward-looking statements. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," "will," "may," "would," "should," "could," or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements are based on certain assumptions that the Company has made on its current expectations and projections about future events. The Company believes these judgments are reasonable, but you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company's actual performance or results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of important factors, both positive and negative, as they will depend on many factors about which we are unsure, including many factors beyond our control. Among other items, such factors could include: any claims, investigations or proceedings arising as a result of our past due periodic reports, including changes in the proceedings related to the SEC's Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings and Notice of Hearing pursuant to Section 12(j) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; our ability to remediate our inventory accounting issue; our ability to reduce costs or increase revenue; changes in the macroeconomic environment or in the finances of our customers; changes in accounting principles, or their application or interpretation, and our ability to make accurate estimates and the assumptions underlying the estimates; our ability to attract and retain key employees and key resources; and other risk factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on June 12, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in our filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Except as may be required by applicable law, we do not undertake or intend to update or revise our forward-looking statements, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information or future events or
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AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Kimbrough Legal, PLLCannounced today thatJhoanny Gonzalezhas joined the firm as an associate attorney, expanding its ability to serve Central Texas families in divorce and family law matters.Gonzalez brings a client-focused approach informed by her experience as a first-generation American and former educator. Fluent in Spanish, she is committed to serving clients from diverse backgrounds with clarity, empathy, and effective legal advocacy."Joining Kimbrough Legal gives me the opportunity to support families at some of the most critical points in their lives," Gonzalez said. "I'm proud to join a team that values compassion and results." Originally from Florida, Gonzalez earned her bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Florida State University and her J.D. from Baylor University School of Law. Her early legal experience includes work as a victim advocate and a background in education through Teach for America in San Antonio."We're proud to welcome Jhoanny to the team. Her experience, language skills, and passion for community service make her a strong asset to our firm and to the families we represent," saidTycha Kimbrough , founding attorney of Kimbrough Legal.Gonzalez is based in Austin and is now accepting new clients in matters involving divorce, custody, and other family law concerns. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Kimbrough Legal, contactinfo@ kimbroughlegal.com About Kimbrough Legal, PLLC Kimbrough Legal, PLLC is a Texas-based law firm dedicated to providing strong and compassionate representation in divorce and family law matters. Headquartered in Austin, the firm advocates for clients with a team-centered approach and a commitment to personalized legal solutions. Kimbrough Legal helps individuals navigate complex legal challenges involving divorce, child custody, property division, and related family law issues.Media Contact: Jhoanny GonzalezKimbrough Legal, PLLCPhone: (833) 553-4251Email: info@ kimbroughlegal.com Website: www.kimbroughlegal.com SOURCE: Kimbrough Legal LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-13 18:30:58

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Texas Digestive Specialists recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Texas Digestive Specialists.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 3, 2025, Texas Digestive Specialists reportedly became the target of a ransomware attack by the cybercriminal group InterLock. The group added Texas Digestive Specialists to its dark web leak site, claiming responsibility for the breach. Upon discovery, third-party cybersecurity observers noted that 263 GB of data- which included 16,920 folders and 215,245 files. These files allegedly included sensitive documents such as lab reports containing protected health information, such as patients' names, dates of birth, testing dates, relevant medical history, lab findings, Social Security numbers,; and financial information.Although Texas Digestive Specialists has not issued a formal public statement or regulatory disclosure yet, the breach was reported on their website. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Texas Digestive Specialists, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Ibotta, Inc. (NYSE:IBTA) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: This lawsuit is on behalf of persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired publicly traded Ibotta securities pursuant and/or traceable to documents issued in connection with Ibotta's April 18, 2024 initial public offering.CASE DETAILS: According to the filed complaint, defendants made false statements and/or concealed that they did not properly warn investors of the risks concerning Ibotta's contract with The Kroger Co. ("Kroger"). Kroger's contract was at-will, and Ibotta failed to warn investors that a large client could cancel their contract with Ibotta without warning. Despite providing a detailed explanation of the terms of Ibotta's contract with Walmart, there was not a single warning of the at-will nature of Kroger's contract. Rather than disclosing the very real risk of a major client walking away at any time, Ibotta provided boilerplate warnings concerning the importance of maintaining ongoing relationships with their clients.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Ibotta stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/ibotta-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=152890&wire=1&utm_campaign=15 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) 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 Vestis Corporation that seeks to recover losses of shareholders who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between May 2, 2024 and May 6, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, 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 Vestis' ability to grow its business; notably that Vestis would be unable to execute on planned strategic initiatives to drive purported improvements to the customer experience and its onboarding efforts in order to drive new customer growth, increased customer retention, and increased revenue from existing customers.On May 7, 2025, Vestis announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, withdrew its revenue and growth guidance for the full fiscal year 2025, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 that fell significantly below market expectations. The Company attributed its poor results partially to "lost business in excess of new business," but primarily on "lower adds over stops, which is how we describe volume changes with our existing customers." The Company attributed its decision to pull full-year guidance and provide disappointing third quarter targets to the "increasingly uncertain macro environment." Following this news, the price of Vestis' common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $8.71 per share on May 6, 2025, Vestis' stock price fell to $5.44 per share on May 7, 2025, a decline of about 37.54% in the span of just a single day.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Vestis stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/vestis-corporation-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=152883&wire=1&utm_campaign=20 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-14 00:20:07

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 /Metavista3D Inc. (TSXV:DDD)(FSE:E3T) ("Metavista3D" or the "Company") announces that, as a result of a continuous disclosure review by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC"), the Company is issuing the following news release to provide clarity regarding its press releases of December 6, 2024, January 14, 2025, January 16, 2025, January 20, 2025, January 24, 2025, January 29, 2025, and February 18, 2025.Automotive Industry and E-mirror SystemOn December 6, 2024, and January 29, 2025, the Company announced that it is engaging with automotive manufactures to provide innovative solutions for replacing traditional physical mirrors, on the basis that its patented technology solves the problem of "blind spots" when merging or changing lanes while driving, a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents.The Company wishes to clarify that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently does not permit e-mirror systems under existing regulations, and the Company has not applied for, nor received, any approval, certification, or exemption from NHTSA for the use of its 3D e-mirror system in vehicles. The claim that the Company's patented technology eliminates physical mirror blind spots is based on research published in an academic paper authored by its Chief Technology Officer, and at this time has not been independently validated by third-party entities.While the Company is optimistic about the potential application of its technology in the automotive sector, the e-mirror system is still under development. The Company has conducted internal tests to validate this application and has developed a demonstration unit, which was showcased at recent trade shows. The next key milestone in the technology's development is to secure a commercialization partner with industry-specific expertise to help bring the product to market and facilitate engagement with the TUV (Technical Inspection Association) in Germany. The TUV assessment process will involve rigorous testing so timing and outcome are uncertain. These results will help demonstrate the system's ability to meet established automotive safety standards, and form the basis for the application to the NHTSA, should such an application be warranted.The Company is currently in discussions with automotive manufacturers regarding potential collaboration opportunities; however, no formal agreements have been entered into at this time. In the absence of support from a tier 1 of tier 2 automotive supplier, the Company does not currently intend to apply for approval, certification, or exemption from the NHTSA in respect of its e-mirror technology. The regulatory pathway for automotive integration of the e-mirror systems is complex and jurisdiction-specific. At this time, the specific steps, timeline, and costs associated with obtaining the necessary approvals remain uncertain and will depend on the requirements of both regulatory bodies and prospective commercialization partners.3D Enhancement Capabilities with Apple iPhoneOn January 16, 2025, the Company announced that it had introduced a proprietary technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) which elevates the 3D capturing capabilities of Apple Inc.'s new spatial photo and video feature. The Company further announced that its patented solution overcomes the depth perception limitations of the iPhone and that the next step in development of the technology would be to have a Metavista3D display on the iPhone or other smartphones.The Company acknowledges that Apple has not publicly disclosed or confirmed any such limitation in its hardware. Any reference to such limitations by the Company is based solely on internal interpretation and not on publicly confirmed data from Apple. The Company wishes to clarify that, while Metavista3D's stereo-based extension technology has been patented and described in an academic paper authored by the Company's CTO, it has not yet been validated by independent third-party reviewers.At present, the Company does not have any formal relationship, partnership, or engagement with Apple in respect of the integration of the Company's stereo-based extension technology with the iPhone. Such integration would depend on access to Apple's proprietary hardware and software, which has not been granted. Absent a formal relationship, the specific steps, timelines, and cost estimates for integration are currently uncertain.65-inch Super Multiview DisplayOn January 20, 2025, the Company announced the launch of its 65-inch Super Multiview nano lenticular display and included statements such as "groundbreaking," "significant leap forward," "trailblazer," and "we are excited to offer a product that not only meets the demands of today's consumers but also sets the stage for future innovations in spatial reality." The Company wishes to clarify that the characterization of the 65-inch Super Multiview nano-lenticular display as "groundbreaking" is primarily due to its unprecedented size. Previously, Super Multiview displays were limited to much smaller formats, with optical elements produced using machines that could not exceed 43 inches. While the Company believes that the 65-inch Super Multiview display is a significant advancement based on publicly documented standards in existing commercial 3D display systems, no independent third-party validation of performance claims has been completed at this time.Currently, the Company's focus has been on making 65-inch demonstration units available to potential customers and launch partners in order to generate bulk orders for the product. Selling demonstration units enables the Company to showcase its technology's capabilities to industry stakeholders, with the goal of driving sales of existing products or entering into a joint agreement to fund the capital expenditures required for large-scale manufacturing. The display is presently supported by general-purpose processors (GPUs) suitable for small batch deployment, prototyping, and demonstration purposes. To scale to full commercial production, the Company must port its software to dedicated hardware platforms such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) or ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits).While the end use case remains the same, the choice between a FPGA and an ASIC based platform is primarily driven by the intended production scale and commercialization strategy. FPGAs are reprogrammable hardware platforms that allow for greater flexibility during development. FPGA-based implementations enable the Company to modify and update its software after deployment, so are well-suited for limited commercial production where speed to market and adaptability
PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-13 12:00:08

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CINCINNATI, OHIO / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Nerdaxe Hydro, a developer of precision liquid-cooled mining hardware, has announced the upcoming release of the NerdQaxe+ Hydro - its first liquid-cooled version of the open-source NerdQaxe+ Bitcoin miner. Launching June 23, this marks a new milestone in solo mining innovation and hardware design.The NerdQaxe+ Hydro introduces direct-to-chip cooling via copper-core cold plates and a carefully engineered coolant loop. The result is a compact, low-noise miner tailored for non-industrial environments - such as home offices, labs, and maker spaces - where thermal management and sound levels are essential.Designed for solo miners, this model combines performance and efficiency in a refined form factor. The custom cold plate assembly was developed in collaboration with CryoByte Labs, known for its expertise in liquid cooling systems for high-performance computing.This launch reflects a growing demand for more sustainable and user-friendly mining solutions that can operate efficiently in residential or small-scale settings. By bringing liquid cooling to the NerdQaxe+ platform, Nerdaxe Hydro is expanding the capabilities of home mining hardware while preserving the open-source ethos that defines the Bitaxe community.Early Access for Insiders: Secure Your Spot Before the Drop Goes LiveOnly a finite number of units will be released in this first drop. To get early access, mining fans are invited to sign up as a Nerdaxe Insider at NerdaxeHydro.com/Nerdqaxe-Insiders . Insiders will receive an exclusive 30-minute head start to place their order when the product goes live.Quantities are extremely limited - every minute will count.Plug in & Win: Be the First to Own the NerdQaxe+ HydroTo celebrate the launch, Nerdaxe Hydro is running a "Plug in & Win" giveaway where one lucky winner will receive:The very first NerdQaxe+ Hydro ever assembledA limited-edition Nerdaxe merch packHow to enter:Follow @NerdAxeHydro on X (formerly Twitter)Like & Retweet the giveaway postSign up at NerdaxeHydro.com/giveaway Deadline to enter: June 22 at 11:59 p.m. EST Winner announced: June 23, 2025Be Early. Be Lucky. Be a Nerd.For press inquiries, partnerships or additional information, contact support@ nerdaxehydro.com Contact InformationJenni WysongChief Marketing Officersupport@ nerdaxehydro.com SOURCE: Nerdaxe Hydro
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Recently, PASHA Holding launched a new platform titled Business Talks by PASHA Holding. This platform serves as a professional space for dialogue and exchange of ideas, focusing on key trends, challenges, and strategic approaches in todays business world. The main objective of the initiative is to provide a forum for local economic stakeholders to jointly discuss innovations and trends across various sectors, exchange insights, and strengthen professional networking.

The platforms inaugural event took place on June 13, 2025, organized by PASHA Holding in partnership with EY Azerbaijan, S&P Global, and the Baku Stock Exchange. Dedicated to the topic of sustainable finance, the event brought together leading representatives of Azerbaijans business and financial sectors. The main objective of the event was to discuss international best practices, new challenges, and strategic approaches in ESG reporting, ESG ratings, and climate-related financial risks, as well as to strengthen networking among local market players.

Welcome remarks were delivered by Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, Governor of the Central Bank Taleh Kazimov, Chief Executive Officer of PASHA Holding Jalal Gasimov, and Country Managing Partner at EY Azerbaijan Ilgar Valiyev.

Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov stated: To effectively promote and implement ESG principles in our country, we are also establishing an institutional foundation. About two years ago, under the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings, which I chair, a sub-group on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards was established under the leadership of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency. This group laid the groundwork for a coordinated and systematic approach among the public, private, and civil sectors.

Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov shared insights into the structural transformation and development prospects of Azerbaijans economy, emphasizing the importance of public-private dialogue. Highlighting the significance of ESG principles encompassing environmental, social, and corporate governance, he noted that these principles play a key role in building a sustainable financial system and a competitive business environment. In the context of global challenges, the application of ESG approaches is essential for developing successful business models focused on long-term growth.

Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Taleh Kazimov provided an overview of reforms and future plans aimed at accelerating the countrys green transition and advancing sustainable finance. He emphasized that under the Central Banks approved Sustainable Finance Roadmap and the Financial Sector Development Strategy for 20242026, sustainable finance has been identified as a key strategic priority.

In his remarks, PASHA Holding CEO Jalal Gasimov emphasized: The Business Talks platform pursues three main objectives: First, to share not only success stories with the audience but also real-life cases, including mistakes made and lessons learned. Second, to enhance the capacity of business leaders by introducing new trends, skills, and ways of thinking. Third, to create an open forum for addressing pressing issues alongside government representatives and jointly identifying solutions.

The event featured two panel discussions and one interactive dialogue session. Both international and local experts shared their experiences on ESG, credit ratings, reporting, and risk management. A focused dialogue on sustainable finance was also held with Shahin Mahmudzade, Director General of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.

Speakers included senior representatives from organizations such as S&P Global Ratings, ACCA, EY, Baku Stock Exchange, International Finance Corporation, PASHA Holding, Azercell, Kapital Bank, SOCAR, and NEQSOL Holding. Discussions provided in-depth analysis on the impact of ESG on business, factors influencing corporate ratings, emerging reporting requirements, and future risks.

Future events of the Business Talks by PASHA Holding platform will continue to focus on discussing strategically important and timely topics of interest to the business community.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-06-13 21:18:35

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces 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: 2025-06-13 04:50:29

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NEW YORK, NY and NEW ORLEANS, LA /ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 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 Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: FaceBook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Mister Quik Home Services Acquires Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling LLC, Expanding Comprehensive Home Services with a Focus on Expert Roofing RepairsINDIANAPOLIS, IN / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / Mister Quik Home Services, a locally owned and operated company serving Indiana for 25 years, is proud to announce the acquisition of Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling LLC, a highly respected roofing and remodeling company based in Carmel, Indiana. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Mister Quik, as it now offers a full range of home services, covering everything from roof to basement and everything in between. Mister Quik Home Services Thomas Jefferson to Mister QuikUnlike many companies in the home services industry, Mister Quik Home Services has remained independent, without outside funding or private equity involvement. This independence allows the company to stay focused on its mission of providing honest, high-quality service to its neighbors across Central Indiana.Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling has been a cornerstone of the Carmel community for years, earning a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, reliability, and customer care. Known for their expertise in roofing inspections, repairs, cleanings, and specialized services, they have consistently delivered high-quality results to homeowners and businesses in Carmel and the surrounding areas.With this acquisition, Mister Quik Home Services is excited to bring the same level of precision and care that Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers have come to expect. At the same time, Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers now have access to Mister Quik's comprehensive home services, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and handyman solutions.A New Era of Comprehensive Home ServicesThe acquisition of Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling allows Mister Quik to expand its offerings and provide customers with a one-stop solution for all their home service needs. Whether it's a leaky roof, a broken furnace, or a plumbing emergency, Mister Quik is now equipped to handle it all."We're thrilled to welcome Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling into the Mister Quik family," said Kerry Tidwell, Chief Operating Officer at Mister Quik Home Services. "This partnership allows us to provide even more value to our customers. Whether it's a roofing issue, a plumbing emergency, or a heating repair, we're now a one-stop solution for all home service needs. Our shared commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures a seamless transition for everyone." Roofing Repairs: A Focus on Precision and LongevityOne of the standout services Thomas Jefferson Roofing brings to Mister Quik is their expertise in roofing repairs. Not all roofs need to be replaced, and the team at Thomas Jefferson Roofing has built their reputation on providing honest assessments and cost-effective solutions for homeowners.Roofing repairs are often the most practical and affordable solution for many common issues, such as:Leaky Roofs: Whether caused by storm damage, aging materials, or improper installation, leaks can lead to significant damage if not addressed promptly. The team specializes in identifying the source of leaks and providing durable repairs.Damaged Shingles: Missing, cracked, or curling shingles can compromise the integrity of your roof. Thomas Jefferson Roofing's experts can replace damaged shingles to restore your roof's protection and appearance.Flashing Repairs: Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is a common source of leaks. The team ensures that flashing is properly sealed and secured to prevent water intrusion.Storm Damage Repairs: Indiana's unpredictable weather can wreak havoc on roofs. From hail damage to wind-blown debris, Thomas Jefferson Roofing has the expertise to restore your roof after a storm.By focusing on repairs rather than pushing for unnecessary replacements, Thomas Jefferson Roofing has earned the trust of homeowners throughout Carmel and beyond. This approach aligns perfectly with Mister Quik's commitment to providing honest, customer-focused service.Preventative Maintenance and InspectionsIn addition to repairs, Thomas Jefferson Roofing emphasizes the importance of preventative maintenance and regular inspections. These services help homeowners identify potential issues before they become major problems, saving time and money in the long run.Regular roof inspections can:Extend the lifespan of your roof.Prevent costly water damage.Improve energy efficiency by ensuring proper insulation and ventilation.Provide peace of mind, especially after severe weather events.Mister Quik Home Services is excited to continue offering these valuable services, helping homeowners protect one of their most important investments - their roof.Comprehensive Roofing Services Now AvailableWith the integration of Thomas Jefferson Roofing, Mister Quik now offers a full suite of roofing services, including:Roof InspectionsRoof RepairsRoof Replacement (when necessary)Whether you need a quick repair or a complete roof replacement, Mister Quik's expanded team of roofing experts is ready to help.Benefits for CustomersThis acquisition brings significant benefits to customers of both companies:One-Stop Convenience: Thomas Jefferson Roofing customers now have access to HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and handyman services, while Mister Quik customers can rely on expert roofing services.Expanded Expertise: The combined knowledge and experience of both teams ensure that every project is completed with precision and care.Local Commitment: Both companies share deep roots in the community and a dedication to serving homeowners in Carmel, Indianapolis, and beyond.Honest, Customer-Focused Service: Both Mister Quik and Thomas Jefferson Roofing are committed to providing transparent, reliable service that puts the customer first.A Shared Commitment to ExcellenceAs a locally owned company with 25 years of experience, Mister Quik Home Services has always prioritized its customers and community. Unlike companies that have sold to private equity firms or rely on outside funding, Mister Quik remains independent, allowing it to focus solely on delivering the best possible service to its neighbors.Thomas Jefferson Roofing & Remodeling has consistently been praised for its professionalism and attention to detail, with customers highlighting their excellent communication, prompt service, and high-quality results. Mister Quik is committed to upholding this legacy while expanding its service offerings to meet the evolving needs of homeowners across Central Indiana.Contact InformationLuke ReksMarketing Managerlreks@mrquikhomeser
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 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=152898&wire=1&utm_campaign=3 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / The MathWorks, Inc. recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to The MathWorks, Inc.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On May 18, 2025, The MathWorks, Inc. became aware of a security incident on its backend servers and IT infrastructure. Upon detection, The MathWorks, Inc. launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party launched a ransomware attack that impacted multiple web and mobile applications, licensing services, downloads, online store, website, internal systems, and other services. The MathWorks, Inc. conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.These files allegedly included documents like account credentials; licensing information; internal operational data; limited customer information; and other sensitive personal data.On May 26, 2025, The MathWorks, Inc. filed a notice with federal law enforcement and made a public disclosure., and The MathWorks, Inc. is continuing to send out updates to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from The MathWorks, Inc., you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. 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 Minister of Aviation in Nigeria, Festus Keyamo, has instructed aviation agencies to investigate the ongoing dispute between the management of Air Peace and Nigerian Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

The Minister gave the directive on Friday in a statement posted on his official X page.

On Wednesday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Air Peace criticised the disruptive behaviour exhibited by Mr Oshiomhole at the Lagos Airport which hindered flight operations for several minutes on Wednesday.

The airline claimed Mr Oshiomhole arrived at the terminal 1 axis (Zulu Hall) of the airport about 20 minutes late for the departure of the aircraft and was eventually prevented from boarding.

Air Peace strongly condemns the unruly conduct of a prominent Nigerian politician who disrupted airport operations on the morning of Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the airline said.

In reaction, Mr Oshiomhole expressed concerns regarding the actions of staff members at Air Peace who denied him boarding.

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He said despite his prior completion of the online check-in process ahead of the scheduled flight departure, he was prevented from boarding while the staff allegedly sold tickets at inflated prices to passengers who could afford it.

The ministers intervention came over 48 hours after the Lagos airport incident, and about 24 hours after this publication reported that the regulatory authorities had kept mum over the issue.

Sources who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES argued that Mr Oshiomholes actions are in contravention of sections of Annexe 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Act of 2022, Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations Act 17 and also violate relevant provisions of terrorism provisions acts.

The sources alleged that Mr Oshiomholes action of halting operations at the section of the airport, which prevented entry and exit of travelling passengers for several minutes, may have posed security threats to other passengers at the airport.

Directive

On Friday, Mr Keyamo said he has been in direct contact with both parties since the incident occurred.

I also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of hear all sides before reaching judgment, he said.

Whilst appealing to both sides to halt the public accusations and counter-accusations, I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations.

Mr Oshiomhole is a former governor of Edo State who served two terms and is currently serving as the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District. He is a chieftain of the ruling party, APC.

In Nigeria, the aviation ministry, headed by the minister, Mr Keyamo, oversees the activities of the sector. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), an agency under the ministry, is the primary aviation regulator in Nigeria.

Its responsibilities include regulation, safety oversight, economic regulation, certification and accident investigation in collaboration with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). The NCAAs role is crucial in ensuring the safety, security, and economic sustainability of Nigerias aviation industry.

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Sounds of explosions have been reported in Iran after Israel attacked the countrys capital, Tehran, early Friday.

The Israeli military officials said that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites in the attacks.

President Benjamin Netanyahu, in a YouTube video on Friday morning, said the strikes targeted Irans nuclear facilities and ballistic missile production sites.

This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us, Mr Netanyahu said.

However, images circulating in the media showed the airstrike destroyed buildings in residential areas.

The Chief Commander of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Hossein Salami, has reportedly been killed.

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Iran, in response, has vowed to launch a swift and forceful retaliation against the airstrikes.

Tensions over Irans nuclear programme escalated on Thursday after the International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors censured the country for the first time in two decades over its lack of cooperation with inspectors.

In a swift response, Iran announced it would build a third uranium enrichment facility and upgrade its centrifuges to more advanced models.

Also, talks between the United States and Iran have largely stalled, primarily due to an impasse over uranium enrichment. Both countries have held five rounds of nuclear talks since April, as President Trump pushed for a deal that would limit Irans uranium enrichment.

The US had insisted that Iran halt all uranium enrichment activities, but Iran rejected the demand.

Multiple reports from Tehran indicated that loud explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital. Irans state media also announced that all flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport, the citys main air hub, have been suspended.

The United States has, however, distanced itself from the attack against Iran.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has declared that the US was not involved in the strikes and warned Iran not to target American interests or personnel in the region.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, Mr Rubio said in a statement.

President Trump had earlier warned Prime Minister Netanyahu against an attack on Iran.

A few hours before the strike, he had also posted on Truth Social that his administration was committed to a diplomatic resolution with Iran on its nuclear development.

We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon, he said.

READ ALSO: CBN denies extending BDC recapitalisation deadline

The Iranian spokesperson for the Armed Forces General Staff, Abolfazl Shekarchi, has said both the US and Israel will pay a heavy price for the deadly airstrikes against the country.

He declared that Israel will pay a heavy price and should await a strong response from the Iranian armed forces.

Both Iran and Israel have closed their airspace.

Israel has also signed a special order declaring an emergency situation on the home front, in anticipation of Irans response.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 747 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across 18 states, with 142 deaths recorded as of epidemiological week 22, 2025.

The current case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 19.0 per cent, a slight increase from the 18.1 per cent reported during the same period last year.

According to the NCDCs latest Lassa Fever Situation Report, the number of new confirmed cases rose from six in week 21 to eight in week 22, with fresh infections recorded in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa States.

The report further revealed that five states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, accounted for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases.

It said Ondo contributed 31 per cent, followed by Bauchi 25 per cent, Edo and Taraba 16 per cent each, and Ebonyi three per cent.

Overall cases

While the overall number of suspected and confirmed cases has declined compared to the same timeframe in 2024, the NCDC stressed that the situation still demands close attention.

The health agency noted that national response mechanisms remain fully activated through the multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS), which coordinates efforts among federal agencies, states, and development partners.

The agency also highlighted the importance of sustained public awareness and community engagement to reduce the spread of the disease, especially in high-burden local government areas.

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It advised the general public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive measures, including good hygiene and proper food storage.

National response

The NCDC said it has implemented a series of interventions to reinforce response efforts.

These include a dynamic risk assessment of Lassa fever transmission and the integration of Lassa fever messaging into broader risk communication strategies for viral haemorrhagic fevers.

The agency also said it launched a new IPC (Infection Prevention and Control) e-learning platform, developed in collaboration with the DRASA Health Trust and funded by the Global Fund.

In addition, 10 National Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to affected states to support field operations using a One Health approach.

The NCDC has also distributed updated IPC guidelines, developed with technical support from the Robert Koch Institute, to health facilities nationwide.

According to the report, the NCDC is working closely with state IPC structures, treatment centres, and the Orange Network to ensure strict adherence to standard precautions, with the goal of reducing hospital-acquired infections in high-burden areas.

Medical countermeasures, including personal protective equipment (PPE), Ribavirin, and body bags, have also been quantified and distributed to states and treatment centres.

READ ALSO: Hope for Nigerians as potential Lassa fever vaccine passes major hurdle

About Lassa fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or persons.

Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, and chest pain. In severe cases, it can cause unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.

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Many world leaders have reacted to Israels Friday attack on Iran by condemning Israel, while others simply called for a de-escalation of violence in a troubled region.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that early Friday morning, Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on several Iranian cities, including the capital, Tehran. The attacks led to the death of three top military generals and six nuclear scientists. The attacks also led to the destruction of several buildings and one atomic facility.

According to Irans Tasnim state news agency, the attack also affected residential sites, injuring at least 50 people.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, in a YouTube video on Friday morning, said the strikes targeted Irans nuclear facilities and ballistic missile production sites.

This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us, Mr Netanyahu said.

However, Iran has vowed to launch a swift and forceful retaliation against the airstrikes.

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According to the Iranian spokesperson for the Armed Forces General Staff, Abolfazl Shekarchi, both the US and Israel will pay a heavy price for the deadly airstrikes against the country.

He declared that Israel will pay a heavy price and should await a strong response from the Iranian armed forces.

The United States has, however, distanced itself from the attack against Iran.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, declared that the US was not involved in the strikes and warned Iran not to target American interests or personnel in the region.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, Mr Rubio said in a statement.

The NATO secretary, Mark Rutte, also emphasised that this was a unilateral action by Israel.

He said, So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate.

Reactions

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there is a need for maximum restraint to avoid descent into deeper conflict.

The secretary-general condemns any military escalation in the Middle East. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Irans nuclear programme are underway, he said.

Oman described Israels attack on Iran as a reckless action likely to escalate and cause serious instability in the region.

It also described it as a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law.

Such aggressive, persistent behaviour is unacceptable and further destabilises regional peace and security, the Middle Eastern country said.

Oman has been the country mediating the US-Iran nuclear talks, which the US hoped would control uranium enrichment in Iran.

In a post on X, the Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attack, describing it as a heinous attack on a brotherly Islamic Republic.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, commenting on the attack, said, Australia is alarmed by the escalation to other countries between Israel and Iran. This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions.

We all understand the threat of Irans nuclear and ballistic missile program represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, described Israels action as an unwelcome development in the Middle East.

Mr Luxon said the risk of miscalculation is high, adding that the region does not need any more military action, and the risk associated with that.

Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said, Japan continues to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the further deterioration of the situation, while implementing every possible measure to ensure the protection of Japanese citizens.

Turkish authorities said Israels provocation shows it does not want issues to be resolved through diplomatic means and urged it to halt aggressive actions that could lead to greater conflicts.

READ ALSO: Iran executes man linked to 2022 mass protests

In its reaction, China said it is opposed to the violation of Irans sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, opposes the intensification of contradictions, the expansion of conflicts, and the sudden rise in temperature of the regional situation.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said, China calls on all parties concerned to do more things that promote regional peace and stability and avoid further escalation of the tense situation.

China is willing to play a constructive role in easing the situation, it added.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get the governments reaction to the development. None has been provided at the time of this report.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has addressed the participants of the First Congress of Oncologists of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States, Trend reports.

"I extend my sincere greetings on the occasion of the commencement of the First Congress of Oncologists of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States in Baku and wish each of you success in your noble mission of safeguarding public health.

I welcome with great satisfaction the organization of this significant event - focused on the pressing health issues increasingly affecting people - in the capital of our country. I regard it as a special recognition of the successful progress and achievements of Azerbaijans oncology services over the past years.

Today, Azerbaijan's healthcare system is equipped with a robust material and technical infrastructure, as well as a highly qualified workforce, providing broad opportunities for the application of modern diagnostic and treatment methods. Projects and state programs aimed at the rapid advancement of various fields of healthcare are being consistently implemented across the country.

The Organization of Turkic States commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation toward shared goals underscores the importance of jointly benefiting from accumulated expertise and strengthening collective efforts in addressing common challenges.

In this context, the wide-ranging discussions and in-depth exchanges based on the latest innovations in medical science - set to take place at the Congress with the participation of leading experts from around the world - are commendable for addressing many of the key issues confronting the healthcare institutions of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States.

I believe that your Congress, with its scientific and practical significance, will contribute to the further enhancement of current treatment methods and will help define key priorities for future collaboration among oncologists across the Turkic world," the address reads.
Jamaat Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of al-Qaeda global terror group, has claimed an attack in Basso, a town in Benin Republic which is about 15 kilometers from Babana and other communities around Kainji National Park straddling Kwara and Niger states.

The terror group disclosed this on 12 June in its propaganda snippet seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

It did not provide details of the attack but said in Arabic that it had taken control of a Beninese military post in Basso, Borgou.

In April, the group attacked an Armoured Personnel Carrier belonging to the francophone countrys military, near the same border.

Also in April, PREMIUM TIMES reported that JNIM killed 70 soldiers in attacks on two military posts in northern Benin.

Experts have warned that the spillover of violence in the Sahel, where JNIM holds sway over territories in Benin, Mali and Burkina Faso, could further destabilise Nigeria and frustrate its fight against insurgency.

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Nigerias National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, shared a similar view when he spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) summit, where he highlighted the security milestone of the President Tinubu administration in two years.

Mr Ribadu stated that the instability in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, is spilling into Nigeria, heightening the already existing tension.

Boko Haram (formally known as Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (JAS)), which began its violent campaign in 2010, has already disrupted peace and stability in Nigeria with various attacks, including the 2014 Chibok girls abduction. The groups actions have caused over 100,000 deaths and displaced millions of people.

The insurgency took another dimension in the country in 2016 when Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) broke away from Boko Haram, declaring the military as its main target, while continuously clashing with its former ally.

While Nigeria grapples with the Boko Haram insurgency, it is also faced with the emergence of seemingly new terror groups  Lakurawa and Mahmuda  operating the playbook of global and local jihadi terror groups.

In response to this cross-border terrorism, regional governments have drafted plans, such as the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to combat the threat. However, such initiatives are being threatened by the schism that rocked the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), causing a standoff between Junta-led and democratic states in the region.

JNIM in Nigeria?

There is no evidence that JNIM operates in Nigeria, even though some experts believe that they may be taking cover in Kainji National Park, where the Mahmuda terrorists operate. There are also reports of trade and operational collaboration between the two groups.

In 2022, some jihadists believed to be members of JNIM crossed into Kainji National Park in what is believed to be an attempt to link up with their brothers-in-arms [Ansaru] around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

It was based on this that some experts believe that JNIM operates in Nigeria, with some warning that the groups attack on Nigeria is only a matter of time.

The JNIM was formed in March 2017 when four Mali-based extremist groups  Ansar al-Din, al-Murabitun, the Macina Liberation Front (MLF) and the Sahara Emirate subgroup of al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)  merged forces.

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Hours after dozens of Israeli airstrikes struck various parts of Iran, the Iranian government retaliated by launching missiles into Israel, most targeting the capital, Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that it had detected dozens of missiles and intercepted many of them.

Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, with the BBC reporting plumes of smoke across Tel Aviv.

Iran first launched about 100 drones, possibly to test Israeli defences, before firing about 100 ballistic missiles.

Although many of the missiles were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome defence, and with US support, others struck various parts of Tel Aviv, with officials saying at least 40 people were injured, including some in critical condition.

Bloomberg reported that Israels military stated that all of Israel was under fire as a result of the missiles fired at the country.

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Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Iranian forces carried out its crushing and precise response against dozens of targets, military centres and airbases, Al Jazeera reports.

Apart from the drones and missiles, Iranian media also reported that Iran shot down two Israeli fighter jets, although that has yet to be independently verified.

Israel attacked Tehran earlier in the day, after the US-Iran talks on nuclear development stalled and the International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors censured the country for the first time in two decades over its lack of cooperation with inspectors.

Multiple reports from Iran indicated that loud explosions were heard in various parts of Iran.

Confirming the attack, the Israeli military officials stated that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites. Images circulating in the media showed that the airstrikes also destroyed buildings in residential areas.

Israeli strikes targeted nuclear facilities and missile sites in Iran. It also killed three military commanders, including the Chief Commander of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Hossein Salami and six nuclear scientists. Dozens of Iranians are believed to have been killed in the attacks.

Following the Israeli attacks, which Israel has vowed to continue, the Iranian government vowed to launch a swift and forceful retaliation.

The Iranian spokesperson for the Armed Forces General Staff, Abolfazl Shekarchi, said both the US and Israel will pay a heavy price for the deadly airstrikes against the country. However, the US has said it was not involved in the attacks.

Mr Shekarchi declared that Israel will pay a heavy price and should await a strong response from the Iranian armed forces.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is demanding that Iran agree to a nuclear deal with the US before it is too late.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that he had earlier stated that Israels missile attacks on the country and its nuclear facilities are only likely to worsen.

Mr Trump claimed that he had tried to prevent the attacks through diplomacy, but the Iranian government did not take the chance.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come  And they know how to use it, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that many world leaders, including those of Saudi Arabia, Russia and Oman, condemned Israel for the attacks and called for a de-escalation, while others simply called for a de-escalation of the violence and the rhetoric.

This newspaper will present updates of the situation in the Middle East in subsequent reports.

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Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested some individuals, including a Chinese national, suspected of aiding terrorism in Borno State.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesperson Markus Kangye revealed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Kangye said the Chinese suspect, who claimed to be a miner, was apprehended in wellcoordinated raids around Kukawa and Ngala LGAs.

The Chinese national has been detained and he is undergoing interrogation, Mr Kangye said.

He added: When the interrogation is completed, we will be able to furnish the public with the details of why he was there in the first place, how he was arrested, whether he was the only one there or he had accomplices.

All this will be unfolded after a thorough investigation has been carried out.

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Additionally, Mr Kangye noted that between 6 and 11 June, a significant number of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters, including men, women, and children, surrendered to troops, a development he attributed to the bolstered military presence in the area.

He reiterated the armed forces commitment to safeguarding lives and property, enforcing the rule of law, and maintaining transparency with the public during ongoing missions across the nation.

We remain dedicated to transparency and will keep the public informed of our ongoing efforts to ensure the stability and security of our great nation, Mr Kangye said.

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In a significant political manoeuvre, President Bola Tinubu has again won over the support and loyalty of a prominent and outspoken opponent of his administration.

Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, recently met with Mr Tinubu in the presidents Lagos home.

The president was in Lagos to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir and attend other state functions. He has since returned to Abuja after the Sallah break.

President Tinubu is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while Mr Sowunmi belongs to the PDP.

On Sunday, Mr Sowunmi, a vocal critic of the president until recently, wrote on his social media handle that his meeting with the president was engaging and nostalgic.

Why I went to Tinubu

Also, in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels TV, the PDP chieftain explained that he met President Tinubu for three reasons.

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The first is because of the faltering democracy, which he believed is not his (Tinubu) fault.

He also said he visited because he was becoming a little bit uncomfortable with the demonising of all policies by those who dont understand what it takes to design futuristic ideas that could work.

The third is that he wanted to engage with Mr Tinubu.

Mr Sowunmi, an indigene of Ogun State, who has been a member of the PDP since its inception, said he could work with President Tinubu and would leave the PDP if the president offered him an appointment.

Asked if his move had betrayed Atiku, the politician said the former vice president was running a coalition he (Sowunmi) was not part of.

He added that he was unaware that Atiku would run for president in 2027.

Is he (Atiku) running for president now? Hes running a coalition that everybody knows I am not part of. Who would even in your wildest dreams think I dont have my individuality because of what? Do you know how long I have been at the party? Mr Sowunmi asked.

I will support Tinubu in 2027

In another interview with Arise TV on Tuesday, he said, I am going to support Tinubu in 2027 by God and everything that is in me. I will leave and join his party (APC).

I dont believe in the nonsense that says you are in one party while supporting someone else.

I dont have time for pretence. If I am not there, I am not there. I have been in PDP for 28 years, and most of them dont even have that record of 28 days, he said.

Public reactions

However, Mr Sowunmis sudden romance with President Tinubu has sparked reactions.

For instance, on a TVC programme on Tuesday, Yeni Kuti, daughter of the legendary Afrobeat musician, Fela Kuti, asked him when he was joining the APC.

Youve had a lot of criticism for the president, now your tune seems to have changed (after the visit). So, when is your own move? When are you leaving the PDP to join the APC? she asked.

Mr Sowunmi merely responded, Although I cannot see who is asking those questions, I didnt come to your programme so you can try to be cheeky with me. Stop that!

Not first

Mr Sowunmi is not the first of Atikus aides to be won over by President Tinubu.

Daniel Bwala, a consistent critic of the president and spokesperson for Atiku Abubakars Campaign Organisation during the 2023 election, met a few times with him (president).

By November 2024, Mr Bwala, who had belonged to the APC before leaving over the Muslim-Muslim ticket controversy, had joined the Tinubu administration as his special adviser on media and public communications before he was later moved to policy communications.

Meanwhile, another former critic of the president, Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has been swerving in support of the president.

Mr Omokri was an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan while the latter was in power. The former Nigerian leader was a member of the PDP.

Defections to Tinubus APC

Lately, there have been high-profile defections from the opposition parties, particularly the PDP, Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). This development triggered a fear of Nigeria sliding into a one-party state. The president has repeatedly allayed the fears.

Some PDP governors, namely Sheriff Oborevwori of Edo State and Umo Eno from Akwa-Ibom, have joined the ruling APC.

Also, 10 lawmakers from Akwa-Abom elected on the PDP and Young Peoples Party (YPP) platforms have moved with Governor Eno to the APC.

Several National Assembly members have also dumped their parties for the ruling party.

Following the defections, the number of APC senators has increased to 68 from 59.

Two senators  Neda Imaseun (LP, Edo South) and Ahmed Wadada (SDP, Nasarawa West) may join the train. The number may rise to 70 if the duo pick the APC membership cards.

In the lower chamber, the ruling party now has 207 out of its 360 members.

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Research Africa, a Nigerian books publishing initiative, has announced that its first digitised academic journal has been indexed on Google Scholar.

The development was made known in a press statement signed by Olasunkanmi Arowolo, the founder of the hub, on Monday, 9 June.

According to the statement, the content that was featured in the index was produced by authors from the Lagos State University (LASU).

Entitled Media and Communication Review, the indexed book was originally published by LASU in 2021 and digitised by Research Africa in 2023.

The authors of the journal include Rotimi Olatunji, an erudite professor of public relations; Tunde Akanni, a professor of development communications; Thanny Nooem, a senior lecturer of advertising; Ganiu Okunnu, a Ph.D holder in communications studies, among others.

This marks a major milestone in our mission to digitise and globally amplify academic journals from the Global South, parts of the statement stated.

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The statement added that Research Africas pilot project, which seeks to digitally archive high-quality academic content that had limited or no digital footprint in Nigeria, has started working with Lagos, the countrys commercial epicenter.

Mr Arowolo said he considers the feat as both a product of academic dexterity and the strategic potential of the edu-tech initiative.

The UK-based publisher noted that the development is a vital step in addressing the imbalance in global academic visibility, adding that: we are proud to have begun this journey with Lagos State University; an institution known for excellence and look forward to expanding this impact across the continent.

He added that getting on Google Scholar index will also make the work globally searchable, giving it enhanced credibility while contributing to research equity and inclusion.

About Research Africa

Based in Lagos and established in January 2023, Research Africa is a publishing company that focuses on academic publishing, specifically journals of African research origin.

It was born out of deep concern for the age-long inaccessibility of scholarly and peer-reviewed academic journals of African origin.

The initiative aims to host, publish and digitally distribute peer-reviewed journals of African origin to the global online community, thus addressing the problem of international visibility for journals of African extraction.

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The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ondo State Branch, began an indefinite strike on Friday to compel the state government to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary.

In June last year, the union first wrote to the government, issuing a 21-day ultimatum to comply with a court judgement on the issue in accordance with the Constitution, but there was no response.

It issued another ultimatum of seven days last week, which expired on Thursday.

In a statement by its Secretary, Alade Kehinde, the union stated that the decision to down tools followed the expiration of the latest ultimatum issued to the Ondo State Government on 4 June and the governments lack of response to address the reneged parts of the agreements outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 20 May.

We direct all our members to stay off duty starting from tomorrow, 13 June 2025, till further directive and to adhere strictly to the industrial action guidelines.

We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of all our members during this period, Mr Kehinde said.

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When contacted, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the chief press secretary to the state governor, said the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, was in a position to respond.

However, efforts to reach Mr Ajulo were unsuccessful as his phone line did not connect. He also did not respond to messages sent to him through the line.

Adverse effects

This continuous refusal by the state government to honour these agreements has had adverse effects on our members, the union said.

The union called on the state government to implement the judgment delivered on 7 October 2024 regarding the financial autonomy of the Ondo State Judiciary, as outlined in suit No. A16/18M/2024.

It said that a court of competent jurisdiction gave the judgement following the mandamuss application for judicial review.

The union said Section 121 (3) of the Constitution guarantees the financial independence of the Ondo State Judiciary.

It noted that the provision mandates that any amount earmarked for the judiciary and standing to its credit in the states Consolidated Revenue Fund shall be paid directly to the head of the court.

The courts judgment is clear and unambiguous, compelling the following actions: Compliance by the Ondo State Governor, Attorney General, and Accountant General: We urge you to ensure compliance with the provisions of Section 121 (3) of the Constitution, the union further stated.

READ ALSO: Tribunal dismisses petitions seeking to upturn Gov Aiyedatiwas election

It further noted that the state governments continuous refusal to honour these agreements has adversely affected its members.

It said failure to comply within the timeframe had left it with no option but to resume its suspended industrial action.

The Ondo workers strike is coming days after their federal counterpart called off a strike to demand payment of their due benefits.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has left open the question of whether the Israeli overnight attacks on Iran will have consequences for his countrys arms exports to Israel.

During a visit to Cairo at the start of his first Middle East trip, hours after scores of warplanes targeted Irans nuclear sites and military leadership, the diplomat said the Federal Security Council would take its time to discuss the issue.

But I dont expect any far-reaching decisions to be made in the short term, Mr Wadephul added.

In recent weeks, there have been repeated calls from the Social Democrats, the junior partner in Germanys new ruling coalition, for a halt to arms deliveries due to Israels military action in the Gaza Strip.

However, the conservative alliance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to which Mr Wadephul belongs, rejects a ban on exports.

Following the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel until 13 May 2025, arms exports worth almost 500 million euros (578 million dollars) were approved for Israel, the Economics Ministry said recently in response to a question in parliament.

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It is not known whether and to what extent the new German government has authorised exports during its first weeks in office.

(dpa/NAN)

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has joined Nigerians in celebrating one of its senior members and Publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Sam Amuka-Pemu, on his remarkable 90th birthday.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the Guild described Mr Amuka-Pemus birthday as a testament to his enduring wisdom, legacy, and commitment to the journalism profession.

The Guild explained that Mr Amuka-Pemu, the founder of Vanguard Newspapers Group, has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape.

Uncle Sams commitment to excellence and robust journalism has inspired generations of journalists and media audiences alike.

Under your guidance, Vanguard Newspaper has become a beacon of truth, reliability, and excellence.

Your unwavering commitment to journalistic ethics has earned the respect and admiration of your peers, government, and readers, the statement said.

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The Guild noted that Mr Amuka-Pemus contributions extend beyond journalism, citing his efforts to promote social justice, education, and civic engagement in Sapele and the Niger Delta region through his media platform.

As we celebrate your 90th birthday, we honour not only your achievements but also your life. Your legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us and future generations, the Guild said.

The Guild wished Mr Amuka-Pemu a happy 90th birthday, filled with joy, love, and celebration, and prayed for his continued good health, happiness, and fulfilment.

For: Nigerian Guild of Editors

Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Ph.D.

General Secretary

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Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has said President Bola Tinubus administration rescued Nigeria from the edge of economic collapse and restored public finance to solvency.

Speaking on Wednesday at The Platform Nigeria in Lagos, an event organised by The Covenant Nation to mark Democracy Day, Mr Soludo praised Mr Tinubus bold economic reforms and described the countrys financial state when he took office as dangerously fragile.

This was contained in a statement released Friday by the State House and signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In 2023, I had described the state of the economy when this government assumed office as akin to a standing dead horse, said Mr Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Public finance was about to tip from solvency, with potentially catastrophic consequences, including possible mass retrenchment of workers and/or arrears of salaries and pensions.

He said recent reforms had rescued the economy from the tipping point, and noted that public finance is back on a solvency path, and macro fundamentals are recovering positively.

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Mr Soludo said global institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and international credit rating agencies had rightly endorsed the reforms.

The endorsements by the World Bank, IMF, London Financial Times, rating agenciesFitch, Moodysare well deserved, he said. On the trajectory of the current economic reforms, the World Bank, etc, are largely right.

He acknowledged his past criticism of those institutions, saying: Many people know that I made a living criticising the World Bank and the IMF. As Governor of Anambra, I have even rejected a World Bank loan because of the terms.

Mr Soludo criticised the selective use of international opinion in local discourse, saying some Nigerians quote these bodies only when they criticise the government, but discredit them when they offer praise.

Funny enough, when these institutions criticise the government, some people use them to validate their criticisms, but when the same institutions give a positive report, they are derided as neoliberal, out-of-touch institutions, he said.

While backing the economic direction of the current administration, Mr Soludo urged commentators to avoid shallow analysis and instead offer evidence-based alternatives.

Many analysts have interesting opinions, but I urge them to go deeper: conduct rigorous counterfactual analysis and provide credible alternatives! he said.

Beyond the economy, Mr Soludo said the countrys long-term progress would depend not just on leadership, but also on the values held by ordinary citizens.

He called for a nationwide ethical rebirth to revive traditional Nigerian values such as hardwork, honesty, and public service.

We must deliberately create a critical mass of new Nigerianswho believe in her and are ready, if necessary, to die for her, he said.

He warned that a culture of celebrating wealth without work was undermining national development.

The culture that celebrates and expects something for nothing or wealth without work must give way to a culture that rewards and celebrates hard work, enterprise and integrity, he said. In a society where no one asks or cares about sources of livelihood, transactional governance will always trump transformational leadership.

Mr Soludo cited initiatives such as the federal governments NELFUND student loan programme and Anambras free education and youth training schemes as signs of progress in giving citizens a stronger stake in the future.

These programmes excite the youths and students, and could hopefully create stakeholders in future projects, he said.

He ended with a call for unity and values-driven politics, saying Nigeria must realign along ideological lines to build a fairer, more responsible society.

This is a national emergency requiring urgent national conversation, Mr Soludo said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. We are deeply concerned by the military operation carried out by the State of Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"While resolutely condemning the escalation of the situation, we urge the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic means, following the norms and principles of international law.

We particularly emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of the civilian population and facilities.

It is important to continue contacts through diplomatic channels and efforts within the framework of relevant international mechanisms in order to prevent further escalation of the situation in the Middle East," the statement reads.

The Israeli Air Force has launched a strike inside Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

As a result of the Israeli military airstrike on Iran, a large number of military personnel were killed, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami.
The Wife of the late journalist, Bagauda Kaltho, has praised President Bola Tinubu for the posthumous national honour conferred on the deceased journalist.

Mr Kaltho was an investigative journalist who paid the ultimate price in the struggle for Nigerias democracy.

While commemorating Democracy Day on 12 June, President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on the late journalist.

The president also honoured other democratic activists and journalists who laboured for democracy.

In a statement signed by the wife of the late journalist, Martha Kaltho, she said this national honour is a powerful reminder that the sacrifices of those who speak truth to power are never forgotten.

She expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, saying her family recalled the renaming of the Lagos State press centre in 1999 to Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre by the president when he was governor of Lagos State.

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These actions will remain engraved in our hearts, Mrs Kaltho said.

My husband disappeared sometime between late 1996 and early 1997 in line of duty. This national honor is not only a validation of my husbands unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the defence of democratic ideals, but also a powerful reminder that the sacrifices of those who speak truth to power are never forgotten.

She said although her husband paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, the presidents gesture restores a measure of justice to his memory and reminds us all of the enduring value of courageous journalism.

Also, with this honour, all lingering negative speculations surrounding his death have been effectively laid to rest, and those who once peddled falsehoods have been silenced. For me, this is the greatest source of joy, knowing that truth has finally prevailed and his legacy has been vindicated.

I thank all those too numerous to mention who have stood by us all through the trying periods till now. May this honour inspire a new generation of journalists to remain fearless in their pursuit of truth, even in the face of adversity, she said.

President Tinubu also conferred the national honour on other Nigerians who fought for the countrys democracy, including the Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi.

Mr Olorunyomi, a veteran journalist, was one of those who used journalistic tools to demand Nigerias return to democracy during the Sani Abacha dictatorship. He was attacked by security agencies and assaulted alongside his wife, Ladi. He and the family had to seek exile abroad.

Other awardees who played major roles to fight military dictatorship and were honoured by President Tinubu include Olatunji Dare (CON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Matthew Kukah (CON), Shehu Sani (CON), Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Shafideen Amuwo (CON), and Luke Aghanenu (OON).

Others are Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), former information minister Labaran Maku (OON), Tunji Alausa (CON), Nick Dazang (OON), Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Olawale Osun (CON), Amos Akingba (CON), Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Bayo Williams (CON), Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Ame Ebute (CFR).

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Rescuers have been searching through charred buildings in Ahmedabad for missing persons and aircraft debris following the crash of an Air India Boeing 787.

The accident has resulted in the deaths of over 240 people.

The plane, Flight AI171, carrying 242 people, was travelling from Indias Ahmedabad to London Gatwick airport on Thursday when it crashed in a residential area shortly after takeoff.

According to Air India, there were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the national flight.

Only one passenger survived.

The survivor was identified as a British citizen of Indian origin, whose name is Viswash Kumar Ramesh.

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According to The New York Times, his brother, Nayan Ramesh, said he had remarked, I dont know how Im alive.

Meanwhile, up to 24 people on the ground also lost their lives as the plane crashed into a medical college hostel during lunchtime.

The Indian government said it may ground the airlines 787 fleet for safety checks.

Rescue workers are currently searching for missing people and bodies in the building.

They are also looking for aircraft parts that could help explain why the plane crashed soon after taking off.

Two police sources told Reuters that one of two black boxes from the 787 had been found. However, they did not identify the contents of the box or what exactly had been recovered.

According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine aircraft. Since its introduction in 2009, over 1,000 units have been delivered to airlines worldwide.

A senior Indian police official in Ahmedabad, Vishakha Dabral, said 269 bodies had been taken to the main hospital, according to the NY Times.

He said the exact death toll would take time to determine and that DNA testing would be conducted.

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President Donald Trump has asked Iran to agree to a nuclear deal with the US before it is too late, stating that Israels missile attacks on the country and its nuclear facilities will only worsen.

The Israeli military attacked Iran on Friday morning after the US-Iran talks on nuclear development stalled and the International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors censured the country for the first time in two decades over its lack of cooperation with inspectors.

Multiple reports from Tehran indicated that loud explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital in the early hours of the morning.

Iran also immediately suspended all flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport, the citys main air hub.

Israeli military officials stated that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites in the attacks. However, images circulating in the media showed the airstrike destroyed buildings in residential areas.

Israeli strikes hit major targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and missile sites. The strikes also killed three military commanders, including the Chief Commander of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Hossein Salami and six nuclear scientists.

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The Israeli government declared that Tehrans nuclear programme justified the ongoing offensive. Iran has, however, insisted that its nuclear programme was for peaceful energy needs and not to build a nuclear weapon.

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump, in his first public statement on the attack, said he tried to prevent the attack through diplomacy, but the Iranian government did not take the chance.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come  And they know how to use it.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! he wrote.

Mr Trump said that although there had already been great death and destruction, the situation was likely to worsen if Iran did not agree to make a deal.

There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he stated.

READ ALSO: How world leaders reacted to Israels attack on Iran

PREMIUM TIMES reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio distanced the US from the attack by declaring that the US was not involved in the strike. Mr Trump also stated earlier that he warned Israel not to attack while negotiations were on.

Meanwhile, the Iranian government has vowed to launch a swift and forceful retaliation against the airstrikes.

The Iranian spokesperson for the Armed Forces General Staff, Abolfazl Shekarchi, said both the US and Israel will pay a heavy price for the deadly airstrikes against his country.

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A renowned environmental activist, Nnimmo Bassey, has dismissed as not being the best option, President Bola Tinubus plan to grant state pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and other eight Ogoni leaders executed in 1995 by Nigerian military dictator, Sani Abacha, because of their struggle for environmental justice for their oil-rich community in the Niger Delta region.

Mr Tinubu, during his address at the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, 12 June, to mark Nigerias 2025 Democracy Day, conferred posthumous national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa (CON) and the others  Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).

He hinted that his administration would give a state pardon to the late Ogoni leaders.

I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State, the president stated in his address.

In his reaction to Mr Tinubus remark, Mr Bassey, the director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, re-stated his long-held view that the Nigerian government must exonerate the Ogoni Nine of the crimes for which they were accused, instead of considering a pardon.

A mere pardon at this time appears to be aimed at reopening the oil wells in Ogoniland  a step that would mean dancing on the graves of the murdered leaders. Exoneration is the political action we demand of the government to bring a closure to the environmental genocide and other crimes committed against the Ogoni people, Mr Bassey told PREMIUM TIMES, Friday, a day after the presidents remark.

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The government that executed Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight Ogoni leaders was an illegitimate military junta and the trial itself was clearly a rigged process. The leaders were executed within the appeal period. That confirmed the aberrant nature of the process. Considering the enormity of the injustice against the heroes, the only step that would partially settle the injustice suffered is a clear exoneration of the martyrs, he added.

On the national honours conferred on the Ogoni Nine, Mr Bassey said, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the others deserve to be honoured. But coming at a time when the government is desperate to jack up oil production, while pollution continues unabated, the move is ill-timed.

Previous rejection of pardon

In 2021, Mr Bassey and leaders of 10 other civil society organisations issued a statement rejecting a similar plan for state pardon for Mr Saro-Wiwa and others by the then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation had also rejected Mr Buharis plan for pardon.

His death remains a matter that is yet to be resolved because the state necessarily has to exonerate him of the false charges and the kind of kangaroo judgment that was given by that tribunal.

Besides, the state has to apologise to the victims and to the Ogoni people for executing them when the appeal period had not even elapsed, Mr Bassey said in a 2018 interview with PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Bassey said 10 November, the day the Ogoni Nine were executed, has always been a day for sober reflection for him.

The day he was executed in 1995, I was at that time the secretary-general of the Association of Nigerian Authors.

We were having our annual conference at the University of Lagos, and we were debating whether to issue a statement pleading with Abacha to have mercy and cancel the death sentence or to issue a hard-line statement condemning the atrocities of his dictatorship. Why that debate was going on, we got the news that they had been executed.

So, it is always a very sad day for me.

The campaign of Ken Saro-Wiwa was focused on environmental justice. And the injustice meted out on him and the Ogoni people is one of the major reasons I have made environmental justice campaign my lifetime cause.

Accused of being responsible for the murder of four Ogoni chiefs at a pro-government meeting, Mr Saro-Wiwa and the others were sentenced to death by hanging by a special military tribunal.

Several Nigerians believe Mr Saro-Wiwa and the others were framed up for the murder because of their very impactful non-violent campaign against oil extraction and the continuous degradation of the Ogoniland by the government-backed multi-national oil companies, especially the Royal Dutch Shell.

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The European Union (EU) has announced the allocation of 500,000, approximately N900 million, to tackle the growing malnutrition crisis in North-eastern Nigeria.

According to a statement from the EU on Friday, the funding will provide emergency aid to children and mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition in some of the countrys most vulnerable states.

The support will be implemented through the Nigeria Red Cross Society, which is set to assist about 170,000 households at risk of malnutrition across nine states: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

The EU noted that over 30,000 children urgently needing treatment will benefit directly from the intervention.

The programme will include community outreach, screening, and outpatient care using ready-to-use therapeutic food for uncomplicated cases, while complex cases will be referred to healthcare centres for specialised treatment in line with national health protocols.

In addition to addressing immediate malnutrition needs, the EU noted that the Red Cross will expand its health and nutrition interventions while contributing to improving the medium-term resilience of the affected families and intensifying efforts in water, protection, sanitation and hygiene.

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This latest intervention forms part of the EUs contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Nutrition crisis in Northern Nigeria

In the North-east and North-west regions, including Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara, an estimated 5.44 million children under five are acutely malnourished.

The EU noted that of this figure, two million children are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition and will require lifesaving care, especially during the ongoing lean season from June to September.

The nutrition crisis is worsening, driven by ongoing conflict and growing insecurity. This has led to prolonged displacement, a loss of livelihoods, and a significant reduction in vulnerable families access to essential healthcare services, it noted.

Compounding this situation are economic pressures and climate-related shocks such as flooding, as well as suboptimal maternal and child feeding practices.

The urgency of the situation has prompted increasing concern from global and local organisations.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, in 2024 reported a spike in admissions of severely malnourished children in its inpatient facilities in northern Nigeria.

According to MSF, some locations have seen over a 100 per cent increase in cases compared to the previous year.

National Response and Challenges

In response to the growing crisis, the Nigerian government in 2024 established a ministerial task force to develop a comprehensive action plan targeting child malnutrition.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, stated that the plan will prioritise resource mobilisation and long-term solutions.

The task force is also expected to address the burden of malnutrition on young girls and women, who are especially vulnerable during pregnancy and lactation.

Many suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, worsening the cycle of poor health outcomes for mothers and children.

A report by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) showed that Nigeria has the second highest burden of stunted children in the world, with a prevalence of 32 per cent of children under five.

Of the estimated two million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, only 20 per cent currently receive adequate treatment. Furthermore, over six million children across the country are moderately malnourished.

READ ALSO: NEC launches initiative to combat malnutrition in Nigeria

EUs Support

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department, the EU provides support to vulnerable populations worldwide, offering aid based on need and in line with humanitarian principles.

The European Commission has signed a 12 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to support the Federations Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to small-scale disasters, those that do not give rise to a formal international appeal, it added.

The DREF was established in 1979 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted in evidence a radio transmitter allegedly smuggled into the country by the detained self-acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The court also heard how a search warrant obtained from a Chief Magistrate Court in Ihiala, Anambra State, led to the recovery from the home of an associate of Kanu, Benjamin Madubugu, at Ubuluisiuzor, two unlicensed pump action guns, some ammunition, laptop computers, and some quantity of marijuana.

Justice James Omotosho admitted the transmitter along with a 20-foot container in which it was allegedly smuggled into the country from the United Kingdom.

Justice Omotosho admitted the container as Exhibit PWY and the radio transmitter as Exhibit PWZ during a brief proceeding conducted on Friday within the premises of the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.

The decision of the court to conduct the proceeding in the DSS headquarters was informed by an oral application by prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who prayed the court to inspect the transmitter and container which in the DSS facility.

The DSS counsel made the application midway into the testimony of the fourth prosecution witness, who also testified about how the transmitter and container were recovered in a premises in Ubuluisiuzor, Ihiala Local Government of Anambra State.

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The prosecuting lawyer said it was impossible for the prosecution to physically bring the transmitter and the container to the court premises and urged the court to relocate to where they were kept for the purpose of sighting and for the prosecution to tender them.

Defence lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) did not object to Awomolos application which was subsequently granted by the judge.

Earlier in his testimony, the fourth prosecution witness, a DSS agent, told the court that he knew Kanu as the leader of IPOB, a group campaigning for the sessision of the South Eastern states, parts of the South South states, Benue and Kogi states from Nigeria to form a Biafra Republic.

He said Kanu used Radio Biafra to propagate his inciting messages to his followers to engage in violence and other terrorist activities.

The witness, who said he was among those who investigated the allegations against Kanu, told the court that in October 2015, his agency got intelligence that Kanu smuggled a FM radio transmitter hidden in a container into the country.

He said the transmitter, which was concealed among household items in the container, was not declared to the Nigeria Customs and that It was to be used for Radio Biafra.

The witness said he later saw a video where the defendant (Kanu) and one of his associates, Benjamin Madubugu were inspecting the transmitter l, which they described as a game changer.

After I watched the video, I was instructed to obtain a warrant, locate the transmitter and relocate it, the witness said, adding that himself and others located the transmitter in the premises where Modubugu lived with his family and a brother named Francis and relocated it.

He said when the search warrant, obtained from a Chief Magistrates Court in Ihiala, Anambra State was executed in the residence of Benjamin Madubugu at Ubuluisiuzor, they found the radio transmitter in a 20-feet container; two pump action guns (without licenses), lap top computers, some ammunition, small quantity of marijuana, among others.

The transmitter was concealed with household items, including second hand clothes. When we asked Benjamin about the other items that we saw in the video, he said one Chimezie came to take them away.

Awomolo subsequently tendered a video recording, showing Kanu, inspecting the container and its contents, including the transmitter.

The video showed Kanu, being assisted by an individual and being recorded by another, opened the container, identified all its contents and explained how the transmitter would be deployed.

The video also showed Kanu, while his hand on the transmitter and said: This is the monster itself. This is what will destroy enemies of Biafrathis is nuclear munster that will destroy the zoo.

When asked what Kanu meant by the zoo, the witness said the defendant was referring to Nigeria.

The witness said Kanu inspected the container in Madubugus premises in Ubuluisiuzor in Ihiala, Anambra State.

He said after recovering the transmitter, they arrested Madubugu, who later made statement, drailing how the container got to his premises.

The statement, written by Madubugu on November 3, 2015, was admitted in evidence by the court and later read by the witness.

In the statement, Madubugu admitted among others, that he agreed to house the container on the grounds that he will keep it (the container) after all the contents have been evacuated.

Madubugu said Kanu came to inspect that container and said it would be used to broadcast Radio Biafra activities.

He added that Kanu came to his house with Chimezie between March and April 2015 to make the video of the inspection of the container.

The witness said Madubugu was later arraigned with Kanu before the former judge handling the case, Justice Binta Nyako. He added that the joint trial was later separated when Kanu jumped bail, adding that Madubugu is still on trial before Justice Nyako.

PW4 who said he once served in the South East, told the court that the activities of members of IPOB and its military wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have greatly hamperee the socio-economic life of that part of the country.

The witness said: ESN is the military arm of IPOB. All ESN members are IPOB members, but not all IPOB members are ESN.

They carry out instructions of the defendant, which he broadcast through Radio Biafra. They are trained in the act of gorilla warfare.

They engage in acts of terrorism.

They maim, kill and propergate hate against other ethnic groups, particularly the Hausa/Fulani.

The witness said his agency has a desk assigned to monitor a d record every broadcast made by Kanu on Radio Biafra.

Awomolo later tendered some audio recordings of the broadcast, which the court admitted in evidence.

In one of the broadcast, which the defendant made on May 29, 2021, used disparaging words in describing Minister of Works, David Umahi, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and his successor, Hope Uzodinma

He described South East political leaders as fools, vagabonds and idiots and proceeded to declare a sit at home for May 31, 2021.

Kanu warned that anybody who disobeys his sit at home order venture out of his or her house on the said day will die.

If you come out on the 31 you are going to die and if the zoo army tries anything they will be confronted, Kanu said, claiming that the Nigerian Army is made up of cowards, who always attack civilians.

In another broadcast he made on May 30, Kanu called for complete and total lockdown in the south east and warned that who

ever opens his or her shop will be burnt with the shop.

In his broadcast on May 31, Kanu was heard telling his followers that he did not asked them to attack businesses in the area, but to focus on their enemies.

The PW4 said he knew a commander of ESN called Nwokike Anyinayo Andy, who was popularly known as Ikonso, but killed by security forces on the 24, April 2021 in his home town, Awomama, Oru East Local Government of Imo State.

The witness said Kanu did a broadcast on April 25, 2021 in which he mourned the death of Ikonso, spoke highly of him and vowed that there shall be repercussion.

Kanu claimed that Ikonso was killed in his sleep in his home by state security personnel and not on the battlefield.

Said Ikonso would be mourned in a very special way and will be buried in a very special way.

The witness told the court that in one of his broadcasts, Kanu claimed that Ikonso would be buried with 2000 heads, but that when they arrested an IPOB member  Emeyiri Uzoma Benjamin known as Onye Army  he made statement and said they were only able to get 30 heads.

The prosecution tendered through the witness a publication in Vanguard newspaper, detailing the alleged statement made by Benjamin.

Further hearing in the case has been adjourned till June 18, 19 and 20 within which the prosecution is expected to close its case.

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Respected brothers and sisters! In the realm of politics, the pursuit of self-interest has long been a contentious issue. While some argue that self-interest is a natural and necessary driving force, others caution against the dangers it poses to society as a whole. How dangerous, then, is the politics of selfishness? Yes, this sermon aims to explore the ramifications of prioritising personal gain over collective well-being.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and upon all his family and companions. To proceed:

Dear brothers and sisters! Selfishness is a disease of the heart and we can have it in varying degrees  from healthy to severe, and when it is at extreme levels it is dangerous to our own selves and to our nations. Ironically, the more we serve our own needs, the worse it is for us.

Though it is inbuilt in our system to put ourselves and our needs and wants above others, which is necessary for our survival, it becomes problematic when you are willing to do anything to fulfil your needs and willing to trample on everyone in order to achieve your goals and desires.

When you do not recognise anyone elses needs, except your own, you are able to blackmail them emotionally or even harm them physically when they came between you and what you want.

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Selfishness can be a conscious pursuit of self-interests but can also be subconscious. If this is the case, someone may need a friend of family member to point it out, as they have not recognised it in themselves. When they are shown it, the penny may or may not drop.

We often encounter selfish behaviour from our political leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, friends, neighbours, colleagues and family members. And it is not surprising, that we do not like being around selfish people.

People who are selfish will display many signs. They claim other peoples work as their own. They may put their name on it, or claim they helped or discuss projects as if they did them, when they did not. This is selfishness, showing off and a desire for praise.

Selfish people are willing to sacrifice anyone in order to achieve what they want. They do not care about other peoples emotions, wants, or needs, either consciously or subconsciously. This can be very damaging for their relationships, particularly marital ones, which require compromise and both spouses to give and take to be successful.

They like an easy ride and so are happy to ride on others efforts and hard work. They prefer to relax while making others do the hard work. They are happy to take the stage, even when they do not deserve it, and have not done anything.

Some people are selfish due to their past experiences, childhood issues and flaws in their character. They cover up their weaknesses by being selfish.

No one likes to be around selfish people, whether they are in our circle or exert power over us, such as selfish politicians and others in power. We have seen this with many politicians throughout history and today around the globe; they are willing to sacrifice their nation, their people, their economies, and the planet in order to remain in power and serve themselves.

Abdullah Bin Masud told that Allahs Messenger (Peace be upon him) said to them:

After my death you will see [leaders] appropriating the best things for themselves and other matters which you will disapprove. He was asked what he commanded them to do and replied, Give them what is due to them and ask Allah for what is due to you. [Bukhari and Muslim]

When you come across such people, be careful how you deal with them, particularly as they do not like criticism, even positive criticism. They do not like to listen to advice. They are preoccupied with their issues and they forced their opinions on those around them.

In the Noble Quran, Allah talks about selfishness and how we need to protect ourselves when we are surrounded by self-serving, self-interested and self-centred people. They create a toxic environment and so you have to preserve and protect yourself.

It was narrated that Abu Umayyah Shaabani said:

I came to Abu Thaalabah Al-Khushani and said: How do you understand this Verse? He said: Which verse? I said: O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. If you follow the (right) guidance, no hurt can come to you from those who are in error.? [Quran, 5:105] He said: You have asked one who knows about it. I asked the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) about it and he said: Enjoin good upon one another and forbid one another to do evil, but if you see overwhelming stinginess, desires being followed, this world being preferred (to the Hereafter), every person with an opinion feeling proud of it, and you realise that you have no power to deal with it, then you have to mind your own business and leave the common folk to their own devices. After you, will come days of patience, during which patience will be like grasping a burning ember, and one who does good deeds will have a reward like that of fifty men doing the same deed. [Abu Dawud]

In another Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said that we would see a great deal of selfishness after he was gone, and that it would be a sign of the day of judgement when we are surrounded by selfishness.

It was narrated from Usaid Bin Hudair that a man from among the Ansar came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and said:

Will you not appoint me as you appointed so-and-so? He said: You will encounter selfishness after I am gone, so be patient until you meet me at the lake (Al-Hawd). [Bukhari and Muslim]

In the beautiful Quranic verse in Surah Al-Hashr, Allah Almighty described the Muhajirin, those who migrated from Makkah and were received by Al Ansar. Allah Almighty captured their altruism, generosity and eagerness to help the new arrivals, how they give preference to them over themselves.

This quality of altruism is known as ithar  in Arabic. Those who exhibit it, think of others first, even when they are in need themselves.

Allah Almighty is teaching us that this quality leads to success, for those who are protected from their own selfishness will be the ones who gain the most reward. Allah Almighty says:

As for those who had settled in the homeland before them, and had accepted faiththey love those who emigrated to them, and they find no hesitation in their hearts in helping them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they themselves are needy. Whoever is protected from his own selfishnessit is they who are the successful. [Quran]

Therefore this is paradox, when you put others first, you are raised and put first by Allah Almighty. And He the Most High says:

And those who came after them, saying, Our Lord, forgive us, and our fellow believers who have preceded us in faith, and leave no bitterness in our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord, You are Clement and Merciful. [Quran, 59:9-10]

Altruism should never come at the cost of neglecting yourself or family. Being altruistic should not put you in hardship. Look after yourself and put others on the same level as yourself, but in doing so, do not leave your family without support. Be balanced.

Narrated Saad Bin Abi Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him): he said:

O Allahs Messenger, I have wealth and no one to inherit from me except my one daughter. Shall I give two-thirds of my property as Sadaqah? He replied, No. I said, Shall I give half of it as Sadaqah? He replied, No. I said, Shall I give a third of it as Sadaqah? He replied, You may give a third as Sadaqah, which is still a lot. To leave your heirs rich is better than to leave them poor and begging from people. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Reflect upon yourself and to what extent you are selfish in your behaviour and relationships. Minimise and control this trait by putting others before you. Have good friends who point out the good and bad in you.

Try your best to put others interests forward, and supplicate to Allah Almighty and accept the positive criticism of your sincere friends when they point out your flaws. Do it with the right intention.

Respected brothers and sisters! Allah Almighty has created the human soul with a predisposition to selfishness as a test. Unless he lives by the moral values of the Quran and Sunnah and tames his earthly desires, this feeling will come to dominate his whole moral framework.

Such a person generally thinks of himself alone, rather than everyone else. He always wants the best, finest and most perfect of everything for himself. He wants to have possessions and children and for his own family merely to be comfortable. In face of difficulties, poverty and economic hardship, he will expect the people around him to undergo all kinds of risks and troubles for him and to support him, even at the cost of their own interests. He seeks to protect his own whims and interests and to ensure his own ease and comfort.

When the situation is different he can forgo many things he values, for the sake of protecting his own interests and preventing any harm coming to him.

Allah has revealed this passionate selfish feeling in human earthly desires as follows in the Quran:

Truly man was created headstrong  desperate when bad things happen, begrudging when good things come. [Quran, 70:19-21]

They are a major threat to the nation and to the modern societies. The materialist thinking that is widespread in modern societies that do not live by religious moral values, reinforces the selfish and egotistical spirit in human nature and disseminates a me-first philosophy. Indeed, the idea of So long as Im all right, who cares what happens to anyone else? or Looking out for number one generally dominates such societies.

Thus, oppressed masses and poor people; their children devoid of education or food; are of no interest to such people. This social structure generally leads to a troubled and unhappy atmosphere.

Only people living by the moral values of the Quran and Sunnah can bring about any change in such a contaminated society; only they can change the people of selfish interest  those who protect their own interests and violate everyone elses; and who have no love or fear of Allah Almighty.

Islam cultivates love of Allah and which is the only way to acquire such values of good conscience as compassion and helpfulness, which are at the root of the Quranic moral values.

Fear and love of Allah enables people to submit themselves to Him, to see the best in everything and to have compassion. In the Quranic verses, Allah reveals how the only interest of concern to believers is His approval. Allah the Most High says:

They fulfill their vows and fear a Day whose evil will spread far and wide. They give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives: We feed you only out of desire for the Face of Allah. We do not want any repayment from you or any thanks. Truly We fear from our Lord a glowering, calamitous Day. So Allah has safeguarded them from the evil of that Day and has made them meet with radiance and pure joy. [Quran, 76:7-11]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

He who goes to bed full when his neighbour is hungry is not one of us. [Hadith]

It is an important warning to all those believers who desire to earn Allahs approval. Therefore, anyone aiming to earn Allahs approval will not just settle for a solution to his own problems; he will also assume responsibility for resolving the problems of others around him in need.

This may of course require people to give up things they love or to sacrifice their own comfort. The way that Muslims look to protect and watch over the poor by giving alms, help people in need by canceling their debts and spend their possessions on Allahs path, rather than accumulating and hoarding them, are moral virtues bestowed by the ethical values of the Quran and Sunnah.

Responding to peoples needs and treating them kindly are forms of behaviour that prevent atrophocation of the conscience. Empathising with others, treating the needy and the orphans with affection and showing respect and love make it possible to eliminate cruelty and selfishness. Quranic Verses reveal that the reward for good behaviour comes in the Presence of Allah. Allah Almighty says:

Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbours who are related to you and neighbours who are not related to you, and to companions and travelers and your slaves. Allah does not love anyone vain or boastful. [Quran, 4:36]

Faith (Iman) perfects peoples behaviour, as it does so many other traits. A believer who constantly heeds his conscience as required by religious moral values will always behave in the best, most considerate, trust-inspiring and tolerant manner.

Someone possessed of these moral attributes has earned merit for his own life in the hereafter. At the same time, he is instrumental in freeing the world from its self-interested and selfish nature, and making it a place of the delights of Islam.

Respected brothers and sisters! In the realm of politics, the pursuit of self-interest has long been a contentious issue. While some argue that self-interest is a natural and necessary driving force, others caution against the dangers it poses to society as a whole. How dangerous, then, is the politics of selfishness? Yes, this sermon aims to explore the ramifications of prioritising personal gain over collective well-being. By examining the adverse effects on social cohesion, economic inequality, and democratic processes, I shed light on the potential perils that arise when self-interest takes precedence in the political arena.

In todays political landscape, the prevalence of a politics rooted in selfishness poses significant dangers to our nation and our societies. When individuals prioritise personal gain over collective well-being, the very fabric of social cohesion is at risk. A society thrives when its members work together towards common goals and share a sense of responsibility towards one another. However, the politics of selfishness erodes this sense of solidarity, leading to a fractured society where divisions deepen and empathy diminishes. This erosion of social cohesion not only hampers progress but also creates an environment where conflict and polarisation flourish. Without a shared commitment to collective well-being, the pursuit of personal gain becomes a zero-sum game, where the success of one is often at the expense of others, exacerbating societal divisions and undermining the common good.

The politics of selfishness perpetuates and exacerbates economic inequality. When policies and decisions are driven solely by self-interest, the gap between the haves and have-nots widens, deepening socioeconomic disparities. This inequality not only affects individuals access to resources and opportunities but also undermines social mobility and perpetuates cycles of poverty. As wealth and power become concentrated in the hands of a few, the majority of the population is left struggling to meet their basic needs and achieve their aspirations. Economic inequality erodes trust in institutions and fuels societal discontent, as marginalised communities feel increasingly excluded and voiceless. It is crucial to recognise that a society where personal gain is prioritised over collective well-being cannot achieve true peace, unity, prosperity and sustainable growth.

The politics of selfishness undermines democratic processes, which rely on the principles of fairness, representation, and accountability. When politicians prioritise their own interests over those of the people they serve, the democratic ideals of transparency and public trust are eroded. Decision-making becomes influenced by personal gain rather than the needs and aspirations of the citizens. This erosion of democratic values diminishes the voice of the people, leading to a sense of disillusionment and disengagement from the political process. When the politics of selfishness prevails, the very foundation of democracy is compromised, and the power dynamics shift towards a few individuals or interest groups, rather than being representative of the collective will.

Ramifications of prioritising personal gain over collective well-being are far-reaching and detrimental to society. The erosion of social cohesion, deepening economic inequality, and undermining of democratic processes are just some of the adverse effects that arise from the politics of selfishness. It is imperative that we recognise the dangers inherent in this approach and strive towards a politics that values the common good, fosters inclusivity, and prioritises the well-being of all members of society. Only through collective action and a commitment to shared prosperity can we build a more equitable and harmonious future In Shaa Allah.

Dear servants of Allah! Sincerely speaking, we live in a selfish world today. Every man for himself and his family. But dont be selfish with your prayer. Pray for your nations, leaders, friends, your family, loved ones, as well as those you dont know. Remember, you may think its not much but your sincere prayer could change someones situation.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761.

This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Dhul-Hijjah 17, 1446 AH (June 13, 2025).

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Zypta Flow is a web-based trading system created by a team of crypto professionals to simplify the entire trading process and help traders and investors make significant profits in different market conditions. The platform combines the latest technologies like artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms to examine the vast crypto market, gather valuable data like trends and patterns, and offer precise trade signals and insights. According to the founders, this online trading bot keeps human biases from the trading process to provide error-free results. This Zypta Flow review is an extensive analysis of this platform to verify its real side.

Official Website For Zypta Flow

Though Zypta Flow is a new crypto trading software in the market, it has been garnering rave reviews from all sides. At the same time, mixed reviews and opinions are coming up online that are sure to confuse you. So, accessing genuine information from this clutter is important but difficult. To ease your search, we have penned this Zypta Flow review that lists all crucial information about the platform collected from reliable sources. Get started with the review right away and see if it will benefit you.

Zypta Flow- Facts Overview

Platform Name Zypta Flow Platform Type Web-based Technology Used AI technology Available Assets Cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex pairs, shares, futures, bonds, derivatives, commodities, and more Minimum Investment $250 Deposit and Withdrawal Options Debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and local bank transfers Demo Account Available Payout Time Within 24 hours Countries Eligible Most countries around the world Customer Support Round the clock Official Website Click Here

What is Zypta Flow?

Zypta Flow is a web-based crypto trading platform that uses the latest technologies like artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms to simplify the whole trading process. To elaborate, this trading system navigates the dynamic crypto market to collect valuable information like trends and patterns and offer precise trade alerts and insights so that traders and investors can make wise trading decisions. The founders state that Zypta Flow partners with trusted brokers or personal account managers in the industry to ensure support during emergencies and other phases of trading.

The Zypta Flow crypto trading system has been designed by integrating unique features and functionalities, such as an intuitive interface with a simple dashboard, a demo or practice account with simulated funds, customization options, a comprehensive suite of tools and resources, various secure payment methods, stringent safety measures and protocols, round-the-clock customer support, portfolio diversification, and so on. The platform is quite affordable and accessible on all devices, including mobile phones.

Try Zypta Flow For Free

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Is Zypta Flow Legit?

Since Zypta Flow is a new crypto trading platform, concerns have been raised by traders and investors about its legitimacy. The data available on reliable platforms suggest that this trading platform is genuine and suitable for both experts and beginners.

The Zypta Flow crypto trading platform uses the latest technologies like artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms to carry out live market analysis and offer accurate alerts and insights. The system follows a simple, secure, and cost-free registration process that can be completed in a few minutes. It partners with CySec-regulated brokers to ensure support at all stages of trading, especially during emergencies.

How to Start Trading on Zypta Flow?

The Zypta Flow crypto trading platform follows a simple, step-by-step method to allow traders to use its services. Here are the steps that you have to follow:

 Step 1- Create an Account

First of all, you have to create an account on the Zypta Flow platform. For this, open its official website and access the registration form on the homepage. Next, go through all the fields mentioned on the form and enter only the required details, such as your name, email address, phone number, and place of residence. Then, agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of the trading platform and submit the form. With this, the creators will review the details you have given and send a confirmation mail with a link to activate your account. Validate this mail and complete the first step.

 Step 2- Make a Minimum Investment

The next important step that you have to complete is the fund deposition process. For this, access the Deposit section on the platform and make a minimum deposit of $250. You can deposit this amount using debit/credit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, direct bank transfers, or any other available options. It is better to begin with a small investment and gradually make bigger investments to earn huge profits. Note that Zypta Flow does not charge any extra fees or commissions for depositing or withdrawing profits from your account.

 Step 3- Begin Live Trading

Finally, you can personalize the Zypta Flow crypto trading system as per your trading needs, risk tolerance levels, and market conditions. You can easily make changes to the strategies, parameters, and other settings of the system so that it can carry out live trading on your behalf. Before this, you can use the demo or trial mode of the platform to examine its features and functionalities, develop your trading skills, build strategies, and so on without any financial commitments.

Register On Zypta Flow For Free

How Does Zypta Flow Work?

The Zypta Flow online trading system works using the latest technologies like artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms to ease all tasks in trading and help even novice traders earn consistent profits. The platform navigates the vast crypto market to keep track of price movements, gain clarity about the latest updates, compare current and past price data of assets, spot emerging trends and patterns, and so on. Using this information, this trading platform identifies the right trading opportunities in the market and delivers accurate trade signals and insights that traders can use to execute profitable orders.

In addition to this, the Zypta Flow trading platform evaluates risks involved in the trading process and takes the necessary measures to prevent losses and protect investments. The system partners with regulated brokers or personal account managers in the industry to ensure quality services at each stage of the trading process. It offers several risk management tools like stop-loss orders, take-profit orders, and position sizing to help manage risks and safeguard investments.

Zypta Flow Pros and Cons

In this section, let us weigh the upsides and downsides of the Zypta Flow crypto trading platform.

Pros

 Free online crypto trading bot

 Easy and secure registration process

 Integration of the latest technologies

 Designed for both experts and beginners

 Live market analysis

 Accurate alerts and insights

 Different safe payment methods

 Fast payouts

 Customizable settings

 Extra tools and resources

 Partnership with trusted brokers

 Demo account with virtual funds

 Mobile compatible

 Strict safety measures and protocols

 24/7 customer support

Cons

 At the moment, the Zypta Flow online trading system is not accessible in some parts of the world like Iran, Israel, and Cyprus where local laws are against crypto trading and related activities

Zypta Flow User Reviews and Ratings

The real user responses to the Zypta Flow crypto trading platform are available on trustworthy platforms like review websites and crypto forums. On these platforms, traders and investors have commented that the system is simple to use, connects traders with reliable brokers, offers accurate alerts and insights, ensures 24/7 customer support, provides additional tools and resources, and so on. They have rated the system a 4.7/5. From what the users have to say and the rating they have given, the Zypta Flow online trading system seems legitimate and reliable.

Try Zypta Flow For Free

Zypta Flow- Cost, Minimum Deposit, and Profit

The Zypta Flow crypto trading software is affordable in comparison to other trading platforms in the market. The system allows live trading with a small investment of $250. It does not charge any extra fees or commissions for services like account registration, account maintenance, deposits, or withdrawals. The founders guarantee that traders can make significant profits by depositing a small amount, which seems true from the available user reviews and testimonials.

Zypta Flow Cryptocurrencies Supported

The Zypta Flow online trading system supports all major crypto currencies and other valuable assets, such as traditional stocks, commodities, bonds, derivatives, shares, futures, and forex pairs. So, traders and investors have the opportunity to invest in multiple assets, expand their portfolios, tackle risks, minimize losses, and maximize profits. Some major crypto assets currently available are listed below:

 TRON (TRX)

 Litecoin (LTC)

 Solana (SOL)

 Uniswap (UNI)

 ChainLink (LINK)

 Bitcoin (BTC)

 USD Coin (USDC)

 Ripple (XRP)

 Ethereum (ETH)

 Cardano (ADA)

 BitcoinCash (BCH)

 Dogecoin (DOGE)

Zypta Flow Countries Eligible

The Zypta Flow crypto trading system is at the moment accessible in almost all countries across the globe where crypto trading and related operations are considered legal. Some of these places are listed below:

 Singapore

 Slovenia

 Sweden

 Vietnam

 United Kingdom

 Netherlands

 United States

 Denmark

 Canada

 Spain

 Thailand

 Japan

 Australia

 Slovakia

 Switzerland

 Poland

 Hong Kong

 Norway

 Chile

 Taiwan

 Belgium

 Malaysia

 Finland

 Germany

 Brazil

 South Africa

 Mexico

Zypta Flow Final Verdict

So, in this Zypta Flow review, we have covered almost all crucial aspects of this new trading platform. The system combines advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and sophisticated algorithms for live market analysis, data collection, and signal generation. As of now, the platform has helped many traders who have rated it a 4.7/5 indicating that Zypta Flow is a safe and reliable trading system.

According to the Zypta Flow reviews, this trading platform is suitable for all types of traders, including beginners as it offers several user-friendly features and functionalities, such as an intuitive interface with a solid dashboard, a demo account with simulated funds, personalization options, a comprehensive suite of tools and resources, different safe banking methods, robust safety measures and protocols, dedicated customer support, portfolio diversification, and more.

The Zypta Flow online trading system is affordable with no extra fees or commissions and is easily accessible on all devices, including mobile phones. Considering all these aspects, this new trading software seems authentic and worth a shot.

Visit Zypta Flow FOR Free

Zypta Flow FAQs

Is Zypta Flow a safe and reliable trading system?

Zypta Flow seems to be a safe and reliable online trading system as it partners with trusted brokers, follows stringent safety measures and protocols, guarantees 24/7 customer support, etc.

Can Zypta Flow be used without downloads or installations?

Zypta Flow is a web-based trading platform that can be accessed on any device without any downloads or installations.

What about the signup process for the Zypta Flow bot?

The signup process for the Zypta Flow crypto trading bot is simple and can be completed in a few minutes.

How does the demo mode in Zypta Flow work?

The demo mode in the Zypta Flow platform allows traders to explore the system, develop skills, build strategies, and so on without any financial risks.

Does Zypta Flow have a responsive customer support team?

The Zypta Flow bot has a responsive customer support team that is available 24/7 to resolve queries and concerns of traders and investors.

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe have in the last one week discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and apprehended 23 oil thieves in the Niger Delta.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, a major general, made this known while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Kangye said the troops had sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review.

He said the troops recovered 121,035 litres of stolen crude oil, 19,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 7,140 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).

According to him, troops also discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 40 storage tanks and 28 drums.

Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and nine vehicles.

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

Furthermore, 23 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.

Between 7 June and 8 June, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Okigwe and Aniocha Local Government Areas of Imo and Delta States.

During the operations, two criminals were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones and motorcycles from them.

Similarly, between 6 June and 10 June, troops, acting on a tip-off, arrested nine suspected vandals/criminals in Okirika, Etche and Akuku-Toru in Rivers State as well as Ogbia and Aniocha North in Bayelsa and Delta State, respectively, he said.

READ ALSO: Nigerian military destroys 27 illegal oil refining sites in May Official

Mr Kangye called for the cooperation and support of all citizens in the collective efforts to overcome the nations security challenges.

By standing united and working together, we can effectively address any threats to our national security and build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria for generations to come, he said.

(NAN)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan has called on its citizens to refrain from visits to Iran, the ministry's statement said, Trend reports.

"Due to the current tense security situation between Israel and Iran, citizens of Azerbaijan are advised to refrain from visits to Iran unless absolutely necessary, and those who do visit are advised to exercise high caution.

Citizens of Azerbaijan currently in Iran are requested to observe security and safety regulations, not to go to areas near military and nuclear facilities, and to act in accordance with the security instructions issued by local authorities.

In the event of any emergency, our citizens are requested to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran and the Consulate General in Tabriz via the following means:

Embassy of Azerbaijan in Iran

[email protected]

+98 905 523 01 07

Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz

[email protected]

+98 901 414 31 57," the statement emphasized.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
SINGAPORE, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing: The 2025 Land-Sea Economic Forum was held on June 12 in Singapore, drawing nearly 200 participants from political, business, and academic sectors both in China and abroad.

Themed "Connectivity for Shared Success: Trends and Visions for Chinese Industries Expanding into Southeast Asia," the forum gathered Chinese and international guests in Singapore to explore new opportunities for Chinese industries expanding into the region, and to promote coordinated regional economic development.

Kishore Mahbubani, a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Research Institute at NUS and a Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations, makes a keynote speech. (Photo/WCICO)

The smooth development of ASEAN-China relations is largely due to ASEAN's effective functioning as a regional organization, said Kishore Mahbubani, a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Research Institute at NUS and a Former Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations, in his keynote speech. He noted regional cooperation requires working with all neighbors.

China's direct investment in ASEAN has doubled since the pandemic, and ASEAN has also become an important source of foreign investment for China. However, China's investment in ASEAN still accounts for less than 10%, indicating significant growth potential, according to He Dong, Chief Economist at the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).

Guan Xin, Vice President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia Co., Ltd., shared in his keynote address that in May 2025, Changan's first overseas new energy vehicle manufacturing base officially began operations in Rayong, Thailand. Changan has also established over 190 stores and partnered with more than 200 suppliers across Southeast Asia, creating over 300,000 jobs along the industrial chain and employing more than 1,100 staff, 87% of whom are local employees.

During the forum, China Securities released the report "A New Era of Industrial Revolution and Regional Integration: Southeast Asia Investment Report 2025," highlighting that there is broad room for cooperation between China and ASEAN in areas such as digitalization, manufacturing, and services, with Singapore and Chongqing serving as representative models of this partnership.

At the forum, representatives from MINISO, Tencent, Ant International, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, the Asian Development Bank, and the Singapore Exchange shared firsthand insights on going global. In roundtable sessions, they highlighted how AI is reshaping cross-border e-commerce, how Chinese cultural exports are gaining traction in ASEAN markets, and how financial services are strengthening China-Singapore connectivity and regional expansion.

SOURCE iChongqing
At SIGGRAPH 2025, 3D generative AI research is pushing the boundaries of creativity, computation, and control.

VANCOUVER, BC, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As 3D generative AI matures, it's reshaping creativity across multiple disciplines.

Unlike traditional artificial intelligence, which focuses on recognizing patterns and decision-making, generative AI can create entirely new content  from images and animation to realistic 3D models  opening up new frontiers in creative and technical applications.

CAST brings diverse 3D scenes to life from a single image, where the relations between objects shaped by their physical roles and interactions come together to form a cohesive and immersive virtual environment. Image credit: CAST: Component-Aligned 3D Scene Reconstruction From an RGB Image  2025 K. Yao, L. Zhang, X. Yan, Y. Zeng, Q. Zhang, ShanghaiTech University, Deemos; W. Yang, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; L. Xu, J. Gu, J. Yu, ShanghaiTech University Sketch2Anim transforms storyboard sketches into 3D motion. Keyposes (red) and trajectories (green) are extracted from each frame and converted into motion clips. These are blended into a full animation (bottom row) that brings the original storyboard to life. Image credit: Sketch2Anim: Towards Transferring Sketch Storyboards Into 3D Animation  2025 L. Zhong, J. Wang, C. Li , University of Edinburgh; C. Guo, Snap Inc.; Y. Xie, Northeastern University Dress-1-to-3 can reconstruct simulation-ready textured clothed humans from casually posed single view images. Input images: DeepFashion dataset. Image credit: Dress-1-to-3: Single Image to Simulation-Ready 3D Outfit With Diffusion Prior and Differentiable Physics  2025 X. Li, C. Yu, W. Du, Y. Jiang, T. Xie, Y. Chen, C. Jiang, University of California, Los Angeles; Y. Yang, University of Utah

SIGGRAPH 2025 , which will be held 1014 August in Vancouver, B.C., highlights exciting, groundbreaking research in computer graphics and interactive techniques. This year, ever-expanding work in the 3D generative AI space will be explored as part of the SIGGRAPH Technical Papers program , including these three novel methods  each offering a unique take on how 3D generative AI is being applied.

A Bold Leap in 3D Scene Creation

While generative AI tools have made progress in individual 3D object reconstruction, recreating realistic scenes with multiple objects and accurately capturing their physical interaction remains a challenge. A research team from ShanghaiTech University and Deemos is addressing this limitation with an innovative method for reconstructing high-quality 3D scenes from a single photo. Motivated by bridging the gap between single-object 3D generation and holistic scene reconstruction, this new work levels up the accuracy and efficiency in creating realistic 3D scenes.

"This leap from generating single objects, like a 3D model of a chair, to entire scenes is part of the generative AI revolution, where AI is becoming production-ready," says Qixuan (QX) Zhang, a researcher at ShanghaiTech University and Deemos and the project lead behind " CAST: Component-Aligned 3D Scene Reconstruction From an RGB Image ". "This is transforming how we create immersive digital experiences and train smart machines."

Building on earlier work, "CLAY", which earned the researchers a Best Paper nomination at SIGGRAPH 2024 for its high-quality single-object 3D geometry generation , they developed a new approach called CAST to take things a step further. CAST addresses some of CLAY's previous limitations around training data and accuracy. By combining powerful AI models that can recognize a wide range of objects, account for hidden parts of a scene, and precisely match camera angles, CAST can reconstruct full 3D scenes from a single, regular photo. The result, say the researchers, is realistic and produces physically accurate environments.

"Imagine taking a picture of your living room and turning it into a fully interactive 3D scene for a video game, movie, or robot training  all with objects perfectly placed and behaving as they would in the real world, like cups resting on tables or chairs tucked against the walls," explains QX. "CAST brings us closer to a future where anyone can snap a single photo and instantly create such a realistic 3D virtual world that feels alive and true to reality."

In future work, the CAST team will tackle existing limitations like capturing object details of difficult materials such as textiles and glass, as well as incorporating lighting and background modeling  which all contribute to more realistic and accurate 3D scene generation.

Generative AI's impact on computer graphics, adds QX, has been profound. "Looking ahead, I believe GenAI will make 3D reconstruction more accessible and production ready. Future enhancements will likely integrate real-time dynamic scene generation, allowing for interactive, evolving environments."

Working with QX on the CAST research team are collaborators from Deemos and ShanghaiTech, including Kaixin Yao, Longwen Zhang, Xinhao Yan, Yan Zeng, Wei Yang, Lan Xu, Jiayuan Gu, and Jingyi Yu. Visit here for the team's project page.

Rewriting the Storyboard With 3D GenAI

A new generative AI method is turning 2D storyboard sketches into accurate 3D animations. This underexplored area in computer animation  transforming traditional storyboarding to a 3D process  is being addressed with a new sophisticated tool called Sketch2Anim. This novel method successfully transfers storyboards into high-quality 3D motions and inherently supports direct 3D animation editing.

In this work, an international team of researchers from University of Edinburgh, Northeastern University, and Snap, Inc., leveraged advancements in motion diffusion models  a type of AI that helps generate natural-looking motions frame by frame  to develop a new approach that can automatically translate 2D drawings into 3D animations.

The Sketch2Anim team devised what they call a conditional generation approach, a method that can generate realistic 3D motion, like walking, jumping, or dancing based on a combination of key body poses, movement paths, and action words like "run", "jump", or "wave" from a storyboard. Part of the method involves a novel mapping system that can match a user's simple 2D sketches with the correct and accurate 3D movements. The researchers say this is the first approach to adapt motion diffusion models for generating 3D animation directly from 2D storyboards.

"This task has significant practical importance and has been a longstanding challenge in the field," says Changjian Li, lead author of the work and an assistant professor in the School of Informatics at University of Edinburgh. "Our method makes a substantial contribution by addressing this complex problem effectively."

The team conducted comprehensive experiments and evaluations, as well as a user perceptual study to demonstrate the effectiveness of their approach.

The introduction of the Sketch2Anim method marks a promising step forward, and it's just the beginning. Currently, Sketch2Anim handles simplified storyboards with keyposes and movement paths, such as a character jumping over one object in a scene like a table or chair or bending at the knees. However, real-world storyboarding is often much more complex.

In future work, the team plans to address current limitations and extend the system's capabilities to handle more detailed 2D sketches and translate them into accurate 3D animations. Additionally, the researchers are exploring ways to enhance control features such as incorporating speed control by interpreting speed lines in sketches. Improving the tool's controllability, they note, remains a key area for future development.

"With this method and future developments, the 3D animation industry is poised for a transformative shift, moving away from traditional workflows," adds Li. "We envision generative AI technologies contributing to AI-assisted design tools that lower entry barriers for non-experts, enhance efficiency for professionals, and accelerate innovation across creative industries."

The " Sketch2Anim: Towards Transferring Sketch Storyboards Into 3D Animation " team will present at SIGGRAPH 2025. In addition to Li, the team includes Lei Zhong, Chuan Guo, Yiming Xie, and Jiawei Wang. Visit their project page for more information.

What Are You Wearing  But Make It 3D

The integration of generative AI tools in fashion tech is rapidly evolving, and it has the ability to take a user's experience of virtually "trying-before-buying" to the next level. While these innovative tools are becoming more popular, challenges remain to make animated 3D fashion tech truly realistic and easily accessible.

A team of computer scientists at University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Utah are proposing a solution with a new generative AI tool called Dress-1-to-3. This novel endtoend system transforms a single photograph into fully separable, simulation-ready 3D garments  complete with sewing patterns, textures, material parameters, and a posed human body.

"What sets it apart is that the resulting assets are not just visually realistic, but physically accurate and immediately usable in downstream applications such as cloth simulation, virtual try-ons, and digital fashion workflows  all from just one casual image," says Xuan Li, lead author of SIGGRAPH 2025 Technical Paper " Dress-1-to-3: Single Image to Simulation-Ready 3D Outfit With Diffusion Prior and Differentiable Physics ". Li earned his PhD at UCLA, conducting research at the Chenfanfu Jiang lab and is now a research scientist at NVIDIA.

Dress-1-to-3 takes a single photo of a person and generates realistic, animated 3D clothing that looks and moves like real fabric. Unlike other similar computational frameworks that create stiff or fused models, this tool creates separate garments  like shirts, pants, or dresses  that can automatically be used in digital simulations like a fashion brand's virtual try-on option or in video games.

The system works by combining a model that predicts sewing patterns from the photo with another that imagines the clothing from multiple angles. Then it fine tunes the result using a virtual fabric simulator to ensure the clothes behave realistically.

"No special equipment is needed  just your smartphone," says Li. "This is a major step toward making digital fashion and virtual dressing rooms accessible to everyone."

In this work, Li and the team addressed several obstacles faced by earlier research. A single photo generally lacks depth and often hides parts of the garment due to occlusion, making full 3D reconstruction highly ambiguous. The new tool overcomes this problem by using a multiview diffusion model that imagines how the garment looks from different angles. These synthetic views, say the researchers, help generate a coherent 3D shape. Dress-1-to-3 also successfully reconstructions the complex geometry taken from photographs that can result in better, optimized re-creation of single garments.

"We make a state-of-the-art cloth simulation algorithm  Codimensional Incremental Potential Contact (C-IPC)  differentiable and perform optimization with simulation in the loop," explains Li. "This physics-based optimization allows us to jointly determine an optimal sewing pattern and physical parameters such that the deformed garments under realistic conditions match the input images."

The team sees an opportunity to extend this system to handle videos, which are just as easy to capture on smartphones. It may also provide richer information about how garments deform and may improve the estimation of physical properties like stiffness and, in turn, help the sewing pattern optimization.

Li will be showcasing this work at SIGGRAPH 2025 with his collaborators, Chenfanfu Jiang, Chang Yu, Wenxin Du, Ying Jiang, Tianyi Xie, Yunuo Chen, and Yin Yang. Visit their project page for more information.

The research previewed here is a small sampling of the vast Technical Papers research on the schedule for SIGGRAPH 2025. Visit the Technical Papers listing on the full schedule to discover more generative AI content, and register now to experience it among a global community of computer graphics professionals.

About ACM, ACM SIGGRAPH, and SIGGRAPH 2025

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field's challenges. SIGGRAPH is a special interest group within ACM that serves as an interdisciplinary community for members in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. The SIGGRAPH conference is the world's leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques. SIGGRAPH 2025 , the 52nd annual conference hosted by ACM SIGGRAPH, will take place live 1014 August at the Vancouver Convention Centre, along with a Virtual Access option.

SOURCE SIGGRAPH 2025
Award recognizes campaign that redefined how universities demonstrate real-world impactand sparked a global movement for institutional transformation.

NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The TLFT 2025 Thought Leadership Industry Catalyst Award has been awarded to Elsevier and the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) for their groundbreaking work on the 4th Generation University frameworka campaign that redefined how universities measure and communicate their societal value.

Elsevier and TU/e Win TLFT 2025 Thought Leadership Industry Catalyst Award Post this Elsevier Representative, Steve Watson accepting the TLFT 2025 Thought Leadership Industry Catalyst Award at NeueHouse New York City

The award, presented at the annual Thought Leadership for Tomorrow (TLFT) event, honors campaigns that do more than just inform an industrythey shift its entire direction. This year, judges recognized the 4th Generation University campaign for setting a new standard in how institutions evaluate their real-world impact, engage stakeholders, and influence investment and policy at a global level.

"What made Elsevier and TU/e's campaign stand out was its boldness and timing. The 4th Generation University framework isn't just thought leadershipit's a blueprint for institutional transformation," said Brittany Williams, VP of Editorial & Content Creation at iResearch Services, the founding organization behind the TLFT Awards.

"It addresses a deep need in higher education: to measure what really matters, and to tell a story that resonates with governments, funders, and the public. That's the kind of systemic impact we launched the TLFT Awards to celebrate."

Why It Won

The campaign was selected as the 2025 Industry Catalyst because it:

Elevated a global issue : Academic leaders worldwide have cited the inability to demonstrate societal impact as a major existential risk. This campaign met that moment head-on, offering a data-driven, regionally grounded solution.

: Academic leaders worldwide have cited the inability to demonstrate societal impact as a major existential risk. This campaign met that moment head-on, offering a data-driven, regionally grounded solution. Created new tools and language : The 4th Generation University framework introduced an entirely new evaluation modelcentered on Talent, Research, Valorization, and Governancethat enables universities to articulate their real-world contributions in ways that matter to policymakers and communities.

: The 4th Generation University framework introduced an entirely new evaluation modelcentered on Talent, Research, Valorization, and Governancethat enables universities to articulate their real-world contributions in ways that matter to policymakers and communities. Sparked action and alignment: Within months of launching the report in April 2024 , 12 universities signed on as founding partners. The campaign led to the creation of 4thgenuniversity.com, a growing global community of institutions aligned around the new framework.

Impact Highlights

Alumni retention : At TU/e, 46.7% of alumni remain within 75 km of the university, demonstrating regional talent flow and long-term socioeconomic impact.

: At TU/e, 46.7% of alumni remain within 75 km of the university, demonstrating regional talent flow and long-term socioeconomic impact. Policy relevance : The framework aligns with national and regional innovation priorities, incorporating patent data, LinkedIn alumni analysis, KET mapping, and geospatial visualizations.

: The framework aligns with national and regional innovation priorities, incorporating patent data, LinkedIn alumni analysis, KET mapping, and geospatial visualizations. Sector-wide momentum: The campaign has been showcased at 10+ global events, in over 100 high-level meetings, and attracted more than 50 new requests to join the 4th Generation University community.

About the TLFT Awards

The Thought Leadership for Tomorrow Awards recognize organizations and individuals using original thinking to inspire, innovate, and ignite change. The Industry Catalyst Award is given annually to a campaign that has sparked significant influence across an industry or sector, reshaping how others think and act on urgent challenges.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a global leader in information analytics, partnering with research and academic institutions to advance science and improve societal outcomes. Through innovative frameworks, analytics, and collaboration, Elsevier supports partners in making evidence-based decisions that benefit communities around the world.

SOURCE Thought Leadership For Tomorrow (TLFT)
ASHBURN, Va., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Loudoun Times-Mirror announced that Abich Financial Services Inc. was voted winner of the Best of Loudoun contest. "It's an honor and privilege to be voted the #1 Retirement Planning firm in Loudoun County for the seventh year in a row. This recognition is a huge testament to our award-winning team and our wonderful, hard-working clients who have entrusted us with their life savings," says Abe Abich, Founder and CEO.

Abich Financial Services, Inc., Fall 2024

For the past 17 years, this Phase 2 fiduciary retirement planning firm has been dedicated to serving the 55+ community as they transition into retirement. Its mission is to help people retire with dignity and confidence by growing and protecting their retirement savings.

In the past year, the firm has experienced rapid expansion, once again earning Abich Financial a place on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, a prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

Abich Financial engages with the community by hosting educational webinars and seminars that cover a wide range of financial topics, including taxes, Social Security, required minimum distributions (RMDs), health care, and retirement income. The firm also maintains a strong regional media presence, with shows that deliver weekly content designed to help listeners make informed decisions about complex financial matters.

Radio Broadcasts:

"The Retirement Key" can be heard on the following stations and times:

WMAL

Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. , 11:00 a.m. , and 2:00 p.m.



Sundays at 8:00 a.m. , 2:00 p.m. , and 5:00 p.m.

WDCH

Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Television Broadcasts:

Tune in to Abe Abich as he brings retirement insights to the screen:

Saturdays:

11:30 a.m. on ABC



12:00 p.m. on CBS and NBC



7:30 p.m. on CBS, NBC, and CNEWS

Sundays:

9:00 a.m. on CBS



12:00 p.m. on ABC and NBC

Learn more about the services offered by Abich Financial by visiting their website at www.abichfinancial.com. For additional information, email their office at [email protected] or call (571) 577-9968.

Investment advisory services offered through Abich Financial Wealth Management, LLC. a Registered Investment Advisor firm. Insurance services are offered through Abich Financial Services Inc.#127820. Rating received on May 2, 2025. Voting period from February 21, 2025 to April, 2025. Votes were cast on the Loudoun Times-Mirror ("LTM") website and were tabulated solely by LTM. Abich Financial Services pays for advertisements in the LTM, however, did not provide compensation, directly or indirectly, for rating.

SOURCE Abich Financial Services Inc.
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE:APD) will showcase industrial gas solutions and technologies for metals and materials processing applications at the PowderMet2025 International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials from June 15-18 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown in Phoenix, Arizona.

Those attending are invited to stop by Air Products' booth #412 to speak with an industry specialist and learn how Air Products' industrial gases, technologies, and supply solutions can help metal processors improve product quality, reduce operating costs, increase production and optimize gas usage. Air Products' Smart Technology intelligent systems can help take the guesswork out of sintering, annealing, brazing, hot isostatic pressing, metal injection molding and 3D printing.

In addition, Reed Hendershot, an Air Products' Senior Engineer, Advanced Technology, will host a technical session titled "Smart Solutions to Improve Sintering Atmosphere and Process" at 3:45 p.m. MST on Monday, June 16.

PowderMet2025 is the leading technical conference on powder metallurgy and particulate materials in the Americas and a hub for technology transfer for professionals from every part of the industry, including buyers and specifiers of metal powders, tooling and compacting presses, sintering furnaces, furnace belts, powder handling and blending equipment, quality-control and automation equipment, particle-size and powder-characterization equipment, consulting and research services.

For more than 50 years, metals processors around the world have relied on Air Products' industrial gases, gas atmospheres, equipment and technical support. Air Products provides industrial gases including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium and hydrogen, gas handling equipment and technology, additives, global supply capability and unmatched industry experience and technical know-how to help organizations succeed.

For more information on how Air Products' industrial gases and expertise can assist metals and materials processors visit Air Products' Metals Processing Knowledge Center.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets and generating a cleaner future. The Company supplies essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, medical and food. As the leading global supplier of hydrogen, Air Products also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest clean hydrogen projects, supporting the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy in the industrial and heavy-duty transportation sectors. Through its sale of equipment businesses, the Company also provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

Air Products had fiscal 2024 sales of $12.1 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of over $60 billion. For more information, visit airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook or Instagram.

SOURCE Air Products
CALLAO, Peru, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alicorp S.A.A. (" Alicorp " or the " Company ") (Lima Stock Exchange: ALICORC1 and ALICORI1) announces the Average Representative Market Rate applicable to calculate the amount of U.S. dollars payable for the Consideration for all Notes accepted for purchase in its tender offer for cash (the " Offer ") for any and all of its outstanding 6.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (CUSIP Nos. 016234 AC0 and P0161K DW0) (the " Notes "). Capitalized terms used but not defined have the meanings assigned to them in the Offer to Purchase, dated June 3, 2025 (the " Offer to Purchase ").

The Average Representative Market Rate is S/ 3.6347. As a result, assuming the consummation of the Financing Condition and following the application of the Pool Factor, the aggregate total amount of U.S. dollars (including accrued interest) payable on the Settlement Date for the Notes that were validly tendered and are expected to be accepted for purchase is U.S.$202,042,117.74.

Alicorp engaged BBVA Securities Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as the Dealer Managers for the Offer. Persons with questions regarding the Offer should contact BBVA Securities Inc. at (212) 728-1607 (Collect) or (800) 422-8692 (Toll Free), BofA Securities, Inc. at (646) 855-8988 (Collect) or (888) 292-0070 (Toll Free), Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC at (212) 357-1452 (Collect) or (800) 828-3182 (Toll Free), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at (212) 834-7279 (Collect) or (866) 846-2874 (Toll Free).

The complete terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase, copies of which are available at the following web address: http://www.dfking.com/alicorp, or may also be obtained from D.F. King & Co., Inc. (" D.F. King "), the Information Agent and Tender Agent for the Offer, by contacting D.F. King at (877) 361-7972 (Toll-Fee) or (212) 269-5550 (Collect), or email [email protected].

This press release is not an offer to sell the Notes or any securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy the Notes or any securities. Alicorp has neither obtained any commitments to purchase, nor entered into any agreements, to sell any securities. None of Alicorp, the Dealer Managers, the Tender Agent, the Information Agent or the Trustee for the Notes makes any recommendation in connection with the Offer. Please refer to the Offer to Purchase for a description of offer terms, conditions, disclaimers and other information applicable to the Offer.

About Alicorp

Alicorp is a leading Latin American producer, distributor and marketer of branded consumer products under three business segments: consumer goods; aquafeed; and B2B (business to business) branded products. Alicorp is headquartered in Peru, where it operates 29 manufacturing facilities, and has international operations in Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and Honduras.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent Alicorp's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Alicorp's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, Alicorp does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors.

Contacts: Alicorp S.A.A.

Av. Argentina N 4793

Carmen de la Legua Reynoso

Provincia Constitucional del Callao

Peru+51 (1) 315-0800

SOURCE Alicorp S.A.A.
Tailored certificate programs upskill employees, strengthen companies, meet industry demands.

GLENSIDE, Pa., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadia University, in collaboration with Core Education, a public benefit corporation specializing in transformative business model solutions, has launched its Workforce Development program, an initiative to help employers in Pennsylvania and beyond recruit, retain, and upskill their talent.

Through this dynamic online certificate program , organizations can access customizable, scalable training programs tailored to meet specific industry demands and organizational goals.

Workforce shortages continue to challenge employers across the state. According to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry , workforce development remains a top strategic priority, with skills gaps and talent shortages consistently cited as major barriers to growth. As of 2024 , Pennsylvania had 304,000 job openings but only 233,000 unemployed individuals actively seeking work, revealing a shortfall of over 70,000 workers across the state.

Arcadia's Workforce Development program offers more than 150 industry-recognized certificate programs in high-demand fields including healthcare, IT, business, and manufacturing. Many programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs) or professional development credits. Designed to meet the needs of today's workforce, these offerings are delivered in flexible online and hybrid formats ideal for working professionals.

"Pennsylvania's economy is evolving rapidly, and its employers need workforce partners who can evolve with it," said Scott Miller, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Core Education. "Our collaboration with Arcadia ensures that organizations are equipped with the skills and agility to lead in a competitive market."

Arcadia's Workforce Development program also provides easy pathways for degree completion for those with some college experience but not a degree, and allows students to stack certificates or seamlessly transition to a bachelor's degree.

"Employers are demanding more strategic and skill-focused partnerships to stay competitive," said Dr. John Noakes, Associate Provost at Arcadia University and Director of its new Center for Professional Futures. "This partnership with Core Education allows us to respond with purposeby aligning our academic strengths to the real-world workforce needs of Pennsylvania businesses."

About Arcadia University

Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that provides a values-based educational experience by placing students at the center. Learn more at arcadia.edu

About Core Education

Core Education is a public benefit corporation that helps small and mid-sized institutions transform their business models through innovative shared services. Learn more at core.edu .

SOURCE Arcadia University
MIAMI, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) has scheduled a conference call with analysts for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EDT); 3 p.m. (BST) to discuss the company's second quarter financial results which are expected to be released that morning.

A simulcast of the call will be available via the company's websites at www.carnivalcorp.com and www.carnivalplc.com.

About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines  AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.

For more information, please visit www.carnivalcorp.com, www.aida.de, www.carnival.com, www.costacruises.com, www.cunard.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.pocruises.com, www.princess.com , and www.seabourn.com.

To learn more about Carnival Corporation's purpose and our positive impact worldwide on people and the planet, go to www.carnivalcorp.com/impact/.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
BEIJING, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from China Daily

The opening ceremony of "An Encounter with Chinese Culture: Jiangsu Week of the Grand Canal Culture" took place on Tuesday in Brussels, an event of China's Jiangsu province that has received a warm welcome from both local residents and cultural experts.

A performance combining Jiangsus Wuxi Opera and Belgian surrealist art is presented by Chinese and Belgian artists at the opening ceremony in Brussels. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

As part of a series of events to celebrate the year 2025 as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, the event is co-hosted by the Mission of China to the EU, the Information Office of the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, and the Jiangsu International Culture Association.

During the opening ceremony, He Liping, a sand artist, displayed to the audience how she drew a sand picture about eight meters in length at the site. On the left, Belgium is depicted with Bruges' fairy tale charm, with red kestrels, blooming poppies, Smurfs at the Atomium, Tintin in the Grand Place, and EU landmarks. On the right, the canal culture features the cities of Changzhou and Wuxi, Jiangsu province, with giant pandas and cherry blossoms surrounding ancient bridges.

Cao Weiping, a tea snack artist from Changzhou, was present at the opening ceremony and the subsequent events, teaching audiences about the methods of making such snacks.

"Tea snacks date to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when drinking tea was so popular among both intellectuals and ordinary people that snacks for them naturally appeared. So it's fair to say that our tea snacks have a history of over 1,400 years, made of daily food and carved delicately in the shapes of different fruits in different seasons," she said.

A Spanish violinist, Marina Martin, toured the Millennia-old Canal, Charm of Jiangsu exhibition and was interested in the exhibit of Chinese instruments, including the erhu, a traditional musical instrument.

"I loved the Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto when I first listened to it," she said, recalling previous visits to China. "I think music transcends borders, and events like this really help different peoples appreciate each other's culture."

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710221/903118b46550dbe68b36f73ff81fc94.jpg
Contest winner selected as part of Just Beyond Your Door campaign launch

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Just ahead of National Go RVing Day on June 14, Go RVing is excited to announce the winner of its "Just Beyond Your Door" contest: Rachel Engen of Colorado who plans to travel by RV to Lake Tahoe later this summer with her daughters and husband.

Just ahead of National Go RVing Day, Go RVing is excited to announce the winner of its "Just Beyond Your Door" contest. Post this Graphic stating National Go RVing Day June 14, 2025 with a picture looking out the door of an RV

The contest was part of Go RVing's new "Just Beyond Your Door" campaign , designed to inspire more Americans to discover the freedom and flexibility of RV travel, and encouraged contestants to share their ideal RV getaway when entering. For Engen, she was drawn to the idea of RV travel because, "this would make traveling with the kiddos and all our bikes and paddle boards way easier!" Many other contestants also shared their dreams of traveling with children, pets, and friends.

The prize package includes a gift card for an RV rental, a gift card for gas, campground accommodations, food, and activities as well as Go RVing branded gear to help ensure they have the trip of a lifetime. "We're thrilled to help the Engen family experience the freedom and flexibility RV travel offers," said Karen Redfern, Chief Marketing Officer for Go RVing. "From Colorado to Lake Tahoe, their journey is a great reminder that incredible adventures can be found just beyond your door."

National Go RVing Day is celebrated annually on the second Saturday in June and encourages Americans to kick off the summer travel season with an RV adventure. To build your own road trip, access how-to resources, and find the best RV for your needs, visit gorving.com .

About Go RVing

The Go RVing program is the consumer-facing voice of the RV industry with a mission to inspire potential RVers, spark curiosity, and raise awareness about the benefits and accessibility of RVing through rich, authentic, and diverse storytelling. For more information, visit www.GoRVing.com .

SOURCE RV Industry Association
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan has issued a directive urging its nationals to abstain from undertaking travel to Israel, the ministry's statement said, Trend reports.

"Due to the current tense security situation between Israel and Iran, citizens of Azerbaijan are advised to refrain from visits to Israel unless absolutely necessary, and those who do travel are advised to exercise high caution.

Citizens of Azerbaijan currently in Israel are asked to observe security and safety regulations and act in accordance with the security instructions issued by local authorities.

In the event of any emergency, our citizens are asked to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Israel via the following means:

Embassy Azerbaijan in Israel

[email protected]

+972 54 539 77 88," the statement emphasized.

To note, on the morning of June 13, Israel launched military air strikes on Iran. The strikes killed a large number of high-ranking military personnel, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatem al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and senior officials.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
IRVINE, Calif., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Corner Bakery Cafe is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest Southern California location at 13652 Jamboree Rd. in the heart of Irvine on Monday, June 16. This marks the brand's 30th location in California, bringing its signature made-to-order breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches, savory soups, and handcrafted salads to one of Orange County's most vibrant and fast-growing communities.

Corner Bakery Cafe is excited to announce the grand opening of its newest Southern California location at 13652 Jamboree Rd. in the heart of Irvine on Monday, June 16.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first 100 guests in line will receive a branded Corner Bakery travel tumbler along with free coffee refills for a year, the perfect way to fuel busy mornings in this bustling city.

Opening-day guests will also have the chance to enter an exclusive raffle for their choice of Free Paninis for a Year or a Free Corner Classic Order for a future gathering. The raffle winner will be selected the next day and contacted by a member of the Corner Bakery Catering Team to select their prize.

Adding to the festivities, a live DJ will be spinning throughout the day, and guests can try their luck at the Spin the Wheel station for a chance to win free Corner Bakery coupons and prizesmaking this a true community celebration.

"Irvine is an exciting, fast-growing market that aligns perfectly with the Corner Bakery experienceoffering fresh, craveable menu items in a warm, welcoming atmosphere," said Erin Hasselgren, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. "We are thrilled to open our doors and look forward to becoming a favorite neighborhood spot."

A great alternative to fast food fare, Corner Bakery Cafe offers guests an elevated cafe experience rooted in quality, comfort, and convenience. The Irvine opening marks a continuation of Corner Bakery's national investment in corporate cafe expansion. It joins recent openings at Union Station in Chicago and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as the highly anticipated re-opening of the Accenture Tower location in Chicago. These strategic moves underscore the brand's commitment to growth and revitalization across key U.S. markets.

With its newest cafe in Irvine set to officially welcome guests, Corner Bakery Cafe continues to deliver on its promise of thoughtfully prepared food served in a welcoming neighborhood atmospherean ideal destination for breakfast meetups, coffee breaks, working lunches, or catered events.

Following the grand opening, the Irvine Corner Bakery Cafe will operate seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For more information, visit cornerbakerycafe.com or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok.

*Pricing and availability vary by location.

ABOUT CORNER BAKERY CAFE

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving kitchen-crafted breakfast, lunch, dinner and catering to guests in 18 states and Washington, D.C. In 1991, inspired by great fresh ingredients, the small neighborhood bakery on a corner in downtown Chicago began creating artisan breads and freshly baked sweets. For the last 33 years, Corner Bakery Cafes have been a neighborhood favorite. Founded on a philosophy of creating a warm and comfortable place for people to relax with friends, family and neighbors, the restaurants feature artisan-inspired, seasonal menu options made with fresh ingredients, while delivering a premier bakery experience in the heart of neighborhoods across the nation. Guests' favorites include the crave-worthy Anaheim Scrambler for breakfast, the grilled-to-perfection Chicken Pomodori Panini for lunch, the kitchen-crafted Pesto Cavatappi pasta for dinner and a slice of rich, flavorful Cinnamon Creme Cake for a sweet treat. The catering menu includes freshly scrambled eggs and Berry & Almond Overnight Oats, baskets of assorted specialty sandwiches, signature pastas and hot and delicious soups. Corner Bakery Cafe is owned by an affiliate of SSCP, a Dallas-based enterprise and an award-winning leader in the restaurant industry. To learn more, visit cornerbakerycafe.com or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok.

SOURCE Corner Bakery Cafe
STAMFORD, Conn., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The annual general meeting of shareholders of Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis, was held today via live webcast online (the "Meeting"). Each of the matters voted upon at the Meeting is discussed in detail in the Company's management information circular dated April 29, 2025 (the "Circular"), which can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on EDGAR (https://www.sec.gov/edgar).

The total number of votes cast by the shareholders in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting was 1,722,745,691 votes (with each subordinate voting share entitling the holder thereof to one (1) vote, and each multiple voting share entitling the holder thereof to fifteen (15) votes). The voting results in relation to the election of directors were as follows:



Percentage of Votes Name of Director For (%) Withheld (%) Michelle Bodner 99.93 0.07 Karl Johansson 98.91 1.19 Boris Jordan 97.92 2.08 Mitchell Kahn 97.92 2.08 Joseph Lusardi 97.98 2.02 Shasheen Shah 99.92 0.08

In addition, the number of directors of the Company was also set by the shareholders of Curaleaf at ten (10) directors, and the resolution with respect to the reappointment of PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP as the Company's auditor put before the shareholders for consideration and approval at the Meeting, as described in the Circular, was duly approved by the requisite number of votes. The Company has filed a report of voting results on all resolutions voted on at the Meeting under its profile on www.sedarplus.ca and on www.sec.gov/edgar.

About Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, Find, Anthem and The Hemp Company provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Investor Contact

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Camilo Lyon, Chief Investment Officer

[email protected]

Media Contact

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Jordon Rahmil, VP Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- D2 Residential and Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) are excited to announce their new program aimed at providing innovative financing solutions for multifamily apartments and other commercial residential assets. This new program is designed to offer an alternative to traditional agency and CMBS conduit financing executions by providing greater structural flexibility, more streamlined execution, and a customized approach to borrower needs.

D2 Residential and Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking

Designed with institutional and middle-market sponsors in mind, the platform addresses financing objectives that may not be fully met by existing agency executions, enabling sponsors to pursue their business plans with more aligned, creative capital solutions. Under this collaboration, D2 Residential and Natixis CIB will work together to originate and securitize loans within the program, with D2 Residential assuming the role of first loss holder in these transactions. This strategic partnership is expected to enhance financial opportunities for borrowers in the multifamily sector.

D2 Residential, led by David Brickman, President of D2 Residential and a Partner at D2 Asset Management, and former CEO of Freddie Mac, brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the platform. Natixis CIB will manage the program through its Real Estate & Hospitality group, led by Precilla Torres, Head of Real Estate & Hospitality Americas, which is dedicated to providing a wide range of balance sheet and capital markets products to clients in the commercial real estate sector.

This program reflects both organizations' commitment to supporting the growth of multifamily housing by providing financing options that meet the evolving needs of borrowers.

David Brickman, President of D2 Residential Real Estate notes: "We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Natixis on this innovative new program. As the multifamily market continues to evolve and capital markets gain a deeper appreciation for the intrinsic strengths of multifamily as an asset class, we believe there is a unique opportunity to introduce a differentiated offering. This program is specifically designed for top-tier institutional and middle-market Multifamily operators and sponsors who are unable to fully meet their financing objectives through existing institutional lenders or the Agencies."

Precilla Torres, Head of Real Estate and Hospitality Americas of Natixis CIB added "This partnership is intended to create the only programmatic private stabilized, fixed rate all multifamily securitization series in the current environment outside of the agencies' programs. Through this platform, we will provide our borrower and investor clients with a unique product offering to serve their fixed rate multifamily needs. Natixis CIB is privileged and looking forward to working with D2 in growing our multifamily lending businesses together."

About D2 Residential

D2 Asset Management is a global investment firm that invests across the capital structure in asset-based opportunities. Founded in 2024 to address the evolving alternative investment landscape, the firm specializes in asset-based investments across the capital structure emphasizing high-conviction strategies and long-term partnerships. D2 provides innovative and flexible capital solutions across industries, markets, and cycles, with a focus on delivering consistent, attractive risk-adjusted returns.

About Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide.

Our teams of experts in about 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business.

As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group's financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A+, Moody's: A1, Fitch: A+, R&I: A+).

Press contact:

Tara Flanagan, Prosek Partners

Tel: +1 646 818 9022

[email protected]

cib.natixis.com

SOURCE Natixis
NEWTOWN, Pa., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating data privacy claims regarding an incident at Erie Indemnity Company ("Erie Insurance"). Erie Insurance learned of a data breach on or about June 7, 2025.

To join this case, go HERE.

About Erie Indemnity Company

Erie Indemnity Company, operating as Erie Insurance and based in Erie, Pennsylvania, manages the Erie Insurance Exchange and offers auto, home, business, and life insurance through independent agents nationwide.

What happened?

On or about June 7, 2025, Erie Insurance detected suspicious activity on its network. They have initiated an investigation to understand the situation thoroughly.

How can I protect my personal data?

If you receive a data breach notification concerning Erie Insurance, you must guard against identity theft and fraud by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for suspicious or unauthorized activity.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is investigating a class action lawsuit to seek legal remedies for individuals whose sensitive personal data may have been compromised by the Erie Insurance data breach.

For more information, please contact:

Marc H. Edelson, Esq.

EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP

411 S. State Street, Suite N-300

Newtown, PA 18940

Phone: 844-696-7492 ext. 2

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.edelson-law.com

About Edelson Lechtzin LLP

Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving data breaches, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases alleging securities and investment fraud, violations of the federal antitrust laws, employee benefit plans under ERISA, wage theft, and consumer fraud.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.

SOURCE Edelson Lechtzin LLP
BATTERY SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR REAL-WORLD RESILIENCE

SION, Switzerland and PALO ALTO, Calif., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- H55, the electric aviation pioneer and technological spin-off of the historic Solar Impulse project, completed the fourth stop of its Across America tour in Las Vegas from June 26. There, the Swiss-developed electric propulsion system (EPS) proved itself in one of the most demanding flight environments in the country.

Operating under the extreme conditions of the Mojave Desert, the B23 Energica fully electric general aviation and flight trainer aircraftdemonstrated the reliability of electric propulsion in high heat and low-density altitude conditions. The aircraft performed flawlessly, validating the EPS's resilience and consistent power output, regardless of temperature or elevation.

At the heart of the B23 Energic's performance is H55's proprietary battery and energy management systemengineered to deliver peak performance even in extreme environments. Unlike combustion-based propulsion, which degrades in hot and high-altitude conditions, H55's thermal regulation architecture ensures consistent power output and safe operations regardless of ambient temperature.

Flight Demonstrations Highlight Reliability and Versatility

The H55 flight operations teamled by Celine Bonnefous (Lead Flight Test Engineer), Sasa Blagec and Serge de Wit (Flight Readiness Engineers), and Laurent Wulser (Pilot)conducted a series of demonstration flights with U.S. Air Force test pilots, airline and commercial pilots, flight instructors, and general aviation enthusiast from both Nevada and neighboring U.S. statesunder intense desert heatshowing no degradation in aircraft performance.

"The H55 electric engine isn't affected by density altitude," said Celine Bonnefous, H55 Lead Flight Test Engineer. "It delivers consistent power regardless of heat or elevationunlike piston engines, which rely on air density for combustion. In hot or high-altitude conditions, these aircraft suffer noticeable drops in performance, especially during takeoff. That's a major advantage for flight schools and regional hubs operating in more demanding environments."

And What Pilots Are Saying

Flight schools across the country are experiencing the future of training firsthand. Commenting on his experience in the B23 Energic, Paniau Lindsey, Chief Flight Instructor at Vegas Aviation, said, "This was my first time using a center stick, so I thought I'd strugglebut it was easy. I'm still shocked.

Before flying, I kept thinking, We're going to fly a plane with no gas? How's that going to work?' But once we were up there, there was no issue at all. It's super quietwe even took off our headsets and could still talk to each other. I'm going to talk to my school about this right away. I want a couple of these planes. It's clean, simple, quiet, and flies great. Takeoff was a piece of cake. Steep turns? No problem. It's a perfect training aircraft. Beautiful flightthis is cool."

Next Stop: The Heart of the Silicon Valley

California has long held strategic importance for H55. The company first landed here in 2013 with Solar Impulse I and again in 2017 with Solar Impulse II, marking key moments in its journey toward electric aviation. Silicon Valley played a formative role in H55's early developmentit's home to the company's lead investor, ND Capital, along with several of H55's earliest backers.

For the Silicon Valley investment community, this is a high-conviction opportunity to engage with a product that has been flying since 2019, is entering the final phase of certification, and is already generating commercial traction through a growing order book. The B23 Energicpowered by H55's certified-ready electric propulsion systemis not a prototype; it's a fully operational aircraft

validated through many years of testing and demonstration. With regulatory pathways clearly defined through EASA and FAA, and strong demand from flight schools, OEMs, and operators, the platform is positioned for market entry and scalable deployment. For investors, it represents a rare blend of technological maturity, regulatory readiness, and commercial momentum.

H55 will be in San Carlos Airport (SQL) at Skyway Center (June 14-16) and will be hosted in Palo Alto Airport (PAO) by the Bay Area Urban Eagles (June 17-25), the fifth stop on the tour. The two organizations are partnering together to introduce American audiences to the promise of fully electric, zero-emission flightoffering quiet and low-maintenance aircraft.

H55 has been invited by the Hiller Aviation Museum to be featured at their Biggest Little Air Show on 14 June 2025, offering the public the chance to witness the future of electric aviation up close.

The Launch of a New Platform

As H55 engages with communities across the country, it's also building a movement around the future of sustainable flight. To support this growing momentum, H55 has launched its new Ambassador Program and website, inviting aviation and aerospace professionals, industry leaders, regulators, and enthusiasts of all ages to join the mission and help shape the future of clean aviation. Learn more and apply at: https://across-usa.h55.ch/h55-ambassadors/.

About H55

H55 is a Swiss-based company founded by the former Solar Impulse management team: Andre Borschberg, Sebastien Demont, and Gregory Blatt. Dedicated to revolutionizing the aviation industry, H55 provides certified electric propulsion and battery management systems tailored to a diverse range of aircraft, aiming to achieve sustainable air travel. H55 supplies certified electric propulsion systems with full airplane integration solutions for general aviation and regional transport aircraft.

Through its pioneering legacy and commitment to certified solutions, H55's team of visionary engineers and aerospace experts are at the forefront of driving the aviation industry setting new standards and pushing the boundaries of electric aviation.

For more information, visit: www.h55.ch or contact [email protected].

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2345318/5369455/H55_Logo.jpg

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE H55
FIU's Academy for International Disaster Preparedness students respond to the aftermath of a fictional hurricane alongside local emergency responders

MIAMI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida International University kicked off its 10th annual disaster field exercise today, marking a decade of preparing hundreds of students for careers in disaster management.

"Disasters are devastating and unpredictable, so it's critical that we have a trained workforce ready to meet the immediate and long-term needs of those affected," said Javier I. Marques, executive director of FIU's Academy for International Disaster Preparedness (AIDP), senior vice president for the Division of Operations and Safety and FIU chief of staff. "I am proud that for 10 years, FIU has offered a program that gives students practical training that primes them for successful careers in disaster management."

To bring the exercise to life, emergency response agencies, health care providers, and national defense and security organizations teamed up with FIU's AIDP, part of the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, to offer equipment and resources  such as helicopters and mobile command units  to simulate a real-life disaster response operation. More than 250 volunteers, from FIU and participating agencies, are roleplaying as response coordinators and support staff.

FIU is staging the exercise to test students on their ability to lead response and recovery efforts. This year, about 60 students are responding to the needs of two fictional countries devastated by a Category 5 hurricane. They will collaborate with different agencies on rapid damage assessment, shelter and site planning, food aid distribution, and other important relief efforts.

"This course offers a chance to put everything we've learned over the past year into practice. Learning in emergency management comes not only from theory but from applying knowledge in settings that reflect the complexity and urgency of real-world crises," said Emily Garland, student and exercise participant. "I'm hoping to gain hands-on experience that deepens my confidence and sharpens my ability to respond effectively in the field."

New this year is the participation of Food Network personality and restaurateur Guy Fieri's foundation. The Guy Fieri Foundation has served over 200,000 meals during natural disasters, including the recent California fires, through his mobile food trailer. The foundation worked with students from FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management to prepare meals and feed field exercise participants.

"The Guy Fieri Foundation is proud to partner with FIU in helping to ready the next generation for whenever disaster strikes. Supporting current and future first responders is critical to the Foundation's mission and together, we're all-in whenever the need arises," Fieri said.

Incorporating the foundation adds another layer to the exercise, giving hospitality students hands-on experience with managing meal delivery during a disaster response operation  skills that are part of a new disaster dining field kitchen operations certification program soon to be offered through the Chaplin School's Executive Education program. Students will train to plan, stage, procure, cook, and distribute meals in disaster zones with speed and precision.

"We know that hospitality is always an important part of any experience, but especially when people suffer a disaster, they seek shelter and a hot plate of food," said Michael Cheng, dean of the Chaplin School. "We are so excited to be able to help spread this shared passion of hospitality in this unique way."

Representatives from participating agencies and organizations include City of Miami Fire Rescue/Emergency Management, City of Miami, City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR), Miami-Dade County Department of Emergency Management, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, U.S. Southern Command, DHL, Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), Seminole Department of Emergency Management, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), Baptist of South Florida, and Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

FIU's AIDP was established in 2014 with a clear mission: to educate and train leaders in disaster preparedness, emergency management, and humanitarian response. Since its inception, the program has graduated 500 students, many of whom are in disaster management roles across private, government and nonprofit sectors.

Photos and videos from the day are available for the media's use in this folder.

About FIU:

Florida International University is a Top 50, preeminent public research university with 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries, as well as an alumni network of more than 330,000. Located in the global city of Miami, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels, including medicine and law. FIU faculty are leaders in their fields and include National Academy members, Fulbright Scholars, and MacArthur Genius Fellows. A Carnegie R1 institution, FIU drives impactful research in environmental resilience, health, and technology and innovation. Home to the Wall of Wind and Institute of Environment, FIU stands at the forefront of discovery and innovation. With a focus on student success, economic mobility and community engagement, FIU is redefining what it means to be a public research university.

Media Contacts:

Stephanie Rendon

305-348-4670

[email protected]

news.fiu.edu

@FIU

SOURCE Florida International University
Performance Brokerage Services, the leader in dealership buy-sell activity, announces the purchase of Gateway Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, Missouri from Matt Chiappetta to Evan Schipper

IRVINE, Calif., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Brokerage Services, North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, is pleased to announce the purchase of Gateway Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, Missouri from Matt Chiappetta to Evan Schipper.

Performance Brokerage Services - Gateway Harley-Davidson - Evan Schipper

Gateway Harley-Davidson has proudly served the St. Louis community since 1948. Originally founded as Broadway Harley-Davidson by Earl Widman, a World War II D-Day veteran and member of the American Motorcycle Association Hall of Fame, the dealership quickly became a trusted destination for motorcycle enthusiasts in the region. In 2002, the dealership was relocated a few miles south of Interstate 55, near historic Route 66, where it currently resides. Visible from the dealership is the iconic Gateway Arch, a symbol long associated with the city and its history.

Matt Chiappetta, who owned Gateway Harley-Davidson from 2016 to 2025, continues to operate Open Road Harley-Davidson in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin.

Over the last 5 years, Performance Brokerage Services has advised on the sale of nearly 400 dealerships, making it the highest volume dealership brokerage firm in North America. George C. Chaconas, Senior Partner, Courtney A. Bernhard, Partner, and Juan C. Pardo, Partner of the Harley-Davidson & Powersports Division for Performance Brokerage Services were the exclusive buy-side advisors for this transaction.

George Chaconas commented, "It was very exciting to once again exclusively represent Evan Schipper and his family in the acquisition of Gateway Harley-Davidson in St. Louis, marking their fourth Harley-Davidson dealership transaction through our firm. This strategic move allowed Evan to consolidate by closing Doc's Harley-Davidson and merging it with Gateway Harley-Davidson under one new ownershipSt. Louis Harley-Davidson. I am very grateful and blessed to have helped facilitate this transaction and support Evan, and I wish him continued success and growth. I would also like to wish Matt Chiappetta success in the future, as we were previously privileged to assist him in acquiring Open Road Harley-Davidson in his hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin."

Evan Schipper has been part of the Harley-Davidson industry since 2006. The Schipper family owns five Harley-Davidson dealerships located in Fort Wayne (Indiana), Louisville (Kentucky), St. Louis (Missouri), Evansville (Indiana), and Perrysburg (Ohio).

Evan Schipper merged Gateway Harley-Davidson with Doc's Harley-Davidson, relocating inventory to the Gateway location. Evan Schipper shared, "We are excited to consolidate the market and provide more product, events, and a bigger staff to best support the St. Louis riding community."

Gateway Harley-Davidson will be renamed St. Louis Harley-Davidson and will remain at its current location at 3600 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis, Missouri.

About Performance Brokerage Services

Performance Brokerage Services, Inc. is North America's highest volume dealership brokerage firm, specializing in buy-sell activity for automotive, RV, commercial truck, powersports, and equipment dealerships.

With over 30 years of experience, 900 dealerships sold, and a 90% closing rate, the company's reputation is unmatched and governed by the utmost ethical conduct and integrity.

The company offers a unique approach by providing complimentary estimates of value with no upfront fees or retainer, no reimbursement of costs, and paid a success fee only after the transaction closes.

Headquartered in Irvine, California and supported by 12 regional offices across the United States and Canada, clients benefit from national exposure with local representation.

As trusted and respected experts in the field, the company utilizes an extensive network of industry related attorneys, accountants, hundreds of registered buyers, and longstanding relationships with various vehicle manufacturers.

For more information about the services offered by Performance Brokerage Services, visit https://performancebrokerageservices.com.

Media Contact:

Jesse Stopnitzky, Co-Owner

(949) 309-2851

[email protected]

SOURCE Performance Brokerage Services, Inc.
BEIJING, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from chinadaily.com.cn

Central China's Hunan province aims to boost economic and trade cooperation with Africa by exploring new business models and strengthening institutional innovation and policy coordination, said Shen Xiaoming, Party secretary of Hunan.

Participants of the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo get ready for a group photo on Thursday after the opening ceremony of the event in Changsha, Hunan province. Nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies and more than 30,000 participants will attend the four-day expo, which is themed China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization. Zhang Wei / China Daily

He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which will open in Changsha, the provincial capital, on Thursday and run through Sunday.

"We will continue to focus on expanding and upgrading new barter trade with Africa, while promoting the integrated development of production, industry and trade," he said, adding that these measures will further elevate Hunan's trade capacity with Africa and contribute more to the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Shen noted the province's long history, solid foundation and broad prospects in promoting exchanges and cooperation with the African continent. Hunan's foreign trade volume with Africa has ranked first among provinces in central and western China for five consecutive years.

Hunan is well-positioned in equipment manufacturing, energy and power, mining and mineral processing, and comprehensive agricultural development, he said, adding that these advantages align closely with African countries' needs for industrialization and agricultural modernization.

The province is actively exploring the implementation of pilot reforms in new types of barter trade with African countries, introducing policies and measures such as moving inspection and testing institutions closer to the entry point. These efforts aim to attract more African and Chinese enterprises engaging in bilateral trade to Hunan.

To date, 103 new barter trade transactions have been completed, placing Hunan on top in China in terms of Africa-oriented barter trade volume.

According to Shen, Hunan is making vigorous efforts for the construction of "a highland for reform and opening-up in inland China".

The focus points include implementing a comprehensive reform for the market-based allocation of production factors in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan metropolitan area, promoting the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, and boosting alignment with and integration into major national initiatives.

The initiatives include the rise of Central China strategy, the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Yangtze River Delta integration.

"We're steadily advancing institutional opening-up and optimizing the business environment with a focus on reducing the comprehensive operational costs for enterprises," Shen said.

Last year, Hunan saw the overall logistics cost decrease by 0.2 percentage point and industrial and commercial electricity prices drop by 6 percentage points. Currently, 212 Fortune Global 500 companies have invested in Hunan, and the province has established economic and trade partnerships with 235 countries and regions.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. Shen said that since the zone was established, it has made vigorous efforts to advance reform and opening-up through exploration and innovation in institutional reforms.

Over the past five years, the free trade zone has achieved 109 institutional innovations, welcomed more than 48,000 enterprises, introduced 542 major projects and attracted investment totaling nearly 740 billion yuan ($103 billion).

The zone also recorded an import-export volume exceeding 800 billion yuan, accounting for approximately one-third of the province's total, data from local authorities show.

Shen elaborated on the measures taken by Hunan to advance the development of the free trade zone, highlighting several key initiatives.

First, Hunan has effectively utilized the experiences gained from other regions and innovated based on their practices. As a result, 349 innovative measures have been implemented.

Second, the province has fostered integrated innovation across industries, technologies and systems.

Taking construction machinery, Hunan's pillar industry, as an example, Shen said the province has proactively addressed the downward pressure the sector has faced in recent years.

On the one hand, relevant companies have been encouraged to transform and expand into emerging fields such as new energy, autonomous driving, agricultural machinery and emergency equipment. On the other hand, the province has been strengthening whole-chain innovation in remanufacturing to address existing challenges.

Third, Hunan has deepened cooperation with the Hainan Free Trade Port to develop the Hunan-Hainan Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Park, which has become a key hub for the export and maintenance of manufacturing products such as Hunan's construction machinery.

This initiative has not only enhanced the international competitiveness of manufacturing enterprises in Hunan but has also optimized the industrial structure of the Hainan FTP, Shen said.

To date, the park has attracted 29 projects with a total investment of 13.02 billion yuan.

SOURCE chinadaily.com.cn
Features standard NACS port and terrain modes for adventure-ready performance

Consensus pick of around 80 automotive media at MAMA's Spring Rally

CHICAGO, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hyundai IONIQ 9 has been honored as the Favorite Plug-in EV by the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) at their recent Spring Rally drive in Elkhart Lake, WI. This designation was awarded to the IONIQ 9 for its remarkable range, advanced interior features, and significant engagement during the media event.

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 is photographed in Savannah, GA., on May 20, 2025.

Approximately 80 new vehicle models were assessed during the program, and those receiving 'Favorites' accolades are considered candidates for MAMA's 'Favorite Vehicle of 2025,' which will be announced at the 2026 Chicago Auto Show. The MAMA award acknowledges exceptional vehicles across seven key categories, as determined by the votes of over 75 automotive journalists.

"With its impressive 335-mile range estimate (IONIQ 9 RWD S) bold styling, and family-friendly versatility, the IONIQ 9 is earning accolades across the country," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "We're proud to showcase our latest electric SUV to media and consumers alikeespecially those seeking a capable, three-row EV that fits their lifestyle."

"Hyundai continues to be a favorite among MAMA journalists as it has consecutively won MAMA's Favorites accolades for the past three years. Hot off last year's big win as MAMA's Favorite Vehicle of the Year with the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, their latest electric model, the IONIQ 9 clinched MAMA's Favorite Plug-in Vehicle in a tie vote with the Volvo EX90 at our annual Spring Rally," said Jim O'Brill, MAMA President. "The IONIQ 9 is an impressive three row electric crossover that showcases innovative design, technology, and impressive range. The IONIQ 9 was constantly on the go as media captured content, evaluated, and for many, drove for the first time. It's no surprise that this was favored by our media members."

About the Midwest Automotive Media Association

Founded in 1991, the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) comprises about 300 automotive journalists and industry professionals from approximately 25 states and the District of Columbia. Though based in the Chicago area, MAMA welcomes members from all over. The organization's purpose is to provide a forum for newsworthy people, current issues, and new products in the auto industry.

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 (in development in Georgia), and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a recent economic impact report . For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com .

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
The agreement includes one SAR satellite, a ground segment and an antenna to strengthen the space-based defense capabilities in Portugal.

HELSINKI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, and the Portuguese Air Force, a branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces, announced on June 12 the purchase of one ICEYE SAR satellite, a ground segment and an antenna at a signing ceremony in Lisbon. ICEYE will deliver the satellite and other components to CTI Aerospacial, a joint venture between the Portuguese Air Force and CEiiA, a local centre of engineering and innovation. The parties are in discussions relating to the purchase of additional satellites in the future.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, and Dr. Joao Rebelo, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CTI Aeroespacial (PRNewsfoto/ICEYE)

This satellite will be part of the Portuguese component of the Atlantic Constellation, a project for a constellation of small Earth observation satellites, primarily driven by Spain and Portugal, that aims to provide high-frequency data for environmental monitoring and disaster relief, complementing existing European systems like Copernicus.

Additionally, ICEYE and CTI Aeroespacial have agreed to collaborate to strengthen Portugal's national space capabilities by establishing a satellite assembly facility in Portugal. The memorandum of understanding was signed on the same date to establish a long-term partnership as part of Portugal's 2030 Space Strategy.

"We are very proud to collaborate with Portugal in strengthening Europe's defense and disaster relief capabilities. This partnership underscores our commitment to providing critical ISR infrastructure and advancing sovereign space technologies within the region," says Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.

For the Air Force, as part of a defined strategy, this represents a significant step forward towards the acquisition of new capabilities. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Joao Cartaxo Alves, emphasizes that "the Air Force is changing, in accordance with a Flight Plan described as "Air Force 5.3" focused on 5th Generation and the 5th Operational Domain  Space. In addition to the fundamental contribution of the air domain, the success of Portugal's Security and Defense can only be achieved through the integrated action of multiple operational domains, including Cyberspace and Space.

Within the scope of Security and Defense, the Air Force's vision is to deliver aerospace power enhancing the assigned missions by providing the Air Force with data and information capabilities that guarantee situational awareness and control of the use of space in the areas of national interest and simultaneously, foster the development and integration of new processes, services or products based on scientific and technological knowledge with high added value."

This announcement marks another milestone in ICEYE's ambition towards becoming the leading provider of critical ISR infrastructure. ICEYE's European, sovereign, non-ITAR technology enables the rapid delivery of ISR capabilities to its customers. ICEYE has launched 48 SAR satellites into orbit for the company and its customers since 2018 and plans to launch more than 20 new satellites annually in 2025, 2026, and beyond. ICEYE's previous launches in January and March 2025 both successfully deployed four new satellites each.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 700 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: [email protected]

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710144/PT_Air_Force_CTI_ICEYE_Signature.jpg
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. At the ongoing trial held at the Baku Military Court on June 13, the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan, while responding to questions from state prosecutor, noted that he was deployed to various areas at the request of president of the illegal regime Arayik Harutyunyan, during the 44-day war, which took place in 2020, Trend reports.

According to him, he was retired at the time.

He said he was tasked by A. Harutyunyan who contacted him twice on October 14 and November 3 or 4 (cannot remember exactly - ed.) to assist the local "authorities" in addressing security and civil defense matters and check the operational readiness of the artillery. Therefore, L. Mnatsakanyan was assigned to Hadrut, Sugovushan, and other areas.

Subsequently, the court examined another evidence, a video footage taken during the 44-day war, highlighting a military meeting taking place in a classroom in Shushakand, also featuring Levon Mnatsakanyan.

The military meeting was chaired by Samvel Babayan (former minister of defense of the illegal regime, as well as former secretary of the security council  ed.)

The video included discussions regarding launching an attack against the Azerbaijani military servicemen, with Samvel Babayan stating that "there is a mined area shown on the map, don't cross that mined area, it will explode."

It is 1-1.5 kilometers from here to there under the shelter. There is a road from there through a "quarry". That road must be closed. So, the task is to encircle the enemy in Shusha. Our actions tomorrow will decide the fate of the entire Karabakh, Samvel Babayan noted.

Following the examination of the evidence, while responding to the questions from state prosecutor, Levon Mnatsakanyan denied his participation at the meeting, also claiming that no planned attack was launched the following morning.

The trial continues against Armenian nationals accused of serious offenses, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws of war. The charges also include financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and other grave crimes.
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, June 12, 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 oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces that it will present multiple clinical study results of mazdutide at the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions in Chicago, U.S. from June 20 -23. Innovent will orally present the first Phase 3 study of mazdutide in Chinese adults with T2D (DREAMS-1). In addition, multiple exploratory MoA analyses of mazdutide as well as preclinical study of IBI3030 (PCSK9-GGG antibody-peptide-conjugate) will be showcased in poster presentations. Details are listed below

Title: Mazdutide vs. Placebo as Monotherapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (DREAMS-1)

Abstract #306-OR

Presentation Form: Oral presentation

Time: 2025 June 23, 14:15 PM  14:30 PMCST

Presenter: Dr. Lei Qian, Innovent Biologics

Title: A novel antibody-peptide conjugate targeting PCSK9, GLP-1R, GCGR, GIPR improves cardiovascular risk markers in preclinical study

Abstract #1886-LB

Presentation Form: Poster presentation

Time: 2025 June 22, 12:30 PM  1:30 PMCST

Presenter: Dr. Decheng Ren, Innovent Biologics

Title: The Dual Glucagon and Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Mazdutide Outbalanced Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide Monotherapy in Improving Mice Liver Fat Accumulation

Abstract #777-P

Presentation Form: Poster presentation

Time: 2025 June 22, 12:30 PM  1:30 PMCST

Presenter: Dr.Tianpei Hong, Peking University Third Hospital

Title: Effect of Mazdutide on MASH Fibrosis  Targeting the Liver-Gut Axis and Microbiome

Abstract #1616-P

Presentation Form: Poster presentation

Time: 2025 June 22, 12:30 PM  1:30 PMCST

Presenter: Professor Ling Li, Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University

Title: Mazdutide, a Dual GLP-1R/GCGRR Agonist, Reduces Hyperuricemia by Modulating Energy and Lipid Metabolism and Inhibiting Hepatic Purine Metabolism

Abstract #775-P

Presentation Form: Poster presentation

Time: 2025 June 22, 12:30 PM  1:30 PMCST

Presenter: Professor Hongwei Jiang, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology

Dr. Lei Qian, Vice President of Clinical Development of Innovent, stated, "We are honored to orally present the results of mazdutide's first Phase 3 clinical trial in T2D (DREAMS-1) at the ADA Scientific Sessions. We are also delighted to see mazdutide's mechanism exploration studies featured extensively at the conference. The growing body of medical evidence will further validate mazdutide's differentiated profile as a next-generation GCG/GLP-1 dual receptor agonist, in particularly in liver fat and serum urine reduction. Moreover, in the field of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, Innovent is dedicated to developing next-generation innovative therapies, including IBI3030PCSK9-GGGwith novel modality and MoA, to meaningfully improve outcomes for more patients worldwide."

About Mazdutide (IBI362)

Innovent entered into an exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) for the development and potential commercialization of OXM3 (also known as mazdutide), a GLP-1R and GCGR dual agonist, in China. As a mammalian oxyntomodulin (OXM) analogue, mazdutide may offer additional benefits beyond those of GLP-1 receptor agonistssuch as promoting insulin secretion, lowering blood glucose and reducing body weightby also activating the glucagon receptor to increase energy expenditure and improve hepatic fat metabolism. Mazdutide has demonstrated excellent weight loss and glucose-lowering effects in clinical studies. It has also shown benefits in reducing waist circumference, blood lipids, blood pressure, blood uric acid, liver enzymes, and liver fat content, as well as improving insulin sensitivity.

Currently, Mazdutide has two NDAs accepted for review by NMPA, including:

Long-term weight management in adults with obesity or overweight.

Glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Mazdutide is currently being evaluated in six Phase 3 clinical studies, including:

GLORY-1: A Phase 3 trial in Chinese participants with overweight or obesity.

GLORY-2: A Phase 3 trial in Chinese participants with moderate-to-severe obesity.

GLORY-3: A Phase 3 trial comparing Mazdutide and Semaglutide in Chinese participants with overweight/obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

DREAMS-1: A Phase 3 trial in treatment-naive Chinese participants with T2D.

DREAMS-2: A Phase 3 trial comparing Mazdutide and Dulaglutide in Chinese T2D participants with inadequate glycemic control on oral antidiabetic drugs.

DREAMS-3: A Phase 3 trial comparing Mazdutide and Semaglutide in Chinese participants with T2D and obesity.

Among these, GLORY-1, DREAMS-1, and DREAMS-2 have already met their primary endpoints and others are currently ongoing.

In addition, several new clinical studies of mazdutide are planned, including:

A Phase 3 trial in adolescents with obesity.

New studies in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

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 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.

Forward-looking statement

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 Biologics ("Innovent"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company 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 the Company 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 the Company'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, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company 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 materialise or turn out to be incorrect.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
BANGKOK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the launch of KuCoin Thailand, a licensed digital token and cryptocurrency exchange operating under the supervision of Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The platform is now officially open to all eligible users in Thailand after an initial invite-only phase.

This marks the first fully regulated local digital asset exchange under KuCoin's brandan important milestone in the company's mission to build fast, secure, and user-friendly infrastructure for crypto users around the world. KuCoin's recent SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications further reinforce its commitment to the highest standards of security and regulatory compliance.

KuCoin Thailand leverages KuCoin's world-class global technology, adapted to meet the needs and preferences of Thai users. With a focus on robust security, intuitive design, and a localized user experience, it sets a new benchmark for digital asset engagement in Southeast Asia. The platform also offers seamless Thai Baht fiat on-ramp and off-ramp solutions, making crypto access easier than ever.

"We are thrilled to see the official launch of KuCoin Thailand, a significant milestone in our global compliance journey. At KuCoin, compliance and user security have always been guiding principles  not just strategic choices, but steadfast commitments to our users.

From being the first global exchange to register with India's FIU to now launching the first local compliant platform in Thailand, this marks a significant step toward strengthening our presence in the fast-growing markets of South East Asia, and more importantly, bringing secure, accessible crypto services to users where they are.'' BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin comments.

Thailand continues to lead cryptocurrency adoption in Southeast Asia, supported by progressive regulations and strong government backing. In 2023, approximately 13 million Thaisabout 18% of the populationwere using cryptocurrency. Looking ahead, the government is preparing to enable tourists to spend crypto through credit card integrations, further advancing the country's digital asset ecosystem.

The launch of KuCoin Thailand reflects KuCoin's broader vision of making cryptocurrency accessible to everyone, everywherewhile remaining fully compliant with local regulations. All eligible Thai users can now visit www.kucoin.th to explore the platform's offerings and start their crypto journey.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is one of the pioneering and most globally recognized technology platforms supporting digital economies, built on a robust foundation of cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure, liquidity solutions, and an exceptional user experience. With a connected user base exceeding 41 million worldwide, KuCoin offers comprehensive digital asset solutions across wallets, trading, wealth management, payments, research, ventures, and AI-powered bots.

KuCoin has garnered accolades such as "Best Crypto Apps & Exchanges" by Forbes and has been recognized among the "Top 50 Global Unicorns" by Hurun in 2024. These recognitions reflect its commitment to user-centric principles and core values, which include integrity, accountability, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Learn more: https://www.kucoin.com/

SOURCE KuCoin
Teamsters Keep National Pressure on Corporate Giant

SAN FRANCISCO, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 20 issued a complaint against Amazon over its illegal union-busting activity at the DCK6 facility in San Francisco. This marks another win for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in its ongoing battle against the two trillion-dollar company.

"Amazon Teamsters are securing victories on the ground and in the courts," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Workers will not back down, and we will continue to take on this behemoth of a company."

Recent NLRB rulings are making serious progress to hold Amazon accountable for its worker violations. The government's latest complaint seeks to force Amazon to rehire fired workers and ensure union supporters receive the raises, bonuses, and promotions they deserve.

The Teamsters continue to fight back against Amazon on multiple fronts. NLRB Region 20 issued another complaint against Amazon at the DCK6 facility in April to force the company to bargain with the Teamsters. Both complaints come on the heels of a historic holiday season strike in December. More than 100 workers in San Francisco joined Teamsters across the country for a nationwide unfair labor practice strike that brought national attention to abusive conditions at Amazon.

"Amazon tried every trick in the book to stop us from organizing a union and we succeeded anyway," said Ken Chu, an Amazon Teamster at DCK6. "Our warehouse is now a Teamsters shop. Our union is getting stronger while Amazon is being punished for its lawbreaking."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Colin McCullough, (856) 625-6856

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
The Kingdom of Kush Celebrates 32 Years of Rebirth, Sovereignty & Global Vision

NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Kingdom of Kush will host its 32nd Anniversary Gala & Awards Ceremony at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY, in a landmark event spotlighting the rebirth of one of the world's most storied civilizations. Under the visionary leadership of HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Mansa Suliman Al Kushi, this high-profile gathering of royalty,diplomats, global thinkers, investors, and cultural stewards will celebrate the Kingdom's achievements and future ambitions.

A Nation Reborn in Modern Times

Inspired by the legacy of the ancient Kushite empire, the Kingdom of Kush has reemerged in Bir Tawil, an unclaimed land between Egypt and Sudan. The nation's mission is bold: to become a digitally enabled, sovereign homeland rooted in African heritage and driven by global innovation.

With a constitution in place, diplomatic outreach underway, and sustainable economic development projects already in motion, the Kingdom of Kush is more than a revivalit is a unified rebuilding of history. Rooted in ancestral legacy and driven by modern vision, this movement is a return to sovereignty, identity, and collective power. Kush existed. It flourished. It was lost. And now, through global unity and purpose, it rises once more.

"We are not reviving historywe are writing the future," said HIS EXCELLENCY, Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe. "Our mission is to unite tradition and technology, and build a beacon of Pan-African prosperity and global cooperation.

The Kingdom of Kush is proud to announce the appearance and performance of international Latin sensation Soleil at its 32nd Anniversary Gala and Awards Ceremony, taking place June 13, 2025, in New York City. Known for her electrifying stage presence and global fusion sound, Soleil brings not only her artistry but a powerful symbol of cultural unity to this historic celebration.

Her performance marks a bridge between diasporas, reminding us that the rebuilding of Kush is not just an African movementit is a global call for solidarity, identity, and collective legacy. In a night filled with royalty, cultural restoration, and the coronation of Queen Mothers, Soleil's appearance underscores the Kingdom's vision: a future where music, history, and people converge in harmony.

"As a Latina, it's an honor to be part of something that transcends borders," Soleil shared. "The mission of the Kingdom of Kush is deeply connected to all of us who carry heritage, pride, and a desire to see our communities thrive."

The 32nd Anniversary Gala will be streamed exclusively via VivaLiveTV channel 1 and on the kingdom of kush Channel 7, allowing a global audience to witness the rebirth of a nationand the unity that powers it.

Gala Highlights & Visionary Programming

The gala's Run of Show includes keynote speeches from Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely, Esther Anato-Dumelo, Queen Mother Dr. Pam Fomunung, and Queen Mother Dr. Latonja Eppinger, as well as a presentation by HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS. Tanvir Ullah on the nation's smart city development plan.

Featured moments include:

The Royal Court Coronation Ceremony bestowing official titles

bestowing official titles Book signing for Countrypreneur by HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS. Mansa Suliman Al Kushi

for by HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS. An awards ceremony honoring cultural and civic leaders

honoring cultural and civic leaders A live performance by international recording artist Latin Star Soleil

by international recording artist An auction supporting Kush ' s infrastructure, education, and sustainability initiatives

supporting Kush s infrastructure, education, and sustainability initiatives Live global broadcast powered by VivaLive TV

Innovation with Purpose: Citizenship, Finance & Sovereignty

The Kingdom's offerings go far beyond ceremonial pageantry. New initiatives include:

Dual-Sided DUO Card : Combines identification and banking (via Visa, mobile wallet, or Kush credit) with embedded verification technology

: Combines identification and banking (via Visa, mobile wallet, or Kush credit) with embedded verification technology E-Residency & E-Citizenship Programs : Allowing global citizens to invest in and participate in Kush ' s digital-first infrastructure

: Allowing global citizens to invest in and participate in Kush s digital-first infrastructure Founding Citizenship Opportunities : With limited-edition Kushite passports

: With limited-edition Kushite passports Smart City Vision: Plans for a fully integrated cityscape grounded in renewable energy, heritage architecture, and educational innovation

Why It Matters Now

This is a rare moment in global historya chance to witness the birth of a new sovereign nation built on values of unity, sustainability, and Pan-African pride. The Kingdom of Kush is one of the only modern nations to emerge from an ancient cultural identity and position itself as a digital-first economy ready for global participation.

As the world grapples with displacement, digital governance, and climate realities, Kush offers a model rooted in heritage, but designed for tomorrow.

"In our past lies the blueprint for our future."

 Ancient Kushite Proverb

Global Press and Media Invitation

This gala marks a key moment for diplomatic, cultural, and business media outlets to engage directly with a new sovereign voice in Africa. Opportunities include:

Interviews with Kush leadership and Queen Mothers

Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and red carpet access

Editorial features on digital sovereignty, dual citizenship, and cultural diplomacy

Press passes and one-on-one interview scheduling are available upon request.

For media inquiries, credentialing, or interview opportunities

[email protected]

347-674-8966

www.kingdomofkush.ORG

www.vivalivetv.com

https://www.soleilofficial.com/

Join us. Build with us. Rise with us.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2551521/5369816/Viva_Entertainment_Group_Inc_Logo.jpg

SOURCE VIVA Entertainment Group, Inc
Secures Interim Approval to Access Up to $519 Million of $1.1 Billion in Debtor-in-Possession Financing

All Normal-Course Business Operations Continuing As Usual

TOKYO, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marelli Holdings Co. Ltd. ("Marelli" or the "Company"), a global technology partner to the automotive industry, today announced that it has received approvals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for its "First Day" motions related to the Company's voluntary Chapter 11 petitions.

The Court granted interim approval to immediately access up to $519 million of $1.1 billion in debtor-in-possession financing from its lenders. This additional capital, coupled with cash generated from the Company's ongoing operations, will provide sufficient liquidity to support the Company through the chapter 11 process. Among other things, the Court has authorized the Company to continue to pay employee wages and benefits without interruption, continue programs that are integral to customer relationships and pay suppliers in full for goods and services provided on or after the filing date of June 11, 2025.

"We are pleased to have received Court approval of these important First Day motions, which will enable Marelli to continue serving our customers without interruption throughout the chapter 11 process," said David Slump, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marelli. "Thanks to the partnership with our lenders, we are poised to emerge from this process not just stronger, but strategically equipped for sustainable growth and innovative advancements. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers and suppliers for their loyalty and commitment."

Additional Information

Additional information about Marelli's financial restructuring is available at www.marelliforward.com.

Court filings and other information related to the proceedings, including the claims process, are available on a separate website administrated by the Company's claims agent, Verita, at www.veritaglobal.net/Marelli; by calling Verita's representatives toll-free at 877-606-7509 or +1 310-751-2626 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada; or by emailing Verita at www.veritaglobal.net/Marelli/inquiry.

Advisors

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to Marelli. PJT Partners Inc. is serving as financial advisor and Alvarez & Marsal LLC is serving as restructuring advisor to Marelli.

About Marelli

Marelli is a global mobility technology supplier to the automotive sector. With a strong and established track record in innovation and manufacturing excellence, our mission is to transform the future of mobility through working with customers and partners to create a safer, greener, and better-connected world. With around 45,000 employees worldwide, the Marelli footprint includes over 150 sites globally.

Media Contacts:

Fernando Vivanco

[email protected]

United States

Scott Bisang / Jude Gorman / Dylan O'Keefe

Collected Strategies

[email protected]

Japan

Ashton Consulting

[email protected]

+81 03-5425-7220

SOURCE Marelli
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Salmonella lawsuit was filed on behalf of Brandi Jackson against Bedner Farm, Inc, in the Southern District of Mississippi Northern Division. Ms. Jackson is represented by Marler Clark, the Food Safety Law Firm, and local counsel Langston & Lott, PLLC. of Bonneville, MS. Complaint # 3:25-cv-00423-DPJ-ASH

FDAs traceback investigation identified Bedner Growers Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in both the current Salmonella outbreak and the 2024 outbreak that sickened 551 people.

"This is the second Salmonella outbreak linked to Bedner Farms in the last two years," said William Marler. "In 32 years of doing food safety cases it is very unusual to see a company sickening customers two years running," added Marler.

On May 13, 2025, Ms. Jackson purchased cucumbers from her local Kroger grocery store in Pearl, Mississippi. Several days later after experiencing symptoms of fever, severe chills, abdominal pain, vomiting and excessive sweating and diarrhea, she was hospitalized for nearly a week. Testing revealed a bloodborne Salmonella infection. Upon discharge, Ms. Jackson was sent home with an IV catheter to administer intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection. She continues to recover from her illness and injuries; it is unclear whether she will have long-term medical issues after consuming Salmonella tainted cucumbers.

2025 Cucumber Outbreak

As of May 30, 2025 , a total of 45 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 18 states.

, a total of 45 people infected with the outbreak strain of have been reported from 18 states. States with reported cases include Alabama 1, California 1, Colorado 1, Florida 6, Georgia 7, Illinois 4, Indiana 1, Kansas 1, Kentucky 1, Massachusetts 1, Michigan 2, North Carolina 3, New York 3, Ohio 4, Pennsylvania 3, South Carolina 2, Tennessee 1 and Virginia 3.

1, 1, 1, 6, 7, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 3. People reported buying and eating cucumbers from a variety of locations including grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and on cruise ships.

Eight sick people reported taking a cruise during the seven days prior to becoming sick, all departing from locations in Florida . Three people traveled on the same ship.

. Three people traveled on the same ship. Sick people were aboard 6 different cruise ships that departed the United States between March 30 and April 12 . Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 2, 2025 , to May 10, 2025 .

. Illnesses started on dates ranging from , to . 16 people have been hospitalized, with no deaths reported.

Investigation Facts

FDA's traceback investigation identified Bedner Growers Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in this outbreak.

FDA conducted an inspection at Bedner Farm in April 2025 as a follow up to a previous outbreak. During their inspection, an environmental sample was identified as the outbreak strain of Salmonella.

as a follow up to a previous outbreak. During their inspection, an environmental sample was identified as the outbreak strain of Salmonella. A product sample of Bedner Growers, Inc., cucumbers from a distribution center in Pennsylvania also detected Salmonella Montevideo , which matched the outbreak strain of illness in this outbreak.

also detected , which matched the outbreak strain of illness in this outbreak. Other types of Salmonella were detected in the cucumber samples collected, originating from Bedner Growers, Inc. In addition to Salmonella Montevideo , multiple other strains of Salmonella , unrelated to this outbreak investigation, matched other isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's database that occurred in 2025 and previous years. CDC is working to determine if additional human illnesses match these additional strains.

were detected in the cucumber samples collected, originating from Bedner Growers, Inc. In addition to , multiple other strains of , unrelated to this outbreak investigation, matched other isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's database that occurred in 2025 and previous years. CDC is working to determine if additional human illnesses match these additional strains. CDC advises businesses not to sell or serve whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. between April 29, 2025 , and May 19, 2025 , while the investigation is ongoing. If you have any whole cucumbers in your home and can't tell where they are from, throw them out.

2024 Cucumber Outbreak and Investigation

Watch video of Salmonella attorney, William Marler, discuss details of 2024 cucumber outbreak

In June 2024, the CDC announced a multistate outbreak of salmonellosis associated with cucumbers. As of August 22, 2024, a total of 551 cases had been reported by 34 states and the District of Columbia. Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 11, 2024 to July 26, 2024. Of 456 people with information available, 155 were hospitalized, with no deaths reported.

Investigators detected two types of Salmonella in those sickened, Salmonella Africana (n=282) and Salmonella Braenderup (n=269). The CDC and FDA combined investigations of these two serotypes as they shared several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred, the demographics of ill people and the foods they reported eating before they became sick.

FDA's traceback investigation identified Bedner Growers, Inc. in Florida as one of the suppliers of cucumbers in this outbreak.

About The Food Safety Law Firm Marler Clark

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation's leading law firm with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation. During the last 32 years, Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims of Salmonella and other foodborne illness outbreaks and has recovered over $900 million for clients.

Marler Clark has litigated Salmonella cases stemming from outbreaks traced to a variety of foods, such as cantaloupe, tomatoes, ground turkey, salami, sprouts, cereal, peanut butter, and food served in restaurants. The law firm has brought Salmonella lawsuits against such companies as Cargill, ConAgra, Peanut Corporation of America, Sheetz, Taco Bell, Subway and Wal-Mart.

If you or a family member became ill with a Salmonella infection, including Reactive Arthritis or Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), after consuming food and you're interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact Marler Clark for a free case evaluation.



SOURCE Marler Clark, Inc., P.S.
The recall includes Frederik's Dark Chocolate Almonds in black stand-up pouches sold at Meijer stores in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin with a sell-by date of 05/07/2026 or 05/28/2026, and 8-count, 1.5-ounce multi-pack boxes with a sell-by date of 05/05/2026. Meijer has not received any claims of illness associated with this recall to date.

The following products are included in the recall:

UPC Recalled Product Name Sell By Date(s) 7-08820-68730-1 Frederik's by Meijer Dark Chocolate Almonds (12 oz.) 05/07/2026,

05/28/2026 7-19283-11923-0 Frederik's Dark Chocolate Almonds 8-count 1.5 oz. 05/05/2026

This recall was initiated after Meijer was informed of the issue by a customer who received the product.

Customers with allergies or sensitivities to cashews should discontinue use and return the product to the customer service desk at any Meijer store for a full refund. Customers with questions regarding this recall can contact Meijer at 800-543-3704 from 7 a.m.-1 a.m. EDT daily. Customers with questions or concerns about their health are encouraged to contact their primary care provider.

About Meijer: Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 70,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com.

SOURCE Meijer

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GENEVA, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercuria Energy Trading S.A ("Mercuria") is pleased to announce the successful closing of its USD 3,500,000,000 Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facilities (the "Facilities").

Mercuria mandated Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Cooperatieve Rabobank U.A., ING Bank N.V., Natixis, Societe Generale, UBS Switzerland AG, UniCredit Bank GmbH, Bank of China Limited, London Branch, Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.), London Branch, First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C., Industrial Commercial Bank of China Limited, London Branch, Mizuho Bank Ltd and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation as Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers.

The Facilities were launched at USD 2,750,000,000 on 7th April 2025, and a virtual bank meeting was held on 15th April 2025. Following successful syndication, the Facilities were oversubscribed, with Mercuria choosing to scale back lender commitments to an increased amount of USD 3,500,000,000 in aggregate. In addition to the Bookrunning Mandated Lead Arrangers, 31 financial institutions joined the Facilities during syndication.

The Facilities comprise a 1-year Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility, a 1-year Multicurrency Revolving Credit/Swingline/OBSI Facility and a 3-year Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility. The three Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facilities include two 1-year extension options.

"The successful refinancing and increase of our European RCF highlights the strong support of our banking partners, who recognize the resilience and performance of the business model Mercuria has built over the past 21 years. Continued access to capital remains essential to advancing our growth plans, including the recent expansion of our activities in LNG and metals markets. This year, we are pleased to welcome three new lenders to the Facility, alongside increased commitments from our existing partners, and we look forward to partnering with them on our strategic growth initiatives," said Guillaume Vermersch, Group Chief Financial Officer of Mercuria.

SOURCE Mercuria
BOSTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant recognition of its impact on STEM education, NeuroMaker STEM's flagship NeuroMaker Hand 2.0 and companion BioSensor Kit recently won a prestigious iF Design Award. This honor, rarely bestowed on K-12 hardware, highlights the growing importance of equipping students with advanced technology skills in America.

This hands-on approach to learning comes at a critical time. America's technological edge could dull fast if it cannot staff the laboratories, fabs, and factory floors where advanced systems are built. The White House's 2024 Critical and Emerging Technologies list singles out fields such as Artificial Intelligence, HumanMachine Interfaces, and Autonomous Robotics as decisive for national security. Yet a Deloitte Manufacturing Institute study finds that as many as 1.9 million of the 3.8 million highskill jobs likely to open by 2033 could remain vacant, while Bureau of Labor Statistics tables project 10.4 percent growth in STEM employment between 2023 and 2033- more than twice the pace of the overall labor market. Manufacturers already report nearly half a million unfilled posts this spring alone, prompting economists to warn of a potential $1 trillion drag on GDP by decade's end.

One Boston startup has become an unlikely rallying point for educators looking to close this gap. NeuroMaker STEM, co-founded by engineer-turned-entrepreneur Jianing Li in 2020, ships classroom kits that provide hands-on exposure to the very technologies Washington prioritizes. The company's innovative approach, validated by both the recent iF Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award, allows middle and high school students to assemble neuro-prosthetic hands, stream real-time biosignals, and program AI-driven motion routines to create real world solutions instead of just classroom projects.

Early results are striking. Lexington County, South Carolina equipped 30 ninth graders with the kits; district data logged double digit gains in coding proficiency and a sharp rise in female enrollment in robotics electives. A statewide expansion plan is now under way: preliminary figures show schools using NeuroMaker produced 36 percent more students earning a Perkinsrecognized "credential of value" within 12 months. Nationwide, students at San Miguel Academy in New York used NeuroMaker programs to assemble prostheses and then paired up with local veterans' groups for capstone demonstrations, blending technical rigor with community service.

In Washington, momentum behind classroom AI and robotics is unmistakable: last month's presidential order "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth" calls on agencies to seed K12 AI literacy through publicprivate partnerships, while the Carl D. Perkins V program channels $1.4 billion a year toward "credentials of value" in high skill career pathways. The National Science Board, for its part, warns that a STEM talent crunch in critical tech fields "threatens the nation's security, economic prosperity, and global prominence". Investors are tuning in as well: analysts peg the educational robotics market at $5.7 billion by 2030, nearly triple its 2024 size, giving scaleups like NeuroMaker STEM a clear runway.

The company's flagship kit descends directly from frontier prosthetics research. DARPA's longrunning Revolutionizing Prosthetics program showed that brain and muscle derived signals could restore nearnatural hand control to amputees, and European teams recently unveiled a magnetically actuated prosthetic hand that users can move "simply by thinking". NeuroMaker distills the same biosignal capture and AIdriven actuation into a classroom project: students assemble and design prosthetic parts, program sensor modules, train lightweight neural networks on their own EMG or EEG data, and watch the prosthesis spring to life- turning today's headline breakthroughs into tomorrow's homework assignment, and solve real-world problems via real-world learning.

Economists caution that without rapid pipelines for AIrobotics talent, U.S. manufacturers could leave 1.9 million highskill jobs unfilled by 2033, draining up to $1 trillion from GDP. By handing teenagers industry-derived hardwares that they can build, code and recreate, along with standards-aligned curriculums and projects, NeuroMaker STEM shows how the gap can be closednow, not next decade.

SOURCE NeuroMaker STEM
An Exclusive Direct-to-Patient Initiative for Aesthetic Clinics

CRANBURY, N.J., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NewBeauty, the leading authority in beauty and aesthetics trusted by millions of readers and top-tier clinics nationwide, proudly announces the launch of its innovative White Glove Program. This exclusive initiative offers select aesthetic clinics a unique, direct-to-patient experience designed to enhance patient loyalty, attract referrals and elevate clinic prestige.

Born from extensive subscriber research and successful pilot campaigns in major markets, the White Glove Program leverages NewBeauty's renowned brand equity to create personalized, premium engagements. Each carefully chosen patient receives a delivery of the iconic NewBeauty magazine, accompanied by a custom-branded letter from their local aesthetic clinic.

"The White Glove Program is a natural extension of NewBeauty's commitment to elevating aesthetic experiences," said Mike Glaicar, CEO of NewBeauty. "By directly connecting our trusted brand with top-tier clinics, we're enhancing patient relationships in a uniquely personalized way."

Participation in the White Glove Program is limited to a select group of premier clinics within each market, chosen based on their outstanding reputation and potential for high client engagement.

"Our subscribers have always valued NewBeauty as their trusted source for aesthetic insights," added Dr. Randi Boyette, Chief Marketing Officer of NewBeauty. "Now, through the White Glove Program, we're channeling that trust directly back to clinics, creating powerful, authentic connections."

How it works: NewBeauty crafts an engaging, custom letter that aligns with a practice's messaging, which is then polybagged with each magazine, delivering up to 5,000 issues directly to patients every quarter. The program allows practices to re-engage lapsed patients, express appreciation to top patients, announce new devices or treatments, and share promotions with their most valued patients.

The White Glove Program officially rolls out nationwide this month, with limited partnership availability in each city.

To learn more or become part of this exclusive initiative, contact [email protected].

ABOUT NEWBEAUTY:

Founded in 2005, NewBeauty, a division of MJH Life Sciences, is the definitive authority on beauty, delivering in-depth insights on the latest products, cutting-edge innovations and breakthrough technologies. This omnichannel platform offers a comprehensive look at the beauty industry, empowering the audience with the knowledge to make informed beauty decisions. Known for its commitment to quality and innovation, NewBeauty remains at the forefront of beauty trends, setting the standard for news and information.

ABOUT MJH LIFE SCIENCES:

MJH Life Sciences is the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels, providing health care professionals with the information and resources they need to optimize patient outcomes. MJH combines the reach and influence of its powerful portfolio of digital and print product lines, live events, educational programs and market research with the customization capabilities of a boutique firm. Clients include world-leading pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic and biotech companies. For more information, please visit https://www.mjhlifesciences.com.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE NewBeauty
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, disinformation has emerged on the foreign segment of social media alleging that Azerbaijani military aircraft have conducted flights near the Iranian border, the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan said in a statement, Trend reports.

These so-called news items are fabricated and do not reflect reality. They have been created with the aim of manipulating public opinion, the agency said in an official statement.

The agency urged the public to rely solely on information from official sources and called on journalists and civil society to remain vigilant in the face of disinformation campaigns.

We call on everyone to act with principled responsibility and caution, especially at a time when false and misleading information is being widely circulated, the statement added.

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WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, June 17, at noon ET, the National Press Club Journalism Institute will host a virtual panel discussion on localizing LGBTQ+ stories for communities nationwide.

At stake are the daily lives of millions of individuals who live, work, and play in communities across the country, especially as national headlines highlight canceled or paused federal funding, vanishing research and data, and the stripping of fundamental civil rights.

So how can journalists bridge the gap between federal policy and local impact in meaningful ways for their audiences?

In this timely discussion, experienced regional editors and reporters who cover the LGBTQ+ community will discuss the local storytelling strategies needed to cultivate trusted community sources, navigate sensitive topics, and cover the experiences of all Americans with depth and accuracy.

This free event will take place on Zoom. Registration is open.

Date: Tuesday, June 17

Time: 12 p.m. EDT

Location: Zoom

The conversation will be moderated by Femi Redwood, a newsroom manager and on-air journalist, and an at-large director of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists, as well as a co-chair of the National Association of Black Journalists' LGBTQ+ task force.

Speakers include:

Bill Canacci , regional features editor for Asbury Park Press /Gannett NJ

regional features editor for /Gannett NJ Sharif Durhams , Managing Editor, News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; at-large director, NLGJA

, Managing Editor, News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; at-large director, NLGJA Jacob Reyes , GLAAD news coordinator and Texas Latino Pride vice president.

GLAAD news coordinator and Texas Latino Pride vice president. Kathryn Varn, Tampa Bay reporter at Axios.

Contact: Elliot C. Williams, training manager, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute
LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientology Network's DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, the weekly series providing a platform for independent filmmakers to air films on important social, cultural and environmental issues, presents the documentary Project Home on June 13, 2025.

DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network.

Los Angeles, CAJune 13, 2025Watch Project Home on Scientology Network, June 13, 8 p.m. ET/PT. Post this Discover the inspiring story of Project Home, a documentary airing on Scientology Networks DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE on June 13, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Directed by Laura Waters Hinson, the film explores how innovative 3D printing technology, developed by nonprofits Habitat for Humanity and New Story, is transforming lives and addressing the global housing crisis.

Project Home traces the intersection of innovation and human resilience, exploring how cutting-edge 3D-printing technology may hold the key to solving the global housing crisis. Nonprofits Habitat for Humanity and New Story transform what was once a radical idea into a real-world solution with the creation of whole communities using 3D-printing technology.

At the heart of the film, director Laura Waters Hinson unveils the personal stories of those navigating the housing crisis: two single, hardworking mothersone in a rural Mexican village, the other in Virginiaas they are given a path to homeownership. Their journeys highlight the power of community, entrepreneurship and ingenuity to shape lives.

Produced by Moving Pictures Institute (MPI)a nonprofit that supports independent filmmakers advancing human freedom through filmProject Home premiered at the Heartland International Film Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana.

ABOUT LAURA WATERS HINSON

Laura Waters Hinson is an award-winning filmmaker and assistant professor in the Film and Media Arts Division of the School of Communication at American University. Her first feature documentary, As We Forgive, about Rwanda's reconciliation movement, won the 2008 Student Academy Award for Best Documentary and the Cinema for Peace Award in Berlin and was broadcast nationally. Project Home is the Winner of Special Recognition Feature Film at the 2023 Justice for All Film Festival International.

Laura's films have been screened at the US Congress, the United Nations, the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art and at dozens of international film festivals such as the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Seattle Human Rights Film Festival, among many others.

ABOUT DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE

Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network provides a platform for Independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world.

DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning Independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.

For more information, visit scientology.tv/docs .

Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by independent filmmakers who represent a cross-section of cultures and faiths but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network's innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards.

Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.

SOURCE Church of Scientology International
BOSTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ratio Therapeutics Inc. (Ratio), a pharmaceutical company employing innovative technologies to develop best-in-class radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and monitoring, announced today that it entered into an agreement granting Macrocyclics Inc. (Macrocyclics) exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights to Ratio's proprietary chelator Macropa enabling broad access worldwide.

Macropa is a proprietary, best-in-class, bifunctional chelator for Actinium-225 (Ac-225), known for its strong alpha-particle emissions and its use in targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for the treatment of cancer. Macropa can be tethered to small molecules, peptides, and large polypeptides such as proteins and antibodies to enable the development of targeted radiopharmaceuticals for alpha radiotherapy. By rapidly and quantitatively complexing Ac-225 at room temperature, Macropa's unique selectivity and stability for Ac-225 enables simple "one-pot" manufacturing and improves in vivo stability of the resulting compound.

"Over the past year, we have been focused on building global scientific awareness and encouraging adoption of our chelator platform across the therapeutic radiopharmaceutical community," said Bill Cupelo, Chief Business Officer of Ratio. "We are proud to see our efforts realized through an expanding global ecosystem of collaborators who can now leverage Macropa to accelerate the development and adoption of radiopharmaceuticals worldwide. By enabling broader access to our platform, we are fostering a global community aligned in the mission to improve patient outcomes through targeted cancer therapies and diagnostics."

Incorporated in 1995, Macrocyclics is a CDMO specialized in chelating agents for radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine. The company maintains a broad catalog of bifunctional chelating agents that are used in R&D and clinical programs across the globe. Under the terms of the agreement, researchers from academia and industry may purchase Macropa directly from Macrocyclics, enabling rapid access in many countries including Japan, Canada, Australia and majority of Europe.

"Ratio's Macropa is a superior chelator for Ac-225," said Paul Jurek, Ph.D., CEO of Macrocyclics. "The ability to label quickly at room temperature provides a critical advantage, especially when working with proteins or vectors that degrade when heated. We are excited to be the exclusive manufacturer of Macropa and plan to add multiple derivatives to our catalog and provide it under GMP conditions for innovators engaged in clinical research."

Macrocyclics is an exhibitor at the 2025 SNMMI Annual Meeting, located in New Orleans, LA from June 21 to June 24. Ratio will also have representatives in attendance and will host a networking event for current and potential Macropa users.

About Macrocyclics

Macrocyclics, Inc., founded in 1995 with headquarters in Plano, Texas, is a CDMO specializing in chelating agents for radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine. A subsidiary of Orano Med, the company stocks a catalog of products dedicated to chelation technology including bifunctional chelators, magnetic resonance agents, and reactive intermediates. The company supports rapid advancements in the field through its GMP compliant quality system, custom small molecule synthesis capabilities, and expertise in analytical development and characterization. For more information about the company, please visit: www.macrocyclics.com.

About Ratio Therapeutics

Ratio Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company with the mission to accelerate the development of next-generation precision radiopharmaceuticals for solid tumors and transform oncology treatment paradigms. With headquarters and laboratories in Boston, the company currently employs a growing team of multidisciplinary experts with backgrounds in radiopharmaceutical discovery and development. Ratio's proprietary R&D platforms, Trillium and Macropa, enable the development of fit-for-purpose radiopharmaceuticals for therapy and imaging that possess pharmacokinetic modulation, thereby improving drug availability, tumor delivery, and tumor loading. The company is also currently advancing the development of its first FAP-targeted radiotherapeutic with plans to enter clinical trials this year.

Please visit www.ratiotx.com for more information and follow us on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn.

For information regarding ordering Macropa, please contact Macrocyclics at [email protected]

SOURCE Ratio Therapeutics Inc.
Born on the blockchain, brewed for real life. Rekt Drinks brings its Web3-powered, zero-proof sparkling waters from URL to IRL.

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rekt Drinks , the zero alcohol, zero-caffeine sparkling water brand that's been making waves in Web3 since 2024, is officially stepping into retail stores. For the first time, its cult-favorite Liquidated Lime cans, previously only available through limited online drops, are landing on select 7-Eleven store shelves in Southern California this month.

RektThe Viral Crypto-Native, Zero Alc Sparkling Water With a Cult FollowingHits 7-Eleven Shelves for the First Time

Launched as a crypto-native, consume-to-earn experiment, Rekt has quickly become one of the most buzzed-about brands in the non-alc space, moving over half a million cans across three drops, with its June 2025 online drop of 180,000 cans selling out in just 17 minutes worldwide. Blending physical product with digital culture, meme-fueled aesthetics, and Web3-powered loyalty, each can unlocks DRANK Points, the brand's rewards system that turns purchases and social activity into claimable $REKT Coin, exclusive digital collectibles, and deeper community status.

The retail debut arrives at a moment when non-alc is booming and Gen Z and millennial consumers are demanding better-for-you beverages with real personality. Rekt answers the call with bold flavors, an irreverent aesthetic, and a token-powered universe that rewards participation.

"Our goal wasn't to just launch a drink, it was to build an entirely new kind of brand," said Ovie Faruq, CEO and co-founder of Rekt Drinks. "By using Web3's 'community over consumer' mechanics and new-age finance, we're creating a loyalty loop that actually means something. It's fun, it's experimental, it's hyper-engaged, and now it will finally be on shelves in one of our most loyal communities in Southern California. We're also rolling out a special LA activation this month to reward our earliest supporters."

To celebrate its convenience store debut, Rekt is taking over three 7-Eleven locations across Los Angeles from June 19 to 21. The first 50 customers to snag a Rekt four-pack each day, retailing at $10, will score $REKT Coin worth approximately $100. The coins can be immediately claimed via QR code at checkout, with the ability to set up a crypto wallet with just one tap.

At the core of Rekt is the Rektguy NFT collectiona cult-favorite digital art project with a passionate, crypto-native community and high-profile holders including Snoop Dogg, Steve Aoki, Bassjackers, and Gary Vaynerchuk. Paired with $REKT Coin, a brand-focused cryptocurrency earned through product purchases and community engagement, these digital assets fuel a closed-loop ecosystem where fans become co-creators and customers become brand believers.

Whether crypto-curious or just thirsty, grabbing a can of Rekt is now a gateway into a world where memes meet mission, and every sip counts.

To learn more, visit rekt.com and follow along for updates on x.com/rektdrinks

About Rekt Brands Inc

Rekt Brands Inc is a consumer brand company at the forefront of culture, creativity, and community. Founded in 2023, the company blends real-world product innovation with web3-native storytelling and IP, building a vertically integrated ecosystem that includes physical beverages, digital collectibles, and community rewards.

Rekt's flagship product, Rekt Drinks, has sold over half a million cans worldwide within just 48 hours of sales, combining FMCG excellence with viral digital drops and web3-powered loyalty. The company also owns the Rektguy NFT collection and supports $REKT Coin, which fuels its community-driven growth engine.

Operating globally across North America, the UK, and Europe, Rekt Brands is building the blueprint for culturally relevant, digitally native consumer brands of the future.

Media Contact

Bethany Willetts | [email protected]

SOURCE Rekt Drinks
ROME, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --The investment was made through SBI Ven Capital's joint fund with Sygnum Bank and Azimut Group, which aims to accelerate the rollout of Colossus Digital's Institutional Hub, a two-sided B2B marketplace, that connects regulated custodians with top-tier validators for staking and governance.

Strategic highlights

SBI VEN CAPITAL INVESTS 1 MILLION IN COLOSSUS DIGITALS BRIDGE ROUND

Investment Amount: 1,000,000 (Seed Investment)

Lead Investor: SBI Ven Capital, through its joint fund with Sygnum Bank and Azimut

Recipient: Colossus Digital

Purpose: Scale Institutional Hub, enhance custody-to-staking workflows, expand global client base

Institutional adoption fuels the deal

86 % of institutional investors already haveor plan to gaindigital-asset exposure in 2025, underscoring growing demand for secure custody and staking rails. Staking-as-a-service platforms are forecast to surge as institutions seek compliant, yield-generating strategies.

Quotes

Eiichiro So, CEO & Managing Director, SBI Ven Capital: "Colossus Digital has built the missing bridge between regulated custodians and the Yield Providers. Our 1 million commitment is a vote of confidence in their Institutional Hub and in the broader institutionalisation of digital assets."Lorenzo Barbantini Scanni, Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer, Colossus Digital: "SBI's backing accelerates our mission to make staking, governance, and interaction with Yield Providers as seamless as a custody transaction. Together we will deliver the tooling banks, asset managers, and exchanges need to capture on-chain yield, without compromising compliance."

About Colossus Digital

Headquartered in Rome, Italy, Colossus created the Institutional Hub, the only B2B marketplace enabling Digital Asset Holders to access staking, governance, and DeFi protocols natively from custody. The Hub enables native transactions in a safe, compliant and verifiable way across 25+ chains and multiple validators.

Users can visit colossus.digital for more details.

About SBI Ven Capital

SBI Ven Capital, the Singapore subsidiary of Japanese financial services conglomerate SBI Group, through its joint fund with Sygnum and Azimut Group brings together the collective digital assets experience and network of the three founding partners to accelerate the growth of promising digital asset companies.

The joint fund is an early-stage fund that aims to back best-in-class digital asset companies across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia and Europe.

Users can visit sbivencapital.com.sg for more details.

Forward-looking statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially due to market conditions, regulatory changes, and other risk factors.

Key takeaway

SBI Ven Capital's 1 million seed investment positions Rome-based Colossus Digital to become the institutional standard for custody-native staking, riding a wave of record institutional crypto adoption.

Contact:

Head of Marketing & Communication

Ilaria Pelosi

Colossus Digital

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710477/SBI_Ven_Capital.jpg

SOURCE SBI Ven Capital
HOUSTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Perdue Law announces a significant courtroom victory, securing a $15.5 million damage finding for one client in the first bellweather trial arising from the catastrophic and fatal 2020 Watson Grinding & Manufacturing warehouse explosion in Houston's Spring Branch neighborhood. This substantial award represents the largest individual share of a collective $38 million verdict issued to five plaintiffs stemming from the tragic industrial disaster.

Warehouse interior filled with smoke and debris

The verdict for Simon Perdue's client, who was diagnosed with severe PTSD and explosion-related migraine, meticulously broke down the profound impact of their suffering, with the jury awarding:

$1 million for past physical pain

for past physical pain $2 million for future physical pain

for future physical pain $3.5 million for past mental anguish

for past mental anguish $9 million for future mental anguish

Simon Perdue Law firmly refused to settle for anything less than their client's rightful compensation, taking the case to court where the jury ultimately recognized the full scope of their extensive suffering and losses.

"This verdict is a powerful testament to our client's incredible resilience and the unwavering commitment of our legal team to fight for justice," said Simon Perdue. "When corporations and their insurers attempt to evade accountability for severe negligence, we are prepared to step in and fight rigorously on behalf of our clients. This outcome underscores that juries are willing to hold those responsible fully accountable for the devastation they cause."

This result sends a clear message about the consequences of industrial negligence and Simon Perdue Law's dedication to ensuring that victims of catastrophic events receive the comprehensive compensation they deserve. For more information, visit: https://www.simonperduelaw.com/blog/2025/june/-15-5-million-verdict-secured-for-explosion-vict/

If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed due to an industrial disaster or corporate negligence, Simon Perdue Law is ready to stand with you. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.

About Simon Perdue Law

Simon Perdue Law is a trusted personal injury law firm dedicated to fighting for accident victims and their families. With extensive experience handling truck accident cases, the firm provides compassionate legal representation and aggressive advocacy to secure maximum compensation for its clients.

For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Simon Perdue, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE Simon Perdue Law
BOSTON, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Taiwan's delegation, led by BPIPO (Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office), organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and supported by various government agencies, will attend the BIO International Convention 2025, taking place June 1619 in Boston. The Taiwan Pavilion, themed "Taiwan, Your Best Partner in Asia," brings together 35 companies, one industry association, and six research institutes to showcase advancements in AI-driven healthcare, biomanufacturing, and precision medicine. Building on BIO 2024's success with 19,608 attendees and 61,508 business matchmaking meetings, Taiwan aims to strengthen its role as a global biotech leader by highlighting innovations and expanding international partnerships.

Under the theme Taiwan, Your Best Partner in Asia, the Taiwan Pavilion integrates biomedical innovations across ministries to present a full-age precision medicine scenariofeaturing over 50 technologies and products from 35 companies addressing healthcare needs across all life stages, and promoting global collaboration through unified efforts.

The Taiwan Pavilion highlights "Full-Age Precision Medicine," showcasing over 50 technologies addressing healthcare needs across all life stages. Key innovations - Taiwan's expertise in AI enhances medical informatics and smart healthcare solutions, while its biomanufacturing supports global pharmaceutical production. These advancements position Taiwan as a leader in regenerative medicine, medical devices, and contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).

Adding further momentum to Taiwan's presence at the convention, two Taiwanese biotech startups  AnHorn Medicines and Pharmasaga Company Limited  have been selected as finalists in the Start-Up Stadium, a global competition that drew 57 teams from around the world. Their selection reflects the rising profile and competitiveness of Taiwan's biotech sector and provides finalists with a valuable opportunity to engage with global pharmaceutical leaders and venture capitalists, potentially leading to strategic partnerships and funding opportunities.

Taiwan's BIO 2025 Key Events to Attend  Tuesday, June 17

Global Innovation Hub  Taiwan (3:153:30 p.m., Meeting Room 152):

A focused session spotlighting Taiwan's biomedical breakthroughs and collaboration opportunities, reflecting the broad coalition behind Taiwan's delegation across industry, government, academia, and clinical sectors.





A focused session spotlighting biomedical breakthroughs and collaboration opportunities, reflecting the broad coalition behind delegation across industry, government, academia, and clinical sectors. Taiwan Pavilion Networking Event (4:005:00 p.m., Booths 1545 & 1645):

An open networking event welcoming global biotech leaders, featuring a Happy Hour and showcasing next-generation technologies, promising products, and emerging opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

The Taiwan Pavilion at BIO 2025 (Booth No. 1545 & 1645) showcases numerous biotech companies. Coordinated by BPIPO, it promotes global partnerships in biotech, CDMO, and precision health. Exhibited technologies include cell and gene therapy, novel drug development, smart medical devices, and integrated solutions for all stages of healthcare.

As BIO 2025 approaches, Taiwan's delegation prepares to showcase its biotech strengths and global strategy to shape the industry's future. More details and delegation links are available at bravotaiwan.tw or by contacting BPIPO .

SOURCE The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Promotion Office (BPIPO)
MINNEAPOLIS, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced voting results from its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 11, 2025 ("Annual Meeting"). Shareholders elected all 12 nominees for the board of directors, ratified the appointment of Target's independent registered public accounting firm, approved the advisory "Say on Pay" management proposal, and rejected one shareholder proposal.

The Carideo Group, the independent Inspector of Election, has certified all voting results for the Annual Meeting. The final tabulation indicates that 391,209,355 shares were voted, representing approximately 86.1 percent of Target's outstanding shares as of the record date.

The final tabulation of votes for each proposal is as follows. Voting percentages may not foot due to rounding.

1. Shareholders elected each of the following board nominees for a one-year term:

Nominee Percent For Percent Against David P. Abney 99.3 0.7 Douglas M. Baker, Jr. 97.0 3.0 George S. Barrett 96.8 3.2 Gail K. Boudreaux 99.2 0.8 Brian C. Cornell 91.0 9.0 Robert L. Edwards 99.0 1.0 Donald R. Knauss 98.8 1.2 Christine A. Leahy 96.4 3.6 Monica C. Lozano 96.3 3.7 Grace Puma 99.4 0.6 Derica W. Rice 96.3 3.7 Dmitri L. Stockton 95.5 4.5

2. Shareholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Target's independent registered accounting firm for fiscal 2025:



Percent For 93.3 Against 6.4 Abstain 0.3

3. Shareholders approved, on an advisory basis, Target's executive compensation ("Say on Pay"):



Percent For 92.2 Against 7.8

4. Shareholders did not approve a shareholder proposal requesting a report on how affirmative action initiatives impact Target's risks related to actual and perceived discrimination:



Percent For 7.1 Against 91.5 Abstain 1.4

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at nearly 2,000 stores and at Target.com, with the purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. Additional company information can be found by visiting the corporate website and press center .

SOURCE Target Corporation
SHANGHAI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From June 11th to 13th, the 18th International Solar Photovoltaic and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition (SNEC PV+ 2025) was held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. During the event, TCL Solar exhibited its next-generation back-contact (BC) module technology, a range of high-efficiency, high-power BC and TOPCon modules, as well as parent company TCL Zhonghuan's 210 monocrystalline silicon ingots and wafer products. The company also introduced lightweight module "concept products" and new anti-dust accumulation series.

TCL Solar SNEC booth

TCL Solar's showcased BC modules achieved a maximum power output of 680W and a record efficiency of 25.2%, while its TOPCon modules reached up to 750W and 24.14% efficiency. The Next-Gen BC Product Presentation that with continued advancements in low-cost metallization for BC cells, optimized polysilicon passivation layers, and high-density packaging technologies, the cost of TCL Solar's BC products will further approach that of TOPCon. Meanwhile, the bifaciality of BC modules will exceed 80%, with module efficiency surpassing 25%. Leveraging its technological expertise, patent portfolio, and global market channels in BC technology, TCL Solar will collaborate closely with upstream and downstream partners to foster the BC industry ecosystem and drive down the LCOE for solar power.

Additionally, based on market insights and customer needs, TCL Solar launched its new anti-dust shingled modules at SNEC and, in collaboration with Lens Technology, unveiled an innovative lightweight module seriesdelivering high performance and reliability tailored to customer demands. On June 12th, TCL Solar's representative provided a comprehensive analysis of the company's full range of module products in the Application Value Analysis of Distributed Solar Products in China, detailing their performance characteristics and differentiated value propositions.

Since the second half of 2024, TCL Solar has been advancing upgrades across technology, manufacturing, product offerings, branding, and market expansion. The company has now established a diversified portfolio encompassing BC, TOPCon, half-cut, and shingled technologies, providing customers with highly efficient, reliable, and value-driven solutions for all application scenarios.

"Double Certification Triumph: TCL SOLAR Conquers Extreme Cold and Global Markets with Cutting-Edge Tech"

During this event, TCL SOLAR achieved two milestone certifications: China's first low-temperature dual certification (power degradation <0.5% at -40C) and TUV Rheinland's global certification for N-type BC modules, solidifying its extreme-environment leadership. The BC modules feature -0.26%/C temperature coefficient, 10% higher shading tolerance, and 0.35% annual degradation, setting new reliability benchmarks. With concurrent UK MCS, Japan JAPC, Colombia RETIE, and Dubai DEWA certifications, TCL SOLAR accelerates global expansion via "certification + localization" strategy, empowering energy transition in polar and emerging markets.

As a technology-driven enterprise, TCL Solar remains at the forefront of industry innovation. Guided by China's "dual-carbon" goals, TCL Solar continues to empower the entire supply chain with cutting-edge advancements, underpinned by world-class manufacturing capabilities. Through its commitment to zero-carbon practices and industry transformation, TCL Solar not only drives continuous reductions in solar LCOE but also sets a benchmark for high-quality development, contributing to global sustainable energy solutions.

SOURCE TCL Solar
SILICON VALLEY, Calif., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As screen time continues to rise in American households, Think Academy, one of the world's leading education innovators, has introduced the TalPad T100 , a next-generation kids' tablet designed to improve academic performance, form better learning habits, and make studying fun and engagingwithout compromising on quality. Whether your child is in kindergarten, elementary school, or part of a homeschool curriculum, TalPad offers a powerful, modern alternative to traditional after-school programs or expensive tutors.

With a built-in AI homework helper- The "Genius Tutor" system, TalPad acts as a 24/7 homework help companion. From solving tricky math problems to explaining writing prompts, the device provides real-time support for busy parents. It's like having a math tutor, math solver, and homework helper all in one child-friendly device.

What sets it apart from products of other well-known kids' brands is that TalPad is more versatile and intelligent. It not only includes fun educational content like the children's AI companion "Thinkie" or fun math games for kids, but also features the AI "Genius Tutor" system that can assist with various subjects. Additionally, TalPad comes with all the standard functions of an Android tablet, making it an affordable all-purpose tablet.

"As an education company, we've talked to so many parents and familiesand we understand the real challenges they face when it comes to their kids' learning. They've got questions like, how can I help my child succeed in school? Are after-school programs really worth it? Or maybe even does my child need a tutor? And some parents tell us their kids are really struggling with specific subjectsspelling, writing or math for kidsand they just don't know where to start. That's exactly why we created TalPad," said Yujing Sun, General Manager of Think Academy. "TalPad was built to help solve these very problems. Meanwhile, we believe that with the development of AI technology, every kids deservesand should haveeasier access to high-quality educational resources. It is a right for every kids and individual in this era. TalPad is more than a learning tablet, it's like giving every child their own elite mentor."

For families exploring homeschooling or seeking to enhance their homeschool programs, TalPad offers the perfect solution. Seamlessly aligning with most homeschool curriculums, our platform empowers parents with a structured yet flexible framework for home education - featuring thousands of engaging math lessons, interactive eBooks, and premium content crafted by leading educators. Beyond these resources, TalPad's true strength lies in its ability to create fully personalized learning plans tailored to each homeschool student's unique needs and pace. TalPad ensures children not only master core concepts but maintain academic parity with traditional school peers through Grade 6. With TalPad, parents gain both the tools for effective homeschooling and the confidence that their child's educational progress remains on track with conventional standards.

Compared to commonly seen kids' or educational tablets, TalPad offers more comprehensive subject support and truly AI-powered personalized learning. It covers multiple core areasfrom reading and writing to mathat just $9.99/month, delivering both stronger learning outcomes and greater overall value for families. Please visit shop.thethinkacademy.com for more details.

About Think Academy

Think Academy, a subsidiary of TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL), has been at the forefront of education innovation for over two decades. Serving more than 5 million K-12 students across 10+ countries, Think Academy is dedicated to creating fair and comprehensive educational opportunities. By integrating advanced technology with expert curriculum design, Think Academy is shaping the future of learning to be more accessible, engaging, and impactful.

SOURCE TAL Education Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan supports evacuations from Iran, Trend reports.

The pickle in Iran has prompted a mad dash for the exits, with citizens from various countries packing their bags and hightailing it out of there.

On that account, in light of the strategic appeals directed towards Azerbaijan, the nation has positioned itself in favor of facilitating evacuations from Iran.

As a result of the relevant measures taken, representatives and citizens of a number of countries, a 51-member crew of the Russian P. Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra, which is on a visit to Iran, as well as about 90 actors and art crews, including citizens of Russia, including People's Artist of Russia and director Fyodor Bondarchuk, and other countries, are expected to arrive from Iran to Azerbaijan by land in the coming days.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following an extensive search, The International School of San Francisco is delighted to announce the appointment of Eric Thuau as its next Head of School, beginning his tenure on July 1, 2026. A student-centered, bilingual education champion, Eric brings over twenty-five years of head leadership experience in independent and international schools to the role.

Eric has built a distinguished career in education, serving as Head of School at four international schools in the United States and abroad. He currently leads the French American School of Puget Sound, where he has utilized his extensive operational and financial expertise, demonstrating a proven track record of increasing enrollment, enhancing fundraising efforts, and adapting to changing market conditions. Previously, he excelled as Head of School at the Austin International School, where he cultivated a strong culture of philanthropy, established valuable partnerships with educational institutions, and increased student enrollment to full capacity.

His global experience includes leading international schools in Turkey and Cape Verde, where he developed innovative trilingual educational programs and secured essential accreditations. Eric holds a Bachelor of Education from the University Institute of Education in Montigny-les-Metz, France, and has pursued various leadership and management certifications, including a recent program at the University of Laval in Canada.

In recognition of his contributions to education, Eric was honored with the title of Knight in the Order of the French Academic Palms by the French Ministry for National Education.

"This is an exciting time for our school," said Brian Keil, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Eric is a strategic, mission-driven leader ready to guide The International School of San Francisco into its next chapter."

"It is a tremendous honor to be named the next Head of School at The International School of San Francisco," said Eric. "I feel a profound sense of excitement and purpose as I look ahead. I am confident that International is a place where I will continue to grow, thrive, and contribute with heart and intention."

Current Head of School, Melinda Bihn, Ed.D., will complete her tenure in June 2026. "We are deeply grateful for Melinda's extraordinary and impactful leadership," said Brian. "Her final year will be one of continued momentumadvancing key initiatives already underway and ensuring a smooth, successful transition for Eric and the entire community."

The International School of San Francisco looks forward to welcoming Eric to the new role and to the exciting opportunities his leadership will bring to students, faculty, staff, and the broader school community.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SAN FRANCISCO

Established in 1962, The International School of San Francisco is the largest secular independent school in San Francisco, located in the vibrant Hayes Valley neighborhood. It serves learners from PK2 to Grade 12 and is a multicultural, bilingual learning community where students learn to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence, empathy, and joy.

SOURCE The International School of San Francisco
HOUSTON, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For a law student in 2025, is refusing to use Artificial Intelligence the same as a 1990s student refusing to use a computer? University of Houston Law Center Foundation Professor Seth J. Chandler argues it is, and he has launched a new blog, AI for Legal Education, as an essential guide for students, faculty, and alumni navigating this new reality.

The blog (legaled.ai) directly addresses the challenges and opportunities of AI, contending that students not actively using these tools risk a significant disadvantage in their studies and their careers. In his post, "If I Were a Law Student Today," Chandler outlines a core toolkit and workflow for using AI to learn more deeply, manage information, and prepare for a legal profession that is rapidly adopting AI for research, drafting, and analysis.

While providing a roadmap for students is a key focus, the blog offers practical resources for the entire legal community. Chandler takes an "educator-first" perspective, demonstrating through actionable posts how AI can augmentnot replacelegal expertise.

Content on the blog is designed for immediate application, with posts that include:

A Modern Student's Playbook: Outlining the essential AI toolkit for today's law students and arguing that AI proficiency is now a core competency for a legal career.





Outlining the essential AI toolkit for today's law students and arguing that AI proficiency is now a core competency for a legal career. Actionable Workflows for Experts: A step-by-step demonstration of how to use AI to analyze a complex Supreme Court opinion and prepare media-ready commentary in under 30 minutes.





A step-by-step demonstration of how to use AI to analyze a complex Supreme Court opinion and prepare media-ready commentary in under 30 minutes. Practical, Accessible Tutorials: Guides on building custom AI assistants ("Gems" or "CustomGPTs") without needing to be a programmer. As Chandler notes, "English is the new programming language."

Bringing decades of experience in mathematics, computer science, and law, Chandler aims to create a space "to think seriously, and sometimes playfully, about how the world of legal education is changing."

He encourages the UH Law Center community and others to engage with the project by subscribing (at no charge) to the blog, emphasizing that AI integration is no longer a distant hypothetical. The blog is a resource for students aiming to enter the workforce with a decisive advantage, faculty seeking to enhance their teaching, and alumni navigating a changing professional landscape.

To read the latest posts, subscribe for updates, and join the conversation, visit legaled.ai.

* In keeping with Professor Chandler's philosophy, this press release is itself a collaboration of humans and AI.

If you are interested in interviewing Seth Chandler, please contact Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected] OR Rashda Khan, Communications Director, 325-656-2824, [email protected].

About the University of Houston Law Center

The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top-tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UHLC's Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10.

UH Law Center awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 12 centers, institutes and programs that fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions in the country, UH is a federally designated Hispanic- and Asian-American-Serving institution with enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

Online Story

Media Contact:

Rashda Khan

713-743-7587

[email protected]

SOURCE University of Houston Law Center
NEW DELHI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --The United States (US) Durian Fruit Market was valued at approximately USD 230 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 318.94 million by 2030, at a CAGR of around 5.60% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is driven by rising demand for plant-based and vegan products, increased animal welfare awareness, and government support for research and training programs. The durian, native to Southeast Asia, is known for its high nutritional value, making it popular in desserts for lactose-intolerant consumers.

The influx of Asian immigrants in the US has further boosted demand for durians, prompting Asian grocery chains like H Mart and 99 Ranch to enhance their supply chains in the country. Additionally, growing agri-tourism in the US is raising awareness of durian and its health benefits, contributing to the market's expansion, as detailed in the report "US Durian Fruit Market Analysis, 2025."

Interested User Can Get a FREE sample of the report here - https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-sample/united-states-durian-fruit-market.html

U.S. Durian Fruit Market Statistics:

Market Value in 2024: USD 230 Million

USD 230 Million Projected Valuation by 2030: USD 318.94 Million

USD 318.94 Million Forecast Period CAGR: 5.60% (20252030)

5.60% (20252030) Base Year: 2024

2024 Historical Years: 20202023

20202023 Leading Segment "By Product Type": Frozen Durian Pulp & Paste

United States (US) Durian Fruit Market Research Report Key Finding 

1.) Market Opportunity

The US government and agricultural research centers are investing in genetic research and breeding programs to cultivate durian fruit domestically. With suitable climates in regions like Hawaii, funding from the County of Hawaii and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) supports projects aimed at increasing durian production. This includes training, financial aid, and improving yield and disease resistance. Such investments create opportunities for market players to expand within the US durian market.

2.) US Durian Fruit Market Growth Driver

Demand for durian fruit is rising in the US due to its health benefits and the growing Asian-American population, which reached over 24.8 million in 2023. With 45% of American adults classified as obese or overweight, there's heightened awareness of nutrition and superfoods like durian. Advances in cold chain logistics also support this trend, as more consumers embrace Asian cuisine and seek healthier lifestyle choices.

3.) Industry Trend

Consumer interest in vegan and plant-based products, especially among Gen-Z and millennials, is rising due to lactose-free options, lower fat content, ecological concerns, and animal welfare awareness. With over 23 billion animals reported killed for products in the US in early 2025, many are turning to plant-based alternatives. Durian fruit, with its creamy texture and rich nutrients, serves as an excellent substitute for dairy and eggs in desserts and smoothies, boosting its popularity in the US food industry.

4.) Challenge in USA Durian Fruit Market

The strong odor and taste of durian, native to Southeast Asia, are unappealing to many US consumers, leading to decreased demand. Its smell can linger for days, resulting in bans in public areas in some countries, thus affecting its reputation globally. Additionally, high costs related to production, permits, and imports from Southeast Asiaoften priced at USD 32-50 per poundfurther hinder acceptance in the US market. These factors combine to limit the fruit's growth potential in the region.

For in-depth analysis, market data, and forecasts, access the complete study - https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/united-states-durian-fruit-market.html

Key Players: List of Durian Fruit Producer in USA

Tropical Importers Inc.

Fruit King USA

Eastland Food Corporation

Melissa's/World Variety Produce

H Mart (Hanahreum Group)

United National Foods Inc. (UNFI)

99 Ranch Market

Durian Harvests USA

ImportFood.com

Others

Segmentation Analysis: United States Durian Fruit Market (2025-30)

By Product Type (Fresh Durian, Frozen Durian Pulp & Paste)

(Fresh Durian, Frozen Durian Pulp & Paste) By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Specialty Asian Grocery Stores, Online Retail, Others (Convenience Stores, Farmers' Markets))

(Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Specialty Asian Grocery Stores, Online Retail, Others (Convenience Stores, Farmers' Markets)) By End-User (Household, Commercial (Hotels, Restaurants, Food Processors))

1.) Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Segment Holds Approximately 44% Market Share

Supermarkets and hypermarkets dominate the US Durian Fruit Market, capturing around 44% of the total share. This dominance can be attributed to advanced cooling technologies, greater accessibility, urbanization, and e-commerce integration. These retail formats resonate well with younger consumers due to the convenience of online grocery delivery, which drives durian sales. By catering to both domestic and international customers, supermarkets and hypermarkets enhance the availability of diverse products, thus reinforcing their leading market position within the US durian fruit industry.

1.) Frozen Durian Pulp and Paste Segment Holds the Largest Market Share of Around 68%

The US Durian Fruit Market reveals that frozen durian pulp and paste dominate, accounting for approximately 68% of the market share. This preference stems from the extended shelf life and easier transportation facilitated by advancements in cold chain logistics. Fresh durian, imported from Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia, is often unsuitable for long-distance shipping due to spoilage risks. By processing the fruit into frozen pulp and paste, these concerns are addressed, significantly enhancing efficiency in the food industry and reducing labor-intensive preparation tasks.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Experts!  https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/talk-to-our-consultant/united-states-durian-fruit-market.html

U.S. Durian Fruit Market: List of Tables:

Table 1: Product Definitions for Durian Fruit Market Table 2: U.S. Durian Fruit Market Policies and Regulations Overview Table 3: Durian Fruit Market Supply Chain Analysis Table 4: Key Growth Drivers in the U.S. Durian Fruit Market Table 5: Challenges Facing the U.S. Durian Fruit Market Table 6: Market Size & Outlook by Revenue (USD Million) 2025-2030 Table 7: Market Size & Outlook by Volume (Million Units) 2025-2030 Table 8: Fresh Durian Market Size & Forecast 2025-2030 Table 9: Distribution Channel Outlook for U.S. Durian Fruit Market Table 10: End-User Market Size & Forecast for Durian Products Table 11: Competitor Characteristics in the U.S. Durian Market Table 12: Company Revenue Shares for U.S. Durian Fruit Market Table 13: Fresh Durian Market by End-User Table 14: Frozen Durian Market Size & Outlook 2025-2030 Table 15: Market Share Analysis of Frozen Durian Products Table 16: Durian-Based Processed Products Market Outlook Table 17: Financial Details of Key Companies in the U.S. Durian Market

U.S. Durian Fruit Market: List of Figures:

Figure 1: U.S. Durian Fruit Market Trends & Developments Figure 2: U.S. Durian Fruit Market Dynamics Overview Figure 3: Graphical Representation of Growth Drivers and Challenges Figure 4: Market Share by Product Type Figure 5: Distribution Channel Performance in U.S. Durian Market Figure 6: End-User Segment Distribution for Durian Products Figure 7: Strategic Alliances Among Key Durian Market Players Figure 8: Revenue Growth Forecast for Durian Fruit Market 2025-2030 Figure 9: Volume Trends of U.S. Durian Products 2025-2030 Figure 10: Competitive Landscape of the U.S. Durian Fruit Market

Looking for Global, Regional or Others country-specific reports on this market?

Visit our website or simply fill out the inquiry form - https://www.marknteladvisors.com/query/request-customization/united-states-durian-fruit-market.html

Key Highlights of the Report  Unlock Valuable Market Insights

Market Size, Share & Future Projections  Understand the current market dimensions and forecasted growth trajectory.

In-Depth Pricing Analysis  Get clarity on pricing trends and cost structures across segments.

Company Strategies & Developments  Discover recent mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and innovations.

Key Stakeholders & Value Chain Insights  Identify the main players and their roles within the industry ecosystem.

Import & Export Dynamics  Analyze global trade flows, regional export trends, and supply chain movements.

Competitive Benchmarking  Gain a clear view of the leading companies and their market positioning.

Emerging Growth Opportunities  Spot untapped areas and niche markets for potential investment.

Market Trends & Growth Drivers  Stay ahead with insights into evolving consumer behavior and industry indicators.

Research Methodology Summary

A systematic approach is used to ensure accurate market insights, combining both bottom-up and top-down methods. Data triangulation validates findings from multiple angles.

Key Steps:

Define objectives and research design

Collect data through surveys and interviews

Analyze and validate data using reliable tools

Forecast trends and deliver actionable insights

About Us 

MarkNtel Advisors is a leading consulting, data analytics, and market research firm that provides an extensive range of strategic reports on diverse industry verticals. We being a qualitative & quantitative research company, strive to deliver data to a substantial & varied client base, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals, among others.

We have our existence across the market for many years and have conducted multi-industry research across 80+ countries, spreading our reach across numerous regions like America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, etc., and many countries across the regional scale, namely, the US, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Brazil, and several others.

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SOURCE MarkNtel Advisors
Government Agencies Across the US Can Now Streamline Procurement of VIDIZMO's Advanced AI Technologies Without the Need for an RFP

TYSONS, Va., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VIDIZMO is proud to announce that it has been awarded a contract in the TXShare Cooperative Purchasing Program under Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Public Sector Entities.

This contract enables municipalities, counties, public agencies, and non-profits from all 50 states to procure VIDIZMO's artificial intelligence (AI) services and solutions efficiently, bypassing the traditional Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

Government agencies across the nation face mounting pressure to keep up with escalating operational demands while contending with limited budgets, administrative strain, and significant workforce shortages. From processing FOIA requests and monitoring infrastructure to managing court records and facilitating citizen services, public entities are expected to deliver efficient, secure, and transparent services under increasing constraints.

Through the TXShare contract, participating entities have access to the following VIDIZMO AI solutions:

AI-Powered Redaction of faces, license plates, and personal identifiers from videos, audio, documents, and images.

of faces, license plates, and personal identifiers from videos, audio, documents, and images. Automated Transcription and Translation for meetings, hearings, training materials, and public communication.

for meetings, hearings, training materials, and public communication. Anomaly Detection and Video Analytics for real-time surveillance, event monitoring, infrastructure safety, and emergency response.

for real-time surveillance, event monitoring, infrastructure safety, and emergency response. Digital Evidence Management System for secure storage, search, AI powered analysis, and sharing of case evidence with full audit trails.

for secure storage, search, AI powered analysis, and sharing of case evidence with full audit trails. Public Engagement Analysis to extract insights from citizen feedback, call center data, and public meetings.

to extract insights from citizen feedback, call center data, and public meetings. AI-Powered Contextual Search and Retrieval for automated support and information retrieval from HR and IT departments.

for automated support and information retrieval from HR and IT departments. Summarization and Report Generation to streamline the processing of large datasets and generate documentation automatically.

to streamline the processing of large datasets and generate documentation automatically. AI-Powered Video Content Management to securely manage, share, stream, transcribe, and analyze video content such as recorded council meetings, election live streaming, etc.

to securely manage, share, stream, transcribe, and analyze video content such as recorded council meetings, election live streaming, etc. Recommendation Engine to offer tailored recommendations based on user preferences, historical data, and user behavior.

to offer tailored recommendations based on user preferences, historical data, and user behavior. AI-Powered Inspection Automation for permit management and compliance verification using object detection and anomaly detection to reduce manual site visits and accelerate approvals.

The TXShare Cooperative Purchasing Program simplifies the acquisition process for public entities to these solutions by providing access to pre-vetted vendors and competitively sourced contracts, so they can avoid lengthy bidding processes and deploy critical technologies faster. This ensures continuity of services without administrative delays. By leveraging VIDIZMO's offerings through TXShare, agencies can:

Save Time and Resources: Eliminate the need for lengthy RFP processes.

Eliminate the need for lengthy RFP processes. Access Competitive Pricing: Benefit from pre-negotiated rates.

Benefit from pre-negotiated rates. Ensure Compliance: Align with state and local procurement regulations.

Align with state and local procurement regulations. Deploy Solutions Rapidly: Implement technologies swiftly to meet pressing needs.

With this award, VIDIZMO brings its field-tested AI solutions to the fingertips of government entities. These solutions are designed to reduce manual effort, enhance data protection, and improve operational agility.

"This TXShare contract award strengthens our dedication to serving the public sector with innovative AI solutions," said Nadeem Khan, CEO at VIDIZMO. "We're excited to support government agencies in enhancing their operations, ensuring data security, and delivering better services to their communities."

More information on VIDIZMO's contract can be found on VIDIZMO's TXShare vendor page.

About TXShare

TXShare is a cooperative purchasing program administered by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), representing a 16-county region that includes 226 cities, 23 school districts, and 38 special districts. The program enables local governments and non-profit entities across all 50 states to access competitively sourced contracts without incurring any membership fees.

About VIDIZMO

VIDIZMO specializes in delivering video, audio, data, and AI-powered solutions to transform how organizations operate. From advanced AI/ML capabilities like computer vision, NLP, and speech recognition to providing AI-powered enterprise video content management, automated redaction, and intelligent digital evidence management solutions, we've consistently empowered leading Fortune 500 companies and government entities to innovate and scale. Recognized by Gartner, IDC, and Frost & Sullivan, VIDIZMO is backed by partnerships with Microsoft and AWS, ensuring cutting-edge technology and innovation for customers worldwide.

To learn more about VIDIZMO and its comprehensive range of solutions and services, visit vidizmo.ai.

Media Contact

Rafay Muneer

Product Marketing Lead

[email protected]

SOURCE VIDIZMO LLC
Aftermarket Automotive Brand Recognizes Michael Gray and Bob P. with Complimentary Detailing and Inner-Guard Plus Packages

TROY, Mich., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This Father's Day, Ziebart, the brand fondly known as the "dad of the automotive industry," is putting the spotlight on two incredible fathers: Michael Gray of Magnolia, Illinois, and Bob P. of the Rochester, New York area. These two men were selected as winners of Ziebart's first-ever "Detail for Dad" contest, receiving a full Interior and Exterior Detailing package complete with Inner-Guard Plus  a deluxe service designed to keep vehicles looking showroom-new, inside and out

Michael Gray of Magnolia, Illinois. Bob P. of the Rochester, New York area.

About the Contest

Launched in May to recognize dads who go above and beyond, Ziebart's first-ever "Detail for Dad" contest invited participants to submit short essays explaining why their dad or father-figure deserved the ultimate car makeover. More than 200 dads were submitted for consideration, with entries celebrating fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and even fathers nominating their own sons. Entries were evaluated on creativity, sincerity, and heart.

"Dads are often the unsung heroes who quietly give their all to their families, including their vehicles, which usually take the brunt of everyday life," said Thomas A. Wolfe, President & Chief Executive Officer of Ziebart. "We created this contest as a way to give back and show appreciation for the love, effort, and sacrifice these men demonstrate every day. Michael and Bob exemplify everything this contest was meant to celebrate."

Meet the Winners

Nominated by his daughter Rachel, Michael Gray is a single father who stepped into both parenting roles when Rachel was just 3 years old. She describes her dad as someone who always puts his family first even if that means his own needs, and his truck, come last.

Rachel writes: "He is always putting his kids' needs first before his own. Unfortunately, that puts him last on his own list. I wanted to nominate the best Dad ever because his truck is an all-around family truck. Therefore, it is literally used for everything."

From chauffeuring their four pets to the vet, to taking kids bargain hunting, and of course, sharing life lessons wrapped in humor, Rachel says her dad has done it all from the seat of that truck, which is now set for an overdue makeover.

Bob P., nominated by his daughter Paige, is a nearly 80-year-old disabled Vietnam combat veteran and a retired longtime educator with an inspiring do-it-yourself spirit, particularly when it comes to anything related to construction or car maintenance.

Paige writes: "I think my dad Bob deserves a clean car due to his ability to still do amazing things at an advanced age! ... He is currently building a house for my mom and his truck is a disaster of Lowe's debris."

The winners each receive a complimentary Ziebart Interior and Exterior Detailing, complete with Inner-Guard Plus a prize valued at $629.97, that aims to bring even the messiest "dad mobile" back to life. Both Michael and Bob will be receiving their automotive makeovers in the coming weeks, with appointments currently being scheduled at their nearest Ziebart locations.

To find a Ziebart near you, visit www.ziebart.com. For more information on franchise opportunities with Ziebart, please visit www.ziebart.com/franchise-opportunities.

About Ziebart

Founded in 1959, Ziebart International Corporation is the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services that extend the life of vehicles. All Ziebart products and services are made and sourced in the United States. Ziebart operates over 400 locations, with 1,300 service centers, in 37 countries. Ziebart continues to grow and offers domestic and international franchising opportunities, a best-in-class investment for qualified prospects. For more information about Ziebart including franchise opportunities, please visit www.ziebart.com.

SOURCE Ziebart
SHANGHAI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZKH Group Limited ("ZKH" or the "Company") (NYSE: ZKH), a leading maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO") procurement service platform in China, today announced that its board of directors has authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$50 million worth of its shares (including American Depositary Shares) over the next 12 months, ending on June 13, 2026.

The share repurchases may be effected from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, in block trades and/or through other legally permissible means, depending on market conditions, and will be implemented in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Company expects to fund the repurchases out of its existing cash balance.

Mr. Eric Long Chen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ZKH, commented, "The launch of our new share repurchase program underscores our strong confidence in ZKH's intrinsic value and long-term growth prospects. Our recent financial and operational results highlight the strength and resilience of our business model, providing a solid foundation for our sustainable development. Supported by a healthy balance sheet and cash flows, and effective strategic execution, we're well-positioned to drive continued growth and create greater value for all of our stakeholders."

About ZKH Group Limited

ZKH Group Limited (NYSE: ZKH) is a leading MRO procurement service platform in China, underpinned by robust supply chain capabilities and dedicated to serving customers globally through a product-led, agentic AI-driven approach. Through its primary online platforms, the ZKH platform, the GBB platform and the Northsky platform, along with innovative technology and extensive industry expertise, the Company provides bespoke MRO procurement solutions to a diverse and loyal customer base. These solutions encompass hyper-personalized product curation from a comprehensive selection of quality products at competitive prices. Additionally, the Company ensures timely and reliable product delivery through professional fulfillment services. By focusing on reducing procurement costs and addressing management efficiency challenges, ZKH is transforming the opaque MRO procurement process and empowering all stakeholders across the value chain.

For more information, please visit: https://ir.zkh.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aim," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue," and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and ZKH's strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. ZKH may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about ZKH's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: ZKH's mission, goals and strategies; ZKH's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected changes in its revenues, expenses or expenditures; the expected growth of the MRO procurement service industry in China and globally; changes in customer or product mix; ZKH's expectations regarding the prospects of its business model and the demand for and market acceptance of its products and services; ZKH's expectations regarding its relationships with customers, suppliers, and service providers on its platform; competition in the Company's industry; government policies and regulations relating to ZKH's industry; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; the outcome of any current and future legal or administrative proceedings; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in ZKH's filings with the SEC. All information provided herein is as of the date of this announcement, and ZKH undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:

ZKH Group Limited

IR Department

E-mail: [email protected]

Piacente Financial Communications

Hui Fan

Tel: +86-10-6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

In the United States:

Piacente Financial Communications

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1-212-481-2050

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE ZKH Group Limited
NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zywave, a leading insurtech provider, celebrated the cyber risk industry's top individuals and firms at the 12th annual Cyber Risk Awards at Gotham Hall in New York City on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

The winners in 17 categories were announced at a black-tie gala dinner for nearly 500 attendees. Arch Insurance, Arete, The Beckage Firm, CFC, CRC Group | INSUREtrust, CyEx, Cytactic, Epiq, Gordon Rees, Lyra Recovery, Pondurance, and S-RM sponsored the event.

"Congratulations to each winner and every nominee," said Jeff Cohen, Zywave Senior Vice President. "There are no judging panels or backroom decisions in these awards; these accolades result from the only democratic voting process to salute the parties who are truly shaping the Cyber Risk marketplace. Thank you to the thousands who voted, everyone who made this night a success, and the countless cyber risk professionals who continue to elevate our industry."

Since 2013, Zywave's Cyber Risk Awards have honored the people and companies at the forefront of the cyber risk industry. Five individuals and twelve companies were recognized with awards during the evening.

This year's program included presentations by these esteemed industry leaders, Alexandra Bretschneider of Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Jeremy Gittler of Resilience, Lindsey Maher of CFC, Tom Reagan of Marsh, Emily Selck of The Baldwin Group, and Tresa Stephens of Allianz, who each provided a unique perspective on the Cyber Risk marketplace and its various participants.

Below is the complete list of award winners:

INDIVIDUALS

Cyber Visionary Award: Nick Economidis, Crum & Forster

Cyber Risk Industry Person of the Year  The Americas: Michael Phillips, CFC

Cyber Risk Industry Person of the Year  London/EMEA: Lindsey Maher, CFC

Cyber Risk Industry Person of the Year  Actuary/Modeler: Rebecca Lumb, Beazley

Cyber Risk Industry Person of the Year  Attorney: Stu Panensky, Pierson Ferdinand

COMPANIES

Cyber Safety & Loss Control [Pre-Breach] Team of the Year: CFC

Cyber Claims Team (Insurer or MGA) of the Year: AXA XL

Cyber Incident Response Team of the Year: S-RM

Cyber Newcomer of the Year: International Women's Cyber Alliance

Cyber Law Firm of the Year: Mullen Coughlin

Cyber Technology Provider of the Year: Bitsight

Cyber Retail Broking Team of the Year: Marsh

Cyber Wholesale Broking Team of the Year: CRC

Cyber Reinsurance Broking Team of the Year: Gallagher Re

Cyber MGA of the Year: Cowbell

Cyber Insurer of the Year: Beazley

Cyber Reinsurer of the Year: Munich Re

The annual Cyber Risk Awards is part of a series of industry events hosted by Zywave that bring together the top insurance thought leaders for in-person learning, networking and collaboration. For more information on Zywave's thought leadership events, visit https://www.zywave.com/zywave-events/.

About Zywave

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. On June 13, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met with the Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Viktor Mahmudov, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defense told Trend.

The Minister of Defense welcomed the guest and expressed his pleasure at seeing him in Azerbaijan. Emphasizing that the friendly relations between the heads of state greatly contribute to the cooperation between our countries, the Minister noted the importance of further expanding military ties.

Mahmudov, in turn, expressed his gratitude for the hospitality. The guest highlighted that Azerbaijani Uzbek cooperation is developing in the military sphere, as in other areas.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on regional security and discussed a number of other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Parliament Assembly (PA) will hold its 65th plenary session in Baku from June 17 through 19, the Press and Public Relations Department of the Azerbaijani Parliament told Trend.

The event is expected to host numerous guests, including the participation of several parliamentary speakers from different countries.

Sahiba Gafarova, Chairperson of the Azerbaijani Parliament and the BSEC PA, will deliver the opening speech at the plenary session.

The event will include meetings of the Bureau, Standing Committee, Economic, Legal and Social Affairs Committees, as well as discussions on various organizational issues.

The plenary session will focus on the topic of Strengthening cooperation in the BSEC region and increasing mobility through the development of smart and sustainable transport infrastructure, with relevant decisions to be adopted.

During the event, the chairmanship of the BSEC PA will be handed over from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria.

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New Delhi, June 13 : Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives.

In an official statement, he extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Japan to the families of the deceased and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

"I am in deep sorrow by hearing the news of the loss of many precious lives in the airplane accident in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured," said Ishiba

In addition, Prime Minister Ishiba issued messages of condolences to the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada.

In what is being described as one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history, the aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London, Gatwick, plunged into a residential complex near BJ Medical College, killing 241 people on board.

The ill-fated flight had 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and two pilots. According to officials, only one person, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, survived the crash and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

The impact triggered a massive blaze, with thick plumes of smoke visible across the city. Emergency services, including fire brigades and National Disaster Response Force teams, rushed to the site of the crash. Many people on the ground who were in the residential complex near BJ Medical College, are also feared dead.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Air India plane crash site. He arrived in the city to take stock of the situation, a day after the deadly plane crash.

PM Modi expressed profound grief and called the tragedy "heart-breaking beyond words."

Earlier on Thursday, as the tragedy occurred, several world leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, expressed grief and offered condolences to the people affected by the tragic plane crash.
New Delhi, June 13 : India and China have agreed to expedite steps to resume direct air services between the two countries and also hold talks to resolve trade issues.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is on a two-day visit to New Delhi from June 12 -13.

"The Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks," according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

The two countries have agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the economic and trade areas, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern, the statement said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27 and agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a priority on people-centric engagements, according to the statement.

Foreign Secretary Misri appreciated the Chinese side's cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He noted the discussion in the April meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers for the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on this.

The two countries also positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same, the statement added.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is resuming this month after a gap of five years, with the first batch of 750 pilgrims ready to depart for the holy site. The resumption is seen as a positive step towards improving India-China relations, which had come under strain due to the prolonged military build-up in Ladakh. The resumption of the yatra and talks with China follows an easing in border tensions between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Misri visited Beijing in January this year as part of efforts to improve the diplomatic relations between the two Asian giants.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kolkata, June 13 : A group of "untainted" or "genuine" teachers in state-run schools in West Bengal, who have lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in April this year, started a fresh fast-undo-death agitation near the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

Kolkata, June 13 (IANS) A group of "untainted" or "genuine" teachers in state-run schools in West Bengal, who have lost their jobs following a Supreme Court order in April this year, started a fresh fast-undo-death agitation near the office of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC).

The hunger strike began after midnight at Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

The fresh fast was kicked off by 10 "untainted" teachers amid the process of filling up of vacant posts being initiated by the commission by issuing a notification on the matter on May 30.

The main demand of the protesting teachers is that they will not appear for fresh examinations.

The protesting teachers, united under the banner of 'Jogyo Shikshak-Shikshika Adhikar Mancha (Genuine Teachers' Rights Forum)', have their logic in support of their demands.

The first argument is that they have no reason to appear for a fresh recruitment examination since they had already qualified for the job earlier and in the proper way unlike the "tainted" ones, who got jobs after paying money.

The second logic is that first the Calcutta High Court last year and then the Supreme Court in April this year, would not have ordered for the cancellation of jobs of all teachers had the West Bengal government and the commission published lists segregating the "untainted" staff from the "tainted" ones.

This is the second time that the "untainted" teachers have initiated a hunger strike in support of their demands.

Earlier, they started a relay hunger strike on April 21, which they paused on April 26 following the state government's assurance to sit with them for talks.

However, they continued with their assembly and sit-in demonstration in front of the WBSSC office during the interim period.

"The state government did not honour a single demand of ours. The state government had shown reluctance in giving us any specific assurance. So we are left with no other option but to start the hunger strike again," said a protesting teacher.

On April 3, a Supreme Court Bench comprising then Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a previous order of the Calcutta High Court that annulled 25,753 school appointments made through the WBSSC.

The apex court observed that the panel had to be scrapped entirely due to the authorities' failure to distinguish between "tainted" and "untainted" candidates.

The state government and the WBSSC have since filed review petitions in the Supreme Court seeking reconsideration of the order.
Bhopal, June 13 : The 25th instalment of Madhya Pradesh's flagship 'Ladli Behan Yojana', originally scheduled for release on Friday (June 13), has been postponed following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav was set to disburse the funds during a public event in Jabalpur on Friday, but in light of the tragedy, all related programmes were deferred.

The chief minister wrote on his X handle, "As the nation grieves the loss of lives in the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash, I have decided to postpone the events scheduled in Jabalpur and Indore on 13 June. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families. May they find strength in this difficult hour."

Despite the delay, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the scheme, which currently provides Rs 1,250 per month to 1.27 crore women across the state.

The instalment -- amounting to nearly Rs 1,500 crore -- is expected to be transferred soon, although a revised date has not yet been announced.

Launched in June 2023, the Ladli Behan Yojana was envisioned to empower women economically and socially. Initially offering Rs 1,000 per month, the amount was raised to Rs 1,250 on Raksha Bandhan 2023, with a long-term goal of reaching Rs 3,000 per beneficiary.

The scheme has disbursed over Rs 28,000 crore across 24 instalments, significantly impacting household stability and women's autonomy in financial decisions.

In a major policy expansion, state Finance Minister Jagdish Devda announced in the 202526 Budget that the scheme will now be integrated with national social security programs. Beneficiaries will be linked to the 'Atal Pension Yojana', 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana', and 'Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana', offering life and accident insurance as well as post-retirement financial support. This integration aims to ensure long-term security for women, especially those in vulnerable socio-economic groups.

A budgetary allocation of Rs 18,669 crore has been earmarked for the 'Ladli Behan Yojana' this fiscal year, underscoring the government's continued prioritisation of women's welfare.

As the people mourn the Ahmedabad tragedy, the scheme remains a symbol of resilience and hope for millions of women in Madhya Pradesh.
Tel Aviv, June 13 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced that Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat of nuclear weapons to Israel's very survival.

He asserted that the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

"In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponise this enriched uranium. If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, significantly escalating tensions in the region and raising the specter of a broader conflict between the long-standing rivals.

The Prime Minister asserted that Israel will never allow anyone who calls for the annihilation of the country to develop the means to achieve that goal.

"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme," Netanyahu added.

The Israeli PM highlighted that last year Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel, and each of these missiles carried a tonne of explosives and threatened the lives of hundreds of people.

"Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine, imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped," Netanyahu said, raising concern.

Asserting that Iran is working on a new plan to destroy Israel, Netanyahu said Iran and its proxies tried to encircle Israel with a ring of fire and launch assaults similar to the horrific attacks on October 7, 2023. He lauded the people of Israel and soldiers rose like Lions and defended the country.

"We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others," said the Israeli PM.

"We defend our Arab neighbours. They too have suffered from Iran's campaign of chaos and carnage. Our actions against Iran's proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon and the collapse of Assad's murderous regime in Syria. The peoples of those two countries now have a chance for a different future, a better future," he added.

Emphasising that the fight is not against Iranians, Netanyahu said, "Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near. And when that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again."

He further stated that Israel will not let the world's most dangerous regime get the world's most dangerous weapons, adding that Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies. He stressed that if that happens, it would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real, and would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe and eventually to America.

Appreciating US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu said "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment programme. Today, it is clear that Iran is just buying for time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act. And act now."
Chennai, June 13 : Actor Naveen Chandra, who has earmarked a special place for himself in both the Tamil and Telugu film industries, on Friday said that June 13 was a "once-in-a-lifetime day" for him as three of his films were being released on different platforms on the same day!

Taking to his X timeline to pen an emotional post, Naveen Chandra wrote, "June 13th a" A once-in-a-lifetime day for me. Andala Rakshasi a" Re-released in theatres today. Eleven a" Now streaming on @PrimeVideoIN. Blind Spot a" Now streaming on @PrimeVideoIN. Three films. One date. A flood of emotions and gratitude. To the audience, the universe, and everyone who stood by me a" thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is one of the most memorable days of my journey. #AndalaRakshasi #Eleven #BlindSpot #June13 #InCinemasNow #StreamingNow #PrimeVideo #ActorLife #Gratitude #CareerMilestone."

Interestingly, the actor's most recent film, 'Eleven', which has come in for critical acclaim, is still running in theatres as audiences seem to be loving its content.

Directed by Lokesh Ajls, the investigative thriller, featuring actor Naveen Chandra in the lead, revolves around a series of murders being committed in the city. The cops are certain that it is a serial killer who is at work and they realise the person they are looking to nab is a psycho with an unbelievable IQ level. What happens next is what Eleven is all about.

Apart from Naveen Chandra, the film features actress Reyaa Hari, who previously starred in 'Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal', Abhirami (of 'Virumandi' fame), Dileepan (known for 'Vathikuchi'), and Rithvika (of 'Madras' fame).

It may be recalled that the makers of the film, in a move that was considered a first-of-its-kind, released a song called aTamugua which had both Tamil and Telugu lyrics combined!

The peppy number, which was sung by actress Andrea, had music by D Imman and lyrics by Rakendu Mouli.

Meanwhile, 'Andala Rakshasi', which is being re-released in theatres on Friday, is a superhit film that marked Naveen Chandra's debut as an actor.

Directed by ace director Hanu Raghavapudi, the film was produced by Sai Korrapati and co-produced by one of India's most successful directors, S S Rajamouli.

Apart from Naveen Chandra, the film featured actress Lavanya Tripathi in the lead.

The third film, 'Blind Spot', has been written and directed by Rakesh Varma and features Rashi Singh along with Naveen Chandra as the lead. Actors Ali Reza, Ravi Varma, Gayatri Bhargavi, Kishore Kumar, Harika Pedada and Harsh Roshan too play pivotal roles in the film that has music by Sriram Maddury.
New Delhi, June 13 : SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Friday again recommended deorbiting the International Space Station within the next two years, much ahead of the planned deorbit in 2031.

NASA plans to deorbit the ISS in 2031, with the deorbit vehicle expected to be ready by 2028.

The ISS, a joint project involving NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Roscosmos, has been operational since 1998.

It has continuously hosted astronaut crews since November 2000, supporting research for future deep-space missions.

Musk raised serious concerns about the safety of the ISS and the astronauts on board.

"There are potentially serious concerns about the long-term safety of the Space Station. Some parts of it are simply getting too old and obviously that risk grows over time," Musk shared in a post on the social media platform X.

"Even though SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts and cargo to the ISS, I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within 2 years," he added.

Musk stated this in reply to Physicist Casey Handmer, a former NASA JPL software system architect, who highlighted "multiple, and increasingly frequent, leaks" on the ISS.

"The ISS's structural integrity is far more marginal than is being publicly discussed. Multiple cracks have been discovered. There is no "factor of safety" associated with this failure mode. None of the structural pressure vessels are meant to crack. We are not even single fault tolerant on the structural integrity of the station. We could wake up tomorrow and find, with zero warning, that it has failed catastrophically," Handmer said.

"Whether that means a leak slow enough to close some hatches, get the crew out or at least into safer parts of the station, is a roll of the dice. It could also depressurise in less than a minute," he added.

Meanwhile, NASA in June 2024 awarded an $843 million contract to SpaceX to develop the US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV).

The vehicle, based on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, will dock with the ISS and guide it to a controlled deorbit over the South Pacific to minimise risks.

Musk has long been promoting Mars as the next goal for human spaceflight.

In a post in February on X, Musk said that the ISS "has served its purpose. There is very little incremental utility". He added, "Let's go to Mars."
New Delhi, June 13 : External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar is in close contact with his counterparts from the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada in the aftermath of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives.

"In touch with FS @DavidLammy of UK, FM @PauloRangel_pt of Portugal and FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash. Expressed our profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X on Friday.

He had earlier posted: "Thank all foreign leaders and Governments for their condolences at the tragic loss of lives in the Ahmedabad air crash. We appreciate this deeply."

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, plummeting into a densely populated area near BJ Medical College.

The crash led to the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, a British national of Indian origin, is currently under medical care.

Among the deceased were 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese citizens, and 1 Canadian national, making the tragedy an international one. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has since been coordinating with affected countries, offering full assistance with identification, repatriation, and communication with bereaved families.

Emergency services continue recovery efforts at the site, while DNA testing is underway at BJ Medical College to identify remains too severely damaged for visual recognition.

Several families from across India, including those from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, are still awaiting confirmation of their loved ones.

The Indian government has assured a thorough investigation into what is now considered one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.

Authorities from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India are cooperating with international agencies to determine the cause of the crash.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), James Appathurai, recently met with Orkhan Zeynalov, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Energy, within the framework of the Azerbaijan-NATO energy security dialogue, Trend reports.

Azerbaijans Mission to NATO said this in a post on its official X page.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the Azerbaijan-NATO partnership, Azerbaijans contributions to the energy security of NATO allies and partners, as well as topics related to the European Union (EU), the green energy transition, and other matters of mutual interest.

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Ranchi, June 13 : In a sharp rebuke to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), the High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for wrongfully rejecting a qualified candidate's application for the post of Assistant Professor.

Ranchi, June 13 (IANS) In a sharp rebuke to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), the High Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh for wrongfully rejecting a qualified candidateas application for the post of Assistant Professor.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao dismissed JPSCas appeal and upheld an earlier single-bench order directing the appointment of Manoj Kumar Kachhap.

The case stems from a 2018 recruitment drive for four posts of Assistant Professor in the Nagpuri language.

Kachhap had applied and scored 72.10 out of a possible 85 marks in the academic evaluation. However, his name did not appear in the list of candidates shortlisted for interviews.

Upon inquiry, Kachhap discovered that his application had been invalidated because the online examination fee he had paid did not reach the JPSC account due to a technical error. Crucially, his name was not mentioned in the official rejection list, leaving him unaware of the issue.

Challenging the exclusion, Kachhap filed a writ petition in the High Court. The single bench ordered that he be included in the interview process, noting that the final decision would hinge on the court's verdict. JPSC complied, and Kachhap appeared for the interview.

Although the final results were declared on December 23, 2021, one post remained unfilled in compliance with the court's interim directive. The court then asked JPSC to submit Kachhapas interview marks in a sealed envelope. It was revealed that he had topped the entire selection process.

Taking serious note of the situation, the court directed JPSC to appoint him to the vacant post within four weeks.

It ruled that a technical glitch could not be grounds to deny appointment to the most meritorious applicant.

The bench also pointed out that many examinations exempt Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates from paying fees, making JPSCas rigid stance even less defensible.

JPSC appealed the single benchas ruling, arguing that fee payment was mandatory and non-receipt disqualified a candidate automatically.

However, Kachhapas counsel, Advocate Savyasachi, argued that his client had no way of knowing the transaction failure since he was not listed among the rejected candidates.

After considering submissions from both sides, the division bench upheld the single benchas order and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on JPSC.
Jakarta, June 13 : The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday strongly condemned Israel's strike on Iran, calling it a breach of law that undermines the very foundations of the international legal system.

"The attack risks exacerbating existing regional tensions and could potentially trigger a broader conflict," the ministry stated via its official social media account on Friday.

Indonesia urged all parties to demonstrate the greatest moderation and avoid acts that might exacerbate tensions or cause additional instability.

The government stressed that all nations must resolve their issues peacefully in conformity with international law, Xinhua news agency reported.

In response to the situation, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran continues to communicate with Indonesian nationals in Iran and advises them to call the embassy hotline immediately in case of an emergency.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat of nuclear weapons to Israelas very survival.

He asserted that the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

"In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponise this enriched uranium. If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed to have eliminated three of Iran's top military leaders in overnight airstrikes that rocked multiple cities across the Islamic Republic.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday called Israel's attack on Iran a aunilateral actiona, asserting that the US had no involvement.

The statement came after Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday, significantly escalating tensions in the region and raising the spectre of a broader conflict between the long-standing rivals.

The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv has also issued an urgent advisory to Indian nationals currently in the country, urging them to stay vigilant, avoid non-essential movement, and follow local safety instructions.
Chennai, June 13 : The makers of director Sekhar Kammula's eagerly awaited entertainer 'Kuberaa', featuring actors Dhanush, Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, on Friday announced that the pre-release event that was originally supposed to be held on Friday would now be held on June 15 (Sunday).

The makers chose to postpone the event in the wake of the tragic Air India plane crash that took place on Thursday. Shocked by the incident and looking to pay their respects to the victims of the crash, the makers, on Thursday had announced, that the event scheduled for Friday had been postponed. However, they did not mention another alternative date then.

On Thursday, the film's official handle on X put out a tweet that read,"Our hearts go out to all affected by the devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad. We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. May you find strength in this difficult time. The pre-release event of Kuberaa, scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed in light of the tragic Ahmedabad flight crash. We stand in solidarity with the grieving families."

On Friday, the makers issued a statement announcing the new date of the event.

The statement, which was reposted on the official handle of the film on the social media platform X, read, "Sekhar Kammula's Kuberaa Pre-release event Rescheduled. As a mark of respect for the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, today's pre-release event has been postponed. The event will now be held on June 15th (Sunday) at the same venue and time. All online website pass holders can use their existing online pass on June 15th. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and unwavering support."

Apart from Nagarjuna, Dhanush and Rashmika Mandanna, Kuberaa, also features Jim Sarbh in a pivotal role. The film is keenly awaited as this is the first time that National-award winning actor Dhanush is joining hands with ace filmmaker Sekhar Kammula.

On the technical front, the film has music by Devi Sri Prasad, who is riding high on the success of his recent releases.

aKuberaaa has cinematography by Niketh Bommi. Ramakrishna Sabbani and Monika Nigotre are the production designers of the film, which has been co-written by Chaithanya Pingali. Costumes for the film, which is scheduled to hit screens on June 20, have been designed by Kavya Sriram and Poorvaa Jain. Kubera is being bankrolled by Suniel Naran and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao under the banner of Sree Venkateswara Cinemas.

--IANS
Riyadh, June 13 : Several Arab countries on Friday issued strong condemnation of Israel's attack on Iran early on Friday, which has significantly escalated tensions in the region and raised the spectre of a broader conflict between the long-standing rivals.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms. While the Kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression," read a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The attacks come amid mounting concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme and its perceived threat to Israeli national security.

In a televised statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had initiated a "targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival."

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed the importance of exercising the utmost self-restraint and judgment to mitigate risks and prevent the expansion of the conflict.

"The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms Israel's military targeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and expressed its deep concern over the ongoing escalation and its repercussions on regional security and stability," read the statement

"The Ministry reaffirmed the UAE's position that enhancing dialogue, adhering to international law, and respecting the sovereignty of states constitute essential principles for resolving the current crises. The UAE emphasised the need to resolve disputes through diplomatic means rather than confrontation and escalation, and called on the United Nations Security Council to take urgent and necessary measures to achieve a ceasefire, and to reinforce international peace and security," it added.

Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to shoulder responsibility in halting the violations to preserve security and stability in the region.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait's strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which constitute a flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions, constitute a blatant assault on Iranian sovereignty, and endanger the security and stability of the region. The State of Kuwait renews its call to the international community, particularly the Security Council, to shoulder their responsibilities in halting these violations in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region," the Ministry said in a statement.

Condemning the attack, Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the escalating tensions threaten the security and stability of the region.

"The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing it as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a member state of the United Nations and a clear breach of the rules of international law and the United Nations Charter," said the Jordan Foreign Ministry.

"The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ambassador Sufian Al-Qudah, warned of the repercussions of such escalatory violations, which threaten the security and stability of the region and heighten tensions. Al-Qudah reiterated the need to respect international law and the responsibility of the international communityespecially the UN Security Councilto take urgent action to stop these aggressions, prevent their recurrence, and reach solutions that avoid further tension and escalation," it added.
June 13 : Mythri Movie Makers has unveiled a striking new poster for their upcoming Telugu film 8 Vasantalu, accompanied by the announcement of the trailer release date. The posters caption reads: "Behind her beauty, lies extraordinary fury & longing. Get ready for an emotional STORM. #8VasantaluTrailer out on June 15th. #8Vasantalu grand release worldwide on June 20th."

Directed by Phanindra Narsetti and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, 8 Vasantalu stars Ananthika Sanilkumar and Ravi Duggirala in lead roles. The film is described as a mature love story spanning several years, tracing the emotional journey of the female protagonist, Shuddhi Ayodhya, from her adolescence into adulthood.

The title 8 Vasantalu  which translates to "eight springs"  metaphorically represents the various phases and experiences Shuddhi goes through over these years. The narrative promises a deep exploration of love, longing, and the fury beneath the surface of its lead character, hinting at a layered and emotionally charged storyline.

Alongside the leads, the film features a talented ensemble cast including Hanu Reddy, Kanna Pasunoori, Sanjana Hardageri, Sameera Kishore, Swaraj Rebbapragada, and music by Hesham Abdul Wahab. With its compelling poster and the promise of an intense narrative, anticipation is building ahead of the trailer launch on June 15th, leading to the films worldwide release on June 20th.

8 Vasantalu aims to captivate audiences with its nuanced storytelling and strong performances, marking another exciting project from Mythri Movie Makers.
Mumbai, June 13 : Trinamool Congress MP and Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the recent Air India crash, calling it a "rare catastrophe" that has shaken the nation.

Mumbai, June 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress MP and Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the recent Air India crash, calling it a "rare catastrophe" that has shaken the nation.

Reflecting on the tragic incident, he questioned possible safety lapses and stressed the urgent need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the sudden failure of one of the world's most advanced aircraft. Speaking to the media, Sinha called it one of the most shocking aviation disasters in recent memory. "I am speechless," he said, adding that the incident has not only taken away members of our society and families but also raised serious concerns about safety protocols and accountability.

The veteran actor pointed out the perplexing nature of the crash, particularly the reported simultaneous failure of both engines. "This is one of the most powerful aircraft in the world. A Dreamliner doesn't just go down like that. If one engine fails, there is always a backup system. For both to fail at once seems highly unusual," he remarked.

He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and transparent investigation. Quoting insights from his close friend and fellow parliamentarian Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a trained pilot, he acknowledged that such a scenario is considered "rarest of the rare." He urged authorities and aviation experts to explore every anglefrom technical failure to potential lapses in maintenancebefore arriving at a conclusion.

"It is surprising that such an engine, such a strong plane, such a powerful aircraft  one of the world's strongest, most powerful, and largest planes  our Dreamliner, went down like this. The accident happened within a few seconds or minutes. People are saying that both engines failed at the same time, which seems impossible. When one engine fails, it is already very difficult, but having both engines fail simultaneously? That's rare, especially when there are systems in place to handle such emergencies. And all our friends are sayingI was listening to my younger brother-like friend Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is also a very good pilot and a parliamentarian  and even he said this is one of the rarest of rare cases. This is the case of the Boeing Dreamliner," mentioned Shatrughan Sinha.

He went on to state, "I am afraid to say this, that this is a matter of engine failure, that this is a matter of some kind of failure. I am very afraid to call it a conspiracy. But there are doubts; various things are happening. Now I would like a solution to this. Because it has shaken the whole world. This matter is not only about Putin and Trump; it is not limited to this. In fact, people from all over the world are in so much grief, in so much anxiety, and in so much worry that such a great, technically advanced thing happened with the Dreamliner. Now what has happened? It is a maintenance failure. I would not like to say anything about the pilots without an inquiry, because our pilots, they had an experience of 8,000 to 10,000 hours, more than that."

The veteran actor called for urgent answers, urging authorities to look beyond the immediate cause of engine failure. Expressing his concern, Sinha said, "I am not saying that anyone did this. But there are questions: whose responsibility was it, and why did it happen?"

He emphasized that while reports suggest maintenance or engine failure, the real concern lies in understanding the deeper cause. "It happened within a few seconds, within a few minutes. How did it happen?" he asked, pressing for a swift investigation. Sinha stressed the importance of addressing these questions promptly to ensure accountability and prevent future disasters.
Srinagar, June 13 : In the aftermath of Israeli aerial strikes, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday requested the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to ensure the well-being and safety of Kashmiri students stuck in Iran.

CM Omar Abdullah said on X, "Requesting @MEAIndia to urgently ensure safety and well being of Kashmiri students stuck in Iran. Their families are deeply worried and we stand with them in this difficult time. Every step must be taken to safeguard our students."

Various Sunni and Shia Muslim organisations of Kashmir have condemned the Israeli strikes in Iran in which two top generals and nuclear scientists of Iran were killed.

Kashmir Valley has a good number of students studying medicine and other professions in Iran. In addition, a number of local doctors and engineers are working in Iran in various capacities.

The large Shia Muslim community of Jammu and Kashmir has a deep affinity with Iranian Muslims, who are predominantly Shia Muslims.

A number of local religious organisations have organised meetings and gatherings to condemn the Israeli action against Iran. In condemnation of the Israeli action in Iran, both Sunni and Shia Muslims have voiced deep concern and condemned the development with one voice.

It must be mentioned here that almost all the high-ranking scholars of the Shia community belong to Iran, and their interpretation of religion is followed obediently by the Shia Muslims in India.

Any development happening in Iran is deeply followed by the Shia Muslims in Kashmir.

Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, significantly escalating tensions in the region and raising the spectre of a broader conflict between the long-standing rivals. The attacks come amid mounting concerns over Tehran's nuclear programme and its perceived threat to Israeli national security.

In retaliation, Iran has launched more than 100 drones towards Israel.

Several Arab countries issued strong condemnations of Israel's attack on Iran, and the US has called the attack a 'unilateral action', asserting that America had no involvement.
New Delhi, June 13 : The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, who was arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police on June 9, over the alleged derogatory remarks on women from Amaravati during a debate on the Sakshi television channel.

Srinivasa Rao, an anchor with the channel, was moderating the show during which one of the panellists made some objectionable comments.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan directed the release of Srinivasa Rao, noting that he did not make the comments.

The apex court granted bail and ordered his release on a plea challenging the arrest.

Questioning the Andhra Pradesh government over the arrest, the bench observed that it was necessary that Raoas journalistic rights and his fundamental right to freedom of speech were protected.

It ordered the petitioneras release subject to conditions imposed by the trial court. It also directed Rao not to make any derogatory statements on his show or allow anyone else to make the same.

The 70-year-old journalist was arrested by the state police from his residence in Hyderabad on June 9. He was brought to the Guntur district, where a court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.

The police on June 11 arrested journalist and political analyst V.V. Krishnam Raju, who had allegedly made derogatory remarks about women from the Amaravati region.

Krishnam Raju, who was arrested in Visakhapatnam district on the night of June 11, was produced before the Mangalgiri court the next day. The court sent him to judicial custody till June 26.

Krishnam Raju had allegedly referred to Amaravati as a acapital of prostitutesa during a debate aired live on June 6.

The Sakshi news channel is owned by the family of YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

A case was registered against the two journalists and the management of Sakshi TV on June 9.

The case was registered at the Thullur Police Station in Guntur under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Information Technology Act, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The FIR includes offences under sections 79, 196(1), 353(2), 299, 356(2), 61(1)BNS, 67 ITA-2008, 3(1)(U), SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
New Delhi, June 13 : A gene transfer approach to treating the bleeding disorder haemophilia B remains safe and effective long-term, according to a study by UK-based scientists.

Haemophilia B is a rare genetic disorder caused by insufficient levels of a circulating protein called factor IX, which promotes blood clotting.

Scientists from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and University College London used a one-time gene therapy intervention to address the disorder.

Their finding, based on 13 years of follow-up data, published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows an almost 10-fold reduction in annualised bleeding rate. It supports the long-term viability of gene therapy for the disease's treatment.

"The key benefit is that gene therapy is a one-time, simple intravenous infusion that's very straightforward to do and potentially has positive effects for a lifetime," said Andrew Davidoff, from the St. Jude Department of Surgery chair.

Haemophilia B is an X-linked genetic disorder affecting 1 in approximately 25,000 male births.

While the disorder can range in severity, frequent spontaneous bleeding and life-threatening haemorrhages occur due to insufficient blood-clotting factor IX.

Treatment for haemophilia B has traditionally been expensive for lifelong supplementation of the clotting factor, but gene therapy offers a potentially transformative means to address the disorder.

The study included 10 adults with severe haemophilia B who received the gene therapy drug between March 2010 and November 2012.

After initial safety and efficacy successes reported in 2014, the patients were followed over 10 additional years and have all maintained a steady level of factor IX and an excellent benefit in terms of freedom from bleeding.

In the field of gene therapy, questions remain regarding the enduring viability of these treatments, with key stakeholders, including patients and families, waiting to see what the long-term outcomes will be, such as durability and stability of expression.

"For these 10 patients, the factor levels are stable and have been at the same level across these 13 years," said principal investigator Ulrike Reiss, St. Jude Department of Haematology.

"Further, we have not seen any side effects or toxic events in the long-term follow-up."

The lack of toxic events is noteworthy. Upon administering the gene therapy, over 90 per cent ends up in the liver.

While a small degree of liver inflammation was noted shortly after vector administration, it was curbed by steroid administration and did not return after initially resolving, the team said.
New Delhi, June 13 : Following the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives, Congress leader Udit Raj has launched a scathing attack on the aviation safety system in India, claiming that a Director at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) holds a fake degree and that oversight failure led to the tragedy.

Speaking to IANS, Udit Raj said, "DGCA director's degree is fake. Such incidents are bound to happen when people with fake degrees are clearing safety standards. Sikkim University has stated that his degree is forged. A PIL has also been filed in the High Court. When such people sit in key positions in civil aviation, accidents are inevitable."

The Congress leader expressed sorrow for the victims but questioned the governmentas response and accountability: "This is an extremely tragic incident. My condolences are with the families of the deceased. But when the Home Minister simply calls it an aaccident,a it raises serious concerns. Should we now expect such accidents to become routine? There are ways to prevent them."

He further stated that the government has failed to act despite red flags: "When the civil aviation director, responsible for safety, is sitting with a fake degree and no action is taken, it's obvious why such tragedies occur. Even after a PIL was filed, the official was protected."

Raj also criticised the political double standards, adding: "If the Congress were in power today, the BJP would have demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister himself. At the very least, the Civil Aviation Ministeras resignation would be called for. But we are not politicising this, we stand with the grieving families."

The Air India Dreamliner had taken off from Ahmedabad on June 12 en route to Gatwick, London, but crashed moments later into a residential area, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in recent memory.

In addition to the 241 lives lost in the crash, many people died in the area where the ill-fated plane fell. The government has launched a probe into the tragic incident.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, received Pawel Radomski, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Azerbaijan, on June 13, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend.

During the meeting, the ambassador presented a copy of his credentials to Minister Bayramov.

The minister congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan. Both sides expressed confidence that the new ambassador will contribute actively to the further development of relations between the two countries.

The meeting highlighted satisfaction with the current level of Azerbaijan-Poland political dialogue. It was noted that high-level reciprocal visits and contacts have laid a strong foundation for the sustainable nature of bilateral relations.

The importance of mechanisms such as political consultations between the Foreign Ministries, the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, and working groups on inter-parliamentary relations in the comprehensive and systematic development of Azerbaijan-Poland interstate relations was also emphasized.

The parties stressed the significance of enhancing joint efforts to fully utilize the existing potential and opportunities for cooperation in economic fields, including traditional and green energy, transportation, and logistics. Discussions also covered opportunities to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in humanitarian areas such as education, culture, sports, and youth.

Minister Bayramov provided detailed information on the history of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, as well as the realities and developments of the post-conflict period. He noted that negotiations on the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement concluded in March of the current year, and addressed factors hindering the signing of the agreement, including Armenias constitutional claims against Azerbaijans territorial integrity and the dissolution of outdated mechanisms like the Minsk Group.

The sides also exchanged views on other regional and international developments and challenges of mutual interest.

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Bengaluru, June 13 : Congress MLA and Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSB) Chairman, Vinay Kulkarni, on Friday surrendered before the special court for MLA/MPs in Bengaluru in connection with the 2016 murder case of BJP leader Yogesh Gowda.

The Supreme Court had cancelled his bail in connection with the case, and Kulkarni had said that he would abide by the apex court's order and surrender.

The Special Court has handed MLA Kulkarni over to the custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Zilla Panchayat member Gowda was killed at his gym on June 15, 2016, and Kulkarni was a minister in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the state at the time. It was alleged that Gowda was hacked to death to curb his political rise and the BJP's influence in the region.

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced during his election campaign that he would send Kulkarni to jail in the case. After assuming power, he handed over the case to the CBI. Kulkarni was arrested by CBI sleuths on November 5, 2020.

After being in prison for nine months, Kulkarni was released on August 13, 2021. The Supreme Court had imposed a condition that he should not enter the Dharwad district. However, without entering his constituency, Kulkarni won from the Dharwad seat in the 2023 Assembly elections by a good margin. His wife and daughter had campaigned for him.

The Supreme Court had ordered the expedition of the investigation in the case and also the completion of witness examination. The CBI, closely monitoring the witnesses, allegedly found that they were being lured with money and approached the court with evidence in this regard.

The apex court had cancelled Kulkarni's bail following a petition by the CBI, which alleged that he was trying to influence witnesses and luring them with money. The court had asked him to surrender within a week.

Asked if this means more trouble for him, Kulkarni had said: "There is a role of many people... I can't say that is the problem. The court will proceed with evidence, and it will give its verdict as on the evidence. There is God. Everyone knows... people want me to make me sit in prison."

Meanwhile, sources said that the state unit of Congress is concerned about the development.
Manila, June 13 : The Philippine Embassy in Israel on Friday advised Filipinos to stay inside their homes, to be vigilant, and to seek shelter or a safe room in case a missile alert is issued by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).

The Embassy issued the advisory after Israel attacked Iran early Friday in air strikes that targeted the country's military installations.

"For your safety, stay alert, and keep track of urgent emergency alerts," the advisory read.

There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, according to data from the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, the US Department of State took to social media and advised, "We remind US citizens in Israel and the broader Middle East region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments. US citizens should know the location of the nearest shelter in the event of hostilities."

Advisory also shared some measures to take during Israel-Iran war.

"Actions to Take: Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. Avoid all areas where there is a heavy police presence. Monitor local media. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Contact your airline directly for flight change details if your flight is affected. Exercise caution and stay alert at locations publicly associated with the United States. Keep a low profile. Enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme," the advisory stated.

The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv has also issued an urgent advisory to Indian nationals currently in the country, urging them to stay vigilant, avoid non-essential movement, and follow local safety instructions.

In its message on social media, the Indian mission stressed the importance of caution and preparedness for Indian citizens residing or travelling in Israel.

"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and home front command. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters," the Embassy of India in Israel wrote in a post on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday announced that Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat of nuclear weapons to Israel's very survival.
Ahmedabad, June 13 : The Indian Army has launched a large-scale blood donation camp at the Military Cantonment in Ahmedabad to aid victims of the devastating Air India AI-171 plane crash.

Around 300 army personnel have stepped forward to voluntarily donate blood to support the cityas emergency response efforts as hospitals continue treating those injured in the tragedy.

Leading by example, their commanders also participated in the drive, donating blood as a symbol of the armed forcesa dedication to national service beyond the battlefield.

The donation drive is being conducted in coordination with local hospitals and emergency services, ensuring that the collected blood reaches critical patients in time.

Meanwhile, the process of identifying victims from the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash continues at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where bodies are being brought in for post-mortem examinations. As of now, five bodies have been identified and respectfully handed over to their families. These include two victims from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.

Civil Hospital officials confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from 192 families so far. To support the identification process, a large team of 70 to 80 doctors, including those from PHCs and CHCs across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad, has been working around the clock in the post-mortem room since Thursday.

The state government has set up a dedicated facility at the Kasoti Bhavan on the ground floor of B.J. Medical College for collecting DNA samples.

Health Principal Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi stated that samples, mainly from immediate family members like parents or children, are being sent for matching. The process is expected to take at least three days.

To assist grieving families, the police and hospital staff are providing emotional support and ensuring that all formalities are handled with dignity and care.

For any queries regarding patients or post-mortem identification, the Civil Hospital has released helpline numbers: 6357373831, 6357373841.

In addition, the state government has activated a control room at the State Emergency Operations Centre.

Families can reach out for assistance on: 079-23251900, 9978405304.

As the process of identification continues, officials have confirmed that over 250 post-mortem examinations have already been completed.
Bengaluru, June 13 : State Minister for Electronics, IT/BT Priyank Kharge is currently representing Karnataka on a global stage, showcasing the state's leadership in technology, innovation, startups, and the aerospace sector.

A statement from his office stated that Minister Priyank Kharge is on an official visit to France till June 16. He has been invited to participate in three major global forums -- Viva Technology (Vivatech), the Paris Air Forum, and the Paris Air Show -- to highlight Karnataka's leadership in technology, innovation, startup ecosystems, and aerospace and defence.

From June 13 to 16, Minister Kharge will participate in two of the world's most influential aerospace and defence gatherings: the Paris Air Forum and the Paris Air Show.

The Paris Air Forum, organised by La Tribune and Groupe ADP, will convene top corporate executives to discuss the future of aviation, aerospace, space, and defence electronics.

Minister Kharge has been invited as a keynote speaker and will join a panel highlighting Karnataka's and India's growing strength in these sectors.

The visit will conclude with an executive leadership dialogue at the Paris Air Show, organised by Dassault Systemes, where the Minister will explore Indo-French industrial and technological collaboration. This visit underscores Karnataka's ongoing efforts to strengthen global partnerships and solidify its position as a leader in innovation, aerospace, space, defence electronics, and future technologies, the statement said.

The visit began on June 11 with a meeting with the President of the Ile-de-France region. This meeting built upon an agreement signed in January 2024 between the Government of Karnataka and Ile-de-France, which has facilitated dynamic exchanges between research institutions, startups, and students in both regions.

Student delegations from IIIT Bengaluru have already undertaken learning exchanges in France, with reciprocal visits planned. This dialogue explored ways to further deepen this partnership under the 2026 Franco-Indian Innovation Year, focusing on joint research, talent mobility, and startup collaboration between Bengaluru and French institutions.

Subsequently, Minister Kharge was invited as a guest of honour to the La French Tech in Europe side event, which served as a prelude to Vivatech.

He delivered a special address and engaged in discussions with leaders from 22 French Tech communities across Europe, members of the French Parliament, entrepreneurs, and investors.

On June 12, Minister Kharge represented India at Vivatech, Europe's largest startup and innovation summit.

He was specially invited to launch the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 (GSER), developed by Startup Genome, an internationally recognised organisation for innovation ecosystem development.

Bengaluru has jumped seven places to reach the 14th position in this prestigious Global Startup Index, which plays a crucial role in influencing global investment flows and shaping innovation strategies for entrepreneurs and partners.

As a key member of Karnataka's Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), France and the Vivatech summit served as a gateway to broader engagement with the European market, where Minister Kharge explored new opportunities for partnerships, FDI, and technology exchange, according to the statement.

This visit marks Karnatakaas continued efforts to strengthen global partnerships and reinforce its position as a leader in innovation, aerospace, space, defence electronics and future technologies
New Delhi, June 13 : In a significant push to strengthen New Delhi's broader outreach in East and Central Asia, India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday held a meeting with Brigadier General Gankhuyag Devadorj, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Mongolia, during his ongoing visit to Ulaanbaatar.

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) In a significant push to strengthen New Delhias broader outreach in East and Central Asia, Indiaas Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday held a meeting with Brigadier General Gankhuyag Devadorj, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Mongolia, during his ongoing visit to Ulaanbaatar.

The discussions marking a growing convergence in strategic interests between India and Mongolia spanned a wide range of strategic issues to bolster defence ties, laying special emphasis on collaboration in new and emerging technology domains aimed at further strengthening India-Mongolia defence ties.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 17th edition of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant'.

"Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar presided over the closing ceremony of the India-Mongolia joint military exercise Nomadic Elephant in Ulaanbaatar as Guest of Honour. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Mongolia Brigadier General Baatar Baljid; Ambassador of India to Mongolia Atul M Gotsurve; and Director General, Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement Lieutenant General Puspendra Singh. He lauded the professionalism of Indian and Mongolian troops, calling the exercise a symbol of growing defence cooperation and shared commitment to regional peace," the Ministry of Defence posted on X.

The joint military exercise was conducted in Ulaanbaatar from May 31 to June 13. The last edition of the exercise was held in Meghalaya's Umroi, last year.

Meanwhile, India has also deployed a 40-member Army contingent to Ulaanbaatar for the Multinational Military Exercise 'Khaan Quest' , scheduled from June 14 to 28. The Indian team primarily includes troops from a battalion of the Kumaon Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services.

Notably, the contingent also includes one woman officer and two women soldiers, underscoring Indiaas focus on gender inclusion in defence operations. Aim of the exercise is to prepare the Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The exercise will focus on a high degree of physical fitness, joint planning and joint tactical drills. This includes establishment of static and mobile check points; Cordon and search operations; Patrolling; Evacuation of civilians from hostile areas; Counter Improvised Explosive Device drills, and Combat first aid and casualty evacuation, among others.

"Exercise Khaan Quest will enable the participating countries to share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures for conduct of joint operations. The exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of the participating countries," the Ministry of Defence stated.
New Delhi, June 13 : The newly established All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are contributing to the scientific advancement of the country as well as redefining patient care, said Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.

He said this while virtually addressing the first edition of the Conclave on "Best Practices" organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Health Welfare at AIIMS, Nagpur.

The two-day Conclave seeks to showcase exemplary practices adopted by various AIIMS institutions, with a focus on patient-centric care, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and academic excellence.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the setting up of 22 new AIIMS across the country was sanctioned. Of these nearly 20 are operational.

The Union health minister noted that apex healthcare institutes are not only adding bed capacity to the country's healthcare system but also enhancing research and innovation.

"The new AIIMS are increasingly contributing to India's scientific advancement through regionally relevant studies, ethical clinical trials, and translational research. It is encouraging to see the eorts to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, as these will be a key to solving complex public health problems in the years to come," Nadda said.

"AIIMS campuses are redefining patient care by oering high-quality, evidence-based, and aordable treatment through advanced infrastructure and a wide spectrum of specialties. Use of e-governance tools, transparent administrative frameworks, and patient-focused innovations such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, digital registration systems, and dedicated helpdesks, demonstrate that efficiency and compassion can coexist in public healthcare settings," he added.

Nadda noted that "each AIIMS, established as an Institute of National Importance, integrates advanced clinical care, high-quality medical education, and research excellence".

The AIIMS is not only "strategically located to address regional disparities" but also serves as a Centre of healthcare innovation and learning, delivering equitable, aordable and evidence-based healthcare services," Nadda said.

He also emphasised the importance of sharing the best practices and innovations of each new AIIMS with other AIIMS for their wider adoption and utilisation. He also commended AIIMS Nagpur for "taking a lead and organising the first conclave on best practices".

Nadda stated that "this conclave is a pioneering initiative that seeks to consolidate rich experiences of new AIIMS in three key domains: teaching-learning and research; hospital services; and governance and patient convenience."

He underlined the significant role played by AIIMS in readying doctors to meet future healthcare challenges.
Jaipur, June 13 : Jaiprakash Choudhary (20), a second-year MBBS student from Bor Charanan village in Barmer district's Dhorimanna sub-division of Rajasthan, was among those tragically killed in the Ahmedabad plane crash on Thursday.

Jaiprakash's body, which suffered nearly 30 per cent burns, was recovered from the debris near the kitchen area of the BJ Medical College hostel, where he was at the time of the incident.

According to his nephew Mangalaram, Jaiprakash had spoken to the family just minutes before the crash. "He called around 1 p.m. to say he was heading to the mess for lunch. His phone battery was low, and shortly after, the phone got switched off," he said.

The grieving family reached Ahmedabad late Thursday night. His body was handed over to them on Friday afternoon. The mortal remains are expected to reach Barmer by the evening, and the cremation will take place today in his native village.

Jaiprakash was pursuing his MBBS from BJ Medical College and was staying at the hostel. The Air India flight, bound for Gatwick Airport in London, crashed just two minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, near the City Civil Hospital and BJ Medical College hostel in Meghaninagar.

Omji Poonia, a neighbour from the village, said, "Around 1 p.m. on Thursday, I was speaking to his family when Jaiprakash mentioned he was going to the mess. That was the last time we heard from him," he said.

Sunita Choudhary, daughter of former minister Hemaram Choudhary, also expressed her condolences on Facebook. "As soon as I heard the news, I contacted doctors at the Ahmedabad hospital and requested immediate attention for Jaiprakash. I am in Ahmedabad personally monitoring the situation," she wrote.

Jaiprakash's father, Dharmaram, is a farmer. The family, including his brother and sister, lives in Bor Charanan village. His success in clearing the NEET exam had been a matter of pride for the entire village. News of his sudden and tragic death has plunged the community into mourning.
Surat, June 13 : In a solemn ceremony filled with emotion and solidarity, the medical fraternity of Surat Civil Government Medical College gathered on Friday to honour the 241 lives lost in the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff observed a prayer meet to express their condolences to the families of the victims and the nation at large.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London-Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. The aircraft slammed into a residential building and the mess hall of BJ Medical College in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, just 3 km from the airport. The plane erupted into flames, killing nearly everyone on board and several on the ground. Of the 242 passengers, only one - Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian originsurvived.

At Surat Civil Hospital, the tribute ceremony was led by senior medical officials and attended by dozens of staff members dressed in white. Candles were lit, prayers were offered, and a two-minute silence was observed in memory of the departed.

Speaking to IANS, Iqbal Kadiwala, Vice President of the Nursing Council, expressed deep sorrow: "What happened in the Air India crash is a tragedy. So many lives were lost. I pray to God for peace for the departed souls and strength for their families."

Head Nurse Sajida Chand said: "It is absolutely heartbreaking. We stand in solidarity with all the families affected and pray for those who lost their lives."

Parul Vadgama, Head of the Department at Surat Civil Medical College, emphasised the hospital's commitment to support in any way possible.

"We extend our condolences to all those grieving. This tragedy is unimaginable. Surat Civil Hospital is ready to offer any assistance required in such emergencies," she told IANS.

Meanwhile, post-mortem and identification efforts are ongoing at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. A team of 70 to 80 doctorsincluding those from primary and community health centres across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiadhave been working tirelessly to identify victims and ensure dignified handover of remains to families.

As of Friday morning, five victims have been identifiedtwo from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh. Officials confirmed that the bodies have been handed over to relatives with full respect and sensitivity.

The nation continues to mourn as the grim task of recovery and identification continues in the aftermath of one of India's most tragic aviation disasters.
Jaipur, June 13 : In a significant step towards enhancing military cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, Lieutenant General BKGM Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, is on a two-day official visit to the Sapta Shakti Command headquartered in Jaipur from June 12 to 13.

Upon his arrival, Lt Gen Rodrigo was accorded a warm and ceremonial welcome by Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Army Commander of the South Western Command.

The visit underlined the deep-rooted defence ties and mutual respect shared between the two neighbouring nations.

During his stay, Lt Gen Rodrigo held comprehensive discussions with Lt Gen Manjinder Singh and other senior officers of the South Western Command.

The dialogue focused on a wide range of strategic and operational issues, including regional security dynamics, joint training programs, capability enhancement, and the sharing of best practices. These discussions aimed to foster greater interoperability and understanding between the two armies.

A highlight of the visit was a dynamic display of military equipment and a live combat demonstration centered on counter-terrorism operations. The demonstration showcased the Indian Armyas tactical acumen, operational readiness, and technological capabilities in dealing with modern security threats.

In addition to the military engagements, Lt Gen Rodrigo also explored Rajasthanas rich cultural and martial heritage. He visited key military landmarks and heritage sites, gaining insights into Indiaas historical military traditions and the valour of its armed forces.

Officials emphasized that the visit reflects the enduring commitment of India and Sri Lanka to deepen their defence cooperation. Rooted in decades of shared history and mutual trust, the partnership aims to promote regional peace, stability, and a collaborative approach to emerging security challenges.

This high-level military engagement is expected to further strengthen the camaraderie between the two armies, enhance capacity-building efforts, and expand avenues for future military exchanges and joint initiatives.
Guwahati, June 13 : Assam unit Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday took a potshot at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that people of the state are all set to oust the BJP from power in the next year's Assembly polls.

Speaking to reporters here, Gogoi said: "Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to lose his CM post in the next year's Assembly polls. This is absolutely clear from the response we are getting from the general public in the state. Thus, Sarma has become very much sceptical and his recent actions have shown that he will not be able to retain power next year."

According to the Congress leader, people have been coming out in large numbers to attend the programmes of the grand old party.

"I was not expecting large gatherings of public in block level meetings that were held recently across the state. However, there have been good presence of party supporters far from our expectations. This shows that people want Congress to be back in power in the state," Gogoi said, adding that the civil society plays a very important role in determining the result of any election.

The Congress MP said: "The Congress party workers will reach out to every section of the society in the upcoming days. They will convey the message of Congress to the ordinary people in the state."

In a significant political transition ahead of next year's Assam Assembly elections, Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi formally assumed office as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) couple of weeks ago.

Gogoi's appointment comes at a politically sensitive time, amid allegations from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma linking his wife to Pakistan's ISI, claims the Congress leader has categorically rejected. As Gogoi assumes leadership, the Congress is expected to recalibrate its strategy and organisation in the run-up to the high-stakes 2026 state elections.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The return of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) to Azerbaijan's liberated Kalbajar city begins, Trend reports.

In the initial phase, a cohort of 81 households will transition to the urban environment.

On June 12, the State Committee for Refugee and IDP Affairs of Azerbaijan conducted a randomized selection process for the allocation of residential units to individuals repatriating to Kalbajar.

In the forthcoming temporal framework, they will embark on a journey to their ancestral territories.

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Mumbai, June 13 : As we get ready to celebrate Father's Day on Sunday, actor Arjan Bajwa revealed that he gets his never-give-up attitude from his father.

He shared that just like for any other kid, his father was his superhero.

Sharing a memorable incident with his dad, the 'Fashion' actor said, "When I was eight months old, he saved my life because I was involved in an accident that cut my forehead. To the time growing up and watching him work hard against all odds was inspiring not only for me but for the whole society."

He recalled another special memory with his father saying, "When my father became the mayor of Delhi, it was a most special moment for me because I was happy that his struggles and hard work all through his life were finally reaping results."

Arjan added that his father taught him to never give up in life and lead a life of integrity.

The "Rustom" actor added, "My biggest inspiration and learning from my father is to never give up and live your life with your head held high, never bow down to anyone, and never get defeated by any difficult situations that are brought in front of you. He was the bravest, strongest, and the kindest, most kind-hearted man that I knew. And that's what I follow to this daylive a life that inspires other people and help the needy in whichever situation they are in. That's what I try to dolive a fearless life but be helpful to others."

Arjan also revealed that being a self-made man, his father would be proud of him. "He would have been proud of me that I did everything on my own. I held my own in the way that he expected me to and made my life on my own terms, not following the run-of-the-mill way of just living a simple, protected, comfortable life," he said.

He further said that he wishes to honor his father's legacy - a self-made man who took care of his family from the age of 21.
Mumbai, June 13 : A day after Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad just after takeoff, former Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel suggested a fine-tuning of Tata Group's management of the airline is required on a priority basis.

"After three and half years of takeover of Air India by the Tatas, the management needs to fine tune various aspects of running a world-class airline including maintenance," he said in an interaction with the media here.

Patel said that any accident does have a temporary setback but largely the Indian aviation sector is well managed.

"The SOPs and safety norms are well in place in India's aviation growth," he added.

"I don't think the passengers should be scared of air travel. This is because India's overall safety standards are well defined and DGCA keeps updating these norms in line with the international norms," he noted.

Asked about the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) capacity in India, the former Union minister emphasised: "We have world class set up but it is surprising why some planes are sent outside the country for its maintenance. Boeing's MRO facility at Nagpur has a good track record. Its services should be fully utilised. However, the facility has been underutilised."

Commenting on the possible reasons behind the crash, Patel said there is a distant possibility of a crash due to bird strike.

"Even if one of the two engines had failed, technically the plane is equipped to take off. Watching the video, it seems that there was no problem at the time of the take off otherwise the pilot would have avoided it," he said.

Patel said during his tenure, the Parliament enacted law for the establishment of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau which will conduct a thorough investigation which includes retrieving data from black box as well as the video recordings available on social media. While the data will be retrieved within a few months, it will take a little longer for the government to come out with a report detailing the exact reasons behind the crash.

He expressed confidence in the functioning of the Bureau although foreign investigative agencies are going to be involved in this accident including a Boeing team and the Federal Aviation Administration.
New Delhi, June 13 : Renowned aviation analyst and flight safety expert S.J. Murlidhar, who has previously investigated major air crashes, shared his initial assessment on the tragic plane crash involving a Dreamliner 787 at Ahmedabad. In a detailed conversation with IANS, he discussed possible causes behind the catastrophe and whether it could have been averted.

IANS: In your opinion, what could be the possible reasons behind this crash?

S.J. Murlidhar: When we investigate any air crash, we begin with a process of elimination. The first step is to list all possible scenarios on a whiteboard. From natural phenomena to technical issues, everything is considered. In this case, despite the aircraft being a modern Dreamliner with the best-in-class technology, the incident is highly unusual. Airlines do face minor issuesa"like battery glitches, windshield cracks, or occasional smoke incidentsa"but those rarely lead to a full-blown catastrophe like this.

IANS: Could this crash have been caused by natural phenomena?

S.J. Murlidhar: That is one possibility. Weather plays a big role in aviation safety. Bad weather, lightning, hailstorms, or even volcanic ash can impact an aircraft. Ash clouds, for instance, can cause engine flameouts. One critical phenomenon is windshear or microbursts, especially during takeoff or landing. These are sudden downdrafts that hit the ground and disperse in all directions. If an aircraft encounters such a microburst during climb-out, it could lose lift dramatically.

IANS: Is there any indication of aircraft system failure?

S.J. Murlidhar: Preliminary observations suggest that the aircraft failed to attain enough speed or lift to sustain flight. That could be either pilot-induced or system-induced. We look at critical speeds during takeoffa"like the 100 knots callout and V1 speed (decision speed). If the aircraft cannot rotate and lift-off post-V1, thereas no option to abort the takeoff safely. The aircraft in question appears to have barely lifted off, which points to insufficient thrust or improper configuration.

IANS: Could engine failure have played a role?

S.J. Murlidhar: Yes, a delayed or unresponsive engine could be the cause. There was a similar incident at Heathrow involving a Boeing 777 arriving from China. The pilots commanded power during landing, but the engines failed to respond. In the present case, after takeoff, the aircraft did not climb as expected, and the rate of climb was unusually low, suggesting the engines did not perform adequatelya"despite receiving input from the pilot.

IANS: What about factors like flaps, loading or stabilizer settings?

S.J. Murlidhar: Absolutely. If the flaps are not set properly for takeoff, the aircraft may not generate enough lift. Improper loading and trim sheet errorsa"which affect the center of gravitya"could also compromise flight stability. Though these are rare, they're not impossible. Incorrect stabilizer settings are another factor, but modern aircraft are equipped with warning systems to alert the crew well in time.

IANS: Is controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) a possibility?

S.J. Murlidhar: CFIT usually occurs when a perfectly functional aircraft is unintentionally flown into terrain, like in the 1990s crash of an A320 at Bangalore (VT-EPN). But in this case, the crash occurred right after takeoff, at low altitude. So while CFIT is a known killer in aviation, this particular incident seems more likely to be linked to lack of lift or thrust. But one cannot be so sure till the final report is revealed by the investigators.

IANS: Can sabotage be ruled out?

S.J. Murlidhar: Given the strategic tensions after Operation Sindoor, sabotage cannot be entirely ruled out. Though rare, sabotage involving fuel contamination, explosive devices, or tampering with flight systems has happened in the past. One scenario is contamination of aviation fuel with water or other substances. This prevents proper combustion and can lead to engine failure. That said, so far thereas no visual evidence of an explosion, which makes a bombing unlikelya"but we must await forensic reports.

IANS: Could this tragedy have been averted?

S.J. Murlidhar: The key to prevention lies in understanding the root cause. Thatas where the black box comes in. It's not just a recorder; itas a comprehensive diagnostic tool. It logs cockpit conversations, technical data, throttle positions, engine performance, warning systemsa"everything. Once we retrieve and decode it, we will have clarity.

IANS: When will we know the exact cause?

S.J. Murlidhar: Once the black boxa"both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)a"is decoded, weall know what really happened in those critical seconds. Until then, we can only hypothesize based on known data and similar past incidents.
Bengaluru, June 13 : The Karnataka High Court on Friday refused to stay the order of the single-judge bench on stopping bike taxi operations in the state but extended the deadline to June 15.

The order came from a division bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice V. Kameshwara Rao and comprising Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar.

The single-judge bench of Justice B. Shyam Prasad, on April 2, ordered that the bike taxi services will have to stop in six weeks, holding that bike taxi aggregators cannot operate in the state unless the government notifies relevant guidelines under Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, along with necessary rules.

Hearing a petition by affected parties - the Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited, which owns Rapido, ANI Technologies, which owns Ola, and Uber Technologies of Uber - seeking extension of the deadline to halt the bike taxi services, the division bench stated that they would take up the matter and hear the merits of the case on June 24.

It also said that it was considering a stay on the order prescribing the deadline for bike taxi service, if the state government had started the process of framing rules.

The counsel for the bike taxi aggregators submitted that the bike taxis can operate under the existing framework of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as rules applying to the cabs will also apply to the two-wheelers.

Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, representing the state, opposed the relief and contended that if two-wheelers can come under the Motor Vehicles Act, they can also bring trucks under it. He further argued that for five years, the bike taxis have been operating without permits.

The court issued notice to the state government authorities, and the Advocate General submitted to the court that the state would make written submissions by June 20.

Passing the order for bike aggregators, including Rapido bike taxis, to halt their operations in the state within six weeks, the bench of Justice Prasad had instructed the state government and the Transport Department to ensure the deadline was followed.

Dismissing the petitions by Rapido, Ola, and Uber, seeking legal recognition of bike taxi services by permitting the registration of such vehicles and directions to the authorities concerned to implement a legal framework for them, the bench had opined that the court cannot give directions to the state to frame regulations and it can't order the state to register non-transport vehicles as transport vehicles.

"The Transport Department cannot be directed to register motorcycles as transport vehicles or issue contract carriage permits for such services until appropriate government regulations are in place," the bench said.

Rapido had also sought direction to the government authorities not to interfere with its business.
Chandigarh, June 13 : An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing on Friday in the Nangalpur area of Punjab's Pathankot district due to a suspected technical glitch.

The incident occurred while the aircraft was on a routine training sortie.

Both the pilot and co-pilot escaped unhurt, and no damage to civilian life or property has been reported.

The helicopter was promptly secured by military personnel, and a technical team has been deployed to inspect the aircraft.

As of now, neither the IAF nor the local administration has issued an official statement detailing the cause of the emergency landing.

Officials present at the site declined to comment, citing operational security protocols.

This is the second such incident involving an Apache helicopter in recent days. On June 6, another Apache was forced to make a "precautionary landing" in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur due to technical concerns. No injuries were reported in that case either.

Emergency or precautionary landings of military aircraft are not uncommon and are typically carried out to prevent potential mishaps when any anomaly is detected during flight.

The latest incident also comes just a day after a tragic crash involving a London-bound Air India flight that killed at least 241 people.

The AH-64E Apache helicopters were formally inducted into the IAF in September 2019 as part of the 125 Helicopter Squadron based in Pathankot. These advanced multi-role attack helicopters were brought in to replace the aging Soviet-era Mi-25/35 gunships, which had been in service since the 1980s.

Since their induction, Apaches have been deployed in forward areas, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, following the border standoff with China in 2020. Designed for high-altitude operations, these helicopters have played a critical role in enhancing the IAF's tactical capabilities in difficult terrain.
Bhopal, June 13 : French Ambassador Thierry Mathou called upon Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the latter's official residence, Samatva Bhavan, in Bhopal on Friday.

During the meeting, a significant tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to strengthen long-term cooperation between France and Madhya Pradesh in the fields of culture and tourism. This strategic pact aims to elevate the cultural, tourism, and educational sectors in the state, reinforcing Madhya Pradesh's standing as India's cultural and tourism capital.

The MoU was signed by the Ambassador of France to India, Dr Thierry Mathou, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture in the MP government, Shiv Shekhar Shukla and President of Alliance Francaise de Bhopal, Akhilesh Verma. The agreement will remain valid for three years and can be extended with mutual consent.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, following a meeting with Dr Thierry Mathou.

Key features of the MoU include joint organisation of cultural events such as art festivals, music and dance performances, exhibitions, film screenings, culinary events, and other cultural programmes. A dedicated Indo-French Cultural Calendar will be prepared annually.

Describing the MoU as a significant step towards enhancing its cultural and tourism landscape, the Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is keen to build not only cultural but also commercial ties with France. CM Yadav stated that India and France have always shared cordial relations, which have deepened further following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France.

"Madhya Pradesh is keen to build not only cultural but also commercial ties with France. This historic MoU is set to transform Madhya Pradesh into a new centre of cultural and tourism collaboration between India and France," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, Yadav also informed that he will be visiting France to participate in a business meeting next week, during which he will meet with a group of industrialists and invite them to invest in Madhya Pradesh. He highlighted the potential for mutual cooperation in areas such as industrial development, entrepreneurship, and the promotion of traditional crafts.

The Chief Minister said, "This MoU brings us closer to our vision of establishing Madhya Pradesh not only as the cultural capital of India but also as a progressive, global hub for tourism and culture. It will provide a global platform to the state's artists and lead to a significant increase in tourist arrivals from France and Europe."

French Ambassador Dr Thierry Mathou expressed happiness over the partnership and remarked, "We are delighted to establish this important collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh. France focuses particularly on tourism, security, environment, and education. This MoU will further strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, opening new opportunities in art, education, and tourism".
Shimla, June 13 : The long-awaited Phina Singh irrigation project in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh has received an approval and release of Rs 55.51 crore from the Central government, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Friday.

The project started 14 years ago. The approval has been granted under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

A major share of credit for this decision goes to the continuous efforts of the Deputy CM Agnihotri who held several discussions with Union ministers and departments concerned.

After the formation of the government, Agnihotri prioritised the pending issues related to this project and strongly advocated for them before the Centre, resulting in the sanction of the substantial amount to the state.

This project had been stalled for over a decade, but it has now emerged as a ray of hope for the farmers of Kangra district, a state government statement said. Upon completion, the scheme will provide irrigation to thousands of hectares, significantly boosting agricultural productivity.

The Deputy CM said: "This is a major step towards securing the future of our farmers. Our government is fully committed to provide adequate irrigation facilities to every farmer's field."

The Phina Singh project in Nurpur was started at an initial cost of Rs 204 crore in 2011, which has now escalated to over Rs 650 crore.

In January 2023, Agnihotri, who also holds the Jal Shakti portfolio, had called on Central Water Commission (CWC) Chairman Kushvinder Vohra in Delhi and held discussions for strengthening the irrigation sector in the state besides requesting for liberal assistance for it.

He had said the Phina Singh project in Nurpur in Kangra district was started at an initial cost of Rs 204 crore in 2011, which has now escalated to Rs 646 crore.

At that meeting, Agnihotri said the state had spent Rs 283 crore from its own resources for executing the project. He had requested release of Rs 350 crore at the earliest so that this project could be completed on priority.
New Delhi, June 13 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday ordered enhanced safety inspection of Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, following the devastating crash of the Tata Group airline's London-bound flight, within seconds of take-off from the Ahmedabad airport, in which 241 people were killed on Thursday.

New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday ordered enhanced safety inspection of Air Indiaas Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, following the devastating crash of the Tata Group airlineas London-bound flight, within seconds of take-off from the Ahmedabad airport, in which 241 people were killed on Thursday.

As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on 8787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect in coordination with the regional offices concerned of the DGCA.

These include a one-time check before departure of flight from India with effect from June 15 onwards, inspection of fuel parameter monitoring and associated system checks, as well as inspection of cabin air compressor and associated systems.

Air India also has to carry out an electronic engine control system test, an engine fuel-driven actuator-operational test, and an oil system check.

Besides, the airline has to carry out a serviceability check of the aircraft hydraulic system, review of take-off parameters, and introduce 'Flight Control Inspection' in transit inspection till further notice.

Air India also has to undertake power assurance checks within two weeks and closure of maintenance action based upon the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days on 8787-8/9 aircraft at the earliest.

The report of these above checks has to be submitted to the DGCA for review, the order further states.

The black box of Air Indiaas ill-fated Flight AI171 has been recovered, and investigations have begun to find out the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, experienced pilots are of the view that it could have been a twin-engine failure of the Boeing Dreamliner, which could be due to a bird hit or contaminated fuel or blockage of fuel or a combination of these factors.

Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days to carry out the probe.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,000 hours of flying and his co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had over 1,000 hours of experience. Immediately after take-off, the pilots gave a Mayday call, after which there was no communication from the pilots, and the plane came crashing to the ground, hitting a medical college building as it went up in flames.
London, June 13 : As Bangladesh continues to grapple with political conflict and instability, the interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Friday held a meeting with Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), at a London hotel.

The much-anticipated meeting, held during Yunus's official visit to the United Kingdom, was held at a time when the rift between various political parties over holding national elections in the country is widening.

According to a joint statement released after the meeting, Rahman proposed that Yunus hold the upcoming national elections in the country before the beginning of Ramadan in 2026, adding that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia also shared the same view.

Yunus on the other hand, mentioned that he has already announced elections to be held in the first half of April 2026. However, if all preparations are completed, he said, the elections could also be organised in the week before Ramadan starts in 2026. In that case, sufficient progress would need to be made on reforms and justice within that time frame, he emphasised.

This was Tarique Rahman's first private meeting with Yunus since he left Bangladesh and settled in London in September 2008.

While Ramadan is expected to begin in mid-February next year, top BNP leaders have been demanding parliamentary elections by December this year. Tarique Rahman, the party's de facto leader, too reiterated the demand while addressing several rallies virtually.

Yunus had recently announced that the country's next national elections will be held "on a day in April", next year.

"I'm announcing to the countrymen that the next national elections will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026," Yunus said in a televised speech to the nation ahead of Eid.

He said that the Election Commission will present a detailed roadmap of the election at an "appropriate time".

However, various political parties in the country immediately slammed the move.

Last week, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told local media in Dhaka that April is "not suitable in any way" for holding national elections.

"April is not the right time for holding polls in Bangladesh. There will be the possibility of extreme heat, storms and rains during the period. And, the time is right after Ramadan... There are public examinations as well," said Alamgir.

Earlier, Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee member of the BNP, said that holding national elections in the country before December is very much possible as completing necessary reforms based on a consensus could take less than a month.

"December is far too late. It is possible to hold the election before then. If the reform proposals, excluding those related to constitutional amendments, are accepted through national consensus, they can be implemented in less than a month," Salahuddin was quoted as saying by the local media at a discussion organised by the Gono Odhikar Parishad.

The interim government has been facing increasing pressure from various political parties, including the BNP, to hold elections by the end of this year.

Last month, Tarique Rahman urged the youth and the people of the country to ensure that elections take place by December.

"Historically, caretaker governments in Bangladesh have shown that national elections can be organised and executed within three months. However, even 10 months into its tenure, the interim administration led by Yunus is still to announce an election date. The people of Bangladesh deserve better. We seek a nation free from authoritarianism, led by a government elected through a fair vote, and accountable to its citizens," Rahman said while addressing a BNP rally virtually from London.

"If any of you want to stay in power, resign from your positions, stand with the people, contest elections, and if you win, return to lead the government," he added.
Patna, June 13 : Manisha Thapa, a young air hostess from Patna, was among the people who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Manisha, who was on duty as a crew member, hailed from Patna, though her ancestral roots trace back to Viratnagar, Nepal.

She had previously worked with IndiGo Airlines before joining Air India. Her promising career was cut short in a catastrophe that has left her family devastated.

Her father, Raju Thapa, is posted in Begusarai with the Bihar Police, while her mother, Laxmi Thapa, is a homemaker. Her younger brother, Amit Thapa, is currently a student.

The family resides near Shyama Apartment on Jagdev Path in Patna. Two of her uncles, Bablu Thapa and Guddu Thapa, serve as Havildars in the Bihar Special Armed Police (BSAP), Battalion No 1.

Upon receiving the heartbreaking news, the grief-stricken family left for Ahmedabad late Thursday by IndiGo Airlines.

Manisha's uncle, Guddu Bahadur Thapa, said, "We got information about the incident yesterday afternoon. One of her friends called Manisha's brother and told him about the incident."

Manisha's grandmother has not been informed about her death.

Neighbours remembered Manisha as an ambitious, cheerful, and hardworking young woman whose warmth and dedication had endeared her to everyone around her.

The ill-fated Air India flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.38 p.m. on Thursday. Merely two minutes into the flight, it crashed into a residential area near City Civil Hospital and BJ Medical College, striking a medical hostel and killing several people on the ground.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site and took stock of the rescue operations, expressing deep condolences over the loss of lives.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Government officials gathered in the city of Khankendi for a meeting of the Environmental Working Group under the Interdepartmental Center, a body operating within Azerbaijans Coordination Headquarters tasked with overseeing post-conflict recovery in formerly occupied territories, Trend reports.

The assembly convened stakeholders from a multitude of governmental entities, alongside presidential emissaries designated to the jurisdictions of Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, Lachin, Kalbajar, Shusha, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Khojavend, Aghdara, Khojaly, and the enclave of Khankendi. Stakeholders engaged in infrastructural rehabilitation, ecological governance, and spatial administration were also integral participants in the confidential deliberations.

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New Delhi, June 13 : Former Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Friday expressed profound grief over the Air India Flight AI-171 crash near Ahmedabad, calling it a "heart-wrenching national tragedy" that has shaken the entire world.

Speaking to IANS, Choubey said, "It's been nearly 24 hours, yet it still feels as if it just happened. The entire nation is engulfed in mourning. This tragic news has deeply disturbed the heart."

Choubey highlighted the devastating human cost of the crash, which claimed 241 lives, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. "This is the first such incident of this magnitude. It has shaken not only the affected families but the entire world," he said.

Remembering Rupani with visible emotion, Choubey said, "We were friends since his days in the Vidyarthi Parishad. I know his entire family personally. I had even attended his daughter's wedding in London. He was travelling to London to meet her. It's absolutely heartbreaking."

The former Union minister praised the swift response from the highest levels of government, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had already reached the crash site to oversee rescue and relief operations. "This tragedy is personal. It's a moment of national mourning, and for me, it's also the loss of an old friend," Choubey added, urging the nation to come together in support of the families affected.

Flight AI-171, en route to London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. Rescue operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies working around the clock to recover bodies and provide assistance to grieving families. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Notably, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also issued a formal directive mandating enhanced safety inspections on Air India's fleet of Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft. Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekharan, in a letter to his employees on Friday, called June 12 "One of the darkest days in the group's history".
New Delhi, June 13 : Assets worth Rs 47.80 crore of Congress leader and former Rajasthan minister Mahesh Joshi and his aides were provisionally attached by the Enforcement Directorate in Jaipur in connection with the Rs 1,000-crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam, an official said on Friday.

The Jaipur Zonal Office of ED cracked the whip on June 11 and provisionally attached movable/immovable properties in the form of agricultural land, residential flats, houses and movable properties belonging to former minister and Congress leader Mahesh Joshi, Padamchand Jain, Mahesh Mittal, Sanjay Badaya, and Vishal Saxena and their family members/associate firms.

The properties in various parts of Jaipur were attached under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, said the ED.

The scam dates to the period when Ashok Gehlot was heading the Congress government in the desert state.

The money laundering case is linked to a corruption case registered by the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against the former minister and 22 others.

Joshi was the minister in charge of Rajasthanas Public Health Engineering Department when the alleged scam took place.

In April, Joshi was arrested by the ED in connection with the scam. His arrest followed a day-long session of questioning.

Despite multiple summons, Joshi had previously avoided appearing before the agency, citing personal reasons.

The JJM scam pertains to fraudulent tendering under the Central governmentas Jal Jeevan Mission Yojana, aimed at providing tap water to every household.

In 2021, contractors Padmachand Jain and Mahesh Mittal of Shri Shyam Tubewell Company, along with M/s Shri Ganapati Tubewell Company, secured tenders worth crores from the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) using forged experience certificates.

Shri Ganapati Tubewell Company reportedly participated in 68 tenders using fake documents and won 31 contracts worth Rs 859.2 crore.

Similarly, Shri Shyam Tubewell Company took part in 169 tenders, securing Rs 120.25 crore by winning 73 of them.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a case in connection with the scam on May 3, 2024. Subsequently, on May 4, the ED handed over key evidence and documents to the ACB for further action.
Mumbai, June 13 : A heart-wrenching tragedy has struck a family in Mumbai, as an entire NRI household perished in the Air India Flight AI171 crash. Among the 241 passengers who lost their lives, four belonged to the family of Javed Ali, a UK citizen who had come to India for his mother's treatment.

Javed Ali, 37, his wife Maryam Ali, 35, and their two young children - eight-year-old Zayan and four-year-old Amin - were among the victims of the devastating crash. The family had arrived in Mumbai from London just days earlier, hoping to provide medical care to Javed's ailing mother. However, their return to London after celebrating Bakra Eid turned into a fatal journey.

According to relatives, the family had been staying in Mumbai since June 6.

"He had come home after 11 years," said Javed's brother, Saud Memon, told IANS.

"We had just celebrated his arrival. None of us could have imagined this nightmare."

Saud revealed that their mother remains unaware of the tragedy.

"Her condition is still critical, and we haven't told her. She had suffered a cardiac arrest, and Javed came to be with her. Now, he and his entire family are gone," he said.

"We took pictures together just before he left. He looked so happy," Saud added.

"Our brother has gone to collect the remains. We are still in shock."

Flight AI171, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Only one person survived. Families across India and abroad are grieving, including those who have flown in from London and Mumbai to identify the bodies of loved ones, many of whom are reported to be charred beyond recognition. DNA testing is underway to confirm identities.

Javed Ali, a UK citizen by naturalisation, had built a life in London with Maryam. A promising career, a loving family, and plans for the future - all cut short in a matter of moments.

Similar grief has emerged from Rajasthan, where a doctor couple from Banswara and their three children were also among those who died in the crash. They, too, were looking forward to a new chapter in lifenow, just memories remain.

Just hours before the unimaginable happened, the family of five had taken a cheerful selfie in the aeroplane, radiating hope, love, and excitement for the journey ahead. That photo, now widely shared online, has become a haunting reminder of a future that was never to be.

The tragedy of Flight AI171 has left a deep scar across the nation, touching families from Mumbai to Banswara, and from India to London.
Amaravati, June 13 : The World Economic Forum (WEF) will establish the Centre for Energy and Cyber Resilience in Amaravati in partnership with Andhra Pradesh.

The state government termed this as a significant step towards positioning Andhra Pradesh as a global hub for innovation and sustainable development.

This initiative is a part of the governmentas broader aSwarnandhra Vision 2047a.

The Government Order (G.O.) issued on June 12 outlines the establishment of this pioneering Centre under the World Economic Forumas global Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network.

The state government has sanctioned Rs 36 crore for a period of three years to support the centreas activities.

The centre will operate initially from Vijayawada or Amaravati, and will be governed by a high-level committee chaired by the HRD, IT Minister Nara Lokesh.

According to the state government, it will broadly focus on energy transition and green Industries, in collaboration with WEFas Centre for Energy and Materials (CENMAT), and AI-led digital transformation and cybersecurity, in collaboration with WEFas Centre for Cybersecurity.

The initiative is pursuant to meetings with WEF at Davos and would position Amaravati as Indiaas leading centre on green energy, sustainability and cyber security.

The project is aimed at boosting Andhra Pradeshas international presence and attracting investments in clean energy, AI, and digital infrastructure, said an official statement.

The key objectives of the centre are to raise Andhra Pradeshas global profile and build international partnerships, support the growth of green industries and improve cyber security, run pilot projects in clean energy, smart grids, and use of AI in areas like farming and governance, train people in cybersecurity and new technologies, and connect the State with global platforms like the World Economic Forumas Annual Meeting at Davos.

This will be the second centre of WEF in Telugu states under its Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The WEF, in partnership with the Telangana government, last year set up a centre focused on healthcare and life sciences in Hyderabad.
Jerusalem, June 13 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Friday it had completed a new series of "precision strikes" on Iran's surface-to-surface missile systems, destroying multiple launchers, storage facilities, and other military sites.

In a statement, the IDF said the operation was conducted based on intelligence provided by its Intelligence Directorate. Among the targets, the military said, was a site in western Iran where a unique launch mechanism had been installed inside containers.

The army said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to neutralise missile threats amid a multi-front conflict, stating that Iran had launched hundreds of surface-to-surface missiles at Israeli territory.

"Destroying these missiles is a vital mission in the effort to protect Israeli citizens," the IDF said.

Earlier, Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency reported a loud and "terrifying" sound near Nojeh Air Base in Kabudar Ahang, in the western province of Hamedan. The outlet also reported sightings of Iranian fighter jets over the northeastern city of Mashhad, though officials have not commented on the flights.

In the northwestern city of Tabriz, explosions and artillery fire were heard near the airport for the third time on Friday, Mehr reported. Air defence systems reportedly opened fire following the detection of a drone over the city, halting further air activity, Xinhua news agency reported.

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes early Friday targeting Tehran and several other Iranian cities, striking military infrastructure and high-ranking officials.

According to Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency, 78 people were killed and 329 injured in the attacks on Tehran province.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, also appointed new military commanders following the deaths of key security officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

The appointments come after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes early Friday targeting Tehran and other Iranian cities. The strikes killed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, and Gholam-Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, according to the Iranian media.

Khamenei named Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new chief of staff of the armed forces, Mohammad Pakpour as the IRGC's new commander, and Ali Shadmani to lead the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, IRNA said.

Before their appointments, Mousavi headed the regular army, Pakpour commanded the IRGC's Ground Force, and Shadmani served as deputy coordinator at Khatam al-Anbiya.

In addition to the top military leaders, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Israeli strikes also killed six Iranian nuclear scientists, including Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, as well as an unspecified number of civilians.

In a statement, Khamenei condemned the attacks, warning that Israel would face "severe punishment" for what he called a crime against Iran.
Seoul, June 13 : The South Korean foreign ministry said Friday that it has reviewed ways to protect its nationals in the Middle East and will take necessary steps to secure their safety amid growing tensions following a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran.

The message came at a meeting, presided over by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, over the security situations in the Middle East, also attended via online links by some chiefs of the country's overseas missions in the Middle East, including Seoul's top envoys to Israel, Iran and Iraq, according to the ministry.

Kim said the ministry will closely monitor the possibility of a sudden change in the security situation in the Middle East.

"The ministry will do its best to maintain constant communication channels between the headquarters and overseas diplomatic missions so as to secure the safety of Korean nationals overseas," Kim said.

The foreign ministry said there has been no damage to South Korean nationals related to Israel's attack on Iran. About 100 South Koreans are currently staying in Iran, Yonhap news agency reported.

Earlier, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also said that the lives and safety of South Koreans in the Middle East are "the most important" issue following Israel's attack on Iran.

South Korea also issued special travel advisories for Israel and parts of Iran amid escalating military tension between the two Middle East adversaries.

The Foreign Ministry upgraded the existing Level 2 advisories in Israel and parts of Iran to Level 2.5 following Israel's strikes targeting Iran's nuclear programme and military sites.

The special advisory calls for South Korean citizens to cancel or postpone their trips to Israel and parts of Iran and flee to a safe country unless travel is absolutely necessary.

The Level 2.5 advisory is issued in cases of urgent security risks to travellers and can be maintained for up to 90 days.

Existing Level 3 advisories, which recommend departure, remain in effect for Israel's West Bank region and Iran's border areas with Turkey and Iraq, as well as parts of Iran's western coastal provinces.

Travel to Israel's northern border with Lebanon and the Gaza Strip remains prohibited, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Seoul government expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

"We express serious concern over the sharp rise in tensions in the Middle East following Israel's attacks on Iran and strongly condemn all actions that destabilise the region," a ministry spokesperson said in a statement. "The South Korean government urges all parties involved to exercise maximum restraint to help de-escalate the situation."
Bhopal, June 13 : In the aftermath of Thursday's devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the nation continues to mourn the loss of 265 lives, including passengers, crew, and residents of the BJ Medical College hostel, where the aircraft tragically came down.

Among the victims was 30-year-old Harpreet Kaur Hora of Indore, who had advanced her travel plans to surprise her husband in London for his birthday.

Originally scheduled to fly on June 19, she boarded the ill-fated flight on June 12 instead. Her seat number was 22E. Harpreet had been visiting her father in Ahmedabad before her journey abroad.

Her husband, Robbie Hora, is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad to perform her last rites.

The family learned of the crash through news reports, and DNA samples have been collected for official identification, reports said.

Another tragic loss was that of Aryan Rajput, a second-year MBBS (medical) student from Gwalior's Jigsouli village.

Aryan, who had returned to Ahmedabad after attending a family wedding, was reportedly in the hostel mess when the aircraft crashed into the medical college complex, said the reports. His death has been confirmed by police.

Aryan was known for his academic excellence and was the youngest in his family. His body has been sent to his village, where a pall of grief hangs over the community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on Friday.

He described the scene as "saddening beyond words" and pledged full government support for the victims' families.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a formal probe into the incident, which involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick.

A "Mayday call" was issued shortly after takeoff, but the aircraft lost contact and crashed moments later and crashed into the medical hostel building. Only one passenger survived the crash.
Rajkot, June 13 : In a tribute to the over 240 lives lost in the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, schools across Rajkot will remain closed on Friday (June 14).

The Rajkot Self-Financed School Management Association has announced a day-long suspension of academic activity in nearly 600 self-financed schools in the city.

The association has also urged government and grant-in-aid schools to join in the observance, giving students and staff a chance to honour the victims with silence, prayers, and memorial gatherings.

Vijay Rupani shared a deep-rooted connection with Rajkot, not just as a politician, but as a son of the city. After his family migrated from Burma and settled in Rajkot, it became the place where he was raised, educated, and began his political journey.

He served as Mayor of Rajkot in the late 1990s and was elected multiple times from the Rajkot West constituency, eventually becoming the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2016.

Throughout his tenure, he remained committed to the growth of Rajkot and the Saurashtra region, pushing for key projects in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and smart city development.

Meanwhile, investigation teams from the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) continue to comb through the wreckage in Ahmedabad, while NDRF personnel remain on site for ongoing recovery operations.

Meanwhile, the final rites of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the crash of Air India flight AI-171, will take place in his hometown, Rajkot.

His mortal remains, currently in Ahmedabad, will be moved to Rajkot once DNA identification is complete. The family has decided that all funeral rituals will be conducted in Rajkot.

Rupanias son is flying in from the United States to attend the last rites, while his wife Anjali, who reached Ahmedabad earlier, will accompany the family to Rajkot. A somber atmosphere prevails at his residence in Paras Society, where supporters and well-wishers have been gathering to pay their respects.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has expressed his condolences and is expected to be present for the cremation.
Ahmedabad, June 13 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday termed the Ahmedabad plane crash as a "tragedy beyond words" while lauding the state's rapid and compassionate response under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Ahmedabad, June 13 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Friday termed the Ahmedabad plane crash as a "tragedy beyond words" while lauding the state's rapid and compassionate response under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a post on X, CM Patel said Gujarat stood "with courage and empathy" beside the affected families in their darkest hour.

Minutes after the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 on June 12, response teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, RAF, Police, and Fire Services were swiftly mobilised. Over 600 fire personnel and more than 100 ambulances were deployed for immediate medical evacuation.

The CM said that a special green corridor ensured injured passengers were transported to hospitals without delay. Specialised medical teams, DNA experts, senior IAS officers, counsellors, and SEOC units were dispatched to support rescue, identification, and emotional care operations.

Civil Hospital and SEOC control rooms continue to operate 247, coordinating assistance and communication with victims' families.

Accommodation, transportation, and on-ground help have been arranged for relatives arriving in Ahmedabad.

"With seamless coordination between central and state agencies, Gujarat reaffirmed its resolve to respond with humanity, efficiency, and unity in the face of tragedy," said CM Patel.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital to personally check on the injured and offer support to the grieving families.

At the hospital, PM Modi was briefed by Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rakesh Joshi on the medical condition of the injured individuals and the ongoing treatment efforts.

He met with several injured individuals, including Ramesh Vishwas -- the sole survivor of the devastating crash -- and offered words of encouragement and reassurance.

The Prime Minister also met with families of the deceased, extending heartfelt condolences and standing in solidarity with them in their hour of profound loss.
New Delhi, June 13 : A letter petition has been sent to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), B.R. Gavai, urging the Supreme Court to take suo moto action on the devastating crash of Air India flight near Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The plea seeks judicial intervention to ensure timely relief, justice, and systemic reform following the loss of numerous innocent lives, including resident doctors from Ahmedabadas BJMC Medical College.

It also seeks directions to the Union government to immediately announce and disburse interim compensation of Rs 50 lakh to each family of the deceased victims, including the victims or resident doctors.

"The tragic loss of young medical students in the Air India Flight A1171 crash represents not just individual tragedies but a collective loss to our healthcare system. These students were training to become doctors who would serve the nation's health needs, particularly in underserved areas," said the letter petition filed through advocate Satayam Singh, adding the compensation sought is not charity but a fundamental responsibility of the state toward its citizens.

It prayed for additional rehabilitation support, including employment opportunities to eligible family members of the deceased in the tragic incident.

The plea sought directions to the Central government to constitute a high-level expert committee comprising retired Supreme Court/High Court judges, aviation experts, actuaries, and economists to assess and award final compensation to the families of victims. Also, it sought direction to Air India to expedite the settlement of compensation claims without requiring families to undergo prolonged litigation.

The plea also prayed for guidelines to enhance security measures at medical colleges and hospitals across the country to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, and for framing comprehensive guidelines for the protection of medical professionals and institutions.

Shortly after Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabadas Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to Londonas Gatwick Airport, the aircraft went down near Ahmedabad's Meghani Nagar area. The black box of Air Indiaas Flight AI171 has been recovered, and investigations have begun to find out the cause of the crash. Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days to carry out the probe. Meanwhile, experienced pilots are of the view that it could have been a twin-engine failure of the Boeing Dreamliner, which could be due to a bird hit or contaminated fuel or blockage of fuel or a combination of these factors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The program "Journey to the World's Famous Cuisine" on the Egyptian "Hala Podcast" social media channel mentioned Azerbaijan, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora told Trend.

The head of the "Discover Azerbaijan!" project, Sadagat Aliashraf, provided information about Azerbaijani culture, traditions, and national cuisine in the program in order to promote the country.

She spoke about the celebration of the Novruz holiday in Azerbaijan on March 21 and demonstrated the khoncha (a large, ceremonial tray that is a central part of the Novruz celebrations).

Additionally, the project head briefed on various types of dishes prepared during the holiday.

The program can be watched at the link: https://youtu.be/8utb-yfsQOY?si=BsfRPvx5WZSkYN-J

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Baghdad, June 13 : Iraq on Friday submitted an official complaint to the United Nations Security Council, condemning Israel for violating its airspace to conduct military operations in the region, the Foreign Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said Israel's actions constituted a "flagrant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty and a breach of international law and the UN Charter.

Iraq called on the Security Council to "assume its legal and moral responsibilities" by taking measures to prevent Israel from repeating such actions and to uphold Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran. In response, Iraq's Ministry of Transport announced the closure of the country's airspace and the suspension of all air traffic at airports nationwide.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed on Friday that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" assault on dozens of military targets across Iran, including facilities linked to Tehran's nuclear programme.

In a statement, the IDF said the operation was conducted based on intelligence provided by its Intelligence Directorate. Among the targets, the military said, was a site in western Iran where a unique launch mechanism had been installed inside containers.

The army said the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to neutralise missile threats amid a multi-front conflict, stating that Iran had launched hundreds of surface-to-surface missiles at Israeli territory. "Destroying these missiles is a vital mission in the effort to protect Israeli citizens," the IDF said.

State media in Iran reported that several senior military figures, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes.

Reports also said six prominent nuclear scientists, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were killed.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned the attacks, warning in a statement that Israel would face "severe punishment" for what he called a "crime" against Iran.
Patna, June 13 : The Excise Department of Kishanganj carried out a major operation on Friday and seized 5.5 kilograms of silver coins from a passenger bus near the Faringgola check-post on National Highway 27, located on the Bihar-West Bengal border.

Patna, June 13 (IANS) The Excise Department of Kishanganj carried out a major operation on Friday and seized 5.5 kilograms of silver coins from a passenger bus near the Faringgola check-post on National Highway 27, located on the BiharWest Bengal border.

One individual has been detained in connection with the case.

According to officials, the seizure was made following a tip-off about the illegal transportation of silver.

Acting swiftly, the Excise team launched a drive at the Faringgola check-post and recovered the silver coins from the luggage of a bus passenger.

The estimated market value of the recovered coins is around Rs 6 lakh.

The accused has been identified as Abhishek Kumar Chaurasia, a native of Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.

He has been taken into police custody for further interrogation.

During preliminary questioning, the accused revealed that the silver was being transported from Siliguri to Kishanganj, where it was to be delivered to a person named Sunil Chaurasia.

He admitted to receiving between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 for each delivery.

Importantly, he could not produce any receipts or documentation for the silver in his possession.

Excise Superintendent Devendra Prasad of Kishanganj confirmed the operation, stating, "We recovered 5.5 kg of silver coins during a raid on a passenger bus. As the individual could not provide any valid documents for the silver, he was detained and handed over to the police for further action."

Authorities are now investigating whether this is part of a larger smuggling racket operating across state borders.

The Kishanganj Police have registered an FIR in this matter, and further investigation is underway to find out the handlers in Siliguri, Kishanganj and Ballia.

The district police officials believe that this could be a small part of an interstate smuggling racket of gold and silver ornaments in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal regions.
Imphal, June 13 : Twenty-six-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, who, along with 20-year-old Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma from Manipur, were killed in the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday, was the sole earning member of her (Singson) family.

Lamnunthem had last talked to her widowed mother, Nemnelihing Singson, over the phone on Wednesday (June 11), her family sources said.

The sources said that Lamnunthem, a crew member of Air India, informed her mother that she would fly to London on Thursday and wanted to sleep early the previous night. She was the only daughter of her family and had three brothers. Her father passed away some years ago, and her mother raised the four siblings, dealing with abject poverty.

Lamnunthem, a resident of the tribal inhabited Kangpokpi district, was from the tribal Thadou community. After receiving a call from the Air India authorities, her two brothers and a cousin are already on their way to Ahmedabad to complete the necessary formalities after the death of their loved one. Her mother is in deep shock and refuses to eat anything since she learnt the news of her daughter's tragic death.

Lamnunthem and Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma were among the 241 people onboard Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its way to London, which crashed minutes after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon. There has been no survivor except one passenger.

Meanwhile, former Manipur Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh has called for an international-level probe into the Ahmedabad plane crash. Speaking to the media after visiting Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma's family, the veteran Congress leader expressed serious concern over the incident, describing the crash as a "deeply troubling aviation disaster that demands a transparent and thorough inquiry at the highest level.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh separately expressed shock and grief over the plane crash and the death of two young women from Manipur.

Sharma belonged to the non-tribal Meitei community and hailed from Manipur's Thoubal district. A relative of Sharma said in Imphal that after hearing about the plane crash, they called her several times, but none of the calls were received. "Her mobile phone was also still on and it was continuously ringing," K Khenjita, a relative of Sharma, said. Her last message before take-off was, "I'm going to London. In a few minutes, we'll take off. We may not be able to talk afterwards."

Sharma was recruited by Air India during a recruitment call in Imphal three years ago, while she was studying for an undergraduate course. "She got selected and was based in Mumbai," family members said.

The Manipur Governor on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of two daughters of Manipur, Kongbrailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson. A Raj Bhavan statement said that the Governor extended sincere condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the people of Manipur in this moment of grief.

"The loss of two young, talented daughters of the state is truly heartbreaking. Their lives held great promise, and their untimely passing is a deep loss not only to their families but to the entire state," the Governor said. He said that their memory will be cherished, and their contributions will be remembered with pride.
Jaipur, June 13 : A tiger attacked and injured two people in Ranthambore National Park's Phalodi Range on Friday as a crowd gathered near the Kailashpuri pond anicut to watch and take selfies with the big cat that was drinking water.

The victims include an Agriculture Department official and a Home Guard jawan.

According to officials, Senior Agriculture Supervisor Sitaram Saini, a resident of Sawai Madhopur city, was returning after inspecting a farm fence in Dumoda village when he noticed the crowd gathered near the anicut. He also stopped to observe the tiger, but in a sudden turn of events, the tiger lunged at him, injuring his leg.

In an attempt to save him, Home Guard jawan Babulal, who was part of the crowd, intervened. However, the aggressive tiger attacked Babulal too, striking his face with its paw.

Both injured individuals were rushed to the district hospital after a Forest Department team reached the spot.

Notably, tiger movement at the Kailashpuri Anicut has been reported consistently over the past few months. Despite repeated sightings and instances of locals taking selfies and videos dangerously close to the animal, no preventive action had been taken by the Forest Department.

Eyewitnesses claim that even on the morning of the incident, a man was seen taking selfies with the tiger.

Phalodi ACF Yogesh Kumar stated that the exact identity of the tiger involved is still under investigation. However, tigresses T-8 and T-108 are known to frequent the area, and it is likely that one of them may have turned aggressive due to human interference.

Forest officials have once again urged locals and tourists to maintain a safe distance from wildlife and follow all safety protocols inside the reserve.

The incident comes days after the third fatal tiger attack in the area within the last two months.

A tiger attacked and killed a 60-year-old priest inside the historic Ranthambore Fort on Monday morning. The deceased was identified as Radheshyam Saini, a resident of Sherpur village, who had been serving at the Jain temple in the fort for the past two decades.

On May 12, a forest ranger was fatally attacked while on patrol near Jogi Mahal in Zone 3 of the Tiger Reserve. The tiger pounced on him near the Chhoti Chhatri area, targeting his neck and sitting on the body for nearly 20 minutes post the attack.

On April 21, a 7-year-old boy was mauled by tigress Kanakati near the Trinetra Ganesh temple. The child was returning with his grandmother when the tigress emerged from the forest and snatched him.
Hyderabad, June 13 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday announced that the state government will establish 571 new schools in those villages and urban areas where there are none.

The schools will come up in those areas where the strength of the students is more than 20.

Revanth Reddy stated that the state governmentas main objective is to improve educational standards in all government schools and colleges and reaffirmed the commitment to provide quality education.

Following the reopening of the schools after summer vacation, the Chief Minister held a review of the School Education Department.

He directed the officials to develop a new system ensuring that every student gets enrolled in the government schools and avails quality education. The Chief Minister suggested improving the standards of all teaching staff and also introducing reforms in the education system to provide students with skill development training along with languages.

CM Revanth Reddy emphasised that skill development training should be provided from high school standards and create a platform to excel in their chosen field in the future. In the wake of rapid urbanisation in the state, the CM instructed the officials of the Education Department and Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department to identify suitable places meant for social infrastructure in HMDA and municipal layouts to set up new schools.

He also ordered the officials to rationalise the educational institutions up to the intermediate level run by SC, ST, BC, Minority wings and ensure that each institution has a specified number of students.

In view of increasing demand from students to join Gurukuls, which are providing quality food, uniforms, textbooks and a good environment for study, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to study the issue of admitting day scholars into residential schools and to provide food, dresses and textbooks.

The CM underscored that students should be developed into mentally strong and responsible citizens by providing them counselling on the importance of family, society and their responsibilities.

Chief Minister's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, State Government Advisor K. Kesava Rao, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister Ajith Reddy, CM Secretary Manik Raj, Education Secretary Yogita Rana, Intermediate Board Secretary Sri Deva Sena, and School Education Director Narasimha Reddy were present.
Bhubaneswar, June 13 : The Odisha Police arrested six cyber criminals including one woman fraudster from West Bengal and Gujarat in separate cases of cyber fraud, the state Crime Branch said on Friday.

The cops have arrested a female cybercriminal identified as Anushka Mitra (24), from Durgapur area in West Bengal in connection with an investment fraud case involving worth Rs 74.10 lakh.

The Odisha Crime Branch, in a press statement, on Friday stated that a person from Balasore lodged a complaint on May 6, 2024, alleging that unknown cyber fraudsters had duped him of Rs 74.10 lakh by promising high returns through investments in international metal trading, IPOs, and OTC trading.

The victim continued investing despite incurring losses. When he tried to withdraw his funds, the fraudsters demanded additional money and refused to release his funds.

The police in the course of investigation ascertained that accused Anushka along with her associates, posing as trade analysts defrauded the complainant of Rs 74,10,000 through the investment scam.

A fraudster, identified as Khikani Dhruv Vijaybhai (22), has been arrested from Bhavnagar City in Gujarat, on the charges of duping one person from Chhatrapur in Ganjam district of Rs 50 lakhs through investment in a fake stock market investment scheme.

"The fraud began through a WhatsApp group named "E141-A.K. Capital Services Ltd Exchange Group", where the victim was convinced to install a fraudulent application called "A.K Group" under the pretense of investing in IPOs with high returns.

"Believing the claims, the victim transferred Rs 50 lakhs through multiple transactions," informed the Crime Branch.

However, he was later shown fake negative balances within the app and was repeatedly asked to deposit more money. The complainant soon realised that he lost the money to cyber fraudsters and lodged a complaint with the Crime Branch on February 11, 2025.

"The accused person and his associates represented themselves as trade analysts and officials of A.K. Capital Services Ltd, and cheated the complainant to a tune of Rs 50 lakh through a fake trading software application," noted the Crime Branch.

The Odisha Police has also arrested two more cyber criminals taking the tally of arrest 11 in connection with a cyber fraud case, in which a senior BJD leader and former IT minister of Odisha lost worth Rs 1.4 crore to the cyber fraudsters through International Metal Trading, IPOs, and OTC trading.

The accused persons, Kantariya Yogesh Harjibhai and Kotak Koushik, were arrested from Gujarat. They were produced before the court here on Friday.

Similarly, two farmers were arrested by the crime branch sleuths in connection with a digital arrest case involving a fraud amount worth Rs 1.06 crore. Earlier, the cops have arrested six persons in connection with the case.
Raipur, June 13 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 6.15 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, marking a significant development in one of the state's largest corruption probes.

Raipur, June 13 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 6.15 crore in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, marking a significant development in one of the stateas largest corruption probes.

The attached properties include the Congress Bhawan in Sukma, a residential house in Raipur belonging to former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, and another residence in Sukma registered in the name of his son, Harish Lakhma.

According to the ED, these properties were constructed using proceeds of crime generated through an alleged liquor syndicate that operated between 2019 and 2022.

The agency claims that Kawasi Lakhma received Rs 2 crore per month during this period, accumulating Rs 72 crore in illicit gains.

Of this, Rs 68 lakh was allegedly used to build the Congress office in Sukma, Rs 1.4 crore for his son's residence, and Rs 2.24 crore for his own house in Raipur.

This is the first time the ED has attached a political partyas office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The Congress party has strongly objected to the move, calling it a politically motivated action by the BJP-led central government.

Party leaders have stated they will provide documentation to prove that the Sukma office was built with legitimate funds.

The ED's investigation stems from an FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing, which alleged that a criminal syndicate manipulated the state's excise policies to siphon off public funds.

The scam is believed to have caused a loss of over Rs 2,161 crore to the state exchequer. The agency has previously attached properties worth nearly Rs 205 crore in the same case.

Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time MLA from Konta and former excise minister under the Bhupesh Baghel government, has been in judicial custody since January 2025.

His arrest followed raids conducted in Raipur, Sukma, and Dhamtari in December 2024. The ED maintains that Lakhma played a central role in facilitating the scam by altering excise policies and enabling illegal liquor trade. Further investigation is ongoing.

The case continues to stir political tensions in Chhattisgarh as the ED expands its probe into the financial and administrative network behind the alleged scam.
New Delhi, June 13 : Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Friday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and discussed key issues with him regarding the development of the hill state.

The meeting was held at the official residence of PM Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in Delhi. Sikkim has recently observed the 50 years of statehood day.

In the last week of May, the Prime Minister was scheduled to visit Sikkim for the observation of the golden jubilee of the statehood but due to the inclement weather, PM Modi's chopper could not fly from Bagdogra airport (West Bengal).

However, PM Modi addressed the aSikkim@50a programme in Gangtok via videoconferencing on May 29. The theme of the event was aWhere Progress Meets Purpose, and Nature Nurtures Growtha.

The Prime Minister said that he wanted to witness the fervor, energy and enthusiasm of the people in person, but due to inclement weather, he could not be present.

PM Modi during his speech promised to visit Sikkim in the near future and be part of their achievements and celebrations.

He also greeted the people of Sikkim on the golden jubilee celebrations of their statehood.

The Prime Minister had virtually addressed a huge crowd who gathered at the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.

Meanwhile, Mathur on Friday also called on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in the national capital.

During the meeting, the Governor apprised the Vice President of various ongoing developmental initiatives in Sikkim and discussed matters of mutual interest concerning the stateas progress. Issues related to infrastructure, education, tourism, and welfare of the people of Sikkim were also discussed.

Continuing the series of meetings with several dignitaries in the national capital, Governor Mathur called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his office in the national capital.

During the meeting, the Governor discussed various developmental schemes, projects and security-related issues of Sikkim with the Defence Minister.

He also briefed Rajnath Singh about the recent natural calamity in Mangan district in Sikkim where army officer and other personnel lost their lives in the line of duty.
Shillong, June 13 : The three teams of Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Meghalaya police separately questioning the five accused in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, sources said on Friday.

According to sources, the accused have been questioned for a total of 25 hours so far, and each accused is being questioned separately.

"The three teams of SIT questioning the accused on the basis of the evidence and data gathered from Madhya Pradesh and Meghalaya," a source said.

All the five accused including (deceased) Raja Raghuvanshi's wife Sonam Raghuvanshi in the sensational murder case were presented at a Shillong court on June 11 -- ten days after Raja's body was recovered on June 2 from a deep gorge below the Wei Sawdong parking lot at Riat Arliang in Sohra in East Khasi Hills district, sending shockwaves across the country.

The court sent all five accused to eight days' police custody.

A source said: "Today (Friday), questioning focused on Sonam's marriage and facts prior to the wedding.There are discrepancies between Sonam's and Raj's statements on certain points."

Questions were asked regarding the clothes and burqa worn on the day of the incident, the source said, adding that the SIT teams also questioned about the money in the bank account.

Meanwhile, after the sensational murder in Sohra, the Meghalaya government on Friday decided to strengthen the existing law to ensure the safety of state residents and curbing the entry of criminal elements posing as tourists.

The government move comes weeks after the ghastly murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, who was brutally killed during a honeymoon trip to Sohra-Cherrapunji areas of the East Khasi Hills district in a plot allegedly orchestrated by his wife Sonam and her lover Raj Singh Kushwaha.

Cabinet spokesperson and Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh after the cabinet meeting said that the council of ministers in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday decided to review the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, an existing state legislation, to add more tough provisions to this Act to minimise the possibility of criminal elements entering Meghalaya in the pretext of tourists.

Besides Sonam and Raj Singh Kushwaha, 21, her alleged lover and the mastermind, the other accused are Anand Singh Kurmi, 23, Akash Rajput, 19, and Vishal Singh Chauhan, 22.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, said that police officials are now interrogating the five accused to unearth the truth of the sensational killing.

"After three to four days of questioning, we would take all five accused to the Sohra-Cherrapunji areas to recreate the crime. This is a part of our investigation of the killing," Syiem had told IANS.

He said that they would submit the charge sheets against the accused before the court as soon as possible.

--IANS

sc-tdr/pgh
Bhopal, June 13 : The Madhya Pradesh government has begun accelerating efforts on the Bhopal Metro Rail Project. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has stated that commercial operations in Bhopal are expected to begin by August this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated the first phase of Indore Metrol Rail project from Bhopal virtually.

In a high-level meeting with officials on Friday, the Chief Minister directed them to expedite the completion of both the Bhopal and Indore Metro projects, ensuring quality and adherence to timelines.

The Bhopal Metro, approved in 2018, is planned to span approximately 30 km across two main linesa"the Orange Line from Karond Square to AIIMS Saket Nagar, and the Blue Line from Bhadbhada Square to Ratnagiri Tiraha.

The project includes 30 stations, two of which are underground, and a dedicated depot at Subhash Nagar.

The first stretch, covering 7 km from Pul Bogda to AIIMS, is expected to become operational by August 2025, according to a post by Dr. Yadav on his X handle.

Later phases will extend coverage to other parts of the city by 2028, with Pul Bogda serving as the interchange between the two lines.

Indoreas Metro plan, also initiated in 2018, covers over 31 km and includes 28 stations, seven of them underground.

The first stretch of the Yellow Line -- from Gandhinagar to Super Corridor 3 -- is already operational, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025.

Future phases will extend the line to Malviya Nagar and Palasia Square, eventually looping back underground to Gandhinagar.

Final completion is targeted for the end of 2028. These metro systems are part of a broader initiative to modernise urban transport in Madhya Pradesh.

They aim to reduce congestion, lower pollution, and provide faster, safer public transit in both the capital and commercial centers.

CM Yadav also emphasised the importance of maintaining safety standards and minimising disruption to daily life during on-going construction. Officials have been instructed to meet deadlines while ensuring public convenience.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Intensifying efforts to restore biodiversity and rehabilitate ecosystems in territories liberated from occupation remain a central focus for Azerbaijani authorities, said Vugar Kerimov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Trend reports.

Speaking during a meeting of the Environmental Working Group in Khankendi, Kerimov outlined the countrys conservation initiatives.

As part of measures to boost biodiversity and restore ecosystems, 33 goitered gazelles have been released into Jabrayil district, 5 falcons, 4 East Caucasian turs, and 10 partridges into Lachin district, and 3 bezoar goats into Kalbajar district, Kerimov said.

The ministry is also restocking local rivers and reservoirs with millions of trout and carp fry to revive aquatic life.

"Additionally, over 1.3 million trout and carp fry have been introduced into rivers, including Basitchay, Hakarchay, Kondelenchay, and Bergyushad, as well as into reservoirs such as Kondelenchay, Sugovushan, and Khachinchay," he concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Jaipur, June 13 : Rajasthan continued to sizzle amid an intense heatwave on Friday, with Sri Ganganagar recording a maximum temperature of 49.4 degrees Celsius -- the highest so far this season. This comes close to the all-time highest June temperature for the city -- 50 degrees Celsius, recorded on June 14, 1934.

According to the Meteorological Department, several parts of the state witnessed extreme heat, with Churu at 47.6 degrees Celsius, Jaisalmer 46.9 degrees Celsius, Bikaner 46.4 degrees Celsius, Jodhpur 46.3 degrees Celsius, and both Phalodi and Barmer at 46.2 degrees Celsius.

Other significant highs included Lunkaransar (45.2 degrees Celsius), Pali and Fatehpur (45 degrees Celsius), Chittorgarh (44.9 degrees Celsius), Sangaria (44.6 degrees Celsius), and Jhunjhunu (44.5 degrees Celsius). Jaipur, the state capital, also recorded a searing 44.5 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast an increase in pre-monsoon activity starting Saturday across parts of Udaipur, Kota, Jaipur, and Bharatpur divisions. Thundershowers are also likely in the Jodhpur and Bikaner divisions, while light rain is expected at isolated locations during the afternoon

According to the Meteorological Center, Jaipur, northern Rajasthan is experiencing a sharp spike in temperatures due to clear skies and dry westerly winds.

Health officials have advised people to stay indoors during peak heat hours and remain hydrated to prevent heatstroke. While most of Rajasthan sizzled under extreme heat, light showers provided momentary relief in parts of Kotputli and Dholpur.

The weather changed suddenly on Friday afternoon, bringing strong winds and light rain, much to the residentsa relief. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely as the state braces for the onset of the monsoon season in the coming weeks.

Thunderstorms and showers were reported in districts like Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer, Bharatpur, and Jodhpur. In Jaipur, rainfall was reported in the VKI area, while in Alwar, strong winds during heavy rain blew off tin sheds from a house. Thunderstorms and rain in Bharatpur, Hanumangarh, Alwar, and Jhunjhunu, areas bordering Delhi-NCR, provided temporary relief from the extreme heat.

Weather experts noted that the eastern branch of Bay of Bengal winds has become active, increasing humidity levels in the eastern parts of the state. This has been especially felt in the Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Kota divisions, where humidity-related discomfort is reportedly on the rise.

Meanwhile, almost all districts in Rajasthan recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Friday, except for Mount Abu, a hill station, and Pratapgarh, which recorded 32 degrees Celsius and 38.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. Other major temperature readings included Ajmer (43.8 degrees Celsius), Bhilwara (44.5 degrees Celsius), Jaipur (44.5 degrees Celsius), Pilani (45.4 degrees Celsius), Barmer (46.2 degrees Celsius), Jaisalmer (46.9 degrees Celsius), and Churu (47.6 degrees Celsius).
Bengaluru, June 13 : Bengaluru Police have arrested a foreign woman drug peddler in the city on Saturday and seized 5.325 kilograms of banned narcotic MDMA crystal valued at around Rs 10 crore.

The accused woman has been identified as Princess. Investigations have revealed that she transported MDMA crystals, hidden inside dress materials, from Delhi to Bengaluru by bus and supplied them to local drug peddlers here.

On June 10, the sleuths of the Narcotics Control Squad of Bangalore City's Central Crime Branch (CCB) received credible information from an informant and nabbed the accused, who was involved in illegally selling banned narcotic substances.

The accused was apprehended on Rajanukunte Main Road, within the limits of Chikkajala Police Station in Bengaluru.

After questioning her, officers and staff of the Narcotics Control Squad seized 5.325 kilograms of MDMA crystal, an Apple mobile phone, 11 new churidar dress pieces, and other items. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs 10 crore, police said.

During interrogation, the accused woman revealed that she had arrived in Delhi on October 4, 2021, on a business visa. Later, she obtained a student visa, claiming admission to a college in Telangana, but never attended college.

She further confessed that she got involved in drug peddling to earn a large amount of money and to live a luxurious lifestyle. She also revealed that the drug peddling was conducted through a friend.

A case has been registered at the Chikkajala Police Station regarding this incident, and efforts are ongoing to trace her absconding accomplice. The investigation is in progress.

Seemant Kumar Singh, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner, stated that the sleuths of the CCB and the Chikkajala police have made a significant recovery in terms of MDMA drug, valued at Rs 10 crore in the international market.

"The accused had come down to Bengaluru with the consignment. The question arises as to how such a huge quantity of banned substance reached here from such a faraway place. There may be intermediate linkages, and we are finding that out," the Police Commissioner stated.

"The offender has claimed that she is studying in a Telangana college. But, our information suggests that her admission is not found there, and we are trying to find out why that particular college name was mentioned by the accused," he stated.

"It is a big quantity, and it is a serious concern. The Bengaluru city police, along with other units, under the directions of the DG and IGP, are organizing a huge rally, seminar, and workshops all over the city on June 26 to create awareness regarding drug abuse," he said.

"We have a clear-cut policy of fighting against drugs. An all-out campaign will be undertaken to ensure that drugs, at all levels  small or bigger  are not allowed in the city. In this connection, we will have a big function. If awareness is created, we will get more information," Police Commissioner Singh stated.
Kolkata, June 13 : In a shocking incident, the manager of a local jewellery shop was hacked in public on the open road and in broad daylight on Friday in the busy Kalighat area in south Kolkata.

Soumen Ghara, the manager of the jewellery shop, died on the spot. His son, Ankur was also stabbed while he tried to apprehend the killer. Seriously injured, Ankur is currently under treatment at state-run S.S.K.M, Medical College & Hospital, also in south Kolkata.

The killer has been identified as Ashesh Sarkar a.k.a, Piklu. He went absconding soon after the killing and he had already been spotted as running away from the scene at the footage of a CCTV camera installed in the locality.

The incident took place at the crossing of Beninandan Street and Harish Chatterjee Street, which is quite close to the official residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

According to the statements of the local residents given to the police and media persons, a quarrel broke out in the area after a truck loaded with garbage had hit a local ship there in which a portion of the shop was damaged.

The deceased Soumen Ghara, somehow, got involved in the quarrel. Amid the quarrel, suddenly Piklu reached the spot and fuelled the tension. According to eyewitnesses, amid the quarrels, Piklu suddenly brought out a sharp weapon from within his clothes and started stabbing Ghara mercilessly.

Gharaas minor son Ankur intervened and tried to prevent Piklu. Thereafter, Piklu stabbed Ankur and rushed away from the spot. Ankur and his father were shifted to S.S.K.M. immediately, where the doctors declared the latter as dead.

Ankur is currently under treatment there and his condition continues to be serious. The cops of Kalighat Police Station reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter. All the nearby police stations have been alerted and the pictures of Piklu have been circulated there.
Patna, June 13 : Bihar Cabinet Minister Nitin Nabin has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London, which claimed the lives of 241 people.

He said the incident has shattered families and left the nation heartbroken.

Speaking to media persons at the Buxar Collectorate Auditorium during a scheduled 20-point programme meeting on Friday, Nabin said, "A very sad incident has happened. Many lives were taken away in a matter of minutes, and families have been ruined. The entire country is in mourning."

He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are personally monitoring the investigation, and assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty after the probe is completed.

Nitin Nabin confirmed that several programmes planned to mark the completion of 11 years of PM Modi's tenure have been cancelled across Bihar as a mark of respect for the victims.

"We had planned many programmes, but in view of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, all state BJP events have been called off," he stated.

The crash, which occurred just two minutes after take-off, involved 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Among the victims was Bihar's Manisha Thapa, an Air India crew member from Patna.

Only one British citizen, Vishwas Ramesh, survived.

The Bihar Disaster Management Department has activated helpline number 1070 for families and citizens seeking information or assistance.

In the same press interaction, Nabin addressed the water shortage faced by farmers in the Buxar district.

He confirmed receiving written complaints and has issued strict directives to the administration to ensure a timely water supply for agricultural activities post-Rohini Nakshatra.

"Water will reach the fields soon. Officers have been instructed, and action will be taken to resolve the issue at the earliest," he said.
Jaipur, June 14 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday emphasised the state government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development, particularly focusing on quality road connectivity.

Jaipur, June 14 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Friday emphasised the state governmentas commitment to accelerating infrastructure development, particularly focusing on quality road connectivity.

He asserted that strict action will be taken against officials or contractors found guilty of negligence in public works projects.

While reviewing pending Public Works Department (PWD) projects costing more than Rs 10 crore at the Chief Ministeras Office, CM Sharma directed officials to expedite road widening and strengthening works, with a strong emphasis on meeting quality standards and deadlines.

The Chief Minister stated that the government's vision is to ensure road connectivity to every village and town, making daily travel smoother for citizens.

He instructed officials to complete all repair and upgradation works before the onset of monsoon and to strengthen monitoring systems to maintain construction quality.

He also urged coordination with other departments, especially the Forest Department, to avoid procedural delays. While reviewing Railway Overbridge (ROB) and Railway Underbridge (RUB) projects, Sharma reiterated the state governmentas goal of making Rajasthan a railway gate-free state.

He instructed departments to accelerate the pace of ongoing ROB and RUB constructions to achieve this target promptly. During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary of the PWD presented a detailed overview of ongoing projects.

Senior officials and departmental representatives were also present.

Sharma has always, during his speeches and meeting with officials, stressed on the need to focus on development and expedite all work related to the projects.

After the 2023 Rajasthan Assembly elections, Bhajan Lal Sharma was elected as an MLA from the Sanganer Assembly constituency and later he was appointed the 14th Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

On December 12, 2023, Sharma was appointed the 14th Chief Minister of Rajasthan, along with two deputy CMs -- Diya Kumari and Prem Chand Bairwa.

Sharma, along with his two deputies, was sworn in as Rajasthan's new CM on December 15, 2023.
The American Library Association has announced that Carla Hayden, who was fired from her job as the Librarian of Congress by the Trump administration May 8, will participate in a one-on-one conversation with bestselling author Kwame Alexander June 28 at this years ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, set to take place June 2630 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Hayden had been set to attend the convention prior to her firing, which sparked numerous protests, including a rally at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library branch in Washington, D.C., on May 31. Alexander was one of the organizers of the rally, during which he declared, The firing of our distinguished, esteemed librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden made it clear to us that the freedom to read, the freedom to learn, the freedom to express ourselves is under attack.

The ALA said that during their joint appearance at the convention, Hayden and Alexander will discuss the current state of libraries and the challenges library professionals are facing not only in America but across the world, from book bans to library funding.

Haydens spoke out for the first time about her ousting on the June 8 CBS Sunday Morning program. She discussed the details of her dismissal, but didnt touch on specific library issues.
Childrens Institute 2025 has begun in Portland, Ore., starting with a Pathways pre-conference mixer for BIPOC American Booksellers Association members on June 11, plus workshops, citywide bookstore tours, and a costume party reception for attendees on June 12. Approximately 340 ABA members will participate in the show, about a third of them first-timers, along with 32 vendors and 66 authors of picture books, middle grade titles, and YA reads.

At the Oregon Convention Center on Thursday afternoon, attendees gathered for the official show kickoff, boisterously greeting friends. When ABA CEO Allison Hill came to the stage for opening remarks, everyone hushed and tuned in to Hills words. Welcome to Portland, and happy Pride, Hill said, prompting a round of applause. We gather at a time when the world feels heavy and the headlines are relentless; the headwinds you face at your businesses feel especially fierce.

Hill assured the ABA crowd that you are not aloneyou are part of something bigger, and she reminded store owners and booksellers that they champion ideas over ideology, value long-form reading, and promote community, critical thinking, and democracy through their sharing of information as well as pleasure reads. As childrens and teens booksellers, Hill noted, You have the beautiful responsibility of nurturing the next generation of readers, helping to raise the changemakers we desperately need in the world.

Hill invited ABA COO Joy Dallanegra-Sanger to the stage for pre-show housekeeping, along with Book Industry Charitable Foundation program manager Judey Kalchik and program coordinator Mary OMalley, who introduced Bincs mission to the assembly. We hope you never ever need Bincs help, but if you do, we are ready Kalchik said, explaining that Binc assists bookstore owners, booksellers, comic shop owners and employees in times of personal disaster, housing instability, medical needs, and other concerns. Bincs support is free, Kalchik told the crowd, noting that the foundation has offered tax-free, dues-free assistance for more than 30 years, with more than $13 million going to the aid of book people in difficult circumstances.

Library Kids, Bookstore Kids

CI 2025 began with a keynote talk by PBS resident librarian and TikTok star Mychal Threets, whose picture book Im So Happy Youre Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, illustrated by Lorraine Nam, will be published by Random House Childrens Books in February 2026. Threets was accompanied by a posse of RHCB staffers in green T-shirts bearing his likeness, and during his talk he waxed eloquent on his unlikely stardom, which has led to children and caregivers recognizing him at airports and other public spaces.

Tegan Tigani, childrens book buyer for Queen Anne Book Co. in Seattle, delivered an emotional introduction to Threets, whose advocacy for literacy and mental health has endeared him to social media followers of all ages. Tigani called Threets an incredible ambassador for literacy, libraries, and loving community. She joked that he is like LeVar Burton, Richard Simmons, Mister Rogers, Bob Ross, and the best comfort read, all rolled into one, and said that his heartfelt mental health advocacy reminds us that the world is better with us in it.

Threets endorsed Tiganis list of celebrities, saying he envisions a Mount Rushmore of wholesomeness and kindness that includes Burton, Rogers, Ross, Steve Irwin, and Dolly Parton as my honorary fifth. He might belong in that gallery toohe showed the audience his arm, tattooed with a library card and Marc Browns childrens character, aardvark Arthur Read. I got to be in a video with Arthur Read, one of the greatest days of my life, he exulted.

Riffing on his topic of Libraries and Bookstores, Joining Forces for Joy!, Threets said libraries and bookstores arent mutually exclusive: We need one another. His free-ranging, amiable talk included shoutouts to favorite California bookstores including Sleepy Cat Books in Berkeley, Alibi Bookshop in Vallejo, and Octavias Bookshelf and Reparations Club in L.A.

As a young person in Solano County, Calif., Threets found libraries to be safe havens, which set him on the path to an MLIS degree and work as a supervising librarian in the hometown branch where I got my first library card. Although his region was among the nations most diverse, he said, young library patrons were surprised to learn he was in charge. They would see my silly hair, my gigantic Afro, and say, I didnt know I could become a librarian, Threets said. He welcomed them even before I was saying Im so happy youre here consciously.

Threets also addressed mental health and neurodivergence, reminding booksellers to make room for people with autism, ADHD, and varied modes of sensory processing. He shared his personal difficulties with depression and anxiety as well. When he quit his supervising job, he intended to harm himself, but was astonished that so many positive messages kept on coming in from people who loved his social media persona. Now it is June 12, 2025, and I dont know how, but I am still alive, he said, as the crowd erupted into applause.

I dont take any day for granted, Threets told listeners, reflecting on his talent for exhorting library kids like himself to read and learn. This is my chance to keep on going.
Edmund White has received many moving tributes for his candidand sexually explicitdepictions of gay lives in his novels, memoirs, and literary biographies since he died last week at 85. Often, the tributes have have come from younger writers such as Edouard Louis, who found the freedom to write about their own lives from Whites trailblazing example.

Ill offer that Whites example as a critic was deeply important to me. From hearing him speak on panels and reading his long and intrepid reviews in the New York Review of Books, in which he exhibited his voracious appetite for reading, I quickly became possessed with the desire to read everything. Thanks to his little volume on Proust, and the way he celebrated the sheer pleasure found in the best prose (as in his praising of an uneven Martin Amis novel), I took years out of my 20s to slowly read In Search of Lost Time. It was a special treat when he agreed in 2020 to review Robert Jones, Jr.s debut novel The Prophets for me, as part of PWs occasional signature review program.

Whites continuous engagement with literature must have had something to do with the consistently high quality of his prolific output, which culminated in a remarkable late-career run of four excellent books in the past five years. Below are PWs original reviews, all of them starred.

We will greatly miss Edmund Whites glorious books and generous criticism. If youre new to Whites work, one exciting thing is that you can work your way backwards without missing any of his greatness.

A Saint from Texas Edmund White. Bloomsbury, $26 (304p) ISBN 978-1-63557-255-1 White (The Unpunished Vice) serves up a mesmerizing sensual history of identical twin sisters who leave their booming Texas oil town for Paris and a Colombian convent. As teens in 1950s Ranger, Tex., Yvonne and Yvette Crawford are as different as can be. Yvonne listens to top-10 radio hits, reads womens magazines, and aspires to French aristocracy and a career in fashion; Yvette, with a crush on God, prefers Bach and performing acts of charity. Both are determined to escape their small-minded, oil-rich abusive father and social climbing stepmother. Most of the retrospective narrative comes from Yvonnes point of view, focusing on her sumptuous experience in Paris, where she travels for her college junior year abroad and instantly immerses herself in haute couture. Surrounded by a plenitude of Givenchy and marrons glaces, Yvonne soon marries Adheaume de Courcy, whom she characterizes as a spendthrift, unloving, snobbish popinjay. The marriage contract is simple: his title for her money. Meanwhile, Yvettes success as a miracle-working nun in Jerico, Colombia, is revealed in a series of letters sprinkled throughout, which include details of Yvettes amorous friendship with a fellow nun. Yvonne is also romantically interested in women, and White elevates his delicious descriptions of Yvonnes lecherous thoughts about a sorority sister with notes of Yvonnes mature self-awareness. Bombshell revelations abound when the narrative reaches its boiling point, which White handles with aplomb. Equally tender and salacious, Whites deeply satisfying character study demonstrates his profound abilities. Agent: Peter Straus, RCW Literary Agency. (Aug.) White (The Unpunished Vice) serves up a mesmerizing sensual history of identical twin sisters who leave their booming Texas oil town for Paris and a Colombian convent. As teens in 1950s Ranger, Tex., Yvonne and Yvette Crawford are as different as can be. Yvonne listens to top-10 radio hits, reads womens magazines, and aspires to French aristocracy and a career in fashion; Yvette, with a crush on God, prefers Bach and performing acts of charity. Both are determined to escape their small-minded, oil-rich abusive father and social climbing stepmother. Most of the retrospective narrative comes from Yvonnes point of view, focusing on her sumptuous experience in Paris, where she travels for her college junior year abroad and instantly immerses herself in haute couture. Surrounded by a plenitude of Givenchy and marrons glaces, Yvonne soon marries Adheaume de Courcy, whom she characterizes as a spendthrift, unloving, snobbish popinjay. The marriage contract is simple: his title for her money. Meanwhile, Yvettes success as a miracle-working nun in Jerico, Colombia, is revealed in a series of letters sprinkled throughout, which include details of Yvettes amorous friendship with a fellow nun. Yvonne is also romantically interested in women, and White elevates his delicious descriptions of Yvonnes lecherous thoughts about a sorority sister with notes of Yvonnes mature self-awareness. Bombshell revelations abound when the narrative reaches its boiling point, which White handles with aplomb. Equally tender and salacious, Whites deeply satisfying character study demonstrates his profound abilities. Agent: Peter Straus, RCW Literary Agency. (Aug.)

A Previous Life Edmund White. Bloomsbury, $26 (288p) ISBN 978-1-63557-727-3 White (A Saint from Texas) offers an erotically charged and ingenious metafictional story of a married couple. In 2050, 70-something Sicilian musician Ruggero Castelnuovo agrees, with his 30-year-old American wife, Constance, to break the silence about their pasts. Three decades earlier, Ruggero had an affair with Edmund White, who was in his 80s at the time. Ruggero and Constance read their memoirs aloud in alternate passages, and each welcomes their newfound revelations. Ruggero fears that despite his international reputation in the music world hell only be remembered as the man who ruined Edmund Whites life (what he means by that will come out later). Constance tells of a gay suitemate at Princeton, two failed marriages to older men (robbed by her first husband; humiliated by her second). As their confessions unroll, they reckon with the shadow of age and redefine their relationship, culminating in life-changing decisions. Through it all, the author hands his characters indelible lines to express their self-knowledge, which often yield insights on gender fluidity and sexuality (it was the part you played that determined your identity, not the gender of your partner, Ruggero tells Constance, explaining an episode of role play). It adds up to a dizzyingly enticing and kaleidoscopic take on the spectrum of sexual experiences. (Jan.) White (A Saint from Texas) offers an erotically charged and ingenious metafictional story of a married couple. In 2050, 70-something Sicilian musician Ruggero Castelnuovo agrees, with his 30-year-old American wife, Constance, to break the silence about their pasts. Three decades earlier, Ruggero had an affair with Edmund White, who was in his 80s at the time. Ruggero and Constance read their memoirs aloud in alternate passages, and each welcomes their newfound revelations. Ruggero fears that despite his international reputation in the music world hell only be remembered as the man who ruined Edmund Whites life (what he means by that will come out later). Constance tells of a gay suitemate at Princeton, two failed marriages to older men (robbed by her first husband; humiliated by her second). As their confessions unroll, they reckon with the shadow of age and redefine their relationship, culminating in life-changing decisions. Through it all, the author hands his characters indelible lines to express their self-knowledge, which often yield insights on gender fluidity and sexuality (it was the part you played that determined your identity, not the gender of your partner, Ruggero tells Constance, explaining an episode of role play). It adds up to a dizzyingly enticing and kaleidoscopic take on the spectrum of sexual experiences. (Jan.)

The Humble Lover Edmund White. Bloomsbury, $27.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-63973-088-9 In Whites audacious latest (after A Previous Life), wealthy Manhattanite Aldwych West pursues the younger August Dupond, principal dancer for the New York City Ballet. The 80-year-olds aching desire for the 20-year-old enfant terrible leads to a live-in relationship that upends each of their lives. August prefers Gatorade to champagne, brings home other lovers, and engages in hardcore BDSM with his partners. Aldwych, meanwhile, hatches a plan to win Augusts affections that involves launching a new ballet company, which would allow August to fulfill his creative potential. Philanthropic investment banker Bryce gets involved with the project, and Bryces dominatrix wife, Ernestine, arranges for an afternoon of pleasure and pain with herself, August, and a sex worker. As the sexual paths of these perfidious lovers continue to cross, Aldwych stumbles through his increasingly quixotic endeavor, and White brings it all together in a shocking and baroque conclusion. As ever, White is a master of social comedy and wry observations (on the source of Aldwychs wealth: His family had invented the microwave, or maybe something older, like the kitchen stove). Explicit descriptions of Augusts sex life, meanwhile, not only titillate but add poignancy to the portrayal of Aldwychs elusive desire. Readers will delight in this immersion into a lurid world of passion. Agent: Bill Clegg, Clegg Agency. (May) In Whites audacious latest (after A Previous Life), wealthy Manhattanite Aldwych West pursues the younger August Dupond, principal dancer for the New York City Ballet. The 80-year-olds aching desire for the 20-year-old enfant terrible leads to a live-in relationship that upends each of their lives. August prefers Gatorade to champagne, brings home other lovers, and engages in hardcore BDSM with his partners. Aldwych, meanwhile, hatches a plan to win Augusts affections that involves launching a new ballet company, which would allow August to fulfill his creative potential. Philanthropic investment banker Bryce gets involved with the project, and Bryces dominatrix wife, Ernestine, arranges for an afternoon of pleasure and pain with herself, August, and a sex worker. As the sexual paths of these perfidious lovers continue to cross, Aldwych stumbles through his increasingly quixotic endeavor, and White brings it all together in a shocking and baroque conclusion. As ever, White is a master of social comedy and wry observations (on the source of Aldwychs wealth: His family had invented the microwave, or maybe something older, like the kitchen stove). Explicit descriptions of Augusts sex life, meanwhile, not only titillate but add poignancy to the portrayal of Aldwychs elusive desire. Readers will delight in this immersion into a lurid world of passion. Agent: Bill Clegg, Clegg Agency. (May)
KHANKENDI, Azerbaijan, June 13. Natural resources of Azerbaijan in the occupied territories had been plundered by Armenia, Sabuhi Gahramanov, deputy special representative of the President of Azerbaijan in Khankendi city, Aghdara and Khojaly districts, said at a regular meeting of the Working Group on Ecology of the Interdepartmental Center in Khankendi, Trend reports.

He reminded that in Khankendi city and the Aghdara and Khojaly districts, Armenia committed environmental terror and secretly destroyed natural resources, and serious damage was caused to natural monuments, reserves, forests, and biodiversity in these territories, and agricultural lands were rendered unusable.

According to Gahramanov, during the occupation, the available minerals, non-ferrous and ferrous metals, mineral waters, and other freshwater resources, as well as lands included in the forest fund, had been exploited, systematically destroying flora and fauna.

At the same time, hundreds of thousands of mines planted in the ground have become a major environmental disaster for the residents of these territories. Currently, demining and cleaning up unexploded ordnance is being carried out rapidly in these territories.

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This morning, the world changed.

After years of escalating threats, rocket fire, proxy wars, and nuclear brinkmanship, Israel struck deep into Irantargeting nuclear infrastructure and military assets. It was a historic declaration: enough is enough. The era of appeasement is over.

Lets call it what it is: one of the most courageous acts of leadership by any nation in our time. And tragically, it had to be done alone.

This was not just a defensive strike. It was a moment of clarity, conviction, and courage. It came not from Washington, not from Brusselsbut from a small democratic nation surrounded by enemies, standing alone that had to confront the worlds leading sponsor of terrorism. For too long, the U.S. and Europe played for time. Time that Iran used to enrich uranium, arm Russia, fund terror, and destabilize every corner of the globe.

This was not symbolic grandstanding. Israel was not just acting in its own defense. It was striking on behalf of the free world  it was on behalf of peace, security, and civilization itself.

For too long, regime change in Iran has been treated like a dirty word in polite diplomatic circles. Today, that fiction is over. Israel took actionunilaterally, decisively, and morally.

The fact that Israel is standing alone is equally real and equally tragic.

Israels actions are both heroic and damning. A searing indictment of the Biden administration, and equally shameful to generations of dithering European and Western leaders who allowed Iran to rise unchecked while peddling delusions of diplomacy, while Iran defied every global agreement. Iran was censured by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency inspectorsjust this weekfor blatant nuclear violations, which concluded it had enriched sufficient uranium to supply 9-10 nuclear warheads.

President Donald J. Trump now sits in the Oval Office, and he knows exactly what Israel knows: Iran is the central engine of global terror, the state sponsor of chaos from Gaza to Kyiv, the regime responsible for killing Americans, threatening Europe, and destabilizing the world for decades.

President Trump tore up the Iran nuclear deal when others called it reckless. It was the right call thenand now, the wisdom of that decision is blindingly clear.

Israel has done what the Biden administration refused to: act.

That is courage.

This was the opening salvo of a new eraone in which strength, not speeches, defines the global order.

And lets not pretend this is a regional Middle East conflict. This is the front line in the global war between civilization and savagery. Iran fuels Russias war in Ukraine, dispatches drones to murder civilians, funds Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and works in concert with China to produce advanced technologies and undermine the West.

Israel did not escalate a conflict, it answered a generation of cowardicefrom Obamas legitimization of the regime through the disastrous nuclear deal, to Bidens attempts to revive it while Iran continued to fund proxy wars, bomb American bases, seize international tankers, enrich uranium, and build advanced drones to sell to Russia and China in defiance of all agreementsall while Washington fixated on ways to de-escalate.

We cannot forget it took one of the worlds smallest nations to carry the global burden, a responsibility of removing a universal pariah, Ayatollahs who had unsettled the world order with terrorism for half a centurybecause no one else would.

That weakness demanded a response. And Israel delivered it. Answering a generation of failures.

Yet this is no longer a proxy threat; the war is real. And the future is being decided right now.

Under President Trumps leadership, America must match Israels heroic leadership with action.

To President Trump: Call for a full military resupply of Israel. Demand an immediate end to all diplomatic hedging. Condemn and veto any United Nations effort to sanction Israel for defending the free world. And make clear to the world that America stands behind Israel, not only as a partner, but as an ally in a shared mission to rid the world of a barbaric regime. The President needs to immediately order the full resupply of Israeli munitions, the activation of joint intelligence-sharing cells, choke off Irans global financial lifelines, and inhibit the Ayatollahs ability to resettle and resurface in other countries, and the deployment of U.S. naval and aerial assets to counteract the inevitable Iranian reprisals.

Israel bravely fights a global threat alone. It has citizens in harms way. It faces a formidable enemy with an avowed goal of its annihilation that can be expected to use every means at its disposal to that end. It needs Americas help.

Because if America is still the global superpower, then Israel is fighting Americas war.

This is not the time for hesitancy. This is the time for boldness. This is the moment when generational leaders are forged.

This is not just about helping an ally. It is about preserving the global order. If the regime falls, the shockwaves will neuter Irans proxies, embolden reformers, and shake the foundations of tyranny from Syria to Beijing.

The fall of Iran would signal that the West still has the willand the strengthto defeat tyranny.

Weakness breeds war. Strength wins it.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to dismantle a regime that has spread death and instability across continents. Israel has willingly chosen to put itself in the withering crosshairs of international critics, undoubtedly facing public condemnation and admonishment from the same cowardly nations that privately celebrate its actions. Israel understood this. It accepted the criticism. It stepped into the fire on behalf of the world orderand stood tall. That is courage. That is moral clarity. That is what leadership looks like.

Yet one single strike will not be sufficient. Regime change does not happen by accident. It takes resolve, coordination, and relentless will.

Irans economy is shattered. Its people are restless. Its military is rattled. Its regime is vulnerable, yet not eviscerated. If America hesitates in support, the opportunity may pass, and we may miss the moment.

Despots do not fall quietlyand if Iran had nuclear weapons, theyd already be used. Thanks to Israels strike, that future is not yet a reality.

Let the United Nations sputter. Let Brussels hide. Let China and Russia rage. The free world no longer answers to institutions that protect tyrants.

Critics will scream about escalation, as if escalation has not already arrived. They may demand diplomacy, as if a regime that slaughters its own people will ever negotiate in good faith.

And President Trump understands that better than anyone.

The Israeli military now stands as the worlds beacon of freedomtaking a lonely, high-risk stand in the face of global apathy. It deserves not just praise, but full-throated American support.

Israel has already taken the risk. America must match it with resolve. Because Israel is fighting our warand should not bear the burden alone.

It is time to act.

Let the tyrants in Tehran, and all future despots who hold their people hostage, hear this: the free world is no longer appeasing. Your destiny is elimination. It is up to President Trump to follow through and ensure that the message is resoundingly received, now and in the future.

Andrew King is GP at Bastille Ventures, investing in critical technology furthering national security, and founder of the bipartisan nonprofit, Future Union, working with the private sector to combat state espionage, and advises Congress, the Select Committee on China, Dept. of Treasury, Dept. of Commerce, and White House. Formerly, he was the general counsel of the Dallas Stars NHL team and corporate lawyer, hedge fund investor, and investment banker.
Disney/Sami Drasin

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/12/2025



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.
I have anticipated the opening of Caribou Coffee in Athens for months, so when the day finally came, I was more than ready to try out their drinks. Because I never tried Caribou before the opening of the Athens location, located at 2198 W. Broad St., and it was teased for months, I had pretty high expectations.
The Clarke County School District has available pre-K spots for the 2025-26 school year at its schools and early learning centers. In order to be eligible for pre-K the student must turn 4 years old by Sept. 1, 2025.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan has launched a broad initiative to establish a hydrometeorological observation network in the territories liberated from occupation, said Vugar Karimov, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Trend reports.

Speaking at a meeting of the Working Group on Environmental Issues held in the city of Khankendi, Karimov said that to get a handle on surface water resources, 11 automated hydrological stations have been set up and are now up and running along 10 rivers.

He added that five automatic meteorological stations, four radioecological stations, and three agrometeorological stations have also been installed to monitor climate and environmental conditions across these areas.

The deputy minister reported that monitoring has been conducted at mineral deposits exploited during the occupation. These assessments evaluated environmental damage and included inspections of ore, non-metallic, and construction material deposits.

Geological assessments have been completed at several deposits, such as Ashagi Guzlak in Fuzuli, Khavuslu, Sadi, and Arakyul in Jabrayil, Jahangirbeyli and Khumarly in Zangilan, Mughanli in Gubadli, and sand-gravel sites in Khachinchay (Aghdam district) and Muradkhanli (Gubadli). Materials from these sites are already being used in construction and road infrastructure projects, Karimov noted

Karimov also announced that 17 mineral deposits are set to hit the auction block soon, aiming to lend a hand in the rebuilding and development efforts in the region.

"Additionally, the Basitchay State Nature Reserve and Dashalty State Nature Sanctuary have resumed operations, with official maps of territorial boundaries and sanitary protection zones now approved.

As part of efforts to restore the Arazboyu State Nature Sanctuary, a draft map outlining its territory is currently under review in coordination with the relevant government agencies," he added.

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The Athens-Clarke County Police Department will conduct vehicle checkpoints on Friday, June 13 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

To ensure the safety of officers, the specific locations of the checkpoints will not be revealed to the public.
The crash has dealt a blow to the conglomerate's efforts to turn around Air India, especially following its merger with Vistara in 2024.

IMAGE: A view of Tata Group headquarters Bombay House in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo

Grief hung heavy over Bombay House, Tata Group's iconic headquarters, after a London-bound Air India Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday -- one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian aviation history.

The mood inside the building, usually abuzz with activity, was subdued as news trickled in of the tragedy involving the airline the group had reacquired just over two years ago.

The Tata Group, which took back the reins of Air India in January 2022, moved quickly to activate its crisis response and emergency protocols, a group source said. "Everyone is shaken -- the mood is grim," said an executive.

The crash has dealt a blow to the conglomerate's efforts to turn around Air India, especially following its merger with Vistara in 2024.

Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran rushed to Ahmedabad on Thursday and met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to assess the situation.

'An emergency centre has been activated and a support team set up for families seeking information,' Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

Tata Sons, the group's holding company, holds a majority stake in Air India alongside Singapore Airlines.

Tata Trusts Chairman and Tata Sons director Noel Naval Tata, who works out of Bombay House, also monitored developments, as several planned events were called off in the aftermath.

The group was scheduled to unveil a new concept car from Jaguar Land Rover on Saturday at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. The event was cancelled on Thursday evening.

A UK knighthood ceremony for Chandrasekaran, scheduled for Friday, has been postponed.

For the Tata Group, the tragedy is a double blow.

Tata AIG General Insurance Company, part of the consortium that insured the aircraft, is expected to bear a portion of the financial liability.

However, most of the risk is reinsured, limiting direct exposure. A source said the airline's insurance premiums are likely to rise next year when the policy comes up for renewal.

The immediate focus remains on rescue operations and supporting the investigation, even as Tata executives assess the broader impact on the group's aviation strategy.

The airline, founded by the Tatas, was nationalised in 1953 and reacquired in 2022 after the Narendra Modi government decided to privatise it.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
'We remain in touch with the Chinese side, in Beijing as well as in Delhi, to bring predictability in the supply chain.'

IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri meets Chinese Vice Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi, June 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

India's ministry of external affairs on Thursday said that the government is in touch with the Chinese side to seek an early resolution to Beijing's April 4, 2025 export restrictions on rare earth magnets, to ease the shortage of these critical minerals in India.

It emphasised the need to bring predictability to supply chains for trade, consistent with international practices.

Addressing the MEA's weekly media briefing, its spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Chinese ministry of commerce and general administration had announced their decision in early April to implement export controls on certain rare-earth-related items.

"We remain in touch with the Chinese side, in Beijing as well as in Delhi, to bring predictability in the supply chain for trade consistent with international practices," Jaiswal said.



China has a near monopoly on the supply of rare earth elements.

Sources pointed out that, for China, the export of these critical minerals -- used in the manufacture of cars and drones -- is central to its trade negotiations with the United States, and India has suffered collateral damage in these negotiations.

Government sources were hopeful of an early resolution.

Indian Ambassador to Beijing Pradeep Kumar Rawat met Chinese Vice Minister Sun Weidong on June 5, and the two sides had 'an exchange of views' on 'issues of common interest and concern', a Chinese Foreign Ministry statement said.



Sun is in India for a two-day visit starting Friday.

His visit to New Delhi comes six months after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing, which helped resume the suspended bilateral exchanges between the two Asian neighbours.

In Beijing, in response to a question on whether China would lift export restrictions on rare earth metals to India, as it has begun clearing export licences to the US and European Union, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday, 'We are willing to enhance dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions to jointly keep the stability of global industrial and supply chains.'



Sun is a former Chinese ambassador to India and arrives as part of the foreign secretary-vice foreign minister mechanism that the two countries agreed upon during Misri's visit to Beijing in January.

At the time, the two sides had agreed to resume direct flights, data sharing on transboundary rivers, and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, all of which were disrupted due to bilateral tensions.

Indian Firms Hopeful Amid Rare Earth Crisis Kindly note the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Oscar/Pixabay.com Shine Jacob and Sohini Das With global automobile majors raising concern over rare earth elements and the magnet crisis owing to export curbs by China, auto firms in India are putting on a brave face and expecting a solution soon. This is because the government is considering fiscal incentives for domestic production and increasing long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets. Around 30 applications from India are stuck at various stages of approval, and that is threatening production halts and inventory depletion. "Some European majors like Volkswagen have got permits. But no Indian player has got nod so far. We expect a solution soon," said an industry source. Despite this, sources said industry majors had told the government that production might be affected in six to eight weeks. In addition to sectors like automotive, defence, and energy, where these rare earth elements and magnets are widely used, makers of medical equipment too are worried. Rare earth magnets, particularly neodymium magnets, are vital in diagnostic imaging (like magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI) and certain therapeutic applications. According to a Reuters reports, the ministry of heavy industries in India is in the process of making a production-based fiscal-incentive scheme to boost the domestic manufacturing of rare earth magnets. The report indicates the government may partly fund the difference between the final price of the 'made-in-India' magnet and the cost of the Chinese import. The government is also in talks with companies to increase the stockpile. This is considering the fact that the demand for rare earth elements and critical minerals may increase multifold in India due to its bigger clean-energy ambitions. China's ministry of commerce in early April imposed export restrictions on several rare earth elements and magnets as a response to American President Donald Trump's tariff increase on Beijing's products. This resulted in panic across the world, with several European auto supplier plants and production lines already shut down. CLEPA, Europe's auto supplier association, stated among hundreds of export-licence applications submitted so far, only around 25 per cent got the permit. The German Association of the Automotive Industry has said its output may come to a halt soon. Germany's BMW has said that some of its supplier network has been affected. In Japan, Suzuki Motor has suspended the production of its Swift while Nissan has said it is working with the local government to minimise the impact. Maruti Suzuki, India's largest automaker, has said the issue will have no immediate impact on its production. Rahul Bharti, senior executive director for corporate affairs, said the firm had submitted an import application and he might not be able to comment on the matter until there was an official response. "It is not a restriction. It is an endorsement of end use. In case there is an issue, we will inform all our stakeholders," Bharti said. China controls 92 per cent of global rare earth magnet production, with other players like Japan (7 per cent) and Vietnam (1 per cent) contributing marginally. Despite having the fifth-largest rare earth reserves, India produces only 1,500 tonnes of NdPr (neodymium-praseodymium) annually through IREL (formerly Indian Rare Earths Ltd), with a limited downstream magnet-manufacturing capacity. IREL's production is mainly to cater for units in atomic energy and defence. Meanwhile, the medical-equipment sector is on high alert. "The main magnetic field in standard MRI machines is generated not by rare earth magnets but by superconducting magnets ... "However, rare earth magnets do play a role in auxiliary components such as gradient coils, radiofrequency subsystems, and motion-control mechanisms -- particularly in portable or compact imaging devices. "This indeed leaves the sector vulnerable to supply-chain disruption, particularly in high-precision sub-systems where rare earth magnets are critical," said Pavan Choudary, chairman, Medical Technology Association of India. India is now seeing strategic crossovers from the defence sector into medical technology. Paras Defence & Space Technologies, for instance, is contributing to India's first indigenous MRI project by developing high-performance magnets. "Companies like Paras, with capital depth and manufacturing acumen, are well positioned to tap emerging rare earth supply chains from geographies such as Australia, the United States, and Vietnam, where alternative supply chains, including processing capacities, are being strengthened," said Choudary. Magnet crunch 30: No. of Indian applicants for rare earth permits so far

6-8 weeks: Magnet stocks with Indian auto makers

1,700 tonnes: India's rare earth metal consumption

15,400 tonnes: Expected consumption in 2032

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
'There is nothing bilateral about this deal.'

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

India is seeking a binding commitment from the United States on pre-April 2 tariff levels for labour-intensive sectors as part of an early tranche of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA).

This would involve doing away with the universal 10 per cent tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration.

"Since our labour-intensive exports face an additional 10 per cent tariff after April 2, while original tariffs were largely in low single digits, a commitment by the US to revert to its original tariff schedule would give us a competitive edge over other countries," said a government official, requesting anonymity.

India is pushing for the elimination of tariffs on labour-intensive goods, such as apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery.

But the US has told India that it currently doesn't have the Congressional mandate to make such tariff cuts.

"We are seeking a commitment from the US that the trade deal should have a paragraph that once the current administration has the authorisation from the Congress, tariff on labour-intensive products will be brought down to zero, subject to negotiations. This will be like a post-dated cheque," the official added.

Though both countries have committed to signing a mutually beneficial BTA by this autumn, India is pushing for an early tranche to avoid a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff, scheduled to kick in from July 9.

India is also citing the joint statement signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in February, in which both sides agreed to begin negotiations for the BTA.

'Both sides also pledged to collaborate to enhance bilateral trade by increasing US exports of industrial goods to India and Indian exports of labour-intensive manufactured products to the US,' the joint statement said.

On June 3, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said a trade deal between India and the US could be finalised in the 'not too distant future', signalling that an agreement may be reached before the current 90-day pause on American reciprocal tariffs ends on July 9.

Lutnick said the US was seeking greater access to Indian markets and, in return, was prepared to offer India preferential access in certain key sectors.

'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. In exchange for that, what India is going to want is... 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,' Lutnick said.

While tariff-related uncertainty has increased after a US court of international trade ruling blocked Trump-era reciprocal tariffs (it was later stayed by a US appeals court), Indian officials have maintained that trade talks would continue unaffected.

However, Trump's recent move to double safeguard duties on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent, along with his comments cautioning Apple against investing in India, has surprised Indian observers.

Jayant Dasgupta, former Indian ambassador to the World Trade Organization, said if India were to rush into a trade deal with the US at a time when the reciprocal tariff matter might escalate to the US supreme court, the US would pocket the concessions and ask for more.

"I don't know whether the government can stand firm and say no to Trump or at least drag on the negotiations till there is a supreme court decision."

"The US is only arm-twisting and there is nothing bilateral about this deal," he added.

"It is up to India to make up its mind."

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'The people who are missing are the people who used to work in the mess.'

IMAGE: Interrupted meals at the B J Medical College hostel mess which was struck by the Air India aircraft. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Psychiatrist Dr Minakshi Parikh in April took over as the dean of the 1871-established B J Medical College, attached to the Civil Hospital, located in Asarwa, north Ahmedabad, a little south of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel international airport.

Just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit she calmly gave Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com a quick update of the situation at Meghani, where the London Gatwick-bound Air India flight 171 crashed into a medical college campus building.

What is the situation like exactly?

I'll just give you a very brief report on this. It was a disaster and there was a lot of chaos.

But finally, after calling up each and every student of all years, first, second, third, final and the interns, and the super specialists, who were living there, what we have found is that we have lost two students from the first year, two students from the second year. And the wife of one of the residents doing neurosurgery. And her brother, who was visiting her, who was also a doctor.

The resident was also living in the hostel?

The wife was living in the hostel. She was going to the mess and her brother had also come to visit her, who also happened to be a doctor.

So, six casualties are confirmed from our campus. And a few are missing.

Those who are under treatment are all stable.

The people who were injured were said to be quite seriously injured. But you're saying that they are doing fine this morning?

They are doing better. They're all doing better today. At least they are stable.

And how many are missing about?

The people who are missing are the people who used to work in the mess.

So, the plane came in and hit the mess was on the ground floor?

Ground and first floor. It was just a two-storey building. Ground and first.

There are no rooms where people stay in this building? This is just a mess?

No, no, it was just a mess. There were no residents staying there.

And if somebody was coming or going into that mess building, you wouldn't know, right?

Yes. Who can tell who was going or coming and who was just kind of incidentally there? We have no way of knowing, but we have called each and every one of our students.

Where were you when this happened and what did it sound like? It must have been terribly frightening.

I was in the office and we were doing some work. Someone came and told me that there has been a plane crash. We immediately went there. The smoke was so thick, the visibility was zero.

But you didn't hear anything as such while you were in your office?

No, not in the college. We could not hear the crash because this mess happens to be roughly one-and-a-half to two kilometres away from us.

IMAGE: Dr Minakshi Parikh, dean, BJ Medical College.

It would have been complete chaos when you showed up?

Yes, but I really need to hang up now. Thank you.

What was the first thing you had to do when you reached there?

The first thing was making sense of what had happened and the enormity of what had happened.

And then facilitating the rescue, then coming to the trauma and setting up the control room. It was all that. The whole team was on their toes and everybody worked through the day and night and we've tried to do our best.
'Who gave the Tatas the right to discontinue technically sound practices related to safety and security?'

IMAGE: Part of the fuselage of the Air India Dreamliner aircraft embedded in the building where it crashed on Thursday, June 12, 2025, afternoon. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Thursday's AI 171 flight, a Boeing 7878 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew from Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick, issued a Mayday call moments after takeoff and crashed into a nearby medical college, killing over 250 people -- including locals caught in its path.

As grieving family members try to fathom the terrible Thursday tragedy and as the nation is still in a state of shock, Rashtriya Kamgar Sena President Kiran Pawaskar has drawn attention towards cost-cutting at the national carrier which was sold by the Government of India to the Tatas through a divestment process that was completed in January 2022.

Tata Sons' subsidiary Talace now owns and controls the management at Air India.

Pawaskar -- whose trade union Rashtriya Kamgar Sena is affiliated to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena -- accuses Air India's current management of sidelining safety protocols in a bid to cut costs.

Pilot Cuts Raise Safety Concerns

In the aftermath of one of India's deadliest air disasters, Pawaskar reveals that two months ago, Air India's current management scrapped its longstanding threepilot cockpit regime.

"For longhaul flights of 10 to 12 hours, you need two flight commanders and a first officer," Pawaskar tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.

While he is not directly linking the absence of an additional pilot in the cockpit to the emergency measures that could have been adopted by an additional trained pilot in the cockpit of the ill-fated A1 171 flight, he asks, "It is not the question of what one more pilot in the cockpit would have done but it is a fact that it was a practice to have two flight commanders and one more pilot in the cockpit and that practice was stopped since the last two months by (the management of) Air India."

When asked if the Rashtriya Kamgar Sena had approached the Air India management to discuss this issue, he says, "They need to explain why they have stopped this practice. They don't care two hoots about discussing such issues with the union."

Outsourced CInspection: What It Means

Beyond crew numbers, Pawaskar questions the aircraft's Cinspection report process.

What is a Cinspection (Ccheck)?

A comprehensive maintenance audit carried out every 18 to 24 months (or after a set number of flight cycles)

Engineers strip down and inspect structural parts -- fuselage panels, wing roots, landing gear assemblies -- for corrosion or fatigue.

Nondestructive tests (ultrasound, dyepenetrant) detect hidden cracks

Full systems checks cover hydraulics, avionics (flight instruments), environmental controls, engines and the auxiliary power unit

The final report logs each task, any defects found, corrective repairs or parts replaced, manhours spent, and is signed off by licensed maintenance engineers

This document lives in the aircraft's permanent logbook, is essential for regulatory compliance, and serves as a definitive record in any safety investigation.

Allegations of Document Withholding

IMAGE: Distraught family members of the victims of AI 171. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Pawaskar highlights that Air India historically conducted its Cinspections inhouse at its own hangars; postTata takeover, they have been outsourced to a Singapore firm.

"They are saying they have complied with the C-inspection requirement from a firm in Singapore. Who has these C-inspection documents?" he asks.

"If that's the case, then show us the documents," he demands.

Cabin Crew Accommodations

Cabin crews have also been compelled into twinsharing hotel rooms compromising rest and vigilance, the union leader states.

"Before the Tatas took over, Air India never did this," Pawaskar says, arguing that both crewroom sharing and pilot cuts are "costcutting exercises at the cost of safety and security."

Union Unheard, Legal Recourse Looms

With management refusing to recognise any union forum, the Rashtriya Kamgar Sena is preparing for legal action.

Pawaskar claims that the Tata management has repeatedly refused to discuss these issues with the Rashtriya Kamgar Sena.

"They don't care two hoots about discussing such issues with the union. They don't recognise any union. They don't discuss these issues with anybody else. They have categorically said that they are not entertaining any union," he claims.

Given this attitude, Pawaskar says the Rashtriya Kamgar Sena will soon seek legal recourse. "We have decided to take this issue up in courts," he informs.

"Through the court we will ask them why did they discontinue with time-proven practices. Who gave the Tatas this right to discontinue technically sound practices related to safety and security (of aircraft and passengers)? We will also ask this to the government (of India)."

As grieving families seek answers, Pawaskar's union vows that no costcutting at Air India will escape his union's scrutiny.
A day after the tragic air crash that claimed 250 lives in Ahmedabad, relief and rescue operations continue at the crash site and at hospitals in the city.

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED PLEASE. SHOCKING IMAGES.

IMAGE: Urmilaben Patni mourns for her younger brother Akash Patni, 14, who died in the crash. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Health workers shift the body of a victim, who died in the plane crash, to a cold storage at a hospital, here and below. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Hospital staff carry a coffin outside the postmortem room at a hospital. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Part of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft at the crash site. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Army columns from the Golden Katar Division remove debris at the crash site. Photograph: Konark Corps-X/ANI Photo

IMAGE: Border Security Force personnel assist the local administration in rescue work. Photograph: BSF/ANI Photo

IMAGE: Security personnel at the crash site, here and below. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: A view of the damage at the hostel mess at the B J Medical College doctors' hostel. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: People stand on the rooftop of a building near the crash site. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

IMAGE: Army columns from the Golden Katar Division conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations. Photograph: Konark Corps-X/ANI Photo

IMAGE: Police personnel assist relatives of those injured in the crash. Photograph: @Bhupendrapbjp X/ANI Photo

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets with injured students of the BJ Medical College. Photograph: ANI Photo

IMAGE: A person injured in the plane crash receives treatment at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Photograph: @Bhupendrapbjp X/ANI Photo

IMAGE: Gujarat police recovers a Digital Video Recorder from the debris of the crashed Air India plane. Photograph: ANI Photo

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Arjun Patolia, 36, came from London to his ancestral village Vadiya in Amreli district to immerse Bharati's ashes in the Narmada, as per her last wish.

IMAGE: Arjun Patolia with wife Bharati. Photograph: Kind courtesy Arjun Patolia's Facebook page

Sadly, Arjun was among those who died in the ill-fated Air India Dreamliner Boeing flight which crashed outside Ahmedabad airport on June 12.

Air India flight AI-171 crashed soon after takeoff, killing 241 people on board.

Back in London, Arjun is survived by two young daughters aged 4 and 8.

Speaking to India Today, Krish Jagdish Patolia, Arjun's nephew, said, 'He was going back to London when the accident happened. It is heart-breaking, we have lost both of them in just one week.'

On his Facebook page, Arjun is seen playing with his young daughters and has also posted pictures with wife Bharati before her death.

He worked as a designer at Inspired Elements Bespoke Furniture in England.

After studying at South Gujarat University Arjun moved to Liverpool John Moores University to do his MBA.

Meanwhile, at the crash site, rescue workers have completed their combing operations and started searching for missing people in the buildings the plane crashed into.

24 hours after the air crash smoke can still be seen rising from the site.
Flight attendant Roshni Songhare was about to add a new chapter in her life as she was set to tie the knot with a merchant navy officer next year, and her excited family members had started making preparations for it.

IMAGE: Health workers shift the body of a victim, who died in the plane crash, to a cold storage at a hospital, in the aftermath of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash during take-off from an airport, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

But all that excitement turned into despair after the news of the London-bound Air India flight crashing in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon broke. Roshni, 26, was one of the crew members on board that flight.

This development plunged the Songhare family living on Rajaji Path in Dombivli town of Maharashtra's Thane district into numbing silence.

Roshni had left her home three days ago for duty excited, as always, to serve on international flights - this time from Ahmedabad to London. But the fatal crash of the aircraft snuffed out her dreams and left her family members - 50-year-old father Rajendra, mother Shobha and younger brother Vignesh completely shattered.

"She was the heartbeat of this home. We were getting her engaged in November and married in March," a close relative told reporters in a trembling voice.

"Time played cruelly with her," he said.

A native of Mandangad in coastal Ratnagiri district, the Songhare family had moved to Mumbai for work and shifted to Dombivli two years ago.

Roshni, a bright and determined girl, was the family's pride and pillar.

Her father worked tirelessly to educate both his children, and Roshni, inspired by the skies, pursued and completed a flight attendant course.

She began her career with SpiceJet and later joined Air India, where she opted for international assignments relishing every airborne mile, her family members said.

"She was so happy to be flying again. We were all looking forward to her wedding. Everything was going right," said her uncle Praveen Sukhdere, who has rushed Dombivli to be with the grieving family.

After the news about the plane crash flashed, the family members immediately tried to contact her. But when there was no response, panic gripped. Her father and brother immediately rushed to Ahmedabad, holding on to hope.

Roshni's fiance, a highly educated officer in the merchant navy from Guhagar taluka, currently living in Thane, had met her through a family acquaintance.

"She was finally getting everything she had worked so hard for," a neighbour said tearfully.

Apart from being a flight attendant, Roshni was also a social media influencer with over 54,000 followers on Instagram. Her account, which was once a reflection of celebration of her journey, is now filled with condolence messages, with one reading, "You flew high, Roshni. You just flew a little too far."

From a little girl with stars in her eyes to an international flight attendant with wings of hope, Roshni's journey inspired many, her close relatives said.
While the families of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims are already finding it tough to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, what is adding to their woes is the long wait they have to endure to get their mortal remains.

IMAGE: Health workers shift the body of a victim, who died in the plane crash, to a cold storage at a hospital, in the aftermath of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash during take-off from an airport, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

More than 30 hours have passed since the horrific crash of Air India's London-bound flight in Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad shortly after its take-off from the city airport snuffed out the lives of 265 people, including 241 passengers and 12 crew members.

So far, the bodies of only six victims were handed over to their families after identification.

As soon as the news of the plane crash was flashed, the distressed family members of those on board frantically tried to contact them and later rushed to the Gujarat city clinging on to hope. Some flew all the way from abroad, some within the country.

Most of the kin gave their blood samples so that their DNA could be matched with the deceased.

"We have been told to wait for 72 hours so that the DNAs could be matched," said Pooja Sukhadare, a relative of Roshni Songhare, a crew member of the ill-fated flight whose family resides at Dombivli in Thane district.

The family came here from Mumbai hours after the crash. Her father had a faint hope that her daughter would have survived the crash.

"But the moment he saw how badly the bodies were charred, the bitter reality sunk in. While the bodies were being lifted, we saw that many of them had become so brittle that some parts turned into powder on touching them," Sukhadare said.

"Roshni's father immediately gave the sample for the DNA at around 10.30 pm on Thursday. Now we only want to get her mortal remains at the earliest," she said.

Sukhadare said the authorities should at least give information on the status of their DNA matching.

She, however, acknowledges the workload and pressure the administration has been facing.

Inside the DNA collection centre at the BJ Medical College, the family of Ankita Patel, too, waited patiently.

The family from Gujarat's Mehsana district had come to drop Ankita at the airport on Thursday morning. They had barely crossed half-way to Mehsana when they got the news of the air crash.

"Ankita's brother gave the DNA samples on Thursday night. Now, we are waiting for her mortal remains," said Gayatri Patel, Ankita's sister-in-law.

Similar is the case with many waiting outside the morgue.

The oppressive weather conditions added to the agony as the mercury levels touched 37 degrees Celsius, coupled with humidity.

As the doors of the morgue opened and closed when anyone entered and came out, it brought out a breeze of cool air but not without the stench of decaying and decomposing bodies.

Kailash Pratap Thakur (50) is one of the many waiting outside as his wife Sarlaben and two-year granddaughter Aadya have been missing since the crash. Both were in the hostel mess when the accident occurred.

"There is no information about them yet," he said, showing his wife and granddaughter's photos.

He has also given his samples for DNA matching. Somewhere, he knows the bitter truth but finds it hard to accept it.

Metres away, the Patni family also waits similarly. Akash Patni (15) had just returned from his school and was resting on a charpoy at his mother's tea stall when the crash occurred.

His mother also sustained burn injuries and is in a critical state, said Madhuben Patni, Akash's aunt.

"How could we save the boy? He hardly got any chance to escape," she said, showing the image of the charred, stiff body of Akash on the charpoy. His elder brother Kalpesh wants his brother's mortal remains.

But that is easier said than done.

A doctor at the venue where samples are taken said DNA sampling is the only option to verify the bodies of the deceased.

"We are just collecting the samples. The sampling is being done by three forensic labs (two in Gandhinagar and one in Ahmedabad)," he said.

A statement by the Gujarat health department said it would take 72 hours or more for matching the DNA samples of victims with their relatives.

Till then, the victim's family members will have to endure the painful wait.
Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. A roundtable themed "Peace, Labor and Friendship of Peoples" was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, organized by the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic, the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The Committee representatives also attended the event. The roundtable brought together officials from member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and focused on strengthening cooperation in the areas of diaspora engagement, labor, and migration. The event was held as part of the Action Plan marking the chairmanship of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in the OTS for 2025.

Welcoming the guests, Kyrgyz Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov said the roundtables theme reflects the deep spiritual and historical ties among Turkic peoples. He emphasized that these connections go beyond shared origins and language, encompassing centuries of evolving moral values and a spirit of brotherhood.

Speaking at the event, committee representative Shafag Binnatova highlighted the growing ties between Azerbaijan and OTS member states in recent years, noting this has created greater opportunities for systematic diaspora cooperation. She briefed participants on Azerbaijan's recent projects in collaboration with OTS and underscored the importance of such events for building strong partnerships.

The event also addressed by OTS Secretary General Ali Civiler and representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkiye, and Kyrgyzstan, who shared updates on their respective initiatives.

Key goals outlined during the discussion included deepening inter-diaspora relations, enhancing coordinated action, and sustaining long-term collaboration.

As part of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation also toured the Azerbaijan Culture and Education Center in Bishkek, where they learned about educational programs, cultural activities, and the centers role in promoting the Azerbaijani language and heritage. Discussions were held on further cooperation with the local community.

The delegation also visited the Kyrgyzstan-Azerbaijan Friendship Park, opened on October 11, 2022, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, symbolizing the enduring ties between the two nations.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Neeraj Lavania and his wife Aparna were among the 241 souls onboard flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London who died when the plane crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. The couple shared a passion for travelling and were known to take frequent sojourns during the summer. And this year, their chosen destination was London.

IMAGE: Police personnel assist the relatives of the injured in the Air India AI-171 flight crash receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, in Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025. Photograph: @Bhupendrapbjp X/ANI Photo

Neeraj (50) and Aparna (49) are survived by their 18-year-old daughter, who might have joined them on the trip, however, stayed back to accompany her 70-year-old grandmother, who lives alone.

The teenager, who is in her final year of university, has since travelled to Ahmedabad for DNA sampling.

Neeraj, who worked for a private company, moved to Vadodara, Gujarat from his ancestral home in Akola, Agra in 1995.

Known for his jovial and kind nature, Neeraj left a lasting impression on his neighbours in Akola, which is why the news of his passing devastated the entire town, even though many had not seen him in years.

Speaking to PTI, Neeraj's brother Satish recalled his last conversation with his brother before he took off on his much-awaited vacation.

"I spoke to my brother Neeraj at 1.30 pm and he told me that he was going to London," Satish said, adding how he was left rattled when he saw the news of the plane crash flashing on TV screens.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1.38 pm.

Neeraj and Aparna were scheduled to return home on June 28.

Lok Sabha MP from Fatehpur Sikri, Rajkumar Chahar, spoke to PTI after visiting Akola, Neeraj's hometown.

"Neeraj and his wife, Aparna, were on the flight. Their seats were 26A and 26B," he stated.

Air India confirmed that all but one of the 242 people onboard the London-bound flight were killed when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew members, comprising 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian citizen.

"We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities," the airline said in a statement issued late Thursday.

The sole survivor is Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 45-year-old British national of Indian origin, whose tale of survival has left the world in disbelief.
'11A' was one of the 238 economy class seats in the ill-fated Air India Dreamliner that crashed on Thursday, killing 241 people onboard and leaving just one survivor.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India AI-171 flight crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

And the lone survivor -- a British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (45) -- was the occupant of '11A'.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, better known as the Dreamliner, operating the Ahmedabad-London AI171 flight, had 242 people onboard, including 12 crew members.

'11A' is among the six seats in the first row of the economy class of Air India's B787-8 planes. It is the window seat near one of the emergency exit doors as well as the aircraft galley area, according to the seat map.

While it might be too early to conclude on the factors that helped Ramesh exit the aircraft that went up in flames, being seated near the emergency exit door could be one of the reasons for his miraculous escape.

Currently, there are 27 B787-8 planes in the Air India fleet and each of them has 238 economy and 18 business class seats.

All these aircraft are set to go for retrofit in the coming months.

Air India has confirmed that 241 people onboard the AI171 flight have died.

"The good news is that one person survived the crash...," Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday after meeting Ramesh and visiting the crash site.

Of the 242 people who were in the aircraft, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, 7 Portugese nationals, and 1 Canadian national.

According to the Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC, according to the DGCA statement.

The aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23 fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter, it said soon after the crash.
Air India on Friday announced that several of its international flights were either diverted or sent back to their origin due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace.

IMAGE: A woman holds up a sign and a hand painted in yellow during a protest to show support for the hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, on September 5, 2024. Photograph: Florion Goga/Reuters

In a post on social media platform X, the airline stated, "Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin:

AI130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai has been diverted to Vienna

AI102 from New York to Delhi diverted to Sharjah

AI116 from New York to Mumbai diverted to Jeddah

AI2018 from London Heathrow to Delhi diverted to Mumbai

AI129 from Mumbai to London Heathrow, returning to Mumbai

AI119 from Mumbai to New York, returning to Mumbai

AI103 from Delhi to Washington, returning to Delhi

AI106 from Newark to Delhi diverting to Vienna

AI188 from Vancouver to Delhi diverting to Jeddah

AI101 from Delhi to New York, diverting to Frankfurt/Milan

AI126 from Chicago to Delhi diverting to Jeddah

AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru diverted to Sharjah

AI2016 from London Heathrow to Delhi diverted to Vienna

AI104 from Washington to Delhi diverted to Vienna

AI190 from Toronto to Delhi diverted to Frankfurt

AI189 from Delhi to Toronto, returning to Delhi."

"We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations, the airline said.

The airline also advised passengers to check their flight status before travelling, as tensions escalated sharply following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran.

According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike and declared a nationwide emergency in light of the unfolding developments.

Katz warned that "a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future" and said he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel."

He urged people to "obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," as reported by The Times of Israel.

As sirens wailed across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet while the IDF confirmed launching an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear programme.

The Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets across Iran linked to the nuclear programme and other military facilities in an operation dubbed "Nation of Lions."

The IDF emphasised the urgency of the strike, stating that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days, making it necessary to act against this "imminent threat."

The recent sirens that sounded across Israel served as a preemptive warning issued by the IDF ahead of a possible reaction from Iran.
The Indian students studying in Iran have appealed to the government for evacuation following Israeli airstrikes that targeted key military and nuclear sites in Iran, including areas near the capital.

IMAGE: Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted, as seen from the city of Ashkelon, Israel, June 13, 2025. Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

"Right now the situation is calm and we are safe, but we are feeling scared. The attack started at around 3:30 am and we felt the land shake. It was a concerning experience," Tabiya Zahra, a second-year MBBS student from Kashmir at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), told PTI.

Zahra said that while the university officials visited the students and advised them to remain calm, they did not offer clarity on which areas might be safer.

She urged the Indian government to arrange evacuation, citing uncertainty about the security situation and limited communication access due to internet disruptions in some areas.

Another student, Alisha Rizvi from Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, said "the embassy asked us to email our local addresses and contact details for emergency purposes".

"They are trying to collect data in case evacuation is needed," she added.

Both students are in their second year of a 5.5-year MBBS program, having gone to Tehran in 2023. They confirmed that airspace over Tehran has been closed and flights from Imam Khomeini International Airport were suspended following the strikes.

The escalation began late Thursday when Israel launched airstrikes targeting several locations in Iran, including its main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, radar stations and surface-to-air missile sites.

Black smoke was seen rising from some of the affected areas and explosions were reported in Tehran and other parts of western Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that the strikes were aimed at Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.

In response, Iran launched a retaliatory attack, sending a swarm of drones toward Israel.

The Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned of a "severe punishment" following the Israeli offensive.

The situation has significantly raised tensions in the region and prompted international concern over the possibility of further escalation.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has written to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, requesting urgent intervention to assist the Indian students, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir, studying in Iran.

In the letter, the Association highlighted the evolving security situation and noted that many Indian students are enrolled in universities located near strategic sites.

It said that the closure of airspace and increased military activity have raised concerns among the students and their families.

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association national convenor Nasir Khuehami said that several students have reported hearing air raid sirens and feeling tremors.

"We are receiving calls from the students and their families, requesting assistance. We urge the government to stay prepared and take necessary steps if evacuation becomes unavoidable," he added.

The Association also requested improved communication from the Indian Embassy in Tehran and the preparation of a contingency plan, depending on how the situation develops.
A punishing heatwave continued to scorch parts of northwest and central India on Friday, with 22 locations recording a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius or above.

IMAGE: People cover their heads with an umbrella to protect themselves from the sun on a hot summer day, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo

The extreme heat strained power grids and tested the endurance of millions across Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The India meteorological department said heatwave conditions will persist for at least two more days.

Starting June 15, light to moderate rainfall may ease temperatures slightly in affected regions.

The department said the monsoon, which regained momentum this week, is likely to cover most parts of northwest India, including Delhi, by June 25.

Rajasthan's Ganganagar district recorded the highest temperature in the country this season so far at 49.4 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal. Other parts of the state also witnessed extreme heat, with Churu at 47.6 degrees Celsius, Jaisalmer at 46.9 degrees Celsius, Jodhpur at 46.3 degrees Celsius and Barmer at 46.2 degrees Celsius.

In Uttar Pradesh, Banda recorded 44.6 degrees Celsius, Jhansi 44.9 degrees Celsius and Agra 45.0 degrees Celsius. Haryana's Sirsa touched 47.6 degrees Celsius, while Punjab's Bathinda reported 46.0 degrees Celsius.

Madhya Pradesh also saw high temperatures. Khajuraho recorded 45.0 degrees Celsius, Narmadapuram 44.4 degrees Celsius and Gwalior 44.5 degrees Celsius.

In the national capital, temperatures ranged between 36 and 42 degrees Celsius. However, the heat index, which factors in humidity to reflect how hot it feels, touched 50.3 degrees Celsius. It was 52.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday and 51.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.

India experienced a relatively cooler May this year due to the early arrival of the monsoon and frequent thunderstorms in the northwest and central regions. But a sharp drop in rainfall since early June has caused temperatures to rise rapidly, triggering widespread heatwave conditions since June 8-9.

Even parts of the hill states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing hotter-than-usual weather over the past few days.

According to the IMD's extended range forecast, the monsoon is now likely to cover the remaining parts of central and eastern India and some areas of northwest India by June 18.

It is expected to advance over most of northwest India between June 19 and June 25.

An IMD official said the system is likely to reach Delhi by June 22 23, ahead of the normal onset date of June 30.

The southwest monsoon usually makes its onset over Kerala by June 1, reaches Mumbai by June 11 and covers the entire country by July 8. It starts retreating from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15.

Severe and frequent heatwaves are making life harder for low-income households with limited access to water and cooling.

Experts warn that outdoor workers, the elderly, and children are at high risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

On Thursday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued guidelines for states to protect informal workers during heatwaves.

It said that with rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves, workers in the informal sector, who make up over 80 per cent of India's urban workforce, are among the most exposed.

The NDMA asked states to identify vulnerable groups and prioritise them in heat action plans. It recommended promoting flexible working hours, providing drinking water, shaded rest areas and ensuring early heatwave warnings are shared in simple language through SMS and WhatsApp groups.

Last year, hospitals in India reported nearly 48,000 cases of heatstroke and 159 deaths due to extreme heat.

Between 2015 and 2022, 8,171 people died due to extreme heat outside hospitals, according to National Crime Records Bureau data. Health Ministry records accessed by PTI show that 3,812 heat-related deaths occurred in hospitals during the same period.

However, experts say India's fragmented death reporting system and difficulties in directly linking deaths to heat exposure mean the actual toll is likely much higher.
Ankita Patel was looking forward to beginning her new life in the UK with her husband, whom she had only spent 12 days with after their wedding in December last year.

IMAGE: An injured in the Air India AI-171 flight crash receiving treatment at Civil Hospital, in Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Thursday's deadly crash shattered all the dreams and hopes for a happy future Ankita carried with her on board the ill-fated London-bound Air India aircraft that killed 265 people and left behind a trail of destruction and grief-stricken families.

Ankita had been busy completing the visa process for the last six months and was all set to join her husband, Vasant (30), who runs a provision store in the UK.

The Patel family, who hail from Mehsana, was excited for the couple.

Ankita's parents, her brothers and Vasant's sisters had come to the airport to see her off.

"We left for Mehsana after she boarded the aircraft," Ankita's sister-in-law Ashaben Patel said as she waited to claim her remains at the BJ Medical College.

"We had not even covered half the distance when we came to know about the aircraft, and we rushed back," her other sister-in-law, Gayatri Patel, said.

The couple got married on December 14. Vasant left for the UK, with Ankita promising to join him soon.

Vasant has now returned to India to collect her mortal remains instead of having a happy reunion with her at Gatwick Airport.

The family is waiting for a match for Ankita's DNA with her brother's.

"He is very distressed," said Gayatri, who was visibly distraught.
A government employee in Kerala has been suspended for making an offensive comment on Facebook about a Keralite nurse who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash.

IMAGE: Kerala nurse Ranjitha Gopakumar. Photograph: X

A Pavithran, a junior superintendent at the Vellarikundu taluk office in Kasaragod district, was suspended on Friday after he mocked Ranjitha, a nurse from Pathanamthitta, who was among the victims of the crash.

In a Facebook post, State Revenue Minister K Rajan described Pavithran's remarks as 'disgraceful', and said the suspension order was issued immediately after the post came to his attention.

Ranjitha, a mother of two, was working as a nurse in the United Kingdom.

She had travelled to Kerala for a four-day visit to complete formalities related to her government job, with plans to rejoin the service after a stint abroad.

She died when she boarded the ill-fated flight on her return.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister Veena George visited Ranjitha's residence in Pullad in Pathanamthitta district and consoled her two sobbing children and grief-stricken family members.

The crash occurred on Thursday afternoon when a Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), carrying 242 people-- including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani-- crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Only one person survived the crash. A total of 241 people, including 168 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, lost their lives.
Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of Air India's AI 171 crash, said he still cannot believe how he miraculously survived the accident of the ill-fated London-bound flight in which 265 people lost their lives.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets and enquires about the health condition of Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India AI-171 flight crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Ramesh, a British citizen, said he felt the aircraft had stalled within seconds of taking off from Ahmedabad on its nine-hour journey to London's Gatwick Airport, and that green and white lights came on.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ramesh, who is recovering at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, and enquired about his well-being.

In an interview with DD News, Ramesh, a resident of Leicester, said, "It all happened in front of my eyes. I cannot believe how I survived.

"For a brief moment, I felt I was about to die but when my eyes opened, I was alive. I unbuckled myself from the seat and exited from an opening."

"In front of my eyes, air hostess and aunties and uncles had perished. Within a minute, it felt that the plane had stalled. Green and white lights were on. It looked that they were giving 'race' to the plane to give more thrust and the plane crashed into a building," he said.

Ramesh, 45, was seated in seat 11A on the 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating the Ahmedabad-London AI 171 service.

The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members.

Seat 11A is one of six seats in the first row of the economy class on Air India's B787-8 aircraft. It is a window seat near an emergency exit and adjacent to the aircraft's galley, according to the seat map.

Ramesh said his side of the aircraft did not hit the hostel, which allowed him to walk away from the wreckage.

"It landed on ground. There was some space on my side. When door broke open, I could find a space and escape. I could not believe that I am alive. My left hand got burnt in the fire but I walked out of the crash site. I received good treatment here," he said.

The aircraft, which included former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani among its passengers, crashed moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Ramesh was the only survivor. The 241 others on board -- including 168 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian -- were killed.

According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1:39 pm IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23. It issued a MAYDAY call but then ceased responding to subsequent ATC communications, according to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the site of the Air India plane crash, in which 265 people lost their lives, and met the injured victims at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the Air India 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad on Friday. Photograph: ANI on X

Modi arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in the morning and drove straight to the plane crash site, officials said.

He spent around 20 minutes inspecting the site, where the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (AI171) crashed into a complex of B J Medical College in the Meghaninagar area shortly after taking off on Thursday afternoon.

Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi informed the prime minister about how the plane crashed into the college hostel and mess.

Modi later visited Ahmedabad civil hospital, where he spoke to Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the lone survivor of the tragedy and met the injured victims.

IMAGE: Modi at the crash site. Photograph: ANI on X

He visited the C7 ward of the hospital, where 25 injured people are undergoing treatment, and also interacted with the doctors.

The prime minister spent around 10 minutes at the hospital.

Modi is meeting state and civil aviation officers at the GujSail office near the Ahmedabad airport.

The London-bound aircraft with 242 people on board, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, crashed moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Vishwas Kumar Ramesh was the only survivor, while 241 on board, including 168 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, were killed.

Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College outside the airport perimeter.
The father of Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash has claimed that he has still not gotten any assistance from either Air India or the state government after his daughter passed away, with him only getting news about the crash and other rescue efforts from social media.

IMAGE: Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, father of Air India crew member Nganthoi Sharma who was killed in the Ahmedbad plane crash, speaks to media in Imphal, June 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Air India has not informed us of anything. I got the information only through social media, like the crash, and other things. I got information on that, but after that, what was to be done or what would happen, we were not told. No one from Air India came to our house to tell about it, or even from the government," the victim's father, Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, said.

21-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was part of the cabin crew in Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.

The flight had 242 people on board, with the company confirming the death of 241 of them, as one British national survived the crash.

Breaking down in front of journalists in Imphal, he demanded answers from the state government on whether they will assist the families affected.

"I just want the government should say something, take care of the family. Now that she (his daughter) is gone, she is gone. I only have 3 daughters. So what will I say? I have no words," he said.

Meanwhile, the Tata group has announced 1 crore to be given to the families of the deceased and the injured.

A team of caregivers sent from Air India also arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday Air India said that among the 242 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 Britishers, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national.

Immediately after departure from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter.

Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site, said the official.

Thick plumes of smoke could be seen at the accident spot.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of the Air India plane crash incident.

He also visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The open court session in the criminal case against Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others - citizens of the Republic of Armenia - continued on June 13. The defendants stand accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and conduct of aggressive warfare, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other offenses stemming from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova) presiding, the session ensured that each defendant was provided with a translator in their native language and legal representation.

The defendants, their lawyers, several victims and their legal successors, as well as the prosecutors representing the state, participated in the hearing.

During the hearing, the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan was asked the following questions by Nasir Bayramov, head of the department of the State Prosecution Protection Department of the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to Mnatsakanyan, he held the following positions, including army commander of the so-called regime in 2015-2018; head of the emergency situations service of the so-called regime in 2018-2019; police department chief of the so-called regime from June 2019- early June 2020. I was then stripped from my duty and have not held any public position, retiring as a policeman, he added.

Mnatsakanyan justified his "resignation", while responding to the statements of Sasun Mikayelyan, the chairman of Armenias Yergirabad Volunteer Union.

Responding to the question by order of which high-ranking was he dismissed from his duties, the accused replied  by the order of the Armenian president, with the involvement of the Armenian prime minister. He noted that Nikol Pashinyan was a prime minister, with Armen Sargsyan serving as a president at the time.

While answering the questions from state prosecutor, the accused noted that he was deployed to various areas at the request of president of the so-called regime Arayik Harutyunyan, during the 44-day war, which took place in 2020.

He said he was tasked by A. Harutyunyan twice to assist the local "authorities" in addressing security and civil defense matters and check the operational readiness of the artillery. Therefore, L. Mnatsakanyan was assigned to Hadrut, Sugovushan, and other areas.

Subsequently, the court examined another evidence, a video footage taken during the 44-day war, highlighting a military meeting taking place in a classroom in Shushakand, also featuring Levon Mnatsakanyan.

The video included discussions regarding launching an attack against the Azerbaijani military servicemen, where Samvel Babayan  former "defense minister" and former "security council secretary" of the so-called regime, who served as its "army commander" from 1994 to 2000  issued instructions to the military and outlined a plan for an offensive operation aimed at encircling the opponent in Shusha. Samvel Babayan stated that "there is a mined area shown on the map, don't cross that mined area.

Addressing the military servicemen, Samvel Babayan stated: Your actions tomorrow will decide the fate of the entire Karabakh.

Whoever receives an objective must accomplish it. This is not an official operation," Samvel Babayan said, "and if it doesnt take place, well have to say goodbye to Karabakh and retreat to Yerevan. Its also unclear whether Azerbaijan will even allow us to leave."

He emphasized that speed was the top priority, stressing the need to seize key positions swiftly. Babayan stated that they would arrive on-site at 6:00 a.m., and the artillery would begin firing at 7:00 a.m., marking the start of the offensive.

Confirming his participation at the meeting, Mnatsakanyan noted that the footages were taken on November 5, 2020.

The meeting was chaired by Samvel Babayan, who was also the man in charge. The meeting was also attended by the commanders of three battalions. Mnatsakanyan noted he had arrived to the area one day before. He added that the goal was to block the roads in the direction of Chanagchi, Dashalti, and Shusha, with the help of three battalions. According to the plan, the forces had to be divided, and the opponent had to be deprived of all types of supplies. According to the chair of the meeting, a successful operation would make it easier to defend Shusha in the future. The operation should have started at 6 a.m. However, after the leadership left, the remaining commanders expressed their concerns over the plan, saying they were unprepared and were given no time for preparation.

L. Mnatsakanyan noted that the operation had not taken place. He added that Arthur Harutyunyan was made in charge of Shusha direction.

The state prosecutor, referring to the defendant's previous statements, recalled his views that the Iskander M, Smerch, Elbrus, and Tochka U missiles were not in the arsenal of the so-called regime's "army." The accused was then asked about who ordered to hit the Azerbaijani residential areas and the civilian infrastructure.

These weapons are in disposal of the artillery department of the Missile Troops of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and they manage them. I have no clue about the latest regulations. According to the legislation of the Republic of Armenia, a package of documents is approved by the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia," L. Mnatsakanyan replied.

Underlining that the so-called regime had not signed any agreements with foreign countries regarding arms imports, Mnatsakanyan said: Let me speak about the period when I was the 'army commander' (20152018). No agreements were signed with any country, and no weapons or ammunition were imported. All arms were obtained from the Armenian armed forces.

In response to questions from Fuad Musayev, a representative of the Prosecutor Generals Office, accused Levon Mnatsakanyan mentioned that hat individuals of Armenian origin had arrived from Russia, Lebanon, the United States, France, Syria, Canada, Australia, Spain, and several European countries to fight in Azerbaijans previously occupied territories.

Regarding the April battles, Mnatsakanyan said he personally gave the order to deploy reserve units in the Aghdam and Khachinchay directions.

Levon Mnatsakanyan also named key figures responsible for artillery operations during the April battles, adding: The brigade commander was Grigory Sahakyan, and the artillery chief was Gena Baghdasaryan.

When asked about visits by Armenian officials, he confirmed that shortly after the April battles in 2016, then-President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan visited the occupied territories. The President of the Republic of Armenia visited Karabakh every year, also inspecting military units as part of these visits. 2016 was no exception, Mnatsakanyan mentioned.

Mnatsakanyan said he also accompanied the Armenian President during those visits when he was the army commander.

The accused underscored that several servicemen involved in the April battles had been awarded for their participation.

In response to questions about mine maps, Mnatsakanyan stated: Maps of mined areas were sent up to the Engineering Troops Department of the Armenian Armed Forces, but I am not sure about the mine placement forms.

Afterwards, State Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev questioned another accused David Manukyan, who however, avoided answering most of the questions.

The accused denied his involvement in the forced expulsion of Azerbaijani civilians and, when asked about the planting of mines, he responded: We planted them to prevent anyone from crossing the front line.

The next court session is scheduled for June 19.

The defendants  Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan  are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and other articles.
Bhumi Chauhan, who moved to London two years ago on a study visa and is currently in India, is thanking God and her stars for missing the ill-fated Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad as she got stuck in traffic and reached the airport late.

IMAGE: Bhoomi Chauhan. Photograph: ANI on X

Chauhan said she missed boarding the AI 171 flight to London, which crashed soon after taking-off on Thursday afternoon from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, by just 10 minutes.

She is visiting her hometown Ahmedabad for the first time after moving to the United Kingdom two years ago.

"I am shivering after I learnt about the crash. I left the airport at 1.30pm as I missed the flight due to traffic. I thank God," Chauhan told PTI Videos.

She said she was in India for vacation after moving to the UK on a study visa and scheduled to go back to London on the flight.

The AI 171 flight took off at 1.39 pm and crashed into a medical college complex near the Ahmedabad airport and burst into a ball of fire less than a minute after take-off, leaving just one survivor.

"The flight was on time and I missed it by 10 minutes and I thank God. My prayers for all those who were on board," she said.

Chauhan, who was travelling alone, said she got delayed because of traffic and by the time she reached the airport, boarding and check-in for the flight had closed.

"I requested (to airport authorities) that I be let in. I was the last passenger. But my request was not accepted. This is a miracle. Mataji and Ganpati bappa protected me. I am terrified at the loss of lives. I am totally numb," she said.

Chauhan said she learnt about the tragedy, which claimed 265 lives (including passengers and on ground deaths), when she was going back home from the airport.

According to Air India, of the 230 passengers on the flight, 169 were Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. The other 12 people on board were two pilots and 10 crew members.
Bhavik Maheshwari (26) had a simple court marriage in the city two days ago as he had to leave for London where he worked, and his parents had planned a more elaborate function when he returned next.

IMAGE: Surat Civil Hospital doctors and staff light candles as they pray for the departed souls of the victims of Air India AI-171 flight crash, in Surat, Gujarat, June 13, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

It was not to be, as the Air India flight carrying him and 241 other passengers and crew crashed soon after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, killing all but one. The newly-wed Bhavik was one of the victims.

Bhavik's father Arjun Maheshwari fought back his tears as he spoke to media persons a day after the tragedy.

When his son came to Vadodara two weeks ago on vacation, the family decided to get him married, he said.

"During his trip to his hometown, we arranged his marriage," said Arjun Maheshwari, his eyes swollen due to crying.

Around 1 pm on Thursday, the father and son had their last conversation.

"He called me to say that everything was done and he was ready for take-off. He asked me not to worry as he was going home. He had completed his studies and was working in London. After half an hour, nobody could make any sense of what happened," he said.

Members of the Maheshwari family, living in Vadi area of Vadodara, were inconsolable.

"Happiness came to the family two days ago because a beloved son got married. Bhavik was living in London for the last several years. He visited Vadodara for 15 days every year to spend time with us," said a relative.

When he arrived in Vadodara this time, family members told him to go back only after getting married and his wife could join him in London later.

They had a court marriage, a simple but solemn affair, on June 10.

Bhavik's newly-wed wife travelled to Ahmedabad with others to see him off. "She had not even reached home when the message came that the plane had crashed. It was as if a mountain of grief fell on us," said the relative.
Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani considered 1206 his lucky number and ensured it featured on all vehicles he owned over the years.

IMAGE: File photograph of former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani performing Shastra Puja along with his wife at his residence in Gandhinagar on Dussehra, September 30, 2017. Photograph: ANI Photo

The number has now become synonymous with one of the worst aviation tragedies in India's history, in which he lost his life along with 264 others on Thursday.

Rupani was among 242 persons on board a London-bound Air India flight that crashed into a building of a medical college and hostel in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon.

The former chief minister considered 1206 as his lucky number, but it has now become the date of his final journey, June 12 (12/6).

In his hometown Rajkot, people could identify Rupani's car by its vehicle registration number 1206.

According to locals of Rajkot and journalists, Rupani's scooters and cars bore the same number.

Rupani was travelling to his daughter's place in London, as his wife Anjaliben, who is also an active member of the BJP, was also there.

Anjaliben reached Gandhinagar on Friday morning.

Gujarat state BJP chief and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil on Thursday confirmed Rupani's death in the plane crash.

The 68-year-old leader was known for his composed demeanour and firm administrative style.

He served as Gujarat's chief minister from August 2016 to September 2021 and steered the state through a critical post-COVID-19 recovery phase.

He started off as a student leader, leading several agitations, and was an activist of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in his college days.

In 1975, Rupani was imprisoned for a year in the Bhavnagar jail while protesting against the Emergency.

He entered public service in 1987 when he was elected as a corporator in the Rajkot Municipal Corporation and later became the mayor.

He was a member of the Rajya Sabha between 2006 and 2012.

His tenure as the chief minister saw the launch of the state Industrial Policy 2020 and initiatives for tribal upliftment.

Rupani stepped down from the post in September 2021, making way for Bhupendra Patel ahead of state elections.

He was later appointed as BJP in-charge of Punjab.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Mobile teams composed of experts from the State Agency for Regulation of Nuclear and Radiological Activities under the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Izotop Special Plant, and the Radiation-Chemical Laboratory of the Civil Defense Forces have conducted background radiation measurements at 30 locations along Azerbaijans southern borders, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Trend reports.

Using specialized equipment, the inspections revealed no signs of environmental radiation contamination. Monitoring activities are ongoing.

Additionally, automatic stations operated by the Environmental Monitoring Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources continue 24/7 surveillance of the radiation situation across the country, including border regions such as Astara, Beylagan, Zangilan, and Sadarak.

According to the latest data, no air pollution has been detected.
For example, a software development would require HCLTechs team to use a set of tools tailored to that type of work.

However, a big challenge is figuring out how to do all of that at scale. As well as examining how to validate and test the process effectively.

We bring the ability to put the pieces together, with the type of agentic tools that can be applied in a way not necessarily thought of or understood in a program, said Eland. As well as, designing teams to manage the cognitive load of the humans versus the load of the AI.

Nearly two decades backing Fonterra

HCL-Techs partnership with New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra has flourished since 2007.

It has become a full-service provider for the dairy giant, covering development, support and maintenance of myriad applications around the world, including an extensive SAP portfolio.

HCLTech also provides infrastructure-as-a-service on a global scale. This includes data center, cloud and cybersecurity services, as well as wireless networks and software-defined wide-area networking.

End-user and device services, including asset management and field operation support, are also part of HCLTechs domain at Fonterra.

All the companys business processes are enabled by technology systems and solutions managed by HCLTech.

Fonterra and HCLTech are now at work designing and developing an integrated business and IT delivery model that includes new ways of working and collaborating.

Multiple solutions from HCLTech are being integrated into a seamless service, allowing Fonterra management to gain a simplified view of performance-driven outcomes rather than having to oversee multiple engagements separately.

Federating Commbanks data

HCLTech supported Commonwealth Bank (CBA) in completing the migration of its data platform to Amazon Web Services (AWS), marking one of the largest migrations in southern hemisphere.

The IT service provider has had a long-standing partnership with CBA and has supported it for the past 17 years.

While there has been an ebb and flow to the partnership, Eland acknowledged that HCLTech has ramped up its involvement around the area of data for the Bank.

This particular project ensures the scalable data platform integrates with other channels across the Bank and allows it to use the latest data, AI and analytics technologies.

The project involved migrating over 61,000 data pipelines and it required a deeply thoughtful approach, said Eland. Then theres the structure of the teams involved, for which HCLTech leveraged the concept of team topologies,

Another important aspect was testing reconciliation where a lot of the testing had to happen in a simulated environment to maintain data security.

For organisations with ambitious AI plans, like CBA, it all starts with data. Eland emphasised that while ambitious plans and innovative concepts are essential, everything ultimately hinges on the ability to effectively work with and utilise data.

Data has been very centralised and has been the go-to model organisations have used.

But now they want to federate their data and get it into the hands of the business, and then into the hands of the data producers. The first step to this, is getting onto the cloud followed by data published in AWS marketplace.

The ambitious target deadline meant all three organisations had to work together.

We started laying the groundwork for this program in Q1, she explained. The large-scale migration phase began towards the end of Q2.

We really had around six months to get the scale migration completed. According to Eland, the scale of what was achieved in such a short period of time was sheer and unprecedented.

The human factor

During the project it was important to have a shared goal between all three organisations.

We had a shared goal, this enormous hill we needed to climb together, and AWS truly made a difference in facilitating the success of this significant project. It was One Team One Dream in action during the entire project delivery said Eland.

To be able to get something of this scale done in this period of time having AWS in the room makes all the difference, she said.

The same thing can be said for completely other different types of projects, especially when the moment the pressure is there to do something faster or different or bigger and its not standard, the need for additional support from the partner is needed.

We dont have the luxury of time to engage formally with the vendor or OEM by logging a ticket and waitingits simply not practical in these circumstances, said Eland. The response must be immediate because the timeline doesnt allow for delays.

They need to be in the room and AWS was really good at having that modus operandi, Eland acknowledged. Weve actually got a few other very large programs happening in-country and this is how we operate with AWS, it makes a massive difference.

For Eland the nature of teams working on these types of projects will change.

Teams today are made up of just all 100 per cent humans, she said. Over time, a team will be a mix of agents and humans.

If I consider the evolution of the technology workforce, companies like ours have traditionally focused on recruiting graduates fresh out of engineering school. Now, however, we are seeking individuals from entirely different backgrounds.

According to Eland, HCLTech is actively seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds, including business expertise, to bring greater empathy and varied perspectives into our teams.

As we move toward responsible AI, team composition must evolve, said Eland. We need diverse perspectives to drive empathy and innovation, and individuals who can bridge the gap between business and technology.

Additional reporting by Rob ONeil.
One NZ today declared its satellite internet of things service, covering all of Aotearoa and powered by Starlinks direct to cell technology, open for business and already transforming the honey industry.

The telcos chief enterprise director, Mike Purchase, described the launch as a global first, with customers being the first anywhere to benefit from brand new IoT connectivity.

Put simply, we now offer coverage for IoT devices across all of New Zealand, including the 40% that doesnt have traditional cell tower coverage, Purchase said.

This offers One NZ customers the ability to connect off-the-shelf CAT-1 IoT modules that work on traditional mobile networks for an affordable price.

When a device is within range of One NZs 4G network, it sends data through cell towers just like a phone. When the device goes out of range, in remote or rural areas, it automatically switches to One NZ Satellite as long as the device has line of sight to the sky.

The network provides a dedicated means of connecting cellular based services, allowing IoT data such as GPS location and sensor readings to be shared from more locations than before. Customers can now connect hundreds or thousands of devices that can switch between 4G and satellite.

One NZ customer APIS Solutions is using IoT solutions to provide commercial beekeepers with up-to-date information about their often remote hives. This helps beekeepers make smarter decisions and improve their productivity with near real-time data on every monitored hive.

APIS chief executive Andrew Thompson said it was complicated and expensive to connect hives outside of the traditional cell tower network until now.
Farhad, a resident of Kabul, says everyone in the teeming Afghan capital knows someone who has been forced to seek treatment abroad because pathology labs in Afghanistan cannot accurately diagnose diseases.

He says one of his relatives, a 17-year-old girl, has been ill for the past few years, but still her ailment has not been accurately diagnosed.

"We have some medical labs and other diagnostic facilities in Kabul, but none can accurately diagnose diseases," Farhad told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi.

The girl sought treatment from the most well-known specialists, but the medicines they have prescribed so far have been ineffective.

"Unfortunately, my poor relatives cannot pay for treatment abroad," he said.

Ahad, another Kabul resident whose name has been changed at his request, says a medical lab in the city diagnosed him with cancer. But the diagnosis proved wrong after he was tested in neighboring Pakistan.

Like Farhad and Ahad, many Afghans have either been victims of incorrect diagnoses or the lack of standard pathological labs has prevented them from a correct diagnosis.

Afghanistan's Medical Brain Drain

While international aid and private investments helped build hundreds of advanced medical labs and imaging facilities over the past two decades, these facilities are now often staffed by unqualified medical personnel and lack proper equipment and test kits.

Many qualified doctors and medical staff fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. It also lost the services of female health-care workers when the Taliban barred women from working outside the home.

The impoverished country of 40 million people has also lost most of the international funding that propped up its fledgling health-care sector from 2002 to 2021, when a US-led international military coalition fought against the Islamist Taliban and supported the pro-Western Afghan republic.

Most Afghans are now left to fend for themselves. Many have to borrow money to afford medical treatment in neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Iran, and India.

Abdul Sattar Ayoubi, a young man in the eastern Kunar Province, says the lack of diagnostic facilities forced his uncle and mother to seek treatment abroad. In Pakistan, his uncle was diagnosed with a heart condition while his mother ails from blood cancer.

"Anyone forced to seek medical treatment abroad faces problems and pays dearly," he told Radio Azadi.

Health care in Afghanistan has rapidly deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power four years ago. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) estimates some 18 million Afghans, or nearly half of the country's population, now need health assistance. It says almost 10 million Afghans have "limited or no basic health services."

The country has only 10 health-care workers for every 10,000 people, which is significantly lower than the required ratio of 44 health-care workers for every 10,000 people for adequate coverage.

Acknowledging the chronic problems with medical laboratories, the WHO delivered supplies to Central Public Health Laboratories and facilities in all 34 provinces last month.

"These supplies, essential for cancer detection, microbiology, and biochemical testing, boost lab capacity and improve health care," the organization said in late May.

"Afghan patients are often not diagnosed on time, which always leads to new complications and diseases," said Ataullah Siyam, a specialist in internal medicine in Kabul.

Inamullah Kamawi, a microbiologist in charge of the private medical lab in Kabul, acknowledged the monumental challenges diagnostic centers face in Afghanistan. He says the country lacks lab technicians, scientists, and specialists. This is magnified by the lack of proper machines and kits needed for specific tests.

"If we buy expensive test kits, they expire and we suffer losses," he said of the financial constraints on lab owners.

In large swathes of Afghanistan, residents cannot even access the flawed diagnostics available in some cities.

In the rural southern Uruzgan Province, residents are forced to seek treatment in the nearby southern city of Kandahar or must travel to Kabul, which is approximately 250 kilometers away. Many among them end up traveling abroad for treatment.

"We demand that the [Taliban] government build diagnostic labs here so our patients are not forced to seek treatment elsewhere," said Shafiullah, a resident of Uruzgan.

Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on RFE/RL's Radio Azadi reporting.
A familiar name surfaced on June 13 in news reports following Israeli strikes on Iran: Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization.

According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Abbasi was one of the prominent Iranian nuclear scientists killed in Israeli air attacks that Israel said were aimed at preventing Tehran from building a nuclear weapon.

Abbasi had been in the headlines before: In 2010, he narrowly survived an assassination attempt when a motorcyclist attached an explosive device to his car in Tehran, part of a string of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear scientists.

I met Abbasi in 2007, when the Iranian government opened up some of its nuclear facilities to journalists to showcase what it described as its peaceful nuclear intentions. My visit to Iran included a visit to the city of Isfahan to tour the uranium conversion facility there. Irans primary enrichment facility in Natanz, which was hit in Israels June 13 strikes, was not on the itinerary.

During my stay, I was able to arrange an interview with Abbasi, who at the time officially held an academic position at Shahid Beheshti University in north Tehran (the website listed him as vice-president for student and cultural affairs, responsible for student health care and accommodation, among other things. He also taught nuclear engineering).

Home-Grown Nuclear Research

The primary thrust of Abbasis work, he said, was to encourage home-grown Iranian nuclear research. Sanctions and restrictions on studies abroad, he said, had made it difficult for Iranian students to pursue studies in the field.

Because of the limitations imposed on the Iranian students by the Westerners -- and more than any other country, by the United States government -- these limitations were imposed on Iranian students outside Iran in order to deprive them of access to the study and work in the nuclear field and related engineering fields, he said. We decided to start the effort to bring the know-how here.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Abbasi continued, Iranian students were able to pursue study in Russia.

But this wasnt about just a simple quest for scientific knowledge. Abbasi also complained about export-control restrictions that slowed down Irans ability to acquire some technology.

We had to go through nonconventional ways to get the information we needed, either by relying on our young people or getting them for our friends outside of Iran, he said.

The interview was a lengthy one. Abbasi ended with a long digression on the history of Iran in the 20th century: the coup detat that overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, the fall of the Shah during the Islamic Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War (the war that was imposed on us).

Iranian Hostage Crisis

It was a hard-liners take on history. The Iran hostage crisis that began in 1979, he said, was a necessity: Although we know it wasnt according to the international norms, we stormed the den of espionage [the US Embassy] and we did so in order to show the world that Americans are trying to stage a coup detat in Iran and apply some regime change here so that they return the Shahs regime back to the country.

And the current international concern about Irans nuclear ambitions? Abbasi claimed it was simply a screen, a pretext for putting pressure on Iran.

The nuclear issue is a good excuse now to be used for the propaganda against Iran in the region. If the nuclear issue is not the base issue, there would be other things that would be mentioned. For example, I can say definitely after the nuclear issue there are some other things that the Western countries would put forward - like womens rights, childrens rights, Irans judiciary system.

He did acknowledge one thing: That technology can serve more than one purpose.

The Iranian nuclear issue is something like oil, like medicine, like agriculture. And they should know that if you can peel the skin of an orange with a knife, you can kill somebody with it as well.

A few weeks after the interview, Abbasi would be designated by the UN Security Council for his involvement in Irans proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities. The designation listed him as a senior Defense Ministry and Armed Forces Logistics scientist with links to the Institute of Applied Physics.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran to make a nuclear deal "before it is too late" as Israel continued to conduct air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and other sites across Iran that have already killed a top general and two other military officials.

Meanwhile, US officials told news agencies that US ground-based air defense systems were helping to shoot down missiles that Iran had fired off in retaliation toward Israel.

One of the officials told AP -- speaking on the condition of anonymity -- that US jets and warships had not so far been used in the operation, but further details were not immediately available.

Separately, a White House official said Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone, but details of the call were not disclosed.

Trump also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Keir Starmer and about the situation, officials said.

Iran reportedly launched scores of drones and missiles at Israeli sites in response to the June 13 attacks.

Jordan's military also said it had intercepted a number of projectiles over its air space.

An AP journalist reported seeing smoke rising in Tel Aviv after a missile strike, while a hospital in the region said it was treating 15 injured civilians. Israeli rescue crews later said 34 people had been injured in the Iranian missile attacks.

Among the sites hit in Iran were the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) command site in Tehran, according to Iranian state TV. The strike killed the commander of the corps, Major General Hossein Salami, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.

Iran's representative told the UN that 78 people had been killed and more than 320 had been injured in the Israeli strikes.

The Israeli military said it was prepared to continue the attacks "for as long as necessary."

Trump, who has been pressing for negotiations between Washington and Tehran regarding Iran's nuclear program, wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "There is still time to make this slaughter...come to an end,"

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire...JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Trump said later in an interview with ABC News that Iran "got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit. And theres more to come, a lot more.

Netanyahu said the strikes aimed "to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival and that it would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility at Natanz.... We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," he said in a video statement. Israel also hit Iranian nuclear scientists "working on the Iranian bomb," he added.

Israel's military said some 200 jets were involved in the massive raid, and Israeli TV reported that the Mossad intelligence agency may have set up a secret base inside Iran as part of the effort.

Iran's supreme leader warned that Israel would suffer severe consequences for launching the attacks.

"With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement.

Natanz Nuclear Facility Targeted

The Natanz uranium enrichment facility was hit "several times," state TV reported, showing images of heavy smoke billowing from the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Natanz had been a target but said it had not detected increased radiation levels at the site. Two other facilities linked to Iran's nuclear program -- Isfahan and Fordow -- were not affected, the agency said.

In a statement issued after the attacks, the Israeli Defense Forces asserted that Iran was "nearing the point of no return" in its efforts to build a nuclear weapon.

"The regime is producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified enrichment compounds, in underground, fortified sites," it said.

In its latest report, the IAEA said Iran has sharply increased its production of highly enriched uranium, stockpiling 408.6 kilograms enriched to 60 percent -- up from just under 275 kilograms in February. The 60-percent figure is well above the threshold needed for a weapon.

Residential areas in Tehran and several other cities also were hit, according to the official IRNA news agency, which reported that the strikes killed a number of people, including women and children, in a residential complex in Tehran.

Iran Launches Drone Attack In Retaliation

Israel said Iran launched about 100 drones toward it in retaliation, but did not say if there were any direct hits or damage.

Several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace, and Jordan's state news agency said a number of missiles and drones that had entered its airspace were intercepted.

The United States, Israel's strongest ally, said Washington was not involved in the operation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Israel advised Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense. He also warned Iran against targeting US interests or personnel.

The White House said Trump was set to attend a National Security Council meeting on the subject later June 13.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a "special situation" in Israel in anticipation of a possible retaliatory strike by Iran "in the immediate timeframe."

The United States and Iran have been holding tense, high-level negotiations on Iran's nuclear ambitions. A sixth round of talks had been scheduled for June 15 in Oman.

Iran has consistently claimed its nuclear efforts are solely for civilian and not military uses.

Iran has been working on a counteroffer after rejecting a US proposal for a deal that Khamenei described as "100 percent" against national interests.

In a phone conversation with Trump earlier this week, Netanyahu raised the possibility of strikes against Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal, and Trump urged Netanyahu to hold off as negotiations continue.

In a social media post on June 12, Trump said the United States wanted to negotiate with Iran, though he also warned that an Israeli strike on Iran was likely.

Earlier on June 12, the IAEA formally declaring Iran "noncompliant" with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time since 2005.

The 35-member IAEA board voted 19-3 with 11 abstentions to adopt the resolution, which had been put forward by the United States and its trio of European allies -- Britain, France, and Germany.

The finding prompted a defiant response from Iran, which announced that a new enrichment site with new enrichment centrifuges would be set up at Fordow.

With reporting by AP and Reuters
US President Donald Trump warned Iran to make a nuclear deal "before it is too late" as Israel continued to conduct air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and other sites across Iran that have already killed a top general and two other military officials.

Meanwhile, US officials told news agencies that US ground-based air defense systems were helping to shoot down missiles that Iran had fired off in retaliation toward Israel.

One of the officials told AP -- speaking on the condition of anonymity -- that US jets and warships had not so far been used in the operation, but further details were not immediately available.

Separately, a White House official said Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone, but details of the call were not disclosed.

Trump also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Keir Starmer and about the situation, officials said.

Iran reportedly launched scores of drones and missiles at Israeli sites in response to the June 13 attacks.

To read the full story, click here.
Israels large-scale assault on Iran appears to have stunned the countrys military leadership and may have delayed an immediate retaliatory strike.

But it remains unclear whether it achieved its primary objective: crippling Irans nuclear program, which Israel claims Tehran is on the verge of weaponizing despite claims from Iran that it is solely for civilian purposes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have alleged Iran recently accelerated uranium enrichment and weaponization efforts to the point where it could produce a nuclear weapon within months -- or even days.

Operation Rising Lion, as Israel has named the strikes, targeted key components of Irans nuclear infrastructure -- including the Natanz enrichment facility -- as well as military installations in and around Tehran.

Israeli warplanes also struck missile production facilities and residential buildings believed to house top military officials and nuclear scientists. Among those reportedly killed was Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), though Iran has not confirmed his death.

The objective, Israeli officials say, was to degrade both Irans nuclear capabilities and its ability to retaliate using its extensive ballistic missile arsenal -- a threat Israel sees as second only to a nuclear-armed Iran.

Netanyahu has opened a new chapter in the Middle East -- an era of Israeli-Iranian nuclear war, wrote Eran Etzion, a former deputy head of Israels National Security Council, on X.

A war whose stated goal is to stop Irans nuclear program, but whose actual aim appears to be targeting the very foundations of the Iranian regime.

High-Stakes Gamble

Security analysts describe the operation as a preemptive gamble -- an attempt to avert what Israel sees as an existential threat, but one that risks igniting a regional war, derailing diplomacy, and even accelerating Irans nuclear ambitions.

Danny Citrinonwicz, a senior fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, said the strike dealt a significant blow to Irans prestige by penetrating its air defenses and eliminating senior commanders.

But, he argued, its impact on Irans nuclear program was limited, as key facilities -- including the heavily fortified Fordow site -- remain intact.

This is just the opening phase of a longer campaign, Citrinonwicz wrote on X. Israel appears to be holding back some cards for the likely escalation ahead.

What Are Irans Options?

The sixth round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, scheduled for June 15, is now unlikely to proceed. With diplomacy appearing to have fallen by the wayside, any Iranian response risks deepening a cycle of escalation.

Irans immediate reaction came in the form of around 100 Shahed drones launched toward Israel -- many of which were intercepted outside Israeli airspace.

Iranian leaders have also repeated warnings that they would retaliate against both Israel and US forces in the region. Although Washington has denied involvement in the strike, Iran may still hold it responsible.

Should Tehran go through with its threat to target U.S. military bases, it could drag Washington into a broader conflict.

According to US intelligence estimates, Iran possesses some 2,000 missiles -- many capable of carrying warheads with more than 900 kilograms of explosives -- and is producing roughly 50 ballistic missiles per month. It remains unclear how much of this capability was affected by the Israeli assault.

Irans regional proxies, long viewed as force multipliers, have been severely degraded. The Gaza war has battered the US-designated Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, and the Lebanese Hezbollah is still reeling from recent clashes with Israel. That leaves the Houthis in Yemen as Tehrans most militarily viable ally.

Tehran may also consider withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the cornerstone of global nuclear arms control. While US intelligence -- contrary to Israeli assessments -- currently believes that Iran is not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, the Islamic republic could use the Israeli attack to justify abandoning its NPT obligations and moving toward weaponization.

Netanyahus government may have just handed the Iranian regime both domestic and international legitimacy to pursue nuclear weapons, Etzion warned.
Israel's strikes against Iran's nuclear complex and military leadership have sent shock waves around the globe, raising fears of escalation and a wider war in the region. But the shock-and-awe campaign also reverberated in Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has positioned himself as a powerful interlocutor with Tehran.

Russia's response to the strikes was swift and unequivocal. In a lengthy statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its "utmost concern about the dangerous escalation of tensions in the Middle East" and accused Israel of violating international law.

"Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign UN member state, its citizens, peaceful sleeping cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable," the statement read.

"The international community cannot afford to remain indifferent to such atrocities that destroy peace and harm regional and international security."

The ministry said the timing of the attacks showed "particular cynicism," noting the Israeli strikes occurred during a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors and just ahead of an anticipated sixth round of negotiations between representatives of Iran and the United States over Tehran's advancing nuclear ambitions.

That statement may strike some as cynical -- the phrase "sleeping cities" could easily refer to Russia's continued bombardment of Ukraine -- but the geopolitical impact of the strikes on Russia is clear. Israel's military campaign tests Iran's strategic partnership with Russia, and it potentially deprives the Kremlin of a valuable card when it comes to negotiating with Washington over Ukraine.

In a recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, the Kremlin leader put himself forward as a possible broker of an agreement with Iran.

Posting on TruthSocial, Trump said, "I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement. President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion."

Earlier this week, Moscow floated potential details about the role it could play in reining in Iran's nuclear program, suggesting Russia could help resolve tensions by exporting Iran's nuclear material for conversion into reactor fuel.

Israel's military moves against Iran, however, may potentially scupper diplomatic efforts to limit or reverse Tehran's nuclear program.

What's more, the strikes also targeted the leadership of Iran's military establishment, which has supplied Russia with inexpensive drone technology for waging war on Ukraine.

Russia has shifted production of the Shahed drones that routinely strike Ukrainian cities to its own facilities. But in a statement in response to Israel's strikes, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry called out Iran as part of a "group of aggressive regimes" that threaten international security. That group also includes North Korea.

"We would like to remind you that the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and provides Moscow with weapons to kill Ukrainians," the statement read. "Iran is the source of many problems in the Middle East and beyond."

Russia and Iran have deepened ties that were forged through their support of the now-ousted regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian signed a strategic partnership deal during a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in January.

That partnership, however, has its limits.

Commenting on X, Hanna Notte of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies wrote, "Don't forget: the Strategic Partnership Treaty does not include mutual defense commitments of the type Moscow provided to DPRK [North Korea] & Belarus," noting that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko recently clarified that Russia is not obliged to come to Iran's defense should it be attacked.

Russia is not the only country in the post-Soviet space condemning Israel's actions.

International Reaction To Israeli Strikes

In a post on X, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said, "the unilateral attack against Iran is deeply concerning. Taking place especially ahead of the next round of negotiations, it endangers the peaceful efforts as well as overall regional stability & global peace. We condemn such action & call for immediate cessation of hostilities & adherence to international law."

Azerbaijan, which like Armenia borders Iran, also condemned the escalation.

"We are seriously concerned about the military operations carried out by the State of Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"We strongly condemn the escalation of the situation and urge the parties to resolve the existing disagreements only through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with the norms and principles of international law."

Turkey, meanwhile, issued a strong condemnation of Israel, calling the attacks "a blatant violation of international law" and "a provocation that serves Israel's strategic destabilization policy in the region."

Statements from European capitals were somewhat more circumspect.

In a social media post, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for "restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy" following the strikes.

"Escalation serves no one in the region," Starmer said. "Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a similar call for restraint while not pointing a finger of blame in any direction.

"Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation," she wrote on X. "A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region's stability and global security."

Whether this conflict comes to a swift resolution remains unclear.

In a post on TruthSocial, Trump seemed to suggest Iran still had the ability to come to the table.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," he wrote . "No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!"

Whether Putin could play his promised role in such dealmaking, then, also remains an open question.
Israel's military claimed its air strikes killed another two Iranian generals, bringing the number of senior military commanders killed over two days of attacks to eight.

Of those, at least three are with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the country's preeminent military force.

Israel said the unprecedented strikes targeted Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic missile factories, as well as several nuclear scientists, and were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing an atomic weapon.

Here's a look at who the generals reportedly killed were:

Hossein Salami

Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) since 2019. Salami was under international sanctions since 2006 as "an individual involved in Iran's ballistic missile program," according to a UN Security Council resolution. He was on separate sanctions lists in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and Japan.

Mohammad Baqeri

Major General Mohammad Baqeri, chief-of-staff of the Iranian armed forces since 2016 and officially the second-most powerful figure in the military after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Baqeri rose through the ranks of the IRGC, which dominates the upper echelons of Iran's military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular military operations, and internal security. The IRGC is officially designated by the United States as a terrorist organization.

Gholam Ali Rashid

Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, deputy commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces, one of the most respected military figures. Since 2015, he has been the commander of the central headquarters of Khatam-ol-Anbia, the military's highest operational military unit. Since 2016, this headquarters has been separated from the General Staff and is responsible for operational command and control.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh

Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force since 2009. Under US sanctions since 2019, Hajizadeh was a key figure in Iran's missile and drone program and played a central role in recent Iranian operations against Israel. He became an internationally renowned face when he appeared on live television to admit that the IRGC had shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in January 2020, blaming it on human error.

Mehdi Rabani

Brigadier General Mehdi Rabani, deputy head of operations for the armed forces general staff since 2016. He joined the IRGC during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and rose through ranks in the years after war, serving as the IRGCs deputy head of operations for five years before moving to the general staff of the armed forces.

Gholamreza Mehrabi

Brigadier General Gholamreza Mehrabi, the deputy director for intelligence for the general staff. Known for maintaining a low profile -- a common trait among Iranian military intelligence figures -- there is no publicly available information regarding the date of his appointment. However, public statements attributed to him indicate that he had been serving in this role since at least 2013.

Davud Sheikhiyan

Brigadier General Davud Sheikhiyan, commander of the Air Defense Division of the IRGC Aerospace Force. While the exact date of his appointment is not officially documented, he was still identified as the deputy commander of the division as recently as November 2024, indicating that his promotion took place shortly thereafter.

Masud Shanei

General Masud Shanei, chief of staff to slain IRGC commander-in-chief Salami. Very little is known about him, with Iran media reporting that he was killed along with Salami.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. A delegation from the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, led by Assoc. Prof. Atanas Atanasov, PhD, President of the NSI, visited the headquarters of the National Bureau of Statistics of China in Beijing and met with Commissioner Kang Yi and heads of units in the institution. Slav Karaslavov, Head of the Trade and Economic Affairs Service at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beijing, also participated in the meeting, Trend reports.

The event was held in the context of the historical and traditionally good diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and China and aims to build on last years meeting between the Deputy President of the NSI, Svilen Kolev, PhD, and the Deputy Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics of China Ruan Jianhong.

The President of the NSI and the Commissioner of the National Bureau of Statistics of China presented the organization, work, and development of the national statistical systems of the two countries and expressed a mutual desire to establish deeper bilateral cooperation.

The NSI delegation, consisting of Prof. Mihail Konchev, PhD, Deputy President of the NSI, Milko Petsankov the Director of the General Administration Directorate and Maria Gochova Head of International Relations and Projects Department, is in Beijing at the invitation of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Sofia to participate in a seminar on Digitalization and Establishing a New Model of Global Digital Cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The event was orchestrated by the China Center for Urban Development in response to a directive from the Ministry of Commerce of China. Throughout the seminar, attendees were immersed in an exploration of China's advancements in the realms of digital transformation, automation technologies, artificial intelligence integration, and cybersecurity frameworks, emphasizing the intricacies of data governance.



The seminar agenda encompassed excursions to premier Chinese enterprises within the domain of information and communication technologies.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A former Russian diplomat who was charged with conspiring to evade sanctions by working for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska pleaded guilty to a lesser count of lying to FBI agents.

Sergei Shestakov, a naturalized US citizen, had previously pleaded innocent to multiple charges related to work he did for Deripaska, a Kremlin-connected billionaire who's been under US sanctions since 2018.

His trial was set to begin on June 17 in Manhattan federal court.

On June 12, however, Shestakov told a judge he would plead guilty to a single count of lying to the FBI about his business dealings with Deripaska. In exchange, US prosecutors dropped other charges that included conspiring to commit money laundering.

Shestakov's defense lawyer, Rita Glavin, did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking further comment. Shestakov could not be immediately located for comment.

Shestakov faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in October.

The case against Shestakov drew less attention than the one against his alleged co-conspirator, Charles McGonigal. Until his retirement in 2018, McGonigal was one of the FBI's top counterintelligence agents investigating Russian spies and oligarchs.

McGonigal pleaded guilty to identical charges in 2023 and was sentenced to nearly four years in prison.

Prosecutors alleged that they did work for, and received payment from, Deripaska, who was seeking to soften the sanctions that the US Treasury hit him with in 2018. Deripaska had also sought help in digging up dirt on another Russian oligarch whom he was feuding with.

Shestakov's defense had hinged in part on the question of whether the work he and McGonigal did was for the benefit of Deripaska himself or for his massive holding conglomerate, EN+ Group, which controls one of the world's largest aluminum companies, Rusal.

Shestakov's defense had planned to call Yevgeny Fokin, a top executive at EN+, to testify that the work was on behalf of EN+, lobbying to help advocate for the Deripaska companies, which is largely allowed under US law.

Court filings show the FBI believed Fokin was an agent with Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, and they had searched his electronic devices and surveilled him when he traveled to New York City.

In late November 2021, FBI agents seized Shestakov's electronic devices, as well as those of McGonigal. Days prior, he was questioned about his relationship with Fokin and asked about whether he had ever done any business with him.

"No, no business," he told the FBI, according to court filings. Prosecutors said in fact he had spoken with Fokin shortly before the interview with FBI agents.

In addition to being business partners, Shestakov and McGonigal, along with another Russian man, are linked to another former Russian tycoon who for many years spent most of his time at a Connecticut mansion: Vladimir Gusinsky.

Gusinsky has not been implicated in the criminal case against the two men.

However, he has drawn the interest of the FBI, with agents twice questioning his now estranged wife and employees of the couple's Connecticut household about his relationship to Shestakov and McGonigal. Gusinsky was introduced to McGonigal by Shestakov and socialized with them both.
Ukraine said it has received another 1,200 bodies of its soldiers from Russia, the latest move in a series of exchanges negotiated between the two sides.

"As a result of the repatriation measures, the bodies of 1,200 killed were returned," Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement on June 13.

"The repatriation took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. According to the Russian side, the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel," it added.

It's the third such round of Ukrainian bodies being returned by Russia, and brings the total to date to 3,012.

Moscow and Kyiv agreed on the repatriation of bodies second round of direct peace talks held in Istanbul on June 2.

According to Ukrainian and Russian officials, delegations agreed to repatriate the bodies of some 12,000 dead soldiers killed in the war.

The agency responsible for exchanging prisoners of war also said the bodies were returned with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It gave no further details on the exchange and said Ukrainian investigators and expert institutions will begin to establish the identities of the deceased.

The swap is part of an ongoing agreement that has also seen busloads of prisoners-of-war cross the border both ways.

Citing anonymous sources, Russian state news agency TASS said that while Russia handed back the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers on June 13, it did not receive any in exchange.

There was no immediate information if Ukraine was supposed to transfer bodies of Russian soldiers the same day.

Since June 2, Russia and Ukraine have already conducted several prisoners of war exchanges under the age of 25. About 1,000 prisoners from both sides were exchanged on May 23-25.

While the Istanbul talks reached a deal on exchanging prisoners, it failed to make any progress on ending Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

Kyiv has expressed agreement with a US call for a 30-day cease-fire. Moscow has resisted and said certain conditions -- unacceptable to Ukraine -- must first be met.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier said the exchanges were the only tangible positive result of the direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. A high-level humanitarian donor meeting of the Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) initiative was held in Tallinn on June 10, marking the conclusion of the two-year co-chairmanship by Estonia and the United Kingdom, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.

The GHD brings together 43 donorsincluding 40 countries, the European Union, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperationwith the shared goal of improving the effectiveness, principled approach, coordination, and accountability of global humanitarian efforts. The network includes both large and small donors committed to principled and efficient humanitarian aid.

Co-chairing the GHD provided a valuable opportunity for Estonia to be at the heart of global humanitarian policy discussions during a time of major global change, said Maris Tippo, Director of the Humanitarian Aid Division at Estonias Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also allowed us to deepen our cooperation with the UK and other key donors in the field of humanitarian aid policy, the ministry states.

Throughout their co-chairmanship, Estonia and the UK focused on strengthening coordination within the humanitarian aid delivery system. Their joint efforts emphasized key priorities such as adherence to international humanitarian law, mobilization of climate finance, deployment of digital technologies, and support for locally led response efforts through country-specific crowdfunding mechanisms.

The Tallinn convening functioned as a pivotal culmination of their governance, exemplifying tangible advancements and revitalized pledges to synergistic, principled humanitarian initiatives.

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Azerbaijans grain harvest reveals sharp regional yield differences

Azerbaijan has begun its 2025 wheat and barley harvest, showing notable regional yield differences. While only a small portion of wheat areas have been harvested so far, barley harvesting is well underway, with Salyan and Hajiqabul reporting the highest yields.

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Three tourism projects in the county have been awarded more than 285,000 in funding from Failte Ireland.

Last Friday, Failte Ireland announced that 18 projects around the country, worth over 2.3 million, have been awarded funding under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.

Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this is the third announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme.

The Arigna Mining Experience Ltd received 256,000 to integrate AR (augmented reality) in order to recreate historical mining scenes and develop a mobile app for personalised visitor experiences.

The Tulsk Action Group CLG was awarded 19,610 to upgrade the exhibitions and facilities at the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre.

A further 9,998 was awarded to Castlecootes Gone Fishing for the purchase of new equipment to enhance and improve the existing fishing visitor experience.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke welcomed the funding.

"I am pleased to see today's announcement of further investment in projects by Government and the European Union through Failte Ireland and the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, he said. The EU Just Transition Fund schemes are delivering on supporting sustainable economic development and job creation in communities and businesses across the Midlands. I look forward to seeing these projects develop over the next year and to announce further successful projects for the Midlands over the coming weeks under this funding scheme. Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh OBrien also welcomed the announcement.

"Regenerative Tourism is a key element of Irelands Just Transition Strategy, interlinking the decarbonisation of the economy with fostering a sense of place, and strengthening the social fabric of the region," he said. "These projects, which will deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, are key examples of the Regenerative Tourism development journey in the Midlands. I look forward to witnessing the positive impact of these projects across the Midlands region.
BIMCGL Board Reaffirms Vision to Make Gaya a World-Class Manufacturing Hub

The board also announced that the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender process will begin immediately

BIMCGL Board Reaffirms Vision to Make Gaya a World-Class Manufacturing Hub

Patna, June 13: The third Board Meeting of Bihar Integrated Manufacturing City Gaya Limited (BIMCGL) was held today under the leadership of Shri Kundan Kumar, IAS, Managing Director of BIADA and CEO of BIMCGL, marking a significant step forward in transforming Gaya into a global industrial destination.

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The board reviewed major developments related to the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) Gaya, a flagship project under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC). Shri Kumar emphasized that the initiative will play a pivotal role in turning Gaya into a world-class manufacturing and employment hub, driven by high-quality infrastructure and robust governance.

The board also announced that the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tender process will begin immediately after final bid documents are received from the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC).

In another key development, the Master Plan for IMC Gaya, vetted and approved by NICDC, has been finalized. The Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) will now issue the official notification on behalf of the BIMCGL Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).

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Several other crucial agenda items were also approved during the meeting, all aimed at accelerating execution, monitoring progress, and strengthening governance mechanisms.

The board expressed satisfaction with the current pace of the project and reiterated its commitment to making Gaya a benchmark for sustainable and integrated industrial growth.

(For more news apart from BIMCGL Board Reaffirms Vision to Make Gaya a World-Class Manufacturing Hub, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Air India Plane Crash: PM Modi Meets Lone Survivor, Visits Crash Site, Conducts Review Meeting

DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

Air India Plane Crash: PM Modi Meets Lone Survivor, Visits Crash Site, Conducts Review Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning visited the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad to meet the injured  including the lone survivor of flight AI-171 and also inspected the plane crash site to assess the ground situation.

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As of now, the Prime Minister is holding a review meeting with officials at the Ahmedabad airport following his site visit and interaction with those injured.

In a post on X, PM Modi said,"Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy."

Describing yesterdays crash as devastating and heartbreaking, he expressed condolences to all the bereaved families in a separate post.

"The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti."

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DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, a forensic team has arrived at the crash site of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (VT-ANB) in Ahmedabad.

Officials from the British High Commission have also arrived at the domestic airport in Ahmedabad.

Air India Plane Crashes at Ahmedabad Airport, Gujarat

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In a heart-wrenching incident and a historic first, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft (VT-ANB), operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, on the afternoon of June 12.

The aircraft took off at 1:38 PM IST (0809 UTC) from Runway 23 and crashed within five minutes into the premises of BJ Medical College, just outside the airport perimeter.

The ill-fated flight had a total of 242 people on board, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 1 Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals.

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The aircraft had issued a MAYDAY call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), but no further communication was received thereafter.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 hours of flying experience. First Officer Clive Kundar, the co-pilot, had logged 1,100 flying hours.

The Thursday afternoon crash marked the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011.

(For more news apart from Air India Plane Crash: PM Modi Meets Lone Survivor, Visits Crash Site, Conducts Review Meeting, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Murder of Punjabi Influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi: Two Nihangs Arrested in Connection

About seven months ago, Kamal had also reportedly received a death threat from gangster Arsh Dalla, allegedly for the same reason.

Murder of Punjabi Influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi: Two Nihangs Arrested in Connection

In the murder case of Punjabi social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, popularly known as Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, who was found dead in her car parked outside Adesh Hospital in Bathinda, police have arrested two associates of Nihang Amritpal Singh Mehro, identified as Jaspreet Singh and Nimratjeet Singh.

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According to police sources, Nihang Amritpal Singh Mehro had allegedly threatened Kamal over her explicit content posted on social media.

About seven months ago, Kamal had also reportedly received a death threat from gangster Arsh Dalla, allegedly for the same reason.

Kanchan Kumari, who had over 383,000 followers on Instagram, was an active and well-known figure on social media platforms. She had reportedly left Ludhiana on Monday to attend an event in Bathinda, after informing her family before the incident.

Her body was discovered on Wednesday night, after locals reported a foul smell coming from a parked vehicle near the hospital.

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(For more news apart from Murder of Punjabi Influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabhi: Two Nihangs Arrested in Connection, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Operation Rising Lion: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Top Iranian Commanders, Iran Vows Retaliation

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation and called for restraint

Operation Rising Lion: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Top Iranian Commanders, Iran Vows Retaliation

Israel attacks Iran latest news: In a significant escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign dubbed Operation Rising Lion on Friday, targeting multiple key Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The Israeli offensive has reportedly resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian officials, including Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami and top nuclear scientists.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a late-night televised address, said the strikes were carried out to neutralize the clear and present danger posed by Irans nuclear program. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program at the heart of its weaponisation efforts, and its ballistic missile infrastructure, said Netanyahu, emphasizing that Israel acted in self-defense.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes, the Israeli premier declared, accusing Iran of stockpiling enriched uranium sufficient for up to nine nuclear bombs and taking steps toward weaponisation.

High-Profile Casualties and Strategic Targets

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Iranian state media confirmed that the headquarters of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was set ablaze in the strikes and that Gen. Hossein Salami is feared dead. Alongside him, two top nuclear scientists and other senior Guard officials were also reportedly killed. Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri was also "likely eliminated," an Israeli security official told AFP.

The attack targeted Irans Natanz nuclear facility, a cornerstone of its uranium enrichment activities. Israeli forces also reportedly struck scientists and infrastructure connected to Irans ballistic missile program.

Iran Vows "Harsh and Decisive" Response

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In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, vowing Israel would definitely receive a bitter and painful fate for the assault. A senior Iranian security official told Reuters that the response will be harsh and decisive, with military leadership currently discussing their retaliation strategy.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a statement saying Israel must await harsh and regrettable revenge.

US Reaction

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The U.S. distanced itself from the Israeli action. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, We are not involved in strikes against Iran. Our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. He acknowledged that Israel had advised Washington about the operation beforehand, citing self-defense concerns.

U.S. political leaders are sharply divided over the matter. Democratic lawmakers criticized Israels decision, with Senator Jack Reed calling the action a reckless escalation. Senator Andy Kim alleged that the strikes undermined ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran. In contrast, Republicans such as Senator Tom Cotton voiced support, describing Iran as a global threat.

The conflict also risks derailing the sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, which were due to take place in Oman this weekend. Diplomatic sources now suggest those talks may be indefinitely postponed.

Indian Advisory and International Concerns

Amid escalating hostilities, the Indian Embassy in Iran issued an advisory urging Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin in the country to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation and called for restraint, while cities like New York have increased security at Israeli and Jewish establishments out of an abundance of caution, according to the NYPD.

Netanyahus Message to Iranians

In a message directed to the Iranian people, Netanyahu said: Our fight is not with you, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. The day of your liberation is near.

The Israeli leader also framed the operation as a step to defend others, including Arab nations suffering from Iranian-backed proxy conflicts. He linked Israel's past actions to changes in Lebanon and Syria, asserting that the region now has a chance for a better future.

(For more news apart from Operation Rising Lion: Israeli Airstrikes Kill Top Iranian Commanders, Iran Vows Retaliation, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Top Commanders Killed, Region on Alert Amid Operation Rising Lion

Middle East Tensions Soar Following Israeli Strikes on Irans Nuclear Sites

Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Top Commanders Killed, Region on Alert Amid 'Operation Rising Lion'

June 13, 2025  In a dramatic escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, Israel launched a full-scale military offensive dubbed Operation Rising Lion early Friday, targeting Irans nuclear and military infrastructure. The strikes, involving more than 200 fighter jets, have reportedly killed top Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.

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According to Iranian state media, Israeli airstrikes struck Tehran and several strategic locations, resulting in the deaths of key Iranian figures, including Revolutionary Guard chief Gen. Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and IRGC Commander of Emergency Operations. Additionally, at least six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were confirmed dead.

The Natanz nuclear facility, Irans central uranium enrichment site, located 220 km southeast of Tehran, was among the primary targets. Iran had previously fortified parts of the facility underground and had begun expanding operations into Pickax Mountain nearby. The facility had already been the target of previous sabotage operations and the infamous Stuxnet virus.

Israel: "An Existential Campaign"

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In a statement, Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir described the attack as part of a "historic campaign to prevent an existential threat." He confirmed that tens of thousands of soldiers had been mobilized. "We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other," said Zamir, emphasizing the threat posed by Irans nuclear and missile programs.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed on X (formerly Twitter),We can now confirm that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Irans Emergency Command were all eliminated... These are three ruthless mass murderers with international blood on their hands.

Israeli Minister Gideon Saar was reportedly in constant communication with world leaders, attempting to justify the offensive as an act of self-defense against Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program.

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Iran Vows Severe Retaliation

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a fierce condemnation of the strikes, calling them a wicked and blood-stained crime. He vowed severe punishment and stated that Irans response would know no limits. Irans government declared that the attack further justifies its advancement in uranium enrichment and missile capabilities.

One should not speak to such a predatory regime except in the language of power, an Iranian statement read. The world now better understands Irans insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power.

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Global Reactions and Regional Precautions

The offensive has sparked urgent diplomatic responses around the world. Democratic U.S. lawmakers criticized the Israeli action as a reckless escalation, while Republican leaders defended it as a necessary measure against Irans nuclear ambitions.

Oman, a key mediator in U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, strongly condemned Israel's actions, calling them a "flagrant violation" of international law and holding Israel responsible for regional destabilization.

Saudi Arabia also denounced the Israeli strikes as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and international law.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms," Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged all parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Fox News journalist quoted Trump as saying.

Fallout: Airspace Closures and Cancelled Talks

Iraq and Jordan shut down their airspace to all flights as a security precaution. Jordans military intercepted drones and missiles entering its airspace.

Iran suspended nuclear negotiations with the U.S. that were scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday.

Hamas and Wider Implications

The Palestinian militant group Hamas called the Israeli strikes a dangerous escalation and linked the attack to Irans support for Palestine.

Today, Iran is paying the price for its steadfast stance in support of Palestine and its resistance, said a statement from the group.

(For more news apart from Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: Top Commanders Killed, Region on Alert Amid Operation Rising Lion, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and China reached $1.42 billion from January through April 2025.

Data obtained by Trend from the State Customs Committee indicates that this figure marks a $389.9 million or 37.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Trade with China accounted for 8.43 percent of Azerbaijans total trade volume during this period, placing China fourth among Azerbaijans main trade partners.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan exported $25 million worth of goods to China during the reporting period, which is $18.7 million or four times more than in the same period of the previous year.

Azerbaijan's imports from China totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a $371.2 million or 36 percent increase compared to reporting period of 2024. This growth placed China as the second-largest exporter to Azerbaijan during the period.

In total, Azerbaijan conducted foreign trade operations worth $16.9 billion in the first four months of 2025, which is $3.3 billion or 24.1 percent higher than in the same period last year.

Of the total trade, $8.78 billion came from exports and $8.13 billion from imports. Compared to the first four months of 2024, exports increased by $616.1 million (7.5 percent) and imports rose by $2.7 billion (48.8 percent).

Consequently, Azerbaijan recorded a positive trade balance of $651.7 million. However, this is $2.1 billion or over four times less than the surplus recorded in the same period of 2024.
June 13, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 13.06.2025, 19:54

NEGOTIATIONS  The interim president of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ilie Bolojan, said Friday that corrective measures will be taken to reduce the budget deficit, most of which are unpopular but necessary and voiced hope that parties would complete talks next week. The leaders of the four pro-European parties in the Bucharest Parliament and the experts of the technical working group continue political negotiations in an attempt to reach a consensus on measures to reduce the budget deficit. In recent days, there have been several rounds of talks, first at the government headquarters, then at the Cotroceni Palace, in the presence of the head of state, Nicusor Dan. PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR have divergent opinions on topics such as the flat tax rate, the increase in the health contribution and the reduction of state spending. In this context, Cristian Popa, member of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), said that the problem of the budget deficit is not only a technical concern of specialists, but also a social one and that there is an urgency in reducing it. The BNR representative specified that the state must take measures to improve collection and only after that act at the level of taxation, if needed. On Monday, President Nicusor Dan also invited representatives of the trade unions to discussions after their members protested in front of the presidential headquarters, unhappy with the tax reform proposals.

IRAN  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest (MAE) informs Romanian citizens who are inside, transiting or intending to travel to Iran, that the security situation is extremely volatile and unpredictable, following the Israeli attacks on Friday morning. Given the high risk of military escalation, the MAE strongly recommends avoiding travel to Iran in the upcoming period, urgent departure from Iranian territory by Romanian citizens in the area, via available commercial flights or other safe means and permanent monitoring of announcements made by local and international authorities. Romanian citizens can request assistance from the Romanian Consular Section in Tehran at +98 21 77647570, email: teheran.consul@mae.ro. The MAE is monitoring developments in the region with priority and will constantly update travel alerts, according to a press release from the ministry. Israel launched strikes on Iran on Friday, suspected of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. The attacks, carried out by more than 200 fighter jets, also included Mossad commando operations inside Iranian territory. The targets were uranium enrichment sites, oil facilities, military bases and high-ranking military personnel and scientists involved in the nuclear program. Among the victims was the head of the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of the Tehran regime. In response, Iran launched more than 100 drones in the direction of Israel, but all were destroyed before reaching their destination.

CORRUPTION  The head of the Braila Gendarmerie (south-eastern Romania), Colonel Nicolae Iulian Albaceanu, has been placed under judicial control for 60 days and is prohibited from exercising his position. He is accused by anti-corruption prosecutors of having carried out business activities which are incompatible with the position he holds. The commander of the institution is allegedly involved in real estate activities and fuel business and has brought, through intermediaries, workers from Asia, whom he used at the fast food restaurants he owns. He has even bought a plane with the money he earned illegally.

RADIO  The International Radio Drama Festival staged by Radio Romania will take place between June 16-20. Some 24 radio productions from around the world are present in the two sections of the competition  Drama and Short Forms. Auditions for the plays are scheduled between June 16-19, and each day of the festival will end with a Q&A session with representatives of the participating productions. The awards gala is held on Friday, June 20.

SALARY  The average net salary in Romania in April was 5,647 lei (the equivalent of about 1,120 euros), down by 44 lei (-0.8%) compared to March 2025, according to data supplied by the National Institute of Statistics on Friday. The average gross salary was 9,415 lei, 80 lei (-0.8%) lower than that recorded in March 2025. The highest values of the average net salary were recorded in the extraction of crude oil and natural gas (14,021 lei) and in IT service activities (12,599 lei), and the lowest in hotels and restaurants (3,332 lei) and in the manufacture of clothing (3,430 lei). (EE)
Child poverty in figures

Around 19.5 million children in the European Union were exposed last year to the risk of poverty and social exclusion.

Photo: Charlein Gracia / unsplash.com

Daniela Budu, 13.06.2025, 13:50

Around 19.5 million children in the European Union were exposed last year to the risk of poverty and social exclusion, according to the latest data published by the European statistical office, Eurostat, which accounts for a quarter of European children. In Romania, the percentage is even higher than the European average, but the data show that things have improved in recent years.

Eurostat figures for last year show that 33.8% of Romanian children under the age of 18 are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. This is third highest level in the European Union, after Bulgaria and Spain. The lowest such figures were reported in Slovenia, Cyprus and Czechia. Figures have dropped, however at European level, from one year to the next, and a drop of 0.6% was recorded compared with 2023. Romania saw the highest drop, of 5.2% within a year, followed by Ireland and Hungary. On the other hand, the number of children at risk of poverty and social exclusion grew in states like Finland, Croatia, Bulgaria and Belgium.

Eurostat also shows that 5.8% of young people aged between 15 and 29 in the European Union live in severe material and social deprivation. According to the data measuring absolute poverty, the most serious situation is recorded in Bulgaria, Romania and Greece. Some 17% of young people in Bulgaria and more than 14% of young people in Romania and Greece are faced with grave financial and social difficulties. The figures also note that this level is below 3% in ten EU member states.

On the other hand, the latest report of the Organisation for Cooperation and Development shows that the school enrolment rate in Romania is below this Organisations average. Education minister Daniel David warned that the lowest level is recorded in respect of early and high school education. The assessment comes two years after the adoption of new education laws and more than a decade of attempts to reform the education system. The report also highlights that the Romanian education system is still unfair, underfinanced and ineffective, and the gaps separating it from the OECD average are wide and persistent. Romania is in the process of adhering to this organisation known for its tough standards and comparative assessment of public policies. According to the OECD, the poor foundations of education contribute to a high rate of school drop-out rates, with 1 in 4 Romanian pupils dropping out of school before finishing high school.

The OECD recommends that Romania focuses on expanding quality education and learning opportunities in the rural communities through careful planning of the school and early learning network. It also recommends support for vulnerable pupils through measures that take into account existing barriers, including of a financial and administrative nature or which have to do with the access to information.
Funds to consolidate the national hydrotechnical system

The Romanian government has increased the funds for Romanian Waters National Administration, and part of the money is being allocated to the endangered Praid salt mine.

Photo: fb.com / Inspectoratul General pentru Situatii de Urgenta, Romania

Stefan Stoica, 13.06.2025, 14:00

The interim government in Bucharest has approved the increase by 55% in the budget of the National Administration Romanian Waters. The funds will allow, among other things, essential investments in the maintenance and modernization of dams, dikes and water discharge equipment, so they will be used to consolidate the hydrotechnical infrastructure and modernize the national water management system. The budget of the National Administration Romanian Waters will practically amount to over 4 billion lei, about 800 million Euros.

The Minister of Environment, Water and Forests, Mircea Fechet, stated that 3.1 million lei, or 600,000 Euros, will be allocated to the works that are necessary in the Praid salt mine area, in the center of the country, recently flooded following torrential rains and thus becoming an area of ecological risk, with serious economic implications. According to Minister Fechet, the money will go to the feasibility study, technical design and execution of works to attenuate possible floods. The so-called holders designed to be installed upstream are to reduce the maximum flow in the future to 35 cubic meters per second.

Meanwhile, salinity has increased worryingly in the Tarnava Mica River, so the decision was made to cut off drinking water in several localities in Mures County. Initially, large pieces of the ceiling of the old salt mine collapsed, and the displaced water spilled into the Corund stream, which increased its salinity and that of the Tarnava Mica river. Then, a series of works to divert the Corund riverbed had the same effect of increasing the salinity of the flowing waters in the area. The County School Inspectorate will order the suspension of school with physical attendance at all educational institutions, with the exception of national exams, starting Monday, June 16. The quantity of drinking water delivered to the population will be supplemented and there will be dozens of distribution points. The population has been warned that it is forbidden to eat fish found dead, either in the water or on the shore, because it represents a health hazard.

On the other hand, the 27 people evacuated following the floods in Praid will be able to return to their homes after a period of monitoring of the micro-seismic sensors, which may last even several weeks and only if the data is reassuring, announced the head of the Department for Emergency Situations, Raed Arafat. He mentioned that the opening of the wellness area, where there is also a saltwater pool, will also be possible only after the implementation of the micro-seismic monitoring system. The salt mine has been closed since May 6, due to infiltrations caused by the heavy rains. The situation in Praid was examined by a team of experts from Spain, Germany, the Netherlands and Hungary, who worked alongside Romanian experts in mining, geodesy, infrastructure and the environment. (LS)
Oil prices soared on Friday after Israel launched an airstrike on Iran and declared a special state of emergency, raising fears of oil supply disruption.

Benchmark Brent crude futures were up a little over 7 percent at $74.24 a barrel in European trade while WTI crude futures jumped 7.2 percent to $72.91.

Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and ballistic missile factories as part of efforts "to damage Iran's nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile factories and military capabilities."

Iran retaliated by launching more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory. Iran's state-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported that six nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes, which also targeted key personnel linked to Iran's missile development programs.

The Trump administration has sought to distance itself from the conflict, adding its top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the Natanz facility, a central part of the country's nuclear infrastructure, sustained damage but there was no indication of a radioactive leak.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors Iran's nuclear activities, said it had not detected any rise in radiation levels at the site.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
Iran's top military commanders, including General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of its Revolutionary Guard, were killed in a series of major air strikes by Israel targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and ballistic missile factories overnight.

Salami had warned in May that Iran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by Israel or the US.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that "Operation Rising Lion" was launched to prevent the Islamist nation from building an atomic weapon, and "would continue for as many days as it takes."

He said the operation targeted nuclear scientists. Iranian state-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported that half a dozen nuclear scientists were killed.

Israeli military used 200 fighter jets, which hit "the heart of Iran's ballistic missiles program," Netanyahu stated.

Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory, and most of them were neutralized, according to Israel's military.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran's highest-ranking military officer, was also reported to be killed.

International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran's main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz also was attacked, but there had been no increase in radiation levels.

The Israeli Air Force claimed to have destroyed dozens of Iranian radars and surface-to-air missile launchers in attacks targeting air defense systems in the western region.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel "should anticipate a severe punishment" for the attacks.

The instant escalation of tensions in the Middle East also sent global oil prices up.

Meanwhile, the United States has distanced itself from Israel's unilateral action against Iran.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he added.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The UN General Assembly has overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.

The move follows the Security Council's failure to pass a similar resolution last week after it was vetoed by permanent member the United States.

In an emergency session of the General Assembly on Thursday in New York, the resolution was backed by 149 Member States, with 12 voting against and 19 abstaining.

Among those opposing the resolution were the United States and Israel.

Brought forward by more than 20 countries, it strongly condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war, demanded full lifting of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian aid, and insisted on the protection of civilians under international law.

Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they carry significant political and moral weight.

Meanwhile, famine conditions continue to threaten lives across Gaza, and reports persist of civilians being killed or injured while trying to access food at distribution points operated independently of the UN but supported by Israel and the US.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
After moving moderately higher over the course of the previous session, Canadian stocks have given back some ground during trading on Friday.

Currently, the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index is off its worst levels but still down 120.68 points or 0.5 percent at 26,495.07. The index ended Thursday's trading at a new record closing high.

The pullback on Bay Street may partly reflect geopolitical concerns after Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran earlier this morning.

The Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear facilities and ballistic missile factories killed at least three of Iran's senior military leaders.

Iran retaliated by launching more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory, which the Israel Defense Forces said they are working to intercept.

Technology stocks have helped lead the market lower, with the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index plunging by 2.0 percent.

Financial and consumer discretionary stocks are also seeing notable weakness, while a rally by energy stocks has helped limit the downside for the market.

The S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index has surged by 1.9 percent, as the price of crude oil is spiking by nearly 7 percent in response to the Middle East tensions.

Gold stocks are also bucking the downtrend amid a sharp increase by the price of the precious metal, driving the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index up by 1.4 percent.

In Canadian economic news, separate reports released by Statistics Canada showed manufacturing sales and wholesale sales tumbled by 2.8 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively, in April.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
The Canadian market slipped down from yesterday's record high on Friday in response to Israel extensively attacking Iran.

The benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index regained some ground after an early slump but once again came under pressure as the day progressed, closing down 111.40 points or 0.4% at 26,504.35. However, the index recorded its third consecutive weekly gain, climbing 0.6%.

Earlier today, around 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked hundreds of nuclear and military targets across Iran. While US President Donald Trump stated that Iran brought on this attack upon itself, Iran warned that Israel would pay a "heavy price" for its attacks.

This development has increased the threat of a full-blown conflict in the Middle East. Reacting to these developments, global stock tumbled today.

In Canadian economic news, separate reports released by Statistics Canada showed manufacturing sales and wholesale sales tumbled by 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively, in April.

The major sectors that lost in today's trading were IT, Consumer Discretionary, Real Estate and Industrials shedding 2.58%, 1.68%, 1.09%, and 1.04% respectively.

Utilities, Communication Services, Consumer Staples, and Financials were the other sectors that gave away between 0.23% and 0.89%.

Among the individual stocks, Lightspeed Commerce (5.30%), Docebo (4.53%), Celestica Inc. (4.31%), Shopify (3.62%), Magna International (3.19%), and Canadian National Railway (1.50%) were among the notable losers.

The major sectors that benefitted in today's trading were Energy, Healthcare, and Materials, gaining 2.77%, 2.08%, and 1.41% respectively.

Among individual stocks, International Petroleum (9.04%), Baytex Energy (4.93%), Suncor Energy (4.70%), Methanex Corp (4.41%), Dundee Precious Metals (4.00%), and Barrick Mining Corp (2.95%) were the prominent gainers.

All eyes are on the upcoming G-7 Leader's Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, where a meeting between Trump and Canadian premier Mark Carney is expected to ease bilateral trade tensions.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. On Thursday, Lithuanias Vice-Minister of Finance Janus Kizenevic signed a Letter of Intent on a Double Taxation Treaty with Vietnamese officials, taking a key step toward closer economic cooperation between the two countries, Trend reports with reference to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania.

The agreement set the stage for clarifying taxation rights on income, putting an end to double taxation, and bolstering collaboration on tax issues. It is designed to offer legal clarity and predictability for individuals and companies from Lithuania and Vietnam operating across borders.

We needed to make it easier for businesses to enter new markets and avoid excessive costs and bureaucratic hurdlesespecially in the early stages of setting up and growing operations in Vietnam, said Vice-Minister Kizenevic. In todays dynamic and uncertain geopolitical climate, discovering new markets is more important than ever.

Kizenevic visited Vietnam as part of the official Lithuanian delegation led by the President of the Republic of Lithuania. During the visit, the delegation met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and took part in a panel discussion focused on innovation and digitalization.

The Letter of Intent marks an important step toward a full Double Taxation Agreement and signals Lithuanias broader commitment to expanding its economic presence in Southeast Asia.
While retaining its boxy and upright stance, new-gen Mahindra Bolero has a more refined body styling similar to Thar

Mahindra is working on the next-gen Bolero, which has been spotted multiple times on road tests. A major change is the transition from ladder frame to a monocoque multi-energy platform  New Flexible Architecture (NFA). Mahindra will unveil this new platform on 15th August 2025. Latest spy shots of new-gen Bolero provide a glimpse of the potential upgrades. Lets check out the details.

New-gen Bolero  Whats new?

As compared to the existing model that has trapezoidal headlamps, new-gen Mahindra Bolero gets circular LED headlights. It seems similar to that of Thar and Roxx. Front fascia is now completely upright, something that complements the SUVs boxy profile. The signature grille has parallel-running slats instead of the angled slats seen with the current model. Other highlights include a chunky bumper and clamshell-style bonnet. Latest spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast Aaronwins.

With the new-gen Bolero, the safety kit will receive a major update. It will include ADAS, as evidenced by the spy shots. A Level 2 ADAS package is likely, something similar to that offered with the XUV 3XO. ADAS features could include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, auto emergency braking and traffic sign recognition. The ADAS suite will be available with the top variants of the new-gen Bolero.

In earlier spy shots, the side and rear profile of the new-gen Bolero were also revealed. The boxy silhouette is more pronounced, with a flat roof, largely straight beltline and an upright tailgate. Flared wheel arches seem familiar, although minor variations may be hidden under the camouflage.

Alloy wheels appear to be 17-inch or 18-inch in size. New ORVMs with integrated turn signals can be seen. These appear to have cameras and sensors, as part of the ADAS ecosystem. At the rear, new-gen Bolero continues with the tailgate-mounted spare tyre.

Spruced up interiors

While interiors of the new-gen Mahindra Bolero havent been revealed, some significant changes are likely. Top variants could get features like touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, rear AC vents, USB charging ports and steering mounted controls. Connectivity features could also be introduced with the top variants.

With the monocoque chassis, new-gen Bolero will ensure smoother rides and reduced NVH levels. Safety kit is likely to be updated with features such as 6-airbags, rearview camera, speed alert system and tyre pressure monitoring system. Overall comfort could be enhanced with features like adjustable headrests and rear centre armrest.

Performance

New-gen Bolero could continue with the existing engine options. Current Bolero utilizes the mHAWK75 diesel engine, generating 75 PS and 210 Nm of torque. Bolero Neo has a 1.5-litre diesel engine that generates 100 PS and 260 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The NFA monocoque platform to be used for new-gen Bolero supports diesel, petrol, hybrid and fully electric platforms. Along with the new-gen Bolero, the Bolero EV is also expected to be launched in 2026. New-gen Bolero is expected to be offered in the price range of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12 lakh.
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 13. A series of high-level events aimed at strengthening trade, economic, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Sultanate of Oman took place in Tashkent, marking a new stage in bilateral relations, Trend report.

As part of the official program, ministers of investment, industry, and trade (IIT) of both countries held a meeting and discussed key areas of cooperation. Topics included boosting mutual trade, attracting investments, and enhancing industrial collaboration.

The central event was the 5th meeting of the UzbekistanOman Intergovernmental Commission, during which the two sides reviewed the implementation status of existing agreements and outlined new measures to accelerate joint projects.

The program continued with a business forum that brought together more than 50 companies from both countries. Participants presented investment initiatives in sectors such as information and communication technologies (ICT), education, food processing, agriculture, and tourism  highlighting the growing potential for cross-sector collaboration.

The forum concluded with B2B and B2G meetings, providing a platform for establishing new business partnerships and identifying specific areas for cooperation. The event wrapped up with the signing of the official Protocol of the 5th Intergovernmental Commission meeting, setting the framework for further economic engagement between Uzbekistan and Oman.

This comprehensive exchange underlines both countries commitment to strengthening strategic ties and promoting sustainable economic development through international cooperation.
Fairfax interim town manager Nick Nadeau has one foot in Vermont and one in Maine. Having taken an interim position in Maine, Nadeau is preparing both the town and himself for the future split.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 13. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bobur Usmanov met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Alexander Khvtisiashvili to discuss the current state and prospects of Uzbek-Georgian comprehensive cooperation, Trend reports.

The two officials highlighted the positive momentum in bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of politics, inter-parliamentary dialogue, trade and economy, transport and logistics, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Special focus was placed on the implementation of agreements reached during the official visit of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to Uzbekistan in March 2025. That visit resulted in the signing of several memorandums and cooperation agreements aimed at enhancing trade, boosting transport connectivity, and expanding partnerships in energy, education, and tourism.

Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to maintaining an active and constructive dialogue between their foreign ministries. They underscored the importance of effective coordination on the bilateral agenda and agreed to work on new initiatives to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across key sectors.

In 2024, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Georgia reached $325.7 million, marking a 46.5% increase from the previous year. Exports from Uzbekistan to Georgia totaled $72 million, while imports from Georgia amounted to $253.7 million, driven largely by pharmaceutical products.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol voiced concern over Israel's strikes on Iran, Trend reports.

"The IEA is actively monitoring the impact on oil markets from the Israel-Iran situation," he said, adding that the markets are well supplied today, but the agency is ready to act if needed.

"The IEA oil security system has over 1.2 billion barrels of emergency stocks and has proved vital to safeguarding the world economy," Birol wrote on his page on X.

Earlier, the Netherlands ING banking group announced that oil prices may surpass $150/bbl if Iran-Israel tensions persist.

Oil prices surged more than 7% this morning following reports of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites - a significant escalation in Middle East tensions that has sharply increased geopolitical risk premiums in global energy markets, the Netherlands-based ING banking group said in a market commentary.

On the night of June 13, a series of explosions rocked several key regions in Iran - including the capital Tehran, Isfahan, and near the strategically important nuclear facility in Natanz. These blasts were the result of a coordinated airstrike by the Israeli Air Force targeting sites linked to Irans nuclear program and missile production. In response, Iranian air defenses were put on high alert, airspace over several regions was closed, and Imam Khomeini International Airport was temporarily shut down.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that facilities in Isfahan and Bushehr remained untouched, but the nuclear complex in Natanz was struck. Importantly, no increase in radiation levels was detected.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 13. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Kuchkarov, met with a delegation from Kazanc Holding, underscoring the growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkiye in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Trend reports.

The delegation was led by Cemil Kazanc, Chairman of the Board of Kazanc Holding, a prominent Turkish conglomerate with diversified operations in energy, generator manufacturing and rental, tourism, and agriculture. The group includes Aksa Enerji, one of Turkiyes largest independent power producers with operations both domestically and internationally.

Other members of the delegation included Cuneyt Uygun, Member of the Board of Directors of Kazanc Holding; Cevdet Yalcn, CFO of Aksa Enerji; Mustafa Kemal Ylmaz, Financial Manager in Uzbekistan; and Selcuk Sisman, Operations Manager in Uzbekistan. On the Uzbek side, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Khurshed Mustafayev and other senior officials.

During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for modernizing Uzbekistans energy infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and attracting foreign investment through public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms. Special attention was given to the implementation of joint infrastructure projects aligned with Uzbekistans national development goals.

Following the talks, both sides expressed a strong mutual interest in deepening the partnership and advancing cooperation in key strategic areas.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkiye reached $418 million in the first two months of 2025, reflecting the dynamic growth of economic ties between the two countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The third round of the high-level energy powwow between Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) to forge a strategic energy partnership took place in Brussels, Belgium, Trend reports.

The meeting, chaired by Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jrgensen, was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Energy, SOCAR, the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources (AREA), the European Commissions Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as the company CESI.

The talks were all about getting on the same page regarding energy partnership priorities, with a spotlight on the Southern Gas Corridor and the shift towards energy transition. The prospects of Azerbaijans gas production and exports, the current state of EU gas supply, and opportunities to finance gas transport infrastructure within the framework of EBRDs energy sector strategy were reviewed.

It was noted that last year, gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe increased by 9.5 percent, reaching 13 billion cubic meters, and this year, half of the exports are intended for Europe.

It was also noted that by 2030, based on existing agreements, an additional roughly 8 billion cubic meters of gas production, along with about 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas liberated through around 2.7 GW of solar and wind power plants, are on the horizon. Transporting these volumes and significantly increasing additional supplies on time requires expansion of pipelines, investments in field development projects, long-term commercial contracts, and mobilization of financial instruments.

The development of renewable energy capacities in Azerbaijan, the implementation of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, and other "green energy" interconnector projects were also discussed. The green energy export projects were evaluated within the frameworks of the Energy Trans-European Networks Regulation and the Global Gateway Strategy, as well as existing financing instruments of the EIB and EBRD.

It was stated that production of green energy and its supply to Europe through various routes and interconnectors are among the main strategic priorities of Azerbaijans modern energy policy, defined by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. These projects are significant not only for diversifying energy sources for Europe but also from the perspective of geostrategic interests related to Central Asia and the Middle Corridor.

"In the context of current challenges, it is time to demonstrate a pragmatic approach to increasing gas supplies from Azerbaijan as a reliable partner and to take concrete and decisive steps to provide financial and political support for the development of relevant regional energy infrastructures. At the same time, granting the status of Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) to the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor and including it in the 10-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) is critically important for the successful development of this strategic initiative. We call on the relevant EU structures to strengthen necessary support in this direction and to advance this initiative as a priority project," Shahbazov said.

Jrgensen noted that this dialogue reflects the close cooperation in the energy sector and that such dialogue is conducted with very few countries.

"We highly appreciate Azerbaijans efforts in this regard. Achieving energy security requires risk mitigation. Energy infrastructure is fundamental to advancing our energy transition. We are ready to explore opportunities to increase energy integration between the South Caucasus region and the European region. This can also be implemented through guarantees and mobilization of blended finance instruments," he added.

During the discussions, there was also a back-and-forth on the steps taken to boost energy efficiency and cut down on methane emissions.

The energy dialogue between Azerbaijan and the EU has been ongoing since 2022.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan plans to construct central hospitals in the recently liberated districts of Lachin and Kalbajar, Trend reports.

The Ministry of Health has already initiated the necessary preparations for these projects through its construction management department.

The ministry has commissioned the preparation of design and cost-estimate documents for the hospitals to Iba Group LLC and signed a contract with the company. Under the agreement, the company received over 1.1 million manat ($647,000) for its services.

Founded in 2019, Iba Group LLC is responsible for developing the project documentation. The company has a registered capital of 50 manat ($29.4) and is legally represented by Ilgar Baylarov.

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Photo: The Ministry of Finance and Economy of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 13. In a meeting between a delegation from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) headed by Governor Nobumitsu Hayashi and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Jamshid Kuchkarov, the goal of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral economic and infrastructure cooperation, Trend reports.

In the heat of the discussions, the two sides tossed around ideas on Uzbekistans pressing economic priorities, such as nurturing a green economy, fast-tracking infrastructure projects, backing IT and artificial intelligence, and giving a leg up to small business growth. They also addressed opportunities for launching modern, mutually beneficial projects in strategic sectors.

Special attention was given to the expansion of public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks. The parties discussed the importance of accelerating the implementation of key PPP initiatives in the following areas:

Construction and modernization of regional hospitals equipped with advanced technologies;

Upgrades to the national electricity supply system;

Development of modern infrastructure projects;

Enhancement of clean drinking water supply systems;

Creation of sustainable heating systems using cutting-edge technologies;

Construction of modern road infrastructure.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation and agreed to continue working systematically and effectively toward the implementation of joint goals in priority sectors.

The meeting was also attended by Ken Imai, Head of JBICs Representative Office in Moscow; Otabek Fozilkarimov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, Jasur Karshibayev, Advisor to the Minister and other senior Uzbek officials.

JBIC is a state-owned Japanese financial institution established in 1999, specializing in the financing of international economic and infrastructure projects in collaboration with Japanese companies. As of 2023, JBIC manages assets totaling approximately $150 billion and plays a key role in advancing Japanese exports and global economic partnerships.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has affirmed that "there are currently no developments in supply or market dynamics that warrant unnecessary measures", the bloc said in a statement, Trend reports.

This comes in response to today's remarks by International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol, who expressed concern over Israel's strikes on Iran and noted that the situation may warrant the use of emergency oil reserves. "The IEA oil security system has over 1.2 billion barrels of emergency stocks and has proved vital to safeguarding the world economy," he said.

"Todays statement in social media by the IEA executive director regarding current market conditions and potential use of oil emergency stocks, raises false alarms and projects a sense of market fear through repeating the unnecessary need to potentially use oil emergency stocks," OPEC said.

The bloc added that similar assessments made in previous cases, most recently in 2022, contributed to higher market volatility and led to premature stock releases that ultimately proved unnecessary.

"It is crucial that commentary on market conditions be grounded in verified data and sound analysis, especially during sensitive geopolitical situations," the statement reads.

On the morning of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. The attacks killed numerous high-ranking military officials, including Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Also killed were several members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), such as IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Commander Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and others.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The 4th Tashkent International Investment Forum was held in the capital of Uzbekistan from June 10 through June 12, 2025, confirming the country's status as one of the most attractive destinations for long-term investments in the Eurasian region, Trend reports.

The scale of the event speaks for itself: more than 8,000 participants, over 3,000 foreign representatives of businesses, investment groups, and international organizations, 36 thematic sessions, and dozens of agreements totaling $30.5 billion.

The forum served not just as a business platform but as a true instrument for building sustainable partnerships. Uzbekistan is demonstrating that it is not only ready to participate in regional projects but also to play a leading role in them.

Since the first forum in 2022, Uzbekistan has signed 357 investment agreements worth $44 billion. However, this years forum set an all-time record for agreements signed  $30.5 billion in just three days. These are no longer isolated successes but a stable trend, reflecting growing interest and increasing confidence from global businesses.

Investors are increasingly viewing Uzbekistan not as an exotic market with uncertain prospects, but as a stable and predictable platform for scalable cooperation.

A significant portion of the signed agreements focused on energy, infrastructure, and industry. The most discussed project was the $5 billion Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort development, being implemented jointly with Agalarov Development. Despite concerns about the current infrastructure readiness of the region, the vision is ambitious: to transform the Tashkent region into a symbol of economic modernization and a new tourism hub of Eurasia.

Agreements in the energy sector appear more pragmatic: the construction of a 1,400 MW thermal power plant, the launch of solar power plants in the Namangan and Fergana regions, and new memoranda on the development of gas-based generation with the participation of international companies. The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) expressed its readiness to participate in the construction of solar and wind power plants in the Samarkand and Karakalpakstan regions, as well as a multidisciplinary 800-bed hospital in Samarkand (jointly with Sojitz, $250 million). JBICs total investment portfolio in Uzbekistan has already reached $3.7 billion.

Special attention was given to agreements with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). A memorandum worth $500 million was signed for the 20252030 period to support the private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises. Sixteen projects totaling $375 million have already been implemented, with eight more currently in progress.

A separate track of negotiations involved Afghanistans Minister of Industry and Trade, Nooruddin Azizi. A Preferential Trade Agreement and a Cooperation Program in Trade, Economic, and Industrial Spheres for 20252026 were signed. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan outlined priority areas in trade, transportation, agriculture, and logistics, laying the groundwork for active economic engagement.

One of the forums key themes was deepening economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Over the past year, the number of joint ventures has increased fivefold  more than 500 companies with Azerbaijani capital are now registered in Uzbekistan. On the sidelines of the forum, projects in logistics, transportation, green energy, and industry were discussed, as well as strategies for entering European and Middle Eastern markets through the Middle Corridor.

The foundation of this cooperation is being strengthened through a joint investment fund worth $500 million, which has already selected 12 concrete projects. According to Azerbaijans First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev, an intergovernmental commission meeting  the key mechanism for coordinating bilateral interaction  will be held next week. In addition, Azerbaijan will open a trade office in Uzbekistan  its sixth globally.

At the panel session Azerbaijan  Uzbekistan: A Vector of Economic Partnership, Nazim Gadzhiev, Director of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company, stated that the company has reviewed over 100 investment projects, with more than 15 currently in active development. The focus is on minority investments in operating enterprises with high growth potential, particularly in industry and educational infrastructure.

A symbol of growing trust was the participation of Azerbaijan's Agalarov Development in the forums largest project  the $5 billion Sea Breeze Uzbekistan resort. As noted above, this initiative reflects a shift toward joint ventures of a new scale.

The 4th Tashkent Forum was a landmark event that demonstrated the transformation of Uzbekistans investment climate and the countrys growing role in the regional and global economy.

The power plant construction projects, especially in renewable energy (solar and wind), reflect a global shift toward green development and provide Uzbekistan with a technological upgrade in the energy sector. Investments from JBIC and international companies signal confidence in the countrys stability and market prospects. These projects are expected to reduce Uzbekistans energy dependency and increase its export potential.

Joint programs with ICD and OFID reflect a systemic approach to private sector development, which will boost entrepreneurship, diversify the economy, and promote more equitable income distribution.

Preferential trade agreements with Afghanistan and expanding economic ties with Azerbaijan demonstrate Uzbekistans strategy to position itself as a regional economic hub. The creation of joint ventures and investment funds minimizes risks and maximizes partnership synergy.

Emphasis on educational infrastructure and industrial modernization addresses the countrys need for skilled labor and competitive production. Minority investments in existing businesses reduce risks for investors while accelerating growth and innovation.

In such way, Uzbekistan is making it clear: the country is no longer catching up  it is setting the pace. Whereas attention was previously focused on the number of contracts signed, the focus is now increasingly shifting to the quality and implementation of projects. Signed agreements are commitments  but real transformation will begin when there is accountability: what has been built, how many jobs have been created, how much tax revenue has been generated, and what has been produced and exported.

While many of the current agreements are still at a framework stage, their effectiveness will become evident in 23 years. One thing is certain: the forum is working, interest in Uzbekistan is growing, the country is changing  and this is no longer a temporary spike, but a sustainable direction of progress.
Industrial production across the Eurozone slumped in April, official figures showed on Friday, missing expectations for a more modest decline.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, industrial production slid 2.4% month-on-month.

That compares to the previous months 2.4% rise, and was worse than consensus, for a 1.7% decline.

Year-on-year, production increased by 0.8%, although that also missed forecasts, for a 1.4% improvement.

In the wider EU, it fell by 1.8% month-on-month.

There were falls across all industrial groupings, although the biggest was in energy, which recorded a 1.6% decline.

Among individual member states, in Germany  the blocs biggest economy  industrial production fell 1.9%, following a 2.5% uplift in March.

In Spain, industrial production was 0.9% lower, in France it fell 1.4% but in Italy it rose 1%.

Trade also weakened in the euro area in April, with the surplus falling to just 9.9bn from the previous months 37.3bn, according to first estimates from Eurostat also published on Friday.

Exports of goods eased 1.4% to 246.5bn, while imports nudged up 0.1%, at 233.1bn.

Analysts had been expecting a surplus closer to 18.2bn.

Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING, said: After the strong surge in the first quarter on the back of the US front-loading of Eurozone goods ahead of higher tariffs, industrial production showed the expected reversal.

The Eurozone manufacturing sector is currently highly affected by two main factors: the cyclical turning on the inventory cycle and Donald Trumps tariffs.

US tariffs and again highly elevated geopolitical risks provide reasons enough against any premature optimism. However, more fundamentally speaking, it looks like manufacturing has been bottoming out.

After huge stockpiling in 2021 and 2022, and high inventories limiting production since then, the inventory cycle is showing the first signs of turning.
The attack was conducted by some 200 fighter, including against Tehran's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, as well as Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, the Wall Street Journal reported.

In response, as of 0740 BST front-dated Brent crude oil futures were jumping %6.86 to $74.12 per barrel.

Euro/dollar meanwhile was off by 0.46% to 1.1534 and gold futures for August delivery were ahead by 1.1% to $3,439/oz. on COMEX.

Bitcoin was down by 3.14% at $104,527.10.

Worth noting, market participants had been speculating about Israeli strikes for some time now.

Mossad agents were also hunting leadership targets, a person familiar with the operations told the WSJ.

An official in Tel Aviv said that Iran had been working in secret on a nuclear weapon during recent weeks.

Some reports indicated that Tehran had signalled before the attacks that it would not participate in the next scheduled round of talks.

Tel Aviv also declared a state of emergency in anticipation of an immediate retaliation.

The US Department of State said that Washington had not been involved in the strikes.

President Donald Trump said he remained committed to a diplomatic solution but that Tehran had to give up the capability of developing nuclear weapons.

"Axios reports Washington gave allies a quiet heads-up but made clear it would not participate in the strikes," commented Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management.

"[...] The only question now: Is this real, or just another round of symbolic sparring? If Iran holds back, we get a relief bounce. But if missiles start raining down on Tel Aviv or Tehran retaliates with real teeth, we're staring down a scenario that could redefine the macro narrative for the rest of 2025.

"And if Iran's nuclear facilities become rubble before the weeks out, this isnt a tail risk anymoreits a live wire scenario with global implications."
London stocks were set to drop at the open on Friday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, after Israel hit Irans nuclear sites.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around 50 points lower.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Tensions in the Middle East are running sky high as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes against Irans nuclear development facilities overnight. The pre-emptive action comes just one day after the United Nations nuclear watchdog declared that Tehran is not complying with its obligations and Iranian officials threatened to open a new Uranium enrichment site.

"The US is not thought to be involved in the military action which threatens to scupper Washingtons attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear question, where progress has been slow.

"It's no surprise FTSE 100 futures are pointing down this morning after the index crept to a record close of 8,884 yesterday as it shrugged off disappointing GDP data. Oil majors Shell and BP both felt the tailwind of rising oil prices, while precious metal producers Endeavour Mining and Fresnillo both had a good day. Risk is likely to remain off the table for now as the world braces for a response from Tehran, although recent history suggests Irans capabilities to penetrate Israels defences are limited."

On the UK corporate front, news was scarce, but drugmaker GSK said that its RSV vaccine, Arexvy, has been accepted for regulatory review by the European Medicines Agency to expand use in adults 18 years and older.

GSL said noted that Arexvy was the first RSV vaccine approved in the European Economic Area for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older, and for those aged 50-59 years who are at increased risk for RSV disease.
Retail footfall across the UK declined in May, fresh industry data revealed on Friday, marking a slowdown in consumer activity as the summer season started.

According to the latest BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor, total visits to retail destinations fell by 1.7% year-on-year, a sharp contrast to the 7.2% increase recorded in April.

High streets saw the steepest decline, with footfall dropping 2.5% compared to May 2024.

Shopping centres followed closely with a 2.3% decrease, while retail parks experienced a marginal gain of 0.2%, significantly lower than April's 7.5% rise.

All four UK nations experienced year-on-year drops in footfall.

England recorded the largest fall at 2.0%, followed by Northern Ireland at 1.4%, Scotland at 0.7%, and Wales at 0.4%.

Despite favourable weather throughout May, footfall took a disappointing turn last month, following a more promising start to the year, said British Retail Consortium chief executive officer Helen Dickinson.

While stock markets stabilised, higher household bills depressed consumer sentiment and the appetite to visit retail stores.

Retail parks performed the best of all locations, though only registering a slight uptick in shopper traffic.

Dickinson said there was also positive news in the North West, as Manchesters string of summer activities solidified its position as one of the top-performing English cities.

Retailers work hard to deliver vibrant, engaging shopping experiences that attract customers and boost footfall across the UK.

However, the Chancellors 2024 Budget added 5bn to the industrys costs, hampering their ability to do so.

The government must now ensure that upcoming reforms to business rates to be announced in the 2025 Budget leave no shop paying more.

Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, commented that despite the warm and sunny weather - more typical of peak summer than late spring - footfall didnt quite follow suit, suggesting that consumers may have favoured outdoor leisure over shopping.

Still, Mays result is a marked improvement on the -3.6% seen in the same month last year and reflects a more stable trend in 2025 overall, he said.

Encouragingly, consumer sentiment has shown signs of improvement, with more shoppers feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy.

Notwithstanding ongoing cost pressures, retailers will be looking to make hay while the sun shines - focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Photo: the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 13. Uzbekistans Ministry of Economy and Finance, the World Bank, and Turkiyes leading architecture and design firm, Studio Vertebra, have held strategic discussions to advance the development and implementation of modern urban master plans across the country, Trend reports.

The meeting brought together First Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance Ilkhom Norkulov, World Bank Senior Urbanization Specialist Muhammad Nada, and senior representatives of Studio Vertebra, Gencer Yalcin and Mehmet Bektash.

The discussions focused on crafting comprehensive master plans to transform regional centers into dynamic, livable urban environments with expanded green areas, enhanced recreational spaces, and modern public infrastructure. These efforts form part of Uzbekistans broader strategy for sustainable urban development, economic revitalization, and improved living standards.

Participants exchanged insights on global best practices and innovative planning methodologies, emphasizing the importance of context-driven solutions tailored to Uzbekistans unique regional needs. Special attention was given to the Kungrad district, where a pilot master plan is being developed to unlock local economic potential, expand commercial and public services, and attract investment.

The talks also highlighted how master planning can serve as a key tool for modernizing infrastructure, advancing green development, supporting digital transformation, and creating employment opportunities. The Kungrad initiative in particular is designed to align with modern urban standards while enhancing environmental sustainability and social inclusiveness.

This collaboration underscores Uzbekistans commitment to smart, forward-looking regional development, powered by international expertise and strategic partnerships.

Founded in 2009 and based in Istanbul, Studio Vertebra is an internationally recognized design firm specializing in urban planning, architecture, and interior design. Renowned for its sustainable and culturally adaptive approach, the firm is involved in shaping future-ready urban spaces across various regions.
Mae Marvel

(photo: Alyssa Lentz-Underwood)

Mae Marvel is a pen name for Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare, who have written more than a dozen novels between them and often finish each other's sentences. Mae lives with two teenagers, two dogs, one cat, four hermit crabs, and a plethora of snails and fish in a witchy century house in Wisconsin whose extravagant perennial garden gives them something to look forward to in the depths of winter.

If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You (St. Martin's; reviewed in this issue) is a romance about two women who are on the verge of breaking up. Neither knows the other works for the CIA, and the lies they tell each other are ruining their relationship.

What was the spark for creating this novel? Your author's note mentions that the world is better for all the lesbians in it. Was that a big part of why you wrote the story you did?

Often there can be inhibition when a marginalized author writes about marginalized characters. We were brainstorming, and asked ourselves, what is the biggest, most page-turning story that we can make as queer as possible? The answer was: spies!

We gave a nod to spy stories like Alias, Spy with Melissa McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and all the fun wigs and costume changes. We played with the tropes that delight people about spy stories.

And that opened up more fun for us, too: investigating insider tropes of being a lesbian couple. Since we are one--and Yardley and KC are as well.

Is it trickier to write stories centering queer characters given the current political climate?

The most important thing to remember for any community--marginalized or otherwise--is that there needs to be room for play. What are the different kinds of escapes? Sometimes it's an escape around the world--like a spy story--sometimes it's cozier. And then we try to think about how to make that world fabulously inclusive, where readers are not taken out of the story into the real world.

It means something to us, to have a nonbinary CIA handler, a lesbian couple. We're not apolitical, the overall position was deliberately progressive and inclusive, but the books are focused on the characters and their values, not the world at large. Intelligence agencies are certainly not known to be particularly ethical or kind, and originally we did kind of confront some of the geopolitics that are hurting people, but our editor wisely advised on making the book experience more progressive and exciting.

How do you two split up the writing process?

We just figured out a new way to answer this question: if you ever played a talking game on the playground, like "Let's pretend we're in the forest, and there's a monster"--we do that. We write in a shared Google Doc, which we both have open at the same time, at the kitchen table. But we don't have just one approach. If one of us gets stuck on an emotion, we'll leave it for the other one to write. Or you could say it's like with musicians who rehearse, play together in practice, but then there is an additional magic that comes with making.

Yardley Whitmer III is quite a character. What made you give a woman the name of her father and grandfather?

Yardley's name had its own kind of power. We heard it somewhere years ago, and said that name has power, we should name a character Yardley someday. We gave her that name because she is powerful. She is the Unicorn. She's an ultimate Southern woman, but also incredibly queer. And very obviously someone with all of those characteristics would be a super spy!

It's sort of a Southern writing trope--Southerners being underestimated due to their Southern-ness. Yardley gave us the opportunity to explore that. She is the James Bond of the American South--our most formidable export.

Although Yardley and KC had had an immediate attraction, as the book begins their relationship is crumbling. Yardley realizes that she had never truly opened up to KC, but had blamed it all on the secrets she had to keep as a spy. So between all the shooting and escapes and disguises, she's trying to finally open up. Was it difficult to write a relationship where characters are being vulnerable, but they also have to be strong?

Especially for couples who start with intense physical connection, it can be hard to know that emotional intimacy makes things easier and stronger--and you have to learn HOW to love someone. Of course the title If I Tell You, I'd Have to Kiss You is a wink at the spy genre, but it also is a nod to the fact that they have to actually start telling each other things. Telling each other things finally makes their relationship open up. It took a lot to write a relationship that emotional, balancing the intensity with the international spy fun.

Are there any questions YOU would like to be asked? What are people not asking you about the writing process or this book?

Our very favorite thing to do as authors is to make sure we have that found family aspect. It's important to us to create community. So we asked ourselves, what would a spy found family look like? Could we make it tender and funny, but also spy-y? Handlers, targets, agents, all coming together with a happily ever after.

What's next for Mae Marvel, or for each of you individually?

Mae Marvel has another book next summer--The Guest Book--a sapphic romance, a treasure hunt. Two Americans who both end up staying at the worst English inn--it's incredibly rural and run down. They find a treasure hunt in a guest book, which ends up taking them all over western Europe. A love story, and also a story about how to make yourself happy again after everything has gone wrong.

We also have a new mystery series written under our own names, Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare. They're the Prairie Nightingale mysteries. The first book, Homemaker, is launching June 1.

And Annie has a book called Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon coming out in June as well. It's a sapphic, cozy sci-fi. --Jessica Howard, former bookseller, freelance book reviewer
Air India diverted or returned 16 international flights due to Irans airspace closure following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Passenger safety was prioritized, with flights rerouted through safer corridors and full refunds or rescheduling options provided.

Escalating Israel-Iran tensions have raised global aviation concerns, prompting multiple carriers to avoid Middle Eastern airspace.

In response to rising tensions in the Middle East, Air India has diverted or returned at least 16 international flights following the abrupt closure of Iranian airspace. The shutdown came hours after Israel launched a large-scale military operation, reportedly targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure.

Iran closed its airspace on Friday after Israeli airstrikes hit strategic locations in Tehran, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. The attack, termed 'Operation Rising Lion', marks one of the most significant military strikes on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War. Iranian state media reported the death of General Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guard Corps, along with other high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has condemned the strikes and vowed harsh retaliation, fueling concerns of a broader regional conflict.

Amid the unfolding geopolitical crisis, Air India stated that the safety of passengers and crew remains the airlines top priority. Several west-bound flights that rely on Iranian airspace were either rerouted or returned to their origin points.

Among the affected flights, AI130 (LondonMumbai) was diverted to Vienna, AI102 (New YorkDelhi) to Sharjah, and AI116 (New YorkMumbai) to Jeddah. Long-haul services from cities including Washington, Chicago, and Toronto also faced diversions or returns, with some flights redirected to Frankfurt, Milan, or Vienna. Flights departing from Indian metros such as Delhi and Mumbai were forced to return mid-journey.

A total of 16 flights were impacted, including AI101 (DelhiNew York), AI119 (MumbaiNew York), AI103 (DelhiWashington), and AI189 (DelhiToronto), among others.

Air India has assured passengers of its commitment to minimize disruption. As a precautionary measure and in the interest of passenger safety, several flights are being rerouted or returned, the airline said in a statement. It added that affected travelers will be eligible for full refunds, free rescheduling, and alternative travel arrangements.

The conflict has also prompted other global airlines to reconsider their flight paths over the region. With Middle Eastern airspace becoming increasingly volatile, international carriers are seeking alternate corridors over the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean to ensure operational safety.
Air India crash in Ahmedabad claims over 200 lives; 242 onboard.

Tata Group announces Rs 1 crore compensation for each victim's family.

Relief flights and emergency helplines activated for affected families.

In a tragic incident, an Air India flight carrying 242 people crashed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday, resulting in a massive loss of life. As per Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G S Malik, more than 204 bodies have been recovered from the accident site, which includes individuals onboard and possibly some on the ground.

Responding swiftly to the tragedy, Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has announced Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of those who lost their lives. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons and Air India, extended his 'deepest condolences' in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). He assured that the airlines immediate focus is on supporting the victims and their families.

We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted, Chandrasekaran said. He further added that an emergency centre and dedicated support teams have been established to relay verified updates to the families.

Air India is organizing two special relief flights one each from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad scheduled to depart at 11 PM on Thursday. Return flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi and Mumbai will also be arranged. To aid the affected families,is organizing two special relief flights one each from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad scheduled to depart at 11 PM on Thursday. Return flights from Ahmedabad to Delhi and Mumbai will also be arranged.

Air India has issued a helpline for the next of kin and others seeking assistance. Domestic callers can use the hotline 1800 5691 444, while international callers can reach support at +91 8062779200.

This tragic accident has shocked the nation, and Air India has assured that continuous updates will be provided as more verified information becomes available. The airline, along with Tata Group, is committed to extending all necessary aid in this time of crisis.
Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani expressed deep sorrow over the Air India crash in Ahmedabad and assured full support for relief efforts.

The London-bound Air India Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of 242 onboard and several on the ground.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe; black box recovery is in progress to determine the cause.

In the wake of one of India's deadliest aviation disasters, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh D Ambani has expressed deep sorrow and pledged unwavering support to relief efforts following the tragic crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

In an official statement, Ambani, along with his wife Nita Ambani and the Reliance family, conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We are deeply pained and anguished by the grave loss of life caused by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, the statement read. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident.

Ambani assured that Reliance stands ready to assist in every possible way. In this hour of grief, Reliance extends its full and unwavering support to the ongoing relief efforts. We pray that all those impacted find the strength and solace to cope with their unimaginable loss. Om Shanti, the statement added.

The crash occurred minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, as the London-bound Boeing 787 aircraft plummeted into the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated neighbourhood near the airport. The disaster killed 241 of the 242 people on board, and several students in a medical college hostel that was struck by the aircraft.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hails from Gujarat, visited the crash site on Friday, offering condolences and reviewing rescue operations. Officials confirmed that many victims' bodies were charred beyond recognition due to the intense fire sparked by the crash.

As of Friday morning, the cause of the crash remains unknown. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe in accordance with international aviation safety protocols. Teams are still searching through the wreckage for the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, crucial to understanding what went wrong.

Black smoke continued to rise from the crash site, leaving the city of Ahmedabad in mourning.
Three vehicles were involved in a crash in the vicinity of Wainwright Avenue and Drumgoole Road East on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott R. Axelrod)
At Moretti's Bakery, Fr. Rhey Garcia blessed the special loaves of St. Anthony bread, this batch carved with a cross. The Sacred Heart pastor also said a prayer with the West Brighton shop's workers. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Morettis Bakery in West Brighton received special visitors Friday morning as local priests arrived to bless batches of St. Anthonys bread prepared for the saints feast day on June 13.

Fr. Rhey Garcia and Fr. Louis Jerome conducted prayers over the traditional bread, which Morettis bakers had carefully crafted with crosses carved into the tops of dinner rolls and boule rounds. The blessing ceremony continues a cherished tradition for the bakery, which produces dozens of the special loaves for the annual celebration.

The bread has crosses carved on each roll and loaf. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Across Staten Island, other establishments like La Dolce Bakery in Rossville and Alfonsos in Castleton Corners prepare their own versions of St. Anthonys bread, with some adding fennel seeds to the dough for a distinctive flavor.

Alfonsos Pastry Shoppe at 1899 Victory Blvd. is among those selling the special bread on June 13. Shop owner Anthony Campitiello, who comes from a multigenerational line of Anthonys, offers bread with fennel seeds that creates a savory taste profile.

Fr. Louis Jerome blesses the bread on St. Anthony's Day. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

The feast day holds particular significance for anyone named Anthony, Toni, Antonin, Toto, Antonello, Ante, Antanas, or Tony. As locals joke, calling out Hey, Tony! in a crowded Staten Island space will likely cause numerous heads to turn across all ethnic backgrounds.

Fr. Rhey stands with the Moretti's crew at 7 a.m. as bread deliveries were packed up for delivery to restaurants and catering halls around the borough. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Several churches on the island mark the occasion with special services. St. Anthony of Padua in Travis, the only church on Staten Island named after the saint, recently held weekend celebrations at its historic building at 4055 Victory Blvd., distributing blessed bread and hosting festivities in the parish hall. It was followed up by a procession in the streets around the parish.

Fr. John Wroblewski, pastor of Our Lady of Pity/St. Anthony of Padua, described St. Anthony as the great miracle worker during his lifetime. The saint, who died on June 13, 1231, is often invoked during difficult situations. While many associate him with Italy, Fr. Wroblewski explained that St. Anthony actually hailed from Portugal before eventually settling in Padua, northern Italy, after a series of life-changing events.

In Catholic churches including St. Anthony of Padua and Our Lady of Pity in Bulls Head, blessed bread is distributed to congregants during Mass as part of the celebration.

St. Anthony is typically depicted holding the Child Jesus and a book in religious artwork. According to Catholic tradition, when his body was exhumed 336 years after death, his tongue remained perfectly preserved  a miracle attributed to his perfect teachings. Today, his tongue and jawbone are preserved at La Basilico del Santo in Padua, Italy.

While some believe St. Anthony medals bring good fortune, Fr. Wroblewski offers a gentle correction each year: Theres no such thing as good luck. Its not in the faith. He explains that medals are simply one way of honoring the saint, adding with a chuckle, Its not a good luck charm.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
Fans can meet author Rob Hart and pick up an early copy of his newest novel, The Medusa Protocol, at the Staten Island Barnes & Noble on Sunday, June 22, at 1 p.m. Chad Rachman

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Rob Hart is having a very good June.

The Staten Island authors thriller novel Assassins Anonymous is the Barnes & Noble June Mystery & Thriller Pick, and the national spotlight is moving copies fast. As of June 13, the book has surged to No. 18 on USA Todays Best-Selling Booklist, an impressive leap from its initial debut at No. 144 last year.

The surge is no coincidence. According to Hart, the Barnes & Noble promotion has nearly doubled the books lifetime sales in just a week and a half.

We spend so much time as writers trying to move the needle and trying to sell books, and this is one of the few things that actually does that, Hart told the Advance/SILive.com. Its just been incredible.

And the timing couldnt be better: Harts sequel to Assassins Anonymous, titled The Medusa Protocol, hits shelves June 24. A Staten Island book event will be held before the official launch on June 22 at 1 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in New Springville. Hart will then host an official release party on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at P&T Knitwear in Manhattan.

For readers new to the series, Assassins Anonymous follows the former most dangerous killer-for-hire in the world, who joined a 12-step group for reformed killers. After he is attacked by an unknown assailant, he goes on the run while trying to figure out who is after him, all while staying true to his no-kill program. The Medusa Protocol builds on that world.

Writing a sequel is such a challenge, because it has to be accessible to people who havent read the first one in case this is the first one they read, but its also gotta be satisfying for people who follow the series, Hart said. So its fun and its challenging, but I love writing in this world. Its a blast.

"The Medusa Protocol," the latest novel from Staten Island author Rob Hart, is set to release on June 24, 2025. Courtesy of Rob Hart

The Staten Island native, who lived in the borough for 41 years before recently relocating to Jersey City, N.J., is juggling a lot. In addition to working on a potential film adaptation and promoting the sequel, Hart just wrapped the third book in the series, titled Three Hitmen and a Baby, which is tentatively scheduled for a release next June.

Hes also co-writing another book series with Jeff Rake, creator of the hit TV series Manifest, with the first novel Detour releasing in January 2026; mentoring MFA students through Seton Hills low-residency program, and starting work on a middle-grade fantasy book inspired by his 10-year-old daughter.

When asked how he keeps up with it all: Fear and desperation? he joked. No, Im really lucky. Im a full-time writer, so I dont have a grown up job anymore. I just wake up in the morning and go to the gym and Im like, All right, what am I going to work on today? So, I feel so lucky. Its impossible to put into words.

Hart says he may slow down the two-books-a-year pace in the future, but with multiple series and projects already in the pipeline, a break isnt on the immediate horizon.

It has been a lot, but Im doing what I love, he said. Its a lot of pressure but also a lot of fun.

You can meet the author in-person and pick up an early copy of The Medusa Protocol on June 22 at 1 p.m. at the Staten Island Barnes & Noble, 2655 Richmond Ave., New Springville. The official release party for the book will be held on June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at P&T Knitwear in Manhattan, which you can RSVP for here.

For more on Rob Hart, visit his website, or follow him on Instagram (@robwhart1) or on Substack.
Photo: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have discussed priorities and reform agendas in the field of fiscal policy, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry noted that a virtual meeting was held on June 13 between Azerbaijans Finance Minister, Sahil Babayev, and Patryk Loszewski, the Executive Director of the IMF representing Azerbaijans constituency group.

During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation and emphasized the Azerbaijani governments interest in further expanding the partnership. It was noted that the technical assistance programs and advisory services provided by the Fund have made significant contributions to strengthening macroeconomic stability and fiscal management in Azerbaijan.

The parties discussed Azerbaijans priorities in public financial management and fiscal policy, as well as ongoing reforms. They also exchanged views on future cooperation opportunities in this area.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Hundreds of planned events protesting President Trumps administration will take place on Saturday in a coordinated mass mobilization.

The No Kings movement is described as a national day of action in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies, according to organizers.

Of the nearly 2,000 events planned to take place across the U.S. on Saturday, several are slated for New York City, including Staten Island.

The No Kings movement is scheduled to mobilize on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This photo from Friday, June 13, 2025, shows members of the Army walking along the National Mall in Washington, during preparations for the upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The events promise to include a march after speakers are heard, but it is unclear if traffic will be disrupted.

These protests are set to coincide with President Trumps military parade in Washington, D.C. commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary. In addition to the Armys celebration, Saturday also marks the presidents 79th birthday and Flag Day.

Here is a list of planned No Kings event locations in the city:

No Kings March in NY-11 (Staten Island and South Brooklyn) - 1698 Victory Blvd. from 1-3 p.m.

No Kings New York City March (Bryant Park in Manhattan) - 5th Avenue and East 41st Street from 2-4 p.m.

New Orleans Funeral Second Line at No Kings New York City March (Crown Trophy in Manhattan) - 7 E 38th St. at 2 p.m.

No King Columbia University (Manhattan) - Broadway and West 116th Street from 1-4 p.m.

No Kings Queens (MacDonald Park in Forest Hills) - 10628 Queens Blvd. from 12:30-2 p.m.

For a full map of planned events, click here.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A Department of Sanitation facility on the West Shore has been turning out compost  dubbed black gold by city officials  since 1991, but its workload got quite a bit bigger last year.

Since Mayor Eric Adams brought Staten Island into the citys curbside composting program in October, the compost facility, located on part of the former Fresh Kills Landfill, has seen a spike in its production.

Jennifer McDonnell, the Department of Sanitations deputy commissioner of solid waste management, said during a Thursday tour that the work has increased so much that the Staten Island facility is actually nearing its capacity.

We really need a lot of diverse options, especially as we hope the program will grow over time, McDonnell said of what the Department does with its organics. That all depends on how much people participate.

Jennifer McDonnell, director of solid waste management planning, gives a tour of Staten Island's compost facility Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

On Staten Island, that participation has been surprisingly robust. Data recently shared by the Department of Sanitation showed the three local community districts among the top in the city for collected compostable material in April and May, the first two months of the citys curbside composting program.

McDonnell attributed the Islands high participation rate largely to its prevalence of single-family homes, noting that the Department has seen less compliance in larger residential buildings.

The Islands community districts encompassing the South and North shores were first and second for collected compostable material, and the Mid-Island came in fourth behind part of Queens.

All organic material collected on Staten Island and some in South Brooklyn gets processed at the department facility, and most from the other boroughs is sent to the Newtown Creek digester eggs, operated by the Department of Environmental Protection, to make renewable energy.

Part of the Department of Sanitation's Staten Island compost facility is shown Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

The Department of Sanitation also takes some of the collected material to other facilities in New Jersey and Massachusetts.

All the waste that gets brought to the Staten Island compost facility gets processed into usable compost, that is then brought back into the community via use in city projects, sales to landscaping companies, and giveaways to New Yorkers.

McDonnell pointed to Manhattans East Side Coastal Resiliency project as a city project thats used a high volume of compost.

Workers at the site, which the city operates in a public-private partnership with Denali Water Solutions, manually separate the organic materials from whats collected in the curbside program before theyre further processed by massive pieces of machinery.

Part of the Department of Sanitation's Staten Island compost facility is shown Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

After separating the materials, workers at the facility bring the piles to either large compost mounds or underground bunkers where naturally-occurring heat breaks down any possible food-borne contaminants like Salmonella.

McDonnell said her big asks for people participating in the program would be that they use clear bags, particularly for yard waste, and that they separate food from its packaging before bringing it to the compost.

This has been a recurring theme in my career  people understand the concept of, oh, this is organics, I want to recycle it. So if I have a bag of salad that went bad, Ill just throw it in," she said, We really would prefer that they open the salad bag, dump the old salad out, and not give us the whole shebang, because the more that we get that we cant compost, we spend more time separating it out.

After initial processing, the organic material undergoes a 3-5 month breakdown period before becoming usable compost."

A bag for compost is shown at the Department of Sanitation's Staten Island compost facility is shown Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

City residents can pick up as many as 10 bags of compost at the 600 West Service Road compost facility on certain days when registering or at a host of giveback events held around the city.

Official New York City compost programs date back to at least the 1990s when the city launched a series of organic waste projects, including some on Staten Island.

In part, the goal of those projects was to divert more and more waste from Staten Islands Fresh Kills Landfill, which finally closed in 2002.

The past compost projects were largely the victims of budget cuts during former Mayor Michael Bloombergs administration, but he later set the stage for the current program with a 2013 initiative that included the hiring of a compost plant to handle the organic waste.

Part of the Department of Sanitation's Staten Island compost facility is shown Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com|Paul Liotta)

Mayor Bill de Blasio built on that effort with a voluntary compost program, paused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Adamss administration first rolled out the mandatory program in Brooklyn and Queens, following the 2023 signing of the Zero Waste Act, and later expanded the requirement to the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island.

New Yorkers across the five boroughs had faced fines starting April 1 for failure to compost, but Adams lifted that threat April 18 with a pause on enforcement.

City officials said they would be holding off on new fines to focus on some of the worst offenders because of confusion over the compost program. McDonnell said she hasnt noticed much of dip in workload since the penalty pause took effect.

She said that her hope as the curbside compost program carries on that the trend continues and they dont see a dip in participation.
Community Board 1 will review two weed dispensary applications in the coming week. Retail samples from a Staten Island weed shop are shown in this 2023 photo. Staten Island Advance/Paul Liotta

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Applications for licensed weed dispensaries, plans to improve safety on Victory Boulevard and other projects affecting Staten Island will be discussed during public Community Board meetings this week.

Below is a description of the meetings scheduled, according to representatives from each of the Islands three Community Boards.

Community Board 1

Community Board 1 will hold several meetings covering a range of applications.

A New Brighton/St. George/Tompkinsville Committee meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss liquor licenses for three corporations.

On the agenda is Empire Hall Group filing a new application and temporary retail permit for 55 Richmond Terrace, level 4, space 408-411.

Rita Restaurant Corp. will also apply for a new application for temporary retail permit at 108 Victory Blvd. Also on the agenda is a renewal application by Twisted Treats for Wetzels Pretzels located at 55B Richmond Terrace, #102C.

To join the meeting, visit Zoom. The meeting ID is 988 0378 9534 and the passcode is 414072.

The West Brighton/Randall Manor Area Committee meeting initially scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 17 has been cancelled.

The Rosebank/Shore Acres Area Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. It will be held in person at the board office located at 1 Edgewater Plaza, Room 217. There is no set agenda.

Also on Tuesday is the Mariners Harbor/Port Richmond Area Committee meeting held virtually at 7 p.m. to discuss liquor license applications.

It will be held on Zoom. The meeting ID is 820 3348 0113, and the passcode is 911178.

On the agenda is a liquor renewal application by Jay Brahmani for Quickpick Tobacco Convenience, located at 2040 Forest Ave. In addition, Rinconcito Paisa Inc., located at 1976 Forest Ave., and Soham Enterprises, 1772-1774 Forest Ave., applied for liquor license renewals.

A new application and temporary retail permit has been filed for Peru Roots, La Chacra Restaurant at 451 Northfield Ave.

Committee members will also review a cannabis application that was filed by Hapreet Singh for WNY Cannabis Co. for a licensed cannabis dispensary located at 1465 Forest Ave., which was home to the former Boston Market.

A Silver Lake/Sunnyside/Grymes Hill/Westerleigh/Willowbrook Area Committee meeting is on the schedule for Wednesday, June 18. The meeting, held virtually at 5:30 p.m., may be cancelled. There is no set agenda.

On Thursday, June 19, a Stapleton/Clifton/Concord/Park Hill Area Committee meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. It will be held as a hybrid meeting on Zoom and in-person at the Stapleton Library at 132 Canal St.

The meeting ID on Zoom is 852 8932 8780.

Committee members will review a cannabis application by DTCH One for a licensed cannabis dispensary at 752 Targee St.

Community Board 2

Community Board 2 will hold a full board meeting on June 17 at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island at 1466 Manor Rd., Sea View.

The NYC Department of Transportation will showcase its proposed Victory Boulevard and Safety Improvements.

To join the meeting, visit Zoom. The passcode is 414072.

Community Board 3

Community Board 3 has no meetings planned this week.

Open to the public

All Community Board meetings and meetings of their committees are open to the public. They provide an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about happenings in their neighborhood and surrounding areas. Below is more information about the Islands three Community Boards:

Community Board 1

Arlington  Castleton Corners  Clifton  Concord  Elm Park  Fort Wadsworth  Graniteville  Grymes Hill  Livingston  Mariners Harbor  New Brighton  Port Richmond  Randall Manor  Rosebank  St. George  Shore Acres  Silver Lake  Stapleton  Sunnyside  Tompkinsville  West Brighton  Westerleigh

The board chairman is Nicholas Siclari. The district manager is Joan Cusack. The telephone number is 718-981-6900.

Community Board 2

Arrochar  Bloomfield  Bulls Head  Chelsea  Dongan Hills  Egbertville  Emerson Hill  Grant City  Grasmere  High Rock  Lighthouse Hill  Midland Beach  New Dorp  New Springville  Oakwood  Ocean Breeze  Old Town  Richmond  South Beach  Todt Hill  Travis

The phone number is 718-568-3581. The fax number is 718-568-3595. The chairman is Fred Guinta. The district manager is Debra A. Derrico.

Community Board 3

Annadale  Arden Heights  Bay Terrace  Charleston  Eltingville  Great Kills  Greenridge  Huguenot  New Dorp  Oakwood  Pleasant Plains  Princes Bay  Richmond Valley  Richmond  Rossville  Tottenville  Woodrow

The office phone number is 718-356-7900. The district manager is Charlene Wagner.
President Donald Trump proposed a new crime in his speech Tuesday at Fort Bragg.

The crime?

These are animals, but they probably carry the flags of other countries, but they dont carry the American flag, Trump said of the protestors in Los Angeles. They only burn it. Did you see a lot of the flags being burned? They werent being burned by people from our country or by people that love our country. People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year.

Thats what they should be doing, he continued. One year. And well see if we can get that done. We are working with some of your senators. I know Senator Josh Hawley is very much involved.

People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year, he said. Well see if we can get that done. Were working with some of our senators.

The president reportedly then appeared on a podcast hosted by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine where he against laid out his plan.

I happen to think if you burn an American flag  because they were burning a lot of flags in Los Angeles  I think you go to jail for one year, he said. Just automatic.

The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution says that no one shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, so the automatic part would require a major adjustment to the Constitution.

Flag burning is not currently illegal in the United States because the Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that it was protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. So, that part would likely require a big adjustment  or a flip by the court  as well.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), a central player in the countrys energy sector and a key driver of economic growth, has entered a new phase of large-scale transformation. The company is gradually shifting from a traditional oil and gas producer into a modern international energy corporation - one focused not only on ensuring domestic energy security, but also on shaping the global energy agenda.

SOCAR is actively involved in international projects, contributing to energy security both regionally and globally.

This transformation lays the groundwork for long-term, sustainable growth and supports SOCARs deeper integration into the global energy landscape. The companys focus on decarbonization, international partnerships, and value creation through the green transition is positioning SOCAR as a leading regional player in the new energy era.

SOCARs strategy is built on three key priorities:

Improving operational efficiency , despite aging infrastructure and declining output at mature fields;

, despite aging infrastructure and declining output at mature fields; Strengthening Azerbaijans energy security , while expanding its international presence;

, while expanding its international presence; Fulfilling its social mission, with a strong emphasis on financial sustainability.

1. Operational Resilience Amid Challenging Conditions

Oil production at Azerbaijans key fields has been ongoing for decades. The countrys three main assets - Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG), Shallow Water Gunashli, and Oil Rocks - have each been in operation for more than 25 years, with Oil Rocks having produced oil for over 70 years.

A decline in production at these mature fields was anticipated, yet the actual drop occurred faster than projected due to two primary factors:

A significant reduction in output from the ACG field under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), which accounted for about 90% of the additional decrease.

Delays in implementing several new projects, including the Karabakh field.

New ACE platform: a milestone at ACG

On April 16, 2024, bp announced the start of oil production from the newly installed Azeri Central East (ACE) platform, part of the ACG block. Output from the ACE platform quickly exceeded expectations, reaching 26,000 barrels per day by the end of 2024, compared to the projected 24,000 barrels per day.

ACE is the seventh platform at ACG and is designed to achieve a peak production capacity of up to 100,000 barrels per day once all 48 planned wells are brought online.

Additionally, gas production from the West Chirag platform is expected to begin by the end of 2025, following the completion of extensive subsea and surface works.

Natural gas: production growth and Shah Deniz Compression project

In 2024, SOCAR recorded a positive trend in natural gas output. Thanks to strong performance at the Shah Deniz and Umid fields, total production exceeded 50 billion cubic meters - well above the long-term forecast of 45 billion cubic meters issued in 2016 (including reinjection volumes).

A major step forward in developing Azerbaijans gas potential was the Shah Deniz consortiums final investment decision on the Shah Deniz Compression (SDC) project - the third stage of development at the countrys largest gas field.

The $2.9 billion SDC project is designed to increase the recovery factor by reducing reservoir pressure. It is expected to enable an additional 50 billion cubic meters of gas production and 25 million barrels of condensate, which will be earmarked for export.

Aging midstream and downstream infrastructure: large-scale modernization underway

Despite their strategic significance, many of SOCARs midstream and downstream assets continue to operate under considerable wear and tear. One striking example is the gas transmission network: over 60% of the pipelines managed by Azerigaz have been in service for more than 35 years, leading to excessive gas losses that exceed acceptable thresholds.

Similar issues exist in the refining segment. SOCARs flagship downstream facility - the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery - has been in operation for more than 70 years.

Until 2022, other strategic priorities limited investment in maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. From 2019 to 2021, cumulative capital expenditures aimed at stabilizing production at existing fields amounted to less than $1 billion, just half the average for similar assets globally.

Likewise, investment in the Heydar Aliyev refinery in 2022 stood at just $20 million, whereas global benchmarks indicate a facility of that scale and technological complexity should receive no less than $60 million annually in investment.

Comprehensive transformation across SOCARs value chain

To address systemic challenges and prepare for future demands, SOCAR has launched a sweeping transformation covering all core areas of its operations - from upstream production to processing and distribution. Special attention is being paid to modernizing outdated infrastructure, improving efficiency, and sustainably increasing production volumes.

In upstream operations, a reassessment of the ACG fields potential was the first major step after production fell short of expectations. In collaboration with PSA partners and independent technical consultants, comprehensive studies were conducted, resulting in a strategy to maintain current production levels over the next five years. By doing so, SOCAR expects to recover an additional 5 million tons of oil by 2030, creating long-term value.

Large-scale projects are also being pursued across other promising assets. For instance, the KADUA structure (Karabakh and Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu-Aypara), jointly developed with bp, is expected to begin producing first oil between 2029 and 2030, with peak output surpassing 3 million tons per year. Development of the Umid-2 project is progressing on schedule, with a final investment decision anticipated by the end of 2026 and gas production planned for 2028. Over the long term, Umid-2 is expected to yield over 50 billion cubic meters of gas, reaching an annual production rate of 4.4 billion cubic meters in the early 2030s.

A similar trajectory is seen at the Absheron field, where production began in 2023. Preparations are underway for full-scale development. A final investment decision is expected by the end of 2025, with expanded production to commence in 2028. Peak output is projected at up to 6 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Meanwhile, SOCAR is working to separate the Babek structure from the existing Umid PSA and establish a new agreement. Babek holds over 100 billion cubic meters in recoverable gas reserves, giving the project strategic importance. It has already attracted considerable investor interest. SOCAR is also in discussions with international energy companies, including ExxonMobil, MOL Group, and Eni, about potential involvement in new exploration activities.

Beyond new developments, the company is also focused on optimizing operations at mature fields. At the Azneft production unit, workplace conditions on platforms have been improved since 2023, including refurbishing living quarters. A renovation plan for the Shallow Water Gunashli field has been adopted, featuring water injection enhancements. Pilot modernization projects launched in 2024 have already delivered results, with production at certain sites rising 3% above projections. Broader deployment of these solutions is now under consideration.

Gas distribution reform and digitalization

In the midstream sector, SOCAR has initiated a broad transformation of the gas distribution system. Azerigaz is implementing more than 20 initiatives - from metering cluster upgrades to digital network management systems. These efforts aim to cut gas losses, boost efficiency, and enhance customer service. By 2031, the cumulative annual economic benefit of these efforts is expected to exceed $50 million, with roughly $250 million in gains projected over five years.

Between 2022 and 2024, over 820 kilometers of gas pipelines were repaired or restored. Capital expenditures in 2024 were 17% more efficient than in the previous year. During the same period, 10% of gas meters were replaced with more accurate and reliable devices, and methane leaks were reduced by around 1% thanks to digitalization and global best practices. More than 15 digital tools have been developed and implemented to support field operations, customer services, and billing.

Significant progress has also been made in payment collection. In 2024, collection rates reached 99.2%, up from 94.8% the year before. Over the past three years, more than 55 settlements have been connected to the gas network, bringing energy access to over 91,000 households. More than 160,000 new customers have joined the system, including 3,500 in areas liberated from occupation.

Environmental focus and strategic partnerships

SOCAR is placing special emphasis on environmental responsibility. In partnership with Japans Mitsui & Co., the company is developing a carbon credit mechanism aimed at reducing methane emissions and preparing for compliance with international carbon standards. As part of its long-term strategy, SOCAR has engaged partners from the Middle East to help build a smart gas infrastructure. These collaborations focus on improving leak detection, enhancing operational efficiency, upgrading customer service, and optimizing asset management.

In sum, SOCARs transformation initiatives are designed not only to stabilize current operations but also to lay a solid foundation for long-term sustainable growth.

Natural gas exports

Azerbaijans natural gas exports hit a record high in 2024, reaching 25.3 billion cubic meters. This surpasses the figures from both 2023 (23.9 billion cubic meters) and 2022 (22.4 billion cubic meters).

By 2026, Azerbaijan plans to increase its annual gas exports to Europe by around 18.6%, from 11.8 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 14 billion cubic meters.

Without requiring additional capital investments (CAPEX), Azerbaijan is also supplying gas to 12 countries through SWAP mechanisms.

Downstream (refining and marketing)

A major modernization program is underway at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery. The first phase was successfully completed in 2024, and for the first time, Azerbaijan began producing Euro-5 standard fuel domestically.

This first phase focused on three main goals:

Producing Euro-5 standard diesel and gasoline;

Ensuring a more stable and higher-quality supply of feedstock to Azerikimya JSC;

Reducing the environmental impact of refining operations.

The project was originally expected to be completed in 2021, but due to a significant expansion in the scope of work, it was finalized only in 2024. Initially, only certain units were set to be upgraded. However, extensive stress testing revealed additional issues, including insufficient metal thickness in some units and several columns that were no longer fit for use. As a result, the project shifted from partial upgrades to the construction of entirely new units, mainly to minimize health, safety, and environmental risks. These kinds of changes and delays are typical for large-scale refinery modernization projects.

Throughout the process, all necessary steps were taken to prevent fuel shortages in Azerbaijan and to safeguard the countrys energy security, including signing contracts for importing petroleum products when needed.

Thanks to targeted efficiency programs, the share of light petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel) produced at the refinery rose from 63% in 2022 to 69% by the end of 2024. Operational losses were also reduced from 2% to 1.6%.

As a result of process optimization, Azerbaijans domestic fuel trade posted a surplus of over $50 million in 2024. This figure is expected to rise to around $250 million over the next five years, driven by lower gasoline imports and higher jet fuel exports.

At the SOCAR Carbamide Plant, output in 2024 reached 652,000 tons, up from 537,000 tons in 2022 - a 21.4% increase. At the same time, natural gas consumption per ton of product was reduced by 24%.

At Azerikimya, the yield of ethylene and propylene rose from 48.6% in 2022 to 55.4% in 2024.

Overall, thanks to process improvements launched in 2023, the economic benefit from value-added projects is estimated at $131 million per year, or roughly $650 million over a five-year period.

As for downstream operations in Turkiye, the STAR Refinery increased its utilization rate from 98.5% in May 2020 to 119% in January 2023. This is among the highest operational efficiency levels for any refinery and delivered strong financial returns, especially amid high refining margins in 2022 and 2023.

Digitalization - a strategic priority across all segments

SOCAR has launched an ambitious digital transformation program and begun implementing digital solutions across its entire value chain. The process began with operations in Turkiye and has since expanded to production sites in Azerbaijan.

In Turkiye, the Petkim and STAR plants became the worlds first petrochemical and refining facilities, respectively, to receive the prestigious Global Lighthouse Network designation from the World Economic Forum, in 2020 and 2021.

In 2023, SOCAR extended its digital transformation efforts to the Carbamide Plant in Azerbaijan, which has now been brought into alignment with the criteria for joining the Global Lighthouse Network.

The Azerigas Production Union, in collaboration with international partners including Italgas, has launched a strategic project to develop a high-precision metering infrastructure and a smart gas metering network. Using advanced leak detection technology, more than 5,000 gas leaks were identified, over 3,000 of which were quickly repaired. These efforts have helped cut annual gas losses by about 2.6 million cubic meters, equivalent to a reduction of approximately 50,000 tons of CO emissions.

In 2025, the Azneft Production Union kicked off a multi-year program to digitally transform its operations and modernize infrastructure, in strategic partnership with leading global technology companies. As part of the first phase, a virtual monitoring system was introduced for the first time, enabling real-time remote tracking of production data and well operations. The system currently covers the Gunashli-8 offshore platform, as well as the oil storage facilities at Oil Rocks and Dubandi.

2. Ensuring Azerbaijans energy security and transforming SOCAR into an international energy company

In many countries, national oil and gas companies traditionally focus on two strategic priorities: ensuring sustainable domestic energy security and gradually transforming into competitive players on the international stage. SOCAR is successfully addressing both objectives, relying on a comprehensive approach to developing the entire value chain - from exploration and production to refining, export, and the deployment of low-carbon technologies.

SOCAR plays a central role in guaranteeing Azerbaijans energy stability and independence. The companys operations span the entire spectrum - from oil and gas exploration and production to refining and delivering products to both domestic and foreign markets. At the same time, SOCAR is becoming a driving force behind the countrys green energy transition.

On the domestic market, SOCAR supplies 100% of the crude oil used within Azerbaijan and meets approximately 90% of the countrys demand for motor fuels and jet fuel. A major milestone was the launch of Euro-5 gasoline production - a first in the history of Azerbaijans oil refining industry.

From 2019 to 2024, total output at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery increased by 2%, despite limited investment during that period. This growth was made possible by reducing technological losses from 3.6% to 1.6%, and by increasing the share of light petroleum products in the total output from 65.9% to 70.5%.

One of SOCARs most significant achievements has been increasing the gasification level across the country to 97% - one of the highest rates not only in the region but also globally.

In the context of the global energy transition and given Azerbaijans considerable potential in renewable energy, SOCAR is actively refocusing its strategy toward sustainable development. At the COP28 conference, the company announced ambitious decarbonization targets:

to achieve carbon neutrality (net-zero) by 2050;

to eliminate methane emissions in the upstream segment by 2035;

to reduce corporate carbon intensity by 30% and overall emissions by 20% by 2035.

These targets have acted as a catalyst for a large-scale reallocation of SOCARs investment portfolio toward renewable energy. As of the end of 2024, the confirmed project portfolio of the companys subsidiary SOCAR Green had reached 1.4 GW. It includes:

a joint project with TotalEnergies called "Mega" with a capacity of 1 GW;

"Shafag" solar power plant with a capacity of 240 MW, implemented in partnership with bp;

projects with Chinese partners totaling 160 MW.

At the same time, SOCAR and the UAE-based company Masdar signed an agreement to jointly implement renewable energy and hydrogen projects in Azerbaijan with a total capacity of 4 GW. As part of this collaboration, investment began in 2024 in the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of 445 MW in Bilasuvar and 315 MW in Neftchala. The total investment in these two projects will exceed USD 600 million.

Additional large-scale projects have also been announced:

together with ACWA Power and Masdar - new renewable energy projects totaling 3.5 GW;

together with China Datang Overseas Investment and PowerChina - the construction of a 2 GW offshore wind farm in the Caspian Sea.

Among the companys new priorities is also the exploration of geothermal energy potential. SOCAR has signed a relevant agreement with SLB (formerly Schlumberger), a global leader in energy technologies.

Through these efforts, SOCAR is implementing a consistent strategy to ensure the countrys energy security while at the same time accelerating its green transformation and strengthening its position as a new-generation international energy company.

Transformation into a competitive regional and global player

In recent years, SOCAR has demonstrated stable performance despite the volatility of global energy markets, confirming its ability to effectively leverage strategic development opportunities. The companys transformation has gone beyond national borders - through active participation in international projects and strategic partnerships, SOCAR has successfully diversified its sources of income and expanded its overseas operations.

Enhancing efficiency and expanding oil and gas export infrastructure

Natural gas exports from Azerbaijan reached a record level in 2024 - totaling 25.3 billion cubic meters (for comparison: 23.9 billion in 2023 and 22.3 billion in 2022). By 2026, the volume of gas exports to Europe is expected to increase from 11.8 billion cubic meters (in 2023) to 14 billion cubic meters - an increase of approximately 18.6%. Azerbaijan supplies gas to 12 countries through SWAP operations, without the need for additional capital investment.

SOCAR has completed the construction of the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline, 97.5 kilometers in length, in partnership with the Turkish state company BOTAS. The pipeline is designed to deliver up to 2 million cubic meters of gas per day. Once in operation, the Igdir-Nakhchivan pipeline will ensure the energy security of Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for at least 30 years. There is also potential for expanding the pipelines capacity.

Furthermore, in 2024, SOCAR and the national oil and gas company of Kazakhstan, KazMunayGas, signed a five-year contract for the transit of 1.5 million tons of oil through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline under the framework of the Aktau-Baku-Ceyhan route.

Foreign investments in the upstream segment

SOCAR is actively involved in exploring and developing oil and gas fields abroad through partnerships with leading international energy companies.

For instance, in the United Arab Emirates, SOCAR acquired a 3% stake in the offshore Umm Lulu and SARB fields, operated by ADNOC. These fields hold estimated oil reserves of 2.7 billion barrels. SOCARs expected annual production share is around 2.8 million barrels (approximately 400,000 tons) of oil. This represents SOCARs first upstream investment outside of Azerbaijan.

In Israel, SOCAR signed an agreement to acquire a 10% stake in the Tamar field, operated by Chevron. Tamar is Israels second-largest offshore natural gas field. Additionally, a consortium including SOCAR, bp, and NewMed Energy secured licenses to explore for gas in Israels exclusive economic zone.

In Switzerland, SOCAR plans to roll out 100 high-speed electric vehicle charging stations by 2026 and to jointly develop a green hydrogen production facility with local energy companies.

The Binh Son refinery in Vietnam signed a contract with SOCAR Trading for crude oil deliveries in 2025.

SOCAR is also expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply operations. The company has invested in LNG liquefaction terminals, regasification plants, and cross-border infrastructure projects. A framework agreement was signed between Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) and SOCAR Trading for LNG deliveries to Pakistan in 2025. That same year, SOCAR entered Romanias wholesale natural gas market. Since 2023, SOCAR Trading has ramped up its LNG trading activities in Singapore to meet rising demand across Asia.

These moves have boosted SOCARs reputation as a reliable global energy partner, strengthened its brand, and laid the groundwork for sustainable revenue growth.

3. Ensuring Strong Financial Resilience While Delivering on SOCARs Social Mission

In the face of volatility and rapid change in global energy markets, achieving sustainable development requires robust financial discipline. At the same time, state-owned companies like SOCAR carry important social responsibilities.

To maintain resilience in the cyclical oil and gas sector, SOCAR has made strong financial performance a top priority over the past two years. Key accomplishments from 2023 to 2024 include:

EBITDA growth: SOCAR increased its EBITDA by 8.3% between 2023 and 2024, rising from USD 4.8 billion to $5.2 billion (excluding full consolidation of STAR and SGC).

SOCARs recent EBITDA figures:

2020: $2.4 billion

2021: $4.6 billion

2022: $ 8.7 billion

2023: $4.8 billion

2024: $5.2 billion

Free cash flow: Free cash flow grew by 46% over 20232024, driven by effective cost control and disciplined capital management.

Credit rating upgrades: Building on improved financial performance, Fitch upgraded SOCARs credit rating to BBB- in August 2024, aligning it with Azerbaijans sovereign rating. Moodys also revised its outlook on SOCAR to positive, citing strong credit metrics and sufficient liquidity to meet debt obligations through 2025.

ESG Rating: In Q4 2024, MSCI assigned SOCAR an initial ESG rating of BBB, reflecting its performance on environmental, social, and governance criteria.

Financial optimization: By increasing income from interest on deposits and reducing insurance expenses, SOCAR was able to lower its borrowing costs.

High demand for SOCARs green bonds: In Q1 2025, SOCAR issued USD 200 million in green bonds to support renewable energy projects. The first coupon payment of USD 3 million was made on June 10, 2025. Investor interest was high: since their listing on the Baku Stock Exchange on March 7, more than 330 trades worth USD 13.8 million have been executed on the secondary market, significantly boosting domestic capital market activity.

Contributions to the state budget: From 2022 to 2024, SOCAR paid AZN 5.7 billion in taxes (excluding profit and road taxes) and distributed AZN 629 million in dividends to the state.

These achievements demonstrate SOCARs resilience to the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry, as well as its adaptability and financial strength.

Debt reduction: The post-COVID period brought sharp demand and supply shocks to the energy sector, pushing average industry debt-to-EBITDA ratios from 11.5x to 22.5x. SOCARs own debt-to-EBITDA ratio rose from 3.4x in 2020 to 4.2x. Including debt from STAR, Goldman Sachs, and SOFAZ (excluding SGC), the ratio approached 7x.

Despite these pressures, SOCAR responded swiftly through operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

In 2022, SOCAR posted record revenues of USD 70.1 billion and EBITDA of USD 8.7 billion. Roughly half of the increase was driven by high oil and gas prices; the rest came from more efficient trading operations and STAR refinerys strong performance.

By the end of 2022, SOCAR had lowered its debt-to-EBITDA ratio to below 2x and kept it within the 23x range through 20232024. Between 2021 and 2024, the company doubled its EBITDA, repaid over 35% of its debt, and reduced its debt-to-EBITDA ratio by 66%  underscoring its commitment to financial stability and discipline.

Balancing financial performance with social responsibility

Over the past three years, SOCAR has invested more than $3 billion in key social projects, including:
Capital Gain

Property veteran Graeme Katzs real estate fund Irongate has bought a large-scale industrial property in Sydneys west for $66.5 million, as it boosts the $5 billion investment portfolio it manages.

The state-of-the-art refrigerated logistics facility at 1-3 Zeleny Road, Minchinbury, covers 10,190 square metres. It was sold by the Brisbane-based Barber Property Group and has a long-term lease to Minus 1 Refrigerated Transport.

Graeme Katzs Irongate is adding to a $5 billion fund. Credit: Ben Rushton

Irongate owns and manages a wide variety of properties including the office tower at 52 Phillip Street, Sydney, and a four-hectare site with a lettable area of 18,564 square metres across three warehouses at Ingleburn.
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 It seems fitting that the opening number on OneFours debut album, Look At Me Now, is titled Change. A pulsing track that sees the group reckoning with the past and thinking about the future: And now the question is: will you remain the same? raps Jerome J Emz Misa over a heavy beat. Or are you willing to do whatever it takes to change? Change has been the one constant in OneFours turbulent 10-year history as Australias most prominent hip-hop outfit, a period defined by upheaval, controversy, prison time and hype  anything but stability. Since forming in 2014, the all-Pasifika rap crew from Mount Druitt in Western Sydney have experienced a decade of turbulence. Credit: Mridula Amin Formed in 2014, the all-Pasifika rap crew from Mount Druitt in Western Sydney was initially composed of five members  brothers Jerome and Pio YP Misa, Salec Lekks Sua, Dahcell Celly Ramos, and Spencer Spenny Magalogo. They quickly became the face of Australias drill movement, a sub-genre of hip-hop that emerged from Chicago a decade ago. It is known for its faster, heavier sound and raw lyrics, often depicting gang culture. Adopting this style, OneFour infused it with a uniquely Western Sydney flavour, references to eshays and lads speaking to a subculture born from the very same streets they grew up in. It didnt take long for the group to tap into viral success, with songs like 2018s What You Know and 2019s Spot The Difference going platinum on the ARIA charts and racking up hundreds of millions of streams.

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As the buzz grew, so too did the accolades. ARIA nominations followed, while hip-hop superstars, including Skepta, Dave, A$AP Ferg, and the Kid Laroi, voiced their support for OneFours warts-and-all portrait of street life in Mount Druitt. My district has too much drillers, like who wants it? Like who wants war with Sydneys realest? Spot The Difference, OneFour But their meteoric rise was halted in 2019 when Lekks, Celly and YP were jailed for a pub brawl. That same year, a national tour was cancelled after venues began pulling out, something OneFour attributed to pressure from the police and confirmation that the group was being monitored by two elite police units  Strike Force Raptor, created to hunt underground criminal networks, and Strike Force Imbara, which investigates gang feuds. In a widely circulated voice memo supplied to the ABC, Sergeant Nathan Trueman from the Raptor squad promised, Im going to use everything in my power to make your life miserable until you stop doing what youre doing. The constant noise around OneFour only seemed to boost their infamy. Their shows continued to be cancelled while their streaming numbers skyrocketed (they have an impressive 2.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify). The release of a 2024 Netflix documentary, Against All Odds, broadened their reach yet reinforced the idea that the story of OneFour had become more important than the music they produced. Exactly right, says J Emz. And thats why we needed a change. Were about the music, and we want people to know that.

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Im sitting with J Emz, Celly and Spenny in a back room of Sony Musics headquarters in Sydneys CBD. There are bowls of lollies on the table and slabs of soft drinks, but no one eats or drinks anything. This is the new look OneFour after a lineup change. YP left the group last year after becoming ordained as a Christian priest, while Lekks remains part of OneFour but was deported to New Zealand following his four-year prison sentence. OneFour performing at the bands album launch event on Thursday night. Credit: Mridula Amin J Emz sits opposite me, the groups elder statesman who does most of the talking. Alongside him is Celly, who was recently released after serving five years of his 10-year sentence for the brawl. Next to me is Spenny, who is softly spoken and polite but visibly uncomfortable with being interviewed. I ask them about that first track, Change, and whether the lyrics were born out of a challenge they set themselves. For sure, I dont think any of us can pretend we havent made mistakes, says J Emz. But weve grown up a lot. So much has happened in our career to knock us off track  some of that is our fault, some of it isnt, but weve gotten much better at holding each other accountable. What does that look like? There have been some heated chats for sure, admits J Emz, while Celly and Spenny nod in agreement. Sometimes I got to remind the boys what theyre going back to if this doesnt work out.

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Rapping about Sydney gang subcultures, OneFours focus on the grittiness of the streets  violence, drug-dealing and run-ins with the police  blurred the lines between their art and life. Credit: Michael Candrick No one knows that better than Celly, whose incarceration meant he missed much of the albums development. Instead, he worked on his lyrics in prison and recorded once he got out. The journey for me was different [with this album] being in jail; you can either sit there and waste your days or try to use the time wisely, so I started writing a lot, he says. All you have is time to think about what youve done to end up there and what youll do not to go back, so the minute I got out, I was straight into it. I dropped that ball, time out, they threw me inside, Im back on the bench. Celly on Look At Me Nows Family The result is Look At Me Now, a sprawling 15-track album on which the group collaborates with several high-profile UK drill rappers, including Nemzzz, Headie One, and Abra Cadabra. The record also sees OneFour collaborate for the second time with the Kid Laroi on Distant Strangers. Laroi and OneFour first crossed paths when they were both coming up and have remained close throughout Larois success, with OneFour the opening act on his most recent tour of Australia. I get inspired by Laroi every time, any opportunity we get to be around him is a learning for us, says Spenny. This is a guy on top, and hes still the same kid we knew from back in the day. OneFour with a young The Kid Laroi (third from the right) in Redfern. Credit: Screengrab

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The release of Look At Me Now comes ahead of a nationwide tour in July and August that presents a familiar problem: they will play in every major city except Sydney. According to the group, NSW police continue to pressure venues by demanding extra user-pays-police (where officers are hired to police a private event paid for by the venue), leaving venues unwilling to host the band in their hometown. Police walk past a mock Mt Druitt sign at OneFours album launch event at Sydney Dragway in Eastern Creek. Credit: Mridula Amin We dont blame the venues when they have to take a dive, but its frustrating; our management has tried everything, says J Emz. The police make it difficult for the shows to go ahead, so the venues have no option but to pull out. In a statement, NSW Police said: We provide safety and security advice to venues, promoters, and other stakeholders ahead of major events. However, the decision as to whether an event will proceed lies with the relevant venue. Loading J Emz admits that, for the first time, hed encourage NSW Police to listen to their music. The message is: were different now, were good people, he says. I dont want to be defined by what I did, adds Celly. I served my time, suffered the consequences, and this is the next chapter.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Oil prices may surpass $150/bbl if Iran-Israel tensions persist, Trend reports via the Netherlands ING banking group.

Oil prices surged more than 7% this morning following reports of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites  a significant escalation in Middle East tensions that has sharply increased geopolitical risk premiums in global energy markets, the Netherlands-based ING banking group said in a market commentary.

The ING analysts note that unlike previous attacks, this round of strikes reportedly includes Iranian nuclear facilities, raising the stakes dramatically and fueling concerns over retaliation from Tehran. "This is a significant escalation... It will only lead to further uncertainty and increase the risk that regional energy supplies are disrupted.

Supply Disruptions Loom

Iran currently produces approximately 3.3 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil, exporting around 1.7 million b/d. In the event of sustained conflict, ING analysts suggest it is not too difficult to envisage scenarios where this supply could be disrupted, particularly if upstream or midstream oil infrastructure is targeted.

Such disruptions could push the oil market  currently in surplus  into a deficit during the second half of the year. ING estimates that even a partial loss of Iranian exports could send Brent crude up to $80 per barrel, though prices may eventually stabilize near $75/bbl depending on the global supply response.

Strait of Hormuz in Focus

ING warns that continued escalation could jeopardize shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz  the vital maritime chokepoint through which about a third of global seaborne oil trade, or roughly 14 million b/d, transits. Disruption of flows through the strait could send Brent crude prices soaring to $120/bbl, with potential to surpass the 2008 record high of nearly $150/bbl if tensions persist.

The threat also extends to the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. Qatar, which accounts for around 20% of global LNG trade, exports its supplies exclusively via the Strait of Hormuz. ING warns that there is no alternative route, and any blockage could severely tighten LNG supply, pushing European gas prices sharply higher.

Strategic Response Options

Governments may be forced to draw on strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) to offset potential supply shortfalls. The U.S. currently holds over 400 million barrels in its SPR, positioning it to lead any coordinated release.

In addition, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) could tap into its estimated 5 million b/d of spare production capacity. However, ING cautions that most of this capacity is also located in the Persian Gulf. If we are seeing disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, this spare production capacity will be of little help, analysts said.

ING concludes that any sustained threat to the Strait of Hormuz would likely trigger a globally coordinated response to safeguard energy transit through this critical route.
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Review Eating outGlen Iris Our critic liked this local hangout in the leafy east so much, she visited it twice in one day And after tasting the flawless tiramisu, shes already planning visit number three to Central Park Cellars. Dani Valent June 13, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

As featured in the July 2025 hit list. See all stories .

1 / 8 Central Park Cellars is like a local lounge room in Glen Iris. Bonnie Savage 2 / 8 Silky tagliatelle with beef cheek ragu. Bonnie Savage 3 / 8 Burrata with pickled watermelon and candied cherry tomatoes. Bonnie Savage 4 / 8 The owners promise theyve tasted every wine on the well-stocked shelves. Bonnie Savage 5 / 8 Tiramisu is flawless, and a drawcard for a return visit. Bonnie Savage 6 / 8 Charred octopus with burrida cream (Sardinian walnut sauce), nduja crumble and broad bean salad. Bonnie Savage 7 / 8 Dry-aged rib-eye with salsa verde. Bonnie Savage 8 / 8 The Salted Hen is Central Park Cellars spin on a spicy marg, made with house-made jalapeno syrup and chicken salt on the rim. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide 13.5 / 20 How we score Italian$$$$ Its not often I like a place so much that I visit twice in one day, but not every venue is Central Park Cellars. On this afternoon, Im in the leafy east in need of tea and a chat with a friend. We planned a brisk stroll in nearby Central Park, but the weathers being unkind. With our backs to the wind, were blown down Burke Road. A place with Cellars in its name doesnt sound like cuppa territory but, 10 minutes later, we find ourselves ensconced in a charming window booth sipping cups of lemongrass-and-ginger tea. Down the back, a chef rolls pasta in a picturesque flour haze. Closer to us, shelves of high-quality independent wine are ready for drinking here or ferrying home. In the toilets, the wallpaper features line drawings of local dogs. At a sheltered table outside, a young family carves out 20 minutes: the parents sip prosecco and beer, the kids are brought to quiet stillness by hot chips. In the other window nook, a happy rambler receives crossword assistance from a glass of Musk Lane syrah. Im eating out with friends later and now I know where. I want the pasta I saw being rolled, and I want some of that wine, too.

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Silky tagliatelle with beef cheek ragu. Bonnie Savage So here I am, back again in the evening, in a den that gets fuller and louder as the minutes roll by: mates, dates, cross-table talk from parents who know one other from school drop-off, a book club that doesnt even pretend to open a tome. Waiters work gamely, teetering on the cresting wave of a busy weekend. A chef rolls pasta in a picturesque flour haze. Im eating out with friends later and now I know where. I want the pasta I saw being rolled. The building has been a licensed grocer since 1930. When the business came up for sale a few years ago, two couples decided to buy it, bringing skills from business, healthcare and marketing to their first foray into food. Mick and Paula Stephenson, Craig Buffham and Fiona Doyle have refined the wine offering (and promise theyve tasted every wine they sell  well, they do say hospitality is tough), improved the menu and smartened up the interior, installing soundproofing, timber panelling and banquettes. Theres music on Fridays and, where nearby restaurants Grazia and Riserva are dress-up and splurgy, the Cellars is come-as-you-are and stay-till-whenever. The menu was designed by Andrea Serreli, who left recently to take on the head chef gig at hatted Scopri in Carlton. His long-time protege, Mandeep Paudel, is now leading the kitchen under the guidance of the owners and with buy-in from regulars, who arent shy of expressing opinions.

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Theres pubby stuff, such as barramundi tacos, fried chicken, a shareable, 400-gram rib-eye and bloody good chips served with house-made chicken salt. I have more of this addictive salt on the rim of my Salted Hen cocktail, a margarita-adjacent walloper with mezcal and jalapeno syrup. Try the Salted Hen spicy marg, with house-made chicken salt on the rim. An Italian thread to the menu explains the citrus-cured snapper, octopus with Sardinian walnut sauce, and lovingly made pasta and risotto, which are both available as $20 midweek specials. The food isnt faultless: the risottos on the chalky side of al dente, although the pea and mascarpone combination is delicious. The beef-cheek ragu is a little thin, but the flavours are honest and the accompanying tagliatelle is supple and silky. Everything is offered in such warm spirit that its easy to overlook the rough bits of the diamond. Im a sucker for tiramisu and the one here is flawless, a delightful drawcard to get me back for visit number three.

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The flawless tiramisu. Bonnie Savage The low-down Atmosphere: Local lounge room Go-to dishes: Tagliatelle with beef cheek ($34); Salted Hen cocktail ($24); risotto of the week ($20-$25); tiramisu ($18) Drinks: The owners source mostly local wine from small suppliers and promise theyve tried everything on the well-stocked shelves  theres plenty around $60. The cocktails are fun and there are a couple of beers on tap. Cost: About $90 for two, excluding drinks Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

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Eating outEssential cafes and bakeries 10 Sydney spots to satisfy your sweet tooth (feat. this strawberry shortcake tour-de-force) Good Foods essential places for sweets and treats include a patisserie where the cakes resemble splendid brooches and a Middle Eastern bakery whose buttery biscuits are best eaten in, accompanied by a chat. Good Food June 6, 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 Good Foods Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025, presented by T2. See all stories .

1 / 6 Cakes, like this strawberry shortcake, are Khanom Bakery founder Yeen Veerasenees specialty. Dion Georgopoulos 2 / 6 Khanom House, Chippendale. Dion Georgopoulos 3 / 6 The cake cabinet. Dion Georgopoulos 4 / 6 Khanom House, Chippendale. Dion Georgopoulos 5 / 6 Pandan brioche bun and Thai milk tea Basque cheesecake at Khanom House, Chippendale. Dion Georgopoulos 6 / 6 Honey layer cake at Khanom House. Dion Georgopoulos Previous Slide Next Slide These are our some of our favourite places in Sydney specialising in sugary treats, whether theyre bakeries best-known for banging chiffon cakes, or cafes with maamoul better than your mums. Go on, youve earnt it. This list is part of Good Foods Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025. Presented by T2, the guide celebrates the people and places that shape our cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 11 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea, coffee and matcha, and where to get the citys best sandwiches and baked goods. (These reviews also live on theGood Food app, and are discoverable on the map.) Dear Florence patisserie at The Rocks. Louise Kennerley Dear Florence

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Dear Florence, a patisserie helmed by former Aria head pastry chef Aoife Noonan, is like a jewellery store where you can eat the merchandise. Each cake or tart resembles a splendid brooch or sculpture, carved, modelled, shaped and cooked somehow from eggs, flour, fruit, sugar and chocolate. Must order: The Dream, a cloud-like cake of vanilla sponge and mascarpone mousse, topped with flower petals and a droplet of rosewater gel. 230 Sussex Street, Sydney, p48.com.au Baker-founder Yeen Veerasenee at Khanom House. Dion Georgopoulos Khanom House

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Self-taught Thai baker Yeen Veerasenee is a market stall success story. Buoyed by the popularity of his matcha Basque cheesecakes, Veerasenee opened a brick-and-mortar in a light-filled corner of Chippendale. His pastry cabinet is a sight to behold  a tour-de-force of strawberry shortcake, billowing with layers of vanilla frosting; pastel green pandan sponge, rolled around subtly sweet coconut cream; and golden-crumbed Ukrainian honeycake, a fluffy, perennial favourite. Good to know: Theres barista-made coffee to pair with your cake. 15 Meagher Street, Chippendale, instagram.com/khanomhouse.syd Soft-serve ice-cream and warm cookies at Kuki, Haymarket. Yusuke Oba Kuki

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In a world of cookies sprinkled and stuffed to the nines, this sleek little shop is all about the simple joy of classic, freshly baked biscuit. Flavours range from caramelised brown butter and chocolate chip, to the salty-sweet combo of black sesame and white chocolate. Brought to you by popular Strathfield ice-cream chain Duo Duo, it also offers velvety soft serve on the side. Good to know: Its open late every Friday and Saturday, for those post-dinner cravings. 9/18 Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket, kuki.au Co-founder Frances Song with a chocolate bar croissant at Moon Phase in St Leonards. Janie Barrett Moon Phase

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This all-white laneway cafe, a short walk from the Metro, has the classics covered with excellent croissants and kouign-amanns. But its the visually striking specials, drawing on traditional Korean flavours, which make a visit worthwhile. Case in point, the Busan swirl: a viennoiserie version of street-food snack hotteok filled with gooey brown sugar. Good to know: Moon Phase roasts its own coffee beans, with rotating seasonal blends. 545 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, moonphase.au Pandan bun with custard at Pantry Story. Dominic Lorrimer Pantry Story

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Parramatta Road has livened up a little since cosy bakery-cafe Pantry Story opened last year. Most people come for the evolving menu of Asian-inspired sweet treats: a decadent tabletop procession of electric-green pandan mochi cookies, miso butterscotch croissants and wobbling chocolate panna cotta capybaras. Good to know: Dine-in seating is limited to a few stools and covered milk crates. 336 Parramatta Road, Stanmore, instagram.com/pantrystory_sydney Pastries at Shadow Baking, Darlinghurst. Rhett Wyman Shadow Baking

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A trio of Messina chefs have pivoted from gelato to pastry, bringing the same bold creativity to croissants, tarts and scrolls. Danishes are regularly on display: golden, flaky nests filled with confit tomatoes, fanned with caramelised fruits or topped up with a thai milk tea sabayon. Just like the Messina mothership, new specials are created weekly and the pastries sell out within hours. Best for: Croissant dough, done differently. 243 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, shadowbaking.com Honey and sea salt crullers from Shortstop Coffee and Donuts. Shortstop Coffee and Donuts

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Its been nearly 10 years since Shortstop opened its first Sydney outpost, and the Barangaroo store still occasionally sells out. So, whats the secret? Its the discerning approach to doughnuts in their forms. Flavours are seasonal (pumpkin spice, apple pie) and never too-sweet, with subtle nods to new trends (strawberry matcha, Thai milk tea) and a solid selection of classics (cinnamon sugar with cardamom, Mexican hot chocolate). Must order: The Australian honey and sea salt cruller has become a staple. Shop 3/23 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo, short-stop.com.au Georgette Taouk, Najwa Tajjour, Amal Elhani and Randa Fardos at Smeed, the new Lebanese cafe in Belmore. Steven Siewert Smeed

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Never tried maamoul before? Well, youre in for a lovely time. The dense buttery biscuits, filled with everything from dates to strawberry marshmallows, are the specialty at this family-run Lebanese cafe. You could get a six-pack to go, but its better to settle in for a chat. The hospitality is warm, the coffee is strong, and the pistachio mamaoul becomes magical when warmed up, served with spoonfuls of clotted cream. Best for: Modernised Middle Eastern treats. 422 Burwood Road Belmore, instagram.com/smeed.almaamoul Traditional Lebanese sweets (and much more) at Sweet Beirut, Bexley. Sweet Beirut

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A chandelier-lit jewel of southern Sydney, displaying Lebanese treats like edible art. Rows of glistening baklava. Sugar-dusted maamoul. Golden knafeh encased in glass. Among them, harder-to-find desserts like mafroukeh (crisp caramelised semolina layered beneath and ashta clotted cream) and halawet el jibn (sweet cheese rolls with rose petal jam). The quality bests many of its inner city-based rivals and for a fraction of the cost. Good to know: Open until midnight on weekends. 485 Forest Road, Bexley, instagram.com/sweetbeirutt Matcha and pistachio tarts from Yin Viennoiserie. Yin Viennoiserie

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Now, heres an inviting corner of Glebe, with perfect eclairs, individual Saint Honores and decadent pastries topped with the ripest of ripe figs when in season. The raspberry matcha tart receives the most social media love with its dense centre asking to be pulled apart and filmed, but the croissants deserves your attention too. Some pastries are so shiny and smooth you can almost see your reflection. This is high precision stuff. Good to know: Theres limited seating if you want to chill with a coffee. 13/131-145 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, instagram.com/yin_viennoiserie Good Foods Essential Sydney Cafes and Bakeries of 2025, presented by T2, celebrates the people and places that shape our excellent cafe and bakery scenes and includes more than 100 venues reviewed anonymously across 11 categories, including icons, those best for food, tea, coffee and matcha, and where to get the citys best sweets, sandwiches and baked goods. Download the Good Food app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store to discover whats near you.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Before we consider increasing the defence budget we should be looking at how this money would be better spent now (AUKUS review a chance to rethink our alliances, June 13). Its fairly obvious that AUKUS is a bad investment. Apart from the fact that our submarine delivery looks to be jeopardised by the US failing to meet the quota for its own fleet, according to experts, nuclear subs are not the type we need. The delivery time is too distant, and they are likely to be made obsolete by other defence technologies. We should cut our losses and ditch this dud deal. Roger Johnson, New Lambton Heights Trumps administration is reviewing the AUKUS deal to see if it meets the criteria for America First. That says it all: Americas interests will always be its primary concern. We need to rethink the AUKUS deal and create a defence strategy that maintains our sovereignty while we are still an active partner in the alliance with the United States. Australia cannot afford to plough billions of dollars into a strategy for an end product (nuclear submarines) that may never materialise, or be superseded by new technologies. Leo Sorbello, Leichhardt Credit: Matt Golding The longer Trump is president, the more Australias ties with America become quicksand. If Australia is to have any chance of building a credible defence capacity, we jeopardise our security by putting our faith in the increasingly erratic and autocratic leader of a once-great ally. Trumps America-first agenda and contradictory political allegiances are plainly a serious threat to Western democracy. Do we really want to be Americas vassal in such a precarious world? Bruce Spence, Balmain May I humbly suggest that our PM tells Donald Trump to keep his non-existent submarines and that we simply pretend we have some? Given theyre supposed to be so stealthy and invisible, our non-existent enemies will never know. Thus, we get the deterrence effect and can now afford a truckload of public housing and other useful social services. Tim Parker, Balmain Disaster it is but ironic to say, Its time to recognise that since the AUKUS deal was announced, circumstances have changed. No, they havent. The circumstances under which AUKUS was announced involved a hubristic Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, desperately trying to salvage a reputation he had already trashed before the electorate finally woke up and voted him out of office. In America, we face the prospect of having to relate to an even greater threat to intelligent leadership, the worlds biggest liar, egomaniac, self-absorbed buffoon, Donald Trump. No change. Just different individuals. Lets get us the hell out of AUKUS, away from a USA-dominant sphere of influence, and be the grown-up country. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay Morrison and Turnbull are both in this paper talking about submarines. Im sure if I looked hard enough Id find Abbott bemoaning the end of Western civilisation or whatever cultural crusade he is on this week. I long for the days when the Letters page was filled with indignant outrage and calls for ex-PMs to be silent whenever Paul Keating had the temerity to comment on Sydneys architecture. Derek Elmes, Faulconbridge

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Something seems very wrong. The party (the Coalition) that claims to be the best economy managers has, in about two decades, saddled Australia with two massive white elephants. First, Tony Abbott ruined the NBN with his fibre-to-the-node scheme, which cost more than the original and left us with a horse-and-cart model. Not to be outdone, Scott Morrison left us with a World War II defence plan that focused on submarines. We can only hope Trump cancels it with a child-like stamping of his feet. Meanwhile, the Coalition is still focused on keeping Trump happy in an equally childlike display. Philip Dowle, Wickham We can only hope and pray that Trump scraps the nuclear submarine deal. It would save us the embarrassment of having to cancel it ourselves. I suspect most Aussies would prefer not to be tied to the untrustworthy Trump regime, on this or any other deal, for that matter. Lets face it, subs will probably be useless war machines by the time they are delivered. Should the deal survive, it will probably cost us twice the original estimate and take twice as long to complete too. Unsurprisingly, the Coalition already has its knickers in a knot over the review. Without the AUKUS subs deal, theyd have to come up with another thought bubble  and vision isnt one of their strong suits. Graham Lum, North Rocks Rumour has it that Donald Trump thinks AUKUS is the month before September. Brian Roach, Westleigh I reckon this might be at least the 250th letter today opposing AUKUS and the submarines deal, but we will still be stuck with this horrible deal made at the whim of Scotty and Boris. Id back the combined wisdom of Herald letter writers. Tom Lockley, Pyrmont Offer for Albanese James Massola muses (Albanese needs to make Trump an offer he cant refuse, June 13) on what our PM needs to do to respond to Trump, AUKUS and all the other uncertainties with our US relationship. While I think most Australians worry about Trump, we cant ignore the fact that the US has run its economy into the ground being sheriff for democracies the world over. While it would be nice to spend more on aid than defence, thats wishful thinking. Maybe us grey nomads could endorse some tax reform to fund increased defence spending that keeps our kids and grandkids safe. After all, our fathers and grandfathers did much more by laying down their lives for us. Its time to act, not react. Brian Barrett, Padstow Credit: Matt Golding

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As James Massola reports on the big meet, the Trump administration demands the rest of the world do what Trump wants. This leaves Australia isolated in a fragile part of the world. Albanese expects (maybe) to get a sideline meeting with Trump at the G7 summit. What an insult to Australia. Despite our once close relationship, we obviously cant expect any favours from the worlds No.1 bully. Time to review our strategic partnerships and call Trumps bluff. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach Dont seize, desist! Credit: Alan Moir So, the Liberals have seized on the AUKUS review (Turnbull, opposition seize on AUKUS review, June 13). What hypocrisy! The deal they instigated involves us paying the US a bucketload of money now in order that they may, if they feel like it, sell us a couple of submarines in future for an even more eye-watering sum. I hope the review ends it. Brenton McGeachie, Hackett (ACT) They told us Crown would not have pokies. We didnt bet on it If every other state in Australia can function without the ridiculously high number of poker machines that NSW has, then our state government can no longer fail to set targets to reduce gambling harm (Crown ramps up push to allow 500 cashless pokies in casino, June 13). The most recent audit incredibly predicts it would take 55 years for NSW to reduce its poker machine numbers to the national average. How did we get here? These symbols of greed and misery cannot be ignored indefinitely, nor indeed be added to the Barangaroo behemoth. Lorraine Hickey, Green Point It wasnt that long ago that we, the people of Sydney, were assured by the NSW government that poker machines would not be allowed at Crown Casino. It would be a classy joint, we were told. In 2013, then premier Barry OFarrell said: Star City has 1500 poker machines. The VIP gaming facility at Barangaroo, should it proceed, will not have any. Its a high value, high worth individual enterprise. Its not a full-blown casino. Itll be restricted. The cynics among us said: Sure, just give it a few years and see; before long, there will be pokies at Crown Casino. Perhaps the cynics were only realists. Politics, big business, property development and gambling  its always a heady, if sadly predictable, mix in our fair state. Ross Duncan, Potts Point

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I might be the odd one out to say this, as I have never played a pokie in my life, but Crown casinos having cashless pokie licences is probably a lesser evil than the reluctance to introduce cashless pokies in all parts of the state. The government must stop pussy-footing and instead introduce drastic reforms to reduce harm from pokies on families, which has a domino effect on our health system due to depression, even suicide, and economically for families who lose their house and/or relationship. Giving Crown cashless pokies will be a boost, not that it is going to solve any problems, but at least other pokies in various clubs will be forced to follow the cashless methodology quickly. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill If this passes, and poker machines are introduced into Crown Barangaroo, it will make a mockery of the original agreement and the trust that the people of Sydney and NSW had in the government to uphold it. Jenny Stephenson, Wollongong Free to air discontent Loss of employment through restructures, often driven by business decisions, is a fact of life, and dealing with it can be challenging; I know, I have been there twice (TV pushed out by scary alternative, June 13). Waleed Aly has naturally sought to lay blame for the axing of his pet project on Channel 10s parent, US Paramount, along with a rapidly evolving alternative to traditional free-to-air station offerings for a diverse and highly discerning audience. Will I miss The Project? No. In all its 16 years I have never watched it. Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook Waleed Aly: Will video kill the radio star at last? Credit: Penny Stephens. The Age Waleed Aly spells out how the rise of social media and streaming is destroying free-to-air television. Now with AI and the personal information that the tech bros control, the danger is to democracy itself as they line up behind Trump. It is encouraging to see, Michael Koziol (Marines deployed as Trump says governor should be arrested, June 11), that the Californian governor is at last using words such as dictatorial and shock troops out of control. It has been plain to see for years that Trump plans to be a dictator. It may already be too late to protest. Gary Barnes, Mosman Online streaming and social media have changed how people consume news and current affairs, sadly resulting in free-to-air channels cancelling programs such as Q&A, The Drum and The Project. Social media undercuts traditional media. It is created at low or no cost by persons unknown and is rarely moderated or reviewed. The content often polarises opinion, as algorithms amplify existing bias and/or illusion. Trumps greater reach via social media contributed to his election win over the Democrats, even though the masses who elected him will experience worse outcomes under his regime. Free-to-air stations need to ensure they educate us with in-depth political, environmental and economic news and provide a platform for civil discourse for better policy formation, or we risk following the US down a rabbit hole. Anne Matheson, Gordon

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My children, born in the mid and late 1990s, never read newspapers and rarely watch TV, yet they are still tuned in to news events and current popular culture, which they get from other sources. Once us oldies go, there will be even less support for the traditional print and TV news outlets, which will possibly become an oddity. Con Vaitsas, Ashbury Supermarket planning Thank you, MP Kellie Sloane (Lib calls for Rose Bay to be spared housing bid, June 13), please add Roseville and Killara to your list of suburbs that have been unfairly targeted. Neither of these suburbs has a major supermarket. Margie Christowski, Roseville Aside from not being a town centre, Rose Bay is on a narrow peninsula. There are basically only two roads in and out. Irene Thom, Vaucluse He made life a beach Brian Wilson: thanks for all the memories of sun and sand and surf Credit: AP The beauty and power of music is evident in Brian Wilsons life (Pop musics genius composer Wilson rode waves of brilliance and torment in equal measure, dead at 82, June 13). Despite his damaged life, he created songs we love. Thank you. Music gives us joy, solace, dreams and memories, and touches every emotion and our souls. Today I am remembering Saturday night dances with fast feet, swinging skirts, many petticoats and big smiles. Bea Hodgson, Gerringong

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The first person charged with killing someone under Queenslands landmark one-punch laws has received an additional jail sentence over multiple serious assaults.

Ariik Mayot, 28, pleaded guilty on Friday in Queensland District Court to two counts of serious assault of a public officer and assault occasioning bodily harm of a prisoner.

Mayot was jailed for a maximum of six years in 2017 for unlawful striking causing the death of 54-year-old grandfather Lindsay Ede at Ipswich, south-west of Brisbane.

Ariik Mayot was jailed over a one-punch attack.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and was the first person to be charged under Queenslands one-punch laws.
Air Indias Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which tragically crashed just 11 seconds after a routine take-off in India, was in Melbourne only four days before the disaster.

All but one of the 242 people on board were killed when the passenger plane bound for London crashed after taking off from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Melbourne Airport made chaplains available after the air crash in India. Credit: Joe Armao

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

Flight data shows the plane, with the label VT-ANB, landed at Tullamarine just after 9pm on Sunday, and left about two hours later on the return leg to Delhi.
Thomas also conceded the recent errors at Monash IVF may be just the tip of the iceberg, and that the rate of adverse events clinics officially report to regulators may not represent the true extent of complications faced by fertility patients. Loading I think evidence tells us that that has not always been the case, Thomas said. I think its concerning that, in fact, there may well be more errors that we dont know about, and that is because the body that currently accredits fertility care providers is made up of fertility care providers. And thats why I find Queenslands position so perplexing. The Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee was established by the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) to self-accredit fertility clinics.

An FSANZ spokesperson said the industry body welcomed the three-month review and the potential for a national regulatory approach. Currently, [assisted reproductive technology] and IVF services in Australia are governed by more than 40 separate pieces of legislation. This fragmented framework creates inconsistency, confusion, and gaps in oversight. FSANZ has long maintained that this is unsustainable, the FSANZ spokesperson said. Such a move would deliver greater regulatory clarity, enhance accountability, and give the accreditation system the agility needed to maintain high standards and address emerging risks. A nationally consistent approach to [assisted reproductive technology] regulation would improve transparency, streamline governance, and enhance patient care across jurisdictions. It would also strengthen national data collection, enable benchmarking, and support continuous improvement across the sector. Moves to strengthen oversight of Australias fertility sector come after Monash IVF admitted a woman had been implanted with the wrong embryo during a procedure at its Clayton clinic on June 5.

Monash IVF acting chief executive Malik Jainudeen. The Clayton embryo mix-up follows revelations in April that an embryo transfer error at its Brisbane facility resulted in a Queensland woman giving birth to a strangers baby. Those incidents come after Monash IVF paid $56 million in compensation to settle a class action involving 700 families related to a bungled genetic-testing program. A Monash IVF spokesperson yesterday said the embattled fertility giant stands ready to work with federal and state governments on these matters. A day after Monash IVFs chief executive officer, Michael Knaap, resigned, the groups acting chief, Malik Jainudeen, published an open letter on the companys website apologising to patients affected by its mix-ups.

Jainudeen, who had been Monash IVFs chief financial officer prior to Knaaps departure, said patient care was the priority for the companys scientists and doctors, and continuity of their treatment would not be affected by these incidents. We are devastated about the recent incidents at our Brisbane and Clayton clinics, and the anxiety this may be causing our patients, Jainudeen said. All of us at Monash IVF know the responsibility we have in the work that we do. We will do everything we can to strengthen how we do things so we can continue to support people in their dreams of building a family. Assisted reproductive technology clinics welcomed the ministers action to strengthen oversight of the industry. Genea chief executive officer Tim Yeoh said demonstrating that Australia had one of the safest and most transparent sectors in the word needed to be a priority for fertility providers as well as governments.

No.1 Fertility owner and medical director Dr Lynn Burmeister said moves toward national accreditation and regulation were a reassuring step forward for patients. No one in the IVF industry wants to see incidents like we have seen happen at Monash, no matter how rare, Burmeister said. We also support a national approach to IVF regulation to bring all states together. James Pyne, chief executive of Virtus Health which operates Melbourne IVF and other fertility clinics across Australia, supported calls for a uniform national IVF law, the establishment of a central donor register and an independent accrediting organisation. While Australia has one of the safest and most successful IVF sectors in the world, we want to ensure all patients can have confidence in the oversight of its standards and practices during what we know is a highly sensitive time in their lives, he said.
Despite improved home security and CCTV, every house is exposed to online attacks at any time. A computer is the modern-day version of a skeleton key that can open any lock. Which is why Sampson wants to tell his story. It is about one case in which he says he was a bit player. On March 3, 2007, Sampson was on call when he was told to head to Rosebud police station to carry out an arrest warrant from South Australia. It was for the murder of a 15-year-old girl killed on a beach at Horseshoe Bay, about 80 kilometres from Adelaide. Sampson knew it well. His family had owned a holiday house there, and he spent most summers on that beach. When police raided the unit, Garry Francis Newman was in his lounge room chatting online to a 14-year-old girl in Perth. Newman was 48.

Garry Newman, murderer, predator and monster. Credit: ABC NEWS For 18 months, Newman had pretended to be a teenage rock guitarist as he pursued Carly Ryan online. He killed her when his pathetic masquerade was exposed. Newman was on the computer in the lounge room, Sampson says. His son was there. Newman was clearly grooming another victim. When the police officer examined the computer, he found three usernames: Brando, Gary and Gotza. The user Brando was logged in. When Sampson accessed the computer, there was a live chat on screen. It was clear the middle-aged man had taught himself to communicate as a teenager using adolescent slang and computer abbreviations.

It was found he had 200 identities. One was Brandon Kane, a Texan musician living in Melbourne. First Kane chatted to a South Australian girl who was a friend of Carlys. Soon, Ryan was also in the chat. It is a classic predator move  gain trust through a friend, club or online social group. The target accepts the online identity because their friends appear to know him. Kane flattered and flirted with Carly as they talked about meeting. She wanted the guitarist to come to her home in Stirling, near Adelaide, for her 15th birthday on the 2007 Australia Day long weekend. Kane said he couldnt because he was flying back to the United States for a brief visit, but his dad, Shane, would like to come over and meet her. Carlys mother, Sonya, was eventually persuaded to add the interstate guest. Shane turned up, and it was soon clear he was a creep. A court would later hear that Carly had said the middle-aged man had been feeling her up. Sonya kicked him out and followed up by emailing him, telling him not to come anywhere near her daughter again, and if he did, she would go to the police.

She would later discover Shane had bought the 15-year-old sexually provocative clothing. Newman returned home filthy that his plans had been thwarted. Within three weeks, using his cyber character Shane, he had persuaded Carly to meet, this time near Horseshoe Bay. Carly, knowing her mother would never agree, told her she was going to have a sleepover at a friends house. Newman drove nearly 850 kilometres to kill. It was not a crime of passion. His anger fuelled a sense of vengeance, Sampson says. On February 20, sitting in the dunes, Newman gave the vulnerable teenager marijuana, then hit her in the head with a rock. He turned her facedown, pressing her face in the sand to smother her. Convinced she was dead, he began to walk away.

Carlys mother, Sonya. Credit: Brenton Edwards Then she coughed, and so he came back to drag her into the shallows to drown her, says Sampson. Newman had convinced himself he was smart by manipulating kids (he had earlier threatened online to butcher a girl in Singapore who saw through his tactics). But investigator Sampson says: He was an idiot who left a trail of evidence. So much so, he was raided and arrested at Rosebud less than two weeks later. Sampson says that even though Newman faced a mountain of evidence, he remained defiant and decided to plead not guilty.

When the officer was testifying in a small court, Sampson recalls: Newman would lean towards you and glare to try and intimidate. He was an absolute prick. He even chose to glare at the judge  not a good idea, as she was the one who decided his sentence. In her final remarks, Justice Trish Kelly of the South Australian Supreme Court, didnt miss. It was a terribly cruel thing you did to this beautiful, impressionable 14-year-old child, she said. I say child because thats what she was  a child who fell in love with the idea of the handsome, musically inclined and rather exotic Brandon Kane. The real man was an overweight, balding, middle-aged paedophile with sex and murder on his mind.

Loading When your deception came unravelled, you killed Miss Ryan. You left in your wake a devastated and inconsolably grief-stricken mother, family and friends. You were sexually obsessed with Miss Ryan to the degree that, when you could not get your own way, you prepared to, and did, kill her. Newman was given a life term with a minimum of 29 years. Carlys mother, Sonya Ryan, says she knew that if he hadnt been convicted, he would have continued to prey on teenage girls. I knew Carly wouldnt be the last. He was grooming multiple girls, one in Singapore and one in the US.

Loading Ryan has spent more than 15 years using her daughters death to try to protect others, turning herself into an expert in the field and a tireless lobbyist for change. She set up the Carly Ryan Foundation to educate adolescents on how to navigate social media safely and to provide laws to protect children. Out of the grief came clarity, and I could see what was coming, she says. I am grateful I am doing something Carly would want me to do. We have to create shields to protect our children. Eventually, politicians listened and passed what is known as Carlys Law in federal parliament. The legislation makes it an offence for an adult to masquerade as a minor online.

It allows police to move in before the child has been successfully groomed and has a maximum penalty of 10 years jail. Ryan became South Australian of the Year in 2013, and was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2021. The online world is more dangerous for kids than ever before, says Ryan, who is in the US talking to politicians about introducing Carlys Law. She knows such crimes are international and require an international defence. In the federal police operation, Blackheath, officers identified 47 offenders who had tricked young people to perform sexually explicit acts online.

The predators record the images to sell to international pay-for-view platforms. Police found about 100 victims in the US, Britain, Russia, Denmark, Argentina, South Korea, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, Germany and France. The Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation receives about 100 reports a month of children being targeted online. Children now carry mini-computers in their pocket, says Ryan. Wherever children are online, there are predators. AI is really concerning. It is a new tool for criminals. With AI, children can be groomed in minutes. Parents can be having a glass of chardonnay, and their children can be in the bedrooms online being groomed.
Canberra/Nadi: Anthony Albaneses first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump risks being derailed as Israeli strikes on Iran seize global attention ahead of a G7 summit in Canada.

Albanese told Australians to avoid the region and pointed to new government advice not to travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories as Iran prepared retaliatory strikes.

Speaking in Fiji on Friday before heading to the United States and Canada, the prime minister warned of Irans nuclear program, but called for a diplomatic solution.

Prime Minister of Fiji Sitiveni Rabuka greets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Nadi on Friday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

We, of course, are very conscious of the threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent to peace and security in the region, Albanese said on Friday.
Which is why Albanese left Canberra quite untroubled by the prospect of not meeting the US leader at all. And, if a meeting were to occur, Albanese had no intention of grovelling, no basket of delicacies to offer. Even though Trump tells us that hes open to extravagant gifts. When Ramaphosa said to Trump, Im sorry I dont have a plane to give you, the US president replied: I wish you did. I would take it. Australia has had an offer on the table in an effort to persuade Trump to exempt the country from the tariffs he has imposed on every other nation and penguin colony (with notable exemptions for Russia, Belarus, North Korea and Cuba). Loading The ball is now in the US court, Trade Minister Don Farrell told me five weeks ago. We have put our proposition to them, and its open to them if they want to accept it. It included an offer of setting up a reliable supply chain for critical minerals to help break Chinas stranglehold. The offer is still in the US court. Albanese is not going to plead. The Coalition is still demanding that the prime minister insist on an urgent meeting with Trump at any cost. Opposition defence spokesman Angus Taylor on Thursday said that Albanese must do whatever is necessary to meet with President Trump  as quickly as possible.

Maybe the opposition hasnt quite adjusted to the quiet patriotism that Australians feel about this. The country wants its leader to be on his feet dealing with Trump, not his knees. Or maybe the Liberals do get it, and theyre trying to set Albanese up to fail. Loading In a poll published this week, non-partisan Pew Research found that, among 24 nations, Australia was one of the countries with the greatest distrust of Trump. Seventy-seven per cent of Aussies said they did not trust Trump to do the right thing in world affairs. This was identical with sentiment in Canada, yet Trump hasnt breathed a word about annexing Australia. The median distrust rating across all 24 countries was around six in 10. Australians have firm views about the US president. We will not reward a lickspittle leader. Does that mean we want to dump the AUKUS agreement with the US and Britain? From the news coverage this week of Trumps decision to review the deal, you could be forgiven for thinking that its deeply unpopular. But a separate poll this week revealed that the opposite is true. The Lowy Institute survey poll found that 67 per cent of Australians support acquiring US nuclear-powered submarines, the first and most contentious element of the AUKUS pact. The poll of more than 2100 people was conducted in March. When it was first announced, Lowys poll found support at 70 per cent.

Over the past four years, the Lowy Institute poll has shown that Australians support for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines remains strong, said Lowys director, Michael Fullilove. The strident anti-AUKUS campaign led by Paul Keating and the Greens has made no real impact. President Donald Trump is refusing to confirm if he is meeting Anthony Albanese at the G7 Summit. Credit: AP The Australian electorate is discerning enough to judge Australias national interests. And to tell the difference between distrust of Trump on the one hand, and, on the other, an agreement between Australia and the country that Trump leads temporarily in order to acquire a national asset. (With Britain, of course, the third participant.) Australians have firm views about AUKUS. We will not reward a sellout leader. Which leads us to a key point largely overlooked in the weeks frenzied coverage. America is not the point of AUKUS. The reason AUKUS exists is not out of love for the US. Or Britain. It came into being because of mutual fear of China.

Beijing has built the worlds biggest navy so that it can drive the US out of the Western Pacific and dominate the region. If it dominates Asia and the Pacific, it dominates the majority of the global economy. Which ultimately means it dominates the world. If you dont understand this, you havent been listening to Xi Jinping. Or taking him seriously. Loading Australians understand the countrys vulnerability. For years now, seven respondents in 10 have told Lowys pollsters that they think China will pose a future military threat to Australia. The experts agree. The doyen of Australian defence strategy, Paul Dibb, says that Australias navy and air force would not last a week in a confrontation with China. A few days is all it would take for the Peoples Liberation Army to destroy Australias forces. Not that Beijing wants to invade the continent. Australian strategists believe that China can more effectively and efficiently coerce the country by merely deploying some of the 300-plus vessels in its navy to Australias northern approaches.

Extended live fire drills, for example, would deter commercial shipping. Australias supply lines, imports and exports, would be interrupted. The broad concept  cutting Australia off from the US and the world  is the same one that Imperial Japan was putting in place in World War II. Loading Knowing this vulnerability, an intelligent island continent would put a high priority on submarines to patrol our approaches. Unfortunately, successive Australian governments proved more complacent than intelligent. The six Collins Class submarines were supposed to be entering retirement about now. Which brings us to the second key point overlooked in the weeks sound and fury. Journalists asked Defence Minister Richard Marles what would happen if the Trump administration review were to terminate AUKUS. What, they asked, reasonably enough, is Australias Plan B? He answered that there was a plan, and we had to make it work. More pungently, Jennifer Parker of ANUs National Security College wrote in this masthead: Calls for a plan B overlook a blunt reality: AUKUS is already Plan C. Remember Tony Abbotts Japanese subs and Malcolm Turnbulls French subs? Australia is becoming a byword for fecklessness. Chinas shipyards are producing two nuclear-powered submarines a year. Australia hasnt produced a single submarine since 2001.

Its entirely possible that the Pentagons AUKUS review, led by Elbridge Colby, complicates the plan. But an Australian with deep and long experience of dealing with Washington predicts that it will not scrap the three-nation treaty: I dont think he will recommend kyboshing the AUKUS agreement because, if he did, hed be effectively ending the alliance. Not formally, but it would fundamentally change the equation. Either way, with or without AUKUS, Australias priority should be to prepare itself to stand on its own. AUKUS was supposed to add a serious new capability but not to be the be-all and end-all of Australian defence. Things have dramatically changed, Paul Dibb tells me. With the Chinese navy on our doorstep doing live fire drills and the unreliability of our great ally, we now need to do much more to develop the independent capability to deal with contingencies in the South Pacific and relevant contingencies in the South China Sea, events where the US would have no interest in getting involved. Australia needs to be able to stand on its feet, not its knees, in dealing with its ally. It needs to be able to do the same with its rivals. Peter Hartcher is political editor.
After the federal government streamlined visas for Chinese citizens to gamble in Australian casinos, NSW governments were happy to allow casino group Crown Resorts to prey on high rollers from the Mainland so long as they stayed away from the locals.

The Herald cautiously supported an invitation-only casino with no poker machines and no access for the general public on the eve of the original Packer-Crown casino being approved in 2013. We considered the high rollers option the best chance to capitalise on gambling tourism without changing the vibe of the city or exploiting Sydneysiders.

One Sydney Harbour and Crown Residences Credit: Louie Douvis

But the Chinese vanished and in a breach of faith, Crown has gambled irresponsibly on going after our most vulnerable players.

In an exclusive story, the Heralds Harriet Alexander this week revealed Crown Resorts executives are lobbying Minns government MPs, the opposition and crossbenchers to support a company proposal to install 500 cashless poker machines at Barangaroo.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner contributing to Europe's energy security, said Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jrgensen, as he welcomed Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy, Parviz Shabazov, in Brussels today to exchange on the strategic energy partnership between the EU and Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the European Commission.

Discussions centred on continuous cooperation on gas supplies, notably via the Southern Gas Corridor, as well as the possibility to expand green energy links and work towards market integration across the region in line with the recent EU Black Sea Strategy adopted by the Commission.

Azerbaijan is a reliable partner contributing to Europe's energy security. On top of gas supplies, we continue to work together on renewables, energy efficiency, energy infrastructure and methane emissions abatement. Today's dialogue is another stepping stone in making our strategic energy partnership future-oriented and mutually beneficial, Commissioner Jrgensen.

Today's meeting follows the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council and the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of the Green Energy Advisory Council which took place in April, in Baku.
Iconic Australian anti-development activist Juanita Nielsen left behind far more than a deeply disturbing whodunnit mystery when she disappeared, presumed murdered, 50 years ago, next month.

Her death also sparked a huge range of planning and policy changes that transformed the landscapes of our cities, and are now back under the spotlight, a new book to be released on Saturday argues.

Activist and newspaper publisher Juanita Nielsen at her Potts Point office in 1974. Credit: Fairfax Media

Some say the reforms that sprang from the urban warfare that erupted on Sydneys streets between developers and conservationists in the 1970s over plans for high-density housing in the citys east helped precipitate todays current national housing crisis; others argue they need to be further strengthened to protect our cities.

I dont think theres any doubt that Juanita Nielsens death made the environment for developing land much tougher for many years, if not decades, said Mark Skelsey, author of Views To Die For: Murder, Anarchy and the Battle for Sydneys Future. It initiated popular movies, plays and books which cast developers as villains and which really had a long-term influence on housing and development levels.
The leapfrogging around Valletta and its harbour  the best sides of the cities are often facing the sea. Credit: There are times when you want to stay in one place for a week and explore in depth. A good cruise itinerary, however, paints a bigger picture. One day were in Italy, the next Corsica, then Spain and Malta. Over the course of the cruise, I get a better appreciation of how these destinations are interlinked through conquest, culture and cuisine. Those connections are also made during Seabourn Conversations, the onboard lectures that cover topics from the Great Siege of Malta to Michelangelo and the papacy. Besides, I enjoy being in a different destination each day. Variety is invigorating. In Sicily, Im climbing a volcano. In Saint-Tropez, admiring super-yachts and chic shops. In Valletta, plunging into history.

In Palamos, Spain, I do nothing much at all in an inconsequential town that invites happy wandering. I discover saints weeping in gloomy churches, eat Iberian ham that dissolves on the tongue, poke around markets and enjoy Spanish local life. The moveable hotel Float to your next destination poolside. Credit: A great hotel is intrinsic to a positive travel experience, and so is a great ship. Seabourn Ovation is a luxury vessel of only 300 passengers, exuberant with eccentric artworks and sculptures and yet unpretentious and relaxed. It has pleasing lounges, several restaurants and bars, a spa and a theatre. The fitness room gazes over the sea. Its cafe serves proper coffees from an espresso machine that hisses like a dragon.

Bonus of this hotel: it moves. Tiers of breezy decks rise around its swimming pool in a grandstand from which to admire the scenery and enjoy low-key but lively sail-away parties. The Observation Bar provides moving panoramas as cocktail shakers rattle and ice cubes clink. Do this trip on land and hotel staff will never get to know you. For me, a bonus of cruising is interaction with the crew. Seabourn Ovations waiters get to know my culinary whims and favourite drinks and, even better, are cheerful and chatty. The thrill of history Seabourn cruising the Mediterranean. Credit: No matter how you get around the Mediterranean, youll encounter history galore. By land and sea alike, theres no shortage of old towns, museums and palaces. But I reckon that, on a ship, you feel the thrill of it too.

For most of human history, boat or ship was the optimal way to get around. As Seabourn Ovation glides at a sedate 20 knots, I feel like Im following in the wake of all who went before: the ancient Greeks, Romans, Spanish and Knights of St John. The Mediterranean has always been fundamentally about maritime trade and conquest and maritime culture. Its greatest sights are nearly all piled up on its shoreline and islands. As we glide towards the Amalfi Coast, Vesuvius lurches to port, the crags of Capri to starboard, cliffs ahead crowned with teetering towns encrusted with 2000 years of tourism history. I can almost hear the creak of a Roman triremes oars across the water. The way easy does it Each morning ushers in an entirely new coastline when youre cruising. Credit:

Getting around Europe is easy enough, but try cruising. In Monte Carlo, my suitcase arrived onboard in my stateroom within 30 minutes of checking in, and was shortly after unpacked and put away under my bed. No more repacking and dragging it across cobblestones and onto trains. No trains either. The magic of Seabourn Ovation is that Im having dinner, watching a show and having a good nights sleep while someone else takes care of the travel hassles. Next morning, all I have to do is open my stateroom curtains and outside is an entirely new coastline, and maybe another country. I can dally over pancakes on deck as the sun heaves upwards and we dock in another port. No airport queues. No train timetables. Not another hotel. This is a holiday whittled down to the most enjoyable bits. The reliable dining

Bistecca alla fiorentina at Solis restaurant. A frustration of cruising can be that you miss out on local dining experiences. Then again, you miss out on repetitive and overpriced tourist menus too. On an upmarket cruise ship, you have quality and variety, and never need to gather the energy to find evening meals after long days of sightseeing. Seabourn Ovation hits the spot on this cruise because its newest restaurant, Solis, specialises in Mediterranean cuisine. In celebration of Sicily, I order panzanella salad, pappardelle with grilled baby artichoke, and swordfish with lemon and capers. At The Colonnade, themed evening meals include French and Italian. On Spanish night, Im happy to be eating zarzuela seafood soup with saffron, Catalan-style grilled rib-eye steak, and a crema catalana with caramel sauce. So much for missing out. Another cruise advantage is that, when I hanker for a change of flavours, Ill find Thai yellow curry or ramen noodles far more readily on Seabourn Ovation than in a small Mediterranean town.

That cruise feeling That cruise feeling... Credit: I cant list all the ways a cruise differs from land exploration because part of the difference is nebulous. Its an atmosphere, a hard-to-define experience thats the sum of many small parts, and it starts from the moment the ships engines rumble and I know were setting off. The ship slides me into that holiday feeling of sparkling sea, warm sun and cold cocktails. Every day Ill be somewhere new, and nobody is forcing me to do anything. I can sight-see, I can sit in cafes or simply go for a walk along Amalfi clifftops or Ajaccio seawalls. On board, I can eat when I want. I can flop by the pool like a seal on a rock, get pummelled in the spa, or have my knowledge of history polished in the lecture theatre. Fresh towel? Macchiato? I feel like Aladdin with a lamp because its coming right up.
Outsourced and out of sorts On a recent Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne Cairns, silly duffer me, left my iPad behind somewhere around my seat when departing the aircraft. I immediately contacted Virgin to recover it, which, I assumed, would be a simple process. Now back home I am advised by Virgins outsourced packaging company that the cost of my admitted carelessness is $195 to send the device from Cairns to Melbourne.

Ken Fraser, St Helena, Vic Bitter experience I spent an hour at Darwin Airport and shouted myself a schooner of beer while waiting for my flight. To my astonishment the beer cost $18.75, plus the credit-card transaction fee, of course. I quizzed the price with the barman, thinking he may have rung it up twice mistakenly, but he shrugged his shoulders with the air of someone who had heard it all before. In the backpacker district on Mitchell Street the same beverage costs a whole $6 during happy hour.

David Farrell, Erskineville, NSW Not so terminal

What a change. Passing through Sydney International terminal last week was almost a pleasure. In 2021, I found immigration a total shambles. My complaint to Border Force elicited the expected bureaucratic gobbledegook, and buck-passing to the Sydney Airport Corporation with last year not much better. Despite the many reports of confusion around the dreaded passport machines with no-one to assist, all had changed. Useful signage, and people on hand to advise and direct, and all the technology seemed to be working. So, credit where credit is due. I no longer need to feel embarrassed about the arrival experience of our overseas visitors. But its a pity it took so long to make the changes that have been so obviously needed for years.

Richard Jordan, Bellingen, NSW Suite thoughts The breakfast terrace at Hotel Belles Rives. Thank you, Katrina Lobley, for a fascinating insight into hotels in the form of your recent story (Traveller, May 24). The best hotel weve stayed in is the Martinez in Cannes, with its private beach and pool area, unparalleled service and staff, and stunning views of the Mediterranean and the Croisette. The magnificent breakfast buffet was a highlight. The hotel we dream of visiting? Hotel Belles Rives in Juan-Les-Pins, inspired by a Brian Johnston article (Traveller, December 7) last year. Our dream will come true one day. Meanwhile, Im re-reading The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night.

Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW Mounting tension

Having travelled around Italy and France last year for three weeks by wheeling a bike onto many trains, my plea is, dont do this if there is another option (Traveller Letters, May 31). It sounds like a great idea, but a bike is a large thing on a train. It is a nuisance to other travellers even if an appropriate space is available. Electric scooters are much preferred to bikes in Europe where part of the journey is by train. The scooters fold up and dont need a special storage space on trains.

Peter Egan, Mosman, NSW Capital gains Never mind Canberras e-scooters and speakeasies (Traveller, May 31), what about the many free and educational places to visit and enjoy? There are always so many exhibitions at the National Library, the National Museum, the National Gallery and the Museum of Australian Democracy, to name just a few amazing places. Yes, there are some great markets, wineries, restaurants, performances and events, but these can be found in so many destinations. For free and valuable cultural experiences, Canberra can be hard to beat.

Kerrie Wehbe, Blacktown, NSW Dont forget Further to Lee Mylnes article regarding the hamlet of Whangamomona on New Zealands Forgotten Highway 43 (Traveller, June 4), while the hamlet is a feature of Highway 43, the star attraction is the stunning hilly farmland scenery, especially along the northern stretch between Taumarunui and Whangamomona. You can safely take in the expansive views from roadside viewing bays, such as Tahora Saddle. For a bit of fun, try to schedule your stop in Stratford at the southern end of Highway 43 to coincide with the appearance of life-sized statues of Romeo & Juliet in the city centre tower, vowing their love for each other (at 10am, 1pm, 3pm and 7pm daily).

Kersti Nogeste, Collingwood Vic

Tip of the week: Island times The Temple of Concordia in the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy. Credit: iStock We visited Sicily in April, choosing not to self-drive and instead using trains, taxis and Excursions Sicily for some transfers. This company offered great service, English-speaking drivers and, importantly, day excursions while travelling with our luggage. Must-visits are the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento and Villa Romana del Casale featuring the best preserved Roman mosaics. In Palermo, we stayed at Piazzetta Lucrezia Brunaccini, a restored palace. It was a wonderful experience with the palace conveniently located for dining and attractions. Finally, the island of Ortigia is definitely the place to stay in Syracuse, with easy walking on the island to great bars and restaurants.

Philip Smith, Waterloo, NSW No fights club My husband and I spent over five weeks in Europe using only trains and ferries. We visited six countries, completed 54 train journeys and covered 8587 kilometres, one of the highlights being a train trip from Helsinki around the Gulf of Bothnia. We joke that travelling by train instead of driving saves our marriage since there are no fights over navigation, and we also travelled with hand luggage only, which made it so much easier. Not only that, but we bought Eurail passes during the Black Friday sales, and it was worth waiting for, with additional discounts for pensioners. They are valid for first-class travel throughout, although occasionally, you must pay to book a seat, for instance, on the Eurostar.

Kathy George, Indooroopilly, Qld

Runway success We enjoyed Ben Groundwaters story (Traveller, May 30) about the perfect airport. As frequent flyers to Europe, our favourite stop-over destination and airport is Doha, Qatar, where its Hamad International Airport is always welcoming with its user-friendly spotless areas and the Harrods Tea Room and duty-free shops to browse in. On our last trip we were lucky enough to use one of the airports lounges for the first time. It was a wonderful experience.

Rhoda Silber, Manly, NSW All that jazz Make a pilgrimage to New Orleans, Louisiana, US, to focus on the music. The annual Jazz and Heritage Festival has 14 stages of live music across eight days. The festival showcases regional and local music, such as traditional jazz, gospel, brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians, cajun, and zydeco. And the food! Purveyors of jambalaya, gumbo, boudin, and crawfish compete to sell their cuisine. Start with a plate of award-winning red beans and rice, have a cooling mango freeze in the afternoon, then end your day of music with a plate of barbecued turkey wing, meaty white beans and coleslaw.

Shira Levine, Melbourne, VIC Deer not dear
The attack without warning by Israel against a range of targets across Iran is unprecedented, even by the new standards of behaviour established since the April 2024 Iranian strike against Israel. That attack, in turn, was carried out in response to Israels strike against Iranian military personnel in Irans diplomatic compound in Damascus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterised it as a necessary action to forestall the existential threat posed to his country by Irans desire to weaponise its stockpiles of enriched uranium. Yet only a few months earlier, US President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, testified before the Senate intelligence committee that the intelligence community had assessed Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons and nor had its supreme leader allowed such a program to be commenced.

The aftermath of an Israeli attack on northern Tehran on Friday. Credit: AP

If they werent reacting to an imminent threat, then why choose to bomb Iranian targets now? The answer is because they could. Or more particularly, because the environment that would allow them to do so would not be any better in the future. They had long wanted to conduct such an attack, but the political and military conditions had not allowed them to. That has changed.

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To begin with, Irans air defences were significantly degraded as a result of Israels October 2024 air attack. It takes some time to rebuild such a capability, and the longer Israel waited, the more likely it would be that Iran could mount some sort of air defence against an attack. In addition, Tehrans Axis of Resistance had been significantly degraded over the past 18 months  in particular, Lebanese Hezbollah has suffered leadership decapitation and significant personnel and material losses.

Read more on this opinion piece from Middle East and security analyst Rodger Shanahan here.
That pact fell apart when Donald Trump  then serving his first term as president  pulled the US out in 2018, and Iran started abandoning the restrictions the following year. Is Iran increasing its uranium enrichment? Yes. Iran has been expanding its uranium enrichment program ever since the pact broke down, reducing the so-called breakout time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade

uranium for a nuclear bomb to days or little more than a week from at least a year under the 2015 deal. Actually making a bomb with that material would take longer. How long is less clear and is the subject of debate. Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60 per cent fissile purity, close to the 90 per cent of weapons-grade, at two sites, and in theory it has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for six bombs, according to a yardstick of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN watchdog.

Natanz Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel had targeted Natanz  a complex at the heart of Irans enrichment program on a plain abutting mountains outside the Shiite Muslim holy city of Qom, south of Tehran  as part of its attack. This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20. Credit: AP Natanz houses facilities including two enrichment plants: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. An exiled Iranian opposition group revealed in 2002 that Iran was secretly building Natanz, igniting a diplomatic stand-off between the West and Iran over its nuclear intentions that continues today.

The FEP was built for enrichment on a commercial scale, able to house 50,000 centrifuges. Around 16,000 centrifuges are currently installed there, roughly 13,000 of which are in operation, refining uranium to up to 5 per cent purity. Diplomats with knowledge of Natanz describe the FEP as being about three floors below ground. There has long been debate about how much damage Israeli airstrikes could do to it. Damage has been done to centrifuges at the FEP by other means, including an explosion and power cut in April 2021 that Iran said was an attack by Israel. The above-ground PFEP houses only hundreds of centrifuges but Iran is enriching to up to 60 per cent purity there. Fordow On the opposite side of Qom, Fordow is an enrichment site dug into a mountain and therefore probably better protected from potential bombardment than the FEP.

The 2015 deal with major powers did not allow Iran to enrich at Fordow at all. It now has around 2000 centrifuges operating there, most of them advanced IR-6 machines, of which up to 350

are enriching to up to 60 per cent. This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Fordow enrichment facility in Iran on April 1. Credit: Planet Labs PBC via AP The US, Britain and France announced in 2009 that Iran had been secretly building Fordow for years and had failed to inform the IAEA. US president Barack Obama said then: The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful program. Isfahan Iran has a large nuclear technology centre on the outskirts of Isfahan, its second-largest city.

It includes the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant and the uranium conversion facility that can process uranium into the uranium hexafluoride that is fed into centrifuges. This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows Irans nuclear site in Isfahan, Iran, on April 4 last year. Credit: AP Iran also stores enriched uranium at Isfahan, diplomats say. There is equipment at Isfahan to make uranium metal, a process that is particularly proliferation-sensitive since it can be used to devise the core of a nuclear bomb. The IAEA has said there are machines for making centrifuge parts at Isfahan, describing it in 2022 as a new location.

Khondab Iran has a partially built heavy-water research reactor originally called Arak and now Khondab. Heavy-water reactors pose a nuclear proliferation risk because they can easily produce plutonium which, like enriched uranium, can be used to make the core of an atom bomb. Under the 2015 deal, construction was halted, the reactors core was removed and filled with concrete to make it unusable. The reactor was to be redesigned to minimise the production of

plutonium and not to produce weapon-grade plutonium in normal operation. Iran has informed the IAEA that it plans to start operating the reactor in 2026. Tehran research centre Irans nuclear research facilities in Tehran include a research reactor.
Trump denied this in a post shared to Truth Social minutes before Air Force One was due to take off from Calgary, writing: Publicity seeking President Emmanuel Macron, of France, mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a cease fire between Israel and Iran. Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned! Loading On June 18, CBS News reported the US was considering direct military involvement, including potential strikes on Irans nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, The New York Times reported Iran was preparing missiles to strike US bases in the Middle East, should Trump join the conflict. By June 19, Trump had met with his top advisers in the White House but had given no clear indication on whether the United States would officially join Israel in attacking Iran. On June 20, it emerged Trump had given himself a deadline of two weeks to decide. Where has Israel struck?

On June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the target was specifically nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. In a recorded video statement, Netanyahu described Irans nuclear capabilities as a clear and present danger to Israels very survival. He vowed to fend off the threat of annihilation. An Israeli military official said that same day his country had targeted Iranian nuclear sites, without identifying them, the Associated Press reported. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the operation, which also targeted military sites. By the night of June 14, some of Irans most vital oil and gas facilities had been struck. Bloomberg reported on June 16 that a key Iranian nuclear facility had been dealt critical damage during the weekend airstrikes. On June 17, a newsreader was broadcast live running for cover as an Israeli airstrike hit Irans state-run television station. Imam Hossein University in eastern Tehran was reportedly targeted by Israeli strikes on June 18, according to Iranian news websites.

On June 19, Israel urged Iranians to evacuate near the Arak nuclear facility, sharing a satellite image ahead of possible strikes. By June 20, it was confirmed the Arak facility had been struck. Key sites in Iran that have been attacked by Israel Explosions rang out in Tehran on June 13 at about 3am local time (about 10am AEST). Multiple sites across Iran were reportedly targeted by airstrikes and covert Mossad sabotage operations in what appeared to be the most significant attack the country has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. The extent of the damage to key Iranian nuclear sites is still being established. Both sides have supplied contrasting assessments on the success of the Israeli operation.

Loading On June 13, Iranian state television said its Natanz nuclear facility had been hit in the initial strikes. It aired footage of black smoke rising from the site. It said there was no sign of nuclear contamination at the time. The enrichment facility of the Natanz plant is underground, protected by a 7.6 metre thick concrete shield. Satellite imagery shows some above-ground structures have been toppled since June 13, and the Wall Street Journal was reporting on Monday morning that Natanzs uranium enrichment facility may have imploded. Israel on June 14 said its strikes on Natanz and the uranium conversion Isfahan facility had damaged both sites significantly. Iran said the damage to both facilities at that time was limited. On June 16, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that several Israeli strikes had left the Isfahan facility, 400km south of Tehran, with critical damage, possibly setting the Islamic Republics uranium fuel cycle back by months.

Irans main known nuclear facilities include Natanz, Isfahan, the Fordow enrichment site south of Tehran, the Arak heavy water reactor, the Bushehr nuclear power plant and an unfinished reactor in Khondab. It is understood residential areas in Tehran and several other Iranian cities have been hit in the strikes and that production at the worlds biggest gasfield  the South Pars, which Iran shares with Qatar  has been suspended due to a fire caused by an Israeli strike on June 14. On June 18, Iranian news websites reported overnight strikes on Tehran saw Israel target the Khojir missile production facility near the city. How did Iran respond? Regional security sources said Tehran was unlikely to respond with similarly effective strikes because its missile capabilities and military network in the region had been severely degraded by Israel since October 7, 2023.

Loading In a statement to Iranian state television on June 13, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will receive a harsh punishment in response to the strikes. He said Israel had unleashed its wicked and bloody hand in a crime against Iran and that Israels vile nature had been revealed in the attack. An Iranian security source previously told Reuters the response to the Israeli attack will be harsh and decisive. A spokesman for the chief of staff of Irans armed forces said Israel would pay a heavy price for the attack. State news agency IRNA on June 14 said Iran had launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv. The Israeli military said the missiles had numbered fewer than 100 and that most had been intercepted or had fallen short. Its understood at least one missile struck near a major communications tower in the Kirya, Israels version of the Pentagon, on June 13. Rishon LeZion, Tamra and Bat Yam have also been hit, as has southern Israels main hospital, Soroka Medical Centre. Yemens Iran-aligned Houthis on June 15 said they had also targeted Jaffa, home to one of the oldest operating ports in Israel, with several ballistic missiles in the 24 hours previous. By June 17, Bazan Group  one of Israels largest oil companies  had shut down all refinery facilities after a power station was damaged by an overnight Iranian missile strike. Iran was also starting to speak of a ceasefire deal, urging Trump to facilitate it.

If [US President Donald] Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X. Loading Israel must halt its aggression, and absent a total cessation of military aggression against us, our responses will continue. It takes one phone call from Washington to muzzle someone like Netanyahu. On June 18, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the US knew where Khamenei was hiding, saying: He is an easy target, but is safe there. We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.

Trump also posted to the platform: UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! Why did Israel attack Iran? Israels initial attacks on June 13 came as tensions reached new heights over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear program. The board of governors at the IAEA for the first time in 20 years on June 12 censured Iran for its refusal to work with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones. Israel for years has said it would not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran says it doesnt want  though officials there have repeatedly said it could.

An Israeli military official told Reuters that Israel saw Irans possession of nuclear weapons as an existential threat, and that it would operate to remove their capabilities. The US had been preparing for something to happen, pulling some diplomats from Iraqs capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of US troops in the wider Middle East. Who has been killed in the attacks? A security source told Reuters after Israels initial strikes on June 13 that Khamenei was alive and was being briefed continuously on the situation. It was also reported by Reuters that Khameneis top political, military and nuclear adviser, Ali Shamkhani, had been critically injured in the strikes. Shamkhanis death was later reported by Iranian state media. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was reportedly killed in a strike that hit the Iranian Armed Forces branch headquarters. Iranian state television said Salami was martyred during the attacks. Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief-of-staff of the armed forces and the highest-ranking military commander at the time of his death, died in an Israeli strike on June 13.

Its understood nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi are among the dead, according to Iranian state media, and that Trump had vetoed a plan presented by Israel to the US to kill Khamenei. On June 19, Israel claimed it had killed Yassin Abd al-Munim Izz al-Din, Hezbollahs artillery commander, in a strike in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not confirmed his death at this stage. Per Irans most recent update on June 16, the death toll in Iran is at least 224 people, mostly civilians, and there have been 1277 hospitalisations since hostilities began. Washington-based Iranian advocacy group Human Rights Activists, meanwhile, reported on June 20 that Israeli strikes on Iran had killed at least 657 people and wounded 2037 others. As of June 17, at least 24 people had been killed in Israel, all civilians. Israels war in Gaza, meanwhile, goes on and the death toll continues to climb. What has Israel said? Netanyahu vowed on June 13 to carry out an extensive operation to remove Irans nuclear capabilities.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival, Netanyahu said. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. A military official said Israel was also targeting Iranian commanders and that it was striking dozens of nuclear sites across the country. Israels ambassador to Australia delivered a veiled barb to Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other Western leaders pushing for diplomacy on June 15 after Wong revealed she had phoned her counterpart in Iran to urge restraint after Israels strikes. As of June 20, its understood 3200 Australians in Israel and Iran had registered with DFAT for evacuation assistance. On June 17, Netanyahu told troops at an Israeli air base that they were on their way to achieving Israels two main aims: wiping out Irans nuclear program and destroying its missiles. We are on the path to victory, he said. We are telling the citizens of Tehran: Evacuate  and we are taking action.
What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

Los Angeles: Hello and Kumbaya from Los Angeles, where the sun shines every day, even if the streets dont.

Earlier in the week, while jogging in Washington, DC, I was stopped by an older man from out of town who wanted to know if it was safe to be outside at that time of the evening. It was 7.30pm, still light outside, in one of the prettiest, leafiest parts of the nations capital, Kalorama Heights. Granted, the streets were pretty quiet. But I assured the man it was safe.

Los Angeles Police Department officers shoot rubber bullets at protesters in front of the City Hall on the weekend. Credit: Getty Images

Still, in todays America, you cant blame him for asking. After all, I was about to jump on a flight bound for Los Angeles to cover the immigration protests that saw US President Donald Trump dispatch the National Guard and the Marines  picking a serious fight with the biggest state in the union and generating global headlines.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is providing an important update in connection with the case of two brothers who were recently reported missing after traveling from Antigua to Sint Maarten.

On the morning of Friday, June 13, 2025, detectives from KPSM spoke with the mother of the two young men, who confirmed that she had made contact with her sons. According to her account, the brothers are alive and currently safe. She explained that they experienced mechanical problems with the vessel they were using to travel, which left them drifting between Antigua and Barbuda for an extended period of time.

This update follows growing concern from family members and the public, stemming from the brothers' unexplained disappearance after their arrival on Sint Maarten. KPSM had launched an active investigation and issued a public appeal earlier in the week for any information regarding their whereabouts.

While this development brings relief, the circumstances remain under review. KPSM is now actively engaging with its regional law enforcement and maritime partners throughout the Caribbean to verify the brothers' current location and check on their well-being.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Philipsburg Police Station at +1 (721) 542-2222 or the anonymous tip line at 9300.

KPSM Press Release.
Reportage-Isidoros Karderinis

SOFIA, Bulgaria:--- On Sunday, June 8, 2025, protesters gathered in front of the countrys National Bank, amid a heavy police presence, to protest the planned introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026.

The demonstration was once again organized by the political party Vazrazdane, while demonstrations were also held in other cities in Bulgaria. Vazrazdane President Konstantin Kostadinov sent a letter to all European Union prime ministers calling for Bulgaria to be excluded from the eurozone.

Konstantin Kostadinov stressed in his statements: Our struggle is in the name of democracy, our rights and our most important right, the right to vote.

Kostadinov also recalled that in Italy there were not one, but five referendums on the euro with a request signed by less than 1% of citizens, while in Bulgaria with 10% of those willing, a referendum is not allowed.

The participants in the demonstration categorically stated that they want to keep the Bulgarian lev as the national currency and shouted their demand for a referendum on this crucial issue of long-term importance for the country.

We want to keep the Bulgarian lev because it is our national currency. If there is no lev, there will be no Bulgaria, the protesters commented emphatically.

The thousands of protesters expressed particularly their concern that the transition to the euro would lead to higher prices, a deterioration in living standards, a loss of the country's economic and financial sovereignty, and dependence on external powers.

*Isidoros Karderinis is a journalist, foreign press correspondent and writer. Facebook: Karderinis Isidoros
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Real threat of oil shortages doesnt exist in the coming weeks, Cyril Widdershoven, Senior Fellow at Strategy International, told Trend.

He noted that the immediate risks are clear: If Israel will attack hydrocarbon projects or especially the Kharg Island facilities, Iranian oil and gas exports will be constrained or even destroyed.

"This however has not happened, so the only real risks at present is the insecurity or instability of the region, which will not be taken lightly by shippers and traders. Prices will be up, but this is mainly built on emotions and possible doomsday scenarios. Fundamentals at present are strong in the market, so a real threat of shortages dont exist in the coming weeks. The latter however could be totally different if Iran steps up the confrontation, in which Israel will for sure target oil, gas, shipping and other energy related sectors," he said.

Widdershoven also warned of broader regional implications.

"For Iran, a possible outcome would be targeting Western military basis in the Arab world, as the US is perceived to be behind the attacks too (not confirmed, dont even think so). If Tehran attacks US forces or navy, the story will become much bigger, with Saudi-UAE-Bahrain facilities at risks, while even Qatar LNG will be blocked. Iran's influence is still visible also in Iraq, so oil-gas up there is at risk, which would bring global supply down too," he noted.

He emphasized that despite threats, Iran has not taken extreme action yet.

"At present not yet, Iran has threatened it, but keep in mind, it is the only real lifeline of its economy. One analyst even stated the Strait of Hormuz is the lung of Iran, if closed it suffocates. However, Red Sea - Horn of Africa - Bab El Mandab or elsewhere is not impossible, Iranian proxies or IRGC clients will be capable and willing to," the expert added.

Widdershoven also outlined the wider potential impact of a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

"If, however, the Strait of Hormuz is closed, a major flow of OPEC oil, high crude quality, very much needed in Western and Asian refineries, thanks to the sanctions on Russia and Venezuela, would be offline. This includes main flows from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and even Qatar. Oman is not affected, and parts of existing flows in Saudi or UAE can be redirected, but not all," he said.

On strategic preparedness, he remarked: "They should be, as the IEA (OECD energy watchdog) controls strategic crude oil and petroleum products storage in all member countries. This should be enough for around 160 days of total demand. For Asia, China holds vast storage volumes, India is another question, not yet capable to counter all. Luckily, between brackets, OPEC Arab oil and Iranian flows are not as powerful in total anymore."

On the morning of June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. The attacks killed numerous high-ranking military officials, including Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Also killed were several members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), such as IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Commander Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and others.
Google rejects app store age verification for online content



Paris, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



American tech heavyweight Google on Friday reiterated its opposition to verifying the age of a device's user through the app stores built into operating systems, calling a proposal from Facebook and Instagram parent Meta "ineffective".

Limiting access to age-restricted content online is a live issue in Europe, with France battling pornography sites over its newly-introduced requirement that they check users' ages.

Paris is also one of several capitals pressing Brussels to introduce Europe-wide regulations cutting off access to social networks for under-15s over concerns including addiction, cyberbullying and hate speech.

Basing age verification on details from a device's app store "would require the sharing of granular age band data with millions of developers... who don't need it", such as producers of uncontroversial apps like flashlights, Google wrote in a blog post.

"We have strong concerns about the risks this 'solution' would pose to children," it added.

The search giant's Play Store is a part of the Android operating system, by far the most widely-used around the globe.

Google said that using app store data to verify ages would also leave major ways people access content online unprotected for the underage, such as desktop computers or shared family devices.

Apple -- whose own App Store is loaded on every device running its iOS operating system, such as iPhones and iPads -- has also pushed back against Meta's proposal.

"The right place to address the dangers of age-restricted content online is the limited set of websites and apps that host that content," the iPhone maker said in a February document.

"Implementing age verification at the operating system or app store level will help ensure that we create an ecosystem that's safe for teens," the Facebook owner's safety chief Antigone Davis told Euronews in February.

Meta has sinced launched a campaign for European regulation to require the measure.

Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into force last year, says it is up to platforms like Meta's to verify the age of their users -- not providers of operating systems or app stores.

Google said that changing to the latter system -- which has also been pushed by Pornhub parent company Aylo -- would mean "reengineering the protocols that have defined the decentralized web in ways that are hard to fully predict".

kf/tgb/giv

GOOGLE

Meta
Thunderstorms may rain on Trump's military parade



Washington, June 12 (AFP) Jun 12, 2025



US President Donald Trump's dream of hosting a grand military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday on Saturday could be clouded by thunderstorms.

Forecasters say there is a threat of lightning at the same time as nearly 6,000 troops, 50 helicopters and 150 armored vehicles are meant to roll through the capital, watched by thousands of spectators.

The Republican has been unlucky with the weather before, as freezing conditions meant that his inauguration for a second term in January had to be held indoors and a parade was canceled.

The White House vowed that a "historic celebration" of the US army's 250th birthday would go on even if there were "changes" due to the weather.

"Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to AFP.

"No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!"

The army and the America 250 Commission, which is responsible for arranging the parade, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hundreds of anti-Trump "No Kings" rallies are planned on Saturday in cities across the United States -- although not in Washington -- in protest against what critics call the president's growing authoritarianism.



- 'Very big force' -



The rare military parade, the largest since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, comes after Trump sent National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles following protests.

Trump said on a visit to an army base on Tuesday that "we want to show off a little bit" with the parade, and vowed "very big force" if protesters try to disrupt it.

The army says the event could cost up to $45 million.

Nearly 7,000 soldiers will take part, wearing a variety of uniforms including some that date back through all of America's major wars since the Revolutionary War against Britain.

Roaring overhead will be more than 50 helicopters including Apache gunships, giant twin-rotor Chinook transport choppers and sleek Black Hawks.

Around 150 military vehicles -- including 28 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and 28 Stryker eight-wheel vehicles -- will rumble past too.

The route will take them past historic landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, ending up near the White House.

The parade is meant to end with a parachute display as the army's Golden Knights team jump in and present Trump with a US flag.



- 'Believe in democracy' -



The event is being held on Flag Day, which celebrates the Stars and Stripes -- but it also coincides with Trump's own birthday.

Long fascinated with military pomp, Trump has openly envied the military spectacles seen in cities from Paris to Moscow and Pyongyang ever since his first term as president.

Trump has been particularly obsessed with having a parade since his first term as president when he attended France's annual Bastille Day parade in Paris at the invitation of president Emmanuel Macron in 2017.

"One of the greatest parades I have ever seen," Trump said shortly afterwards. "Because of what I witnessed, we may do something like that."

Back then he was put off by the huge cost -- an estimated $92 million -- and warnings that heavy tanks could damage Washington's streets.

But after his return to the White House in January, Trump would not be dissuaded again. This time, the army says metal plates will protect the roads from damage

Such displays of military might remain rare in the United States.

"We were founded by a group of merchants and farmers who were tired of a standing army invading their streets in the name of keeping them safe," Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media, told AFP.

"We've always looked down on grand military parades in Russia across Red Square or in North Korea, because we're not like that. We're Americans, and we believe in democracy, not in military shows of force."
What exactly is the US National Guard?



New York, June 12 (AFP) Jun 12, 2025



After protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump took the contentious step of mobilizing thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of US Marines in response.

While the use of the National Guard against the California governor's wishes is significant, in general these military personnel are trained for rapid response to emergencies within the United States.



- Military reserve force -



The National Guard is a military reserve force within the United States Armed Forces, meaning that most of its members serve part-time while holding civilian jobs or conducting other activities.

As a response force, the National Guard can be mobilized rapidly to address emergency situations on US soil, typically natural disasters.

When needed, National Guard units can also be activated for deployments into combat zones, especially if the United States is at war.

Unlike branches of the US military, the National Guard performs both state- and federal-level functions, and is organized into groupings based in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands.

As a state-based force, generally it is the governor of a state or territory who activates and commands the National Guard when needed.

However, in some situations the National Guard can be "federalized" by the president, bringing it under the president's control until the specific federal mission has ended -- as is the case in Los Angeles currently.

The latest budget from the Department of Defense authorizes 433,000 National Guard personnel in total, split across the Air National Guard and Army National Guard.

This means that compared to other components of the US military, the National Guard is second only to the US Army in terms of size.



- Emergency response -



National Guard members are typically deployed during emergencies such as natural disasters at the request of governors and based on specific provisions in each state's laws.

In the aftermath of events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, state National Guards are often called on to help evacuate dangerous areas, deliver supplies to places that would otherwise be cut off, or provide specialist equipment needed to clear hazardous debris.

The largest National Guard deployment in recent years was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where troops helped construct and staff emergency care facilities, transport health supplies around the country, and coordinate other logistics.

Outside of a natural disaster, deployment of the guard can be ordered in emergencies created by the breakdown of public order -- the provision that Trump controversially invoked when sending troops to California.



- History with protest -



The use of the National Guard to manage public unrest is not unique to Trump, even if the current deployment is unusual.

During the widespread Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, more than half of US states activated National Guard troops to maintain order and help enforce curfews.

Before that, they were also deployed to LA in 1992 to respond to riots that occurred after police officers who had beaten motorist Rodney King were acquitted at trial.

At that time, riots, looting and arson attacks had spread across the city, with dozens of people killed and thousands injured.

The National Guard was deployed during the 1950s and 60s Civil Rights era to help enforce school desegregation, following the Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling.

In one of the force's darkest moments, in May 1970, members of the Ohio National Guard clashed with anti-war protesters at Kent State University. As unrest swelled, the troops opened fire, killing four unarmed students.

The shootings sparked outrage, but also led to reform of the guard's use-of-force guidelines.
Trump warns Israeli attack on Iran 'could very well happen'



Washington, June 12 (AFP) Jun 12, 2025



President Donald Trump warned Thursday that Israel may soon strike Iran's nuclear sites, but urged the key US ally to hold off as he stressed his commitment to a diplomatic solution.

Tensions have soared in the region in the last two days with Trump warning of a "massive conflict" and drawing down US staff.

Tehran meanwhile defiantly vowed to increase its output of enriched uranium -- a key sticking point in talks with Washington -- after being censured by the UN's atomic watchdog.

"I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if an Israeli attack loomed.

Trump said he believed a "pretty good" deal on Iran's nuclear program was "fairly close," but said that an Israeli attack on its arch-foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.

The US leader did not disclose the details of a conversation on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it."

Trump quickly added: "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."

News outlet Axios reported that Trump had said the United States would not participate in any strikes.



- US troops in crosshairs -



Trump later appeared to want tensions dialed down in a post on social media, while insisting that Iran must "give up hopes" of developing a nuclear weapon.

"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran," Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Tensions have rapidly escalated in the past few days amid growing speculation that Israel could push ahead with air strikes on Iran.

Trump's Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff is set to hold a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in Oman, which has mediated efforts towards a nuclear deal so far.

But Iran has also ramped up rhetorical pressure before the talks, including with a threat to strike American bases in the region if the negotiations break down and conflict erupts.

"If the talks fail, the risk of military escalation becomes much more immediate," said Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

The United States on Wednesday said it was reducing embassy staff in Iraq -- long a zone of proxy conflict with Iran.

Israel, which counts on US military and diplomatic support, sees the cleric-run state in Tehran as an existential threat and hit Iranian air defenses last year.

Netanyahu has vowed less restraint since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Tehran-backed Hamas, which triggered the massive Israeli offensive in Gaza.



- 'Non-compliance' -



The United States and other Western countries, along with Israel, have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which it has repeatedly denied.

Israel again called for global action after the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Iran on Wednesday of non-compliance with its obligations.

The resolution could lay the groundwork for European countries to invoke a "snapback" mechanism, which expires in October, that would reinstate UN sanctions eased under a 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by then US president Barack Obama.

Trump pulled out of the deal in his first term and slapped Iran with sweeping sanctions.

Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as "extremist" and blamed Israeli influence.

In response to the resolution, Iran said it would launch a new enrichment center in a secure location.

Iran would also replace "all of these first-generation machines with sixth-generation advanced machines" at the Fordo uranium enrichment plant, said Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close, though still short, of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.

dk/jgc
N.Korea relaunches damaged destroyer: report



Seoul, June 12 (AFP) Jun 12, 2025



A North Korean naval destroyer damaged in a botched launch last month has been relaunched, with leader Kim Jong Un presiding over the ceremony, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported early Friday, citing the North's state media.

The ceremony for the ship baptized the Kang Kon was held on Thursday at the Rajin shipyard, Yonhap reported -- up the coast from where the botched launch occurred.

Last month, Pyongyang had said "a serious accident" happened in a May 21 attempt to launch the 5,000-ton destroyer in the northeastern port city of Chongjin, with the mishap crushing sections of the bottom of the newly built ship.

Kim called the incident a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness" and state media reported the arrest of four officials in connection with the botched launch.

The South Korean military estimated that based on its size and scale, the new warship is similarly equipped to the 5,000-ton destroyer-class vessel Choe Hyon, which North Korea unveiled in late April.

Kim has approved a plan to build two more destroyer-class vessels next year, Yonhap quoted KCNA as saying.
US says airstrike killed Islamic State official in Syria



Washington, June 12 (AFP) Jun 12, 2025



The US military announced Thursday that a recent airstrike had killed an Islamic State group official in northwest Syria.

In a post to social media, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces "conducted a precision airstrike in northwest Syria killing Rakhim Boev, a Syria-based ISIS official," using another name for IS.

The post on X said Boev was "involved in planning external operations threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and civilians."

The accompanying image depicts an SUV vehicle with a bashed-in windshield and roof.

AFP previously reported that two people were killed in separate drone strikes Tuesday, on a car and a motorcycle, in the northwestern bastion of the Islamist former rebels who now head the Syrian government.

A call to CENTCOM seeking confirmation that the incidents are related was not immediately returned.

The twin drone strikes in the Idlib region mirror the US-led coalition's past strikes on jihadists in the area.

During a meeting in Riyadh last month, US President Donald Trump called on his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa to help Washington prevent a resurgence by IS.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Azerbaijan has partnered with Uzbekistan to roll out a new tourism project designed to attract visitors from Eastern and Central Europe by promoting travel routes that pass through Baku, said Kenan Guluzade, Advisor to the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference marking the start of the summer travel season at Shahdag Tourism Center, Guluzade noted that the joint marketing campaign is set to roll out the red carpet for tourists, inviting them to make a pit stop in Uzbekistan through Azerbaijans capital and then retrace their steps along the same corridor, all while giving a much-needed boost to regional connectivity.

The advisor pointed out that Uzbekistans treasure trove of historical sites is a real magnet for European tourists.

"Azerbaijan boasts significant transportation advantages, which we aim to leverage by offering direct flights. Both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are rich with destinations worth exploring, and we are introducing new travel products from Uzbekistan to Europe. This initiative focuses on developing transport corridors to enhance regional connectivity. Depending on the success of the project, we anticipate that other Central Asian countries will join. Our goal is to establish Baku as a key tourist hub and position Azerbaijan as the regions central gateway, with these vital connections routed through our country," Guluzade added.

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Nuclear states spent $100 billion on weapons in 2024: ICAN



Geneva, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Nuclear-armed states spent more than $100 billion on their atomic arsenals last year, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons said Friday, lamenting the lack of democratic oversight of such spending.

ICAN said Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and the United States together spent nearly $10 billion more than in 2023.

The United States spent $56.8 billion in 2024, followed by China at $12.5 billion and Britain at $10.4 billion, ICAN said in its flagship annual report.

Geneva-based ICAN won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for its key role in drafting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which took effect in 2021.

Some 69 countries have ratified it to date, four more have directly acceded to the treaty and another 25 have signed it, although none of the nuclear weapons states have come on board.



- Hosting costs -



This year's report looked at the costs incurred by the countries that host other states' nuclear weapons.

It said such costs are largely unknown to citizens and legislators alike, thereby avoiding democratic scrutiny.

Although not officially confirmed, the report said Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey were hosting US nuclear weapons, citing experts.

Meanwhile Russia claims it has nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus, but some experts are unsure, it added.

The report said there was "little public information" about the costs associated with hosting US nuclear weapons in NATO European countries, citing the cost of facility security, nuclear-capable aircraft and preparation to use such weapons.

"Each NATO nuclear-sharing arrangement is governed by secret agreements," the report said.

"It's an affront to democracy that citizens and lawmakers are not allowed to know that nuclear weapons from other countries are based on their soil or how much of their taxes is being spent on them," said the report's co-author Alicia Sanders-Zakre.



- 'Vested interests' -



Eight countries openly possess nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan and North Korea.

Israel is widely assumed to have nuclear weapons, although it has never officially acknowledged this.

ICAN said the level of nuclear weapons spending in 2024 by these nine nations could have paid the UN budget almost 28 times over.

"The problem of nuclear weapons is one that can be solved, and doing so means understanding the vested interests fiercely defending the option for nine countries to indiscriminately murder civilians," said ICAN's programme coordinator Susi Snyder.

The private sector earned at least $42.5 billion from their nuclear weapons contracts in 2024 alone, the report said.

There are at least $463 billion in ongoing nuclear weapons contracts, some of which do not expire for decades, and last year, at least $20 billion in new nuclear weapon contracts were awarded, it added.

"Many of the companies that benefited from this largesse invested heavily in lobbying governments, spending $128 million on those efforts in the United States and France, the two countries for which data is available," ICAN said.

Standard nuclear doctrine -- developed during the Cold War between super powers the United States and the Soviet Union -- is based on the assumption that such weapons will never have to be used because their impact is so devastating, and because nuclear retaliation would probably bring similar destruction on the original attacker.
US still wants talks with Iran on Sunday: US official



Washington, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



The United States still hopes to hold talks Sunday with Iran, even after Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic, a US official said.

"We still intend to have talks Sunday," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The official had no further information on whether Iran had agreed to the talks. Oman had earlier planned talks Sunday involving Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's friend and globe-trotting negotiator.

Iran's foreign ministry said Friday that the United States was "responsible for the consequences" of the attack. Iran had earlier threatened to strike US bases if conflict erupted.

Israel, which relies on US diplomatic and military support, carried out the attack despite Trump earlier saying he wanted to give time for diplomacy.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said that the United States was not involved in the attack and warned Iran not to retaliate against US forces stationed around the Arab world.
China blaming Japan for fighter jet incidents 'unacceptable': Tokyo



Tokyo, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Tokyo's defence minister said Friday it was "unacceptable" for China to blame Japan for close encounters between their military planes over the Pacific high seas last weekend.

Japan says recent Chinese military activities in the Pacific -- where Beijing's two operating aircraft carriers were sighted simultaneously for the first time -- reveal its intent to improve operational capacity in remote areas.

Chinese officials have hit back, calling the carrier outings routine training.

Japanese forces must "through warning and surveillance show Japan's will and capability to deter any attempt of changing the status quo by force unilaterally", the defence minister Gen Nakatani told reporters on Friday.

Japan says Chinese fighter jets from the Shandong aircraft carrier flew "unusually close" -- within 45 metres (150 feet) -- to a Japanese military patrol plane on Saturday and Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the Chinese jets cut across airspace in front of the Japanese plane at a distance that the patrol aircraft could reach within seconds, Tokyo says.

On Thursday, Beijing offered its own explanation.

"The root cause of the risk to maritime and air security was the close reconnaissance of China's normal military activities by a Japanese warplane," said foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

"The Chinese side urges the Japanese side to stop this kind of dangerous behaviour," he added.

Nakatani said Friday that "Chinese statements portraying Japan as the cause of the latest incident are unacceptable".

Japanese military planes "never approach another plane as close as 45 metres", he said.
Iran's nuclear programme: the key sites



Vienna, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Before Israeli strikes on Friday, Washington and Tehran had held several rounds of talks on Iran's nuclear programme, as concerns mounted about its rapid expansion.

Iran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme in recent years, after a landmark deal with world powers curbing its nuclear activities in exchange for sanction relief began to unravel in 2018 when the United States unilaterally withdrew.

As of mid-May, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was estimated at 9,247.6 kilograms -- or more than 45 times the limit set out in the 2015 deal -- according to the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Among its stockpiles, Iran has an estimated 408.6 kilograms enriched to up to 60 percent -- just a short step from the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.

The country now theoretically has enough near-weapons-grade material, if further refined, for about 10 nuclear bombs, according to the definition by the Vienna-based IAEA.

But Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons.

Below is a list of Iran's key nuclear sites, which are subject to regular inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog:



- Uranium enrichment plants -



Natanz

About 250 kilometres (150 miles) south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran's heavily bunkered main uranium enrichment site, whose existence was first revealed in 2002.

Natanz operates nearly 70 cascades of centrifuges at its two enrichment plants, one of which is underground. A cascade is a series of centrifuges -- machines used in the process of enriching uranium.

In April 2021, the site was damaged in an attack that Iran said was an act of sabotage by Israel.

On Friday, Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", targeting the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi confirmed the Natanz site was "among targets".



Fordo

Secretly built in violation of United Nations resolutions under a mountain near the holy central city of Qom, Fordo was first publicly revealed in 2009.

Initially described as an "emergency" facility built underground to protect it from potential air attacks, Iran later indicated it was an enrichment plant capable of housing about 3,000 centrifuges.

In 2023, uranium particles enriched up to 83.7 percent were discovered at the Fordo plant, which Iran claimed were the product of "unintended fluctuations" during the enrichment process.



- Uranium conversion and research reactors -



Isfahan

At the uranium conversion facility at Isfahan in central Iran, raw mined uranium is processed into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) and then into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), a feed gas for centrifuges.

The plant was industrially tested in 2004 upon its completion.

The Isfahan centre also harbours a nuclear fuel fabrication facility, which was inaugurated in 2009 and produces low-enriched fuel for use in power plants.

In July 2022, Iran announced plans to construct a new research reactor there.



Arak

Work on the Arak heavy-water research reactor on the outskirts of the village of Khondab began in the 2000s, but was halted under the terms of the 2015 deal.

Iran has meanwhile informed the IAEA about its plans to commission the reactor by 2026.

The research reactor was officially intended to produce plutonium for medical research and the site includes a production plant for heavy water.



Tehran

The Tehran nuclear research centre houses a reactor that was supplied by the United States in 1967 for the production of medical radioisotopes.



- Nuclear power plant -



Bushehr

Iran's only nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr was built by Russia and began operating at a lower capacity in 2011 before being plugged into the national power grid in 2012.

Russia continues to deliver nuclear fuel for the plant, which remains under IAEA control.

A German company began construction on the plant with a 1,000-megawatt nominal capacity until the project was halted in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Moscow later completed it.



Darkhovin and Sirik

Iran began construction in late 2022 on a 300-megawatt power plant in Darkhovin, in the country's southwest. In early 2024, it also began work in Sirik, in the Strait of Hormuz, on a new complex of four individual plants with a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts.
Saudi Arabia says Israel Iran strikes 'violation of international laws'



Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Riyadh, long a Tehran rival before reconciling in 2023, strongly condemned a wave of strikes that Israel launched against military and nuclear sites in Iran on Friday.

The strikes, which left key military commanders and nuclear scientists dead, stoked fears of a full-blown war in the region and jeopardised US-Iran nuclear talks set for Sunday in Oman.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Describing the strikes as "heinous attacks", it added that "the international community and the (UN) Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression", which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would last days.

The attacks sent shock waves across the oil-rich Gulf with fears of a broader conflagration as oil prices soared more than 12 percent.

In 2023, China brokered a landmark reconciliation deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which had long backed opposing sides in conflicts around the Middle East.

Riyadh had severed ties in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the execution of leading Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
Jordan, Iraq close airspace after Israel strikes Iran



Amman, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Jordan and Iraq on Friday announced the closure of their airspace and grounded all flights after Israel's attack on Iran, with Amman vowing it would not allow any violations of its airspace.

"The kingdom's airspace is temporarily closed, and air traffic suspended for all aircraft -- incoming, outgoing and in transit, as a precaution against any risks resulting from the regional escalation," the Jordanian civil aviation authority said in a statement.

"Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," government spokesperson Mohammad Momani told AFP.

Jordan, which borders Israel, intercepted multiple drones and missiles fired by Iran at Israel in October 2024.

Iraq, which borders Iran, also closed its airspace on Friday.

"The ministry of transport closes Iraqi airspace and suspends air traffic at all Iraqi airports," the Iraq News Agency reported.
Israel army says had intel Iran nuclear programme nearing 'point of no return'



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



The Israeli military said on Friday that the intelligence it had gathered showed Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

"In recent months, accumulated intelligence information has provided evidence that the Iranian regime is approaching the point of no return," it said in a statement.

"The convergence of the Iranian regime's efforts to produce thousands of kilogrammes of enriched uranium, alongside decentralised and fortified enrichment compounds in underground facilities, enables the Iranian regime to enrich uranium to military-grade levels, enabling the regime to obtain a nuclear weapon within a short period of time," it added.

In a separate briefing to journalists, Israeli army spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that Israeli jets had also "attacked and damaged" Iranian air defence systems.

Defrin said Israel saw a three-pronged threat from Iran.

Firstly, Iran was "rushing toward a nuclear bomb", he said.

"We are now revealing for the first time, based on intelligence, that the Iranian regime has established a secret programme.

"As part of this programme, senior nuclear scientists in Iran secretly conducted experiments to advance all the necessary components for building a nuclear weapon," said Defrin.

"This is unequivocal proof that the Iranian regime is working to acquire nuclear weapons in the near future," he said.

Defrin said the second part of the threat involved Iran building thousands of ballistic missiles "with plans to double and triple them".

"The third component: the Iranian regime continues to arm, fund and direct its proxies across the Middle East against the State of Israel," he added.

"Our operation's goal is to eliminate the threat."

In another statement the military said it had gathered materials showing the "Iranian regime had a concrete plan to destroy the state of Israel".

The plan was named "The Destruction of Israel Plan", the military said.

"The State of Israel was left with no choice. The IDF is obligated to act in order to defend the citizens of the State of Israel and will continue to do so," it added.
Trump says had advance notice of Israeli strikes on Iran: Fox News



Washington, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



US President Donald Trump told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before it happened, and stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb," according to the US broadcaster.

His comments to Fox came after Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on Friday, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation took aim at the atomic facility in Natanz, while Iranian media said the country's Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami and armed forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri were killed.

Trump told Fox News that he was made aware of Israel's operation before it happened.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see," Trump said, according to Fox News.

Fox News also reported that "Trump noted the US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates."

It added that Trump's administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but reiterated that the US was not involved.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier Thursday that the United States was "not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

Trump will be attending a National Security Council meeting Friday morning.
NATO chief Rutte says 'crucial' to de-escalate after Israel strikes on Iran



Stockholm, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Friday said it was "crucial" for allies of Israel to work to de-escalate tensions, after Israel struck some 100 targets in Iran, including Tehran's nuclear and military sites.

"I think it is now crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work, as we speak, to de-escalate. I know that they are doing that and I think that is now the first order of the day," Rutte told reporters at a press conference in Stockholm.

"This was a unilateral action by Israel," Rutte said, speaking alongside Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, while noting it was "obviously a rapidly evolving situation".

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks, which killed the country's armed forces' chief of staff, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and top nuclear scientists.

The Israeli military said later that Iran launched 100 drones towards Israel in response and that its air defences were intercepting them outside Israeli territory.

Kristersson said it was already a "very serious and tense situation in the Middle East.

"What is now happening in an unstable region, risks making things considerably worse," the prime minister said.

Kristersson added that there was "a very broad consensus that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons," but said the issue needed to be brought back to the "negotiating table".

"This could further increase the risk of terrorist threats and other dangerous activities," Kristersson said.
Israel strikes on Iran 'reasonable reaction': Czech Republic



Prague, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



The Czech foreign minister said Friday that Israeli strikes on Iran were a reasonable response given Tehran's nuclear ambitions and support for groups seeking to destroy Israel.

The Czech Republic, an EU and NATO member of 10.9 million people, is a staunch supporter of Israel despite mounting criticism from western allies over its actions in war-ravaged Gaza.

Iran "is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb," Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky told reporters in Prague.

"And I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb," he added.

"I have a great deal of understanding for, let's say, military action aimed at preventing the production of a nuclear bomb in the region," he said.

"Iran has long failed to fulfil its obligations to the international community, is building up its nuclear programme and, at the same time, uses rhetoric aimed at destroying the state of Israel," he added.

Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on Friday, striking 100 targets including Tehran's nuclear and military sites, and killing the armed forces' chief of staff, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and top nuclear scientists.

Iran has ramped up its nuclear programme in recent years. It denies seeking a nuclear weapon.
Kazakhstan discloses investments attracted to its chemical industry

Photo: Government of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstans chemical industry attracted $3.3 billion in investments from 2019 to 2024, mostly private. The sector produces over 240 chemical products, with agrochemicals driving growth. In 2024, Kazakhstan exported 205 chemical goods mainly to China, Russia, and Vietnam. The industry includes 1,093 enterprises, mostly small businesses.

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Israel hits Iran nuclear sites, kills top brass in major strikes



Tehran, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Israel unleashed a wave of strikes on Iran Friday, hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities and military command centres, and killing senior figures, among them the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks, while the Iranian military said there were "no limits" to its response.

The Israeli military said later Iran launched around 100 drones in retaliation, with air defences intercepting them outside Israeli territory.

Neighbouring Jordan said it intercepted drones and missiles that violated its airspace, as air raid sirens sounded in Amman.

US President Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, which Israel said involved 200 fighter jets. Trump also stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb".

The United States underlined that it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Iran not to attack its personnel or interests.

But Tehran said Washington would be "responsible for consequences" as Israel's operation "cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists.

The strikes would "continue as many days as it takes", the Israeli leader said, while the military said intelligence showed Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

The strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

"The precise targeting of senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian military, and nuclear scientists -- all of whom were involved in advancing the plan to destroy Israel -- sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israel's destruction will be eliminated," Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said.

AFP images showed a gaping hole in the side of a Tehran high-rise residential building that appeared to have sustained a targeted and localised strike.

State media said civilians, including women and children, were killed. Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were killed.



- Flights suspended -



Tehran's streets were deserted except for queues at petrol stations, a familiar sight in times of crisis.

Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Iraq and Jordan also closed their airspace and suspended flights.

Gulf airlines cancelled flights to and from Iran, as well as Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Israel declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying Israel was braced for Iran's expected retaliation.

Hours later, the Jordanian military said its aircraft and air defence systems intercepted "a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace".

There are "no limits in responding to this crime", Iran's armed forces said, accusing Israel of crossing "all red lines".

Oil prices surged while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.

Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran had threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out.

Prior to the strikes, Trump said he believed a deal on Iran's nuclear programme was "fairly close", cautioning however that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.

The US leader did not disclose the details of a conversation on Monday with Netanyahu, but said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it."

Trump quickly added: "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."



- 'Within reach' -



US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran not to respond to Israeli strikes by hitting US bases, saying Washington was not involved.

Ahead of Friday's attack, Iran had threatened to hit US bases in the Middle East if conflict were to erupt.

With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the US and Iran will still take place on Sunday in Oman, Trump said Washington is still "hoping to get back to the negotiating table".

Confirming Natanz among targets, the UN's nuclear watchdog said it was "closely monitoring" the situation.

"The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," said Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).



- 'Extremist' -



Israel, which counts on US military and diplomatic support, sees Iran as an existential threat.

Netanyahu has vowed less restraint since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Tehran-backed Hamas, which triggered the massive Israeli offensive in Gaza.

Since the Hamas attack, Iran and Israel have traded direct attacks for the first time.

Aside from Hamas, Israel is also battling Iranian proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.

The United States and other Western countries, along with Israel, have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which it has repeatedly denied.

Israel again called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Wednesday of non-compliance with its obligations.

Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as "extremist", while Tehran said it would launch a new enrichment centre in a secure location.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close, though still short, of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.
CORRECTED: Police in Norway soon able to go out with firearms



Oslo, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Norwegian police officers, who up to now have generally been unarmed on daily duties, will in future be able to go out with firearms after a law change passed Thursday.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a proposal from the minority Labour government to allow the widespread arming of police.

It will be up to the Police Directorate, the government agency that runs the police, to set the terms and extent of arming officers, depending on location, timing and assignment.

No exact date has been set for the law to come into effect but the country's justice ministry, which is in charge of internal security, is targeting sometime next year.

"Everyone in Norway must feel safe. The police must be able to deal with constantly evolving crime," Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen said last month when the proposed law change was unveiled.

Norway's crime rate is low compared to other countries around the world but is edging upwards.

The Scandinavian country, which is home to 5.6 million people, saw 38 homicides in 2023 -- the highest number since 2013 according to police violent crime figures.

Currently, Norwegian police can only carry weapons for limited periods and in special circumstances.

Normally, they are unarmed, although weapons may still be carried in the boot of their vehicle.

Lawmaker Ingvild Wetrhus Thorsvik, whose centrist Liberal Party was one of the few to oppose the proposal, said Norway had "crossed a line that marks a radical change for our rule of law".

"With widespread arming, the police lose their civil character," she was quoted as saying by Norwegian news agency NTB.
'Avoid escalation': World reacts to Israel strike on Iran



Paris, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



World leaders urged restraint on Friday after Israel pounded Iran, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, and killing senior figures.

Here is a roundup of key reactions:



- 'Cannot have nuclear bomb': United States -



US President Donald Trump, told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened and said: "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see."

Fox News also reported that "Trump noted the US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates."



- 'Maximum restraint': UN -



UN chief Antonio Guterres asked "both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," according to a spokesperson.

Guterres was "particularly concerned" by Israel's strikes on nuclear installations amid the ongoing US-Iran negotiations.



- 'Unacceptable' and 'unprovoked': Russia -



"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies, calling the strikes "unacceptable" and "unprovoked", while the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Russians in Israel to leave the country.



- 'Deeply worried': China -



"The Chinese side... is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, calling "on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions".



- 'Diplomacy best path forward': EU -



"The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.



- Avoid 'further escalation': Germany -



Germany, which for years expressed concerns about Iran's "advanced nuclear weapons programme", said it was "ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons".



- 'Dangerous escalation': Hamas -



"This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region," said the Iran-backed, Palestinian militant group, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war.



- 'Threat to international peace': Iraq -



Iraq strongly condemned the attacks, saying: "This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."



- No 'battleground': Jordan -



"Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace.



- 'Dangerous approach': Oman -



Nuclear talks mediator Oman said "calls on the international community to adopt a clear and firm position to put an end to this dangerous approach, which threatens to rule out diplomatic solutions and jeopardise the security and stability of the region".



- 'Strong condemnation': Qatar -



Gaza mediator Qatar expressed "its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack," the Gulf state's foreign ministry said, adding that the "dangerous escalation threatens security and stability of the region and hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions".



- 'Aggressive actions': Turkey -



"Israel must put an immediate end to its aggressive actions that could lead to further conflicts," said Turkey's foreign ministry.



- 'Reduce tensions urgently': UK -



British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region."



- 'Legitimate right to defend itself': Yemen's Huthis -



Tehran-backed Huthi rebels said they backed "Iran's full and legitimate right to... develop its nuclear programme" and that "we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means".

burs-djt/yad/jm
Israel says killed most of Iran Guards' air force leadership



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



The Israeli military said its air strikes on Iran on Friday had killed most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force as they gathered at an underground command centre.

Shortly after the Israeli defence ministry announced that "most of the Revolutionary Guard air force leadership was neutralised," the military clarified that several senior commanders had been "eliminated".

It said that air force commander Amirali Hajizadeh, the drone force commander, and the aerial command chief were all killed by an Israeli air strike.

"The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel," the military said.

"As part of the combined opening strike, Israeli air force fighter jets struck the command centre where the commander of the IRGC's air force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was located along with other senior officials."

It said that Hajizadeh had played a central role in Iran's "plan for Israel's destruction", which Israel has said its attack was intended to foil.

"In addition, the senior officials who were eliminated led the attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities in September 2019," the statement added.

The Revolutionary Guards control Iran's arsenal of ballistic missiles and are involved in defending the country's airspace.
Trump urges Iran to 'make a deal, before there is nothing left'



Washington, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



US President Donald Trump urged Iran on Friday to "make a deal," warning that there will be more "death and destruction" after Israel launched deadly strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

His comments on his Truth Social platform came after Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on Friday, striking 100 targets.

The operation killed senior figures -- among them the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists -- and Iran has called Israel's wave of strikes a "declaration of war."

On Friday morning, Trump said: "I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal."

He added that Israel -- which Trump has aligned Washington to since his return to the White House -- has a lot of weapons thanks to the United States and "they know how to use it."

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said.

Trump earlier told Fox News he had been made aware of the Israeli strikes before they happened, and stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb," the US broadcaster said.

He also said that "we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table," according to Fox News.

During Trump's first term, he pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

Fox News also reported that Trump's administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but said the United States was not involved.

"Trump noted the US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates," Fox News said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier Thursday that the United States was "not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

Trump will be attending a National Security Council meeting Friday morning.
Iran says Israel attack 'declaration of war'



Tehran, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Iran called Israel's wave of strikes on Friday a declaration of war, while US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of "even more brutal" attacks if it does not make a deal on its nuclear programme.

Israel said its air strikes had killed most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force, while hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war".

The Israeli military said Iran launched around 100 drones, with air defences intercepting them outside Israeli territory, while neighbouring Jordan said it intercepted drones and missiles that violated its airspace.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to "make a deal", warning that there will be more "death and destruction" after Israel launched deadly strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

The United States underlined that it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Iran not to attack its personnel or interests, but Tehran said Washington would be "responsible for consequences".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at nuclear scientists and the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz.

The strikes would "continue as many days as it takes", the Israeli premier said, while the military said intelligence showed Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

The strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed, while state media said a senior adviser to the supreme leader had himself been wounded.

"The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel," the Israeli military said, adding that its attacks had killed most of them.

Iran confirmed the Guards aerospace commander had been killed, along with "a group of brave and dedicated fighters".

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the "precise targeting of senior commanders... sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israel's destruction will be eliminated".

AFP images showed a gaping hole in the side of a Tehran residential building that appeared to have sustained a targeted and localised strike.

State media said civilians, including women and children, were killed, while an emergency services official said 95 people had been wounded.

Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were among the dead.



- 'Scathing response' -



Tehran's streets were deserted except for queues at petrol stations, a familiar sight in times of crisis.

"How much longer are we going to live in fear?" asked Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree.

"As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response."

Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspace.

Israel declared a state of emergency, and hours later, the Jordanian military said its aircraft and air defence systems intercepted "a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace".

There are "no limits in responding to this crime", Iran's armed forces said, accusing Israel of crossing "all red lines".

Oil prices surged while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.

Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran had threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict broke out.

Prior to the strikes, Trump said he believed a deal on Iran's nuclear programme was "fairly close", cautioning however that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.

The US leader did not disclose the details of a conversation with Netanyahu on Monday, but said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it."

Trump quickly added: "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."



- 'Within reach' -



US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran not to respond to Israeli strikes by hitting US bases, saying Washington was not involved.

With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the US and Iran would still take place on Sunday in Oman, Trump said Washington is still "hoping to get back to the negotiating table".

Confirming Natanz had been among Israel's targets, the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said it was "closely monitoring" the situation as the Israeli military said it hit the underground uranium enrichment centrifuges at the site.

"Most of the damage is on the surface level," said the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation's spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi, adding that there had been "no casualties" at the facility.



- 'Extremist' -



Israel sees Iran as an existential threat, and Netanyahu has vowed less restraint since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack by Tehran-backed Hamas, which triggered the war in Gaza.

Since the Hamas attack, Iran and Israel have traded direct attacks for the first time.

The United States and other Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an ambition it has consistently denied.

Israel again called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Thursday of non-compliance with its obligations.

Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as "extremist", while Tehran said it would launch a new enrichment facility in a secure location.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely moribund 2015 agreement with major powers, but still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.
Israel says intercepted 'most' drones launched from Iran



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Israel's military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said on Friday that Israel intercepted "most" drones launched from Iran in response to air strikes on military and nuclear sites.

"Earlier, we alerted about a large-scale drone launch targeting our territory. Most of the targets were intercepted", Defrin said during a press briefing after the army said Iran had launched about 100 drones towards Israel.

"The Israeli Air Force continues to operate to intercept unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran toward the State of Israel," the military said in a statement shortly before Defrin's briefing.

In its largest military action against Iran to date, Israel's wave of strikes hit about 100 targets including nuclear facilities and military command centres, and killed senior figures, among them the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists.
Israel strikes Iran: what we know



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Israel on Friday carried out dozens of airstrikes in Iran, hitting nuclear and military sites and killing several commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran immediately responded by launching drones against Israel, and called the Israeli attack "a declaration of war".

US President Donald Trump -- although saying his country was not involved -- warned Iran there will be more "death and destruction".

International calls for restraint are multiplying, as fears grow the Middle East could be on the threshold of a broader conflict.

Here is what we know:



- What was hit? -



The attacks started in the early hours of Friday -- a day of rest and prayer in Iran.

Israel hit a key underground nuclear site in Natanz several times, Iranian state television said, reporting that most damage was at "surface level".

Other key nuclear sites at Fordow and Isfahan were not immediately struck, said the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, citing Iranian authorities.

Additional strikes were reported against sites in Iran's northwest.

The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of its armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, were killed, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The Revolutionary Guards said that its aerospace commander, Amirali Hajizadeh, was also killed. He was in charge of Iran's ballistic missile forces.

Iranian media said several nuclear scientists were killed.

Iran said 95 people were wounded.

State television said senior Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani was hurt in one of the strikes.

The Israeli raids will "continue as many days as it takes", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.



- Iran's response? -



Iran launched some 100 drones in retaliation, according to the Israeli military, which said "most" were intercepted outside Israeli territory.

The bigger concern is Iran's sizeable arsenal of ballistic missiles.

Khamenei warned Israel faces a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.

Iran's foreign minister called the Israeli attacks "a declaration of war" and urged UN Security Council action.

Iran had previously warned it would hit US military bases in the Middle East if conflict occurred. The United States pulled out non-essential personnel from several sites days ahead of the Israeli attack.

Internet restrictions were imposed across Iran, the country's communications ministry said, adding they would be lifted "once normalcy returns".



- US involvement? -



Trump said Israel warned him of its raids ahead of time, but insisted the United States was not involved.

He warned Iran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Tehran should cut a deal to roll back its nuclear programme "before there is nothing left".

The US leader has repeatedly said he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran has long denied seeking atomic bombs, but had been enriching uranium to a level very close to be able to make them.

The United States and Iran had been holding talks on the issue. The next round, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, now looked to be cancelled.

Israel, Trump said, has a huge military arsenal thanks to the United States and "they know how to use it".

Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the United States would protect its forces in the Middle East.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," Rubio said.



- Reactions -



The attack, and likely Iranian response, is fuelling international alarm.

Many capitals were urging restraint, fearing the consequences if the Israel-Iran conflict widened and drew in the United States, and if Middle East oil production and shipments were impacted.

Oil prices leapt dramatically on Friday, trading sharply up to around $75 a barrel.

The leaders of France, Germany and Britain were to hold a call to discuss the Israeli strikes, Berlin said.

Several airlines cancelled flights servicing the region, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.

Syria closed its airspace.

In Tehran, lines of motorists formed at service stations for fuel, residents stocked up on supplies, and protests were held against the Israeli airstrikes.

burs/rmb/giv
Trump tells Iran to make deal or face 'more brutal' attacks



Washington, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



US President Donald Trump urged Iran Friday to make a deal or face "even more brutal" attacks, while keeping the door open for negotiations after Israel's deadly strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities.

Trump appeared to be sitting on the fence, a day after having publicly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off striking Iran only to see the key US ally go ahead anyway.

The operation killed senior figures -- among them the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists -- and Iran has called Israel's wave of strikes a "declaration of war."

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said.

Trump said that he "gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal."

He added that Israel -- which Trump has closely aligned with since his return to the White House -- has a lot of weapons thanks to the United States and "they know how to use it."

Trump was attending a National Security Council meeting Friday in the White House Situation Room.



- 'It's been excellent' -



But Trump later appeared to be making a political calculation about how best to respond to Israel's attack.

Less than a day earlier Trump had called on Israel to hold off an attack to make room for diplomacy, only for the key US ally to hit Iran as Trump was holding a picnic at the White House for members of Congress.

By Friday morning, however, Trump was calling the Israeli offensive "excellent" during a round of phone calls with US media.

"I think it's been excellent," ABC News quoted him as saying. "And there's more to come. A lot more."

Trump also gave mixed signals about the extent of US involvement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said Thursday that the United States was "not involved" in the strikes and warned Iran not to retaliate against any US forces in the region.

Trump, however, said on Truth Social on Friday that Israel had acted because a 60-day deadline that he had set for Iran had run out, implying that the two acted in concert.

His boasts about the "finest" US equipment that Israel had used -- a day before a huge parade in Washington on Trump's 79th birthday featuring US aircraft and tanks -- also muddied the waters.

Trump earlier told Fox News he had been made aware of the Israeli strikes before they happened, and stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb."

But at the same time Trump said Iran could have a second chance to negotiate.

"They missed the opportunity to make a deal. Now, they may have another opportunity. We'll see," Trump told NBC.

Trump also indicated that the Iranians were "calling me to speak" after the attacks to suggest they wanted to make a deal, without offering specifics.

During Trump's first term, he pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

The United States and Iran have had several rounds of talks since Trump returned to the White House, but after initially striking an optimistic tone, they have foundered in recent days.
Iran's nuclear programme, Netanyahu's age-old obsession



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nearly 20-year-old threat to strike Iran came true on Friday, as US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of further "brutal" attacks if it refuses to negotiate.

In its largest military action against Iran to date, Israel's strikes hit about 100 targets including nuclear facilities and military command centres, and killed the armed forces' chief, top nuclear scientists and other senior figures.

The strikes came as the United States and Iran were due to meet in Oman Sunday to pick up negotiations towards an agreement on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.

"We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement," Trump told reporters on Thursday, hours before news broke of the Israeli attacks.

"I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it," Trump added, speaking of the Israelis.

But on Friday, Trump seemed unbothered by Israel's action, and on his Truth Social platform urged Iran to make a deal.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," he wrote.



- Timing 'makes sense'-



Netanyahu, who has always scorned talks with Iran, paid no heed to Trump's original warning and took advantage of the seismic changes in the Middle East since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

"I doubt Israel would do this if the US told it not to," Menachem Merhavy, an Iran expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told AFP.

Merhavy said that the timing of the attack "makes sense because Israel has been clipping the wings of Iran for the last year and a half", in actions against Tehran-aligned groups and proxies in the region, many of whom Israel has significantly weakened.

Netanyahu said he had "ordered" the attack on Iran's nuclear programme months ago.

"It was necessary to act and I set the implementation date for the end of April 2025," Netanyahu said. "For various reasons, it did not work out."

But his obsession with Iran goes back much further than the ongoing Gaza war, sparked by an unprecedented attack by Tehran-backed Palestinian group Hamas.

After Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad caused international uproar in 2005 when he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map", Netanyahu -- then an opposition leader following his first term as premier in 1996-1999 -- called Tehran's nuclear programme "a serious threat for the future".

He said at the time Israel "must do everything" to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, even if it meant striking the country's nuclear facilities as Israel had in Iraq in 1981.

Iran has consistently denied seeking atomic weapons, but after his return to power in 2009, Netanyahu repeatedly dismissed Tehran's assurances that its nuclear programme was meant for civilian purpose only, and advocated a "military option".

Netanyahu called the UN Security Council's 2015 approval of an agreement with world powers lifting sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities a "historic mistake".

In 2018, he applauded Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement, effectively scrapping it.

Iran's reaction was to gradually abandon its commitments, enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade material and in unprecedented quantities.

This gave Netanyahu a justification to keep up the fight against Iran's nuclear programme.



- 'Reshape the Middle East' -



All the while, Israel's Mossad spy agency worked in secret to undermine Iran's nuclear programme.

Since the start of the Gaza war, Netanyahu has said on several occasions he was seeking to "reshape the Middle East".

In late 2024, Israel dealt a hard blow to Iran's so-called "axis of resistance", by crippling Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

The fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, another Iranian ally, helped cement the regional dominance of Israel -- the Middle East's only, if undeclared, nuclear power.

But it was an Israeli response to 200 Iranian missiles in October 2024 that "changed the balance of power" between the two foes, according to statements at the time by then defence minister Yoav Gallant, after a series of Israeli strikes inside Iran -- a rare direct confrontation.

In February, Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that with the Trump administration's support "I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job".

Danny Citrinowicz, of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, told AFP that Trump most likely viewed Israel as "serving his interests".

"Trump really thinks that as long as Iran is weaker, he will be able to achieve a deal on the nuclear file," said Citrinowicz.

Holly Dagres, an Iran expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, warned that "if the Trump administration somehow thinks it's going to be having a sixth round of talks with the Iranians in Oman on Sunday, then it truly doesn't understand the Islamic republic and how it operates".
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 13. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods held talks on the current state and future prospects of investment projects in Kazakhstans energy and oil and gas sectors, Trend reports, citing Aqorda.

During the meeting, President Tokayev praised ExxonMobils significant contribution to Kazakhstans economy, describing the corporation as one of the countrys key and reliable partners in the energy industry. He emphasized the importance of advancing projects aimed at increasing hydrocarbon production within their joint oil and gas ventures.

Tokayev articulated Kazakhstans strategic intent to amplify synergies with ExxonMobil while optimizing production efficacy.



Darren Woods expressed gratitude to the Kazakh government for fostering a conducive ecosystem that has facilitated the effective execution of significant initiatives, including Tengiz, Kashagan, and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

ExxonMobil manages an industry-leading portfolio of resources and is among the worlds largest integrated fuels, lubricants, and chemical companies. The corporation continues to evolve its operating model and global structure to better leverage its scale and global brands.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Israel strikes Iran: what we know



Jerusalem, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Israeli airstrikes on Friday hit dozens of targets across Iran, including nuclear sites, as well as killing several top military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Iran called the attack "a declaration of war" and launched missiles at Israel hours later.

US President Donald Trump -- insisting his country was not involved -- warned Iran the next planned attacks will be "even more brutal".

International calls for restraint are multiplying, as fears grow the Middle East could be on the threshold of a broader conflict.

Here is what we know:



- Nuclear sites hit -



The attacks started in the early hours of Friday, a day of rest and prayer in Iran, and continued through the day, on various sites.

A key target was a vast underground nuclear site in Natanz, which Israel hit several times, Iranian state television said.

Radiation levels outside the facility "remain unchanged", the head of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said.

Israel said it struck another important nuclear site in Isfahan, where Iranian news agency Mehr reported a "massive explosion" late Friday.



- Commanders killed -



Top brass killed included the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of its armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The Revolutionary Guards said that its aerospace commander, Amirali Hajizadeh, was also killed. He was in charge of Iran's ballistic missile forces.

Iranian media said several nuclear scientists were killed.

State media said senior Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani was hurt in one of the strikes.



- Ongoing strikes -



Additional strikes hit sites in Iran's northwestern East Azerbaijan province, with 18 people killed there, state news agency IRNA said.

The Israeli raids will "continue as many days as it takes", Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

A military spokesman said "more than 200 targets" were hit.

Netanyahu's national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said "there is currently no plan to kill" Khamenei and other political leaders.

Internet restrictions were imposed across Iran, the country's communications ministry said, adding they would be lifted "once normalcy returns".



- Iran's response -



Iran launched dozens of missiles, the Revolutionary Guards and Israeli official said, hours after the Israeli military said "most" of the 100 drones fired by Iran were intercepted outside Israeli territory.

Khamenei warned Israel faces a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.

His newly appointed Revolutionary Guards chief, Mohammad Pakpour, said that "in retribution... the gates of hell" will be opened on Israel.

Netanyahu said: "We expect to be exposed to several waves of Iranian attacks."

There was a state of emergency declared in Israel, and the country closed many of its embassies around the world, including in Britain, France, Germany, Russia and the United States.



- 'Declaration of war' -



Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, called the Israeli attacks "a declaration of war" and urged action from the UN Security Council, which is due to hold an emergency meeting at 1900 GMT.

Iran had previously warned it would hit US military bases in the Middle East if conflict occurred. The United States pulled out non-essential personnel from several sites days ahead of the Israeli attack.

Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the United States would protect its forces in the Middle East.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," Rubio said.



- US involvement? -



Trump said Israel fully informed him of its raids ahead of time, but insisted the United States was not involved.

He warned Iran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Tehran should cut a deal to roll back its nuclear programme "before there is nothing left".

The US leader has repeatedly said he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Trump came to power vowing not to drag the United States into more wars in the Middle East, but some of his domestic political allies are worried the turn of events could lead to that.



- Nuclear programme -



Tehran has long denied seeking atomic bombs, but had been enriching uranium to a level close to weapons-grade.

The United States and Iran had been holding talks on the issue. The next round, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, now looks to be cancelled.



- Reactions -



The attack, and likely Iranian response, is fuelling international alarm.

Many capitals were urging restraint, fearing the consequences if the Israel-Iran conflict widened and drew in the United States, and if Middle East oil production and shipments were impacted.

The leaders of France, Germany and Britain were to hold a call to discuss the Israeli strikes, Berlin said. The UN's atomic energy agency planned an emergency meeting for Monday.

Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspaces.

Several airlines cancelled flights servicing the region, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.

Others flying through the Middle East, such as Air India, had to turn planes back or reroute.



- Oil prices -



Oil prices leapt dramatically on Friday, trading sharply up to around $75 a barrel before falling back a little.

Analysts underlined the risk to the 20 percent of the world's crude oil supplies that are shipped through the narrow Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf.

burs/rmb/gv/ami/jsa

Air France-KLM
Mali separatists clash with miltary and mercenaries



Dakar, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



A separatist coalition battled Malian troops backed by Moscow-run mercenaries in the north of the country Friday, both sides and local sources said.

The deadly clashes, involving the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Moscow-run Africa Corps, follows a series of attacks on the military in recent weeks.

In a statement Friday, the FLA said it had killed several dozen members of the Africa Corps.

"Around 15 bodies were left abandoned on the site of the fighting," the statement added.

It said it had lost three fighters and suffered seven wounded during the battle.

The FLA also said it had destroyed 21 military vehicles including armoured cars and armed pick-up trucks.

Earlier, the army's general staff acknowledged in a statement that a logistics convoy had been ambushed at dawn on Friday.

And FLA spokesman Mohamed Elmaouloud told AFP earlier Friday that they had "inflicted significant material damage and human losses among the enemy."

The army statement said the battle took place in the Kidal region where the army convoy had been conducting an "offensive operation against an armed terrorist group".

It said "10 enemy combatants" had been killed.

Mali's army retook several districts from separatists in 2023, among them Kidal, a pro-independence northern bastion.

Africa Corps is the successor to the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, which diplomatic and security sources confirmed to AFP over the weekend has now left Mali.

The group, overseen by Moscow's defence ministry, is also actively supporting several other African governments.

"The fighters this Friday were fierce," a regional elected official told AFP.

"There were losses on both sides. But we'll have to wait for definitive figures."

Since 2012, Mali has been mired in violence carried out by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as other organisations.

The FLA was created late last year in a merger of several predominantly Tuareg groups.
Israel attack on Iran tests Trump promise not to be dragged into war



Washington, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



For President Donald Trump, few goals on the world stage have been more explicit -- he will not drag the United States into another "forever war."

Yet Israel's massive strikes on Iran will test that promise as never before, potentially setting up a showdown with his base as Trump decides how much support the United States will offer.

Trump had publicly called for Israel not to strike as he sought a negotiated solution, and his roving envoy Steve Witkoff had been scheduled to meet Iranian officials for the sixth time Sunday.

Trump, who hours earlier warned that an attack would cause "massive conflict," afterward praised Israeli strikes as "excellent."

He boasted that Israel had "the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world" thanks to the United States -- and was planning more strikes unless Iran agrees on a deal.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the United States was not involved in the strikes and warned Iran not to retaliate against the thousands of US troops stationed in nearby Arab countries.

A US official, however, confirmed that the United States was helping Israel shoot down retaliatory missiles fired Friday by Iran.

"The US has calculated that it can help Israel and that the Iranians will obviously be aware of this, but at the end of the day, at least at the public level, the US stays out," said Alex Vatanka, founding director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

The hope is that "the Iranians will do a quick cost/benefit analysis and decide it is not worth the fight," Vatanka said.

He said Iranian leaders are for now focused on staying alive, but could decide either to swallow a tough deal -- or to internationalize the conflict further by causing chaos in the oil-rich Gulf, potentially sending oil prices soaring and pressuring Trump.



- 'America First' impulse -



Most key lawmakers of Trump's Republican Party quickly rallied behind Israel, whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is a hero for many on the US right and has long called Iran an existential threat.

But Trump's populist "America First" base has been skeptical.

Tucker Carlson, the prominent media commentator who counseled Trump against a US strike on Iran in the first term, has called fears of Tehran building a nuclear bomb overblown, saying neither Iran nor Ukraine warrants US military resources.

Carlson wrote on X after the Israeli strike that there was a divide in Trump's orbit between "those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it -- between warmongers and peacemakers."

Trump has brought outspoken non-interventionists directly into his administration.

In an unusually political video this week, Trump's director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, warned after a visit to Hiroshima that "warmongers" were putting the world at risk of nuclear catastrophe.

In a speech in Riyadh last month, Trump denounced decades of US interventionism in the Middle East and said, "My greatest hope is to be a peacemaker and to be a unifier. I don't like war."



- How far to back Israel? -



Daniel Shapiro, who served as US ambassador to Israel under former president Barack Obama, said it had been certain the United States would back Israel's defense against Iranian retaliation.

But Trump will face a harder decision on "whether to use the United States' unique capabilities to destroy Tehran's underground nuclear facilities and prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon," said Shapiro, now at the Atlantic Council.

"The decision will split his advisers and political base, amid accusations, and perhaps his own misgivings, that Netanyahu is attempting to drag him into war."

Lawmakers of the rival Democratic Party widely revile Netanyahu, including over Israel's bloody offensive in Gaza.

"This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage," said Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro.

"What does 'America First' even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans don't want?" he wrote on social media.

Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the progressive Center for International Policy, said that China -- identified by Trump as the top threat -- could seize the moment, perhaps by moving on Taiwan, as it sees the United States as even more distracted.

"Even without direct involvement, Washington now faces the prospect of indefinite resupply, intelligence and diplomatic backing for Israel, just as the war in Ukraine intensifies and global crises multiply," Toossi said.

"Wars are easy to ignite, but once unleashed, they tend to spiral beyond control, and rarely end on the terms of those who start them."
Marines deploy in LA ahead of mass anti-Trump protests



Los Angeles, United States, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Armed Marines arrived on the streets of Los Angeles Friday, part of a large deployment of troops ordered by Donald Trump that has raised the stakes between the US president and opponents claiming growing authoritarianism.

Men in fatigues and carrying semi-automatic rifles were seen around a federal building, where passers-by questioned why they were in an area 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the epicenter of protests against immigration raids.

"Taxpayer dollars could be used for other things," RonNell Weaver told AFP. "Is this really necessary?"

The men -- normally used as crack troops in foreign conflicts -- are part of a group of 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard soldiers tasked with protecting federal buildings, while local police handle protests over Trump's sweeps for undocumented migrants.

An intense legal battle is underway over Trump's authority to deploy troops on US soil as the country braces for widespread protests Saturday, when the Republican will be overseeing a rare large-scale military parade in Washington.

The parade celebrates the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday and will be the first time tanks and other heavy weaponry have rolled through the capital city in three decades.

In response, a "No Kings" movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large parade expected in Los Angeles which organizers say will feature a "20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper."

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, whose deputies are part of a large law enforcement response in the enormous city, urged protesters to behave properly.

"We are here to facilitate peaceful protests," he told reporters. "It's a good cause, but we do not want violent agitators out there destroying property or committing acts of violence."

In a show of political force, Trump overrode the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy California's National Guard.

The president has repeatedly exaggerated the scale of violence, claiming that without troops, Los Angeles would be "burning to the ground right now."

On Thursday, District Judge Charles Breyer ruled Trump's actions were "illegal" and ordered that he return control of the guard to Newsom. Breyer said the LA unrest fell "far short" of the "rebellion" Trump had described.

However, a higher court quickly paused the order pending an appeal hearing with the Trump administration next Tuesday.

The Department of Justice slammed Breyer's ruling as "an extraordinary intrusion on the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief."

The dispute mirrors multiple other tussles over Trump's attempts to expand the limits of presidential power -- but is the first to involve troops.



- 'Voices for the people' -



Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants around the country.

Outrage at Trump's raids and the use of masked, armed immigration agents backed by uniformed soldiers has already sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas.

"What brings me out here? The people that were taken, people who don't have voices. We are the voice for the people," Jasmine, a protester in Los Angeles, told AFP on Thursday.

Tensions hiked further Thursday when California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The incident "reeks of totalitarianism," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, calling for an investigation.

The White House hit back, claiming -- despite video evidence to the contrary -- that Padilla "lunged toward Secretary Noem."

bur-hg/bjt

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 13. Kazakhstan's Prime Minister, Olzhas Bektenov, and Wang Wentao, President of Hong Kong Sino-Science Oil and Gas Co., Ltd. (Geo-Jade Petroleum), discussed collaboration in the oil and gas sector, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

During the talks, the sides focused on the development of the complex gas extraction project at the Sozak field in the Kyzylorda region.

Kazakhstan expressed interest in continuing mutually beneficial cooperation and unlocking the potential of unconventional resources to enhance energy security and economic growth. The parties agreed to advance the project through working group discussions.

Geo-Jade Petroleum, a leading Chinese oil and gas exploration company, has been operating in Kazakhstan for over a decade, having previously implemented several major projects totaling over $3 billion and created approximately 1,000 permanent jobs for the local population.
Reeves eventually moved to Lambeth, where he still relies on the Bakerloo line for his daily commute, which he thinks has gotten significantly worse. Every morning, I go to Lambeth North Station to go to my office, and I see someone push past the barrier, Reeves says. I tap in and follow them in, and then I share a lift with them down to the platform, this person that just stole from me and everybody else on the platform in front of me. They're playing music out loud on their phone. Everybody else is rolling their eyes, frustrated, but no one's doing anything, and the carriage is covered in graffiti. (TfL say they are working closely with the police to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour on the network, with over 2,500 police and police community support officers and 500 TfL enforcement staff patrolling the network at all times.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Zhandos Kairgeldi, CEO of Silleno LLP, met with Ivo Bols, President of Air Products in Europe and Africa, in Kazakhstans Astana, Trend reports.

The meeting included a delegation of Vaclav Harant, Vice President of Air Products for Central Europe and Central Asia, and Mukhtar Avutbayev, a board member at Silleno and Director of Investment and Project Development at KazMunayGas (KMG).

Silleno representatives presented details of the companys plans to construct a polyethylene plant in the Atyrau region with a projected production capacity of 1.25 million tons annually. The parties explored the potential for long-term cooperation within the framework of this strategic energy and chemical infrastructure project.

Air Products, a global leader in industrial gas technologies with operations in more than 50 countries, is expected to bring technical expertise and global experience to the table as discussions move forward.

The meeting follows a recent visit by KMG Chairman Askhat Khassenov to the construction site in Atyrau, where foundational work on the plant is already underway on June 11, 2025.

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She said: At the time of doing so he let out an extremely loud scream. It wasnt a scream of pain, it was a scream of delight  my interpretation was he was celebrating.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: I know that our past failings have meant there are people who doubt the polices commitment today to putting grooming gangs behind bars where they belong. Let me be clear  time is no barrier to justice, and we are actively working with dozens of survivors on numerous investigations to ensure no offender gets away with this. When you are ready, we will listen.
When I went in yesterday, one teacher came out and gave me a hug and was crying. She said I have been here for 33 years. There are teachers saying now I wont be able to pay my mortgage over the summer months or find a new job until September.
For all Irish citizens, were keeping in very close contact with our diplomats on the ground in both Iran and Israel, and theyre obviously keeping in close contact with the relatively small number of Irish citizens in those countries as well.
In his keynote speech to the conference  his first since becoming leader north of the border last year  he will say that putting a stop to wasteful spending is top of our agenda.
In a Friday phone call with the European leaders, Sir Keir and his counterparts discussed the long-held grave concerns about Irans nuclear programme, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilise the region, according to No 10.
Israel could confirm that the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards and the commander of Irans Emergency Command were all killed in the strikes across Iran, he told an online briefing.
However, the French force was reported to have been overwhelmed by the number of people seeking to clamber onto boats as they sought to reach the UK, and at least one boat reportedly set off for Britain.
He also described how it felt like the plane was stuck in the air within five to 10 seconds of taking off, and suddenly the lights started flickering green and white.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 13. The World Bank (WB) suggests that Kyrgyzstan should roll up its sleeves and get down to brass tacks to boost its economy. By greasing the wheels for starting and running businesses, fostering a level playing field, and rolling out the red carpet for foreign investment, the country can really hit the ground running, Trend reports via the World Banks latest Country Economic Memorandum (CEM).

The banks report highlights that complicated regulations and weak competition are holding back economic growth and job creation.

It also advises the government to reduce trade barriers, improve logistics, and strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries to open new market opportunities. Additionally, the WB emphasizes the importance of better education and training to equip workers with skills needed for todays industries.

The report points out that while Kyrgyzstans economy has grown steadily in recent years, much of the growth relies on mining and extractive industries, which limits job opportunities and productivity gains. Many workers remain employed in informal, low-paying jobs, making it crucial for the country to diversify its economy and create more formal, well-paying employment.

The analysis indicates that incremental adjustments will be insufficientthese transformations must be synergistically implemented to foster enhanced employment opportunities, broaden the economic spectrum beyond extractive industries, and secure sustainable growth trajectories for Kyrgyzstan.

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Police have set out conditions for the first protest under the Public Order Act which demands that any person taking part in the procession must not deviate from a specified route and that participants in the static portion of the protest must remain in a specified area.
It said in a statement: In the longer term, we believe that state schools should be paid for by all of society via general taxation, without imposing a tax on a small part of society that does not even use the state system and in many cases can ill afford ever higher taxes.
We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great co-parents. We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well, she told E! News.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 13. Reconstruction work has started on the 75-kilometer section of the Barskon-Karakol road in the Jeti-Oguz district of the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Transport and Communications.

During the event, Minister of Transport and Communications Absattar Syrgabayev highlighted the significance of the project for regional transport development, noting that the Issyk-Kul ring road totals 440 kilometers, with nearly 365 kilometers already funded and 333 kilometers under reconstruction.

The ongoing initiative aims to augment the existing two-lane thoroughfare to a four-lane configuration, encompassing enhancements to pedestrian pathways, subterranean pedestrian crossings, structural overpasses, hydrological management systems, and illumination infrastructure in adjacent communities.

The minister emphasized that the improved road will enhance safety and comfort for local residents, boost tourism, and drive economic growth in the region. Issyk-Kul attracts thousands of tourists annually, including many foreigners, but poor road conditions on the southern shore have hindered tourism development. The reconstruction will improve access to resort areas and increase visitor flow.

The Chinese company China Road and Bridge Corporation was selected as the general contractor, recognized for its experience in major infrastructure projects across Central Asia.

This reconstruction covers the 75 km stretch from Barskon village to the city of Karakol, between kilometers 141 and 216 of the Issyk-Kul ring road.

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Kyrgyzstan, China join forces to launch seismic isolator plant

Kyrgyzstan and China have signed an agreement to build a seismic isolator manufacturing plant, aiming to enhance engineering infrastructure and seismic protection technologies. The plant will be jointly managed, with Kyrgyzstan holding the majority stake. The project also includes setting up mobile and stationary laboratories for earth crust research.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 13. Direct passenger flights will operate twice a week between Beijing and Dushanbe starting June 16, 2025, Trend reports, citing the Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan.

The new flights, set to take off on Tuesdays and Saturdays, will be in the capable hands of China Southern Airlines. It follows instructions issued during a state visit by the President of China Xi Jinping in July 2024. These instructions called for increasing flight frequencies between the capitals and opening new air routes connecting other cities in both countries.

In March 2025, a delegation from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) visited Tajikistan. During the visit, officials from both countries, including the director of the Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan and representatives from CAAC and China Southern Airlines, held meetings to discuss cooperation and the implementation of new flight routes.

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President of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) Alexandru Bociu received the visit of a delegation led by the economic attache of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Romania, Hasan Oktay Duygun, accompanied by representatives of starch and derivatives manufacturer Omnia Europe SA.





During the meeting, the sides approached important subjects regarding support for the Turkish agri-food industry and strengthening bilateral relations in this field.
Several flights to and from Tel Aviv operated from Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport were cancelled on Friday, following the closure of Israeli airspace.

According to a statement issued by the Bucharest Airports National Company (CNAB), the following flights were cancelled: WizzAir 3257 Bucharest - Tel Aviv and 3258 Tel Aviv - Bucharest; Fly Lili 9140 Tel Aviv - Bucharest; EL AL 573 Tel Aviv - Bucharest and 574 Bucharest - Tel Aviv.

Israeli authorities have issued a warning about a high risk of imminent airstrikes from Iran, urgently advising citizens to remain close to shelter areas, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced on Friday.

The warning follows military operations launched by Israel during the night between Thursday and Friday against targes on Iranian territory, resulting in a significant deterioration of the security situation.

Israeli airspace has been closed until further notice, and civil activities have been restricted by the authorities.

The MAE advises Romanian citizens in Israel to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities and to take shelter in buildings or designated public shelters in case of air raid sirens.

Romanian citizens in Israel are encouraged to notify their presence, based on their location, to the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Romanian Consulate General in Haifa, by providing their contact details at the following email addresses: telaviv@mae.ro or haifa@mae.ro.

They can also request consular assistance at: the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54 564 3279 and the Romanian Consulate General in Haifa: +972 543 998 038.
The secretary general of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania (CCIR), Ovidiu Silaghi, participated on June 12 in the 135th General Assembly of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres), according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

According to the cited source, by attending this event, CCIR continues to play an active role in the activities of European chambers of commerce organisations, focusing in particular on the most pressing economic issues affecting business communities in Europe, such as improving dialogue between the EU and the US.

CCIR secretary general Ovidiu Silaghi emphasised the importance of the organisation's participation in European decision-making processes.

"CCIR is actively involved in strengthening the influence of the European business community on improving the decision-making mechanisms of European institutions. We are in favour of increasing cohesion within the EU and reducing centrifugal movements towards the dissolution of the community. CCIR also wishes to become an active partner for national authorities once again, as the main vector for promoting the interests of the business community in Romania, with the aim of identifying realistic solutions for reducing the country's financial deficits," said Ovidiu Silaghi.

Currently, Eurochambres represents over 20 million businesses in Europe through its 45 members (43 national chambers of commerce and industry and two transnational chambers) and a European network of 1,700 local and regional chambers. Over 93% of the businesses represented are SMEs.
Minister of the Economy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Bogdan Ivan on Friday reported that procedures were completed for allocating RON 200 million for repairing damages caused by floods at the Praid salt mine and RON100 million for tourism entrepreneurs operating in the area affected by the floods.

"We have urgently allocated funds for repairs and for the direct support of the community affected by the floods. RON 300 million will be available starting today, with the publication of the aid schemes in the Official Journal. Also today, I will be at the scene again, together with the people of Praid and the teams of experts who are working against the clock to stabilise and safely divert the course of the Corund River," Ivan is quoted as saying in a press statement.

The orders initiated by the Ministry of Economy, Digital Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT) refer to a state aid scheme worth RON 200 million to repair flood damage at Praid, as well as a de minimis aid scheme worth RON 100 million for tourism enterprises at Praid - including spa tourism and public catering - affected by the floods. The aid measures are valid from the date of publication in the Official Journal of Romania until December 31, 2025.

Damage repair takes into account a maximum of 20 enterprises whose business, carried out in the calamity zone directly affected by the floods and which meet the conditions provided for in the relevant ministerial order. Damage assessment will be conducted by an appraiser authorised by the National Association of Licensed Appraisers of Romania and by a chartered accountant or by an expert company that is part of the Body of Romania's Expert and Licenced Accountants.

The eligible costs include the replacement value of the assets that cannot be returned to business; the cost of repairing assets affected by floods, where possible; loss of income due to the total or partial suspension of business at Praid for a maximum of six months from the occurrence of the disaster.

The de minimis aid will be granted in the form of grants to the tune of 15% of the 2024 turnover. The maximum number of beneficiaries is 300, and the aid will not exceed the threshold of EUR 300,000 per beneficiary, in compliance with the de minimis ceiling per single enterprise and the legal rules on the cumulation of de minimis aid.

The eligible beneficiaries of the de minimis aid are small or medium-sized tourism enterprises affected by floods, which have their registered office or places of business where the business for which they apply for funding located at Praid.

Problems at the Praid Salt Mine appeared on May 5 after heavy rainfall caused the level of the Corund stream to rise and the infiltration of water into the salt mine. Production and visiting at the Praid Salt Mine are down as all resources are focused on solving the emergency and make the area safe.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 13. Ambassador of Tajikistan to the UAE, Ashrafjon Gulov, met with Hana Al Rostamani, Group Chief Executive Officer of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and discussed opportunities for enhanced financial cooperation, Trend reports citing the Embassy of Tajikistan in the UAE.

In the course of the meeting, the sides emphasized the importance of establishing closer ties between Tajikistans banking institutions and FAB, with a focus on strengthening economic and financial relations.

The parties also discussed the potential for partnership in expanding correspondent banking relations, adhering to international financial standards, capacity building, and organizing study tours and training programs for banking professionals in countries.

FAB, the UAEs largest bank and one of the worlds leading financial institutions, offers a wide range of customized financial solutions through its corporate, investment, and personal banking services. The discussions marked a step toward greater engagement between the financial sectors of Tajikistan and the UAE.
The Israeli authorities have issued a warning about a high risk of imminent airstrikes from Iran, urgently advising citizens to remain near shelter areas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced on Friday.

The warning comes in the context of military operations launched by Israel during the night between Thursday and Friday against targets in Iranian territory, and the security situation has significantly deteriorated.

Israeli airspace has been closed until further notice, and civil activities have been restricted by the authorities.

Real-time detailed information regarding the current restrictions is available at www.oref.org.il/eng.

The MAE recommends that Romanian citizens in Israel strictly follow the instructions of local authorities and take shelter in buildings or specially designated public shelters in the event of air raid sirens.

Romanian citizens in Israel are advised to report their presence, depending on their location, to the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv or the Romanian Consulate General in Haifa, providing their contact information at the following addresses: telaviv@mae.ro or haifa@mae.ro.

Romanian citizens can request consular assistance from the Romanian Embassy in Tel Aviv at +972 54 564 3279 and from the Romanian Consulate General in Haifa at +972 543 998 038.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) informs Romanian citizens who are in Iran, transiting through or planning to travel to this country that the security situation is extremely volatile and unpredictable following the attacks on Friday morning.

Given the high risk of military escalation, the MAE strongly recommends:

* avoiding travel to Iran in the coming period;

* Romanian citizens in the area should leave Iranian territory immediately, using available commercial flights or other safe means of transport;

* to monitor announcements from local and international authorities on an ongoing basis.

Romanian citizens can request assistance from the Consular Section in Tehran: +98 21 77647570, email: teheran.consul@mae.ro.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is monitoring developments in the region as a matter of priority and will constantly update travel alerts, according to a statement from the ministry sent to AGERPRES.

Israel carried out strikes on Friday against Iran, which is suspected of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. The attacks targeted a uranium enrichment site and killed the head of the Revolutionary Guards, the regime's ideological army.
President Nicusor Dan on Friday said that the Mineriad of June 13-15, 1990, remains one of the "most painful" moments in Romania's post-communist history, stressing that justice has a duty to shed light on the case.

"Even today, 35 years later, the judiciary has not issued a final ruling in the Mineriad case. A verdict is still missing, one that could bring closure to so much trauma and suffering. Justice has the duty to shed light not only to identify and hold the guilty accountable, but also as an essential gesture of respect toward Romanian society's right to know the truth. We will never forget those who had the courage to fight for democracy and freedom, all those who put these ideals above their own lives," the head of state wrote on Facebook Friday.

On Friday morning, President Nicusor Dan laid wreaths at the monument dedicated to the memory of the victims of the June 13-15, 1990 Mineriad, as well as at the 'Kilometre Zero of Democracy' monument.

The violent events of June 13-15, 1990, are remembered in post-communist Romanian history as the 'Mineriad of June 13-15, 1990.' They refer to the crackdown, by law enforcement forces, with the help of miners, on the anti-government protests that took place in University Square during that period.

The demonstrations, which were described as anti-communist, were directed against the government at the time, led by the National Salvation Front, and against President Ion Iliescu. These protests had begun on April 22, 1990, as part of the University Square Phenomenon.
Interim Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu delivered a message on Friday marking 35 years since the 'University Square Phenomenon' and the Mineriad of June 13-15, 1990, in which he pointed out that Romania, 35 years after those events, is now part of the Western democracies, the EU and NATO, just as those who took part in the University Square protests had wished following the 1989 Revolution.

'Thirty-five years after the events of June 13-15, 1990, Romania is now part of the Western democracies, part of the EU, part of NATO. It is where those who initiated and took part in the 'University Square Phenomenon' wanted it to be, right after the 1989 Revolution. The civic and popular movement in University Square was driven by the same moral values and ideological foundations as the 1989 Revolution, and represented a continuation of it: against dictatorship, for freedom, for democracy, for prosperity and dignity in Europe and the world, for Romania's swift integration into the political structures of Euro-Atlantic democracies, the EU and NATO. Romania's integration into the EU and NATO succeeded. The 1989 Revolution and the University Square movement prevailed - they won,' Predoiu said.

He added that, unfortunately, this integration did not happen as quickly as those who supported the University Square movement had hoped.

According to him, Romania's alignment with the Western world must continue to be defended.

'The struggle continues! Even today, we are confronted with forces, apparently civic and political, whether visible or less obvious, that seek to alter the historical course of our country and to detach Romania from Western structures. They do this through disinformation, by spreading hate-based rhetoric, promoting anti-Western narratives, and exploiting economic or social discontent, as well as political volatility in international relations. Even today, we must defend our belonging to the Western world, in light of today's context, using the tools of the present,' the interim prime minister added.

In his view, this task is all the more difficult given the current climate of unrest, tension, and open conflicts, not only in the East, but also due to realignments and recalibrations within the Western world itself.

According to the interim prime minister, the first step is to form a government supported by pro-Western political forces, which he described as 'the only forces currently possessing the political capacity and necessary expertise to govern.'

'This is a necessary step in order to swiftly move toward the modernisation of our administration and to continue our economic development. It is the best way to honour those who, in 1989 during the anti-communist Revolution, and in 1990 through the pro-Western civic movement University Square,' showed vision, courage, dignity, and many of them, the strength to make sacrifices. May their moral example forever guide Romania's path to democracy! The Romanian Government expresses its respect to all those who made it possible, in 1989 and 1990, to open a historic path, the path of democracy, freedom, and prosperity,' Predoiu underscored.
Newly elected national leader of the Save Romania Union (USR) Dominic Fritz said on Friday that he is aware that he is taking over the leadership in challenging times, but promising for an "engaged" party.

"I am aware that I am taking over the leadership of USR in challenging times, but I believe that there are also promising times for an engaged party. There are enough energies, ideas and solutions both within USR and in the Romanian society to get Romania through this crisis and to get out of this crisis. My mission in USR is to reconnect with our voters, with our allies in society and, for sure, I will be a chairman who opens up the party," Fritz said.

He added that politics is often viewed with scepticism. "But, we see what is happening everywhere in the world, our democracy is based on people who get involved voluntarily and without interests in political life. I am also enormously proud that USR continues to attract new people who take this step, the vast majority of them without any payment, but as volunteers. In the last three weeks, we received over 2,000 applications to join USR to which I say 'Welcome' to all new members. And I also make an appeal: if you want to put your shoulder to the wheel in this construction, then now is a good time to join USR."

Fritz added that he will remain mayor of Timisoara, as leading the city is "the great honour of his life."

"And who knows, maybe it's not even that bad that Romania is ruled not only from Bucharest. In the coming days and weeks, we will focus on negotiating good solutions for Romania in the government. We are a party that is ready to own responsibility for governing, to work alongside President Nicusor Dan, and, at the same time, after our Congress convention next Saturday, on June 21, we will also embark on reconstruction and new energy in the party," Fritz said.
Newly-elected national leader of the Save Romania Union (USR) Dominic Fritz on Friday rejected the idea of a technocrat prime minister or rotational prime ministership for the future government, reiterating his support for the nomination of the National Liberal Party's (PNL) Ilie Bolojan for prime minister.





"He must be a credible person to Romanians. He must be a person with a political authority and who can convince Romanians that we will now go through a difficult period precisely to become a strong and prosperous country again. If the Social Democratic Party (PSD) has a candidate who meets this profile, it must say PSD. (...) USR votes for a credible prime minister, with authority and the ability to convince the citizens of Romania that the Romanian state has understood the message of the citizens. That is the profile. At the moment, the only one I see meeting this profile is Ilie Bolojan," Fritz told a news conference at the USR headquarters."It can only be a prime minister who has authority, credibility through his own results. If we now find only one notary of the parties and, somehow, the lowest denominator, then I don't think we can generate enough strength and authority that will be needed to make these difficult cuts."The USR leader rejected the scenario of a PNL-USR merger, saying that there were no discussions within the party on this subject."We are a strong parliamentary party, with a result almost as good as PNL. We believe in a collaboration on the right side. We are working on this collaboration. That is why I have suggested Ilie Bolojan. But, I don't think that the answer to all the upheaval that Romania has seen in recent months is to invent again all kinds of political projects that do not necessarily meet expectations. I think that Romanians expect to be a clearly liberal party, with a reformist agenda, with people who have not led Romania for 30 years. And I believe that USR is that party," the USR leader said.
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ST. LOUIS  Radio station KDHX died on Monday after a long battle with internal division and caretaker neglect. The station, which played an eclectic mix of music at 88.1 FM, was 37 years old.

It is survived by a legion of loving supporters and its estranged governing board.

In the final months of the stations life, those two groups  the survivors known as LOVE of KDHX, and the governing board  did battle in a federal bankruptcy courtroom in downtown St. Louis. The board won the battle, convincing the surgeon overseeing KDHX in its terminal condition  Judge Kathy Surratt-States  to pull the plug.

The body of KDHX  its radio tower and FCC license  was sold for $8 million.

This isnt just a loss, said Steve Smith, a tavern owner who worked at KDHX in his youth and tried to lead an effort to bring the two warring sides together. Its a theft of public culture. It should never happen again.

KDHX ended the way it began  with a lawsuit.

The stations founders originally worked for another public radio station, KDNA, which went out of business in 1973. They went on the lookout for a public radio license. They found an underused one at 88.1 that was broadcasting a few hours a week out of Clayton High School. After an attempt to share the license failed, they sued and won the license in court. KDHX was born.

Its existence was nearly always troubled, with its reliance on fundraising and its mix of blues, jazz, bluegrass, reggae, alternative rock and whatever else inspired the various DJs to spin.

We also do poetry  thats a guaranteed loser, founder Brian Costello told the Post-Dispatch in the stations infancy in 1988.

By the stations late 20s, it moved from its longtime location on Magnolia Street near Tower Grove Park to swanky new offices in the Grand Center that, truth be told, the station could never afford.

Most of its board and its former executive director resigned not long after that move.

We never should have moved into the Grand Center, Paul Dever, a longtime board member, said recently.

The rent and building costs added to the financial pressures of running a radio station that relied on fundraising.

At its best, KDHX was the beat of St. Louis, a nonprofit deeply committed to promoting local musicians on the air and at live events.

The station was irreplaceable, David Drebes, a St. Louis musician, wrote to the bankruptcy court. It was one of dozens such letters sent to the court in the stations dying days.

Because of KDHX, I learned about and visited small local venues, wrote Shelly Helsel. My experience in St. Louis would have been significantly different without KDHX.

Kip Loui, a former DJ and board member, added in his letter to the court: In a world where media consolidation is practically a foregone conclusion, KDHX remains an independent voice and true cultural institution here in STL.

At its worst, the station was embroiled in internal battles because eclectic DJs are eclectic, and the stations underlying bylaws required their voices to be heard. Those battles started magnifying in 2018, when the board changed its bylaws to reduce the power of its associate members. The members included most of the stations volunteers, including its on-air talent.

In 2019, there were allegations of racism and sexism tossed back and forth between management and former employees and volunteers. Then, as financial problems got worse in 2023, the station fired longtime DJ Tom Papa Ray, and the battles between DJs and the board intensified. Some DJs resigned, others were fired. Donations dried up.

In late 2024 and early 2025, a group of community leaders tried to broker a peace between the warring factions at KDHX. But it was too late.

Its gotten too nasty, board member Joan Bray said.

Blame the pandemic, the rise in angry social media posts, other dynamics that have ruined conversation or simply a failed marriage, but the two sides were irreconcilable.

In the final days, Bray sat in the front of the courtroom next to board president Gary Pierson and KDHXs executive director, Kelly Wells. They were behind a gaggle of lawyers. The rest of the courtroom was filled with supporters of KDHX, business and civic leaders, and former station DJs and volunteers.

The tension was thick, as the board sought to sell the stations assets to a Christian radio station. The supporters hoped for a Hail Mary to somehow revive what they had built over 30 years.

The stations mission statement  building community through media  was on trial, but there was no building going on. There was only the breaking of bonds that likely will never heal. It was caused in part by the boards actions to change bylaws and touch off a series of underhanded votes that landed the station in bankruptcy court.

KDHX is survived by an HD2 digital signal and internet presence that will have about $6 million to create something in its place.

Along with all of St. Louis, we are devastated at the loss of this voice, the League of Volunteer Enthusiasts of KHDK said following the stations death. We join the whole community in mourning this tragic, unnecessary sale of a precious community asset.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Police on Friday identified a man found shot to death in the Spanish Lake area of North County.

Police said they found Lawyer Lewis II, 27, dead in a residence in the 11100 block of Ruesta Drive.

St. Louis County police officers responding to a call about gunshots found Lewis about 4:10 p.m. Wednesday. He died at the scene, police said.

Authorities have not released other details about the shooting. A police spokeswoman said she didn't have a home address for Lewis.
JEFFERSON COUNTY  A home surveillance camera recorded a man abusing two young children and a dog at their home in Jefferson County, court records say.

Mason Lee Williams, 24, repeatedly beat a 5-year-old boy and nearly suffocated a 2-year-old girl, authorities said.

A camera mounted in a bedroom captured the abuse over a two-week period, starting in about mid-April, Detective Lance Pippin of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office said in court papers.

Williams lives in the 1500 block of Irish Sea, northeast of High Ridge.

The boys mother, who is Williams girlfriend, reported the abuse to police. Williams is not the father of the boy, but he is the father of the girl, said Grant Bissell, a sheriffs spokesman.

Neither child was hospitalized after the abuse, police said.

The cameras showing the abuse were essentially baby monitors, and Williams was aware they were there, Bissell said.

Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Williams with 12 counts of child abuse. Each child abuse count is a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Williams also was charged with animal abuse, a misdemeanor.

The abuse detailed in court documents includes putting a cloth over the mouth of the girl to nearly strangle her; hitting the boy in the neck, head, buttocks and legs and throwing him on a bunk bed.

On May 2, police said, Williams led the boy, sobbing, to a room. Williams grabbed the boys leg, suspended him upside down and walked him near the bedroom window, threatening to throw him out the window.

After being suspended off the ground for several minutes, he put him down, continuing to swear at the boy and call him names.

Two days later, Williams was upset over curtains being touched, and he hit the boy in the back of the head twice, police said. He showed the boy surveillance video from his phone and hit the boy in the face with the phone, authorities said.

On April 16, the girl was crying in her bed and Williams burst into the room and yelled at her to be quiet and shut the ... up, police said. He grabbed a blanket and put it over her face with enough force to push her into the mattress. The girl was seen struggling, and once Williams let go, her chest was rising and falling as if she was out of air, police said.

The family has a 2-month-old dog. The puppy wouldnt follow Williams commands, police said, so he grabbed the dog as it ran by him one day in April. The puppy yelped, and Williams held it down by its neck, charges said. He then dragged the dog to the back door, out of camera range, and the pup is heard yelping several more times. Someone in the house later told police that Williams threw the dog into a kitchen table.

Detectives told a judge that Williams is a flight risk because he might be planning to leave the country at the end of June. Williams learned about the police investigation, officers said, during a child-custody proceeding.

Associate Circuit Judge Tony Manasala ordered that Williams be held without bond.

Williams was not in custody early Thursday, and he did not have an attorney listed in court records.
CLAYTON  The St. Louis County Council fired the county auditor on Thursday because she wasnt producing promised audits despite having more money in her budget, a council member said Friday.

Specifically, Auditor Toni Jackson hadnt produced an audit promised three years ago, said Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, a Democrat from Maplewood.

It was well-supported that we needed to part ways, Clancy said a day after the closed-door meeting.

When the council hired Jackson in 2021, council members asked her to do an internal audit following up on an investigation by Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Clancy said. Galloway looked at how the county could have uncovered a pay-to-play scheme by former County Executive Steve Stenger.

But Jackson never delivered on the internal audit, Clancy said. It was supposed to ensure the county, and the council, were making changes the state audit suggested.

Jackson didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.

The council has also allocated more money to the county auditors office in recent years after Jackson said she didnt have enough staff to do the work the council wanted.

Jackson, a certified public accountant from Florissant, saw boosts in pay. In 2022, her gross pay was $120,550, according to the Post-Dispatch pay database. In 2023, her gross pay was $126,958. And last year, Jackson earned $128,846.

The council also agreed to increase the offices budget. The council approved $1.9 million for last years budget. For this years budget, the council approved $2.2 million, a nearly $300,000 increase, mostly for salaries.

The auditor, an appointee of the council, is one of the few countywide positions that reports to the countys legislative body, with the authority to review the countys accounts and suggest reforms for the councils consideration. And if directed by the council, the auditor can investigate alleged discrepancies in the use of public funds.

Jackson has had some success. An audit her office did last year uncovered that the daughter of a St. Louis County health administrator didnt work hours she put on her time sheet and had help from a supervisor in falsifying records.

But Jackson also faced several controversies in her time as auditor.

In summer 2022, former Councilman Ernie Trakas claimed Jackson entered a new salary for herself into her offices budget. The change wouldnt have had an automatic effect because the council still needed to approve the budget. And Trakas claims were never proven publicly.

Later that year, council members criticized departures in the auditors office and a lack of regular work from Jackson. She had only performed one audit, and the council expects at least three per year.

In the fall of 2023, Jackson told council members she had a full staff and was ready to complete several projects. The office had also made progress on special investigations.

But it wasnt enough. On Thursday morning, the council voted 6-0, with one absent, to fire Jackson. Clancy, the councilwoman, said the council will soon begin a search for a new auditor.

St. Louis County health inspector falsified time sheets and inspections, audit says An employee fabricating hours on a time sheet "is committing theft," the report says. "This behavior should have severe consequences.

Auditor hasnt made a plan to repay St. Louis County salary overpayments The county expected Auditor Toni Jackson to make a plan by Saturday, but "no efforts have been made," according to a county spokesman.

After criticism, St. Louis County auditor says her office is back on track The St. Louis County's auditor office is fully staffed and set to complete several projects, one year after it faced criticism for a lack of productivity and employee turnover.

Auditor grilled at 3-hour meeting, but St. Louis County Council won't reveal details The meeting follows allegations that Auditor Toni Jackson had given herself a raise and that her office is a hostile place to work.

Auditor in St. Louis County has done just one audit in a year. Then she gave herself a raise. The council hired Jackson, a certified public accountant, in November to replace Mark Tucker, the auditor ousted by the council after a state audit criticized him for failing to uncover corruption.

St. Louis County auditor gave herself an unauthorized raise, councilman alleges The auditor entered a new salary for the proposed budget last week into the countys payroll database system, Councilman Ernie Trakas alleged in a letter Monday.
Irans imports from Russia contract sharply in early year

Irans imports from Russia have fallen sharply in recent months, dropping by nearly a third in both value and volume compared to last year. Despite this decline, overall non-oil trade between the two countries remains robust, reflecting ongoing shifts in Irans import strategy.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri was confirmed on Thursday to lead the Internal Revenue Service, giving the beleaguered agency he once sought to abolish a permanent commissioner after months of acting leaders and massive staffing cuts that have threatened to derail next years tax filing season.

The Senate confirmed Long on a 53-44 vote despite Democrats concerns about the Republican's past work for a firm that pitched a fraud-ridden coronavirus pandemic-era tax break and about campaign contributions he received after President Donald Trump nominated him to serve as IRS commissioner.

While in Congress, where he served from 2011 to 2023, Long sponsored legislation to get rid of the IRS, the agency he is now tasked with leading. A former auctioneer, Long has no background in tax administration.

Long will take over an IRS undergoing massive change, including layoffs and voluntary retirements of tens of thousands of workers and accusations that then-Trump adviser Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency mishandled sensitive taxpayer data. Unions and advocacy organizations have sued to block DOGEs access to the information.

The IRS was one of the highest-profile agencies still without a Senate-confirmed leader. Before Longs confirmation, the IRS shuffled through four acting leaders, including one who resigned over a deal between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security to share immigrants tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and another whose appointment led to a fight between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

After leaving Congress to mount an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate, Long worked with a firm that distributed the pandemic-era employee retention tax credit. That tax credit program was eventually shut down after then-IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel determined that it was fraudulent.

Democrats called for a criminal investigation into Longs connections to other alleged tax credit loopholes. The lawmakers allege that firms connected to Long duped investors into spending millions of dollars to purchase fake tax credits.

Long appeared before the Senate Finance Committee last month and denied any wrongdoing related to his involvement in the tax credit scheme.

Treasury's Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender, who briefly served as IRS' acting commissioner, sent an email to IRS employees after Long's confirmation. He said Long's experience will be critically important to the IRS at this time of transformation, as we build a modern IRS that will deliver on the Secretarys priorities of service, collections and privacy for generations to come, according to the internal email obtained by The Associated Press.

Ahead of the confirmation vote, Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles blasting the requisite FBI background check conducted on Long as a political appointee as inadequate.

These issues were not adequately investigated, Wyden wrote. In fact, the FBIs investigation, a process dictated by the White House, seemed designed to avoid substantively addressing any of these concerning public reports. Its almost as if the FBI is unable to read the newspaper.

Democratic lawmakers have also written to Long and his associated firms detailing concerns with what they call unusually timed contributions made to Longs defunct 2022 Senate campaign committee shortly after Trump nominated him.

The IRS faces an uncertain future under Long. Tax experts have voiced concerns that the 2026 filing season could be hampered by the departure of so many tax collection workers. In April, The Associated Press reported that the IRS planned to cut as many as 20,000 staffers  up to 25% of the workforce. An IRS representative on Thursday confirmed the IRS had shed about that many workers but said the cuts amounted to approximately the same number of IRS jobs added under the Biden administration.

The fate of the Direct File program, the free electronic tax return filing system developed during President Joe Biden's Democratic administration, is also unclear. Republican lawmakers and commercial tax preparation companies had complained it was a waste of taxpayer money because free filing programs already exist, although they are hard to use. Long said during his confirmation hearing that it would be one of the first programs that come up for discussion if he were confirmed.

Long is not the only Trump appointee to support dismantling an agency he was assigned to manage.

Linda McMahon, the current education secretary, has repeatedly said she is trying to put herself out of a job by closing the federal department and transferring its work to the states. Rick Perry, Trump's energy secretary during his first term, called for abolishing the Energy Department during his bid for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
JEFFERSON CITY  The chief operating officer of an election technology firm will oversee the transition of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to state control, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Friday.

The governor said he was appointing Derek Winters, a St. Louis native and chief operating officer of KNOWiNK, as transition director for the state takeover.

Winters has previously served on the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners. According to a news release he has also served as chair of the board of St. Louis Makes, a nonprofit that promotes manufacturing.

This transition team requires leadership rooted in accountability, professionalism, and a clear sense of purpose, Kehoe said in a statement. Derek brings all of that, and we are confident in his ability as a highly skilled operations professional to help build a strong foundation for the board and its long-term role in public safety.

Winters said in a statement this is a pivotal moment for the city and that it is an honor to support the process of building a board that supports our men and women in uniform, reflects the Citys values, and is equipped to meet its responsibilities from the start.

The announcement marks a major step forward for the state takeover, which Kehoe originally signed in March. He had planned to name a transition director by April 25 but that deadline came and went without an announcement.

The new law also requires the governor to appoint four members of the new six-member Board of Police Commissioners by June 24.

The law requires implementation of the state takeover to be complete by July 1, 2026. During implementation, the Board of Police Commissioners will assume control of the department. At that point, the law requires the departments assets and debts to be transferred to the new board.

The mayor, who had been in charge of appointing the police chief, will hold one seat while five gubernatorial appointees will make up the rest of the board.

Four of the gubernatorial appointees will need to be city residents for at least two years before their appointment. The fifth gubernatorial appointee will be a nonvoting member of the board and could reside in St. Louis County if he or she owns and pays taxes on land in the city.

I spoke to the governors office and have full confidence that this appointment doesnt change the chiefs ability to lead the City of St. Louis police department this weekend and in the future, Mayor Cara Spencer said in a statement. While the governor and I disagree on the issue of local control, we share the common goal of a successful SLMPD, and I look forward to meeting with Mr. Winters in the near future.

St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy said he supported the appointment and looked forward to meeting and working with Winters.

Our priorities remain clear  maintaining public safety, supporting our officers, and continuing to serve the City of St. Louis, Tracy said in a statement.

The takeover of the police department dominated much of the first half of this years legislative session in Jefferson City, with the newly minted governor pushing hard to return the police department to state control.

Kehoe overcame fierce opposition from then-Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who failed to convince legislators to kill the bill despite it dying in past years.

Following a statewide campaign, Missourians voted for local control of the city police department in 2012.

The department had been under state control dating to the Civil War, when pro-Confederate state officials wanted to contain the pro-Union city police department.

While the state of Missouri may be taking over St. Louis police department, its only taking on a portion of the legal costs city police will face in the future.

The new law limits the amount the state is allowed to pay for liability claims at $2 million per fiscal year between Kansas City and St. Louis  the only two departments under state control.

The new law will also force the city to spend a higher percentage of general revenue on the police department  from 23% next year to 25% beginning in 2028.
JEFFERSON CITY  Gov. Mike Kehoe Thursday activated the Missouri National Guard in case nationwide protests against President Donald Trump this weekend turn violent.

Kehoe, a Republican, declared a state of emergency as a precautionary measure a day after he put the Guard on notice amid two small anti-Trump protests in St. Louis.

The two local protests, which drew about 200 people each on Tuesday, were peaceful, like most demonstrations across the nation.

But immigration raids in Los Angeles have sparked days of protests and clashes with police, triggering Trump to send military troops into California.

We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state, Kehoe said. While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.

The governors executive order gives the head of the Missouri National Guard permission to order as many troops to trouble spots as he deems necessary to aid executive officials of Missouri to protect life and property.

The governor did not identify any specific protests, rallies or demonstrations, but said in his official declaration that the rule of law must be maintained in the cities of Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis, and other affected communities.

Opponents of Trump are set to gather in hundreds of cities Saturday during a military parade in Washington, D.C., for the Armys 250th anniversary  which coincides with the presidents birthday.

The No Kings protests are set to take place to counter what organizers say are Trumps plans to feed his ego on what is also his 79th birthday and Flag Day.

The groups website, which shows multiple possible gathering sites in cities across Missouri, urges participants to take nonviolent action and de-escalate any potential confrontations.

Weapons of any kind should not be brought to events, according to the website.

Kehoes action follows a similar decision by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, who said Thursday he ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 National Guard troops to help local law enforcement manage protests.

Like Kehoe, Abbotts announcement did not detail where the troops were sent.

Kehoes decision brought a rebuke from House Minority Leader Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, who called it a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights.

The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the presidents unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies. By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict, Aune said.

State Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby, issued a statement supporting Kehoes move.

I strongly support the governor in his decision to prepare the Missouri National Guard and have them at the ready in the event these plans materialize, Carter said. As your senator I stand firmly for your right to protest and speak freely. But let me be clear: No one has the right to destroy businesses, injure law enforcement or incite chaos.

Kehoe last deployed the Guard to St. Louis to assist in recovery from the May 16 tornado. They arrived in the city on May 28.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CLAYTON  The state could ask a judge to shut down the St. Louis County animal shelter if the shelter continues to operate without a license, a state official told the county council on Thursday.

Matt Rold, a manager in the Missouri Department of Agriculture division that inspects shelters, said the state has done it with other noncompliant facilities in years past.

But he said he hopes it doesnt come to that.

We hope that St. Louis County gets into compliance so that we can have a good working relationship going forward, Rold said.

Rold was being questioned by the council at a Thursday hearing as it sought to understand how the county animal shelter failed to obtain a license to run the facility.

The council also questioned Olivia Bennett, a shelter inspector with the state. She said once the county asks for a new inspection, it will have 90 days and three possible inspections to obtain a license. The first inspection is set for June 30, Rold said.

The hearing was the second in recent weeks where the council tried to understand what went wrong at the shelter after the Animal Protective Association, which ran the shelter for two years, departed in February. The APA was lauded for cleaning up the facility and boosting adoptions. But in August, the nonprofit said it accomplished its mission and would withdraw from the county contract, three years before it was set to expire. Records later showed its departure also stemmed from the county rejecting APA invoices for items such as meals, team outings and dog training.

In April and early May, an outbreak of parvovirus led to the euthanasia of 19 dogs. The shelters veterinary director resigned shortly after.

In mid-May, the state of Missouri rejected the animal shelters application for a license, required by law to operate, after the shelter failed three state inspections since February. The state cited violations for holding dogs in cages too small for them, failing to clean up feces in play yards and allowing bugs in food storage areas, among other problems.

The council called a hearing about the problems in late May, where health department director Dr. Kanika Cunningham said the countys human resources department has opened an investigation into the outbreak and euthanasia. But some council members were frustrated with a lack of detail from Cunningham and other staffers at the hearing.

Last week, the council voted to subpoena 11 people, including Cunningham, to compel them to testify about problems at the shelter.

The council doesnt have the power to discipline or fire anyone at the shelter.

The county announced Thursday it had opened a shelter foster program to the public. More information is available on the countys website at stlouiscountymo.gov.
Gov. JB Pritzker spent hours Thursday defending his governing record and Illinois immigration policies as he was peppered with questions from members of the U.S. House Oversight Committee.

Pritzker and Democratic governors Kathy Hochul of New York and Tim Walz of Minnesota were summoned to Washington, D.C., by committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., to answer questions about sanctuary states. The hearing mostly involved lectures from Republican members arguing immigration policies like Illinois diminish public safety while Democratic members blasted the Trump administrations deportation raids.

I invited these governors here today because as the chief executives of their states, they willfully ignore federal law, shield illegal aliens and pass the cost of free services onto their hardworking taxpayers, Comer said. Its hard to figure out whose side these governors are on. They shield criminals while their own citizens pay the price.

Pritzker countered by reiterating a point he has made publicly in Illinois several times since Novembers election.

As I have consistently said, violent criminals have no place on our streets, and if they are undocumented, I want them out of Illinois and out of our country, Pritzker said. And as we are reminded in Los Angeles this week, we can all agree that violence of any kind, whomever it is directed at, is unacceptable.

Pritzkers appearance before the committee came as nationwide protests grew over the Trump administrations deportation tactics and increasing arrest numbers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, especially in Los Angeles.

After protests and violence in that city last weekend prompted President Donald Trump to deploy hundreds of troops, thousands of people marched through the streets of Chicago this week protesting immigration raids. Some protestors briefly clashed with police, and 17 people were arrested, according to Chicago Police.

Dozens more protests are planned in Chicago and around Illinois on Saturday. Dubbed as No King protests, the gatherings are designed to contrast with a military parade planned by Trump in Washington on Saturday celebrating the U.S. Armys 250th birthday. Saturday is also Trumps 79th birthday.

Pritzker said if the Illinois National Guard ever needs to be activated to quell civil unrest, its done in coordination with local law enforcement. He criticized Trumps deployment of the Guard in Los Angeles.

It's wrong to deploy the National Guard and active-duty Marines into an American city over the objection of local law enforcement just to inflame a situation and create a crisis, Pritzker said.

Republicans on the committee alleged sanctuary state laws violate federal immigration laws. Illinois 2017 TRUST Act, signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, prohibits Illinois law enforcement from detaining people based on their immigration status and assisting in civil immigration enforcement. Law enforcement cannot hold people based on federal immigration warrants in most cases, but they can make arrests for federal criminal warrants.

Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., suggested the three governors be criminally charged with obstruction because of their states laws. His comments follow Trumps suggestion that California Gov. Gavin Newsom should be arrested.

I have the highest duty to protect the people of my state, and indeed if Tom Homan were to come to my state and try to arrest us, me rather, I can say first of all that he can try, Pritzker said of Trumps border czar. I can also tell you I will stand in the way of Tom Homan going after people who dont deserve to be frightened in their community.

Homan told CNN earlier this week Newsom hasnt done anything to require an arrest.

Controversy over Illinois immigration policies

Pritzker blamed decades of federal government inaction on immigration and border security for exacerbating issues in the U.S. He also acknowledged to Comer that President Joe Biden inadequately handled immigration, particularly as 50,000 migrants were sent to Illinois mostly by the governor of Texas.

Were not in charge of the border in Illinois, I can tell you that, Pritzker later told Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas. We dont have a border with a foreign country. ... We had 50,000 people who came from Texas because they were shipped to us. And let me tell you, I was in favor of helping them.

Pritzker occasionally butted heads with Republicans throughout the hearing. Comer questioned the governor about the death of Katie Abraham in an Urbana car crash. She was killed in January by a suspected drunken driver illegally in the United States, according to WCIA. The GOP members mentioned several crime victims by name throughout the hearing.

Rep. Mary Miller, a Republican from Hindsboro, accused Pritzker of rolling out the red carpet for illegal aliens, adding illegal aliens in our state have overwhelmed our communities.

I am not going to be lectured to by someone who extolled the virtues of Adolf Hitler, Pritzker said, alluding to comments Miller made on Jan. 6, 2021.

Given multiple scenarios about what should happen to people who commit crimes while illegally in the country, Pritzker reiterated he supports deporting violent people but emphasized that must happen with due process. Democrats have argued Trumps administration is deporting people without due process.

Republicans also criticized Illinois recent budgets for providing more than $1 billion of state health care benefits to people without documentation along with other programs for noncitizens. However, Pritzker is expected to sign a new state budget this month that eliminates a $330 million health care program for immigrants between ages 42 and 64.

You do not keep track of any public service dollars in the state of Illinois that goes to illegal immigrants? Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., asked Pritzker after the governor didn't offer specifics about exactly how much Illinois spends on illegal immigration.

And while Pritzker cast some blame on Republican-led border states for making Illinois part of recent waves of millions of migrants, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., remarked that while Illinois didnt ask for this crisis as Pritzker said in his opening remarks, neither did Yuma, Arizona.

The hearings message

The hearing veered off topic several times. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Schaumburg Democrat, praised Pritzkers work on the economy and spent time discussing Pope Leo XIVs White Sox loyalty while Texas Republican Rep. Brandon Gill asked Pritzker whether hes ever used a womans restroom.

Youre admitting that this is just a political circus, Pritzker responded to Gill.

Aside from Gills question about bathrooms, Pritzker largely avoided any immigration-related viral moments. The most intense grilling was reserved for Walz as the Democrats 2024 vice presidential nominee and Hochul over high-profile murders in New York.

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., remarked the hearing featured a possible preview of the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. Pritzker and Walz are both viewed as possible candidates in the next presidential election.

Pritzkers appearance at the committee hearing is the latest opportunity to grow his national profile. His schedule throughout 2025 has been dotted with national media interviews and out-of-state speaking engagements where he has often called for more protests of the Trump administration.

He echoed that message again Thursday.

I encourage people to peacefully protest, and I have said that many times, he said.

Pritzker said Trump has created a situation where people are afraid.

They're afraid theyre going to get targeted because that is whats happening under this administration. People are getting individually targeted when they stand up and speak out, Pritzker said.
An Ohio-based company has become the largest homeowner in the St. Louis region, owning 2,400 houses here and attracting complaints from some tenants and others who say the landlord is slow to fix problems and quick to threaten renters with eviction.

VineBrook Homes entered the St. Louis market four years ago, drawn by low housing prices predominately in the north St. Louis County area. It acquires homes through one-off transactions with homeowners looking to sell and deals buying out smaller real estate investors portfolios.

The company is just one of a handful of well-financed real estate investment companies whose activity has changed the local housing market by creating more competition for buying affordable houses.

VineBrook Homes declined an interview request but said through a spokesperson that its aim is to meet growing demand for safe, functional and clean single-family residency.

Since entering St. Louis, we have invested more than $275 million locally, paid millions of dollars in property taxes, and supported local businesses with tens of millions invested in suppliers and service providers which creates local jobs and helps grow the economy, the spokesperson said.

Up to 34,000 single-family homes, or 6.4% of the single-family housing stock, in St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County are likely owned by investors, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of 2021 real estate records. Its a figure that has doubled over the past decade.

The business model stems from the Great Recession, when millions of Americans went underwater with their mortgages and the market became flooded with houses. Real estate investors of all means began buying up these houses; some flipped and resold the houses while others, like VineBrook Homes, began operating them as rentals.

The companys founder, Dana Sprong, worked in residential and high-end residential construction before he launched VineBrook Homes in 2007. He started in Ohio and later expanded to Indiana before coming to St. Louis in 2019.

VineBrook Homes today owns around 26,697 homes in 20 states, according to recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In St. Louis, its ownership of more than 2,400 homes is a jump from the nearly 1,700 VineBrook properties the Post-Dispatch identified in its analysis of 2021 real estate records.

The company typically spends about $25,000 to $30,000 renovating each house. It employs around 50 people to help in property management locally.

A company spokesperson said its average rent is $1,090.

As VineBrook has snapped up properties here, tenants and municipalities where many of the homes are located have reported varied experiences with the company.

In the city of Florissant, which has an aging housing stock and the countys biggest population, officials say the company is fairly responsive when the municipality contacts them for property maintenance issues.

A lot of it depends on the particular property manager, said Todd Hughes, director of public works.

The appeal of renting a single-family home is attractive to people like Kynara Brown and her boyfriend, who moved from Chicago to the Florissant area in 2021 for her boyfriends job.

They had never rented a house before but they liked the freedom renting from VineBrook Homes provided in not having to live on top of neighbors, as they had done in apartments. The couple are responsible for maintaining the lawn, but the company takes care of the rest.

Its sometimes hard to get in touch with someone at VineBrook Homes, but other than that, Brown has no complaints, she said.

So far its pretty great, Brown said. Its quiet and peaceful here.

But for Tracy Davis, several days after she missed rent in February, she said VineBrook Homes began sending messages threatening to evict the University City resident, who had lived in her duplex for several years before the company bought the property and other neighboring houses from her previous landlord.

Davis, who is on a fixed income, applied for federal assistance to prevent eviction. VineBrook Homes filed for eviction anyway, and when Davis appeared in court, the company dismissed the case.

They took me to court when they knew that they were getting paid, Davis said. That was embarrassing.

Shes had other issues, too: She said VineBrook Homes had put the duplexs water bill, which charged for both units, in her name even though Missouri regulators require it to be in the owners name. She said the problem eventually got sorted out after a Post-Dispatch reporter contacted the water company for more information.

Her neighbor, Angela Hunter, had to wait two weeks to receive a new debit card after she lost her old one. But it meant that she could not pay Februarys rent on time because VineBrook Homes requires rent payments to be made with a card through an online portal.

She called the company to tell them of the issue and was told that it would be noted in her account. She assumed she would be fine and would pay the late fees. Instead, VineBrook Homes filed to evict her.

Federal rental assistance helped Hunter stay in her home but then she learned that the company locked her out of the online portal. In order to get access to keep paying her $716 monthly rent, she said she had to pay a $350 fee to unlock the online portal to pay rent after she said she lost her debit card and missed her rent due date that month.

A company spokesperson told the Post-Dispatch it has no fees associated with its online portal.

Im not a bum. Im not a slouch. Im a hard worker, Hunter said. VineBrook is the worst company Ive ever rented from in my life.

A VineBrook Homes spokesperson said the company believes that its tenants, overall, are satisfied, given that the average tenure companywide is four years and that 80% of its tenants decide to renew their lease. The company said it helped more than 800 families in the St. Louis area facilitate more than $4.8 million in rental assistance since the coronavirus pandemic began.

But the spokesperson acknowledged that there is always room for improvement.

We are constantly analyzing communications, engagements, outcomes and feedback from residents to learn and improve our approach so that we may always provide the highest level of service across the team, the spokesperson said.

In other parts of the country, the complaints have risen to higher stakes. And communities have growing concerns that so many affordable homes are being taken off the market by investors, rather than local families.

The city of Cincinnati, where the company owns 3,326 houses, sued the company over a litany of building code violations.

They settled in 2021 for $563,000 in unpaid water bills and city fines, and the company accepted no liability and admitted no wrongdoing, according to local media reports.

The company has frustrated organizations like The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, a public agency focused on rehabbing vacant properties. CEO Laura Brunner said VineBrook Homes often concentrates its buying in specific neighborhoods, making the violations even more troublesome.

They believe that theyre good business owners and that theyre taking care of people. ... The business practice itself is simply predatory, Brunner said. From the perspective of the people that live in the neighborhoods, the people that rent homes from them, the people that would prefer to buy homes rather than rent, its a no-win situation. Locally, were losing on every count.

Josh Renaud of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Mike Moehlenkamp and his neighbors had had enough of absentee landlords in their north St. Louis County neighborhood not taking care of their rental houses.

Contacting the owners proved to be difficult, if not impossible: One problem house, he recalled, was owned by a limited liability company that traced back to an investment firm in the Virgin Islands that neighbors could not reach. And St. Louis County, Moehlenkamp said, wouldnt deal with the issues.

So in late 2021, Moehlenkamps 1,200-home Wedgewood subdivision, situated between Coldwater Creek and Lindbergh Boulevard in unincorporated North County, enacted a new rule through the homeowners association that prohibits any house being rented out.

Its a tactic that has gained ground as the number of single-family rental homes in the St. Louis region has doubled over the past decade, and frustrated homeowners have watched as homes turn into rentals, fall into disrepair or worse and local authorities fail to fix the problems.

Weve actually had some rental property owners or investment owners who bought a house, and when they were told they couldnt rent it, they turn around and end up selling the house to an individual that lives there, Moehlenkamp said.

Real estate investors  from the mom-and-pop owners to the big, out-of-state companies  own 34,000 single-family houses in the St. Louis region, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of real estate records. The biggest numbers trace to out-of-state companies that own thousands of properties they operate as rental houses. Some neighborhoods have flipped from being nearly all homeowners to nearly all renters.

I think it destroys the neighborhoods. They have no vested interest in the property, Moehlenkamp said. Thats what I think the big problem is: Theres no vested interest in the community.

Some neighborhoods have combated the rise of rental companies through enacting stricter regulations, called indentures, which establish rules and procedures of a subdivision. Indentures are created by homeowners associations, or HOAs, and have to be voted on by homeowners before theyre recorded with St. Louis County. How many votes are required to create a new rule depends on the particular HOA. Theyre legally binding documents recognized by the state of Missouri and the county.

Attorney Frank Vatterott said a ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court about four years ago made it possible for neighborhoods to enact such rules. But he questions whether the indentures could legally prohibit homeowners from renting out their own properties.

I dont think the out-of-state companies (would) have a leg to stand on. But owners of properties may have a claim, Vatterott said. I think theres some real questions about that.

For over 25 years, Patty Murray has watched foxes, turkeys and other wildlife traipse through her quiet Castlereagh subdivision, located near Old Jamestown Road and the Missouri River.

The neighborhood is racially and economically diverse, reflective of North County as a whole, she said. Its a place where neighbors know each other and where young families are settling again.

But over the years, Murray and her neighbors have grown incredibly worried about encroaching rental companies that have gobbled up thousands of homes across the St. Louis region, particularly in North County. At least two homes in the 154-home Castlereagh subdivision are owned by out-of-state companies that operate them as rental houses. A third is owned by a bank. All, Murray said, have had constant issues with maintenance and upkeep like tall grass, weeds and a childrens swimming pool that had dark, smelly water that a tenant left for weeks.

The whole area is a nice middle-class community with good people. And we dont need these big rental companies coming in and ruining that for us by just wanting to make money, Murray said. Its just never a good thing if a corporation takes over a neighborhood.

Castlereagh homeowners are looking at Wedgewood for inspiration. Theyre discussing new covenants that would restrict rental properties, Murray said, though the effort is still in its infancy.

Murrays neighbor Jim Jensen is concerned about the legality of any restrictions. But hes still worried about the influx of rental properties and fears that one poorly maintained rental house will have a snowball effect on the whole community.

Ive seen it. Im 70 years old. Ive lived in all kinds of areas in North County, (and) Ive seen nice areas go down and go down quickly, Jensen said.

Elsewhere in the region, homeowners are trying different approaches.

In the south St. Louis neighborhood of Dutchtown, homeowners have banded together to watch for problem landlords.

The city has been a hot target for real estate investors drawn to the area because of an abundance of cheap properties. Investors owned 5,691 houses in 2021  an 80% jump from the 3,160 houses they owned in 2011, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis of real estate records.

Joel Silliman is the block captain for the 4200 block of Louisiana Avenue. Over the past several years, homeowners here have tried to establish a clear line of communication with landlords to avoid the seemingly inevitable train wreck when they lease to bad tenants who bring drugs and violence to the area, he said.

Theyve been able to reach a few remote owners and get some problematic tenants evicted. One, Silliman said, has taken a proactive role in communicating with him in what Silliman said is likely his blocks most successful relationship.

This past spring, another house on Sillimans block was sold to an out-of-state investor. It was frustrating because Silliman knew one of the homebuyers who bid for the home  Jarred Irby, who also works for an affordable housing organization that operates in and around Dutchtown.

Irby and his wife offered $180,000 on the house that was listed for $150,000 and even had a letter from the blocks neighbors endorsing the couple. But they ultimately lost out to a real estate investor based in California.

Irby was able to find another house on the same block a few weeks later  though the home isnt big enough for their growing family, and they anticipate theyll have to find a bigger house at some point.

Its definitely frustrating that its challenging for people to find affordable options because its not like were a rich neighborhood at all, Irby said. But you know, we pretty much have out-of-town investors that are just running rampant everywhere.

Josh Renaud of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
Louis Werner, a New York-based travel writer and documentary producer whose work explored the depth and diversity of global cultures, passed away on May 28. He was 70. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he attended St. Louis Country Day School and Saint Pauls School and earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University. He found his compass early through a fellowship at the American University in Cairo, which sparked a lifelong interest in the Arab world. He later earned graduate degrees from Johns Hopkins and Columbia. Louis loved Arabic, camels, basset hounds, Baroque opera, Elizabeth Bishops poetry, paddleboarding, and the Catskills. He visited more than 70 countries, bringing overlooked stories into vivid focus. His travels brought him to Mount Ararat, the Pamir Mountains, Mauritania, Khartoum, and many other far-flung places. He wrote for AramcoWorld, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine, and Americas Magazine. Distinguished by its humanism and historical depth, his writing highlighted communities in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Louis also produced documentaries. Twice, he joined Sudanese herders on a 40-day camel drive across the Sahara  a journey of shared endurance captured in Voice of the Whip, his documentary for the BBC. He stayed in touch with the men in that film, and later their children, for the rest of his life. He also produced A Sheepherders Homecoming, which captured the life of a Mexican migrant worker in the Nevada desert, now in the permanent collection of MoMA. He is survived by his wife Elena; children Genevieve and Kennett; siblings Elise, Anne, and Peter; his aunt; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
AUSTIN, Texas  Protests over federal immigration enforcement raids have been flaring up around the country as officials in cities large and small prepare for major demonstrations against President Donald Trump.

Although many demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been peaceful, others have led to clashes with police and hundreds of protesters have been arrested.

Trump ordered the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests over his stepped-up enforcement of immigration laws. A federal appeals court on Tuesday will hear the governments challenge to a judges order that Trump exceeded his authority by taking control of Californias Guard troops.

The Trump administration has said the immigration raids and deportations will continue.

Volatile protests against those raids led officials to enforce curfews in Los Angeles and Spokane, Washington, and Republican governors have mobilized National Guard troops to be ready to help law enforcement manage demonstrations in Texas and Missouri.

Activists are also planning No Kings protests across the country on Saturday to counter Trumps planned military parade in Washington, D.C.

Heres a look at some recent protests and reactions across the country:

Newark, New Jersey

Protesters locked arms and pushed against the gates of a federal immigration detention center on Thursday after learning of unrest inside over delayed meals.

Officers responded to the protest outside Delaney Hall by pepper-spraying the demonstrators and dragging them away, according to Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. Torres said some protesters suffered minor injuries during the fracas.

On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security said four detainees escaped from the 1,000-bed facility late Thursday and that law enforcement personnel were searching for them.

Chicago

Hundreds of demonstrators packed a park plaza near Lake Michigan on Thursday. Veronica Castro, an organizer with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, urged people to learn how to protect themselves and called on elected officials to speak out.

The group later marched through a popular downtown shopping district flanked by their own security marshals and Chicago police officers on bicycles and in slow-moving patrol cars.

Spokane, Washington

Mayor Lisa Brown imposed an overnight curfew in downtown Spokane after a protest Wednesday outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office that ended with more than 30 arrests and police firing pepper balls at the crowd.

Brown said the majority of the protesters were peaceful.

We respect their right to peacefully protest and to be upset about federal policies, she said. I have been that person who has protested federal policies, and that is a right we have.

Anchorage, Alaska

A small group of demonstrators protested for a fourth straight day Thursday outside the Anchorage Correctional Complex, where ICE has detained nearly 40 people. Using a bullhorn aimed at the facilitys front doors, demonstrator Courtney Moore declared, ICE out of Anchorage, ICE out of Alaska.

Betsy Holley, a spokesperson with the Alaska Department of Corrections, said 39 people were in ICE custody at the Anchorage jail. The department said its facilities will be on lockdown through the weekend as a proactive response to calls for grassroots protests across the state.

No Kings protests

No Kings demonstrations are planned for nearly 2,000 locations around the country, organizers said on the movements website.

A flagship march and rally are planned in Philadelphia, but no protests are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., where Trumps military parade will take place.

In Florida, Republican state Attorney General James Uthmeier warned that any No Kings protesters who become violent will be dealt with harshly.

In a message sent Thursday, a Justice Department official told U.S. attorneys across the country to prioritize cases against protesters who engage in violence and destruction. The email cited several potential federal charges, including assault, civil disorder and damage of government property.

Governors and the Guard

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe mobilized National Guard troops in their states ahead of the weekend demonstrations.

Abbott said more than 5,000 Guard troops and more than 2,000 state police officers would be ready to help local law enforcement if needed.

Several No Kings rallies are planned in Texas, and there were brief clashes between protesters and police in Austin and Dallas this week.

Kehoe called his decision a precautionary measure and did not provide specific troop levels or duties.

Sophia Tareen in Chicago; Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, D.C.; Curt Anderson in Tampa, Florida; David Lieb in Jefferson City; and Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed.
LOS ANGELES  Authorities forcefully removed U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems news conference Thursday in Los Angeles and handcuffed him as he tried to speak up about immigration raids that led to protests in California and around the country.

Video shows a Secret Service agent on Noems security detail grabbing Padilla by his jacket and shoving him from the room as he tried to interrupt Noems news conference in Los Angeles.

Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, he shouted in a halting voice.

Scuffling with officers outside the room, he can be heard shouting, Hands off! He is later seen on his knees and then pushed to the ground and handcuffed in a hallway, with several officers atop him.

The shocking scene of a U.S. senator being aggressively removed from a Cabinet secretarys news conference prompted immediate outrage from his Democratic colleagues.

Images and video of the scuffle ricocheted through the halls of Congress, where stunned lawmakers demanded an immediate investigation and characterized the episode as another in a line of mounting threats to democracy by President Donald Trumps administration.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said what he saw sickened my stomach.

We need immediate answers to what the hell went on, the New York senator said from the Senate floor. Its despicable, its disgusting, its so un-American.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said Padilla chose disrespectful political theater and interrupted a live news conference.

They claimed falsely that Padilla did not identify himself and said Secret Service believed him to be an attacker.

Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands, the statement said, adding that officers acted appropriately.

Emerging afterward, Padilla said he was demanding answers about the Trump administrations increasingly extreme immigration enforcement actions from Noem when he was removed. He said he and his colleagues received little to no response to their questions in recent weeks, so he attended the briefing for more information.

If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question  I can only imagine what they are doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers throughout the Los Angeles community, and throughout California and throughout the country, he said.

Noem told Fox LA afterward that she had a great conversation with Padilla after the scuffle, but called his approach something that I dont think was appropriate at all.

The fracas in Los Angeles came just days after Democratic U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted on federal charges alleging she assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a detention center in New Jersey while Newarks mayor was being arrested after he tried to join a congressional oversight visit at the facility. Democrats framed the charges as intimidation efforts by the Trump administration.

Padilla, the son of immigrants from Mexico, is a harsh Trump critic and his mass deportations agenda. In a post on social media, he said of recent federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, Trump isnt targeting criminals in his mass deportation agenda, he is terrorizing communities, breaking apart families and putting American citizens in harms way.

Democratic senators quickly gathered in the Senate chamber denouncing the treatment of their colleague  a well-liked and respected senator  and urged Americans to understand what was happening.

If this is how a United States senator can be treated, none of our constituents are safe, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., as colleagues gathered on the Senate floor to denounce the situation. This is a test for the country.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Trump is making this country look more and more like a fascist state.

Will any Republican senator speak up for our democracy? Warren asked.

Senate Republican leader John Thune said he wants to know the facts of the situation.

Obviously we will have response, said Thune, R-S.D., as he walked to his office at the U.S. Capitol. But I want to know the facts, find out exactly what happened.

Other Republicans took a more muted response, with some saying they had not yet seen the video.

The stark incident comes as Congress faces increasing episodes of encroachment on its authority. As a coequal branch of the U.S. government, the Trump administration is exerting its executive powers in untested ways.

As part of their work in Congress, lawmakers are responsible for providing oversight of the administration, its agencies and actions.

Several senators and representatives have been exercising their oversight roles by surveying the treatment of immigrants and others being detained as part of the Trump administrations mass deportation operation.

From the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said what happened to Padilla was un-American and those involved must be held accountable.

This is not going to end until there is accountability and until the Trump administration changes its behavior, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Israeli Air Force has launched a strike on Iranian territory, Trend reports.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency in the country.

"After Israel's preemptive strike on Iran, missile and drone attacks on the country's civilian population are expected in the near future," he said.

The Israel Defense Forces announced the start of a military operation in Iran called "Lion Nation" (Am Kelavi).

It is noted that the goal of the operation is to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons from Iran.
Last November, Missouri voters did exactly what politicians constantly preach: They voted. They showed up in strong numbers on Election Day and passed Amendment 3, a citizen-led ballot measure to restore abortion rights after Missouri lawmakers made their state one of the first to ban abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Amendment 3 passed by 51.6%, representing the will of more than 1.5 million Missourians who believe people should have the right to make their own health care decisions.

Grassroots organizers had spent months collecting signatures, educating voters and building coalitions. They followed the constitutional process, engaged all regions of the state, and left it to voters to make an informed decision. For a brief moment, it seemed like the system worked.

Fast-forward six months: Republican lawmakers have passed House Joint Resolution 73, sending a new state question back to voters in 2026  but this time to re-ban abortion while sneaking in a completely unrelated provision banning gender-affirming care for minors.

This violates the principle of the single-subject rule in Missouris Constitution, which requires ballot measures to address only one topic to prevent voter confusion and manipulation. Gender-affirming care for minors has nothing to do with abortion access except presenting an opportunity for politicians to manufacture outrage by exploiting anti-trans sentiment to ban abortion care. Its a cynical tactic that will force abortion rights advocates to defend both issues simultaneously, complicating their outreach, messaging and resources.

What kind of contempt for voters and democracy does it take to overturn a constitutional amendment just months after it passes? The kind fueled by religious extremism and politicians who cant accept that their constituents disagree with them.

This is a dangerous precedent. Missouris Constitution outlines a clear process for citizen-initiated amendments. Over 100 years ago, voters understood that sometimes they needed a way around unresponsive legislators and passed a constitutional amendment to include that process. That process isnt broken. The only problem is when those in power dont like the result.

HJR 73 represents something more dangerous than bad policy: Its an attack on the fundamental principle that voters can decide their own governance. When politicians can simply send back constitutional amendments whenever they disagree, direct democracy becomes meaningless.

The implications extend beyond reproductive rights. Today its abortion access; tomorrow it could be minimum wage increases, election reform, campaign finance limits or ending gerrymandering. Pretty much any issue where a simple majority of voters conflict with the ideology of those in power. If voters cant trust that their successful ballot initiatives will stand, why should they bother participating in the process at all?

Across red states, Republican legislators are systematically dismantling direct democracy processes whenever citizens use them for policies they oppose.

In Oklahoma, for instance, lawmakers just passed SB 1027, making citizen-led ballot initiatives far more difficult by imposing signature caps across all 77 counties and imposing other bureaucratic barriers. In Ohio, after voters passed a constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights, Republican legislators immediately began exploring ways to undermine it. In Florida, despite voters approving a $15-an-hour minimum wage, the Republican legislature slow-walked implementation and found workarounds.

Its ironic how often many of these same politicians praise the will of the people when it serves their purposes. They celebrate democracy when voters elect them, but suddenly discover problems with the process when those same voters use constitutional rights to check their power. This selective embrace of democratic legitimacy reveals their true priority: not governance, but power maintenance at any cost.

Missouri voters already settled this question in November. They deserve elected officials who understand that serving constituents means respecting their decisions, not overruling them.

Voters who showed up last November to restore reproductive rights will need to show up again, not just in 2026, but in every election going forward. Democracy is fragile, but Missouri voters have already proven theyre ready to defend it.
Raids in Los Angeles by immigration officials were a striking departure by the Trump administration from his campaign statements that his deportation plans would focus on violent immigrant criminals. Most Americans support the deportation of immigrants who have committed serious crimes.

However, recent polls show Americans are uncomfortable with the disappearance of immigrants to foreign jails. Notable numbers of Americans are alarmed at the deportation and detention of immigrants and foreign students without the due process guaranteed by the Constitution for all persons. Contrary to President Donald Trumps misrepresentations, due process would not entail lengthy trials but merely hearings before immigration judges where evidence, not tattoos, is presented.

Sadly, most Americans are unaware of the U.S. policies dating back to the Carter and Reagan administrations that contributed to the inflow of Guatemalans and El Salvadoreans into our country. When land reforms were proposed to return small plots of land to Indigenous peoples in those countries, these reformers were branded Communists. Governments in these countries that supported death squads and were responsible for widespread massacres of rural Indigenous people were supported militarily by our government. Even the murders of Bishop Oscar Romero and other Catholic clergy did not change the U.S. governments support.

We must confront our responsibility in creating this crisis when we allowed our fear of Communism to support these evil regimes. Many of these immigrants fled for their lives from an evil that we helped create.

Debbie Cole

St. Louis County
The Yokota Community Center houses the commissary, base exchange and food court at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  U.S. officials have confirmed that about 250 gallons of contaminated water leaked at this airlift hub in 2023, a disclosure that is drawing sharp criticism from local governments for coming more than two years after the incident.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government said in a statement Wednesday it received details about the leak from U.S. officials via the North Kando Defense Bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense, a day earlier. The information was also shared with six municipalities near Yokota: Akishima, Fussa, Hamura, Mizuho, Musashimurayama and Tachikawa.

The leak happened on Jan. 25, 2023, at the loading dock of the Yokota Community Center, which houses the commissary, base exchange and food court.

Approximately 250 gallons of water containing PFOS and PFOA leaked into the entrance of the fire extinguishing system at the receiving dock of the base store at Yokota Air Base from a pressurized pipe that froze and burst due to cold weather conditions, U.S. officials said, according to the Tokyo governments statement.

PFOS and PFOA are part of a group of synthetic chemicals known as PFAS, which do not break down easily and can build up in the environment and human body. Animal studies suggest that exposure may increase the risk of tumors in the liver, testicles, breasts and pancreas, according to the American Cancer Society.

U.S. Forces Japan announced in November that it had destroyed its last remaining stocks of firefighting foam containing the toxins.

The Tokyo government said the Yokota leak came from a Japanese-designed foam fire-suppression system. U.S. officials explained that some of the old foam was not drained from the pipes when the old foam was replaced with a new one, the statement said.

The officials said the leaked water was contained within the base and later incinerated at a facility authorized to handle such waste, according to the statement. To prevent similar incidents, they said piping in other fire-suppression systems has been either insulated against freezing or depressurized.

The leak was first revealed in a July 10, 2023, report by the Tokyo Shimbun, which cited unnamed sources. The municipalities near Yokota say the U.S. and Japanese governments failed to notify them at the time, despite repeated inquiries.

PFAS-contaminated water was stored in drums behind the Yokota Community Center in 2023 because the designated hazardous waste site was full, according to a Defense Department inspector general's audit. (Department of Defense)



Yokotas public affairs office did not respond to an email requesting comment Thursday. During a follow-up phone call Friday, a base spokesman, Master Sgt. Nathan Allen, referred questions to USFJ, which did not immediately respond to phone and email queries.

One Wednesday, the six municipalities sent a letter to Col. Richard McElhaney, commander of Yokotas 374th Airlift Wing, as well as to Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and the North Kanto Defense Bureau, criticizing the delayed communication.

In particular, with regards to the incident that occurred in January 2023, despite our repeated requests for the facts to be clarified, it is extremely regrettable that the information was made public and reported by the media without the information being provided and that the information was provided to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and local governments surrounding the base two years after the incident and more than a month after it was made public, the letter stated.

The local governments called on U.S. and Japanese officials to investigate whether more residual PFAS remains in other systems at the base and to share the findings. They also urged better maintenance, stronger inspection procedures, and faster public communication about environmental risks.
A set of handcuffs sit on a bedside table inside a Muncie, Ind., hotel on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. A former U.S. Army soldier was charged for not registering as a sex offender and lying on his passport. (Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar/TNS)



(Tribune News Service)  A 48-year-old ex-Army soldier who was convicted of drugging and raping a juvenile family member is facing federal charges that he failed to register as a sex offender and lied on a U.S. passport application.

From June 2021 until May, Ricardo Marlon Blenman, aka Ricardo Marlon Thompson,  allegedly used an alias and lied to evade law enforcement and registering for his sex crimes in Arizona, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Blenman was born in Panama and became a U.S. citizen in 1990. He is being held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a successful motion by the U.S. Department of Justice to have him held without bail.

Blenman is barred by a state protective order from having any contact with his three children or their mother until Sept. 27, 2027.

In July, the state Department of the Attorney General asked the public for help finding Blenman, a convicted sex offender who failed to register his address,  according to a statement.

While stationed on Oahu in 2018, Blenman was accused of sexually abusing a child between 2014 and 2017.

According to federal court records, Blenman was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting the victim four times in Italy and Hawaii. He was convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2018 of aggravated sexual contact, assault consummated by battery and administering a drug or intoxicant. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison.

Blenman is a covered sex offender and is required to register under the sex offender registration program  of any jurisdiction or be included in the National Sex Offender Registry based on an offense against a minor,  according to court records.

He moved to Oahu in 2021 and failed to register as a sex offender, at one point listing his ex-wifes address in Ewa Beach.

He was charged by federal criminal complaint on May 28 with failing to register as a sex offender and making a false statement in application and use of passport. Blenman was arrested June 2 and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

On April 7, the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service was contacted by the state Department of the Attorney General for help revoking Blenmans passport. He did not have the conspicuous identifier on his passport, as required,  according to court records.

Upon further discussion with an investigator from the Hawaii State AGs office, it was revealed that on April 13, 2018, Blenman was convicted in a General Military Court Martial for sex crimes he committed in the state of Hawaii and Vicenza, Italy, between 2007 and 2017,  according to the court records.

The conspicuous identifier is a statement printed inside the passport book of a person who has been convicted of a sex crime against a minor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

After he was convicted of sexually assaulting the child, Blenman was sentenced to a reduction of rank, to the pay grade of E-1, 36 months confinement and dismissed from the military service with a dishonorable discharge. He was imprisoned at the Joint Regional Correctional Facility, in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Blenman signed a form acknowledging that he was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act as a sex offender, within 72 hours, in any state, territory, or tribal nation, in which he will reside, be employed, carry on a vocation, or be a student.

In April 2021, Blenman, using the last name Thompson  signed an International Megans Law Notification form with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau acknowledging that he had to register as a sex offender. He did not register, allegedly used a fake address and left Puerto Rico without notice, leading the government to issue an arrest warrant.

On a June 29, 2021, passport application, Blenman allegedly did not mention he used another name and identity. Thompson is the name listed on his birth certificate prior to becoming a U.S. citizen. He has provided false or misleading information  to law enforcement officials regarding his residential addresses on multiple occasions,  according to the court records.

Blenman was arrested in January 2024 for fourth-degree misdemeanor sexual assault. His next state court appearance in that case is scheduled for July 9.

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North Korea relaunches a naval destroyer at Rajin Shipyard, June 12, 2025, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)



North Korea says it has repaired and relaunched a naval destroyer that capsized during a failed launch attempt last month, but defense experts remain skeptical about the regimes claim of a quick recovery.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the relaunch of the 5,000-ton warship Thursday at Rajin Shipyard on the countrys northeastern coast, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Friday.

The event came just three weeks after that vessel capsized and sustained hull damage during a launch attempt at Chongjin Shipyard, about 50 miles south of Rajin. In a rare admission, KCNA acknowledged the failure, quoting Kim at the time as calling it a criminal act caused by absolute carelessness.

Despite the setback, KCNA on Friday portrayed the relaunch as a testament to North Koreas maritime strength. The rapid repairs are proof of the communist regimes progress and lead of the warship-building industry, the report said.

No obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power, it added.

However, defense analysts have questioned that narrative.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, said in a report Thursday that satellite photos show the warship had likely been transferred to Rajin by June 7.

The imagery also suggests water was being pumped from the vessel and that key components, including missile systems and gun mounts, were covered with netting, the report said.

It seems hardly possible that North Korea was able to complete the repairs in such a short timeframe, said Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies.

Images of the destroyer released by KCNA show only the exterior of the warship and it is unclear if its interior was still seaworthy after the damage, Yang told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

I think when the ship capsized, its port side had a lot of water flooded in, which wouldve damaged the ships internal electronics, he said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the relaunch ceremony for a naval destroyer at Rajin Shipyard, June 12, 2025, in this image from the state-run Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA)



North Korea has pledged to expand its naval power as part of a broader military buildup, citing what it calls provocations by the United States and South Korea. Recent joint drills by the U.S., South Korea and Japan have drawn condemnation from Pyongyang.

Despite the setback last month, KCNA said the country remains committed to its naval ambitions and will construct two more destroyers of similar size to the one launched from Rajin.

Thursdays launch was an attempt to restore the prestige lost from the incident last month, South Korean Ministry of Unification spokeswoman Chang Yoon Jeong said at a news conference in Seoul on Friday.

It is too early to assess the veracity of North Koreas claim in building two additional destroyers, but the South will continue to monitor the communist regimes efforts, she added.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoojin Lee contributed to this report.
The destroyer USS Thomas Hudner maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean during the Formidable Shield exercise on May 12, 2025. (Jonathan Nye/U.S. Navy)



MANAMA, Bahrain  Families of U.S. military personnel continued to depart bases in the Middle East on Friday, following a barrage of Israeli strikes against Iranian military leaders and nuclear sites that many in the region fear could be the beginning of a broader conflict.

Commercial flights across the Middle East were diverted or canceled after Iraq and Jordan shut down their airspaces on Friday. Some of the military dependents who chose to leave Bahrain were flown to bases in Italy before getting on commercial flights to the United States.

Personnel at Naval Support Activity Naples were told to stay on alert over the weekend to handle more incoming families.

In Bahrain, officials on Friday restricted nonessential activities on base. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain issued a security alert urging American citizens and embassy personnel to avoid nonessential travel.

For one military family, concern that the voluntary program to leave Bahrain might become a mandatory evacuation stirred fears of sudden separation and upheaval.

I was devastated when I heard the news, Samana Qambar, a Bahraini and wife of a U.S. Navy sailor, said after hearing about the family flights.

Qambar had been apart from her husband for more than two years due to deployments, and they just arrived at their Bahrain assignment two months ago.

To think that after all this time that we spent apart, and now were finally together and in Bahrain, ready to build our life, that we would have to put that all on hold again was too much, Qambar said.

Military officials had not issued any statements as of Friday that families might be required to leave Bahrain. However, at bases in some countries, such as Turkey, the military has ended accompanied tours due to security concerns in the past.

U.S. officials have emphasized that the current conflict is between Israel and Iran, and that measures to evacuate diplomats and families are being taken as a precaution.

Citing two U.S. officials, the Associated Press on Friday reported that the U.S. Navy had directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the eastern Mediterranean and directed a second destroyer to begin moving so it can be available if needed.

Ken Pollack, vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said Iran likely wants to avoid inciting retaliation from the U.S., which has the capacity to do great damage.

Iran has a healthy respect for the military capabilities of the United States of America  and a desire to avoid providing the United States with a pretext to use that military power, to provoke us into using that military power against them, Pollack said on a call with reporters Friday.

Iran has long taken the position that any Israeli attacks are tacitly sanctioned by the U.S., said Brian Carter, the Middle East portfolio manager at the American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project.

Carter added that the U.S. may be moving destroyers to the region to defend Israel against ballistic missiles, as it did last year.

Another factor U.S. officials are weighing is the proximity of military bases to Iran.

A ballistic missile traveling to Israel from Iran would take more than 10 minutes to arrive, Carter said, but such an attack could reach U.S. forces in the region much faster.

Any decision [by the U.S.] to take military action against Iran really needs to take into account the risks to U.S. forces and have contingencies in place to deal with those risks, Carter said.

Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, a former CENTCOM commander, said despite recent strikes, Iran has a significant arsenal of ballistic missiles.

The U.S. has the ability to defend itself, McKenzie added, but the Iranians would be able to put a lot of missiles against those targets.

President Donald Trump for months has warned Israel against striking Iran as the U.S. pursues a diplomatic resolution to discussions over its nuclear facilities.

Shortly after Israel launched missiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a short statement seeking to distance the U.S. from the hostilities.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, the statement said. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Trump then took to his social media site to warn that things will only get worse if Iran does not make a deal, adding that U.S. military equipment is lethal, and Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come.

JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Stars and Stripes reporter Alison Bath contributed to this report.
The U.S. Capitol as seen on March 21, 2024. (Gianna Gronowski/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The Defense Department has yet to submit a detailed budget proposal to Congress, but the House is moving forward with a spending plan for the Pentagon anyway.

The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved a $831.5 billion defense spending bill in a 36-27 vote that keeps the base Pentagon budget flat for fiscal 2026, which begins Oct. 1. The measure next goes to the House floor.

Democrats on the committee overwhelmingly voted against the legislation, criticizing provisions that target diversity initiatives and abortion access for service members and a lack of funding for a longstanding program that arms Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Either you stand up for liberty where it is being fought for or you dont  theres no wavering that can happen, said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, who unsuccessfully tried to add $300 million to the measure for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., said lawmakers will work to include Ukraine aid through other means but cannot include it in the bill because it could jeopardize Republican votes needed to pass the legislation.

I want to get a defense bill done, and Im not interested in dividing those who will support it, he said.

The committee also rejected a proposal from Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., to prohibit funding for changing the names of eight Navy ships that are named after American civil rights leaders.

The amendment came as a response to reports that the Navy plans to rename a replenishment oiler named after gay rights leader and Navy veteran Harvey Milk and is considering name changes to other ships.

Republicans argued naming authorities rested with the executive branch and the Navy secretary and the proposal would hinder Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths efforts to root out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the military.

This amendment would tie the secretarys hands, preventing efforts to de-politicize our military and to shift focus away from activism toward the needs of our sailors and the readiness of our fleet, said Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., a Navy veteran.

Democrats were able to push through several other amendments, however.

The committee approved a proposal from Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., to prohibit funding for activities that violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the use of federal troops on domestic soil for policing purposes.

The panel also adopted an amendment from Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., requiring a report itemizing all costs associated with a military parade in Washington to celebrate the Armys 250th birthday on Saturday, which is also President Donald Trumps 79th birthday.

The overall defense bill advanced out of the committee with just one Democrat vote, from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

Every member here knows what needs to happen for this bill to become law, said Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the committees defense appropriations subpanel. The Trump administration needs to do its job and submit a complete budget request to Congress. The partisan riders have to come out. That is the only way this bill will get the bipartisan support it deserves.

The legislation provides service members with a 3.8% pay raise, cuts 45,000 civilian jobs, slows permanent change-of-station moves to save more than $662 million and allocates $13 billion for Trumps Golden Dome missile defense system.

Lawmakers from both parties expressed frustration with the lack of a full budget proposal from the Defense Department. Hegseth told the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Congress would have it very soon.

Rep. Ken Calvert of California, the Republican chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee, said the delay somewhat hampered the work of appropriators, who found it more difficult to assess opportunities for investment or reductions.

Despite the lack of detailed information, the committee has produced a bill that invests wisely to meet our obligations to the warfighter and to keep this nation safe from ever-growing threats, he said.
Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, attached to Task Force 51, rehearse non-lethal tactics in Los Angeles on June 11, 2025. U.S. Northern Command is supporting federal agencies by providing military forces to protect federal functions, personnel, and property in the greater L.A. area. (Jaye Townsend/U.S. Marine Corps)



Two hundred Marines will guard federal buildings in the Los Angeles area, freeing up more National Guard soldiers to back up federal agents arresting undocumented immigrants, the commander of military troops sent to the city said Friday.

Army Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, the military mission in L.A., said the Marines have completed training on how to act during a civil disturbance and will move into position Friday to take an active role in the operation.

Starting today, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines will focus on the protection of federal property and personnel and the functions, he said.

California National Guard troops have supported 26 raids and other federal immigration enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area since June 7, providing security for the federal officers making the arrests, Sherman said.

President Donald Trump has federalized more than 4,000 thousand National Guard troops since June 7 under Title 10 of the U.S. Code. The code empowers the president to deploy National Guard troops to protect federal agents, workers and property. The soldiers are not allowed to take part in proactive law enforcement efforts such as arresting demonstrators or undocumented people.

The soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities, Sherman said. Rather, theyll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel.

No military personnel have been injured in confrontations with demonstrators or other activity related to Task Force 51, he said.

The troops have been assigned to security of federal buildings, including office towers and the main detention center being used for those arrested by federal agents in a series of sweeps in the past two weeks to catch people without legal documentation to be in the United States.

Trump also mobilized 700 Marines for security roles in the city. The other 500 Marines deployed to L.A. are training to be used in similar roles as the 200 now providing security, according to Task Force 51 officials.

The Marines moved into L.A. a week after demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided several locations in Southern California to detain undocumented migrants for deportation.

The White House said Thursday that more than 350 undocumented people have been arrested by federal agents in immigration sweeps in the Los Angeles area since June 7. More than 350 protesters have been arrested in demonstrations, according to the Los Angeles police.

As of Friday, the California National Guard troops remain under the control of President Donald Trump after a district judge ruled late Thursday that Trump had exceeded his authority by federalizing the Guard troops. He ordered Trump to relinquish control of the troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

However, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the federal judges order, leaving the troops under Trumps control pending a hearing on the district courts order.

The actions in Los Angeles come ahead of Saturdays planned military parade in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Army. The date is also Trumps 79th birthday.

Demonstrations in cities across the country are planned to protest Trumps policies and the military parade, which government agencies have said could cost up to $45 million. Trump has promised an unspecific heavy response against demonstrators who might seek to disrupt the parade.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered thousands of Texas National Guard to deploy to cities across the state and prepare for lawless demonstrations.

Peaceful protest is legal, he said. Harming a person or property is illegal and will lead to arrest.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe has declared a state of emergency and called out the National Guard to control demonstrations in the state.

Trump on June 7 ordered 2,000 soldiers of the National Guards 29th Combat Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in San Diego. The troops are part of the 40th Infantry Division, which has its headquarters at the Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, a city in northern Orange County adjacent to the border with Los Angeles County.

Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, were ordered to move 150 miles east from the services Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms to downtown Los Angeles. The division is headquartered at Camp Pendleton in northern San Diego County.

An additional 2,000 Guard troops were later added to Task Force 51. They include troops from the 49th Military Police Brigade, headquartered in Fairfield, about 50 miles northeast of San Francisco in Solano County. The unit is also part of the 40th Infantry Division.

Sherman declined to comment Friday on how the troops were mobilized and transported and where they were sent before Los Angeles. He said the task force has locations throughout Los Angeles County for troops as they arrived for the assignment.

Task Force 51 is U.S. Northern Commands Contingency Command Force. NORTHCOM is based at Fort Carson, Colo., near Colorado Springs. As part of Task Force 51, the Marines report to Sherman.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Several Iranian scientists and military commanders were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Iran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said in his address to the nation, Trend reports.

The Iranian leader said that a harsh response would be given to this attack.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed Natanz nuclear facility in Iran among the targets of Israeli strikes, Trend reports.

The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. Agency can confirm Natanz site among targets, said Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General.

He added that the agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country, Grossi noted.

The Israeli Air Force has launched a strike inside Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
The Lithuanian national pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Sean Peyton as he attempted to execute his arrest.

Thomas Merkelis was ordered to double his offer of compensation to the court by Judge Raymond Finnegan.

A judge has told a father of three who became highly agitated towards gardai resulting in them having to deploy pepper spray when they came across him asleep outside a bookies that he will have to double his offer of compensation to the court.

Judge Raymond Finnegan advised Thomas Merkelis, of The Meadows, Smithborough, Co Monaghan to return to court in July with twice the 250 sum he arrived to a sitting of Monaghan District Court with following an incident on November 13, 2022.

The Lithuanian national pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Sean Peyton as he attempted to execute his arrest and of using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at North Road, Monaghan.

Gardai were forced to deploy incapacitant spray in order to effect Thomas Merkelis' removal from the vehicle he had been found asleep in.

Sgt Lisa McEntee, for the State, spoke of how gardai came across the 43-year-old who appeared to be asleep inside a white VW Caddy van shortly before 4am.

When Garda Peyton, together with a colleague, approached the 11-MN registered vehicle, Merkelis head was observed lying against its drivers seat window.

Having spoken to the accused upon noticing a strong smell of intoxicating liquor coming from inside the vehicle, Judge Finnegan was told Merkelis suddenly became highly agitated upon being informed on several occasions of his requirement to exit the van.

Sgt McEntee said Merkelis tone also took a more verbally abusive tone as he grabbed hold of the steering wheel.

Thomas Merkelis on the steps of Monaghan Courthouse.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

The court heard how because of Merkelis conduct, gardai were forced to use incapacitant spray in order to effect his removal from the vehicle.

Judge Finnegan was told Merkelis had previous convictions to his name, indiscretions which had dated back to 2010 for road traffic related offences.

In defence, Paul Boyce said Merkelis was a father of three young children who had, at the time, been toiling under the strain of dealing with his late mothers diagnosis for a serious illness allied to health difficulties his sister had also been encountering at the time.

Mr Boyce said his client had found solace in alcohol and was very much contrite about how events played out on the morning of the incident.

He was going over and back to Lithuania and was under a lot of pressure, said Mr Boyce, adding how his remorse had been demonstrated in him coming to court with 250 by means of compensation.

Judge Finnegan said that figure was one which had fallen short of the courts requirements, telling Mr Boyce in no uncertain terms: He needs to double that.

Merkelis was remanded on bail to a sitting of Monaghan District Court on July 21 for the tendering of 500 in compensation.
Terence Crosbie was excluded from profiles detected.

The DNA of Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie was not found during testing of the alleged victim, a criminalist confirmed in a Boston court yesterday.

The trial of Terence Crosbie (38) had been continuing this week at Suffolk Superior Court, Boston, Massachusetts.

The firefighter is accused of raping a woman at a Boston hotel during his visit for the St. Patricks Day weekend celebrations in 2024.

He was due to be in the Boston parade with members of the Dublin Fire Brigade on March 17th, 2024.

The Dubliner pleaded not guilty and has been held at Nashua Street jail in Boston since his arrest last year.

Mr Crosbies wife has supported him and is present at the trial.

Yesterday, Alexis Decasiors, a DNA analyst at Bode Technology, took to the stand.

According to the website of Bode Technology, the company offer the highest levels of technical expertise in DNA sampling and testing using validated methods and equipment.

When asked if Crosbies DNA was picked up during the testing process, Decasiors said: We did not identify that individual on the genital extract.

Terence Crosbie in court

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

Rebecca Boissaye, also a DNA analyst from the Boston Police Department crime lab, tested the alleged victim's saliva, external genitalia, and breasts for evidence.

She detailed how, DNA from two people were recovered from the womans breasts, a female contributor, being the alleged victim and one minor contributor male was also identified as Liam OBrien, who was her consensual partner that night.

Terence Crosbie was excluded from profiles detected.

Sperm cells observed from the underwear of Crosbie were also tested and unincluded in the profiles detected, he was excluded as a source of all the profiles from the intimate samples.

It was also checked if her DNA was on his clothing and she was excluded from being a source.

She was excluded in being a source on profiles detected.

Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie

Dr Christopher Rosenbaum, who works in the Massachusetts General Hospital in the Emergency Department, explained that in Massachusetts, the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is 0.80pc and when the female presented to the emergency department she had a level of 0.135pc at 6am, which is 1.7 times over the legal limit.

The woman explained at the time of examination, she would have three drinks a week but had a history with binge drinking but said she was no longer drinking in that way.

Dr Rosenbaum highlighted that the female's level of alcohol wouldve been higher four hours before the samples were taken from her.

A reasonable assumption would be between 0.150pc to 0.250pc, twice, three times beyond legal limit, he said.

Hilary Griffiths, a forensic scientist toxicology unit at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory also mentioned that the female had a 0.135pc blood alcohol level when her blood samples were collected on March 15th 6am.

On Wednesday, Detective Joseph McDonough, who investigated the case back in March 2024 took to the stand.

A Boston Police Department photo of Terence Crosbie

The US officer was asked about footage from Omni Parker House, where the defendant stayed and shared a room with another Dubliner, Liam OBrien.

The detective described how he also looked at footage from the Black Rose Pub on State Street where Mr Crosbie, Mr OBrien and the alleged victim spent time before the alleged incident on March 14.

According to police, Liam OBrien was the consensual partner of the woman and they both could be seen spending time in each other's company in the pub where they met that same night.

They left the premises together also.

While they spent time together, Crosbie at one stage can be seen sitting talking to a blonde woman, who is not his wife, on CCTV which was shown to the court.

The footage also showed that the pair shared a kiss.

Later in the evening, Liam OBrien and the female had sex back in his hotel room  a room he was sharing with Crosbie.

Mr Crosbie is believed to have left hotel room 610 at 11:55pm that night, according to hotel security video, and swiped his key card back into the room at 1:55am.

The door then opened from the inside at 2.15am when the woman left.

Mr Crosbie was in the room when the pair arrived and left shortly after.

He then returned later that night and the woman claims she awoke to Crosbie on top of her, raping her.

The Dublin fireman has denied the claims.

The court heard how Mr Crosbie was interviewed shortly after the incident by Boston Police Detective Joseph McDonough in a private bar of the hotel.

The clip was played to the court this week.

A Boston Police Department photo of Terence Crosbie

The Dubliner we started in, Emmett's Bar, Beantown Pub. I think we were in a fourth bar. We were in the Black Rose as well, we walked down there last, Crosbie can be heard explaining in the taped interview.

When asked if he ate and who did he go out with, he said: I had a burger and chips in The Dubliner. Me, Liam, Jack, Larry.

He also explained that ten people came over in total because they were marching in the parade on Sunday.

Dublin Fire Brigade had rented five rooms in total in the Omni Parker House, with two officers in each room.

Asked what he did at the Black Rose, Mr Crosbie replied: Drink.

Speaking about what happened after he returned to his room, Mr Crosbie said: I came back here, I went up to the room, yeah, I did leave the room.

"Liam came back, he picked up a girl at the bar. I just left.

I came back later. I sat on the chair beside the elevators on my floor. I was there for a couple of hours.

"I just went straight to my bed. She got up out of bed, started looking around in the dark. I didnt speak to her.

When asked if she was crying when she left, he said: I dont know, she didnt show that she was crying.

Asked if he had any interaction with the girl, Mr Crosbie said: None, said hello, said goodbye.
Valters Gudrups (19) hoped to enlist in the Latvian army, and this type of behaviour was completely out of character for him, his lawyer told the court.

A teenager caught interfering with cars in a Dublin estate had too much to drink and his memory of his behaviour was hazy, a court has heard.

Valters Gudrups (19) hoped to enlist in the Latvian army, and this type of behaviour was completely out of character for him, his lawyer told the court.

Judge David McHugh ordered Gudrups to complete 50 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison.

The defendant, with an address at Castlecurragh Vale in Mulhuddart, admitted interfering with two vehicles at Warrenstown Grove in Blanchardstown on January 12, 2025.

Valters Gudrups outside Blanchardstown District Court

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

Gudrups also admitted possessing stolen property, namely an insurance certificate and a log book, at the same time and place.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told the Blanchardstown District Court that gardai were called to the scene shortly before 1.30am following reports that a number of males were acting suspiciously.

Sgt Callaghan said two males were seen by gardai interfering with a silver Mercedes and a Mazda.

The men tried to flee when they saw gardai, Sgt Callaghan told the court, but Gudrups was stopped and searched by officers.

He was found with a stolen log book from one car, and an insurance certificate from the second vehicle.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Eoghan OSullivan said the defendant was originally from Latvia, but had lived in Ireland since he was four years old.

Mr OSullivan said the defendant was not a drinker, but on the night in question he had too much to drink, and his memory was hazy regarding what had happened.

Mr OSullivan asked the judge to be lenient, saying this behaviour was out of character for his client, who had enlisted with the Latvian army.

Gudrups was due to begin his army training in July, the solicitor said.

Judge McHugh said the defendant must first complete community service.
Four charged with offences relating to obstructing arrest after Ashling Murphy murder

A Central Criminal Court jury will continue their deliberations today in the trial of four family members charged with offences relating to obstructing the arrest of the man who murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy.

Jozef Puska murdered 23-year-old Ms Murphy by stabbing and slashing her neck after attacking her while she exercised along the canal towpath outside Tullamore on the afternoon of January 12, 2022. A jury later convicted him of that murder and he is serving a life sentence.

His brothers, Lubomir Puska Jnr (38) and Marek Puska (36) are charged with withholding information.

Their wives, Viera Gaziova (40) and Jozefina Grundzova (32) are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning his clothes.

All the accused were living with Jozef Puska, his wife Lucia, and 14 children at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly when the offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022.

All accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The jury originally began their deliberations on Wednesday, but an amendment was made to the indictment yesterday.

The amendment relates to the charge that the accused knew that Jozef Puska had committed the offence of murder or some other arrestable offence. The amended indictment now reads that they knew he had committed the murder of Ashling Murphy or some other arrestable offence.

In her closing speech earlier this week, prosecutor Anne Marie Lawlor SC told the jury that Marek and Lubomir Jnr knew what Jozef had done shortly after 9.30pm on the night of the murder because Jozef told Marek.

Despite this, Ms Lawlor said Marek and Lubomir Jnr failed to disclose vital information when they spoke to gardai. Their wives burned Jozef's clothes to impede his arrest or prosecution, she said.

In her charge to the jury, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said that the prosecution allege that Marek did not give information that Jozef had returned home on the night of Ms Murphys murder with visible injuries, that Jozef admitted to killing or seriously injuring a female with a knife, that Marek was aware of an arrangement to burn the clothes worn by Jozef, and that Jozef subsequently travelled to Dublin.

She said that the prosecution case against Lubomir Jnr was similar, except for the fact that there was no allegation that he was aware of an arrangement to burn the clothes.

Ms Justice Biggs told the jury that the prosecution must prove that the two brothers had no reasonable excuse for not disclosing this information, adding that an attempt to protect a family member is not a reasonable excuse.

She said what is reasonable is the issue of self-incrimination, urging the jury to consider if there was any evidence supporting the submission put forward by the defence that the accused had this reasonable excuse.

The jury had previously heard from defence counsel Karl Finnegan SC, who said in his closing speech that Marek Puska was entitled to remain silent to avoid incriminating himself.

Mr Finnegan said there was a real risk that the information his client had could implicate him in an offence of assisting his brother after the murder.

He said the legislation regarding withholding information was introduced following the Omagh bombing to force people with knowledge of that atrocity to come forward.

However, Mr Finnegan said, the legislation does not remove a person's right to remain silent if they believe that they could incriminate themselves.

At the time, Mr Finnegan said, there was a real risk that his client would be arrested for assisting Puska after the murder by arranging to get him out of Tullamore or because he knew of the plan to burn Jozef's clothes.

Kathleen Leader SC, for Lubomir Jnr, said her client delayed but did not withhold information. She said he had a reasonable excuse for the delay and asked the jury to consider the "natural sense of protection for his younger brother".

Paul Murray SC, for Ms Grundzova, told the jury that when his client burned Puska's clothes, she did not have any of the evidence that would later prove Jozef's guilt.

Damien Colgan SC, for Ms Gaziova, told the jury that his clients view at that time was that Jozef had been the victim of an assault.

The jury of seven men and five women will continue their deliberations today.

Jozef Puska's brothers, Marek and Lubomir, and their wives, Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 12th
Alexander Dighton will not be eligibly for parole for at least 21 years and 235 days

CCTV footage: Man who attacked officers with Molotov cocktail jailed for life

A man who tried to murder a police officer while armed with Molotov cocktails has been jailed for life and will have to serve a minimum of 22 years.

Alexander Dighton, 28 from Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was wearing body armour when he carried out the attack outside Talbot Green police station last January.

The shocking footage has now been released and shows the terror of the scene that led to his arrest and ultimate incarceration.

Dighton injured several officers and admitted trying to murder a police officer with a knife and was sentenced at the Old Bailey in London.

Due to the time Dighton spent on remand he will spend a minimum term of 21 years and 235 days before he can be considered for parole.

The court heard he was also made subject of terrorist notification requirements for 30 years.

Dighton arrived at Talbot Green police station in January armed with a hatchet, a pole and Molotov cocktails. Brandishing his weapons, he told PC Stephanie Fleming, who confronted him: Im fed up, Im done.

Dighton threw one Molotov cocktail at a police van, but it failed to ignite, so he poured petrol onto another and set it alight before using a long wooden pole to smash the vans windows.

Dighton was tasered and sprayed with Pava spray, but it had no effect.

Alexander Dighton was jailed for life after police attack

He attacked Sgt Richard Coleman in the station foyer, hitting him in the head with the pole, and then punched Det Con Joshua Emlyn.

At this point three police officers attempted to restrain Dighton, and he stabbed Det Con Jack Cotton in the leg, wounding him.

Dighton represented himself in court at a previous hearing and admitted attempted murder with a knife, attempted arson, attacking two other police officers, and threatening a third - pleading guilty to a total of 10 charges.

Two officers were treated in hospital for their injuries.

The judge told the Old Bailey today that the officers were in a state of shock and some thought they were going to die.

Police believe Dighton began planning his attack a month before the incident.
Johnny Nevin (29) and Michelle Nevin (30) were arrested and charged after an initial verbal exchange descended into a fist-fight between two men.

Johnny Nevin allegedly traded blows with his rival Christy McDonnell before being pepper sprayed in front of customers and staff.

A husband and wife have appeared in court charged in connection to a violent brawl inside the doors of a busy midlands filling station that allegedly saw pepper spray being discharged and two men trade blows in front of horrified shoppers.

Johnny Nevin (29) and Michelle Nevin (30) Legion Terrace, Townspark, Longford were both charged with violent disorder following a disturbance which broke out at Hanlons Gala Shop, Dublin Road, Longford on Tuesday morning.

The pair were arrested and charged after an initial verbal exchange descended into a fist-fight between two men and where pepper spray was deployed as staff and members of the public watched on in terror.

Johnny and Michelle Nevin outside Athlone Courthouse.

In a contested bail hearing before Judge Bernadette Owens at a sitting of Athlone District Court, Garda Patrick Fallon said gardai were objecting to bail being afforded to Johnny Nevin under OCallaghan Rules.

He said that challenge was being made based on the seriousness of the charge and its maximum sentence on indictment to a term of up to 10 years in prison.

The court was also told of how the States objection also centred around the nature and strength of the evidence gardai had managed to garner in the wake of the alleged incident.

He said it will be alleged the episode in question unfolded at 9:30am when Christy McDonnell who is also before the courts in connection to the incident, entered the store of the service station where he was followed by Nevin and his wife, Michelle.

Judge Owens was told it will be the States case that as the pair came looking for McDonnell, a physical altercation broke out on the shop floor and in front of a large number of people.

Garda Fallon said a series of punches were thrown by both men before they were separated by staff.

McDonnell, it was stated, left the premises only to return moments later where the scuffle between the pair resumed at the front door of the shop.

Johnny Nevin and his wife Michelle

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

The court heard how it will be alleged Nevin assaulted his rival and wife, Bernadette by striking both individuals with his fist.

That fracas, it was contended, led to Nevin being pepper sprayed inside the shop by McDonnell before fleeing on foot seconds later.

Garda Fallon said Nevin made full admissions in interview following his arrest and was essentially caught red-handed in view of the quality of CCTV footage which was downloaded by detectives.

Judge Owens was similarly told gardai harboured concerns over possible witness interference, concerns which had heightened by the fact Nevin was only granted bail the week previously by the same court.

In defence, Diarmuid Quinn, took issue with the States assertion over his clients purported culpability, insisting the Longford man was acting in self-defence.

He put forward a context to it (incident) that he was defending himself and his wife, said Mr Quinn.

He argued the prospect of remanding Nevin in custody would likewise impose significant hardship on his own domestic situation where he currently holds down the role of being his familys only designated driver.

Mr Quinn added Nevins nine-year-old son was very much reliant on his father to bring him to and from school and was currently dealing with the fallout from an uncle who was terminally ill in Dublin.

He said in a bid to convey Nevins willingness to abide by any conditions the court handed down, his client had come to court with 1,000 as a potential cash bail lodgement.

Judge Owens, in delivering her verdict, said while the State had met the required threshold for objecting to bail, the court was obliged to consider if the imposition of a series of conditions would help alleviate the Gardais fears.

Johnny Nevin allegedly traded blows with his rival Christy McDonnell before being pepper sprayed in front of customers and staff.

She subsequently granted bail on the basis Nevin enter into his own cash bond of 1,000 and obey a 10pm to 6am curfew.

He was also ordered to sign on three times a week at Longford Garda Station, to stay out of Hanlons Gala in Longford town, to have no contact with Christy and Bernadette McDonnell including via social media and to remain contactable at all times on a designated mobile phone number.

He was remanded on bail to appear back at a sitting of Longford District Court on July 15 when directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are expected to be made known.

The court heard there were no State objections to Michelle Nevin who was granted bail subject to a number of conditions also.

They included a once weekly signing on condition, to have no contact with both McDonnells and to likewise steer clear of the Dublin Road based filling station.

She was remanded on bail to appear back before a sitting of Longford District Court on September 16 for DPP directions.
Nadine Staunton (35) is accused of disorderly and threatening behaviour after she allegedly played loud music on the street outside Leinster House in the early hours of the morning.

Nadine Staunton in a previous protest outside the Dail in 2019. Photo: Garrett White

A woman with two autistic children who is staging a protest outside the Dail over services for her sons was arrested and charged with public order offences.

Nadine Staunton (35) is accused of disorderly and threatening behaviour after she allegedly played loud music on the street outside Leinster House in the early hours of the morning.

She was granted bail on condition she stay away from Kildare Street and Government Buildings on Merrion Street unless invited.

Judge John Brennan adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for the accused to decide on a plea.

Nadine Staunton in a previous protest outside the Dail in 2019. Photo: Garrett White

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

Ms Staunton, of North King Street, Dublin 7, is charged with disorderly conduct at night; threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour; and failing to comply with garda directions.

The prosecuting garda said he arrested Ms Staunton on Kildare Street in the early hours of Wednesday.

When charged and cautioned, she replied: Discrimination against my human rights. Disgraceful, my human rights, I should wear tin foil on my head.

The garda did not object to bail subject to conditions, including a prohibition from being on Kildare Street and Merrion Street.

Judge Brennan appreciated the accused was under a huge amount of pressure and said: You have a legitimate issue to protest about.

Defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght said the charges referred only to Kildare Street.

Judge Brennan asked what the case was about, and the court heard that since May 24 the accused had been protesting outside Leinster House and set up a tent there.

She had not been staying there the whole time, but had been coming and going.

The incident began at around 5.45am when she had been playing loud music on a speaker and residents and members of the public were complaining, the garda said.

She has two children with special needs and she is protesting at the way the State hasnt provided services for her children, Mr Lysaght said.

Judge Brennan said he appreciated the accused was under a huge amount of pressure and told Ms Staunton: I appreciate you have a legitimate issue to protest about.

The judge remanded her on bail to appear in court again on July 9, when she will be expected to indicate a plea to the charges.

The judge also ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, clarifying that the United States was not involved in the military operation, Trend reports.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, he said.

According to Rubio, Israeli officials informed Washington of their intention to carry out the operation, framing it as an act of self-defense. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, he noted.

The Secretary of State emphasized that the United States has taken measures to safeguard its personnel and interests in the region and remains in close coordination with its allies. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubio added.
The man (40) is also alleged to have gone to his former partners home, placed a shotgun cartridge in her hand and told her she would be next.

A father of six who is accused of harassing his former partner has been sent forward for trial.

The man (40) is also alleged to have gone to his former partners home, placed a shotgun cartridge in her hand and told her she would be next.

He was served with the book of evidence when he appeared before Blanchardstown District Court. The accused, with an address in west Dublin, is charged with harassment and possessing a cartridge in suspicious circumstances.

Blanchardstown District Court

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

A state solicitor said the book of evidence had been served on the accused, who goes forward to the next sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge David McHugh gave the man the formal alibi caution. A garda sergeant previously alleged that the accused turned up at his ex-partners house on December 19 last year.

The woman allegedly told gardai she saw him standing at her window shouting at her. It was alleged he gave her a shotgun cartridge and told her she would be next.

The court heard claims the accused carried out a campaign of harassment of the woman through unsolicited phone calls, and there were 22 that day. 

The man has not yet indicated a plea to the offences.
Gardai are carrying out investigations into the incident, which happened in Coolock in the early hours of Wednesday.

The man is well known to gardai

A criminals hand was blown off after he allegedly tried to throw a pipe bomb at a house in Dublin.

Gardai are carrying out investigations into the incident, which happened in Coolock in the early hours of Wednesday.

The alleged pipe bomber, who is aged in his 30s and from Crumlin, is well-known to gardai and has previously served jail time for terrorising a family during a gang-led home invasion and for gun offences.

Detectives believe the man arrived on a motorbike at a property in Coolock before dismounting and producing a pipe bomb.

The improvised device was lit, but before it could be thrown at the property it exploded in his hand.

A source said: The pipe bomb detonated too early before he even had a chance to throw it. It blew his hand off and he fled the scene in a bad way.

The man is well known to gardai

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

It is understood he later presented himself at Beaumont Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for serious injuries.

Gardai are carrying out inquiries into the circumstances around the attack and whether it is connected to a local feud in the area or a personal row.

He was one of a five-man gang that smashed its way into a womans home before threatening her at gunpoint

The man has more than 80 previous convictions including for burglary, possession of firearms and criminal damage. He has also been linked to attacks while in custody.

In one incident, he was one of a five-man gang that smashed its way into a womans home before threatening her at gunpoint. She was tied up while her toddler was in the house. The criminal later received a lengthy prison term.

In another incident, the man crashed into a garda patrol van and hit several other vehicles during a road rampage in west Dublin.

He was also investigated over an attack on two young women in Kildare.

In an unrelated incident last March, a man suffered serious injuries following a pipe bomb attack on a house in the south inner city.

A separate investigation is continuing into an incident in Finglas in which a drone was used to target a house with a pipe bomb before the device prematurely fell and failed to detonate.
Mr Corrigan said the nights of violence constituted a racist pogram.

A leading human rights campaigner has slammed recent race hate violence and declared Northern Ireland to be the whitest part of the UK.

In response to the continued racist and violent disorder spreading across Northern Ireland, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty Internationals Northern Ireland Director, also blamed irresponsible rhetoric from some local politicians for fanning the flames.

Without naming him in person thats a clear dig at Communities Minister Gordon Lyons who has faced calls to resign following social media posts in the lead-up to a protest that turned violent at Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday.

Mr Corrigan said the nights of violence constituted a racist pogram.

We are in the midst of a racist pogrom, he said today. Families have already lost their homes, and lives may soon be lost unless this violence ends now. We are only a petrol bomb away from someone being killed.

Gordon Lyons resisted calls for his resignation (Liam McBurney/PA)

This violence is being fuelled by racist hatred - stoked by disinformation on social media and amplified by politicians who irresponsibly conflate immigration with crime and social issues which affect all communities.

We need politicians to speak truthfully about immigration, not echo vague concerns from the streets or false claims on social media that profit off lies.

According to the 2021 census, only 3.4% people in Northern Ireland are from minority ethnic backgrounds. That means 96.6% are not. We remain the whitest and least diverse part of the UK and Ireland.

While immigration has gradually increased over the last decade, crime rates have fallen  except for racially motivated hate crime, which is now higher than sectarian hate crime. People from immigrant and minoritised communities are far more likely to be victims of hate crime than anyone else."

A vehicle burns in Ballymena on June 10. Pic: Getty

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 14 2025

Recent research from the Northern Ireland Assembly highlights migrant workers are vital in sustaining essential public services, including hospitals and community care.

We must do more to protect their rights to live free from harassment and violence - we should recognise, thank, and celebrate them for their contributions to and enrichment of our communities.

People caught up in clashes in Ballymena were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday. It was later attacked and set on fire.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said he "strongly hit back at any notion" he had revealed the use of this facility.

Sinn Fein Finance Minister John O'Dowd is among those calling for Lyons to consider his position claiming he "failed to show leadership".

DUP leader Gavin Robinson told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme Lyons has been "fundamentally misrepresented".

Mr Lyons was criticised for an earlier Facebook post in which he said he had been made aware that "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre".

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the post would not "helps matters at all", adding "we all have a responsibility to act in a sensible way in these circumstances".

"He might want to reflect on what he said."

The PSNI and community as a whole is bracing itself for further protests over the coming days across the country.
Sources said staff responded swiftly, recovering multiple packages containing cannabis resin, tablets and mobile phones as well as chargers and SIM cards.

PRISON authorities seized over 37,000 worth of drugs and phones as they foiled two separate attempts to smuggle large quantities of phones and drugs into Wheatfield Prison in Dublin.

On Saturday last, officers from the Operational Support Group (OSG) observed an individual attempting to throw packages over the prison walls.

Sources said staff responded swiftly, recovering multiple packages containing cannabis resin, tablets and mobile phones as well as chargers and SIM cards.

Photo of the seizure

Smart phones are currently valued at in the region of 1,000 behind bars.

In a separate incident, prison staff intercepted a drone attempting to deliver contraband into an exercise yard.

The package fell short of its intended target, and staff promptly secured it. The recovered package contained tablets, cannabis herb, powder and fob phones & chargers

Photo of the seizure

The total estimated prison value of the seized contraband is 37,400 underscoring, an Irish Prison Service spokesperson said earlier, the ongoing threat posed by smuggling attempts.

In a statement to the Sunday World, he continued: This on-going operation of preventing contraband into prisons aligns with the objectives outlined in the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between An Garda Siochana and the Irish Prison Service, which reinforces inter-agency collaboration in tackling drug trafficking, enhancing prison security, and combating organised crime.

Photo of the seizure

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

The agreement strengthens intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating within and around the prison system.

The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing the access of contraband into prisons and continues to be a high priority. The Irish Prison Service is committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates

Fire fighters at the scene where a fire has broken out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility. It comes after two nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Picture date: Wednesday June 11, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

The facility had temporarily been used as emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena earlier in the week

Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. [PA]

Arbour Housing in the town had sent a letter to its residents saying that a demonstration planned for this evening is "directed towards migrants, foreign nationals, and what are perceived as deviant behaviour".

The BBC has reported that letter added that the demonstration could lead to an "unsafe situation" and advised them to "stay with family or friends during the protest".

The letter also said residents should take measures to "secure your property and belongings".

Groups sharing details of the protest on social media said it will be "peaceful".

It comes as Northern Ireland's Chief Constable has said that the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend are "mortified" at the disorder in recent days.

Jon Boutcher said that the family had asked him to make a plea for the rioting to end.

"Let's stop it now, Everybody wants it to stop", he said.

Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. [PA]

Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena

Key updates Police present at Portadown protest Man and woman arrested in connection with Ballymena disorder Family of alleged sex assault victim 'mortified' at rioting Families were hiding in attics and wardrobes during violence DUP leader Gavin Robinson doesn't accept 'loyalism has a particular problem with racist radicalisation' Alex Keery This brings our live blog coverage to an end for the evening, thank you for following. Mark Edwards Images from Portadown disorder Debris in Portadown this evening . Brian Lawless/PA wire PSNI in Portadown this evening . Brian Lawless/PA wire Mark Edwards Reports of minor disorder in Portadown There are reports of minor disorder in Portadown during a planned protest this evening. Images on social media show bottles being thrown at PSNI Land Rovers and a bin has also been set on fire. Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena. Mark Edwards Police present at Portadown protest There is a large police presence in Portadown at a planned protest. So far there are no reports of serious disorder. Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Police present in Portadown at protest . Brian Lawless/PA wire Alex Keery Some residents in Ballymena have marked their homes as 'local' Abdullah Sabri Translink confirm the majority of bus routes have returned to normal Translink on Twitter / X #MET All Metro routes have returned to normal, with the exception of Monkstown services, which are currently operating on a 2G route. Translink (@Translink_NI) June 12, 2025 External content When displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Mark Edwards Police presence in Ballymena tonight An image from the scene in Ballymena tonight shows police vehicles blocking Henry Street in the town following three nights of disorder. Police vehicles block Henry Street in Ballymena . Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire Mark Edwards Minor disturbances tonight Mark Edwards East Belfast protest ends The protest at the Templemore Avenue area of East Belfast this evening has now ended. Mark Edwards Protest taking place in east Belfast Motorists are advised that the Templemore Avenue in East Belfast at the junction with the Newtownards Road is closed this evening, Thursday 12th June, due to a protest taking place. Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternative routes.



Police East Belfast on Twitter / X Motorists are advised that the Templemore Avenue in East Belfast at the junction with the Newtownards Road is closed this evening, Thursday 12th June, due to a protest taking place. Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/BM6nD0zS6w Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) June 12, 2025 External content When displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Abdullah Sabri PSNI 'will not tolerate' repeat scenes of rioting seen across NI last night

We are aware of social media posts calling for protests across Northern Ireland this evening and in the week ahead," a police spokesman said.

"We urge anyone who plans to attend these protests to engage with us as we will be doing our part to ensure the safety of participants and to facilitate the lawful exercise of freedom of expression.

Police will not tolerate a repeat of the scenes we saw last night in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland.

We will continue to diligently monitor the situation to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response and we will be engaging with groups likely to be affected by any protest activity. Mark Edwards Man and woman arrested in connection with Ballymena disorder Detectives investigating disorder in Ballymena last night, Wednesday 11th June, have made further arrests.

A 30-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of riot.

They remain in police custody this evening as enquiries continue.

There have now been 15 people arrested and 4 people charged in connection with the ongoing disorder. Mark Edwards Gordon Lyons should 'reflect upon his words', says NI Secretary Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said he stands by comments he made earlier, that he thought Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons should reflect upon his words following a social media post he made just hours before Larne Leisure Centre was attacked.

Mr Lyons has defended his comments.

Mr Benn said: "This morning I called on the minister to reflect upon his words and not upon his position and I said what I said.

"But the most important thing, and I am not concerned about stability (of Stormont), because I welcomed very much the united statement that the Executive produced about the disorder and the united condemnation of what has been going on.

"The single most important thing that all of us as elected representatives can do at this moment is to come together and with one united voice, to say to those who are responsible for what we have witnessed over the last three days here in Northern Ireland to say, this has to stop. Because it is doing enormous damage to the people who have been frightened, enormous damage to the community in Ballymena and elsewhere, and we have a responsibility as politicians, all of us, to speak with one voice, to speak clearly and to direct our comments at those who think in some way that this is what they are entitled to do, they are not.

"This is mindless racist thuggery and police are doing their best. They are very keen to catch those responsible because in the end that sends the message, if you choose to behave in this way, the law is coming for you." Stephanie Finnegan Stephanie Finnegan Protestors gathered in Belfast A small number of protesters are blocking the road on North Queen Street, with PSNI currently at the scene. Photo: Stephanie Finnegan Photo: Stephanie Finnegan Photo: Stephanie Finnegan Photo: Stephanie Finnegan Mark Edwards Rioting is 'absolutely race motivated', says Jon Boutcher PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher described the rioting as "wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated".

He said the peaceful protest that took place in Ballymena on Monday evening against an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl had subsequently been "hijacked" by those intent on violence.

Mr Boutcher said 13 arrests had been made as of lunchtime on Thursday in connection with the rioting.

"We've put our public order inquiry team together, we'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them," he said. The Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Mukesh Sharma (left) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher (right) speak to media . PA Mark Edwards 80 officers from Scotland to arrive in NI tomorrow PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said that 80 officers from Scotland are to arrive on Thursday.

"We have arriving today 80 officers from Scotland. Last August, we had 80 public order trained officers assist us during the disturbances in August last year.

"I stood up mutual aid by calling the Chief Constable of Police Scotland and the Chief Constable in charge of the National Police Chiefs' Council on Monday evening, we will make sure that we have the resources to deal with this.

"We, as an organisation, as the PSNI, no longer have the resources to deal with protective disorder, but as the Chief Constable, I can assure you, I can assure everybody in our communities, we will have the police resources to deal with this, whether they're our resources or that through mutual aid, but we will do that."

He added: "The Police Scotland officers that came last year, they're trained in our tactics. This is going to be seamless. There's a real synergy to how we operate here with these officers from Police Scotland.

"They understand our communities, and they have done an excellent job when they've been here in the past."

Asked about social media footage that appears to show officers standing by as material is being burned, he said the policing he wants "doesn't involve what you described". Mark Edwards Family of alleged sex assault victim 'mortified' at rioting Northern Ireland's Chief Constable has said that the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, are "mortified" at the disorder in recent days.

Jon Boutcher said that the family had asked him to make a plea for the rioting to end.

"Let's stop it now, Everybody wants it to stop" he said.

"I reiterate the retraumatising of this poor girl, she's been through enough through what happened to her on Saturday evening. She doesn't want any of this.

"I know the family are mortified. I've spoken to them personally, they've asked me to make this plea.

"So for all of you listening, for people who have any sort of responsibility or charge over people who have been doing this awful disorder, get them to desist, stop it.

"It's not helping anyone. It's certainly not helping your community."



Police in Ballymena during a third consecutive night of unrest. . Press Eye Mark Edwards Political leaders have been 'extremely clear in condemning everything that we have seen' Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the response from party leaders and ministers has been "extremely clear in condemning everything that we have seen".

"There are no dissenting voices on this," he said at a press conference on Thursday.

He said that Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson had been criticised on social media for condemning the actions of recent days as "racism". "The people who protested about what happened to this poor victim on Monday, they did lawful protest.

"The people who are threatening families, who are different to them, who are law abiding members of our community, that is racism and it's criminality, and there's no place for it in our society. History has shown us here more than anywhere, what happens when communities fracture.

"We, of all, people, should have learned from that, and we have. So let's not stand for this nonsense any longer."

Asked to elaborate, he said he can see "no other reason" for people to focus on targeting families "from ethnic and diverse backgrounds".

"What's your characterisation of that, for those crimes and what they're committing? Are you saying that's not racist, because that's interesting. It's racist, and we all know it, and you know it, so let's not call it anything else, and let's deal with it." Mark Edwards Those involved in rioting are mostly 'very young people' Those involved in disorder in Northern Ireland in recent days are mostly "very young people" who are "putting their futures in jeopardy", Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said.

He said the "incredible, explosive" focus on the disorder pulls young people in as if they are "attracted to the light" as they look to see what is happening.

"We have seen calls by people involved in paramilitaries to say 'do not go out on the streets', 'do not get involved in this violence'," he said.

"Equally, I have seen people who are from paramilitaries, historically, standing there amongst the people involved in this violence.

"The coordination, the choreography that some people always expect to see, I do not see.

"But social media is almost a platform for these events to intensify, and that's our biggest challenge.

"Live streaming of these events, that's something that modern day policing, modern day society, I think, is still getting to grips with." A third night of protests take place in Ballymena on June 11th 2025 . Kevin Scott Mark Edwards Eyewitnesses tell of chaos at Larne leisure centre Things were peaceful then the men in balaclavas showed up: People caught up in Larne violence recall terror as mob attacked leisure centre A two-time Olympic swimmer has described the moment she was confronted by masked thugs while coaching children. Load more Tickaroo Live Blog Software

Police are present in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. [PA]

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 12th
The crime garnered national attention in the Netherlands after videos of the horrific attack were shared online

A man is set to go on trial charged with the rape of an Irish woman in Amsterdam.

The 27-year-old suspect, an unamed Italian man, is accused of raping the woman on Kings Day, April 27th.

The Dutch holiday is held annually to mark the birthday of King Willem-Alexander.

Stock photo.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

RTL News reports that the victim is a 35-year-old Irish woman, who was unknown to her attacker.

A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service stated that the man is in custody pending his trial, which is scheduled to begin on July 16th.

The case garnered national attention in the Netherlands after several videos of the incident began circulating on social media.

Onlookers filmed the rape, and initally assumed it was a consensual encounter.

The video showed the attack taking place in broad daylight, between two parked cars along the Keizersgracht canal.

A group of women stopped the attack by kicking the man and chasing him away.

In the days following the brutal rape, the mayor of Amsterdam asked the public to stop sharing the deeply humiliating videos.

"This is not only traumatic for the woman, it is also punishable, she said.
It is believed he was attacked on the street close to the house a short time earlier by a group of men with weapons.

A number of individuals suspected of having been involved in an incident which resulted in the violent death of a man in Dundalk three years ago have left the jurisdiction, an inquest has heard.

Marius Juodenas (44) was discovered with serious injuries in his home on Barrack Street, Dundalk, Co Louth shortly before 7pm on July 5, 2022.

It is believed he was attacked on the street close to the house a short time earlier by a group of men with weapons.

The injured man, who came originally from Lithuania, was brought by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he died on July 26, 2022 after a life support machine was turned off.

Marius Juodenas

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

The deceased man, who was known to gardai following a number of court appearances, had previously lived in a number of locations in Cavan where he held down a number of jobs for short periods but had been living in Dundalk at the time of the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue told a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court that the investigation in Mr Juodenas murder was still ongoing.

Det Insp Donoghue explained that it was a complex investigation as a number of individuals believed to have been involved in his death were no longer in Ireland.

He told the coroner Aisling Gannon that the investigation was still very much alive with various inquiries being pursued.

Det Insp Donoghue expressed hope that an investigation file could be forwarded to the DPP.

He claimed a delay in the case was due to attempts to locate the people suspected of being involved in Mr Juodenas death.

Det Insp Donoghue applied for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings are being considered.

A murder investigation was launched by gardai following Mr Duodenas death three weeks after he was attacked.

It is understood detectives believe the victim was attacked in a planned assault by a number of males known to him who come originally from eastern Europe.

Ms Gannon granted the application and said she would adjourn the inquest for three months.

The coroner said she would require a detailed update and timeline for the investigation at the next sitting of the case on September 10.
We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy is one of a number of people who have been detained and had their passports confiscated while travelling through Egypt on the way to Gaza.

The group is part of the Global March to Gaza, which is attempting to reach Rafah in the embattled Gaza Strip.

Mr Murphy said in a social media post: We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.

Mr Murphy said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army, along with those of other people in the group who were stopped.

According to People Before Profit, Mr Murphy, with the group of protesters, have been forced onto buses and are understood to be on their way to Cairo for deportation.

Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens were among those who had been stopped.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy. Photo: PA

Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 13 2025

He said: Its looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israels blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended.

Im just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own government  in Irelands case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD, ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march.

The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months  since March, a total attempt of starvation. And that this a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.

According to a statement from People Before Profit, authorities have attempted to get Mr Murphy and others in the group to board a bus for deportation, but the group are refusing.

The Irish Government must contact the Egyptian authorities to demand the release of Paul and the others who have been detained. They are on a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained," said Matt Collins, national secretary of People Before Profit.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy (Brian Lawless/PA)

We also call on the public to contact the Egyptian embassy to demand that people on the Global March to Gaza are allowed to travel unhindered," he added.

Social Democrats Councillor Mark Barry, who is also one of those participating in the march, was turned away at a checkpoint in Ismailia but was not detained.

Councillor Barry said he believes 35 Irish delegates made it through to the city to continue on to the Gaza border.

"Delegates from all over the world have gathered in Cairo, there's about 35 from Ireland that have gotten through," he said on Friday morning.

"A number have been deported from the airport and others from the city. It is extremely difficult, there is a lot of police and military presence on the streets and they are stopping people, searching bags and stuff like that.

"The army are taking the passports off people and they are detaining them. In Cairo they have taken a number of Irish delegates and put them on a windowless bus and have taken their passports. We assume they are going to be deported. We are on our way back to Cairo where we will regroup."

TD Jennifer Whitmore, who is a constituency colleague of Mr Barry, said the developments were "deeply concerning".

"Those participating in this march, including Social Democrats Wicklow councillor Mark Barry, are just a group of people who want to express their outrage and get the message out there that aid should be allowed to cross the border into Gaza to ease the suffering of so many Palestinian men, women and children," Ms Whitmore said.

"It is disturbing to hear reports of Irish citizens having their passports seized by the Egyptian authorities and attempts being made to deport them.

"It is very important that the Taoiseach and Tanaiste contact the Egyptian government immediately and insist that Irish citizens have their passports returned and are allowed free and safe passage."
Former Katikati resident Rebecca Fisher  an outstanding horticultural leader known for turning strategy and ideas into reality on the ground for growers  has been awarded the 2025 Animal and Plant Health New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognises exceptional long-term contributions to research, innovation, advocacy or leadership in the animal and plant health industry.

The highest award possible from her peers, it was also the first time since APHANZ  formerly Agcarm  was set up in 1948 that the Lifetime Achievement Award had been awarded to a woman.

APHANZ chief executive Dr Liz Shackleton said Fishers outstanding skills and leadership led to her induction.

By coincidence, this is the first time a woman has received this award, but high time too.

Rebecca is an outstanding leader and role model for women in agriculture, so we are delighted to recognise her contribution over many years with this award.

Fisher, aged 42, joins an elite group who have been recognised for their contribution to the agriculture and horticulture sector.

Past award recipients include Noel Fitzgerald, Ross Hore, Don McPhail, Felix OSullivan, Richard Paxman, Fergie Sumich, Peter Fisher, Dave Lunn, and Mark Christie.

Every level

Dr Shackleton highlighted Fishers contribution at every level of the APHANZ membership and primary sector.

From board roles to offering innovative ideas and solutions to providing hands-on support to the team and our emerging leadership cohort, Rebecca has demonstrated a relentless commitment to promote the interests of the industry.

Her enthusiasm for the sector, tenacity and ability to get stuff done is second to none.

Rebecca is an inspiration for women in the primary sector, and she has quietly paved the foundations for the next generation, said Shackleton.

Fisher is general manager, projects and programmes for Horticulture New Zealand.

Fishers family moved to a deer farm on Work Road in 1993 and she attended Katikati Primary School and Katikati College before leaving in 2000 to undertake a Bachelor of Science in Horticultural Science at Massey University in Palmerston North; and worked with kiwifruit and strawberry picking during school and university holidays. She was drawn to horticulture because its about growing healthy nutritious food for people.

Horticulture NZ chief executive Kate Scott said: the impact of Rebeccas work has been broad and profound  strengthening horticultures foundations, ensuring smoother pathways for innovation and sustainability so the sector can thrive.

Fisher was presented with the award at Parliament by Minister Nicola Grigg.

As Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Agriculture, its an absolute privilege to present the 2025 Animal and Plant Health New Zealand Lifetime Achievement Award to Rebecca Fisher for her outstanding achievements in the primary industries, said Grigg.

Incredible contribution

As the worthy recipient of this award, Rebecca has shown women across the country that a career in agriculture is something to be desired and celebrated.

I hope many young women across New Zealand can be inspired by Rebecca and join me in congratulating her for her incredible contribution to agriculture.

APHANZs annual conference dinner and awards took place on June 11 in Wellington, where others were recognised for their contribution to APHANZ and the industry.

Fisher was presented with her award ahead of the APHANZ annual conference because she was unable to attend the event, which hosted a dinner and awards ceremony.

Animal and Plant Health NZ are the peak industry association of companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell products that keep animals healthy and crops thriving.

For more information about APHANZ, visit: www.animalplanthealth.co.nz
A person has died in a house fire in Waihi this morning.

Fire and Emergency services were called to the well involved fire on Montrose Rd about 7.52am after receiving multiple calls.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said four fire trucks were sent, and they were still working to fully extinguish the fire.

It was well involved when we got there, and theyve since found one fatality, he said.

Its about 90% extinguished.

Police also confirmed the fatality in a statement to SunLive this morning.

"At around 7:50am emergency services received reports of a fire on Montrose Road," said a spokesperson.

"Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand investigators are carrying out a scene examination.

"The cause of the fire is yet to be determined."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, was killed as a result of an Israeli airstrike on Iran, Trend reports.

A group of military personnel also died with him.

To note, on June 13, as a result of an Israeli airstrike on Iran, a large number of military personnel, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, were killed.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
A Bay of Plenty company has gone from pipe and paper to cutting-edge mastitis detection technology.

Bovonic, which started life in the garage of founder Liam Kampshof, is signing up dairy farmers around the country for its QuadSense system.

Liam says QuadSense incorporates a milking sensor in each cup liner, allowing it to test each quarter individually rather than the entire cluster.

Its a small sensor that farmers can install themselves by simply cutting the liner and inserting the sensor and it runs on AA batteries, eliminating the need for an electrician.

QuadSense starts measuring milk as soon as the cups are on, then gives a result after just a minute, he says.

It can be installed by farmers into any milking cup liner and gives a red-light alert when mastitis is present.

DairyNZ senior animal care specialist Penny Timmer-Arends says mastitis - inflammation of the mammary gland (udder) in dairy cows  is the costliest disease in the industry, estimated at $180 million per year.

This inflammation can result from infection or injury, but it is most commonly associated with bacterial infections, she says.

Mastitis leads to substantial financial losses for farmers due to discarded milk, veterinary costs, increased culling, reduced milk production, and penalties for poor milk quality.

Timmer-Arends says mastitis affects udder health and milk quality, which impacts both farm productivity and profitability, so a focus on prevention, identification and treatment is important for a healthy herd.

We encourage farmers to work with their farm vet and farm team to develop a management and prevention plan for mastitis, suitable for their herd, she says.

From a dairy farming background in the Bay of Plenty, Liam Kampshof launched Bovonic in 2021 and featured a prototype of QuadSense at Fieldays that year.

I started with a prototype made from a Bunnings pipe and a 3D-printed sensor, he says.

Between 1700 and 1800 QuadSense units have now been installed on about 70 farms across the country including the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Taranaki, Palmerston North and Southland.

Waikato farmer Geoff Sutherland has been using Quadsense since November.

Sutherland is a 50/50 sharemilker on a 320ha block split into three units, near Matamata, running a total of 940 cows.

Quadsense is used in a 30-a-side herringbone shed milking 470 cows on a 150ha property.

Geoff says he read about Quadsense online last year.

Stripping [manually removing the first few streams of milk from each teat before the milking machine is attached to detect signs of mastitis] is always a curse.

Subclinical mastitis, which has no visible signs on the udder or teats, was identified in a number of cows in the herd.

Geoff says if mastitis is detected, Quadsense lights up to indicate which animal is affected at the start of milking.

A phone app is used by milking staff to record alerts via the cows ear tag number.

A sample is taken from each of the four quarters and grown on agar plates. Photographs are sent to Farm Medix in Hamilton for analysis.

We can pick up cases we had not suspected, says Sutherland. Its just like an early indicator.

Treatment of cows identified with mastitis is undertaken via veterinary advice.

If antibiotics are used, cows are milked separately and their milk withheld from collection and processing.

Dairy companies both reward and penalise suppliers for low or high mastitis levels.

Liam Kampshof left the farm leased by his family to study biomedical engineering at Auckland University, then spent four and a half years working in the human medical field in London, developing tools for detecting cancer and septicaemia.

He understood that mastitis was the most significant disease affecting farmers, prompting him to investigate how it was currently detected and diagnosed.

I was quite surprised to discover how outdated mastitis detection methods were for most farmers, he says.

They were relying on manual techniques, and the available technologies were on the expensive side. I knew there had to be a way to make automation more accessible.

He embarked on his journey into product development, leading to the establishment of Bovonic and the creation of QuadSense.

The sensors measure the conductivity of the milk  an increase in salt (sodium and chloride) concentration that occurs with infection.

Liam says this allows the determination of subclinical and clinical mastitis in advance of visible changes in foremilk or udder tissue

Conductivity detects mastitis two or more milkings before visible signs become apparent.

QuadSense trials are being conducted on five farms in the United Kingdom and Ireland following visits by Liam in July, October and February.

He says the company is hoping to start sales there later in the year.
Whakatane Mayor Victor Luca has made an appeal to the Government for support to keep Air Chathams flying out of Whakatane. A response from Associate Transport Minister James Meager has provided hope, though no firm promises. Earlier this year, Air Chathams requested additional support from Whakatane District Council, saying it would otherwise have to discontinue its route between Whakatane and Auckland. The council refused the majority of Air Chathams requests, taking the stance that it should not be up to ratepayers to fund a commercial operation that a large portion of the districts population did not use.

In a letter to both Meager and Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Luca said he had been heartened to hear Meager say the Government was not ruling out underwriting the expansion of small regional airlines.

Luca suggested distributing a small portion of the 51% Government-owned Air New Zealand profit to support regional air connectivity.

He pointed out that, in the 2023 financial year, Air NZ made a $412 million net profit.

A subsidy of $1m to Air Chathams from Air NZ profits would represent only 0.2% of that.

He said Air NZ withdrew from providing a service to Whakatane in 2015. He therefore believed the Government had an obligation to subsidise those airlines, such as Air Chathams, that stepped in to fill the void.

Meagers response acknowledged that the past few years had been particularly difficult for the aviation sector, especially smaller regional operators.

The Regional Infrastructure Fund is one potential source of support, and officials from the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Kanoa are working to develop options for ministerial consideration.

Ministers are aware that the Governments dividend from Air New Zealand is another option, he said.

You can expect to hear more in coming months about how the Government can support regional air connectivity.

Both Air Chathams and Sun Air have approached the Government for concessionary loans to help them stay in operation.

They have not yet received any confirmation of these.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
D. Hernandez / SUR Madrid / Malaga. Friday, 13 June 2025, 10:33 | Updated 10:46h. Compartir

It has taken five years and many rounds of intense negotiations for Britain and the European Union to reach an agreement on Gibraltar.

On Wednesday this week it was announced that a solution had been found for Gibraltar, which had been in limbo since Brexit.

The agreement, once signed, will set up a double line of passport control at Gibraltar's airport and port, with checks to be carried out by Gibraltarian officials first then Spanish authorities.

This will eliminate the land border passport and customs checks between Spain and the Rock and the notorious delays that come with them.

Some 15,000 people cross in and out every day to work as well as tourists. Some "90 per cent" of people flying into Gibraltar cross straight into Spain at the moment anyway.

The text must still be finalised and agreed by the British parliament and the EU, with the detailed document not expected to be ready before the autumn, although the basis will be a proposed agreement from 2020, Gibraltar's chief minister has said.

In a joint statement from Brussels, all sides announced that a "conclusive political agreement on the core aspects of the future agreement between the EU and the UK in respect of Gibraltar", had been made, a pact that "does not prejudice" the legal positions of both Spain and the UK regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Once the agreement comes into force, the date of which is unknown, Gibraltar will be treated as if part of the Schengen common travel area, where passports do not need to be shown between countries.

Zoom Albares, Sefcovic, Lammy and Picardo. Europa press

Spanish police in Gibraltar

On Wednesday, both parties agreed that Spain will be responsible for conducting Schengen controls - rejecting the UK proposal that staff from the EU's Frontex border agency carry out these checks. Until now, the presence of Spanish police in Gibraltar had been one of the main obstacles in the negotiations.

However, quite where these will be sited within the airport terminal, which is alongside the existing border fence with Spain, appeared still to be a point for negotiation.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy defended the deal as a "practical solution", likening the checks to those already in place on Eurostar trains connecting the UK with France.

In a bid to end Spain's common complaint, that cheap cigarettes from Gibraltar flood its market, they also agreed on principles of levels of tax to be applied in Gibraltar to products such as tobacco.

Other important points

Other important aspects include cooperation in combating money laundering and safeguarding the rights of cross-border workers. Gibraltar Airport should also now be able to take flights from other EU countries, boosting tourism.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that this is a "historic and definitive" agreement that marks a "turning point" in relations with the UK.

His British counterpart David Lammy emphasised that the commitments reached "protect British sovereignty" and put an end to years of "uncertainty" after Brexit.

Zoom The busy border crossing. SUR Relief over the agreement inthe Campo de Gibraltar area on the Spanish side The economy of a large swathe of territory inside Spain on the other side of the crossing from Gibraltar - an area known as the Campo de Gibraltar - depends largely on Gibraltar itself. Thousands of workers cross from Spain to the Rock daily and local suppliers sell their goods and services. So there was relief this week that a deal to keep the border free-flowing between the two was on its way, removing the historic hold-ups. The president of Andalucia, Juanma Moreno, welcomed the agreement, although he called for caution, stating that we should wait to see how it develops and not give up Spanish [claims to] sovereignty over the Rock. Juan Franco, the mayor of La Linea, the first town across the border, commented on the agreement, saying that the situation had been on a cliff edge, adding, This is a historic day to be happy, as it addresses the main problem, which is the border crossing.

The chief minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, who stressed that he had been closely involved in the talks, said, "We have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long term once again."

Quick visit to the Rock

Before travelling to Brussels, the UK foreign secretary paid a lightning visit to Gibraltar on Wednesday morning with his minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty.

Lammy met with the Gibraltar government cabinet and business leaders ahead of flying to Brussels with the chief minister for the announcement.
Estepona town hall has finally achieved zero debt, after mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano's office paid off the final 26 million of the 304-million-euro debt that the administration inherited in 2011. According to the mayor, this will help the town enter a new phase this August-September, implying a reduction of the IBI (property tax - similar to the UK's council tax) by 20% on average.

Garcia Urbano made a public announcement on Thursday morning, in the presence of town hall members, as well as representatives of the business and social fabric of Estepona.

When Garcia Urbano (who is a member of the conservative PP party) became mayor in 2011, he inherited a debt of 304 million euros, generated during previous mandates. During the administrations of the last two left-wing PSOE mayors - Antonio Barrientos and David Valadez - the town accumulated debt with public administrations, organisations, companies, suppliers and financial institutions, which made it one of the most indebted in Spain, with an average of 4,600 euros per inhabitant.

When he came into office, Garcia Urbano launched a repayment plan, which required daily investments of 60,000 euros. Since 2011, Estepona has paid back: 90 million to suppliers; 60 million to the general treasury and the social security; 33 million to pay off unpaid invoices; 18 million to the tax agency; eight million to the water service concessionaire; six million to the regional government for the improper or unjustified use of subsidies granted to previous PSOE governments; among other debts.

Sanitation

The economic policy led by Jose Maria Garcia Urbano has allowed the municipal accounts to be cleared and the transformation and urban modernisation of Estepona to be boosted.

The reorganisation of the municipal coffers will allow the resources that until now were dedicated to amortisations to be used for public investments, municipal services and aid to families and the local productive fabric.

It is in this context that Garcia Urbano plans a tax cut of an average 20% reduction in IBI. With this, the average reduction in this tax since 2011 will be brought to 50%.

The mayor signed the municipal decree certifying the IBI reduction before the public

While signing the bylaw to apply this tax reduction, Garcia Urbano received the support of the public. To consolidate the decision, the town hall presented a video of the changes planned for Estepona.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Thursday, 12 June 2025, 19:20 Compartir

There have been positive reactions to the proposal expressed again on Tuesday by Malaga city's mayor, Francisco de la Torre, to link the capital of the Costa del Sol and towns of the greater Malaga area with EMT buses. As the civic leader said, the first phase would have buses reaching Rincon de la Victoria and Alhaurin de la Torre because they do not have a Cercanias local commuter train service, as do Torremolinos and Cartama. Both municipalities have already shown their full support for the initiative and have even planned park-and-ride facilities and interchange sites where the buses could arrive.

Now, the regional ministry for public works in Andalucia (Fomento) has agreed to the technical study of this initiative. "The Junta is open to discussing coordinated plans made between the travel consortium and EMT. Anything that improves public transport will find us ready to talk," said a spokesperson for Fomento on Wednesday. "We have held technical meetings on the possibility of coordinating urban and inter-urban services. All of this will be analysed through demand studies and economic assessment. The criteria of the technical experts will always prevail."

According to these sources, the Junta "always strives for collaboration. For example, in October we achieved the integration of the Cercanias train fare system into the Consorcio card that, in practice, means considerable savings for train users. And this was the result of dialogue and understanding between governing bodies." Not surprisingly, 166,000 Cercanias passengers have used it in the first three months of 2025.

"The Junta is open to discussing coordinated plans made between the Consorcio and EMT. Anything that improves public transport will find us ready to talk" Spokesperson Public works ministry at the Junta de Andalucia

Answering media questions on Wednesday, De la Torre did not elaborate further on the matter and once again stressed that the ball is in the regional government's court as the decision-making authority. "It is a regional issue, it is up to the Spanish regions to propose interurban public transport at metropolitan level, we are fully prepared to collaborate in whatever is necessary", he restated, adding: "There is a demand from some surrounding municipalities, but the response is up to the Junta de Andalucia, which will be reflecting on it and seeing how it can complement the Consorcio."

For their part, the Rincon and Alhaurin town halls are looking favourably on this proposal, which has also been mentioned in the latest SUR 'Rumbo' forums held in both municipalities, as well as the park-and-ride facilities for the public transport interchanges. In Alhaurin it would be in Santa Clara-Tabico, while in Rincon it would be on a large plot of land next to Arroyo Totalan, in the vicinity of the cement factory and shopping centre.

Park-and-ride

"Anything that improves mobility in the metropolitan area is fine with me. In Rincon de la Victoria we have been in talks with Malaga city hall and the EMT for some time," said Rincon's mayor, Francis Salado. In fact, Rincon town hall is working on the construction of a large interchange on a plot of land next to the Totalan waterway, something that "would notably improve communications between the two municipalities and the whole of La Axarquia." "The collaboration of the administrations to improve public transport with the EMT and the Consortium, is positive and necessary," said Salado.

As for Alhaurin de la Torre's mayor, Joaquin Villanova, he not only supports it, but he also claims credit for the initial proposal, an idea that he presented to Malaga council's mobility department almost two years ago. He added that he has also discussed it on several occasions with the Junta's delegate, Patricia Navarro, "in order for the Junta de Andalucia to pick up the baton with the Consorcio so that, just as it has agreements with the [Malaga] metro and Renfe, it can do the same with the EMT and Alhaurin de la Torre, which is within the consortium."

"We are fully prepared to collaborate in whatever is necessary, there is demand from some surrounding municipalities, but the response is up to the Junta" Francisco de la Torre Mayor of Malaga city

Villanova's proposal involves the creation of an interchange in the Santa Clara urbanisation, with a large bus stop with capacity for up to three buses, which would connect with an internal circular line in his municipality. Additionally, there will be a large park-and-ride facility with initial capacity for 400 cars, although this could be increased to 1,000. In this way, there could be an EMT bus to Malaga city centre at least every 15 minutes, which would greatly alleviate the heavy traffic jams that occur at rush hour in and out of the town.

"Anything that improves mobility in the metropolitan area is fine with me. In Rincon we have been in talks with Malaga city hall and the EMT for some time" Francisco Salado Mayor of Rincon de la Victoria

However, the socialist spokesperson in Malaga city council, Daniel Perez, described the proposal as a "random idea": "Before discussing this, we need to improve the EMT in the city. There are many complaints calling for more frequent services and attention given to urban buses. Besides, that's what the transport consortium is for, of which the mayor himself is vice-president. What De la Torre is doing is opening a debate over a new idea."

A new transport authority?

The notion that the buses of the public company managed by Miguel Ruiz could provide a service to other municipalities was previously announced by the councillor for mobility, Trinidad Hernandez, during a full meeting of the relevant committee. Not surprisingly, the EMT's positive results are backed up by the record number of passengers it reached last year, exceeding 50 million for the first time. Meanwhile, intercity buses remained at just over 10 million passengers in the wider metropolitan area.

"We proposed it to Malaga city's mobility department. Just as it has agreements with the metro and Renfe, it could have agreements with the EMT and Alhaurin de la Torre, which is part of the consortium" Joaquin Villanova Mayor of Alhaurin de la Torre

Malaga also wants to link this proposal to the formation of a metropolitan transport authority along the lines of those that exist in Barcelona and Valencia. On paper, this would clash with the functioning of the current metropolitan area transport consortium for Malaga. However, the city council's mobility department explained to SUR that it would go further in terms of responsibilities and scope. At the moment it is a set of consortium services with public and private operators and a proportional representation of the governing bodies, including the provincial authority (Diputacion de Malaga). Currently, there is also fare coordination such as the green card that allows use of the metro, Cercanias train, EMT and intercity buses.

"Before talking about this, the EMT must be improved in the city. There are many complaints calling for more frequent services and attention given to urban buses" Dani Perez Socialist spokesperson in Malaga city council

Another key aspect is that the new concessions map of intercity lines is being subjected to an in-depth study for its redesign. This is a major contract being promoted by the Junta's ministry for public works, but it will take five years. At least the issue of expired concessions, which created great legal uncertainty for operators, was recently resolved. The aim is to conduct an in-depth analysis of lines, needs and passenger demand in order to configure a transport system that responds to the new challenges of metropolitan mobility.

The investment exceeds two million euros and includes an analysis of the current network and operating plans for future lines. All lines currently operating in the area will be thoroughly scrutinised. It will be the time to look at those buses that sometimes run full and no longer pick up passengers, unprofitable lines, those that can operate on demand, those that do not have competitive journey times due to the high number of stops, those with limited frequencies and short schedules. In short, a comprehensive audit of intercity bus transport. The conclusions will make it possible to draw up a map of concessions that truly meets user needs.
Jose Antonio Sau Malaga Friday, 13 June 2025, 13:06 Compartir

Skin cancer is taking a heavy toll on Malaga, according to dermatologists consulted by SUR. Leandro Martinez Pilar, president of the Andalusian branch of the Spanish academy of dermatology and venereology (AEDV), estimates that in the worst-case scenario, the province sees around 600 new cases of melanoma each year. Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, although the most common forms are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. These non-melanoma skin cancers account for 90% of all cases.

Martinez estimates that around 6,000 of these could be diagnosed in Malaga each year, underlining the scale of a disease whose prevention is, without doubt, straightforward: avoid excessive exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays and protect vulnerable areas, including the nose and ears, say experts.

Between 2019 and 2023, the number of such tumours in the province rose by 40%. In 2022, the national incidence rate was 47 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, but in Malaga - based on estimates - the local rate is thought to be significantly higher. According to Martinez, the figures are "striking and alarming". The province could be looking at 371.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants across all three major types of skin cancer, he suggests - and even that may fall short. "We'd probably be underestimating it," he notes, pointing out that many epidemiological studies overlook private healthcare cases and others that go unrecorded.

"Melanoma is the most aggressive form of cancer. At the Hospital Regional, more than 180 cases were diagnosed last year - almost double the number recorded a decade ago," says Martinez, who is also head of the dermatology department at the former Hospital Carlos Haya. The outlook is far from optimistic: by 2040, the number of skin cancer cases is expected to rise by 40%, while the incidence of melanoma has already increased by 50% over the past ten years in Spain.

Melanoma typically appears as a mole. "In just a few years, we've gone from having barely effective treatments to achieving long-term survival in patients with very advanced disease," he explains. This progress is thanks to new therapies: immunotherapy, which uses drugs to stimulate the immune system to attack tumour cells, and targeted therapies for specific mutations in aggressive or metastatic melanoma, using combinations of inhibitors. "We didnt have any of that before - now, 50% of patients with advanced melanoma survive thanks to these new treatments," says the doctor, stressing that melanoma remains the most preventable form of cancer.

Zoom Photo of dermatologist Leandro Martinez. Salvador Salas

Survival depends on prevention and early diagnosis. "We must adopt a culture of sun protection and thats not just about using sunscreen. During the sunniest months, between midday and 5pm, people should avoid direct exposure, as ultraviolet radiation is at its strongest," he says. Protective measures include wearing hats, sunglasses and seeking out natural or built shade.

As for diagnosis, "catching melanoma early is as good as curing it", especially if the disease has not yet spread from the skin's outer layer to the dermis. Thats why self-checking skin lesions is so important.

Magdalena de Troya, head of dermatology at Hospital Costa del Sol and director of the Soludable prevention project, also stresses the importance of early detection. "If we get into the habit of checking our skin regularly and spotting any warning signs of skin cancer, we can detect it in time. And if detected early, it can be cured in 100% of cases."

She recommends the ABCDE rule as a memory aid: A for asymmetry, B for irregular borders, C for varied colours, D for diameter over six millimetres, and E for elevation or evolution. It's also important to watch for itching, stinging or bleeding. "Moles usually look similar, so changes tend to stand out," she adds.

More than 90% of skin cancers are linked to excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is why seeking shade is the most sensible form of protection - along with using sun cream, wearing hats and covering up with clothes such as long skirts or sleeves. Sunscreen products themselves have improved significantly in recent years.

Zoom Dermatologist Magdalena de Troya. N. Carmona

Dr De Troya highlights immunotherapy as one of the major breakthroughs that mean melanoma is no longer necessarily a fatal disease. However, she warns that the other two types of skin cancer - basal cell and squamous cell - though less directly linked to mortality, still have significant effects on patients' lives. "They reduce quality of life considerably, as they usually appear on the face or other sun-exposed areas. They can leave serious scarring and sometimes even lead to functional problems, including facial paralysis, breathing or swallowing difficulties, vision issues, or damage to the eyelids, nose or lips," she says. These consequences, she adds, can have a serious impact on people's lives.

That's why its crucial to protect the ears and nose with sunscreen. "The ears and the bridge of the nose are among the most exposed areas of the head to UV radiation, and it's important to apply cream there too and wear a hat," she says. A brimmed hat is even better for protecting the whole face and, ideally, a wide-brimmed one, "as that can also cover the ears, which are one of the most common sites for various forms of skin cancer and are often overlooked when applying sun cream".
Ivan Gelibter Malaga Friday, 13 June 2025 | Updated 16/06/2025 12:12h. Compartir

The paths that brought Jon and David together in 2005 were so different that anyone could have denied that they were destined to meet. It was a night in Granada, in a bar. Where people still got to know each other in person before the irruption of dating apps. David worked as a teacher, and he had only recently been living his sexuality to the full. For Jon, life was very different. At that time he had already left his native England and was living in Madrid. They met during a holiday, and stayed together for many years from then on.

Jon and David with their son Adam in Guadalmar, Malaga. Javier Garcia Cobos a.k.a The A Prods

Some time later, they managed to settle in Malaga, where David obtained his permanent position. Jon, project manager for an organisation in Brussels dedicated to research in different fields with European funds, was also able to take up residence in the province. And from there, the logical path led to their wedding in 2012. "It was a big event," they both say with a smile.

Adam came into Jon and David's life at just six months old. They always wanted to be parents

More than 300 people celebrated the love between the couple from Malaga and Britain. For David it meant many things, although one of the most important was to understand that the relationship with his father had returned to normal. "I felt he was proud of me," he said. In Jon's case, his family was already 'used to it'. "I'm not the first LGTBI person in my circles," he said with a laugh.

Zoom The A Prods

Marriage was the main facet of the law that passed in Spain in 2005, but it is not the only one. With marriage can come divorce, and this is what happened between David and Jon in 2017. After the short break, a new chapter began in 2019 in a story that is still going strong. The second wedding was simpler, more intimate and at Christmastime. "We are very Christmassy people, and what we set up was a wedding that looked like a party at home for 30 people. Although they were very different celebrations, there's a special place in our hearts for the second one," they said.

And if with a wedding can come divorce (and then another wedding), the recognition of equal rights for LGBT+ couples brought with it the ability to adopt. "We knew we wanted to be parents," said the couple, looking at their child lovingly. Adam, who just turned five this May (although he looks at least one year older) came into Jon and David's lives when he was just a few months old. Adam's parents (Daddy and Daddy) said that he has already asked them some questions about his background and his mother. "I think it's important to talk to him, not to hide anything from him but with an awareness of his age," David said.

The couple knows that, despite belonging to the LGBT+ community, in many ways they are "privileged"

At the moment, Adam is as happy as any five-year-old. "We're sure he'll always be that way, or at least we'll try to make sure of it," they said, but there are some things that do worry them. "One thing we have noticed is that beyond the fact that his parents are gay or that he is adopted, what could affect him the most in the future is his skin colour. That's why we have to reinforce a zero-tolerance policy to comments (even as a joke) on race, whether or not they refer to our son. And I've had to encourage other people around us to see it the same way," explained David.

The A Prods

The couple said that they haven't experienced any different treatment due to their sexuality. "That has a lot to do with how our country has evolved," they said. Still, it is also clear that in their case, it is a more or less 'conventional' family. "This is our family, but there are many others that are just as valid," they highlighted.

Each LGBT+ family can choose how to live - including the extent of their social commitment. David and Jon, on this point, are clear. David has been a member of PSOE for many years - since his youth - and is the spokesperson for the party in his town, Alhaurin de la Torre (Malaga). Jon has just joined the local executive. "Since Adam came into our lives, I feel that I need to participate more and contribute something to society," said Jon.

"At the end of the day, we are partly privileged. We have a wonderful son and we are already expecting our second", they announced with smiles from ear to ear.
Ivan Gelibter Friday, 13 June 2025, 14:24 Compartir

Experts say that perspective, when analysing a historical event, is essential in order not to jump to conclusions. We don't know if 20 years is long enough, but in the two decades since marriage rights have become equal, something has changed profoundly in the country. Because by now, no one doubts that in 2005, Spain made history. Parliament passed the law allowing same-sex marriage, making this the third country in the world to recognise this right. What was then one of the most controversial decisions of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero's term in office is now a fully established legal reality, supported by the majority of society.

Regina and Dani are one of SIX's favourite couples. In 2023 they said el I do. Bruno Campos Regina and Dani are one of SIX's favourite couples. In 2023 they said el I do. Bruno Campos Regina and Dani are one of SIX's favourite couples. In 2023 they said el I do. Bruno Campos Regina and Dani are one of SIX's favourite couples. In 2023 they said el I do. Bruno Campos

Acceptance of same-sex marriage soared after the law was passed, proving that legislation can change society for the better

In fact, the approval of equal marriage marked a turning point in Spanish politics and social life. Those who defended this law at the time presented it as a question of justice and equality. The objective was always to grant all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, the same civil rights. These rights included access to marriage and, although many forget, adoption.

Christian Mellado and Pedro Alarcon's marriage is a cultural reference point in Malaga. Migue Fernandez Christian Mellado and Pedro Alarcon's marriage is a cultural reference point in Malaga. Migue Fernandez Christian Mellado and Pedro Alarcon's marriage is a cultural reference point in Malaga. Migue Fernandez Christian Mellado and Pedro Alarcon's marriage is a cultural reference point in Malaga. Migue Fernandez

In 2012, the constitutional court rejected the final appeal against the law

Twenty years ago, right-leaning political and religious organisations firmly opposed the updated law. They argued that marriage should be reserved for the union between a man and a woman, and that allowing homosexual couples to adopt put the "welfare of minors" at risk. For weeks, thousands of people took to the streets in demonstrations organised by the Family Forum. At the same time, legal alternatives were proposed, which avoided redefining the traditional concept of marriage. Years later, many of these voices recognise that opposing this right was a historic mistake, especially after Spanish society had advanced so rapidly in such a short period of time.

Vanesa and Miriam were one of the first LGBT+ couples to get married in Andalucia. Juan C. Dominguez Vanesa and Miriam were one of the first LGBT+ couples to get married in Andalucia. Juan C. Dominguez Vanesa and Miriam were one of the first LGBT+ couples to get married in Andalucia. Juan C. Dominguez Vanesa and Miriam were one of the first LGBT+ couples to get married in Andalucia. Juan C. Dominguez

A glance at articles from that time is enough to understand that, in 2005, a social debate was in full swing. According to data from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociologicas (CIS), in that year 66% of Spanish people supported equal marriage. However, opinion on adoption was quite different: only 49% were in favour. Support was strongest among young people, people with higher education and residents of large cities, while those over 55 and practising Catholics were more strongly opposed. In those years, many people shared this ideology: "Marriage is OK, but not adoption. A child needs a father and a mother." But despite the debate, the trend was clear: Spanish society was moving towards greater acceptance of LGBT+rights.

country in the world to recognise the right to same-sex marriage of the Spanish population supported LGBT+ marriage in 2005, according to data from the CIS of those surveyed by the CIS in 2005 supported the right for same-sex couples to adopt The constitutional court rejected Partido Popular's appeal against the LGBT+ marriage law country in the world to recognise the right to same- sex marriage of the Spanish population supported equal marriage in 2005, according to data from the CIS of those surveyed by the CIS in 2005 supported the right for same-sex couples to adopt The constitutional court rejected Partido Popular's appeal against the LGBT+ marriage law country in the world to recognise the right to same- sex marriage of the Spanish population supported equal marriage in 2005, according to data from the CIS of those surveyed by the CIS in 2005 supported the right for same-sex couples to adopt The constitutional court rejected Partido Popular's appeal against the LGBT+ marriage law country in the world to recognise the right to same- sex marriage of the Spanish population supported equal marriage in 2005, according to data from the CIS of those surveyed by the CIS in 2005 supported the right for same-sex couples to adopt The constitutional court rejected Partido Popular's appeal against the LGBT+ marriage law

Where are we now? 20 years later, Spain is a different country and society has completely changed. The right to equal marriage has more than the majority of social support. According to Eurobarometer 2023, 88% of Spanish people believe that same-sex unions should be allowed throughout Europe. A Pew research centre survey from the same year shows a similar figure: 87% support among the Spanish population.

Angelo Nestore and Martin de Arriba (Pink Chadora), the most creative wedding in Spain? Angelo Nestore and Martin de Arriba (Pink Chadora), the most creative wedding in Spain? Angelo Nestore and Martin de Arriba (Pink Chadora), the most creative wedding in Spain? Angelo Nestore and Martin de Arriba (Pink Chadora), the most creative wedding in Spain?

Acceptance has grown even among conservative voters and religious people. Equal marriage is no longer part of political questioning and is a reality that is accepted by society and normalised in public and private life.

The last milestone related to marriage occurred in 2012, when the constitutional court rejected Partido Popular's appeal against the law. This confirmed not only its legal validity, but also the profound cultural change that had taken place in the country.

Spain, which decades earlier had lived under an authoritarian regime that criminalised homosexuality under laws such as Vagos y Maleantes, was now among the most advanced countries in terms of LGBT+ rights, making it an example to many other countries, including Latin America.

Two decades after its approval, equal marriage is no longer part of the public debate and has become a symbol of social progress. It's an example of how laws can and should be ahead of society. This is undoubtedly the generation of equal marriage.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support is ready to respond to the Israeli attack, the ministry's statement said, Trend reports.

According to the statement, the Israeli attack resulted in the deaths of a large number of military personnel, scientists, and civilians. Accordingly, the Iranian Ministry of Defense is ready to attack by order of the Supreme Commander.

To note, as a result of the Israeli military airstrike on Iran, a large number of military personnel were killed, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Syracuse firefighters got several calls to 2003 E. Fayette St. at Parkside Commons for smoke and flames coming from an apartment Thursday night. Greta Stuckey

Syracuse, N.Y.  Firefighters helped five people get out of the building during an apartment fire at Parkside Commons Thursday night.

Around 8:29 p.m., Syracuse firefighters got several calls to 2003 E. Fayette St. for smoke and flames coming from an apartment, according to Deputy Fire Chief George Cowburn.

Firefighters saw flames coming from a first-floor apartment and quickly went inside and found that no one was home at the time of the fire, Cowburn said.

But firefighters did help five people get out of the building from the second floor. The residents were exposed to rising smoke and were guided out of the building by firefighters, Cowburn said.

Five fire trucks and two ambulances were at the scene. The fire was put out in about 20 minutes, Cowburn said.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters, Cowburn said.

One person was looked at by EMS on the scene but refused further treatment.

Apartment buildings 2003 and 2005 were evacuated. Most people got out of the building before firefighters arrived, Cowburn said.

The residents of the apartment where the fire started are unable to return at this time, Cowburn said. The rest of the residents are able to return to their apartments.

The cause of the fire is not known, Cowburn said.

Police had East Fayette Street closed from the Parkside Commons entrance to Westmoreland Avenue. Westmoreland Avenue was also closed from Lexington Avenue to Dakin Avenue.

American Red Cross volunteers arrived at the apartment complex around 9:30 p.m. to help the displaced residents.

Syracuse firefighters got several calls to 2003 E. Fayette St. at Parkside Commons for smoke and flames coming from an apartment Thursday night. Greta Stuckey

Staff writer Greta Stuckey covers breaking news. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at gstuckey@syracuse.com.
Its a treat to see well-made photographic prints in an age when most of us encounter pictures on a computer screen or a small phone. We are missing a great deal.

A diverse show of 120 photos is now on display at the Fenimore Art Museum, in Cooperstown. It comes from the collection of Peter Fetterman, who runs a gallery in Santa Monica, California.

People say photographs speak for themselves. I disagree. Good art does not offer the final word, but inspires viewers to reflect by themselves or with others. It does not tell you how to think, but challenges you to think.

It can be useful at the Fenimore show to pick out a few pictures to spend time with, rather than rushing to see all 120. You begin to see details that help you develop an understanding and a story about each image.

One of the most delightful pictures in the show is Colin Joness Children Playing In Front of The Corner Shop, Benwell, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. One of the girls looks at the photographer, while she and another girl play. Two smaller girls are charging them, wanting to be part of the action.

The image is a celebration of childhood, but in the setting (a coal town in 1963), one imagines their lives will become much harder and more restricted when they become women. They are pictured at the top of a long slope which draws the eye down the cobblestone street toward the bleak industrial buildings in the distance. The girls play in the gap of a low wall of rocks that likely defines a parking area. The wall behind them is topped with glass. The row houses are unpainted, with black entrances  like tombs. Its a picture thats joyful and painfully sad at the same time  a hard thing to show in one frame.

Another stunning picture is Flor Gardunos Musico en la Nada, Escoma, Bolivia. The title can be translated as musician in the nothingness.

Flor Gardunos Musico en la Nada, Escoma, Bolivia. The title can be translated as musician in the nothingness. Flor Garduno

Garduno made the picture in 1990, but the man and his bags seem to be of an older time. The musician shows no interest in Garduno or her camera. The instruments that defined his life are lined up behind him, wrapped like mummies. He seems to have left them for good. His head is framed in the clouds, watching the advancing nothingness of white. Gardunos picture is one of a life well-lived and an acceptance of eventual death.

During the pandemic Fetterman began to share images in a blog, with the project title of The Power of Photography. The work at the Fenimore is drawn from those images and a book of the same title.

The prints arrived at the Fenimore without a given sequence, so Kevin Gray, manager of arts education, organized them into six categories. They are the decisive moment, fashion, icons, sense of place, the human condition and life studies.

Julia Madore, associate director of exhibitions at the Fenimore, sequenced the images within those categories, and created the look of the exhibit rooms.

Madore varied large images with smaller ones, often using the most striking images to anchor others. She said she asked herself, What is going to get someone to stop and look at something?

The pictures are almost all from the 19th and 20th centuries, but there are a few from the past 25 years.

Some of the images are quite famous, like The Steerage, by Alfred Stieglitz. Others will likely be unknown to most visitors. Some pictures are two feet wide; others are four inches wide. Some of the artists on display are Robert Adams, Eve Arnold, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Imogen Cunningham, Graciela Iturbide and George A. Tice.

They represent a wide variety of approaches. Robert Adams (no relation to Ansel) is one of the most highly-regarded American landscape photographers and writers. He gained attention in 1975 in a show called New Topographics, at the Eastman Museum, in Rochester. He continues to reflect on the changes humans have made to our landscapes.

Eve Arnold was a Philadelphia-born artist who joined the Magnum photojournalism collective at age 39. She was active in the second half of the 20th Century, and had 12 books published of her work, including photo projects in the U.S., Great Britain and China. The other artists in the show have similarly-impressive resumes and work output.

Fetterman has comments next to almost all the prints. They are full of praise for the artists, many of whom Fetterman says he knew.

There is little analysis of the work, which is in keeping with his philosophy: My collecting mantra is very simple: always be open and receptive, and only collect something that moves you or changes you in some way. Collecting is like reading a great novel; you are one person before and one person after. Thats the litmus test on whether or not you should acquire an image. Does it haunt you?

The pictures at the Fenimore do haunt  in the best way.

Once you spend time with the Flor Garduno image of the musician you may have to track down a book of her work. (And books are second only to prints in their level of visual detail and pleasure). A haunted viewer keeps searching, which is a gift of art.

Fetterman will visit the Fenimore on July 12 at 2 p.m. for a talk and book signing.

Power of Photography exhibit

Where: Fenimore Art Museum at 5798 State Rt. 80, Cooperstown, N.Y.

When: Through September 1.

More info: fenimoreartmuseum.org or call (607) 547-1400

Willson Cummer is a landscape photographer and teacher who lives in Fayetteville. Contact him at willson@willsoncummer.com
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Debris from an apartment building is seen on top of parked cars after a strike in Tehran, Iran, early Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran.(AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) AP

Israel attacks Irans capital: Debris from an apartment building is seen on top of parked cars after a strike in Tehran, Iran, early Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran. Multiple sites in the capital had been hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites and officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. (AP photo)

The latest

Bishop Grimes schools final farewell: I felt like I was part of a family: Fifty-five years ago, Bishop Grimes celebrated its first graduating class. On Saturday, 50 seniors and their families will celebrate its last. Since the high schools closing was announced in February, rituals at Grimes have become a mix of remembrances and mourning, parents and students told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

Whats trending

Rep. John Mannion erupts at fellow NY congressman on House floor: Rep. John Mannion exploded in anger on the House floor Thursday, shouting at fellow New York Rep. Mike Lawler during a vote to pass a House Republican bill canceling funds for foreign aid, PBS and NPR. Mannion, D-Geddes, began shouting at Lawler, a Republican from the Hudson Valley, after he spotted Lawler on the Democratic side of the floor and exchanged words.

Did Syracuse get all the IT work it paid millions for? City Hall efforts to modernize computer systems have been marred at times by lax oversight, to the point where Syracuse officials still arent sure whether the IT consultant they fired five months ago performed all the work the city paid for. Those are among the observations in a 25-page audit report commissioned earlier this year by the city council in the wake of delays and cost overruns in a project to upgrade information technology systems.

Trump says farmers may need undocumented workers: We cant ... take all their people: President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration has to use some common sense around deporting undocumented immigrants who work for farmers and hotel owners. Trump said to expect an order soon that would address migrant farm and hotel workers.

Looking ahead

Early voting for CNY primaries: What you need to know: Early voting for this years primary begins Saturday and continues through June 22. The regular primary election is June 24. Election Day is on Nov. 4 this year. Village, town, city and county positions will be on the ballots. Syracuse voters will be electing a new mayor. Heres a look at who is on the ballot; heres a look at where and when you can vote.

Syracuse amphitheater to let kids in free for 3 concerts: Want to save money on a babysitter at a summer concert? The Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview will let kids in for free to three upcoming shows (but dont get too excited, parents  none of them are Kidz Bop or Blippi). Here are the details of the offer.

Sports

Who is Adrian Autrys most important player? Its a 1 and 1a situation: Adrian Autry and his staff recruited 11 new players from the high school, international and transfer ranks to build around returning starters JJ Starling and Donnie Freeman. Who, among a new crop of players that includes top-50 freshmen, ACC and Big Ten transfers, is most crucial to the teams fortunes in 2025-26? And who is the teams most important player overall? Mike Waters and Brent Axe give their picks.

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In brief

No criminal charges against driver who hit horse and buggy in North Country

Central New Yorks newest brewery taproom opens in Cicero

Destiny USAs Bullfinch Brewpub to expand with Camillus location

15 hurt when passenger van rolls over on Thruway near Syracuse

CNY sex offender was YMCA member, but screening didnt catch him

Budget cuts spark arguments in final Syracuse mayoral primary debate

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Rangers carry out a hiker with a broken leg three miles over rough terrain on May 27. The 26-year-old from Deposit was hiking near Indian Pass Brook in the Adirondack High Peaks. NYSDEC

On the evening of May 27, a 26-year-old from Deposit broke her leg in multiple places while hiking near Indian Pass Brook in the Adirondack High Peaks.

Eight New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers and a paramedic hiked in, reaching the patient just after nightfall.

Rescuers stabilized the hikers leg, then packaged her in a litter for the three mile carry out. Rangers also used a backpack carrier system to traverse the rocky terrain and ankle-deep water.

An Essex County ambulance transported the injured hiker to a hospital.

On June 6, rangers rescued a 61-year-old angler from Virginia who fell 20 feet down an embankment into the Ausable River at the base of Whiteface Mountain. NYSDEC

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

On the evening of June 6, a 61-year-old angler from Virginia fell 20 feet down an embankment into the Ausable River at the base of Whiteface Mountain. Using an inflatable kayak, a ranger transported the angler, who broke his leg in the fall, to the other side of the river and to a waiting ambulance.

A 72-year-old was reported missing on the afternoon of June 7, in the area of OK Slip Falls. Two rangers located the wayward hiker four hours later on a trail near the Hudson River and assisted them back to camp.

On the evening of June 8, a 76-year-old who suffers from dementia walked into the woods toward the Clear Pond trail in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness and did not come out. Rangers, DEC and state police found the person approximately 400 yards from Johns Pond. A ranger assisted them to the trailhead where they were transported to Glens Falls Hospital.

A group of loud campers caused a disturbance on the night of May 26 at the Lake Durant Campground. Rangers issued seven tickets for charges including underage alcohol possession and leaving a fire unattended. Rangers remained on site to ensure the campers cleaned the area before they left and were safe to drive.

A 24-year-old from Brooklyn was overdue from a hike on Blackhead Mountain on May 27. Rangers and local police searched through the night. Early the next morning, rangers found the hiker unharmed walking down a drainage area, seven miles from his last known point.

On the afternoon of May 28, a group of 21-year-old paddlers from New Jersey got stranded on the north shore of Little Tupper Lake after their inflatable boat was punctured. A ranger and a sheriffs deputy bushwhacked into the site and found two members of the group. A third was still missing, but eventually returned to camp on foot, thanks to a Good Samaritan who dropped him off at the trailhead.

A 52-year-old from Chittenango went off trail while hiking Mount Jo on the evening of May 30. Rangers guided him back to the trail over the phone, then met him on the trail to escort him back to Adirondak Loj.

A hiker texted 911 on May 31 to report he and his partner were stranded by rising stream levels on the Roaring Book trail in the Giant Mountain Wilderness. Rangers hiked to the pairs location, helped them cross the brook, and escorted them back to the trailhead.

On the night of May 31, campers at the Hidden Cove lean-to called rangers to report they needed help getting out of their campsite due to a damaged boat. The site is only accessible by boat. Two rangers launched from Long Lake and extracted the campers from their campsite.

Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for syracuse.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com
President Donald Trump made several comments on Thursday on his immigration and deportation policies. Trump arrives on Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, Friday, May 23, 2025. (Manuel Balce Ceneta | AP Photo) Manuel Balce Ceneta | AP Photo

President Donald Trump isnt really planning any changes to his immigration or deportation policies, multiple people told The Washington Post.

Trump said in a Truth Social post on Thursday that changes were coming to protect farmers from losing workers due deportations, the Post said. He mentioned hotel workers in the post as well.

He also spoke about the issue during a press briefing at the White House and said his administration had to use common sense around deporting undocumented immigrants who work for farmers and hotel owners.

Despite Trumps comments, an official later told the Post there will be no change in the current approach to deportations. There are no exceptions for farm, hotel or other migrant workers.

Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, told the Post he has not talked with Trump about any changes to protect farm or hotel workers.

Trumps comments on the issue in a social media post sought to soothe industry leaders in the agriculture and hospitality fields, said a White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, according to the Post.

Many business leaders have been unnerved by the presidents sweeping deportation campaigns, the Post said.

Some of Trumps comments sought to draw a distinction between migrants who come here to work and those who commit crimes, the Post said. But the president said in a later social media post that those who are here illegally should leave.

If they dont, Trump said authorities will find them and remove them, according to the Post.

Trump campaigned last year on promises of a major immigration crackdown and mass deportations.

The hunt for undocumented immigrants has resulted in the detention and deportation of farm workers all over rural America, including Upstate New York.

Business owners have been pointing out that whole sectors of the economy depend on the labor of people Trump is deporting, the Post said. At the same time, influential commentators have been pressing Trump to deliver on his campaign promises.

Some Upstate New York dairy farmers have said their industry relies on migrant workers, many of them here illegally.

Thats in part because there is no work visa available for foreign workers who milk New Yorks 630,000 cows, birth their calves, take their temperatures and administer their shots.
- A great location, friendly neighbors, and a beautiful Colonial have kept Jeanne and Ron Hopkins at 5027 Pine Valley Road, in Fayetteville, for 42 years. Living area in the in-law suite. Today it is Ron's office. Courtesy of Matthew Turner Images Courtesy of Matthew Turner Images

FAYETTEVILLE, NY  Jeanne and Ronald Hopkins have called the Colonial at 5027 Pine Valley Drive, in the Lymestone Hill neighborhood of Fayetteville, home for a long time.

Since 1983, for 42 years, the couple have loved the center hall Colonial, its location, and its neighbors.
Exterior View of the Albany County Courthouse in Albany, N.Y., on Friday, May 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Kena Betancur) AP

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  The Trump administration sued New York state Thursday over a law that blocks immigration officials from arresting people at New York courthouses, saying it purposely shields dangerous criminals.

The lawsuit in New Yorks Northern District is the latest in a series of legal actions targeting state or local policies the administration says interfere with immigration enforcement, authorities said.

Lawless sanctuary city policies are the root cause of the violence that Americans have seen in California, and New York State is similarly employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a news release.

New Yorks 2020 Protect Our Courts Act bans federal immigration officials from arresting people who are coming and going from courthouses or in court for proceedings unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman, the bills sponsor, said at the time the legislation was a rebuke to the first Trump administrations practice of turning New York courts into hunting grounds for federal agents.

He called Thursdays lawsuit baseless and frivolous, noting the law does not apply to federal courts or immigration courts.

At a time when masked ICE officials are roaming the state and lawlessly detaining New Yorkers without any due process, the law preserves access to justice and participation in the judicial process, Hoylman said in a statement. I am confident that this lawsuit will be summarily dismissed but I continue to be appalled at the Trump administrations increasingly-brazen attempts to undermine the protections of the rule of law in New York.

The Justice Departments lawsuit said arrests in or near courthouses are safer for officers and the public because individuals are screened for weapons and contraband before entering the buildings.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is among a group of Democratic governors in Washington on Thursday to face questioning from Congress over policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

A spokesperson said the state is reviewing the lawsuit, but it appears to be a waste of federal resources.

Its important that witnesses, victims, and ordinary people can make use of our court system and feel safe in our courthouses and other state facilities, spokesperson Jess DAmelia said via email. There is no sanctuary in New York for people who commit crimes. New York State cooperates with federal officials in removing convicted criminals from our state.
This Post-Standard file photo shows Dr. Mary Walker, of Oswego, N.Y., who was a Civil War surgeon and a women's rights activist who advocated for dress reform.

President Donald Trump says hes renaming seven military bases, including one named after a Central New York woman.

Trump announced in a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday that he will revert seven U.S. Army bases to previous names that honored Confederate soldiers. CBS reports those changes include Fort Polk in Louisiana, which became Fort Johnson in 2023 to honor Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black World War I hero from Albany, and Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, which was named Fort Walker in 2023 after Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary Walker of Oswego.

We won a lot of battles out of those forts. Its no time to change, Trump said at Fort Bragg, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth renamed from Fort Liberty earlier this year.

The U.S. Army told The New York Times it will take immediate action to restore the old names of the bases originally honoring Confederates. However, the restored names will instead be attributed to other American soldiers with similar names and initials.

For example, Fort Lee in Virginia  renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in 2023  will now be named after Spanish-American War Pvt. Fitz Lee instead of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Fort Johnson will become Fort Polk in honor of WWII Gen. James H. Polk instead of Confederate General Leonidas Polk.

Fort Walker will return to being known as Fort A.P. Hill, originally named after Ambrose Powell Hill, a Confederate general who fought against the Union. The new name will now be attributed to Civil War Medal of Honor recipients Pvt. Bruce Anderson (A), 1st Sgt. Robert A. Pinn (P) and Lt. Col. Edward Hill (Hill): A.P. Hill.

Walker, an Oswego Town native, was a Union Army doctor in the Civil War and is the only woman to have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Honored with her own U.S. quarter last year, she was also a writer, abolitionist and activist who fought for dress reform and womens right to vote.

Oswego historian George DeMass told The Palladium-Times that hes saddened and disappointed, but not surprised by the Trump administrations changes.

President Donald Trump gestures after speaking at Fort Bragg, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Fort Bragg, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the stripping of Johnsons honor a vile insult to the memory and heroic patriotism of Sgt. Henry Johnson, a Medal of Honor recipient and Albany resident who Theodore Roosevelt called one of the five bravest Americans to have served in World War I.

Sgt. Johnson is a true American hero who displayed the most profound bravery on the battlefield, and returning this fort to its former name, and taking this honor away from a medal of honor recipient is a disgusting new low for the Trump administration. It is utterly indefensible, Schumer said in a statement. All of America should be outraged at this slap in the face of a war hero. The Trump administration should be ashamed and should immediately reverse this decision.

The forts were renamed during President Joe Bidens term as part of a years-long process that began during Trumps first term in office. Congress passed a bipartisan bill in 2020, overriding Trumps veto attempt, to create the Naming Commission to end commemoration of Confederates in the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Military Times reports the base renaming process cost nearly $40 million. Its unclear how much it will cost to return the bases to their old names, which avoid the 2020 law by honoring different service members with similar names.

According to the Palladium-Times, the Naming Commissions lead historian Connor Williams said the new namesakes deserve recognition for their sacrifices but it is quite evident to me that President Trump is choosing surnames over service.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility has not been subjected to Israeli strikes, Trend reports.

"Further contacts with Iranian authorities confirm that the Isfahan nuclear site has not been impacted," said Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General.

At the same time, as of now, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant also has not been impacted, he added.

Earlier, the agency reported that Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant has also remained intact. However, the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran was among the targets of Israeli strikes.

"No increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site," Grossi noted.

The Israeli Air Force has launched a strike inside Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
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Heritage Council and Teagasc Celebrate Irelands Grassland Biodiversity at National Event in Birr

The Heritage Council and Teagasc on Thursday, 12 June, co-hosted a landmark event in Birr, County Offaly, celebrating the biodiversity and cultural heritage of Irelands extensive grasslands.

The launch of The Grasslands of Ireland book took place during an Extensive Grassland Biodiversity Event on Thursday, 12 June in Birr, Co. Offaly, hosted by Teagasc and the Heritage Council. Pictured (L-R): Dr. Catherine Keena, Countryside Management Specialist, Teagasc; Professor Frank OMara, Director of Teagasc; Dr. John Feehan, author and ecologist; Dr. Helen Sheridan, Associate Professor, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science; Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive, The Heritage Council; and Catherine Casey, Head of Climate Change, The Heritage Council. Photo: Paul Moore Photography.

Held at the County Arms Hotel and the grounds of Birr Castle, the event brought together farmers, researchers, biodiversity officers, and policymakers to explore the ecological and cultural value of these vital landscapes.

Opening the event, Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, highlighted the importance of collaboration in protecting Irelands natural heritage:

Extensive grasslands are shaped by long-standing relationships between people, place, and nature. They hold enormous biodiversity value, especially for pollinators, ground-nesting birds, and wildflowers, but they are also deeply rooted in Irelands rural heritage. Keeping them viable depends on collaboration  between researchers, land managers, biodiversity officers, advisers, and policymakers.

The event featured a keynote address by Dr. John Feehan and a series of expert talks on grassland management, biodiversity monitoring, and agri-environment schemes. A highlight of the day was the launch of the reprinted edition of The Grasses of Ireland book, a foundational guide for grassland identification and conservation, originally published by Teagasc and UCD and now reissued with support from the Heritage Council.

Professor Frank OMara, Director of Teagasc, praised the partnership and the practical outcomes of the event: This event is a testament to the power of partnership. By bringing together scientific expertise, local knowledge, and policy support, we are building a stronger foundation for biodiversity conservation in Irelands farmland. The reprint of The Grasses of Ireland is just one example of how we can equip land managers and advisers with the tools they need to protect and enhance these valuable ecosystems.

The afternoon field session, held in the meadows of Birr Castle Demesne, offered hands-on demonstrations of species identification, habitat scoring, and biodiversity monitoring, led by Teagasc advisors and local authority Biodiversity Officers.

Its a real point of pride to host this national event here in Offaly, said Ricky Whelan, Offaly County Council Biodiversity Officer. It highlights the growing impact of the Biodiversity Officer network, which is helping to embed nature into everyday land management. The support of the Heritage Council and the development of partnership with agencies like Teagasc has been crucial in building capacity and momentum across the country.

The Extensive Grassland event built on the success of last years Farmland Biodiversity Day and reflects the growing momentum behind community-led and science-informed conservation efforts across Ireland. It also underscores the importance of long-term collaboration between national agencies, local authorities, and landowners in safeguarding Irelands natural heritage. As Ireland faces increasing biodiversity and climate challenges, events like this demonstrate how practical knowledge, local engagement, and strong institutional leadership can come together to deliver real, lasting change on the ground.
The big picture: In a sudden policy shift, the Trump administration has thrown a wrench into the nation's largest broadband expansion effort, forcing states to overhaul plans to distribute $42 billion in federal funding aimed at closing the digital divide.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has put the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program on pause, unveiling sweeping new rules last week that require states to rethink how they allocate grants to Internet service providers. The move has left state officials scrambling to adapt, erasing months  sometimes years  of preparation.

"We had been in position to be making awards this month, but for [the Trump administration's] deliberations and program changes, so it's pretty unfortunate," Andrew Butcher, president of the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) told Ars Technica. The MCA, established by a 2021 state law, leads Maine's BEAD planning and other broadband initiatives.

The timing could not be worse. "This is the construction season," Butcher explained. "We planned it so that projects would be able to get ready with their pre-construction activities and their construction activities beginning in the summer, so they would have all summer and through the fall and early winter to get in motion." Now, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which oversees BEAD, has delayed the process until at least late fall or early winter.

The BEAD program, created under the Biden administration, was designed to prioritize fiber-optic infrastructure, considered the gold standard for high-speed, reliable Internet. Over the past three years, federal officials developed detailed rules and reviewed plans from every state and territory. In Maine, that meant analyzing which homes and businesses lacked adequate service and inviting providers to bid on projects. Now, that work must be redone.

The Trump administration's changes don't stop at BEAD. Recently, President Trump eliminated a separate $2.7 billion grant program established by the Digital Equity Act of 2021, which was set to provide Maine with $35 million for programs like digital skills training, STEM education, and telehealth access.

A major point of contention has been the Biden administration's preference for fiber networks. Lutnick and other Republicans argued that fixed wireless and satellite providers, such as Starlink, should have equal access to grant funding. The NTIA's new rules require states to conduct an additional "Benefit of the Bargain Round" in their selection process, giving non-fiber providers a better chance to compete for grants.

As states like Maine race to retool their strategies, the future of America's broadband expansion hangs in the balance. For now, officials are left to compress years of planning into a matter of weeks, hoping that the promise of universal connectivity can survive another round of political upheaval.
In brief: Smartphones have increasingly become the most popular way of accessing the web over the last 15 years. Now, the percentage of web traffic that comes from mobile devices has reached an all-time high of 64%, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth in this area.

Since 2015, the amount of web traffic to come from smartphones has more than doubled from 31.16% to 64%. There have been quarters during the decade when the figure fell, but there's been a constant upward trajectory since the middle of 2023, with each new quarter bringing a record-breaking high.

One of the main factors behind this recent surge has been users in Asia. A report by Techgaged, which uses data from Statcounter, shows that mobile devices accounted for 71.3% of total web traffic in Asia, 7% higher than the global average. In comparison, mobile devices account for around 50% of web traffic in Europe and the Americas.

In terms of operating systems, Android completely dominates. Google's OS has a 72.72% share of all mobile traffic, while iOS has 26.92%.

Android, of course, is always going to be ahead here as it runs on over 70% of all smartphones worldwide and is dominant in countries such as India and China. With mid-range and even budget Android phones offering the likes of 4G/5G connectivity and data-saving modes in developing nations, more people are going online with Android devices all the time.

In the US, iOS is slightly more popular than Android, thanks to factors such as brand perception, carrier and retail support, and higher income levels.

Beyond Google and Apple, Samsung (Tizen) ranked third with just 0.2%, followed by Firefox-based KaiOS (0.02%), and Linux (0.01%).

The global spread of smartphones has led to an increase in overall internet traffic. Cloudflare's fifth annual year in review noted a 17.2 percent increase in global Internet traffic in 2024, with more than two-thirds of mobile traffic originating from Android devices.

Cloudflare's report also highlighted that Android had a share of more than 90% of mobile traffic in more than 25 regions and countries. Elsewhere, it found that more than 40% of global internet traffic originates from mobile devices.
AI overload: Microsoft wants Copilot to be your digital sidekick, always watching and ready to help  whether you need it or not. The latest feature, Vision, turns the AI into a screen-reading assistant that talks back, offering tips, tasks, or tech-induced headaches.

Microsoft announced that Copilot Vision is now available to users in the US, with plans to expand to more non-European countries soon. This update significantly enhances Copilot, which is evolving into more of a digital "companion" for everyday tasks  hallucinations and all. For those wary of intrusive AI "solutions" chasing problems that don't exist, Copilot Vision remains an opt-in feature  for now.

Copilot Vision sees what users see and helps them get things done, Microsoft said on the Copilot blog. Available through the Copilot app, it can navigate multiple application windows at once. Users can ask Copilot to perform specific tasks or offer suggestions, and the AI will either comply or invent a convincing-sounding solution. It's glorious  if you've already accepted living in an AI-slop-filled world.

Copilot Vision also includes a new "Highlights" feature that shows specific steps to complete tasks. It can assist with playing games, viewing photos, and adjusting lighting to enhance colors. Copilot can talk too, conversing in real-time with a synthetic voice, just like the classic dystopian movies that shaped our vision of the future.

Never mind that many daily computer tasks require little actual "intelligence," or that most Windows users are perfectly capable of searching the web on their own. Microsoft insists Copilot makes everything better  and this is how far it's willing to go to embed large language models deeply into Windows.

Microsoft began testing Copilot Vision earlier this year, and the feature is now available on Windows 10 and 11 through the Copilot Labs program  no Copilot Pro subscription required. Users are said to remain in control of the new app-sharing option and can supposedly stop the AI from peeking at their personal data at any time.

Copilot doesn't capture desktop screenshots every few seconds like Recall does, so it poses less of a threat to privacy and data confidentiality  at least for now. Still, any tool that watches the screen and processes sensitive information in real-time is bound to raise security concerns. Given Microsoft's recent track record, users have every reason to remain cautious.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Another country, Jordan, has thrown up the shutters on its airspace, joining the ranks of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, the Petra agency said via Jordan's Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), Trend reports.

"The agency's Chief Commissioner Haitham Misto said in a statement today that the decision is in line with international standards in the field of civil aviation and obligations related to flight safety. Misto noted that this decision is part of the precautionary measures taken by the agency to ensure the safety of civil flights and passengers," the publication announced.

CARC indicated that ongoing engagement with aviation carriers persists, ensuring that pertinent data is disseminated to them in a timely manner.

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Google Cloud's final update this afternoon signaled the end to a series of disruptions that left a portion of the internet offline for hours. In a final status update, "Vertex AI Online Prediction is fully recovered as of 18:18 PDT. All the services are fully recovered from the service issue. We will publish analysis of this incident once we have completed our internal investigation," said Google Cloud. All major services restored for users worldwide, although the recovery took several hours and some regions continued to experience issues.

Earlier on Thursday morning in the United States, Google Cloud's initial outage report stated, "We are experiencing service issues with multiple GCP products beginning on Thursday, 2025-06-12 10:51 PDT. Our engineering team continues to investigate the issue," said Google Cloud. This announcement was followed by reports that outages began around 14:00 Eastern Time, with Downdetector recording over 11,000 outage reports. The outage left a portion of the internet offline for hours and affected users worldwide.

The interruption was not limited to Google's own products. The outage affected third-party services as well as Google products such as YouTube, Google Search, Google Meet, and Google Drive, leaving users without access. Third-party platforms reliant on Google infrastructureincluding Snapchat, Discord, Spotify, the Pokemon digital card game, and the AI tool Character.aiwere also affected. Platforms such as Etsy, Shopify, UPS, and Roblox experienced disruptions. Network services encountered issues; one statement noted, "There was no outage in our own systems," said Cloudflare, while another report mentioned that network services providing infrastructure to many websites also experienced issues.

Around 16:00 Eastern Time, Google announced that it had identified the problem and applied a solution. A subsequent status report noted, "We have identified the root cause and applied appropriate mitigations. Our infrastructure has recovered in all regions except us-central1," said Google Cloud. Despite these improvements, some regions could not access Google and third-party services because technologies essential to these companies had been disabled during the rectification process.

The Google Cloud team worked to fix the issues that disrupted most internet services. One hour later, an update stated, "Our engineers are continuing to mitigate the issue and we have confirmation that the issue is recovered in some locations," said Google Cloud. Although the situation improved following the outage, Google encountered further system issues that delayed full restoration, and the company indicated that some disruptions might have persisted without specifying a timeline for normal service.

Public reaction to the outage was immediate. On Friday morning, Downdetector received 1,000 outage reports from India, and on social media the outage became a trending topic. One user on the X platform remarked, "Why did Spotify crash while I was at the gym? What am I going to do now?" Many people expressed frustration, especially those beginning their workday when the outage struck.

Google cited errors in its services as the cause of the outage, with interruptions confirmed in all regions. Although no additional details were provided regarding the exact cause beyond the statements "the root cause has been identified" and "the necessary corrections have been applied," the impact was evident. The company closed its announcements with an apology, stating, "We apologize to everyone affected by the outage," said Google Cloud.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern over Israel's strikes on Iran and called on the parties to de-escalate tensions, The Daily Telegraph said, Trend reports.

"The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region.

Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy," the prime minister noted.

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S.Africa's gold mining past poisons Soweto community, residents say



Soweto, South Africa, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Soweto's children call it the "yellow mountain": for decades, a gold mine dump that towers over the Snake Park neighbourhood of South Africa's largest township has been polluting the area and poisoning communities.

The yellow dust that blows off it stings the throat. Studies have found it contains traces of toxic substances such as arsenic, lead and uranium -- a legacy of the 1880s gold rush that founded Johannesburg and Soweto.

The local Snake Park Cerebral Palsy Forum has since 2017 documented at least 15 cases of children born with the condition. Many more have deformations and disabilities, it says.

Okuhle, 13, has cerebral palsy and was abandoned in the street as a baby. Sitting in a wheelchair next to her foster mother on a recent afternoon, the cheerful girl communicated with squeals.

"She can't walk, she can't speak ... she can't use her arms well," said Lilly Stebbe, 60, who also blames the mine for the child's asthma, eye and sinus problems.



- Toxic pollution -



Stebbe herself struggled with a constant cough and irritated eyes. The dust went everywhere, she said.

"When you breathe that dust, it can give you all kinds of cancer," said David van Wyk, lead researcher at the Bench Mark Foundation, a watchdog of local business practices.

"It can also mix your DNA codes and your children will be born with all kinds of deformities," he said. "We find lots of ... physically challenged children in this community."

There are more than 6,000 abandoned mines across South Africa, according to the auditor-general. At least 2,322 are considered high-risk for the adjacent communities.

Van Wyk said between 15 and 20 million South Africans live near such toxic pollution. About 50,000 are in the small houses of Snake Park and more in shacks at the foot of the mine in an informal settlement called Mountain View.

Every month, van Wyk carries out tests on the dump, a vast expanse of powdery soil with a reddish stream through it, as part of a joint study with the University of Johannesburg.



- 'Ten years' -



The two-year study aims to measure and identify solids dissolved in the water. On this day, the testing device detected a concentration of 776 mgs of solids per litre. This made the water unfit for drinking, said van Wyk.

More importantly, the water "contains uranium and strontium, which are both radioactive," he said. The NGO has detected "a whole range of very toxic substances" from copper to arsenic and lead in the stream, he said.

It flows into nearby maize fields and surrounding pastures. Residents say some goats were born three-legged.

Local company Pan African Resources said it bought the mine in 2022 after the previous owner was liquidated without rehabilitating the site.

The pollution had been seeping out of the tailings for at least 50 years, the company told AFP.

"Give us maximum 10 years, we'll remove it completely," said community relations manager Sonwabo Modimoeng.

"We know that this affects people," he told AFP, adding the company had told people not to approach the area. It has also installed warning signs.

But these measures were insufficient for Thokozile Mntambo, who leads Bambanani, an NGO advocating for the rehabilitation of the area.

"The dump needs to be taken off right now, not after 10 years," she said. "Every day, the dust contaminates people."



- Community support -



Baile Bantseke, 59, lives a few hundred metres from the dump with her grandson Mphoentle. The five-year-old has been diagnosed with autism, which Bantseke blames on the "mountain".

Multiple studies, including one published in 2024 in the journal Environmental Health, have established links between autism and exposure to environmental pollutants like heavy metals.

"I blame our government. If they were looking after us, we would not be having such issues," Bantseke said.

Families with disabled children receive a monthly grant of 2,310 rands ($130), barely enough to afford food, clothes and diapers. It does not cover transport to a hospital 15 kilometres away where the children should get treatment.

"We don't have wheelchairs, we don't have pickup trucks," said Kefilwe Sebogodi, who founded the Snake Park Cerebral Palsy Forum and is raising a disabled niece.

In the run-down community hall, she welcomed a dozen mothers, grandmothers and caregivers joining the Forum's support group.

Their monthly meetings showed that "the children matter in this community", Sebogodi said. "We are still standing."
Climate change, human activity behind mass deaths of rare seals: Kazakhstan



Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



Kazakhstan on Friday blamed human activity and climate change for the mass deaths of an endangered seal species in the Caspian Sea, the world's biggest inland body of water.

Around 2,200 Caspian Seals -- the only mammals that live in the Caspian Sea -- have washed up dead on the shores of Kazakhstan since November 2024.

Following tests, Kazakhstan's agriculture ministry said "chronic toxicosis, carnivore plague, acute pneumonia, and asphyxiation due to the release of natural gas from the seabed" were to blame.

Chronic toxicosis is an accumulation of pollutants in the seals' bodies which disrupts their immune system.

"The decline in seal numbers is due to a decline in the animals' immunity and their susceptibility to various diseases," the ministry said.

"Unfavourable climatic factors, such as the falling level of the Caspian Sea," as well as shorter winters and global warming were among the main threats facing the endangered species.

Human activities such as "winter shipping and fishing nets" also threatened the seals, Kazakhstan said.

The seal population has plunged by more than 70 percent over the last century, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Kazakhstan estimates there are now around 270,000 left.

All five nations that surround the Caspian Sea -- Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan -- have periodically reported discovering huge numbers of dead seals on their shores.
S.African president blames climate change for 'catastrophic' floods



Mthatha, South Africa, June 13 (AFP) Jun 13, 2025



South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met Friday with survivors of devastating floods that killed at least 78 people in the impoverished Eastern Cape province, blaming the "catastrophic disaster" on climate change.

Ramaphosa toured the disaster zone and met with survivors in the region, where thousands of houses, roads, schools and health facilities were left caked in mud after being completely submerged in floodwaters, leaving many people with nothing in one of the poorest parts of the country.

Rescuers were going door to door searching for bodies or possible survivors, as people got stuck inside their homes when the water rushed in during the night. Some managed to escape to their roofs, where they waited long hours for help.

Ramaphosa visited the site where a school bus was swept away, killing at least six children and three adults. Four of the children were still missing.

He also spoke with a woman who lost her mother and at least two of her young nephews. The woman was sobbing as the president listened to her story.

"This is a catastrophic disaster which is caused by climate change," said Ramaphosa, who estimated the flood waters had reached more than four metres (13 feet) high.

"During winter, we expect cold as well as snow here in the Eastern Cape. Now that we are confronting floods, this goes to show the severity of the issue of climate change."

Snow and heavy rainfall are common during winter in South Africa, but coastal parts of the country were hit by "unprecedented" weather conditions, Ramaphosa said on Thursday.

According to the Green Climate Fund, the country is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate variability and change, which increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather.

The death toll from the floods, which officials said stood at 78 on Thursday, could still rise.

Earlier Friday, bodies were still being retrieved from a nearby river.



- 'The furniture was floating' -



The area worst hit by the floods and subsequent landslides was the city of Mthatha, about 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of Johannesburg.

The city is near the village of Qunu, birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the late anti-apartheid hero and former president.

The South African Red Cross Society, which sent aid to the Mthatha area, told AFP at least 3,500 households had been affected, with many people sheltering in community halls.

AFP journalists on Thursday saw a rescue team pull four bodies, some of them children, from a one-roomed house in the late afternoon. The surrounding area was strewn with debris and locals sobbed as they watched the recovery.

"When we came out of the house, the water was above the knee, all the furniture inside was floating," Sopiseka, a survivor, told AFP.

Ali Sablay, a spokesperson for disaster response charity the Gift of the Givers Foundation, said the number of people requiring assistance could increase "dramatically".

"The homes are fragile, they can collapse anytime. Food is contaminated, so people need to be evacuated," said Sablay.

At least 20 health facilities and 58 schools were damaged in Eastern Cape province, according to local authorities.
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The British director Daisy-May Hudson was sitting in the library at Manchester University, writing her dissertation, when she found out shed lost her family home. Her mum, in a state of shock, delivered the news on the phone, telling Hudson that the house she and her sister had grown up in was going to be knocked down and made into a car park. In the 13 years they had lived in Epping, rent prices had soared and they couldnt afford to move into a new place. In a matter of weeks, they would be homeless.

It was a very surreal moment, says Hudson, now 34. There were tears, and then this feeling of powerlessness. Hudson, her 13-year-old sister and their mum spent the next two years moving between strip-lit hostels, stuck in agonising limbo while they waited to be allocated a permanent home. Every desperate, anguished email sent to the housing office was met with the same robotic response: Thank you for your enquiry, we will get back to you in due course.

I hated that feeling of my life being in someone elses hands, she says, so thats why I started filming the experience. It enabled me to feel like I was actually doing something and taking the power back. She captured every painful moment on camera, her previously effervescent mum waning as the months rolled on and the instability of temporary housing took its toll. The resulting 2015 documentary, Half Way, was the first-ever film to be used as evidence in a parliamentary enquiry into homelessness. Hudson was named a Bafta Breakthrough Brit.

After Half Way, Hudson became active in the housing movement, where she discovered a cruel paradox that was affecting many women in the UKs penal system. Theres this catch-22 that happens, she explains, where if youre coming out of prison and trying to get rehoused, if you dont have your children, you cant get housing. And if you dont have housing, you cant get your children. Its a cage that youre unable to get out of. Its brutal. And I just wanted to do something about it. So, she did. This week, Hudson releases Lollipop, her first fiction film.

Dont be fooled by its sweet title; Lollipop is a guttural howl. It follows Molly, who, after a short stint in prison, finds herself homeless and fighting for custody of her young children. Played by electric newcomer Posy Sterling, Molly becomes trapped in a hellish bureaucratic cycle, not dissimilar to the red-tape purgatory Hudson herself experienced.

Molly might have physically left prison, but she is still locked up in a terrifying new reality, one in which she sleeps in a tent with a key between her knuckles and isnt allowed to be alone with her kids. When one housing officer behind a Perspex screen sighs and tells her that she just needs to keep pushing for suitable accommodation, Molly roars. Theres a very visceral connection between a mother and child, says Hudson, and when that is taken away, Ive seen it happen, it ignites this lioness capacity to be able to fight and do whatever it takes.

We meet in the basement of a Soho venue where Lollipop is being screened. In conversation, Hudson sounds more like a bright-eyed campaigner than an acclaimed filmmaker, her swirly gold earrings quivering as she talks passionately about the injustices she has witnessed first hand, and the power of sisterhood in the face of trauma.

open image in gallery Molly is played by electric newcomer Posy Sterling ( Met Film )

As Ken Loach did before her with I, Daniel Blake and Sorry We Missed You, Hudson has made a social realist drama that serves as a damning indictment of the status quo  and an urgent call for change. She was careful, though, not to write a story about heroes and villains. People go into these jobs with the best intentions, she says of the vacant-seeming, lanyard-wearing employees Molly comes up against. But they become desensitised by how much pressure theyre put under, how many people they have to see, and what they have to cope with. And theyre just trying to get it right. Theres that tension between people wanting to do what is in their humanity and then being stuck within these rules of the system and wanting to keep their job.

For this reason, Hudson cast women who had personally experienced homelessness to play characters working in housing and social care. I knew they would bring compassion to the roles, having sat on the other side of the table, she says. It was important that those working within the system would find it authentic, and those on the outside would find it genuinely revealing. So much of the family court is all done in secrecy to protect the children, so we can never really see it out in the open and actually have that critical engagement to ask, Does this work? Is this the best we can do? she says. Im trying to bring transparency to it.

Our system is sending people out into even more unsafe environments than they came from

She also wanted to bring attention to the lack of aftercare women receive upon leaving prison. According to the Prison Reform Trust, of all the women who left UK prisons between 2022 and 2023, only half did so with settled accommodation. Leaving the prison gates, they are given tents instead. Many women have dependent children  an estimated 17,000 children are affected by maternal imprisonment every year  and more than half of women in prisons have suffered domestic abuse. They are some of the most vulnerable people in society.

I could actually cry now when I think about it, says Hudson, because I feel it so deeply. Our system is sending people out into even more unsafe environments than they came from. When people come out of prison, they dont have access to housing, they cant get a job, and theres so much stigma. Theyre just back into survival mode  get a job, get your kids back, get money, get housing. Its a very harsh way of life. Thats what Im really driven by  how can we bring love and compassion to peoples stories, and give them a context beyond what judgments people may make about them?

open image in gallery Hudson on the set of Lollipop ( Met Film )

Hudson points to another legal quagmire women often fall into: those seeking custody of their children are sometimes told they need to undergo therapy before their court date. The catch? Wait times for therapy in this country are longer than wait times for court. They cant physically do it, and yet that is what the system has prescribed to them, she says. So, the women are just set up to fail.

Bleak as the situation is, Hudson can see a path out of all this. She wants the social and housing departments to communicate with the courts and join up the dots. She wants them to listen to people whose lived experience can effectively inform their processes. Theyre the experts because theyve actually lived through it. They should be listened to.

Listening to these women, says Hudson, will also help to strip away some of the stigma attached to homelessness. In Lollipop, Molly bumps into a childhood friend who later becomes a life raft for her. When the woman spots her tent, Molly is so ashamed of her situation that she tells a white lie to cover it up. Going camping! she says, forcing a smile. Hudson has seen this shame play out first hand. Her younger sister, who was 13 when her family began living in hostels, would similarly hide their housing troubles from her school friends. She would walk a certain way to pretend to her friends that she was going to a house, then once theyd left, turn around and walk back to the hostel. It breaks my heart.

When Hudson released Half Way a decade ago, there were homeless women at the screenings standing up as they punched the air and clapped. They felt fully seen for the first time and without shame because radical honesty and storytelling takes it away, she says. Hudson hopes that Lollipop will have the same effect. If you can take something thats been painful and turn it into something powerful for you, and powerful for others, its worth it.

Lollipop is out in cinemas nationwide on Friday 13 June
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Five people were killed in Tabriz as a result of Israel's military attack on Iran, Director General of Crisis Management for Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, Majid Farshi, told reporters, Trend reports.

Farshi told local media that 12 others were injured in the attacks.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

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Mel Brooks has announced his personal involvement in a sequel to his Star Wars spoof, Spaceballs.

The 98-year-old comedy legend co-wrote, produced and directed the original 1987 satire. He is set to reprise his role as Yogurt, a parody of wise Star Wars character Yoda, in the upcoming Spaceballs 2, which is set for release in 2027.

Brooks made the announcement with a teaser clip posted to social media, which he captioned: I told you wed be back.

In the style of the famous Star Wars opening scroll, a message reads: Thirty-eight years ago, there was only one Star Wars trilogy...

The message goes on to mention the huge amount of sequels and spin-offs released since then, including the films and television series set in the Stars Wars universe but also referencing Dune, Jurassic Park, Alien, Harry Potter and 36 MCU movies with two different Robert Downey Jr.s.

Mel Brooks announcing his involvement in 'Spaceballs 2' ( X/Mel Brooks )

At the end of the scroll, Brooks appears in person wearing a sweater with the slogan: SPACEBALLS THE SWEATSHIRT.

He says: After 40 years we asked what do the fans want... but instead, were making this movie.

It was previously announced that Josh Gad will lead the cast of the sequel, which will be directed by Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar filmmaker Josh Greenbaum.

In his own social media message, Gad added: I was that child who saw Spaceballs before I ever saw Star Wars and then wondered why anyone would do a dramatic remake of the Mel Brooks classic.

It is therefore the greatest gift of my life to now help take the reins and work alongside Mel and this incredible group to do a sequel to the movie that first inspired George Lucas.

The rest of the cast has not yet been officially announced, but Deadline reports that Rick Moranis is expected to come out of retirement to reprise his role as the villainous Dark Helmet.

Moranis, one of the biggest comedy stars of the 1980s and 1990s, has not appeared in a live-action role in over 25 years.

The publication also reports that Bill Pullman will return as Lone Starr, the spoofs equivalent of Han Solo, while Keke Palmer is set to join the cast in an as-yet-unspecified role.

Spaceballs 2 is being produced by Amazon MGM and will premiere in theaters. It has been jokingly dubbed by the studio as: A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.
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Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has reassured Star Wars fans who were left confused by an incredibly rare screening of A New Hopes first ever cut.

Star Wars purists expressed puzzelment after the BFI announced the screening earlier this year, highlighting that writer-director George Lucas has repeatedly expressed his disdain for this particular version cut over the years.

Lucas has made several edits to the blockbuster since it was first released in 1977  and the print shown by the BFI predated any of the filmmakers preferred changes. In 2004, Lucas said of his edits to Associated Press: Im sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it, but I want it to be the way I want it to be.

The original version of the film is so rare that the opening crawl doesnt even have the films renowned subtitle, Episode IV: A New Hope, and also features a different cut of the Mos Eisley cantina scene that sees Han Solo (Harrison Ford) shoot bounty hunter Greedo.

In a later cut, Lucas infamously switched it so that, rather than Han shooting Greedo first, the bounty hunter is the one to fire at Han before Fords character kills him. The scene was changed to exonerate Han of all wrongdoing, but many fans complained that the edit stripped Han of his roguish character streak.

Whe the moment rolled around in the screening, audience members, including director Edgar Wright, cheered and applauded.

The BFIs announcement of the screening, which kicked off the second Film on Film festival on Thursday (12 June), was immediately followed by Reddit threads created by die-hard fans claiming the organisation could not have received the approval of Lucasfilm and Disney.

To ease this fan concern, Lucasfilm president Kennedy introduced the screening, which took place at BFI Southbank, and legitimised the fact it was being shown. Im here to make sure you dont think this is an illegal screening, she said to laughter from the crowd.

BFIs Chief Executive Ben Roberts explained that he had contacted Kennedy when the BFI came across the print in their archives, but admitted he wasnt really sure we were able to show it due to Lucass tinkering over the years. He said it was a miracle the print was in a condition to be screened.

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open image in gallery Harrison Ford in the original Star Wars film ( Lucasfilm )

Kennedy expressed surprise at the prints existence, stating there is incredible folklore surrounding it.

Even when I came into the company [in 2012], there was endless conversation about where everything was and what was, in fact, the first print  and its quite remarkable: what youre gonna see is in fact the first print. Im not even sure theres another one quite like it. Its that rare.

She continued: Its quite remarkable to be able to experience this exactly the way it was in 1977. This is really special.

Lucasfilm president says Star Wars screening of original film cut is not 'illegal'

Kennedy said the original Star Wars film is the gold standard when it comes to creating new projects set in the franchises universe.

I would say this is the film everyone starts with when we start talking about story, Georges intent and what it is were trying to build off of, she told the crowd.

open image in gallery Mark Hamill in Star Wars: Episode IV  A New Hope ( Lucasfilm )

She credited acclaimed spin-off series Andor with expanding genres when it comes to Star Wars projects, and shared a hint of what to expect in the future.

I really think that now were in a position where its broadened the possibility of stories and filmmakers we can bring in to tell stories that mean something to them  it doesnt necessarily have to connect to every little thing thats been done in Star Wars; it can actually be a standalone story that then builds into many many other stories.

Kennedy said she was in London ahead of new film Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, which starts shooting in September. Its gonna be pretty big, she teased.

The BFI Film on Film strand concludes with a rare screening of the first episode of David Lynch and Mark Frosts Twin Peaks, which will be introduced by lead star Kyle MacLachlan.

Other films that will be screened at the festival include Stanley Kubrick films The Killing (1956) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).
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When today has come and gone/ I might be singing my new song growls Neil Young on the opening line of his 48th studio album, Talkinto the Trees. Although hes backed by a ragtag band of long-term collaborators (branded here as The Chrome Hearts), the bumble-bump of the wheezy harmonica, acoustic strum and rattling drum of Family Life make him sound like a one-man band rummaging absentmindedly through a cramped store cupboard in search of the next line Which turns out to pivot on the almost comically underwhelming, yet triumphantly delivered, rhyme: Might be short and it might be long/ But Ill be singing my new song! Taahh-dahh!

You wait patiently as the rambling rocker lifts line after line from the shelves, listing his family members, telling you where theyre at now and worrying away at emotional sores. He names his sons and pines for my grandchildren who I cant see. The question of why Young might be estranged from the children of his daughter, Amber, appears to be answered when he goes on to describe actor Daryl Hannah (who he married in 2018) as his best wife. Surely an unnecessary slap in the face for Ambers mother, Pegi, to whom Young was married for nearly 40 years? Unnecessary, even if true. Also, is it sweetly homely or plain patronising that the highly accomplished Hannah (who recently released a documentary about Young on tour) is lauded only for being the best cook in the world?

Its all par for the course on this collection of 10 new songs that find the Godfather of Grunge beetling along heroically/tediously in the same old tyre tracks hes been stuck in for years. As a longtime Young fan, I found myself feeling as torn as his well-worn stage denim. On the one hand: I found myself bored listening to tracks such as First Fire of Winter, which leans heavily into the recycled three-chord riff of his 1970 classic song Helpless, and again as Silver Eagle chunters along to the singalong tune of Woody Guthries 1940 anthem This Land Is Your Land. On the other, I found it undeniably heartwarming to hear Ole Shakey bumbling through the same old chord sequences hes used since the Seventies, singing about being stuck in the queue at his local farmers market (as he does on the title track).

Elsewhere, though, we find that the man who wrote the blistering Ohio in 1970 (hitting back against President Nixon in response to the Kent State shootings) has lost none of his electric rage against injustice. Even if the lumbering, two-chord anti-Donald Trump, anti-Elon Musk protest tracks (Big Change and Lets Roll Again) do sound as though theyve been busked up in minutes.

Lets Roll Again sees him calling on the American car industry to Build us something that wont kill our kids/ That runs real clean. But theres little of Ohios efficient lyrical craft in the lines, Come on America/ Lets get in the race  Over in China, theyre way ahead/ Thats hard to swallow. Theres also some incoherence as Young rails against Musk with: If youre a fascist get a Tesla/ If youre a democrat taste your freedom/ Get whatever you want and taste your freedom Does that mean democrats are exempt from the Tesla boycott? Who knows!

Theres still something to love in the way Young has stayed in his lane. Talkin to the Trees drifts into more interesting territory towards the end, with its spaceously jazzy drumming, yawning whale song, pedal steel and lullsome keyboards of Bottle of Love (over which Youngs crackle-glazed high tenor croons of flying across the fields). The closer, Thankful, is an acoustic swayer on which he leaves us with a hippified glow of gratitude for the peaceful earth and an ongoing plea for the planet. Many artists, including the late Marianne Faithfull, created some of their best work in their later years. This is not Youngs best work. It is, however, a record that should raise smiles on the faces of the faithful.
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It would be very, very easy to go overboard when discussing Van Morrisons new album, Remembering Now. The 79-year-old Northern Irishmans latest release, his first album of original songs since the berserkly terrible anti-lockdown polemic Whats It Gonna Take? (2022) has been hailed as his best in decades. Its not such an absurd claim  if we dont count 2016s from-the-archives live album ..Its Too Late To Stop Now: Volumes II, III, IV & DVD, or his underrated country venture Pay the Devil (2006)  but thats more a testament to just how awry Morrisons output has gone.

Morrison, one of musics true originals and a genuine great, has, in recent years, managed to remain as preternaturally prolific as he always was (Remembering Now is his 47th studio album), while becoming, at the same time, preternaturally crap. Even if we set aside his brief and scandalising detour into Covid contrarianism that yielded his lowest lows, his output for decades has been lacking: limp, atavistic cover albums, or similarly insipid original records. (As a live act, hes a bit of a different story, never losing his capacity for sheer magnetic brilliance, albeit now in flashes that come and go like the weather.)

Into this context comes Remembering Now  a solidly enjoyable album sits as many leagues above Morrisons recent slump as it does below his best work. The album opens with one of its best tracks  Down to Joy, an upbeat, soul-tinged number that was nominated for an Oscar in 2022, having appeared first on the soundtrack to Kenneth Branaghs awards season stalking-horse Belfast. If It Wasnt For Ray, an enjoyable tribute to the late Ray Charles, has the structure and feel of an early Morrison song, and, fittingly, allows the keys and organ to shine.

At 14 tracks, Remembering Now has a slight paunchiness to it  something that grates particularly during the drearier slow numbers, such as The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours and Memories and Visions. If it is missing the volcanic energy of his early work, thats probably fair enough, given the man is now pushing 80. But there are times when this album seems as spiritually optimistic as any hes ever put out. Havent lost my sense of wonder, he insists, in the title lyric of the albums third song. For the first time in a long while, weve reason to believe him.
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Mark Wright has apologised for an inappropriate post shared shortly after more than 250 people died in the Air India plane crash.

On Thursday (12 June), the plane, which was flying to London Gatwick, crashed into a hostel building in Gujarat five minutes after taking off.

Images and videos from the city showed plumes of smoke pouring from the wreckage of the plane as firefighters tried to douse the charred remains of buildings impacted by the crash.

Soon after, The Only Way is Essex star Wright, 38, shared a post complaining about leg room on standard planes, using a photo of himself and his wife Michelle Keegan, with their baby daughter, in front of a private jet.

He captioned the post: One day babe  for now, we'll take row 26 with no extra leg room.

After his followers issued complaints at the timing of the post, with one commenting: Not really appropriate to put this up after today's plane crash, Wright immediately removed it.

He the revealed he had written and scheduled the post before the crash. He called it a horrendous coincidence.

I apologise for a post I just put up on my page after today's heartbreaking events, he wrote on his Instagram Stories.

open image in gallery Mark Wright apologises for 'horrendous coincidence' after sharing 'inappropriate' post after Air India crash ( Instagram )

I have posts from a holiday that are on the scheduled setting, which go out on future days I have set them for which was done last week. It's a horrendous coincidence that today's post was on such a devastating day.

He continued: Once I logged in to my Instagram and realised the post had gone out, I immediately deleted. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected from today.

Wright apologised for this mistake and any offence caused.

The Independent has contacted Wright for further comment.

open image in gallery Mark Wright apologised for any offence caused ( YouTube )

A British national was the sole survivor of the Air India flight. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who had been sitting in seat 11A, was identified by local police shortly after the crash.

Indian civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Thursday night that a formal investigation in keeping with international protocols had been initiated.

A UK team had been dispatched to join the investigation as well, prime minister Keir Starmer said.

The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a line training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.

open image in gallery Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash ( Handout )

There were 10 other crew members on board, civil aviation authorities said.
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The food safety watchdog has issued a warning after identifying some imported Dubai-style chocolate products that could pose a risk to consumers with allergies.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said some imported products may not be intended for sale in the UK and therefore not include a full ingredients list or allergen labelling, posing a health risk to individuals with food allergies.

It said imported chocolates may also contain additives and colours which are not allowed on the UK market.

The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the products to work out the scale of the issue, and working with allergy charities in the meantime to raise awareness of the risk with consumers.

The watchdog said that most Dubai-style chocolate available in UK shops was safe, but if in doubt, dont buy it and report any concerns to your local authority.

By law, labels must list all ingredients and clearly highlight any of the 14 regulated allergens.

open image in gallery The FSA said it was surveying and sampling the Dubai-style chocolate products ( Alamy/PA )

The FSA advised consumers to look out for labelling details to check whether a product is intended for sale here.

By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English containing the name of the food, for example, milk chocolate with pistachio paste filling, a list of ingredients with allergens emphasised, the weight of the food in grams and a best before or use by date.

Labels must also include the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. If the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included.

Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, said that the vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products dont meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies.

If you are looking to buy Dubai-style chocolate, we advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones youd use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.

As its difficult for consumers to tell the difference between products made for the UK and those that arent, if you have a food allergy or intolerance, we advise that you do not buy the product unless youre certain its intended for sale here.

UK law requires food labels to highlight any of 14 allergens present in the product, but some imported products may not do this. You can find more information on food.gov.uk.

If you have concerns about chocolate that you see on sale, dont buy it and instead report it to your local authority. We are working closely with local authorities to make sure that any unsafe products are removed from sale as swiftly as possible.

Anyone who has concerns about products they have purchased should not eat them, especially if they have food allergies or intolerances.
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Around one in ten women worldwide has endometriosis. This common condition causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in other parts of the body. This can result in painful periods, chronic pain and even infertility.

Yet despite how common endometriosis is, theres currently no cure for it. This may partly be due to the fact that researchers still arent entirely sure what triggers endometriosis.

But one factor that might increase a womans likelihood of developing endometriosis is their early life experiences. Recent research published by my colleagues and I has revealed a link between difficult childhood circumstances and a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with endometriosis.

Our study included all women born in Sweden between 1974 and 2001, totalling over a million women. We then followed them from birth using the Swedish register system, which allowed us to track each participants health data.

We also looked at different indicators of childhood adversity that had been captured through the registers. We focused specifically on experiences that previous studies have shown can lead to negative mental or physical health later in life.

This included having a parent with substance abuse problems, having had to spend a night in the care of child-protection services, having to move around a lot or being exposed to violence. In total, we included 11 indicators of childhood adversity in our analysis.

Ddespite how common endometriosis is, theres currently no cure for it ( Getty Images )

We then compared the likelihood of receiving an endometriosis diagnosis in women who had experienced each specific type of childhood adversity with women who had not. We controlled for factors that might have influenced the results, including the womens ages, the year they were born, their county of birth and if they had been smaller than average at birth.

Our results showed that having experienced some form of adversity between birth to 15 years of age was associated with a higher risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis later in life. The only adverse childhood event that wasnt linked with a greater risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis was familial death.

Women who had been exposed to violence had the highest risk increase, with an over twofold greater likelihood of being diagnosed with endometriosis compared with all other women.

The likelihood of being diagnosed with endometriosis increased the more adversity a woman had experienced in their childhood. Women who had experienced one type of adversity in childhood had a 20% greater likelihood of being diagnosed with endometriosis. But women who had experienced five or more types of adversity had a 60% greater likelihood.

We also ran a separate analysis that included women who experience painful periods (dysmenorrhea) to see if it affected the results. Many women who are diagnosed with endometriosis initially seek help from their doctor because they experience painful periods. We included women who had dysmenorrhea to capture women who might have endometriosis, but had not yet received a proper diagnosis. The results were similar even when we included women with dysmenorrhea in our analysis.

Previous studies which have looked at self-reported early childhood trauma have seen a link with endometriosis. But our study looked not only at remembered experiences of trauma, but also at other indicators of stress.

Endometriosis and immune function

Our findings may be explained, at least in part, by immune system processes and chronic inflammatory responses.

Having experienced adversity during childhood has previously been linked to higher levels of chronic inflammation, as well as an increased risk for autoimmune disorders. Greater levels of inflammation in the body could worsen endometriosis symptoms or even trigger endometriosis to develop.

Another possible way childhood adversity could affect endometriosis is through increased pain. Childhood adversity has been linked to a higher risk for chronic pain conditions. This could lead to women in our study who had gone through childhood adversity experiencing more painful symptoms on average, and therefore being more likely to seek medical help and receive a diagnosis.

Symptoms of endometriosis NHS Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed during your period but cannot leave your body. You might have some symptoms during your period, such as: severe period pain that stops you from doing your normal activities

heavy periods, where you need to change your pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes.

pain when you poo or pee You can have other symptoms at any time in your menstrual cycle, such as: pain in your lower tummy and back (pelvic area)

pain during or after sex

extreme tiredness (fatigue)

pain or bleeding in other areas, such as in the chest, which may cause shortness of breath and coughing up blood

Further research might dig into these possible mechanisms. This would improve our understanding of how and why the disease develops. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind the pain experienced by women with endometriosis might also allow researchers to develop more effective treatments than those currently available.

Our study reinforces the conclusions of previous studies which show a link between early childhood adversity and poor health in later life. This kind of research suggests a connection between mental and physical health, and indicates that we need to re-examine our view of the mind and body as separate entities.

It should be noted that our study is observational, which means it cannot prove that adverse events in childhood cause endometriosis, it can only show an association between the two.

However, our study does highlight the importance of devoting resources to help parents and children. Helping families escape poverty, treating parental addiction or providing stable housing could lead to a healthier population in the future.

Marika Rostvall is a PhD Candidate in Epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Teddi Mellencamp has hit back at criticism about her dating someone new and fostering a dog, amid her cancer diagnosis.

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. Her condition advanced to stage four in February this year and metastasized to her lungs and brain. She then underwent major brain surgery that removed four tumors. However, shes currently receiving immunotherapy treatment to reduce the tumors that couldnt be removed.

Now, she continues to speak candidly about her cancer treatment and how her family has supported her during this time.

During Wednesdays episode of her podcast with Tamra Judge, Two Ts in a Pod, she revealed that shes now fostering a puppy named Maverick, whos amazing. However, according to Mellencamp, fans have a lot of thoughts about the personal decisions shes making.

So people have been coming for me about fostering a dog, and theyve been coming for me for dating, she said. Like, The only thing she should be worried about right now are her kids and staying alive.

Judge then defended her friend from her critics, saying that theres not a day when Mellencamp isnt worried about her health and spending time with her family.

Teddi Mellencamp says people have been coming for her for dating and fostering a dog ( Getty )

Life doesnt stop because you have cancer, Judge added.

Mellencamp chimed in to defend her decisions, adding: If I want to put myself in a situation where Im staying busy so Im not getting depressed, why have a problem with that? Clearly, Im not going on dates while my kids are like sitting here looking up, waiting to hang out with me.

She acknowledged that the criticism she reads on social media does get to her. However, her doctor, who now follows her on Instagram, has urged her not to listen to the backlash.

[My doctor said] I really dont want you to think about your cancer as terminal. Just because that happened to somebodys friend, aunt, brother, or cousin doesnt mean thats whats happening to you. You dont need to think like that. You should be going and having fun and trying to laugh, she recalled.

Mellencamp also gave an update about her condition, saying shes doing better and at least feeling better. Shes also working out four or five times a week.

Fostering this new puppy has been really nice, and its given the kids a new source of happiness, she added.

Mellencamp and her estranged husband, Edwin Arroyave, share three young children: Slate, 12; Cruz, 10; and Dove, five.

Along with giving updates about her cancer treatment on social media, Mellencamp has detailed how her children are affected by her condition.

Im fighting for my life, she said during an interview with Us Weekly in April. But also for my familys life and all the people I love.

Throughout her time on Real Housewives, she would always tell her children, Moms come back, whenever they were upset about her leaving them for a work event.

I have not said that line to them since Ive been back [from the hospital], she said. They all know that Im fighting the hardest I possibly can, but I havent said [it] because I dont want to lie to them. And I dont know.

She added: One of my coping mechanisms is being sarcastic. Id rather joke about it and have the best possible outcome than be completely in denial and have my heart broken.

In May, she took to her Instagram Stories to share a picture of herself in a blonde wig, while explaining some of the extreme highs and lows of her treatment.

The day-to-day decision of wig versus no wig, she captioned the post. Crying days I tend to pick the wig.

She added: The highs and lows of treatment for stage four brain and lung tumours are pretty extreme. Please go get your yearly checks.

Mellencamp then urged her followers to get booked in for their check-ups, saying: Its melanoma awareness month. No better time than now to book and remind a friend or loved one.
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Six weeks after a beloved Arizona pastor was found brutally murdered at his New River home, investigators say they have a suspect in custody with a disturbing motive rooted in religion.

The Maricopa County Sheriffs Office identified 50-year-old Adam Christopher Sheafe as the man suspected of murdering William Schonemann, 76, in his bed.

Schonemann, known as Pastor Bill at New River Bible Chapel and around the tight-knit community, was found covered in blood during a welfare check on April 28, and his death was ruled a homicide.

This case was tragic and bizarre, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan said as he announced the arrest and revealed new details during a news conference on Thursday.

He said the motive behind the killing was religious in nature, but did not elaborate further.

open image in gallery William Schonemann, known as Pastor Bill, was found murdered at his home on April 28 ( Facebook )

Sheafe allegedly left his home, walked away from his job, and crossed state lines to Arizona, intent on carrying out multiple killings, according to Sheridan.

He had a plan, Sheridan said.

Schonemann was the only known victim, Sheridan added, but noted that investigators believe there may have been others in his sights.

The information we have indicates that the motive was religious in nature, and that there were a number of future victims planned, some of those in Arizona, and that he had taken action in furtherance of those additional crimes, MCSO Capt. David Lee said Thursday. We have been in contact with those identified victims, and we are investigating or assisting with those incidents as well.

In the days leading up to the killing, a concerned New River resident had alerted authorities about what they said was Sheafes suspicious behavior. That tip would prove pivotal, but not in time to save the pastor.

Investigators believe Schonemann was killed the day before his body was found. Deputies made the tragic discovery when they conducted a welfare check at his home on Cavalry Road.

Later that same day, Sheafe was already on the move. He would later be identified as the suspect in a burglary which led to a high-speed chase with Sedona police.

open image in gallery Adam Christopher Sheafe, 50, allegedly crossed state lines to kill Pastor Bill, his motive believed to be rooted in religion, police say ( Coconino County Sheriffs Office )

But Sheafe evaded capture when he disappeared after crashing his car into another vehicle, police said. His abandoned carlater discovered to be stolen from Cave Creekwas recovered at a nearby trailhead.

Authorities say they found evidence inside the car that reportedly tied Sheafe to the New River killing.

The manhunt for Sheafe intensified. The next day, a Sedona homeowner spotted a man on his security camera, matching Sheafes description, who was rifling through boxes in his garage. But by the time police arrived, the man had vanished into the rugged terrain of the Coconino National Forest.

That night, SWAT and patrol officers tracked Sheafe to a remote campsite. After a foot chase through the forest and into a residential area, officers used a stun gun to subdue and arrest him, police say.

open image in gallery Bill Schonemann, the 76-year-old pastor of New River Bible Chapel, was found dead on April 28 in his home. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office has determined his death is a homicide ( Google Maps )

Sheafe was booked into the Coconino County Jail on multiple charges, including second-degree burglary, trespassing, vehicle theft, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest.

He has remained in custody as authorities investigate his possible connection to the pastors killing. Authorities said there were no previous ties between Schonemann and Sheafe.

The FBI is also involved in the investigation and more details are expected to be released after Sheafe is extradited to Maricopa County and indicted on additional charges.
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Lori Vallow Daybell has been found guilty again, this time for conspiring to kill her nieces ex-husband, marking the last of her criminal proceedings in a series of deaths that prosecutors have said were driven by apocalyptic delusions, power, and greed.

A Maricopa County jury deliberated for fewer than 30 minutes on Thursday before convicting Vallow Daybell on charges of conspiring to murder Brandon Boudreaux outside his home in the Phoenix suburb of Gilbert.

It marks the conclusion of a tangled timeline of violence that includes the murders of Vallows two youngest children, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old JJ Vallow, her former husband Charles Vallow, and Tammy Daybell, the former wife of her current husband, Chad Daybella series of crimes prosecutors say were plotted under the belief some victims were possessed and needed to die.

Vallow Daybell, known as the doomsday cult mom for her religious beliefs, has already been sentenced to life in prison for their murders.

open image in gallery Lori Vallow Daybell-Arizona ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In April, she was convicted of conspiring with her brother, Alex Cox, to kill her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019 at her home in Chandler, Arizona.

This weeks conviction centered on an October 2019 attempt on Brandon Boudreauxs life, when someone fired a rifle at him outside his Gilbert, Arizona home. The bullet shattered his car window but missed him. Boudreaux immediately suspected Daybell and her brother, Alex Coxwho died in December 2019 and was never charged.

Prosecutors said Cox was the gunman, driving a Jeep registered to Vallow Daybells daughter, Tylee, who was already dead by the time of the shooting.

Cell phone data, receipts, and surveillance video placed Cox at the scene, while prosecutors argued Vallow Daybell helped facilitate the attack by providing cover, arranging phone use, and laying the groundwork for the conspiracy.

She is responsible, prosecutor Ashley Kay told jurors. She is a co-conspirator. She is assisting. She is promoting this crime.

Vallow Daybell, who did not take the stand, spent her defense trying to poke holes in the evidence, question data accuracy, and suggested that her niece, Melani Pawlowski, may have had motive to harm Boudreaux.

He decided that I was responsible for his family tragedy, Vallow Daybell said during closing arguments. And Im really sorry he feels that.

On Thursday, she appeared unfazed as the verdict was read and urged the judge to move up her sentencing.

open image in gallery Vallow Daybell, known as the doomsday cult mom for her religious beliefs, has already been sentenced to life in prison for her childrens murders. ( AP/Hnadout/Fox 10 )

Vallow Daybell waived her right to an aggravation phase and admitted to the crime being a dangerous one, making the conviction aggravated, or elevated.

She also tried to waive a pre-sentence report, but Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Beresky explained that she could not, and one would be prepared. He also declined to move up her sentencing. She is scheduled to be sentenced in both Arizona cases on July 25. Each conviction carries a life sentence.

After the verdict was handed down on Thursday, Boudreaux thanked investigators for uncovering what he called the truth, and the jury that turned that truth into a conviction.

2,078 days, he said, referencing the number of days since the shooting. Hatred, selfishness and greed almost led to the end of my life.

Twelve strangers verified that Lori must be held accountable, he added. I did not enjoy sitting and giving someone who tried to kill me the chance to question me, he said. But I owed it to Charles, to Tylee, to J.J., and to Tammy to speakbecause I could.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations is advocating for the convening of an urgent session of the UN Security Council in response to the recent military incursion by Israel into Iranian territory, a letter addressed by the mission, Trend reports.

The letter emphasized the imperative for the Security Council to convene expeditiously and adopt a resolute stance denouncing Israel's offensive actions.



The letter further articulated that Israel has executed unauthorized aerial bombardments on Iran's nuclear infrastructure as well as both military and civilian installations, constituting a blatant contravention of the UN Charter and prevailing international legal frameworks, thereby jeopardizing both global and regional stability.

"One of the Israeli aerial bombardments was executed on the Natanz nuclear installation under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Assaults on these facilities, apart from jeopardizing civilian safety, have precipitated radiological hazards and a critical incident within the locality. Intentional assaults on nuclear installations constitute a definitive breach of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials," added the letter.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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A teacher in Massachusetts has been arrested after she allegedly lied about her entire life story  including her teaching credentials and military accolades.

Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested on June 6 on 21 indictments relating to her alleged lies about her credentials and military history.

According to the district attorney's office in Essex County, the charges stem from allegations that Lagasse lied about having an undergraduate and an advanced college degree, and that she falsely claimed to be a retired military combat veteran as well as a Purple Heart recipient.

To receive the Purple Heart, a member of the military must have been wounded in combat.

According to NewsCenter 5 in Boston, Lagasse claimed to be a former U.S. Marine who was wounded in combat and who required a "service dog," though her animal reportedly had no training or certification to fulfill such a role.

The investigation into her background kicked off after her dog allegedly bit a student.

She claimed that she received the dog from the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps military veterans who were wounded in their civilian lives. However, the organization told NewsCenter 5 that it had never heard of Lagasse.

The investigation ultimately found no evidence that she ever served in any branch of the Armed Services.

The district attorney is also accusing the teacher of faking her teaching credentials, including her masters and doctorate.

Prosecutors claim that Lagasse told these alleged lies to gain employment and payment from Massachusetts school districts in Lowell, Worcester, and Haverhill.

open image in gallery Lagasse was arrested on 21 indictments relating to her alleged lies about her credentials and military history. She has pleaded not guilty ( WCVB )

Haverhill Superintendent Margaret Marotta told Boston 25 that Lagasse had been hired in September as a science teacher at Haverhill High School and insisted that the school had followed its vetting policy in hiring her.

At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts, with no concerns reported, Marotta told the broadcaster. As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families, and staff.

The DA is bringing three counts of pretending to hold degrees, identity fraud, reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of procurement fraud, two counts of stolen valor (pretending to be a member of the military), six counts of uttering at common law (knowingly passing a forged or counterfeit document), intimidation of a witness, three counts of larceny in excess of $1,200, and being a common and notorious thief of violation of Massachusetts law.

Lagasse pleaded not guilty to the charges during her June 6 appearance in the state's Superior Court.

Her bail was set at $25,000. If she is released, she'll have to wear a GPS monitor at be confined to her home.
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A former middle school teacher in Colorado was found guilty in court for giving two of her students marijuana-laced brownies as a reward for their work.

Sharon Wilson, 55, was found guilty by a jury on Thursday of two counts of misdemeanor child abuse following a 2024 incident at Kepner Beacon Middle School, reports The Denver Post.

She denies the allegations.

The two students allege they were given the brownies by their then-English teacher as a reward for naming the most words rooted in Greek and Latin. They say they were unaware the brownies were laced with a psychoactive drug.

Wilson, who had worked for Denver Public Schools for over 22 years, according to her LinkedIn profile, was known for regularly bringing homemade baked goods to class, as reported by The Post.

However, on one occasion in June 2024, a student, 13, complained that Wilsons brownies had a weird sour taste, so he put them into his backpack.

Despite not liking the taste, the boy did not alert Wilson because he didnt want to be mean to her, he told the jury. But after consuming part of the brownie, he said his head started to roll and things began to look a little weird.

The boy then said he got the munchies, as evidenced by the unusual amount of macaroni and cheese and fried chicken he ate at home. He added that after his ordeal, he took a long nap and felt better.

Meanwhile, the other child thought from the outset that the brownie smelled and tasted like marijuana, claimed prosecutor Brad Watts. He said that after eating it, he felt nauseous and really out of it and required his friends to help him to his moms car at the end of the school day. The other childs age was not revealed in the documents.

His mom noticed he had bloodshot eyes and was acting unusually, so she raised the alarm: first by asking her son if he had taken drugs, which he denied, and then contacting his teacher to ask what ingredients were in the brownies.

open image in gallery Sharon Wilson, 55, was found guilty by a jury on Thursday of two counts of misdemeanor child abuse following a 2024 incident at Kepner Beacon Middle School in Denver (pictured) ( Google Maps )

She told Wilson that her son had begun to feel sick after consuming them. Wilsons attorney, Ethan Ice, said his client responded with no mention of marijuana and had genuine concern for her students safety.

The panicked mom then took her son to the hospital and contacted the school principal and police. She saved part of the leftover brownie for it to be handed to the cops.

The brownie came back positive for THC, prosecutors said.

Wilsons attorney strongly denied that the brownies contained any drugs.

open image in gallery A former middle school teacher in Colorado has been found guilty of giving students a marijuana-laced brownie, says lawsuit ( Getty/iStock )

He argued that Wilson had given them a previous batch she had defrosted, and that it had been susceptible to freezer burn.

While Wilson admitted that she had made weed brownies in the past, she adamantly denied that the ones she gave her students were laced, according to her attorney.

The former teacher was placed on paid administrative leave at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, according to Denver Public Schools spokesman Scott Pribble, who added that she separated from DPS ahead of the 2024-2025 school year.

This is a case about missing links, Ice said during the jury trials opening statements Wednesday.

Denver District Attorney spokesman Matt Jablow confirmed that a sentencing date had not been set.
Students attend an event at the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. School leaders said they will have to race to raise money after the state Legislature allocated far less for private education grants than advocates wanted. (Photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
The companys share price soared a cheeky 131 per cent from 1.6 cents last week to an intraday high of 3.7c.

The company wasnt quite done there, making a late lunge at the line on Friday to hit 4.3c per share at the death, up 169 per cent on the week. That clinched Runnerss top podium spot.

The global subscription agreement with the US$74 (A$114) billion tech titan comes in the form of a Japan-exclusive distribution deal and joint development scope with SoftBank.

Icetana will rack up a substantial $3.6 million in contract value, with SoftBank stepping up as the companys sole distributor in Japan, guaranteeing $693,000 in annual recurring revenue.

The partnership didnt stop there. SoftBank put its money where its mouth is and tossed in a $1.87M investment to soak up a 17.6 per cent stake in Icetana at a juicy 2c per share. That represents a 33 per cent premium over the companys 15-day average price of 1.5c a share.

Add to that a three-year, $1.08M R&D program to fuse Icetanas self-learning security AI with SoftBanks automation wizardry, and youve got a recipe for serious growth.

With SoftBanks clout opening doors across Japans enterprise and public sectors and Icetanas AI analytics poised to revolutionise large-scale surveillance, this partnership is likely a tech match made in heaven.

While other companies haggle over discount fees, Icetanas scored a big win - a move that no doubt has shareholders pinching themselves and sending management a fruit basket.

RESOLUTION MINERALS LTD (ASX: RML)

Up 133% (1.8c  4.2c)

Runner-up Runner of the Week is critical minerals maverick Resolution Minerals, which stormed the boards after snapping up the Horse Heaven polymetallic project in Idaho, reflecting the markets love affair with gold and antimony - this time in the Trump tariff-free United States.

Resolutions latest pickup has a cocktail of critical minerals and precious metals, and is regarded as prospective for antimony, gold, tungsten and silver. The project is snugly next to a recent US executive order benefactor in Perpetua Resources $2 billion Stibnite gold-antimony mine - the USs biggest known antimony stash.

The company boasts its latest foray has two red-hot prospects in the 1.2-kilometre Antimony Ridge Fault zone and the 3.5km Golden Gate Fault zone.

The project packs a non-JORC compliant resource of 7.25 million tonnes at 0.93 grams per tonne (g/t) for 216,000 ounces of gold at Golden Gate Hill, and a further 3.17Mt at 0.69g/t for 70,000 ounces at Antimony Hill.

Historical drilling has dished up promising chunky intersections, including 85.34m at 0.94g/t gold and rock chips peaking at 3.68g/t gold, 367g/t silver and 19.15 per cent antimony.

The project was accompanied by a handy $1.9M capital raising at 1.3c per share through Oakley Capital, which pocketed the industry-standard 6 per cent raising fee, plus 69M shares and 72M options for facilitating the deal. The free shares alone were worth a hefty $897,000 at the raise price.

The market didnt bat an eyelid, sending the companys share price soaring 28 per cent when trade resumed on Wednesday morning. It then got the ball seriously rolling, peaking at 4.2c on Friday - up 133 per cent from last week - with about $10M in stock trading hands.

Hot on the heels of its Runners bronze place finish for its Aussie antimony-gold projects earlier this year, Resolution snagged silver this week thanks to the tariff-war darlings of antimony and tungsten.

Perhaps Resolutions US critical minerals gamble will one day earn it a gold medal, but this week the real winners were Icetana and the good people at Oakley Capital.

Highfield Resources hopes to revive the companys mammoth Muga potash project in Spain after more than three years of shareholder struggles.

HIGHFIELD RESOURCES LTD (ASX: HFR)

Up 83% (12c  22c)

The final Runner and third-place taker is potash developer Highfield Resources, which clawed its way back from the brink with an 83 per cent bounce this week. The company rocketed from a 12c-a-share close last week to a 22c peak on Thursday, as the market looked for bargain-basement pickups on the mammoth Muga potash project in Spain.

Once a $400 million darling, Highfields share price had been pummelled over the past three years, falling from a high of $1.25 to below 10c just last week.

It has been battered by a drawn-out investment saga with the Foreign Investment Review Board, while Chinese heavyweights have circled its flagship Muga potash mine. This week, those clouds parted.

The market hopes a funding jackpot to fast-track Mugas US$479M development will allow it to produce a massive 1 million tonnes per annum of muriate of potash fertiliser across more than three decades of mine life.

Earlier this year, Hong Kong-based Yuankuang Energy Group committed to a huge US$220M equity raise in Highfield at 50c per share, pending multiple international approvals.

A lowly share price and numerous recent board resignations suggest the deal is decidedly on the fritz. But with Mugas low-capex, high-margin design and permits in hand, the company could at last be making a comeback.

While the sunset date on an implementation agreement between Yuankuang and Highfield is set for June 30, the project still retains plenty of its former promise. Shareholders are no doubt hoping this beleaguered battler can look more like a phoenix rising under new management in the second half of the year.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, Trend reports.

"I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, today's unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. I convey my deepest sympathies to the Iranian people on the loss of lives in this attack.

This grave and highly irresponsible act is deeply alarming and risks further destabilising an already volatile region," he wrote on his page on X.

PM Sharif added that Pakistan urges the international community and the United Nations "to take urgent steps to prevent any further escalation that could imperil regional and global peace".
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 In the mid-2010s, moviegoers embraced the so-called elevated horror boom, with films such as The Babadook, Get Out, Midsommar and The Witch at the vanguard  low-budget, high-concept genre fare that used classic horror tropes to probe contemporary societal ills like toxic relationships, racism and mental illness. (The elevated label was a bit of clever rebranding, like slapping an organic sticker on a hamburger; these movies function the same way great horror always has  you just feel a little less dirty about enjoying them.) Now it seems its literatures turn. In 2023, there was a record number of new horror books both published and sold, and two years on, the trend shows little sign of slowing. Literary agents are reporting submission piles filling up with more tales of the weird and eerie, from eco-horror to folk horror to the aptly named femgore  hyper-violent, female-centric body horror. In the last year alone  and this is but a tiny sliver of whats on offer  weve had Gretchen Felker-Martins Cuckoo, which made the very real horrors of gay conversion camps manifest in a grotesque body-snatching teen epic. Rachel Harrisons So Thirsty took a big, bloody bite out of 21st-century female friendship with its ultra-gory vampire antics. The Lamb, Lucy Roses fairytale debut, told the touching story a young girl caring for her mother  by bringing her stray hikers to satiate her cannibalistic urge for human flesh (pair it with Monika Kims The Eyes are the Best Part for a stomach-churning family-sized feast). And 50 years after the publication of his first novel, Carrie, horror stalwart Stephen King released his latest short story anthology You Like It Darker (just months after a brand-new novel, Holly  also featuring cannibals). The late horror director George A. Romero, whose horror novel has been  fittingly  published posthumously. Credit: AP King isnt the only elder statesman jostling for shelf space alongside the BookTok generation. George A. Romero, the man responsible for our modern conception of zombies, with films like The Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, released his final novel earlier this year, somewhat fittingly from beyond the grave.

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Co-written by Daniel Kraus, who discovered the incomplete manuscript in an archive box at the University of Pittsburgh Library in 2019, Pay the Piper is a sweaty, cosmic eco-horror set in the muggy depths of the Louisiana bayou, where a nine-year-old girl named Pontiac and a rag-tag group of townsfolk from her home of Alligator Point come up against an ancient, vengeful evil thats been lurking in the swamp and preying on children. While Romero will forever be remembered primarily as an orchestrator of gnarly kills and ground-breaking special effects, his zombie movies always had more than merely brains on the brain. His seminal Night of the Living Dead is often read as a critique of racial tensions in 1960s America; it features a Black protagonist (played by Duane Jones) who survives an undead horde only to be shot by a white sheriff. The 1978 follow-up, Dawn of the Dead, set entirely in a shopping mall, can only be seen as a satirical indictment of rampant consumerism. Pay the Piper continues this tradition of smuggling hefty themes into seemingly straightforward horror schtick. Young Pontiacs home is under threat from a nefarious character known only as The Oil Man  a phantom-like stand-in for the entire fossil fuel industry  as well as The Piper itself, an aquatic Lovecraftian creature seeking restitution for the thousands of slaves slaughtered and dumped in its waters by the infamous Pirates Lafitte in the 1800s. Romero and Kraus book mutates from gooey Southern Gothic to a full-throated treatise on human cruelty and environmental calamity; its spooky, stirring Cajun cli-fi with a healthy dose of tentacles. YA author Margot McGovern has long been a fan of slasher and horror films. Closer to home, this March saw the release of Margot McGoverns riveting supernatural YA slasher This Stays Between Us. McGoverns second book boasts a little bit of everything: early 2000s nostalgia, late-night seances, teenage crushes, buried secrets and a predatory entity known only as Smiling Jack that hunts its four young female protagonists as they try to survive year 11 camp in a remote, abandoned mining town. McGoverns first book, Neverland, released in 2018, hewed much closer to magical realism  but a life-long love of horror helped inspire her sophomore stab. Ive always been a huge horror fan, says McGovern. I read and watched a lot growing up, but there wasnt a lot of Australian horror at that time. Most of the movies came from the US. And with horror books, in the 90s it felt like you had R.L. Stine and then there was this huge gap before you jumped to Stephen King and Clive Barker.

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Teen horror films filled that gap for McGovern. I always knew I wanted to write a book that was set here in Australia and evoked the Australian landscape and personality, but embodied all the fun of a late-90s slasher, she says. Kevin Williamsons screenplays were a huge influence on me. I love Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer and Teaching Mrs. Tingle  even movies like The Craft. A scene from classic 90s slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Credit: Amazon Prime Of course, the defining feature of all these movies  and many of the books already mentioned  is teenagers. In horror, teens are often the heroes, the hapless victims and the target audience all at once. Horror occupies this really interesting liminal space for teenagers, McGovern says of her passion for writing YA. It gives you that last little bit of make-believe. It offers a step up into the adult world, where things can be genuinely terrifying and violent. When youre 13 or 14, you feel like things are out of your control  youre going through this huge transition, youre figuring out who you are, your bodys changing, all the rules are changing!  and horror not only explores that, but gives you a way to take back some power and agency. Perhaps that explains our present-day horror boom, then. Were all of us teenagers in a world that feels increasingly out of control  but instead of regressing into childhood and escaping into all-out fantasy, were ready to confront our fears; to look the monster under the bed, or the creature in the swamp, or the thing in the mirror dead in the eye. Horror has always responded to whats happening in the culture, McGovern says. I think thats part of the reason why its making such a comeback now. In times of uncertainty and upheaval, horror offers a set of familiar tropes that lets you approach your darkest fears in an almost comforting way.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size We all lived through what looked like a sci-fi scenario during the initial COVID lockdown, says Jodie Comer. Streets deserted, shops closed, birds singing to the empty air: it wasnt a zombie apocalypse, obviously, but London looked very much as it did in Danny Boyles 2002 film 28 Days Later. When you think back to that movie, there was that famous shot of Cillian Murphy walking through a derelict London and back then, that was so hard to imagine, she says. You thought: how did they manage to do that? And then, lo and behold, we had a pandemic and that was exactly what it was like. The rabid, flesh-chewing humans in 28 Days Later were infected by what was called the rage virus, which transformed an ordinary person within seconds into a roaring, murderous fiend: rather different initial symptoms from a dry cough and loss of taste. The source of the disease in the film, however, was weirdly prescient: it was carried by monkeys in a Cambridge laboratory, and released by animal rights activists who became the diseases first carriers. And, as would later be the case in real life, once it was out there, nobody knew what to do. Jodie Comer plays an infected mother in 28 Years Later: Nobody knows how to deal with her. Credit: Sony Pictures Comer, 32, is here to talk about her role in 28 Years Later, set in a version of Britain that has struggled alone with this virus  which has killed almost everybody  since it was first released. Quarantined from the rest of the world, the country is now no more than a scattering of survivors, including some clusters of infected who have found ways to live with their permanent rage. Once again, Boyle is working from a script by novelist and fellow filmmaker Alex Garland. It isnt a sequel, according to Boyle. It has precedents, obviously, in the original contagion, the original outbreak, but its also a singular film in itself. The characters have changed and, after 28 years, so have their circumstances.

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Comer is still best known as the wild, shape-shifting assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve, although the dazzling CV she has amassed since then ranges from the hit play about a lawyer dealing with her own rape, Prima Facie (which went online during COVID, to huge success), to the gritty 2023 American drama The Bikeriders. Jodie Comer as Villanelle in Killing Eve. Credit: ABC Also, by one of those strange, actorly coincidences, Comer also starred in the first British drama to tackle the social convulsion of COVID: Jack Thornes Help (2021) culminated in Comers care worker delivering a furious monologue to camera about the indifference of the community to the virus many elderly victims. That was the cinema verite version of the virus; 28 Years Later is the full-blown horror retelling. Jodie Comer with Stephen Graham in Help. Credit: Channel 4/The Forge/Brain Sweeney It was, however, the prospect of working with Boyle  director of Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire and The Beach, as well as the landmark 28 Days Later  that drew her to the new film. It was a lot of the original crew from the first movie, and theyre all incredibly innovative, she says. I was excited to be part of it. Comer plays Isla, a woman living with her husband Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) in a community of 150 people on Holy Island, off Englands north-east coast. Jodie Comer and Danny Boyle on the set of 28 Years Later. Credit: Sony Pictures Without power or technology, they have reverted to a way of life Boyle says looks back to the 1950s as a moral safe haven, but which is in other ways medieval. The islanders protect themselves with bows and arrows; the island is connected to the mainland by a causeway, which is exposed or covered according to the tides. The story follows her son Spike (Alfie Williams), who is considered old enough at 12 to join a hunting party going to pick off the infected on the mainland.

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Everyone had a point of reference to relate to a virus spreading, says Comer. How that makes people behave, how it makes people depend on each other because of that need to survive. And while COVID was, obviously, very different to the films scenario, it showed that survival could be precarious. Everyone knows Isla is unwell. And shes been kind of ostracised, expected to stay in bed all day, says Comer. Nobody knows how to deal with her. And we know what its like just being confined within four walls  I think we got very familiar with everyones bedrooms over Zoom during the pandemic. Another recent phenomenon that fed into the thinking behind the film, says Boyle, was Brexit. Because that was about isolation, he says. We turned our back on Europe and began to look backwards. Its portrayed as being a new future for us, but really its nostalgic. The community in 28 Years Later, once theyre shut off, lacks any of the technology that accompanied so much of our advancement. So they turn back to a vision of postwar Britain, accompanied by bows and arrows. Everything plays into it. It feels quite accurate about Britain, in certain respects  about England, anyway. Not that it is actually political, he corrects himself. Journalists have not been allowed to see the film and Boyle is clearly under instructions to keep the story under wraps, but he can say that it is about survival. In the obvious sense: how do the survivors go about surviving, which is about the Holy Island community and how their lives are organised  including the blooding of this young lad, taken to the mainland to get his first kill because he has to learn how to defend the island. Loading Spike is the storys beating heart, not only because he is the adventurer but because he represents a generation that has no memory of life before the virus. If technology stops, if its interrupted, that stops everything, says Boyle. These are children  analogue natives  who have only heard rumours about life before culture stopped for them. Obviously the rest of the world carried on and thats depicted rather wonderfully in the film, but stories about their previous times become very distorted.

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We talked about it in terms of individual characters and how they would relate to their memories, how they would pass them on. And how much you can even hope. Do you maintain hope that things will return to the way they were, or do you accept the way things are now and make the best of it? The virus survives too. Indeed, it thrives. What other world governments  the United Nations, the European Union  had hoped was that by isolating the UK, they would let the virus die out. Of course, the reality  and we know this from COVID  is that they dont die out. They mutate, becoming more or less powerful, more or less dangerous. In 28 Days Later, the infected literally raged themselves to early deaths, starving as they screamed. After 28 years, there are still some emaciated infected collapsing mid-bellow to die. But not all of them have, so clearly, theyve learnt to feed. And theyve learnt to organise, at least a little. Some of them have also made choices about how they have evolved. There are infected that have grown fat and slide along on all fours, like great slugs. There are infected whose genetic twists have allowed them to grow into titans. An infected survivor in 28 Years Later. Credit: Sony Pictures And there is a third survivor: nature itself. We filmed in very remote places in the UK to try and achieve that look of a world that hasnt been turned over to agriculture, says Boyle. England was all forest until we, as a species, began adapting it to our needs, clearing it to the point where there is very little of it now that isnt clearly manicured. But, of course, nature will return it to forest. Filming took place in woods in Northumberland, North Yorkshire and Scotland. Digital magic allows the film to show their coastlines as thickly wooded. It looks like Eden, says Comer. Its the most beautiful thing to see on camera; when youre on location, it feels very freeing. Some areas were not generally accessible. We were so lucky to be able to go there. There was a forest we filmed in where the forest floor was so thick with moss that it was bouncy like a mattress. It was the most magical place I had ever been. There were so many places we went to where you went wow, I would never have come here for a holiday. Thats the beauty of the job. The film is planned as the first of a trilogy. The second instalment, The Bone Temple, has already been shot by Candyman director Nia DaCosta; the third script is on the way. All three storylines are shrouded in levels of mystery, although the eponymous bone temple of the second instalment appears in 28 Years Later.

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The set, which took six months to build, consists of 250,000 replica bones and 5500 skulls. It is the work of a doctor, Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes); Spike makes the risky journey to see Kelson with Isla in the hope that, despite his lack of actual medicines, he may be able to help her. Kelson has collected the femurs and skulls of the dead  both the infected and their victims  to build a monument to their passing. Jodie Comer with Alfie Williams and Ralph Fiennes inside the bone temple in 28 Years Later. Credit: Sony Pictures This great ossuary is a place of reflection and memory, which Boyle associates with a heart-covered COVID memory wall in London. Its got a power to it that is fundamental, and the reasons for it being built are also fundamental to the humanity of the piece, I think, he says. It is a horror film, but there are elements in it that are very moving. Skulls are a visual shorthand in horror films, supposed to induce shivers. But it is also a reminder, as we know from many, many cultures, of our common humanity when everything is stripped away. The memento mori, which obliges us to recognise that death comes to us all, embodies acceptance. Loading Boyle has been careful to describe 28 Years Later as a film about family  about parenthood, a boy taking responsibility for the mother who can no longer look after him, about the strain that illness puts on a marriage  but it also fits squarely within the horror genre. It is a genre that is currently more popular than ever. Im told one of the reasons it has expanded and grown is because women have become much more interested in it, says Boyle. Thats what the figures tell the studios, apparently. I find that fascinating.

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The Minns government has won a bid to force the states rail workers to vote on a new wage deal, signalling an end to a marathon industrial dispute that has disrupted the train network for months.

Last month, the government and combined rail unions reached an in-principle agreement for a 12 per cent pay rise over three years, backdated to May 2024, for workers after months of negotiations.

The government and rail unions reached an in-principle agreement for a 12 per cent pay rise over three years. Credit: Max Mason-Hubers

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) supported the proposed deal, but the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) sought to block the vote over a narrow issue  a position the Fair Work Commission described as disappointing, to say the least. The ETUs opposition prompted the government to last week request the industrial umpire order a ballot of thousands of NSW and Sydney Trains employees.

The commission sided with the government, dismissing an application from the ETU to stop the vote and ordering the ballot to proceed late on Friday after an hours-long hearing.
As a lifelong Canterbury-Bankstown fan, Ive had my share of suffering. Ive watched in pain as theyve spent seasons either winning the wooden spoon or flirting with winning the wooden spoon. Ive watched embarrassing spankings, last-minute heartbreaks, frustrating fumbles, and what has become a 21-year premiership drought. And all in front of mostly empty stadiums. No drums and dancing for losers.

But I persisted, and now, with the club sitting pretty on top of the ladder after 14 rounds, and finally winning consistently again, I think I have earned the right to celebrate.

Bulldogs supporters on Burwood Road in Belfield. Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong

And I am not alone. The Bulldogs success is attracting so many fans, it is on the verge of becoming the biggest club in Sydney, breaking attendance records. Fans now flood Belmore after big wins, dancing in the street and banging their drums.

But there has been a backlash, particularly among rival fans, who flood comments sections, asking: Where were these guys when they were winning wooden spoons?
Look and learn Libs

Your correspondent should first ask who the Liberals are, before claiming the teals are not Liberals (Letters, 13/6).

First, cobble together a robust environment policy; review the embarrassing 2025 election campaign, solve the John Pesutto situation in Victoria, build a party on the historic Liberal Party roots.

Then there would be no need for the teals.

Malcolm Cameron, Camberwell

Dont ask me for Polish

Every time I start to write an email, including this one, I am asked if I want it translated to Polish.

No, I dont want it translated to Polish, or polished, or anything else AI is offering. I have written books, journal articles, conference papers, theses and letters, all without the help of AI.

I worry that the art of researching and writing will be beyond future generations, as they pop a few words into AI and ask AI to write something for them.

We risk becoming a species ruled by AI, rather than us ruling it. AI is phenomenally useful in medical and scientific research, and medical practice, and can make huge improvements to our lives. However, by relying on existing knowledge to develop AI learning models, it can also perpetuate discrimination by failing to recognise that women and minorities have had fewer opportunities in the past.

These groups are thus less represented in inputs to AI learning models, so outputs from the models are skewed against them.

AI has the potential to really assist humans, but we humans need to retain (or regain?) control.

Louise Kloot, Doncaster

Impose weather levies

As so many Australians cannot afford house insurance because they live in areas subject to extreme weather events (floods and fire), it would make sense for fossil fuel companies to pay a levy to be used to pay insurance for them.

There could be an increase in the fuel excise so that those of us (me included) who drive petrol, gas or diesel-powered vehicles contribute to a remediation fund to address the public infrastructure costs of extreme weather events.

This latter fund could be used to take measures to prevent the occurrence of the harm of extreme weather events. The federal government should administer both funds to ensure they are used as intended.

Phil Grano, Newport

Traffic managers

Traffic management seems to have become a new industry in itself (Letters, 13/6), adding millions to the cost of doing almost anything related to roads. Often you pass roadwork sites and only see traffic management people.

I have driven in the UK and Europe where they seem to manage quite adequately with static signs, automated traffic lights, and sometimes no traffic management at all.

Surely, if this was dangerous they would also have gone down the same track. but it seems that has not been necessary, so why do we need it?

If the argument is that it protects the lives of road workers, why is there no traffic management in place to protect the traffic management workers?

David Parker, Geelong West

Q+A buyers remorse

Maybe more than just changing tastes, timeslots play their part in demise of the ABC Q+A program (Opinion, 12/6). A few years ago, I was an audience member and had suggested a question.

Producers came back to me with the question they wanted me to ask first to start off the debate. I was promised that I could ask my question after this. The panel debated the first question, then when Tony Jones invited me to ask mine, he quickly shut down any discussion with his trademark Ill take that as a comment. This mortifying experience convinced me that the questions and debate were largely rigged, and I never watched it again.

Perhaps other audience members and watchers came to the same conclusion.

Bronwen Bryant, Kensington
Woodside has been granted an extension to respond to Commonwealth conditions imposed on its North West Shelf extension of life proposal.

The company had had a Friday deadline to respond to federal Environment Minister Murray Watts mystery conditions around its potential impact on ancient nearby Aboriginal rock art on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australias Pilbara region.

North West Shelf protesters outside Perth MP Patrick Gormans office on Friday morning.

The deadline extension came as protesters gathered on Friday morning outside the office of Patrick Gorman, Perth Labor MP and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, urging the federal government to scrap its provisional approval.

In a statement, a Woodside spokeswoman said the company and its North West Shelf joint venture partners were continuing constructive consultation with the Commonwealth and agreed to an extension of the consultation period regarding Watts proposed conditions.
On the campaign trail, US President Donald Trump promised to end the worlds hottest conflicts and usher in global peace.

But nearly five months in, with Israel attacking Iran and bloodshed in Gaza and Ukraine unabated, those hopes are in shambles.

Donald Trump is facing his biggest test yet. Credit: Bloomberg

US ally Israel struck dozens of Iranian targets in a dramatic and multi-faceted attack that analysts say threatens to eventually spiral into an all-out regional war.

The strikes appear to be a snub to Trump, who had repeatedly pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran, though the president himself had threatened to bomb the Gulf nation if nuclear talks failed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Iran's permanent mission to the UN wants the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on Israel's attack on Iran, a letter addressed by the mission, Trend reports.

The letter noted that the Security Council should immediately hold a meeting and take a firm position condemning Israel's attack.

The letter also said that Israel has illegally carried out airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, military and non-military facilities, which is a clear violation of the UN Charter and international law and threatens international and regional peace.

"One of the Israeli airstrikes was carried out on the Natanz nuclear facility under the supervision of the IAEA. Attacks on such centers, in addition to endangering the lives of civilians, have led to radiation and a very dangerous incident in the region. Deliberate attacks on nuclear facilities are a clear violation of the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials," added the letter.

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Road Trip: : Forbes' Favorite Hotels







ATLANTA, June 9, 2025 -- Forbes Travel Guide ("FTG"), the global authority on luxury hospitality, today announced its 2025 Hotel Star Bars, spotlighting the world's 58 most exceptional hotel bars. Each was verified through exacting in-person inspections, celebrating cocktail artistry, elevated service and exceptional guest experiences.

Spanning 19 countries, the list reflects FTG's legacy of trusted, anonymous evaluations. Star Bars were selected using data from FTG's 2024 and 2025 Star Ratings, with inspectors visiting incognito to assess service, ambiance and beverage quality across more than 1,500 hotels worldwide. The choice of 58 winners is a tribute to FTG's founding as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958.

"This list represents the pinnacle of hotel bar excellence," said Hermann Elger, CEO of FTG. "Our in-person inspections provide unmatched insight, and the 2025 Star Bars are shining examples of luxury, creativity and impeccable hospitality."

The 58 honorees include storied icons and rising stars. London tallied the most accolades with seven bars, followed by Paris with five and Dubai at four. Independent hotels earned the most accolades, with nine winners, while Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts followed closely with eight. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts each had five bars named.

Among the standout winners:

Le Bar Americain at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a 1930s-era jazz favorite beloved by legends like Josephine Baker and Lady Gaga.

at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a 1930s-era jazz favorite beloved by legends like and Lady Gaga. BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, blending Buenos Aires flair with agave-forward cocktails.

at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, blending flair with agave-forward cocktails. Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London, where cocktails are inspired by the art of British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe .

at Rosewood London, where cocktails are inspired by the art of British caricaturist . Library by the Sea at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman , reimagining classic literature through mixology.

"These awards highlight sophisticated ambiance, elevated service, artfully curated wine lists, and cocktails that are skillfully crafted and creatively presented," said Bastien Gardrat, Forbes Travel Guide's Global Spirits Ambassador. "These elements come together to create an unforgettable hotel bar experience."

The 2025 Hotel Star Bars winners' specialty cocktails and spirits will be showcased at the Spirits Lab at Le Logis, Forbes Travel Guide's center for excellence in Cognac, France, for visitors to enjoy.

To view the full list of 2025 Star Bars, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.

Connect with Forbes Travel Guide:

Instagram: @ForbesTravelGuide

X: @ForbesInspector

Facebook: ForbesTravelGuide

About Forbes Travel Guide:

Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises and their restaurants. Our anonymous inspectors evaluate hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world's best experiences. For more information, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The activation of reserve personnel and military forces has been declared in Israel in response to the escalating geopolitical tensions with Iran, Trend reports via the Israeli Ynet portal.

"The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in accordance with Order No. 8, is mobilizing thousands of reserve soldiers to vital units - the Air Force, the Home Front Command, the Northern and Central Commands, the Military Intelligence and the Anti-Tank Defense Command," the portal said.

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Ill-f ated runway 23 of ahmedabad airport back in news after 1988 crash





NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD :

THE crash of air India plane near ahmedabad airport on Thursday was the second such major tragedy in the city since 1988, with both inci- dents linked to runway 23. as many as 133 people out of 139 on board were killed on October 19, 1988, when Indian airlines Flight 113 from Mumbai to ahmedabad crashed while approaching the air- ports runway 23. Before crashing, the flight to London on Thursday had also taken off from runway 23.

Findings of a p robe into the 1988 incident attributed it to pilots error linked to descending below the min- imum altitude of 500 feet or 150 metre. There were reports that the two pilots had problems sighting the run- way and lost track of their altitude in their efforts to approach the air- port that lacked approach lights or visual approach slope indicator (VaSI). while the Directorate General of Civil aviation (DGCa) officials are still to arrive at a c onclusion on the cause of Thursdays crash, court of inquiry into the 1988 crash had con- cluded that the aircraft hit trees and high-tension electricity tower close to Chiloda Kotarpur Village.

The plane crashed near Noble Nagar Housing Society, about 2.5 km from the approach end of runway due tothepilotsattemptingtoland withoutanyclearancefromthe Air Traffic Control, it said. The plane crash in 1988 resulted in the death of Professor Labdhi Bhandari from Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Allsixcrewmembers,including two pilots, and 129 passengers, including 5 children, perished in the Ahmedabad crash in 1988. An inquiry panel had confirmed pilots poor judgement due to non-adherence to laid down procedure, under poor visibility conditions. Inasuit filed by victims kin, an Ahmedabad court had said that the degree of negligence on the part of the pilotin-command and the co-pilot of the Indian Airlines was so high that the same amounted to recklessness on their part as contemplated by the Carriage by Air Act, 1972.
LIC relaxes claim settlement process of Air India plane crash victims

New Delhi, Jun 13 (PTI)

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Friday said it has relaxed its claim settlement process for Air India plane crash victims and also expedite the process.

The corporation said it is committed to supporting those affected in the plane crash and will expedite claim settlements for the victims.

"LIC has announced many concessions to mitigate the hardships of the claimants of LIC policies. In lieu of death certificates, any evidence in government records of death of the policyholder due to the plane crash or any compensation paid by central/state government /airline authorities will be accepted as proof of death," the insurance company said in a statement.

All efforts will be taken to ensure that the claimants are reached out and claims are settled expeditiously to the affected families, it said.

For further assistance, the claimants may contact the nearest branch or division of LIC, it said, adding, the claimants may also call at LIC's call centre 022-68276827.

Meanwhile, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance also said it has established a dedicated special claims settlement desk to prioritize the processing of death and disability claims for its customers impacted due to this tragedy.

With utmost urgency, an expeditious process has been established to swiftly settle these policy claims, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance said in a statement.

In response to this unfortunate incident, it said, the company has activated special measures to assist families of its policyholders affected by the crash.

To simplify the process, Bajaj Allianz has listed a minimal documentation process that nominees, legal heirs or policyholders need to submit to process their claims, it added.

A London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed into a medical college complex moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard.

The flight was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.
STARK REALITY





T HE matter-of-fact statement by United States Army General Michael Kurilla that America has to have a relationship with Pakistan and with India needs to be seen in total pragmatism. It is a geopolitical reality reflecting the need of every country to have bilateral relations with some countries while pursuing the multi-alignment policy. The US General was forthright in explaining the necessity of having a relationship with Pakistan to further its mission against the ISIS Khorasan operating in Afghanistan. And the fact is, Pakistan has remained a key figure in Intelligence gathering on ISIS K terrorists helping American operations against the extremists. Many such necessities, including economic and strategic considerations, drive relationships between countries without a binary switch, as General Kurilla told in his testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee. America looks at the merits of the relationship for the positives it carries for its own agenda against terrorist groups. The US has remained on the forefront of fighting the Islamic State extremists in various parts of the world. The re-emergence of ISIS in the Khorasan province of Afghanistan has rung alarm bells in Washington. As a counter to the problem, the US is once again using Pakistan as an ally in pursuing its operations. Being strategically placed in the Central Asian region with direct access and influence in Afghanistan, Pakistans utility was never lost on the US.

It is a historic give-and-take relationship, from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 till the hammered out peace deal between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban a few years ago. The US has always accommodated Pakistan on the table, pardoning its sins while leveraging its position in the region to further own interests. With such history and continued unrest in the region, the US suddenly snapping ties with Pakistan despite knowing its complicity in launching terror attacks on India is impossible. The General has stated the truth in as many words for the world to understand. For India, the stark reality of the US help to Pakistan is not new. New Delhi has experienced it since Indias independence. Successive dispensations in Washington have hyphenated India and Pakistan despite the chasm in policies, culture and growth of the two neighbours. It is a fact that India has to live with, for, the US balancing act is set to continue as long as Pakistan runs its errands in the region.

It is a naked truth that Pakistans civil leadership has accepted in public during Operation Sindoor. India has been doing the right thing in providing clinching evidence of Pakistans involvement in repeated terror attacks, including the April 22 Pahalgam killing of 26 Hindu tourists. It is necessary to keep the pressure on Islamabad with such documents and dossiers. The effect of such diplomatic moves has to be gauged from the guarded response by Washington while discussing Pakistan and its policy to breed terror. One thing US General Kurillas statement has done is provide total clarity on the US stand vis-a-vis India and Pakistan.

That the US would not make a binary switch, where it would keep relations with either Islamabad or New Delhi, is a given. It needs to be taken on its face value, for, it is a bare reality of international relations. The US is guarding (or creating) its own interests by humouring Pakistan, which applies to every country. India has already accepted this reality which is reflected in its stance during the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite the American pressure on snapping relations with Moscow, New Delhi went ahead in purchase of Russian oil and also defence equipment. It was a decision taken in the interest of Indias needs and sovereignty. The same principle applies to all in international relations between nations. There are simply no binaries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The condition of Admiral Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, is assessed as heavy, Trend reports.

Shamkhani's abode took a hit in the Israeli air strikes on Iran. He was whisked away to the hospital in dire straits, and the doctors are clutching at straws when it comes to his chances of pulling through.

To note, as a result of the Israeli military airstrike on Iran, a large number of servicemen, including the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, were killed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Israel has taken a path of 'existential' struggle against Iran, the head of Israel's Military Intelligence, Major General Shlomi Binder Trend reports.

"We are entering a campaign in which the enemy wants to destroy us. This campaign is existential in nature," Binder said in an address to soldiers at the command center this morning.

"You have heard it many times: they are working to develop a nuclear potential, this development is progressing rapidly, and they are accumulating a very large number of conventional weapons.

Our goal is to weaken, disrupt, and eliminate this threat," Binder added.

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Shares of KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seven research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $67.57.

KBR has been the topic of several research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of KBR from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, June 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded KBR from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price target for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on KBR from $70.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. KeyCorp upped their price target on KBR from $59.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on KBR from $77.00 to $69.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th.

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KBR Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:KBR opened at $53.69 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $53.94. KBR has a 12-month low of $43.89 and a 12-month high of $72.60. The firm has a market cap of $6.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.56, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69.

KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The construction company reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. KBR had a net margin of 4.35% and a return on equity of 28.87%. The companys revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.77 EPS. Analysts predict that KBR will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

KBR Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.165 per share. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.23%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.07%.

Institutional Trading of KBR

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of KBR by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,790,454 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $740,951,000 after purchasing an additional 68,588 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of KBR by 16.1% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,925,667 shares of the construction companys stock worth $245,347,000 after acquiring an additional 683,280 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners increased its stake in KBR by 35.2% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 4,384,527 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $218,648,000 after acquiring an additional 1,142,111 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 18.7% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,868,418 shares of the construction companys stock worth $166,167,000 after purchasing an additional 451,887 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in shares of KBR by 87.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,805,163 shares of the construction companys stock worth $162,503,000 after purchasing an additional 1,307,033 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock.

KBR Company Profile

(Get Free Report

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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Bar Harbor Wealth Management lessened its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 76,113 shares of the companys stock after selling 835 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 4.2% of Bar Harbor Wealth Managements portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Bar Harbor Wealth Managements holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $62,862,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 74,248,997 shares of the companys stock valued at $57,320,226,000 after purchasing an additional 475,530 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 17,382,846 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,389,651,000 after purchasing an additional 291,875 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 103,831.6% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 14,866,380 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,278,292,000 after purchasing an additional 14,852,076 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 19.0% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,625,925 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,747,214,000 after purchasing an additional 2,012,129 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $8,407,908,000. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

LLY opened at $811.62 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $773.53 and a 200 day moving average of $801.30. Eli Lilly and Company has a 52-week low of $677.09 and a 52-week high of $972.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00. The stock has a market cap of $769.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 69.31, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.41.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $12.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.77 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.58 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 45.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. This represents a $6.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is currently 48.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on LLY. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Wall Street Zen raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, June 7th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued an overweight rating and a $975.00 price objective on the stock. Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, Erste Group Bank downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,011.37.

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About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity.

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Bar Harbor Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP  Free Report) by 0.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 23,344 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after buying an additional 66 shares during the quarter. Bar Harbor Wealth Managements holdings in EastGroup Properties were worth $4,112,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in EGP. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in EastGroup Properties during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Canton Hathaway LLC purchased a new position in shares of EastGroup Properties during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of EastGroup Properties by 387.4% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 424 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $75,000 after purchasing an additional 337 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. raised its position in shares of EastGroup Properties by 18.5% during the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 538 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $86,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in EastGroup Properties by 36.3% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 556 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $98,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. 92.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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EastGroup Properties Stock Performance

Shares of EGP stock opened at $172.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a current ratio of 0.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.35 and a beta of 1.02. EastGroup Properties, Inc. has a one year low of $137.67 and a one year high of $192.61. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $164.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $169.02.

EastGroup Properties Announces Dividend

EastGroup Properties ( NYSE:EGP Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.12 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $174.45 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $169.67 million. EastGroup Properties had a return on equity of 7.89% and a net margin of 35.57%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.98 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that EastGroup Properties, Inc. will post 8.94 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a $1.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $5.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.25%. EastGroup Propertiess payout ratio is 122.54%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised EastGroup Properties from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, April 27th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $175.00 to $172.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $180.00 to $177.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 5th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $189.00 to $183.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $179.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Seven 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, EastGroup Properties presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $188.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on EastGroup Properties

About EastGroup Properties

(Free Report)

EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina.

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Bensler LLC bought a new stake in International Business Machines Co. (NYSE:IBM  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 1,068 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $266,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vision Financial Markets LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Rialto Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Tacita Capital Inc boosted its stake in shares of International Business Machines by 174.3% in the 4th quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 192 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of International Business Machines in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Finally, Park Square Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in International Business Machines during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. 58.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on IBM. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $270.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Saturday, May 10th. Wedbush reiterated an outperform rating and set a $300.00 target price on shares of International Business Machines in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $276.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $250.31.

International Business Machines Stock Performance

NYSE:IBM opened at $280.69 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $251.46 and a 200-day moving average of $243.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $260.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.79, a P/E/G ratio of 5.81 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82. International Business Machines Co. has a twelve month low of $167.23 and a twelve month high of $283.06.

International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The technology company reported $1.60 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $14.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.41 billion. International Business Machines had a net margin of 9.60% and a return on equity of 38.99%. International Business Machiness quarterly revenue was up .5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.68 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that International Business Machines Co. will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

International Business Machines Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a dividend of $1.68 per share. This is a boost from International Business Machiness previous quarterly dividend of $1.67. This represents a $6.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.39%. International Business Machiness payout ratio is 115.66%.

About International Business Machines

(Free Report)

International Business Machines Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides integrated solutions and services worldwide. The company operates through Software, Consulting, Infrastructure, and Financing segments. The Software segment offers a hybrid cloud and AI platforms that allows clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate.

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Capitec Bank Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:CKHGY  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 500 shares, an increase of 400.0% from the May 15th total of 100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 2,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.2 days.

Capitec Bank Price Performance

Capitec Bank stock remained flat at $98.74 during mid-day trading on Friday. 440 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,695. The business has a 50 day moving average of $90.98 and a 200 day moving average of $86.45. Capitec Bank has a 1-year low of $59.33 and a 1-year high of $99.89.

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Capitec Bank Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th were paid a dividend of $0.8465 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is a positive change from Capitec Banks previous dividend of $0.43.

Capitec Bank Company Profile

Capitec Bank Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in South Africa. The company operates through three segments: Retail Bank, Business Bank, and Insurance. It offers transactional banking services; fixed and tax-free savings, and call and notice deposits; term loans, credit facilities, mortgage loans, overdrafts, instalment sales and leases, credit and debit cards, and access facilities; rental finance; payment services; merchant services; and value-added services, as well as credit and life insurance products.

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Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (NYSE:VTMX  Get Free Report) and Hongkong Land (OTCMKTS:HNGKY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

6.6% of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Hongkong Lands top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta $258.80 million 93.50 $316.64 million $1.10 25.46 Hongkong Land $1.84 billion 6.96 -$582.30 million N/A N/A

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Hongkong Land.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Hongkong Land, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 1 0 1 1 2.67 Hongkong Land 0 0 0 0 0.00

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta currently has a consensus target price of $27.50, indicating a potential downside of 1.82%. Given Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vestas stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta is more favorable than Hongkong Land.

Volatility & Risk

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta has a beta of 0.76, suggesting that its share price is 24% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hongkong Land has a beta of 0.09, suggesting that its share price is 91% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays an annual dividend of $0.17 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Hongkong Land pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta pays out 15.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Profitability

This table compares Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta and Hongkong Lands net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta 88.52% 8.52% 5.67% Hongkong Land N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta beats Hongkong Land on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta

(Get Free Report)

Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta, S.A.B. de C.V., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, develops, manages, operates, and leases industrial buildings and distribution facilities in Mexico. The company was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico.

About Hongkong Land

(Get Free Report)

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the investment, development, and management of properties in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, Southeast Asia, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investment Properties and Development Properties. It owns and manages approximately 850,000 square meters of office and luxury retail assets primarily in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, and Jakarta. The company also develops and sells residential properties. In addition, it is involved in hotel investment, finance, and project management businesses. The company was founded in 1889 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited operates as a subsidiary of Jardine Strategic Limited.

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Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The price of gas on the European stock exchange shot up by 4.5 percent in the wake of Israel's strikes on Iran, Trend reports.

According to the London ICE stock exchange, the price of July futures of blue fuel on the TTF hub in the Netherlands rose to $453 per 1,000 cubic meters.

To note, over 200 Israeli Air Force jets attacked over 100 targets, including high-ranking military hideouts, in Iran overnight. The attack killed Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, and Commander of the Khatem al-Anbiya (Air Defense Forces) Headquarters Gholamali Rashid. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel's actions will not go unanswered.

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DA Davidson restated their buy rating on shares of Crane (NYSE:CR  Free Report) in a report released on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. DA Davidson currently has a $200.00 price objective on the conglomerates stock.

CR has been the subject of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on Crane from $187.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on shares of Crane from $144.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Crane from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, UBS Group set a $215.00 price objective on shares of Crane and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $197.75.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Crane

Crane Stock Up 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:CR opened at $186.70 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $10.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.73, a PEG ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.24. Crane has a 12 month low of $127.04 and a 12 month high of $191.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $162.61 and a 200 day moving average price of $161.67.

Crane (NYSE:CR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The conglomerate reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $557.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $546.93 million. Crane had a return on equity of 24.45% and a net margin of 13.10%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.22 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Crane will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Crane Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th were given a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. Cranes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.94%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Crane news, SVP Jason D. Feldman sold 1,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $177.10, for a total value of $230,230.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 9,796 shares in the company, valued at $1,734,871.60. This represents a 11.72% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.12% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of Crane

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Strs Ohio bought a new position in Crane in the first quarter worth approximately $9,489,000. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in Crane by 17.0% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 1,696 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $257,000 after purchasing an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Crane by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 136,776 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $20,951,000 after buying an additional 4,217 shares during the period. United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in shares of Crane during the 1st quarter worth $498,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Crane by 23.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 440,817 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $67,524,000 after buying an additional 84,278 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the companys stock.

About Crane

(Get Free Report)

Crane Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells engineered industrial products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Aerospace & Electronics, Process Flow Technologies, and Engineered Materials.

Further Reading

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GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lessened its holdings in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 3.5% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 3,245 shares of the companys stock after selling 117 shares during the period. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $515,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its holdings in Philip Morris International by 7.0% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 542,502 shares of the companys stock worth $86,111,000 after acquiring an additional 35,561 shares during the last quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 20.5% during the first quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 13,961 shares of the companys stock worth $2,216,000 after purchasing an additional 2,373 shares during the period. Zhang Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.5% in the first quarter. Zhang Financial LLC now owns 11,637 shares of the companys stock worth $1,847,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Magnolia Private Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Philip Morris International by 8.2% in the first quarter. Magnolia Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,209 shares of the companys stock valued at $351,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Finally, Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Philip Morris International by 21.4% during the 1st quarter. Alpha Omega Wealth Management LLC now owns 8,237 shares of the companys stock worth $1,307,000 after purchasing an additional 1,452 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.63% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Barclays upped their price target on Philip Morris International from $175.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. UBS Group raised shares of Philip Morris International from a sell rating to a neutral rating and increased their target price for the company from $130.00 to $170.00 in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $163.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $182.00 price target (up previously from $156.00) on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Argus upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, March 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $175.30.

Philip Morris International Trading Up 0.3%

Philip Morris International stock opened at $183.98 on Friday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1-year low of $98.93 and a 1-year high of $184.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $286.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.52. The firms fifty day moving average price is $169.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $148.87.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.61 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $9.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.10 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 7.89% and a negative return on equity of 120.08%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.50 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current year.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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Ibstock plc (LON:IBST  Get Free Report) shares were down 15.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 157.41 ($2.14) and last traded at GBX 163.80 ($2.23). Approximately 18,859,225 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 717% from the average daily volume of 2,307,306 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 193.20 ($2.63).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on IBST shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Ibstock from GBX 225 ($3.06) to GBX 240 ($3.27) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 20th. Berenberg Bank reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 200 ($2.72) target price on shares of Ibstock in a report on Wednesday, April 23rd.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on IBST

Ibstock Trading Down 2.2%

Insider Buying and Selling

The stock has a market capitalization of 627.27 million, a PE ratio of 86.19, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.34. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 182.36 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 175.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.91.

In other Ibstock news, insider Joe Hudson sold 139,886 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 176 ($2.40), for a total transaction of 246,199.36 ($335,193.14). 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Ibstock Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions to customers in the residential construction sector in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; and flooring and lintels, such as beam and block flooring, insulated flooring, hollowcore, and screed rails.

Further Reading

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Net Worth Advisory Group boosted its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IJK  Free Report) by 12.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,437 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 618 shares during the quarter. Net Worth Advisory Groups holdings in iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF were worth $453,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,015,043 shares of the companys stock valued at $183,228,000 after purchasing an additional 56,580 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 1,846,654 shares of the companys stock valued at $167,916,000 after purchasing an additional 135,935 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $163,774,000. LPL Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 1,361,626 shares of the companys stock valued at $123,813,000 after purchasing an additional 102,431 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,033,427 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,970,000 after purchasing an additional 53,852 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of IJK opened at $89.49 on Friday. iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF has a twelve month low of $71.69 and a twelve month high of $100.01. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $84.97 and its 200-day simple moving average is $88.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 1.08.

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF Profile

iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P MidCap 400 Index exhibiting the strongest growth characteristics.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IJK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (NYSEARCA:IJK  Free Report).

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Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd. (OTC:MZTFF  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest in May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 53,700 shares, a decline of 62.5% from the May 15th total of 143,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 100 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 537.0 days.

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Price Performance

Shares of OTC MZTFF traded up $1.16 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $34.68. The companys 50 day moving average price is $34.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.63. Mizrahi Tefahot Bank has a 52 week low of $34.68 and a 52 week high of $34.68.

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About Mizrahi Tefahot Bank

(Get Free Report)

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Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of international, commercial, domestic, and personal banking services to individuals and businesses in Israel, Switzerland, and internationally. It operates through Household, Private Banking, Small and Micro Business, Medium Business, Large Business, Institutional Investors, and Financial Management segments.

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Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM  Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The textile maker reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.82, Zacks reports. Oxford Industries had a net margin of 0.98% and a return on equity of 19.09%. The company had revenue of $392.86 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $383.54 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.66 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Oxford Industries updated its FY 2025 guidance to 2.800-3.200 EPS and its Q2 2025 guidance to 1.050-1.250 EPS.

Oxford Industries Price Performance

OXM stock traded down $0.67 during trading on Friday, hitting $42.40. The stock had a trading volume of 45,493 shares, compared to its average volume of 383,953. Oxford Industries has a twelve month low of $41.59 and a twelve month high of $108.51. The companys 50-day moving average price is $51.85 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $630.29 million, a P/E ratio of 47.81 and a beta of 1.45.

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Oxford Industries Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.69 per share. This represents a $2.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.51%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 18th. Oxford Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 47.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Oxford Industries

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Oxford Industries

In related news, Director Milford W. Mcguirt purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of $58.70 per share, for a total transaction of $58,700.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 7,180 shares in the company, valued at $421,466. This trade represents a 16.18% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 6.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Oxford Industries by 311.9% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 293,384 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $17,213,000 after purchasing an additional 222,150 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its stake in shares of Oxford Industries by 22.9% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 29,906 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $1,755,000 after buying an additional 5,577 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its position in Oxford Industries by 4.6% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,817 shares of the textile makers stock worth $517,000 after acquiring an additional 387 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 33.9% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,495 shares of the textile makers stock worth $381,000 after purchasing an additional 1,643 shares in the last quarter. 91.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

OXM has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Oxford Industries from $56.00 to $47.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Oxford Industries from $54.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Oxford Industries from $47.00 to $44.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. KeyCorp restated a sector weight rating on shares of Oxford Industries in a research note on Friday, March 28th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated a market perform rating and set a $52.00 price objective on shares of Oxford Industries in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have issued a hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Oxford Industries has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $55.80.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Oxford Industries

Oxford Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Oxford Industries, Inc, an apparel company, designs, sources, markets, and distributes products of lifestyle and other brands worldwide. The company offers men's and women's sportswear and related products under the Tommy Bahama brand; and women's and girl's dresses and sportswear, scarves, bags, jewelry, and belts, as well as children's apparel, swim, footwear, and licensed products under the Lilly Pulitzer brand.

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Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA decreased its position in Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Free Report) by 30.8% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 923 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 410 shares during the period. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmAs holdings in Phillips 66 were worth $114,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PSX. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 9,344,342 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,064,601,000 after acquiring an additional 639,323 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,530,242 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $968,844,000 after acquiring an additional 82,758 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 283.5% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 6,026,649 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $686,618,000 after acquiring an additional 4,455,220 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 10.6% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,589,079 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $522,834,000 after acquiring an additional 440,107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Phillips 66 during the 4th quarter valued at about $497,648,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.93% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Phillips 66 from $138.00 to $131.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on shares of Phillips 66 from $144.00 to $140.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Phillips 66 from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Tudor Pickering downgraded shares of Phillips 66 from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Phillips 66 from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $132.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $135.46.

Phillips 66 Stock Up 0.5%

NYSE PSX opened at $121.50 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $49.50 billion, a PE ratio of 24.60, a P/E/G ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 1.02. Phillips 66 has a fifty-two week low of $91.01 and a fifty-two week high of $150.12. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $109.24 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $117.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62.

Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 25th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.90) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.07 by ($0.97). The company had revenue of $31.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $31.93 billion. Phillips 66 had a return on equity of 8.58% and a net margin of 1.46%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.90 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Phillips 66 will post 6.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Phillips 66 Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. This is a boost from Phillips 66s previous quarterly dividend of $1.15. Phillips 66s dividend payout ratio is currently 109.34%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Phillips 66 news, Director Robert W. Pease bought 439 shares of Phillips 66 stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $113.85 per share, for a total transaction of $49,980.15. Following the purchase, the director now owns 4,091 shares in the company, valued at $465,760.35. This represents a 12.02% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Phillips 66

(Free Report)

Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas.

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Phoenix Copper Limited (LON:PXC  Get Free Report) shares were down 8.7% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as GBX 4.79 ($0.07) and last traded at GBX 4.79 ($0.07). Approximately 3,089,843 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 182% from the average daily volume of 1,093,845 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 5.25 ($0.07).

Phoenix Copper Price Performance

The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 3.96 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 4.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.51, a quick ratio of 13.42 and a current ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of 9.89 million, a PE ratio of -4.03 and a beta of 1.75.

Phoenix Copper Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Phoenix Copper Limited is a North American focused, base and precious metal explorer and developer, with operations near Mackay, Idaho in the Alder Creek mining district. This district includes the historical Empire, Horseshoe, White Knob and Blue Bird Mines, which produced copper at head grades of 6-8% prior to ceasing production in the 1940s.

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Volatility & Risk

QS Energy has a beta of -1.13, meaning that its share price is 213% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, QS Energys peers have a beta of 1.08, meaning that their average share price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares QS Energy and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio QS Energy N/A -$1.22 million -9.50 QS Energy Competitors $4.26 billion -$120.76 million 10.57

QS Energys peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than QS Energy. QS Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

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%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

This table compares QS Energy and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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, 13.1% of shares of all Oil & gas field machinery companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

QS Energy peers beat QS Energy on 8 of the 9 factors compared.

QS Energy Company Profile

(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.

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RMR Wealth Builders raised its position in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 7.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,855 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 418 shares during the period. RMR Wealth Builders holdings in Accenture were worth $1,827,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ACN. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Accenture during the 4th quarter valued at $2,351,683,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 30,256.8% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,421,519 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $1,067,651,000 after acquiring an additional 3,410,248 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Accenture by 22.8% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,175,518 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,283,225,000 after acquiring an additional 2,260,740 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Accenture in the 4th quarter worth $666,495,000. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors raised its position in shares of Accenture by 16.8% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 12,295,748 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $4,325,526,000 after acquiring an additional 1,770,024 shares in the last quarter. 75.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACN has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Accenture from $372.00 to $340.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Accenture to $355.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on Accenture from $390.00 to $380.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Guggenheim reduced their price target on Accenture from $400.00 to $395.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Accenture from $415.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $382.15.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Angela Beatty sold 169 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.90, for a total value of $47,641.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,512,111.60. This represents a 3.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,284 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.63, for a total value of $643,242.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,965 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,806,442.95. The trade was a 18.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 8,516 shares of company stock valued at $2,507,366 in the last quarter. 0.02% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Accenture Stock Down 0.4%

Accenture stock opened at $318.02 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 1.47. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $304.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $336.13. The company has a market cap of $199.19 billion, a PE ratio of 26.68, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 1.33. Accenture plc has a fifty-two week low of $275.01 and a fifty-two week high of $398.35.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The information technology services provider reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.81 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $16.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.64 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.91% and a net margin of 11.41%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.77 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.73 EPS for the current year.

Accenture Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 10th were issued a $1.48 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 10th. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.86%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.89%.

Accenture Company Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Army General Mohammad Pakpour as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Trend reports.

"Considering the death of IRGC Commander Hossein Salami as a result of Israeli air strikes on Iran, you are hereby appointed to the position of Commander-in-Chief with the rank of Army General," the appointment noted.

On the morning of June 13, Israel launched military air strikes on Iran. The strikes killed a large number of high-ranking military personnel, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatem al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and senior officials. Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the incident. At the same time, the Iranian side has announced that it will carry out a retaliatory attack on Israel.

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Sapient Capital LLC cut its holdings in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 2.9% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 11,576 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 341 shares during the period. Sapient Capital LLCs holdings in Newmont were worth $559,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in Newmont by 13.6% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 38,414 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $1,855,000 after buying an additional 4,605 shares in the last quarter. Bard Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Newmont by 27.5% during the 1st quarter. Bard Financial Services Inc. now owns 109,855 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $5,304,000 after buying an additional 23,675 shares in the last quarter. CX Institutional lifted its holdings in Newmont by 28.7% during the 1st quarter. CX Institutional now owns 6,657 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $321,000 after buying an additional 1,483 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC acquired a new position in Newmont during the 1st quarter worth $339,000. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its holdings in Newmont by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 492,206 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $23,764,000 after buying an additional 15,792 shares in the last quarter. 68.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Scotiabank reaffirmed a sector perform rating on shares of Newmont in a report on Monday, April 14th. TD Securities reduced their price objective on Newmont from $46.00 to $45.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Cfra Research raised Newmont to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Raymond James reissued an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 price target on shares of Newmont in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Argus set a $63.00 price target on Newmont in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $57.68.

Newmont Price Performance

NEM opened at $55.94 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.73, a current ratio of 1.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Newmont Co. has a 12 month low of $36.86 and a 12 month high of $58.72. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $52.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.27. The stock has a market cap of $62.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.31.

Newmont (NYSE:NEM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.54. Newmont had a net margin of 17.92% and a return on equity of 13.52%. The business had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Newmont Co. will post 3.45 EPS for the current year.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 27th. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is currently 22.42%.

Insider Activity at Newmont

In other Newmont news, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,077 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.09, for a total transaction of $112,344.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 45,180 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,443,786.20. This represents a 4.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Peter Toth sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.09, for a total value of $162,270.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 77,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,193,381.34. This trade represents a 3.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 7,154 shares of company stock worth $381,539 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

Newmont Profile

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

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Research analysts at Raymond James began coverage on shares of Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. The firm set an outperform rating and a $98.00 price target on the utilities providers stock. Raymond James price objective suggests a potential upside of 8.59% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Southern from $94.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, March 21st. KeyCorp downgraded shares of Southern from a sector weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $78.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Southern from a hold rating to a buy rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $102.00 to $100.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Southern in a report on Thursday, March 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Southern from $90.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Southern currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $93.00.

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View Our Latest Research Report on SO

Southern Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of Southern stock opened at $90.25 on Friday. Southern has a 12-month low of $76.96 and a 12-month high of $94.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.19 billion, a PE ratio of 22.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.01 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.60. The stocks fifty day moving average is $89.65 and its 200-day moving average is $87.32.

Southern (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The utilities provider reported $1.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.03. Southern had a return on equity of 12.23% and a net margin of 16.47%. The firm had revenue of $7.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.17 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.03 EPS. Southerns revenue was up 17.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Southern will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of SO. Investors Research Corp grew its holdings in Southern by 400.0% during the first quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 270 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares during the last quarter. Cheviot Value Management LLC bought a new position in Southern in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Financial Connections Group Inc. acquired a new position in Southern during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Accredited Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Southern during the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.10% of the companys stock.

Southern Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

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Stanley Laman Group Ltd. lessened its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO  Free Report) by 4.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 26,115 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 1,114 shares during the period. Stanley Laman Group Ltd.s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $3,449,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Everhart Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the first quarter worth approximately $216,000. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter worth $1,580,000. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 2.7% in the first quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 108,717 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $14,358,000 after acquiring an additional 2,813 shares during the period. Willis Investment Counsel raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 55.7% during the first quarter. Willis Investment Counsel now owns 92,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $12,150,000 after acquiring an additional 32,900 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thomasville National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 1.0% during the first quarter. Thomasville National Bank now owns 34,842 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,602,000 after purchasing an additional 336 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Valero Energy Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $133.53 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $121.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $127.60. Valero Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $167.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.75, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.99.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. Valero Energys revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.82 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.39%. Valero Energys payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have commented on VLO. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Valero Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the company from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $151.93.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Valero Energy

About Valero Energy

(Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.

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Liberty Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,587 shares of the investment management companys stock after acquiring an additional 29 shares during the period. Liberty Capital Management Inc.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $867,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Curio Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Godsey & Gibb Inc. lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 170.0% in the 1st quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

GS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Daiwa Capital Markets lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $560.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley set a $558.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, April 7th. Oppenheimer lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $585.00 to $550.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, Daiwa America lowered shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 4th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $593.40.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other news, Director John B. Hess acquired 3,904 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 15th. The shares were bought at an average price of $511.68 per share, for a total transaction of $1,997,598.72. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 3,904 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,997,598.72. This trade represents a  increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Up 0.2%

GS opened at $625.19 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $565.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $583.47. The company has a market cap of $191.83 billion, a PE ratio of 15.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.32. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $437.37 and a 1 year high of $672.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.32, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, April 14th. The investment management company reported $14.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $12.57 by $1.55. The firm had revenue of $15.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.99 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 11.32% and a return on equity of 13.30%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $11.58 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Investors of record on Friday, May 30th will be given a dividend of $3.00 per share. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.85%.

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Argus Investors Counsel Inc. lowered its stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 29.1% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,615 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 2,300 shares during the quarter. Argus Investors Counsel Inc.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $684,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Everhart Financial Group Inc. raised its position in TJX Companies by 8.6% in the 1st quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 11,442 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,394,000 after purchasing an additional 906 shares in the last quarter. Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE acquired a new stake in TJX Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $8,664,000. Osprey Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 8.3% during the 1st quarter. Osprey Private Wealth LLC now owns 29,130 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $3,548,000 after acquiring an additional 2,225 shares in the last quarter. RMR Wealth Builders increased its position in shares of TJX Companies by 27.1% in the 1st quarter. RMR Wealth Builders now owns 15,692 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,911,000 after purchasing an additional 3,345 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC increased its position in shares of TJX Companies by 92.4% in the 1st quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 8,993 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $1,095,000 after purchasing an additional 4,319 shares during the last quarter. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $164.00 price objective (up from $154.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on TJX Companies from $130.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and issued a $145.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, Citigroup raised TJX Companies from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $141.53.

TJX Companies Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE TJX opened at $124.34 on Friday. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $106.89 and a 52-week high of $135.85. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $127.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $124.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $138.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.26, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.02. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 61.82% and a net margin of 8.63%. The business had revenue of $13.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.93 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

TJX Companies Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.425 per share. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.37%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 14th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 40.00%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 950 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.09, for a total transaction of $121,685.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 22,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,909,180.08. The trade was a 4.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.13% of the stock is owned by insiders.

TJX Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Thomasville National Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 5.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 85,372 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,358 shares during the period. Thomasville National Banks holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,163,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in PFE. Vanguard Group Inc. increased 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 worth $13,756,738,000 after acquiring an additional 2,285,276 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased 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 worth $4,124,330,000 after acquiring an additional 25,315,159 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased 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 worth $3,190,131,000 after acquiring an additional 2,923,537 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth about $2,328,986,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in Pfizer by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 76,502,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $2,029,604,000 after acquiring an additional 5,350,381 shares during the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $25.00 price objective (down previously from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Hsbc Global Res raised Pfizer to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $29.17.

Pfizer Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of NYSE PFE opened at $24.85 on Friday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $141.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.62, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.57. The business has a 50-day moving average of $23.01 and a 200-day moving average of $24.97.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. Pfizer had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 12.62%. The company had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.82 earnings per share. Pfizers revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be given a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.92%. Pfizers payout ratio is 124.64%.

About Pfizer

(Free Report)

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.

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Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC lowered its stake in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (BATS:XSHQ  Free Report) by 4.8% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 14,330 shares of the companys stock after selling 729 shares during the quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF were worth $522,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of XSHQ. Harbour Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $61,000. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $250,000. Finally, Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $263,000.

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Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF Trading Up 12.9%

Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF stock opened at $40.59 on Friday. Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF has a 1-year low of $33.94 and a 1-year high of $48.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $324.31 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.28 and a beta of 1.00. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $38.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $40.98.

Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF Increases Dividend

Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF Profile

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 24th were paid a $0.1498 dividend. This is a positive change from Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETFs previous dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 24th.

(Free Report)

The Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P SmallCap 600 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US small-cap stocks selected by return-on-equity, accruals ratio, and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors and scaled by market-cap.

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Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER  Free Report) by 22.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 229,900 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock after acquiring an additional 41,497 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Bancorps holdings in Uber Technologies were worth $16,751,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Simon Quick Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Uber Technologies by 54.8% during the 1st quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 25,056 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $1,826,000 after acquiring an additional 8,873 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies by 19.7% in the 1st quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 947 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Zhang Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $1,301,000. Noble Wealth Management PBC acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Investment Partners Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $280,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.24% of the companys stock.

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Uber Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UBER opened at $85.65 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $179.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.38. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $54.84 and a twelve month high of $93.60. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $81.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $73.89.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Uber Technologies ( NYSE:UBER Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The ride-sharing company reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.33. The business had revenue of $11.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.61 billion. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 62.60% and a net margin of 22.41%. The businesss revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted ($0.32) EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $103.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Wednesday. They set a buy rating and a $110.00 price target on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $82.00 price target on shares of Uber Technologies in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Tigress Financial set a $110.00 price target on shares of Uber Technologies and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Uber Technologies has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $94.39.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on UBER

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah sold 2,750 shares of Uber Technologies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.00, for a total value of $206,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 22,162 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,662,150. The trade was a 11.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jill Hazelbaker sold 34,884 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.03, for a total value of $3,001,070.52. Following the sale, the insider now owns 102,135 shares in the company, valued at $8,786,674.05. The trade was a 25.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 40,384 shares of company stock valued at $3,441,071. Company insiders own 3.84% of the companys stock.

Uber Technologies Profile

(Free Report)

Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Radiation levels outside Irans Natanz nuclear facility remained unchanged, the International Atomic Energy Agency said, Trend reports.

The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures, the agency quotes its chief Rafael Grossi.

Meanwhile, the IAEA has confirmed that Iran's Isfahan and Bushehr nuclear facilities have remained intact. However, the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran was among the targets of Israeli strikes.

Earlier today Rafael Grossi also announced that he is ready to travel to Iran to assess the situation at the nuclear sites, following Israeli attacks.

The Israeli Air Force has launched a strike inside Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

As a result of the Israeli military airstrike on Iran, a large number of military personnel were killed, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami.
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 13. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed former Defense Minister Amir Khatami as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Trend reports.

The appointment order stated: Considering your dedication and competence, I appoint you as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the rank of Lieutenant General.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is prepared to provide technical support and ensure the protection of nuclear facilities in Iran following the recent attack on the Natanz nuclear site, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in an address to the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

Reaffirming the agencys commitment to nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation, Grossi emphasized that the IAEA remains fully engaged with its mandate under all circumstances. I stand ready to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology, he stated.

Grossi noted that, in addition to the agencys safeguards inspectors already operating in Iran, the IAEA is ready to deploy nuclear safety and security experts as needed to assess and support the situation on the ground.

Addressing the IAEA Board of Governors earlier in the day, Grossi said he had expressed his willingness to travel to Iran at the earliest opportunity. This would allow me to assess the situation personally and help ensure that Irans nuclear installations are fully protected and used exclusively for peaceful purposes, he said.
The sacred Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Nathu La route in Sikkim is set to resume, with the first batch of 50 pilgrims scheduled to arrive in Gangtok on 15 June. This marks the revival of one of the most spiritually significant pilgrimages for Hindu devotees, after a pause in recent years.

Additional chief secretary of the tourism and civil aviation department, government of Sikkim, C S Rao said extensive preparations have been made to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of the pilgrims. Each batch will be accompanied by two designated liaison officers to assist them throughout the journey.

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Upon arriving in Gangtok, the pilgrims will undergo a five-day high-altitude acclimatisation programme to prepare for the challenging terrain, Mr Rao said. Comprehensive medical facilities will be available at all key locations, along with telephone and internet connectivity at designated accommodation points, he added.

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The pilgrims are expected to cross into China via the Nathu La pass on 20 June. The government of Sikkim has proposed that the chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) flag off the first batch from the historic pass, lending ceremonial weight to the spiritually significant journey.

Known for its scenic beauty and relatively less demanding terrain compared to the Lipulekh Pass, the Nathu La route had become a preferred alternative before the yatra was suspended. Its reopening underscores a renewed commitment to fostering spiritual and cross-border tourism, with strict adherence to health and safety protocols.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a video message addressed to the people of Iran, Trend reports.

The Islamic regime that has oppressed you for nearly 50 years now threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel, Netanyahu declared.

He added that Israels operation aims to prevent nuclear and missile threats from the Islamic regime.

In the past 24 hours, we have eliminated senior military commanders, leading nuclear scientists, the regimes largest uranium enrichment facility, and a significant portion of its ballistic missile arsenal. Further actions are already underway. The regime does not know what has hit it or what will hit it next. It has never been weaker, he said.

This is your chance to speak out and make your voice heard, Netanyahu emphasized.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed her deepest anguish over the incident of vandalisation involving Rabindranath Tagores house in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.

She has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take up the matter very strongly with the interim government in Bangladesh.

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Tagore frequented the place repeatedly in his lifetime, and many of his finest works were conceived or written while he was there. The poets creativity was intertwined with his association with this ancestral estate of theirs in an intimate manner. What has been vandalised is not a mere house, but a towering fountain of creativity in our subcontinent

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For people of Bengal, this attack is an onslaught on the commonly held legacy of Tagore. The invaluable treasury of Bengali language and literature owes significantly to the majestic contributions of Tagore.

Urging the central government to pursue the matter with Muhammad Yunus-headed government in Bangladesh, she wrote: I would urge you to kindly take up the matter very strongly with the neighbouring countrys government, so that no stone is left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act. Although untold damage has already been done, a strong international protest would at least deter in future any attack on monuments of cultural legacies that have withstood steadfastly all tests of time.

The CM later wrote in her X-handle: Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagore is not just Bengals pride- He is a towering figure of global civilization. The shocking vandalism of Kobigurus ancestral home in Sirajganj, Bangladesh is an act of sheer barbarism that has deeply wounded the sentiments of millions.

This is not merely the defacement of a structure- It is a direct assault on our shared cultural heritage and the timeless ideals Tagore stood for. Such desecration cannot and must not be ignored.

I have written to Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, urging immediate and strong diplomatic engagement with the Government of Bangladesh.

The perpetrators must be swiftly identified and brought to justice and firm steps must be taken to safeguard all sites of cultural and historical significance from such future violations.

Bengal will not tolerate any insult to its icons anywhere in the world.
Trinamul Congress has urged the Centre to immediately take up the matter with the Bangladesh government and arrest those who are involved with the ransacking of Rabindranath Tagores house in Sirajganj.

Some unknown person had vandalised Tagores house last night. Tagore had zamindari in east Bengal and the building had housed the administrative office. Tagore often visited Shilaidaha and used to stay in his boat. During one such trip, he had taken Sister Nivedita and Sister Christine along.

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After the removal of the Awami League government some extremist groups are trying to remove Tagores legacy from Bangladesh. They had demanded that the national anthem should be changed. They even written volumes of lies spreading canard against Tagore and the cordial relationship he had with Kazi Nazrul Islam.

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The Trinamul Congress has condemned the vandalism of Rabindranath Tagores ancestral home in Sirajganj, Bangladesh. Calling the act a grave insult to Bengals cultural identity, the party stressed that Tagore, a global literary figure and symbol of humanism, must be treated with respect across borders.

In a public statement, TMC urged the Union government to raise the matter with Bangladeshi authorities through diplomatic channels and ensure immediate action is taken. The party demanded swift justice and accountability, warning against allowing such incidents to go unchecked under the guise of mob unrest.

Taking to X, the party wrote: We strongly condemn the vandalism of Kobiguru Rabindranath Tagores ancestral home in Bangladeshs Sirajganj district. Gurudev is a symbol of Bengals cultural heritage and a global icon of literature and humanism. Such acts of disrespect are an affront to every Bengalis identity and pride. We urge the Central Govt. to take cognizance of this grave incident and initiate bilateral dialogue to ensure that the concerned authorities in Bangladesh act swiftly and bring the culprits to justice. Our icons are not collateral damage for mob fury.
JSW Cement has made preparations for a promotional roadshow for its forthcoming initial public offering (IPO), which is likely to hit the stock market in July 2025, according to market sources.

The listing is expected to enable JSW Cement to strengthen its financial position and compete more effectively in an increasingly competitive market led by UltraTech Cement Ltd and the Adani Group.

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JSW Cement has engaged with institutional investors to assess interest and valuation, to enable the company to raise around Rs 4,000 crore from investors.

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Talks are in progress about details like the timing and size of the issue, which could be revised, sources said. However, a spokesperson for JSW Cement did not reply to a request for a comment, neither confirming nor denying the development.

According to JSW Cements draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) filed in August 2024, the company plans to use proceeds from its future IPOs to fund a new cement plant in Nagaur, in the northwestern part of Rajasthan, as well as repay borrowings.

JSW Cements Nagaur cement facility will include a clinkerisation unit of up to 3.30 MTPA, a grinding unit of up to 2.50 MTPA, and an 18 MW waste heat recovery-based power plant. The investment also includes an approximately 7-km-long Overland Belt Conveyor to transport limestone from the mines to the manufacturing plant, as well as arrangements to use alternative fuel in the kiln.

The company had stated earlier that its proposed investment in the plant will be funded through a mix of equity and long-term debt.

It may be recalled that JSW Cement had received a nod from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise Rs 4,000 crore through an initial public offering in January 2025.

The Sajjan Jindal-promoted company had filed listing documents with the stock market regulator SEBI on August 16, 2024.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a six-month extension for the Yes Banks Managing Director and CEO, Prashant Kumar effective from October 6, 2025, or until a new MD & CEO is appointedwhichever is earlieraccording to the banks exchange filing.

The extension comes as the Mumbai-based bank has launched the search for a new CEO and is engaging with global recruitment firms.

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Kumar had received his first extension from the central bank in October 2022 for a three-year period, which meant that his term was to end in October 2025.

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Notably in May, Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 20% stake in Yes Bank through a secondary stake purchase of 13.19% from State Bank of India and 6.81% aggregate from other banks for Rs 13,483 crore at Rs 21.5 apiece.

As per the deal, SBI will sell the stake for Rs 8,889 crore, while the other banks together will sell for Rs 4,594 crore. The other banks include Axis Bank, Bandhan Bank, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Yes Bank had made an application to the RBI under The Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to extend Kumars tenure as MD & CEO.

Prashant Kumar, who is a former Deputy Managing Director and Chief Financial Offer (CFO) at State Bank of India (SBI) was appointed as MD & CEO of Yes Bank after a consortium of banks, led by his former employer SBI, had rescued the bank from a liquidity crisis in 2020.
Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav on Friday alleged that the patients admitted in the government hospitals are battling for survival amid heat-wave conditions in Delhi as the government made no elaborate arrangements for the surging temperature.

He said the Rekha Gupta governments claims of making elaborate arrangements to treat heat-wave patients in hospitals have fallen flat with the temperature hitting 45 degrees Celsius in the city. Government hospitals are in a pitiable condition with patients forced to wait for hours to get an appointment without getting even basic facilities, which exposes another achievement of the BJP government, he pointed out.

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Yadav further claimed that most of the heat-wave victims are poor, who are forced to work in the afternoon to earn their livelihood, like rickshaw pullers, auto drivers, street vendors, fruit sellers on carts, construction workers, laborers, etc., and once they fall ill, they rush to government hospitals, which are in a sorry state.

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The triple-engine BJP government has only pushed the health sector from ICU to ventilator over the past 100 days, he alleged.

Moreover, Yadav also claimed that the government-run hospitals are not only short of equipment and staff but also short of essential medicines and even lack proper seating arrangements for patients.
Veteran actor Dharmendra recently opened up about his key role in casting of Amitabh Bachchan for the iconic 1975 film Sholay.

In a heartfelt conversation with ANI, Dharmendra revealed that it was he who suggested Bachchans name to director Ramesh Sippy, believing the then-rising actor had something special to offer.

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Recalling their early meetings, Dharmendra said, Amitabh Bachchan used to come to see me, sit beside me. I wont say I gave him the role, but I did recommend him. I told Ramesh Sippy, Theres this new boy, his voice is impressive, and theres a rare sincerity in him. Take him.

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According to reports, the role of Jai was originally meant for Shatrughan Sinha, but Dharmendras recommendation changed the course of castingand possibly, Hindi cinema history.

Sholay went on to become one of Indian cinemas most celebrated films. Set in the fictional village of Ramgarh, the film follows two small-time criminals, Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra), hired by retired police officer Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) to capture the feared dacoit Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan).

The storys emotional weight deepens when they know that Gabbar was responsible for Thakur losing his arms, spurring Jai and Veeru to fight even harder on his behalf.

For Dharmendra, Sholay holds a timeless place in his heart. This film, I feel, has been made for centuries to come, he shared.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Dharmendra humbly noted that despite decades of success, he still feels his best work is yet to come. I have yet to give the best, he said, a statement that speaks volumes about his passion and dedication even after all these years.

The actor, who began his film journey in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, quickly rose to stardom in the mid-60s with hits like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Phool Aur Patthar, and Aaye Din Bahar Ke.

Over the years, Dharmendra delivered a string of blockbusters and critically acclaimed performances, from action-packed roles in Ankhen, Sholay, and Dharam Veer to nuanced portrayals in films like Satyakam, Anupama, and Chupke Chupke.

Now, at this stage of his career, Dharmendra isnt slowing down. Hes gearing up for his next release, Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan. Its a very good subject, Dharmendra teased, keeping further details under wraps. The film is ready for release on October 2.

Adding to the excitement, Dharmendra is also going to reunite with actor Arbaaz Khan after nearly three decades for Maine Pyaar Kiya Phir Se. Shooting is likely to begin soon, with the film aiming for a theatrical release in November 2025.
The Indian business community is reeling from the sudden passing of Sunjay Kapur, the chairman of leading automotive components manufacturer Sona Comstar.

Sunjay, who was in his 50s, reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after an unusual and tragic accident during a polo match in England.

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Businessman and consultant Suhel Seth confirmed the news. Speaking to ANI, Suhel shared that Sunjays death was linked to a bee sting incident during the match, which quickly turned critical. Suhel later took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief, writing, Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur: he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues @sonacomstarOm Shanti.

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Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur : he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues @sonacomstar Om Shanti  SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) June 12, 2025

Sunjay Kapur was not only a significant figure in the corporate world but was also known for his past relationship with Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor.

The couple had two children togetherSamaira, born in 2005, and Kiaan, born in 2011. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2016, after filing for mutual consent separation in 2014.

Sunjay later married Priya Sachdev.

Sunjays last social media post was about another tragedythe Air India plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad just hours before his own passing.

He had written, Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour. #planecrash.

Following the news of his demise, many social media users were left stunned by the cruel irony of lifes unpredictability. Life is goddamn uncertain, one person wrote. Another commented, Life is unpredictable. Few hours ago you were praying for others, and now everyone is praying for you.
Dylan OBrien is stepping into an important story of activism and resilience. The actor is going to co-star with Ruth Madeley and Mark Ruffalo in Being Heumann, an upcoming Apple Original Film based on the life of disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann.

The film brings to life Heumanns groundbreaking fight for equal rights. OBrien will portray Evan White, a journalist who was one of the few voices covering the historic disability rights protests in San Francisco during the late 1970s.

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These protests became a defining moment in the push for disability inclusion and federal protections.

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Ruth Madeley, who has long been an advocate for disability representation on screen, is taking on the lead role of Judy Heumann, while Mark Ruffalo will play Joseph Califano, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter.

Califano initially resisted signing key civil rights legislation that would significantly impact the lives of people with disabilities.

The film focuses on the powerful 1977 sit-in at San Franciscos Federal Building, where Heumann led over a hundred disabled activists in a 28-day protest. This sit-in became one of the longest non-violent occupations of a federal building in U.S. history.

The protestors, facing enormous challenges, banded together to demand the enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Acta regulation that would require all federally funded institutions to be accessible to people with disabilities.

The story promises to highlight the strength, solidarity, and determination of the disability rights community, making it not just a historical drama but a deeply human story about the fight for dignity and access.

The project is being helmed by Sian Heder, best known for her Oscar-winning film CODA. Heder will direct and co-write the screenplay with Rebekah Taussig. The film is being production of David Permut (Hacksaw Ridge) and Kevin Walsh (Manchester by the Sea), both working under their production deals with Apple Studios.

Meanwhile, Dylan OBrien has been on a strong run. His recent film Twinless was a Sundance hit, winning both the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting and the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award.

The dark comedy is going to hit theatres on September 5, following its acquisition by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions.

OBriens slate is full of diverse roles. His upcoming releases include the thriller Ponyboi, arriving in select theatres on June 27, and Send Help, a horror film by Sam Raimi and starring Rachel McAdams, which is ready for a June 20 release.

In addition to his film projects, OBrien recently earned critical acclaim for his performance as Dan Aykroyd in Jason Reitmans Saturday Night and was also part of the M. Night Shyamalan-produced Caddo Lake, which garnered him a nomination at the Gotham Television Awards.
At just 16, Kai Schreiber is confidently stepping into the fashion world and proudly embracing her identity as a young transgender woman.

The daughter of Hollywood actors Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts recently spoke to Interview magazine, sharing her dreams, challenges, and inspirations in a refreshingly honest conversation.

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Kai, who made a stunning debut at Paris Fashion Week this year, didnt hold back when talking about her ambitions.

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I want to be a supermodel. Period, she said, making it clear that this is not just a passing phaseits something she has worked towards for years.

In fact, she revealed that shes been practicing her runway walk at home for as long as she can remember. My mom can show you all the videos I forced her to film, she added with a laugh.

Her love for fashion and her desire to be seen as glamorous and powerful goes back to her childhood. Kai Schreiber confessed that, early on, she dreamed of being a beautiful, glamorous, influential woman, like Marilyn Monroe.

Growing up while navigating gender identity only deepened that longing for self-expression and confidence.

Whats especially moving is how much Kai values community. She spoke about the importance of connecting with other transgender individuals in the fashion industry.

Its so great that theres a strong community of us in the fashion world; its really a doll takeover, she said proudly. Its important to all of us to have a sense of community, especially when were under such hostile attack.

Kai looks up to trailblazers like Hari Nef, known for her role in Transparent, and Euphoria star Hunter Schaferboth of whom have paved the way for more trans visibility in fashion and media.

Im always going to look up to the older generation of transgender people, especially in fashion, she shared.

This is the first time Kai has publicly spoken about her gender identity in an interview, although shes been making waves in the fashion scene for several months. After walking for Valentino at Paris Fashion Week in March, she also appeared in one of the brands ad campaigns.

Her father, actor Liev Schreiber, recently spoke about Kais journey in a candid conversation with Variety. He recalled the moment Kai asked him and Naomi Watts to start using her chosen pronouns as a deeply meaningful experience.

Kai is such a fighter, he said with pride. Its important that she says, Hey, I am trans, and, Look at me, and, F*** you. F*** off.

When asked what advice he would offer to other parents whose children may be exploring their gender identity, Liev chose a thoughtful, non-prescriptive approach. I dont know the answer for your kid, he said.

Dont know what its like for you to be a trans dad. I dont know how you were brought up, or what religion you encountered, or what your spirituality is. For me to tell you what I think about my kid feels like an overstep.

Liev shares two children with Naomi WattsKai Schreiber and their son Sasha, now 17. The former couple were together from 2005 to 2016. In 2023, Liev married Taylor Neisen, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Hazel Bee.
Air India on Friday confirmed that 241 people lost their lives in yesterdays crash of the ill-fated AI171 aircraft, which was en route to London from Ahmedabad, while one person survived.

The air operator in a statement said, We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.

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Among those who lost their lives was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

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Moreover, at least four MBBS students and the wife of a doctor have been confirmed dead in the plane crash that struck the BJ Medical College building in Ahmedabad.

While four MBBS students living in the hostel died, 19 were injured. Five of them are serious. Two third-year students are untraceable, college dean Dr Minakshi Parikh told reporters.

The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national.

The survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh is a British national of Indian origin and is undergoing treatment in a hospital in Ahmedabad.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm, carrying 230 passengers, 12 crew members and crashed shortly after take-off, Air India mentioned in an update on X.

In order to assist the investigation, a team of US investigators travelled to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent civil air crash investigation agency posted on X.

A team of caregivers from Air India also reached Ahmedabad last night to provide additional support and cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

Moreover, Air India has also set up Friends and Relatives Assistance Centres at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones of those on flight AI171. These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad.

Air India has announced that they have a dedicated passenger hotline for more information on the matter, especially for bereaved family members.

In their post on X, they said, Air India has also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call on +91 8062779200. Regular updates will continue on Air Indias X handle (https://x.com/airindia) and on http://airindia.com as further information comes to hand.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Trend reports.

Araghchi called for urgent action by the UN to fulfill its responsibilities to maintain international peace and security.

He referred to Irans move to send official letters to both the president of the UN Security Council and the UN secretary general, underlining the need for an immediate UN response to the Israeli attacks.

Araghchi underlined that the attacks constitute a blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as an independent UN member state, and are a clear act of aggression.

According to the Iranian MFA, the UN secretary general voiced regret over the Israeli actions and condemned its attacks against Iran, particularly the strikes on nuclear facilities at a time when talks between Iran and the US were ongoing.
The Geological Museum of the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, has been featured in the recently released Directory of Science Museums and Science Centres in India, compiled by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture. The listing places the museum among a distinguished group of institutions advancing scientific education and public engagement across the country.

Established in 1926, the museum is among the oldest geological repositories in India. It stands as a testament to the academic and research legacy of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, which approaches its centenary in the coming years. Its inclusion in the national directory marks not only a milestone for the institute but also a timely recognition of geology as a vitalthough often overlookeddiscipline within Indias scientific ecosystem.

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Housing a collection of more than 1,200 specimens, the museum offers extensive displays of rocks, ores, minerals, crystal models, fossils, meteorites, and gemstones in both natural and polished forms. These exhibits represent geological richness both from India and abroad, curated to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of Earth sciences.

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Beyond its academic utility, the museum functions as an important bridge between science and the wider public. Through school visits, academic excursions, and thematic exhibitions, it plays an active role in fostering scientific temper among young learners. In doing so, it aligns with the NCSMs broader mission of cultivating a nationwide culture of accessible and inclusive science outreachespecially in regions often viewed through the lens of resource extraction rather than knowledge production.

Situated in the mineral-rich terrain of Jharkhand, the museum exemplifies how regional institutions can achieve national prominence through sustained scholarship and public engagement. As Dhanbads identity gradually evolves from its historic association with coalfields toward a role in national science and heritage, the museums recognition assumes broader cultural and educational significance.

The Ministrys decision to feature the museum underscores the relevance of geology in addressing contemporary global challengesfrom resource sustainability to environmental changeand positions IIT (ISM) Dhanbad as a key contributor to Indias expanding scientific narrative. The listing also reaffirms that science learning need not be confined to urban centres alone, but flourishes across Indias diverse academic geographies.

Rajni Singh, Dean of Corporate Communications at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, welcomed the recognition, describing it as a reflection of the institutes enduring commitment to both academic excellence and meaningful public engagement.
The Himachal Pradesh Police Department, which has adopted a zero tolerance policy against the mining mafia, seized 37 vehicles and impounded 16 dumpers from Kangra, Una, and Sirmaur districts.

A spokesperson for the Himachal Pradesh Police said here on Friday that the department is continuously taking strict action against the illegal mining mafia.

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The department intensified its efforts in 2025 to curb mineral smuggling by thoroughly checking vehicles transporting them, he said, adding that this action aims to prevent the illegal export of minerals.

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He said that necessary directions were issued by the Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, Ashok Tiwari, to the Superintendents of Police in Sirmaur, Una, and Nurpur districts to organise night nakas from 10 pm to 3 am in all areas prone to illegal mining within their jurisdictions.

In pursuance of the directions, the Nurpur SP organised nakas at five locations. During the operation, 24 vehicles loaded with illegal mining material were seized and impounded. Police issued challans against the seized vehicles, which were sent to the courts for further legal proceedings, he said.

Of the 24 vehicles, six were seized from Dangu Majra, two from Bhadroya, eight from Kandori, five from Malkwal, and three from Barota.

Furthermore, the Sirmaur Police, while conducting checks on 100-120 dumpers operating from Haryana and Uttarakhand on June 12 and 13, impounded 16 dumpers found violating traffic and mining rules, he informed.

The Una Police, during night nakas at four locations  PolianJejo (JananiJejo) Road, BathriGarhshankar (BathuGarhshankar) Road, PandogaHoshiarpur (UnaHoshiarpur) Road, and GagretHoshiarpur Road  stopped and checked 17 vehicles, he said.

During the checking, eight vehicles were found transporting mined materials without an X-form, while five were carrying minerals with an X-form but were overloaded. All 13 vehicles have been seized and detained by the police. Of the seized vehicles, 11 had Punjab registration numbers and two were registered in Rajasthan, he stated.

The spokesperson added that the Police Departments zero-tolerance policy towards illegal mining is encouraging the public to report such activities to the nearest police station or through helpline numbers.

This crackdown is part of the states efforts to prevent the illegal export of minerals and protect the environment, he added.
India and Pakistan were on the same page on the issue of voting on the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) Board of Governors resolution strongly criticizing Irans nuclear program and declaring it in breach of its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh Friday pointed out quoting voting results that took place on Thursday.

The UNs nuclear watchdogs Board of Governors Thursday adopted a resolution declaring that Iran was not complying with its commitment to international nuclear safeguards

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As per the voting pattern, the resolution, backed by the US and Europe, received 19 votes in favour, while Russia, China, and Burkina Faso voted against it.

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Nineteen countries, including the US and European nations, supported the resolution while Russia, China, and Burkina Faso voted against. Eleven countries, including India and Pakistan, abstained from voting.

The IAEA resolution adopted in Vienna, strongly criticized Irans nuclear program, declaring it in breach of its 1974 Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement.

This action follows growing concerns about Irans cooperation with IAEA inspectors and its recent announcement of plans to expand uranium enrichment.

The resolutions adoption has significant geopolitical implications, particularly given the timing amid US-Iran nuclear talks. The IAEAs criticism of Irans nuclear program centers around concerns about Tehrans cooperation with inspectors and its plans to expand uranium enrichment.

Indias decision to abstain from the vote reflects its non-aligned stance, similar to its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. By abstaining, India recognizes Irans right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy programs while calling upon Tehran to adhere to its non-proliferation commitments.

Pakistans abstention from the vote is being seen by some critics as a cautious approach, considering its own nuclear program and diplomatic relations.

The IAEAs resolution may lead to increased tensions between Iran and the international community, potentially impacting nuclear diplomacy efforts. The voting results highlight the complexities of global governance and the diverse perspectives on nuclear non-proliferation.

The resolutions adoption has sparked reactions from various countries. Russia and China, both members of the UN Security Council, voted against the resolution, indicating their disagreement with the EU and the US. These countries have significant interests in Iran, with Russia constructing a $1 billion nuclear power plant in Bushehr.

Indias decision to abstain from the vote reflects its non-aligned stance, similar to its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to official statements, India recognizes Irans right to pursue peaceful nuclear energy programs while calling upon Iran to adhere to its non-proliferation commitments.

The IAEAs resolution may have geopolitical implications, particularly given the timing amid US-Iran nuclear talks. The international community continues to navigate complex issues surrounding nuclear non-proliferation and cooperation.
India Friday expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Iran and Israel, calling for restraint and diplomacy to resolve the situation.

Israel today launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program and senior military leaders in an attack in which General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard, was killed. The attack may have cascading implications, leading the Middle East into fresh uncertainty, increasing the risk of a regional war.

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India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues, a Foreign Ministry statement said, calling for restraint.

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Expressing concern over escalation, the statement said: We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites.

India enjoys close and friendly relations with both countries. The Indian missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community, and nationals are advised to exercise caution, stay safe, and follow local security advisories.

Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe, and follow local security advisories, the statement said.

After decades of non-aligned and pro-Arab policy, India formally established relations with Israel when it opened an embassy in Tel Aviv in January 1992. Ties between the two nations have flourished since, primarily due to common strategic interests and security threats, particularly from terrorism.

India has expressed strong opposition to Irans nuclear program and while both nations continue to oppose the Taliban, India supported the presence of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, unlike Iran.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Odisha Police has arrested two fraudsters who orchestrated a digital arrest case, confining a man from Bhubaneswar in a hotel for six days and duping him of Rs 1.08 crore, officials said on Friday.

An investigating team, after analyzing the transaction details and working upon other digital evidence, cracked down at Sihor, Bhavnagar, Gujarat. After verifying the details in the locality, it successfully identified and arrested two of the perpetrators of the crime. The fraudsters were identified as Vaghela Arvindsinh (24) and Gohli Vishvarajsinh Bharat Sinh (24), both natives of Bhavnagar district in Gujarat.

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Brought under transit remand from a court in Bhavnagar, the duo was remanded to jail custody today after the SDJM Court here rejected their bail application.

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The Bhubaneswar-based man was duped in August last year. The complainant reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station that he was defrauded by unknown cyber fraudsters impersonating officials from DHL courier, the Mumbai Crime Branch, and other government agencies. They falsely accused him of involvement in criminal activities using his Aadhaar details and kept him under constant video surveillance for six days from 9 to 14 August, coercing him to isolate himself in a hotel.

Under threats of arrest and media exposure, they obtained his personal and financial information, convincing him to liquidate his investments and transfer a total of Rs 1,08,32,000 (Rs 1.08 crore) in multiple transactions for supposed account verification and issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NoC). Realizing it was a scam, he filed an FIR. The case is under investigation, the CID said.

Here, the accused and their associates posed themselves as officials from DHL, Mumbai Crime Branch, CBI, and other government agencies, and so far it is revealed that the above accused persons cheated the complainant to a tune of Rs 1,08,32,000 on the pretext of a criminal investigation and issuance of NoC linked to alleged misuse of his Aadhaar credentials and committed the offence u/s- 318(4)/ 319(2)/ 336(2)/ 336(3)/ 338/ 340(2)/ 61(2)/ 3(5) BNS r/w Sec. 66-C/ 66-D of Information Technology Act, 2000.

The investigating team has seized various incriminating articles including two Iphone 15pro Max & 13 pro Max, SIM Cards, Aadhar Cards, PAN Cards, one passbook, etc. The bank accounts of the fraudsters have been frozen, CID added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad on Friday, a day after a devastating Air India plane crash claimed the lives of more than 240 people. However, quoting Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, media reports said that 265 bodies had reached the hospital. News reports also said that the dead included five MBBS students.

Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams are working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy, the Prime Minister said in a post on his social media handle X.

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The plane, bound for Londons Gatwick Airport, Thursday crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad minutes after takeoff, killing almost everyone except one on board. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the dead.

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The aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged into a residential complex near BJ Medical College, killing 241 people on board. There were 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and two pilots on the flight. One person  the passenger of seat No. 11A  survived the crash, reports said, quoting officials.

As per reports, the passengers included 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. As regards their nationality, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in Ahmedabad at 0830 hrs, went straight to inspect the crash site, after which he visited the Civil Hospital, where the injured are receiving treatment.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Civil Aviation Minister K R Naidu, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, and Director General of Police Vikas Sahay.

We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti, the Prime Minister said.

During his visit, PM Modi met with the only survivor of the crash, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, a British national, who is currently being treated at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

The PM also interacted with the injured persons and enquired about their condition. Modi had earlier expressed shock and grief over the crash, stating: The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

The government has been working to assist those affected by the tragedy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited the crash site and hospital on Thursday, assessing the situation and providing support. Shah mentioned that the temperature from the burning fuel was so high that there was no chance of saving anyone. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.

Though the cause of the crash is yet to be ascertained, the rescue operation was swift, with emergency services responding within 10 minutes of the incident. As the city recovers from the tragic event, PM Modis visit aims to provide support and condolences to the affected families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone on Friday regarding the evolving situation following a military operation launched by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) against Iran earlier in the day.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, Received a phone call from PM @netanyahu of Israel. He briefed me on the evolving situation. I shared Indias concerns and emphasized the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

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Earlier, India expressed deep concern over the escalation between Iran and Israel, urging both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomacy.

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Israel launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, reportedly targeting its nuclear infrastructure and high-ranking military officials. Among those killed was General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The strike has heightened tensions in the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to de-escalate the situation and address underlying issues.

The ministry further added, We are deeply concerned about the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports of attacks on nuclear sites.

India maintains close and friendly relations with both countries. Indian missions in Iran and Israel are in touch with members of the Indian community, advising nationals to exercise caution, remain safe, and follow local security advisories.

Our missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe, and follow local security advisories, the statement reiterated.

Indias relations with Israel have grown significantly since formal diplomatic ties were established in 1992, underpinned by shared strategic and security interests.

While India has consistently expressed concerns over Irans nuclear ambitions, it also maintains an independent foreign policy approach in the region. Although both India and Iran have opposed the Taliban, their stances diverged on the presence of NATO-led forces in AfghanistanIndia supported them, while Iran did not.
Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and official party spokesperson Sanjay Raut has criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement regarding the Ahmedabad air crash which took place on Thursday.

Accidents cannot be prevented, but the administrations preparedness is tested during such times. Gujarat has handled the emergency remarkably well, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said after visiting the spot of the air crash.

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Reacting to Shahs statement, Raut told media persons on Friday, After the accident yesterday, Amit Shah visited the spot and said it was an accident, accidents cannot be prevented. I want to ask him that you cannot prevent accidents, you cannot prevent the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Then why are you in power? No one is safe in your state (government). Train passengers are not safe, air passengers are not safe. Tourists in Pahalgam are not safe. The people in Manipur are not safe. So who is really safe in your state? Amit Shah should answer these questions.

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Raising the question of who will take responsibility for this accident, Sanjay Raut said, Everyone is shirking responsibility. Someone has to take responsibility for this incident. The Union Civil Aviation Minister or the Prime Minister should take responsibility for this accident. Even after several train accidents in Mumbai and the country, the Railway Minister (Ashwini Vaishnaw) did not take responsibility. Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not take any responsibility for domestic attacks. After US President Donald Trump threatened, we stopped the Operation Sindoor campaign. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take any responsibility for that failure. Then what kind of state are you BJP people running?

A terror attack took place in Pahalgam. Tourists are not safe but the Home Minister (Amit Shah) does not take responsibility. People fell from a train in Mumbai and died, but the Railway Minister (Ashwini Vaishnaw) did not take responsibility. A passenger jet crashed after take off in Ahmadabad but the Civil Aviation Minister (Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu) did not take responsibility. Look at the situation in Manipur. Nobody has taken responsibility, Raut said.

When the Dreamliner was being inducted, BJP had raised questions. (Ajit Pawar-led NCPs) Praful Patel was the then Civil Aviation Minister. But today everybody is silent. Dreamliner is supposed to be a top-of-the-line passenger jet. But in Ahmedabad, it crashed in just 30 seconds. Someone has to take the responsibility or not? Raut asked.

Many of the people who died hailed from Maharashtra. The majority of the crew were from Mumbai and its neighbouring cities, Raut said.

When it was pointed out that Prime Minister Modi himself rushed to Ahmedabad to console the people, Raut said, Yes, I have seen the photos and the videos. But in fact Uddhav was the first to console people. Our (Worli MLA) Aaditya (Thackeray) even cancelled his birthday celebrations, Raut said.

What has happened is painful. Air India once had the image of Maharaja. Tomorrow questions will be asked about civil aviation safety in India. The 242 on board included 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian citizen, Raut said.

After the technicians gave permission for the plane to fly after the inspection, the plane took off, then within 30 seconds both the planes engines shut down, how did this happen? What exactly went wrong? This will be investigated. Something will come out of that investigation, maybe the truth will come out. But who will take responsibility for these 265 deaths? 242 people on the aircraft were killed along with doctors and students where the plane crashed. Around 265 people have died. Who will take responsibility for their deaths? Raut asked.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao has received fresh summons to appear before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on 16 June in connection with the Hyderabad Formula E race. Last time, Rao had sought time from the ACB, citing his trip to the UK and the USA to celebrate the silver jubilee of the formation of the BRS party.

Rao has dismissed the case against him as politically vindictive and aimed at harassing him.

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Former municipal affairs and urban development minister KT Rama Rao has received a fresh summons to appear before the ACB on 16 June at 10 am. If he decides to appear before the probe agency, this will be his second appearance. On 26 May, Rao had been served summons to appear before the agency on 28 May. However, he sought time from the agency since he was slated to travel abroad, but not before terming it pure political harassment. The BRS leader had further accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of orchestrating the interrogation so that it distracts the public, since a few days back, it was revealed that the latters name featured in the charge sheet of the National Herald case. He also accused Reddy of schmoozing with the BJPs top brass and alleged that the Saffron partys Telangana leadership was silent on Reddys involvement in the money laundering case.

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The ACB has accused KT Rama Rao of committing irregularities in the Formula E case, directly transferring funds to the organisers when the official sponsors backed out. Rao maintained that procedures were jumped because it was election time and he had done it to save the image of the state. The BRS government wanted the Formula E race to be held in 2024 after its success in 2023 but the event was cancelled by the Congress government after it came to power citing huge costs.
A. Pavithran, the Junior Superintendent of Vellarikundu taluk, has been suspended for an objectionable Facebook post criticising Ranjitha G. Nair, who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Revenue Minister of Kerala, K Rajan, shared a social media post and called the junior superintendents act despicable.

Sharing the Facebook post, Rajan wrote, Vellarikundu taluk Junior Superintendent A. Pavithran has been suspended for posting a Facebook post criticising Ranjitha G. Nair, who died in a plane crash. This is a despicable act on the part of the Deputy Tehsildar. After this post came to our attention, an order was issued to suspend him immediately.

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Ranjitha Gopakimar, hailing from Thiruvalla in Keralas Pathanamthitta district, was among the victims of the London-bound Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, her family confirmed.

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A London-bound Air India flight, carrying 242 people onboard, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport today, striking a doctors hostel and claiming 241 lives.

Kerala BJP chief and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandesekhar posted on X, Tributes to Ranjitha R. Nair from Kozhencherry, who lost her life in the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Ranjitha, who worked as a nurse in the United Kingdom, was on the ill-fated flight and has been confirmed to be dead, her relatives said.

She is survived by her two children and her mother, who currently reside in Thiruvalla.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement has also been scrutinised. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responded to a post in which Amit Shah could be seen saying, This is an accident, and nobody can stop accidents.

Replying to Shahs statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, Is this what the Union Home Minister should be saying now? It is most insensitive.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also attacked Shah and posted, When a plane crashes and people die, the least a Home Minister can offer is a promise of accountability, not a shrug and a lecture on fate. Nobody can stop accidents is an abdication. If nothing can be prevented, why do we have ministries at all? Aviation accidents are not acts of God  they are preventable. Thats why we have aviation regulators, safety protocols, and crisis response systems. By the Home Ministers logic, should we stop investing in safety infrastructure, regulation, or crisis preparedness altogether? Just leave it to fate and call it a day?
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has conducted airstrikes on Israeli military targets in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes on Iranian territory, Trend reports.

According to a IRGC statement, the retaliatory operation targeted Israeli military-industrial centers involved in the production of missiles, ammunition, and other defense equipment. The operation was carried out in coordination with all relevant departments, with Irans national security described as a red line for the armed forces.

On June 13, Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil resulted in the deaths of several senior military figures, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of Hatem al-Anbia Gholamali Rashid, as well as six nuclear scientists and other high-ranking officials.

Following these events, Iran called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Formed in 1945 by the victors of World War II, the main aim of the United Nations was to preserve international peace and security. The UN Charter provides for pacific settlement of disputes between members, and, if the parties fail to settle the dispute by peaceful means, the Security Council may step in, and adopt coercive measures ~ ranging from diplomatic and economic, to the use of armed force.

Coercive measures were seldom applied during the Cold War period, because of liberal use of veto by the United States or the Soviet Union. Post-Cold War, till recently, USA was the only superpower left, so it rampaged unhindered through Iraq, erstwhile Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya, Syria ~ to mention only some of its misadventures. Former US President Barack Obama succinctly observed: In the middle of the Cold War, the chances of reaching any consensus had been slim, which is why the UN had stood idle as Soviet tanks rolled into Hungary or US planes dropped napalm on the Vietnamese countryside.

Even after the Cold War, divisions within the Security Council continued to hamstring the UNs ability to tackle problems. Its member states lacked either the means or the collective will to reconstruct failing states like Somalia, or prevent an ethnic slaughter in places like Sri Lanka (A Promised Land, 2020). In its early days the UN actively promoted decolonisation, hand holding the eighty colonies that gained independence in the aftermath of WWII. The UN, through its agencies like the FAO, IMF, World Bank and programmes and funds like UNDP and UNICEF actively supported the newly independent countries, helping them tide over food shortages, droughts, medical emergencies, etc.

All countries, developed and undeveloped, are immensely benefited by UN agencies like ILO, ICAO, UNESCO, WHO, UPU, IMF, World Bank etc. as also UN sponsorship of nuclear arms control treaties and environmental initiatives. However, now with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in its fortieth month and the Israeli invasion of Gaza in its twentieth, the failure of the UN to stop hostilities in either case highlights its increasing irrelevance. The ongoing war in Ukraine began in February 2014 when Russia occupied and annexed Crimea from Ukraine and then occupied eastern Donbas region in 2018, followed by a full-blown invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Ukraine war has resulted in a refugee crisis for both Russia and Ukraine, as also a million dead and injured on the Russian side and 700,000 dead and injured on the Ukraine side ~ all for a gain of around 113,000 sq.km . of Ukrainian territory by Russia.

The Security Council has been unable to act ~ deadlocked by the veto power of Russia. True, the UN General Assembly has debated and condemned the Russian role in the war, but unlike the Security Council, its resolutions are not binding on member states. In the UN session called to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US twice sided with Russia. Firstly, the US opposed a European-drafted resolution in the General Assembly that condemned Mos cows actions and supported Ukraines territorial integrity. Then, the US sponsored a resolution in the Security Council, which called for an end to the war but contained no criticism of Russia. The ongoing invasion of Gaza strip by Israel since October 2023, has resulted in an unprecedented tragedy; according to official figures of the Gaza Health Ministry, as of 4 June 2025, almost 57,000 people (55,223 Palestinians and 1,706 Israelis) have been killed. The dead include 180 journalists and media workers, 120 academics, and over 224 humanitarian aid workers, which include 179 employees of UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Scholars have estimated that 80 percent of Palestinians killed were civilians. A study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), which verified fatalities from three independent sources, found that seventy per cent of the Palestinians killed in residential buildings were women and children. The Gaza war has led to extreme famine conditions in Gaza Strip, resulting from Israeli airstrikes and the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip, which includes restrictions on humanitarian aid. More than two million Gazans ~ about 95 per cent of Gazas population ~ have been displaced, and are categorized as facing acute or catastrophic food insecurity. There are currently no functioning hospitals in Gaza. After the end of the two month ceasefire with Hamas on 18 March, Israel resumed attacks on Gaza.

According to a U.N. assessment, since then, the Israeli military has dramatically al  ter ed the map of the enclave, declaring about 70 per cent of it either a military red zone or under evacuation orders, and pushing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into ever-shrinking pockets. A fortnight ago, the Israeli government approved a plan to expand military operations in the Gaza Strip, which would, eventually, include occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. Israel intends to move Gazas civilian population southward for its own defence, though forced displacement is a crime under international law. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief, said: We will operate in additional areas and destroy all infrastructure ~ above and below ground.

The Israeli cabinet also ratified a plan to take control of and sharply reduce the distribution of food and lifesaving aid. As of now, Israeli soldiers sometimes fire on crowds assembled to seek food. Images of starving Palestinians scrambling for paltry aid packages, herded in cagelike lines and then coming under fire have caused global outrage. Israels actions have the complete backing of the US, which is bankrolling its invasion and providing weapons and intelligence for the genocide of Palestinians. US President Trump seems to have provided the roadmap for the future of the Gaza strip; in a video posted in late-February, President Trump outlined the concept of a plan for the U.S. taking ownership of the Gaza Strip and turning it into the Riviera of the Middle East.

The question naturally arises as to what the UN is doing when such egregious violations of its underlying principles are taking place? As early as December 2023, to draw attention to the Gaza crisis, in the first such move in decades, UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter; the UNSC failed to act because a US veto blocked a ceasefire resolution, supported by more than 150 countries. Every time the issue came up in the Security Council, similar US vetoes stalled action against Israel. As late as 4 June 2025, the United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Notably, the US was the only country to vote against the measure, while the 14 other members of the Security Council voted in favour.

The dangerous impasse in the UN, is part of a larger problem of incompatibility of 20th century multilateralism and 21st century geopolitics, and quest of a global balance of power, between a West on the defensive, rampant authoritarian powers, and an emerging South, demanding its place at the high table. The world over the UN is perceived to have failed in its objectives ~ even in the US ~ which has strengthened its hegemony through the UN; a Disengaging Entirely from the United Nations Debacle (DEFUND) Act was introduced, in the US Congress in 2023. However, the failure is mostly of the Security Council, which is extrapolated to the entire UN. UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres noted that the U.N. is not the Security Council, but all U.N. bodies suffer from the fact that the people look at them and think, Well, but the Security Council has failed us.

A more correct assessment is that members of the United Nations have failed it ~ while big powers pursue their rivalries through the UN, poorer countries are only interested in the money they can get from the UN and its agencies ~ which is mostly eaten away or spent on unconnected purposes. A quick fix solution could be to abolish the veto in UNSC, or to empower the General Assembly to override a veto in specified circumstances. The second secretary general of the UN, Dag Hammarskjold, observed that the UN wasnt designed to take humanity to heaven, but prevent it sliding into hell. Lets hope it can do that at least, before the flames engulf us.

(The writer is a retired Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-Tax )

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These issues resonated strongly in states far from the immigrant enclaves of California or New York. Many voters, concerned about security, jobs, and social order, chose the course with clear intent. To that extent, the administration is fulfill  ing its mandate by scaling up Immigration and Cust  oms Enforcement (ICE) operations to record levels, aiming for an ambitious 3,000 daily arrests. On the oth  er hand, the chaotic scenes in Los Angeles reveal the human cost and social volatility that such a strategy produces when applied bluntly in cities whose very identity is shaped by waves of immigration, including the undocumented. Los Angeles, a sanctuary city by policy and sentiment, was always going to resist these federal incursions.

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At its heart, the crisis is not merely about deportation numbers but about the unresolved debate over what America wants to be ~ a fortress against unregulated entry or a haven of opportunity with manageable borders. Without this national conversation, raids and protests will remain ritual responses to deeper uncertainties. For now, the federal governments firmness may reassure its political base, but the images from Los Angeles ~ of burning cars, angry crowds, and fearful families ~ risk alienating moderates and intensifying cultural divides. Both the law and compassion have their place. Only when they are reconciled can this cycle of action and reaction end. The coming weeks will test whether America can enforce its laws without breaking its soul.

The decision to deploy 4,700 troops ~ including Marines and National Guard ~ has only deepened the sense of siege felt by immigrant communities, legal and undocumented alike. ICE agents, many of whom were reportedly attacked during operations, are performing their lawful duty. Their task is to enforce immigration laws that were reaffirmed by the electoral process. They face not only physical risk but also the vilification that comes with being the face of an unpopular policy in certain regions. It is equally true, however, that among those targeted are individuals with no violent criminal background ~ workers, families, asylum seekers ~ people who have woven themselves into the social and economic fabric of the city. This clash was inevitable. A government determined to deliver on its promises confronts local governance determined to shield its vulnerable residents. Neither side can yield without betraying its principles or constituents.
The much-anticipated launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has been postponed once again due to technical observations related to the Zvezda module of the ISS.

NASA announced the delay on social media, citing safety concerns.

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Together with @Axiom_Space, we are postponing the launch of #Ax4 to the @Space_Station. A new launch date will be provided once available, NASA wrote in a post on X.

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Indias space agency ISRO also acknowledged the development and reassured its commitment to mission safety and coordination with international partners.

ISRO is working closely with @Axiom_Space, @NASA, @SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities. With regards Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary DOS/Chairman ISRO & Chairman Space Commission, ISRO wrote in an X post.

The Ax-4 mission, operated by US-based Axiom Space, was scheduled for launch from NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 11 at 8 a.m. local time (5:30 p.m. IST). The mission has now faced multiple delays, having initially been scheduled for May 29 and then successively postponed to June 8, June 10, and June 11.

This mission holds historic significance for India. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharmas flight in 1984.

Shukla will serve as the pilot of the mission alongside Commander Peggy Whitson of the United States. The other crew members include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both serving as mission specialists.

Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition. These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to enhance understanding of sustainable life-support systems, a crucial aspect of future long-duration space travel.

As international partners work to resolve the current technical concerns, a new launch date is expected to be announced soon.
Kelly Ortberg, Boeing President and CEO, said on Thursday that he has spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer their full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation into the fatal air crash.

Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, Ortberg said in a post on X.

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I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the Boeing CEO added.

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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu informed that following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Additionally, the Government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future, the minister posted on X.

Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of Flight AI171, which took place shortly after its take-off from Ahmedabad.

In his first statement since the accident, Wilson called it a difficult day for the airline and assured that all efforts are now focused on helping passengers, crew members and their families.

In a video message shared on social media platform X, Wilson said, This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India. Our efforts are now focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.

The Air India flight  a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner  crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The ill-fated plane with around 242 passengers was en route to London. The plane crashed into a hostel that housed intern doctors.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan has been saying that he is joining state politics of Bihar only to improve the strike rate of his Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and the NDA in the Bihar assembly elections due in October-November, and not with an eye on the seat of power. However, his partys aggressive stance has added to the woes of the alliance partners.

A resolution passed recently by the LJP (R) state executive declared Chirag Paswan as the next chief minister of Bihar. It was followed by Paswans announcement at the Arrah rally that he will contest from all 243 constituencies. These developments have shaken the JD(U) leaders to the core as it reminded them of Paswans role in the Bihar assembly elections 2020.

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Now, the LJP (R) has decided to hold a massive political rally In Nalanda, the stronghold of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The party will hold a Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Samagam on June 29, which will be a show of strength in the home turf of the JDU supremo.

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The party is planning to launch Paswan as the leader of the Bahujan community at the meet.

LJP (R) Bihar in-charge Arun Bharti told the partys state executive committee on Thursday that attempts are being made to limit Chirag Paswan to a particular community, despite the fact that his popularity is growing by the day.

He added, There is no leader who is working for the Bahujans in Bihar. We are going to organise Bahujan Bhim Sankalp Samagam on 29 June, where Chirag Paswan will be crowned as the leader of the Bahujan community in Bihar with the blessings of Bahujan Samaj.

Another important NDA partner Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) is miffed with the LJP (R) for holding a political rally in Arrah on 8 June. HAM leader and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi sees it as an intrusion of another Dalit leader in his stronghold  the Shahabad-Magadh region.

There are a total of 11 assembly seats in the Magadh-Shahabad region which are reserved for Scheduled Castes. The NDA had failed to win most of these seats in the Assembly elections 2020.

If the tension between Chirag Paswan and Manjhi persists, it will lead to a split in the Musahar and Paswan voters among the Dalit class. Just like the NDA suffered a setback on six seats in the Magadh-Shahabad region in the Lok Sabha elections, the possibility of loss on many seats in the assembly elections due to Dalit votes cannot be ruled out.
Amid reports that China provided diplomatic and military support to Pakistan during its recent conflict with India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Chinas Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is on a two-day visit to India.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on 27 January. They agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a priority on people-centric engagements.

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Mr Misri appreciated the Chinese sides cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He noted the discussion in the April meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers for the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on this.

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The two sides agreed to expedite the steps to resume direct air services between the two countries. The Indian diplomat hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks.

The two sides positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same,the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The two sides agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the economic and trade areas, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern.

This was the first high-level interaction between the two nations since the brief conflict between India and Pakistan last month in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Top leaders of the world continue to express their heartfelt condolences and deep grief at the tragic crash of an Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The London-bound aircraft, carrying over 200 people, crashed shortly after takeoff near Meghani Nagar.

To my friend PMO India Narendra Modi and the people of India, I was saddened to learn of the tragic Air India crash that has taken the lives of 242 men, women and children. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on X.

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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that he was deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight with the civilian casualties on the ground being equally heartbreaking.

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I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 near Ahmedabad today. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of all those affected onboard. Equally heartbreaking are the civilian casualties on the ground, including young medical students whose lives and futures were struck by this tragedy. At this moment of deep sorrow, the people of Sri Lanka stand in solidarity with India. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted, Dissanayake posted on X.

Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, mentioned that Canada is deeply saddened by the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad with 242 people on board, including one Canadian.

Devastated to learn of the crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, carrying 242 passengers  including one Canadian. My thoughts are with the loved ones of everyone on board. Canadas transportation officials are in close contact with counterparts and I am receiving regular updates as the response to this tragedy unfolds, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Canada for the G7 Summit, next week. Cyprus, another country PM Modi is expected to visit en route to Canada, also expressed shock over the Ahmedabad air crash.

Dear PM Narendra Modi, I express my heartfelt condolences to you and the people of India following the devastating loss of Air India Flight AI171. The people of Cyprus mourn with you. In this time of sorrow, we stand by our Indian friends with solidarity and compassion, stated Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides.

Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was visiting India recently, also took to X to offer his condolences.

Akshata and I are deeply shocked and distressed by the news of the Air India tragedy. There is a unique bond between our two nations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the British and Indian families who have lost loved ones today, he stated.

At least 169 Indians and 53 British nationals were travelling in Air Indias flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Londons Gatwick airport.

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, who had just hosted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Brussels, said that he was shocked and deeply saddened by the crash of the Air India flight near the airport in Ahmedabad.

With 242 people on board, including many Indian and international passengers, this tragedy strikes at the heart of countless families. Our thoughts are with the victims, the rescuers on the ground, and the people of India in these painful moments. Belgium stands in solidarity with India and all affected communities. Our services are closely following developments, he said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolence to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad..

Please accept the deepest condolences over the tragic consequences of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. Kindly convey the words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and near ones of the victims, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe, said Putin

President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu also expressed grief and extended solidarity with the Government and people of India.

I express profound sadness at the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad. At this difficult time, the government and people of Maldives stand in solidarity with the people and the Government of India, Muizzu posted on X.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, too expressed shock over the heartbreaking news from India.

My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss. We share your pain. Dear Narendra Modi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow, she said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.

I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time, Starmer posted on X.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also took to X, offering his deepest condolences on the tragic accident.

Horrible news of a passenger plane crash in India. My deepest condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire people of India on this tragic day. Our thoughts are with all victims relatives and close ones in India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. We share your shock and grief on this tragic day. We all pray for as many lives to be saved as possible and wish a speedy recovery to those injured, Zelensky posted on X.
The United Kingdoms Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the United States Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) on Thursday offered assistance in the investigation that is being carried out by the Indian authorities following the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick (LGW).

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has formally offered its assistance to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India. In addition, the UK AAIB will have expert status in the Indian safety investigation. This is in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 because UK citizens were on board the aircraft, read a statement issued by the AAIB.

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We are deploying a multidisciplinary investigation team to India to support the Indian-led investigation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic accident, it added.

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At least 169 Indians and 53 British nationals were travelling in the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft which crashed Thursday afternoon soon after take-off from the Ahmedabad airport.

Soon after the plane crash, the British High Commission in India said that it is working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.

Meanwhile, in London, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated that British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call the listed phone numbers.

The advisory also mentioned that the Government of Gujarat State has established an Emergency Centre that can be contacted while Air India too has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number.

As part of the UKs ongoing support in relation to todays tragic incident, the AAIB will deploy a team to India to support the Indian Authorities in their investigation. I continue to receive regular updates on developments, and my thoughts remain with everyone involved, Heidi Alexander, UKs Secretary of State for Transport, posted on X.

The countrys Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, its overseas territories and crown dependencies.

AAIB inspectors are from four main disciplines: operations, engineering, recorded data and human factors. For a field investigation, the branch sends a small team of inspectors (at least two) selected from these disciplines to the accident site or to the location of the aircraft following a serious incident.

A correspondence investigation into a serious incident involving a commercial aircraft can be more involved, for instance including the recovery of flight data recorders and analysis of evidence in our laboratories. On average, correspondence investigations are published around three months from the date of an incident, the AAIB details.

The Federal Aviation Agency of the United States also issued a statement on Air India Flight AI171, stating that it stands ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)  an independent US government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.

The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), that was involved in an accident in India on Thursday, June 12. When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation. In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official US representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB, read a statement issued by the FAA.
The United States has denied any involvement in Israels recent strikes against Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the operation was unilateral and undertaken by Israel.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence, Rubio said in a statement posted on the White House newsroom site Friday (India time).

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Emphasising that the US priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said: President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

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The strikes come amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with the US attempting to broker a nuclear agreement. President Trump had expressed optimism about a potential deal but recently sounded more pessimistic, warning that Iran was getting more aggressive.

Israel today launched unprecedented strikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear program and senior military leaders in an attack in which General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard, was killed. The attack may have cascading implications as it may lead the Middle East into fresh uncertainty, increasing the risk of a regional war.

As the international community keeps a close eye on the evolving situation, with concerns about potential escalation and regional instability, the reported US evacuation of diplomatic staff from its Embassy in Iraq and allowing family members of US diplomats in Bahrain to evacuate highlights the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, India has urged both Israel and Iran to avoid any escalatory steps.

Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both countries and stands ready to extend all possible support, the India Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Irans border police reported shooting down five Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Trend reports.

According to the statement, one UAV was downed in West Azerbaijan Province, three in Ardabil Province, and one in Kurdistan Province.

This comes after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory in the early hours of June 13, which killed senior military officials including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Hatem al-Anbiy Gholamali Rashid, as well as six nuclear scientists and other officials.

In response, Iran requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Later on June 13, Iran launched its air force operation True Promise 3 targeting Israeli military sites.
Mary West is the author of the book series, Day Hiker  Gold Country Trail Guide (I, II, and III). The books compile her Day Hiker columns, sharing her long-time love for the outdoors and favorite hikes in Northern Californias Gold Country and beyond. West received the 2017 and 2019 CRAFT Awards for Best Outdoor Column, as well as the 2020 CRAFT Award for her second book in the series from the Outdoor Writers of California. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram for more trail inspiration.


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In under four days, India orchestrated a new model of state responsedisciplined, integrated, powerfully effective and as a regional stabiliser, with the edifice of the operation resting firmly on the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

It lasted just 87 hours. Nonetheless, Operation Sindoor changed the language of Indian statecraft and the rules of regional deterrence. It wasnt a war. Nor was it a traditional reprisal. It was something newa quiet, coordinated, calibrated assertion of national will that echoed far louder than any full-scale conflict.

More than anything else, Operation Sindoor marked Indias evolution: from reactive to responsive, from fragmented to integrated, from escalatory to decisive. In all cases with a quick closure in mind. India's 21st-century doctrine took centrestage. This wasnt merely about retaliatory strikes; it was about resetting expectationsdomestically, regionally, and internationally. Operation Sindoor showcased India not as a reactionary power, but as a regional stabiliserintent on redefining the rules of engagement.

Not a war, but a warning in motion

The operation was never designed to conquer territory or prove military superiority. Its purpose was strategic clarityto signal that provocations would meet purposeful consequences and this would be done without resorting to open-ended conflict.

Every move during those 87 hours was calculated. Every strike had a boundary. It was a model of controlled escalationnot for pride, but for resolution.

Operation Sindoor was built not on rage but on resolve. It demonstrated the power of a nation that knows when to actand precisely how far to go. It had one central objective: to signal that Indias responses are no longer reactive or emotion-driven. Instead, they are calculated, time-bound, and integrated.

Each movemilitary, diplomatic, cyber, informationalwas aligned with pre-decided boundaries. It was not escalation for the sake of pride, but resolution in service of peace. India chose not to retaliate out of anger but to respond with discipline.

We werent looking for a fight. We were looking to finish one on our terms.

India as a regional stabilser

What made Operation Sindoor so significant was Indias approach to power. It did not seek to overwhelm; it sought to stabilise. This reflects a significant shift in regional geopolitics: India is no longer just a responder, it is increasingly a regional stabiliser, willing to bear the responsibility of de-escalation while ensuring its deterrence remains credible.

This stabilising posture is about maturity. Instead of pursuing open-ended operations, India executed a swift and precise engagement designed to restore equilibrium, not tilt it. In contrast to revisionist powers or volatile neighbours, India's methodical approach signalled a new rulebookone rooted in sovereignty, strategy, and stability.

Western media and strategic commentators acknowledged this change. Headlines spoke of Indias "measured resolve" and "strategic maturity." It was, in essence, a template for how modern democracies can balance firmness with restraint. The region saw not a nuclear flashpoint, but a nation acting with layered intelligence and political wisdom with a strong Military ready to act.

India no longer reactsit responds. Proportionately, powerfully and with purpose.

The whole-of-government response: A national symphony

What truly set Operation Sindoor apart was the unprecedented synergy between the arms of the state. From Raisina Hill to strike forces, India moved like a single organ. It was not just a military action, it was a whole-of-government campaign.

* The ministry of external affairs preempted global backlash with precise briefings assisted by the armed forces.

* Intelligence agencies fed real-time and curated strategic/tactical inputs to the armed forces.

* The armed forces, surgical and swift, acted with precision, giving complete spectrum options with a range of options with war gamed exit for Pakistan.

* Information warriors shaped the narrative domestically and internationally.

There was no policy confusion, no bureaucratic drag and no conflicting messaging. The machinery of the Indian state moved in step with drill square precision purposeful and aligned.

Brain over brawn: Indias intelligence-led doctrine

Sindoor wasnt about the scale/quantum of force but the smartness of execution. It marked a doctrinal shift from brute strength to intelligent manoeuvre.

Satellites and drones provided a real-time view of terror camps/staging areas and war-waging machinery. Kinetic actionair to ground/air and ground to ground were launched only when every byte of data had been assimilated.

The result? Surgical strikes with zero mission drift and rapid disengagement. This wasnt about retaliation, it was about resolution on Indian terms.

The digital battlefield: War in the age of virality

Operation Sindoor was not fought only in the physical world. It unfolded, perhaps more chaotically, in the digital one.

During the operation, social media became an uncontrolled front. Unlike conventional warfare, which demands claritywho attacked whom, and whythe online world thrives on immediacy, emotionalism, and sensationalism. Within hours, misinformation flooded timelines: video game footage passed off as drone strikes, old footage from Syria shared as current events, and dramatic audio clips circulated without attribution.

Authenticity no longer mattered. Engagement became the currency.

The digital transformation has deeply reshaped our understanding of conflict. The lines between spectator and participant, soldier and citizen, state and algorithm have blurred. Everyone, armed with a smartphone, becomes part of the battlefield. This creates a challenge: how does a state control the narrative without censorship? How do facts compete with fakes in real-time?

In the war of 280 characters, there are no victorsonly clamoring citizens. And they keep scrolling.

Indias response was notable for its communication restraint. No chest-thumping. No dramatic posturing. Just consistent, verified, strategic messaging.

Yet, it revealed a glaring need: a permanent, agile, fact-checking digital unit that works in lockstep with real-world operations.

Contrast with global conflicts

At a time when conflicts have become prolonged and complex, such as in Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria, India's strategy presents a different approach: brief, decisive, and controlled.

There were no chaotic evacuations. No media blitz of civilian casualties. No prolonged deployment.

India didnt enter with a heavy hand. It entered with a steady oneand left on its own terms.

Deterrence by demonstration

Operation Sindoor redefined the idea of deterrence. Its no longer about nuclear thresholds or numerical superiority. Its about credibility and communication.

India showed that deterrence now rests in the visible, restrained, and proportionate use of state power. Not the mere threat of actionbut the willingness to act and stop with precision.

For Pakistanand others in the regionthe takeaway is stark. Proxy games now come with higher costs and quicker consequences.

What this means for the future

Pakistan has a five-year itch, as time has shown (Parliament attack, 26/11, Pulwama, Uri). Pakistan as a state with its self-proclaimed Field Marshall may already be on the drawing board, whether to keep the Jihad flag flying or to keep the anti-India rhetoric aflame to keep the Pakistan Army as a relevant power broker or as a proxy for China. The timelines may be shortened to align with Asim Munir's tenure or political ambitions. Operation Sindoor is not just an episodeits a doctrinal milestone. Future crises in the region will unfold in its shadow. And the strategic grammar has changed forever, and a new threshold has been laid.

Key takeaways:

India now leads in moments of crisis, not waits.

Proportion, not provocation, is the new currency of strength.

The entire architecture of the statenot just the militaryis Indias true force multiplier.

India concludes operations with clarity, not chaos.

The balance of power has shiftednot through arms buildup, but through operational credibility.

Conclusion: Strike effectively is the new normal

Operation Sindoor wasnt a roar; it was a calm, deliberate sentence spoken with absolute clarity.

Like a schoolteacher drawing a line across a noisy classroom, India enforced discipline not to humiliate, but to correct Pakistan. The power lay not in punishment, but in the restraint with which it was delivered and adequate chance for the errant student to exit escalation.

In those 87 hours, the country demonstrated that strength doesnt lie in escalationit lies in control. It is this shiftfrom noise to nuance, from reaction to responsethat will define Indias strategic identity in the years ahead.

Operation Sindoor is not just a military story. It is the story of a new Indiaassertive, aligned, and completely in command of its narrative.

Lt Gen Anil Puri, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) commanded the front line Desert Corps, was the Deputy Chief and the first Additional Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Ministry of Defence. He is presently with the Armed Forces Tribunal.
India-Mongolia bilateral military exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' and upcoming multinational exercise 'Khaan Quest', scheduled to be held in Mongolia mark a major milestone in India's "expanding defence diplomacy" and underscore the strategic importance of its partnership with the country, the defence ministry said on Friday.

The 17th edition of Exercise Nomadic Elephant concluded on Friday at Ulaanbaatar while Exercise Khaan Quest, which will will together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities, will begin on Saturday.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh along with Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, Director General Operational Logistics and Strategic Movement, attended the closing ceremony of exercise 'Nomadic Elephant'.

The conduct of exercises Nomadic Elephant and Khaan Quest marks a significant milestone in India's expanding defence diplomacy and underscores the strategic importance of its partnership with Mongolia," the defence ministry said in a statement.

ALSO READ: India, France to hold joint military drills from June 18

The Indian Army contingent, comprising 45 personnel predominantly from a battalion of the Arunachal Scouts, actively participated in the two-week-long Exercise 'Nomadic Elephant' in Ulaanbaatar.

"The focus of the joint training was to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces while operating as a combined task force in semi-conventional scenarios in semi-urban and mountainous terrain under United Nations mandate," it said.

Defence Secretary Singh commended the professionalism, dedication and conduct of the Indian soldiers during the exercise.

He said this exercise is a "testament to the enduring bond of friendship, mutual trust and shared cultural linkages between India and Mongolia".

It served as a platform for meaningful military cooperation and demonstrates India's unwavering commitment to regional peace and stability, Singh was quoted as saying in the statement.

Indian Army's contribution to such joint initiatives not only "enhances operational readiness but also reinforces India's role as a responsible stakeholder in global peacekeeping efforts," he observed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 14. Israels Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, defended his countrys recent military strikes on Iran during a UN Security Council meeting, framing the operation as a necessary response to an imminent nuclear threat, Trend reports.

Danon spoke about months of Iranian uranium enrichment to 60%, obstruction of IAEA inspectors, and the development of advanced missile and nuclear technologies.

According to Danon, Israeli fighter jets targeted missile launchers, storage sites, and the underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, which Israeli intelligence assessed as capable of producing material for multiple nuclear bombs within days.

This regime dreams openly of wiping Israel off the map, Danon warned. Leaving weapons of that scale in their hands was not an option.

He also revealed intelligence suggesting a coordinated, multi-front assault on Israeldirected by Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamaswas nearing operational readiness.

In a direct rebuke to the Security Council, Danon criticized the bodys silence on Irans nuclear ambitions while repeatedly convening on Israels military actions. We acted, he concluded, to ensure our people's lives.
As warfare continues to constantly evolve and change, drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have emerged as a game-changer. From targetted airstrikes to intelligence gathering, surveillance and border monitoring missions, these have, in many ways, revolutionised warfare. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent India-Pakistan have shown the advantages that drones present, including reduced human risks and the ability to operate in extreme and hostile terrains.

Realising the battlefield edge that drones offer, Russia has decided to set up a drone forces unit within the military.

ALSO READ: Saab's Gripen E fighter jet lets AI to take full control to challenge real pilot in BVR aerial combat trial

According to news agency TASS, President Vladimir Putin ordered the formation of the drone troops as soon as possible. "We are currently building drone troops as a separate branch of the military, and these should be developed and deployed as soon as possible," he was quoted as saying.

Highlighting the importance of setting up a special drones unit, he pointed out that fighting against different unmanned aerial vehicles requires new approaches and non-standard solutions.

"The new state arms program should provide for forming a universal air defense system that would function in any situation and effectively hit means of air attack, regardless of their type," Putin said.

In 2024, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov proposed setting up such a force.
Eric Dane, famed for his roles in shows like Greys Anatomy and Euphoria, revealed his ALS diagnosis in April. The star held back tears while opening up about his diagnosis in a recent interview with Good Morning America.

I wake up every day and Im immediately reminded that this is happening, Dane said.

ALSO READ | Eric Dane, of Greys Anatomy and Euphoria fame, announces diagnosis with ALS

The 30-second trailer of the interview shows the 52-year-old star breaking down in tears by the end of the clip. Dane had revealed his diagnosis ahead of his return to shoot for the third season of Euphoria. He remains optimistic about his future despite his diagnosis. I dont think this is the end of my story. I dont feel like this is the end of me, he said, showing determination to continue his work.

I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter, he said after announcing his diagnosis in April. I kindly ask that you give my family and me privacy during this time, he added. Eric Dane also expresses that he feels fortunate to be able to continue working and returning to the sets of the critically acclaimed HBO Max series.

Eric Dane plays the character of Cal Jacobs, the father of Nate Jacobs in Euphoria. The team officially started shooting for season 3 in Los Angeles in February.

What is ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The disease, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs disease, currently has no cure but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Karnataka government in response to the plea challenging the ban on Kamal Haasans action flick Thug Life in the state. The Mani Ratnam directorial had its global release on June 5 but screening was not allowed in the southern state due to a controversial comment the lead actor Haasan made on the Kannada language.

ALSO READ | Thug Life will not release in Karnataka: Kamal Haasan to Karnataka HC

A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan issued notice on M Mahesh Reddy's plea challenging the ban, who claims the film had received the appropriate certification from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) but Karnataka authorities prevented its theatrical release through oral instructions and police interference. The court listed the matter for hearing on Tuesday.

The plea was filed through advocate A. Velan, which stated, "This reign of intimidation is a direct, flagrant violation of the Fundamental Rights to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and to Practice any Profession (Article 19(1)(g)). More seriously, it is a calculated attack on the secular fabric and public order of the State."

ALSO READ | 'An apology would have done': Karnataka HC raps Kamal Haasan over Thug Life release row, throws ball in actor's court

The petition also cited a campaign of intimidation involving threats of arson and communal violence, allegedly targeting linguistic minority communities. "This constitutes a profound and flagrant failure of the law and order machinery in the state, signifying a dangerous weakening of the constitutional machinery's ability to function and protect its citizens," the plea further stated.

The plea also urged the court to declare the de facto bill unconstitutional, while also seeking the safe and secure release of the film in multiplexes that decide to screen Thug Life.
Businessman Sunjay Kapur, the former husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, passed away on Thursday due to a heart attack. The incident occurred during a polo match in England, where, according to ANI, Kapur accidentally swallowed a bee which lodged in his throat and led to his demise. He was 53.

His death was confirmed by businessman and columnist Suhel Seth, on X (formerly Twitter). ...he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and his colleagues, Seth wrote.

Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur : he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues @sonacomstar Om Shanti  SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) June 12, 2025

Kapur was the son of famed industrialist Dr Surinder Kapur, founder of the Sona Group. At the time of his demise, he was serving as the Chairman of Sona Comstar, an automotive technology firm.

Kapur was the ex-husband of Karisma Kapoor. The two tied the knot in 2003. They share two children: Samaira, born in 2005, and Kiaan, born in 2010. The duo faced a rocky relationship and called it quits in 2014, with the divorce finalised in 2016.

Kapur went on to marry model-turned-actress Priya Sachdev in 2017, and in the following year, welcomed a boy, Azarias.

Yesterday, tragedy struck Gujarats Ahmedabad when an Air India flight en route to London, crashed a few minutes after take-off. On hearing the news, Kapur, a few hours prior to his demise, offered prayers to the families of the victims. He posted on X, Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.

Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.  #planecrash  Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) June 12, 2025

According to ANI, Karismas sister and brother-in-lawfamed actors Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khanrushed to her residence on Thursday night, looking visibly distressed.
On December 18, 2023, Dr Santanu Sen raised a question in the Rajya Sabha about instances of wildlife hits (read: bird hits) in Indian airports. As part of his answer, the then minister of state for civil aviation, General V.K. Singh (retd), provided data, which is being discussed now in light of the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12.

The data range was from 2018 to October 2023. Gen. Singh informed the house that no plane had crashed due to bird hits during this period, but one occurrence (was) reported wherein the aircraft made emergency landing due to bird strike at Kolkata Airport (West Bengal) in 2021.

In the table added as Annexure 1, New Delhi tops the list of bird hits with 710 reported incidents in the period mentioned. Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was a far second with 319 incidents. At number three was Bangalores Kempegowda International Airport with 217 hits, and five and six were separated by just one incidentCochin International Airport, Kochi, with 187 and Hyderabads Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with 186 hits.

THE WEEK would like to clarify that there is no indication at present to suggest that the ill-fated AI 171 encountered a bird hit at Ahmedabad.

In his answer to the Rajya Sabha, Gen. Singh outlined various measures taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to minimise bird hits. Rule 91 of The Aircraft Rule, 1937, prohibits dumping of garbage and slaughter of animals that may attract wildlife within 10km of Aerodrome Reference Point, he said.

The worrisome indicator for Ahmedabad in the data was a 107 per cent jump in incidents between 2022 and 2023 (39 to 81 hits). The only other airport in the top five (by incidents) that saw a jump was Kochi, with 57.14 per cent more incidents between 2022 and 2023 (28 to 44 hits). The other three airports saw wildlife incidents fallingDelhi by 8.15 per cent, Bengaluru by 11.63 per cent and Hyderabad by 5.13 per cent.
Rajasthani teenager Payal Sureshbhai Khatik was on her dream flight to London on Thursday. Khatik was just nine hours away from fulfilling her dreams of pursuing studies in London when her maiden flight, Air India AI171, crash-landed near Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday.

Sureshbhai Khatik hails from Rajasthan and he lives with his family in Gujarat's Himmatnagar. Khatik makes a living by pulling load rickshaw and when his teenage daughter Khatik expressed a desire to pursue studies in London, Suresh didn't think twice. He decided to take the burden to fulfil Payal's dreams.

#WATCH | Sabarkantha, Gujarat | Relative of a deceased passenger of AI-171 plane crash, says, "Our relative Payal Khatik was in that flight. She was the daughter of our relative Suresh Khatik. We all went to see her off for her flight. When we learned about the plane crash, we pic.twitter.com/rtDSbuwvNW  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

On Thursday, Suresh and family were returning home after seeing off their daughter Payal at Ahmedabad Airport when they received the dreaded call. Suresh and family immediately returned to the airport, only to see the plumes of smoke rising from the site where the Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crashed.

After completing her college, she used to stay with us. Then she wanted to study in London. We took out loans to support her education there...," an emotional Suresh told ANI while waiting at a hall in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, to collect his daughter's mortal remains. Suresh said authorities have collected his DNA samples to confirm Payal's body.

Another relative of Payal said, "We all went to see her off... When we learned about the plane crash, we travelled again to Ahmedabad." He added Suresh took loans from the community and a few other places to support Payal's education. "The financial condition of the family is not good. Suresh supports his livelihood by pulling a loading rickshaw. Payal used to take care of the family by giving tuition to the students. They took loans from the community and other places to support her education in London."

Except for one passenger, all 241 onboard the Air India flight died in the fatal crash on Thursday. The aircraft rammed into BJ Medical College's hostel, killing five including four MBBS students and a doctor's wife. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and assessed the situation. He also met victims undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Personnel from the National Disaster Rescue Force have resumed rescue operations at the site where Air India's AI171 Ahmedabad-London flight crashed on Thursday. Rescuers have deployed sniffer dogs to identify the presence of remaining survivors in the tragic incident.

Rescue forces resumed the operations during the early hours of Friday. According to officials, efforts to clear the debris from the crash site outside Ahmedabad Airport continued overnight. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kanan Desai, said some debris still needed to be removed and the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

In a statement issued during the early hours of Friday, Air India confirmed that except for one passenger, all 241 onboard the London-bound flight, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, got killed in the fatal crash. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," it said.

The aircraft crashed into a medical college complex in the Meghaninagar area moments after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Four MBBS students and a doctor's wife were among those killed at the complex of BJ Medical College.

According to Air India, the passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national. The survivor is a British national of Indian origin.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Ahmedabad today and review the situation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reached Ahmedabad soon after the incident and oversaw rescue efforts.

The Centre has ordered a thorough probe into the accident by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The Centre has also formed a high-level committee comprising experts to study the accident. Experts from the US and the UK will be assisting India's probe.
Soon after their induction into the fleet of the then government-owned Air India Limited (AAL) in September 2012, the batch of all six brand new Boeing 787 Dreamliners were grounded for over four months (from January 17, 2013 to June 4, 2013) because of a malfunctioning of their lithium-ion batteries, a 2017 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had revealed then.

In total, AIL had ordered 27 B-787-800 aircraft from M/s Boeing.

ALSO READ | Three funerals and a flight crash: Relatives paying last respects to loved ones were among deceased Air India passengers

Chosen for their high-energy density and long cycle life, lithium-ion batteries in the aircraft were used for starting the auxilliary power unit (APU) and providing backup power for electronic flight systems.

However, they come with inherent safety risks, such as fires, if a short-circuit or high operating temperature occurs.

ALSO READ | India to ground Air Indias Boeing 787 fleet?

The CAG has described the aircrafts mechanical defect as a design deficiency attributable to M/s Boeing.

The CAGs findings are now significant in the backdrop of the crash of a Dreamliner operating on the Ahmedabad-London route on June 12.

Considered to be the worst aviation disaster of a single aircraft in Indias aviation history, the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel located near the Ahmedabad International Airport, about 30 seconds after take-off. The crash killed at least 246 people, including 241 onboard the aircraft.

ALSO READ | Ahmedabad Air India tragedy brings focus back to aviation safety, regulatory oversight

Technical snags continuously plagued the Dreamliner since its inception in AILs fleet, leading to its grounding for 274 hours in 2013, and 1,464 hours in 2016.

The national auditor also said that some of these problems were of a recurring nature.

Another key finding by the national auditor was the higher weight of the B-787-800 aircraft.

On receipt of the aircraft, it was observed that the empty weight of the aircraft was higher by ten tonnes, resulting in additional fuel consumption.
It is not just passengers' families that have been devastated by the plane crash in Gujarat on Thursday. The lives of the near and dear ones of the crew members will also never be the same again.

Air Indias Ahmedabad-London Gatwick flight AI171 had a total crew of 12 for the nine-hour-plus journey. It was headed by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (55), whos been with the airline for three decades. He hailed from the Powai suburb of Mumbai.

In fact, out of the 12 crew members, the majority were based in Mumbai, while two were from Manipur  cabin crew members Kongroilatpam Nganthoi Sharma from Thoubal district and Singson Lamnunthem from Churachandpur district.

The cabin crew members included Saineeta Chakravarti (34), Aparna Mahadik (40), Deepak Pathak (35), Roshni Songhare (27), Maithili Patil (22), Manisha Thapa and Irfan Sheikh (NA) and Shradha Dhawan (44) who was the cabin supervisor.

Captail Sabharwal had 8,000 flying hours, and was an instructor pilot with the airline, according to some reports. There were comments raised on social media over the low flying hours of the co-pilot Clive Kunder (32), who had just above one thousand flying hours.

Actor Vikrant Massey first took to social media to grieve the death of Kunder, calling him the son of his uncle Clifford Kunder. It pains even more to know that my uncle Clifford Kunder lost his son Clive Kunder.

However, in a curious twist, perhaps after many news outlets reported that Massey had lost his cousin, Massey later in the night clarified that Clive was not his cousin and that by calling Clifford Uncle he had meant that they were family friends, as Indians are wont to call senior family friends uncle and aunty.

One of the crew members, Roshni, was a former model and a social media influencer, with a huge following on Instagram alone. She used to post photos and videos from her trips to exotic destinations as a flight attendant. A recent one poignantly has her enjoying tulips and sashaying through the streets of London, a city she could have been enjoying a few hours later, if only fate did not have other plans.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

Hollywood lovers would often hear Air Force pilots scream these words when hit by an enemy ballistic. When giant waves or aquatic cyborgs from the future rock a boat or ship mid-sea, the captain's immediate dialogue (which could well be his last) could be no different...

Ask any pilot you know, and they would vouch that having to repeat the M-word thrice when airborne is something they want to avoid until their flying days come to a close.

ALSO READ | Ahmedabad Air India crash: How 1.25 lakh litre fuel and 1,000C temperature made chances of survival slim

"Mayday" is an internationally acknowledged distress signal for aviators and mariners and has been for over a century. Before you wonderno, it is absolutely unrelated to Labour Day (May Day/May 1) celebrations. In the world of aviation, "Mayday" derives from the French phrase 'maider', which loosely means come and help me. The credit for coining the term goes to Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio operator at Croydon Airport in London.

In 1923, Mockford was assigned to come up with a word that would indicate distress and be easily understood by any pilots or ground staff during an emergency. Reports indicate that he prioritized a French phrase because nearly all air traffic from Croydon Airport at the time was with Le Bourget in France. It was easy for both English and French pilots to say and fast.

ALSO READ | Plane flew too low... then loud noise, thick smoke: Nearby residents recall Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad

Before Stanley Mockford's suggestion, the Morse code signal "SOS" was used to signal a distress call. However, officials found it unsuitable for voice communication due to the difficulty of distinguishing the letter 'S' by telephonea Times report from February 1927 stated, according to Wikipedia. Later that year, the International Radiotelegraph Convention held in Washington, D.C., adopted "Mayday" as the radiotelephone distress call in addition to the "SOS" signal.

When would a pilot call Mayday?

Mayday calls are reserved for emergencies only. Even if the cockpit intends to say, "We have a problem; it may become an emergency if it isnt resolved soon," they need to use the "Pan" call and not Mayday, reports show. If an airborne pilot signals a Mayday, he or she gets priority over all other radio traffic. A Yorkshire museum report stated that other aircraft may relay the transmissions if the pilot is out of range of ground stationsknown as a Mayday relay.

There is an international emergency frequency for transmitting a Mayday call. Using 121.5 MHz, any pilot can transmit Mayday on any aerodrome or air traffic frequency. In case the pilot faces uncertainty, calling on 121.5 MHz will always ensure a response, as this frequency is monitored globally year-round.

ALSO READ | After Delhi, Ahmedabad is the airport with the most bird hits, according to Parliament data

Why do pilots say Mayday three times?

Again, this is simple logic from the time when radio was the primary means of communication, and weak signals were a major concern. When "Mayday" is repeated three times, it becomes a distinctive phrase easily heard and not confused with other transmissions or interference. In case two pilots aired a Mayday call, repeating it three times could avoid confusing them with each other over the radio. Communication mediums and aviation security have improved over the decades, but the three-time repeat stuck.

The three Maydays are then supposed to be followed by important detailscall sign, location, and altitude of the flight, nature of the emergency, number of people aboard, particular requests if any, and any other useful informationso that rescue units can act accordingly. If the pilots have lost track of such information, they are expected to share their last known location and altitude, reports point out.

Ahmedabad air tragedy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ahmedabad on Friday and visited the site where Air India's London-bound flight AI171 crashed. He also visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the injured undergoing treatment.

The crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight claimed the lives of 241 onboard, including 12 crew members on Thursday. The flight rammed into BJ Medical College hostel, killing four medical students and the spouse of a doctor at the accommodation. The flight was en route to London Gatwick crashed merely a minute after taking to the air, at around 1.30pm on Thursday.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the incident. Experts from the US and the UK will be assisting India in the probe.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The 6th round of indirect talks between Iran and the US on the nuclear program makes no sense after the Israeli attack on Iran, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, told reporters, Trend reports.

According to him, Iran rolled up its sleeves and joined the talks to clear the air regarding its nuclear program, but with the latest attack, Israel and the US have stepped over the line drawn in the sand.

To note, as a result of the Israeli military airstrike on Iran, a large number of military personnel, including the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, were killed.

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It's been over a day since Air India Flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport crashed minutes after take off into buildings housing BJ Medical College hostel. With most bodies severely charred beyond recognition doctors have had to resort to DNA testing to identify the victims so their remains can be handed over to victims.

At the BJ Medical College and Hospital, a classroom was converted into a special room for DNA testing. Anxious relatives of those on board and those missing on ground could be seen trickling down through the day there anxiously looking out for news of their loved ones and providing DNA samples.

Several people we spoke to said they have told reports will come in 72 hours.

#WATCH | #AirIndiaPlaneCrash | DNA sampling for identification of deceased passengers underway at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/qhpvpEDotl  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

Dr. JP Pillai a forensic odontologist explained how he and his team was trying to extract DNA samples from the teeth of the victims to identify them.

"In dental field, we know that the teeth are unique in characteristics and that characteristics we try to record and try to match with the anti-mortem dental record if available," said Dr Pillai.

"It is not guaranteed that all the cases post-mortem being gathered, we are going to get that anti-mortem dental record. We are doing our best so that at least some bodies are handed over to the next of the teeth," he pointed.

Teeth and bones may often be the only source for analysis and forensic identification.

Dr. Pillai says that dental records are actually the fastest way of identification if the anti-mortem records are available.

He pointed that the dental team, including PG students from the dental college had been working continuously on collecting the dental records.

"It's a very pathetic situation, but how far dentistry can help in giving justice to the identification, we are doing our best," said the doctor.

He says today even selfies taken earlier could come in handy to determine the identity of a victim.

"Today's world we are in social media and people post the selfie photograph. So, a small gap between the two teeth also could be one concordant point. If I see in the dead body, there is one gap between two central incisors, that if I am able to match it, that one point is enough to prove the identity," according to Dr. Pillai.

There were 242 people, including 12 crew members on board the Air India flight that crashed on Thursday. Only one person miraculously survived.
The Government of India might look into grounding the entirety of Air Indias Boeing Dreamliner 787 fleet, following the tragic aircraft crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad, according to an NDTV report. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a review meeting on June 13 with top officials of the Gujarat government following his visit to the crash site, a multi-agency probe is expected, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)but it would be under ICAO terms.

Unlike usual fatal accidents in civil transport, airplane crash investigations are governed internationally under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)s Chicago Convention. For the unfortunate tragedy that befell the passengers of the Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft operated by Air India on June 12, these rules apply under a special provision that deals with Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation.

Following the incident, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg posted an official statement stating that the aircraft manufacturer would defer to Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) protocol known as Annex 13.

What is ICAO Annex 13?

There are 19 technical annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviationmore commonly known as the Chicago Conventionthat are guidelines that look to standardise international civil aviation. Among them is Annex 13, which, much like the proverbial bad luck associated with the number, deals with Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation.

Civil aviation is, by sheer number, the safest means of transport. Yet, air navigation has way too many parameters that factor in, making it potentially dangerous. According to ICAO, The international character of civil aviation necessitated the development of law that would make sure that any accident or incident of an aircraft anywhere in the world would be a subject of investigation.

The international body, in Annex 13, defines an accident as an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft: in which a person is fatally or seriously injured; in which an aircraft sustains damage or structural failure requiring repairs; after which the aircraft in question is classified as being missing.

What happens when Annex 13 comes into effect?

When any such civil aviation accident happens, the provisions laid down in ICAO Annex 13 come into effect. According to this, states (which means, the country) shall investigate or delegate the investigation of accidents which have occurred in their territory.

A fire officer stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft in Ahmedabad on June 13, 2025| Adnan Abidi/REUTERS

For the Ahmedabad Air India Flight 171 crash, the investigation into the crashfor nowcomes under the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and the related agencies India would assign.

ICAO Annex 13 also states that serious incidents should be investigated by States or by other organisations, such as dedicated accident/incident investigation bodies or aviation service provider organisations.

When an international civil aviation flight happens to be in an accidentlike what happened to the AhmedabadLondon Gatwick flight on June 12this includes the State (here, India) submitting an accident investigation Preliminary Report within 30 days of the event, and a Final Report within 12 months of the event, when the investigation is concluded.

Under the terms of Annex 13, India can also ask other States to assist in the investigation or even call for ICAO to support if the country files an official request.

What would the Annex 13 final report tell us?

The final report of the incident, according to the latest edition of the ICAO Annex 13which came into effect in November 2024would carry the following factual information:

History of the flight, with flight details and location of the accident

Injuries to persons, including crew and passengers, detailing fatal, serious, and minor injuries

Damage to aircraft

Other damage sustained by objects other than the aircraft

Personnel information concerning each of the flight crew members, including age, validity of licences, ratings, mandatory checks, flying experience and relevant information on duty time

This also includes a brief statement of qualifications and experience of other crew members and pertinent information regarding other personnel, such as air traffic services, maintenance, etc., when relevant.

Aircraft information, including airworthiness and maintenance of the aircraft, performance, and fuel

Meteorological information and the availability of meteorological data to the crew

Details about aids to navigation, including landing aids such as ILS, MLS, NDB, PAR, VOR, visual ground aids, and so on, and their effectiveness at the time

Aeronautical mobile and fixed service communication information and effectiveness

Aerodrome information, including its facilities and condition, or with the take-off or landing area if other than an aerodrome

Flight recorder locations, their condition on recovery and data available from them

Wreckage and impact information, including distribution pattern of the wreckage, detected material failures or component malfunctions.

In the case of the Air India crash, this would also include the details of the location and state of the different pieces of the wreckage to check if a break-up of the aircraft occurred before impact.

Other relevant information sought under Annex 13 includes medical information related to flight crew licences, details of the fire during the crash, and brief descriptions of search, evacuation and rescue, location of crew and passengers in relation to injuries sustained, and failure of structures such as seats and seat-belt attachments.

The final report would also look into relevant data of organisations and management involved in influencing the operation of the aircraft. This means Air India, the air traffic servicesairway, aerodrome and weather service agencies, Adanis airport body in Ahmedabad, and the regulatory authority of India, the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
With support from the Centre, the Jammu and Kashmir government is planning to restart two important hydropower projectsone each in the Jammu and Kashmir regions. These projects were stalled because of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The decision comes after India put the treaty on hold following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that talks with the Centre are going on. These projects are important not just for our electricity needs, but also for creating jobs and improving infrastructure, he said.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960. It gave Pakistan control over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, and limited Indias use of these rivers.

This affected Jammu and Kashmirs ability to build hydropower projects. After repeated terrorist attacks from across the border, India decided to review the treaty.

Experts say restarting the two projects could add more than 2,000 megawatts of electricity to the region, possibly making J&K power surplus. Other power projects on the Chenab River are also being looked at for quick approval.

One project under discussion is the Tulbul Navigation Project on Wular Lake. It was first planned in 1981 but halted in 1987 after Pakistan objected. The project aimed to control the water flow in the Jhelum River to help boats navigate. The plan included a 439-foot-long and 40-foot-wide structure with a storage of 0.30 million acre-feet.

Pakistan opposed the project, saying it breached the treaty rules. India argued that the structure is not for water storage but only to manage water flow, and it fits within the treaty. But the two sides couldnt agree on a settlement, leaving the project stalled.

Earlier, Abdullahs push to restart the Tulbul project drew criticism from PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who called his remarks dangerously provocative.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, during his visit to Srinagar, said India would no longer wait for Pakistans permission. Now that the treaty is suspended, we will restart the project. A detailed project report will be prepared soon, he said.
For centuries, the mango has been a fruit of diplomacy: owing to its much-loved taste, the fruit has mended relations and struck new friendships. Visiting country heads or political leaders in south Asia are gifted mangoes as a gesture by the host to strengthen ties.

However, in southern India, the mango has led to friction between the two statesAndhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The Chittoor district in the Rayalaseema region is known for being home to multiple varieties of the mango, one of which is the Totapuri.

This variety, known for its pulp quality, is cultivated by farmers in and around the Chittoor district. It is also cultivated in parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu that share borders with the Chittoor region.

There is a thriving food processing industry in the district, where units convert the fruit extracts into pulp that is later sold to beverage companies.

This year, there was a bumper crop, and the locals farmers managed to get a high yield of Totapuri mangoes, leading to a price crash.

With an abundant produce and farmers ruing about the lack of good buying prices, the district administration fixed a rate for pulp manufacturers to procure mangoes from farmers.

The District Collectorate also decided to pitch in to sustain the amount by bearing around 33 per cent of the fixed amount to help manufacturers and farmers.

At the same time, since the mangoes were selling at a very low price in the neighbouring states, as well as to avoid competition and loss to Andhra farmers, the district banned the entry of mangoes from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

This has led to the Karnataka Chief Minister as well as the Chief Secretary shooting off letters to their Andhra Pradesh counterparts to lift the ban and allow the entry of mangoes from their state.

Karnataka is worried that APs move would hurt their farmers and put them in distress since they were dependent on the units in Chittoor.

The Karnataka government is now planning to take retaliatory steps for blocking agricultural produce from entering Karnataka, if Andhra Pradesh does not budge from its stand.
For 70-year-old Nitin Joshi, a resident in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad, it was a usual afternoon. He had just finished lunch and had stepped out to wash his hands when the Air India flight bound for London Gatwick passed overhead. But, the low height took him by surprise, and he realised something was not right.

I have seen the flight pass regularly. But, this time, it was flying extremely low. I knew right away something was amiss. And minutes later, we heard a loud noise, and thick smoke filled the entire area, Joshi told THE WEEK.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hours on June 12 but crashed in a residential area minutes after take off. Video footage of the flights final movements showed it taking off but failing to get the desired lift and crashing soon after.

Joshi stays in an area which is close to the hostel for medical students where the Air India plane crashed.

Joshis friend, Ashvin Pandya, who also lives in the same locality, was not at home when the tragedy unfolded. However, as soon as it happened, he started receiving frantic calls from relatives to check on his well-being, and he rushed back.

Nitin Joshi (left) and Ashvin Pandya in front of the destroyed building from the Air India flight crash at Ahmedabad on June 12 | Amey Mansabdar

Thankfully, their locality lies beyond the back side of the hostel, and there was no damage there.

But, some 50-odd medical students have died in the crash. Many of them would have been having lunch in the hostel cafeteria when the plane crashed into the building.

Pandya questions how the construction of seven-story buildings was allowed in the flight path.

Earlier, there used to be court buildings here. They made way for the medical student hostels. If we want to build even above three stories, we need to take requisite permission for it. But, how construction of these hostel buildings was allowed is an issue, Pandya said.

Police officials have cordoned off the area today, with no one, not even the locals, allowed to enter.

The buildings themselves burnt black in the blaze, bare testimony to the crash where all of the 241 on board, except one, died. They may well have to be demolished and perhaps rebuilt.

But for the residents in the area, this crash will leave lasting memories.
Among the scores of passengers who lost their lives in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 were people who travelled to pay final respects to their relatives.

The Air India flight AI171, which was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed into a medical college hostel, killing 241 on board and several others on the ground. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The lone survivor on the flight was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

BREAKING Audio between the pilot of Air India flight 171 and tower control was released. pic.twitter.com/9bZaj0BQ8b  David Santa Carla  (@TheOnlyDSC) June 12, 2025

While the authorities are hoping to ascertain the cause of the tragedy, the sorrow of the relatives who lost their loved ones in the horrific tragedy remains.

London resident came to immerse wife's ashes

One of them was a UK-based Indian man who came to Gujarat's Amreli district to immerse his wife's ashes in the Namrada. Arjun Manubhai Patolia's wife Bharatiben died in London last week and he came to his hometown for her funeral rites as requested by her before her death. Their two daughters, aged eight and four, are still in the UK. He was going back to London when the AI717 flight crashed in Ahmedabad.

UK chef was returning after attending father's funeral

Prakash Chandra Menaria, a UK-based chef, came to his hometown in Udaipur's Menar for his father's funeral two months ago. After his long leave, he was returning to London when the tragedy occurred. According to ETV Bharat, his return ticket was cancelled twice. His friend Vriddhi Chandra Menaria joined him when the ticket was booked the third time. Both of them died in the Boeign 787-8 crash.

Trio of family was headed to London for funeral

Another family from Porbandar was travelling to London to attend a funeral was also among the deceased. Yasha Kamdar, 32, her one-year-old son Rudra Modha and her mother-in-law, Raksha Modha, 58, boarded the flight to pay last respects to her father-in-law Kishor Modha who died due to cancer.

Yasha's husband Kishan Modha had a narrow escape as he postponed his trip. Citing the relatives, The Times of India reported that the family was planning to settled down in Gujarat after folding up their business in London.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ahmedabad on Friday and visited the site where Air India's London-bound flight AI171 crashed. He also visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the injured undergoing treatment.

After reaching the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport in the morning, he left for the crash site at Meghaninagar area, accompanied by the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The prime minister saw the flight's debris and took stock of the relief efforts.

"Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy," Modi tweeted after visiting the crash site.

At the Civil Hospital, the PM met and spoke to those who were injured in the crash. Modi also met Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic crash, a British national of Indian origin.

Earlier today, the prime minister took to X to express his condolences saying that the tragedy was heart-breaking beyond words." He added that he sends his thoughts to everyone affected. The PM also reassured that theyre in touch with the ministers and that authorities working to assist those affected.

The crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight claimed the lives of 241 onboard, including 12 crew members on Thursday. The flight rammed into BJ Medical College hostel, killing four medical students and the spouse of a doctor at the accommodation. The flight was en route to London Gatwick crashed merely a minute after taking to the air, at around 1.30pm on Thursday.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal who had about 8,200 hours of flying experience. The first officer, Clive Kundar, had 1,100 hours of flying experience.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the incident. Experts from the US and the UK will be assisting India in the probe.
As Israel braces for Iranian retaliations, its defence forces stated early on Friday that Iran has launched drones against Israel, which "were on its way". Hours later, the Israeli Defence Forces said the drones had been "brought under control".

At least 100 drones were launched by Iran against Israel after the latter's air raids decimated the Islamic Republic's military leadership and nuclear facilities. Israeli air forces and others, including Jordan's, show down the drones outside the country's borders. None reached the country.

But, how long does a drone or a ballistic missile launched by Iran take to reach its target, which is Israel?

If not shot down en route on its journey, a ballistic missile launched from Iranian territory will take 12 minutes to reach Israel. In most cases, like in 2024, the Israeli air defence systems, including Arrow and THAAD systems, intercept it. As for cruise missiles, they will arrive about two hours after launch and are intercepted by the Iron Dome and David's Sling systems. Drones are expected to arrive only about 9 hours after launch and are intercepted, among other things, by Iron Dome.

Breaking News



The Israeli assault on Iran to neutralise its nuclear capability continues apace. Iran has reacted by launching over 100 drones. All were intercepted before reaching their targets.



What's extraordinary, the Israelis were aided by the Jordanians & allowed to pic.twitter.com/7qxnVWToso  David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) June 13, 2025 Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders, saying this was the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon https://t.co/JzEiOKYhAf pic.twitter.com/D9ziwp5F7j  Reuters (@Reuters) June 13, 2025

What Israel expects

Israeli defence establishments estimate that Iran will respond forcefully to an Israeli attack on its soil using ballistic missiles and drones. Though the IDF and other organisations are prepared for the onslaught, it fear a combined attack from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen could do some damage.

Israel estimates that Iran has about 2,000 ballistic missiles with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms, which are capable of causing very great damage. This is in addition to an arsenal of drones that can fly about 1,500 kilometres from Iran.

Iran also has a large land army consisting of hundreds of thousands of regular and reserve soldiers, alongside more than 200,000 fighters in the Revolutionary Guards. However, the current assessment is that all military conflicts between Israel and Iran are likely to occur in the air, between Iran's air force and missiles and the IDF's air force.

Israel's air power is much above Iran, with the former boasting advanced F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets. Iran, on the other hand, has only old fighter jets such as the F-14, F-4, F-7 and F-5, and also some Russian SU-24 and MiG-29 fighter jets.
Early Friday morning, Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Fordow, and Arak, alongside the top military leadership and nuclear scientists, killing IRGC chief Hossein Salami, nuclear scientist Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, and former chief of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoon Abbasi. After two months of diplomatic ping-pong and speculative media leaks, the Iranian nuclear question has entered a decisive phase.

A day earlier, the nuclear watchdog IAEAs Board of Governors (BoG) stated Irans failure to comply with NPT obligations, constituting the most significant censure since September 2005. In response, Iran announced a new undisclosed nuclear facility with plans to begin enrichment imminently. Meanwhile, the US expressed hesitations with the talks as President Trump warned of a possible strike on Iran, which came exactly a day after Trumps two-month deadline issued on 12 April. The US decision to pull non-essential US personnel from the region and place the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain on high alert earlier forewarned a strike, but instead of the US, Israel carried out the strikes. To that end, four dynamics require close attention to understand the context of Israeli strikes and how they could recalibrate the Iranian nuclear question.

First, the question of enrichment itself. Iran argues that its programme is "peaceful" as it frequently cites Ayatollah Khomeinis fatwa on nuclear weapons being haram (forbidden). Yet, the secrecy and scale of the programme, dating back to the 1990s, have only fuelled distrust. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of negotiations since 2002 have focused on limiting Irans capabilities to enrich uranium (in quality and quantity) well below the threshold of weapons-grade.

Before his letter to Khamenei, which kicked off current rounds of talk, Trump had been unequivocal about zero enrichment. Trumps approach towards the talks has been interesting as it stems from his long-standing criticism of the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that the Obama administration brokered. Denouncing it as a bad deal, Trump exited the deal in 2018, arguing that the deal enabled unjustifiable concessions to Iran without constraining its nuclear ambitions, contentious missile programme, or destabilising regional behaviour.

Predictably, Iran used Trumps withdrawal as a legal and political pretext to enrich uranium beyond the permissible limit of 3.67 percent to 60 and, in some cases, 90 percent. Earlier, in June, Khamenei announced in his speech the unacceptability of zero enrichment, recalling enrichment as Irans right. The generals have echoed the Supreme Leader, adding a military threat to any attempt to change the status quo on enrichment. However, as it turns out, the redlines have become the trigger for the strikes, leaving the remaining leadership in Iran to reassess its nuclear posture.

Second, over the years, domestic polarisation in Iran and the West has limited manoeuvre options, calcified the red lines and left more extreme options on the table to resolve the deadlock. The inability of the negotiating parties to compromise on redlines under domestic pressure has pushed military options from the background to the forefront. Trump came to office promising to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours and resolve the Gaza crisis but has not delivered on either. As such, under growing public expectations, the foreign policy win is essential for substantiating his image as the deal-maker.

Facing mounting economic hardship and social fatigue, Iran suffers from growing public discontent. Even lights are turned off in Khameneis office amidst prevailing electricity shortages. As such, the regimes policy of fostering proxies has cost the exchequer dearly that could have served urgent domestic needs. Nevertheless, after more than 20 years of foreign interference  Syria is without Assad, Hezbollah is without Nasrallah, Iraq is unstable, and Houthis are becoming a liability  the public is asking hard questions about what Iranian proxies achieved for the Iranians. Thus, while both sides came to the talks with red lines, they carried domestic baggage. The strikes transformed the dynamics for the US, Iran, and Israel differently, building pressure on the Iranian regime to retaliate.

Prabhat Jawla

Third, the question of military strikes has lingered for years. Since day one, Trump has retained the military option on the table, and its timely enforcement showcases the impending concerns in Israel/US to carry out the strikes. Reportedly, Prime Minister Netanyahu signed the decision to strike on 2 June. With its impressive dismantling of Hezbollah leadership and weakening Iranian proxies, Israel rightfully saw a strategic opening. The Islamic countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, have long viewed Irans nuclear programme with trepidation. Therefore, they tacitly supported the potential strikes against Iran after the breakdown of talks. Now, it would be interesting to see the role they will play in the near future.

That being said, the strikes also carry two obvious challenges: the Iranian nuclear infrastructure is vast and widely dispersed, making it difficult to target all facilities at once, leaving room for an Iranian retaliation. Moreover, a strike could be used by the regime to further the narrative that Iran needs to pursue nuclear weapons. In such a sense, the restrain or attack was a strategic decision contingent on cost-benefit calculation. The Israeli decision to attack indicated that the risks of nuclear Iran outweigh the risks of escalation, making the Friday strikes an easy strategic choice.

Finally, carrot or stick? The conclusion of JCPOA in 2015 was hailed as a feat of diplomacy, but as much as it may appear intuitive, the Iran nuclear deal is not an example of diplomacy triumphing over war. On the contrary, the threat of war has induced the parties over the years to pursue a diplomatic solution, which, in fairness, is messy and chaotic, but it is the best deterrence against all-out regional conflict. Trump has used the military option as the stick while dangling the carrot of sanctions relief and opening trade relations with Tehran. Irans position to not pursue nuclear weapons or its willingness to come to the table is the carrot, and the use of proxies has served as the stick.

Essentially, the Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear programme have placed Irans nuclear programme in unfamiliar territory, marking the most precarious position for the regime since 1979. Deal or no deal, escalation or de-escalation, one thing is clear  diplomacy might be the method, but coercion is the language that will ultimately define the trajectory of the Iranian regime and its nuclear programme in the coming months.

(The author teaches at the Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
Israel has launched a major aerial assault on Iran, targeting dozens of nuclear facilities, military bases and command centres across the country. The strikes, which began in the early hours of Friday morning, were described by Israels Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as a pre-emptive strike to neutralise Irans ability to produce nuclear weapons and prevent what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called a point of no return.

Warning sirens have sounded throughout Israel, including in Jerusalem, as the government braces for possible Iranian retaliation. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of special emergency, warning that a counterattack was expected imminently. The IDF ordered the closure of all schools and workplaces except those deemed essential, and banned mass gatherings. In central Jerusalem, residents were seen huddling in underground shelters.

The IDF said the operations primary objective was to disable Irans nuclear infrastructure, though it also targeted key military commanders and bases. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran has enriched enough uranium to weaponise for up to 15 nuclear bombs within days. Officials said the strikes caught Iran off guard, hitting sites they did not expect.

In Tehran, residents reported hearing multiple large explosions. Iranian state media showed images of smoke and fire rising from military facilities near Chitgar Lake and other parts of the capital. Fighter jets reportedly scrambled to intercept the Israeli warplanes. Civilian air traffic over Tehran was halted, and eyewitnesses in eastern Tehran reported at least five powerful blasts.

The Israeli offensive came just a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for breaching its nuclear non-proliferation commitments. Israeli intelligence believes that in recent weeks, Iran had reportedly coordinated with Hezbollah, Hamas and other proxies to prepare for a large-scale attack from multiple fronts, including through Egypt and Jordan. Israeli military officials said this planning constituted an existential threat that prompted the operation.

Despite longstanding cooperation between Israel and the United States, it remained unclear whether Washington had prior knowledge of the timing of the attack. Israeli officials declined to confirm whether the operation was fully coordinated with the US, though the two countries have maintained close strategic ties. A US official later confirmed the strikes were underway and said no American aircraft were involved.

President Donald Trump, who had previously urged Israel to avoid military action while diplomatic negotiations were ongoing, said earlier on Thursday that an Israeli strike might blow the chance for a deal with Tehran, although he admitted it might help it, actually. Trump had opposed earlier Israeli plans to strike, insisting the US needed more time to reach a new agreement with Iran. Talks had been led by Trumps chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, with a new round of discussions planned for Sunday in Oman.

US officials said they were aware a strike was likely and had been briefed on Israeli intentions, though it was not clear whether Trump made any final effort to prevent the attack. On Wednesday, the US withdrew diplomats from Iraq and allowed the voluntary departure of American military families stationed elsewhere in the region. The UK also issued a warning about possible dangers to maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf.

Israel had reportedly spent months planning the attack, taking advantage of vulnerabilities in Irans air defences, which were weakened during Israeli operations last year. While the IDF insists the operation is limited to military and nuclear targets, Israeli sources stressed there is no intention to topple the Iranian regime.

At 3am, Israel confirmed the military strikes, while Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said he would remain at the embassy in Jerusalem overnight, closely following developments.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian will soon deliver a public address in response to the recent Israeli airstrike on Iran, a post on the president's official X page said, Trend reports.

The post notes that the president is currently leading efforts to manage the aftermath of the attack, and a special session of the Cabinet of Ministers has been convened to assess the situation.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Iran has begun to retaliate against Israels air strike that targeted several IRGC top officials and its nuclear sites, by launching a swarm of drones over Israel.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said that they were working to shoot them down but were unaware when they would reach them and what type of drones they were. Videos circulating in Arabic-language media appeared to show the UAVs in flight.

This comes as Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had warned that a harsh punishment awaited Israelis. "With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it," Khamenei said.

Sirens were sounded at the Jordanian capital Amman amid the drone attack and the states media said that several were intercepted. Israeli fighter jets have already shot down several drones outside its borders, according to The Times of Israel.

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations, in a letter to the Security Council, condemned the Israeli attacks and called for an emergency meeting on the matter. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will respond to these cowardly and illegal actions in a decisive, proportionate and deterrent manner at the appropriate time and place," it said.

Breaking News



The Israeli assault on Iran to neutralise its nuclear capability continues apace. Iran has reacted by launching over 100 drones. All were intercepted before reaching their targets.



What's extraordinary, the Israelis were aided by the Jordanians & allowed to pic.twitter.com/7qxnVWToso  David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) June 13, 2025

Israel on alert

There are also reports that Israel lifted a directive requiring citizens to stay near protected areas, which was in place after Iran launched drones.

The measure had been issued earlier as Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel in retaliation for overnight Israeli strikes.

Israeli authorities have already stated that it was prepared to face Iran's ballistic missiles.

Home Front Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo had earlier warned of prolonged alerts and urged the public to remain close to protected spaces. "This campaign may involve widespread alarms," Milo said. "It is essential to seek shelter in secure areaspreferably reinforced rooms, shelters or approved public protection spaces." The US embassy in Israel has instructed employees and family members to shelter until further notice. The Health Ministry and the Home Front Command have instructed that hospital facilities be moved to protected and underground areas in preparation.
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps chief, General Hossein Salami, has been killed in the preemptive strikes Israel launched against Tehran during the early hours of Friday. Iranian state television confirmed Gen Salami's death.

According to Associated Press, an anchor on Iranian state television read a statement saying: "The news of assassination and martyrdom of Gen. Hossein Salami was confirmed." However, they did not elaborate. The Revolutionary Guard Corps oversees Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and is a major power centre within Iran's theocracy.

Israel launched 'Operation Rising Lion' on Friday, targeting nuclear facilities in Iran to deter the country from developing nuclear weapons. Israel launched the strikes amid diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran. However, the US has distanced itself from the strikes and a senior US official said no US aircraft was involved in the strikes Israel launched against Tehran on Friday.

In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel launched Operation 'Rising Lion', a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." Netanyahu confirmed they targeted both nuclear and military sites, officials leading Iran's nuclear programme, and its ballistic missile arsenal.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Friday that an Israeli strike hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Rafael Mariano Grossi, DG of the IAEA said, The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. Agency can confirm Natanz site among targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.

As per reports, Fereydoun Abbasi, a nuclear scientist and former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, a nuclear scientist were also assassinated.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Washington played no role in Israels military strikes on Iran, warning Tehran not to retaliate against American forces. His remarks came shortly after Israeli warplanes launched a series of attacks on Iranian military leadership and also nuclear and missile facilities, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

President Donald Trump, speaking just hours before the Israeli operation, made clear he was opposed to any escalation. I dont want them going in because, I mean, that would blow it, he said, referring to his administrations ongoing efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. Trump, who has been pressing for a nuclear deal with Iran, was attending the White House summer picnic when reports of the strikes began to emerge.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio



Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

The assault, described by Israeli officials as a defensive operation, appears to have gone ahead despite Trumps personal appeals to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week. US officials said the president had urged Israel to refrain from any military action that could derail delicate negotiations with Iran. The episode also lays bare tensions between Trump and Netanyahu, long seen as close political allies.

In the days leading up to the strikes, the US had taken precautionary steps in the region. American diplomats were withdrawn from neighbouring Iraq, and the voluntary departure of family members of military personnel was authorised. The US maintains a significant military presence in the region, with air bases and naval facilities across Qatar, Bahrain and other Gulf states, all within striking distance of Iran.

Irans defence minister warned earlier this week that any conflict with the United States would result in attacks on American military installations across the Middle East. Despite growing tensions and intelligence indicating that an Israeli operation was imminent, Trumps administration appears to have been sidelined.

Following the strikes, Rubio released a terse statement asserting that the United States had no involvement. Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, the White House-distributed statement read.

He added that Israel considered the attacks essential for its security, and that Washington remained in contact with regional allies. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, he said. Notably absent from Rubios statement was any expression of support for the Israeli operation.

The Democratic leadership was quick to condemn the Israeli airstrikes. Senator Chris Murphy, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused Israel of attempting to sabotage Trumps diplomatic outreach. Israels attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump administrations negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America, he said.

The Israeli action also came under fire from Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, who called it a reckless escalation. These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians, but the stability of the entire Middle East, he said.

Netanyahu, in a televised address, justified the strikes as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponisation programme, he declared. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme.

A key question now is whether the US will step in to support Israel should Iran launch a retaliatory strike. Rubio avoided addressing this directly, reiterating instead that Washingtons priority was safeguarding its own forces. Some of Trumps allies are urging caution, with calls growing for the US to stay out of a direct military entanglement.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, meanwhile, struck a more hawkish tone. In a social media post, he warned, America should have an overwhelming response if American personnel or installations are targeted. He said the US should destroy all of Irans oil refineries and oil infrastructure and put the ayatollah and his henchmen out of the oil business.
Iran was shaken in the early hours of Friday morning when Israel struck many military and nuclear sites in the country in a "preemptive" strike that killed Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and other top IRGC leaders.

But, many had a crucial question in their minds: Was the Supreme Leader himself a target? When posed with the question, IDF spokesman Brigadier General Efi Dafrin refused to answer it.

"Look, the individuals I have presented so far and whom we have harmed are at the heart of the Iranian security elite. Beyond that, I do not want to elaborate, and we will update you later on further development," Dafrin told reporters.

The IDF spokesperson, however, confirmed that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian regime's armed forces, Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the commander of Khatem al-Anbiya (Emergency Command), Khatem-Gholam Ali Rashid, were eliminated in the strike.

However, the most significant of Israel's targets was Ali Shamkhani, who was the head of the Iranian nuclear programme and the Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council. Israel launched a direct hit at Shamkhani's house. A seriously injured Shamkhani was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead.

Khamenei's senior advisor Ali Shamkhani's home. His bedroom was blown out in a precision strike. pic.twitter.com/YhjnGqojtM      (@NiohBerg) June 13, 2025

He was one of the most recognisable figures in the Iranian leadership and was a very senior target in the Israeli opening strike, making the strike one of the most dramatic actions carried out by Israel. This would be a fatal blow to the Iranian nuclear programme.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

To the great Iranian nation! Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands. It has revealed its malicious nature even more than before by targeting residential areas.  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

The attacks have left the Iranian regime fuming and Khamenei himself has issued a stern warning to Israel. In a message to the nation on Friday morning, hours after Israel struck locations in Tehran and other cities, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Zionist regime should await a harsh punishment. "With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it," Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that a number of commanders and scientists were assassinated in the strikes but their successors and colleagues will immediately pick up their work.
Israel has launched fresh waves of attacks on Iran, this time targeting the Fordow nuclear site, reported the state-run Fars News Agency. Earlier reports cited witnesses hearing loud explosions in the locality.

The fresh round of attacks come as Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to address the nation on Iran. It was reported that the air defence system near Khamenei's residence were activated during the Israeli attacks earlier in the day.

Why did Israel strike Fordow nuclear site?

Fordow nuclear facility, which is 32 km northeast of Qom, lies around 100 metre underground. The facility triggered alarm in the past after the US and its European allies found uranium particles were enriched to 83.7 per cent purity in Fordow. This is the key reason for Israel to target the facility.

Operation Rising Lion | Israel strikes Iran; Tehran on edge



Israel has attacked Iran, hitting important places like its nuclear site in Natanz and military bases. Big blasts were heard in Tehran, the capital. #operationrisinglion #israelstrikesiran #israel #iran pic.twitter.com/OI9ppEnLzk  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) June 13, 2025

Israel ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter said Tel Aviv is committed to guaranteeing there in no nuclear weapons programme left in Iran.

Iranian state media Press TV claimed that Iran's air defences shot down an Israeli drone near Fordow fuel enrichment plant. The outlet also reported that Israel struck the Hamadan Airbase in western Iran and the city of Fardiz in north-central Iran.

This comes after the earlier strike the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan province in the wee hours on June 13. Justifying the strike on Natanz, Israel Defense Force spokesperson said, "For many years the people of the Iranian regime made an effort to obtain nuclear arms in this facility," adding that it has the required infrastructure to enrich military-grade uranium.
Israel, as part of its Operation Rising Lion, struck Iran's nuclear facilities and long-range weapon capabilities in an overnight attack in the wee hours of June 13. Reports, citing security sources, suggest that Mossad carefully planned the strikes for several months and even deployed its agents in Iran.

According to Israeli outlet N12, Mossad established a secret drone base "in the heart of Iran" to launch its one-way attack drones and loitering anti-armour missiles.

Operation Rising Lion | Israel strikes Iran; Tehran on edge



Israel has attacked Iran, hitting important places like its nuclear site in Natanz and military bases. Big blasts were heard in Tehran, the capital. #operationrisinglion #israelstrikesiran #israel #iran pic.twitter.com/OI9ppEnLzk  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) June 13, 2025

As part of their activities, Mossad agents implemented significant moves to introduce special weapons on a large scale, deploy them throughout Iran, and launch them towards the attack targets in a precise and effective manner, the security source told N12.

These secret bases located in open area were close to Iran's air defence systems that were hit in Thursday attacks. The IDF and Mossad also gathered intelligence and carried out surveillance before meticulously assassinating Iran's top leaders.

ATTACKS ON IRAN BY ISREAL



Israel declares a state of emergency pic.twitter.com/qrFRhu0VLm   DigiGal (@DigitalGal_) June 13, 2025

The source told N12 that the long-term institutional campaign required "bold and sophisticated planning alongside groundbreaking thinking and subterfuge." He said besides research and accurate intelligence, the operations required advanced tech and commando forces to carry out the plan "in complete secrecy and under the eyes of the Iranian security and intelligence agencies." The Israeli attack plan included three complex systems:

Targeting surface-to-air missile systems

The first one was Mossad commandos deploying precision-guided weapon systems near Iran's strategic surface-to-air missile systems. These Israeli precision missiles were launched directly at the nearby targets in parallel with the air force attacks across Iran.

Targeting air defence capabilities

The second operational campaign focused on neutralising Iran's air defence capabilities that could target Israeli fighter jets. For this, the Mossad installed attack systems on vehicles that completely destroyed the Iranian defence systems.

Targeting surface-to-surface missile launchers

Thirdly, the Mossad set up a base of explosive drones, which struck the heart of Iran before the Mossad agents attacked. These drones targeted surface-to-surface missile launchers at the Isfajabad base near Tehran.
The voting age in Bangladesh is expected to remain unchanged at 18, and the electoral rolls will not be freshly updated, sources said after a significant meeting in London between the interim governments chief advisor, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman.

The decisions, finalised on Friday, are being seen as key steps towards fast-tracking the countrys transition to an elected government by mid-February 2026.

The London meeting, which took place in a neutral and cordial atmosphere, marked the first direct engagement between the two sides. According to people familiar with the discussions, both parties expressed a willingness to negotiate and remain flexible.

This was the ice-breaker everyone was waiting for, said a senior official aware of the matter. Professor Yunus showed readiness to move forward, and the BNP demonstrated openness to an inclusive process.

Sources credited BNP chairperson Khalida Zia for shaping this middle ground, emphasising her consistent message that the two sides must collaborate to bring about a democratic transition.

The former Prime Minister was also of the view that elections in mid-February would be convenient for people, owing to a favourable climate season as well as it being a period ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Its a date that gives all parties time to prepare while ensuring a peaceful environment, a person aware of the negotiations explained.

Besides the roadmap for elections, both parties also discussed the crucial need to fast-track the trial process for those accused of violence during the student-led protests in July 2024 and initiate vital pending reforms.

While the judicial process will remain independent, the government has agreed to speed up everything that is already on its table, sources said. Meanwhile, at the heart of the reforms is the commitment to strengthen the Election Commission and its linkages with local field administration.

The second set of reforms includes police reforms to ensure law and order during the election period and ensure the rule of law on the streets.

There is no luxury of time, said an insider. People across political lines want to see Bangladesh return to democratically elected government, and this cant happen with delays over the voter list or voter age. The time frame is tight, and so is the expectation.

The administrative reforms already agreed upon by all stakeholders will also be fast-tracked, sources said. In a gesture of reassurance, the BNP is said to have conveyed to Dr Yunus that the young leaders who led the July revolutionand what it symbolisedwould always be acknowledged for their contribution.

However, the demand from the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) to delay elections has not been accepted.

There is room for everyones participation, said a BNP leader. The BNP, now emerging as the largest political force after the Awami Leagues activities were significantly curtailed, reiterated its stand for inclusive elections.

Steering clear of the issue of whether inclusivity also means participation of the Awami League in the election process, sources in the BNP stated that the curtailment of activities of the Awami League was a decision taken by the Interim government.

Meanwhile, Dr Ziauddin Hyder, advisor to the BNP chairperson and a former World Bank senior official, said that the party was committed to stability and to safeguarding peoples voting rights.

Within the spirit of nationalism, we believe Bangladesh is moving towards a stable and forward-looking future.

Notably, the London meeting has also set the stage for the return of Tarique Rehman to Dhaka.

The final takeaway from the meeting was the need to avoid the mistakes of the past and focus on a peaceful democratic transition to an elected government whose focus would be knowledge-based, development-driven governance for a forward looking, stable and secure Bangladesh, Hyder explained.
An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi made an emergency landing after receiving a bomb threat on Friday.

There were a total of 156 passengers on board flight AI 379, who were escorted off the plane in line with emergency procedures, an Airports of Thailand official reportedly told news agency Reuters.

The aircraft took off from Phuket Airport at 9:30 a.m. local time on Friday but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24. However, it landed back at the Phuket International Airport at 1146 (local time), according to the website.

Air India did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian airlines and airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, receiving nearly 1,000 false alerts in the first 10 monthsnearly 10 times the number reported in 2022.
Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff demonstrated his ongoing commitment to safety once again, hosting a meeting that had Jewish community leaders and law enforcement officials joining together to discuss multiple issues in advance of the nine week-long summer season.

Held in Monticello on June 9th, the meeting took place at the Sullivan County Sheriffs Office, and included representatives of the Orange and Ulster County sheriffs departments, the Orange County District Attorneys Office, New York State Police, New York State Department of Homeland Security, and police chiefs from Bethel, Fallsburg, Liberty, Monticello, Ramapo, Spring Valley, Woodridge, and other nearby departments. Also present at the meeting, which drew over 50 participants, were multiple Jewish community leaders including Monticellos Rabbi Yankel Mendlowitz, camp directors, Catskills Hatzalah coordinators Yehuda Feig and Bernie Gibbs, Chaverim of Rockland coordinator Yossi Margaretten.

Sheriff Michael Schiff opened the meeting by emphasizing his departments heightened awareness during the summer months, and its laser focus on ensuring the safety of seasonal residents. Sheriff Schiff also highlighted law enforcements years of collaboration with community leaders and organizations, noting how their contributions are an essential component of Sullivan Countys summer safety protocols.

Law enforcement agency heads expressed their continued commitment to a safe summer season as they addressed the group, while also commending Sheriff Schiff for hosting the meeting each year. The continued uptick in anti-Semitic activities was mentioned multiple times during the meeting, with law enforcement officials expressing their firm commitment to addressing hate crimes, in addition to dealing with more typical summer issues including travel awareness, swimming, boating, hiking, and navigating unfamiliar country roads, which can all pose certain risks.

Also discussed was the Tefilas Mordche Mincha Areas move to a new location in Rockland County. Police chiefs from Ramapo and Spring Valley spoke about their efforts to accommodate the tens of thousands of travelers who will be utilizing the prayer spot at The Marketplace in Spring Valley as they make their way up to the Catskills, as well as their preparations for upcoming large events in the Monsey area that draw large numbers of visitors from the five boroughs and upstate each summer.

Several community leaders addressed the meeting, taking advantage of the opportunity to share their concerns directly with law enforcement officials. Among those who spoke were senior community leader Rabbi Bernard Freilich, law enforcement chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman, the Jewish Community Council of Sullivan Countys Abe Rosenberg, Hatzalah coordinators Yehuda Feig and Bernie Gibbs, Rockland County Sheriffs liaison Heshy Margaretten, and community leaders Simcha Bernath and Chaskel Bennett. Wrapping up the meeting, Bennett expressed his heartfelt gratitude to members of law enforcement for their dedicated efforts, while also issuing a passionate plea for them to step up their efforts to protect the Jewish community in the face of increasing anti-Semitic threats.

By all accounts, the meeting was a successful continuation of the ongoing collaborative efforts that have yielded tremendous benefits each summer.

Hatzalah has a great relationship with the sheriffs department and all law enforcement agencies, noted Gibbs. We are looking forward to a safe summer season and collaborating with law enforcement agencies on emergencies that may arise.

Echoing those thoughts, senior community leader Rabbi Freilich elaborated on the importance of ensuring communal cooperation with law enforcement at all levels.

15 years have passed since we held our first pre-summer meeting, and during that time, we have seen time and time again how much we can accomplish by working together, said Rabbi Frielich. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our law enforcement partners and continue to keep them in our prayers each day.

Even as we look ahead to a relaxing summer, we know from experience that there can be no vacation from safety and security, added Rabbi Friedman. The fact that so many leaders carved time out of their busy schedules for this meeting shows how committed they are to this important mission, and we thank them all for their unwavering dedication to our summer vacationers and campers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. On the night of June 13, a series of explosions rocked several key regions in Iran - including the capital Tehran, Isfahan, and near the strategically important nuclear facility in Natanz, Trend reports.

These blasts were the result of a coordinated airstrike by the Israeli Air Force targeting sites linked to Irans nuclear program and missile production.

In response, Iranian air defenses were put on high alert, airspace over several regions was closed, and Imam Khomeini International Airport was temporarily shut down. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that facilities in Isfahan and Bushehr remained untouched, but the nuclear complex in Natanz was struck. Importantly, no increase in radiation levels was detected, suggesting the damage was limited.

For years, Iran has posed one of the gravest threats to Israel - not just ideologically but practically. The Iranian government openly and repeatedly calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, a stance that goes beyond rhetoric and is deeply embedded in its leaderships policy.

Iran is widely regarded as the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism and has invested heavily in building up its military capabilities, all aimed at realizing its goal of eliminating Israel. Particular focus has been placed on advancing its nuclear program and developing missile delivery systems capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

IAEA reports have consistently shown that Irans nuclear program is far from peaceful. The agency has documented multiple violations and clear signs of secret nuclear weapons development. Currently, Iran has amassed over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% - just a technical step away from the 90% enrichment needed for a nuclear weapon. Whats especially alarming is the sharp increase in enriched uranium stockpiles over recent months.

Between April and May 2024, Iran and the United States held several indirect talks, brokered by Oman, aiming to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions. Yet, these diplomatic efforts appear to have been a cover for Irans accelerated nuclear development and malicious intent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israels actions as a necessary campaign of self-defense to neutralize an unacceptable threat. The operation is deliberate and focused, targeting military facilities linked to Irans nuclear and missile programs.

Israel stresses that its strikes are aimed not at Iranian civilians but at radical elements threatening its security. Efforts are being made to minimize civilian casualties.

Under international law, Israel exercises its right to self-defense in the face of an imminent and real threat from Iran.

Today, Iran stands just steps away from possessing a full nuclear arsenal - a red line for Israel and the international community. Given Tehrans public calls for Israels destruction, as well as the ongoing expansion of its nuclear and military capabilities, the very existence of the Jewish state is at risk.

Israels military operation represents an attempt to halt this trajectory before Iran can turn its threats into reality.

The international community, including the IAEA, continues to call for Iranian transparency and cooperation, but experience shows the regime prefers deception and manipulation. Iranian Vice President Mohammad Eslami, who leads the countrys atomic energy agency, insists that Irans nuclear program is peaceful and rejects nuclear weapons - yet behind this rhetoric lies an intensive expansion of nuclear capabilities.

Israels nighttime airstrikes mark the climax of a long escalation in the Iranian threat. This is not just a struggle to prevent nuclear weapons development by a hostile regime, but a deep strategic clash of worldviews and national interests.

The key question now is how Iran will respond and whether this will escalate into a broader regional conflict. One thing is clear: Israel has demonstrated its readiness to act decisively and will not wait until the threat becomes irreversible.
The CIA released nearly 1,500 pages of previously classified documents relating to New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and his 1968 assassination on Thursday, detailing the spy agencys work to investigate his killing as well as previously unknown contacts between him and the agency.

Kennedy met with the CIA following a 1955 tour of the Soviet Union, relaying his observations to the spy agency as a voluntary informant, the documents show.

The newly available material comprises 54 documents, including memos about the agencys work to investigate whether RFKs killer had any foreign ties, as well as the response to his killing by foreign powers. The records also included documents about the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the attempted assassination of Alabama Gov. George Wallace in 1972.

One internal CIA memo detailed how the agency unsuccessfully sought to poison Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 1960 and 1961. It worked with a high-ranking Mafia figure in Las Vegas who controlled all of the ice-making machines on the Strip.

Another internal CIA memo from December 1973 reported on a conference at Georgetown University for a group promoting assassination conspiracy theories. One speaker was long-winded and technical.

Beards and long hair prevailed, the memo said, a reminder of the clean-shaven, crew-cut norm for government employees at the time.

President Donald Trump had ordered the release of documents relating to the assassinations of RFK, President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. More than 10,000 pages of records pertaining to RFKs assassination were released in April. The records released Thursday also included documents about the JFK and King killings, some produced after RFKs death and dealing with conspiracy theories.

Todays release delivers on President Trumps commitment to maximum transparency, enabling the CIA to shine light on information that serves the public interest, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement. I am proud to share our work on this incredibly important topic with the American people.

Kennedy, a Democrat, was fatally shot on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after giving a speech celebrating his victory in Californias presidential primary. His assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, was convicted of first-degree murder and is serving life in prison. One document released Thursday, a CIA memo to the White House the day after the assassination, showed that its first search of its records turned up no information about Sirhan.

Kennedys contacts with the CIA following his visit to the Soviet Union reflected the tensions of the time, and the high value put on personal observations of Americans who traveled to Russia and other former Soviet regions. Prominent elected officials and business leaders visiting the USSR were often asked to share their observations following their return.

The documents show that RFK was a voluntary informant. In a statement Thursday, the CIA showed the meetings reflected RFKs patriotic commitment to serving his country.

Many of his observations reflected granular observations about daily life.

On 29 Aug 55, while in Novosibirsk, USSR, a friend and I visited a State machine factory. The factory has 3,500 employees, of whom one third are women. The wage scale is between 840 and 2,500 rubles, Kennedy told the CIA interviewer, according to the documents. The Director of the plant whose name I do not recall was frosty, although the engineer was friendly.

The CIA used artificial intelligence to scan its library for documents related to RFKs assassination that could be declassified. The search turned up many documents that had little to do with his killing, such as the records of RFKs meeting with the CIA.

Kennedys son, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said he was gratified to see the documents release.

Lifting the veil on the RFK papers is a necessary step toward restoring trust in American government, Kennedy said.

The documents released Thursday included a September 1975 memo from then-CIA Director William Colby to staff, discussing allegations of CIA involvement in JFKs assassination in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, that have crept up every so often. Colby asserted that JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald had no contact with the agency.

Colby said five pre-assassination CIA records did reference Oswald but Oswalds name had no particular meaning before that fateful event. For an October 1975 interview with CBS White House correspondent Dan Rather, Colby had talking points that included denying CIA involvement in attempts to test whether New York Citys subway system was vulnerable to biological warfare agents.

(AP)
The House narrowly voted Thursday to cut about $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress as President Donald Trumps administration looks to follow through on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk.

The package targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212.

Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States standing in the world and will lead to needless deaths.

Cruelty is the point, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said of the proposed spending cuts.

The Trump administration is employing a tool rarely used in recent years that allows the president to transmit a request to Congress to cancel previously appropriated funds. That triggers a 45-day clock in which the funds are frozen pending congressional action. If Congress fails to act within that period, then the spending stands.

Under President Trumps leadership, your taxpayer dollars are no longer being wasted, House Speaker Mike Johnson said after the vote. Instead, they are being directed toward priorities that truly benefit the American people.

The benefit for the administration of a formal rescissions request is that passage requires only a simple majority in the 100-member Senate instead of the 60 votes usually required to get spending bills through that chamber. So if they stay largely united, Republicans will be able to pass the measure without any Democratic votes.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the Senate would likely not take the bill up until July and after it has dealt with Trumps big tax and immigration bill. He also said its possible the Senate could tweak the bill.

The administration is likening the first rescissions package to a test case and says more could be on the way if Congress goes along.

Republicans, sensitive to concerns that Trumps sweeping tax and immigration bill would increase future federal deficits, are anxious to demonstrate spending discipline, though the cuts in the package amount to just a sliver of the spending approved by Congress each year. They are betting the cuts prove popular with constituents who align with Trumps America first ideology as well as those who view NPR and PBS as having a liberal bias.

Four Republicans voted against the measure  Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Nicole Malliotakis of New York and Mike Turner of Ohio. No Democrats voted for the measure.

The bill looked like it was in danger of going down, but two lawmakers  Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Nick LaLota of New York  changed their votes to yes, allowing it to advance to the Senate.

LaLota had an extensive conversation with Johnson on the House floor as Johnson could be seen trying to win him over. Afterward, LaLota called it private discussions to make sure my constituents will get what they need.

Bacon said he was reassured by House Republican leadership that PBS would receiving funding for next year. He said he was also told that funding for the U.S.-led global response to HIV, known as PEPFAR, will not be affected.

Because of these reassurances, I voted yes on H.R. 4, Bacon said.

In all, the package contains 21 proposed rescissions. Approval would claw back about $900 million from $10 billion that Congress has approved for global health programs. That includes canceling $500 million for activities related to infectious diseases and child and maternal health and another $400 million to address the global HIV epidemic.

The Trump administration is also looking to cancel $800 million, or a quarter of the amount Congress approved, for a program that provides emergency shelter, water and sanitation, and family reunification for those forced to flee their own country.

About 45% of the savings sought by the White House would come from two programs designed to boost the economies, democratic institutions and civil societies in developing countries.

Democratic leadership, in urging their caucus to vote no, said that package would eliminate access to clean water for more than 3.6 million people and lead to millions more not having access to a school.

Those Democrats saying that these rescissions will harm people in other countries are missing the point, said Rep. Lisa McClain, House Republican Conference chair. Its about people in our country being put first.

The Republican president asked lawmakers to rescind nearly $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which represents the full amount its slated to receive during the next two budget years. About two-thirds of the money gets distributed to more than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations. Nearly half of those stations serve rural areas of the country.

Cutting off federal funding to public media will not only damage local stations, it will be disruptive for millions of Americans who rely on it for news and information that helps them make decisions about their lives and participate in their communities, said Patricia Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Several advocacy groups that serve the worlds poorest people had urged lawmakers to vote no.

We are already seeing women, children and families left without food, clean water and critical services after earlier aid cuts, and aid organizations can barely keep up with rising needs, said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America, a poverty-fighting organization.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said the foreign aid is a tool that prevents conflict and promotes stability, but the measure before the House takes that tool away.

This bill is good for Russia and China and undertakers, said Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.

Republicans disparaged the foreign aid spending and sought to link it to programs they said DOGE had uncovered.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said taxpayer dollars had gone to such things as targeting climate change, promoting pottery classes and strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Other Republicans cited similar examples they said DOGE had revealed.

Yet, my friends on the other side of the aisle would like you to believe, seriously, that if you dont use your taxpayer dollars to fund this absurd list of projects and thousands of others I didnt even list, that somehow people will die and our global standing in the world will crumble, Roy said. Well, lets just reject this now.

(AP)
Norway was slammed for its absurd double standards when, on the same day it announced the imposition of sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, law-abiding citizens, it welcomed the foreign minister of Iran, the worlds leading sponsor of terror, with open arms.

Norway joined the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in the unprecedented step of imposing sanctions on senior government members of the only democracy in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Norway is hosting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo, where he was invited to speak at the 22nd Oslo Forum and has meetings scheduled with senior officials from Norway and other countries.

Norway greeted Aragchi with a full red-carpet treatment, hosting him at Oslos Grand Hotel, where leaders of major powers have stayed, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar refused to speak with his British counterpart, David Lammy, when the latter called on Tuesday evening to update him on the decision to impose sanctions on Ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

According to a Ynet report, Saars refusal is considered a highly unusual move due to the close alliance between Israel and the UK.

But the Foreign Ministry explained that the move was taken in response to the British move, which was unprecedented in its severity.

The Trump administration on Tuesday slammed the sanctions as extremely unhelpful, with State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce saying, They should focus on the real culprit, which is Hamas.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday excoriated French President Emmanuel Macron for praising Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbass courage for sending him a letter promising to condemn terror and work toward the release of Israeli hostages, the demilitarization of Hamas, the end of the war in Gaza, reforms, elections, and just and lasting peace for all in the region.

The antisemitic Macron, who in recent months and weeks, has repeatedly condemned Israel and threatened to recognize a Palestinian state, is very excited by the letter, since it provides him a front of not legitimizing terror by authorizing a Palestinian state.

Saar responded to Macrons comments by stating, President Macron expresses excitement over the orchestrated letter he received from Mahmoud Abbas. What made the French president so enthusiastic about a letter full of empty slogans, hollow promises that have been made countless times before, and lies that have no connection to reality?

614 days have passed since the murderous terror attack of October 7th. Only now does Mahmoud Abbas remember to respond, using weak and feeble language, not even in his own voice, but in a letter to the French president about the largest massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, carried out by members of his own people. As if France had been the target of the attack.

A sad joke.

The corrupt and failed President of the Palestinian Authority claims that he opposes terror. Thats about as true as Yasser Arafats claim to oppose terror back in 1993. In reality, Abbas and the Palestinian Authority continue to pay salaries to terrorists and their families, thus encouraging terror to this very day.

What exactly has Abbas done to fight terror in Judea and Samaria, including Hamas terror? Absolutely nothing. How many terrorists are sitting in his prisons? None.

This joke is not at Macrons expense. It is Israel that has been paying the painful price for decades due to the Palestinian Authoritys unwavering commitment to the ethos of terrorism.

Abbass talk of willingness to dismantle Hamas in Gaza and of the PAs intention to take control there is laughable and entirely detached from reality. We all remember how the Palestinian Authority (which at the time was far stronger militarily than Hamas) fled Gaza shortly after Israel withdrew. Even more so: Abbas cannot even maintain control over the PAs own territories in Judea and Samaria.

If, heaven forbid, a Palestinian state is establishedand it will not bethe exact same processes that occurred after Israels withdrawal from Gaza and the rise of Hamas will unfold at lightning speed.

Abbas boasts of reforms. Another lie jointly embraced by him and Macron. What real reforms has he actually implemented? The incitement against Israel remains exactly the same: in schools, in textbooks, in Palestinian media, and in mosques. And so does the continued policy of rewarding terrorists (the infamous Pay for Slay).

President Macron is thrilled, and sees hope. What hope exactly?

Israel will not base its policy or its future on empty illusions that have blown up in our faces countless times. If Macron is so eager for a Palestinian statehe is welcome to establish one in Frances vast territory, Saar concluded.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee spoke to CBN News and did an admirable job of defending Israel against the various antisemitc accusations constantly hurled against the Jewish state.

Regarding claims that Israel is committing genocide, Huckabee replied: Theyre doing a lousy job at genocide. If they wanted to do genocide, they could drop a few bombs and everybody would be dead.

So the fact is that they are surgically going into Gaza, trying to get the civilians moved out of harms way. They announce to them with leaflets, with paging, with cell phone texts, with loudspeakers, and theyve put it on every media outlet and social media and say, If youre in this area, get out. Were going to attack it.'

Now who else does that on all of the earth? Not even the US gives that kind of warning to civilians to try to protect them, he asserted.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday in strikes that targeted the countrys nuclear program and raised the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Multiple sites around the country were hit, and black smoke was seen rising from the nations main nuclear enrichment facility.

The leader of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported, a development that would be a body blow to Tehrans governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of the nations long-simmering conflict. The report offered few details about what happened to Gen. Hossein Salami but said that another top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead.

The strikes, which came amid simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program, appeared certain to lead to a reprisal that Israel warned could target its own civilian population. In Washington, the Trump administration, which had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Irans nuclear enrichment program, said that it had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

Israeli leaders cast the preemptive assault as a fight for the nations survival and necessary to head off what they described as an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether it had actually had been planning a strike.

It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

Multiple sites in the Iranian capital were hit in the attack, which Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites. Also targeted were officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. It wasnt clear how bad the damage was at Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz.

The strike on Iran pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack. It wasnt immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian airspace or just fired so-called standoff missiles over another country. People in Iraq heard fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack. Israel previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameini, in his first remarks after the attacks began, said: With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly accept it. 

The potential for an attack had been apparent for weeks. President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he did not believe an attack was imminent but also acknowledged that it could very well happen. As tensions rose, the U.S. pulled some diplomats from Iraqs capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday in the White House Situation Room, were he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers. It is not clear if he plans to make a public remarks on the strikes in Iran.

Israel has long been determined to thwart Irans nuclear potential.

Meanwhile, the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over its refusal to work with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones.

Even so, there are multiple assessments on how many nuclear weapons it could conceivably build, should it choose to do so. Iran would need months to assemble, test and field any weapon, which it so far has said it has no desire to do. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess Iran does not have a weapons program at this time.

In a sign of the far-reaching implications of the emerging conflict, Israels main airport was closed and benchmark Brent crude spiked on news of the attack, rising nearly 8%. Both Iran and Israel closed their airspace.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned that in the aftermath of the strikes, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately.

It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas, he said in a statement.

As the explosions in Tehran started, Trump was on the lawn of the White House mingling with members of Congress. It was unclear if he had been informed, but the president continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes.

Trump earlier said he urged Netanyahu to hold off on any action while the administration negotiated with Iran.

As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I dont want them going in because I think it would blow it, Trump told reporters.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDFs surprise launch of massive operations against the Iranian regime and its nuclear facilities has already resulted in the deaths of numerous top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. The operation, codenamed Am KeLavi (Operation Rising Lion), targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure across multiple sites, including Tehran, Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad. The operation, supported by coordinated Mossad sabotage missions, aims to disrupt Irans nuclear program and eliminate key military and scientific figures, according to Israeli and Iranian sources.

Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and scientists in the strikes. Among those killed were General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Force. Two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a senior physicist and President of Azad University, were also reported killed. Iranian sources indicated that Abbasi-Davani and Tehranchi were targeted in their homes. The IDF stated that Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was likely killed, though confirmation remains pending.

The IDF operation has involved dozens of Israeli Air Force jets, including F-35 stealth fighters, striking nuclear enrichment facilities, ballistic missile production sites, and military bases. Explosions have been reported across Tehran, with eyewitnesses describing massive flames and repeated blasts in neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Iranian state television broadcast images of black smoke rising over the Natanz nuclear facility, a critical site for uranium enrichment, though the extent of the damage remains unclear. Irans air defenses were reportedly compromised by Mossad sabotage operations targeting radar and missile systems, enabling Israeli aircraft to operate with greater freedom.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the strikes as a preemptive measure to counter an imminent threat from Irans nuclear program, citing intelligence that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear weapons within days. If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time, Netanyahu said in a televised address, describing the operation as a defense of Israels survival and regional stability. He emphasized that the campaign would continue for as many days as it takes.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency in Israel, with warning sirens activated in anticipation of potential Iranian retaliation, though no ballistic missile launches from Iran were reported by 04:35 AM Israel time.

The United States, Israels primary ally, was not directly involved in the operation, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. President Donald Trump, who had urged restraint in negotiations with Iran, called an emergency cabinet meeting for Friday morning following the strikes. U.S. officials emphasized protecting American forces in the region, with non-essential personnel evacuated from embassies within Irans striking range. China advised its citizens in Iran to stay alert, while Iraq closed its airspace as a precaution.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated it was in contact with Iranian authorities to monitor radiation levels and ensure the safety of its inspectors in the country. The IAEA had issued a strong condemnation of Iran earlier Thursday for enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels and failing to comply with nonproliferation obligations.

As of early Friday morning in Israel, Iran had not launched a counterattack, and the IDF reported no changes to public safety guidelines in Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful

The great nation of Iran!

At dawn today, the Zionist regime opened its dirty and bloody hand to crime in our beloved country and exposed its evil nature more than ever by attacking residential centers.

The regime must expect severe punishment.

The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing.

In the enemy attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were killed. Their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their posts, God willing

With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly accept it.
The New York City Police Department announced late Thursday night that it is deploying additional resources to Jewish and Israeli locations across the city, citing an abundance of caution in the wake of Israeli strikes targeting Iran.

While officials stress that there are currently no credible threats to the city or its residents, both law enforcement and Jewish security organizations are urging increased vigilance, particularly ahead of Shabbos.

The NYPD says it is closely coordinating with federal agencies and will continue monitoring for any developments that may affect security in New York. We are deploying additional resources to ensure the safety of sensitive sites throughout the city, the department said in a statement.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also addressed the situation, assuring the public that there are no credible threats to New York at this time. She noted that the state has taken precautionary measures, including heightened security at sensitive locations and increased cybersecurity monitoring.

Jewish security organizations, while echoing the lack of specific threats, are calling on communities to remain alert. The Community Security Service (CSS), which trains volunteer shul security teams, issued a call to its network urging them to review protocols ahead of Shabbos, report any suspicious activity, and maintain contact with local law enforcement.

Jews in America cannot afford to be complacent, said Richard Priem, CEO of CSS. Situational awareness and preparedness are key.

The Secure Community Network (SCN), a national Jewish security group, warned that the current conflict comes amid an already heightened threat environment, particularly fueled by rhetoric from Iranian-linked groups. We urge communities to remain vigilant, continue the strengthened security postures institutions have implemented since October 7th, and coordinate closely with law enforcement, said SCN CEO Michael Masters.

Security officials point to past incidents of Iranian-linked plots against Jewish and Israeli targets abroad, including in New York, as a reminder that such threats remain serious even in the diaspora.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Israeli airstrikes on Iran resulted in 95 casualties in 12 provinces of Iran, the representative of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Mujtaba Khaledi told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, one rescue worker was killed while rendering aid in East Azerbaijan Province.

Khaledi added that rescue and recovery operations are currently underway. As many as 140 Red Crescent teams and 670 volunteers are taking part in the operations.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.
Though not a news outlet, Chaim VChessed is providing essential updates on how the developing conflict is impacting schools, travel, and government services in Israel.

Following the beginning of Israels attack on Iran, here is what you need to know in the immediate future:

Schools Closed: All schools across Israel are closed today, Friday, June 13.

Airspace Shut Down: Israeli airspace has been closed, and all flights have been canceled until further notice. Flights en route to Israel are being rerouted to alternate destinations.

Travel Disruptions Expected: Travelers should anticipate continued disruptions for several days. Reports indicate that El Al planes on the ground in Israel are currently being flown out to other countries for safety. This would seem to indicate that the disruption to flights may be lengthy.

Government Offices: While government offices are always closed on Fridays, sources tell Chaim VChessed that many offices are expected to experience disruptions at the start of next week.

This is a developing situation. Chaim VChessed will keep you posted with timely updates on schools, travel, and government services and other issues relating to daily life in Israel during these challenging times.
The Israeli Air Force has destroyed the Natanz nuclear facility in the massive surprise attacks early Friday morning.

Multiple waves of Israeli strikes were reported throughout Iran for several hours, starting at around 3 a.m. and into the morning. Over 200 Israeli Air Force aircraft were involved in the opening strikes, and fighter jets dropped over 330 munitions on some 100 targets, the IDF said.

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Blasts were reported in Natanz, the site of a key nuclear facility, as well as in and around the capital Tehran.

Netanyahu and Iranian state TV confirmed that one target of the strikes was the Natanz enrichment facility, one of two underground nuclear sites in the country, the other being at Fordo.

Irans Isfahan nuclear site and Fordow fuel enrichment plant have not been affected, Rafael Grossi, the International Atomic Energy Agencys chief, said in a statement, citing updates from the Iranian authorities.

Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that there has been no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, and that the Bushehr nuclear power plant has not been targeted, Rafael Grossi, the organizations chief, said in a statement.

The commander in chief of Irans military, Mohammad Bagheri, was killed during the Israeli strikes on Friday morning, Irans state news agency IRNA reported. Bagheri was Irans second highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His death was earlier reported by semi-official Iranian media.

Also killed was Gen. Hossein Salami, commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Irans primary military force, Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, and nuclear Scientists: Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

Iran responded by firing around 100 drones at Israel. The IDF announced that all of them had been successfully intercepted outside of Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Nation on Friday afternoon and says the strikes against Iran were ordered in November 2024, following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Netanyahu revealed that the decision was driven by fears Iran would accelerate its nuclear ambitions after its proxy network was dismantled by Israel.

Originally planned for late April 2025, the operation was delayed for undisclosed reasons. However, after Israeli strikes crippled Irans ballistic missile program last year, intelligence revealed Tehran was producing 300 ballistic missiles monthly. We decided we couldnt wait anymore. We are at midnight, Netanyahu declared.

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The opening strikes, described as very successful, obliterated the Natanz nuclear facility, eliminated key Iranian military leaders, and targeted top nuclear scientists. Netanyahu hailed the amazing work of the IDF and Mossad, which silenced doubts about Israels capabilities.

Acknowledging the inevitability of Iranian retaliation, Netanyahu warned, It will come. He predicted very severe attacks, in waves, urging Israelis to remain vigilant and follow authorities instructions. Dont go into euphoria, he cautioned, emphasizing efforts to minimize the cost to Israel without elaborating.

Addressing U.S. involvement, Netanyahu admitted he had hoped for Washingtons support in cabinet discussions but stressed Israel had no alternative. If we dont attack, its 100% that we will die, he said. We have to change the direction of Irans military build-up, both its ballistic and nuclear weapons. While U.S. backingor at least non-oppositionremains extremely desirable, Israel acted unilaterally to ensure its survival.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
During a phone interview with Reuters on Friday, President Donald Trump said he is no longer certain whether Irans nuclear program still exists following Israels dramatic airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets.

We knew everything, Trump said, confirming the United States was fully briefed on Israels operation in advance. I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out.

Despite the intensity of the strikes and reports of heavy losses among top Iranian military and nuclear officials, Trump said diplomatic avenues remain open. They can still work out a deal  its not too late, he added.

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff w scheduled to meet with an Iranian delegation in Oman on Sunday. However, the Israeli offensive immediately cast serious doubt over whether the talks would proceed as planned, and reports say that Iranian officials are refusing to partake in the meeting.

However, Trump told Axios that the strikes might actually force Iran to come back to the negotiating table. I dont think so, he said, responding to a question about whether the strikes destroy any chance for a deal. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously.

I gave Iran 60 days, today is day 61 They should have made a deal, Trump said. I couldnt get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.

When asked if he was concerned that Israels military action could ignite a broader regional war, Trump dismissed the possibility. No, Im not worried, he said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Palestine Red Crescent Society says three children were injured by shrapnel on Friday, after Israel said a missile from Yemen landed in an Arab Village near Hebron.

Three children, aged six, seven and 12, were injured by shrapnel from a missile that fell in the town of Sair near Hebron, the Red Crescent said in a statement.

The Israeli military says that a missile launched from Yemen fell in the area of Hebron, no interceptors were launched.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran launched multiple massive barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel late Friday night, as sirens blared across the country and civilians rushed to bomb shelters. The first barrage was around 9:00PM on Friday night. The second one was around 1:30Am Shabbos morning.

One woman was RL killed and some 63 people were injured in the first wave of the Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to medics. Magen David Adom reports that one individual is in serious condition, two are moderately injured, and the remaining victims sustained minor injuries or are being treated for acute anxiety.

In the second wave, five people were injured, including one mildly. Additionally, a missile struck a DA ambulance. Both emergency personal suffered minor injuries as they had fled to a shelter.

The IDF confirmed that it had detected the launch of over 150 missiles from Iran, with many aimed at central Israel, including Tel Aviv and the Gush Dan region.

Interceptor missiles lit up the night sky over Israel as air defense systems attempted to neutralize the incoming threat. Multiple interceptions were observed, including near Jerusalem and central Israel, though at least some missiles managed to penetrate the defensive shield.

Footage from downtown Tel Aviv appeared to show multiple impacts, with one missileor debris from an intercepted projectilehitting near a high-rise building and igniting a fire. Additional impacts were confirmed in Ramat Gan. Livestreams and security cameras captured at least two direct hits in the Tel Aviv area, sending residents scrambling for cover. By the time both waves of strikes were over, there were numerous buildings and homes that suffered massive damage.

Irans state-run media broadcast the attack live, framing the missile barrage as a response to what it described as relentless Zionist aggression.

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Can a child really grow up to be a gadol? Thats the powerful and inspiring question at the heart of When They Were Young , a new release from ArtScroll by renowned mechanech Rabbi Yerachmiel Garfield, Head of School at the fast-growing Yeshiva Torat Emet in Houston, Texas. Thats the powerful and inspiring question at the heart of, a new release from ArtScroll by renowned, Head of School at the fast-growing Yeshiva Torat Emet in Houston, Texas.

In this beautifully designed and engaging book, Rabbi Garfield invites young readers, their parents and teachers, into the formative years of Torah giants like Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Rav Aryeh Levine, Rav Elyashiv, and many others. With captivating stories, rare childhood photographs, and interactive sidebars, When They Were Young brings our greatest Torah leaders to life in a way children can relate to and be inspired by.

Most kids dont have the brilliance of Rav Chaim or the focus of Rav Elyashiv, Rabbi Garfield writes, but every child has their own unique gifts to serve Hashem. Thats the definition of gadlus and thats the message this book delivers.

Whether its learning how the Netziv bounced back from a difficult test, how Rav Ovadia Yosef channeled his precocious mind, or how Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel handled a siblings tantrum, readers will discover that even the greatest leaders started with very human challengesand rose above them in extraordinary ways.

Already receiving wide acclaim in classrooms and homes, When They Were Young is more than a book. Its a tool for chinuch, a spark for self-esteem, and a treasure trove of real-life role models.

Rabbi Garfield, also host of the popular Chinuch Today podcast and a regular contributor to Mishpacha Magazine, continues to shape the conversation around Torah education. With this new release, he brings his passion for building the next generation of Bnei Torah into the hands of every child, parent, and mechanech.

When They Were Young is now available at ArtScroll.com and Judaica stores worldwide. is now available atand Judaica stores worldwide.
The Chancellors spending review is being billed by Labour as a signal moment for a government that is haunted by banana skins of its own making.

It paints events as a moment for national renewal after 14 years of Tory chaos. It is nothing of the kind.

An analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows, despite the hype and hand-outs for favoured constituencies, Rachel Reeves barely moved the dial on capital investment spending.

All she did was maintain capital budgets, such as those for science and tech, at the same high level of national income as Jeremy Hunt, the most recent Conservative Chancellor. IFSs director Paul Johnson doesnt pull his punches.

He says if anyone was baffled by the Chancellors speech so were we. He goes on to suggest that it wasnt a serious effort to provide useful information to anybody.

It also exposed Reevess ineptitude in framing arguments. There was no attempt to elevate and explain the spend, with focus on the white heat of technology, in terms of the nuclear, digital, and biotech revolution which will change Britain forever.

Pride before the fall: The Chancellor believes her fiscal rules, which require current spending to be matched by taxation, but allow borrowing for investment, have secured the UK's budget

Instead, there was revived talk of securonomics (buried since Labour has been in office) and misleading crowing about the state of the economy.

The boast that the UK was the fastest-growing economy in the G7 in the first quarter of the year was accurate. But as Reuters reported yesterday it was a case of pride comes before a fall.

Reeves and her team must have had early sight of the April growth data which showed output shrank by 0.3 per cent. A big factor was Trumps tariff war, which caused car, steel and other exports to stumble.

One might have thought someone at the Treasury, or a special adviser, might gently have suggested the G7 comparison was a rhetorical trap which might have been avoided. The April data may be rogue because of Trump tariff uncertainty.

The Government hopes the trumpeted trade accord with the US will soon come to fruition and the UKs upmarket car makers  Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce and the more eclectic Mini  will soon be back to normal business.

However, it will take time for the logistics and supply chain to be revised. The downturn also was partly the result of policy.

The end to concessions on stamp duty predictably produced a lull in home sales, despite the good househunting weather and the easing of the bank rate.

Tax does make a difference. It is not wise for a government making a big bet on the housing market to bypass it as a recovery tool by punishing homebuyers, especially younger people seeking the first rung on the ladder.

There is one G7 table which Rachel Reeves didnt mention.

The Chancellor believes her fiscal rules, which require current spending to be matched by taxation but allow borrowing for investment, have secured the UKs budget after the Liz Truss disorder.

Markets dont believe it. The yield on Britains ten-year bond  or gilt  at 4.5 per cent in latest trading is the highest among the rich Western democracies.

Reeves makes the reasonable case that UK yields move in lockstep with those in New York.

There is, however, a serious flaw in the thinking. The Chancellor appears to believe that if the current budget is in balance, it is fine to borrow to invest.

That may be the case in Japan and Germany, where bond rates are 1.46 per cent and 2.53 per cent respectively, because their governments overall interest bill is, by UK standards, under control.

In Britains case, every pound that is borrowed for a new roundabout or bypass behind the Red Wall comes with interest at high rates.

So the extra borrowing for Labours 2 trillion or so of capital spend inflates the current budget via borrowing charges. In the autumn, the Treasury estimated the interest bill for 2025-26 at 126billion.

If gilts had a similar yield to the German bund there would be an extra 60billion or so for education, health or even an end to the freeze on income tax thresholds which punish hard work and enterprise.

Britains national accounts do not provide a free pass for capital projects.
Bank of America upgraded shares of BAE Systems (OTCMKTS:BAESY  Free Report) from an underperform rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports.

Several other analysts have also recently issued reports on BAESY. Berenberg Bank cut BAE Systems from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of BAE Systems in a report on Monday, April 28th.

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BAE Systems Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BAE Systems

Shares of BAE Systems stock opened at $103.62 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.53 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.16. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. BAE Systems has a 1 year low of $56.19 and a 1 year high of $109.82.

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of BAE Systems by 10,259.0% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 185,840 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $15,282,000 after acquiring an additional 184,046 shares during the period. First Merchants Corp purchased a new stake in shares of BAE Systems in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $4,598,000. L & S Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of BAE Systems in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,078,000. Corient IA LLC purchased a new position in shares of BAE Systems during the 1st quarter worth approximately $805,000. Finally, Altrius Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of BAE Systems by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. Altrius Capital Management Inc now owns 113,168 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $6,469,000 after purchasing an additional 3,662 shares during the period. 0.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About BAE Systems

(Get Free Report)

BAE Systems plc provides defense, aerospace, and security solutions worldwide. The company operates through five segments: Electronic Systems, Platforms & Services, Air, Maritime, and Cyber & Intelligence. The Electronic Systems segment offers electronic warfare systems, navigation systems, electro-optical sensors, military and commercial digital engine and flight controls, precision guidance and seeker solutions, military communication systems and data links, persistent surveillance capabilities, space electronics, and electric drive propulsion systems.

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Jabil (NYSE:JBL  Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Barclays from $184.00 to $206.00 in a research note released on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the technology companys stock.

JBL has been the topic of a number of other reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Jabil from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Jabil from $175.00 to $146.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Jabil from $175.00 to $154.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on Jabil from $152.00 to $157.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $169.17.

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Jabil Price Performance

Jabil stock opened at $179.09 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.17, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.14. Jabil has a 52-week low of $95.85 and a 52-week high of $180.16. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $154.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $150.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.81, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.06.

Jabil (NYSE:JBL  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The technology company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.11. Jabil had a return on equity of 41.87% and a net margin of 4.71%. The company had revenue of $6.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.40 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.68 EPS. Jabils quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Jabil will post 8.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Jabil Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were given a dividend of $0.08 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $0.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.18%. Jabils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.66%.

Insider Activity

In other Jabil news, CEO Michael Dastoor sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.90, for a total value of $1,699,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 221,693 shares in the company, valued at approximately $37,665,640.70. The trade was a 4.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Mark T. Mondello sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.56, for a total value of $2,631,200.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 1,730,192 shares in the company, valued at $227,624,059.52. This trade represents a 1.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 50,000 shares of company stock worth $7,665,200. 1.73% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Jabil

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. First Hawaiian Bank grew its stake in Jabil by 47.9% in the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 10,647 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 3,447 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC grew its stake in Jabil by 52.0% in the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 17,743 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,414,000 after purchasing an additional 6,072 shares during the period. Invst LLC purchased a new stake in Jabil in the first quarter worth $630,000. Modern Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Jabil by 21.1% in the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,762 shares of the technology companys stock worth $240,000 after acquiring an additional 307 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new stake in Jabil in the first quarter worth $26,118,000. 93.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Jabil Company Profile

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Jabil Inc provides manufacturing services and solutions worldwide. It operates in two segments, Electronics Manufacturing Services and Diversified Manufacturing Services. The company offers electronics design, production, and product management services; electronic circuit design services, such as application-specific integrated circuit design, firmware development, and rapid prototyping services; and designs plastic and metal enclosures that include the electro-mechanics, such as the printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA).

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Russia has condemned the sharp escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, Trend reports.

Expressing Moscows concern over the situation, Peskov said Russia hopes for a swift stabilization of the region. He added that, under the directive of President Vladimir Putin, the Russian Foreign Ministry is preparing a detailed official statement, which will soon be released, including at the United Nations (UN).

Peskov also noted that Putin receives real-time reports on the situation from the Defense Ministry, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Foreign Ministry.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

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Polianta Ltd lifted its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IJS  Free Report) by 13.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 74,800 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 9,000 shares during the period. iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF makes up about 3.5% of Polianta Ltds holdings, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Polianta Ltd owned 0.11% of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF worth $7,291,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in IJS. Palouse Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF by 100.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 431 shares of the companys stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new stake in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $50,000. Finally, Topsail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $58,000.

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iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSEARCA IJS opened at $98.97 on Friday. iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF has a 12-month low of $82.10 and a 12-month high of $119.28. The company has a market cap of $6.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.14 and a beta of 1.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $93.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.38.

iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF Company Profile

iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index exhibiting the strongest value characteristics.

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Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA cut its holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 6.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,137 shares of the energy producers stock after selling 150 shares during the quarter. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmAs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of ConocoPhillips by 11.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 121,826,062 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $12,081,491,000 after purchasing an additional 12,751,120 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 45,847,572 shares of the energy producers stock worth $4,546,706,000 after acquiring an additional 5,549,078 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 4.9% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 31,287,113 shares of the energy producers stock worth $3,101,989,000 after acquiring an additional 1,473,027 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 13.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 28,131,288 shares of the energy producers stock worth $2,792,521,000 after acquiring an additional 3,397,360 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in ConocoPhillips by 37.1% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 15,570,246 shares of the energy producers stock worth $1,544,101,000 after acquiring an additional 4,211,939 shares during the last quarter. 82.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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ConocoPhillips Stock Up 1.4%

COP opened at $94.70 on Friday. ConocoPhillips has a 1-year low of $79.88 and a 1-year high of $118.40. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $88.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is $96.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market cap of $119.72 billion, a PE ratio of 12.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.61.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

ConocoPhillips ( NYSE:COP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The energy producer reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.05 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $16.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.74 billion. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 17.26% and a net margin of 16.23%. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.05 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that ConocoPhillips will post 8.16 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 19th were given a dividend of $0.78 per share. This represents a $3.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is 39.64%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on COP shares. Barclays reduced their price target on ConocoPhillips from $135.00 to $120.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Raymond James reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $109.00 price target (up previously from $103.00) on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on ConocoPhillips from $115.00 to $95.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Bank of America reduced their price target on ConocoPhillips from $107.00 to $106.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, ConocoPhillips presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.30.

View Our Latest Analysis on ConocoPhillips

About ConocoPhillips

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States, Canada, China, Libya, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; global LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report).

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Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DE bought a new position in Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 101,477 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $13,896,000. Apollo Global Management makes up about 2.6% of Smithbridge Asset Management Inc. DEs holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Apollo Global Management by 39.8% in the 4th quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 6,150 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,016,000 after buying an additional 1,750 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its holdings in shares of Apollo Global Management by 13.2% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 801,260 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $129,788,000 after buying an additional 93,451 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System acquired a new position in shares of Apollo Global Management in the 4th quarter worth approximately $20,034,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Apollo Global Management by 245.9% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,653,160 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $438,196,000 after buying an additional 1,886,146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Coordinated Financial Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Apollo Global Management in the 4th quarter worth approximately $473,000. 77.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Apollo Global Management Stock Up 0.1%

NYSE APO opened at $138.15 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $131.88 and a 200-day moving average of $149.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $78.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.59. Apollo Global Management, Inc. has a 52 week low of $95.11 and a 52 week high of $189.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Apollo Global Management Increases Dividend

Apollo Global Management ( NYSE:APO Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.84 by ($0.02). Apollo Global Management had a net margin of 17.53% and a return on equity of 13.97%. The firm had revenue of $5.55 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $977.14 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.72 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Apollo Global Management, Inc. will post 8 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 16th. This is a boost from Apollo Global Managements previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.48%. Apollo Global Managements payout ratio is 35.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

APO has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Bank of America increased their target price on Apollo Global Management from $186.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 4th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Apollo Global Management from $170.00 to $131.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Raymond James initiated coverage on Apollo Global Management in a report on Thursday, April 10th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $173.00 price target for the company. Barclays raised their price target on Apollo Global Management from $145.00 to $156.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Apollo Global Management from $214.00 to $144.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $159.00.

View Our Latest Research Report on APO

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Martin Kelly sold 4,000 shares of Apollo Global Management stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.57, for a total transaction of $530,280.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 373,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $49,470,351.48. The trade was a 1.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Lb 2018 Gst Trust acquired 607,725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 4th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $111.39 per share, with a total value of $67,694,487.75. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 621,754 shares of the companys stock, valued at $69,257,178.06. This trade represents a 4,331.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 8.50% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Apollo Global Management Profile

(Free Report)

Apollo Global Management, Inc is a private equity firm specializing in investments in credit, private equity, infrastructure, secondaries and real estate markets. The firm prefers to invest in private and public markets. The firms private equity investments include traditional buyouts, recapitalization, distressed buyouts and debt investments in real estate, corporate partner buyouts, distressed asset, corporate carve-outs, middle market, growth, venture capital, turnaround, bridge, corporate restructuring, special situation, acquisition, and industry consolidation transactions.

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Iluka Resources Limited (OTCMKTS:ILKAY  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,200 shares, a decline of 63.6% from the May 15th total of 3,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.0 days.

Iluka Resources Price Performance

Shares of ILKAY remained flat at $12.61 during trading hours on Friday. 28 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 840. Iluka Resources has a 1-year low of $9.08 and a 1-year high of $24.39. The companys 50 day moving average is $12.68 and its 200-day moving average is $14.09.

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Iluka Resources Company Profile

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Iluka Resources Limited engages in the exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation of mineral sands in Australia, China, rest of Asia, Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Jacinth-Ambrosia/Mid-West, Cataby/South West, Rare Earths, and United States/Murray Basin segments.

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Albert D Mason Inc. lessened its holdings in Bank of America Co. (NYSE:BAC) by 7.8% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 15,498 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,307 shares during the quarter. Albert D Mason Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $647,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BAC. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 3,940,121 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $173,168,000 after acquiring an additional 173,021 shares during the period. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Bank of America during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $60,679,000. Arizona State Retirement System grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 2,028,439 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $89,150,000 after acquiring an additional 10,377 shares during the period. Gradient Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 696,416 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,061,000 after acquiring an additional 50,296 shares during the period. Finally, Keybank National Association OH grew its position in shares of Bank of America by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 3,458,616 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $152,006,000 after acquiring an additional 38,258 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.71% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. Baird R W raised shares of Bank of America from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $45.00 to $42.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Phillip Securities raised shares of Bank of America from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and four have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bank of America presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $47.69.

Bank of America Stock Performance

Bank of America stock opened at $44.61 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $41.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $43.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78. The stock has a market cap of $336.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 1.30. Bank of America Co. has a fifty-two week low of $33.07 and a fifty-two week high of $48.08.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 15th. The financial services provider reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $27.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $26.83 billion. Bank of America had a net margin of 14.10% and a return on equity of 10.29%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Bank of America Co. will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bank of America Announces Dividend

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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 6th. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 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.

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Jacksonville Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 4,850 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $348,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Valmark Advisers Inc. boosted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 5.5% during the 4th quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 8,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $583,000 after purchasing an additional 431 shares during the period. Financiere des Professionnels Fonds d investissement inc. purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,656,000. Modera Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 14.1% during the 4th quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,562 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,444,000 after purchasing an additional 2,548 shares during the period. Cornerstone Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 204,200 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $14,343,000 after buying an additional 4,200 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jessup Wealth Management Inc acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter worth approximately $224,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

Shares of WFC opened at $73.94 on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company has a twelve month low of $50.15 and a twelve month high of $81.50. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $71.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $240.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.74, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The financial services provider reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $20.15 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.82 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 15.73% and a return on equity of 12.38%. The companys revenue was down 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.20 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th were given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.73%.

Wells Fargo & Company declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 17.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WFC has been the topic of a number of research reports. Phillip Securities upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a moderate buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $72.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 14th. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $83.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $76.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $77.68.

View Our Latest Research Report on WFC

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Co is a diversified and community-based financial services company, which engages in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Liberty Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN  Free Report) by 5.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 4,023 shares of the information technology services providers stock after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the quarter. Liberty Capital Management Inc.s holdings in Accenture were worth $1,255,000 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 the stock. Birch Capital Management LLC grew its position in Accenture by 2.7% in the first quarter. Birch Capital Management LLC now owns 19,132 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $5,970,000 after acquiring an additional 502 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co. boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 1.7% during the first quarter. Rockland Trust Co. now owns 69,647 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $21,733,000 after buying an additional 1,177 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH boosted its holdings in Accenture by 5.0% in the first quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 130,338 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $40,671,000 after purchasing an additional 6,203 shares during the period. Mogy Joel R Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its holdings in Accenture by 2.9% in the first quarter. Mogy Joel R Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 106,286 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $33,165,000 after purchasing an additional 3,010 shares during the period. Finally, Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA boosted its holdings in Accenture by 0.3% in the first quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA now owns 11,777 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $3,675,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Accenture news, insider Angela Beatty sold 169 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.90, for a total transaction of $47,641.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,512,111.60. The trade was a 3.05% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 2,284 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.63, for a total transaction of $643,242.92. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 9,965 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,806,442.95. The trade was a 18.65% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 8,516 shares of company stock worth $2,507,366 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock.

Accenture Stock Down 0.4%

ACN stock opened at $318.02 on Friday. Accenture plc has a twelve month low of $275.01 and a twelve month high of $398.35. The company has a market cap of $199.19 billion, a PE ratio of 26.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 1.33. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $304.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $336.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 20th. The information technology services provider reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.81 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $16.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.64 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 26.91% and a net margin of 11.41%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.77 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Accenture plc will post 12.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Accenture Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 10th were given a $1.48 dividend. This represents a $5.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.86%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, April 10th. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ACN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Guggenheim cut their price target on Accenture from $400.00 to $395.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on Accenture from $390.00 to $380.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their target price on Accenture from $399.00 to $392.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Baird R W upgraded Accenture from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Accenture to $355.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $382.15.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ACN

Accenture Company Profile

(Free Report)

Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services.

Further Reading

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Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 8.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 510 shares of the credit services providers stock after acquiring an additional 41 shares during the period. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Mastercard were worth $264,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of MA. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 77,179,138 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $40,640,219,000 after purchasing an additional 377,302 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 22,267,937 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $11,725,627,000 after purchasing an additional 912,856 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,657,792 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $9,800,202,000 after purchasing an additional 282,739 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,022,224,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in Mastercard by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,760,740 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $5,139,713,000 after acquiring an additional 817,836 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Mastercard Stock Performance

NYSE:MA opened at $588.75 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $536.77 billion, a PE ratio of 42.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.05. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $428.86 and a twelve month high of $594.71. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $553.50 and its 200 day simple moving average is $543.65.

Insider Transactions at Mastercard

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16. Mastercard had a return on equity of 188.47% and a net margin of 45.71%. The firm had revenue of $7.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.31 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

In other Mastercard news, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $569.45, for a total value of $85,417.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 3,555 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,024,394.75. This trade represents a 4.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael Miebach sold 15,775 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $550.16, for a total value of $8,678,774.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 84,871 shares of the companys stock, 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 37,258 shares of company stock worth $20,885,067 over the last ninety days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

MA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group increased their price target on Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered Mastercard from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. Truist Financial started coverage on Mastercard in a report on Monday, June 2nd. They issued a buy rating and a $640.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup upped their price objective on Mastercard from $650.00 to $652.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $633.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Mastercard has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $610.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Mastercard

Mastercard Company 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.

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Private Wealth Group LLC cut its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 19.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 749 shares of the companys stock after selling 182 shares during the quarter. Private Wealth Group LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $421,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Windsor Advisory Group LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 50 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Sellwood Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada bought a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Advantage Trust Co bought a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $36,000.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 0.4%

IVV stock opened at $606.51 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $567.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $583.25. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1-year low of $484.00 and a 1-year high of $616.22. The firm has a market cap of $595.50 billion, a PE ratio of 25.71 and a beta of 1.01.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH lessened its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 0.4% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 2,027,511 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 9,157 shares during the period. Exxon Mobil accounts for 1.5% of Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings, making the stock its 14th biggest position. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OHs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $241,132,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of XOM. Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Allen Mooney & Barnes Investment Advisors LLC now owns 161,230 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $19,175,000 after buying an additional 5,605 shares in the last quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. Spectrum Asset Management Inc. NB CA now owns 38,096 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,531,000 after acquiring an additional 7,763 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 5.8% in the 1st quarter. Sterling Financial Group Inc. now owns 3,640 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $433,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Ferguson Wellman Capital Management Inc. now owns 216,031 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $25,693,000 after acquiring an additional 9,065 shares during the period. Finally, Defined Financial Planning LLC lifted its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 7.6% during the first quarter. Defined Financial Planning LLC now owns 2,706 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $322,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of XOM opened at $109.71 on Friday. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $472.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 0.49. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 1 year low of $97.80 and a 1 year high of $126.34. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $105.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $108.82.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $83.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $86.11 billion. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 9.63% and a return on equity of 12.92%. Exxon Mobils quarterly revenue was up .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.06 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a $0.99 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.61%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is currently 52.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Exxon Mobil from $141.00 to $138.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $140.00 to $115.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Piper Sandler cut Exxon Mobil from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their price objective on Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $125.50.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on XOM

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.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. President of the United States, Donald Trump, has called on Iran to resume nuclear negotiations and reach an agreement in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, the president said in a post on his Truth Social media platform page, Trend reports.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done," he stated.

Trump added that if this trajectory continues, the situation will only worsen.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!", the post concluded.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Irans response to recent Israeli airstrikes will be harsh and lawful, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an address to the nation, Trend reports.

The address stated that Iranian people and officials will not remain silent in the face of this attack. Irans lawful response will make Israel regret its actions.

The president condemned the strikes on Tehran and other cities, which he said killed numerous civiliansincluding children and womenas well as military commanders and nuclear scientists. Last nights attack will not go unanswered, he said.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The nation is gearing up for a showdown for Prez Trump's birthday . . .

As locals await the outcome and play keyboard warrior, we ask a familiar question . . .

WILL KANSAS CITY CONFRONT AN EPIC FREEDOM FIGHT OR JUST ANOTHER ANTICLIMAX?!?

In this instance, a bit of disappointment might be a good thing even if it's the least expected outcome.

For now, we share more local coverage, hype and national perspective . . .

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City mayor blasts Missouri governor for activating National Guard before anti-Trump protests Mayor Quinton Lucas called the action by Republican Mike Kehoe an "unnecessary escalation." He also criticized the state's lack of response when a white nationalist hate group marched through Kansas City last month.

Explaining 'No Kings Day': Why there will be widespread protests in the KC area this weekend We looked into the "No Kings Day" movement because of its national interest that has prompted a response from government officials in Washington, D.C., to lawmakers in Missouri and Kansas.

Walmart heiress' ad promoting "No kings" protest sparks backlash against retailer Walmart heiress' ad is prompting backlash against the retailer despite it not being associated with the company.

Millions in US expected to protest against Trump in 'No Kings' protests Demonstrations at roughly 2,000 sites planned for Saturday, same day as US president's military parade and birthday

Far-Right MO Governor Kehoe Activates National Guard & Declares State of Emergency in Attempt to Intimidate Upcoming Human Rights Protests - The Kansas City Defender Two days after Kansas City's thousand-strong march lit the Midwest fuse, Missouri's governor declared a "State of Emergency," green-lighting troops, armored vehicles, and a multi-agency surveillance dragnet. Human-rights protectors say the order will not cool the streets-it only proves the fight is urgent and righteous.

What to know about 'No Kings Day' protests across US to counter Trump's military parade Thousands of "No Kings Day" protests are set to be held throughout the country on Saturday to protest the Trump administration.

'No Kings' Protest: What to know ahead of Kansas City demonstrations On Saturday, June 14, thousands of protesters are expected to join the 'No Kings' protests, which include people in the metro.

Developing . . .
Things might get REALLY serious if they bring back the tote bag.

Check the defiant local statement and a look at national reporting . . .

"If the U.S. Senate signs off on the rescission package passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, the loss of federal funding would be an immediate hit to hundreds of public broadcasters like KCUR. "We're going to rely on this community to figure out ways so that we are not having to diminish the service we provide," says General Manager Sarah Morris. "

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

With public media funding under threat, KCUR leader says station will do 'whatever it takes' If the U.S. Senate signs off on the rescission package passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, the loss of federal funding would be an immediate hit to hundreds of public broadcasters like KCUR. "We're going to rely on this community to figure out ways so that we are not having to diminish the service we provide," says General Manager Sarah Morris.

House Republicans vote to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid, NPR and PBS Trump's White House wants Congress to codify some of the cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which was helmed by billionaire Elon Musk.

Developing . . .
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been confirmed dead following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military targets, the public relations department of the IRGC said in a statement, Trend reports.

The department noted that Hajizadeh was killed alongside several other servicemembers during an attack on one of the IRGCs military facilities.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up to date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
THE SEARCH IS ON FOR MISSING MOTORIST ON TRANTRILL ROAD
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
Bridging the Rural Health Care Gap

In an effort to address the health care shortage facing Maryland's nearly half-million residents who live on the rural Eastern Shore, the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) last year established a program to train and place students in rural health care settings. This academic year, three students who received full-tuition scholarships and were accepted into the newly named Rural-MD Scholars program started gaining insight into their future practice on the Eastern Shore through interactions with local health care professionals, community engagement, and hands-on clinical experiences.

From left, rising second-year medical students Sarah MacDonald, Zobia Rani, and Tahreem Riaz were in the first class of rural scholars to be awarded full scholarships and are beginning to embark on their specialized training.

The state initially provided funding of $1.4 million to support the program, with additional funding provided by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the Rural Maryland Council, and $1 million from private donors. Recently, the state committed an additional $1.4 million in funding to continue the program for the upcoming academic year, and an anonymous donor committed an additional $1 million. The programs long-term goal is to provide full scholarships for up to 10 new students a year to mitigate the physician shortage on the Eastern Shore.

Rising second-year medical students Zobia Rani, Tahreem Riaz, and Sarah MacDonald were in the first class of rural scholars to be awarded full scholarships and are beginning their specialized training. After medical school and residency training in the field of their choice, they will begin their medical careers within an Eastern Shore health care setting, committing to a minimum of four years of service in the community. The federal Teaching Health Center Graduate Education Medical Education Program reports that out of nearly 2,000 doctors who have graduated from rural residency programs, roughly 70 percent have continued their practice in underserved areas.



We are extremely proud of our Rural-MD Scholars who have made a tremendous commitment to address health disparities in our state, said Leah S. Millstein, MD, course director for the program and associate professor of medicine at UMSOM. We are very excited to play an important part in Marylands mission to expand access to health care in rural counties.

The five Maryland counties with the fewest primary care physicians per capita are on the Eastern Shore. Eight rural Eastern Shore counties have 76 percent of residents living in federally designated medically underserved areas (MUAs), with Caroline, Kent, Somerset and Worcester each having 100 percent of their population residing in designated MUAs. These residents tend to have lower life expectancies, as much as seven years shorter in some Eastern Shore counties compared to top-ranked suburban Montgomery County. In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that many deaths in rural America were potentially preventable including 20,000 from heart disease and stroke, 6,000 from cancer, 10,000 from unintentional injuries, and 6,000 from chronic lower respiratory disease.



Since the programs launch in fall 2024, five Eastern Shore physicians have committed to joining the programs Core Physician Panel, offering students one-on-one mentorship opportunities and informing the curriculum with clinical insights from their practice in rural health care. This includes procedural techniques that students might need to know how to perform in low-resource health care facilities. The panel features a diverse group of health care professionals, ranging from private practice physicians to leaders of public health organizations, highlighting the various ways students can practice throughout their careers in medicine.

Preventing Heart Disease Deaths in Rural Maryland

Rates of preventable heart disease deaths were found to be significantly higher in rural areas compared to large central suburban areas throughout Maryland. A major reason cited by federal health researchers for this disparity was lack of access to health care. Increasing physician density in rural areas could reduce the rate of preventable deaths.

Practicing medicine in a rural area presents a unique set of challenges to physicians who may find themselves with limited access to local specialists to refer patients to or the most advanced medical equipment, said Casey Scott, MD 10, MPH, health officer of the Dorchester County Health Department, who serves as a Core Physician mentor for this program. It is vital for those in training to practice in rural areas to be fully prepared for these challenges, and that is what we are trying to ensure for students participating in the Rural-MD Scholars program.

To further enhance community engagement, the program team also aims to collaborate with the Core Physician Panel to identify Eastern Shore families that students can assist in navigating their various experiences in health care.

We are incredibly grateful for the partnership of these dedicated physicians who have generously invested their time and resources in the development of our students, said Donna L. Parker, MD, FACP, senior associate dean for medical education, UMSOM. Their experiences in navigating barriers to care on the Eastern Shore and attending to a range of patient concerns are invaluable to our programs success. We look forward to expanding clinical opportunities with their support in the years to come.

Rural Health Clinical Training

Rural-MD Scholars is part of a larger effort to provide UMSOM students with a background in rural health care. Last year, the school began offering a two-year elective course to all students that provides comprehensive training on the medical needs of rural patients. The curriculum, called the Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective (R-HEALE), enables students to gain early exposure to the clinical skills needed to effectively manage patient care in low resource settings.

For example, students enrolled in the elective this year learned skills in using point-of-care ultrasound, which are small portable devices that can be used in a primary care office or at a patients hospital bed. These devices could be used in rural settings to provide prenatal care or cardiology, for example, without having to transfer patients to distant facilities.

Four counties on the Eastern Shore are among the top five in Maryland for infant and child mortality, with Somerset and Caroline counties in the top five in both age groups. Part of this might be due to a delay in getting the appropriate prenatal care early in pregnancy due to lack of access.

One in four residents on the Eastern Shore lives at least 10 miles from a hospital, which increases the risk of delayed treatment, said UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who also is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor, UMSOM, and vice president for medical affairs, UMB. Caroline County has only one physician for every 2,500 residents, which is six times lower than the physician density in other parts of the state. Our rural residents urgently need access to skilled physicians like those we are training in our Rural-MD Scholars program who will understand the unique health needs of this population and strive to improve health outcomes.

The program team also hosted a training session on splinting, teaching students the proper techniques needed to stabilize and heal injuries.

Community Engagement

Part of the Rural-MD Scholars Program involves interacting with state policymakers to help learn to advocate on behalf of residents of rural communities. MacDonald, along with program faculty, traveled to Annapolis in February to attend the Maryland Rural Health Associations Annual Legislative Forum, where they received updates on rural health programs from several distinguished guest speakers, including Secretary Paul Monteiro, Del. Thomas Hutchinson, and Sen. Dawn Gile.

It was inspiring to see that policymakers in Maryland are deeply invested in patient success on the Eastern Shore, MacDonald said. They are actively working to enhance services and attract a wide range of health professionals like doctors, nurses, and physical therapists to work in these rural areas.

Looking Ahead

The selection process for the next class of Rural-MD Scholars has concluded. After receiving a high volume of qualified applicants, 10 students were selected for the incoming class, with nine accepting full-tuition scholarships. Program participants will be announced this summer. Incoming and current students will attend an immersive pre-matriculation program at the UMES campus in July featuring information sessions on rural health topics. Program faculty also are collaborating with the Core Physician Panel and local health care organizations to develop a schedule of shadowing experiences in clinical settings and community outreach activities for the July program.

Current program partners include the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, TidalHealth; the Dorchester, Somerset, and Wicomico County Health Departments; Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center; and the Maryland Area Health Education Center.
06/13/2025

David Joyner, senior director, communications and digital media, David_Joyner@uml.edu

Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass.  An accomplished biochemical engineer and academic leader with ties to the Greater Lowell region has been selected to lead UMass Lowells Francis College of Engineering.

Susan C. Roberts, a Billerica native and head of the Chemical Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute for the past 10 years, will join UMass Lowell as dean of the engineering college following a national search. Roberts begins her new role on Monday, Aug. 4.

Professor Roberts is a dynamic, enthusiastic leader with an impressive record of elevating the careers of the students, faculty and staff around her, said UMass Lowell Provost Joseph C. Hartman. Were absolutely thrilled to bring her to UMass Lowell, where we know she will be an inspiring, motivating influence for the college.

Bertie Greer, dean of the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell and co-chair of the search committee, said Roberts enthusiasm for creating rigorous, inclusive learning environments, and forging relationships with industry and community partners, was an important factor in her selection.

Greer said her selection is especially significant in light of UMass Lowells recent designation as a Research 1 university, placing it in the top 7% of all U.S. colleges and universities in terms of research activity.

Sue Roberts is by all accounts a great colleague and leader, as well as a talented engineer, whose commitment to research and education at the cutting edge of innovation will represent an important leadership voice in the Francis College and throughout our university, said Greer.

Cindy Conde 87 90, outgoing chair of the Francis College of Engineerings Industrial Advisory Board, and search committee co-chair, said she looks forward to Roberts leadership in the engineering school.

She really impressed the committee with her vision for creating meaningful, lasting connections that will elevate the colleges reputation, help to advance the faculty of the college and support the success of our students, said Conde. I cant wait for our students, faculty, alumni and industry partners to get to know her.

Susan Roberts reputation precedes her as a bright mind in biochemical engineering, and as a thoughtful teacher and administrator, said UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen. Im thrilled that she will be joining our team.

Prior to joining Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Roberts spent 17 years on the Chemical Engineering faculty of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was only the third woman promoted to full professor in the College of Engineering and the first faculty member to pursue biochemical engineering research in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

During her tenure at UMass Amherst, Roberts created a world-renowned program in plant cell engineering and biotechnology, led the creation of the Institute for Cellular Engineering, and developed pathfinding curricula focused on the intersection of engineering and life sciences.

She also served as associate dean of the UMass Amherst Graduate School from 2013 to 2015 where she was instrumental in the founding of the Graduate Schools Office of Professional Development.

Roberts said she looks forward to joining UMass Lowell in part because of the universitys emphasis on bringing together people from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation students and those from underrepresented communities.

What most excites me about joining UMass Lowell are the people and the students. I am impressed by the commitment shared by everyone, from staff and faculty to the chancellor, in creating an incredible space for discovery and learning, Roberts said.

An important focus of my work has always been supporting the advancement and success of all students, and inspiring students through research and training to pursue their passions, she added. That resonates with UMass Lowells focus and mission.

Roberts said she is also enthusiastic about faculty development and elevating the already strong reputation of the Francis College of Engineering.

So many incredible things are happening there, from unique educational programs to innovative research to industry partnerships. I am thrilled by the opportunity to help the college develop and tell its story, she said.

For Roberts, the new role represents a return to both the University of Massachusetts and the Greater Lowell region. The Billerica native graduated from Billerica High School before going on to earn a bachelors degree in chemical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic, and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, with a minor in biochemistry, from Cornell University.

At UMass Lowell, Roberts will succeed Jim Sherwood, a mechanical engineer who has served on the faculty for more than 30 years, including the past six years as dean.

Sherwood announced that he would step down from the Dean role last October.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Five people were killed in Tabriz as a result of Israel's military attack on Iran, Director General of Crisis Management for Iran's East Azerbaijan Province, Majid Farshi, told reporters, Trend reports..

Farshi told local media that 12 others were injured in the attacks.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.
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Heinous, Reckless Attacks: Saudi Arabia, Oman on Israeli airstrikes in Iran

Saudi Arabia and Oman have condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Iran calling them heinous and reckless attacks on a sovereign and brotherly country

Friday June 13, 2025 12:12 PM , ummid.com News Network

Saudi Arabia and Oman have condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Iran calling them heinous and reckless attacks on a sovereign and brotherly country.

In a statement released soon after Israel targeted a number of locations in Tehran and other cities of Iran, Saudi Arabia described them blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

Saudi Arabia also called on the world leaders and the UN Security Council to intervene to stop the Israeli aggression.

While the Kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and the (UN) Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression.

"Dangerous, Reckless Escalation"

Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the United States and Iran over recent months, has decried Israels attacks as a dangerous and reckless escalation that violates the principles of international law.

It represents unacceptable and ongoing aggressive behaviour that undermines the foundations of stability in the region, the country said in a statement Friday.

Israel is responsible for this escalation and its consequences, Oman said.

Israel in the wee hours Friday June 13, 2025 launched major attacks on, what it said, the nuclear and military sites in Iran, killing senior IRGC Commanders and nuclear scientists.

Irans Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called this a heinous crime and said the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself while the official media confirmed the "assassinations of top IRGC Commanders and Iranian nuclear scientists".

Meanwhile, Jordan's Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily closed the country's airspace to all flights in anticipation of any dangers resulting from the escalation happening in the region.

Unlawful, unprovoked

DAWN, a human rights advocacy group based in Washington, DC, says the Israeli attacks on Iran are unlawful and unprovoked.

The United States should completely decouple its interests from Israels reckless war-making and refuse any support, material or political, for these attacks on Iran, Raed Jarrar, DAWNs advocacy director, said in a statement.

We are now seeing Israel unlawfully bombarding Iranian neighborhoods allegedly housing Iranian officials with the same maliciousness it has bombed Lebanon and Gaza", the group said.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson Farhan Haq, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for maximum restraint to avoid descent into deeper conflict.

The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East, Haq said.

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Israel locks Al Aqsa Mosque gates at dawn Friday

The Israeli Occupation Forces at dawn Friday June 13, 2025 locked all the gates of the Al Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem and barred worshippers from entering one of Islams holiest sites

Friday June 13, 2025 11:20 PM , ummid.com News Network

Occupied Jerusalem: The Israeli Occupation Forces at dawn Friday June 13, 2025 locked all the gates of the Al Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem and barred worshippers from entering one of Islams holiest sites.

The Israeli forces also announced closure of Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron.

The move came hours after the Israeli forces launched missile attacks on Iran , killing top IRGC Commanders and Nuclear Scientists.

"Safety Reasons"

The Occupation Forces said the decision to order al Aqsa Mosque shut down was to prevent gathering of the people after its airstrikes in Iran.

In an opportunistic move, the Israeli criminal regime completely shut Masjid al-Aqsa to Muslims after Fajr today, claiming it did so for safety reasons and to prevent gatherings in light of its attack on Iran, Masjid al Aqsa wrote on social media platform X.

Citing eyewitnesses, Wafa reported that Israeli police officers stormed the mosque compound after the dawn prayer, forced worshippers out, and then sealed the gates.

The closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque coincided with the Israeli militarys announcement of a full lockdown across the West Bank, just hours after Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran, the report said.

"Reprehensible Act"

The Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Palestine condemned the Israeli occupation's closure of the "blessed al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds and Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron".

"This move targets the two most important holy sites in Palestine", the Ministry said.

"We strongly condemn and denounce this reprehensible act, and we affirm our constant commitment to preserving and protecting Islamic holy sites", the Ministry said in a statement.

The Ministry called on international institutions to halt Israeli enemy violations against holy sites and places of worship.

The Israeli shut down of Al Aqsa Mosque this Friday marks the first time the mosque has been emptied and closed by Israeli forces since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Sr IRGC Commanders, Nuclear Scientists killed in Israeli airstrikes on Iran

Israel in the wee hours Friday June 13, 2025 launched major attacks on, what it said, the nuclear and military sites in Iran, killing senior IRGC Commanders and nuclear scientists

Friday June 13, 2025 11:21 AM , Agencies

Israel in the wee hours Friday June 13, 2025 launched major attacks on, what it said, the nuclear and military sites in Iran, killing senior IRGC Commanders and nuclear scientists.

More than 50 others - mostly women and children, have also been injured in one of the major airstrikes on the Iranian soil by Israel in the recent history.

Irans Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called this a heinous crime and said the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself.

With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter and painful fate for itself  and it will undoubtedly face it, Khamenei said in a statement released soon after the Israeli airstrikes.

Dozens of military targets hit

Israel's military said it struck "dozens of military targets, including nuclear sites in different areas of Iran".

Among the sites hit is Iran's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, in the centre of the country.

Iranian state TV said it was struck several times, with pictures showing black smoke billowing from the site.

Natanz operates thousands of advanced centrifuges - equipment used for enriching uranium gas - which are located dozens of metres underground for protection. It is unclear at this point how deep Israel's attack reached, BBC reported.

According to The New York Times, at least six military bases around Tehran as well as homes of military commanders and multiple residential buildings have also been hit, citing senior Iranian officials.

The head of the global nuclear watchdog has confirmed Iran's main nuclear enrichment site at Natanz was hit by Israeli strikes in the early hours of Friday.

In a post on X, the International Atomic Energy Agency said it was "closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran".

The agency said it was in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels at the site as well as its inspectors in Iran.

IRGC Commanders, Nuclear Scientists among dead

Irans official Press TV said, senior IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists are reported to have been killed in the large-scale Israeli strikes that targeted Tehran and multiple provinces across the country.

Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), is among those killed in the Israeli attack on Tehran early Friday morning.

Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the central headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces, was also killed in one of the attacks, the state TV confirmed.

Veteran nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi - the head of the Islamic Azad University, Fereydoon Abbasi - former chief of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, and Dr. Abdolhamid Minoucher are also among those killed in the latest Israeli missile launch.



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The uncalled for Israeli attack on Iran

Israels attacks on Iran could lead to a catastrophic potential full scale war, further destabilising an already volatile Middle East, with serious implications for global security

Friday June 13, 2025 3:25 PM , Asad Mirza

Israels attacks on Iran could lead to a catastrophic potential full scale war, further destabilising an already volatile Middle East, with serious implications for global security. Such a conflict could disrupt global oil supplies, involve international powers, and deepen regional instability.

Israels June 13 airstrikes on Iranian soil have sharply escalated the long-running confrontation between the two arch-rivals. Codenamed "Operation Rising Lion", the operation involved dozens of Israeli fighter jets targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure, missile factories, and top military personnel. Explosions were reported in Tehran and at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

Israels Defence Minister, Israel Katz, announced a special situation as some military officials there confirmed attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

According to Israels Channel 12, Irans Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and several senior nuclear scientists may have been killed, Iran has also officially confirmed the casualties.

What Triggered the Attacks?

The strike followed months of rising tensions. Israeli officials cited intelligence that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce multiple nuclear weapons. A senior Israeli military official told Reuters that Iran could make up to 15 bombs within days. Israeli leadership framed the operation as a necessary step to counter an existential threat amid stalled diplomacy.

Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, but it stresses that it has a right to domestically enrich uranium  a process of altering the uranium atom to produce nuclear fuel.Earlier this week, Iran said it obtained a trove of secret documents on Israels own undeclared nuclear arsenal.

The immediate context includes not just military build-up but also failed diplomacy: US-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled for June 15 in Oman, were hanging by a thread before the airstrikes. It is now unclear whether they will go forward.

The US Role

Although a staunch Israeli ally, the United States has officially distanced itself from "Operation Rising Lion". Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel acted unilaterally, saying Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."

Let me be clear. Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

Just a day beforethe Israeli strikes, US President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 12), hadissued two different sounding statements. As reported by Al Jazeera, within a day Trump had warned that there is a chance of massive conflict in the Middle East, confirming that an Israeli attack on Iran is possible.

Next, speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump said he would love to avoid the conflict and suggested that the US would like Israel to hold off on plans to strike Irans nuclear sites while Washington and Tehran continue their negotiations.

Later on Thursday, the US president reiterated his commitments to diplomacy with Iran. My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran, he wrote in a social media post. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon.

However, Washingtons role goes beyond military posturing. While publicly disavowing military involvement, the US remains deeply invested in preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and in managing the broader fallout from Israeli actions. Its long-standing diplomatic support for Israel, layered sanctions on Iran, and simultaneous pursuit of backchannel diplomacy highlight Washingtons complex and often contradictory position in the conflict.

The Israel-Iran Conflict

The Israel-Iran conflict is a decades-long power struggle rooted in ideology, security threats, and competing visions for the Middle East.

Israel sees Iran as its most dangerous enemy, primarily due to Tehrans pursuit of nuclear capabilities, its calls for Israels destruction, and its sustained support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran would permanently alter the strategic balance in the region and pose an existential threat to the Jewish state.

Iran, on the other hand, positions itself as a leader of the anti-Israel resistance and frequently uses its state media and proxy forces to denounce Israels legitimacy. It funds and arms militias across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Gaza that frequently launch attacks on Israeli territory.

Until recently, both countries operated through proxies, cyberattacks, and covert strikes. But the shift to open, direct attacks  including Irans unprecedented missile strike on Israel in April and Israels latest bombing of Iranian soil, marks a dangerous new phase: state-on-state warfare, with fewer restraints and higher stakes.

Analysts Opinions

Andrea Stricker, deputy director and research fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, speaking to Bloomberg said, To disable the facilities, it would require multiple days of fighter jets dropping bombs or launching missiles at the sites, and they would ideally use heavy bunker buster bombs, in order to penetrate the facilities. Namely, the Fordow facility enrichment site is around 60 to 90 meters deep. And then the Iranians were also talking about bringing a new enrichment facility online that is around 100 or more meters deep under a mountain near Natanz.

To take out or disable the nuclear program, and set it back for a number of months to years, were talking really heavy bombs and multiple bombing runs over many days.Ideally, they would have had the US involved because the US still has the heaviest bunker busters, but Israel has some that they could use on their own.

Rodger Shanahan, Middle East expert and former Australian army officer, speaking on the worst-case scenario in terms of Iranian retaliation, An indiscriminate attack against civilian population areas in Israel. That would be the red line. If its indiscriminate, then thats when you got in the kind of death spiral.

Mara Rudman, University of Virginia professor and former deputy envoy and chief of staff for the Office of the Special Envoy for Middle East Peace at the State Department, speaking to Bloomberg Television said, I think this is unlikely to be one-strike action by Israel given what the concerns are, what the objectives have been in terms of removing Irans ability to develop a nuclear weapon, and what it would take I believe with what Israel has available to them. I think people have to expect a long and extended campaign and one to which Iran would be responding in various ways.

Bilahari Kausikan, Singapores former permanent secretary for foreign affairs and former chairman of the Middle East Institute said, I think this will remain a regional conflict with most Sunni Arab states quietly siding with Israel. Although Iran may launch terrorist attacks worldwide as part of its retaliation, it can only become a wider war if major powers get involved on Irans side.

Ankit Panda, a Stanton senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, posted on social media, Israel has said it is not seeking regime change, but is narrowly targeting nuclear capabilities, but if some rumoured targets in Iran pan out, hard to see how that doesnt look like a broader political war aim to the Iranians. Really dangerous.

A potential full-scale war between Iran and Israel would further destabilize an already volatile Middle East, with serious implications for global security. Iran's missile advancements and unwavering position on nuclear enrichment, combined with the firm red lines set by the US and ongoing, yet slow moving, attempts at diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, have intensified tensions. Such a conflict could disrupt global oil supplies, involve international powers, and deepen regional instability.

(The writer, Asad Mirza, is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Israel's Air Force is continuing its airstrikes on Iran, Major General Effi Defrin, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said at a press conference, Trend reports.

"The Israel Defense Forces are actively implementing the attack plan to achieve the operation's set objectives while intensifying defense measures for Israel," he said.

He answered a question about a possible can of worms regarding a ballistic missile attack from Iran.

The operation is only just beginning, Defrin said.

He mentioned that the military is keeping a close eye on Iranian moves and getting ready for any reactions from Iran.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Indiana University's board of trustees has voted to amend a controversial policy restricting overnight campus protests, following a federal court's ruling that the regulation likely violated First Amendment protections.

The "expressive activity" policy, introduced in 2024 after a pro-Palestinian encampment remained on campus for months, banned camping and unapproved structures during demonstrations. Violations carried penalties ranging from suspension to termination.

The board unanimously voted on June 12 to remove the overnight protest ban and added language stating the policy must be interpreted "in favor of free speech rights." Changes were implemented minutes after the vote.

Trustee James Bopp Jr., a newly appointed First Amendment attorney, said during the meeting, "This issue, not only in my general practice but for the purposes of the university, is of critical importance that we get this right. I really want to compliment the general counsel, in my opinion, as having done that now."

Although the overnight restriction has been lifted, structures on campus for protests must still receive prior approval, and camping remains prohibited.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit against the policy last year, resulting in a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction in May. The judge ruled the policy was likely unconstitutional because it wasn't narrowly tailored as required by law.

The board's reversal follows widespread campus criticism and protests, including candlelight vigils held throughout the fall semester.

IU officials say the revised policy was shaped by stakeholder input and feedback from the court. University General Counsel Anthony Prather noted that the changes were under consideration prior to the court's decision.

The board also addressed budgetary matters and presidential compensation during the June 12 meeting.
Hailey Sorg, UWs Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute extension educator, speaks with visitors about tourism in Wyoming at the 2024 Sheep and Wool Festival. Participants can visit similar educational booths during the Park County Ag & Art tours. (UW Photo)

For those interested in local art and agriculture, University of Wyoming Extension will lead three self-guided tours in Wyoming counties this summer.

The first Ag & Art event takes place Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Three farms and ranches in Park County will host art and educational booths.

Participants may visit the three host sites at their own pace. At each of the sites, participants will experience hands-on demonstrations of the everyday operations of the farms or ranches. Extension educators will provide information about subjects from agriculture to nutrition, showing the range of services UW Extension offers.

Finally, local artists will create and sell work on site. Many forms of art will be on display, says Hailey Sorg, UWs Jay Kemmerer WORTH (Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality) Institute extension educator.

Its a great opportunity to see different art forms up close and hear directly from the artists about their inspiration and process, Sorg adds. Every stop offers something a little different, so theres always something new to discover.

To register for the event, visit https://wyoextension.org/ruralentrepreneurship/ag-art-tour_home/. The cost is $10 per person ages 11-64. Guests 65 or older and children 10 and under may attend for free. College students may attend for a discounted rate of $7. All participants, including those attending for free, are asked to pre-register for the event.

Participants will check in at each host site. At their first host site, they will receive a passport to fill out as they complete the tour. Completed passports can be turned in at the last tour stop to be entered into a raffle.

The event organizers request that participants leave pets at home, as pets may not be safe at the working agricultural operations that are hosting the events.

Sorg and fellow extension educators Brenna Litynski and Makayla Getz organized the Park County Ag & Art tour with support from the Park County Travel Council and other members of the community.

The second Ag & Art tour is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 9, in Albany County, followed by the final tour of 2025 in Laramie County Saturday, Aug. 23.

The Wyoming Ag & Art tours are ways for us to connect people with where their food and goods come from, while also appreciating the craftsmanship and creativity of our rural spaces, Sorg says. I would say its not just a tour, but a story about Wyoming and the people who make it unique.

To learn more, email the project team at wyagandarttour@gmail.com or visit https://wyoextension.org/ruralentrepreneurship/ag-art-tour_home/.

About University of Wyoming Extension

UW Extension serves Wyoming communities by helping residents apply university research and resources to practical problems. Since 1914, UW Extension has provided educational programs and tools to the states 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. From 4-H programming and pesticide safety education to food preservation and nutrition courses, UW Extension upholds the universitys land-grant mission by offering learning opportunities for people of all ages.

UW Extension staff members help Wyoming residents boost agricultural production, care for lawns and gardens, cultivate future leaders, support individual and community well-being, and develop thriving businesses. To learn more, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe or call (307) 766-5124.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran convened an emergency meeting following airstrikes carried out by Israel, the press service of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a statement, Trend reports.

The meeting focused on analyzing the current situation in the country. Government officials reviewed contingency plans and confirmed that all executive bodies are prepared to meet the populations essential needs, including fuel, medicine, and other critical goods. The statement said that necessary planning has been conducted to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential services to the public.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Our director of publication and editor-in-chief directed French magazines several years ago, and has won journalism awards abroad. He has regularly contributed to some fifteen major dailies and magazines around the world.

Voltaire, International Newsletter is available by subscription for 500 a year, is published 42 times a year (not in July-August, nor during the Christmas holydays). Its an indispensable tool for any professional in international relations or defense.

Whats more, 10 times a year, subscribers are invited to Zoom virtual meetings with publications director Thierry Meyssan.

Contents of issue N137

EDITORIAL

 3609 The "information control" of the European Union

AMERICAS

 3610 Charles III asserts the "sovereignty" of his dominion of Canada

 3611 New details emerge about the manipulation suffered by octogenarian Joe Biden

 3612 Divorce between Elon Musk and Donald Trump

 3613 Christy Walton (Walmart) vs. Donald Trump

 3614 The Department of Justice reveals the charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

 3615 California Riots

 3616 Donald Trump takes credit for the dramatic drop in crime

 3617 $80 billion in fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic

 3618 Washington opposes the recognition of the State of Palestine

 3619 CBO Issues Notice on Customs Duty Policy

 3620 Federal Trade Commission Investigates Companies Evaluating Media

EUROPE

 3621 Leo XIV and China appoint the bishop of Fuzhou

 3622 Opus Dei worried about Russian influence in the former East Germany

 3623 Poland wants to revise the Copenhagen Convention to fight Russia

 3624 EU starts negotiations for a strategic partnership with Syria

 3625 Recommendations from EU staff for Peace

 3626 Andrius Kubilius warns against a withdrawal of US forces from Europe

 3627 EU military highlights lack of concrete cooperation with NATO

 3628 The European Commission unveils its 18th package of sanctions

 3629 The commitments of the Ramstein group

 3630 State Department Begins Audit of Zelensky Administration

 3631 GRECOs report on corruption in the West

 3632 End of the allegation that Russia abducted 900,000 Ukrainian children

 3633 Russian opponents in favor with Brussels

 3634 Russian army expands operations in Dnepropetrovsk

AFRICA

 3635 The Wagner Group withdraws from Mali

 3636 Rwanda denies that the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region has established a commission of inquiry

ASIA

 3637 Parliamentary opposition fails to topple Netanyahus government

 3638 Boston Consulting Group breaks with Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

 3639 The Liberty Flotilla boarded

 3640 Israel eyes southern Lebanon again

 3641 Iran prepares for upcoming negotiations

 3642 U.S. withdraws all personnel from the Middle East

 3643 IranView24 accuses Rafael Grossi of complicity with Israel

 3644 Pacification of the Intra-Korean Border

 3645 Conversation between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

 3646 The 17 Territories for which the UN is calling for decolonization

 3647 The European Union supports the International Criminal Court against the United States

 3648 With the exception of Spain, NATO is moving towards the adoption of the 5% of GDP for military budgets
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The Israeli Embassy in Georgia has temporarily suspended its operations in response to recent developments in the region, the embassys official social media channels said, Trend reports.

Due to recent events, the embassy is closed, and consular services will not be available. For updates, please refer to the embassys official website," the post said.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Israeli planes parked in Fiumicino and Malpensa as Israel shuts Ben Gurion airport.

Israeli airlines evacuated their planes out of the country on Friday, including to Italy, after Israel launched a major attack on Iran's nuclear and military structure overnight.

The move, which comes amid high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran, was confirmed by a spokesperson for Ben Gurion Airport which remains shut until further notice.

Israel's three main carriers - El Al, Arkia and Israir - flew the planes out without passengers.

Among the dozens of empty planes evacuated to airports abroad, four were sent to Fiumicino in Rome and two to Malpensa in Milan, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Israel has vowed to continue to carry out strikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of taking steps to weaponise its nuclear programme - charges denied by Iran.

The regional escalation has prompted multiple foreign airlines to cancel flights to and from Israel, effectively cutting the country off from international air travel.

Airlines avoided much of the Middle East on Friday, as Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria all closed their airspaces, causing travel chaos in the region.

Photo credit: Barbarajo / Shutterstock.com.
As we head into what we hope will be a marvellous summer filled with long days in the great outdoors details of the search for Irelands Greenest Places 2025 have been announced - and we all know that in Waterford we have the finest green places!

Whether you live in a community, village, suburb or town or perhaps its a place you love to visit on a regular basis  the competition is open to anywhere on the island of Ireland - you can help it secure the coveted title of one of Irelands Greenest Places.

The initiative, which has been launched by The Irish Times, in association with Electric Ireland, will see each nominated place judged on specific criteria, including its beneficial environmental impact, level of ongoing collective engagement by the community and evidence of behavioural change by people.

To be in with a chance to claim the title for your place of choice, all you have to do is write a short submission  up to 300 words - explaining why its so special and the tangible contribution it makes to a genuinely greener environment.

Four years ago The Irish Times hosted a competition entitled Best Place to Live in Ireland and Waterford emerged the winner.

The Chair of the Judging Panel, Irish Times Features Editor Mary Minihan said they will be looking for places which offer a vision of a more sustainable future.

We chose place because its a deliberately broad term. People can nominate a suburb, village, town or community such as a peninsula, island or other distinct area anywhere on the island. The key will be how it measures up against the criteria outlined above, as well of course as care for nature and the local environment.

Over the next four months our judges will draw up shortlists based on the submissions, visit the front-runners, choose winners in each category and eventually choose an overall winner. We are looking forward so much to hearing from people from Waterford and all the other counties as soon as possible to help us identify Irelands Greenest Places 2025.

Former Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan, who is one of the judges, said one of the key objectives of the competition is to showcase the contributions people and communities are making to a greener Ireland.

"We know that Irish people care about climate change and that they are concerned about its effects on their lives. We also know that place-based solutions deliver climate actions that really work because they are developed and underpinned by community ownership.

With this initiative we want to celebrate whats happening in so many locations around the country, share those learnings as widely as possible and encourage more people to get involved in making their community a better place to live now and into the future."

Electric Irelands Lisa Browne said the company is proud to partner with The Irish Times as the sponsor of Irelands Greenest Places.

As a judge, Im looking forward to seeing the wonderful stories come in from communities around Ireland and their journey to a more sustainable life.

"This partnership is the perfect fit with our strategy to empower customers to live an all-electric life and to help customers to see how big or small changes can make a real difference.

Anyone can enter by writing a short pitch about a place they believe is contributing to a greener environment and helping to build climate resilience. The judging panel is looking forward to a challenging summer of deliberation with every stage in the process documented on a regular basis in The Irish Times.

Joining Mary Minihan, Eamon Ryan and Lisa Browne on the judging panel will be Irish Times Environment Editor Kevin OSullivan and Senior Features Writer Rosita Boland.

If you know a place in Ireland that deserves recognition for its contribution to a greener future, visit https://www.irishtimes.com/environment/2025/05/24/irelands-greenest-places-2025/ to submit your nomination.
A motion asking for Waterford City and County Council to call upon the Central Bank to take all possible steps to discontinue facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds was passed unanimously in the Council Chamber this week.

The motion brought forward by Cllr Thomas Phelan (Lab) received applause from local advocacy groups who were seated in the gallery.

When the history books are written, the people of Ireland, no more than the people of Waterford, will want to have taken every opportunity and chance available to condemn whats going on in Palestine, Cllr Phelan said, whilst introducing the motion to the floor.

Cllr Seamus Ryan, who seconded the motion, added, "Without a doubt its genocide thats being carried out in Palestine. We as a country should do everything we can, no matter how small or large the measure, to say to the Israeli government that this has got to stop."

Meanwhile, Cllr Adam Wyse highlighted the importance of local authorities supporting such causes, referencing recent online criticism directed at politicians for speaking on international issues.

Leading up to this meeting there was a lot of discourse online that Irish politicians should spend more time talking about Irish people and Irish problems than whats going on in the world.

We have responsibility as elected politicians to look after humans, simple as that, no matter where theyre from."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Trend reports.

The document was supported by 149 countries, including Azerbaijan, 12 voted against and 19 delegations abstained.

The document was adopted during the 10th emergency session of the General Assembly, which resumed its work on Thursday. The session is devoted to the illegal actions of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory. It was first convened in April 1997.
A man carrying an airgun in public was not aware it was an offence to do so, Waterford District Court has heard.

Conor Higgins (27), of 10 Emmet Place, Waterford city, pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic firearm in a public place on May 22, 2024.

Judge John Cheatle did not impose a penalty on the defendant but Sergeant John Phelan told the court that the defendant should not buy another and carry it around in public.

The issue is that someone sees it and it looks real. Its frightening, said Sgt Phelan.

AVAILABLE LOCALLY

The court heard that gardai received a report from a member of the public of a man walking around Summerhill Terrace with a suspected handgun.

Gardai identified the defendant from CCTV and searched his home.

During the search, the defendant handed over a BB gun.

Ballistics analysis showed that the article was a 6mm realistic airgun.

The court was told that the defendant had nine previous convictions.

Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court that the gun had been purchased locally for 70.

It was for this reason, he said, his client was surprised that the gardai came to his home.

He was unaware that, as he did not require a licence to possess the item he used to shoot cans, he could not carry it in public.

He cooperated fully with the gardai.

However, Mr Cunningham acknowledged that the person who made the report had no way of knowing it wasnt a real gun.

He told Judge Cheatle that his client did not threaten anyone with the airgun and there was no suggestion of violence.

Judge Cheatle took the charge into consideration with the defendants most recent conviction.

The judge also made a destruction order for the airgun.

The defendant was also charged with possession of drugs for personal use in the amount of 90, which was also taken into consideration.
Seven years ago, Airwallex co-founder Jack Zhang walked away from what looked like the deal of a lifetime. Stripe was offering to buy his firm for $US1.2 billion ($1.9 billion) and legendary Sequoia investor Michael Moritz was urging him to accept.

After weeks hashing out the details and sale price with Stripes billionaire co-founder Patrick Collison, Zhang was close to agreeing. Then doubts crept in. He called a vote with his three co-founders and over a WhatsApp call they decided to turn the offer down.

Zhang spent his early years in Chinas Shandong Province before he was sent to Melbourne to attend Westbourne Grammar School, where he lived with an Australian host family. Credit: Elke Meitzel

Since then, the firm they founded in Melbourne in 2015 has grown into a $US6.2 billion global banking and payments platform. Zhang holds a 12.5 per cent stake worth $US775 million ($1.19 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is valuing the 40-year-old for the first time.

While Airwallexs latest valuation is less than Stripes  most recently priced at $US91.5 billion  the two companies are increasingly overlapping as their product lines expand. Last year, Airwallex launched a new service helping US businesses accept payments online, bringing it into direct competition with Stripe. A few months later, Stripe launched multicurrency accounts, something Airwallex has offered since 2018.
Two men are in hospital and up to 50 people have been evacuated from their homes after an explosion blew out the wall of an apartment building in Lidcombe on Friday morning.

About 6.30am, a large explosion left a huge hole in the wall of the second floor of the three-level Clarence Street unit complex.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but police said a gas explosion was a line of inquiry, with witnesses at the scene reporting they could smell gas.

An occupant of the building, a man in his 40s, was found unconscious inside by firefighters. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition.
Ultimately, he is required to be deported to the country of origin where he holds a passport, which is Australia. He should not be detained by any country. Reslan said Haas was struggling physically and mentally, without the appropriate medical care, in Manilas filthy Camp Bagong immigration detention facility, where he had lost close to 30 kilograms last year. He had been the subject of an Interpol red notice, but it was removed on June 2. A red notice is issued by Interpol and sent to law enforcement agencies around the world to find and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The red notice contained inaccurate and unfounded allegations and operated in violation of various international conventions. As a consequence, Interpol agreed to set aside the red notice and delete the relevant data, Reslan said.

Ultimately, Interpol elected not to be used as a vehicle to deliver up a global citizen to foreseeable torture or death. Haas has been detained in the Philippines for more than a year. In a bid to convince the Philippines to hand him over and avoid a diplomatic firestorm with Australia, which staunchly opposes capital punishment, Indonesian officials last year promised Haas would not face the death penalty. There has been a change in the presidency in Indonesia since then, with former military general Prabowo Subianto succeeding Joko Widodo, and there is no certainty about that commitment being honoured. Indonesian officials have pushed to have Haas extradited in exchange for Alice Guo, a former mayor in the Philippines who was captured in Indonesia last September and sent back to Manila to face allegations of links to Chinese criminal groups, which she has denied.

We are aware Indonesia is applying pressure on the Philippines and there is some concern that such influence will leave him unjustifiably languishing in a cell for years, Reslan said. Contacted about the rescinded Interpol notice, an official at the Indonesian embassy in Manila said: We are waiting for the authority in Jakarta to follow up. Haas submission to Interpol made the case that his red notice had breached the organisations rules on processing of data with inaccurate information, as well as violating rights conferred under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It also argued that the notice was consistent with other Interpol rulings. Interpols decision is noteworthy because of the high bar required to revoke a red notice, which is an international alert for police to arrest a wanted fugitive. Phillip Gibson, a defence lawyer specialising in international crime with Sydney firm Nyman Gibson Miralis, said it was not common to have red notices withdrawn unless they had been issued at the request of an authoritarian nation such as Russia or China.

In my experience, its a difficult process. Its not that easy to achieve when the requesting state is a democracy, and has got a reasonable system of justice, he said. Haas predicament is a delicate matter for the Albanese government, which has prioritised ties in South-East Asia and with Indonesia in particular as China attempts to assert its influence in the region. Subianto agreed to a deal with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late last year for Indonesia to release the five remaining members of the Bali Nine who were serving life sentences over a heroin smuggling plot in 2005. Haas arrest in the Philippines. Credit: Nine News Australia and Indonesia have their own extradition treaty, but Australian law forbids the transfer of a person over an offence that carries the death penalty unless there is an undertaking that it will not be imposed or, if imposed, will not be carried out. The Philippines extradition agreements contain similar terms preventing the handover of people when execution is on the table.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in the Philippines, a spokesperson said. Owing to our privacy considerations we are unable to provide further comment.  Haas was accused by Indonesian investigators of being a member of Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel and of trafficking drugs from Guadalajara to Jakarta in December 2023, concealing them in ceramic tiles. Loading He has emphatically denied the allegations, saying he has never been to Mexico and that his arrest came after a business dispute he had in Indonesia in relation to buying a resort. In December, a judge in the Philippines ordered Haas release after he was recognised as a Filipino citizen as well as an Australian, a determination made after his mother produced documentation showing she was born in the country.
He added: In Clonavon Terrace, they stand around, there is mess everywhere, throwing bikes, there are piles of garbage and rumours of petty thefts and adults snatching kids phones. He showed CCTV footage of a black metal bar stool coming through the front window of the terraced property he and his girlfriend, Pavlina, 35, an agency worker from the Czech Republic, share with their 11-year-old daughter and two Jack Russells. Police Service of Northern Ireland officers in riot gear respond to civil unrest in Ballymena. Credit: Getty Images The stool, hurled by masked youths, was followed by a heavy tree planter hours after they had been warned by police to leave or stay in the living room, making it easier to escape if the house was torched. It was not random, the way they operate, he added. They roughly know where people are from.

Its not racist because its not about skin colour, but discriminatory, yes. It is very obvious they are trying to hound people out of the area, and they are being quite successful. The violence began on Monday following a vigil in support of the girl who had been assaulted, which was followed by disorder echoing the riots in the UK seen after the Southport murders, where children were attacked at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last year. Homes were torched and cars set alight as rioters clashed with police armed with protective gear. Credit: Getty Images It started in Clonavon Terrace, where the alleged assault took place, with homes torched and cars set alight as rioters clashed with police armed with protective gear and attempting to restore calm with their armoured Land Rovers. Three people had to be saved by firefighters after four houses were set alight.

On Tuesday, the violence moved elsewhere in the County Antrim town, which is home to 31,205 residents, as rioters targeted houses where they believed foreigners lived. Officers were met with a hail of petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks and were forced to fire baton rounds and bring in water cannons and dogs as cars were again set on fire in scenes described by police as racist thuggery. Officers were met with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks in scenes described by police as racist thuggery. Credit: Getty Images The violence continued on Wednesday night as well, and spread to other parts of Northern Ireland, despite Northern Irelands police chief vowing to arrest and prosecute the bigots and racists behind the violence. A total of 41 officers have been injured and 15 people arrested since the violence began four nights ago.

Earlier this week, the Police Service of Northern Ireland requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK as it brought in extra officers and equipment to the areas where unrest had erupted. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he utterly condemns the violence, while Jon Boutcher, the PSNIs chief constable, warned the disorder risked undermining the criminal justice process. Ballymena was 95.1 per cent white at the time of the latest census, with just 4.9 per cent of the population from another ethnic background, with Roma the largest minority. The violence began on Monday following a vigil in support of the girl who had been assaulted. Credit: Getty Images Although far less diverse than the rest of the UK, Ballymenas population has changed significantly over the last decade, when previously just one in 50 residents was from a non-white background.

Unemployment is above average, and there are long-standing tensions with the Roma community, which is accused by some of failing to integrate into the town. On Clonavon Terrace, people from around the town visited, curious to see the damage, while those actually living on the street feared that years of tensions between largely loyalist Protestant communities and some Roma residents would result in their homes being targeted. Andrei Boteanu, 32, a factory worker who is Romanian but not Roma, pointed at the remains of a redbrick house where the arrested teenagers are believed to have lived. Ballymena was 95.1 per cent white at the time of the latest census, with just 4.9 per cent of the population from another ethnic background. Credit: Getty Images They threw the bins inside; it took all night to burn, he said.

Boteanu feared they would do the same to his own house, but added that he was not surprised tensions had turned violent. Before, there were many cars coming there, there were 20 people inside. There were rats, garbage, and mattresses lying around. It was messy, they were all on benefits. We always complain about them, but nobody does anything. We didnt know that things would go so far. The Police Service of Northern Ireland requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK. Credit: Getty Images He added: Im worried because they dont know who lives in houses, it can be anyone. But I support local people, even if it was not right what local people did last night and the other night, I dont blame them for nothing. I would be the same, its a wee girl.

About 100 metres down the road, Emma Little-Pengelly, Northern Irelands deputy first minister, was harshly criticised as she met residents of the affected street who expressed concern their houses would not survive the night. I have constantly been putting in complaints, nobody wants to know, one said. We are not racist. I worked 30 years in medicine, my house is half the price I paid for it, another told the DUP politician. Unemployment is above average and there are long-standing tensions with the Roma community. Credit: Getty Images Despite the communal fears over immigration, many feared the violence had become mindless.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. The US Embassy in Israel has issued a warning to all its employees and their families, Trend reports.

The diplomatic mission has instructed them not to leave their current location until further notice for security reasons.

The previous day, the embassy advised employees and their families not to leave the borders of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba.

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From 27 to 29 May 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan conducted a National Technical Assistance workshop on the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin in Islamabad, Pakistan. This activity was funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF/China).

The Workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of government officials in Pakistan by providing in-depth training on rules of origin under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), including a dedicated session on advance rulings. A total of 57 participants attended the workshop, representing the Ministry of Commerce, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the National Tariff Commission, the Federal Board of Revenue, the Engineering Development Board, and the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) of Pakistan.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nasir Hamid, Additional Secretary for Trade Diplomacy at the Ministry of Commerce, expressed his appreciation to the WCO and the WTO for organizing the workshop. He underscored Pakistans active engagement in negotiating and reviewing various bilateral trade agreements, where preferential rules of origin play a critical role. Emphasizing their importance in maximizing the benefits of such agreements, he noted that the Government of Pakistan has made capacity building in this area a priority.

Mr. Hamid emphasized that the workshop addressed critical topics, including the economic impact of rules of origin, their relevance amid evolving geopolitical trade dynamics, and their particular significance for developing and least developed countries (LDCs). He stressed the importance of equipping officials with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate this complex area of international trade.

The workshop addressed various aspects of rules of origin in international trade, covering both preferential and non-preferential rules of origin and offering insights into their impact on trade, business, and investment decisions. It featured sessions on the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin, the role of the WTO Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) and the WCO Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO). A combination of theoretical modules and practical exercises enriched participants understanding and encouraged interactive learning. Key implementation areas, such as origin certification, origin verification, origin irregularities and the utilization of trade preferences, were also explored. A dedicated session on advance rulings on origin provided further guidance on how they can support predictability and compliance for both traders and Customs.

Participants shared their experiences with the national implementation of Rules of Origin under various FTAs and discussed the associated challenges. The interactive format encouraged peer learning through case studies and practical scenarios, effectively bridging theoretical concepts with real-world applications.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jawad Paul, Federal Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce, expressed sincere gratitude to the WCO and WTO for their continued support to developing member states. He emphasized the strategic importance of Pakistans active participation in free trade agreements and highlighted the critical role of preferential rules of origin in facilitating trade while safeguarding agreements from misuse by third-country products.

Mr. Paul proposed that relevant Pakistani agencies identify resource needs and develop an action plan to raise awareness among exporters on how to capitalize on the trade opportunities created by FTAs and market access initiatives. He also reaffirmed Pakistans commitment to continuing its collaboration with the WCO and WTO in this area.

For more information, please contact: ori@wcoomd.org
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trend reports.

During the call, Putin stressed the importance of resolving differences between Israel and Iran through peaceful means and urged a return to negotiations.

According to a statement from the Kremlin, both leaders underscored that all issues related to Irans nuclear program must be addressed solely through political and diplomatic efforts.

Earlier, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced that Netanyahu intended to discuss the recent strikes on Iranian territory with Putin.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that France is prepared to provide Israel with full support in the event of potential attacks from Iran following recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trend reports.

Speaking at a press conference broadcast by the Elysee Palace press service, Macron emphasized Frances commitment to Israels security.

With regard to Iran, we support Israels security. In the event of a retaliatory attack by Iran, France is ready to take part in Israels defense, given its influence and capabilities. We have clearly stated our position on this matter, Macron said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Several rockets fired from Iran have hit the headquarters of the Israeli Ministry of National Security in Tel Aviv, Trend reports.

According to sources, the ministry building sustained damage as a result of the shelling.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Irish bishops have accused the Israeli government of genocidal actions and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip.

The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference called for arms supplies to Israel to be cut off and urged parishioners to lobby their local politicians.

It said that during the month of June, all parishes on the island of Ireland are being asked to express their solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians.

In Gaza people are starving and adequate aid is being denied; it seems clear that famine is being used as a weapon of war. Already over 600,000 Palestinians have been displaced, it said.

The evidence points to a staged strategy of ethnic cleansing aimed at removing the Palestinian people from their homes and their homeland.

It is becoming increasingly clear to people on the ground that these are genocidal actions sanctioned by the Government of Israel.

Israels 20-month military campaign in Gaza has killed nearly 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas health ministry.

The military operation has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population, often multiple times over.

A two-and-a-half-month blockade imposed by Israel when it ended a ceasefire with Hamas have raised fears of famine and a new Israeli and US-backed aid system has been marred by chaos and violence.

What is happening in Gaza  and the West Bank  is the death of tens of thousands of non-combatants, many of them women and children, the Irish bishops said.

This is unconscionable and disproportionate. It is immoral for world leaders to stand by inactively in the face of this outrageous tragedy for humanity.

The bishops urged people to lobby their political representatives, support humanitarian aid and to pray for the conflict to end.

It added: There is an urgent need for the international community to intervene, cut off arms supplies and bring the carnage to an end.

This will call for courage on the part of leaders. Examples of courage are being given every day by heroic doctors, nurses and aid workers risking their lives in service of the wounded and those who have been displaced.

The statement, issued on Friday, quoted Pope Leo XIV from a general audience he gave on May 28th, where he said parents in the Gaza Strip clutch the lifeless bodies of children and who are continually forced to move in search of a little food and safer shelter from bombing.

I renew my appeal to the leaders: ceasefire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza after Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 hostages on October 7th, 2023.

The militants still hold 55 hostages  less than half of them believed to be alive  after more than half the captives were released during ceasefires or other deals.
A historic homecoming could soon be on the cards as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering a personal and symbolic visit to County Mayo, where both his grandparents were born and raised.

Minister Alan Dillon confirmed that early high-level discussions are underway following a meeting in Mayo with Canadian Ambassador Dennis King, raising hopes of a visit to his ancestral roots.

Prime Minister Carney has deep family roots in Ayle, Aughagower, near Westport, and it would be an honour to welcome him here. Theres genuine interest in making this happen, and I fully support any Government effort to facilitate a visit of this magnitude, said Minister Dillon.

While no official confirmation has been made yet, there is a strong interest in organising a future visit. A visit of this kind would carry huge symbolic significance for the people of Mayo. Im hopeful we can turn that ambition into reality.

The meeting between Minister Dillon and Ambassador King also focused on supercharging Irish-Canadian ties in key areas including trade, enterprise, education and tourism.

We had a dynamic and forward-looking conversation about how we can strengthen bilateral trade under CETA, particularly by helping our businesses diversify export markets in light of ongoing US trade tariffs. Canada is a vital growth market for Irish agriculture, and theres huge potential to ramp up foreign direct investment (FDI) between our two economies, said Minister Dillon.

The pair also explored enhanced collaboration in the education sector, including student exchanges and research partnerships, as well as increasing inward visitor numbers to Ireland through joint tourism efforts, especially where shared heritage can be celebrated.

This meeting marked the beginning of what I hope will be a deeper, long-term partnership with Canada, Minister Dillon concluded. I look forward to working closely with Ambassador King and the Embassy in building this relationship and, hopefully, welcoming Prime Minister Carney to Mayo in the near future.
Ballinrobe auctioneer and local councillor Michael Burke has warned there will be a homelessness crisis in Mayo in a matter of months as a result of private landlords leaving the housing market.

There is a real problem coming down the line as private landlords are leaving the housing market in droves," Cllr Burke told last week's meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District.

I am inundated every day with people coming into my office looking for houses to rent because they are being told the private landlord is moving out of the rental market. They are seeing the highest values for their property now and want to sell up.

So I know, come October, we will definitely have a serious problem in Ballinrobe, where people will become homeless because there are no houses to rent.

I have calls from Westport and all over from people looking to rent. We have a serious problem coming up on housing, it is coming down the line, it will be with us in three or four months and I dont know how we are going to handle it.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Damian Ryan said regulations and inspections by local authorities were causing the exodus of private landlords, adding that council houses were not subject to the same assessments even though many are "in a far poorer condition".

Cllr Patsy OBrien agreed: You may ask why are people selling houses but why wouldnt they, landlords are being hunted down in these assessments. But if you inspect any council house you will find no toilets or anything else. I think the system is very unfair. You have to start at your own door first.

Cllr Richard Finn said there was a previous system in place where councils could purchases houses for people already in receipt of housing or social welfare assistance under the tenant-in-situ scheme but this was no longer allowed following government regulation."

He also said he had sympathy for the council's Director of Housing Tom Gilligan.

Tom gets blamed for everything. We are beginning to blame ourselves from the inside when the directive has come down from Dublin. The majority of private landlords are fed up with the system and want to get out and that is leaving it all to the vultures and once they are in charge, they will decide what the rent will be. Before this, landlords had a relationship with people they were renting to and they also had a social conscience.

It was unanimously agreed that the municipal council writes to the relevant ministers and asks that the system of inspection of private stock be also applied to public stock.
COMMUNITY NOTES: CLAREMORRIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (JUNE 10 EDITION)

There was a moment of history at Mount St Michael, Claremorris last week, as the Jennings sisters reached a significant milestone. With Tara Jennings graduating, her final day in school marked the end of a unique chapter - the only time in the schools records that five sisters from the same family attended together in the same academic year.

Valerie, Shauna, Emma, Katie and Tara have made a lasting impression on the school community. Staff and classmates extended their best wishes to Tara as she embarks on her next chapter, and thanked the Jennings family for their contribution to school life.
Weather Alert

Bulletin: ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Portions of New Jersey, including the following areas, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Northwestern Burlington, Salem, Somerset and Western Monmouth and southeast Pennsylvania, including the following areas, Delaware, Eastern Chester, Eastern Montgomery, Lower Bucks, Philadelphia, Upper Bucks, Western Chester and Western Montgomery. * WHEN...From 10 AM EDT this morning through this evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - The remnants of Chantal will move into the Mid Atlantic this morning bringing areas of heavy rain. The tropical airmass will bring generally 1 to 2 inches of rainfall across the urban corridor but will have the potential to bring isolated amounts up to 5 inches leading to flash flooding. The showers and thunderstorms will generally come to an end by 7 to 8 pm this evening with any residual flooding from showers today coming to an end during the overnight hours. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. &&

Info:

Type: Flood Watch

start_time_local: 2025-07-07T10:00:00-04:00

end_time_local: 2025-07-07T22:00:00-04:00

county_name:

state: PA

headline: Flood Watch from MON 10:00 AM EDT until MON 10:00 PM EDT

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Unknown

severity: Moderate

certainty: Unknown

geographicname: Upper Bucks County

state_name: Pennsylvania
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. In response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the United Kingdoms Ministry of Transport has advised all vessels flying the British flag to refrain from entering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Trend reports.

A document issued by the ministry stated that this recommendation also applies to ships registered in Gibraltar and the Bermuda Islands.

The statement emphasizes that if a vessel must transit through these waters, the highest level of security measures must be implemented, and the number of crew members on board should be kept to a minimum.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 13. Turkiyes foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, defense minister Yasar Guler, Chief of General Staff, General Metin Gurak, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kaln, held a high-level meeting in Ankara to address Israels recent air strikes on Iran, Trend reports citing the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The meeting focused on the air assault and its potential regional repercussions.

In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iranian territory. The strikes resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking military officials, including Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Gholamali Rashid, six nuclear scientists, and several senior officials.

Iran has formally requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations (UN) Security Council regarding the incident. At the same time, Iranian authorities have announced that a retaliatory strike against Israel will be carried out.

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The independent Geneva watchmaker Agenhor, which makes movements for brands like Hermes, Ming, Parmigiani, Van Cleef and Arpels, and H. Moser & Cie., is moving a few hundred metres to a new space on the outskirts of Meyrin. This is also the start of a new chapter for the company.

Some years ago, Nicolas and Laurent Wiederrecht took over the reins of Agenhor, founded by their parents Jean-Marc and Catherine Wiederrecht in 1996.

Today the headcount is 23 staff, and with Nicolas as the general manager, the company is being run in a different way. My role is not telling our team what to do, I want to release everybodys potential by helping them to find the right solutions. I tell them that you are the expert, you are able to do this, dont be shy to use your expert skills, Nicolas said.

Nicolas Wiederrecht  Agenhor

These revolutionary tactics that mean more teamwork have worked  for some. Some people are opening their wings, flying on their own. Others were not satisfied. They did not want to behave like this, their skill is to do what must be done in a very good way, and to make it even better than we ask for. It was a clear path; now the team need to imagine where the path should go, Nicolas continued, adding that when hiring new people, he tries to find free-minded entrepreneurs ready to co-create. It is a bit of a risk  one day they will probably leave to start their own company. But within the time they are here, they can go further than employees normally do. I would like to quote Jean-Claude Biver: you will never achieve anything unless you surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, he said, adding that this way of thinking is not AI, it is HI: human intelligence.

The big question for watch brands is of course if the new strategy, and the mid-August move from the purpose-built villa on Rue Emma-Kammacher to the fourth floor of the Atrium building above the Zimeysa station, will affect Agenhors offering?

It is very exciting with the move! The whole building curves, which brings a dynamic freshness, and we will have wide overall views from the Jura to the Alps. But basically, we are offering a bit of the same same but different, Nicolas said, then laughed. The next project to be released is planned for H. Moser & Cie., which is also a minority stakeholder in Agenhor. It is a chronograph equipped with the Agengraphe movement developed by Agenhor. It is also skeletonised a bit with an open dial, Nicolas explained of the

H. Moser & Cie.Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition, released on May 30, 2025.

Streamliner Alpine Drivers Edition  H. Moser & Cie.

Historical recap

But what made Agenhor what it is today? Famous for the Agengraphe movement, an integrated chronograph with central hands, most of their creations are modular. Modules are coming back in fashion  it is a large part of our activity, Nicolas said, adding that the first module Jean-Marc made was a moon phase for Chopard. Modules allow people to have watches a bit more affordable, since you dont have to reinvent the whole movement. The downside is of course that it requires a bit more space and makes a watch a little bit thicker. One of our strengths is that we are good at finding the balance between thickness and cost.

According to Nicolas, one of the most popular module requests at the moment is perpetual calendars. Jumping hours are also trending now; the retrograde is making a comeback; and the tourbillon is returning as well.

Arceau Le Temps Suspendu  Hermes

Among Agenhor evergreens you find two movements that are still very much in vogue thanks to new releases from the brands: Hermes Temps Suspendu (introduced in 2011) and Van Cleef & Arpels Pont des Amoureux (first released in 2010).

Pont des Amoureux  Van Cleef & Arpels

Among more recent creations you find Parmigianis offering of cultural perpetual calendars.

We design the movements or the modules, but all our components are made by Swiss suppliers. We assemble, test and all the rest. We also make more and more decorations, and one exciting thing with the new space is that we will have seven CNC machines on the same floor. They are not ours, they belong to company Studi-Ho SA founded by Thomas Guinand. So, we are not a manufacture, but it will be under the same roof, which could come in handy if we need something to be made quickly.

For Nicolas, Swiss made is important when it comes to suppliers. I like to be able to hop in the car and go and meet people. If the human relationship is good, then the component will be good. We have a dense network working together here in Switzerland, and we keep it at the top of the worlds watchmaking quality. You mustnt deceive a client into believing something that isnt true. The important thing is to remain transparent about what you do and where your components come from.
Dancing has many positive effects on the body and mind: it strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, helps tone muscles, reduces stress, releases endorphins, and even helps improve interpersonal relationships. Now, a recently published review and meta-analysis determines that dancing is also just as effective as exercise in terms of psychological and cognitive outcomes. This means that dancing can help improve the quality of life of people with early stages of Parkinsons, Alzheimers, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and it also helps reduce anxiety and improve depressive symptoms. Like exercise, dancing has a positive effect on mental health, says Alicia Fong Yan, study coordinator and researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney (Australia).

The analysis reveals that engaging in structured dance of any genre for at least six weeks or more significantly improves the psychological and cognitive health of those who practice it. Twenty-seven studies with a total of 1,392 participants were analyzed, and the results suggest that dance demonstrated potential superiority over physical exercise in improving motivation and consistency. Higher retention rates were observed in dance interventions compared to other physical activities. Adherence is very important because it ensures long-term health benefits and is also the greatest challenge when it comes to exercise, emphasizes Dr. Fong Yan.

Although exercise produces improvements in cognition in general, dancing had greater effectsin improving cognitive function and reducing stress and anxietythan resistance, strength, or mixed exercises. Furthermore, exercising in a group setting has been shown to have additional benefits for mental health compared to exercising alone, the paper states. Dancing is a valuable tool for combating depression, which is currently considered a pandemic along with sedentary lifestyles, agrees Alicia Leal Alvarez, a physical education teacher in Madrid who was not involved in this study.

The key is in the enjoyment

Among the conclusions reached by the team of Australian researchers is that dancing contributes to emotional well-being, reduces depression, and improves some aspects of memory. Eye contact and group dancing, combined with creative expression, contribute to improving symptoms, adds Dr. Fong Yan, who in her analysis highlights one of the key points: Enjoyment of the activity is crucial for sustained engagement and psychological benefits, the study explains.

Ana Belen Lopez-Rodriguez, research coordinator at the Neurology Department of the Hospital de la Princesa (Madrid), agrees: If there is enjoyment, there will be a benefit because it allows you to commit to the activity: you are motivated, engaged, and that makes you physically go to class.

This Spanish neuroscientist, who also did not participate in the study, praises the meta-analysis because it confirms with data what was already a suspicion, although much research remains to be done. In addition to being a neuroscientist, Lopez-Rodriguez is a flamenco dancer and has a science outreach account called Matrioska Lere where she blends science, dance, and the relationship between the two. There are numerous studies that suggest that dance movement helps us release many molecules, one of them, in particular, is the brain-derived neurotrophic factorBDNFwhich allows for the establishment of new neuronal connections, new synapses that will promote cognitive reserve, says the specialist.

Ana Belen Lopez holds a reproduction of a human brain next to a shawl and some castanets. Jaime Villanueva

However, Lopez-Rodriguez points out that she disagrees with the authors of the analysis on comparing dance and exercise. For her, the combination of both is the winning option for improving health, although she highlights some additional benefits that dancing can have on our bodies. A recent study compared exercise with dance on a physical level, but in the case of dance, the cognitive benefits were much more evident because we engage several areas of our brain. We use memory to learn choreography, we are more aware of our body, we work on balance, motor skills, coordination, and spatial orientation, and if we dance in front of a mirror, it helps us correct our posture, she explains.

Furthermore, Dr. Lopez-Rodriguez points out that enjoying dancing could be a complementary tool that contributes to the treatment of anxiety or depression. There are times when exercise or dancing can help you stop dwelling on those ruminating or repetitive thoughts.

What happens in the brain when we dance?

Dancing releases endorphins, known as happiness hormones, which help reduce stress levels and improve mood, but not only that: When we dance, a kind of breeding ground is produced in our brain, in which the molecules that make us feel good are enhanced and those that produce unpleasant emotions are reduced, as long as we are enjoying the activity, explains the neuroscientist. This breeding ground promotes neuronal growth, relaxation, empathy, pleasant emotions, socialization, belonging, communication and, on the other hand, reduces ruminating thoughts, stress, cortisol... It helps us compensate, to achieve homeostasis, a point of balance that generates well-being, says Lopez-Rodriguez.

The review of studies led by the University of Sydney highlights the need for further research into the benefits of dance for physical and mental health. Future research on dance for health should explore a variety of populations. There is more research on the cognitive benefits of dance among older adults, while research on mental health is more focused on younger populations. Investigating the effects of dance on different clinical populations will expand the body of literature, explains Dr. Fong Yan, who emphasizes the importance of building scientific evidence by exploring different types of dance, musical genres, and age groups within the population.

The researcher explains that the new findings could help discover whether there is a particular genre that is more beneficial for certain aspects of physical or psychological health, such as tango or salsa. All dance studios for health should record the details of their interventions to ensure they can be compared with exercise programs in terms of strength and balance elements, cognitive and creative challenge, and the cardiorespiratory intensity of each session, says Dr. Fong Yan. Ana Belen Lopez-Rodriguez goes further and suggests the possibility of prescribing dance in the office, something that exists in other countries, but not in Spain. And thinking about the use of Latin American rhythms in Zumba classes, she suggests with a smile: Why not create a flamenco fit or a ballet crossfit if we find it works?

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Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran early Friday morning, a decision with unpredictable consequences. Benjamin Netanyahus government, which has dubbed the offensive Operation Rising Lion, claims to have deployed some 200 combat aircraft against some 100 targets related to one of Tehrans most sensitive elements: its nuclear program. Over the course of several hours, the attack struck nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military officials. The objective, according to Netanyahu, is to prevent Iran from obtaining atomic weapons, something it could achieve in less than a year. Tehran, which has promised a severe counterattack, subsequently launched around 100 drones toward Israeli territory.

Among the fatalities, according to the Iranian regime itself, is the head of the Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, who just hours earlier had declared that his forces were ready to counter any aggression. Other military officials and at least six scientists from the nuclear program were also killed. The Iranian news agency Tasnim identified them as Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi, Motalleblizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoun Abbasi. The Mehr news agency reported the deaths of at least nine people in Israeli airstrikes between Tehran, the capital, Tabriz, in the northwest of the country, and Shiraz, in the southwest. Both Iran and Israel have closed off their airspace.

Meanwhile, Israel is under a state of national emergency. Cell phone messages were issued, warning the population to take cover in case of a possible response from Iran. The Israeli armys top commander acknowledged these threats, and shortly afterward, a military spokesman announced that Iran had launched 100 drones toward Israeli territory, which they were attempting to intercept.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei said in a message to the nation that the consequences of the Israeli attack launched in the early hours of the morning have been severe, including attacks on residential areas, but that the Jewish state must expect a severe response. Khamenei confirmed that several military commanders and scientists were killed in the bombings, but that their successors and colleagues will resume their work immediately.

Israel targets uranium enrichment site

Our brave pilots are attacking a large number of targets across Iran, Netanyahu announced in a video, detailing that the objective is to attack Irans nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities. Specifically, the Israeli prime minister referred to the bombing carried out on the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province, where a uranium enrichment program up to a level of 60% purity has been in place since 2021. Iranian official sources acknowledge that the attacks hit these facilities several times.

As part of the offensive, Israels foreign intelligence service, the Mossad, carried out a series of sabotage operations to disable Iranian air defenses and missile installations, according to Axios reporter Barak David, speaking to CNN. No U.S. forces participated in the mission, but Netanyahu welcomed the role President Donald Trump is playing in curbing Tehrans arms race.

Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In any case, Washington was previously informed of the attack, according to Israeli media.

Netanyahu recalled the attacks carried out by Tehran  the first of their kind in history  against Israel last April and October, and how they defended themselves by striking inside Iranian territory. The ballistic missiles used then, whose production capacity has increased to 10,000 in three years, could carry a nuclear payload, soon he warned, describing what he called an intolerable threat that could spread the nightmare of nuclear terrorism even to Europe and America. Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the great Satan. As in previous attacks, Netanyahu sought to send a message to the Iranian people, whom he claims he is trying to free from the yoke of their current regime. I believe that the day of your liberation is near, he declared.

Israeli authorities have declared a national state of emergency, allowing critical services to operate, and school classes and non-essential commercial activity have been suspended. We have been preparing for this operation for a long time, and unprecedented efforts have been made, but I cannot promise absolute success because the Iranian regime will try to attack us in response, acknowledged General Eyal Zamir, head of the Israel Defense Forces. Despite this thorough preparation, the order for the June 13 attack came from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday. A point of no return had been reached, according to Zamir.

Netanyahu linked the Holocaust suffered by European Jews at the hands of the Nazis 80 years ago with the nuclear Holocaust that Iran supposedly intends to unleash. He believes that the first attempt to wipe out Israel has failed. This began with the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed in Israeli territory. That day opened the door to a new phase of the regional conflict in which the Jewish state maintains open fronts in addition to Iran  which it considers the leader of the so-called axis of evil  in Gaza, the West Bank, Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. Tehran, according to Netanyahu, is now seeking another avenue of attack, which is nuclear, and that is why he justified Fridays preemptive strike.

In this sense, Netanyahu wants to establish himself as a regional savior by blocking Irans allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, allowing that country to have a new government today. Something similar, he said, occurred with the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria, and he also claims similar intent with his attempt to liquidate Hamas in Gaza, where more than 55,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.

Throughout Thursday, Israeli authorities had maintained a cautious silence regarding the operation and its imminence. With the complicity of its main ally, the United States, the possibility of striking Tehran had been sown through various media outlets in that country. As if it were all part of the perennial dialectic of war, the leaks alluded to the Jewish states readiness. President Donald Trump expressed his opposition to such an offensive and counted on the possibility of reaching an agreement with the Iranian regime. At the same time, Netanyahu warned that Israel was ready to respond should Iran launch a counterattack. The operation, the Israeli prime minister added, will continue for as many days as necessary to quell what they consider the Iranian threat, which Israel believes is capable of developing nuclear weapons in less than a year.

Both administrations had announced a sixth round of negotiations on Irans nuclear weapons program for this Sunday in Muscat, the capital of Oman. Previously, the White House envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, was set to meet with a high-level Israeli delegation led by Israeli Foreign Minister and Netanyahus right-hand man, Ron Dermer, and the head of the Mossad intelligence service overseas, David Barnea.

All of that has been blown out of the water by the Israeli strikes. Netanyahu justified the attack thus: Today, it is clear that Iran is just buying time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act. And act now. The hardest decision any leader has to make is to thwart a danger before it is fully materialized. The prime minister concluded his speech with further references to Nazism and the lessons learned throughout history, before resorting to the Holy Scriptures: As the Bible teaches us, when someone comes to kill you, rise and act first. This is exactly what Israel has done today.

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The Donald Trump administration will direct its criminal prosecution apparatus toward networks of corrupt foreign officials who collaborate with drug cartels. It will also focus on dismantling the networks of front companies used by drug traffickers to launder illicit proceeds. This is the next step in Trumps toughened strategy against organized crime groups, after having designated eight cartels  six of them Mexican  as terrorist organizations. This new policy against white-collar crime, while not specifically directed at Mexico, implies that in the future, Washington will not only pursue drug lords but will also begin to demand that its southern neighbor, or any other country, take more decisive action against corrupt public officials.

The new strategy was announced this week by the office of U.S. Assistant Attorney General Todd Blanche. In a memo, the official outlined the new guidelines for enforcing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which had been temporarily suspended with the start of the Trump administration. The document, sent on June 9 to Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, establishes a list of conditions that an alleged crime must meet for a criminal investigation to be initiated under the law. Regarding drug cartels, Blanches directive states that investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitates the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations should be prioritized.

The memorandum argues that the dominance of cartels and other international crime organizations produces instability and violence, and erodes the rule of law and economic growth. Therefore, it indicates, seeking to eradicate these criminal groups will require a sustained effort to pursue their corrupt partners and dismantle the financial mechanisms and front companies used by these criminal networks. Blanche states that, to undertake an investigation under the FCPA, one of three conditions must be met: the alleged crime must be linked to the criminal operations of a cartel or transnational organization; the use of front companies connected to the laundering of cartel funds; or the involvement of employees of state entities or other foreign officials who have received bribes from the cartels.

In February, Trump declared the Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), La Familia Michoacana, Carteles Unidos, Cartel del Noroeste, and the Gulf Cartel as terrorist organizations. One of the consequences of this declaration was to strengthen Washingtons tools to target the financial networks that support the criminals daily operations. It also expanded Washingtons authority to use direct force, sparking controversy over how far the United States could violate Mexicos sovereignty in order to enforce Trumps strategy against the cartels.

Legal expert Estefania Medina, director of the litigation organization Tojil, explains that Deputy Attorney General Blanches memorandum is a guide to the global application of the FCPA, but that it will have specific effects for Mexico in cases related to the public, corporate, and financial sectors. Of course, if matters involving cartels that fall under these headings are going to be the number one priority, and there are six Mexican cartels designated as terrorist organizations, its obvious that, for practical reasons, some cases will be related to Mexico. But its more of a practical matter; it doesnt seem to me to be a deliberate message to Mexico, Medina explains in an interview from Washington.

Trumps strengthened policy against white-collar crime not only focuses on combating drug trafficking support networks: companies and officials who disrupt free competition and undermine investment opportunities for U.S. firms will also be prosecuted. Considering that expanding business abroad and pursuing economic prosperity is a matter of national security, the U.S. will act against corrupt competitors who bribe public officials to obtain illicit contracts and benefits, thus putting American corporations at a disadvantage, according to Blanches memo.

News of Washingtons alleged interest in taking action against Mexican narcopolitics has been circulating for several months, with no official confirmation. This week, Reuters reported that the Trump administration has specifically asked officials of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaums government to investigate politicians with possible ties to drug trafficking and extradite them to the U.S. if necessary. In these conversations, according to the British news agency, Mexican counterparts have been urged to take action, even against politicians from Morena, the ruling party.

The Sheinbaum administration has denied that the United States has made such requests. A few weeks ago, ProPublica also reported that Washington was preparing a list of names of several dozen politicians who would be subject to travel restrictions for their links to corruption stemming from drug trafficking. Beyond the U.S. targeting specific individuals, Trump has stated that drug cartels dominate large areas of Mexican territory and that the Sheinbaum administration is afraid to take action against them.
The FBI raided the wrong house. The Supreme Court says the family is allowed to sue
The WSWS urges workers to come forward with information and support this investigation. Fill out the form at the end to send us your comments. Your identity will be kept confidential.

Antonio Gaston [Photo: Gofundme]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has denied the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the World Socialist Web Site for inspection records on the August 2024 death of Antonio Gaston at the Stellantis Toledo Jeep Complex in Ohio. The 53-year-old worker, a father of four, was crushed to death under circumstances that have still not been explained by the company, the United Auto Workers (UAW), or OSHA.

OSHAs inspection records are critical evidence for the independent investigation launched by the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees into the death of Ronald Adams Sr., a 63-year-old machine repairman at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Complex on April 7, 2025, less than eight months after Gastons death.

The only information released by OSHA about the Toledo tragedy reads:

At 1:30 a.m. on August 21, 2024, a logistics department stock clerk was providing materials to the production line. While standing on the right side of carriage line 910R, he reached across the conveyor to retrieve a pail on the opposing 910L side. The line activated, catching his torso between the carriage assembly and the conveyor housing. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple blunt force injuries.

More than three months later, on November 29, 2024, OSHA cited Stellantis for a serious safety violation for failing to provide proper machine guarding and protect workers from pinch points on the IPF Chassis Delivery Conveyor.

Without the benefit of effective guarding, OSHA wrote, employees were exposed to caught-in/pinch-point hazards created by carrier conveyor components, including steel trolley wheels, travel rail tracks, and vehicle hub assemblies.

OSHA fined Stellantis $16,131roughly what the company earns in less than two minutes. Stellantis contested the penalty on December 14, 2024. The case is still listed as contested.

On May 16, the WSWS filed the FOIA request to obtain the information that Gastons co-workers and workers throughout the auto industry and beyond need to know to protect their lives.

June 11 OSHA letter denied FOIA request

On June 11 OSHA responded in a letter signed by Joanne M. Ries, a government information specialist from the Chicago Region of OSHA:

The inspection record you requested is in contest; therefore, the record is part of an open litigation and will not be available until this action is complete. Your request has been denied.

OSHA cited U.S.C.  552(b)(7)(a), which permits withholding law enforcement records if disclosure could interfere with enforcement proceedings. It also cited  552(a)(8)(A), which protects against foreseeable harm from disclosure.

No explanation was provided for how sharing the cause of Gastons death with workers would interfere with proceedingsunless it threatened Stellantis and its allies in the UAW bureaucracy.

In fact, withholding this information has already endangered workers. Ronald Adams, a respected worker, husband, father, and grandfather, died under similar circumstances at a Stellantis plant just 23 miles away.

The refusal to release the inspection report as long as the case is contested is a dire warning to Adams family and co-workers, who have been stonewalled by Stellantis, the UAW, and Michigan OSHA (MIOSHA) for over two months.

Ronald Adams Sr. [Photo by Adams Family]

A worker with experience dealing with MIOSHA explained:

These companies have powerful law firms. They drag cases out. A second appeal triggers a conference with MIOSHAs Appeals Division, and there's horse trading. MIOSHA has 30 days to propose a settlement. The company has another 30 days to accept or reject. If theres no deal, it goes to an Administrative Law Judgewho has no deadline. Employers can delay hearings and try to discredit OSHA inspectors through depositions.

Toledo Jeep workers have responded with great interest to the rank-and-file investigation into the death of Ronald Adams Sr. A former worker told the WSWS Adams story deeply resonated with her because of the systematic neglect and even hostility towards worker safety at the Jeep plant.

It reminded me of one of ours, [Antonio Gaston], who was recently killed. So, when I saw Ronnie Adams, I thought its so local, it could be me or my friends out here. I was a forklift operator at Toledo Jeep, and I can tell you, the equipment there is regularly failing. You take your life in your hands every day. They use [forklift] rentals, and theyre not maintained, so when you get to work, you basically have to get there early to fight your coworkers for something functional. They try to turn us all against each other.

She continued: Ive worked at Amazon, where we were heavily surveilled, and at UPS. No place is worse than Toledo Jeep. Its the wild west. It ruined my body. I will never be able to work a physical job again.

There have been accidents when the brakes failed, and because everyone is made to feel individually responsible for safety, after something like this its common to flee the scene, rather than report it and get in trouble.

Tuggers had faulty hitches and trailers that would cause us to lose the load no matter how safe you drove. The trailer latch failed while I was transporting a load of car batteries inside the plant. They crashed to the floor and spilled battery acid everywhere. It didn't get cleaned up for days, they just put a cone next to it.

Describing how UAW Local 12 officials colluded with management, she said, You can go to your union rep but its pointless. If you don't keep up, you will get bullied, and they will move you to someplace worse. If you complain about safety, you will be intimidated and told youre not cut out for the job. Every area is so unsafe.

One car went off the track and rolled downhill. Its a miracle it didnt roll over the workers on the other end. We warned them. But its a normal thing that they then try to spin onto us.

I am not sure how to change this for the better, but letting people know about the conditions in these plants is an important first step, she said, expressing her support the rank-and-file investigation into Ronald Adams death.

The WSWS urges workers to come forward with information and support this investigation. Fill out the form below to send us your comments. Your identity will be kept confidential.
Representative Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic nomination for New Jersey governor Tuesday, defeating five rivals thanks to heavy fundraising and political support from the bulk of the party establishment. She will face Republican Jack Ciattarelli, a former state legislator who narrowly lost a previous gubernatorial race in 2021.

Sherrills victory means that in the two main statewide elections of 2025, for the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia, the Democratic Party is nominating candidates drawn directly from the military-intelligence apparatuswhat the WSWS has characterized as the CIA Democrats.

Former Navy helicopter pilot and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian fascist Azov Brigade soldiers in New Jersey on September 26, 2022 [Photo: Association of families of defenders "Azovstal"]

Sherrill was a helicopter pilot in the course of a decade in the Navy, and photos of herself in military uniform dominated her campaign website. Based at the Navys European headquarters at Naples, Sherrill flew commanders and other top officials, and also served as a Russian Policy Officer, maintaining relations with the Russian Navy.

After winning an open congressional seat in 2018, a year in which she was one of more than 60 military-intelligence veterans to seek Democratic congressional nominations, Sherrill has been principally involved in national-security issues. She is a member of the Armed Services Committee, and was selected by the Democratic leadership to serve on the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. This committee was created with bipartisan backing to foment anti-Chinese war propaganda.

The primary campaigns set a new record for money raised and spent, and demonstrated the dominating role of Wall Street in the affairs of both capitalist parties. The outgoing two-term governor, Phil Murphy, is a multi-millionaire and former Goldman Sachs banker, who bought the nomination in 2017 with an outlay of $21 million from his personal wealth. This year the candidates have already spent $88 million, the bulk of it in the Democratic contest.

Sherrill won 34 percent against a field of five rivals, winning by a plurality in 15 of the states 21 counties, and easily outpacing her closest challenger, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who won 20.5 percent but carried only two counties. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, aligned with the progressive wing of the party, received 16 percent of the vote and carried no counties.

Representative Josh Gottheimer, a right-wing pro-Zionist who has vehemently defended Israeli genocide in Gaza, raised the most money but won only 10.8 percent of the vote, carrying only Bergen County, where he lives and holds the congressional seat.

Sherrill had the support of the vast majority of Democratic Party county committees, which control the party apparatus and have an outsize role in intra-party contests. She was widely praised in the corporate media as the most electable Democrat, because of her military background and right-wing politicsSherill is a member of the Blue Dogs, a faction of conservative Democrats who promote bipartisan collaboration with the Republican Party.

With the cynicism typical of capitalist politics, Sherrill nonetheless sought to appease popular hatred of President Trump by posturing as an intransigent opponent of the Trump administrations attacks on democratic rights and social programs.

She is likely to keep up this pretense in the election campaign over the next five months, given that her Republican opponent, Ciattarelli, was endorsed for the partys nomination by Trump and is an enthusiastic public supporter of his policies.

The primary results suggested widespread hostility to Trump, with nearly 800,000 voting in the Democratic primary and just over 450,000 voting in the Republican contest, where all the candidates pledged their loyalty to the fascist president.

Virginia will hold its primary election next Tuesday, June 17, but the result is a foregone conclusion. Former Representative Abigail Spanberger, who gave up her Seventh District seat last year to launch a gubernatorial campaign, has no opponents, after the Democratic Party establishment cleared the field for her. Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears is also unchallenged for her partys nomination. Incumbent Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is limited to a single term.

Spanberger was a CIA undercover operative in Europe for a dozen years, before leaving the agency to run for Congress in 2018. Along with Sherill, she was one of 13 military-intelligence candidates to win seats in Congress that year as Democrats.

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (Democratic-Virginia) speaks at a campaign rally on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, Virginia Beach. [AP Photo/Bryan Woolston]

Since then, Spanberger has been one of the most vocally right-wing members of the House Democratic caucus. She played a critical role in 2019, as one of seven military-intelligence Democrats who penned an op-ed in the Washington Post urging that Trump be impeached for delaying military aid to Ukraine.

In 2020, after Joe Biden won the presidency, defeating Trump, but Democrats lost several seats in the House, Spanberger declared on a conference call of House Democrats, We need to not ever use the word socialist or socialism ever again, blaming the partys election losses on the timid reformist rhetoric of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In nominating Sherrill and Spanberger as its candidates in the two main election contests of 2025, the Democratic Party is showing its class character, as a party of Wall Street and the national-security elite, incapable of any serious opposition to the fascist Trump coup.

The Democrats are unalterably hostile to the working class, to immigrants, and to young people who have protested the genocide in Gaza in large numbers. These two CIA Democrats represent the real character of the Democratic Party as a party of the military-intelligence apparatus, committed above all to the defense of the global interests of American imperialism, particularly in the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine.

While maintaining a caucus of about a dozen former military-intelligence officers in the House of Representatives, the CIA Democrats extended their influence to the Senate last year, with two of the 2018 House victors, Elissa Slotkin in Michigan and Andy Kim in New Jersey, winning Senate seats.

The two CIA Democrats running this year for governor will be favored to win their races. Another CIA Democrat has already won a significant position, in the June 7 runoff election for mayor of San Antonio, a city of 1.5 million people in south-central Texas. Democrat Gina Ortiz Jones defeated Republican Rolando Pablos in the nominally nonpartisan race.

Ortiz Jones is a former Air Force intelligence officer and Iraq War veteran who was one of the CIA Democrats in 2018, although she lost her race that year and again in 2020. Both times she ran in the 23rd Congressional District, which extends from the San Antonio suburbs south and west to the Rio Grande, taking in a huge swath of rural territory. The district is currently held by Republican Tony Gonzales.

Gina Ortiz-Jones

In 2021, President Biden named her assistant secretary of the Air Force, the second-highest civilian position, and she held that post until launching her mayoral campaign. She led in the primary vote in April with 27 percent to 17 percent for Pablos, with the balance of the vote divided among 25 other candidates.

Ortiz Jones is a Filipino American who ran a campaign based on identity politicsshe is the second female and first openly gay mayor of San Antonio, the seventh largest US city. The city is heavily Hispanic, with a poverty rate over 20 percent and huge unmet social needs. None of the capitalist candidates offered any solution to this social crisis or the mounting attacks on democratic rights from the Trump administration.
For the first time in seven years, Spains prime minister Pedro Sanchez seemed truly knocked out Thursday in a public appearance. This time, the crisis affects him directly, because it was he who appointed party secretary Santos Cerdan, who is embroiled in a corruption scandal involving kickbacks in the awarding of public contracts. Sanchez confirmed Santos Cerdan in his role six months ago, even though by then there were already suspicions hanging over this top official of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). In fact, up until the publication of a report by the Central Operative Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, one of Spains main law enforcement agencies, the prime minister continued to defend him and express confidence in him. But on Thursday, Sanchez dismissed Santos Cerdan, ruled out resigning himself, and bought some time to undertake a profound reshuffle of the PSOE while trying to maintain the reins of government.

Minister of Transportation Oscar Puente has been tipped among the PSOE ranks as a possible replacement for the partys third-highest official, although nothing seems decided yet.

When the report came out, Sanchez immediately collapsed, according to various sources. Santos Cerdan sat in his seat all morning reading the document and left the chamber saying he would provide explanations. But when Sanchez demanded them, the PSOEs number three official only said that he didnt recognize himself in the audio recordings, in which he and former Transportation Minister Jose Luis Abalos and the latters key advisor, Koldo Garcia, are heard discussing payments and favors, including the handling of a slush fund for bribes of at least 620,000. Santos Cerdan claimed that the voice was not his, that the audio recordings must have been manipulated.

Various members of the government, of the PSOE, and of the governing coalition partners consulted for this story, however, said Sanchez will have to make very profound changes in an attempt to survive what is undoubtedly his worst political crisis in seven years. Sanchez insists he wants to hold out until the scheduled elections in 2027 and isnt considering bringing them forward or changing the government. But everything hinges of support from his coalition partners of the leftist Sumar, who are very critical at this time and could withdraw their support.

This term deserves a reset, a turning point. We demand a new era in relations between the PSOE and Sumar. The only way out is through a 180-degree turn from the social perspective, said Yolanda Diaz, Sumars leader and Second Deputy Prime Minister. Aitor Esteban, the leader of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) - part of a group of small regional parties that provide support for the governing coalition - was more subdued, stating that even the PSOE is aware that more explanations are needed.

The Catalan pro-independence party Junts, which initially ruled out supporting a no- confidence vote, is now calling for a meeting with the PSOE to decide if the current term remains viable. The Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), meanwhile, is calling for the external audit ordered by Sanchez to be extended to the Ministry of Transportation, but has also ruled out supporting a no-confidence vote. The [mainstream conservative] Popular Party and [ultranationalist] Vox will never be an alternative to embodying systemic corruption. The leftist Podemos, for its part, believes that Sanchezs apologies fail to hide the truth.

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez at PSOE headquarters in Madrid following the departure of Santos Cerdan. Claudio Alvarez

Sanchez made a public appearance at PSOE headquarters in Madrid, where he hadnt held a press conference since becoming prime minister. He apologized eight times and tried to stall for time, but without taking any drastic decisions other than forcing the departure of his aide. The prime minister wanted to make it very clear that Santos Cerdan hadnt resigned of his own free will, but that it was he, Sanchez, who had ousted him.

Throughout Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Sanchez maintained his faith in Santos Cerdans word, insisting that the latter had committed no irregularities, and defended him before everyone who questioned him or suggested he be dismissed. It was an almost personal defense.

Sanchez claims that he had no details of the Civil Guard report until it was made public, which suggests that the government has no control  not even indirect information  over the investigations that affect it, something unprecedented in a democracy and which demonstrates something that many within the PSOE have criticized: that Minister of the Interior Fernando Grande-Marlaska does not even have indirect information about things that are happening within his own ministry.

From here on, many unknowns arise, including the very survival of the government, which no one is taking for granted given the severity of the crisis. Sanchez has tried to shield the coalition with the idea that the scandal only affects the PSOE itself because Santos Cerdan was the party secretary but didnt hold any government positions. But his government partners have also had their say here, and neither Cerdans resignation nor Sanchezs apology are considered sufficient.

Pedro Sanchez during Thursday's press conference at PSOE headquarters in Madrid. Claudio Alvarez

Sanchez: no elections until 2027

The government is confident that no one will be interested in supporting a no-confidence vote if opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the PP decides to present one, because it would mean making the latter interim prime minister even if it means calling elections immediately and doing so with the backing of the far-right Vox. The difficulty now lies in continuing with a majority that is riddled with loopholes. Sanchez came to power via a motion of no confidence against corruption within the PP in 2018, and many members of parliament who championed this democratic regeneration are now finding it difficult to continue supporting a party whose last two secretaries have been implicated in serious corruption cases.

There will be no election until 2027. Because this isnt about me or the Socialist party or PSOE members of Congress; its about a political project thats doing good things for the country. We defend a model that is necessary. This isnt a government crisis; this isnt affecting the Spanish government. Cerdan was the PSOEs organizational secretary, the prime minister said. But many interpreted his words as a way to buy time ahead of the need to make more drastic decisions in the coming weeks to try to keep the coalition intact.

Sanchez apologized multiple times  to the citizens, to the voters, to the members of his party  and expressed his deep indignation and sadness for having trusted Santos Cerdans word, who even on Thursday continued to deny involvement in anything illegal. Sanchez said he personally assumes full political responsibility for appointing Cerdan and Abalos, but the decisions remain a matter of a Cabinet reshuffle and an external audit. Nor is an extraordinary PSOE congress or anything similar on the agenda, according to its leader.

The prime minister assumed the mistake of placing his trust in Cerdan very personally. Until this very morning, I was convinced of Santos Cerdans integrity. Like any other person, I have my virtues and I have many shortcomings. Many shortcomings. But I have always believed in working for clean politics and fair play in politics. It causes me enormous indignation and profound sadness to see that an entire political project in which millions of people trust could be affected by the conduct of a few. I once again apologize and ask for forgiveness. The forcefulness will be proportional to the enormous disappointment and indignation, he concluded.
The Port of Long Beach, California viewed from a distance

West Coast truck drivers are saying their workloads have plummeted due to Trumps tariff policies, with the significant decreases in shipping containers arriving at US ports. They warn that significant shortages of food and consumer goods are on the horizon, as truck drivers are responsible for 90 percent of groceries on shelves.

The impact of the measures against Chinese imports, which account for 20 percent of trucking demand, is a plunge in supply, an upsurge in prices and mass layoffs in American transportation and logistics industries.

Trade war is deeply connected to Trumps ongoing coup attempt, in which he is pouring the National Guard and Marines into Los Angeles and other major American cities. The aim is to turn the country, and the whole of North America, into an armed camp and staging grounds for attacks against China and other countries which US capitalism considers its rivals.

The temporary truce on the heaviest tariffs against China is only a tactical pause. The 90-day moratorium on the reciprocal tariffs against a wide range of other countries is in order to strong-arm countries to get in line behind Washington against China.

In April, the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, Gene Seroka, warned that by mid-May, arrivals to the port will drop by 35 percent as essentially all shipments out of China for major retailers and manufacturers has ceased. This trajectory was confirmed in a PBS interview with Geoff Bennet on May 14. Seroka noted that, at the Port of Los Angeles, for the month of May, we were expecting 80 ships to arrive with cargo from Asia, and we had 17 cancelled.

In the Port of Long Beach, container bookings from China dropped 60 percent in April alone. This is significant, as The Port of Long Beach after the first quarter of 2025 moved more container cargo than any other port in the country, according to the ports CEO Mario Cordero. He also noted that the port is expecting an estimated 30 percent drop in cargo volume in the second quarter.

The Trump administrations tariff war against China is having a particularly devastating effect on the working class and small businesses. The financial impact is radiating out from the ports to the truckers, warehouse workers and myriad other jobs surrounding the ports.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with truck drivers waiting for work near the Long Beach port about the situation in the trucking industry as well as the brutal ICE raids and the deployment of the National Guard on peaceful protesters in Los Angeles. The WSWS has described this as a coup attempt by the Trump administration to overthrow the Constitution and establish dictatorial rule.

Antonio, a Mexican-American independent trucker, said, There has been an extreme slowdown in work. As you can see, Im just sitting here with no load. Trumps tariffs have been really bad for my work the past couple weeks, and not sure when it will get better.

When asked about the ICE raids and Trumps attacks on immigrants, he said, I dont agree with Trump on this. His policies are really bad. So many immigrants work here, have families, and are contributing. Its not fair, I have family who are immigrants. It affects all of us.

Agreeing with the call for unified action among the international working class, he noted, We need something like a general strike. Many truck drivers work across borders or have ties, like the US and Mexico. We are an international community.

Jos, another independent truck driver for 37 years, told the WSWS, Everything is getting worse, its just crazy the way Trump is doing this, deporting people. Its not good, theres no way he can deport all the Spanish people. As for the conditions for truckers he added, Its getting so bad I cannot even pay insurance, its so expensive. All this has to stop ... yes Im for a general strike.

Truckers are also experiencing shift cuts and thousands of layoffs. At Hight Logistics in Long Beach, the struggle is compounded by the companys shift to a clean fleet of about 20 electric big rigs, each costing about $500,000 according to NewsNation.

The dire situation has truck drivers taking to social media, warning that their lack of work will result in a ripple effect across all American industries, ultimately affecting American consumers.

Drivers say they are waiting for hours in empty yards to pick up shipping containers, while more truckers are left waiting at truck stops due to the lack of pick-up opportunities. One TikTok user, @trucking.life2899 said, I have no f***** clue what is gonna happen, because day by day its getting worse and worse.  I havent seen the trucking industry like this in the past ten years. This is the worst year for the trucking industry, worst year!

Another truck driver shared how his daily earnings plunged from about $1,000 to about $300 per day while still working his full 15-hour shift. Independent owner-operator truck drivers face high costs, including the cost of trucks that can range from $160,000 for newer vehicles. Many are caught up in predatory lease-purchase agreements. Declining work means that more and more are facing complete financial ruin as they are unable to afford debt payments and insurance.

In another video, @greatastic23 explained through tears that the lack of work and expenses to maintain his truck payments and insurance have put him under. Im an owner operator, I own my own truck, or well, I should say I used to own my own truck. ... Today is the worst day of my life. Todays the day I turned my truck in. Between the shop, the insurance, and everything else that goes with it, the payments. I went broke. I turned my truck in. I love my truck. I tried my best ... I failed.

About three of every four owner-operators voted for Trump in the 2024 election, according to polls conducted by the trucking website OverdriveOnline. But while Trump was able to exploit their economic grievances with right-wing populist rhetoric under conditions where the Democratic Party long ago abandoned any pretense of reform, drivers did not vote for trade war and dictatorship. Less than six months after assuming office, the reality of the Trump administration as a would-be dictatorship ruling on behalf of the financial oligarchy has become undeniable.

Truckers, 18 percent of whom are foreign-born, have a history of militant struggles. In 2021, they launched a nationwide boycott of the state of Colorado against the vindictive 110-year sentence handed down to Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a 23-year-old Cuban immigrant and trucker involved in a fatal accident after his brakes failed. The protests forced the governor to reduce his sentence to 10 years.

In 2022, independent truckers blockaded California ports to protest the implementation of a new state law that would force them to either sell their rigs and join trucking companies or register themselves as companies, a prohibitive expense. A very large proportion of port truckers in California are immigrants.

The protests took place as the International Longshore and Warehouse Union was keeping dockworkers on the job without a contract; wildcat actions the following year led to the Biden White House intervening to rapidly impose a deal.

In response to the sell-out contract pushed through last month on the East Coast docks, the WSWS noted:

The working class will be thrust into struggle against his policies, which include ripping up core democratic rights and massive austerity and war on a scale not seen before in American history. Those workers who sought to register their anger at the status quo by voting for Trump will soon be afflicted with buyers remorse.

Claims by union bureaucrats that tariffs are good for American workers are rapidly being exposed. Not only have these America First policies led to mass layoffs and price increases, but attacks on immigrant workers, a key section of the US working class, are the spearhead of Trumps ongoing attempt to establish a dictatorship.

Mass demonstrations are growing rapidly against the Trump administration. But the decisive question will be the intervention of the working class. Truckers, dockworkers and other key logistics workers must mobilize as part of a general strike to defeat Trumps coup.
California National Guard soldiers in front of the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, June 10, 2025.

In a significant ruling Thursday, US District Judge Charles R. Breyera Clinton appointeeruled that President Donald Trumps takeover of the California National Guard from Governor Gavin Newsom was illegal and unconstitutional.

In granting Newsoms request for a temporary restraining order, Judge Breyer wrote that Trumps actions exceeded the scope of his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which affirms that the federal government possesses only those powers granted by the Constitution, with all others reserved to the states or the people.

Breyer wrote that Trump must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.

As of this writing, some 4,000 members of the California National Guard have been federalized by Trump and his fascist defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. The soldiers have been activated under Title 10 orders to assist in the ongoing mass deportation operation and Trumps continuing coup attempt.

California, the most populous state in the US, also has the largest National Guard in the country, with just under 20,000 members. In response to protests in Los Angeles County on June 7sparked by immigration agents disappearing workers and family membersTrump issued a memorandum to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The memo falsely claimed that the protests constituted a form of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States.

In order to crush the alleged rebellion, Trump ordered Hegseth to deploy at least 2,000 National Guard soldiers for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense. The memo also authorized Hegseth to employ any other members of the regular Armed Forces as necessary. Following Trumps directive, Hegseth immediately called up 2,000 members of the California National Guardwithout informing their Commander-in-Chief, California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In the following days, over the objections of Governor Newsom, Hegseth mobilized an additional 2,000 California National Guard members, along with 700 US Marines. Currently, roughly 4,700 military personnel are either deployed in or en route to Los Angeles as part of Joint Task Force 51 (JTF-51), operating under the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

While Breyers order directs that control of the Guard be returned to Newsom, it does not prevent the Guard from continuing its so-called mission under Trumpguarding federal buildings where the immigration Gestapo is conducting operations and disappearing immigrants.

In his ruling, Breyer cited previous court decisions striking down Trumps attempts to deport immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act, noting that the United States is neither under invasion nor facing an armed rebellion. He emphasized that the protests have not impeded ICE from continuing its operations.

Notably, Breyer offered the Trump administration a classic example of a situation in which the President would be legally authorized to federalize the National Guard. He cited the 1970 postal strike, writing:



In that case, the mail system was incapacitatedthe regular forces of letter carriers were on strike, and there was no other way to deliver the mail. In this case, the regular forces were and are still very much on duty. While ICE was not able to detain as many people as Defendants believe it could have, ICE was nonetheless able to execute the federal immigration laws. Indeed, ICE continues to carry out enforcement actions, executing those laws.

Despite the judges ruling, there is no guarantee the criminal Trump administration will comply. Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on June 12, Secretary Hegseth refused to clearly state whether he would abide by a court order prohibiting the federalization of National Guard troops.

Pressed by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California), who asked, Whatever the federal district court decides, will you abide by it? Hegseth repeatedly deflected, replying, What I will tell you is, my job right now is to ensure the troops that we have in Los Angeles are capable of supporting law enforcement.

Pressed again by Khanna, Hegseth replied, Weve always looked to the decisions of the court, before quickly adding, What Im saying is, local district judges shouldnt make foreign policy or national security policy for the country.

The Trump administration has already appealed the courts decision. At the time of publication, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked Judge Breyers order, which was set to take effect at noon on Friday. A hearing has been scheduled for next Tuesday.

In the meantime, Republican governorseager to demonstrate their loyalty to Trump and the growing police statehave activated their own National Guard units in anticipation of mass peaceful protests against the administration scheduled for this weekend.

On June 12, Texas Governor Greg Abbott formally ordered the activation of over 5,000 National Guard soldiers. While Abbott has not specified where the troops will be deployed, protesters reported seeing Guard members at the peaceful anti-ICE demonstration in San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Also on June 12, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed an executive order activating the National Guard as a precautionary measure. Protests in St. Louis against ICE have not resulted in any arrests as of this writing. Nevertheless, in his order, Kehoe declared: We will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state.
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Protesters gather in front of the Detroit Institute of the Arts, April 5, 2025.

This statement will be distributed at demonstrations held on Saturday, June 14. On June 15, the WSWS is holding an emergency online meeting, Trumps coup and how to stop it. We urge all our readers to register and attend.

On Saturday, June 14, protests will take place in more than 2,000 locations across the United States. Following a week of demonstrations, masses of working people and youth are taking to the streets in cities across the country in opposition to Trumps assault on immigrants and his moves to establish a presidential dictatorship.

All those who are demonstrating must understand that they are confronting a crisis without precedent in more than a century, comparable only to the Civil War. Then, it was a life-and-death struggle against the slavocracy; today, it is a life-and-death struggle against capitalism and the ruling oligarchy.

On the same day as the protests, a massive military parade is being staged in Washington, D.C., following a week of escalating military deployments in Los Angeles. Ostensibly held to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army, the real purpose of the parade is to pay tribute to Trump on his 79th birthday and to demonstrate his unchallengeable personal control over the military.

The parade is intended as a warning by Trump to all opponents that he governs by command of the armed forces and police. The Constitutional framework of checks and balances is being scrapped. In its place, Trump is establishing presidential rule by decree, enforced through emergency orders, military power and fascistic violence.

The assault Thursday on California Senator Alex Padilla is in line with this campaign of political and physical intimidation. Padilla was violently manhandled and handcuffed by FBI agents while posing questions to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

On Tuesday, Trump delivered a tirade at Fort Bragg, denouncing opponents and protesters as animals and enemies to be crushed. Noem declared in the same press conference from which Padilla was ejected that the military would remain in Los Angeles to liberate the city from the socialists. This is the language of the Nazis. When Hitler came to power, he too declared that it was the end of socialism.

All of Trumps actions are blatantly and flagrantly illegal. On Thursday, a federal judge in California issued a ruling blocking the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles, writing: [Trumps] actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. By Thursday night, an appeals court put a temporary block on this order, pending a hearing on June 17.

No one should be under the illusion that judicial decisions, even if they go against it, will stop the administration, which has already violated court rulings. Earlier in the week, Trumps fascistic defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, repeatedly refused to state that the White House would abide by a judicial ruling against it.

What is being set into motion is a massive escalation of violenceat home and abroad. On the eve of Trumps military parade, Israel launched hundreds of military strikes against Iran. The genocide in Gaza is now expanding into a full-scale war throughout the Middle East.

For those protesting on Saturday, critical questions of perspective are posed: How will this be stopped? How can Trumps coup be defeated?

The events of the past week have made one thing absolutely clear: No significant opposition will be organized by the Democratic Party. While Trump speaks in the language of violence and civil war, the Democrats respond with lawsuits and tearful lamentations.

While offering tepid criticisms of Trumps excesses, the Democrats have echoed his narrative and aided in suppressing opposition. California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed 800 state police to oversee mass arrests in Los Angeles, while Mayor Karen Bass has mobilized the LAPD to crack down on protests. The message is clear: Let us handle the repression.

The partys cowardice was epitomized by left Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who, amid Trumps unfolding coup, used a New York Times op-ed to state her agreement with his proposal to abolish the debt ceilingakin to saying, I dont like fascism, but Mussolini made the trains run on time.

Bernie Sanders is again playing his assigned role as a political safety valve. He combines demagogic denunciations of the oligarchy with slavish support for the capitalist Democratic Party and fatuous appeals for better behavior by the Republicans. In the most flagrant display of political cynicism and opportunism, Sanders has stated that Trump himself has done right in closing the border and attacking immigrants.

As always, the response of the Democrats is characterized by a combination of cowardice, fecklessness, and outright deceit. Underlying this, however, are political interests and class considerations. The Democratic Party, no less than the Republicans, is a party of the corporate and financial oligarchy. Its principal disagreements with Trump have centered on matters of foreign policy.

The Democrats are terrified that mass resistance to Trump could develop into a broader movement against social inequality, capitalism and the entire framework of American imperialism.

Government of the oligarchy

The Democrats seek to maintain the pretense that the present crisis is nothing more than a temporary diversion from political norms, and that the assaults on democratic rights are merely excesses that stem from Trumps personality. What they will not say is that the violent restructuring of the state is aimed at the creation of a permanent political dictatorship.

The Trump administration is a government of, by, and for the financial oligarchy.

But it must be understood that the breakdown of democratic forms in the United States did not arise overnight. Nearly 65 years have passed since Eisenhower warned of the implications of the power of the military-industrial complex. Over half a century has passed since the Watergate crisis exposed the first major political conspiracy by an American president, Nixon. It has been twenty-five years since the theft of a presidential election through the Supreme Courts 54 decision in Bush v. Gore.

Thewar on terror following the attacks of September 11, 2001 was used to justify, under Democrats and Republicans, a systematic erosion of democratic rightsincluding in the Patriot Act, the Department of Homeland Security, Guantanamo Bay, CIA torture, domestic spying and drone assassination by presidential order.

These developments are bound up with three interrelated causes: 1) the long-term decline of American capitalism, 2) the efforts to reverse this decline through military violence around the world, and 3) the extreme growth of social inequality, which has reached levels without precedent in American history.

Trump, the huckster and conman, has risen to the presidency out of these conditions through a process of political selection. His second term conforms to a definite logic of oligarchic rule.

The wave of brutal assaults on immigrants and mass deportations has followed the police crackdowns, arrests, and detentions of students protesting the genocide in Gaza; attacks on scientists and medical professionals; and efforts to bring culture, education, and public discourse under authoritarian control.

The fundamental target is the working class. Everything that detracts from the wealth and power of the capitalist elitepublic education, environmental and workplace regulations, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaidis to be dismantled. Trumps big beautiful budget, filled with promises of massive tax cuts for the rich, seeks to pay for them through savage austerity and the destruction of what remains of the social safety net.

The turn to dictatorship within the United States is inseparable from the eruption of imperialist violence abroad. The expansion of war in the Middle East is part of an escalating global conflict, with the Trump administration setting its sights on China. Trump is building upon the record of the Biden administration, which escalated the US-NATO war against Russia and gave full backing to the genocide in Gaza.

Those who are demonstrating on Saturday must draw the conclusions from this political reality. It is impossible to stop the drive to dictatorship without identifying and fighting its source: the capitalist system.

The Socialist Equality Party advances the following program to fight Trumps coup detat:

First, the fight against Trump must be rooted in the working class. There is enormous opposition throughout society to what Trump is doingamong scientists, professionals, students and broad elements within the middle class. But the social force that can and must lead the movement against Trump is the working class.

The immense strength of the working class must be mobilized against Trumps coup in a general strikethe utilization of the power of the workers, rooted in the process of production, to bring production to a halt.

This requires the organization of workers independently of the AFL-CIO bureaucracy, which is treating Trumps coup and the brutal assault on immigrant workers as if it is not even happening. As workers are being seized and deported and democratic rights obliterated at every turn, the union apparatus, wedded to the corporations and the state, is doing nothing.

The SEP calls for the formation of rank-and-file committees in every factory, workplace, and neighborhood, becoming centers of opposition to dictatorship, uniting all workers of all races and ethnicities, immigrant and native-born.

Second, mass popular opposition to Trumps assault on democratic rights must be connected to clear and urgent demands: the immediate withdrawal of all troops from American cities; the dismantling of ICE and an end to all immigration raids; the disbanding of paramilitary units and reversal of executive orders enabling dictatorship; and the removal and prosecution of all those involved in the conspiracy to overturn the Constitution.

Third, the fight against dictatorship is necessarily an international struggle. The ruling elites in every major capitalist country are lurching to the right, waging war on democratic rights as they escalate their assault on the working class. And every worker knows that the establishment of dictatorship in the United States will sound the death knell for democratic rights everywhere. The crisis is global, and the response must be global.

Fourth, there can be no fight against fascism and dictatorship outside of a fight against capitalism and for socialism. The wealth of the oligarchy must be expropriated and the gigantic corporations and banks transformed into public utilities, under the control of the working class. The defense of democratic rights must be connected to the establishment of democratic control over social and economic life, as the basis for establishing a society rooted in social equality.

When Trump and his lackeys denounce socialism, it is because they themselves recognize the fundamental issuethat in their turn to dictatorship they are defending capitalism against the working class and socialism.

The vast political changes underway in social relations require a profound transformation in strategy. What has passed for left politicsbased on race and gender identity, the politics of the upper-middle classnever could, and certainly cannot now, provide a way forward.

The struggle against dictatorship requires the revival of genuine socialismrooted in the revolutionary, internationalist traditions of Marxism and embodied in the program and history of the Trotskyist movement and the International Committee of the Fourth International. It is only on this foundation that the working class can build the leadership necessary to confront the immense dangers it faces.

The Trump administration, in all of its actions, demonstrates the historic bankruptcy of capitalism. Humanity is once again confronted with the basic alternatives: socialism or barbarism.

On June 15, the WSWS is holding an emergency online meeting, Trumps coup and how to stop it. We urge all our readers to register and attend. Fill out the form below to join the Socialist Equality Party.
In a move that has drawn widespread condemnation from the scientific and medical communities, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. abruptly dismissed all 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Monday. He swiftly replaced them with eight new appointeesmany of whom are known for their criticism of vaccines and for promoting misinformation.

This sweeping overhaul has raised alarm among public health experts, who warn that the nations vaccine policy infrastructure is now under direct attack. Kennedy appears to be acting with breakneck speed to consolidate control and institutionalize his public health agenda before meaningful resistance can be mounted against what many are calling a scientific counter-revolution.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks before Donald Trump at the fascist rally at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, October 27, 2024. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon]

Kennedy announced the dismissal of the ACIP members in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published on June 9, 2025, with formal termination notices sent by email approximately two hours later. The abrupt move caught even members of Congress off guard, many of whom learned about it only after the fact. Justifying the purge, Kennedy claimed the committee was plagued with persistent conflicts of interest and had become little more than a rubber stamp for any vaccine.

He concluded his op-ed with a sweeping promise: In the 1960s, the world sought guidance from Americas health regulators, who had a reputation for integrity, scientific impartiality and zealous defense of patient welfare. Public trust has since collapsed, but we will earn it back.

But beneath the rhetoric lies a radical repudiation of the very foundation of modern public health. Framed as a restoration, Kennedys vision is in fact a dismantling of decades of life-saving vaccination programsthe cornerstone of infectious disease prevention in the 20th and 21st centuries. This repudiation of public health principles, cloaked in populist language, threatens to result in catastrophic consequences, including preventable illness and mass death.

Former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden (20092017) forcefully rejected Kennedys interpretation of a 2009 report from the Office of Inspector General for HHS, calling it a total misrepresentation and classic misinformation. The report, which Kennedy cited to justify his ACIP purge, primarily identified administrative shortcomingsnamely paperwork errors and omissions in financial disclosure formsacross all 17 CDC advisory committees. It did not uncover widespread or serious conflicts of interest. In fact, only 7 out of 246 committee members were found to have voted on matters from which they should have recused themselves, representing just 3 percent of cases.

Public health experts stress that ACIP members are thoroughly vetted, required to disclose potential conflicts, and routinely recuse themselves from votes when appropriate. Moreover, they argue that past affiliations with the pharmaceutical industrywhen transparently disclosedcan offer valuable expertise rather than compromise. Kennedys framing, they warn, distorts a system designed to balance scientific rigor with transparency, in service of a narrative that undermines public trust in vaccines and health governance.

The mass firingscarried out without consultation and just weeks before ACIPs scheduled June 25-27 meetingbypassed the CDCs standard procedures for appointing committee members. The abrupt action drew swift condemnation. Dr. Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC, warned that it should erase any remaining doubt that [Kennedy] intends to impose his personal anti-vaccine agenda on the American people.

On June 11, 2025, Kennedy announced the appointment of eight new ACIP members, describing them as highly credentialed scientists, leading public health experts, and some of Americas most accomplished physicians, committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense. However, none of these appointees was vetted by an independent expert panel or any scientific body. Many have publicly expressed vaccine skepticism or opposition to established public health practices, raising serious concerns about the erosion of scientific rigor, the marginalization of experienced vaccine experts, and a further breakdown in public trust.

Epidemiologist Dr. Martin Kulldorff, one of the eight newly appointed ACIP members, is best known as a co-author of the controversial Great Barrington Declaration (2020)a document widely condemned by the public health community and characterized by some experts as a manifesto of death. The declaration advocated achieving herd immunity through widespread natural infection while supposedly shielding vulnerable populationsan approach that was swiftly denounced as unethical, scientifically and ethically problematic, and total nonsense by organizations including the World Health Organization and leading public health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Kulldorff has consistently opposed core COVID-19 mitigation strategies, including lockdowns, mask mandates, contact tracing, and vaccine requirements, despite strong evidence that these measures saved lives and protected public health. In 2024, he was dismissed from his position at Harvard University, a move he attributes to his vocal criticism of vaccine mandates.

Drs. Martin Kulldorf, Sunetra Gupta, and Jay Bhattacharya, co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, at the American Institute for Economic Research. [Photo: American Institute for Economic Research]

He currently serves as senior scientific director at the Brownstone Institute, a right-wing think tank established to challenge COVID-19 public health interventions. He also co-founded the Journal of the Academy of Public Health (JAPH), which has come under scrutiny for its unorthodox editorial practicessuch as guaranteeing publication for member-submitted articles. Critics argue that JAPH functions as a parallel publication structure for content that would likely not withstand peer review in mainstream scientific journals, warning that it may be used to legitimize pseudoscientific ideas and sow doubt about established scientific consensus.

Physician and biochemist Dr. Robert Malone has emerged as a central figure in the anti-vaccine movement. He frequently promotes himself as the inventor of mRNA vaccine technology, a claim disputed by numerous colleagues who acknowledge his early involvement in the field but emphasize that his contributions were limited and do not merit sole credit.

Malone gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting conspiracy theories and disinformation about vaccines and public health measures. He has claimed, without evidence, that millions of Americans were hypnotized into receiving COVID-19 vaccines and has advanced the false narrative that these vaccines can cause a form of AIDS. In addition, he has downplayed the severity of measles outbreaks and advocated unproven treatments for both measles and COVID-19.

His repeated dissemination of false claims led to a permanent suspension from Twitter in December 2021 for violating the platforms COVID-19 misinformation policy. For many public health experts, Malones appointment to the ACIP stands in stark contradiction to Kennedys stated commitment to 'evidence-based' science and has further exposed the wrecking ball that is the administrations vaccine oversight.

The appointment of Vicky Pebsworth, a regional director for the National Association of Catholic Nurses, is also troubling. Pebsworth also serves as a board member and volunteer director for the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), an organization widely criticized by public health experts as a major source of vaccine misinformation and fearmongering.

Pebsworth has publicly aligned herself with discredited anti-vaccine figures, including British fraudster Andrew Wakefield, and has described herself as the mother of a child injured by his 15-month well-baby shots in 1998. She has also declared that coercing adults or children to take what she refers to as experimental vaccines is unethical and unlawful.

Her presence on ACIP is viewed by many as incredibly problematic because it gives a prominent voice and voting power to an individual affiliated with a group that actively undermines public trust in vaccination. Critics warn that placing a NVIC leader at the center of national vaccine policy threatens to legitimize misinformation under the guise of scientific deliberation.

Dr. Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at MIT, has become a favored figure within the anti-vaccine movement due to his public denunciations of mRNA vaccines. In a 2023 social media post, he claimed that the vaccines cause serious harm including death, especially among young people, and called for their immediate suspension. Levi also co-authored a widely discredited paper with Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, which attempted to link Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to increased cardiovascular deaths. The study has been rejected by public health authorities and regulatory agencies for its methodological flaws and lack of support from real-world data gathered from billions of doses administered globally.

Dr. Cody Meissner, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and former member of both ACIP and the FDAs vaccine advisory panel, is arguably the most experienced in vaccine policy among the new appointees. He has publicly affirmed that measles vaccines are very safe and highly effective, but has opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates for children. During the pandemic, he also co-authored an opinion piece with FDA Commissioner Marty Makary criticizing school mask requirements for children.

Other new appointees include Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a psychiatrist and nutritional neuroscientist formerly affiliated with the NIH; Dr. James Pagano, a retired emergency medicine physician with limited published work on vaccines; and Dr. Michael Ross, an OB-GYN whose current academic affiliations could not be independently verified. The collective lack of immunization-specific expertise among many of these appointees has heightened concerns about the scientific credibility and future direction of ACIP under Kennedys leadership.

Kennedys restructuring of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is viewed by public health experts as a direct threat to evidence-based medicine and the integrity of the U.S. vaccine infrastructure. By removing credentialed experts with decades of experience in immunization science and replacing them with individuals who either lack technical qualifications or espouse anti-vaccine views, Kennedy has effectively dismantled a pillar of U.S. public health oversight.

ACIP plays a central role in shaping national vaccine policy: its recommendations inform CDC guidance, influence insurance coverage, and serve as critical decision-making tools for pediatricians, obstetricians, and primary care providers. Kennedys unilateral actionsincluding his recent rescission of COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women without consulting ACIPrepresent a break from the standard deliberative process and a troubling shift toward top-down political interference.

These changes come amid rising outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough, prompting warnings from public health officials that declining trust and reduced vaccine uptake could result in the re-emergence of diseases once nearly eradicated in the U.S.

Moreover, this upheaval extends beyond ACIP. The mass firings of career staff across HHS, CDC, and NIH, alongside Kennedys efforts to suppress scientific communication, such as proposing to bar federally funded researchers from publishing in leading medical journals like The Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which he has labeled corrupt, are being described by scientists as a full-scale assault on science and public health within the Trump administration.

The consequences of this restructuring are potentially far-reaching, eroding institutional trust, increasing susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases, and establishing a precedent for political interference in scientific advisory processes.
Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) [AP Photo]

Israel launched dozens of strikes on Iran Thursday, targeting its nuclear program. Israeli officials said that the strikes would continue for days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israeli warplanes are attacking a large number of targets across Iran. He added that the goal of the attack is to strike Irans nuclear infrastructure, Irans ballistic missile factories, and Irans military capabilities.

This operation will continue as long as necessary, until we complete the mission, Netanyahu said.

Iranian state television announced that IRGC Chief-of-Staff Hossein Salami was assassinated in an Israeli strike in Tehran. Dozens of casualties were reported.

The move followed a discussion between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu on Monday, during which Netanyahu discussed possible plans to attack Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The US and Israel have been planning for decades to carry out an attack on Irans nuclear refinement facilities, a move that was widely seen as triggering a full-scale regional war. Over the past year and a half, the US has surged aircraft, missile defense systems and warships into the Middle East.

Since the events of October 7, 2023, Israel has carried out waves of attacks on Iran and its allies throughout the Middle East. This has created an opportunity for the US and Israel to launch their long-planned attack on Irans nuclear refining centers. Last year, Israel launched a series of airstrikes, with the support of the United States, on Irans air defenses, creating an opening for Thursdays attack.

Israels attack on Iran is part of what Netanyahu has called a plan to create a new Middle East under US-Israeli domination. This includes the annexation of all of Palestine by Israel through ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, to be followed by the West Bank.

The attack on Iran takes place in the context of the ongoing coup being carried out by US President Donald Trump to transform the United States into a presidential dictatorship. The US has deployed thousands of active-duty combat troops to Los Angeles, and this weekend the Trump administration will be holding a military parade in Washington, involving the deployment of 7,000 troops and over 150 vehicles, including dozens of tanks.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency in Israel and warned the population to expect retaliatory attacks from Iran.

Video footage circulating Thursday night showed attacks on high-rise buildings in Tehran, likely indicating that Iranian government officials were targeted.

In a statement issued Thursday night, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

Rubio claimed, We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. However, the US military is expected to be directly involved in defending Israel against Iranian retaliation.

US Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on Twitter, Game on. Pray for Israel.

On Wednesday, Irans defense minister, Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh, threatened to attack US bases in the Middle East in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran. If a conflict is imposed on us all US bases are within our reach and we will boldly target them in host countries.

Amid media reports that an Israeli attack on Irans nuclear program could take place as early as this weekend, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, prior to Israels attack, said that such an attack could very well happen.

He added, We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said: we gotta to tell them to go out because something could happen soon, adding, I dont want to be the one that didnt give any warning and missiles are flying into the buildings.

On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal, citing a senior Israeli official, said a strike could come as soon as Sunday. The previous night, the New York Times reported, Israel appears to be preparing to launch an attack soon on Iran, according to officials in the United States and Europe.

That day, the US announced that it is withdrawing non-essential personnel from its embassy in Iraq and authorizing the voluntary departure of US military family members from bases in the Middle East.

Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq, the State Department said in a statement to the media on Wednesday.

Asked about a potential Israeli attack on Iran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth replied, What I know is that Bibi Netanyahu is going to put his country first, and were going to put our country first, and were positioned properly in the region to ensure that were prepared for any potential contingency.

The Israeli attack came amid ongoing US negotiations over Irans nuclear program. On Thursday, the White House announced that Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, would meet Irans foreign minister in Oman on Sunday for further negotiations.

In 2018, then-President Trump abandoned the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under the Obama administration, reimposing savage economic sanctions and leading Iran to expand its nuclear program.
Senator Alex Padilla being assaulted and handcuffed by FBI police in Los Angeles, California, June 12, 2025.

During a press conference at the FBIs Los Angeles headquarters on Thursday, California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was violently assaulted by federal agents after attempting to question Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.

Padilla, a duly elected US senator born and raised in Southern California, was manhandled by federal agents, forced to his knees, and shoved face-first onto the floor before being handcuffedfor the crime of interrupting during Noems press conference.

Padilla attempted to question Noem as she delivered fascistic remarks defending the ongoing mass deportations and military occupation of Los Angeles. The senator explained that he had been in the building receiving a briefing from US Northern Commands General Gregory Guillot, who has operational command over Joint Task Force 51 (JTF-51), currently led by Major General Scott Sherman.

Under the banner of Joint Task Force 51, some 4,700 National Guard troops and Marines have been deployed or are en route to the Los Angeles area. At least 2,800 are currently engaged in security operations, with an estimated 500 National Guard soldiers directly embedded in ICE kidnapping squads targeting the community.

Padilla stated that after receiving his briefing from General Guillot, he learned that Noem was holding a press conference just a few doors down. During her remarks, Noem praised Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the FBI, and the Army, the Marines, the National Guard, our soldiers  who have shown up here to help make sure that we have security.

Justifying the domestic use of military force, Noem falsely declared that the US armed forces not only protect our country around the world, but theyre doing it every single day here, uh, in the United States of America too.

Noem threatened that the ongoing militarized occupation, masked immigration raids, and the usurpation of state and local authority in California and Los Angeles County by the Trump administration would be replicated in other states and cities across the country. She said,

They are setting an example for what is happening across the country in other cities and putting together a model and a blueprint for how we can continue to work to make every single community great again and safe againfor our kids and for our grandkids far into the future...

Turning to the Democratswho have bent over backwards to accommodate and protect the immigration Gestapo as they disappear workers and students from schools, car washes, churches and hospitalsNoem threatened to liberate the state from its elected officials, Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Noem said:

The Department of Homeland Security and the officers and the agencies and the departments and the military people that [are] working on this operation will continue to sustain and increase our operations in this city. We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate the city from the uh socialist and the um burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country.

Shortly after Noems statement, Senator Padilla attempted to speak. As he began to address the room, he was violently shoved and dragged out of the press conference by federal agents. Before being forced out, Padilla managed to say:

I am Senator Alex Padilla, and I have questions for the Secretarybecause the fact of the matter is, a half a dozen violent criminals that you

At this point, Padilla was pushed entirely out of the room and into the hallway, where several FBI agents in body armor were waiting. Although Padilla had his hands raised and was no longer speaking, the agents continued to manhandle himshoving him forcefully and slamming him onto the floor.

While Padilla was on his knees, FBI agents flanked him on either side, each holding one of his arms. An agent standing in front of him ordered the senator to put his hands behind his backa command he was physically incapable of complying with. Immediately afterward, the agent on Padillas right applied pressure to his shoulder while yanking his wrist, violently forcing the senator face-first onto the floor.

While lying face-down on the ground, Padilla stated, If you let my hands go, I can put them behind my back.

Despite not having broken any law, video footage shows the senator being placed in handcuffs. A member of Padillas staff, who was filming the arrest, is confronted at the end of the video by a DHS agent who blocks the remainder of the detainment and declares, No recording on the premises.

The detention of Senator Padilla is only the latest example of political repression carried out by the fascistic Trump administration, aimed at silencing and criminalizing all opposition to the policies of the emerging dictatorship. It follows the indictment of New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver, a Democrat who was conducting oversight at an immigration detention facility when DHS agents illegally detained Newark Mayor Ras Baraka outside the gates. McIver now faces up to 17 years in prison on bogus charges of assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers.

Earlier in April, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI and charged with a felony. Dugan is accused of instructing an undocumented man to exit her courtroom through a set of private doors, allowing him to briefly evade detention by the immigration Gestapo.

The violent assault on a sitting US senator by government agents in a public setting is unprecedented in American history. Padillalike every other person in the United Stateshas the right to free speech. He clearly identified himself and stated that he wished to ask a question at a press conference attended by multiple local and national media outlets. For this, he was tackled, thrown to the ground and handcuffed.

In a thread on X, World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North explained:

An assault on a US Senator is a federal crime. This attack, in the presence of and clearly authorized by Kristi Noem (Homeland Security secretary), is further evidence on an ongoing and increasingly violent presidential coup detat.

There are tearful expressions of dismay and outrage by the Democrats, but absolutely no calls for mass popular action to defend democratic rights, oppose the coup, and force Trumps removal for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, i.e., conspiring to establish a dictatorship.

North wrote:
GM Fairfax sign [Photo: General Motors]

On June 10, General Motors announced a $4 billion investment over the next two years at three of its US manufacturing plants: Orion Assembly in Michigan; Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas; and Spring Hill Manufacturing in Tennessee.

The companys executives, including CEO Mary Barra and CFO Paul Jacobson, presented the move as a bold commitment to American jobs and innovation. However, GM has only agreed to shift some production from Mexico to US facilities because it has been assured by the United Auto Workers bureaucracy that it will be able to further slash labor costs and impose sweatshop conditions in US plants.

UAW President Shawn Fain has responded to GMs announcement by praising Donald Trumps tariff policies, claiming they will level the playing field for American workers.

In a separate statement, given by an aide via email to the Detroit Free Press, Fain doubled down, declaring, All free trade means is that the companies can do whatever they want to drive a race to the bottom in the poorest, most exploited countries on Earth while shipping product back into the most lucrative markets, making massive profits, and pocketing the difference.

In reality, Fain and the UAW bureaucrats are helping the automakers fire thousands of workers in the US, as they have helped destroy millions of jobs for decades, while attempting to cover their tracks by scapegoating foreigners.

By echoing Trumps lies that Mexican workers have taken US workers jobs, the UAW bureaucrat is providing cover for the fascist presidents savage crackdown on immigrant workers, along with escalation of state repression against those who are protesting against it. The UAW is one of several major unions whose officials have taken this position.

The UAW has yet to post a single statement on Trumps ongoing coup attempt, in which he has sent thousands of troops into Los Angeles and prepared to occupy other major US cities, while deploying thousands of soldiers to Washington DC under the guise of a parade celebrating his birthday.

The UAW has also avoided speaking about the death of Ronald Adams, Sr., a skilled tradesman who died at the Dundee Engine Plant on April 7. Meanwhile, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees has launched an investigation into Adams death.

In a comment on Fains support for trade war, the WSWS recently observed: however much it may try to deny it, if one accepts a fascist economic policy one is compelled to accept fascist policies on immigration, free speech, and everything else. The union bureaucracys silence on Trumps active conspiracy for dictatorship is confirming this in real time.

What is really behind GMs plans

GMs official press release touts the $4 billion investment as a means to increase US production of both gas and electric vehicles, aiming for more than two million vehicles assembled per year in the US by 2027.

The companys information is as follows:

Orion Assembly (Orion Township, Michigan): Will begin production of gas-powered full-size SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks in early 2027, a reversal from previous plans to make it a center for electric vehicles. Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck will now be the dedicated assembly site for GMs flagship EVs.

Will begin production of gas-powered full-size SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks in early 2027, a reversal from previous plans to make it a center for electric vehicles. Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck will now be the dedicated assembly site for GMs flagship EVs. Fairfax Assembly (Kansas City, Kansas): Will start building the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox in mid-2027a model currently assembled in Mexico. The plant will also continue preparations to produce the Chevrolet Bolt EV, with future investments promised for GMs next generation of affordable EVs.

Will start building the gas-powered Chevrolet Equinox in mid-2027a model currently assembled in Mexico. The plant will also continue preparations to produce the Chevrolet Bolt EV, with future investments promised for GMs next generation of affordable EVs. Spring Hill Manufacturing (Spring Hill, Tennessee): Will add production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer, also currently made in Mexico, alongside Cadillac EVs and the Cadillac XT5.

GM Chair and CEO Barra declared, We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise. Todays announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S. and to support American jobs. Were focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.

In an interview, GM CFO Jacobson said, The current landscape, including tariff issues and the pace of EV adoption, presents a prime opportunity for GM to realign its manufacturing operations.  The $4 billion investment is substantial but is seen as a necessary step for long-term success.

Workers should be under no illusions that GMs restoration of plants like Lake Orion has anything to do with raising living standards or increasing pay. On the contrary, it is about closing the wage gap with Mexico by imposing sweatshop conditions on both sides of the border.

The World Socialist Web Site has documented how, in 2010, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and GM slashed wages at Lake Orion by half, forcing many workers onto a Tier Two wage of $14 per hoursetting a precedent for wage-cutting across the industry.

The UAW collaborated with management to push through these concessions, denying workers even the right to vote on the deal. The current investment will only deepen this race to the bottom.

As production of the Equinox and Blazer is shifted from Mexico to the US, GMs aim is to create a transnational regime of exploitation, where workers in both countries face relentless speedup, job insecurity, and poverty wages.

The retooling of the Fairfax plant is especially significant. GM will begin producing the Chevrolet Equinoxa model currently made in Mexicoat the Kansas City, Kansas facility in 2027. This move, driven by Trumps tariffs and the threat of further trade war, is not about creating good American jobs, but about maintaining auto manufacturer profits in the face of shifting global supply chains.

As industry expert Sam Abuelsamid bluntly stated, Thats why these vehicles were built in Mexico in the first place. With production costs set to rise, GM and its Wall Street backers are preparing to pass the burden onto workers and consumers alike.

With the full collaboration of the UAW apparatus, the $4 billion commitment from GM will lead to the deterioration of working conditions for workers and an increase in tragedies like the death of Ronald Adams, Sr.

It was lower wages and weaker safety standards in Mexico that allowed GM to maximize profits. Now, as tariffs and trade deals are forcing production back into the US, workers are told to accept competitive wages and conditionsmeaning more work for less pay.

GMs announcement comes on the heels of a new U.S.-China trade deal, announced by the White House on Wednesday, which includes arrangements over rare earth metals critical for electric vehicle production. As Automotive News reports, rare earths are used in a wide range of parts in auto manufacturing, from batteries to motors and sensors.

The deal is meant to ensure a steady supply of these materials, but it also underscores the global nature of the auto industry and the impossibility of national self-sufficiency in a world economy dominated by transnational corporations.

Fains praise for tariffs and his silence on the escalating repression of immigrant workers and the broader assault on democratic rights are a warning to all workers. The UAW bureaucracy has served for decades as an arm of management, enforcing concessions, suppressing strikes, ensuring orderly factory closers and isolating auto workers struggles.

Now, under Fains leadership, the UAW bureaucracy has engaged directly with the US president, first with Democrat Joe Biden and now with Republican fascist Donald Trump, to promote the unions as the so-called Arsenal of Democracy, a euphemism for supporting imperialist wars around the world fought to protect and expand the interests of the capitalist class and the financial oligarchy on Wall Street.

The only way forward for auto workers is to unite across borders, breaking down the artificial divisions imposed by the corporations and their union accomplices. The WSWS and the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) renew the call for the formation of independent rank-and-file committees in every plant and workplace.

These committees must take control of the struggle, fighting for real improvements in wages, working conditions, and job securitynot just for American workers, but for workers in Mexico, China, and around the world.

GMs $4 billion commitment is a smokescreen for a new round of exploitation. Only the international unity of the working class, armed with a socialist program, can defend jobs and secure a future free from poverty, repression, and war.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office [Photo by Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler]

Just a week ago, Chancellor Friedrich Merz was fawning over President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, and the German press praised him for getting along so well with the far-right bully in the White House. Since then, it has become undeniable that Trump is not merely a politician with fascist tendencies but is actively working to establish a military dictatorship under his personal control.

That is the significance of Trumps decision to deploy the National Guard and military units to Los Angeles and other American cities to carry out mass deportations of migrants and brutally suppress any protests. As the WSWS has explained, Trump is deliberately engineering a far-reaching coup to construct a new dictatorial framework for capitalist class rule.

Yet despite this creeping coup unfolding in plain sight, not a single leading German politician has spoken out or even raised a warning. The same politicians who constantly justify their war offensive against Russia in the name of freedom, democracy, and a rules-based order remain silent as democracy is dismantled in the United States.

Many harbour secret or even open sympathies for Trump. They may fear his trade war policies and the potential withdrawal from NATO, but they view his brutal crackdown on migrants and political opponents with quiet admiration and envy. This becomes especially clear when reading the commentaries of journalists who live in Berlins political bubble, closely entwined with leading politicians.

Some understand very well what is happening in Washington. Veteran Suddeutsche Zeitung journalist and historian Joachim Kappner writes that Americas democracy has withstood authoritarian temptations for over two and a half centuries, but each passing week diminishes the certainty that democracy wont be permanently weakened by an unfettered executive. The US president is showing he will stop at nothing in the authoritarian transformation of society that his opponents rightly fear.

In a lead article by its New York correspondent Marc Pitzke, Der Spiegel also describes Trumps actions as a calculated move towards authoritarian rule. Trumps goal, it says, is a dramatic staging of his claim to absolute power, which he is asserting in every domain. The next steps could include activating the Insurrection Act and declaring a state of emergency to suspend elections.

Yet neither author draws any real conclusions. They do not even ask why no one is initiating impeachment proceedings against the would-be Fuhrer in the White Houseproceedings that were pursued against Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton for far less. To pose such questions would mean confronting the Democratic Party, whichaside from a few hollow wordsoffers no resistance to Trump. The Democrats fear the emerging mass movement far more than they fear an authoritarian dictatorship, as they represent the same financial oligarchy as Trump.

Nor do they criticize the German government, which continues to cultivate close ties with Trump. After all, Kappners longtime colleague Stefan Kornelius, who spent 37 years writing for Suddeutsche Zeitung, most recently as head of its political desk, now serves as spokesperson for the federal government and is responsible for selling Merzs policies to the public.

Other journalists make no effort to hide their sympathy for Trump. Most striking is Nikolas Busse, foreign affairs editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the mouthpiece of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Busse calls for a differentiated view of Trump. One must distinguish between his neo-isolationist foreign policy, which challenges Europes security framework to its core, and his handling of irregular migration. On the latter, Trump pursues a fundamental approach that is also gaining traction in Europeboth in individual countries and within the EU. That Trump got along so well with Merz, Busse writes, was due in no small part to the shift in asylum policy the chancellor intends to implement.

In language reminiscent of the far-right Alternative for Germany, he writes that at its core it is a question of how much migration Western countries can tolerate. The idea that anyone in the world has the right to settle anywhere was once a leftist utopia, he claims. Now it had become reality in many Western statesa situation that could not go well indefinitely. Unfortunately, he continues, the traditional governing parties in the West resisted this insight for too long.

Die Zeit argues along similar lines, even if it does not openly support Trumps persecution of migrants the way Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung does. Instead, it blames both Trumps voters and the protesters opposing his Gestapo-style tactics for the attempted coup.

Trump was elected by a majority for his promise to deport undocumented criminals, claims Zeit editor Sascha Chaimowicz. He accuses Trumps opponentsbased on isolated, exaggerated incidents of violenceof driving more people into Trumps arms.

The images of violence coming out of Los Angeles these days are to many people not just news but an emotional attack on their sense of security, writes Chaimowicz. When Democratic politicians rhetorically dismiss these images and instead focus on the debate about whether Trump is abolishing democracy, they risk overlooking a central point: that many people are voting not because of constitutional issues, but because of concrete fears.

We have heard this kind of argument before: Not the industrialists who funded Hitler, not the politicians who brought him into government, and not the parties that voted for the Enabling Act in 1933 were responsible for his risebut rather the workers who resisted the Nazis and stirred fear among the property-owning classes and petty bourgeoisie.

The Nazi grandeescaptains of industry, judges, professors, police chiefs, and generalswho secured Hitlers rule and then continued their careers in postwar West Germany, all excused themselves by claiming that the people supported Hitler and they had merely been following ordersa vile historical lie.

Both in the US and internationally, there is rapidly growing resistance to Trump and the declining capitalist system he represents.

Trump and other far-right figures have only achieved electoral success because the Democrats, Social Democrats, and so-called left partiestogether with the trade unionshave orchestrated decades of social redistribution in favour of the rich. As a result, they are deeply despised. Unlike Mussolini or Hitler, Trump and his ilk are not leading mass fascist movements of war veterans and down-and-out petty bourgeois. Trumps real power base is an oligarchy of multi-billionaires that has arisen from the systematic plundering of the working class.

This is precisely why German politicians and media either support Trump or seek to make arrangements with him. They too fear that the escalating capitalist crisis will trigger fierce class struggles. Just like in the 1930s, their response is dictatorship and war. The Merz government, like Trump, is cracking down on migrants in order to attack the democratic rights of the entire working class. It is rearming on a scale not seen since Hitler, aiming to deflect growing social tensions outward and pursue wars of conquest. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) plays a leading role in this.

Resistance is growingand will continue to grow. The decisive task is to arm this resistance with a socialist perspective that unites the international working class in the fight against capitalism and for a socialist society.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

Genesis tells us that during a dispute between Jacob and his uncle Laban, the former fled with his family to the mountains of Transjordan (present-day Jordan). His uncle went in search of him, and a violent clash was looming, but after a divine message and an emotional dialogue, reconciliation came, which was sealed with the relatives piling up stones as a delineation marker. And Laban said, This heap is a witness between you and me today. And he named it Galeed.

Galeed, which means heap of witness in Hebrew, has given its name  in its English form Gilead  to the oppressive, ultraconservative, and fundamentalist Christian dictatorship in which The Handmaids Tale is set. Margaret Atwoods book was published in 1985, during the Ronald Reagan years; the series premiered in 2017, the first year of Donald Trumps first term, and has now reached its finale, coincidentally with the Republican back in the White House. Its six seasons have seemed long, because this is a story about suffering, but it has recovered a sense of hope in the final installment.

The series followed the novel only in its first season, and has since developed without the guidance of the original text. In 2019, Atwood published The Testaments, a sequel set a decade and a half later, which must have served the screenwriters well to create an ending that could tie into the upcoming audiovisual production of the latest novel.

Were not going to spoil the ending of the show here, but rather the beginning. Its confusing because from the opening scene were already immersed in the totalitarian theocracy that has been imposed on most of what used to be the United States, and little by little well piece together how Gilead came to be. We learn that there was an environmental disaster and a fertility crisis, social chaos and false flag attacks, and a coup detat led by an ultra-right cult called the Sons of Jacob. The president was assassinated and Congress dissolved, human rights vanishing in a flash. The few fertile women became handmaids, or enslaved surrogates, for the commanders, the new ruling caste.

Women dressed as characters from 'The Handmaid's Tale' demonstrated for their rights outside the Capitol in June 2017. Joshua Roberts (REUTERS)

Rape is sanctioned by the new regime, and repression is fierce: mutilations and public executions are commonplace, and the bodies of those hanged are left displayed in the streets. We understand that a smaller part of the U.S. endures under that name, that a resistance called Mayday exists, and that Canada (Atwoods home country) is a safe haven for asylum seekers, although growing tensions arise between locals and newcomers. Its not stated in what year all this takes place, but some fans have concluded, piecing together clues scattered throughout the series, that the coup that founded Gilead could have occurred around 2025 (others disagree and place it much earlier, in 2014).

Most of the plot unfolds in what was previously Boston, currently a progressive bastion for those under siege by the Trump administration, as is its most prestigious campus, Harvard. One could imagine an alternative history of Gilead, in which it is the democratically elected power that is taking the reactionary turn. One in which minorities are demonized; in which rights are being abolished; in which people can disappear and reappear in a Salvadoran prison without due process; in which those who have exercised their right to protest are persecuted; in which the military is deployed against the civilian population. A story in which it is the person in charge who fuels the chaos, perhaps to justify the exceptional measures to come.

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There are plenty of scenes that highlight the escalating tension in California. Thursday provided a new one: the brief detention of Alex Padilla, the first and only Latino senator in the countrys most populous state. The legislator interrupted a press conference held by Kristi Noem, Donald Trumps Secretary of Homeland Security, who is in Los Angeles to support the administrations operations to deport undocumented immigrants that have sparked six days of protests and riots in the streets.

If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what theyre doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, Padilla said after the incident.

The senator explained that he was inside the FBI building in Los Angeles waiting for federal authorities to begin a briefing on the raids that have resulted in the arrest of more than 300 people in the metropolitan area since last week. While he waited, Padilla learned that a few floors below him, a press conference was about to be held by Secretary Noem, one of the most visible faces of Washingtons anti-immigrant crusade.

Noem had been speaking for just five minutes, defending the Trump administrations controversial decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. Were not going anywhere. Were going to stay here until we free this city from the socialists and deal with the burden of the governor and mayor, Noem said when a commotion began in the room.

Bodyguards shoving

The cameramen shifted their lenses to focus on the unusual scene: a group of bodyguards restraining the burly Padilla. As they pushed him from the room, he shouted: Im Senator Alex Padilla, I have questions for the secretary... before three men escorted him out of the room. In the hallway, Padilla was forced to kneel and lie face down while FBI agents handcuffed him. The Democratic legislator later claimed that he was not arrested, and that his detention was brief.

The images, captured in a room full of journalists, quickly went viral. This is outrageous, dictatorial and shameful, said California Governor Gavin Newsom, who became the face of the resistance against Trump following the presidents decision to militarize Los Angeles. This assault is not only on Senator Alex Padilla, but on freedom of speech and expression in our country. These actions taken by Trumps DHS communicates a message to all Americans that none of us is safe, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote on social media.

The Department of Homeland Security claims Padilla chose disrespectful political theater to confront Noem. The official DHS account stated that the legislator did not identify himself, despite all cameras present recording the moment Padilla explained who he is. The senator reported that he was able to meet with Noem for 15 minutes behind closed doors after the scene that has sparked outrage among Democrats.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt rebuked Padilla on social media. Democrat Senator Alex Padilla should be ashamed of his childish behavior today, she wrote. Using a video, she accused the lawmaker of jumping onto the podium where Noem was at the time, along with other officials, including the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said agents acted appropriately.

Nevada Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto called for Noems resignation. This level of abuse of power is shameful, outrageous, and is not doing anything to keep our homeland safe, she said. New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Lujan agreed: This administration claims its targeting violent criminals. But in reality, theyre going after political opponents.

Democratic senators believe the scene reinforces Trumps authoritarian assault and have criticized Republicans for remaining silent.

Padilla, the son of undocumented Mexican immigrants, has complained about the governments lack of transparency in carrying out immigration raids. In recent days, federal agents have arrested more than 300 people on the streets of Los Angeles. Only a small fraction of them have criminal records.

The senator is not the first Democratic lawmaker to attempt to meet with undocumented immigrants who have been detained. Several members of Congress and representatives from the downtown Los Angeles district have been recorded trying to enter detention centers. In all cases, they have been turned away by security forces. We will hold this administration accountable, Padilla said after being handcuffed by the FBI.

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The long judicial tug-of-war between Donald Trump and California has begun. The judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency ruling Thursday night suspending a lower court ruling issued hours earlier. The decision means the Donald Trump administration will temporarily retain command of the military units sent to Los Angeles to assist with government raids and monitor street protests. Earlier in the afternoon, a federal judge had sided with Governor Gavin Newsom, determining that Trump violated the Constitution by mobilizing 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines without a state request. A new hearing will be held next Tuesday.

Judge Charles Breyers ruling was a setback for the Trump administration, which is engaged in a standoff with Newsom, one of the most prominent Democratic governors. But Washington almost immediately appealed the decision. It then ended up in the hands of the Ninth Circuit, territory more favorable to the Republican president, who appointed two of the three judges on the panel during his first term. The other came to the bench through Joe Biden.

With his order, Judge Breyer returned control of the National Guard to Newsom as of noon on Friday. Newsom celebrated the district courts decision, announcing that he would return the guardsmen to their daily duties, such as monitoring the border with Mexico, combating fentanyl trafficking, and supporting the fight against the wildfires that have already begun to break out across the state.

He is not a monarch. He is not a king, and he should stop acting like one, Newsom said of Trump. On his X account, the governor celebrated the ruling with a single image, the explosion of the Death Star, having previously compared the president of the United States to Emperor Palpatine from the Star Wars saga.

California went to court on Monday hoping the judiciary would halt the militarization of its streets ordered by Washington. It argued that the Constitution assigns states power over their security forces, unless they request that the federal government take control. The Constitution and our laws strictly limit the domestic use of the military, including the National Guard, the lawsuit states.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta argued that the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits military forces from performing civilian law enforcement duties. This authority is reserved for very specific circumstances, which do not apply now, he stated in the 22-page complaint. Limits on the militarys operations within the United States, the lawyers say, date back to the days of the Founding Fathers, who distrusted military governments.

Bonta accused the administration of exacerbating the situation with the troop movement. Since Trump announced his plan to deploy troops, the situation on the ground has escalated quickly, with unrest growing overnight, causing highways to close and putting people in danger, he said Monday. The following day, Mayor Karen Bass declared a curfew in parts of downtown to quell protests and reduce vandalism after several businesses were looted.

This was the 24th lawsuit California has filed against the government during Trumps second term. On Thursday, state officials filed a 25th over Washingtons reversal of the states plan to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

Bonta emphasized that the governor knows perfectly well how to request federal support. Newsom requested assistance from the National Guard in early 2025 to support local authorities after the Los Angeles wildfires and did so again in the summer of 2020, when social protests over the murder of George Floyd threatened public order. This is the first time since 1965 that a president has activated the Guard without a request from a governor, Bonta added.

The Trump administration on Wednesday called Newsoms lawsuit a political ploy. Government lawyers argue that Trump mobilized the military by invoking discretionary emergency powers, which do not require a state executive branch to approve the use of troops on its territory. This statute [Title 10] empowers the president to determine what forces he deems necessary to suppress a rebellion or to execute armed forces, they assert. The lawyers say that not ruling in favor of the executive branch in this case is dangerous and unprecedented.

Justice Breyer, appointed by Bill Clinton, nevertheless sided with California. The plaintiffs have proven in their argument that the presidents invocation was unlawful, as he exceeded his authority in violation of Title 10, the judge stated. He had refused to issue an emergency ruling at Newsoms request on Tuesday and adjourned the hearing until Thursday after hearing arguments from the parties for 70 minutes.

The military personnel who have already arrived in the city are scattered across eight locations across the vast Los Angeles area. Rather than patrolling, they are stationary, guarding a handful of federal buildings. Nearly 150 troops are monitoring the Homeland Security facilities in the city of Paramount, near where protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids took place Saturday. About 300 troops, the largest contingent, are near Los Angeles International Airport. Some 100 are accompanying ICE personnel as they execute arrest warrants for undocumented immigrants facing deportation orders. And about 30 are in Santa Ana, Orange County. All of them will be redeployed once the long judicial process in this case is concluded.

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The acquisition of Hailey Biebers brand, Rhode, by E.l.f. Beauty drove $20 million in media impact value for the brand within just 48 hours, according to a new report from Launchmetrics. MIV is a proprietary metric that assigns an actual monetary value to marketing strategies across print, online and social media to calculate return on investment.

Announced on May 28, the $1 billion deal marked the biggest to date for E.l.f., but not its first founder-led acquisition. The beauty conglomerate acquired Susan Yaras Naturium in 2023 and Alicia Keys Keys Soulcare in 2020. This was a key factor in Biebers decision to sell to E.l.f., though the move as a whole wasnt a total surprise considering shed hired JP Morgan and Moelis to explore options.

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They support founders, they want to help push the founders vision and get behind them. Thats where we are with Rhode, and Im ready to get to the next place, Bieber said of E.l.f. in an interview with WWD at the time. This is my baby, and to find a home for it is really not an easy process  its very scary. When I met the E.l.f. team, we had a lot of similarities when it came to the importance of community and team building.

According to Launchmetrics, Rhode also succeeded with the recent release of its new campaign featuring Babygirl star Harris Dickinson. The actor was named as Rhodes first male ambassador on Monday, signaling the companys move into the male skin care market. The campaign, which saw the 28-year-old actor pose in a series of achromatic photos with the brands new Glazing Mist, generated $1.1 million in MIV within two days.

I watched [Babygirl] and I thought it was so great. I knew for this campaign that I really, really wanted to use a male face. Im just really a fan of his work and I just felt like there could be really good synergy between him and Rhode. I think that was definitely showcased in this campaign, Bieber said.

E.l.f. plans to expand Rhode internationally, starting with its official launch into Sephora stores and online in the U.S. and Canada this fall. More places, more faces, said Bieber, who will be stepping into two new roles: chief creative officer and head of innovation. She will also be moving into the position of strategic adviser for E.l.f.

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Rhode joined the beauty lexicon in 2022 with a slim stock of just three products: Peptide Glazing Fluid, Barrier Restore Cream and Peptide Lip Treatment. Since then, the line has expanded to include wide shade ranges of cream pocket blushes and lip contours. At the end of 2024, Rhode was the top skin care brand by earned media value, jumping 367 percent from 2023.









Launch Gallery: Hailey Bieber's Style Evolution Through the Years

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Jun. 13GRAND FORKS  Curt Tofteland has always been quite comfortable with the renowned works of William Shakespeare, because he became familiar with the Bard's style of writing at a young age.

The 16th Century playwright, poet and actor is widely considered the greatest writer in the English language.

"I was raised on the King James Bible, which was written in the time period that Shakespeare was writing," said Tofteland, who grew up in Martin, North Dakota, a tiny Sheridan County town 10 miles west of Harvey.

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"When you're raised on the King James Bible, you don't think it's odd that they say 'thee' and 'thou.' So I didn't have the same kind of aversion to the language that perhaps some of my other classmates had."

Tofteland, of Holland, Michigan, is directing the North Dakota Shakespeare Festival production of "As You Like It," which opened Thursday, June 12, at Town Square, DeMers Avenue and Third Street. This is the first production he's directed for the festival. Rehearsals have been taking place at UND's Burtness Theater.

Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, June 12-14 and 19-21. A matinee is also planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15.

Admission is free; donations are welcome. Reservations are requested at

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www.northdakotashakespeare.com/reservations

, but walk-ins are welcome. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

"As You Like It" is presented by the North Dakota Shakespeare Festival, now in its ninth season. A performance will be staged at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, on the lawn of Grand Forks Public Library, 2110 Library Circle; attendees should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets.

It will also be performed June 26-30 and July 3-7 in Medora, North Dakota, and July 1 in Lemmon, South Dakota.

The play, performed by professionals from throughout the country, is "a delightful pastoral comedy," said Stephanie Faatz Murry, producing artistic director, North Dakota Shakespeare Festival. It is "a joyful tale of love, wit and transformation under the forest canopy."

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Tofteland said, "'As You Like It' is considered by many folks that are Shakespeare experts, as the female 'Hamlet' in length and breadth. ... In a number of Shakespeare's plays, the female character disguises herself as a male  and that's true of (this play).

"The great thing about (this play)  as in many of Shakespeare's comedies  is no one gets killed," he said. "And it's about love and people fall in love and usually the play ends with a marriage. In this instance, the play ends with multiple marriages."

The story starts out in the urban world, "then it transposes to the pastoral world, which is the forest, so most of the play happens out in the country," he said. "We thought it was a great play to do in North Dakota, being primarily an agrarian culture and society."

The local production promises to delight audiences because "it is one of Shakespeare's plays that has the most amount of music in it," Tofteland said, noting the talent of Erin O'Neil, an East Grand Forks fiddler.

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The play boasts "a lot of singing and dancing," including a square dance, which he expects will resonate with North Dakota audiences, he said. Also it features musicians who play the ukulele, accordion and percussion.

Cast and crew members include Abby Anderson, as Rosalind; Andrew Bates, scenic designer; Murray, as Celia, Audrey and Lord; Tyler Folkedahl, as Duke Senior, Corwin and Sir Oliver Martext; Veronica Lee Folkedahl, as Phoebe, Duke Frederick and Oliver; Michael Matthys, as Touchstone, Adam, Silvius, Hymen and Jaques de Boys; O'Neil, as lead musician, Amiens, William and Lord; Alexandra Rice, stage manager; Tyler Smith, sound engineer; Mark Swift, Jaques and Charles; Emily Taylor, costume designer; and Christopher Zou, as Orlando.

Along with Tofteland, the UND alumni are Taylor, Smooth, the Folkedahls, Rice and O'Neil.

A North Dakota native, Tofteland attended his first eight grades in school at Martin and completed his high school education in Harvey, North Dakota, where an English teacher ignited his interest in Shakespeare's plays by introducing him, as a junior, to the tragedy "Romeo and Juliet." In 1968, as a senior, he watched Franco Zeffirelli's newly-released film, of the same name, in a Harvey, North Dakota, theater.

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Tofteland earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UND  one of the first BFA degrees conferred  with an emphasis on vocal performance, in 1974, he said. He also had concentrations in theater and creative writing with a focus on poetry.

Tofteland has built a career celebrating the Bard's work. During his 20-year tenure as the producing artistic director Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, he has produced about 50 Shakespeare productions, directed 25, and acted in eight. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, the oldest free Shakespeare festival in North America, he said.

A professional director and an Equity actor, Tofteland has more than 200 professional productions to his credit. He has presented more than 400 performances of his one-man show "Shakespeare's Clownes: A Foole's Guide to Shakespeare".

Tofteland has earned international acclaim for his work with "Shakespeare Behind Bars," a program he created 34 years ago to influence the lives of people in prisons and juvenile detention centers.

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Tofteland is "a bit of a legend in the Shakespeare Community" for the program "that brings Shakespeare performance opportunities to incarcerated men and women," Murry said.

As founder of "Shakespeare Behind Bars," Tofteland has produced and directed 14 all-male Shakespeare plays. The work is "transformational," he said.

Under this program, "we have about 500 prisoners who've been released. Our recidivism rate is less than 6% over 30 years, whereas the national average is 67% come back within five years."

To learn more about the SBB program, go to

shakespearebehindbars.org

and watch the award-winning documentary by Philomath Films, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and traveled to more than 40 film festivals, winning 11 awards.






Key Points

TCS World Travel has unveiled a new private jet journey, departing from Washington, D.C., in March 2026.

Travelers will chase the aurora borealis across Iceland, Finland, and Norway.

Highlights of the journey include touring ice and lava caves, experiencing wild fjords, and staying in an arctic treehouse to view the Northern Lights.







If youve ever dreamed of soaring into the Arctic North to chase the northern lights, now is your chance.



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TCS World Travel is launching a luxury 10-day private jet tour to Scandinavia, beginning in Washington, D.C., with stops in Iceland, Norway, and Finland. The trip will include off-the-beaten-path destinations that have been chosen for their remote beauty, access to wildlife, or cultural significance.

Travelers in the private group will fly on a new Airbus A321 plane, which offers flatbed seats, in-air connectivity, and the comfort of a home away from home. The trip will take place in 2026 from March 14 to March 23.



After a night in Washington, D.C. at the luxe Rosewood Washington D.C., participants jet off in the morning to Lake Myvatn in northeastern Iceland. Over the course of two nights in Iceland, travelers explore volcanic black sand beaches, the lava formations of Dimmuborgir, the Skutustaagigar pseudo craters, and other wild geological sites. There is also a private tour to the Lofthellir cave of ice and lava and time to see the coastal town of Husavik, and possibly go whale watching or soak in the natural geothermal sea baths.



Next, the group zips over to Norway to experience the countrys wild fjords of Hjrundfjord. There, the participants have the choice to kayak in the bay, go wine tasting, visit a floating sauna, or try snowshoeing. On this two-day leg of the trip there will be a private fishing excursion, as well as an opportunity to learn about locally farmed Norwegian cuisine in the fjord village of Glomset. Travelers stay in the town of Alesund, which is spread out across seven small islands.



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The last leg of the trip takes guests to Rovaniemi, Finland, for three nights to stay in an arctic treehouse and catch the northern lights in the company of a guide. During the day, travelers experience the winter of Lapland by snowmobiling through the wilderness, visiting a sled dog farm, snowshoeing to a remote ice fishing spot, and floating in the arctic waters in a specially designed dry suit. There is also an opportunity to stop at Santa Claus Village to see St. Nicks hometown.



The trip starts at $90,000 all-inclusive per person for double occupancy, with a $9,000 single supplement. To reserve a spot, visit TCS World Travels booking page for the journey at tcsworldtravel.com.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
TOKYO - Japan's farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi has returned to the political spotlight by launching a push to lower rice prices amid rising household burdens, in a style reminiscent of his father, former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

The turnaround comes as the 44-year-old's prospects were widely seen as written off after he finished third in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race in September, hurt by a perceived lack of experience and remarks some jokingly refer to as "poems."

But some analysts say his theatrical style, strong media presence and resemblance to his father's reformist approach could make him a lifeline for the LDP as it faces this summer's national election with a public frustrated as price hikes outpace wages.

The leadership of the LDP, headed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, "chose to use Shinjiro Koizumi's communication skills and fame to turn misfortune into a blessing," said Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University.

A telegenic lawmaker who has represented his father's former seat since 2009, Koizumi took over as agriculture minister on May 21 after his predecessor resigned over a gaffe in which he said he "doesn't buy rice" because supporters give it to him.

Koizumi has quickly taken a series of steps including releasing government stockpiled rice at about half the market value through direct contracts with retailers, drawing attention to a wide range of controversial issues in the agricultural sector.

"He's been more effective at capturing the public imagination than the LDP expected," Shiratori said, describing the upcoming House of Councillors vote and the Tokyo metropolitan assembly race in June as "rice elections."

"If the LDP can win the elections, lawmakers may begin to see him as their best option as leader," Shiratori added, as a recent Kyodo News survey showed Koizumi favored as the next prime minister by 15.9 percent, ahead of Ishiba in fourth at 7.3 percent.

The shift has been stark for Koizumi, whose popularity has waned since he entered politics, due in part to mockery for his "poetic" turn of phrase and his comment as environment minister that tackling global warming "should be sexy."

Pundits say part of his renewed appeal lies in his pivot to the kind of "theatrical politics" synonymous with his father, casting himself as a "hero" delivering cheap rice to consumers in opposition to the supposed interests of the agriculture industry.

As Koizumi moves to take aim at Japan's entrenched and opaque agricultural distribution networks and their political ties, former farm minister Tetsuro Nomura criticized him, saying he "must remember the rules" when advancing policy.

Nevertheless, Nomura, a veteran lawmaker who has close links with agriculture sector-related groups, received backlash as the public has not supported politicians viewed as protecting outdated vested interests, ultimately boosting Koizumi's standing.

Disregard for political orthodoxy was a key tenet of his father Junichiro Koizumi's media-savvy strategy. His penchant for punchy slogans helped him win the 2001 LDP presidential race on a pledge to "break" the party's old power structures.

During his five-year tenure as premier from 2001, he secured a landslide victory in the 2005 snap election, framed as a referendum on his belief that the post office must be privatized -- a reformist platform that echoes in his son's agricultural policy.

Toru Yoshida, a political science professor at Doshisha University, said some voters prefer reform to come from within the LDP and Shinjiro Koizumi "wears the mantle as his father once did," adding, "In this sense, the two are dead ringers."

Linguistic parallels have also emerged, with the son mirroring his father's language in his apparent quest to change agricultural policy, saying his appetite for reform spares "no sacred cows." Skepticism, however, is growing over whether his momentum will last.

"If all the noise is found to have done little to resolve the central issue of lower living standards, the public could feel they were misled. Then, voter anger could boomerang back to Koizumi, with negative consequences for his political career," Yoshida said.

Related coverage:

Nearly 60% expect rice prices to fall with new farm minister: poll
Whether youre looking to explore a new country or visit cities and towns within the U.S., summer is the perfect time to travel with your friends, family or even by yourself.

While traveling is an unmatched experience, theres a lot of planning and decision-making to be done before booking a flight or hopping in your car. The first is where exactly you want to go and what experience you want to have. Are you looking to enjoy the sun or escape it? Do you want to relax on the beach or explore historic cities and see stunning sights?

To help make this decision a bit easier, we spoke with a travel expert to map out the best places to travel this summer. From budget-friendly trips to explorations across the pond, here are seven places to consider visiting.

1. Indonesia

Diamond Beach is one of most beautiful and pristine beaches in Bali, Indonesia. Nora Carol Photography via Getty Images

Bali is quite a popular destination to visit, but you shouldnt overlook the rest of Indonesia when planning your trip. Exploring Indonesia can entail epic boutique yacht cruises around the Komodo Islands with a full staff and only six cabins, or lesser-known islands like Sumba and Lombok, where the Indonesian culture is still thriving and the crowds are swarming, said Athena Livadas, a luxury travel adviser and owner of Pame Travel.

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Whats more, hospitality rates are cheaper than those youll find in Europe. Plus, youll be dining on delicious foods you wont find elsewhere. Think fresh acai bowls in the morning and funky cocktails with Korean barbecue for dinner, Livadas said. Its also easier to navigate than people expect, with apps like Grab (Asias Uber) and lots of domestic flight options. Summer is the perfect weather, with dry days and warm water.

2. Portugal

A cobblestone street in Lisbon, Portugal, with beautiful yellow architecture and evening light. Artur Debat via Getty Images

When traveling to Portugal, youll find a strong mix of value, variety and ease. You can travel the country by train or rental car and experience everything from the vineyard-covered hills along the Douro Valley to the vibrant streets of Lisbon to the coastal escapes of Comporta and Algarve and the surf town charm of Ericeira, Livadas said.

In fact, shes sending a large, multigenerational family with grandparents, kids and grandkids there this summer because of how well it works for everyone. Some of the family-friendly hotels even offer free child care, she added.

3. Greece

The beach of Navagio with an old shipwreck is one of the main tourism spots of Zakynthos island in Greece. guenterguni via Getty Images

You cant go wrong with traveling to Greece in the summer, whether youre exploring Santorini or enjoying all that Mykonos has to offer. Its one of Livadas best-selling destinations, and for good reason.

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For travelers who want something a little less touristy and a little more affordable, I always suggest places like Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands of the Chalkidiki region in the north, where the Greeks go to escape the crowds, she said. You still get the Mediterranean magic, incredible food and classic Grecian vibes, just with fewer people, better rates and more availability.

4. Montenegro

An aerial view of Sveti Stefan ("Saint Stephen"), a fortified island village on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Feng Wei Photography via Getty Images

Montenegro is a destination that tends to fly under the radar compared with its neighbor Croatia. The Bay of Kotor is stunning and theres a really cool blend of culture, history and luxury happening there, Livadas said. Its perfect for someone who wants that coastal Europe vibe but has already done Italy and Greece.

Whats more, when visiting Montenegro, its a quick one-hour drive over the border to Dubrovnik, Croatia, which has many well-preserved buildings, shops and restaurants to explore.

5. Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico, from afar. Haizhan Zheng via Getty Images

Puerto Rico offers year-round appeal and often has more affordable hotel rates and deals on flights. Its the perfect location for those who want to get away without spending a fortune on airfare and lodging.

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In addition to this, its a U.S. territory, meaning you dont need a passport to travel there. This makes it both accessible and cost-effective, said Davelyn Tardi, director of public relations at Discover Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also has direct flights from several major U.S. cities, including New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago, making it easy to reach.

6. Slovenia

The Soca River in Slovenia, a popular travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. [Hans Henning Wenk] via Getty Images

Slovenia borders the north of Croatia and has all the charm of the Swiss Alps but at a lower price than Switzerland. Its worth the visit while its still under the radar.

The Julian Alps and Karawanks mountain ranges in the north offer incredible hiking, whether you want to do a multiday hut-to-hut trek or opt for a luxe stay near one of the regions stunning lakes, Livadas said. Its also super accessible, with Venice just a two-hour drive away.

7. Peru

A herd of alpacas in the Laguna de Salinas in the Arequipa region in the Andes in Peru. @ Didier Marti via Getty Images

If youre looking for an amazing trip thats different from any other vacation youve taken, try the unique experiences of traveling to Peru. The country has something for everyone, including picnics with alpacas and luxury five-course dinners.

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Its dry season there during our summer months, so its a great time to visit Machu Picchu and explore the Sacred Valley without rain, Livadas said. The food scene is insane, the culture is rich, and it feels like a true bucket list destination that still offers great value for the experience you get.

Money-Saving Tips While Traveling

Traveling may be getting a bit more expensive as the U.S. may be heading toward a recession. If youre planning on traveling this summer, Livadas says its important to use your reward points wisely.

Save them for flights, not hotels and make sure youre transferring them to airline loyalty programs instead of redeeming through your credit card portal, she explained. Youll get way more value that way, especially on international or business class flights.

In addition, Livadas suggests breaking the journey into two legs. Instead of searching for one expensive ticket, look for deals into a major hub like Singapore, spend a night or two, and then book a separate, regional flight with a budget carrier to your final destination. While it takes a little extra effort, it can end up saving you hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars.

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If youre embarking on a longer trip, consider mixing your hotel stays with vacation rentals. Staying in a home for part of the trip can help save money on meals and give you more space to spread out, she said.

If youre traveling with a friend or your family, splitting the cost of a larger villa reduces your per-person price significantly. Sharing costs with others can also help make private tours and other excursions affordable, Livadas shares, as it opens the door to exclusive experiences that might be too pricey to do solo.

Related...
Researchers have finally confirmed that a long-sunken hulk off the coast of Colombia is none other than the San Jose. The legendary Spanish galleon, which vanished beneath the waves of the Caribbean 300 years ago, has been dubbed the worlds richest shipwreck. Now the big question is, who does the treasure belong to?

The San Jose was first launched in 1698 and was the flagship of the Spanish treasure fleet. In 1708, it was carrying gold and jewels from Peru to Spain that would help fund the War of Spanish Succession. As the ship approached Cartagena, Colombia, British naval forces attacked. During the melee, the gunpowder stores on the San Jose ignited, sinking the ship. Nearly 600 crew members perished as the ship went down with its vast cargo of gold, silver, emeralds, pearls, and other treasures.

Gold "cobs" seen in ROV images from the wreck. Photo: ARC-DIMAR 2022/Vargas Ariza et al., 2025

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For centuries, the wreck remained lost beneath the sea. Two groups claim they discovered the famous shipwreck. U.S. salvage company Glocca Morra (now Sea Search Armada) insists that it first found the location of the ship in 1981. Then, in 2015, the Colombian navy, working with marine archaeologists, located the actual remains of the galleon using underwater drones.

At a depth of around 600m, it is too deep for divers to access. This made it hard for researchers to confirm that it is definitely the San Jose. The Colombian navy has been using remotely operated vehicles to survey the wreck. The key to proving that it is the San Jose has been the gold coins scattered on the ocean floor.

Process of elimination

The lead author of a new study, Daniela Vargas Ariza, explained how these coins allow dating of the wreck and its demise through a process of elimination. These particular coins, known as "cobs," show mint marks from Lima, dated 1707. They also have castles, lions, Jerusalem crosses, and other Spanish imperial symbols imprinted on them.

The finding of cobs...points to a vessel navigating the Tierra Firme route in the early 18th century," said the paper. "The San Jose galleon is the only ship that matches these characteristics.



The markings on the 'cobs'. Image: ARC-DIMAR 2022 / Vargas Ariza et al., 2025

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This Holy Grail of shipwrecks is now at the center of a legal battle. Colombia claims it is the sole owner of the wreck under its national heritage laws. They argue that as the ship lies within its territorial waters, it belongs to them. But others want to stake their claim over the ship and its $16 billion of treasure.

Spain contends that the San Jose is a Spanish ship and so it is Spanish state property. Sea Search Armada says it was the first to identify the general location of the wreck in the 1980s and so should receive some of the compensation. Indigenous communities from countries like Peru and Bolivia are also asserting claims to the treasure since most of it was pillaged from them when they were under Spanish colonial rule.

After hearings in Colombia and the U.S., the decision about who owns the most valuable shipwreck in the world will lie with the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A person is dead after a two-vehicle crash at a North Las Vegas intersection on Thursday, according to police.

The crash involving a Hyundai Sonata and a Dodge Ram pickup took place shortly after 10:30 a.m. near Revere Street and Rossmoyne Avenue.

Once police arrived, they found two adult passengers in a Hyundai Sonata critically injured. Both passengers were taken to the hospital. One of the passengers was later pronounced dead.

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According to the police investigation, the Hyundai was traveling westbound on Rossmoyne Avenue, which is controlled by stop signs at Revere Street. The vehicle did not come to a stop at the intersection and entered the path of the Dodge Ram, which was traveling northbound on Revere Street.

Neither speed nor impairment appeared to be factors in this collision, police said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the North Las Vegas Police Department by phone at 702-633-9111. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A male victim was injured after he was shot while in a vehicle in Clarksville Thursday night.

According to a release, officers were in the area of Heritage Point Circle and Abby Creek Drive around 11 p.m. after receiving a call someone in the area had a warrant on file.

While on Abby Creek Drive, they heard a gunshot and found a vehicle with two males inside who had been involved in a dispute.

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READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County

The front seat passenger had a gunshot wound to his leg. He was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where his condition is unknown.

Clarksville police reported the relationship between the two people is unknown. The investigation is ongoing.

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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Ten people were arrested outside the Portland ICE building Thursday night as ongoing protests continue both locally and across the country.

According to Portland police, throughout the evening, officers were monitoring the protest at the ICE building, focusing on threats to safety.

Throughout the night, officials said they developed probable cause for arrests, and shortly before midnight, they arrested 10 people for criminal acts ranging from disorderly conduct to arson.

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Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas

Police said the arson charges were related to people starting fires near the building.

On Wednesday, three other people were arrested after starting a fire outside the ICE building.

Portland police emphasized that these arrests were focused on criminal actions, not constitutionally protected free speech.

Two officers received minor injuries during the arrests, and officials said one protester who was arrested also reported he was injured; however, he declined 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 KOIN.com.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Hachijojima is an island shaped by volcanoes, softened by forests and warmed by the ocean. Located 55 minutes by plane from Tokyos Haneda Airport, this subtropical island is often called the Hawaii of Japan. The nickname comes from its black sand beaches, hot springs and friendly year-round weather.

But Hachijojima is not only about beauty. It offers a slower way of life, one that has remained deeply tied to nature.

Will this local cafe be named the best farm-to-table in the U.S.? How to vote

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There are no convenience stores. Public transportation is limited. The rhythm here moves at the pace of ocean tides and mountain winds. Visitors come for quiet, for adventure and for the sense that time on Hachijojima is something different.

If you are planning a visit, here are the most important things to know before you go.

A Waikiki favorite opens location in Japan: Hawaii eats

1. Expect subtropical weather and a lot of rain

Hachijojima is sometimes called the island of everlasting spring. Its weather stays warm and humid, with frequent rainfall throughout the year. Bring light clothes that dry quickly. Pack shoes for mud. The rain supports rich plant life while palms grow on hillsides, and tropical flowers bloom in mountain forests.

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Will this local cafe be named the best farm-to-table in the U.S.? How to vote

The frequent fog and strong winds also make flying to Hachijojima a challenge for pilots. Weather conditions may delay flights; so, its wise to plan with flexibility.

2. There are no convenience stores, so plan ahead

Unlike other parts of Japan, Hachijojima has no convenience stores. That means no last-minute stops for snacks, drinks or simple supplies. Visitors should bring what they need or prepare to shop at smaller local stores with limited hours.

Most restaurants and shops open during the day and close early. Check times in advance. Carry cash. Some places may not accept credit cards.

3. Visit Hachijo Fuji for one of the best island views

Hachijo Fuji, also known as Mt. Nishi, rises 854 meters above the island. To reach the top, you will climb 1,280 steps. The hike takes under an hour. From the summit, the views are extraordinary where you can see the city below, Mt. Mihara in the distance and the ocean all around.

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At the summit, a circular path around the caldera leads you past forests, ponds and the quiet Asama Shrine. Descriptions of the majestic experience indicate that when walking the rim, it feels like walking in the sky.

4. See emerald water and waterfalls on Mt. Mihara

Mt. Mihara, also known as Mt. Higashi, has gentler trails than Hachijo Fuji. The hike to two main sights takes about two and a half hours total. First is Iounuma. Its a deep green pond surrounded by trees where the water reflects the forest in mirror-like stillness.

Keep walking and you will reach Karataki, a 36-meter waterfall that flows down cliffs rich in moss and moisture. The sound of the water and the feeling of being deep in nature make this a hidden favorite amongst hikers.

5. Walk behind Urami-ga-taki Fall and soak in nearby onsen

Urami-ga-taki, which means view from behind, is a waterfall that you can walk behind. The path takes you under the falls mist. Combined with the nearby onsen, or hot spring bath, this spot brings the kind of refreshment that only nature can offer.

6. Explore natural rock formations like the pothole

Designated a natural monument, the pothole is a natural formation created by flowing water over time. While some of the holes are small, there are others are wide enough to step inside. Morning sunlight brings out reflections and colors in the water that are especially striking.

7. Find island life past and present at Fureai Farm and Hachijo Kojima

Fureai Farm is located on the way to Hachijo Fuji. It is a simple farm with a beautiful view; and from the hill, you can see the ocean, the airport and the port.

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Hachijo Kojima, just offshore, is an uninhabited island. People lived there until 1969; but now, it holds the remains of homes, shrines and a school. One of the easiest ways to be sure you experience everything the island has to offer, you can opt for a guided tour.

8. Take part in island life through crafts and diving

Hachijojima offers many ways to explore beyond sightseeing. Try scuba diving or snorkeling in warm waters that are full of coral and fish. Yuu can go fishing, join a weaving or handcraft workshop, learn how to make traditional island fabric and do yoga outdoors with the ocean wind in your hair. An extra added treat is the adventure of camping or barbecuing under the stars.

At night, you can take advantage of the island being far away from city lights by taking a glowing mushroom tour or look out for constellations that fill the sky.

9. Try traditional island flavors made from land and sea

Island food is both a challenge and a reward for travelers. One must-try dish is shima zushi, a kind of marinated sushi flavored with mustard instead of wasabi. Another is kusaya, a fermented fish that is known for its strong smell. It may not suit every taste, but it is deeply tied to the islands history.

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Also look for ashitaba, a green leaf used in cooking, and local milk, cheese and shochu. Hachijojima lemons and passion fruit are grown on the island and are used in sweets and drinks that can quench any thirst.

10. Let Hachijojima shape the pace of your visit

Hachijojima does not move quickly. Flights are short but the experience is not. This is a place where the air smells like rain and trees, roads follow the coast without rushing and hikes end in still water or windblown peaks.

You can click here for an English language site that provides more information.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Experience why Hachijojima is called the Hawaii of Japan through its sweeping views, rich natural beauty and the strong sense of community that defines island life.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
The original Food Stamp Program, created in 1939 by the federal government, was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in 2008. The program provides government-funded benefits to Americans most in need of food assistance. Currently, there are an estimated 42.1 million Americans who receive SNAP benefits.

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This large percentage of Americans in need of food assistance is essentially a poverty issue, as in America, food is generally readily accessible if you can afford it. Raising the incomes of the impoverished is the best way to provide them with access to healthy and plentiful food, though thats easier said than done.

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To determine the 10 states with the highest percentage of families on SNAP, GOBankingRates used the U.S. Department of Agricultures Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program data tables and the U.S. Census Bureaus American Consumer Survey. Heres the ranking of states with the highest percentage of families on SNAP, presented in reverse order, along with a brief examination of the potential causes and cures for the problem.

10. Alabama

Total number of people with SNAP: 752,200

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 15%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 38%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $320

Nearly 16% of Alabamas population lives below the poverty line, so it follows that nearly the same percentage of people need food assistance. Each household member on SNAP receives an average daily benefit of $6.31.

9. Illinois

Total number of people with SNAP: 1.94 million

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 15%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 39%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $288

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One of the main reasons that Illinois ranks higher than might be expected in terms of SNAP participation is that the state is very effective at getting eligible residents to sign up for the program, with between 95% and 100% of eligible individuals participating.

Learn More: 9 Things the Middle Class Should Consider Downsizing To Save on Monthly Expenses

8. Pennsylvania

Total number of people with SNAP: 2 million

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 15%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 29%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $285

Pennsylvania has approximately 12% of its population living below the poverty line and a 17% child poverty rate. Households with children show a monthly average SNAP benefit of $506.

7. West Virginia

Total number of people with SNAP: 277,400

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 16%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 36%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $258

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West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the U.S., and this contributes greatly to the above-average SNAP participation rate. More than one in five children in the state lives below the poverty line. The average SNAP benefit for a household with children is $508 per month.

6. Massachusetts

Total number of people with SNAP:

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 16%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 31%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $274

Massachusetts is one of the wealthiest states in America, but nearly one-quarter of its residents still rely on SNAP. For each household member per day, the average SNAP benefit is $6.44.

5. Nevada

Total number of people with SNAP: 505,500

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 16%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 44%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $276

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Its estimated that Nevada has a poverty rate of 12%. To add to that, the poverty rate for children is 16.6%. The average SNAP benefit for a household with children is $479.

4. Oklahoma

Total number of people with SNAP: 686,800

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 17%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 42%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $332

In Oklahoma, more than 66% of SNAP participants are in families with children and more than 42% are in working families. This combination of factors helps keep the SNAP participation rate fairly high.

3. Oregon

Total number of people with SNAP: 757,700

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 18%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 35%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $247

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Unemployment and poverty rates in Oregon are both above the national average, no doubt contributing to the states high SNAP participation rate. However, the state has also made a significant effort in the past few decades to increase awareness of SNAP benefits, which is likely pumping up numbers as well.

2. Louisiana

Total number of people with SNAP: 847,100

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 18%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 41%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $336

Louisiana has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, at 18.9%, so it makes sense that the states SNAP participation rate would be high. This far surpasses the national poverty rate, which is estimated to be about 12.7%.

1. New Mexico

Total number of people with SNAP: 451,200

Percentage of state residents on SNAP: 21%

Percentage of people with income at or below 50% poverty line: 44%

Average monthly SNAP benefits per household: $307

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New Mexicos numbers are likely boosted by the fact that the state pays out benefits to those earning high levels at the federal poverty level, whereas there are more limitations in most states. New Mexico residents can also apply online, which provides greater access to benefits, though that might be subject to change under the Trump administration.

John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed recipients of SNAP benefits to find the states with the highest percentages of families utilizing the program. Using data from the US Census American Community Survey, the total population ages 65 and over, household median income and total households were sourced for each state. The cost-of-living indices were sourced from the Missouri Economic and Research Information Center and using the average expenditure costs as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure costs for each state can be calculated. The average single-family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index and by assuming a 10% down payment and using the national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and expenditure cost, the total cost of living can be calculated. Using data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities SNAP State-by-State fact sheets, SNAP participation can be analyzed to find the percentages of families receiving SNAP benefits, average amount of SNAP benefits by household members, poverty level of households receiving SNAP benefits, the households dynamic of households that receive SNAP benefits, and average amounts per person. The states were sorted to show the highest percentage of recipients who receive SNAP benefits. All data was collected on and is up to date as of May 20th, 2025.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 States With the Highest Percentage of Families on SNAP
For all those who love central Ohio, there's only one place you'll want to be on June 14 at 6:14 p.m.: the annual celebration of all things in the 614 area code.

Columbus locals can look forward to the annual celebration of 614 Day on June 14 at Land Grant-Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St.

The event, which will shut down Town Street and is expected to bring over 10,000 attendees, is a gathering of food, music and good vibes based on central Ohio's 614 area code.

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Taking place in the Franklinton Arts District  also known as the city's hub for creativity  some of Columbus' best creatives, business owners, fashion designers, foodies and changemakers will come together to share their neighborhood pride.

614 Day is a free, family-friendly event, which will take place from 12 to 9 p.m. With this year being the 10-year milestone, guests can expect to experience live music, a variety of local vendors, interactive art installations and community spotlights.

"614 Day has grown organically and more people have joined in on the fun," said co-founder Yohannan Terrell.

"We will be making the 614 Day awards bigger than ever, and there will be some other surprises that we believe all attendees will appreciate."

The annual 614 Day event will celebrate all things Columbus for the 10th year on June 14 in Franklinton.

Building into a decade

Back in 2015, 614 Day was nothing more than a small gathering at Seventh Son Brewing Co. in Columbus' historic Italian Village. A tiny coalition of central Ohio lovers came together to share their pride in being a Columbus resident.

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That coalition consisted of Chris Jones, Terrell and Malcolm White. Now, 614 Day is known citywide and backed by community partners like Experience Columbus, Columbus Crew, COSI, iHeartMedia and Land-Grant Brewing Co. to create a memorable celebration for neighbors.

"I remember bringing this idea to the radio station and a few partners of mine, and I remember thinking that the weather is perfect in June; we didnt think much of it," Terrell said. "We just love getting together and celebrating this great city."

School of Rock, Zoo Trippin', Mojoflo, Ceez, DrippDaDon, about a dozen DJs and poetry readings are among the long list of performances for the celebration.

Trending features reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 614 Day annual party is June 14
Gaspard Farrer may be just a footnote in history, but he will be remembered fondly by Rachel Reeves.

A 585m fortune donated by the wealthy banker almost 100 years ago has finally been donated to the public purse after a five-year legal battle.

Mr Farrer, a former partner at the now-defunct Barings Bank, is thought to have left 500,000 in 1927 as a gift to the nation in response to the UKs huge national debt after the First World War.

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But rules stipulated that the so-called National Fund, established in 1927, could only be made available when it was enough to pay off the national debt in full. It means that for years, the fortune has been locked away from successive governments.

However, a 2022 High Court ruling ordered the funds to be released  a decision upheld after the funds trustees lodged an appeal.

They were finally paid to the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the financial year ending in April, according to a Freedom of Information request seen by The Telegraph.

The DMO offers a little-known scheme that allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to paying off the national debt.

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Last year, donations reached a record 585,112,933  almost entirely due to the payment of the 1927 National Fund. It was one of 16 donations  three of which were left in wills and 13 were one-off payments.

In the nine years prior, just 175,000 per year on average has been donated to the scheme.

The legal wrangling for Mr Farrers money began under Theresa Mays government which successfully used a niche legal argument to prise open the savings pot.

The bid to tap into the pot used cy-pres jurisdiction  meaning as near as possible  which is applied primarily to charitable trusts whose original purpose became impossible to fulfil.

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The funds were being looked after by Zedra Fiduciary Services who acted as the defendant in the case. The Telegraph contacted representatives for Zedra for comment.

The cash is now on the Exchequers balance sheet, but will make just a 0.02pc dent in Britains 2.7 trillion national debt, which has grown to the same size as the entire economy.

The funds were originally set aside as a 500,000 investment in assets, including gilts, by a donor who remained anonymous for decades. After the government of the day lodged its legal bid to obtain the money in 2018, Mr Farrers identity was at last revealed.

The fund quietly grew in value for years until its transfer to the Treasury was revealed in a request made to the DMO by accountancy firm RSM. The documents confirmed it had received Mr Farrers fortune.

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Chris Etherington, partner at RSM, said: It is generosity of a level that the Chancellor could not have expected. It could provide some inspiration as to how additional revenues could be generated for the Exchequer.

No prospect of the fund ever paying off national debt

When Mr Farrers donation was first made, Sir Winston Churchill said the money was inspired by clear-sighted patriotism and makes a practical contribution towards the ultimate  though yet distant  extinction of the public debt.

But doubts have grown over the years that the money would ever actually fulfil its original purpose.

John Glenn, a former culture minister, said in response to a parliamentary question in 2018 that there is no realistic prospect of the fund ever amounting to a sum sufficient to pay off the whole of the national debt.

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Mr Farrers donation was held in the form of a charitable trust and was on paper one of the most well-endowed of its kind in the country.

John Picton, a reader in law at the University of Manchester, said using the fund to pay off national debt would be a missed opportunity to donate to more worthy causes.

He added: Its a missed opportunity because the fund could have been kept in charity. I think its unimaginative, personally.

Mr Picton suggested the money could go towards a charitable fund for the Armed Forces, or to support the work of the countrys museums and art galleries.

He said: In Gaspard Farrers time, the national debt was associated with war debt and paying it off had a patriotic motivation and thats long lost.

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But now the national debt, rather than having patriotic sentiments attached to it, is just a large number we all live with and grows throughout time. Its unthinkable now that people would want to voluntarily pay to reduce it.

While the Government has not outlined a particular item of spending Mr Farrers fortune will go towards, the sum could more than pay for the 500m departmental expenditure limits placed on the Treasury during this financial year.

According to Labours manifesto, the Government would also have plenty of spare change if it used the National Funds proceeds to deliver a promised 6,500 new expert teachers, the cost of which was listed at 450m. It could also pay for a brand new NHS hospital. Of the 16 new hospitals the Government plans to build by 2030, six are forecast to cost 500m or less, while others will cost as much as 2bn.

Mr Farrers only other surviving legacy is his 11,438 square foot mansion in Kent. He commissioned the legendary architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to design the property, which was built in 1911. The eight bedroom house was recently placed on the market for 3.5m.

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11 Investigates has learned that 13 protests in 10 different communities are set for this Saturday in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Organizers said these are all peaceful protests to voice opposition to some of President Trumps policies.

What were seeing is there are people who are frustrated that this isnt what they voted for, and this isnt what they want for our country, said Abby Graham-Pardus.

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Graham-Pardus is organizing the No Kings rally at the Westmoreland County Courthouse in Greensburg Saturday afternoon.

This will be the third rally shes held at the courthouse to protest President Trump.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Protesters gather in local counties to participate in nationwide Hands Off rallies

One of the previous rallies attracted 800 people.

While voters in Westmoreland County overwhelmingly supported President Trump in the last election, Graham-Pardus is expecting a thousand people to attend Saturday.

She said there will be Democrats, independents and even Republicans who are concerned about Trumps actions, including possible cuts to healthcare benefits, immigration raids, and a military parade in Washington D.C. this weekend.

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The parade is June 14th, which marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army as well as Trumps 79th birthday.

>>> The Army is set to celebrate 250 years with a parade that coincides with Trumps birthday

We respect the military and everything they do and they shouldnt be used for a birthday parade. Essentially, theres been this slow slide to authoritarianism, said Graham-Pardus, who said shes worked with Greensburg Police to ensure the safety of protesters.

No Kings protests are scheduled for this Saturday in ten communities in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Cranberry, Beaver, Mars, Greensburg, Uniontown, Washington, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Coraopolis, and Mt. Lebanon.

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Two No Kings protests are set for Pittsburgh.

One will start at the City-County building on Grant Street and the other will begin at Freedom Corner in the Hill District.

Theres also a vigil for science and academic freedom at Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday evening.

At this time, we have no indication that there will be any civil unrest in the city, said Lee Schmidt, Pittsburgh Public Safety Director.

But Schmidt said extra police officers and medics will be on hand just as a precaution.

Were here to make sure everyones rights are protected and maintain safety, said Schmidt.

We found some online threats, a guy literally put on social media, that hes going to be like Kyle Rittenhouse, with his feet on the ground. We dont want that, said Mayor JoJo Burgess of Washington Pa.

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Rittenhouse was acquitted of killing two men during a protest over a fatal police shooting in Wisconsin six years ago.

Mayor Burgess said in light of the threat, theres a heightened sense of alert and security for No Kings rally in his community Saturday.

Burgess said police will be on hand and plan to shut down roads around the courthouse to keep the protestors safe.

Burgess said he doesnt expect any issues.

I know the organizers. Theyve held protests in the city before. Theyve always been peaceful. Theres never been any kind of problem with it, but when you see these kinds of threats in this climate that we live in, youve got to take that seriously, said Burgess.

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It will be a busy day for Mayor Burgess as his city is also holding a Juneteenth celebration on the same day.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also weighed in on the planned protest.

He said his administration will be working around the clock to ensure both the rights of demonstrators and the well-being of cities and towns are protected.

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TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday condemned Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military targets, while vowing to work with other Group of Seven members to ease tensions in the Middle East.

Ishiba told reporters that Israel's move was "totally intolerable" and "extremely regrettable," adding, "Any actions that could further escalate the situation must be refrained from," in reference to Iran's retaliatory offensive.

He also said he will explain Japan's position on the issue at the upcoming two-day G7 summit in Canada from Monday. Resource-poor Japan has traditionally maintained friendly relations with Iran, as it has long depended on the country for crude oil.

On Friday, Japan's Foreign Ministry raised its danger advisory for Iran to level 3, which urges nationals to "avoid all travel."

For areas bordering Pakistan and Iraq, the level 4 alert -- the highest possible -- remains in place, advising nationals to "evacuate and avoid all travel."

Around 400 Japanese nationals have been living in Iran in recent years, the ministry said, suggesting they consider leaving the country.

The ministry also upgraded its danger advisory for Israel to level 3 or higher across the entire country, citing the likelihood of retaliation by Iran.

Earlier in the day, Israel said it had conducted strikes on "dozens of military targets" in Iran, including nuclear facilities, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying in a video statement that the military operation would "continue for as many days as it takes to remove" the threat.

Israel is believed to be backed by Japan's close security ally, the United States. Tokyo, meanwhile, has pursued a balanced diplomatic approach toward Israel and other Middle Eastern nations.

The government of U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January with a pledge to block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, has engaged in negotiations with Tehran, which has insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya separately said at a press conference that peace and stability in the Middle East is "extremely important" for his country, calling on all parties to exercise "utmost restraint."

Iwaya also said the government will take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in the region.

Related coverage:

Israel makes "preemptive" strikes on Iran nuclear, military targets
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Fourteen protests are planned across Arkansas on Saturday, June 14, as part of a nationwide demonstration against President Donald Trump, coinciding with his birthday and a military parade marking the Armys 250th anniversary.

The No Kings protests aim to counter President Trumps 79th birthday events and recent immigration raids, with organizers accusing him of using the day to boost his ego and escalate tensions, according to the Associated Press.

Bentonville

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Spark Cafe, 101 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712

Link: Here

Benton/Bryant

Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Location: Alcoa Road Overpass, Alcoa Rd, Benton, AR 72022

Link: Here

Eureka Springs

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Carroll County Courthouse, 44 S Main St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632

Link: Here

Fayetteville

Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: St. Pauls Episcopal Church Parking Lot, 224 N East Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701

Link: Here

Fort Smith

Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location: 7410 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72903

Link: Here

Harrison

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Boone County Courthouse, East Side, 100 N Main St, Harrison, AR 72601

Link: Here

Jonesboro (Northeast Arkansas)

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: East Highland Drive & Red Wolf Boulevard, Jonesboro, AR 72401

Link: Here

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Where the No Kings anti-Trump military parade protests are planned

Little Rock

Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Broadway Bridge, Little Rock, AR 72201

Link: Here

Monticello

Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Walgreens, 640 W Gaines St, Monticello, AR 71655

Link: Here

Mountain Home

Time: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Address given by sign up only.

Link: Here

Paragould

Time: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: Greene County Courthouse, 320 W Court St, Paragould, AR 72450

Link: Here

Russellville

Time: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Location: Pope County Court House,100 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

Link: Here

Texarkana

Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: 500 N State Line Ave, Texarkana, TX 75504

Link: Here

West Memphis (Crittenden County)

Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Old Courthouse (West Memphis),100 Court St, West Memphis, AR 72301

Link: Here

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Stay with KNWA/FOX24 for the latest.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More than 800 people gathered outside the Washington County Courthouse in Fayetteville for a protest against the Trump administration on April 5, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Several Arkansas cities are slated to be the scene of organized No Kings demonstrations Saturday, as part of a national protest against President Donald Trumps policies and actions during his second term.

A map on the No Kings website shows 15 demonstrations are planned in Arkansas. In addition to Little Rock and Fayetteville, other demonstrations are planned for Bentonville, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Monticello, Jonesboro, Paragould, West Memphis, Hot Springs, Benton/Bryant, Russellville, Eureka Springs, Harrison and Mountain Home.

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The demonstrations coincide with Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trumps 79th birthday. A large-scale military parade, costing as much as $45 million is planned for Washington, D.C. Although the Armys anniversary celebration isnt officially tied to Trumps birthday, the president has had such an event on his wish list since his first term.

June 14, Flag Day, is when President Donald Trump is holding a military parade in the nations capital, wasting tens of millions of taxpayer dollars as a birthday gift to himself while his administration defies checks on his power, undermines our civil rights and tries to strip away essential benefits from veterans, seniors, hungry children and others, the organizers of the No Kings protest in Fayetteville, Indivisible NWA, wrote in a press release.

The planned protests come as tensions in Los Angeles have flared in recent days due to arrests of immigrants the Trump administration says are in the country. The arrests led to large protests occasionally marred by violence. In response to the protests, Trump federalized the California National Guard over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom in order to push back what he described as a Migrant Invasion, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promptly ordered them into Los Angeles in the name of protecting federal law enforcement.

A federal court Thursday issued a temporary restraining order returning the National Guard to state control, calling the Trump administrations actions illegal. An appeals court temporarily stayed the ruling soon after.

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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders chimed in on the L.A. protests while in the nations capital earlier this week, saying that unlike Newsom, she would call the Trump administration for assistance if protests similar to the ones in California broke out in Arkansas.

When contacted for comment on whether state resources would be utilized in response to protests this weekend, a spokesperson for Sanders directed the Advocate to the Arkansas National Guard.

The Arkansas National Guard always stands ready to support the needs of the state, when directed by the Governor. At this time, weve received no request for military support, Arkansas National Guard spokesperson Bob Oldham said in an email.

Jan Amann, one of Indivisible NWAs co-leaders, said the emphasis is and always will be having a peaceful, nonviolent protest. She added that there will be marchers in the crowd who have been trained in deescalation techniques.

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Indivisible NWA is trying to get attention, Amann said. The group has been protesting weekly in front of U.S. Rep. Steve Womacks office and U.S. Sen. Tom Cottons office in Rogers in attempts to have conversations with them, but their requests for a conversation or a townhall have not been acknowledged, she said.

Amann said she felt confident they were well-prepared for Saturdays demonstrations. While anything can happen, especially when it comes to knee-jerk reactions from individuals, the advantage to having a protest in Fayetteville is how experienced local law enforcement is with handling large crowds with opposing viewpoints, thanks to the presence of the Arkansas Razorbacks and Razorback Stadium.

They know what to watch for, Amann said. Some people come [to protests] wanting to agitate.  When youre getting a bunch of people with differing points of view, we need to expect that there might be something, but the whole key is preparation.

Gracie Ziegler, a spokesperson for the city of Fayetteville, echoed Amann in saying the city was well prepared. She said preparations have been thorough, and that the protest organizers have been very communicative. She said the city did not anticipate major issues.

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The police department is aware of the plans, and theyll be present to make sure everybody stays safe and peaceful, which is the goal of the organizers. Theyve all been in really good communication, Ziegler said.

Amann said that while the NWA protest would be rain or shine, they were keeping an eye on the weather. If more severe weather affects the protest, it likely wont go forward since their protest permit is for a specific period of time.

In Little Rock, organizers said in a press release that demonstrators will cross the Broadway Street Bridge to North Little Rock at 10 a.m., then return to the Little Rock said for a rally at 11 a.m. at the Margaret Clark Park area behind the Old State House at the end of Conway St.

Along with the No Kings theme, the Little Rock event will also highlight the threat Trumps attack on DEI poses to the majority of Americans  women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.

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The Little Rock event is organized by the Peoples Protests and Marches and 50501Arkansas, with support from other Central Arkansas groups, according to the press release.

Little Rock Police Department spokesperson Mark Edwards said the department has a plan in place for the protests, confirming that additional officers would be on-hand. He would not confirm whether the department would shut down the bridge, saying it was premature to say what well do. A lot of it will be dictated by the scene and the circumstances.

The goal is always for people to be able to  on both sides  to be able to protest in peace, and you want everybody to be safe, Edwards said.

This story has been updated to include information about the Little Rock protest.






NEED TO KNOW

A teen has died after being attacked by "multiple dogs" at a residence in Arkansas, according to local police

The Saline County Arkansas Sheriff's Office said the 15-year-old girl had previously been assisting with care for the animals and helping to find them permanent homes

14 dogs from the residence have reportedly been seized and euthanized following the incident, per local outlet KATV







A teenager has died after being attacked by multiple dogs in Arkansas.

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The Saline County Arkansas Sheriff's Office shared in a press release that a female had been fatally attacked by dogs in a fenced area of a private property on Wednesday, June 11.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the Saline County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call reporting that a female had been attacked by dogs. Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded immediately to the scene, the polices release read.

Officials added, Upon arrival, it was determined that a 15 year old female had been fatally attacked by multiple dogs located within a secured, fenced area on private property.

There were around 30 dogs inside the residence as part of a rescue," police said.

Saline County Arkansas Sheriff's Office/Facebook A Saline County Sheriff's Office vehicle A Saline County Sheriff's Office vehicle

The victim had been previously assisting the rescue with the care of the animals and was helping to find them permanent homes, authorities continued. The reason for the sudden and tragic attack is currently unknown.

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The sheriff's office added that they would not be releasing the victim's name "at this time," out of respect for the family.

With the help of Benton Animal Control, authorities said the "animals at the location that have been associated with the attack" have been seized.

The investigation is ongoing, per the police release.

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According to local outlet KATV, 14 dogs from the location were euthanized following the incident.

PEOPLE has contacted the Saline County Arkansas Sheriff's Office for additional information.

Read the original article on People
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  A 19-year-old male died after he was found unresponsive in less than a foot of water on the Grand Mesa.

According to the Mesa County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Thursday, when a text-to-911 report stated that a man was experiencing a medical emergency in the area of Sunset Lakes. MCSO deputies, Plateau Valley Fire Department and CareFlight were all dispatched to the call.

Deputies learned a family member found the male after he failed to return to their vehicle.

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Although a family member and paramedics performed life-saving measures, the 19-year-old was pronounced deceased on the scene. MCSO said at this time the death is not considered to be suspicious.

The Mesa County Coroners Office is responsible for determining the cause and manner of death.

We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the male, the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A central Ohio fish and chips eatery is closing to make way for the return of Arthur Treachers, a chain attempting a comeback after shuttering hundreds of U.S. locations years ago.

Marinos Seafood Fish & Chips at 1216 W. Fifth Ave. near Grandview Heights is closing as owners Harry and Rosemarie Kougendakis retire this month, Columbus Business First confirmed on Wednesday. The Kougendakis family has operated the eatery under the Marinos brand since 1992.

Pride on High viewing area to benefit Columbus LGBTQ+ groups

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However, the location will continue serving up hush puppies and fried fish as Arthur Treachers moves in to take over. The ownership change is a homecoming for the Arthur Treachers brand, which operated the West Fifth Avenue building as a location in the 1980s before it became Marinos.

Marinos Seafood Fish & Chips at 1216 W. 5th Ave. near Grandview Heights is closing as owners Harry and Rosemarie Kougendakis retire. (Franklin County Auditors Office) Marinos Seafood Fish & Chips at 1216 W. 5th Ave. near Grandview Heights is closing as owners Harry and Rosemarie Kougendakis retire. (Franklin County Auditors Office)

The Kougendakis family told Columbus Business First that discussions between the brands began earlier this year and that many from the Marinos staff are staying to work under Arthur Treachers. The new owners didnt respond to NBC4s request for comment.

The announcement comes after Arthur Treachers began welcoming customers this spring to a reopened third location in Cleveland Heights at 13216 Cedar Road, which was home to an Arthur Treachers from the 1970s to the 1990s. The chain had announced the eaterys relaunch last August, and held a grand opening celebration on April 1.

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How a small town was revamped into Ohios most loveable downtown

That store was always such a nostalgic location for the brand and the business, and it just came up in conversation with ownership and the opportunity was available for us, Christian Burden, Arthur Treachers marketing director, told NBC4s Cleveland-area sister station last fall.

Arthur Treachers launched in 1969 out of Columbus and offered fish and chips, fried chicken, clam chowder, hush puppies and more. The chain was named after the British actor who starred in a series of movies in the 1930s and in 1964s Mary Poppins.

The ownership change is a homecoming for Arthur Treachers, which operated the West Fifth Avenue building as a location in the 1980s. (Courtesy Photo/Arthur Treachers Fish & Chips)

The fish and chips chain reached its peak in the late 1970s with more than 820 locations across the nation, but bounced between several owners. Lumara Foods of America purchased the chain in March 1982, then filed for bankruptcy four months later.

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Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decades

Chapter 11 proceedings and additional ownership changes throughout the following decades dwindled the brand to two locations, which remain open today, also in northeast Ohio at 12585 Rockside Road in Garfield Heights and at 1833 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

All three Arthur Treachers locations are open 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Stage 1 fire restrictions go into effect today (Friday, June 13) across federal and state lands in Southern Nevada.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) notes severe to exceptional drought conditions in the area. Above-normal potential for wildfires is expected to persist through July.

Two fires are burning southeast of Ely on federal land in Lincoln County, according to a Thursday BLM post on social media. The Burnt Canyon Fire was at 1,068 acres and the Rosencrans Fire had burned 727 acres. Both fires started Wednesday about five miles apart and were 40% contained.

(Photo: Bureau of Land Management)

Most wildfires are caused by people. They are preventable if the public observes simple precautions. Southern Nevada fire restrictions include:

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Campfires and open fires outside of designated areas. This includes charcoal grills.

Use of open flames, including portable stoves and lanterns. (Exceptions: devices with shut-off valves that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.)

Smoking outdoors.

Motorized vehicles or equipment use on dried vegetation.

Welding and other spark-producing hot work.

Fireworks and explosives are always banned, as well as tracer rounds and steel ammunition, which can cause sparks. Combustion engines must have spark arrestors.

The announcement comes as western Nevada is under a Red Flag Warning due to gusty winds and low humidity. The warning also applies to Washoe County, Carson City, Pershing County, Storey County, Churchill County and parts of Douglas, Lyon and Mineral counties. northeastern California.

A wildfire near Sparks, Nevada, was fully contained on Thursday

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Two dead cats have tested positive for rabies recently in DeKalb County, county officials reported Thursday.

DeKalb County said one cat tested positive at Maryland Drive in Doraville. The other one tested positive at Cedar Ridge Trail in Stone Mountain.

The county said its not unusual for the county to report several rabies cases each year.

Rabies in endemic to Georgia, and the virus is present all year long.

What to know about rabies

The Georgia Department of Health says rabies is usually reported in wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats. These animals sometimes infect dogs, cats and livestock through bites.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Pet owners are urged to make sure their animals are vaccinated for rabies.

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Also, children should make sure not to handle wild or stray domestic animals.

The Georgia Department of Health said its a misperception that rabid animals are easily identified by drooling and foaming at the mouth.

Instead, infected animals may stagger, appear restless, be aggressive, have difficulty walking, seem overly friendly or appear to be choking.

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There is no cure for rabies in animals once symptoms have developed.

Rabies can be prevented in humans if medical care is sought quickly after an exposure.

Thoroughly clean the wound immediately with soap and water, and call your doctor as soon as possible.

Those who are concerned about possible rabies exposure can call the Georgia Poison Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Atlanta 404-616-9000 or statewide 800-282-5846.

Information can also be obtained from local health departments and animal rabies control officers.

For more information about rabies, visit the Georgia Department of Health website.

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DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  Two people are facing dozens of charges after over a hundred dogs were seized from a reported puppy mill.

According to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office, they began an animal cruelty investigation after receiving information about a possible puppy mill that appeared to be housing dogs in unsanitary conditions.

Investigators determined that Roger and Robin McLean had over 100 dogs on the property. Multiple compliance orders were issued and numerous rescue organizations assisted in helping the dogs.

Every Snout Counts Animal Rescue and Animal Care Foundation stepped in and helped with the animals, and the dogs were able to be placed in North Carolina, Virginia and even as far away as New Hampshire.

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It was pretty much kennel after kennel after kennel full of dogs, Cofounder of Every Snout Counts Rescue Robin Lindsay said.

Sheriff Simmons would also like to thank Safe at Last Rescue; Doxy by Proxy; Rustys Ranch; Love Mutts Rescue; Neshama Animal Rescue; Piedmont Animal Rescue; Crisis Dogs Rescue; Black Dog Club; Maes Mutts; Forsythe Humane Society; Operation Save a Shelter Dog; Animal Rescue and Foster Program; Surry Animal Rescue; East Coast Brussels Griffon Rescue; Small But Mighty Rescue and many more, the Davidson County Sheriffs Office says. Without the help of these organizations and rescue partners, we would not have been able to get these dogs to foster homes to receive appropriate care, where they will remain until adoption.

The McLeans were charged with 26 counts of animal cruelty, violation of a local ordinance and failure to have rabies vaccinations.

Over six months, dogs of various breeds and ages were removed.

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Our shelter is very small. There are 18 kennels for four agencies that feed into that  We basically have to leave them in the squander that theyre living in that they should be removed from immediately, but because we have nowhere to take them and were stopping up our rescues, we have to leave them. We have to pick and choose that day who gets to stay and who gets to go, Davidson County Animal Control Deputy Christian Soles said.

Soles said the top priority became helping the animals with medical needs.

Probably over 30 had some kind of medical issue that had to be addressed before they could get simple things like vaccines, spayed and neutered, Soles said.

Two animals were euthanized, and six still remain in the home.

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Our ordinance unfortunately allows someone to have up to six that are not spayed and neutered  We are working with the DA and the courts to hopefully get the six that are remaining from that property, Soles said.

Soles said she worries this cycle wont stop because if found guilty, the punishment to the owners may not be enough.

They only have to not have an animal for two years. Thats the most weve ever been able to get for these people that commit these crimes and treat these dogs the way they are. Some are even dead. They only get two years. So in two years  they move to another area and do it again, Soles said.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Two Florida men have been convicted by a federal jury after they were found with more than $30,000 worth of drugs in Myrtle Beach in 2021, the Department of Justice said Thursday.

Vincent Wilson, 54, and Ervin Lee Smith, 50, both of Fort Pierce, were convicted of conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and a quantity of crack cocaine after a two-day federal trial in Florence. They both face a minimum of five years in federal prison and could be sentenced up to the 40-year maximum.

Evidence revealed during the trial showed that on the evening of Feb. 25, 2021, Wilson and Smith checked into an oceanfront hotel in Myrtle Beach, the DOJ said. The two met with a local person that night, who agreed to serve as a middleman to help them sell more than half a kilogram of cocaine and a small quantity of crack cocaine they brought with them from Florida.

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Before the drug deal went through, Wilson and Smith left their hotel room to eat breakfast when hotel staff, thinking the room had been vacated, cleaned the room and stumbled on a bag with more than $30,000 worth of drugs, according to the DOJ. Later that morning, the two returned to the room and were interviewed by police but were released pending further investigation.

Authorities were later able to connect the drug seizure to a much larger drug trafficking organization that was already being investigated, the DOJ said. Once that connection was made, Wilson and Smith were charged by a federal jury with being suppliers to the drug trafficking organization.

The DOJ said court records show Wilson has a prior state conviction for possession with intent to distribute narcotics in Maryland in 2003, while Smith has a prior federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine from 2004.

US District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presided over the trial and will sentence the two after reviewing a pre-sentence report from the U.S. Probation Office.

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* * *

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.

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WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH)  Two suspects were arrested by Willimantic police for separate larceny incidents in town, according to the department.

Warrant: 4 suspects arrested for string of Rocky Hill robberies linked to 60 crimes

Dennis Sanchez, 62, was arrested for allegedly stealing money from a charity donation box from the Burger King on Columbia Avenue. Sanchez was charged with larceny in the sixth degree, criminal mischief in the third degree and breach of peace in the second degree.

Dennis Sanchez

Matthew Ryan Vik, 37, was arrested for allegedly stealing a tip jar from the counter at Dairy Queen. He was charged with larceny in the sixth degree.

Matthew Ryan Vik

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BEIJING - North Korea said Friday it has successfully repaired and launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged in a failed launch attempt last month, with leader Kim Jong Un attending a ceremony to mark the achievement at a shipyard in the country's northeast.

During Thursday's ceremony at the Rajin shipyard, Kim revealed Pyongyang's plan to build two more destroyers of the same type annually, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

In the incident at the Chongjin Shipyard on May 21, the 5,000-ton destroyer tipped over while on a flatcar, crushing some lower sections and preventing it from exiting the shipway, according to KCNA.

The vessel remained partially capsized following the failed launch attempt, with Kim ordering it to be repaired before a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea to be convened in late June.

Kim said Thursday a worker had died during the repair work. He met with his family to console them, the news agency said.

The newly launched warship is scheduled to be handed over to the navy around mid-2026.

In April, Kim attended a ceremony for the launch of another new 5,000-ton destroyer at a shipyard in the western port city of Nampho.

The multipurpose warship Choe Hyon, named after an anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter, is equipped with supersonic cruise missile systems and tactical ballistic missile systems. Kim said it will be deployed by the navy sometime next year, according to KCNA.

Related coverage:

North Korea refused to accept Trump's letter to Kim: report

North Korea's Kim slams officials over destroyer launch accident

North Korea no longer bans military use of space for defense purposes
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Two men will spend several years behind bars after they were found guilty of their roles in a Morgantown drug operation.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Jason Davis, 35, of Youngstown, Ohio, will spend 11 years, 3 months in prison after court documents said he and James Peoples II, 28, of Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, worked to distribute drugs in Morgantown. Peoples will serve six years in prison.

Former Buckhannon mayor sentenced on child porn charge

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Both Davis and Peoples were indicted in February 2024 alongside 23 others for their roles in a Philadelphia-based drug ring that operated in Morgantown.

The case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, which is made up of members of the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorneys Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department.

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ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  Two men from Philadelphia were arrested in Altoona on suspicion of drug trafficking Thursday night.

Tyrone Chase, Jr., 29, and Ruben Rivera, 30, both from Philadelphia, are each charged with three felony counts for drug possession with intent to deliver.

According to the Altoona Police Department, members of the Blair County Drug Task Force were patrolling downtown Altoona when they came across a Buick LaCrosse with heavily tinted windows along 17th Avenue and 14th Street.

Tyrone Chase, Jr., 29, of Philadelphia. Photo provided by the Altoona Police Department. Ruben Rivera, 30, of Philadelphia. Photo provided by the Altoona Police Department.

Police and K-9 Unit Blue pulled the car over and found Chase and Ruben inside.

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K-9 Blue and his handler conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and K-9 Blue alerted his handler for the presence of drugs. Police were granted permission to search the car and impounded it. Inside, they allegedly located a large amount of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.

Police said they seized 585 individual Philly Bags of heroin and fentanyl, one gram of loose fentanyl, 181 small containers of crack and $1,274 in cash. According to Altoona Police, the amount of drugs found in the vehicle are evidential of narcotics trafficking and have a street value of over $22,000.

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Both men were arrested and placed in the Blair County Prison, unable to post their bail of $400,000 each.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A home was on fire in Brighton on Thursday evening, sending clouds of black smoke into the air.

Brighton Fire Rescue told FOX31 at about 10 p.m. that they received the house fire call at about 6:05 p.m., and that the fire was upgraded to a two-alarm fire due to the amount of flames and wind.

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The home is located on East 138th Place, near Riverdale Road and the E-470 toll road, on a hill thats visible to much of the area due to surrounding open space.

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Brighton Fire said that one person was transported to an area hospital with unknown injuries, and a second person was rescued from the home. No one died in the fire, the agency said.

A home was engulfed in flames in Brighton on Thursday night. (KDVR) A Brighton home on fire on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Courtesy James E Stine)

FOX31s Nate Belt arrived at the scene while the home was still fully engulfed. Traffic to the neighborhood was blocked by police.

The Adams County Sheriffs Office said that it had deputies on scene to assist the Brighton Fire Rescue while they extinguished the fire. Brighton Fire Rescue investigators were also on scene.

Brighton Fire said that there were some missing cats and kittens from the property, but that some had been reunited with their owner as of Thursday night.

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There is no information yet on what caused the fire, but officials said that it did threaten a neighboring home while ablaze. The other home was not damaged.

Brighton Fire was assisted by Thornton, South Adams and Fort Lupton fire departments.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  On Saturday, two Siouxland groups are planning to hold human rights events.

According to a release from Sweetgrass Uprising and the Siouxland Good Troublemakers, they will be holding events to stand up for human rights.

The first of the two events is a United We Stand March that will be held by Sweetgrass Uprising in South Sioux City. The march will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the vacant Advance Auto Parts parking lot.

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The march will then head across the Veterans Memorial Bridge into Sioux City, leading marchers to the Mildred Anderson Pavillion, and then the Sioux City Public Museum Green Space. During the march, there will be four prayer stops.

Story continues below

Following the march, the Siouxland Good Troublemakers will be hosting multiple speakers at the Public Museum Green Space, where they will be reading passages from the United States Constitution and its Amendments. Multiple treaties will also be read. This event will begin at around 6 p.m.

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I started Sweetgrass Uprising as a way to bring people together in the community and to unify as one against an unjust and corrupt government, Sweetgrass Uprising organizer Jessica Lopez-Walker said. We will stand up for those who cannot. They wont break our spirits!

Siouxland Good Troublemakers co-organizer Garie Lewis said, With the chaos coming out of D.C., it is more important than at anytime in my life for all people to come together and realize that we have more in common with each other than we do with any so-called leader that tries to make us hate our neighbors. Any person that does that is the enemy of peace.

During the event, donations for Safe Place of Siouxland will also be collected.

These events are taking place on the same day as many No Kings Day of Defiance protests will be taking place around the nation.

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Two teenagers were arrested after a stolen vehicle pursuit ended with a Mesa police officer shooting the driver in the hand.

Police said that on June 12 at about 4:45 p.m., the Real Time Crime Center alerted officers to a stolen vehicle near Power Road and Main Street.

Officers found the vehicle traveling south on Power Road and followed it east on Broadway Road to 72nd Place, police said.

Police said the vehicle continued into a cul-de-sac after an officer unsuccessfully deployed a grappler device in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

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The driver made a U-turn by driving off of the road and through the front yards of several houses, putting the stolen vehicle head-on with responding officers' vehicles, police said.

The stolen vehicle rammed the side of an officer's vehicle, and the officer then took out his firearm and shot the driver in the hand.

Both the driver and passenger were 17 years old. The driver's injuries were significant but not life-threatening, and the passenger was not injured, police said.

No officers were injured.

Police said the incident was being investigated by the Tempe Police Department under the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Stolen vehicle chase in Arizona ends with shooting
Two workers suffered serious burn injuries in a flash fire at a Dunkin on the North Shore of Massachusetts on Friday morning, prompting a large emergency response, officials said.

Firefighters responding to a report of an explosion at the Dunkin at 167 State Street in Newburyport just before 10 a.m. learned a pair of maintenance workers were on the roof repairing an HVAC unit with an electrical short in an air compressor when the systems Freon ignited, according to the Newburyport Fire Department.

When they tried to make the connections to the fitting to test the gas, the fitting failed and blew up, Deputy Fire Chief Salt said.

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Investigators said an arc seemed to have ignited the Freon in the refrigerant compressor system, resulting in a flash fire with flames that shot up at the workers.

One worker suffered second-degree burns to the face, chest, and hands. The other worker suffered third-degree burns to their lower extremities.

Both workers were taken to a local hospital with injuries that Salt described as non-life-threatening.

It was later determined that there was no explosion, officials noted.

The Dunkin restaurant wasnt damaged in the fire.

The Newburyport Electrical Inspector and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were notified and responded to the scene.

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The State Fire Marshals Office is assisting the Newburyport Fire Department with an investigation into the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Two young women who were swept away while swimming and pulled unconscious from the water off the North Shore of Massachusetts on Sunday have died, authorities announced Friday.

The women were rescued by fishermen in the Merrimack River area of Newburyports Plum Island Point after 7 p.m. on Sunday, according to City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury III.

The women were initially brought to Anna Jacques Hospital and later transferred to hospitals in Boston and Burlington in critical condition.

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Officials identified the women as Dahiana Canas, 25, of East Boston, and Vanessa Correa, 25, of Lynn. Correa passed away on Wednesday, while Canas died on Thursday.

Simons thanked the first responders and the local fishermen who helped get the women out of the water and onto shore.

As a community, our hearts are heavy with the tragic news that the two young women rescued from the Merrimack River earlier this week have passed away. On behalf of the City of Newburyport, I extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones during this unimaginable time, Simons said in a statement. We are extremely grateful to the citizens and first responders who fought tirelessly to save them. We ask that the community keep all those involved in this traumatic incident in their thoughts and prayers.

Simons and Bradbury said that a preliminary investigation suggests this incident was a tragic accident.

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The Essex District Attorneys Office and Newburyport police continue to investigate the incident.

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Over 200 staff members at Tacoma Public Schools are without a job assignment heading into summer as the district continues to contend with a $30 million deficit.

The district has sought to balance its roughly $577 million general fund budget with the non-renewal of contracts for certain employees and by eliminating certain programs, leaving some staff displaced but not necessarily without jobs as officials work to find another position for them within the district. In a statement issued on June 12, district officials said 403 staff have been impacted by displacements, program changes and cuts, since the district started implementing cuts. Of that number, 203 are without a job assignment for the 2025-2026 school year.

Its difficult to watch our friends and co-workers experience these changes and not feel unsettled ourselves, the districts latest statement reads. We do not take lightly the decisions about our budget and staffing.

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The cuts the district has implemented so far have addressed $20 million of the districts $30 million deficit, according to a presentation on the districts finances presented at the June 12 board meeting. Teachers, support staff, families and others in the district have said the cuts have impacted Tacoma Public Schools most vulnerable students and employees.

That feeling was apparent at the districts June 12 meeting, which drew over 150 people, filling the districts regular board room and an overflow room. First-year teachers who lost their jobs, parents, families and students turned out to speak during public comment, delivering emotional pleas to district leadership asking for them to reinstate their colleagues and mentors.

Parent Angela Walle spoke on behalf of her son Oliver, a student at Geiger Montessori School.

When I told him about the assistant cuts at his school, he burst into tears, Walle said.

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Several attendees brought large stacks of letters from teachers, parents, staff and students urging the district to reverse the changes and distributed them to the board. As of June 13, 1,530 people also signed a petition calling for transparency from the district and for the district to reinstate support staff who have lost their jobs.

The district also recently announced that 14 education support professionals, or ESPs, were displaced from Bryant Montessori School and Geiger Montessori School, and many of the speakers at the June 12 meeting spoke about the impact that would have on students at the two schools.

We moved here because of Geiger [Montessori School]. We moved here because we wanted to be in a school district and a state that supported educators, that supported teachers, that supported children, parent Kimberly Chalker-Quintana said at the meeting. And this is happening.
The Brief

Jairo Pena Espana, 21, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run in Osceola County.

Authorities found the 2017 Ford F-250 involved.

Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. - A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that occurred Wednesday in Osceola County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

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Troopers said they located a 2017 Ford F-250 and took the driver, 21-year-old Jairo Pena Espana of Honduras, into custody.

Espana is facing charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license resulting in death.

An investigation is ongoing.

Jairo Pena Espana

What happened?

The backstory

The deadly crash took place at 6:22 a.m. on Wednesday in a neighborhood on Florida Parkway, south of Birchwood Circle in Kissimmee.

Troopers said an unknown vehicle was traveling northbound on Florida Parkway, approaching East Bircwood Circle, while a woman may have been running on Florida Parkway in the northbound lane ahead of the vehicle.

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Troopers say the vehicle hit the 40-year-old woman and then fled the scene.

The woman was taken to the hospital and died.

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The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Three employees from the Leavenworth School District are facing misdemeanor charges for failing to report suspected child abuse.

Two assistant principals at Henry Leavenworth Elementary, Kelsey Stimatze and Alyssa ONeal, and the districts executive director of human resources, Amy Sloan, are charged in Leavenworth County District Court with multiple counts of failure to report child abuse as a mandatory reporter, as required by state law.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activates National Guard, declares State of Emergency

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The employees have since retained their own attorneys to represent them in the case. FOX4 has emailed their attorneys and is awaiting their response.

The charges appear to be related to an investigation at Henry Leavenworth Elementary School where, earlier this year, a teacher was arrested and charged following allegations of inappropriate contact with students.

Among the witnesses listed in the employees charging documents is Jerome Riscovallez, the former teacher, who has since been charged with additional felonies and misdemeanors involving multiple children. Some of the initials of the victims in the teachers case match the victims initials in the court records of the employees.

The three employees in question were also named in an affidavit detailing the Leavenworth Police Departments investigation into Riscovallez back in February. Police were in contact with all three at the time as officers responded to the elementary school to investigate a report of a teacher inappropriately touching a student.

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On Friday, a spokesperson with the Leavenworth School District said that Stimatze, ONeal and Sloan are actively employed by the district.

Riscovallez was fired after a vote by the school board on Feb. 27.

In response to the charges filed against the three employees, the district wrote, Due to confidentiality obligations for students and staff, and to avoid intervening in the judicial process, Leavenworth USD 453 has no additional comment to provide at this time.

The employees cases are pending in district court, where their next scheduled court appearance is set for June 20.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Friday that he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit next week.

Ahead of another round of ministerial-level tariff talks in the United States, Ishiba told reporters after a 20-minute phone call with Trump that Japan's stance of urging the administration to eliminate its higher tariffs on Japanese products remains unchanged.

Ishiba also said he and Trump shared the view that peace and stability in the Middle East are important, following a spike in tensions after Israel's attack on Iran.

"We confirmed that we will further deepen our discussions on bilateral cooperation when we meet next week on the occasion of the G7 (summit)," Ishiba said, adding that no specific date has been set.

The two leaders agreed on the need to accelerate ministerial negotiations to reach "a deal that will be beneficial to both Japan and the United States," Ishiba said.

The premier said the leaders did not discuss in their call the possibility of him visiting the United States prior to the G7 summit. Ishiba and Trump also held telephone conversations twice in late May.

Japan's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, known as a close aide to Ishiba, is expected to hold talks with senior U.S. officials in Washington on Friday, ahead of the two-day G7 meeting from Monday in Canada's Kananaskis.

Tokyo has been calling on Washington to reconsider its tariff policy targeting imports ranging from cars and auto parts to steel and aluminum. It was the third telephone conversation between Ishiba and Trump in roughly a month, with the previous one on May 29.

Ishiba, meanwhile, said he extended birthday wishes to Trump during the phone call requested by Japan. The U.S. leader turns 79 on Saturday.

Related coverage:

Japan hopes for special treatment as Trump hints at auto tariff hike

Trump says U.S. Steel controlled by him with "golden share"

Japan PM hopes for progress in U.S. tariff talks, in no rush for deal
The Brief

Three men were arrested near Washington State Prison on June 11 after deputies tracked drone activity and discovered them attempting to drop contraband into the facility.

The suspects face multiple felony charges, including trading with inmates, illegal drone use, possession of drugs, and possession of tools during a crime.

Sheriff Joel Cochran warned that authorities remain vigilant and will continue prosecuting all prison contraband attempts to the fullest extent of the law.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in Washington County arrested three men Wednesday after they were caught using drones to attempt a contraband drop at Washington State Prison  the latest in a growing string of similar incidents.

What they're saying

According to the Washington County Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted to drone activity in the area on June 11 and began tracking the flight path. With assistance from K-9 units from both the sheriffs office and the Georgia Department of Corrections, deputies located a group of suspects in a wooded area about two miles from the prison. One of the drones was still hovering overhead when the arrests were made.

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Deputies arrested 32-year-old Dylan Scrutchins of Acworth, 37-year-old William White of Stone Mountain, and 51-year-old Johnathan James, who is homeless. All three face multiple felony charges, including:

Six counts of trading with inmates

Two counts of illegal use of an unmanned aircraft

Possession of tools during the commission of a crime

Possession of methamphetamine

Possession of heroin

Despite previous arrests and warnings, authorities say attempts to smuggle contraband using drones continue.

Sheriff Joel Cochran vowed that his office, in coordination with state prison officials, will continue to treat each attempt as a serious offense and pursue charges to the fullest extent of the law.
TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) Three teenagers were arrested in Texarkana after breaking into a number of cars in residential neighborhoods, according to officials.

The Texarkana Police Department received an alert on Wednesday at around 4:15 a.m. that multiple people were pulling on car door handles in the Shadow Brook neighborhood.

3 people found dead after possible carbon monoxide poisoning inside Nacogdoches home

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Once on the scene, officers spoke to witnesses who gave a description of the suspects vehicle and provided their license plate numbers. It was also revealed that at least two cars in the neighborhood and one car in Jan Circle had been broken into.

Shortly after speaking with the witness, officers spotted a vehicle that matched the description the witness provided at a convenience store on Richmond Road. According to officials, the three teens inside the vehicle matched the suspects seen on Shadow Brook security footage, and they were detained.

urtesy of Texarkana Pd

Left phot of Jacob Castell right photo of Xavier Negron courtesy of Texarkana PD

While searching the suspects vehicle, officials stated that evidence was found which tied them to the burglaries. Two pistols which were reported stolen from another car burglary a couple of weeks ago were also recovered from the suspects car, along with drugs and money.

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Longview man arrested for Dollar Store robbery, drug charges

The suspects were identified as 17-year-olds Jacob Casteel and Xavier Negron, along with a 16-year-old juvenile. All three were charged with burglary of a vehicle, theft of a firearm, engaging in organized criminal activity and possession of a dangerous drug.

It was also discovered that the juvenile had lied about his identity and once his real identity was confirmed, officials discovered he had a felony warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Following the arrest, Casteel and Negron were transported to the Bi-State Jail and the juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Court Center.

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LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  A Lorain man faces charges after investigators, including a Lorain Police Department SWAT team, found hundreds of grams of narcotics, thousands of dollars and multiple firearms during a drug bust, officials confirmed.

Lorain police, with help from FBI Cleveland, conducted several search warrants throughout the city as part of a joint operation early Thursday morning.

Juvenile admits to Uniontown arsons, surrenders

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During the operation, investigators found and confiscated more than 300 grams of suspected narcotics, which included suspected fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana and unidentified pills, Lorain police said in a press release.

Courtesy of Lorain Police Department

Investigators said they also seized six firearms and more than $120,000.

Courtesy of Lorain Police Department

Young mother killed in at local park was shot in the head: police

During the drug bust, law enforcement arrested 43-year-old Zachary Calhoun. He is charged with trafficking in drugs, possession of drugs, having weapons while under disability, possession of criminal tools and endangering children, the press release said.

Courtesy of Lorain Police Department

Calhoun is being held in the Lorain County jail. Investigators said he could face additional charges.

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The Lorain Police Department is proud to work alongside our federal partners to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety and well-being of our community, the department said.

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When the Momence Packing Company, in Illinois abruptly shut its doors on June 2, 274 people found themselves jobless.

It was a gut punch to a tight-knit community that has worked at the facility  a pillar of local employment for over six decades, originally built in 1962 and run by Johnsonville Foods as a sausage manufacturer since 1995.

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What went wrong?

Employees were called to a meeting in nearby Kankakee where the Johnsonville CEO delivered the shocking news: the Momence facility was closing, effective immediately.

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Among those affected was Lupe Hernandez, a 25-year veteran, who told ABC7 News, Its like they didnt even care about us, you know? [The] same day?"

Momence mayor Charles Steele said he only got a 15-minute heads-up from the company. Other local leaders were blindsided too.

Ita just very devastating. Very heartbroken What can we do? asked Hernandez.

"When I was out there a couple weeks ago, the plant manager talked about over $1 million worth of equipment that had recently been installed," recalled Tim Nugent, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County.

"If they're investing in infrastructure, it means that they made plans to stay around for a while," which made the closure feel abrupt and contradictory.

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Johnsonville stated, "We made the difficult decision after evaluating how best to optimize our operations network to address current and future growth. This decision was based on optimizing our operations across our other newer facilities."

The company also pledged to continue providing pay and benefits to impacted workers for 60 days. Thats some help, but Hernandez planned to work for three more years to pay off her house.

The newer facilities include two in Wisconsin and one in Kansas. Johnsonville expects to create about 100 new jobs by the end of its third quarter between the two Wisconsin locations. It plans to demolish the Momence facility by the end of the year and transfer its assets to other facilities.

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

Unemployment in America  and getting through tough times

As of May, the U.S. unemployment rate stood at 4.2%, similar to what the country's seen over the past year.

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While jobs continue to be added  139,000 positions in May and 177,000 in April  weekly unemployment benefits claims are ticking up. In the week ending May 31, 247,000 initial applications were filed. This is the highest since October.

Unemployment or reduced income significantly increases the risk of falling into consumer debt traps. Without a consistent paycheck, people often rely on credit cards or loans to meet basic expenses. U.S. credit card debt topped $1.18 trillion in Q1 2025.

And for those nearing retirement age, losing a long-held job can spark financial crises involving mortgage payments, dwindling savings and health care expenses. Hernandez is an example of one such Johnsonville worker, as she planned to work three more years to pay off her home.

What affected workers can do

File for unemployment benefits With 60 days of paid benefits, these workers should immediately file claims to reduce income gaps.

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Tap local resources State-sponsored career centers and community colleges provide resume help, certifications and class enrollment at little or no cost.

Pivot quickly to part-time or gig work Delivery driving, warehouse roles, administrative jobs or trades may serve as interim income sources. Many workers can also take seasonal jobs while searching for a longer-term replacement role.

Reassess retirement and debt strategy For those close to retirement, delaying retirement and tightening budgets may be essential until new employment or savings bridges the gap.

Rebuild financial resilience Workers can use the crisis to start an emergency fund  a small amount, such as $25 per week, can eventually build a buffer.

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Retrain Exploring job training or apprenticeships aligned with local demand, such as healthcare or logistics, can offer a fresh start.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
[Source]

Chengxuan Han, a doctoral student from Wuhans Huazhong University of Science and Technology, was arrested June 8 at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and charged with smuggling biological materials into the U.S. and making false statements, federal prosecutors said. Han is the third Chinese national in two weeks accused of secretly sending research specimens to a University of Michigan laboratory.

Packages flagged

Court filings say Han mailed four packages from China in 2024 and 2025 that were labeled as household goods but actually held live biological material tied to roundworm research. All were addressed to associates at a university lab in Ann Arbor.

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Customs officers stopped Han after the flight from Shanghai and, during questioning, she initially denied shipping the items. Agents later found she had deleted phone data three days earlier. Han then admitted the shipments were hers, according to the criminal complaint.

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Alleged pattern

The alleged smuggling of biological materials by this alien from a science and technology university in Wuhan, China  to be used at a University of Michigan laboratory  is part of an alarming pattern that threatens our security, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. said.

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Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBIs Detroit field office, called the case a direct threat to public safety and national security that severely compromises the integrity of our nations research institutions.

Trending on NextShark: 3rd Chinese researcher arrested for smuggling biomaterials to University of Michigan lab

Strict rules

Scientists often import foreign plants, animals or microbes to study traits such as pesticide resistance or genetic variation, but doing so legally requires advance federal permits. The guidelines for importing biological materials into the U.S. for research purposes are stringent but clear, and actions like this undermine the legitimate work of other visiting scholars, said John Nowak, director of field operations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Officials have not explained why Han bypassed the permit process or whether the roundworm samples posed a safety risk.

Trending on NextShark: Trump claims 'done deal' with China  but is it, really?

Linked cases

Hans arrest follows charges on June 3 against University of Michigan post-doctoral fellow Yunqing Jian and her partner Zunyong Liu, who allegedly tried to illegally bring the crop-blighting fungus Fusarium graminearum into the country. Federal investigators say they are examining whether the three cases are connected.

Han remains in federal custody ahead of a detention hearing set for June 11. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison on the smuggling count and five years for making false statements.

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Four people detained at a notorious Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark, New Jersey, escaped Thursday night amid a massive detainee uprising over reportedly poor conditions.

Its about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive, and it turned violent, Mustafa Cetin, a lawyer representing an immigrant detainee, told NJ Advance Media.

According to Cetin, his client said about 50 inmates at the immigration facility, Delaney Hall, came together to push down the wall of a dormitory room because they had grown dissatisfied over the quality and timeliness of food at the facility. His client also said inmates on the third-floor dormitory had hung bed sheets in an apparent escape attempt, the lawyer told the outlet.

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A man who has been detained at Delaney Hall since last week told The New York Times that every day is a disaster with the food here. He described detainees being served small cartons of expired milk for breakfast and meals coming at irregular hours, with dinner sometimes not arriving until 11 p.m.

Four people detained at Delaney Hall escaped during a reported detainee uprising over poor conditions. Stephanie Keith via Getty Images

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed in a statement that it is aware of four detainees escaping the GEO Group-owned detention facility and said additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to locate them.

DHS identified Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon as the men who escaped. The department offered a $10,000 reward for any information leading to their arrests.

The department also said that prior to being held at Delaney Hall, the four men had each been arrested by different law enforcement agencies on various charges.

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The uprising happened amid a protest outside the facility over the reportedly poor conditions, according to PBS. Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, told the outlet some demonstrators were pepper-sprayed, tackled and dragged away by officers.

LIVE protestors are barricading the gate at Delaney Hall to prevent more officers from entering https://t.co/L0Zh5avEyI  NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice (@NJAIJ) June 13, 2025

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested outside the ICE facility in May before his case was dropped, released a statement on Friday expressing concern over what was reportedly occurring at Delaney Hall, which he said ranged from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees.

This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail  including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights, Baraka said. This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, and why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution.

The GEO Group and DHS denied any widespread unrest at the Delaney Hall Detention facility and disputed that conditions there were poor for detainees.

Protesters blocked vehicles from entering or leaving the Delaney Hall ICE facility following the escape of four migrants in Newark, New Jersey. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images

Lawyers representing Delaney Hall detainees told The New York Times on Friday that phone calls and visits had been suspended following Thursdays chaos.

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We have no idea what is happening with our clients right now, Karla Ostolaza of the Bronx Defenders told the outlet.

Related...
Four detainees escaped from a New Jersey federal detention center Friday, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS has become aware of 4 detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility escaping, the agency wrote in a statement to The Hill.

Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees and a BOLO [be on the lookout] has been disseminated, he added.

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The DHS is offering a $10,000 reward for those who come forward with information that leads to their arrest.

Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) said hed heard reports of chaos at the Delaney Hall detention center and plans for an uprising Thursday as protestors gathered outside the facility. Demonstrators eventually railed through barriers surrounding the premises drawing attention to frustrations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said constituents previously reported issues related to food and water on site, according to The Associated Press. In early May, Democratic New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver and Rob Menendez visited the facility to conduct congressional oversight amid concerns.

Afterward, lawmakers were told to disperse as protests bubbled outside the facility. A physical altercation occurred resulting in a federal indictment for McIver as federal officials allege she impeded and interfered with law enforcement officers, which she has vehemently denied.

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The Delaney Hall detention site is managed by the GEO Group after its $1 billion contract with ICE was finalized in February.

GEO contracts with ICE for the provision of secure residential care services at 20 different facilities in the United States with a total capacity of about 19,000 beds, according to legal filings.

The companys CEO said the company would invest $38 million to renovate existing facilities in addition to $16 million for additional GPS tracking devices and $7 million to expand their secure transportation fleet to help the Trump administration carry out mass deportation plans, according to a previous earnings call transcript.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
42 'No Kings' protests in Minnesota on Saturday; 10,000 expected in St. Paul originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Around 10,000 demonstrators are expected to line the streets of St. Paul as part of a nationwide "No Kings" protest on Saturday. In all, there are at least 42 "No Kings" protests planned in Minnesota on Saturday.

"We are estimating about 10,000 participants for the march," St. Paul Police Department told Bring Me The News, adding that they'll be working with the Minnesota State Patrol and other agencies "to ensure everyone is safe at this event."

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For context, an estimated 25,000 people attended the April 5 "Hands Off" rally in St. Paul.

While there will be 42 separate protests throughout the state, the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Paul will be the largest. Protestors will gather at 11 a.m. at St. Paul College and begin marching to the Minnesota State Capitol at noon.

Once at the Minnesota State Capitol, they will rally on the Mall in an organized event that will feature speaks, bands and "activities for all ages," event coordinators say.

Among the luminaries expected to attend are Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Flanagan is scheduled to speak at St. Paul College before Walz and Ellison address the crowd on the Capitol Mall.

The "Hands Off" protest at the Minnesota State Capitol earlier this year.Submitted to Bring Me The News

According to the No Kings website, these are the planned protests in Minnesota on Saturday.

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Albert Lea: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at New Denmark Park

Alexandria: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 150 9th Ave. W

Anoka: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at a private address

Austin: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Riverland Community College

Bemidji: 1-3 p.m. at NorthWest Indian Community Development Center

Bloomington: 12-1:30 p.m. at a private address

Brainerd: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Washington and South 6th streets

Chaska: 12-1:30 p.m. at 1107 Hazeltine Blvd.

Chisholm: 3-5 p.m. at 897 Iron World Road

Cloquet: 9:30-11:30 a.m. at a private address

Cyrus: 2-5 p.m. at Donut Lake Park

Detroit Lakes: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City Park

Duluth: 12-1:30 p.m. at 4 W Superior St.

Duluth: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Leif Erikson Park

Farmington: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 20700 Chippendale Ave. W

Fergus Falls: 12-1 p.m. at Spies Park & Riverfront Marketplace

Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at private address

Grand Rapids: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Old Central School

Hutchinson: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Library Square

International Falls: 12-1 p.m. at Smokey Bear Park

Inver Grove Heights: 2-4 p.m. at 80th and Blaine

Lake City: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Star Mothers' Park

Mankato: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Warren and South Broad streets

Minnetonka: 1-3 p.m. at 4912 County Road 101

Minneapolis (NE): 11-1 p.m. at a private address

Morris: 10-11:30 a.m. at 400 Colorado Ave.

New Ulm: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at 2 N Broadway St.

Northfield: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Ames Park

Otsego: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Rep. Tom Emmer's office (9201 Quaday Ave. NE)

Owatonna: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at 515 W Bridge St.

Park Rapids: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 34

Perham: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Boedigheimer Park

Rochester: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Mayo Memorial Park

Stillwater: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Park Crossing Park

St. Cloud: 1-3 p.m. at Great River Regional Library

St. Paul: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul Highland: 1-2:30 p.m. at 525 Fairview Ave. S

St. Paul Highland Village: 12:30-2 p.m. at Highland Park Community Center

Thief River Falls: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall

Virginia: 6-8 p.m. at Olcott Park Fountain

White Bear Lake: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown

Willmar: 10 a.m. 11 a.m. at Robbin's Island Regional Park

What are they protesting? They oppose President Donald Trump's military parade that is happening in Washington, D.C. on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States establishing its Army.

June 14 also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday.

The military parade is expected to include around 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles and at least 50 military aircraft. The cost of the parade has been estimated between $25 million and $45 million.

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"Were not gathering to feed his ego. Were building a movement that leaves him behind," the No Kings website says.

Trump was asked about the No Kings protest Thursday and said, "I dont feel like a king; I have to go through hell to get stuff approved."

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt (ABC22/FOX44)  In Vermont, one Fathers Day tradition has been bringing families out on Lake Champlain for over 40 years.

Anglers from near and far will come together for the 44th annual Lake Champlain International Fathers Day fishing derby.

Tournament director Liz Ehlers says they have 13 weigh stations all along the lake from north to south on both the Vermont and New York sides.

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A beloved community tradition, Ehlers says around 5,000 participants are expected throughout the weekend.

Last year, 31 states were represented.

We have 13 eligible species, they span the gamut all the way from lake trout to catfish, says Ehlers.

Participants can fish from a boat or on shore and in keeping with tradition, they have some pretty enticing prizes.

Weve got over $200,000 in cash and prizes, and we have prizes whether you catch a fish or not.

This years line-up includes a fly-in fishing trip to Quebec, as well as $60,000 in raffle prizes.

For Ehlers, the best part is seeing younger generations develop a love of the outdoors.

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Seeing the look of excitement on a junior anglers face when they catch one thats big enough and they bring it up all by themselves to the weigh station  you cant beat 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 ABC22 & FOX44.
A federal investigation targeting fentanyl sales in Chicago has resulted in felony charges against five people.

Three Chicago residents 33-year-old Jared Daniels, 34-year-old Cristine Serrano and 35-year-old Shernell Anderson, as well as 43-year-old Larry Lemon, a Brookfield resident, have each been charged with drug conspiracy and distribution.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Additionally, 33-year-old Jonathan Collins, a Chicago resident, has been charged with federal firearm offenses, alongside Daniels and Serrano, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Illinois announced Friday morning.

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Daniels, Serrano, Anderson and Lemon are accused of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin in the city in 2023 and 2024, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court in Chicago this week.

The firearms charges against Collins, Daniels and Serrano were handed down after they were allegedly found to be illegally possessing firearms, including handguns equipped with a switch device, which makes the weapons capable of firing multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, prosecutors said.

All five suspects are currently in custody.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

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If convicted, Daniels, Serrano, Anderson, and Lemon could face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, as well as mandatory minimums ranging from ten to 15 years. Collins could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The investigation into the case was conducted as part of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ-led nationwide initiative launched in March to intensify prosecution against illegal immigration, cartels, human trafficking, and violent crime.

Authorities did not provide booking photos for anyone charged.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TOKYO - The Japanese government unveiled on Friday a 100 billion yen ($700 million) policy package designed to attract foreign researchers, some of whom may have joined the exodus of talent from the United States due to research funding cuts.

The measures aim to create an elite research environment in Japan, as competition to lure talent intensifies globally in fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

The government also plans to use profits generated from a 10 trillion yen investment fund set up by the state to help universities produce internationally competitive research.

"We will make utmost efforts to make our country the most attractive in the world for researchers," said science and technology policy minister Minoru Kiuchi at a press conference.

Many researchers have departed the United States as President Donald Trump's administration has pushed elite universities to prioritize American students over those from other countries and slashed federal funding for many programs.

Japan's new policy package will fund many existing programs, including a plan by Tohoku University to spend around 30 billion yen to recruit about 500 researchers from Japan and abroad.

An education ministry project in which hubs will be created to promote top-level research is also included.

The government aims to raise salaries for researchers and reduce their administrative burden, allowing them to concentrate on their work. It also seeks to acquire advanced technology for use at institutions.

Kiuchi said the government will consider additional measures to retain researchers after bringing them in from abroad.

Despite the government's recent efforts to promote science and technology research, an education ministry institute said that last year Japan remained ranked at a record-low 13th place in the number of highly cited scientific papers.

Related coverage:

Japan calls on colleges to accept students in U.S. after Harvard ban

Univ. of Tokyo mulls accepting Harvard foreign students if barred

Defense tech subsidies for Japan universities totaled 2.7 bil. yen
Israel targeted nuclear and military sites in Iran in airstrikes early Friday morning.

The strikes are a major escalation that threatens to expand into a wider regional conflict.

These are five key questions as the conflict continues.

Israel's widespread airstrikes on Iran effectively damaged the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which officials said was a primary goal.

The strikes hit over 100 targets, including Iran's air defense systems, missile launchers, and senior military leadership.

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Now, all eyes are on Tehran's response (it has launched multiple waves of missiles in retaliatory strikes on Israel), and the specter of a wider conflict. And there are lingering questions over whether the US will get pulled into the fight.

Here are some main questions stemming from the attacks.

What is Iran's response to the Israeli attack?

First responders gather outside a building that was hit by an Israeli strike. MEGHDAD MADADI / TASNIM NEWS / AFP

Iran initially responded to the attack by firing 100 drones at Israel on Friday, which the Israel Defense Forces said were mostly intercepted.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel "should anticipate a severe punishment" in response to the strikes, which Iran says killed at least 78 people.

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Hours later, the IDF said Iran had launched "dozens" of missiles at Israel in what appeared to be several waves. The military said its air defenses were actively intercepting threats, and video footage captured several impacts.

"The Iranian response might be delayed or split into multiple phases," said Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute think tank.

"But their main weapon will be ballistic missiles," he added, "which have the best chance of inflicting damage on Israel, whereas drone and cruise missile attacks will face more extensive Israeli defences."

On Saturday, Iran's IRNA state news agency reported that Iranian forces said they had "successfully destroyed targets" in Israel using Arash drones  long-range loitering munitions.

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Israeli emergency services said two people were killed in a rocket strike on the coastal plain Saturday morning.

Israeli air defenses work to intercept Iranian missiles above Tel Aviv on Friday. AP Photo/Leo Correa

It is not unprecedented for Iran to launch powerful weapons at Israel; Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at its foe in April and October last year. However, those strikes were mostly intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the US.

Beyond direct strikes, another way that Iran could retaliate is through the so-called "Axis of Resistance," a vast network of militias it is aligned with throughout the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis.

Israel has been battling these forces, and Hamas in Gaza, since the October 7, 2023, attacks.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long advocated for destroying Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran claims is for civilian purposes.

The US, however, has been trying to reach a new deal with Iran (and has threatened violence if a deal isn't done). The strikes could derail those efforts and even goad Iran into racing to build a nuclear arsenal.

Will Israel and Iran's conflict trigger a wider conflict?

Israel's strikes threaten to spark a wider regional conflict, analysts at London's Chatham House think tank warned Friday.

"Far from being a preventive action, this strike risks triggering a broader regional escalation and may inadvertently bolster the Islamic Republic's domestic and international legitimacy," Sanam Vakil, Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa program director, said.

Israeli F-16 fighter jets that participated in the strikes against Iran. Israel Defense Forces

Last year, Tehran reportedly threatened to target Gulf state oil facilities if they allowed Israel access to their airspace for strikes against Iran.

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Oil prices surged after Israel launched its strikes on Iran this week, Business Insider reported.

It's unclear what routes Israeli aircraft used in the attacks, but there's been speculation Israel could exploit the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria to get its aircraft directly over Iraq for strikes.

Russia is also a close ally of Iran, and the two have increased their defense cooperation since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

However, Nikita Smagin, an analyst at the Carnegie Endowment, said in December that the Kremlin is unlikely to come to Iran's direct aid in order to avoid direct confrontations with Israel and the US.

What does Israel's attack mean for the US?

The US has helped arm and defend Israel, notably in the wake of Hamas' October 7 attacks.

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Trump has sought to broker a new nuclear deal with Iran, and in the wake of the Israeli attacks overnight, warned of "even more brutal" strikes from Israel if Iran refuses a new agreement.

In a phone call with NBC News, Trump said that Iran had "missed the opportunity to make a deal," but said Iranian officials had reached out to him to continue negotiations.

"Now, they may have another opportunity. We'll see," Trump told the outlet. Iranian media reported the nation had pulled out of the next round of talks, per NBC News.

Last year, the US Navy helped shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel in two major attacks, and it has rotated multiple aircraft carriers and many warships into the region since 2023, in a show of support for Israel and to deter its enemies, including Iran.

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A US official told Business Insider that American forces helped shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel on Friday. It's unclear whether they provided air defense from the ground, sea, or air.

The US and other NATO countries have also defended international shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen.

US warships have helped defend Israel from previous Iranian attacks. US Navy photo

How many US troops are in the Middle East?

The US has a substantial military presence in the Middle East, including naval forces, ground troops, and strike aircraft.

A Navy spokesperson told BI that the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group  consisting of an aircraft carrier, a cruiser, and three destroyers  is in the Arabian Sea.

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There are also three American destroyers in the Red Sea and another in the Eastern Mediterranean.

All of these warships, and the carrier's dozens of embarked aircraft, are capable of carrying out air defense missions to defeat incoming drones and missiles.

Were Israel's strikes actually effective?

IDF spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Israel's strikes "significantly harmed" Iran's main uranium enrichment site at Natanz.

"For many years, the people of the Iranian regime made an effort to obtain nuclear arms in this facility," he said, adding that the site "has the necessary infrastructure to enrich uranium to a military grade."

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The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed the site was struck, but the extent of the damage remains unverified.

Satellite imagery appeared to show significant damage at the surface level.

There was also a report Friday that Israel had struck Fordow, a nuclear fuel enrichment site guarded deep under a mountain.

Overnight, Israeli strikes reportedly targeted strategic Iranian sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran's primary center for uranium enrichment. High-resolution imagery from @AirbusDefence, captured on June 13, 2025, reveals significant damage to the facility. pic.twitter.com/L7y9V64NIq  Open Source Centre (@osc_london) June 13, 2025

The IDF said that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami and other senior military commanders were also killed in targeted strikes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Chaotic scenes in which Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was pressed to the ground and handcuffed by federal agents set the political world aflame Thursday.

Padilla had come to a news conference being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, raising his voice to ask questions. Agents, reportedly including at least one member of Noems official security detail, swarmed Padilla, moving him to a corridor before pressing him to the ground and placing the handcuffs on him.

The stunning moment played out against the political backdrop of disorder in California. President Trumps administration is seeking to crack down even harder on immigrants without legal status, and pro-immigrant activists are trying to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from detaining people.

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Anti-ICE demonstrators have hurled debris at police and set cars ablaze. The strife  and the political debate  intensified after Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard and the Marines. He did so in contravention of the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D).

Here are the main takeaways from the Padilla episode.

The imagery matters more than anything else

The sheer potency of the Padilla video is more powerful than anything else.

The most widely circulated clip, which lasts less than a minute, begins with Padilla standing relatively close to where Noem is speaking, but not within arms reach or making any sudden move toward her. Agents begin to push him further away.

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As they continue physically pressing in on him, the senator says, I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.

Padilla begins to make remarks that he never gets to finish related to violent criminals, and he is pushed into an adjacent corridor, briefly out of view of the camera. A voice  presumably Padillas  says hands off.

Moments later, with three agents surrounding him, he is told to get on the ground and to put his hands behind his back. At least two of the agents have their hands on Padilla holding him to the ground at this point, and cuffs are placed on him.

A voice from an unidentified man then tells the person filming the events on their cellphone that no recording is allowed.

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The brief clip ends.

But the shocking nature of seeing a sitting senator treated in such a way resonated immediately, taking over cable TV networks and social media and sparking a political firestorm.

Democrats see evidence of Trumps creeping authoritarianism

Democrats responded with fury to the treatment of Padilla, casting it as horrifying in itself  and as emblematic of the Trump administrations broader approach.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on social media that the way Padilla was treated was a shameful and stunning abuse of power.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he was sickened to his stomach by what he had seen.

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called it a horrifying moment in our nations history.

Democrats, and millions of liberal Americans, were already outraged about Trumps deployment of the National Guard and the Marines, which they argue was an unnecessary and purposefully inflammatory move.

Several media outlets reported Padillas attempt to question Noem took place after she had claimed federal agents were going to liberate this city from its socialist leaders.

Soon after the incident Thursday, Newsom called the treatment of Padilla outrageous, dictatorial and shameful, and Bass said it was absolutely abhorrent.

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But liberals also see the immigration question as part of a bigger picture, in which Trump has sought to exert his muscle against universities, the media, judges and law firms, as well as his political foes.

To them, he is a president exceptional in all the wrong ways  in his intolerance of dissent, and his willingness to use the levers of government power to crush it.

The images of Padilla being handcuffed crystallizes their case.

The White House says Padilla to blame

The White House has vigorously defended the agents treatment of Padilla. They are saying the senator is to blame.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement, Padilla stormed a press conference, without wearing his Senate pin or previously identifying himself to security, yelled, and lunged toward Secretary Noem.

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The video of the incident does not appear to show Padilla wearing the pin that identifies senators, but it also does not include images of him lunging at Noem. Moreover, he clearly does inform the agents who swarm him that he is a senator. The White Houses argument is that he did not do so early enough in the encounter.

Jackson added, Padilla didnt want answers; he wanted attention.

The official X account of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also contended Padilla had interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself and had lunged at Noem.

The DHS also alleged Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands.

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Noem herself told Fox News soon after, He was never arrested.  Nobody knew who he was when he came into the room creating a scene. He was removed from the room. Yes, they started to put handcuffs on him  when he finally identified himself and then that was stopped.

Padilla says its false to suggest nobody knew who he was, even before the melee erupted, because a member of the National Guard and an FBI agent escorted him into Noems press conference from elsewhere in the building in the first place.

Even so, members of the Trump administration plainly believe that adopting the presidents never back down approach will pay political dividends.

The immigration debate has become partly a battle of visual images

The Padilla episode plainly helps Democrats make their case that the Trump administration is prone to repressive tactics.

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But the image of the senator on the ground also has to compete, in a political sense, with some of the equally compelling images of disorder in Los Angeles.

Images of anti-ICE protesters using Molotov cocktails, carrying Mexican flags and setting fire to vehicles have been potent, especially with audiences that lean to the right.

The latter images have been used to make the case that Democrats are soft on immigration  and on crime, especially if it relates to protests for causes they believe in.

Those images, in turn, feed the belief that Trump is justified in mobilizing troops to restore order.

Could the political tide turn on immigration?

Immigration was Trumps strongest issue in the general election campaign against Harris last year. He argued former President Biden had been far too lax on the issue, in effect facilitating a massive influx at the southern border.

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Voters have mostly approved of Trumps efforts on border security while in office, as unauthorized crossings have fallen precipitously. But his poll ratings on immigration writ large are much more mixed.

Its plausible the apparent discrepancy stems from a public disquiet with some of the tactics used by immigration agents, and with Trumps often fractious attitude toward the courts when they rule against him.

An Economist/YouGov poll this week highlighted the split. It found that 47 percent of surveyed Americans believe Trumps approach to immigration is too harsh, 40 percent believe it is about right, and 7 percent believe it is too soft.

The same poll found 87 percent of surveyed Americans supporting the deportation of migrants without legal status who have committed violent crimes  but 61 percent opposed to deportations of those who had not committed violent crimes.

In short, the politics of immigration is more nuanced and more changeable than hard-liners on either side make it appear.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israel pummeled Iran overnight Thursday, launching its largest-ever military operation against its regional rival and upending President Trumps push for a nuclear deal with Tehran.

The U.S. quickly sought to distance itself from the strikes, which killed Irans top military leaders and targeted key nuclear facilities, but administration officials were reportedly briefed on the plans ahead of time.

Trump blamed Iran for the attack, arguing its leaders failed to quickly strike an agreement to wind down its nuclear program.

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There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

Earlier this week, Iran said it would target U.S. bases in the Middle East if a conflict is imposed on us, a move that could trigger a direct U.S. response inside Iran or against its proxies across the Middle East.

The U.S. would also face immense pressure to come to Israels defense in an escalating conflict.

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Here are the key takeaways.

Israel targets nuclear sites, generals

Israel targeted Irans nuclear sites and took out several top military personnel, dealing a devastating blow to the Islamic Republics fighting force.

Israel was able to kill Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cmdr. Hossein Salami, one of the most powerful military figures in the country, and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander in chief of Irans military.

The Israeli military also took out Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGCs air force, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander in chief of Irans armed forces.

The overnight attack killed Ali Shamkhani, an influential politician and a close adviser of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shamkhani was involved in the nuclear talks with the U.S. The strikes also killed two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists  Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereidoun Abbasi.

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The Israeli military said 200 Israeli jets were involved in the operation, striking 100 targets with 330 munitions.

Israel hit Irans aerial defense and long-range missile sites and dealt damage to the countrys nuclear sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a Thursday night video that Israel struck Natanz, Irans nuclear facility where the majority of the fuel is produced. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the watchdog agency based in Austria, confirmed Natanz, which has two enrichment plants, has been damaged.

The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country. IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Thursday night.

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Grossi added that the Fordow fuel enrichment plant, the second pilot enrichment plant positioned underground, has not been impacted.

Netanyahu promised Friday to continue the aerial attacks as long as necessary.

US distances itself from attacks

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement Thursday night as Israel began its waves of strikes on Iranian targets.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel, he added.

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Trump publicly soured on the prospects of a nuclear deal with Iran after Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, berated the latest U.S. proposal earlier this month.

Last week, Trump warned, Time is running out on Irans decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly.

However, Trump also said he urged Netanyahu on Monday to hold off on an attack, with a sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for this weekend.

The latest U.S. proposal would have phased out Irans nuclear enrichment capabilities over time, effectively ending its nuclear program, which Khamenei said was a nonstarter.

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Trump said Friday morning that Iran had missed his 60-day deadline to reach a deal.

They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there, he added. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Its not entirely clear when the 60-day clock began. Trump reportedly issued the 60-day ultimatum to Irans leader in a letter in March, which means the deadline would have been sometime in May.

Iran promises harsh response

Khamenei said Israel should anticipate a harsh punishment after the stunning attacks on Iranian soil.

In a statement, the Iranian government said Israel showed it does not adhere to any international rules or laws and, like a drunkard, openly and brazenly engages in terror and ignites the flames of war before the eyes of the world.

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Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lions tail, it added.

Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, told Senate Republicans last week that Iran would look to launch a mass casualty event if Israel attacked nuclear sites, Axios reported.

The Jerusalem Post on Friday cited a senior Israeli source warning that Iran and Israel were headed for a month of significant exchanging of missile-based blows.

Irans Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh issued an explicit warning to the U.S. on Wednesday.

Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations dont come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us  all U.S. bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries, Nasirzadeh told reporters.

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Grossi, of the IAEA, warned earlier this week that Israeli strikes were unlikely to destroy Irans underground nuclear facilities  and risked hardening Irans determination to build a nuclear bomb.

Israel said Iran launched 100 drones at Israel in its initial response to the strikes but said the attack was thwarted by air defense systems.

Nuclear talks derailed  for now

Iranian officials have pulled out of a planned sixth round of nuclear talks with the U.S. Sunday in Muscat, Oman.

Witkoff still intends to have talks with Iranian representatives Sunday, a U.S. official briefed on the matter told The Hill on Friday.

The U.S. started nuclear negotiations with Iran in April. The two sides have held five rounds of talks so far, with three taking place in Muscat and the other two meetings in Rome.

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Both sides said after the fifth round in Rome in late May that some progress had been made, but the two sides are still far from striking an agreement.

Trump was also facing dissent among Republicans that a new deal would look like the Obama-era deal he pulled out of in 2018.

The main sticking point to a nuclear deal remains Irans insistence to continue enriching uranium, a red line for the U.S. and Israel, which claim Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Despite Iran withdrawing from talks, Trump continued to push a deal Friday. The president has long said he would prefer to strike a diplomatic solution with Iran  and that the alternative might entail military force.

The main U.S. leverage in the negotiations is the potential lifting of the harsh sanctions Trump imposed during his first White House term after withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action former President Obama negotiated.

Mixed reactions on the right

Israels attacks have further highlighted a divide among Trumps supporters over how to handle Irans nuclear threat.

Iran hawks in Congress cheered on the waves of aerial attacks on Iran, while isolationists in the MAGA movement expressed alarm over the increased risk of Americas military being involved in another war in the Middle East.

Game on. Pray for Israel, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) wrote Thursday night on social platform X.

We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action, Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote on X.

I am also praying for the brave U.S. service members in the Middle East who keep America safe  Iran would be foolish to attack the United States, he added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed Trumps consistent warning that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon in his response, commending the administration for working tirelessly to ensure that outcome.

But some of Trumps supporters, more aligned with Vice President Vances America First foreign policy vision, were alarmed by the escalation.

No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy. Im very concerned based on every [thing] Ive seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency, Turning Point USA founder and influential Trump ally Charlie Kirk wrote Thursday morning on X.

Right-wing podcaster Jack Posobiec echoed a similar sentiment, which he said was felt among the MAGA grassroots.

A direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition. Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for  the midterms are not far and Congress majority is already razor-thin, Posobiec said Thursday morning.

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The University of Washington will be holding the schools 150th commencement on Saturday at Husky Stadium.

Around 50,000 family and friends are expected to attend the ceremony of the more than 7,400 graduates in the class of 2025, UW said in a release.

UW President Ana Mari Cauce will deliver the commencement address as she completes her 10-year run as president before returning as a member of the UW faculty, the release said.

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The University of Washingtons 150th Commencement celebrates more than a milestone  it affirms the power of higher education to change lives. Our 2025 graduating class exemplifies resilience, embraces diverse perspectives, and upholds a proud commitment to excellence, Cauce said in the release.

UW Tacoma will hold its commencement at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Tacoma Dome, while UW Bothell will hold its ceremony at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

For more information on streaming UW graduation ceremonies, visit washington.edu.
NEKOOSA, Wis. (WFRV)  A 53-year-old man in Wisconsin was arrested on June 9 for allegedly being involved in a womans death on April 1, 2025, believed to be due to drug use.

The Nekoosa Police Department reported that Paul Hardwick of Nekoosa was booked into jail for the following charges:

First-degree reckless homicide

Possession with intent to deliver Cocaine THC

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Maintaining a drug trafficking place

Felony bail jumping

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Police in Wisconsin continue to seek information in 2013 murder of woman shot in front of her children

The incident occurred when police were dispatched for a report of a 41-year-old unresponsive woman, identified as Sara Wilkinson of Nekoosa. Officers and medical responders on the scene attempted life-saving measures, but Wilkinson was shortly after pronounced dead.

A search warrant revealed illicit drugs in the home where Wilkinson died, and the cause of her death is believed to be due to drugs she acquired from Hardwick.

Menasha community & police officers donate new fishing gear to victims of vandalism

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Two others could be charged, as the Nekoosa Police Department requested the following residents in the home to face charges from the Wood County District Attorney:

Requested charges against 41-year-old Jacob Keith Manufacturing, delivery of THC Possession with intent to deliver THC, second offense Possession of drug paraphernalia Maintaining a drug trafficking place

Requested charges against 59-year-old Tammy Grasley Possession of THC, second offense Possession of drug paraphernalia Maintaining a drug trafficking place



No additional details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
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Gender-affirming care is under attack  for everyone. A wave of legislation and executive actions have targeted transgender people, particularly teens, by stripping away gender-affirming care and other essential rights, but intersex people and anyone who doesnt conform to strict sex binaries also stand to lose something as a result.

While we usually talk about gender-affirming care in relation to trans people, research suggests that cisgender people are most commonly the recipients of these kinds of treatments. Though we do also hear about intersex people when gender-affirming care comes under attack, were not getting the full story.

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Intersex people are born with variations in their sex traits that deviate from what is considered typical for male or female bodies. They might identify as cisgender or transgender, but either way, many need the same health care that trans people do.

For intersex people, gender-affirming care can mean hormone therapy for teens whose bodies do not naturally produce their own, don't make enough, or make too much. It can look like facial or bodily feminization or masculinization to align with gender identity in people whose sex was incorrectly assigned at birth due to their intersex traits. For some intersex people, incorrect sex assignments are surgically enforced before they can have a say.

In many bills that ban gender-affirming care for trans people, there is whats called an intersex exception, a clause that, judging by the name, suggests it protects care for intersex people. Instead, these clauses permit nonconsensual surgeries to normalize the sex characteristics of intersex babies and children. This kind of legislation often attempts to penalize doctors providing consensual care to trans teens, while protecting surgeons who operate on intersex infants who cannot consent.

At first glance, bills with exceptions suggest that intersex peoples access to medical care isnt affected. Instead, these bills protect a kind of intervention we dont want and cant consent to, while jeopardizing necessary health care, such as access to hormone replacement therapy for intersex people across the country.

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Here, six intersex people explain why they deserve unfettered access to gender-affirming care  and why trans teens do too.

Spencer, 21 (they/them)

My name is Spencer, and Im 21. Im a Deaf ASL user, I work in the kitchen of a family-owned restaurant, and I run craft booths in the summer.

Gender-affirming care is the reason I was able to experience puberty and can function as a college student. I was born without any functioning gonads, which makes my body unable to produce an adequate amount of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

Until I started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as a pre-teen, I was experiencing unmanageable fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and muscle weakness that kept me home from school and othered by my peers. HRT allowed me to finally begin puberty and hit the developmental milestones Id been missing out on.

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At a young age I was able to access the medical care I needed, but as an adult I now have to jump through hoops so I can continue receiving hormones and avoid a medical crisis  hoops that have been written into the law more and more as Ive aged. It should not take me months to receive the medication Ive needed since middle school.

Tendaji, 25 (he/she)

Im Tendaji, a 25-year-old transfem person who produces music and writes poetry.

I was born with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and the cysts on my ovaries have left me both physically bedridden for months and mentally in anguish because I could no longer do the things I love.

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I started taking testosterone this year and felt my life begin to turn around. I felt energized again. I was no longer entirely bedridden and could feel my mental health improve due to my physical health being taken care of now too. For the first time, I felt my life beginning to take shape again  all because my doctor took my concerns as an intersex person seriously.

Gender-affirming care for me is more than a way to ease my dysphoria. My testosterone is also my health medicine, a lifesaving hormone that has allowed me to function as a human being. Myself and countless other people shouldnt have that right stripped from us due to bigotry and ignorance.

Emory, 29 (they/them)

Im Emory, Im a computer scientist and I live with my partner and cats in Kentucky.

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To me, access to gender-affirming care is about consent. Because of a needless surgery when I was a baby, I lost the ability to produce my own hormones. That surgery was intended to change my gender forever, but I had no say in it. Doctors looked at my body, and they couldnt decide whether to mark M or F on my birth certificate. So instead of changing the form, they tried to change my body.

What I experienced is the opposite of gender-affirming care; it's gender enforcement. And that's the reality that intersex young people face when they are treated without their informed consent. In my state, theres a new law that bans any kind of gender-affirming care for young people. It also says that every kind of gender enforcement on intersex people is fair game.

I deserved to make those decisions for myself, and I needed support to help me do that. Thats what gender-affirming care means to me. Everybody deserves autonomy, and everyone deserves community. I hope I get to see that in my lifetime.

Courtney, 25 (they/them)

Im Courtney, a graduate student and writing teacher who enjoys fiber arts, bad reality TV, and good books.

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Because of my intersex variation, access to hormone replacement therapy is life-or-death for me. I have a rare and potentially fatal type of periodic paralysis that impacts all of my muscles, including ones needed to breathe and pump blood.

It is technically hormone replacement therapy that regulates my symptoms. As someone living in a conservative state with ongoing challenges to HRT access, doctors have been wary to prescribe medically necessary, life-preserving medications for fear that such care will violate state and federal restrictions.

An intersex exception would not help guarantee access to care, since I will continue to get progressively and irreversibly worse the longer that I cannot access treatment. I would have to find a doctor brave enough to fight for an exception and undergo the time-consuming and paperwork-intensive process of proving an exception, all the while still extremely sick and getting sicker.

Nessa, 24 (she/he/they/any)

Im Nessa, a 24-year-old professional videographer living in Maryland.

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As an intersex endocrinology patient, I had been on birth control pills for years. I was told by doctor after doctor that it was the only treatment for my sex hormone imbalance, and that if I stopped, I wouldn't get my period anymore. Then, they said, I would get cancer.

I tried and tried and tried, but after a third failed attempt at hormonal birth control to raise my estrogen levels, I'd had enough and quit my medication, accepting the risk that came with that.

Years later, I was taking testosterone injections under the care of an endocrinologist for gender-affirming reasons, and I loved every change it brought to my body: the light dusting of a beard across my jaw; the depth and richness my voice developed; the way it changed the shape of my body from curvy to rectangular.

For the first time in my life, a doctor told me that testosterone injections came with the side effect of thinning out the lining of my uterus, reducing the risk of reproductive cancer. Doctors usually don't recommend testosterone to cisgender, non-intersex patients because of the masculinization it causes. In my case, testosterone literally and tangibly has saved my life.

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Because of my assigned sex at birth, a gender-affirming care ban would bar me from taking the only endometrial cancer reduction drug that has ever worked for me. My life and welfare depends on gender-affirming care.

Elliott, 23 (he/him)

My name is Elliott. Im a grad student in a master of public health program and passionate about harm reduction, disability justice, and intersex liberation.

As an intersex and trans person, accessing gender-affirming care is vital for my health and well-being. Ive been taking hormones in one form or another since I was 14. Due to my intersex variation, I will require access to hormonal therapy for my whole life.

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Informed consent for gender-affirming care allowed me to take charge of my own health journey, access hormones that meet my medical needs, and heal from the devastating emotional impact of surviving forced medical interventions as an intersex child.

Gender-affirming care bans often use the language of safety and protecting children, but we know better: Bans arent bringing safety; theyre promoting paternalistic control at the expense of intersex and trans peoples lives. Although intersex people deserve protections from coercive treatment, gender-affirming care bans are not the way to achieve that. Bans like these just cut us off from accessing lifesaving, affirming care that we chose.

Ultimately, intersex and trans people deserve the bodily autonomy to make our own informed decisions about the health care that we need to live.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue






NEED TO KNOW

In May 2024, Noelle noticed a swollen spot on her daughter, Noelle's leg. Her parents thought it looked like a bug bite, but scheduled an urgent care visit just in case

She was then diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer

Noelle passed away one year later, and "she left the world with a smile," her dad says







Noelle Franklin was your typical girly-girl  full of sass, sparkle and confidence. She loved to dance, and her fake nails were always so long she could barely function with them  not that she cared. Noelle was obsessed with skincare and makeup, always borrowing from the best brands, even ones her mom, Toni, didnt use. Drunk Elephant? She had it. At just 6 years old, she knew how to work a beauty routine better than most adults.

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She grew up in the Raleigh-Clayton area of North Carolina, surrounded by love, especially from her 12-year-old brother, Christian, and her parents, Dylan and Toni. The Franklins were a typical family in every sense: busy days, school pick-ups, family outings and lots of laughter.

But on May 4, 2024, their world was turned upside down.

The night before, Noelle had come inside after playing and pointed to a swollen spot on her leg. It looked like a bug bite  nothing alarming, and it wasnt causing any pain. Still, just to be safe, her parents scheduled an urgent care visit for the next morning.

That Saturday started off like any other, Toni remembers. We took the kids to the farmers market, stopped at McDonalds for breakfast, and then went to the urgent care appointment. We were sitting in the back of the car, eating by a little pond while we waited.

Jessie Peloso Photography The Franklin family The Franklin family

Noelle was taken in for an x-ray. What the doctor saw didnt look like a bug bite at all  it looked serious.

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What followed was a whirlwind: a week packed with appointments, scans and biopsies. The diagnosis came quickly and painfully  osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. Even worse, further scans revealed the cancer had already spread to both of Noelles lungs.

"I don't think we really knew what to think," Dylan says. "One minute everything's normal. That week leading up to this, we went to gymnastics. We were doing everything just as a normal family would be doing. Then overnight or in a blink of an eye, everything changed."

"We're lucky that we live kind of in a more populous area of North Carolina, so some of the better medical facilities are not outrageously far away," he adds. "So we didn't have to start small and then work our way up. We just kind of jumped straight to a larger facility."

At that time, the parents' minds were filled with questions: Where can we go? Whos going to give her the best treatment?

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"It's just something you don't ever expect to happen until it happens," Dylan says. "And then when it happens, literally your whole world shifts and changes, and you're just filled with emotions and thoughts and the what-ifs. And I think at the initial point, we just wanted everything to be okay, and how do we get there? And so that was our first focus."

Toni Franklin Noelle Franklin holding up her doll Noelle Franklin holding up her doll

Right away, the Franklin family dove headfirst into treatment. Noelle began MAP chemotherapy  a standard but intense regimen for osteosarcoma. It started with one round of inpatient chemo, where she would stay in the hospital for three to five days at a time. After that, shed get a three-week break, then begin the next cycle.

The pattern became the family's new normal: three to five days on, three weeks off  and repeat.

Typically, patients go through about 10 weeks of this pre-surgical chemo. Then comes surgery to remove the primary tumor  in Noelles case, the source of the cancer in her leg. After surgery, more chemotherapy follows in hopes of slowing or stopping the disease from progressing.

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In total, the treatment plan usually spans about 28 weeks, including both "on" and "off" weeks. But the reality is that beyond that point, the options become painfully limited.

A lot of the studies and trials just dont show meaningful benefits, Toni explains. You're kind of fishing in a barrel, just throwing things at the wall hoping something sticks. If there were a proven treatment that worked, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Wed have a cure.

"I think Noelle proved, although we had worries every step of the way that we had to deal with, that she just wasn't your typical cancer and chemo patient," the mom adds. "I mean, besides not having hair, if you saw her out at the grocery store, you wouldn't have even known that she was going through cancer."

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Toni Franklin Noelle Franklin posing for the camera Noelle Franklin posing for the camera

Although every part of Noelles cancer journey was difficult, one moment in particular stood out as the hardest: when she had to have her leg amputated. Since her primary tumor was in her leg, on Oct. 25, 2024, she underwent a hip disarticulation, where doctors removed her entire leg at the hip.

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For her parents, it was admirable  and astonishing  to see how she continued to function, despite the pain and recovery.

"We thought we'd have a month or two where she wouldn't want to do anything," Dylan says. "I think we had a week, and that's just because she was in recovery. But as soon as we got home, she was raring to go. She wasn't the type to settle. We tried to get her in a wheelchair, and she hated it. So she said, 'Nope, I'm going to do my walker.' And she just took off from there."

"If they told her to do 10 reps of something, she would do 20," Toni adds. "She'd surpass it. And everyone knew that about Noelle at the hospital. I just feel like her strength... A lot of people come up to Dylan and me now,9 and they're like, 'She got it from yall.' And I know we're part of her cancer journey too, but just seeing how Noelle was  I hate to take credit for that because she was just so strong throughout the whole thing."

At the beginning of Noelle's journey, her parents started a Facebook page called "Noelle Strong" to keep friends and family updated on their daughters prognosis.

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On that account  and later on TikTok  Noelle began posting daily videos. Shed say Happy Monday, and people came to recognize and look forward to her updates. She also shared skincare routines and day-to-day moments. It became more than just a place for cheerful posts  it was a space for real, raw updates.

We didnt sugarcoat anything," Toni says, adding how the Facebook page and TikTok accounts eventually amassed nearly 13,000 supporters. "I used it as a space, as a mom, to do videos and post updates. It was raw. But seeing how many people joined that group  it was not what we expected.

"I would say we just wanted a platform and a space to show Noelle and show that cancer sucks and it's not fair," Dylan continues. "But even in the hard days, Noelle was on there doing videos, making people smile and a lot of people have really crappy days, but your day, no matter how crappy, might not be as bad as what she dealt with. And I think that just gave a lot of people inspiration."

Jessie Peloso Photography Noelle Franklin in the hospital Noelle Franklin in the hospital

On Jan. 17 of this year, Noelle underwent extensive lung surgery. She had her entire right lung removed, along with 54 spots from her left lung. At the time, Dylan and Toni had no idea what recovery would look like  everything felt like uncharted territory.

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But as Noelle spent 90 days recovering in the hospital, her cancer continued to spread like wildfire. New spots began appearing  spots she hadnt had before the surgery. Faced with this devastating progression, her parents had to make the difficult decision about whether to pursue more chemotherapy and treatment.

Thats when the parents decided they just wanted to get her home and have her be Noelle.

"We were able to get her home, and our hospice team actually said, We commend you for getting her home,' " the mom says. " 'There are a lot of people that wouldnt have done that. I think it just kind of goes back to Noelle  how hard she fought through every single thing. She would still smile, laugh and play pranks and jokes. That was our reason to keep pushing."

"Once we found out, we knew in the back of our minds things were going down a path of no return, but we also just knew that we would keep pushing as long as she was willing," Dylan adds. "That was kind of our motivation and determination to do whatever she wanted.

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On May 12, Noelle passed away at 7 years old. In the days leading up to her passing, her family spent her final week at the beach  a place of peace, love and one last adventure.

Noelle had always dreamed of going to Hawaii. Since that wasnt possible, her local community came together to transform a nearby beach  Emerald Isle  into her very own version of Hawaii.

"I feel like that was really special," Toni says. "I think she knew we needed that."

Jessie Peloso Photography Noelle Franklin in the hospital Noelle Franklin in the hospital

The family left the beach in an ambulance and returned to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, about three hours away. When they arrived, doctors ran more scans and confirmed that the cancer had continued to spread rapidly.

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Her whole body was riddled, Dylan says. Just to put it into perspective  I said this at her funeral  Noelle had one leg, one lung, and part of one lung at this point. And she left the world with a smile.

She was happy. She had her moments  just like any kid would  but the whole time she was there, seeing those scans that were done that Sunday, it just blows my mind how she was able to keep going," he adds. "She never showed pain; all the doctors said they had no clue how she wasnt expressing it. She just kept pushing. And thats what keeps us going. This is a very difficult time, and life sucks. Its not easy losing your daughter, but her strength and her ability to keep going  thats what keeps us going.

Since Noelles passing, Toni says their home has felt quiet  and the days, heavier.

I know shes in a better place, she says. But then it hits me  the memories from before her diagnosis, of her growing up. Grief is very uncharted territory. I feel like were still trying to navigate it. Some people say it gets worse. Some say it comes in waves. And it really is like an ocean to me  it comes in waves. But we do have good days, and we have bad days. Weve been doing things we know Noelle would want us to be doing. And I think that brings me personal joy.

The family is thankful for the digital memories theyve collected through her social media accounts  videos, voice messages and even text messages.

20, 30 years ago, you didnt have those recordings or those snippets, Dylan says. We have all of that now to help us through a moment or two. It brings us peace.

Now, the Franklins are channeling their grief into something bigger: they plan to start a nonprofit in Noelles name called Noelle Strong. Their goal is to raise awareness for osteosarcoma, fund research and help bring more attention to childhood cancers.

"People call these cancers rare, but theyre not so rare when its your child,' Dylan says. "Childhood cancer needs a bigger platform and the only way to do that is to get more people on board."

She didnt go through everything she went through this last year for us to just stop. And so we wont. Were going to keep pushing.



Read the original article on People
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A child was found dead after first being reported missing in West Chester Township.

According to Paul Lovell, police captain for West Chester, first responders were called Friday around 11:30 a.m. to a local apartment complex. Law enforcement was sent in reference to a missing 7-year-old with autism was believed to have been missing.

Fire at Miami Township home under investigation

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While crews were headed to the scene, emergency dispatchers were told the child had been located in a retention pond.

Life-saving measures were conducted upon arrival, but the 7-year-old was pronounced dead at the location.

This is an incredible tragedy for our community so soon after we lost a child in similar circumstances, said Lisa Brown, administrator for West Chester Township.

NBC affiliate WLWT in Cincinnati reported the girls death is under investigation by the Butler County Coroners Office.

This is developing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Its Friday the 13th, but this weekends festivities (hopefully) wont give you bad luck.

From a Fathers Day barbecue cruise to the inaugural WasabiFest, here are seven events you could attend these next several days.

How much do Oregonians spend on fast food?

When: Friday, June 13 at 6 p.m.

Where: Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205

The Portland Opera is marking its anniversary with a concert featuring songs from its 60-year history, along with songs it will perform through the 2025-26 season. Do not miss this chance to honor where we have been, celebrate where we are going, and share the joy of opera together, the opera said.

When: Various times from Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15

Where: Multiple locations

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Get ready, scream queens. More than 24 hours of independent and international horror films will screen at the Hollywood Theatre and Clinton Street Theater as part of this annual festival. The after-party will be held at Dots Cafe on Sunday evening.

When: Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m.

Where: Eastbank Esplanade, SE Hawthorne Ave and SE Water St., Portland, OR 97204

With Pride Month underway, the Portland Frontrunners are holding another Portland Pride Run  with beloved drag queen Poison Waters hyping up participants before and after the race. Proceeds will help the running and walking club with its mission to spread positivity in the LGBTQ+ community.

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Positively Portland

When: Saturday, June 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: The Redd on Salmon Street, 831 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97214

For the first time ever, WasabiFest is turning up the heat at The Redd on Salmon Street. The inaugural event will bring people from the food and beverage scene together to show off their own creations that include spicy Japanese horseradish, or wasabi.

When: Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: Laurelhurst Park, SE Cesar E Chavez Blvd & Stark St, Portland, OR 97214

At the Water Lantern Festival, attendees can enjoy food and music before designing the lanterns they will launch into the water. Organizers clean up after the event.

When: Sunday, June 15 at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Where: Salmon Springs Dock

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In honor of Fathers Day, the Portland Spirit is hosting two 2-hour barbecue brunch cruises. The menu includes potato salad, shrimp ceviche, pork ribs and more.

Brian Spauldings unsolved murder case has $20K reward for information

When: Sunday, June 15 at 7 p.m.

Where: Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 N Ramsay Way, Portland, OR 97227

8 Seconds Rodeo started in the Portland Expo Center in 2023, and has since grown to the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The gathering highlights the legacy of Black rodeo with bull riders and line dancing, and offers competitors a $60,000 prize.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Frank DePasquale was a teenager in 1955 when his family left the foot of Mount Vesuvius in Naples to immigrate to Bostons North End. His father was chasing the Italian dream of expanding his company Ambrosio, now one of the worlds biggest Italian confetti candy (Jordan almond) suppliers. Sadly, he passed away shortly after they arrived and never lived to see it. My lifelong ambition here is to make his dream of running Italian American businesses come true, says DePasquale.

Today, DePasquale is one of the 5.5 million Italians who immigrated to America between 1820 and 2004. He runs eight eateries in Bostons North End. In the Italian community, families (like his) pass down their beloved recipes. From Philadelphias South 9th Street Italian Market to San Franciscos North Beach renaissance, and all the Chicago pizza in betweenthese are some of the most iconic Italian neighborhoods, with the best Italian restaurants, delis, markets, and bakeries in the United States.

Click here to see the YouTube playlist for National Geographic's Big Little Italy.

Little Italy, New York City

Lower Manhattans Little Italy was once the primary American settlement for Italian immigrants, reaching 10,000 Italians in 1910. After Chinatown moved in, Little Italy was pared down to five blocks on Mulberry Street. This is where travelers can still visit Americas oldest pizzeria, (Gennero) Lombardi's (1905), the first Italian cafe, Ferrara Bakery (1892), and La Bella Vita (1985). Owned by the Esposito family since 1975, IL Cortile Ristorante is another place worth dining, especially for fans of The Sopranos. The restuarant starred as the gathering spot for the cast of the TV show. This Little Italy neighborhood also hosts the annual Feast of San Gennaro in September with parades, live music, and street food like calzones and zeppole (fried dough).

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Meanwhile in the Bronx, often dubbed New York Citys Real Little Italy, Italian shops and restaurantslike Marioshave lined Arthur Avenue for a century. Italian Americans shop at Arthur Avenue Market, developed by former Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1940.

In New York City, revelers hang out at the San Gennaro Festival in Manhattans Little Italy neighborhood. The feast celebrates the life of San Gennaro of Naples, the Bishop of Benevento, Italy, who was martyred in 305 A.D. Photograph By Joe Buglewicz/Redux

In NYCs Little Italy, a cook grills sausage at the annual Feast of San Gennaro on Mulberry Street. The Neapolitans pray to him for protection from fires, earthquakes, plagues, droughts, and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Photograph By John M. Mantel/Redux

During the Feast of Gennaro, contestants compete in the zeppole-eating contest. The Italian pastry is a deep-fried dough ball with powdered sugar. Photograph By John M. Mantel/Redux

North End, Boston

Pillowy gnocchi baked with sweet marinara, buffalo mozzarella, and basil in a wood-fired oven is worth the indulgence at DePasquales Bricco restaurantespecially when paired with pepperoncini juice in a hot and dirty martini topped off gorgonzola-stuffed olives.My whole goal is to keep the traditions going, like the feast of the seven fishes the way we celebrated in Italy and Sunday dinners, says DePasquale, who opened his first restaurant, Trattoria Il Panino, in 1987. Its keeping this neighborhood the way it was.

In the historic North End, between the 1680 home of Paul Revere and the Old North Church, there are over 100 Italian restaurants, most of which are still run by generational Italian immigrant families. With newcomers, some still occupy brick apartments above touristy outdoor eateries, like Boston's first Italian cafe, Caffe Vittoria, brewing since 1929; oldest Italian restaurant, Cantina Italiana; and first pizzeria, Pizzeria Regina, open since 1926. New restaurants, including renowned Italian chef Tony Susis Little Sage, maintain old-world flavor. Bovas, Mikes, and Modern bakeries still compete in Bostons cannoli wars for bragging rights, while Parziales has been serving pizzelle since 1907. Take it all in on Prince Street, where Prince Spaghetti was first made by Sicilian immigrants in 1912 and later filmed for the famous commercial; on a North End Boston Food Tour by life-long North End resident Bobby Agrippino; or at the annual Saint Anthonys Feast in August.

Bostons North End, a working-class Italian-American neighborhood, showcases an array of architectural styles including Italianate, colonial revival, Romanesque, and Renaissance revival. Photograph By Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/ Shutterstock

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North Beach, San Francisco

The California Gold Rush drew Italian American stoneworkers to San Francisco to build mansions for the rich whod struck gold. Sicilian anglers found blue seas off Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco Bay, and Italian businessmen opened anchors like Ghirardelli chocolate. After the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, Italian Americans brought into the citys North Beach neighborhood their legendary eateries, including Liguria, the citys oldest bakery with the best focaccia.

From the tricolor crosswalks to the new Honor Walk celebrating local notable historic Italian Americans, whats clear is San Franciscos Little Italy is experiencing a renaissance. Find all pizza styles at Tonys Pizza Napoletana owned by Guinness World Record Holder pizza tosser Tony Gemignani, and visit Fior d'Italia, open since 1886 and touted as the countrys oldest Italian restaurant.

Italian foodies have a lot to consider, from the rum-soaked St. Honore sponge cake at Victoria Pastry Company, the tiramisu at Stella Pastry & Cafe, and the Italian marionette show and pizza acrobatics at Festa Italiana.

Although not located in San Franciscos Little Italy, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company was founded by Italian chocolatier, Domenico Ghiradelli in 1852. Ghirardelli was born in Rapallo, Italy, and moved to California during the Gold Rush. Photograph By F11 Photo/ Shutterstock

Little Italy, Chicago

While pizza was first rolled out around the 6th century B.C., Chicago gets credit for its sink-your-teeth-in pizza crust. Americans inspired by pizza-tossing Neapolitan-Italians created the first deep-dish Chicago-style pizza at the original Pizzeria Uno in 1943. Italians who settled in the Windy City came looking for factory jobs in the 1800s and settled in the Little Italy neighborhood of the citys Near West Side, where Italian American heritage remains strong on Taylor Street at Conte di Savoia and the family-run Pompei. Chi-town's second claim to Italian food famethe thin-sliced Italian beef sandwich with au juswas invented at Als Beef by Tony Ferreri in 1938. For a James Beard award-winner try Tufano's Vernon Park Tap; for the red-sauce joint go to Peanut Park Trattoria; and for little romance, its been The Village at Italian Village since 1927.

In Chicago, food lovers can try a delicious deep-dish pizza at several restaurants around the city, including Malnattis Restaurant on Rush Street. Photograph By Robert Haidinger/laif/Redux

Little Italy, Cleveland

Many Italians who came to Ohio via New York City followed in the footsteps of Joseph Carabelli. The stonecutter arrived from Lombardy in 1880, and today, the monuments he carved still stand proudly beside Clevelands Little Italy. The original Italian neighborhood developed by Sicilian immigrants disappeared to urban renewal after World War II.

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Carabellis neighborhood greets visitors with longstanding establishments, like Guarino's, established in 1918 and still family-run. Mama Santa's is the spot for a Sicilian slice and if its chicken marsala youre after, go to La Dolce Vita, where you can still catch live opera performances. Cap off the meal with cappuccino and biscotti at Presti's, Clevelands oldest bakery, or grab a cannoli from Corbo's.

The West Side Market is considered the oldest operating market space in Cleveland, Ohio. Photograph By Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

The streets in Bostons North End are decorated for a religious festival in 1935. Photograph By B. Anthony Stewart, Nat Geo Image Collection

In 1935, this while you wait cameraman finds business profitable during a religious celebration in Boston's North End. Photograph By Anthony B. Stewart, Nat Geo Image Collection

Little Italy, San Diego

Italian families first came to San Diego in the 1920s for tuna fishinga longstanding Sicilian tradition. This northwest Little Italy neighborhood went quiet for years, until its revival through Italian urban public art, waterfront green space, and eventsthanks to its Little Italy Association. Tucked in among over 70 Italian food establishments is the award-winner that helped bring the neighborhood back to life in 2003, Market By Buon Appetito. Other gems include Enoteca Adriano, Pappalecco (serving Italian coffee, gelato, and paninis), and Vincenzo Cucina & Lounge and its pasta bar. Theres also a farmers market open twice a week and a European-style gathering space, Piazza della Famiglia.

The Little Italy Association oversees and expedites the revitalization and beautification of the Little Italy neighborhood in downtown San Diego. Visitors will find trendy cocktail bars, restaurants with busy patios, upscale clothing boutiques, and indie music venues, but the weekly Little Italy Mercato Farmers Market draws crowds. Photograph By Gabriele Maltinti / Shutterstock

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Bella Vista, Philadelphia

Early Italian immigrants made Philadelphias Bella Vista neighborhood a home. At the heart of this still-lively, charming neighborhood sits the countrys oldest continually operating outdoor food market, South 9th Street Italian Market, established by early Italian immigrants living in Antonio Palumbos boarding house. Two of the countrys oldest continuously operating Italian restaurants reside in the market district: Ralph's (1900) and Dante & Luigis Corona di Ferro (1899). Take an Italian American-led StrEATS of Philly Food Tour, and savor the sweet sfogliatelle (a flaky, shell-shaped, cream-filled pastry) at Isgro Pastries, and salty provolone and prosciutto at DiBruno Bros. market, opened in 1939 by Italian immigrants Dann and Joe Di Bruno.

Philadelphias South 9th Street Italian Market is the oldest working outdoor market in the U.S. Photograph By F11 Photo/shutterstock

Federal Hill, Providence

Anyone who has visited Providence knows that Italian roots run deep in Rhode Islands capital city. Growing up with my Italian grandparents was a gifttheir homes were always filled with the aromas of simmering sauce, fresh pasta, meats, baked treats, and stories told around a crowded kitchen table, says Rick Simone.

Today, Providences Federal Hill is still home to third- and fourth-generation Italians, feeding us like were family at Camilles and Scialo Brothers Bakery. Theres meat and cheese from the DiCicco family-owned Tony's Colonial Market, and Angelo's Civita Farnesethe citys oldest restaurant open since 1924. And dont forget the handmade pasta, kneaded for 80 years now at Venda Ravioli and fourth-generation meat market Antonelli Poultry.

Italian food wasnt just a meal. It was a celebration of love, family, and tradition, says Simone. Those early experiences taught me the deep value of connection, and they continue to shape everything I do today.

Travelers can enjoy a gondola ride on the Providence River in Providence, R.I. Photograph By Claudia G Cooper/Shutterstock

Anna Fiorentino is an award-winning journalist of 20 years whose work has also appeared in Afar Magazine, Outside Magazine, BBC, Smithsonian Magazine, and Boston Globe Magazine. Follow her on Instagram.
WASHINGTON - The United States has a "golden share" in United States Steel Corp., President Donald Trump said Thursday, adding it will be controlled by him after Nippon Steel Corp.'s massive investment in the iconic American producer.

"We have a golden share, which I control, or a president controls. Now I'm a little concerned whoever the president might be, but that gives you total control," Trump said at a White House event.

Trump also said, "It's 51 percent ownership by Americans." But he did not provide details on how the deal between the major Japanese steelmaker and the struggling American company is structured, leaving investors and many other people confused.

A golden share is a type of stock that gives veto power over major management decisions, such as approving or rejecting board members and slashing production capacity. But it was not immediately clear how such a share would allow a controlling stake in U.S. Steel to be owned by Americans.

Nippon Steel has sought to make U.S. Steel a wholly owned subsidiary. The $14.1 billion takeover bid was announced by the two in December 2023.

However, then President Joe Biden came out strongly against the plan. In early January this year, he issued an order blocking the sale of U.S. Steel to the Tokyo-headquartered company, citing national security grounds, following a recommendation by a panel of federal agencies.

During the 2024 presidential election cycle, Trump also opposed the takeover, repeatedly saying U.S. Steel should remain in domestic hands, a view shared by the leadership of the powerful United Steelworkers union.

On Thursday, Trump said Nippon Steel is a "great company" that will spend "$17 billion" on U.S. Steel, and unlike some other types of businesses, "We can't put it on a trailer and drive it into Japan," referring to the steel industry.

In April, Trump ordered the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to conduct another review of Nippon Steel's takeover bid.

With the review now complete, Trump needs to decide whether to formally approve Nippon Steel's set of buyout proposals.

In late May, a senator from Pennsylvania, where U.S. Steel is headquartered, said the Japanese company had pledged to ensure most board members in the American producer would come from the United States.

As a condition for permitting Nippon Steel to partner with U.S. Steel, Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick told CNBC that the U.S. government is poised to receive the special type of stock.

"The control structure is going to be somewhat unique. It's a national security agreement that will be signed with the U.S. government," the Republican senator said. "There'll be a golden share that will essentially require U.S. government approval of a number of the board members, and that will allow the United States to ensure production levels aren't cut."

During a speech at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania on May 30, Trump heaped praise on Nippon Steel over what he views as its partnership deal with U.S. Steel, and offered backing for the Japanese company's $14 billion investment into the American producer.

At the time, he also said, "Most importantly, U.S. Steel will continue to be controlled by the USA."

Related coverage:

Trump's steel tariff hike not raised in Japan-U.S. talks: negotiator

Many see continued cuts in bond buying as appropriate: BOJ chief Ueda

Japan PM hopes for progress in U.S. tariff talks, in no rush for deal
Hundreds of participants protested against the Trump administration in a 'No Kings' march toward the Rhode Island State House in Providence on April 19, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Bill King)

Eight demonstrations will be held across seven Rhode Island municipalities Saturday as part of nationwide No Kings protests intended to reject the authoritarian overreach of President Donald Trumps second term.

Robert Vitello, treasurer of the Newport Democratic City Committee, who helped organize Saturdays noon demonstration planned at Two Mile Corner in Middletown, said Friday morning hes received 350 responses from people who intend to show up.

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It will be peaceful, it will at many times be silent, Vitello said in an interview. People will be holding their signs and letting them speak of their frustration, their outrage, and utter concern with the state of our democracy.

Demonstrations will be held at the following locations in Rhode Island, according to the national No Kings coalitions website:

Water Street in New Shoreham on Block Island , from noon to 1 p.m.

The Rhode Island State House in Providence , from noon to 2 p.m.

India Point Park in Providence, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Two Mile Corner in Middletown , from noon to 2 p.m.

80 Boston Neck Road in North Kingstown , from noon to 2 p.m.

The village of Wakefield in South Kingstown , from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

53 Child Street in Warren , noon to 1 p.m.

248 Post Road in Westerly, from noon to 2 p.m.

Vitello said interest in the rally has grown following the Trump administrations crackdown on mostly nonviolent protests in Los Angeles and the recent forcible removal and handcuffing of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-C.A.) by federal law enforcement at a Department of Homeland Security press conference.

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Such actions have come in defiance of federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed the National Guard against demonstrators.

As much as what we were all warned about what a second Trump term could be like, its gone far beyond what people could have envisioned, Vitello said.

Saturdays protests are timed to coincide with the national military parade in Washington D.C. meant to celebrate the U.S. Armys 250th birthday  along with President Trumps 79th birthday. Saturday is also Flag Day.

Indivisible Rhode Island, which organized the demonstration at India Point Park, referred to the D.C. festival as a vanity parade on its website.

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Its a similar view held by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army paratrooper.

While this parade is a reminder that a president gets to give the military its marching orders, its really a demonstration of how this president prioritizes his own image above the needs of the American people, particularly those in uniform, whom he has frequently ridiculed, Reed said in a statement Friday afternoon. Our military has important missions to accomplish  the tens of millions of dollars expended for this event could be better allocated to improve the lives and readiness of our service members and their families.

Indivisible Rhode Island also organized the Hands Off! rally outside Kennedy Plaza in April against proposed cuts to federal funding.

Among those speaking at the India Point Park rally will be Rep. David Morales, a Providence Democrat.

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I am pleased to know that there is a movement where thousands of people all across the country and especially right here in our backyard of Providence, Rhode Island are here to take a stand, Morales said in an interview.

The national festival and parade are expected to cost between $25 million to $45 million, according to reporting by States Newsroom. It will feature roughly 6,700 soldiers from every division, 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, 34 horses, two mules and one dog.

But the parade will not include any members of the Rhode Island National Guard. Col. Brenton Groeneveld, a spokesperson for the Guard, confirmed the state will not participate in or provide any support for the parade.

The RING was not asked or tasked with providing any support to the June 14 parade, Groeneveld said in an email.

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The No Kings coalition projects millions of demonstrators will take the streets of over 2,000 cities and towns across the country  just not the nations capital.

Real power isnt staged in Washington, national organizers wrote on the coalitions website. It rises up everywhere else.

Updated to include comment from U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Several national outlets are covering a relatively new scam in which kupuna, and sometimes younger people, are scammed into purchasing gold bars and sending them for safe keeping. KHON2.com did a bit of digging to find out what the story is and how you can protect yourself and your family.

Heres what we found: When Kris Owen lost his wife, he thought his hardest days were behind him. Instead, he became the target of a complex scam that cost him $80,000 and nearly his peace of mind.

BBB: thousands of dollars lost due to scams targeting vacationers

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This is what happened: A pop-up warning on his computer led him into a scheme where fraudsters convinced him to buy gold bars and hand them off to a stranger in a parking lot. They told him it was to protect his identity. They were lying.

How the scam works: This scam is one of many now making the rounds across the country. Victims are told their money is at risk. They are then told that the safest place for their gold is with a federal agent. A stranger comes to collect it, and the gold is never seen again.

BBB details riskiest scams to help keep you protected

Heres what you need to know to avoid falling for it:

1. Pop-up warnings are traps

Pop-ups that say your computer is infected or your accounts are compromised are not coming from real security companies or government agencies. These messages are designed to scare you.

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BBB: Trending social media scam targets animal lovers, kind-hearted donors

Closing the browser window or restarting your computer is your best move. Never call a number shown in a pop-up. Thats how the scam starts.

2. Real agents dont ask for gold

No real government employee will ever ask you to withdraw money, buy gold or gift cards or meet in a parking lot; and they will not send couriers to your house. If someone claiming to be a federal agent makes this kind of request, hang up and report it.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

3. Dont trust the drop-off

Scammers want you to hand over your valuables in places where there is no security and no paper trail. Grocery stores. Gas stations. Your own driveway. If someone tells you to do this, it is a scam. Always confirm directly with your bank using verified phone numbers before acting on anything.

4. Kupuna are frequent targets

Criminals often choose older kupuna because they may be more likely to trust authority and less familiar with technology. If you have a loved one who is older, talk with them about scams like this. Even one conversation can make a difference.

5. Investment offers are not invitations

If someone contacts you out of nowhere about buying gold for your IRA or retirement, dont engage. There are legal, safe ways to invest in gold; but they dont start with a surprise phone call. Always work with a verified broker youve contacted first.

6. The courier is not the criminal mastermind

In Owens case, law enforcement eventually caught the person who came to pick up the fake money. But that person wasnt the one who planned the scam. Couriers are often hired through online ads and may not even know the full story. Thats part of what makes these crimes harder to stop.

7. No link is worth the risk

Avoid clicking on links in emails or texts from people you dont know. Even if a message looks official, it can be a trick. These messages can steal your personal information or lead you into a scam before you realize it.

8. Fear is the hook

Scammers rely on urgency. They want you to act fast. They say your identity has been stolen or your accounts are in danger. If a message makes you panic, slow down. Thats your warning sign, so talk to someone you trust. In situations involving accounts, its advised to call your bank using a verified number.

9. Nothing protects you like information

Owen followed what he thought were official instructions. He never expected it to be a scam. By sharing what happened, he hopes others will be more prepared. The more you know, the harder it is for someone to steal from you.

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For further information on how to avoid scams or what to do it you have been scammed, then click here for the Better Business Bureau.

Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself, your family and your 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 KHON2.
The Fred D. Thompson federal courthouse, where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is set to be arraigned. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Photograph by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man Trump Administration officials wrongly deported to a Salvadoran prison, is scheduled to be arraigned today in a downtown Nashville courtroom as immigrant rights advocates, union leaders and clergy gather at a nearby church in a show of support and protest.

Abrego Garcia will have the opportunity to enter a plea to two criminal charges of alien smuggling. A magistrate judge will also consider the governments arguments to detain Abrego Garcia until trial.

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His court-appointed public defenders, filing their first written response to the governments criminal case on Wednesday, argued Abrego Garcia should remain free until his trial date, which has not yet been set. The attorneys 20-page legal filing focused largely on the governments controversial actions to date.

With no legal process whatsoever, the United States government illegally detained and deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia and shipped him to the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) in El Salvador, one of the most violent, inhumane prisons in the world. The government now asks this Court to detain him further, they wrote.

Mr. Abrego Garcia asks the Court for what he has been denied in the past several months  due process.

The fate of Abrego Garcia has been central to public pushback over the Trump administrations immigration enforcement tactics, which have since spilled into a days-long protest in Los Angeles. The Trump administration responded by activating the National Guard and U.S. Marines.

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Immigrant rights advocates, clergy and union leaders are expected to gather in solidarity with Abrego Garcia today at a downtown church near the federal courthouse to defend due process, protect vulnerable communities, and expose the dangerous authoritarianism driving these abuses.

On Saturday, while a military parade and celebration of President Donald Trumps birthday take place in Washington, D.C., so-called No Kings protests of the Trump administrations immigration and other policies are planned across the country, including more than a dozen in Tennessee.

Abrego Garcia was driving home with his five-year-old son when was pulled over in March. Within days, he was dispatched to an El Salvador prison along with scores of other detainees.

An immigrant from El Salvador, Abrego Garcia illegally came to the U.S. as a teen. In 2019 an immigration court issued an order that allowed him to reside in the United States while his immigration case was considered. The order specifically barred the federal government from deporting him to El Salvador, where, he said, he feared gang violence.

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A Trump administration attorney later admitted his deportation to El Salvador in March was in error.

In April, the Supreme Court ordered the federal government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return.

It wasnt until Friday that Abrego Garcia was ultimately returned to the United States to face two criminal charges in Nashville.

The charges are tied to a 2022 traffic stop in Putnam County, about 80 miles east of Nashville.

Abrego Garcia was not arrested or charged in the stop, but federal prosecutors now allege that a subsequent investigation uncovered his ties to the MS-13 gang and a scheme to smuggle migrants illegally around the country for financial gain.

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Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Tennessee argued in legal filings this week that Abrego Garcia should remain in detention until trial because of the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

His alleged human smuggling activities involved children at times, his alleged gang affiliation makes him  and gang associates  a danger to potential witnesses and the potential sentence he faces makes him a flight risk, they sayProsecutors also argued that Abrego Garcia faces certain deportation to El Salvador if convicted, giving him further motivation to flee.

Defense attorneys said allegations of Abrego Garcias gang affiliations are baseless and noted that he has not been charged with a crime that involves a minor victim.

Abrego Garcia has no prior felony convictions and no history of evading arrest or intimidating witnesses, they wrote.

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And, they wrote, the governments wrongful deportation of Abrego Garcia in March may give him a stronger claim in immigration proceedings to fight attempts to deport him once again should he be convicted.

Indeed, Mr Abrego Garcia was recently illegally deported to El Salvador and confined in a notoriously inhuman Salvadoran prison, they wrote.

Thus, it appears he may now have a new basis (under either asylum law and/or the Convention Against Torture) to seek additional protection against deportation to El Salvador.

MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO GOVERNMENTS MOTION FOR A DETENTION HEARING

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(Corrects to remove broken story links in first two paragraphs)

By Luc Cohen

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) -Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant returned to the U.S. last week after being wrongfully deported to his native El Salvador, will remain detained for now ahead of his trial on criminal charges of taking part in a conspiracy to smuggle migrants into the United States.

At the conclusion of a hearing on Friday in federal court in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes said she would rule at a later date on Abrego Garcia's bid to be released on bail pending trial.

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Robert McGuire, the U.S. attorney in Nashville, said Abrego would be placed into immigration detention even if Holmes orders his release.

Earlier on Friday, Abrego, as he prefers to be known, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

President Donald Trump's administration has portrayed Abrego's May 21 indictment as vindication of its aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration. Before the charges were unsealed on June 5, officials alleged he was a member of the MS-13 gang and said they would not bring him back.

The Justice Department's decision to return him to the U.S. to face criminal charges is a potential off-ramp for Trump's administration from its escalating confrontation with the judiciary over whether it complied with a court order to facilitate Abrego's return.

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The Republican president's critics say his swift removal without a hearing showed the administration prioritized increased deportations over due process, the bedrock principle that people in the U.S., whether citizens or not, can contest governmental actions against them in the courts.

In the indictment, Abrego was charged with working with at least five co-conspirators as part of a smuggling ring to bring immigrants to the United States illegally, then transport them from the U.S.-Mexico border to destinations across the country. Abrego often picked up migrants in Houston, making more than 100 trips between Texas and Maryland between 2016 and 2025, the indictment alleges.

Abrego is also accused of transporting firearms and drugs. His lawyers call the accusations false.

"The only reason they're calling him dangerous now is to justify the denial of due process and subjecting him to cruel and unusual punishment," defense lawyer Dumaka Shabazz told the hearing. "They need to cover that up."

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COOPERATING WITNESSES

Abrego, a Maryland resident whose wife and young child are U.S. citizens, could face 10 years in prison for each migrant he smuggled. That means he could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

To bolster the argument that Abrego should be detained, McGuire called to the stand Peter Joseph, an agent with Homeland Security Investigations who is investigating the case. Joseph testified he had interviewed two of Abrego's alleged co-conspirators who told him that Abrego was a driver in their migrant smuggling network.

Joseph said both alleged co-conspirators, whom he did not name, were foreign nationals seeking leniency in their criminal cases and relief from deportation. During cross-examination, Abrego's lawyers suggested those witnesses may have been telling law enforcement agents what they wanted to hear.

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"They're going to give all these other people these deals to stay in the country just to send (Abrego) away," Shabazz said in his argument to Holmes at the close of the hearing. "The weight of these cooperators is zero."

Ben Schrader, the former chief of the criminal division for the Nashville U.S. Attorney's Office, resigned in protest last month over Abrego's indictment, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.

'ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR'

Abrego was deported on March 15 to El Salvador, despite a 2019 immigration court ruling that he not be sent there because he could be persecuted by gangs. Officials called his removal an "administrative error."

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In a separate civil case, Greenbelt, Maryland-based U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis is investigating whether the Trump administration violated her order to facilitate Abrego's return from El Salvador. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld that order.

Abrego's lawyers are urging Xinis to hold administration officials in contempt and impose fines for stonewalling their requests for information about the steps the administration took to facilitate his return.

The Trump administration says Xinis should drop her probe because it complied with her order by deciding to bring Abrego back to face criminal charges. His lawyers disagree and say that for the administration to be in compliance, his immigration case must be handled as it would have been had he not been deported.

In another case indicative of the Trump administration's aggressive approach to immigration policy, officials said on Friday they would not release Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent face of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, despite a judge's ruling that he cannot be held in immigration detention on the basis that his presence in the country was harmful to U.S. foreign policy.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in Nashville, Tennessee;Editing by Noeleen Walder, Rosalba O'Brien and Rod Nickel)
Mistakenly deported man Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges in a Nashville courtroom on Friday after being returned to the U.S. from a Salvadoran prison to face trial.

The Trump administration had resisted court orders directing Abrego Garcia be returned to the U.S., but he was swiftly returned last week as the Justice Department announced charges for the Maryland resident, who is a Salvadoran national.

The new charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee after Abrego Garcia was pulled over for speeding, and an officer questioned why he was traveling with so many people without luggage.

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The indictment alleges Abrego Garcia falsely told the officer he was driving construction workers from St. Louis, but he was actually on one of multiple trips organized to transport migrants who were living in the country illegally.

Attorneys for Abrego Garcia have cast the case as trumped-up charges and a way for the administration to save face after allowing him to be wrongly imprisoned for nearly three months.

The government disappeared Kilmar to a foreign prison in violation of a court order. Now, after months of delay and secrecy, theyre bringing him back, not to correct their error but to prosecute him, attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told The Hill in a statement when Abrego Garcia was returned last week.

This shows that they were playing games with the court all along. Due process means the chance to defend yourself before youre punished, not after. This is an abuse of power, not justice.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi said last week that the case was based on recently found facts.

Thanks to the bright light that has been shined on Abrego Garcia, this investigation continued with actually amazing police work, and we were able to track this case and stop this international smuggling ring, she said.

Abrego Garcia has been charged with unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens and a related conspiracy charge. He stands accused of making more than 100 trips from Texas to other parts of the country over the course of years to transport migrants in exchange for payment.

Court filings make numerous references to Abrego Garcias alleged membership in MS-13, saying he was also often accompanied by members of the gang.

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But his family has denied he had any affiliation with the gang.

A review of court records by The Hill shows the accusation is largely based on a tip from one confidential informant .

Abrego Garcia was initially sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison among more than 200 Venezuelan and Salvadoran men swiftly removed by the Trump administration on claims they were gang members.

The Associated Press contributed.

Updated at 11:53 a.m. EDT

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(NEXSTAR)  Trader Joes customers at a longtime location in Southern California were treated to a silly sight last week, when another Trader Joes opened its doors directly across the street.

The newest Trader Joes in Sherman Oaks, located at 14140 Riverside Drive, officially opened to the public on June 6, according to the companys official site. Its got all the trappings of a traditional Trader Joes  frozen Mandarin Chicken, canvas totes, individually priced bananas, etc.  along with a great view of the Trader Joes at 14119 Riverside Drive, which has been there for over half a century.

Whats better than one Trader Joes? Two Trader Joes directly across the street from each other, one customer wrote in a Yelp review.

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Why is the largest In-N-Out in the middle of nowhere?

As for why a new Trader Joes was built across the street from an existing store, shoppers on Yelp and TikTok wondered whether the company was attempting to replace the former location. But that doesnt seem to be the case  at least not immediately.

I just asked the worker, How long is the other Trader Joes going to stay open? a TikTok user by the name of @ShavsPaper claimed in a recent viral video. And she said, Um, they just signed their lease. They just resigned their lease. So at least three years.

The TikTok user also described the dual-store set-up as actually insane.

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Commenters on TikTok claiming to have insider knowledge on the situation offered differing explanations for the Sherman Oaks too location. One claimed the company had hoped to replace the original Sherman Oaks location, but construction of the new store wasnt completed in time, forcing the older store to renew its lease. Another said the company simply wanted to supplement its footprint in Sherman Oaks, because the original store was especially busy.

A representative for Trader Joes did not reveal what necessitated the opening of the Sherman Oaks too market. She did say, however, that the company plans to keep both stores open.

Why are Trader Joes totes so popular?

Whatever the case, early shoppers at the newer store seem to have a favorite. They say the new Trader Joes is more spacious, the freezer section is bigger, and  perhaps most importantly  the parking lot isnt nearly as challenging, or small, as the ones frequently found at other locations.

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Parking is HUUUUUGE (a rarity for a Trader Joes) and located underground, one Yelper observed. A pleasant development with 100+ degree summer months on the horizon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  The Hartford Summer Youth Employment program is back for the 2025 season, and applications for jobs are already coming in.

Hartford Public Library receives $117K grant for youth employment and learning

During this years legislative session, lawmakers allocated $10.7 million in funding for Hartford Public Schools. A portion of those funds goes towards the citys annual program.

That will mean 800 kids in our city are spending time productively working on something, earning money for themselves, hopefully building a career in the long run, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam (D) said. Thats a real investment in our city, a significant investment in our youth, a significant in violence prevention in our city. It has so many layers of impact.

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The city already has a million dollars in its budget to support the jobs program  the additional funds from the state will help expand opportunities for students.

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Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, Chief of Organizing and Leadership Development for CASA Maryland, speaks during a press conference before Kilmar Abrego Garcia's arraignment and detention hearing in Nashville, Tenn. on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson/Tennessee Lookout)

Chants of Todos somos Kilmar  we are all Kilmar  punctuated a gathering of immigrant, labor, faith and civil rights organizations who gathered at a downtown Nashville church Friday ahead of Kilmar Abrego Garcias arraignment.

Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran native living in Maryland, was detained after a traffic stop in March and then deported to a Salvadoran prison under accusations of being a member of the MS-13 criminal gang.

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His deportation  which a Trump administration attorney admitted was done in error  has become a lightning rod for public opposition to the administrations immigration policies.

Lets be clear: We are fighting because they are continuing to call this an administrative error, but theres nothing administrative about destroying a family, and this is not an error, Lydia Walther-Rodriguez, a leader with immigrant advocacy group CASA Maryland, said.

This is an intentional attack to Black and brown communities. Not just in Maryland, but all throughout this country, they are continuing to fight to erase us, and we must continue to stand up and resist, she said.

Abrego Garcia came to the United States illegally as a teenager. A 2019 immigration court order barred the government from sending him back to El Salvador, where he said he feared persecution.

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The El Salvador government returned Abrego Garcia to the United States in June to face human smuggling charges issued in a grand jury indictment in late May. The charges stem from a 2022 incident when the Tennessee Highway Patrol pulled over Abrego Garcias SUV  which had nine Hispanic men inside  for speeding.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment at a Nashville federal courthouse Friday.

The group of organizations that met on the steps of the First Lutheran Church also included the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), SEIU Local 205, Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee and The Equity Alliance.

Attendees at a gathering of immigrant, civil rights, labor and faith groups tie white ribbons symbolizing solidarity and peace to the fence of the First Lutheran Church in Nashville, Tenn. ahead of Kilmar Abrego Garcias arraignment and detention hearing on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson/Tennessee Lookout)

Vonda McDaniel, president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, demanded fair treatment for Abrego Garcia, saying his case will not disappear in the shadows of a courtroom. She also questioned the legitimacy of the charges against him, which were filed after his deportation.

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This is a clear attempt to criminalize Kilmar retroactively in order to justify what they did to him illegally, and to intimidate other immigrants (and) workers who might dare to fight back when their rights are violated  Today, we stand before you to demand justice, not vengeance, McDaniel said.

Speakers: turmoil in Nashville reflects broader pattern

TIRRC Executive Director Lisa Sherman Luna spoke of the Tennessee legislatures recent actions, including a law that created an immigration enforcement division that is exempt from public records and created criminal penalties for local elected officials who adopt sanctuary policies. Another law created a new crime for harboring or hiding immigrants without legal immigration status for the purpose  of private financial gain.

What happened to Kilmar Garcia is a chilling example of what could happen to any one of us, because its exactly what happens when those in power put themselves above the law, when court orders are ignored, when people are disappeared, when due process is erased, she said. Right now, immigrants are being used as pawns in a broader assault on our democracy.

Sherman Luna said Nashville specifically has been under full-scale assault since ICE detained around 200 people, most of whom had no criminal records, from the citys most diverse neighborhoods in May.

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U.S. border czar Tom Homan, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Trump administration officials have since denounced Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell for condemning the immigration detention sweep.

After the detainments, OConnell revised a 2019 executive order that requires some city employees to report interactions with federal immigration officials to the mayors office, shortening the original 3-day timeframe to 24 hours. The mayors office posted records of these reports, which inadvertently included the names of three federal immigration officials and one officials first name, according to OConnells administration. The posts were later removed.

Tennessee GOP leaders have accused OConnell of endangering immigration officials and interfering with immigration enforcement.

OConnell now faces an investigation by a U.S. Congressional committee, and Tennessee Republican state lawmakers have proposed legislation that would make it a felony for public officials to release immigration officers names. The bill would also remove state and local officials from office.

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They criminalized the ability of local elected officials to protect immigrant residents, and now theyre trying to make it a crime to even release the names of ICE officers, people with immense power operating without any public oversight, Sherman Luna said. This is what governments do when they know theyre acting outside of the law, when theyre trampling on our rights (and) they want to do it with total impunity.

District 17 Metro Nashville Council member Terry Vo, who chairs the Immigrant Caucus, said the state legislature has already stripped Tennessee cities of the right to take care of our people, from banning sanctuary policies to restricting (minimum wage increases) and to blocking worker protections.

Cities in Tennessee and throughout the nation, she said, cannot comply in advance.

Lets not forget the freedoms we enjoy now were not gifted to us, Vo said. They were fought for. They were sacrificed for.

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Tequila Johnson, co-founder and vice president of The Equity Alliance, said its the same system that locks up Black bodies and is deporting immigrant families.

We owe it to our ancestors  to the people who died, who fought for these rights, to continue fighting, Johnson said. Because just because hate isnt knocking at your door right now, doesnt mean its not on your street.

Anita Wadhwani contributed.

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An Afghan man in Oklahoma accused of planning an Election Day attack in the U.S. on behalf of the Islamic State group pleaded guilty Friday to terrorism-related charges in federal court.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, pleaded guilty to two offenses: conspiring and providing support to the Islamic State group, and attempting to receive firearms to commit a federal crime of terrorism. The Islamic State is designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

Tawhedi faces up to 35 years in prison.

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The defendant admits he planned and obtained firearms to carry out a violent terror attack on Election Day in 2024, a plot that was detected and disrupted through the good work of the FBI and our partners, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.

A phone message was left seeking comment from Craig Hoehns, an attorney for Tawhedi.

Tawhedi was living in Oklahoma City last year when he acquired two AK-47-style rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition to target large crowds, according to court documents. Authorities said he had conspired with multiple people, including his brother-in-law, Abdullah Haji Zada, for several months to plot out the attack.

Zada, who was 17 at the time, was charged as an adult and pleaded guilty in April. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

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Tawhedi arrived in the U.S. in September 2021 on a special immigration visa shortly after the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, was captured by the Taliban. At the time of his arrest on Oct. 7, Tawhedi was on parole while his immigration status was pending, according to the Justice Department. His parole status has since been revoked.

FBI agents had testified earlier that Tawhedi, who worked as a rideshare driver and at auto shops, was under surveillance for more than a month before his arrest.

___

Lathan is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
An Afghan man pleaded guilty on Friday to plotting to carry out an attack on US election day on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) group, the Justice Department said.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was arrested in the central US state of Oklahoma in October, several weeks before the November 5 presidential election.

He pleaded guilty in a federal court in Oklahoma City to charges of conspiring to provide material support to IS and attempting to receive firearms and ammunition to carry out an attack.

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He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge and up to 15 years in prison for the firearms charge.

"By pledging allegiance to IS and plotting an attack against innocent Americans on Election Day, this defendant endangered lives and gravely betrayed the nation that gave him refuge," US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.

"Today's guilty plea guarantees he will be held accountable, stripped of his immigration status, and permanently removed from the United States."

Tawhedi and a co-conspirator, Abdullah Haji Zada, sought to buy two AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition to carry out a "mass-casualty attack" on November 5, according to court documents.

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The seller turned out to be an undercover FBI employee.

Zada, 18, pleaded guilty in April to the firearms charge and is awaiting sentencing.

According to the criminal complaint, Tawhedi entered the United States in September 2021 on a special immigrant visa.

cl/jgc
TOKYO - Official campaigning for the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election kicked off Friday, drawing attention as a prelude to this summer's House of Councillors race, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's popularity remaining sluggish.

As no party holds a majority in the 127-member assembly, all eyes are on whether Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party can retain its seats, with approval ratings for his Cabinet sometimes dipping below 30 percent, widely viewed as the "danger level."

This year marks a rare convergence of the metropolitan assembly vote, which takes place every four years, and the upper house race, held every three. As of Thursday, the number of registered voters for the Tokyo election stood at about 11.55 million.

Most of the parties -- including the LDP's coalition partner, the Komeito party, and Tomin First no Kai, founded by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike -- are aggressively using social media to appeal to voters, especially to those unaffiliated.

Ishiba told reporters at his office on Friday, "We will do everything in our power to get everyone elected. It is the LDP that has the ability to resolve regional issues. We will work hard to achieve good results."

Koike, special adviser to Tomin First, said during a campaign address, "We will make decisions with a view toward what Tokyo will be like in 2050," as party leaders made their opening remarks across the capital in a bid to expand support.

Another focus is on whether the new party established by Shinji Ishimaru -- who placed second in the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial race by raising his profile through social media -- will create a whirlwind. He is a former mayor of a city in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Major issues at stake are similar to those in national politics, such as support for households facing rising living costs and political funding scandals involving the LDP, along with child-rearing, measures against heat and other regional concerns.

Around 300 candidates are running in the assembly race, according to election commissions in Tokyo, surpassing the 271 who stood in the previous vote in 2021 and setting a record high for the past 30 years.

Currently, the LDP holds 30 seats, followed by Tomin First with 26, Komeito with 23 and the Japanese Communist Party with 19. The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition force in national politics, has 12.

Related coverage:

Japan ruling bloc OKs campaigning on cash handouts in summer election

Trial to run political ads at Japan convenience stores canceled

FOCUS:Japan PM vows rice policy overhaul as prices soar before key election
Ahead of a planned protest against President Donald Trumps policies in Oklahoma City, Oklahomas governor claimed he had to take action during the 2020 protests while local officials stood aside.

The "No Kings National Day of Defiance" has been planned for Saturday, June 14, in response to what organizers call authoritarian actions from the Trump administration and Saturday's multimillion-dollar, Washington, D.C., military parade to honor the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.

In a video posted on Gov. Kevin Stitts X account, the governor talked to Newsmax about the upcoming protests  planned in hundreds of cities across the nation  and Oklahoma's response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.

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... Even some of our big city mayors in Oklahoma were really just refusing to kind of get involved, so then as the governor I stepped in. I had our state police down there arresting people, he said.

The Oklahoman reported between May 30 and May 31, 2020, the Oklahoma City Police Department made 24 arrests on allegations including vandalism, assault on police officers and violating Oklahoma City Mayor David Holts emergency curfew order.

Holt, at the time only two years into his first term, talked to protesters and met with leadership from Black Lives Matter. Over the following days, the city council had a six-hour meeting listening to public comments on race relations and police work, according to The Oklahoman.

Protesting is a part of American life and it is generally a routine event in OKC. I have full confidence that everyone will handle any scheduled events appropriately, Holt told The Oklahoman over text.

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Stitt: You simply arrest them and this stuff will stop

Meyer Siegfried, a spokesperson for Stitt, said because of the governors intentional preparations and firm warnings in 2020, protests didnt escalate to the violent events in other states.

Governor Stitt strongly believes in Americans' First Amendments rights and expects any demonstrations or protests to remain peaceful, Siegfried said. Stitt did activate the Oklahoma National Guard during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.

... I do not want to see people blocking intersections, I dont want to see broken windows, people carrying stuff out of a Target, Stitt said when recalling the 2020 protests. I said You simply arrest them and this stuff will stop, and thats exactly what we did. We didnt have the unrest that you saw in other big cities around the country.

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Since 2020, the city has adopted 39 recommendations from a task force and working group formed out of those conversations in 2020. So far, 16 recommendations have been implemented, including review of de-escalation, use of force and mental health response, and another 11 are close to implementation.

Working on implementation is the Public Safety Partnership, a collaboration of city leaders, police officers, subject matter experts and community members.

'No kings since 1776,' reads one sign at a May 3 protest near Daytona Beach City Hall in Florida.

How is Oklahoma law enforcement preparing for the No Kings protests?

With 13 demonstrations planned across the state, including one in Oklahoma City and three in Tulsa, law enforcement officials are preparing to keep the public safe.

Stitt has already taken to social media to tell protesters that while peaceful assembly is allowed, the state troopers are standing ready.

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In Oklahoma, we wont tolerate any threats to our communities, citizens, property owners or law enforcement, Stitt added in a post made on Wednesday, June 11. Just like the summer of 2020, if they show up in our state, we will arrest anyone breaking the law  that's a fact.

Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton could not be reached by the time of publication, but he told News 9 that state troopers protect the right to assemble and peacefully protest, but if a protest turns violent, theyre prepared. So far, theyre expecting a peaceful protest and havent seen any credible threats.

In Oklahoma City, the No Kings OKC march will start at 9 a.m. at the corner of Hudson Avenue and Oklahoma City Boulevard. The march will end at City Hall Park, where a rally with speakers will take place, ending at noon.

Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Dillon Quirk said the department is aware of the planned protest.

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Those gathering are free to peacefully assemble, however if someone chooses to violate or break the law, it will be addressed by law enforcement, Quirk said.

The department did not respond to a question regarding whether the department is taking any specific safety measures ahead of the protest.

Lawtons annual Army birthday parade canceled

In Washington, D.C., a military parade honoring the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary is still occurring as scheduled, but there are no No Kings protests planned in the district so as not to detract from honoring veterans, according to national protest organizers.

The parade could cost anywhere from $25 million to $40 million, USA TODAY reported, and will feature dozens of armored combat vehicles, helicopters, vintage warplanes, thousands of soldiers in uniforms from the Revolutionary War to the present, horses, two mules and a dog.

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This is not intended to be performative, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told USA TODAY. We sincerely believe this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

But the city of Lawton, Oklahoma, home to the Armys Fort Sill, shared in a social media post it has canceled its own annual Army birthday parade due to credible security threats amid planned protests.

"When credible intelligence indicated almost certain violence from groups with national ties, we faced an impossible choice. We simply cannot invite families and children to an event where violence is very likely to occur. No celebration is worth putting our community, especially our children, at risk," the post said.

A group called Lawton Veterans United for Action was approved to march in the parade, and according to KSWO-TV in Lawton and an event page, planned to use their spot in the parade to protest Trump policies that have impacted veterans.

Demonstrators line N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard during the "Youth Protest and Rally: This Is OUR Future Too!" against President Donald Trump on May 10 at the Jon R. Hunt Memorial Plaza outside the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana.

The group organizer, Cindy McIntyre, told KSWO-TV that the parades safety concerns may stem from social media posts identifying No Kings protesters as troublemakers.

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Lawton Mayor Stan Booker called the city one of the most patriotic communities in America, and the cancellation will not lessen the citys spirit or ability to celebrate the military and the nations freedoms. Booker said Lawton residents can still look forward to the upcoming Juneteenth and Independence Day celebrations in the next few weeks.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ahead of No Kings Day, Stitt, Hold disagree on OKC response to 2020
Lt. Col. Brian Seymour was removed from command of the 71st Student Squadron on Thursday, June 12, the Air Force said, less than a month after he took over the unit.

Lt. Col. Brian Seymour was relieved from command of the 71st Student Squadron on 12 June 2025, due to a loss of confidence in his leadership ability, a spokesperson for the 71st Flying Training Wing said in a statement to Task & Purpose on Friday.

Seymour had only been in the command role for a few weeks. He took over on May 16, in a change of command ceremony held at Vance Air Force Base. He replaced Col. Eric Pounds, who took over the role in July 2023.

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The Air Force did not provide additional information on the cause of Seymours removal. The military often uses the term loss of confidence as a catchall for reasons for removing a commander or senior enlisted leader from a leadership position. The phrase covers a wide scope of causes, from personal reasons to misconduct.

The 71st Student Squadron is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing, part of the Air Forces Air Education and Training Command. The wing is based out of Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The squadron trains several hundred pilots each year, from the U.S. Air Force and other partner nations. According to the Air Force, the base is the fourth busiest airfield in the service.

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An Air India Boeing 7878 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff Thursday at 1:38 p.m. local time, killing more than 240 people, officials said.

30 seconds

Flight AI171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and climbed to about 600 feet before issuing a Mayday distress call. Around 30 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a densely populated area, striking a hostel dining hall on the college campus. CCTV footage showed the plane rising briefly before plummeting and erupting in flames.

Sole survivor

Trending on NextShark: Air India Boeing 787 crash leaves hundreds dead, 1 survivor

All 242 people on board  230 passengers and 12 crew  were presumed dead except for one survivor: British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in emergency exit row 11A. He reportedly jumped from the aircraft as it broke apart. Passengers included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian.

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At least five medical students on the ground were killed when debris struck the dining area during lunch. Dozens of others were injured. Initial fatality estimates of 294 were revised downward after authorities removed duplicate counts.

Investigation underway

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The crash is the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2009. It is also Indias deadliest civil aviation disaster since 1996.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the probe with support from Boeing, GE Aerospace, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Investigators will review flight recorders, maintenance logs, pilot records and wreckage. Ahmedabad airport briefly suspended operations but has since resumed limited service.

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BANGKOK (Reuters) - An Air India flight from Phuket bound for New Delhi received an onboard bomb threat on Friday and made an emergency landing back on the Thai island, airport authorities said.

All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 were escorted safely from the plane. No suspicious devices were found and there was no disruption to airport operations, authorities said.

The incident occurred after a message with a bomb threat was found in one of the plane's lavatories after takeoff, Phuket Airport general manager Monchai Tanode told a press conference,

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"Police took suspects for questioning but could not clearly say who wrote the note," he said.

Air India official Debasish Choudhury said there were initially three suspects and all had been cleared.

India's airlines and its airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, with close to 1,000 hoax calls and messages received in the first 10 months, nearly 10 times that of 2023.

The incident follows the crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday shortly after takeoff, in which more than 240 people were killed.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok and Tanvi Mehta in New Delhi; Editing by Martin Petty)






NEED TO KNOW

An Air India flight had to circle back to Phuket, Thailand to make an emergency landing on Friday, June 13, following reports of a bomb threat

A note was found in the aircraft's bathroom, per a post on the airport's Facebook page

Authorities have since confirmed that no explosives or suspicious objects had been discovered and the emergency has now been called off







An Air India flight has had to be diverted following reports of a bomb threat, one day after hundreds of people died in a tragedy involving one of the airline's planes.

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On Friday, June 13, flight AI 379 was heading from Phuket to New Delhi in India when it had to make an emergency landing back on the Thai island, per a Phuket International Airport - HKT Facebook post, which was reshared on the Airports of Thailand (AOT) page.

AOT is a public company that manages multiple international airports in the country.

The Facebook post stated that the pilot had been "informed to bring the aircraft back to Phuket Airport" after a bomb threat note was found inside a bathroom on the aircraft, which had been carrying 156 passengers and eight crew members.

"Authorities have confirmed that no explosives or suspicious objects were found," the post stated.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty A stock photo of an Air India plane A stock photo of an Air India plane

Monchai Tanode, director of Phuket International Airport, said of the incident, "We received a report of a bomb threat written inside the aircraft's bathroom, so the pilot informed the control tower and decided to divert the flight to Phuket International Airport after circling to burn off fuel," per the BBC.

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Tanode added during a press conference, "Police took suspects for questioning but could not clearly say who wrote the note," Reuters reported.

There were initially three suspects, who have all since been cleared, the news agency noted, citing Air India official Debasish Choudhury.

According to data from flight tracker Flightradar24, the aircraft had taken off from Phuket at 9:30 a.m. local time, before being diverted back to the airport, and later taking off for New Delhi at 4:28 p.m.

Air India and Phuket International Airport didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

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The incident came a day after Air India Flight AI171 crashed on the afternoon of Thursday, June 12, just after takeoff from Ahmedabad in India. The jet had been bound for London's Gatwick airport.

Citing health officials, CNN reported that at least 290 people have now been pronounced dead. The outlet noted that the plane crashed into a hostel for doctors.

SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty A photo of the crash site after the Air India tragedy on June 12, 2025 A photo of the crash site after the Air India tragedy on June 12, 2025

The airline confirmed in a statement on X that there was a "sole survivor" out of the 230 passengers and 12 crew on board.

The airline did not identify the living passenger beyond saying they are a British citizen "of Indian origin" who is being "treated in a hospital."

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However, multiple local reports have since identified the man as 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

After the crash, the airline shared a post on X confirming "the passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national."

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.

Video footage that emerged online showed the plane descending quickly to the ground right after it took off. It was then seemingly consumed by a large fireball. The cause of the crash is under investigation.



Read the original article on People
Originally appeared on E! Online

The lone survivor of the Air India plane crash has spoken out.

Hours after Vishwash Kumar Ramesh walked away from the London-bound flight AI171 that crashed down June 12 in the Indian city of Ahmedabad and killed all other members onboard, the British national shared his experience of the moments before the tragedy, when the plane had just departed the airport.

Within 30 seconds, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed, Vishwash told The Hindustan Times. It all happened so quickly."

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The U.K. native, whose brother was also on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, detailed his initial observations in the aftermath of the crash as well.

There were bodies all around me, there were pieces of the plane all around me, Vishwash told local Indian news outlet News18. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance."

According to his surviving brother Nayan Kumar Ramesh, per Sky News, Vishwash also said immediately after the crash, "I dont know where my brother is. I dont see any other passengers. I dont know how Im alive, how I exited the plane."

More from E! Online

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Of his own perspective, Nayan added, "This is a miracle that he survived. But what about the other miracle for my other brother?"

Following the accident, Air India confirmed that the perished passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 52 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, as well as the 12 crew members on board.

Hanif Sindh/UP/Shutterstock

Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, the company said in a statement shared to X (formerly Twitter) June 12. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones.

Because the flight crashed into a building where medical students were sitting down for lunch, officials believe the death toll of the crash could ultimately include more than those aboard the aircraft, per NBC News.

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In response to the tragedy, King Charles III shared his condolences, noting that he and Queen Camilla are desperately shocked by the terrible events in India.

Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones, the royal shared in a statement on X. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
An investigation is underway as to what caused an Air India airliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members to crash shortly after takeoff on Thursday. Both black boxes of the aircraft have been found on Friday, an Indian official confirmed to ABC News.

The boxes -- with one being damaged but recoverable -- will be investigated in India and U.S. investigators are expected to arrive on Sunday, Shri G.V.G. Yugandhar, director general of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, said.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to the United Kingdom and crashed into a building in India's Meghaninager area near Ahmedabad airport, leaving 246 dead and at least one surviving passenger, local officials and the airline said. Boeing's Dreamliner planes had not previously been involved in an incident where passenger fatalities were reported.

PHOTO: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site after Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025. (Indian Press Information Bureau/AFP via Getty Images)

"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft," the airline said in a statement on social media. "Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals."

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The victims include 241 passengers and crew members, as well as five medical students who were inside the medical college and hospital the aircraft crashed into, according to hospital officials. Many others inside the building were injured -- some seriously -- and are receiving treatment, hospital officials said.

On Friday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed the loss of 241 of the 242 people on board the aircraft, saying those at the airline are "devastated by this loss, and grieve for those affected, their families and loved ones." He said a technical team is now helping at the crash site and nearly 100 caregivers are providing support to families.

"This morning, I visited the site and was deeply moved by the scenes. I also met key stakeholders in the government and assured them that Air India is committed to full cooperation with those working on the ground, and to the investigations," Wilson said in a video posted on social media.

MORE: 'I thought I would die': Sole survivor from Air India plane crash speaks out

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The Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad confirmed to ABC News on Thursday that Vishwaskumar Ramesh, one of the passengers on the downed Air India flight, is alive and hospitalized there.

"Everything happened in front of my eyes. I thought I would die," Ramesh told NDTV in an exclusive interview on Friday. "The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building. There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out."

PHOTO: Kalpesh Bhai, whose 14-year-old brother was killed when an Air India plane crashed into a neighborhood, wails outside the autopsy room at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025. (Rafiq Maqbool/AP)

Officials earlier said no survivors had been expected in the crash. The process of retrieving the bodies of victims is almost complete and DNA profiling of the family members of victims will be done very soon, according to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah.

There were around 125,000 liters of fuel inside the aircraft, with temperatures so high that there was no opportunity to rescue the passengers, Shah said.

PHOTO: Rescue officials carry a victim's body at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. (Sam Panthaky/AFP via Getty Images)

The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the plane "fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter" immediately after it departed from the airport. Video from the site appeared to show the jet disappear below the tree line, which was followed seconds later by a ball of fire and a thick plume of gray smoke.

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"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement on social media on Thursday. "It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it."

PHOTO: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, June 13, 2025. (Narendra Modi Youtube/AFP via Getty Images)

India's Ministry of Civil Aviation is establishing a multi-disciplinary committee to examine the incident, promising to assess "the root cause of the crash" and "contributing factors, including mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, regulatory compliances and other reasons," it said in a statement on Friday.

The committee -- which will have access to all recorders on the flight, maintenance records, the air traffic control log and witness testimonies -- will conduct site inspections and interviews, and is expected to publish its report within three months, the ministry noted.

Air India announced it will organize two relief flights, one each from Delhi and Mumbia, to Ahmedabad for the next of kin passengers and Air India staff.

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Tata Group, an Indian multinational conglomerate of companies that owns Air India, said they will provide families of each person who has lost their life in the crash with 1 crore (about $116,000) and will also cover the medical expenses of those injured.

ABC News' Joe Simonetti, Dada Jovanovic, Clara McMichael, Ellie Kaufman, Sam Sweeney and Camilla Alcini contributed to this report.

Air India plane crash: Investigation underway, black boxes found originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meets British plane crash survivor Viswashkumar Ramesh at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India. (Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP)

The sole survivor of the Air India crash that killed 241 people on board cant believe hes alive.

Everything happened in front of my eyes. I thought I would die, Viswashkumar Ramesh told Indias national broadcaster from his hospital bed Friday. When I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive.

Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin and father of one, was in seat 11A on the flight from Ahmedabad, India, to London, which crashed shortly after takeoff at 1:39 p.m. local time on Thursday.

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Ramesh had been visiting family and was returning to the U.K. with his brother, who was seated in a different row.

What happened after takeoff

The rear of the Air India plane sticks out of a building in Ahmedabad following Thursdays deadly crash. (Central Industrial Security Force via X via Reuters)

Moments after takeoff, Ramesh said, the lights inside the plane started flickering green and white.

He said the plane seemed to get stuck before it accelerated, and seemed unable to gain height before it crashed.

Video posted to social media shows the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner slowly descending, disappearing into a residential area near the airport.

Officials said the plane hit a dining facility at a medical college building. At least five medical students were killed, and 50 others were injured.

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Photos taken from the crash site show the tail of the aircraft sticking out near the top of a building.

How Ramesh says he survived

A fire official at the crash site on Friday. (Adnan Abidi/Reuters)

Ramesh said his section of the plane landed near the ground floor.

The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building, he said. There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.

Another video posted to social media shows Ramesh walking toward an ambulance with smoke billowing in the background.

Ramesh sustained burn injuries on his left hand. A hospital official told the Associated Press that Ramesh was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body but seems to be out of danger.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and met with the sole survivor.

I still cant believe how I survived, Ramesh said. I walked out of the rubble.

What caused the crash?

A police officer stands in front of debris and wreckage left by the crash. (Adnan Abidi/Reuters)

Its unclear what caused the crash.

Authorities said Friday that the digital flight data recorder, or black box, was recovered from a rooftop near the crash site.

Investigators from the United States and the United Kingdom are assisting Indian officials in the probe.

According to the Aviation Safety Network database, this is the first crash ever involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

ABC News reported that this particular plane had more than 41,000 hours of flying time, which is considered average for this aircraft.

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Air India confirmed that 229 passengers and 12 crew members were killed in the crash. According to the airline, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian on the flight.

I would like to express our deepest sorrow for this event, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in a video message. This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India and our efforts are focused entirely on the needs of the passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.
Out of the 242 people who were on board Air India flight AI171 when the plane crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday, moments after takeoff, just one is believed to have survived. A day later, that survivor, British national Viswash Kumar Ramesh, spoke about the moment the plane "came to a standstill" in midair, and how he escaped from seat 11A and walked out of the wreckage with a burnt hand.

"Everything happened in front of my eyes. I don't believe (know) how I survived," Ramesh, 40, said from his hospital bed on Friday. "For some time I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. ... It was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others (died)."

The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Vishawashkumar Ramesh, is interviewed from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad. / Credit: Doordashan/Reuters

His brother had been sitting right next to him on the flight, Ramesh's cousin, Ajay Valgi, told CBS News partner network BBC News, after he said he spoke to Ramesh on the phone. The brother's whereabouts are unknown.

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"After the takeoff, within a minute, it felt like the plane came to a standstill (in air) for 5 to 10 seconds," Ramesh said. "The green and white (cabin) lights turned on in the flight. I could feel engine thrust increasing to go up, but it crashed with speed into the (building)."

Once he realized what had happened, he said he tried to unbuckle from his seat and get out. Local media outlets who spoke with him said he had a ticket for the flight showing he was seated in 11A, which police also confirmed. It was right by an exit row door.

Infographic showing the seat plan for the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, locating seat 11A, where the sole survivor was seated on flight AI171 when it crashed on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Nicholas Shearman/AFP/Getty Images

Ramesh said the side of the plane he was on  the left side of the aircraft when facing forward  landed on the ground floor of the building, a hostel where medical students lived.

"I could see there was space outside the aircraft, so when my door broke I tried to escape through a little space and I did," he said. "On the opposite side was the building wall, so nobody could have escaped. ... I don't know how I managed to escape."

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The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, went down shortly after departing at 1:38 p.m. local time. It had been scheduled to land at London's Gatwick Airport, but live tracking website Flight Radar said it stopped receiving a signal from the aircraft just seconds after it took off and only reached an altitude of 625 feet before it started to descend.

There is video showing the plane flying low over buildings before it disappears behind them and a large explosion is seen. The plane itself did not appear to be on fire or explode prior to going behind the buildings.

The vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association told The Associated Press that part of the plane hit the dining area of B.J. Medical College. At least five medical students were killed and nearly 50 people who had been in the building were injured. Footage of the aftermath shows plates and cups filled with food and drinks still on the tables, covered in debris.

"Did you walk out of it?" a reporter asked Ramesh, to which he replied, "Yes."

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"When the fire broke out, my left hand got burnt," Ramesh said. "Then an ambulance brought me here to the hospital."

Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital told the AP that while Ramesh "was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body ... he seems to be out of danger." According to the Hindustan Times, Ramesh suffered "impact injuries" to his chest, face and feet.

An official said Friday that one of the "black boxes" from the aricraft  the flight data recorder or voice recorder  has been recovered from the wreckage.

"This marks an important step forward in the investigation," Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Indian Union Minister of Civil Aviation, said. "This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident."

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Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in a video statement on Friday that the airline's parent company, Tata Group, will give families of each person who died in the crash 1 crore rupees, about $116,000. The company will also cover medical expenses for those who were injured, Wilson said.

"All of us at Air India are devastated by this loss and grieve for those affected, their families and their loved ones," he said. "...We know that the investigations will take time, but we will be fully transparent and we will support the process for as long as it takes."

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
As Air India Flight AI171 fell from the sky early Thursday, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a passenger tucked in the first row of economy class, was preparing to meet his maker.

Everything happened in front of my eyes, he told NDTV Friday. I thought I would die.

But Ramesh did not die  he was the only person to survive the brutal plane crash on Thursday in the Meghaninagar area in Indias Gujarat state.

The airliner, a 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members to the United Kingdom went it descended to its doom and slammed into a medical college building, just seconds after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

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Ramesh, who was seated in exit row seat 11A, was the lone survivor of the crash, which also killed five medical students on the ground in addition to the other 242 people on the ill-fated Air India flight.

Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed, Ramesh told local reporters from his hospital bed. It all happened so quickly  When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me.

He added: The airhostess  died before my eyes.

The BBC said 169 Indian nationals, 53 U.K citizens, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian were on board the airliner when it went down. Many others inside the medical college at the time were also injured  some seriously  in the crash, hospital officials said.

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Ramesh, a British-Indian citizen who is married and has a child, was spotted in the immediate aftermath of the crash, covered in ash and limping in the street, and then rushed to a hospital for treatment.

I have no idea how Im alive, he added.

How Ramesh survived the descent is still a miraculous mystery.

Investigators are also still working to understand what caused the plane to crash.

Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a statement. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
JERUSALEM/TEHRAN - The Israeli military said Friday it has conducted strikes on "dozens of military targets," including nuclear facilities, in Iran.

"Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world," the Israel Defense Forces said on the X social media platform.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency for the entire country following Israel's "preemptive" attack on Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that the military operation will "continue for as many days as it takes to remove" the threat.

Iranian media reported that an explosion was heard in the central Iran city of Natanz, which hosts a uranium enrichment facility.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was "not involved" in Israel's "unilateral action" against Iran.

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Airbnb has blamed the hotel industry for overtourism in Europe, after regional governments launched crackdowns on holiday rentals.

Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism from furious residents and regulators that the company is causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots.

He claimed the rentals group was the victim of scapegoating by local authorities, like in Spain, where large anti-tourism protests have become commonplace.

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Mr Yedinksy said it was the hotel industry that was driving overtourism, rather than Airbnb rentals.

Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism about his company

We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres, but the reality is overtourism is really driven by hotels. It is totally unfair, Mr Yedinsky told the Financial Times.

Airbnb and other short-term lettings like Booking.com have been criticised for turning cities into places where residents can no longer afford to live because apartments are rented to tourists. In Venice, for instance, with an acute lack of affordable public housing, many families have moved to the mainland where rents are cheaper.

Anti-tourism demonstrations have been commonplace in Europe in recent years, with about 10,000 people marching in Palma, Majorca last May against overtourism. Similar protests have occurred in Barcelona, Santa Cruz and the Canary Islands.

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This weekend is set to see another huge wave of anti-tourism protests all over Spain, with marches set to take place in Barcelona, Majorca, Granada, Ibiza and Minorca, as well as in Lisbon and Venice.

These protests have seen angry locals spraying tourists with water guns and congregating on the street, with as many as 20,000 coming out to express anger at councils and local governments management of mass tourism.

In response, the Spanish government called for the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb properties across six regions of the country in May, claiming they breach regulations for tourist accommodation.

Airbnb listings have been partly blamed for swallowing up the housing stock in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.

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Barcelona aims to eliminate 10,000 of its short term lets by the end of 2028.

Barcelona street art reflects growing frustration among locals over mass tourism and its effects, including skyrocketing rental prices - Albert Llop/NurPhoto

I think the mayor of Barcelona needs to look at the construction of hotels, he needs to look at hotels in general . . . and they need to build more housing, Mr Yedinksy said in response.

They are scapegoating Airbnb. They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why its not getting better, he added.

Spain received 94 million tourists in 2024, and Airbnb reported 500,000 listings in Spain in 2021 alone. Locals report that these huge levels of tourism have perpetuated housing crises, making it harder to buy and rent in cities like Barcelona and Lisbon.

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Councils have responded with increased regulations and city-planning schemes, with Barcelona recently announcing 30 million to revamp the tourist hotspot area of Ciutat Vella to improve services for locals such as housing and cultural spaces.

Anti-tourism protests in the Canary Islands in May - Anadolu

Experts say that although hotels are still the most popular choice for tourists, Airbnb brings tourism to residential areas of cities, which can cause more discontent due to noise and over-crowded services usually reserved for locals.

Studies on the effects of increased Airbnb lettings concluded that the rise in the short-term letting listed online have effects similar to gentrification, by increasing the value of neighbourhoods.

Airbnb income was $2.65 billion in 2024, a massive 44% drop from 2023, reflecting the possible effect of tighter regulations and renters anger with the company. Additionally, the company took a massive hit during the pandemic, with bookings down 85% at Covid-19s peak.

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However, Mr Yedinsky seems optimistic about the future, saying, this company will continue to be successful. The company is reportedly aiming for 1 billion guests by 2028.

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Several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights in the Middle East and some countries have shut their airspace after Israel launched a wave of air strikes on Iran.

The Israeli attacks targeted military facilities, nuclear sites and residential areas in the early hours of Friday. Iran has since retaliated with a wave of missile strikes across Israel.

Here is a list of suspended and rerouted flights:

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Emirates , the Middle Easts largest airline, said it had cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran until June 15. Several flights scheduled for Friday and one Tehran flight on Saturday were listed as cancelled on the airlines website.

Qatar Airways , the countrys national carrier and one of the Middle Easts largest, said it had temporarily cancelled flights to and from Iran and Iraq due to [the] current situation in the region. It also said flights to Damascus will be cancelled until June 14.

El Al Airlines , an Israeli flag carrier, said it had suspended flights to and from Israel and was moving some of its planes out of the country. It has advised customers, whose flights are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday evening, to avoid airports and to await updates regarding their flight status.

Israir , a budget Israeli carrier, said it had canceled all its flights to and from Israel until June 15 and was evacuating its planes from Tel Aviv airport, which it said was expected to remain closed through the weekend.

Arkia , an Israeli airline, has cancelled all its flights until June 14.

Flydubai , or the Dubai Aviation Corporation, a budget carrier, said it had suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel and a number of other flights had been cancelled, rerouted or returned to their departure airports.

Turkish Airlines , Turkeys flag carrier, and other Turkish operators have cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan until June 16, Turkiyes Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement.

Etihad Airways , one of the United Arab Emirates airlines, said it had cancelled two flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv and delayed the departure of four others.

Etihad and Turkish Airlines also diverted some flights to Baku, Azerbaijan, according to Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

Pegasus Airlines , a Turkish carrier, cancelled its flights to Iran until June 19 and flights to Iraq and Jordan until June 16. The company said in a statement that it will operate flights to Lebanon only during daylight hours.

Lufthansa , the largest airline in Germany, suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran until July 31, and to and from Amman, Erbil and Beirut until June 20. In a statement, the company added that it would also avoid Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace for now.

Air France , the countrys national carrier, suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until further notice following the closure of Israeli airspace.

Ita Airways , Italys flagship airline, extended the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until July 31.

KLM , a Dutch airline in partnership with Air France, cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until at least July 1, reported Dutch news agency ANP.

Ryanair , a budget Irish airline, cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv until August 31.

SWISS , which is owned by Lufthansa and is Switzerlands national carrier, suspended its Tel Aviv flights until October 25 while those to Beirut will be suspended until the end of July.

Aegean Airlines , Greeces flag carrier, cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv up to and including the early morning flight on July 12, as well as all flights to and from Beirut, Amman, and Erbil through the morning arrivals of June 28.

LOT Polish Airlines announced it will not be using Iranian airspace for flights to Asia, a spokesperson told state news agency PAP.

Wizz Air , a Hungarian budget airline, suspended flights to Tel Aviv and re-routed flights affected by closed airspace in the region for the next 72 hours, it said in a statement through its Cyprus-based publicist.

Tarom , Romanias flag carrier, suspended all commercial flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Amman until June 16.

AirBaltic , Latvias flag carrier, said all flights to and from Tel Aviv until June 23 had been cancelled.

Air India , a flag carrier of the subcontinent which overflies Iran for its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London.

Aeroflot , Russias flagship airline, cancelled flights between Moscow and Tehran. In a statement, the airline said that flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and the Maldives have been rerouted through Pakistani airspace.

Delta Air Lines , a US airline, said it has paused flights to Tel Aviv from New York through August 31. The airline also turned back a New YorkTel Aviv flight mid-air on Thursday, according to Flightradar data.

United Airlines , a major US airline, confirmed that Flight UAL84 to Tel Aviv returned to New York after takeoff, while a flight from Newark was also cancelled. The airline has announced it has halted operations in Israel until late August, according to Israeli media.

Easyjet, a British low-cost airline, has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv until at least July 31, Israeli media reported.

(Al Jazeera)

Some countries have also closed their airspace following the attacks.

Irans official news agency IRNA reported that aviation authorities have shut down the countrys airspace until further notice.

Early on Friday, Iraq closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.

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Eastern Iraq near the border with Iran contains one of the worlds busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any single moment.

Jordans civil aviation authority has also said it temporarily closed Jordanian airspace to all flights in anticipation of any dangers resulting from the escalation happening in the region.

Last year, some Iranian missiles that targeted Israeli military bases flew over Jordan, which neighbours Israel and Iraq.
Tracie West, the Alabama State Board of Education District 2 representative, looks at a bar graph as State Superintendent Eric Mackey presents the 2024 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment of Progress reading scores at the board's June work session in the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery, Alabama on June 12, 2025. The scores revealed that Alabama's third graders have improved since the 2023-2024 school year. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

Alabama third grade students appeared to improve on a test of reading comprehension last year despite a slight increase in testing standards, according to numbers released by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) on Thursday.

According to the department, a smaller percentage of students who took the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment of Progress (ACAP) fell below the score considered sufficient for grade-level reading. The ALSDE said 11.6% of third graders fell below the mark, known as the cut-off score, in the 2024-25 school year. That was an improvement over the 2023-24 year, when 13% of third graders tested fell below the cut score.

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The state increased the cut score from 435 to 444 in October.

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According to a Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) report, a student can score between 270 and 740 on the exam. 473 is the grade level score, but the lowered cut score allows for more statistical confidence that the correct students will be retained.

According to the data, 6,470 third-graders scored below 444 out of the 55,930 that were tested (11.57%).

If we take the current cut score and then apply it to last years data and the data before, you see that we would have seen growth, Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said during a meeting of the Alabama State Board of Education on Thursday. So that tells me that not only do we have 11.6% below grade level, but we are seeing growth across the board.

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The 2019 Alabama Literacy Act requires students reading on grade level by the end of third grade. Students who fall short on the test and dont meet an alternative requirement can be held back. The cut score will increase to 454 for the 2026-27 school year.

The data also showed that 44 schools around the state had no students score below the 444 cut off on the test. Mackey said only two school systems had no students score below a 444.

So were excited to see that, he said. A lot of them tested around the mid 90s, but we do have some districts that are around 70% still, and so were working on that.

One of those systems was Orange Beach City Schools in Baldwin County. Randy Wilkes, the superintendent of the system, said in a statement the score reflects the dedication of the systems teachers and leadership. This is the second year in a row the system had 100% of students scoring above the cut off, even with the increased cut score.

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Its a signal that every child in our district is being prepared for long-term academic success, Wilkes said. We believe that strong readers become strong learners. Our goal is not only to meet the standard but to set it.

Satsuma City Schools in Mobile County was the other system to record all students reading at a sufficient level or higher. Superintendent Dana Price said in a statement that the scores directly reflect the work and support that teachers and families put into the students.

This accomplishment is a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment of our teachers, the support of our families, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by our students, Price said. We are proud to see the results of a system that puts children first every single day.

Although the number of students scoring above sufficient reading improved, Mackey said that the students between the cut score and grade-level scores are not necessarily proficient in reading.

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Theyre reading on grade level statistically, but they are so close that they could easily slip below grade level the next year. So we want parents to know that, Mackey said. We dont want them to think that because their students were promoted to the fourth grade, that theyre in the clear.

Montgomery Countys Chisholm Elementary School had the highest percentage of third grade students scoring below a 444 at 47.25%. The school reported testing 91 students, so 43 of those scored below the cut score. Huntsville Citys McDonnell Elementary School is the second lowest, with only 75 students tested, at 41.33% of students scoring below a 444.

Bessemer Citys Charles F Hard Elementary School tested 55 students with 22 scoring below a 444, the third lowest percentage. Bessemer City Schools has been under state intervention for almost a year.

This story was updated on June 13 at 9:23 a.m. to correct the percentage of students that fell below the cut score in the 2024-25 and 2023-24 school years. It was updated on June 16 at 9:07 a.m. to include a statement from Satsumas superintendent.
Alan Grieve, who has died aged 97, was a solicitor who in 1977 established the philanthropic Jerwood Foundation for John Jerwood, and ran it as chairman after his clients death in 1991, transforming it from a little-known foundation making donations mainly in the fields of music and education, to a ubiquitous force in the arts world; he described himself as an entrepreneur philanthropist.

Grieve was 30 when the senior partner of Taylor & Humbert, his Grays Inn law firm, asked him to look after a tricky client  tricky because he was based in Tokyo. John Jerwood was a British businessman who had made his fortune in the postwar years exploiting Japans monopoly over the cultured-pearl industry. He was married to a Japanese woman but they had no children.

Grieve travelled the world for Jerwood, becoming his solicitor, business adviser and confidant. In the mid-1970s he was given power of attorney to create a charitable foundation, which Jerwood ran for 14 years as a personal fiefdom.

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When Jerwood died in 1991, Grieve took control of an organisation with huge assets, and over the next two decades invested shrewdly to treble their value. Meanwhile, he set the foundation on a firm path of cultural philanthropy, building and adorning galleries, libraries, playhouses, dance studios and rehearsal spaces, and funding student bursaries and prizes ranging from drawing to dance.

In the mid-1990s, when the Royal Court Theatre was on the brink of closure due to safety concerns, Grieve offered 3 million to help rebuild it, though he dismissed as absolute nonsense press suggestions that he had insisted the theatre be renamed the Jerwood Royal Court until Buckingham Palace vetoed the idea.

Grieve, left, with Sir Jocelyn Stevens (then chairman of English Heritage) admire Dame Elizabeth Frinks Walking Man in the Jerwood Foundations sculpture park at Witley Court, Worcestershire, 1999 - David Burges

Soon afterwards came Jerwood Space, a project involving the conversion of a Victorian school in Southwark into a nest of dance and drama rehearsal studios operating on what Grieve called the Robin Hood principle, with rents calibrated according to what clients could afford, along with an art gallery that soon established itself as a focus for hip shows of contemporary painting.

By keeping the core of the foundation small  with just three council members, supported by a select advisory council of experts, including Grieves daughter Amanda, Lady Harlech, the fashion muse and director of Chanel  he ensured that it remained both flexible and independent, able to cut through or avoid the red tape that is the bane of projects involving public funding.

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For the Jerwood Space project, Grieve made his one and only application for a grant from the National Lottery. He was successful, but kept the money for only a matter of weeks: I realised that the Arts Council would want to bear in on me, tell me I hadnt done this or that. So I rang up Gerry Robinson [then chairman of Arts Council England] and asked to whom I should make the cheque out. I think youd say he was taken aback.

Grieve in 2000 with the winner of the Jerwood Prize, the jeweller Jacqueline Mina, and Jerry Hall - Eddie Mulholland

Other capital schemes included the Jerwood Library of the Performing Arts at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban) when it moved to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich; the Jerwood Gallery at the Natural History Museum; the Jerwood Library at Trinity Hall, Cambridge; the Jerwood Sculpture Park at Witley Court, Worcestershire; the Jerwood Centre for the prevention and treatment of dance injuries at the Hippodrome, home of Birmingham Royal Ballet; the Jerwood Centre at Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere; and the Jerwood Hall at the London Symphony Orchestras music centre, St Lukes, built in the shell of a Hawksmoor church in north London.

Grieves particular passion was British art of the 20th century, and in 1994 he oversaw the founding of the 30,000 Jerwood painting prize for originality and excellence in painting in the United Kingdom. With the Turner Prize increasingly associated with the wackier end of the art spectrum, before it was phased out in 2004 the Jerwood became the prize many painters most coveted; winners included Craigie Aitchison, Patrick Caulfield, Prunella Clough and Maggi Hambling.

At the same time Grieve assembled a collection of British art for the Jerwood Foundation which started with Frank Brangwyn and David Bomberg, and included works by Walter Sickert, Augustus John, Stanley Spencer, Winifred Nicholson, LS Lowry, Christopher Wood, Terry Frost and Keith Vaughan, to which he added the work of Jerwood Painting Prize winners.

2001: Grieve presenting Benedict Carpenter with the Jerwood sculpture prize at the Jerwood Space in Southwark - Geoff Pugh

He spent 1.5 million, never paying more than 100,000 for a work, and set about building a gallery to house the collection. In 2012 the Jerwood Gallery, designed by Hana Loftus and Grieves son, Tom, from the architecture firm HAT Projects, opened in Hastings; by this time Grieve reckoned the collection was worth around 6 million.

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The building won a Riba National Award, but in 2019 the gallery, now Hastings Contemporary, cut ties with the Jerwood Foundation following a funding dispute. The Jerwood Collection of Modern and Contemporary British art is now accessible through a loans and exhibitions programme.

Alan Thomas Grieve was born in London on January 22 1928 to Lewis Grieve and Doris, nee Amner, and educated at Aldenham School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he read law. During National Service he was commissioned in 1949 in the Royal Armoured Corps (14th/20th Kings Hussars) and thereafter served in the TA in the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders).

After a few years as an assistant solicitor at the City law firm Slaughter and May, in 1958 he joined Taylor & Humbert, becoming senior partner in 1980. He then oversaw the firms merger with Parker Garrett and remained senior partner in the merged firm Taylor Garrett until 1989, when it merged again with Joynson Hicks to become Taylor Joynson Garrett (now Taylor Wessing), of which he became a consultant.

Grieve was appointed CBE in 2003.

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In 1957 Alan Grieve married Anne Dulake, with whom he had two sons and a daughter, Amanda Harlech. The marriage was dissolved, and in 1971 he married Karen de Sivrac Dunn, with whom he had a son and daughter.

Alan Grieve, born January 22 1928, died May 14 2025

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California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla says FBI agents escorted him to a Kristi Noem press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, where he was swarmed by security, contradicting the Trump administrations version of events.

The Homeland Security Secretary was addressing the policing of this weeks anti-ICE protests in the California city, which saw President Donald Trump controversially send in the National Guard and Marines to keep order, when Padilla spoke up to ask a question and was roughly wrestled to the ground by Secret Service and FBI agents and eventually led away in handcuffs.

Noem, the agents, and the White House have since insisted that the senator lurched at the secretary. Still, Padilla insisted this was not the case, offering his own version of events on last nights episode of MSNBCs The Beat with Ari Melber.

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is interviewed on MSNBC on Thursday June 12 2025 after being wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by security at a Kristi Noem press conference in Los Angeles (MSNBC)

Interviewer Jacob Soboroff put it to Padilla that the agents responsible for the Noem event had said they had not recognized him and believed him to be an attacker and that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had since dismissed the whole affair as staged political theater.

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Well, first of all, thats ridiculous. Its a lie, but par for the course for this administration, right? the senator responded.

He explained that he had been in the federal building in Westwood for a meeting about the administrations plan to use Guantanamo Bay as a facility to hold undocumented migrants when he learned that Noem would be speaking just down the hall and had decided to ask her for answers in person given that the DHS had been non-responsive to his requests for information.

Padilla continued: Were, the whole time, being escorted in this federal building by somebody from the National Guard, somebody from the FBI. Ive gone through screening. This is a federal building.

They escort me over to that room. And Im sitting in the back of the room, behind the cameras, behind the reporters, listening, listening. And at one point, it was just too much to take.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles on June 12 2025 (AP)

The senator said he became incensed by Noems repeated attacks on California Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass for, in her opinion, allowing the protests to get out of hand: It was too much. And so I spoke up. I introduced myself and said I had a question.

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He said that claims by the secretarys security detail that they did not know who he was were nonsense because he was wearing a polo shirt that was branded with the words United States Senate.

Padilla continued: There was no threat. There was no lunging. I raised my voice to ask a question. And it took, what, maybe half a second before multiple agents were on me.

Soboroff agreed that the Democrat had clearly identified himself as he spoke, referencing video of the incident, and put it to him that he had been accused of barging into the briefing.

I didnt barge into the room, he replied. As I mentioned, I was in a different conference room a couple doors down the hall. I let it be known, Id like to go listen to the press conference. The folks that were escorting me in the building walked me over.

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is foribly removed from Noems press conference on the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles (AP)

I didnt even open the door. The door was opened for me. And I spent a few minutes in the back of the room just listening in until the rhetoric, the political rhetoric got to be too much to take. So I spoke up.

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Padillas fellow Democrats have expressed outrage over the episode, which Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said sickened my stomach and Newsom called outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful.

California Congressman Eric Swalwell has meanwhile called for Noem to resign.

But Republicans such as Marjorie Taylor Greene have insisted that Padilla was the aggressor and should be prosecuted.
California Sen. Alex Padilla appeared on MSNBCs The Beat for his first interview following his forceful removal from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems Los Angeles press conference Thursday, giving correspondents a glimpse behind the viral moment.

Padilla was forcefully removed by FBI agents and other plainclothes officials from the event after attempting to ask Noem a question about the Trump administrations ICE actions in L.A. Video footage shows the senator being pushed out of the room, pinned to the ground and being placed in handcuffs.

NBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff pressed the senator on what made him particularly emotional speaking with the press pool outside after the incident. The Padilla came from a family of day laborers in the San Fernando Valley, and said this administrations target on immigrants, especially in L.A., feels personal.

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I understand their plight. I understand their struggle. I understand their sacrifice to just find the American dream, a good opportunity, maybe a good job, the ability to raise a family, and have the next generation have it a little bit better than you did, Padilla told MSNBC with tears in his eyes.

All the talk about immigration, you know, the  the misinformation, disinformation about, you know, invasions and insurrections, its all B.S. coming from Trump.

Soboroff noted that the senator was raised by a father, who was a short order cook, and a mother, who was a housekeeper. After studying at MIT, Padilla returned to his hometown to rise the ranks in the public sector and serve his community. He told MSNBC that the Trump administrations targeting of immigrants is misguided.

If all they were going to do is target violent, dangerous criminals, true threats to our national security, thatd be one thing. Nobody has a disagreement there, he said. Whats happening in practice is so many  yes, undocumented  immigrants, but who are otherwise law-abiding, peaceful and hardworking, to think this administration changed policy for federal agents to enter schools, houses of worship, let alone workplaces? If immigrants are that bad, why is that where youre looking for them?

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The senator also responded to Noems claims that he lunged at her during the press conference.

Thats ridiculous. Its a lie, but par for the course for this administration, right? he said.

Padilla was down the hall in the federal building waiting for a scheduled briefing that had been pushed back because of the Secretary of Homeland Securitys press conference, he said. The senator said he was escorted into the conference room to listen, but he had to speak up.

At one point, it was just too much to take, he said. This notion that Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have to come in and rescue the people of Los Angeles from Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass? It was too much. And so I spoke up. I introduced myself and said I had a question.

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Padilla also told Soboroff and MSNBC host Ari Melber that he had an opportunity to speak with Noem, but he did not get an answer to his question or an apology.

If this can happen to a United States senator for having the audacity to ask a question of the secretary of homeland security, he explained, then just imagine what can happen to anybody in the country.

Watch the full interview below:

The post Alex Padilla Tears Up Recounting His Kristi Noem Detainment on MSNBC: Its All BS Coming From Trump | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
23andMe's database is shrinking as customers request to delete their data.

Interim CEO Joseph Selsavage said 1.9 million customers have asked for data deletions.

23andMe said its business could be "adversely affected" if the trend continues.

The hits just keep on coming for 23andMe.

Although the embattled genetic testing giant has found a new owner, pending court and regulatory approval, nearly 2 million customers have asked to delete their data from its database since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and put the company up for sale in March.

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Interim CEO Joe Selsavage revealed the number of deletion requests on Tuesday during a House Oversight Committee hearing. He attended the hearing with Anne Wojcicki, 23andMe's cofounder and former CEO.

"Since we announced bankruptcy, we've had 1.9 million customers call and request that we delete their data, and we have done so within a reasonable timeframe," Selsavage said, adding that's about 15% of its user base.

23andMe's bankruptcy announcement came after a tumultuous 2024 that was marred by a $30 million class action settlement, layoffs, and the resignation of its entire board of independent directors, among other issues.

In May, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said it intended to acquire 23andMe for $256 million, but the sale has received pushback from lawmakers. Attorneys general from over half of the states in the US and the District of Columbia sued 23andMe on Monday to block it from selling genetic data without customer consent.

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23andMe's annual report, published Wednesday, also addressed customers' requests to delete data. As of May 31, the company said its user base had dwindled to about 14 million personal genome service customers.

"We have experienced and expect to continue to experience significant declines in PGS revenues in the near-term as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Cyber Incident, negative media coverage, the pending Transaction, and other general market and economic trends," the company said in its annual report.

The company added that customer fluctuation could impact the size of its database.

"If the number of our customers consenting to participate in our research programs declines or fails to grow, our research services revenue may be adversely affected, and our database may become less effective in facilitating our ability to create new features, products, and services to offer to our customers," the company said.

Representatives for 23andMe did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Merchandise has cropped up for sale on Amazon, Temu and other online retailers in a move to cash in on two coinciding events: the Army's 250th anniversary parade and the "No Kings" protests against the Trump administration.

For the Army's 250th anniversary, hundreds of items appeared for sale on Amazon and Etsy including T-shirts, hats, mugs and more. One T-shirt for sale on Amazon and Etsy, for example, reads "250 Years Defending Liberty" with the U.S. flag, while another commemorates "250 Years of Service" with the message, "Freedom Isn't Free."

On China-based Temu.com, a seller shipping goods from a U.S.-based warehouse offers a T-shirt reading "No Kings in America" and featuring the Statue of Liberty and American flag for $5.20. On Amazon, a search for "No Kings" yielded 1,000 results.

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Much of the merchandise available on the e-commerce giant's site is printed on demand, meaning not in stock. Sellers print T-shirts or make the goods as soon as they are ordered to avoid sitting on unwanted inventory.

Walmart, which has distanced itself from an ad promoting No Kings that was funded by Walmart heiress Christy Walton, offers a more limited amount of merchandise related to the events on its website.

It's common for sellers to quickly mock up merchandise tied to current events. For example, retailers were quick to start selling apparel featuring images of President Trump with a bloodied ear after he was shot at a rally last year in an assassination attempt.

The No Kings protests were scheduled to coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary. The day was also President Trump's 79th birthday.

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Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information about the range of items for sale.

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How the U.S. Army was born

Trump won't sign G7 statement on Iran, U.S. officials say
The Brief

The missing 5-year-old boy was found safe after being abducted by his mother, Tia Smith, who does not have legal custody.

Smith allegedly injured a family member during the abduction, resulting in serious injuries and hospitalization for the victim.

Smith has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault, and was previously awaiting trial for a child abuse charge involving the same boy.

DECATUR, Ga. - The DeKalb County Police Department said Tia Smith, 23, who does not have legal custody of her son, took the child from his father's home around 4 p.m. after showing up uninvited. Police said Smith told the family she was taking the child for the weekend.

Tia Smith. Courtesy of DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

What they're saying

"She wasnt allowed to come and she was trespassing," said the childs grandmother, Alfreda Harris Wilson. "She came to see her son. My other son was home and she ran him over, hit him and ran him over trying to take him. What she didtake him. So in that process my son is laid up at Grady Hospital. Now that's a tragic situation, but they got her. She's in custody now, so we thank you."

What we know

According to the DeKalb County Police Department, this started shortly after 4:20 p.m. Thursday in the 3400 block of Columbia Crossing Drive.

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Police said the 26-year-old man struck by the vehicle was seriously injured and remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. He has undergone surgery and is expected to survive.

Investigators say the mother had gotten into a fight with the family of the boy's father, prompting her to take the child.

Authorities issued a Levi's Call, Georgia's Amber Alert System for missing and abducted children, after the abduction, and the child was later found unharmed at the apartment of a friend or family member of the mother, roughly six to eight miles from the grandmothers home.

Smith has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault. According to police, she was out on bond and awaiting trial for a previous child abuse charge involving the same boy. Investigators said Smith was caught on video hitting the child with a belt last year.

What's next

The child is now back with his father and grandmother. Family members say he is safe and happy to be home.

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Further charges against Smith may be pending as the investigation continues.

The Source

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the details and image for this article. This story has been updated since it was originally published.
The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japan hopes for special treatment as Trump hints at auto tariff hike

TOKYO - Japan expects to be treated differently to other countries once it clinches a deal with the United States on tariffs, Tokyo's top negotiator said Friday, after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a further rise in import levies on cars.

"Once bilateral negotiations are finalized, I think Japan will be given special treatment separate from the rule that applies to most countries," Ryosei Akazawa said at Tokyo's Haneda airport prior to his departure for the United States for the sixth round of ministerial-level tariff negotiations.

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Over 260 dead in Air India plane crash: reports

NEW DELHI - The total number of people killed when a London-bound Air India plane crashed into a residential area in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad has passed 260, local media reported Friday.

A day after the crash, which killed 241 passengers and crew aboard, it was confirmed that one passenger had survived.

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Ishiba, Trump likely to speak by phone Fri. night: source

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to speak over the telephone on Friday night, a Japanese government source said.

The phone call would come before Japan's top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is slated to hold another round of tariff talks with U.S. officials in Washington.

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Japan sets 1% wage growth target to spur economy in new policy plan

TOKYO - The Japanese government on Friday approved a policy blueprint focused on wage hikes, setting a target of approximately 1 percent real pay growth annually over a five-year period to encourage consumer spending and sustain economic growth.

The latest economic and fiscal policy plan, endorsed by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet, outlined a goal of raising Japan's gross domestic product to 1,000 trillion yen ($7 trillion) by around 2040, up from its current level of 600 trillion yen.

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China blaming Japan for close air encounters "unacceptable": defense chief

TOKYO - Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Friday it is "unacceptable" that China has blamed Japan for close encounters between Chinese fighter jets and Japanese defense patrol planes over the high seas in the Pacific last weekend.

Nakatani's remarks at a press conference came a day after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the Japanese side "came close and spied on China's normal military activities," demanding Japan stop such "dangerous actions."

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Japan condemns Israel's attack on Iran for "escalating situation"

TOKYO - Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Friday that Japan "strongly condemns" Israel's attack on nuclear and military sites in Iran for "escalating the situation," while pledging necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent a further deterioration.

Iwaya told a press conference that it is "extremely regrettable" that Israel took military action despite continuing talks between Washington and Tehran toward a peaceful resolution, demanding that all parties should exercise "utmost restraint."

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Japan to ban reselling of rice as cheap stockpiles hit shelves

TOKYO - The government decided on Friday to prohibit the reselling of rice purchased at retail shops to ensure that rice reserves recently released at lower prices will stably reach consumers.

Under the ban, which will take effect June 23, those who sell rice at a higher price than they paid at supermarkets and online shops will face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 1 million yen ($6,960), or both.

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Japan parliament OKs pension reform law to ensure more contributions

TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Friday enacted a pension reform law that will scrap a 1.06 million yen ($7,400) annual income threshold blamed for prompting part-timers to limit their work hours, while opening the way for a future boost to basic pension benefits.

The enactment came as a result of a last-minute compromise by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who heads a minority government, as the ruling coalition decided to accept a demand by the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, a major opposition force, to include a pledge to consider boosting the basic pension benefits in the future.

Video: Canadian icebreaker Sir Wilfrid Laurier makes special port call during Osaka Expo
America seems headed to an angry and ugly place.

Inflammatory incidents, rhetoric and dissent unleashed by President Donald Trumps tough immigration crackdown are inexorably building political pressure as a polarized nation barrels into the heat of summer.

Stunning scenes in Los Angeles on Thursday, when Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla was manhandled out of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems news conference and handcuffed, epitomized a dark turn taken this week in California.

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But theres no sign yet of a path back from the brink before cascading confrontations and protests turn violent or even tragic.

If anything, the crisis is deepening.

The administration, led by a president determined to use every instrument of power  including a tamed Justice Department and the military  to enforce his will, is vowing to go harder, stronger and faster to target undocumented migrants. Even those here legally are not immune. The White House on Thursday told half a million Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans here on humanitarian parole they must return to their unstable, poverty-stricken home countries.

Trumps extremism is now stirring a counter-reaction ahead of a weekend that will see hundreds of No Kings demonstrations in cities and towns, and after he warned against protests at a US Army 250th anniversary parade Saturday that will bolster his dictators schtick on his 79th birthday. A president who pledged to use the military on the enemy from within said this week he wants troops everywhere.

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The political battle is also finally being joined by Democrats, stung into finding a voice and cause after their so far desultory efforts to rebuild after their 2024 election fiasco.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem eats McDonald's food with National Guard members in Los Angeles, California, on June 12, 2025. - Aude Guerrucci/Reuters

An image that will endure

California was already on edge after Trump defied Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and ordered National Guard troops to the city amid protests and then added a contingent of active-duty US Marines. But the television pictures of government security agents restraining Padilla and pushing him to the ground on Thursday afternoon created an instantly iconic snapshot of the national moment.

Some caveats should be noted. Any time a Cabinet official is in public, especially amid heightened political feeling, there is a concern for their safety. The horrific scenes after Trump survived his first assassination attempt last year remain a fresh national trauma. In the light of such experience, security details often act first and without waiting to establish the full context of a situation. Its perfectly possible Noems agents didnt immediately recognize Padilla, even though hes one of the states senators.

I was there peacefully, Padilla said later amid fierce dispute over his conduct. At one point I had a question, and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained.

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Initially, Noem seemed to realize the incident could become a political liability. She explained that the Secret Service had feared Padilla could be an attacker, so they pushed him away. She said his behavior was not appropriate but said theyd spoken afterward in what sounded like a civil conversation, even swapping phone numbers.

But the Trump White House never admits fault and always seeks political vengeance. Noem toughened here message when she headed onto Fox News. This man burst into a room, started advancing towards the podium  he  continued to lunge towards the podium, she said.

The Homeland Security secretarys comments were quickly backed up by House Speaker Mike Johnson as the GOP launched a full court-press. When they storm cabinet secretaries in a press conference, I think its wildly inappropriate behavior, and I think it sends a terrible message in tone for the rest of the country, said a speaker who helped Trump expunge the record of the January 6, 2021, assault by MAGA supporters on the US Capitol.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who has this week accused Democrats of supporting criminals and rioters and demonized undocumented migrants as pedophiles, wrote on X that Padilla should be ashamed of his childish behavior.

Sen. Alex Padilla is pushed out of the room as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12, 2025. - Getty Images

He is not an animal

In a less fraught time, Padilla might have acted with more discretion and the White House would have worked to mitigate the incidents impact on Americas fragile psyche. But this is 2025, five months into Trumps second term.

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Whatever precipitated the incident in Los Angeles, Padillas treatment  after he identified himself, when he was shoved out of the room as he tried to ask a question and then shoved face-first to the ground and handcuffed  was unheard-of.

The racial overtones of Californias first Latino senator being put under such duress will become a metaphor for Trumps ruthless deportation policy.

They use words like lunge and charge. He is not an animal; hes a US senator, Californias Attorney General Rob Bonta told CNNs Kasie Hunt.

In Washington, Democratic senators rushed to the chamber to exploit the moment. Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz warned that his colleagues removal from Noems briefing was the stuff of dictatorships.

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Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, who has condemned Trumps use of the military in California, warned in a statement: This is America. Dissent should not be met with violence.

Across the Capitol, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Padilla suffered an assault. She added, Its a federal offense to attack a member of Congress.  It shouldnt be anybody in our country to be treated this way.

Padilla was the latest official to face harsh action for perceived dissent. Trump administration prosecutors have already indicted a Wisconsin judge and a New Jersey Democratic congresswoman in cases arising from the immigration blitz. But the fact his roughing-up was on camera means it could be a powerful political launching pad for Democrats as they step up resistance to the president.

In the initial reaction to Padillas manhandling, there was just a hint that Democratic senators  part of an always self-reverential body  were most offended that the collective dignity of their august chamber had been affronted.

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But the quick and unified effort to frame the incident as an example of an encroaching Trump dictatorship suggests that the party might have found an opening at last.

In some ways, the spectacle was not that different from the kind of on-camera stunt with viral social media potential that Trump has made a signature and that now dominates the populist Republican Party. A televised speech by Newsom this week finally satisfied the cravings of some Democrats for someone, anyone to take the fight to the president. His Senate colleague will never now be forgotten by Democrats after he introduced himself to the rest of the nation with the Thursday afternoon debacle that lit up cable news.

But making a splash is only one of the Democrats problems.

Padillas show of force does not necessarily point a way out of the conundrum Trump has set for them, namely that their public condemnations of his deportation plan allow the White House to portray them as soft on securing the border. Perhaps more evidence of administration thuggery could hurt Trump  and convince voters he is overreaching and inhumane. But the White House is still sure its got the winning political hand on immigration.

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Democrats are also no nearer to producing a coherent policy and electoral position that addresses the publics desire to stem illegal immigration while reconciling liberal constituencies within their own political base. The Biden administrations obliviousness to a long-building crisis and public sentiment has given Trump plenty of political cover.

President Donald Trump speaks as first lady Melania Trump listens during the congressional picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. - Alex Brandon/AP

Does Trump have a moral duty to cool tensions?

But Thursdays drama poses an even more profound question: Do most Americans  notwithstanding their stark ideological divides  really want to live in a country plagued by ever-worsening conflict and disharmony?

If not, Trump could be vulnerable and his iron-fist approach to immigration could end up serving as a microcosm of a destructive presidency.

For sure, Trumps base responds to his outlandish rhetoric and strongman vibe. But no one would describe the White Houses approach as a modulated effort to solve an immigration issue that has been haunting the nation for years. The crisis has confounded every president since at least Ronald Reagan. But while some commanders in chief have tried to solve it, Trump has been deliberately escalating the confrontation at every opportunity, seemingly to incite maximum discord and political stress.

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The president and his team argue with some justification that voters chose Trump last November because they were despairing over Bidens negligence at the border. The White House insists that protests cannot be allowed to stop deportations that are needed to keep Americans safe and to deter new waves of migrants that could strain the countrys resources, unity and character.

But they are also using the language of tyrants and demagogues as they seek to use the deportations to grab more and more power, to repress their political adversaries and even to threaten the choices of Democratic voters.

During the news conference that was interrupted by Padilla, Noem warned that the federal government was not going away from Los Angeles. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this Governor Newsom and this mayor placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city.

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass are the democratically elected representatives chosen by Californians and the citizens of Los Angeles. Noems comments only reinforced an impression that Trump and his team view Democratic leaders as illegitimate and blue states as enemies within the US.

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Trumps top domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller has spent the week portraying his bosss political opponents as supporting invasions and rebellions by forces outside the United States. America voted for mass deportations, Miller wrote in one X post this week. Violent insurrectionists, and the politicians who enable them, are trying to overthrow the results of the election.

The country needs no reminder that incitement and extreme political language can provoke violence and threaten the rule of law and the foundational democratic principles of the republic. It happened at the end of Trumps first term.

Historically, presidents have felt a moral imperative to cool political agitation when it threatens to splinter the nation and to heal such estrangements before they provoke strife and threaten life.

Trumps entire political method seems designed to do the opposite.

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In the early morning on Tuesday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents chased farmworkers through a field in Oxnard, California.

Agents tackled and restrained workers amid rows of produce, as seen in video from CNN affiliate KABC.

What I fear is that sometimes, out of necessity, we show up wherever theres work, one farmworker with her face covered told KABC in Spanish. With everything that is happening its a bit difficult for us.

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ICE, racing to fulfill President Donald Trumps goal to increase deportations, has increasingly targeted work sites for immigration sweeps in recent weeks. The escalation is creating a chilling effect on the businesses that rely on immigrant labor and the workers themselves, with some staying home out of fear. Americas agriculture, construction, health care and hospitality industries are powered by immigrant workers, both legal and undocumented.

Recent immigration enforcement raids on businesses nationwide are creating serious challenges for local economies, communities, and industries that depend on immigrant labor to operate and prosper, said Rebecca Shi, the CEO of American Business Immigration Coalition, a group representing employers with immigrants.

Undocumented immigrants make up 4% to 5% of the total US workforce, but 15% to 20% or more in industries such as crop production, food processing and construction, according to Goldman Sachs.

United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero told CNN that shes been getting calls from concerned farmworkers across California about ICE crackdowns in the state. There are 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States, according to the Economic Policy Institute, 40% of whom the Agriculture Department estimates lack legal status.

Farmworkers on a field in March near the US-Mexico border in Calexico, California. Undocumented workers make up an estimated 40% of farmworkers in the United States. - John Moore/Getty Images

Despite the threat of deportation, migrant workers often cant afford to stay home, Romero said.

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Theyre terrified, but they have a family to support. They have a rent to pay, they have children to take to school, buy clothing and everything, she said. They have to tell their children what to do if they dont come home.

Trump appeared to acknowledge Thursday that his immigration policies are straining farmers and businesses.

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace, Trump said on Truth Social. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!

But some farm owners worry that the Trump administrations current crackdown on undocumented immigrants will affect the nations ability to produce food, Romero said.

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I can guarantee you that were not going to have the workers that we need to do this work in agriculture, she said. The agriculture industry in this country is going to disappear.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told reporters on Thursday that shes already getting reports of people not going to work and store shelves being empty because people in the city are worried about being detained by ICE.

Los Angeles immigrant community is essential to the citys economy, she added.

There are entire sectors of our economy that will not function if the immigrant community is too afraid to go to work and too afraid to go to school, Bass said.

Workplace sweeps

Mass workplace immigration raids were a priority during Trumps first term, culminating in at least 680 arrests during a 2019 raid on chicken processing plants in Mississippi. The Biden administration ended the practice, saying employers exploited the raids to suppress workers from reporting labor violations.

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But ICE has stepped up sweeps again in recent weeks on industries that rely heavily on immigrant workers. That includes a local construction company in Exeter, Pennsylvania; construction sites in Brownsville, Texas; and a flood control project in New Orleans. ICE arrested about 40 people in Nantucket and Marthas Vineyard, two prominent vacation spots in Massachusetts, last month.

CNN asked ICE how many raids have been made under Trumps second term. The agency acknowledged CNNs request but did not respond to the question.

Worksite enforcement operations are going to massively expand, White House border czar Tom Homan said in an interview with Semafor on Wednesday.

Detaining employees can have a significant impact on small businesses.

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For example, after authorities took dozens of workers away in buses following a raid at an Omaha meat production plant Tuesday morning, the plant was left running at about 30% capacity.

The restaurant industry employs 1 million undocumented workers, or 10% of the total workforce, according to the Center for Migration Studies. It would be difficult for some restaurants to run without undocumented workers.

The reality is  there clearly are not enough people in the United States who are authorized to work to fill all the available jobs, said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the not-for-profit group NYC Hospitality Alliance. And because of that, you have people that have come to our country for many different reasons that are not authorized to work but find their way into the workforce to meet the needs and demands of United States citizens.

Home Depot becomes a flash point

Arrests of migrant workers outside one business have become a flash point for opponents of Trumps immigration crackdown: Home Depot.

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Day laborers have long gathered outside the parking lots of Home Depot or similar retailers to find work. Home Depot, in particular, is a convenient spot for contractors and homeowners in many communities to approach and hire laborers to paint walls, nail down roofing and complete other manual labor projects. Day laborers are often paid in cash, and many return to these locations every day in hope of getting more work.

Immigration agents conducted a sweep Friday outside a Home Depot in Westlake, Los Angeles, setting off days of protests around the city. Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles, overriding California Governor Gavin Newsom.

A Home Depot store in Westlake, California. Home Depot parking lots have long been convenient spots for day laborers to find work. - Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

Home Depot told CNN that it is not notified when immigration officials and law enforcement conduct sweeps and that the company is not involved in the operations.

The retail chain has been a target of immigration arrests  and protests  well before last week.

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In a raid on a Home Depot in Pomona, California, in April, 10 undocumented immigrants were detained, a senior official from the Department of Homeland Security told CNN. That led to a protest outside Home Depot among advocates for day laborers.

Construction companies, contractors, private homeowners  they have historically gone to the Home Depot to buy their materials and then they come outside and hire a day laborer, Alexis Teodoro, the worker rights director for the Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, a non-profit that helps day laborers find work and job training, told CNN at the time. This is common knowledge and is almost as American as apple pie now.

CNNs Stephanie Elam, Elise Hammond and Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this story.

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(NewsNation)  The Trump administration and Republican lawmakers are launching an investigation into who is providing funding for anti-ICE protests that are taking place in Los Angeles as well as campus pro-Palestine demonstrations that have taken place across the country.

That has led the FBI and IRS to American billionaire Neville Roy Singham, who is currently living in Shanghai. Members of the House Oversight Committee have told NewsNation that Singham will be called to testify before the committee about his ties to the Chinese Communist Party as well as his funding of anti-Israel groups and his connections to other groups that are believed to be behind the Los Angeles protests.

After US-Iran nuclear talks crumble, what happens next?

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NewsNation has found that Singham sold his company in 2017 for close to $1 billion, and reports indicate that Singham has since provided funding to groups such as the Peoples Forum. The organization, which is based in New York City, also has ties to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a communist political party that is said to be behind the large-scale, anti-ICE protests that are taking place in Los Angeles.

Alex Goldenberg, a senior adviser with the Network Contagion Research Institute, told NewsNation that Singham has a footprint in India, South Africa and London and remains active in the United States. Goldenberg said that Singham is funding a large network of nonprofit groups, providing them with tens of millions of dollars.

Hes not just funding activism. What we find is that he is funding and exporting an authoritarian-aligned ideology under the banner of American nonprofit legitimacy, he said.

Goldenberg said that in addition to pushing anti-American sentiments, the groups allegedly funded by Singham promote and glorify terrorism and violent revolutions.

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What is being built here is not a protest movement, Goldenberg told NewsNation. I really view it as infrastructure for a deeply un-American campaign to destabilize the country from within.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy talks to reporters during a news conference on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed more than $122 million from Alaskas annual budget plan before signing it into law Thursday.

The governors vetoes fell heaviest on education, as Dunleavy eliminated more than $50 million from the states per-student education funding formula and tens of millions intended for major school maintenance projects.

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Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, said lawmakers are not likely to consider a veto override vote until January at the earliest, a schedule that will leave school districts with months of uncertainty.

Statewide, districts will instantly need to find the equivalent of $200 per student to cut from their budgets. It remains to be seen what will happen as a result of this action from the governor, but certainly, emergency school closures are on the table for districts, said Jharrett Bryantt, superintendent of the Anchorage School District, during a special school board meeting Thursday evening.

If you havent captured it already, this is an education emergency, he said.

It is the first time in state history that a governor has failed to fully fund the education formula, a precedent-breaking act akin to former Gov. Bill Walkers decision in 2016 to veto part of the Permanent Fund dividend, which until then had been decided by a previously sacrosanct formula.

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The governor announced his decision without comment; he did not hold a news conference, as is traditional, and his office said they would not be able to respond to a list of emailed questions until Friday.

The governors vetoes did not significantly change the size of the budget, and the amount of his vetoes was down from prior years.

I wish there would have been more cuts, more vetoes, so that we could have a better budget. But thats not what happened, said Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River and a member of the House Finance Committee.

She said she suggested the governor veto additional grants to nonprofits.

Oil prices drove vetoes, Dunleavy says

In a prerecorded video released earlier Thursday, the governor said his vetoes were the result of depressed oil prices.

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The oil situation has deteriorated. The price of oil has gone down. Therefore our revenue is going down. Basically, we dont have enough money to pay for all of our obligations. So as a result of that, youre going to see some reductions in this years budget. Its not an easy thing to do. Its certainly not a fun thing to do, but its necessary, he said.

Unusually, the governors vetoes appeared to be driven by a revenue forecast that wasnt made available to lawmakers when they were crafting their draft budget.

Legislators typically rely on a spring forecast published by the Alaska Department of Revenue, and based on that forecast, the budget submitted by legislators to the governor  spread across three separate budget bills  had a surplus of about $56.5 million.

After the governors vetoes, the state budget now has a surplus of about $186 million, according to figures published by the Office of Management and Budget.

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But that estimated surplus is based upon the spring forecast, and on Thursday, the Department of Revenue released a new estimate saying that projected oil revenue is down by $222 million from that prior forecast.

Legislators typically expect to make budget adjustments in the following year, in a supplemental budget, because oil prices can change radically. Dunleavy appears to have based his decisions on the new forecast instead.

It is unusual, said Senate President Stevens, of the governors strategy.

We had a balanced budget, and we knew how low oil could be. It was not necessary, I dont believe, Stevens said of the vetoes.

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Less than an hour before Dunleavy announced his vetoes, Israel began bombing Iran, an act that sent oil futures upward.

By that point, Dunleavy had signed his vetoes and the budget bills, making them official.

Education vetoes were expected

The governors veto came less than a month after lawmakers voted to override a different Dunleavy veto and to increase the base student allocation, the education funding formulas main component, by $700 per student.

If that formula were a bucket, Thursdays veto by Dunleavy represents a choice to only partially fill the bucket. Last year, lawmakers and Dunleavy approved a $680 one-time increase to the BSA; Dunleavys veto cuts the increase to $500, a year-over-year decline.

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To go down from our $700 to $500, thats going to be quite, quite devastating for the school districts and for kids, Stevens said.

Rep. Rebecca Himschoot, I-Sitka, and co-chair of the House Education Committee, said that reduction is nothing short of catastrophic for districts whove already submitted budgets. I think this could trigger, possibly, some school closures in rural Alaska, and I think also there could be some school closures in urban Alaska. What choice do they have? Theyre going to make those cuts now and hope that we override or come up with a supplemental in January.

Rep. Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan and a member of the House Finance Committee, observed that Dunleavy had previously threatened to veto some of the BSA funding, and so Thursdays action wasnt a complete surprise.

He added that the cut was larger than he was expecting.

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Its definitely going to put some real strain on a lot of our school districts across the state, and specifically itll put some strain on the schools in my district, so itll be something that we want to monitor, and well work with our local school districts in our local communities to see how we can soften the blow, he said.

In addition to the BSA veto, the governor eliminated lawmakers attempt to divert tens of millions of dollars from transportation projects to school maintenance issues.

Budget documents indicate that the governor vetoed those diversions because some of the money was already allocated for spending. In at least one case, the Alaska Department of Transportation didnt announce spending plans until after lawmakers approved their version of the budget.

Last year, the governor proposed incentive grants for public school teachers. This year, lawmakers approved $554,000 for a different incentive grant program, but Dunleavy vetoed that idea.

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Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage and co-chair of the House Finance Committee, said he was disappointed by the education vetoes overall.

He claims to be a champion of education, but at some point  prove it. Just prove it, Josephson said of the governor. I just think its shameful and very hurtful.

Other vetoes were smaller

In a maneuver intended to reduce demand for general-purpose tax revenue, lawmakers used $100 million from the states higher education investment fund and $100 million from the accounts of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority  the states investment bank  to pay for things like National Guard maintenance, road repairs on the Dalton Highway, and rifle-proof armor for state troopers.

Dunleavy vetoed the $100 million draw from AIDEA, so all $200 million now comes from the higher education investment fund.

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People shouldnt get upset about that, because  the plan is to replace that money when we come back in January, to put that money back into the higher ed fund, Stevens said.

Under his vision, lawmakers would take money from the Constitutional Budget Reserve and put it into the higher education fund to backfill it.

Stevens said hes concerned by other vetoes, including a $5 million appropriation for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, which helps Alaska fishers sell their fish internationally.

The governor eliminated $75,000 for a safe gun storage media campaign, $1.9 million in grants for child care centers, and $37 million intended to fill the states disaster relief and wildfire-fighting funds.

I just was a little surprised to see it removed from the budget here up front, because it will be something that ultimately we will have to fund, Bynum said of the vetoes to the disaster relief and wildfire funds.

In the states mental health budget bill, the governor cut $2.7 million intended to support infant learning programs and $100,000 for dementia education and prevention, as well as $3 million for programs that support disabled Alaskans.

Vote on override not expected until January

The leaders of both House and Senate said that while they believe lawmakers may override some or all of the governors budget decisions, they dont expect a vote on those overrides to take place until January, when legislators reconvene the regular session in Juneau.

It takes 45 of the Legislatures 60 members to override a budget veto, and in May, only 46 legislators voted in favor of an override of the education funding policy bill.

Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage and one of the 46, is on duty with the National Guard in Poland this summer, and other legislators are unavailable at different points of the summer.

Unfortunately, its very difficult to get the Legislature all together in one place during the interim, so its more likely than not that we are going to have to wait until January to do that, said Edgmon, the House speaker.

Its also possible that lawmakers will have other vetoes to consider as well. Part of the education formula increase is contingent upon a bill changing the way the state handles corporate income taxes. Dunleavy has previously indicated that he might veto that bill, too.

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While non-Black Latino immigrants became the focus of many of the protests held in cities across the country in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions this week, Atlantas Black immigrant community  the fourth largest in the country  is refusing to take a back seat.

Pew Research estimates around 200,000 Black immigrants, mostly from Jamaica, Haiti, and Nigeria, call metro Atlanta home. Black immigrants often find themselves simultaneously ignored and under a spotlight because of how racialized anti-immigrant political sentiment has become.

Read More: Atlanta Immigration Protests Draws Hundreds Amid Tear Gas and Fireworks

Black immigrants, who may be Latin, Caribbean, or African, must navigate a specific set of challenges with how both race and immigration status impact their daily lives. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration works to advocate for and empower immigrants from across the African diaspora. In addition to local chapters in Georgia, California, New York, and Arizona, BAJIs legal resources and clinics are available virtually for anyone in need.

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Their legal and policy staff provide regular breakdowns of President Donald Trumps latest immigration-related executive orders and host a bi-weekly asylum support webinar.

Local chapters are run by BAJIs staff organizers who host events and training relevant to the community. Atlanta chapter organizers recently held a workshop at the Congolese Community of Atlantas general assembly meeting on the public charge rule. A policy implemented by the Department of Homeland Security in 2022 that disqualifies an immigrant from obtaining a green card if it is deemed they are likely to become dependent on public benefits in the future.

Capital B Atlanta spoke with Nana Gyamfi, BAJIs executive director, about the current political climate and the intersection of Black and immigrant identity.

Capital B: What about the Black immigrant experience makes it unique?

Nana Gyamfi: I think Black immigrants need to be aware that our blackness adds another very critical level to the type of profiling that we are subjected to. Even in diverse places like Atlanta, New York, or Chicago, we are still being left out of conversations on the impact of the federal immigration crackdown.

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What we know from the data, as well as anecdotal experiences, is that most law enforcement interactions with Black immigrants begin as racial profiling that then goes down another road when the officer hears an accent or realizes there is a language barrier. As a result, Black migrants are detained, deported and held in solitary confinement at a disproportionately higher rate.

How are seemingly race-blind immigration laws impacting Black immigrants?

Nana Gyamfi, executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, said Black migrants are detained, deported and held in solitary confinement at a disproportionately higher rate. (Tommy Franklin)

One example is the new travel ban, where eight out of 12 banned countries  and three out of the seven partially banned countries  are Black or African. That doesnt even include banned countries with large Black populations, like Cuba and Venezuela. So even though most people are focused on the Muslim element, the face of the ban is really a Black face.

What do you want Black immigrants who may be living in fear to know?

Immigrant folks [need to be] really clear about what their rights are and exercise those rights. Whether they are green card holders, have temporary protective status, if theyre an international student, on a work visa, or even undocumented. They have basic rights that are afforded by the Constitution of the United States. Its really important that they know, for example, not to sign anything.

Why is it so important not to sign things?

There are situations where an immigrant is presented with a document and told, If you want to leave, if you want to see your kids, if you want to get back to your spouse, if you want to be able to work, then you need to sign. Law enforcement will tell them, If you sign this, well let you go, things will be easier for you.

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This happens particularly to Black immigrants who dont speak English as a first language or at all. People have unknowingly signed voluntary deportation papers, or an acknowledgement that they are someone who they arent without knowing. Its really important that people understand the right to remain silent is not just verbal, it is also written. Make it clear that you dont want to talk and that youre not going to sign anything.

Read More: Black Immigrants in Atlanta Mobilize Amid Rising Deportation Threats

Ask for an attorney. Whether you have one or not, youre not entitled to one, but you are entitled to ask for one. Dont consent to any searches or produce any documents. Dont do anything that can be perceived as you going along with providing information, because you have a right not to.

Do immigrants living in Atlanta have different rights than immigrants living in sanctuary cities?

No, immigrants have the same rights across the board. The difference in a sanctuary city is that local law enforcement is not supposed to act as an extension of immigration enforcement.

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But what we are seeing now in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles is that local law enforcement may not be acting like ICE, but they are certainly playing backup to ICE and other federal agents that are engaged in immigration enforcement.

In Georgia, local law enforcement is directly engaged in immigration enforcement. But the rights of immigrants havent changed.

What can people do to support their immigrant neighbors?

This piece is so important for people like me, who have immigrant parents but were born here and have U.S. citizenship, which gives us the capacity to move in a more privileged way. Its really important for us to also know those rights and to help to remind folks that we see being questioned or detained. In Atlanta metro, that isnt just ICE, but also includes local law enforcement that has been contracted to work alongside them.

Read More: Black Immigrants in Atlanta Face New Risks As Trump Signs Laken Riley Act

Immigration Court is also public, so people can go down there and support the people who are doing what theyre supposed to do and showing up for their court dates.

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People who are employers, [and] heads of churches, schools, and hospitals, can also do their part to protect the human rights and dignity of immigrants as they are in those spaces. It doesnt matter that this administration has declared those places are no longer protected, because the protection comes from us as a community.

The post Amid ICE Sweeps and Travel Bans, Heres How to Support Black Immigrants in Atlanta appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
President Trumps NASA budget plans look to cut its public relations funding by half, but already the agency is shuttering social media accounts that include those dedicated to popular missions including Mars Curiosity, Mars Perseverance and Voyager.

Those three in particular have quite the fanbase on X with Curiositys account touting more than 4 million followers, Perseverance and its little flying buddy Ingenuity have more than 2.9 million followers and Voyager nearly 900,000.

The X handles for the robotic missions have taken whimsical approaches to posting over the years. And after NASA announced Monday the planned consolidation of accounts, prompting an outpouring of support online, each posted thankful responses.

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Wow, thank you all for the supportive messages. I may be a robot, but I felt every bit of love, reads a post from @MarsCuriosity, the account created in 2008 on what was then Twitter ahead of its 2011 launch from Cape Canaveral and 2012 landing on Mars. Every single one of you has made this curious journey even more meaningful. This account isnt archived just yet  so stick around for some highlights these next few weeks.

The account for @NASAPersevere, created in 2020 for the mission that launched that year and landed on Mars in 2021, posted a Thank you with a heart emoji and said, All of your supportive words are more meaningful to me than ones and zeroes could ever be. My work on Mars continues, and while this account will soon be archived, Im going to share a few mission highlights before signing off.

The account for @NASAVoyager, created in 2010 for the nearly 50-year-old mission, posted, Thanks to everyone who sent messages of support after yesterdays announcement that this account will be archived in coming weeks. Until then, wed love to take you on a trip down memory lane and highlight some of our grand adventures and discoveries. Sound OK to you?

Another mission-specific account to hear the death knell is for New Horizons, which flew by Pluto in 2015 and is now traveling through the Kuiper Belt. Its one of several active missions the proposed Trump budget looks to shut down. It similarly posted a farewell message @NASANewHorizons and like the others asks followers to look for updates on other NASA accounts that remain active.

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They are among the most popular accounts as NASA streamlines its message, according to the agency announcement.

Some social media accounts shuttering include NASAs Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) and Exploration Ground Systems (@nasagroundsys) based at Kennedy Space Center.

Also being consolidated are Orion (@NASA_Orion), Space Launch System (@NASA_SLS) and Gateway lunar station (@NASA_Gateway) accounts under the Artemis program.

Others shuttering include ones dedicated to NASAs astronaut corps (@NASA_Astronauts), climate missions (@nasaclimate), the Commercial Crew Program (@Commercial_Crew), moon science (@NASAMoon) and atmosphere research (@NASAAtmosphere) among others.

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Over time, NASAs social media footprint has expanded considerably, growing to over 400 individual accounts across 15 platforms, the agency posted. While this allowed for highly specialized updates, it also created a fragmented digital landscape that was challenging for both the public to navigate and for NASA to manage efficiently.

NASA will still give updates to the missions, but just on broader channels. So many will be deactivated, while some will merge and in a few cases some will be rebranded.

The move is a precursor to plans to centralize communications in its headquarters and eliminate those at its nine space centers, including Kennedy Space Center, according to Trumps proposed 2026 budget.

Beginning in FY 2026, the Office of Communications will restructure the organization to an Agency or centralized structure vs Center-specific to eliminate functions not statutorily mandated, except functions the Agency deems necessary, consolidate management layers and duplicative functions, and evaluate/implement technological solutions that automate routine tasks, reads the proposal.

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The 2024 budget funded the Office of Communications with $76.2 million of the NASAs nearly $25 billion. The 2026 spending plan drops that to $33.8 million of the agencys $18.8 billion. That includes eliminating $7.8 million for KSC  the most of any space centers public relations budgets.

The shuttering of individual accounts is part of a plan for a more uniform message, NASA stated, citing the 1958 law creating the agency that required the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof.

The 2025 social media consolidation project is designed to fulfill this mandate more effectively. By reducing the number of agency accounts, NASA seeks to make its work more accessible to the public, avoiding the potential for oversaturation or confusion that can arise from numerous social media accounts bearing the NASA name and insignia, it stated.

Aside from fans who bemoaned losing the popular accounts, the change in approach has critics  including Jonathan McDowell. The British-American astronomer and astrophysicist works at the HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics Chandra X-ray Center.

So @NASA is consolidating media accounts for consistent messaging. Which is bad the same way every cafe in town being a Starbucks forcing a consistent menu on you is bad. Much less chance of something interesting to *your* taste but not to HQ making it into the public domain, McDowell posted on X. In my view the core strength of social media is letting individual voices and their quirks find their individual audiences. Making a bland uniform corporate account to replace individual @NASA voices is a mistake.
By John Revill

ZURICH (Reuters) -A spate of school killings in Western Europe has raised pressure on authorities to tackle a problem long seen as a largely U.S. phenomenon, increasing momentum for tougher gun and security laws and more policing of social media.

While mass shootings remain far more common in the United States, four of the worst school shootings in Western Europe this century have occurred since 2023 and two - a massacre of 11 people in Austria and another in Sweden- were this year.

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This week's killings in the Austrian city of Graz sparked calls for tighter gun laws by political leaders, mirroring the response of the Swedish government after the 11 deaths at the Campus Risbergska school in Orebro in February.

"Mass shootings, of which school shootings are a part, were overwhelmingly a U.S. problem in the past, but the balance is shifting," said Adam Lankford, a criminologist at the University of Alabama. "The number in Europe and elsewhere is increasing."

Part of the rise stems from copycat attacks in Europe often inspired by notorious U.S. rampages such as the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, according to shooters' own comments or their internet search histories, Lankford said.

"It's like an export from America. These attackers see other people do it and it has a snowball effect."

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According to research by Lankford and Jason Silva, shootings carried out by people eager for notoriety were twice as numerous in the United States as in the rest of the world between 2005 and 2010. By 2017-2022, the rest of the world had caught up.

Their data also shows that Europe accounts for a bigger share of mass shootings than it used to.

It should be easier for European politicians to act against mass shootings than the United States, due to the central role of guns in American culture and identity, Lankford said.

The European Union has left gun laws and regulation of social media up to member states. Recent killings have seen a drive by several countries to apply tougher rules.

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In Sweden, the government agreed to tighten the vetting process for people applying for gun licences and to clamp down on some semi-automatic weapons following the Orebro killings.

Incidents of violence and threatening behaviour in junior high and high schools rose over 150% between 2003 and 2023, according to a report by Sweden's Work Environment Authority.

In Finland, where a 12-year-old shot dead a fellow pupil and badly wounded two others in 2024, schools practice barricading doors and hiding from shooters. The government has also proposed stricter punishments for carrying guns in public.

Following a deadly December knife attack at a Zagreb primary school, Croatia's government tightened access to schools and mandated they must have security guards.

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Germany has gradually imposed tighter controls on gun ownership since school massacres in 2002 and 2009, and last year introduced a ban on switchblades and on carrying knives at public events following a series of knife attacks.

RESISTANCE

Tightening gun ownership was the only way politicians could show they were taking the issue seriously, said Dirk Baier, a criminologist at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

"There will certainly be resistance to this, from hunters, sport shooters, or other lobby groups," he said. "However, I think the arguments for tightening the laws will outweigh the arguments against."

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Gun laws have also been a hot political topic in the Czech Republic since a student shot dead 14 people at the Charles University in Prague in December 2023.

The country made it obligatory for gun sellers to report suspicious purchases and requires doctors to check whether people diagnosed with psychological problems hold gun permits.

Britain is holding a public inquiry into an attack in Southport where three young girls were stabbed to death last year. UK drama "Adolescence", a story about a schoolboy accused of murder, explores concerns about toxic online culture.

Meanwhile in France, President Emmanuel Macron this month pressed for EU regulation to ban social media for children under 15 following a fatal school stabbing.

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What motivated the Austrian school gunman is still under investigation. Police said he was socially withdrawn and passionate about online shooting games.

Most such shootings are carried out by young men, and criminologist Lankford said there was a global phenomenon of perpetrators seeking notoriety that eluded them in real life, driven in part by social media.

"Even if the shooters expect to die, some are excited about leaving behind a legacy."

Austria has relatively liberal gun laws, and President Alexander Van der Bellen said after the attack the legislation deserved closer scrutiny.

Broad support in Austria for tightening gun ownership laws looked probable, although a general ban on private weapons seems unlikely, said political scientist Peter Filzmaier.

(Reporting by John Revill, Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich, Madeline Chambers, Richard Lough, Simon Johnson, Jan Lopatka , Daria Sito-Sucic, Essi Lehto, and Michael HoldenEditing by Dave Graham)
By Ahmad Ghaddar and Seher Dareen

LONDON (Reuters) -Oil market participants have switched to dreading a shortage in fuel from focusing on impending oversupply in just two days this week.

After Israel attacked Iran and Tehran pledged to retaliate, oil prices jumped as much as 13% to their highest since January as investors price in an increased probability of a major disruption in Middle East oil supplies.

Part of the reason for the rapid spike is that spare capacity among OPEC and allies to pump more oil to offset any disruption is roughly equivalent to Iran's output, according to analysts and OPEC watchers.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the only OPEC+ members capable of quickly boosting output and could pump around 3.5 million barrels per day (bpd) more, analysts and industry sources said.

Iran's production stands at around 3.3 million bpd, and it exports over 2 million bpd of oil and fuel.

There has been no impact on output so far from Israel's attacks on Iran's oil and gas infrastructure, nor on exports from the region.

But fears that Israel may destroy Iranian oil facilities to deprive it of its main source of revenue have driven oil prices higher. The Brent benchmark last traded up nearly 7% at over $74 on Friday.

An attack with a significant impact on Iranian output that required other producers to pump more to plug the gap would leave very little spare capacity to deal with other disruptions - which can happen due to war, natural disasters or accidents.

And that with a caveat that Iran does not attack its neighbours in retaliation for Israeli strikes.

Iran has in the past threatened to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if it is attacked. The Strait is the exit route from the Middle East Gulf for around 20% of the world's oil supply, including Saudi, UAE, Kuwaiti, Iraqi and Iranian exports.

Iran has also previously stated that it would attack other oil suppliers that filled any gap in supplies left due to sanctions or attacks on Iran.

"If Iran responds by disrupting oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, targeting regional oil infrastructure, or striking U.S. military assets, the market reaction could be much more severe, potentially pushing prices up by $20 per barrel or more," said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad and a former OPEC official.

CHANGE IN CALCULUS

The abrupt change in calculus for oil investors this week comes after months in which output increases from OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, have led to investor concern about future oversupply and a potential price crash.
By Gram Slattery and Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -On the campaign trail, U.S. President Donald Trump promised to end the world's hottest conflicts and usher in global peace, but nearly five months in, with Israel attacking Iran and bloodshed in Gaza and Ukraine unabated, those hopes are in shambles.

U.S. ally Israel struck dozens of Iranian targets in a dramatic and multi-faceted attack on Thursday that analysts say threatens to eventually spiral into an all-out regional war.

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The strikes appear to be a snub to Trump, who had repeatedly pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran, though the president himself had threatened to bomb the Gulf nation if nuclear talks failed.

"Trumpian diplomacy is one of the first casualties of these attacks," said Brett Bruen, a former foreign policy adviser to Democratic President Barack Obama.

"He has struggled to even get close to a ceasefire (in Gaza), let alone peace in any major conflict. Iran was looking the most promising - and Netanyahu just spoiled it."

The White House, the Israeli embassy in Washington and Iran's U.N. mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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The strikes are also a rebuke of Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East envoy and close aide, who has been working intensively with Iranian negotiators towards a diplomatic solution to curb its nuclear program.

Witkoff had sought unsuccessfully to persuade Netanyahu to remain patient while U.S.-Iran negotiations proceeded. Those talks have been deadlocked.

Some Trump allies privately acknowledge that his diplomatic efforts had been faltering even before Israel's attack.

His second term in office started with what seemed like a foreign policy win. Shortly before Trump's inauguration, Witkoff worked with aides to then-President Joe Biden to secure a long-sought ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas militants.

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But that accord fell apart in weeks.

The U.S. has also made little discernible progress toward a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, whose conflict Trump vowed to end before even taking office.

And his administration has taken no visible steps toward expanding the Abraham Accords, a landmark pact brokered in Trump's first term to forge diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab neighbors.

"SPIRAL OF ESCALATION"

As Trump has struggled to seal peace accords, foreign policy divisions have opened inside his own administration. Dozens of officials, from the National Security Council to the Pentagon to the State Department, have been jettisoned amid the infighting.

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Even before Israel's attack, several administration officials had begun to privately question if Witkoff, who lacks diplomatic experience but has emerged as Trump's top negotiator, had overstayed his welcome.

As Israel's attacks unfolded on Thursday, some prominent Democrats expressed frustration that Trump had scrapped during his first term a deal between the United States, Iran and European allies forged during the Obama administration.

Trump and Republicans had condemned that deal, saying it would not have kept a nuclear bomb out of Tehran's hands. Democrats fault Trump for not yet coming up with a credible alternative.

"This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict," Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in a post on X.

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Whether Thursday's strikes will trigger a regional conflict remains unclear. Even so, analysts said, Tehran could see U.S. assets in the region as legitimate targets.

For example, Tehran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen could resume their bombing campaign against ships transiting the Red Sea.

Also unclear is Israel's ability to permanently impede Iran's nuclear program.

Analysts doubt in particular the ability of Israel to destroy Iran's Fordow enrichment plant, which is buried deep underground. While Israel could probably do extensive damage, experts say a more lasting blow would require U.S. military assistance, which U.S. officials said was not provided.

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Another question mark is just how effectively Tehran can respond. Israel has indicated that it has targeted several Iranian leaders in the bombing campaign, which is expected to continue in coming days.

All these factors will decide if the blow to Trump's aspirations to be seen as a global peacemaker will be a terminal one, or merely a setback.

"If Israel is to be taken at its word that tonight's strikes were the first round in an all-out Israeli campaign against Iran's nuclear and missile programs, Iran's regime is now knee-deep within a potentially existential, life-or-death moment," said Charles Lister, head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute.

"That paints tonight's strikes in a whole new, unprecedented light and makes the risk of a major spiral of escalation far more real than what we've seen play out before."

(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Matt Spetalnick; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Michelle Nichols and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Clarence Fernandez)
(Corrects year in paragraph 21 to 2011 from 2015)

By Crispian Balmer

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Iran once ridiculed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the boy who cried wolf for his constant public warnings about Tehran's nuclear programme, and his repeated threats to shut it down, one way or another.

"You can only fool some of the people so many times," Iran's then-foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said in 2018 after Netanyahu had once again accused Iran of planning to build nuclear weapons.

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On Friday, after two decades of continually raising the alarm and urging other world leaders to act, Netanyahu finally decided to go it alone, authorising an Israeli air assault aimed, Israel says, at preventing Iran from obtaining weapons of mass destruction.

In an address to the nation, Netanyahu, as he has so often before, evoked the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust in World War Two to explain his decision.

"Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time," Netanyahu said, adding that a policy of appeasing Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler had led to the deaths of 6 million Jews, "a third of my people".

"After that war, the Jewish people and the Jewish state vowed never again. Well, never again is now today. Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history."

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Iran says its nuclear energy programme is only for peaceful purposes, although the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday declared the country in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

Netanyahu, a former member of an elite special forces unit responsible for some of Israels most daring hostage rescues, has dominated its politics for decades, becoming the longest-serving prime minister when he won an unprecedented sixth term in 2022.

Throughout his years in office, he rarely missed an opportunity to lecture foreign leaders about the dangers posed by Iran, displaying cartoons of an atomic bomb at the United Nations, while always hinting he was ready to strike.

In past premierships, military analysts said his room for manoeuvre with Iran was limited by fears an attack would trigger instant retaliation from Tehran's regional proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, that would be hard to contain.

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But the past two years have upended the Middle East, with Israel hammering Hamas after it launched a massive surprise attack of its own against Israel in October 2023, and then dismantling much of Hezbollah in just a few days in 2024.

BLINDSIDED BY TRUMP

Israel has also sparred openly with Tehran since 2024, firing rocket salvos deep into Iran last year that gave Netanyahu confidence in the power of his military reach.

Israeli military sources said the strikes disabled four of Iran's Russian-made air-defence systems, including one positioned near Natanz, a key Iranian nuclear site that was targeted, according to Iranian television.

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"Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal  to thwart and eliminate the existential threat," Defence Minister Israel Katz said in November.

But much to the consternation of Netanyahu, newly installed U.S. President Donald Trump blindsided him during a visit to the White House in April, when he announced the United States and Iran were poised to begin direct nuclear talks.

Netanyahu has locked horns with successive U.S. presidents over Iran, most noticeably Barack Obama, who approved a deal with Tehran in 2015 imposing significant restrictions on Irans nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump pulled out of the accord in 2018, and Netanyahu had hoped that he would continue to take an uncompromising stance against Iran when he returned to office this year.

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In announcing talks, the White House set a two-month deadline for Iran to sign a deal. Even though a fresh round of meetings was set for this weekend, the unofficial deadline expired on Thursday and Netanyahu pounced.

One Israeli official told state broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated with Washington ahead of the attacks and suggested recent newspaper reports of a rift between Trump and Netanyahu over Iran had been a ruse to lull the Tehran leadership into a false sense of security.

IMAGE TARNISHED

Trump - who said after the strikes began that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb but that he wants talks to proceed - has previously hailed the right-wing Netanyahu as a great friend. Other leaders have struggled with him.

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In 2011, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy of France was overheard talking about Netanyahu with Obama. "I can't stand him any more, he's a liar," he said.

The man once known as "King Bibi" to his supporters has faced a difficult few years and at 75, time is running out for him to secure his legacy.

His hawkish image was badly tarnished by the 2023 Hamas attack, with polls showing most Israelis blaming him for the security failures that allowed the deadliest assault since the founding of the nation more than 75 years ago.

He has subsequently been indicted by the International Criminal Court over possible war crimes tied to Israel's 20-month invasion of Gaza, which has reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble. He rejects the charges against him.

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Polls show most Israelis believe the war in Gaza has gone on for too long, with Netanyahu dragging out the conflict to stay in power and stave off elections that pollsters say he will lose.

Even as the multi-front war has progressed, he has had to take the stand in his own, long-running corruption trial, where he denies any wrongdoing, which has further dented his reputation at home.

However, he hopes a successful military campaign against Israel's arch foe will secure his place in the history books he so loves to read.

"Generations from now, history will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time and secured our common future. May God bless Israel. May God bless the forces of civilisation, everywhere," he said in Friday's speech.

(Additional reporting by Alexander Cornwell and James Mackenzie; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
TIANJIN, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The third Tianjin International Shipping Industry Expo (TISIE) opened in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday, attracting over 440 enterprises, ports and industry associations from around the world.

Titled "Shipping to the world and navigating towards the future, Meet new opportunities for openness and cooperation," the three-day expo features nine themed exhibition zones covering international ports, green shipping, maritime equipment, logistics services and more, spanning 50,000 square meters.

Over 20 parallel events will spotlight China's shipping achievements and global industry trends.

The TISIE has been held in Tianjin every year since 2023, aiming to boost global shipping cooperation, industrial investment and trade exchange.

"The shipping industry -- the backbone of global trade -- faces twin challenges: relentless supply chain disruptions and unyielding need to decarbonize. We must deepen partnerships -- between carriers, ports and governments -- to create shared contingency plans. I very much applaud the fact that Tianjin takes up its role as a community builder," Jan Van der Borght, port representative of the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority, told Xinhua.

Mangopo Mikhael, director of Indonesian marine surveying firm Geovaruna, expressed admiration for China's rapid progress: "China's breakthroughs in smart and green shipping technologies are remarkable. We look forward to expanding partnerships with Chinese counterparts."

China maintained its position as the world's largest port operator by cargo and container throughput in 2024. Its ocean-going fleet continues to expand, with international routes extending farther, according to the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry.

From January to April 2024, Chinese shipbuilders accounted for 49.9 percent of global output, 67.6 percent of new orders, and 64.3 percent of backlog orders in terms of dead-weight tonnage.

The country's logistics sector has also shown robust growth. The index tracking China's logistics market was at 50.6 percent in May, indicating sustained expansion and resilient supply chains, according to the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP).

"As an organization bridging government, industry and enterprises, CFLP is committed to bolstering the resilience of global industrial and supply chains," said Yang Guodong, vice president of CFLP.

Guo Dacheng, president of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, said that the expo presents frontier technologies, innovative products and advanced concepts that will chart the course of the future of shipping and shipbuilding.

Li Yang, China's vice minister of transport, stressed the need to deepen global collaboration in addressing shared challenges such as supply chain resilience, maritime safety and the green transition.

"China will actively participate in global shipping governance under multilateral frameworks like the International Maritime Organization, contributing to rule-making and maintaining the order of international shipping," Li said. 
ANDERSON  The Anderson City Council is seeking funds for a study to resolve potential flooding issues along Shady Run.

Council President Lance Stephenson said Thursday that council had planned to get money from Anderson Community Schools for a survey of the area, but the school system declined.

Shady Run weaves into the Northcrest Addition from Lindberg Road, runs underneath Scatterfield Road and Alexandria Pike and eventually empties into Shadyside Lake.

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The housing addition was built in 1955 on a former farm field. Shady Run, a natural stream, flows through the site.

Theres a retention pond to the east of Eastside Middle School, but some area residents maintain its not large enough to handle the water from the school and surrounding farm fields.

Stephenson said council can write an ordinance and pay for the study.

We will have to reallocate money from the budget, he said. That has to be done by the city administration.

Stephenson said council wants to get an independent study done of the area and then go back to ACS to show the retention pond is not adequate.

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I want to get this done, he said. I will talk to the mayor and get the funds for a survey. We need to get an independent study.

OTHER BUSINESS

 Council received an update on the Complete Streets program requested by local resident Ben Orcutt.

Jennifer Culp, president pro-tem of council, said Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. wants to write the proposed ordinance.

City Attorney Paul Podlejski expects a draft of the ordinance to be presented to council next month.

Complete Streets deals with design and maintenance of streets with a concept of including crosswalks and bike lanes, he explained.

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Podlejski said he is working off the Complete Streets model adopted by Madison County, which he said is more workable than the ordinance proposed by Orcutt.

Councilman Ollie H. Dixon said he wants to address the issue and to compare the proposed city ordinance with the resolution adopted by Madison County commissioners.

 Council approved two requests for residential tax abatements: a three-year abatement for Matthew Murray for the construction of a $508,000 residence in the 3300 block of Waterway Boulevard, and a six-year abatement for a planned $120,000 house in the 3200 block of Marine Drive.
ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  Flooding in Anderson County on Thursday prompts the rescue of a mother and child and causes several road closures.

UPDATED LIST: Road closures across East Texas due to heavy rains, floods

Christina Crockett, a member of the Anderson County Emergency Management Office, stated that numerous roads still have water over them that has yet to recede. Crockett is urging residents to use caution, especially in low-lying areas.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Fogle

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Photos courtesy of Christina Moser

Slocums Swiftwater Rescue Team responded to a call off of CR 2202 in Palestine for a mother and 2-year-old daughter trapped on top of their vehicle.

KETK spoke with the mother who said she is grateful her and her daughter are alive.

The water started exceeding in the car, going to pass my daughters neck, so I reached in the backseat and strapped her from the baby seat, the mother, Laura Foster, said.

Foster said she was screaming for help, and they were brought to safety by Slocums Swiftwater Rescue Team. The rescue team responded to multiple people stranded in high water.

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Circle 84 VFD said this amount of rain doesnt happen often.

Every couple years we do see a lot of rain and flooding, but to this extent is not very often, fire captain, Brandon Stapleton said.

Dozens of roads across the county are littered with debris, flooded over or completely washed out that reveals massive damage underneath.

I know they have a lot of roads closed, lots of trees down, people trapped in, roads washed out, the whole nine yards right now, Stapleton said.

Foster and the child were checked out by EMS and are doing okay.

Fister urged people to turn around, dont drown.

Never chance it because that was definitely a life experience and situation and it was very scary for me, Foster said.

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List of closed roads include:

County Road 364 (off Highway 155 just outside of Palestine)

County Road 2608 in Tennessee Colony

Area between the 1100 and 1200 block of County Road 321

500 block of County Road 325

FM 315 between FM 321 and FM 837

County Road 430

County Road 2202

County Road 386

County Road 1231

County Road 1232

County Road 199

FM 861

County Road 103 in Ekhart

Fm 1817

Fm 2022

We are trying to urge residents to please still use caution in the low-lying areas as we continue to have a chance of more rain through the weekend, Crockett 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Top Big Apple mayoral contenders Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani continued flinging jibes at each other Thursday during a bruising debate  with third-place candidate Brad Lander also taking a big bite with a pointed stunt.

Attacks on the frontrunner Cuomo  who took the stage with six other Dem primary candidates at John Jay College  landed more forcefully than in the first debate last week.

Mamdani, a socialist state Assemblyman from Queens, quickly lobbed several pointed body blows against Cuomo as the messy two-hour food fight kicked off.

Seven Democratic candidates for NYC mayor faced off in their final primary debate Thursday. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

But it was the city comptroller, Lander, who arguably rattled the ex-governor the most  as he refused to let up on the sexual harassment scandal that led Cuomo to resign in disgrace in 2021.

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Everybody here knows that you sexually harassed women, that you created a toxic work environment, Lander said to thundering applause.

The comptroller noted many in the audience were young women attending CUNY, including a valedictorian soon going to work at the Department of Homeless Services.

I dont want to have to tell her, Dont go work at City Hall because the mayor is a sexual harasser, Lander said.

Those are just bold-faced lies, Cuomo shot back, arguing the accusations were disproven and politically motivated.

The unrepentant Cuomo also came under fire from Mamdani over the sex harass accusations and his record as governor.

Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo accused Zohran Mamdani of not being qualified for the top job. via REUTERS

Mamdani corrected Cuomos repeated mispronunciation of his name. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

I have never had to resign in disgrace, Mamdani, 33, snapped when Cuomo tried to him him over his lack of experience.

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The 67-year-old Cuomo tried to deflect a pointed question about his age by seemingly turning the tables on Mamdani.

Experience matters, and I think inexperience is dangerous, Cuomo said.

During a back-and-forth on Mamdanis proposal to freeze rents across the city, Cuomo said the lefty pol should read the law in regards to whether doing so was in the mayors power.

The law didnt control you, Mamdani quipped.

The debate happened at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater on Thursday. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The mudslinging at times got personal  like when the DSA-backed lawmaker corrected Cuomos repeated mispronunciation of Mamdani, which the ex-gov rhymed with mom.

The name is Mamdani, M, A, M, D, A, N, I. You should learn how to say it, because weve got to get it right, he said.

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Given the chance to counterattack, Cuomo quickly repeated his pronunciation mistake.

Mr. Mamdani is right, Cuomo said, but again butchered his rivals names first syllable.

Lander, meanwhile, also personalized the attacks  when he hammered Cuomos record on nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic in dramatic fashion.

City Comptroller Brad Lander hammered Cuomos record on nursing home deaths during the coronavirus pandemic POOL/AFP via Getty Images

He invited Peter Arbeeny, whose father died from COVID-19 after a rehab stint at a local nursing home, as a guest, and dared Cuomo to apologize to him.

Cuomo  who earlier Thursday stunningly admitted to a long-denied claim that he saw a controversial report on nursing home COVID deaths while he was governor  tried to dodge by attacking Brooklynite Landers New York bona fides.

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Maybe where you come from in St. Louis facts dont matter, but here they do, Cuomo snapped.

He then apologized to Arbeeny  albeit without offering a mea culpa for anything else.

Mr. Arbeeny lost a father, he said. I am very, very sorry for that.

In another fiery moment, Lander contended that Cuomo screwed hundreds of immigrants who were contracted during the COVID pandemic to clean the subways.

Cuomo tried to dodge criticism by saying Lander was originally from St. Louis. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Cuomo denied knowing what Lander was talking about  before referencing the MTA hiring illegal immigrants.

What did you call them? Lander asked, prompting Cuomo to pivot to the term undocumented.

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The moderators at one point prompted the candidates to ask each other questions  and Cuomo used the opportunity to outsource an attack on Mamdanis arguably pie-in-the-sky campaign promises via longshot mayoral hopeful Whitney Tilson.

Longshot mayoral hopeful and Wall Street investor Whitney Tilson argued Mamdanis plan would raise taxes and cause people to leave New York City. via REUTERS

Youre a financial expert: Is it feasible and financially possible that he is telling the truth? he asked the Wall Street investor.

Tilson argued Mamdanis plan would result in crushingly high taxes that would cause an exodus of jobs from New York City.

The tag team pointed to a new alliance in the race with Tilson later saying hed rank Cuomo second on his ballot.

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Another union also emerged when former city Comptroller Scott Stringer and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie both heaped loads of praise on City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and teed her up to make her pitch to voters.

Former City Comptroller Scott Stringer during the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

After the debate, Myrie admitted a cross-endorsement was in the works.

But both Lander and Mamdani appeared on their own political islands as the factions started to form with just 12 days until the June 24 primary left for the top horses to make a run at the long-standing frontrunner.

Mamdani did receive a veiled dig from Stringer when the former comptroller answered a question about Israels war against Hamas.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie and Stringer both heaped loads of praise on City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

BDS is antisemitic, Stringer said  moments after Mamdani had again doubled down on his support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel.

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Mamdani said his support of BDS was rooted in his belief in nonviolence.

The wounded Cuomo took nearly the whole debate to swing back at Mamdani for repeatedly hitting the ex-governor on his massive war chest from his campaign and state PAC stuffed with contributions from Trump donors and big business, such as Doordash.

Im not for rent and Im not for sale, Cuomo finally spat out.

So, we wonder whos funding DSA and whos funding his BDS movement, he added, barely landing the hit.

Cuomo again stumbled when pressed by the moderators on how he had seemingly not once visited a mosque anywhere in the state over the past 14 years while in office and on the campaign trial.

Not off the top of my head. I cant tell you where I went, but Ill check the record, Cuomo was able to eventually muster.

 Additional reporting by Hannah Fierick and Carl Campanile
By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iranians reacted to Israeli strikes with anger and fear on Friday, with some urging retaliation while others worried the conflict would spell more hardship for a nation worn down by crises.

With Tehran and other cities shaken by a night of Israeli airstrikes, some said they planned to leave for neighbouring Turkey, bracing for escalation after Israel signalled its operation would continue "for as many days as it takes".

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"I woke up to deafening explosion. People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic, we were all terrified," said Marziyeh, 39, from the city of Natanz, which is home to one of Iran's nuclear sites and where explosions were reported.

"I am deeply worried about my children's safety if this situation escalates," said Marziyeh, one of 20 people Reuters contacted in Iran for this article.

Israel said it had attacked nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in the operation it said aimed to prevent Tehran from building an atomic bomb. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

In an initial wave of panic, some Iranians rushed to banks to withdraw cash on Friday morning.

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Masoud Mousavi, 51, a retired bank employee said he waited for the exchange offices to open, "so I can buy Turkish Lira and take my family there by land since airspace is closed".

"I am against any war. Any strike that kills innocent people. I will stay in Turkey with my family until this situation is over," he said from Shiraz city.

Iranians have become accustomed to turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ousted the U.S.-backed Shah and brought the clerical establishment to power, from the 1980s war with Iraq, to heavy crack-downs on anti-government protests and years of biting Western sanctions.

Some opponents of Iran's ruling clerics expressed hope that Israel's attack might lead to their downfall, though one Tehran resident said he supported Iranian retaliation, even though he was not a supporter of the Islamic Republic.

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"We cant afford not to respond. Either we surrender and they take our missiles, or we fire them. There's no other option  and if we dont, well end up surrendering them anyway, he said, seething with anger at Israel's attacks.

'I WILL FIGHT AND DIE'

Two money changers in Tehran said they were busier than usual, as people rushed to buy foreign currency following the attack. But one of them said people were not too panicked.

"We have been through so much already. I don't support Israel's attack and I understand that Iran's leaders feel the need to retaliate," said retired teacher Fariba Besharati, 64, who lives with her children and two grandchildren in Tabriz.

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"But what about us? Haven't we endured enough suffering?"

Many Iranians still believe in Iran's right to a civilian nuclear programme, but some said it was now costing the country too much.

"The price we are paying is too high. And now, a military attack, no I don't want more misery," said Mohammadreza, 29, a teacher in the northern city of Chalus.

Economic hardship and political and social restrictions have fuelled protests against the clerical rulers in recent years, notably in 2022, when a young woman died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly flouting conservative dress codes.

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Witnesses in several cities, including Tehran, said that plainclothes agents and police forces had deployed in the streets on Friday.

Iran's rulers are facing myriad other crises, from energy and water shortages, to a collapsing currency and growing public anger over economic hardships, caused largely by U.S. sanctions over its nuclear programme and economic mismanagement.

But the clerical leadership still has a tight grip on the country, underpinned by loyal security forces.

Ali, whose father was killed during the eight-year Iran-Iraq war, said he was ready to sacrifice his life for the Islamic Republic.

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"I am a member of (volunteer militia) Basij. I will fight and die for our right to a nuclear programme. Israel and its ally America cannot take it away from us with these attacks," he said from the holy city of Qom by phone.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi: Editing by Tom Perry and Sharon Singleton)
Just yesterday at Ahmedabad airport, Sangeeta Gauswami clung tightly to her only child, her heart swelling with pride as she saw off her 19-year-old son from their home in the western Indian state of Gujarat, to begin a new chapter at university in London.

Now, less than 24 hours later, she sits frozen in shock and grief, in the same clothes she wore for that farewell  her world upended by a devastating crash.

Her son, Sanket, was among the 242 people aboard Air India flight AI171, which plunged from the sky just seconds after take-off  leaving only one survivor, and hundreds of shattered families.

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Three officials from Indias National Disaster Response Force told CNN on Friday that a flight recorder from the doomed flight had been located, a crucial step which could provide families with vital clues as to why the plane came down.

The Boeing Dreamliner crashed into a medical college hostel, killing passengers, crew and an unclear number of people on the ground, making it one of Indias deadliest plane crashes in decades.

A firefighter works at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday. - Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images

For hours, Gauswami clung to the faintest hope that Sanket had somehow made it out alive. But by Thursday night, hope had given way to heartbreak as she faced the unimaginable: offering her DNA to help identify her only child among the dead.

We have had no news, she chokes out, sat with her sister, who is also crying. We keep asking but no one will tell us.

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Sunny Kakadia, 38, has been long-term friends with Javed Ali Syed, who was on the ill-fated Air India plane with his wife Mariam and their young children Zayn, 6, and Amani, 4.

The two friends grew up together in Mumbai, went to college together and attended each others weddings. Javed worked in hotel management in London and held British citizenship. He had been living there for 10 years and had come home to visit his ailing mother, who is suffering from a heart condition.

Kakadia dropped his friend off at Mumbai airport, from where he took a flight to Ahmedabad, the airport where he and his family were due to fly home to London.

Speaking to CNN from the citys hospital on Friday, Kakadia said, We arrived here at 2 a.m., his brother and I. He gave his DNA sample. Theyre telling us we will only get results by Sunday.

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He continued, Weve also been enquiring at other hospitals, running here and there, we havent even gotten the time to cry.

DNA samples have been collected from more than 190 relatives at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and are being verified against retrieved bodies from the crash site. Its an agonizing process that could take up to 72 hours, according to state official Harshit Gosavi, who is overseeing the operation.

Grief fills the hospital hallways as families grapple with the loss of loved ones. In one corner, an elderly womans cries pierce the quiet sobs of others.

Fridays sorrow is a stark contrast with the chaos of a day earlier, when relatives rushed to the hospital in the hope of finding their loved ones alive.

Kalpeshbhqi Patni, 28, mourns as he waits outside the postmortem room at a hospital for his brother's body on Saturday in Ahmedabad, India. - Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Health officials take DNA samples from family members of the victims who died when an Air India plane bound for London's Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India on June 12. - Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Manisha Thapas family sits shattered after rushing from their home in the eastern city of Patna on the first flight they could find after learning of the plane crash  knowing very well that the 27-year-old was among the cabin crew on the flight.

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I had spoken to her one day ago, her mother says, voice trembling as she wipes away tears with a tissue offered by her daughters friend.

We speak daily. She had called to let me know we wont be able to talk because she would be on a long flight.

Manishas father hasnt stopped weeping since he gave his DNA sample Friday morning.

The tail of the airplane can be seen stuck in a building in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on June 12, 2025. - Ajit Solanki/AP

Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ahmedabad Friday, inspecting the crash site and meeting the sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Rameshs story is being hailed as nothing short of a miracle. Video of him walking to help crash victims with a bloodstained shirt, and lying in hospital with a few cuts and bruises, are circulating widely on social media.

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At first, I thought I was going to die I realized I was still alive and saw an opening near my seat. I managed to unbuckle myself. I used my leg to push through the opening and crawled out, he told Indian state broadcaster DD News.

Everyone around me was either dead or dying. I still dont understand how Im alive.

While the authorities immediate focus is on confirming the number of casualties and providing support to the victims families, attention will soon turn to what caused the crash.

The US National Transportation Safety Board said it will lead a team that is heading to India to assist local authorities probe into the crash. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has also formally offered its assistance to Indian authorities.

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Protests against raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) popped up in major cities across the country this week as organizing groups gear up for a nationwide day of action on Saturday against President Trump and the military parade in Washington, D.C.

Demonstrations began June 6 in Los Angeles after immigration raids at several local businesses and escalated in pockets of the city. Democratic officials have blamed President Trump for inflaming the situation after he deployed California National Guard troops and Marines to assist local law enforcement.

A federal judge ruled Thursday that Trumps mobilization of the troops was illegal and that they should be returned to the command of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). But an appeals court paused the ruling just hours later and will hold a hearing on the matter Tuesday.

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The protests in Los Angeles have inspired similar demonstrations across the country. Most protests have been largely peaceful, although some individual interactions between protesters and police have turned violent. Hundreds of people have been arrested in cities across the country.

The demonstrations come ahead of planned No Kings protests Saturday in more than 1,500 locations. Theyll counter the military parade in Washington to celebrate the Armys 250th birthday  a date that is also Trumps 79th birthday.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has continued immigration raids and deportations, ramping up actions in agriculture and food processing facilities in California, New Mexico and Nebraska.

Heres a look at some of the protests that have developed in cities outside Los Angeles.

New York City

Thousands of people gathered near federal buildings in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday and Wednesday. An initially peaceful rally on Tuesday night became chaotic as police clashed with groups of demonstrators, resulting in 86 arrests.

Philadelphia

Around 200 people gathered and blocked traffic near Philadelphias Federal Department of Corrections on Tuesday during rush hour. According to WHYY, tensions rose after a group of police officers moved in on the demonstrators and attempted to break up the crowd. Fifteen people were arrested, two of them treated for minor injuries. Two police officers were also injured.

Washington, D.C.

The response in the nations capital has been on a smaller scale. Dozens of people gathered in the Columbia Heights neighborhood Tuesday to protest the raids.

Boston

More than 200 people attended a rally hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) outside Boston City Hall on Monday in response to the protests in Los Angeles.

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Speakers also condemned the arrest of SEIU California President David Huerta, who was detained by federal agents June 6 during a protest against immigration raids in Los Angeles. Huerta, who is now facing federal charges, has become a rallying point for protesters and Democratic lawmakers alike.

Another group of people continued protesting outside the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday.

Atlanta

Police used tear gas to disperse a protest that gathered Tuesday night along a highway in a suburb of Atlanta, according to the local Fox affiliate. The demonstration initially drew a large and passionate crowd of families and community members, chanting in English and Spanish.

Local police said they gave the crowd multiple warnings to disperse before an agreed-upon deadline. After that cutoff passed, police said several people in the crowd began throwing rocks and shooting fireworks. Six people were arrested.

Chicago

Demonstrations on Tuesday turned chaotic after a driver plowed into a crowd of protesters, injuring at least one person. Some protesters also clashed with police, who arrested 17 people.

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A largely peaceful rally of hundreds of people took place on Thursday in downtown Chicago, including a march to Trump Tower.

Denver

The local SEIU chapter rallied on Monday to protest Huertas arrest. A different group organized by local immigrants rights groups marched to an ICE detention center in Aurora, Colo., the same day.

Another protest drew more than 1,000 people to the Colorado state Capitol on Tuesday. At about 6 p.m., a crowd of people broke off and began blocking an intersection and marching in the road. A smaller group was stopped by law enforcement near a highway interchanged and dispersed with several rounds of pepper ball guns.

Denver police made 17 arrests related to the demonstrations that afternoon.

Las Vegas

Police detained 94 people at a Wednesday night protest, claiming that some in a crowd of approximately 800 people threw bottles and rocks at officers.

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The clashes with police follow a rally on Monday by the local SEIU chapter in solidarity with Huerta.

Seattle

Protesters gathered outside Seattles federal building on Tuesday and Wednesday. Demonstrations on Wednesday started calm and then became chaotic as the sun set, with a protester setting off at least one firework as police officers clashed with demonstrators. Eight people were arrested.

San Antonio

About 400 protesters gathered on Wednesday evening in downtown San Antonio near the Alamo, which was closed to the public.

The demonstrations follow an announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) that he would deploy National Guard troops to sites of planned protests. Troops were seen in the area of Wednesdays demonstration, Texas Public Radio reported, but they did not interact with protesters.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Police estimate more than 1,000 people took to the Salt Lake City streets Thursday to protest ICE and the Trump administrations immigration policies.

Salt Lake City Police called the protest mostly peaceful as officers engaged with the crowd as demonstrations began, handing out guidelines for lawful gatherings. At the beginning of the protest, though, two counter protestors entered the crowd and seemed to instigate a fight. Video below:

We spoke to one of the counter protestors before the fight broke out. He went by Kissmayoo and told ABC4.com, Ice, let them do their job, okay? If you came here illegally, you have to go back. Were not trying to kick anybody out on purpose. Were just following the law. All these people out here, I think theyre stupid. He is just doing his job.

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One demonstrator, Veronica Bojorquez, explained why she believes its important to show up.

People are showing up, you know, and theyre doing it peacefully and theyre showing that we can do this the right way, she said. And they need to listen to the people and especially of red state, where, you know, you think that not as much people as we see today are going to show up. I mean, theyre here.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Anti-ICE protests begin in Salt Lake City

The crowd spilled into the downtown streets with traffic blocked off. Police say they responded to some medical emergencies during the march. They also say the made one arrest after a fight broke out after 9 p.m., after many demonstrators had left. Police also noted, participants in the demonstration worked to mitigate and defuse several agitators provoking fights.

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Some in the crowd were inspired to demonstrate in response to the raids and riots in Los Angeles. Thomas Camoin told us, They instigated it. People are frustrated. You know, it was a puddle of gasoline and Trumps people came in and put a match on it.

Police say a Tesla was vandalized in the demonstration. Chief Brian Redd released a statement in the aftermath saying:

Were thankful that tonights demonstration remained mostly peaceful. We also want to thank those organizers and participants who made a genuine effort to keep things lawful and respectful  that is our expectation and doing so respects the values of our community. As there are future demonstrations, we expect everyone to follow the law and to avoid confrontations that could turn violent. I also appreciate the hard work of our Salt Lake City police officers and those from allied agencies for their professionalism and coordination. Our top priority is public safety, which includes doing everything we can to keep safe while protecting our community.

Latest headlines:

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Virginia Democrats will settle a crowded six-way primary for lieutenant governor on Tuesday as well as a contested nomination fight for state attorney general. Meanwhile, voters across the commonwealth will choose nominees for the state House of Delegates.

The winners will advance to the general election in November, when Republicans will defend their seats for the three top statewide offices, including governor, while Democrats will try to cling to their narrow majority in the state House. In Virginia in the year following a presidential election, candidates from the presidents party historically have faced strong headwinds at the ballot box.

At the top of the ticket, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger are unopposed for their parties nominations for governor and will not appear on Tuesdays ballot.

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The candidates running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor include state Sens. Ghazala Hashmi of Richmond and Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach, Prince William County School Board Chairman Babur Lateef and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Former federal government attorneys Alex Bastani and Victor Salgado round out the field. Talk-radio host John Reid is unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Stoney has endorsements from former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He has led the field in fundraising, bringing in $2.1 million since launching his campaign in April 2024. Rouses endorsements include U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott and state Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas. He has raised more than $1.8 million, just ahead of Hashmi. Lateef raised about $1.3 million.

Hashmi entered the campaigns final 12-day stretch with the most money in the bank at nearly $462,000. Rouse was close behind with $452,000. Lateef and Stoney each had roughly $260,000 in the bank as of June 5.

In the race for state attorney general, former state Del. Jay Jones and Henrico County Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylor seek the Democratic nomination to face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in November. Jones key supporters include McAuliffe and former Gov. Ralph Northam. Taylor has endorsements from former Virginia Attorneys General Mark Herring and Mary Sue Terry.

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Jones has outraised Taylor $2.7 million to $2.1 million for the campaign overall, although Taylor outraised Jones from April through early June. As of June 5, Jones had $493,000 in the bank, compared with $470,000 for Taylor.

All 100 seats in the state House of Delegates are up for election this year, although only 15 districts will hold contested primaries. Democrats hold slender majorities in both the state House and the state Senate. Members of the upper chamber will not face voters until 2027.

Northern Virginia and the Richmond area tend to play key roles in statewide Democratic primaries. Counties and cities from those areas made up eight of the top 10 jurisdictions that contributed the most votes in the Democratic primaries for governor and lieutenant governor in 2017 and 2021.

Fairfax County tends to post the highest total votes of any jurisdiction in the state in both parties primaries. The neighboring northern Virginia counties of Loudoun and Prince William are also influential in both Democratic and Republican primaries, while nearby Arlington and Alexandria play a lesser role in Republican primaries, given their political leanings.

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The Associated Press does not make projections and will declare a winner only when its determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why.

Virginia does not conduct automatic recounts. Candidates may request and pay for recounts if the margin between the top two candidates is 1 percentage point or less. The government will pay for the recount if the margin is less than 0.5 percentage points or the final outcome has changed. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome.

Heres a look at what to expect Tuesday:

Primary day

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Virginias state primaries will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 7 p.m. ET.

Whats on the ballot?

The Associated Press will provide vote results and declare winners in the Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as for Democratic and Republican primaries across the state for the House of Delegates.

Who gets to vote?

Any registered voter in Virginia may participate in either the Democratic or the Republican primary but not both.

What do turnout and advance vote look like?

As of early May, there were about 6.3 million registered voters in Virginia. Voters do not register by party.

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Turnout in the 2021 Democratic primary for governor was 8% of registered voters. About a quarter of primary voters cast their ballots before Election Day. Virginia Republicans did not hold a primary for governor that year.

As of Thursday, more than 158,000 Democratic primary ballots had been cast before Election Day. With no statewide GOP primaries on the ballot to drive turnout and only eight contested GOP state House primaries, there were fewer than 9,000 pre-Election Day ballots cast by Republican primary voters in the same time frame.

How long does vote-counting usually take?

In the 2024 presidential election, the AP first reported results at 7:11 p.m. ET, or 11 minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 3:56 a.m. ET with about 95% of total votes counted.

Are we there yet?

As of Tuesday, there will be 140 days until Virginias general election.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the 2025 election at https://apnews.com/projects/election-results-2025/.
UPDATE: The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the City of Apalachicola have declared a local state of emergency, following an emergency meeting to mobilize resources quickly and efficiently. Beginning Sunday, June 15, ice and water trucks will distribute resources under the bridge in the Commercial District and at 192 Coach Wagoner Blvd. from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Residents say their water is discolored and has a strong odor. They believe it is making them sick and giving them rashes.

They say there was a lack of communication from city officials. However, residents got some answers at Thursdays meeting.

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Apalachicola has dealt with water quality issues for years. The issue worsened after Hurricane Helene hit in September 2024.

Helicopter crash on Destin Executive Airport runway, investigation underway

The high winds knocked off the aerator from their water tower, which is what removes pollutants, gases, and odors from their water.

Residents say their water has been discolored and smelly ever since.

Since weve had this water problem. He has rashes all the time. He has problems with his eyes, especially since the water now is brown at my house, an Apalachicola resident said.

In March, city officials made an emergency expenditure to have the piece of equipment constructed for around $500,000. While they are waiting for that work to be completed, they may have found a temporary solution.

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The city of Carrabelle has an extra aerator that might match what they need and could be installed by the end of July.

When the water comes out of the well, it goes into the tank and its within that tank where the mixer is in the bottom. And then you have the scrubber at the top that gets that air rights and gets rid of all of the gases that come out, Apalachicola City Commissioner Donna Duncan said.

Apalachicola has three water wells that pump into the ground storage tank. One well is currently down for maintenance.

Water management teams dug to the bottom of the well this week to clean and flush it.

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On Monday, they will test the water quality and put the well back online. They say another well has air issues, which leaves one well.

Management teams plan to install a fourth well system for $1,000,000, but they still need to find land that would include an additional cost.

That million-dollar-plus investment will be felt throughout generations, and we will have that backup system if a whale goes down, if theres an issue our wells, Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash said.

Florida Rural Water says Apalachicola is still receiving primary water, and it is still drinkable.

While it smells and while it looks horrible, were being told that its still safe. And I understand the frustration and being told that because if it smells horrible and it looks horrible and people are having reactions if theres rashes based on the extra chlorine and different things like that, Duncan said.

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Many residents choose to buy bottled water.

Were bathing in with bottled water, my four-year-old, the baby, like refuse, is we cant even use like our outside water, like toys or anything. Its not just physical health. Its emotionally its like mental health crisis, Apalachicola resident Krystal Hernandez said.

In the meantime, the city issued a boil water notice for residents.

Our systems have been working overtime and building up and building up and they may not be working to the level that they should have been. My husband could lose his leg. He could lose his life, an Apalachicola resident said.

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3-year illegal drivers license scheme unveils public corruption in Bay County

Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith reached out to Senator Corey Simon for water supplies.

The sheriffs office will be distributing 1,800 cases of water at Apalachicola High School at 9 a.m. on Friday.

City officials hope to receive funding from the Apalachicola Stewardship Act on July 1st. It would allow them to directly address water quality concerns. They are in the process of reaching out to Governor Ron DeSantis to request that he issue a state of emergency in Apalachicola.

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The children of two Guatemalan immigrants called Friday for their parents return, after their father was deported and their mother detained despite their years-long pursuit of a visa meant to protect victims of crime.

Dozens of people, including Central Florida lawmakers and activists, gathered outside the ICE field office in Orlando to speak to reporters on the plight of Esvin Juarez and Rosmeri Miranda. The couple have lived in the United States for 24 years, settling in Apopka with their four children.

It is the latest controversy in the Orlando region involving the apprehension of immigrants who  though they entered the country illegally  would previously have been considered to have an opportunity to stay in the U.S.

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Juarez, who owns a concrete construction business, was detained on May 30 during a check-in with ICE, sent to facilities in Miami and Texas  and then deported to Guatemala on Saturday. Miranda was detained this week.

Hes been here over 20 years, and hes been working out under the sun making concrete slabs, and hes been able to build his business for the last 20 years, said Beverly Juarez, 21, the couples oldest child. There is a chance for [President Donald Trump] to right this wrong, to bring back my father and to stop my mothers deportation because they are not criminals. They are pillars of the community.

Beverly Juarez, who like her younger siblings was born in the U.S., said her parents were well along in the process of getting a so-called U-visa after her father was attacked in his company work yard by a gunman in 2021. That visa grants victims of crime legal status if they cooperate with law enforcement.

Juarez unsuccessfully challenged his removal in federal court, court records show, while Miranda continues to dispute her detention since being taken into custody this week. Her case is being considered by the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Among the lawmakers standing with the family on Friday was state Rep. Johanna Lopez, D-Orlando, who called Juarezs and Mirandas detentions an illegal act of cruelty given their eligibility for the U-visa.

With their parents gone, Beverly Juarez now faces having to care for her siblings, ages 15, 13 and 9.

Imagine the fear they feel, imagine the trauma they are enduring, Lopez said. What message are we sending when we criminalize the mother surviving and seeking justice?

Before Mirandas detention, she and her four children turned to social media to raise awareness of ICEs efforts to deport her and her husband. Since June 2, the family has posted videos to TikTok with updates in English and Spanish on both cases.

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The most recent videos directly implored Trump to act despite his emphasis on removing undocumented immigrants in the first months of his second administration. While White House officials say they are focused on deporting criminals and immigrants with ties to gang ties, many who have since been detained and deported dont have such histories.

An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, Mirandas lawyer Nicole Diaz said the family appreciates the outpouring of public support, which recognizes the injustice that results from ICEs position of one-size-fits-all.

She also pointed to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the right to due process for non-citizens facing removal from the country.

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This result ignores that certain non-U.S. citizens who have extreme mitigating circumstances should have a minimal opportunity to due process before removal or deportation, Diaz said. When a federal agency such as ICE ignores what our Supreme Court says, it is a sad day for this country and what it has always stood for.

Its not impossible for immigrants mistakenly detained for removal to be released. On Thursday, lawyers for two women living in Osceola County announced they were released from ICE custody after spending two months in a facility in Texas facing removal to Colombia  despite having an active asylum application, social security number, work permit and drivers license.

Across the country, ICE officials have conducted operations to capture immigrants and process them for removal. In Florida, local law enforcement agencies and county jails have signed agreements known as 287(g) to assist immigration authorities, which a new state law now requires. Gov. Ron DeSantis administration has said local leaders who refuse could be removed from office.

County Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who attended the protest, was one of two no votes when Orange commissioners approved the agreement in March.

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We were told we had to do it. Several of my colleagues believed that they had to do it  theyve been bullied to do it, Wilson said. If I dont believe its representing my community, then its not an agreement  so I do not agree, I am not complicit.

The other dissenting vote was Commissioner Kelly Martinez-Semrad, who at Fridays protest said she is pushing to put the matter back on the agenda.

There are those of us who are not afraid to be removed when were holding the flag of the United States of America and standing with the founders of our country, who are all immigrants, she said. So please stand with us.
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The entire career of race-baiter Al Sharpton was founded on falsehoods about the Tawana Brawley scam.

Nearly everything the left told us about the Trayvon Martin fight was false.

The "hands up, don't shoot" Ferguson fable and the Covington Kids myth were quickly exposed.

The Duke Lacrosse and Jussie Smollett melodramas were laughable.

Russian "collusion," "laptop" disinformation, and Joe Biden "fit as a fiddle" gaslighting were utter lies.

But more recently, the hard left lost its mind championing a host of violent, unsavory characters.

The illegal alien and El Salvadorian national, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was portrayed as a victim of unfair deportation in the left's larger, losing war for open borders.

Abrego Garcia became a "Maryland Man": a supposed poor victim of Trump overreach.

He was constructed as a family man engaged in construction to feed his family, who somehow forgot to become "documented" and was deported.

In truth, Garcia is now facing felony indictments for human trafficking. He was a likely MS-13 gang member, a violent and bullying woman-beater, and rarely employed gainfully in construction.

Luigi Mangione was a rich, spoiled kid who dabbled in Jacobin politics.

Posing as a revolutionary, Mangione ambushed Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He murdered him in cold blood near a New York hotel.

Instantly, some on the left embraced Mangione as a revolutionary hero who delivered justice to a supposedly greedy corporate capitalist.

Mohammed Sabry Soliman, like Garcia, was a violent illegal alien. He bragged about his hatred of Jews in general and Israel in particular.

So Soliman made some Molotov cocktails and tried to incinerate Jewish marchers advocating on behalf of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.

Soliman's wife and five children, to whom Soliman filmed a video explaining his dedication to violent jihad, were also illegal aliens.

Soliman may well have preferred to burn Jews to remind us of the fires of the Holocaust ovens.

In the mind of the mainstream liberal media, the Soliman family was cruelly detained by the evil Trump administration that was considering returning the illegal aliens to their Middle East homes.

But recently, during the LA riots, the left went completely crazy as the entire Democrat Party and California state officials sided with violent protesters and illegal aliens.

The open border rioters soon got the message that left-wing California officials were on their side.

So, throngs began burning cars. Illegal aliens waved Mexican flags and burned American flags.

Protesters spat on law enforcement and pelted them with rocks, firecrackers, and concrete blocks.

Stores were looted. Critical freeways were swarmed and shut down.

And for what?

To protest the legal efforts of ICE to serve deportation warrants to a few hundred of some 10-12 million illegal aliens who had illegally swarmed into the U.S. during the Biden administration's four-year destruction of immigration law.

California Governor Gavin Newsom damned the federal immigration efforts as "chaotic" and "reckless" and seemed obsessed only with Trump.

Then Newsom dared ICE to arrest him.

Like some antebellum, neo-Confederate, states' rights activist, Newsom threatened to withhold California's federal income taxes from the federal government  a possible felony.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass  recently infamous for junketing in Ghana while Pacific Palisades burned down  warned ICE that "We will not stand for this."

What did her threat mean? Did she intend to use force to support the street thugs against her fellow American officers?

California Democrat Congresswoman Norma Torres screamed at overwhelmed ICE agents seeking to issue arrest warrants with the obscene threat, "Get the f*** out of LA!"

As the mob violence increased and public outrage grew, a desperate and now embarrassed Newsom could only double down on his obsessions with Trump.

What has caused Newsom's Trump Derangement Syndrome?

Is it because Trump called out the National Guard and Marines to aid an overwhelmed Los Angeles Police Department to stop the violence that left-wing officials and the media had appeased?

In sum, is the left once again trying to commit political suicide?

Polls showed overwhelming public support for deporting those who illegally entered and reside in the U.S., especially the nearly half a million believed criminals.

Trump's own most supportive demographic in recent polls has been Hispanics. Like all Americans, they are appalled by violent thugs and illegal aliens waving Mexican flags who have no wish to return to Mexico while burning American flags as they demand illegally to stay in the U.S.

The more the incoherent left claimed the protests were "peaceful" and damned the Trump administration for sending them help, the more the violence continued.

And the more the public was relieved that Trump was trying to stop the riots.

Democrats currently lack sane and effective leaders.

But that is no excuse to swoon over creepy gang-bangers, spoiled-brat assassins, antisemitic burners of Jews, and illegal aliens breaking the law and damning America  while waving Mexican flags.

_____

( Hanson's latest book is "The Dying Citizen" from Basic Books. Buy it in hardcover at a 45% discount! by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 41% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.)

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, a professor of classics emeritus at California State University at Fresno, and a nationally syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services.
CAIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Friday that his government is closely monitoring developments following Israel's military strikes on Iran, as Cairo moves to strengthen its strategic reserves and prepare for potential regional spillover.

In a statement issued by the cabinet, Madbouly said he was coordinating with the central bank governor and the finance minister to increase Egypt's strategic stockpile of essential commodities amid growing regional uncertainty.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation also confirmed that Egyptian airspace remains secure and is operating normally. However, authorities have placed Cairo International Airport and all other airports on maximum alert. The ministry said facilities are fully prepared to provide technical and logistical support to any flights diverted or forced to make emergency landings due to regional developments.

Meanwhile, Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat reviewed Egypt's fuel reserves for electricity production and instructed power distribution companies to raise their state of readiness to ensure the stability of energy supplies.

Separately, the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority said radiation levels at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility remain under control, with no indication of any leakage. The agency added it is continuously monitoring radiation data across Egypt in coordination with relevant authorities to safeguard public health and the environment. 
An Apopka family is distressed after their parents were sent back to Guatemala. The two American-born daughters spoke out today, asking for their parents to be allowed to come home. This story shows how tough immigration rules can be for families.

The parents, Esvin Juarez and Rosmeri Miranda, were recently deported. Esvin, who owns a small business and has four American kids, was held by immigration officers and then sent away. Rosmeri was also held and is now deported. The family says Esvin was even trying to get a special visa for crime victims, because he was attacked in 2021.

Beverly Juarez, one of the daughters, shared her familys history in the U.S. My mom and my dad are Guatemalans who have been together for over 20 years, she said. They came into the country illegally a long time ago. They missed a court date because they were scared, and then they were ordered to leave. Beverly explained that her dad had been working with immigration officials since 2010 to try and become legal.

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Groups like the Immigrants Are Welcome Here Coalition and Hope CommUnity Center are supporting the family. Felipe Sosa, who runs the Hope CommUnity Center, said the family wants a fair chance. What we are asking for is simple and lawful: a stay of deportation so this family can have a full and fair chance to present their case, Sosa explained. This means they want the deportation stopped so a judge can hear their full story.

However, not everyone agrees with the familys plea. U.S. Congressman Randy Fine supported the deportations. He said, I think its a great day. Two more illegal immigrants sent home. He believes the parents are fully responsible for the situation.

The only people who bear any responsibility for this situation are the illegal immigrant parents who did this, he added.

State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith stood with the Juarez family, saying, Today we are all the Juarez family because we are all immigrants.

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The family and their supporters hope that officials will show understanding and allow the Juarez parents to reunite with their children. Their story highlights the real impact of immigration rules on families.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
History can offer something new and advanced, as the 2025 Door County History Days proves.

The Charles family stands in front of the brick house on their farm circa 1906 in the Rosiere area of Door County in this photo from the Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels. The Belgian Heritage Center is one of the many historical, cultural and educational organizations sponsoring and hosting programs during the 2025 Door County History Days from June 16 to 28.

The fourth annual celebration of history and heritage on the Door Peninsula features programs from June 16 to 28 built around this year's theme of historic preservation. Twenty-eight local historical societies and nonprofit organizations that belong to the Heritage Alliance of Door County are participating not just with the special programs but also with displays and exhibits.

Door County is a unique, beautiful location, but it also has had a notable attitude toward preserving our physical history, much of it occurring because the general public cared about our collective past, Heritage Alliance of Door County president Myles Dannhausen, Sr. said in a news release. As a result, preserving notable buildings, objects and the natural world has made the Peninsula a tourism sensation, but also a very special historical destination.

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As for the new part of the 2025 History Days, a free, browser-based app for history buffs is being launched by Destination Door County, the areas nonprofit marketing organization.

The new Heritage Trail Pass created by the organization allows visitors to create a self-guided experience and explore 27 historic and cultural sites across the Peninsula, from lighthouses and maritime museums to local history centers, churches and preserved homes. As users travel the trail and check in at each stop using the mobile pass, they and their families can earn rewards along the way. For instance, those who visit seven sites can receive a custom Door County history sticker, while a visit to 14 sites earns a branded canvas tote bag.

Door County History Days is designed to showcase the historical societies, museums and cultural groups that actively preserve the countys unusually rich historical heritage and highlight the impact these organizations have on residents, tourism and the local economy. The Heritage Alliance of Door County is a collaborative group of museums, historical societies and educational institutions that facilitates cooperation, collaboration and mutual promotion within the local historical community. It is open to all who are interested in history in Door County.

For more information on Door County History Days, visit doorcounty.net/door-county-history-days. For updates, visit the "Heritage Alliance of Door County Facebook page or Instagram pages, facebook.com/heritageallianceofdoorcounty or Instagram @heritageallianceofdoorcounty.

Docent Denise Fuller talks to a visitor while leading a tour of the exhibit "A House in Mourning" at Alexander Noble House Museum in Fish Creek during the 2022 Door County History Days. The museum again is one of many historical organizations taking part in the 2025 Door County History Days.

The schedule of events is:

June 16

History Days Kickoff Event. Brussels

History Days kicks off with a morning of community, learning and celebration presented by historical organizations from across the county at the museum inside the former St. Mary of the Snows church.

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It begins with Destination Door County introducing the new Heritage Trail Pass app to help users learn information on and explore local museums and historical sites. Representatives of the county's historical organizations then give brief updates on their ongoing preservation projects. While there, visitors can explore the campus, view the center's curated exhibits and connect with fellow history enthusiasts. 9 a.m. at the Belgian Heritage Center, 1255 County DK, Brussels. belgianheritagecenter.org.

Deep Dive into the Maritime Museum Collection. Sturgeon Bay

Door County Maritime Museum collections coordinator Brennan Christianson delves into the museum's collection, which includes more than 6,000 digitized photographs, postcards, documentation and artifacts. 1 p.m. at the Door County Maritime Museum, 120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920-743-5958 or dcmm.org.

Liberty Grove Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration, Ellison Bay

Hear stories from those who were there when the historical society was formed and view a timeline photo presentation with a slice of celebratory cake in the museum barn. 7 p.m. at the Liberty Grove Historical Society museum, 11831 State 42, Ellison Bay. libertygrovehistorical.org.

June 18

Daughters of the American Revolution and Historic Preservation, Sturgeon Bay

Meredith Renard of the Jean Nicolet Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution reviews some of the DARs key efforts throughout the country in historic preservation, one of the organization's three core missions, including past and present projects in Wisconsin. The program also includes stories about children of American Revolutionary War patriots who chose Door County as their home in the 1800s and how descendants of the patriots of nearly 250 years ago continue to serve our country and community. 10 a.m. at the Door County Library, 107 S Fourth Ave. Sturgeon Bay. doorcountylibrary.org.

Vintage Record Night on the Waterfront, Sturgeon Bay

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society celebrates History Days with the sounds of early country music from the 1920s and '30s played on vinyl records spun by deejay David Watkins in a recently restored historic setting. 5:30-7 p.m. at Door County Granary, 72 East Locust Court, Sturgeon Bay. sturgeonbayhistoricalsociety.org.

The Heins Creek Story, Baileys Harbor

Marilyn Hein of the Baileys Harbor Historical Society uses photos to lead guests on a virtual walk through the drifting sand dunes and forest to the winding Heins Creek while sharing the creek's unfolding story and how everything that happened in the past affects the present. Free. 7 p.m. at Baileys Harbor Town Hall, 2392 County F, Baileys Harbor. baileysharborhistory.org.

June 19

Preserving the Roadside Chapel Tradition, Brussels

Local historian Barb (Englebert) Chisholm highlights the origin and evolution of roadside chapels  votive buildings unique to the Belgian settlements of northeastern Wisconsin. Chisholm will share the stories behind these structures and how this cultural tradition has been kept alive through generations. After the presentation, guests may participate in a guided tour of the Belgian Heritage Center or visit nearby chapels where docents will be on hand to provide insight into historic and modern examples of these landmarks. 1-3 p.m. at the Belgian Heritage Center, 1255 County DK, Brussels. belgianheritagecenter.org.

Repairing Old Books, Sturgeon Bay

Workshop to help attendees learn to care for and perform basic repairs on their beloved books. Resources will be provided for further learning if attendees are interested. 10 a.m. at the Door County Library, 107 S. Fourth Ave., Sturgeon Bay. doorcountylibrary.org.

Slave No More: Peter Custis and the Making of a Citizen, Sturgeon Bay

Program on the life of a man born into slavery on the Custis estate in Virginia, a family with ties to Martha Washington, who came to Sturgeon Bay after the Civil War in search of a new beginning and found belonging in the community while dealing with hardship and hope. 1 p.m. at Door County Museum, 18 N. Fourth Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920-743-5809 or doorcountymuseum.org.

Lake to Table Fish Boil Fundraiser, Ellison Bay

The Liberty Grove Historical Society hosts this longtime Northern Door tradition. Visit the historical society websites event page to reserve a time and pay in advance. 4-8 p.m. at the Liberty Grove Historical Society museum, 11831 State 42, Ellison Bay. libertygrovehistorical.org.

Sister Bay History Through Its Postcards, Sister Bay

Terry Wolf of the Sister Bay Historical Society dives into the postcards of Sister Bay residents not just as time capsules of the village, but as time capsules of rural life in an era when postcards were a means for vital communication. The program not only looks at the pictures on the cards but also the messages residents sent on the backs of them. 7 p.m. at Anderson House Museum and Corner of the Past, 10310 Fieldcrest Road, Sister Bay. sisterbayhistory.org.

June 20

Through Waves and Gales Come Fishermans Tales, Egg Harbor

Washington Island native, author, poet photographer and reenactor Trygvie Jensen reads from his book, Through Waves and Gales Come Fishermans Tales, relating stories shared with him by local commercial fishermen and women. Joint presentation by the Egg Harbor and Liberty Grove historical societies. 7 p.m. at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St., Egg Harbor. libertygrovehistorical.org.

June 21

Museum Buildings Opening Day, Ellison Bay

The Liberty Grove Historical Society opens the carefully maintained historic structures and features on the former Johnson-Hanson Century Farm overlooking Ellison Bay that comprise their museum. Also, The Greater Escarpment Organization of Door County will host a presentation in the museum barn by Larry Madden on the historical significance of mahnomen (wild rice) and tobacco to the Great Lakes Basin Indigenous Peoples. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Liberty Grove Historical Society museum, 11831 State 42, Ellison Bay. libertygrovehistorical.org.

Niagara Escarpment Boat Tour and Presentation, Gills Rock

The Friends of Plum and Pilot Island volunteer support group brings Don Mikulic of the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network to discuss the unique and significant natural, cultural, historical and environmental features of the escarpment. After the presentation, guests can hike to see the escarpment on Plum Island and learn about the plants that are dependent on this rare geologic formation. A charter boat will depart from Gills Rock to transport guests to the island. Register at plumandpilot.org/niagara.

Living History Event, Fish Creek

The Gibraltar Historical Association brings members of the Door County Arachne Spinners Guild to give demonstrations on their old-fashioned fiber art, including use of a sock machine. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Noble Square at Alexander Noble House Museum, 4167 Main St., Fish Creek. historicnoble.org.

June 28

Urban Historic Hike, Sturgeon Bay

Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn guide a 3.1-mile walk around Sturgeon Bays two downtown areas, ending at the Door County Granary. Co-sponsored by the Ice Age Trail Alliance and Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation. 9 a.m.-noon; meet on the pathway on the Sturgeon Bay waterfront between the Door County Maritime Museum and Door County Granary. sturgeonbayhistoricalsociety.org.

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Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@gannett.com.

MORE: Here's your guide to Door County's eight concerts in the park series

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MORE: Door County has weekend festivals throughout June. Here's your guide

FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: New app for history buffs is part of 2025 Door County History Days
The Brief

An appeals court has blocked a federal judge's ruling requiring Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to the state of California.

San Francisco judge Charles Breyer made the initial ruling Thursday, calling Trump's deployment of the National Guard unconstitutional.

Another hearing in the case is scheduled for June 17.

LOS ANGELES - Hours after a federal judge ruled President Donald Trump's deployment of the California National Guard in Los Angeles was unconstitutional, an appeals court temporarily blocked the ruling Thursday night.

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National Guard troops have been in Los Angeles for a week after anti-ICE protests. Another hearing on the issue is scheduled for next week.

What we know

San Francisco federal judge Charles Breyer made the initial ruling on Thursday, June 12. In his ruling, Breyer said that Trump overstepped his power and violated the Tenth Amendment by calling in the National Guard without Newsom's consent. The order required Trump to hand control of the troops back to Newsom by noon on Friday, June 13.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked Breyer's order on Thursday night.

 BREAKING Judge sides with @GavinNewsom over @realDonaldTrump.



Says President needs to return the National Guard to the authority of California.  pic.twitter.com/iPY8Mw4LPU  Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) June 13, 2025

Dig deeper

Below is part of Breyer's ruling:

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"On June 6, 2025, the federal government initiated immigration raids across the City of Los Angeles. Protests swiftly followed, and some individuals involved in those protests were unruly and even violent. State and local law enforcement responded.

The following day, President Trump ordered that members of the California National Guard be federalized, and thereupon assumed control of those forces.

At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court must determine whether the President followed the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions. He did not. His actions were illegal-both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."

Prior to Thursday night's ruling, Trump took to Truth Social to blast Newsom for his handling of the weeklong anti-ICE protests:

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"Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done. If it werent for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!"

What they're saying

Newsom praised Breyer's ruling, saying that the case was "a test of democracy, and today we passed the test."

The other side

The White House had called Breyers order "unprecedented" and said it "puts our brave federal officials in danger."

What's next

The appeals court has set another hearing for June 17.

The Source

This report used court documents obtained by FOX 11 and information from the Associated Press.
An appellate court in New York on Friday rejected President Donald Trumps bid to toss out a jurys verdict that the president sexually abused and defamed former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll.

The full panel of judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit declined to hear Trumps arguments, leaving Trump the option to turn to the Supreme Court as the last form of relief in a yearslong case that stemmed from Carrolls shocking claim in 2019 that Trump raped her in a dressing room three decades ago.

In his appeal, Trump challenged evidence that Carrolls legal team introduced to the jury during the civil lawsuit, including the Access Hollywood tape that surfaced during Trumps 2016 campaign.

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Us Appeals Court Upholds Trump Verdict In E Jean Carroll Case

Two Trump-appointed judges on the appellate court dissented and said they would have granted Trump's request and reconsidered the verdict.

The pair of judges said the Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump lewdly spoke about making passes at women, did not offer relevant context in relation to Carrolls claims. The tape functioned as "propensity evidence," which is typically inadmissible in court, the judges said.

Read On The Fox News App

"If the panel opinion remains a precedent of our court, a future plaintiff or the government will be able to introduce evidence of prior conduct in which a defendant went on a mundane outing and sometime thereafter made a sexual advance," they wrote in their dissent.

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Trump Scores Unequivocal Victory Against Pulitzer Prize Board Members, Court Denies Request To Dismiss Suit

Then-President-elect Donald Trump speaks at AmericaFest on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix.

Carroll sued Trump, a one-time New York real estate mogul, twice after she released her book in 2019, which claimed Trump raped her during a brief encounter with him in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.

Trump vigorously denied the claims, saying he had never met Carroll, that she was not his "type" and that she fabricated the incident to sell books. His vocal and repeated criticisms and denials led to Carroll's defamation allegations.

E. Jean Carroll is seen outside the State Supreme Court on March 4, 2020 in New York.

The appellate court's decision on Friday relates to a lawsuit Carroll brought in 2022, in which a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million. The jury also found Trump did not rape Carroll, as Carroll had alleged.

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Carroll brought a second lawsuit right after her book release, alleging Trump defamed her in the aftermath of the book being published. A jury in that lawsuit awarded Carroll $83 million. Trump is also appealing that decision.





Original article source: Appeals court deals Trump blow in challenge to E Jean Carroll verdict
A federal appeals court on Friday rejected another attempt by President Donald Trump to review a $5 million judgment against him for sexually abusing and then defaming E. Jean Carroll.

A three-judge panel from the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Trump in December. Trump asked the full court to reconsider, but the court rejected the plea Friday. The presidents next stop, should he wish, would be the Supreme Court.

Carroll, a former magazine columnist, alleged that Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York in the 1990s and then defamed her when he denied her claim, said she wasnt his type and suggested she made up the story to boost sales of her book.

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The jury found Trump liable for battery based on the sexual assault claim, that he should pay about $2 million in damages to Carroll for the civil battery claim and that he should pay her nearly $3 million in damages for successfully proving her defamation claim against him.

While the jury found that Trump sexually abused her, sufficient to hold him liable for battery, the jury did not find that Carroll proved he raped her.

Trump denied all claims brought against him by Carroll and called the civil trial verdict a total disgrace.

The American People are supporting President Trump in historic numbers, and they demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed, a Trump legal spokesman said in a statement Friday.

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Carroll and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said they are pleased with the ruling. Although President Trump continues to try every possible maneuver to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed. He remains liable for sexual assault and defamation, they said in a statement.

Two judges dissented from the order, agreeing with Trumps argument that the use of the Access Hollywood tape in which he bragged that stars can do anything to women and other evidence of alleged prior bad acts was prejudicial.

The result was a jury verdict based on impermissible character evidence and few reliable facts, wrote Judges Steven Menashi and Michael Park, both of whom were appointed by Trump in his first term.

CNNs Paula Reid contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A federal appeals court in an 8-2 vote Friday declined President Trumps bid to rehear his appeal of a jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, leaving the Supreme Court as Trumps only remaining pathway.

A three-judge panel on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the verdict late last year. On Friday, the full active 2nd Circuit bench declined to disturb that decision, over the dissent of two judges.

Simply re-litigating a case is not an appropriate use of the en banc procedure, U.S. Circuit Judge Myrna Perez wrote, joined by three of her colleagues, all of whom were appointed by former President Biden.

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In those rare instances in which a case warrants our collective consideration, it is almost always because it involves a question of exceptional importance or a conflict between the panels opinion and appellate precedent, Perez added.

In 2023, the New York jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s and defaming her by denying her story when she came forward during Trumps first presidency. The jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million.

Trump, who maintains he never assaulted Carroll, argued his trial was tainted because the jury heard improper evidence, such as the infamous Access Hollywood tape and testimony from other women who accused Trump of sexual assault.

The president also contends he shouldve been able to tell jurors that a nonprofit funded by LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic mega-donor Reid Hoffman helped Carroll pay her legal fees. The presidents lawyers believed it bolstered their claims that the columnist went after Trump for political reasons, but the trial judge ruled it inadmissible.

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Two Trump-appointed 2nd Circuit judges, Steven Menashi and Michael Park, in dissent said Friday that the trial included a series of indefensible evidentiary rulings.

The result was a jury verdict based on impermissible character evidence and few reliable facts. No one can have any confidence that the jury would have returned the same verdict if the normal rules of evidence had been applied, Menashi wrote.

Of the 10 judges who voted, only Menashi and Park dissented. The 2nd Circuit has 13 judges in active service eligible to sit for the case, but three of them recused without explanation.

The American People are supporting President Trump in historic numbers, and they demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed, a spokesperson for Trumps legal team said in a statement.

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President Trump will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare, as he is focusing on his mission to Make America Great Again.

The case was the first of two times Carroll took Trump to trial.

In Carrolls other lawsuit, another jury later ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in defamation damages for continuing to deny her story.

Trumps appeal in that case heads to a three-judge 2nd Circuit panel for oral arguments June 24. The panel is expected to rule beforehand on whether the Justice Department can replace Trump as the defendant, which would enable him to avoid paying any damages.

E. Jean Carroll is very pleased with todays decision, Carroll and her attorney, Robbie Kaplan, said in a joint statement.

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Although President Trump continues to try every possible maneuver to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed. He remains liable for sexual assault and defamation, they continued.

Updated at 11:05 a.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.
Jun. 12MORGANTOWN  A traveling aquarium was parked along Morgantown's rail-trail Wednesday, giving locals a glimpse into the local fish right in their backyard waters.

Brought to town by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and its educational nonprofit, the Foundation for Ohio River Education, a variety of fish caught downstream in the Monongahela River drew families, students and scientists.

"This is the perfect place and time to host an event like this, " said Bridget Borrowdale, an aquatic biologist with ORSANCO and lead coordinator of its mobile aquarium program. "We are holding our quarterly commission meeting here, our chair is stepping down, and it is just a meaningful opportunity to connect the community with what is living right here in their river."

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The decision to host this event in Morgantown was strategic, explained Annette Shumard, ORSANCO's director of communications and executive director of FORE.

"Because we have eight signatory states in our compact, we rotate our quarterly meetings around the basin, " Shumard said. "When I saw we were meeting right along the Monongahela River, I knew we had to do something more."

ORSANCO, based in Cincinnati, has monitored water quality throughout the Ohio River, including tributaries like the Monongahela River, for more than 75 years. In 1957, a study on a particular stretch of water found only two fish. Recent studies in the same area are now showing more than 42 species and more than 8, 000 fish.

"That is real progress, " Borrowdale said. "And it proves that policy, science and public engagement make a difference."

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"I have heard so many people walk up and say, 'Wait, that is in there ?'" Shumard said laughing. "They can not believe the diversity. It is like a light bulb goes off."

One of the fish was a river redhorse, a species highly sensitive to pollution. The abundance of this fish has shown the improvement of water quality.

"People often assume if a river looks brown, it must be dirty, " said Nicholas Callahan, ORSANCO's environmental education and outreach coordinator. "But brown water usually just means sediment. It is what you can not see that usually tells the real story about water quality."

Besides the aquarium, the event featured educational booths, rock painting for kids, and a celebration of the regional effort in building river stewardship.

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Changing perception and building a movement, Shumard explained, is just part of the goal.

"There is a strange, outdated perception that the Ohio River is filthy or unusable, " she said. "But, it is a source of drinking water for millions. It is a place where people boat, fish, and swim. It is beautiful and it deserserves the same love as other places."

ORSANCO also holds the Ohio River Sweep, an annual litter cleanup now open to any community within the basin. Anyone can request free supplies, which include bags, gloves, trash grabbers and a T-shirt.

"This is making it easy for people to get involved, " Callahan said. "You do not have to be a scientist to make a difference."

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The fish in the aquarium are released back into the Monongahela after the event and data is taken. Their brief display helps develop a picture of what is out there, as well as establishing a lasting impression.

"What we do matters, " Borrowdale said. "And events like this remind people that clean water is not just about policy and datait is about life. It is about the pride in where you live."
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A four-day work week has long been discussed across the country, but now, one Mid-South organization is going to give it a try.

Those working for West Memphis Utilities are going to see a few changes to their work schedule. The utility company is implementing a trial run of a four-day, 10-hour work week.

In a statement, General Manager Bob Atkins says, Expanding our service hours while giving employees more work-life balance is a win-win.

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Those working in West Memphis, Arkansas, say they support the idea.

I mean, everybody could use a little extra rest, said Thasseus Lewis, a resident of West Memphis.

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Director of Communications Lauren Hoskin says the trial run will start around the next pay period and last until Labor Day. She says pay, holidays, and overtime will not be affected.

Hoskins says this will also be beneficial for customers.

Well be able to handle those after-hours things more frequently, she said. Right now, our office closes at 4:30. With this, our office will be able to stay open until about 6.

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She says they hope this initiative will not only retain staff but also recruit future employees.

Paying those bills, taking those doctor appointments, and doing those things, you dont have to take off for that anymore because you have that additional day off now. That creates that work-life balance that a lot of people dont have when they work five days a week, Hoskins said.

Hoskins says once the trial period is over, West Memphis Utilities supervisors will reassess to determine if they want to make this a permanent change.

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When U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, it was almost as if Donald Trump's most well-worn talking point came to life:

A bad hombre tried to go after a white American.

All Padilla did was identify himself and try to question Noem about the immigration raids across Southern California that have led to protests and terror. Instead, federal agents pushed the senator into a hallway, forced him to the ground and handcuffed him before he was released. He and Noem talked privately afterward, yet she claimed to reporters that Padilla "lung[ed]" at her despite them being far apart and video showing no evidence to back up her laughable assertion.

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(The claim was in keeping with Noem's pronouncements this week. On Tuesday, she accused Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum of encouraging violent protests in L.A. when the president actually called for calm.)

Read more: Chabria: First they came for the immigrants. Then they took down our Latino senator

The manhandling of Padilla on Thursday and his subsequent depiction by conservatives as a modern-day Pancho Villa isn't surprising one bit. Trashing people of Mexican heritage has been one of Trump's most successful electoral planks  don't forget that he kicked off his 2016 presidential campaigns by proclaiming Mexican immigrants to be "rapists" and drug smugglers  because he knows it works. You could be a newcomer from Jalisco, you could be someone whose ancestors put down roots before the Mayflower, it doesnt matter: For centuries, the default stance in this country is to look at anyone with family ties to our neighbor to the south with skepticism, if not outright hate.

It was the driving force behind the Mexican-American War and subsequent robbing of land from the Mexicans who decided to stay in the conquered territory. It was the basis for the legal segregation of Mexicans across the American Southwest in the first half of the 20th century and continues to fuel stereotypes of oversexed women and criminal men that still live on mainstream and social media.

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These anti-Mexican sentiments are why California voters passed a slew of xenophobic local and state measures in the 1980s and 1990s when the states demographics began to dramatically change. Conservative politicians and pundits alike claimed Mexico was trying to reclaim the American Southwest and called the conspiracy the "Reconquista," after the centuries-long push by Spaniards to take back the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors during the Middle Ages.

A man holds a Mexican flag at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

The echoes of that era continue to reverberate in MAGAland. It's why Trump went on social media to describe L.A. as a city besieged by a Migrant Invasion when people began to rally against all the immigration raids that kicked off last week and led to his draconian deployment of the National Guard and Marines to L.A. as if we were Fallouja in the Iraq war. It's what led the White House's Instagram account Wednesday to share the image of a stern-looking Uncle Sam putting up a poster stating "Help your country ... and yourself" above the slogan Report All Foreign Invaders and a telephone number for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

It's what led U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli to post a photo on his official social media account of SEIU California President David Huerta roughed up and in handcuffs after he was arrested for allegedly blocking the path of ICE agents trying to serve a search warrant on a factory in the Garment District. It's why Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called in the National Guard before planned protests in San Antonio, one of the cradles of Latino political power in the United States and the home of the Alamo. Its why there are reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to rename a naval ship honoring Chicano legend Cesar Chavez and has announced that the only U.S. military base named after a Latino, Ft. Cavazos in Texas, will drop its name.

And it's what's driving all the rabid responses to activists waving the Mexican flag. Vice President JD Vance described protesters as insurrectionists carrying foreign flags on social media. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller  Trump's longtime anti-immigrant Iago  described L.A. as occupied territory. The president slimed protesters as animals and foreign enemies. In an address to Army soldiers prescreened for looks and loyalty at Ft. Bragg in North Carolina this week, he vowed, The only flag that will wave triumphant over the city of Los Angeles is the American flag.

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The undue obsession with a piece of red, green and white cloth betrays this deep-rooted fear by Americans that we Mexicans are fundamentally invaders.

And to some, that idea sure seems to be true. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the U.S., a plurality in California and nearly a majority in L.A. and L.A. County  and Mexicans make up the largest segment of all those populations by far.

The truth of this demographic Reconquista, as I've been writing for a quarter of a century, is far more mundane.

Lupe Padilla, mother of then-Los Angeles City Councilman and current U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, wipes a tear away as they watch a video presentation of his career during his last City Council meeting in 2006. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The so-called invading force of my generation assimilated to the point where our kids are named Brandon and Ashley in all sorts of spellings. The young adults and teenagers on the street wrapping themselves in the Mexican flag right now are chanting against ICE in English and blasting Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us. More than a few of the National Guard troops, police officers and Homeland Security officers those young Latino activists were heckling have Latino surnames on their uniforms, when they show any identification at all. Hell, enough Mexican Americans voted for Trump that they arguably swung the election to him.

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Mexicans assimilate into the United States, a fact too many Americans will never believe no matter how many American flags we may wave. The best personification of this reality is Sen. Padilla.

This son of Mexican immigrants grew up in working class Pacoima and went to MIT before returning home to help found a political machine that gave a voice to Latinos in the San Fernando Valley that they never had. He was the first Latino president of the L.A. City Council, served as a state senator and also as California's secretary of state before becoming California's first Latino U.S. senator.

When I met Padilla for lunch last year at my wife's store in Santa Ana  in Calle Cuatro, the city's historic Latino district, where now we can see the National Guard down the street blocking off a part of it  he struck me as the goody- two-shoes those who have worked with him have always portrayed him to be. In fact, that was always a progressive critique of him: He was too nice to properly stand up to the Trump administration.

That's what makes Padilla's ejection especially outrageous. He is California's senior U.S. senator, an elected official with enough security clearance to be in the same federal building where Noem was holding her press conference and who had just met with U.S. Northern Command's Gen. Gregory Guillot in the same building. Tall, brown and deep-voiced, Padilla is immediately recognizable on Capitol Hill as one of a handful of Latino U.S. senators. He fought Noem's nomination to become Homeland Security chief, so it makes no sense that she didn't immediately recognize him.

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Then again, Noem probably thought Padilla was just another Mexican.

Not anymore. If anything, conservatives should be more afraid of Mexicans now than ever. Because if a nice Mexican such as Alex Padilla could be fed up with hate against us enough to get tossed around by the feds in the name of preserving democracy, anyone can.

May we all be bad hombres now.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Leila Miller

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Argentina's leading opposition leader and a two-time former president, has petitioned a lower court to allow her to serve a sentence for corruption under house arrest, citing how several years ago she narrowly survived an assassination attempt.

The petition, which Kirchner shared on X on Friday, said that for security reasons she should be allowed to serve her six-year sentence at her home in Buenos Aires. She described the threat she might face as a former president and how during the corruption trial in 2022, she was the target of an assassination attempt that failed when the gunman's pistol, inches from her head, did not fire.

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"This is not about a privilege," she wrote on X. "On the contrary, it follows strict reasons of personal security."

Kirchner, 72, is also entitled to ask the court for house arrest because of her age.

The criminal court is expected to rule on her petition in the coming days. Kirchner said on X that she would appear in court on Wednesday.

Argentina's Supreme Court earlier this week upheld a six-year sentence that found Kirchner guilty of fraud and banned her from holding public office. Kirchner, who had announced plans earlier this month to run in Buenos Aires' legislative elections, has called the decision politically motivated and the three Supreme Court judges "puppets."

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The sentence has galvanized a show of support among Kirchner's Peronist movement, which had suffered from internal factions and disillusionment. Since the decision, large protests have taken place in downtown Buenos Aires and cut off local highways.

(Reporting by Leila Miller in Buenos Aires. Editing by Alistair Bell)
JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel has temporarily closed all of its diplomatic missions worldwide as its military operation in Iran continues, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

As a result, consular services will not be available to Israeli citizens currently abroad, the ministry said. It urged Israelis overseas to complete an online form updating their location and situation, and advised those in need of urgent assistance to contact the ministry's situation room directly.

The statement also warned Israelis abroad to avoid displaying national symbols in public, refrain from posting identifiable information or travel plans on social media, and avoid attending large-scale events linked to Israel.

Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a large-scale strike on dozens of military targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities. The attacks killed several senior Iranian military commanders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, warning that Israel had "prepared a bitter fate for itself." 
Former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner said Friday she will surrender to authorities next week to begin serving a six-year prison sentence for corruption, which she has asked to serve under house arrest.

Writing on X, Kirchner, 72, said she would hand herself in on Wednesday at the Palace of Justice in Buenos Aires "to conform with the law, as I have always done."

Wednesday is the last day for her to submit to the authorities after the Supreme Court this week rejected her appeal against her conviction for fraudulent administration during her 2007-2015 presidency.

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The court's ruling rendered Kirchner's 2022 conviction and sentence, which includes a life-long ban on holding public office, final.

Kirchner, who leads opposition to libertarian President Javier Milei's cost-cutting agenda, has requested to serve her sentence at her home in Buenos Aires -- an arrangement available to over-70s.

Supporters of the polarizing left-winger who has been a dominant force in Argentine politics for the past two decades have cried foul over her conviction.

They accuse the prosecution and judiciary of being cosy with her right-wing political foes.

But some Argentines have expressed satisfaction at what they see as just punishment for the leader of the left-wing populist Peronist movement, which has been accused of widespread corruption and economic mismanagement.

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DATELAND, Ariz. (AP)  Storks scatter, white against blue water, as Dan Mohring's pickup truck rumbles down the dirt road. He's towing a trailer full of ground-up beef, chicken, fish and nutrient bits behind him, ready to be shot out of a cannon into the ponds below.

It's time to feed the fish.

Mohring fires up the machine and the food flies out in a rainbow arc. Then the water comes alive. Hundreds of thrashing, gobbling barramundi wiggle their way to the surface, all fighting for a piece. Until, in a few months, they will become food themselves.

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In the desert of landlocked Arizona, where the Colorado River crisis has put water use under a microscope, Mainstream Aquaculture has a fish farm where it's growing the tropical species barramundi, also known as Asian sea bass, for American restaurants.

Mainstream sees it as a sustainable alternative to ocean-caught seafood. They say chefs and conscious consumers like that the food has a shorter distance to travel, eliminating some of the pollution that comes from massive ships that move products around the world. And they and some aquaculture experts argue it's efficient to use the water twice, since the nutrient-rich leftovers can irrigate crops like Bermuda grass sold for livestock feed.

Were in the business of water, said Matt Mangan, head of Australia-based Mainstreams American business. We want to be here in 20 years', 30 years' time.

But some experts question whether growing fish on a large scale in an arid region can work without high environmental costs.

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That question comes down to what people collectively decide is a good use of water. In Arizona, some places manage water more aggressively than others. But the whole state is dealing with the impacts of climate change, which is making the region drier and water only more precious.

The farm uses groundwater, not Colorado River water. It's a nonrenewable resource, and like mining, different people and industries have different philosophies about whether it should be extracted.

As long as groundwater is treated as an open resource in these rural parts of Arizona, theyre susceptible to new industries coming in and using the groundwater for that industry, said Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University's Morrison Institute.

Some scientists believe aquaculture can play a role in protecting wild ocean ecosystems from overfishing. And it might play at least a small role in smoothing any supply problems that result from the Trump administration's tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, including those that send the U.S. about 80% of its seafood, per the United States Department of Agriculture.

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A two-for-one deal?

In the greenhouses at University of Arizona professor Kevin Fitzsimmons' lab in Tucson, tilapia circle idly in tanks that filter down into tubs full of mussels and floating patches of collard greens and lettuce. Fitzsimmons mentored the student who started the tilapia farm eventually bought by Mainstream about three years ago where they now raise barramundi.

I dont think desert agriculture is going away," he said. Obviously, we want to do it as water-efficient as possible."

But not everyone agrees it's possible.

Artificial ponds in the desert are stupid, said Jay Famiglietti, a professor at ASU and director of science for the Arizona Water Innovation Initiative. He worried about heavy water losses to evaporation.

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Mangan says that evaporation hasn't been an issue so much as the loss of heat in the wintertime. That has required pumping more water since its warmth when it arrives at the surface helps keep the barramundi cozy. But Mangan says they've been improving pond design to retain heat better and have found, after the last year of research and development, that they can cut their water requirement by about half as a result.

Plus, he argues, the water coming out of the fish ponds is "essentially liquid fertilizer," and though it's slightly salty, they use it for crops that can tolerate it, like Bermuda grass dairy cows can eat.

But that's supporting the cattle industry, which contributes more than its share of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, Famiglietti said.

Doing two suboptimal things doesn't make it better, he said.

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Defining a reasonable use of groundwater, a finite resource

Purple flowers sprout alongside paddle wheels. Fish bones crunch underfoot. The faint odor of brackish water and ammonia catches in the breeze.

Without groundwater, none of it would be possible.

Some farmers in Arizona rely on water from the Colorado River, but many others use well water to irrigate crops like alfalfa for the dairy industry or the lettuce, cucumbers and melons shipped nationwide year-round.

Arizona has seven areas around the state where groundwater is rigorously managed. Dateland doesn't fall into one of those, so the only rule that really governs it is a law saying if you land own there, you can pump a reasonable amount of groundwater, said Rhett Larson, who teaches water law at ASU.

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What might be considered reasonable depends from crop to crop, and there's really no precedent for aquaculture, an industry that hasn't yet spread commercially statewide.

Using numbers provided by Mainstream, Porter calculated that the fish farm would demand a very large amount of water, on par with a big ranch or potentially even more than some suburbs of Phoenix. And she noted that although the water use is being maximized by using it twice, it's still depleting the aquifer.

When the company scoped out Arizona to expand, Mangan said they didnt see nearly the same kinds of regulations as back in Australia.

As part of its growth strategy, Mainstream is also hoping to work with other farmers in the area so more can use nutrient-rich fish pond wastewater to produce hay. They say a few have expressed interest.

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An alternative to wild-caught fish

The seafood industry needs to reduce its reliance on catching small wild fish to feed bigger farmed ones that humans eat, said Pallab Sarker, an assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, who studies sustainability in the aquaculture industry. He said seabirds and mammals rely on small species like anchovies and mackerel commonly used in fish meal.

We should not rely on ocean fish to grow fish for aquaculture to meet the demand for humans, Sarker said.

Mainstream gets its fish feed from two suppliers, Skretting and Star Milling, but Mangan and Mohring said they didn't know for certain where those suppliers got their base ingredients from.

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Fitzsimmons, of the University of Arizona, also pointed out that between pollution, overfishing and oceanfront development for recreation, the commercial fishing industry had already been facing problems. He doesn't think that Trump's moves this spring to open up marine protected areas for commercial fishing will improve that situation the way aquaculture could.

We cant keep hunting and gathering from the ocean, Fitzsimmons said.

___

Follow Melina Walling on X @MelinaWalling and Bluesky @melinawalling.bsky.social. Follow Joshua A. Bickel on Instagram, Bluesky and X @joshuabickel. Follow Annika Hammerschlag on Instagram @ahammergram.

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___

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.
A sign held by a protester at the Arizona Capitol on April 5, 2025. The protest was one of more than 1,300 across the nation aimed at galvanizing people against President Donald Trump and his administration, which has sought to expand executive power to enact sweeping changes to the federal government and the fabric of America. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

As President Donald Trump orders the U.S. military into Los Angeles to confront protesters there and more than 100 tanks and other heavy-duty military vehicles are staging to roll through the nations capital in an unprecedented parade that the president ordered, thousands of Arizonans are preparing to join pro-democracy rallies planned for Saturday.

Arizona will be home to at least 40 No Kings protests, with events planned from Yuma to Page to Douglas and everywhere in between, including 15 in the Phoenix metro area and five in Tucson and the surrounding communities.

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The largest event is planned for the state Capitol at 9 a.m., and most are scheduled for the morning, before temperatures climb into the triple digits.

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Nationwide, there are more than 2,000 rallies scheduled, and organizers say they expect millions of people to turn out to protest the Trump administration and celebrate American democracy.

The protests come in response to President Trumps escalating use of military force in American cities and a federal agenda that would strip health care from 16 million people while expanding ICE raids targeting immigrants and protestors, the No Kings organization said in a written statement. Two things remain true in this country: we have no kings, and no president can stop people from peacefully speaking out. On Saturday, millions across the nation will come together to make that message clear.

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This military escalation only confirms what weve known: this government wants to rule by force, not serve the people, the No Kings coalition added. From major cities to small towns, well rise together and say: we reject political violence. We reject fear as governance. We reject the myth that only some deserve freedom.

Groups organizing No Kings protests across the country include Indivisible, American Federation of Teachers, ACLU, Public Citizen, MoveOn, 50501, Stand Up America, Common Defense, Human Rights Campaign, League of Conservation Voters and more than 100 others.

Were seeing the damage to our community with local federal workers losing their jobs, and veterans worrying about their access to benefits and services. Were showing up to say were not having it, said Susan Shapiro, the director of Indivisible Northern AZ, which is sponsoring a No Kings rally in Flagstaff on Saturday afternoon.

Anti-Trump activists previously rallied during the Hands Off! and 50501 protests earlier this year.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  An executive order signed on Thursday by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders increases funding for Arkansans impacted by tornadoes.

The executive order adds $100,000 from the Governors Disaster Response and Recovery Fund for use by the Department of Emergency Management. It is specifically for the needs resulting from the April 2 tornadoes in the state.

Tornadoes, winds, flooding and hail: Arkansas wakes up to disastrous severe storm damage

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The funds are intended to defray costs from program and administrative post-disaster management, according to the order.

The April 2 tornadoes led to 600 tornado warnings nationally, with 47 of them taking place in Arkansas, covering 13,706.91 square milesroughly 26% of the state. Thousands were without power in the wake of the storms.

The storm predictions were so dire that the governor released initial emergency funding of $250,000 before the storms hit the state.

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders provides emergency state funding in advance of April 2 storms

The National Weather Service confirmed several tornadoes touched down in the state from the April 2 storm system.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A new survey found that Arkansas cities are home to some of the best-branded independent businesses in the country.

Piktochart surveyed 3,013 consumers nationwide to determine standout branding among small businesses, a spokesperson said.

Fayettevilles Dickson Street: Then & Now

The Freckled Hen in Fayetteville was ranked number eight nationwide, earning the highest spot for Arkansas with its farmhouse-inspired visual identity.

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Onyx Coffee Lab in Rogers ranked number 107, while Loblolly Creamery in Little Rock placed at number 119, according to Piktochart

Baja Grill announces closing of Little Rock location

According to the survey, 88% of consumers said they are more likely to shop at a small business with strong branding.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A state-owned, privately funded Ten Commandments monument sits on OCPA grounds after being removed from the Capitol. (Photo by Barbara Hoberock/Oklahoma Voice)

Seven Arkansas families with children in public schools filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to block the implementation of a new state law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms.

Northwest Arkansas parents and their minor children who identify as Jewish, Unitarian Universalist, Humanist, agnostic, atheist and nonreligious filed the complaint Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas against the Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Siloam Springs school districts.

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The plaintiffs are asking a judge to declare the law unconstitutional and are seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions to prevent the school districts from complying with the law, according to the complaint.

Act 573 of 2025 requires that a durable poster or framed copy of a historical representation of the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in public school classrooms and libraries, public institutions of higher education, and public buildings and facilities maintained by taxpayer funds.

According to the law, posters shall be donated or purchased with funds through voluntary contributions to a local school board, building governing entity or the Building Authority Division. Posters that dont meet specifications required by the law may be replaced with public funds or private donations.

In a statement, plaintiff Samantha Stinson said that as American Jews, she and her husband deeply value the ability to raise our children in our faith, without interference from the government. Fellow plaintiff Carol Vella agreed, noting that her children are among a small number of Jewish students at their school.

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The classroom displays required by Act 573 will make them feel like they dont belong simply because they dont follow the governments favored religion, she said. The displays will also violate core Jewish tenets, which emphasize tolerance and inclusion and prohibit evangelizing others.

The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett serving as pro bono counsel, according to a press release.

The complaint alleges Act 573 violates the First Amendments Establishment Clause, which guarantees that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, and its Free Exercise Clause, which guarantees that Congress shall make no law  prohibiting the free exercise [of religion].

As a result of the Ten Commandments displays mandated by Act 573, Arkansas studentsincluding the minor-child Plaintiffswill be unconstitutionally coerced into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the states favored religious scripture, and they will be pressured to suppress their personal religious beliefs and practices, especially in school, to avoid the potential disfavor, reproach, and/or disapproval of school officials and/or their peers, the complaint states.

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By mandating a Protestant version of the Ten Commandments be displayed, Act 573 adopts an official position on religious matters, violating the Establishment Clauses prohibition against taking sides in questions over theological doctrine, according to the complaint.

In a statement, Americans United for Separation of Church and State President and CEO Rachel Laser said the Constitutions guarantee of the separation of church and state means families, not politicians, decide if and how public school children engage with religion.

This law is part of the nationwide Christian Nationalist scheme to win favor for one set of religious views over all others and nonreligion  in a country that promises religious freedom. Not on our watch, Laser said.

Sen. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville, and Rep. Alyssa Brown, R-Heber Springs, sponsored Act 573, but the merits of the legislation were largely presented in committee hearings by WallBuilders, a group emphasizing the moral, Christian, and constitutional foundation on which our nation was built, according to its website.

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Supporters of the measure emphasized the Ten Commandments as a historical document, an argument rejected in Wednesdays complaint.

This nations core founding documents  the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights  were not based on the Ten Commandments, and there is no longstanding history or tradition of prominently and permanently displaying the Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms, the complaint states.

The complaint cites longstanding court precedent, including Stone v. Graham, a 1980 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Kentucky law mandating classroom displays of the Ten Commandments as unconstitutional.

A federal district court ruled last year that a Louisiana law similar to Act 573 violates the First Amendment. Plaintiffs in that case, which is on appeal, are represented by the same counsel as the Arkansas lawsuit, according to the press release.

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Plaintiffs in the Arkansas case plan to file a motion for preliminary injunction, which will ask the court to issue an order temporarily preventing implementation of the law, set to take effect Aug. 5, while the lawsuit is pending, according to the release.

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VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  An inmate in Jefferson County is now accused of multiple counts of rape out of Van Buren.

Joshua Evans, 43. (COURTESY: Arkansas Department of Corrections)

Joshua Evans, 43, is facing four counts of rape, according to court documents.

Case background

On Jan. 18, 2025, the Van Buren Police Department (VBPD) received a report from a mother and her son, who alleged that Evans, a former neighbor, sexually assaulted him in 2014 on at least two occasions when he was younger than 14 years old.

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According to the initial statement provided by the alleged victim, the incidents occurred while Evans was entrusted to watch over the alleged victim and his brother at their former residence in Van Buren.

During a follow-up interview with VBPD on January 20, the alleged victim stated that Evans, who had become a trusted family friend, would sometimes watch him and his brother while their mother ran errands.

On two separate occasions, Evans reportedly isolated him from his brother and took him upstairs to the bathroom, where the alleged assaults took place.

On Feb. 20, 2025, investigators interviewed Joshua Evans at the Larry B. Norris Prison Unit, where he was currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. Evans admitted to caring for the boys but categorically denied any sexual misconduct, according to a probable cause affidavit.

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Evans claimed that any physical contact was limited to cleaning up after bathroom accidents and maintained that he never engaged in any inappropriate behavior.

Further developments in the case emerged on Feb. 28, 2025, when detectives contacted the alleged victims brother by phone.

Federal Reserve bans former Arvest banker over $42,700 customer theft

The brother stated that he, too, was a victim of sexual abuse by Evans. Johnson said that Evans allegedly lured him with promises of gifts and then assaulted him in a bedroom on at least two separate occasions when he was around 13 or 14 years old.

Both siblings described similar patterns of abuse and manipulation.

Jefferson County charges

Evans also has pending charges in Jefferson County for aggravated assault on a corrections officer and possessing weapons while in prison.

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On Aug. 13, 2024, at 3:45 p.m., staff responded to a cell after Evans allegedly spit on an officer, according to a probable cause affidavit. Evans reportedly became irate, refused to submit to restraints and held a shank made from a toothbrush to the officers throat.

Chemical agents were used, and after initially resisting, Evans eventually complied with a strip search and restraints.

Criminal history

Evans was sentenced to 96 months for sexual assault in the second degree on Feb. 28, 2018, in Crawford County, according to his Arkansas Department of Corrections inmate profile.

On June 18, 2018, Evans received another 96-month sentence for criminal conspiracy related to computer child pornography as a habitual offender in Crawford County.

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Previously, Evans served 24 months of community supervision for sexual assault in the second degree beginning April 16, 2010, in Sebastian County. Additionally, Evans was under community supervision for 36 months for failure to register starting March 17, 2014, in Crawford County.

Evans is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 26 and a jury trial on Jan. 12, 2026.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Arkansas Supreme Court building in Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

A five-member majority of the Arkansas Supreme Court granted the state judicial discipline commissions request for changes to the rules for judges and justices conduct in a Thursday per curiam order.

The changes concern accusations of judicial misconduct and disciplinary action against judges and justices who face such allegations. The divide among the Supreme Court justices who supported or dissented from the order mirrored conflicts within the court earlier this year. Chief Justice Karen Baker and Associate Justice Courtney Hudson dissented from the order.

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Thursdays order approved two alterations to the Judicial Code of Conduct: a new provision allowing the court to issue interim suspensions of judges accused of crimes or misconduct and an amendment that broadens an existing rule requiring cooperation with disciplinary authorities and prohibiting retaliation.

According to the rule regarding suspensions, the Supreme Court may suspend a judge with pay upon notice of the filing of an indictment, information, or complaint charging the judge with a serious crime under state or federal law.

In_re_Rule_of_Jud._Disc._Enforcement

A serious crime includes any felony or lesser crime that reflects adversely on the judges honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a judge in other respects or any crime involving interference with the administration of justice, false swearing, misrepresentation, fraud, deceit, bribery, extortion, misappropriation, theft or an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation of another to commit a serious crime, the rule states.

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The rule is based on a model policy from the American Bar Association, and the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission specifically asked the high court for the rule, according to the order. The commission investigates complaints about the conduct of judges and justices and has the authority to recommend disciplinary actions.

The rule also allows suspensions for other misconduct, which includes but is not limited to witness intimidation, retaliation, or a threat thereof.

Another portion of the code of conduct states that a judge shall cooperate and be candid and honest with judicial and lawyer disciplinary agencies and must not retaliate against a person known or suspected to have assisted or cooperated with an investigation of judicial misconduct.

The amended provision approved by the Supreme Court majority specifies that intimidation is also prohibited and that the rule applies to a judge, justice, special judge/justice, judicial candidate, or judge-elect.

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Earlier this year, the high court ordered the release of a report alleging that Baker harassed judiciary employees on Dec. 4-5, 2024, after she was elected but before she was sworn in as the states first elected female chief justice.

Justice Baker intimidated staff, appears to have targeted female employees of color, indicated an intention to retaliate based on her perception of how employees voted, and indicated an intention to retaliate based on her perception of whether employees were cooperating with Judicial Discipline and Disability Commissions investigation into her colleagues conduct, the report from the Administrative Office of the Courts human resources department states.

Dissent and concurrence

Baker co-signed Hudsons dissenting opinion on Thursdays per curiam order. Hudson wrote that the rule regarding suspensions presents legitimate due-process concerns.

It contains absolutely no requirement that notice be provided to the impacted judge either before or after the interim suspension or that the judge be allowed an opportunity to respond to an allegation of misconduct, Hudson wrote.

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She also raised the possibility that the rule violates the state and federal constitutions ban on adopting rules or laws that govern conduct prior to their adoption.

Associate Justice Rhonda Wood responded to Hudsons dissent with a concurring opinion. Wood argued that the new rule creates more due process for judges, not less, because it provides guidelines previously nonexistent.

The rule also sets out parameters for the current authority that the Supreme Court has always had to suspend judges accused of misconduct and is not a completely new policy applied retroactively, Wood wrote.

Judicial conduct has been at the forefront of the Arkansas Supreme Court since September 2024. Five of Hudsons colleagues referred her to the JDDC for flagrant breaches of confidentiality after she filed then-Chief Justice John Dan Kemps emails into evidence in her attempt to block the release of emails between her and others in response to a FOIA request from Arkansas Business.

Baker dissented to Hudsons referral to JDDC, and she made transparency a focus of her successful runoff campaign against Wood to succeed Kemp, who did not run for reelection last year.

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Within days of taking the oath of office Jan. 1, Baker butted heads with the rest of the court over the scope of her authority as chief justice. Hudson was the only one of Bakers colleagues who did not block the chief justices attempts to fire 10 judiciary employees and appoint three new judges to the judicial discipline body. The other five justices claimed Baker did not have the authority to make such unilateral decisions without consulting the rest of the court.

Issues of judicial misconduct have not been limited to the Supreme Court this year. Former Monroe County district judge and deputy prosecutor T. David Carruth was sentenced in May to two years in federal prison for making false statements to the FBI. He had been admonished by the JDDC in 2018 for improper conduct in violation of the Judicial Code of Ethics.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described whose emails were involved in Associate Justice Courtney Hudsons lawsuit to block the release of those emails.

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The Brief

The Alpine Lakes Wilderness reopens amid the manhunt for Travis Decker, wanted for murder and kidnapping his three young daughters.

Hikers are advised to stay vigilant as Decker remains at large, potentially in the area near Colchuck Lake.

Authorities continue the search with reduced resources, urging caution and preparedness for outdoor visitors.

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is back open, and backpackers are once again heading into the rugged beauty of the Enchantments  despite ongoing concerns tied to the manhunt for Travis Decker, a fugitive wanted for the murder and kidnapping of his three young daughters.

Cars now fill the trailhead parking lots, and campgrounds are no longer vacant, but the return to Washington's high alpine country comes with heightened vigilance.

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"We just understood that what were going into is dangerous territory," said Andrew Powell, a backpacker from Oregon. "We need to be a little more safe and cautious of where were going, what were looking for."

Powell is among a group of seven backpackers who won the coveted Enchantments lottery. Their four-day trip beginning with a trek up to Eightmile Lake had been thrown into uncertainty last week when the U.S. Forest Service abruptly closed the area due to the Decker investigation. Days later, the closure was reversed  even though Decker has not been captured.

Potential Sighting

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office reported Decker was potentially spotted by helicopter near Colchuck Lake, sparking concerns that he could still be in the area and potentially desperate. Authorities have warned outdoor recreationists to stay alert, noting that fugitives on the run in remote areas have previously raided campsites and stolen supplies to survive.

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"Every single day Travis is out there, hes going to have to aim for perfection  hes not going to be able to make a mistake," said Sheriff Mike Morrison. "All we need is one mistake and one day to go in our favor, and hes going to be in our custody."

Still, some hikers remain undeterred  but not unprepared.

"Within the laws and regulations, its okay to carry," Powell said. "Not that I want to use it, but its always good to have extra safety precautions. Not just be up there and be like, Oh wow, I wish I had this."

Shawna Koch of Olympia, traveling with him, shared she felt safe traveling in numbers.

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"Every person in our party does have some level of protection, and so were just going to be extra vigilant," said Koch.

Koch said her group was warned by rangers to stick together and keep a close eye on their gear.

"Its incredibly beautiful country. Its very rugged up here," she said. "People try their whole lives to get lottery permits to get up here."

Despite the tension, hikers expressed sympathy for those affected by the crimes connected to Decker.

"Were just really sorry to hear about the family  our hearts do go out to you," Koch said. "Well try to be safe, well try to keep our eyes out. Well do what we can to support, and were just going to be really respectful while were up there."

What's next

Authorities from multiple counties, along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Marshals Service, are involved in the manhunt. Decker has eluded capture for nearly two weeks and officials admit the pace is shifting as resources are stretched.

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"You will not see the amount of resources weve had out there," Morrison said during a press briefing Wednesday. "Eventually, he is going to tire. He is going to make a mistake."

The Source

Information in this story came from the Chelan County Sheriff's Office and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

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The Brief

There was a standoff between an armed man and a SWAT team in Gold Bar Thursday night.

Authorities say the incident began as a domestic violence call that turned into an active scene.

The suspect was eventually taken into custody and booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. - A SWAT team took a man into custody after a standoff in Gold Bar, Washington, Thursday night.

The Snohomish County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) announced the standoff on social media at around 9:52 p.m.

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Authorities said Region 1 SWAT was on scene at a residence on May Court Road negotiating with an armed suspect who was barricaded inside.

What they're saying

"The suspect has fired multiple rounds," the SCSO wrote in the post. "The subject is alone inside the residence and deputies are actively negotiating with him."

The SCSO says the incident began as a domestic violence call that turned into an active scene  with officials asking the public to avoid the area.

At about 11:13 p.m., authorities announced that the man had been taken into custody and there were no injuries.

The suspect is expected to be booked into the Snohomish County Jail for assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm.

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Further information is limited at this time.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Source

Information in this story came from a social media post by the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.

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CHENGDU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed sci-tech collaboration during a meeting in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday.

During the ninth science ministers' meeting of the SCO, science ministers and other representatives of SCO member states reviewed the organization's innovation cooperation plans and discussed progress in multilateral research projects. They exchanged views on national sci-tech development policies and cooperative initiatives.

Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun said that SCO members have continuously strengthened cooperation on sci-tech innovation, making great contributions to regional peace, stability and development.

Yin described the ministerial meeting as a key platform to strengthen cooperation mechanisms and jointly address global sci-tech governance issues. He expressed China's hopes to advance practical cooperation for sustainable development and improve public welfare across SCO member states.

The participants agreed to hold the 10th SCO science ministers' meeting in Kyrgyzstan in 2026. 
The Brief

A 60% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms Saturday evening could impact the Armys 250th anniversary parade, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in downtown D.C.

Severe weather may threaten high-profile elements like military flyovers, fireworks, and the U.S. Golden Knights parachute performance, though armored vehicles can operate in storms.

With up to 200,000 attendees expected, lightning and heavy rain could pose major safety concerns, with Sundays forecast offering little improvement.

WASHINGTON - The Army's 250th anniversary is set to be celebrated this Saturday with a festival followed by a parade, concert and fireworks. But could thunderstorms put a damper on the day?

What we know

There is a 60% chance of rain on June 14, according to the National Weather Service. Showers are likely in the afternoon with the possibility of a thunderstorm between 5pm and 8pm  prime time for the parade's scheduled time of 6:30 p.m.

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FOX 5 Meteorologist Mike Thomas says severe weather could be possible on Saturday  but we won't know until we get closer to.

Sunday is not looking much better, with a 70% chance of precipitation and thunderstorms possible throughout the afternoon and evening, per NWS.

Big picture view

Saturday's schedule is jam-packed with events in downtown D.C.

Ahead of the parade are two events on the National Mall: The Army Fitness Competition and Awards Ceremony is from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and then the Army's birthday festival begins at 11:00 a.m., featuring live military demonstrations, military tanks and more.

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Following the parade, a concert will kick off at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks.

The 150 military vehicles should be fine in stormy weather. But any flyovers, helicopters, fireworks and the planned performance by the U.S. Golden Knights Parachute Team could be in jeopardy depending on weather conditions. And with up to 200,000 expected attendees, the chance of lightning could be a major issue.
Four senior executives of tech giants like Meta and Palantir are being sworn into the Army Reserve as direct-commissioned officers at the unusually high rank of lieutenant colonel as part of a new program to recruit private-sector experts to speed up tech adoption.

The Army calls the program to recruit Silicon Valley executives Detachment 201: The Armys Executive Innovation Corps. One of the executives, Andrew Bosworth of Meta (formerly Facebook) posted on X that the 201 monicker was a nod to an HTTP coding command, in which a 201 response indicates the creation of a new programming resource.

The Reserves new lieutenant colonels are Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer for Palantir; Bosworth, chief technology officer of Meta; Kevin Weil, chief product officer of OpenAI; and Bob McGrew, an advisor at Thinking Machines Lab and former chief research officer for OpenAI. Each of the four, who were set to be sworn in Friday, arrive with decades of experience in some of Silicon Valleys largest and most innovative companies, and with levels of extraordinary personal wealth that careers in the industry often amass.

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The Detachment 201 program is aimed at bringing in part-time advisors from the private sector to help the service adopt and scale commercial technology like drones and robots into its formations. The idea of incorporating private-sector expertise is right out of Ukraine as soldiers there who are engineers or computer scientists in their day jobs are MacGyvering makeshift drones or 3D printing parts to use on the front lines against Russia.

Army officials say the new officers will get at least a taste of traditional Army training before filling their roles tech-focused policy advisors. Col. Dave Butler, the spokesperson for Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, told Task & Purpose that the four executives will get up to two weeks of online and face-to-face training at Fort Benning, Georgia on physical fitness, marksmanship and basic soldier tasks such as Army customs and courtesies, rank structure and uniform wear. The four will not attend the Armys full six-week Direct Commissioning Course at Fort Benning, a common but not universal training program for new officers.

Direct Commission officers fill specific roles

The four men will be directly commissioned as officers in the Army Reserve, a hybrid, part-time position that is commonly offered to a range of candidates in highly-trained professional fields, including doctors, lawyers, veterinarians and others with specific industry skills, such as logistics. However, most Army direct commission officers begin in more junior ranks as captains or majors, where they can immediately take active jobs in their fields rather than be expected to serve in leadership roles they have not been prepared for.

The tech executives will arrive as lieutenant colonels, a rank that most officers reach and hold when they are deep into the second decade of a military career. Lieutenant colonels typically command battalion-sized units, commonly with between 300 to 1,000 soldiers.

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However, direct commission officers often take very different roles than their traditional counterparts, and the four tech executives are unlikely to command traditional formations. As senior business executives, all four have spent decades at some of Silicon Valleys leading tech giants and fast-growing start-ups.

Silicon Valley is marching on the Pentagon

All four of the executives now work at companies investing heavily in emerging fields like AI and machine learning, two subjects that the Army is looking to fold into future weapon systems. Palantir and OpenAI have been contractors for the Department of Defense, with Meta has announced a partnership with Anduril for troop augmented and virtual reality devices.

I have accepted this commission in a personal capacity because I am deeply invested in helping advance American technological innovation, Bosworth wrote in a post on X, adding that their primary role will be as technical experts for Army modernization efforts.

The four are each also multi-millionaires several times over.

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Bosworth is one of four of the most senior executives at Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, who report directly to CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg, according to his hiring letter filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Originally hired at the company in 2006, he is known as one of the key engineers behind the Facebook News Feed. According to Meta filings with the SEC, Bosworths salary in 2023 was just under $1 million, but  like most Meta executives  he received stock awards between 2018 and 2023 that the company valued at over $75 million in 2024.

Sankar, the chief technology officer for Palantir was, according to his bio with the company, the firms thirteenth employee. In 2024, he sold Palantir shares worth $367 million.

Bob McGrew, left, and Kevin Weil. Photos from LinkedIn.

McGrew, who advises Thinking Machines Lab, is an alumnus of Palantir and OpenAI. According to his LinkedIn, while working as a chief research officer at OpenAI, he led efforts to build the worlds most powerful AI models and then let the world use them through ChatGPT and the API.

Weils resume includes work at several major tech companies like Microsoft, Twitter, Instagram, Meta, Strava, Planet Labs, and Cisco. According to SEC filings, in 2014 and 2015, he cashed out shares in Twitter worth at least $15 million and holds Planet Labs shares worth close to $7 million. His current role at OpenAI includes stock options in the company that, should it turn public, could be worth several hundred million dollars.

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The Detachment 201 program follows Army Chief of Staff Gen. Georges announcement of the Army Transformation Initiative and his Transforming in Contact effort, which has smaller prototype units testing new tactics and tech like unmanned aerial systems and electronic warfare jammers in realistic combat training scenarios.

For instance, the 3rd Infantry Divisions 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team is testing new platoons that specialize in specific threats like anti-tank systems, first-person viewer attack, FPV, drones, or sensing enemy drones.

Their swearing-in is just the start of a bigger mission to inspire more tech pros to serve without leaving their careers, showing the next generation how to make a difference in uniform, the Army said in a release.

UPDATE: 6/13/2025; This story has been updated with clarification on the role of direct commission officers in the Army and links to Securities and Exchange Commission documents.

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CORRECTION: 6/16/2025; The four new officers will not attend the Armys six-week Direct Commissioning Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, nor complete the Army Fitness Test. Prior to the officers being sworn in, Army officials indicated to Task & Purpose that they would.

The latest on Task & Purpose
The Brief

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District dedicated three new survey vessels named after Georgia soldiers killed in action, honoring their service during a ceremony on June 12.

The vessels Wright , Chisholm , and Beale will support dredging, surveying, and navigation efforts across Savannah Harbor, Brunswick Harbor, and the Georgia coast.

Family members of the fallen soldiers attended the emotional christening, with tributes from Corps leadership and a color guard from one honorees former high school.

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District held a solemn ceremony Thursday to dedicate three new hydrographic survey vessels in honor of Georgia soldiers who lost their lives in combat. The June 12 event, held at the districts Engineers Depot in Savannah, drew more than 160 guests in person and online.

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Each vessel now bears the name of a fallen hero: the 30-foot Wright, named after Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright of Lyons; the 27-foot Chisholm, honoring Sgt. Tyrone Lanard Chisholm of Savannah; and the 23-foot Beale, for Sgt. 1st Class John C. Beale of Riverdale.

"These vessels will carry the names and memories of three remarkable soldiers as they support the vital missions of this district," said Col. Ron Sturgeon, Savannah District Commander. "Their stories, their sacrifices, and their service will remain with us."

The vessels are designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, aid dredging operations, detect submerged hazards, and ferry personnel and gear across critical water infrastructure. They will serve in the Savannah and Brunswick harbors and along the Georgia section of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by Groves High Schools JROTC, Chisholms alma mater, and a blessing and christening delivered by USACE Command Chaplain Col. J.R. Lorenzenpart of a longstanding maritime tradition that marks the beginning of a vessels service.

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Family members of the soldiers attended, including Christal Beale, who described the tribute to her late husband as deeply moving.

"It was beautiful, heartwarming, and meaningful," she said. "Seeing the other families there was a reminder of the bonds we share, and how we continue to carry their legacy."

Honoring the Fallen:

Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, 29, served as a Special Forces engineer with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Fort Bragg. He was killed during a mission in Niger on Oct. 4, 2017, while assisting local military forces. Wright was a native of Lyons.

Sgt. Tyrone Chisholm, 27, was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Carson. He died Nov. 11, 2005, while serving as a tank gunner in Tal Afar, Iraq, during combat patrols. Chisholm was a native of Savannah.

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Sgt. 1st Class John C. Beale, 39, served with the Georgia Army National Guards 48th Infantry Brigade. He was killed June 4, 2009, in an attack in Afghanistan while supporting the development of Afghan security forces. Beale was a native of Calhoun.

"These boats are more than just tools," said Col. Sturgeon. "They are living memorials to the brave men who gave their all."
A 40-year-old Army pilot was killed, and a second pilot was injured, in a helicopter training accident Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the Army post said.

The soldier killed was identified Friday by the 101st Airborne Division as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dustin K. Wright.

In a post to social media earlier Friday, the 101st Airborne Division said the incident involving an AH-64 Apache helicopter had occurred in "preparation for the Army's 250th birthday," the festival and parade being held in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the Army's 250th anniversary  that also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday.

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However, in a follow-up post, the division said it wanted to "clarify" that the incident "occurred during a routine attack aviation training mission inside the Fort Campbell training area. The crew was not in direct support of Week of the Eagles or Army Birthday."

A spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division also told CBS News by phone Friday that the training exercise had "100% nothing to do with the birthday parade in D.C." and was simply "happening while the Army prepares for the 250th birthday date."

Week of the Eagles is an annual event that honors the heritage of the 101st Airborne Division.

The injured pilot was treated and released from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital for minor injuries, officials said.

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No further details were provided. The incident is under investigation.

Wright joined the Army in 2010 and had served at Fort Campbell since May 2022. He was highly-decorated, having been awarded the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge, among others, his division said.

"The entire 101st Combat Aviation Brigade grieves the loss of CW2 Dustin Wright," Col. Tyler Partridge, commander of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, said in a statement Friday. "A former Infantryman, Dustin cherished every opportunity to be outside and support ground troops. He did so with strength and honor. We will forever cherish the memories of his service, and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him."

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was among those offering condolences to the family of the soldier who died.

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"No matter how it happens, when we lose someone who has committed to serving our country, I know it hurts that family but it should hurt us all," the Democratic governor said Thursday.

Kentucky state Sen. Craig Richardson, whose western Kentucky district includes the Fort Campbell area, said the soldier's death was heartbreaking.

"This tragedy is a solemn reminder that the dangers our military faces are not limited to distant battlefields," the Republican lawmaker said. "The call to serve brings risks at home, in training, preparation, and quiet readiness."

The sprawling Fort Campbell post straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee line.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The U.S Army Corps of Engineers held a dedication ceremony to honor Georgia soldiers who lost their lives in action.

Sgt. 1st Class John C. Beale, Sgt. Tyrone Lanard Chisholm and Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright were honored with their names engraved on the side of three vessels.

During the ceremony family members expressed what their sacrifices meant to them.

Its been an honor just to know that the legacy of my brother will continue over here where we are from, Savannah, Georgia, and where we were raised up, said Fredrick Wilson, brother of Sgt. Chisholm. He went on to serve and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

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The ceremony also included the presentation of colors and speeches were given by soldiers who fought with them. Family members participated in a christening of the vessels where they splashed water from the Savannah and Brunswick Harbors.

Your loved ones sacrifices are etched into the heart of these vessels, Col. Ron Sturgeon said. Each time the Beale, Chisholm or Wright navigates the waterways, their names will be spoken, their stories remembered and their courage, honor, dedication.

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers said these vessels will now navigate through waterways, support national security and will continue to honor the legacy of the names they now carry.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A new exhibit at the Sioux City Art Center opened on June 12.

A Certain Cadence of Night by artist Duane Slick is the most recent 1-person exhibition in Iowa. The art center officials say the paintings showcase his broad creative output in paintings, on paper, along with a video installation produced in collaboration with Martin Slick.

Slicks work is inspired by modernist abstraction and includes Native American stylizations. He spoke to KCAU about the importance of showing his artwork in Sioux City.

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Story continues below

He said, Its great to be able to show here. Ive been aware of this space for a few years. Whats a big draw for me is that its in Sioux City, which is so close to the Ho-Chunk Nation. So its a chance for my relatives to come and see the show.

Slicks exhibit will be on display at the art center from now through October 12.

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A Lincolnshire artist has been awarded a MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Jason Wilsher-Mills, from Sleaford, described it as a "wonderful honour".

His recent exhibition Are We There Yet? attracted more than 50,000 visitors to the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull.

The Wakefield-born artist has used a wheelchair since he was 11 after suffering damage to his central nervous system from contracting chickenpox.

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He said it was "one of the highest accolades that I could receive".

"As it acknowledges my work as an artist, and the work I do to raise awareness about disability related issues," he said.

Others on the list include Paul Boucher, director of the Lincolnshire Traveller Initiative, who is awarded an OBE for services to the traveller community in the county.

Eleanor Hutton, manager of Grimsby pre-school centre Explorosity Education, receives a MBE

Also honoured was Helen Keneally, who received a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Ms Keneally, from Scunthorpe, works as a children centre manager and involves families in activities such as community picnics and summer barbeques.

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When money flowed more freely in television, public-service programming was seen as a means of giving back. From educational TV and supporting public broadcasting to cable operators providing C-SPAN, spaces existed where ratings werent the yardstick  instead, this was TV intended to be good for you.

On Thursday, Congress took a major step toward undermining all of that, as the House narrowly approved a rescission bill that would claw back $1.1 billion in funding to the Corp. for Public Broadcasting, which helps support PBS stations, in addition to cuts to other programs.

The bill passed by the slimmest of margins, 214 to 212, with a few GOP legislators switching their votes to get it through. The funding was part of a larger $9.4 billion allocation that lawmakers had already approved for foreign aid and public broadcasting. Senate still has to weigh in on the matter, and has five weeks to decide.

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With PBS and NPR besieged by the political right, with C-SPANs funding via cable and satellite fees strafed by cord cutting, higher-minded alternatives have been hit by hard times.

The whole point of PBS and National Public Radio was that they would be unfettered by commercial demands, allowing them to offer programming  from childrens programming like Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street, devoid of toy commercials, to lower-key news, documentaries and public affairs  that didnt have to justify its existence on a balance sheet.

Ditto for C-SPAN, which cable operators carried for a small licensing fee simply because of the perceived value in allowing subscribers to see what their elected representatives were doing and saying, unfiltered and unedited.

Public broadcasting has found itself swept up in the Trump administrations war against the media, with the perception that any unflattering reporting about the president  whether from PBS NewsHour or Frontline or NPRs All Things Considered  reveals invidious bias and a liberal agenda, to use FCC chairman Brendan Carrs favorite word.

Fred Rogers and Mister Rogers Neighborhood exemplified the kind of programming PBS was seen as being uniquely positioned to provide. (Fotos International/Courtesy of Getty Images)

Conservatives have long argued that public broadcasting represents an unnecessary expense given the abundance of choices available to most consumers. But in its latest incarnation, Defund PBS overtly translates into being less about fiscal responsibility than leveraging the governments underwriting role to silence otherwise-independent media voices by labeling them progressive propaganda.

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On the left, the response was unambiguous. The Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) condemned the House vote as a radical right-wing ideology that aims to destroy a non-partisan public service despite all evidence of its wide benefits. The group quickly turned its attention to pleading with the Senate, which holds a GOP majority but has exhibited a bit more restraint than the House in prosecuting the MAGA agenda.

The CEO of PBS, Paula Kerger, remained silent in the wake of Thursdays vote, but she has been lobbying intensively to save PBS, warning that Trumps push to defund public broadcasters would spell the end for a number of local stations, and the service they provide to their communities.

In a recent interview with Katie Couric, Kerger contemplated the end of public funding for the network, which only relies on the government for a portion of its funds. I think well figure out a way, through digital, to make sure there is some PBS content, she said. But there wont be anyone in the community creating local content. There wont be a place for people to come together.

Kerger was referring to the fact that the campaign against PBS and NPR disproportionally harms smaller and more rural communities that voted for Trump (even if many listeners and viewers didnt), which lack the same menu of local-media options as major markets.

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In a sense, Sesame Workshop  the entity behind Sesame Street  has provided an unlikely poster child for the financial pressures on public TV, having undergone layoffs before losing its streaming deal with Warner Bros. Discoverys Max. Netflix has since stepped into the breach, joining with PBS Kids in providing access Elmo and his pals.

As for C-SPAN, its challenges stem primarily from evolving technology, which has dramatically undercut the financial model upon which the network was founded in 1979.

With viewers shifting to streaming and dropping cable and satellite subscriptions, the number of homes receiving C-SPAN has sharply dropped to a little over 50 million, meaning the nonprofit enterprise  which costs operators just 7.25 cents a month, a fraction of what they pay for channels like Fox News and CNN  is running at a significant deficit.

One proposed solution would be for entities with streaming subscribers, like YouTube or Hulus live-TV package, to carry C-SPAN. Indeed, YouTubes 8 to 10 million subscribers alone would provide enough income to offset most of the shortfall in its roughly $60 million annual operating expenses.

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Thus far, however, those companies have balked, prompting a rare bipartisan push in the Senate on C-SPANs behalf, with Republican Chuck Grassley and Democrat Amy Klobuchar among those joining in a resolution calling upon streaming services to carry the network.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been part of a bipartisan push to get streaming services like YouTube to carry C-SPAN. (C-SPAN)

For tens of millions of Americans who have cut the cord and get their content from streaming services, they should not be cut off from the civic content made available by C-SPAN, the senators stated.

Its a welcome development for C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist, who joined the network a little over a year ago from CNN. Feist noted that cord cutting doesnt accurately characterize whats transpired  since old cable subscribers have generally moved to new delivery systems  meaning the case for carrying the network remains as simple as the public-service ideal that inspired its launch.

Were the only network that provides what we provide, which is this unfiltered view of American government, Feist told TheWrap, adding in regard to the streamers, It is good for the country for their customers to have access to our product.

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The campaign regarding C-SPAN carriage has seemingly gained some momentum over the last year, with former Federal Communications Commission chairman Tom Wheeler and the Washington Posts Karen Tumulty among those joining the aforementioned senators in taking up the cause.

Wheeler called YouTubes decision not to carry C-SPAN baffling and anti-democratic, writing in The Hill that the company is depriving viewers of an unfiltered window into the goings-on in Congress, the White House and other parts of the government.

As Sen. Ron Wyden told Tumulty, carrying the network would only cost YouTube about $6 million a year  crumbs, he suggested, for a streamer that rakes in billions in ad revenue.

YouTube has stated that its subscribers have not shown sufficient interest in adding C-SPAN to the YouTube TV lineup to justify the increased cost to their monthly bills, although as Wyden noted, that would amount to a relative pittance of 87 cents a year per household.

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The two situations arent completely analogous, especially with the fate of PBS and NPR having become embroiled in politics, as opposed to corporate stubbornness.

More fundamentally, though, both situations speak to the question of civic responsibility, and whether the government and private interests acknowledge such obligations. Because even if C-SPAN and PBS reach smaller audiences in a fragmented world, certain things are worth keeping around not because everybody watches them, but rather for what they offer, symbolically as well as tangibly, thanks to the staid sobriety they provide by being available to the people that do.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this column incorrectly stated what distributors pay for C-SPAN a month. The amount is 7.25 cents.

The post The Assault on Good-for-You TV: C-SPAN and PBS Teeter as Trump Attacks appeared first on TheWrap.
Though vote tallies were fast this year, a handful of races will remain too close to call until provisional ballots are counted next week. (Ed Murray for New Jersey Monitor)

A handful of New Jerseys Assembly primaries remained too close to call early Friday afternoon, and counts for some races were poised to stretch until provisional ballots are tallied next week.

Most of the states races were decided on or shortly after Election Night due to a 2022 law that allowed election officials to prepare mail ballots for counting ahead of Election Day. But candidates in a handful of contests were separated by fewer than 200 votes, leaving final tallies up to provisional ballots that wont be counted until next week.

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The legislature and the Governor saw a problem, and they saw a need to fix it, and apparently they have fixed it because now we seem to be a fast-counting state, or at least we were this time, said Micah Rasmussen, director of Rider Universitys Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics.

In the 31st District, where voters gave Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker the Democratic nomination, Assemblyman William Sampsons (D-Hudson) lead over Assemblywoman Barbara McCann Stamato (D-Hudson) narrowed somewhat after county election officials updated vote tallies Thursday.

Sampson leads his onetime running mate, who sought reelection under gubernatorial hopeful and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulops slogan, by 194 votes, down from 308 on Wednesday.

Hudson officials on Thursday reported there were 101 vote-by-mail ballots and 698 provisional ballots yet uncounted. Those could be enough to bring McCann Stamato back to second place in the districts primary. Theyre unlikely to save her running mate, Jacqueline Weimmer, who lags Sampson by 403 votes.

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Election officials will continue receiving late-arriving mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day until 8 p.m. Monday, though those ballots are typically small in number. Provisional ballots can only be counted after the end of the mail-voting grace period. In some counties, officials arent counting more ballots until next week.

Not all outstanding ballots will have been cast in Democratic primaries, and some mail and some provisional ballots wont be counted because the voters who cast them were ineligible to vote, among other deficiencies. Voters whose mail ballots are rejected have until June 18 to cure them.

The contest for a second seat in the 20th District remained tight Friday morning. There, independent Democrat Ed Rodriguez leads party-backed Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados by 105 votes with Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union) in a distant first place.

There were 543 mail ballots and 707 provisional ballots left uncounted in the Union County-based district late Thursday. The race remains too close to call and will likely be decided by provisional ballots. The uncounted ballots wont be enough to bring Walter Wimbush, Rodriguezs running mate, into contention for the seat.

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Rodriguez is among the independent Democrats who performed well in races that featured opponents on competing slates backed by party organizations and Fulop.

When you get a one-on-one, you can say, Well, the other guy stinks, Rasmussen said. But when youve got six candidates  as we did in the gubernatorial field and as we did in some of these Assembly races  its not enough to say the other guy stinks. Youve got to say, No, this is why Im the best and I deserve your first or your second vote.

Outstanding ballots in the 35th District appear to favor Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz (D-Passaic), who leads his party-backed running mate, Passaic County Commissioner Orlando Cruz, by 261 votes for second place.

Nearly all votes are counted in the Bergen County portion of the district, where only 18 mail ballots and 44 provisional ballots remain untallied. Passaic has more outstanding votes: 1,195 between both categories, and Abdelaziz ran ahead of Cruz in the county.

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Newark Corporation Counsel Kenyatta Stewart, who ran on an independent ticket, leads the assemblyman by 1,301 votes  more than the number of ballots currently outstanding  and will go on to face Republicans Nelvin Mercado-Duran and Rawell Perez-Munoz in November. The district has not had a Republican member in three decades.

A second-place race between Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-Hudson) in the 32nd District remained tight. Bhalla leads the incumbent, who ran on Fulops slate, by 194 votes with 717 mostly provisional ballots left uncounted as of Thursday afternoon.

Former New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency chief of staff Katie Brennan leads Ramirez by 497 votes and is virtually certain to be one of the districts Democratic nominees. Brennan, whose accusations of sexual assault against a 2017 Murphy campaign staffer roiled Trenton, ran with Bhalla on an independent ticket.

This was a district where voters were paying attention and had really good choices, and I think the result of picking Katie Brennan at the top of the field is really a remarkable outcome for a housing advocate and a planner and somebody who we know about, given her experience with the Murphy campaign in the early days of the Murphy administration, Rasmussen said.

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The three remaining candidates, Jersey City Councilman Yousef Saleh, Crystal Fonseca, and Jennie Pu, are not in contention for either seat.

Some other contests remain close.

In the Democratic primary in the 2nd District, Fulop-aligned Bruce Weeks trails Joanne Famularo, who has party backing, by just 82 votes with 1,026 ballots uncounted. The district is held by Republican Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift, who were unopposed in the GOP primary.

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When US President Donald Trump publicly implored Israel not to attack Iran, he declared, once again, that his goal was to be a peacemaker.

Hours later on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- one of Trump's closest international allies -- unleashed a major military campaign described as a "preemptive" strike against Iran's nuclear program.

The attack marks the latest setback for Trump's lofty goal set out at the start of his second term of being a "man of peace."

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom Trump has also boasted a warm relationship, has rebuffed his overtures for a ceasefire with Ukraine.

And Israel resumed another massive offensive in Gaza after talks bogged down on extending a ceasefire with Hamas reached with Trump's support at the end of his predecessor Joe Biden's term.

Trump's friend and roving envoy Steve Witkoff -- who has negotiated in all three crises -- had been set to meet Iranian officials again Sunday in Oman.

Trump later was careful not to distance himself from Israel, where some sources sought to suggest that the public US statements were meant to catch Iran off guard.

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In successive social media posts, Trump said that Iran had failed to accept his terms and that the attack came one day after a 60-day deadline he had issued, although that did not explain why Witkoff had still scheduled talks with Iran.

Trump separately has repeatedly hailed US diplomacy that helped reach a ceasefire last month between India and Pakistan as a triumph, saying he averted nuclear war.

- 'It would blow it' -

Before Israel launched its operation, Trump said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it."

Netanyahu has described Iran's cleric-run government, which backs Hamas, as an existential threat and already last year ordered strikes that knocked out its air defenses.

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"We've clearly seen a fork in the road in the American and Israeli approaches to this problem set," said Dana Stroul, a former senior Pentagon official who is a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

"These strikes are going to disrupt and delay and degrade Iran's nuclear program. The question, I think, is whether or not the United States and Israel in the future are going to work together on what to do to maximize the time that's put back on the clock," she said.

Stroul noted that rifts had been building between Israel and Trump, who last month agreed to remove sanctions on Syria after former Islamist guerrilla Ahmed al-Sharaa swept into power.

Trump embraced the new Syrian leader after appeals on a tour of Gulf Arab monarchies -- which have also backed diplomacy on Iran.

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In Qatar last month, Trump said after meeting the emir that he believed a deal was in sight with Iran and that there would be no "nuclear dust" over the region.

- 'Reckless escalation' -

Despite growing disagreements, Israel enjoys robust support in Trump's right-wing base.

The Trump administration in recent days has again taken lonely positions to back Israel, with the United States casting one of the only votes at the UN General Assembly against a Gaza ceasefire resolution and criticizing top allies, including Britain, for imposing sanctions on far-right Israeli ministers.

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Justin Logan, director of defense and foreign policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, said the Israeli attack will "destroy US diplomatic efforts" on Iran and called for Trump to reject any US military role in protecting Israel from retaliation.

"Israel has the right to choose its own foreign policy. At the same time, it has the responsibility to bear the costs of that policy," he said.

But lawmakers in Trump's Republican Party quickly rallied behind Israel.

Senator Tom Cotton said that the United States should "back Israel to the hilt, all the way," and topple Iran's Islamic Republic if it targets US troops.

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Trump's Democratic rivals, who mostly backed his diplomacy on Iran, were aghast at Israel's action ahead of new US-Iran talks.

"Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence," said Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

sct/md
TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A loud and "terrifying" sound was reported near Nojeh Air Base in Kabudar Ahang, located in Iran's western province of Hamedan, the semi-official Mehr News Agency said on Friday.

Iran has come under multiple Israeli airstrikes since early Monday, with Iranian sources reporting the deaths of several high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists, as well as damage to nuclear facilities. 
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Shelby County Sheriffs Office denies a social media account claim that an attempted arrest Thursday in Nutbush was related to immigration.

There is misinformation circulating that this incident was related to an immigration raid or immigration arrest. That is not true. This was strictly an effort to serve an arrest warrant related to a domestic aggravated assault case, according to SCSO in a release.

Screenshot of social media post, Courtesy of SCSO

On June 11, around 4 p.m., deputies were working with the U.S. Marshals on the Two Rivers Fugitive Task Force in the 300 block of Rockwood Avenue attempting to serve a man a warrant for aggravated domestic assault.

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They said a man who matched the description of the suspect saw officers and ran into a home in the area.

SCSO said in a release, the man was hiding in the attic of the home. Deputies confirmed the man was not the wanted suspect in the assault case, and continued to locate the person named in the warrant.

The sheriffs office said that during the investigation, a large crowd gathered outside the home, believing they were witnessing an immigration raid or arrest.

Deputies said during the investigation, some people began harassing deputies and forcing their way into the house.

They said no one was arrested or detained and that they are still searching for the suspect in the assault case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The heavy lifting is now underway for the Charter review committee. Its the first proposal altering the government structure.

That way, our city administrator or manager, if you will, doesnt have to be pulled 11 different directions to decide what she should be doing, said Steve Foushee of the Charter Review Committee.



The proposed new organizational chart would have just the Mayor Pro-Tem, elected by the commission, provide direction to the administrator. Right now, its the mayor and ten commissioners.



Its not a bad idea when you have too many voices trying to exert their influence it does make it very complicated to do your job, said Sheffie Robinson, Committee member.



The first reading is always going to have some controversy with it this one has some so well work our way through it, said Lonnie Wimberly, Committee member.



The proposal also calls for the mayor to have veto power over commission actions.



There are many effective forms of government that give the mayor veto power and I think if he had veto power, the commission would work better with him to accomplish objectives, said Foushee.



I dont think the citizens would stand for that right now. I think youre going to have to convince them to give the mayor a veto, Wimberly.

This committees job is to recommend changes to the charter, but is one too big to be proposed this early?

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Not at all, spent the last two and a half months reading through several thousand pages. Big legalese stuff. Its time to get on with the duty, said Committee Chair Marcie Wilhelmi.



So starting now, change is in the wind when it comes to the city Charter.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Australia's defence minister woke up to a nightmare earlier this week - and it's one that has been looming ever since the United States re-elected Donald Trump as president in November.

A landmark trilateral agreement between the US, UK and Australia - which would give the latter cutting-edge nuclear submarine technology in exchange for more help policing China in the Asia-Pacific - was under review.

The White House said on Thursday it wanted to make sure the so-called Aukus pact was "aligned with the president's America First agenda".

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It's the latest move from Washington that challenges its long-standing friendship with Canberra, sparking fears Down Under that, as conflict heats up around the globe, Australia may be left standing without its greatest ally.

"I don't think any Australian should feel that our ally is fully committed to our security at this moment," says Sam Roggeveen, who leads the security programme at Australia's Lowy Institute think tank.

A pivotal deal for Australia

On paper, Australia is the clear beneficiary of the Aukus agreement, worth 176bn ($239bn; A$368bn).

The technology underpinning the pact belongs to the US, and the UK already has it, along with their own nuclear-powered subs. But those that are being jointly designed and built by the three countries will be an improvement.

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For Australia, this represents a pivotal upgrade to military capabilities. The new submarine model will be able to operate further and faster than the country's existing diesel-engine fleet, and allow it to carry out long-range strikes against enemies for the first time.

It is a big deal for the US to share what has been described as the "crown jewel" of its defence technology, and no small thing for the UK to hand over engine blueprints either.

But arming Australia has historically been viewed by Washington and Downing Street as essential to preserving peace in the Asia-Pacific region, which is far from their own.

It's about putting their technology and hardware in the right place, experts say.

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But when the Aukus agreement was signed in 2021, all three countries had very different leaders - Joe Biden in the US, Boris Johnson in the UK and Scott Morrison in Australia.

The deal was announced at a virtual press conference in 2021 [Getty Images]

Today, when viewed through the increasingly isolationist lens Trump is using to examine his country's global ties, some argue the US has far less to gain from the pact.

Under Secretary of Defence Policy Elbridge Colby, a previous critic of Aukus, will lead the White House review into the agreement, with a Pentagon official telling the BBC the process was to ensure it meets "common sense, America First criteria".

Two of the criteria they cite are telling. One is a demand that allies "step up fully to do their part for collective defence". The other is a purported need to ensure that the US arms industry is adequately meeting the country's own needs first.

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The Trump administration has consistently expressed frustration at allies, including Australia, who they believe aren't pulling their weight with defence spending.

They also say America is struggling to produce enough nuclear-powered submarines for its own forces.

"Why are we giving away this crown jewel asset when we most need it?" Colby himself had said last year.

A chill in Canberra

The Australian government, however, is presenting a calm front.

It's only natural for a new administration to reassess the decisions of its predecessor, officials say, noting that the new UK Labour government had a review of Aukus last year too.

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"I'm very confident this is going to happen," Defence Minister Richard Marles said of the pact, in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

But there's little doubt the review would be causing some early jolts of panic in Canberra.

"I think angst has been inseparable from Aukus since its beginning The review itself is not alarming. It's just everything else," Euan Graham, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, tells the BBC.

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles has said he is "confident" the deal will survive the review [Getty Images]

There is growing concern across Australia that America cannot be relied upon.

"[President Donald Trump's] behaviour, over these first months of this term, I don't think should fill any observer with confidence about America's commitment to its allies," Mr Roggeveen says.

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"Trump has said, for instance, that Ukraine is mainly Europe's problem because they are separated by a big, beautiful ocean. Well of course, there's a big, beautiful ocean separating America from Asia too."

Washington's decision to slap large tariffs on Australian goods earlier this year did not inspire confidence either, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying it was clearly "not the act of a friend".

Albanese has stayed quiet on the Aukus review so far, likely holding his breath for a face-to-face meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada next week. This is a chat he's still desperately trying to get the US president to agree to.

But several former prime ministers have rushed to give their two cents.

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Scott Morrison, the conservative leader who negotiated the Aukus pact in 2021, said the review should not be "over-interpreted" and scoffed at the suggestion another country could meet Australia's security needs.

"The notion is honestly delusional," he told ABC radio.

Malcolm Turnbull and Emmanuel Macron inked a submarine deal in 2016 [Getty Images]

Malcolm Turnbull, who was behind the French submarine contract that Morrison dramatically tore up in favour of Aukus, said Australia needs to "wake up", realise it's a "bad deal" which the US could renege on at any point, and make other plans before it is too late.

Meanwhile, Paul Keating, a famously sharp-tongued advocate for closer ties with China, said this "might very well be the moment Washington saves Australia from itself".

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"Aukus will be shown for what it always has been: a deal hurriedly scribbled on the back of an envelope by Scott Morrison, along with the vacuous British blowhard Boris Johnson and the confused President Joe Biden."

The whiff of US indecision over Aukus feeds into long-term criticism in some quarters that Australia is becoming too reliant on the country.

Calling for Australia's own inquiry, the Greens, the country's third-largest political party, said: "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA."

What could happen next?

There's every chance the US turns around in a few weeks and recommits to the pact.

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At the end of the day, Australia is buying up to five nuclear-powered submarines at a huge expense, helping keep Americans employed. And the US has plenty of time - just under a decade - to sort out their supply issues and provide them.

"[The US] also benefit from the wider aspects of Aukus - all three parties get to lift their boat jointly by having a more interoperable defence technology and ecosystem," Mr Graham adds.

Even so, the anxiety the review has injected into the relationship is going to be hard to erase completely  and has only inflamed disagreements over Aukus in Australia.

But there's also a possibility Trump does want to rewrite the deal.

"I can easily see a future in which we don't get the Virginia class boats," Mr Roggeveen says, referring to the interim submarines.

That would potentially leave Australia with its increasingly outdated fleet for another two decades, vulnerable while the new models are being designed and built.

What happens in the event the US does leave the Aukus alliance completely?

At this juncture, few are sounding that alarm.

The broad view is that, for the US, countering China and keeping the Pacific in their sphere of influence is still crucial.

Elbridge Colby, a previous critic of Aukus, will lead the White House review into the deal [Getty Images]

Mr Roggeveen, though, says that when it comes to potential conflict in the Pacific, the US hasn't been putting their money where its mouth is for years.

"China's been engaged in the biggest build-up of military power of any country since the end of the Cold War and the United States' position in Asia basically hasn't changed," he says.

If the US leaves, Aukus could very well become an awkward Auk  but could the UK realistically offer enough for Australia to sustain the agreement?

And if the whole thing falls apart and Australia is left without submarines, who else could it turn to?

France feels like an unlikely saviour, given the previous row there, but Australia does have options, Mr Roggeveen says: "This wouldn't be the end of the world for Australian defence."

Australia is "geographically blessed", he says, and with "a reasonable defence budget and a good strategy" could sufficiently deter China, even without submarines.

"There's this phrase you hear occasionally, that the danger is on our doorstep. Well, it's a big doorstep if that is true Beijing is closer to Berlin than it is to Sydney."

"There is this mental block in Australia and also this emotional block - a fear of abandonment, this idea that we can't defend ourselves alone. But we absolutely can if we have to."
The Brief

A group of Austin ISD parents, staff, and educators held a protest in response to the future of education in Austin ISD

This is in response to AISD's proposed turnaround plan

A board meeting will be held on June 26

AUSTIN, Texas - A group of Austin ISD parents, staff, and educators are calling on the district to provide quality public education for all students.

This comes after AISD proposed a turnaround plan, aiming to restructure three of its low-performing middle schools.

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"We demand more time to make plans for any schools facing restructuring plans, in particular, Dobie, Webb, and Burnet Middle schools. We oppose the disruptive turnaround plans pushed by Austin ISD and TEA," says AISD parent Vincent Tovar.

The protest held by ATX United for Public Schools on Thursday was in response to the future of education in Austin ISD.

The district says it drafted a "turnaround" plan called the "district-managed restart plan" to improve student achievement in a short time period. This comes after Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools received low accountability ratings.

"We don't want to fight with TEA. Just, we need a solution. We want to make a solution," says AISD parent Vanessa.

Austin ISD school ratings

Dig deeper

The Texas Education Agency faced lawsuits tied to allegations of unfairness around how schools were graded. The legal matters prevented the 202324 ratings from being released pending the outcome.

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Upon the release of the 2023 state accountability ratings, Burnet and Webb Middle School had two consecutive "F" campus ratings and Dobie scored in the bottom 5% of middle schools across the state in the "domain 3" rating.

The district says, according to state law, if a school district allows a single school to fail to meet state accountability standards for five years in a row, TEA has the authority to intervene.

This would push the district to partner with a charter school to run the school, requiring the district to close the school or appoint a board of managers to run the entire district.

"We oppose charter or TEA takeovers of our schools or a TEA takeover of AISD," says Tovar.

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AISD says a school restart will require evaluating the current staff, curriculum, professional development, and student support services. Employees that are not chosen to stay would receive support in finding other positions in the district.

"We oppose mass dismissals of teachers and administrators who have the support of their staff and communities. We demand job security for educators," says Tovar.

Austin ISD responds

"While this process has been quick, we have taken the time to hear from affected families and staff to ensure their voices are reflected in the turnaround plans within the TEA guidelines. The plans are available for review on our School Improvement website and our Board of Trustees will host a Public Hearing June 26 before its vote on the plans to further hear community input. We understand these are difficult changes and are committed to supporting our students, families and staff through this."

What's next

The changes would take place next school year.

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The board is set to hold a public hearing and vote on the plans at its June 26 meeting.

It must be submitted to the TEA by June 30 for approval.

The Source

Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Tan Radford
By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia foreign minister Penny Wong said on Friday she was alarmed by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, after Israel said it had struck dozens of targets inside Iran.

"Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran," Wong told a news conference.

"This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile."

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Australians in the region should monitor government advisories from Canberra on travel in the Middle East, she added.

Israel said early on Friday that it struck Iran, and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over U.S. efforts to win Iran's agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney)
Australia is "alarmed" by the escalation between Israel and Iran, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has said.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Wong urged all parties to "refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions."

"We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme. It represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," Wong added.

The remarks come after Israel launched a major strike on Iran's nuclear programme early Friday, escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The new Austrian ambassador to Ukraine, Robert Muller, presented his credentials to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 13 June, marking the official start of his mission.

Source: Office of the President of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy received Mullers credentials on Friday.

During their meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Austria for its humanitarian and financial assistance since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as for providing medical treatment and holidays for Ukrainian children.

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Zelenskyy and Muller also discussed the potential involvement of Austrian businesses in Ukraine's post-war recovery and the development of bilateral cooperation.

Background:

Muller arrived in Ukraine on 2 May.

He succeeded Arad Benko, who had headed Austrias diplomatic mission in Kyiv since January 2023.

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DETROIT, Mich. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  More details are emerging about a false bomb threat at the Detroit airport. Chief Transportation Correspondent and Pilot MayCay Beeler explains how a man who missed a flight to Los Angeles from Detroit called in a false bomb threat with the hope that any delay would allow him to get on the Spirit Airlines plane.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
World leaders urged restraint on Friday after Israel pounded Iran, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, and killing senior figures.

Here is a roundup of key reactions:

- 'Cannot have nuclear bomb': United States -

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform, adding that Israel has a lot of weapons thanks to the United States and "they know how to use it".

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Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table."

- 'Maximum restraint': UN -

UN chief Antonio Guterres asked "both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," according to a spokesperson.

Guterres was "particularly concerned" by Israel's strikes on nuclear installations amid the ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

- 'Unacceptable' and 'unprovoked': Russia -

"Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies, calling the strikes "unacceptable" and "unprovoked", while the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Russians in Israel to leave the country.

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- 'Deeply worried': China -

"The Chinese side... is deeply worried about the severe consequences that such actions might bring," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, calling "on relevant parties to take actions that promote regional peace and stability and to avoid further escalation of tensions".

- 'Diplomacy best path forward': EU -

"The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

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- 'Right to defend itself' : France -

"France reaffirms Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security," French President Emmanuel Macron said in English on X, calling "on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate" and "avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region".

- Avoid 'further escalation': Germany -

Germany, which for years expressed concerns about Iran's "advanced nuclear weapons programme", said it was "ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons".

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- 'Dangerous escalation': Hamas -

"This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region," said the Iran-backed, Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the Gaza war.

- Threaten to 'ignite the region' : Hezbollah -

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, long seen as the Iran-led axis's most powerful group, said of Israel: "This enemy adheres to no logic or laws and knows only the language of killing, fire, and destruction," adding that the "brutal" strike threatened to "ignite the region".

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- 'Threat to international peace': Iraq -

Iraq strongly condemned the attacks, saying: "This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security."

- No 'battleground': Jordan -

"Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict," a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace.

- 'Dangerous approach': Oman -

Nuclear talks mediator Oman said "calls on the international community to adopt a clear and firm position to put an end to this dangerous approach, which threatens to rule out diplomatic solutions and jeopardise the security and stability of the region".

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- 'Strong condemnation': Qatar -

Gaza mediator Qatar expressed "its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack," the Gulf state's foreign ministry said, adding that the "dangerous escalation threatens security and stability of the region and hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions".

- 'Aggressive actions': Turkey -

"Israel's attacks on our neighbor Iran are a clear provocation that disregards international law," said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel and a fervent advocate of the Palestinian cause, urging the international community to "put an end to Israeli banditry".

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- 'Reduce tensions urgently': UK -

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region."

- 'Legitimate right to defend itself': Yemen's Huthis -

Tehran-backed Huthi rebels said they backed "Iran's full and legitimate right to... develop its nuclear programme" and that "we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means".

burs-djt/giv
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the communitys assistance in finding an at risk missing 12-year-old boy.

Anson Chavez was last seen Wednesday in the 1600 block of 3rd Street around 5 p.m., according to police. He is considered at risk due to this being his first time reported as a runaway.

Chavez is described as 5 feet tall, 105 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, police said. He was last seen wearing a black shirt, black pants and black and white shoes.

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Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the police department at 661-327-7111.

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JAKARTA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday strongly condemned Israel's strike on Iran, calling it a breach of law that undermines the very foundations of the international legal system.

"The attack risks exacerbating existing regional tensions and could potentially trigger a broader conflict," the ministry stated via its official social media account on Friday.

Indonesia urged all parties to demonstrate the greatest moderation and avoid acts that might exacerbate tensions or cause additional instability.

The government stressed that all nations must resolve their issues peacefully in conformity with international law.

In response to the situation, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran continues to communicate with Indonesian nationals in Iran and advises them to call the embassy hotline immediately in case of an emergency. 
William Nicholas, chief of the Passamoquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, testifies in support of prohibiting eminent domain on tribal lands before the Judiciary Committee on April 4. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Legislation that would prevent the state from being able to seize tribal land for public use passed with bipartisan support in the Maine Legislature Friday, winning over many Republicans who generally were less supportive of previous attempts to provide the Wabanaki Nations greater sovereignty. However, initial votes show that support may not be enough to override an expected veto from Gov. Janet Mills.

With 11 Republicans joining the Democratic majority, the Maine House of Representatives voted 86-60 on Friday in favor of the bill, preceded by ample debate. The Senate followed suit with a 20-12 vote but no discussion.

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However, a two-thirds vote in both chambers would be needed to override a veto.

LD 958, which has bipartisan co-sponsors and received a favorable committee vote, would prohibit the state from exercising something called eminent domain on current trust and reservation land.

This is an issue that small government conservatives and civil justice liberals can agree on, bill sponsor House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) told Maine Morning Star.

However, others in his caucus spoke against the bill during floor debate, highlighting that their opposition to this issue is attached to their overall opposition to tribal sovereignty efforts.

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I cannot support this measure because I believe the issue is an issue to some degree less about eminent domain than it is about tribal sovereignty, Rep. Ken Fredette (R-Newport) said. Fredette went on to compare the Wabanaki Nations to states and municipalities.

Our states are not absolute sovereign from our federal government, Fredette said. Our towns are not absolute sovereign from the state in and the reality is that the tribes are not absolutely sovereign from the state of Maine.

Most other federally recognized tribes are already afforded protection against states being able to seize tribal land for public use. However, the Wabanaki Nations are not, due to repercussions from the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act.

This land settlement agreement has resulted in the tribes being treated more akin to municipalities than sovereign nations like other federally recognized tribes. Overhauling this act in its entirety is the Wabanaki Nations broader goal for greater recognition of their sovereignty.

What would this bill do?

The U.S. government can seize private property for public use, a principle known as eminent domain, however that authority is restricted by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires just compensation for land taken, as well as some federal laws.

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In 1834, the federal Indian Nonintercourse Act prohibited land transactions with tribes unless authorized by Congress, but the Settlement Act specified that that federal law was not applicable to the Wabanaki Nations.

As an ardent supporter of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights I stand opposed to the government taking peoples property through eminent domain, Faulkingham said. It is even more egregious to threaten seizure of property from sovereign tribes who have suffered from historic injustices of land seizures in the past.

LD 958 would amend the Settlement Act to prohibit the state from exercising eminent domain on trust and reservation land, which is protected under federal law, though fee land  or private property for which the owner owns the title  would still be subject to the state taking.

The bill would also amend the 2023 Mikmaq Nation Restoration Act to make this change for the fourth Tribe of the Wabanaki Nations, the Mikmaq Nation, which wasnt included in the Settlement Act.

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I feel like this is a no brainer, Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance Maulian Bryant told Maine Morning Star. We should have tribal land protected from state seizure, just like other tribes around the country.

Throughout committee consideration of the bill, it was amended to incorporate a proposed change from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce that the prohibition would only apply to current reservation and trust lands, and not land that may be put into trust in the future.

Each of the Wabanaki Nations are eligible to acquire up to 150,000 acres of trust land in specific areas identified in the Settlement Act. Several tribes have already acquired most of that.

While the Judiciary Committee accepted that amendment, Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Aaron Dana, who is on the committee, told Maine Morning Star that some tribal leaders believed that compromise shouldnt have been made.

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We dont want to keep negotiating away everything, Dana said. Weve been negotiating everything away since the 1980s.

People from across the state gather at the State House on May 14 to lobby for legislation that would prevent the state from seizing Wabanaki land and provide the Wabanaki Nations with exclusive rights to operate internet gaming. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star)

Opposition

What we dont know is what we dont know, Fredette said on the floor. Would we, as a state, for the best interest of the state, require a sliver of a piece of land? I dont know the answer to that.

Fredette repeated many of the same talking points that the governors counsel, Jerry Reid, told the Judiciary Committee during a work session in which he shared that Mills is opposed to the bill.

After not testifying during the bills public hearing, Reid said on April 9 that Mills is concerned the bill could prevent the state government from addressing unpredictable future infrastructure needs, an issue also raised in written testimony from the Maine Department of Transportation.

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When pressed by committee members, Reid said he didnt have a specific example of an infrastructure project that would warrant seizing tribal land but that, We need to write the law mindful of the potential for problems.

Republican Sen. David Haggan of Penobscot, who was one of four committee members to vote against the bill in committee, invited Reid and Tim Woodcock, attorney with Eaton Peabody, to provide a question and answer session about the bill, which was only attended by Republican legislators on May 8.

A handout from that meeting listed similar key points, pointing to uncertain future needs and arguing that the state needs to be mindful of the interests of the 1.4 million non-tribal Maine citizens, as well.

Informational sessions like this are not unusual, the governors press secretary Ben Goodman said when asked why the session was held.

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So far, sweeping changes to the Settlement Act have failed due to opposition from Mills, though an omnibus sovereignty bill has been carried over into next year. Instead, the governor, lawmakers and Wabanaki leaders have successfully made some targeted adjustments, including expanding tribal authority to prosecute crimes last year.

Craig Francis, a tribal attorney and Passamaquoddy citizen, told Maine Morning Star that the Wabanaki Nations hadnt expected the eminent domain issue to garner the pushback from the Mills administration that it has.

Were trying to approach change that way because of what the governor has laid that out as a path forward, Francis said, referring to the piecemeal approach. We didnt really see eminent domain as that big of an issue as her office is making it out to be.

The state has not exercised eminent domain over tribal lands since the Settlement Act, a point Fredette also made on the House floor. This also means that, currently, the states ability to exercise eminent domain over tribal lands is not actually clear.

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I suspect that even if the state were going to attempt to take a piece of tribal land by eminent domain, it would be sufficiently litigated frankly for years before that were to happen, Fredette said on the floor, and so I think this is a bill thats in search of a problem.

Meanwhile, Francis said the likelihood of litigation is a reason to clarify rights now in the bill.

It leaves open legal questions that ultimately will end up having to be resolved by a court, Francis said. Were trying to resolve it amicably because theres always room for conversation in the future if [the state] needed land.

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The Brief

A barbecue on Detroit's east side ended in gunfire Wednesday night.

Four victims were shot - three women and one man but all are expected to recover.

One suspect has been arrested but police are unsure if there was more than one shooter.

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Four people were shot at a barbecue on Detroit's east side at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The backstory

It happened during a barbecue, as gunfire shattered the peace. Detroit police say everyone knew each other.

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One suspect in custody with no word on charges. Detroit police arent sure if that person was the lone shooter.

"We were sitting out here last night, me and a friend on the porch with my girlfriend," said neighbor Christopher Buchanan. "And we (saw) a bunch of police cars down there and we kind of didn't know what was going on. And we just kind of stayed outside to see what happened. But once I (saw) the detective cars ..."

Hilary Golston: "You knew."

"(I) knew," he said.

Police say everyone involved knew each other at the event, on Metattal near Acacia.

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Investigators say all the victims- three women, and a man, suffered non-life threatening injuries wounded but expected to be okay.

Neighbor James Carl said when the shooting started, it became chaotic.

"Im not sure what happened, but earlier in the day I drove by and there (were) a lot of cars out there, barbecue pits in the front yard, and just an array of things," Carl said.

Police say there is no clear motive and no known dispute. Just a warm evening that turned violent.

The Source

Information for this report is from neighbors and Detroit police.
(KRON)  BART service between the Downtown Berkeley and Richmond stations has resumed following a major medical emergency near the North Berkeley station Friday morning, according to the transit agency. Service was stopped for nearly an hour before resuming with major delays around 7:35 a.m.

Direct Red Line service between Richmond and Millbrae, which was temporarily halted, resumed around 9 a.m.

No further information was immediately available on the medical emergency.

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Fridays incident marks the second consecutive day of BART service disruptions due to medical emergencies. On Thursday morning, BART stopped train service between the South Hayward and Bay Fair stations for more than two hours due to a major medical emergency at the Hayward station.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
SCRANTON  Building by building, John Basalyga aims to bring new life into the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton.

Basalyga, who owns numerous properties downtown, including The Marketplace at Steamtown, has in recent years acquired half of the dozen buildings in the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue. This block is anchored by the Lackawanna County Government Center at the former Globe department store.

The buildings he now owns are or were mostly vacant. He has total renovations underway of two adjacent former eyesores, and has plans in the works for either redeveloping or filling other structures with commercial and residential tenants.

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I have an opportunity here to really change the look of downtown in this block, and I want to take advantage of that, Basalyga said.

Photo on top shows a renovation by John Basalyga underway at 107-109 Wyoming Ave. and the adjoining 111 Wyoming Ave., which are two buildings with three addresses. The image on bottom is a rendering of a renovation of two connected buildings owned by John Basalyga at 107-109 and 111 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton. (PHOTO ON TOP / JIM LOCKWOOD/STAFF PHOTO ; BOTTOM IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF JOHN BASALYGA)

Heres a look at the properties and plans:

130 Wyoming Ave.: A three-story former Wells Fargo bank building, purchased by Basalyga a year ago, will soon get a Building Blocks Learning Center occupying about 10,000 square feet on the first and second floors. Building Blocks Learning Center has locations in the areas of Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Back Mountain, Mountain Top, Hazleton and the Lehigh Valley, according to its website. It lists 130 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton as a coming soon location.

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The rest of the building would become residences. This building is fronted by curved canopy structures.

I think thats a unique building for downtown. Ive heard for so many years that people said its ugly, but I have some great ideas that will make it beautiful and stand out. That building is going to come alive, he said.

He wants to get really creative with the landscaping and the lighting on it and figure out something to do with all of these different canopies, he said. Its one of two things: they (the canopies) are either really ugly and have to go or theyre going to make the building, and I dont know which one it is yet.

Another idea is to use a driveway along the side of the building for a streetscape attraction there.

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134 Wyoming Ave.: A vacant, five-story former Dime Bank Building, which later became a Mellon Bank, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and also was purchased a year ago. It is on the corner of 400 Biden St. Built in 1891 by architect Frederick Lord Brown, the bank was designed in the Chateauesque style with orange-brown sandstone work and a heavy cornice, according to historical accounts.

Weve had some financial institutions looking at the lower level. It kind of lends itself to that. And then the upper levels, weve got drawings from the previous owner for apartments, Basalyga said.

I would say its a 2026 project now.

117 Wyoming Ave.: Dollys Boutique relocated here in January. In 2022, Basalygas JBAS Realty bought this four-story Place 1 building, which formerly had a womens clothing store, and the former Steamtown Trading Post next door. Place 1 has an L shape that wraps around the rear of the former trading post pawn shop. The second floor currently has another commercial tenant, and the third and floor floors have remnants of a former gym that had been in that building. He has no plans for apartments in this building.

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115 Wyoming Ave.: Also purchased in 2022, the one-story former Steamtown Trading Post most recently had the Dusk & Dawn Coffeeshop and Purgatory Lounge, which are no longer there. Instead of having one business in a narrow, deep building, Basalyga plans to install windows in the wall along the Center Street alley and make spaces for three or four smaller stores there.

107-109 Wyoming Ave.: A former Blue Wireless discount cellphone store, purchased in 2023.

111 Wyoming Ave.: A longtime Curry Donuts store that most recently contained Wandas Mofongo House II restaurant; also purchased in 2023.

Basalyga has a total revamp well underway of these two connected, three-story buildings, with commercial spaces on the street level and apartments above.

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He also will unify the facades of these two buildings and will return to the citys Historical Architecture Review Board for review and approval.

Photo on top shows a renovation by John Basalyga underway at 107-109 Wyoming Ave. and the adjoining 111 Wyoming Ave., which are two buildings with three addresses. The image on bottom is a rendering of a renovation of two connected buildings owned by John Basalyga at 107-109 and 111 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton. (PHOTO ON TOP / JIM LOCKWOOD/STAFF PHOTO ; BOTTOM IMAGE PROVIDED / COURTESY OF JOHN BASALYGA)

A new bookstore opened earlier this month at 111 Wyoming Ave. in the street-level space. Friendly Alien Books held a grand opening June 6, coinciding with First Friday events.

Bookstore owner Brigid Lawrence expressed optimism about Basalygas plan to enliven the block.

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Its the perfect location (for a bookstore) and he does have so much planned for this stretch and theres already so much happening with other buildings and businesses in the block and nearby, Lawrence said.

Basalyga also plans to have another commercial space on the street level of 107-109 Wyoming Ave.

I want to bring more business downtown. We need more businesses, he said.

Initially, a few years ago, Basalyga planned to raze the three buildings at 107-109, 111 and 115 Wyoming Ave., and construct a six- to eight-story, mixed-use building on the footprint of 107-109 and 111, and build a sky bridge over the Center Street alley to 117 Wyoming Ave. He has since scrapped those plans in favor of renovating the existing buildings.

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Meanwhile, in another area of the downtown, Basalygas plans are on hold for a 17-story building at Franklin Avenue and Mulberry Street, on the lot of the former Red Carpet Inn & Suites, pending the outcome of a countywide tax reassessment, he said.

Im just waiting to see what happens with the property taxes, Basalyga said. I dont know whats going to happen after the reassessment. Its certainly something to be concerned with. A building of that size, that could be millions of dollars a year in (property) taxes. I dont want to build something that isnt financially viable. So Im just waiting to see.

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Developed John Basalyga discusses development and some of his properties in the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 10. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Developed John Basalyga discusses development and some of his properties in the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 10. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Developed John Basalyga discusses development and some of his properties in the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 10. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Developed John Basalyga discusses development and some of his properties in the 100 block of Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 10. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)

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Buildings owned by John Basalyga at 115 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, at left, and 117 Wyoming Ave., at right, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)John Basalyga owns 111 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)A building owned by John Basalyga at 130 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)A building owned by John Basalyga at 134 Wyoming Ave., at a corner of Biden Street, in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)The new Friendly Alien Books bookstore in a building owned by John Basalyga at 111 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)A building owned by John Basalyga at 130 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)Two buildings owned by John Basalyga at 115 and 117 Wyoming Ave.in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025/A building owned by John Basalyga at 130 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)A front and side wall of a building owned by John Basalyga at 115 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)A vacant area between two buildings now owned by John Basalyga at 130 and 134 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)The front and side wall of a building owned by John Basalyga at 115 Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton, shown here on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  An investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department into alleged criminal activities led to the arrest of a Baton Rouge man on theft and gun charges.

Anthony Thomas Jr., 22, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a machine gun.

The investigation started in May of this year with Thomas as the focus. BRPD said Thomas was identified as a Youngins Taking Over member, which is tied to the Bleeda gang.

This picture shows a gun that was seized during the arrest of Anthony Thomas, Jr. (Baton Rouge Police Department)

As the investigation unfolded, BRPD found that Thomas had a vehicle that was reported stolen. Police saw him with a Glock handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device during surveillance.

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The Baton Rouge man was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on Thursday, June 12. Police said he was found with a handgun equipped with a machine gun conversion device at the time of his arrest.

Thomas has previously been arrested and charged with obstruction of justice, illegal carrying of a weapon, domestic abuse battery, distribution of Schedule I and possession of Schedule V.

The Baton Rouge man was caught with the help of the United States Marshals Service Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force.

Woman arrested, accused of stalking and drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Police arrested a Baton Rouge man wanted on multiple charges, including armed robbery and home invasion.

The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested Braelin Whitfield, 29, in connection with two separate outstanding warrants after detectives learned he had been taken into custody as a fugitive by deputies on June 12.

Police said Whitfield was booked on two counts of attempted simple burglary of a vehicle in connection with an October 2024 case. According to BRPD, he had been arrested by deputies on the same night of the crime.

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In a second case, Whitfield is accused of firing a shot and stealing the victims car in a home invasion from November 2024. Police said Whitfield crashed the car into a fence and fled. He was charged with armed robbery  firearm, theft of a firearm, home invasion, illegal use of weapons and two counts of attempted simple burglary.

BRPD noted that Whitfield has previously been arrested on charges of simple burglary, theft and battery.

Woman arrested, accused of stalking and drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge

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Jun. 12WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Thursday signed legislation into law that blocks Washington and other states from following California's lead in phasing out gas-powered vehicles.

Rep. Michael Baumgartner of Spokane was among dozens of Republican lawmakers invited to the White House for the occasion, which the president used to riff on a variety of topics in addition to the bill. Between calling Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell "a numbskull" and highlighting his own popularity on TikTok, Trump celebrated the revocation of Biden-era waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency that let California impose stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government.

After the Biden administration allowed California to ban the sale of gas-powered cars starting in 2035, Washington followed suit in 2022, requiring that all new cars sold in the state be either fully electric or plug-in hybrids. A total of 17 states has adopted similar rules that the newly signed law revokes.

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"The automakers didn't know what to do, because they're really building cars for two countries," Trump said. "When you have 17 states, you're building cars for two countries."

In an interview before the bill-signing ceremony, Baumgartner said the California regulation and its progeny would have been devastating to the U.S. economy.

"There does not exist the ability to magically create electric semi-trucks that move nearly 70% of the goods that Americans consume, so it would have been crippling to our economy if this rule was left in place," he said. "You can't run semi-trucks across America on unicorn laughter and aspirational dreams of environmental extremists."

To revoke the waivers, the EPA issued under a previous administration, lawmakers invoked the Congressional Review Act, which allowed them to skirt the 60-vote supermajority required to pass most bills in the Senate. They did so despite the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office and the Senate parliamentarian, the chamber's neutral adviser on rules, both informing senators that the EPA waivers didn't count as the executive-branch rules for which the act applies.

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Despite near-unanimous opposition from Democratic senators, the bill revoking California's waivers received significant bipartisan support in the House, plus a single Democratic senator, Michigan's Elissa Slotkin.

Trump was surprised on Thursday when a GOP lawmaker in the room told him 35 House Democrats had voted in favor. One of them was Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of southwest Washington, who runs an auto repair shop with her husband and has been a frequent critic of her party's push to speed a transition to electric vehicles.

Shortly after Thursday's ceremony concluded, Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a joint lawsuit with nine other states challenging the elimination of California's waiver. The suit alleges that the resolution violates the separation of powers, the Take Care Clause and multiple federal statutes, including the Congressional Review Act and Administrative Procedure Act.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff states allege that the Congressional Review Act has "never before been used in any context that resembles this one. It has certainly never been used, as it was here, to negate particular state laws."

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The lawsuit seeks to have the resolution declared unlawful and to require the federal government to implement the Clean Air Act consistent with the granted waivers.

"Transportation is the single greatest contributor to greenhouse gas pollution in Washington, and our residents understand the transition to zero-emission vehicles is critical in the fight against climate change," Brown said in a statement Thursday. "This is the Trump administration's latest unlawful attempt to derail Washington's and the nation's transition to a clean future."

At the White House, Trump railed against Democrats' efforts to use state and federal laws to phase out gas-powered vehicles  the country's biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions  and speed the adoption of wind, solar and other low-carbon energy sources.

"They're making you buy stuff that doesn't work," the president said. "You should be given the option to buy the electric car, by a gasoline-powered car, buy a hybrid. Probably not hydrogen, because hydrogen has the tendency that when it blows up, you're gonzo. It's over."

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After the room broke out in laughter at that line, Trump turned to Rep. Steve Scalise and said, "It'll make your accident look like peanuts," apparently referring to the 2017 shooting that left the Louisiana Republican in critical condition.

Washington state officials have taken steps in recent days to prepare for the new federal law. In a June 6 memo, the Washington State Department of Ecology notified vehicle manufacturers that it would temporarily pause compliance requirements for some vehicle categories.

"This recent federal action introduces new uncertainty for states, manufacturers, and consumers at a time when both businesses and consumers are making real progress in reducing the transportation sector's greenhouse gas emissions," Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said in a statement June 6. "It undermines states' rights, negatively impacts public health, and puts U.S. automakers at a competitive disadvantage in a global market that is rapidly transitioning to zero-emission vehicle technology."

Sixkiller added that the agency would work with legislators, industry partners, local governments and other states to "stay on track and ensure continued progress toward our climate and public health goals."

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After the federal bill cleared the Senate in late May, Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a statement that the action was "brazenly out of step with the law, science, and public will."

"For more than 50 years, states have possessed the ability to adopt stronger vehicle emissions standards to protect public health. Washington has exercised that right, along with 17 other states, resulting in cleaner air and healthier communities," Ferguson said. "Despite this retreat from public health by the federal government, I'm committed to ensuring Washington moves forward on building a healthier, cleaner future."

Thursday's bill signing drew praise of the Washington Trucking Association, which said it remains committed to working with Washington lawmakers and the Department of Ecology on a "workable path to electrification."

"California's EV trucking mandates have been a disaster for states like Washington, and have caused real harm to the trucking industry, a key link in our trade-dependent state's supply chain network," the association's president and CEO, Sheri Call, said in a statement. "Washington state does not have the infrastructure in place to properly institute such a sweeping mandate like this, and the technology has not advanced enough yet to support the trucking industry's rapid transition to clean energy. Our neighbors in Oregon recently opted out of these mandates for these same reasons."

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Vicki Giles Fabre, vice president of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association, said that Washington's franchised new car and truck dealers have "made substantial investments in electrification and remain committed to selling electric and hybrid vehicles."

"The Washington State Auto Dealers Association intends to work with state policymakers to find solutions that incentivize increased adoption of these vehicles, while also supporting the needs of franchised dealers, their employees, and the customers they serve," Fabre said in a statement Wednesday.

According to Sixkiller, one in five new vehicles sold today runs on zero-emission technology.

"We're not going to slow down that progress. Washingtonians already experience the impacts of climate change every year, from drought and wildfire to flooding and sea-level rise," Sixkiller said in a statement following the Attorney General's lawsuit. "As our Attorney General's Office fights to protect our state's rights, we'll continue working with the Legislature, industry partners, local governments, and other states to continue our progress on clean transportation. At a time of great uncertainty, that's a promise we can keep."

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Following a week of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration, more action is planned for this weekend across the Bay Area.

Indivisible SF is helping to organize Saturdays No Kings protests around the Bay Area. The grassroots group said it is alarmed by recent actions by the Trump administration, ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and is planning these events to push back.

The trump administration wants to suppress dissent and snatch community members off the streets, and we are non-violently saying no to that, Peter Hosey, who is with Indivisible SF, told KRON4.

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Over the past week, thousands of people have attended rallies across the Bay Area. While these protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, there have been some acts of violence and vandalism, with hundreds of people being detained or arrested.

Hosey said that organizers of this weekends rallies have been in contact with law enforcement and city leaders to ensure that the protests remain peaceful, and they are discouraging violence and vandalism.

Throughout the past week, city leaders and law enforcement around the Bay Area have said they will allow people to express their free speech rights, but that vandalism and violence will not be tolerated.

Hosey says they do not know how many people will attend this weekend, but they are expecting a large turnout, and they are optimistic that things will go smoothly.

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We want to have a nice, empowering vibe, Hosey said.

The San Francisco rally is set to start at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Dolores Park, the Oakland rally begins at Wilma Chan Park at 12:45 p.m., and the San Jose protest begins at noon at St. James Park along North First Street.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Bay Countys historic courthouse has received some new additions and renovations.

County Commissioners, the Bay County Clerk of the Court, and the Bay County judiciary will host a grand opening ceremony for the courthouses new South Wing at 300 E. 4th St., Panama City. It recently completed renovation on Friday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m.

The 29,000-square-foot South Wing includes office space for the 14th Judicial Circuit Judges and staff as well as two large courtrooms and one smaller courtroom; the project cost $12.9 million.

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According to a news release, construction of the South Wing began in July 2022 and ended in October 2024, and renovations to the courthouse began in early 2024 and concluded in May 2025. The project reconfigured the first and second floors and modernized approximately 60,000 square feet of interior space.

Bay County courthouse renovations update

This project is a testament to our commitment to preserving Bay Countys history while meeting the needs of a growing community, Bay County Commissioner Robert Carroll said, who served on the projects construction committee. The updated courthouse and new South Wing addition will provide more modern, efficient spaces for court operations and public service, and make for a one-stop shop for the countys court-related activities.

This is the first major renovation the courthouse has received since the 1970s.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The Broome County Sheriffs Office is currently looking for Michael Pavlisak on an outstanding warrant and is asking the residents of Broome County for assistance.

Pavlisak is wanted for Violating the Sex Offender Registry, second offense, and New York State Parole Violation.

Pavlisak is described as a white man with brown hair and green eyes. He is five feet nine inches tall and weighs approximately 200 pounds.

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Pavlisak was last known to frequent the Upper Court Street area of the Town of Kirkwood.

Anyone with information on the location of Pavlisak is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriffs Office. Tips may be submitted electronically or by phone and will remain confidential.

The Broome County Sheriffs Office can be contacted at their tip line at (607) 778-1196 or Warrants Division at (607) 778-2923 or (607) 778-2933. Information can also be submitted on their website, gobroomecounty.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
ISTANBUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish aviation companies have cancelled all flights to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Jordan until June 16, authorities said on Friday, following Israel's airstrikes on Iranian targets that heightened regional security concerns.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced the decision on social media platform X, saying it was prompted by the temporary closure of airspace over Israel, Iran, Syria and Iraq due to increased security risks.

In coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Turkish carriers have revised flight routes to avoid high-risk areas, he added.

Uraloglu noted that crisis management teams are actively monitoring the situation and that no passengers or crew members are currently at risk.

The Israeli military said earlier on Friday it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" strike on dozens of military targets in Iran, including nuclear sites.

In response to the escalation, several countries in the region, including Jordan and Iraq, closed their airspace and suspended all flights. 
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  The WKBN 27 First News station was buzzing Thursday afternoon with some energetic visitors.

A swarm of bees made camp on one of the bushes outside the station, and we invited local beekeeper Brian Koper to buzz on by and pick them up.

Swarms like this one will find a spot to congregate while sending out scouts to look for a permanent home. Even if we hadnt called a local beekeeper, the swarm wouldve likely moved on after a brief time.

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Honeybees, they go by GPS, and they go by the sun, Koper said. So they will when you relocate a colony, say, I move this one to where theyre going to in my apiary, you will see them do whats called orientation flights, and it looks like a figure eight, and they are basically orienting themselves to that new location.

The bees were very docile when being removed, stinging neither Koper  who wore no protective gear  or the WKBN reporter, who were both surrounded by bees, standing close enough to such a number of bees that you could feel the breeze from their wings.

Typically, swarms do not exhibit any aggressive nature at all, Koper said. You can get some pictures, put it on social media. But do not spray them; contact a beekeeper. Because like myself, Ill take this colony and take them to my apiary and give them a home. We want to save the honeybees, we dont want to spray them, we dont want to do anything that would harm them.

Most of the swarm are female worker bees, though there were a few drones, or male bees. The drones sole purpose is to mate with the queen and continue growing their colony. There is only one queen, and once Koper had her and moved her into the container that would take her to their new home, a lot of her colony followed.

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He said the swarm is relatively small, with all the bees together weighing around 2-3 pounds, which is somewhere around 6,000-7,000 bees. For any bees who didnt make the trip, they will either rejoin their old colony or move in with a new one elsewhere.

If you find a bee cluster in your yard and dont want to wait for them to pass on of their own volition, you can contact a beekeepers club. The Columbiana Mahoning County Beekeepers Association will help put Valley residents in touch with a local beekeeper who would be happy to take the swarm off their hands.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Rep. Nick Begich III, R-Alaska, speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, joined congressional Republicans in a 214-212 vote Thursday to claw back $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for public broadcasting, including tens of millions of dollars intended for radio and TV stations in Alaska.

The clawback, formally known as a rescission vote, was requested by President Donald Trump and does not take effect unless also approved by the U.S. Senate within 45 days.

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The rescission would be enormously significant for Alaskas public broadcasters, particularly those in rural Alaska. High Country News has reported that many of Alaskas rural public radio stations are heavily dependent upon funding from the federal government.

A rescission would be even more significant than a budget cut, because it would instantly affect funding that has already been approved and included in local budgets. If Congress were to cut budgets going forward, stations might have at least some time to adapt.

Stations on St. Paul Island, in Unalakleet, Sand Point and Talkeetna are among those that receive more than 70% of their funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the federally funded agency targeted by Thursdays vote.

Stations in Sitka, Ketchikan, Petersburg and Haines are among those that receive at least a third of their support from the CPB.

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At KUCB-FM in Unalaska, the station would instantly lose nearly half of its funding and would have to eliminate original programming. The same would take place at KYUK-FM in Bethel, which stands to lose almost 70% of its revenue.

On June 6, Alaska Public Media published a listing of knock-on effects, including the loss of the only local reporters in many rural parts of the state.

Even in the states urban centers, the funding loss would have devastating effects.

KNBA-FM in Anchorage could have to stop production of National Native News and Native America Calling, two nationally syndicated programs that broadcast Alaska Native and American Indian news.

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In Juneau, the loss of funding would affect Gavel Alaska, the public broadcasts that cover legislative hearings in the state Capitol and elsewhere.

Begich, in a written statement, said the rescissions package is a necessary step for restoring fiscal responsibility in our nation.

During his election campaign last year, Alaskas lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives said reducing the national deficit was a priority. He recently voted for a bill that increases the national debt by an estimated $2.4 trillion.

In Thursdays statement, Begich said that while rural communities have in the past been indirectly supported through state-sponsored media, we must acknowledge how far we have come in terms of connectivity since the birth of radio more than 120 years ago. Alaskan residents have embraced todays pervasive cellular, satellite, and wireline technologies, connecting rural communities to critical information and resources in rich and compelling ways. Importantly, however, emergency management funding from these budgets that is directed to rural communities has been preserved.

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In addition to the impact on public broadcasters, the rescissions package eliminates billions of dollars in foreign aid.

This rescissions package primarily targets ideologically-shaped foreign spending at USAID. Under both the Obama and Biden Administrations, USAID funding was misused to promote political and socially left policies abroad. This package helps refocus our support in ways that are consistent with Americas core values, rather than promote the agendas of international bureaucracies and ideological NGOs, Begich wrote.

America has been built on principles of freedom of expression, self-determination, sovereignty, personal responsibility, and limited government. This package supports those values by rescinding $9.4 billion from programs that do not reflect the will of the taxpaying public, his statement said.

A poll commissioned by PBS earlier this year found that 65% of the public believes the public broadcaster is either adequately funded or underfunded.

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In the Senate, a simple majority vote will be needed to approve the rescissions package. Republicans occupy 53 seats in that chamber and Vice President J.D. Vance would cast any tiebreaking vote, meaning that four Republicans would have to oppose the funding reduction for it to fail.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has said she supports funding public broadcasting. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, while critical of NPR, has supported public broadcasting, particularly in rural Alaska.

Trump has said that the rescissions request is the first of several that the White House budget office plans to submit.

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As Americans prepare for a full weekend of protests against President Donald Trump, one Florida sheriffs spooky warning is sounding off alarms on social media. Now, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey is facing backlash after essentially threatening Florida residents organizing for No Kings Day protests against Trumps birthday, military parade.

In a news conference, Ivey said If you spit on us [law enforcement officers], youre going to the hospital and in jail. He continued, If you hit one of us, youre going to the hospital and jail and most likely getting bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs we have here.

His darkest threat came next as he confidently warned If you throw a brick, a fire bomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, because we will kill you. Graveyard, dead. He added, Were not going to play, this has got to stop.

A Florida sheriff warned violent protesters that they could end up "graveyard dead" amid the ongoing ICE protests across America. https://t.co/wBv7qvVpwU pic.twitter.com/2UfTLgexch  WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) June 12, 2025

With Ivey and Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks on X took it all in. Dear Black People, this is why we say, stay home,' @ZetaGirlTech said. Dont allow anyone to gaslight or shame you for choosing self-preservation. Stay home!

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Another user, @AirHarp, wrote This is what theyve been waiting for, adding, ThisIsWhyWeDontStand.

This is what they've been waiting for. #ThisIsWhyWeDontStand https://t.co/usoIBNmnF2  Air Harp (owner of NattyGirl apparel) (@AirHarp) June 13, 2025

Other folks werent moved by the sheriffs threats. Lol continue protesting these people have no right to tell you what you should or shouldnt do, @biggaboy0 wrote.

Please remember that the first amendment still applies and no one can outlaw Peaceful Protest, attorney Gerald A. Griggs said. Upwards 1,800 protests across the nation are expected to go down over the weekend. In cities like Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago, demonstrators are already showing up to counteract Trump.

Lol continue protesting these people have no right to tell you what you should or shouldn't do. https://t.co/9tRXiFsOyt  Timothy L./The age of aquarius  (@biggaboy0) June 12, 2025

But in other states, like Florida, planned protests being threatened with violent force has folks thinking the state is the real problem. Florida seems to be the place that all of the crazy racists are now coming out of the woodworks, @adivunsolicited said on TikTok.

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Back on X, @Bigdumbdog2 said he wishes I could saw-off Florida like the Roadrunner does to the Coyote.

S.C. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick criticized the sheriff for his language. As public servants, our words matter  and threatening to kill citizens with such reckless and inflammatory language goes far beyond maintaining public safety, she said. This is not acceptable, nor will it ever be.

As public servants, our words matter  and threatening to kill citizens with such reckless and inflammatory language goes far beyond maintaining public safety.



This is not acceptable, nor will it ever be. https://t.co/8zN6kwvYD3  Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (@CongresswomanSC) June 13, 2025

Many folks online said Sheriff Ivey is clearly standing on one side of the fight and its not with the people. The MAGA in him is extremely strong. He has waited his whole career for this moment, @imJohnWess said.

What a press conference by the Klan sounds like, @RodnyeTheoc tweeted. Despite Iveys threats, No Kings Day protests are shaping up to be the largest mass-scale protests since the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Trump is recruiting 6,000 soldiers, military tanks, weapons, planes, and more for his celebratory parade honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his 79th birthday. The event will go down in Washington, D.C. despite bipartisan backlash.
Israel has begun its long-signalled attacks on Iran with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they would continue as long as necessary.

The attacks, which began early on Friday, appear to have been carefully planned, hitting military and government targets and killing several senior military leaders  including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of the armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri. Prominent Iranian nuclear scientists are also among the dead.

The strikes took place despite negotiations between Iran and Israels principal ally, the United States, over the future of Tehrans nuclear programme, leading many to suspect that the threat of Israeli action was a coordinated ploy to bring additional pressure onto Iran.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.  Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: pic.twitter.com/XgUTy90g1S  Benjamin Netanyahu    (@netanyahu) June 13, 2025

US support remains vital to Israel. As well as serving as the countrys principal armourer, Washington also acts as a permanent shield against criticism of Israel in the United Nations, frequently using its veto in the UN Security Council to halt any official censure of its ally despite allegations of Israels repeated breaches of international law.

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And an attack against Iran  a powerful regional force with allied groups across the Middle East  is ultimately a risky move for Israel, which is expecting an Iranian response, and the US, which has soldiers deployed across the region.

So, given the stakes, why would Israel attack Iran and why now? Heres what we know:

Did Iran pose an imminent nuclear threat to Israel?

Israels military superiority in the Middle East comes not just through its conventional arsenal or the backing of the US, but from the advantage it has that no other country in the region does: nuclear weapons.

Israel is widely acknowledged to have nuclear weapons although it has never publicly admitted it.

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An Iranian nuclear weapon would take away that advantage and is, therefore, a red line for Israel. For years, Israel  and particularly Netanyahu  has insisted that Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, even as Tehran has insisted that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

Justifying the Israeli attack, Netanyahu said Iran could have produced a nuclear weapon in a very short time  it could be a year, or it could be a few months. An unnamed Israeli military official was also quoted as saying Iran had enough fission material for 15 nuclear bombs within days.





What is the non-Israeli assessment of Irans nuclear capabilities?

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Thursday that Iran had failed to uphold the obligations it had signed on to as part of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, an accusation Iran quickly rejected.

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The IAEA also noted what it believed was a long history of noncooperation between Iran and its inspectors. However, it didnt say that Iran had developed nuclear weapons.

As part of a 2015 deal with the US, other Western countries, China and Russia, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear programme and allow the IAEA to regularly inspect its facilities in return for relief from the crippling sanctions that it was under.

However, in 2018, US President Donald Trump  then in his first presidential term  unilaterally withdrew from the deal and reimposed sanctions.

The US has, however, not found that Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons or attempting to do so. In March, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the US continues to assess that Iran is not building nuclear weapons and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons programme he suspended in 2003.





Why else would Israel attack Iran?

Netanyahu has previously described Iran as the head of the octopus with tentacles all around from the Houthis to Hezbollah to Hamas. The idea is that Iran is at the head of a network of anti-Israeli groups across the region known as the axis of resistance.

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Since starting the war in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has been able to severely weaken both Hamas and Hezbollah, limiting their abilities to attack Israel. The top leaders of both organisations have been almost entirely taken out, including important figures, such as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh.

The attacks on Hezbollah in particular were not met with the kind of blowback that many in Israel feared, allowing hawks in Israel to argue that their country has an unprecedented opportunity to continue to target its enemies, including Iran, and reshape the entire Middle East. Some may think the opportunity is even there for regime change in Iran  although that would likely require a far longer war than Israel has the capability to conduct.

That is despite there being no direct confrontation since last year between Israel, Iran or any of its allies before Fridays strikes by Israel. Neither had there been any threat of action, other than that of counterstrikes if Israel did attack.





Was there a domestic political component to Israels strikes on Iran?

Many in Israel accuse Netanyahu of making military decisions  including in the war on Gaza, where Israel has killed more than 55,000 Palestinians  on the basis of his own political considerations.

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In the eyes of his critics, Netanyahu has become dependent upon conflict, both with Iran and in Gaza, to maintain his coalition. The alternative is to risk the collapse of his government and a public reckoning with his own failings ahead of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which killed 1,139 people, as well as a potential prison sentence as a result of the multiple corruption charges he faces.

For Netanyahu, the difference between foreign and domestic politics cannot be distinguished, Israeli political analyst Ori Goldberg said. There was no imminent threat to Israel. This was not inevitable. The [IAEA] report did not contain anything suggesting Iran posed an existential threat to Israel.

Most politicians in Israel have rallied around the military since the strikes on Iran. On Thursday, Netanyahus coalition had only survived a vote to dissolve the parliament and trigger elections after reaching an 11th-hour compromise over the contentious exemption of ultra-Orthodox youth from the draft.

But now, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has praised the attacks on Iran, and left-wing politician Yair Golan has also backed the strikes.

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Netanyahus decision to strike at Iran had been borne of the stress of his political position and his addiction to blood and force, left-wing Israeli member of parliament Ofer Cassif told Al Jazeera.

To Cassifs regret, however, the move appeared to have won the support of the parliamentary opposition.





Has Israel again broken international law in striking Iran?

According to some legal experts, yes.

Israel has already been accused of breaching countless international laws through its 20-month-long war on Gaza.

And the strikes on Iran may mark a new chapter in the countrys breaches of international law, Michael Becker, a professor of international human rights law at Trinity College in Dublin, told Al Jazeera. Based on publicly available information, Israels use of force against Iran does not fit within the inherent right of self-defence enshrined in the UN Charter.

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Self-defence requires Israels actions to be directed at an ongoing or imminent armed attack by Iran, added Becker, who has previously worked at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. There is no indication that an attack by Iran against Israel was imminent, nor is it sufficient under international law for Israel to justify the attack based on its assessment that Iran will soon have a nuclear capability, especially given the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran.




EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A new show has been added to the WPRI 12+ lineup of programming.

The new show, called Behind the Story, gives a behind-the-scenes look into stories covered by Rhode Islands journalists and nuggets of information that dont make it on air or in the articles.

In the first episode, Target 12 Investigative Reporter Eli Sherman spoke with 12 News Anchor Kim Kalunian and Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGowan about their origins in local journalism.

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McGowan joined 12 News at 4 Thursday to talk more about the new show.

WATCH: Behind the Story premiere

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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A popular taco chain in the Los Angeles area has closed all but one of its locations until further notice due to the unrest first sparked by the ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout Southern California and the subsequent demonstrations against the enforcement that have led to clashes between protesters and police.

Angel's Tijuana Tacos on Thursday night posted a message to its more than 430,000 followers on Instagram to share that the company's lone brick-and-mortar taqueria in Anaheim  some 32 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles  is the only location keeping its doors open.

The remaining 15 locations, many of which are taco trucks and taco stands with permanent setups throughout the greater Los Angeles area, will close until further notice. While the beloved taco chain did not directly mention a cause, it alluded to as much in the post's caption.

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"Anaheim is our only location open. ALL other locations will be closed until further notice. We hope to see you soon. Stay safe everyone.  #angelstijuanatacos #losangeles."

The taco chain, popular in the Mexican community, received an outpouring of support in the comments section.

One follower wrote, "Stay safe and we will miss you guys in the valley ." Another wrote, "breaking my heart this even has to happen, miss you guys in glassell," with another commenting, "Love you Angels! I met my boyfriend in line at your Echo Park stand! Stay safe! ."

The taco chain's name derives from its perfect emulation of Tijuana-style tacos made with handmade corn tortillas, loaded with guacamole and served on flimsy paper plates. The owner is a 31-year-old whose roots trace back to Guerrero, Mexico. He's famously known only as Taquero Angel, who only weeks ago opened the brick-and-mortar location in Anaheim.

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Angel opened his first taco stand in North Hollywood in 2018 and soon enough expanded to 15 stands throughout Los Angeles.

Protests erupted last weekend and in the ensuing days amid masked ICE agents arresting more than 100 immigrants. The majority of the arrests came at their workplace or while they were running errands.

Demonstrators protested the operation, and soon they clashed with law enforcement throughout Los Angeles, prompting President Donald Trump to deploy the national guard.

A federal judge on Thursday night blocked the Trump administration from deploying members of the California National Guard in L.A. But within hours, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the ruling, allowing the Trump administration to maintain control of the California National Guard and continue to deploy them in L.A.

Beloved Taco Chain Closes Doors Due to Ongoing Unrest in Los Angeles first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
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.

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In the U.K., when people stop smoking, they say they gave it up, Melissa Febos notes in her new book, The Dry Season. In the U.S., by contrast, its more common to hear that they quit. She observes that giving something up has a different connotation; to do so is to hand it over to some other, better keeper. To free ones hands for other holdings. The phrasing matters: Giving up feels gentler, and also perhaps more generative.

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First, here are four new stories from The Atlantics books section:

The Dry Season is a memoir about the year Febos spent voluntarily celibate, and this week, she wrote for The Atlantic about six books that celebrate refusal and abstinence. The titles she chose opened her eyes to all the other kinds of reneging Ive experienced, and how many of them led to unforeseen delights, she writes. In her own book, Febos uses a striking metaphor to explain why she took a break from sex, dating, and even flirtation. Whenever she had a partner, she writes, it made sense to keep the channel of ones heart narrowed the width of a single person, to peer through the keyhole at a single room rather than turn to face the world. Febos realized that she wanted, instead, to widen her aperture, and found that removing something from her life opened her up to all the other things that had escaped her notice. In essence, her book argues, saying no to one thing allows you to say yes to something else.

At a talk with the essayist and fellow memoirist Leslie Jamison earlier this week in New York, Febos said that her book is really about finding God, but she told the world that it was about sex because, she joked, it made for better marketing. Her description of discovering the sublime in daily thingssuch as the tang of fresh raspberries and the crispness of clean bedsheets, as she writes in her recommendation listmoved me. It reminded me that spirituality can be less restrictive and more dynamic than I usually imagine it to be; that it can be found in smaller phenomena and stiller moments. My colleague Faith Hill, in her review of The Dry Season, came to much the same conclusion about the benefits of marshaling ones attention: Better to keep drawing it back, again and again, to the world around you: to the pinch in your shoe, to the buds in the trees, to the peopleall the many, many peoplewho are right there beside you. Feboss book made me wonder what narrow portals Im looking through in my life, and what I might see if I turn away from them.

What to Read When Youre Ready to Say No

By Melissa Febos

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Purposeful refusal, far from depriving us, can make way for unexpected bounty.

Read the full article.

What to Read

Untold Night and Day, by Bae Suah

The page-turning plot twists and thrills of a detective novel are often a very effective bulwark against boredom. The Korean writer Baes novel offers those genre pleasures and more: It is, as Baes longtime translator Deborah Smith explains in her note, a detective novel by way of a poetic fever dream. Set over the course of one very hot summer night in Seoul, the book follows a woman named Ayami as she attempts to find a missing friend. As she searches, she bumps into Wolfi, a detective novelist visiting from Germany, and enlists him in her quest. Events take on a surreal quality, heightened by both an intense heat wave and the possibility that Ayami and Wolfi may have stumbled into another dimension. Summers release from our usual timetables can quickly lead to seasonal doldrums. Untold Night and Day, set during the stretched hours of a sweaty, unceasing evening, shimmers at its edges, like midnight in July.  Rhian Sasseen

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From our list: Five books that will redirect your attention

Out Next Week

 UnWorld, by Jayson Greene

 The Mobius Book, by Catherine Lacey

 The Sisters, by Jonas Hassen Khemiri

Your Weekend Read

Illustration by Allison Zaucha / The Atlantic*

What Trump Missed at the Kennedy Center

By Megan Garber

Little wonder that Do You Hear the People Sing? [from Les Miserables] has become a protest song the world over, its words invoked as pleas for freedom. Crowds in Hong Kong, fighting for democracy, have sung it. So have crowds in the United States, fighting for the rights of unions. The storys tensions are the core tensions of politics too: the rights of the individual, colliding with the needs of the collective; the possibilities, and tragedies, that can come when human dignity is systematized. Les Mis, as a story, is pointedly specificone country, one rebellion, one meaning of freedom. But Les Mis, as a broader phenomenon, is elastic. It is not one story but many, the product of endless interpretation and reiteration. With the novel, Hugo turned acts of history into a work of fiction. The musical turned the fiction into a show. And American politics, now, have turned the show into a piece of fan fic.

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Article originally published at The Atlantic
Wegovy, Farxiga, Vraylar ... the stream of drug ads on TV has gotten so pervasive that theyre bringing together an unlikely pair of politicians to take them on.

Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, is backing an effort pushed by Trump Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ban pharmaceutical ads on TV.

Sanders introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act alongside fellow independent Senator Angus King of Maine. They both caucus with the Democrats. If passed, the legislation would ban prescription drug ads from TV, radio, print, digital platforms, and social media.

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Those critical of the ads argue that they push the price of healthcare even higher, even as they dont help to improve the care patients receive.

Supporters of the ads say that they can increase patients understanding of the care available.

Sen. Bernie Sanders is pushing for the banning of pharmaceutical ads alongside a number of other senators (Getty Images)

However, most wealthy nations, apart from the U.S. and New Zealand, ban pharmaceutical ads, Newsweek noted.

Kennedy has yet to comment on the legislation, which Sanders and King revealed on Thursday. They noted that the pharmaceutical industry spent more than $5 billion on TV ads last year, adding that many of the drugs advertised cost more in the U.S. than they do in countries where pharmaceutical ads are banned.

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"The American people are sick and tired of greedy pharmaceutical companies spending billions of dollars on absurd TV commercials pushing their outrageously expensive prescription drugs," said Sanders, calling the U.S. policy of allowing such ads an "international embarrassment."

Anna Bahr, Sanders director of communications, told Newsweek that the senators office has contacted Republicans about joining the bill. She noted that the pharmaceutical and health insurance industries have lobbied to prevent the banning of such ads.

Bahr told Newsweek: "Over the past 25 years, the drug companies have spent $8.5 billion on lobbying. Today, they have some 1,800 well-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  including former leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties.

"Unbelievably, that is more than three lobbyists for every member of Congress. During that same period, they have provided over $700 million in campaign contributions. And they are equal opportunity contributors. They contribute heavily to both Republican and Democratic candidates, she added.

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Kennedy and Elon Musk have both openly backed the idea of banning pharmaceutical ads.

"Let's get President Trump back in the White House and me to DC so we can ban pharmaceutical advertising," he wrote on X on November 3 last year.

As he campaigned for president, Kennedy said he would sign an executive order on his first day in office banning pharmaceutical ads.

Also in November 2024, Musk wrote on X: "No advertising for pharma."

"The widespread use of direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies drives up costs and doesn't necessarily make patients healthier, King said in a statement. The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would prohibit direct-to-consumer advertising of pharmaceutical drugs to protect people. This bill is a great step to ensure that patients are getting the best information possible and from the right source: their providers and not biased advertisements."

Several Democratic senators have signed on to co-sponsor the legislation, including Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, Sanders office has stated.
BERTIE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  A woman was arrested after an investigation into embezzlement at a church in Bertie County.

The Bertie County Sheriffs Office received a report in 2023 from First Baptist Church in Powellsville regarding fraudulent activity in the name of the church.

It was reported that when the records of the church were requested, the financial secretary refused to release the records.

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Investigators took out warrants against Genia Canada, 46, for embezzlement. On June 11, 2025, investigators obtained five counts of embezzlement by treasurer of charitable/religious organizations.

Canada surrendered on June 12th and was released after posting 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 WNCT.
LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP)  Police departments are warning of a new scam that is targeting Massachusetts drivers.

Victims of the scam have received a text message claiming they have unpaid parking tickets, owe tolls, or license suspension and must report to their nearest RVM to pay them. Police are advising drivers to look at the senders information before responding to any message.

Woman dead after apartment fire on Franklin Street in Westfield

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U.S. government agency websites end with .gov. You will never get a text message about an overdue RMV payment. If you do receive a text like this, the Hampden County Sheriffs Office states to do the following:

If you get a text like this:

Do NOT click any links or reply

Delete the message or mark it as spam

Report it to your cell provider (by forwarding to 7726) or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

Verify directly by visiting your states official RMV/DMV website  never trust info from a suspicious text.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
PARIS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- France expresses its deep concern over the ongoing escalation following the strikes launched by Israel against Iran, spokesperson of the French foreign ministry Christophe Lemoine, said on Friday.

In a press release, Lemoine said that France urges the parties to refrain from any action that could destabilize the entire region.

"France calls on the parties to use all diplomatic means to de-escalate the situation," he said, adding that France stands ready to contribute to this objective.

He also said that France has consistently expressed its support for a diplomatic solution as part of the ongoing efforts.

On his official X account, French President Emmanuel Macron called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and de-escalate, avoiding the potential for jeopardizing the stability of the entire region.

France's Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, announced early Friday morning that all flights between France and Iran have been suspended, and commercial flights between France and Israel are also set to be halted.

The French foreign ministry has recommended that all French nationals not travel to Iran or Israel, and those who are currently in these two countries should stay vigilant.

Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a large-scale strike on dozens of military targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities. The attacks killed several senior Iranian military commanders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed retaliation, warning that Israel had "prepared a bitter fate for itself." 
Friends and family are mourning the death of Laura Schueler, a 47-year-old woman found shot and killed the morning of Saturday June 7, in Evanston.

Schueler's death is part of a larger trend of violence agains trans and gender-nonconforming Americans that has between 12 and 59 people killed every year since 2013.

Last year, the majority of trans people killed in the United States were Black transgender women, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign.

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Jonathan Cunningham, the public information officer for the Cincinnati Police Department, said that police are investigating but have not yet made an arrest in connection with Schueler's death. When asked whether it would be investigated as a hate crime, Cunningham said the investigation was too early to address motive.

I'm just heartbroken," said De'Whitney "Tiger" Hankins, Schueler's close friend of over 30 years, during an interview.

She was one of a kind.

Who was Laura Schueler?

Facebook posts and conversations with friends reveal a vibrant member of Cincinnati's queer community who was beloved for her style and generosity.

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Laura was the Beyonce of our city," said Tyson Carter, another close friend. "She knew how to dress. She was respected. You put out the red carpet when you see Miss Laura.

Carter said he regarded Schueler as an older sister and recalled how she'd call to check on him every day when she knew he was struggling with his mental health.

She kept me under her wing, said Carter. She was there for me, no matter what.

Schueler loved spending time in nature as much as she loved fashion, said Hankins. She was fiercely loyal to her friends, often taking on their issues as her own.

She would be like, 'Hold on, Im on my way,'" remembered Carter. "'Whatever happened to you, Im on my way.'

Laura Schueler, far right, with Tyson Carter and De'Whitney "Tiger" Hankins, celebrating Hankins' birthday in March.

Over 350 trans and gender non-conforming people killed since 2013, data shows

At least 365 trans and gender non-conforming people in the United States have been killed in the past 12 years, according to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign, though the true number is likely to be higher due to underreporting.

Black trans women take the brunt of the violence: 75% of identified victims between 2013 and 2023 were trans women of color, and 62% of all known victims were Black trans women.

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Violence is the main reason behind the high death rate of trans Americans of color, said Karen Harmon, a member of the Greater Cincinnati Human Rights Campaign's board of governors, among others.

"They're murdered at an extremely high rate, or they're left without employment or housing," said Harmon.

She also pointed to discriminatory policies from the state and federal government as a reason why the lives of trans people have become "extremely difficult."

"Especially now in this climate, people need to know her name," Harmon said. "They need to hear her story."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'She was one of a kind.' Friends mourn Laura Schueler
A political consultant was found not guilty of 11 felony charges Friday over AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Bidens voice discouraging Democrats from voting in the 2024 New Hampshire primary.

The charges against Steve Kramer included voter suppression and impersonating a presidential candidate.

AG vows to keep working on voter integrity after target found not guilty

Attorney General John Formella said his office will keep working on efforts to protect voter integrity after a judge found Steven Kramer not guilty of state felonies for making a robocall that mimicked the voice of former President Joe Biden that urged Democrats not to vote in New Hampshire's 2024 primary. On Feb. 6, he identified two Texas companies and one business owner as having placed those robocalls.

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After the verdict in Belknap Superior Court, Attorney General John Formella noted that the Federal Communications Commission had already fined Kramer $6 million and two telecommunication companies another $1 million for violations of federal anti-robocall regulations.

Kramer had been paid $150 by a political consultant working for Democratic presidential candidate Dean Phillips to produce the audio used to call roughly 25,000 likely voters two days before the Jan. 23, 2024 primary.

Judge Elizabeth Leonard allowed Kramers defense team to claim he didnt commit a crime because New Hampshires primary was a straw poll as it wasnt sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.

That, ladies and gentlemen, was a brazen attack on your primary, Kramers lawyer Tom Reid told the jury, referring to the DNCs actions. And it wasnt done by Steve Kramer.

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He didnt see it as a real election, because it wasnt, Reid said.

Kramers lawyers also argued the use of deepfake technology was protected speech rather than voter suppression.

If convicted, Kramer would have faced decades in prison, with each felony carrying a prison term of up to seven years. He also faced 11 misdemeanor charges that each carried up to a year in jail.

Kramers lawyers argued he didnt impersonate a candidate because the message didnt include Bidens name and the former president wasnt on the primary ballot.

Former Democratic Party chair testified at recent robocall trial

Former Democratic Party Chairman Kathy Sullivan testified in the criminal trial of Steven Kramer who was found innocent of multiple charges regarding his manufacture of a robocall that mimicked the voice of former President Joe Biden to urge New Hampshire Democrats not to vote in the 2024 primary. All of those calls urged anyone with questions to call Sullivan's home telephone number.

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Biden honored the DNC calendar and refused to file to run or campaign in New Hampshire; he won the primary easily with a record write-in vote.

All the calls left the telephone number of former Democratic Party Chair Kathy Sullivan.

During the trial, Sullivan testified that her belief was that Kramers goal was to suppress the vote.

Kramer was paid $259,946 by Phillipss campaign to help the long-shot presidential candidate get on the ballot in New York and Pennsylvania.

The campaign told media outlets that that work included production and distribution of a robocall that used Phillipss voice.

But the Phillips campaign denied any knowledge of the Biden robocall.

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Kramer testified during the trial that he had no regrets even though his actions led to AI regulations in multiple states including New Hampshire.

He said he came up with the stunt as a warning for how AI can be misused. He chose to use it in New Hampshire believing it would have the most impact.

In a statement Friday, Formella said the state will continue to work diligently to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to protect the integrity of our elections.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
After turning heads on Big Brother, Amanda Zachman, the self-proclaimed villain of Season 15, stepped out of the spotlight and into real estate, founding brokerage firm MV Realty.

But the controversy she stirred up on the small screen has followed her into her professional career.

Don't miss

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MV Realtys Homeowner Benefit Program offers homeowners up to $5,000 in exchange for signing an exclusive agreement to use them as their listing agent if they should happen to put their home up for sale. But when those homeowners try to refinance or sell, theyre met with an unexpected reality.

They find a lot of ways to call something one thing, but it is what it is, real estate attorney Jennifer Nachtigal told CBS News Texas. Call it a Homeowners Benefit agreement, but its really like an exclusive listing agreement that binds you to basically pay these people whether or not they do any services for you.

MV Realty is facing lawsuits in 11 other states for its practices, including the use of misleading agreements that can leave homeowners on the hook for thousands of dollars. Heres why the program is drawing ire and how signing up could come at a cost.

Trapped by the terms

MV Realtys Homeowner Benefit Program is reportedly structured with terms that can last up to 40 years and may even be passed on to a homeowners heirs in the event of a death. Homeowners who exit the agreement could face significant termination fees.

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MV Realty is also alleged to file memoranda against properties. A memorandum is a document that, while not legally classified as a lien, can reportedly obstruct refinancing or the sale altogether.

"Texas' Constitution has strong protections for the homestead, and they don't allow certain liens to be filed against the homestead," Nachtigal said. "Even if they're voluntary, even if the homeowner signed the lien themselves."

A review of public real estate records by the CBS News Texas I-Team suggests MV Realty has filed over 500 memoranda across the DallasFort Worth area and more than 1,200 across Texas.

Tanya Shaw is one homeowner who signed a contract with MV Realty. She said MV Realty approached her in 2024, offering around $1,000 in exchange for signing the agreement. Since she had no plans to sell, Shaw admitted she believed it was a safe decision, until a family emergency forced her to refinance her home. Thats when she said she learned about the memorandum filed against her house. Shaw decided to sell her property. But according to her, the contract gave MV Realty six months to secure a buyer. As a remedy, Shaw hired a different agent to expedite the sale  a direct violation of the agreements terms. When the home was sold, she said she was required to pay MV Realty $11,000 in addition to the real estate agent fees.

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I felt stupid, Shaw told CBS News Texas. Because even though desperate times call for desperate measures, they gave me $1,000. I could have kept my home if I was able to refinance.

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

Signed, sealed and stuck

In September 2023, MV Realty filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing all active Homeowner Benefit Agreements as company assets in its court filing. The CBS News Texas I-Team reached out to company founder Zachman and MV Realty for comment, but neither responded.

While the U.S. Trustee Program said it's committed to ensuring fair access to the bankruptcy courts, homeowners who signed with MV Realty may find themselves with limited options.

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Thats the situation Jonathan Mead found himself in. According to KJCT 8 News, the Colorado Springs homeowner received $1,245 under the agreement, but after seeing media coverage, he began to question the deal. When he received the bankruptcy notice, he hoped it would void the contract. But it didn't, since homeowners received payment upfront, they arent classified as creditors or debtors.

State lawmakers across the country are taking notice. Colorado banned these agreements earlier this year, calling them predatory. Over the last two years, more than 22 states have passed similar laws.

In Texas, though, two bills aimed at banning them didnt make it past the committee stage and into legislation. And the states attorney general has yet to take public action, declining to respond to requests for comment from reporters.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Each year, The Big E donates one percent of its annual gross revenue to the town of West Springfield to support the Eastern States Exposition Trust. A little over a million people attended the Big E last year.

Motorcyclist suffers serious injuries following crash on River Street in West Springfield

The ESE trust fund began in 1994, when the fair grew from 5 days to 17 days. The goal of the fund is to provide grants to local programs and initiatives supporting youth, senior citizens, and education.

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On Thursday, the CEO of Big E presented a check of $370,970 to the Mayor of West Springfield.

Its the largest donation so far. The Big E has contributed over five million to the trust.

As we march through the past 20 years now, that trust is growing, and will continue to do great good for the community of West Springfield, and were proud of it, said Gene Cassidy, President and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition.

In the past, the trust has provided grants to many organizations. Some include the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and the West Springfield Library. The next round of grant recipients will be announced soon.

Interested organizations can also submit a grant application through TownofWestSpringfield.org.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
TUPELO  A mobile learning lab will help guide the careers of more than 3,300 10th graders this fall in an initiative sponsored by the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund at the CREATE Foundation, Toyota Mississippi and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Big Ideas, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, came to Northeast Mississippi to develop partnerships and work with local school districts before the 2025-2026 school year implementation. On Wednesday, local school district leaders, industry partners and community members had the opportunity to see the Big Ideas Mobile Learning Lab complete with nine modules.

We need to be finding new ways to reach more students and expose them to high-quality, in-demand career opportunities locally, said Mike Staten, CEO of BNA Bank and a Toyota Wellspring Education Fund committee member. There has historically been a stigma around skilled trades, but the reality is many of these opportunities provide high paying opportunities with career advancement that can lead to lifelong careers.

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Staten was among the people who charged the Toyota Wellspring Education Fund team with finding authentic, hands-on learning experiences for high school students. They found that in Big Ideas, whose mission is "to inform, inspire and connect curious learners" ages 13 to adult with career paths and professionals in skilled trades.

"TVA has always supported workforce development, along with CDF and all of our local partners. This aligns with our mission," said Amy Tate, senior state director, government and community relations for Tennessee Valley Authority. "As we move to attract business and industry to the area, we need a great workforce, and we want to help these students learn about these skill trades, get trained up, do anything we can do to put them in the pipeline and make it easier for us to have a robust workforce."

In October, Big Ideas will visit all the high schools in Pontotoc, Union and Lee counties, then visit the high schools in Chickasaw, Clay, Itawamba and Tippah counties in November. Big Ideas complements the Imagine the Possibilities career expo, and students will be exposed to a variety of skilled trades and career opportunities related to those careers.

David Rumbarger, president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation, said ITP was an enhancement of what ICC, Ole Miss, Mississippi State were doing with career preparation.

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"We still need to get into the high schools because, just like me when I was in high school, I didn't think what to do until I was almost out of high school and even into college," he said. "Exposure to career paths, exposure to career opportunities to go through an environment specifically focused on career preparation and training will give this region ahead of many other regions in the country that are just taking the product of education and coming out and trying to educate them on career opportunities. That's too late ... this gives them a vision of what they can do in this region as a career."

Several high school students from the Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi on Wednesday got a preview of the lab and the modules, similar to how sophomores will get to interact with these modules later this year.

The other module options include the following:

 Augmented Miller Welding (AR)

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 CAT Excavation (AR)

 Industrial Coating - Paint (VR/AR)

 Transfr VR (META headsets) (VR)

 Crane (VR)

 Safety (Harnesses) *Hands-on

 Cargo Securement (Rachet Straps)

 Tire Maintenance

Providing an immersive learning experience for our students is a key priority for Toyota Mississippi as we collaborate with our partners to create innovative workforce readiness opportunities, said Tiffannie Hedin, corporate communications manager for Toyota Mississippi, who also is a TWEF committee member and CREATE board member. We are so proud to support the Big Ideas project to expand access across our region enabling more students to engage and be inspired to choose a career path thats right for them regardless of the sector or path. Preparing our youth for careers post high school is vital to the success of our community and economic development, and this project is perfectly aligned to that goal.
Israel attacks Iran: We're all waking up to a much less stable Middle East this morning. "Israel's action to cripple Iran's nuclear program is a service to all civilized people," offers AIPAC. This attack "risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America," offers Sen. Chris Murphy (DConn.). Israel presents its actions as a "response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel" and declares that this, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, is only "the first stage."

Explosions were seen all across Iran early Friday morning, hitting Tehran, the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, Isfahan (near a nuclear facility), Tabriz (near a nuclear research center and two military facilities), Khondab (near a nuclear site), and Khorammabad (near a nuclear site). The cities of Arak and Kermanshah were also hit. At least six military bases were hit around Tehran. Some residential areas were struck (death toll currently unknown). Israel killed the commander in chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Hossein Salami; the deputy commander of Iran's armed forces, Gen. Gholamali Rashid; the chief of staff of the military, Mohammad Bagheri; the head of the airspace unit of the Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh; and Ali Shamkhani, one of Iran's most influential politicians and a close advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini, who had been overseeing the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States. Israel also attacked the homes of nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, assassinating both. Several other nuclear scientists were killed as well: Abdolhamid Minouchehr, who "conducted extensive research on improving the efficiency and safety of nuclear plants" (per Al Jazeera); Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, who taught nuclear engineering at Shahid Beheshti University; Amir Hossein Faghihi, who previously helmed Iran's Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute; and a scientist known as Motallebzadeh.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Iran's nuclear program "a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival," claiming that Tehran had "taken steps that it has never taken beforesteps to weaponize this enriched uranium." He added: "If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months."

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As reported in Roundup yesterday, a U.N. bodythe International Atomic Energy Agencyjust found Iran to be in violation of its nuclear obligations and censured it due to its refusal to work with the agency's inspectors. The U.S. clearly had advance warning of the attacks and had started to evacuate certain personnel and family members of government employees from the Middle East. Trump had also presaged two months ago that Iran needed to agree to a nuclear deal on the timeline Trump had proposed or there would be consequences.

For an alternative take, go here. A third take is below:

"Two Israeli officials claimed to Axios that Trump and his aides were only pretending to oppose an Israeli attack in public  and didn't express opposition in private. "We had a clear U.S. green light," one claimed." pic.twitter.com/1oSNxa6Jb6  Anthony LaMesa (@ajlamesa) June 13, 2025

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," Trump said on Truth Social, but "they just couldn't get it done." Trump added that "the next already planned attacks" could be "even more brutal," and warned that Iran "must make a deal, before there is nothing left."

"I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to comeAnd they know how to use it," he said.

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What happens next? Israel says it wants to completely cripple Iran's nuclear program, preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran maintains its innocence, repeatedly claiming the scaled-up nuclear capacity is for civilian energy purposes only.

Iran's "axis of resistance"its proxies and allies in the region, including Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iraqi militias, and Yemeni Houthisdoes not seem prepared to rush to its aid. Israel's already spent many months fighting Hamas, most obviously, but also Hezbollah (for which domestic support has waned). U.S. strikes on the Houthis have left the group weak.

Alerts sent out to Israelis told them to stay near bomb shelters, and later to collect essential items. All gatherings in the country were banned. Schools and workplaces are closed. Flights arriving in and departing from Tel Aviv were canceled as the airspace was closed to civilians. Iran launched a barrage of drones at Israel, which were shot down by Israel's defense systems. But Iran still vows retaliation at Israel, as well as the United States.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Secretary of State Marco Rubio replied. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel." It remains to be seen whether Iran finds this plausible, given Trump's rhetoric, the timing of the nuclear negotiations, and the U.S.'s closeness to Israel. Iran has moved quickly to get its top military brass replaced, and Khameini has wasted no time decrying Israel's targeting of residential areas full of civilians. Crowds of protesters have formed, calling for Iran to retaliate.

Scenes from New York: I am getting very worried about an actual socialist getting elected to lead my city.

All gas, no breaks. pic.twitter.com/gCR7pYU9uT  Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 12, 2025

It's very difficult to exaggerate how stupid this is. pic.twitter.com/3GaOMwqMd8  Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) June 12, 2025

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"Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, was forcibly removed on Thursday from a news conference being held by Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, and handcuffed after he interrupted Ms. Noem at a federal building in West Los Angeles," reports The New York Times. "'Sir! Sir! Hands off!' Mr. Padilla, 52, shouted as federal agents tried to muscle him out of the room inside a government office building about 15 miles west of downtown Los Angeles where Ms. Noem was speaking. 'I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have a question for the secretary.'" Padilla was handcuffed and then, later, vouched for byCorey Lewandowski. The FBI insists that it acted properly: "When an unrecognized Senator in plain clothes and wearing no security pin became disruptive and subsequently resisted law enforcement, our F.B.I. L.A. personnel responded in support of Secret Service completely appropriately."

Unrest at New Jersey's migrant detention center, Delaney Hall.

"The House on Thursday narrowly approved a request from the White House, known as a rescissions package, to claw back funding for NPR, PBS and international aid that lawmakers had previously appropriated," reports CBS.

Robert Malone, a total quack, was appointed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to one of the vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. (A more promising pick is Martin Kulldorff, a former guest on Just Asking Questions.)

"Reporters in this era have been asked to abandon objectivity and adhere to it. They've been urged to be public figures with heavy social media presences, but also told they'll be fired if they say what they think," writes Matt Taibbi on the firing of ABC anchor Terry Moran for a social media post criticizing Stephen Miller.

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ZACHARY, La. (Louisiana First)  The day after multi-agency raids at massage parlors across the Capitol area, each location was closed. Authorities said deportations are possible, and more parlors could be busted next.

This is just the beginning of actions we hope to be able to take, said Hillar Moore, East Baton Rouges District Attorney.

The nine locations include spots in St. George, Baton Rouge, and Zachary:

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14111 Airline Highway, St. George, La.  Y& L Body Relaxation

9065 Perkins Road, St. George, La.  Spring Body Conditioning

17301 Jefferson Highway, St. George, La.  Magnolia Spa

712 ONeal Lane, Baton Rouge, La.  Wonderful Land Spa

804 ONeal Lane, Baton Rouge, La.  All Natural Spa

4528 Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, La.  YY Rainbow Spa

12240 Coursey Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La.  Oriental Relax Spa

156 McGehee Drive, Baton Rouge, La.  Orange Spa

5145 Main Street, Zachary, La.  Vivians Therapy Spa

The sheriffs office received a lot of complaints from regular businesses operating in these malls, plus citizens who were complaining, Moore said.

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Moore said the massage board issued cease and desist letters, fines, and more, trying to shut these parlors down. It took a multi-agency approach, including federal government agents, to act.

We picked out these nine as being those that are the top level that we wanted to pay attention to, Moore said.

Authorities said they detained nearly a dozen women, nine of whom were in the country illegally. They said the parlors were illegal because they did not have a license, operated prostitution, and violated other codes.

The Zachary location had documents taped to its door on Thursday. One was from the state fire marshals office outlining code violations. Two were from the Department of Homeland Security, including a subpoena and a notice of inspection that mentioned potential immigration violations.

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A number for an owner was listed in a document, and Louisiana First Investigates contacted that person, listed as Hu Ming Ying. In a phone conversation, Ying initially acknowledged the raid when asked.

Yes, somebody called me, I know, Ying said.

Ying was then asked whether prostitution was going on at the parlor.

I dont understand, Ying said.

Ying called back several minutes later with another woman to help translate on the line. The question was repeated.

Sorry, she doesnt know anything about that, Ying said.

Moore said most of the women could be deported, and they are also likely victims of human trafficking. He said counselors who speak Chinese were made available to them, and authorities want to hone in on who the owners of these parlors are.

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Our goal is to get to the larger person thats behind this, thats trafficking the women, thats making money, Moore said.

Moore said more massage parlors could be next.

Youd better make sure you have a license, Moore said. Youd better make sure youre doing everything above board.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Southbound lanes on FM 2105 and U.S. Highway 277 were briefly closed Friday afternoon following a major vehicle accident involving an overturned 18-wheeler, according to a reporter on scene.

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The crash, which occurred near the intersection of the two roadways, left the semi-truck on its side and scattered debris, including concrete rock aggregate, across the roadway. Cleanup crews are working to remove the spilled gravel and clear the scene.

Driver runs red light, sparks midday crash in downtown San Angelo

Traffic is being diverted, and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes or be prepared to stop. Authorities have blocked off access roads leading into the area, including U.S. 277 coming in from Bronte.

No injuries have been confirmed at this time. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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A black box has been found at the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India's civil aviation minister said on Friday.

The flight data recorder was recovered within 28 hours by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed.

All but one of the 242 people on the London-bound flight died when it crashed into a residential area less than 60 seconds after take-off on Thursday. An official told the BBC that at least eight people on the ground were also killed.

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"The [recovery of the black box] marks an important step forward in the investigation" and will "significantly aid the inquiry" into the disaster, Mr Kinjarapu said.

Planes usually carry two black boxes - small but tough electronic data recorders.

One records flight data, such as altitude and speed. The other records sound from the cockpit, so investigators can hear what the pilots are saying and listen for any unusual noises.

AAIB is leading the inquiry into the cause of the crash, helped by teams from the US and UK. Boeing's chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, said the company was supporting the investigation.

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Air India said there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft when it crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT).

Flight AI171 was scheduled to land at London's Gatwick Airport at 18:25 BST.

On Friday, the wreckage was still scattered across the crash site, including the blackened wing of the plane, with large pieces of the aircraft stuck in buildings.

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Investigators arrived at the scene and crowds were moved further away from the wreckage.

A doctor told the BBC that they are relying on DNA from relatives to identify the victims. A police official at the post-mortem room told the BBC that the remains of six people had been released to families so far, as their relatives were able to identify them based on facial features.

The sole survivor of the crash, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who was in seat 11A on the flight, is still recovering in hospital.

"I still cannot believe how I made it out alive," he told India's state broadcaster DD News on Thursday.

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"At first, I thought I was going to die. I managed to open my eyes, unfastened my seat belt and tried to exit the plane."

Mr Ramesh, 40, who sustained burn injuries on his left hand, said he saw the aircraft crew and its passengers die in front of his eyes.

Meanwhile, desperate families are still waiting for news of their relatives.

Imtiaz Ali, whose brother Javed and his family were on the flight, said that until he sees his brother's body, he will not believe he has died.

"If I get sad and start crying, then I'll be uncontrollable," he told the BBC.

"No-one will be able to stop me... my heart might burst."

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The plane crashed in a residential area called Meghani Nagar and, even though it had just taken off, the impact was severe. Wreckage spread over 200m (656ft), according to responders.

It is still unclear exactly how many were killed on the ground, but the BBC has been told that at least eight people, who were not on the aircraft, have died.

Dr Minakshi Parikh, the dean of the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, said four of their students died as the plane crashed into buildings on the campus.

"There were also four relatives of our doctors who were on the campus when the aircraft crashed - they too were killed," Dr Parikh said.

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"We are relying only on DNA matching to identify them and it is something where we simply cannot rush or afford mistakes.

"We are working with sincerity. We want relatives to understand, and be a bit patient. We want to hand over [the bodies] as soon as possible."

On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent around 20 minutes at the site of the plane crash.

He did not speak to reporters afterwards but a video posted on his YouTube channel showed him walking around the site and inspecting the debris.

Modi also visited the location of a now-viral image that shows the tail of the crashed plane lodged in a building.

Pictures of the plane's tail lying in a building have become some of the defining images of this disaster [EPA-EFE/Shutterstock]

Earlier on Friday, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also went to the crash site, later describing the visit as "deeply moving".

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According to data by tracking website, Flightradar24, the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 had completed more than 700 flights in the year leading up to the Thursday's disaster.

The Air India plane was 11 years old and its most common routes included flights between Mumbai and Dubai, as well as the capital New Delhi and European destinations such as Milan, Paris and Amsterdam.

The plane had operated 25 flights from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick in the past two years.

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered additional safety checks on Air India's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, describing it as a "preventive measure".

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The Austin Police Department (APD) has released mugshots of eight people who were arrested after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators turned violent this week.

The arrests came amid nationwide unrest that began in Los Angeles on June 7, when protests against recent ICE raids in the LA area turned violent, with agitators burning cars, throwing objects and fireworks at police, vandalizing property, blocking roads and resisting arrest throughout last weekend.

The LA riots have since bled into other major cities across the country, which are bracing for more protests and potential violence on Saturday.

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After Monday's protests in Austin, Texas, APD said the department "is committed to transparency and public safety and is sharing details regarding the events, officer injuries, arrests, and preparations for the days ahead."

Rodney King Riots Officer Says La Mayor Acted Too Late As Anti-ice Violence Engulfs City

Austin police arrested eight alleged agitators on June 8 following protests that turned violent downtown.

"APD fully supports the constitutional right to peaceful protest and values civic engagement. However, unlawful actions that place the community or officers at risk will not be tolerated, and these incidents will be addressed," APD said in a press release.

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The Austin demonstration began at the Texas Capitol on Monday evening, which was closed at the time. Protesters moved through downtown Austin and eventually gathered at the J.J. Pickle Federal Building, "where individuals began defacing property with graffiti," APD said.

Trump Takes Action Against 'Orchestrated Attack' On Law Enforcement By Deploying Marines To La: Assemblyman2

Nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with Los Angeles are scheduled to occur this upcoming week as President Donald Trump continues preparations to send additional law enforcement to assist ICE raids in California.

"Officers issued dispersal orders and moved the crowd west along 8th Street. Two individuals were arrested for criminal mischief related to the graffiti," police said.

Tensions continued to escalate throughout the evening as agitators began throwing rocks at officers, and one person spat in an officer's eye, according to police.

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Protesters Hauled Away As Anti-ice Protests Continue In Los Angeles Despite Mayor's Curfew Order

The Austin Police Department arrested two people accused of graffitiing a federal building downtown.

"In an effort to de-escalate, officers briefly withdrew, but the crowd advanced again. Officers held their position to prevent further damage and to protect both protesters and themselves, deploying pepperball towards the ground, to saturate the area," APD said.

Officers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which helped respond to the rioting, deployed tear gas to deter agitators from the federal building. Some protesters threw scooters and barricades into roadways as officers continued trying to contain the crowd.

Coast-to-coast Anti-ice Chaos Caught On Camera

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By the end of the evening, APD made eight arrests, noting that a total of four officers were injured and hospitalized in the riots. Three of the four officers were struck by rocks and the fourth suffered a shoulder injury. They are expected to make full recoveries, APD said.

Nationwide demonstrations in solidarity with Los Angeles are scheduled to occur this upcoming week as President Donald Trump continues preparations to send additional law enforcement to assist ICE raids in California.

Conor Williams and Abigail Pore are charged with criminal mischief related to graffiti on a federal building, Alexandra Haddix is charged with failure to obey a lawful order, Cody Bates is charged with harassment of a public official, Edgar Tovar is charged with reckless driving, Shaneal Harun is charged with rioting and resisting arrest, Margarito Perez Montalvo is charged with interference with public duties and resisting arrest and Hayden Perez is charged with failure to obey a lawful order and harassment of a public servant.

Dozens Of Anti-ice Rioters Arrested In La As Trump Sends In National Guard To Quell Violence

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced the deployment of National Guard troops across the state in response to protests.

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"The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary personnel and resources to uphold law and order across our state," Abbott's press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, told Fox News Digital in a statement earlier this week. "Texas National Guard soldiers are on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed."

A person displays signs during an "ICE Out of Austin" demonstration on Jun. 9, 2025, in Austin, Texas. People gathered during an emergency protest against the ongoing ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and deportations across Los Angeles.

Mahaleris noted that while "peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation," the Lone Star state "will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles."

"Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extent of the law," Mahaleris said.





Original article source: Blue city joins LA chaos as anti-ICE agitators injure officers in violent riots
BANGKOK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- An Air India flight from Thailand's resort island of Phuket to Delhi requested an emergency landing on Friday due to a bomb threat, Phuket's airport said.

Local media reported that Flight AI 379 has later safely landed and the airport has responded with a related plan. 
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After the fire that destroyed the former home of the Blue Heron paper mill in Oregon City in January was initially ruled accidental, authorities now say that it was arson and have made an arrest.

According to Oregon City police, 21-year-old Christian Gannon Dukes started the fire intentionally. He was arrested on Thursday and was charged with second-degree arson before being lodged in the Clackamas County Jail.

Crews were initially called to the scene at around 3:45 a.m. on Jan. 30 where massive flames were sending a plume of smoke that could be seen from all around.

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Despite the smoke-filled air that blanketed Oregon City, air quality samples gathered by DEQ and further tests contracted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde found no traces of asbestos or dangerous toxins.

Clackamas Fire said in February that the fire was accidental, claiming that the fire started on the second floor, and homeless people were seen using makeshift burning stoves to keep warm inside the building.

Clackamas County Fire Investigators were able to determine the location where the fire was started and turned over the criminal investigation to Oregon City Police Detectives. Police detectives were able to identify several people who were living at the site and located them for interviews, police said.

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ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Its a problem most cities deal with: homelessness. The Roanoke Valley is no exception.

To put the problem into perspective, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires regional groups, like the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care to perform a Point in Time count twice a year.

According to the Point in Time count, for the first time since 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Roanoke Valley is decreasing.

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The count shows the number of people experiencing homelessness during January 2025 was 389. Thats down from the Winter 2024 count, which was 409.

The overall decrease was about 3% or 3.2% over 2024, over our winter count last year. A modest decrease and I think maybe a stabilization post-pandemic. 24 and 23 we really saw significant spikes with eviction protections expiring after the pandemic ended, said Roanoke Human Services Administrator, Matt Crookshank.

Crookshank is the Human Services Administrator for the City of Roanoke and works with the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care.

New report shows homelessness in Roanoke Valley is up 20% from 2023

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The Point in Time count also looks at trends among people experiencing homelessness, like the number of people considered unsheltered, or sleeping outside.

Unsheltered numbers went down a little bit, about 8%. But we did have a cold weather shelter at a church in the southeast that stood up this year. So if we included those people, who are typically outside, we would have seen an increase in those unsheltered numbers, said Crookshank.

Belmont Presbyterian opened their doors this Winter at first as a warming shelter during the day, but quickly saw the need to stay open overnight.

Well, we really started it up as a day thing, said Pastor Todd Atkins. Then, I got a call from the hospital, Roanoke Memorial. They said, Weve got a guy here, he doesnt have anywhere to go, and we heard yall are a warming center, said Atkins.

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I thought, Oh my gosh, maybe this is what we are supposed to do. So we did it. The one guy came. It was for one guy from the hospital. And then I got in my truck and drove around to see if there was anyone else on the streets. This is when it was like 20 degrees out. I found like four or five people. Then we opened it [the warming shelter] up and next thing we knew we had 50 to 60 people in here, said Atkins.

With the cold weather shelter at Belmont Presbyterian only being temporary, the 31 people who were spending the night there the night of the Point in Time count, are most likely back out on the street.

[We are] still seeing lots of folks outside, lots of chronically homeless folks with really severe underlying issues, said Crookshank.

Seems to be a greater count of people who are not only struggling with some of the things we always think about, like affordable housing, income, mental illness and addiction, said Rescue Mission CEO, Lee Clark. But more people who are elderly experiencing being homeless for the first time that have those mobility challenges, physical health challenges, mental health challenges that come with us as we age.

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Roanoke leaders weigh in on possible Supreme Court case impacts on homeless community

The combination of these challenges led the Rescue Mission to create their Fralin Free Clinic Medical Street Outreach program. Theyve also partnered with RAM House to offer transportation to and from the two shelters. These changes are addressing immediate needs for the homeless population.

The Rescue Mission is also working towards long-term solutions by building affordable housing units.

The latest numbers show Roanoke is experiencing an over 3,000 unit deficit.

We had land that was vacant, about four acres that sits right off of Elm Avenue, that sits adjacent here to the Rescue Mission. We thought, what will be good that is going to be positive for Southeast, good for the neighborhood, good for the people we serve, said Clark.

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We partnered with a group for Homes for America. They have more than 30 years experience providing affordable housing. We are applying for low income housing tax credits. We are hopeful the application will get approved this month and we will get to start with the first building in 2026. All together there will be three buildings on the site, about 150 affordable housing units, said Clark.

Slowly, but surely, officials believe progress continues with the help of countless groups, like The Rescue Mission, RAM House, The Least of These Ministries and the recently approved Mayors Hope and Home Task Force all working towards the same goal.

Its encouraging but we know we still have lots of work to do, said Crookshank.

This years second Point in Time count is scheduled to take place in July.

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Find the complete Winter 2025 report, here.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Students who are currently residing at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), Murray State University (MSU) or Western Kentucky University (WKU) will probably need a bit more money this upcoming school year.

Officials say at its June meeting, the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) board approved a recommendation to raise undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for resident students at EKU, MSU and WKU by $420 for the 2025-26 school year, in accordance with CPEs tuition parameters.

The CPE says the university boards approved these increases prior to CPE board approval:

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At EKU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $10,020 to $10,440, or by 4.2%. This revenue will offset a projected 3.8% increase or $10.3M, in fixed costs.

At MSU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $9,900 to $10,320, or by 4.2%. This revenue will offset a projected 4.6% increase, or $9.1M, in fixed costs.

At WKU, this action will increase base undergraduate resident tuition and fees from $11,452 to $11,872, or by 3.7%. Despite this increase, anticipated revenue is projected to decrease by $326,000. However, fixed costs also are projected to decrease by 1.3%, or $3.2M.

Jim Irsay to be inducted into Colts Ring of Honor

The CPE says the board also took the following actions:

Approved two new academic programs: a Bachelor of Science for surgical first assistants at the University of Kentucky and a Master of Science in nonprofit leadership studies at Murray State University.

Approved tuition reciprocity agreements between select Kentucky public postsecondary institutions and institutions in Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia. The agreements enable Kentucky residents to attend these out-of-state schools at in-state rates, and vice versa.

Approved the reallocation of dollars in Kentucky State Universitys performance improvement fund, authorized by House Bill 250, which will be passed by the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly. Unspent funding in the amount of $2 million originally designated for the development of an engineering program will now support new online programs and enhanced accounting and auditing functions.

Approved the CPE agency budget for fiscal year 2025-26.

Approved changes to the statewide dual credit policy to align with the passage of House Bill 193 and House Bill 4 during the 2025 legislative session, as well as other technical changes.

Approved a revision to CPEs Tuition and Mandatory Fee Policy to make student-endorsed special use fees and certain asset preservation fees subject to tuition and fee parameters, beginning in 2025-26. Previously, these fees were exempt.

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BLENCOE (KCAU)  Authorities are now asking for the publics help to find the missing boater in Monona County, Iowa.

On the Sheriffs Office Facebook page, Missouri River boaters and fishermen are being asked to keep a lookout in the backwaters on both the Iowa and Nebraska sides of the river, along with the shoreline, for a man who has been missing for weeks.

Officials searching for Monona County resident after going missing on Missouri River

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Authorities say he was involved in a boating accident near Huff-Warner Access Area, west of Blencoe, on May 24.

The Monona County Sheriffs Office says if anyone has any information or sees the man, to call the sheriffs office at (712) 423-2525.

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SALEM, Il.  On Thursday, a body was exhumed in Salem, Illinois, in hopes of identifying the remains of a train wreck victim who died in 1971.

Its one of those things you remember, like the kennedy assassination or the challenger. I remember exactly when that was, longtime Salem resident Jim Koehler said.

On June 10, 1971, an Amtrak train going from Chicago to New Orleans derailed just a few miles away from Salem. Eleven People died and 163 others were injured.

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One of the peoples bodies was so badly torn up from the wreck that the local authorities at the time were just not able to identify them, Salem native Henry Morton said.

Unable to identify the victim, Salem buried the person at its cemetery. It has lain to rest there ever since.

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Koehler remembers being at the carwash when the news broke over the radio.

The high school was used as a triage center and for that time in 1971, I think the city of salem did a great job of handling that situation, he said.

He sits on the citys historical commission alongside commission president Myron Lloyd, who went to the cemetery Thursday to watch the exhumation.

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Why didnt I think of this 50 years ago? Why didnt any of us? It was a different lifetime, Lloyd said excitedly.

Back then, types of DNA testing were not possible, but that has changed. So, Mizzou Journalism student, Morton, got in touch with the non-profit DNA Doe Project.

Through its efforts, it has solved numerous John Doe cases through the use of DNA testing, such as investigative genetic genealogy.

Why hundreds of Teslas are parked outside a closed Dillards in Chesterfield

This person here, they lost their identity in that wreck and we want to give that back to them, Morton said.

Morton has been digging for months getting approval and organizing this moment. Although DNA test results are still months away, Salem is closer than ever to getting answers.

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I really want to put this thing to rest and settle this mystery and bring closure to this family thats out there somewhere, Morton said.

After being exhumed, the body was taken to a vault and will eventually be transferred to the coroners office for sampling.

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Aircraft debris at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on June 12, 2025. Credit - Siddharaj SolankiBloomberg/Getty Images

The odds were in your favor if you were one of the 242 people who boarded Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad, India, bound for London on June 12. The plane you were flying was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner which has been in service since 2011 without a fatal crash. More than 1,100 Dreamliners are in use worldwide, carrying more than 875 million passengers over the last decade, according to Boeing. Your particular 787, delivered to Air India in 2014, had amassed 41,000 hours of flying time and just under 8,000 takeoffs and landings, according to Cirium, an aviation industry analytics firm.

But none of that would have helped you. Just after takeoff, when the plane was barely 625 ft. in the air, it lost altitude and plunged into a residential area, killing all but one of the passengers and crew on board. The cause of the crash is as yet unknown.

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Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, said Boeing president and CEO Kelly Ortberg in a statement. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

That investigation is likely to go deeper than just Flight 171, ranging back over the 14 years the 787s have been flyingyears that, it turns out, have seen numerous complaints, concerns, and whistleblower reports over the safety of the widebody jet. All of them are getting a second look today.

The problems began in early 2013, when fires broke out aboard two Dreamliners owned by Japanese airlines. One plane had just landed at Bostons Logan Airport, the other was just leaving Japan and had to turn around and land. Both blazes were traced to overheating of the planes lithium-ion batteries that power the electrical system. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quickly stepped in, grounding the worldwide fleet of Dreamliners and temporarily halting the delivery of new ones to airlines that had placed orders for them. In April of 2013, the FAA accepted Boeings fixes, which involved better insulation for the batteries and a stainless steel box that would house the batteries and prevent smoke or flames from escaping into the plane if a fire did start. The Dreamliners were cleared to fly and the company was cleared to resume deliveries within weeks of the FAAs decision.

The next incident occurred in 2019 when, as The New York Times reported in an expose at the time, John Barnett, a former quality manager who retired in 2017, revealed that he had filed a whistleblower complaint, alleging sloppy work around the wires that connect the planes flight control systems, with metal shavings being left behind when bolts were fastened. The risk existed that the shavings would penetrate the wires insulation, leading to consequences that Barnett called catastrophic.

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Barnett also alleged that damaged or substandard parts were being installed in 787s, including a dented hydraulic tube that a senior manager retrieved from a bin of what was supposed to contain scrap. The FAA inspected several 787s that were said to be free of the shavings Barnett reported and found that they were indeed there, reported the Times. The FAA then ordered that Boeing correct the problems before the planes were delivered to customers.

In retirement, Barnett sued Boeing, alleging that the company had denigrated his character and blocked his career advancement during his employmentcharges Boeing denies. In March of 2024, he was in North Charleston, S.C., the site of the plant where he was employed, working on his case, when he was found dead in his truck from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, Barnetts family said in a wrongful death lawsuit it filed, but Boeings conduct was the clear cause.

The company sidestepped the charge: We are saddened by John Barnetts death and send our condolences to his family, Boeing said in a statement.

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Last year turned out to be a bad one for Boeing and the Dreamliner for reasons other than Barnetts death. In January another whistleblower, engineer Sam Salehpour, came forward, reporting that sections of the fuselage of the Dreamliner were improperly connected, with gaps that could cause the plane to break apart during flight. When the sections wouldnt fit, Salehpour claimed, workers would resort to brute force.

I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align, Salehpour said in Capitol Hill testimony. By jumping up and down, youre deforming parts so that the holes align temporarily. I called it the Tarzan effect.

In a statement on its website, Boeing defended the integrity of the Dreamliner: For the in-service fleet, based on comprehensive analysis no safety issues have been identified related to composite gap management and our engineers are completing exhaustive analysis to determine any long-term inspection and maintenance required, with oversight from the FAA.

Nonetheless, in May, the FAA acted again, announcing that Boeing had been ordered to reinspect all 787 airplanes still within the production system and must also create a plan to address the in-service fleet. That was not the first time the government had taken action on the problem of unacceptable gaps in the Dreamliners fuselage. From May 2021 to August 2022, the FAA halted the delivery of new Dreamliners to airline customers while the problem was addressed. Deliveries did resume but, as Salehpour testified, so did the shoddy work on the factory floor.

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In March 2024, meantime, a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland suddenly plunged 400 ft. when the pilots seat in the 787 lurched forward unexpectedly. The captain recovered but 10 passengers and three members of the cabin crew were injured.

For now, the 1,100 Dreamliners criss-crossing the skies are still flying. That could change pending the results of the Air India investigation. Even a temporary loss of the planewhich is a workhorse for long-haul flightscould be a hardship for both the airlines and the flying public. But as the grieving families of the passengers aboard the Air India flight could attest, loss of life is much worse.

Write to Jeffrey Kluger at jeffrey.kluger@time.com.
Boeing and GE Aerospace are scaling back their public activities following the fatal crash of an Air India jetliner, with the planemakers CEO cancelling his trip to the Paris Airshow next week and GE postponing an investor day.

More than 240 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787 jet bound for London crashed moments after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said, in the worlds worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff on Thursday evening that he and Boeing Commercial Airplanes boss Stephanie Pope had cancelled plans to attend the Paris Airshow so we can be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation.

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The airshow, which runs from June 16 to June 20 at Le Bourget, is the global aviation industrys largest trade show, where typically many aircraft orders are placed by airlines.

Ortberg had been due to attend for the first time as Boeing CEO since being appointed to lead the company out of a series of back-to-back safety, industrial and corporate crises.

Aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace, whose engines were in the Boeing 787 plane, had planned an investor day on June 17, coinciding with the show.

GE said the briefing had been cancelled and it would put a team together to go to India and analyse data from the crashed aeroplane.

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GE Aerospaces senior leadership is focused on supporting our customers and the investigation, the company said. It said it planned to give a financial update later this month.

Safety experts stressed it was too early to speculate why one of the worlds most modern airliners should crash shortly after takeoff. Accidents in that phase of flight are rare, said Paul Hayes, safety director at UK consultancy Cirium Ascend.

The Indian investigation of the crash is currently focusing on the engine, flaps and landing gear, Reuters reported on Friday, citing an unnamed source, as the countrys regulator ordered safety checks on Air Indias entire Boeing-787 fleet.

Under global aviation rules, India will lead the probe with support from NTSB investigators in the United States, who will, in turn, liaise with Boeing and GE on technical matters.





The reduced attendance plans came as delegates said the crash had cast a sombre mood over the airshow, putting in doubt several order announcements and putting safety back in the spotlight alongside concerns about US tariffs.

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The worlds largest aviation trade expo, running from June 16 to 20 in Le Bourget, usually gives aircraft and arms manufacturers a key stage to showcase deals and sets the tone for a global supply chain already under pressure from shortages.

Boeing shares were down Friday, falling 3.8 percent, while GE Aerospace was down 2.4 percent.

Fewer deals

Boeing has cancelled some events and is unlikely to make any commercial order announcements at the show, though it will press ahead with low-key briefings on other topics, delegates said.

One key expected announcement had been a potential order for dozens of Boeing jets, including the 787 from Royal Air Maroc. But the airline plans no announcement at the show, and this will also affect Airbus, which had been expected to sell it some 20 A220s, industry sources said.

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None of the companies had any comment on specific deals.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on Friday expressed condolences over the accident, and the worlds largest planemaker was expected to observe a muted tone surrounding what had been expected to be a busy week for orders to meet high demand.

One delegate said business would continue but with fewer of the high-profile news conferences and in-person announcements associated with the industrys biggest commercial showcase.

Another said some order announcements could be delayed until later in the year as a mark of respect for victims.

The show will be a lot more sombre, less celebratory, said a delegate involved in planning one such announcement, speaking anonymously because the plans have not been publicly revealed.

The show will go ahead as planned, but it will be more subdued and with less cheerleading, the delegate said.
(Reuters) -Boeing and GE Aerospace are scaling back their public activities following the fatal crash of an Air India jetliner, with the planemaker's CEO canceling his trip to the Paris Airshow next week and GE postponing an investor day.

More than 240 people were killed when an Air India Boeing 787 jet bound for London crashed moments after taking off from the city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said, in the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a message to staff on Thursday evening that he and Boeing Commercial Airplanes boss Stephanie Pope had canceled plans to attend the Paris Airshow "so we can be with our team and focus on our customer and the investigation."

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The air show, which runs from June 16 to June 20 at Le Bourget, is the global aviation industry's largest trade show, where many aircraft orders are typically placed by airlines.

Ortberg had been due to attend for the first time as Boeing CEO since being appointed to lead the company out of a series of back-to-back safety, industrial and corporate crises.

Aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace, whose engines were in the Boeing 787 plane, had planned an investor day on June 17 coinciding with the show.

GE said the briefing had been canceled and it would put a team together to go to India and analyze data from the crashed airplane.

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"GE Aerospace's senior leadership is focused on supporting our customers and the investigation," the company said. It said it planned to give a financial update later this month.

Safety experts stressed it was too early to speculate why one of the world's most modern airliners should crash shortly after take-off. Accidents in that phase of flight are rare, said Paul Hayes, safety director at UK consultancy Cirium Ascend.

Most accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors.

Under global aviation rules, India will lead the probe with support from NTSB investigators in the United States, who will in turn liaise with Boeing and GE on technical matters.

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The reduced attendance plans came as delegates said the crash had cast a somber mood over the air show, putting in doubt several order announcements and putting safety back in the spotlight alongside concerns over U.S. tariffs.

The worlds largest aviation trade expo, running from June 16 to 20 in Le Bourget, usually gives aircraft and arms manufacturers a key stage to showcase deals and sets the tone for a global supply chain already under pressure from shortages.

Boeing shares were down Friday, falling 3.8%, while GE Aerospace was down 2.4%.

FEWER DEALS

Boeing has cancelled some events and is unlikely to make any commercial order announcements at the show, though it will press ahead with low-key briefings on other topics, delegates said.

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One key expected announcement had been a potential order for dozens of Boeing jets including the 787 from Royal Air Maroc. But the airline plans no announcement at the show and this will also affect Airbus which had been expected to win sell it some 20 A220s, industry sources said.

None of the companies had any comment on specific deals.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on Friday expressed condolences over the accident and the world's largest planemaker was expected to observe a muted tone surrounding what had been expected to be a busy week for orders to meet high demand.

One delegate said business would continue but with fewer of the high-profile press conferences and in-person announcements associated with the industrys biggest commercial showcase.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Another said some order announcements could be delayed until later in the year as a mark of respect for victims.

"The show will be a lot more sombre, less celebratory," said a delegate involved in planning one such announcement, speaking anonymously because the plans have not been publicly revealed.

"The show will go ahead as planned, but it will be more subdued and with less cheerleading," the delegate said.

(Allison Lampert in Montreal and David Shepardson in Washington, Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Leslie Adler, Jamie Freed and Nick Zieminski)
Jun. 13----

Board members on Thursday authorized entering into contract negotiations for the superintendent position with Tim Tydlacka, according to School Board Chair Todd Frank.

Tydlacka was one of three finalists that participated in both a meet-and-greet and second interview for the position on Thursday, June 12.

The other two finalists were Eric Martinez, Junior/Senior High principal at Madelia Schools, and Judd Wheatley, 6-12 principal at MACCRAY Schools.

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Tydlacka has served as the K-12 principal at Cyber Village Academy in Minneapolis for the past two years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior positions include executive director at Harbor City International School in Duluth, English teacher at Minnesota Math and Science Academy and high school English teacher at various other schools.

He holds a superintendent license and a K-12 principal license from St. Mary's University, a master's degree in education from the College of St. Scholastica and a bachelor's degree in English/language arts teacher education from Minnesota State University  Moorhead, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Tydlacka will be replacing Superintendent Jim Menton.

The BOLD School Board decided in a split 4-2 vote in April not to renew Menton's contract.

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Board members at the April 28 meeting cited concerns over the district's financial predicament and worries that the community will not trust the board and current superintendent to solve it when making the decision.

The district is on track for a $700,000 shortfall or greater in this year's budget. It could grow to as large as $900,000 in what Menton described as a "worst-case scenario."

The district's financial mess came to light following the resignation of the school district's business manager in September.

that the district had asked for a criminal investigation into the business manager's actions.
Former national security adviser John Bolton said Friday there was no chance the U.S, Iran and Israel were ever going to reach a nuclear deal after Israel launched a massive attack on Iran to destruct its nuclear capabilities.

There was never a chance  let me say that again  never a chance that Iran was going to agree to any kind of deal that we would find acceptable, Bolton, a critic of the nuclear deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration, said on CNN.

So it wasnt that we didnt give diplomacy as a chance. Diplomacy had no chance, given Irans objectives, said Bolton, who served as a national security adviser during President Trumps first term but has since broken with the president.

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Israels attack overnight was carried out without U.S. support and after Trump had pushed hard for a negotiated deal. Iran pulled out of planned negotiations this weekend after the attack.

The deal negotiated by the Obama administration in 2015 was known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It offered sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for the dismantling of its nuclear program. The main signatories included permanent members of the United Nations Security Council such as China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The deal still allowed Iran to have a civilian nuclear program, and critics said it failed to curtail Irans uranium enrichment capabilities. Trump pulled out of the agreement during this first term in 2018. Israel was also opposed to the deal, calling it too lenient.

Trump has urged Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program before tensions escalate even more.

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After Israels attack, he posted on Truth Social, There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

In the attack, Israel struck the largest uranium enrichment site in Natanz and killed top military leaders such as Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Two top nuclear scientists for Iran were also reportedly killed.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a meeting held to mark the 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2025. (Photo by Wang Zhuangfei/Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy with an enterprising spirit and hard work to build China into a strong country.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting held in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 120th anniversary of Chen's birth.

Chen was recognized as a great proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and as one of the founding figures of the country's socialist economy. He was a key member of both the Party's first generation of central collective leadership with Mao Zedong at the core and the second generation of central collective leadership with Deng Xiaoping at the core, according to Xi.

At the meeting, Xi recalled Chen's glorious life, hailing him as "a tested, distinguished Party and state leader," who had made significant contributions to the cause of the Party and the people.

Xi encouraged Party members to learn from Chen's lofty spirit and qualities, urging them to remain steadfast in their ideals and convictions, bolster their confidence in success, and maintain political resolve in a complex environment full of turbulence and change.

Xi further underlined the significance of learning from Chen's wealth of leadership expertise and striving to enhance the Party's capacity for leading economic and social development as well as its self-building competence.

He emphasized the importance of enhancing the Party's leadership over economic work and deepening the understanding of the laws governing socialist economic development.

"It is important to comprehensively deepen reform at a swift and steady pace, and to remain steadfast in pursuing higher-standard opening up," he said.

Xi also praised Chen for his adherence to the principle of seeking truth from facts and for viewing research and studies as a vital prerequisite for decision-making.

He urged CPC members to adopt this scientific methodology in thinking and working, make sound assessments of situations, plan effectively for the future, and improve their research and studies, so they can make decisions that better reflect reality and meet the people's expectations.

Chen was born in 1905 and joined the Party in 1925. He died of illness in 1995 at the age of 90.

Li Qiang, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

Zhao Leji, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. 

A meeting is held to mark the 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2025. Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
President Donald Trumps border czar seemingly failed to get the memo on the presidents plan to ease immigration enforcement for farmworkers and hotel staff.

Trump vowed on Thursday to ease deportation efforts to avoid targeting workers in agriculture and the leisure industrysectors that heavily rely on migrant labor.

But in an interview with The Washington Post, Tom Homan said no such plans exist.

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I have not seen any instruction, anything that changes in the near future, Homan said.

President Donald Trump's immigration raids risk upending the food supply chain, which is heavily dependent on immigrants. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A White House official, speaking anonymously, also told the Post there has been no change in the administrations push to carry out the largest mass deportation of undocumented migrants in United States history. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were initially told to avoid targeting farms, but two California farms were raided this week as the administration ramped up its efforts.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast.

Trumps immigration crackdown threatens to hit Americas food supply hard. From 2020 to 2022, about 42 percent of crop farmworkers lacked full legal status to work in the U.S., according to the Department of Agriculture.

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In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump acknowledged the impact of his policies, writing that farmers and the hotel industry are losing very good, long-time workers due to his administrations very aggressive policy on immigration.

This is not good, Trump added. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!

Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have swept Los Angeles for the past week. / Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images

Speaking later to reporters at the White House, Trump floated a possible policy shift for certain workers.

Theyve been there for 20, 25 years, and theyve worked great, and the owner of the farm loves them, and then youre supposed to throw them out, Trump said. And you know what happens? They end up hiring the peoplethe criminalsthat have come in, the murderers from prisons and everything else. So were going to have an order on that pretty soon, I think.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has frequently clashed with Trump amid the ICE protests in Los Angeles, said the presidents backpedaling shows that the demonstrations and pushbacks are working.

Lets keep up the pressure, and lets do it peacefully, Newsom said in a video posted on X.
BOSSIER PARISH (KTAL/KMSS)  Bossier City Animal Control Shelter has been awarded the recognition of No Kill Shelter from Best Friends Animal Society.

Shreveport man pleads guilty to sex crimes with animals and children

A press release from the office of Mayor Tommy Chandler announced they have been awarded this rare recognition for animal shelters.

With this recognition, Bossier will be the only no-kill shelter in North Louisiana.

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Mayor Chandler proudly proclaimed, This award is proof and a reminder that Bossier City is not only committed to the safety and care of our citizens, but we are committed to the safety and care of our animals also.

In recognition of this award, Mayor Chandler will hold a brief Press Conference at the Bossier Animal Control on Friday, June 13, at 12:30 p.m..

The event will be open to the public.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
A male victim was left with life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Bostons Allston-Brighton neighborhood Thursday evening, according to police.

Boston police responded to the intersection of Gordon and Pomeroy Streets shortly before 8:10 p.m. for a report that a person had been shot, Boston Police spokesperson John Boyle said in an email. At the scene, officers located a male victim of an unknown age in an outdoor crime scene.

The victim was found with a gunshot wound, and paramedics took him to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, Boyle said. Homicide detectives are investigating the shooting.

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No arrests had been made in connection with the shooting as of 10:40 p.m. Thursday night, Boyle said. No updates or further information were immediately available Friday afternoon.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOX 8 I-Team did some digging into the firestorm around $600 million in public money going to the owners of the Cleveland Browns to help build a dome.

It has become almost a guarantee that state lawmakers will approve the money to help the Browns build a dome and development around it in Brook Park.

Some state and local leaders are piling on, trying to stop any money for the Browns. Theyre arguing the state needs more money for things like education.

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We say to the owners, look, you want to build it? Build it yourself,' Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne told us in the last week.

I-Team: New video, police response from Lee-Harvard shooting that left 7 injured

I have a big problem with rewarding a billionaire family with a $600 million performance grant, state Senator Casey Weinstein said.

What we talked about is giving billionaires money from Ohioans that they, quite frankly, dont need, state Senator Nickie Antonio added.

But on Wednesday, Ohio Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino fired back.

Lets be careful about disparaging billionaires or highly successful people. They are an important part of our economy. They pay most of the taxes, he said.

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Easy way for naysayers to say, Why should we give money to billionaires?' Browns owner Jimmy Haslam told the I-Team in April.

Haslam reminded everyone that his company is investing more than $1 billion in the dome complex.

Thatll be the fourth or fifth largest project ever done in Ohio. Period. And the largest in Northeast Ohio, he added.

I-Team: Video shows Gregory Moore, accused of killing Aliza Sherman, booked into jail

Lawmakers now have come down to the final weeks for deciding on one of three plans to help fund a dome for the Browns. The public money would be paid back.

Meanwhile, the state Senate president took on another common complaint about lawmakers simply giving in to political influence.

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Whats your response to that? we asked state Senate Rob McColley.

We havent been influenced by the Haslams. We do this for economic development projects of this size all the time, he answered. This is a good investment for Ohio. Its one thats going to bring in more money to the general fund for other priorities in the state.

The Browns keep moving closer to getting state money and the voices for and against keep growing louder.

State lawmakers will be taking a final vote on the budget by the end of the 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday became the latest world leader to call for a stronger security force in Haiti, as the underfunded, poorly manned U.N.-backed mission has failed to make headway against the nation's spiraling gang crisis.

A record 1.3 million people have been displaced from Haiti in the past six months as armed violence surges, according to U.N. data. Experts say the security mission on the ground there, led by Kenya with support from the U.N., is not enough.

Lula, meeting with Caribbean leaders in capital Brasilia, called for the U.N. to finance the mission under its current structure or to convert it into an official peacekeeping mission.

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"Stabilizing the security situation is essential to take the next step in the political process and hold presidential elections," Lula said.

Brazil led a peacekeeping mission to Haiti from 2004 to 2017, though it was marred by a deadly cholera outbreak and allegations of human rights abuses which have left many Haitians wary of an official force.

At the moment, the U.N. manages the funds for the Haitian mission, which come from voluntary donations by countries. Many have pledged funds which have yet to arrive.

A transition to a formal peacekeeping mission, which would ensure stable funding, would need to be approved by the U.N. Security Council. The U.S. had previously backed the move, though Russia and China, which hold veto powers, were against it.

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Other world leaders, including France, the Dominican Republic and Colombia, have called for increased support in recent months.

France, which colonized Haiti, in April said it was "time to move on" to a peacekeeping mission. Dominican President Luis Abinader, in a letter signed by other former presidents, asked the U.N. earlier this month to consider a hybrid mission to provide logistics and operational support.

"Without urgent and effective strengthening of the (mission), there is a real risk that Haiti will be completely dominated by (gangs)... and become a regional hub for drug trafficking, terrorism and other transnational crimes," they wrote.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, following a previous suggestion from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, last week asked the Organization of American States to deploy troops to Haiti.

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu, Gabriel Araujo and Kylie Madry; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning Thursday to protesters who use violence in his county: We will kill you graveyard dead.

Speaking at a news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ivey said peaceful protests are part of our democracy and allowed, but anyone who uses violence or interferes with law enforcement will be met with force, potentially lethal force.

Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, he said. Because we will kill you graveyard dead. Were not going to play.

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Ivey spoke as protests over the Trump administrations immigration policies have rocked Los Angeles and popped up in other cities and as nationwide protests against the presidents actions are planned for Saturday.

The sheriff, in office since 2013, said if anyone tries to mob a car, they will likely be run over and dragged across the street. If anyone strikes a deputy, they will be going to the hospital and likely will be bitten by one of the agencys big, beautiful dogs, he added.

If you let it turn violent  whoa, you do not want to do that in Brevard County. Im going to tell you that, he said. You dont want to let it happen.

He later said, I dont want to hear any whining later saying we didnt know.

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Ivey and Uthmeier both spoke from a podium emblazoned with the words, Florida: The anti-riot state.

The press conference was held ahead of the planned nationwide No Kings protests against the Trump administration on Saturday. Multiple protests are scheduled to take place around Central Florida, including in Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee and Lake Mary.

Ivey said riots were already happening across the country, with law enforcement officers, including agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeted. Both Ivey and Uthmeier reaffirmed their support for ICE.

Uthmeier said Florida is not like California, where the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard and will be deploying U.S. Marines following protests against deportation operations being carried out by ICE.

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We have a great collaborative operation with the feds, with ICE, and were very, very proud to support them, Uthmeier said.

We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida, he said.

Just before he stepped down from the podium, Ivey reiterated his warning one last time.

Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully. Stand on the mountaintops and yell your opinion, your views, he said. We invite that, but dont you dare break the law, because it wont go well for you.
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?
Originally appeared on E! Online

Genevieve Chenneour chose fight over flight.

Months after a thief attempted to steal the Bridgerton stars phone at a shop in London and she promptly fought them off, she shared insight into the experience, claiming the footage of the eventwhich sees her forcibly retrieve her phone from the thiefsurprised even her.

When I first saw it, I was shocked because I didnt even remember my reaction and I thought it was way longer than it was, Genevieve shared during a June 12 appearance on the UKs This Morning show. That moment before anything happened, I thought it was about 20 seconds but it was milliseconds.

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In the security footage shared during her appearance on the morning show, Genevievewho plays Clara Livingston in the Netflix seriesis seen wearing sweats sitting on a stool at a counter with her phone sitting on a surface next to her. Meanwhile, the thief, who is dressed in all black with their hood up, attempts to slyly reach around her and swipe her phone.

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However, the 27-year-old quickly notices and confronts the individualwho was identified as 18-year-old Zacariah Boularespushing him against the wall until he drops her phone, at which point Genevieve continues to whack the thief as he falls to the ground.

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Boulares pleaded guilty to stealing Genevieves phone last month when he appeared in Westminster magistrates court. He has 12 previous convictions based on 28 offenses, the Sunday Times reported, citing Westminster Magistrates Court. E! News has reached out to London authorities regarding the status of Boulares latest crime but has not yet heard back.

I had a bit of a sixth sense that something wasnt quite right, she explained. As a woman you have that kind of intuition and I could feel people moving around me in a different way but I only became aware of it once the incident had happened in hindsight.

Maya Dehlin Spach/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Genevieve admitted that the thief was not entirely discreet about their objective.

They were going back and forth trying to find a target, she explained. They chose me.

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And while the incident was partially caught on camera, Genevieve explained that the experience went on for a lot longer, noting that she ended up pinning Boulares to the ground and that he threatened to stab her.

I thought that was a normal reaction and then I realized a lot of people would just let them take the phone. she added. It was just a life-changing crazy moment.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI)  The U.S. Navy is sending the USS Billings up Narragansett Bay to be part of Bristols Fourth of July Celebration.

The 378-foot Freedom-class littoral combat ship will arrive in Bristol on Thursday, July 3, and leave on Monday, July 7.

She is named after Billings, Montana, and is designed for operations in near-shore environments while retaining open-ocean capabilities.

The ship will be open for public tours, but those times have not been released yet.

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RELATED: Bristol to repaint 4th of July parade route lines red, white and blue

The Navy has been sending ships to Bristol for the towns historic Fourth of July celebration since the early 1900s.

Bristol will also have the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Maurice Jester in town for the holiday. It will be moored at the Bristol Town Pier adjacent to the Maritime Center south of Rockwell Park.

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BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI)  The town of Bristol is getting ready for the historic Fourth of July parade that is just three weeks away.

The red, white, and blue stripes that mark the parade route on Hope and High streets will be repainted next week. They get repainted every year since its water-based paint, unlike traditional street paint.

Bristol police said temporary parking restrictions will be in place on Hope Street between Washington and Union streets starting Sunday and continuing through Monday, June 23.

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Restrictions will be in effect nightly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Hope Street is the only state highway in the country that is legally allowed to have patriotic tri-colored stripes all year round.

Bristol, home of Americas Oldest Continuous Fourth of July Celebration, doesnt observe the holiday on just one single day. The celebration officially starts on Flag Day, June 14.

Over the next few weeks, the town will have free outdoor concerts, a firefighters muster, the Fourth of July Ball, a carnival, fireworks and many other events.

The celebration ends on July 4 with the Military, Civic and Firemens Parade, which draws about 200,000 people to a town of roughly 22,000 people.

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This year, the Fourth of July lands on a Friday and the parade will step off at 10:30 a.m.

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JAKARTA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Coca-Cola Company has decided to shut down its factory in Badung Regency on Bali island, the center of Indonesia's tourism industry, due to a decrease in sales, a trade official said on Friday.

"The sales decline was one of the causes. There are also other causes, but they have not been disclosed," said Ngurah Wiryanatha, head of the Industry and Trade Office in Bali.

He noted that based on recent evaluations, consumer preferences have shifted. "Our evaluation results show that consumers now prefer juice or mineral water. So producers must innovate," he explained.

Previously, local media reported that head of the Manpower and Industry Service Department of Badung Regency, I Putu Eka Merthawan, confirmed that the factory will officially close on July 1.

The Coca-Cola factory is located in Werdi Bhuwana village in Badung Regency. 
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  Police in Bristol, Virginia have a new tool they say will help fight crime in the area.

According to a news release from the Bristol, Virginia Police Department (BVPD), the department now has access to Clearview AI via LexisNexis through a partnership with the Bristol, Virginia Commonwealths Attorneys Office.

Surveillance images of a suspect can be input into Clearview AI, which sources a database of images from public websites, the BVPD said.

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With the growing use of doorbell cameras, home security systems, and advanced surveillance

by private businesses, its critical that we leverage available technology to stay ahead, Chief D. Byron Ashbrook said in the release. This tool allows our detectives and officers to generate investigative leads in secondssignificantly faster than waiting on public tips after releasing a suspects image.

Ashbrook said the use of facial recognition will be governed by strict regulations set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with a comprehensive department policy.

The BVPD is reportedly the first local law enforcement agency in Virginia to implement the advanced technology.

Clearview AI participates in the National Institute of Standards and Technologys (NIST) Face Recognition Vendor Test (FRVT) and consistently achieves over 99% accuracy across all demographics, according to the release.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Britain has no plans to defend Israel as Iran retaliates against Israeli strikes.

The UK was not involved in the attacks on Tehrans nuclear and military sites, and is not involved in helping to intercept Iranian retaliation like it did last year, defence sources said. However, the sources said that situation could change.

In October, when Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refuelling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

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Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, urged both sides to show restraint and return to diplomacy. David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, called it a very dangerous moment.

Britain could send extra forces to its RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, where Typhoon jets, involved in previous operations to protect Israel, are stationed.

Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

It comes amid the UK Governments rapidly deteriorating relationship with Israel over its unrelenting military campaign in Gaza.

Last month, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, halted negotiations over a new free trade deal, calling Israels treatment of Palestinians an affront to the values of British people. Last year, the Government suspend some weapons export licenses to Israel over fears the equipment would be used to breach international law.

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Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at Rusi, told The Telegraph that he did not envisage an appetite for British forces to enter the escalating situation, but warned of a scenario in which they could be dragged in.



He said: The UK will probably be overwhelmingly focused now on protecting forces in the Middle East and the safety of UK nationals in the region. I think there would be very limited appetite for getting militarily involved. But if the Iranians assume Western support and strike facilities in the region, like in Bahrain, then we are dealing with a much bigger potential conflict.

As part of Operation Rising Lion, Israel assassinated the head of Irans armed forces as it carried out what it described as a pre-emptive strike on the regimes nuclear programmes.

Gen Mohammad Bagheri, Irans chief of the military staff, was killed along with Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Other top commanders and at least six nuclear scientists were killed, some of whom were targeted in their homes.

Israels military said it used 200 warplanes to strike 100 targets, including Natanz, Tehrans main enrichment facility, where there was a series of explosions.

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By mid-morning, Israels air force said it had completed its extensive attack on the Iranian regimes air defences. It claimed to have destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers.

According to sources, the Mossad intelligence agency had spent years preparing for strikes of this kind. It allegedly built a drone base near Tehran and smuggled precision weapons systems and commandos into the country to target the countrys air defence capabilities.

The US confirmed it was not involved in the attack, although Donald Trump revealed he had advance knowledge of it.

Israel is bracing for a retaliatory attack, which Tehran said would be harsh and decisive. So far, over 100 drones have been fired in the opening shots of the retaliation.

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Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, said the military campaign would continue for as many days as it takes, raising fears of all-out war in the region.

He said: We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile programme.

Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the nation as a state of emergency is declared across Israel

Israel has declared a state of emergency across the country ahead of the expected Iranian response. Gen Eyal Zamir, its military chief, warned that this would be worse than what we are used to.

In an address to Iranians, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, said Israel had sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and a response would come soon.

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Irans government said the strikes justified its need to advance uranium enrichment, which analysts said had been at more than 60 per cent, putting it within weeks of building a nuclear bomb.

The world now better understands Irans insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power, the regime said in a statement.

Israels attacks across Iran are drawing growing international criticism, with Turkey demanding Israel put an immediate end to its aggressive actions and Saudi Arabia condemning blatant Israeli aggression.

Oman, which was due to hold nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US this weekend, described the attacks as a dangerous and reckless escalation.

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Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary-general, called on both Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint and avoid at all costs a descent into deeper conflict.

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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain is not currently providing military support to Israel to defend against Iran's retaliation to overnight Israeli strikes, two British media outlets reported on Friday.

The Times newspaper cited defence sources as saying that Britain was not providing support to Israel on Friday morning.

Sky News separately reported that British warplanes were not currently involved in helping to defend Israel's skies, but that this could change as the situation develops.

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In October 2024, when Iran fired a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel, Britain said two of its fighter jets and an air-to-air refuelling tanker played a part in attempts to prevent further escalation, but that the jets did not engage any targets.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged both sides to use restraint and return to diplomacy, and Britain was not involved in Israel's strikes against Iran overnight.

Britain's foreign office and Ministry of Defence did not immediately respond to a request for comment on any potential British involvement in protecting Israel.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Kate Holton)
Israels strikes on Irans nuclear programme were a necessary act of self-defence. The Iranian state, which has called repeatedly for Israels destruction, is hell-bent on obtaining the shield of nuclear weapons. It has seen how North Korea has been able to hide behind its weapons programme and wield it as a tool in negotiations with the South and the United States, and intends to obtain the same degree of protection from external pressure.

When Iranian leaders have brazenly, openly called for Israels destruction  as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pointed out yesterday  this would be an outcome that Jerusalem cannot see come to pass.

With the International Atomic Energy Agency declaring Tehran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations and no realistic prospect of a US-brokered deal that would take Iran off a pathway to the bomb, Israels hands were effectively tied; when intelligence indicated that the regime had sufficient material to assemble weapons in short order, the decision was taken to dismantle that weapons programme rather than wait and face what Mr Netanyahu called the threat of annihilation.

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Fridays strikes against Israel underlined the threat the regime still poses. While US president Donald Trump had urged Tehan to reach a deal or face slaughter, Iran instead fired dozens of ballistic missiles as Israel ordered its citizens to shelters. Apparent impacts were filmed in Tel Aviv amid a flurry of interceptor launches.

Israels ambassador to the United Nations has stated bluntly that strikes will continue until his country has eliminated the threats from Iran. This is the correct approach, and one that deserves our backing.

Yet while Sir Keir Starmer has at last managed to bring himself to express concerns, grave concerns about Tehrans nuclear ambitions and to recognise Israels right to self-defence, the Prime Minister is still somehow calling for de-escalation.

The time for half-measures is long passed. Iran already funds a Middle East-wide network of proxies which carry out acts of terror against Israel and the West, and poses a direct threat on British soil. If it were to obtain the protection of nuclear weapons, it would only be emboldened.

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As much as it appears to have passed Sir Keir by, it remains true that a desire for peace is not a virtue when it permits terrible outcomes.

Rather than attempting to talk Mr Netanyahu into changing course or offering pointed remarks about escalation, Britain should be offering Israel our thanks, and our assistance. It is in our interest, and that of the wider West, to bring an end to the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran once and for all.

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The relatives of a British family said to have died in the Air India plane crash have expressed their anger at the Foreign Offices failure to support them.

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, Yasmine Hassan, 44, from west London, confirmed that her sister-in-law, Mariam Ali Syed, along with her husband Javed and the couples two young children, Zayn, five, and Amani, four, were on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner when it crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after take-off on Thursday.

The young family were returning from a holiday in India. Mariam, 35, had worked for almost a decade as a brand ambassador at Harrods.

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Mrs Hassan broke down when confirming the identities of Mariams children, the two youngest family members on board the flight.

She said: They are so small, they are five and four. And its just thinking how scared they must have been.

She told The Telegraph: Were not angry about the lack of answers [from UK government officials]  we understand that takes time. Were angry because no one has reached out to offer support or even ask if we need anything. These are British citizens.

Mrs Hassan said she was pleading with the Government to offer urgent support to relatives of the 53 British citizens aboard the flight.

The crash scene where the Air India jet plunged into a built-up area

She explained that her other sister-in-law, Sadaf Javed, 48, Mariams elder sister, another British citizen living in London, was desperate to travel to Ahmedabad, but had so far been offered no support or assistance from the Foreign Office.

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My sister-in-law, who is one of the passengers actual sisters, is saying, I need to get to India. I need to get there as soon as possible. I need to bring my babies home, she explained.

On Thursday, Air India confirmed it would fly in relatives of families who had been aboard the flight from across India.

But Mrs Hassan said she was shocked that the UK Foreign Office had no plans to offer similar support to families in Britain.

I called the UK Foreign Office to say, Weve checked online and we can see that Air India has arranged two flights to help people from other parts of India get to Ahmedabad to be with their families. Is the UK doing anything like that?

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The last thing my sister-in-law needs right now is to be worrying about visas and paperwork, when shes not even in the right head space.

So I asked the Foreign Office, Do you know if the UK Government is arranging anything similar? Is anything being sorted? And the woman just said, No, we havent been informed of anything like that, sorry.

So then I asked, Is there anyone I can speak to? Someone who might know if theyre waiving visa requirements or offering fast-track visas, or if any emergency flights are being put on? Again, she just said, No.

Mrs Hassan said she wanted to make the public aware of how little support was actually available for British families of those on board the crashed airliner.

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We really think people need to know that weve had no support  and theyre British citizens. Yet no one from the Government has contacted us to ask, Can we do anything to help?

There are 53 British nationals on that flight. Some of them are from the same family.

My sister-in-laws just thinking, I want to get there and be there no matter what happens.

This is her baby sister, her husband, and her sisters two children.

Those two children see her like a second mum. She just wants to be there. And now were having the stress of trawling airline websites, trying to find flights, wondering if we need an emergency visa, asking ourselves, Do we have to go to the Indian embassy? Can we apply for an e-visa?  its the added pressure when were already struggling to cope.

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Mrs Hassan made clear that the family was not asking for financial help, simply administrative support. I dont care if its 1,000 or 3,000, Ive got a credit card.

She also noted that the media appear to be better informed than the Government.

Within the space of a few hours, we had The Telegraph and the BBC turn up at our house. We havent had any representation from the Government come and ask, Hows your family doing? This is a crisis. Can we support you in any way? Nothing, she added.

The fate of the young family has not been confirmed by UK authorities.

However, on Thursday night, Air India said that all but one of the 242 on board had died.

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A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) told The Telegraph: Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic plane crash in India  this is an unfolding situation, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern.

FCDO staff are working urgently with local authorities in India and the UK to ensure families and friends are supported in the coming days, whether in the UK or in India.

The spokesman declined to say whether the FCDO plans to arrange urgent travel to Ahmedabad for UK-based relatives of those on the Air India flight.

However, consular support in the region has been increased to assist British nationals and work with Indian authorities, with the British High Commissioner travelling there on Thursday. A dedicated FCDO helpline has also been set up.

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British investigators have reached the Air India plane crash site.

Officials from Britains Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) have been deployed to assist the Indian investigation into the disaster, which claimed at least 260 lives.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, head of Air Indias parent company Tata, said the investigators were working with their American and Indian counterparts in Ahmedabad after what he described as one of the darkest days in the Tata Groups history

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They have our full co-operation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings, he said, adding that the cause of the tragedy remains unknown.

We dont know right now, but we will, he said.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also dispatched a team of consular specialists to work with the Indian authorities.

The news came after the recovery of the planes black box recorder that could answer questions about how the plane plummeted to earth.

A committee formed to investigate the root cause of the crash will report within three months, the Indian governments ministry of civil aviation said.

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The committee will have access to flight data, cockpit voice recordings and maintenance records.

The London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed around lunchtime on Thursday with 242 passengers and crew on board. All but one man, British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, died in the crash.

Initially, I too thought that I was about to die, but then I opened my eyes and realised that I was still alive, he told national broadcaster DD News from his hospital bed.

Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for Londons Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members.

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Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, visited the devastated neighbourhood on Friday and was also pictured by survivor Rameshs bedside.

05:32 PM BST

Todays key moments

This live blog is now closed as the investigation into the cause of the Air India plane disaster continues.

There is hope the discovery of the planes black box will shed light on the tragedy. These are todays key developments.

British investigators reached the Air India plane crash site

The planes black box recorder was recovered

India is considering grounding the airlines entire Boeing 787 fleet after ordering the inspection of all aircraft

A woman missed the doomed Air India flight by 10 minutes because she got stuck in traffic

Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, visited the sole survivor, British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, in hospital

Mr Ramesh recalled watching the planes air hostesses die in front of my eyes before he escaped out of an emergency door

05:12 PM BST

Sisters in their 20s who died in crash wanted to roam the world

Sisters from London who died in the Air India plane crash had an amazing aura and wanted to roam around the world, their cousin has said.

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Dhir and Heer Baxi, both in their early 20s, were returning home to the UK on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Thursday when it crashed after surprising their grandmother for her birthday.

Ishan Baxi, a cousin who lives in Ahmedabad, said everything is vanished right in front of our eyes following their death.

They both had aspirations to be successful enough to roam around the world like tension-free along with the parents, and they had proclivity towards modernisation without changing traditional values, he said.

Right now no one is able to come (to) terms because they both came here just to celebrate grandmas birthday but, see, the tragedy. They came, they celebrated and they both left the world, everything is vanished right in front of our eyes.

Heer (left) and Dhir Baxi with their grandmother - Family handout/PA

04:52 PM BST

Pictured: Prayer ceremony for Air India victims

Children hold banners as they participate in a prayer ceremony for the Air India plane crash victims - Hanif Sindh/UP/Shutterstock

People light candles as they take part in a prayer ceremony in Amritsar - NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images

04:35 PM BST

Couple killed in crash lost pilot son in previous tragedy

A couple who died in the Air India plane crash had already lost their only son in a previous aviation tragedy, a London temple leader has said.

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Shri Rajrajeshwar Guruji, who leads the Siddhashram Shakti Centre in Harrow, north-west London, said the unnamed couple had been returning from a religious celebration in India when the flight went down.

Their son, a pilot, had died in a crash in France several years earlier.

This couple had gone to India for a religious celebration, he said. They were coming back and now this has happened. After what has happened to their son as well. Its just terrible to think about.

04:32 PM BST

Tribute paid to headmistress killed in plane crash

Tributes have been paid to a former headmistress killed in the Air India plane crash.

Panna Nagar served as headteacher of Northfleet Nursery School in Gravesend, Kent, between 2005 and 2020.

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The school said in a statement: Today, we gather in gratitude and admiration to celebrate a remarkable leader, mentor, and friend who gave over 15 wonderful years in championing early years in her position as headteacher of Northfleet Nursery School from 2005-2020.

Ms Nagar sadly lost her life on the Air India flight AI 171 returning from a trip to India.

Panna Nagar, the former headteacher of Northfleet Nursery School - Neerasha Singh

03:42 PM BST

Wailing fills Leicester street as mother of survivor leaves home

The sound of wailing fills this quiet, terraced street in Leicester as the mother of two passengers on board Flight 171 leaves her family home, reports Albert Tait in Leicester.

One of her sons, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is the sole survivor of the crash and is recovering in hospital, while the other, Ajay, 35, is presumed dead.

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The distraught woman, whose family has asked she is not named, cannot support her own weight  such is her grief  and has to be helped into a minivan that will take her to the airport.

From there, she and other family members will board a flight this evening to Abu Dhabi as they make their way to Ahmedabad.

The mother of survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh and his brother Ajay, who is presumed dead, leaves her home in Leicester - Darren Staples / AFP

03:22 PM BST

Boeing and engine maker scale back public activities after crash

Boeing and GE Aerospace have scaled back their public activities following the Air India plane crash.

The companies manufactured the plane and its engines respectively.

Boeings chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, has cancelled a planned visit to the Paris Airshow next week and GE has postponed an investor day.

02:51 PM BST

Indian minister confirms discovery of black box

The discovery of the Air India planes black box has been confirmed by an Indian minister.

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Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the civil aviation minister, said the recorder was found 28 hours after the crash by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).

This marks an important step forward in the investigation, he said. This will significantly aid the inquiry into the incident.

02:40 PM BST

British investigators reach air crash site

British investigators have reached the Air India plane crash site.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, head of Air Indias parent company Tata, said: You know that in the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash.

They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings.

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Mr Chandrasekaran said the cause of the disaster remained unknown before urging patience amid plenty of speculation about the disaster.

We dont know right now, but we will, he said, adding that it was one of the darkest days in the Tata Groups history.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has also dispatched a team of consular specialists to work with the Indian authorities.

02:34 PM BST

Plane captain had promised ailing father he would quit to care for him

The captain of the Air India plane had promised his ill father he would quit his job to care for him days before the crash.

Capt Sumeet Sabharwal had told his father Pushkaraj, in his late 80s, that he wanted to care for him instead of flying across the world.

Dilip Lande, an Indian MP, said his father told him when he visited his home in Mumbai to offer condolences.

I didnt know how to even begin a conversation, Mr Lande told India Today. His father couldnt say a word. His eyes were filled with tears.

He told me Sumeet had spoken to him just three days ago, saying he wanted to leave flying and come home to care for him.

02:26 PM BST

Pictured: Air India planes black box

The black box from the Air India flight has been found on a rooftop

A man holds up the black box for television cameras

02:13 PM BST

Parliament flags fly at half mast

Flags at Parliament are flying at half mast in tribute to those who died in the Air India crash.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the Commons, said: Following yesterdays terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad, the flags at the House of Commons are today flying at half mast.

The Union Flag and the flag of the House of Commons flying at half mast outside Parliament on Friday

01:59 PM BST

Newspaper ran Air India advert showing plane coming out of building on day of crash

A prominent Indian paper ran a front-page Air India advert showing a plane coming out of a building on the day of the crash.

Running on Thursday in the Mid-Day newspaper, the cover advertised a dads day out at an indoor family theme park excursion in Ghatkopar mall ahead of fathers day on Sunday.

Kidzania India on Friday clarified that the ad was submitted well before the unfortunate event, as part of a pre-planned summer campaign.

We remain sensitive to this tragedy and have paused any further promotion of the said visual, they added.

Prominent Indian newspaper Mid-Day ran a front-page Air India advert showing a plane coming out of a building on the day of the crash

01:42 PM BST

Pictured: families mourn plane crash victims at Ahmedabad hospitals

Daksha Patni mourns for her relative Akash Patni, 14, as she waits outside the postmortem room at a hospital in Ahmedabad - REUTERS

A relative of a victim who died in an airplane crash, mourns as she arrives to provide a DNA sample in order to claim the body at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

01:32 PM BST

Air India ordered to inspect entire Boeing 787 fleet

Indias aviation regulator has told Air India to carry out safety checks on its entire Boeing 787 fleet, an order showed on Friday.

The checks will cover the fuel parameter monitoring and associated system checks, the regulator said, as well as a review of take-off parameters.

01:18 PM BST

Investigators probe engine thrust, flaps and landing gear

Air India and the Indian government are probing several parts that may have caused the plane to crash, a source has told Reuters.

The investigation includes potential issues with the planes engine thrust, its flaps and why the landing gear remained open.

A possible bird hit has been ruled out as a source of the crash, the source said.

The probe includes analysing any possible fault of Air India, including maintenance issues, they added.

01:00 PM BST

Foreign Office contacted British survivor of Air India crash, says Downing Street

The Foreign Office has been in contact with the British sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Downing Street has said.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is recovering in hospital and said he has no idea how he survived.

A Number 10 spokesman said on Friday: FCDO staff have been in contact with Mr Ramesh this morning to offer consular support.

Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner in India, also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, according to Number 10, offering her condolences and the UKs support to the investigation.

The spokesman also said the helpline set up by the Foreign Office in response to the crisis has received almost 300 calls as of Friday morning.

12:52 PM BST

Family of sole survivor flying to India to care for him and search for brother

Family members of a British man who survived the Air India plane crash are flying to India to be with him in hospital.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is the sole survivor of Air India Flight 171 which crashed minutes after take-off in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday morning.

The family will also be searching for the body of Ajay Kumar Ramesh, Mr Rameshs older brother, who is feared dead.

Hiren Kantilal, Mr Rameshs cousin, said that up to 15 family members were flying to India on Qatar Airways on Friday.

Vishwash called his dad and said the plane crashed. He said he didnt know how he got out of the plane, said Mr Kantilal.

He kept saying, Im waiting for my brother, I havent seen him.

He added that while the family were grateful Mr Ramesh had survived, they were grieving for the loss of his brother, who was 45-years-old.

Its hard talking about Ajay. We couldnt describe in words about Ajay. We dont have any words for him.

Mr Ramesh, a businessman from Leicester, was in seat 11A next to one of the aircrafts emergency exits when he miraculously survived the crash.

Hiren Kantilal, 19, the cousin of Ramesh Viswashkumar, the sole British survivor of the Air India Ahmedabad Airport crash in India - Getty Images Europe

12:30 PM BST

Grieving families barred from hospital wards

Families have claimed that Indian authorities have barricaded the hospital wards where plane crash victims are being treated, The Telegraph can reveal.

Despite being directed to local hospitals for updates, many family members said they had received no information from authorities since the crash on Thursday.

Indian authorities have said the measures are due to safety and forensic protocols.

Theres nothing you can do inside, one official reportedly told a family at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Please understand, they added.

12:21 PM BST

Extremely difficult to identify victims, says forensic expert

Forensic teams on the scene are struggling to identify victims due to the scale and severity of the plane crash.

Professor Naresh Soni, a forensic specialist, said his team are racing against time as rising temperatures increase the risk of sample degradation.

Identifying victims is extremely difficult under these conditions, Mr Soni told The Telegraph.

All recovered remains have been transferred to the post-mortem unit. Our forensic teams are conducting DNA testing, and identification will be confirmed before remains are returned to families.

11:48 AM BST

India considers grounding entire Boeing 787 fleet after crash

The Indian government is considering grounding Air Indias Boeing 787 fleet after one of its planes crashed, killing more than 240 people.

The countrys Ministry of Civil Aviation is mulling grounding all Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners as a precautionary measure while a safety review takes place, sources told Indian broadcaster NDTV.

Air India uses 787-8 for long-haul flights to the UK, North America and the Middle East, and the airline is expected to receive another one of the aircraft by the end of the year.

It comes after a Gatwick-bound passenger jet ploughed into a residential area of Indias Ahmedabad city within seconds of take-off, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground.

On Friday, Narendra Modi met the British sole survivor of the fiery crash on a visit to the devastated neighbourhood.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British businessman from Leicester, was in seat 11A next to one of the aircrafts emergency exits when he miraculously survived the crash.

The Indian prime minister later posted on X: We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words.

Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti.

Rescue teams with sniffer dogs continued to comb the site on Friday as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.

11:19 AM BST

Pictured: Modi mourns Indian politician killed in crash

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mourned the death a former Indian politician and colleague killed in the crash.

Mr Modi said it was unimaginable that Shri Vijaybhai Rupani is no longer in our midst.

Ive known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times, he wrote on X.

Mr Modi posted a photo of him consoling Mr Rupanis family. One woman can be seen crying into a handkerchief.

Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the partys ideology, Mr Modi added.

Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarats chief minister.

Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji.



It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I've known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed pic.twitter.com/KbmDsKtARG  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

11:01 AM BST

Gatwick boss is very saddened by crash, he says

The Chief Executive of London Gatwick has offered support to the families impacted by the crash.

Stewart Wingate confirmed the Boeing 787-8 plane was en route from Ahmedabad Airport to London Gatwick when it crashed on Thursday.

Mr Wingate said London Gatwick was very saddened to hear about the accident and added our thoughts are with the family and friends of those on board.

We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident shortly after departure from Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June was due to land at London Gatwick, he said in a post on X.

London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is available with information and support.

10:23 AM BST

Woman missed doomed flight by minutes after getting stuck in traffic

A woman missed the doomed Air India flight by 10 minutes because she got stuck in traffic.

Bhoomi Chauhan was returning to London, where she lives with her husband, after visiting India on holiday.

She had tickets for Air India 171 but arrived ten minutes after boarding had finished, because of heavy traffic in Ahmedabad, and was denied entry onto the aircraft.

Ms Chauhan admitted that while she was initially upset about the airport staffs decision, she now feels that she was saved by one of the gods in the Hindu faith.

She told Indian broadcaster NDTV: I got late because I was stuck in traffic.

I was upset [after being denied boarding] and reached the airport exit when I learnt the plane had crashed. My Ganpati ji [a deity in Hinduism] saved me.

Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, missed Thursday's fateful flight

10:03 AM BST

Survivor: I cant believe I survived

More from Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the sole British survivor of the Air India crash.

He told Indian state broadcaster DD News: I dont believe how I survived. For some time I thought I was also going to die, he said.

But when I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape from where I could. It was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others [died].

Mr Ramesh said the plane appeared to come to a standstill in mid-air for a few seconds shortly after take-off and the green and white cabin lights were turned on.

09:40 AM BST

British survivor: I escaped through broken emergency exit

The sole British survivor of the Air India plane crash said he walked out of a broken emergency exit after the aircraft hit a medical college hostel in the city of Ahmedabad.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was filmed after Thursdays crash limping on the street in a blood-stained T-shirt with bruises on his face.

Earlier this morning, the 40-year-old told Indian state broadcaster DD News from his hospital bed: The side of the plane I was in landed on the ground, and I could see that there was space outside the aircraft, so when my door broke I tried to escape through it and I did.

The opposite side of the aircraft was blocked by the building wall so nobody could have come out of there.

Viswashkumar said he walked out of the crash site with only burn injuries on his left arm.

Narendra Modi (L) meeting with Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sole survivor of the Air India flight 171 crash

09:29 AM BST

Almost 70 per cent of passengers found in their seats

Almost 70 per cent of the passengers on the 787 aircraft were found in their seats wearing seatbelts, an Indian first responder has said.

Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer, told the Indian Express: Almost 70% of the passengers were found in their seats, most of them had their seatbelts on, the police officer said.

09:07 AM BST

British crash survivor: Plane lights started flickering before aircraft hit the ground

The sole surviving passenger from the Air India crash said the lights on the plane started flickering before the aircraft hit the ground.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, told the Hindustan Times: When the flight took off, within five to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air.

Suddenly, the lights started flickering - green and white - then the plane rammed into some establishment that was there.

Mr Ramesh, who was sat in seat 11a next to an emergency exit, told the newspaper the section of the plane he was in landed on the ground, rather than hitting the roof of a building.

When I saw the exit, I thought I could come out. I tried, and I did. Maybe the people who were on the other side of the plane werent able to, he said.

He added: I dont know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes - the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me ... I walked out of the rubble.

08:52 AM BST

Pictured: Families of victims break down outside hospital

Relatives of victims mourn as they wait outside the postmortem room at a hospital, in Ahmedabad

08:37 AM BST

Portuguese victims of crash live in the UK

All seven of the families of the Portuguese victims live in the UK, Max Stephens writes.

Five are registered at the consulate in London and two in Manchester, Portugals ministry of foreign affairs said.

The ministry said in a statement: So far it has been possible to determine that none of the Portuguese nationals have family living in Portugal.

Of the seven citizens with a Portuguese passport, five are registered at the consulate in London and two in Manchester, it added.

The note added: At this moment, family members are on their way to the morgues to identify the bodies.

The Portuguese consulates contacted the relatives residing in the United Kingdom and made themselves available to provide any necessary support, it said.

08:26 AM BST

Everything you need to know about the Boeing Dreamliner

The Air India disaster in which a plane crashed moments after take-off in Ahmedabad is the first time that a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has been involved in a fatal accident.

However, the aircraft has been beset by problems since entering service in 2011.

Read why here.

08:20 AM BST

Pictured: Canadian dentist on Air India flight

Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, has been identified as the single Canadian victim killed in the disaster, Max Stephens writes.

Mrs Patel worked at the Heritage Dental Centre and was the mother to a one-year-old child.

Her husband told Canada Press: That was my wife. I am not in a state to speak right now.

Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, has been identified as the single Canadian victim killed in the disaster

She was very nice. She was very gentle, but this is not a good time, another family member said.

City Coun. Natalie Hart said in tribute: Im deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Patel, a dentist who practised in Ward 5, has been identified as a victim of the Air India tragedy.

My prayers are with her loved ones and everyone in our community that will be mourning her.

Mrs Patel earned her dental degree in India in 2016, immigrated to Canada and received her licence to practice in 2019.

08:12 AM BST

Boeing 787 identical to crash jet made four emergency landings in a month

A Boeing 787 jet identical to the one that crashed in India made four emergency landings in less than a month earlier this year.

Some of the incidents involving the American Airlines plane were linked to issues with its wing flaps  vital control surfaces now under scrutiny following the Indian crash, after phone footage appeared to show they were not properly deployed.

The American Airlines plane was initially forced to return to Amsterdam after a problem with its flaps was detected shortly after take-off for Philadelphia on Jan 7.

Read the full story here

07:33 AM BST

Air India diverts 16 Middle East flights because of Israel-Iran tensions

Air India has diverted 16 flights in the Middle East after Israel launched an offensive against Iran this morning.

Heres a list of the flights that have been diverted.

07:26 AM BST

Pictured: Modi at site of crash

PM Modi visited the #AirIndiaCrash site and assessed the ground situation today.

Modi at the crash site

07:21 AM BST

Air India flight makes emergency landing after bomb threat

An Air India flight from Phuket in Thailand to Indias capital New Delhi received an onboard bomb threat on Friday and made an emergency landing on the island, airport authorities said.

All 156 passengers on flight AI 379 had been escorted from the plane, in line with emergency plans, an Airports of Thailand official said.

The aircraft took off from Phuket airport bound for the Indian capital at 9.30 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Friday, but made a wide loop around the Andaman Sea and landed back on the southern Thai island, according to flight tracker Flightradar24.

AOT did not provide details on the bomb threat. Air India did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Indian airlines and airports were inundated with hoax bomb threats last year, with nearly 1,000 hoax calls and messages received in the first 10 months, nearly 10 times that of 2023.

07:16 AM BST

Black box from plane has been found

One of two black boxes from the plane had been found, Indian newspaper the Hindustan Times has reported.

Reuters could not verify the report and the paper did not say whether the flight data recorder or the cockpit voice recorder had been recovered.

07:05 AM BST

Air India CEO visits crash site

The CEO of Air India visited the site of the crash earlier this morning.

Campbell Wilson refused to answer questions from reporters when he attended the site.

On Thursday, the New Zealander expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy, adding that the airlines efforts were focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.

This frame grab from AFPTV video footage taken on June 13, 2025 shows Air India's chief executive officer (CEO) Campbell Wilson (2nd L) arriving at the crash site of Air India flight 171 in Ahmedabad

06:57 AM BST

In pictures: Rescue crews attend site of crash

Crew from India's National Disaster Response Force arrive at the site of an airplane crash

Rescue officials carry a victims body at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad - SAM PANTHAKY/AFP

06:47 AM BST

Watch: Modi meets sole British survivor of crash

Credit: X/PTI_News

06:44 AM BST

Welcome to todays live blog

Heres everything thats happened so far:

Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, visited the scene of the crash in Ahmedabad, India

The British sole survivor of the crash, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is recovering in hospital saying he has no idea how he survived

Families have been giving DNA samples to help identify the victims

All but one of the 242 passengers on board the flight died, but its unknown how many died on the ground of the residential area where it crashed

Their remains are still being recovered from the crash, with reports saying 81 bodies have been recovered so far

06:37 AM BST

Modi devastated by plane crash

We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

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British fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft that violated airspace over the Baltic Sea on the morning of June 13, Poland's military command reported.

"This is another case of provocative testing of the readiness of NATO countries' systems," the statement said, adding that NATO command structures are now analyzing the incident.

The Russian Il-20, based on the Il-18 transport aircraft, is used for electronic surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It is equipped with radar and signal intelligence gear designed to collect information on military infrastructure and communication networks.

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According to the military command, the aircraft entered Baltic Sea airspace at approximately 10:50 a.m. and was promptly intercepted by two British fighter jets operating out of Poland.

No further details were disclosed about the exact location of the encounter or how long the Russian aircraft remained in restricted airspace.

The incident adds to a series of aerial provocations reported by NATO allies since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland has repeatedly scrambled jets in response to Russian missile and drone attacks near its border.

On Feb. 11, a Russian Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft flew into Polish airspace over the Bay of Gdansk for more than a minute. Moscow attributed the incursion to a navigational error, but Polish officials dismissed the claim as implausible.

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Poland shares a long border with Ukraine and a northern coastline along the Baltic Sea, where Russia's militarized Kaliningrad exclave is located.

Warsaw has repeatedly warned that Russia's ongoing aerial provocations could lead to a dangerous escalation if not firmly countered.

Read also: How an Israel-Iran war could help Russias economy  and deprive Ukraine of weapons

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A British national accused of scamming homeowners in three states pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges Thursday in Providence as part of a plea agreement.

Elijah Gavin, 29, faces a maximum sentence of 70 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.2 million.

The U.S. Attorneys Office says Gavin was one of what the FBI calls Conmen Travelers, which are groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who swindle homeowners in a contracting scheme.

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Feds warn homeowners of traveling conman scheme

Court documents say Gavin claimed he was a contractor and used different aliases like Simon Kelly and Timothy OReilly to defraud homeowners in three states, including Rhode Island, where he targeted a 78-year-old widow.

According to those documents, the woman paid Gavin more than $850,000 in separate checks for work he performed on the foundation and roof of her home in 2023.

She later called police after her bank flagged a wire transfer Gavin had requested, saying his account dealt with Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies and was not a construction company.

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Investigators used surveillance video of Gavin depositing money at a Providence ATM and a mugshot published by a U.K. news outlet to identify him. Upon seeing the booking photo, the victim reportedly pointed to the laptop and said, Thats Tim!

Police took Gavin into custody in February.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland has had him listed as unlawfully at large since 2022, when he went on the lam after being convicted of a number of offenses, including burglary, bodily harm and drug possession.

Interview: Irish journalist on Traveling Conman Fraud

The plea agreement notes that Gavin may have the option to transfer his sentence abroad through the international prisoner transfer program.

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He is scheduled to be sentenced in September. Target 12 reached out to his attorney for a comment, but hasnt heard back.

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynosos reelection campaign has accepted thousands of dollars in contributions from real estate industry players even though he ran for office on a promise to not take money from that sector, according to a Daily News review of city records.

The issue became a flashpoint during last weeks first debate in the Brooklyn borough presidents race, when Reynosos Democratic primary opponent, Khari Edwards, questioned why the BP had accepted donations from luxury developers even though he has maintained for years he doesnt take campaign cash from the real estate industry.

Reynoso pushed back, calling Edwards question nonsense.

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You know I dont take money from developers, said the BP, who was elected in 2021 on a broader promise to refuse any donations from the real estate industry, which is often viewed as including brokers, landlords and property managers in addition to developers.

But a review by The News of Reynosos public disclosures found his 2025 reelection campaign has accepted nearly $25,000 in donations from more than a dozen individuals working in the real estate sector. With public matching funds factored in, those donations have become worth more than $43,000.

Reynosos real estate cash includes a $1,000 donation made on Sept. 27, 2024 by Mitchell Hochberg, president of the mega developer Lightstone Group. Reynoso accepted that donation even though Hochbergs in the city governments Doing Business database.

The database keeps tabs on private actors involved in business dealings with city entities, and those listed in it are restricted from giving more than $320 to borough president candidates. Reynosos campaign ultimately returned $680 of Hochbergs donation  but not until several months after he made it, a delay that could subject the BP to a fine from the Campaign Finance Board, which generally requires any over-the-limit contributions to be refunded within 20 days.

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A CFB spokesman declined to comment.

Other real estate players who gave to Reynosos reelection bid include Zev Friedman, who chipped in the max $1,600 allowed by law on May 19, records show. Friedman is the chief financial officer of Bonjour Capital, a real estate investment and development firm.

Reynoso campaign manager Ben Hoffman acknowledged that the donations from Hochman, Friedman and four other industry players, totaling $5,380, flew in the face of the BPs 2021 commitment to not take cash from real estate developers.

Hoffman said Reynosos campaign has already refunded two of those donations, totaling $1,960. He did not say if theyd return the others.

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Of the other donations identified by The News, Hoffman argued they arent part of Reynosos commitment. He said thats because that money came from landlords, property managers and brokers, which he differentiated from real estate developers.

On the 2021 campaign trail, Reynoso on multiple occasions promised to not take cash from the real estate sector as a whole. More recently, he has spoken about the importance of not taking donations from developers specifically.

In a statement, Hoffman argued Reynoso is not going to be distracted and will continue doing what he does best: serving the people of Brooklyn to make a safer, more affordable Brooklyn for all.

Edwards, Reynosos opponent, said hes being dishonest.

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Its damage control that does nothing for the families fighting to stay in their homes, said Edwards, whos Reynosos only competitive challenger in the June 24 Democratic primary.

There has been no polling in the Brooklyn BP race. So far, Reynoso has dominated the fundraising battle, though, sitting on $811,891 as of the last filing compared to Edwards $239,148.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local man is once again gearing up for a big giveaway for his community.

Brookville resident Dave Nugent, better known as The Bicycle Man, gives away hundreds of bikes throughout the year. Nugent repairs bikes of all sizes to give away, completely free to local children.

Nugent is once again hosting a giveaway this month starting at 1 p.m. on June 15.

Those interested can visit 142 June Place to pick up a bike. The giveaway will run until all bikes are given away.

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Nugent asks that people only take one bike per person.

2 NEWS has previously featured Nugent during our Tell Me Good News segments. Watch one of the clips in the video player above.

Nugent says he enjoys repairing the bikes and giving them to those who will enjoy them. He expects nothing in return.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
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The deployment of California National Guard troops and active-duty U.S. Marines onto the streets of Los Angeles is an assault on federalism, violates federal law and manifests a dangerous pattern of governmental behavior in defiance of constitutional principles and the rule of law.

None of this was the case until President Donald Trump, against the express wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, federalized the CA National Guard, became their commander in chief, and ordered them to thwart both lawful and unlawful demonstrators in Los Angeles.

There, agents of the U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were attempting to make warrantless arrests of persons whom they and their colleagues believed were unlawfully present in the U.S. Demonstrators soon arrived, some of whom peaceably assembled and vociferously objected to the arrests, and some of whom attempted to interfere with them violently.

Clearly, acts of physical interference with even unlawful arrests are themselves unlawful, but condemning government behavior, waving Mexican flags, cheering on those who have been arrested, even standing in the way of federal agents until ordered to move are all protected acts of expression and historically recognized acts of civil disobedience.

The conflicts between some  not all  demonstrators and federal agents at times grew violent, and local and state authorities ordered police to protect the federal agents and keep the demonstrators at bay  but not silence them  while the feds carried out their tasks.

Then the president ordered in the federalized National Guard and then  almost unimaginably  he ordered in active-duty Marines. The sight of active-duty armed troops confronting unarmed persons exercising their constitutionally protected freedom of expression, and the declaration of no free speech zones, was and is gut wrenching, un-American and without lawful precedent in modern times.

Here is the backstory.

The Constitution makes the president the commander in chief of U.S. troops and of state National Guard units when the latter are called into federal service by Congress or by the president. In numerous statutes, Congress has defined when and under what circumstances the president may command state military personnel.

The latter are familiar to most Americans. They are part-time civilian/soldiers, our neighbors, none of whom are on active duty but for a few administrators, and they are typically deployed unarmed to assist local law enforcement when asked by a state governor. We have all seen them selflessly helping rescue folks and delivering aid after natural disasters.

Can National Guard troops be used for law enforcement? That depends on who summons them.

Congress addressed this in numerous federal statutes, enacted in 1792, 1794, 1795 and again in 1807. The essence of these laws permits the president to declare himself the commander in chief of the National Guard for law enforcement purposes only when asked by a state governor. Short of the gubernatorial request, the Guard may not be summoned by the president for law enforcement purposes, except in the cases of invasion or rebellion.

Who is in charge of law enforcement?

The Constitution retains the police power in the states. The Supreme Court has ruled that regulations and enforcement of them for health, safety, welfare and morality are presumptively state functions that were not delegated to the feds when the 13 states formed, and later when the 37 states joined, the Union. This is the principle of state sovereignty, otherwise known as federalism.

Federalism was reinforced dramatically as recently as 1997 in a case called Printz v. U.S. There, Congress enacted gun regulations and ordered the states to enforce them. In an opinion by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, which invalidated the statute, the court reinforced federalism  the primacy of the states in matters of safety and the immunity the states enjoy from federal takeovers.

Congress itself has also spoken to this, though not in the modern era. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878  part of the compromise that ended so-called Reconstruction in the Southern states  absolutely prohibits the use of federal troops for law enforcement purposes unless the governor has requested them, or unless in the case of invasion or rebellion. The modern Congress has defined "rebellion" as collective acts of violence intending to overthrow or substantially destabilize the government.

Thus, we can see that federalizing of the National Guard  which transforms them into federal troops  actually disables them from performing law enforcement duties which they could lawfully have performed when under Gov. Newsom's command. Moreover, since there is no invasion or rebellion as the laws define them, there is no lawful basis for all these troops on the streets.

This is not constitutional hairsplitting. This is very serious business. If the feds can characterize an unarmed assemblage of protesters as an invasion merely because they are angry, carry a foreign flag and prefer a foreign language  all protected speech  and engage in civil disobedience, and thus justify the use of military force against them, whose freedoms are safe?

The government argues that the current state of affairs in Los Angeles constitutes an emergency and thus it has broad powers to address it. That is constitutional hogwash.

The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that there is no emergency exception in the Constitution unleashing the government. Even during the War Between the States  though ruling afterward  the court found that the government retains the obligation to abide and recognize all liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. The emergency argument is not only unconstitutional but extra-constitutional. It was crafted by those who reject their oaths to preserve, protect and defend the supreme law of the land.

Thomas Jefferson wrote that the purpose of government is to secure our liberties, not to look for ways to assault them. Are we slouching toward authoritarianism? NO. The events in Los Angeles are one giant leap in that lamentable irreversible direction.

(COMMENT, PLEASE, BELOW)

Andrew P. Napolitano, a former judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, was the senior judicial analyst at Fox News Channel. Judge Napolitano has written seven books on the U.S. Constitution.
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has issued a document outlining key measures to curb misconduct in healthcare services and pharmaceutical procurement and sales.

According to the document, jointly released by 14 government departments, rectification efforts will focus on areas such as bidding for pharmaceuticals, high-value medical consumables, medical equipment, infrastructure and IT projects, as well as logistics and support services.

The document calls for improvements to the blacklist system targeting individuals involved in bribery in pharmaceutical procurement and sales. It also urges the strengthening of a record system for discredited entities.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to consolidate and build on the results of the nationwide anti-corruption campaign launched in the medical sector in August 2023.

Per the document, authorities are also instructed to systematically address irregularities in medical services by intensifying governance in areas prone to violations.

It also outlines key tasks including cracking down on corruption in the funeral sector, regulating online medical services, improving internal management within healthcare institutions, and strengthening supervision of medical ethics and professional conduct. 
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Two brothers allegedly stole cash and numerous items during an armed robbery at a Lancaster County store earlier this week, according to police.

Columbia Borough Police said in a criminal complaint, Jachai Daniels, 25, of Columbia, and Donnell Rhodes, 24, of Harrisburg, allegedly stole cash, tobacco, vaping and THC products, watches, and sunglasses from the JK Mart, located along Lancaster Avenue, on Tuesday around 8:30 a.m.

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The amount of cash that was stolen was not disclosed by police.

Police said in the complaint that surveillance video captured the brothers leaving a home in the 200 block of S. Fifth Street prior to them allegedly robbing the store. Police said they knew that was where Daniels lived, and learned during the investigation that Rhodes was staying with him.

Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department Courtesy of the Columbia Borough Police Department

At the time, police said Rhodes was wanted on attempted homicide charges stemming from a Harrisburg shooting last month that left a woman injured. Harrisburg Police and the U.S. Marshals Service relayed that Rhodes was also allegedly involved in another similar armed robbery in Harrisburg.

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While police were in the area conducting surveillance, Daniels and Rhodes were both seen on the property of the home along S. Fifth Street. Police then took them into custody.

After searching the home, police found clothing that the suspects were seen wearing on surveillance video, a loaded pistol that Rhodes allegedly used to threaten the clerk, and items taken from the store. Daniels also had tattoos on his hand that matched the tattoos that the one suspect had, police noted in the complaint.

Pennsylvania charging fewer people with this drug-related felony

When questioned, police said Daniels admitted to the robbery and claimed that Rhodes was the one who brandished the firearm and threatened the clerk. Police said Daniels also claimed the robbery was Rhodes idea, and he did allegedly admit to taking the stolen items back to his home.

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Rhodes faces felony robbery and firearm charges, along with a misdemeanor charge of simple assault.

Daniels faces felony charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery

Daniels is locked up in Lancaster County Prison with bail set at $200,000 by Magisterial District Judge Miles Bixler.

Harrisburg Police also filed charges against Rhodes for the armed robbery at the Hamilton Food Store last week. Police alleged he threatened to shoot an employee and the store owner before stealing cash and cigarettes.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  Two brothers face felony charges in a series of car recent break-ins in Webster Groves and Eureka. One of them is also charged in connection with second-degree murder in a deadly St. Louis shooting.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office has charged Darius Bostic, 20, and Derrick Bostic, 18, each with four counts of property damage and four counts of stealing ($750 or more) over the car break-ins.

Additionally, prosecutors have charged Derrick Bostic with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action in a deadly shooting in the City of St. Louis last month, which investigators believe followed attempted car break-ins.

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Drive-by armed robbery suspect steals watch during sales meet-up: Police

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, in the early morning hours of April 30, officers in Webster Groves and Eureka both responded to reports of car break-ins, which included the following areas:

The 400 and 500 blocks of Forest Run Drive (Eureka)

Colonial Village Court (Webster Groves)

600 block of Amelia Avenue (Webster Groves)

300 block of Page Avenue (Webster Groves)

Police documented at least 16 car break-ins in Webster Groves and six in Eureka that morning, according to court documents.

Surveillance footage from both cities showed multiple armed individuals walking through neighborhoods and targeting parked vehicles. In both cases, at least one suspect was seen wearing a backpack with a distinctive graphic.

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Investigators later not only linked the same group to the Webster Groves and Eureka break-in scenes, but also some group members to another crime two days later in the City of St. Louis, during which a man was fatally shot.

On May 2, a man was fatally shot in the 6300 block of Vermont Avenue in south St. Louis Carondelet neighborhood. At the time, police observed multiple vehicles with windows busted out.

Court documents allege that Derrick, charged with second-degree murder, and others were breaking into vehicles with a group when they were spotted by one resident whose husband went outside in back in order to discharge a firearm so as to scare or startle the group. After that, members of the group reportedly fired shots. One man, whose identity has been withheld, was fatally shot.

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At some point, Darius and Derrick were identified as suspects in the Webster Groves and Eureka break-ins. According to court documents, after Derrick was arrested, he admitted to driving his brothers, including Darius, and his cousin to targeted locations for car break-ins.

Police later reviewed cell phone records for Derrick and Darius, which placed them at the scenes of the Webster Groves break-ins.

According to Missouri online court records, no bond has been set for either the break-in charges or the murder case. Derrick has a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 18 in the murder case. No other court dates have been set.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Portions of State Route 87 near Fountain Hills were closed due to a brush fire near milepost 199.

The Arizona Department of Transportation said SR 87 southbound was reopened at the SR 188 junction as of 1:48 p.m., June 13. There is a left lane closure at milepost 234 on the southbound side, south of Payson.

The northbound side was closed at Bush Highway milepost 199, near Fountain Hills.

As of noon on June 13, ADOT did not give an estimated time of reopening the highway.

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ADOT advised motorists to expect delays and seek an alternative route.

For real-time highway conditions, motorists can visit AZ 511, download the AZ511 app, or call 511.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brush fire closes portions of SR 87 near Fountain Hills
Budget chairs Rep. Lawrence McClure and Sen. Ed Hooper answer questions from reporters regarding the delayed budget on June 9, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

As another deadline nears for the Florida Legislature to finalize the states fiscal year 2025-26 budget, the chambers budget chairs appear to disagree on whether they will be able to wrap up negotiations Friday for a Monday vote.

House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure gave reporters a yes when asked if their timeline to finish the work by Monday would work, whereas Senate Budget Chair Ed Hooper answered maybe.

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I think the last two days may be the most productive weve had, Hooper told reporters Thursday evening. Lawmakers voted last week to extend their time to finish the budget until June 18, ahead of the June 30 when the current years budget expires.

The budget chairs didnt meet in public on Wednesday and had only one conference on Tuesday. Hooper said there werent enough substantial offers to warrant a meeting on Wednesday. The chambers presented offers on several silos on Thursday evening, such as education, criminal justice, and health care.

The president committed to the speaker this afternoon that we are going to do everything in our power to have this thing on the desk sometime tomorrow for a Monday vote, Hooper said.

Lawmakers have to wait 72 hours after work on the budget is done to vote on it.

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The Legislature agreed they would spend $50 billion in general revenue before returning to Tallahassee last week. The Legislative leaders have also touted a plan to eliminate taxes on business rent and $350 million in permanent sales tax exemptions. However, the sales tax exemption deal hasnt been finalized either.

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Former Bulletin reporter Claire Sullivan received five awards, including two for first place, at the NHPA's annual Excellence in Journalism banquet on Thursday. Ethan DeWitt, who was not in attendance, also received five awards, including one for first place. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin)

The New Hampshire Bulletin won 10 awards in its class at the New Hampshire Press Associations annual Distinguished Journalism Awards banquet on Thursday night. The honors, for stories published in 2024, were presented at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester.

Claire Sullivan and Ethan DeWitt each took home five awards, including three for first place. Sullivan won first for Rookie of the Year and Community Service, the latter for her monthslong coverage of New Hampshires landfill controversies, including her in-depth look at toxic trash juice. DeWitt was awarded first place in the Spot News Story category for his coverage of a federal court decision striking down the states banned concepts teaching law.

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Sullivan, who left the Bulletin earlier this year, also won second place for Health Reporting and Environmental Reporting, and third place for Business Reporting. DeWitt claimed four third-place awards, for General News Story, Investigative Story/Series, Government Reporting, and Political Reporting.

The Concord Monitors Sruthi Gopalakrishnan was named Journalist of the Year.

This years banquet also served as an opportunity to celebrate the full body of work of a pair of longtime New Hampshire journalists.

Michael Cousineau, of the New Hampshire Union Leader, and Ray Duckler, of the Concord Monitor, each received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Daniel Hernandez in 2023. Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0

A shooting outside the campaign headquarters of longtime gun safety advocate and congressional candidate Daniel Hernandez left his family and staffers shaken Thursday afternoon.

At around 5:15 p.m., according to a statement from the Tucson Police Department, officers responded to a call about vandalism and possible vehicle damage at the Hernandez family home, which doubles as his campaign headquarters. A staffers car was struck by a bullet, and shell casings were found at the scene. No one was harmed. The investigation remains ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.

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Hernandez, a Democrat who is running in the special election to represent Arizonas 7th Congressional district, lamented the deeply unsettling danger his family and team were in and denounced what he said was another in a long string of threats against his political career.

As a gun violence survivor, I know this fear all too well  and over the years, my family and I have endured repeated death threats, he said in a written statement. Our family, our staff, and our supporters deserve to feel safe. Violence and intimidation have no place in our politics. We will not be deterred, and we will share more information as it becomes available.

Hernandez has served in public office since 2017, when he was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives. Along with his younger sisters, current state Reps. Alma Hernandez and Consuelo Hernandez, the trio has established a progressive brand that emphasizes LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights and gun safety.

The race to represent Arizonas 7th Congressional district is just a week away. The registration deadline to vote in the special primary election is June 16, and early voting begins on June 18. Hernandez faces a crowded field to win the Democratic nomination in the heavily Democratic district. The percentage of voters in the district who cast their ballots for Democratic candidates is more than twice that of those for Republicans.

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Leading the pack are Hernandez and Adelita Grijalva, a veteran of Tucson-area politics who has netted endorsements from high-profile figures like U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly. Grijalva is seeking to continue the legacy of her father, U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva, who represented the district for more than two decades until his death from cancer in April.

In a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Adelita Grijalva expressed her opposition to gun violence and her relief that no one was hurt.

My thoughts are with the Hernandez family and campaign team tonight, she wrote. Im relieved to learn that everyone is safe. We deserve safe communities free from gun violence.

Concern over gun violence is a key part of Hernandezs political platform. In 2011, he interned for U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and was credited with helping save her life when she was shot in 2011. That experience informed his commitment to gun safety advocacy, and he later became the state director for Everytown for Gun Safety, heading the organizations efforts to enshrine stricter regulations in Arizona law from 2012 through 2014.

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A burglary suspect who was shot and killed in a Lynwood home Thursday morning is believed to have been shot by an accomplice when they were startled by a resident, officials said.

Deputies were called to the 11000 block of Linden Street after receiving a call of a burglary in progress, officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

When deputies arrived, they found a man who had been shot and died at the scene.

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Homicide detectives say they believe the man was one of about five men who entered the home at 1:26 a.m. wearing dark clothing. Authorities said the men were surprised by a resident in the home and ran from the location, but one of them shot a firearm inside the house, striking one of the suspects.

The identity of the deceased man was not released.

The suspects were spotted running north on Linden Street, officials said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A total of four people were killed and eleven seriously injured in an accident involving a bus carrying Ukrainian citizens in the French department of Sarthe on 13 June.

Source: European Pravda with reference to BFMTV, a French news broadcast television

Details: The bus carrying adults and teenagers from Ukraine flipped into a ditch on the A81 motorway at 11:58, near the town of Degre, between the Sille-le-Guillaume and Le Mans-Nor interchanges.

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Early reports suggest that in addition to the four dead and 11 seriously injured, 34 people suffered minor injuries, BFMTV said.

The motorway was closed in both directions after the accident to facilitate evacuation and rescue operations.

A total of 87 firefighters from the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service) and 49 fire engines arrived at the scene.

No further information is available at this time on the details of the accident, the number of vehicles involved or the identity of the people affected.

The prefect of the Sarthe department, Emmanuel Aubry, has taken charge of the rescue operations, and a departmental operational headquarters (COD) has been set up to coordinate the various services working at the scene. Aubry "calls for maximum vigilance in the area and not to interfere with the work of emergency services".

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The Ukrainian Embassy in France reported that Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to France Vadym Omelchenko and embassy staff immediately went to the scene.

"We are in constant contact with the prefecture and local services to promptly assist those injured and clarify the circumstances," the embassy said in a Facebook post.

Background:

Four Ukrainian citizens were killed in a road accident in Austria in April.

In mid-February, a Kyiv-Chisinau bus got into an accident, leaving 16 people injured.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The North Carolina General Assembly excluded the Healthy Opportunities Pilot Program from the 2026-2027 budget. Chief Business Correspondent Taylor Young explains the devastating impact this could have on farmers.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
SHREVEPORT, LA. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office will host a first aid and CPR training class for children and teenagers.

Shreveports No Kings rally protests President Trumps policies, parade

According to the sheriffs office, the class is designed to improve participants ability to provide first aid assistance. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and skills from instructors at the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office. Due to limited space, participants are encouraged to register early.

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For more information or to secure your spot, please contact Deputy Vernita Williams at (318) 681-0869 or via email at vernita.williams@caddosheriff.org.

The workshop will be held at Safety Town on Tuesday, June 17.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
TOKYO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Kyoto saw a record 10.88 million foreign tourists in 2024, surpassing the 10-million mark for the first time.

The total number of visitors to Kyoto reached 56.06 million, making it the second-highest on record after 2015, according to data from the Kyoto government.

Notably, the number of foreign overnight guests exceeded that of Japanese for the first time since records began in 1958, with 8.21 million foreign stays compared to 8.09 million Japanese.

Total overnight stays reached an all-time high of 16.3 million. Tourist spending also hit record levels, with total consumption reaching 1.9075 trillion yen (about 13.3 billion U.S. dollars) and an economic ripple effect estimated at 2.0989 trillion yen.

Kyoto City officials noted that rising accommodation prices may have led more Japanese visitors to opt for day trips, and emphasized their continued commitment to promoting sustainable tourism that coexists with local life. 
Prominent U.S. figures like Caitlyn Jenner and Scott Jennings are in Israel amid the country's strikes against Iran, and Jenner had an urgent 12-word message for daughter Kylie Jenner.



It won't be easy for either Jenner or Jennings, who are on separate trips, to leave, as the Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv has now closed due to the unrest.

"I spoke with my daughter Kylie, and she urged me to stay safe. I reassured her," Caitlyn Jenner said on Israeli television, according to Daily Mail. Jenner told Kylie: "Don't worry, I'll keep myself safe, and they'll take care of me."

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Jenner has posted photos on X showing scenes from Israel.

"My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in @Israel," Jenner posted on X on June 12.

The State of Israel's official site also posted photos of Jenner in Israel on X, writing, "@Caitlyn_Jenner at the Western Wall in our capital Jerusalem." Jenner, who was in Israel to appear at a pride parade, also gave interviews to Israeli television.

Jennings, the CNN commentator, was also in Israel when the attacks ensued.

"Definitely not getting out today. Lol,'" Jennings told the Daily Mail on June 13, "from his hotel in Tiberius, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee." Daily Mail described Jennings and Jenner as being "stuck" inside Israel.

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It's true they wouldn't be able to fly out of the country if they wanted to.

"Notice to the General Public. Due to the current special security situation, all flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG) are canceled until further notice. Please be advised: Do not travel to the airport," the Tel Aviv airport in Israel wrote on its website on June 12 and 13.

My heart is here, with the beautiful people, in @Israel pic.twitter.com/jC0bNeYdDs  Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 12, 2025

Jennings posted a video of what he presumes were Iran "missile attacks" in response to Israel's attacks on Iran.

"Just recorded this over my hotel on Sea of Galilee in Israel - and then a minute later heard a BOOM. this is looking south. Hearing booms in distance. Iran missile attacks I presume," he wrote on X on June 13.

Just recorded this over my hotel on Sea of Galilee in Israel - and then a minute later heard a BOOM. this is looking south. Hearing booms in distance. Iran missile attacks I presume. pic.twitter.com/FuJkyvmzUZ  Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) June 13, 2025

Jennings voiced support for Israel on X, writing, "We are in a fight for Western civilization around the world. As I type this from Israel, it's abundantly clear they are in a fight for their very survival as a nation."

Related: Three Major Airports Close Completely, Causing Travel Chaos

Caitlyn Jenner Sends Urgent 12-Word Message From Israel first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla Manhandled Out of DHS Secretary L.A. Presser, Cuffed originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference after he interrupted a press conference in L.A. underway from Department of Homeland Security Secretary David Crane/The Orange County Register via AP

United States Senator Alex Padilla was manhandled out of a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday in Los Angeles and hurled to the floor by federal agents who handcuffed him after he yelled out: "I have questions."



Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants who grew up in the San Fernando Valley, showed up as Noem was engaged in a press conference that ratcheted up rhetoric targeting Democratic leaders of Los Angeles, in particular Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. As she spoke, Padilla identified himself and said "I have questions for the secretary." Before he could continue, the senator was flanked by agents in plainclothes and hustled out into the hallway where he was thrown to the floor and handcuffed by FBI agents.

If this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, and to day laborers throughout California and across the country.



We will hold this administration accountable. pic.twitter.com/ijy3FRVbWx  Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) June 12, 2025

The encounter sparked outrage from Democrats, including Governor Gavin Newsom who posted on X: "If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you."

If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you. pic.twitter.com/cHmK5KZIVF  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025

The incident took place as Noem took aim at demonstrators who have engaged in violence against law enforcement and extensive vandalism that had marred much of DTLA including public buildings, parks, and the the Japanese community of Little Tokyo. She also ratcheted up the ugly rhetoric that continues to be leveled at Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.



We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this Governor Newsom and this mayor placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city,'' Noem said. She later said that she called Padilla, who was not charged, and had a conversation.



"After he interrupted our press conference with law enforcement, I met with Senator Padilla for 15 minutes," she wrote on X. "We probably disagree on 90% of the topics but we agreed to exchanged phone numbers and we will continue to talkthat is the way it should be in this country."



That explanation was not enough for Democratic leaders who took to the floor of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill to express their outrage. Among the lawmakers who made a statement was Cory Booker, the U.S. Senator from New Jersey. "A United States Senator in his own community...we see him being thrown to the ground," Booker said. "This to me is such an abuse of authority, it is a violent act, and there can be no justification of seeing a senator forced to their knees, laid flat on the ground, their hands twisted behind their back, and being put into restraints."



Padilla was not arrested in the incident.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
What's next?

The Missouri Department of Conservation decision to close Pigeon Hill Shooting Range stops public access to a free public use area with safety as a convenient excuse. What's next? You can't fish in the Missouri River because it's too deep. You might drown. You can't duck hunt. If it's too cold, you might get frostbite. The truth is, the Missouri Department of Conservation doesn't remember we all pay the tax that funds them, and I, for one, think that money could be spent more productively.

For the criminals

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I remember when I was growing up, the Democrats were for people who respected the law. Now the Democrats are for the criminals.

Completely unfair

I like the way the city of St. Joseph says they're going to raise our server rates starting July 1, and I get my serve bill for June that is due July 1 and they already raised my server rate from $92 to $100 and something just simply because I guess it's due July 1. That is cheating me and that's totally, totally unfair.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing calls to resign after California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from her press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday and pinned to the floor.

The incident sparked uproar, with California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell among those calling for Noems resignation.

Kristi Noem should resign for what has happened under her watch, Swalwell told NewsNations Joe Khalil.

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No one asked for this. We were promised violent criminals would be deported. Instead, they deported a four-year-old American citizen battling cancer, they arrested a U.S. Marshal over the weekend, a U.S. citizen and now a U.S. senator, the second member of Congress in 45 days whos been arrested.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles on June 12 2025 (AP)

Swalwell was incorrect to say that Padilla was arrested. As the senator clarified at his own press conference, he was handcuffed but not arrested or detained. But the incident sparked broad outrage among Democrats.

Noem was speaking in the California city after a week of unrest that has seen residents rise up to protest raids on undocumented migrants by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, prompting President Donald Trump to send in 4,000 members of the National Guard and 700 Marines despite the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.

We are not going away, Noem declared at the event. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.

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At that point, Padilla, who had been witnessing her remarks, shouted: Im Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is, a half dozen... Hands off! He was duly swarmed by Secret Service and FBI agents and bundled out of the room.

I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information, Padilla told reporters shortly after being released. I was there peacefully. At one point, I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room.

No one asked for this. Its chaos, and her agents are running around, masked like 1800s bank robbers, you know, or the KGB officers in Russia. This is not what America looks like. So she should come to Congress. They should take the masks off, and they should stop terrorizing families.

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla is foribly removed from Noems press conference on the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles (AFP/Getty)

White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung immediately retaliated against Swalwell on X with a disparaging nickname and an oblique reference to his alleged involvement with a suspected Chinese spy a decade ago.

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Eric Swallows is taking orders from Fang Fang and spewing lies because he's an absolute joke of a person who is unserious about his job, Cheung wrote. These are the rantings of either a madman or a puppet.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt likewise accused Padilla of being childish, claiming he had crashed the press conference and been recklessly lunging at Noem when he was restrained.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saw it differently, saying the manhandling of the senator had sickened my stomach and declaring: We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.

California Gov. Newsom said Padillas treatment was outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful and added: Trump and his shock troops are out of control.

Padillas treatment by law enforcement seeking to protect Noem has provoked an outcry (AP)

While their fellow Democrats Sylvia Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, and Madeleine Dean all told The Independent of their shock and disgust over the Padilla episode, the view on the other side of the aisle was, unsurprisingly, much closer to that of the West Wing.

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I think he should be charged. He should be prosecuted, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said of Padilla in conversation with NewsNation.

He came in very aggressively, and then he actually fought police. He actually resisted arrest and was aggressively refused to leave.

House Speaker Mike Johnsons response was equally predictable when he told reporters: The Democrat Party is on the wrong side. Theyre defending lawbreakers and now theyre acting like lawbreakers themselves.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  With summer temperatures already climbing into the triple digits, Henderson city leaders and first responders are sending a strong message to the community: Check your seats before you lock your car.

The City of Henderson, Henderson Fire Department, and Henderson Professional Firefighters kicked off their annual Check Your Seats in the Heat campaign Wednesday, launching this years initiative with a powerful visual  a live reenactment of a 911 emergency call involving a child left in a hot car.

As a first responder, these are one of the most critical calls. Time is of the essence because heat literally kills, Daniel Pentkowski, President of Henderson Professional Firefighters, said.

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As firefighters smashed a car window and pulled a child mannequin from the back seat, emergency medical crews rushed in to provide aid. The chilling scene was a simulation, but the message behind it was very real.

According to national statistics, an average of 38 children die each year in the U.S. from heatstroke after being left in vehicles. In Nevadas scorching summer climate, the risks are even greater.

The campaign is designed to raise awareness among parents, caregivers, and anyone who drives with children in the car. Henderson officials hope the visual impact of the reenactment will serve as a lasting reminder of how fast a normal day can turn tragic.

One of the simplest things you can do is put your cell phone or purse in the backseat; that way you have something to remind yourself of checking your backseat, Pentkowski said.

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The campaign also includes safety tips, printed materials, community outreach, and social media messaging, all aimed at reducing the number of hot car incidents in Southern Nevada.

Tips for Parents and Caregivers:

Always check the back seat before locking your vehicle.

Place a stuffed animal in the passenger seat as a reminder when a child is in the back.

Keep keys out of childrens reach to prevent them from climbing into a car unattended.

If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately.

The City of Henderson is encouraging residents to help spread the message. As temperatures continue to rise, officials say one simple habit of checking your seat could save a life.

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Isle Royale National Park on Thursday, June 12, said the individuals who were found dead at the park earlier this week have been identified and next of kin notified, but officials did not release their names publicly.

"There is no known threat to the public at this time," park officials said in a release on June 12.

The two individuals were found at South Lake Desor campground on Sunday, June 8.

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"Due to the remote location of the campground near Greenstone Ridge trail, a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter were used to assist with transportation for the investigation," the release said.

Lake Desor is located in the middle of the main Isle Royale island, closer to Windigo at the western end than to Rock Harbor in the east. According to recreation.gov, the only access to the campground is by foot.

Guests can stay up to two nights at the campground from June 1 until the Labor Day. There is no canoe/kayak/boat access.

Park officials said "This remains an ongoing investigation, and we have no further information to provide."

FBI assists in investigation

On Wednesday, June 11, the Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Detroit confirmed federal officials had visited Isle Royale National Park to investigate following the death of two campers at the remote Lake Superior campground.

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"I can confirm that members from the FBI in Michigan were present in Isle Royale National Park, located the northwestern region of Michigans Upper Peninsula," said Jordan Hall, the Public Information/Media Coordinator for the FBI's field office in Detroit.

In email to the Free Press, Hall said the FBI routinely assists law enforcement partners upon request, however it does not necessarily result in the FBI opening an investigation.

"FBI policy prohibits the confirmation of the existence of investigations, the release of information on investigations and any public report on the closing on an investigation, Hall said in an email to the Free Press.

Two campers found dead June 8

The park service received reports of two dead people at the backcountry campground in the park at about 4 p.m. Sunday, June 8, the park service said in a news release earlier this week.

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Rangers hiked about 11 miles overnight to the site and reached the scene the morning of Monday, June 9, and confirmed finding two bodies.

Ground and aviation resources started responding to the scene on June 9, the park's initial release said.

Where is Isle Royale National Park?

Isle Royale National Park is a group of islands in northwestern Lake Superior, north of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

What is Isle Royale National Park?

Isle Royale National Park is a park that consists of a large island surrounded by more than 450 smaller islands, preserving 132,018 acres of wilderness on 850 square miles.

Opportunities for backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling, diving and more, are available on the park, the National Park Service says.

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Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Isle Royale camper fatalities identified. Names not released by NPS
Canadas 55,000 postal workers will have to decide whether they will accept Canada Posts final contract offers via a union vote, after an order from the countrys federal jobs minister.

Jobs and families minister Patty Hajdu exercised the authority after speaking to both Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). The CUPW is currently conducting a national overtime ban, meaning members have not worked beyond the typical eight-hours-per-day schedule, and wont work more than 40 hours in a week.

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While the national courier initially requested for a vote to take place and welcomed Hajdus decision, union leadership is already calling on members to vote no.

After 18 months of negotiation, over 200 meetings between the parties, 33 days of strike and lockout in the fall and ongoing strain placed on Canadas small businesses and communities, it is in the public interest that the membership of CUPW has the opportunity to vote on Canada Posts last offers, Hajdu said in a statement posted on X.

The vote will be administered by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) as soon as possible, Hajdu said.

Canada Post welcomes the Ministers decision as it will provide employees with the opportunity to have a voice and to vote on a new collective agreement at a critical point in the companys history, the Crown corporation said in a statement Thursday. A negotiated agreement between the parties has always been the preferred path to an employee ratification vote.

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To kick off June, the union had previously requested Canada Post to take the talks to binding arbitration, but the carrier rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would likely last more than a year.

The CUPW called Hajdus decision yet another assault on our collective bargaining rights, also referencing the governments back-to-work order that ended the unions four-week strike in December.

Additionally, the union shared its discontent with labor minister Steven MacKinnon for launching the industrial inquiry commission that issued recommendations on the negotiations.

That report suggested both parties to allow Canada Post to close more rural post offices, expand community mailboxes, and give the postal service flexibility to hire part-time workers for weekend parcel delivery. The CUPW has been critical of the report, saying it skewed heavily in favor of Canada Posts positions.

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These repeated government attacks have poisoned the bargaining process, said CUPW national president Jan Simpson in a statement. The governments actions have not helped to bring this impasse closer to a resolution. They have only pushed us further down the roadWe will not stand by as the government and Canada Post work together to try to undermine our hard-fought rights, gut our collective agreements and re-write them on their own terms. Postal workers know how to fight back. Weve done it before, and were ready to do it again.

The vote will determine whether the union accepts two separate contract offersone for its urban postal workers and another for its rural and suburban segment.

The latest offers presented by Canada Post on May 28 include a wage hike of just over 13 percent over four years, as well as a signing bonus of $1,000, alongside plans to institute weekend mail service. But the union has sought a 19-percent pay hike for both units, and has been critical of the increased focus on part-time employees within the urban carrier segment.

Last week, the union filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the CIRB, accusing Canada Post of skirting the union to negotiate directly with workers and purposefully trying to discredit the reputation of the union. The complaint is seeking unspecified damages paid to the union.

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Ballot box aside, Canada Post has struggled mightily financially in recent years, which has led to some of the changes that the CUPW has railed against.

The delivery company has lost $2.2 billion since 2018, and securing a $720 million loan from the federal government in January just so it could stay solvent during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

As Canadas postal workers await an official voting date, 2,100 more workers at DHL Express Canada remain locked out and have been picketing the companys locations amid their own contract negotiations. Since the lockout began Sunday, DHL has used replacement workers and can legally do so until June 20.

According to Unifor, the private sector union that represents the locked-out DHL workers, the logistics giant presented the labor group with a revised offer on Wednesday.
Gary, IN (Canaries)  Calvin Estradas two-run single in the top of the ninth lifted the Sioux Falls Canaries to a 5-4 comeback win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats on Thursday, securing a three-game series sweep.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first on a RailCats homerun, the Canaries cut into the deficit in the third when Jabari Henry drew a two-out walk and Josh Rehwaldt followed with a two-run blast. Gary SouthShore tacked on another run in the fourth to make it 4-2.

Sioux Falls started the ninth with three straight singles from Scott Combs, Drey Dirksen and Trevor Achenbach. Henry delivered a one-out RBI single but the potential tying run was thrown out at the plate. Down to their final out, the Birds took their first lead on Estradas two-run single.

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Cole Lalonde slammed the door in the bottom half, striking out two to earn his first save. Jordan Barth went 3-4 to lead the Canaries offensively.

Sioux Falls (16-15) has now won seven of the past nine games and will open a three-game series at Kane County Friday at 6:30pm.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  One Canfield native is celebrating the release of her new book filled with fantasy, adventure and rock n roll.

When Joan Reardon was a kid, her mom would bring her to the Boardman Barnes & Noble, where she gravitated toward fantasy books like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

There has never been a time in my life where I wasnt writing, Reardon said. My parents love to tell a story of when I was a baby and I would just scribble on pieces of paper and stack them on top of each other and say, I wrote a book.'

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Twenty years later, she returned to that same store to find her own new book, Dad Rock Dragon Quest, on the shelves  right next to the books she once fell in love with.

Its about a family thats a blended family that goes on an adventure to rescue a dragon from magical poachers, Reardon said. Simultaneously, it also features, you know, a lot of rock and roll, plenty of references to like Top Gun and eighties action movies. So its kind of a story for the whole family.

This is Reardons second book to be published and sold in thousands of stores across the country, but it holds a special place in her heart. She says many aspects of the story are based on her husband, whom she married shortly after finishing the book in 2023.

We did, I think, one round of edits, and then we sent it out to the publisher, and we didnt hear back for about two months, Reardon said. And then, the night of our rehearsal dinner, we got news that it was going to be published. So two reasons to celebrate.

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Reardon wrote the book in between her law school classes, and, over the past year and a half, she has worked with Simon & Schuster publishing company to get ready for the books grand release, which was on June 3.

Theres a lot of love and work that goes into the book from, you know, dozens of people. And so everyones very, very excited to finally have it in stores, Reardon said.

So far, the book has already received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and been picked as a gold standard selection from the Junior Library Guild.

But shes not stopping there  shes already putting the finishing touches on the first draft of her next book.

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NEED TO KNOW

A captain and his girlfriend have reportedly been found deceased on a fishing boat

The bodies of Shawn Arsenault, 64, and his girlfriend Felicia Daley, 54, were found on a missing fishing boat off Cape Cod Bay on Wednesday, June 11

The fishing boat departed Orleans, Mass., on Sunday, June 8, but never returned







A captain and his girlfriend who went missing after setting sail on Sunday, June 8 have reportedly been found.

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According to wcvb5, the bodies of Shawn Arsenault, 64, and his girlfriend Felicia Daley, 54, were found on Arsenault's fishing boat off Cape Cod Bay on Wednesday, June 11.

CBS News reported that the white boat was found around 2:00 p.m. near Brewster beaches by a recreational boater. According to the outlet, the captain left Orleans, Massachusetts with Daley days earlier.

In a Thursday, June 12 press release, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a boat had been found with two "presumably deceased" people onboard.

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U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England/Facebook Fishing boat off Cape Cod Fishing boat off Cape Cod

The discovery came after an extensive multi-agency search," the release noted.

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Officials added, It was reported a recreational fisherman discovered the 30-foot white-hulled vessel while trolling near the search area on Wednesday.

Coast Guard Cutter William Sparling (WPC-1154) arrived on scene within 30 minutes, the statement continued. Divers from the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) and Massachusetts State Police (MSP) were also on scene. It was reported that MEP and MSP identified the vessel as the Seahorse and found two people onboard, presumably deceased. The next of kin were notified.

The statement did not identify Arsenault and Daley.

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England/Facebook The FV SEAHORSE has been located The FV SEAHORSE has been located

Speaking to 7NEWS, Arsenaults brother, Paul, remembered his brother as a proud father with decades of fishing experience.

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He ran boats all his life, he said.

"He just loved being on the water," he told wcvb5. "He loved the excitement. He loved being his own boss. He loved being a captain."

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England said in a statement on Facebook that the boat, F/V Seahorse, was known to be fishing in the vicinity of Target Ship Wreck near Eastham in the Cape Cod Bay.

Following the update in the case, the sector wrote, "The FV SEAHORSE and all individuals onboard have been located. Thank you for the search efforts from both the community and partner agencies within the Cape Cod Mutual Response System that assisted with the search. We are deeply moved by the efforts of recreational boaters and the Fishing Partnership."

"Our hearts go out to the families of the individuals onboard," they added.

Read the original article on People
SACRAMENTO, United States, June 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump won a swift legal victory on Thursday night when a federal appeals court blocked a lower court's order issued just hours earlier that would have returned 4,000 California National Guard troops to state control, allowing the military deployment in Los Angeles to continue.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay just hours after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ruled Thursday evening that Trump had illegally federalized California's National Guard and violated the Constitution.

The appellate court's new order not only allows the National Guard troops to continue operating under federal command but also indicates that the legal battle between Washington and the Golden State will continue.

The dramatic legal reversal capped a day of courtroom confrontation between the Trump administration and California over the unprecedented federal takeover of state military forces.

Breyer ruled that Trump "exceeded the scope of his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment." The judge declared the president's actions illegal and ordered him to "return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."

However, the Trump administration immediately appealed for a temporary restraining order against Breyer's decision, arguing that removing military support would endanger federal agents' ability to conduct immigration raids in Los Angeles. The 9th Circuit then approved the federal government's request.

Meanwhile, Breyer also scheduled a hearing for June 20 to consider whether to issue a preliminary injunction in the case, which challenges the federal government's authority to use military personnel and federalized California National Guard units for patrolling communities and conducting law enforcement operations.

Neither of Thursday's rulings addressed California Governor Gavin Newsom's request to immediately block Trump's call-up of 700 active-duty Marines to Los Angeles. Breyer stated that any action on the matter would be premature, as the Marine troops had not yet arrived in the city.

Newsom has not yet commented on the 9th Circuit's decision. 
Ever since first becoming prime minister of Israel 29 years ago, Benjamin Netanyahu has branded himself Mr Iran. His entire political career has been based on the premise that the Islamic Republic was on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons and that Israel would have to move against it.

There is only one difference between Nazi Germany and the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely that the first entered a worldwide conflict and then sought atomic weapons, while the latter is first seeking atomic weapons and, once it has them, will then start a world war, he said in 2007.

Such has been the repetition of Mr Netanyahus threats over decades that they became laughable in the eyes of many, at home and abroad. Iran once ridiculed Mr Netanyahu as the boy who cried wolf for his constant public warnings about its nuclear programme, and his repeated threats to destroy it.

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You can only fool some of the people so many times, said Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans then foreign minister, after Mr Netanyahu in 2018 had once again accused Iran of being just months away from developing a nuclear bomb.

Benjamin Netanyahu expresses his concerns about Irans nuclear programme during an address to the UN General Assembly in 2012 - Lucas Jackson/Reuters

Today, no one is laughing. A career forged in blood that began in Israels special forces and has now spanned more than five decades has, it seems, come to its logical conclusion.

As diplomats gathered in Paris to try and reignite a two-state solution and the US prepared for a sixth round of talks with Iran on a peace deal, Mr Netanyahu finally pushed the button in the early hours of Friday morning and launched a full-scale, unilateral assault on Iran.

Nearly a century ago, facing the Nazis, a generation of leaders failed to act in time, he said in a pre-recorded statement as bombs and drones rained down on hundreds of targets across the vast Shia nation.

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Today, our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves against those who seek our destruction, and by defending ourselves, we defend many others, and we roll back a murderous tyranny.

In 2018 Mr Netanyahu accused Iran of being just months away from developing a nuclear bomb - Jack GUEZ/AFP

It remains unclear precisely how successful the assault on Iran has been, but if President Donald Trumps social media posts are any indication, it is going Israels way, for the moment at least.

In the immediate wake of the Israeli strike on Friday morning, the White House took a cautious line, putting out a statement via the state department which essentially said: Nothing to do with us, guv.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said: We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

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Yet a few hours later, as it became clear that several of Irans top military leaders had been killed and its nuclear facilities hit without causing huge collateral damage, the mood music from the White House changed abruptly.

The wreckage of an apartment building in Tehran after an Israeli attack on Friday morning - Vahid Salemi/AP

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the US president announced that Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left  [of] what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

The post was classic Trump, in turn blame-shifting, credit-claiming, thuggish and transactional.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he said.

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Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left .... No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!

Worshippers attend an anti-Israeli rally after their Friday prayers in Tehran - Vahid Salemi/AP

Mr Trump, it seems, is hedging his bets, positioning himself to ride on the coat-tails of a great military victory if that transpires, while leaving himself just enough wriggle room to blame others if things backfire.

Blowback started on Friday evening with attacks on civilian infrastructure in Tel Aviv and could yet entail further ballistic missile and terror strikes against Israeli and US interests across the region. It could also see strikes on oil facilities in the Gulf and even a wider regional war with Russia, Turkey and others being sucked in.

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We also dont yet know to what extent Mr Trump knew of, encouraged or discouraged Israel from hitting Iran. If Mr Netanyahu acted in defiance of the presidents wishes, Mr Trump would almost certainly not want the world to know it as it would make him look weak.

His Truth Social post covers off that risk too by making plain that, while Mr Netanyahu pulled the trigger, he, Mr Trump, remains the dominant beast, able to pull the plug on Israels arms shipments (the most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world) at any point he chooses.

But military battles are one thing, wars another. Even if Israels strike has done grave damage to Irans nuclear capabilities and wider military, a victory defined by peace is far from assured.

The best case scenario for Mr Netanyahu is that the strikes  which are ongoing at the time of writing  have an impact on Iran similar to the toll exacted by Israel on Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, neutralising the military threat it poses and decimating its leadership.

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And yet Israel remains at war in both Lebanon and Gaza, fighting a brutal guerrilla insurgency with no apparent end.

It may be that in the next few days and weeks we witness the complete collapse of the revolutionary regime that has dominated Iran since 1979.

If this is the case, for Mr Netanyahu a lifelong ambition will have been realised and an existential threat removed, but what will replace it is anyones guess.

We must hope it is not another enemy and a forever war.

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Vetting platform Carrier411 is cancelling the account of a Mexico-based client in response to ongoing unrest in Los Angeles, according to CEO Darren Brewer.

Carrier411 monitors trucking companies for quality assurance and rates them on a variety of safety and performance benchmarks.

Brewer said he decided to cancel the account of a Mexico-based third-party staffing agency that uses the Carrier411 platform after watching the protests that have erupted in Los Angeles in the wake of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

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I was following what was going on with the riots in Los Angeles, Brewer said on FreightWaves What the Truck?!? podcast on Friday. I see all these people standing above cars, waving Mexican flags, and the devastation, the destruction of Los Angeles. I said, somethings not right.

What the Truck?!? is hosted by Timothy Dooner. It focuses on the transportation and logistics industry, featuring news, analysis and interviews with industry professionals.

More than 3,000 freight brokers and shippers use the Carrier411 platform, the company said on its website.

There is a major staffing service located in Mexico that supports  a fair amount of our  big broker clients, Brewer said. Were changing our policy when it comes to allowing access from Mexico. They were the only third-party staffing service that we allowed, because I know the guy who started it and runs it, hes a solid guy, and they got good people. I let him know first thing the next morning and explained to him why.

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Protests in Los Angeles began around June 6 in response to migrant raids by ICE.

Some outlets such as Fox News have described the protests as riots, while The Associated Press said the unrest in Los Angeles has mainly been peaceful.

More than 100 people have been arrested over the past several days of protests, The Associated Press reported. The vast majority of arrests were for failing to disperse, while a few others were for assault with a deadly weapon, looting, vandalism and attempted murder for tossing a Molotov cocktail.

In addition to Los Angeles, protests against the ICE raids have spread to other cities across the country. As of Wednesday, ICE has deported more than 207,000 people since President Donald Trump began his second term on Jan. 20, according to Time Magazine.

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Brewer said they have not canceled any brokers accounts on the Carrier411 platform.

Were still currently allowing access for some of our broker customers who have actual employees in Mexico, Brewer said. And were still continuing to allow access for their employees in Mexico, but no more third-party staffing service.

The post Carrier411 CEO cancels Mexico-based account over LA protests appeared first on FreightWaves.
Multiple people are dead and more are missing amid widespread flooding in a major city in Texas.

At least four people have died and two are reported as missing amid the flooding in San Antonio on Thursday. The San Antonio Fire Department says that it rescued 10 people on Thursday alone, and that four people needed immediate medical attention.

Police Chief William McManus noted that two male bodies and two female bodies had been recovered from the water on Thursday, and that most of the people they were able to rescue had the ability to scale trees so that they were easier to assist.

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"These are low water crossings that the depth of the water and the speed at which its traveling are very, very hard to gauge," McManus said, urging those in and around San Antonio to stay out of the water whenever possible.

If you venture into it when the water is deep, and the waters moving real fast, youre taking your life into your own hands.

The city of San Antonio is under a flash flood warning through the mid afternoon on Thursday, and the amount of casualties shows just how serious the situation is at the moment.

The rainfall began at around 5 AM local time, and that's when the police department noted that calls for assistance began to come in. Many of the calls were concentrated on the Northeast Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel on the city's Northeast side.

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Just a few hours after the rain started, the police department noted that it had received 85 distress calls related to the flooding. Those calls have persisted throughout the day, and the SAFD is working closely with the city's fire department to be there for as many citizens as they can.

Both organizations are urging people to stay safe and stay vigilant during flooding, as several were left without electricity from the storm.

Other incidents and issues around the city requiring the attention of first responders include lightning strike calls, high water investigation reports and major motor vehicle crashes, springing them into action.

Hopefully, everyone's able to stay as safe as possible as the authorities work around the city to help people amid the flooding.

Casualties Reported Amid Major Flooding in Texas first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
Law enforcement leaders are preparing for a day of national protests scheduled for Saturday, June 14.

More than a dozen demonstrations are planned across major Central Florida cities, with at least one organized protest planned in Volusia, Seminole, Orange, Lake, Osceola and Brevard counties.

According to organizers, a protest scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. outside Orlando City Hall is expected to draw more than 1,000 people.

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According to Channel 9, organizers have also reported that over 2,000 people have RSVPed for protests at the US 1 and SR 520 intersection in Cocoa, with more than 500 people expected to attend another demonstration at Florida 44 and Mission Drive in New Smyrna Beach.

According to the organizers, theyre planning to demonstrate on Flag Day, coincidentally also President Trumps birthday.

Organizers say theyre coming together to protest the presidents plans for a military parade in Washington, D.C., and to show opposition to growing authoritarianism under the Trump Administration.

Organizers call the event No Kings Day, and they write on their website, A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation.

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Amid unrest in California, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized that Florida law clearly prohibits rioting and includes enhanced penalties for those who break that law.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey also issued a stern warning to Floridians during a press conference in Titusville on Thursday.

If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you graveyard dead, Ivey said.

On Friday, Channel 9 heard from Law Enforcement in Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Orange Counties, who said they were aware of protests and were making necessary preparations.

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Most departments declined to provide specifics for security reasons.

A spokesperson for the Orlando Police Department said, The Orlando Police Department is aware of the protest taking place downtown tomorrow and has made all necessary preparations. While OPD does not discuss specific security measures, we always assess the needs of large-scale events to make sure enough staff are on hand to protect and serve our community.

You can find more information on protests planned across the country here.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A special prosecutor has moved to dismiss charges against the former Warrick County Health Department Interim Administrator.

Marlin Weisheit was arrested in June of last year. He faces charges stemming from $9,600 in unapproved payments that state police say he received from the health department.

According to court records the court will take the motion under advisement for three months then make a ruling in September.

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Weisheit was set to go on trial next month but thats now been cancelled. Another hearing is set for June 27.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
NEW YORK (AP)  Former President Bill Clinton, Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries remembered former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel's sharp wit, relentless advocacy for Harlem and extraordinary life of public service during a funeral mass for the late congressman in Manhattan on Friday.

Rangel, a pioneering congressman and veteran of the Korean War, died on May 26 the age of 94.

The mass, held at the historic St. Patrick's Cathedral, came a day after Rangel's body lay in state at New York City Hall, an honor bestowed to only a handful of political figures, including U.S. presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.

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Clinton, who called Rangel one of the most effective members to ever serve in Congress, recalled the congressman's insistence on steering a critical economic program to his Harlem district when Clinton was president, helping to lower unemployment there.

I don't think I ever knew a happier warrior than Charlie Rangel, Clinton said.

Rangel served in Congress for nearly five decades, becoming a dean of the New York congressional delegation and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, as well as being the first first African American to chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Before his time on Capitol Hill, he earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his military service in the Korean War.

Jeffries, the House Democratic Leader, told the crowd at the mass that "America is better off today because of his service and said, as a young congressman, that the legendary Rangel would simply call him Jeff.

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Now, Charlie Rangel would often call me Jeff. I believe it was short for Jeffries. But I never confirmed that. 'Cause this was Charlie Rangel, and so you go with the flow, Jeffries said, smiling.

Hochul called Rangel a giant in American life" and said she would move to rename a street in Harlem after the late congressman, who was sometimes called Lion of Lenox Avenue." She thanked the attendees who came to the mass not to mourn Charlie, but to celebrate an extraordinary life.
Police found the body of murder victim Joseph Donohue wrapped in a carpet at the stern on his houseboat in the Charlestown Marina on Feb. 2, when they went to check on him at the request of his family.

His body was secured with duct tape, and dumbbells were affixed to his body with a jump rope, Assistant District Attorney Rita Muse said Friday in detailing the officers gruesome discovery.

The 65-year-old Donohue, a Boston attorney, had suffered 67 stab wounds of varying depth and severity, an autopsy later found. A small triangular piece of a knife had been found lodged in his forehead, Muse said.

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Officers also found Donohues dog, Champ, dead in the water at the bow of the boat. A necropsy later determined that Champ had died by asphyxiation, most likely strangulation, Muse said.

Accused killer Nora Nelson wore handcuffs during her arraignment as Muse shared the gory details. Next to Nelson stood her court-appointed defense attorney, Ian Davis.

Nelson, 24, of Boston, was held without bail without prejudice following her arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court. She pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, malicious killing or injury of a domestic animal, and cruelty to animals in the May 28 indictments.

The indictment alleges that Nelson assaulted and beat Donohue with intent to murder him on or about Feb. 1.

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A motive was unclear Friday related to the killings of Donohue and his dog. Prosecutors on Friday did not provide any details about the extent to which Donohue knew Nelson, if at all, in the days leading up to his murder.

In February, one of Donohues distraught friends told Boston 25 News that he was a Boston lawyer and a divorced father of three.

In a statement released Thursday, Donohues family thanked law enforcement officials for their work on the homicide case.

Our family is thankful to all of the law enforcement officials who have led the investigation into Joes death, the family said. We remain heartbroken by the devastating loss of our beloved Joe, and continue to appreciate the love and support we have received since his passing.

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Donohue was last seen alive on surveillance video at the Charlestown Marina on Jan. 31, Muse said. After that day, Nelson is the only person seen entering Donohues boat, or coming and going from the boat.

When Donohues family had not heard from him in several days, they asked police to go to his houseboat for a wellbeing check.

On Feb. 2, at 10:43 p.m., Boston Police officers responded to the Charlestown Marina at 1 Shipyard Place.

Officers went to Donohues houseboat, where they found Nelson, who answered the door, Muse said. Donohues Golden Retriever also approached, and police asked her to secure the animal and come back and speak with the officers.

Officers noticed blood soaked through a bedsheet being used as a curtain at the entrance of Donohues houseboat.

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When Nelson closed the door, officers saw through a slit in a curtain that Nelson was not securing the dog, but running around cleaning up or picking up different items, Muse said.

When she returned, officers asked Nelson about where Donohue was and his whereabouts.

She provided inconsistent, contradictory and frankly, nonsensical answers, Muse said in court. She also provided a fake name of Casey.

Officers then entered the houseboat for a protective sweep and found Donohues body, wrapped in carpet, at the stern of the boat and beyond the sliding glass doors to his bedroom.

Officers noticed a significant amount of reddish brown stains throughout the houseboat. Numerous cleaning supplies were scattered throughout the living room, Muse said.

Police arrested Nelson at the scene on unrelated warrants. She was taken to Boston Police headquarters, where police interviewed her.

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During her interview she again provided nonsensical and contradictory answers, about Donohues whereabouts and what they had been doing earlier in the day, and when she had last seen him, Muse said. She also provided a second fake name, Mary.

Later, in the water outside the kitchen window of the houseboat, a dive team found the remaining portion of the knife that had been found lodged in Donohues forehead, Muse said.

During the autopsy, two fake pink fingernails were found on Donohues body. Nelson later identified the fingernails as her own, Muse said.

Days later, on Feb. 6, detectives assigned to the Boston Police Homicide Unit obtained an arrest warrant charging Nora Nelson with Donohues murder.

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Nelson is due back for a court hearing via Zoom on July 15.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  This week, people in Los Angeles are demonstrating against the federal governments immigration enforcement tactics. The actions come as the Trump administration is stepping up efforts to arrest and deport migrants.

President Trump promised to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history, and left-wing riots will not deter him in that effort, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Charlottes planned No Kings rally to slam billionaire politics, champions peaceful protest

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Immigration attorney Carnell Johnsons handled immigration cases for over 15 years. He says over the last few months, this administrations mission to quell illegal immigration has been unorganized.

He says hes encountered several presidents immigration agendas. He tells Queen City News the president whom he went to court the most for was President Barack Obama.

He has the best record for deportation ever. President Trump is not even close. Just this week, we were looking at the deportation numbers since President Trump took office in January. So, from January 2025 to June 2024, the president claims that they have deported 140,000 people. There are some good records to show that numbers about half, probably maybe 70,000, Johnson said.

Charlotte immigration attorney Carnell Johnson.

Johnson says that during President Joseph Bidens time in office, from January 2021 to June 2024, he deported well over 100,000, making Biden more efficient than Trump.

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Prior Presidents Biden, Obama, even prior Trump, actually, they prosecuted these cases in some kind of organized fashion. Even the first Trump administration did have a more organized approach to it. What were seeing now is something very different. So, to see those protests, I was encouraged, Johnson said.

Now, those protests are spreading across the country, with demonstrations planned this weekend.

Charlottes planned No Kings rally to slam billionaire politics, champions peaceful protest

It made me feel that there are people who are paying attention. Because the question becomes, does the government really have the capacity to enforce deportation? I mean, look at the congressional funding levels. There is not enough funding for enough judges to adjudicate all of these cases, Johnson said.

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One of those protests is happening at First Ward Park on Saturday. Johnson says the publics support over a controversial topic helps those in custody and those fearful of ICE.

Its an expression of the frustration that people have. Thats what it is. And when you see that, at least you know that people are paying attention. They know how the different rules and laws are affecting them, he said.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are aware of the planned protest and say theyre committed to protecting everyones right to peacefully gather.

This is an exercise of First Amendment rights, Johnson said.

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There will be several protests in the Charlotte metro area on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and one in Rock Hill, South Carolina, from 2 to 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 Queen City News.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte man has been sentenced to more prison time after child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including images of infants and toddlers, was found on his phone, according to Russ Ferguson, the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

On Thursday, June 12, David Michael Dakoski, 62, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of CSAM. Dakoski is ordered to pay $88,000 in restitution and, following his prison sentence, will be on supervised release for the rest of his life.

At the time of this crime, Dakoski was already a convicted sex offender on supervised release and must remain a registered sex offender.

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In January 2018, Dakoski was convicted and later sentenced for possessing and receiving child pornography between November 2014 and June 2015. In November 2022, he was released from prison and placed on supervised release.

Aviation Analyst: Passenger reportedly makes fake bomb threat after missing Spirit Airlines flight

In April 2024, probation officers made an unannounced visit to Dakoskis home as part of supervised release. According to court records, the officers found that Dakoski had an unauthorized cell phone with CSAM on it.

Because of this, Dakoskis release was revoked and he was arrested. He then served two years in prison for violating his release.

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Court records say the phone seized from Dakoski was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). A forensic search of the phone found over 8,270 images and six videos of CSAM, including images of infants and toddlers being sexually abused.

As a result, charges were brought against Dakoski, and, in April 2024, he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography involving minors under the age of 12.

Currently, he is being held in federal custody awaiting transfer to prison. This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide effort to fight child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Benjamin Taylor, a Charlotte triple-murder suspect found hiding in a tent in an encampment in the California desert in March 2024, pleaded not guilty Thursday at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse.

VIDEO: Body cam shows arrest of suspect accused of killing Charlotte mom, 2 kids

Benjamin Taylor, we have a warrant for your arrest. Come out with your hands up, said Imperial County (Calif.) Sheriffs deputies in body camera video in the desert takedown.

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Taylor rejected a plea deal Thursday, more than a year after he was accused of killing a Charlotte mom and her two young children.

Taylors not guilty plea means he is going to trial, and now hes facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Taylor, in his orange jumpsuit, didnt say much to Judge Carla Archie in court, only answering yes that he understands his not guilty plea and the charges against him.

Heinous act: Charlotte mother and two young children confirmed dead after human remains found: CMPD

Hes accused of killing his girlfriend, Markayla Johnson, and her kids, four-year-old Miracle and 7-month-old Messiah, in March of last year, and then running to near the U.S.-Mexico border, where he was caught weeks later, in a place known for lawlessness.

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Its called Slab City in California.

Man accused of killing Charlotte mother, 2 young kids, found in lawless area of California

On March 15, 2024, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers found the bodies of Johnson and her kids in an apartment complex on Orchard Trace Lane in Charlotte.

The three were reported missing on March 3.

Graphic details, timeline revealed in murder case of Charlotte mother and 2 children

Taylor is 35 years old.

He was offered a plea deal that would have kept him in prison for a maximum of less than 47 years, but now that Taylor rejected that offer Thursday, hes facing life in prison without parole if hes convicted at trial.

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That is set for later this year on December 31.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site of Air India plane crash incident in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post. According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/PMO/Handout via Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place.

Among the dead were 241 people onboard the ill-fated Boeing aircraft, while the rest of the casualties took place on the ground.

The formal probe was initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, announced the federal minister.

He added that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail.

"The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in the future," posted the minister on X.

A black box in the rear of the aircraft was found, according to local media reports.

Meanwhile, the country's civil aviation authorities were expected to take a few days before announcing the final death toll in this year's worst-ever tragedy in India, as DNA tests were to be conducted to identify the victims.

Air India posted on its social media that the sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.

The flight had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian, apart from two pilots and 10 cabin crew members on board when it crashed at the premises of a medical college.

"We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," Air India said in a statement. "The survivor is a British national of Indian origin."

The airline said it offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and was giving full cooperation to the authorities in the investigation of the crash.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft bearing number AI171 immediately after takeoff went down at an altitude of 825 feet and crashed on the premises of B J Medical College, causing severe damage to the buildings.

A video of the aircraft flying low and struggling to gain altitude shows the plane going down and exploding in a massive ball of fire. Parts of the plane were scattered all around the premises.

According to the Federation of All India Medical Associations Doctors Association, one person was killed, while at least five medical students and four relatives of resident doctors are reported missing, besides 50 others injured at the premises of B J Medical College.

Indian multinational conglomerate -- Tata Group, which owns Air India, said it will give a compensation of 10 million rupees (116,854 U.S. dollars) to the families of each person who was killed in the plane crash. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the site of Air India plane crash incident in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/PMO/Handout via Xinhua)

Medical personnel carry the remains of a victim in Air India plane crash at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (Str/Xinhua)

India's federal minister Amit Shah (3rd R, front) visits the site of Air India plane crash incident in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 12, 2025. Shah said he has met the lone survivor in Thursday's deadly air crash in the western state of Gujarat and said the crashed plane had 125,000 litres of fuel.

The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (UNI/Handout via Xinhua)

Relatives of victims in Air India plane crash wait outside a postmortem room at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (Str/Xinhua)

Relatives of victims in Air India plane crash wait outside a postmortem room at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (Str/Xinhua)

A relative of a victim in Air India plane crash grieves outside a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 12, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/Handout via Xinhua)

Relatives of victims in Air India plane crash grieve outside a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 12, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/Handout via Xinhua)

This video screenshot shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) visiting the only survivor in an Air India plane crash at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/Handout via Xinhua)

Relatives of victims in Air India plane crash arrive for the DNA identification process at a hospital in Ahmedabad, India's western state of Gujarat, June 13, 2025. The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into Thursday's tragic Air India plane crash, confirmed the country's Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu in a social media post.

According to the latest media reports, a total of 265 dead bodies had already been brought to a local government hospital in Ahmedabad city, where the plane crash had taken place. (IANS/Handout via Xinhua)
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.  Rare diseases affect an estimated 1 in 10 Americans and consist of over 7,000 known conditions.

These staggering figures prompted the Cherokee Nation to host its second Rare Disease Summit this week.

The summit brought together health care professionals, medical specialists, and the community to better address the unique challenges facing tribal citizens with rare medical conditions.

Cherokee Nation has always been committed to meeting the health care needs of our citizens, no matter how complex or challenging those needs may be. Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.

According to the National Institute of Health, any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States is rare, and more than 90 percent lack FDA-approved treatments.

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Our second annual Rare Disease Summit demonstrates our unwavering dedication to ensuring that no Cherokee citizen faces a rare disease diagnosis alone, Hoskin said. By bringing together leading medical experts, patients, families, and advocates, were building a stronger support network and advancing care options that can make a real difference in peoples lives.

He said that this summit represents the Cherokee values of working together and leaving no one behind.

This years summit featured expert speakers across multiple medical specialties, including neurology, rheumatology, optometry, infectious disease, and pediatrics. Attendees participated in an interactive question-and-answer panel and explored a resource fair designed to provide comprehensive information and support.

Summit attendees also had the opportunity to take part in various breakout sessions throughout the day that covered the following topics: the Newborn and Rare Disease Screening Program; building partnerships to optimize Cystic Fibrosis care in children and adults; genetic testing for epilepsies; mental health in the perinatal period; rare genetic variants and their role in diabetes and vascular diseases; Pediatric Neurovascular Disease; Ehlers Danlos Syndrome; and Spina Bifida and Chiari.

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Cherokee Nations health care system, the largest tribally operated health system in Indian Country, is committed to finding solutions and increasing resources for people with rare disease conditions by raising awareness, advocating for policy change, and building a growing support network.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) signs the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act on May 13, 2025, with a basket of greens brought by a Montgomery County farmer to celebraate the signing. (Photo by Bryan Sears/Maryland Matters)

The Chesapeake Bay is being polluted with huge flows of farm pollutants and environmental greenwashing. Elected and appointed government officials are aided and abetted by supposed conservation leaders. Government officials are driven by hypocritically burnishing their Green credentials with nothing-burgers while avoiding offending polluting interests.

Some environmental organization leaders are also driven to claim significant policy successes when there are none. This is done to ensure that they do not lose governmental and private funding by criticizing the lack of meaningful measures to significantly curb Bay pollutants. These opportunists have become environmental mercenaries.

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Sadly, gone are a formerly robust group of experienced environmental journalists. The few new ones are overburdened with other assignments and succumb to Greenwashing.

A prime example is the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act. On May 14, Maryland Matters reported on the bills signing, dutifully quoting its progenitor, Gov. Wes Moore: This is the most comprehensive piece of Chesapeake Bay legislation that Maryland has seen in years.

This is a Trumpian overstatement of epic proportions reminiscent of former Gov. Larry Hogans discredited claim in 2019 that his efforts resulted in a Chesapeake Bay cleaner than it has been in recorded history.

A close examination of Moores Legacy legislation reveals that it does very little if anything to reduce the Bays major pollutants of nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and toxic chemicals.

Your opinion matters

Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org.

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Maryland Matters also gave a mostly favorable boost to Moores complex legislation on Feb. 11, mostly parroting Moore and his secretary of Agricultures propaganda.

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The reporting did note that Gov. Wes Moore (D) announced with some fanfare in the fall that he planned to introduce legislation during this years General Assembly session to expand and modernize Marylands efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay, telling assembled leaders from every state in the Bay watershed, Its up to us to protect it. Moore was speaking as chair of the Bay Programs Executive Council.

Moore is obviously desperate to burnish his presidential cred, as was Hogan. The legislation changes little in the status quo so as not to upset agribusiness and commercial fishing interests that might impede his presidential ambitions. From my 55 years of environmental advocacy, I can discern greenwashing, and this bill epitomizes such.

Lets examine the Legacy Acts details: First, a person who has a tidal fish license or commercial channa license and harvests and processes finfish on a vessel by ikejime for direct sale to restaurants need not have a food establishment license. Secondly, minor changes are made regarding the procedures for adoption of fishery management plans. Nothing is included that would better conserve crashing fish and crab populations.

Aquaculture regulations are tweaked but there are no needed changes to better advance oyster aquaculture. The bill allows publicly funded oyster restoration projects to generate water quality trading credits allowing pollution reductions from planting oysters to be traded for increased pollution elsewhere. In a separate bill, oyster poaching penalties are relaxed.

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The Legacy Act establishes a Water Quality Monitoring Program in the Department of Natural Resources that simply formalizes the existing water quality monitoring system. Big deal.

But the major initiative in this grab bag is yet another voluntary agricultural program termed LEEF, Leaders in Environmentally Engaged Farming. Despite my repeated efforts to dissuade the secretary of Agriculture from such a meaningless approach that would waylay needed regulatory efforts, the legislation was enacted into law. The secretary acknowledged publicly that voluntary farm measures have failed to achieve the necessary pollution reductions.

Farmers who choose to may apply for certification to be created akin to LEED building certifications except this is entirely voluntary and there are no details on its implementation or on attaining certification levels except: Credit must be given for preserving farmland, participation in farmers markets, donations to food banks, on-farm research and for farmers lecturing about agriculture.

Instead of acting to curb the largest source of Bay-choking pollution by better regulatory measures and enforcement, and despite knowing that voluntary farm measures do not work well, LEEF would perpetuate the desecration of our environmental legacy. LEEF already was used to defeat legislation requiring riparian buffer plantings on 2,665 acres of Critical Area farmland.

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Remarkably, the Chesapeake Bay Foundations president is quoted supporting this fraud: With federal cuts and rollbacks looming heavily on our state, Marylands environmental leadership is more important than ever. This Act will help maintain forward momentum and ensure that investments in clean air, clean water, habitats, and local economies are secured.

With such gubernatorial and NGO leadership, may God Save The Bay!
Dwight Yoakam performs at the PBR Chevron Showdown in Odessa, TX on a Thursday night. | Paxton Graf A guitarist performs at the Dwight Yoakam concert at the PBR Chevron Showdown in Odessa, TX on a Thursday night. | Paxton Graf A Nashville Stampede player competes in a bull riding competition at the PBR Chevron Showdown in Odessa, TX on a Thursday night. | Paxton Graf A bullfighter stares down a bull at the PBR Chevron Showdown in Odessa, TX on a Thursday night. | Paxton Graf A cowboy sits on his horse and potentially waits at the PBR Chevron Showdown in Odessa, TX on a Thursday night. | Paxton Graf

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- For the second year in a row, Chevron and the Ariat Texas Rattlers teamed up to bring the basin an exciting matchup anchored by a landmark charity initiative.

When Chevron and the Ariat Texas Rattlers joined together to bring the PBR Chevron Showdown to West Texas, we really wanted to make sure that we integrated charity as a part of the landmark event, said Catie Matthews, Chevrons Public & Government Affairs Adviser. And so through that, the $800 for 8 Seconds program was born.

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The way that the $800 for 8 Seconds program works is very simple. Every time a Rattler rider holds on for eight seconds, whether at the Chevron Showdown or throughout the entire Team Series season, an $800 donation will be given to a local community organization.

The Ariat Texas Rattlers General Manager Chad Blankenship says the program helps provide his riders with some extra motivation.

The $800 for 8 program has had a fantastic impact on our riders. You know, fundamentally, theyre out there riding for themselves and to provide for their families. But when theres a program like $800 for 8 behind them, it really creates an even deeper and bigger purpose for them and their riding.

WATCH: More about the charitable impact

Whats the best part about being the General Manager for the Rattlers?

Blankenship: One, it starts with the riders. To be in a role where I can support these young men to achieve their dreams, to even exceed their dreams, its tremendously rewarding. The other piece thats been most rewarding really is just the fan engagement A team format gives fans an opportunity to kind of come in and engage more deeply. Theres hometown pride. The Texas Rattlers, of course, are based in Fort Worth, but we really ride for all of Texas, and we have thousands of fans in the Permian Basin. Its a huge privilege when the fans come and they show up and they fly the flag for the team and all the riders who are competing for them.

Whats it like to have Dwight Yoakam perform?

Matthews: Dwight Yoakum is quite the perfect fit for this event. He has that appeal of the Western culture and rodeo and just has that appeal to the people attending the event, but he also, in a way, has a special connection to Chevron. A lot of the folks here, our employees, have worked in our Bakersfield asset, and we all know Dwight is famous for the song Streets of Bakersfield, so Im sure a lot of our employees are going to enjoy hearing that.

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When 15-year-old Maria Izworska from Poland hears the word Chicago, the first thing that comes to mind is O Block, the notoriously high-crime strip of South King Drive thats been immortalized in rap songs and social media.

I also think about food, said the teen, who was sitting on the steps of St. Peters Square on a recent weekday while on a trip to the Vatican. I think about corn dogs and hot dogs.

But now that Chicago can claim a pope, Izworska believes this papal association might improve the citys image on the international scene.

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Chicago was already famous before the pope was elected, but it could have some influence on the reason why people would come there, said her friend Weronika Kotarba, 15. Now I think that when someone hears the word Chicago  theyll think of this stuff, but also the pope.

Early in Pope Leo XIVs papacy, the Tribune asked Vatican City tourists from around the globe what they thought about having a Chicago-born pontiff, the only American to lead the Catholic Church in its 2,000-year history.

The teens from Poland at one point broke into song, singing the first few lyrics to Chicago by Michael Jackson: I met her on the way to Chicago/Where she was all alone/And so was I so I asked her for her name.

They have some understanding of the papacys powers to change public perception: When Pope John Paul II was elected in 1978, it raised the profile of both his hometown, Wadowice, and the entire nation of Poland, the teens said.

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Back then, many were shocked when the conclave picked a pontiff from an Eastern European country, similar to two weeks ago when much of the world was stunned to learn the newly elected pope had been born in the United States.

It was also surprising for our country to have a pope. I think its a similar situation, Kotarba said. Its a very important person from your country.

Diane Stenback, 78, who lives near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, said she hopes producing a pope will make people from Chicago better.

You know, so they dont fight each other and shoot each other, she said. Theres cultural stuff there too. But nowadays all you hear about is the violence and things like that.

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Her husband, 82-year-old Martin Stenback, added that theres idiots for mayors and governors there as well.

While the new pontiff stresses peace and bridge-building, he might have unwittingly stoked an age-old Wisconsin-Illinois rivalry.

Diane Stenback pauses in the piazza to pull up a meme on her phone of Pope Leo XIV dressed in a Chicago Bears-themed mitre and vestments, with the caption, Popes from Green Bay: 0, Popes from Chicago: 1.

Gui Rodrigues Melo, 20, from the Atlanta area, said he finds a Chicago-born pope hilarious. He surmised that 69-year-old Pope Leo XIV, who was born at Mercy Hospital and raised in south suburban Dolton, could become an icon of Chicago internationally.

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Especially for people outside the U.S. who dont even know about Chicago. When they think of Chicago, they probably think of Michael Jordan, he said. At least now theyll have something else to associate Chicago with.

Rei Suzuki, who was born and lived most of her life in Japan but now resides in Kentucky, said she appreciates that the pontiff has spent time in both the Chicago area and Peru, two very different cultures.

Hes Peruvian and American, he has dual citizenship, so hes exposed to many places in the world, she said. He has more perspective of a different side of the world.

Chiara Valentina Puzzello, 20, who lives in Rome, said she didnt have much of an opinion about the popes background as an American or native of Chicago.

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Shes more worried about his actions as pontiff, citing accusations that he has mishandled clergy sex abuse allegations during his career in Chicago and Peru.

I hope for the better going forward, she said.

Dame Ndiaye, who is from Senegal, works for a company that gives Vatican tours. He doesnt think the popes nationality matters.

He is uniting people, Ndiaye said. If he can bring people together, its going to be for the benefit of everyone everywhere.

Ndiaye said he has friends from Chicago who attended the Loyola University Chicago John Felice Rome Center. In 2015, they invited him to his first Thanksgiving celebration.

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People that I know from Chicago are very nice, he said.

But Pope Leo XIVs birth city or heritage arent paramount to him.

It doesnt matter, to me, where hes from. Nationality doesnt matter, he added. It is important that he is the right one.

Will Pope Leo improve Chicagos image? From O Block to corn dogs, some Vatican tourists share what they associate with the Windy City. amerkanisch-kochen.de/dpa-tmn
The Brief

Willie Carter, 25, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to armed robbery with a firearm; he had been out on parole for less than two months for a prior armed robbery.

The robbery occurred Jan. 30 at a Speedway gas station in Addison, where Carter and a co-defendant allegedly held a clerk and customer at gunpoint before fleeing and leading police on a high-speed chase.

A loaded Glock with an extended magazine was found in the suspects' vehicle, and DuPage County prosecutors say the sentence reflects zero tolerance for violent crimes targeting innocent workers.

ADDISON, Ill. - A Chicago man accused of robbing a suburban gas station at gunpoint was sentenced to 25 years in prison, prosecutors said.

What we know

Willie Carter, 25, pleaded guilty March 13 to one count of armed robbery with a firearm, a Class X felony, according to the DuPage County States Attorneys Office.

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Carter had been out on parole for less than two months for a previous armed robbery when he committed the latest offense.

The state asked for a 40-year sentence within the sentencing range of 21 to 60 years. Carter has been held at the DuPage County Jail since his first court appearance on Jan. 31, where the court granted the states motion to detain him pretrial.

Carters co-defendant, Anton Stephens, 25, faces three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer. Stephens remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court July 22.

(From left) Pictured is Willie Carter and Anton Stephens. (DuPage County State's Attorney)

The backstory

The charges stem from a Jan. 30 incident at a Speedway gas station in Addison. Police said a Villa Park officer spotted a vehicle suspected of being involved in an earlier armed robbery and followed it onto I-290 and then Lake Street.

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Two men identified as Carter and Stephens entered the gas station. Prosecutors said one man stuffed cigarettes into a garbage bag while the other held a gun to a female clerk, demanding she open the cash register. The clerk was unable to comply because the register was rebooting.

A male customer entered the store during the robbery and was ordered to the floor at gunpoint, the state's attorney said. One suspect allegedly stole the customers wallet.

The suspects then fled in their vehicle, sparking a high-speed chase involving about 20 police vehicles from multiple jurisdictions.

The chase reached speeds of over 100 mph and ended when the suspects crashed into a marked police car and fled on foot. Both were arrested within blocks of the crash, prosecutors said.

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Police found a loaded Glock 22 pistol with an extended magazine in the vehicle.

What they're saying

"Mr. Carters twenty-five-year sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections sends a loud and clear message that robbing at gunpoint an innocent person who was working the midnight shift trying to make an honest living will not be tolerated in DuPage County," DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said. "There is no place in civilized society for Mr. Carters behavior and todays sentence ensures Mr. Carter will be unable to prey upon society for a significant amount of time. I thank Assistant States Attorneys Denis Cahil and Kristin Sullivan for their work in holding Mr. Carter responsible for his criminal actions."
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-approved budget keeps eligibility for state-supported child care at levels that state leaders and advocates say is one of the worst in the country, and eliminates a cost-sharing model for child care that was supported by Republicans in both chambers.

Eligibility for Publicly Funded Child Care wasnt increased in the Ohio Senate proposal as advocates had urged, maintaining the state eligibility of 145% of the federal poverty level.

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That level leaves Ohio at what Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente, along with advocates like Policy Matters Ohio, said was one of the lowest eligibility levels in the country.

To even get to the middle of rankings on child care eligibility, Heather Smith, a researcher with Policy Matters Ohio, said the state would need to jump their eligibility level to 225%, far above what advocates requested, which was an increase to 160%.

One thing that made it to the Senate proposal at the urging of advocates was a provision that calculates payments for Publicly Funded Child Care based on enrollment numbers rather than attendance. Child care workers and leaders said the method would create more consistency in payments and would be critical for parents and providers.

The budget eliminates a Republican-supported measure added in the House version called the Child Care Cred Program, which would create a cost-sharing model for child care, in which employers, eligible employees, and the state all pay a portion of the cost of child care. In the most recent discussions on the model, the state would pay 20%, and employers and employees would put in 40% each.

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The measure came from bills in both chambers of the Ohio legislature, the GOP sponsors of which pushed the model as a way to address a state child care sector that has long been considered inaccessible, unaffordable, and without the adequate (and adequately paid) workforce to stand up to the demand.

Policy Matters actually supported taking the model out of the budget, citing lackluster results from comparable programs in other states.

Smith said the funding would have a greater impact if it was directed toward Ohio Senate Bill 177, a GOP-led bill that would create a pilot program to allow child care staff members to have Publicly Funded Child Care for free.

This program would stabilize the sector while creating an additional 6,000 to 18,000 spots in child care facilities, according to Smith.

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The Child Care Choice Voucher program, which Republican Gov. Mike DeWine praised as an important part of the states support for parents and the child care sector, stayed in the Senate-passed budget with eligibility at 200% of the federal poverty line to receive subsidies for child care services.

But the budget took out language regarding Step Up to Quality, a set of state standards for licensed child care providers, and Smith said the payment rates for the voucher program are not sufficient for providers.

The voucher program would receive $25 million less over the next two years than was proposed in DeWines executive budget. While he asked for $75 million in 2026 and $150 million in 2027, the Senate kept the Houses amounts, at $100 million in each fiscal year.

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Early childhood education advocacy group Groundwork Ohio said the Senate proposal fails to meet the moment.

Ohio families are doing everything right, said Lynanne Gutierrez, president and CEO of Groundwork Ohio, in testimony to the Senate Finance Committee before the proposal was passed. Theyre working hard, raising kids and keeping our economy moving. They deserve a budget that recognizes their contribution and meets them with the support they need.

Gutierrez and Groundwork pushed for restoration of the Child Tax Credit as well, which would have provided up to $1,000 per child ages 0 to 6. The credit had the support of state organizations and individuals, along with economic experts who said the credit would boost the states financial health.

Republican legislative leaders pushed back on the tax credit, partly because the money for the credit would have come from tobacco taxes, which legislative leaders said was a fading source of revenue.

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A Child Care Recruitment and Mentorship Grant Program was kept from the House provision, to help increase the number of licensed child care providers in Ohio and to assist recited entities and individuals.

The budget proposal includes $1.75 million in fiscal year 2026 and $1 million in 2027 for the program.

Another grant program that survived to the Senate budget was the Early Childhood Education Grant Program, to support and invest in Ohios early learning and development programs, including licensed child care centers, licensed family child care homes and licensed preschools.

The Ohio House and Ohio Senate are now working in closed-door discussions to combine their two versions into a final budget draft, set to be sent to the governor for signature, and possible line-item vetoes, by July 1.

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Security footage captured inside a strip mall showed three male suspects casing a Simi Valley jewelry store days before it was burglarized last month for more than $3 million in jewelry and other valuables.

The men inspected ceiling access, potential camera angles and sat beside the shared wall separating 5 Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and a candy shop it bordered May 20, authorities allege.

One of the suspects even mimicked spray-painting over a security camera, authorities allege.

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Five days later, the suspects broke into the adjacent sweet shop overnight through the roof, used ladders and ropes to propel down, blacked out surveillance cameras and spent hours boring a hole through a wall and into a 5,000-pound safe to make off with jewelry, bullion, cash and heirlooms belonging to the jewelry store's customers, according to a criminal complaint.

That security footage was key in arresting four Chilean nationals with ties to an international theft ring, according to Simi Valley police. The suspects were charged with four felonies, Ventura County Dist. Atty. Erik Nasarenko announced at a press conference in front of the jewelry and repair shop Friday morning.

Manuel Ibarra, 38, Camilo Lara, 32, Sergio Mejia-Machuca, 27, and Heidy Trujillo, 26, were charged with two counts of conspiracy to receive stolen property and two counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary.

Read more: Burglars clean out father-son jewelers, snatch heirlooms, 'a lifetimes worth of work'

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Nasarenko added that the offenses carried additional enhancements since the burglary drew more than $3 million. He added that the defendants could spend between six and nine years in state prison, if found guilty on all counts.

All four defendants entered not guilty pleas Thursday and are being held on $100,000 bail. The group is due back in court June 23. A representative from the Ventura County public defenders office was not available to comment on behalf of the accused.

Nasarenko thanked Simi Valley police for investigating, arresting and charging the defendants within a short span.

This happened within three weeks of the date of the alleged offenses, bringing accountability and a measure of justice to the city of Simi Valley and the independent small businesses that make it such a tight-knit and supportive community, he said.

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Jewelry store owner Jonathan Youssef described the arrests as bittersweet.

Read more: In cinema-style heist, tunneling thieves steal millions in gold, jewels from downtown L.A. store

Its nice that theyre off the streets, but were not getting much of anything back, he told The Times.

Simi Valley Police Chief Steve Shorts said officers recovered about $600,000 in confirmed stolen property and jewelry, including matches to 5 Stars inventory. He added that more than $20,000 in cash was also recovered.

The break-in was reported on Memorial Day. Simi Valley police received a call at 6:33 a.m. from Jonathan and his father, Jacoub Youssef.

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At the time, Jonathan estimated his store lost between $2 million and $2.5 million in cash and inventory  gold bullion, silver bars, white gold and platinum pieces, multiple high-end watches and center-stone diamond engagement rings.

Shorts confirmed that some recovered timepieces were Rolex, TAG Heuer and Omega watches that fit 5 Star's inventory.

Most of the stolen inventory consisted of roughly 100 pieces of jewelry from neighborhood clients that were being repaired or restored by the Youssefs.

Read more: Long Beach man who bragged about crime on Instagram pleads guilty to $2.6-million jewelry heist

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Jonathan said hes aware of some of what has been recovered, which includes several loose stones that were ripped out of" larger gold jewelry that he believes has already been scrapped.

He said the thieves were really quick in unloading the jewelry.

My father and I are melancholic, Jonathan said. In the end, these criminals are getting a few years of prison time for ruining the lives of so many people and forever damaging so many people. Its a slap on the wrist.

Jonathan said he was thankful for many community fundraisers and online campaigns that have helped recoup a small portion of the losses.

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Outside the valuables recovered, Shorts said detectives discovered commercial burglary tools and jewelry testing equipment during the arrest of the suspects.

He said police also uncovered a firearm taken from a separate pawn shop burglary in Los Angeles in which a wall was similarly breached, but he declined to further discuss other burglaries that the crew may have committed.

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.
China plans to overtake the United States by building the worlds largest national park system, a network of wilderness bigger than Texas. Although China only created its first national park four years agosome 149 years after the US did the sameit claims that by 2035 it will have 49 parks covering 272 million acres, triple the size of the U.S. National Park System.

China has already opened five national parks, totaling 57 million acres. Collectively, the parks span alpine peaks, tropical rainforests, remote glaciers, vast deserts, and high-altitude wetlands. They also protect rare animals like the Giant Panda, Siberian Tiger, and Asian Elephant. According to the Chinese Government, these parks are also preserving cultural heritage, boosting local economies, and enticing tourists to experience the countrys diverse landscapes.

While domestic tourists flock to Chinas wilderness destinations, few foreigners follow suit, says Jun Wen, associate professor of tourism at Macau University of Science and Technology. Instead, most international visitors focus on Chinas giant, historic cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian. However, Wen believes that will change as China expands its park system; the country will become world-renowned for nature-based tourism.

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(Our ancestors walked these trails hundreds of years ago. Now you can too.)

China aims to upstage the U.S.

Chinas national park system will eclipse the US version, says Mei Zhang, CEO of Wild China, one of the countrys biggest tour companies. Being launched so recently gives it the advantage of learning from the mistakes of other park systems.

While the United States pioneered the Yellowstone modelpreserving vast wilderness areasit also made significant missteps, Zhang says. Such as enclosing land and forcefully displacing Indigenous communities to create an image of pristine wilderness. In contrast, China has the chance to chart its own course. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between local communities and wildlife conservation, China can create a national park system that integrates cultural vitality with ecological stewardship.

That is a lofty goal, but then again, so is building the worlds biggest national park system, from scratch in 14 years. China has a history of record-breaking mega-projects, from the worlds largest dam to the planets longest bridge, and an unrivalled high-speed rail network. Now China is channeling its vast wealth, ambition, and capability into protecting and showcasing its extraordinary, yet overlooked natural scenery. Here's a look at five national parks in China worth visiting now.

5 must-see national parks in China

1. Giant Panda National Park: Chinas iconic Giant Panda has a park

Kindergarten children visit a Giant Panda cub at the Dujiangyan Panda Base. Photograph by Ami Vitale, Nat Geo Image Collection

Wen recommends visiting Giant Panda National Park, which covers 6.6 million acres of mountainous land in Central Chinas Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu Provinces. It protects the habitats of most of the countrys 1,900 wild Giant Pandas; a species found only in China.

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The best time to see this park is between April and October when the weather is warmest, vegetation is thickest, and Giant Pandas are most active. All year round, parkgoers can see pandas and learn about these unique creatures at the parks panda research centers at Wolong and Dujiangyan.

Visitors have the opportunity to explore panda habitats on foot and even volunteer to assist panda caretakers, Wen says. They can observe the daily activities of pandas, including climbing trees, playing, eating, and tumbling.

Good to know: Giant Panda National Park can be reached by flying into Chengdu and then heading two hours north by bus. The park is quite isolated; so, it is most easily explored on a guided tour booked with a Chinese tour company.

2. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park: Saving big cats from extinction

In addition to Giant Pandas, Chinas national parks aim to save rare animal species from extinction. Zhou says the endangered Amur leopards and Amur tigers are now protected in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park. Located in northeast China, this national park covers 3.5 million acres along the borders with Russia and North Korea, and it eclipses the size of any national park in the lower 48 States of the U.S.

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Through removing fencing in forest zones, reconnecting fragmented habitats, and implementing ecological translocation, the park has restored essential migration and reproduction corridors for these species, Zhou says.

Good to know: Visitors can observe some of these scientific projects up close by booking guided tours of this national park with Chinese tour operators like Benchmark. The isolated park can be reached by flying from Beijing or Shanghai into Yanji, followed by a three-to-four-hour bus ride.

(China just had a museum building spree. Here are 6 of the best.)

3. Sanjiangyuan National Park: A national park bigger than Florida

In northwest China's Qinghai Province, Sanjiangyuan National Park is 47 million acres and larger than Florida, making it China's largest park. The editor of Travel China Guide tour company, Catherine He says Sanjiangyuan is very diverse geographically. Dramatic mountains loom above glaciers, high-altitude wetlands, grassland meadows, desert plateaus, and mirrored lakes.

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Sanjiangyuan is called Chinas Water Tower because it is the source region of the Yangtze, Mekong, and Yellow rivers, says He. While exploring its pristine wilderness, visitors may spot unique snow leopards and Tibetan antelopes. According to the Chinese Government, this new park is why the antelopes population has soared to 70,000.

Good to know: Enter this vast park by flying into Xining or Golmud from big Chinese cities Xian, Shanghai, or Chengdu, and then take a relatively short bus or taxi ride. By visiting during the warmer months from May to September, visitors can hike its many trails in comfort, witness the parks grasslands in bloom, and increase their chances of seeing wildlife.

4. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park: Chinas version of Hawaii

The Yanoda Rainforest Cultural Tourism Zone is known for its lush rainforest, waterfalls, and cultural experiences. It is part of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park on Hainan Island, China. Photograph by Dmitrii Melnikov, Alamy

The new Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park is also impressive, according to Aliana Leong, Hospitality Professor from Macau University of Science and Technology. It envelops 1 million acres of Hainan, Chinas southernmost province. Sometimes called the Hawaii of China, Hainan is a picturesque island fringed by pretty beaches and with a hilly, verdant interior.

Forest rangers patrol the Bawangling area of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park in south China's Hainan Province. Photograph by Zhang Liyun, Xinhua/Alamy

This new national park has Chinas most diverse, best preserved, and largest contiguous area of tropical rainforest, Leong says. Within its lush expanse lives 33 percent of Chinas reptile species, 38 percent of its bird species, 20 percent of its mammal species, and more than 3,500 plant species. Leong adds, It is the only habitat for the Hainan gibbon and a treasure trove of tropical biodiversity.

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Good to know: This park is quickly reached by bus or taxi from either of Hainans two international airports. Embrace its untamed vibe by joining a whitewater rafting tour through the commanding Wuzhishan Grand Canyon.

(Chinas other great wall is impressive, tooand steeped in history.)

5. Wuyi Mountain National Park: Insta-worthy landscapes

Researchers walk through Zhongshan meadow in Wuyishan National Park, southeast China's Fujian Province. Wuyi Mountain has a comprehensive forest ecosystem representative of the mid-subtropical zone. It boasts diverse groups of plants due to its varying altitudes. Photograph by Jiang Kehong, Xinhua/Alamy

If youre on social media, then you may have seen eye-catching images and videos of Wuyi Mountain National Park. Covering 316,000 acres of mountainous terrain in Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, it is known for its unusual Danxia landscapes, where red stone cliffs, gorges, and peaks contrast sharply against dense, green forests.

This park encompasses the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Wuyi, one of Chinas prettiest and most revered mountains, says Catherine He.

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Good to know: Visitors can follow spectacular hiking trails, go bamboo rafting on Jiuqu Stream, wander splendid tea tree groves, or admire historic mountainside temples and monasteries, she recommends.

Chinas new environmental focus

China already has thousands of protected nature reserves, says Ralf Buckley, emeritus professor of ecotourism at Australias Griffith University. However, unlike most of the worlds top national parks, those reserves dont qualify as national parks under the stringent system of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So China designed its new national parks to meet the IUCN criteria by making them mainly for conservation, with limited tourism under strict regulation, and no residential housing.

Chinas national park system is already improving wildlife preservation, says Bin Zhou, a tourism professor at Chinas Ningbo University. China is among the most biodiverse countries in the world, while also facing significant threats to its ecosystems, Zhou says.

Wearing a panda suit as camouflage, a panda keeper does a health check on a panda cub in Wolong, home to the Wolong National Nature Reserve and part of the Giant Panda National Park in China. Photograph by Ami Vitale, Nat Geo Image Collection

The (park system) enables the designation of high-level protection zones in key ecological function areas, critical habitats, and ecological security barriers. Ensuring the long-term survival of flagship species such as the giant panda, Amur tiger and leopard, and Asian elephant, along with their habitats.

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The new parks have helped increase Chinas populations of 200 species of rare animals and about 100 endangered plant species, announced in May 2025.

(21 photos of Chinas best UNESCO World Heritage sites.)

Cultural and social benefits of national parks

Chinas national park system is also motivated by cultural heritage preservation, economic development, and public education, says Aliana Leong, a tourism professor at Macau University of Science and Technology. Many of China's national parks are rich in cultural and historical significance, so expanding the national park system helps protect ancient villages, traditional cultures, and historical sites, she says.

National parks also drive local economic growth through tourism. They create job opportunities, increase revenue, and promote sustainable development in rural and remote areas. (Finally) they serve as outdoor classrooms, raising public awareness of environmental protection and cultural heritage.

Andrew Nelson is the author of National Geographics recently published travel book Here Not There. Follow him on Instagram.
BEIJING (Reuters) -China has issued advisories to its citizens in Israel and Iran of the "complex and severe" security situation in those countries on Friday, adding a warning to those in Israel to prepare for possible missile and drone attacks.

The Chinese embassy in Israel told citizens there to strengthen their security precautions, avoid going out unnecessarily or to areas surrounding military units and sensitive institutions as the "security situation on the ground is complex and severe".

"Stay calm, be vigilant," a notice on its WeChat account said, cautioning citizens to be prepared to guard against missiles, rockets, drones and other attacks.

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In a separate notice, the Chinese embassy in Iran also advised citizens and enterprises based there to pay close attention to developments and enhance their security awareness and precautions, asking citizens to avoid sensitive sites and crowded places.

Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

(Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
HONG KONG (AP)  China's national security authorities in Hong Kong and the city's police launched their first publicly known joint operation, raiding the homes of six people on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.

The polices statement on late Thursday did not disclose the identity of the six people suspected of breaking the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law between November 2020 and June 2024. Beyond their homes, officers searched the office of the organization involved and seized exhibits such as bank documents and devices for further investigation, according to the statement. The six people were required to surrender their travel documents.

Beijing's national security arm in Hong Kong also had requested assistance from the citys national security police, including in arranging interviews with the people in the case, the police said. But the local force did not elaborate details of their accusations and which organization it was, saying the investigation was still underway.

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Since the 2020 security law took effect, many leading activists have been prosecuted or jailed for national security offenses . Last week, prominent young activist Joshua Wong, who was already convicted and sentenced over a subversion case last year, was charged for the second time under the law. He faces up to life in prison over the fresh charge of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security.

The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law was necessary for returning stability to the city following massive anti-government protests in 2019.

In May, Hong Kong enacted subsidiary legislation for a separate, homegrown national security law, which was passed last year. The subsidiary legislation requires public servants, if requested, to provide all necessary and reasonable assistance to Beijings national security office in Hong Kong. Local public servants must offer such help if the office needs to ascertain whether a case involves a special circumstance that could allow it to have jurisdiction over the case.

Over the past week, the Hong Kong authorities have stepped up their national security work as the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the Beijing-imposed law neared, including targeting a mobile game application which they accused of advocating armed revolution and promoting secessionist agendas.
A member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique provides free medical service to a local resident in Maputo, Mozambique, June 12, 2025. (Photo by Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua)

MAPUTO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique provided free clinic services on Thursday in a health center in Maputo, the capital.

Ten members of the Chinese medical team, specializing in orthopedics, spinal surgery, pain management, acupuncture, rehabilitation, gynecology, obstetrics, general surgery, and urology, offered consultations and free medicine to about 360 local patients at the Incassane Rural Health Center, in Maputo's Katembe district.

The team also prepared Portuguese-language posters with health education content to help locals better understand and manage common diseases.

Argina Rosario, who came from a nearby neighborhood to seek gynecological care, praised the Chinese doctors' services. "They deserve our appreciation. In other hospitals, the treatment process is complicated and exhausting, often making us give up halfway. I truly hope today's visit will improve my condition," she said.

Cristina Francisco, a 78-year-old local resident, said she received attentive and thoughtful care from the Chinese doctors. "At my age, it's hard to queue at the hospital," she said. "Today, I not only received treatment near my home but also got real, tangible help."

Ilidio Silva Cavele, director of the Incassane Rural Health Center, expressed gratitude for the initiative.

"We are very pleased and thankful for this activity. The support from multiple Chinese specialists has significantly improved our medical capacity. They not only provided free consultations but also donated medicine. We hope this cooperation continues and contributes to the development of our country," he said.

Ma Litai, leader of the 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique, noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Mozambique. "We have already carried out two free clinics this year and will continue to reach local communities to serve the people and strengthen exchanges and technical cooperation with local healthcare professionals," he said. 

A member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique provides free medical service to a local resident in Maputo, Mozambique, June 12, 2025. (Photo by Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua)

A member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique provides free medical service to a local resident in Maputo, Mozambique, June 12, 2025. (Photo by Mendes Mondlane/Xinhua)

A member of the 25th Chinese medical team in Mozambique provides free medical consultation to a local resident in Maputo, Mozambique, June 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
BEIJING (Reuters) -China's government on Friday said Taiwan was deliberately politicising the damage of undersea communication cables as part of a smear campaign, expressing anger after the island jailed a Chinese ship captain for an incident earlier this year.

A Taiwanese court on Thursday sentenced the captain of the Togo-flagged ship to three years in jail after finding him guilty of intentionally damaging undersea cables off the island in February, in an incident that alarmed Taiwan officials.

In a statement, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said that damage to maritime cables were "common accidents", saying Taiwan was hyping up the issue for political purposes.

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"The aim is to attack and smear the mainland, to stir up confrontation and antagonism across the Taiwan Strait," it said.

"We express firm opposition to the Democratic Progressive Party authorities' manipulation of the legal system to pressure the mainland ship's captain, and demand they end the political manipulation of accidents," the office added, referring to Taiwan's ruling party.

The captain's legal rights should be guaranteed, it added.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has reported five cases of sea cable malfunctions this year, compared with three each in 2024 and 2023, according to its digital ministry.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Toby Chopra)
BEIJING (Reuters) -China warned the Group of Seven advanced economies on Friday against "manipulating" issues related to the world's second-largest economy for their own agenda, after they accused Beijing of unfair business practices a year earlier.

Beijing's criticism of the G7 and what it represents comes amid a surge in global trade tension between the United States and China this year, as well as within the bloc's membership.

In remarks ahead of a three-day G7 summit in Canada set to start from Sunday, Lin Jian, a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry, accused the group of having always upheld a Cold War mentality.

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The bloc should "stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs, stop undermining other countries' development, (and) stop manipulating issues related to China," Lin told a regular news conference.

The G7 provokes conflicts and confrontations, said Lin, adding that such practices were "doomed to fail".

In the communique after its 2024 summit in Italy that mentioned China more than 20 times, the G7 said its companies needed to be protected from China's unfair business practices.

It also warned of action against Chinese financial institutions that helped Russia obtain weapons for its war in Ukraine.

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The participation of countries beyond the grouping, such as India and Brazil, in last year's event also irked China, which viewed the move as a bid to sow discord among countries of the Global South.

New leaders will represent five of the G7's members - Britain, Canada, Germany, Japan and the United States - at next week's summit.

(Reporting by Colleen Howe; Writing by Ryan Woo; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
A Chinese national accused in a case involving the smuggling of a fungus that can causes a disease in crops for use in research at a University of Michigan lab agreed to be detained during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

Yunqing Jian, 33, who works at the lab, appeared in federal court June 13, more than a week after her initial detention hearing was adjourned for her to retain a private attorney.

She appeared in court with her attorneys, David Duncan and Norman Zalkind of Boston and local attorney James Gerometta. Duncan and Zalkind stood with Jian, who speaks English and wore an orange jail jumper with Sanilac County written on the back. She answered simple yes or no questions posed by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Stafford.

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A preliminary hearing was adjourned to a future date, which has not yet been set. Duncan had no comment after the hearing.

Jian has been held since her initial appearance June 3. She and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, are charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements and visa fraud, according to a criminal complaint.Federal prosecutors indicated in a news release that the fungus is Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon. It causes "head blight," a disease of the crops, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. The toxins the fungus produces can cause vomiting, liver damage and reproductive defects in livestock and humans, the release said.

Liu allegedly smuggled the fungus into the country at Detroit Metro Airport in clear plastic baggies in his backpack July 27. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers denied him entry and processed him for expedited removal back to China, according to an affidavit in court.

In a separate federal case, Chengxuan Han, a Chinese citizen accused of bringing biological materials related to roundworms into the country for her work at a U-M laboratory, also agreed to be detained during a hearing earlier in federal court June 13. She is charged with smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements.

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Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Chinese national agrees to detention in case of smuggled fungus
After Beijing and Washington reached a truce in their trade war in May, a video of far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party co-leader Alice Weidel surfaced in Chinese social media posts falsely claiming she said China was the only country that could force the United States to "sit down and negotiate". However, Weidel never mentioned China in her August 2024 rally speech; she in fact called the German government's deportation of dozens of convicted Afghans an ineffective "gimmick".

China's former consul general to Belfast Zhang Meifang shared the 13-second clip of Weidel speaking in German on her account on X on May 21, 2025.

"Co-chairwoman of Germany's AfD Weidel said only China's strength can defeat the United States' arrogance and force it sit down and negotiate!" its caption says.

"Throughout history, the United States has only sat down for equal negotiations twice -- once during the Korean War, and again during the trade war. China was on the other side of the negotiations both times."

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Simplified Chinese text overlaid on the clip largely repeats the claim.

The post appeared alongside a tide of false claims about the trade war between Washington and Beijing circulating online, which were amplified by Chinese state media outlets (archived link).

The two sides announced a truce on May 12 that halted tit-for-tat tariffs announced since President Donald Trump's return to the White House, with a further "framework" agreement reached on June 10 (archived link). China would supply rare earth minerals to the United States, which in turn would allow Chinese students to remain in US universities.

Screenshot of the false post taken on June 11, 2025

Posts suggesting Weidel spoke about the trade war were shared elsewhere on X, TikTok and Weibo.

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Social media users appeared to believe the circulating claim, with one saying, "She is the guiding light of Germany".

Another wrote, "Such an outspoken woman!"

Despite having lived and worked in China, Weidel rarely publicly comments on the country (archived link). However, her subtitled speeches circulate widely on Chinese social media, with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle attributing her popularity to AfD and Beijing having similar stances on issues such as European military aid for Ukraine (archived link).

The circulating video in fact shows Weidel criticising the German government, not praising China.

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A reverse image search found the clip was taken from a livestream of her speech at an AfD rally in Thuringia on August 31, 2024, a month before regional elections in Germany (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the false video (L) and AfD's livestream

During her remarks, she called the government's deportation of 28 Afghan nationals -- who German authorities said were "convicted offenders" with no right to remain -- a day before the AfD rally a "gimmick" (archived link).

The false clip can be seen at the 55:04 mark of the livestream, where she went on to say, "Nothing is achieved. It should be up to a thousand people, not just 28."

She did not mention China during the speech.

German media reported Weidel told rally-goers that AfD would "ban Antifa as a terrorist organisation" if her party came to power during her speech (archived link).
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX)  The Chippewa Valley is mooing with excitement. The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for the 55th annual Farmer Appreciation Dinner. While dairy farmers play a vital role in the Chippewa Valley, we cant forget about the farmers growing corn, wheat, and other products that wind up on our dinner table. Along with an incredible chicken dinner, the evening will feature music, kids activities, and ice cream.

The Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is not only celebrating the farmer with this dinner, but they are also dedicated to helping the next generation of farmers as well. Chamber Director of Commerce Programs and Partnership, Angela Kapp, explained, We have a school-to-skills program at the Chamber. Our workforce Development Director works with local school districts to get kids exposed to different careers that are right here in our community. So really filling that workforce pipeline, keeping our students here, kind of expanding or exposing them really to a lot of different careers. Farms are very technologically based nowadays as well. Its not just dairy, its grain and everything. They kind of have to learn, but its important to just recognize those individuals that really kind of are the backbone of our community.

The dinner is on Wednesday, June 18th, between 4 and 8 pm at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud.






NEED TO KNOW

Joshua and Rachel Piland will serve 20 to 45 years in prison after being charged with second-degree murder and first-degree abuse for the death of their 3-day old daughter Abigail

The couple was told by their midwife that the child had jaundice the day after her birth and instructed to seek treatment  but they refused

The Pilands have lost custody of their other four children and stand by their belief in faith-based healing







The parents of a newborn who died just days after her birth were sentenced in a Michigan court on June 11.

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Joshua and Rachel Piland were ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years and as many as 45 years for the 2017 death of their daughter Abigail.

A jury found the couple guilty on counts of second-degree murder and first-degree child abuse in March following a three-week trial in Ingham County Circuit Court.

Abigail was just three-days old when she died from a high level of bilirubin in her brain, which the Pilands were told they should seek medical attention for shortly after their daughter's birth when the midwife informed them the girl was jaundiced, according to a copy of a 2018 application for leave to file appeal obtained by PEOPLE.

Rachel gave birth at home on Feb. 6, 2017, without incident and Abigail appeared to be healthy at that time, her midwife Sandra McCurdy told police investigating the case.

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The following day, however, McCurdy said she returned to find that Abigail's skin was yellowing, for which McCurdy suggested the parents seek medical attention.

"The mother responded that they would not be seeking medical assistance because Abigail was fine and 'God makes no mistakes,'" the application read.

Ingham County Sheriff's Office Rachel Piland Rachel Piland

By the following day, Abigail was dead. But instead of calling authorities or McCurdy, the Pilands instead called friends, who helped them pray for the baby to be "resurrected," according to the application.

It was not until that night  when Rachel's brother learned that his niece was dead  that anyone contacted authorities.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Lansing Police Officer Stacey Browe said that the couple and their friends were still praying over the child when she arrived to question the parents, over nine hours after Abigail's death.

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In his first interview with police, Joshua stood behind his decision.

"The next day the father told police that he believes God will heal any medical issues and they will 'walk it out,'" the application said.

"He stated that he would not have done anything different and '[i]f I had a choice between putting my daughter in the hands of men with the best of intentions and highest skill set in the world, I'd still put my daughter's life in the hands of my Lord Savior Jesus Christ,'" the application continued.

Ingham County Sheriff's Office Joshua Piland Joshua Piland

An autopsy revealed that Abigail died from a high level of bilirubin in her brain, which the application points out would have manifested as jaundice.

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The parents then told a member of Child Protective Services that "they chose to 'believe in the word of God over the symptoms'" and were of the mind that "any medical condition that cannot be controlled with basic first aid is left in the hands of God," according to the application.

At that point their two older children were removed from their custody. An attempt to reverse that order was dismissed when, two months later, Joshua said in court he would not abide by a court mandate that he not strike the children because "the children are being trained with physical discipline in obeying my words," the application reads.

In the eight years since, Rachel gave birth two more times and had both children immediately removed from her custody, according to court records.

The couple was also convicted of manslaughter in 2019 in the same court for Abigail's death, but the judge ruled that the case could be refiled on new charges shortly after that verdict,.

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At trial the couple stood by their beliefs. In convicting them, the jury noted their concern that the two could cause another child's death.

The Pilands remain in Ingham County Jail awaiting their prison assignments.

Read the original article on People
A newly declassified CIA personality assessment of Sirhan Sirhan expresses frank disbelief that the man convicted of killing Robert F. Kennedy was capable of carrying out the crime.

The personality profile, drafted shortly after Kennedys 1968 assassination and released Thursday under President Donald Trumps sweeping declassification order, details Sirhans behavior, emotional patterns, and inner world in the days following the shooting.

The anonymous author or authorswriting collectively as wepainted a portrait of a disturbed but directionless individual, someone impulsive and intuitive but ultimately very unlikely to have acted under precise instructions.

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We doubt that we can describe his illness really satisfactorily, the assessment states. Had we seen his handwriting before he assassinated Senator Kennedy, we would have described him as [redacted]. However, under no circumstances would we have predicted that he was capable of doing what he did.

The assessmentwhich includes analysis of Sirhans handwriting, diary entries, and doodlessuggests that his attack was less the product of a calculated political plot than the kind of unpredictable outburst more common in domestic violence.

Most people of this type attack their mother or their girlfriend, the profile concludes. Occasionally they will lash out against an employer or colleagues  Sometimes they will pick public figures and make abortive attempts to get at them.

In the final lines of the report, handwritten annotations clarify the authors comparison: Sirhan, they claim, was more like the impulsive assassins of Presidents Garfield and McKinley, not the calculating killers of Lincoln and JFK.

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One of the more striking revelations from the document is the analysts insistence that Sirhan would have been entirely ineffective as part of a conspiracy. Obviously, we cannot see him as part of a conspiracy, they write. He could be a tool of a conspiracy  It is very unlikely however that he could have effectively acted under precise instructions.

Though the authors cite historical exampleslike George Atzerodt, an inept accomplice in the Lincoln assassination plotthey ultimately conclude that Sirhans mental makeup made him ill-suited to orchestrated violence.

The document bears no signature, and its unclear whether the analysis was written by a single CIA official or a team. The use of we could indicate a group, or it may be the academic we sometimes used by individual analysts.

A separate psychological profile dated June 12, 1968  nearly a week after Kennedy diedechoes the view that Sirhan had significant but undirected mental capacity. It describes him as having high intellectual potential but that this was not properly utilized, due to severe [redacted].

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Elsewhere, the psychological report observes: [He] learns and understands quickly, but only what fits into his personal frame of reference. Then he is able to inform himself well. The same goes for his astute gift of observation; notices only what he wants to see and how he wants to see it.

The emotional evaluation portion of the document is almost entirely redacted, with white tape covering large swaths of text. No explanation for the redactions is provided.

These newly released records arrive amid renewed scrutiny of the Kennedy assassination. President Donald Trumpcurrently serving his second non-consecutive termordered the declassification of remaining government files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

The RFK tranche released Thursday is the first major disclosure under that directive.

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As The Dallas Express previously reported, the CIA claims it had no prior interest in Sirhan before the June 5, 1968, shooting, asserting in a 1975 internal memo that Sirhan had never been of interest to the Agency.

That memo details how the CIA gathered background information in the hours and days following the assassination and shared it discreetly with the Los Angeles Police Department. According to the memo, the arrangement was never made public.

The agency maintains it found no links between Sirhan and any known terrorist group. But doubts linger, in part because of forensic anomalies raised by critics over the years.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now Secretary of Health and Human Services, has repeatedly claimed that Sirhan did not fire the fatal shots that killed his father.

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In a 2021 op-ed, Kennedy Jr. pointed to discrepancies between autopsy evidence and witness testimony, suggesting that the fatal shots came from behind, while Sirhan was in front of his father. He instead implicated Thane Eugene Cesar, a security guard with alleged ties to defense contractors andaccording to researcher Lisa Peasepossible connections to the CIA.

Sirhan, now 81, maintains he has no memory of the shooting. His handwritten notes, including one line stating, My determination to remove RFK is becoming more and more of an unshakeable obsession, have been cited by many as evidence of premeditation. Still, the CIAs internal records suggest that those closest to the case could not reconcile the act with the man.

The odds against him being successful were tremendous, the CIA assessment concludes.

The full scope of Sirhans motivesand whether he acted aloneremains as unsettled in 2025 as it was in 1968. But with each new disclosure, the picture becomes more complicated, not less.
More than a dozen state prison facilities  including four in Kern County  have been placed under a higher-than-normal level of restrictions following high rates of inmate violence and contraband.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Thursday all 21 of its Level 3 and Level 4 facilities are being placed on what's known as a modified program.

The move was "in response to a recent and concerning rise in violent incidents directed towards both staff and incarcerated individuals. This action also follows an increase in overdose cases and findings of contraband," CDCR said in a news release.

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A modified program is different from a lockdown, according to CDCR. Impacted prisoners will still have access to essential services such as medical care, legal proceedings and other critical appointments.

Meals will be delivered directly to housing units, and showers and all other movement will be conducted in a controlled manner. Phone, ViaPath tablet calls and visiting will be temporarily restricted, CDCR said.

The order impacts four prison facilities in Kern County: the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi; Kern Valley State Prison and North Kern State Prison, both in Delano; and Wasco State Prison.

High security sections of the Tehachapi facility and Kern Valley were previously placed on a modified program March 8 following what CDCR said was a surge in violence against inmates and staff.

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On April 12, Tehachapi inmate Daystar Peterson, better known by his stage name Tory Lanez, was reported stabbed by another inmate and had to be taken to a local hospital for care.

On May 21, CDCR said it was investigating the death of a Kern Valley inmate as a homicide with two other prisoners being held as suspects.

"A thorough investigation into the recent incidents is currently underway," CDCR said. The modified program will remain in effect until the review is complete.
TALLMADGE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  Arborists from the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department will start treatment on a group of oak trees in Aman Park infected with oak wilt.

Arborists found 18 infected trees in all. The trees will be girdled and herbicide will be applied directly into the cuts to prevent the fungus from spreading through root systems.

Put down the pruners to prevent the spread of oak wilt

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When a tree is infected, it reacts by producing tyloses that cut off the flow of water and nutrients to other parts of the tree. Without those nutrients, branches start to wilt and with no leaves to soak up sunlight and convert it to energy, the tree dies.

Trees infected with oak wilt will suddenly begin to wilt from the top down, dropping their leaves. Once a tree is infected with oak wilt, there is no cure.

The affected trees will be left through the summer and taken down in the winter, when the risk of transmission is lower.

Oak wilt is a serious threat to our red oaks, which can die within weeks of infection, City Forester Nick Hitchcock said in a statement. It spreads quickly in warm weather, especially through beetles that carry spores from diseased trees to fresh wounds on healthy ones.

generic oak wilt_390117

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Experts urge people not to move firewood and to avoid pruning oak and elm trees between April and July, when insects are most active. Any trees that are trimmed or wounded during that time, should be sealed with a latex-based tree paint to prevent infections.

If you believe you have a tree infected with oak wilt, the DNR recommends contacting the agencys Forest Health Division, MSUs Diagnostic Clinic or a qualified specialist from the Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition.

Aman Park is a 331-acre preserve six miles west of Grand Rapids. It contains several natural surface trails along Sand Creek. The city of Grand Rapids owns Aman Park despite it sitting well outside of the citys borders. Well-known carpenter Jacob Aman donated the land to the city in 1926 to be preserved as a natural area for the community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland police are issuing safety reminders ahead of expected protests this weekend in downtown Cleveland.

We want to make sure peoples First Amendment speech is protected. We want to make sure folks are heard. At the same time, we just want them to do so lawfully, said Sgt. Freddy Diaz with Cleveland police.

Protesters preparing for No Kings rallies throughout NE Ohio Saturday

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Diaz said the Cleveland Division of Police are prepared for the expected crowds.

Safety is our number one priority. However, we want to remind people that there are other activities downtown, other events as well, said Diaz.

Cleveland is one of hundreds of cities planning to hold a No Kings rally on Saturday as a show of opposition while a military parade is held the same day in Washington, D.C.

The protest also overlaps with the citys Juneteenth celebrations on Mall C.

In addition, there are several other events downtown.

We have an emergency operations plan in place. We have officers placed at strategic places. We have discussed a variety of scenarios, said Diaz.

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Diaz said the protest will begin at Clevelands iconic Free Stamp and organizers have agreed to keep people on the sidewalks.

To encourage those that are participating to step out onto the street puts a liability on the organizers, so thats a reminder we want to put out, said Diaz.

Due to the expected protest and events, parking restrictions will be in effect on several downtown streets, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Sunday.

At the same time, Downtown Cleveland Inc. is also planning to assist the tens of thousands of people expected to converge on downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland Heights mayor responds after council asks BCI to reconsider and investigate him

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Our ambassadors will be out in full swing. There will be significant visibility throughout Public Square and downtown. They are there to answer questions, provide services like if people need directions to where they want to go, said Olivia Willis, with Downtown Cleveland Inc.

The parking restrictions include:

West Mall Drive, Lakeside to Rockwell

W. 9th St., Superior to Front

W. 6th St., Superior to Lakeside

W. 3rd St., Rockwell to Summit

W. 4th St., Lakeside to St. Clair

E. 6th St., Euclid to Lakeside

E. 9th St., Prospect to Lakeside

E. 12th St., Euclid to Lakeside

E. 4th St., Huron to Prospect

E. 2nd St., High to Prospect

Lakeside Ave., E. 12th St. to W. 9th St.

St. Clair Ave., E. 12th St. to W. 9th St.

Superior Ave, E. 12th St. to W. 9th St.

Rockwell Ave, E. 12th St. to W. 3rd St.

Euclid Ave., E. 12th St. to Public Square

Prospect Ave., E. 12th St. to Public Square

Vincent, E. 6th St. to E. 12th St.

Chester, E. 9th St. to E. 13th St.

Walnut. E. 9th St. to E. 12th St.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DAMASCUS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Debris from missiles fell in Syria's southern Daraa province on Friday amid intensifying cross-border hostilities between Israel and Iran, Syrian state media and a war monitor reported, as Damascus suspended international flights citing growing regional instability.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli air defense systems intercepted multiple Iranian drones over southern Syria as they flew toward Israeli territory. The group reported that fragments from two Israeli interceptor missiles landed near the towns of Inkhil and al-Sanamayn in northern Daraa. No casualties were reported.

Southern Syria, particularly Daraa province, has witnessed repeated Israeli strikes in recent months targeting sites believed to be associated with Iran or allied armed groups.

Meanwhile, Syria's state news agency SANA reported that the debris originated from two Iranian missiles that fell over Daraa's countryside as Iranian aircraft transited Syrian airspace en route to Israeli-controlled areas. The report also said the incident caused no injuries or material damage.

Amid rising regional tensions, Syria's national carrier SyrianAir announced the suspension of all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The airline cited the closure of Jordanian and Iraqi airspace as the reason for the disruption.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, SyrianAir said it was closely monitoring developments and would resume operations as soon as conditions permit. 
Jun. 12The city of Albert Lea last month reached a settlement with the former owner of two houses in Albert Lea who was unable to meet the terms of a development agreement with the city to renovate and turn them into veterans housing.

Kevin Chapman purchased the properties at 604 Giles Place and 110 N. Second Ave. from the city in 2023 but has since sold them.

The settlement called for Chapman to pay $12,000 for the house on Giles Place and $3,000 for the Second Avenue house based on the city's remaining interest in the properties and outcomes of the property sales. The amounts will be given to local veterans groups in the coming weeks.

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Albert Lea City Attorney Joel Holstad said the city had sold the properties to Chapman in 2023 as it sought to return the properties to the housing stock after it acquired them through tax forfeiture.

"It is a very genuine interest of the city of Albert Lea to create more housing," Holstad said, noting Chapman's proposal for veterans housing struck a chord with the Albert Lea City Council. Chapman also received significant community support for the project, including donated materials and labor. Renewal by Andersen in July 2023 donated all of the labor and materials to install windows, entry doors and gutters. Home Depot and Jacobson Construction and Design LLC were two others that donated services later that year.

Chapman originally paid $18,000 for the house on Giles Place and $14,000 for the house on Second Avenue, according to documents filed with the Freeborn County Recorder's Office. He had submitted proposals for work on the houses, along with the timeline of when work was to be completed, and his proposals were accepted.

Holstad said Chapman was unable to complete the project and had put the houses on the market. The city then filed a notice of reversionary interest, which stated that Chapman had not made the required improvements to make the houses occupant-ready under the city's building codes and rental ordinance within the time frame indicated in the agreement.

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Some of the improvements needed in the house on Giles Place included abating all mold in the house, replacing damaged lumber and drywall, installing new flooring, installing a new or updated kitchen, among others. The home had previously been damaged by a house fire, and the city had cleared the fire debris and took the house down to the studs.

With the notice, the titles were marked, and the city had the opportunity to have a say in who they were sold to, Holstad said. It could have  but did not  get to the point where it could have regained ownership of the house.

Both properties have since sold to parties the city believes are capable, interested and motivated to return the houses to the housing market for general housing, Holstad said.

By reaching the settlement with Chapman, it will allow the properties to get back into the housing stock significantly earlier than if the city had to take Chapman to court.

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The settlement payment covers what Holstad described as a "substantial contribution" that the community put toward the homes, and that with such, the intent of the donors would still be "substantially met." The amount was a negotiated compromise between both parties and was determined after analyzing the tasks that were performed and the services contributed toward the project.

"The city is happy that the community effort resulted in a benefit to veterans organizations," Holstad said.

Chapman, when contacted about the agreement this week, said there were many reasons he was not able to complete the projects, noting there were other circumstances that brought the Chapman House Foundation back to the southeastern part of the country. He also noted high construction costs and lack of tradespeople in Minnesota.

He said labor costs in Minnesota are three to five times higher than projects they have done in other parts of the country and that if he were to do the projects over again, he would have found houses that didn't need as much work and purchased them from a private party.

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The Giles Place house sold May 14 for $135,000 to Charles Merritt Homes Inc., and the Second Avenue house sold in December to CCH Rental Services LLC for $39,500.

While they were not able to complete the houses as originally intended, Chapman estimated that the Giles Place property was about 80 to 85 percent complete.

"It's just unfortunate that the project didn't go forward because there are a lot of veterans in Minnesota who were counting on us being there," he said.

He estimated there had been over $160,000 put into the house on Giles when all was said and done.

Chapman still owns a house on Meredith Road and said he would be in and out of the community as he works with a few other nonprofits in Minnesota that specialize in helping veterans.
Jun. 13---- The city of Willmar is asking residents and businesses to limit water use for the next 24 hours, according to a news release from the city.

The sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant are at capacity, according to the news release, after several days of steady rain.

The city is asking residents and businesses to avoid any unnecessary water use, such as laundry and dishwashing, for at least 24 hours.

The city also asks that residents ensure sump pump discharge is directed to the lawn or curb. No sump pumps are allowed to be discharged to the sanitary sewer from April through October.
The Brief

A new lawsuit has been filed in Dallas County District Court against former megachurch evangelist Robert Morris, his family, and Gateway Church leaders, accusing them of defamation, cover-up, and other charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl.

The plaintiffs, Cindy Clemishire and her father, are seeking over $1 million in civil damages, alleging that the defendants financially benefited from concealing the abuse and harmed the plaintiffs' reputations.

This civil lawsuit comes after Morris was indicted in Oklahoma in March 2025 on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He is currently out on bond.

DALLAS - A new lawsuit was filed this week in a Dallas County District court accusing former megachurch evangelist Robert Morris and those who allegedly knew about his alleged sexual acts with a 12-year-old girl of defamation, libel, slander, failure to report, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment, in addition to other accusations.

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The plaintiffs listed in the lawsuit are Cindy Clemishire and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire.

Cindy was 12 years old when she was first allegedly sexually assaulted and abused by Morris.

She and her father are seeking civil damages in excess of $1 million.

Lawsuit accusations

Robert Morris

What we know

Among the accusations of libel, malice, and defamation, the lawsuit filed this week on behalf of Clemishire names Gateway Church, Morris himself, his wife and sons and multiple church elders who all allegedly knew about the abuse yet actively worked to cover the abuse up.

The lawsuit states that Morris actions "amounted to criminal sexual contact with a child, rape, and continuous sexual abuse of a child," for which Clemishire is entitled to just compensation for damages.

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The lawsuit described Morris and his co-conspirators as dismissive of the alleged sexual assault of Clemishire.

Morris was allegedly describing the incident as nothing more than an "inappropriate relationship," an "indiscretion," "his transgressions," "his moral failures" and an "extramarital relationship."

The filings describe Morris actions as deceiving the thousands of church parishioners and the public with a false narrative that the sexual acts performed on the plaintiff as a minor child were consensual, or even worse, solicited.

The lawsuit also claims Morris, his wife, the church and the elders all benefited financially from concealing the sexual assault and abuse of Clemishire, all while harming "the Plaintiffs reputation and exposing them to public hatred, contempt or ridicule, and financial injury, as well as impeaching their honesty, integrity, virtue and reputation."

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The accusations make clear the "defendants acted in concert, cooperated with each other and conspired to maximize their profits through their unlawful and unjust course of action to fraudulently conceal and cover up the rape of Plaintiff."

Plaintiff's attorneys

What they're saying

The Clemishires have hired Foshee and Yaffe (Oklahoma) and Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway (Texas and New Mexico) to pursue these claims.

"We filed this lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Clemishire because, while criminal charges continue to progress, Morris and those who conspired with him deserve to be held civilly accountable for their actions as well," said S. Alex Yaffe, one of Clemishires attorneys. "The lawsuit and the crimes alleged speak for themselves, and we look forward to seeing justice served for the Plaintiffs in this case."

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"It's really it's the muscle of the civil law that allows survivors to come forward to name their perpetrator to get discovery. Now, discovery is great for everyone. The more we know about a bad acting institution or a hidden sexual predator within our community, the better it is for our children," said Kathryn Robb, the director of the Children's Justice Campaign.

Gateway Church, Robert Morris on lawsuit

The other side

Gateway Church told FOX 4 in an email that they had no comment.

Robert Morris' attorney did not respond to FOX 4's request for comment.

Robert Morris arrested

The backstory

Morris resigned from the Gateway Church in June 2024 after allegations of his molestation and sexual assault of Clemishire when she was 12 years old in Hominy, Oklahoma were made public.

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The sexual assaults allegedly occurred between 1982 and 1987 while Morris was a traveling evangelical preacher.

In March 2025, an Oklahoma Grand Jury indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. He is currently out on bond pending trial.

Morris seeks retirement compensation

In May, Morris filed a lawsuit against Gateway Church, where he admitted a "highly inappropriate" relationship with a 12-year-old girl, but said such behavior does not allow Gateway Church to get out of its contractual financial obligations to Morris as the former pastor of the church.

Gateway Church has said Morris is trying to force the church to pay him millions of dollars in deferred compensation, additional retirement benefits and a severance payment. But the church claims the accusations and criminal charges equate to a breach of contract. The court hearing for arbitration is scheduled for July in Fort Worth, TX.

Clemishire speaks to state lawmakers

Cindy Clemishire took her story to state lawmakers, calling for legislation to prevent abuse victims from being silenced through non-disclosure agreements.

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She said Morris pressured her during a previous settlement negotiation.

The legislation, Senate Bill 835, passed and has been sent to Governor Abbott for approval.

The Source

Information in this article was provided by Dallas County District Court filings and past news coverage.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being put into repairs for Clarksvilles city hall after hail significantly damaged the roof.

The current roof is shingled, but the citys project manager says theyll be moving to a metal roof this time around.

Having a metal roof will help mitigate damage from storms in the future, and they have a longer life expectancy.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County

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The cost of the new roof is $286,800. Insurance will cover the cost of the replacement of the shingle roof at $118,775. A portion of the additional cost to upgrade to a standing seam metal roof would be offset by hazard mitigation funds from the Tennessee and Federal Emergency Management Agencies (TEMA and FEMA).

People will still be able to go through city halls front door, but youre asked to be careful around the construction.

The roof materials will be delivered next Wednesday, and work will begin on Thursday, June 19.

Construction is expected to take six weeks.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
NEW YORK  Mayoral candidates Brad Lander and Andrew Cuomo tussled at the second Democratic primary debate Thursday evening over the former governors description of immigrants  an emotional flashpoint as protests over ICE arrests grip cities around the country.

Zohran Mamdani, who is trailing in second place behind Cuomo in most polls, also went after the former governor repeatedly for mispronouncing his name.

And the former New York governor returned fire, insisting the 33-year-old Mamdani is too young and inexperienced for the difficult job of running the nation's largest city.

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The clashes revealed cleaner lines of attack against Cuomo a week after the first debate  as well as how candidates hoping to shrink Cuomos polling lead are seizing every opening, big and small, in an effort to weaken the frontrunner in the final days of the Democratic primary.

Lander didn't relegate his broadsides against Cuomo to one topic. He honed in on the sexual harassment allegations against the former governor  which state Attorney General Letitia James concluded in a report and Cuomo denies  and his management of the MTA.

The MTA goes through a rigorous contracting process," Cuomo responded. "They should never have hired illegal immigrants, if it is true."

What did you call them? Lander, the progressive city comptroller, quickly challenged.

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If anyone was undocumented, or they didnt pay the proper wages, I had nothing to do with it," Cuomo said, rephrasing with a term viewed as typically more acceptable in the city.

Lander carried on with his targeting of Cuomo. You cheated them out of the prevailing wages they were due and the health care they were due.

Mamdani, a state assemblymember, separately ticked off the record that Cuomos critics say disqualify him from returning to power, including the sexual harassment allegations that forced him from the statehouse in 2021.

But Mamdanis focus on the pronunciation of his name appeared intended to spotlight how some supporters of Cuomo have cast the Muslim immigrant as an outsider.

I have never had to resign in disgrace.  I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment. I have never sued for their gynecological records, Mamdani said. And I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo. And furthermore, the name is Mamdani, M-a-m-d-a-n-i, you should learn how to say it, because weve got to get it right.
[Watch in the player above: How to know whether you have COVID, flu, RSB or strep]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland Department of Public Health officials said a sharp uptick in COVID gene copies recently detected in city wastewater samples indicates a strong likelihood of increased community spread in the coming days or weeks.

Sampling last week of untreated wastewater from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Districts Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant shows a more than 250% increase in the SARS-CoV-2 viral levels between June 8 and June 10, according to a Friday news release from the health department.

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Massive egg recall hits Ohio Walmart stores

The sampling also showed high levels of influenza that are still trending upward as well as high levels of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be shed through feces  even by people who arent yet showing symptoms of infection  so wastewater sampling can help detect community spread early.

Increasing viral concentrations in wastewater are often a leading indicator of future spikes in illness, hospitalizations and transmission throughout the community, Cleveland Director of Public Health Dr. David Margoulis is quoted in the release. This data provides us with an early warning system, and were encouraging residents and institutions to take preventive steps now.

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The health department urges residents to get their shots or boosters for COVID-19 and the flu and urges people who are experiencing respiratory symptoms to stay home or wear a mask if they need to go out in public.

Iran fires missiles at Israel in retaliation

The World Health Organization is tracking a new COVID-19 variant called NB.1.8.1, or Nimbus that is more transmissible than other variants, The Hill reported this week.

Its symptoms appear to be similar to those caused by other COVID variants: cough, fever, fatigue, muscle aches and loss of smell or taste, according to the CDC.

As of Wednesday, June 11, the Nimbus variant had been found in 13 states, including Ohio.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Indonesia has revoked the permits of several mining companies in Raja Ampat following public outcry over environmental damage in the eastern islands. But local police said rumours of residents burning a nickel firm's excavators are untrue; the false posts misrepresent a clip from Colombia.

"On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at around 12:00 Papua Time, indigenous people in Raja Ampat Regency burned down an excavator owned by a nickel mining company operating in their customary territory," reads an Indonesian-language Facebook post on June 8, 2025.

It includes footage of a helicopter flying over an open area in the middle of the forest where several excavators are on fire.

"This action was a form of community anger and rejection of the presence of the extractive industry, which is damaging the environment, threatening living space, and ignoring the rights of indigenous peoples."

Screenshot of the false post, captured on June 11, 2025

Similar posts also spread elsewhere on Facebook and on TikTok after Greenpeace Indonesia published videos showing environmental damage to three islands because of nickel mining projects (archived link).

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The NGO's campaign led to growing calls by politicians and celebrities for mining licences to be withdrawn.

The government subsequently revoked permits for four of five companies operating in the cluster of islands in the Coral Triangle, a popular diving spot considered one of the world's most pristine reefs.

But there have been no official reports about the alleged protest mentioned in the posts.

"As of today, there is no burning incident in the mining site," Anis Dj, spokesperson of the police force in Southwest Papua Province that oversees Raja Ampat, told AFP on June 12.

A reverse image search on Google using keyframes found the video posted on Instagram on June 5, 2025. The caption says it was filmed in Colombia (archived link).

Comparison between the false post (L) and the clip from Instagram

Further keyword searches found a similar clip showing the same landscape and burning equipment was earlier uploaded to Facebook by Colombian media outlet Region Al Dia on May 25, 2025 (archived link).

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It says the video depicts the operation to close an illegal mining site in the rural area of Antioquia in Zaragoza, Colombia.

Screenshot comparison between the false post (L) and the video from Region Al Dia

A further search found an article published by the official site of the Colombian police that featured a corresponding picture (archived link).

The operation was done by the Colombian National Police and the Aerospace Force to counter "illegal exploitation of minerals in the rural area of the municipality of Zaragoza in the department of Antioquia".
The attack on one of Irans main nuclear sites delivered a clear message  Israel had run out of patience.

Multiple explosions were heard and thick palls of smoke and flames could be seen over the Natanz nuclear facility.

From Israels point of view, the early signs are good: the Israel Defense Forces believes it has destroyed multiple underground floors of the enrichment site, including the main hall containing the centrifuges.

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But Irans nuclear programme extends much further and deeper underground.

It had been widely believed among Western intelligence officials that Iran had reached 60 per cent enrichment of uranium, putting it within sprint distance of assembling a crude nuclear warhead within a matter of weeks, for which at least 90 per cent enrichment is required.

Now there are new figures. Announcing its unilateral mission in the early hours of Friday, the IDF said Iran had enough fission material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days. Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the Islamic Republic had enough nuclear material for nine nuclear bombs.

Credit: Reuters

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These two numbers are not necessarily a contradiction, but they do suggest  assuming the Israelis are speaking in good faith  some uncertainty about Irans levels of enriched uranium.

Iran is believed to possess enough weapons-grade uranium  a military official spoke of thousands of kilograms  to build a handful of nuclear warheads right now.

It is also thought that Iran possesses enough material to further enrich it to weapons grade within a handful of days.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the global watchdog, formally declared this week for the first time in 20 years that Iran was in breach of its nuclear obligations.

Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

But weapons-grade uranium does not in itself make a weapon. It first must be shaped it into a roughly spherical metal core. Then a neutron source, capable of triggering a chain reaction in the nuclear fuel, needs to be inserted.

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It must then be detonated using conventional explosives, but overlaid around the core in a highly sophisticated manner to create the right manner of shock wave. It is not like lighting the fuse on a stick of dynamite.

On top of the claims of enrichment, the IDF said Iran was developing a neutron source and plastic explosives, likely to refer to the detonation device. It also said Iran was conducting radiation testing, a key potential indicator of a nuclear weapons programme.

Assuming this is true, it strays rapidly into the territory of a crude nuclear weapon  essentially, a viable warhead but one that lacks the scientific finish that enables it to be delivered reliably on a missile.

There was, however, no talk of a process of miniaturisation of the warhead in order to mount it onto a ballistic missile. Aside from testing, this is the final substantive part of a proper nuclear weapons programme and one that analysts believe is among the hardest to conceal from enemy eyes.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader, (right) has praised Tehrans nuclear capabilities - Khamenei.ir/AFP

A so-called crude bomb is a horrendous threat for any state. In theory, it could be driven into or near Israel on a truck. It could also be smuggled into the port of Haifa or Ashdod in a vessel.

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Iran could also give a viable crude warhead to one of its terror proxies, such as Hezbollah.

Mr Netanyahu said in his address that he believed this would be Irans plan, adding: That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real.

Although Israels spinners were on Friday pumping out an array of statistics intended to convince the international community that its unilateral attack was a success, the fact is it is too early to tell by how much this will set Iran back in its dreams of being a nuclear-armed state.

Fordow, another large nuclear site hidden some half a mile under a mountain, was not attacked.

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Before Thursday night, some experts had estimated that an attack by Israel could set Iran back by two years.

Mr Netanyahu said the operation, named Rising Lion, could last for several days to ensure the best results.

As well as hitting Natanz, a number of key scientists driving the nuclear programme have been assassinated.

But Israels decision to strike before the US-Iran talks had failed means it has inflicted only a fraction of what it might have done if Mr Netanyahu had persuaded Mr Trump to get involved.

Prof Meir Litvak, the director of the Centre for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, said: The US, due to its bases in and around the region, are actually much closer to Iran than Israel. They also have many more hundreds of aircraft. They could sustain a campaign of air strikes against Iran non-stop for six months.

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Prof Litvak added that the US had the strategic bombers, B2s and others,capable of dropping clusters of specialist bunker-busting bombs. But there is no guarantee that Washington would have done so.

Despite talks appearing to stall in recent days, there was real worry in Israel that Mr Trump would ultimately accept a soft deal with Iran, which allowed it to retain parts of its nuclear infrastructure in order to secure his legacy as a statesman.

It is now likely that we will never know.

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After nearly eight weeks of testimony, jury deliberations began in the retrial of Karen Read for the death of John OKeefe, following closing arguments from Massachusetts prosecutors and defense attorneys presenting competing narratives about how the off-duty Boston cop died in January 2022.

They now face the t ask of reaching a verdict that will decide Reads fate. Jurors have been dismissed for the weekend and are scheduled to resume deliberations Monday morning.

Prosecutors have accused Read of hitting OKeefe, a Boston police officer, with her SUV during a night out drinking with friends, alleging she struck OKeefe while driving in reverse and left him to die outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts. Read  whose first trial ended with a hung jury  insists on her innocence, and has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death.

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You folks are the last line of defense  between an innocent woman, defense attorney Alan Jackson told jurors Friday, and a system that has tried to break her, that falsely accused her, that tried mightily, mightily to bury the truth.

Read, 45, has claimed to be the target of a cover-up, alleging off-duty law enforcement inside that home were responsible for OKeefes death and that they conspired to frame her. But her defense at trial has been more broadly focused on undermining the police investigation and offering jurors alternative theories for what, other than Reads SUV, might have killed OKeefe.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan, tapped by the Norfolk District Attorneys Office to prosecute the retrial, dismissed Jacksons claims in his own closing Friday. She was drunk, she hit him and she left him to die, he said.

Defense attorneys Thursday indicated they would not argue a so-called third-party culprit defense. Rather, the judge is allowing them to argue the crime scene was not secure, to raise questions about the chain of custody of the evidence and bias in the investigation.

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Jackson immediately highlighted those arguments in his closing, telling jurors, This case was corrupted from the start. It was corrupted by biases, conflicts and personal loyalties that you heard about.

And most fatally, it was corrupted by a lead investigator whose misconduct infected every single part of this case, from the top to the bottom, he said, alluding to former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was dishonorably discharged from the agency in March for sexist texts he sent about the defendant during the investigation.

In his own closing, Brennan pointed to the digital evidence in the case  taken from the black box of Reads SUV and OKeefes cell phone  likening it to a historian that tells a story about the couples journey from a local bar to the home at 34 Fairview Road, where OKeefes body was found the next morning.

That evidence shows the couples relationship was deteriorating, Brennan said, alleging the couple was fighting on the way to the house. Once OKeefe got out of the vehicle, he said, the data shows Read put her 6,000-pound Lexus in reverse and pressed on the gas.

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That data tells a story that cant be changed, he said.

Supporters of Karen Read gather prior to the day's session outside Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) - Charles Krupa/AP

The closing arguments Friday mark the apex of not one, but two trials that have divided these suburbs south of Boston for the better part of three years, spawning a vocal contingent of court watchers who fiercely advocate for the defendant, echo her allegations of police corruption and chant, Free Karen Read.

Each side had one hour and 15 minutes on Friday to sum up their cases. Prosecutors tried to synthesize the many threads they explored into one compelling story, while the defense worked to seed enough reasonable doubt in jurors minds to convince them the Commonwealth failed to meet its burden of proof.

Both will be hoping their version resonates and leads jurors to render a verdict in their sides favor  something each side was denied at the conclusion of the first trial last July, when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict after four days of deliberating, forcing Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone to declare a mistrial.

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Read did not testify in either trial, though she appeared to consider the idea throughout the retrial. Prosecutors presented clips taken from interviews Read gave the media, trying to use her words against her to highlight inconsistencies in her account and bolster their theory.

Prosecutor claims an inconvenient truth

The case centers on a window of time that started late on January 28, 2022, and stretched into the early morning hours of the following day.

That evening, Read and OKeefe went out with friends to two bars in Canton, as the region braced for a historic snowstorm. The party eventually moved to a home at 34 Fairview Road, and while Read has said she dropped OKeefe off, witnesses who testified for the prosecution said he never came inside.

It is the prosecutions theory that OKeefe exited the vehicle, and that Read put her SUV in reverse and pressed on the gas at about 75% of the throttle. According to testimony presented at trial, prosecutors allege Read hit OKeefe at a speed of about 24 mph, shattering her SUVs taillight, sending the victim to the ground and causing him blunt force trauma injuries to his head that incapacitated him, leading to his death.

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When Read returned to the scene the next morning with two other women, they found OKeefe lying in the snow near a flagpole in the yard of the home. In the prosecutions telling, when a paramedic who responded to treat OKeefe asked what happened, Read responded, I hit him, I hit him, I hit him.

John O'Keefe, seen in this undated photo, was an officer for the Boston Police Department, when he died in January 2022. - Boston Police Department/AP

She is now coming to terms with the moment, Brennan said Friday. Her fear is realized: She hit him, she clipped him, she didnt think he was mortally wounded. She panicked.

Reads statement doesnt reconcile with the boogeyman Proctor and the bad government  I know it doesnt reconcile with everybody setting up the girl, Brennan said. But he derided the defenses suggestion of a conspiracy.

Its inconvenient, Brennan added. But the truth has a way of seeping up to the daylight.

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Brennan also addressed Proctors involvement in the case, calling his conduct distasteful and dishonorable. But Proctor was held responsible for it, Brennan said, and he argued the former troopers behavior is ultimately irrelevant.

Theres not one piece of evidence, not one that we can look at and say this was tampered with, this was planted, this was distorted, Brennan said.

We are after the truth, defense says

Reads attorneys rejected this theory, arguing no collision occurred: Their experts testified some of OKeefes injuries  specifically cuts and scratches on his arm  were caused by a dog, and that the damage to Reads taillight was inconsistent with it striking a person.

The defense worked to undermine confidence in the investigation, highlighting Proctors text messages about the defendant. Proctor was never called to testify.

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On Friday, Jackson pointed to Brian Higgins, who had exchanged flirtatious text messages with Read prior to the night in question, according to evidence presented at trial. Jackson tried to suggest Higgins  who was part of the group that got together on January 28, 2022  had the motive to attack OKeefe, but was never looked at as a suspect.

Higgins has not been charged in the case, and his attorney, William Connolly, has denied any wrongdoing by his client. The idea that Brian Higgins  a former firefighter, combat veteran, decorated federal agent, Tactical Medic and Emergency Medical Technician who has dedicated his life to service over self  participated in the murder of John OKeefe is absurd, he told CNN in a statement.

Both sides have emphasized the scientific evidence backs their theory of the case: On Friday, Jackson repeatedly mentioned the science and data, calling it that silent witness, which he said failed to prove OKeefe was struck by a vehicle.

We are after the truth in this courtroom. Youre entitled to it  demand it, Jackson said, adding the Commonwealth knows what their experts know: There was no collision.

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Reasonable doubt is not a sliding scale, its a wall. If the Commonwealth cannot get over every one of these dozens of walls, you have to acquit Karen Read, he said. The truth is, Karen Read is not guilty.

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President Donald Trumps immigration policies, once his strongest issue with voters, may now be pummeling his approval ratings.

On Fridays broadcast of CNN News Central, CNN Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten said the presidents immigration policies and handling of subsequent protests have been awful, awful, awful for his ratings. In fact, Trump is now sitting at the lowest approval rating of his second term.

This is simply put, one of the worst polling weeks for Donald Trump that weve seen, Enten told viewers on Friday.

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The CNN analyst cited two polls, one from Quinnipiac University released June 11 and one from AP-NORC released June 12, which place the presidents approval rating at just 38 percent and 39 percent, respectively. According to CNNs poll tracker, that places the president at a 3-point drop in both polls.

In short, Enten says the president is very much way way way underwater.

While the presidents overall approval rating has suffered, Enten says things are looking especially dire when it comes to his immigration policies.

According to CNNs aggregate, Trumps approval rating on the specific issue of immigration has dropped a staggering six points in the last two weeks as ICE raids spark protests nationwide.

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Where Trumps approval rating on immigration sat at +4 on June 1, by Friday morning, it had dropped to -2.

They have turned against the president on his core strength, said Enten of Trumps supporters. He is now underwater on the issue that has been strongest for him.

The drop in approval for Trumps handling of immigration marks a major change in voters perception of the president, who has previously leaned on immigration as one of his strongest issues among supporters.

Just four days ago, on Monday, Enten said on CNN News Central that Trumps approval rating on immigration had gone up like a rocket since his first term.

On Monday, Enten said Trump was

In fact, Enten said his high rating had emboldened the president to send National Guard troops into Los Angeles on June 8, as he believed stoking conflict with California Gov. Gavin Newsom would help his approval ratings.

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Trump is begging for a fight on this because he knows what hes doing so far is working with the American electorate, Enten told host John Berman on June 9.

Now, the CNN data chief says the tactic was far from successful.

I said at the beginning of this week that Donald Trump wanted this fight, said Enten during Fridays broadcast. Maybe he shouldnt have.

Enten previously said Trump's historically high approval rating on the issue of immigration likely emboldened the president to send National Guard troops into Los Angeles. Now, that approval rating is plummeting. / David McNew/Getty Images

Also hurting Trumps approval rating is his planned military parade, scheduled for Saturday to celebrate his 79th birthday. According to the AP-NORC poll, which Enten referenced on Friday mornings broadcast, a whopping 60 percent of respondents across the political spectrum said the parade was not a good use of government funds, while just 38 percent said it was a good use.

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This is not the first time Trumps approval ratings have fluctuated dramatically since he took office in January. As Enten noted in Fridays broadcast, the presidents numbers also plummeted around the 100th day of his presidency on April 30.

On April 29, CNN News Central reported that the presidents approval rating had dropped to just 41 percent. It was the lowest rating of any president approaching the 100th day of their term since modern pollsters started tracking presidential approval ratings during the Eisenhower administration.

Just six weeks earlier, the president had reached his highest approval rating to date in an NBC poll, which placed him at 47 percent among all respondents.

At the time, 55 percent of respondents in the NBC poll said they approved of his immigration policy, while CNN reported the number as 51 percent.

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Now, the AP-NORC poll reports that number is down to 46 percent. The Quinnipiac poll is even more dire, placing the rating at just 43 percent.

At this point, said Enten on Friday, Hes much more towards the trough of his popularity than the crest of it.
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged relevant countries to abide by the one-China principle and stop sending any wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatists.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks while commenting on a chief-of-staff level war-gaming hosted by a civilian group in Taiwan and attended by former senior military officers of the United States and Japan, as well as a U.S.-Taiwan defense industry forum in Taipei.

Noting that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference, Jiang said whoever emboldens "Taiwan independence" separatists will undermine cross-Strait peace and stability and is bound to get burnt for playing with fire.

"Any scheme to solicit foreign support for 'Taiwan independence' and contain China with Taiwan is doomed to fail," he said. 
CNNs Scott Jennings knew his trip to Israel would be harrowing. But the conservative political commentator was not quite expecting to be caught in the middle of a war between the country and Iran after Israel Defense Forces launched a series of drone and fighter jet strikes on Tehran, taking out the countrys military leadership, nuclear scientists and nuclear facilities.

Jennings, 47, had embarked on a trip to the region  his first  to tour major cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well as kibbutz Nir Oz, where approximately one-quarter of its 400 residents were killed by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, as well as the site of the Nova music festival massacre, where 378 were killed.

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We started to get reports a couple of days ago that the U.S. was telling non-essential personnel to leave military bases and stay in place, Jennings says as he shelters in place in a hotel in Tiberias, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the same time, we were hearing that the U.S. was still intending to meet with Iran this weekend. It became clear about 3:00 a.m. yesterday.

Jennings was awake, prepping for a remote interview on CNN, when his phone first pinged an emergency alert. I stood out on the balcony in my hotel and watched, he says. In fact, Im looking at a military jet fly overhead right now.

A series of alerts of increasing severity followed: First, stay alert, followed by, stay near a safe space and, eventually, evacuate to a safe area. Occasionally, air raid sirens would pierce through the morning air.

Jennings had already had some practice prior to the wars outbreak. In Jerusalem, during dinner, an alarm went off and the hotel guests were guided into a bomb shelter in the basement. It was a very tiny room, he says. We crammed in there and waited. We waited about five minutes then went back upstairs and finished dinner.

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On Friday evening, as Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Israel, the majority of which were intercepted by the countrys Iron Dome defense system, sirens wailed throughout Tiberias and hotel guests were ushered into a safe zone for about a half an hour. A Tel Aviv area hospital said it was treating 15 injured civilians from the Iranian response.

Then they announced that the missile barrage was over. They have very good intelligence about when the missiles are in the air and how many minutes away it is, says Jennings.

As of press time, Jennings was under orders not to leave his hotel, should they need to seek refuge in a bomb shelter. So a few of us are out on the back sort of porch of this hotel right now. Its a beautiful night. Its kind of almost a full moon, and were sitting out here looking over the Sea of Galilee. I mean, it could not be more of a beautiful scene out here, he observes.

Jennings has no idea how long hell have to stay at the hotel or when hell depart Israel. Airspace is closed, airports are closed, he says. The thing we know the least about is how are we going to get out of here. We were supposed to leave tomorrow, but that doesnt feel like its happening.

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Asked if he was aware of the presence of Caitlyn Jenner, in the country for Tel Avivs gay pride festivities and similarly stranded, Jennings said, I saw that she was here  and then I saw that the Daily Mail sort of made it seem like we were here together. It was, Scott Jennings and Caitlyn Jenner Stuck in Israel.'

Were both stuck here, he added with a chuckle. But not together.

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Georgia lawmakers passed legislation to ban student access to phones during the legislative session.

Now, the Cobb County School District says it wont be investing its budget into storage for phones at its schools.

Cobb County School Superintendent Chris Ragsdale gave the update to parents, the school board and other community members at a meeting on Thursday.

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We will continue to communicate with parents throughout the school year as how that implementation is going to look. I can say that we are not going to invest any money into storage solutions for cellphones. The law allows us to determine what that storage place is going to be. And the storage place is going to be in a students backpack or purse or pocketbook, Ragsdale said.

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The law in question wont take effect until July 2026, giving districts time to come up with new policies and enact them.

Policy decisions have a January 2026 deadline, with additional months for implementation.

For Cobb Countys schools, Ragsdale said the district is going to update the student code of conduct and ensure all students and parents know the new rules.

We will be making updates to the student code of conduct so that all students will be aware, as will parents, what the punishment would be for that, Ragsdale said. We are certainly going to adhere to the law and follow the law as we always do. But the bottom line is were going to be focused on having school.

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The phone ban passed the legislation as the Distraction-free Education Act, which would block students in kindergarten through eighth grade from having phones out or accessible while in class.

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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A Freeport cocaine dealer has been sentenced to spend 10 years in federal prison.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Paris Walker, 39, on Friday.

In 2020, Freeport Police said an officer spotted Walker near the area of Cherry Avenue and Clark Street around 9:40 a.m. on Friday, February 7th.

Police took him into custody for driving with a suspended license, but later found a bag of cocaine in the area where he had been standing.

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The Justice Department said between 2019 and 2020, Walker sold cocaine to a confidential informant working with the government.

At least 30 grams of cocaine was recovered in the investigation, authorities said.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  After years of construction and constant traffic headaches, Baton Rouge drivers are finally getting some relief. On Thursday, state leaders officially cut the ribbon on the long-anticipated College Drive Flyover project.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) gathered with local officials to mark the completion of the $61.5 million project, designed to address one of the most congested and dangerous traffic spots in the Capital Region.

This stretch of interstate sees nearly 178,000 drivers a day. Until now, drivers had to make multiple lane changes and less than a mile just to reach the college drive exit. One of the most dangerous traffic patterns in the area, said DOTD Secretary Joe Donahue.

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Construction on the project began in 2021 in response to growing frustrations from drivers dealing with traffic delays, accidents, and confusing merges near the busy I-10/I-12 interchange. The new flyover provides a direct, two-lane ramp from I-10 and I-12 westbound to College Drive, eliminating the dangerous weaving that plagued the area for decades.

Safety is always DOTDs top priority, and this project reflects that commitment, Donahue said.

Public Information Director Rodney Mallet said the redesigned traffic pattern is expected to significantly improve both safety and commute times.

Its really going to help the traffic flow, and its going to be a safer situation because people arent going to be weaving, Mallet said.

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The College Drive Flyover was originally a component of the broader I-10 Widening Project. However, leaders determined it could be completed sooner and fast-tracked its development using the design-build method, a move that helped expedite construction and minimize costs.

DOTD said additional infrastructure upgrades are still underway throughout Baton Rouge, including the ongoing I-10 widening and the new bridge over City Park Lakes, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The College Drive Flyover is now fully open to drivers, offering a smoother, safer route through one of Baton Rouges busiest corridors.

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Wolf pups have been spotted in Pitkin County, Colorado, according to several sources, including a rancher whose calf was attacked by wolves this spring. Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed that it has seen pups in an emailed statement to Outdoor Life, and that their employees are continuing to monitor four den sites.

CPW staff have begun to get minimum counts of pups by both direct observations and indirect methods, the spokesperson wrote. It is important to note that sighting numbers (especially from early season sightings) are not a guaranteed number of animals since certainty in detection is low, based on continued denning, moving to rendezvous sites and being in varied habitat.

The agency declined to provide a specific pup count, and did not reply to a request for clarification on whether or how theyre using trail cameras to monitor the pups. CPW also did not specify the county or counties of the den sites.

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But a Pitkin County rancher says at least some wolf pups are denning a quarter mile from his cows, according to the Colorado Sun, and that CPW officials are planning to use strategically placed roadkill to draw wolves away from his vulnerable new calves. One of the ranchers calves was attacked by a wolf over Memorial Day weekend, and he suspects the nearby pups are part of the Copper Creek Pack.

On May 29 CPW officials euthanized a gray wolf from the Copper Creek Pack that had been chronically preying on livestock in Pitkin County. The Copper Creek Pack was trapped in the fall after multiple depredation incidents in another county, and ultimately released again in January. Fifteen wolves were captured in British Columbia and released in Pitkin and Eagle counties around the same time.

The rancher, Mike Cerveny, is one of many stockgrowers frustrated by the way the reintroduction has threatened his livelihood. Cerveny told the Sun that hes not anti-wolf, just like Im not an anti-crocodile or anti-hippo guy. Like, everything has its own area and place to be where they thrive. But do I think wolves should be dropped off in the freaking first week of January, when its 20 below, next to my cows? Uh, no. I think this is the dumbest thing in the world.

While CPW has not yet released any formal statements about this years pups, the agency has been publicizing its efforts to raise funding for non-lethal wolf mitigation through its speciality license program. On Tuesday the agency reported that selling some 18,000 Born to Be Wild vehicle license plates has raised almost $950,000 for conflict mitigation.

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Read Next: Colorado Officials Euthanize Chronic Problem Wolf That Was Killing Livestock

This special license plate allows Colorado residents to support ranchers by providing funding to CPW for non-lethal conflict minimization tools and programs and programs, said CPW Director Jeff Davis. The hope is that this program will get the public engaged and increase overall sales of the license plate, in turn reducing impacts with livestock. These efforts help support the implementation of the states Wolf Restoration and Management Plan and CPWs implementation of the state statute to restore a self-sustaining gray wolf population, all while supporting rural ways of life and the robust livestock industry that is such a critical component of Colorados culture and economy.

Funds raised through the program include support for the states range rider program, where riders on horseback or four-wheelers patrol livestock areas and haze wolves as necessary. In March, Colorado nearly drained its depredation compensation fund when it approved $343,000 in livestock losses.
DENVER (KDVR)  Its the gift of life that saved the life of a Colorado man following a bad crash last year.

Ahead of World Blood Donor Day this Saturday, FOX31 spoke to a former patient who defied the odds and is now thanking hundreds of blood donors after he received a record blood donation.

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I learned that your life can be gone in an instant, said Nicholas Jackson. I hit a nasty patch of road and gravel and I lost control of the motorcycle I was on.

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Jackson says that the crash was a defining moment in his life, on June 15, 2024, along Highway 105 near Castle Rock.

I was launched into a field  and I had to be found, Jackson recounted. My injuries, oh man, they were out of this world.

Jackson suffered a traumatic brain injury, two broken femurs, spine and neck injuries, broken hands and trauma to his abdomen in the crash.

He was really touch and go, described Dr. Kaysie Banton of HCA Health One Swedish Hospital, who led his care team after he was airlifted to the hospitals ICU, where he stayed for 48 days.

His injury severity score would put him in the probably not salvageable, not survivable  grave condition, Banton said.

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Arvada organizers join national No Kings protest movement ahead of Saturday rally

Despite the grim outlook, Jackson did survive, thanks to more than 500 life-saving blood donations that amounted to 274 units of blood.

We had to drain our own blood supply, borrowing from six different hospitals, borrowing from two different blood banks  but you can see what weve done with that, Banton said.

The donations gave Jackson a second chance at life and a chance to help others who need life-saving blood.

Life saversthats exactly what they are, Jackson said. I am just so thankful for everybody involved, who has ever done that, who has ever contributed or donated- I am so thankful for each and every one of them  its because of them, Im still living.

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Colorado Senate Assistant Minority Leader Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, smiles during opening proceedings on the first day of the 2025 session of the Colorado Legislature on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado Senate Republicans unanimously chose Sen. Cleave Simpson as their new minority leader Thursday evening.

Simpson, an Alamosa Republican who was first elected in 2020, will replace former Sen. Paul Lundeen, who resigned on Monday to lead the American Excellence Foundation. He will lead the 12-member Republican caucus in the chamber.

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I look forward to continue what weve been working on. The challenges are pretty immense and steep, and Colorado deserves a strong voice from our perspective, he said. I think we are poised as a group to make a significant going forward.

Democrats, with 23 members, hold a majority in the Senate.

Simpson was the assistant minority leader. The caucus unanimously chose Sen. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican, to replace him in that position.

A vacancy committee meeting has not yet been scheduled to fill Lundeens Senate seat.

The Legislature is not in session and will reconvene in January, unless there is a special session called before then.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Saturday, June 14 is 614 Day in Columbus, an official city holiday that nods to the 614 central Ohio area code and honors the CBUS culture.

614 Day organizers have announced this years community party will be bigger and better than ever to mark the 10th anniversary. According to the 614 Day website, the tradition began in 2015 with a small gathering at Seventh Son Brewing as a casual Sunday Funday that quickly evolved into something more meaningful and intentional through the collaborative efforts of multiple community leaders.

The celebration has grown over the years to include deals, offers and events from area restaurants, retailers and other Columbus-centric businesses taking part. Its simple mission is to champion all things local in Columbus.

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The cornerstone event for 2025 is a block party in Franklinton around Land-Grant Brewing Company and surrounding streets from noon to 9 p.m. Organizers are expecting more than 10,000 attendees.

The event will feature:

 Live sets by Columbus-based musicians and DJs

 Local vendors representing the citys thriving entrepreneurial spirit

 Food trucks and culinary moments inspired by the diverse tastes of our neighborhoods

 Creative activations and interactive art installations that spark joy, connection, and conversation

 Storytelling and community spotlights honoring the people shaping our city

614 Day schedule

614 Day stage

(Land-Grant Stage)

 Noon: A+ Arts Academy Drum Line

 12:30 p.m.: School of Rock

 1:45 p.m.: Stephen Stringz Quartet

 3 p.m.: Announcements & Awards

 3:30 p.m.: CHRIS.

 4:15 p.m.: Zoo Trippin

 5:45 p.m.: 10 years of 614 Day video

 6:14 p.m.: 614 Day Toast

 6:15 p.m.: DrippDaDon

 7:30 p.m.: MojoFlo

 9:15 p.m.: Ft. RnB

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Gravity Stage

 Noon: M is for Motion

 1 p.m.: COSI + DJ IQ

 3 p.m.: Krate Digga

 4 p.m.: HIPS

 5 p.m.: Thrivin + DJ Risio

 6 p.m.: Satele

 7 p.m.: KMB



Spoken Word Tent

 Noon: 614 Day Founders Live

 1 p.m.: D.L. Augustine Presents

 3 p.m.: JOKEMANJAYE PRESENTS: the 614 Day Comedy Showcase

 4:30 p.m.: 614 Link

 6 p.m.: Live from The Attic

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Crawford County Commissioners Eric Henry and Scott Schell approved business as usual Wednesday with Chris Seeley absent, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plans and an allocation to St. James Haven in Meadville.

The CDBG process has begun and, according to Samantha Travis, deputy director of planning, the office solicited project ideas at a public hearing on May 28. The countys planning office administers CDBG funds for the county, the cities of Titusville and Meadville, and Vernon Township.

The office has not yet received its 2025 allocation from the Department of Community and Economic Development. Travis expects it to be similar to last years, which was $270,000 for the county. Funding is determined by a formula legislated by Act 179 in 1984. At least 70 percent of it must be used to benefit low- to moderate-income households.

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The office will accept project ideas through July 31 and will host another public hearing in September. Commissioners will vote on the CDBG application in October, Travis said. On Wednesday, they approved the plans, policies and resolutions that will be needed for the CDBG application process.

Also on Wednesday, commissioners OKd an allocation of $8,996 to St. James Haven.

If you dont know, St. James Haven is not funded by anything from the government. Its all by their own money, their own support from their Sisters in Erie. Its a good project, Henry said, thanking Sue Watkins from Human Services for her help on the countys side, facilitating the project.

Watkins said the county has provided St. James Haven with retained revenue to purchase shelter supplies and waterproof its basement.

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St. James Haven, an outreach ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Northwestern Pennsylvania, is a temporary shelter in Meadville that accommodates up to 14 men each night. It also provides meals and connects individuals with local agencies.

The county fairgrounds will receive some work as commissioners OKd payment using a safety grant to Shields Asphalt Paving to lay asphalt inside Gate 3 for $11,560. The driveway is used for handicap-accessible parking and is in bad shape, according to Henry and maintenance director Mark Phelan.

Commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement pair of E-GLOVES with a one-year warranty for $1,605 for the Crawford County Correctional Facility. The current pair is around three to four years old, according to Warden Jack Greenfield, and needs repairs that would cost $1,970. Greenfield said the gloves, which send a small electric shock into the individual they touch, are a great deterrent, decreasing or stopping the use of force when used. The amount will be paid using commissary funds.

Other approvals included adopting the planning offices safety action plan, ratifying a service contract with Civic Vanguard for Geographical Information Systems work, and paying local companies for their work with the Construction Industry Workforce Program.

The next meeting will be a work session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the commissioners conference room.
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON)  The debate continues over the Oakland Police Departments high-speed chase policy.

OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell has been asking the Oakland Police Commission to loosen the restrictions on high-speed pursuits. But Thursdays meeting also comes just weeks after a high school teacher was hit and killed by an 18-year-old fleeing from the California Highway Patrol.

Be like Boomer: Oakland teacher mourned at large memorial service

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In light of the death of Doctor Marvin Boomer, activists and community members are calling on police to uphold its current chase policy and saying relaxing it would only threaten more lives.

Watch the full report from KRON4s Sara Stinson in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
KABUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan interim government on Friday issued a strong condemnation of recent strikes by Israel on Iranian territory, including the targeted killings of senior military commanders and nuclear scientists.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns the recent Israeli regime attacks on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the assassinations of commanders and nuclear scientists. These actions constitute a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, particularly the respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations," Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the government, posted on his social media account X.

Afghanistan calls on all concerned parties to address this issue with a sense of responsibility and in accordance with their mandates to uphold regional peace and security and to prevent any further escalation of instability and insecurity in the region. 
John Cairns said he was "flabbergasted" to receive an MBE [John Cairns]

A man who set up a community bus service said he was "flabbergasted" to be made an MBE.

John Cairns, known as Jock, set up the Western Dales Community Bus, which runs journeys across rural areas in Cumbria.

He has been appointed MBE for services to public transport as part of the King's Birthday Honours.

"I decided to accept largely because of the other people who have been involved in the organisation - it's never been a one-man band," he said.

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"This has always been a group of volunteers from the community who were concerned about public transport and wanted to do something about it."

Mr Cairns, who lives in Dent, said he had no idea of the honour until a letter came through the post.

He said: "I was absolutely flabbergasted, I was certainly very surprised."

Serving rural areas

Mr Cairns was the chairman of Dent Parish Council in 2011 when Cumbria County Council withdrew funding for the Saturday bus service connecting Dent Station and Sedbergh with Kendal.

He initially raised enough money to run the service for a year and then moved to setting up Western Dales Community Bus to take over.

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He retired at the end of 2024 after leading the charity for 12 years.

The organisation has two 16-seat minibuses and expanded its services to other rural areas including Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.

The number of users jumped from 2,500 in 2012 to 10,600 in 2023.

Mr Cairns was one of 14 people in Cumbria celebrated in the King's Birthday Honours.

Here is the full list:

Knighthoods

Prof Vernon Charles Gibson, for services to science and to defence

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Mr Paul Caldwell, for services to agriculture and to rural areas

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Mr Richard Alan Warren for services to mountain rescue in Cumbria and the Lake District

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Nicholas James Barrett for services to outdoor education

Mr James Matthew Batchelor for services to technology for older people

Mr John Rodger Cairns for services to public transport

Mr Douglas Kerr for services to aviation heritage

Mr Mark Todd for services to sailing and to young people

Mr Robert Walker for services to neurodiversity

Mr Jeremy Richard Wilson for services to indoor climbing

Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

Mrs Margaret Hartley for services to the community in west Cumbria

Mr Nigel Robert Lister for services to the nuclear industry and to mountain rescue

Miss Marjorie Anne Nicholson for services to the arts and to the community in Barrow in Furness

Mr Kevin Walsh for services to the community in Carlisle

'Above and beyond'

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mr Alexander Scott, said the number of recipients in the county reflected the "depth of commitment, compassion and service" of the community.

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"Being awarded an Honour is a truly significant achievement, and I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all those named," he said.

"Each of them has gone above and beyond, often without seeking any recognition, and their dedication is an inspiration to us all."

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With community support, iconic popcorn wagon returning to Madelia originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A beloved popcorn wagon that served downtown Madelia for more than 60 years is making a return.

Spearheaded by Madelia resident Ryan Visher, owner of Hope and Faith Floral & Gifts, the popcorn wagon will be restored and begin operating again with the help of community donations.

The wagon was originally operated by Ruth Allen, who sold popcorn in downtown Madelia for decades, according to the Mankato Free Press.

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Visher, who has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for the van's rehabilitation and transportation to Minnesota, has been documenting the wagons journey from Wyoming.

Hope and Faith Floral, Facebook

"We are restoring the nostalgic wagon and will be offering popcorn, candy, and other treats in the same wagon that was on our Main Street for over 60 years, a GoFundMe reads.

The last owner is selling it to us, but we have to bring it back from Wyoming and want to restore it to its original state.

The GoFundMe has raised around $4,700 of its $5,000 goal.

Since it returned back to Minnesota, Visher has been receiving assistance from local businesses to restore the wagon to its former glory.

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Hope and Faith anticipates the wagon to make its debut at the citys Park Days, which runs from July 12 to July 14.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A conference addressing issues children face is set for Saturday in Livingston Parish.

The Empower Youth Conference is set for 1 p.m. at the Watson library branch, 36581 Outback Road, Denham Springs.

This event will feature different speakers sharing their experiences with the kids who will be attending. Kids will learn lessons about various issues that pre-teens and teens face. Sessions on gun violence, affirmations and surviving domestic violence will be offered.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11)  The Lion of Lenox Avenue voice roared one final time in the city as the proud son of Harlem, Charles B. Rangel, was remembered inside St. Patricks Cathedral.

A past president, the governor and many more friends and family members shared their memories of him. The casket of Charles B. Rangel was presented with full Army honors for the Korean War Veteran.

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Harlems champion spent 46 years fighting for his uptown district in Congress.

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Rangel helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and was remembered for his commitment helping those who needed it the most with signature legislation around jobs, housing, healthcare and more.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Still for those he served with they remembered most, not what he achieved, but who he was.

Charlie Rangel was a good man, a family man, a well educated man, a well dressed man, an alpha man, an army man, a community man, a courageous man, a compassionate man, a humorous man, a hard working man, and above all else Charlie Rangel was a Harlem man, said House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus Hakeem Jeffries.

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In fact Rangel was the last surviving member of Harlems Gang of Four, prominent black leaders who rose to the highest ranks of New York politics.

His son Steven Rangel joined the children of David Dinkins, Basil Paterson and Percy Sutton for the traditional funeral presentation of Gifts to the Lord.

Still with top Democratic leaders gathered together, few shy away from drawing a line from Rangels legacy to the politics of today.

I ask all of you never to forget the smile on his face, the spring in his step, and the steel in his spike and fight on for the world he loved and the country he believed in, said Former President Bill Clinton.

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Are we going to pick up that mantle of leadership or cower to what is happening in our country? As we speak not just in the country but in cities like L.A. and New York, Charlie wants us to fight back and we will thank you. Everyone, lets do it in Charlies name, said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

There is a plan underway to name a prominent street in Harlem after the late Congressman Rangel. Charles B. Rangel was 94.

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CONNECTICUT (WTNH)  Connecticut state Sen. Saud Anwar (D-Conn.), who is in Iraq on a personal visit, says all airspace across the region has been shut down and his plans for return are uncertain in a Facebook video Thursday night.

Early Friday, Israel time, Israel attacked Irans capital, targeting the countrys nuclear and missile sites and killing at least two top military officers. Iran quickly retaliated, sending drones to Israel, according to The Associated Press.

Israel attacks Irans nuclear and missile sites, Iran responds with drone strikes

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In the Facebook video, Sen. Anwar said he was notified they had to leave Iraq by the U.S. consulate, but they learned the airspace in Iraq had been closed.

Hey everyone, Just a quick updateIve been in Iraq for the past few days, taking time to learn about the people here, their stories, and the profound impact of history, the spiritual history and spiritual sites here and also learn about the impacts of many conflict on their daily lives. With the recent advisories for U.S. citizens to leave the region, we adjusted our plans and chose Najaf as the safest route out. Unfortunately, due to the Israeli strike on Iran, the airspace across the region has been shut down, making departures uncertain. We are safe and holding steady. Return plans are in flux for nowhoping for calm, clarity, and solutions soon. Will keep you posted.  Connecticut Sen. Saud Anwar via Facebook.

He took the time to let people know that he is safe. He discussed how his plans quickly diverted and the uncertainty of return he and his wife face going forward.

I want the world to be a better place and for people to calm down, he said. I dont know when Ill be back, but as soon as Im back, looking forward to seeing all of my friends.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Three organizations want to block Portland General Electrics attempt to reverse the citys rejection of its Harborton Reliability Project.

Forest Park Conservancy, Forest Park Neighborhood Association and Bird Alliance of Oregon announced on Thursday that they had filed a motion to intervene in the utility companys appeal. PGE filed its notice of intent to appeal in late May, about a month after Portland City Council denied its proposal to axe 376 trees from five acres of Forest Park.

Documentary coming to Portland unpacks 80s music scenes connection with Vietnamese youth

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The company planned to remove the trees to make way for a new quarter-mile transmission line, and to upgrade a pre-existing line, on the 5,200-acre property. While PGE has claimed the project is urgently needed and the least impactful way to maintain reliable power, conservationists have argued it would hinder plant and animal communities.

We are disappointed that PGE has chosen to challenge the City Councils decision, FPC Executive Director Scott Fogarty said in a statement. We will continue to stand by our responsibility to protect Forest Park under long-standing policy and to represent the voices of our community.

The Urban Forestry Commission also expressed disapproval of the project earlier this year, saying it conflicts with Portlands 30-year-old plan for managing the parks natural resources. Commission co-chairs noted previous transmission line failures that have caused wildfires, although PGE has said the proposal could mitigate wildfire risks.

Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas

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Portland officials have received more than 3,000 comments in opposition to PGEs plan since January, according to the three organizations that filed the motion to intervene. A city hearings officer initially approved the proposal following a public hearing that same month, but FPC soon responded with an appeal of its own.

In their unanimous decision to reverse the hearings officers approval, councilors said the utility company failed to show how the project would provide a material carbon reduction.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Jun. 13AMSTERDAM  Anthony Constantino believes that New York Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar attempted to kill one of his political aides, further fallout from his contentious bid to represent the 21st Congressional District.

On Thursday, Constantino hosted a rally in the shadow of his Amsterdam factory  underneath the "Vote for Trump" sign he put up on the century-old building that marked his first foray into the political arena. In an hourlong speech to a crowd of a few hundred locals and fans of President Donald J. Trump, Constantino pilloried his political enemies, from the mayor and police chief of his home city to Kassar and the political leaders who oversaw the aborted NY-21 special election. Chief among his enemies, apparently, is the Conservative Party chairman.

Constantino, the CEO of custom printing company Sticker Mule, said that shortly after the 2024 election, when Trump nominated Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, to be his United Nations ambassador and he had thrown his hat into the ring as a potential nominee to fill Stefanik's seat, he got a threatening call.

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"'We intend to kill you,' the caller said, 'we will destroy you,' he continued," Constantino quoted from the podium. "Followed by, 'it's just business.' The call came from a political power broker who was very upset about my involvement in New York politics."

Constantino later identified the caller as Kassar, chair of the state Conservative Party, a downballot party that frequently works with the state Republican operation.

The Conservative Party acknowledged that Kassar had made the call. Party spokesperson William O'Reilly shared a one-sentence response when reached.

"We stand by our decision not to support him (Constantino)," O'Reilly said, adding that Constantino should share the full, unedited audio of the call.

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Throughout his speech, Constantino derided Kassar as a "New York City fat cat," who relied on the donations of Conservative Party members to live. He repeatedly derided Kassar for his weight and appearance.

"Fat Jerry, sorry, you're not supposed to say that, but you can make fun of people for their weight if they're fat because they eat with other people's money," Constantino said. "If he wasn't soaking in all the donations he'd probably look a little different."

Constantino played a short clip of the call, which he recorded. In it, Kassar tries to discourage Constantino from running in the special election in NY-21, telling him in no uncertain terms that he wasn't welcome in the race.

"We know what the Trump administration is looking for in Congress, there's plenty of Congress members that we've elected over the years," Kassar said. "You tell us what you think, about how we could be smarter, we'll just tell you to go f*** yourself."

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Kassar, in the call, questioned if Constantino would be able to flip voters or convince elected Congress members to take positions aligned with him. They added that Constantino, who was formerly a registered Democrat, didn't need to work to flip voters in NY-21, which has been a solid Republican seat.

"We don't anticipate losing this district," Kassar said. "There's three announced Republican candidates who are state legislators, there's Joe Pinion that's also announced."

He listed Sen. Daniel G. Stec and Assemblymen Robert Smullen and Chris Tague as interested Republicans in the district who were stronger candidates than Constantino, and said that Stefanik, Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson would also lend their input on the nominee. In New York special elections, the party chairs in the district with the congressional vacancy choose the party's nominee, giving the party's more senior members more than typical influence over the selection process.

The clip Constantino showed of the call appeared to cut after Kassar laid out the senior electeds who had their eyes on the election. Constantino said that he hasn't made public the entire call, but would release the full audio on his social media.

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Constantino had previously floated potentially running again in the general election next year if he wasn't the pick this year, or mounting an independent bid in the special election.

"Telling us that you're going to run in November, it's just a bigger reason why we have to kill you," Kassar said in the call.

"In November?" Constantino replied.

"If you decide to run, if you get knocked out of the special and you tell us you're gonna run in November, we're going to do everything in our power to make sure you're destroyed before you get to November," Kassar said. "It's just businesses, that's how we all do it."

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The clip ended there.

Constantino shared on Friday a 14 minute and 20 second audio recording of the call with Kassar that put his comments into further context. Constantino's clip shared Thursday had pulled primarily from the start of the call,focused on the most vitriolic of Kassar's comments. In one piece Constantino had edited out of his short clip, Kassar describes the process by which nominations would have been made, and invited Constantino to engage with the Conservative Party vetting team.

"For our people, they're going to ask you questions, ranging from tariffs to abortion, and they'll want to get the answers straight and then basically they'll give me a recommendation," Kassar said. He suggested Constantino not bring up the fact that he was registered to vote as a Democrat until late 2024.

"We expect the people we run to more than just support us, we expect them to be us," Kassar said, after informing Constantino that his registration was an issue.

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It was after this part of the conversation that Kassar said Constantino's messaging that he would seek to run in 2026 if not nominated by the GOP and Conservatives was a reason they'd "have to kill" him.

Constantino didn't react on the call, and continued to talk to Kassar for nearly 10 minutes from this point. After saying that the November independent run threat was a problem, Kassar said Constantino could have a chance at being the pick if he got an endorsement, either from Stefanik or Trump.

For the remainder of the call, Kassar and Constantino continue a relatively friendly conversation. Constantino repeatedly thanks Kassar for his frank opinions on his candidacy and perspective on what the anticipated special election would hinge on, and asks for more insight. Kassar expressed significant confidence that whoever among the mainstream candidates the GOP picked would win the election, and said that Constantino's argument that he can flip Democratic voters wasn't relevant.

"I can assure you President Trump is not that concerned about Democrats being flipped our way," Kassar said.

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Constantino said he ignored the call and suggestion Kassar would "kill" him, until recently when his press aide Paul Antonelli called him to report that his car's brake line had been cut. Constantino said Antonelli had taken the car to a local auto body shop and the owner informed him that the lines had been cut. He said there was no evidence of rusting or other damage to explain the break.

In his own speech Thursday, Antonelli said he was grateful to Constantino for defending him. The former candidate has secured private security to protect himself and his campaign. A team of black-suited men with earpieces milled around at Thursday's event.

Antonelli said he didn't realize his brakes were out until the pedal stopped working while he was on the Thruway, Interstate 90, going about 65 mph. He said he pulled into the New Baltimore rest stop after traveling for a few miles.

The New Baltimore rest stop is south of Albany on the Thruway, about 50 miles from Antonelli's registered address in Amsterdam, where he said the brake line was cut in the driveway of his home in the early morning of April 9. He said the car was towed to C.W Albright and Sons, which he identified as "Albright's Garage," about 17 miles from the rest stop.

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Antonelli said the police told him the leak was slow, allowing him to drive about 30 minutes before the brakes failed. He also shared a letter from automotive manager Bill Stafford specifying that the right rear brake hose was cut on Antonelli's 2002 Ford Explorer, in a pattern that did not indicate it was caused by normal wear and tear. Stafford confirmed Antonelli's accounting of the incident when reached Friday.

Constantino tied the timing of the break to a legal battle he's been fighting, against former NY-21 special election candidate Elizabeth "Liz" Joy. Joy had been supported by Kassar, alongside Stec and Tague, which angered Constantino. In April when Trump rescinded Stefanik's U.N. ambassador nomination, Constantino and Antonelli took out a full-page ad in the Schenectady newspaper listing "winners and losers" of the aborted special election. Among the losers were Joy and Kassar. Joy subsequently sued both Constantino and Antonelli for defamation.

"It seems highly likely that Paul's brake lines being cut later was related to my disruption of New York politics, the New York political establishment. Paul related his concerns about Chairman Kassar, Liz Joy, and others to the Amsterdam police, who sat on the case for a week," Constantino said.

Constantino called for the resignation of Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti and the police chief over the issue. He has also been fighting the city for months over his "Vote for Trump" sign and subsequent plans to build a Trump memorial park in the shadow of the sign.

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Amsterdam Police Chief Joseph Spencer did not return a request for comment.

Joy, Constantino's former rival for the NY-21 GOP nod for office, slammed Constantino for his continued fighting with her and other political players.

"Anthony Constantino has spent months leveling baseless accusations against well respected and hard working New York Republican and Conservative leaders, local law enforcement, a local zoning board, potential NY-21 candidates and business owners, claiming they're all corrupt and out to personally get him," she said. "However, the truth is he's struggled to gain political traction. Many opinions widely published view him as unstable, prone to making outlandish claims and exhibiting paranoid behavior."

She derided his event as a "Facebook Live," delivered from a "poorly attended parking lot," and said it is an example of why local leaders don't line up to support Constantino.

Constantino made clear on Thursday evening that he will continue to be an active player in New York politics. He said he will spend "millions" of his own money to elect Republican and Conservative candidates across the state, working with Republicans for National Renewal, an organization that works to elect people with "traditional conservative values with nationalist and populist ideas."

Constantino also didn't rule out a future congressional run.

"It's a fluid situation, so we'll see what happens," he said. "I just want to be helpful."
SCRANTON  A local construction firm is suing the owner of the recently opened Office-themed Chilis in Dickson City for over $100,000 in unpaid invoices.

But, in a formal response, Chilis owners say they did not request the work in question be done and they were billed at an inflated rate for the additional work.

Chilis Grill & Bar opened April 7 at 3905 Commerce Blvd., shortly after completion of construction. The Texas-based casual dining chains first Lackawanna County location drew interest from fans of The Office, which repeatedly referenced the restaurant in its NBC mockumentary set in Scranton  even though there was never a Chilis in the real Scranton.

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Brian Baumgartner, who played accountant Kevin Malone on The Office, and Kate Flannery, who played Meredith Palmer, pose in front of the Chilis Scranton Branch chalk mural that will greet diners in Dickson City. (COURTESY OF CHILIS)

Lawsuit filed

In a lawsuit filed April 23 in Lackawanna County Court against Chilis owner MSP Properties of Pennsylvania, Don Scartelli Construction Services and General Contractors Inc. claims the firm did work beyond the initial proposal at the request of MSP Properties.

According to the lawsuit:

Scartelli Construction accepted requests from MSP to do additional work through phone calls, texts and emails and it performed the work on weekends, during emergencies and in challenging winter weather conditions.

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Scartelli submitted invoices for the additional work, by mutual agreement of both parties.

The nature and kind of work that was finished by Scartelli Construction includes, but is not limited to, furnishing and installing silt socks, supply and installation of subbase, storm water pipe repairs, saw cutting  and removal of old paving and subbase, the suit states.

Owner Don Scartelli is requesting the court grant his company an amount in excess of $104,783, plus interest, attorneys fees, costs and other relief as the court deems equitable and just.

MSP Properties tells a different story about the terms of the original proposal and of additional work performed.

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MSP denies it made requests for additional work from Scartelli by phone, text or emails. It also denies Scartelli was granted carte blanche when it came to additional labor and material costs.

In a legal response to Scartellis lawsuit, MSP alleges Scartelli Construction completed work without MSPs approval or involvement and that Scartelli unilaterally performed and invoiced the defendant for services and at a grossly inflated rate.

MSP also takes issue with Scartellis assertion that work was performed on an emergency basis, on the weekend or in challenging winter weather conditions.

On the contrary, Scartelli wasnt authorized to perform work outside the scope of the original proposal unless both parties agreed to the work and its cost before invoices were issued, MSP alleged in its official response.

MSP alleges Scartelli committed fraud by billing outside the scope of the original agreement at grossly inflated rates.

MSP claims it is justified in non payment of the fraudulent invoices.
Israels decision to launch a wide-scale military operation against Iran may have come as a shock to many, but its something Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been itching to do for more than decade. The question now is whether President Trump will end up sustaining an Israeli bombing campaign that could last for days, if not weeks.

The fact that Israel conducted the operation several days before Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was scheduled to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman wasnt lost on most observers.

Netanyahu hasn't been particularly supportive of the Trump administrations diplomatic outreach to the Iranians and reportedly pressed the White House to green-light joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Tehrans nuclear facilities last month. Trump demurred, choosing diplomacy instead, but Netanyahu seems never to have believed the talks would result in anything substantial.

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Read more: Israel attacks Iran's capital; blasts rock Tehran

Israels negotiating position has long been entirely maximalist: Every nuclear complex on Iranian soil must be destroyed, and under no circumstances could Iran be left with even a rudimentary uranium enrichment capability. Trumps position isn't as definitive as Netanyahus. At times, U.S. officials have talked about striking a deal that would allow the Iranians to continue enriching at a low level with strict, comprehensive international oversight. At other times, Trump has declared that Washington wouldnt sign any deal that allowed Iran to enrich at all.

Various proposals have been floated in the months since those negotiations began, including a regional nuclear consortium involving Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other powers, which could prevent an indigenous Iranian enrichment program but still supply the region with peaceful nuclear energy, and also stem the possibility of an arms race in the Middle East. The Iranians, however, didn't buy into the idea that no enrichment would be permitted on Iranian soil.

Read more: Israel launches withering attack on Iran, spurring retaliation and fears of all-out war

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Israels military attack upends the diplomatic chessboard, such as it is, turning the last few months of U.S.-Iran discussions into empty theater. Trump claims he knew what Israel was up to all along and congratulated Netanyahu on the attack. That alone makes it difficult to imagine Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei authorizing his subordinates to continue discussions with the Americans. Doing so would be a very public act of weakness on Tehrans part.

Even so, the White House still expects Iranian officials to show up for the next round of talks. As Trump argued after the initial Israeli salvo, Iran is in no position to refuse anymore. I couldn't get them to a deal in 60 days, Trump said , referring to the Iranians. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.

In reality, what we are likely to see instead is a collapse of the current diplomatic process and a situation that will be far messier to handle.

Israeli political and military officials have made it abundantly clear that military operations will persist well into next week and perhaps go on even longer than that. The Iranians, in turn, will feel pressure to continue to retaliate with each passing day, whether its in the form of drones and missiles aimed at Israels air defenses, terrorist attacks on Western targets or sabotaging cargo vessels in the Persian Gulf. In any case, the Middle East is as close to a full-scale war as it has ever been.

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Read more: What to know about Iran's nuclear sites

This is a critical moment for the Trump administration, and how it chooses to act in the hours and days ahead will be the determining factor in whether the United States gets dragged into another regional conflagration or not.

Israel will do what it believes it needs to do to maintain its security. Even assuming Trump would try to pressure Netanyahu into stopping the bombings  the evidence for that scenario is slim  its hardly guaranteed the Israeli premier would listen. For better or worse, Israels strategic calculus has changed after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Netanyahu is now far less risk-adverse than during his previous stints in office.

The United States can only control what it can control. As much as Trump might like to see the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism hammered, he also doesnt want to aid a conflict that could expose tens of thousands of U.S. troops based in the Middle East to imminent risk. Besides, any U.S. involvement in offensive Israeli military operations would be a betrayal of Trumps core supporters and his campaign promises to avoid the fruitless, unending wars. In addition, U.S. offensive involvement would kill any grand diplomatic ambitions Trump may have in the Middle East and nip in the bud the administrations pivot to the Indo-Pacific as China tries to consolidate its power in Asia.

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Sometimes, the best response to a dangerous situation is to do nothing. It wont satisfy the more hawkish elements in Washington, but lets hope Trump holds his fire.

Daniel R. DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities.

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.
New state legislation designed to help Floridians prepare for and rebuild after devastating storms could instead end up making resilient reconstruction more difficult.

What's happening?

According to reporting by writers from the Miami Herald and Bradenton Herald published in late May by multiple outlets, including the Tampa Bay Times, Senate Bill 180, if signed into law, would provide for further training of emergency teams and a more efficient permitting process to smooth rebuilding.

However, the bill might also get in the way of Floridians rebuilding stronger homes after hurricane damage. A building code freeze included in the legislation could allow developers to construct new homes under the same codes that left properties vulnerable in the first place.

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Additionally, the bill would increase flood insurance rates for "more than 44,000 Floridians" in a dozen communities.

Kim Dinkins, policy and planning director at the nonpartisan nonprofit 1000 Friends of Florida, said of the bill, "It's shortsighted."

"We said that we want to be more resilient," Dinkins told the local reporters. "When is the time going to be to do that if you can't do anything right after a storm?"

Senate Bill 180 was passed by both the House and Senate "with nearly unanimous support." To become law, it would still need to be signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Why are stronger structures important for vulnerable communities?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted "above-normal hurricane activity" for this Atlantic hurricane season. Experts are forecasting between 13 and 19 total named storms due to factors like "warmer than average ocean temperatures" and the possibility of higher West African Monsoon activity.

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Generally speaking, hurricanes are a part of typical weather patterns. But human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have contributed significantly to an overheated planet, thereby supercharging storms. Warmer ocean and atmospheric temperatures are driving more extreme weather events. A study published in February indicates that hurricanes are likely to become more intense and more frequent in the Atlantic and East Pacific Oceans, putting communities at risk. Inland areas are also increasingly in danger.

Systems and structures improved for resilience could help residents navigate these storms and their aftermath, especially in areas where hurricanes hit each year, making them harder and harder to recover from. Many in Florida are still trying to rebuild after previous storms. Stronger standards for resilient construction might help them going forward  weaker standards and higher insurance costs almost assuredly won't.

NOAA reported $182.7 billion in damages from weather and climate-related disasters in 2024. Last year's Hurricane Helene, regarded as the deadliest in the contiguous United States since 2005's Hurricane Katrina, caused about $80 billion in damage in the U.S.

What can be done to protect and restore vulnerable communities?

In mid-May, Paul Owens, president of 1000 Friends of Florida, published an editorial in the Orlando Sentinel stating that "with a two-thirds majority in both houses, the presiding officers could expand the [legislative] agenda to address the existential threat to local land-use planning in Florida, while preserving the good elements in SB 180."

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While state legislators may still have options to retain the parts of the bill with the potential to save rather than cost residents money and damage, DeSantis may also simply decline to sign the bill as written. As events unfold, Floridians might continue to share their opinions about the legislation with their elected officials.

Regardless of what may happen with SB 180, there's more that can and must be done.

Residents can voice support for pro-environment policies, such as those prioritizing resilient infrastructure and ecological restoration. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended coastal protections like a living shoreline created with plants, reefs, and other natural barriers to reduce erosion and flooding.

Residents will also want to prepare for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. NOAA has released guidance to help communities get ready, suggesting steps like developing a safe evacuation plan, assembling disaster supplies, and weatherizing homes to reduce damage and even lower energy costs.

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.
This photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows the therapeutic equipment developed by Chengdu Xinnao Technology Co., Ltd. in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)

by Yi Ling and Yu Li

CHENGDU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- In a sunlit therapy room at Chengdu Xinnao Technology Co., Ltd. in southwest China's Sichuan Province, a five-year-old boy surnamed Chen bursts into giggles as his favorite cartoon character waves back, a response triggered by brain signals decoded through his headset.

A moment that might seem ordinary for most children feels like a miracle to Chen's family from Gansu Province, and a profound relief for Feng Rui, founder of the high-tech company dedicated to harnessing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for autism intervention.

China's 13 million people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as reported by the China Disabled Persons' Federation in 2023, face a harsh reality. Most receive little to no standardized therapy due to a shortage of specialists and the high cost of treatment.

Feng, a 45-year-old bioengineer turned entrepreneur, is determined to change this equation.

He likens the brain's neural networks to a sprawling highway system. "In children with autism, some 'routes' are disconnected, others congested with excessive signals. This disrupts their ability to process social cues, language, and sensory inputs," he explained.

These biological roadblocks, long obscured by the brain's complexity, have confounded global efforts to address both early diagnosis and the development of effective, accessible treatment, Feng said.

Worldwide, about 80 million people with ASD live with a condition where traditional therapies often require years of costly behavioral training, with results that frequently diminish over time, Feng noted, adding that his team is working to address the root cause by targeting irregular neural pathways in the brain.

Co-developed with researchers from the Chengdu-based University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), their approach focuses on identifying autism-specific biomarkers in neural activity through noninvasive, AI-driven analysis.

Key to this innovation is a diagnostic headset, the Quick-20r, equipped with 19 flexible electrodes that map brainwaves in real time.

"Unlike traditional wet EEG (electroencephalogram) systems requiring gel and clinical settings, our dry sensors capture neural 'traffic patterns' as children engage with tasks," Feng said.

These signals feed into algorithms combining deep learning and neuroimaging to detect disrupted circuits linked to social communication.

The headset achieves 91.67 percent diagnostic accuracy without the discomfort of traditional conductive gels, Feng said. "For toddlers as young as two, this ease of use is critical."

A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device, resembling an infinity symbol, uses AI to map abnormal neural circuits before delivering targeted magnetic pulses to recalibrate those pathways.

"Think of it as performing precision road repairs on faulty neural highways. In the end, it's like tuning the brain to restore harmony in chaotic neural orchestras," Feng said.

The toolkit has already served over 2,000 children worldwide.

"After treatment, we've observed significant changes in the amygdala structure on the right side of the children's brains, with alterations in functional networks as well," Feng added.

In addition to leveraging these technological devices, Feng's team integrates traditional treatment methods to develop a complete solution.

Next to their instruments, the company has set up several therapy rooms where staff provide additional treatments using language, social interaction, and music for children with autism.

TECH WINS, LOVE CONQUERS

Recalling his career, Feng said the turning point came during a 2021 charity event for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

At that time, his team offered a free month-long treatment to 30 children with autism, with many showing significant improvements in social interaction and communication halfway through the treatment cycle.

However, the parents collectively voiced their concerns: "If there are no fees, what will happen to future treatments?" and "Will we be abandoned after this?"

"Their trust and concerns propelled us to industrialize the technology," said Feng, who established his company in 2022 with government backing.

Feng underlined that Chengdu's unique blend of academic resources -- from UESTC's engineering prowess to renowned West China Hospital of Sichuan University's clinical expertise -- has created fertile ground for BCI development.

Municipal support goes beyond funding, with local government actively linking innovators to healthcare institutions, while recent matchmaking events in Beijing have opened doors to national collaborations.

Recognized as a national outstanding case of technology-assisted disability support by the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the BCI technology for autism intervention now operates in over 30 hospitals nationwide.

With treatments effective for 80 percent of patients, Feng aims to develop therapies for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and depression next. At the same time, his devices are being shown alongside big tech companies' products at innovation events in Chengdu, highlighting their importance beyond just healthcare.

"Brain-computer interfaces could change how smart cities and education work," he said, stressing that for now, the main focus is on improving the autism treatment.

"We are also establishing the largest brain network database for age-appropriate children nationwide, which places us at the forefront in the industry," he added.

Looking back on the years of work, Feng said this spring has been the most memorable, filled with good news from the children receiving treatment.

A Swedish boy who had shown little progress with European therapies spoke his first word, "Mama," after completing a treatment cycle developed by Feng's company. Another six-year-old Japanese boy moved from relying on sedation to sleeping naturally within weeks; meanwhile, a girl from Lanzhou in northwest China is now navigating friendships at elementary school, milestones that once seemed out of reach for children labeled "untreatable."

"Every brain's wiring is unique, but love and patience are always a way of connecting minds," Feng said. Enditem

(Xinhua's correspondents Li Qianwei and Xue Chen in Chengdu also contribute to the story.)

This photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows the therapeutic equipment developed by Chengdu Xinnao Technology Co., Ltd. in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)

This photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows an interior view of Chengdu Xinnao Technology Co., Ltd. in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)

This photo taken on June 6, 2025 shows Feng Rui, founder of the high-tech company dedicated to harnessing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology for autism intervention, in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xue Chen)
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

BRIGHAM CITY, Utah (ABC4)  In Davis and Weber Counties, residents are raising concerns over a convicted stalker being out on the streets again. 49-year-old Chad Flittons name is resurfacing following a recent arrest on June 7th.

Court documents say a Brigham City Police officer responded to a request to trespass a man at a business in Brigham City. When he located the man, he identified him as Flitton and arrested him for violating a protective order.

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The protective order had a stipulation that prevented him from possessing any weapons, along with the possession and use of drugs. Flitton was allegedly found with a katana-style sword in his possession and what the officer believed to be methamphetamine.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man with previous stalking convictions charged again, bail set at $50,000

ABC4 covered his appearance in a Davis County courtroom to face felony stalking charges in 2019. At the time, he was already convicted of stalking in September 2017.

Flitton pleaded guilty to following several teenagers around a Harmons in Farmington in 2019. One victim from the case spoke with ABC4, but wanted to keep her identity a secret.

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I noticed that this guy was following us, and I got really uncomfortable, and I just knew something wasnt right. And we walked up to go to the bathroom, and I didnt want to go alone. So two of our other friends came with me, the anonymous victim said.

She and her friends were in 8th grade at the time. The anonymous victim said that Flitton had a disturbing reason that they were being followed by him.

We were in the elevator, and he ended up in the elevator with us, and he said God had sent him to us to have sex with us, and then we walked up into the bathroom and he tried to get into our bathroom, she said.

READ NEXT: Riverdale man charged with sexually assaulting, giving alcohol to underage teen, documents say

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The anonymous victim shared that they made it away from him safely, but the justice system needs to change to protect victims like her and her friends.

God was on our side, and we locked the door as fast as we could in that bathroom, and then we called 911. So its pretty scary that someone like him is out, the victim stated. I think the justice system definitely is failing women around this area.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
By Joan Faus and Corina Pons

BARCELONA (Reuters) -Activists against overtourism are planning protests across Spain, Portugal and Italy on Sunday, with one group urging people to bring water pistols to the demonstration in Barcelona.

Anger has been growing in southern Europe against what protesters say are excessive levels of tourism that they complain are forcing locals out of affordable accommodation, pushing up living costs and clogging up city centres.

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International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11% to $838 billion this year, with Spain and France among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists.

Protests are planned in Barcelona and seven other Spanish cities, including Granada, Palma and Ibiza; Portugal's capital Lisbon; and the Italian cities of Venice, Genova, Palermo, Milan and Naples, according to announcements issued by several of the organising groups.

Organisers, some of whom dismiss the counterargument that tourism brings jobs and prosperity, told Reuters that they wanted to build on scattered protests across Spain last year with the coordinated day of action.

They are joining forces with groups in Portugal and Italy under the umbrella of the SET alliance - Sud d'Europa contra la Turistitzacio, or Southern Europe against Overtourism - Daniel Pardo Rivacoba, spokesperson for Barcelona's Neighbourhoods Assembly for Tourism Degrowth, said.

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Some 26 million tourists swelled Barcelona's 1.6-million population in 2024. A survey conducted by Barcelona last year showed that 31% of residents considered tourism to be damaging, the highest figure on record.

"When they (officials) say that we have to specialise in tourism, they are basically telling us that you have to get poorer so that other people can get richer," Pardo Rivacoba said, complaining of low pay and poor or non-existent contracts.

ANTI-TOURIST GRAFFITI

Graffiti saying "Tourists go home" has become an increasingly common sight across the Mediterranean city and Barcelona's tourism agency was spray painted on Thursday with a message about the planned protest.

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The agency said in an open letter published on Friday: "If you hear someone from Barcelona say, 'Tourists, go home', you should know that most of us don't think that way."

It said the city welcomed tourists because they brought diversity, while underscoring the challenges brought by mass tourism and the measures taken to address them, such as a ban on tourist apartments and an ongoing tourism tax.

Barcelona, which depends on tourism for 15% of its GDP, announced last year it would shut all short-term lets by 2028. The mayor said at the time rents had risen by 68% in the past 10 years and the cost of buying a house had risen by 38%, becoming a driver of inequality, especially among young people.

Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, head of vacation rental platform Airbnb for Iberia, said this week that Barcelona's restrictions scapegoated short-lets, which he said can help redistribute visitor flows to less crowded parts of a city.

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Catalonia's Socialist president also announced the expansion of Barcelona's airport this week, saying it was critical for the airport to become a major hub for intercontinental connections, drawing further condemnation from campaigners.

Demonstrators have been urged to bring water pistols to the Barcelona protest, Pardo Rivacoba said, after groups squirted tourists last year in a protest that was criticised by the government and travel companies.

A Catalonia regional police source said the force would guarantee the right to protest and citizens' right to move freely, but declined to comment further.

The protest in Venice looks set to be more low-key, with one organiser saying members would display banners in two locations to denounce the impact of overtourism. "Each city in the SET network organises a demonstration in its own way," they said.

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While residents in Rome or Venice have staged anti-tourism protests, in poorer southern Italy a tourism boom is helping make some neighbourhoods safer and bringing much-needed cash.

(Reporting by Joan Faus; Additional reporting by Corina Pons and Giselda Vagnoni; Editing by Aislinn Laing and Alison Williams)
MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell will face no further action after being interviewed by police following a pro-Palestinian rally.

McDonnell said the pair had been questioned by officers after taking part in the demonstration in central London in January.

He told MPs: "It was alleged that we failed to follow police restrictions on the protest. This is untrue, and at all times we followed police instructions".

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Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the Metropolitan Police of "picking on us two as members of Parliament".

A rally involving several thousand people took place in Whitehall in January after police blocked plans to hold a march from Portland Place, near the headquarters of the BBC.

Police had imposed a condition on the organisers of the rally under the Public Order Act that prevented them gathering outside the corporation's headquarters because of its close proximity to a synagogue and a risk there could be "serious disruption" as congregants attended services.

A further condition required the rally to be confined to Whitehall.

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Speaking in the Commons on Friday, McDonnell said: "We can now report that the police have dropped the case against us, and there will be no charges".

He added that in correspondence with their solicitor, the Met had "informed us that our case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service because as MPs we were to be held to have, and I quote, a 'greater culpability'".

"This is an unacceptable practice that flies in the face of the principle that we are all equal before the law," he added.

"I wish to place on record my concern about this behaviour by the Metropolitan Police".

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Speaking after him, Corbyn said: "I saw this whole effort as being a means to try and silence the democratic rights of everyone in our society by picking on us two as members of Parliament".

Former Labour leader Corbyn was re-elected as an independent MP for Islington North after losing the Labour whip in 2020.

Hayes and Harlington MP McDonnell currently sits as an independent, after Labour suspended the whip from him for in July 2024 for voting against the government over child benefit rules.

In a statement on social media, the pair also called for charges to be dropped against Christopher Nineham, 63, of Tower Hamlets, and Benjamin Jamal, 61, who are facing trial next month on public order charges following the protest.

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A Met spokesperson said: "No further action will be taken against nine people who were interviewed as part of an investigation into alleged breaches of Public Order Act conditions during a protest on Saturday 18 January.

"The decision in two cases was taken following a review of the evidence by the Crown Prosecution Service, while the remaining seven cases were decided on by police officers.

"Two men have been charged with breaching the same conditions as well as inciting others to do so. They will stand trial next month. A further two individuals remain under investigation."

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Following a thorough review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have decided not to bring criminal charges against two men, aged 76 and 73.

"We have concluded that the case did not meet the evidential test to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against the two men."
After deliberating for just over three hours on Thursday, a jury of 12 Crawford County residents found Shawn A. Cranston guilty in the murder of 23-year-old Rebekah Byler of Spartansburg and her unborn child during a burglary on Feb. 26, 2024.

When he encountered Byler inside her residence in a rural area south of Spartansburg just after 10 a.m., Cranston brutally stabbed her, inflicting nine knife wounds to her neck, then shot her in the lower left forehead, according to testimony and evidence presented at the four-day trial. He then left her on the floor of her home as her 2-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son remained nearby. Bylers female fetus, which was approximately 21 to 25 weeks along, died about four to six minutes later.

It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home, Attorney General Dave Sunday said. Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven  this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.

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The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General took over the case from the short-staffed Crawford County District Attorneys office last fall due to its additional resources.

The verdict came after prosecutors piled on evidence, calling 19 witnesses and showing jurors more than 120 supporting exhibits. Among the evidence were shoeprints and tire impressions consistent with shoes and tires used by Cranston; GPS logs, cellphone data and security camera videos offering extensive details of his activities on the day of the murder; testimony from another jail inmate who said Cranston confessed to the crime; and a small piece from a synthetic rubber glove bearing Cranstons DNA that was found in Bylers kitchen trash can.

In the end, the sheer quantity of evidence pointing to Cranstons presence in the home, his alleged history of similar burglaries at Amish homes and his apparent attempts to cover up what he had done far outweighed any doubts raised by the complete absence of the gun used in the attack, the lack of a definitive identification of the knife used to stab Byler, and the fact that there was no evidence of Bylers blood being discovered on Cranstons shoes or other items of his found by police.

In a closing argument that lasted approximately 45 minutes and was accompanied by a slideshow presentation, Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry led jurors through a systematic review of nearly three full days of testimony. Moments after defense attorney Louis Emmi had tried to question the significance of the glove scrap and the methods used to collect DNA from it, Lowry highlighted the item.

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Putting on rubber gloves of his own, Lowry held up to the jurors the black material covered with what witnesses described as a fish-scale pattern.

This puts that man at the crime scene, he said, his intensity and volume increasing. This puts that man inside Rebekah Bylers home.

Describing Cranston as cold beyond cold, Lowry reminded jurors of the savage nature of the attack that killed Byler and said that Cranston could simply have turned around and left upon encountering Byler in a house he expected to be empty.

Think about how cold this is, he told the jury. We have a word for this  cold as cold can be  people who can do this in front of two children and then go to a gas station as though nothing had happened.

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After repeatedly pointing to Cranston as he reviewed the evidence, Lowry revealed the word he had in mind as he finished his presentation with his arms extended wide to each side like a concert conductor marshaling the force of all the players in front of him.

It becomes clear that the defendant is a murderer, he concluded, and we would ask you to find him guilty of all charges.

Through much of Lowrys closing statement, Andy Byler, the husband who found his wife, Rebekah, upon returning home shortly after noon on the day she was killed, leaned forward on a bench in the courtroom behind the jury, nearly doubling over as he held his head in his hands.

Lowrys methodical march through the states witnesses came after Emmi rested the defenses case without calling any witnesses or offering any evidence. In a 23-minute closing argument that immediately preceded Lowrys presentation, Emmi led jurors on a meandering journey through reasons to be skeptical of certain evidence and possible alternative explanations to the interpretations of events offered by the prosecution.

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Acknowledging that it was a hard question, Emmi directly addressed the question he assumed jurors must be asking themselves: Why is that glove there?

After questioning the methods used to collect the DNA and drawing attention to the presence of a small amount of DNA from an unknown person that was on the glove scrap along with Cranstons DNA, Emmi raised another question about the glove.

Theres something interesting about that glove and no one talked about it, not even me, he said. Why, if its such a horrific, violent scene, is there nothing of Rebekah Bylers on it?

Apologizing with a brief look to the nearly 40 spectators who filled the courtroom, many of them Amish, Emmi remained focused on the bloody nature of the crime scene and contrasted it with the piece of synthetic rubber glove found in the trash can.

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But again, no blood, he said of the scrap. Why not? Why isnt there blood on that glove? Why isnt there blood on those sneakers?

He later returned to the sneakers as well. If Cranston, a Corry resident, was driving around the rural areas surrounding the city for hours disposing of evidence, as the prosecution suggested, why wouldnt he also dispose of sneakers that might have blood on them? And if Cranston did indeed wear the sneakers when he killed Byler, why didnt the sneakers have blood on them?

Having raised various questions without offering an explanation for why a piece of glove with Cranstons DNA on it was in the Bylers kitchen, Emmi reminded jurors, Its not my job to prove anything, not my clients job.

Even the extensive security video that the state compiled of Cranston on the day of the murder should raise questions, Emmi argued to the jury, pointing to video of Cranston at a Country Fair convenience store in Corry later that day. The supposed perpetrator of this heinous murder appears in the video with no blood on his clothes, Emmi said, and appears very calm as though he is on a walk in the park.

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Emmi made a similar attempt to appeal to the jurys skepticism in recalling Joseph Burch, the witness who told the jury Cranston described the killing to him when both were imprisoned in Crawford County jail.

Is it logical that hes going to go into a jail and tell a person he doesnt know, I did all these things? the defense attorney asked.

But where Emmi spent most of his effort raising questions, Lowry encouraged the jury of seven women and five men to use their common sense in addressing any skepticism they might experience.

His DNA was at the residence because the defendant was at the residence, he said, later adding in a voice that steadily rose in intensity, We have an abundance of evidence that all points and all fits that he killed Rebekah Byler.

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In the end, there seemed to be little skepticism on the part of jury members. Just two hours and 20 minutes after beginning their deliberations  a period that included the designation of a foreman and a working lunch  jury members emerged with several questions regarding the difference between first and second degree charges of murder of an unborn child.

Does the perpetrator (alleged) have to know she was pregnant to get charged for murder in the first degree in fetal case? Judge Francis Schultz said, reading one of the questions.

The attention to the distinction suggested the jury had already arrived at a guilty verdict on the murder of unborn child charge and was merely trying to settle on the particular grading of the charge.

Less than 45 minutes later, the jury was back in the courtroom with its verdict. At 2:37 p.m., the foreman announced that Cranston was guilty of a first-degree felony in the murder of Rebekah Byler and a second-degree felony in the murder of Bylers fetus. He was also found guilty of burglary, a first-degree felony, and criminal trespass, a third-degree felony.

A sentencing hearing in the case will be held July 28 before Schultz.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Abide by the law  but understand it could cost you your freedom.

Thats the warning immigration attorneys are giving clients who show up for court in Shelby County.

WREG has told you about the ICE agents who have shown up at the court, arresting people on the spot once their cases are disposed of.

You wouldnt know the court was taking place at 80 Monroe Avenue, but most mornings and afternoons, Immigration Court is in full force on the 5th and 8th floors of the downtown Memphis building.

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Attorney says 8 arrested in immigration court

Attorney Andrew Rankin has been representing clients here for years, but says recently, he has witnessed something never seen before.

These pictures show what happens to people who are trying to do the right thing by showing up to their immigration hearing, said Attorney Rankin.

Eight people were detained on May 22.

Taking away a single mother who doesnt even have a traffic ticket. There is no comparable in my professional career. I dont even know what I would compare this to if I tried, said Rankin.

Attempted arrest made in Nutbush was not immigration-related, says SCSO

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WREG sat in on Judge Russos afternoon docket. The courtroom is small, and the defendants were brought in one at a time.

Most dont speak English and have to use an interpreter. Many of their attorneys arent in the courtroom and appear virtually.

WREG didnt see anyone detained for the hour when in the courtroom.

Most or almost all of the arrests are going to take place in the morning so that they can process them in Memphis around the lunchtime hour, maybe early afternoon, and then the transport comes to get them down to Louisiana, said Rankin.

He says judges are dismissing cases and telling defendants they are free to go.

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They exit the immediate courtroom, and then theyre taken into custody, either just outside the door or in the hallway leading to the exit, said Rankin.

What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

He says they are then taken off to an ICE office near the airport.

Because there are no bed facilities in Memphis, the detainees have to be taken hours away to Louisiana, the closest detention center, where they restart the deportation proceedings.

Restart your case under a different proceeding that allows us to get you out quicker, and that provides fewer rights for you to challenge whats going on, said Rankin.

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We were told it happens quickly, and families can be left torn apart. One downtown worker witnessed it.

And like a mom was crying as she was getting put in, and her kid and I assume her husband was shooed away, said a witness.

They know they know if you dont show up to court, youre going to get ordered deported. They dont need an attorney to tell you that they know that, but they also dont want to go to court and voluntarily cause their own arrest, said Rankin.

Man accused of carjacking WREG reporter arrested

Attorneys said they are left in a quagmire as they advise their clients that they legally have to show up for their court date, but also alert them of the risks.

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You also have to advise them of the landscape right? The entire landscape, said Matthew Orr, immigration attorney. I think that at the end of the day. An attorneys job is to help their client make informed decisions. Its not to make decisions for the client.

I am ethical. I advise people of what the law is. You know that thats my job. The law is that if youre ordered to show up for a hearing, youre ordered to show up for a hearing but, on the other hand, it would be disingenuous to look someone in the eyes and tell them that theyre gonna go home and see their kids tonight, said Orr.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security said this is a part of the new Trump Administration implementing the rule of law.

Illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. in the last 2 years are subject to expedited removals. ICE is now following the law and placing them in that expedited removal process.

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Attorneys told WREG that ICE agents first started showing up at courts on the West Coast, and said this was a national rollout that has now made it to Memphis.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Iran has initiated a forceful counterattack on Tel Aviv, just as the dust had begun to settle on Israels first round of strikes on Tehran, an operation to wipe out the Iranian regime's nuclear capabilities.

Tel Aviv residents were instructed to remain in bomb shelters Friday evening until further notice as the Israeli Defense Forces intercepted an onslaught of missile attacks from Tehran.

The U.S. is left to wonder whether it will be drawn into the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at first insisted the American government was not involved in the strikes, but President Donald Trumps comments Friday suggest he didnt oppose them.

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Iran claimed that Israels "aggression against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States."

Global Calls To Avoid Escalation Pour In After Israeli Strikes On Iran

If Iran is acting rationally, it has no reason to provoke America into joining offensive attacks on behalf of its ally Israel.

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But what if it isnt?

"I hope and pray the Iranians don't hit Americans but  it's going to be very hard for the regime to not hit back and not hit back big," one former Pentagon official said. "All indications are they feel like they're going to have to hit back hard."

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Another analyst echoed that point but emphasized the emotional toll on Iran's leadership.

"You're talking about human beings who just watched their country get attacked, and a lot of their close advisors, confidants, probably friends get killed, right?" said Rosemary Kelanic, director of the Middle East Program at Defense Priorities. "That's a tough thing for Iran to actually muster to do, but that's clearly the right move for them strategically."

Iranians havent been afraid to attack the U.S. before: they tried to kill Trump and his former advisors Mike Pompeo and John Bolton over the Qassem Soleimani assassination for years.

Irans ability to strike U.S. targets in the region is no secret: It has missiles and drones capable of reaching American bases in Iraq, Syria and the Gulf. And, as Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum, noted, it has already demonstrated a willingness to use them.

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"Iran has the ability to use its missile program and its drones to strike at the United States and its bases in the region and in Israel," Roman said. "It has threatened to do so."

But a bigger concern is sleeper cells  Irans ability to operate through proxies even within the U.S.

"Thats what Im most worried about," said Roman.

Trump Faces Critical Decision As Middle East Teeters On Brink Of War

"Iran has demonstrated that it has the capability to establish infrastructure here in the United States," said Joe Truzman, senior research analyst with FDDs Long War Journal. "Whether thats through agents they hire, a proxy force like Hezbollah, or sleeper agents its definitely a possibility."

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A former Pentagon official pointed to Irans massive missile arsenal  including more cruise and ballistic missiles than the U.S. has interceptors globally.

"If Iran really decides to throw in its missile force,  they could really do a lot of damage," one former official said. "Particularly in Iraq and Syria, where a lot of our smaller bases are not well defended  not covered by Patriots or THAADs."

Iran has a chokehold on Iraqs Shiite military forces: They are the regimes strongest proxy at the moment. The U.S. has around 2,000 forces stationed in Iraq to fight terrorism and this week evacuated non-essential embassy staff and their families from the embassy there.

"Iran may choose to direct its proxy forces in Iraq or Yemen to begin increasing pressure on the U.S. by attacking American targets," said Truzman, "to build up enough pressure to compel the U.S. to stop carrying out attacks."

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How Close Was Iran To A Nuclear Weapon Before Israels Strike On Tehran?

For now, Iran appears to be aiming its retaliation primarily at Israel  not the U.S. "Right now, most of Iran's violent rhetoric and their attention is on attacking Israeli targets," said Truzman. "At this point, I don't think Iran wants to provoke the U.S."

Still, the situation remains fluid. "A lot depends on how Iran perceives the United States involvement in this conflict right now," he added. "The longer this conflict drags on, its very likely the U.S. military will get more involved."

Beni Sabti, Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies, said that right now, "its convenient for Israel, Iran and for the U.S. for Iran to leave the U.S. alone."

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Kelanic warned that Israel may have made a grave miscalculation. "I think this is a huge strategic mistake by Israel," she said. "I'm worried they're going to drag the United States into this giant mess."

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The U.S. is all but guaranteed to get involved at least in a defensive posture to help Israel repel Irans countermoves, and Ayatollah Alli Khamenei has vowed to bring Israel "to its knees." The U.S. coordinated closely with Israel to fend off Irans last two counterattacks in April and October last year.

"The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed from this crime," Khamenei threatened in a televised address on Friday.





Original article source: Could the US be targeted as Iran retaliates against Israel?
A council has stood by its backing for plans to expand a technology park, despite a legal threat.

The Mira Technology Park in Nuneaton is expected to create 2,500 jobs in advanced manufacturing and the automotive research industries, with expansion over four zones covering 200,000 square metres.

North Warwickshire's planning and development board approved plans after discussions over extra traffic on the A5 led to a compromise to install traffic lights at the A5 junction with Woodford Lane, and ban right turns in and out of Drayton Lane.

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However, North Warwickshire Borough Council was served with a legal letter indicating its planning decision could face a judicial review.

The borough council's head of development, Jeff Brown, said: "That letter indicates there is, in their view, highway evidence to show that unreasonable restrictions will come as a consequence of the proposal at this particular junction.

"They are not changing their view. Members can take their own view on that judgement but the recommendation is certainly that our position does not change."

Plan 'fully supported'

Objector Mark Simpson from Extra Room Self Storage, in Fenny Drayton, argued the plan would lead to his customers having to reroute so far, it would affect his business. He offered land to bring forward different solutions.

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Mira's development director Andy Macdonald addressed the board and noted that improvements had been "fully supported" by authorities including Warwickshire Police.

He argued data from Extra Room Self Storage lacked "detail and accuracy".

Warwickshire and Leicestershire county council highways teams backed Mira's plans, as did National Highways.

Councillor Margaret Bell said it was "a fantastic strategic opportunity for North Warwickshire", adding: "Different solutions for both Drayton Lane and Woodford Lane have been looked at by at least three highway authorities."

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This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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(This story has been updated with additional information.)

President Donald Trump on Saturday night announced American warplanes dropped bombs on three nuclear sites in Iran, with the U.S. officially entering the war more than a week after Israels initial attack.

Trump disclosed the bombing on social media shortly before 8 p.m. ET, saying that a full payload of bombs had been dropped on Fordo, the underground facility considered critical to the countrys nuclear program, and two other sites, and that all planes are now outside of Iran air space and on their way home.

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Israel carried out wide-ranging strikes on Iran on June 12, targeting the countrys nuclear facilities and top military leaders in a bid to prevent Tehran from building atomic weapons, marking a significant escalation of conflict between the two nations.

More: Trump: US launches strike on three nuclear sites in Iran

Iran responded with retaliatory drone strikes on Israel, according to Israels military, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had begun an operation aimed at rolling back Irans threat to Israels very survival. In a video address, Netanyahu said Iran had taken steps in recent months to weaponize enriched uranium and was on the cusp of developing a nuclear weapon within months to a year.

If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time, Netanyahu said in the address, which came shortly after Israel confirmed the overnight attack.

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On the heels of Israels strikes on Iran over its nuclear program, heres a look at which nations have nuclear weapons.

Strikes on Iran: What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear sites  and Iran's drone response

What are the nine nations with nuclear weapons?

Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons: the U.S., Russia, France, China, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea.

Israel has neither acknowledged or denied the existence of their nuclear arsenal, according to the nonpartisan Arms Control Center, though estimates of its stockpile from various nonproliferation and watchdog groups estimate they have about 90 nuclear weapons.

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In total, the scientific research non-profit Association of American Scientists estimates the global nuclear stockpile is approximately 12,241 nuclear warheads. The association says the exact number of nuclear weapons is an estimate, as each nuclear-armed nation considers its stockpile a closely held national secret, and most provide essentially no information about their cache of weapons.

The association, which was founded in response to the devastating use of nuclear weapons by the U.S. on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki during WWII, says there are roughly 9,614 in military stockpiles capable of use by missiles, aircraft, ships and submarines.

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and South Africa all once had nuclear weapons at one point, but in 1991, the nations gave up their stockpiles and joined the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

No, Iran does not have nuclear weapons, but it does have a uranium enrichment program, which is a prerequisite for developing atomic bombs.

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Tehran says it pursues nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, such as using non-military nuclear technology for medicine, agriculture and energy, and has long denied accusations by Western powers that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

A screen grab shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting nuclear warheads at an undisclosed location in this undated still image used in a video.

Iran has a long history of engaging in secret nuclear weapons research in violation of its international commitments, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, and its uranium enrichment program has long raised concerns among many nations and nuclear watchdogs that it could enable the creation of nuclear arms.

Which country has the most nuclear weapons?

The U.S. and Russia possess approximately 87% of the worlds total nuclear weapon stockpile, according to the Association of American Scientists, with 83% of their stockpiled warheads available for use by the military.

In contrast, the seven other nations with nuclear weapons possess a dramatically reduced number of weapons, ranging in the hundreds to a few dozen, while the U.S. and Russia each possess caches estimated to exceed 5,000.

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The worlds nuclear stockpiles have been decreasing over the past few decades as non-proliferation agreements and treaties took hold after the end of the arms race during the Cold War. However, the Association of American Scientists says the pace of reductions is slowing. While the U.S., France and Israel are either reducing or maintaining their inventories, several other nations are increasing theirs. That includes China, India, North Korea and Pakistan, according to the Arms Control Association.

Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY; Reuters.

Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which countries have nuclear weapons? What we know
Cases of valley fever are increasing in California and local health officials are sharing personal stories as a way of raising awareness.

The Kern County Department of Public Health has released three new videos in its "faces of valley fever" campaign, which started in April.

"Behind every case of valley fever is a real person with a story to tell  an attorney, a radio personality, a child," Public Health said in a news release. "Each journey is different. Their voices bring awareness. Their stories bring hope."

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The three people highlighted in the latest round of videos are defense attorney David Torres, radio host Ralph Bailey and Rio Bravo Elementary School student Ivory Nunez.

"To be quite honest, when I was finally diagnosed I was scared to death," Bailey said in a video posted to Public Health's YouTube page.

Bailey was diagnosed with valley fever in 2010 and it was only through the persistence of his doctors that he was diagnosed and treated.

"I talk about this a lot on my show. I beg my listeners to go see a physician on the regular," Bailey said. "Had I not gone to my (general practitioner), had I not gone to (my doctor) and had him be able to diagnose me so quickly, who knows what would have happened to me."

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Valley fever  also called coccidioidomycosis or cocci  is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in the dirt and soil. People and animals can get sick when they breathe in dust that contains the valley fever fungus. The fungus usually infects the lungs and can cause respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain and tiredness.

Valley fever cases have been rising across the state over the past decade. According to the California Department of Public Health, valley fever cases tripled from 2014 to 2018; and from 2018 to 2022, between 7,000 and 9,000 cases were reported each year.

In 2024, Kern County reached an all-time high of 3,990 cases, a 27% increase over the 3,152 cases in 2023 and a 14% increase over the previous record of 3,488 in 2019.

Kern County has the second highest incidence of valley fever in the nation, according to Paul Rzucidlo, epidemiologist with Kern County Public Health.

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"The vast majority of people will never even know they were sick," Rzucidlo said. "Or, if they didn't know they were sick, you know, they'll think they have a cold or something like that and it'll go away."

But for some people the symptoms can be severe and require a lifetime of treatment. The county has also seen a rise in the number of deaths from valley fever.

There were 49 deaths in 2024, a 17% increase over the previous record of 42 in 2018, and more than double the 23 deaths reported in 2020, according to Public Health.

What's driving the increase isn't exactly clear.

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"There are a lot of things that could be driving it and there are of course some unknowns because valley fever is an understudied disease," Rzucidlo said. "But recent research has shown that probably one of the largest drivers that's going on is climate change."

The fungus that causes valley fever forms in the soil following wet weather, and prolonged periods of dryness create the conditions in which the spores can enter the air. Data shows the number of cases tends to peak in October, and Rzucidlo said the county experienced its highest number of cases following an extremely wet winter in 2022.

"There's no way for us to get rid of it in the soil or anything like that, so what we look at for prevention is to kind of watch out for dust," Rzucidlo said.

Dirt or soil that is regularly disturbed isn't a concern; it's the dust that's been sitting for prolonged periods.

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"If you're working with something like that, you would want to make sure to wet it down to kind of reduce that dust generation," Rzucidlo said. "If you're digging it up, try to be upwind from where any dust would generate so the dust would blow away from you. Wearing an N95 can also protect you, so that's the only mask that's known to be protective."

Kern County Public Health launched its "Faces of Valley Fever" campaign earlier this year and released the additional videos as cases continue to rise.

"For me, valley fever feels like my body gets so heavy that I don't want to get up," Ivory, age 8, said in her video.

Ivory  already a chronic asthma sufferer  contracted the disease when she was 6, leading to several emergency room visits. Her mother insisted doctors test her blood, which led to the valley fever diagnosis and treatment.

"For everyone that's going through this or will go through this in the future with your child, husband, family member, anyone, you're not alone and you will get through it," said Samantha Nunez, Ivory's mother, in the video. "It will be a tough start, but you will get through it."
Although no Texas cases had been reported as of Tuesday, Johnson County Commissioner Larry Woolley warned of a potential screwworm fly infestation in mid to late summer.

In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended importations of cattle, horses and bison from Mexico into the U.S. to prevent New World screwworm movement north following detection in Veracruz, Mexico.

A lot of people may not remember the last time one of these happened, Woolley said during Mondays Johnson County Commissioners Court meeting. I was in high school. I remember it vividly. Its not a pretty site and its not something to be taken lightly.

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Commissioner Kenny Howell agreed.

I remember that too, Howell said. It was a huge problem.

Although the closest detection is still 700 miles away, the New World screwworm is of increasing concern across the southern U.S., as it can potentially cause losses in the livestock and wildlife-related industries if it moves across the Mexican border and reestablishes.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is working with Mexican officials to train personnel and expand surveillance and eradication efforts in Mexico to better address the movement of the fly northward.

Should the New World screwworm enter the U.S., this fly is estimated to cause losses, conservatively, of $2.1 billion to cattle and $9 billion to the hunting/wildlife industry in Texas.

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Where the larvae of other flies feed on carcasses, the larvae of these flies feed on the live flesh of animals including people.

All it takes is a cut or a drop of blood to attract them, Woolley said. They are flesh-eating larvae called screwworms.

The larvae of the New World Screwworm flies burrow into the flesh of warm-blooded animals resulting in damage, possible secondary infections and potentially death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The control method then and now is the distribution of sterile male flies into the population, and thats something theyre working on now, Woolley said.

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Typical insecticide use on the New World screwworm is not as effective as with other insect pests due to its wide host range and occurrence on wildlife. Eradication is the best way to control screwworms. However, control/removal of the fly when found on hosts is critical to reducing the local population so that the sterile fly program succeeds more quickly and reduces animal suffering.

The New World screwworm is incapable of overwintering in regions that experience low temperatures or extended dry periods  they dont do well below 45 degrees and certainly die if frozen, however, the larvae can burrow about 6 inches into the soil, changing the temperatures that they experience.

This fly poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife because it deposits eggs into the wounds of living animals, thereby leading to larval infestations. Because they can host on any living mammal, they can also affect pets and humans.

This metallic green-blue fly with large orange eyes is about twice the size of a common house fly. New World screwworms do not bite animals; their damage comes from laying eggs in the open wounds of living, warm-blooded animals  though rarely birds. The immature fly larvae, or maggots, feed on the living tissues of hosts, burrowing into the animals tissue, causing tremendous damage and often resulting in the hosts death.

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Historically, ranchers have altered breeding dates to avoid birthing during the fly season. Common livestock management practices and events, such as castration, dehorning, branding and birthing in all animals and antler velvet shedding in deer, often resulted in infestations. Infestations can occur at the site of any recent wound, like a scrape, lesion or even a tick-feeding site.

Other wounds of common infestation include those from ear tagging or shearing, as well as mucous membranes and antler shedding in deer. Newborn mammals are prone to infestations at the healing umbilical cord site.

If a wound on a living animal is found to have larvae in it, a veterinarian must be contacted. Find an accredited veterinarian or Texas Animal Health Commission, TAHC, region office. The veterinarian is mandated by law to collect and submit the larvae for identification to the USDAs National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

Also, the animal should be immediately confined for wound care, and all larvae should be removed and placed into alcohol. After removing the larvae, treat the infestation with topical pesticides labeled for use on the animal to kill any larvae that may not have been removed and reduce the likelihood of re-infestation. The wound should be monitored until it fully heals. When dealing with livestock, all other animals in the herd should be checked for wounds and larvae.

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Anyone who finds fly larvae infesting a living animal, called myiasis, must report this to a state veterinarian. The protocol for reporting can be found on the Texas Animal Health Commission website or at the USDA-APHIS website.

An informational webinar on the topic is available at agrilife.org and as a link through the countys website.

I encourage people to watch that to be educated on the possible problems this may pose, Woolley said. It can affect livestock, pets, people.
KABUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- At least three people lost their lives, and significant property damage has been reported after flash floods swept through northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, a local official said on Thursday.

The floods impacted the districts of Jurm, Warduj, Raghistan, and Arghanjkhwa in the province, severely affecting homes, farmland, rural roads, culverts, and livestock, said Mawlawi Mohammad Akram Akbari, director of the provincial disaster management authority.

Akbari confirmed that three people lost their lives, more than 100 residential houses were either destroyed and livestock was wasted.

Additionally, hundreds of acres of agricultural land, along with rural roads, culverts, and bridges, were swept away by the floods, he said.

Meanwhile, torrential rains have triggered flash floods that have destroyed homes, swept away farmland, and wasted livestock in the province's Teshkan, Khash, and Tagab districts over the past four days, the official said.

The Afghanistan Meteorological Department has issued a warning of continued rainfall in the coming days, raising concerns about further flooding in vulnerable regions. 
A County Antrim couple have been awarded 300,000 in libel damages after they sued controversial gossip website, Tattle Life.

Entrepreneurs Neil and Donna Sands secured the pay-out in a defamation and harassment lawsuit over abusive comments posted on the website.

The defendant companies and suspected operator of the site, Sebastian Bond, can now be revealed after reporting restrictions were lifted at Belfast's High Court on Friday.

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The couple obtained 150,000 in damages each as well as legal costs in December 2023 after suing over what they regarded as "hate speech".

The website which hosts threads commenting on influencers, celebrities and general members of the public has attracted up to 12 million visitors a month.

The judge said the site had been set up to deliberately inflict hurt and harm on others by allowing the anonymous trashing of people's reputations.

What happened?

Neil Sands, 43, a technology entrepreneur and his 34-year-old wife Donna who has a fashion business, sued over posts made in February 2021.

They claimed they were subject to a campaign of harassment, invasion of privacy, defamation and breach of data rights.

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The legal battle lasted two years and was undertaken at the cost of Mr and Mrs Sands.

A series of freezing orders for more than 1m were also made while a worldwide forensic investigation was carried out to identify the defendants and their assets.

The defendants can now be identified as UK national Sebastian Bond and the British and Hong Kong-registered companies Yuzu Zest Limited and Kumquat Tree Limited.

A barrister argued it was now beyond doubt that Mr Bond operated the site.

Speaking outside court, Mr Sands said the case had been taken on behalf of others who have suffered serious personal and professional harm through anonymous online attacks.

Further legal efforts are expected to focus on securing enforcement of the damages award.
A Craigslist advertisement seeking paid "seat fillers" to attend US President Donald Trump's grand military parade in Washington is spreading rapidly online ahead of the June 14, 2025 event. But there is no evidence the listing is aut hentically connected to the Army Birthday Parade; the White House told AFP it is fake, the company purportedly paying the extras denied involvement and the US Secret Service said there will be no bleachers or seats along the Constitution Avenue route.

"Seat Fillers Needed - June 14th - Constitution Avenue - DC," reads the title of the June 10, 2025 post on Craigslist, a website for classified advertisements.

Screenshot from Craigslist taken June 12, 2025

The listing claims "compensation" will amount to a "Flat Fee of $1,000, paid in cryptocurrency" provided by "Fight Fight Fight LLC," a company affiliated with the launch of a Trump-themed meme coin in January.

Its description continues: "T-Mellon Events is looking for seat fillers and extras to provide their time for space maximization and attendance perception for an event taking place in Washington DC on June 14th. Extras and Seat fillers will check in on the morning of June 14th at 9:00 a.m. Extras are required to wear Red, White and Blue clothing and will be provided a RED hat to wear. GOLD accessories are acceptable as well. The team will advise the extras where to stand or sit according to the line of sight from a VIP viewing platform area. Extras and Seat fillers will be paid a flat daily fee and will be provided a lunch of fast food and soda. We encourage people of color and ethnic groups to sign up for maximum perception control and these individuals will be prominently displayed on the televised broadcast and local viewing screens to be seen by the VIP platform."

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Screenshots of the advertisement rocketed across social media platforms including Facebook and X ahead of Trump's $45 million military parade, which is meant to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army but will also coincide with the Republican president's 79th birthday.

"No one is going to trump's stupid parade so he has to hire seat fillers!" says a June 11 post sharing the listing on X.

American troops have been transporting tanks and other hardware to the nation's capital for days for what will be the biggest parade in Washington since 1991, after the first Gulf War. The event is expected to see nearly 7,000 army soldiers march past historic landmarks including the Washington Monument, helicopters soaring overhead and military vehicles rumbling along the route.

Soldiers walk past a M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer taking part in the Army's 250th birthday celebration parade at West Potomac Park in Washington, DC on June 11, 2025 Mandel NGAN AFP Mandel NGAN / AFP

Protests of the heavily-fortified event -- which critics have likened to similar displays of military might in autocratic countries including Russia and North Korea -- are also anticipated.

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To accommodate the parade and its crowds, Washington is slated to experience road closures, disruptions at some public transit stations and a temporary suspension of all evening flights involving Reagan National Airport.

The Craigslist post offering payments to potential attendees is not connected to the White House and does not appear to be sincere, however.

AFP could find no evidence that any entity named "T-Mellon Events" exists. No other listing mentioning such a group appeared on Craigslist as of June 13 (archived here).

The language of the listing also appears to make fun of Trump's ventures into cryptocurrency, obsession with crowd sizes and well-known love of McDonald's.

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"This is obviously a fake ad," White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told AFP in a June 12 email. "Thousands of Americans will join President Trump for the Army Birthday Parade because they are excited to honor our active-duty service members, veterans, and fallen heroes."

Reverse image search reveals the picture attached to the listing is an Associated Press photo showing Russian servicemen at a May 9, 2025 military parade in Moscow celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (archived here).

Lisa Rodriguez-Presley, a spokesperson for the US Secret Service, also told AFP there will be no bleachers or seats along the parade route.

The special agent in charge of the service's Washington field office said the same in a June 9 briefing -- negating the need for so-called "seat fillers" (archived here). He also said the event is not ticketed.

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Fight Fight Fight LLC, meanwhile, told TMZ and the US fact-checking website Snopes that the company had nothing to do with the Craigslist listing (archived here and here).

AFP reached out to Fight Fight Fight LLC for comment, but no response was forthcoming. AFP also contacted the parade's organizers, Craigslist and the Craigslist account that posted the advertisement.

The US Army declined to comment.

AFP has previously debunked other misinformation around paid rally attendees here.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 13 appointed Aliona Hetmanchuk as the head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, replacing Nataliia Halibarenko.

The appointment came "at a critical time for the future of Ukraine, for the future of NATO itself, and, of course, for Ukraine's future in NATO. I realize the responsibility," Hetmanchuk said on her Facebook page on June 13.

"As for this moment, we will be fully immersed in preparations for the summit in The Hague," she added, referring to the upcoming NATO summit that will take place in the Netherlands on June 24 and 25, with Ukraine participating.

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Hetmanchuk is a leading Ukrainian foreign policy expert with a background in journalism. She is the founder and director of the New Europe Center and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.

Previously, Hetmanchuk co-founded and directed the Institute of World Policy and has advised the Presidential Consultation Committee between Ukraine and Poland since 2016.

Ukraine applied for alliance membership in September 2022, several months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. While NATO has repeatedly affirmed that Kyiv will eventually join, it has yet to extend a formal invitation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on June 9 that the political commitment to Ukraine's future membership in NATO remains unchanged, even if it is not explicitly mentioned in the final communique of the upcoming summit in The Hague.

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"The irreversible path of Ukraine into NATO is there, and it is my assumption that it is still there after the summit," Rutte said at Chatham House in London.

Rutte's comments follow reporting that this year's summit communique, set for release after the June 2425 meeting, may exclude references to Ukraine. This would mark a notable departure from previous gatherings, where Kyiv's future in NATO took center stage.

Read also: Amid Moscows war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why everybody hates Russia

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An East Granby woman has pleaded guilty to federal charges and has agreed to pay restitution in connection with a scheme in which authorities said she defrauded COVID-19 pandemic relief programs of more than $1.1 million.

Karen Gaston, 44, appeared in federal court in New Haven on Thursday and waived her right to be indicted, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud and making illegal monetary transactions.

According to federal authorities, Gaston in 2020 controlled a number of businesses, some of which were active while one was not and another had only one client. These included LNK, Elegant Clinical, Ruby Red LLC and Diamond Shine LLC.

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LNK and Diamond Shine LLC were operational but shared resources and employees, officials said. Ruby Red LLC had only one client and Gaston was its sole employee, according to authorities. Elegant Clinical was no longer operational.

Beginning around April 2020, Gaston submitted loan applications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)  both of which provided emergency funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The applications Gaston filed falsely represented the status of the operations, resources and employees of the businesses she controlled, according to federal officials. She also reportedly filed loan applications at separate financial institutions in order to disguise the true nature of her criminal activity, officials said.

The loan applications falsely represented that her businesses were all active and operating, authorities said. They also falsely represented the number of employees and the amount of wages purportedly paid to them, which were outlined in fraudulent tax returns and tax related documents, according to officials. Authorities said Gaston also falsely represented that a family member  who was used as an applicant on an application  was a part owner of one of the businesses.

Gaston reportedly received a little more than $1.1 million in PPP and EIDL loan funds through the scheme, according to officials. Instead of using the funds for payroll or other operating expenses, she reportedly spent the money on personal expenditures, including travel, food, luxury home goods, expensive jewelry, cars and paying off her home mortgage, the U.S. Attorneys office said.

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As part of the plea deal, Gaston has agreed to pay full restitution. She also agreed to forfeit a $39,521 ring she purchased in July 2020 from the jeweler Harry Winston.

Gaston is free on a $100,000 bond while she awaits sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.
A Bristol man faces charges for allegedly nearly striking multiple officers while speeding through a traffic detail on Thursday during the Southington High School graduation ceremony where police alleged that he drove over the curb and crashed into a fence with a child in the vehicle.

Police working the detail shortly after 8 p.m. had eastbound traffic stopped on Flanders Street when they saw the driver of a white Chevy Trailblazer go over the grassy median in the high school parking lot and cross the sidewalk, according to Capt. Nathan Boislard of the Southington Police Department. The driver then got onto Flanders Street and passed a row of stopped vehicles, Boislard said.

The driver continued toward police and sped up as officers were yelling for him to stop the vehicle, according to Boislard and dashcam video released from the incident. As the driver increased his speed he abruptly turned right on Annelise Avenue and drove over a curb before striking a fence and causing other unspecified damage, Boislard said. He then fled the area heading north.

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https://www.courant.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/HS-Grad-Dash-Trim.mp4

According to Boislard, multiple officers had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

Boislard said information about the incident was relayed to patrol officers who were able to stop the driver on Queen Street. He was identified as 43-year-old Stephen Buckler of Bristol.

Officers found that there were two other adults in the vehicle, a teenager and a 6-year-old, according to Boislard.

Buckler was taken into custody and charged with risk of injury to child, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, disobeying the signal of an officer, evading responsibility and failure to drive in the proper lane. He was held on $50,000 bond and was expected to face a judge on Friday in New Britain Superior Court.
Frontrunners Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani got into a number of heated spats over the importance of age, experience and personal integrity during Thursday nights second and final Democratic mayoral primary debate, highlighting a set of issues that have emerged as key focuses in the final sprint of the 2025 campaign.

The debate, held just two days before early primary voting gets underway Saturday, featured the seven leading Democratic candidates in the race and covered a range of topics, including everything from immigration and housing to public safety, sanitation and fighting back against President Trumps agenda.

One of the most heated moments of the night came as the moderators quizzed Cuomo and Mamdani  who have consistently polled as the front-runner candidates  on whether its important to have extensive government experience.

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At 67, Cuomo would become the oldest mayor to take office in the modern era, and the ex-governor sought to characterize that as a positive, citing his decades of experience working as governor, state attorney general and federal housing secretary.

By contrast, Mamdani, a democratic socialist Queens Assembly member, would at 33 become one of the youngest mayors in the modern era, and Cuomo said itd be dangerous and reckless to put him in charge at a time of myriad challenges, including Trumps efforts to strip significant federal funding from the city.

Hes accomplished nothing, Cuomo said of Mamdani, whose sole elected job has been serving in the Assembly since 2021, calling his resume laughable.

But Mamdani used that as an opening to lace into the more scandalous aspects of Cuomos record, including his 2021 resignation as governor in the face of accusations that he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and mismanaged nursing home policies during the COVID pandemic.

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I have never had to resign in disgrace, said Mamdani, prompting roars from the crowd in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.

The other candidates piled on, with Brad Lander saying Cuomo has the wrong type of experience, arguing the city needs steady leadership not a record of sexual harassment, corruption and disgrace.

Those are bold faced lies, Cuomo protested, turning directly to Lander, who has generally polled as the No. 3 candidate in the race. Cuomo has denied ever sexually harassing anyone, but has apologized to anyone he said he made feel uncomfortable.

Also on stage for the final debate, hosted by NY1, WNYC and the nonprofit news site The City, were Adrienne Adams, Zellnor Myrie, Scott Stringer and Whitney Tilson.

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Besides age, Cuomo and Tilson, who offered a surprise cross endorsement of the ex-gov during the debate, went after Mamdani on policing, noting he had called for defunding the NYPD during the COVID pandemic.

I will not defund the police, Mamdani replied, adding that police officers should focus on major crimes, not jobs more fit for social workers. I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play.

Speaker Adams, whose campaign has gained some momentum lately, accused Cuomo of mischaracterizing the COVID-era defund the police movement, arguing it was about reallocating resources in a smarter way, not slashing funding. I dont know how long weve been out of it, Mr. Cuomo  Slogans and scare tactics arent going to make anybody in New York safer, she said.

The Israel-Hamas conflict also emerged as a focus, with Mamdani accused by Cuomo and Tilson of amplifying antisemitic causes due to his pro-Palestinian views. Tilson, who focused a significant chunk of his debate appearance on attacking Mamdani, argued that Mamdanis use of the word genocide in describing Israels war in Gaza means he is in part responsible for a recent uptick in antisemitic incidents in New York.

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I am being smeared, Mamdani replied, arguing Israeli historians and former prime ministers have used similar language to describe the war.

Mamdanis name became an issue as Cuomo several times mangled it, prompting the Assembly member to interject to ask him to work on his pronunciation. I think its a sign of disrespect, Mamdani told the Daily News after the debate.

In the first debate last week, Cuomo largely steered clear of any rhetorical hiccups.

But on Thursday, in addition to mispronouncing Mamdanis name, he slipped up a handful of times, referring to undocumented immigrants as illegal immigrants, a comment that drew gasps from the audience, before correcting himself.

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Thats what you call them? Lander interjected.

The issues of age and experience have emerged as key focuses in the home stretch of the race, especially for Cuomo, whose campaign and super PAC has recently aired multiple ads painting Mamdani as too young and too inexperienced.

Mamdani, who has consistently polled as the runner-up to Cuomo and recently even overtook the ex-gov in one survey, is campaigning on a platform focused on affordability that includes promises to freeze rent for stabilized tenants, drastically expand subsidized child care and make public buses free, while paying for all of it by raising taxes on millionaires and corporations. That agenda would require complex legislative and regulatory reforms, actions some critics say Mamdani would be ill-equipped to carry out.

Seeking to address concerns about his inexperience, Mamdani said hed hire the best and the brightest in his mayoral administration and also noted his management of over 36,000 volunteers working for his campaign. He noted he has specifically had hiring conversations with Maria Torres-Springer, the former top deputy to Mayor Adams, who isnt running in the June 24 Democratic primary, opting instead to only seek reelection as an independent in Novembers general election.

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Cuomo and Tilson, a former hedge fund manager running on a moderate Democratic platform, werent convinced and continued to paint Mamdanis promises as unrealistic.

Mamdani math is fantasy, Tilson said.

Cuomo further questioned Mamdanis experience by suggesting he doesnt understand how rent stabilization laws work in New York City.

You should read, Cuomo fumed after Mamdani questioned why he wouldnt commit to as mayor freeze rent for stabilized tenants. Technically, a mayor cant freeze the rent, as the Rent Guidelines Board sets those rates, but the mayor appoints all members to that panel.

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The tradition of mayoral debates is that candidates show up for a spin room question-and-answer gaggle with reporters afterward.

Cuomo, who has employed a noticeably press shy strategy, was the only candidate who did not show up for the post-debate Q&A.

He wont even come answer your questions, Lander told reporters. He is unfit to be mayor.
NEW YORK  New Yorks former governor, who carries heavy baggage, and his surprise top rival  a 33-year-old democratic socialist with few accomplishments  faced a flood of attacks during the second and final New York City mayoral debate Thursday night, a faceoff that captured the tumultuous end of what had been a stagnant campaign.

Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani traded barbs and faced attacks from lower-polling opponents during the two-hour debate, as one rival  city Comptroller Brad Lander  made a final push to break into what polls show is a two-person race.

Lander delivered withering criticisms of Cuomo over the scandals that drove him out of office four years ago  his handling of nursing home policy during Covid and sexual harassment allegations from female staffers.

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Everyone here knows you sexually harassed women, that you created a toxic work environment, Lander said as a stone-faced Cuomo stood next to him.

Those are just bold-faced lies, the former governor shot back.

It was one of several pitched exchanges as five candidates aimed to improve their standings and the two frontrunners desperately sought to weaken the other just two days before early voting begins in the June 24 Democratic primary.

Surging in recent polls but generally still in second place, Mamdani was subject to the frontrunner treatment as his opponents knocked his paltry record in the state Legislature, far-left views and criticism of Israel.

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Experience matters and I think inexperience is dangerous in this case, Cuomo said. Mr. Mamdani has a staff of five people. Youre now going to run a staff of 300,000 employees.

Mamdani, in turn, sought to portray the 67-year-old Cuomo as part of a political establishment many voters have grown tired of.

Ive never had to resign in disgrace, Mamdani said, referring to Cuomos 2021 resignation from the scandals encapsulated in state attorney general reports. He denies all wrongdoing. Ive never cut Medicaid. Ive never stolen money from the MTA. Ive never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment.

Cuomo, Mamdani, Lander, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, former city Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and businessperson Whitney Tillson  squared off in the debate, sponsored by NY1, WNYC and THE CITY. In a shift from last weeks debate, some of the candidates opted not to aim their fire at Cuomo when given the chance to ask another candidate a question of their choosing.

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The differences between the leading men could hardly be more stark. Cuomo would be the oldest mayor elected in modern history and is running on his lengthy record; Mamdani is hoping to bypass concerns about his inexperience by inspiring Democrats looking for a change from the status quo.

Cuomo has pledged to tackle subway crime and bring his aggressive leadership brand  which critics call bullying  to City Hall. Mamdani wants to fund free bus services and create government-run grocery stores by increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers. His priorities will need approval from state officials in Albany, and Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has already said she opposes tax hikes.

Similar to the first debate, Cuomo was often on the defensive, particularly as he traded heated exchanges with Lander.

Lander, who has struggled in the race, had one of his best days yet Thursday: After getting the backing of a panel convened by the New York Times in lieu of a traditional newspaper endorsement, he found his footing on the debate stage. He trained his attacks on Cuomo again and again, including on the former governors management of the MTA and COVID.

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An investigation by state Attorney General Letitia James office determined Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women; the then-governor resigned weeks after a report detailed the findings of the probe. Cuomo  who initially apologized to some of the women  has since insisted hes done nothing wrong and said Thursday night the findings were all political.

The city comptroller even laid a trap of sorts. He directed Cuomos attention to the audience where Peter Arbeeny, whose father was one of thousands of nursing home deaths during the pandemic, was waiting. Arbeeny blames Cuomo for directing nursing homes to admit COVID patients.

Andrew, this is Peter Arbeeny, Lander said. Will you finally apologize to Peter and other grieving New Yorkers? Or will you just keep gaslighting them?

Cuomo responded he was very sorry that Arbeenys father died, but insisted the state was following federal guidelines when his administration required nursing homes to receive Covid-positive patients.

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The ex-governor is making his comeback bid by leaning heavily on his record  including his televised Covid briefings that turned him into a national star. But he is now reportedly under investigation for lying to Congress after he initially told a House subcommittee that he did not review or edit a state Department of Health report on nursing home deaths. He said in subsequent testimony he did not recall seeing it.

In last weeks debate, Cuomo declined to say if he edited or saw the report before its release. In an interview with PIX 11 this week, he acknowledged he reviewed it and if he had read it, he likely made edits. Hes denied lying to Congress.

Lander and the others used sledgehammers to go after the former governors record  and the sexual harassment allegations that pushed him from office  and scalpels to spotlight other missteps, including his mispronunciation of Mamdanis name.

While Cuomo was expected to attack Mamdanis resume, surprising pokes came from Lander  who not-so-subtly suggested Mamdanis social media savvy would not translate into managing a government of roughly 330,000 people. Adams, a reserved legislative leader, questioned the state assemblymembers qualifications.

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Adams, who ran through a list of her governmental accomplishments and would be the first Black woman to lead City Hall, let a hammer drop: In a recent New York Times article, you said you were the most qualified person to lead the city. Given what Ive laid out, do you think youre more qualified than me to lead the city?

Mamdani responded  sheepishly  that all the candidates likely believe theyre the most qualified.

The objective is to beat Andrew Cuomo. Let's keep that clear. He is not fit to be mayor, Adams told reporters after the debate. My question to the assemblymember was basically just to get my experience out there on the table so everybody can hear it.

Just as telling: the attacks that didnt happen.

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At one point in the two-hour ordeal, Adams jabbed Cuomo for his description of New York as a city so dangerous residents are scared to leave their houses at night.

I don't know how long you've been out of it, Mr. Cuomo, but it's been a while, she said. So I just want to make sure that we are clear here tonight, old slogans and scare tactics aren't going to make anybody in New York City safer, okay?

The former governor  whose coalition is highly dependent on leading with the same Black voters Adams represents in the Council  notably did not offer a rejoinder.

Cuomo was hit with fresh criticism, meanwhile, when he referred to illegal immigrants when sparring with Lander over contracted workers cleaning the city subways.

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Tilson, a little-known hedge fund executive, repeatedly knocked Mamdanis criticism of Israel  a touchstone issue for a city with the worlds second-largest Jewish population.

He has a double standard, because if you search his Twitter feed  15,000 tweets  Sudan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia dont appear, Tilson said. Yet the word Israel appears more 50 times, the word genocide appears more than 26 times, so that tells you where his heart is.

Mamdani called the criticism a smear and said attacks on him are part of a dehumanization in the city.

Since last weeks forum, Cuomo has won politically disparate endorsements from people he has feuded with  centrist former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and primary foe Jessica Ramos , an acerbic left-flank critic. Ramos did not qualify for Thursdays debate.

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But two recent polls show Mamdani  who has the recent endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  gaining ground.

Hundreds of supporters of the campaigns lined the street outside John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan to cheer the candidates as they entered the building.

Mamdanis crowd included a brass band, dubbed Horns for Zohran. When Cuomo arrived in his black Dodge Charger muscle car, union workers cheered as Mamdanis musicians played The Imperial March from Star Wars  Darth Vaders theme.

The clash of candidates earned attention online, including from former Mayor Bill de Blasio, who gleefully live-tweeted along with the attacks on his political foe Cuomo. Wow, @andrewcuomo is REALLY scared of @ZohranKMamdani! Hes not even faking it de Blasio wrote. And Andrew is REALLY disrespecting all the New Yorkers who support Zohran.

Top Cuomo adviser Melissa DeRosa said his debate commentary was a sad fall from grace for the former mayor. She listened to the other candidates speak with reporters in the spin room after the debate. Cuomo was the only candidate who declined to appear.

Asked after the debate if he would accept an endorsement from de Blasio, Mamdani answered in the affirmative, labeling de Blasio  the architect of universal pre-K, which is one of the most effective examples of what city government can do to alleviate an affordability crisis.

Emily Ngo, Joe Anuta and Michael Gartland contributed to this report.
Zohran Mamdani has rocketed from relative obscurity to become one of the top contenders in the New York City mayor's race. In a debate Thursday, he started catching heat for his place among the top of the heap.

Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, found himself the target of jabs from the crowded field of Democratic mayoral primary candidates, reflecting the upstart state lawmaker's growing popularity in a race that has for months been dominated by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The swipes came fast.

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City Comptroller Brad Lander, drawing a contrast between himself and Mamdani, noted he's not great on TikTok but has deep experience, a subtle dig at the social media adept Mamdani. Scott Stringer, a former city comptroller, said we cannot have a mayoralty on training wheels, a slight aimed at Mamdani over his short time in government.

Whitney Tilson, a former hedge fund executive, spent most of his time on stage criticizing Mamdani, saying his platform was full of pie-in-sky promises.

Cuomo, the presumed front-runner, threw the hardest blows.

Hes never dealt with the City Council. Hes never dealt with the Congress. Hes never dealt with the State Legislature. Hes never negotiated with a union. Hes never built anything. Hes never dealt with a natural emergency. Hes never dealt with a hurricane, with a flood, et cetera. Hes never done any of the essentials. And now you have Donald Trump on top of all of that," Cuomo said.

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Mamdani has run an energetic campaign centered on lowering the city's astronomical cost of living, proposing a bold slate of populist ideas that have turned him into a liberal darling and won him the endorsement of progressive star U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But his critics are quick to point out that he has few legislative accomplishments in his handful of years in government, while questioning his ability to get his lofty agenda over the line if he were to become mayor.

On Thursday night, Mamdani brushed off most of what his opponents had to say, instead locking onto the former governor.

To Mr. Cuomo, I have never had to resign in disgrace. I have never cut Medicaid. I have never stolen hundreds of millions of dollars from the MTA," Mamdani said, referencing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "I have never hounded the 13 women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment, I have never sued for their gynecological records, and I have never done those things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo.

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Mamdani continued, chiding Cuomo for mispronouncing his name: And furthermore, the name is Mamdani. M-A-M-D-A-N-I."

The city's Democratic mayoral primary, on June 24, has in some ways narrowed into a contest between Cuomo and Mamdani, with the two opposing politicians amassing endorsements and gathering momentum as the election nears.

Cuomo, who is in the midst of a political comeback after resigning as governor over a sexual harassment scandal, has long been the favorite, bringing fundraising prowess, the power of a political dynasty and a long record of accomplishments to the contest.

He has, throughout the race and during Thursday's debate, faced intense attacks over his political record and scandal. Cuomo stepped down from office in 2021 after a report from the state attorney general concluded that he sexually harassed at least 11 women. He has said he did not intentionally mistreat the women but had simply ran afoul of what was considered appropriate workplace conduct.

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On Thursday, Cuomo said nothing has come, except political fodder for my opponents," from the scandal.

The former governor has cast himself as an experienced moderate who has the political acumen to deal with the Republican president and save a city that he has described as out of control with crime and homelessness.

Mamdani, who was first elected in 2020 to represent a state Assembly seat in Queens, has offered a more optimistic vision and focused on cost-of-living concerns. He's pitching free city buses, free childcare and higher taxes on the wealthy, all articulated in well-produced social media videos that have gained attention online.

At one point in Thursday's debate, moderators allowed the candidates to ask questions of each other. Adrienne Adams, the speaker of the New York City Council, directed her question at Mamdani, first detailing her long work experience and then asking, Given what I've just laid out, do you think you're more qualified than me to lead the city?

Mamdani smiled and praised Adams' leadership, but said he believed he was the most qualified because I believe the most pressing crisis we're facing here is one of affordability, and that is something that my campaign has been laser-focused on, before touching on some of his policy points.
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomos much-criticized record on nursing homes in the coronavirus pandemic became a flashpoint during Thursdays mayoral debate  and he still refused to apologize.

The still-controversial issue arose after Cuomo admitted Thursday that he not only saw a controversial report on nursing home COVID-19 deaths while he was governor, but may have had a hand in doctoring the document.

City Comptroller Lander pounced on the issue by inviting Peter Arbeeny, whose father died from COVID-19 shortly after a rehab stint at a local nursing home, as a guest.

Mayoral candidate and former governor Andrew Cuomo refused to apologize for his COVID-19 nursing home policy when faced with a grieving son at the NYC Democratic mayoral debate. Matthew McDermott

Andrew, this is Peter Arbeeny, Lander said to cheers from the crowd.

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His father Norman died because of your disastrous order to send people with COVID into nursing homes. Then, as you admitted this week, you hid the real death toll and lied to families about it for five years, Lander continued.

So tonight, will you finally apologize to Peter and other grieving New Yorkers? he said, pausing for applause.

Or will you just keep gaslighting them, with more blather about what a great job you claim you did?

Cuomo tried to dodge by dinging Lander as supposedly being an inauthentic New Yorker.

Cuomos much-criticized March 25, 2020, COVID-19 policy required nursing homes to admit infected patients recovering from the bug who were discharged from hospitals. Spectrum News NY1

Maybe where you come from in St. Louis facts dont matter, but here they do, Cuomo said.

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He then apologized to Arbeeny, but pointedly didnt offer a mea culpa for anything else.

Mr. Arbeeny lost a father, Cuomo said.

I am very, very sorry for that.

Peter Arbeeny was introduced at the debate by Brad Lander, as he lost his father from the coronavirus, the city comptroller and mayoral candidate called out Cuomo for his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spectrum News NY1

Cuomo noted Arbeeny sued the state in a case and contended legal papers in the case found no COVID-positive person was sent from a hospital to a nursing home.

So, it is factually impossible, Brad, he said, sarcastically emphasizing his opponents name, that he got COVID, OK, from someone coming from a hospital.

Arbeenys brother Daniel led a class-action federal lawsuit against Cuomo, which was dismissed by a Brooklyn federal judge.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  CVS Health is ramping up its campaign against a new Arkansas law that targets pharmacy benefit managers, publicly clashing with Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders just hours after she defended the legislation in a guest essay for The New York Times.

Act 624, signed by Sanders in April, bars companies from running both a pharmacy and a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), a model used by CVS. PBMs manage prescription drug benefits for insurers, negotiate prices with drug manufacturers and reimburse pharmacies.

In her guest essay on June 10, Sanders wrote that PBMs forcibly steer patients away from independent operators and inflate drug prices. She also wrote that Act 624 lets PBMs keep operating in Arkansas, but, she said, they just cant continue to mistreat patients and box out other pharmacies.

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Sanders claimed the three largest pharmacy benefit managers handle 80% of U.S. prescriptions and earn 70% of specialty drug revenue through their affiliated pharmacies.

Now, CVS is threatening to close down every pharmacy it operates in our state  preferring to take its ball and go home rather than divest from its pharmacy benefit management business and actually serve the patients it claims to care about, Sanders wrote.

CVS sues Arkansas over new pharmacy law

CVS issued a statement later that day disputing Sanders characterization of the law, claiming that the new law is about choosing winners and losers and rewarding special interests.

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Out-of-state competitors are disadvantaged, a CVS spokesperson said. In-state competitors, including Walmart, would handsomely benefit from the closures of pharmacies owned by us and others. The losers are the people of Arkansas who will pay more.

CVS says the law could force it to close 23 pharmacies in Arkansas, affecting 340,000 patients, and block its specialty pharmacy from treating 10,000 high-risk patients with cancer, HIV and rare diseases.

The company is also challenging Act 624 in federal court, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution.

PBMs are the last line of defense between drugmakers that want to charge a lot of money, and the American businesses, unions, health plans, and government agencies that want to provide good benefits to people, CVS said in its response on June 10.

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CVS argues the law is unconstitutional because it unfairly targets out-of-state businesses, treats similar companies differently, and conflicts with federal laws like ERISA and Medicare rules. The company also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

One state representative who co-sponsored this law owns 13 pharmacies by himself, the company said, linking to state Rep. Brandon Achors campaign website.

Act 624, introduced as House Bill 1150, was backed by the Arkansas Pharmacists Association and Attorney General Tim Griffin, and passed easily.

Act 624 is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2026.

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Then in 2020 it got even worse after the George Floyd death. Anarchists and race baiters, stirred up the country and cities burned, businesses were looted people were killed. Of course American flags were burned as the rioters waved Mexican flags. None of these riots were organic, they were planned and coordinated.

When Republicans lose an election nobody takes to the streets. No stores are looted. No cars are burned. But those on the Left cause rioting, destruction and chaos. That's what they do because they have nothing else.

The rioting and threats to law enforcement we've been seeing in Los Angeles is all coordinated by Leftist groups and organizations with plenty of money behind them. And have you noticed that there haven't been any Democrats that have tried to quell the rioters? That's because they are in league with them.

It's all a part of the plan. Bring in millions of illegal aliens, then light a fire under them with lies that the authorities (Trump's administration) are coming to persecute them, and pay professional agitators to start violence in the streets. Thanks to social media, soon you have thousands running around throwing cement blocks and baiting police, who by the way, are told not to be aggressive by the Democratic mayor and governor.

Once again the fake news media supports the rioters and Democratic Marxists in their broadcast and print news. It's the same old thing. The Leftists never seem to learn, they just go on with the lies and half-truths. We hear them reporting that the"demonstrators are mostly peaceful" as we see with our own eyes the TV images of burning cars, thugs throwing rocks and cement at police, and destroying property.

CNN has declared that the Mexican flag is"a defining symbol" of riots across Los Angeles, California, over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents enforcing federal immigration laws.

"No one's illegal on stolen land," the rioters chanted, referring to California."Remember who made this city. All the Mexicans, all the black people. We made all that. They can't come and take it from us unless we let them." "Power to the people," they also chanted. If this doesn't qualify as an insurrection, then nothing does.

And now, no surprise, the violence is spreading. As reported on the Blaze, violence and vandalism from the protests against deportation operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have now spread from Los Angeles, California, to other cities and locales.

On Tuesday, large-scale protesting and rioting were reported in two cities in Texas as well as numerous other major cities such as New York and Chicago.

We are a country divided by, not simply politics anymore, but by those who want law and order and those who do not. If you cross into the United States illegally you have broken the law. You are a criminal, period. Our government has every right to detain you and have you deported.

Of course the gangbangers, killers, rapists, and child traffickers need to be rounded up and taken out, but that doesn't excuse the millions more who have violated our laws in other ways.

Democrats have thrown in with the criminals. As President Trump has said on many occasions, either we are a country of law and order, or we aren't. If we aren't, then we soon won't have a country at all.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
The Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to China, Amakobe Sande, speaks at a panel during the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, Hunan Province, June 13, 2025. (UNICEF/Handout via Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to China, Amakobe Sande, has praised the country's tangible contributions to improving the well-being of children in the Global South and expressed hope for strengthened cooperation in this area.

China has supported UNICEF's projects in 16 African countries since 2018, including maternal and child health programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe, along with cyclone response efforts in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, Sande said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

Concerning the digital divide in Africa, Sande noted that many African countries lack the infrastructure and tools for widespread internet access and digital education, posing challenges for African children. "China can play a key role in addressing this challenge as a global leader in digital technology."

Therefore, UNICEF advocates for the integration of China's renewable energy expertise into basic services that cater to children's needs, considering the essential role of a stable electricity supply in digital education.

"I am happy to see that actions have already been taken to help Africa bridge the digital divide," she added, citing China's role as a champion country for the "Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative," co-managed by UNICEF and UNESCO, in which China provides technical and financial support.

On Friday at the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, UNICEF and the China-Africa Business Council (CABC) signed a memorandum of understanding focused on protecting and promoting children's rights in Africa.

The agreement commits both parties to collaborate on localizing medical supply production and procurement in Africa, expanding renewable energy solutions for healthcare and education facilities, and advancing children's rights within the business operations of CABC's network of over 3,300 member companies and institutions across the continent.

Sande expressed the hope to connect the needs of UNICEF's Africa projects with the member enterprises and institutions of the CABC to bridge the digital education gap in schools.

At the expo, UNICEF also collaborated with the departments of commerce and education of Hunan Province to organize a vocational education cooperation event, exploring ways to enhance digital skills and entrepreneurship among young people in China and Africa.

"UNICEF also facilitates knowledge exchange and technical cooperation between China and other countries in critical areas such as maternal and child health and climate change. This allows countries in the global South to learn from China's expertise on children's issues, and vice versa," Sande concluded. 
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has launched an investigation into CVS, probing whether or not the company has been improperly using its customers personal information to send text messages lobbying against a state law.

She said she also plans to issue the company a cease-and-desist letter to halt the texts, according to ABC News.

Lawmakers debating the failed bill at the center of the controversy shared images of CVS's texts during a hearing on Wednesday.

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Last minute legislation in Louisiana threatens to close your CVS Pharmacy  your medication cost may go up and your pharmacist may lose their job, one text said, according to the Associated Press.

The bill would have prohibited companies from owning both pharmacy benefit managers and drug stores.

The Louisiana Attorney General is investigating whether or not CVS improperly used customers private information to send them text messages lobbying against a proposed bill that would have impacted its operations in the state (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

CVS owns retail pharmacies as well as CVS Caremark, which is one of the nation's top three pharmacy benefit managers, meaning the law would have directly affected its business.

CVS Caremark and other pharmacy managers essentially act as middlemen by purchasing prescription drugs from manufacturers and determining the terms for how those drugs are distributed to customers.

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In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report saying that the managers "may be profiting by inflating drug costs and squeezing Main Street pharmacies."

In Louisiana, CVS's text messages included links to a draft letter asking lawmakers to reject the legislation.

The proposed legislation would take away my and other Louisiana patients ability to get our medications shipped right to our homes, the letter read. They would also ban the pharmacies that serve patients suffering from complex diseases requiring specialty pharmacy care to manage their life-threatening conditions like organ transplants or cancer. These vulnerable patients cannot afford any disruption to their care  the consequences would be dire.

State Representative Dixon McMakin said CVS was "lying" and using "scare tactics" to oppose the legislation.

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CVS reportedly sent "large numbers" of texts to state employees and their families to lobby against the legislation, according to Murrill in her statement.

Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for CVS, provided the Independent with the following statement:

Louisianas HB 358 came together Wednesday with no public hearing. We believe we had a responsibility to inform our customers of misguided legislation that sought to shutter their trusted pharmacy, and we acted accordingly. Our communication with our customers, patients and members of our community was consistent with law.

Our focus remains on serving the people of Louisiana: lowering drug costs, providing access to care, and helping improve health. We look forward to working productively with policymakers to continue to make prescription drugs more affordable and accessible and to promote the value of community pharmacy.

The bill failed to pass the state Senate, which decided not to take it up for the 2025 session.
EAU CLAIRE  Chippewa Valley Technical College program instructor Shawn Crevitson said the donation of a drone to their drone training certificate program will allow students to learn about modern equipment they may encounter in the field.

The donation comes from Maverick Drone Systems, based out of the Twin Cities, and includes a DJI T30 drone. It is priced roughly at $17,000 with features that allow students to develop aircraft maintenance and operation skills, as Crevitson said they intend to use it to teach agricultural drone capabilities as well as other potential unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training courses.

Our courses have grown to a four-course certificate now that includes a wide range of flight maneuvers and skill sets that students would need if they are going out into industry in the drone world across a number of different sectors  the agriculture world being one of those, Crevitson said.

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This drone will allow us to get one step closer towards integrating spray drones into the program. At its current status, it does need some work to get to a flight ready status. Theres some pieces that kind of need to go with it to get everything up and running, so it is going to be on our maintenance side of things for now. Hopefully in the near future, when its flight ready, then well be able to integrate it in other capacities.

CVTCs drone certification program started in 2019 with the intent to teach students about core courses related to regulation and flight. Courses are typically run late spring through mid-fall, as the summer months are often spent outside flying drones on campus.

From practical application to commercial use, drones are becoming more commonly used across a variety of industries. On top of spray drones applying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, ag drones may be used for plant health analysis or other applications in the field.

This equipment is going to be nearly identical to what they would use out in the field, he said. This particular model is a couple years back, but it still has much the same features and qualities of the newer models as well. So the newer ones just have slightly longer flight times or slightly larger capacities for carrying material.

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Having this equipment is going to allow their students to be able to learn how they are designed, how they are structured, what goes into maintaining them and the regulations associated with it, Crevitson said. This in turn can allow students to be ready day one when they enter the ag industry or anywhere else.

Crevitson said CVTC has been looking at integrating an agriculture drone into the program for a couple of years. Varied prices of ag drones that are used in the fields are a factor to consider when looking at equipment.

We really appreciate that some of the industry folks have seen the need that we have and are able to contribute to developing the drone training courses that we have by providing some donations, he said. And so hopefully in the near future, well be able to keep our courses at a modern leading edge equipment that our students can train on as well as providing more training scenarios for them that mimic what our industry members are going to look for when theyre hiring a remote drone pilot.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Officials say new Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance measures are now in effect for Henderson, Union and Webster counties, following the detection of CWD in a deer harvested just across the Ohio River in Posey County, Indiana.

Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) say, in response, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commission approved a CWD Surveillance Zone for the three counties, expanding the states existing surveillance area, which includes Ballard, Breckinridge, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hardin, Hickman, Marshall, Meade and McCracken counties. The zone brings specific regulations to help limit the spread of the disease among deer.

Board approves proposed tuition increases at Murray State, WKU

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Officials say these are the key regulations now in effect:

Mandatory testing Hunters in Henderson, Union and Webster counties must bring deer harvested during the first three days of modern gun season, which is November 8 to 10, to a staffed check station or CWD Sample Drop-Off site for testing.

Carcass transport limits Whole carcasses or high-risk parts from deer harvested in the zone cannot leave the three counties. Permitted items for transport include de-boned meat, clean skulls and teeth, antlers with or without a clean skull cap, hides and finished taxidermy mounts. Carcasses of deer harvested outside the zone may be brought in.

Rehabilitation ban The rehabilitation of deer is prohibited within the surveillance zone.



For the 20252026 deer season, under the authority of the commissioner, two key changes take effect in all counties that are designated within the CWD Surveillance Zone.

According to officials, baiting is now allowed in all counties within the CWD Surveillance Zone, provided it is not distributed through contact feeders like troughs, funnels and gravity feeders without spreading capabilities. This change overrides the previous baiting ban, aiming to give hunters more opportunities to harvest deer while reducing deer densities. A statewide prohibition of feeding is still effective from March 1 through July 31. Also, feeding and baiting is illegal on all Wildlife Management Areas.

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Man identified after drowning in Pike County lake

KDFWR says while permitted with limitations, baiting promotes unnatural congregation of deer, increasing the risk of CWD transmission through saliva, urine and feces from infected animals. Hunters should weigh this risk before choosing to bait.

Officials also note to manage deer populations and improve disease monitoring, a special two-day antlerless-only gun season will be held on September 27 through 28, in all CWD Surveillance Zone counties. During this special season, hunters are required to drop off the head of harvested deer to a CWD Sample Drop-off site. Hunters may harvest any deer without visible antlers, including button bucks. However, no deer hunterswhether using firearms, bows or crossbowsmay take an antlered buck in a CWD Surveillance Zone county during this weekend. Hunter orange requirements are in effect during this season.

According to KDFWR, Chronic Wasting Disease is caused by abnormal proteins called prions and affects white-tailed deer, elk and other animals in the deer family. There is no known cure or vaccine, and the disease is always fatal in infected animals. The disease is not known to be transmissible to people, but as a precaution the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not consuming meat from deer that test positive for the disease. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife always recommends not consuming meat taken from animals that appear to be sick or in poor condition.

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Lincoln State Park to close some facilities for dam repair

Officials say hunters all across Kentucky are encouraged to submit samples through the CWD Sample Drop-Off sites or CWD Sample Mail-in Kits at any time during the hunting season. The test comes at no monetary cost to the hunter, and results are typically returned within four to six weeks.

Back in February, there was a second positive case of CWD confirmed in Posey County. The infected, wild, white-tailed deer was a 2.5-year-old male harvested in Posey County. The deer was confirmed positive for CWD by two independent tests.

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June 12 (UPI) -- A cyberattack has crippled distribution channels for one of the nation's top organic food distributors, leading to empty shelves at grocery stores nationwide.

Rhode-Island-based United Natural Foods Inc., a major supplier to Whole Foods, became aware of the attack on June 5th, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission said. UNFI said the breach affected its ability to fulfill customer orders.

"It's affecting operations in a very, very significant way," an employee at a Sacramento Whole Foods told NBC News. "Shelves don't even have products in some places. The shipments we receive are not what we need, or we did need it but it's too much of one product because UNFI can't communicate with stores to get proper orders."

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A spokesperson for Whole Foods apologized and said the company is working to restock the shelves as quickly as it can. In a statement, UNFI acknowledged the ransomware attack.

"We have identified unauthorized activity in our systems and have proactively taken some systems offline while we investigate," UNFI said in the statement. "As soon as we discovered the activity, an investigation was initiated with the help of leading forensics experts and we have notified law enforcement. We are assessing the unauthorized activity and working to restore our systems to safely barring them back online."

UNFI said it is working closely to keep its customers updated amid the confusion and distribution disruptions.

At a quarterly earnings meeting Tuesday, UNFI CEO Sandy Douglas told investors that it is supplying customers on a "limited basis."

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"We are partnering with customers across the country and across our formats in various short term modes to serve their needs as best we possibly can," he said. "Any way that we can help them with their needs, we're doing."

Douglas said the company is working with the FBI and other authorities to track the source of the breach and why UNFI's security systems failed.

The UNFI security breach comes amid a series of cyberattacks on retailers in recent weeks that have crippled the operations of several high profile retailers with ransomware.
Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. It's Friday, June 13, 2025. Start your day with everything you need to know about today's weather. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Four-E has been designated in the Eastern Pacific and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Dalila on Friday.

A potential tropical cyclone designation allows the National Hurricane Center to issue forecasts before a tropical depression, storm or hurricane has developed.

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A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for parts of the southwestern Mexican coastline, including the city of Manzanillo.

Ongoing storms and downpours moving east across the South will increase the flood threat for major cities across Louisiana and Arkansas on Friday and into Saturday.

This comes as San Antonio, Texas, is in recovery mode after being struck by historic and deadly flash flooding on Thursday.

As storms shift to the east, the flooding risk moves with it into Louisiana, Arkansas and southwestern Tennessee into Friday and Saturday. A Level 2 out of 4 flash flood risk is present in these regions into the early weekend.

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Storms are expected to form Friday afternoon over much of Montana and will extend into Wyoming, through western Nebraska, and into the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. These storms will likely produce hail and damaging wind gusts.

There is a chance of a few tornadoes, especially in parts of Wyoming and Montana which are under a Level 3 out of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms.

Explosions of charged particles from the Sun , known as Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), are being observed in more detail by a Nasa mission aimed at helping scientists better predict space weather events.

A new video stitched together using the first PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission images captured these eruptions from the Sun from May to June. The result is the stunning time-lapse video below.

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Put your weather trivia knowledge to the test with our five-question quiz. Click here to get started .

Put your weather knowledge to the test with FOX Weather Quiz Time.

Here are a few more stories you might find interesting.

Need more weather? Check your local forecast plus 3D radar in the FOX Weather app . You can also watch FOX Weather wherever you go using the FOX Weather app, at foxweather.com/live or on your favorite streaming service .

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Its easy to share your weather photos and videos with us. Email them to weather@fox.com or add the hashtag #FOXWeather to your post on your favorite social media platform.





Original article source: Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Tropical Storm Dalila expected Friday, more flooding ahead for South
By David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday it was unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear program following Israeli strikes, but experts say the damage to the country's nuclear facilities so far has appeared limited.

Israel's attacks succeeded in killing Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists and striking military command and control facilities and air defenses, but satellite imagery did not yet show significant damage to nuclear infrastructure, several experts said.

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"The first day was aimed at things that you would get through surprise - killing leadership, going after nuclear scientists, air defense systems, the ability to retaliate," said nuclear expert David Albright at the Institute for Science and International Security.

"We can't see any visible damage at Fordow or Isfahan. There was damage at Natanz," said Albright, referring to Iranian nuclear sites. But "there's no evidence that the underground site was destroyed."

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday that the above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear site had been destroyed and Iran had reported attacks on Fordow and Isfahan.

Grossi said electricity infrastructure at Natanz was also destroyed and the loss of power to a cascade hall may have damaged centrifuges there. But he said the level of radioactivity outside Natanz remained unchanged and normal.

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The sprawling Natanz nuclear complex is Iran's main uranium enrichment facility. The site includes a vast underground uranium enrichment plant and a smaller, above-ground pilot enrichment plant.

In a telephone interview with Reuters, Trump said it was unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear program following the Israeli strikes. "Nobody knows," Trump said. "It was a very devastating hit."

Two regional sources said at least 20 Iranian military commanders were killed in the attack, a stunning decapitation reminiscent of Israeli attacks that swiftly wiped out the leadership of Lebanon's once-feared Hezbollah militia last year. Iran also said six of its top nuclear scientists were killed.

Albright said his analysis was based on the latest available images from about 11:20 a.m. Tehran time (0750 GMT). He added there may also have been drone strikes on tunnels to underground centrifuge plants and cyber attacks that did not leave visible traces.

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"In terms of visible damage, we don't see much and we'll see what happens tonight," he said, adding that he believes Israel's strikes were still in an early stage.

Albright said the status of Iran's stocks of enriched uranium was not known and that it was possible Israel had avoided major attacks on nuclear sites due to concerns about harming international inspectors who were there.

Albright said there were thousands of centrifuges at the underground plant at Natanz and knocking out the electrical supply would bring into play a backup battery system.

He said it was likely that Iran was shutting down the centrifuges at the underground site in a controlled manner, which was a big operation.

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"Batteries ... last a while, but eventually they will run out and if the centrifuges spin down in an uncontrollable manner, a lot will break," he said.

ISRAEL WARNS OF PROLONGED OPERATION

Israel said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Military and nuclear experts said that even with massive firepower, military action would probably only temporarily set back a program the West fears is already aimed at producing atom bombs one day, although Iran denies it.

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Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said damage at the Natanz facility appeared "moderate."

"Israel destroyed the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, as well as some support buildings associated with power supply," he said. Lewis added Israel also hit a support building - possibly for power supply - near two underground nuclear enrichment facilities.

"The underground enrichment halls, as well as the large underground facility nearby in the mountains, do not appear damaged."

It was unclear what damage was sustained at the key Fordow nuclear facility, which could be used to develop nuclear weapons and is buried deep underground.

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"It has always been the conventional wisdom that Israel may not have the ordnance to destroy Fordow without American military support," Mark Dubowitz, head of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, told a podcast.

The United States is better equipped than Israel to destroy such targets with its most powerful bunker buster bombs, the 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) Massive Ordnance Penetrator.

If Iran decides not to negotiate a nuclear deal, the U.S. could use its B2 bombers and those bombs to destroy Fordow, Dubowitz said.

Decker Eveleth, a strategic analyst with the CAN Corp research group, said the overall aim of Israel's campaign was still unclear.

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"They may be successful at dismantling Iranian command and control, destroying air forces (and) hitting a variety of targets related to the Iranian missile program," he said.

"(But) if their core objective is prevention of a nuclear breakout, can they destroy enough of Iran's nuclear infrastructure to actually prevent that from happening?"

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman and Daniel Wallis)
SIBLEY, Iowa (KELO)  People in northwest Iowa are assessing damages after high winds rolled through the area Wednesday afternoon.

From split trees to scattered tin, you could see evidence of a strong storm throughout Sibley, Iowa.

1 arrested in connection with last weeks shooting

Osceola County Emergency Manager Corey Shearer sprang into action once he saw the severe thunderstorm warning Wednesday afternoon.

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I got about two miles out of town when I saw the dust cloud coming across. A couple miles wide is what I could see. When I was in the thick of it, the wind speed, one speed reader that I use in the truck, I calculated up to 67 miles an hour. Then, I called into dispatch and activated the Sibley siren, Shearer said.

That siren caught the attention of Brandon Rusche of Spine and Sport Chiropractic.

I was in the room adjusting a patient. Then, all of a sudden, we heard the tornado sirens go off, and then we heard a big thud, which Im assuming is that tree over there that snapped off and got the front end of my van. Then, I looked at the patient. I said, I think we probably should go down to the basement now., so we headed down, Rusche said.

The high winds bent street signs, damaged some signage at the Caseys, the roof of a shed and the north side of the Family Dollar, which was already covered with tarps.

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At the city park, parts of trees came tumbling down, leaving city crews with a tall task in the coming days.

The near 70-mile-per-hour gusts also knocked down power lines and shut down a section of County Road 22 east of town. You can see some power lines missing as crews work to repair them.

15 poles were tipped over, and theyre actually working on that hopefully being back on mid Friday, Shearer said.

Back in town, people have been working hard to get back on track.

Yesterday, there was a lot of pay loaders from the city moving stuff off, and electric trucks, fire trucks and ambulances were all about checking on everybody. It was good to see everyone out helping each other out, Rusche said.

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Shearer is encouraging residents to bring debris to the city dump site or leave it at the curb for crews to pick it up.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
David Hoggs decision to forgo running again as a vice chair for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has generated mixed emotions among committee members.

While some members were relieved, saying the controversy around Hoggs decision as a sitting DNC officer to primary incumbents created a distraction for the party, others voiced surprise or disappointment over the move announced Wednesday.

The split may be an amicable one: Some Democrats said theyd welcome Hogg to work with the DNC after his exit.

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I think the overall sense is relief that we can finally move on from what has truly been a distraction from the good work that needs to be done to build up our party infrastructure and take the fight to Republicans each and every day and to make the case to American people that Democrats are able and willing to stand up for American values, noted Michael Kapp, a DNC committee member from California.

Earlier Wednesday, a majority of DNC members voted to redo its vice chair election of Hogg and Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

The vote stemmed from a challenge by Oklahoma DNC member Kalyn Free, who had lost a bid for DNC vice chair. She alleged the way the election was conducted unfairly advantaged the male candidates. The DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee last month determined the entire body would vote on redoing the election.

That challenge ran in tandem with a separate firestorm Hogg initiated when he announced he would be getting involved in primarying members of Congress in safe seats who he believed were ineffective.

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But that decision rankled members, including DNC Chair Ken Martin, who said he believed Hogg shouldnt be doing so while also serving as a DNC officer.

Tensions came to a head this week, when leaked audio of a May Zoom DNC officers call, which was reported by Politico over the weekend, showed Martin expressing frustration with Hogg.

The fallout from the leaked audio prompted some members to reconsider how they might vote over redoing the vice chair election.

After Wednesdays committee vote, Hogg said he would bow out of another DNC election to focus his attention on his work around his group, Leaders We Deserve.

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I have decided to not run in this upcoming election so the party can focus on what really matters. I need to do this work with Leaders We Deserve, and it is going to remain my number one mission to build the strongest party possible, he said in his statement.

Martin, in a statement, said he respected Hoggs decision and suggested the gun control activist would play a prominent role still within the party.

I have no doubt that he will remain an important advocate for Democrats across the map. I appreciate his service as an officer, his hard work, and his dedication to the party, Martin said.

A source close to the DNC suggested the controversy swirling around Hogg didnt impact the partys mechanics but created an unnecessary distraction.

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It didnt sidetrack the work that mattered, but even a second spent talking about it was a second wasted that Democrats shouldve spent fighting Trumps bill to take health care away from millions of people, the source said. David finally seemed to realize that.

John Verdejo, a DNC committee member from North Carolina, said he didnt expect Hoggs decision to forgo reelection.

I was surprised and taken aback that he would decide not to run after the votes came in, Verdejo said, noting some members were relieved.

Howard Chou, a DNC committee member from Colorado, noted he was indifferent about whether he wanted to see Hogg run again. Still, he noted it was a loss for members, saying, Im a little bit disappointed all around, because I really wanted to see his energy and leadership contribute to our success.

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Its unfortunate that he decided to pull out, said Clay Middleton, a DNC committee member from South Carolina, who suggested he would not have been able to face some of the questions again during the second campaign for the job. Hoggs team declined to comment on that remark.

Meanwhile, Kenyatta is on a glide path to being reelected DNC vice chair this week. Still, the Pennsylvania lawmaker has been candid that the process has been frustrating.

Of course Im frustrated, but Im still here, because I understand what is at stake, Kenyatta told The Hill.

Kenyatta said hes been busy traveling to nine states and Germany. And in his role, he said he wants to see the party make races more competitive.

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That is my dream, that there is not a single race that does not have a Democrat on the ballot, he said.

As for Hogg, Kenyatta has said he didnt want to see the gun control activist leave the DNC and be the leader that we deserved.

Hogg has made it clear hell focus on his group and challenging ineffective members of Congress, noting theres been a serious lack of vision from Democratic leaders, too many of them asleep at the wheel, while others have died while in office.

Many Democrats, even DNC members, also agree with the notion that the party should be making way for generational change and challenging members who are ineffective, though many have disagreed with the tactic to do so from the perch of the DNC.

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Hoggs efforts come amid a party struggling to figure out how to counter Trump and land on the same page around messaging heading into 2026 and 2028.

Despite the controversy, however, some members say theyd welcome collaborating with Hogg in the future.

I personally would have open arms to have him contribute, collaborate with us, Chou said.

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(FOX40.COM)  The Davis Police Department is investigating a possible hate crime incident that involved an Israeli Flag on June 1.

 Video above: What happens when you call 911?

According to DPD, the incident happened at around 1:53 a.m. after a man tore down an Israeli flag from a home in the 1500 block of Claremont Drive. The incident captured on a video shows a man with short dark hair, wearing a light-colored t-shirt, dark pants, and glasses.

Suspect arrested in Roseville after evading traffic stop and foot chase

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The video can be viewed here.

Davis PD said it has started a criminal investigation and is seeking help from the public in identifying the suspect(s) involved.

The City of Davis stands firmly against all forms of hate crime. Whether based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other difference, acts of hate are not only unacceptable, they are crimes, DPD said. We are committed to protecting every community member and visitor in our city. If you have been the victim of a hate crime, please report it. You will be heard. You will be supported. And we will take action.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
Good morning, Chicago.

Chicago taxpayers could be on the hook for another $24 million to settle lawsuits alleging police misconduct.

The citys Law Department is recommending a series of settlements in three wrongful conviction cases tied to infamous members of the Chicago Police Department. The City Councils Finance Committee will vote on the settlements Monday, setting them up for a final vote Wednesday.

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If approved, the settlements will continue to hike the soaring cost of police lawsuit payouts. Chicago taxpayers have already approved $145.3 million to settle police lawsuits this year, a record amount far above the citys $82.6 million budget that through May already towers above such spending in past years.

Read the full story from the Tribunes Jake Sheridan.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: what Gov. JB Pritzker said yesterday in a House hearing, the latest on Israels attack on Iran and how the cost of President Donald Trumps tariffs are hitting home.

Todays eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History

Gov. JB Pritzker uses House hearing to defend Illinois sanctuary laws and to slam Congress for not passing immigration reforms

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker defended Illinois sanctuary laws for immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission before a House committee yesterday and pointed at congressional Republicans and Democrats for using the issue to try to score political points rather than enacting comprehensive immigration reform.

Chicagoans continue protests against Trump and ICE Thursday as demonstrators rally across US

Protests continued yesterday in Chicago as part of demonstrations across the country against President Donald Trumps deployment of troops in Los Angeles amid his immigration crackdown.

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The crowd at the days second protest grew to about 400 people by 4 p.m., as demonstrators held red signs and shouted their support for immigrants at Michigan Avenue and Ida B. Wells Drive.

As legal fight over National Guard plays out, Kristi Noem vows to continue President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem pledged to carry on with the Trump administrations immigration crackdown despite waves of unrest across the U.S.

Hours after her comment yesterday, a judge directed the president to return control to California over National Guard troops he deployed after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown, but an appeals court quickly put the brakes on that and temporarily blocked the order that was to go into effect today.

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Israel attacks Irans nuclear and missile sites, prompting Iranian drone-strike retaliation

Israel attacked Iran early today in strikes that took out top military officers and hit nuclear and missile sites, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Cost of President Trumps tariffs hits home, as several consumer goods and services surge to record highs

President Donald Trumps trade war is affecting Americans everywhere from the grocery store to their electric bill, with the cost of bananas, ground beef and electricity surging to all-time highs, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Heres a closer look at how the price of everyday goods is changing under the second Trump administration.

Plea deal ends career of Chicago police officer who struck 14-year-old student

A veteran Chicago police officer will no longer carry a badge as part of a plea agreement in which he admitted that he struck an eighth grade boy while making an off-duty visit to a South Side elementary school two years ago.

Craig Lancaster, 56, was placed on 18 months supervision and ordered to undergo eight hours of anger management as part of a plea deal in which prosecutors reduced the original felony charge of aggravated battery to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Chicago Cubs bullpen has been MLBs best over the last month: Its a pretty resilient group

For the Chicago Cubs front office, revamping the bullpen was a top offseason priority.

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The return on investment over the last month has been apparent. Entering play Wednesday ahead of a 7-2 loss in Philadelphia, the Cubs bullpens 0.82 earned-run average was MLBs best dating to May 14  a stretch of 24 games.

Family receives World War II heros Purple Heart at ceremony in Geneva

Edward Gorski Jr.s Purple Heart medal was returned by the Illinois treasurers office to the World War II veterans grandson, Shawn. An Army veteran himself, Shawn said receiving it was an emotional experience.

It just shows that everything he went through, were able to, you know, tell those stories, he said. Ultimately, our teachings and his legacy will live on.

Newborn Brookfield Zoo dolphin calf dies suddenly

A 4-day-old bottlenose dolphin born last weekend at the Brookfield Zoo Chicago died suddenly Wednesday. The male calf was the first dolphin born at the west suburban zoo in more than a decade.

Review: Kimberly Akimbo arrives in Chicago, a moving musical about a teenager facing mortality

At this years Tony Awards, a delightfully quirky little musical called Maybe Happy Ending beat out big competitors and walked off with the big prize. Although its about family dynamics rather than robotic romance, Kimberly Akimbo, a similarly small and unusual show that won best musical in 2023, paved its way, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones.
COLOMBO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- An Air India Boeing 787-8 passenger plane crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat, western India on Thursday, with 241 of the 242 people on board confirmed dead and only one surviving.

The Indian government has launched a formal investigation into the tragic plane crash. According to a local media report, one of the two black boxes has been found by the aviation authorities.

HOW THE CRASH OCCURRED

At 13:38 local time on Thursday, the Air India flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad Airport to London Gatwick Airport in the UK crashed shortly after takeoff. A video circulating on social media showed that the passenger plane failed to climb smoothly, and then exploded with a huge fireball rising in the air and thick black smoke billowing at the scene.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a statement, saying that the pilot had sent a distress signal to the air traffic control center shortly after takeoff, but then did not respond to the call from the control center.

Flight tracking website "Flightradar24" showed that the passenger plane disappeared from the radar screen less than a minute after takeoff.

According to footage shot by Indian media, the plane crashed into a building in a densely populated area. The building was burned and almost all the exterior glass was destroyed.

A local senior police officer told reporters that the plane crashed into a medical college dormitory.

SITUATION ON BOARD

According to Indian media reports, the crashed plane carried 242 people, including 12 crew members, 169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, one Canadian citizen and seven Portuguese citizens.

Air India posted on social media on Friday that 241 of the 242 people on board have been confirmed dead and one survived. However, local police said that at least 265 people have been killed due to casualties on the ground caused by the accident.

At present, the black box at the tail of the crashed plane has been found, and the black box at the front is still being searched. A spokesman for Ahmedabad Airport said that the airport is currently unable to operate due to the crash. "All flights are suspended until further notice."

FIRST FATAL CRASH OF BOEING 787 DREAMLINER

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved is a wide-body twin-engine aircraft that was put into commercial route operation in late 2011 and is known for its low fuel consumption. The crashed aircraft was delivered to Air India in January 2014 and has been in service for more than 11 years. Data shows that this is the first fatal air crash of this model.

However, the Boeing 787 has been accused of having many safety hazards. In the first half of 2013, all Boeing 787 aircraft in the world were grounded for a period of time due to lithium-ion battery overheating problems in two 787 aircraft of All Nippon Airways (ANA) within two weeks.

In March 2024, a Boeing 787-9 passenger plane flying from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand had a "technical failure" during the flight, and the fuselage shook violently, causing at least 50 injuries.

In July 2024, a Boeing 787-9 passenger plane from Spain to Uruguay made an emergency landing, and at least 30 passengers were injured.

In 2024, a Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified before a U.S. Senate panel that due to manufacturing problems, the 787 Dreamliner contains gaps between parts well above company standards, posing a risk of a potentially catastrophic accident. However, Boeing executives denied this. 
Photo via Getty Images

With just 18 days to go until the deadline to pass a budget before the state government shuts down, Arizona lawmakers are finally taking action  but the spending plan put together solely by House Republicans was criticized by opponents as farce that will never actually become law.

As with any other legislation, the state budget must be approved by a majority in both the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives  which are both controlled by Republicans  and get a signature from Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. The deadline to pass the budget is the end of the states fiscal year, June 30.

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Senate Republicans and Hobbs have collaborated on their own budget proposal, which is expected to be introduced June 16. After negotiations between Hobbs and House Republicans broke down a few weeks ago, that chambers budget leaders decided to craft their own proposal.

During a House Appropriations Committee meeting Thursday, committee Chairman David Livingston said that, even though Hobbs, House and Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans were left out of the drafting process, the budget proposal still included some of their requests.

Some people in this room are very happy, the Peoria Republican said. I have other people in this room that are very disappointed. Thats the case. This budget, I think, comes down the middle.

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But during a Thursday morning press conference, Democratic lawmakers fiercely disagreed with that assessment, claiming that the House Republican budget proposal was cobbled together rapidly after the lawmakers who created it skipped out on three weeks of budget negotiations between Hobbs and Senate Republicans.

Now, in a desperate attempt to become relevant to the budget, House Republicans have introduced this sham, written haphazardly behind closed doors to appease the far-right Freedom Caucus. And, as you would expect, it is awful, said House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos.

The proposal, De Los Santos said, is dead-on-arrival and has no chance of getting a signature from Hobbs. And thats assuming it garners the backing of at least 31 of the chambers 33 Republicans.

Livingston agreed that the final budget will look different than the one his committee approved Thursday, saying that he welcomed amendments to it. But Republican Rep. Matt Gress, a former budget director for Gov. Doug Ducey who worked with Livingston to craft the House proposal, repeatedly promised that the majority of their plan would make it into the final product.

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Livingston said that the top priorities in the budget bills that he sponsored are supporting law enforcement  including a 5% raise for Department of Public Safety and corrections officers  as well funding roads, infrastructure and rural hospitals.

While the proposal provides continued funding for the Department of Developmental Disabilities Parents as Paid Caregivers Program, which was at the center of a bitter fight between Hobbs and legislative Republicans this spring, it includes proposals that lawmakers know Hobbs would never agree to.

Those include new restrictions and monitoring requirements on entitlement programs, like the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System  the states Medicaid program  and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps.

It would also bar Arizonas public universities from providing scholarships to students without legal immigration status, even if the money comes from private donors.

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I mean, this is a hodgepodge of vetoed bills, De Los Santos said, claiming that the scholarship ban is a slap in the face to the voters that passed Proposition 308.

In 2022, Arizona voters approved Proposition 308, which guarantees in-state tuition and access to state-funded financial aid for every Arizona student regardless of citizenship status as long as they attend a high-school in the state for at least two years and graduate.

The blame game

During Thursdays Appropriations Committee meeting, Livingston blamed Hobbs for ending budget negotiations between her office and House Republicans, claiming that she simply stopped sending them counter-proposals.

A spokesman for Hobbs told the Arizona Mirror that wasnt true.

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Representative Livingstons comments are out of touch with reality and make clear he is in over his head, said Christian Slater. His sentiment is not shared by the number of stakeholders who spoke today in opposition to his partisan and reckless budget, or Senate Republicans, House Democrats, and Senate Democrats, who are all in active negotiations with the Governors Office.

As Senate Republicans themselves have publicly noted, the House Republicans have refused to engage in serious negotiations.

Taking a dig at Republicans in the Senate, Livingston also called the proposal theyve negotiated with Hobbs the governors budget.

Senate GOP leaders declined to respond to Livingstons statement.

Criticism from the public

During the Appropriations Committee meeting, representatives from industries, state departments and other causes gave some praise to the budget plan, but mostly criticized it for cutting funding to programs they said were vital to people in need.

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Livingston asked that any of them who requested more funding for their causes to find an equal amount of money from somewhere else in the budget to cut. None of them had immediate suggestions. Budget documents were first posted online late Wednesday afternoon, and were made up of 15 complicated, multipage bills. The Appropriations Committee meeting began at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

Democrats on the Appropriations Committee complained that the process of voting on the House Republican budget was a waste of time, with a bipartisan budget plan soon to be released by the Senate.

A vote on this budget is a vote to waste time on distraction, said Rep. Kevin Volk, a Tucson Democrat.

The budget bills ultimately were approved by the Appropriations Committee along party lines. Lawmakers in the House are in for a long day Friday, with plans for amendments to the proposals and a possible vote likely sometime that evening.

***CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to remove an inaccurate statement about a shift in control of federal funds.

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MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA)  A recent high school graduate was killed by a train on Thursday, which is the sixth death involving a train in the last 30 days in Central Illinois.

It happened on North 15 Street and Piatt Avenue in Mattoon. Ed Schniers, the Coles County Coroner, said the death has been ruled a suicide. The woman who was identified was just 17 years old.

Effingham man killed in bicyclist vs. train accident

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Mattoon Police Chief Sam Gaines said the call came in around 8:45 this morning. He said the teen was walking when she was hit. A few agencies showed up to the scene including the Mattoon Police Department, Mattoon Fire Department and Canadian National Railroad.



Those things dont stop fast. Theres a reason they dont want pedestrians on the track and that is why by the time they see, its already too late to stop most of the time, Gaines said.

He said cameras on the train and family and friends helped them determine the cause of death.

UPDATE: State Police name victims, release new info in Shelby Co. car vs. train crash

The United States Department of Transportation said there are a couple of things everyone should do to stay safe around a railroad crossing. This includes only crossing railroad tracks at designated walk ways, not crossing a railroad if red lights are flashing and never walking around or under lowered gates at a crossing.

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For more information about how to keep yourself and your family safe around railroads and railroad crossings, visit the Department of Transportations website.

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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa  Police in West Des Moines are investigating a death after a body was discovered in the parking lot of the Barnes & Noble store Friday morning.

Sgt. Dan Wade of the West Des Moines Police Department said officers responded to 4550 University Avenue around 9:00 a.m. after receiving a call about a body in a vehicle. When officers arrived, they found an adult woman deceased in a car.

Warren County barn fire claims life of 81-year-old man

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The cause of death is being investigated. The womans name has not been released.

Sgt. Wade said theres no indication of any threat to the public related to this incident. He also said it doesnt appear there is any indication of criminal activity linked to the death.

Metro news

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Business mogul Donald Trump rides an escalator to a press event to announce his candidacy for the U.S. presidency at Trump Tower on June 16, 2015, in New York City. (Christopher Gregory/Getty Images)

Its been 10 years since Donald Trump, a real estate mogul and reality TV star, rode an escalator down to a New York City press conference announcing his entry into the presidential campaign.

On that day  June 16, 2015  Trumps candidacy seemed more like a publicity stunt and his presidency seemed like dark fantasy. Before the event that day, music from the Phantom of the Opera played on repeat. The campaign paid people to attend as Trump said Mexico was sending rapists across the border.

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I dont think anybody came away from that announcement thinking he was going to be the next president, said Charlotte Alter, who attended the announcement for Time magazine.

And yet, here we are.

After 10 years, we are living in Trumps America, an era defined by his policies, his rhetoric and even his fashion. Its a golden anniversary, if only because of Trumps penchant for lacquering everything with the color gold.

While Kansas in 2015 was distant from Trumps Big Apple glitz and power, the state has undeniably been changed by Trumps two presidencies and three candidacies.

My list focuses on issues that particularly impact Kansans. There also are national changes.

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With that caveat, here is my list of 10 ways that life in Kansas has shifted since the president rode that Trump Tower escalator 10 years ago.

1. Abortion politics

When Kansas voters protected abortion rights in an August 2022 ballot measure, it signaled red-state resistance. During the Trump decade, national political attention rarely  if ever  focused on Kansas as much as that moment.

While the Supreme Court  increasingly of Trumps construction  ruled that the Constitution does not guarantee abortion rights, voters in the largely conservative state of Kansas pushed back.

Since then, the number of abortions in Kansas has risen, and a majority of abortions have been performed for patients from out-of-state.

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The Kansas ballot results showed Democrats the popularity of their position on reproductive rights.

2. Increasing polarization

The acrimonious retreat to our partisan corners during the Trump decade contains so many anecdotes, so much data and so many consequences that it seems reductive to boil it down as a single item on this list.

The United States  and Kansans  are divided. On one side, the religious devotion of the MAGA faithful. On the other, the liberal and currently impotent resistance. While many kind folks in my life describe themselves as moderates or centrists, you wouldnt know it by watching Fox News, logging into Truth Social or reading the comment section anywhere online.

The mudslinging of politics that we bemoaned in past decades seems quaint by todays standards. Following Trumps lead, we empty entire dump trucks of vitriol on each other. The other political party? They are the enemy.

3. Suspicion of immigrants

Starting with his announcement 10 years ago, Trumps rhetoric has targeted immigration over the southern border with Mexico. Trump has banned travel from Muslim-majority countries, demanded that Mexico pay for a border wall and unleashed lies against immigrants, particularly those from Mexico, Central America and South America.

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How could this not impact Kansans?

The second largest racial group in Kansas, after white, is hispanic. According to the US Census, 13% of Kansans identify as hispanic.

Local activists report that agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been more visible in the state during Trumps second term and they worry that organized sweeps will come to the state soon. In Kansas City, immigration attorneys report that many clients arent attending their scheduled hearings out of fear that agents will arrest them outside their hearing and deport them.

4. Rollback in climate change acceptance

A recent study found that Kansas and Missouri farmers are reluctant to voice their opinions on climate change, regardless of their point of view. This seems part of Trumps effort to take climate change from settled science to political fulcrum.

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To state a few obvious things, Kansas agriculture is vital and relies on a climate that allows for productive harvests. Climate change threatens that.

Kansas agriculture is weaker after twice having a president who withdrew us from key climate agreements while misrepresenting basic facts: the causes of wildfires, the paths of hurricanes and the virtues of renewable energy.

5. Undermining facts, education and expertise

Trumps cynical rhetoric started with one phrase: fake news.

He used the phrase to bulldoze over any empirical resistance, whether from journalists, academics or lawyers. As he saw it, anyone who opposed him was peddling something dishonest.

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Fast forward 10 years. The spread of measles in Kansas during recent months is a pointed symbol of the everpresent doubts that Trump and his administration have created. As diseases like measles sprout from obscurity, we can see Trumps actions as a unique fertilizer: COVID-19 vaccine denialism, appointment of a vaccine skeptic in his cabinet and skepticism of anyone who claims expertise.

6. Instability for agriculture sales and research

Cuts to federal spending on agriculture research will likely threaten our status, as Americans and Kansans, as leaders in worldwide agriculture. Expect more stories from Kansas with headlines like these:

Those stories touch on immediate effects. Consider the long-term effects on agriculture. Things will get more dire for Kansans. Not knowing why honeybees are dying? The threat of a man-eater screwworm? Both possibilities are looming without a functioning federal agriculture response.

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This concern over research doesnt even address the agriculture market instability caused by Trumps tariffs.

7. Damn the norms

Kansas politicians have learned a new brand of conservatism from Trump: brash political bullying that ignores polite norms. If we can do it, we will, seems to be their jet fuel.

Trumps second-term flurry of executive orders expresses this political swagger. So what if courts knock back most of the actions? In the meantime, the executive orders will have shuttered federal agencies. In the meantime, the damage is done.

Similarly, the Kansas Board of Regents in 2021 allowed campus administrators to eliminate university employees, including tenured faculty, without declaring a financial emergency. Discard precedent and dont look back.

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No surprise: Just like Trumps executive orders, the firing of Emporia State faculty is tied up in court.

8. Luring Democrats into unwise political positions

Opposing Trump has become so reflexive over the past 10 years that Democrats have often defaulted to opposition, even when it doesnt make empirical sense, let alone political sense.

Lets start with COVID-19. Trump called it the Wuhan Flu, simultaneously a jingoistic swing at China and an attempt to belittle a dangerous virus. And many of his public statements (injecting bleach, anyone?) revealed his foolishness.

But the Democrats reaction was also imperfect  and likely carried more electoral consequences. Closing schools and demanding masking were both wildly unpopular while also not providing the desired protections.

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Similarly, Democrats have spent 10 years now opposing Trump on immigration. While Trump holds many odious views on immigration, a central plank of his platform is the prevention of illegal immigration. To many Kansans, opposing Trumps immigration policies means that liberals want to open the border. That policy seems a political folly when 45.6% of Kansans believe illegal immigrants are a danger to public safety.

9. Animosity toward vulnerable groups

Programs that celebrate diversity have been a hallmark of college campuses for years. Along with affirmative action  struck down by a Trump-appointed Supreme Court majority  DEI programs have vanished from Kansas education.

I understand its a bit reductionist to group racial diversity with LGBTQ+ issues, but the Trump administration seems equally obsessed with sexual orientation and issues affecting transgender people.

Campus protests in Kansas have pointed to the unfairness of it all. Plus, a recent lawsuit against KU (where I work) threatens to punish the university for its response.

10. Visible liberal opposition

Electoral maps from the 2024 presidential election showed Trump continuing his gains in most Kansas counties  and the Kansas Legislature remains a conservative stronghold. So its difficult to say that Democrats are gaining.

However, liberal opposition is more visible and galvanized during the Trump decade. Being the resistance party has brought underdog audacity to Democrats.

Kansans have protested Trump policies on abortion, immigration and COVID-19 policies. Protests are planned for Saturday in opposition to his increasingly authoritarian policies.

Defining times

The opposition has even splashed back on Elon Musk and his allegiance to Trump. A Lenexa collision center for Tesla vehicles was firebombed with Molotov cocktails in April in an incident showing how this opposition can go too far.

Living in Trumps America has encouraged wishful thinking about a Trump exit.

On election night 2016, it was Maybe the exit polling is wrong. During his first term, they thought, Hes going to get impeached and removed from office. After losing in 2020, many Kansans hoped, Now he will fade into obscurity.

Instead, with more than three years remaining on his term, its clear that Trumps escalator ride 10 years ago will define our modern lives as Americans and Kansans.

Eric Thomas teaches visual journalism and photojournalism at the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. 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.
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  A Decatur man was sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing and disseminating child sex abuse material.

The Illinois Attorney Generals Office, which prosecuted the case with assistance from the Macon County States Attorney, announced that Charles Bolsen, 66, was sentenced on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to two of the 10 counts against him  a Class X felony of disseminating child pornography and a Class 2 felony of possessing child pornography. The other eight counts were dismissed as part of a plea deal.

38-year-old man arrested in Urbana on child exploitation crimes

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In a sworn statement, Edward Mohan, an investigator with the Attorney Generals Office, said the case started last year when he received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The messaging platform Kik reported that an account with the username Chucklebutt1 had sent two videos of child sex abuse.

Mohan then filed search warrants to Kik, Yahoo (since a yahoo.com email was used to create the account) and Comcast (to track the IP address).

The Kik search warrants contained the original two files noted within the cyber tip and one new one. This file contained what (I) would describe as child pornography, Mohan said. The Kik returns also contained conversations showing Chucklebutt1 was asking for CSAM (child pornography) material and payment was discussed.

The Yahoo and Comcast search warrants traced the email, a phone number and the IP address back to Bolsen, and Mohan then obtained a search warrant for his home on South Evergreen Drive. Bolsen was then detained and interviewed, and an iPhone was seized from him.

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Bolsen admitted twice to sending the CSAM material, Mohan said. Bolsen admitted to paying for CSAM material.

Danville man arrested, charged with sexual assault, child pornography

A digital forensic exam later found 46 files of child sex abuse material on Bolsens iPhone, including two that were visually similar to the files Kik reported. Mohan said Bolsen gave multiple reasons for why he had child sex abuse material.

After accepting Bolsens guilty plea on Thursday, Judge Thomas Griffith sentenced him to eight years in prison for the Class X count of disseminating child pornography. He is day-to-day eligible and was given credit for almost 11 months he spent in jail and on home confinement.

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Bolsen was also sentenced to a consecutive two years of conditional discharge for the Class 2 count of possessing child pornography. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Todays sentence represents justice for exploited and abused children and acknowledges the often lifetime of trauma survivors and their families experience, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a news release. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement officers throughout the state to protect children from exploitation and hold offenders 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.
Defendants are to get the right to ask for a judge-only trial without a jury as part of a shake-up to cut record court backlogs.

Under plans for once-in-a-generation reform to reduce the backlogs, an independent review set up by the Government will recommend ministers should follow the example of Canada, Australia and New Zealand and allow defendants in the crown court to opt for a judge-only trial.

Sir Brian Leveson, the senior judge heading the review, will recommend the move as a way to speed up trials to tackle the record backlog of more than 75,000 cases which is forcing some victims to wait up to four or five years for justice.

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He told a conference on modernising justice: I can see the advantage in lots of cases. You will get a reasoned judgment [from a judge]. In front of a jury, you dont get a judgment at all, you get guilty or not guilty.

The case will be undeniably speedier because the judge doesnt have to explain to the jury all the basic premises of the criminal law.

Sir Brian is also expected to recommend that the public should be spared jury service if a case is going to last more than 12 months because of the unfairness of it taking a year out of their lives and livelihoods. Instead, such cases would be heard by a judge without a jury.

Other proposals will further scale back peoples right to a jury trial for some lower level offences such as assault of a police officer while resisting arrest, racially aggravated criminal damage, dangerous driving and possessing a class B drug like cannabis.

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These are likely to be tried either by an intermediate court comprising a judge and two magistrates or by extending the powers of magistrates to try cases carrying sentences of up to two years, rather than only those with maximum jail terms of one year, as at present.

Sir Brian was appointed by Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, who said that once-in-a-generation reform of the courts was the only way to tackle justice delays for victims.

Internal Ministry of Justice forecasts suggested the backlogs could rise to 100,000 without radical action.

Sir Brian said there was a real risk that the system will collapse as defendants take advantage of cases being delayed as long as 2029 and threw the dice in the hope their victims or witnesses disengaged and prosecutions were abandoned.

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He also said it would be up to the Government to decide which types of cases it felt were appropriate for defendants to have the right to spurn a jury but he said the judges would have the discretion to overrule any request if it was in the public interest to do so.

There are some cases, which I would not consider appropriate for a judge to try alone, and I would give the judge a discretion, Sir Brian said.

So a defendant may say, I would like to be tried by a judge alone, and the judge would be perfectly entitled to say, I think not.

Public opprobrium

He suggested one type of case judge-only trials could be where there was significant public opprobrium over the case such as sexual or sadistic violence and could sway the jury.

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I can see defendants, perhaps charged with cases that attract public opprobrium being concerned about a jury coming in from their daily lives to face that trial, he said.

Equally, I can see if its that much public opprobrium, why a judge may say, Im not sure about that. So there is a balance to be done, but judges make judicial decisions all the time.

He said it could also apply to factually or legally extremely complex cases where a jury may struggle to fully understand the case. A third type could where there had been alleged confession or identification, where judges tended to be more rigorous in scrutinising its validity than necessarily a jury.

Sir Brian said there had been a limited number of cases where judges had heard cases alone such as where a jury had to be discharged due to evidence of jury tampering.

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He is expected to deliver his report to Ms Mahmood next week with publication expected in early July.

It follows a similar review of sentencing by David Gauke, the former Tory justice secretary, which recommended freeing some prisoners as little as a third of the way through sentence to tackle prison overcrowding.

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SALT LAKE CITY  Several hundred demonstrators waving U.S. and Mexican flags, holding signs blasting U.S. immigration authorities and chanting slogans of support for immigrants gathered in downtown Salt Lake City as the immigration debate across the country heats up.

The Utah protestors, who gathered Thursday at Washington Square Park, referenced the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration in Los Angeles, which has prompted demonstrating there by immigrant advocates. We have to take notes from Los Angeles and unite as one, said Jazz Dumas, of Utah March, one of the groups that organized the protest.

Another demonstrator in attendance, pushing a child in a stroller, a Mexican flag draped around her shoulder, also alluded to the Los Angeles demonstrations. President Donald Trump attempted to deploy National Guard troops to quell the protest activity, prompting backlash from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and others, but a U.S. judge barred the action on Thursday, according to Reuters.

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Im so proud of them for sticking up, said the woman, who identified herself as Adriana. Im proud of the the LA citizens for going out there and defending my people.

Jaz Dumas, right, yells at a line of police officers during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

The protestors packed the northwest corner of Washington Square Park, where the Salt Lake City-County Building is located, and they were loud and boisterous. Organizers dubbed the protest From LA to SLC: ICE Out! In a press briefing afterward, Salt Lake City police spokesman Brent Weisberg labeled the event unplanned and said the crowd size reached an estimated 600.

The demonstrators, who later marched through downtown Salt Lake City, were mostly peaceful, he said. He reported a few agitators in the group and said there were a few small skirmishes in Washington Square Park. A Tesla received unspecified damage while the demonstrators marched through Salt Lake City, according to Weisberg, and that incident remains under investigation.

A line of Salt Lake City police officers confront protesters during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

In one of the skirmishes at Washington Square, a man wearing a shirt reading Trump is GOAT of presidents blasted one of the speakers for talking in Spanish and shouted down the protesters. Several crowded around him, shouting back, and he eventually left.

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The tone of Thursdays protest was defiant, with speakers variously urging solidarity with immigrants and blasting immigration agents, police and the wealthy people perceived to be the ruling class. The real criminals are the billionaires who run this country and (exploit) the rest of us for their own profits. The real criminals are the racist police and the ICE forces who arrest us and deport us to keep us from demanding equal rights, said Liz Maryon, with the Salt Lake Community Bail Fund.

Among the many in the crowd was Seka Groves, of Salt Lake City, there with a group of other Native Americans.

Protesters march with signs during an anti-ICE protest and march in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

Were Northern Ute and Hopi, and we feel like its important to stand up for our brothers and sisters, our cousins, he said. He hopes a takeaway from the event is that even in a conservative state like Utah, there are still people that support immigrants and brown people.

Jodi Archer, of Lehi, there with two of her daughters, Eli and Gwen, said the Trump administrations moves to deploy the National Guard and Marines in support of the immigrant crackdown went too far.

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Its just out of control, she said. The presence of immigrants in the country isnt something thats really ever bothered me. If theyre not causing a problem, and theyre contributing, theyre working, I dont see any problem with people coming here.

Gwen Archer said everyone deserves dignity.

Everyone is a human, and I think being from a country were we pledge justice for all, thats what I hope for, thats what I vote for, thats what I want in this country, in a country thats made of immigrants, she said.

Tatiana Balasanian, right, an immigrant from Russia, dances with Jaz Dumas, left, in a circle of protesters at an anti-ICE protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

The demonstrations in California and planned anti-Trump protests on Saturday across the country, including several set for Utah, have prompted hand-wringing among some Utah officials. They support the right of free speech and the right to protest, they say, but wont stand for violence.

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We ask everyone exercising these rights to use good judgment and remain peaceful, the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement Thursday. Acts of violence, vandalism or any other criminal behavior will not be tolerated and will be addressed immediately. We remain committed to safeguarding both the right to protest and the rule of law.

In light of the situation, nonessential employees at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City and the 4th District Courthouse in Provo were asked to stay home on Friday. Chris Palmer, director of security for Utah State Courts, said similar moves were implemented in 2020 in response to protesting that year.

The anti-Trump demonstrations on Saturday, dubbed No Kings protests, are spearheaded by Indivisible, a group formed in opposition to Trump. They are scheduled to take place all across the country. Protests in Utah are scheduled for Logan, Ogden, Park City, Heber City, Provo, Moab, Boulder, Price, Ephraim, Bluff, Cedar City, St. George and Kanab, according to the No Kings website. Two protests are set for Salt Lake City, at Pioneer Park and on the University of Utah campus.

Contributed: Daniel Woodruff

Jesus Bernal holds up a sign and chants with other protesters during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News

A line of Salt Lake City police officers confront protesters during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 12, 2025. | Brice Tucker, Deseret News
Democratic Rep. John Mannion launched a furious, expletive-filled tirade at one of his GOP colleagues on the House floor in an angry row over the manhandling of a California senator earlier in the day.

The New York congressman was heard shouting: Weve had enough! F---ing get over there and get some f---ing balls! at Rep. Mike Lawler, stunning lawmakers into silence.

The off-screen outburst erupted shortly after the House had finished voting on a resolution. Conversations halted as dozens of lawmakers turned to watch the drama unfold.

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Tell them! Tell them! You know who I am! Mannion yelled.

Sen. Alex Padilla said of his treatment that we

The incident came amid Democratic outrage over the forceful treatment of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who was dragged out of a press conference in Los Angeles hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and handcuffed by Secret Service agents after interrupting her speech. The city has been the epicenter of a week of often violent protests against aggressive federal immigration raids.

Top Democrats quickly condemned the handling of Padilla. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the incident reeks of totalitarianism, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it a sickening disgrace.

Mannions tirade reportedly began when Lawler, who also represents a New York district, was speaking to California Rep. Jimmy Panetta on the Democratic side of the House floor, according to Axios. Lawler fired back with his own F-bomb, shouting: F--- you! I have no idea what youre talking about!

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Lawler later confirmed the voice heard during the floor outburst belonged to Mannion. In a post on X, he wrote: John Mannion was entirely unhinged and unprofessional. That was a shameful display that exposed his complete lack of temperament. He should go seek help for anger management  and f--- off.

John Mannion shocked lawmakers on both sides after tearing into Mike Lawler on the chamber floor. / Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

In a statement to The Hill, Mannion defended his outburst as an attempt stop the rise of authoritarian government and the destruction of American democracy.

If making some noise on the House floor and calling out Trump enablers draws attention to whats happening to our country right before our eyesgood. Today its roughing up and handcuffing a United States Senator and a politicized military patrolling the streets of American cities.

Its the willing abandonment of the rule of law and a gross fealty to a want-to-be dictator who is tearing the country apart. None of this is normal or okay, he added.

Mannion and Lawler did not immediately respond to requests for further comment from the Daily Beast.
Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Tim Kaine D-Va., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., introduced legislation on Thursday to hold Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and other Salvadoran leaders "accountable" for their alleged human rights abuses and for the countrys "collusion with the Trump administration to imprison people from the United States without due process."

Titled the El Salvador Accountability Act of 2025, the bill would impose property-blocking and visa sanctions on Bukele and other Salvadoran officials "who have engaged in international human rights violations or worked to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their rights under the U.S. Constitution." The measure would also block any U.S. funding to the Salvadoran government and instruct the U.S. to oppose international financial assistance being sent.

This comes after the Trump administration sent over 200 illegal, alleged gang members to the infamous, high-security prison CECOT, which has served as a detainment facility for many of El Salvadors most notorious criminals.

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The move was met with staunch opposition by Democrats who accused the administration of depriving the illegal aliens removed of their due process rights. Democrats took particular issue with the deportation of illegal alien and suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to the prison in March.

Doj Charges Kilmar Abrego Garcia With Human Smuggling And Conspiracy

Van Hollen was the first of several Democrats to fly to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia and to advocate for his return to the U.S.

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Abrego Garcia, whom the DOJ is prosecuting on human trafficking charges and who is also an alleged wife-beater, was returned to the U.S. on June 6 to stand trial.

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Van Hollen released a statement celebrating Abrego Garcias return, saying, "This is not about the man, its about his constitutional rights  and the rights of all."

In a statement announcing the bill on Thursday, Van Hollen accused Bukele and the Salvadoran government of "colluding with the Trump Administration" by "taking American taxpayer dollars to imprison people as part of a scheme to violate their constitutional rights."

Ag Bondi Details Very Serious Charges Facing Kilmar Abrego Garcia

"We must hold Bukele and his cronies accountable for these wrongful actions as well as for the gross violations of human rights they are committing in El Salvador," wrote Van Hollen.

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"We must send a clear signal that these injustices are unacceptable and must end," he said.

Democrats Celebrate Return Of Suspected Human Trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Padilla commented on the legislation as well, saying that "imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bukele and his corrupt government is a necessary step to push El Salvador to finally uphold international human rights law and respect fundamental civil liberties."

"We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process," he added.

Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California, departs after speaking to reporters outside of the Wilshire Federal Building, after he was forcibly removed after interrupting a news conference being held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in Los Angeles on Jun. 12, 2025.

Padilla was detained by authorities on Thursday after attempting to disrupt a press conference being held in Los Angeles by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

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Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin responded to the legislation in a statement to Fox News Digital in which she quipped: "Is this just another excuse for Senator Van Hollen to fly down to El Salvador on U.S. taxpayers dime to dine with gang members and terrorists?"

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson also chimed in, telling Fox News Digital in an emailed statement that "Chris Van Hollen (D-Illegal Alien) continues to embarrass himself and betray his constituents by spending more time representing criminal illegal aliens than American citizens."

"His taxpayer-funded vacation to El Salvador to sip margaritas with a terrorist, human-trafficker, and wife-beater wasnt enough  now he wants to keep more criminal illegals in American communities," Jackson remarked, adding "All Americans should be grateful for CECOT, which houses violent criminal illegal aliens who threaten the safety and security of everyone."

This article has been c





Original article source: Dem senators propose bill to punish El Salvador for collusion with Trump
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth found himself on the defensive Thursday as California Democratic U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs used a House Armed Services Committee hearing to expose what she demonstrated is the hypocrisy of the Trump administrations purge of transgender service membersmany of whom are among the highest-rated troops in the U.S. military. Video of the interaction has gone viral online.

Marking National Women Veterans Day, Jacobs, who represents one of the largest military communities in San Diego, opened her remarks by highlighting the exemplary records of three women in uniform: a major responsible for advanced combat training, an aviator with more than 50 combat missions, and an ROTC instructor rated as one of the top noncommissioned officers in her command. All three, she noted, had received the highest marks from their commanding officers in recent months.

Hegseth applauded their recordsuntil Jacobs revealed they are transgender women.

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"I would commend the major, the aviator, and the instructor for their service," Hegseth said.

You are actually kicking out these three highly qualified service members solely because of their identity, Jacobs explained. You are the one injecting culture wars into the military, and its at the detriment of our military readiness and national security.

Seemingly caught off guard, Hegseth responded dismissively. These are men who think theyre women, he said, claiming gender dysphoria poses a mental health risk that undermines military performance. Jacobs was quick to shut that down. These are women, she said. Im happy to educate you on trans issues at another time.

The exchange comes as the Pentagon carries out a sweeping purge of transgender troops under a May 15 directive from Hegseths office. As of June 6, all service members with a current or prior diagnosis of gender dysphoria face involuntary separation unless they obtain a rare, restrictive, and essentially unobtainable waiverone that requires them to deny their identity and abstain from accessing any gender-affirming care.

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The result has been a wave of forced exits, with troops being discharged under codes commonly used for misconductdamaging their careers and benefits. Legal and advocacy groups argue that the policy is discriminatory, dangerous, and unfounded.

Theres nothing voluntary about forced separation, said Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLAD Law, which is representing transgender people who are suing the government.

As The Advocate has reported, some of those affected include West Point graduate and Bronze Star recipient Maj. Erica Vandal, transgender Navy aviator Cmdr. Emily Shilling, Second Lt. Nicolas Talbott, and Airman Clayton McCallister, a recent basic training graduate who ranked at the top of his class. All are plaintiffs in federal lawsuits against the administration, arguing that the ban violates their constitutional rights and undermines the very readiness the Pentagon claims to protect.

On Thursday, Jacobs zeroed in on the inconsistency in Hegseths policy: if merit truly mattered, she argued, these troops would be retainednot expelled. Wouldnt that show up in their fit reps? she asked, referring to the fitness reports from commanders that praised their leadership, skill, and service.

Despite efforts by Senate Democrats led by Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran who lost both legs in war, to halt the policy before the Pentagon began implementing the separations. Some service members have opted to retire early to protect their benefits. Others are being pushed out against their will.

I thought I had to prove that trans people could serve, McCallister told The Advocate last week. But weve already proven that, over and over. The military just doesnt want to see it.
FLORENCE, Italy, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A sculpture of Yuan Longping, the renowned Chinese scientist known as the "father of hybrid rice," was unveiled on Thursday at the Georgofili Academy in Florence, Italy. The work was created and donated by Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China.

The donation marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, highlighting the two countries' cooperation in science and art.

"Everyone in agricultural science knows Yuan Longping," said Massimo Vincenzini, president of the Georgofili Academy. "He was an outstanding scientist who made a profound impact in the global fight against hunger."

Chinese Consul General in Florence Yin Qi said the event symbolized cross-cultural dialogue, coinciding with the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

In a video message, sculptor Wu Weishan expressed hope that the artwork would inspire deeper exchanges between civilizations.

Born in 1930, Yuan succeeded in cultivating the world's first high-yield hybrid rice strain in 1973, which was later grown on a large scale in China and other countries to substantially raise output. He passed away at the age of 91.

The sculpture will be permanently housed at the Georgofili Academy, one of the world's oldest agricultural research institutions, founded in 1753. 
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and pinned to the floor by federal law enforcement officers on Thursday after he interrupted a Los Angeles press conference of Kristi Noem, who was discussing the Trump administrations response to the ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations.

We are not going away, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem declared. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.

At that point, Padilla  who had barged into the conference room as Noem spoke  tried to address the Homeland Security chief before he was accosted by Secret Service and FBI agents, who then held the California senator on the floor after rushing him away from the room.

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Im Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is, a half dozen... Hands off! the lawmaker was heard shouting as he was swarmed by law enforcement.

Following his brief detainment by the FBI, the senator held a news conference and stated he was at the Wilshire Federal Building awaiting a scheduled briefing from federal officials as part of his responsibility as a senator to provide oversight and accountability.

Democratic California Senator Alex Padilla tried to ask questions to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Los Angeles on June 12 but was shoved out of the room by federal officers (AFP/Getty)

Padilla asserted that while he was waiting for a separate briefing, he learned that Noem was holding a press conference just a few doors down the hall. Adding that he and his Democratic colleagues have been attempting to get answers from DHS on their increasingly extreme immigration actions, Noem had given little to no information in recent weeks, prompting him to attend her presser.

I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information, he continued. I was there peacefully. At one point, I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained.

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While urging more peaceful protests across the country against the administrations immigration enforcement actions, he wrapped up his remarks by suggesting that his incident was a warning shot.

If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, Padilla said. We will hold this administration accountable. 

Federal officers shoved Senator Alex Padilla out of a conference room as he tried to interrupt remarks from Homeland Security Kristi Noem (AP)

Padilla was then pinned by the ground by FBI and Secret Service Agents and placed in handcuffs (Office of the Senator Alex Padilla)

Meanwhile, a Homeland Security spokesperson accused Padilla of lunging at Noem without identifying himself, though video footage captures the senator saying his name and title at least twice.

Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem, assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Independent.

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Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands, she added. U.S. Secret Service thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately.

After the incident, Noem spoke with Padilla during a 15-minute meeting, according to her office.

In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for the FBI said Padilla was detained by members of the U.S. Secret Service assigned to Secretary Noems detail when he became disruptive while formal remarks were being delivered.

The FBI similarly accused Padilla of not identifying himself despite footage that shows him announcing his name to the secretary.

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Speaking to the press after her meeting with Padilla, Noem said she had a great conversation with the senator about Homeland Securitys activities and operations in Los Angeles, insisting it was very productive.

But she also reiterated her offices claim that he didnt identify himself and attempted to lunge at her.

Ill let the law enforcement speak to how this situation was handled, she stated. But I will say that people need to identify themselves before they start lunging at people during press conferences.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem spoke with Padilla after he was roughed up and handcuffed by federal agents (AP)

Based on footage that was shared on social media from reporters on the scene, after being forcefully pushed out of the conference room into an adjacent hallway, Padilla was handcuffed and restrained face down on the floor by several FBI agents.

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Padilla was exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal governments operations in Los Angeles and across California, his office said in a statement.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is currently suing the administration for federally mobilizing the National Guard in response to the protests, also immediately condemned the treatment of Padilla during the press conference.

[Padilla] is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful, he tweeted. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident absolutely abhorrent and outrageous, noting that Padilla is a sitting United States senator. This administrations violent attacks on our city must end, she added.

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Californias other senator, Democrat Adam Schiff, said his colleague represented the best of the Senate before denouncing the actions against Padilla.

The disgraceful and disrespectful conduct of DHS agents, pushing and shoving him out of a briefing like that, demands our condemnation, he said. He will not be silenced or intimidated. His questions will be answered. Im with Alex.

Schiff told reporters on Capitol Hill that he wants an investigation into the incident  a call that was echoed by other Democratic lawmakers.

In a brief, furious statement on the Senate floor, Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said footage of the incident sickened my stomach.

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Later, he called the incident despicable, disgusting and so un-American.

Reeks of totalitarianism, he said. We need a full investigation, immediately, as to what happened, and who did what, and whats going to be done to see that this does not happen again.

This is unacceptable, full stop, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus added in another statement. [Padilla] attended an open press conference to engage in debate, to represent his state, to do his job. We demand a full investigation and consequences for every official involved in this assault against a sitting US senator.

We need to subpoena Kristi Noem! Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost declared in a House Oversight hearing featuring testimony from three Democratic governors about immigration policy.

House Speaker Mike Johns said Senator Padilla should be censured after he was restrained by federal law enforcement (AP)

Republicans, meanwhile, appeared to be looking to escalate the situation by calling for sanctions against Padilla.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Thursday afternoon that the senator engaged in wildly inappropriate behavior before urging the upper chamber to take action against him.

I do think that it merits immediate attention by their colleagues over there, he said. I think that behavior, at a minimum, rises to the level of a censure. ... I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what we are going to do. Thats not how were going to act.

The arrest follows resistance from thousands of Americans against the Trump administrations aggressive anti-immigration agenda, with immigration raids and arrests in the Los Angeles area sparking nationwide protests against enforcement efforts ripping families and communities apart.

Noem has also revoked humanitarian protections for roughly 1 million people with temporary legal status after fleeing disaster and violence in nations like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Immigration judges have also been instructed to drop cases for hundreds of other immigrants, making potentially millions of people vulnerable to arrest and swift removal from the country. Noem has deployed masked agents to make arrests in and outside courthouses moments after those hearings end.

White House policy chief Stephen Miller, the architect of the presidents anti-immigration platform, has put pressure on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to arrest 3,000 people a day. He reportedly told officials last month to just go out there and arrest illegal aliens.
In his first term, Trump chased Democrats laser pointer; now, theyre chasing his. No issue illustrates this like immigration; its become the Democrats red dot. Whenever, wherever, and however Trump moves it, Democrats cant help pouncing.

In his first term, Trump reacted to everything Democrats and the establishment media did. He couldnt help himself, as though always compensating for having lost the 2016 popular vote. Forever taking their bait, his tweets poured forth. His frequently abrupt policy and political changes cost him on Obamacare - and popular support, too: Throughout his first term, Trump never had a favorable job approval rating in the RealClearPolitics Average of national polls.

In his second term, circumstances have markedly reversed. Democrats have been reacting to Trump since before he took office - if not since before he won it.

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Even before his inauguration, Democratic leaders ran to microphones to announce their defiance. As they did, they picked politically questionable issues. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker proclaimed he was opening his state to more transgender surgeries; California Gov. Newsom proclaimed support for electric vehicle credits.

When Trump talked about a third term, even with the Constitution clearly blocking it, Democrats and the establishment media were apoplectic. Once in office, they were opposed to DOGE with equal vehemence.

In short, if Trump proposed it, Democrats opposed it. They couldnt help taking the bait. However, of all the things Trump has pursued, nothing has exorcised Democrats like his crackdown on illegal immigration.

New Jerseys governor, boldly proclaiming he was harboring an illegal immigrant, dared ICE to comeuntil ICE said they intended to. Democratic officials stormed a New Jersey ICE holding center. When a Milwaukee judge was arrestedfor helping an illegal immigrant avoid ICE capture, Democrats rallied around her, despite a judges job being one of impartiality on cases before the bench.

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When Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported from Maryland, the accused MS-13 gang member became a Democratic cause celebre. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) went to El Salvador to have cocktails with Garcia; other Democratic members of Congress followed. Nationwide, Democrats have prominently counseled illegal immigrants on evading ICE.

Still, the Los Angeles uprising over the last several days took Democratic efforts (or lack thereof when it comes to enforcement) to another level. Mayor Karen Bass (who already had bungled wildfires that caused enormous damage) and Gov. Gavin Newsom stood by as the city descended into anarchic chaos from protests over ICE doing its job.

Trump called in the National Guard. Next, the Marines. Newsom called press conferences. And sued. He sought to cast himself as a political paladin, a knight-errant in defense of not enforcing immigration law.

The better term for Newsom and the rest of the Democrats rallying to the cause of blocking the deportation of immigrants in the country illegally would be "knights-in-error." More accurate in terms of immigration and law enforcement policy, it would be more accurate still in terms of politics.

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Having already given Trump a winning issue, they are now gift-wrapping it in images: attacking law enforcement, rioters, outside agitators, destruction, looting, burned-out vehicles, a city aflame. Each picture a winner for Trump, each one a loser for Democrats.

To understand how big a loser these visuals are for Democrats, just look at the polling numbers.

RCPs final average for President Bidens job approval on crime was 38% approval and 59% disapproval - a negative 21 percentage-point margin. On immigration, Bidens final job approval average was 33.5% approval and 64.8% disapproval - a negative 31.3 percentage-point margin.

With negatives like these, why do Democrats insist on fighting on this terrain? Why Trump does is clear: His job approval on immigration is 51.5% approval versus 47% disapproval - a positive 4.5 percentage points.

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The figures on reduced illegal immigration and overall crime since he took office only burnish the law-and-order credentials Democrats are thrusting on him.

Even in California, increased law enforcement is a winner. Californias ballot measure that increased penalties for shoplifting and drug possession - and undid an earlier ballot measure relaxing these - passed overwhelmingly last November.

Non-deluded Democrats have also voiced their concerns with picking this losing fight. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) have both had the temerity to swim against Democrats lemming tide.

Immigration has become a laser pointer for Trump to use on Democrats. With every flash of the red dot, Democrats instinctively respond, each time believing one more pat of the paw, one more snap of the jaw, and they will have seized what is forever a pounce away.

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It is not true that Democrats do not have an agenda; they do: Trumps. Or rather, Trumps agenda has them. And on immigration, it has Democrats right where Trump wants them.

J.T. Young is the author of the recent book Unprecedented Assault: How Big Government Unleashed Americas Socialist Left from RealClear Publishing and has over three decades experience working in Congress, the Department of Treasury, the Office of Management and Budget, and representing a Fortune 20 company.
WASHINGTON  Democrats want Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem to testify on Capitol Hill about the manhandling of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) and other House Democrats asked House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) in a letter Friday to demand sworn testimony from Noem, by subpoena if necessary, about the violent detention of Padilla.

Federal law enforcement officials forcibly removed Padilla from a Noem press conference in a federal building in Los Angeles on Thursday, with video showing agents pushing him to the floor and handcuffing him after he tried to interrupt Noems remarks with a question.

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The Department of Homeland Security said shortly after the incident that Secret Service agents thought he was an attacker and acted appropriately in response. Video showed Padilla identifying himself as a U.S. senator as he was pushed from the room.

President Trump this week deployed the National Guard and Marines to California in response to violent protests, a significant break from the usual protocol in which presidents deploy troops in response to state requests. A federal judge said Trumps use of the National Guard was illegal, but an appeals court said it could continue while the case unfolds.

We are not going away, Noem said before Padillas interruption. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.

Frost first demanded Noems testimony during an oversight hearing on Thursday, which led to a testy back-and-forth on the dais and Comer eventually telling the Florida Democrat to shut up.

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Its unlikely Comer will take Frosts suggestion; instead, Comer demanded information Friday from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom about their response to recent immigration raids and subsequent attacks on police.

To Democrats, Padillas arrest represented an escalation of the Trump administrations efforts to challenge Congress as a coequal branch of government and increase the power of the president.

This shocking encounter adds to a litany of alarming moves by the Trump Administration to seize and abuse power, including by turning the military on the American people, the Democrats, led by Frost as well as Reps. Stephen Lynch (Mass.) and Summer Lee (Pa.), wrote in their letter. The Trump Administration has mobilized the military to the streets of an American city, and any other city could be next. The Trump Administration has violently tackled, kneeled on, and handcuffed a sitting U.S. senator, and any other American could be next.

Congressional Republicans have mostly dismissed the Padilla melee as just another stunt by Democrats. Several House Democrats recently had a run-in with federal immigration officers at a facility in New Jersey, an incident that resulted in federal charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) for interfering with law enforcement.




Democrats newest approach to win back voters is a fresh embrace of the nation's oldest symbol.

Two days ahead of Flag Day, when President Donald Trumps military parade will run through the streets of Washington, Democratic Reps. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) fanned out Thursday afternoon to give a gift to their colleagues to unite them.

It was a 4-inch-by-6-inch American flag, which they passed out at almost the exact moment, unbeknownst to them, that Sen. Alex Padilla was getting forcibly removed and handcuffed at a Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles  an act House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries would later call unpatriotic.

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The flags, made in Deluzios Pennsylvania, came with a message in an accompanying dear colleague letter written by Ryan, a West Point grad who served two tours in Iraq, and Deluzio, a U.S. Navy officer who was also deployed there. They have joined forces to become co-chairs of the first-ever, 18-member Democratic Veterans Caucus, formed just three days ago.

Patriotism does not belong to one party, the letter read. The flag, and the values it stands for, belong to every single American.

As Democrats look for a message to rebut the MAGA right, they are looking within their own ranks for a credible message against the overreach of those holding power.

The timing is very apt, because we've now had a senator handcuffed; we've had one of my House colleagues charged and now indicted; we've had not just the National Guard federalized, but active duty troops deployed against U.S. citizens, and increasingly, Trump, who really is the Republican Party now, their definition of patriotism, is, do you support Trump and MAGA? Ryan told POLITICO. And if you don't, then you're not patriotic."

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Democrats see the military display taking place in Washington on the Armys 250th birthday  which also happens to coincide with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday  as emblematic of a president who puts himself above the country. In his speech this week, even California Gov. Gavin Newsom framed his criticism of Trump in patriotic terms, saying hes ordering our American heroes, the United States military, and forcing them to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past.

It's a message that a beleaguered party hopes resonates in the 90 percent of counties that shifted to Republicans last November. Or, as Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) put it earlier this year, it's time for Democrats to fucking retake the flag.



Ahead of Trumps parade, outside groups like VoteVets are rallying former servicemembers to make a not-so-subtle contrast. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), a former Navy officer, is organizing fellow veterans online to call out how Trump is putting his ego first while he fires veterans from federal jobs and guts the VA. Others who also served in the armed forces, like JoAnna Mendoza who is running to challenge Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, plan to be involved in the pushback.

Patriotism is not something the Democratic Party should concede, because patriotism is not something the Republican Party created, Moore said in an interview.

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Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Instagram Thursday said any salute to the flag or patriotism or talk of American greatness is completely hollow if you do not respect the freedoms that that flag represents.

In Iowa last month at a town hall hosted by the Democratic political action committee VoteVets, Buttigieg closed his opening remarks with an extended meditation on the flag to his three-year-old daughter. The former Navy Reserve intelligence officer who deployed to Afghanistan for seven months extolled the values that flag represents, the story, the incredibly rich and inspiring  and yes, very, complicated story, of everything that has happened under that flag and in the name of that flag.

And it comes at a time when the partys brightest stars include a number of veterans  including some poised to enter governor's mansions and help Democrats retake the House.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, her party's gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, is a former Navy helicopter pilot.



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Her candidacy has inspired a group of female veterans running for Congress in 2026 , who hope to replicate the success of the 2018 wave by running moderates with national security experience.

And like Buttigieg, other possible 2028 presidential contenders are leaning into powerful national symbols: Kelly is also a former astronaut. And there is Ruben Gallego, a Marine combat veteran who served in Iraq.

In attempting to reclaim the flag from its right-coded fixture at the moment, Democrats face no easy task: One study found that a single exposure to the American flag shifts voter sentiment to the right for up to eight months after.

Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton, a senior adviser to VoteVets, the PAC that sponsored Buttigieg's town hall last month, said messaging that has been so successful on the right to pigeonhole the other party [as] less than patriotic.

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Mendoza, a retired US Marine, says she finds it "extremely frustrating" when Republicans claim to be the true party of patriots. Medoza said she deliberately chose her campaign colors to be red, white and blue to make a point that "they don't own it, and we have to take it back."

"The Republican Party does not own this country, they don't own the American flag," she said. "It belongs to the people."

Democrats have spent years battling perceptions that they are less patriotic  and reversing that image could take just as long.

But a key part of the way out of the moment we're in will be military veterans who can help bridge the divide," Ryan said. "That's why I think this reassertion of a constructive, unifying patriotism is absolutely just essential right now.

CORRECTION: This article originally misspelled Ruben Gallego's first name, misidentified Hakeem Jeffries' title, mischaracterized Chris Deluzio's deployments to Iraq, and misstated Donald Trump's birthday.
Democrats on Capitol Hill were furious Thursday after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and handcuffed after trying to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference in Los Angeles.

After Padilla identified himself by his name and title, he pushed toward the front of a conference room trying to ask a question. He was then grabbed by agents who pushed him backward, shoved him through a set of double doors, and forced him onto the ground and handcuffed him.

Video of the confrontation emerged as the Senate was concluding work for the day, shocking members. More than a dozen immediately went to the floor to defend Padilla and speak out against what they argued was unjust and unnecessary.

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On the other side of the building, California Democrats alongside other members of the party descended the Capitol steps as a group to condemn what many called the manhandling of their colleague. Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other House Democrats also marched to Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) office in a show of outrage.

He had every right as a member of the United States Senate to talk and be at an event that was open to the public and the press. Instead, he was manhandled by law enforcement, forced to the ground and handcuffed. This is an outrage, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said with dozens of Democrats gathered behind her.

And Ill tell you what, you know, it had me thinking, is this what it felt like to be in Germany in 1933.

Many of the 17 Senate Democrats who spoke likened Padillas removal to actions seen in dictatorial states and called for a bipartisan investigation.

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Make no mistake, the effort to manhandle our colleague, to push him out of the room for asking an inconvenient question, to handcuff him  its an attempt to shut him up. Its an attempt to shut everyone up who has a dissenting view from this administration, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said, pointing to the decision to deploy the military to quell the Los Angeles protests.

They want to intimidate you, he added.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Padillas seatmate, also characterized the response as an attempt to silence a lawmaker confronting questionable actions in their state.

There he is, going to this press conference to advocate for those who are most vulnerable, to ask the questions that need to be answered, like What is the basis under the law or Constitution to over the objection of the governor to federalize the Guard to be used against our own people in California? he said.

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I understand why Secretary Noem doesnt want to answer these questions because she cant, but it is Alex Padillas job to ask those questions and to demand those answers, and we are proud of him. We are proud of him. We are proud of his courage and his steadfastness.

Noem had organized the press conference to boast about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles, where officers have arrested hundreds of migrants, with some already swiftly deported.

The large-scale raids sparked protests that were met with force by the administration. President Trump took the unusual step of bypassing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in calling in the National Guard and deploying 700 Marines  an even more unusual scenario for a subset of the military trained for war.

ICEs relationship with Congress was already under scrutiny after a scrum took place outside a New Jersey detention facility that lawmakers were attempting to visit.

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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was arrested, though charges were subsequently dropped. And interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba has brought charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), alleging she assaulted an officer with her forearms during a chaotic scuffle.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) noted Thursday there are laws on the books protecting lawmakers.

These thugs who manhandled the senator probably dont know its a federal offense to attack a member of Congress, but thats not what its about. It shouldnt be anybody in our country [who is] treated this way. So we speak out for Sen. Padilla. Were speaking out for everyone who has a right to speak, she said.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, referred to what happened as an assault.

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Sen. Padilla was not only stopped from expressing his opinion, he was assaulted. He was assaulted. Anybody that sees the video will see that he was aggressively assaulted and thrown on the ground for simply just wanting to express his opinion, he said.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), a fellow Southern Californian, said he wanted more than an investigation.

We need answers. We dont need reports. We need answers from Sen. [John] Thune, from Speaker Johnson. We need answers to these questions because Donald Trumps administration is unhinged, he told reporters.

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who was visibly angry during his brief remarks, urged those protesting in California and elsewhere this weekend to be very peaceful given what happened to Padilla and issued a vociferous defense of the senators actions.

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I have never ever, other than Jan. 6, been so outraged at the conduct of an administration, Schatz said.

Others pointed the finger at Noem, calling for her ouster.

Kristi Noem should resign in disgrace, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) wrote on social platform X.

While reactions from Senate Republicans were more muted, some made clear they were not fans of Padillas actions and accused him of grandstanding.

I think he should have been here in Washington voting, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) told reporters.

He has a responsibility to his constituents to show up at work, he continued. Not to go try to make a spectacle of himself.

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Speaker Johnson said he thought Padilla should be censured.

I think that that behavior at a minimum rises to the level of a censure, Johnson told reporters. I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what were going to do, thats not what were going to act.

The lack of support from Republicans infuriated Democrats.

I cannot believe that we dont have senators on both sides of the aisle calling this out as outrageous, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said.

Ive come to this floor often to speak out, to be angry, to be a voice for my people. I have never come this close to having tears in my eyes as I speak to both sides of this aisle about this horrendous incident that occurred.

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Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said the lack of Republican criticism was troubling.

I have studied trouble democracy, and this is how democracies unravel. What should scare you most is who wasnt at this press conference, he said. To my knowledge, not a single Republican has criticized the manhandling of Sen. Padilla.

And as Johnson endorsed the censure, a group of Democrats heckled him.

Mike, thats absurd, Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif), who represents the San Francisco Bay area, shouted. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) added, Why dont you stand up for Congress?

Outside of Congress, Padilla and the administration traded different accounts of what had happened.

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I was there peacefully. At one point I had a question, and so I began to ask a question, Padilla said. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed.

But he also pointed to the broader treatment of migrants being swept up in LA immigration raids that have sparked widespread protests.

I will say this: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, he said.

The Department of Homeland Security later accused Padilla of failing to identify himself and lunging toward Noem.

While Padilla did push his way toward the front of the room, he clearly identifies himself.

Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin wrote on X.

Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  An online tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children led to the arrest of a Denham Springs man.

Ronald Steven Bell, 43, was charged with six counts of pornography involving juveniles.

The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office, the Louisiana Attorney Generals Office and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations looked into the case. Sheriff Jason Ard said as the investigation unfolded, Bell was identified as a suspect.

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During the investigation, LPSO said Bell allegedly possessed and distributed video files of child sexual abuse material.

Bell was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on Monday, June 2. His bond was set at $450,000.

The investigation remains ongoing. LPSO said charges could be added after forensic evaluations.

Louisiana man charged with child porn; 500K bond set

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(FOX40.COM)  Three people have been arrested after stealing $15,000 worth of deodorant in Placer County.

 Video above: How to report a public safety threat

According to the Roseville Police Department, between March and April, the city faced a strange crime wave. Suspects were hitting the local Safeway and CVS stores hard and swiping so much deodorant that the losses totaled up to $15K.

Apparently, they were planning for the next decade of hot summers, police said.

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RPD stated that the suspects were not just stocking up for personal hygiene, they were stealing deodorant across Northern California and flipping it to a third suspect who was known for buying the stolen goods and reselling them in Bay Area flea markets.

DUI checkpoint planned in Folsom for public safety; police says

Officials said, Because nothing says great deal like flea market deodorant.

RPD said that with the help of Santa Clara PD, Placer County DA investigators, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Crisis Response Unit, crews were able to arrest both deodorant thieves and the illegal reseller.

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After the arrest was made, authorities recovered around $50K worth of stolen deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, and other bathroom shelf toiletries, RPD said.

No matter how much deodorant you steal  organized retail theft still stinks, RPD said.

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ANTWERP TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  One person was killed and two others were hurt in a two-vehicle crash near Lawton Thursday, deputies say.

It happened around 3:30 p.m. on M-40 near 64th Avenue in Antwerp Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies say when they arrived, one of the drivers  a 64-year-old woman from Lawton  was unresponsive. Crews pulled her from the car and tried to save her life, but she died on scene, according to the sheriffs office. Her name was not immediately released.

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A juvenile passenger in the same car and the driver of the other car were also taken to the hospital, deputies say. Neither of their injuries were considered life-threatening.

The sheriffs office is investigating. It did not specify what led up to the crash.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back against a provision in the federal budget package that overhauls AI regulations in the new Senate bill.

During a press conference, the Governor voiced his discontent with the new restrictions in the bill, stating that the regulations would hinder states ability to regulate artificial intelligence.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed three bills into law, aiming to protect children from sexual crimes better. Additionally, he signed a bill targeting nonconsensual altered photos, also known as AI deepfakes.

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During a visit to Jacksonville on Tuesday, DeSantis also pledged to sign another sex-offender-related bill in the coming days. Standing at a podium emblazoned with a Law & Order sign, the governor stated that he views Florida as a model for other states to follow in protecting children.

Weve done more in the state of Florida to protect the innocence of our kids than any state in these United States, he said.

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An estimated 20,000 Indigenous people lived in what is now Utah when the Mormon pioneers arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in 1847.

Those Native Americans included members of the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone and Navajo tribes. The pioneers themselves numbered around 1,637 that first year.

When the pioneers arrived here, there was already a substantial Indian civilization and culture existing, Elder Marlin K. Jensen, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in a July 24, 2010 speech on what is now celebrated as Pioneer Day.

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The pioneers no more discovered the Great Basin than Christopher Columbus discovered America, he said.

An artist's rendering of the view of the Salt Lake Valley, July 1847. | Deseret News archives

Over the line

Elder Jensen, a former church historian who is now an emeritus general authority, cited a July 31, 1847, journal entry from Mormon pioneer William Clayton: (The Shoshone) appear to be displeased because we have traded with the Utahs, and (the Shoshone) say that they own this land and the Utahs have come over the line.

The truth of the matter is that the Mormon pioneers had come over the line as well, Elder Jensen said. Perhaps only Brigham Young, with his prophetic gifts, could have foreseen at that time that the tiny trickle of pioneers who were then coming into the Great Basin would one day, in just a few years, grow into a mighty stream of immigrants.

As more pioneers arrived, the population in the territory grew to an estimated 3,000 in 1848. Two years later, it more than tripled to 11,380. And over the next decade, it swelled to 40,273 in 1860, a 253% increase, according to U.S. census figures.

Salt Lake City and Salt Lake Valley on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Though not at that rapid rate, Utah has sustained marked growth since 1900. More recently, it was the fastest-growing state in the country from 2010 to 2020.

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As of July 2024, Utah had a population of 3.5 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Among the few possessions those early pioneers lugged across the plains was a Ramage printing press in an ox-pulled wagon. Named after American printing press manufacturer Adam Ramage, pioneer William Phelps bought the press in Boston. It was used to print the first issue of the Deseret News on June 15, 1850.

Since that day, the Deseret News has chronicled life in what is now Utah and beyond, including the states dramatic growth over the past 175 years.

Struggle for survival

The early settlers immediately began planting crops and building houses in their new high desert home. And Brigham Young started making plans.

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Although the struggle for survival was difficult in the first years of settlement, the Mormons were better equipped by experience than many other groups to tame the harsh land. They had pioneered other settlements in the Midwest, and their communal religious faith underscored the necessity of cooperative effort. Basic industries developed rapidly, the city was laid out, and building began, according to historytogo.utah.gov.

Settlement of outlying areas began as soon as possible. Between 1847 and 1900, the Latter-day Saints founded about 500 settlements in Utah and neighboring states.

The dawn of the 20th century brought technological revolutions that would transform society. Salt Lake City saw its first automobile early in the 1900s, and the first airplane wasnt far behind.

A U.S. census bulletin dated Feb. 4, 1901, showed Utah  only admitted as a state five years earlier  with a population of 276,749, a 33% increase over a decade earlier.

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The population of Utah in 1900 is more than twenty-four times as large as that given for 1850, the year Utah was organized as a territory, according to the bulletin.

In the Roaring Twenties, first letters then passengers began flying out of Salt Lake Citys Woodward Field, a 100-acre landing strip the city bought in 1920 for mail operations. Named after local pilot John P. Woodward, the field evolved to become the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The Deseret News airplane was kept at Woodward Field, where this photograph may have been taken. | Bill Winther

A more diverse population

Utah experienced modest growth through the 1930s, but saw a rapid and sustained influx of immigrants through the war years, the 1940s. Utahs population increased 25.2% during that decade  most coming on the Wasatch Front  as it grew from 555,310 to 688,862, according to HistoryToGo.

Immigration greatly increased the minority population, especially as Black and Hispanic people moved in to take defense jobs. Many immigrants during that period were not members of the predominant religion. The U.S. government also relocated 10,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast to Topaz, Utah, as part of an anti-Japanese movement during World War II.

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In 1947, Utahns celebrated 100 years in the Salt Lake Valley. Despite earlier problems the U.S. government had with those pesky Mormons, as the Deseret News-produced book Through Our Eyes put it, all was forgotten. President Harry S Truman sent congratulations on the pioneer centennial:

Utah stands in a proud place among her sister commonwealths. Her rich agriculture, her business and industry, her pioneering in social services, her zeal of education, and not the least, her men of wisdom and valiant women have given her prestige unexcelled by any other state.

Cars affixed with covered-wagon canvas enter into the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City in July 1947. The event marked the 100th anniversary of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley. | Deseret News Archives

As of July 2024, Utah was 75.5% white, 16% Hispanic, 2.9% Asian, 1.6% Black and 1.6% Native American or Alaska Native, according to the U.S. census statistics.

Mr. Million

Through the 1950s and early 1960s, the states population kept a steady pace toward 1 million residents, finally hitting the mark in 1966.

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Community leaders celebrated the achievement by greeting Utahs newest resident, Morris M. Arnold  dubbed Mr. Million  with a 60-piece band as he stepped off the airplane from Kentucky.

The states population reached 2 million just 29 years later. And 20 years later, the Beehive State hit that 3 million population milestone sometime in October 2015.

An aerial view of the Salt Palace site in Salt Lake City in December 1966. | Deseret News Archives

Three million Utahns. Wow, Pam Perlich, director of demographic research at the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, said at the time. She called it a stunning achievement for a geographically isolated Intermountain state that in 1950 had only 500,000 residents who came and went based on the ebbs and flows of agriculture and mining.

The state picked up another 60,000 residents between July 2023 and July 2024, pushing it past 3.5 million, per the U.S. Census Bureau.

3.5 million and counting

Last October, the Gardner Institute projected Utah would grow from 3.5 million to 4 million residents between 2024-2033, an average annual growth rate of 1.5%.

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The short-term projections indicate continued statewide population growth driven by a nearly 50/50 split between natural increase and net migration out to 2033. Continued economic growth largely drives this migration of new residents to Utah, said Mallory Bateman, director of demographic research at Gardner. A combination of historical data, trends and local expert knowledge inform our baseline projection scenario.

Traffic moves along I-15 in Lehi on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Utahs seven most populated counties in 2023 were Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, Weber, Washington, Cache and Tooele, and that order is not expected to change by 2023, per the Gardner Institute.

The order of growth, however, differs for those counties.

Utah County is predicted to gain the most new residents (164,000), followed by Salt Lake (125,000), Washington (63,000), Davis (43,000), Weber (27,000), Cache (22,000) and Tooele (20,000).
This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows a truck carrying bunker walls on a street in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon." Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Friday that Israel will receive harsh punishment following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets earlier in the day.

Israel "has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will definitely receive," he said in a statement.

Spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces Abolfazl Shekarchi said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV that Israel would pay a heavy price for its action, stressing that the Iranian armed forces were well-prepared and would give a harsh response.

Multiple senior military commanders, including Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, state media reported.

The Israeli airstrikes also killed at least two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, reports said.

Explosions were reported in Tehran and the counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.

Over 100 drones have been launched by Iran at Israel, said Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Effie Defrin, adding that the army is working to shoot them down.

The IDF confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."

IDF chief Eyal Zamir said in a statement that Israel has "no other choice" and was "at the point of no return" to fight for its existence.

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors.

The Israeli Health Ministry also ordered all hospitals in the country to raise their alert level to the highest possible, move to protected areas and descend to protected underground complexes.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as direct talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing.

"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned any military escalation in the Middle East, and "is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear program are underway," his deputy spokesperson said in a statement. 

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty beach in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty cafe in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

(250614) -- MODI'IN, June 14, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty highway in central Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

(250614) -- MODI'IN, June 14, 2025 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty road in Modi'in, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty beach in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty street in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows an empty beach in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed early Friday in a statement that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" attack on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, adding, "Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon."

Following the attack, the IDF's Home Front Command prohibited educational activities and gatherings in Israel, except for essential sectors. (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)
LinkedIn cofounder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman warned AI will change jobs and the workplace, but that doesnt mean young job seekers should be alarmed. On the contrary, Hoffman said college grads need to advertise the advantage they have as AI natives to stand out among older workers.

The tough job market for recent college grads is weighing on Gen Z, but the AI skills they bring to the workplace could be their biggest selling point as potential new hires, said LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman.

Unemployment for young people between the ages of 22 and 27 rose to a four-year high of 5.8% in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Furthermore, the underemployment rate rose to 41.2% for this group, and the New York Fed said, The labor market for recent college graduates deteriorated noticeably in the first quarter of 2025.

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Regardless, younger people need to play up their biggest advantage when they look for jobs: their ability to maneuver AI technology that is already making drastic changes in the workplace, said the billionaire entrepreneur and VC in a YouTube video responding to college students questions.

You are generation AI. You are AI native, Hoffman said. Bringing the fact that you have AI in your tool set is one of the things that makes you enormously attractive.

While some CEOs in the AI industry like Anthropics Dario Amodei have warned the technology will lead to double-digit unemployment and a drastic decrease in entry-level jobs, others, like Nvidias Jensen Huang have argued it will create many jobs.

Hoffman, for his part, stuck to the middle of both opinions, adding that with technology advancing so rapidly, its a legitimate worry for young people that AI could make their degrees less valuable. Still, he said, the most important takeaway from college isnt limited to any single class or skill set, but rather learning to make connections.

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One thing is to not focus on the degree, but to focus on how you learn and to be continually learning, he said.

Hoffman added the job market is constantly changing, with new jobs being created and eliminated at a rapid pace.

AI is just amplifying this factwhich is the fact that its changing faster, its changing in more directions, and it highlights the fact that you need to be dynamic and evolving, he said.

Still, younger workers surrounded by older, non-AI-native employees, could stand out, especially if they have taken the time to embrace AI tools and develop their prompting skills.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
A nurse gives an MMR vaccine at the Utah County Health Department on April 29, 2019, in Provo, Utah. (George Frey | Getty Images)

A legal challenge of West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morriseys executive order allowing religious exemptions to the states school vaccine requirements will proceed, despite the state school board voting this week to defy the order.

The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and Mountain State Justice filed the writ of mandamus last month in Kanawha County Circuit Court on behalf of two parents of immunocompromised children. The lawsuit asks the court to compel the states Department of Health and Bureau for Public Health to stop granting religious exemptions in compliance with Morriseys executive order.

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The lawsuit is still ongoing, Aubrey Sparks, legal director for ACLU-WV, said Friday. I think that there are a lot of questions about what [the board of educations decision] means practically, whether this fixes the issue, or whether it doesnt. At this point, its just too early for us to know the consequences of the school boards actions, given that Patrick Morrisey is still committed to awarding these exemptions.

The state school board unanimously voted Wednesday that Superintendent Michele Blatt would issue guidance to county boards of education that schools should follow the states existing vaccine mandates, which allow only medical exemptions, rather than the executive order.

The intent of the state board is to do whats best for the 241,000 children, 23,000 educators and 15,000 service personnel in our 629 public schools, the board wrote in a statement Thursday afternoon. This includes taking the important steps of protecting the school community from the real risk of exposure to litigation that could result from not following vaccination laws.

The board is constitutionally bound to provide a thorough and efficient system of free schools, and our members remain committed to this charge, they wrote.

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Sparks said the boards action introduces a lot of uncertainty both to families who want religious exemptions and families of immunocompromised children who might be at risk if exemptions are granted.

West Virginias school vaccine laws are some of the strongest in the country. Its one of five states that by law allow only medical exemptions for school-required vaccines. Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued an executive order in January requiring the state to allow religious exemptions.

Despite the order, the Legislature this year rejected Senate Bill 460, which would have made the religious exemptions part of state law.

Since Morrisey issued the executive order in January, the state Department of Health has granted at least 330 religious exemptions to the vaccine requirements.

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A spokeswoman for the school board said Friday that the exemptions that have already been granted will not be accepted for the upcoming new school year because, per the governors instructions, the exemptions must be renewed yearly.

Alisa Shepler, a school nurse in Wood County, said the state school boards move is a victory for school nurses and for West Virginia health care more generally. Immunizations protect more than only school children, they also protect immunocompromised people in the community, she said.

Shepler, who is retiring Friday after more than 25 years on the job, said shes proud of the school board for going against the governors order.

I think that its very telling that our state board of education, they kind of drew a line in the sand, she said. And a lot of times, I think states dont have that backbone, but obviously our state board of education did.

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In a statement Wednesday, a spokesman for the governors office said that the state school board is trampling on the religious liberties of children, ignoring the states religious freedom law, and trying to make the state an extreme outlier on vaccine policy when there isnt a valid public policy reason to do so.

The governors executive order is based on the Equal Protection for Religion Act, a law signed by former Gov. Jim Justice in 2023 that prohibits government action that substantially burdens a persons exercise of religion unless it serves a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive means of achieving that interest.

Sparks said the religious freedom law gives people a process by which to say their rights have been violated, but it does not give the governor the right to ignore, override a duty created by the legislature.

What really is underlying this is an attempt at executive power over reach, Sparks said. Patrick Morrisey wanted a law passed. He lobbied to get a law passed, and he wasnt successful at it. He didnt pull it across the finish line because the Legislature didnt agree with them. And its not a governors right or ability to ignore the laws that the Legislature passes just because they dont like them.

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Jeff Bezos' upcoming wedding to Lauren Sanchez has residents of Venice, Italy, worried about what the lavish affair will mean to their city, both logistically and environmentally.

Bezos, the Amazon founder and one of the richest people in the world, is set to marry Sanchez on June 24 on the Venetian island of San Giorgio Maggiore. As VnExpress reported, the wedding is a high-end event, with many celebrities, politicians, and businesspeople on the guest list.

For all of the publicity and news attention likely to be given to the wedding, there are also the couple's efforts to keep it relatively private. They have reportedly booked out five luxury hotels and reserved many, if not all, of Venice's water taxis, per the Daily Mail. Street closures and heightened security measures are also expected.

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Some locals believe the event will bring an economic windfall to Venice. But others are more skeptical, with some saying Bezos and Sanchez are "holding their home hostage."

"It's going to be a great big nuisance," one tour guide told the Guardian. "I think most people are of the same opinion. We are exasperated by a whole series of problems related to overtourism and this is the umpteenth thing foisted on the city that we have to suffer."

With such a high concentration of wealthy people arriving at Venice for the event, there also arise significant environmental concerns.

In particular, many attendees are expected to travel to Italy on private jets  on which one flight can create more carbon pollution than the average person creates in an entire year. Others may stay on megayachts, which studies have found to be the largest polluters of any single item owned by the wealthy.

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This is especially troubling in Venice, which has been hit hard by pollution and a warming climate. Rising sea levels have exacerbated the problem of Venice's famed lagoon and canals frequently flooding the city. Partly in response, the city has put in an elaborate flood-gate system to combat rising tides, but each use costs more than $160,000  and possibly closer to $300,000, as The Washington Post has reported.

Bezos is also no stranger to backlash for his environmental habits. In particular, critics point to his $500 million yacht, Koru, that emits more than 7,000 tons of carbon each year, or about 450 times the average American's carbon footprint, according to calculations cited by the New York Post.

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NEW YORK (AP)  A federal judge who barred the Trump administration from deporting Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil declined Friday to order his release from an immigration detention center, saying the former Columbia University student hadnt yet proven he was being held illegally.

The ruling is a setback for Khalil, who was detained in March. He had appeared to be close to winning his freedom after U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz held that the governments initial effort to deport him on foreign policy grounds was likely unconstitutional.

The judge had given the Trump administration until Friday morning to appeal an order that could have led to Khalils release.

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But the government filed court papers saying it believed it could continue detaining Khalil based on its secondary rationale for expelling him from the U.S.  an allegation that he lied on his green card application.

Farbiarz, who sits in New Jersey, wrote in his Friday ruling that Khalils lawyers hadnt presented enough evidence that detention on those grounds was unlawful and suggested that Khalils next step could be to ask for bail from an immigration judge in Louisiana.

One of Khalil's lawyers, Amy Greer, criticized the Trump administration's legal maneuvering as cruel, transparent delay tactics meant to keep her client away from his wife and newborn son ahead of their first Fathers Day as a family.

Instead of celebrating together, he is languishing in ICE detention as punishment for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Palestinians, she said in a statement. "It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful.

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Khalil has previously disputed the notion that he omitted information on his application.

In a filing last week, he maintained he was never employed by or served as an officer of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, as the administration claims, but completed an internship approved by the university as part of his graduate studies.

Khalil said he also stopped working for the British Embassy in Beirut in December 2022, when he moved to the U.S., despite the administrations claims that he had worked in the embassys Syria office longer.

Earlier Friday, Khalil's lawyers asked the judge to order his release, saying he had satisfied all of the courts requirements and that the governments lawyers had missed a morning deadline to challenge the judges Wednesday ruling.

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The American Civil Liberties Union, which is among the groups representing Khalil, also released a video Friday featuring actors Mark Ruffalo, Mahershala Ali and other celebrity fathers reading a letter Khalil wrote to his newborn son from jail ahead of his first Fathers Day on Sunday.

One day you might ask why people are punished for standing up for Palestine, read Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello. These are hard questions, but I hope our story shows you this: The world needs more courage, not less. It needs people who choose justice over convenience.

Khalil was detained on March 8 at his apartment building in Manhattan over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

His was the first arrest under President Donald Trumps crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said Khalil must be expelled from the country because his continued presence could harm American foreign policy.

Khalils lawyers say the Trump administration is simply trying to crack down on free speech.

Khalil isnt accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The international affairs graduate student served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists.

He wasnt among the demonstrators arrested, but his prominence in news coverage and willingness to speak publicly made him a target of critics.

The Trump administration has argued that noncitizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country as it considers their views antisemitic.
NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11)  Authorities are searching for four migrants who escaped by breaking through a wall at an ICE detention center in New Jersey Thursday night, officials said.

The four detainees fled from Delaney Hall in Newark hours after a riot broke out inside the immigration facility, according to the Department of Homeland Security and police sources.

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New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim on Friday said the detainees knocked down a drywall that led to an exterior door. He called the facility insecure and alluded to the idea that detainees will be removed from the facility in the next 24 hours.

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Sources said the detainees were scheduled to be deported when they escaped. It was unclear what charges they were facing.

DHS has become aware of 4 detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility escaping. Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees and a BOLO has been disseminated, DHS said in a statement.

The incident happened during protests outside the facility on Thursday night. They continued on Friday when protesters tried to stop buses carrying detainees from leaving the site.

Let them go, they screamed.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested outside Delaney Hall and released the same day, has condemned the conditions at the ICE facility, including poor treatment and the withholding of food.

This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail, including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights. This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, any why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution, he said in a statement.

DHS is asking the public for help finding the escapees. Tips can be made by calling 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE.

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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Department of Homeland Security admitted to scrounging around for dirt on Kilmar Abrego Garcia only after he was wrongfully deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador.

Freshly returned from a Salvadoran prison, Abrego Garcia attended an arraignment hearing in Nashville Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to two charges related to illegally transporting undocumented immigrants for cash. The charges stemmed from an investigation into a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee, where Abrego Garcia was discovered in a car with several Hispanic men who did not possess identification.

During the hearing Friday, one DHS agent revealed that he was only asked to look into Abrego Garcias case on April 28 of this year, according to Tennessee Lookouts Anita Wadhwani.

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Thats more than a month after Abrego Garcia was sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison, and a week after Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to recover his kidnapped constituent, boosting the storys profile to the national level. That was also a full week after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed, seemingly out of nowhere and without providing any evidence, that Abrego Garcia had engaged in human trafficking.

Last week, after months of claiming that Abrego Garcia would never return to the United States despite being deported over an administrative error, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his return and made several other allegations against Abrego Garcia that were not included in the indictment.

Since accidentally sending Abrego Garcia abroad, the Trump administration has been intent on smearing him any way it can, repeatedly alleging an affiliation to the transnational MS-13 gang based on thin evidence and even falsely claiming he was a convicted criminal.

Bondi said that if Abrego Garcia is convicted, the government plans to return him to El Salvador after he completes his sentence, once again violating a judges order preventing his removal.
Millions of Haitians and other nationalities may be forced to leave the United States after one federal agency revokes their temporary status.

People at the Haitian Support Center in Springfield are worried, confused, and scared. Not knowing what it all means or how long they can call the city of Springfield home.

Viles Dorsainvil is the Executive Director at the Haitian Support Center and said, Its chaotic. Its confusing because at some point in time its like a catch-22.

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Around 15,000 Haitians live and work in Springfield, legally. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is emailing termination notices notifying hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans that their temporary permission to live and work in the United States has been revoked and they should leave the country.

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You came here just to work and have a life, and all of a sudden you find yourself in all of this chaos, which was not their or our expectation, Dorsainvil said.

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While hes not aware of any notices sent to Haitians living in Springfield, he said there is confusion.

I got a call from employers yesterday asking me which decision they should take about them. If they have to keep them or let them go, Dorsainvil said.

News Center 7 caught up with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who said Ohio businesses are worried about their bottom line.

These Haitians are contributing to society. Theyre allowing us to produce things, and without them, these companies are going to have a very difficult time doing what they need to do, DeWine said.

For the time being, the Haitian Support Center is working to provide understanding to Haitians and legal help.

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So, our role is to work with them through this process, Dorsainvil said.

Haitians with a more permanent status and Green Cards are also worried, wondering if their status will come into question. But they are also scared that families will be split up.

They are seeking more clarification in the coming days.

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A Mexican police officer was found guilty of murder in the December 2004 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Benjamin Becerra outside a bar in Hamilton.

Antonio Riano, 63, was convicted June 13 at the end of a four-day trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court. The jury deliberated for under an hour before returning the guilty verdict.

Riano was indicted on a single count of murder in February 2005, but he fled to Mexico, putting the case on a long pause. It was revived after his 2024 arrest and extradition back to the U.S.

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Prosecutors described the shooting as a revenge killing, saying Riano purposefully put a .38-caliber revolver to Becerras head and pulled the trigger, killing him. He bought ammunition from a local Walmart less than an hour earlier.

The shooting stemmed from a dispute between Riano and Becerra. Prosecutors said Riano went to a bar on East Avenue, where Becerra was known to spend his time, to kill the other man. Riano was in the country illegally at the time.

He (Becerra) was shot to death in cold blood, Butler County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress said.

Prosecutor says victim was 'executed' on sidewalk

Rianos attorneys have argued the shooting was in self-defense and that he had no intentions of killing Becerra when he went to the bar that day.

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During a roughly 90-minute interview after his extradition, Riano told police he went to confront a group after getting word that his younger brother had been assaulted, according to a transcript displayed in court.

Kara Blackney, one of Rianos attorneys, said in court that Riano was trying to protect his family by confronting Becerra. She added that Rianos house had been broken into and that Rianos family was subjected to constant bullying by Becerra and others.

Antonios family had been terrorized, Blackney said.

Surveillance video played in court showed Riano pull out a revolver and open fire on Becerra. Prosecutors said Riano had earlier fired a warning shot. However, Blackney said that Riano told police he was shot at first.

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The video also showed Becerra leaning into the window of a passing car just a minute before he was shot. Burress said that Becerra told the occupants of the car, Hes got a gun, hes going to kill me.

A third man tried to intervene in the dispute, putting himself between Riano and Becerra, but Riano stepped around the man to shoot Becerra at close range, the video shows.

Antonio Riano, 63, was convicted of murder on June 13 for the killing of 25-year-old Benjamin Becerra outside a bar in Hamilton.

Burress said that Riano "executed Benjamin Becerra on the sidewalk."

Judge Michael Oster Jr., who presided over the trial, found there was insufficient evidence to instruct the jury on considering a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

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In arguing for the judge to include that instruction, Rianos lawyers pointed to a step Becerra made toward Riano just before the shooting.

A step by itself is not threatening in any way, Oster said. He added that its unknown what the two men were saying to one another before the shooting.

Attorney: Cop nicknamed 'El Diablo' got name from carnival performances

After interviewing witnesses, investigators identified Riano as the suspect and learned he was commonly referred to as El Diablo, a former Hamilton police detective wrote in an affidavit.

Blackney said that while police and prosecutors have focused on Rianos El Diablo moniker, she noted that the nickname stems from Riano dressing up in a devil outfit for carnival performances in his hometown.

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El Diablo is his nickname, but not because hes a bad guy, not because hes scary, Blackney said.

Police searched a house on East Avenue where Riano had parked his vehicle and found a box of ammunition matching the weapon used in the shooting. When police later searched Rianos home, they learned he used several fake names and had papers to create false documentation to obtain different identifications.

A teacher at the elementary school Rianos daughter attended told police they overheard the childs mother say they were moving to New Jersey, where the family had lived previously, investigators said.

Investigators contacted New Jersey authorities to help locate Riano; however, they were told that he had just left the country.

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Police said they interviewed the mother of Rianos daughter, who said shed fought with Riano the night before the shooting and had left him. She told police that a friend had driven him to Mexico.

While investigators mistakenly wrote in an affidavit seeking Rianos extradition that the murder weapon wasnt found until 2006, prosecutors said the gun was recovered 10 days after the shooting.

Investigators pursued Riano for 20 years after he fled the country

The Butler County Sheriff's Office listed Riano as a wanted fugitive and the case was even profiled on Fox's "America's Most Wanted.

Paul Newtown, lead investigator with the Butler County Prosecutors Office, previously told The Enquirer that authorities never stopped searching for Riano. However, his trail went cold for the better part of 20 years.

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Newton said the U.S. Marshals Service became involved early in the investigation. There was an attempt by marshals to arrest Riano in Mexico, but they missed him.

After he found out the U.S. Marshals were after him, he kind of went underground, Newton said, adding that investigators lost track of Riano until the beginning of 2024.

Newton eventually stumbled upon Rianos Facebook account, which included a video of him. That's also when investigators learned he was working as a police officer. He was later arrested by Mexican authorities and brought back to the U.S. to stand trial.

Riano is expected to appear in court again for sentencing on July 14. He faces a possible prison term of 18 years to life.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mexican cop 'El Diablo' convicted in 2004 killing in Butler County
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  As cities across the nation, including San Diego, prepare for this weekends No Kings protests, organizers and political analysts alike are drawing sharp comparisons between democratically elected leaders  like the President of the United States  and the rise of authoritarian figures around the world.

More than 1,500 protests are set to take place across the country on Saturday, June 14, 2025. They are part of a national movement aimed at reaffirming democratic principles and pushing back against what organizers describe as a growing fascination with autocratic leadership styles.

Not so ironically, the demonstrations fall on the same day of a planned military parade in Washington, D.C., which also coincides with President Trumps 79th birthday and the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary. Some have argued that the parade is not a good use of money, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Nonetheless, the parade in the nations capitol is set to continue.

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Nationwide No Kings protests set for this weekend, including across San Diego

Meanwhile, the protesters are targeting Trump administration policies, especially aggressive immigration enforcement following high-profile ICE raids like the one in San Diegos South Park. Additionally, tensions are heightened by the militarization of Los Angeles, with National Guard and Marine Corps deployments tied to protests and ICE support. Additionally, federal job cuts from recent executive orders have sparked backlash over job security and government efficiency.

With the planned protests highlighting the stark divide between governance styles, some are left wondering: what exactly is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule?

Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

Democracies, like the U.S., operate on systems of checks and balances, where power is distributed among elected officials, independent courts, and a free press. In contrast, authoritarian regimes often consolidate power into the hands of a single ruler or small, elite opposition, limiting civil liberties and tightly controlling media narratives, as explained further in this academic journal: The Paradox of Information Control Under Authoritarianism.

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Though the U.S. President holds significant authority, their powers are constrained by the Constitution, Congress, the courts, and ultimately, the people through regular elections. This model sharply contrasts with authoritarian leaders who often stay in office through manipulated elections, constitutional changes, or outright force.

Who supports authoritarian systems?

A 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that in countries where fewer people say democratic valueslike fair courts, free speech, and equal rightsare important, more people tend to support having a strong leader or military rule instead of a democracy.

In a separate Pew Research Center survey from 2024, a median of 31% across 24 nations were supportive of authoritarian systems, with higher support in middle-income countries than high-income countries.

According to researchers, people on the ideological right are more likely than those in the center or on the left to support authoritarian systems  this is based on the results of the survey. As for the U.S., only 32% of respondents expressed that a strong leader or the military would be a good way of governing the country.

Ties to No King protests

At the heart of the No Kings protest, as explained by organizers, is a growing concern among critics that President Trumps political behavior mirrors that of authoritarian leaders  figures known for consolidating power, suppressing dissent, and undermining democratic norms.

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On the other side, Trump and his supporters have dismissed these criticisms, arguing that he is simply fighting a corrupt establishment and using the tools available to him as an elected leader. They claim the accusations are politically motivated and meant to distract from policy issues. Another argument is that Trump has been elected by the people not once, but twice  a reflection of democracy through the voting system.

Meanwhile, political analysts have noted that while democratic presidents may be strong-willed or controversial, their power remains limited by design with the checks and balances system. Monarchy  a system of government in which a single person, typically a king or queen, reigns  ended in America with the Revolutionary War. This means there are no kings in governance of the U.S.  at least as it stands legally based on the Constitution.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UNITED NATIONS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy welcomed Thursday's General Assembly resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale.

Thursday's resolution reflects the overwhelming call of the international community, sends a strong political message, and embodies solidarity and consensus among the overwhelming majority of UN membership, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

He regretted the Security Council's failure to adopt a similar resolution last week due to a U.S. veto.

In an explanation of vote, Fu called on Israel to halt its military assault on Gaza.

"Israel continues to escalate its military offensive against Gaza, and each day, large numbers of innocent lives are lost," he noted. "Whatever pretext will not make killing civilians noble or just."

An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the right way to save lives and to get the hostages home. China urges Israel to immediately stop all its military operations in Gaza. The country with significant influence should adopt an impartial and responsible attitude and take effective and strong actions, said Fu.

He said his country opposes the weaponization of humanitarian aid.

The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have warned that large-scale famine is imminent in Gaza. In contrast, on the borders of Gaza, massive amounts of food are piled in warehouses, unable to get into the strip to be delivered to the starving civilians, he said.

"Such forced deprivation of the right of the people to subsistence supplies is in violation of international law. It is cruel and unacceptable," said Fu. "China firmly opposes the weaponization of humanitarian aid and urges Israel to fulfill its obligations as the occupying power by immediately lifting the blockade on Gaza, fully restoring access to humanitarian supplies, and supporting the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies in carrying out their work."

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the General Assembly and the Security Council have adopted multiple resolutions requesting a ceasefire, and the International Court of Justice has issued multiple orders. Yet none of those has been effectively implemented, he noted.

Full implementation of Security Council resolutions is an obligation for all member states under the UN Charter. Abiding by international law and international humanitarian law is a responsibility incumbent on all states. The international community should take necessary actions to stop all violations and ensure accountability, so as to jointly uphold multilateralism and the authority of international law, said Fu.

China will join efforts with the international community to continue to work for a ceasefire in Gaza, ease the humanitarian catastrophe, and ultimately achieve the comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, he said.

The General Assembly resolution was adopted with 149 votes in favor, 12 votes against, and 19 abstentions. China voted in favor. 
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) seemed just a little too eager for war as Israel launched airstrikes on Iran early Friday.

Game on, he wrote on X. Pray for Israel.

Israel said its strikes targeted Irans nuclear program, including scientists working on atomic weapons as well as military leaders and missile facilities.

Iran launched drones at Israel in retaliation.

Graham also delivered a warning to Iran not to attack U.S. personnel or interests in the region.

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If they do, he wrote, America should have an overwhelming response, destroying all of Irans oil refineries and oil infrastructure putting the ayatollah and his henchmen out of the oil business.

The messages struck many as Graham cheerleading for war, and they let him know on X:

Its not a fucking game Lindsey. https://t.co/Bl9teyljaS  Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) June 13, 2025

Game on is ugly, evil stuff. https://t.co/x9i8E3sWFv  Be A King (@BerniceKing) June 13, 2025

War is not a game Lindsey. https://t.co/n4ZRoVcB4v  Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) June 13, 2025

It's not a fucking game. People will die. War is never the answer. https://t.co/NUmgXqhuIq  Joe (@electionsjoe) June 13, 2025

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you are a bad person. https://t.co/fqLDmY7O89  gabrielle (@gabswrld95) June 13, 2025

Nothing about innocent people losing their lives is a game, Lindsey. https://t.co/AhqGRyqmI0  Lee Johnson (@LeeJohnsonSC) June 13, 2025

Its not a game. Peoples lives are on the line and the brink of WWIII isnt funny.



You want war, go signup for the frontlines and stop sending our young people into the quagmire of the war you seem to enjoy.  https://t.co/Xhsi2VSGYW  Kristi Hamilton (@kristirenehami) June 13, 2025

Related...
Global air traffic has been disrupted following Israels strikes on Iran Friday, with several major airlines suspending flights to and from locations in the Middle East and rerouting their planes to avoid much of the regions airspace.

The airspace above Iran and Israel as well as Jordan, Syria and Iraq emptied of commercial flights on Friday, according to flight-tracking site Flightradar24.

Israel, Iran and Jordan all closed their airspace in the wake of the attack, while Iran suspended all domestic and international flights, the countrys state-affiliated Fars news agency reported on Friday, citing the civil aviation authority.

The Flightradar24 app shows commercial flights avoiding the airspace over Iran. - Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Tehrans Mehrabad Airport, Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport and Ammans Queen Alia International Airport all closed on Friday. Mehrabad will remain closed until 2 p.m. on Saturday, state news agency IRNA reported on Friday afternoon, while Ben Gurion is shut until further notice, the Israel Airports Authority said early Friday morning. Queen Alia International Airport didnt say when it would reopen, advising passengers to contact their airlines.

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As the strikes on Iran unfolded overnight, several flights were diverted or returned to their origin. Air India said on X that more than a dozen of its flights had been affected due to the emerging situation in Iran, including routes from New York, London, Vancouver and Washington.

One Delta Air Lines flight from New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport to Tel Aviv flew for eight hours only to end up back at JFK, according to Flightradar24.

Meanwhile, Israeli carriers El Al, Israir and Arkia evacuated their planes out of Israel as the country braced for retaliation from Iran, Reuters reported. Data on Flightradar24 shows several planes leaving Tel Aviv airport on Friday morning, several of them headed to nearby Cyprus.

Hermes, Cyprus airports operator, said 32 flights from the Middle East had been diverted to Larnaca and Paphos airports as of Friday morning, Reuters reported.

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Throughout Friday, airline after airline announced it was suspending its flights to and from various cities in the region. About 650 flights to and from Europe were canceled as of Friday, according to Reuters, which cited Eurocontrol, an inter-governmental organization which helps manage Europes airspace. The organization said around 1,800 flights across the continent had been affected in total.

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport is empty of passengers on Friday after all flights were canceled. - Ariel Schalit/AP

German carrier Lufthansa said flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv had been suspended until July 31, and its flights to Amman, Beirut and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan until June 20.

Emirates, one of the United Arab Emirates flagship carriers, said it had canceled its flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran until Sunday.

Air France told CNN in a statement that it had suspended flights to Tel Aviv until further notice, while its sister company Dutch carrier KLM said on its website that it will not fly to Tel Aviv until at least July 1.

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Delta Air Lines initially warned that travel to, from or through Tel Aviv might be affected until June 30 but on Friday the airline said it was pausing flights between JFK and Tel Aviv until August 31.

Qatar Airways has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq, the airline said in a statement. Three major airports in Iran, including in the capital Tehran, and five airports in Iraq, including its capital Baghdad, have been affected, the airline said.

CNNs Jessie Yeung, Helen Regan and Mostafa Salem contributed reporting.

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Israels strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities has pushed the Middle East one step closer to a far wider, more dangerous regional war. It also has implications for recent U.S. diplomatic efforts toward a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program.

Irans immediate response  the firing of about 100 drones into Israel, many of which were shot down  appears an opening gambit; meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his countrys airstrikes would continue for as many days as it takes.

The Conversation turned to Javed Ali, an expert on Middle East affairs at the University of Michigan and a former senior official at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, to talk through why Israel chose now to strike and what the implications are for U.S. policy on Iran.

Why did Israel strike now?

There was a combination of factors that led up to this moment.

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One of the more immediate reasons was that an International Atomic Energy Agency report found that Iran was making progress toward enriching uranium to a degree that, in theory at least, would allow Tehran to very quickly upgrade to a weapons-grade level. That is the thrust of what Netanyahu has said by way of reason for the attack now  that intelligence shows that Iran was getting closer to a possible breakout status for a nuclear weapon.

But there is a confluence of other factors that have built up over the last year and a half, ever since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas in Israel.

Irans proxy Axis of Resistance  that is, regional groups aligned with Iran and supported militarily by Tehran, including Hamas and Hezbollah  doesnt present the same level of threat to Israel as it did in the pre-Oct. 7 landscape.

In the past, an Israeli attack of the sort we are seeing now would have invited a multidirectional response from all corners of the resistance  and we saw this in the early days after the Oct. 7 attack.

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As of now, none of Irans resistance partners have done anything in response to the latest strike  and that is, in large part, due to the fact that Israel has successfully degraded these groups capabilities through a series of campaigns and operations. The United States has also contributed to this effort to a degree with sustained operations against the Houthis in Yemen from March to May this year, including hundreds of airstrikes.

Further, Israels previous attacks on Iran in April and October 2024 managed to degrade Irans ballistic and surface-to-air missiles and air defense radar systems. This likely played into Israels calculations, too.

Lastly, Israel knows that it has a strong supporter in the White House with President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. Washington may not be 100% aligned with Tel Aviv on every issue, but at the moment there is no criticism from the the White House or Republican members of Congress on Israels attacks.

But why attack before the planned US-Iran talks?

The sixth round of talks was due to take place on June 15, led by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Iran has signaled that the talks wont take place now.

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There may have been some dialogue between Netanyahu and the Trump administration over the timing of the Israeli strike preceding yesterdays attacks, during which Israel would have made the case that the time is right now to launch a very different type of campaign to really set back Irans nuclear program. In recorded remarks about Israels operations, Netanyahu stated he directed his national security team to begin planning for a large-scale campaign against Irans nuclear program last November.

Perhaps the White House did push back, saying that it wanted to see if any progress could be made in the talks. Certainly, it has been reported that Trump told Netanyahu in a phone call on June 10 that he believed a deal with Tehran could be negotiated.

Regardless, Netanyahu still went ahead with the strike.

Indeed some observers have posited that collapsing the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran may have been one of the intentions of Netanyahu, who has long opposed any deal with Tehran and has reportedly been irked by Trumps reversal on the issue. During his first administration, Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of a previous nuclear deal.

A newspaper shows the portraits of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, who were due to meet in Oman. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

What should we make of the US response to the strike?

The White House hasnt criticized Israel in its response to the strike, merely stating that it wasnt involved.

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In my assessment, the White House appears to be sincere in the substance of what it is saying: that there was no overt and direct U.S. involvement with Israel during the actual strike. As for U.S. involvement in any planning or intelligence sharing ahead of the strike, we may never know.

But this is largely messaging for Iran: We didnt attack you. Israel attacked you.

The U.S. is clearly worried that any response in Tehran may involve U.S. assets in the region. In the past, parts of Irans proxy network have hit American bases in Jordan and Iraq. Backing up this being a real concern in Washington is the fact that in advance of Israels strike, it already made moves to protect some of its assets in the region and remove personnel.

Has Iran said whether US targets will be included in its response?

On June 11, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasrizadeh warned that if Israel were to attack, Tehran would respond against U.S. personnel and bases in the region  but that hasnt happened yet.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military officials must know that attacking U.S. targets would be very risky and would lead to a significant response that would likely be even more damaging than Israels latest attacks  including putting a potential deal over its nuclear program at risk. And the U.S. has the capability to hit Iran even harder than Israel, both militarily and through the extension of sanctions that have already been very punishing to the Iranian economy.

Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, points to a red line he drew on a graphic of a bomb while addressing the United Nations on Sept. 27, 2012. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Ultimately, it will be Khamenei who decides Irans response  and he remains firmly in control of Irans national security apparatus despite his advanced age. He knows he will have to walk a fine line to avoid drawing the U.S. into a military campaign.

So how might Iran respond in coming weeks?

Despite the challenges facing Iran at the moment, Iran will, I believe, have to respond in a way that goes beyond its previous attacks on Israel.

Reports of drone attacks against Israel on June 13 fit within the framework of the attack Iran launched against Israel in April 2024 that included a combined salvo of almost 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones over several hours. Despite the damage Israel has inflicted against Iran through its series of operations, Iran probably still possesses thousands or tens of thousands of these types of weapons that it can use against various targets in the region.

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Iran could look at targets outside Israel, without necessarily hitting the U.S. directly  for example, by attacking maritime targets in the Persian Gulf and in effect closing the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. military planners have long been concerned about Iranian naval attacks using small boats for ramming or small arms attacks against shipping in the Persian Gulf.

Another option would be for Iran to increase its involvement in terrorism activities in the region. Tehrans proxy groups may be diminished, but Iran still has its Quds Force, through which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducts nonstate and unconventional warfare. Will the Quds Force look toward targeted assassinations, bombings, or kidnappings as part of Irans retaliatory options? It has employed such tactics in the past.

And beyond conventional weapons, Iran also has pretty significant cyber capabilities that it has used against Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, among others.

Where does this leave US-Iran talks?

It would appear Trump is still holding open the possibility of some kind of deal with Iran. In his statement following the Israel attack, he warned Tehran that if it didnt come back to the table and cut a deal, the next Israeli attack would be even more brutal.

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The attack could push Iran into reengaging in talks that were seemingly stalling in recent weeks. Certainly that seems to be the thrust of Trumps messaging.

But the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists in the attack, and the apparent wounding of one of the negotiators, may convince Tehran to double down on a path toward a nuclear weapon as the only means of a deterrence against Israel, especially if it suspects U.S. involvement.

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: Javed Ali, University of Michigan

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Javed Ali 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.
WORTHINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY)  Residents of Worthington have become increasingly concerned over the towns sewage issues, with some even reporting that the issue is getting them sick.

12 News first brought you this story more than a year ago, and again in April 2025, but residents said the situation has not improved since.

Nathan Kyer, a Worthington resident and a disabled veteran who is immunocompromised, told 12 News that sewage water rising into his property has been a problem for about eight years. However, what used to be a twice-a-year occurrence has now increased to two-to-three times a month.

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I get infections very easy. Sinus infections, upper respiratory, rashes on my skin, staph is a big one I have to watch for [] Had infection from where my open stitches are from a surgery I recently had, and my throat its when up to my ears and you get tired of it, said Kyer, who stayed at home for two months to stay safe after his surgery but now the sewage issues are affecting his health.

Residents said that its raw sewage soiling their basements, lawn and property, which happens during storms when the sewage system gets backed up.

When we have storms, its really bad. The system just cant handle it. Its vapor locks, Im guessing. I used to build sewer systems, and it all backs up in the house. You call, the emergency number they have now took me to a free Amazon card drawing so Ive had to call 911 before. Theres an emergency number now where they have been answering, but then they contact the mayor and then it still took 18 hours for them to get out here last time, and I was having severe IBS,

I actually have to sleep in my bathroom sometimes, it gets so bad, and its not acceptable, its ridiculous, Ive had to use five-gallon buckets and its very demoralizing. Its in my house, my house stinks, I have animals, you know, it makes you really upset, Kyer said.

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Kyer said that although the town has brought in portable toilets, in his case of IBS and being immunocompromised, its not safe for him.

Its destroyed all of his stuff, but when you have compromised immune systems and health issues, he cant be in these fumes, so we just try to help each other in cleaning this up but we need help, I mean we need help so bad,  Andrea Zaleski, Worthington Resident who is one of multiple people helping clean her neighbors homes, said.

Kyer has considered moving, but selling a house with a basement that is frequently under sewage water creates a challenge.

I have a lot of equity right now, but Im concerned that that equity is going to be gone and Im going to have to take a loss just for my health and my animals, Kyer said.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Worthington residents struggle with towns overflowing sewer system

How are residents taking action?

Kyer isnt the only resident in this situation; dozens of residents have come together to create the Worthington WV Sewage Crisis Facebook page dedicated to documenting the ongoing sewage problem.

Turned into the EPA, weve tried government agencies. And we are getting government responses, but its slow and its not enough and theres a lot of us that are suffering from this, Kyer said.

When this goes into peoples living spaces, theyre exposed to the bacteria, to the mold thats formed from the stagnant water and solid materials. Were told to open a window, we were told by the DEP at one point to open a window, and I just cant accept that as an answer, Zaleski said.

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In October 2024, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection informed the town about violations it found after an inspection. Zaleski said the town is currently working on a Plan of Corrective Action (POCA) on how to solve the issue, but Zaleski said, we have zero confidence that thats going to happen.

Residents like Zaleski said theyve run out of options and turned to a protest non-vote in Tuesdays municipal election, which ended up having fewer than 10 voters, according to Delegate Phil Mallow. This means that the towns municipality could be at risk, but Zaleski said this is now the best course of action for the residents.

We are trying to put together a declaration of no confidence in this administration and plead for the county commission to take over this issue for sewage. I understand that theyre going through a process right now, but weve been told that for so long, and nothing happens. So I think that, and like I said, in their defense, I think this is just so overwhelming, they reallyhow would you know what to do? But doing nothing is killing us, Zaleski said.

According to West Virginia State Code, a municipality can forfeit its charter or certificate of incorporation if fewer than 20 legal votes are cast in its most recent election. Once the towns election results are certified, if fewer than 20 people voted, residents can petition the Marion County Court, and the town could be dissolved, leaving its 173 residents to be assimilated by the county.

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Former Buckhannon mayor sentenced on child porn charge

What are local officials saying?

Mallow, who recently attended a town meeting over the sewage issues and has contacted other officials to try and find a resolution, spoke with 12 News about this situation.

Im sure everybodys frustrated, but it just seems odd to me that if its been going on since 2008 or 2018 or whatever the case may be, that all of a sudden its come to a head, Mallow said.

Worthington town officials told 12 News they have no comment regarding Worthingtons municipality status, but that they are working on a statement about the sewage issues in the town.

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As of right now, our attorney is going to get some things ready to address the issue, said the official. They added that town officials have plans to be interviewed by 12 News and another outlet, but did not provide a date for the interview.

The statement will come out when everything is typed up and ready because we have a lot of evidence that were going to present to prove whats going on, the official said.

The Marion County Commission has yet to reply to 12 News request for comment on this story.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A longtime pub in downtown Grand Rapids has had its liquor license suspended and is temporarily closed.

A notice posted on the front window of Flanagans Irish Pub informed passersby and would-be patrons of the suspension.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has suspended the license of this establishment  for failure to pay fines of $1000, the sign said.

The suspension started Tuesday and will last 50 days, according to the notice.

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Nearby, there was a second sign posted. It confirmed the pub was temporarily closed, but it planned to reopen and become the citys favorite gathering place.

A sign posted outside Flanagans Irish Pub in Grand Rapids. (June 13, 2025) A sign posted outside Flanagans Irish Pub in Grand Rapids. (June 13, 2025)

Flanagans, located on Pearl Street near Monroe Avenue, first opened in downtown Grand Rapids in 1981.

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The Athens-Clarke County Police Department took a driver into custody after an officer saw a vehicle driving away at a high speed early on Thursday morning.

At around the same time, police said a 911 call came in about a reported drive-by shooting in the area.

Police said when the officer performed a traffic stop, the driver, identified as Myles Brown, threw a gun out of the window of the car before coming to a complete stop.

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Officers determined the vehicle was leaving the scene of the shooting incident from the 911 call after their investigation.

Brown was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, drive-by shooting, possession of a firearm during commission of certain felonies, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and multiple traffic violations, police said.

Police also said that a residence on Monty Drive was shot, but no one was injured.

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UPDATE: The driver has been taken into custody, according to an updated release from Waupaca County.

LEBANON, Wis. (WFRV)  The driver of a vehicle allegedly fled the scene of a crash that left a motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries around midnight in Waupaca County.

Deputies with the Waupaca County Sheriffs Office say they were called to a crash on US-45 and County Highway D in Lebanon just after midnight on Friday, June 13.

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Crash in southern Wisconsin injures one, causes major damage as airbags deploy

According to a preliminary investigation, the crash involved a northbound motorcycle on US-45 and a vehicle turning southbound onto US-45 from County Highway D. Deputies say the motorcycle hit the front end of the passenger vehicle and was thrown from the motorcycle as a result.

It was noted that the driver of the vehicle had fled on foot before first responders arrived at the scene.

The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation. No additional information about the driver who fled was provided.

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67-year-old man in Wisconsin battling life-threatening injuries after motorcycle crash

The Waupaca County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the following agencies:

New London Police Department

Wisconsin State Patrol

New London Fire Department

New London First Responders

Gold Cross Ambulance

ThedaStar

Waupaca County Highway Department

Outagamie County Sheriffs Office

Grand Chute Police Department

Local 5 will update this story when more information is released.

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Atrist's rendering of P.E.A.C.H. Apartments.

With much fanfare, EMPOWERment Inc., held a ribbon-cutting in April for P.E.A.C.H Apartments, a 10-unit affordable housing complex it developed for low-income residents unable to pay Chapel Hills high rents.

At the ribbon cutting, U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC) and other dignitaries praised the nonprofit for its vision and persistence in addressing a critical need for safe and affordable housing in the town that is home to UNC Chapel Hill, the flagship university of the states 17-campus UNC System.

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Families were supposed to begin moving into apartments for tenants earning at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI) the following month but it never happened. The anticipated move-ins were short circuited because Duke Energy Progress refused to run power to the apartments, citing the developers decision to use a single meter for billing purposes, according to a consumer complaint EMPOWERment Inc., filed against the energy company with the North Carolina Utilities Commission.

Delores Bailey (Photo: EMPOWERment Inc.)

Weve tried to resolve this conflict, but we have no choice other than file this complaint so our tenants can have affordable housing, said Delores Bailey, executive director of EMPOWERment INC. Our building is at risk and 10 families in our community are struggling with housing when they shouldnt have to be.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 30% AMI for the Durham-Chapel Hill HUD Metro Fair Market Rent Area is $22,250 for a family of one, $25,400 for a family of two, $28,600 for a family of three and $31,750 for a family of four.

Bailey said EMPOWERment Inc., decided to use one meter for the entire apartment complex to accommodate rooftop solar panels installed to reduce energy costs for low-income residents who would rent the apartments. The nonprofits contractors submitted plans for the single meter in July 2024 and Duke Energy ran the underground service for the single meter in October 2024, Bailey said, but the power company didnt notify the nonprofit that it wouldnt provide service until February 2025.

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The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed the complaint on behalf of the nonprofit.

This came about because people who are already doing some of the most valuable community-building work out there found a way to use solar energy to lower the cost of living for our low-income neighbors, said Nick Jimenez, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Using solar energy to lower the cost of living to help neighbors who need it is about the best use of solar I can think of. EMPOWERment is absolutely within its rights here and it deserves electric service immediately.

EMPOWERment Inc., asked the state Utilities Commission for the following relief:

Require Duke connect electric service to EMPOWERments PEACH Apartments immediately, while the Commission considers this Emergency Complaint and Request for Declaratory Ruling, to prevent the risk of irreparable harm and health risks from the lack of essential electric service.

Order that Duke permit the use of master meters when the lease between landlord and tenant states that the cost of electric and/or gas utilities is included in rental payments, as set forth in G. S.  143-151. 42(b)(2).

In the alternative, declare that a multifamily residential building is eligible to use a single master meter, with the Commissions approval, when served by a solar array.

Require Duke to provide permanent electric service to the PEACH Apartments under the current single-meter configuration.

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At issue in the disagreement is state law prohibiting master meters for electric and natural gas service in new residential buildings. One section of the law outlines an exception to the prohibition if the tenant and landlord agree in the lease that the cost of the electric service or natural gas service, or both, will be included in rental payments. North Carolina has generally required individual meters and service in tenants names for each unit in new residential building constructed on or after Sept. 1, 1977.

Bailey told NC Newsline that the energy utility would be paid by tenants in monthly rent payments under lease agreements between the nonprofit and tenants. The amount charged would depend on the number of bedrooms in the apartment, she said.

To rewire the units so that each has a meter would cost the nonprofit about $86,000, Bailey said.

We dont have that, she said. We dont have that laying around somewhere.

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Bailey said it would take to three to six months to receive the parts needed to rewire the apartments if the nonprofit decided to go that route.

My apartments are 85% done, Bailey said. I cant have them sitting around for six months without an air conditioning to control the humidity in North Carolina. When it rains like it does and it gets hot like it does, Im inviting mold issues.

Duke Energy said it cannot comment on specific customers accounts. But did provide this statement in an email from spokesman Jeff Brooks: Duke Energy service regulations, in compliance with North Carolina law, require residential units to have individual meters, no one master meter covering the entire building. These guidelines are in place to promote consistency in the quality and reliability of service to all customers.

The nonprofit was unable to convince Duke Energy to allow the single meter to be used temporarily so families could move in while parts to rewire the building were ordered, Bailey said.

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Further delays would cause hardships for tenants who planned to move into apartments last month, the complaint said. Target tenants earn between $11 and $16 an hour, Bailey said, and have been anxiously awaiting news about when they can move into the new apartments.

EMPOWERment Inc., is a small nonprofit trying to do the right thing for all the right reasons, Bailey said. Thirty-percent and below [AMI] income are people like your grocery store baggers or your assistant teacher or the people who take your tickets at the movie theater  thats who were working for.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has launched an investigation into Ed Martin, who serves as both the pardon attorney and head of the new Weaponization Working Group.

Durbin cited Martins disgraceful tenure in a prior role as well as his stated threats to abuse his positions at DOJ as the rationale behind igniting the probe.

The letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asks for all Martins communications relating both to pardons and any work undertaken for the new working group.

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Following his disgraceful tenure as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Mr. Martin apparently plans to continue his misconduct in his new roles at DOJ, he wrote.

Durbin pointed to a May 13 press conference Martin held before heading to his new role, saying he plans to shame those [who the] DOJ does not have the evidence to charge.

If they cant be charged, we will name them  and in a culture that respects shame, they should be people that are shamed, Martin said.

Durbin said the statement was an admission he plans to abuse his power.

These statements are a brazen admission that Mr. Martin plans to systematically violate the Justice Manuals prohibition on extrajudicial statements by shaming uncharged parties for nakedly partisan reasons, Durbin wrote.

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This plan clearly violates Mr. Martins obligations under the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibit prosecutors from [making] extrajudicial comments which serve to heighten condemnation of the accused. Weaponizing DOJ in this manner will further undermine the publics trust in the department in irreparable ways.

Durbin also questioned Martins oversight of a series of pardons given by Trump that benefited his political allies.

The senator noted the recent pardon for nursing home executive Paul Walczak for tax fraud just three weeks after Walczaks mother paid $1 million to attend a Trump fundraiser.

Trump also pardoned Trevor Milton, founder of Nikola Corporation, after Milton donated nearly $2 million to the Trump campaign last year, among others.

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Mr. Martins bald-faced pay to play strategy is abusing the Office of the Pardon Attorney in multiple ways to benefit President Trump and his political allies, Durbin wrote.

Martin is also planning a review of former President Bidens pardons, included those given to his family members.

DOJ did not respond to request for comment.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  A man from East Lansing is now facing three charges after police say he hit a pedestrian with his car and drove away in April.

Charles Suiter booking photograph (Meridian Township)

Charles Suiter, 63, of East Lansing, was arraigned in the 55th District Court Friday on the following charges:

Failure to stop at an accident scene, causing serious impairment

Tampering with evidence

Moving violation causing serious impairment

According to the Meridian Township Police Department, at around 3:15 p.m. on April 1, officers responded to the scene of a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in the area of Grand River Ave. and Campus Hill Dr. A female pedestrian was crossing the road when she was hit by a vehicle that continued east on Grand River Ave.

When police arrived on the scene, they found the victim in the roadway with several people attempting to provide aid, and they transported her to the hospital. Police have not disclosed additional information about the victims condition.

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The crash sparked a search for the driver and the vehicle police believed to have been involved, identified at the time as a 2017-2020 Ford Escape with heavy front-end damage.

Police were looking for this car. (Meridian Township Police Department)

The vehicle was found the next day, April 2.

6 News will keep you updated with the latest.

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HONG KONG, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted its "Unicorn Day" on Friday, showcasing innovations from over 100 startups and fostering discussions among industry professionals, investors, and scholars on collaboration opportunities.

In an address at the event, Ivan Lee Kwok-bun, commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting innovation, emphasizing the role of local universities in building a dynamic ecosystem.

HKUST President Nancy Ip, highlighted the university's focus on fostering creativity and entrepreneurship to address global challenges. She expressed a commitment to partnering with various stakeholders to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.

The event featured a range of innovations, including herbal remedies for neurodegenerative diseases, non-invasive devices for glaucoma prevention, and AI applications for luxury goods authentication.

Among the key research showcased were an AI retinal screening device, a portable genomic analysis prototype, and a 28-nanometer experimental chip, according to Tim Kwang-Ting Cheng, vice president for Research and Development at HKUST and director of the university's wholly-owned AI Chip Center for Emerging Smart Systems.

Launched in 2023, "Unicorn Day" aligns with Hong Kong's goal of becoming an international innovation hub, featuring presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities for startups. As of May 2025, HKUST members have co-founded over 1,800 startups, including 10 unicorns. 
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A buffet featuring all-you-can-eat hibachi, sushi and seafood will soon open in the Carriage Place Plaza.

The Feast Buffet, located at 2620 Bethel Road in the Misty Meadows neighborhood, will begin welcoming customers on Saturday, according to its website. The restaurant is taking over the building that previously housed Petland.

The eaterys buffet will offer hibachi, seafood, sushi and other Asian dishes. The Feast Buffet is run by the same people who launched The City Buffet, a similar concept that opened in the Westland neighborhood in January.

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Lunch buffets at the new restaurant will cost $16.99 and dinner buffets will be priced at $24.99 to $26.99, depending on the day. Kids with a height below 36 inches can eat for free, while meals for children at or below 55 inches will be half off, according to the restaurants website.

The establishment will hold a lunch buffet Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A dinner buffet will be available Mondays through Thursdays from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fridays from 3:30 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Metro council members move forward with bringing the Baton Rouge Convention Center Expansion and Headquarters Hotel Development Project to life.

With one opposed, council members chose to have Hunden Partners serve as the city-parishs advisor for the project. The project, which has been in the works, is to make the center cater more to conventions, all while construction for a headquarters hotel takes place next door. At the same time, a new LSU arena would take on the larger scale of events like concerts and games.

Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman, whose District houses the river center, supports the plan.

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This is just the first step. This process is not an overnight process as well but it is a much-needed process, she said.

While many on the board like Coleman agree, Councilman Darryl Hurst said this should have been decided differently.

Made a decision as a city parish. I urge the mayor and everybody else to slow down. We need to see the data before we make a decision as a council, said Hurst.

Hurst said hes for the project as a whole to help reshape the parish, as it lacks an all-around convention center for businesses. But he worries the community is an afterthought.

Im for a better Baton Rouge. Im for less burden on the taxpayers as long as the city-parish and the lawyers stay true, and the developers, that theyre not going to ask the taxpayer for a dime, I support it, he said.

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With other projects taking over the parish and budgets shifting around due to new city changes, both Hurst and Coleman say this project is a reflection of not only economic changes, but a representation of the people.

Baton Rouge has to become a priority for somebody, and its definitely a priority for me, said Hurst.

Not I think, but I know that this is the first step toward whats the best is yet to come, said Coleman.

The parish attorney will start contract negotiations with Hunden Partners, which will then have to be approved by the Metro Council.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Edison Tech unveiled a new mural Friday honoring former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The finished mosaic hanging in the hallway of Edison Career and Technology High School (News 8 WROC/Alec Richardson)

Creation of Becoming Legacy: The Michelle Obama Mosaic began in May as a collaboration between female students and female masons from Unicorn of Rochester and the Bricklayers Union of Rochester.

Today, the finished mosaic hangs in the Womens Memorial Hall of Edison Techand will be displayed there permanently.

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The fiscal hits just keep coming for Chicago, this time courtesy of the citys representatives and senators in Springfield.

The latest fiasco played out in the final hours of the General Assemblys spring session, with the passage of legislation sweetening pension benefits for Chicago police and firefighters hired beginning in 2011, the first year of less generous Tier 2 benefits ironically meant to help the state and municipalities close their yawning pension deficits. The measure was passed so hurriedly that city officials appeared caught flat-footed and werent able to say how much the changes will cost Chicago taxpayers over the long haul.

Rest assured, though, the tax bill will be substantial. Chicago Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski, who lodged her opposition to the bill on behalf of the city shortly before its passage, told senators it would cost the city an estimated $52 million beginning in 2027, its first year in effect. Chicago faces a deficit exceeding $1 billion in 2026 and a similarly daunting hole for 2027.

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Heres how seriously Springfield took Jaworskis objections: The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.

After voicing some opposition in committee, Republicans voted for it on the floor mainly because Chicagos Springfield delegation was in unanimous support. After all, there isnt a single GOP House member or senator from Chicago, and the bill raises taxes in Chicago alone. I think a lot in the Republican caucus said, Well, if this is what all of the voices representing Chicago want to do, who are we to disagree with them? Republican state Sen. Li Arellano Jr. from downstate Dixon told the Tribune.

Many Chicago lawmakers will be boasting as we approach yet another campaign season about how they held the line on income and sales taxes in a particularly tight budget year in Springfield. Voters shouldnt be fooled. Every single one of those legislators acted to force inevitable future property tax hikes. Pension contributions are mainly funded by property taxes.

Jaworski in her fruitless arguments against the bill called it an unfunded mandate. And indeed it is.

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Arguments for the measure  which will raise the ceilings for annual pension payments, drive up those annual payouts for many beneficiaries via formulaic challenges in how theyre determined, and boost cost-of-living increases  principally relied on fairness. Downstate police and fire retirees got those richer pension changes in 2019 when their disparate pension funds were consolidated. Since then, unions representing Chicago first responders have argued for the same treatment.

We understand the desire to reward police officers and firefighters, who especially in the city of Chicago perform dangerous work and deserve our gratitude. But a pension, however sweet, wont be worth much if it helps drive the sponsor  in this case the city of Chicago  into insolvency.

As of the end of 2023, Chicagos police pension fund held just 21.7% of the assets needed to meet its current and future obligations. Depressingly, that status was slightly worse than the 21.8% recorded in 2018. The citys firefighters fund was slightly worse off, with 21.6% of the assets required to be considered fully funded. The two funds at year-end 2023 together accounted for about $20 billion of Chicagos total $37 billion in unfunded pension liabilities.

Joe Ferguson, president of the Civic Federation, told the Tribune he thought the state legislation would add billions to the two funds long-term liabilities.

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With the plans so severely underfunded, just about the last thing rational people would do right now would be to add substantially to their liabilities. But thats what lawmakers just did.

And where was Mayor Brandon Johnson in this debate? He and his intergovernmental affairs team seemed to be missing in action when it came to this extraordinarily damaging bill. Its troubling that lawmakers voted unanimously for a measure with such serious fiscal implications  and so little cost analysis. Who other than CFO Jaworski was raising alarms?

The Johnson administration has made annual contributions to the citys retirement plans over and above whats required in law through a series of tough budgets. Those taxpayer contributions, well into the billions each year now, make no dent in these pension deficits if officeholders keep moving the goalposts farther away through more generous benefits.

Common sense must prevail at some point.

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As difficult and embarrassing as it would be given the unanimous votes, Johnson ought to ask Gov. JB Pritzker to veto this bill in the interest of negotiating something more reasonable. And if the mayor wont do so, Pritzker should wield his veto pen anyway. Someone  anyone  with the power to do so needs to protect Chicago taxpayers.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
It is altogether fitting that the nation should honor the 250th anniversary of the United States Army on June 14, 2025. Thats a judgment that was shared by the Biden administration, under which planning for the recognition of the Army began.

The United States could not survive without men and women willing to give and risk that last full measure of devotion to defeat foreign enemies. The world is filled with serpents and vultures. The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must is the iron law of international relations.

Paying homage to our military, however, should still be informed by moderation. Extravagance should be eschewed. Resources are limited. An equal if not superior way of expressing our gratitude for men and women in the armed forces is generously funding the Department of Veterans Affairs, providing support and compensation for victims of Agent Orange, radiation poisoning or cancer from atomic testing and toxic exposure to burn pits including in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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The parade on the National Mall on Saturday happens to coincide with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday. Does that coincidence explain the estimated eye-popping $45 million cost? The military takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, not the occupant of the White House.

A big chunk of the parade budget will be diverted to street repairs in Washington, D.C. When Pierre Charles LEnfant designed the street layout of the capital in 1791, he did not envision 120,000-pound M1 Abrams battle tanks rolling down Constitution Avenue. Even with occasional protective metal plates, street damage is likely to reach $16 million.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays already salute those who serve in our armed forces. We should not ape Prussia. It was disparaged as not a state with an army but an army with a state.

Let us remember that President Abraham Lincoln electrified and inspired the military with his 272-word Gettysburg Address that required nothing other than a brilliant mind and magnanimous character.

_____
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WCIA)  The Effingham County Coroners Office is investigating after a man was found dead at a truck stop on Wednesday.

Kim Rhodes, coroner, said the Effingham City Police were told there was an unresponsive man at the Flying J Truck Stop in Effingham around 10 a.m.

UPDATE: 17-year-old struck, killed by train in Mattoon, police say

When officers arrived, they spoke to the driver of a semi-truck on the scene. The driver said there was a man sleeping in the trailer of the semi-truck, and when the driver went to wake the man, he did not respond. Rhodes confirmed that the driver of the semi-truck and the man knew each other.

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The individual was pronounced dead at 10:26 a.m. Rhodes said he was around 60-65 years old and possibly from Honduras. The coroners office, along with an interpreter, have been working to contact the individuals immediate family, but have so far been unsuccessful.

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 WCIA.com.
Egypt and Kuwait have strongly condemned Israel's military strikes on Iran, warning that the attacks represent a threat to regional stability and could spark wider conflict across the Middle East.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli attacks as "a blatant and extremely dangerous regional escalation."

The ministry expressed deep concern over the accelerating developments, calling the strikes "unjustified actions" that risk drawing the region into broader confrontation.

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The Egyptian statement urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and stressed the need for a return to diplomatic channels to de-escalate tensions.

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry called the strikes a "flagrant violation of all international laws and conventions," and a direct assault on Iranian sovereignty.

Kuwait called for the international community  particularly the United Nations Security Council  to take immediate action to halt the escalation.

It emphasized the need to preserve peace and prevent the situation from spiralling into a broader military confrontation.

Both countries responses come amid Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, marking one of the most serious flashpoints in the region in years.
After days of escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, a ceasefire deal proposed by US President Donald Trump is tentatively holding.

Despite the ceasefire put in place on 24 June, Israels defence minister claimed Iran had violated the agreement by launching strikes, which Iran has denied.

After Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on 13 June, the two countries continued to attack one another, and the US got involved when Trump launched strikes on Tehrans nuclear facilities.

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Those travelling to nearby holiday hotspots such as Egypt, are searching for answers about whether it is safe to travel.

Egypt has many popular tourist destinations, and while the UKs Foreign Office has warned against travel to some areas of the country, many of the popular tourist destinations are still considered safe to travel to, with holiday companies and airlines continuing to operate in the country.

How far is Israel from Egypt?

The nearest major tourist site to the Israeli border is Sharm el Sheikh, over two and a half hours away (Getty/iStock)

Though Israel directly borders Egypt, most of the countrys major cities and tourist destinations are a substantial distance away, and so Egypt has avoided much of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Sharm el-Sheikh is the closest destination, though it is still over two-and-a-half hours drive away from the nearest border town and over five hours away by road from the area around the Gaza border. Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada and Luxor are even further away.

Will my flight to Egypt be disrupted?

Cairo Airport appears to be operating its flight schedule as normal, apart from some minor delays to departures.

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Hurghada International Airport is also operating as normal, apart from a few delays.

What are my passenger rights?

Under air passengers rights rules, passengers who begin their journeys in the UK or the European Union are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible.

If your cancelled flight is covered by UK law, passengers can choose between getting an alternative flight or receiving a refund if their flight is cancelled.

If you received less than 14 days notice of a cancellation, you may also be able to claim compensation. However, this is unlikely if the cancellation was not the airlines fault.

What if I have booked a package holiday to Egypt?

Package holidays are operating as usual. If you have an upcoming trip booked and want to postpone, get in touch with your tour operator or holiday provider; they may offer some flexibility. However, if not, there are currently no grounds for travellers to expect a refund if they cancel, nor to claim the money back through travel insurance, as the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has not issued a blanket avoid all non-essential travel advisory for Egypt.

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If FCDO advice changes to advising against all travel, you can cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund.

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

What is the Foreign Office travel advice for Egypt?

FCDO travel advice for Egypt (FCDO)

The FCDO has issued new travel advice for those visiting Egypt last week, stating that following hostilities in the region, a ceasefire between Israel and Iran began on 24 June.

You should stay up to date with events in the region, check for any transport disruption that may still be occurring, monitor local and international media for the latest information, read the FCDOs advice on if youre affected by a crisis abroad and follow the instructions of local authorities.

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The FCDO also advises against travel in certain areas of Egypt. It advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border and all travel to the North Sinai Governorate.

The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to:

The town of El Salloum

The northern part of the South Sinai Governorate, beyond the St Catherine-Nuweibaa road, except for the coastal areas along the west and east of the peninsula.

The Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal.

The area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for a list of areas that can be found here.

The Halaib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.

It does not warn against travel to any of the main tourist destinations in Egypt, including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria and the two Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

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The FCDO also warns that international borders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt.

It advises checking with local authorities and reading Israels and OPTs travel advice before crossing or leaving Gaza.

The Rafah border crossing is currently closed. When re-opened, Israel, Egypt and the authorities in Gaza may determine procedures for who is permitted to cross and when, it adds.

Humanitarian aid workers cannot enter or exit Gaza through Egypt at this time.

The Egyptian authorities have said all aid to Gaza must go through the Egyptian Red Crescent. Standard operating procedures can be found on the Logistics Cluster website. The authorities are unlikely to consider requests for humanitarian access made in Egypt at short notice.

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If you are concerned about friends or family, or need support from the UK government, call the British Embassy in Cairo.

Telephone: + 20 (0)2 2791 6000. If you have technical difficulties using this number, call +44 1767 667 600 (UK number).

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
Israeli airline El Al has cancelled all flights to and from Israel scheduled for Friday and Saturday, citing security concerns over potential Iranian counterattacks, the carrier announced on Friday.

El Al said it was suspending the flights due to recent security developments and in line with directives from security and aviation authorities regarding the closure of Israeli airspace.

The airline, which is known for operating even during times of conflict, urged passengers to prepare for overnight stays abroad until the security situation changes.

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Flights already en route to Israel were diverted to alternative airports, and all scheduled departures from Israel have been grounded until further notice.

Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv also said on its website that it was closed to all incoming and outgoing flights until further notice.

El Al said it would allow passengers with tickets for departures up to June 28 to cancel and convert them into travel vouchers. New bookings for flights scheduled up to June 22 have been suspended until the situation becomes clearer.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Velva Cox has lived in her South Side home for 50 years.

At one time, her block on South Honore Avenue was filled with mature trees.

I thought that was so pretty, Cox said. Thats why I wanted this house.

The block has seen a lot of changes over the years and many of those trees are now gone.

Errant driver causes 1-week delay in Kennedy ramp re-opening

However, the large, mature ash in front of the 79-year-olds home still remains.

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I like the tree because of the shade, Cox said.

That shade has a downside, too. One of the trees branches now sits just inches above Coxs roof line, scraping against the shingles and apparently causing damage.

The shingles is coming up on it and theres holes in my roof, she said.

In recent years, Cox asked the city to trim the tree, but said she was told it wasnt possible and she couldnt afford to pay to trim the tree, which is located on city property.

Another $1.6M SNAP benefits stolen as big beautiful bill looks to save

In need of assistance, Cox contacted WGN Investigates.

Less than a day after we notified the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, city crews came out and trimmed Coxs tree, as well as others on the block.

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There were multiple trees on the block that you could probably tell hadnt been trimmed in 15 years, said the departments James Sheehan.

Last year, WGN Investigates reported how the city changed the way it trimmed its trees, moving to a grid system rather than responding to resident complaints.

SEE ALSO: Homeowner waits years for City of Chicago tree trim service

City officials have acknowledged that some trees in need of maintenance may have gotten overlooked, but said the process has become more efficient under the new system, resulting in more trees being trimmed in more neighborhoods.

We trimmed over 180,000 treesa 200% increase, but there are definitely some that slip through the cracks, Sheehan said.

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Officials said residents with trees that need trimming but are not in imminent danger of injuring people or property should call their aldermans office or email StreetsandSan@cityofchicago.org

Interviewed after the branch was removed, Cox said she was just thankful the work was finally done.

Illinois pays $1.3M for unopened migrant shelter despite Pritzker pledge

Thank you, Jesus, its over, 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 WGN-TV.
Jose de Lima Massano, minister of state for economic coordination of Angola, delivers a speech at the Angola International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies 2025 in Luanda, Angola, June 12, 2025. The fifth edition of the Angola International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies kicked off on Thursday in Luanda, the capital, under the theme: "50 years communicating, modernizing and developing Angola." (Photo by Julio Kikebu/Xinhua)

LUANDA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The number of Angolans subscribing to wireless services has grown to about 74 in every 100 inhabitants, up from one in every 130 in 2002, a government minister has said.

Jose de Lima Massano, minister of state for economic coordination, told a forum on Thursday that the remarkable progress can be attributed to the country's communications expansion and modernization program, which is part of the 2023-2027 National Development Plan, the Angola Press Agency (ANGOP) reported.

The program, the minister said, "promotes a clear digital agenda, expanding connectivity across the entire national territory, modernizing public services, fostering technological entrepreneurship, ensuring cybersecurity and data sovereignty, and preparing future generations for the challenges of the digital economy."

The fifth edition of the Angola International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies kicked off on Thursday in Luanda, the capital, under the theme: "50 years communicating, modernizing and developing Angola."

Mario Oliveira, minister of telecommunications, information technologies and social communication, talked about the creation of telecom infrastructures capable of serving the interests of the economy and the daily lives of citizens.

"This is how we have a network of access to internet banking, telemedicine, tele-education and the strong commitment that the government has made to administrative modernization, for digital transformation and improvement of the conditions of citizens," he said.

Running through Saturday, the forum has brought together representatives from more than 100 companies as well as over 150 startups from across Angola and abroad. The three-day event is expected to attract 20,000 visitors, ANGOP said. 

People visit the booth of Huawei during the Angola International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies 2025 in Luanda, Angola, June 12, 2025. The fifth edition of the Angola International Forum on Information and Communication Technologies kicked off on Thursday in Luanda, the capital, under the theme: "50 years communicating, modernizing and developing Angola." (Photo by Julio Kikebu/Xinhua)
Tesla CEO, SpaceX founder and South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk became a special federal employee in February, allowing him to work for the federal government with or without pay for a limited time.

Now, around four months later, Musk is coming off the heels of a very public falling out with President Trump shortly after leaving his position as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

While there are some exceptions, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, you generally must be a U.S. citizen to work for the federal government.

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And since supporting President Trumps 2024 campaign, flurries of comments on social media posts about Musk often accuse him of not being a U.S. citizen.

Following the news of his job and due to his and President Donald Trumps strong views on immigration, some asked, "Is Elon Musk a U.S. citizen?" The short answer is yes.

Regardless of his current employment status (or lack thereof) with the Trump Administration, its still one of the most commonly asked questions about the wealthiest man in the world.

Heres where Elon Musks citizenship status stands, which countries he grew up in and where he currently lives.

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Musk and Trump's relationship: A timeline from campaign cash to 'disgusting abomination'

Are Elon Musk and Donald Trump still friends? Musk apologized

Musk left his position with DOGE at the end of May and, about a week later, on June 5, started posting accusatory tweets on his social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

He berated Trumps big, beautiful bill, calling it a disgusting abomination, and even accused of being involved with the late child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein in now-deleted posts on X.

But on June 11, Musk posted on X, I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.

Musk hasn't changed his opinion about the bill yet, at least publicly. While Musk has deleted some of his more inflammatory posts about Trump, some posts about killing the bill are still up on his X profile.

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What we know after his apologetic post: Does Musk still oppose the Big Beautiful Bill?

Is Elon Musk a U.S. citizen?

Musk has been a U.S. citizen since 2002 according to a 2023 biography of Musk by journalist Walter Isaacson, Politifact and CNN reported.

Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971. His father, Errol Musk, is a South African businessman, politician, mine owner, consultant, and property developer. His mother, Maye Musk, is Canadian. Through her, Elon Musk also has Canadian citizenship.

In his college years, Musk came to the U.S. on an Exchange Visitor Visa, which allows visa holders to teach, lecture, instruct, study, conduct research, consult, receive graduate training and more.

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In October, the Washington Post reported that Musk was  at one point  working illegally during his startup days in Silicon Valley, while he and his brother were creating PayPal. President Biden later echoed the Posts report, which went viral on X, Musks social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Musk fired back on X, saying that he was in fact allowed to work in the U.S., and described his immigration journey as a gray area," CNN reported.

Regardless of whether or not he was working illegally at the start of his career, Musk is now a U.S. citizen and maintains his primary residence in the U.S.

Elon Musk surrenders: World's richest man is caving to Trump after their epic feud

Where did Elon Musk grow up? Elon Musk's nationality

Musk was mostly raised in South Africa. He moved to Canada when he was 17 to study at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario.

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In 1992, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he graduated with bachelors degrees in economics and physics.

Does Elon Musk live in America? Where does Elon Musk currently live?

Yes, Elon Musk lives in the U.S. Currently, his main residence is in Boca Chica, Texas, the location of SpaceX Headquarters.

He has a tiny home and a small two-bedroom home in the area, according to Architectural Digest.

In 2021, Musk revealed in a post on X that he was living in a three-bedroom ranch, also in Boca Chica. He claimed to be renting the $50,000 property from SpaceX, Architectural Digest reported in January.

Like his tiny home, the property is a short drive from his companys beachfront launch site, SpaceX Starbase.

Is Elon Musk the richest man in the world?

According to Forbes real-time billionaires list, Musk is the richest man in the world as of Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. He ranks just slightly above Jeff Bezos.

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Musk is worth more than $400 billion, according to Reuters.

Contributing: Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Elon Musk and Donald Trump: Is the SpaceX billionaire a U.S. citizen?
The Brief

AG Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit on Thursday in response to the Trump Administration rolling back California's vehicle emission standards.

This marks the 23rd lawsuit Bonta has filed against the administration since Trump began his second term.

Trump's order is another move to ease emission standards and revive the auto and oil industries.

OAKLAND, Calif. - California has 48% more electric vehicle chargers than it does gas nozzles, and a new lawsuit from the state Attorney General is fighting to keep it that way.

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Rob Bonta on Thursday filed his 23rd lawsuit against the Trump Administration, in response to a bill blocking a state law banning the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. It also offers less stringent regulations on tailpipe emissions.

"We made a promise that if the president attempted to illegally interfere with our clean air standards, we'd hold him accountable in court," Bonta said in an interview announcing the lawsuit. "Today we are making good on that promise."

Congressional Review

What we know

Trump was signing a bill passed under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to pass legislation overturning a rule issued by a federal agency. In this case, it allows for the undoing of tougher environmental protections granted to California under the 1970 Clean Air Act  protections put in place to help the state reduce severe air pollution. Renewable energy and lower or zero-emission vehicles have become part of that effort.

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Trump, in signing the bill, said he was "rescuing the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once and for all."

The president called the state regulations "crazy," and said it's "been a disaster for this country."

Bonta said Trump doesn't have the legal authority to "weaponize" the CRA against California,

The U.S. Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan congressional watchdog, found that California's standards cannot legally be blocked using the Congressional Review Act. The Senate parliamentarian agreed with that finding.

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It may not be so cut-and-dry, though.

"What has gone through Congress is essentially the equivalent of legislation. And that, of course, can ordinarily supersede any sort of inconsistent prior legislation," Tseming Yang, a professor of environmental law at Santa Clara University, said in an interview with KTVU.

Bonta filed his lawsuit in the Northern District Court of California. If his suit is unsuccessful, he can appeal to the federal appellate level. Legal experts say the case will likely work its way all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Loosening restrictions

Big picture view

California, which makes up roughly 11% of the U.S. auto market, has significant power to sway trends in the auto industry. About a dozen states signed on to adopt California's rule phasing out the sale of new gas-powered cars.

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Trump has pledged to revive American auto manufacturing and boost oil and gas drilling.

The CRA bill follows other steps his administration has taken to roll back rules that aim to protect air and water and reduce emissions that cause climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed repealing rules that limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas.

Dan Becker with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the signing of the resolution was "Trump's latest betrayal of democracy."

"Signing this bill is a flagrant abuse of the law to reward Big Oil and Big Auto corporations at the expense of everyday people's health and their wallets," Becker said in a statement.

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California, which has some of the nation's worst air pollution, has for decades been able to seek waivers from the EPA, allowing it to adopt stricter emissions standards than those of the federal government.

In his first term, Trump revoked California's ability to enforce its standards, but Democratic President Joe Biden reinstated it in 2022. Trump has not yet sought to revoke it again.
EMPORIA (KSNT)  A series of afterschool programs in Emporia are ending due to a lack of funding.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas (BGCSCK) announced on its website that it is ending its Emporia afterschool programs ahead of the upcoming 2026 school year. The organization stated the decision was not made easily and was not taken due to a lack of funding alone.

BGCSCK doesnt go where the money is; they go where they are needed. The program came to Emporia because the community asked for support, and they chose to stay because of their belief in supporting children. But after years of effort, when sustainable community investment didnt come together, the Board of Directors had to make the most responsible choice for the future of the organization and the families that they serve. BGCSCK statement excerpt

The Emporia School District USD 253 helped provide funding to the BGCSCK after it began pushing for expanded access to safe and consistent afterschool programs for local students in 2022. The initial afterschool work consisted of serving students at six different sites at the cost of $800,000 per year.

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Can you get in trouble for driving too slowly on the highway in Kansas?

The BGCSCK reported that despite making several grant applications and pursuing outreach to community partners, it was not able to secure the required finances to meet its needs. The organization said it is grateful to the groups that did step up to help cover costs such as the Emporia Community Foundation and Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Foundation.

This decision is heartbreaking  but its rooted in the financial realities of sustaining high-quality programs, said Junnae Campbell, CEO of BGCSCK. Weve been transparent with the district from the start about what it takes to run this program. Our team followed every recommendation, met with every suggested contact, and applied for every viable grant. We came to Emporia because we wanted to provide a safe space for children and families  but a program like this simply cant survive without broad community backing.

The BGCSCK said it will cancel operations in Emporia prior to the start of the next school year. You can learn more about this recent decision by heading to the BGCSCKs website by clicking here.

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This is not about giving up  its about being honest, Campbell said. We are proud of the impact we made in Emporia, and we stand by the effort, care, and integrity we brought to this community. We hope others will continue to build on the work thats begun here.

Amazon van stuck in mud broken into in Lyon County, multiple packages missing

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LEBANON, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44)  The Lebanon Police Department received a report Thursday evening at about 7:54 p.m. of a man wanted for multiple warrants in the West Lebanon Walmart. According to police, an officer found Joshua Champney, 35, of Enfield, but a struggle ensued and Champney tried to flee on foot through the parking lot.

New Hampshire establishes Parental Bill of Rights, universal school vouchers

Police then said the officer used a Taser on Champney, who continued to struggle, biting the officer and trying to gouge their eyes out with his thumbs. It took the aid of several more police officers before he was finally put under arrest.

Joshua Champney, 35, of Enfield, is facing ten charges. (Courtesy: Lebanon PD)

The officer who tried to arrest Champney was injured during the struggle and has since been released from the hospital.

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Police said they found a stolen gun in his possession. Champney had previously been out on bail for possessing a dangerous weapon, along with a DUI charge, resisting arrest, and a parole violation.

Lebanon police welcome veteran police dog and human partner

After the apparent struggle, Champney had more charges added to this list, including 2nd degree assault and the special felony of being an armed career criminal; people convicted of 3 or more counts of certain serious felonies are not allowed to own firearms in New Hampshire.

Champney was taken to the Grafton County House of Corrections. His arraignment was scheduled for Friday.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
This article was originally published in EdSurge.

Kids arent as sneaky as they think they are.

They do try, as Holly Distefano has seen in her middle school English language arts classes. When she poses a question to her seventh graders over her schools learning platform and watches the live responses roll in, there are times when too many are suspiciously similar. Thats when she knows students are using an artificial intelligence tool to write an answer.

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I really think that they have become so accustomed to it, they lack confidence in their own writing, Distefano, who teaches in Texas, says. In addition to just so much pressure on them to be successful, to get good grades, really a lot is expected of them.

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Distefano is sympathetic  but still expects better from her students.

Ive shown them examples of what AI is  its not real, she says. Its like margarine to me.

Educators have been trying to curb the use of AI-assisted cheating since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene.

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Its a formidable challenge. For instance, theres a corner of TikTok reserved for tech influencers who rack up thousands of views and likes teaching students how to most effectively use AI programs to generate their essays, including step-by-step instructions on bypassing AI detectors. And the search term for software that purports to humanize AI-generated content spiked in the fall, according to Google Trends data, only to fall sharply before hitting the peak of its popularity around the end of April.

While the overall proportion of students who say theyve cheated hasnt fluctuated by much in recent years, students also say generative AI is making academic dishonesty easier.

But there may be a solution on the horizon, one that will help ensure students have to put more effort into their schoolwork than entering a prompt into a large language model.

Teachers are transitioning away from question-and-answer assignments or straightforward essays  in favor of projects.

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Its not especially high-tech or even particularly ingenious. Yet proponents say its a strategy that pushes students to focus on problem-solving while instructing them on how to use AI ethically.

Related

AI Tool Shows Teachers What They Do in the Classroom  and How to Do It Better

Becoming AI-Proof

During this past school year, Distefano says her students use of AI to cheat on their assignments has reached new heights. Shes spent more time coming up with ways to stop or slow their ability to plug questions and assignments into an AI generator, including by giving out hard copy work.

It used to mainly be a problem with take-home assignments, but Distefano has increasingly seen students use AI during class. Kids have long been astute at getting around whatever firewalls schools put on computers, and their desire to circumvent AI blockers is no different.

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Between schoolwork, sports, clubs and everything else middle schoolers are juggling, Distefano can see why theyre tempted by the allure of a shortcut. But she worries about what her students are missing out on when they avoid the struggle that comes with learning to write.

To get a student to write is challenging, but the more we do it, the better we get. she says. But if were bypassing that step, were never going to get that confidence. The downfall is theyre not getting that experience, not getting that feeling of, This is something I did.

Distefano is not alone in trying to beat back the onslaught of AI cheating. Blue books, which college students use to complete exams by hand, have had a resurgence as professors try to eliminate the risk of AI intervention, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Richard Savage, the superintendent of California Online Public Schools, says AI cheating is not a major issue among his districts students. But Savage says its a simple matter for teachers to identify when students do turn to AI to complete their homework. If a student does well in class but fails their thrice-yearly diagnostic exams, thats a clear sign of cheating. It would also be tough for students to fake their way through live, biweekly progress meetings with their teachers, he adds.

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Savage says educators in his district will spend the summer working on making their lesson plans AI-proof.

AI is always changing, so were always going to have to modify what we do, he says. Were all learning this together. The key for me is not to be AI-averse, not to think of AI as the enemy, but think of it as a tool.

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How Artificial Intelligence Could Change Schools & Change How We Test Students

Trick Them Into Learning

Doing that requires teachers to work a little differently.

Leslie Eaves, program director for project-based learning at the Southern Regional Education Board, has been devising solutions for educators like Distefano and Savage.

Eaves authored the boards guidelines for AI use in K-12 education, released earlier this year. Rather than exile AI, the report recommends that teachers use AI to enhance classroom activities that challenge students to think more deeply and critically about the problems theyre presented with.

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It also outlines what students need to become what Eaves calls ethical and effective users of artificial intelligence.

The way that happens is through creating more cognitively demanding assignments, constantly thinking in our own practice, In what way am I encouraging students to think? she says. We do have to be more creative in our practice, to try and do some new things to incorporate more student discourse, collaborative hands-on assignments, peer review and editing, as a way to trick them into learning because they have to read someone elses work.

In an English class lesson on The Odyssey, Eaves offers as an example, students could focus on reading and discussion, use pen and paper to sketch out the plot structure, and use AI to create an outline for an essay based on their work, before moving on to peer-editing their papers.

Eaves says that the teachers shes working with to take a project-based approach to their lesson plans arent panicking about AI but rather seem excited about the possibilities.

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And its not only English teachers who are looking to shift their instruction so that AI is less a tool for cheating and more a tool that helps students solve problems. She recounts that an automotive teacher realized he had to change his teaching strategy because when his students adopted AI, they stopped thinking.

So he had to reshuffle his plan so kids were re-designing an engine for use in racing, [figuring out] how to upscale an engine in a race car, Eaves says. AI gave you a starting point  now what can we do with it?

When it comes to getting through to students on AI ethics, Savage says the messaging should be a combination of digital citizenship and the practical ways that using AI to cheat will stunt students opportunities. Students with an eye on college, for example, give up the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and hurt their competitiveness for college admissions and scholarships when they turn over their homework to AI.

Making the shift to more project-based classrooms will be a heavy lift for educators, he says, but districts will have to change, because generative AI is here to stay.

The important thing is we dont have the answers. Im not going to pretend I do, Savage says. I know what we can do, when we can get there, and then itll probably change. The answer is having an open mind and being willing to think about the issue and change and adapt.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins at an ethanol production facility in Atlantic. (Photo by Cecilia Lynch/USDA)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Friday released its renewable fuel standards draft rule which, if finalized, would set record high levels of biofuels to be blended into U.S. transportation fuels.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw said the draft rule, which proposes a total 24.02 billion gallon blending level in 2026, is a very strong starting point for further discussions.

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Shaw said the association will need time to evaluate the proposal, specifically as it relates to changes in credits for imported fuels and feedstocks.

According to the proposal, EPA is considering several regulatory changes to the RFS program that would reduce the number of Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs which is the measuring unit for renewable fuel, for imported renewable fuels and renewable fuels produced from imported feedstocks.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports imported biodiesel feedstocks, like used cooking oil, tallow and canola oil have all increased over the past several years due to the high cost of domestic feedstocks. According to the same report, in the 2023 and 2024 marketing year, the U.S. consumed nearly 30% of biofuel feedstocks exported globally.

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The news to prioritize domestic feedstocks was welcomed by Iowa Soybean Association President Brent Swart, who said biomass-based diesel supports roughly 10% of the price per bushel of soybeans.

Biomass-based diesel has long provided significant value to soybean farmers, helping us weather difficult economic times and supporting our states thriving agriculture industry, Swart said in a statement.

The EPA program sets overall standards and specific standards for different types of biofuels. The draft rules propose biomass-based diesel standards equivalent to 5.61 billion gallons in 2026 and 5.86 billion gallons in 2027.

These figures are a significant jump from 2025 targets from EPA, which set an annual volume requirement of 3.35 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel.

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This is a significant step toward putting the market back on track, Swart said. It is also a long overdue recognition that Iowa farmers, soybean processors and the states biodiesel producers, can contribute even more (to) Americas energy output.

Swart said the announcement provides added certainty for soybean farmers during the growing season and he thanked the Trump administration for supporting farmers critical role in U.S. energy policy.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said USDA and EPA have never been more aligned on the demand for domestically grown biofuels.

This is the highest ever Renewable Volume Obligation and it sends a strong signal to the U.S. biofuels industry that President Trump has their backs and gives them the incentive to invest in American products for American consumers and to export around the world, Rollins said in a statement.

Biofuels in Iowa:

Iowa is the leading producer of biofuels in the nation. According to Iowa Soybean Association, the soybean oil used to produce biodiesel in Iowa in 2024 was equivalent to more than 30% of the soybeans grown in the state.

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An IRFA report found that in 2024, the state produced 4.61 billion gallons of fuel ethanol, and the industry provided a market for nearly 60% of Iowas 2024 corn crop.

The same study, however, showed a decline in economic impact from the biofuels industry, and IRFA said entry to the ultra-low carbon fuel market would be the most cost-effective and impactful way to revitalize biofuels and corn markets.

The EPA proposal additionally waives the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and reinstates the values through 2026 and 2027, due to a shortfall in the production of the fuels made from nonfood-based renewable feedstocks, like cellulose or lignin.

The draft rule also removes renewable electricity as a qualifying renewable fuel under the program, which follows a move from the Trump administration to block state-specific mandates on emissions that encouraged the use of electric vehicles.

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U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst celebrated the move and the EPA announcement in a statement, saying it brings RFS back on track.

By eliminating the electric vehicle mandate and restoring the RFS original focus on liquid transportation fuels, prioritizing domestically grown crops over foreign imports, setting record-high volumes to revitalize the biofuel industry, and adopting safeguards to prevent small refinery waivers from gutting the programit is clear the Trump administration is committed to championing rural America, Ernst said.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig similarly applauded the move, including the proposed regulation changes to steer producers away from foreign-made feedstocks.

President Trump is once again demonstrating his commitment to showcasing how Iowa-made biofuels can be central to his effort to make America energy dominant, Naig said in a statement. Biofuels are a win for drivers and American farmers  they save drivers money at the pump, directly support corn and soybean prices, expand markets for farmers, and support rural jobs and communities.

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EPA will host a public hearing on the rules July 8.

Shaw said IRFA plans to work with EPA through the commenting period and to secure a final rule from the agency.

Agriculture is hurting, having just endured the largest two-year drop in net farm income in history, Shaw said. We need forward leaning RFS blending levels to maximize American energy dominance.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A 31-year-old man is dead after he jumped out of a moving vehicle while having a verbal argument with the driver last month at Interstate 10 East at Loop 375, the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) said in a news release on Thursday, June 12.

EPPD said that on Sunday, May 18, the Special Traffic Investigations (STI) unit responded to a crash at I-10 East at the Loop 375 off-ramp at Mile Marker 34.

The initial investigation determined that the driver and passenger were having a verbal argument while traveling east on I-10 when Gary Raymond Arriola Jr., 31, jumped out of the moving vehicle, EPPD said.

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EPPD said he was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. However, a day later, the medical examiner told investigators he died from his injuries.

On Wednesday, June 11, the STI unit learned this fatality was ruled as accident, EPPD said.

EPPD said this is the 28th traffic fatality compared to 29 this same time last year.

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Following Israel's major strikes on Iran, public life in Israel has largely come to a standstill.

Israel ordered the closure of schools, shops and offices, allowing only supermarkets to remain open for essential goods, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Friday.

With an Iranian retaliation expected, Israeli emergency services have called on citizens to donate blood.

Shopping centres, event venues, cultural institutions and religious sites are also closed. The Christopher Street Day parade in Tel Aviv - the largest LGBTQ event in the Middle East - planned for this weekend, has been cancelled, Haaretz added.

The Israeli Home Front Command has advised residents to stay close to bomb shelters or seek shelter in public buildings such as schools, according to the report.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The Trump administration wants to slash the budget for the federal Essential Air Service program and that could affect three of South Dakotas airports.

State Transportation Secretary Joel Jundt briefed the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission about the situation.

Roads flood in northeast SD, western MN

The program currently is budgeted at $588 million, Jundt told the commission members on Thursday, and Trump wants to reduce the amount by $308 million.

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So that would be a fairly substantial cut relative to that program, Jundt said.

But, he pointed out, the U.S. House version of the reconciliation bill doesnt have that cut in it, while the U.S. Senate has yet to consider it.

Jundt said airport managers at the three South Dakota cities that receive EAS subsidies  Watertown, Pierre and Aberdeen  have been in contact with U.S. Sen. John Thune and U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds asking that the cut not be supported.

The Trump administrations 46-page outline says this about EAS:

The EAS program funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers. Spending on programs is out of control, more than doubling between 2021 and 2025. The Budget reins in EAS subsidies by proposing a mix of reforms to adjust eligibility and subsidy rates to help rural communities air transportation needs in a more sustainable manner. This would save American taxpayers over $300 million from the 2025 level.

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In other action Thursday, the South Dakota commission:

Approved state 5% funding participation to accompany Federal Aviation Administration grants for airport projects at Canton, Faith, Vermillion, McLaughlin and Wall.

Chose Bob Huggins of Sioux Falls as the panels new chair.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
The Estonian Ministry of Defence has reported the delivery of a new batch of artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda; Estonian Ministry of Defence on X (Twitter)

Details: The Estonian Ministry of Defence stressed the need to continue supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Quote: "Done! Estonia has delivered more artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Ukraine's security is European and transatlantic security. We must keep supporting Ukraine  so it can defend itself and achieve a just, lasting peace."

Background:

In May, the Estonian Rescue Association handed over vehicles, equipment and other gear to support the psychological assistance units of Ukraines State Emergency Service in three oblasts.

In March, Ukraine provided a list of desired military equipment worth 100 million, which Estonia promised to purchase from its domestic defence industry quickly.

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The State Council Information Office holds a press conference on the upcoming sixth Qingdao Multinationals Summit in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China is poised to offer multinational companies a platform for "policy communication, industrial coordination and project cooperation" at the upcoming sixth Qingdao Multinationals Summit, a commerce ministry official said Friday.

The summit is scheduled to be held from June 18 to 20 in Qingdao, a coastal city in east China's Shandong Province, said Li Yongjie, deputy international trade representative of China's Ministry of Commerce, at a press conference.

With the summit marking its sixth edition since 2019, China aims to convey a positive message to the world about its unwavering commitment to further opening up and welcoming foreign investment, Li said.

The summit will feature closed-door meetings focusing on policy interpretation, parallel forums aimed at discussing open cooperation, and the release of a research report on the presence of multinationals in China, according to the official.

Li added that the commerce ministry will continue to accelerate the implementation of all opening-up measures, strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of foreign companies, and create a favorable environment for their development.

China has continued to be a strong magnet for foreign investment, with 18,832 new foreign-invested enterprises established in the Chinese mainland in the first four months of 2025, marking a 12.1 percent year-on-year growth, according to earlier data from the ministry. 
The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg adopted a political decision on 13 June to extend the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027 and discussed recommendations for action after the temporary protection expires.

Source: press service for the EU Council

Details: The EU Council decided to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027. After its expiry, Ukrainian citizens should be able to either remain in their country of residence with a new status or return to their homeland.

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It was noted that the final decision on the extension of temporary protection must be formally approved within a few weeks of agreeing on the technical details, such as translation.

The EU Council's recommendations to member states will be approved with some delay, also due to technical issues.

Background:

As previously reported by European Pravda, the European Commission has proposed draft recommendations to the EU Council that will allow member states to prepare for the coordinated termination of temporary protection for Ukrainians. They will be offered either a transition to a new legal status in their country of residence or assistance in returning home. The list of proposed recommendations can be found here.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU Vsevolod Chentsov also told European Pravda that temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU will be extended for another year.

As of 31 March 2025, just over 4.26 million people who are not EU citizens and fled Ukraine as a result of full-scale Russian aggression had temporary protection status in the European Union.

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EU member states have agreed in principle to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine by another year until March 2027, according to a statement issued on the sidelines of a meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg on Friday.

This extension would allow Ukrainian citizens to continue accessing EU labour markets, social benefits and medical care without having to apply for asylum.

Friday's political agreement marks an important step, although the decision still needs to be formally adopted by EU member states - a move that is expected in a subsequent meeting.

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In parallel, EU countries are discussing a recommendation from the European Commission to prepare a coordinated return strategy for Ukrainians.

This would help Ukrainians who fled to the bloc access other forms of residence permits such as work or student visas. Information about return options should also be improved, paving the way for Ukrainians to gradually return to their country of origin.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner announced the appointment of a special envoy for Ukrainian refugees. Brunner had previously indicated that if the situation in Ukraine stabilizes, the protection status could also be lifted prematurely.

Since the beginning of Russia's war on Ukraine, more than 4.3 million people have fled from Ukraine to the European Union, according to the commission. Germany has taken in the largest overall share, more than 1.2 million people.
The planned expansion of nuclear power generation in the European Union requires total investments of around 241 billion ($277 billion) by 2050, the European Commission reported on Friday.

The funding is needed to realize the plans of some EU states to both extend the service life of existing reactors and construct new large reactors, according to a commission statement.

Additional investments are required for smaller reactors or nuclear fusion in the long term. Both public and private sources of funding are needed, it said.

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Some EU countries, such as France and Belgium, are heavily focusing on nuclear power, while Poland plans to start building its first nuclear power plant in 2028.

Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source, but plants are highly controversial due to the high risks involved. According to the EU treaties, each member state has the right to choose its own energy mix.

The commission estimates that more than 90% of electricity in the European Union will come from decarbonized energy sources by 2040 - primarily from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, but also from nuclear energy.

"Crucially, all zero and low carbon energy solutions are needed to decarbonise the EU's energy system," the statement stressed.

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Last year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also called for an expansion of nuclear energy against the backdrop of the global political situation.

Von der Leyen cited Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in particular as underpinning the need for expansion in the power sector.

The top priority for the commission was to ensure the highest standards of nuclear safety, she said.

This included the safe and responsible disposal of radioactive waste and the expansion of the necessary infrastructure.
The European Union has imported Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth 32.7 billion since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: German news magazine Stern, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stern noted that this figure was provided by the German Federal Statistical Office in response to a request from the pro-Russian Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).

According to the data received, the cost of LNG imports from Russia to the EU between February 2022 and March 2025 amounts to almost 33 billion.

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During the same period, the European Union imported LNG from the United States worth 95.1 billion.

In Stern magazine, BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht criticised the costly double standards of the sanctions policy: "33 billion for Russian LNG since the start of the war, but Russian pipeline gas is deemed taboo in Germany". BSW has long advocated restarting the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence, however, is calling for a stop to imports of Russian LNG. She said: "It is completely unacceptable that the European Union continues to import liquefied natural gas from Russia worth billions of euros three years after the start of Putin's brutal war of aggression".

Background:

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised to do everything possible to weaken Russia's military machine and prevent the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from becoming operational.

The European Union is reportedly close to a decision to include Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 in a new draft of sanctions against Russia, putting an end to rumours about their possible resumption.

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The European Union on Friday transferred another 1 billion ($1.2 billion) to Ukraine as part of a large aid package pledged by the Group of Seven G7 leading democratic economies.

"We are with Ukraine for the long haul," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.

The money is a loan that is to be repaid with interest earned from frozen Russian state assets held in the European Union.

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The G7 plans to provide a total of around 45 billion in new aid payments to Ukraine by 2027.

The EU is providing 18.1 billion of this, with the latest payment bringing its contribution for the year so far to 7 billion.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years with Western support.

The group  comprising Canada, the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and the EU  is set to meet for its next summit in Canada on Monday.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Europe must begin preparing for a gradual reduction in U.S. military support for both the continent and Ukraine, Tagesschau reported on June 13.

"Yes, that's right. That would be so, and we have to deal with that," Pistorius told journalists in response to a question about the U.S. potentially scaling down its support. He noted that the discussions focus on a reduction in U.S. backing rather than a full halt.

The comments come after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Washington would reduce the assistance allocated to Ukraine in the next year's federal budget.

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"We now have to look at how much support drops and whether Europeans can compensate for it," Pistorius added.

While the U.S. has been Ukraine's leading military backer under former President Joe Biden, the Trump administration has yet to approve any aid packages and has become increasingly disengaged from peace talks.

Pistorius's comments come amid increasing uncertainty in transatlantic relations. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker confirmed on May 16 that the United States plans to begin discussions with European allies later this year about reducing its military presence on the continent.

Speaking at a security conference in Estonia, Whitaker said the talks would begin after the NATO summit in The Hague in June.

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"Nothing has been determined," Whitaker said, according to Reuters. "But as soon as we do, we are going to have these conversations in the structure of NATO."

Whitaker emphasized that any drawdown would be closely coordinated to avoid creating security gaps. Still, he reiterated U.S. President Donald Trump's position that long-standing U.S. efforts to reduce its European military footprint must now be implemented.

"This is going to be orderly, but we are not going to have any more patience for foot-dragging in this situation," he said.

In February, Hegseth reportedly told NATO allies that "stark strategic realities" prevent the United States from being primarily focused on Europe's security. Leaks reported by the Atlantic in March revealed that both Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance privately criticized European defense spending, with Hegseth allegedly expressing his "loathing of European free-loading."

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Trump called on NATO member states to increase defense spending up to 5% of GDP. Ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on June 2425, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that member states will have agreed to a new goal of increasing defense spending.

"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4%, and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," Rubio told Fox News on May 15.

Such a move would mark a historic shift, with NATO partners collectively accounting for more than half of the alliance's military capacity, according to Rubio.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, NATO members have significantly increased their defense spending, with countries like Poland and the Baltic nations aiming to reach the 5% target in the coming years.

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Read also: Ukraine bracing for painful reduction in US military aid after Hegseth announces cuts

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SARAJEVO (Reuters) -Organisers of a conference for Orthodox Jewish Rabbis in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo have moved it to another country, citing political pressure and a hotel's decision to cancel a mass booking.

The Conference of European Rabbis (CER), which represents more than 1,000 mainstream Orthodox Jewish communities, was due to hold its biannual standing committee meeting next week in Bosnia to discuss issues facing Jews in Europe and religious freedom.

The event faced a backlash in Muslim-majority Sarajevo after local media reported that the rabbis would pledge their support to Israel in the war in Gaza.

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"We have been made unwelcome," the CER's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt said in a statement, confirming the Sarajevo meeting was off and calling its treatment "disgraceful".

The CER moved the conference to Munich, where it is based.

Jakob Finci, president of Bosnia's Jewish Community, also said the hotel had cancelled the booking. The hotel did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

CER has no formal link to the state of Israel.

Residents of Sarajevo, where about 11,000 people were killed during a 1992-1995 siege by Bosnian Serb forces, are sympathetic to the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

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"We must not allow that Sarajevo be the stage from which the genocide will be justified," Adnan Delic, the regional labour and social policy minister, wrote in a Facebook post, urging the organisers to cancel the meeting and authorities to ban it.

Israel denies carrying out genocide in Gaza.

Many Jews worry about a surge of antisemitism since the Gaza war began.

(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; Editing by Edward McAllister)
On June 14, 1985, government representatives from Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands gathered on a boat in a small Luxembourg village.

The symbolic location  on the Moselle River at the point where France, Luxembourg, and Germany meet  was the town of Schengen.

It was there, 40 years ago, that the Schengen Agreement was signed.

The deal aimed to gradually eliminate border checks between member states, paving the way for the free movement of people. It was fully implemented in 1995, creating a passport-free travel zone across much of Europe.

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Today, the Schengen area is made up of 29 countries: 25 EU members plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Ireland and Cyprus are the only two EU members not signed up. The former has not joined as it has a common travel area with the United Kingdom and it would create border headaches, while the latter is currently in the process of joining.

Other countries want to enter the club, such as Albania, which has growing economic, political, and security cooperation with Schengen countries and has benefited from visa-free travel since 2010.

Often described as a cornerstone of European integration, Schengen enjoys strong public support. In a Eurobarometer poll from October, 72% of respondents identified it as one of the European Union's most important achievements.

The economic benefits of Schengen

Romania and Bulgaria's full accession to the Schengen club in January - after years of delay - underscores why. The full removal of border checks has ushered in noticeable economic benefits.

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The move has boosted Romania's appeal to foreign investors, according to Finance Minister Tanczos Barna. The elimination of border controls has simplified logistics, cut waiting times and reduced costs, making Romania more competitive across European markets.

In Bulgaria, then-premier Nikolay Denkov called the milestone "the greatest success of Bulgarian diplomacy" since joining the EU in 2007.

Dimitar Dimitrov, of the Chamber of Bulgarian Road Hauliers, said border delays with Romania had previously cost the sector around 300 million ($345 million) annually, with an average waiting time of 10 to 15 hours.

Likewise in Croatia, which joined in 2023, Schengen membership enjoys near-universal support.

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The abolition of border controls is extremely important for Croatia as a tourist destination, given that many come by car. Since joining Schengen, kilometre-long queues at the border crossings with Slovenia and Hungary in the summer months have disappeared.

Is the Schengen area being eroded?

Despite its many benefits, the Schengen area has faced challenges too, particularly in the last decade.

Several countries have reintroduced border controls, usually in a bid to curb migration and terrorism. Since such spot checks don't target every car crossing the border, many travellers experience little to no disruption - unlike during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many countries closed their borders almost entirely at times.

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In response to the terrorist attacks of November 2015, France reinstated spot checks at its land, sea and air borders with other Schengen members. It has renewed the scheme every six months since then, most recently for the period through October 2025.

In 2015, Austria also introduced temporary border checks with Slovenia and Hungary in response to high levels of migration, but these have been repeatedly extended, causing difficulties for cross-border businesses and travellers.

In October 2023, Slovenia imposed checks at its borders with Hungary and Croatia. Previously, Italy had reinstated border controls with Slovenia due to increased migration flows along the so-called Balkan route and national security concerns.

Reimposing controls

The European Commission says temporary border checks are allowed "in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security" but that they must be applied as a last resort measure, in exceptional situations.

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Countries can introduce the checks if they provide a valid justification and they can be extended every six months, usually up to two years. The justification then has to be changed for border checks to remain in place.

Currently Slovenia, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Bulgaria and Italy have temporarily reintroduced border controls to some extent.

Germany's new government has increased border patrols since it took office last month, to the frustration of some neighbouring countries.

"We must avoid creating borders in people's minds again. Schengen must live on," Luxembourg Interior Minister Leon Gloden said in a meeting with his German counterpart Alexander Dobrindt at the end of May.

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The mayor of Strasbourg and her counterpart across the Rhine river in the German town of Kehl have complained about the ramped-up border checks between them, in a protest letter to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The mayors say this is hurting daily life and causing fewer Strasbourg shoppers to visit Kehl.

Over the past ten years, Germany has gradually reintroduced temporary checks along all of its land borders in a bid to reduce irregular migration.

But the new government which took office on May 6 has since intensified the checks, as well as allowing border guards to reject those looking to claim asylum.

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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also criticised the move, which has seen thousands of migrants sent back across the border from Germany. He threatened on Wednesday to introduce temporary border controls with Germany, should the pressure on border regions persist.

Some countries avoid border checks

Several Schengen countries have resisted the trend among their neighbours to reimpose border controls.

Belgium has rarely tightened its border rules, only doing so temporarily during the pandemic in 2021. That's telling, considering that Belgium, like its neighbours, has come under pressure from migration and security incidents, such as the 2016 terror attacks in Brussels.

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Whenever neighbouring France, Germany or the Netherlands have reintroduced border controls, Belgium has defended the free movement of goods and tried to make sure trade was not overly disrupted.

Likewise, Portugal has not reinstated border controls, except for some major events like the pope's 2010 visit to Lisbon and the pandemic.

Portuguese public opinion has remained largely supportive of Schengen membership, viewing it as a symbol of European integration and freedom of movement, despite growing awareness of the associated security and migration control challenges.

Schengen museum

The changing attitude of some countries towards the Schengen area has been noticed by the curator of a museum dedicated to it, in the Luxembourg town where it all began.

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Following renovations, the museum will be reopened on Saturday as part of celebrations marking the 40th anniversary.

Much has changed since the museum first opened in 2010, said its director Martina Kneip.

"Back then, open borders were actually celebrated," she said. With Covid-19 and the refugee crisis, the sudden cry was: "Schengen is dead and no one wants it anymore, it's to blame for everything."

The museum wanted to respond to this change in perception  one reason for the renovations.

In the museum, everyone can see for themselves "how valuable and meaningful the idea of Schengen is," said Schengen mayor Michel Gloden.

"We have succeeded in dismantling the borders between countries and the borders in people's minds must never be allowed to reappear."

The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, Agerpres, ANSA, ATA, Belga, BTA, dpa, EFE, HINA, LUSA, STA and PAP as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project.
Top EU officials warned on Friday against further escalation in the Middle East, following the Israeli attack on Iran.

"The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X. "Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in the early hours, said she stands "ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation."

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European Council President Antonio Costa likewise expressed concern and urged restraint. "A further dangerous escalation must be avoided, it would destabilise the whole region," he wrote on X.

Overnight, Israel began a major attack on Iranian cities and nuclear facilities. According to Israeli reports, Iran is retaliating with drone attacks which have been shot down.
On a game night in Los Angeles, 10-year-old Boomtown Brewery in the Arts District can host 500 fans just five minutes walking distance from the Dodger Stadium shuttle at Union Station.

With the Dodgers hosting its archrival San Francisco Giants over the weekend, one might expect the cavernous brew hall with giant projection screens to be packed with revelers.

But ever since Tuesday, the only long line was the stretch of unused parking meters that formed a perimeter around the brewery.

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That's because an indefinite 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew imposed on downtown Los Angeles following days of immigration enforcement demonstrations has turned this nightlife hub into a practical ghost town.

Now, instead of customers belting out their favorite songs at Friday karaoke, the establishment is shuttered while city officials prepare for a day of widespread protests against Trump administration policies Saturday.

The curfew covers most of Chinatown, Skid Row and the Fashion and Arts districts from the 5 Freeway to the 110 Freeway, and from the 10 Freeway to where the 110 and 5 freeways merge.

Along with area bars and restaurants, civic institutions and art organizations have also been affected. The Los Angeles Philharmonics Seoul Festival canceled its final performance on Tuesday and the Mark Taper Forum canceled productions of Hamlet on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chris Dombos, left, and Sarah Carmean enjoy a beer and a bit of solitude at Boomtown Brewery in the Arts District on Wednesday. The brewery is located inside the curfew zone established by the city of Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Center Theatre Group released an update Wednesday saying they received an exemption from the mayors office to continue its performances, not counting Saturday, which will be closed for the so-called "No Kings" demonstrations.

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Iconic Angels Flight, the over 100-year-old funicular cable car, is moving its final service from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. until the curfew ends.

Inside Boomtown, marketing manager Nick Gingold was pleased to see a gathering of about 20 regulars who stopped by Wednesday at 6 p.m.

The brewery became aware of the curfew via social media and Mayor Bass televised announcement Tuesday, shortly after 4 p.m.

I dont think we actually received an official notice from the city, as far as I know, Gingold said.

The mayors office did not respond to questions about whether it provided curfew notices.

The brewery amended its closing time to 7:30 p.m., meaning it shuttered two and a half hours early on Tuesday and Wednesday. That same early closing bell will cut the brewery operating time in half on Thursdays and leave only four and a half of the regularly-scheduled 11 hours for business on Fridays.

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Read more: Downtown L.A. is under curfew after protest turmoil: What to know

Gingold said the closure would sting Boomtown but didn't want to speculate on revenue losses.

Boomtown is not alone in changing its hours.

Angel City Brewery, also located in the Arts District, has amended its normal 4 p.m. to midnight weeknight schedule. The brewery posted on Instagram that it was closing Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. though it opened at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Chinatowns Melody Lounge went one step further, announcing on Instagram that it was temporarily closing its doors throughout the curfew's duration.

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Its been a rough few years for Los Angeles with the pandemic, the shutdown, film industry strikes and now this, Gingold said. Let me be clear, we support our Latino community throughout this time and stand with them.

Boomtown posted on Instagram on Tuesday that the store promised to stay open as long as its safe to do so to serve as a meeting place for the community.

Read more: Bass enacts curfew in downtown L.A. to stem chaotic protests

We celebrate diversity and reject divisiveness. We celebrate immigrants and reject hate and we support our neighbors, one post noted .

Chris Dombos, a special effects artist who lives in the Arts District, found his way into Boomtown, appreciative of the brewerys solidarity.

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This is a time of rising fascism where a city like Los Angeles, built by immigrants, is under attack and needs allies, said Dombos, 44, who has observed some of the protests.

Dombos, 44, described the curfew as a political stunt and called on the mayors office to investigate the brutal tactics by Los Angeles police officers. He said constant flyovers by authorities have been terrorizing the neighborhood.

Sarah Carmean, who enjoyed a light draft at Boomtown, lamented with service-industry employees missing tips or hours.

These are the people who really lose out with the curfews, she said. They are dependent on that money to pay bills."

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Chef Genevieve Gergis, owner of acclaimed restaurants Bestia and Bavel in the Arts District, called the curfew a broad and vague overreach and criticized city leadership.

Read more: Protests and curfew cancel L.A. Phil and 'Hamlet' as arts groups' losses mount

She said neither of her restaurants were anywhere near protests and she only heard of the curfew from television.

The lack of guidance for small businesses and those who work in the area are being swept up in this blanket policy with no explanation or details, she wrote in an email. This sudden, unexplained action feels like it was enacted without any care or consideration.

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Mina Park, co-owner and chef at Baroo, the Los Angeles Times 2024 Restaurant of the Year, said she closed her modern Korean eatery on Wednesday in the wake of the curfew and was still trying to plan out what to do.

We have a lot of cancellations and concerns because of the protests and the curfew, she said. Its hard to run a business with this uncertainty.

Park said shell likely have to throw out some fresh food, but also didnt feel she could complain much.

Having to close for a couple of days is nothing compared to what so many families are going through, she said of the ICE raids. Its really hard to see what's happening with the community.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This photo taken on June 11, 2025 shows well-packed products to be exported to Germany at a knife company in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A worker puts semi-finished knives onto an automatic sandblasting machine at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A worker uses an automatic machine to grind an edge on a blade at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A finished knife is tested for durability in a laboratory of a knife company in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A robotic arm grinds blades at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 10, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

Staff members promote knives via live-streaming at a knife company in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

A laser machine cuts out the shape of blades on a steel plate at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 10, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

A robotic arm transfers nail clipper components onto a conveyor system at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Workers pack finished knives at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, June 11, 2025. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)

This photo taken on June 11, 2025 shows blade-shaped steel plates on an automatic heat treatment unit at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

This photo taken on June 10, 2025 shows a welding machine welding a blade to a handle at a factory in Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province. Yangjiang, located in south China's Guangdong, is known for its knife and scissors manufacturing. Evolving from traditional forging to intelligent manufacturing, and from original equipment manufacturing (OEM) production to building independent brand, the city's knife and scissors industry is expanding its global reach, with its products exported to over 130 countries and regions.

From January to April 2025, Yangjiang's knife and scissors export value reached 1.33 billion yuan (about 185.1 million U.S. dollars), marking an 8 percent increase from the previous year. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Hotter weather continues to move into New Mexico through this weekend. Drier air will also be moving into the state.

Scattered storms developed again today in the northern mountains and along the central mountain chain. These storms moved into eastern New Mexico and even the Rio Grande Valley today, however almost all of the rain has ended now tonight. Temperatures continue to heat up all across New Mexico today as well. Temperatures will stay warm overnight. A gusty east canyon wind has developed in parts of Albuquerque tonight from the storms in eastern New Mexico, but it will die down by Friday morning.

Drier and hotter weather moves into the state Friday. Isolated showers and storms will still be possible in south-central New Mexico and eastern parts of the state, especially closer to the Texas state line.

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This weekend, a few spotty afternoon showers and storms may still develop in eastern New Mexico, but it will be much drier. The biggest story this weekend will be the heat. It will be the hottest weather we have seen so far this year in New Mexico with temperatures climbing through Sunday afternoon. Triple-digit high temperatures are possible as far north as the Albuquerque Metro on Sunday. This kind of heat and drier weather will stick around into early next week. Temperatures will come down a few degrees into the middle of next week, but above average warmth will continue statewide.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(NewsNation)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been warning about a nuclear Iran for more than 15 years, but who the target of those weapons could be coming more into focus, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist told NewsNation.

Alex Traiman, the CEO of the Jewish News Syndicate, said on Friday that the Obama and Biden administrations flushed Iran with cash, making what is happening now a reality. But should Iran choose to retaliate after being attacked by Israel, the United States and other Americans abroad could be in danger.

I think everybody is at risk right now, Traiman told NewsNation, referring to the retaliatory practices that Iran could employ after being attacked by Israel.

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Why did Israel attack Irans nuclear and military sites?

Traiman said that Irans most lethal weapons are its ballistic missiles, which Israel has been focusing its attacks on manufacturing facilities for those weapons, along with known launch points. Military assessments suggest that Iran had as many as 2,000 and 3,000 ballistic missiles before Fridays attacks.

Iran announced on Friday that it had pulled out of Sundays scheduled sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States, signaling that it was no longer willing to negotiate. President Donald Trump has urged Iraq to make a deal, but Traiman told NewsNation that he does not believe the negotiations will be successful.

He said that Netanyahu has pledged to Iran that if it allows its nuclear manufacturing plants to be taken out without major retaliation, Israel would limit its attacks to nuclear facilities, Traiman said. However, if Iran chooses to fight back, Israel could expand its attacks to human infrastructure, including power plants and oil refineries.

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Trump indicated on Friday that Iran still may have the opportunity to reach a deal which would involve the U.S. coming in to peacefully dismantle nuclear plants without major escalation. However, if a deal cant be struck, that opens up more uncertainties, the CEO said.

If there will be an escalation, I think the major question is whether or not the United States would participate in future rounds of this campaign, Traiman 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.
Dylann Roof was on the run and easily the most wanted man anywhere after the events on June 17, 2015.

Roof covered 245 miles from Charleston to Shelby after he killed nine people at Mother Emanuel church. It was thanks to a tip from a florist in Gastonia that he eventually saw police lights in his rear-view mirror. He was arrested without a fight, handcuffed, and taken into custody in a place known as the City of Pleasant Living

I think everybody in Charleston was somewhat on edge because we didnt know, said Herb Frazier, a historian in Charleston. So the capture of the shooter sort of released that tension and that anxiety, yeah, I did. I think Charleston took a collective exhale when that news broke."

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By the time he left the Shelby Police Department, there were cameras all over.

We were watching the news and all of us were excited that he got caught, said Kaylin Doctor-Stancil.

Doctor-Stancils mother, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, was one of the nine victims killed in Mother Emanuel church that night.

Roof was loaded onto a plane back to South Carolina.

Charlotte city councilmember Malcolm Graham said he was glad someone was now charged with murdering his sister, Cynthia Hurd, and eight others. But that wasnt his primary focus.

It was really not about him, right? It was really about, how do I bury my sister with a sense of grace and dignity? How do I be a voice for her? How do I make sure that my family is okay, right? How do I make sure that justice was served? Graham said.

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As the world got a first look at the shooter, they began to learn why he opened fire at a Black church, a place where he had been welcomed. He had put in writing his wishes to drive people of different races apart -- to preserve his own race.

All I could think of was evil, pure evil, Doctor-Stancil said when she saw Roofs writings.

The thing that surprised us about the suspect was that he was so young and and so we wondered, we, we, we wondered what could have motivated such a young man, and what experience might he have had to have filled him with that kind of murderous hatred? said Dr. Bernard Powers, a historian in Charleston.

More details emerged about Roofs extreme white supremacist views, yet family members of some victims said they could forgive him. They spoke just off camera during his hearing.

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I will never talk to her ever again. I will never, ever hold her again. But I forgive you, said Ethel Lances daughter.

" I am a work in progress and I acknowledge I am very angry. But one thing is DePayne has always joined in, in our family with is that she taught me that we are the family that love built. We have no room for hate, so we have to forgive. And I pray God on your soul," said Bethene Middleton Brown.

These statements of forgiveness were given, and of course, that took on a whole new round of how would I respond if that was one of my family members who was tragically, tragically gunned down in a church? Could I have the capacity to forgive? said Frazier.

Doctor-Stancil says shes still not forgiving Roof.

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That ruined our lives. My mom was our sole care provider. We didnt have anybody after that, Doctor-Stancil said.

So while the thing coming out of Charleston is that the families forgave; my family didnt. I didnt. I didnt then and I dont forgive today. How could you forgive 400 years of racism, of discrimination, of hatred? How could you forgive someone who asked for no forgiveness? How could you forgive the terror that he imposed upon those who were there that night, the terror that he was trying to impose against a race of people, Graham said.

They waited years for guilty verdicts in state and federal court. Roof received the death penalty.

Was that a healing sentence for you? Lemon asked.

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Yes, you know, it sucks that the death penalty will take a while before it is actually, you know, executed. But to know that that will be, you know, his future, it is a little healing to know that, like you know, to know youre not going to get out because you had a pardon, Graham said.

Graham says faith and healing go hand in hand, and in his view, justice only comes from eliminating the hate that causes so much pain.

Were all in this together, right? It has to be. I mean, one is to accepting the changing demographics of our country. Our country is not about white men anymore. Its a quote, right? In Charleston, thats what we do. They got great quotes all over the city, right? Theres patches, theres Black patches, theres white patches, Hispanic patches, Mexican practices, rich patches, theres poor patches, theres young, theres old. Were all in this together, and we will only succeed as a country unless we acknowledge that our strength is our diversity. Our strength is what moves us forward. And so yes, we all have to embrace that. If we dont, then we continue to run in this well-worn circle of trying to figuring out or having a puppeteer appear and say, hey, the magic answer is building a wall. The magic answer is kicking people out of the country. The magic answer is not talking about our past. The magic answer is getting rid of black and brown folks, right, erasing them from history, that dog just wont hunt. Theres a better way forward by embracing our differences and encouraging people to talk about it and solve problems together, Graham said.

Letters of hope

We asked the victims loved ones one more question: knowing what you know now, what would you have told yourself in 2015?

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Malcolm Graham: Dear Malcolm, I am running to you from a place of understanding and compassion ... Youve learned that while the pain never fully disappears. It could be transformed into a powerful force for change. You have discovered the strength that comes from community and the unyielding power of love and faith. These have been your anchors, guiding you through the darkest moments. He tried to demoralize, kill, extinct a race of people. He didnt do anything other than uplift those same individuals, right? Made sure that internationally and nationally, people knew who they were. Your voice matters and your actions can ignite change. Stand firm in your truth and continue to challenge the country to be better for us. Keep the faith, do the work. Malcolm.

Kaylin Doctor-Stancil: All right, dear Caitlin, Youre about to get your drivers license, and youre anticipating your graduation gift from your mom. This joy and happiness, though it only lasts with you only a week before you get the news that your mother was killed. : I have found a support system with my lovely husband, Eric, who I met nine years ago. Hes helped me through my rough days and my good days. Hes helped me through all of those for the past nine years. And my children, Colby and Audrey, they give me joy and a reason to still seek happiness. Being able to tell them about her and share videos of her singing still brings me joy.

(VIDEO: Progress underway on memorial for victims of Charleston church shooting)
A 48-year-old ex-Army soldier who was convicted of drugging and raping a juvenile family member is facing federal charges that he failed to register as a sex offender and lied on a U.S. passport application.

From June 2021 until May, Ricardo Marlon Blenman, aka Ricardo Marlon Thompson,  allegedly used an alias and lied to evade law enforcement and registering for his sex crimes in Arizona, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Blenman was born in Panama and became a U.S. citizen in 1990. He is being held at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu after a successful motion by the U.S. Department of Justice to have him held without bail.

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Blenman is barred by a state protective order from having any contact with his three children or their mother until Sept 27, 2027.

In July, the state Department of the Attorney General asked the public for help finding Blenman, a convicted sex offender who failed to register his address,  according to a statement.

As a U.S. Army soldier stationed on Oahu in 2018, Blenman was accused of sexually abusing a child between 2014 and 2017.

According to federal court records, Blenman was accused of drugging and sexually assaulting the victim four times in Italy and Hawaii. He was convicted under the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 2018 of aggravated sexual contact, assault consummated by battery, and administering a drug /intoxicant, and sentenced to three years in federal prison.

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Blenman is a covered sex offender and is required to register under the sex offender registration program  of any jurisdiction or be included in the National Sex Offender Registry based on an offense against a minor,  according to court records.

He moved to Oahu in 2021 and failed to register as a sex offender, at one point listing his ex-wifes address in Ewa Beach.

He was charged by federal criminal complaint May 28 with failing to register as a sex offender and making a false statement in application and use of passport. Blenman was arrested June 2 and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

On April 7, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service was contacted by the state Department of the Attorney General for help revoking Blenmans passport. He did not have the conspicuous identifier on his passport, as required,  according to court records.

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Upon further discussion with an investigator from the Hawaii State AGs office, it was revealed that on April 13, 2018, Blenman was convicted in a General Military Court Martial for sex crimes he committed in the state of Hawaii and Vicenza, Italy, between 2007 and 2017,  according to the court records.

The conspicuous identifier is a statement printed inside the passport book of a person who has been convicted of a sex crime against a minor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

After he was convicted of sexually assaulting the child, Blenman was sentenced to a reduction of rank, to the pay grade of E-1, 36 months confinement and dismissed from the military service with a dishonorable discharge. He was imprisoned at the Joint Regional Correctional Facility, in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Blenman signed a form acknowledging that he was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act as a sex offender, within 72 hours, in any state, territory, or tribal nation, in which he will reside, be employed, carry on a vocation, or be a student.

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In April 2021, Blenman, using the last name Thompson  signed an International Megans Law Notification form with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau acknowledging that he had to register as a sex offender. He did not register, allegedly used a fake address and left Puerto Rico without notice, leading the government to issue an arrest warrant.

On a June 29, 2021, passport application, Blenman allegedly did not mention he used another name and identity. Thompson is the name listed on his birth certificate prior to becoming a U.S. citizen. He has provided false or misleading information  to law enforcement officials regarding his residential addresses on multiple occasions,  according to the court records.

Blenman was arrested in January 2024 for fourth-degree misdemeanor sexual assault. His next state court appearance in that case is scheduled for July 9.

ONLINE DIRECTORY To view an online directory of Hawaiis registered sex offenders and other covered offenders and to sign up for email alerts, go to.
June 12 (UPI) -- A former CIA analyst has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for obtaining and sending top secret Defense Department information to unauthorized recipients who then posted it on social media, the Justice Department announced Thursday.

Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, had been a CIA employee since 2016 with a top secret security clearance and had access to sensitive information until his termination, a release from the Justice Department said.

"For months, this defendant betrayed the American people and the oaths he took upon entering his office by leaking some of our nation's most closely held secrets," John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, said. "As this case demonstrates, the Department of Justice will continue to protect our nation by vigorously investigating and prosecuting leakers who compromise our nation's security."

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Court documents show that Rahman accessed and printed two top secret documents about a foreign ally and its plans against a foreign adversary.

"Rahman removed the documents, photographed them, and transmitted them to individuals he knew were not entitled to receive them," the Justice Department release said. "By Oct. 18, 2024, the documents appeared publicly on multiple social media platforms, complete with the classification markings."

Court records show Rahman continued to access and share top secret information with unauthorized recipients until early November 2024.

He then began a "deletion campaign" of work saved on his top secret workstation.

Rahman was indicted by a grand jury on Nov. 7, 2024, and was arrested by FBI agents while arriving at work five days later. He pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to national defense. He has remained in custody since his arrest.
(KRON)  A Vallejo man and former K-9 sergeant at California state correctional facilities admitted in federal court to planting prison contraband items  including narcotics, cell phones and weapons  that he pretended to discover, announced federal prosecutors on Thursday.

Felon mailed meth-laced greeting card to inmate: sheriffs office

Avelino Ramirez, 52, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud tied to the scheme, said the Northern District of California Department of Justice. From 2013 to 2022, Ramirez worked as an Investigative Services Unit K-9 Officer at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at San Quentin State Prison. In 2022, he was then promoted as K-9 sergeant to the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, Calif.

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From October 2021 to February 2024, Ramirez engaged in a scheme to smuggle and then plant contraband in common areas of San Quentin State Prison and the California Medical Facility, which he would then pretend to discover, said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian in a news release. Ramirez did so in order to hold himself out as a successful K-9 officer with the hope that it would help him obtain a promotion to K-9 sergeant. The contraband items Ramirez planted included drugs, such as methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine; drug paraphernalia; tobacco; cell phones; and weapons.

Prosecutors say Ramirez even went as far as mixing the drugs he planted in the prisons with salt and/or sugar and combined the marijuana he planted in the prisons with lawn trimmings.

Ramirez also sought to inflate his salary by claiming overtime related to searches where contraband was recovered pursuant to his fraudulent scheme and writing reports of these false discoveries, added Missakian. In total, Ramirez fraudulently obtained approximately $8,200 in overtime pay.

Ramirez was released on bond as he awaits his sentencing hearing on Sept. 18. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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SPRINGFIELD  A former accountant pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy that prosecutors say obtained commercial mortgages for area properties using false information.

Christine Gendron, 61, pleaded guilty before Judge Mark G. Mastroianni on Friday to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, according to U.S. Attorneys Office spokesperson Caroline Ferguson. Gendrons sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 30.

Gendron  whose certified public accountant status expired in June 2023  described herself as resident CPA of JLL Realty Developers, according to a statement of facts attached to her plea agreement signed April 16. She was sister to one of the partners of the company, Jeannette Norman.

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Normans federal case is still pending. Norman, court documents note, was a vice president at Goldman Sachs between 1998 and 2007.

The other partner of JLL Realty Developers was Louis Masaschi, Gendrons brother in law. In April, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His sentencing is set for July.

Gendron, the statement of facts reads, helped submit false documents, such as rent rolls, and profit and loss statements, starting in May 2016, to obtain commercial loans for properties in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

The documents contained inflated monthly rental payments and lease expiration dates ... that bore the signatures of Masaschi or Norman, as well as the forged signatures of the tenants, says the statement of facts.

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Prosecutors wrote in court documents that JLL Realty tried to obtain $60 million in commercial loans, although some financial institutions did not issue the money.

After receiving these loans, Masachi, Norman, and their companies made some or no payments and ultimately defaulted on the loans, causing substantial loses to the commercial Lenders, documents state.

Altogether, the financial institutions lost $19.3 million.

Among the affected financial institutions, Workers Credit Union loaned JLL Realty $11.5 million in 2018 after the group put up an East Longmeadow property as collateral. Ultimately, the Littleton-based financial institution lost $2 million, according to the statement of facts.

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In 2017, Springfield-based Freedom Credit Union lent the group $6.25 million based on the collateral of three properties in Springfield and ended up losing $5.37 million, according to court documents. A year later, JLL Realty tried to obtain a $400,000 loan from the credit union, but was unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, Berkshire Bank denied JLL Realtys two applications for commercial loans in 2018, one for $11 million and another for $3 million, according to court records.

The financial institutions did not immediately return requests for comments.

Gendron, court documents state, did not personally guarantee the loan nor receive the proceeds of the loans. She only collected a salary at JLL Realty, which totaled about $393,000 between 2015 and 2022, court records say.

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Prosecutors in April sought the forfeiture of Gendrons full salary.

Special agents with the FBI visited Gendron at her Feeding Hills home in May 2021, according to information filed with the court in April.

Gendron falsely stated that she was unaware of any fraudulently obtained loans, and that it would surprise her that (her co-conspirators) would submit fraudulent documents to the bank, prosecutors wrote.

Reached for comment, David Hoose, the Northampton-based attorney who represented Gendron, said his client took the part-time job at JLL Realty as she headed into retirement, a move to help her brother-in-law and baby sister.

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Gendron sent the information and the documents to the financial institutions, Hoose said, because Masaschi had said it was okay to do so. If she hadnt hit send on the emails, someone else in the office would have, the lawyer added.

more news from Western Massachusetts

Read the original article on MassLive.
A DNA analysis indicates that Sandra Birchmores unborn child was not fathered by the former Stoughton police detective who is charged with killing her in February 2021, according to original reporting from The Boston Globe that cited two anonymous sources familiar with the case.

Text exchanges between Birchmore, a 23-year-old Canton resident, and 29-year-old North Easton resident Matthew Farwell suggests both Birchmore and Farwell believed he was the father of her unborn child. But DNA testing of the fetus and Farwell rules out the possibility that the former police detective was the unborn childs father, the anonymous sources told the Globe.

Farwell has pleaded not guilty to a charge of killing a witness, in connection with Birchmores death in federal court. The Globes requests for comment from Farwell, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office and others were not returned Wednesday afternoon.

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Birchmore is known to have had multiple sexual partners, but it is unclear whether investigators have determined who fathered her unborn child, the Globe reported Thursday. It was approximately three months along in development when she died.

Instead of a murder charge, which would normally be filed by a district attorney, Farwell was indicted on the killing a witness charge in Birchmores death last summer. Her 2021 death was initially ruled a suicide, but the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office opened an investigation into the matter in 2023 after learning of new information suggesting her death was actually a homicide.

The Massachusetts Chief Medical Examiners Office has so far stood by its original determination and declined to change the manner of death on her death certificate.

Prosecutors allege that Farwell  who was a member of the Stoughton Police Department from 2012 to 2022  strangled Birchmore to conceal evidence that he had committed crimes, such as sexually exploiting Birchmore since she was 15 and he was 27. The former detective groomed her while she was part of his former police departments youth program and often had sex with her while on the job, prosecutors say.

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After killing Birchmore in early February 2021, Farwell staged her apartment to make her death appear to be a suicide, prosecutors allege. Security video from the lobby of her apartment building from the night of Feb. 1, 2021  the last day she was seen alive  shows Farwell entering the building wearing a hoodie and surgical mask. Birchmores body was discovered three days later.

Though Farwell was, at the time, married with two children  and a third was born within hours of Birchmores death, Birchmore longed to have a baby with him. In the weeks leading up to her death, she told multiple friends he was her unborn childs father.

But Farwell was not so keen on the idea and later denied being the fetus father to investigators. In text messages, Birchmore pressured him to be present for her delivery, put his name on the childs birth certificate and have some involvement in its life, writing your kid should matter.

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You are truly the worst person on the face of the earth, he texted back.

Birchmores pregnancy enraged Farwell so much that he assaulted her, witnesses have told FBI investigators. In one text exchange with Birchmore about the pregnancy, Farwell accused her of threatening him, writing now youve got me and if I didnt do and give you what you wanted you would ruin me.

Legal experts told the Globe that the criminal case against Farwell does not hang on whether he is the father of Birchmores unborn baby.

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Prosecutors assert that he killed her because she had evidence hed committed crimes  at least some of which were supposedly committed long before she became pregnant. Birchmores insistence that Farwell act as a father to her unborn child simply caused him to feel increasing pressure to kill her.

He doesnt have to be the father  he just has to think hes the father, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Cohen told the Globe. Thats what gives him the motive to be homicidal.

The revelation that Farwell is not the father of Birchmores unborn child could strengthen his defense by lending credence to the idea that he was telling the truth when he told investigators he wasnt the father, Cohen, who is also a professor at Boston College Law School, told the newspaper. But the fetus paternity does nothing to disprove the prior relationship between the would-be mother and former detective.

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Any findings from other DNA analyses related to the case  which could include testing of Birchmores clothing or the ligature that was found around her neck  have yet to be shared with the public.

A date for Farwells trial has not yet been set. He faces a minimum of life in prison on the charge, but could be given the death sentence.

More local crime stories

Read the original article on MassLive.
CHICAGO  Former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan arrived Friday at the federal courthouse in downtown Chicago for his historic sentencing in a long-running corruption case that shook the states political world to the core.

Madigan, 83, who for years was widely hailed as the most powerful politician in the state, gave a slight smile as he strode past a horde of television news cameras with his lawyers and family members without comment. Carrying a briefcase and umbrella, he then headed to the 12th floor courtroom of U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey, who is scheduled to begin the hearing at 1 p.m.

The hearing is expected to last two hours or more. With seating limited in Blakeys courtroom, an overflow courtroom has been set up on the courthouses 17th floor.

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Before hearing arguments, Blakey must first determine the sentencing guidelines in the case, though its no longer mandatory for him to follow them.

Its unclear whether Madigans team intends to call live witnesses on his behalf, but before the judge imposes the sentence, the famously taciturn former speaker will be given a chance to make a statement of his own.

Its the most highly anticipated sentencing in a Chicago public corruption case since former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich more than a decade ago, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has a wide range of options at his disposal.

The difference between the recommendations of the two sides is stark. Prosecutors have asked for 12  years in prison, while the ex-speakers team requested five years of probation, with the first year on home confinement.

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One big question is whether the letters Blakey received on Madigans behalf will help persuade him to go easy on the longest-serving speaker in American history.

Under the federal rules, the judge must also balance the seriousness of the crime and the need for deterrence, both for Madigan and others who might be tempted to commit similar acts, with the ex-speakers background, personal traits, family history and other good works.

In justifying a lengthy prison sentence, prosecutors have argued Madigan used his public office to increase his power, line his own pockets and enrich a small circle of his most loyal associates.

Madigans legal team, meanwhile, have stressed his age and lifetime of public service, saying that he is a good man whose name was dragged through the mud and will forever be branded as a felon.

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After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including one count of conspiracy related to a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit bribes from utility giant Commonwealth Edison.

Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and one Travel Act violation related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.

Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts  including wire fraud and Travel Act violations  regarding a plan to get ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, a key FBI mole who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board.

But after 11 days of deliberation, the jurys final verdict was mixed, deadlocking on several counts  including the marquee racketeering conspiracy charge  and acquitting Madigan on numerous others. Jurors also deadlocked on all six counts related to Madigans co-defendant, Michael McClain.

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The verdict capped one of the most significant political corruption investigations in Chicagos sordid history. It also cemented an extraordinary personal fall for Madigan, the longest-serving state legislative leader in the nations history, who for decades held an iron-tight grip on the House as well as the state Democratic Party.

It was a case many thought would never be made. Madigan, a savvy lawyer and old-school practitioner of Democratic machine politics, famously eschewed cell phones and email, and stayed largely above the fray while dozens of his colleagues were hauled off to prison over the years.

Ultimately, it took Soliss extraordinary cooperation, including wearing a hidden wire in meetings with Madigan, along with an FBI wiretap on Madigans longtime confidant, Michael McClain, to break the case open, leading to a series of indictments and pay-to-play allegations against two major utilities, Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois, and more than a dozen other individuals.

Madigan held the speakership for all but two years from 1983 until 2021. Along with ruling the House, Madigan chaired the Illinois Democratic Party from 1998 until 2021, resigning both his House seat and the party post after he lost the speakership.

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Madigans hold on the House Democratic caucus started loosening in the wake of a series of explosive sexual harassment cases involving misbehaving aides in 2018, including longtime chief of staff Tim Mapes.

But the momentum picked up speed in July 2020 when the U.S. attorneys office reached a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, which acknowledged trying to influence Madigan by showering his pals and associates with do-nothing contracts, legal work and a seat on the ComEd board of directors.

While ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine, the biggest political marker in the agreement was that Madigan was referenced clearly when the court document called the speaker of the House Public Official A.

McClain and three others were indicted in the separate ComEd Four case four months later. Sentencings in that case, which have been delayed for more than a year due to fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal bribery statute, are now expected to unfold in July and August.

______
CHICAGO  Former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was sentenced Friday to 7 1/2 years in prison in his corruption case, capping a stunning fall for the once powerful politician.

The sentence of 90 months was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey after the judge earlier in the hearing had found Madigan lied when testifying in his own defense during the trial. And it came after Madigan himself had addressed the court.

Madigan also was fined $2.5 million.

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I am truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this. I tried to do my best to serve the people of the state, Madigan told the judge. I am not perfect.

Madigan held himself out as always working for the people, but in the end he fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois, a prosecutor argued Friday in asking for a stiff 12 1/2-year sentence.

In her argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker brought up comments from U.S. District Judge James Zagel more than a decade ago when he told former Gov. Rod Blagojevich that corruption at such high levels in government had torn the fabric of the state.

Arguably the damage to the fabric of Illinois is even worse in this case, Streicker says. Governors, they came and went over the years, but Madigan stayed. His power and his influence remained constant.

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Streicker said Madigan also lied repeatedly on the witness stand when testifying in his own defense, has yet to express a signal ounce of remorse, and has not taken a single step to take responsibility for what hes done.

He breached the publics trust, she said.

Madigan attorney Dan Collins, however, urged Blakey to not sentence Mike on the rhetoric but to focus on the reality: That he spend his life looking out for the little guy.

The fact that Madigan has been so strong for this state in protecting the citizens and workers it has to be considered in fashioning a sentence, Collins said. Today should not be about rhetoric. It oughta be about reality.

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Collins choked back tears as he said: The reality is that I am honored to call Mike a friend.

Earlier in the hearing, Blakey ruled that Madigan had indeed lied repeatedly and willfully on the witness stand when he testified in his own defense in January.

Among the lies, the judge said, was Madigans testimony about his minimal involvement with a ComEd subcontractor contract for his longtime precinct captain, Edward Moody. Blakey said Madigan also lied when he denied he expected quick and favorable responses from ComEd as to his demands, as well as when he claimed he was only contemplating recommending then-Ald. Daniel Solis to a lucrative state board position.

He further lied, Blakey says, about the closeness of his relationship with Mike McClain, his longtime confidant and co-defendant.

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The evidence showed that McClain was one of Madigans most trusted operatives, not just one lobbyist of many as Madigan falsely testified on the witness stand, Blakey said.

Blakeys ruling signaled that Madigans risky decision to take the witness stand could backfire and lead to a harsher sentence.

Earlier in the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz said Madigan lied purposely and to influence the jurys decision making process to secure a not guilty verdict. One key falsehood, she said: That Madigan had no idea that his associates werent doing any work for ComEd.

That was a lie, Schwartz said. Mr. Madigan set up these.. arrangements to pay these people for these low- and no-show jobs. Wiretaps in the case showed that Madigan thought it was great, Schwartz argued, pointing also to the a recording where Madigan laughed with a colleague about some of his people making out like bandits at the utility.

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Madigan attorney Lari Dierks argued, however, that Madigan should not get a perjury enhancement for his testimony because there was nothing in the record showing anything he said was intentionally untruthful, which prosecutors have to show.

Here, Mike took the stand, he subjected himself to vigorous cross-examination and the government has put forth no evidence that he willfully lied, Dierks said.

Dierks also said its notable that 134 people wrote to the court and shared that Madigan is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is important to him, Dierks said.

Madigan, 83, who for years was widely hailed as the most powerful politician in the state, entered the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse just after 12:30 p.m., giving a slight smile as he strode past a horde of television news cameras with his lawyers and family members without comment. Carrying a briefcase and umbrella, he then headed to the 12th floor courtroom of U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey.

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Blakeys courtroom quickly filled to capacity and spectators were being directed to an overflow room on the 14th floor. The hearing began with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker telling the judge that after the sentence is imposed, the government will move to dismiss the remaining six counts where the jury was deadlocked.

Before arguments began, the judge called Madigan up to the lectern.

Good afternoon sir, ..How are you? Blakey said. Madigan, dressed in a dark gray suit and red tie, adjusted the microphone and chuckled. Been better, right? Blakey said with a laugh of his own. Blakey then told Madigan sentencing is the most difficult process for everyone, including him and his family.

The hearing is expected to last two hours or more. Before hearing arguments, Blakey must first determine the sentencing guidelines in the case, though its no longer mandatory for him to follow them. Before the judge imposes the sentence, the famously taciturn former speaker will be given a chance to make a statement of his own.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Its the most highly anticipated sentencing in a Chicago public corruption case since former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich more than a decade ago, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has a wide range of options at his disposal.

The difference between the recommendations of the two sides is stark. Prosecutors have asked for 12  years in prison, while the ex-speakers team requested five years of probation, with the first year on home confinement.

One big question is whether the letters Blakey received on Madigans behalf will help persuade him to go easy on the longest-serving speaker in American history.

Under the federal rules, the judge must also balance the seriousness of the crime and the need for deterrence, both for Madigan and others who might be tempted to commit similar acts, with the ex-speakers background, personal traits, family history and other good works.

Advertisement Advertisement

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In justifying a lengthy prison sentence, prosecutors have argued Madigan used his public office to increase his power, line his own pockets and enrich a small circle of his most loyal associates.

Madigans legal team, meanwhile, have stressed his age and lifetime of public service, saying that he is a good man whose name was dragged through the mud and will forever be branded as a felon.

After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including one count of conspiracy related to a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit bribes from utility giant Commonwealth Edison.

Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and one Travel Act violation related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts  including wire fraud and Travel Act violations  regarding a plan to get ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, a key FBI mole who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board.

But after 11 days of deliberation, the jurys final verdict was mixed, deadlocking on several counts  including the marquee racketeering conspiracy charge  and acquitting Madigan on numerous others. Jurors also deadlocked on all six counts related to Madigans co-defendant, Michael McClain.

The verdict capped one of the most significant political corruption investigations in Chicagos sordid history. It also cemented an extraordinary personal fall for Madigan, the longest-serving state legislative leader in the nations history, who for decades held an iron-tight grip on the House as well as the state Democratic Party.

It was a case many thought would never be made. Madigan, a savvy lawyer and old-school practitioner of Democratic machine politics, famously eschewed cell phones and email, and stayed largely above the fray while dozens of his colleagues were hauled off to prison over the years.

Ultimately, it took Soliss extraordinary cooperation, including wearing a hidden wire in meetings with Madigan, along with an FBI wiretap on Madigans longtime confidant, Michael McClain, to break the case open, leading to a series of indictments and pay-to-play allegations against two major utilities, Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois, and more than a dozen other individuals.

Madigan held the speakership for all but two years from 1983 until 2021. Along with ruling the House, Madigan chaired the Illinois Democratic Party from 1998 until 2021, resigning both his House seat and the party post after he lost the speakership.

Madigans hold on the House Democratic caucus started loosening in the wake of a series of explosive sexual harassment cases involving misbehaving aides in 2018, including longtime chief of staff Tim Mapes.

But the momentum picked up speed in July 2020 when the U.S. attorneys office reached a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, which acknowledged trying to influence Madigan by showering his pals and associates with do-nothing contracts, legal work and a seat on the ComEd board of directors.

While ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine, the biggest political marker in the agreement was that Madigan was referenced clearly when the court document called the speaker of the House Public Official A.

McClain and three others were indicted in the separate ComEd Four case four months later. Sentencings in that case, which have been delayed for more than a year due to fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal bribery statute, are now expected to unfold in July and August.

_____
NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Aviation authorities have found one of the two black boxes of the Air India flight that crashed in the western Indian state of Gujarat, killing 241 on board, local newspaper Hindustan Times said.

The London-bound flight crashed on Thursday afternoon shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.

"Of the two black boxes, the one in the rear of the aircraft has been located and safely guarded. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will collect the equipment to analyse the recordings. The second black box, in the aircraft's front portion, is yet to be found," the newspaper quoting a source said.

Black boxes are electronic data recorders in the aircraft. The bright orange or yellow rectangular boxes are designed to withstand high-speed crashes, explosions, fire and water pressure.

Experts said the answer to what went wrong for Air India Flight 171 may lie in these small machines. It contains flight and cockpit recordings, and flight data, which can help investigators to understand the reason behind the plane crash. However, it takes days to analyse the data.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian, apart from two pilots and 10 cabin crew members on board when it crashed at the premises of a medical college.

Air India on Friday confirmed the crash killed 241 passengers on board, and the only survivor in the incident is being treated in a hospital.

The Indian government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has initiated a formal investigation into the crash.

Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said he has spoken with Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran following the crash and expressed readiness to support the investigation by Indian authorities.

The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft bearing number AI171 went down after takeoff at an altitude of 825 feet and crashed on the premises of B J Medical College, causing severe damage to the buildings.

According to the Federation of All India Medical Associations Doctors Association, one person was killed, while at least five medical students and four relatives of resident doctors were reported missing, and 50 others were injured at the premises of B J Medical College. 
Antonio Brown has posted a cryptic social media post one day after The Washington Post reported he was facing an attempted murder charge.

David Ovalle of the Post had this to say about the warrant in question:

"The warrant, which was signed by a judge Wednesday, lists a charge of attempted murder with a firearm and calls for Brown to post a $10,000 bond and remain under house arrest pending trial. Efforts to reach Brown, 36, were unsuccessful Thursday evening; it was unclear whether he was represented by an attorney. A spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office declined to comment."

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A day after the report, Brown posted on social media a video of himself riding a bicycle with the caption: #lovefromthemiddleeast

TMZ's Michael Babcock provided the arrest warrant affidavit earlier today  stating that Brown is adamant that hes the real victim.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Ex-Steeler Antonio Brown surfaces in Middle East amid arrest warrant
Fifteen people, including former Tory MP Craig Williams, have appeared in court charged with betting offences linked to the timing of last year's general election.

It follows an investigation by the Gambling Commission into alleged betting on the date of the election.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, Williams was among three defendants who gave no indication of a plea at this stage.

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Twelve others, including Russell George, a former Conservative now independent member of the Welsh Senedd, indicated they would deny the charges.

The defendants will appear again at Southwark Crown Court on July 11.

On 22 May 2024, Rishi Sunak announced the general election would be held on 4 July that year, overturning previous expectations of an autumn poll.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Gambling Commission, Sam Stein KC said Sunak was among those to have given a witness statement in the case.

Mr Stein told the court the commission's investigation was launched into "politicians and employees of the Conservative Party, and a former police officer... who had placed bets on the date of the 2024 general election with the benefit of confidential or insider information as to when that date might be".

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"The prosecution says that placing bets with inside information is a criminal offence, namely cheating," he added.

Before the election was called, Williams was the MP for Montgomeryshire and a parliamentary aide to Sunak.

He was previously MP for Cardiff North between 2015 and 2017, before he lost his seat to Labour in the election that year.

Along with Williams, former police officer Jeremy Hunt, 55, of Horne in Surrey, and Jacob Willmer, 39, from Richmond, west London, did not indicate a plea.

Along with George, those indicating a not guilty plea included Laura Saunders, the former Conservative parliamentary candidate in Bristol North West, and her partner Anthony Lee.

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The others indicating they would deny the charges included Simon Chatfield, 51, from Farnham, Surrey, Amy Hind, 34, of Loughton, Essex, Anthony Hind, 36, of Loughton, Essex, Thomas James, 38, Charlotte Lang, 36, Iain Makepeace, 47, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, Nick Mason, 51, Paul Place, 54, from Hammersmith, west London and James Ward, 40, of Leeds.
LONDON (Reuters) -A former British intelligence worker who endangered national security by taking top secret data home was on Friday jailed for seven and a half years.

Hasaan Arshad, 25, pleaded guilty in March to one charge under the Computer Misuse Act, committed between August and September 2022 while working at British signals intelligence agency GCHQ.

Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson said the top secret material Arshad had downloaded contained the names of 17 GCHQ employees and that removing it from a secure environment brought the risk of it "falling into the wrong hands".

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"His actions damaged confidence in the UK's security," Atkinson told London's Old Bailey court.

Judge Maura McGowan sentenced Arshad to six years in prison for the Computer Misuse Act offence and a further 18 months for two offences of making indecent images of children, to which he had pleaded guilty in 2023.

His lawyer Nina Grahame said Arshad had taken the data due to his "perfectionism" at the end of a year-long placement with GCHQ because he had not completed his work on a particular project.

She said Arshad accepted he had caused a risk to national security but added: "He did not intend to cause such a risk."

(Reporting by Sam TobinEditing by Gareth Jones)
President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that he knew in advance of Israels plans to strike Iran.

Responding to a question about what kind of heads-up he had gotten before the attacks, Trump said, Heads up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on.

In separate media calls on Friday morning, Trump called the strikes excellent and a very successful attack, stressing that his administration supported Israel like nobody has ever supported it.

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Speaking to CNNs Dana Bash, Trump pushed Tehran to reach a deal with him.

Iran should have listened to me when I said  you know, I gave them, I dont know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61, he said.

Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

In a phone call with ABC News Jonathan Karl, Trump warned that there was a lot more to come from Israels military attacks. He later elaborated on social media, urging Tehran to agree to a new nuclear deal, and warning the country of further bloodshed it not.

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In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to distance the U.S. from Israels actions, calling them unilateral.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement. Reports say that the strikes killed at least four top Iranian officials, as well as nuclear scientists. Iranian state media says that at least 78 people were killed and 329 injured during the attacks.
By Richa Naidu

LONDON/ABIDJAN (Reuters) -Unilever workers in Ivory Coast say the global consumer goods giant is violating their collective bargaining agreement in refusing to ensure severance pay if layoffs take place after the company sells its business there, documents show.

British-based Unilever is selling all of its shares in its struggling Ivory Coast unit, which employs some 160 people, to a local consortium of investors led by wholesale distributor Societe de Distribution de Toutes Marchandises Cote dIvoire (SDTM).

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Unilever Cote d'Ivoire manages the consumer giant's domestic and international brands in Ivory Coast, but SDTM will only take over Unilever's domestic brand business, according to an internal memo dated April 8. Unilever has not said how its international brands will be sold in Ivory Coast in future.

Workers began staging protests at Unilever offices in Abidjan on April 25, fearing the unit's falling turnover in recent years and the loss of the international brand business will trigger layoffs after the sale, which is expected to close by June 20.

Their collective bargaining agreement with Unilever, seen by Reuters, states that in the event of layoffs associated with disposing of its Ivory Coast business, Unilever will give employees severance pay equal to "one month of average gross salary per year of seniority, with a maximum of 18 months."

The bargaining agreement, dated from 2004, was confirmed by management in 2007 and remains valid, according to Lex Ways lawyer Soualiho Lassomann Diomande, who represents local staff.

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The agreement also pledges "medical coverage for a maximum period of six months."

A Unilever spokesperson did not comment on the agreement.

However, in a meeting at the Labor Inspectorate in Abidjan on April 25, the head of Unilever Cote d'Ivoire, Arona Diop, stated that workers' rights and salaries would be decided by SDTM, and not regulated by the collective bargaining agreement, according to minutes of the meeting reviewed by Reuters.

Unilever confirmed it was selling the Ivory Coast unit but said in a statement to Reuters: "the proposed transaction is by way of a sale of shares, which does not result in the termination of employees' contracts."

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"Severance pay is not therefore relevant, as employment continues," it added.

Unilever's international brand portfolio has accounted for more than 60% of Unilever Cote d'Ivoire's turnover, according to three Ivory Coast employees, which totalled 34.6 billion CFA Franc in 2023.

Since the share sale excludes the most important brands, job security is at risk, said Diomande.

Moreover, under article 16.6 of the Ivorian Labor Code, any substantial modification of an employment contract requires the prior agreement of the employee, Diomande added.

"No assurances have been given regarding job security," said a Unilever Ivory Coast employee, who did not wish to be named.

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CONTRAST WITH EUROPE

The severance rights Unilever guaranteed under the collective bargaining agreement are a lot more generous than required under Ivory Coast labour law, according to Diomande as well as two workers interviewed by Reuters.

According to the International Labor Organization's EPLex database website, workers in Ivory Coast are entitled to severance pay equal to 30% of their gross monthly wage per year for those who have worked up to five years. The percentage rises to 35% from the sixth to the 10th year and 40% for above 10 years of service.

Unilever said early last year it would axe 7,500 jobs globally as part of a turnaround to save about 800 million euros ($913.12 million).

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Diomande said Unilever's treatment of its Ivory Coast staff contrasted sharply with how it treated staff in Europe.

Last month Unilever agreed to guarantee its ice cream workers' employment terms in Europe and Britain for at least three years after the business' spin-off, Reuters reported, tripling the usual period in such deals despite no legal requirement to do so.

The generous terms agreed in Europe reflect the power of local unions and strict labour laws on the continent.

Workers in the Ivory Coast told Reuters they had asked Unilever to guarantee the same conditions, including severance pay, for two years, one less than what was granted to roughly 6,000 Unilever workers affected by the ice cream spin off in Europe and Britain.

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"Not applying the same conditions in Ivory Coast is unequal treatment and negative discrimination," Diomande said.

"This is a serious injustice."

($1 = 571.0000 CFA francs)

($1 = 0.8761 euros)

(Reporting by Richa Naidu and Loucoumane Coulibaly. Additional reporting by Helen Reid; Editing by Lisa Jucca and Susan Fenton)
FIRST ON FOX: Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins sent letters to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this week alerting them to the impact the anti-ICE riots there are having on the city's veteran community.

The letter cites the "violent" riots as the reason why the VA decided to close its Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center for at least five days. It stated that local agency leaders made the "difficult decision" after the building's outer walls were defaced with graffiti threatening the lives of federal immigration officials.

In total, more than 600 veteran appointments were affected.

WATCH LIVE: VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY DOUG COLLINS ON FOX & FRIENDS FIRST AT 5:30 A.M. FRIDAY

Gop Lawmaker Flips Script On Newsom, Bass By Defining Anti-ice Riots With 1 Word

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"In other words, your state's failure to maintain law and order in Los Angeles is coming between Veterans and the healthcare they have earned," the letters, signed by Secretary Collins, stated. "What has struck me the most about the city and state's response to this ordeal is that your primary concern seems to be virtue signaling your opposition to President Donald J. Trump's efforts to restore law and order throughout the city rather than protecting the hardworking Angelenos who are being victimized by violent rioters and other criminals."

Read On The Fox News App

Collins added that the city and state's "lackadaisical response to the riots" raises questions about the safety and security of veterans, particularly those who benefit from federal VA programs, after the National Guard and other federal law enforcement leave the area.

Dhs Fires Back At Democrats For 'Beyond The Pale' Rhetoric As Ice Agents Face Wave Of Violent Threats

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins (RIGHT) and the anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles (LEFT)

The letter requested both Newsom and Bass respond with specific steps they are currently taking to restore law and order in the area where the VA care center was shutdown. It also requested a status update on state and local investigations into the defacement of the care center that was closed, and requested that state and local authorities pay to repair the damage to the building since, according to Collins' letter, it was their lack of police presence that led to the defacement.

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Both Newsom and Bass opposed any federal intervention to quell the riots, calling it unconstitutional and an overreach. Eventually, Newsom, with support from California Attorney General Rob Bonta, filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking an emergency restraining order to block National Guard and other military personnel from assisting federal agents with immigration enforcement. On Thursday, a judge ruled President Trump acted unlawfully when he seized control of California's National Guard.

"Defendants, including President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have sought to bring military personnel and a 'warrior culture' to the streets of cities and towns where Americans work, go to school, and raise their families," Newsom's lawsuit states. "Now, they have turned their sights on California with devastating consequences, setting a roadmap to follow across the country."





Original article source: EXCLUSIVE: VA Dept says LA riots forced community center closures impacting more than 600 veterans
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT)  UAB facilities across Alabama could become out-of-network for the thousands of Alabamians insured by UnitedHealthcare.

Obviously, the hope is they find an agreement and I dont have to swap providers, Christian Holly said.

Holly and his wife are getting ready to welcome their first child into the world. Their due date is in October and their doctors are at UAB.

My wife was big on using UAB, Holly said. Theyve got the best trauma center, the best neo-natal care, all of those sorts of things.

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UAB and UnitedHealthCare (UHC) have until July 31 to finalize an agreement. Each party sent out statements that read in part:

We are deeply disappointed that UnitedHealthcare has created this uncertainty for our patientsUAB Hospital alone provides more than $100 million a year in care for which it is not paid; and United reimburses care providers less than other insurers.  UAB Statement.

UAB continues to drive up health care costs for people and businesses throughout Alabama through its acquisitionsOur goal is to reach an agreement that is affordable for consumers and employers while providing continued, uninterrupted network access to UAB.  UHC Statement.

The two parties have seven weeks to make that happen.

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If this doesnt get squared away in the next month, well have to swap providers, Holly said.

If UAB becomes out-network for the Hollys, they have two options: pay out of pocket or find a new doctor to deliver their first born. But its possible both could happen. In the chance his wife needs emergency medical attention during delivery, or their child needs emergency medical care  theyll have to go to UAB and pay out of pocket.

If she does have an issue, theyll have to swap her to UAB so it just adds a lot of worry to everything, Holly said.

CBS 42 News requested the total number of Alabamians who are insured through UHC. As of Thursday, we were still waiting for that number. However, thousands of retired public school teachers and their dependents are insured through UHC.

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We have about 80,000 lives that are covered currently through PHIP United Plan, The Government Media Relations Manger for the Alabama Education Association, Allison King said.

Anyone who worked for the Alabama Public School system for at least 25 years qualifies for Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan King said. That plan provides those state retirees with UHC.

Well certainly be working to advocate on the behalf of our retirees and make sure they have quality programs both in service providers and health care options, King 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 CBS 42.
A mother prepares her infant son for bed. Since 2020, 36 states have lost at least one rural labor and delivery department. In rural counties, the loss of hospital-based obstetric care is associated with increases in births in hospital emergency rooms, less prenatal care and higher rates of babies being born too early. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Nine months after Monroe County Hospital in rural South Alabama closed its labor and delivery department in October 2023, Grove Hill Memorial Hospital in neighboring Clarke County also stopped delivering babies.

Both hospitals are located in an agricultural swath of the state thats home to most of its poorest counties. Many residents of the region dont even have a nearby emergency department.

Stacey Gilchrist is a nurse and administrator whos spent her 40-year career in Thomasville, a small town about 20 minutes north of Grove Hill. Thomasvilles hospital shut down entirely last September over financial difficulties. Thomasville Regional hadnt had a labor and delivery unit for years, but women in labor still showed up at its ER when they knew they wouldnt make it to the nearest delivering hospital.

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We had several close calls where people could not make it even to Grove Hill when they were delivering there, Gilchrist told Stateline shortly after the Thomasville hospital closed. She recalled how Thomasville nurses worked to save the lives of a mother and baby whod delivered early in their ER, as staff waited for neonatal specialists to arrive by ambulance from a distant delivering hospital.

It would give you chills to see what all they had to do. They had to get inventive, she said, but the mother and baby survived.

Now many families must drive more than an hour to reach the nearest birthing hospital.

Fewer than 1,000 rural hospitals in the United States still have labor and delivery services

Nationwide, most rural hospitals no longer offer obstetric services. Since the end of 2020, more than 100 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies, according to a new report from the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform, a national policy center focused on solving health care issues through overhauling insurance payments. Fewer than 1,000 rural hospitals nationwide still have labor and delivery services.

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Across the nation, two rural labor and delivery departments shut their doors every month on average, said Harold Miller, the centers president and CEO.

Three rural labor and delivery departments in Idaho have closed since 2020, according to the report. That represents 16% of rural hospitals in the Gem State. In 2025, 14 of Idahos rural hospitals dont have labor and delivery services, and the median driving time to get to those hospitals that do is 39 minutes in Idaho, according to the centers report.

There are 16 rural hospitals in Idaho that still offer labor and delivery services, representing 53% of all rural hospitals statewide. But four of those rural hospitals are at risk of closing, according to the report.

A labor and delivery unit is counted as at risk of closing if the hospital lost money on all patient services (not just labor and delivery services) in both of the two most recent years available and also had a negative total margin in both years, the report states.

(Map courtesy of Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform)

Its the perfect storm, Miller told Stateline. The number of births are going down, everything is more expensive in rural areas, health insurance plans dont cover the cost of births, and hospitals dont have the resources to offset those losses because theyre losing money on other services, too.

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Staffing shortages, low Medicaid reimbursement payments and declining birth rates have contributed to the closures. Some states have responded by changing how Medicaid funds are spent, by allowing the opening of freestanding birth centers, or by encouraging urban-based obstetricians to open satellite clinics in rural areas.

Yet the losses continue. Thirty-six states have lost at least one rural labor and delivery unit since the end of 2020, according to the report. Sixteen have lost three or more. Indiana has lost 12, accounting for a third of its rural hospital labor and delivery units.

In rural counties the loss of hospital-based obstetric care is associated with increases in births in hospital emergency rooms, studies have found. The share of women without adequate prenatal care also increases in rural counties that lose hospital obstetric services.

And researchers have seen an increase in preterm births  when a baby is born three or more weeks early  following rural labor and delivery closures. Babies born too early have higher rates of death and disability.

Births in the U.S. are expensive, especially in rural areas

The decline in hospital-based maternity care has been decades in the making.

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Traditionally, hospitals lose money on obstetrics. It costs more to maintain a labor and delivery department than a hospital gets paid by insurance to deliver a baby. This is especially true for rural hospitals, which see fewer births and therefore less revenue than urban areas.

It is expensive and complicated for any hospital to have labor and delivery because its a 24/7 service, said Miller.

A labor and delivery unit must always have certain staff available or on call, including a physician who can perform cesarean sections, nurses with obstetric training, and an anesthetist for C-sections and labor pain management.

You cant subsidize a losing service when you dont have profit coming in from other services.

 Harold Miller, president and CEO of the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform

Theres a minimum fixed cost you incur [as a hospital] to have all of that, regardless of how many births there are, Miller said.

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In most cases, insurers dont pay hospitals to maintain that standby capacity; theyre paid per birth. Hospitals cover their losses on obstetrics with revenue they get from more lucrative services.

For a larger urban hospital with thousands of births a year, the fixed costs might be manageable. For smaller rural hospitals, theyre much harder to justify. Some have had to jettison their obstetric services just to keep the doors open.

You cant subsidize a losing service when you dont have profit coming in from other services, Miller said.

And staffing is a persistent problem.

Harrison County Hospital in Corydon, Indiana, a small town on the border with Kentucky, ended its obstetric services in March after hospital leaders said they were unable to recruit an obstetric provider. It was the only delivering hospital in the county, averaging about 400 births a year.

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And most providers dont want to remain on call 24/7, a particular problem in rural regions that might have just one or two physicians trained in obstetrics. In many rural areas, family physicians with obstetrical training fill the role of both obstetricians and general practitioners.

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Ripple effects on ambulance, drive times

Even before Harrison County Hospital suspended its obstetrical services, some patients were already driving more than 30 minutes for care, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported. The closure means the drive could be 50 minutes to reach a hospital with a labor and delivery department, or to see providers for prenatal visits.

Longer drive times can be risky, resulting in more scheduled inductions and C-sections because families are scared to risk going into labor naturally and then facing a harrowing hourlong drive to the hospital.

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Having fewer labor and delivery units could further burden ambulance services already stretched thin in rural areas.

And hospitals often serve as a hub for other maternity-related services that help keep mothers and babies healthy.

Other things weve seen in rural counties that have hospital-based OB care is that youre more likely to have other supportive things, like maternal mental health support, postpartum groups, lactation support, access to doula care and midwifery services, said Katy Kozhimannil, a professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, whose research focuses in part on maternal health policy with a focus on rural communities.

State action and Medicaid cuts

Medicaid, the state-federal public insurance for people with low incomes, pays for nearly half of all births in rural areas nationwide. And women who live in rural communities and small towns are more likely to be covered by Medicaid than women in metro areas.

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Experts say one way to save rural labor and delivery in many places would be to bump up Medicaid payments.

As congressional Republicans debate President Donald Trumps tax and spending plan, theyre considering which portions of Medicaid to slash to help pay for the bills tax cuts. Maternity services arent on the chopping block.

But if Congress reduces federal funding for some portions of Medicaid, states  and hospitals  will have to figure out how to offset that loss. The ripple effects could translate into less money for rural hospitals overall, meaning some may no longer be able to afford labor and delivery services.

Cuts to Medicaid are going to be felt disproportionately in rural areas where Medicaid makes up a higher proportion of labor and delivery and for services in general, Kozhimannil said. It is a hugely important payer at rural hospitals, and for birth in particular.

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And though private insurers often pay more than Medicaid for birth services, Miller believes states shouldnt let companies off the hook.

The data shows that in many cases, commercial insurance plans operating in a state are not paying adequately for labor and delivery, Miller said. Hospitals will tell you its not just Medicaid; its also commercial insurance.

Hed like to see state insurance regulators pressure private insurance to pay more. More than 40% of births in rural communities are covered by private insurance.

Yet theres no one magic bullet that will fix every rural hospitals bottom line, Miller said: For every hospital Ive talked to, its been a different set of circumstances.

Rural_Maternity_Care_Crisis

Idaho Capital Sun editor-in-chief Christina Lords contributed to this story.

Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org.

Stateline, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

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Israel's attacks on Iran were designed to undermine the Islamic republic's military capabilities and stability, not just prevent its nuclear programme, according to military expert Matthew Savill.

"This operation is intended to not just dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, but also cripple any potential military response and even to destabilise the regime," said Savill, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute in London, in a statement on Friday.

Israel has the capability to carry out several such waves of attacks, he said. However, he said the considerable distance involved could pose a challenge even for the Israeli air force over a longer period of time.

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Iran's response to the strikes could be delayed or take place in several phases, Savill said. He warned that the use of ballistic missiles is likely, as drones and cruise missiles are easier for Israeli air defences to intercept.

Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists in waves of airstrikes beginning early Friday morning.

Hours later, Iranian media reported that Israel had carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian territory including on the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz and again at the Natanz nuclear site.

Iran has vowed to respond, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatening Israel with "severe punishment."
The next five years are likely to be hotter than we've ever experienced, with the potential to disrupt everything from daily routines to global food systems. The ripple effects could be dangerous and costly, but there are tools to help us prepare.

What's happening?

In late May, the World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations, released a new report full of serious warnings, according to CBC News.

The WMO's analysis indicates there is an 80% chance that at least one of the next five years will be the hottest on record. The global average temperature during that period is 70% likely to exceed pre-industrial levels by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a critical limit set in the 2015 Paris Agreement and one that the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said "crossing [would risk] unleashing far more severe climate change impacts, including more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves and rainfall."

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The WMO report additionally noted, per CBC, that from 2025 to 2029, global temperatures are projected to hover above historic averages by between 2.2 and 3.4 degrees Fahrenheit. And the Arctic is predicted to warm at a rate more than 3.5 times the global average.

Why is this forecast concerning?

Some of these increases may seem small, but they can supercharge extreme weather events to catastrophic effect.

Although destructive weather patterns have always been a part of life on Earth, human-induced warming can act like steroids. "Every additional fraction of a degree of warming drives more harmful heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, intense droughts, melting of ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers, heating of the ocean, and rising sea levels," the WMO said in a written statement.

For example, accelerated glacier loss and ice melt in the Arctic can lead to rising sea levels. These load up storm surges with huge amounts of water, rocking coastal towns and reaching further and further inland.

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Parts of Alaska and Northern Europe may see more rain, while the Amazon could face worsening drought, according to the CBC's coverage of the WMO's predictions.

The agency also emphasized that rising global temperatures can cause ocean currents to slow, crops to fail, and diseases to spread more widely and rapidly.

What can be done about rising global temperatures?

Some municipalities are investing in cooling strategies, like tree planting and reflective building materials. Neighborhoods have also launched resilience hubs in an effort to ready communities for the shocks to come. There are even structural and functional changes that can be made to individual homes.

Do you think we should be trying to pull pollution out of the atmosphere? Absolutely I need to know more In some situations No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Upgrading to a heat pump or installing solar panels, for example, can help lower monthly bills while reducing the use of the dirty energy sources that produce heat-trapping gases and drive temperatures and sea levels higher. Installing solar panels along with a battery system can also boost a home's resilience to the power grid outages that have become fairly regular symptoms of extreme weather events.

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Such upgrades can feel intimidating for homeowners, but there are resources that can help. EnergySage, for one, offers a free service that lets consumers compare quotes from vetted local installers, saving customers up to $10,000 on solar panel installation.

Home-based shifts like this can also feel "too small" or "not enough" to combat the devastating effects of human-caused climate change. But learning about clean, renewable options together with friends, family, and neighbors can be a force multiplier, making info-gathering more approachable, renovations more possible, alternatives more normalized, and environmental benefits more widespread.

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.




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There are few things in contemporary geopolitics more heartening  or more humbling  than watching Ukraine fight for its life.

Just days ago, without sending a single platoon across the border or dispatching a single jet into enemy airspace, Ukraine struck a stunning blow deep inside Russian territory. Deploying a swarm of drones in an operation code-named "Spiderweb," Kiev destroyed or damaged a third of Russia's long-range strategic bombers  the aircraft responsible for launching missile attacks against Ukrainian cities (and a mainstay of the Russian nuclear triad). The drones devastated airfields as far away as Siberia, thousands of miles from Ukraine's border with Russia. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, all the personnel involved in planning the mission had left Russia before the attacks took place.

This was not just another maneuver in a long and grueling war. It was a masterstroke of ingenuity, courage, and asymmetrical warfare  and it should erase any remaining doubt about three critical truths.

First, Ukraine's tenacity is not merely impressive. It is inspirational. From the earliest days of the full-scale Russian invasion, when Kiev refused to fall and civilians lined up to make Molotov cocktails, to now, when Ukraine is conducting precision strikes far behind enemy lines, this nation has refused to surrender. Outgunned, outmanned, and under constant bombardment, Ukraine persists  with skill, strategy, and steel in its spine.

"Victory," Winston Churchill observed in 1940, "will never be found by taking the line of least resistance." Ukraine has taken the hardest road imaginable, and it keeps pressing on.

Second, no army on earth today is more experienced in fighting a modern war against a nuclear-armed dictatorship than Ukraine's. After years of trial by fire, its military is arguably the most battle-hardened and tactically innovative in the Western sphere. The Ukrainian armed forces have combined Cold War-era equipment with bleeding-edge technologies, improvised workarounds, and battlefield agility to repeatedly surprise the Russian military  and, for that matter, Western officials.

When Russian invaders thought they could take Kiev in three days, Ukraine forced a retreat. When Russian Black Sea dominance appeared insurmountable, Ukraine sank the flagship Moskva. And now, when striking strategic bombers parked deep inside Russia seems like a plot for a science-fiction thriller, Ukraine has again demonstrated that it doesn't take orders from conventional wisdom. When it comes to the essential purpose for which NATO was created  deterring, confronting, and defeating Russia in battle  Ukraine today has more experience, and has achieved more success, than any other nation.

Third, it is long past time for Ukraine to be admitted to NATO.

Yes, even while the war is ongoing.

Especially while the war is ongoing.

In the more than three decades since the Cold War ended, no country has shown more loyalty to the West, or more bravery in its defense, than Ukraine. NATO membership wasn't designed to be a reward for good behavior; it is a security pact for mutual protection. Who better to bolster that pact than the Ukrainians, who have been fighting and dying on the front lines of freedom for more than three years, yet have not asked any other nation to risk the life of a single soldier in Ukraine's defense? On the contrary: So advanced is Ukraine's frontline expertise in resisting Russia that its army is now being enlisted by NATO members to instruct their troops. It was announced in April, for example, that teams of Danish soldiers are to be sent to Ukraine for training in drone combat techniques.

President Trump has treated Ukraine with shocking callousness and its valiant president with contempt, even as he has fawned almost endlessly over the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin. So it is hardly surprising that Zelensky didn't notify Trump in advance of the attack and obtain his permission, a fact that some MAGA loyalists seemed to find intolerable. As the leader of a democracy defending itself against an aggressor  and himself against assassination  Zelensky is not obliged to ask anyone but Ukraine's voters for permission to resist.

Trump has falsely accused Kiev of starting the war and even suspended military assistance to Ukraine in a fit of pique after the disastrous Oval Office summit in February. It was during that meeting that the US president  knowing nothing about the secret drone operation Ukraine was planning  angrily berated Zelensky, telling him: "You don't have the cards! You're buried there! Your people are dying!"

In the weeks since then, as National Review's Jim Geraghty observed Monday, Ukraine proceeded to inflict an estimated 41,000 casualties on the Russian military and to disable or destroy another 272 of Russia's tanks, 1,644 of its artillery systems, and 607 of its combat armored vehicles. It has drastically undercut the the threat posed by the Russian navy. And now it has wrecked a major swath of Russia's long-range bomber fleet. Ukraine doesn't have the cards? Oh, yes it does.

Analysts have been insisting for years that Ukraine cannot win this war. Maybe they're right. Maybe the Russian war machine will grind on, and in the end Kiev will be forced to yield up much of its territory and to abandon its hope of full integration with the West. Maybe.

But Ukraine has already achieved far greater success in the face of overwhelming odds than anyone believed possible. Again and again it has not just survived to fight another day but has discovered new ways to shift the military balance against a deceitful, murderous enemy.

Each time Ukraine beats the odds, it is the entire free world that stands taller. After Operation Spiderweb, it should be clearer than ever that there is no legitimate justification to withhold from Ukraine all the tools and diplomatic support we can provide. Because there is no future in which America and the West are better off if Ukraine loses.

Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




GUANGZHOU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- As Wutip, the first typhoon of the year, approaches, southern Chinese provincial regions have activated emergency response measures, evacuated people to safe places, canceled flights and organized rescue teams.

Guangdong Province elevated its emergency response to Level III on Friday morning, and readied 10 rescue vessels and five helicopters with 34 tugboats for 24-hour availability in key waters across the province. More than 49,000 fishing boats have returned to port, with over 10,000 crew members coming ashore for safety.

According to the Guangdong provincial meteorological observatory, the province will see its heaviest rainfall since the beginning of this flood season between Friday and Monday. The observatory has also warned of the risk of tornadoes in some areas of Guangdong from Friday to Sunday.

Water conservancy authorities in Guangdong forecast that rivers will rise by 2 to 6 meters, with some exceeding warning levels. Local governments have deployed 12 rescue teams with a total of 324 members, as well as sufficient disaster relief resources.

On the island province of Hainan, 26,635 people have been evacuated from dilapidated buildings, construction sites, low-lying areas prone to flooding, and regions at risk of flash floods as of noon on Friday.

According to the provincial emergency management headquarters at the same time on Friday, the province is maintaining its Level-III flood control and typhoon emergency response. Seven cities and counties, including Sanya, Danzhou, Baisha and Dongfang, have upgraded their flood control and typhoon emergency response to Level II.

All of the province's 30,721 fishing vessels have either returned to port or taken shelter elsewhere, with over 40,000 people who had been working aboard the vessels having been evacuated ashore.

Wutip intensified into a severe tropical storm at 8 p.m. Thursday. At 4 p.m. Friday, it was located near the coast of Dongfang City, Hainan, with winds reaching up to 108 kilometers per hour and moving northward at speeds of 10 kilometers per hour.

In the early hours of Friday, 12 crew members were rescued from a ship off the coast in Hainan. The evacuees will be taken ashore when weather permits.

All kindergartens, schools, construction sites and tourist attractions in Sanya have been closed. Ships are prohibited from sailing, and Sanya airport has suspended all flights since 10 p.m. Thursday. High-speed rail services across Hainan have been halted, with operations expected to resume on Saturday.

As of noon on Friday, 17 counties and cities in Hainan have suspended classes, nine have suspended work, one has suspended business operations, two have halted transportation, six have suspended flights, and 15 have closed tourist attractions.

The Nanhai Rescue Bureau is monitoring Wutip closely, with seven rescue vessels and four helicopters on standby to respond to emergencies.

It is expected that in the next 24 hours, most villages and townships in 10 counties and cities, including Sanya and Danzhou, will experience heavy precipitation of over 100 millimeters. Among them, some villages and townships in three counties and cities -- Ledong, Dongfang and Changjiang -- will experience heavy precipitation of over 250 millimeters. Five counties and cities have issued red alerts for heavy rains. 
One of the internet's most popular sources for climate science abruptly lost nearly all of its staff, The Guardian reported. The cuts to the government-funded site came as the Trump administration has engaged in sweeping efforts to censor climate science and cut funding for climate research.

What's happening?

Multiple government workers assigned to the Climate.gov website informed The Guardian that their contracts and those of nearly all of their colleagues had not been renewed as expected.

The only workers retained were two web developers, sparking fears that the site, which receives hundreds of thousands of views per month, might not disappear but instead transform into something much worse.

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"My bigger worry, long-term, is I would hate to see it turn into a propaganda website for this administration, because that's not at all what it was," said Tom Di Liberto, a former spokesperson for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency responsible for the Climate.gov site.

Rebecca Lindsey, the website's former program manager, echoed those sentiments, telling The Guardian of the "sinister possibility" that the administration would replace the site's climate science with anti-science propaganda, "leveraging our audience, our brand, our millions of people that we reach on social media every month."

"That's the worst case scenario," Lindsey said.

Why are attacks on climate science important?

For decades, oil, gas, and coal companies  along with their legions of government lobbyists, public-relations experts, and friendly politicians  have led a massive campaign to mislead the public about the devastating impact their products have on the planet, particularly the climate.

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While disagreements about what to do about climate science are understandable, the Trump administration's censorship of climate science represents the latest iteration of its half-century-long crusade to quell public outrage and quash efforts to build a clean-energy future.

Researchers at Columbia Law School put together a comprehensive list of the Trump administration's climate censorship, noting changes to the numerous agency websites, from the Department of Defense to the Department of Energy to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The attacks on climate science have not ended with the censorship of government websites. The version of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" that passed the House of Representatives cut tax credits aimed at encouraging Americans to invest in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient homes.

Perhaps, most significantly, the administration has also taken a hatchet to funding for climate research. In one particularly impactful cut, the administration fired the staff responsible for producing the National Climate Assessment, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. The only entities that truly stand to benefit from all this are oil and gas companies.

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"This assessment is so important because it lets every American know how climate change affects their community  or even their own backyard," Ticora Jones, chief science officer at NRDC, said in a statement.

"Cutting federal climate research won't eliminate threats from intense heat waves, unprecedented hurricanes, and devastating flooding," she added. "It will just make our nation far less able to prepare for them."

What's being done about attacks on climate science?

With the federal government taking an adversarial approach to climate science, renewable energy, and environmental regulation, it will take a team of other actors working in concert to ensure progression toward a clean-energy future.

Those who want to see efforts like these preserved can use their voice by voting for pro-climate candidates and advocating for those in office now to protect these efforts.

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In addition to advocating for political action, you can make a difference by driving an EV, installing solar panels on your home, or filling your yard with native plants.

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.
Editor's note: The story is being updated.

Explosions could be heard across Crimea early on June 13, including in Sevastopol and Simferopol, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported amid Russian claims of Ukrainian drone attacks.

Atesh partisans reported "precise hits" against Russian military facilities near Simferopol.

"Our agents report that due to the negligence of the (Russian) command, valuable equipment was damaged, probably an air defense missile system," the group said on Telegram.

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"There are also losses among the troops," Atesh said, adding that the exact numbers are difficult to establish.

The pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne. Blasts in Yevpatoriia, Saki, Fedosia, and elsewhere were also reported.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones overnight on June 13, including 70 over Crimea and seven over the Black Sea. Russian officials did not comment on possible damage.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the alleged attacks.

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Russia has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, transforming the peninsula into a heavily militarized stronghold to support its war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the peninsula with missiles and drones since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022. Most recently, Ukrainian drones attacked an ammunition depot used by Russia's 126th Coastal Defense Brigade near the village of Perevalne.

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putins war economy heads toward breaking point

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists

Israel asserted the barrage was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon, although experts and the U.S. government have assessed that Iran was not actively working on such a weapon before the strikes.

Iran retaliated by firing waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below. The Israeli military urged civilians, already rattled by the earlier wave of missiles, to head to shelter, as missiles damaged homes and killed two people.

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Iranian missiles strike Israel

Iran launched waves of missiles at Israel late Friday and early Saturday.

A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage; all but one of them had light injuries. Israels Fire and Rescue Services said they were injured when a projectile hit a building in the city.

Hours later, an Iranian missile struck near homes in the central Israeli city of Rishon Lezion, killing two people and injuring 19, according to Israels paramedic service Magen David Adom. Israel's Fire and Rescue service said four homes were severely damaged.

Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday, and an Associated Press reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home.

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Irans semiofficial Tasnim news agency is reporting a fire at Tehrans Mehrabad International Airport, with a video posted on X of a column of smoke and orange flames rising from what the outlet said was the airport.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recorded message Friday: We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed." Irans U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.

Israels paramedic services said 34 people were wounded in the barrage on the Tel Aviv area, including a woman who was critically injured after being trapped under rubble. In Ramat Gan, east of Tel Aviv, an Associated Press journalist saw burned out cars and at least three damaged houses, including one where the front was nearly entirely torn away.

U.S. ground-based air defense systems in the region were helping to shoot down Iranian missiles, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the measures.

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Israel's ongoing airstrikes and intelligence operation and Iran's retaliation raised concerns about all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Israel had long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Irans dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack  plus the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump  created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was informed in advance of the attack.

On Thursday, Iran had been censured by the U.N.s atomic watchdog for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

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Countries in region condemn Israel's attack

Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Iran's request. In a letter to the council, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the killing of its officials and scientists state terrorism" and affirmed his country's right to self-defense.

Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defenses and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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It was not possible to independently confirm the officials' claims.

Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government that reported hearing explosions nearby.

Israel said it struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan, too, and said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.

Israel military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the Natanz facility was significantly damaged and that the operation was still in the beginning.

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Above-ground section of Natanz facility destroyed

U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council that the above-ground section of the Natanz facility was destroyed. He said all the electrical infrastructure and emergency power generators were destroyed, as well as a section of the facility where uranium was enriched up to 60%.

The main centrifuge facility underground did not appear to have been hit, but the loss of power could have damaged the infrastructure there, he said.

The first wave of strikes had given Israel significant freedom of movement in Irans skies, clearing the way for further attacks, according to an Israeli military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss details of the attack with the media.

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The official said Israel is prepared for an operation that could last up to two weeks, but that there was no firm timeline.

Among those killed were three of Irans top military leaders: one who oversaw the entire armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami; and the head of the Guards ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iran confirmed all three deaths, significant blows its governing theocracy that will complicate efforts to retaliate. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

Netanyahu said the attack had been months in the making. In a video statement sent to journalists Friday, he said he ordered plans for the attack last November, soon after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, one of Irans strongest proxies. Netanyahu said the attack was planned for April but was postponed.

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In its first response Friday, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

Israels military said it called up reservists and began stationing troops throughout the country as it braced for further retaliation from Iran or Iranian proxy groups.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to reach a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he wrote.

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On Wednesday, the U.S. pulled some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East. On Friday, the U.S. began shifting military resources in the region, including ships, as Israel prepared for more retaliation, two U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Officials in Washington had cautioned Israel against an attack earlier in the week, so as not to disrupt U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear enrichment program. They stressed Friday that the U.S. had not been involved in the attack, and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

Israel calls attacks preemptive strikes on Irans nuclear program

Israeli leaders cast the attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

"This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but has never acknowledged having such weapons.

Over the past year, Israel has been targeting Irans air defenses, hitting a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery in April 2024 and surface-to-air missile sites and missile manufacturing facilities in October.

Iran says Israel targeted residential areas

For Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now over 20 months old.

There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran is a major threat. But if Iranian reprisals cause heavy Israeli casualties or major disruptions to daily life, public opinion could shift quickly.

The Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah issued a statement that offered condolences and condemned the attack, but did not threaten to join Iran in its retaliation. Hezbollahs latest war with Israel  which killed much of the groups senior leadership  ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November.

Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, said in a statement that Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

___

This story was first published on June 12 and 13, 2025. It was updated on June 18, 2025, to correct the assessment of Irans nuclear program.

___

Lidman and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat and Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran, Iran; Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel; Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Israel; Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Matthew Lee and Eric Tucker in Washington; Bassem Mroue and Abby Sewell in Beirut; Edith Lederer at the United Nations and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.
When state Sen. Mayes Middleton sponsored a bill to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying, he hoped it would end the use of peoples money against their own interests.

For too long, taxpayers and parents own tax dollars have been used to lobby against them in Austin, Middleton said in a statement to The Dallas Express.

Middleton, a Republican, introduced SB 19 in the state Senate in February, aiming to ban public bodies from hiring lobbyists.

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These taxpayer-funded lobbyists have squandered millions of dollars of your hard-earned dollars to lobby against border security, election integrity, parental choice in education, teacher pay raises, and even fought against property tax relief and reform, Middleton said in the statement.

Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare endorsed Middletons proposed ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying in February. Its time for Texas to put a stop to using our tax dollars for special interest lobbying, he posted at the time.

Close to $100 million in public funds is spent each year on taxpayer-funded lobbying, according to Middleton.

Public bodies across Texas spent up to $98.6 million in 2023  up from $75 million in 2021  to hire contract lobbyists, according to a report by the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

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James Quintero, policy director of the groups Taxpayer Protection Project, wrote that these numbers fail to capture the full weight of taxpayer-funded lobbying. He added that local governments also use tax dollars to hire in-house lobbyists and pay membership dues to politically active groups that represent political subdivisions to the legislature.

Quintero wrote that it is more difficult to quantify these kinds of lobbying due to the large volume of information.

The practice of T[axpayer] F[unded] L[obbying] is being utilized by local governments to lobby state government for more government  and in a decidedly leftwing direction, Quintero wrote. It is tantamount to the weaponization of public money against the public interest, for the benefit of a select few.

Groups like the Texas Association of School Boards used school tax dollars to protect men going into girls restrooms and locker rooms, and invited transgender advocates to train school board members on pronouns, Middleton said. In the past, the TASB reportedly helped block school choice.

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The TASB uses taxpayer-funded lobbying, and it spent up to $1.89 million as of the 2024 election season, according to Transparency USA. Since 2015, the group has spent up to $6.8 million. Its advocacy agenda is off-limits to the public.

The TASB denounced efforts to ban lobbying with public money: Prohibiting Local Governments from Lobbying is Community Censorship.

Dallas directed more than $1 million to its internal lobbyists, which support legislation it says protect[s] the rights of all vulnerable communities, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, youth, seniors, and refugees. Fort Worth supports legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Other large cities across Texas also fund lobbyists with public money. Austin uses its public-private team of lobbyists to actively support legislation backed by the city council, like pay-equity, education-equity, housing-equity, and health-equity.

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Houston supports measures strengthening local governments regulatory authority over energy industry participants. San Antonios Government Affairs Department pushes legislation supporting health equity and social justice.

Middletons ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying  backed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick  passed the state Senate in March but ultimately died in the state House.

Before it passed the first chamber, Republican state Sen. Robert Nichols introduced an amendment that gutted the bill. This removed the ban on public dollars for nonprofits that hire lobbyists and created carve-outs for nonprofits. TASB is a nonprofit, so this would have exempted the group from the public lobbying ban.

Time and time again, we have seen taxpayer-funded lobbyists advocate against Texans and against common sense, Middleton said in a statement. We dont need an Austin lobbyist middleman between state and local elected officials. We are elected to represent our constituents directly.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  As Rhode Island lawmakers inch closer to wrapping up their session, no bill is getting more attention than the proposed Assault Weapons Ban Act.

The controversial measure cleared the House for the first time ever last week, but the outlook in the Senate is highly uncertain.

The bill  which has support from a majority of the states senators  would apply to certain weapons, including semiautomatic shotguns, rifles and pistols.

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RELATED: What guns are included in Gov. McKees assault weapons ban?

The final decision on what to do lies with newly elected Senate President Val Lawson.

Were working diligently on the bill, Lawson, D-East Providence, told 12 News in a one-on-one interview Thursday. The bill is currently in the Judiciary Committee. As Ive previously said, I support the bill. Were working with the chairman, members of that committee, to see what we can do to get it across the finish line.

Opponents of the assault weapons ban may have enough votes to kill the bill in the Judiciary Committee. Supporters say thats why they want it moved to a different committee, as Sen. Pamela Lauria tried to do Thursday.

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With 24 sponsors (on the Senates bill), I think its the will of the Senate that this bill come to the floor and have a good debate and have a vote, said Lauria, D-Barrington. Itll win if it comes to the floor.

Laurias effort failed on a close vote of 20 to 17.

In the past, Senate leaders have used their power to move key bills to other committees, or send them straight to the floor for a vote.

Lawson is under pressure to do the same.

When asked whether its something shes considering at this point, Lawson paused for a beat.

There have been rare instances that that has occurred, Lawson said. Right now, were working through the process, as it exists, through the Judiciary Committee.

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What does RIs proposed assault weapons ban mean for current gun owners?

Senate Republicans, who oppose the ban, told 12 News the bill should stay where it is.

Rules are put in play for some innocuous things to get them through both sides and passed into the law, said Sen. Gordon Rogers, R-Foster. Some of these are being abused on very important issues, that will circumvent the real process, of something thats in the constitution and the second amendment.

It has a penal code, which means it has to be heard in Judiciary, said Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz, R-North Smithfield, said. It shouldnt be brought improperly to the floor. We shouldnt circumvent the rules. We should do it the right way.

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If it dies in committee, it dies in committee, Sen. de la Cruz continued, and if it passes, then well vote on the floor.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, with lawmakers poised to finish this years session as soon as the end of next week.

A spokesperson for the Senate told 12 News a date for the bill to be heard by the Judiciary Committee has not yet been set.

Ted Nesi contributed to this report.

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Jun. 12SANTA FE  Three weeks after New Mexico's state auditor ordered a review of Mora County's handling of state disaster relief loan funds, county officials said $2.7 million in unaccounted for money was not embezzled and has been accounted for.

But Mora County officials also acknowledged they've struggled to hire and retain qualified financial staff, and said they're taking steps to improve financial controls.

"Change is coming to Mora County," interim county manager Richard Trujillo said in a statement this week. "We have an obligation to properly account for funds, to move necessary ... wildfire recovery projects forward, and to demonstrate that Mora County will adhere to the highest standards regarding procurement processes, financial accounting practices and transparency."

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State Auditor Joseph Maestas last month ordered a special audit of Mora County to pinpoint what happened with $2.7 million in public funds. Attorney General Raul Torrez also opened an investigation into the issue after being asked by a top state budget official to do so.

The probes come as Mora County is sitting on roughly $41 million in state loans intended to jump-start recovery efforts after the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire, the largest wildfire in modern New Mexico history.

Maestas met with Mora County officials last week and said in a Thursday statement the special audit is set to move forward.

He expressed confidence the outside audit will "address many unanswered questions and set Mora County governance on a path of transparency and the regaining of the public's trust," while adding the $2.7 million in question was never characterized as having been embezzled.

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Mora County officials said this week the county's interim finance director Ruthie Castellon had alerted state officials about the missing funds earlier this year, but recently told county commissioners the money has since been identified. The situation was likened to someone failing to update their checkbook ledger.

In addition, county officials said the $41 million is currently in an investment account overseen by State Treasurer Laura Montoya's office and can be put to use on road repair projects upon Federal Emergency Management Agency approval.

The disaster relief funds that Mora County received stem from 2023 legislation that authorized up to $100 million in no-interest loans for cities and counties impacted by the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak wildfire and subsequent flooding.

The money was intended to be used for road repairs, culvert restoration and fixing other damaged public property. Disaster relief and compensation for damages on private property are covered by a separate FEMA program.
Claim:

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testified to Congress that Republicans voted to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employ participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Rating:

Rating: False

Context:

The rumor appeared to have its origin in an amendment Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove proposed on April 30, 2025, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing discussing budget resolutions for fiscal year 2025. The amendment proposed that the budget "may not be used to hire any personnel who participated in the January 6, 2021, insurrection and attack on the U.S. Capitol" for a role within the Department of Homeland Security. However, the amendment failed in a vote of 15-17.

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U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem allegedly appeared before Congress and testified that Republicans voted to allow the employment of people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, to be employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a rumor that spread on the internet in June 2025.

Users shared the claim across social media platforms, where it was particularly popular on Facebook (archived, archived, archived), X (archived) and Threads (archived).

The posts typically included an image of Noem on a ride along with ICE agents along with the text, "Kristi Noem, head of homeland security, admitted, UNDER OATH, that Republicans voted to allow January 6th rioters to serve in ICE roles. Including the ones who assaulted police officers during the attack."

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The posts also said, "Explains a lot about why ICE officers are wearing masks and refusing to show ID."

The rumor spread on social media following Noem's appearances before various committees to discuss the budget of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which are discussed in further detail below. However, there was no evidence that Noem testified to Congress that Republicans voted to allow Jan. 6 rioters to be employed by ICE, and as a result we've rated the claim that she did false.

Instead, the rumor appeared to have its origin in an amendment Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Ill., proposed on April 30, 2025, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing discussing budget resolutions for fiscal year 2025.

During the hearing, a number of Democratic representatives introduced amendments to limit the ways in which the budget would be allowed to facilitate the operation of ICE.

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Among the presented additions was Kamlager-Dove's amendment that proposed the approved funds "may not be used to hire any personnel who participated in the January 6, 2021, insurrection and attack on the U.S. Capitol, even if such individual was pardoned for a crime associated with their participation in such insurrection and attack."

A full video of the House Judiciary Committee is available to view on YouTube. Kamlager-Dove introduces the amendment in question around 5 hours and 50 minutes in.

However, Kamlager-Dove's amendment failed in a 15-17 vote, with 15 votes of "aye" coming from Democrats and 17 votes of "no" coming from Republicans.

Eight Republicans and four Democrats abstained from voting altogether. It's likely this vote is where the language in the claim that reads, "Republicans voted to allow January 6th rioters to serve in ICE roles" originated  though it remains false that Noem said as much during her appearances before Congress.

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The rumor also made its way into a letter to the editor published in the Arizona Daily Star, which read in part, "Kristi Noem told Congress that they were using Jan. 6 traitors as ICE personnel. They are criminals themselves, racist fascists. I suspected #47 was forming his own secret police. Noem is just a puppet."

Snopes reached out to DHS and ICE for comment on these claims and will update this article should we receive a response. We also attempted to contact the author of the letter but were unsuccessful.

Noem's statements to Congress on DHS budget

In May 2025, Noem appeared at multiple hearings to address the DHS budget for fiscal year 2026.

On May 8, she testified before the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations for the subcommittee hearing, "A Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security."

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The full hearing is available to view on YouTube. It includes no mention of the attack on the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021.

Then, on May 14, Noem appeared before the Homeland Security Committee for the meeting "A New Era of Homeland Security: A Review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security." The full hearing is available to view on YouTube.

The only mention of the Capitol riots occurred around 23 minutes in, when Rep. Bennie Thompson addressed National Police Week  observed May 11 through May 17  in honor of law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. There was no mention of any allegations that Republicans voted to allow ICE to employ Jan. 6 rioters.

Finally, Noem last spoke on the DHS budget before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on May 20. The full committee hearing, "The Department of Homeland Security's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026," is available to view in full on YouTube. Noem made headlines during the same hearing when she was unable to correctly define habeas corpus.

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There was one mention of Jan. 6 during the May 20 hearing, which occurred when Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., addressed alleged civil liberty violations against United States citizens, including an alleged air marshal whose "wife might've been at January 6 or something."

While we cannot definitively say there are no Jan. 6 rioters currently deputized or otherwise working for ICE as of this writing, and Republicans did indeed vote down an amendment intended to prohibit funding being used to hire Jan. 6 rioters for DHS, it is false to say that Noem testified as much to Congress.

Sources:

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syESsfBR5H0. Accessed 6 June 2025.

---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j_ruM9NI38. Accessed 6 June 2025.

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---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW7b7fiwV8s&t=1s. Accessed 6 June 2025.

---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG-KC5eOMcs. Accessed 9 June 2025.

A New Era of Homeland Security: A Review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security  Committee on Homeland Security. https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/a-new-era-of-homeland-security-a-review-of-the-fiscal-year-2026-budget-request-for-the-department-of-homeland-security/. Accessed 6 June 2025.

AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE TO THE COMMITTEE PRINT. https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118180/documents/BILLS-119-xx-K000400-Amdt-15.pdf.

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"Home." National Police Week, https://www.policeweek.org. Accessed 6 June 2025.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Kristi Noem Said Habeas Corpus Gives Trump Right 'to Remove People from This Country.' Here's What It Really Does." Snopes, 21 May 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/kristi-noem-habeas-corpus-trump/.

Norman, Greg. "Federal Air Marshals Surveilled Trump Cabinet Member Gabbard in 2024, Rand Paul Says." Fox News, 20 May 2025, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-air-marshals-surveilled-trump-cabinet-member-gabbard-2024-rand-paul-says.

Testimony, Download. A Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security | United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/a-review-of-the-presidents-fiscal-year-2026-budget-request-for-the-department-of-homeland-security. Accessed 6 June 2025.

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"The Department of Homeland Security's Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026." Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/the-department-of-homeland-securitys-budget-request-for-fiscal-year-2026/. Accessed 6 June 2025.

Vail, David E. Leon. "Letter: Traitors from January 6 Are ICE Officers." Arizona Daily Star, 5 June 2025, https://tucson.com/opinion/letters/article_61b3a6e9-aec5-42a0-833e-7231cc554228.html.

Vote on Kamlager-Dover Amendment (#14) to the Committee Print ADS. https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118180/documents/CRPT-119-JU00-Vote012-20250430.pdf.


Claim:

U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll said: "We talked to an astronaut yesterday who's on the moon, who's a soldier."

Rating:

Rating: Correct Attribution

A rumor that the United States Army has a soldier stationed on the moon orbited social media in mid-June 2025 as a result of a statement allegedly made by U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll.

The statement, shared by users on X (archived), Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived) and Reddit, was: "We talked to an astronaut yesterday who's on the moon, who's a soldier."

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People were quick to share the purported quote, some decrying it as an obvious blunder while others believed Driscoll inadvertently shared confidential intelligence.

The quote about a soldier being stationed on the moon was correctly attributed to Driscoll, who made the comment during a Fox News appearance on June 11, 2025. The segment is available to watch on YouTube (at the 4:00 mark).

Driscoll's remark came in response to a question about the military parade planned for June 14, 2025, when host Brian Kilmeade asked the secretary about allegations that the parade was meant for U.S. President Donald Trump's birthday rather than a celebration of Flag Day and the Army's 250th anniversary.

The exchange began around three minutes into the segment. Driscoll said assertions the parade was celebrating Trump's birthday were "preposterous," adding:

The Army started planning this long in advance because what we believe is this will continue the strength and recruiting and retention that we have as young Americans across the country get to see all of the amazing things that the Army has done, whether it's helping with floods in North Carolina or wildfires in California, or we talked to an astronaut yesterday who's on the moon who's a soldier; including actually going to war and fighting to defend the freedoms that make our nation so great. We think this is going to be an incredible opportunity for the Army to fill up our pipeline for the years to come and I find it offensive that anybody is challenging that.

Kilmeade offered no follow-up question to Driscoll's comment but it appeared the secretary misspoke. There is no evidence that an astronaut is currently stationed on the moon. NASA's website states that only 12 people have ever walked on the moon, while Royal Museums Greenwich in London notes that trips to the moon concluded in 1972.

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However, Driscoll was part of a June 9, 2025, conversation with flight engineer Anne McClain, who is aboard the International Space Station.

According to McClain's biography on the NASA website, she is a U.S. Army colonel and "was selected in June 2013 as one of eight members of the 21st NASA astronaut class." McClain is currently deployed on the ISS as part of NASA Expedition 73, which began on April 19, 2025, and is expected to return in November 2025.

The conversation, which is available to watch on NASA's YouTube page, appeared to be what Driscoll's comment on Fox News was referring to, during which he said "on the moon" instead of, presumably, "in space" or "on the space station."

Snopes reached out to the Army for further clarification on Driscoll's comment. A spokesperson highlighted a post on the secretary's X account featuring the same conversation between Driscoll and McClain, indicating that he slipped up when speaking to Kilmeade.

Sources:

- YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq8EU96vvRE. Accessed 13 June 2025.

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---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41PnKOVp-ow. Accessed 13 June 2025.

Anne C. McClain - NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/people/anne-c-mcclain/. Accessed 13 June 2025.

Expedition 73 - NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/expedition-73/. Accessed 13 June 2025.

Loe, Megan. 'Breaking down Craigslist Ad Seeking Seat Fillers on Day of Trump's DC Parade'. Snopes, 12 June 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/06/12/trump-craigslist-ad-dc-parade/.

'Military Parade to Celebrate the Army's 250th Anniversary Will Be Held on Trump's Birthday'. AP News, 2 May 2025, https://apnews.com/article/trump-army-military-parade-birthday-2f5cd12c8ccd4efddc29bfa3cf8f2705.

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Moonwalkers - NASA Science. 13 Apr. 2023, https://science.nasa.gov/moon/moon-walkers/.

Veterans Invited to Celebrate U.S. Army's 250th Birthday - VA News. 11 June 2025, https://news.va.gov/140639/veterans-celebrate-u-s-armys-250th-birthday/.

Why Did We Stop Going to the Moon? | Royal Museums Greenwich. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/why-did-we-stop-going-moon. Accessed 13 June 2025.
(Reuters) -Many airline services remain disrupted in the Middle East following the 12-day air war between Iran and Israel that ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took hold last week.

Air space closures and safety concerns continue to weigh on airline traffic in the region.

Below are some of the airlines that have cancelled their flights to and from the region:

AEGEAN AIRLINES

The Greek airline will proceed with flight cancellations from and to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman and Erbil up to and including the early morning flight on September 8.

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AIR ARABIA

The UAE low-cost airline is resuming flights to Damascus starting on July 10.

AIRBALTIC

Latvia's airBaltic said that all flights to and from Tel Aviv until September 30 had been cancelled.

AIR CANADA

The Canadian carrier is suspending its flights from Toronto to Dubai until August 4. It had previously postponed resumption of service between Canada and Israel to September 8.

AIR EUROPA

The Spanish airline said that it has cancelled its flights to and from Tel Aviv until July 13. From July 14 to July 31, it will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and from August 1 onwards, it will operate every day of the week except Saturdays.

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AIR FRANCE-KLM

The French flag carrier plans to resume its connections between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tel Aviv from July 7.

The group's Dutch arm KLM said it had cancelled all its flights to and from Tel Aviv until at least July 31.

DELTA AIR LINES

The U.S. carrier said that travel to, from or through Tel Aviv may be impacted between June 12 and August 31.

EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINES

On July 1, the Israeli airline said flights were operating as scheduled, except for a few cancelled flights.

EMIRATES

Emirates said that it had cancelled all flights to and from Tehran through July 5. Operations to Baghdad will recommence on July 1 and to Basra on July 2.

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FINNAIR

The Finnish airline said it was resuming flights to Doha from July 1.

FLYDUBAI

The UAE airline said it had returned to full operations across its network. Flights to Iran, with the exception of Mashhad, remain suspended until July 5.

IAG

IAG-owned British Airways said its flights to Tel Aviv were suspended until July 31.

IAG's low-cost airline, Iberia Express, has cancelled its flights to Tel Aviv until October 25.

ITA AIRWAYS

The Italian Airline said that it would extend the suspension of Tel Aviv flights until July 31, including two flights scheduled on August 1.

JAPAN AIRLINES

The Japanese carrier will resume its operations to Qatar, departing from Tokyo Haneda to Doha on July 2.

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LUFTHANSA GROUP

Lufthansa said that it had suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv and Tehran until and including July 31. Flights to and from Amman are cancelled until and including July 11.

PEGASUS

The Turkish airline said it had cancelled flights to Iran until July 7 and flights to Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan until July 4.

QATAR AIRWAYS

The Qatari carrier will resume flights to Baghdad from June 30, to Erbil from July 1, to Sulaymaniyah and Najaf from July 2, to Basra from July 3 and to Damascus from July 6. It will resume its full schedule to Beirut and Amman from July 1. Flights to Iran remain temporarily suspended.

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RYANAIR

Ryanair said that it had cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv and to and from Amman until October 25.

UNITED AIRLINES

The U.S. carrier said that travel to and from Tel Aviv may be affected between June 13 and August 1. Flights to Dubai between June 18 and July 3 may also be affected.

WIZZ AIR

The Hungarian airline said it had suspended its operations to and from Tel Aviv and Amman until September 15.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; compiled by Agnieszka Olenska, Elviira Luoma and Tiago Brandao, Editing by Matt Scuffham, Alison Williams and Milla Nissi-Prussak)
WINDHAM  At a meeting on Monday, the honorable Andrew J. McDonald, Chair of the Criminal Justice Commission, appointed John F. Fahey as the States Attorney for the Judicial District of Windham.

Fahey, who currently serves as a supervisory assistant states attorney at the Division of Criminal Justice, was appointed by a unanimous commission vote.

The eight-year term will commence on July 1.

On behalf of the Commission, I would like to extend my congratulations to Attorney Fahey on his appointment as States Attorney for the Judicial District of Windham, said Andrew J. McDonald, chair of the Criminal Justice Commission. Attorney Fahey is an accomplished prosecutor, and his experiences as an effective leader, particularly in his supervisory role at the Division of Criminal Justice, have positioned him well to succeed in this role.

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Fahey will succeed Anne F. Mahoney, who has served in the position since May 2016.

Fahey joined the Division of Criminal Justice in 1994 as a deputy assistant states attorney in Harford. He was promoted to the Hartford Judicial District in less than a year and served for 23 years. During this time, he tried numerous cases to verdict, ranging from murder to sexual assault, robbery, arson, assault and weapons violations.

In addition, he served as liaison to the Hartford Shooting Task Force and worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

Fahey was honored in 2014 by the Connecticut Criminal Justice Educational and Charitable Association as the Prosecutor of the Year.

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In 2018, he became the Supervisory Assistant States Attorney of the Cold Case Unit in the Office of the Chief States Attorney. During that time, Fahey led the unit through numerous investigations and prosecutions, utilizing innovative scientific techniques and investigatory grand jury presentations for unsolved crimes.

Fahey graduated from Fairfield University and earned a law degree from Western New England University School of Law.

The position of States Attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in the Judicial District of Windham. The district serves the towns of Windham, Ashford, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Chaplin, Danielson, Eastford, Hampton, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Scotland, Sterling, Thompson and Woodstock.
NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Friday expressed deep concern over the recent developments between Iran and Israel and called for restraint from both sides.

"India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilized to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues. India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support," the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also said it was closely monitoring the evolving situation, urging Indian nationals in both countries to remain cautious and follow security advisories. 
About 50 households in Northern Ireland have received assistance since disorder broke out in Ballymena this week, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has said.

Some 14 families have also been provided with emergency accommodation during the disorder.

The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.

Police said 63 of their officers have been injured over four nights of violence after coming under "sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks".

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Stormont's finance minister will bring a proposal to the executive for additional funding for the PSNI, Michelle O'Neill has said.

The PSNI Chief Constable has repeatedly raised concerns about resources for the force, and did so again on Thursday following several nights of disorder.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was "delighted" that it looks as though the executive would agree a bid of 5m she had submitted to assist the PSNI with the costs of the past week's unrest.

"It's a good start but long-term investment is required."

Police say an attack on a young family in Coleraine could have had "potentially serious consequences" [BBC]

A family with children were moved from a house in Coleraine after they were targeted in a racially motivated arson attack, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

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The PSNI said they received a report at approximately 03:00 BST on Friday of a fire at the rear of a property in the Mount Street area of the town.

They said an oil tank had been set alight, causing damage to the outside of the property and filling the property with smoke.

"A man and woman and their four young children who were inside the house at the time were thankfully able to escape uninjured," a spokesperson said.

NIHE chief executive Grainia Long says she expects to see the number of those seeking help to rise. [BBC]

NIHE chief executive Grainia Long said she expects the number of people seeking help to rise, adding that demand for emergency and temporary accommodation is extremely high.

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Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Ms Long described the last week as "extraordinary", saying there is an "unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home".

"Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond."

"We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them."

Grania Long said the NIHE are "worried about households vulnerable to exploitation, particularly those with children" [PA Media]

While demand for temporary housing is on the rise, Ms Long said the availability of appropriate housing is an issue.

"We don't have any contingency or additional accommodation," she said.

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"We are working to make sure we have the right numbers of temporary accommodation."

She added that NIHE staff "have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety", as well as "working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety".

Ms Long told BBC News NI that she is "worried about households that we may lose contact with, those who may be vulnerable to exploitation, particularly those with children".

Ballymena 'calm' but trouble elsewhere

The violence continued into a fourth night in Northern Ireland [Reuters]

There has been disorder in Northern Ireland for four nights in a row, with a lower level seen on Thursday than earlier in the week.

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Police said that in some instances families hid in attics and wardrobes during the disorder.

In east Belfast, police said bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses on Avoniel Road in a racially motivated attack.

A small fire was lit at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey, and reports of anti-immigration "hate graffiti" are being investigated in Newtownards.

During the first three days of violence, 41 officers were injured and 15 people arrested.

On Thursday evening, about 100 people attended an anti-racism protest in west Belfast.

Carol Topping says she was "scared" when she heard about the protest in Portadown [BBC]

Carol Topping, who is from the Philippines, works in a hospital and had to leave early when she heard about the protest.

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She said she stayed at home out of fear during the unrest in Portadown.

She said: "It's nice to live here. People are nice." But added that on Thursday night, "People were not... thinking straight".

"I was thinking whenever they see people from other [countries] they'll just go mad and I don't want to experience that."

Deimantas Zakevicius, from Lithuania, says he was "worried" when he saw people throwing rocks at police [BBC]

Deimantas Zakevicius, from Lithuania, has lived in Northern Ireland for five years.

After returning home from work, Deimantas started to hear alarms and looked out of the window to see police in riot gear on one side of the street and people, on the other side throwing rocks.

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"It was something out of a movie," Deimantas said.

He said he was "worried" but started to feel "safe" when police began pushing the rioters back.

Deimantas said his neighbours are friendly and Portadown is a nice place to live but he and others were "unsettled" by events on Thursday.

63 police officers have been injured in the violence [Reuters]

There is no "crisis" of relations within the executive despite calls for the DUP minister Gordon Lyons to resign over his comments about recent trouble in Northern Ireland, the first minister has said.

Michelle O'Neill had accused Mr Lyons of "inflaming tensions" following his social media post about the location of migrant families who fled their homes earlier this week.

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Lyons, Stormont's housing minister, said he had no intention of resigning and that he had been subject to a "political pile-on".

Speaking at the British-Irish Council on Friday, O'Neill said she stood over her comments, but insisted Sinn Fein and the DUP could "still get on with governance".

Sinn Fein, Alliance and the Green Party had all called on the minister to consider his position on Thursday.

Health professionals speak out

Meanwhile, senior health professionals in Northern Ireland have issued a joint statement saying the "appalling and violent scenes of recent days are nothing short of shameful".

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"We know there will be many of our international colleagues within the committed and dedicated health and social care and independent sector workforce who will be distressed by what has unfolded," the statement adds.

"We know that, less than a year after similar scenes on our streets last summer, you are once again left feeling frightened and anxious.

"But please know this: You are welcome, you are deeply valued, and you have our full support. We are the better for your presence here."
There was disorder in Northern Ireland for the fourth night in a row but at a lower level than seen earlier this week.

In Portadown, County Armagh, on Thursday a crowd pulled bricks and masonry from a derelict building which they threw at police.

During the first three days of violence, which began in Ballymena, 41 officers were injured. Fifteen people have been arrested so far.

The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.

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In Portadown, police put out a warning on loudspeakers that they would fire baton rounds if the crowd did not disperse.

There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown where around 400 protesters gathered on Thursday evening.

Police extinguished a fire in Portadown on Thursday night [Reuters]

More than 20 police vehicles were parked along the main street and officers in riot gear blocked a number of roads.

There was a peaceful protest earlier in the town but some disturbances developed, with masonry, including an empty beer keg, being thrown at police.

A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre and officers had to extinguish a number of fires.

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Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Jonathan Buckley called for "calm".

He said: "Nobody wants to see violence on our streets no matter where they come from in Northern Ireland. The scenes over the past few days have been disturbing."

Earlier, a housing association warned its residents to leave their homes and take measures to protect their properties ahead of the protest.

There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown [BBC]

Meanwhile in Ballymena, there was also a police presence, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area, with a number of landrovers parked at locations where there had previously been trouble.

However, after three nights of violent disorder, the rioters stayed away.

An anti-racism protest in west Belfast [BBC]

On Thursday evening, around 100 people turned up at an anti-racism protest in west Belfast. Members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) trade union and representatives from People Before Profit addressed the crowd.

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A number of people wearing black face coverings were also present.

It passed off peacefully.

'Families hid in attics'

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable said families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena this week.

Jon Boutcher described the violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism".

Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong".

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He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland.

"These bigots and racists will not win the day."

Analysis: BBC News NI communities correspondent Mark Simpson reporting from Portadown

The scale of the police operation in Portadown town centre showed how worried the PSNI were about an outbreak of full-scale violence.

There were officers and vehicles on every street corner, with a helicopter and a drone keeping watch from above.

For many newcomer families in the town, it was an evening of trepidation, and some left their homes for the night.

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It may be summer and it may be 2025, but it felt like a dark day from Northern Ireland's past as Portadown was filled with fear.

The Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says "Don't come out onto the streets tonight" [PA Media]

The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court.

They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.

Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged, there was "a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction".

"We will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added.

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Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop.

"She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said.

Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement.

Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction.

Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned there would be prosecutions.

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"Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.

"We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them."

He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances".

Jody Esguerra has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay [BBC]

Jody Esguerra is an outreach worker for the Filipino community and has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay.

He said he received reports of a family that was "stuck inside" their home with "mobs and protesters" trying to enter, while "smashing the windows and throwing projectiles".

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"They're scared for their lives", he said, and added that they don't feel "welcome" anymore.

He said the family "didn't expect any of this to happen".

They were woken up by "loud noises" and realised people were "throwing rocks at their door and all tried to hide".

The Social Democrat and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna described the scenes in Ballymena over the past few days as "dystopian".

"It was one of the most disturbing things I've seen in this very, very challenged place," she said.

The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained" [BBC]

Mukesh Sharma, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "This violence is racism  pure and simple."

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He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that it is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities".

"This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained."

On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected.

Police Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements.

In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday.

The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said.

There have also been incidents in Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey.

Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest" [BBC]

Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, was at the facility when the attacks took place.

She took the decision to cancel swimming lessons after spotting four masked men near the centre.

The 25-year-old said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting.

"It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence."

In a statement, a council spokesperson said they were "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed".






NEED TO KNOW

Mariam Ali Syed, her husband Javed, and their two children, Zayn, 5, and Amani, 4, were among the 242 people on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 12, according to Syed's sister-in-law, Yasmine Hassan

She accused the U.K. Foreign Office of a lack of assistance to relatives of the 53 U.K. nationals who were on the plane

Her family wants to travel to India, where the London-bound plane took off from when it crashed shortly after takeoff







Relatives have confirmed a British family of four died on the doomed Air India flight as they slam the British Foreign Office for their lack of support.

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Mariam Ali Syed, her husband Javed, and their two children, Zayn, 5, and Amani, 4, were among the 242 people on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London when it crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday, June 12  Yasmine Hassan, Syed's sister-in-law, told The Telegraph.

She said Syed, 44, and her family were returning from a vacation in India, adding that Syed worked for the London department store Harrods.

But Hassan alleged the British Foreign Office has not extended support to the victims families, saying there were 53 British nationals on the flight.

Hassan also told the British newspaper that Sadaf Javed, Syeds older sister, who resides in London, wants to go to Ahmedabad but received no assistance from the Foreign Office.

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My sister-in-law, who is one of the passengers actual sisters, is saying, I need to get to India. I need to get there as soon as possible. I need to bring my babies home, Hassan said, according to The Telegraph.

On Thursday, Air India announced that it has established friends and relatives assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Gatwick airports to provide support and take care of the needs of the families and loved ones of those on flight AI171.

Rafiq Maqbool/AP Kalpeshbhai Patni, center, whose 14-year-old brother was killed when an Air India plane crashed into a neighborhood, wails outside the autopsy room of a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025 Kalpeshbhai Patni, center, whose 14-year-old brother was killed when an Air India plane crashed into a neighborhood, wails outside the autopsy room of a hospital in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025

These centres are facilitating the travel of family members to Ahmedabad, the airline s statement continued.

Hassan told The Telegraph that the British Foreign Office has not offered anything similar as far as flying relatives to Ahmedabad.

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I called the UK Foreign Office to say, Weve checked online and we can see that Air India has arranged two flights to help people from other parts of India get to Ahmedabad to be with their families. Is the UK doing anything like that?  Hassan recalls.

Hassan was told by someone at the Foreign Office that they were unaware of that.

So then I asked, Is there anyone I can speak to? Someone who might know if theyre waiving visa requirements or offering fast-track visas, or if any emergency flights are being put on? Again, she just said, No,  Hassan added.

She told The Telegraph that she understands the lack of answers from British government officials, realizing that these situations take time. But she said she is angry by the apparent lack of support from the government.

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We really think people need to know that weve had no support  and theyre British citizens. Yet no one from the Government has contacted us to ask, Can we do anything to help?  Hassan said.

PEOPLE contacted the British Foreign Office on Friday, June 13, for comment. In a statement shared with The Telegraph, a spokesperson from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said, Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragic plane crash in India  this is an unfolding situation, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern.

FCDO staff are working urgently with local authorities in India and the UK to ensure families and friends are supported in the coming days, whether in the UK or in India, the statement continued.

Meanwhile, about 200 relatives of the crash victims have offered DNA samples at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital as part of the identification process, CNN and The New York Times reported.

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Among the relatives faced with donating a DNA sample was Sangeeta Gauswami, who saw her 19-year-old son, Sanket, off on the plane for London.

We have had no news, Gauswami said, according to CNN. We keep asking but no one will tell us.

Among the other 242 victims from the flight include two doctors and their children and the planes captain and first officer, and a couple who shared an Instagram video before boarding the plane.

Only one person, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British man, survived the crash.



Read the original article on People
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  George E. Weems Memorial Hospital welcomed back one of its most famous patients on Thursday.

On June 8, 2000, Judy Bresnan went into unexpected labor while vacationing in Franklin County.

The closest major hospitals to Apalachicola are either in Panama City or Tallahassee, but it quickly became clear they would not make the hour-and-a-half drive in either direction. So, despite not offering labor and delivery services, Weems Memorial Hospital took them in.

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There happened to be one labor and delivery nurse on staff that day.

Florida Attorney General holds news conference in Bay County

It was gods gift that she was here that day. And this place was here because we couldnt have made it, Judy said.

Despite being almost two months premature, Lexi Bresnan was born.

Lexi celebrated her 25th birthday and a reunion with hospital staff on Thursday.

Im just so happy to be here and so thankful that this was here when we needed it, Lexi said.

Rural hospitals are the focal point of creating access to care. Many times, our patients, you know, like Lexi and her mom, cant get to a bigger hospital, you know, for emergencies. And so, they come here and were that step of care here, and with our other larger hospitals. And so rural hospitals are very important, George E. Weems Memorial Hospital CEO David Walker said. I always like to say were more than a hospital; were a family.

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To give back, the Bresnans donated a fetal heart rate monitor to Weems, a tool that wasnt available during Lexis birth.

However, they also gave something meaningful to the area, a dedication.

After her birth, Lexi and Judy were taken to Ascension Sacred Heart in Bay County.

Thats where Lexi was given the middle name, Bay, as a tribute to the county and Apalachicola Bay.

We had to have something that connected her to here, and I just love her middle name. I just love it because every time I think about her middle name, it just reminds me of Apalachicola, St. George, and Panama City, even, Judy said.

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Since her birth, theyve come back to St. George Island every year.

Temporary road closures announced for Walton County due to erosion issues

It was the place of her engagement, and now Lexi is planning her wedding there.

I want all of the people in my life that havent experienced St. George to experience what I love about it and the peace and the relaxation, and Im just excited to be able to continuously say that my story is a part of St. Georges and a part of Apalachicolas, Lexi said.

About a month ago, the hospital completed specialized OB training from the University of South Florida. It further enhances its ability to handle complex medical scenarios.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Family spoke for the first time this week about two YouTubers gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip after what police called an ongoing social media feud.

He wanted always to be the funniest person in the room, Gracie Kennedy said.

Livestream viewers flood 911 to report Las Vegas Strip shooting: We watch these two guys live all the time

Kennedy shared what she loved about her son, Rodney Finley, during an interview with 8 News Nows sister station, KPHO.

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He just started the page, and it just blew up, Kennedy said. He had no idea it was going to blow up like that.

Rodney Finley, 44, and his wife, Tanisha Finley, 43, were gunned down in front of the Bellagio fountains Sunday night. The shooting was caught on their Finny Da Legend livestream.

Video shows suspect in Las Vegas Strip double murder turning self in

Kennedy told KPHO she was watching it all happen from her home in Phoenix.

I called him, he said, mom I cant talk to you right now because Im live streaming, she said. And then I heard the shots and then I heard some more shots and the phone dropped.

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Fellow streamer Manuel Ruiz, known as Sin City Manny online, who faces two murder charges in the case, appeared in court Thursday.

Ruiz told police after he was arrested that he shot both people in self defense, because they thought they were going to shoot him, according to arrest documents.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson disputed that claim during a news conference Thursday.

I think its probably garbage. Theres no indication from any of the evidence at all that self-defense would be a viable defense, Wolfson said. No weapons were found near the victims or on the victims, and the motivation is pretty clear.

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Wolfson also said prosecutors will consider seeking the death penalty for Ruiz.

This is a case involving the death of two innocent people, Wolfson said. Whenever we have a situation where two people are killed needlessly, senselessly, its always an option.

Kennedy also addressed the alleged feud between Ruiz and Finley.

I told my son I said, come on, this is getting too far, Kennedy said. Calm it down, calm it down.

She added that she wished things hadnt escalated to violence.

He said, I hope your mom has a black dress, Kennedy said. Because, Im going to kill you.

Two of the multiple people who called 911 after the shooting happened identified themselves as Rodney Finleys son and Tanisha Finleys mother. Both said they were watching the livestream from Phoenix.

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Ruiz is due to appear back in court on July 3.

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A family from Leicester say they are waiting for news about a loved one who was thought to have been on a plane that crashed in India.

More than 240 people were killed on Thursday when a Boeing 787 bound for Gatwick crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad.

Faizan Rafik, 25, from the Belgrave area of the city, was believed to have been on the flight after visiting India for a week to celebrate Eid with his wife.

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His brother Farhan Rafik, 22, said the family was still hoping to receive a call from him.

Farhan said: "We are all hoping he will come back, we are still hoping that from somewhere he will pick up our call and say 'I am alive and I am safe', but we are still waiting for that call."

Farhan Rafik, 22, said the family was waiting to hear news about his brother Faizan [BBC]

The 22-year-old from Leicester said he and Faizan were "always together" and added people would "feel great" in his company.

He added Faizan dedicated time to charity work and was "respectful" of everyone.

There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian on the flight when it crashed.

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Vishwashkumar Ramesh, also from Leicester, was the sole survivor and escaped the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage.

Live coverage of the crash aftermath

Messages deliver, bodies missing: Clinging to hope after Air India crash

What we know so far about Air India flight AI171?

What could have caused Air India plane to crash in 30 seconds?

Leicester Council of Faiths said it was "shocked" and "saddened" by the plane crash.

A spokesperson said: "With reports of casualties from the local area and the sole survivor from Leicester, and with Leicester's diverse communities having deep connections to India, this tragedy has affected many here.

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"We stand together in grief and in mourning for those who have lost their lives."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

More on this story
Far-right groups are humming with talk of potential violence ahead of massive No Kings Day demonstrations that are expected to attract millions of protesters Saturday, according to The Wall Street Journal.

In a Telegram channel used by groups affiliated with the Proud Boys, a violent white nationalist group, users have sent posts promoting violence.

Shoot a couple, the rest will go home. I promise, said one meme, featuring a photograph of Kevin Costners character in The Highwaymen, a 2019 film about Texas rangers tracking down Bonnie and Clyde, holding a shotgun.

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HANG THE TRAITORS, EXPEL THE INVADERS, said another post.

Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, told the Journal that the posts were alarming as they might inspire one to get off the couch, pick up a gun and go out to one of these cities.

Donald Trump has actively empowered far-right paramilitary groups by pardoning their leaders for crimes related to the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, including Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio. Upon release from his 22-year prison sentence, Tarrio vowed retribution.

Earlier this month, a coalition of Proud Boys leaders filed to sue the federal government for $100 millionplus 6 percent interestalleging that, in light of their pardons, their arrests and various charges had violated their constitutional rights.

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Rallies opposing Trumps agenda are expected at roughly 2,000 locations across the country Saturday, according to the No Kings Day map. The demonstrations are a planned opposition to the massive military parade planned on the Armys 250th anniversary (and also Trumps birthday) in Washington, D.C.

Trump has previously said that any protesters at his precious parade would be met with very heavy force.
By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) -The main dissident faction of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group on Friday denied responsibility for an attack last weekend on Senator Miguel Uribe, after the government suggested the group was involved.

Uribe, 39, a potential presidential candidate, was shot in Bogota on Saturday during a rally and remains hospitalized in a critical condition.

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The shooting, which was caught on video, has unnerved the nation which saw a streak of candidates assassinated in the 1980s and 1990s.

A 15-year-old suspect is in custody. In a video of the teen's capture, independently verified by Reuters, he can be heard shouting that he had been hired by a local drug dealer.

"The units of the FARC-EP did not plan, order, or execute any action against the politician in question," the armed group said in a statement.

President Gustavo Petro's government had floated a connection between the shooting in the capital and a string of bomb attacks in the southwest on Tuesday, which left seven dead and dozens wounded.

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The army and police had said the FARC splinter group was likely responsible for the bombings - some of which targeted police stations - as part of its ongoing anti-government offensive.

The FARC statement did not address those allegations. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack on Uribe, Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo said on Friday.

She said he was accused of planning logistics for the attack, providing the gun to the teenager and being in the vehicle where the shooter changed his clothes after the attack.

She did not outline a potential motive. Investigators earlier this week had said they were exploring several lines of inquiry into the attack on the senator, a member of the opposition right-wing Democratic Center party.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Alison Williams)
Serbia's raspberry farmers are facing a tough season after unexpected snowfall hit the country's main growing regions in mid-May. The late-season snow blanketed raspberry plantations just weeks before harvest time, adding to crop damage that already started with April frost events, reported Fresh Plaza.

What happened?

On May 16, southern Serbia, home to most of the country's raspberry production, experienced surprising snowfall that covered farms.

Social media filled with photos and videos showing raspberry plants buried under snow during what should have been their final growing period before harvest.

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Serbia ranks among the world's top exporters of frozen raspberries and typically starts delivering early-season berries to European markets by mid-June. While some greenhouse crops protected by plastic covers have begun harvesting, the snow threatens open-field crops developing fruit.

The damage comes on top of April frost events that already hurt up to 50% of the potential raspberry yield. Some farmers now worry about losing their entire crop.

"While some damage assessments may be emotional given the circumstances, it is clear that the snowfall will significantly affect the outlook for the frozen berry market," noted Andriy Yarmak, an economist with the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Why is this crop damage concerning?

When weather damages major fruit-producing regions, it creates ripple effects that reach your grocery store. Serbian raspberries supply European markets with frozen berries used in everything from smoothies to baked goods.

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Crop losses in key producing countries drive up prices for consumers who rely on affordable frozen fruit for healthy eating. Weather-related farming challenges are becoming more common across Europe. Similar problems hit Moldova, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania this season.

For farming communities, these losses threaten livelihoods built over generations. Serbian raspberry farmers depend on consistent harvests to support their families and local economies.

The pattern of unexpected weather events disrupting food production shows how our changing climate affects the stability of food supplies that communities count on.

Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

What's being done about crop damage?

Countries across Europe are working on strategies to help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather patterns. Some growers invest in protective structures like greenhouses and frost protection systems that shield crops during unexpected cold snaps.

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To support farming communities affected by weather damage, buy from local farmers' markets when possible and reduce food waste at home. Planning meals carefully and using frozen fruits fully helps make the most of available harvests.

You can also support policy changes that help farmers access weather protection technology and crop insurance programs. These minor adjustments create more resilient food systems while helping communities adapt to changing conditions.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Dallas police are investigating a fatal shooting on Thursday evening that left a 28-year-old man dead in southeast Dallas.

Alejandro Lopez was shot around 5:10 p.m. in the 10200 block of Budtime Lane and later died at a hospital.

Investigators have released few details about potential suspects or motives.

Officers responded to the shooting call and found Lopez at the scene. Dallas Fire-Rescue transported him to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Detective A. Thayer is leading the investigation under case number 083769-2025. Police have not announced any arrests or identified possible suspects in the case.

Anyone with information should contact Thayer at 214-671-3657 or adam.thayer@dallaspolice.gov. The detective can also be reached directly through the departments main line.

Witnesses often prove crucial in solving homicide cases. Even seemingly minor details may help investigators piece together what happened on Budtime Lane.
Guests discuss at a media salon held at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, in Tokyo, Japan, June 12, 2025. Around 130 representatives from the media and cultural industries of China and Japan have gathered at the media salon, focusing on the role of media in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)

TOKYO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Around 130 representatives from the media and cultural industries of China and Japan have gathered at a media salon at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, focusing on the role of media in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Two panel discussions were held on Thursday under the themes "The Responsibility of Media in China-Japan Cultural Exchange" and "Cooperation in Content and Cultural Industries."

Media professionals from both countries emphasized the importance of maintaining objectivity, fairness, and rationality in the face of a complex media landscape.

They advocated for more diverse reporting, face-to-face interactions, and on-site interviews to foster mutual understanding and accurately portray the diversity of both societies.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao highlighted the frequent coverage of China in Japanese media, reflecting strong interest in China and bilateral relations.

He stressed the critical role of media in improving mutual understanding and called on both sides to promote constructive and evolving perceptions.

Ambassador Wu also encouraged deeper engagement in cultural exchange and exploration of shared values and resources to advance a mutually beneficial relationship.

Shiro Nakamura, head of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, noted the long history of media exchanges between the two countries and their important role in fostering mutual understanding.

He underscored the increasing responsibilities of media in today's complex information environment and called for enhanced communication and respect to help improve and develop China-Japan relations. 

Shiro Nakamura, head of the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association, speaks at a media salon held at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, in Tokyo, Japan, June 12, 2025. Around 130 representatives from the media and cultural industries of China and Japan have gathered at the media salon, focusing on the role of media in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao speaks at a media salon held at the Chinese Embassy in Japan, in Tokyo, Japan, June 12, 2025. Around 130 representatives from the media and cultural industries of China and Japan have gathered at the media salon, focusing on the role of media in promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)






NEED TO KNOW

A Florida man's muscle spasms seemed harmless at first, but eventually progressed and led to a devastating diagnosis

Andres Albaladejo was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2023

His wife Carmen has become his primary caretaker at home and has been documenting the family's journey on TikTok







When a Florida man first noticed muscle spasms in one of his arms, he wasnt immediately concerned that it could be a symptom of something more serious.

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Andres Albaladejo, 41, and his wife Carmen told the Daily Mail that they first noticed the twitching in his left arm around April 2023.

It was bizarre. I asked if he could feel it, if he was doing anything to make it twitch, but he said no, she said.

The spasms progressed for Albaladejo and he soon experienced arm weakness, difficulty gripping things, and high blood pressure, Newsweek reported. Within months, doctors diagnosed him with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease, a condition that causes progressive loss of muscle control.

I was heartbroken when I heard the news, like my life was being taken from me piece by piece  I still have so much of me to give, he told DM.

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"Hearing the diagnosis was devastating, we were in complete shock, Carmen said to Newsweek. Sitting in that doctor's office, the weight of it all hit us at once. We broke down in tears. It was one of the hardest moments of our lives, filled with fear, sorrow, and so many unanswered questions.

Getty Physical therapy (stock photo). Physical therapy (stock photo).

ALS symptoms can include difficulty walking, tripping, and slurred speech, among others, and it often first appears in the hands, feet, arms, or legs, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no cure, but medical treatment can slow the disease's progress.

Life changed in an instant for Albaladejo, who used to work as a school resource officer, and he worried about his familys future, including his 11-year-old daughter Sophia. He was 39 years old when he received the diagnosis in late 2023, according to Newsweek.

I'm angry that I won't be here to see my little girl grow into the smart, kind, and beautiful woman I know she will be. I think that hurts the most, Albaladejo said. Instead, she has to watch me fall apart in front of her eyes.

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But he wants to leave a legacy she can be proud of. I just hope that throughout all of this, my daughter still sees me as her hero, as I face this disease with determination and strength, he added.

Daily life in Tampa has shifted drastically for the couple, who started dating when they were teenagers.

In eight months, our lives completely changed. We thought it was nerve compression, and now Albaladejo has a terminal illness with a prognosis of two to five years, Carmen told the Daily Mail.

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.

Per Newsweek, Albaladejo relies on a wheelchair to get around and Carmen has become her husbands primary caregiver.

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"To see someone go from being completely independent to nearly fully dependent in under two years is truly heartbreaking," she told Newsweek.

Carmen has been documenting the familys journey on TikTok and Albaladejos sister started a GoFundMe that has already raised more than $26,000.

Its a cruel condition that robs a person of their vitality, strength and mobility, Carmen wrote online in 2024. Its been a rough year for us and even through it all, we still do what we can to just live life every day.

Although theres no cure, the Albaladejo family is pressing forward as best they can.

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At this point, we are getting our affairs in order, as we cannot see any promising treatments we can afford, Carmen told the Daily Mail. We are trying to stay strong and make the best out of our situation.

Read the original article on People
On the first Fathers Day since losing his 17-year-old son, Kenneth Collier Sr. said he plans to surround himself with family and love on what he knows will be a difficult day.

Kenns mom was murdered when he was 10, so after that I was raising him as a single dad, Collier said about his son, Kenneth Collier Jr. We started to advocate against gun violence. We spoke together, we did a lot.

And then for it to happen to my son, you know its hard, its really hard to process, you know, but Im dealing with it though.

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Kenn Jr. was shot and killed at an Austell apartment complex on Jan. 9, two months later a Cobb County grand jury indicted a 17-year-old and a 25-year-old on seven felony charges, including murder and aggravated assault.

Anybody that knew Kenn knew he was an outgoing, outspoken person, said Kenneth Collier Sr. about his son. (Courtesy of Kenneth Collier Sr.)

In the weeks following, Collier founded Futures Without Fear to formalize the gun advocacy work that he began with his son. This Saturday, the group will host its summer kick-off rally in Adair Park with music, games, and activities for kids, and also to provide a space for necessary community conversations about gun violence.

Im pretty sure this weekend is gonna be a tough time for me, but one of the things thats been helping me with my healing is being around other kids and other people that look just like my son, so when I see them I can see my son, Collier said.

Managing his grief while also being there for his fiancee, daughter, and stepson, who are also grieving, hasnt been an easy process.

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Its tough because Im also trying to work through my feelings and my emotions, he said. Weve been doing the counseling as a family and just trying to hang together and spend more time together.

Collier said he wants people to know what a special kid his son was and the impact he had during his short time on earth.

Kenneth Collier Sr. with his fiancee, daughter, son and stepson. (Courtesy of Kenneth Collier Sr.)

Anybody that knew Kenn knew he was an outgoing, outspoken person. He loved to perform. He loved to speak on stages, he said. After his mom was murdered on his 10th birthday, he was able to channel a lot of that anger and emotion in a different way that came out in his music and his writing,

When he was 11, Kenn Jr. published a kids book called Button Buddy Stops Bullying And So Can You.

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He became a bully after his mom passed, getting upset at school, getting angry, getting in trouble, and he didnt know how to process those feelings. So he wrote a book.

Sunday, he plans to spend time with his fiancee, daughter, and stepson as they all process the grief Kenn Jrs death caused.

Jimmy Hill is committed to making sure the killers of both his sons, Curtis Jordan and Jimmy Atchison, face justice for their actions. (Courtesy of Jimmy Hill)

For Jimmy Hill, he will spend his 13th Fathers Day missing a child. In 2012, his 15-year-old son Curtis Jordan was murdered by two men who are now serving life in prison. Seven years later, his 21-year-old son Jimmy Atchison was shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer while unarmed.

Its [going to] be difficult after the news I just got about the dismissal, Hill told Capital B Atlanta in reference to the federal judge who dropped the murder, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter and violation of oath charges against the officer last week.

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I go by the graves of both my sons, Curtis and Jimmy, to put flowers down and spend time with my other children, Hill said of his annual Fathers Day routine. The Georgia NAACP has since started a petition to get Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to appeal the judges decision.

On Saturday, he plans to catch the end of the Juneteenth Parade at Piedmont Park, but otherwise Hill said he plans to have a chill Fathers Day at home because he is using a wheelchair right now since breaking an ankle.

Jimmy Hill credited his uncles with showing him the finer points of being a father. (Courtesy of Jimmy Hill)

He also has nine other children  eight girls and one boy  ranging in age from 20 to 41. Raised by a single mother, Hill said he does his best to always be there for his kids, who all live nearby in Atlanta or Decatur.

You know, I had to learn how to be a father. We can be dads and sometimes think money will take care of everything. But kids want time. Kids want your love, kids want to know you care. And thats what I had to learn how to do, he said.

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He credited his uncles, who helped raise him in the absence of his own father, with showing him how making time to go to games and events can sometimes be more important than money.

Thats whats going on with a lot of Black men today. We have to take the time out and learn how to be fathers. I dont care how old you get, theres always something to learn.

The post What Fathers Day Is Like When Youve Lost Your Son appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Coast Guard rescued a father and son 34 miles southeast of Virginia Beach Thursday morning.

30-year-old Jeffery Hudson was rescued alongside his father 60-year-old Robert Hudson after their sporting boat began to take on water, causing the boat to sink.

At 9:07 a.m. Thursday, Coast Guard Sector Virginia Command Center watchstanders received a distress call from the crew of the 57-foot sport fisher boat Turn Me Loose, reporting their vessel was sinking and they were abandoning ship into their life raft.

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The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) which led to the dispatch of a 45-foot Response Boat (Coast Guard Station Little Creek), a Jayhawk helicopter crew (Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60), and patrol (USCGC Pompano WPD 87339). The crew of USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759) and Virginia Beach Fire Boat 12 also responded after hearing the UMIB.

Two men are rescued by the USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759) crew, June 12, 2025 from a life raft after their 57-foot sport fisher vessel, Turn Me Loose, sank 34 miles southeast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The father and son activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which allowed rescue crews to pinpoint their location and safely recover them. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of USCGC Calhoun)

Two men are rescued by the crew of the USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759) and Coast Guard Station Little Creek, June 12, 2025 from a life raft after their 57-foot sport fisher vessel, Turn Me Loose, sank 34 miles southeast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The father and son activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which allowed rescue crews to pinpoint their location and safely recover them. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of USCGC Calhoun)

Two men are rescued by the USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759) crew, June 12, 2025 from a life raft after their 57-foot sport fisher vessel, Turn Me Loose, sank 34 miles southeast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The father and son activated their Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which allowed rescue crews to pinpoint their location and safely recover them. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City)

The Coast Guard was able to pinpoint the location with the boaters help.

At 10:03 a.m., the Calhoun crew and a rescue helicopter arrived on scene to find the two men in a life raft. The Calhoun crew brought the men to safety and determined neither had any injuries.

The men were ultimately brought to Virginia Beach Fire Boat 12, where they were reunited with their family.

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This successful rescue highlights the importance of preparedness and the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between multiple agencies and assets, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Butierries, Sector Virginia command duty officer. The quick response and the mariners preparedness significantly contributed to the rescue.

The Turn Me Loose remains partially submerged approximately 30 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The Coast Guard has issued a broadcast notice to advise mariners to avoid the submerged object.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Frederick Community College Board of Trustees extended the term of President Annesa Payne Cheek on Wednesday.

Cheeks presidency at Frederick Community College was extended for four years, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029.

Prior to voting on Cheeks employment, the Board of Trustees called for a closed session, under the Maryland Open Meetings Act, to discuss the terms of Cheeks contract.

The board then returned to public session to approve the extension of Cheeks contract and to ratify her amended employment agreement, respectively.

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Both items were approved unanimously.

I feel like I have a pretty extraordinary team, Cheek told the board following their vote. I cannot do anything without the right people in the right seats.

Cheek began her tenure as president of FCC in July 2022. She was selected as the colleges 11th president in February 2022 after a six-month national search process.

Prior to becoming president of FCC, Cheek served as president of St. Cloud Technical & Community College in Minnesota from 2018 to 2022 and previously held administrative positions at Sinclair Community College in Ohio for 12 years.

I enjoy the people that I work with, Cheek said at the conclusion of the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday. I look forward to leading and learning with them.
BALTIMORE (AP)  A federal judge has blocked the terminations of three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission after they were fired by President Donald Trump in his effort to assert more power over independent federal agencies.

The commission helps protect consumers from dangerous products by issuing recalls, suing errant companies and more. Trump announced last month his decision to fire the three Democrats on the five-member commission. They were serving seven-year terms after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

After suing the Trump administration last month, the fired commissioners received a ruling in their favor Friday; it will likely be appealed.

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Attorneys for the plaintiffs argued the case was clearcut. Federal statute states that the president can fire commissioners for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other cause  allegations that have not been made against the commissioners in question.

But attorneys for the Trump administration assert that the statute is unconstitutional because the presidents authority extends to dismissing federal employees who exercise significant executive power, according to court filings.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox agreed with the plaintiffs, declaring their dismissals unlawful.

He had previously denied their request for a temporary restraining order, which would have reinstated them on an interim basis. That decision came just days after the U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority declined to reinstate board members of two other independent agencies, endorsing a robust view of presidential power. The court said that the Constitution appears to give the president the authority to fire the board members without cause. Its three liberal justices dissented.

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In his written opinion filed Friday, Maddox presented a more limited view of the presidents authority, finding no constitutional defect in the statute that prohibits such terminations. He ordered that the plaintiffs be allowed to resume their duties as product safety commissioners.

The ruling adds to a larger ongoing legal battle over a 90-year-old Supreme Court decision known as Humphreys Executor. In that case from 1935, the court unanimously held that presidents cannot fire independent board members without cause. The decision ushered in an era of powerful independent federal agencies charged with regulating labor relations, employment discrimination, the airwaves and much else. But it has long rankled conservative legal theorists who argue the modern administrative state gets the Constitution all wrong because such agencies should answer to the president.

During a hearing before Maddox last week, arguments focused largely on the nature of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and its powers, specifically whether it exercises substantial executive authority.

Maddox, a Biden nominee, noted the difficulty of cleanly characterizing such functions. He also noted that Trump was breaking from precedent by firing the three commissioners, rather than following the usual process of making his own nominations when the opportunity arose.

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Abigail Stout, an attorney representing the Trump administration, argued that any restrictions on the presidents removal power would violate his constitutional authority.

After Trump announced the Democrats firings, four Democratic U.S. senators sent a letter to the president urging him to reverse course.

This move compromises the ability of the federal government to apply data-driven product safety rules to protect Americans nationwide, away from political influence, they wrote.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission was created in 1972. Its five members must maintain a partisan split, with no more than three representing the presidents party. They serve staggered terms.

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That structure ensures that each president has the opportunity to influence, but not control, the commission, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote in court filings. They argued the recent terminations could jeopardize the commissions independence.

Attorney Nick Sansone, who represents the three commissioners, praised the ruling Friday.

Todays opinion reaffirms that the President is not above the law, he said in a statement.
A federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump acted illegally when he seized control of Californias National Guard during ICE-related riots in Los Angeles.

U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer issued the decision Thursday, siding with Governor Gavin Newsom and ordering Trump to return control of the Guard to the state "forthwith."



"His actions were illegalboth exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution," Breyer wrote. "He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."



"Federalism is not optional," the ruling states. "Even the president cannot legislate by fiat."



Judge Mulls Trump's Authority Over National Guard, Warns Us Is Not 'King George' Monarchy

U.S. National Guard are deployed around downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025, following an immigration raid protest the night before. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Recent anti-ICE protests have led to riots, looting, and clashes with federal agents in Los Angeles. Trump issued a proclamation invoking federal authority, but Breyer rejected the justification, calling it constitutionally hollow.

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In his order, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer granted the plaintiffs request for a temporary restraining order and took immediate action to halt federal control of the California National Guard.



"Defendants are temporarily ENJOINED from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles," the ruling states. "Defendants are DIRECTED to return control of the California National Guard to Governor Newsom."



Trump Tells Judge He Does Not Need Newsoms Permission To Crack Down On Rioters, Deploy National Guard

A protester places debris in a fire as Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stand guard outside an industrial park in Paramount, Calif., on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

The court stayed the order until noon on June 13, 2025, giving the defendants a narrow window to comply. Plaintiffs were also ordered to post a nominal bond of $100 within 24 hours.

Looking ahead, Judge Breyer scheduled a hearing to determine whether the temporary restraining order should become a preliminary injunction.

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On Thursday evening, the government's emergency motion led to a temporary stay by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals of the district court's restraining order with a response due June 15, reply due June 16, and Zoom hearing scheduled for June 17. The 9th's order said: "The court has received the governments emergency motion for stay pending appeal. The request for an administrative stay is GRANTED. The district courts June 12, 2025 temporary restraining order is temporarily stayed pending further order."



California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the ruling Thursday night, calling it "an important step forward in protecting our communities and our rights while we continue to make our case in court."

"The Trump administration had no right to federalize 4,000 California National Guard troops without authorization from Governor Newsom," Bonta said. "Trump's actions were illegal, trampled on our state sovereignty, escalated tension on the ground, and promoted rather than quelled unrest."

Bonta also stressed that the situation in Los Angeles did not justify a military response. "We aren't in the throes of a rebellion. We are not under threat of an invasion. Nothing is preventing the federal government from enforcing federal law," he said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta gives an overview to press on new, "know your rights," guidance for California immigrants at the offices of Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Los Angeles on December 17, 2024.

He cited support from top retired military officials. "Just yesterday, a group of former secretaries of the Army and Navy and retired four-star admirals and generals joined together to publicly support our lawsuit," Bonta noted. They warned against unlawful domestic deployments that "threaten core national security and disaster relief missions."

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"The truth is, the president is looking for any pretense to place military forces on American streets to intimidate and quiet those who disagree with him. Its not just immoralits dangerous, and its illegal," Bonta said.



"We'd rather we have a president who follows the law and complies with the Constitution," he said. "It's not a good thing for the great United States of America to have a president, the most powerful elected official on the face of the Earth, to violate the law so frequently, to have such contempt for the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law."

"The courts order is unprecedented and puts our brave federal officials in danger. The district court has no authority to usurp the President's authority as Commander in Chief. The President exercised his lawful authority to mobilize the National Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel in Gavin Newsoms lawless Los Angeles. The Trump Administration will immediately appeal this abuse of power and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.





Original article source: 9th Circuit grants temporary stay of order for Trump admin to hand back control of California National Guard
A worker is escorted to a bus headed to a detention center after she was apprehended at Glenn Valley Foods of Omaha during largest Nebraska immigration raid since President Donald Trump took office. (Courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

OMAHA  Federal authorities on Friday announced the arrests Thursday of four protesters outside of an Omaha immigration raid conducted earlier this week, alleging that the four were aggressive and captured on video damaging federal property and threatening to assault law officers in relation to the raid at Glenn Valley Foods.

The statement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement provided no names. It said the protesters arrested are expected to face felony charges of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal officer while engaged in the performance of their official duties, as well as damaging government property.

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Video of a few people throwing rocks and others blocking law enforcement cars at the Tuesday raid site were widely circulated on social media.

Many of these protesters claim to be fighting for justice, but instead they damaged property, threatened federal officers and agents and attempted to obstruct a lawful operation aimed at arresting individuals who exploited stolen identities to work illegally, Todd Lyons, acting ICE Director, said in a statement.

During the enforcement operation at Glenn Valley, immigration agents detained nearly 80 workers. It was the largest immigration enforcement operation in Nebraska since President Donald Trump took office with a pledge to carry out massive deportations.

Of the workers detained, ICE has said some had active local warrants, prior DUI convictions or had been previously deported. The agency said in a statement that many may now face additional federal charges: fraud and misuse of visas, permits and other documents; assaulting a federal officer; resisting arrest; illegal reentry; and/or misuse of Social Security numbers.

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The investigation was conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, and a fraud unit from the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Peaceful protest is a right protected under the Constitution, and our agents are proud to defend that right every day, said Mark Zito, Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Kansas City, which covers Omaha. But threats, violence and property damage by criminal actors claiming some kind of vigilante justice will not be tolerated.

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The front of the federal courthouse in Tampa on June 12, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/ Florida Phoenix)

A panel of three federal judges is now weighing whether a Tampa Bay state Senate district created in 2022 was the result of illegal racial gerrymandering.

A four-day trial resulting from a lawsuit over the district concluded on Thursday afternoon and judges must decide whether the constitutional rights of voters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties were violated when the Legislature created the Senate district in 2022 that crossed from St. Petersburg over the water to Hillsborough County.

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Florida was sued by three voters who are represented by the ACLU of Florida and the Civil Rights & Racial Justice Clinic at New York University School of Law. The plaintiffs allege that the Legislatures plan to connect Black populations from parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties violated their equal-protection rights by unjustifiably concentrating Black voters into District 16 by removing them from nearby District 18, reducing their influence there.

The defendants, Senate President Ben Albritton and Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, have denied that claim, saying that the maps were lawfully drawn up and previously approved as legally sound by the Florida Supreme Court.

But the defenses arguments go beyond contesting the plaintiffs claims. Indeed the defense went on the offense both before and during the trial to allege that the ACLU of Floridas lead attorney in the case, Nicholas Warren, worked behind the scenes with Democratic House and Senate staffers to try to get a partisan map approved.

ACLU of Florida attorney Nicholas Warren (Photo from his LinkedIn page)

To bolster that argument, attorneys representing the state called Matthew Isbell to the stand (remotely) on Thursday, their last witness.

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Isbell is a Tallahassee-based data analyst and consultant who has worked with Democrats and Democratic-affiliated groups over the past decade. Text and direct Twitter messages between Isbell and Warren show how both men hoped that the Senate would adopt a map that kept Pinellas and Hillsborough counties intact.

Warren offered his own map to the Senate Committee on Reapportionment in late 2021 but did not disclose that he was a staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. Upon discovery committee chair and Republican Sen. Ray Rodrigues sent a memo to all 40 state senators accusing Warren of violating Senate rules for not disclosing he worked for the ACLU of Florida.

Warren testified earlier this week that he drew the map on his own personal time and resources and not during work hours. Moreover he said Senate committee appearance forms do not require individuals to list their employers.

Isbell testified on Thursday that he believed the GOP-majority Legislatures was motivated by partisan politics to bifurcate the city of St. Petersburg, an allegation that attorneys for the Florida Senate presidents office have strongly denied. After Isbells video appearance concluded, the closing statements began, starting with the plaintiffs.

Race predominated

Warren said race predominated in the drawing of the district.

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To back up that statement, he played a video clip from a November 2021 committee hearing. The excerpt shows that Orange County Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy asked Jay Ferrin, Senate Committee on Reapportionment staff director, why the newly proposed Senate District 16 district stretched across two counties.

State Senate Districts for the Tampa Bay region as drawn by the Florida Legislature. Source: ACLU lawsuit

Ferrin replied that it was to comply with the Fair Districts amendment in the Florida Constitution, specifically the Tier 1 standards that provide protections for racial and language minorities. Bracy then asked Ferrin if their was a way to comply with the Tier 1 standards and keep the counties separate.

Another video exchange showed Pasco County Republican Danny Burgess telling Bracy that Senate staff had said keeping the counties separate wasnt possible, because it would lead to a significant number of voters who would be disenfranchised. At the time Burgess was the chair of the Senate reapportionment subcommittee.

Ferrin agreed with Burgess, saying it would result in a wide diminishment that would ultimately disenfranchise Black voters in Pinellas County.

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Bracy pressed asking how much the Black vote would be diminished and Ferrin replied close to 30%.

Failing to make the case?

Daniel Nordby, who was representing Ben Albritton in his official capacity as president of the Florida Senate, and Mohammad Jazil, who was representing Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, shot back in their closing satements.

Nordby said the plaintiffs had to prove that race was a predominant factor in the creation of Senate District 16, but that they fell short.

Plaintiffs have not come close to doing so, Nordby said.

He emphasized how Ferrin had recognized the constitutional requirements for drawing up districts  which is that districts should be compact, and when possible, utilize existing political and geographic boundaries.

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Nordby said Ferring met the Fair Districts requirements noting that boundaries such as I-275, the Hillsborough River, and 22nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg, a major artery, were used to configure the Senate district.

Nordby said race was taken into consideration, because it had to be. He also dismissed the three alternative maps drawn up for the plaintiffs by Pennsylvania State University professor of statistics Cory McCartan that keep Hillsborough and Pinellas counties separate.

And he then addressed the peculiar situation regarding Warren, saying, This case is an odd one.

Nordby asserted Warren had essentially laundered his map through the alternative presented during the trial by McCartan.

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He also questioned why none of the lawmakers that plaintiff attorneys had indicated could be witnesses in the case  Sen. Darryl Rouson, House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell and most notably former Bracy, the alleged lynchpin for the plaintiffs case, never showed up.

Bracy was a scheduled witness but failed to appear earlier in the week, much to the disappointment of the ACLU attorneys. When contacted by phone on Tuesday by a representative from the three-judge panel, Bracy said he hadnt seen the subpoena until that very day and said that he had already told plaintiff attorneys that he did not intend to show up.

Representing Byrd, Jazil said all of the proposed Senate maps that the ACLU had presented during the trial were examples of partisan and racial gerrymandering, and cited his text messages to House and Senate staffers involved with the reapportionment process.

A contrived kerfuffle

In response to the defenses closing arguments, Daniel Tilley, another attorney with the ACLU of Florida, noted how no lawmaker had testified. Tilley said all of the attention focused on Warren was a contrived kerfuffle that found no evidence to support the idea that members of the Senate were influenced by his map. It was, he said, a spectacular failure.

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During the four-day trial there were hours of detailed descriptions by experts that dealt with how to draw legislative districts that were logically configured and not oddly shaped.

The Florida Senate District 16 seat is held by Rouson, who resides in St. Petersburg. Several Tampa-based constituents in the district complained earlier in the trial that he was not as accessible to meet in Hillsborough County, though defense attorneys said he has district offices in the county in Tampa and Brandon.

The three-judge panel that will decide the case includes two of them who are Trump appointees. The panel was led by Andrew L. Brasher, who serves in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Accompanying him was U.S. Senior District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell and U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber, both of whom serve on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Brasher and Barber were appointed by Trump during his first term as president in 2019.

If they rule in favor of the plaintiffs, their hope would be that the Florida Senate could create and approve a new map of the district in time for the 2026 election.

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Despite Elon Musks exit, federal employees still have to send an email explaining five things that they did in the past seven days, Axios reported.

Musk left the his job at the helm of the Department of Government Efficiency at the end of last month and subsequently turned his rage against President Donald Trump.

During his tenure, Musk concocted the idea of forcing federal employees to send emails in a post on X, saying that failing to respond more than once could result in their firing.

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At the time, some cabinet-level officials in the Trump administration such as FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard pushed back on the emails. Axios reported that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was surprised by the policy.

To use a phrase Susie might use, she was fit to be tied at Musk, one official said.

Federal employees at numerous government agencies still have to send an email laying out their work, an idea concocted by Elon Musk (Getty Images)

But despite Musks exit, federal government employees at agencies like the Office of Personnel Management and NOAA are encouraged to send out the emails.

We're told to send it every Monday before midnight, one employee at Social Security told Axios. Despite this, the employee said I have never gotten a response from anyone.

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White House spokeswoman Liz Huston responded by saying Commissioner Bisignano is streamlining the Social Security Administration to deliver more efficient service for American taxpayers.

OPM spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover said she submits her emails weekly.

This practice is vital to maintain accountability and transparency in employee contributions, she told Axios. It's an easy way to share my work with leadership.

Despite Musk almost completely decimating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one employee said that they had not been told to stop sending the emails, but they stopped doing so.

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Got tired of saying I hadn't accomplished anything because we haven't been given any work, they said.

White House spokesman Harrison Fields defended the emails too.

The mission of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is a part of the DNA of the federal government and will continue under the direction of the President, his cabinet, and agency heads to enhance government efficiency and prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, he said.

Trump tapped Musk, a major 2024 campaign donor and booster on social media for the president, to lead DOGE, which was named after an internet meme dog.

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During that time, Musk slashed numerous government agencies such as the US Agency for International Development and the CFPB while reducing the workforces who manage the nations national park system or at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier this month, Musk turned his ire toward Trumps signature One Big, Beautiful Bill domestic spending legislation an outrageous, pork-filled abomination.

Musk then went a step further and said that Trump was named in files related to the late financier and trafficker of underage girls Jeffrey Epstein, calling for his impeachment.

Earlier this week, Musk apologized for some of his remarks.
The U.S. Forest Service is expected to release the latest environmental impact statement as early as June 16 for a copper mine project that will obliterate one of the Apache peoples' most sacred sites after construction is complete and it becomes operational.

The document is one of the last steps in finalizing a controversial land exchange between the Forest Service and British-Australian mining firm Resolution Copper. It has been anticipated by tribes, environmentalists, recreational enthusiasts, mining interests and elected officials since the original impact statement was rescinded by President Joe Biden in 2021.

At least two lawsuits  on hold since January 2021 when the environmental review was released by the first Trump administration  are expected to be revived and possibly amended during the 60-day period before the exchange could be finalized. On June 9, a federal judge ordered that the government refrain from making the exchange until the full 60 days after the statement was published have passed.

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One environmental group is skeptical about what the new impact statement will contain.

"Whatever the government publishes next week, we can be sure it isn't going to be a legitimate environmental review," said Russ McSpadden of the Center for Biological Diversity. "It's more likely to be a political handout to a multinational mining company."

And no matter what the new statement says, the law requires the exchange to be completed.

Resolution Copper is "confident the project satisfies all applicable legal requirements," said Vicky Peacey, the company's president and general manager.

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'Energy emergency': Trump puts Oak Flat copper mine on permitting fast track

Religious rights and wetlands vs. copper mine

For more than two decades, Oak Flat Campground, known to Apaches as Chichil Bidagoteel, "the place where the Emory oak grows," has been ground zero in a battle over Native religious rights on public lands as well as preservation of one of Arizona's most scarce commodities, a working wetland. The 2,200-acre primitive campground and riparian zone within the Tonto National Forest about 60 miles east of Phoenix also lies over one of the nation's largest remaining bodies of copper.

Tribes, environmentalists and their allies have been fighting to prevent Oak Flat from being given to Resolution Copper in exchange for other environmentally sensitive lands in Arizona. The company had pursued the land exchange with the Forest Service for about 10 years before it became attached to a defense bill by a group of congressional officials led by the late Sen. John McCain in December 2014.

To obtain the copper ore, Resolution, which is owned by multinational firms Rio Tinto and BHP, will use a method known as block cave mining in which tunnels are drilled beneath the ore body, and then collapsed, leaving the ore to be moved to a crushing facility. Eventually, the ground will subside, leaving behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and nearly 2 miles across where Oak Flat and its religious and environmental significance stands.

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Grassroots group Apache Stronghold filed a lawsuit in January 2021 in federal court to stop the land swap, citing religious rights guarantees under the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a religious freedom nonprofit law firm, accepted the case and, along with a group of private attorneys and law professors, has represented Apache Stronghold, which includes Apache and other Native peoples and their allies.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe and a consortium of environmentalists and Arizona tribes filed their own suits. Those two lawsuits have been on hold until the new impact statement is published.

The Biden administration rescinded the environmental impact statement in March 2021 for further consultation with tribes. The Forest Service announced consultation was concluded in 2023. Resolution was granted permission to join the lawsuit in 2023.

In 2024, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Apache Stronghold in a narrow 6-5 decision. That fall, the group appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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The Forest Service's announcement in April that the process would move forward again set off a flurry of court filings to stop or at least put on hold the move, which would open up a 60-day period when the land exchange could take place. Apache Stronghold won a temporary halt to the proceedings until the high court either decided not to take the case or issued a decision.

The Supreme Court turned Apache Stronghold down in May.

On June 9, U.S. District Court Judge Dominic W. Lanza barred the Forest Service from completing the land exchange until a full 60 days after the new document is issued to give parties from the other two lawsuits sufficient time to review the environmental impact statement and revive their litigation.

Long battle: Indigenous people find legal, cultural barriers to protect sacred spaces off tribal lands

Tribes, environmentalists: 'We have time to review and amend our litigation'

The tribes and environmental groups who have been waiting for the new review were happy to get sufficient time to review and address it in their litigation.

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We are grateful that Judge Lanza has provided us an opportunity to be heard, said San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler. The two-month window provides the tribe an opportunity to file an amended lawsuit challenging the legality of the pending environmental report and request an injunction to stop the land exchange until the merits of our case are settled.

McSpadden said the 2021 environmental document was faulty, and he doesn't expect the new one to be much better. "You can fully expect the environmental impact statement will perpetuate a massive disservice to the public and especially to Arizona tribes," he said.

Also, there's the matter of where the ore is headed. Because the United States lacks the capacity to smelt and process the ore, "It's likely to be smelted in China and sold on the global market," McSpadden said. "Thats hardly a win for American supply chain security."

That's despite the fact that Trump signed an executive order ordering an investigation into "how copper imports threaten Americas national security and economic stability."

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McSpadden said the copper from Oak Flat and the hundreds of billions of gallons of water required to extract it would be a resource effectively lost to Americans, especially Arizonans.

"The profits will flow into Chinese-linked entities and global markets," he said.

The Aluminum Corporation of China, known as Chinalco, is Rio Tinto's largest shareholder.

Sacred lands: Oak Flat: A place of prayer faces obliteration by a copper mine

Resolution Copper: 'We're confident the project satisfies legal requirements'

The mine project's supporters said they were confident that the new environmental impact statement will show the mine will satisfy legal requirements and allow them to move forward.

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The court correctly found no legal basis for a preliminary injunction, and its order is consistent with prior decisions about this project at every level, including the Supreme Courts recent decision to deny further review in Apache Stronghold v. United States," Peacey said. She said that the order simply gives the two lawsuit parties time to review the impact statement within the congressionally-mandated timeframe for the land exchange.

A Resolution spokesperson said the mine is vital to securing America's energy future, infrastructure needs and national defense. He said the mine has the potential to become one of the largest copper mines in the nation, and could add $1 billion a year to Arizona's economy and create thousands of local jobs.

The mine also has the support of Superior Mayor Mila Besich. "Along with residents of our town and the Copper Corridor, we have worked diligently to address and ensure that the Resolution Copper mine project will be an asset not just for our communities, but also to contribute to technology and the national security of our nation."

She said the town has worked with Resolution to co-design the mine to ensure it will benefit the region for generations to come and spur diverse economic activity, strengthening local economies' resilience and sustainability.

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The mayor said significant mitigation agreements are in place that would "protect and grow economic diversification, preserve the area's history and culture and that of our Native American neighbors." Besich pointed to environmental mitigations such as the preservation of the Emory Oak and extensive protections and improvements for the Queen Creek watershed.

The new environmental impact statement is expected to be formally published in the Federal Register on June 20, and plaintiffs in the two lawsuits are gearing up to review it and renew their litigation.

The Trump administration has been rushing to sell out our public lands and destroy sacred sites and the environment," said Marc Fink, the director of the Public Lands Law Center at the Center for Biological Diversity.

"We look forward to having our day in court to defend Oak Flat based on a full record.

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Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @debkrol and on Bluesky at @debkrol.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Forest Service ready to release final review of Oak Flat copper mine
SHENZHEN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Unlike the traditional study of Chinese history, which relies heavily on manually processing large volumes of historical data and text, artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up new pathways for Helwig Schmidt-Glintzer, offering fresh access to diverse historical perspectives.

As a German sinologist, Schmidt-Glintzer attended the 2025 World Conference on Sinology held from June 5 to 7 in the southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen, where he joined nearly 200 sinologists from over 50 countries and regions to explore the innovative development of Sinology in the age of AI and to advance cultural exchanges between China and the world.

During the conference, some scholars visited the headquarters of Chinese tech giant Tencent, Artron Art Centre, and some digital creation platforms, where they experienced AI applications, learned about how traditional Chinese art is being digitized, and explored the potential of generative AI tools.

Many scholars expressed admiration for how digital technology is bringing Chinese culture to the world. At Tencent, they experienced an immersive VR tour of one of the caves in the Mogao Grottoes, explored AI-powered platforms designed to accelerate oracle bone research, and learned about how gaming technology was used to create high-definition digital assets of Beijing's Central Axis, supporting its successful UNESCO World Heritage application.

Giray Fidan, a Turkish sinologist and professor at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University, who had just returned from a field trip to the ancient Silk Road hub of Dunhuang in northwest China, said he was amazed by the scale of the digital preservation efforts there, unaware at the time that many of them were powered by Tencent.

"AI has made significant contributions to cultural heritage preservation. Human being capabilities are limited, but AI, like computers, is a tool that helps us accumulate knowledge and boost research efficiency," he noted.

The rapid advancement of digital technology is reshaping the landscape of humanities research, bringing unprecedented transformation to the field of Sinology. Emerging tools such as AI, big data analysis, and natural language processing are offering new possibilities for deciphering the vast body of Chinese classics.

The development of AI in China carries a distinct humanistic character, especially in its applications to areas that directly impact people's lives, according to Schmidt-Glintzer. He noted that China's AI contribution is not merely technological, but also deeply cultural -- a culture-driven approach to AI represents an important contribution to the collective wisdom of humanity.

Many scholars noted that China's human-centered technological innovations are gaining international recognition and becoming part of everyday life around the world. Through digital platforms and interactive technologies, elements of Chinese culture, such as historical figures and stories, are reaching younger generations globally in engaging new ways.

Themed "Understanding China: Sinologies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence," this year's World Conference on Sinology highlighted the growing impact of AI on Sinology and China studies, and the global cultivation of young scholars. China's first postdoctoral program for Sinology talent was also launched at the conference. 
Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor)

Federal authorities refused a judges order Friday to release Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, arguing that the order only barred them from detaining him on the basis of an obscure 1952 law that allows deportations for foreign policy reasons.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz had ruled Wednesday that federal authorities lacked grounds to hold Khalil, a permanent resident whos been detained since March for helping to organize pro-Palestinian protests. His detention was likely unconstitutional, the judge decreed, ordering authorities to free him or ask the 3d Circuit Court of Appeals by Friday morning to step in.

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But in a letter to the court Friday, government attorneys argued they were no longer detaining Khalil based on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and instead held him based on a separate federal statute that allows authorities to keep immigrants in custody during removal proceedings.

Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful, the attorneys wrote. An alien like Khalil may be detained during the pendency of removal proceedings regardless of the charge of removability.

Khalils legal team on Friday said such arguments were based on false and pretextual allegations.

His attorneys wrote to the court asking for his immediate release, but the government told the court they would continue holding Khalil in a remote facility in Jena, Louisiana. The judge denied his request for release.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio in April released a memo justifying Khalils deportation that argued his support of pro-Palestinian protests would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Friday, Amy Greer, an attorney on his legal team, accused the government of using cruel, transparent delay tactics to keep him away from his wife and newborn son ahead of their first Fathers Day as a family.

Instead of celebrating together, he is languishing in ICE detention as punishment for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Palestinians. It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful, Greer said in a statement.

In his Wednesday ruling, Farbiarz had noted the government could argue Khalil, who has no criminal convictions or charges, could be detained because some information on his lawful permanent resident application was allegedly inaccurate. But hed cautioned that argument would be ineffective here because green card holders are virtually never detained for that reason.

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That strongly suggests that it is the Secretary of States determination that drives the Petitioners ongoing detention  not the other charge against him, the judge wrote Wednesday.

Attorney Ian Fernando Hinonangan, who represents Khalil, echoed the judges own words and said federal authorities reasoning for his continued detention was part of a campaign of retaliation for Khalils First Amendment-protected speech.

While the judges order allowed officials to continue efforts to remove Khalil that were not based on Rubios memo, it did not explicitly permit them to continue detaining him for other reasons, Hinonangan wrote in a Friday declaration.

The post-hoc charge is an undisputed continuation in the fabric of retaliatory motive and hence carries the taint of unconstitutional conduct, Hinonangan said.

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From the red carpet to the photo booth, followed by a fancy dinner and some dancing, hundreds of people came together for the Prom For All Ages inside Polar Park in Worcester on Thursday.

Im ready to have the best time of my life this year, said Matthew McCarthy, who attended the prom.

This is the third time Im coming to the prom, said Paula.

This is the fourth annual prom put together by the non-profit Thrive Support & Advocacy, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Central Massachusetts.

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This group of individuals thrive on socialization and connection and having fun and being carefree, COVID after we did the first year, having them come out of that into this was truly amazing, said Sean Rose, President and CEO of Thrive.

Rose says a lot of people here may have missed out on the experience of going to prom when they were younger.

A rite of passage maybe for you and I, you know, growing up as young people is a prom hasnt always been a great experience for them in their lifetimes and them growing up, many of which didnt go at all or didnt have a good experience or would never go again, said Rose.

But that all changed with this event, with many planning their outfits for weeks.

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For some, this is their favorite night of the year.

I feel real good, you know I went here last year and it was a good experience of my life, said McCarthy.

I have fun with my friends, I have fun with my boyfriend, said Paula.

Rose says its all about creating carefree, memorable experiences theyll never forget.

Even though the prom is happening in one night, the residual effects of that excitement, that enthusiasm, ring throughout all 365 days before we do the next prom, said Rose.

Rose says theyre thankful for all the sponsors who help not only to put this event together, but they also raise money for all the programs that support Thrive throughout the year, serving more than 1,500 adults with IDD in Central Massachusetts and MetroWest.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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(KRON)  A narcotics K-9 intercepted a methamphetamine-laced greeting card that was mailed to someone in custody at the Santa Rita Jail, said the Alameda County Sheriffs Office.

Santa Cruz advances filtered cigarette ban

Investigators confirmed they later identified the sender as 47-year-old Dominic Lucero, a convicted felon from Oakland.

The sheriffs office said the Alameda County Narcotics Task Force recovered a laundry list of illegal items when they executed a search warrant at his Oakland home (see photo below).

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232 grams of methamphetamine

41 grams of fentanyl

24.9 grams of cocaine

2.7 grams of heroin

A spray bottle containing liquid methamphetamine

Three firearms (including one linked to a felony case in Colorado)

$4,301 in cash

Photo courtesy of the Alameda County Sheriffs Office.

Lucero was arrested and booked into Santa Rita Jail where he faces several felony charges.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
ST. LOUIS  For the first time, the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight took off with an all-female crew of veterans, coinciding with Womens Veterans Recognition Day.

Getting recognition. Thats what Im most proud of, said 91-year-old Helen Kevrick, who showed up with excitement for the honor flight.

Although shes been on an Honor Flight before, todays event meant a lot for Kevrick.

Im so glad to be able to be here at my age and to be with all these other wonderful women. Its outstanding, Kevrick said.

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This Honor Flight included 28 Vietnam-era women veterans who served during a time when their contributions were often overlooked.

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I served in the Army right out of high school1971 to 1991, said Diann Turner. I wanted to go to Vietnam, but at the time, women could not go to Vietnam. Only if you were a nurse.

Many of these veterans were visiting the memorial for the first time, reflecting on their past and reclaiming their place in history.

As a matter of fact, I havent been to a walk for around for too long. I was only ever in D.C. to take training courses or something. I never had extra time to go do this, said Susan Reyes Sauter, an Air Force Veteran.

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The Vietnam Memorial, with names etched into its black granite wall, served as a poignant reminder of the lives lost, including eight American women.

This day was not only a tribute to the individual sacrifices of these women but also a celebration of their collective strength and sisterhood.

Im proud of my service, proud of being here with all these other women who gave their service too, Kevrick said.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., expressed staunch support for Israel's assault against Iran, calling for the U.S. to back Israel's efforts by providing the ally with anything it needs.

"Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessarymilitary, intelligence, weaponryto fully back Israel in striking Iran," Fetterman asserted Thursday night in a post on X.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs reposted the senator's post.

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Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion On Iran, Targeting Nuclear Facilities, Tehran

It also shared a post in which U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed support for the U.S. ally.

"Israel IS rightand has a rightto defend itself!" Johnson declared.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham suggested that if Iran targets U.S. interests, America should execute "an overwhelming response" that annihilates the foreign country's oil infrastructure.

John Fetterman And Lindsey Graham Advocate For The Destruction Of Iran's Nuclear Program

"People are wondering if Iran will attack American military personnel or interests throughout the region because of Israels attack on Irans leadership and nuclear facilities," Graham noted Thursday night in a post on X.

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"My answer is if they do, America should have an overwhelming response, destroying all of Irans oil refineries and oil infrastructure putting the ayatollah and his henchmen out of the oil business."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Thursday night that the U.S. was "not involved in strikes against Iran" and declared that "Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

Fetterman Issues Do And Do Not List, Doubling Down On Anti-violence Message After Calling Out La Anarchy

President Donald Trump issued a Truth Social post on Friday morning in which he urged Iran to agree to a deal, apparently referring to a nuclear deal.

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"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it. Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!" Trump warned in his post.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!"





Original article source: Fetterman calls for US to supply anything Israel needs for Iran attack: 'Military, intelligence, weaponry'
Those hoping for immediate relief from the courts in relation to the Governments imposition of VAT on school fees today had their short-term hopes dashed. But if you read the judgment and examine what is going on in schools, the Government now has a right mess on its hands.

The High Court rightly found that, for the 100,000 or so children in private schools with special education needs who are forced to move into the state sector because they have closed or their parents can no longer afford the fees, their fundamental rights have indeed been interfered with.

However, it said that Parliament was entitled to do this because it has very broad powers when it comes to raising new taxes. In this case, what was being sought by the claimants was a declaratory remedy which would have sent the legislation back to Parliament to resolve.

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So, what happens now?

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves and beleaguered Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are no doubt delighted that they have apparently won. But the truth is, like special needs children themselves, they are not out of the woods. They won by a nose and could yet lose in subsequent contests.

The first thing to say is that the special needs system is in total chaos. Since the pandemic, there is a huge backlog of children who do not have statements, in other words official education health and care plans, who are in a queue or appealing at tribunals hoping to get one. Local authorities are understandably reluctant to award them, in part because of a questionable previous court ruling, which said they have to pay for taxis for special needs children to get to their school.

If you talk to a taxi driver, many of them make a fortune providing this service which, in general terms, seems excessive and incredibly costly.

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Yet now, parents who previously were paying for their own childrens school fees and indeed transport, have had it confirmed that their children have a fundamental right to an appropriate education and their legal claims against local education authorities have now been given additional force. It would have been cheaper and simpler if VAT had not been imposed on school fees and they stayed where they were.

Second, thousands of parents were waiting for this judgement, having either given provisional notice to leave private schools or waiting to decide whether to embark on that costly journey in the first place next term. So far, 11,000 children have left private schools because of this measure. My guess is that twice that number, will now not turn up next term. Put all this together and the new taxes on education will raise very little money and might even lose revenue.

The reality is that Labour have created a giant and costly mess. An appeal is likely. There is no tax on education in any civilised country and, sooner or later, we must hope that a future government will reverse this cruel and costly measure.

George Trefgarne is a parent and supporter of the Education Not Discrimination group

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.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Democratic candidates for New York City mayor took aim at Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani during Thursday nights debate.

Early voting in the Democratic primary starts on Saturday. Political strategist and professor at the University of Mount St. Vincent J.C. Polanco discusses the debate on PIX11 Morning News.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Finnish prosecutors are considering pressing charges against three senior officers of an oil tanker suspected of damaging undersea power and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea in December, police and the prosecutor said on Friday.

Finnish authorities suspect the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S of having broken the Estlink 2 undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia as well as four internet lines last December by dragging its anchor across the seabed.

Finland's National Bureau of Investigation concluded its investigation into the damage on Friday and said in a statement it suspected three senior officers of the Eagle S of aggravated criminal mischief and interference with telecommunications.

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The head of the police investigation, Sami Liimatainen, told Reuters all three crew denied any wrongdoing.

The Baltic Sea region has been on high alert for sabotage after a string of outages of power cables, gas pipelines and telecoms, although subsea infrastructure is also subject to technical malfunctions and outages caused by accidents.

A lawyer for United Arab Emirates-based Caravella LLC FZ, the owner of the Eagle S, said he could not comment on behalf of the crew as he does not represent them. Reuters was unable to identify legal representatives for the crew.

The lawyer has previously said the ship's alleged damage to undersea equipment happened outside of Finland's territorial waters and therefore Helsinki lacked jurisdiction to intervene.

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen and Essi LehtoEditing by Gareth Jones)
LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (WKBN)  The Liberty Township Fire Department is serving as a donation drop-off site for the family who lost their home in a deadly explosion last weekend.

Read next: NFL player returns home for youth football camp

Officials say the home on E. Montrose Street is unstable so the family cant get their belongings from inside.

They are in need of clothing in childrens sizes 4T and 9/10 or 10/11, and womens sizes medium or large.

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Some people have dropped off toiletries and personal hygiene items for the family, too.

Fire Chief Doug Theobald says the flow of donations has been consistent.

Pretty much something coming almost every day. People are fairly bring in a bag or two of items, he said.

Theobald says hed prefer if donations be dropped off at the station on Logan Way during business hours, but theyll be accepted as long as someone is at the station.

He says the department hopes it helps the family get back on their feet.

Earlier this week, police reported that several items, including an SUV and a zero-turn lawnmower, had been stolen from the site of the home explosion.

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Justin Braun, 34, died in the blast. Two other people, including a 4-year-old boy, were critically injured.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WDTN)  Firefighters were called Friday afternoon to a Miami Township neighborhood.

Crews from the Miami Valley Fire District were dispatched to the area of Pinegrove and Silvercliff drives. Officials arrived to the location in reference to a reported structure fire.

Sprinklers cause $200K in damage to MIX 107.7 after downtown fire

Officials at the scene told our 2 NEWS crew at the scene that no one is believed to have been home at the time of the fire.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to fire officials.

2 NEWS is working to learn more.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
ULAN BATOR, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Gombojav Zandanshatar was on Friday appointed as Mongolia's new prime minister at the proposal of the ruling Mongolian People's Party.

Zandanshatar's appointment was approved by a vote of 92.3 percent in the country's 126-seat parliament, or the State Great Khural.

On June 9, the Mongolian People's Party nominated Gombojav Zandanshatar for the post.

According to Mongolia's parliament speaker Dashzegve Amarbayasgalan, since the State Great Khural did not pass the draft resolution on the vote of confidence in the prime minister, Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene was deemed to have resigned from the post of prime minister on June 3.

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 prime minister will be appointed within 30 days.

Since 2004, Zandanshatar has been elected four times as a member of the State Great Khural.

He was chairman of the State Great Khural from 2019 to 2024 and served as chief of cabinet secretariat of the Mongolian government, minister for foreign affairs and deputy minister of food and agriculture. 
Fire reported at biomass power plant in Duluth originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Fire crews responded to a blaze that broke out Thursday at a biomass power plant in Duluth.

The Duluth Fire Department says it was called at around 2:50 p.m. to the Minnesota Power Hibbard Renewable Energy Center (HREC), where wood had caught fire in the plant's 20,000 sq. ft. storage unit.

The unit had an "operational deluge fire suppression system" that helped keep the fire limited, with fire crews able to quickly knock it down when they arrived.

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Power generation was not impacted during the incident, and no injuries reported.

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The damage to the structure is in the process of being assessed.

The HREC is operated by Minnesota Power, and uses waste wood biomass to generate electricity. It has a capacity of around 73MW.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Protesters hitting the streets this weekend in Florida do have free speech rights to back them up, yet Florida laws may pose a head-on challenge during "No Kings Day" protests.

First Amendment advocacy groups and attorneys warn protesters nationwide that, at the anti-ICE raids protests, they're protected with free speech and the right to assembly, but escalations past that aren't covered.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made that clear in the week leading to the "No Kings" demonstrations. He said state law enforcement is ready, and that people who resort to violence or rioting won't be tolerated.

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Here's what to know about free speech rights at Florida protests:

Florida law is clear for protests, DeSantis says

Protesters are protected by First Amendment free speech and assembly rights, but the law may not be on their side if tensions escalate.

In 2021, Florida passed an "anti-riot" law that defined what a "riot" is and required that someone arrested for unlawful assembly be held without bail until their first court appearance.

Statewide warnings leading into the protests have hammered home the consequences of violence and unrest.

"If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

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In a podcast interview, DeSantis even said that if protesters surround a car, that drivers would not be at fault if they hit people blocking roadways.

"You have a right to flee for your safety," DeSantis said. "So if you drive off and you hit one of these people, that's their fault for impinging on you."

What defines free speech in protests?

Pensacola attorney Eric Stevenson said that holding signs, chanting or speaking publicly are all permissible and protected by the First Amendment.

Stevenson clarified that protesters should still be safe and "aware of the surroundings," because violence and unrest may come forth if, to put it plainly, somebody gets in another person's face.

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"They need to make sure that the protest stays peaceful, even if people are antagonizing them," Stevenson said.

Yet location truly matters in free speech rights, too.

Stevenson said protesters are limited to where they can protest, since they need to stay away from private property and off of roadways. Public property is OK for protests under the First Amendment.

Generally, public property includes spaces owned and maintained by the government, such as sidewalks, parks, streets, and public squares, though time, place and manner restrictions may apply. They may include ones on noise and crowd size.

What are 'No Kings' protests?

"No Kings" Day falls on June 14, when organizers have planned a series of more than 2,000 protests across the county in a "nationwide day of defiance" against the Trump administration.

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June 14 is Flag Day and also Trump's 79th birthday, and it's also when a military parade in Washington celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday will take place.

More than 75 protests are planned across Florida. These come after protests escalated in the greater Los Angeles area, stemming from multiple U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants executed in the city.

Videos spread widely on social media of people throwing things at law enforcement and others, setting off fireworks and blocking buses.

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: What to know about free speech rights at Florida 'No Kings' protests
A baby beaver has been born in Lincolnshire for the first time in 400 years.

A kit was spotted on CCTV on 13 June at an enclosure in North Lincolnshire- making it the first born in the county since they went extinct in Britain in the 16th Century.

In December 2023, two Eurasian beavers were released under licence into a 70-acre enclosure at Wild Wrendale, near Searby, as part of a rewilding project by farmers Hannah and Jack Dale.

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Ms Dale, 43, said it marked an important milestone in the return of the species: "Beavers belong in our landscape."

Ms Dale said she felt "proud" to help encourage repopulation of the species [Hannah Dale]

In 2019, the couple had their last harvest and soon made the decision to dedicate their unproductive farm to nature restoration.

With support from the Beaver Trust and other wildlife organisations, in 2023 the pair released two beavers.

Two years later, Ms Dale said it was a "lovely surprise" to see footage of a kit scurrying past one of her cameras.

It confirmed their mission to encourage the species had worked.

Although only one was spotted on camera, Ms Dale said it was likely there were more, as beavers tend to have two to four kits per litter.

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"It's really exciting that the first baby beavers have been born in Lincolnshire for about 400 years," Ms Dale said.

'They belong here'

Ms Dale said she believed beavers offered far more than just a cute face.

"They're a really good tool to have in our armoury for becoming more resilient in the fight against climate change," she said.

According to Ms Dale, when beavers were present in the landscape during storm events, their way of life was able to reduce flood pressure.

"During periods of drought they can hold the water back on land," she said.

Ms Dale said the species are vital and said she was proud to play a small part of their return to Lincolnshire.

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"There is absolutely a lace for them in the countryside and the landscape," she said.

"They belong here."

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Ahmedabad, India  One of the so-called "black boxes"  the flight data and cockpit voice recorders  from Air India flight 171 was recovered from the charred wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in India's western city of Ahmedabad, an Indian aviation official said Friday. The passenger jet slammed into buildings on Thursday morning, killing all but one of the 242 people on the plane and dozens on the ground.

"The Flight Data Recorder (Black Box) has been recovered within 28 hours from the accident site in Ahmedabad," Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Indian Union Minister of Civil Aviation, said in a social media post. "This marks an important step forward in the investigation. This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident."

The data recorders will be vital to investigators as they try to figure out what caused the passenger jet to crash just minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad for London's Gatwick Airport.

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According to the Reuters news agency, India's aviation regulator ordered Air India on Friday to carry out additional safety inspections on all of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft  reportedly 34 planes in total  including what Reuters said would be "power assurance checks" that the regulator said should be carried out within two weeks. Most of Air India's 787 fleet are 787-8s, like the plane that crashed on Thursday.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Thursday that it would be "way too premature" to order any grounding of 787 aircraft in the U.S. before American investigators have a chance to examine the wreckage and other evidence. He said the government was reviewing information on the crash with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the crash site of a London-bound Air India passenger plane that slammed into buildings in Ahmedabad, India, with 242 people on board the previous day, June 13, 2025. / Credit: Indian Press Information Bureau/Handout/Anadolu/Getty

Thursday's tragedy was captured on video from multiple angles. CCTV images show the moment the ill-fated Air India flight took off for what should have been a nine-and-a-half-hour trip to London. But just seconds later, the Boeing is seen starting to slow down. The two pilots on the aircraft issued a mayday call, but it was too late. The plane, with no fire or damage visible, careens into accommodation buildings used by medical students and then bursts into an inferno.

Rescue workers scoured the site for survivors and, miraculously, one man, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who had been in seat 11a on the Air India flight, right next to his brother, walked away from the crash site with only minor injuries.

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Nayan Kumar Ramesh, another brother back in England, described the moment the family heard from Vishwash.

"He video called my dad as he crashed, saying, 'Our plane's crashed I don't know where my brother is. I don't see any other passengers. I don't know how I'm alive. How I exited the plane."

This handout photo issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Ramesh was the sole survivor from the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed into buildings shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport. / Credit: Indian Ministry of Home Affairs/AP

Nayan said his brother's primary concern was for their other sibling, who has remained officially missing since the crash.

It was India's worst aviation disaster in more than 25 years. U.S. and British authorities were quickly sent to assist with the investigation, as more than 50 of those killed from the plane were U.K. nationals and the aircraft was made in the U.S.

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Forensic teams were at the scene of the crash on Friday, along with various Indian officials, and ambulances, ready to transport the remains of victims. Indian officials were cited by local media as saying that, given the level of the destruction, DNA testing would be required to confirm the final death toll both from the plane and from the buildings at the site.

CBS News saw members of one family begging authorities for access to the site. Ravi Thakur hadn't heard anything from his mother, who served food at the residential building that the plane crashed into, since the disaster. She was caring for his 2-year-old daughter, and both of them were missing.

"We have only one hope that they survive," Thakur told CBS News.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to inspect the site, and he described the accident as "heartbreaking beyond words."

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Remembering the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson
(NewsNation)  Americans will celebrate Flag Day on Saturday, marking the anniversary of Congress adopting the design of the U.S. flag.

At Allegiance Flag Supply in North Charleston, South Carolina, more than 6,000 flags are sewn weekly. The company lives by the motto, American sewn, American flown.

Linda Jones, known as Miss Linda, said she has always held a deep love for the U.S. flag, one tied to personal sacrifice. Ive had relatives who died in Paris defending this flag, she said.

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Is Trump really trying to buy seat fillers for Saturdays parade?

Jones is one of about 100 employees at Allegiance, which makes its flags entirely in the U.S., even as many manufacturers outsource materials or labor. From the poles and brackets to the Stars and Stripes, everything is made in America.

We have control over our entire supply chain, said operations manager Jeff Tanksley, a Coast Guard veteran. Its not just the people we have in this building. Its the people that are fabric manufacturers, the people that make our star fields, the company in Utah that machines our spinners.

On Flag Day and every day, Old Glory flies high in Charleston, including outside Heavys Barburger, where Navy veteran John Hare runs his business.

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Officials preview security for Armys 250th anniversary parade

Its a reminder of what we all aspire to have in our country, as a family, as a business, as a city, he said.

Back at the warehouse, pride runs deep with every stitch.

I take pride in every stitch that I do because of where its going and what it represents, Jones 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.
Flying in and out of Israel's Ben Gurion airport is no longer possible, at least for now. In fact, Israel has closed its airspace to all flights amid its offensive against Iran.

"Due to the current special security situation, all flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport (LLBG) are canceled until further notice," the airport wrote on its website on June 12 amid Israeli action against Iran.

"Please be advised: Do not travel to the airport."

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Ben Gurion is a busy airport; in recent years, the airport has had 80,000 people passing through it every day, according to The Jerusalem Post.

"Israel has closed its airspace to all takeoffs and landings," reported Israel Hayom.

The Ministry of Transport announced, per that site, "The airspace of the State of Israel is closed to takeoffs and landings until further notice. The purpose of the closure is to prevent and minimize risks to passengers and aircraft. Passengers scheduled to depart from Ben Gurion Airport today are requested to remain at home and not arrive at the airport."

Israel Hayom added, "Passengers will receive notifications through media channels at least six hours before the airspace reopens and can check updated flight schedules on airline websites and the Israel Airports Authority website."



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The ministry added, per that site, "Passengers currently abroad whose flights were canceled, did not depart, or landed at alternative airports are requested to follow media updates and, once the airspace reopens, check airline websites for their new flight times."

Aording to CNN, the decision comes amid an "unprecedented" strike by Israel against Iran that might last "for days."

In addition, "airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq" amid the offensive, Reuters reported.

El Al Airlines "suspended flights to and from Israel," according to Reuters, and Iranian airspace was closed "until further notice."

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The strike targeted Iran's "nuclear program and senior military leaders," CNN reported.

Among those killed, according to the network, was General Hossein Salami, the "Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard," CNN added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X on the evening of June 12, "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation 'Rising Lion,' a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

Related: U.S. Travel Warnings Urge 'Increased Caution' in Germany, Spain

All Flights Canceled In & Out of Israel first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
Dozens of flights were cancelled across Middle Eastern airports on Friday following Israeli airstrikes on military and nuclear-related sites in Iran.

In response, Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, which have reportedly been intercepted.

Aviation disruptions were reported in several countries as tensions escalated in the region.

"So many flights have been cancelled mainly coming from Gulf states to Beirut Rafik Hariri Airport," an Airport aviation source told dpa.

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Emirates Airlines announced that it has cancelled flights from four countries.

Emirates, headquartered in Dubai International Airport, announced the cancellation of its flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran due to the current situation.

The airline stated that it will not accept passengers transiting through Dubai whose final destination was Iraq, Iran, Jordan or Lebanon until further notice.

It added: "We apologize for any inconvenience and continue to closely monitor developments. The safety of our passengers, employees, and operations remains our top priority."

"Flight disruptions are expected through today (Friday) at Zayed International Airport. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest status of their flights before travelling to the airport," the Abu Dhabi airport said in a statement on X.

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Syrian Airlines also announced a temporary suspension of all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia Friday, due to the temporary closure of Jordanian and Iraqi airspace as a result of current tensions in the region.

The airline clarified in a post on its official Facebook page that it is continuously following developments in the situation and will announce any developments related to the resumption of services.
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A Florence man was sentenced to community corrections and probation after pleading guilty to criminally negligent homicide, according to court documents.

Robert E. Jones was sentenced to 10 years with credit for time served, split to serve 2 years of community corrections with the Alabama Department of Corrections and work release. The remainder of his sentence will be suspended, and he will be placed under supervision for 60 months.

Deputies investigating deadly overnight shooting in Lauderdale County

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State Troopers arrested Jones on January 11, 2024, two weeks after a crash outside of Killen. According to ALEA, the vehicle he was driving veered from the road, struck a ditch and was submerged in a body of water.

His wife, Regina Jones, was killed in the accident.

To get credit for all time served, Robert Jones must attend AA meetings while in work release. The sentencing document adds that he must seek treatment for alcoholism and grief counseling after his 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 WHNT.com.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is ready to quell any violence at No Kings protests planned across Florida this weekend.

In a Fox News interview, the governor said that local police, county sheriffs, highway patrol and even the National Guard will be ready to stop any violence or unrest at the statewide protests against federal anti-illegal immigration efforts.

Its a bad decision to try to pull that nonsense in Florida, DeSantis said.

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Law enforcement warns: Florida officials warn ICE protesters: Violence could mean jail  or death

Anti-ICE raids protests: Planned No Kings protests grow in number after LA militarization: What organizers expect

More than 75 protests are planned across Florida, which is part of more than 2,000 protests across the country. The website reads that the No Kings protests on June 14 are a nationwide day of defiance against the Trump administration. Its scheduled on Flag Day, which also falls on Trumps birthday and during a military parade in Washington celebrating the U.S. Armys 250th birthday.

What sparked the 'No Kings' protests?

These protests in Florida come just after protests escalated in the greater Los Angeles area after multiple U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement warrants were executed in the city. Protesters threw items at officers, set off fireworks and blocked buses.

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The week leading into these No Kings protests, DeSantis and his team repeatedly pointed to Floridas 2021 anti-riot law to contrast the states laws against California, saying in a June 10 press conference that rioting will not be tolerated in the state.

Anti-riot law: As L.A. burns, DeSantis team warns: 'Rioting will not be tolerated' in Florida

Does Florida 'anti-riot' law prevent protesting?

The short answer is no. But the longer answer is more nuanced in Florida.

The First Amendment protects the freedom of assembly and the freedom of speech. In addition, DeSantis this week stressed that Florida allows peaceful demonstrations without blocking traffic or turning violent.

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On its website, No Kings organizers said: We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events.

Will peaceful protesters be in danger of arrest?

Yet the governor reminded residents the anti-riot law was passed following nationwide racial justice protests after the death of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer. The law created a new definition for riot and required those arrested for unlawful assembly to be held without bail until their first court appearance.

More: Trump calls National Guard to stop anti-immigration protests in L.A. What are Floridas protesting laws?

Critics at the time said this laws ambiguity would prevent peaceful protesting in Florida. At first, a federal judge agreed with that concern and granted a preliminary injunction for this law in 2023, based on a potential violation of First Amendment rights in and order calling it vague and overbroad.

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But the Florida Supreme Court rejected that the law was vague and agreed that a peaceful protester is not a rioter. An appeals court overturned the injunction and agreed peaceful protesters would only face criminal charges if they became violent.

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 story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 'No Kings' protests may test Florida anti-riot law under DeSantis
As Alan Kim walked toward a protest at Tampas City Hall on Monday, he knew there was a chance that counterprotesters or law enforcement might act more harshly than usual.

The day before, President Donald Trump had deployed National Guard troops to demonstrations in Los Angeles protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Organizers across the country held protests and led marches in support of immigrant communities.

Mondays demonstration drew a crowd of about 100 protesters, a police presence and counterprotesters. Kim, an organizer with the Tampa Bay Immigrant Solidarity Network, said he was pleased that the protest was energetic, with people putting all their energy behind chanting loudly in unison.

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While some Tampa organizers are preparing for additional demonstrations this weekend by beefing up safety measures, many say that working around efforts to suppress demonstrations is nothing new in Florida.

Were not necessarily creating a ton of good tactics, were just doubling down, tripling down, on the things that have served us, Kim said.

Helen Amburgey is an organizer with Pinellas chapter of the National Organization for Women, a group thats helping to coordinate a local No Kings anti-Trump protest in St. Petersburg. She said the response to the Los Angeles protests has made her organization think more about safety plans and the guidance they give to protesters.

She said the group is posting more reminders on social media that tell attendees to stay on sidewalks. The organization also expanded their safety marshal and volunteer teams for this weekends protests, she said.

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Some organizers said they are also placing more of an emphasis on protecting immigrants without legal status.

Even the citizens are getting to the point where theyre so worried that theyre going to get picked up, or the police are going to target them, or whatever, just because they happen to be immigrants, Jared Dahan, an organizer for the Pinellas Empowerment Community Hub, said.

Dahan said because many of the safety marshals are white or white-passing, theyve come to an unspoken agreement that part of their role is to help de-escalate by physically moving themselves between a law enforcement officer and an immigrant if needed.

Karla Correa, an organizer at Pinellas Democratic Socialists of America, said her coalition hasnt added any specific safety protocols for this weekends protests, beyond what they typically put in place, which include safety marshals and medics. The coalition, the Tampa Bay Immigrant Solidarity Network, is organizing a protest outside of Pinellas County Jail on Saturday. Correa said she is aware that law enforcement or counterprotesters may try harder to suppress the demonstrations.

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Florida is already a state that cracks down on protests, Correa said. Kim said that the state will take any excuse to deem a protest a riot, so protesters and organizers need to be extra cognizant.

Florida likes to lead the way on any demonstration of strict law and order, Kim said.

In 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill tightening restrictions on protests, which was challenged by civil rights groups who worried that peaceful protesters could be charged if demonstrations became violent. Last year, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that peaceful protesters are not at risk of being considered rioters, and the bill later was sent to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which sided with DeSantis against concerns that the law was too vague.

This past week, DeSantis compared Florida and Californias response to protests against federal raids and policies regarding illegal immigration. He wrote on X that Florida will remain a law and order state.

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Florida will not let the inmates run the asylum, DeSantis wrote. We are not going to sit by and let people take potshots at the men and women of law enforcement.

Sheridan Murphy, executive director for the Florida chapter of the American Indian Movement, said violence from the government is nothing new, but openness about it is. He said he can understand why people of any immigration status may be wary of coming out to protest.

I think its incumbent on the rest of us to get out there, he said. And be louder and stand up for those people that are at risk and have something to lose if they come out there.
WASHINGTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- In the wake of Israeli strikes on Iran overnight, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday morning urged Tehran to strike a nuclear deal to avoid further Israeli attacks.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, warning that "the next already planned attacks" will be "even more brutal."

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done," he wrote.

In a phone interview with CNN on Friday, Trump said that the United States "of course" supports Israel, calling Israeli strikes "a very successful attack."

Trump is set to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, CNN reported, citing a U.S. and an Israeli official. 






NEED TO KNOW

A Florida sheriff issued a violent warning to potential protestors in his county during a June 12 press conference.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey warned that if any protestors get violent with law enforcement, "We will kill you graveyard dead."

Dozens of nationwide "No Kings" protests are planned for June 14, coinciding with President Donald Trump's multi-million dollar military parade in Washington, D.C.







Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a violent warning to potential protesters in Florida on Thursday, June 12.

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Speaking to reporters from behind a podium emblazoned with the words, Florida: The anti-riot state, Ivey said he, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, and his fellow law enforcement personnel welcome democratic, peaceful protests. However, he said, If you let it turn violent  whoa, you do not want to do that in Brevard County."

"If you spit on us, you're going to the hospital, and then jail," he warned. "If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital and jail, and most likely [will] get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here."

The threats got more intense as Ivey continued: Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you graveyard dead. Were not going to play.

Ivey's warnings come as increased immigration raids and anti-deportation protests enter their second week in downtown Los Angeles.

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On Friday, June 13, President Donald Trump won his latest legal battle, allowing him to keep National Guard troops stationed amid the protests. More than 700 Marines are also set to arrive in the city ahead of the weekend.



DAVID PASHAEE/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Law enforcement officers wear riot gear amid protests in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025 Law enforcement officers wear riot gear amid protests in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025

Despite warnings from Trump, Ivey, the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, millions of protestors are expected to take to the streets in cities across America on Saturday, June 14, as part of the "No Kings" movement.

The website for the "national day of defiance"  which coincides with Trump's multi-million dollar military parade in Washington, D.C., in celebration of the Army's 250th anniversary and his own 79th birthday  features a map displaying hundreds of planned protests against the president's "authoritarianism."

"Were not gathering to feed his ego. Were building a movement that leaves him behind," the No Kings website reads. "The flag doesnt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us. Were not watching history happen. Were making it. On June 14, were showing up everywhere he isntto say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

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In Florida, multiple No Kings protests are scheduled in areas like Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee and Lake Mary. However, Uthmeier said, We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida.

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Ivey agreed, concluding his remarks by reiterating that he and his fellow law enforcement "invite" nonviolent protest.



Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully. Stand on the mountaintops and yell your opinion, your views, he said.

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"But dont you dare break the law, because it wont go well for you," the sheriff warned. "I dont want to hear any whining later saying, We didnt know.' "



Read the original article on People
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning Thursday to protesters who use violence in his county: We will kill you graveyard dead.

Speaking at a news conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Ivey said peaceful protests are part of our democracy and allowed, but anyone who uses violence or interferes with law enforcement will be met with force, potentially lethal force.

Throw a brick, a firebomb or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, he said. Because we will kill you graveyard dead. Were not going to play.

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Ivey spoke as protests over the Trump administrations immigration policies have rocked Los Angeles and popped up in other cities and as nationwide protests against the presidents actions are planned for Saturday.

The sheriff, in office since 2013, said if anyone tries to mob a car, they will likely be run over and dragged across the street. If anyone strikes a deputy, they will be going to the hospital and likely will be bitten by one of the agencys big, beautiful dogs, he added.

If you let it turn violent  whoa, you do not want to do that in Brevard County. Im going to tell you that, he said. You dont want to let it happen.

He later said, I dont want to hear any whining later saying we didnt know.

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Ivey and Uthmeier both spoke from a podium emblazoned with the words, Florida: The anti-riot state.

The press conference was held ahead of the planned nationwide No Kings protests against the Trump administration on Saturday. Multiple protests are scheduled to take place around Central Florida, including in Orlando, Apopka, Kissimmee and Lake Mary.

Ivey said riots were already happening across the country, with law enforcement officers, including agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, targeted. Both Ivey and Uthmeier reaffirmed their support for ICE.

Uthmeier said Florida is not like California, where the Trump administration has deployed the National Guard and will be deploying U.S. Marines following protests against deportation operations being carried out by ICE.

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We have a great collaborative operation with the feds, with ICE, and were very, very proud to support them, Uthmeier said.

We are not California. We do not allow rioting in the state of Florida, he said.

Just before he stepped down from the podium, Ivey reiterated his warning one last time.

Go protest all you want. Do it peacefully. Stand on the mountaintops and yell your opinion, your views, he said. We invite that, but dont you dare break the law, because it wont go well for you.

________
The Brief

A Palm Coast woman is facing felony charges after driving her SUV down a recreational path to chase a teen on an e-bike.

A witness intervened, helping the boy escape unharmed.

Sheriff Rick Staly condemned the act and urged for stronger laws on e-bike speed limits.

PALM COAST, Fla. - A 65-year-old woman is facing felony charges after deputies say she chased a 14-year-old boy riding an e-bike along a recreational trail in Palm Coast, driving her SUV onto the path in a terrifying pursuit caught on video.

What we know

A 65-year-old woman, Julia Kalthof, was arrested after deputies say she dangerously drove her SUV onto a pedestrian and bicycle path in Palm Coast to chase 14-year-old Gaige Ellis who was riding an electric bicycle.

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The incident occurred on June 7 along the Pine Lakes Path, a multiuse trail adjacent to Pine Lakes Parkway.

A witness intervened by using his car to block the SUV, helping the teen escape unharmed. The woman was arrested three days later on charges of aggravated assault and reckless driving.

What we don't know

Authorities have not released full details about Kalthofs mental state, whether she had prior complaints filed against her, or what may have escalated her response to the teens riding behavior. Its also unclear whether this was an isolated act of aggression or part of a broader pattern of complaints involving e-bikes in the area.

The backstory

The incident unfolded after Kalthof allegedly became angry about the speed at which the teen was riding his e-bike. She told deputies she followed him to determine where he lived so she could speak with his parents.

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The pursuit, however, involved her driving on a path meant exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists, drawing significant concern from both law enforcement and the public.

What they're saying

Investigators identified the driver as Julia Calthorpe, who allegedly told deputies she was upset that the teen was riding too fast and said she wanted to speak with his parents.

"She was chasing me home, which was a very traumatic experience because I wasnt expecting that at all," Gaige Ellis told FOX 35 News. "I felt safe in both my friends community and on that bike path."

The teen said he was grateful to a passerby who witnessed the chase and intervened. Deputies said the witness used their own vehicle to help block the SUV, allowing the boy to get home safely.

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"This woman caused a dangerous situation with her reckless and aggressive behavior and could have seriously hurt or killed not just the child she was chasing, but anyone who happened to be walking or biking on that path," said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. "I also want to thank the bystander who stopped a dangerous situation and called 911."

The Latest

Kalthof was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. She was booked into the Flagler County jail and later released on $3,000 bond.

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The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and Gaige Ellis, who claims to have been chased by Julia Kalthof.
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As a salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened 79 people across seven states as of June 5, a California-based company has recalled 1.7 million dozen eggs because of potential contamination, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

This rash of illnesses follows a separate outbreak of salmonella infections tied to recalled cucumbers and the US Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service issuing a public health alert for raw ground beef products that could be contaminated with E. coli.

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As summer approaches, I wanted to understand more about these foodborne infections. What are common causes and symptoms? What are possible consequences of salmonella and E. coli infections? Why are foodborne infections more common in the summer, and what are food safety practices that everyone should follow?

To help me with these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as health commissioner of Baltimore, where her responsibilities included overseeing food safety.

CNN: What are the most common causes of foodborne infections? What symptoms do people experience?

Dr. Leana Wen: Foodborne infections are caused by pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and parasites.

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Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. The virus is implicated in about half of all food-related illnesses, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pathogen can spread through contaminated food and drink or from person to person when someone touches objects that have been handled by an infected individual and then touches their mouth, or through sharing cups, bowls and utensils.

A number of bacteria can also cause foodborne illness. Infections can occur from eating raw or undercooked food. Other illnesses occur due to bacterial contamination in food. Common bacteria implicated in foodborne illness include campylobacter, listeria, salmonella and E. coli.

Symptoms of foodborne infections include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Depending on the cause and on the health of the individual, other symptoms may develop such as fevers, bloody diarrhea and dehydration that worsens underlying health problems.

CNN: What are possible consequences of salmonella and E. coli infections? How are they treated?

Wen: Salmonella most often spreads to people through contaminated food. While most people who fall ill recover quickly with no long-term consequences, some can become very ill. In the current outbreak involving the California-based egg distributor, 21 people have been hospitalized out of the 79 people sickened, according to the CDC.

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The key to treatment is hydration. Individuals with diarrhea should keep up fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Those who are vomiting and unable to keep fluids down may need to take anti-nausea medications. Most people will get better without using antibiotics, but they may be needed for individuals at risk of severe illness.

E. coli lives in the intestines of humans and many animals. A specific type of E. coli is known to cause a serious infection. This strain, called O157:H7, produces a toxin that can damage the intestinal wall and lead to bloody diarrhea. This is the strain implicated in the recent ground beef recall. The specific danger of O157:H7 is that some people who fall ill from it could develop a complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. This syndrome can lead to permanent health problems such as kidney failure, and in some cases, it is fatal.

Individuals who develop an O157:H7 infection should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration from diarrhea. Antibiotics are specifically not given for these infections because they may increase the risk of developing HUS.

Most foodborne infections can be treated at home. Reasons to contact your doctor include inability to keep down fluids, persistent diarrhea over three days, high fevers and bloody stools. Babies, older people and individuals with chronic medical conditions should have a lower threshold for seeking help.

CNN: Why are foodborne infections more common in the summer?

Wen: The risk of foodborne illness is higher during summer months because bacteria grow more quickly in warmer weather. In addition, people are more likely to have barbecues and outdoor events that involve food. Inadequate preparation or leaving out food for too long can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Cook meat and fish to the recommended temperature, and never use the same plates or utensils for other food. - Anton Vierietin/iStockphoto/Getty Images

CNN: What are food safety practices that everyone should follow?

Wen: Its important to abide by recall notices. If you have purchased a product that is now recalled, do not consume it. Follow other instructions as directed by health authorities. Keep an eye on not only federal advisories but your local health department, which will inform you of possible foodborne illnesses associated with local stores and restaurants.

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Follow best practices in food preparation. That includes washing produce such as vegetables and fruits, even if they end up getting peeled. Make sure to cook meat and fish to the recommended temperature. Be aware of what utensils and plates you are using with raw meat and fish, and dont use them for other food items.

Remember that bacteria multiply quickly at room temperature. Two hours is the limit for leaving food out before throwing it away or storing it in a refrigerator or freezer. If you are outdoors and the ambient temperature is very warm, reduce the limit to one hour.

Its also a good idea to avoid unpasteurized or raw milk and uncooked eggs. Of course, be sure to wash your hands often and well with soap and water. People who have diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps should not prepare food. Those most vulnerable to severe illness, including older adults, babies, and those who are pregnant or have serious underlying conditions, should be especially careful of foodborne illness as they are of other infections.

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Democratic leaders and a lone Republican senator, Alaskas Lisa Murkowski, quickly decried the treatment of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and called for an investigation after he was removed from a press conference with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on June 12, 2025, in Los Angeles, handcuffed and forced to the ground.

Sir! Sir! Hands off! Padilla, 52, shouted as several federal agents surrounded and moved him out of the room where Noem was speaking about the Los Angeles protests against immigration enforcement. I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have a question for the secretary.

Padilla, who unexpectedly appeared at the press conference and interrupted Noem as she was speaking during her prepared remarks, was released soon after and met with Noem. Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, shared a video of the incident with Padilla on X, and wrote, Incredibly aggressive behavior from a sitting US Senator. No one knew who he was.

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Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation, spoke with Boise State University political scientist Charlie Hunt, an expert on Congress, to understand how political polarization and a shift in American political decorum may have contributed to the shocking moment of an American senator being forcibly removed from a press conference.

What is striking to you about what happened to Sen. Padilla?

What stood out to me was the aggressiveness with which Noems security officers detained Sen. Padilla and took him out of the room. We do not ever see something like this happen to members of Congress and particularly members of the Senate. Sen. Padilla represents 39 million people  he is not some back-bencher member of the House of Representatives. I think its safe to say that no other modern presidential administration has come close to treating an individual member of Congress in this way.

This is also a real turn in terms of the completely autocratic way in which Department of Homeland Security staff responded to the incident. They claimed in a social media post that Padilla didnt identify himself at the briefing, even though, Im Senator Alex Padilla were the first words out of his mouth in the video that they themselves shared.

What safeguards, if any, do members of Congress have that might protect their ability to speak freely, and publicly oppose the executive branch?

Members of Congress enjoy the same basic free speech rights that all Americans do, but they do also have an additional set of protections that are relevant to this incident.

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Members of Congress have significant oversight power, which involves doing due diligence on what actions the executive branch is taking and making sure theyre complying with laws that Congress has passed.

As a Senate member from California, its perfectly legitimate for Padilla to want clarity on immigration enforcement actions that are taking place in Los Angeles. Padilla even clarified after the incident that he was at the press conference to get answers from the Department of Homeland Security that he and other Senate members have been seeking for weeks about deportations.

This is completely in line with Congress oversight power. Senators often question officials in committee hearings like we typically see, but they also conduct fact-finding missions to learn how executive actions are affecting their constituents.

Congress members also have protections stemming from the Constitutions speech and debate clause. Essentially, they cannot be arrested or indicted for things they say in their official capacity, which  because of Congress oversight responsibility  Padilla was clearly within the bounds of here.

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Yes, of course, Padilla was also trying to draw attention to himself and the issues hes focused on. But its not against the law to be a little bit disruptive or to engage in political theater, especially thanks to these additional protections members of Congress typically enjoy.

What other factors led to this moment?

Something Ive written about previously is a phenomenon called negative partisanship. This means that voters and Congress members alike are driven not so much by loyalty to their own party but instead a sort of seething hatred for the other political party. What gets the most clicks and views, and what drives voters more and more, is the idea that we dont just want to see voting along the party line  we want to see our team beating the other side into submission. This incident with Sen. Padilla was a very literal embodiment of this principle.

More broadly, this helps explain why political violence is becoming a more accepted form of political speech, particularly on the far right.

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We have seen violence during Trumps campaigns, where hecklers would be roughed up by participants at rallies, at Trumps encouragement. Certainly, we saw it at the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021, and Trumps subsequent pardons of those rioters.

Does Padillas removal have anything to do with Donald Trump specifically?

We cant ignore the singular role Trump has played here. This is a uniquely authoritarian presidency, even much more so than the first Trump administration. By authoritarian, I mean a leader who tries to rule on his own and suppress all dissent. Trump didnt create partisanship, political violence or negative partisanship. But theres no getting around the fact that his past behavior and openness to violence have lowered the bar for decorum in American politics.

For example, if you have convinced your supporters that the people on the other side of the political aisle are sick or nasty, that they are going to ruin the country, then those supporters will become more willing to accept some of the actions Trump has taken, such as calling in the Marines on protesters in Los Angeles, or pardoning the Capitol attackers  even if they wouldnt have been willing to accept that kind of response 20 years ago.

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All of these things combined  negative partisanship, plus having a leader on one side that is willing to lower the decorum bar beyond where we thought was possible  is a recipe for things unfolding like we saw with Padilla.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, speaks to news reporters outside the Wilshire Federal Building after he was forcibly removed from a press conference on June 12, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

What will you be watching for as this situation plays out?

My concern is the balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. We expect competition between the branches, for ambition to counteract ambition, as James Madison put it, to ensure one branch doesnt get too powerful. This incident was a huge step in the wrong direction.

As Congress has been steadily torn apart by partisanship, its given up lots of its power over the past half-century and no longer seems to see itself as a coequal branch of government with the executive.

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As a result, authoritarian presidents and administrations see an opening to treat them this way without consequences. What Congress does in the next several days about this episode will speak volumes  or not  about whether it intends to ever reassert itself as an equal branch of government.

Democrats held the floor in the Senate all afternoon to demand answers about Padillas treatment. It will be revealing how Senate Majority Leader John Thune and others respond. Lisa Murkowski has said shes pretty appalled by what happened. Meanwhile, Lindsey Graham seemed to imply that Padilla deserved what he got. Which route will Republicans, who control Congress, take?

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: Charlie Hunt, Boise State University

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Charlie Hunt 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.
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NOTE: This article is now an almanac of Fridays weather. We have published a new forecast story for Saturday.

It was a noticeably cooler day on Friday compared to recent days. The 71 degree high officially at OHare International Airport tied June 4 and 9 for the coolest highs of the month so far.

The extensive blanket of cloud cover and periodic light rain showers were behind the temperature downturn.

Areas far northwest of Chicago, where some sunshine did emerge saw significantly milder temperatures.

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The paltry rain totals at both major airports did little to help the precipitation deficit which continues to grow. The latest Drought Monitor from USDA continues to show the majority of the Chicagoland area in Moderate Drought with the Kankakee River Valley one step below, classified as Abnormally Dry.

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Climate and Environment news: WGN Weather Center blog

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Kevin Shea, former administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA (right) speaks speaks to panel of U.S. Democratic Senators. (Screenshot from livestream on Sen. Shaheens youtube channel)

Federal cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development assistance programs will hurt American farmers and the safety of their crops, said several agricultural research leaders at a forum hosted by U.S. Senate Democrats.

These cuts are clearly problematic for our standing in the world, our leadership in the world, our security, our trade relationships, Sen. Amy Klobuchar said. But it also socks us here at home.

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Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member, hosted a forum to discuss the relationship between foreign assistance programs and the U.S. agriculture market.

Through the Food for Peace program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitates purchases of American crops and partners with non-governmental organizations to distribute these surplus crops to crisis areas around the world. Under the 2026 fiscal year budget request, this program will see major cuts, which may impact American farmers, forum speakers said. Additionally, the reduction of funding to agriculture innovation labs at public universities may leave U.S. crops vulnerable to future diseases.

Cuts to innovation labs may leave U.S. crops unprepared

Dr. David Hughes, director of the USAID Innovation Lab on Current and Emerging Threats to Crops at Penn State University, said funding cuts impact his teams ability to study potential threats to U.S. agriculture in safe spaces around the globe.

His innovation lab, along with the Food Safety Program at Purdue University, the Livestock Systems Program at University of Florida and Peanut Production, a program addressing malnutrition at the University of Georgia, are among the universities that will see cuts under the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE.

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Hughes said his team members study threats to agriculture overseas, to quickly deploy mechanisms against those threats when the time comes. One threat the team is studying is thrips, a small insect that poses a risk to the U.S. floral industry. His team uses a space in Nepal to reduce risk to local crops.

Additionally, Hughes and his team at Penn State have been developing an artificial intelligence system called PlantVillage which provides advice to help farmers cope with climate change to increase the yield and profitability of their crops.

He says many American and European scientists are decamping to China because they fill a space of research excellence left by cuts to research in the United States.

You want to make sure if you do have an AI system giving knowledge to American farmers, you better be sure its not a made-in-China system. Hughes said.

Farmers benefit from USDA purchase of surplus

To be able to count on that institutional market that comes from food assistance is a significant benefit to the U.S. farmer, said Thoric Cederstrom, International Food Aid representative on the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

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Cederstrom said he doesnt think there is any organization that stands ready to fill that void, left by USAID. He argues there is enlightened self-interest in the purchase of American crops from farmers to be used as aid abroad. This purchase helps in stabilizing demand and prices for farmers across the heartland and offset the risk of unpredictable market, trade disruptions and climate variability. The USAID programs create a market that farms can respond to to turn a profit and generate income that keeps their businesses active.

Cuts to USDA Inspection Service leave Americans vulnerable to disease

There couldnt be a worse time to lower our guard, said Kevin Shea, former administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA. African swine fever in the Dominican Republic, very close to our shores, very easily just one trip away from getting here. Thats just one example. Foot and mouth disease, eradicated a century ago in America, is now appearing all around the world for the first time in many, many years. Another big concern for us. And screwworm has breached the barrier in Panama for many years and has made it into Mexico.

Shea says that the inspection service has lost nearly 1,300 or around 15% of the workforce has left in the past few months and with the additional cuts under the FY26 budget request APHIS can not do its job.

Both Hughes and Shea talked about citrus greening disease, which has impacted the citrus industry in Florida as an example of the need for research and inspection programs.

USAID career staff unable to move current stock to areas in need

Sarah Charles, former assistant to the administrator of USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, said despite the cuts, the career staff left at USAID are working furiously to move food kept in warehouses around that globe, even knowing they have been fired, to areas in need.

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She also said the U.S. government response to crises, such as the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, has been limited because the capacity has been taken offline by the Trump administration.

China showed up in a major capacity, but many of its outreach programs are through the government, so the networks built by the U.S. with non-governmental partners and civil society organizations have been abandoned, Charles said.

Food rations that could supply three and a half million people for a month are rotting in warehouses around the world because of USAID cuts, Shaheen said. Sadly, people are going hungry while farmers are losing a critical buyer for their crops.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
Kevin Shea, former administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA (right) speaks speaks to panel of U.S. Democratic Senators. (Screenshot from livestream on Sen. Shaheen's youtube channel)

Federal cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development assistance programs will hurt American farmers and the safety of their crops, said several agricultural research leaders at a forum hosted by U.S. Senate Democrats.

These cuts are clearly problematic for our standing in the world, our leadership in the world, our security, our trade relationships, Sen. Amy Klobuchar said. But it also socks us here at home.

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Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member, hosted a forum to discuss the relationship between foreign assistance programs and the U.S. agriculture market.

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Through the Food for Peace program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitates purchases of American crops and partners with non-governmental organizations to distribute these surplus crops to crisis areas around the world. Under the 2026 fiscal year budget request, this program will see major cuts, which may impact American farmers, forum speakers said. Additionally, the reduction of funding to agriculture innovation labs at public universities may leave U.S. crops vulnerable to future diseases.

Cuts to innovation labs may leave U.S. crops unprepared

Dr. David Hughes, director of the USAID Innovation Lab on Current and Emerging Threats to Crops at Penn State University, said funding cuts impact his teams ability to study potential threats to U.S. agriculture in safe spaces around the globe.

Advertisement Advertisement

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His innovation lab, along with the Food Safety Program at Purdue University, the Livestock Systems Program at University of Florida and Peanut Production, a program addressing malnutrition at the University of Georgia, are among the universities that will see cuts under the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE.

Hughes said his team members study threats to agriculture overseas, to quickly deploy mechanisms against those threats when the time comes. One threat the team is studying is thrips, a small insect that poses a risk to the U.S. floral industry. His team uses a space in Nepal to reduce risk to local crops.

Additionally, Hughes and his team at Penn State have been developing an artificial intelligence system called PlantVillage which provides advice to help farmers cope with climate change to increase the yield and profitability of their crops.

He says many American and European scientists are decamping to China because they fill a space of research excellence left by cuts to research in the United States.

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You want to make sure if you do have an AI system giving knowledge to American farmers, you better be sure its not a made-in-China system. Hughes said.

Farmers benefit from USDA purchase of surplus

To be able to count on that institutional market that comes from food assistance is a significant benefit to the U.S. farmer, said Thoric Cederstrom, International Food Aid representative on the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

Cederstrom said he doesnt think there is any organization that stands ready to fill that void, left by USAID. He argues there is enlightened self-interest in the purchase of American crops from farmers to be used as aid abroad. This purchase helps in stabilizing demand and prices for farmers across the heartland and offset the risk of unpredictable market, trade disruptions and climate variability. The USAID programs create a market that farms can respond to to turn a profit and generate income that keeps their businesses active.

Cuts to USDA Inspection Service leave Americans vulnerable to disease

There couldnt be a worse time to lower our guard, said Kevin Shea, former administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA. African swine fever in the Dominican Republic, very close to our shores, very easily just one trip away from getting here. Thats just one example. Foot and mouth disease, eradicated a century ago in America, is now appearing all around the world for the first time in many, many years. Another big concern for us. And screwworm has breached the barrier in Panama for many years and has made it into Mexico.

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Shea says that the inspection service has lost nearly 1,300 or around 15% of the workforce has left in the past few months and with the additional cuts under the FY26 budget request APHIS can not do its job.

Both Hughes and Shea talked about citrus greening disease, which has impacted the citrus industry in Florida as an example of the need for research and inspection programs.

USAID career staff unable to move current stock to areas in need

Sarah Charles, former assistant to the administrator of USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, said despite the cuts, the career staff left at USAID are working furiously to move food kept in warehouses around that globe, even knowing they have been fired, to areas in need.

She also said the U.S. government response to crises, such as the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, has been limited because the capacity has been taken offline by the Trump administration.

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China showed up in a major capacity, but many of its outreach programs are through the government, so the networks built by the U.S. with non-governmental partners and civil society organizations have been abandoned, Charles said.

Food rations that could supply three and a half million people for a month are rotting in warehouses around the world because of USAID cuts, Shaheen said. Sadly, people are going hungry while farmers are losing a critical buyer for their crops.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Norwood Farms in Henry County, Tennessee, on Sept. 19, 2019. (USDA Photo by Lance Cheung)

Federal cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development assistance programs will hurt American farmers and the safety of their crops, said several agricultural research leaders at a forum hosted by U.S. Senate Democrats.

These cuts are clearly problematic for our standing in the world, our leadership in the world, our security, our trade relationships, Sen. Amy Klobuchar said. But it also socks us here at home.

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Klobuchar of Minnesota, Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member, hosted a forum to discuss the relationship between foreign assistance programs and the U.S. agriculture market.

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Through the Food for Peace program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture facilitates purchases of American crops and partners with non-governmental organizations to distribute these surplus crops to crisis areas around the world. Under the 2026 fiscal year budget request, this program will see major cuts, which may impact American farmers, forum speakers said. Additionally, the reduction of funding to agriculture innovation labs at public universities may leave U.S. crops vulnerable to future diseases.

Cuts to innovation labs may leave U.S. crops unprepared

Dr. David Hughes, director of the USAID Innovation Lab on Current and Emerging Threats to Crops at Penn State University, said funding cuts impact his teams ability to study potential threats to U.S. agriculture in safe spaces around the globe.

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His innovation lab, along with the Food Safety Program at Purdue University, the Livestock Systems Program at University of Florida and Peanut Production, a program addressing malnutrition at the University of Georgia, are among the universities that will see cuts under the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE.

Hughes said his team members study threats to agriculture overseas, to quickly deploy mechanisms against those threats when the time comes. One threat the team is studying is thrips, a small insect that poses a risk to the U.S. floral industry. His team uses a space in Nepal to reduce risk to local crops.

Additionally, Hughes and his team at Penn State have been developing an artificial intelligence system called PlantVillage which provides advice to help farmers cope with climate change to increase the yield and profitability of their crops.

He says many American and European scientists are decamping to China because they fill a space of research excellence left by cuts to research in the United States.

Advertisement Advertisement

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You want to make sure if you do have an AI system giving knowledge to American farmers, you better be sure its not a made-in-China system. Hughes said.

Farmers benefit from USDA purchase of surplus

To be able to count on that institutional market that comes from food assistance is a significant benefit to the U.S. farmer, said Thoric Cederstrom, International Food Aid representative on the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Cederstrom said he doesnt think there is any organization that stands ready to fill that void, left by USAID. He argues there is enlightened self-interest in the purchase of American crops from farmers to be used as aid abroad. This purchase helps in stabilizing demand and prices for farmers across the heartland and offset the risk of unpredictable market, trade disruptions and climate variability. The USAID programs create a market that farms can respond to to turn a profit and generate income that keeps their businesses active.

Cuts to USDA Inspection Service leave Americans vulnerable to disease

There couldnt be a worse time to lower our guard, said Kevin Shea, former administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at USDA. African swine fever in the Dominican Republic, very close to our shores, very easily just one trip away from getting here. Thats just one example. Foot and mouth disease, eradicated a century ago in America, is now appearing all around the world for the first time in many, many years. Another big concern for us. And screwworm has breached the barrier in Panama for many years and has made it into Mexico.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Shea says that the inspection service has lost nearly 1,300 or around 15% of the workforce has left in the past few months and with the additional cuts under the FY26 budget request APHIS can not do its job.

Both Hughes and Shea talked about citrus greening disease, which has impacted the citrus industry in Florida as an example of the need for research and inspection programs.

USAID career staff unable to move current stock to areas in need

Sarah Charles, former assistant to the administrator of USAIDs Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, said despite the cuts, the career staff left at USAID are working furiously to move food kept in warehouses around that globe, even knowing they have been fired, to areas in need.

She also said the U.S. government response to crises, such as the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, has been limited because the capacity has been taken offline by the Trump administration.

Advertisement Advertisement

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China showed up in a major capacity, but many of its outreach programs are through the government, so the networks built by the U.S. with non-governmental partners and civil society organizations have been abandoned, Charles said.

Food rations that could supply three and a half million people for a month are rotting in warehouses around the world because of USAID cuts, Shaheen said. Sadly, people are going hungry while farmers are losing a critical buyer for their crops.

Tom Foley is an intern reporter for Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The main super PAC boosting Andrew Cuomos mayoral run has given the ex-governor a financial edge thats tough for his opponents to compete with, and a key architect of the outside spending strategy is Meaghan Brown  a prominent player who left Mayor Adams administration early this year, the Daily News has learned.

Brown joined the pro-Cuomo PAC, Fix the City, as its chief operating officer upon its launch in late February, weeks after resigning from Adams administration. As part of that role, a source said, Brown has devised and overseen all day-to-day activities of the political action committee, which is raising and spending unprecedented amounts of money to support Cuomos mayoral bid.

Under Adams, Browns served as chief operating officer of his 2021 transition committee before joining his administration as its chief of external affairs. In that post, Brown was one of the mayors top City Hall liaisons to private sectors like real estate and finance.

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According to reviews of public disclosures, executives in those same business sectors have contributed more than half of the nearly $14 million Fix the City has raised to date under Browns stewardship. Thats the largest amount of cash ever pulled in by a PAC for a single New York election.

Fix the City is also the single biggest spender of the citys 2025 election cycle  a development raising alarm from government ethics watchdogs.

Filings show the PAC had as of early last week already spent more than $8.5 million on airing ads and sending out mailers plugging Cuomos bid to become mayor and attacking his top opponent, Zohran Mamdani.

That means the PAC has shelled out more than any of the candidates in the June 24 Democratic mayoral primary can legally spend on their own, as theyre constrained by the $7.9 million campaign cap. That gives an undeniable financial upper hand to Cuomo, whos consistently polling as the favorite.

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And Fix the City is likely to only keep spending to promote Cuomos candidacy in the final days of the race, as it had raised more than $13.7 million as of Friday morning, with more donations coming in daily.

By law, the PAC can raise and spend as much as it wants  without any limits on how donors can give  as long as it doesnt coordinate any political activities with Cuomos campaign.

Its absolutely undermining democracy, here and in other places of the United States, because you can put in an infinite amount of money  literally infinity  into a single candidate and theres nothing New York City could do to stop it because the Supreme Court legalized it in 2014, John Kaehny, executive director of the Reinvent Albany watchdog group, said, a reference to the decision that ended PAC contribution limits.

No other 2025 mayoral candidates have received the type of outside independent support Cuomo enjoys. New Yorkers for Lower Costs, a super PAC boosting Mamdani, had by contrast raised only about $400,000 as of the latest filing.

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Liz Benjamin, Fix the Citys spokeswoman, praised Browns role in making the PAC the most dominant financial force in the 2025 mayoral race, saying she cares deeply about New York City and its future.

She strongly believes that Andrew Cuomo is the only candidate for mayor who has advanced commonsense proposals to make the city safer, successful and more affordable and possesses the experience necessary to get big things done, Benjamin said.

While still at City Hall, Brown served directly under First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who was pressured by Adams to resign in October 2024 after her home was raided as part of a federal corruption probe. Allies of Wright, who hasnt been criminally charged, believed Adams  who was himself under federal indictment at the time  treated his first deputy unfairly on her way out, and Brown was among them, sources familiar with the matter told The News this month.

Brown, who worked with Wright in the nonprofit sector for years before joining Adams administration, went on leave from City Hall around the time of Wrights resignation, Benjamin confirmed. Brown then officially resigned in January. Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said Brown departed City Hall on good terms.

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In addition to Fix the City, one of the citys largest landlord lobbies has launched another super PAC committed to spend some $2.5 million on efforts to back Cuomos run.

The heavy PAC spending on Cuomo has helped offset troubles hes experiencing with his own campaign finance infrastructure. Many prominent Adams donors this year are instead supporting Cuomo as the mayor faced intense political fallout from his corruption indictment.

The city governments elections watchdog agency continues to withhold nearly $1 million in public matching funds from Cuomos campaign due to a suspicion it has coordinated spending activities with Fix the City.

But Fix the City isnt impacted by the matching funds denial, and its spending makes the withheld matching funds seem like chump change, Kaehny argued.

Because he has the super PACs, it does not matter, he said. Thats the sad fact.

With Josephine Stratman
This file photo taken on Nov. 4, 2021 shows Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami speaking at a rally in Tehran, Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran. Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Photo by Ahmad Malek/Xinhua)

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The Israeli airstrikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, identified as Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, the report said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the goal of the ongoing operation is "to strike Iran's nuclear infrastructure, Iran's ballistic missile factories, and Iran's military capabilities," and will continue "for as many days as it takes."

Explosions were reported in Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad, the Iranian state TV reported, adding that multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran.

Both Israel and Iran closed their airspace following the attack. Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any U.S. assistance or involvement in the "unilateral" attack, adding that Israel had told Washington that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

Earlier on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the Middle East, saying that "I don't want them going in" as direct talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing.

"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement ... As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in because that would blow it," he told reporters in the White House. 

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

Engineering vehicles remove debris of buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

People check a vehicle damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

A rescuer attempts to remove debris of buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)

A rescuer attempts to remove debris of buildings damaged during Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami and Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, were assassinated as a result of the airstrikes, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is looking back, remembering Morgan Nick, the efforts to find her, and the hope that still lingers despite the decades gone by. Its a call to never forget.

I think every parent in Arkansas had this immediate sense of not just grief but a deep ache in our hearts as parents to know that this mother had her child at a ballgame, and then she was gone, Huckabee said.

Gone for 30 years as of June 9, 1995.

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I just remember on the night that this happened, and, of course, the news broke the next day, Huckabee said. I was Lt. Governor when the story came out about Morgan Nicks abduction.

The following year, Huckabee was elected as the 44th governor of Arkansas, maintaining a strong connection to the case and the Nick family.

I was able to meet Colleen fairly soon after all this happened, [and] I have remained in touch with her all these years. Shes one of the most remarkable people Ive ever met, Huckabee said.

Remarkable and determined, Colleen Nick continues her fight and hasnt given up on getting answers about her daughters disappearance.

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I think many of us wanted to encourage Colleen. It turns out she was the one who encouraged us, Huckabee said.

All while helping others at the same time through the Morgan Nick Foundation, which assists with more than 1,000 missing person cases each year, turning her worst fear into a tool for other parents going through a similar case.

I was blown away that here was a mother who had been looking for her daughter and had no idea where she was or if she was safe. But she didnt curl up in a fetal position and give up. She took her energy, and she started using itfirst, obviously, to find Morgan, but then to say to parents, Here are things you need to be aware of. Dont let your child out of your sight. Make sure you have a good understanding of your surroundings,' Huckabee said. It was very obvious that without Colleen and her advocacy for missing children, some of these important pieces of legislation would never have happened.

One of those was Megans Law, which requires authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders.

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I just think that anything that a legislative body can do, whether its to increase the penalties, more resources to law enforcement, to do a better job at being able to quickly identify those who have been abducted [is necessary], Huckabee said.

We wont stop till we find her: Driven by Morgan Nick case, Arkansas forms cold case units

The most recent bill passed in the Natural State, Senate Bill 371, recognizes the Morgan Nick Foundation. The law establishes a new reporting system for missing children who do not meet the minimum reporting criteria to issue an Arkansas Amber Alert.

How do you say no to a mother who comes to the state capitol, who shares her story with such a level of articulation and eloquence, and yet does it not with anger, not with bitterness, but just with the broken heart of a mother who now wants to make sure that no one else ever has to experience it, Huckabee said. She had an impact on every legislator. She had an impact on me.

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The common sentimentIt wont happen hereacted as a wake-up call to many Arkansans following 6-year-old Morgans disappearance.

Were a small-town kind of state. Most people know each other, and they know their neighbors, and these kinds of things dont happen, Huckabee said. But it does and it did.

The question also remains.

Sometimes I wonder if the technology of today had been in existence when Morgan was abducted, would we have found her, Huckabee said. Id like to think we would have had a much better chance because images would have been instantly available, a description of the pickup truck that was believed to have taken her away, DNA evidence that was in its infancyif it even existed at all in places.

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Three decades later, the same law enforcement agencies, family, and friends who stood with them then still stand with them today.

I wish that Colleen had been able to watch her grow up, watch her go to the prom, watch her graduate, watch her get married, watch her bring grandchildren into the world for her. She didnt get to do any of that, Huckabee said. I pray that somedayI pray that I live to see itthat Colleen finds out what happened to Morgan.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Former Cedars-Sinai Medical Center obstetrician-gynecologist Barry J. Brock has surrendered his medical license following an accusation of negligent care from the state medical board.

Brock, 75, signed an agreement late last month to give up the license he has held since 1978, rather than contest an accusation the Medical Board of California filed in September regarding a former patients treatment. The surrender took effect Wednesday.

Although Brock doesnt admit any factual allegations, his attorney Tracy Green said, he elected to surrender his license rather than invest time and money into a hearing.

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Under the terms of the agreement, Brock is barred from legally practicing medicine in California for life.

Brock retired from medicine in August. Since then, at least 176 women have filed lawsuits alleging that Cedars-Sinai and other facilities where Brock worked knowingly concealed his sexual abuses and misconduct, including medically unjustifiable procedures that at times resulted in lasting physical complications.

Brock has denied all allegations of impropriety. The OB-GYN was a member of the Cedars-Sinai physician network until 2018 and retained his clinical privileges there until mid-2024.

Cedars-Sinai confirmed in July that it suspended Brocks hospital privileges after receiving concerning complaints from former patients. His privileges were terminated a few months later.

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The type of behavior alleged about Dr. Barry Brock is counter to Cedars-Sinai's core values and the trust we strive to earn every day with our patients, the medical center said in a statement. We recognize the legal process must now take its course, and we remain committed to Cedars-Sinai's sacred healing mission.

The accusation that led to the surrender of his license focused on a patient who sought treatment in 2018 for a blighted ovum, a form of miscarriage in which the fertilized egg fails to develop into an embryo.

According to the complaint, the patient reported to Brocks office in September 2018 for a dilation and curettage to remove remaining tissue from her uterus.

Brock ordered the patient to undress in front of him, the complaint stated, and didn't wear gloves during the procedure, which was done without a chaperone present.

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The patient experienced severe pain during the visit and bled for two months afterward, the complaint said, and no follow-up care was provided. When she visited a physicians assistant in November 2018, the complaint said, she learned that Brock had failed to complete the dilation and curettage successfully, and she had to undergo the process a second time to remove the remaining tissue.

The complaint alleged that Brock didn't administer sufficient pain medication and failed to properly complete the procedure or follow up with pathology findings.

Although Brocks license surrender resolves this accusation, he still faces the civil lawsuits.

Suits were filed on behalf of 167 women last year, and nine more women sued the former physician this month, alleging that Brock groped their breasts and genitals inappropriately during appointments, often with bare hands, and made sexually harassing comments.

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This is why these civil lawsuits and these women coming forward  are so, so important. He cant avoid this, said Lisa Esser, an attorney representing the nine plaintiffs. Hes going to be held accountable.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Mahmoud Khalil was denied release on Friday by a judge who, earlier in the week, had rejected the Trump administrations main legal basis for seeking to deport and detain the pro-Palestinian activist.

When he issued a preliminary injunction in Khalils favor Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz said the government cant deport him under Secretary of State Marco Rubios claim that the former Columbia University students presence and activities put U.S. interests at risk. The New Jersey judge added that, since Khalil cant be deported on that basis, he cant be detained on that basis, either.

But the Biden appointee said in a new order against Khalil on Friday that the Trump administration now says its holding him on a separate basis, not the one Farbiarz preliminarily enjoined earlier in the week. The judge noted that he had previously said Khalil failed to successfully challenge that secondary basis and had never appealed that ruling.

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The judge noted in his order that Khalil still has a number of avenues available to him, such as asking an immigration judge for bail.

Khalils case gained national attention in the administrations immigration and deportation crackdown, which has featured arrests followed by court-ordered releases upholding free speech rights.

The lawful U.S. resident has argued that his March arrest at student housing in New York City was retaliation against his protected speech. He said hes not a flight risk or danger to the community, and he cited family hardship during his detention in Louisiana; his wife gave birth in April. He was born in Syria and is a citizen of Algeria.

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
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Central Ohio officials dedicated a street sign Thursday to Tommy Pappas, memorializing the owner of the restaurant staple Tommys Diner.

City leaders and community members gathered to celebrate the moment, honoring Pappas legacy with a street sign that will be seen for years to come.

I think its cool that his name is going to be on there and my kids will see, great-grandkids one day, you know? Michael Pappas, Tommy Pappas son, said. Its just, its just such an honor and it doesnt happen often, and for my dad, with what he overcame in his life to where he ended up, its a great story.

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Pride on High viewing area to benefit Columbus LGBTQ+ groups

Groups of people stood outside Tommys Diner to watch the unveiling of Tom Pappas Way. As speakers talked about him immigrating here in 1977, opening the diner, chairing the Columbus Greek Festival, but most of all, his service.

Tommy Pappas died in December, surrounded by his family.

I think we just celebrate Tommys life, his contributions, but also look to his service and what he did for this neighborhood and for our whole city to inspire us to do more, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said.

Leaders say the sign should serve as a reminder of what one life can do, for his family, the support over the past few decades is what makes this celebration even more special.

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Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decades

Without Franklinton, without Columbus, who knows where we would be, you know what I mean, Michael Pappas said. In the 36 years weve been here, and its been, and the support and the amount of love that, you know, we got showered with after he passed, it just means everything.

Michael Pappas also said he hopes people take away the impact his father had on the community as a kind and good-hearted person.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 former chief of staff of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ripped President Donald Trumps administration for taking the unprecedented action of deploying Marines and National Guard troops to protests in Los Angeles.

Jason Houser, who served under former President Joe Biden and once was a top official in the Department of Homeland Security, told MSNBCs Ana Cabrera that troops from those forces have never accompanied his old agency on operations.

The National Guard has been focused on the rioters and protesters but when they finally jump that line and you begin to see National Guard, Marines carrying out domestic immigration enforcement, thats a very scary line, he said, both for law enforcement and also those migrants that were here legally, who had status and are now being targeted for arrest.

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Houser emphasized that the Marines training reflects a lethal tool and, in terms of national security, the U.S. needs them to keep Americans safe from global threats.

But to have Marines and National Guard to begin doing knocks and bangs on doors, going to get families, children, vulnerable populations  its not within their mission set or their training, Houser said.

As demonstrations continue against the presidents aggressive immigration policies, photos shared by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week showed National Guard troops protecting federal immigration agents as they made arrests in Los Angeles.

The president suggested using the National Guard to carry out his mass deportation campaign last year. Officials told The Associated Press that the troops werent participating in enforcement activities but were providing security for agents in the LA area instead.

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Houser stressed that as the administration seeks to fulfill arrest quotas of non-criminal vetted and screened migrants, its turning our national security apparatus away to enforce domestic immigration matters instead.

In April, Houser struck a similar tone in a New York Times op-ed and later knocked the administration on MSNBC for engaging in dangerous political theater through the misuse of federal law enforcement to drive a narrative that migrants seeking protection under the law are here to harm Americans.

Its risky, its risky for our Constitution, it is inhumane, it is against our American values and, quite frankly, its getting in the way of federal law enforcement carrying out the public safety protections that we need, he told MSNBC at the time.

Related...
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO)  Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has been sentenced to 7 and a half years in prison on bribery and corruption charges.

A jury convicted Madigan earlier this year of conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud in a high-profile corruption trial.

He was also ordered to pay a $2.5 million fine.

The jury could not reach a decision on six of the 23 counts against him, including an overarching racketeering conspiracy charge, after deliberations that lasted more than 10 days. Ultimately, he was convicted on 10 counts of bribery, conspiracy, and wire fraud.

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Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual called it a historic conviction, ranking high among top public corruption cases tried in Chicagos federal courthouse. He said that Illinois residents have a right to trust in their government.

The trial, which began in October, featured more than 60 witnesses, including a congresswoman, business leaders and former state legislators.

Madigan, 83, served as House speaker for more than 30 years, becoming the longest serving U.S. legislator, and earned the nickname the Velvet Hammer for his forceful yet quiet leadership style.

He left political office in 2021 while under investigation and was indicted the following year.

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First elected to the Legislature in 1970, Madigan was speaker of the state House from 1983 to 2021, except for two years when Republicans were in control. He set much of Illinois political agenda by deciding which legislation would be voted on and by controlling several campaign funds. He also oversaw political mapmaking.

Among his crimes: Madigan used his influence to pass legislation that benefited companies like ComEd, which gave kickbacks, jobs, and contracts to Madigan loyalists in return.

Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) reacted to the sentencing, saying, I hope the entirety of his trial sends a message to every corrupt politician watching: The people of Illinois deserve betternot the corrupt cesspool Madigan and his cronies created. Sadly, there are currently 57 state lawmakers, including those from the Rockford area, who received funding from or maintain ties with Madigan. Another reason that Illinois needs real ethics reform now.

Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) said, No one is above the law. Speaker Madigan was found guilty of gaming the system for personal gain. The people of Illinois expect more from their leaders and deserve an ethical state government. We need to stop the culture of pay-to-play politics that has allowed corruption to run rampant in Illinois for decades.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Michel Moore pushed back on President Trumps deployment of military troops to Los Angeles in an op-ed published Friday in The New York Times, calling the move not only at odds with the principles of our democracy but tactically unsound.

Moores op-ed comes after an appeals court temporarily paused a ruling by a federal judge that found Trumps deployment of the National Guard  which came despite the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D)  was illegal. The court is set to hear the matter Tuesday.

Moore served as LAPD chief from 2018 to 2024.

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He argued that Trumps mobilization of the military undermined the effectiveness of local law enforcement trained to address mass protests and that the situation in Los Angeles was nowhere near the crisis level that would warrant troop deployment.

Californias emergency response infrastructure is among the most advanced in the country. Its emergency management system and mutual aid plan allow it to request help from neighboring law enforcement agencies, the California Highway Patrol and, when needed, the California National Guard. I have overseen the activation of these systems in response to both natural disasters and overwhelming disorder. They work  and they are rooted in principles of local control, coordination and public accountability, Moore wrote. Deploying federal troops undermines all three.

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) have strenuously pushed back on the presence of military troops, blaming Trump for inflaming the situation  a line that Moore echoed.

History reminds us of the dangers of blurring these lines. The tragedy at Kent State, where unarmed student protesters were gunned down by National Guard troops, offers a stark warning. The federal governments deployment of military personnel now risks causing the same escalation, tragic error and lasting damage to public confidence, he wrote.

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Trump, meanwhile, asserted on Wednesday that police in Los Angeles welcomed the move, a claim that current LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell rejected during an appearance Thursday on CNN.

Were nowhere near a level where we would be reaching out to the governor for National Guard at this stage, McDonnell said.

Moore agreed, writing that federal troops should be used only in cases of widespread collapse of civil authority and only at the explicit request of local leaders.

That is not what happened in Los Angeles, he added. The deployment appears to have been initiated without meaningful consultation or coordination with city or county officials. That is unacceptable.

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There is no question that serious unrest and violence have occurred in parts of downtown Los Angeles. Attacks on buildings and threats to public safety must be taken seriously. But this is not an insurrection. These incidents are localized, and local law enforcement agencies are fully capable of addressing them, Moore wrote.

The military response has appeared haphazard at points.

After Trump declared earlier this week he would deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles, The San Francisco Chronicle published photos of service members sleeping in what appeared to be basements or loading docks. And after Trump announced that an additional 700 Marines would be mobilized to Los Angeles, The Hill reported they had still not completed premission training.

Protests in Los Angeles were initially sparked by outrage over a series of immigration raids in the city. Demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have also cropped up in other cities.

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STAMFORD, Conn. (AP)  The former lawyer and friend of the late, estranged husband of Jennifer Dulos, a Connecticut mother of five who went missing in 2019 and is now presumed dead, pleaded guilty Friday to interfering with police in the case.

Kent Mawhinney had originally been charged with the more serious crime of conspiracy to commit murder.

A court clerk in Stamford confirmed Mawhinney was sentenced to serve 11 months. That equates to the time Mawhinney has already served behind bars since his arrest.

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Outside court on Friday, Mawhinney denied knowing the whereabouts of the missing woman and said he would tell authorities if he did.

Dulos, who was last seen dropping off her children at school in New Canaan on May 24, 2019, was declared legally dead in 2023.

Prosecutors allege the late Fotis Dulos killed his wife at her New Canaan home and drove away with her body. He died by suicide in 2020, soon after being charged with murder. He had denied killing his wife. The couple were going through a contentious divorce at the time of her disappearance.

Last year, his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, was convicted of helping Fotis Dulos plot and cover up the murder of Jennifer Dulos. Troconis was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison.

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Mawhinneys attorney, Jeffrey Kestenband, said in a statement his client was not part of a conspiracy to kill Jennifer Dulos, noting the state acknowledged there was not enough evidence to prove the original charge.

The states acknowledgment is not surprising because Kent was not involved, Kestenband said. "He has been through a lot since his arrest, and he can now move on with his life.

Friends and family of Jennifer Dulos said in a statement they do not believe Mawhinney has been absolved of conspiracy to murder, saying the charge was dropped for multiple reasons and they supported the decision to do so.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A now-former Leavenworth elementary school teacher faces new charges amid allegations that he inappropriately touched children.

Jerome Riscovallez  who used to teach at Henry Leavenworth Elementary School  was originally charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

KC group plans No Kings Rally in protest of Gov. Kehoe, President Trump

He now faces additional charges of:

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Aggravated indecent liberties with a child

Criminal restraint

Four counts of battery

The school district fired Riscovallez in February. Parents of impacted children have expressed anger with the school district for not doing something sooner.

Something should have been done a long time ago. It shouldnt have been taking this long for something to happen two weeks ago and just now law enforcement being involved, Christopher Russell previously told FOX4.

Riscovallez is due in court Friday, June 13, at 1 p.m. for an arraignment hearing.

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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  The former fiscal manager for the Childrens Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania (CAC/NEPA) has been sentenced after being found guilty of wire fraud.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 51-year-old Angela Saar, of Olyphant, diverted fraudulent payments of various kinds from the CAC/NEPA bank accounts into her own bank accounts for her personal benefit.

The thefts happened from November 2018 to June 2022 while Saar was employed as the fiscal manager at the CAC/NEPA, the DOJ said.

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Public voices opinion on Wilkes-Barre mural

The Department of Justice says some of the diverted payments involved fraudulent mileage reimbursements, while others involved Saar inflating her bi-weekly paychecks by thousands of dollars.

The total amount of restitution ordered to be paid back to the CAC/NEPA was $411,940.11.

The Department of Justice says Saar also defrauded a second charitable organization in Lackawanna County, for which she paid restitution prior to her sentencing.

Saar has been sentenced to 366 days in prison, with three years of supervised release.

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NICOSIA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 flights from the United States and Europe bound for Israel were diverted to Cyprus on Friday after Israel closed its airspace following overnight strikes on targets in Iran, Cypriot authorities said.

Hermes Airports, which manages Cyprus's two main airports, said that 23 flights landed at Larnaca and nine at Paphos. Hundreds of passengers are currently waiting inside the terminals, while some have been accommodated in local hotels.

"Passengers on the flights diverted to Larnaca and Paphos disembarked from the aircraft, with their airlines making arrangements for their onward transportation and accommodation," Hermes said in a statement.

The closure of Israel's airspace also led to the cancellation of six flights to and from Tel Aviv. Hermes said that approximately 25 flights have been affected throughout the day.

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remains closed until further notice, with Israeli air defense forces on high alert for possible retaliatory attacks from Iran, according to local media reports.

In response to the unfolding situation, the Cypriot government has activated its "Estia" evacuation plan to assist foreign nationals seeking to leave conflict zones in the region.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to convene an emergency meeting of the National Defense Council late Friday afternoon to assess regional developments, as Cyprus lies near the volatile Middle East, the Cyprus News Agency reported. 
Former officer in DWI scheme relinquishes certification

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  On Thursday, a former Albuquerque Police Officer at the center of the DWI corruption scheme was officially stripped of his certification. KRQE Investigates sat in on the meeting with the Law Enforcement Certification Board.

Former APD Officer Joshua Montano was one of the first officers to admit his own guilt in federal court back in February to RICO conspiracy, bribery, and conspiracy to commit extortion.

On Thursday, Monano agreed to relinquish his right to hold the title of officer in New Mexico.

Latest from KRQE Investigates

The LECB formally accepted a proposed settlement with Montano. They voted unanimously to accept Montano relinquishing his law enforcement certification, rather than revoking it.

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The LECB went into a closed session for three hours during the meeting to discuss officer discipline matters, including Montanos. Neither KRQE nor members of the public could hear that part of the meeting.

When the board members returned to the open meeting, it was a short vote with neither Montano nor his attorney there for the formality.

Montano started working for the City of Albuquerque as a Police Service Aide in 2005 before becoming a sworn officer in 2007. He worked in APDs DWI unit from 2015 through 2024.

The former officer was also highlighted in a case KRQE Investigates reported on last year, where Montano was shown using a DWI suspects bracelet to connect the driver with a defense attorneys office  who then offered a guaranteed case dismissal for a price.

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Montano is the first officer connected to the scheme to be officially stripped of his certification. So far, there are seven law enforcement officers whove taken plea deals in federal court for their roles in the DWI corruption scheme.

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Jun. 13The scene inside the trailer in Ayer, Massachusetts, on May 21, 1980, was grim: 48-year-old Katharina Reitz Brow lay dead, her body covered with 30 stab wounds and beaten with a blunt instrument. The knife she was killed with was left behind in a wastebasket.

More than two years later, a man who lived nearby was arrested and convicted of her murder, but that was vacated in 2001 after DNA analysis of a blood stain at the scene determined it was left by another man.

The case sat cold for more than 20 years until advances in genetic genealogy allowed investigators to identify the man they now believe killed Brow.

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The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office announced this week that the killer has been identified as Joseph Leo Boudreau, who was 37 and living in Massachusetts at the time of the slaying. Boudreau moved to Ogunquit in 1987, where he lived until his death in 2004 at age 61.

"Although the original conviction in this case was vacated, we did not stop there. We do not forget when someone enters Middlesex County and violently takes a person's life. No matter how much time passes, our priority remains the same, to seek answers," District Attorney Marian Ryan said during a press briefing on Thursday.

"In this case, that meant identifying the person responsible for Mrs. Brow's death, even though they could no longer be held accountable through the criminal system," Ryan said. "Today, we are able to name her killer and provide long-overdue clarity to her family,"

Ayer police Chief Brian Gill said Brow's brutal murder shook the town to its core. Ryan described Brow as a hardworking wife, mother and sister.

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When she was found, police said she was killed sometime between 7:10 a.m., when her husband left for work, and 10:45 a.m. The stab wounds included five to her heart, and she had been repeatedly struck with a blunt object.

There were signs of a struggle in the house and her purse, jewelry and a large amount of cash she kept tucked between sheets in a linen closet were missing.

Kenneth Waters, who lived nearby and worked at a diner Brow frequented, was arrested on Oct. 13, 1982, and convicted of Brow's murder the following year. His conviction was vacated on March 15, 2001, after he was cleared because of advances in DNA technology.

At the time of the original investigation, the crime laboratory was only able to do blood typing, Ryan said. The stain found at the house was type O, a match to Waters.

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The 2010 movie "Conviction" centered on Waters' wrongful conviction.

After that was vacated, the case was assigned and reassigned to different investigators, but new information was never uncovered, Gill said.

"The investigative breakthrough came when forensic investigative genetic genealogy DNA testing was applied to evidence recovered at the scene. This ultimately led us to today's announcement," he said, "I am thankful that we may be able to finally bring some closure to the Brow family and a measure of justice for Katharina."

In March 2022, the Middlesex district attorney's cold case unit decided to use forensic investigative genetic genealogy  DNA analysis combined with genealogical research  to try to identify the source of the blood found at the murder scene.

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Ryan said investigators who worked with forensic chemists at Parabon NanoLabs isolated a genetic line that led them to identify a pair of brothers as potential suspects. The brothers are both deceased, Ryan said, but authorities were able to track down two relatives who cooperated with the investigation and provided DNA samples to investigators.

Bode Laboratories analyzed the samples and determined "to an overwhelming statistical likelihood" that the blood came from Boudreau, Ryan said. His brother was eliminated as a possible suspect.

Investigators have found no connection between Waters and Boudreau, Ryan said.

Boudreau was born in Natick, Massachusetts, in 1943 and worked in the Framingham area as an adult. He was convicted of armed robbery in New Hampshire in 1975, according to investigators.

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Officials did not release any details about Boudreau's life in Maine, saying only that he was living in Ogunquit when he died in 2004.

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A former police community support officer with an obsession for weapons tried to build a gun using a 3D printer.

Zoe Watts, 38, was found with an arsenal at her Lincoln home, with items including parts to make a semi automatic weapon, a machete and a crossbow.

Watts, who previously served as a PCSO with Lincolnshire Police, was arrested during an armed operation on Dec 11.

It came less than four years after she was previously jailed for possessing illegal weapons and manufacturing explosives in 2021.

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The latest charge related to Watts trying to make an FGC MK II Nutty semi automatic weapon, jurors at Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Christopher Poole, a ballistics expert for the prosecution, said: It was the first in the UK seen of this variant.

Giving evidence, Mr Poole said 3D printed guns had become an emerging trend where individuals were circumventing firearms laws.

A butterfly knife, home-made explosive and stun gun were among the items found in Zoe Watts home - Lincolnshire Police

He confirmed videos of similar weapons being discharged were readily available on YouTube, while jurors were shown footage of a similar weapon being discharged at a metal target in America.

Jonathan Dee, prosecuting, explained the initials of the FGC MK II stood for F--- gun control.

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When firearms experts tried to put the weapon together, it did not work, but Mr Dee insisted it would have become a lethal prohibited weapon if made correctly.

The 3D printer was found in a cupboard during a search of Watts home along with many of the parts needed to make the FGC MK II Nutty, including a very short steel barrel.

Other items including a machete, bladed article, crossbow and bow were recovered from Watts home.

The defendant had an arsenal, we say this was part of it, Mr Dee told the jury.

Two days before the search, Mr Dee said Watts had put a search into Google asking: Has anybody been killed by a 3D printed gun?

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And a day later, a search was made for the death of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of United Healthcare, who was fatally shot outside a hotel in New York, Mr Dee said.

A still from one of Zoe Watts survivalist channel on YouTube

During her trial, Watts claimed she was actually making a fidget toy gun as a Christmas present.

Watts told the jury she had previously run a YouTube channel dedicated to survivalism and bushcraft.

But a jury at Lincoln Crown Court convicted her of the offence after a five-day trial.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned sentence until Aug 8 and remanded Watts back into custody.

Watts was previously jailed for 27 months in July 2021 after she hoarded banned weapons and explosive substances and also made an improvised explosive device.

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Police also found a stun gun, butterfly knives and an illegal electric fly-swatter during a raid in October 2020.

On that occasion Watts had made an explosive device out of a modified shotgun cartridge.

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Federal authorities in Philadelphia apprehended and charged four individuals accused of executing a multimillion-dollar postal fraud scheme. The suspects allegedly orchestrated a plot to steal and resell U.S. Treasury checks.

According to a superseding indictment, the operation spanned from June 2023 to September 2024, during which time Tauheed Tucker, 23, and Saahir Irby, 27, both employed as U.S. Postal Service mail processing clerks at the Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center, reportedly stole thousands of envelopes containing U.S. Treasury checks from mail sorting machines. The checks were then allegedly sold to two other defendants.

Investigators contend that Cory Scott, 25, and Alexander Telewoda, 25, advertised the stolen financial instruments via Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging app, where they found interested buyers nationwide. They mailed the checks to buyers, who attempted to cash them without the knowledge of people to whom the checks had been originally issued.

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The combined face value of the stolen Treasury checks exceeded $80 million. Scotts and Telewodas customers managed to collect approximately $11 million worth of these stolen checks at financial institutions.

Irby faces an additional charge related to another mail theft incident in August 2024. If convicted, Irby could be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Tucker, Scott, and Telewoda each face potential 20-year sentences and $750,000 fines.

The investigation was a concerted effort involving the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Local law enforcement agencies also assisted in the investigation.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

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The post Former Postal Service employees charged in $80M fraud scheme appeared first on FreightWaves.
Jun. 12A former Pueblo of Isleta governor lauded for his dedication to teaching Native youth with a focus on preserving tribal culture has died.

Max Zuni, who served multiple terms as Isleta governor, died Wednesday. The Indian Affairs Department (IAD) first reported the death and did not release a cause or say how old Zuni was.

"This is a great loss, and I am sending good thoughts to the Pueblo of Isleta and Governor Zuni's relatives," state Indian Affairs Secretary Josett D. Monette said in a news release. "I am so grateful and honored for the opportunity to have worked with him both at the Pueblo of Isleta and in my role with IAD as he was always a joyful, inspiring and respectful leader."

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Zuni most recently served as governor in 2023 and 2024 and, during that time, he visited 137 Isleta high school students across three districts to hear their concerns  emphasizing the importance of carrying on their culture, learning their Native language and embracing tradition.

Throughout his leadership, Zuni focused on tribal education and cultural preservation.

"New Mexico has lost a true partner and champion for his people," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a news release. "Governor Zuni understood that real leadership isn't about taking credit  it's about taking responsibility."

The New Mexico House Democrats issued a statement Thursday saying Zuni "showed up for his community every single day." The group applauded Zuni for his governance in navigating the COVID pandemic and improving an assisted living facility in Isleta.

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"We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Governor Zuni, who was a respected champion of Indigenous education, tribal sovereignty, and the preservation of Native history, cultures, and traditions throughout New Mexico," they wrote in a statement.

"Governor Zuni understood the importance of honoring our past, while also investing in our future by engaging, inspiring, and supporting the next generation."

In a 2019 interview, during the state's inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, Zuni was asked about the significance of the event.

"It should have happened several hundred years ago," Zuni said. "... Our cultural traditions have been carried on for thousands of years, and we hope and pray that they will be around another thousand years... that our younger people know the histories of our pueblos, our Native Americans, and they keep on all the traditions for a long time."
Michael Ramos, the former district attorney for San Bernardino County, has agreed to a six-month suspension from practicing law in California after allegedly destroying evidence in a 2017 corruption case, the California State Bar said in a statement to The Times.

The case involved corruption charges against three San Bernardino County officials and a developer who was a managing director of Rancho Cucamonga-based investor group Colonies Partners.

The four were indicted in 2011 on multiple charges stemming from a land dispute between the county and Colonies Partners.

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Prosecutors alleged that the four men participated in a bribery scheme years prior designed to settle the dispute in favor of the company. In 2006, county supervisors voted 3 to 2 to settle with Colonies, over the objection of county legal staff.

Read more: Two San Bernardino County officials and developer acquitted in public corruption case

Ultimately, three of the four defendants were acquitted in 2017, and charges were dropped against the fourth later that year. Several parties filed lawsuits against Ramos, alleging misconduct during the corruption case.

The next year, the Colonies defendants sued the county for allegedly engaging in "retaliatory, malicious, or politically motivated investigations and prosecutions, including failed criminal action against the various plaintiffs." Ramos lost his bid for reelection later in 2018.

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The lawsuit's discovery phase sought Ramos' written communications, but he had deleted the emails directed to his campaign address as well as his texts messages, according to the agreement signed by Ramos and the State Bar.

In 2020, a U.S. magistrate judge concluded that Ramos "had a duty to preserve emails and text messages and found his excuses for not doing so unacceptable," according to Larson LLP, a firm that represented Colonies.

It is shocking that any lawyer, particularly one serving as District Attorney, would act in bad faith and destroy evidence relevant to an on-going litigation," wrote Stephen Larson of Larson LLP.

Read more: A blood feud rocks O.C. law enforcement with claims of 'dirty cop,' 'corrupt' D.A.

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Larson accused Ramos of "political persecution," saying that he "destroyed evidence of his nefarious conduct.

Ramos did not respond to request for comment. He is listed as a faculty member at UC Riverside.

The suspension agreement was approved by the State Bar Court and sent to the California Supreme Court, which has yet to approve the proposed agreement.

Prosecutors wield tremendous authority and discretion, and with that comes a heightened responsibility to adhere to the ethical standards of the legal profession, said State Bar Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona. This stipulated discipline, if approved by the California Supreme Court, reinforces the State Bars commitment to ensuring that those who violate the rules governing attorney conduct  regardless of their title or position  are held responsible.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former U.S. military officials are very worried about the optics of President Donald Trumps upcoming military parade and highly concerned about a potential Tiananmen Square moment, according to New York Times reporters speaking on Fridays edition of The Daily podcast.

The parade is meant to celebrate the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary but will coincide with Trumps 79th birthday and expected protests across the country  which retired officials believe could be a dangerous combination.

New York Times reporter Michael Barbaro said on Friday that showcasing the U.S. militarys most fearsome weapons and soldiers could feel like a threat to the citizens theyre meant to protect  rather than to our foreign adversaries.

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Absolutely, replied Pentagon correspondent Helene Cooper. Theyre very worried about that. And especially in the former uniform world, where these are retired Army officials, retired Marine generals Ive been on the phone with, theyre really worried about this image.

They are also worried about a potential Tiananmen Square moment, where you have a protester standing in front of a tank, she continued. That is not what America is supposed to look like. And this is another one of those potential scary things that we could see on Saturday.

The parade comes at a precarious time: Trump sent 4,000 U.S. National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles this month amid anti-ICE protests while immigration agents continue to snatch suspected undocumented immigrants away for deportation. The government has stated that the troops purpose is to protect federal property.

Trump will have tanks rolling through the streets of the nations capital, just as China did in Beijing during the 1989 protests calling for reform. The Tiananmen Square massacre that followed is best remembered though the image of an unidentified man standing in front of a line of tanks the next day.

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The Saturday parade is set to feature nearly 7,000 troops, a multitude of ground vehicles and fighter jet flyovers  a display that could cost as much as $45 million. While Trump has promised a parade like no other, Cooper elaborated on what the imagery of the parade could represent to people.

Trump, pictured Tuesday after arriving at Fort Bragg in North Carolina for a speech. Alex Brandon/Associated Press

She said Trump voters who see soldiers in Los Angeles as necessary will be able to enjoy the event, while people whove been victimized by the administration might see this as another example of a government thats trying to intimidate them.

And the biggest problem with this, according to the military leaders in President Trumps first term, is this risks bringing the military into the middle of partisan politics, Cooper continued. You want an American military that all Americans feel is part of them.

You do not want a military that is a Trump military or a MAGA military, or a Democratic military or a Biden military, she said. You want a military that American people feel is a nonpolitical institution.

Related...
HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2)  Former UFC champion B.J. Penn was arrested and charged for violating a temporary restraining order on Thursday, June 12, Hawaii Island police confirm.

According to officials, the 46-year-old athlete had entered a Hilo residence that violated the terms of a temporary restraining order that names Penn.

UFC fighter B.J. Penn asks court to recall arrest warrants

He was found within the area and was arrested without incident and was released after posting his $3,000 bail. Penn is scheduled to make an initial appearance in family court on June 13.

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Last month, he was arrested twice within a week.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Officer Blake Ragocos at (808) 935-3311 or at blake.ragocos@hawaiicounty.gov.

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Former US Special Envoy for Ukraine Kurt Volker has said that achieving peace with Russia is currently unlikely, but a ceasefire is possible if financial pressure on the Kremlin is increased.

Source: Volker on 13 June during the GLOBSEC Forum 2025 in Czechia

Details: Volker had been asked whether US President Donald Trump is essential to peace with Russia.

"I dont think were going to have peace. I do agree with the minister: I think we may have a ceasefire. And what it will take to get to a ceasefire is squeezing Putins finances so he has a very hard time keeping the Russian state afloat and conducting this war if he doesnt have revenue," he said.

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Volker believes the United States should ensure a continued supply of weapons to Ukraine, even on a paid-for basis, without placing an additional burden on American taxpayers, and that Trump could play a key role in this.

Volker stressed the importance of strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities as soon as possible, as Russia is trying to regroup and strengthen its position.

He added that the world must prepare for a long and tense confrontation over Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine.

"No ones going to be trying to attack Russia and defeat Moscow, but we do have to be prepared to have an uneasy stand-off over occupied Ukraine for a long time," he said.

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Commenting on the new sanctions package currently being considered in the US Senate, Volker was critical of the previous approach taken by former US President Joe Biden's administration.

"For the first three years of the war, the Biden administration had the sanctions in name, and then exemptions to the sanctions, particularly for payments to Russian banks for energy. They did not want to really squeeze Russian energy supplies, which meant that Putin didnt really face any difficulty," he stressed.

Volker added that the new package contains important changes  it leaves key sanctions in place, imposes restrictions on the shadow fleet, removes exemptions and introduces penalties for those who help Russia circumvent sanctions.

"It creates a very strong deterrent [...], coupled with an effort to keep global oil prices low  that would also have an impact on Putins budget," Volker noted.

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Background:

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, his Democratic colleague Richard Blumenthal and 80 other co-authors have introduced a bill that would impose additional economic sanctions against Russia for refusing to comply with the ceasefire, including a 500% tariff on goods imported from countries that purchase Russian oil.

The bill also has support in the House of Representatives.

However, according to media reports, Trump wants to soften the sanctions in the bill. Publicly, Trump says he will impose new sanctions against Russia if necessary.

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The Army is upgrading a multipurpose sniper training range at Fort Benning, Georgia to handle new weapons that can shoot farther than the current range allows.

The improvements are part of a series of modernization efforts scheduled over the next seven years, according to an Army release.

As part of the modernization initiative, Burroughs Range was upgraded to extend a section of the range from 800 meters to 1,100 meters. A future upgrade includes some target areas being expanded to distances of up to 1,200 meters, offering improved training opportunities for soldiers using the range.

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The current sniper rifle system used by the Army has an effective range of about 1,000 meters, said Shane Duncanson, Fort Benning range planner.

Newest sniper rifle for soldiers, Marines takes on final hurdle before fielding

The Armys newest sniper rifle, the Mk22, can strike targets as far as 1,500 to 1,800 meters, Duncanson said.

The Mk22 is a multi-caliber, bolt-action rifle that replaces the M2010, M110 and M107 sniper rifles.

The requirements for changes to the training ranges came from new weapons systems being introduced, said John Nolt, acting director of Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization & Security at Fort Benning.

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Completed in 1976, Burroughs Range was initially designed as a heavy sniper training facility, with armored targets placed throughout the training area, according to the release.

Additionally, a two-meter tall, 225-meter-long, 21-meter-deep berm, complete with a moving target rail system to its rear, is located on the west side of the range at 800 meters from the shooting positions.

As the battlefield changes, our training ranges have to change, too, said Jason Olive, Fort Benning range officer. As Burroughs Range transitions to the Armys newest Multipurpose Sniper Range, the requirement for a moving armored target was eliminated, which required the removal of the berm and tracks behind it, allowing additional line of sight and an area to incorporate the Armys newest trackless moving target technology.

The construction work at Burroughs Range involved leveling the berm, demolishing the obsolete rail system  which featured a 44-centimeter concrete base and a 20-centimeter rebar barrier extending along the entire 225-meter length  gradually leveling the land behind the berm, removing trees and clearing debris throughout the range.

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Burroughs Range was built back in a day when 1,000 meters was the farthest someone could shoot, and typically a solider would train at 600-800 meters, Duncanson said. Were in the process of doing small incremental improvements so that we can use the new weapon systems and rounds at 1,200 meters.

Personnel from Fort Benning, as well as the Georgia Army National Guards 177th Engineer Support Company, 878th Engineer Battalion out of Augusta, Georgia, and the Army Reserves 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion out of Birmingham, Alabama all contributed to modifying the range.

This type of training allows us to meet directly on the job site with our active duty and Reserve counterparts, said Warrant Officer James Jarrett, a construction officer with 177th Engineer Support Company.

The ongoing modernization of training ranges across Fort Benning is focused on improving soldiers training, readiness and operational capabilities, according to the release.
SEOUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- One worker was transported in cardiac arrest and another was injured after being buried at a construction site in South Korea's capital Seoul, Yonhap news agency said Friday.

Two workers were buried at around 1:02 p.m. local time (0402 GMT) while replacing sewage pipes in an apartment in southern Seoul.

One man in his 60s was taken to a hospital in cardiac arrest, while the other in his 50s suffered minor injuries.

The police and the fire authorities were investigating the exact cause of the accident. 
Four migrants have escaped a detention centre in New Jersey amid reports of a possible uprising.

The men, whom authorities say are public safety threats, broke out of Newarks Delaney Hall facility on Thursday, where individuals are being held ahead of possible deportation proceedings.

According to reports, they were able to push down an outer wall and escape the property, which was recently converted into a detention centre at a cost of $1 billion as part of Donald Trumps mass deportation drive.

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The men have been identified as Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes, Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon, who are Honduran and Colombian nationals.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to their arrests.

On Thursday night, reports emerged of a possible uprising and breakout at the facility, as protesters, demonstrating against the Trump administrations deportation push, locked arms and pushed against barricades as vehicles passed through the gates.

People staged a protest at the detention facility on Friday - DAN ANDERSON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Precisely what unfolded inside Delaney Hall is still unclear.

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Amy Torres, the executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, claimed officers had pepper sprayed and dragged protesters away from the facility.

Mustafa Cetis, a lawyer acting for one of the migrants, said detainees had turned aggressive and violent amid arguments with authorities over food.

Based on what he told me it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down, he continued.

DHS said in a statement that it has become aware of four detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention facility escaping, adding that additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees.

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Delaney Hall has been the site of clashes this year between Democratic officials, who say the facility needs more oversight, and the authorities.

Last month, LaMonica McIver, a Democrat congresswoman, was charged with assaulting federal officers stemming from a skirmish that happened outside the facility after a visit to the centre.

LaMonica McIver was charged with assaulting federal officers last month - Angelina Katsanis/AP

Ms McIver said in a statement that she had serious concerns about the reports of abusive circumstances at the facility, and that her office had reached out to immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) for answers.

On Friday, Democrat Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, who has been critical of Mr Trumps immigration crackdown, called for an end to this chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked.

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We are concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees, he said.

In a statement issued on Friday, American Friends Service Committee said people inside the facility reported getting small portions of food, with breakfast at 6am, dinner at 10pm and no lunch.

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Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst was forced to seek cover while live on the air in Tel Aviv on Friday while discussing the missile impact of Irans retaliation after a war with Israel broke out.



OK, theres just a massive amount of fire coming to Tel Aviv right now. Yaniv, get ready to pull it off the sticks. Get off the sticks. All right, lets go. Time to go, Yingst suddenly told his crew as he was on the air with Fox News anchors Sandra Smith and John Roberts.

OK, guys, come on. Everyone, move. Everyone, move now. Stay with us. Stay with us. Pick up the gear. Lets go, Yingst continued as he and his camera crew drew back for safety while on a hotel balcony. The Fox News reporter was broadcasting amid a barrage of missile fire that rained down on Tel Aviv on Friday night, just as Israels Iron Dome missile defense system attempted to intercept incoming fire.

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So, some of this I can already see, John and Sandra, is not being intercepted. We just saw one of the missiles. OK, and theres an interception right over Tel Aviv. Pull out here, Yaniv, and youre going to see the trail. Just listen here. OK, this is some short range systems, Yingst continued as the Iranian missile barrage intensified amid sirens, smoke rising and missile trails lighting up the nighttime sky.

Fox News Roberts interrupted to remark the missile fire over Tel Aviv was unprecedented, and Yingst agreed. Yes, John, Sandra, you saw those live images. Israel is under a massive ballistic missile barrage. I have reported here for nearly seven years and never seen such an attack against an Israeli city. The amount of air defense that you saw going off there is  its unprecedented. It appears that they are targeting some of the centrally located positions in Tel Aviv, Yingst reported.

The missile fire from Iran follows Israels military attacks on Iranian nuclear sites and other targets the previous evening.



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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Merriam, Kansas, is located in northern Johnson County, neighboring KCK, Shawnee, Lenexa, and the north part of Overland Park.

While its smaller than those neighboring cities, its history is rich.

Things to do in Kansas City for Fathers Day weekend

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Shawnee Native American tribe moved to the Kansas Territory, establishing themselves along the Kansas River.

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Frontier trails cut through what is now Merriam as hundreds of thousands of people began migrating west. Railroad development soon played a significant role in Merriams history.

David Gee Campbell, often referred to as the towns founder, relocated his home to the south side of Johnson Drive, near Turkey Creek, in 1864. The house still stands today at 9503 Johnson Drive.

Kansas City set for major economic boost with FIFA-Airbnb partnership

Another significant piece of Merriams history involves segregation and civil rights.

Merriams Madam C. J. Walker grade school was established in 1888 but became segregated 12 years later. Despite the schools poor conditions, the black students stayed, while the white students went to a brand-new school called South Park.

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In 1948, activist Esther Brown helped Walker school families sue what was then known as the Johnson County Organized School District 90. It boycotted for a year until the Kansas Supreme Court ruled in their favor, making the case a key precursor to the landmark Brown versus Board of Education case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
By Michel Rose and John Irish

PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that Iran bore a heavy responsibility for destabilisation of the Middle East and that it had pushed ahead with an unjustified nuclear programme, but he also urged restraint after Israel struck Iran.

After a day of talks with regional and international leaders following Israeli strikes on Iranian military targets, notably its nuclear sites, Macron said Tehran was close to a "critical point" in acquiring a nuclear weapon.

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Iran has consistently denied seeking one.

"Iran bears a very heavy responsibility for the destabilisation of the region," Macron said.

"Iran is continuing to enrich uranium without any civilian justification and to levels that are very close to what is needed for a nuclear device," he said.

While he urged restraint, Macron acknowledged that resuming diplomatic efforts, specifically U.S. negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran that started two months ago, would be difficult.

"The current situation has a risk of uncontrolled escalation," he said, adding that Iran's activities threatened Europe.

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Warning of a possible impact on the global economy, Macron said France would defend Israel if it was attacked by Iran as it had done in the past, but he ruled out taking part in any operation against Tehran.

France and Israel, traditionally close allies, have had frosty relations in recent months with Macron increasingly critical over Israel's war in Gaza.

Macron said France's support for Israel was not unconditional and that Paris has the right to disagree with some Israeli government decisions because "they are sometimes against Israels security interests."

(Reporting by Michel Rose; writing by John IrishEditing by Gareth Jones and Cynthia Osterman)
OZARK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Franklin County man was arrested June 11 after stabbing a man and claiming self-defense.

Preston Teague, 33



According to court documents, Preston Teague, 33, is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree battery and criminal trespass.

According to an affidavit, deputies with the Franklin County Sheriffs Office were dispatched to the Mercy Hospital Emergency Room in Ozark about a stabbing.

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The victim was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith for surgery because his injuries were too severe for him to be life-flighted to a larger hospital.

OSBI investigates LeFlore County shooting that left one dead, one injured

The sheriffs office received a 911 call from Teagues mother one minute before the previous call. She said Teague was on his way back home from Ozark, and that he was in an altercation with someone and had stabbed them. She told police the incident happened on Twisted Oak Lane near Ozark.

Teague was arrested at his home in Fort Smith and taken to Bloomer, so Franklin County deputies could take him to the Franklin County jail for questioning.

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Fort Smith police told Franklin County deputies that Teague admitted to them that he had stabbed the alleged victim with a knife. The affidavit said Teagues right hand was bandaged and his outer clothing was covered in apparent dried blood.

The affidavit says Teagues told Franklin County deputies on the way to the jail that he believed that his girlfriend was cheating on him with the alleged victim. He told police that he used Snapchat to find out that the alleged victim lived on Tisted Oak Lane and went there. He told police that he was shining a flashlight and calling out to the alleged victim.

According to the affidavit, Teague said at some point, the alleged victim came out to confront Teague and rammed Teagues vehicle with a truck. He also said that he did stab the alleged victim, but that it was in self-defense.

At the jail, Teague unwrapped the bandage on his hand to reveal a deep laceration. Teague was taken to the emergency room with a deputy present before he was taken to jail, where he has remained since June 11.

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FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO)  Freeport Police are searching for a suspect in a shooting that took place early Thursday morning.

According to police, around 3 a.m., officers responded to a gunshot detection alert in the 1200 block of S. Oak Avenue. Authorities said evidence of a shooting was collected at the scene.

Police said they were able to determine that the suspect was a male, approximately 6 feet tall, and wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

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After the shots were fired, the suspect then walked west toward the intersection of Empire Street and Oak Avenue.

Police are asking the public to report any information related to the crime by calling 815-235-8222.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
France's education minister said on Friday every school must adopt plans by the end of the year to identify and help pupils suffering from psychological distress.

Elisabeth Borne made the announcement after a 14-year-old pupil stabbed to death a teaching assistant in eastern France on Tuesday, the latest in a spate of attacks by schoolchildren in recent years.

In the wake of the assault, authorities promised a raft of measures to tackle knife crime among children.

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Borne told reporters on Friday she was working with the health ministry "to improve the detection of young people in difficulty or distress".

"If a young person is identified by the national education system and may have psychological, mental or even psychiatric problems, there must be some kind of safety net to ensure they receive care, particularly in psychological medical centres," she told reporters.

France's educational authorities can help detect such cases of distress, "care must be provided in collaboration with all partners", she said in the town of Saint-Quentin in northeastern France.

However, she stressed that nearly 50 percent of positions for school doctors were vacant.

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She indicated that there were fewer shortages of psychologists, nurses and social workers, adding she wanted to increase staffing levels.

It is "something I will push for: more psychologists, social workers and nurses," she said.

Borne spoke after the government on Wednesday unveiled a plan to better identify and treat mental health issues.

After the school attack, many right and far-right figures called for a security crackdown but others said a response should be broader and also include a focus on children's mental and physical health.

President Emmanuel Macron has said he is supporting a ban on social media for children under 15.

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In March, police started random searches for knives and other weapons concealed in bags at schools, and Borne reiterated the need to continue efforts to make schools safer.

"We will continue this policy of deterrence with a very clear message," she said. "Schools must remain a sanctuary, weapons have no place in schools."

zl-ito-as/ekf/giv
French police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse hundreds of migrants in northern France before wading into the water to try to prevent them from boarding boats off the Channel coast.

The police operation off Gravelines, northern France, came just days after the French interior ministry confirmed it would aim to intercept boats within 300 metres of the beaches to stop them leaving for the UK loaded with migrants.

Until now, the French have refused to intervene in the waters because they claimed maritime laws prevented them from taking action that could put lives at sea at risk.

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But government sources told The Telegraph ministers overseeing migration policy had given the green light to do so while respecting the law of the sea.

Officers with riot shields waded waist-deep into the Channel on Friday morning to try and stop people boarding small boats that had come to collect them from further down the coast.

Shortly before, they appeared to have let off clouds of choking smoke as the migrants rushed towards the water.

Images showed several of them carrying children wearing orange life jackets treading through the waters to avoid the police. Despite the officers efforts they were ultimately overwhelmed by the sheer number of people, according to reporters at the scene.

Police enter the waters to try and stop migrants boarding small boats - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Some 14,812 migrants have crossed the Channel so far in 2025 in more than 260 boats, up nearly 32 per cent on the same period in 2024. It represents a record high for the first six months of any year since the first boats arrived in 2018.

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On Wednesday, dozens of migrants reached the UK as people smugglers took advantage of the first good weather and calmer seas since May 31 when a record 1,195 people were intercepted. It is expected to push crossings past 15,000 for 2025.

The Government has vowed to crack down on people smugglers and illegal migration with Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announcing in Wednesdays spending review that the Border Security Command would be funded up to 280 million more per year by the end of the review period in 2028-29.

The images of police entering the sea were in stark contrast to other occasions in 2024 when they were filmed standing by as migrants entered the water.

France said in June that it intended to come up with a more interventionist strategy in time for the Franco-British summit, which begins on July 8, when Emmanuel Macron, the French president, will travel to London for a state visit.

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France is expanding its naval forces with six new patrol boats that will not only rescue migrants but could also intercept the taxi boats before they leave for the UK.

France is adding six new patrol boats to its policing operation along the coast - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

The first of the boats, the 46-metre long Rozel which can carry 20 paramilitary police officers, has already been put to sea.

The EU border agency has warned that people-smuggling gangs are adopting a new tactic of simultaneous migrant boat launches to outwit French police.

In an update Frontex, which has committed aerial surveillance and extra staff to the Channel, said smuggling networks providing the small boats were adapting to increase the number of successful crossings.

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They have already switched to using taxi boats where dinghies are sailed from inland rivers and waterways to pick up migrants in the shallow waters off the beaches.

But Frontex said the smuggling gangs were also using simultaneous departures.

It said: This tactic puts more lives at risk in an already dangerous stretch of water as it hinders the search and rescue efforts of the national authorities.

The risks are compounded by the increasing numbers being crammed into the flimsy dinghies. There were 54 migrants per boat in the year ending March 2025, compared with 50 in 2024 and 29 in the year to March 2022, according to Home Office data.

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NEED TO KNOW

A French restaurant posted about a new policy that will charge customers for every person added or missing from a reservation

The fee, which is over $17, came after years of incorrect reservations, according to the restaurant's chef

The Facebook post about the policy sparked outrage from some users who thought it wasn't lenient to emergencies and support from others who agreed that customers should "take responsibility"











The internet is getting heated about one restaurants reservation policy.

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Restaurant Lilot, an intimate, 20-seat French spot in Amboise, France, took to Facebook to share an updated rule for customers with reservations.

From now on, if you do not show up for the number of guests you reserved, you will be charged 15 per missing or additional person, the digital flyer, signed off by the restaurants chef Olivier Vincent, read in French. The notice was also taped to the restaurants window.

The fee, which is over $17, came after years of incorrect reservations, Vincent told local outlet France Bleu. Everyone has their phone on them, 24/7, in their pocket, on their nose. If we are able to reserve, we are able to call to say if we will be less, or more, or that we are not coming, he told the outlet in French.

Among the more than 300 comments, many Facebook users thought the restaurant was not understanding of outlying circumstances. Emergencies exist, one person wrote. Others took to the comments to warn the restaurant that the policy is not great publicity.

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Meanwhile, others backed the restaurant. For a small establishment, every table matters, one person explained. Others stressed that customers should update a restaurant about a change in a reservation, as it is merely the polite thing to do. Everyone should take responsibility, one person wrote and another wrote, Its called respect.

The restaurant did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request to comment.

A restaurant in Georgia got the internet talking for its $50 surcharge for adults unable to parent.

Back in 2023, Lyndsey Landmann and her loved ones visited Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Georgia. According to Today, Lyndsey, her husband, Kyle, and their two kids, were joined by four other families, adding up to 11 children at the table. At the end of their meal, the group was charged a $50 fee on their check for their children being too loud."

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There are several notes at the bottom of the Blue Ridge, Georgia restaurants food menu regarding etiquette and payment. There are more traditional suggestions like be respectful to staff but the one that caught Lyndsey's eye read: Adult surcharge: For adults unable to parent $$$ But when she saw the eaterys adult surcharge warning on the menu, she thought that it was "a joke," she told the outlet.

Read the original article on People
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In todays edition, we have the latest on the fallout from a Democratic senator being forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference. Plus, Jonathan Allen explains how the GOPs megabill would provide a boost to President Donald Trumps deportation agenda.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

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 Adam Wollner

Padilla incident further escalates immigration showdown between Trump and Democrats

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed from a news conference in Los Angeles after trying to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference related to immigration, Rebecca Shabad and Jacob Soboroff report.

It marked the latest escalation in the battle between President Donald Trump and Democrats over the administrations deportation plans and the protests that have broken out in response.

The incident: I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, Padilla said to Noem, which prompted several men to physically push him out of the room.

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Padillas office shared a video of the incident with NBC News that shows the senator being taken into a hallway outside and pushed face forward onto the ground as officers with FBI-identifying vests told the senator to put his hands behind his back. The officers then handcuffed him.

Speaking to reporters later Thursday, Padilla said he was receiving a briefing from military officials when he learned Noem was in the same building and decided to join her briefing.

If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, Padilla said.

DHS responded on X, falsely claiming that Padilla interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself.

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Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands, DHS said, claiming that agents thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately. Secretary Noem met with Senator Padilla after and held a 15 minute meeting.

How Democrats responded: The incident provoked further outrage from Democrats.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., denounced the incident on the Senate floor. I just saw something that sickened my stomach  the manhandling of a United States senator. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on, he said.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris called the incident a shameful and stunning abuse of power.

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How the GOP responded: Meanwhile, Republicans largely criticized Padilla.

Padilla didnt want answers; he wanted attention, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said. Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., called Padillas actions wildly inappropriate, saying they rise to the level of a censure.

But Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, called the episode very disturbing, saying it looks like he is being manhandled and physically removed and its hard to imagine a justification for that.

Read more 

How the big, beautiful bill would add fuel to Trumps deportation agenda

Analysis by Jonathan Allen

If you like the immigration showdown in Los Angeles, youre going to love the sweeping domestic policy bill pending before Congress.

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Though the measure would slash spending for many arms of the federal government, it would pour more than $150 billion into border security, interior immigration enforcement and deportations.

That includes $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement alone. Drilling down, $8 billion is earmarked to hire 10,000 more ICE agents and support staff, and nearly $900 million more is tucked into the legislation to give bonuses to ICE recruits and agents who commit to remaining in their jobs for five years. The goal is about a 50% increase in the size of the agency.

Trump allies expect that the money for ICE, which is conducting workplace raids like the ones at issue in Los Angeles, will enable the administration to ramp up its efforts to apprehend immigrants who are in the country illegally and try to follow through on the presidents promise to deport people by the millions.

If you want to do it at this scale  the scale required  youre going to have to have more people, said Rachel Bovard, vice president for policy programs at the Conservative Partnership Institute, a nonprofit closely aligned with Trumps agenda.

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Thats happening against the backdrop of the mess in L.A., where Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines in nesting-doll fashion to protect federal agents and property. The Guard is there to protect ICE from protesters  some of whom have been violent  and the Marines are there to protect the Guard.

California officials have objected to the workplace raids and the presidents decision to activate the Guard without the consent of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is suing to stop Trump. White House officials have threatened to arrest Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass if they break any laws in pushing back on the raids and military presence.

The battle among politicians turned physical Thursday when Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., approached Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a news conference she was hosting in Los Angeles. Padilla was forcibly removed from the room, pushed to the ground and handcuffed by federal agents after he tried to ask Noem a question.

There seems to be no end to the escalation. And while theres no way to predict the future, there may soon be enough money to ensure that it looks a lot like present-day L.A.

 Today's other top stories

Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Dylan Ebs.

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If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BAGHDAD, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Friday submitted an official complaint to the United Nations Security Council, condemning Israel for violating its airspace to conduct military operations in the region, the Foreign Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said Israel's actions constituted a "flagrant violation" of Iraq's sovereignty and a breach of international law and the UN Charter.

Iraq called on the Security Council to "assume its legal and moral responsibilities" by taking measures to prevent Israel from repeating such actions and to uphold Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran. In response, Iraq's Ministry of Transport announced the closure of the country's airspace and the suspension of all air traffic at airports nationwide. 
The Federal Trade Commission could reportedly bar advertising giants Omnicom and Interpublic from suppressing ads to websites over their political views as a condition for approving their pending merger.

The FTC, led by President Trump-nominated chairman Andrew Ferguson, is considering imposing the consent decree as it engages in a broader effort to investigate and stop collusive ad boycotts that unfairly target conservative media.

New York City-based Omnicom was among the companies called out by House Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) over its involvement with the Global Alliance for Responsible Media, a left-leaning advertising cartel that allegedly sought to defund news outlets and platforms, including The Post.

The FTC is currently reviewing a $13.25 billion all-stock deal between the two ad giants. Bloomberg via Getty Images

Jordan launched an investigation into Omnicom after the merger was first announced last December.

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The FTC is currently reviewing a $13.25 billion all-stock deal between the two ad giants.

If approved, the combined entitles would form the largest ad agency in the world, with around $25 billion in annual revenue.

The terms of the merger deal are still under review and have yet to be finalized, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Representatives for the FTC, Omnicom and Interpublic did not immediately return The Posts request for comment.

The Omnicom and Interpublic merger deal was first announced in December. REUTERS

The FTCs move points to a much more highly politicized environment for agencies than we have ever seen before, at least in the United States, analyst Brian Wieser wrote in a midyear industry update on Tuesday that was cited by the New York Times, which first reported on the proposed consent decree.

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Fergson has said that any boycotts organized by advertisers can be illegal because they involve coordinated refusals to do business, which may restrict competition.

Earlier this week, the FTC requested documents from top ad agencies, including Omnicon, Interpublic, WPP, Dentsu, Havas and Publicis, as part of a broad review into whether the firms had violated antitrust law by participating in boycotts against certain news outlets.

The FTC is also targeting so-called watchdogs like Media Matters and Ad Fontes Media in the investigation and in May requested documents about their dealings with a dozen firms, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Andrew Ferguson, testifies during a House Committee on Appropriations  Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government on a oversight hearing of the US Federal Trade Commission on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on May 15, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

The probe is focused in part on how the firms dealt with Elon Musks X, which suffered a mass exodus of advertisers after the mogul bought the social media company formerly known as Twitter in 2022 and loosened its content moderation practices.

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The agencys letter to Media Matters requested all documents that Media Matters either produced or received in discovery in any litigation between Media Matters and X Corp. related to advertiser boycotts since 2023.

Last year, Musk filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against the World Federation of Advertisers and its now-defunct GARM initiative, which shut its doors after the suit was filed.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino told The Post at the time that the entire online advertising ecosystem was broken as a result of the alleged boycotts.

We were victimized by a small group of people pushing their authority or ability to monopolize what gets monetized, Yaccarino said.

With Post wires
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Lindsey Graham is pushing forward to fund President Donald Trumps border security agenda despite objections from a key Senate Republican who wants to cut the spending in half.

The South Carolina Republican, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, unveiled the Senates plan to fund the presidents border security desires, with billions of dollars slated to go toward building a wall at the Southern border, beefing up Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) detention capacity and hiring more Border Patrol Agents, among others.

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Cracks Down On Biden's Student Loan 'Scheme,' Top Republican Says

Then-former President Donald Trump and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

But Grahams decision to plow ahead with the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committees $128.4 billion bill, which funds the lion's share of the administrations border security request, comes after the committees chair, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., proposed to cut half the funding baked into the House GOPs bill.

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Pauls concerns mobilized White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller to hold a closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans on Thursday to justify the price tag.

"As Budget Chairman, I will do my best to ensure that the Presidents border security plan is fully funded because I believe it has been fully justified," Graham said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I respectfully disagree with Chairman Pauls proposal to cut the Trump plan by more than 50 percent."

Read On The Fox News App

"The President promised to secure our border," he continued. "His plan fulfills that promise. The Senate must do our part."

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The Homeland Security Committee accounts for the bulk of the White Houses $150 billion request, but not all. The remaining money is expected to come from the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees.

Trump Ally Stands Firm Against 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Despite Pressure: 'It'll Completely Backfire'

Grahams bill, which closely mirrors the House GOPs version, includes $46.5 billion in funding to build the border wall and additional infrastructure, $4.1 billion to hire more border patrol agents, $2 billion for retention and signing bonuses for the new agents, $5 billion to improve border patrol facilities and $855 million to repair the Border Patrols vehicle fleet.

The measure also includes $45 billion to beef up ICEs detention capacity, $6 billion to improve border surveillance, $6 billion to the Department of Homeland Security to "ensure adequate funding for border security across the board" and $10 billion in grant funding to reimburse states for border security efforts during the Biden years.

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Paul, who did not attend Millers meeting with Senate Republicans, said the White House "threw a number at the wall to see what would stick" and that certain line items, like the tens of billions for border wall construction, could be drastically reduced to roughly $6.5 billion when breaking down the cost of construction per mile.

He presented his number to the Senate GOP on Wednesday and noted that there were "half a dozen senators" who agreed with him.

When asked why Graham and the leadership opted to skip over him as chair of the committee to release the text of the bill, he said "because they disagree with me."

"I think Sen. Graham's job, as he sees it, is to do what the president tells him to do, and my job is to do what I think is fiscally most responsible," he said. "And so we just have different agendas."

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Senate Republicans are in the midst of producing their version of the House GOPs "big, beautiful bill." Theyre using the budget reconciliation process to pass a sweeping bill advancing Trumps agenda on taxes, immigration, energy, defense and the national debt. They are also working to use it to bring down the national debt  nearing $37 trillion  with the aim of cutting $1.5 trillion in federal spending.

National Debt Tracker: American Taxpayers (You) Are Now On The Hook For $36,213,572,785,415.03 As Of 6/11/25

But whatever comes from the Senate has to pass muster with the House before making its way to Trumps desk.

And Millers meeting with the Senate GOP was meant to shore up support behind the funding detailed in the Houses bill and answer lingering concerns from fiscal hawks who are trying to find ways to further cut spending in the reconciliation process.

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., lauded Miller after the meeting but noted that there were some lawmakers who "were upset, and some that just didn't want to hear."

"I mean, Rand Pauls solution is to cut everything in half and call it good," he said. "That's not real budgeting."

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said there was "a little frustration" from some lawmakers who wanted to see a spreadsheet of the funding. He dismissed the notion that the meeting became tense and said "theres no way to precisely calculate what the administration is going to need" to clean up the "enormous mess" left by the Biden administration.

"If anything, we maybe ought to need more. It's such a big problem," Johnson said. "I dont think we're going to move the number up, but we're not going to shortchange it."

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"This is a mess we have to clean up," he said. "It's going to cost a lot of money, and we want to make sure this administration has the money to clean up."





Original article source: 'Fully justified': Graham plows ahead with Trump border funding despite Paul's objections
Federal funding uncertainties could delay the U.S. Armys plans to install technology in planned homes next to Fort Detricks Area B to prevent health risks from contaminated groundwater.

During a meeting Wednesday for Area Bs Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), which is overseeing the lands remediation, Army officials said that moving the project forward depends on receiving enough money from the federal government.

Area B, a 399-acre parcel of land between Kemp Lane and Shookstown Road, separate from the main Fort Detrick campus, was used as a test site for the Armys biological warfare program in the mid-20th century.

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After the program was ended in 1969, scientists disposed of hazardous waste in unlined trenches and pits within Area B, leading to groundwater contamination.

Army scientists have spent decades studying the contamination and the extent to which it has spread.

In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the groundwater at Area B as a National Priorities List Superfund site.

A Superfund site is a location that has been contaminated with hazardous waste that poses risks to the environment and human health. The EPA designates Superfund sites and places them on the National Priorities List.

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Contaminated groundwater from Area B has made its way to the land next to the parcel, which is where the company Rocky Gorge Development is building a residential community called Gambrill Glenn.

Gambrill Glenn will have about 300 residential units.

The Army has detected levels of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in the Gambrill Glenn area.

Trichloroethylene is a known carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. Tetrachloroethylene is likely to be a carcinogen.

More than 50 Gambrill Glenn homes are at some risk for vapor intrusion, according to a map showing where the highest contamination levels on the residential development were detected.

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Vapor intrusion is the process by which vapors from volatile chemicals migrate from contaminated groundwater through soil and into the basements and foundations of buildings.

The vapors can pose health risks to people who inhale them and degrade indoor air quality.

The health risks can vary depending on the types of chemicals in the vapors, levels of chemicals found, the length of exposure and the health of the exposed individuals.

Symptoms can include eye irritation, nausea, headaches and respiratory irritation, according to the EPA. Low-level exposure to chemicals over several years can increase the lifetime risk of chronic disease or cancer.

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The Army plans to install protective technology against vapor intrusion in the homes that could be impacted.

Cost analysis

During the RAB meeting on Wednesday, Joseph Gortva, chief of Fort Detricks environmental division, said none of the homes that need the protective technology are being built yet.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared an engineering evaluation and cost analysis for various vapor intrusion protection systems. The analysis was presented to Fort Detricks RAB in December.

Based on the engineering evaluation and cost analysis, the Army plans to install a vapor barrier and a sub-slab depressurization system under the townhouses foundations.

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A sub-slab depressurization system uses a powered fan to create a vacuum under a slab foundation, venting vapors from the slab out through the roof, according to the presentation.

The vapor barrier would be installed as an extra layer of protection to keep groundwater vapors out of the homes.

The Army has to host a public meeting on this analysis and plans to hold it in 2025. After this meeting, the Army can sign an action memorandum and legally be allowed to start installing the protective technology.

The analysis has been reviewed by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the EPA and has been revised based on their comments.

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Additionally, the Army is in ongoing discussions with the Gambrill Glenn developers about preparing to install the technology.

Moving the project forward depends on the completion of those discussions, any environmental covenants, public notice and the availability of funding, according to Eric Kauffman, a contracted consultant supporting Fort Detrick.

He said the funding profile for the Army is grim, and this project may have to be carried out in the coming federal fiscal year.

We really dont have an update on that, other than its a hurry-up-and-wait situation, he said.

A budget nightmare

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Gortva said that without secured funding, the Army cant move forward with the next step of this project, which is hosting the public information session on the engineering evaluation and cost analysis.

Even if tomorrow, [the lawyers] concluded all the negotiations, we still need that funding, he said. The question mark is, is this going to be FY25 or is it going to be FY26? I dont have an answer to that right now.

Right now, the Army is trying to conserve money any way it can, such as moving all future RAB meetings to being virtual for the foreseeable future.

In the past, people have been able to attend meetings in-person in a rented meeting room at the Hampton Inn on Opossumtown Pike or online.

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RAB member Jen Peppe Hahn asked Gortva if the Army could provide a list of how federal funding cuts are directly affecting local things, such as the restoration of Area B.

Gortva said he doesnt know if thats possible, because right now, almost everything could be affected, and its a case-by-case basis depending on what does or doesnt get funding.

To his understanding, he said, Congress sets aside a certain amount of money for the U.S. Department of Defense to use for restoration activities. That money is allocated by the Army Environmental Command.

Because there was not a set fiscal year 2025 budget, they were operating on a fiscal 2024 continuing resolution and using the same budget they had for the prior year.

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At the same time, not all of the money for projects is available from the start  instead, money for programs is coming in chunks.

If you have something you have to pay for that is more than what funding is coming in, you cant exactly pay for it at that time unless you save up money for it, Gortva said. Because of that, how funding is coming in different blocks, it affects the entire program as a whole. Things become disjointed.

He told Hahn that Fort Detrick would try to get the vapor intrusion protection technology funded in whole, and its a high priority for the garrison.

But the garrison cant control whether or not the Army Environmental Command picks Fort Detrick to get project funds.

In the past, weve always been fortunate that our projects have been well described, that they have an outcome thats easy to understand of what were trying to achieve, and the projects are put together well so that they get funded, Gortva said.

... We hope that we continue our ability to get the funding that we need to do the program ... but theres no guarantees for anyone here.

RAB member Roberta Huber succinctly described what the Army is dealing with: A budget nightmare.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  The life and legacy of trailblazing U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel is being remembered on Friday as his loved ones pay their final respects at St. Patricks Cathedral.

Rangel, also known as the Lion of Lenox Avenue, was one of the longest-serving members of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. Hillary Clinton has credited him with urging her to run for Senate.

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Born on June 11, 1930, in New York City, Rangel rose from humble beginnings to become a decorated war hero, accomplished lawyer and legendary statesman. His voice helped shake the national conversation on civil rights and championed economic justice and urban revitalization.

Rangel also served as the first Black chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

After returning as a decorated soldier from his service in the U.S. Army with both a bronze star and purple heart, he earned degrees from New York University and St. Johns University School of Law.

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Rangel was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Alma. He is survived by two children, Steven and Alicia, along with three grandsons.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Waves of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists are being seen by Iran as a declaration of war, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The strikes began in the early hours of the morning, with loud explosions rocking the Iranian capital Tehran overnight, state media and eyewitnesses reported. The Natanz nuclear site was also targeted.

Hours later, Iranian media reported that Israel had carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian territory including on the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz and again at the Natanz nuclear site.

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State-run IRNA news agency cited Araghchi as saying that Israel had crossed all red lines. He called on the UN Security Council to deal with the incident immediately.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel with "severe punishment." He said the attacks had exposed Israel's "evil nature more than ever before" and had hit residential areas.

Khamenei confirmed the deaths of several commanders and scientists, calling them "martyrs."

The Iranian news agency Tasnim, considered the mouthpiece of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Major General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, was killed in an Israeli strike on the IRGC's headquarters.

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He was considered one of the most powerful men in the Islamic Republic.

The Israeli military later said it had killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' air force, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. The death was confirmed in an IRNA report.

At least six prominent Iranian scientists, including nuclear scientists, and academics were killed in the overnight attacks airstrikes, according to reports from Iran.

According to Israeli media, Iran responded to the strikes on its territory by launching more than 100 drones towards Israel, all of which were shot down.

Concerns in the Middle East about a possible Israeli attack on Iran had grown in recent weeks, as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme escalated.

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At the end of May, US media reported that Israel had already prepared a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu: Israeli strikes to continue as long as needed

The IDF said it was a "pre-eemptive" attack in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that strikes were aimed at eliminating the nuclear threat from Iran.

The attack, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," is to continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," he said in a video published online on Friday.

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Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency for the country, citing the risk of retaliation.

Israel subsequently announced that it was shutting all of its embassies and consulates around the world.

US says this was an Israeli operation

Soon after news of the strike broke, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved, and warned Tehran not to target US personnel in the region in retaliation.

US President Trump called on Iran to quickly conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme.

"There is still time to make this slaughter ... come to an end," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

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"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," Trump continued. "JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Status of nuclear facilities uncertain

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, informed Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday that the Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz suffered "serious damage" in Israel's wide-scale strikes on Iran, a spokesman for Herzog said.

Iranian nuclear authorities said earlier, however, that the strike on the Natanz site had not resulted in any radioactive contamination or chemical leakage.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the radiation levels there were not elevated.

A uranium enrichment plant about 150 kilometres south of the Iranian capital Tehran had not been affected by the wide-scale Israeli airstrikes overnight, according to the IAEA on Friday, as more details emerged about the targeted sites.

Calls for de-escalation

The attacks in an already unstable region has caused concern worldwide.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the news was "deeply alarming."

"Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation," von der Leyen wrote on X.

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"This was a unilateral action by Israel," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "So I think it is now crucial for many allies - including the United States - to work ... to de-escalate."

Russia condemned the "serious escalation of tensions."

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the Interfax news agency that Putin had been kept informed and that "Russia is concerned about the developments."

Russia, which has close relations with Iran, recently offered to mediate in the US negotiations on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

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Egypt's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, denounced the Israeli attacks as "a blatant and extremely dangerous regional escalation."

The ministry expressed deep concern over the accelerating developments, calling the strikes "unjustified actions" that risk drawing the region into broader confrontation.
June 13 (UPI) -- As the G7 group of large democratic nations with big economies meets Sunday in Alberta, Canada, members have a broad agenda in the midst of global economic and military turmoil.

The G7 agenda includes support for Ukraine in its war defending against the Russian invasion and global trade. European members expect the United States to press again for nations to devote 5% of their budgets to defense.

Other G7 issues are the Israel-Gaza war with Canada, France and Britain putting increasing pressure on Israel to end its Gaza blockade.

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U.S. President Donald Trump is a convicted felon and Canada bars felons from entering the country. But as a foreign state representative attending the G7, Trump will be granted immunity from the usual no-felons-admitted rule.

As the host country Canada has some agenda priorities of its own for the G7 meeting. Canada has identified three core missions.

The first is "protecting our communities and the world" by addressing crime, peace and security, migration and working to improve wildfire responses.

The second is "building energy security and accelerating the digital transition" focused on critical mineral supply chains, artificial intelligence and quantum technology to boost economic growth.

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The third, "partnerships of the future" will concentrate on attracting infrastructure private investment to create jobs.

Canada also hopes achieve a U.S.-Canada trade deal.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Trump are expected to meet privately during the G7.

Ahead of the meeting, retired Canadian politician Charlie Angus took Trump to task for deploying the military to Los Angeles ICE protests.

During a news conference, Angus said, "We're not talking about creeping fascism here. This is full on police state tyranny from the gangster President Donald Trump."
Donald Trump has praised Israels sweeping military operation targeting Irans nuclear facilities and military leaders, and Republicans have already started taking up positions as faithful cheerleaders.

Shortly after the strikes in Iran were first reported Thursday evening, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham had his own sickening message of support for Israel. Game on. Pray for Israel, he wrote in a post on X Thursday, summoning a wave of critics condemning his rhetoric about the deadly strikes.

Republican Senator Jim Risch, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also shared his support for Israels strike in a post on X.

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We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action. I am also praying for the brave U.S. service members in the Middle East who keep America safeIran would be foolish to attack the United States, the post read.

Risch did not extend wishes of safety to Iranian civilians, after several were killed in Israels attacks on residential buildings. Risch was one of several lawmakers behind the recent Stand with Israel Act, which would bar the U.S. from funding any U.N. agency that suspends, downgrades, or expels Israel over its catastrophic military campaign in Gaza.

On Friday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson jumped to Israels defense over its unprecedented strike, and blamed Iran for bringing the action on itself by refusing nuclear disarmament. Israel decided it needed to take action to defend itself. They were clearly within their right to do so, he wrote in a post on X. Iran will face grave consequences if it responds by unjustifiably targeting U.S. interests.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz was also on defense, and compared people who criticized Israels strike to terrorists. In a post on X, former Obama deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes wrote, This is all so unnecessary. All of it. Everywhere. Cruz reposted, adding, You forgot to add death to Israel and death to America.

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Between 2019 and 2024, Cruz received a whopping $562,593 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its members, and has received more than $1.8 million from pro-Israel PACs between 1990 and 2024, according to OpenSecrets.

Representative Don Bacon, who received $697,837 from AIPAC in 2024, did his paid gig as Israels spokesperson by simply reposting from Israels official X account. When someone threatens to annihilate you - you better believe them. When they build weapons of mass death - stop them, the post read.
A Gary man was sentenced to a nine-year split term Thursday for hitting two men with a vehicle in 2019 near the now-former Longshots bar in Schererville.

Carl Vaughn, now 31, pleaded guilty April 25 to aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon.

Judge Natalie Bokota sentenced him to five years in prison, one in Lake County Community Corrections and three on probation.

Vaughns lawyer Lakeisha Murdaugh said the two victims were drinking and one punched her client outside the bar, before cops told them all to go home.

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At one point later, someone threw rocks at Vaughns vehicle. It was no justification, but provided context for what he did.

Deputy Prosecutor Jacob Brandewie said it was serious  one victim was left with severe injuries. Vaughn was out on bond at the time for an Illinois gun charge.

He had at least four opportunities to just drive away, the prosecutor said.

Vaughn apologized in court saying he made bad decisions when he was younger and wished the victims had been in court, so he could express remorse to them personally.

You choose to re-engage and regret that, Bokota told him. She also noted he was involved in a jail fight about a year earlier.

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Updated court documents show Vaughn got into an argument with the two men outside Longshots, 2251 U.S. 41 on Sept. 19, 2019.

One man knocked Vaughn to the ground, before Vaughn got into a vehicle and hit him in a nearby parking lot. He hit a second man on the way out, documents state.

mcolias@post-trib.com
Rachel Reeves has defended the UK government's spending plans for Wales, telling BBC Wales she delivered what the Welsh government had asked for.

Opposition parties have been critical of the chancellor's spending review, calling the money earmarked for the railways a "drop in the ocean" compared to what the country needs.

The chancellor said the plan to spend 445m on Welsh railways was a "significant package" and defended the 118m earmarked for coal tips, which is short of estimates previously made by the Welsh government.

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Reeves denied the spending review had left Wales short changed and said Wales was getting a "record" amount of cash.

Rachel Reeves made the comments on a visit to the Taff's Well Transport for Wales depot on Friday.

The Treasury is providing 300m for five new stations around Cardiff and Newport between 2026 and 2030, and a series of improvement works including measures to improve capacity in north Wales.

Another 48m is going on the South Wales Metro, while 90m is being allocated over 10 years to work on future schemes.

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Speaking to BBC Wales, Reeves said: "This investment delivers the five train stations from the Burns review in south Wales, improvements to the core valley network as well as the level crossing improvements in north Wales to link people to the jobs that are available.

"This is significant investment that the Welsh government asked for. A Labour government in Westminster working with the Labour government here in Wales to deliver for people in Wales.

"At the same time there's the record devolution settlement for the Welsh government and, on top of that as well, the 118m for coal tips to keep those safe in Wales."

When it was put to her that it was far short of the up to 600m previously estimated to be needed for coaltips, Reeves said: "No, the 118m is what the Welsh government asked for from the UK government and we've delivered that in full.

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"And we are also delivering in full the requests for investments for the Burns review stations for example."

Asked if Wales was being short changed by the 0.9% cut to Welsh government capital spending, she said: "No, we're investing in the transport infrastructure, in the coal tips and a record devolution settlement."
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"How'm I doin'?" the late New York Mayor Ed Koch used to ask constituents on his travels through the city. President Donald Trump, in the opinion of most Americans, is doin' pretty well.

His job approval, which jutted downward after he announced his "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, has recovered and hovers just below 50%. That's just about the level of Barack Obama's and George W. Bush's approval at this point in their second terms and above his own approval at any point in his first term.

Many continue to regard some top appointments as eccentric. His style of discourse, OFTEN IN ALL CAPS, is eccentric by any past presidential standard. But in a political system that remains democratic and is increasingly demotic, that which sounds coarse to you (and me) is apparently acceptable to most people.

As for his, um, unusual appointments, they may make sense for a president who is less interested in fine-tuning organizations than in affecting the behaviors of mass publics.

Candidate Trump in 2024 promised that he would eliminate shortfalls in military recruitment, which he attributed to the Biden Pentagon's "woke" policies. He pointed out accurately that the Army and Navy fell short of recruitment goals by as much as 25% in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

He named Fox News host and military veteran Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, saying he'd promote a warfighting ethos that would attract un-woke young men and women to join up. The Army raised its recruiting goal from 55,000 to 61,000 and reached it in May, four months early.

Maybe that's a coincidence or a response to other factors. But it looks like Trump's rhetoric made a big difference.

Or look at trade. Trump has made no secret of his love for tariffs and his desire to reduce trade with China. This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that China's exports to the U.S. in May were the lowest since COVID-19-wracked February 2020. It looks like thousands of American and Chinese market participants have made new decisions in response to Trump's rhetoric.

Meanwhile, the May job numbers in the U.S. increased by a more-than-expected 139,000, despite a 60,000 reduction in federal jobs since January. And despite a drop of foreign-born workers in the labor market estimated between 773,000 and 1 million since March.

Three-quarters of a million to a million  those numbers dwarf the number of annual deportations from the interior of the U.S. as compiled by my Washington Examiner colleague Conn Carroll.

Those range from 65,000 in the last year of the Obama administration and from 28,000 to 47,000 in the four Biden years. They were higher  81,000 to 95,000  in the first three years of Trump I and then fell to 62,000 in COVID-19 year 2020.

These numbers put in perspective the drama that has been playing out in Los Angeles this past week. The Trump administration cannot expect that it can, logistically, remove all the untold millions of illegal immigrants that whoever was running the Biden administration (no one, including the authors of "Original Sin," has disclosed just who that was) allowed into the U.S. But splashy raids and deportations can get hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of illegal immigrants thinking about what Mitt Romney in 2012 called "self-deportation."

Which is probably happening thanks to what has been happening in Los Angeles these past five days. Demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation activity resulted in the arrest of the head of the Service Employees International Union. When "sanctuary city" Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) let the rioting go on, Trump nationalized the California National Guard and dispatched Marines.

He plainly had the authority to do so when federal law enforcement is blocked, and as my Washington Examiner colleague Byron York recounts. And the Supreme Court in 2012 made it clear that federal immigration law prevails over countervailing state law.

There's no question whose side the public is on. A pre-riot CBS poll showed 54% approving of Trump's deportation program, and two polls taken this week showed approval: Insider Advantage by 59% to 39%, and the Napolitan News poll by 58% to 36%.

After eight years of stark contrast between Trump and Democrats' policies, as CNN poll analyst Harry Enten points out, most voters give Trump high marks and "believe that Democrats don't have a clue on the issue of immigration."

Similarly, voters who remember Democrats' insistence and journalists' assurances that Joe Biden was fully functional are skeptical that the L.A. rioters were "overwhelmingly peaceful" (Kamala Harris) or "largely peaceful" (The New York Times).

There's ample historic precedent for Trump's action as well. Dwight Eisenhower in 1957 and Lyndon Johnson in 1965 sent in federal troops to uphold federal law over the opposition of Democratic governors in Arkansas and Alabama.

Those governors were defying federal law for a cause  preservation of racial segregation  that the vast majority of voters, after a decade of reflection, were determined to reject. Today's California Democrats are defying federal law for a cause  permanent amnesty for illegal immigrants  which it appears that voters, after a decade of reflection, are bent on rejecting as well.

As for the illegal immigrants themselves, I'm not aware that anyone has conducted a poll of them, or could, since people in their situation are wary of being interviewed. But as the workforce numbers suggest, for many, self-deportation, together perhaps with the Department of Homeland Security's $1,000 travel stipend, is looking like a good option. One that may be taken up by many more than are legally deported.

So how's Trump doin'? Better, perhaps, than his critics think.
TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged on Friday that Iran will deliver a "legitimate and powerful" response to Israel's airstrikes earlier in the day.

He made the remarks in a message reacting to the lethal Israeli airstrikes on different areas in Tehran, and other cities, according to a statement published on the website of his office.

Pezeshkian said the Iranian people and officials would not remain silent in the face of Israel's "crime," adding Iran's response would make Israel "regret its foolish action."

He called for unity, trust, solidarity, and consensus among the Iranian nation more than ever, expressing confidence that the country's response to Israel would be "harsh, wise, and strong."

Pezeshkian said Israel's "brutal aggression" against Tehran and other Iranian cities, which resulted in "the martyrdom of a number of children and women, a group of innocent citizens, military commanders, and nuclear scientists, was in violation of international obligations and indicative of the criminal nature of the illegitimate regime of Israel."

He also assured that his administration would ensure the continued provision of services without any disruptions to the daily lives of the people.

Israel carried out airstrikes early Friday on Tehran and several other cities across Iran.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Following the attacks, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel must wait for a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran. 
Gov. Gavin Newsom wanted to play nice with the MAGA movement after Donald Trump's 2024 election win. Before Trump's demoralizing victory in November, the California Democrat had been building up his reputation as a political brawler, willing to go toe-to-toe with even the creepiest figures of the MAGA movement. In 2023, he even had a faux-presidential debate with Republican Gov. (and soon-to-be-also-ran) Ron DeSantis of Florida. Even as Newsom's theatrics annoyed some folks, I can't deny it was effective. When people outside of the politics-and-journalism professions talked to me about a Democrat they found intriguing, it was almost always either Newsom or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Then Trump won, and a whole bunch of Democrats panicked. Although it was a squeaker of an election  it's easy to forget that, despite sweeping all seven swing states, Trump barely won his false claims of a "landslide" got into many Democratic heads. Incorrect conclusions were drawn, among them that the country had dramatically shifted to the right and, therefore, Democrats must as well. Newsom became the face of this error, because he can't help but screw up with the same drama he brings to everything else. In an ill-fated effort to make nice with MAGA, Newsom started a podcast promising "honest discussions with people that agree AND disagree with us," all "without demeaning or dehumanizing one other." But that goal was undermined when he offered lightweight, normalizing interviews to MAGA leaders like Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, ignoring how they built their careers by demeaning people.

This quisling attitude has been endemic with Democrats in the face of Trump's white nationalism-fueled efforts to deport millions of immigrants, the vast majority of whom are innocent of any real crime. Earlier this week, 75 House Democrats disgraced themselves by voting for a Republican resolution expressing "gratitude" to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they reign terror on health care workers and farmers the president continues to demonize as "criminals." (The majority of House Democrats, 113, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, opposed the resolution.)

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Newsom, however, doesn't have the luxury to focus group-test an "immigrants are human: yes or no?" message. His state is under siege right now from a lawless president whose only goal is to stoke violence. But while Newsom has no other choice to fight back, these past few days, he has risen to the occasion in a way that even the most cynical can't deny. After Trump lobbed threats of arrests his way, the governor called his bluff. He dared Trump to arrest him, forcing the president to back down in the manner of all cowardly bullies. Newsom sued the White House to stop the illegal deployment of the National Guard against mostly peaceful protesters. And, crucially, he's been speaking about this whole disaster with a refreshing honesty that is all too rare among consultant-addicted Democrats.

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In a Tuesday night televised speech, Newsom rejected Trump's claim that he deployed the National Guard to keep the peace. Instead, Newsom explained, Trump is "fanning the flames" and, crucially, "he did it on purpose." He went on to explain the situation accurately in plain, unmistakable language: "Thats just weakness, weakness masquerading as strength. Donald Trumps government isnt protecting our communities. They are traumatizing our communities. And that seems to be the entire point."

All week, Newsom has been talking like a normal person who is understandably outraged over watching his state become a punching bag for Trump's anti-immigrant tantrum. In an interview with progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen, Newsom was crystal clear in explaining that Trump's actions caused the violence. He also spoke the blunt truth about the president and the people around him. Trump, he said, is a "stone cold liar." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is "a joke" and "everyone knows it." Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is also "a joke." Newsom seemed exhausted, but still fired up and done playing games. It's a good look.

Even progressives who have a dim view of Newsom's motives or authenticity are here for it:

honestly one of the most encouraging recent developments is the naked opportunism of Governor Gavin Newsom, and I pray that there are copycats www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2... [image or embed]  Olufemi O. Taiwo (@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social) June 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM

But of course, being a progressive, I am expected to set aside my instincts and assume the average American is too stupid or bigoted or poisoned by right-wing propaganda to see what I see. This is the point where I am required to overcome my audience's skepticism by checking my reactions against the all-seeing data. On that front, I have good news for readers: the polls show the public is on Newsom's side.

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A new poll from Quinnipiac finds that Trump's approval ratings on immigration, which had previously been strong, have fallen. Among the sample of registered voters, only 43% approve of how he is handling immigration issues, while 54% disapprove. These numbers are the inverse of where he typically stands on the issue, one of the few where Trump has traditionally retained the public's trust. It appears that some number of Trump voters really did believe the lie that he only wanted to go after "criminals," and they are now upset that his administration is targeting school children, pregnant women and construction workers  all people who are easier to scoop up than actual criminals. Meanwhile, YouGov polling shows only 38% of Americans approve of Trump usurping Newsom's authority to mobilize the National Guard  and that's in a climate where the mainstream press continues to credulously repeat Trump's claim that it was done to "protect" Los Angeles, instead of being an effort to provoke violence.

Other Democrats should pay attention to both Newsom and these polls  and get out of their defensive crouch over immigration or the protests. Ocasio-Cortez, who has reliably talked like a real person for her entire time in public office, said it well on Bluesky:

As Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times wrote Wednesday with regard to the White House, "The immediate recourse to repressive force; the inability to handle even modest opposition to its plans; the threats, bullying and overheated rhetoric  it betrays a sense of brittleness and insecurity."

The smart move for Democrats is to stand up to Trump, because it's the only way to expose how the president has no other cards to play. Polls already show people are cluing into the fact that Trump is the problem here, not the solution. Newsom is using this moment wisely to repeat the truth: That this is Trump's fault.
By Aaron Ross

JUBA (Reuters) -Fifty-kilo sacks of food hurtled out the open hatch of the cargo plane, scattering in the wind on their 1,000-foot descent to the northeastern flatlands of South Sudan.

For the past three weeks, an American company run by former U.S. soldiers and officials has airdropped hundreds of tonnes of maize flour, beans and salt into one of the world's most desperate pockets of hunger.

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The campaign, which South Sudan's government says it is funding, has brought lifesaving aid to areas ravaged since February by fighting between the military and local militiamen.

It also offers a window into a debate about the future of humanitarian aid in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and cuts to aid budgets around the world.

The South Sudan contract is one of a growing list of business opportunities for Fogbow, an outfit of about a dozen people that first distributed food last year in Gaza and Sudan. Fogbow president Mick Mulroy said the company - which is owned by a former U.S. diplomat, a Marine Corps veteran and an American businessman - now has five project requests in conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East.

Mulroy attributed the rising demand to donors looking to support humanitarian projects but increasingly hard-pressed to find implementing partners due to aid cuts.

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"There's a substantial and growing need from people around the world at a time when we decided collectively to reduce the support," said Mulroy, who was a deputy assistant secretary of defence during Trump's first term.

For some aid sector veterans, the demand for Fogbow's services points to a worrying shift toward a more politicised aid model that they say sacrifices humanitarian principles like neutrality and, by extension, its credibility with beneficiaries.

In Gaza, a U.S.-backed outfit that Israel has authorised to distribute food in the Palestinian enclave, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), has bypassed the U.N.-led aid system and been accused by some critics of weaponising aid in service of Israel's war aims.

Asked for comment, GHF said it had found a "better model" to ensure food was delivered in Gaza. "Bottom line, our aid is getting in and feeding people while aid from other groups is getting looted and not being delivered," it said in an email.

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Fogbow says it has no connection to GHF. But its operation in South Sudan is raising some of the same questions because it is working directly on behalf of a party to an active conflict.

The campaign has been complicated by its association with the government: the aid comes in sacks marked "South Sudan Humanitarian Relief" and emblazoned with the national flag. Some people have refused the food because they don't trust the government, whose forces are bombarding parts of Upper Nile, according to two residents, opposition politicians and a U.N. source.

"They expect people to take the food but we say 'no' to our people," said Manpiny Pal, a senior local government official in Ulang County, one of two in Upper Nile targeted by the airdrops.

"We need the food of the U.N. How do we know if that food dropped has something in it?" said Pal, who is from the opposition SPLM-IO party.

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The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP), which plans to distribute over 160,000 tonnes of food in South Sudan this year, said last month that no humanitarian aid was getting to the two counties by the usual river route due to the fighting.

Asked if WFP had considered airdropping food there, a spokesperson said airdrops were a last resort because they cost up to 17 times more than deliveries by road or river.

HUMANITARIAN PRINCIPLES

Some veteran humanitarians have deep misgivings about Fogbow's model.

Martin Griffiths, who served as the top humanitarian official at the United Nations from 2021 to 2024, urged against trying to reinvent the wheel.

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"The humanitarian community is large and amorphous. It is also careful. And finally it is experienced. This is a well to draw on and I wish this was done by Fogbow," Griffiths told Reuters.

Michael VanRooyen, the director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, which researches humanitarian issues, said Fogbow and GHF were undermining an evidence and needs-based approach to aid.

"These organisations are not humanitarian. They are agents of a government, intended to fulfill political and in some cases military purposes," he said.

Fogbow officials say they are a logistics provider rather than a humanitarian organisation but try to align their projects with humanitarian principles.

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Chris Hyslop, Fogbow's humanitarian lead and a veteran of the U.N. system, said he had near-daily contacts with WFP to discuss drop locations and ask for input.

He acknowledged complications from working directly with the government but said such concerns had to be weighed against the benefits of national authorities taking responsibility for their own people.

The WFP spokesperson said that while the agency receives a daily update from Fogbow on drop locations to deconflict airspace, it has no involvement in the operation.

South Sudan's government said it asked Fogbow, rather than WFP, to do the drops in order to expedite the rollout and show it was taking responsibility for its citizens.

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"Here is a government taking up responsibility as a core mandate of that government," said Chol Ajongo, the minister of presidential affairs.

The government declined to say how much it was spending to distribute the 600 tonnes of food.

Fifty-seven percent of South Sudan's more than 13 million people suffer acute food insecurity, according to the U.N., but the country has only received pledges covering 20% of its $1.69 billion in estimated humanitarian needs for 2025.

'WE'RE GONNA TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT'

Fogbow's leaders express respect for the U.N. and traditional non-governmental organisations and say they would be happy to work as contractors within the existing system.

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But they also think they can do better.

Fogbow CEO and co-owner Brook Jerue said the company's previous work had shown the advantages of its military background and willingness to innovate.

In Gaza, Fogbow advocated for sending food on barges across the Mediterranean from Cyprus to avoid bottlenecks at land crossings. Many humanitarians opposed the idea, arguing it would ease political pressure on Israel to open land routes.

"The humanitarian community was super upset with us because they were all pushing for land crossings, and we were just like, 'hey, we're gonna try something different'," said Jerue, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot.

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Fogbow dropped its barges plan when then-U.S. President Joe Biden decided in March 2024 to deliver aid through a U.S. military-built floating pier.

Fogbow went on to deliver 1,100 tonnes of flour through the U.S. pier and an Israeli port with funding from Qatar, Jerue said.

Later last year, it used profits from the Gaza operation to finance airdrops into Sudan's remote South Kordofan state before USAID offered to provide funding, Jerue said.

The State Department declined to comment on that operation. A spokesperson said the U.S. was not involved in the aidrops in South Sudan but voiced support for "burden-sharing among capable nations".

WAR AND SUSPICION

Fogbow's model is facing its sternest test in Upper Nile's Ulang and Nasir Counties, which the U.N. on Thursday said are at risk of famine in the coming months after fighting this year forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes.

Each morning and afternoon, a cargo plane carrying 16 tonnes of food leaves the capital Juba for one of two drop sites. The food is collected by workers from an independent local NGO and then distributed.

While the aid has reached around 30,000 people, the government-led campaign has faced resistance rooted in accusations of abuses by the military, including allegations made by local residents - and supported by Human Rights Watch - that government planes have dropped incendiary weapons.

The government denies this and says it does everything possible to minimise harm to civilians.

The SPLM-IO has accused the military of coercing displaced civilians to return home to collect the food.

Local residents have also questioned the decision to drop food into Nasir, a military garrison town largely deserted by civilians after heavy fighting in March, as opposed to areas with high concentrations of displaced people.

The government denied any coercion but acknowledged the drops into Nasir were intended to encourage people to return and show it could provide for them.

"For you to claim the legitimacy and the representation of the people of South Sudan, you must have presence in all those places," said Ajongo.

(Reporting by Aaron Ross; editing by Daniel Flynn)
Gazi Yasargil, who has died aged 99, was one of the most influential neurosurgeons of the last century and a pioneer in the use of specialised surgical techniques to perform incredibly delicate operations.

Together with Raymond Donaghy, a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Yasargil helped to popularise the concept of microsurgery from the late 1960s, as the emergence of powerful new microscopes allowed surgeons to study the fine structures of the brain in detail.

Building on the experience he had gained in Donaghys laboratories, Yasargil developed a technique for freeing the superficial temporal artery from the scalp and connecting it to the middle cerebral artery on the surface of the brain. This would allow blood to bypass an artery that had become narrowed or blocked.

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After a series of experiments on small animals, on October 30 1967 he performed the first such operation on a human patient. The STA-MCA bypass, as it became known, has since been used in the treatment of aneurysms and skull base tumours.

Yasargils success in the operating theatre relied on bipolar-coagulation technology, using a two-pronged forceps heated by an electric current to stem bleeding from the delicate vessels of the brain. As these vessels could be less than a millimetre in diameter, extraordinary precision was required.

Where the tools did not yet exist that would allow him to perform his most complicated procedures, Yasargil collaborated with manufacturers to bring them into production. One such instrument was a floating microscope, equipped with both a hand switch and a mouth switch, which allowed the surgeon to navigate the brains narrow corridors while leaving both hands free if necessary. Another innovation, the Yasargil retractor system, kept the relevant areas of the brain exposed during surgery.

YASARGIL Aneurysm Clip System: where the tools did not yet exist for his most complicated procedures, Yasargil collaborated with manufacturers to bring them into production - https://catalogs.bbraun.co.uk/en-GB/p/PRID00004559/yasargil-aneursym-clip-system

In April 1973 Yasargil succeeded his mentor, Professor Hugo Krayenbuhl, as chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital in Zurich. Over the next 20 years he performed more than 7,500 operations, perfecting a method of co-operation between theatre staff.

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His sextet of surgeon, three nurses and two anaesthetists were trained to perform, as he put it, like an orchestra, mastering an intricate system for the arrangement, use and clean disposal of instruments.

Yasargils approach  which included a refusal to turn away anyone who was prepared to undergo surgery  drew some criticism as well as admiration. In the early days, several observers even doubted the veracity of his reported success rates, since these were far superior to anything that had been achieved before.

As time went on, however, the clinical use of microtechniques became routine. Visitors from around the world came to Yasargils training laboratory at University Hospital, where they received instruction in how to carry out the most intricate procedures.

His surgical experiences were recorded in more than 300 papers, while his six-volume book Microneurosurgery (1984-96) is considered the pre-eminent guide in the field. In 1999 the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons proclaimed Yasargil their man of the century, citing his outstanding contributions which have provided our basis for practice and the definitions of our field.

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Mahmut Gazi Yasargil was born in the Turkish province of Diyarbakr on July 6 1925, at a time when the country was wracked by in-fighting. Since 1923 his father, Asum, had served Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey, initially in Thrace and then as magistrate of the town of Lice.

Yasargil in theatre - UZH/Archive for Medical History

In March 1924, however, Ataturks proposals to cleanse and elevate the Islamic faith, effectively removing it as a force in government, met with violent protest. An armed Kurdish revolt sprang up, and a band of rebels kidnapped the Yasargil family at gunpoint. Asum, his pregnant wife Sahavet and their two small children were herded into the mountains as hostages.

It was there, sheltering in a damp cave, that Sahavet gave birth to Gazi. Just days beforehand, her older son had died of typhus. His parents account of his brothers death would later spur Gazi to pursue a career in medicine.

With the Kurdish revolt crushed, the family eventually made it to Ankara, the new capital of the republic. Gazi graduated from the Gymnasium there in 1943. Encouraged by a family friend who was a neurologist, he left for medical school at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany.

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As the war drew to a close Gazi transferred to Basel in Switzerland, obtaining his medical degree there in 1950. After three months studying brain dissection at the Basel Institute of Anatomy, he embarked on three years of postgraduate training in neurosurgery, joining the University Hospital of Zurich in 1953.

There, an encounter with Professor Hugo Krayenbuhl awakened Yasargils interest in the anatomy of the nervous system, which was just beginning to be studied under advanced microscopes. He was offered a year-long position at the microvascular laboratory of the University of Vermont, where he mastered the techniques for patching and grafting the cortical vessels of the human brain.

He went on to make detailed studies of the brains subarachnoid spaces, which are full of cerebrospinal fluid and contain the large blood vessels that supply the brain. One such study, from 1984, drew upon 200 dissections of cadavers brains, and notes gathered from more than 4,000 intracranial procedures. By mapping out this area, Yasargil made it possible for surgeons to operate in the subarachnoid space without injuring any of the nearby vessels. Mortality rates from such operations declined sharply as a result.

Gazi Yasargil: scrupulous in his attention to patients emotional needs, regarding the chance to operate on them as a unique privilege - UZH/Archive for Medical History

Following his retirement from the University Hospital of Zurich in 1993, Yasargil became professor of neurosurgery at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the state capital of Little Rock. He established a training laboratory there modelled on the one he had set up in Zurich, and soon won the respect of staff and their families.

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Though Yasargil had a quick temper and was intolerant of mistakes, his good opinion was highly prized. The daughter of one colleague nicknamed him Professor Grandpa, and he was scrupulous in his attention to patients emotional needs, regarding the chance to operate on them as a unique privilege that must be acknowledged as such. We are always learning from our patients, he wrote, but we usually forget to thank them for the great confidence they bestow on us. I am deeply grateful to all my patients for their trust.

Gazi Yasargil was president of the Neurosurgical Society of Switzerland from 1973 to 1975. That year he won the Marcel Benoist Prize, known as the Swiss Nobel Prize, for his role in the development of microsurgery, and in 1997 he received the Gold Medal of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.

He married Dianne Bader-Gibson, the nurse in charge of the operating suite at the University Hospital when he first arrived there, and had three children.

Gazi Yasargil, born July 6 1925, died June 10 2025

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A Generation Z-led group aligned with Democrats is launching a $3 million youth voter mobilization effort ahead of next years midterms.

The group Voters of Tomorrow said the effort, shared first with The Hill, will target 18 competitive House districts across the country.

The push is aimed at providing training, stipends, and support to empower campus organizers to engage their peers directly in districts where young voters have the power to decide the outcome, according to a press release from the group.

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Among the House districts being targeted are Colorados 8th Congressional District; Nebraskas 2nd District; New Yorks 1st District; and Californias 13th, 45th and 47th districts.

Most of the districts are rated as a toss-up by election forecasters at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

The effort shows how some Democratic-aligned organizations are already making early investments to win back some of the young voters the party lost to President Trump in the November election.

A report from the Democratic data firm Catalist found the Democratic Party last year saw a 6-point drop in support among voters ages 18 to 29 compared to 2020, decreasing from 61 percent to 55 percent. Among young men, the decline was 9 points.

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The Houses slim majority offers Democrats their best chance at flipping one of the chambers, with the Senate map offering a more challenging terrain.

To stop Trumps dangerous agenda, we need to take back the House. Student voters have the numbers to flip key races, yet too often were overlooked by major funders, Kaya Jones, programming director at Voters of Tomorrow, said in a statement. Were proud to be making this necessary investment in young people, and we urge others to follow our lead. The future is on the ballot and so are we.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
For the second year in a row, political instability remains at the forefront of maritime concerns, a reflection of the geopolitical tremors resonating through the globe, according to a new industry survey.

The 2024-2025 Maritime Barometer Report released by the International Chamber of Shipping paints a stark picture: with over 70 national elections impacting half the worlds population in 2024, the repercussions for maritime operations are profound. As the survey indicates, maritime leaders consistently rank political instability as the top risk, driven by the persistent winds of global conflict and economic upheaval.

Emanuele Grimaldi, ICS Chairman, who also heads his familys namesake shipping empire, underscores the gravity of the situation.

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This geopolitical instability is reshaping our operating environments, creating cautious and uncertain commercial landscapes, Grimaldi said in a preface to the report.

The sentiment is echoed across the industry, where a lack of confidence in handling political volatility continues to plague decision-makers, as highlighted by contrasting polls showcasing a drop in industry confidence.

Contributing to this volatility are significant policy shifts, particularly from the United States. Recent tariffs and trade investigations exacerbate existing tensions, complicating the global supply chain and challenging the shipping sectors adaptability. The complexity of these dynamics is not lost on maritime executives, who are increasingly turning to Trade Disruption Insurance (TDI) to mitigate uncertain trade outcomes, reflecting a pragmatic yet cautious approach to an unpredictable future.

Cybersecurity: A growing storm

Alongside political concerns, cyber-attacks have consolidated their place as a critical threat. The digital backbone of maritime operations is under siege, with state-sponsored entities increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has voiced grave concern, alongside warnings from the U.S. Government Accountability Office about urgent cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

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ICS survey data corroborates these apprehensions, ranking cyber-attacks as the second-highest risk. Allianzs 2025 Risk Barometer further cements this position, portraying a landscape rife with cyber-crime and IT network disruptions. For maritime leaders, fortifying digital infrastructures and nurturing a culture of cybersecurity awareness across all levels of the workforce is not just prudent, its essential.

Administrative burden and trade barriers: The institutional quagmire

An increasing administrative burden looms large as one of the top risks identified in this years report. This escalation is attributed to a swirl of regulatory changes that shipowners must navigate. From European Union emissions trading schemes to IMO carbon intensity indicators, the regulatory landscape is dense and unyielding. Although there is a noted dip in confidence, theres also a recognition among maritime stakeholders of the critical need to streamline compliance processes.

At the same time, barriers to trade continue to loom, intertwined with political and regulatory complexities. The dual pressures of protectionist policies and shifting trade alliances are forcing maritime leaders to reevaluate strategies and fortify supply chains against emerging disruptions. These barriers, though not new, have gained renewed relevance in the face of potential trade wars and economic nationalism  challenges the maritime industry must adeptly maneuver.

The green horizon: Decarbonization and alternative fuels

As the industry stands on the precipice of a green transformation, decarbonization efforts are gaining momentum, albeit cautiously. The report highlights a commitment to sustainability, with maritime leaders expressing mixed sentiments towards the viability of alternative fuels. While liquefied natural gas (LNG), heavy fuel oil (HFO) with abatement technology, and biofuels emerge as frontrunners, alternative solutions such as methanol and ammonia are gradually gaining ground.

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The ICS findings reveal a precarious balance between the allure of tried-and-tested fuel options and the promise of innovative green technologies. Methanol and ammonia offer enticing possibilities, yet concerns over infrastructure and safety remain hurdles to their widespread adoption. Nonetheless, shifts toward cleaner fuels signal a promising trajectory, albeit one contingent on sustained regulatory support and financial investment.

Attitudes toward climate concerns

Climate concerns remain a constant undercurrent in maritime planning, woven deeply into the industrys decision-making process. While leaders acknowledge the sectors environmental impact, tapping into sustainable practices presents a combination of challenges and opportunities. The ICS survey delineates a hopeful yet guarded stance: that confidence towards handling green regulations is growing, even as the specter of mixed public funding damps some enthusiasm.

Technological advances and regulatory progress at forums like the IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee offer glimmers of optimism. Likewise, greater collaboration between public and private sectors could galvanize the needed leap toward sustainable maritime practices, echoing the sentiments of many surveyed industry stakeholders.

Charting a course forward

The report delivers a holistic portrayal of an industry poised at a crossroads. Political instability, cyber threats, regulatory pressures, and the drive for sustainability converge to present both formidable challenges and unprecedented opportunities for change. Industry collaboration and a collective push for resilient frameworks are more vital than ever, shaping the course for a maritime future that is greener, safer, and more adaptable to an ever-changing world ecosystem. Said Grimaldi, Above all, collaboration and communication are key.

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Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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The post Geopolitical upheaval tops new shipping concerns survey appeared first on FreightWaves.
The Brief

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation into the death of Jacie Louise Harrison, who became unresponsive while in custody at Rabun County Detention Center.

Harrison was arrested after attempting to enter homes without permission and was charged with obstruction and public drunkenness; she was uncooperative at the jail and later became unresponsive.

Lifesaving measures were administered by detention staff and EMS, but Harrison was pronounced dead at the hospital; an autopsy is pending, and the investigation is ongoing.

CLAYTON, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has launched an independent probe into the death of a 22-year-old woman who became unresponsive while in custody at the Rabun County Detention Center.

What we know

According to the GBI, Jacie Louise Harrison of Clayton died on June 5, 2025, after being transported to a nearby hospital. Detention staff administered lifesaving measures at the jail before EMS arrived and continued efforts. Harrison was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

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The Rabun County Sheriffs Office requested the GBIs assistance following the incident.

Earlier the same day, deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about a woman attempting to enter homes without permission on Kingwood Drive in Clayton. Authorities said Harrison was armed with a stick and ignored several commands to drop it. A deputy used a Taser, but it reportedly had little to no effect. Harrison was arrested and charged with obstruction of a law enforcement officer and public drunkenness.

Deputies said she remained uncooperative at the jail and was placed in a holding cell, where she later became unresponsive.

What we don't know

An autopsy is pending. The GBI said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

The Source

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the details for this article.
The Brief

A Georgia couple lost nearly $800,000 in a cryptocurrency scam initiated through a WhatsApp message, leaving them financially devastated.

The scam involved a legitimate-looking mobile trading app and an AI-generated "ghost site" that manipulated the couple's view of their investments.

The couple is speaking out to warn others about the sophisticated tactics used by scammers, while their children have started a GoFundMe to support them financially.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A retired Georgia couple is warning others after losing their entire life savingsnearly $800,000in an elaborate cryptocurrency scam that began with a message on WhatsApp.

What they're saying

Jerry and Mindy Dunaway say the ordeal left them angry, embarrassed, and financially devastated.

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"I bought into it over timehook, line, and sinker," Jerry Dunaway said.

At first, the offer appeared legitimate. A stranger contacted Jerry through WhatsApp, encouraging him to invest in cryptocurrency using a mobile trading app. The stranger made Jerry feel comfortable, and soon he was trading small amounts of money, seeing modest returns, and even able to withdraw fundsbuilding his trust.

"He got me trading early, small amounts, started getting bigger. I was able to take money out and use it for myself," Jerry said.

That trust crumbled last week when Jerry attempted to withdraw more moneyand couldnt. He called 911.

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Gwinnett County police explained that while the app he was using was real, the scammers had created an AI-generated "ghost site" that manipulated what he saw on the screen.

"He was able to identify that what I was seeing on CryptoWallet wasnt there," Jerry recalled.

The couple says roughly $800,000 is now gone.

"We have to figure out how to pick up the pieces and move forward," Jerry said.

Though devastated, the Dunaways are speaking out to prevent others from falling victim.

"These people are very good at what they dotheyll use any tactic to pull you in," said Mindy Dunaway. "Just be vigilant."

What's next

They are working with Gwinnett County police, but investigators say in many cases like this, the victims rarely recover their funds.

What you can do

The couple's children have launched a GoFundMe to help them meet day-to-day expenses.

The Source

FOX 5's Denise Dillon spoke with Jerry and Mindy Dunaway for this article.
By Felix Light

TBILISI (Reuters) -Georgian opposition politician Nika Gvaramia was placed in pre-trial detention on Friday for up to nine months, the latest of several prominent government critics to be jailed.

Having weathered mass demonstrations over a disputed October election and a subsequent decision to halt talks on joining the European Union, Georgian authorities have moved to clamp down on leading figures of the protest movement.

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Gvaramia had refused to testify to a parliamentary commission investigating alleged wrongdoing under jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, who was in power from 2004 to 2012. If convicted of failing to comply with the commission, he could be jailed for up to one year.

Gvaramia is a leader of the pro-Western Coalition for Change bloc which came second in the October election that the opposition rejected as fraudulent. The government rejected the allegation, but two U.S. polling organisations said there was evidence of manipulation.

Gvaramia did not attend his court hearing, instead reporting to prison before the verdict was announced, in what his party said was an effort to show the decision was pre-determined by a biased court.

In a post on Facebook, he wrote: "Not one step back! Our homeland is behind us! The oligarchy must fall! Glory to Georgia!"

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Two other Coalition for Change leaders, Zurab Japaridze and Nika Melia, are already in jail on similar charges.

A media entrepreneur who served under Saakashvili in a series of ministerial roles, Gvaramia was previously imprisoned for abuse of office from 2022 to 2023, in a case Western countries said was politically motivated.

Traditionally one of the Soviet Union's most pro-Western and democratic successor states, Georgia has moved in a sharply authoritarian direction in the past two years, with the ruling Georgian Dream party passing a series of laws critics have described as draconian.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire ex-prime minister widely seen as the country's most powerful man, has repeatedly pledged to ban opposition parties, whilst also presiding over warming ties with Russia and souring relations with the West.

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Earlier this week, authorities issued court summons to over a dozen activists, journalists and opposition politicians on charges of insulting ruling party lawmakers.

On Thursday, a court jailed a 21-year-old protester for four and a half years for assaulting police, in a case government critics have said is fabricated.

(Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
The Brief

Kenneth Rankin, a Georgia state community supervision officer, was arrested for leaking sensitive law enforcement information related to a Tennessee drug investigation.

Rankin was charged with computer theft and violation of oath of office, following a multi-agency investigation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation is ongoing, with additional charges anticipated, and will be handed over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for prosecution.

LAFAYETTE, Ga. - A Georgia state community supervision officer has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive law enforcement information to a suspect tied to a Tennessee drug investigation, officials said Thursday.

What we know

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Kenneth Rankin, 52, of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, was arrested June 10 in LaFayette and charged with computer theft and violation of oath of office. He was booked into the Walker County Jail.

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Authorities said Rankin illegally disseminated official data to a suspect involved in a narcotics investigation that originated in Hamilton County, Tennessee. The GBI launched its probe in May after being contacted by the Soddy Daisy Police Department, which uncovered information suggesting related criminal activity in Georgia.

The GBIs West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office led the Georgia-based investigation, with support from the agencys Calhoun Regional Investigative Office and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision.

The multi-agency investigation also involved the Soddy Daisy Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, FBI field offices in Chattanooga and Dalton, and the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office.

What we don't know

The GBI said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

What's next

Once the case is complete, it will be turned over to the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorneys Office for prosecution.

The Source

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the details for this article.
The Brief

The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to hear Fulton DA Fani Williss appeal over whether a state Senate committee can legally subpoena her and her office for testimony and records.

Senate Republicans, citing concerns over public spending and Williss role in the Trump election case, launched the probe after revelations of her relationship with former prosecutor Nathan Wade.

A new state law signed by Gov. Kemp expanded lawmakers subpoena powers, bolstering the committees authority as it continues investigating Willis and other prominent Democrats.

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to take up a high-stakes legal battle between Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and a state Senate committee that has been trying to compel her testimony and obtain records from her office.

What we know

The dispute stems from the Republican-led Senate Special Committee on Investigations, which was created after revelations about Williss past relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The committee has demanded that Willis testify and hand over documents tied to the 2020 election interference case, as well as records related to her offices interactions with the Biden administration and use of public funds.

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Willis has refused to comply, arguing the committee lacks the constitutional authority to subpoena her and is seeking protected information. A Fulton County judge previously ruled against her, prompting an appeal now headed to the states highest court. Because the case raises constitutional questions, the justices were required to accept it.

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What they're saying

Sen. Bill Cowsert, the Republican leading the investigation, expressed confidence in the courts upcoming decision.

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"Nobody is above the law, including District Attorney Willis," he said.

A recent state law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp strengthens the Legislatures power to issue subpoenas and conduct investigations  a key element in this case.

What's next

The Supreme Court is also expected to rule soon on whether Willis can resume leading the Trump election case after the Georgia Court of Appeals ordered her removal last year.

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A meeting of IAEA Board of Governors is held in Vienna, Austria, on June 13, 2025. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday called for an end of attacks on nuclear facilities after Israel attacked nuclear facilities in Iran early in the morning. (Chinese Permanent Mission to UN and other International Organizations in Vienna/Handout via Xinhua)

VIENNA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday called for an end of attacks on nuclear facilities after Israel attacked nuclear facilities in Iran early in the morning.

"Nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment," said Rafael Grossi, director general of IAEA at its Board of Governors meeting. "Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security."

The UN nuclear watchdog said it is in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security.

Grossi said the Natanz enrichment site has been confirmed impacted and there are no elevated radiation levels. The Esfahan and Fordow sites have not been impacted.

The IAEA head called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. "I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond."

Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward, for Iran, for Israel, the entire region, and the international communit, is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation, Grossi said. 
THE HAGUE, Netherlands  Germany is on track to give 9 billion ($10.4 billion) in aid to Ukraine in 2025, maintaining the countrys position as one of Kyivs key backers.

The amount was announced by Berlins defense minister, Boris Pistorius, during his visit to Ukraine on June 12. It marks the fifth time that Pistorius has visited Kyiv since the outbreak of the war when Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022.

Some of the forthcoming assistance will take the form of joint ventures between the German and Ukrainian military-industrial complexes, an idea that was presented earlier this year and has been pushed by Germanys new conservative leadership. Joint defense production projects are in line to get 1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) of the overall funding. Part of the amount will be dedicated to financing long-range weapon systems that will be manufactured in Ukraine.

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Under the arrangement, Germany will provide funding while Ukraine will contribute its battlefield-tested technological know-how. The first systems should be available in the next few months, Pistorius said during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who in turn said that the joint venture was an expression of deep trust in Berlin.

Pistorius noted that the picture of war has changed from traditional tanks and jets to electromagnetic warfare and drone combat, making this technological exchange valuable for both countries. The Social Democratic defense minister, who has often been at odds with his own party, has pushed forcefully for German rearmament and a more prominent military posture on the world stage.

Also in Kyiv, Pistorius addressed a longstanding elephant in the room by saying that Germany was not planning to transfer its Taurus cruise missiles, widely considered one of the most advanced available, to Kyiv.

Since you asked me whether we are considering this, my answer is no, Pistorius told a journalist. The government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz had previously maintained a purposely ambiguous posture on the matter.

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However, Germany will deliver more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that the assistance would be provided under a three-year plan, but said he would not provide further details. The Ukrainian president did, however, let slip that he expects Ukraine to localize the production of very high-quality German air defense systems, which may suggest a plan to produce the systems inside the country. Currently, IRIS-T air defense systems are made in Germany.

The supply plan builds on substantial existing contracts. In May, Ukraine and Germany signed a 2.2 billion ($2.54 billion) contract for IRIS-T systems and missiles, covering four complete surface-launched units with mobile launchers, radars, command centers, and missiles.

Air defense has been identified as one of the key priorities for Ukraine in light of relentless Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities using cruise missiles and drones.

Germanys total aid in support of Ukraine amounts to 48 billion ($55.5 billion) since the start of the war, as of April 30, the government said in response to a parliamentary inquiry. Of that, 15.6 billion ($18 billion) was military assistance. Germany remains the largest supporter of Ukraine aside from the United States. Under Merzs chancellorship, Berlin has stopped releasing detailed tallies of its military support to Kyiv, citing operational security.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he still believes Israel and Iran can reach a negotiated solution, despite Israeli attacks on Iranian territory and Tehran's retaliatory strikes on Friday.

"There are joint efforts to help calm the situation in this extremely critical position," the minister said at a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel-Atty in Cairo.

"No one wants a further escalation of the situation, especially a military one, here in the region," Wadephul added.

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Abdel-Atty said the use of force would not provide stability for the region and illusions of power would not bring security to Israel or any other party.

"There will be no solution in the region without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," Abdel-Atty added.

"Unfortunately there have been too few credible steps taken by the Iranian side in the past to distance itself from its nuclear programme," Wadephul said.

He called on both sides to reconsider their positions and do what the international community expects of them and find a negotiated solution.

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Cairo is the first stop on Wadephul's tour of the Middle East.

Following the escalation between Israel and Iran, the German foreign minister has cancelled planned stops in Jordan and Israel, and plans to travel on to Saudi Arabia instead for a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Saturday.

Johann Wadephul, German Foreign Minister, speaks at a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart. Hannes P. Albert/dpa
The German Foreign Office has advised against all non-essential travel to the entire Gulf region following the mutual airstrikes between Israel and Iran.

Travel advice was amended online accordingly for the following countries: the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan.

The ministry had already issued an even higher level of travel warning for the whole of Israel in the afternoon.

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A travel warning was already in place for the whole of Iran and Yemen, as well as parts of Lebanon and Iraq, before the latest escalation.

The ministry said its crisis response centre is now active around the clock and is continuing to monitor the situation.

"We urge all Germans to follow the instructions of the local security authorities, to observe the travel and security advice, to register on the Foreign Office's crisis prevention list and to keep the information provided there up to date," a ministry spokeswoman told dpa.

Germany's diplomatic missions in the region were continuing their work. The German embassy in Tel Aviv remained closed on Friday, but could be reached by telephone and writing.

The embassies are in contact with registered Germans in the region and are providing information on departure options. Several thousand Germans are currently in Israel, according to official records.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has left open the question of whether the Israeli overnight attacks on Iran will have consequences for his country's arms exports to Israel.

During a visit to Cairo at the start of his first Middle East trip  hours after scores of warplanes targeted Iran's nuclear sites and military leadership - the diplomat said the Federal Security Council would take its time to discuss the issue.

"But I don't expect any far-reaching decisions to be made in the short term," Wadephul added.

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In recent weeks, there have been repeated calls from the Social Democrats  the junior partner in Germany's new ruling coalition - for a halt to arms deliveries due to Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip.

However, the conservative alliance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to which Wadephul belongs, rejects a ban on exports.

Following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel until May 13, 2025, arms exports worth almost 500 million ($578 million) were approved for Israel, the Economics Ministry said recently in response to a question in parliament.

It is not known whether and to what extent the new German government has authorized exports during its first weeks in office.

Peace efforts

Wadephul was set to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdel-Atty in Cairo on Friday amid ongoing efforts to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip.

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He and Abdel-Atty are due to discuss the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza, including ways to provide support to the Palestinian population as well as a potential path to peace.

Egypt, which borders the embattled Gaza Strip, has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinians, strongly rejecting proposals by Israel and the United States to resettle Gazans to Arab states in the region.

The northern African country has also been involved in mediating ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian extremist group Hamas.

Germany officially supports the two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas both adamantly reject this solution to the decades-old conflict.

Egyptian officials might try to persuade Germany, one of Israel's strongest backers behind the US, to exert pressure on Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza.

Wadephul has changed his travel plans in light of current events, cancelling planned stops in Jordan and Israel.

Wadephul said on Friday he would travel on to Saudi Arabia for talks on Saturday.

"Continuing the trip to Israel or Jordan at this point in time seems out of the question," he said in earlier remarks.

The minister was originally scheduled to continue to Lebanon on Friday afternoon, with further planned stops in Syria as well as Jordan and Israel.
Germany is strengthening the protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions following Israel's attacks on Iran, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced after a security Cabinet meeting on Friday.

They had also agreed to "take all necessary measures to protect German citizens in Israel, Iran and the region," according to a written statement by Merz. He did not specify what these would precautions entail.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed Merz in a phone call on Friday morning about the military actions and their objectives.

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The chancellor urged Israel and Iran to avoid steps that could lead to further escalation. He also stressed that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.

"Germany is ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict," Merz stated. "The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons."

For years, Berlin has repeatedly expressed concern over Iran's advanced nuclear weapons programme, the statement said.

"This nuclear programme violates the provisions of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and is a serious threat to the entire region, especially to the state of Israel."
BERLIN (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Israel's attack on Iran in a phone call on Friday morning, Merz said in a statement.

Israel has a right to defend itself and Iran should not develop nuclear weapons, the statement said, but Merz called on both sides to refrain from escalation.

Israel launched strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

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Merz said Germany was coordinating closely with partners, particularly the United States, Britain and France.

"We call on both sides to refrain from steps that could lead to further escalation and destabilize the entire region," Merz said.

Merz convened a security cabinet meeting, which agreed to take all necessary precautions to protect German citizens in Israel, Iran and the region, and to increase the protection of Jewish and Israeli facilities, the statement said.

Merz said Germany has expressed concern about Iran's advanced nuclear weapons programme for many years and that Iran continues to fail to fulfill its obligations to disclose its work on enriching nuclear-capable material.

(Writing by Matthias Williams, Editing by Rachel More)
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Thursday again rejected demands from his centre-left colleagues for a reversal in the government's Russia policy, citing ongoing Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine.

"How anyone can even imagine closer cooperation with Russia at this stage is completely baffling," Pistorius, one of the leading figures in Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), told public broadcaster ZDF.

His comments come after prominent SPD figures issued a position paper calling for a shift in Germany's approach to Russia.

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The manifesto, signed by former parliamentary group leader Rolf Mutzenich, ex-party chief Norbert Walter-Borjans, foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner, and several federal and state lawmakers, urges direct diplomatic talks with Moscow and criticizes the government's rearmament plans.

The SPD is the current junior partner in the coalition government.

Speaking from Kiev on Thursday, Pistorius responded by referring to former SPD chancellor Willy Brandt. He said Brandt supported strong defence spending because he knew that "negotiations with the Soviet side could only take place from a position of strength."

Germany is the largest supplier of military aid to Ukraine behind the United States.
Seattles International District is well known for Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon.

But at the center, youll also find Filipinotown -- and its been there for more than 100 years!

 [In the] 1920s to 1980s, we had 88 Filipino-owned and operated businesses here. We catered to the primarily the first-generation Manongs who came here, said Cynthia Mejia Giudici, with the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS).

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Since then, she says the number of Filipino-owned places dropped significantly in the CID.

Many, many businesses and many, many hotels, some that have been torn down, some of them have been remodeled. But we remember the stories, and thats our history, said Giudici.

Its an almost forgotten or even unheard history that was put back on track this month -- arriving in the form of a streetcar!

It was an unexpected joy, the kind of joy thats so deep you cry along with it, said Devin Cabanilla with King County Metro.

The word Filipinotown is the newest addition to a trolley making its way through downtown Seattle. He says its more than just a name on a streetcar.

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It highlights something thats always been, but its always been forgotten, so now its more obvious, Cabanilla explained.

The community says the streetcar is en route to a new era, while honoring those that have been here for generations.

I think about, you know, all of the sacrifice, all of the love, all the struggle, all the resilience of our people who were trying to make a new home, said Chera Amlag, Co-owner of Hood Famous Bakeshop, Cafe & Bar.

Amlag keeps pieces of history at Hood Famous Bakeshop, which she and her husband opened in 2019.

We wanted it to feel both new and fresh, but also nostalgic at the same time, Amlag added. The little things that we thought about in the space that we really wanted people to feel that sense of connection to the Philippines.

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They specialize in comfort food and delicious desserts, but this shop became the first Filipino food restaurant in the CID in more than 30 years.

Its bittersweet moment for Amlag. She says their efforts are headed in the right direction, but theres still much more to do.

I want to be able to name even more businesses, to the point where you just dont have enough time to name them all, and for us to just all be able lift each other up, she said.
On Trooping the Colour each year, various members of King Charles's family join him on the balcony at Buckingham Palace. This isn't just a casual family jaunt into the open airthere's a strict protocol about who gets an invite. And of course there's drama about who stands where.

Who stands on the balcony?

There's no fixed list of attendees for balcony appearances, since the group is tailored to each occasion. It will however always include the monarch and his or her spouse (if living), plus the first and second in line to the throne, along with their spouses (if applicable), and potentially their children. One steadfast rule is the familiar "no ring, no bring," so no boyfriends or girlfriends allowed.

At the 2022 Trooping the Colour, which was part of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the group included only working members of the royal family and their young children. That precedent has largely continued since.

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At Trooping, in addition to King Charles and Queen Camilla, the past few years have featured Prince William, the Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Anne, Sir Timothy Laurence, and the Duke of Kent along with Wales children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis and occasionally the Edinburgh children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex.

Who started the tradition?

As with many royal practices, this one was started by Queen Victoria. During the opening celebrations of the Great Exhibition in 1851, she was the first monarch to utilize the balcony as a way to greet her subjects. Seven years later she also instigated the family going out onto the balcony to acknowledge the crowds who had gathered for the wedding of her daughter Princess Victoria, and an iconic royal wedding tradition was born.

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Who stands where?

The monarch historically stands in the center of the balcony with his or her spouse, except for royal weddings, in which case the bride and groom take center stage. There are no designated spots for the different members of the familyso it's not a case of Princess Anne always being on the left, or the Princess of Wales always on the right. On most occasions, however, the first and second in line to the thronenow Prince William and Prince Georgewill always be grouped around the monarch.

On which occasions do the family appear?

The most regularand the one with the largest groupis Trooping the Colour, the annual celebration of the sovereign's birthday, which is always held on a Saturday in June. After the King inspects his troops, he and his family process on horseback and in carriages back to Buckingham Palace where they make their traditional balcony appearance.

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In the past, invitees included descendants of Queen Elizabeth, her sister and her cousins, plus their spouses and has been known to tip the 30+ mark. For the Queen's 90th birthday in 2016, there were more than 40 family members gathered. Under King Charles, we have seen a smaller group on the Palace balcony, in keeping with Charles's vision of a "slimmed-down" monarchy.

Weddings

Ever since the wedding of Princess Victoria in 1858, it has been customary for royal brides and grooms to acknowledge the crowds below. The image of kissing newlyweds on the balcony has become so iconic, it is perhaps surprising to note that it has only happened on three occasions.

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were the first to kiss for the crowds, followed by Prince Andrew and Sarah Fergusonwho joked around pretending they didn't hear the request, before obliging. On Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding day, they kissed twice as the crowds cheered wildly.

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Not all royal couples end up on the balcony on their wedding day though, as some marry outside London. Prince Edward, Peter Phillips, and more recently Prince Harry chose to get married in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and Zara Phillips's wedding took place in Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh.

Jubilees

Major anniversary of the monarch's coronation always ensure a little balcony action, but with a far smaller group. For Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee in 1977, which marked 25 years on the throne, there were just nine people present: the Queen, her husband, their four children, and her mother, sister, and a cousin. For her Golden Jubilee (50 years) in 2002, it was a larger crowd, made up of her children plus their spouses and offspring.

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The Diamond Jubilee (60 years) marked a stark contrast with the previous celebration; just five figures stood beside the monarch. With Prince Philip in the hospital, it was then-Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry taking center stage. The message was clear: Here was the stripped-down future of the royal family. At her Platinum Jubilee (70 years), the group again was smaller, consisting of only working royals.

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Coronations and Major State Occasions

There have been a handful of balcony appearances following a coronationthe most recent was of course that of the King's in May 2023. Following his coronation, he and Queen Camilla appeared alongside their pages of honor, Camilla's two ladies-in-attendance, and working members of the royal family. The newly-crowned King and Queen also appeared solo:

Brandon Bell - Getty Images

At Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, she appeared on a jam-packed balcony with her attendants and her family, including a young Prince Charles. She was also present for her father King George VI's coronation appearance when she was 11.

In times of war, a balcony appearance is sometimes deemed appropriate. It's a reminder that the monarch is not merely a ceremonial figureheadthe kings and queens are a potent national symbol for their people, and their appearance cements that relationship.

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On August 4, 1914, when the UK officially went to war with Germany, King George V was called out onto the balcony three times by the crowds below, who were looking for reassurance from their head of state.

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To commemorate the end of World War II, Prime Minister Winston Churchill appeared alongside the King and Queen and their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. The family made eight appearances throughout the day, and during the final one, Elizabeth and Margaret slipped into the crowd to experience the celebrations with everyone else.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL)  A Glade Spring man faces various charges, including attempted murder, after an alleged shooting in the Widener Valley area on Thursday.

According to a news release from the Washington County, Virginia Sheriffs Office (WCSO), just after 9:45 p.m., deputies responded to a home in the 36000 block of Widener Valley Road regarding a man stating he had been shot.

Upon arrival, deputies found the victim with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The victim was treated by EMS on scene and flown to the Johnson City Medical Center for further treatment, the sheriffs office reported.

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Crime Watch

An investigation determined that an argument ensued between the victim and a man, identified by authorities as Billy D. Rhymer, 69, of Glade Spring.

Rhymer was later arrested after a search warrant was conducted on his home.

Hes been charged with the following, the WCSO reported:

Attempted second-degree murder

Aggravated malicious wounding

Use of [firearm] in commission of a felony

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

As of Friday, Rhymer is being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
For centuries, the ancient Silk Road connected the East and the West. People from China and Central Asia contributed to its prosperity. In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative. The historic trade route has since revived and thrived, and now serves as a path for shared development.




Much of the world voiced concern on Friday following Israels early-morning strikes on over 100 targets in Iran, urging both nations to avoid further escalation.

Iran responded with a drone counterattack, and Israel declared the strikes were only the first wave in a broader campaign to thwart Irans nuclear ambitions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Israel acted unilaterally, stating the U.S. was not involved in the strikes, while President Donald Trump warned Iran the next round of Israeli attacks would be "even more brutal."

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Here is a roundup of global reaction to the attacks.

Israel attacked over 100 sites in Iran in the early hours of Friday.

Iran's foreign minister called the attacks a "declaration of war" and claimed the U.S. was involved. Israel's "aggression against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States," Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said.

"Consequently, the U.S. government, as the primary patron of this regime, will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the Zionist regimes reckless actions," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.

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The Kingdom strongly condemned Israels actions, calling them a violation of international law.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran," its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. "These attacks undermine Irans sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."

Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan spoke with Araghchi, stating, "His Highness affirmed the Kingdoms rejection of the use of force and stressed the importance of dialogue to address disputes. The Israeli attack undermines efforts toward de-escalation and diplomatic solutions."

Efforts by the U.S. to broker a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia had already stalled due to the war in Gaza.

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Trump Says Israels Next Iran Attack Will Be Even More Brutal: Make A Deal

Qatar also condemned the strikes, calling them, "A blatant violation of Irans sovereignty and a clear breach of international law and its established principles."

Qatars foreign minister met with Irans ambassador on Friday to discuss bilateral cooperation and ways to deepen diplomatic ties.

The UAE "condemned in the strongest terms" Israels actions.

Turkey called for an immediate end to hostilities. "Israel must immediately cease its aggressive actions that could lead to broader conflicts."

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar held calls with several European leaders, who expressed concern over escalation while affirming Israels right to self-defense.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "We affirm that Israel has the right to defend its existence and the safety of its citizens. We call on both sides to refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict and destabilize the entire region."

Israel Launches Sweeping Strike On Iran While Trump Administration Seeks Diplomatic Solution

Saar told German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul, "We made this decision at the last possible moment, after all other avenues had been exhausted. The world saw that Iran was not ready to stop. The latest IAEA report illustrates serious Iranian violations. We know challenging days lie ahead, but we have no other choice."

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"France has repeatedly condemned Irans ongoing nuclear program and has taken all appropriate diplomatic measures in response," French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

"In this context, France reaffirms Israels right to defend itself and ensure its security. To avoid jeopardizing the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the Israeli strikes "concerning" and urged all parties to step back and reduce tensions.

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky expressed sympathy for Israels position. "Iran has long failed to meet its international obligations and continues building its nuclear program while voicing threats against Israel. I understand the need for military action to deter nuclear development in the region."

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"Unprovoked military strikes against a sovereign U.N. member state, its citizens, peaceful cities, and nuclear energy infrastructure are categorically unacceptable," the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to Reuters.

"The international community cannot afford to be indifferent to such atrocities, which destroy peace and damage regional and international security."

Beijing criticized the strikes as a violation of sovereignty.

"China opposes the violation of Irans sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. "We oppose the intensification of conflict and are willing to play a constructive role in de-escalation."

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Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya called the strikes "deeply regrettable" amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear issue.

"The use of military force undermines peaceful negotiations. The government strongly condemns this action, which only escalates the situation."





Original article source: Global calls to avoid escalation pour in after Israeli strikes on Iran
By Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA (Reuters) -Spending on nuclear weapons by the world's nine nuclear-armed nations rose by 11% in 2024, a report by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons said on Friday.

The $10 billion annual increase to $100.2 billion went towards modernising and in some cases expanding nuclear arsenals, according to ICAN, a global civil society coalition that seeks the total elimination of atomic weapons.

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"Nuclear-armed countries could have paid the United Nations' budget 28 times with what they spent to build and maintain nuclear weapons in 2024," the report said.

The U.S. recorded the largest annual increase in nuclear spending in 2024, rising by $5.3 billion, the report said. Its total expenditure of $56.8 billion exceeded the combined spending of all other nuclear-armed states, it said.

China spent $12.5 billion, followed by Britain at $10.4 billion, which was an increase of $2.2 billion, ICAN said.

It said the other nuclear-armed states were France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and Russia.

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In terms of kind of the increase in spending in the UK and France, I think we certainly have seen, at least in the rhetoric of political leaders, a reference to the ongoing war in Ukraine, to the tensions, and that could be playing a role, Alicia Sanders-Zakre, a policy and research coordinator at ICAN, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

Britain and other allies in NATO now regard Russia as the main security threat to Europe and some have rolled out plans to devote a higher percentage of GDP to defence spending.

However, Sanders-Zakre said the increase in nuclear expenditure has been more driven by the costs of servicing long-term contracts and the growing expense of developing nuclear delivery systems than by current security concerns.

(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; editing by Friederike Heine and Mark Heinrich)
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  The City of Springfield announced it plans to reestablish the Kearney Street Corridor Redevelopment Plan.

According to the City of Springfield, the redevelopment area is a 3.5-mile section of Kearney Street, from North Albertha Avenue just west of Kansas Expressway Avenue to a point approximately 900 feet east of North Glenstone Avenue, generally extending 300 feet north and south of the street. Registered neighborhoods adjacent to the corridor are Tom Watkins, Woodland Heights, Robberson and Doling.

The plan was initially established in 2018 but expired in 2023 due to sunset provisions requiring City Council approval every five years.

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It is our intention to re-adopt the redevelopment plan so that we can once again have that incentive in place along the Kearney Street Corridor, says Senior Planner, Matt Schaefer. We would like to use this as an opportunity also to make necessary adjustments or modifications to the redevelopment plan so that it more closely aligns with the recently adopted forward STF Comprehensive Plan and the New Development Code.

Schaefer continues, stating that the plan will promote engagement and revitalization.

The idea is that it would improve the quality of life within the neighborhoods that are adjacent to the corridor as well as provide additional shopping and restaurant opportunities on the north side of Springfield, said Schaefer.

I spoke to London Evans, whose family owns Another Comic Shop on Kearney. She tells me that this project could bring more people towards their store.

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I think its going to bring a lot more people, says Evans, both from the older people who used to drive down and some of the newer whove been here for a few years. And every change, no matter how small, has brought in a number of new people.

Steven Deskins, another local business owner in the community, is hopeful that the plan will help to get people to invest in the area again.

I think its going to be very, very good for Springfield. Theres a lot of cool things in this area on the north side. Deskins continues, And, you know, Kearney Street used to be the busiest street in Springfield. So, to be able to bring that back, theres a lot of history here. I think its really cool.

The City of Springfield is hosting a public input meeting at the Doling Park Northview Center on June 24 from 6 to 7 p.m., where residents and businesses can help shape and improve the plan.

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I think feedback from the community is very important, adds Deskins. So, you know, we can communicate to the people that are making the decisions on what actually needs to be done in our community. So, I think thats very, very important. And, you know, maybe something I attend.

For more information, please visit the City of Springfield website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Businesses affected by the extended closure of a major route in Oxford will receive goodwill payments to "recognise the trouble the delays have caused", the rail minister has said.

Some small, local businesses impacted by the delayed works on Botley Road will be eligible to receive one-off payments from an 850,000 government fund.

The road has been closed since April 2023 as part of a 261m Network Rail project to upgrade Oxford Station and is expected to reopen in August 2026.

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Rail Minister Lord Hendy welcomed the additional support and said he was "glad the project is now on track".

When the rail operator first outlined its plans the road was expected to be shut over two six-month periods, with a six-month break in-between in April 2023.

But in September 2023 it announced there would be no break because works had run behind schedule.

Then in July last year it said it would not reopen in October as planned due to "highly complex" pipework and the discovery of a Victorian-era arch.

A new timetable was adopted in January this year, with reopening set for August 2026.

The road is now on track to reopen in August 2026, Network Rail say [BBC]

During a visit to the site on Friday, Lord Hendy said: "I'm pleased that Network Rail can now offer payments to those eligible small, local businesses affected, and while it can't undo all the hardship businesses have faced, it recognises the trouble the delays have caused.

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"I will continue to hold Network Rail to account and engage with the local community," he said.

"I look forward to the scheme being completed, so Oxford can benefit from more frequent and accessible transport links to boost growth in this bustling city."

Businesses can apply for the one-off government payments through Network Rail, although a time scale has not yet been provided for when the funding would be handed out.

Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said the payments would go "some way towards repairing the damage caused by the chaos and disruption of this project".

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"Today I breathe a massive sigh of relief, with support finally available for businesses struggling with the impact of the never-ending road closure," she continued.

"Our vibrant local businesses now have a better chance to come out of the other side of this difficult period and thrive."

Local MP Layla Moran said the payment announcement was a "relief" [BBC]

The scheme follows the closure of Courtney Pianos after more than three decades - with the owner pinpointing the long delays to the Botley Road works as the main cause.

Owner David Hogben told the BBC the effect the disruption had on the shop was "like falling off the edge of a cliff", adding there had been a 40% drop in sales since the closure.

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In April, five separate businesses affected by the works stopped paying their business rates and said they would not pay them until they received further financial support.

At the time, Network Rail said it was supporting local firms with "independent, tailored advice" to apply for a reduction in their business rates.

During Lord Hendy's visit to Oxford it was also revealed that costs for the scheme had risen to 261m - about 100m more than initially suggested.

A new walkway and cycleway is also set to be completed this summer.

Marcus Jones, Network Rail's western route director, said: "We know the delays to this project have been frustrating, and we're sorry for the disruption they've caused.

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"The good news is that the project is now firmly back on track, and we're making strong progress.

"We're committed to keeping the community informed as we deliver a safer, more accessible Oxford station for everyone."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's antitrust watchdog said on Friday it had closed a case against Google, clearing the tech giant from any potential fines, after a multi-year investigation determined it did not engage in monopolistic practices in the country.

The investigation by Mexico's Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece), which began in 2020, focused on Google's digital advertising services via its search page as well as third-party websites.

The investigation focused on Google's advertising services via its search page as well as third-party websites, examining whether the company had an undue advantage over competitors in the digital advertising sector stemming from the design of its platform for buying online advertising.

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Cofece said in a statement on Friday that its analysis had determined that Google users were not required to purchase advertising on third-party websites in order to purchase advertising on the Google search engine.

"We appreciate COFECE's decision recognizing that our products give advertisers the freedom and control to use our tools in the ways that best suit their needs," a Google spokesperson said.

Google had been facing a fine of up to 8% of its annual revenue in Mexico if Cofece determined it engaged in monopolistic practices.

Google parent Alphabet does not include specific revenue numbers for Mexico in its earnings reports, but according to annual results for 2024, the company's revenue for its "other Americas" region, which includes Latin America, was about $20.4 billion.

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Google is facing antitrust challenges around the world as regulators fear how its search engine gives it an advantage.

In the United States, a U.S. district judge last year ruled Google holds an unlawful monopoly in online search and related advertising.

The U.S. Justice Department and a coalition of states want Google to share search data and cease multibillion-dollar payments to Apple and other smartphone makers to be the default search engine on new devices.

In a separate case, a U.S. federal judge said Google illegally dominated two markets for online advertising technology, with the Justice Department saying that Google should sell off at least its Google Ad Manager, which includes the company's publisher ad server and its ad exchange.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Kylie Madry)
Google's pivot to AI-powered search is proving disastrous for the digital news media landscape.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, the company's latest tools, including its wildly hallucinating AI Overviews and chatbot-style AI Mode, are causing the traffic being sent to publishers to plummet as users no longer feel the need to click through to the actual source of information, cutting already-slammed journalists off from ad revenue and subscriptions.

It's an existential threat. News publications, already gutted by the internet, have been hit hard as they try to adapt to a post-organic-search world.

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Per the WSJ, search traffic to Business Insider's media empire fell by a whopping 55 percent between April 2022 and April 2025. Last month, the company cut roughly 21 percent of its staff, with CEO Barbara Peng noting that it had to "endure extreme traffic drops outside of our control."

How to respond to this existential threat remains a major point of contention.

"Google is shifting from being a search engine to an answer engine," The Atlantic CEO Nicholas Thompson told the WSJ. "We have to develop new strategies."

Some publications, like the New York Times, are taking legal action, with the newspaper suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement.

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It's a thorny debate, with publishers accusing the AI industry of exploiting their content without ever fairly remunerated. Plummeting traffic due to AI-enhanced search on Google is only exacerbating the tension.

Google is under threat from AI itself. Apple executive Eddy Cue admitted in federal court earlier this year that Google searches in the company's Safari browser had fallen for the first time in 20 years, indicating the end of traditional search as we know it could be nigh.

Confusingly, Google has since disputed the claim and has remained adamant that its number of total searches is still going up  while going all-in on its glitchy AI products.

"This is the moment that propels us forward in our ability to achieve our mission and really deliver a transformed search experience for users," Googles head of knowledge and information division Nick Fox told Adweek.

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The digital media landscape and Google are now caught in an unfortunate race to the bottom. The tech giant's search and AI features rely on a steady stream of news and original content. But by cutting the creators of that material out of a once lucrative organic search-driven revenue source, that stream could soon be reduced to a trickle, if not an incestuous swamp of AI-generated nonsense.

Well-established outlets will likely weather the storm better. Research revealed last week that Google's AI Overviews favors major news outlets, while smaller publications struggle for visibility.

Meanwhile, the media industry has no other option but to look for new business models in light of an existential threat.

Legal challenges to Google's indiscriminate scraping of copyrighted materials are likely to continue to crop up as well.

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"Links were the last redeeming quality of search that gave publishers traffic and revenue," said trade association News/Media Alliance CEO Danielle Coffey in a statement last month, following Google's announcement of its AI Mode feature. "Now Google just takes content by force and uses it with no return, the definition of theft."

More on Google's AI: "You Cant Lick a Badger Twice": Google's AI Is Making Up Explanations for Nonexistent Folksy Sayings
GOP Rep. Warren Davidson (Ohio) suggested Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was supporting Mexican drug cartels during his Thursday protest at a presser hosted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

I didnt know the Senate had a Cartel Caucus to protect the interests of the cartels, but maybe so, Davidson wrote in a Thursday post on the social platform X.

Padilla was thrown to the ground by law enforcement and detained after interrupting remarks by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

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Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have a question for the secretary, Padilla, the senior senator from California, said as he was hauled off by several men.

The incident follows large-scale protests in Los Angeles over the Trump administrations efforts to combat illegal immigration through widespread detainment and removals.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted four raids last week resulting in the arrest of 44 individuals including a local labor union president. Demonstrations started shortly after as residents protested overpopulation at ICE facilities, inhumane treatment and wrongful seizures.

What just happened to @SenAlexPadilla is absolutely abhorrent and outrageous. He is a sitting United States Senator, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) wrote in a Thursday post on X.

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This administrations violent attacks on our city must end, she added.

Her words were echoed by former Vice President Kamala Harris, who represented California in the upper chamber prior to serving as second in command during the Biden administration.

United States Senator Alex Padilla was representing the millions of Californians who are demanding answers to this Administrations actions in Southern California. This is a shameful and stunning abuse of power, Harris wrote on X.

However, DHS and White House officials said Secret Service agents were right to detain Padilla and falsely claimed he did not identify himself as a lawmaker.

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Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem, DHS wrote on X.

Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands. @SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Joint Finance Co-Chair Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said at a press conference ahead of the meeting that he would tell advocates who wanted the 60% rate that the state budget has to be right-sized and affordable. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)

After many delays, the Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee met Thursday evening to approve its plan for K-12 education spending that included a 5% increase to special education funding for schools and its $1.3 billion tax plan that targets retirees and middle-income earners.

Lawmakers on the powerful budget-writing committee went back and forth for nearly three hours about the plans with Republicans saying they made significant investments in education and would help Wisconsinites while Democrats argued the state should do more for schools.

Over $220 million for special education, no additional general aid for schools

The committee approved a total of about $336 million total in new general purpose revenue for Wisconsins K-12 schools  only about 10% of Gov. Tony Evers proposed $3.1 billion in new spending.

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Special education costs will receive the majority of the allocation with an additional $220 million that will be split between the general special education reimbursement and a subset of high-cost special education services.

The special education reimbursement funding includes $77.2 million in the first year of the budget, which will bring the rate at which the state reimburses school districts to an estimated 35%, and $151 million in the second year bringing the rate to an estimated 37.5%. Its well below the $1.13 billion or 60% reimbursement for special education that Evers had proposed and that advocates had said was essential to place school districts back on a sustainable funding path.

Education advocates spent the last week lobbying for the additional funding  and warning lawmakers about the financial strain on districts and the resources the students could lose. Ahead of the meeting Thursday, Democrats and a coalition of Wisconsin parents of students with disabilities spoke to the urgent need for additional investment in the states general special education reimbursement rate.

Everywhere weve gone in the state of Wisconsin, whether its rural school districts, urban school districts, whether its school districts that have passed referendums and those that havent, they all say the same thing  60% primary special education funding is absolutely necessary for our schools to succeed, Rep. Tip McGuire (D-Kenosha) said at the press conference. You can see that we have had a cycle of referendum throughout Wisconsin, and that cycle has to end.

Ahead of the meeting Thursday, Democrats and a coalition of Wisconsin parents of students with disabilities spoke to the urgent need for additional investment in the states general special education reimbursement rate. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)

The special education reimbursement peaked at 70% in 1973, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum. After falling to a low of 24.9% in 2015-16, the states share of special education costs has been incrementally increasing with some fluctuations.

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The Republican proposal represents, at maximum, about a 5% increase to the current rate by the second year. According to budget papers prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the investment lawmakers made last session was meant to bring the rate to 33.3%, but because it is a sum certain rate  meaning there was only a set amount of money set aside, regardless of expanding costs  the actual rates have been 32.4% in 2023-24 and an estimated 32.1% for 2024-25.

Joint Finance Co-Chair Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said at a press conference ahead of the meeting that he would tell advocates who wanted the 60% rate that the state budget has to be right-sized and affordable.

The governors budget has always [had] reckless spending that the state cant afford, and so were choosing to make key investments and priorities, and these investments today will be some of  the largest investments youll see in the budget, Born said.

The committee also added $54.5 million to bring the additional reimbursement rate for a small number of high-cost special education services to 50% in the first year of the budget and 90% in the second year. The high-cost special education program provides additional aid when costs exceed $30,000 for a single student in one year. According to DPI, in 2025 only 3% of students with disabilities fell in the high-cost special education category.

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In 2024-25, the program only received $14.5 million from the state. Evers had proposed the state invest an additional $18.5 million.

Republicans on the committee insisted that they were trying to compromise and making a significant investment in schools  noting that education likely will continue being the states top expenditure in the budget. Meanwhile, Democrats spoke extensively about the need for higher rates of investment, read messages from superintendents and students in their districts and said Republicans were not doing what people asked for.

High needs special education funding only reaches about 3% of Wisconsins special education students, Rep. Deb Andraca said. Youre getting a couple good talking points, but youre not going to get the kinds of public schools that Wisconsin kids deserve.

During the committee meeting, Sen. Julian Bradley (R-New Berlin) criticized Democrats for saying they would vote against the proposals. He said Democrats would vote against any proposal if it isnt what they want.

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If we all voted no, we would return to base funding, which was good enough by the way for the governor last budget because he signed it, Bradley said. There would be no increases, but instead weve introduced a motion which will increase funding.

McGuire responded by saying he wouldnt vote for a proposal that is condemning the state to continuing the cycle of referendum, which he said Republicans are doing by minimally increasing the special education reimbursement rate and not investing any additional money in general aid.

Wisconsinites across the state are having to choose between raising their own property taxes and the schools, McGuire said.

The Kenosha School District, which is in McGuires legislative district, recently failed to pass referendum to help reduce a budget deficit. School leaders had said a significant increase in the special education reimbursement would prevent the district from having to seek a referendum again.

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They had a $19 million budget gap, and if this state went to 60% special education funding, you know roughly where we promised we would be, that wouldve gone down to $6 million, McGuire said, $13 million of those dollars are our responsibility. Thats been our failing, and we should live up to that.

What are we arguing about? Were putting more money in, Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) said.I would think that when this gets to his desk, Evers would sign this because it is a bigger increase than any of what he proposed while he was state superintendent.

McGuire said the investment in the high-cost special education is also good, but only applies to a small number of schools and students.

You know, what would benefit all school districts in the state and will benefit all students who need special education? The primary special education reimbursement rate, which you put at 37.5[%], but everyone says should be at 60[%]. McGuire said. I dont think this is your intention, but I dont believe that we should be exchanging children who need our assistance for other children who need our assistance. Why cant we just help all of the kids who need our help?

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Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) said that the increase for high-cost special education will have a significant impact on some schools, especially smaller ones, and students, even if its not many of them.

To get 90% for them is huge for any of our rural districts. One child, which deserves an education, can break the bank for our small districts, Kurtz said. Is it perfect? No, its not perfect, but we have to stay within our means.

Committee co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) echoed Kurtzs comments saying that there will be a lot of districts that are going to be awful happy about that.

Theyve been worried about sometimes, a student moves into the district, and its of incredibly high, high needs, Marklein said.

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The committee also declined to include additional general aid for school districts. Republicans on the committee said there was already a $325 per pupil increase to districts revenue limits built into the budget from last session due to Evers partial veto. The increase gives districts the option to raise property taxes, though it doesnt require them to, and does not include state funding for the increase.

Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) told lawmakers not to forget about the increase, saying the insulting part about that is that everyone gets it.

There are schools that dont need that, Quinn said. 72% of my districts spend less than [the schools of] my Democratic colleagues on this panel.

School Administrators Alliance Executive Director Dee Pettack, Wisconsin Association of School Boards Executive Director Dan Rossmiller, Southeast Wisconsin School Alliance Executive Director Cathy Olig and Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance Executive Director Jeff Eide said in a joint letter reacting to the proposal that lawmakers failed to hear the voices school leaders, parents and community and business leaders.

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While the $325 revenue limit authority exists, it is not funded by the state. Instead, it is entirely borne by local property taxpayers. In addition, school districts will not see the requested support in special education, the leaders stated. Because of the lack of state support in these two critical areas, school districts will be left with no choice but to ask their local taxpayers to step up and shoulder the costs locally, regardless of their ability to pay.

The leaders said the state was investing minimally and school districts will continue to struggle to fund mandated primary special education programs.

State Superintendent Jill Underly called the Republicans proposal irresponsible in a statement Friday and said it puts politics ahead of kids and disregards educators and public schools when they need support the most.

Our public schools desperately need and deserve funding that is flexible, spendable and predictable, Underly said. This budget fails to deliver on all three. Once again, those in power had an opportunity to do right by Wisconsins children  and once again, they turned their backs on them.

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The committee also approved $30 million for the states choice school programs, $20 million for mental health services in school, $250,000 for robotics league grants, $750,000 for a single school, the Lakeland STAR Academy (a provision that Evers vetoed last session), $100,000 for Special Olympics Wisconsin, $3 million for public library system aid, $500,000 for recovery high schools and $500,000 for Wisconsin Reading Corps.

Over $1 billion in tax cuts

Republican lawmakers also approved tax cuts of about $1.3 billion for the budget Thursday evening after 8 p.m., including changes to the income tax brackets and a cut for retirees in Wisconsin.

Born and Marklein said the cuts would help retirees and other Wisconsinites afford to stay in the state.

These are average, hard-working people in our state that will benefit from our tax cut, Marklein said.

The income tax change will allow more people to qualify for the second tax bracket with a rate of 4.4% by raising the qualifying maximum income to $50,480 for single filers, $67,300 for joint filers and $33,650 for married-separate filers. This will reduce the states revenues by $323 million in 2025-26 and $320 million in 2026-27.

People currently eligible for the second tax bracket include: single filers making between $14,680 and $29,370, joint filers making between $19,580 and $39,150 and married separate filers making between $9,790 and $19,580.

Wisconsin Republicans have been seeking another significant tax cut since the last budget cycle when Evers vetoed their proposals. After the rejection, Republicans started to narrow their tax cuts proposals to focus on retirees and a couple of other groups with the hope of getting Evers approval. When negotiations on this years budget reached an impasse, Evers had said he was willing to support Republicans tax goals, but he wanted agreements from them, too.

The proposal also includes an exclusion from income taxes for retirees that would reduce the states revenues by $395 million in 2025-26 and $300 million in 2026-27.

This isnt a high-income oriented kind of thing, Marklein said during the meeting. It just helps a lot of average people in the state of Wisconsin, so its very good tax policy.

Democrats appeared unimpressed with the tax proposal.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau told lawmakers that the income tax change would lead to about a maximum impact of $253 annually for married joint filers, $190 annually for single filers and $127 for married separate filers.

So roughly $5 a week for a married couple, McGuire said.

McGuire said that Democrats just have the perspective that Wisconsin could invest more in the priorities that residents have been expressing.

We heard from a lot of people about what they need, McGuire said in reference to school districts. We also know that as theyve been attempting to get those funds theyve had to go to referendums across the state, and we think thats harming communities and making it more difficult for people. As a perspective, we believe that thats a good place to invest in dollars.

Tech colleges

The committee also voted to provide additional funding for the Wisconsin technical colleges, though it is, again, significantly less than what was requested by Evers and by the system.

The proposal will provide an additional $13 million to the system. This includes $7 million in general aid for the system of 16 technical colleges, $2 million in aid meant for grants for artificial intelligence, $3 million for grants for textbooks and nearly $30,000 to support the operations of the system.

Evers had proposed the state provide the system with $45 million in general aid

Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) said the differences between Evers proposals and what Republicans offered were stark.

We hear my GOP colleagues talk about worker training all the time and this is their opportunity to make sure that our technical colleges have the resources that they need to make sure that we are training an adequate workforce, Johnson said, noting that the state could be short by 1,000 nurses (many of whom start their education in technical colleges) by 2030. Ive never had an employer complain about having an educated workforce, not once, but I have heard employers say that Wisconsin lacks the skill sets and educational skills they need. It seems my Republican colleagues are more concerned with starving our institutions of higher education, rather than making sure they have the resources they need.

Testin said the proposal was not a cut and that Republicans were investing in technical colleges.

We see theres value in our technical colleges because they are working with the business community  getting students through the door quicker with less debt, Testin said. Any conversations that this is a cut is just unrealistic. These are critical investments in the technical system.

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Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) told Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) to shut up during an oversight hearing on Capitol Hill this week  and the moment spoke volumes.

During Thursdays House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing, Frost asked whether Comer, the committee chair, would commit on the record to subpoenaing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding an incident that took place with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) that same day.

Padilla was roughed up and handcuffed as he was forcibly removed from Noems press conference in Los Angeles, where she discussed the immigration raids happening in the region. Padilla was approached by two men who pushed him out of the room after he tried to speak up about the raids, according to video footage of the conference. The senator could be heard identifying himself as he was being forcibly removed. Video also shows officers forcing Padilla to the ground in a hallway.

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Frost repeatedly brought up the incident during Thursdays hearing as Comer attempted to let Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speak. Reclaiming my time! Greene said repeatedly, before launching into a rant about Republicans being in charge.

Shut up! Just shut up! Comer eventually snapped at Frost.

No, youre not going to tell me to shut up, Frost responded.

Comer then accused Frost of trying to get on network TV before Greene jumped in and called the Florida Democrat a former Antifa member. Frost asked for Greenes false accusations be taken down from the hearing record. (Watch a clip of the exchange here.)

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MSNBCs Symone Sanders-Townsend wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that she thought Comers behavior was unusual.

Congressman Frost is the youngest member on this panel, she said about the 28-year-old, who became the first Gen Z member of Congress when he was elected in 2022. Ive never heard Congressman Comer tell another member to shut up before  especially during committee hearing.

Comer doubles down in the video and that to me says he thinks his comments are warranted, she continued. They are not. They are inappropriate.

Collin Anderson, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University at Buffalo, noted that the exchange said a lot about the mounting anger between members of the two parties  and that its not a good look for voters at home to witness.

Rep. James Comer (R-KY) photographed at a hearing on June 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

Anderson told HuffPost that the context of the situation at Thursdays hearing is important.

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He said the exchange between Frost and Comer in isolation mightve not been anything too remarkable. But its clear that tensions are high in the Capitol considering that Frost was trying to discuss the incident with Padilla during the heated moment through Greenes unwarranted and unfounded interjections.

He added that what happened with Padilla at the Noem press conference is essentially uncharted territory for the government and America.

Anderson said that as committee chair, its within Comers power to call members to order, and that its not uncommon for committee chairs to quiet down other members of Congress  though its usually done a little more diplomatically.

Shouting matches have become more normalized in the past 10-15 years than they were previously, Anderson said.

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And while Anderson pointed out that in a very technical sense Frost was out of order due to rules and procedures that are set forth for hearings, Comer has a lot of leeway on how to handle things  and there are other ways he could have addressed the situation rather than shouting for Rep. Frost to shut up.

Marjorie Taylor Greene was also out of order and wasnt dressed down by Rep. Comer, which seems to suggest some unfair treatment against Rep. Frost, he said.

Overall, Anderson doesnt think Thursdays hearing put any positive light on lawmakers.

The behavior displayed in the House Oversight Committee is not behavior that Americans should be particularly proud of or want out of any of their elected officials, he said.

Related...
Longtime Republican strategist Sarah Longwell urged sitting senators in her party to defend Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), who was handcuffed and forcibly removed from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Republican senators should be very careful on this right now, Longwell told MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace. If they do not come out and defend Sen. Padillas right to ask questions of this administration, of his colleagues, they are setting an extraordinarily dangerous precedent for how senators are going to be treated in this country.

Padilla said he attended the press conference with peaceful intentions. When he began to ask a question, he was almost immediately pushed out of the room by security and forced to the ground.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California makes a brief statement to the media after leaving the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Thursday. Padilla was pushed out of the room and handcuffed as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a news conference. MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

The senator told reporters after the incident, I will say this: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country.

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Noem claimed Padilla did not identify himself, despite a now-viral video in which he can clearly be heard at the start of the incident telling security, Sir! Sir! Hands off. Hands off. I am Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary.

Noem: Nobody knew who he was when he came into the room creating a scene. He was removed from the room and yes, they started to put handcuffs on him when he finally identified himself and that was stopped pic.twitter.com/qDetbXp0q8  Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025

The White House slammed the senators actions, saying, Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt.

On MSNBC, Longwell remarked that nobody has done more cosplaying than Noem, mentioning photo ops in which she has dressed up as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

Longwell added that she finds it odd that Noem would not recognize Padilla, because he is the top Democrat on one of the immigration committees. Padilla is ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration.

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Her reasoning for the treatment of Sen. Alex Padilla is that he was disrespectful, Longwell said. Being disrespectful is not a reason to handcuff somebody on the ground. Its just not.

Longwell characterized the incident as a free speech issue, saying a sitting senator should be able to ask a question of the head of the Department of Homeland Security. She went on to attack President Donald Trump, who threatened to use very heavy forceagainst anyone protesting his military parade.

This is not singular. This is not one-off, Longwell said. This is about how this entire administration is approaching people who dissent, and so nobody better come here and try to tell me this is a free speech president or a free speech administration.

She warned Republican senators that if they do not defend Padilla, they are setting themselves up for how they and their colleagues are going to be treated moving forward.

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They should protect their own institution, she added. They should have an interest in their office being protected from this kind of behavior, because theyre all going to want to ask questions at some point, accountability questions of their leadership, and that is right and its American.

Related...
KUWAIT CITY, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Kuwait Oil Tanker Company announced Thursday that one of its vessels rescued 40 refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea after their boat broke down.

In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency, the company said its vessel Al-Dasma responded to a distress call on Tuesday and rescued the refugees whose boat had become disabled and who had run out of food and water.

During its voyage to Egypt on Tuesday evening, the Al-Dasma spotted the stranded boat and coordinated with the Egyptian Search and Rescue Authority to carry out the rescue operation, the company added.

The tanker then continued its journey to Port Said, Egypt, where the refugees were safely disembarked on Thursday. 
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the deployment of over 7,000 National Guard and Department of Public Safety troops in preparation for planned demonstrations this weekend.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Abbott had already stated that lawlessness caused by demonstrations would not be allowed in Texas, and plans were in place to deploy National Guard troops to manage the disruptions.

The governor has confirmed the total number of troops deployed across the state, with 2,000 TxDPS soldiers and 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers deployed to help control the protests.

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The Office of the Governor wrote in a news release that the DPS soldiers are meant to respond to potential criminal or violent activity at these protests and to maintain law and order across Texas.

These troops will include Special Agents and Texas Rangers, in addition to the DPS troops already stationed throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the deployed National Guards troops will be strategically positioned to bolster state and local law enforcement response to any criminal activity.

Abbott wrote in this news release that peaceful protests are the right of every citizen in the country, but these troops are meant to help keep them peaceful after similar events turn violent.

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Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trumps enforcement of immigration law, he added.

Today, I deployed over 2,000 Texas DPS troopers and over 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers across the state to assist local law enforcement response to these protests and to maintain law and order. Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law. Dont mess with Texas  and dont mess with Texas law enforcement.

The deployment of these troops comes just shortly after the protests in Los Angeles turned violent, with the Los Angeles Police Department stating that 50 people were arrested over the weekend and officers fired 600 non-lethal rounds.

Multiple demonstrations have been planned throughout the Lone Star State in the coming days. Left-wing activists are planning protests on June 14, dubbed No Kings Day, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Tyler, Texas (KETK)  Governor Greg Abbott moved thousands of soldiers and troops across Texas on Thursday in preparation for the planned protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, reports say.

3 people found dead after possible carbon monoxide poisoning inside Nacogdoches home

After witnessing what occurred at protest in Los Angeles, Governor Greg Abbott deployed over 7,000 soldiers from the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety throughout Texas, according to the governors office.

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Abbott said these soldiers serve as preparation for the potential violence and property damage that could occur at the protests.

Passenger dead, drunk driver arrested after truck flips in Bullard, affidavit reveals

Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trumps enforcement of immigration law, Abbott said. Today, I deployed over 2,000 Texas DPS troopers and over 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers across the state to assist local law enforcement response to these protests and to maintain law and order. Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law. Dont mess with Texas  and dont mess with Texas law enforcement.

Special Agents and Texas Rangers will aim to maintain law and order at these protest while National Guard soldiers are set to assist local and state law enforcement with potential criminal activity.

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3 teens arrested following Texarkana car break-ins

Several protest are already planned for this Saturday, June 14 at many East Texas cities including:

Tyler

Longview

Athens

Nacogdoches

Lufkin

Mineola

Palestine

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CHIPPEWA FALLS  Tony Liedl began making soap as a hobby in 2020.

It started with a basic recipe, and I tweaked it, he said.

Liedl soon was selling at crafting events, and he eventually opened his own business. Ope! Its Soap moved into its current storefront at 116 N. Bridge St. last November.

Liedl and his husband, Kevin Brylski, welcomed Gov. Tony Evers to their shop on Thursday, showing off their products while also talking about being being gay business owners.

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Brylski said they have signs that read Hate has no home here, and the community has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Its been really incredible, Brylski said. Tony advertised on the door, writing, this is a safe space. This is a gay business.

Liedl added that Chippewa Falls has been a safe community for them.

Evers praised the business after finishing the tour.

Its important for me to continue to see what is happening in our small stores across the state, Evers said. They really care for each other here, and they do great work.

Evers has been visiting LGBTQ+ businesses across the state to celebrate Pride Month.

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They are a major part of our culture, Evers said. I hate to hear negative things about Pride Month. I think its important for Wisconsinites to stand up and show we are open for business. They are our neighbors, our friends, our spouses.

Liedl and Brylski got married in 2020 in the Dominican Republic. Brylski pointed out to Evers that gay marriage has only been legal nationwide since 2015, and they both admitted they are concerned about any challenges that could outlaw their union.

Its hard not to think about it, Liedl told Evers. Its worrying. What would happen if I got sick and died, and would our marriage no longer be valid?

Evers assured the couple he would block any attempts to ban gay marriages.

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Brylski thanked Evers for coming to Chippewa Falls and seeing their shop.

Im very thankful for Gov. Evers and politicians like him, Brylski said.

Evers ordered the Rainbow Pride Flag to fly over the East Wing of the State Capitol for the first time in state history in 2019. Since then, the Rainbow Pride Flag has flown over the Capitol each year for the month of June until 2022, when Gov. Evers raised the Progress Pride Flag over the State Capitol for the first time, a press release from his office reads. An iteration of the widely recognized Rainbow Pride Flag, the Progress Pride Flag was created to symbolize the inclusion of marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community. The Progress Pride Flag includes additional stripes forming a chevron pattern that represent LGBTQ individuals of color and the transgender community, as well as those who are living with and who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

When asked if hes heard any feedback from President Donald Trumps administration about the decision to fly the flag, Evers said hes been left alone on this issue so far.
RALEIGH, N.C.(WNCN)  Before heading into the weekend, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein put his support behind six bills.

House Bill 506 creates the North Carolina Investment Authority, which is tasked with overseeing state investments, taking some responsibility away from the state treasurer. The authority would be responsible for managing investments for retirement systems and the General Fund.

Were changing the degrees that were headed by a slight amount, but it will have profound differences for our state over long periods of time, said State Treasurer Brad Briner. If we can deliver 1% more, we will able we will be able to deliver $2 billion a year more to our state budget, and that is why were doing this.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein officially signed six new bills into law in Raleigh on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Judith Retana/CBS 17)

The governor also signed Senate Bill 231, which is designed to lower barriers for social workers to practice in or out of the state. North Carolina now joins an agreement with 29 other states allowing licensed social workers to practice in any state included in the agreement. Social workers say that Hurricane Helene showed the need for change after the storm displaced patients out of state.

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Licensed clinical social workers couldnt legally continue therapy with their clients unless they were licensed in each of those states, disrupting care at a time when it was most needed, said Valerie Arendt, executive director for the National Association of Social Workers NC. The compact helps ensure continuity of care no matter where life takes rural residents.

House Bill 50, also signed by the governor, aims to retain some of the states most experienced law enforcement officers. Before this new law, after 30 years of service, an officer had the choice to retire or stay on the job and lose out on retirement fund dollars. The new law gives officers more options to stay on the job.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein officially signed six new bills into law in Raleigh on Friday, June 13, 2025. (Judith Retana/CBS 17)

If we make it hard to retain our most experienced law enforcement officers, were doing ourselves a grave disservice, said Stein. If we want to keep the best, we have to support them, and thats exactly what this legislation does.

Most notably the governor did not sign or address three controversial bills on this desk. Two are related to cracking down on illegal immigration, and the third would allow concealed carry without a permit for adults over 18.

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Governor Stein also signed the following bills into law:

House Bill 477: Retirement Death Benefits Rewrite

Senate Bill 248: Birth Certificates for Persons Adopted

Senate Bill 477: DNCR Agency Bill

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  Governor Kay Ivey ceremonially signed her Safe Alabama bill package on Thursday. With her signature, Gov. Ivey banned Glock switches and expanded police immunity in the state. While law enforcement and leaders are excited, some people expressed concerns about one of the bills.

One bill makes it a crime to possess machine gun conversion devices in the state. Another makes law enforcement immune from lawsuits unless they clearly violate someones civil rights.

Gov. Ivey said Alabama is the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation. Im proud to be a part of it, she said. Public safety is important. Weve taken steps to make it easier for police and law enforcement to do their jobs and do it effectively.

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Another bill expanded Aniahs Law, allowing judges to deny bail for more kinds of violent offenses. Hal Taylor, secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said these statutes will increase recruitment.

If I do my job properly, and somebody doesnt agree with what happened, I could possibly be in jail? And now, theyve got something to know, that somebodys there with them to back them if they do have a use-of-force case? said Taylor. Its a gamechanger for us.

But, Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) said that protection for use-of-force cases could actually have consequences.

Report: Helicopter pilot had do not fly medication in his system at the time of fatal 2023 crash in Alabama

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Just hiring people, just because they say, I want to be a police officer, I think thats the wrong attitude to take. Youve got some people whose attitude and position will not follow what you will strive for as a proper law enforcement, said Travis. You know?

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said the police immunity bill, and the package overall, will help retain more police officers.

I think that ones positive, he said. Both sides of the aisle had a chance to look at it, so I believe its going to be positive for law enforcement officers across the state. Weve had some issues in metropolitan areas where crime has spiked, at a point where its hurt recruiting businesses and bringing industry into the state.

The bill expanding police immunity will take effect on October 1. Gov. Ivey said a safe Alabama is a secure future for Alabama.

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The Brief

Gov. Brian Kemp warned that while peaceful protests are protected, any violence against law enforcement during Saturday's "No Kings" rallies will bring "quick and heavy accountability."

Attorney General Chris Carr said violent acts tied to changing public policy could be prosecuted as domestic terrorism, carrying sentences of up to 35 years.

Over 30 protests are planned in Georgia, including a major rally at Liberty Plaza in Atlanta, as part of a national movement opposing what organizers call authoritarian behavior by the Trump administration.

ATLANTA - With massive protests scheduled across the country Saturday under the "No Kings" banner, Georgia leaders are urging demonstrators to remain peaceful  and making clear that any violence will have consequences.

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Gov. Brian Kemp acknowledged the right of citizens to assemble peacefully but issued a sharp warning to those who may test the limits of the law.

"I respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly," Kemp posted on social media Wednesday. "But any violence against law enforcement will be met with quick and heavy accountability."

My office remains in close contact with state and local law enforcement and stands ready to take whatever appropriate action is needed to safeguard our communities from crime and violence while also respecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.



My support for public  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) June 11, 2025

What we know

More than 30 demonstrations are planned throughout Georgia as part of a national campaign organized by the 50501 Movement  a coalition critical of what it calls the authoritarian tendencies of the Trump administration. Rallies will take place in cities large and small, including a major event at Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol in Atlanta, starting at 10 a.m. Additional gatherings are expected in Midtown, Decatur, Marietta, Tucker, and Woodstock.

What they're saying

The movements name refers to "50 states, 50 protests, one movement," and organizers say they anticipate millions of participants nationwide in whats being called the largest single-day protest since Trumps return to the White House.

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Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr also issued a stern message, making it clear that the state will take strong legal action against anyone who crosses the line into criminal behavior.

"All Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but not to destroy property or attack law enforcement," Carr said. "Violence for the purpose of changing public policy can be considered domestic terrorism and carry a sentence of up to 35 years in prison."

Carr emphasized that Georgia will not tolerate lawlessness masked as protest: "We are not California or New York," he said. "We are Georgia. We dont make excuses for criminals here. We prosecute them."

A warning to rioters  we will not hesitate to bring Domestic Terrorism charges for those who earn it.



We dont make excuses for criminals here in Georgia. We prosecute them. pic.twitter.com/bckyQ61GhA  GA AG Chris Carr (@Georgia_AG) June 11, 2025

While no extraordinary security measures have been publicly announced in Georgia, other states are taking more visible action. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has already deployed more than 5,000 National Guard troops and 2,000 state police officers in anticipation of protests there.

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The "No Kings" demonstrations trace their roots to early 2025, when activists began drawing comparisons between Trumps leadership style and monarchal rule. Previous protests have also targeted Elon Musk, who formerly headed the Department of Government Efficiency, an agency focused on reducing federal spending.

Recent protest trouble

What we know

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Tuesday night along Buford Highway in Brookhaven to protest recent immigration raids and deportations carried out under the Trump administration.

RELATED STORY: Police release names of people arrested at anti-ICE protest along Buford Highway

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The rally was organized in response to increased ICE activity in metro Atlanta, with accusations of militarizing federal agencies and deploying the National Guard to suppress protests.

Officials say they arrested six protesters when they refused to leave the area at the agreed-up cutoff time. Authorities say the group threw rocks, shot fireworks, and damaged three patrol vehicles.
A pharmacy technician fills a container with pills to put into a drug dispensing machine for an automated line at a pharmacy in Midvale, Utah. (George Frey/Getty Images)

A low heat thats simmered for weeks over an attempt to lower prescription drug prices in Louisiana increased to a boil Thursday in the waning hours of the state legislative session, with Gov. Jeff Landry saying he will bring lawmakers back to Baton Rouge to address the matter.

The eight-week regular session ended with lawmakers backing the less stringent of two measures aimed at regulating pharmacy benefit managers, often referred to as PBMs or middlemen that oversee prescription drug programs for insurance companies and large employers.

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PBMs have faced increasing criticism from patient advocate groups who blame them for high medication prices, while independent drugstore owners say they unfairly favor large corporate pharmacies. Some of the countrys largest pharmacy chains, including CVS, also operate a PBM, which critics have said leads to fewer pharmacy and medication options for consumers.

Landry wanted lawmakers to pass a more aggressive bill that would have prohibited companies from owning drug stores and pharmacy benefit managers in Louisiana, which would have threatened companies such as CVS who own both. The Senate declined to bring up House Bill 358, by Rep. Dustin Miller, D-Opelousas, for a final vote, however, allowing it to die before the legislative session ended.

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Instead, the legislature passed what had been seen as a compromise between the corporate chains and independent pharmacists in House Bill 264, by Rep. Mike Echols, R-Monroe. The bill requires PBMs to be more transparent about their practices with state regulators and to pass more prescription savings on to consumers.



The Senate also hastily drafted and approved a resolution instructing the Louisiana Department of Health to study the impact of Millers bill to ban PBMs from also owning pharmacies. The agency must produce a report on the subject ahead of the legislatures 2026 regulation session next March.

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Landry was upset the lawmakers didnt go farther, however, and threatened to haul the lawmakers back into session later this summer to pass the same proposal.

Yes we will have a special session to lower prescription drugs for our citizens. Its that important! Landry said in an email from his spokeswoman Kate Kelly shortly before the bill failed.

Its not clear when the governor would call a special session focused on PBMs. Several lawmakers said he was already on his way to France for the International Paris Air Show which starts Monday. He cannot sign off on the paperwork needed for a special session while outside of Louisiana.

I am committed to lowering drug prices, and I am hopeful our senators are too!

Lowering drug prices for our seniors and all of Louisiana! If we fail to pass the meaningful first steps that the House passed yesterday, we can come back over the summer to finish it!  Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) June 12, 2025

Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, told reporters after adjournment the complexity of Millers bill, along with feedback from stakeholders, led to the decision to back alternative measures.

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The more that members had the opportunity to really digest what that bill would do  and the conversations they were having back home with both their local pharmacy, the chain pharmacist, who it was going to affect  we really had a difficult time getting a true grasp of what the bill was going to do, Henry said.

The Senate president said opposition from senators to the Miller bill grew over the day Thursday as more constituents and lobbyists reached out to members. He also said a special session on PBM legislation seems unnecessary because the Landry-backed bill wasnt even supposed to get implemented for another two years.



I dont know why you would call a special session for a bill that doesnt take effect until 2027, Henry said.

Arkansas approved a law similar to the Miller bill earlier this year and currently faces federal lawsuits from two of the countrys largest pharmacy benefit managers. Henry expressed reluctance to follow their lead.

The Miller proposal drew strong opposition from a plaintiff in one of the Arkansas cases  CVS, which owns the pharmacy benefit manager CVS Caremark. Its campaign to defeat the bill included sending text messages to thousands of members of the Louisiana public, including state employees and their families Thursday, which led the governor to ask Attorney General Liz Murrill to investigate the companys actions.

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CVS Caremark contracts with the state Office of Group Benefits for billions of dollars to manage insurance coverage for state employees and retirees, including public school teachers.

This is not an appropriate use of personal information obtained through a state contract. Murrill said Thursday morning in a news release.

CVS had said the Miller bill would force it to close more than 125 stores in Louisiana, leading 2,700 employees to lose their jobs.

Closing drug stores doesnt lower drug prices. Forcing out 20% of the states pharmacies only makes pharmacy deserts worse, Amy Thibault, CVS executive director of corporate communications, said in an email.

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When Echols made the final pitch for the compromise legislation Thursday in the House, he singled out CVS for criticism, noting he had talked with Murrill about her pursuing charges against the company for violating terms of its state contract when it sent its mass text message to state workers.

This House is not for sale. This legislature cannot be bullied, Echols said.

Randal Johnson, with the Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association, said the Echols bill will be a vast improvement over the current PBM regulations in Louisiana.



We believe the consumer will have an opportunity to find out what their drugs costs, and the consumer will have the opportunity to have a less expensive cost of medication, Johnson said.

A special session can last no longer than 30 days, and its subject matter will be limited to what Landry wants to discuss if he decides to call it.

Piper Hutchinson contributed to this report.

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(Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center video screenshot)

Nevadas top elected leaders, Democrats and Republicans alike, are urging the Trump administration to reverse a decision to defund and close Nevadas Job Corps Program.

The program provides education and trade apprenticeships to low-income Americans ages 16 to 24. Nevadas Job Corps center, in Reno, provides training for a wide range of trade fields including hospitality, construction, health care, and advanced manufacturing.

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On Thursday, the entire Nevada federal delegation and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo sent a letter to the Department of Labor demanding Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer halt any actions to defund or discontinue the Job Corps program.

Democratic U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen signed onto the letter, as did Republican Rep. Mark Amodei, and Democratic Reps. Steven Horsford, Dina Titus, and Susie Lee.

If the program ends, nearly 300 students and 170 staff members at the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center will be displaced, according to the Nevada federal delegation and Lombardo.

The closure will also compel the Center to evict all of its students, leaving the vast majority at serious risk of homelessness, reads the letter.

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Beyond job training and placement, the center provides affordable room and board for low-income students who may otherwise struggle to afford housing during career training.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of young people experiencing homelessness in Nevada increased by 14% from 2022 to 2023.

The Trump Administrations budget request to Congress for the upcoming fiscal year calls Job Corps a failed experiment to help Americas youth and proposes ending the program that began in the 1960s.

Last month, the Department of Labor said it was suspending the free high school and trade program due to a projected $213 million operating deficit this year. The agency criticized the effectiveness of the program, citing a 40% graduation rate at a cost of about $80,000 per student annually.

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Chavez-DeRemer, a former Job Corps champion, said it is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve.

Nevadas governor and federal delegation disagreed with Chavez-DeRemers characterization, saying Jobs Corps has benefited tens of thousands of unprivileged students, staff, and employers from throughout the state.

In the letter, the Nevada federal delegation and Lombardo say the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno has been a vital economic engine for Northern Nevada, serving approximately 25,000 Nevadans since its opening, and graduating more than 500 vocational students a year.

In the 2024 program year alone, nearly 82 percent of its students secured full-time employment with a starting wage of at least $17.97 per hour  nearly $6 above Nevadas minimum wage. Furthermore, 75 percent of Sierra Nevada Job Corps participants earn at least one certification required by employers, the letter continues.

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A report released by the Labor Departments Employment and Training Administration earlier this year analyzed the financial performance and operational costs, from 2023.

Chavez-DeRemer justified the elimination of the program citing the data, which found graduates go on to earn an average of about $16,700 a year, while graduates cost taxpayers about $160,000 per student.

In a press release, the Labor Department said the decision to end the program aligns with the Trump administrations budget proposal to cut millions in spending and reflects the administrations commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.

Nevadas federal delegation and Lombardo said they understand the departments efforts to increase accountability and bring workforce programs into alignment with the Administrations priorities, but disagree that cutting the program is the right move.

It will strip countless young people of the opportunity to gain valuable skills, education, and a pathway to stable employment. The ripple effects will be felt by local economies and employers who depend on Job Corps graduates to fill critical roles in industries such as construction, healthcare, information technology, and more, reads the letter.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX)  Governor Tony Evers took time to celebrate Pride month in the Chippewa Valley. He visited with LGBTQ small business owners at Ope, Its Soap in downtown Chippewa Falls.

Wisconsin Tourism saw another year of record-breaking economic impact. Evers says that it is, in large part, thanks to small business owners and LGBTQ individuals who contribute to the local and state economy. We believe in the rights of LGBTQ folks. Theyre our neighbors friends. We have to celebrate that and be proud of the community and what theyve accomplished.

Earlier this month, the Governor ordered the Progress Pride flag be raised over the Wisconsin State Capitol to celebrate the start of Pride month. 2025 marks the seventh year in a row that the Pride flag is being flown at the State Capitol in Madison.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT)  North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has recognized June 14 as Flag Day.

The declaration was made to commemorate the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. The Governor stated that he encourages North Carolinians to display the US flag at full staff to honor our country and its people.

Today, on the 250th birthday of the U.S. Armed Forces and the 248th birthday of our nations flag, we honor the generations of servicemembers who sacrificed for our freedoms. This Flag Day, let us honor our troops by recommitting ourselves to the unending fight for our rights, liberties, and democracy. said Stein.

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This year is the 248th year of the Flag Resolution of 1777, which is a national event that originated from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. Congress declared June 14 as National Flag Day in 1949.

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LISBON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Portugal is set to tighten its immigration laws under a new government policy program approved by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

Alongside immigration, the document outlines 10 priority areas for the new administration, including labor law reform and public sector restructuring. It will be submitted to parliament on Saturday.

At a press conference after the cabinet meeting, Minister of the Presidency Antonio Leitao Amaro said the government plans to strengthen border controls, revise the current immigration framework and entry pathways, and establish a dedicated unit for foreign nationals and border affairs within the Public Security Police.

In recent years, Portugal has begun restricting legal channels for new migrants. In 2024, the government abolished the "expression of interest" residency mechanism -- a pathway that allowed non-EU nationals to enter the country on tourist or other non-work visas and later apply for legal residence. Nearly 34,000 applications have since been rejected, with affected individuals now receiving official notices to leave the country.

Speaking at the new government's inauguration on June 5, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro emphasized that all migrants choosing to live and work in Portugal must comply with legal requirements during their stay.

"We welcome with open arms those who come to work, contribute, and who respect our culture and our social customs. But to ensure that the rules are followed, it is also necessary to understand that non-compliance has consequences, which in this case may include return (to their country of origin)." 
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  There are now a handful of bills still on the governors desk this week, after he quietly signed several that brought funding to Oklahoma education.

The state has one of the highest teacher turnover rates in the nation. While many lawmakers argue that rhetoric at the top needs to get better, its funding that needs to get better as well.

Tulsa World found earlier this year in their reporting that Oklahoma has one of the lowest per-pupil spending rates in the nation.

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This last session saw some of the biggest funding for education the state has seen in a while, like expanding teacher pay opportunities or putting money into math proficiency screening for students.

These bills are great and all, but what do we do now? I mean, you can still look regional, we are lagging in teacher pay overall? I mean, were last. So, in the region, if you look at that, its kind of an arms race that were losing, said Representative Jacob Rosecrants (D-OKC).

21 bills still waiting on decision by Gov. Stitt

Two major bills that many educators have had their eyes on include House Bill 1087, which would extend teacher pay raises by 10 years, and House Bill 1727, which expands Oklahomas Promise, a program that gives scholarship opportunities to educators.

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We want young teachers to come into the system, but we dont want to have such a turnover rate like the one we have now, said Representative Dick Lowe (R-Chickasha).

Rep. Lowe authored HB 1087 and said it came with a catch. As of right now, teachers pay raises go until 25 years of service, but now that 1087 is signed, they will receive it until 35 years of service.

The second part of this bill came from the Senate, and it was a compromise where we had one more day of class for every school in the state of Oklahoma of instructional time, said Rep. Lowe.

HB 1727 was praised by many educators, and ones we spoke with were hoping the governor would sign it. Others had questions about it.

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There is a website that answers most of them here.

Its great for teacher retention, absolutely, but this doesnt include all teachers and not even all school employees, said Rep. Rosecrants.

Other education bills that have been signed include SB 140, which ensures students in grades 2-5 are screened for math proficiency three times a year and identifies students in need of intervention.

Then there is House Bill 1287, which creates a high-dosage tutoring pilot program through the State Regents for Higher Education, aimed at boosting student learning with targeted interventions. The initiative is a research-backed program that uses strategic funding to help students close learning gaps to better prepare them for the future.

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As of Thursday afternoon, there was a total of three bills left for action to be taken on.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Dried magic mushrooms with spore prints on tin foil. (Photo by Akchamczuk/Getty Images)

A key lawmaker said he was surprised by Gov. Kim Reynolds veto this week of a bill that would have allowed for the prescription and distribution of synthetic psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms following federal approval of the drug.

Reynolds said the bill moves ahead of public health systems, law enforcement and regulatory systems in the state.

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This decision is not a dismissal of the emerging science or the sincere advocacy behind this legislation, Reynolds said in her explanation of the veto. Rather, it is a call for a more deliberate and Iowa-centric approach.

House File 383 was one of two bills from the Iowa House this year that sought to legalize the use of psychedelics as a treatment for mental health issues, like post-traumatic stress disorder.

The bills floor manager, Rep. Brett Barker, R-Nevada, said the veto from the governor was unexpected considering the bill passed with unanimous consent in both chambers.

I look forward to having a conversation with the Governor to learn more about her concerns regarding the bill, Barker said in an email.

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The other bill, House File 978, would have created a psilocybin licensing board in Iowa, and similar to the states medical marijuana program, would have allowed eligible patients access to the drug while it is still federally classified as Schedule I substance.

The bill advanced from the House but was not heard in the Senate.

HF 383, the bill put before the governor, would have immediately rescheduled any drugs containing crystalline polymorph psilocybin, the synthetic version of the compound, if they were approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Under the bill and conditioned circumstances, it would be legal to prescribe, distribute and market drugs with the ingredient, which is also sometimes referred to as COMP360.

Clinical trials of COMP360 as a treatment for PTSD and treatment resistant depression have been conducted and are ongoing.

A similar bill was signed into law in Colorado in March. Colorado and Oregon are the only states with legalized medical licensing programs for psilocybin.

Reynolds said she does recognize and respect the growing body of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin but she said the compound should be approved by FDA and the Drug Enforcement Agency before Iowa acts to reschedule.

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The pathway provided by this bill for legalization of psilocybin at the state level before we have a chance to review federal action  creates legal uncertainty, poses risks for misuse and could undermine broader efforts to ensure safe and effective therapeutic use in the future, Reynolds said.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  How about a guys night out but with a healthy twist!

Healthy Blue Louisiana is hosting a free community event to highlight National Mens Health Month. On June 17, 2025, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the MLK Health Center & Pharmacy in Shreveport.

There will be free health screenings and consultations for men 18 years and older. Representatives of Healthy Blue Louisiana will be available to share information about benefits, services, and community programs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
By the grace of God: Sebastian County deputy recalls near death altercation

SEBASTIAN COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24)  On May 9, Lt. Brandon McCaslin and Deputy Jacob Mar were ambushed by convicted murderer John Cole, sending both of them to the hospital.

The altercation happened when McCaslin went to assist Mar with returning inmates to their cells. Thats when Cole attacked both officers using a makeshift weapon made from a part of a mop bucket. McCaslin said the whole incident happened within seconds.

They kind of wrapped up. I went around to the right. He came at me. I kicked him in the chest just to try to get separation, McCaslin said. I was thinking to myself to stay away from that hand and what we needed to do to secure that hand. Deputy Mar then reengaged. The whole process took anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds.

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WATCH: Video shows inmates attack on Sebastian County Sheriffs deputies

Proper protocol wasnt followed correctly beforehand, which allowed Cole to obtain the weapon he used during the attack. McCaslin said it was by the grace of God that he and Mar made it out of the fight with their lives.

I believe that, and Deputy Mar fought like a warrior, McCaslin said. I credit him in both of our actions for what he did. It was a God moment for sure.

Mar was rushed to the emergency room in critical condition after being stabbed in the heart and the lung. After a few days, he was released from intensive care and is still in recovery. McCaslin said he was stabbed five times during the altercation, but it wasnt until afterwards that he realized he had been stabbed at all.

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McCaslin said the support from the community after the incident has given him and Mar the confidence to return.

The communitys been great. The law enforcement community has been great. Just civilians, everybody. Just the support that weve seen and just for our department and for everybody involved and the staff here, everybodys just done everything they can to get him back to work. Thats what my goal is. I wouldnt worry about me. I wanted him to be okay, McCaslin said.

McCaslin returned to work a few days after, while Mar is hopeful to return to work as soon as possible.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The soon-to-be Maywood Academy High School graduates processed, beaming, into an auditorium at East Los Angeles College to a recording of "Pomp and Circumstance."

The crowd pledged allegiance to the flag. The name of each student joining the U.S. armed forces was read aloud to applause. Cheers erupted when the student singing the national anthem hit extra high notes for "the rockets' red glare" and "land of the free."

The vocalist, senior Maria Llamas, who also served as ceremony co-host, spoke in Spanish while her counterpart spoke in English to the family and friends of a student body that is 98% Latino. Noisemakers and shouts greeted the announcement of each graduate's name. And those assembled cheered for more than 10 seconds after L.A. schools Supt. Alberto Carvalho described the tableau before him:

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"From where I stand you are a perfect pixelation of America: the Black, the brown, the Christian, the Muslim, the native-born, and yes, the powerful immigrant."

The Maywood Academy commencement took place in a college that has long been a center of Latino community activism  and which, like the academy, sits in a zone where immigration agents are raiding work places and public spaces, seizing people suspected of living in the U.S. without legal authorization as well as some whose immigration reviews are pending.

Valedictorian Abella Gutierrez captured the duality of so many of the graduations that have taken place all week in the nation's second-largest school district  joy tempered with an undercurrent of fear.

Read more: All of L.A. is not a war zone. We separate facts from spin and disinformation amid immigration raids

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"A lot of our class is very optimistic and humorous, and I feel pride knowing that I'm part of that, knowing that I'm making history here," said Abella, who will be attending UCLA and intends to major in architecture. "So, yeah, I'm grateful. I'm happy."

At the same time, "I'm very upset when it comes to the situations that have been happening at the moment," she said, referring to raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, that touched off a week of chaotic, sporadically violent protests in parts of downtown Los Angeles.

"It's a scar on our community, knowing that a lot of our parents and families have to worry about whether they'll be able to participate in this event, because their safety is jeopardized."

"It's hard," said salutatorian Mayah Flores, who plans to attend Cal State Long Beach as a liberal studies major, and then return to Maywood Academy as a teacher. "I feel like I should feel guilty for being so happy during such a trying time for people."

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The concerns are not theoretical. Two teachers at the school confirmed to The Times that immigration agents arrested a 10th grader, her younger sister and their mother and took them to a detention facility in Texas.

The arrest did not take place at the school  there are no such reported instances to date of agents entering a campus in Los Angeles County  although there were two unsuccessful attempts in April. Instead, the mother had been seized when she was reporting in to authorities as part of the family's application for asylum, according to advocates for the family, which is from Guatemala.

"Johanna is the top student of the 10th grade at Maywood Academy High School, is an athlete on the swim team, and participates in the Hiking Club," according to a gofundme page set up for the family. "She is a valuable member of the school community. We are asking for her and her family to be reunited with her sister and return home to our community."

Although the auditorium, with a capacity of about 2,000, was mostly full to urge on the 230 graduates, some relatives stayed home.

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After the graduation, one senior said in an interview that his father did not attend over fears that he might be taken into custody by immigration agents.

Social studies teacher Cherie McKernan said she gets messages from students "who are very afraid that their parents will be deported. One of the students in this line sent me a message saying that ICE was literally two stores down from where her parents work. So, it has been terrifying, very personal and horrifying to be involved. I feel like we're right in the middle of it."

Read more: Immigration raids have shaken communities across Los Angeles County. How can you help?

"I apologize," Carvalho told the graduates, "for the world you are inheriting is not a perfect world. The society we are bequeathing to you is not a perfect society. My generation and previous generations have not erased poverty, racism, oppression, depression. We have not addressed climate change. We have not dignified everyone in this land despite the words we use or the protections of our Constitution."

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Carvalho seemed to be talking about President Trump as he continued: "For those who criticize and demonize the immigrant, I want him to know what an immigrant looks like. I want him to know what an undocumented immigrant looks like."

"They're looking at me," he said, referring to his own arrival in the U.S. as an unauthorized teenager from Portugal.

Yet despite the ominous underpinning, people were determined to be festive, upbeat.

"I feel accomplished  hard work and dedication put into this, and now it's just on to the next level," said Adrian Abril. "I'm planning to go to Cal State Fullerton, and major in computer engineering."

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There also was the more traditional kind of nervousness.

"I'm not gonna lie. It's scary," said Sadie Padilla. "Because you lived your whole life, elementary school to high school, everything done for you. Now, it's like, you gotta figure stuff out yourself and just have to see where that takes you."

"No matter what is going on," said McKernan, the social studies teacher, "they have triumphed, in this time, to graduate from high school  most of them the first graduates in their families. Their families moved here for this reason, and here they are succeeding beyond their wildest dreams and going off to college."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On Wednesday morning, the 18-year-old drove an hour from her home in Ontario to downtown Los Angeles to protest ongoing federal immigration raids and President Trump's deployment of the military to the city.

Gryphon Woodson, a new high school graduate, grabbed a pair of goggles and a black bandanna to cover her face. It was her first-ever protest. And after watching videos of chaos in the streets all week, she figured she would be joining throngs of passionate demonstrators.

But she arrived too early.

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As she stood outside the graffiti-covered Federal Building on Los Angeles Street around 11 a.m., the downtown streets were clear. Clusters of police officers stood at ease around courthouses and City Hall, drinking coffee and Red Bull, chatting with dog walkers, scrolling on their phones.

"I thought there were gonna be more people here," Woodson said. "I thought people were going to be out, you know, during the day."

Demonstrators faced off against law enforcement officers near Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

By 6:30 p.m., it was a different scene entirely. Los Angeles police officers on horseback charged toward hundreds of people who had marched from Pershing Square to the graffiti-marred City Hall, knocking some protesters to the ground as officers on foot fired rubber bullets into the crowd.

"It's very disruptive to day-to-day life  the raids, the protest. Everything is destroyed!" said Saul Barnes, a 22-year-old whose family owns a nearby hotel, as he jogged away from a police officer on horseback wielding a baton. "Who the hell wants to work in a state like this?"

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Calm in the morning. Rowdy at night. That was the routine in downtown Los Angeles this week after Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines to the city amid scattered protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

LAPD officers take a break at City Hall in d owntown Los Angeles on Wednesday. Christina House / Los Angeles Times LAPD kettle and arrest demonstrators in downtown Los Angeles as protesters continue to clash with law enforcement on Wednesday. Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times

Both police and protesters have said the difference between night and day has been palpable in the city's already quiet downtown, which has struggled with historically high rates of office vacancy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The intense but isolated chaos has mostly been in and around the Civic Center, which includes City Hall, the LAPD headquarters and multiple courthouses and federal buildings. The area is a few blocks within a city that's just over 500 square miles.

There, protesters have burned driverless Waymo vehicles, hurled rocks and bottles at police and National Guard members, and shut down the 101 Freeway. Businesses have been burglarized; windows, smashed. The phrases "F ICE," "F LAPD" and "F Trump" have been spray-painted onto scores of buildings, including City Hall, a 1928 Art Deco landmark.

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A city-ordered 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. downtown curfew that began Tuesday  along with many protesters' calls for nonviolence  appeared to quell some of the late-night violence and property damage.

Trump this week called the nation's second-largest city "a trash heap" that needed rescuing from so-called foreign invaders and rioters. He wrote on Truth Social that "if our troops didn't go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now, just like so much of their housing burned to the ground" in the January fires that devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

But if the president were to visit the city center during the day, he might be a little bored.

On Wednesday morning, a veteran LAPD officer sitting outside City Hall said the days have been mostly calm  and the protest schedule predictable.

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The officer, who said he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the department, said crowds trickled in around 1 p.m. each day. If they were taking part in an organized protest  the Service Employees International Union rally that drew thousands to Gloria Molina Grand Park on Monday or a march led by faith leaders Tuesday  they were peaceful, if boisterous.

In the late afternoon and at night, he said, "the ones that are here to agitate" show up. Many are teenagers.

Sitting next to him, smoking a cigar, a 53-year-old LAPD officer described the late-night protesters as "the Mad Max crowd: people with mini bikes, people with masks, rocks, bottles, fireworks."

By 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, the protest had dwindled to a few dozen people put into a kettle outside the county courthouse. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

The officer, a Latino who was born at L.A. County-USC hospital and raised in East L.A., said with a sigh that he loved his home city, and "we have nothing to do with ICE; we have nothing to do with the raids, but we're here because of the disorder."

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On Wednesday afternoon, Reginald Wheeler, a 62-year-old homeless services worker, said he had been attending protests all week after his work day ended around 3 p.m. and staying until things got rowdy. He referenced the 1984 hip-hop song "Freaks Come Out at Night" by Whodini and said "that's the vibe" when the sun goes down.

"The more peaceful protesters tend to leave," he said. "They've got dinner to cook."

Edward Maguire, a criminologist at Arizona State University, said that's "a common dynamic" during times of major protest, with "criminal offenders" taking advantage of the commotion  and, often, the nighttime darkness  to wreak havoc near the sites of more ideologically-motivated demonstrations.

Federal officers and National Guard members stand outside the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

The provocations in Los Angeles appear to have been made worse by the presence of uniformed soldiers, Maguire said, because "people have a strong drive to reject this idea of troops in the street, particularly in an instance like this where it's clearly not warranted."

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Calvin Morrill, a professor of law and sociology at UC Berkeley, said most modern protests are nonviolent and highly organized by activists, labor unions and community organizations.

"Under normal circumstances in most democratic countries, when police perceive protests to be potentially more violent, more of a threat, they will escalate as well, and there's a dance between policing and protest," Morrill said. "But that's not what's happening in Los Angeles. ... This is a spectacle that is constructed by the federal administration to dramatize the threat, the fear, for people who aren't local Angelenos, who are very far from the actual place. It's dramatized for media consumption."

Although Trump has portrayed the entire city as a lawless place  where federal agents have been "attacked by an out of control mob of agitators, troublemakers, and/or insurrectionists," he wrote on Truth Social  the literal night-and-day differences have played out all week.

Early Monday evening, after a few hundred people ignored dispersal orders near the Federal Building, police  firing less-lethal munitions and tossing flash-bang grenades  pushed protesters into Little Tokyo, where businesses and the Japanese American National Museum were heavily vandalized.

LAPD fires flash - bang grenades at anti-ICE protesters on San Pedro St reet on Monday. Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times A Skechers store in downtown Los Angeles suffered damage during the anti-ICE protest and the entire storefront was covered in plywood as a precaution against future damage on Tuesday . Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Daylight Tuesday brought a starkly different scene: volunteers scrubbing graffiti from the exterior of the museum, which highlights the painful lessons of Japanese Americans' mass incarceration during World War II.

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After seeing images of the vandalism on her social media feeds, Kimiko Carpenter, a West L.A. mom and hospice volunteer, stopped at Anawalt Lumber to buy $50 worth of rags, gloves, scraping brushes and canisters of graffiti remover. She drove downtown and rolled up her sleeves.

Wiping sweat off her brow with the elbow of her white button-down shirt, Carpenter said she had no official affiliation with the museum but was half Japanese and had volunteered there years ago as a teenager. Working to remove the spray paint scrawled across the windows felt like a tangible thing she could do for a few hours before she had to pick up her young children from school.

A large crowd gathers with faith leaders at a prayer vigil at Grand Park on Tuesday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Shortly before the curfew went into effect Tuesday night, hundreds of people led by a coalition of faith leaders marched from Grand Park to the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building on Los Angeles Street, stepping in front of another, more contentious protest group.

As the faith leaders arrived and asked their group to take a knee and pray on the buildings steps, Department of Homeland Security officers trained pepper-ball guns on clergy members, and National Guard members tensed their riot shields.

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We see that you are putting on your masks; you dont need them, Rev. Eddie Anderson, pastor of McCarty Memorial Christian Church and a leader with LA Voice, said to the officers and guardsmen. The people have gathered together to remind you there is a higher power. To remind you that in Los Angeles everybody is free, and no human is illegal.

When the clock struck 8 p.m., the religious group left.

A few dozen people remained. Someone threw a glass bottle at officers from a nearby pedestrian bridge. Officers on horseback wove chaotically through traffic, knocking a protester to the ground. Within 30 minutes, the familiar sounds of LAPD less-lethal munition launchers and screaming demonstrators filled downtown again.

The next morning, Woodson showed up to the quiet Federal Building, where she and a handful of other young women were outnumbered by journalists.

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"My plan today was to make as much noise as possible," she said. "Trump likes to try to suppress our voices. ICE wants to suppress our voices. LAPD wants to suppress our voices. Ill be damned  I refuse. As a Black person in the United States, Im not gonna have my voice suppressed anymore.

California National Guard members and LAPD officers stand watch as protesters gather at the Federal Building on Tuesday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Around 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, five camouflaged National Guard members lined up on the building's front steps, standing behind clear riot shields. At the sight of them, Woodson tied her bandanna around her face and started marching back and forth, screaming: "Immigrants are not the problem! Immigrants are never the problem!"

Marching quietly behind her, a Mexican flag draped over her shoulders, was 19-year-old Michelle Hernandez, a daughter of Mexican immigrants who lives in East L.A. and had been worried about family members and friends during the ICE raids.

She spoke softly but said she wanted "to be a voice for those who cannot speak." She said it hurt to see Latino police officers and federal agents involved in the immigration crackdown and that it was "very heartbreaking seeing your own people betray you."

As the young women marched, several Latino maintenance workers snaked a power hose across the Federal Building steps, paying no mind to the heavily-armed National Guard soldiers as they sprayed away graffiti. One worker, a 67-year-old from East L.A., said he was glad to see the soldiers outside the building where he had been employed for the last 20 years because he figured the vandalism would have been worse without them.

George Dutton, a UCLA professor who teaches Southeast Asian history, stood by himself in front of the Federal Building steps, holding up a sign that read: "It's Called the Constitution You F" as the young women walked back and forth behind him.

Dutton, who was taking a break from grading final exams, was not surprised at the quiet.

It speaks to the various paradoxes around this  its a movement that ebbs and flows, he said.

I see soldiers carrying guns and wearing fatigues, so maybe they're trying to create the idea that this is a war zone," he added. "And if you did a tight shot on one of these National Guardsmen, you might actually cast that impression. But if you pull back, you get the big picture and you realize that, no, its literally manufactured.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A Grand Rapids man has died after sparking a shootout with Arkansas State Police, authorities say.

ASP identified the suspect as 33-year-old Felipe Millan-Gomez. He was wanted in connection to an armed carjacking that happened Monday in Manistee County.

According to the Manistee County Sheriffs Office, the carjacking happened Monday morning in Onekama, a village about 12 miles northeast of Manistee. The suspect allegedly jumped out of an SUV and approached a woman as she got into her vehicle in her driveway.

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(He) walked up and entered the passenger side of her vehicle, brandished a handgun and told her to drive, the sheriffs office said in a news release. As she was driving, the woman was able to jump out of the vehicle and flag down a passerby. The male suspect then jumped over the center console and drove off with the womans vehicle.

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MCSO said the victim knew Millan-Gomez. Investigators instructed the public to consider him armed and dangerous and to not approach him.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, ASP and officers with the U.S. Marshals Service initiated a traffic stop on eastbound I-40 near Carlisle, Arkansas  about 30 miles east of Little Rock.

Millan-Gomez exited his vehicle and brandished a weapon. Troopers fired on the suspect, striking him. Millan-Gomez died at the scene, ASP said in a statement.

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ASPs Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident and will submit the case to the Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorneys Office to determine whether lethal force was necessary.

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By Jonathan Saul and Renee Maltezou

ATHENS (Reuters) -Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel's attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, U.S.-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region.

Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the Strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices.

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"The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow uninterrupted," the Combined Maritime Force said in advisory, adding that events over the past day had increased the likelihood of regional conflict to "significant".

Greece and Britain have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's attacks on Iran, documents seen by Reuters showed.

"We have reports that more ship owners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf," said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

If the United States is perceived to be involved in any attacks, "the risk of escalation increases significantly", Larsen said. "Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the Strait (of Hormuz)."

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Israel said it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran denies having any such plan.

"Hormuz is a critical waterway, without alternative, for tanker trades and any impediment or threat to free movement of shipping would have a significant effect upon the worlds economy," tanker shipping association INTERTANKO said.

Greek ship owners were urged to send details of their vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to Greeces maritime ministry, according to one of the documents issued by Greece's shipping association, which was sent on Friday. Greek owners control the world's biggest tanker fleet.

"Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the (Greek) Ministry of Shipping ... urgently calls on shipping companies to send ... the details of Greek-owned ships that are sailing in the maritime area of the Strait of Hormuz," the document said.

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All UK-flagged vessels, which include the Gibraltar, Bermuda and Isle of Man 'red ensign' registries, were advised to avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a separate document issued by the UK's transport ministry said.

If sailing through those areas, vessels must adhere to their highest level of security measures and limit the number of crew on deck during voyages, said the advisory, seen by Reuters.

The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, is continuing operations as normal but is monitoring developments in the region, an Aspides official told Reuters.

(Editing by Gareth Jones and Peter Graff)
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Amidst nationwide immigration enforcement protests and raids, Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis answered some of the most commonly asked questions regarding local policies on the recent actions.

In an over 13-minute video uploaded to YouTube by the Green Bay Police Department, Chief Davis answered nearly a dozen questions people have posed about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies and what local officials would do concerning immigration enforcement in the city.

No Kings anti-Trump military parade protests planned all across Wisconsin on Saturday

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The questions from the video are listed below, with a summarization of answers from Chief Davis:

Is the Green Bay Police Department assisting ICE with arrests? Chief Davis said in the video that the department isnt assisting and that theyve had no communication with ICE since well before January 1. Arrests are made under federal authority that local police dont have, and it wouldnt be appropriate for the Green Bay Police to do so.

Why are so many people appearing to be jailed in Brown County on an ICE Safekeeper hold? Chief Davis said the department believes they were immigration enforcement arrests potentially through an agreement with the jail; however, they are not involved with as they do not have the lawful authority to make arrests solely based on immigration charges.

How does someone locate a detainee currently in ICE custody? The Immigration and Customs Enforcement website has a locator system at ICE.gov.

What is the Green Bay Police Departments current policy regarding cooperation with ICE? Chief Davis said that federal law prohibits local government officials from stopping employees from cooperating with immigration enforcement; however, they are not required to cooperate with ICE. The Green Bay Police Departments policy is to evaluate any request from federal government bodies on a case-by-case basis, considering if its an appropriate use of city resources and its potential impact on public safety. Chief Davis said that officers are asked to let officials know if they have had contact with ICE; however, no such case has been mentioned.

Can the Green Bay Police Department stop ICE from coming into our community? Federal law prohibits anybody from impeding a federal enforcement group from doing their duties, as they have jurisdiction here. Chief Davis added that they have expectations of all law enforcement groups, whether its local, state or federal, that they do their work in a lawful manner with respect to the community.

Can [Chief Davis] clarify whether the department receives advance notice of a planned ICE raid in our area? The Green Bay Police Department, according to Chief Davis, does not receive notice, and they have not received any related to immigration; however, this does not mean they will not be notified in the future. The Green Bay Police Department may be prohibited from publicly informing residents about an upcoming ICE raid, as sometimes they are confidential. Similar to a search warrant related to another case, it could create safety issues if public notice is issued in advance. ICE could notify the public if it chooses to.

What distinguishes a lawful assembly, like a protest, from an unlawful one, such as a riot? At what point does an assembly raise legal or public safety concerns? The First Amendment gives a constitutional right to free speech and to peaceably assemble, and it applies to all people in the United States. The Green Bay Police Department takes this very seriously, especially with the rise in protests. Chief Davis said that while protest isnt a crime, crime is not a protest, and that officials wont tolerate property damage, safety threats to anybody and people who choose to be violent will be held accountable. Chief Davis also added that he understands most people who come out for protests have no intention to commit crimes, but that it is their responsibility to protect and ensure the right to peacefully protest.

How does the department ensure transparency and accountability while working with a federal agency? Law enforcement activities require planning, which is confidential, as it is part of a code of ethics, Chief Davis said in the video. It is not up to the Green Bay Police Department to talk about things that may be happening enforcement-wise unless its part of the plan to publicize things like traffic regulation. Chief Davis said that any law enforcement agencies wishing to come into the Green Bay community are encouraged to talk to the local police first because they know best what works in this area, and may be willing to help as long as its legal without a negative impact on the people.

What would you say to undocumented residents who are afraid to leave their homes or report a crime? Chief Davis said that the Green Bay Police Department is here to keep anybody and everybody in the city safe, no matter what. It is not relevant to that work for us to ask someone what their immigration status is. If you have a problem, as in being the victim of a crime or theres a safety issue, were not going to ask you about your immigration status; we dont need to know that. Immigration enforcement is not our responsibility, and federal immigration policy is not something that I can influence. We all took an oath to keep our community safe and to serve the community thats here in Green Bay right now and that has not changed.

How can someone differentiate fact from fiction on social media? One of the biggest problems were seeing right now is this proliferation of rumors and misinformation on social media, Chief Davis said. Theres a lot of energy on this issue right now and people have very strong feelings on it, and thats what people who spread misinformation on social media count on, that the heightened emotions on these issues will make it easier for people to believe things that arent true. Chief Davis said to take everything on social media with a grain of salt, whether its using a fact-checking site or other resources to learn more accurate information.

Do you have any closing thoughts? The Green Bay Police Department is here to keep people safe, Chief Davis said. At the same time, the federal government has its authority and its not appropriate for us to impede that. We all have opinions, Ive got mine, but in our organization, we dont let those opinions get in the way of our work. The Green Bay Police Departments focus is local public safety, and Chief Davis says it will not get into the business of immigration enforcement as they arent trained for it.



The video can be watched in full at the following link.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  As Wisconsin lawmakers debate the state budget, school leaders in Green Bay are raising alarms over what they say is a growing gap in special education funding.

Green Bay Area Public School District officials say state reimbursements arent keeping up with the actual cost of services, forcing them to cut staff, close schools, and pull tens of millions from the general fund just to meet basic needs for students with disabilities.

Wisconsin housing market hits record average price of $330K, leaving buyers scrambling

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Weve done everything we possibly can, said Superintendent Vicki Bayer. We reduced our staff, we closed schools, we limited programming, weve ended contracts. We are at the point now where it would be impossible to make reductions without negatively impacting our students.

The district had been counting on a 33% reimbursement from the state this year. Instead, it received 30%  a shortfall Bayer says amounts to nearly $1 million. She added that the district transfers about $35 million annually from its general education fund to cover special education expenses.

Advocates across the state are now urging the Legislatures Joint Finance Committee to guarantee a 60% reimbursement rate for all special education costs, calling it a realistic and overdue fix.

Current state proposals focus primarily on high-cost reimbursements for students with the most severe needs. But Bayer argues that the model leaves out the vast majority of the states 127,000 students with disabilities.

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If the state of Wisconsin is going to continue to fund two educational systems, they should be treated the same, Bayer said. Right now, private and voucher schools receive 90% reimbursement for special education.

Police Department in Wisconsin provides response to inaccurate allegations of staffing shortages

District leaders say theyre not just advocating for Green Bay, but for all public schools in Wisconsin, especially those preparing next years budgets with no guarantee of added support.

The Joint Finance Committee is expected to release a decision on education funding later today. Local 5 will provide an update when that becomes available.

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CHANGSHA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China-Africa trade is undergoing a profound transformation from a traditional resource-based model to one that is more diversified, high value-added and technology-intensive, according to a document released Friday at the ongoing China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo.

The Blue Book of China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation: Development Report (2025) highlights expanding cooperation in sectors such as industry, agriculture, telecommunications, digital economy, new infrastructure, green energy and financial services.

Agricultural trade between China and Africa is transitioning from raw material exports to processed goods, cooperation in digital and technology-related services is gaining traction, and cross-border e-commerce is playing a growing role alongside traditional trade channels, said the document.

These developments are driven by Africa's push for industrialization, China's economic upgrading, and the continued influence of the Belt and Road Initiative, it said.

Infrastructure cooperation has expanded steadily, with projects covering sectors such as transport, energy and communications. Broader partnerships have also formed in education, agriculture, healthcare and green development, supported by maturing policy frameworks, trade pacts and financing tools, it said.

The document, jointly released by organizations including the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council, the Department of Commerce of Hunan Province, and the China Economic Information Service, made use of both public data and field research.

It features a specific annual theme that reflects key developments and challenges in China-Africa trade, and aims to provide actionable recommendations for future cooperation.

The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo is being held in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province. Nearly 4,700 Chinese and African companies as well as over 30,000 participants are attending the four-day event, themed "China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization."

Economic and trade cooperation between China and Africa has demonstrated strong vitality, with a rapid increase in trade value over the past 25 years, official data showed.

China's total trade with African countries increased from less than 100 billion yuan (about 13.9 billion U.S. dollars) in 2000 to 2.1 trillion yuan in 2024, marking an average annual growth of 14.2 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs.

China and Africa, as the largest developing country and the continent with the highest concentration of developing countries, respectively, are jointly exploring new frontiers in South-South cooperation, said Xu Xiangping, head of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council.

Xu added that China-Africa trade has repeatedly reached new levels, with notable developments including expansion in scale, structural upgrades and growing investment across industrial chains and emerging sectors. 
The Greendale Village Board on June 17 approved a redevelopment plan for the former Boston Store site at Southridge Mall, which has been vacant since 2018. All seven village trustees voted in favor of the project.

Barrett Lo Visionary Development seeks to transform the property, 5300 S. 76th St., into a mixed-use residential and retail complex.

Current plans call for 739 market-rate apartment units, about 20,000 square feet of retail space and a 15,000-square-foot public green space at the center of the development. No low-income units are proposed.

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According to the Village of Greendale, the project is expected to generate approximately $100.2 million in new land and improvement value.

The former Boston Store site has sat vacant since 2018. Initial discussions to redevelop the property began on Oct. 16, 2020, during a public meeting. The village officially purchased the property on May 18, 2021.

On June 4, the Greendale Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the general development plan.

Village Manager Mike Hawes said a few remaining issues are still being resolved, including the process for demolishing the Boston Store building and constructing a new exterior mall wall.

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Were still working through some of the remaining restrictions-related issues, Hawes said. But we expect those to be resolved by the time the developer has secured all the zoning approvals they need.

According to planning documents, the project would be completed in phases and be designed to integrate with the existing Southridge Mall layout. Features include wide sidewalks, double-height retail spaces, and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape centered around the village green. The development would be accessed via the malls ring road and is not expected to disrupt current traffic patterns or infrastructure.

The project could revamp Southridge Mall after the mall had gone under financial troubles following the loss of two anchor stores to the property.

When will construction begin?

According to the official phasing plan, construction will proceed in seven phases.

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Phase 1: Demolition, July, December 2025

Phase 2: Foundation work, December 2025  March 2026

Phase 3: Building shell and framing, March  November 2026

Phase 4: Building completion, November 2026  July 2027

Phases 57: Interior fit-out, systems installation, and final inspections, conclusion date is TBA

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Boston Store redevelopment project gets green light from Greendale
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said Thursday that Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) should be charged after being apprehended by law enforcement during a Department of Homeland Security press conference.

Padilla verbally identified himself as a senator but was not wearing the pin that identifies lawmakers from civilians.

I think he should be charged. He should be prosecuted, Greene said during a Thursday appearance on NewsNations The Hill.

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Padilla attended the news conference to address Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem amid the chaos in California caused by large-scale protests.

Greene said Padillas arrest was warranted because he was not wearing the pin, which Secret Service and all Capitol police are trained to see.

He came in very aggressively, and then he actually fought police. He actually resisted arrest and was aggressively refused to leave, Greene told host Blake Burman.

However, Padilla defended his actions at a press conference of his own, clarifying he was handcuffed but not arrested or detained.

At one point I had a question. And let me emphasize  the right for people to peacefully protest and to stand up for their First Amendment rights, for our fundamental rights. I was there peacefully. At one point I had a question, and so I began to ask a question, he said.

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I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed.

The video quickly spread across the internet, causing Democratic lawmakers in Washington to protest Padillas forcible removal from Noems news conference.

I will say this: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, he said.

Local officials have accused President Trump of escalating tension in California after calling in the National Guard and Marines on Sunday to quell demonstrations that turned violent at times, and threatening to arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and others who stood in the way of federal forces.

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Newsom slammed the Trump administration Thursday for its detainment of the states most senior member of Congress.

.@SenAlexPadilla is one of the most decent people I know. This is outrageous, dictatorial, and shameful. Trump and his shock troops are out of control. This must end now, Newsom wrote on the social platform X, sharing a video of Padilla being removed.

The governor later posted on X, If they can handcuff a U.S. Senator for asking a question, imagine what they will do to you, with an image of Padilla on the ground surrounded by FBI agents.

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Richard Grenell, President Trumps envoy for special missions and interim Kennedy Center director, said he has spoken with the president about potentially launching a gubernatorial campaign in California.

I talked to the president yesterday, Grenell told Politico when asked if the recent unrest in California over demonstrations against Trumps immigration policies have pushed him closer to a run for governor.

He did not offer any details of his conversation with Trump but told the outlet in an interview set to air Sunday that he is waiting to see if former Vice President Kamala Harris launches her own bid to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

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If Kamala runs, I think theres a whole bunch of Republicans who are going to have to take a look at it, not just me, Grenell said. If she runs, it is going to make me have to take a look at it. Right now, Im not running for governor.

The special envoy would be one of the most high-profile names to jump into the states GOP primary for governor. A number of Republicans, including conservative commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, have thrown their hats into the ring.

While theres been backlash to California Democrats handling of the demonstrations that have broken out this week in Los Angeles along with the Southern California wildfires earlier this year, Republicans will face an uphill climb in the governors race.

A crowded field has emerged on the Democratic side including former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) and the states Lieutenant Gov. Eleni Kounalakis (D).

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Harris has not announced whether she will launch a bid for the governors mansion in her home state, but early polling shows her leading a hypothetical Democratic primary. A survey released in April from Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill showed Harris leading the field with 31 percent, while Porter trailed at 8 percent.

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Seven men have been found guilty of sexually exploiting two teenage girls who were repeatedly raped and assaulted in Rochdale for five years.

The gang was convicted of various sexual offences against the girls between 2001 and 2006.

The victims, known as Girl A and Girl B, were groomed from the age of 13 and treated as "sex slaves", being expected to "have sex with the men whenever and wherever they wanted", the trial heard.

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Girl A told the jury she could have been targeted by more than 200 men, while Girl B said social workers had regarded her as "a prostitute" from the age of 10.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard that both girls had "deeply troubled home lives" and were plied with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes and given places to stay by the men, who worked on the town's market or as taxi drivers.

The prosecution said the girls were "children passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded", adding: "They became sex slaves."

Girl A told the jury she may have been preyed on by hundreds of men as her phone number was swapped, but said "there was that many it was hard to keep count".

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She told local children's services in 2004 that she was "hanging around" with groups of older men, drinking and taking cannabis, the court heard.

Girl B, who was living in a children's home when she came into contact with the men on the market, said police and social workers knew what was going on but "weren't concerned enough to do anything about it".

"It was in my file, when I looked it up. I read it," the woman, now aged in her 30s, told the court.

"I was picked up by the police for loitering and prostituting from the age of 10."

Three of the abusers, Mohammed Zahid, 64, the leader of the gang, Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, and Kasir Bashir, 50, were stallholders on the market.

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Father-of-three Zahid, who was known as Boss Man, gave free underwear from his lingerie stall to the girls, who did not know each other.

Mohammed Shahzad, Mushtaq Ahmed and Kasir Bashir denied the offences against them [GMP]

He also gifted them with money, alcohol and food in return for the expectation of regular sex with him and his friends, the court heard.

In 2016, Zahid was jailed for five years in an earlier grooming gang case after he engaged in sexual activity in 2006 with a 15-year-old girl who he met when she visited his stall to buy tights for school.

Bashir did not attend the current trial after he absconded while on bail before the trial got under way.

It can now also be reported that Mohammed Shahzad, 44, Naheem Akram, 48, and Nisar Hussain, 41, were remanded in custody in January.

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Police received intelligence that the three taxi drivers were planning to leave the UK and had already paid a deposit for their transport.

Nisar Hussain, Roheez Khan and Naheem Akram have all been convicted following the trial [GMP]

The seventh defendant Roheez Khan, 39, also featured in another previous Rochdale grooming trial in 2013.

He was jailed for six-and-a-half years as one of five men convicted of sexually exploiting a "profoundly vulnerable" 15-year-old girl in 2008 and 2009.

During the latest trial, a second jury was required after concerns that one original juror - thought to be an ex-police officer - might be racist.

The prosecution did not oppose the application and a second jury was sworn in shortly after.

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Jurors deliberated for three weeks before delivering their unanimous guilty verdicts.

Convictions

Zahid, of, Station Road, Crumpsall, was convicted of raping Girl A and Girl B, offences of indecency with a child and procuring a child to have sex

Ahmed, of Corona Avenue, Oldham, and Bashir, of Napier Street East, Oldham, were convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecency with a child, in relation to Girl B

Shahzad, of Beswicke Royds Street, Rochdale, Akram, of Manley Road, Rochdale, Hussain, of New Field Close, Rochdale, and Khan, of Athole Street, Rochdale, were convicted of multiple counts of rape against Girl A

Khan was found guilty of a single count of rape against Girl A

During the trial the prosecution offered no evidence against an eighth defendant, Arfan Khan, 41, of Rochdale, who was cleared of various sexual offences.

'Indefensible and inexcusable'

Following the verdicts, Det Supt Alan Clitherow, from Greater Manchester Police's CSE team, said the force should have done more at the time.

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"What is clear is the way those victims were dealt with at the time is indefensible and inexcusable," he said.

"There was information at the time that police and other agencies could and should have done something with and we didn't.

"We have made comprehensive apologies for that."

He said the force had since improved on how these investigations are managed.

All the men were prosecuted as part of Operation Lytton, an ongoing investigation by the force into historical child sexual exploitation in the town.

A total of 32 offenders have been convicted so far as part of Operation Lytton and an earlier investigation called Operation Doublet into child sexual exploitation.

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Five more trials are scheduled to take place from September.

Jurors deliberated for three weeks after hearing months of evidence at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court [PA Media]

Liz Fell from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "These men targeted children, preyed upon their vulnerabilities and groomed them for their own sexual gratification.

"The treatment of the victims at the hands of these predators was nothing short of appalling."

She said the convictions sent "a very clear message" that the CPS and police would "relentlessly" prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse took place.

The NSPCC said the "appalling, ruthless exploitation" of these vulnerable girls highlighted the need for children to be able to speak out and warned that adults must educate themselves on the signs of grooming.

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"Child sexual abuse can have profound and long-lasting consequences on those who experience it," the charity added.

A sentencing date has yet to be fixed.

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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CITY OF NORWICH, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A Guatemalan man accused of sexually abusing a toddler in the City of Norwich was taken into custody on Thursday.

Following a two-month investigation into allegations of child abuse and sexual abuse, the Norwich Police Department arrested 33-year-old Rolando Antonio at a Norwich residence.

Antonio was charged with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony, and Forcible Touching, a Class A Misdemeanor.

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According to the investigation, Antonio allegedly sexually abused a 3-year-old child in April.

Chief Reuben Roach says these cases require the involvement of multiple agencies, including the local Child Advocacy Center, the New York State Police Crime Lab for DNA analysis, and interpreters from the New York State Police.

My heart goes out to the victim and their family. I hope this arrest provides some measure of justice for them, said Roach.

Rolando was arraigned in Norwich City Court. He is being held on $20,000 bail, with a court appearance scheduled for a later date.

The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are expected.

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The News

Israel decapitated Irans military leadership, launching air strikes on nuclear facilities and ballistic missile bases intended to end Tehrans atomic weapons program.

Gulf countries condemned the attack: Saudi Arabias foreign minister held calls with counterparts in Iran, Jordan, and Egypt to avoid a wider flare-up, while the UAE urged the utmost self-restraint and called on the UN Security Council to take measures to achieve a ceasefire. Oil at one point spiked more than 10%.

The region was bracing for action as the 60-day deadline that US President Donald Trump placed on nuclear talks with Iran passed on Thursday. Trump told Fox News he hoped talks would resume but notably, the Israeli strikes were carried out absent American support.

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While the official Gulf response was to de-escalate, many people in the region rejoiced given Irans role in propping up proxies that killed thousands and destabilized Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. A prominent Emirati analyst posted: Best Friday and Shabbat ever. This feels like an early Christmas. Memes of celebration, handing out sweets, and taunts from a Shiite cleric who had forewarned last year that the strike was coming spread on Arabic social media.

Know More

Following the Israel attacks, Gulf airlines were among several global carriers to cancel dozens of flights following the closure of airspace over Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Syria. Flights to those countries were halted, causing delays and forcing rerouting. Jordans military said it intercepted drones and missiles in its airspace after Iran vowed to respond to Israels strikes.

Aviation is a major contributor to the economies of Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai. While direct travel to the affected countries isnt critical for Gulf carriers, air corridors over Iran, Iraq, and Syria are important to keeping flight times and costs down for routes connecting Asia to Europe and the US.

The View From Analysts

Questions over shipping lanes, expanding the Abraham Accords, and nuclear proliferation are set to dominate conversations in the Gulf in the days ahead.

A chart showing the price of oil per barrel.

Brent crude remains well short of crisis levels, Shalom Lipner, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council pointed out, but analysts say it will spike if shipments are disrupted. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia could be drifting further away from normalizing ties with Israel as the war in Gaza grinds on and a regional conflagration looms. Bloombergs Mark Champion argues that while the strikes could delay Irans nuclear program by a few years, Tehran will now push to build a nuclear arsenal as fast as it can.

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Gulf countries on Friday unanimously condemned Israel's strikes on Iran, fearing an escalation that could threaten economic interests and security.

"Gulf states are very much caught between a rock and a hard place," Sanam Vakil, director of the Chatham House think-tank's Middle East and North Africa Programme told AFP.

While "they are quietly applauding the further weakening of Iran they face real risks and have to play their cards carefully", she said.

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Their close ties to Israel's protector Washington, which maintains military bases in the region, and their proximity to Iran -- and its missiles -- pose risks.

Vakil said that "Saudi diplomats are distancing themselves from Israel and condemning the strikes as a means to stay out of this conflict".

The unfolding situation is playing out against a recent diplomatic rapprochement Riyadh has been building with Tehran ever since China in 2023 brokered an agreement aiming to restore ties.

"This is a notable difference with the situation that prevailed in the region 10 years ago, when Saudi Arabia was sort of inciting the United States to strike Iran, calling it the 'head of the snake'," said Karim Bitar, a lecturer in Middle Eastern studies at Paris's Sciences Po university.

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Indeed, as Tehran reeled from Israel's attacks and planned retaliation, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan called his Iranian counterpart and "stressed the importance of dialogue to address disputes".

- Stability at risk -

"Gulf countries realise that this Israeli attack will jeopardise their economic interests as well as the entire stability" of the region, Bitar said.

That is a major preoccupation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been focusing on economic growth, giga-projects at home and diversification away from oil.

During Donald Trump's first US presidency, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had pushed for a stronger stance against Iran.

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Gulf countries supported Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

But Gulf sentiment began to change after the United States failed to provide significant backing following attacks blamed on Tehran, analysts said.

A 2019 attack -- claimed by Yemen's Huthis but blamed by Riyadh and Washington on Tehran -- hit Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq processing plant and Khurais oil field, temporarily halving the kingdom's crude output. Tehran denied involvement.

The UAE too has been targeted by attacks from the Huthis that hit Abu Dhabi in 2022.

Seeking to avert attacks by Iran and its proxies, especially as they host US bases that could become targets in the wake of a broader conflict, Gulf monarchies have pursued a detente.

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"The greatest concern in the Gulf now will be to what extent the United States will have to rely on their bases to assist in the defence of Israel," said Middle East analyst Andreas Krieg.

- US 'red line' -

While Trump's administration has distanced itself from Israel's operation, it has warned Iran not to hit US targets in the Middle East.

"It has... drawn a firm red line, warning that any attacks on US personnel or military installations will provoke a response," Vakil said.

She added, however, that "for now, Iran is unlikely to target Gulf infrastructure or assets".

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The leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar last month had urged Trump, as he visited the region, to not order US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and to pursue a deal instead, according to the US news outlet Axios.

"The Gulf states had hoped that Trump would show strong leadership and would contain (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahus neo-conservative tendencies to escalate," said Krieg.

Negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme had been going on between Washington and Tehran, although with little headway.

Oman had been readying to host a sixth round of talks on Sunday, before Israel's attack threw that into doubt.

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For Bitar, the Israeli strikes seemed to be trying to "torpedo" the US-Iran talks.

"What will be the US reaction? Will they maintain their blind and unconditional support for Israel, or will they try to go back to the negotiating table and reach a new deal?" he asked.

saa/aya/rmb
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Local leaders took to social media to share a short, but powerful message. The public service announcement featured the Franklin County Prosecutors office, Franklin County Sheriffs office (FCSO) and the Columbus Division of Police (CPD).

According to data from FCSO, during the last two years, more than 900 guns have been stolen from cars in Columbus.

State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festivals future

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Year-round, law enforcement agencies work to get guns off the street and make the community safer, but they cant do that work alone. That is why theyre calling on gun owners to never leave guns unsecured in their cars.

The amount of firearms that are stolen specifically from cars every year is extremely alarming, Columbus Police Sgt. James Fuqua said.

This year alone, over 180 guns have been stolen from cars. Thats just the number reported; law enforcement believes the real number is much higher.

If you do possess a firearm, to please absolutely make sure that you report that because that gun could potentially end up in the hands of someone who is more than likely to engage in criminal conduct, Fuqua said.

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According to Fuqua, 75% of guns recovered from criminal suspects, especially involving violence crimes, are stolen.

How one woman nearly fell for court, BMV ticket scam

If someone steals a firearm, theres a high likelihood that that one gun will be used multiple times over in multiple crimes stemming from robberies, burglaries, or unfortunately, up to homicides, Fuqua said.

Columbus police have seen multiple cases where one gun is linked to multiple crimes. Fuqua is urging people who legally own a gun to lock it up and not leave it in their car unsecured.

People break into cars looking for firearms and theyre looking for firearms to commit crimes, specifically violent crime, he said. Make no mistake about it, if someone has the ability to get access to a firearm that they know that they dont own and possess, theyre going to use that firearm in some type of crime.

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I dont know what it will take to get people to understand the severity of leaving a firearm unsecured in your vehicle, Eric Delbert, owner of L.E.P.D, a gun shop and firing range, said.

There are many lock box options that can be kept in either your home or your car.

Fire engine shortage felt nationwide, not just Columbus

Under $40, you can get a pretty secure lock box like anything else, Delbert said. Given enough time, you can get into these, you can cut cables and so forth. But the bad guys, theyre not having to go to that extent because so many people are leaving them in obvious places: the glovebox, the center console, under the front seat, all those places.

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Fuqua is urging those with guns to not leave them in their cars, especially if theyre going somewhere where guns are prohibited.

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The country's H-2A program has grown in popularity as a response to farm labor shortages. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of applications for H-2A workers increased by 72%, according to a new analysis by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Screenshot taken Nov. 15, 2024, GAO official YouTube channel (Credit: Ben Felder / Investigate Midwest)

Every year, hundreds of thousands of foreign workers come to the U.S. to fill temporary agricultural labor shortages through the H-2A program  a system first introduced in 1986 to address shortages in farmwork.

From 2011 to 2024, the use of the program grew more than 400%, with nearly 90% of visas going to workers from Mexico.

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But the fastest-growing group is from South Africa  and predominantly white, according to private and federal lawsuits.

While South Africans consist of only 3% of the program, their numbers have climbed by 1,300% according to data from the State Department between 2011 and 2024, and the rate of increase far outpaces any other nationality.

The rapid rise has collided with legal scrutiny.

Since 2022, the Mississippi Center for Justice, a law firm focused on advancing racial and economic justice, has filed seven lawsuits on behalf of Black farmworkers in Mississippi, alleging they were paid less than temporary workers from abroad who were mostly white men from South Africa.



Each of those lawsuits were settled out of court with significant compensation and back pay, according to attorney Rob McDuff, who represented the plaintiffs. The latest case, filed in May, is still pending.

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This is the latest version of an age-old problem in America, in terms of the treatment of Black farmworkers, McDuff said.

The Department of Labor, under the Biden administration, conducted its own investigation following those initial lawsuits and found 44 additional agricultural employers in Mississippi to be in violation of the H-2A programs law. By 2023, the departments Wage and Hour Division had recovered $505,000 in back wages for 161 workers whose rights were violated. Employers were also required to pay an additional $341,838 in civil money penalties.

The South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA, a non-partisan, independent organization and business association, promotes the work program to its citizens. After the lawsuits, the organization worked with the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa to make the H-2A program more inclusive and diverse.

The federal government tracks the country of origin for visa holders, but does not collect data on which businesses hire those workers. Agricultural companies in the southeast host the largest number of H-2A workers in the nation.

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Because South Africans speak English and their growing and harvest seasons are the opposite of North Americas, they make attractive candidates.

You can get any nationality you want in H-2A, and we chose South Africans because their English is better, Joel Brown, a farmer in Missouri, told Farm Progress. There are a lot of large farms in South Africa, and some of these guys are coming off those farms.

This article first appeared on Investigate Midwest and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX)  Habitat for Humanity is transforming part of a northside La Crosse neighborhood into a sustainable space for all with Renew the Block. During this initiative, Habitat is planting trees, cleaning up landscaping, adding an outdoor classroom, and a lot more. The hope is to bring initiatives such as stormwater mitigation and urban agriculture to the area around Logan Middle School.

Work on the project began last year. However, Habitat for Humanity is seeking help from the community to complete the work with a Pave the Way fundraiser. Habitat for Humanity Sustainability Director Amy Smith explained, This Pave the Way fundraiser is an amazing way for the community to leave their mark on this project. You can engrave your name on a paver, write a nice message, honor a loved one, whatever it is that you want to do. You have an opportunity to be part of this project, too.

Habitat for Humanity has a goal of $60,000 to complete the initiative. The pavers are designed to help prevent over 500,000 gallons of stormwater runoff per year. Habitat is projecting that the pavers will be placed at the front of the main entrance to Logan Middle School sometime in late 2026

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JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video statement that Iran had launched more than 100 drones towards Israel following the Israel Air Force's operation in Iran early Friday morning.

According to several Israeli media outlets, the drones would take hours to reach Israeli territory if not intercepted beforehand.

The IDF said in a statement that Israel's operation resulted in the killing of the three most senior Iranian military commanders: chief of staff of Iranian armed forces Mohammad Bagheri, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, and commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid.

It added that more than 200 air force fighter jets, guided by intelligence, struck more than 100 targets across Iran with 330 munitions. These targets include the hideouts of senior Iranian military commanders. 
The Trump Administration said Thursday that it will terminate the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement. The historic agreement, reached under the Biden Administration in 2023, brought together state governments, tribes, and other stakeholders to plot a path forward for the regions endangered salmon runs. As part of those efforts, the agreement opened the door to considerations around breaching the Lower Four Snake River Dams, a controversial move that many experts say is our best chance at recovering these fish.

The survival problems of various ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species in the Columbia Basin cannot be solved without removing four dams on the Lower Snake River, a group of 68 leading fisheries scientists wrote in a letter to policymakers in 2021, as the RCBA was first coming together. That same year, Sen. Mike Simpson of Idaho became one of the first conservative leaders in the U.S. to embrace the idea of dam breaching as a viable solution.

These four dams must be removed to not only avoid extinction, the scientists concluded, but also to restore abundant salmon runs.

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Read Next: Breach or Die: Its Time to Free the Lower Snake River and Save Idahos Wild Salmon

In its June 12 memorandum, however, the Trump Administration chalked up those conclusions to speculative climate change concerns. It explained that by pulling the federal government and its funding out of the RCBA, it was stopping radical environmentalism and securing American prosperity. In addition to fundamentally mischaracterizing the agreement itself, Thursdays announcement seemed to imply that speaking up for fish and considering alternatives to the status quo is part of a green agenda meant to harm the American public.

Lower Granite Dam is the uppermost of the Lower Four Snake River Dams. It sits 40 miles downstream of Lewiston, Idaho. VW Pics / Getty

President Trump continues to deliver on his promise to end the previous administrations misplaced priorities and protect the livelihoods of the American people, the announcement reads.

Conservationists and wild fish advocates are deeply disappointed by Trumps decision to axe the agreement, which also paused a series of ongoing lawsuits that have dragged on for decades, and would have contributed more than a billion dollars in federal funding to solving a big, hairy problem. They say the move sets back our countrys salmon recovery efforts substantially, returning us to a zero-sum game of endless litigation that pits energy against fish.

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It was one of the first times that we had a collaborative effort where people agreed to come together  nobodys hand was forced, there wasnt a judge or a court insisting on this, CEO and President of Trout Unlimited Chris Wood tells Outdoor Life. Now, were back to the beginning  where we had been for the previous 20 years. Which is just relying on the Endangered Species Act to keep these most amazing of Gods creatures from blinking out.

This is not speculation. The Columbia-Snake River system was once the most productive salmon and steelhead fishery in the world. Today, these anadromous runs are a shadow of their former selves, with wild fish returning at less than two percent of their historical abundance. As Wood notes, the numbers dont lie. And although there are several factors influencing their survival in the 21st century, the most impactful barriers are the four dams on the Lower Snake River and the impoundments theyve created, which impede salmon and steelhead from reaching the most productive spawning habitat in the Lower 48.

A map showing the Lower Four Snake River Dams (numbers 5, 6, 7, and 8), along with the differences in fish returns seen in other rivers within the Columbia Basin in 2022. Map by Trout Unlimited

The Snake is the last best hope for Pacific salmon, Wood says, because of the high-quality habitat found in its high-elevation tributaries. These places are perfect for these fish. The problem is, they just cant get back.

The main objective of the 2023 cooperative agreement, Wood adds, was for stakeholders to work together to increase those returns. It was not a decision to breach the Lower Four Snake River Dams, nor did it support legislation to authorize dam breaching. The dams are owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and removing or redesigning them would require an act of Congress.

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Breaching the dams remains a deeply controversial subject, as they provide several benefits to our modern, energy-hungry society, including hydropower, barge transportation, and irrigation. The four dams together produce roughly enough electricity to power a city the size of Seattle. (Importantly, they do not provide flood control, as other dams on the Snake and Columbia Rivers do.) A core component of the RCBA was to find ways to replace this energy and the other benefits before any breaching plans were even considered.

The idea was to look at the dams and the benefits they provide, Wood says. And lets ask each other: How can we make sure that the irrigators, the barge operators, the farmers, and the people who depend on the power [the dams generate] can all be made whole?

The construction of the Lower Four Snake River Dams made Lewiston, Idaho the furthest inland port in the United States. The lower river is now used by barges, which carry everything from winter wheat to baby steelhead. Ben Herndon

In many ways, the agreement reached in 2023 provided a road map for these difficult conversations. It established a Tribal Energy Program to help the Columbia River Treaty Tribes develop their own renewable energy sources. It provided federal guidance for replacing and/or redesigning the current irrigation and transportation systems in the Lower Snake region. And it provided the funds to make these solutions workable. Perhaps most importantly, though, it paused the Gordian knot of ongoing lawsuits around the Lower Four dams in an effort to bring stakeholders back to the negotiating table.

So, I guess were gonna go back to the way things used to be, which is basically, Well see you in court. And I dont see how that benefits the fish. And I definitely dont see how it benefits the social and economic interests that depend on this hydropower system.
CAIRO (Reuters) -The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas said Iran, its strategic ally, was "paying the price" for supporting militant groups in Gaza in their decades-long struggle against Israel, after Israel launched large-scale attacks on Friday against Iran.

Hamas leaders have repeatedly thanked Iran for its military and financial support to the group in its fight against Israel, including during the ongoing war that erupted in October 2023.

"Iran is today paying the price for its steadfast positions in support of Palestine and its resistance, and its adherence to its independent national decision," Hamas said in a statement.

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Tehran has vowed retaliation for Israel's early morning attack on Iranian military and nuclear facilities that killed several top commanders. Israel said it was working to intercept 100 drones that were launched by Iran, but had not reached Israel.

Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida said in a post on Telegram later on Friday that the group would stand by Iran in its conflict against Israel.

"The Zionist enemy is completely deluded if it thinks that these treacherous strikes can undermine the fronts of resistance or stabilize the pillars of this fragile entity in the region," he said.

"On the contrary, it continues to make successive strategic mistakes that will bring it closer to its inevitable demise, God willing."

(Reporting by Nidal al-MughrabiEditing by Gareth Jones)
Cameron, Tx (FOX 44)  An attack on a woman with a hammer brought one arrest for assault, then a second arrest for compelling the victim into prostitution.

Cameron police say it started June 8 when officers responded to an apartment in the 1400 block of North Austin Street on a reported aggravated assault. Police found a woman had been struck with a hammer. Police quickly arrested 48-year-old Deedrene Neal on a charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. But it didnt end there.

Police said the victim made an additional outcry that pulled Cameron police into a deeper, more complex case.

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Investigators found that the victim in this case had been living with her accused attacker under some sort of arrangement and that the victim was being forced to work as a prostitute against her will. The investigation then led to Neal being additionally charged with sexual assault.

Then as the investigation progressed, another man identified as 35-year-old Barry Garrett was arrested on a first-degree felony charge of compelling prostitution by threat.

Barry Garrett.

Both men remained in the Milam County Jail on Friday with Neals bond set at $250,000. Bond for Garrett had not been set as of mid morning Friday.

Cameron Police Chief Carlton Scott said the complex investigation was a collaborative effort by his department, Texas Ranger Matt Holley and the Milam County District Attorneys Office. He noted that Assistant District Attorney Sue Calloway and Victim Assistance Coordinator Kelli Hadley provided valuable assistance in assuring the victim in this case received the support she needed and that she was protected and delivered to a safe place.

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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.

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Like knowing the names of lots of federal judges, widespread familiarity with specific theories of authoritarian rule is not generally a hallmark of a healthy society. But as the United States vital signs get more dire, Steven Levitskys and Lucan A. Ways concept of competitive authoritarianism feels unsettlingly relevant.

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The idea came to mind again when federal officers manhandled and then handcuffed Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, yesterday as he tried to ask a question of Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security, at a press conference in Los Angeles.

Because it took place at a media event, the incident was recorded clearly on video, and its shocking. Nearly as disturbing as the footage is the fact that even though the incident is on tape, the Trump administration attempted to lie baldly about what happened. Officials said Padilla never identified himself as a senator and that security personnel thought he was an attacker; video shows him audibly identifying himself and wearing a U.S. Senate shirt. They said he lunged at Noem; video shows nothing of the sort. (If only Noems security detail had been so vigilant when her purse was stolen in April.)

The most that can be said is that Padillas question disrupted Noems spiel at the press conference. According to the senators explanation, the Department of Homeland Security had refused to adequately answer questions from his office for weeks, and when he realized that Noem was holding a press conference at the same federal building where he was receiving a briefing, he decided to attend. He was not arrested, and later spoke with Noem. As clips of the moment spread, Democrats erupted in outrage, and so did Republicansin a sense. House Speaker Mike Johnson called on the Senate to censure Padilla, though for what was unclear. Daring to challenge a Trump-administration official?

Thats where competitive authoritarianism comes in. Levitsky explained the idea in an Atlantic essay in February: Whereas traditional authoritarians aim for total control, competitive authoritarians maintain the trappings of democracy, such as an opposition party. They just make it nearly impossible for the opposition to win.

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Unlike in a full-scale dictatorship, in competitive-authoritarian regimes, opposition forces are legal and aboveground, and they often seriously vie for power, he wrote. Elections may be fiercely contested. But incumbents deploy the machinery of government to punish, harass, co-opt, or sideline their opponents. One advantage of this model, from the standpoint of power, is that it doesnt require trashing the Constitution. Instead, the ruler burrows into and subverts existing institutions.

The Padilla incident should be understood as more than just an overheated encounter between partisan opponents; its part of a pattern of harassment of Democrats. On Tuesday, Representative LaMonica McIver was indicted on three counts of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law-enforcement officers for an incident last month when she and other Democrats visited an ICE facility in New Jersey. A scrum occurred when officers arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka; Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, dropped a charge against him and received a fierce scolding from a judge, but she brought charges against McIver, despite dubious evidence in videos of the event. McIver has said that she will plead not guilty. Late last month, DHS officers handcuffed a staffer for Representative Jerry Nadler, a prominent Democratostensibly because the staffer had objected to officers entering the office, and because DHS was concerned (ironically) for the staffs safety.

Padillas detention comes amid protests in California and elsewhere over ICE raids. Noem told Fox News yesterday, Im so sick of the politics  This is literally peoples lives. DHS accused Padilla of disrespectful political theater. Given that the department is currently engaged in an elaborate production of its own, featuring draconian raids and unprecedented military deployments, Noem deserves some kind of award for lack of self-awareness. The Trump administration has embarked on a needless, inappropriate, and, according to one federal judge, illegal use of the National Guard. Senator Josh Hawley, a Trump ally, sent a letter earlier this week that seems to be an attempt to intimidate groups involved in the Los Angeles protests. Trump has also threatened further military deployments in other cities.

When citizens must think twice about criticizing or opposing the government because they could credibly face government retribution, they no longer live in a full democracy, Levitsky, Way, and the political scientist Daniel Ziblatt wrote in The New York Times last month. That may not yet be the case, but the path is too clear and too short for comfort.

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When Levitsky and Way first developed the concept of competitive authoritarianism, at the start of the century, they were looking at countries such as Slobodan Milosevics Serbia, Vladimir Putins Russia, and Alberto Fujimoris Peru. The bad news is that a framework developed to describe poor, repressive regimes has now become useful for understanding the United States, as Levitsky wrote in his Atlantic essay. The good news is that more than two decades of study have provided some lessons on how to resist the danger.

Civil society must act collectively, the political scientists wrote in the Times, identifying a common interest among corporate leaders, law firms, universities, leaders in both parties, and the press. When organizations work together and commit to a collective defense of democratic principles, they share the costs of defiance. The government cannot attack everyone all at once. When the costs of defiance are shared, they become easier for individuals to bear.

Seen from this point of view, peaceful protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere are an important start (though violence undermines the cause). Although Democratic members of Congress shouldnt have needed to see one of their colleagues manhandled to get angry, their outrage is appropriate. So is the response of levelheaded Republicans such as Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who watched a clip of the detention and said, Its horrible. It is shocking at every level. Its not the America I know. But unless critics of Trumps power grab can work together and find effective ways of resisting, theyll be consigning themselves to a permanent existence as nothing more than a nominal oppositionnever quite extinguished, but not relevant either.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
New Hantavirus Warning Issued Months After Gene Hackmans Wifes Death originally appeared on Parade.

Gene Hackmans wife, Betsy Arakawa, tragically passed away after contacting Hantavirus  a rare but serious disease carried by rodents.

Now, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services and the Nevada Department of Wildlife are urging residents to take extra precautions.

The agency confirmed two additional cases of the virus in the state on Tuesday, June 10.

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We urge people to be aware of any signs of rodent activity and to take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to hantavirus.

Melissa Bullock, the states medical epidemiologist, emphasized the importance of early detection.

SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox

Anyone who has been in contact with rodents, nests or droppings and subsequently develops symptoms consistent with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome should see a health care provider immediately, she stated in a press release.

Hantavirus is an infectious disease thats typically spread through exposure to infected rodents. Transmission can occur through contact with the animals urine, droppings or saliva.

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The early symptoms of HPS include fever, fatigue and muscle aches, followed by coughing and shortness of breath.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HPS is a severe and potentially fatal illness  nearly 4 in 10 people who are infected pass away.

However, it can be treated if caught early through blood tests and proper medical care.

As warmer weather arrives, people will be more active in areas such as sheds, barns, trailers, garages and cabins where deer mice have nested or left droppings, the agency noted.

To reduce the risk of hantavirus exposure, health agencies recommend the following, including:

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Secure garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids.

Seal gaps, cracks, or holes in structures to keep mice out.

Keep areas clean and free of clutter or food sources.

Use gloves and a well-fitted N95 mask when cleaning areas with signs of rodent activity.

In March, officials revealed that Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

The New Mexico Health Department later revealed that investigators had found signs of "rodent entry" in structures on the couples property.

New Hantavirus Warning Issued Months After Gene Hackmans Wifes Death first appeared on Parade on Jun 13, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard Universitys Medical School who was detained after being accused of smuggling undeclared frog embryos into the U.S., was released from custody Thursday.

Petrova was arrested by ICE agents at Logan International Airport on Feb. 16 after returning from a trip to France with what were described in a court filing as non-hazardous, noninfectious, and non-toxic frog embryos. She has remained in custody in the nearly four months since her arrest.

The Department of Homeland Security, through a spokesperson, claimed Petrova knowingly broke the law and took deliberate steps to evade it, the statement read. The department claimed text messages revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them.

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A federal court judge in Vermont ordered Petrova released last month, court records show. She was brought to Massachusetts for a detention hearing on a single count of smuggling goods into the U.S.

Following the hearing Thursday, Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein allowed Petrovas release on conditions.

I just want to thank everybody, Petrova said outside the federal building in Boston shortly after her release.

She wore a T-shirt that said, Hakuna Matata, a popular phrase from The Lion King that means no worries.

A lot of people started contacting me and sending me letters, and it was a huge support without which I wont be able to survive, she said.

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I never really felt alone any minute when I was in custody, and its really helped me very much, Petrova added.

Petrova, 30, who was brought into court wearing an orange jumpsuit, had been in federal custody since February.

Lawyers on both sides came to an agreement on conditions for Petrovas release, which included limiting her travel. Authorities are still holding onto her passport. Petrova must return to court next week for a probable cause hearing on the smuggling charge.

I hear its sunny. Goodbye, Magistrate Judge Judith Dein said after approving the agreement.

Greg Romanovsky, Petrovas attorney, said his client hasnt decided whether she wants to stay in the United States yet.

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She has offers from different countries around the world, countries that are eager to support the important research that shes doing. Shes weighing her options at the moment, and shes very grateful to be out, he said.

She told The Associated Press in an interview in April that she did not realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak anything into the country.

In May, Petrova was charged with smuggling in Massachusetts as a federal judge in Vermont set the hearing date on her petition. That judge later ruled that the immigration officers actions were unlawful, that Petrova didnt present a danger, and that the embryos were nonliving, nonhazardous and posed a threat to no one.

The judge released Petrova from ICE custody, but she remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on the smuggling charge before her release Thursday.

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Colleagues and academics have testified on Petrovas behalf, saying she is doing valuable research to advance cures for cancer.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  The New Haven Free Public Library on Elm Street was evacuated Friday afternoon due to a bomb threat, according to the New Haven Police Department.

Police told News 8 that the scene has been cleared and people are being allowed back into the building. At approximately 6:30 p.m., police said the scene was being lifted and nothing suspicious was found.

Bomb threat targets top Connecticut Republican Sen. Steve Hardings Brookfield home

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Temple, Wall, College and Elm Streets were all shut down due to the evacuation.

Additional details were not immediately available. Police are investigating the source of the threat. Check back to News 8 for more updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines employees participated in a blood drive at the Hawaiian Airlines headquarters in Honolulu on June 12 in honor of World Blood Donor Day.

The recently-merged airlines hope to raise awareness for the need for safe blood and blood products, as well as to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their gifts that can ultimately save lives.

PHOTOS: Waikiki Beach in the late 1940s, early 1950s

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The blood drive event is also in support of Vinton Smith, who is a longtime blood donor whose goal was to donate blood in all 50 states. Alaska Airlines provided Smith and his family with travel to Hawaii, so he may donate in the last state on his list.

Last summer, the airline flew Smith to Anchorage, where he donated in his 49th state. In addition to helping Smith with his travel accommodations, Alaska Airlines donated $10,000 to the Blood Bank of Alaska.

For those looking to help save lives, visit the Blood Bank of Hawaiis website to find nearby donation opportunities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As the U.S. Army celebrates its 250th anniversary this Saturday, hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to converge on the nations capital to witness a massive Flag Day military parade commissioned by President Donald Trump.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump hyped up the parade and accompanying festivities, saying, "Were going to celebrate our country for a change."

So, here is everything you need to know to attend the historic parade.

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The 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade will take place on Saturday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.

The parade is being held to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which is one year older than the country. The festivities also coincide with Flag Day and Trumps 79th birthday.

Fresh Wave Of Anti-ice Protests Threatens Uncertainty, Volatility Before Trump's Massive Military Parade

Read On The Fox News App

The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and concludes at 9:30 p.m. Guest entry begins at 2 p.m. With hundreds of thousands expected to attend, guests will likely begin lining up early.

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Tickets are free to the public and can be obtained on the America250 website. Two tickets are allowed per phone number.

According to the parade map published by the U.S. Army, the parade will take place by the National Mall on Constitution Avenue NW, between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument (23rd and 15th streets).

The parade will begin near the Lincoln Memorial at 23rd Street and end by the Washington Monument at 15th Street.

Reagan National Airport To Halt Flights For Trump-hosted Military Parade Next Week

A large banner with the image of President Donald Trump hangs outside the Department of Agriculture near where a U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle is displayed ahead of this weekend's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Army on the National Mall on June 12, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

Attendees will be able to view the parade along Constitution Avenue NW or from the Washington Monument grounds.

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Rain showers are expected Saturday morning, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. Expected temperatures are in the eighties.

Approximately 6,600 U.S. Army soldiers wearing uniforms from all U.S. historic eras, as well as modern uniforms, will participate in the parade. The parade will also include 150 Army vehicles, including the Abrams tank and 50 aircraft, including the Black Hawk.

There will also be a flyover and a parachute jump.

Liberal Media Melts Down Over Trumps Military Parade Plan, Calling It Authoritarian

U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters sit on the flight line on June 12, 2025 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Army helicopters, including Black Hawks, Apaches, Chinooks, and other military aircraft, will be used in the upcoming U.S. Army's 250th birthday parade, which also coincides with Flag Day and U.S. President Trump's birthday.

The District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department has a full list of prohibited items, which is available here.

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Several major roads in the city will be closed surrounding the National Mall, including Constitution Avenue NW, Virginia Avenue, Rock Creek Parkway, Independence Avenue and the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

The U.S. Army released a detailed map of road closures, which is viewable here.

The Smithsonian Metro Station's northwest entrance will be closed; however, the stations southwest entrance on Independence Avenue will be open.

There will be an Army birthday festival on the National Mall between 7th and 14th streets. The festival entrance is on the National Mall at 7th Street.

There will be a concert at the Ellipse in front of the White House after the parade. The celebration will also conclude with a fireworks show.

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Democrat Criticizes Defense Secretary Over Money For Military Parade

A protester holds a sign at a rally against President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement actions.

Many protesters are anticipated to converge on Washington this weekend. In Washington, visitors and locals can expect the Refuse Fascism protest, an "Equity March" in downtown Washington, D.C., as well as a "Pro-Democracy Picnic" at Fort Reno Park, Fox Digital found.

Nationwide, "No Kings" protesters are anticipated to flood cities to protest what they say is Trump leading the nation like a "king," according to its website.

Trump has said that violent protesters "will be met with heavy force."





Original article source: Heading to Trumps military parade? Heres everything you need to know
A pharmacist fills a syringe with the Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccination at a booster shot clinic in October 2021 in San Rafael, Calif. Thirty prominent professional health organizations signed an open letter urging insurers to continue covering vaccinations during pregnancy. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This story originally appeared on Stateline.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is urging insurers to continue covering vaccinations during pregnancy in an open letter signed by 30 prominent professional health organizations.

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Pregnant patients and their infants are vulnerable to complications from COVID-19. In the letter to payers and insurance companies released this week, ACOG stressed the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations and how they protect babies and pregnant people. It was signed by prominent professional groups including the American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Public Health Association.

The letter follows U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s decision to eliminate the recommendation for COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and healthy pregnant patients, sidestepping an established decision process by scientists. Kennedy, who has made false claims questioning vaccine safety, earlier this week fired all 17 experts on the federal vaccine advisory committee panel, replacing them with eight new members, four of whom have spoken out against vaccines.

The Trump administrations moves have alarmed health experts, who worry about coverage and access to the shot amid the agencys dismissal of science.

We are deeply concerned about the recently adopted HHS policy to no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, the letter reads. Given the historic gaps in research, investment, and support for womens health, it is essential that all aspects of obstetric and gynecologic care  including COVID-19 vaccination  be grounded in the best available scientific evidence.

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Studies have shown babies born following a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy have a higher risk of low birth weights, stillbirth and respiratory distress, and data demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.

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Pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are also at higher risk of complications such as blood clots, are more likely to be hospitalized in intensive care units or to need ventilators, and are at a higher risk of death, the letter notes.

Payers should make the vaccine available to pregnant people without undue utilization management or cost-sharing requirements, the letter reads. Without insurance, a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 shot can cost roughly $140 for adults.

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Following the recommendation rollback, public health officials in some states have emphasized their support of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, for example, said it continues to recommend the current COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and for every person 6 months and older, noting that newborns depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection. Wisconsin Medicaid will also continue to cover the shot, the department said in a media release.

Officials in Georgia also said they expect continued coverage of the shot.

In Washington, a spokesperson for the state health agency told local media that the department is advising pregnant people to speak with their provider to determine if receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is best for them.

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During this years legislative sessions, at least seven states introduced legislation aiming to ban or limit mRNA vaccines. Instead of using a weakened or dead version of the actual virus to stimulate an immune response, mRNA vaccines use a genetic code created in a laboratory to tell the bodys cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response. The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA technology.

The COVID vaccines were a remarkable scientific accomplishment, and they remain the best tool that we have to prevent severe outcomes associated with COVID infection, Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, ACOG president, wrote in a statement. Ob-gyns know that COVID infection during pregnancy can be incredibly dangerous for our pregnant patients  and we know that the vaccine can protect both them and their infants after birth.

When patients are forced to pay out of pocket, or to cover high cost sharing, he wrote, they are less likely to be able to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.

Stateline reporter Nada Hassanein can be reached at nhassanein@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.
NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Indian Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu posted on social media on Friday that the flight data recorder (Black Box) of the crashed plane has been recovered from the accident site in Ahmedabad by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

"This marks an important step in the investigation and will greatly help the accident investigation," He posted.

The Hindustan Times reported on Friday that the black box of the plane had been found on the rooftop of a building aircraft crashed into.

Air India's flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, flying from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad to London, crashed on Thursday shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board with only one survivor. 
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday closed out his third and final day of hearings on Capitol Hill with several clashes with lawmakers as he dodged questions on invading Greenland, Ukraine aid, his use of the app Signal, and troop deployment in Los Angeles.

Hegseth, in his first appearance before the House Armed Services Committee, was quickly hit with queries from panel Democrats, starting with ranking member Adam Smith (Wash.). Smith pressed the Pentagon chief on whether it is the Defense Departments policy that the U.S. military be prepared to take Greenland or Panama by force.

Hegseth would not rule out the possibility of a future military invasion of the Arctic territory and Central American country, suggesting to lawmakers the Pentagon could have such plans and that the U.S. has an interest in protecting both areas from Chinese influence.

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The Defense Department plans for any particular contingency he said, adding that I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for anything.

The answer caused Smith to scoff, replying: I dont think the American people voted for President Trump because they were hoping we would invade Greenland. Im going to go out on a limb on that one.

Smith also warned that the Trump administration is sending a message to the rest of the world that the U.S. is purely in it for itself and does not care about alliances in seeking to take over its ally countries.

President Trump for months has floated the possibility of using military force to take over Greenland and Panama by refusing to rule out such an action.

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The thought has alarmed allies, including Denmark, which owns Greenland and has opposed any U.S. efforts to take over the territory.

Hegseth was later pressed by Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), who implored him to confirm that it is not your testimony today that there are plans at the Pentagon for taking by force or invading Greenland, correct? Because I sure as hell hope that it is not that.

Hegseth would only repeat that the Pentagon has plans for any number of contingencies and that officials look forward to working with Greenland to ensure that it is secured from any potential threats.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) took his five minutes to supply Hegseth with the most direct questioning hes yet faced on whether he shared classified information on U.S. attack plans in Yemen via the Signal messaging app.

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Moulton asked Hegseth whether when U.S. Central Command relayed the launch time for fighter jets set to strike Houthi militant targets in March  information the Pentagon chief would go on to share with at least two Signal group chats  the information was relayed on a classified or unclassified system.

Hegseth declined to answer, asserting that any way that the secretary of Defense communicates or provides information in and of itself is classified and not to be discussed.

He also wouldnt say what the classification markings were on the information Central Command relayed, prompting Moulton to grow exasperated.

Its not classified to disclose whether or not it was classified, he said, eventually getting Hegseth to admit that he was not saying that the information was unclassified.

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So you took classified information from Central Command that had a classification marking on it  because thats whats required by DOD regulations  and you put it on an unclassified system, Moulton stated, asking whether Hegseth plans to take any accountability for that.

But Hegseth continued to dodge: I serve at the pleasure of the president, like everybody else does.

Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) then lambasted the Defense secretary as an embarrassment, demanding he resign over a range of issues including the Signal group chat, deploying Marines to Los Angeles amid protests and his views on Russias war in Ukraine.

I have called for your resignation. I didnt think you were qualified before your confirmation, and you have done nothing to inspire confidence in your ability to lead competently, Carbajal said.

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Later, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) pressed the secretary on U.S. military posture with Israel reportedly threatening an imminent attack on Iran. Khanna repeatedly asked Hegseth whether he could commit to not directly attacking Iran unless the Islamic Republic first fired on the United States. Hegseth would make no such assurance.

It wouldnt be prudent for me to commit or not to commit. My job is to be postured and prepared, Hegseth said.

He also said Trump is giving Iran every opportunity, with talks ongoing, but he also fully recognizes the threat that Iran, with a nuclear blowup, would exist.

Khanna also asked Hegseth whether he would commit to following federal court or Supreme Court rulings regarding the Pentagons extraordinary deployment of National Guard members and Marines into Los Angeles.

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But the Pentagon chief repeatedly dodged the question, saying only that my job right now is to ensure the troops that we have in Los Angeles are capable of supporting law enforcement.

After another effort, Hegseth said the U.S. should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country.

Khanna pointed to signals from others in the Trump administration, specifically Vice President Vance, that they could ignore court orders they disagree with.

The hearing caps off Hegseths long week on Capitol Hill, which began on Tuesday with a relatively quiet House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing.

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But on Wednesday, Hegseth faced heated questions from the Senates version of the Appropriations panel, which bombarded Hegseth over the Russia-Ukraine war, the Pentagons delays in delivering budget information and the administrations focus on Greenland in its Arctic strategy.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Flowers of hemp plants that contain less that 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

More than five years after Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, Ohio faces a growing public health crisis. What was designed as legislation to support American farmers has instead spawned an unregulated market of lab-created intoxicants sold without oversight in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops across the state.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp, defined as containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, from the federal Controlled Substances Act. This was intended to revitalize American hemp farming for industrial purposes, but the law created an unintended loophole that chemical manufacturers quickly exploited.

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As I recently testified before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee, these intoxicating hemp products are often marketed as hemp-derived or Farm Bill compliant but the truth is much darker. In most cases, these intoxicants crowding gas station shelves are not derived from American-grown hemp. Rather, they often start with hemp-derived CBD imported primarily from countries like China and India, which is then synthetically converted through chemical processes involving acids and solvents into artificial THC.

This process essentially breaks down the CBD molecule and rebuilds it into a synthetic compound like delta-8 THC. This is a far cry from the natural plant compounds found in traditional cannabis.

When I visited Ohio stores late last year, I purchased numerous farm bill compliant products containing these synthetic compounds from stores within walking distance to the Ohio Statehouse. Laboratory testing revealed these products had inconsistent potency, extremely high doses, unlisted ingredients, and chemical contaminants left over from the manufacturing process.

This is fundamentally a public health problem. These are not merely marijuana-lite products, as some proponents suggest, and they have little to do with actual hemp. The chemical conversion process introduces unknown compounds and contaminants that have shown time and again they pose significant health risks.

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The synthetic nature of these products means they often contain compounds that have never been studied for safety in humans or even named by science. Reports of adverse reactions continue to increase, with poison control centers documenting rising incidents of accidental ingestion, particularly among children attracted to brightly colored packaging resembling candy.

Data from the University of Michigans Monitoring the Future study recently revealed that 11% of high school seniors report using delta-8 THC. That is troubling, since delta-8 didnt exist in the marketplace five years ago.

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The FDA has repeatedly warned manufacturers about illegal sales and unsafe products, issuing dozens of warning letters. All THC edibles are federally illegal under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act  a fact that hemp intoxicants manufacturers and retailers conveniently overlook. However, without clear enforcement authority or resources, these warnings have done little to stem the tide of unregulated intoxicants flooding into communities across Ohio.

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Ohio voters made their desires clear by approving adult-use cannabis in 2023. The state is now implementing a comprehensive regulatory system for cannabis products that includes rigorous testing, packaging requirements, age verification, and consumer protections.

This existing framework presents the most logical path forward for regulating hemp intoxicants. If these products are to exist in Ohios marketplace, they should be subject to the same rigorous oversight as other intoxicating cannabis products and should be sold only through licensed dispensaries with appropriate age restrictions, testing requirements, and consumer safeguards.

Weve heard opponents in every state argue that such regulation hurts small businesses. Yet these products have only been around for a handful of years, and convenience stores and gas stations have thrived without resorting to selling artificial THC before.

More importantly, the dangers they present, especially to young people who can currently purchase them with little or no age verification, far outweigh any economic arguments.

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Ohio would not be blazing a new trail by regulating these products. Even deeply conservative states recognize the need for oversight. Just this month, both Tennessee and Alabama, hardly progressive strongholds, signed laws into place regulating hemp-derived intoxicants. Their law specifically prohibits synthetic cannabinoids created by a chemical synthesis, modification, or chemical conversion from another cannabinoid, precisely the type of products currently flooding Ohios unregulated market in the form of gas station weed.

The hemp intoxicant problem represents a rare opportunity for bipartisan action in our divided political landscape. This isnt about cannabis legalization, Ohio voters have already decided that question. Its about ensuring that all intoxicating products, particularly synthetic ones, are properly regulated to protect public health.

Federal regulators failed to anticipate or address this problem. Now it falls to state lawmakers to protect their constituents. Other states, including many led by conservative majorities, have already taken action. Its time for Ohio to do the same.

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In the aftermath of unrest in parts of Los Angeles over the Trump administration's immigration policies, which resulted in clashes between protesters and federal agents in June 2025, alleged eyewitness reports claimed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were seen stopping people outside nearby Disneyland.

The rumor appeared to originate on Facebook (archived, archived), but spread more widely via a Reddit post (archived) on June 11, 2025, which gained more than 5,000 upvotes, as of this writing. The rumor also appeared on other platforms such as X (archived) and Bluesky (archived), and numerous Snopes readers searched for information about the claim.

"Received this from a friend. Others have supposedly seen it too. ICE stopping people leaving the Manchester CM Lot and at the bus stops," the Reddit post read. We reached out to the account that posted the claim and will update this report if we receive a response.

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Several commenters appeared to corroborate the report. For example, one user wrote, "I just left the resort and there's a bunch of them by the employee parking near Mickey and Friends."

We looked into the claims and found that despite these alleged sightings, none of the users posted photos, video footage or other tangible evidence of ICE's alleged presence at Disneyland or near employee parking.

Additionally, no credible news outlet reported an ICE presence in or around Disneyland. A straightforward Google search on June 12, 2025, using the keywords "ICE agents at Disneyland" did not turn up any credible news reports, only iterations of the rumor or claims that the rumor was false.

(Google.com)

Lastly, shortly after the rumor began to spread online, the Orange County Rapid Response Network (OCRRN) claimed to be in direct contact with Disney's External Affairs team, which confirmed that "there is no ICE presence at the resort" (archived). The full report was as follows:

Community Update: 06/11 No ICE Presence at Disney Resort We have been in direct contact with Disney's External Affairs team regarding recent rumors about ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity at their resort. Disney has confirmed there is no ICE presence at the resort. Disney received multiple reports throughout the day. This is what they shared: "We can confirm that is not the case. We've gotten multiple reports through the day, but we checked them all and can report that there is no ICE presence at the resort."

According to the network's About page, the OCRRN is "an interconnected system of non-profit and grassroots organizations, civil rights attorneys, law school clinics, and individuals working together to respond to dehumanizing immigration enforcement activities and policies in Orange County."

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The OCRRN confirmed via phone call on June 12 that there were no additional updates and that the network had been unable to find any visual evidence of the claims. We additionally reached out to both Disney and ICE representatives and will update this story if we receive a response.

However, after we originally published this story on June 12, 2025, the OCRRN released a community alert noting "reliable reports" of "probable ICE actions in the greater Disneyland area, around Anaheim and Garden Grove."

So although there was no available evidence of an ICE presence on the Disneyland campus, there was evidence of ICE activity on June 12, 2025, at nearby Pearson Park, which is approximately a six-minute drive from Disneyland. from Disneyland.

(Google Maps)

An Instagram video (archived) from June 12 shows federal agents chasing a man by car and on foot. The caption reads:

I wanted to share something that happened around 8:30 am at Pearson Park. It's a concerning situation, and while we can't confirm whether it involves immigration customs enforcement, it's important to acknowledge the stress and uncertainty that such incidents can cause.

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A zoomed-in capture of the video shows an individual running with a vest that appears to say "POLICE FEDERAL AGENT."

(Instagram user @anaheimchisme)

Several users across multiple platforms, including Facebook and X (archived, archived), claimed ICE was "outside" Disneyland, while at least one X user (archived) claimed ICE was "literally in front of Disneyland."

A story (archived) by the Daily Pilot  a Los Angeles Times daily newspaper for Orange County  claimed, "While Disney and Anaheim officials disputed the viral claim as unfounded, the city acknowledged cellphone videos of an SUV pursuing a man two miles down the street at Pearson Park the following morning was credible evidence of federal immigration enforcement."

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The Daily Pilot interviewed Anaheim Council Member Natalie Rubalcava, who investigated the scene shortly after the video above appeared on Instagram. We reached out to Rubalcava, and will update this story if we receive a response.

Rubalcava claimed a man told her how federal agents had asked him and another man he was with to show their identification, after which the other man fled and the chase caught on tape ensued, as follows in the Daily Pilot story:

Anaheim Councilmember Natalie Rubalcava saw the Pearson Park video on Instagram, got dressed and headed out to vet the claim. She spoke to a young Latino who recounted how federal agents dressed in black with their faces covered approached him and another man at the park. "They asked him for identification," Rubalcava said. "When he told them he was born in the U.S., they told him 'prove it.'" He gave agents his Social Security number when the other man fled on foot. Agents driving an SUV gave chase, apprehended the man and left by the time Rubalcava arrived.

In sum, while there remained no evidence of ICE presence on the Disneyland campus or at employee parking areas as of this writing, footage did come to light indicating an SUV and at least one individual wearing a vest labeled "federal agent" pursuing a man on foot at a park approximately two miles from the Disneyland campus.

Sources:

Anaheim, HERE. ICE Activity Disneyland Concerns Recap. 13 June 2025, https://www.hereanaheim.com/ice-activity-disneyland-concerns/.

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Council Member Natalie Rubalcava | Anaheim, CA - Official Website. https://www.anaheim.net/3523/Council-Member-Natalie-Rubalcava. Accessed 17 June 2025.

Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=Ice+agents+at+disneyland&oq=Ice+agents+at+disneyland&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABgDMg0IAhAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IAxAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBBAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMgYIBRBFGDwyBggGEEUYPTIGCAcQRRg90gEJMTE4NzlqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&sei=91lLaL6DIsLH0PEP67Lo4Q0. Accessed 12 June 2025

'ICE Didn't Raid Disneyland but Federal Agents Arrested a Man at a Nearby Park'. Daily Pilot, 12 June 2025, https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/story/2025-06-12/ice-disney-anaheim.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKznTztxz1c/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D. Accessed 17 June 2025.

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OC Rapid Response Network. https://ocrapidresponse.org/. Accessed 12 June 2025.

Updates:

This story was updated to include evidence that federal agents chased a man at a park near Disneyland, including an eyewitness account and footage of the events.
Far-right influencers are calling on Donald Trumps supporters to boycott Walmart after one of the companys heirs took out a full-page ad in The New York Times last Sunday promoting the No Kings protests planned for the day of Trumps military parade this weekend.

Win McNamee / Getty Images

The ad purchased by Christy Walton, 76, who inherited a 1.9% stake in Walmart from her late husband John Walton and is one of the richest women in the United States, encouraged Trump critics to mobilize against the presidents costly military parade scheduled for Saturday, Forbes reported. Its similar to another ad she paid for in the Times back in March.

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The honor, dignity, and integrity of our country are not for sale, Sundays ad read.

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Trump acolytes including far-right influencer Laura Loomer, White House special adviser Kari Lake and Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna all attacked Walton over the ad.

David Dee Delgado / Getty Images

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Looks like the Walmart dynasty is big mad about China Tariffs, Luna wrote.

Walmart heiress Christy Walton is funding full page color ads in the NYT for No Kings Day, a nationwide counter protest scheduled for Trumps birthday, organized by far-left group Indivisible.Looks like the Walmart dynasty is big mad about China Tariffs. pic.twitter.com/22hWK73LjX  Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) June 10, 2025

@RepLuna/X / Via x.com

Related: This FSU Student Had A Scathing Message For Donald Trump, And It's Going Mega Viral

Walmart Chief Financial Officer David Rainey warned investors in an interview with CNBC last month that shoppers will likely see higher prices toward the end of May and in June because of Trumps tariffs.

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A spokesperson for Walmart told HuffPost, the advertisements from Christy Walton are in no way connected to or endorsed by Walmart, noting that she does not serve on the board or play any role in decision making at Walmart.

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We condemn violence, including when its directed towards law enforcement, and the damaging of property, the spokesperson said before referring to the ongoing protests in LA, where Trump called in the National Guard. As a company with associates and customers in the Los Angeles region, we remain focused on their safety and that of impacted communities. 

Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Related: "Theres No More Hiding Their Ideology"  People Cannot Believe This "Terrifying" Post By Trump Is Real

Nonetheless, the far-right account Libs of Chicago and other users with high followings lashed out at Walmart on X, calling for a boycott of the retail chain.

FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

Sort of ironic isnt it? A Walton married a socialist, Libs of Chicago wrote. If there was ever a time to boycott Walmart, its now.

One of the ppl funding the socialist movement is Christy Ruth Walton who is a stake holder of @Walmart. Sort of ironic isnt it? A Walton married a socialist.If there was ever a time to boycott Walmart, its now. pic.twitter.com/wY6jTT1kSs  Libs Of Chicago (@Libs_OfChicago) June 9, 2025

A representative for Walton sent HuffPost a statement saying the ad was a personal message from her meant to people encourage to engage peacefully and civically during the Saturday protests, and was unrelated to anti-ICE protests unfolding in Los Angeles.

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Walton has provided no funding to organizations or individuals involved in the demonstrations in Los Angeles or other cities, nor has she provided any funding to those organizing the upcoming events, the statement said.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images

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Her interest is simply in encouraging people to listen to one another, participate in their communities, and productively engage on the issues they care about, the statement continued. She believes while we have the right to protest, we do not have a right to violence. She condemns violence in all forms and her message promotes civic engagement, peaceful dialogue, and the sharing of diverse views and voices.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

The president, who also used force against protesters in his first term, threatened that anyone who came out to protest the military parade will be met with very heavy force.

Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images

If theres any protest[er] that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force, by the way. And for those people that want to protest, theyre gonna be met with very big force, Trump said Tuesday.

Trump says anybody who protests the military parade on Sunday will be met with very heavy force pic.twitter.com/iDm4qVzKg3  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 10, 2025

Twitter: @atrupar / Via Twitter: @atrupar

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Also in In the News: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public

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LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY)  The acceptance of LGBTQIA+ members has a deeper rooted history than most people realize, even here in Acadiana, and now has evolved into celebration and awareness.

According to Jeffery Darensbourg, historian and tribal councilmember of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation, he said that what is defined as queerness of today was a norm amongst indigenous people of the Americas before European colonization.

He said colonial French military, other European settlers and religious officials would record openly gay and trans people amongst indigenous nations such as Atakapa-Ishak, Natchez, Houma and Choctaw who lived across Louisiana.

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Queer people have always lived in the area. Darensbourg said. Our tribes first contact with Europeans was in 1528, when we rescued Cabeza de Vaca and his companions who were shipwrecked in the Gulf of Mexico. The Spaniard noticed among us what he called a devilish thing, namely, same-sex marriage and what we would now call openly trans people.

Caddo Parish back LGBTQ+ Pride Month with support from community

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Darensbourg shared how indigenous culture had a different perspective on gender and sexuality that were outside heteronormativity and European ideals. In his research, he noted how some indigenous people recognized the existence of more than two genders, engaged in homosexuality, identified as transgendered and held leadership roles outside gender norms. For instance, there was a young woman chief in Lafayette in the early colonial period by the name of Quitachoulabenacky.

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The indigenous people have been here for many thousands of years. Darensbourg said. And those were also the first queer, trans people, the first openly queer, openly trans people, first people to have same-sex marriage here. And it was a perfectly normal part of our societies. That only ended when the Europeans arrived.

Following European colonization, openly gay and trans people amongst the indigenous peoples and other groups were silenced and marginalized. Since then, the LGBTQIA+ acceptance and visibility in Acadiana has evolved over time, according to Brandi Ortiz Comeaux, of the Acadiana Queer Collective.

This deep, pre-colonial history of acceptance and visibility reminds us that queerness is not new or foreign to this land. Comeaux said. It is a testament to resilience, hidden strength, and enduring community that queer individuals have continued to find ways to connect, support each other, and express their identities, even through periods of forced conversion and societal pressures. Today, we are seeing a beautiful blossoming of that history, with more visible community building and a growing sense of collective pride and belonging.

As a generation of gay and lesbian people ages, memories of worse  and better  times swirl

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Founded in 2021, the Acadiana Queer Collective is an organization dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ members and allies here in the south.

Comeaux said there are many examples of queerness in Acadiana culture that calls back to the roots of southern identity and community.

Its in the resilience and adaptability that mirror the spirit of Acadianas history, Comeaux said. Its found in the deep family bonds and chosen families that are so central to both queer and Southern life. Its seen in the music, art and food where individuals express their authentic selves, contributing to the rich tapestry of our region. The very nature of making a way out of no way in Acadiana resonates deeply with the queer experience of forging identity and community.

Comeaux said the goal of AQC and members of the LGBTQIA+ community is not to take up space but provide space for those who need it and that these people hope for a future where their existence is not questioned and their rights are not debated.

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The one message we want Acadiana to know about the queer community is this: We are your neighbors, your friends, your family, and your fellow Louisianians, Comeaux said. We contribute to the unique culture, economy, and spirit of Acadiana. We seek the same things as everyone else: love, belonging, safety, and the opportunity to live full, joyful lives. Our presence enriches Acadiana, and our celebration is an invitation to greater understanding and unity for all.

Pride Month started; heres what to expect

Darensbourg said that if we take the time to educate on the history of Acadiana and those who live in it we can create voices of the past into the future.

One of things I would suggest if youre talking about the gaytrans history of an area or indigenous history of an area try to find people talking about it within those communities, Darensbourg said. Try to find historians and writers talking about it from within those communities. Because youll find the knowledge that people have are not new things, we have found out they are things people have been wanting to tell the world for a long time and listen to those voices.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
SOMERS, Conn. (WTNH)  The number one emergency call in the town of Somers isnt for a fire, car crash, or even heart attack.

It is for drug overdoses, and they are all coming from the same place  Osborn Correctional Institution. There was a special town council meeting Wednesday about the 911 calls, which are way up this year compared to last year, and the number one call concerns them the most.

Waterbury man indicted on gun, drug charges

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This is not a one off occurrence, Somers Selectman Bill Meier said. That sometimes happens three times in one day.

Somers officials say drug overdoses are the number one call for Osborne Correctional Institution, with 127 so far in 2025, up from 78 in 2024 to this date.

The Somers Fire Department has four full-time employees. The rest are volunteers, and the added call volume is taking its toll.

I have heard a lot of that feedback from our volunteers for being called up there, and particularly for the overdose calls, Meier said. Im not really able to understand how this many drugs are being smuggled into prison.

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Osborne Correctional Institution is just like the neighbor next door. If they call 911, the fire department will respond. But it does spread them thin, especially when there is a fire or car accident at the same time.

How its pulling our resources, our emergency resources away from our town residence, were not being fairly compensated for these calls, Meier said. So Im hoping that the state will work collaboratively with us on solutions.

For 15 years Steve Twitchell was on the Hazardville Fire Department, which is in the next town over from Somers. He said they are mutual aid partners and have to respond when Somers is out on another call. Officials said this not only depletes Somers, but the fire departments in towns around them.

If its the middle of the night, you still have to go whether its the false alarm or a real thing you know, Twitchell said. I guess my bigger question is, if they have drug overdoses, where are they getting the drugs? How are they getting the drugs in? If you could stop that, youve come a long way.

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We did reach out to the Connecticut Department of Correction to get their side of things and try to understand how it works. We have not heard back from them.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
HIGHLAND, Utah (ABC4)  A Highland man has been charged with threatening to kill his wife and himself after an argument over finances.

The 67-year-old man, who ABC4 is keeping anonymous to protect the victims, is charged with aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, aggravated assault, possession of a dangerous weapon with criminal intent, threat of violence, and interruption of a communication device. All charges had a domestic violence enhancement.

According to charging documents, on June 8, 2025, the man and his 66-year-old wife had an argument about finances at their home in Highland. His wife went into their office to use the computer and check information.

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Convicted stalker and repeat offender arrested again, police say

After she entered the office, the 67-year-old allegedly came in and shut the door behind him. He brandished a rifle with a high-powered scope and a suppressor at the woman and told her he had no choice but to kill her and himself.

The wife called 911, but the 67-year-old grabbed her phone and threw it. Documents say that another family member inside the home heard the woman screaming for help and pleading for her life. The family member called 911.

Officers with the Lone Peak Police Department arrived and were able to get everyone out of the house without incident. Police located a loaded Glock 27 with a bullet in the chamber as well as the rifle that was allegedly used to threaten the woman.

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The 67-year-old man was booked into the Utah County Jail and is currently being held without bail.

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BERLIN, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  A Hinesburg women faces numerous charges after fleeing police at speeds over 100 miles per hour, leading officers on a reportedly lengthy chase Friday while possibly in possession of drugs.

After observing erratic driving, Berlin officers tried to conduct a traffic stop around 1:22 a.m., which is when the vehicle fled at roughly 115MPH.

Authorities were led through Berlin, then Barre Town and City. Officers say that the driver, later identified as 38-year-old Sara Whritenour, was possibly in possession of crack cocaine and had a criminally suspended license while she fled.

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Bus totaled after catching fire in Mount Holly

A spike strip was eventually deployed, but Whritenour still continued to drive miles with deflated tires, swerving into the wrong lane and nearly striking police cruisers. She eventually drove into some ones yard, fled on foot and injured two officers before being brought into custody.

Whritenour had five active arrest warrants. She also had multiple felony charges including felony cocaine possession, multiple counts of retail theft, unlawful trespassing and more as part of her history.

She is set to appear in Washington County Court, Criminal Division on the afternoon of June 13.

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  They first existed in a different form in 1978  and have existed in essentially their current form since 2008  and 30% tax credits for new home solar system installations were scheduled to last another eight years.

Instead, they could end just 60 days after President Trumps Big Beautiful Bill becomes law, warn solar advocates, unless the plan changes in the U.S. Senate, where it is under consideration now after passing the U.S. House late last month.

Companies have built infrastructure. They have created pipelines. They have employed people. Weve had billions of dollars spent on factories to supply solar panels, solar inverters, solar modules, Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), an industry lobby, said in an interview. Two months, she said, are obviously not enough time to change your business model, find new markets  kind of evolve your structure.

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And so we are asking the United States Senate to restore some of those cuts, Ross Hopper said.

Might Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), a member of the chambers energy and national resources committee, consider supporting such a restoration?

The full reconciliation text has not been released from Senate committees, particularly the finance committee, a spokesperson for McCormick said in a statement. We expect there will be changes from the House approved language, but we do not know those details yet. We cannot comment on hypotheticals at this time. Senator McCormick is committed to ensuring Pennsylvania families benefit from this bill, and he will review the legislation carefully when the text is released.

President Trump has said he hopes to sign the bill by July 4.

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The tax credits amount to a 30% refund. A real-world example: A reporter paid $15,366 for a 2-panel solar system to power a home (the systems can be paid for in cash or financed, similar to buying a car), resulting in an extra tax refund of $4,610  thats 30% of $15,366  bringing the total cost down to $10,756 for a system that has eliminated electric bills (in a house that does still rely on natural gas for heat).

In fact, the system generates more electricity than the home needs. That electricity is automatically sold back to the power company at a small profit.

Without the credit, the system cost would have risen from that after-credit price of $10,756 to the original price of $15,366, which is a 43% increase.

Steve Bodley, a retired science teacher who has a (solar-powered) home-based business selling solar power systems for a company called Lifestyle Solar, said 93% of his clients since 2021 have gotten the credits. And although this is harder to know for sure, Bodley estimates 75% of his customers wouldnt have bought their systems if not for the credits.

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Customers are happy to rely on clean energy generated on their own rooftops, but the motivation is not primarily altruistic, Bodley said.

The majority is economics, he said, acknowledging the credits are a subsidy  but saying that only serves to help level the playing field against other forms of energy.

We subsidize every other source of power, Bodley said.

For example, some analysts and critics say tax credits and loan guarantees could save Constellation Energy as much as $200 million if it wins approval to restart one Three Mile Island nuclear reactor as the Crane Clean Energy Center in order to supply power to Microsoft.

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On a larger scale, Ross Hopper cited the Aspen Road Solar farm in Fannett Township, Franklin County  whose owners say it can power 18,000 homes and will contribute $23 million in state and local taxes during its existence  as an example of a project that might not have existed if not for solar tax credits.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The citys pop-up homeless triage operation has returned to Old Stadium Park in the McCully-Moiliili area of South King Street for the third time to provide temporaryand perhaps long-termhousing for a homeless population that grows when other enforcement occurs in nearby Diamond Head, Waikiki and Chinatown.

Honolulus Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Personsor HONUprogram set up at Old Stadium Park on June 2 and was welcomed by some members of the neighborhood board and area businesses.

At the board meetings we hear a lot of complaints,  said Muhammad Anwar Quadri, treasurer of the McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board. Its very bad, the situation in the neighborhood, and its still getting worse.

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He called HONU one of the solutions.

Fellow board member Paul F. Robotti said the homeless population at Old Stadium Park seems to grow whenever they get shooed out of somewhere else because theres no place to go.

Until we come up with a solution, were going to have this problem,  Robotti said. Id like to see the city do more, but its not like theyre sitting on their hands.

Old Stadium Park was the original site of HONU when the concept was launched in 2019 with state support to provide homeless services and temporary shelter around Oahu.

During the COVID-19 era, when Oahu homeless shelters had to restrict intake because of distancing requirements, HONU spent the majority of its time at Keehi Lagoon.

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Its now been deployed for the 14th time after leaving the musubi lot  near Kapolei Hale, where it took in 575 clients.

Out of all of the Kapolei clients, 257 were placed into shelters, 52 were reunited with family, 18 went into treatment and 21 were placed into permanent housing.

Anton Krucky, director of the city department of community services, which oversees HONU operations, agreed with residents that the Old Stadium Park homeless population fluctuates with homeless efforts in nearby communities like Waikiki, Diamond Head and Chinatown.

Six years of experience and 14 HONU deployments have shown even greater successes, he said.

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It operates around the clock with off-duty Honolulu police officers providing security and five to eight case workers offering services for a range of homeless issues, including working with their families to try to reunite them, and getting them into permanent homes, Krucky said.

In its history, HONU has taken in 4, 621 homeless people and 2, 548 of them have moved off the street and into shelters or more permanent housing.

Some 21 % were reunited with their families in Hawaii or on the mainland and 5 % went into treatmentwhether for substance abuse or mental health, Krucky said.

Most of the clients went from HONU into a shelter.

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Notably, the typical length of stay in a HONU has dropped from 23 days to fewer than 10, suggesting clients may now be requiring less intense level of services before moving on.

Angie Knight, spokesperson for the Institute for Human Services, which operates Hawaiis largest homeless shelters, often recommends that clients living on the street check into HONU if bed space gets tight at IHS.

At least it creates a spot for people until we have an opening,  Knight said. It gets them into services, which is great.

HONU typically sets up in city parks in response to community complaints and then moves on to another location after 90 to 120 days.

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Although there may be initial community resistance, by the time HONU starts to pack up people dont want to see us leave,  Krucky said.

Ryan Takayesu, one of the managers at McCully Bicycle & Sporting Goods near Old Stadium Park, said the neighborhood has grown accustomed to homeless people moving in and out of the parkand to the site of HONU operations.

In general, theres always been that population in this area,  Takayesu said. Theyve been here before the pop-up shelter and theyll be here after.

BY THE NUMBERS 6 Years of operation for the citys HONU homeless triage operation.

14 Number of times HONU has been deployed around Oahu.

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4, 621 Total number of homeless people served.

2, 548 Number of clients who have moved into shelters or more permanent housing.

21 Percent of clients who were reunited with their families in Hawaii or on the mainland.

Source : Anton Krucky, director of the city Department of Community Services
MANILA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Embassy in Israel on Friday advised Filipinos to stay inside their homes, to be vigilant, and to seek shelter or a safe room in case a missile alert is issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The Embassy issued the advisory after Israel attacked Iran early Friday in air strikes that targeted the country's military installations.

"For your safety, stay alert, and keep track of urgent emergency alerts," the advisory read.

There are over 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, according to data from the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs. 
While homelessness reports continue to rise across Dallas, new downtown initiatives promise to address these concerns.

Reports of homelessness to the City of Dallas 311 line rose 45 percent in three years, according to Fox 4. But Mark Nunneley, chief accounting officer for Ashford Hospitality Trust, told The Dallas Express recent efforts could help downtown counter the trend.

Nunneley compiles frequent homeless counts and reports for downtown Dallas and shared the latest report for the Central Business District with The Dallas Express.

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The latest report showed that homelessness has fallen from recent highs earlier this year. Homelessness peaked at 266 in late February and 209 in late March but fell to 138 in Aprilthough it increased slightly to 158 in May. Most cases occurred in south-central downtown, near St. Paul St. and I-30.

Downtown Dallas Inc.  which oversees the Dallas Downtown Improvement District  joined the City of Dallas and Dallas Citizens Council last month to launch Safe In The City, as The Dallas Express reported at the time.

Safe In The City operates on a six-point plan for sustained public safety: higher policing, higher security coordination, more rehousing, an expanded community court, de-magnetiz[ing] homeless hotspots, and expanding reentry.

DDI also launched its See Say app several years ago, letting users report non-emergency issues to the Downtown Security, Homeless Outreach, and Clean Team. The app lets residents submit reports and pictures of incidents downtown and text tips to 972-440-1995.

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According to Nunneley, the See Say app has recently brought promising results. He has used it multiple times to report homeless encampments downtown.

Every time Ive done that, within three or four minutes, the DDI security people are showing up and addressing it, Nunneley said. Sometimes its like  literally  theyre blocks away, and theyre there within a minute.

Nunneley said he had used See Say all over the downtown area, including behind the convention center, near Dallas City Hall, and along Cadiz St. and Corsicana St.

See Say responders are limited to downtown property  so they cannot resolve issues on city or private property, according to Nunneley. For example, if an encampment was on public library property, they could not remove it.

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When Nunneley calls 311, the response is not immediate, he said  though they are working on trying to improve that.

Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn expressed frustration with Dallas broader citywide homeless response. As The Dallas Express reported, Mendelsohn is an advocate for homeless reform.

The residents are so fed up, and they are fed up of hearing homelessness is decreasing when they see it every single day, Mendelsohn said recently, according to Fox 4. They report it, it gets closed and it does not get addressed. These are people who truly need help and its not happening.

The Dallas Morning News reported that homelessness was down 5% across Dallas and Collin counties since 2024, citing the point-in-time (PIT) count. But, as The Dallas Express reported, PIT counts in places like California sometimes fail to capture reality.

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Homelessness in cities surrounding Dallas has risen significantly, as The Dallas Express previously reported. The estimated annual cost of homelessness to Dallas taxpayers is $193 million.

The Dallas Express got in touch with DDI, but the group did not comment in time for publication.
The Brief

Several homeowners on one subdivision say they're being told they owe thousands toward an HOA they didn't know existed.

One homeowner was told she owed at least $10,000 in unpaid dues.

Homeowners say they believe the HOA is targeting people who don't owe a lot of money on their homes.

However, the management company for the HOA denies the targeting of homeowners.

HOUSTON - Back in 2019, the Inwood Forest subdivision made headlines for an HOA scandal. The president at the time was criminally charged for stealing money. That made some older homeowners skeptical about paying HOA dues.

Homeowners concerned about Houston HOA

"I'm trying to figure out what is going on," said Lucille North.

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Because of the scandal back in 2019, Lucille says she didn't think the Inwood Forest Village Homeowners Association even existed.

What they're saying

"And I was really confused because I didn't understand how they could foreclose on my home when we didn't have an HOA," she said.

Not only does the HOA exist, it says Lucille owes at least $10,000 in unpaid dues and legal fees. Lucille is just days away from possibly losing the house she's lived in for 29 years.

The HOA referred us to Crest management. Bill Higgins with Crest Management says they try to work with homeowners to avoid foreclosure.

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He says Crest Management oversees 105,000 homes in the greater Houston area and there's only been two foreclosures.

Homeowner Danicia McCray says she would have lost her house to the HOA if she hadn't agreed to a payment plan.

"They would have tried to foreclose on my house, because I owed so little on it," she said. "I wasn't going to let them do that."

In 2023, Jonathan Spence says he paid $5,000 to stop the HOA from foreclosing on his house.

"It seems like people are being targeted who don't owe a lot of money on their homes," he said. "I have under $20,000 to pay my house off and listening to some of the people here, they are targeting people with low balances."

Dig deeper

Crest Management denies targeting homeowners who are close to owning their homes, saying they have no way of knowing that information.

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"Most of our neighbors have the same problem where they don't receive that mail letting them know that fines are being accumulated on top of fines," said homeowner Manuel Mazariego.

Crest Management says after two letters are sent, homeowners receive notices by certified mail.

"The money they are collecting from the people that are paying their dues, where is that?" said homeowner Cinda Jones.

"Since I've been here, the pool has never been open," said Danicia.

Crest Management says it's been in recovery mode since taking over about a year ago and is trying to make the HOA financially solvent, so improvements can be made, like opening the pool.

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Higgins says the HOA financials are posted every month on its website.

The other side

FOX 26's Randy Wallace received regarding his story,

"As a follow-up to our discussion earlier today.

Inwood Forest Village is governed by a volunteer board of directors that were elected by the homeowners of the community. All 5 board members live in the community. The most recent annual meeting and election was in January 2025. The annual meeting notice was mailed to all homeowners of record, and an email was sent out to all homeowners that registered their email address with the association.

Notices of deed restriction violations are sent by US Mail, the first 2 notices by first class mail and the 3rd notice by certified mail as required by the Texas Property Code. Assessment notices, including a copy of the annual budget, are sent by US mail, with the first 2 notices by first class mail and the 3rd notice by certified mail for those homeowners that have not paid. Homeowners are notified in these mailings that they can enter into a payment plan if they are unable to pay the annual assessment in full. We have provided copies of letters to those homeowners that have asked, including the certified tracking number where applicable.

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The board of directors hold monthly board meetings where all homeowners can attend. Notices of these board meetings are emailed to all homeowners that have registered their email address with the association. In addition, registered homeowners can access the associations monthly financial reports on the website we maintain.

The Inwood Forest Village board of directors works very transparently to govern the community and make decisions that are in the best interest of the association and all homeowners. They have worked with individual homeowners to provide solutions for delinquent assessments and extra time when needed for deed restriction violations. The board is working diligently on all of the maintenance needs of the association, limited by available funds.

- Bill Higgins, President, Crest Management Company"

The Source

FOX 26 Reporter spoke with several residents as well as Crest Management Company
Oklahoma homeowners are getting hit with some of the highest insurance rates in the country, with many paying nearly three times the national average, reported Oklahoma Watch.

While state officials blame hail damage for the sky-high costs, weather experts say the data tells a different story.

What's happening?

Oklahomans now pay an average of $4,651 to insure a $300,000 home, more than double the national average. Even more shocking, residents spend 6.84% of their annual income on homeowners insurance compared to just 2.41% nationwide.

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The state's insurance commissioner points to hail as the main culprit. But meteorologists aren't buying it.

"They might just say, 'Oh, I don't know, it's hail,' just so people stop asking questions," said Bruce Thoren, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, per Oklahoma Watch.

The numbers back up his skepticism. Data from 20202024 cited by the publication shows Oklahoma averaged 16.6 days of significant hail annually. Meanwhile, Texas, which has much lower insurance rates, dealt with 37.8 days of hail during the same period.

Why are these insurance rates concerning?

These inflated rates create a double burden for families already facing rising costs everywhere else. When spending nearly 7% of your income just to protect your home, that's money you can't put toward other necessities or savings.

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The real problem appears to be a regulatory loophole created in 1999. Originally designed to increase competition in business insurance, the law was quietly expanded to cover homeowners insurance in 2004.

Now, as Oklahoma Watch noted, Oklahoma's insurance department will step in if rates go too low, but it won't regulate when they spike upward.

This hands-off approach lets insurance companies raise rates to cover losses from other states, leaving Oklahoma families holding the bag.

Do you think your energy bills are too high? Always Usually Only in certain months Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"They're not supposed to do that," Oklahoma City insurance attorney Simone Fulmer told the publication, though she observed there's little in state law to prevent it.

What's being done about these high rates?

Consumer advocates are calling for regulatory reform to bring Oklahoma in line with states like Texas, where the law requires that insurance rates be neither too low nor too high.

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The Oklahoma Insurance Department can investigate whether the market is competitive, but only if someone files a formal complaint. In over 20 years, this has happened just once, and ironically, the insurance commissioner served as both the person bringing the complaint and the judge deciding the outcome.

If you're frustrated with your insurance rates, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Its Oklahoma City office can be reached at 405-521-2828, and the Tulsa office at 918-295-3700.

You can also support candidates who prioritize consumer protection over insurance industry interests.

As Oklahoma Watch noted, campaign finance records show the top donors of Oklahoma Insurance Department Commissioner Glen Mulready have consistently been insurance companies, sometimes outspending other groups by four to one.

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.








Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Three Honduran nationals were indicted for allegedly distributing illegal drugs throughout Salt Lake County. Police seized 52,000 fentanyl pills and over $47,000 in cash.

Jairo Roney Cabrera-Escoto, 40, of North Carolina and Cristian Eriberto Romero-Soto, 24, and Daniel Jose Felix-Aleman, 24, both of Sandy, Utah were indicted on April 16 in federal court.

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According to a press release from the Utah District U.S. Attorneys Office, they were indicted in April, but the documents were just unsealed Thursday.

Reportedly, the three men were living in the U.S. illegally.

The three men are being charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute heroin, among other charges. Romero-Soto is charged with reentry of a previously removed alien in addition to the drug-related charges.

The investigation began in November 2024, when detectives with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force began investigating a group for distributing illegal drugs in Salt Lake County. Officials say that undercover agents purchased fentanyl during several controlled purchases.

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Highland man threatened to kill his wife and himself with rifle over financial dispute, charges say

In April, agents executed a search warrant on vehicles and a residence in Sandy, and approximately 32,000 fentanyl pills, drug packing materials, and $42,000 in cash were seized. That is when Felix-Aleman was arrested.

The same day, several other search warrants were executed in Sandy, and approximately 20,000 fentanyl pills, several cell phones, drug packing materials, and over $5,000 in cash was seized. Romero-Soto was arrested following the search.

Cabrera-Escoto was arrested on June 6 in the Middle District of North Carolina.

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Romero-Soto and Felix-Aleman had their initial court appearances on April 18, and Cabrera-Escoto will have his initial appearance at a later date, according to officials.

The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Utah County Major Crimes Task Force, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Charlotte-based tech company Honeywell said it is in a legal battle with what it calls a patent troll.

According to the Charlotte Observer, Honeywell and Patent Armory Incorporated are suing each other.

ALSO READ: Cooper attends official opening of Honeywells global headquarters in uptown

Patent Armory claims Honeywells customer service system infringes on their patents.

Honeywell accuses Patent Armory of suing large companies in the hope of getting a settlement before cases go to court.

VIDEO: Cooper attends official opening of Honeywells global headquarters in uptown
HONG KONG (AP)  A Hong Kong group that advocated for workers rights for decades announced its shutdown abruptly on Thursday, citing financial difficulties and debt issues.

China Labor Bulletin planned to stop updating its website content and appeared to have deleted Facebook and Instagram social media accounts used by the nonprofit rights organization.

The company can no longer maintain operations and has decided to dissolve and initiate the relevant procedures, it said in a statement on an archived web page Friday.

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Founded in 1994, the organization maintained a database tracking workers strikes, protests, workplace accidents and other labor rights incidents in China.

As dozens of civil society groups disbanded or left Hong Kong in the wake of the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law, China Labor Bulletin continued providing valuable resources for journalists and academics in the southern Chinese city.

Critics say the drastic political changes in Hong Kong indicated the decline of Western-style civil liberties that China promised to keep intact when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. However, Beijing and Hong Kong governments insisted the law was crucial to bring stability to the city following massive anti-government protests in 2019.

China Labor Bulletin's founder Han Dongfang, a former railway worker who participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. He told the Central News Agency of Taiwan that the shutdown was his decision and he would stay in Hong Kong.

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Han's decision appeared sudden to many Hong Kong civil society observers. Three weeks ago, he wrote on social media platform LinkedIn about his work anniversary and his team's progress.

Let's keep our faith up at this abnormal time and continue our important work, he said.
LEBANON  An anniversary commemoration of the founding of the United States Army will be held at the War Office in Lebanon this weekend.

The commemoration will be held Saturday at the War Office, 149 West Town Street, Lebanon.

The First Congregational Church bells, designed by Colonel John Trumbull, painter of the American Revolution, will ring 13 times for the 13 American colonies at 1 p.m. to start the ceremony.

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The ceremony is open to the public and is being held by the Sons of the American Revolution. There will also be a National SAR special grave marking ceremony at the tomb of General George Washington, as Commander-in-Chief, at Mount Vernon.

Its a very important day in U.S. history, said Todd Gerlander, chairman of the CTSSAR Historic Sites & Celebrations-America 250 Committee. This was the start of the United States Army, with the creation of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775.

The day after, General George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief. The Continental Army would go on to defeat the British during the American Revolution.

All of our 250th anniversary celebrations are a little bit different, depending on the historical event were commemorating, Gerlander said. We will have a speaker on the Continental Army (he will also be dressed as a Continental soldier), and we will have a modern U.S. Army soldier to compare and contrast.

There will also be a display of the Continental soldiers inside the war office.

As June 14 also marks Flag Day, an outdoor flag display will be on display, weather permitting.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Senators from the Pacific Northwest are reacting Thursday after a U.S. senator was taken to the ground and handcuffed at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Senator Alejandro Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed from the press conference after introducing himself and saying he had questions for Noem amid immigration raids in his state that have led to protests.

Videos of the incident shows officers aggressively pushing Padilla out of Noems press conference and eventually restraining him on the floor outside the room.

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Oregon joins brief opposing Trumps military deployment to California

Sen. Jeff Merkley says what happened is an overstep by the FBI and police, resembling that of a dictatorship.

Its about not wanting to hear a voice of dissent, he said. Our constitution is based on the freedom of assembly and the freedom of speech and the freedom to petition your government with grievances and that was exactly what he was doing. He has a grievance, he feels it is outrageous  and so do I and I must say, much of the nation  that the president overrode the governor of California and the mayor of L.A. and has poured gasoline on this fire.

When speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Ron Wyden put forth what he believes to be the potential broader significance of this incident.

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It is a horrifying video, truly horrifying, he said. And Im of the view, Mr. President, why I especially wanted to come to the floor, it is not about it happening to a United States senator. Here is what its about: If theyll do this to a sitting United States senator in front of a roomful of media, imagine what is being done to powerless people in secret.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said it was the closest she had come to tearing up on the floor in her 32 years in the Senate.

It is unacceptable that a United States senator in his own home state, elected by millions of people, went to ask a question for his constituents to get an answer and was brutally thrown to the ground and handcuffed, Murray emphasized. That is wrong and I cannot believe that we dont have senators on both sides of the aisle calling this out as outrageous.

Former Washington state worker claims she was ousted over trans athlete vote

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Senate Republicans were mostly silent on the situation. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said that he would have a response, but I want to know the facts, find out exactly what happened.

In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said Padilla chose disrespectful political theater and interrupted a live news conference. They defended the officers conduct and claimed erroneously that Padilla did not identify himself and said the Secret Service believed him to be an attacker.

The Democrats described Padilla, the son of immigrants from Mexico, as a kind and gentle person and said that disrespect is not a crime in the United States. They also invoked the end of Trumps last presidency, when a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol and sent them running.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  An Horry County sheriffs office lieutenant testified Friday morning in the murder trial of Meagan Jackson, whos accused of killing 46-year-old Gregory Rice in 2020.

Rice, the father of Jacksons four children, was reported missing by Jackson on Oct. 5, 2020. His body was found on Nov. 8, 2020, in the Little Pee Dee River near Pitts Landing off of Highway 378 at the Horry and Marion county line.

Jackson and Christopher Dontell, who worked as an Horry County deputy coroner at the time, were arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy in connection with Rices death. It was later learned they were having an affair that began in late 2019.

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Dontell is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in early December to accessory and conspiracy charges and agreeing to testify against Jackson, which he did on Thursday.

Sheriffs Lt. Ben Wells took the stand Friday morning in Horry County Circuit Court as a fourth day of testimony began. He testified about extracting evidence from phones belonging to Jackson and Erica Dontell, Christopher Dontells wife, and about anonymous text messages that were found, including one that said the girl that is pregnant is Meagan.

The testimony prompted Jacksons defense lawyers to argue that it was misleading by prosecutors to say that Jackson sent the messages.

During Thursdays testimony, told how he drove Jacksons van into Rices neighborhood the night he said Jackson shot Rice in front of him and was emotional as he recounted the nights leading up to Rices death.

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Dontell claimed Jackson shot Rice many times, cursing at him to help her put his body in the back of her van. He said he worked for a body transport company for many years and was put in charge of helping train Jackson when she joined the company.

During his testimony, Dontell said he had used a tarp hed purchased to wrap Rices body before disposing of it in the river. Dontell says he was worried Jackson would kill him if he didnt help.

I pulled up in front of him, it was like one swift move. She opened the door, flipped out and was pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, Dontell testified. I asked her what happened. Why did you do that? She didnt say much. She told me to go to the funeral home, and I just remember the complete nonchalance, like this was a minor inconvenience that we were going through.

* * *

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

* * *

Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

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LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Whoever said you cant tame a wild horse has never met these former mustangs in Lebanon County.

The Pennsylvania Bureau of Land Management brought horses and burros from the American West to the Midstate this week, and Pennsylvanians can adopt them.

Training a wild horse differs from training one that was born in captivity, but experts say the effort is worth it.

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These end up being very loyal horses, said Shannon McCrory from the Bureau of Land Management. We have people coming back year after year, telling us incredible stories about what theyve done with the horses.

The animals will be up for adoption at Shale Knoll Arena in Annville until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 13, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

Wild mustang trainer and owner of Havens Hideout Ranch, Doug Havens, said, mustangs make great horses. I have them in my trail riding program. We put kids on them, adults, older people. And theyre very sure-footed. They can go almost anywhere.

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BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolence to Britain's King Charles III over the heavy British casualties caused by the crash of an Air India flight.

In his message, Xi expressed shock upon learning of the crash of an Air India flight, which caused heavy British casualties.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, expressed deep condolences to the victims, conveyed sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured an early recovery.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a message of condolence to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 
Hossein Salami, the commander of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was among the senior Iranian officials killed in Israels sweeping air strikes that began on Thursday.

A longtime confidant of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Salami rose up the ranks in Iran, becoming head of the IRGC in 2019, when he replaced Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Like many of his contemporaries, Salamis formative years came during the Iran-Iraq war that pitted the neighbours against each other and killed hundreds of thousands of people between 1980 and 1988.

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Salami began his IRGC career during the war and is reported to have fought in several battles and held leadership positions.

His wartime experience gave him a badge of legitimacy that was one of the reasons he was then able to rise through the IRGC ranks. By 2005, Salami had been appointed as commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, where he was responsible for ballistic missile and drone development, before being appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the IRGC in 2009.

Sanctions

As is the case for many in the upper echelons of the Iranian military apparatus, Salami was subject to sanctions in 2007 by the United States for his role in missile development. The United Nations Security Council also sanctioned him for the same reason the year before.

Salami was also subject to Canadian sanctions for his role in subduing antigovernment protests in 2022, while the European Union sanctioned him for his involvement in supplying drones to Russia for military operations in Ukraine.





During his leadership of the IRGC, Iran strengthened the so-called Axis of Resistance, a group of allied countries and groups across the Middle East who were funded or acted in coordination with the IRGC, including Syria under the Bashar al-Assad regime, the Lebanese group Hezbollah, the Palestinian group Hamas, Yemens Houthi rebels and allied Shia groups in Iraq.

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We shall fight them [our enemies] on the global level, not just in one spot, Salami was quoted as saying. Our war is not a local war. We have plans to defeat the world powers.





Death

With hearts filled with sorrow and grief, we mourn the unjust martyrdom of the loyal and steadfast commander, Major-General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the IRGC said in a statement reported by IRNA, the Iranian news agency, on Friday.

Salami died in an air strike, according to Iranian media. The attacks killed many of the top military figures in Iran and notable nuclear scientists. Iran has responded by attacking Israel with ballistic missiles  the very weapon Salami had such an important role in developing for the country.

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After Salamis assassination, Ahmad Vahidi was announced as his successor.

On a human level you will have gaps of knowledge when you assassinate people who decide military strategy, are fluent in multiple languages, have personal networks and charisma within the command chain, Reza H Akbari, Middle East and North Africa programme manager at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, told Al Jazeera.

But its difficult to destroy an existing structure that goes with existing nuclear knowledge and the command chain within the military and security apparatus of the country.




It was around three oclock in the morning when the first sounds of explosions could be heard across Tehran.

Many in Irans capital were jolted awake as missiles descended on the city.

Soon afterwards, images of apartment blocks crumbling to the ground started to surface on social media.

It was the start of a three-pronged attack that included precision missile strikes on generals, fighter jet attacks on nuclear sites and Mossad agents infiltrating the country.

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So far, strikes on more than a dozen sites across the Islamic Republic have been confirmed.

While most in Iran already knew who was responsible, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, put any uncertainty to rest by confirming the attacks within the hour.

Mr Netanyahu said Operation Rising Lion had been successfully carried out to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.

He warned: We will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Credit: Reuters

How attack played out, hour by hour

3am (12:30am BST)

The attacks appeared to have begun with between six and nine explosions in Tehran that were concentrated on neighbourhoods hosting military personnel as well as nuclear scientists.

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In Mahallati, a residential area in the north-eastern part of the capital in which large numbers of military officials live, the top floors of an apartment complex were blown out.

In Narmak, a residential area near Mahallati, huge smoke clouds were seen rising from buildings. At least five people have been confirmed dead in the neighbourhood, with another 20 injured.

Videos also showed apartment buildings in flames in the Farahzad neighbourhood of Tehran.

The top layer of Irans military command was being decapitated.

4am (1:30am BST)

Explosions were heard in the cities of Isfahan, Arak and Kermanshah, and videos later showed plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. All three cities host important nuclear sites.

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Arak hosts the IR-40 heavy water nuclear reactor and has the capacity to produce plutonium, a key ingredient to build nuclear weapons.

Isfahan is also home to a number military facilities, including nuclear sites, a major airbase and factories associated with Irans drone programme and other military production.

Smoke was also seen coming from Kermanshahs missile site, which is near the Iraq border and stores Irans ballistic missiles.

People in Isfahan took to the streets to demand revenge for the attacks on their city. In Kermanshah, long lines of cars were seen queuing for petrol.

4:30am (2am BST)

Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, became one of the first senior international officials to speak out on the attacks when he published a statement denying any US involvement and telling Iran it should not target US interests or personnel.

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Shortly after the attacks on the residential parts of Tehran, Israel also reportedly targeted six military bases that surround the capital, including Parchin, a massive complex located approximately 20 miles south-east of Tehran and known to produce chemical weapons.

Around this time, there were also reports a of strikes in the western city of Piranshahr, near the Iraq border. Footage of the scene showed several secondary explosions as the strikes hit a munitions storage.

Iraq, which shares a long border with Iran, announced that it had closed its airspace.

5am (2:30am BST)

Another round of attacks began at around 5am.

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Immediately after news of the strikes on the capital, reports of attacks against Irans Natanz nuclear facility emerged. The site, one of the countrys key enrichment facilities, is approximately three hours south of Tehran.

Videos captured clouds of smoke rising from the facility, which is partially above ground and partially below.

Irans atomic energy agency said the facility was damaged, but the International Atomic Energy Agency, which monitors nuclear weapons, later said there was no sign of increased radiation levels.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has since claimed a significant victory in its attack on the site, the largest uranium enrichment facility in Iran.

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A spokesman said Israeli bombers managed to damage the underground floors of the complex, as well as supporting infrastructure.

On Friday afternoon, the first satellite images showed multiple damaged buildings and multiple impact sites.

Nuclear sites at Khorramabad and Khondab were also targeted, according to Iran International English news agency. Simultaneous strikes were also reported in Hamedan, a mountainous city in western Iran.

At this time, Iranian state TV also reported that Israel had hit the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), part of the armed forces and one of the most powerful organisations in the country.

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State media said Major General Hossein Salami, the head of the IRGC, was killed in the attack  a major scalp for Israel.

Meanwhile, early reports surfaced of Mossad, Israels intelligence agency, leading a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran.

5:30am (3am BST)

General Salami was the first senior Iranian official to be confirmed dead.

Around this time, General Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander-in-chief of Irans armed forces, as well as two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were all confirmed dead. A total of six Iranian nuclear scientists are confirmed to have died.

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Tehranchi was the head of the Islamic Azad University, while Abbasi was the former chief of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran.

Later on Friday, more details emerged on the covert Mossad mission deep into Iranian territory. It appears Israel managed to build a drone base near Tehran and then smuggle weapons parts and commandos to it ahead of the operation.

Credit: Mossad via Sent Defender / X

In addition, vehicles carrying missile systems were smuggled into Iran. These took out air defences, giving Israeli jets easier access to their targets on the ground.

Meanwhile, the drones were activated overnight, striking surface-to-surface missile sites.

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Reports of attacks in Tabriz, a commerce hub in north-western Iran, and Ilam, a city in the west, not far from the Iraq border, also began trickling in.

Israels ambassador to the UN told CNN that Israel had an ongoing dialogue with the US, but that its strikes against Iran were an independent decision. He also cautioned against speculation about whether the US would assist Israel in the event of a retaliatory attack.

Israel announced that Tel Aviv airport would be shut until further notice.

6am (3:30am BST)

A third wave of attacks began around 6am, targeting radar and air defences across the country.

Explosions were heard in Ahvaz, a city in southern Iran, which is home to one of the richest oil fields in the world.

Shortly before 6am, reports surfaced that Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Ali Khamenei, Irans Supreme Leader, and a secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, had been critically injured in a targeted strike against his home in Tehran. He was later confirmed to have died.

Images showed his apartment, on the top floors of an 11-storey tower, covered in dust.

At around 6am Iranian time, Donald Trump, the US president, announced that he would convene a national security meeting in five hours to discuss Israels attacks.

Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesman for Irans armed forces, also made his first public statement, saying that Israel and the US wuld receive a forceful slap and a retaliation attack is definite. He said Israel would pay a heavy price.

Iran announced that it would be closing its air space until further notice. It had already suspended all flights in and out of Tehran.

6:30am (4am BST)

Iran fired 100 drones towards Israel, General Effie Defrin, an IDF military spokesman, confirmed, but these would take several hours to reach Israel.

Khamenei delivered his first statement following the attacks, saying Israel would receive a harsh punishment for its wicked and bloody hand in a crime against Iran.

Social media

He also said that Israel has prepared a bitter fate for itself and the attacks revealed the countrys vile nature.

Eyal Zamir, Israels military chief of staff, also announced that the country was mobilising tens of thousands of soldiers and preparing across all borders.

7am (4:30am BST)

Israel confirmed that it used 200 jets to strike approximately 100 targets.

11:30am (9am BST)

An IDF official told CNN that Israel had started to intercept the Iranian drones and shoot them down.

Friday afternoon

As Friday progressed, it became clear that Israels operation was no one-off nighttime raid, with reports of further strikes as the day went on.

By the afternoon, the IDF said they were focusing on surface-to-surface missile arrays, an indication that, having stirred the hornets nest, their aim was to reduce Irans ability to retaliate against Israeli civilians.

This included the targeting of missile sites in western Iran with a unique launch mechanism, embedded within shipping containers.

Shortly before 6pm, Benjamin Netanyahu went on television again and said that he had given the order to target Iran as far back as November 2024.

Credit: Reuters

He said he believed that the assassination of Hezbollah leader Nassan Nasrallah in Lebanon would push Iran to quicken its nuclear programme, given the collapse of its proxy network.

Over the afternoon, significant strikes were also reported at Nojeh airbase and Tabriz airport, as well as the Alman Ali missile base near Khorrumuad.

By this time, Irans leaders had rallied at least enough to issue more verbal threats against Israel.

Mohammad Pakpour, newly appointed commander of the IRGC said the gates of hell will open on the Jewish state.

Red flags flew above buildings in Tehran, indicating revenge.

President Trump made a number of comments to reporters on the strikes. Urging Iran to return to the negotiating table, he said he had tried to save them from humiliation and death.

The president added that he was not concerned about the risks of a regional war.

He also pushed back against suggestions that the US had been tipped off at the last minute, insisting he had been kept fully informed.

Shortly after 7pm local time in Israel, video began to come through purporting to show airstrikes on the Fordow enrichment site.

The facility is buried deep beneath a mountain and is far harder to destroy than the Natanz plant that was hit the night before.

It is considered the crucial piece of the jigsaw if Israel wants to claim it has meaningfully set back Irans programme.

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House Republican appropriators agreed Thursday to several checks on recent controversial Pentagon moves in their $832 billion defense budget plan for fiscal 2026, including a ban on using any money for military personnel to conduct law enforcement duties on U.S. soil.

But the spending plan still drew significant criticism from Democratic lawmakers who objected to restrictions on abortion care for troops, insufficient funds to support Ukraine and missing budget justifications from the administration on how hundreds of billions of dollars will be spent.

The funding bill  which heads to the full chamber for consideration later this summer  includes a 3.8% pay raise for troops in 2026 and plans to trim 45,000 civilian employees from the departments workforce in a cost-cutting move.

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Administration officials have billed it as the first $1 trillion defense budget, pairing the appropriations request with an expected $150 billion funding boost for military programs in the Republican-backed reconciliation package winding through Congress. Without that money, the defense budget would see no increase from fiscal 2025 levels.

House panel pushes ahead $453 billion funding plan for VA next year

In a statement Thursday, Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the appropriations committees defense panel, praised the funding plan as investing significantly in modernization of the force, maintaining U.S. maritime and air dominance, fostering both innovation and the production capacity it relies upon, air and missile defense, and support for service members and their families.

But he also acknowledged Democratic complaints about incomplete funding requests from the administration, and said he hopes those information gaps will be filled in coming weeks.

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The committee approved the bill largely along party lines (only one Democrat, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, voted for it) after more than eight hours of debate and delays, with numerous Democratic amendments rejected by the GOP majority.

But Republicans did go along with several provisions touching on recent department controversies.

Language offered by Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., and approved by the committee would block the use of funds to skirt the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of military personnel for civilian law enforcement.

The provision came in response to the Trump administrations recent decision to deploy National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to help with immigration enforcement efforts, over the objections of city and state officials.

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Calvert and other Republicans backed the measure without offering any direct criticism of President Donald Trumps decision.

The committee also approved a Democratic-led amendment to block defense officials from sharing classified information on unsecured networks, a measure aimed at Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths use of the privately-owned Signal app earlier this year to discuss overseas airstrikes with senior administration leaders.

And the legislation calls for a full accounting of money spent on the Army 250th anniversary celebrations, scheduled for this weekend. The event  which coincides with Trumps 79th birthday  has seen its size and scope balloon by tens of millions of dollars as White House officials have mandated a larger and larger celebration.

Other Democratic-led proposals on restricting Trumps use of a Qatari plane as the new Air Force One, blocking the renaming of Navy ships and returning to previous policies allowing travel stipends to help pay for abortion-related care were all rejected.

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Republicans also included language in the final bill which would block any diversity and inclusion programming at the Defense Department and severely limit health care options for transgender troops or family members, both priorities of the administration.

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans expressed stronger concerns about the missing budget information, but said they hope to move soon on their own version of the defense spending package. Both chambers will have to adopt their own drafts of the appropriations measures before negotiating a final budget compromise to be sent to the president to become law.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)  A top Republican in the South Carolina House is calling for the expulsion of a now-suspended state representative accused of using a social messaging app to distribute child sexual abuse material.

State Rep. RJ May (R-Lexington), 38, was taken into custody June 11 in Lexington County following a more than one-year-long investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation crimes.

A Greenville grand jury indicted May on 10 counts of distributing child sexual abuse material, and a federal judge ordered him Thursday to remain behind bars while awaiting trial.

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House Majority Leader Davey Hiott (R-Pickens) said in a statement Friday that he has filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee to investigate not only Mr. May, but his business dealings with other members of the State House of Representatives.

First and foremost, we are deeply disturbed by the charges against Mr. May, and we stand fully behind law enforcement in ensuring that anyone who commits these crimes is punished to the fullest extent of the law, Hiott said, adding The conduct these charges allege are reprehensible, vile, and have no place in our society, let alone in the House of Representatives.

It marks the first step in the process toward formally expelling May from the chamber, which would ultimately require a two-thirds vote once the ethics investigation has concluded.

House Speaker Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) confirmed June 12 that May had been suspended without pay but declined further comment.

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State law requires the House Speaker to immediately suspend any member indicted on a felony charge in state or federal court. The suspension remains in effect until the member is acquitted, convicted, pleads guilty, or pleads no contest.

The governor cannot unilaterally expel members of the General Assembly.

The West Columbia lawmaker has represented District 88 since 2021 and helped form the hardline conservative South Carolina Freedom Caucus. He also founded Ivory Tusk Consulting, a political consulting and public relations firm for Republicans.

Freedom Caucus Chair Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said May was expelled from the group following news of the indictment but has not been involved with its operations since last August.

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Pace, along with other members, has called for Mays immediate resignation.

The allegations

Prosecutors said the investigation began in April 2024 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber-tip from the social messaging app Kik, which had flagged several videos depicting child sexual abuse shared from the user joebidennnn69.

At least 10 videos were shared from the account, which was later traced to Mays West Columbia home IP address and mobile device.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations seized nearly three dozen electronic devices belonging to May last August as part of the ongoing criminal investigation, according to a federal court filing. Those included laptops, cell phones, hard drives, and other devices.

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A motion filed by federal prosecutors states that May used Kik to participate in multiple group chats dedicated to the trading of child pornography, distributing approximately 220 different videos about 479 times over five days in early April, including instances where the same video was shared multiple times.

The document contains graphic details about the contents of the videos and states that Mays activity on the app reveals he has sexual interest in children the same age as his own [two] children and a sexual interest in incest between parents and children.

This story is breaking and may be updated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House passed a bill this week to cut funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting as part of the presidents efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.

Republicans are attacking Elmo, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said during debate on the House floor Thursday.

I never realized Elmo was more important to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle than the American people, Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said.

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Sesame Street characters were part of the debate Thursday as House lawmakers voted to cut $1.1 billion in funding for PBS and NPR, and $8.3 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Three million for Iraqi Sesame Street. I mean, Lord knows the Iraqi children need a little Big Bird in their life, right? McClain asked.

Republicans narrowly passed the package of $9.4 billion in cuts requested by the president, by a vote of 214 to 212.

North Carolina Congressman Mark Harris says this is a step toward stopping out-of-control spending.

If we continue on our track, our grandchildren will be enslaved to a debt that will dwarf our current monstrosity, Harris said.

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GOP lawmakers argued public media is biased and many foreign aid programs are wasteful.

DEI musicals in Ireland, Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) said.

A million dollars on voter ID in Haiti, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) said.

Democrats, meanwhile, slammed the bill.

Massachusetts Congresswoman Katherine Clark said public media, especially at the local level, keeps people safe.

You are defunding emergency broadcasts during hurricane season, tornado season, wildfire season, Clark said.

Congressman Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) says foreign aid funding saves lives.

There will be people who will die, Cohen said. Dont end it. Mend it. This is a terrible bill.

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Democrats say those cuts will leave space for adversaries to step in.

And do you know who will come out ahead? China, Russia, Iran, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

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June 12 (UPI) -- The House of Representatives narrowly approved axing $8.3 billion in funding for the U.S. Agency for International Development and another $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on Thursday.

The House voted 214-212 to approve the rescissions package of bills and send them to the Senate, which could pass the measures with a simple majority.

The measures were passed after two House Republicans switched their votes after initially opposing their passage.

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Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Nick LaLota of New York opposed the rescission bills but voted for the measure with strong encouragement from House GOP leadership.

Four other GOP House members, Nicole Malliotakis of New York, Mark Amodei of Nevada, Mike Turner of Ohio and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania voted with 208 House Democrats to oppose the rescission package.

Four Democrats and two Republican House members did not vote on the rescission package.

The formerly Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency recommended the rescissions after reviewing USAID, PBS and NPR spending.

"I want to thank DOGE for their heroic and patriotic efforts," House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters afterward.

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"What we're trying to do is ensure that every dollar spent by the federal government is used efficiently and effectively," Johnson said.

Johnson conferred with LaLota and Bacon on the House floor while the vote was still open, but passage looked doubtful until they changed their votes.

LaLota said the conversation between him and Johnson involved state and local tax cuts in New York that are part of the "one big beautiful bill" that Trump wants passed to fund the federal government for the 2026 fiscal year.

"I had some conversations with the speaker that raised my level of confidence that will put this and future issues in the right trajectory," LaLota told reporters afterward.

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Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., also joined Johnson and LaLota for the floor conversation and then voted in favor of the measure.

Bacon had announced on Monday that he wouldn't support the rescission package "if it guts an AIDS relief program," namely the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which was started by former President George W. Bush.

President Donald Trump posted to Truth Social in April that "Republicans must defund and totally disassociate themselves from NPR and PBS," further calling the stations "radical-left monsters."

Johnson has called the request an opportunity to cancel "wasteful spending" that would "ensure greater accountability in government going forward."

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"There is no reason for any media organization to be singled out to receive federal funds, especially those who appear to have so little regard for the truth," Johnson previously said.

As for USAID, Johnson said DOGE "went after USAID first for their review, their audits," because it allegedly "opposed the loudest of this accountability measure," which "put the scrutiny targets on their own backs."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accused House Republicans of "debating legislation that targets Elmo and Big Bird and Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street" instead of legislation that could help the nation and its economy during floor debate on Thursday.

Congress has the ability to cancel funds that the federal government had previously appropriated but hasn't spent under the rescissions process.

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The president can temporarily defer or withhold such funds, but only with the approval of Congress.

Republicans currently hold a seven-seat majority in the House. In the case of the Senate, where there are 53 Republicans among its 100 seats, rescission bills only require a simple majority.
The Brief

George Bush Intercontinental Airport air operations were breached on Thursday night.

Houston police said a black SUV hit a gate.

Authorities said they are working to locate the vehicle involved.

HOUSTON - Officials are confirming to FOX 26 that the air operations area of George Bush Intercontinental Airport was breached on Thursday evening.

Houston airport air operations breached, officials say

What we know

According to Houston airport officials, an unauthorized vehicle accessed a service road at a cargo area at George Bush Intercontinental Airport around 8 p.m.

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Officials said flight operations were immediately halted as a precaution, so Houston Airports could perform a security sweep and confirm the vehicle had exited the secured area.

Airport officials said no one was hurt, and no damage was done to the airport.

Officials said operations resumed at Bush Intercontinental Airport around 9 p.m.

The incident is under investigation.

What we don't know

It's unclear yet why the vehicle breached the airport operations area.

What they're saying

"Houston Airports has a multi-layered and dynamic security approach. The airport system works with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Houston Police Department (HPD), security contractors, employees and other airport stakeholders on this approach."

The Source

Information from the Houston Police Department.
Sanaa (dpa)  Yemens Iran-backed Houthi militia strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes that targeted Tehran and other Iranian cities early Friday, calling the attack illegal and unjustified.

In a sharply worded statement, the Houthis described the strikes as part of a new episode in the chain of Zionist arrogance, allegedly backed by direct US involvement.

The militia accused Washington and its allies of systematically escalating tensions against the Islamic Republic through both diplomatic pressure and military action.

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This brutal aggression follows a campaign of unjust sanctions and hostile policies, under the guise of international institutions like the IAEA, the statement said.

The Houthis framed the assault as an attempt to punish Iran for its steadfast support of the Palestinian people and resistance movements in the region.

They expressed confidence that Tehran would not waver in its backing for the Palestinian cause, despite pressure or sacrifice.

We are certain that Iran will remain a pillar of support for the oppressed and continue to confront what is considered the crime of the century, the statement read.

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Offering condolences to the Iranian people and leadership, the Houthis also voiced confidence in Irans ability to respond to any violation of its sovereignty.

The group held Israel and its international partners, foremost among them the United States, fully responsible for the consequences of the attack.

Igniting fires in the region will only burn the fingers of those who lit them, the pro-Iranian militia warned.
Beloved American restaurant chain Hooters is going through some hard times, filing for bankruptcy earlier this year and abruptly closing several restaurants across the country earlier this month. But it sounds like professional wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is doing what he can to try to save the iconic chicken wings restaurant.

Hulk Hogan's beer brand, Real American Beer, is spearheading a bid for the entire Hooters of America business, including the chain's restaurants, according to a report from Business Insider.

Real American Beer CEO Terri Francis confirmed this move to the outlet as he made it clear that the wrestling legend was all in on saving the Hooters brand.

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"Hulk Hogan and Real American Beer are fully committed to protecting and revitalizing the iconic American brand Hooters," Francis told Business Insider.

If the bid to purchase Hooters is successful, a source familiar with the situation told Business Insider that the group would look to bring new revenue streams to the struggling restaurant, including merchandise.

The group would also like to find ways to get customers  especially a younger demographic  to come back into the restaurant.

"Cheap beer and fattening wings aren't the food or drink of the younger generation," the person told Business Insider. "Hulk can solve that."

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Despite the recent struggles, Hooters has continually reiterated that the brand is not going anywhere.

"Hooters will be well-positioned to continue our iconic legacy under a pure franchise business model," the company said in a statement to the USA Today. "We are committed to supporting our impacted team members throughout this process and are incredibly grateful to our valued customers for their loyalty and dedication to the Hooters brand."

We'll have to see whether or not the wrestling legend will get his chance to help be a part of that journey.

Hulk Hogan Attempts to Save Hooters Amid Bankruptcy first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A human foot was discovered at the Old Hickory dam on Old Hickory Lake Friday morning.

Officers were called to the dam located on Cinder Road around 7:45 a.m.

Small plane crashes in Macon County

(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

According to Metro police, barge workers were conducting perimeter sweeps when they noticed a human left foot pinned between two barges.

Authorities later confirmed that the body part discovered Friday belonged to a woman who was recovered from the Cumberland River in Cheatham County on Thursday, June 12.

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The victim went into the Cumberland River on June 6 off of Anthes Drive. She went underwater at a barge just past the James Robertson Parkway Bridge, Metro police told News 2.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

On Saturday, June 14, authorities identified the woman as Taylor Powell, 29. Officials said Powell was last seen swimming in the river near the east bank before she came in contact with a docked barge. She is believed to have drowned. However, an autopsy has not yet been conducted.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and United States Coast Guard are assisting with the investigation. No additional information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tourists from Indonesia enjoy snacks at Jiefangbei, a core business area in southwest China's Chongqing, July 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

BEIJING/JAKARTA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China has added Indonesia to its 240-hour visa-free transit program, bringing the total number of eligible countries to 55, immigration authorities announced on Thursday.

Effective Thursday, Indonesian travelers who meet the stipulated criteria can enter through any of 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions and stay in China for up to 240 hours, or 10 days, without a visa before heading to a third destination, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

During the visa-free transit period, travelers are permitted to engage in tourism, business, exchange visits and family visits. However, the policy does not cover employment, study or journalistic activities, which still require appropriate visas, the NIA said.

The expansion came as part of China's efforts to deepen exchanges and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It is expected to boost bilateral cooperation, improve trade and investment efficiency, and foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding between China and Indonesia, said NIA officials.

TRAVEL MADE EASIER

Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun has welcomed the development, saying the policy will strengthen people-to-people connections, particularly in the tourism sector.

Anggi Oktari, a postgraduate student at Padjadjaran University in West Java, said the policy helps save on flight costs and allows her to enjoy China's beauty without the hassle of applying for a visa.

"I plan to travel to Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. With this new policy, flying with a transit in China becomes a very appealing option," she said.

Dwidayatour, a travel agency in Jakarta, organizes around 10 tour groups to China each month, with about 20 people per group.

Elsa Febriani, one of its travel consultants, said that in the past, many passengers couldn't even leave the airport due to visa restrictions. "With this new policy, we can offer more leisure travel products and increase our sales," she said.

Sudarmanto, a document staff member at Gorumi Travel, another local agency, said the visa-free policy could encourage more Indonesians to visit Chinese cities.

"Personally, I'd love to use this opportunity to visit Harbin and Chongqing. I've heard Chongqing has amazing hotpot, which suits Indonesian tastes since we love spicy food," he said.

Fang Ruixing, a Chinese Indonesian in his 40s whose ancestral hometown is in Fujian, plans to take his two children to Shanghai Disney Resort.

He welcomed the visa-free transit policy but suggested that the 10-day stay could be extended further. "The longer, the better," he said. "China is such a large country that it doesn't make much sense to just transit through."

"I really hope China and Indonesia can eventually agree on a two-week mutual visa exemption. That would make it easier for overseas Chinese like me to take our children back to explore their cultural roots."

Previously, travelers from ASEAN countries could enter parts of China visa-free under a regional exemption scheme. That program allows group tourists to stay for up to six days in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province and Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Earlier this month, China introduced a five-year, multiple-entry visa policy for businesspeople from ASEAN member states and observer country Timor-Leste. The so-called "ASEAN visa" extends eligibility to spouses and children of applicants -- allowing stays of up to 180 days per visit.

Tourists from Britain pose for photo at Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

EXPANDED BORDER ACCESS

Veronika Saraswati, director of the Indonesia-China Partnership Studies Institute, said that the new policy is in line with China's efforts to promote inclusive globalization and joint development. "It will ultimately bring benefits for regional and global peace and prosperity."

China has adjusted its visa rules to boost cross-border mobility and exchanges following the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2024, authorities expanded the visa-free transit window from previous limits of 72 or 144 hours to 240 hours and increased the number of eligible ports by 21.

The coverage now includes regions rich in tourism resources and in cultural and ethnic heritage, such as north China's Shanxi Province, known as a filming location for "Black Myth: Wukong," east China's Jiangxi Province, famous for its porcelain heritage, and Guizhou Province in southwest China, home to multiple world natural heritage sites.

Additionally, travelers under the visa-free transit program can now travel between multiple destinations within designated regions. In provinces such as Anhui in the east, Hainan in the south, and Guizhou in the southwest, the entire provincial area is now accessible under a single itinerary.

China has also expanded its unilateral visa-free access program, allowing travelers from 47 countries to stay for up to 30 days. Recent additions include countries in Latin America and the Gulf region, such as Brazil and Saudi Arabia.

These sweeping policy changes have facilitated travel to China, fueling a surge in online content and interest around "China Travel," particularly on platforms like YouTube.

In 2024, international travelers made 64.88 million cross-border trips to China, up 82.9 percent year on year. More than 20 million of these were visa-free entries, marking a 112.3 percent increase from the previous year, the NIA revealed.

Notably, during the recent three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, 231,000 foreigners entered China without a visa -- an increase of 59.4 percent compared to a year earlier.


BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Labubu -- a toothy, fluffy figure toy from Chinese brand Pop Mart -- has sparked a global frenzy, demonstrating how the country's enterprises are reshaping their international image through innovation, cultural storytelling and the globalization of homegrown intellectual property (IP).

China has long been the world's largest producer and exporter of toys. Historically, much of this output consisted of low-cost goods manufactured for foreign brands. Today, however, a new generation of collectible designer toys such as Labubu is redefining the industry by exporting not only products but also stories and sentiment.

Pop Mart, the Beijing-based toymaker behind Labubu and other original-IP characters, is among those leading the shift. Propelled by international hype, the company registered year-on-year revenue growth of 165 to 170 percent in the first quarter of 2025, with overseas revenues soaring 475 to 480 percent.

Pop Mart is not alone in stepping up brand-building efforts in the global toy market. Chinese toymaker TOP TOY now operates over 280 stores worldwide, and 52TOYS reported a 300 percent increase in its business in Thailand in 2024.

The viral popularity of Labubu and similar toys has spotlighted China's burgeoning cultural industry, which is emerging as a calling card for Chinese exports.

China's cultural industry sustained steady growth in 2024, with 78,000 surveyed enterprises generating 14.15 trillion yuan (about 1.97 trillion U.S. dollars) in revenues, up 6 percent year on year. These firms reported combined profits of 1.29 trillion yuan -- a 10.8 percent increase from 2023.

The gaming industry is another striking example of how Chinese culture is reaching global consumers. "Black Myth: Wukong," a 3A video game with cutting-edge graphics, has attracted a sizable international following, with one-third of its players based outside China. Meanwhile, established gaming hits like "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail" continue to rank among the top downloaded items in over 100 countries and regions.

Data from the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association shows that China's self-developed game products reported overseas revenues of 18.56 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 13.39 percent from the previous year.

China's vast network of factories, spanning every industrial category classified by the United Nations, remains the backbone of this cultural ascent. For Pop Mart, manufacturing excellence is a key part of bringing creative visions to reality. Years of experience have enabled Chinese factories to meet even the most meticulous design requirements, such as crafting a specific component solely to make a doll's eyes glossier and more expressive.

"If you can make toys for Pop Mart, you can make any designer toy in the world," the owner of a factory that works with Pop Mart once said.

The transition from exporting products to exporting brands and IP is a natural result of China's economic evolution, said Lan Qingxin, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics.

"It demonstrates the upgrading of China's industrial structure and the growing maturity of Chinese enterprises in their international operations," Lan added. 
BROWNWOOD, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Human remains found in rural Brown County have been identified as a woman reported missing in May, authorities said.

On Tuesday, May 27, Brownwood police responded to a report of a missing person in the 900 block of Melwood Drive. Officers were informed that Melanie Rose Pancake, 58, had not been seen at her residence for several days, possibly weeks.

Grand Jury List: Meth cases make up most of Taylor County weekly indictments

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Detectives with the Brownwood Police Departments Criminal Investigative Division began looking into the case. The investigation led them to a farmland property near the Zephyr community in Brown County.

On Tuesday, June 10, investigators discovered human remains buried in a shallow grave on the property. The remains were exhumed and sent to the Lubbock County Medical Examiners Office, where a preliminary autopsy identified them as those of Ms. Pancake.

Dangerous crime spree: Man arrested for armed robberies in Clyde

The case is now an active criminal investigation. Authorities said arrests are expected, but no further information has been released.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Supporters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrate outside the center's entrance in Atlanta during a rally in April. These rallies have happened weekly since the mass layoffs first started at the CDC in February. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder

Fired workers of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their supporters are pushing for more public health jobs to be restored after a portion of the centers terminated workforce was reinstated this week.

Many of the more than 460 workers reinstated are assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health or the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention, according to the Associated Press.

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U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to slash 10,000 jobs in late March, including 2,400 jobs at the CDC.

The reinstated workers received a two-paragraph memorandum Wednesday from Tom Nagy, chief human capital officer with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, that said they were no longer part of the previously announced reduction in force, according to a copy of the memo obtained by the Georgia Recorder.

You will not be affected by the upcoming RIF, the memo says.

Sarah Boim, a former communication specialist at the CDC who is a leader of the group Fired But Fighting, which describes itself as a coalition of fired CDC employees and allies, said some of the reinstated staffers were already back at work Thursday.

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Boim said the restored jobs are not enough, but she said she is skeptical that more people will be brought back since the newly reinstated group represents about 20% of the job losses at the CDC  which would mirror what Kennedy said earlier would need to be reversed because of mistakes made by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Lawsuits challenging the terminations at the CDC and other federal agencies are also working their way through the courts.

Boim said the saga has left laboratory scientists and others sidelined from their work while collecting administrative pay.

Its mind boggling  the level of inefficiency and chaos that this whole process has sown, she said. I would like people to know that their money was going to pay for people with critical jobs to not do their jobs.

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Georgia Democrats who have pressed for the Trump administration to reverse course on the CDC cuts cheered the news Thursday but pressed for more fired CDC workers to be brought back.

The rehiring of hundreds of dedicated health workers, many of whom call Georgia home, is welcome news for those of us who believe that public health is vital to our wellbeing and safety  not a political game, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a statement.

Warnock participated in a rally outside the CDC in April. Those rallies have been held every week since the mass layoffs started in February, with one held Tuesday despite the rain after Kennedy fired members of a key vaccine panel.

Under Secretary Kennedys leadership, the nations critical public health functions remain intact and effective, Emily G. Hilliard, press secretary for the federal agency, said in a statement Thursday. The Trump Administration is committed to protecting essential serviceswhether its supporting coal miners and firefighters through NIOSH, safeguarding public health through lead prevention, or researching and tracking the most prevalent communicable diseases.

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Iran says it has launched waves of ballistic missiles towards Israel in retaliation for a major deadly attack on Tehrans nuclear sites and military leaders.

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded across Israel on Friday night. This follows an unprecedented attack by Israel in the early hours of Friday, which targeted Iranian nuclear sites, senior military commanders and scientists.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israels strikes had initiated a war and it would not be allowed to do hit and run attacks without consequences.

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The Zionist regime [Israel] will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime. The Iranian nation must be guaranteed that our response will not be half-measured, Khamenei said in a statement.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran carried out its crushing and precise response against dozens of targets, military centres and airbases in Israel at the command of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

Three separate waves of attacks and hundreds of missiles were launched at Israel on Friday night, Iranian state media said.

At least one projectile impacted central Tel Aviv, said Al Jazeeras Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, Jordan.

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However, the Israeli military said Iran fired fewer than 100 missiles, most of which were either intercepted or fell short.

The United States military also helped Israel shoot down Iranian missiles heading towards the country, the Reuters and Associated Press news agencies reported, citing unnamed US officials.

Still, during the barrage, a modern apartment block was hit in central Tel Aviv, and according to live footage from the scene, fires raged inside some of the apartments, with smoke billowing from the building.

Another residential building, next to the apartment block, also appeared to have suffered significant damage, with windows blown and pieces of twisted metal hanging from its exterior.

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At least 40 people were injured during the attack, according to the Israeli news outlet Haaretz, citing emergency services. Earlier, the Israeli ambulance service said two seriously wounded people were trapped in a building in the greater Tel Aviv area.

During the attack, residents were told to avoid public places and retreat to protected spaces.

This was an extensive volley of ballistic missiles, something that Tel Aviv is not used to, Odeh said. Psychologically  the sight of damaged buildings, of emergency service providers trying to get people out of those buildings and out of the shelters, this is quite powerful for the Israeli public.

Following the attack, Iran announced that its airspace would be closed until 2pm local time on Saturday.

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At the same time, air defence systems have been activated in Tehran to intercept new Israeli strikes, Irans state news agency IRNA reported.





The gates of hell will open

Israels attacks on Iran on Friday killed several top Iranian generals and scientists, including the armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Mohammed Bagheri, and the IRGC chief, Hossein Salami. However, Major-General Mohammed Pakpour was swiftly promoted to replace Salami.

Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN Security Council that 78 people were killed and more than 320 others injured in Israels Friday attacks, including women and children.

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In a letter to Khamenei read out on state television, Pakpour promised that the gates of hell will open to the child-killing regime, referring to Israel.

During Israels surprise attack, its military said it had struck more than 200 targets across Iran.

Before Irans retaliatory strikes, Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier-General Effie Defrin told journalists that Israels army was continuing to strike.

Iran has the ability to significantly harm the Israeli home front, Defrin told a televised news conference that was cut short due to what the army said was an incoming attack.

Defrin added that the army had targeted the nuclear facility in Irans Isfahan and that the operation was still ongoing.

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Irans atomic energy agency said there was limited damage to the Isfahan nuclear site and the Fordo nuclear site south of Tehran, which was also targeted.

The damage was limited to areas that did not cause any urban damage in the case of Fordo  In Isfahan, there were also attacks on several points, which were related to warehouses that caught fire, said agency spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi.

He added that the damage was not extensive and there is no cause for concern in terms of contamination.

Earlier, Israel also attacked the Natanz nuclear enrichment site in Iran. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said that the attack may have damaged centrifuges and there was radiological and chemical contamination inside the facility, but the contamination was manageable with appropriate measures.

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In a statement earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected several waves of Iranian attacks in response to Israels actions.

Later, during Irans attack on Friday night, Netanyahu said in a statement directed at Iranian citizens that Israels operation was to thwart the Islamic regimes nuclear and ballistic missile threat.

As we achieve our objective, we are also clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard, he said.




According to the BBC, 148 acres of central British wildlands were rehabilitated to support dwindling butterfly populations.

Hundreds of volunteers helped rewild habitat across Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Nottinghamshire over the course of four years to complete the project. The charity Butterfly Conservation coordinated the work alongside partners such as Severn Trent Water, Forestry Commission, Forestry England, Sustrans, and private and public landowners.

The new habitat should prove to be a good home for butterfly species such as the pearl-bordered fritillary and grizzled skipper. One species, the grayling, has had its population decrease by 72% since the 1970s. Another, the silver-studded blue, has seen a decline of 44% since the 1980s. Previously, Butterfly Conservation was able to successfully reintroduce one species thanks to a robust breeding program following 50 years of extirpation.

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Butterflies are vital pollinators. Providing them with protected habitat is good news for a wide range of flowering plants that depend on the insects to reproduce. Some researchers point the finger at indiscriminate insecticides for the global drop in butterfly numbers. Others suggest increasing temperatures caused by climate shifts are tamping down populations. In the U.S. alone, the population dropped 20% between 2000 and 2020. Habitat restoration has proved successful for butterflies in some regions, however.

Even with legal protections around certain parcels of land, major climate shifts may cause significant habitat loss. For example, drought and wildfires have posed risks to monarch butterfly populations. Reducing pollution by switching to renewable energy sources, upgrading to electric vehicles, and swapping out gas for heat pumps at home are a few ways to mitigate extreme weather patterns and the destruction they cause to important natural habitats.

While much of the newly rehabilitated butterfly area in the U.K. remains publicly accessible, it is vulnerable. Organizers requested that visitors remain light-footed.

"We just ask people to remember that these are sensitive sites, so please be courteous and careful," said Midlands Butterfly Conservation Manager Rhona Goddard, per the BBC.

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.




NATO intelligence services have received a report from Hungary concerning the mutual spy scandal that broke out between Hungary and Ukraine in May.

Source: Central European investigative journalism network VSquare, citing its source within Hungarys national security sector, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In its report to NATO, the Hungarian side claimed that Ukraine had violated protocol by publicly disclosing information about the arrests of suspected spies instead of conducting the matter discreetly.

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In response, Budapest acted similarly, ordering the expulsion of Ukrainian diplomats over accusations of espionage and the arrest of Ukrainian civilians without diplomatic immunity.

"It was not the national security services themselves who deemed Ukraine's activities in Hungary so threatening that they had to be stopped  this was a politically motivated response," VSquare says.

In addition, Hungary recommended in its report to NATO intelligence services that any questions about the Hungarian espionage operation in Ukraine be directed to the Military National Security Service (KNBSZ).

It is worth noting that in his first interview with Hungarian media, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also blamed the KNBSZ for Hungarys espionage activities.

Background:

The exposure of a Hungarian military intelligence network in Zakarpattia on 9 May led to the mutual expulsion of two diplomats from Kyiv and Budapest.

Hungarian authorities also took a civilian man into custody, labelling him a "Ukrainian spy".

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International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday following airstrikes on Irans Natanz nuclear facility, an Israeli presidential spokesperson told Fox News.

Grossi told Herzog that the facility was severely damaged in the strikes, according to Israeli media reports.

"We are currently in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security," Grossi said in a statement.

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"Radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged. The type of radioactive contamination present inside the facility, mainly alpha particles, can be managed with appropriate protective measures," he added.

"This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," Grossi continued.

Live Updates: Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion On Iran

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International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, second from left, and the deputy chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Behrouz Kamalvandi, far right, pose for a photo at the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan, Iran, on Nov. 15, 2024.

"As Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and consistent with the objectives of the IAEA under the IAEA Statute, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond," he also said.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also wrote a letter to Grossi on Friday asking for "explicit condemnation" of Israel's "aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities."

"In his letter, while emphasizing Iran's decision to take special measures to protect nuclear equipment and materials, Araghchi stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran will deliver a decisive response to the act of aggression," Iran's foreign ministry said. "He further called for immediate action by the director general to convene an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors to address the situation."

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that "Overnight, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence from the Intelligence Directorate, struck the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area."

Israel Hits The Heart Of Irans Nuclear Program In Natanz Facility Strike

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"This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels. As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure," according to the IDF.

"In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted," it said.

Fox News Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.





Original article source: IAEA chief calls Israeli president, reportedly says Iran nuclear facility was severely damaged
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold a special meeting on Monday to discuss the Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, several diplomats told dpa on Friday.

The board of governors, comprising representatives of 35 member states including Germany, will meet in Vienna, but are not likely to issue a formal condemnation of the attacks, the diplomatic sources said.

The extent of any damage to nuclear facilities in Iran, including the Natanz enrichment facility, is not clear in the wake of the wide-scale Israeli strikes.

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In a regular meeting on Thursday, the board of governors determined that Iran was in breach of its legal obligation to disclose its entire nuclear programme to the IAEA.

Tehran denies that it is working on nuclear weapons.
In late April, Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France experienced the most widespread blackout in European history. As their governments and the European Union scramble to identify the root cause of the grid failure, the incident raises serious questions about the efficacy of the EUs pooled energy policy and the security of its electricity network.

Shortly after noon on April 28, electricity production across the power grids of Spain and Portugal dropped by more than half in a matter of seconds, provoking a power outage that brought industries, businesses and communities to a standstill across the Iberian peninsula. The blackout persisted throughout the day, as authorities scrambled to reboot the power grid. In some parts of the peninsula it was almost 24 hours before life returned to normal.

Multiple inquiries have since been set up to investigate the incident, most notably by an expert panel from ENTSO-E, the European umbrella group for Transmission System Operators, or TSOs, across the bloc. While physical sabotage and cyberattacks have been ruled out, it may be many months before the ENTSO-E panel as well as Spanish and Portuguese experts arrive at a definitive explanation for the incident. In the meantime, the political fallout is becoming increasingly clear, with potentially far-reaching implications for EU energy market integration, power-grid resilience, the role of renewable energies and culture war politics across the bloc.

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Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 effectively ended the EUs energy dependency on Russia and sent energy prices soaring across the bloc. But in doing so, it also intensified policy conflict around the EUs push for further integrating member states energy markets. Many policy analysts and politicians have underlined the resilience that integrated European electricity markets can provide in the wake of losing cheap Russian gas supplies, while decrying price caps and subsidies at the member-state level, which they argue undermine a unified EU-wide approach. Others, however, argue that national governments must retain the legislative freedom to reduce energy prices to hard-pressed consumers and businesses to protect living standards and domestic economies.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

The Iberian blackout has now added another complex dimension to this ongoing debate. Some experts tout enhanced integration as the solution to future outages, with interconnected grids facilitating backup power to affected regions, while others argue that increased integration could actually exacerbate rather than ameliorate blackouts. As Jianzhong Wu, a professor at the University of Cardiff, points out, increased interconnectedness means that serious faults, like a large loss of synchronisation, can spread across multiple regions or even countries if not rapidly contained.

The one thing that most energy experts can agree on, however, is the extent to which the blackout has exposed the shortcomings of a power grid designed for the age of fossil fuels, but which must now incorporate ever larger and more diverse energy sources. Even staunch advocates of renewable energy accept that the inherent variability in weather-based renewable energy sources complicates grid operators ability to efficiently manage power flows and avoid grid imbalances.

The Iberian blackout has exposed the shortcomings of a power grid designed for the age of fossil fuels, but which must now incorporate ever larger and more diverse energy sources.

As a result, the commendable and necessary drive to complete the energy transition has to be matched by equally urgent investment in the upgrading of European power grids as fossil fuels give way to renewable energy. And the scale of the necessary investment is truly staggering. According to a 2023 International Energy Agency report, the world must add or replace 50 million miles of power grids by 2040 in order to meet climate targets and facilitate the integration of renewables into the system. Thats the equivalent of all the grids currently in existence globally.

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While Europe has invested more in upgrading its electricity grid than the U.S., for example, the blocs current focus on security has already seen national governments cut public spending in order to hit the target of devoting 2 percent of GDP to defense, with capital spending on infrastructure among the casualties. Another obstacle, according to David Brayshaw, a professor at the University of Reading, is the serious knowledge gap that exists regarding the future of integrated power systems in a world increasingly affected by climate change. Brayshaw argues that while Europes power system is evolving rapidly, driven by renewables and electrification, inadequate research has been conducted into how climate change will affect future power systems, or how to design grids that are truly robust.

In the realm of cynical retail politics, and amid Europes increasingly polarized political landscape, the blackout has been deftly weaponized by populist politicians and vested energy interests. Indeed, for the European far right and nuclear power lobby, the blackout could hardly have come at a better time.

For years, far-right skeptics of climate change have viewed the energy transition as a Trojan horse for the overreaching ambition of the EU. But renewables remain very popular with voters, particularly the promise they hold of ushering in high-quality, well-paid jobs and energy self-sufficiency, which has made opposing them a hard sell for populists. However, with the governments of Spain and Portugal reluctant to jump the gun on the ongoing investigations into the April blackout, the resulting information vacuum has given the far right in Spain and beyond the opportunity to tie renewable energyand by extension climate change policyto the April incident and blackouts in general, thus sowing doubts among the public about the energy transition.

The nuclear power lobby has also been quick to politicize the blackout for commercial advantage. In recent years the industry has watched with dismay as the plummeting costs of renewables has caused production and profits in the sector to fall. In Spain, for example, the countrys five nuclear power plants spend increasing amounts of time offline because of the EU electricity systems merit order protocol, which prioritizes the cheapest form of electricity generation at any given time. In Spain and elsewhere, that increasingly means renewables. Indeed, France has long stalled on increasing its meager interconnectivity with Spains power grid to protect its massive nuclear power industry, which produces around 75 percent of the countrys electricity, from Spains cheaper green power.

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The highly disputed claim by the Spanish and EU nuclear lobbies that more nuclear power would have ameliorated the effects of the April blackout has now energized the campaign against the Spanish government plans for a complete phaseout of the nuclear industry by 2035. It is also adding momentum to the mini-revival of the industrys fortunes across the bloc, already kickstarted by the scramble to find alternatives to Russian gas.

Since the April blackout, even more explosive claims have emerged that implicate renewables in the failure. In May, for example, several news outlets cited anonymous sources in Brussels to support the now comprehensively debunked claim that a botched clandestine stress test of renewable energies was responsible for the outage. Against this backdrop, Europe increasingly risks learning all the wrong lessons from the Iberian blackout. Most notable among them is the wrongheaded notion that renewable energy production must be tailored to fit the capabilities of the existing power network, rather than the other way around.

John Boyce is an Irish freelance journalist with a background in international relations and Hispanic affairs. He writes for a variety of publications on Anglo-Irish, Spanish and European politics.

The post The Iberian Blackout Put EU Energy Security in the Spotlight appeared first on World Politics Review.
While Newark Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka has blamed the Trump administration for a breakout Thursday night at a local ICE detention center, New Jersey GOP leader Kenny Gonzalez criticized Baraka and the Democratic Party, saying it has been sowing "chaos" across the country that emboldens criminal illegals and violent rioters.

"It all started a few months ago here in New Jersey, when Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested for attempting to trespass into the facility and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver assaulting an ICE agent," Gonzalez told Fox News Digital. "This type of behavior from Democrat left-wing politicians tells the general public that it's OK to do these kinds of things."

Four migrants escaped from the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark Thursday evening after an apparent disturbance inside the building, a senior Homeland Security official confirmed to Fox News.

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Immigration attorney Mustafa Cetin told NJ.com around 50 detainees at the facility pushed down a dormitory wall after becoming agitated when meals were delayed.

Democrat Accuses Trump Of Unleashing Campaign Of Terror On Illegals As La Riots Rage

While Newark Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka has blamed the Trump administration for a breakout Thursday night at a local ICE detention center, New Jersey GOP leader Kenny Gonzalez criticized Baraka and the Democratic Party, saying they have been sowing "chaos" across the country that emboldens criminal illegals and violent rioters.

"Its about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive, and it turned violent," Cetin said.

Read On The Fox News App

He added that his client reported the wall was "not very strong" and described detainees hanging bedsheets in what may have been an escape attempt. The client also said he smelled gas during the incident.

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To add to the chaos, at approximately 9 p.m., a group of protesters blocked an SUV from exiting an ancillary gate at Delaney Hall, forcing it to back into the facility.

PIX11 News reported that the escapees were seen running near Turnpike 78 and Delancey Street.

Ice Officers Assaulted During Raid That Nabbed 70 Illegal Immigrants At Meat Plant: Dhs

A Special Response Team with Immigration And Customs Enforcement arrives at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility during a protest over federal immigration enforcement raids Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Newark, N.J.

The Department of Homeland Security identified the four escaped migrants on Friday as "public safety threats." The escaped detainees have been identified as Honduran nationals Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes and Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez and Colombian nationals Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada and Andres Pineda-Mogollon.

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Bautista-Reyes was previously arrested for aggravated assault and terroristic threats.

The incident comes just two days after McIver was indicted on three federal charges from a previous visit to Delaney Hall May 9.

McIver was with Baraka and others during what was described as an oversight visit. Baraka was initially charged with trespassing, but the charge was later dropped.

Blue City Joins La Chaos As Anti-ice Agitators Injure Officers In Violent Riots

Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, speaks after exiting a courthouse May 15, 2025, in Newark, N.J.

In response to the breakout, Baraka said his office was "concerned about reports of what has transpired at Delaney Hall this evening, ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees."

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Baraka criticized the federal government, saying, "This entire situation lacks sufficient oversight of every basic detail, including local zoning laws and fundamental constitutional rights.

"This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor and why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its Constitution," he added. "We demand immediate answers and clear communication with the GEO Group and the Department of Homeland Security. We must put an end to this chaos and not allow this operation to continue unchecked."

Gonzalez, however, said Baraka and Democratic leaders across the country should bear the blame for the breakout.

Mother Of Murdered Jogger Slams Rep. Crockett For Dismissing Migrant Crime Victims

Detainees at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement center protested in Newark, N.J., Thursday, June 12, 2025.

"The far left was inspired after what they saw a few days ago in LA, and they wanted to replicate the same thing here in New Jersey, and they followed the politician's lead," he said. "So, this just falls into their plan to sow up chaos to distract from what the Democrat Party has been doing nationally and what they've done here in Jersey over the last few years."

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Gonzalez said Baraka should bear particular blame for the situation, adding, "It's very dangerous what the mayor's doing."

"That statement is just so dangerous," Gonzalez said. "To watch the videos of what went on yesterday that clearly show that unhinged protesters were interfering with the ICE agents that were on scene, showing that they were stopping transport vehicles from getting in and out of the facility.  The fact that Ras Baraka's response is to blame it on the federal government and the state is very, very, very dangerous and shows a lack of accountability."

With more protests planned for the weekend, Gonzalez worries Newark may still not be in the clear.

Patty Morin Calls Out Democrats For Downplaying Illegal Immigration: 'Mind-boggling'

Protesters attempt to block a vehicle from leaving the Delaney Hall Detention Facility during protests over federal immigration enforcement raids Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Newark, N.J.

"We just pray that it doesn't get to the point where President Trump has to do what he did in LA by mobilizing the National Guard. We hope that we can get things under control," Gonzalez said. "Delaney Hall is definitely going to be a target of all those protests tomorrow. And we definitely don't want to see that."

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Gonzalez criticized Baraka and other Democratic leaders for having an ideology by which "they see the inmates as victims, and they see themselves as heroes for all of this grandstanding and obstructing that they've been doing.

"The good news is they are the minority, and the majority of New Jerseyans are not very happy with what's going on," he noted. "It's time for Gov. [Phil] Murphy to allow law enforcement to do its job and stop what's going on over there, because we know the mayor's not going to do it."

Democrats Cash In After Padilla Forcibly Removed From Trump Admin Press Conference

Protesters gather outside the Delaney Hall Detention Facility during protests over federal immigration enforcement raids on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Newark, N.J.

Meanwhile, Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman, told Fox News Digital that "if Democrats had their way, criminal illegal aliens would always be roaming the streets of every American community."

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"The Trump Administration is committed to doing everything possible to Make America Safe Again, and DHS has brought in additional law enforcement partners to locate the escapees," she said.

Baraka's office did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment by publication time.





Original article source: ICE breakout in New Jersey symptom of Democratic chaos across the country, local GOP leader says
FOLKSTON, Ga. (WSAV)  Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is expanding its processing center in Folkston, Ga. to double the current capacity, establishing the largest ICE detention center in the country.

The federal government brokered a deal with private prison company GEO to contract a now- defunct prison in Folkston as an additional holding space existing ICE facility.

Theyre going to be brought together, and when they come together, some it will be a detention center. Some of it will be a processing center, and some of it will be just for them to get ready to transfer, Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01) said.

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However, many advocates are concerned about housing ICE detainees inside a prison.

They are retrofitting a federal prison into a detention center, and they dont really make that many changes. So, people who are detained by ICE are experiencing prison conditions, Reverend Leeann Culbreath with the campaign to shut down the Folkston ICE facility said.

Culbreath told WSAV detainees in Folkston have been mistreated for years, and she fears the expansion will only make things worse.

Physical abuse, emotional abuse, and there was even one death of a detained person that ICE found was partly caused by medical neglect at the facility, Culbreath said of conditions in the facility.

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According to GEO, the facility is under contract with ICE as of June 6.

Rep. Carter was instrumental in making sure federal funding came through after the deal to contract out the prison was temporarily paused at the beginning of the month.

Ive been to visit that facility before, and Ill tell you the company that runs it does a good job, Rep. Carter said.

There have been several ICE enforcement operations in the Savannah area recently.

Civic and Advocacy Coordinator for Migrant Equity Southeast Eduardo Delgado said one of his clients who was detained in Statesboro last week, was sent to Folkston, and essentially, theyve conveyed that they believe theyre in prison.

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Delgado told WSAV that Folkston facilitys proximity to Savannah hits close to home for the immigrant community.

They are less than two hours away from the closest detention facility that ICE has. So, our community is very aware, and they understand that facility is where theyll probably end up, 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 WSAV-TV.
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- When geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism result in more uncertainties for the global community, the enduring partnership between China and African countries stands out as a fine example of trust and solidarity defying division and selfishness.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with African diplomats this week in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, a clear message was conveyed -- it is the shared aspiration of Chinese and African people to continue enhancing mutual trust, firmly support each other and jointly advance modernization.

A crucial part of China-Africa ties is a shared commitment to multilateralism and South-South cooperation. As representatives of China, 53 African countries and the African Union Commission stated in the Changsha Declaration on Wednesday, the frequent occurrence of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying has created severe difficulties for African countries and other developing nations. What is needed is for the international community to uphold true multilateralism and jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism.

Economic data speaks louder than words. China had been Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years by the end of 2024. Also, China's total trade value with Africa had increased from less than 100 billion yuan (about 14.08 billion U.S. dollars) in 2000 to 2.1 trillion yuan in 2024, registering an average annual growth rate of 14.2 percent, providing convincing evidence of the strong vitality of China-Africa trade.

China, notably, is ready to expand the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries which have diplomatic relations with China. For the least developed countries in Africa, China will roll out measures regarding market access, inspection and quarantine, and customs clearance -- aiming to boost trade in goods, enhance skills and promote technical training.

The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo is being held in Changsha, from June 12 to 15, making shared aspirations concerning new cooperation opportunities very evident. The expo features exhibitions on sectors including smart mining technology and equipment, clean energy, and modern agricultural machinery, drawing representatives from 53 African countries, 11 international organizations and 27 Chinese provincial-level regions.

Both China and Africa countries are developing countries, facing similar challenges and opportunities. China knows what Africa needs, is willing to see modernization take place in Africa and ready to share its experience with Africa.

China has been helping Africa build or upgrade infrastructure such as roads, railways and airports, while strengthening Africa's manufacturing capacity by constructing local industrial parks that produce the likes of textiles, electronics, building materials and automobiles. China has also assisted African countries in harnessing solar energy, hydropower and wind energy via a range of development projects.

"When you look at our relationship with China, it is always based on values, sincerity, common good, respecting each other and win-win cooperation. China is a friend that respects your views, and even when we look at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China always asks Africa what you want, and how should we address this, and they do not impose," said Allawi Ssemanda, a senior fellow of the Development Watch Center, a think tank based in Uganda.

Looking ahead, China and Africa will continue to work in concert to create more great stories about the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation and send a strong message underlining solidarity and collaboration among members of the Global South. 
A revolt at a controversial New Jersey ICE facility morphed into a jailbreak late Thursday.

Four detainees were unaccounted for at Delaney Hall detention center after about 50 captives pushed down a dormitory wall in protest of their living conditions, an immigration attorney representing one of the men told NJ Advance Media.

Detainees were starving, reportedly having been made to wait hours for their next meal, when the literal pushback began.

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Its about the food, and some of the detainees were getting aggressive and it turned violent, the lawyer, Mustafa Cetin, told NJ Advance Media. Based on what he told me, it was an outer wall, not very strong, and they were able to push it down.

But the crowd was not alone in their protestinstead, a gathering of people outside the facility mobilized to block ICE activity, barricading the gate to prevent more officers from entering the center.

LIVE protestors are barricading the gate at Delaney Hall to prevent more officers from entering https://t.co/L0Zh5avEyI  NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice (@NJAIJ) June 13, 2025

Amy Torres, executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, told NPR affiliate WHYY that officers had used pepper spray and tackled and dragged protesters away from the facility.

She said some protesters had minor injuries, but no one was hit by the vehicles, WHYY reported.

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Delaney Hall is run by a private prison company, GEO Group, that made $2.24 billion in revenue in 2024, according to its fourth-quarter earnings report. The company currently has a $60 million contract with the Trump administration to hold up to 1,000 people in the New Jersey detention center.

Shortly after the ICE facility reopened in May, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver were arrested and charged while touring the facility. The lawmakers were reportedly visiting to serve a summons for code violations to a Geo Group representative. The charges against Baraka were dropped weeks later.

I have serious concerns about the reports of abusive circumstances at the facility, McIver wrote in a statement late Thursday regarding the breakout. Even now, as we are hearing reports from news organizations and advocates on the ground about a lack of food and basic rights for those inside, the administration appears to be stonewalling efforts to learn the truth.

Dozens of anti-ICE protests have spread from coast to coast, with gatherings in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Raleigh, Columbus, Oklahoma City, Washington, D.C., and others. But Donald Trump is still having a difficult time believing that his nativist agenda is facing such widespread opposition: On Wednesday, the president torched a Fox News reporter when she informed him that the protests had spread outside of Los Angeles, spouting from the Kennedy Centers red carpet that he simply didnt believe her while patting his administration on the back for its military intervention in the City of Angels.
The Brazilian mother arrested last month on Eureka Street in Worcester by federal immigration officials is now in a New Hampshire corrections facility, according to her attorney.

Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, a 40-year-old mother of three who was apprehended and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 8, was moved from the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to New Hampshire, attorney Paul Toland told MassLive on Thursday.

A search for Ferreira-De Oliveiras name on ICEs Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) confirms she is currently detained at the Strafford County Corrections facility in Dover, New Hampshire.

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The transfer took place on Tuesday and ICE did not provide a notice or a reason for the change in location, according to Toland.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

Federal immigration officials claim Ferreira-De Oliveira entered the country illegally in August 2022, which led to ICE taking her into custody.

Toland, however, maintains the mother of three was paroled and allowed into the country by ICE as she pursued asylum.

Ferreira-De Oliveiras asylum case will be presented before a judge during an individual hearing scheduled for Sept. 23, according to Toland.

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While Ferreira-De Oliveira was previously detained at the Wyatt Detention Center, Toland claimed she was moved to different cells in the facility and did not receive pain medication for her shoulder, which, he claimed, was injured by ICE agents when they detained her.

Wyatt Detention is a very depressing detention center, Toland said. With barbed wire everywhere. Shes not even getting pain medication in there for her pain.

A previous statement from a senior Department of Homeland Security official disputes Tolands accusations.

ICE has provided Ferreira with prompt medical care and services, and she has not filed any grievances or complaints regarding delayed medical care, the senior official wrote May 23. ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously.

A chaotic arrest on Eureka Street

On the morning of May 8, Eureka Street in Worcester erupted into mayhem as ICE agents apprehended and arrested Ferreira-De Oliveira.

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The 40-year-old woman was arrested in front of two of her children  a 17-year-old girl and 21-year-old Augusta Clara Moura, who was holding her 3-month-old son in her arms at the time.

Read more: Worcester father of 4-month-old deported after ICE violated his rights, attorney says

More than 30 people approached the agents on the street and shouted at them, demanding they show a warrant for the arrest.

After 11 a.m., members of the Worcester Police Department arrived on Eureka Street following 911 calls that were made by ICE agents requesting police assistance and other calls from people at the scene.

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Body camera footage worn by Worcester Officer Patrick Hanlon, released by the Worcester Police Department on May 16, recorded the ICE agents as they arrested Ferreira-De Oliveira.

In the footage, Worcester District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj can be seen walking toward the officers and Ferreira-De Oliveira. The footage shows her grabbing Ferreira-De Oliveiras arm and pleading with the agents not to take the woman. Two of the ICE agents flung the councilor off Ferreira-De Oliveira.

As the agents moved to a gold Ford SUV, Haxhiaj reached out for Ferreira-De Oliveira. Hanlon grabbed her hands to pull her back and told her to stop.

I cannot stop! Haxhiaj yelled at the officer.

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Clara Moura, who can be seen being held back by disqualified School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, reached out to the vehicle and said no multiple times. Hanlon responded by saying ICE would explain.

Haxhiaj and Spring yelled that the agents wouldnt explain, with Spring telling Hanlon that ICE didnt not have a judicial warrant.

At around 2 minutes and 25 seconds into the footage, an ICE officer said, We do not need a judicial warrant for this arrest.

Body camera footage worn by Officer Juan Vallejo showed Ferreira-De Oliveiras teenage daughter running up to the side of the SUVs front passenger door.

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Police later claimed she tried to kick the door, but it is difficult to confirm this due to the shaky footage and the large police presence.

Vallejo and other officers surrounded the girl and moved her to the ground on the street.

During the arrest, an officer yelled, Youre under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

The daughter was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to police.

Following her arrest, she was released from custody to be with family friends along with Clara Moura, the baby and another daughter of Ferreira-De Oliveira, who is a minor.

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On May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced the department requested a court to dismiss the case against the daughter.

Saucier said in a statement that it is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable.

Ashley Spring was also arrested on Eureka Street after they sprayed water in an officers face.

The Worcester Police Department wrote in a report that officers saw Spring directly pointing and spraying an unknown liquid in a bottle at officerseven though Spring and an officer both say on video that the liquid was water.

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Spring was charged on May 9 with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon  the unknown liquid  along with charges of assault and battery on a police officer, disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers.

Lt. Sean Murtha previously told MassLive that he was not aware of the department dropping any of Springs charges.

On June 4, District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj was charged with two crimes for her actions on Eureka Street.

The councilor was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery on a police officer and a common law violation of interfering with a police officer, records show.

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The criminal complaint filings accuse Haxhiaj of pushing an officer in the chest and pulling the officers arm as they were making an arrest.

Haxhiaj responded to the charges on BlueSky, calling the prosecution frustrating and defending her actions.

I am a mother, an immigrant and elected leader who attempted, along with other Worcester residents, to protect a traumatized young person, two mothers and an infant, Haxhiaj said. I did the humane thing to do in this situation, nothing more, nothing less.

The fallout after the arrest

On May 16, eight days after the arrest, City Manager Eric D. Batistas administration released body camera footage of officers who were at Eureka Street. The City Manager also announced an executive order on how the Worcester Police Department responds to federal arrests.

Enforcement of immigration laws is within the jurisdiction of the federal government, not the municipality and as such, municipal resources shall not be used toward that end, according to a city statement.The municipality and the WPD are committed to promoting safety in the community regardless of immigration status.

Protests against ICE and the Worcester Police Department have taken place in the wake of the arrest on Eureka Street.

On May 13, a protest took place outside of City Hall, which was locked from the inside. Protesters accused the Worcester Police Department of assisting with ICE and demanded that federal immigration officials leave Worcester.

Members of the crowd originally planned to speak out against ICE and the Worcester Police Department during the May 13 city council meeting at City Hall but the meeting was changed from an in-person format to a virtual format the day before.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty said city officials received threats of violence" and that the move to a virtual format was done to ensure peoples safety.

Nevertheless, people still attended the virtual meetinglashing out against the council, the Worcester Police Department and Batistas administration.

There are two explanations for this, said Marcus Palumbo of Clark University at the meeting. Either you, the council, have completely lost control over the police department, or you are actively complicit in their actions.

On June 10, an in-person city council meeting was shut down by anti-ICE protesters.

During the meetings public comment period, the protesters marched into the city council chambersholding up signs and chanting ICE out of Worcester now."

Read more: Shadow of ICE arrest hangs over Worcester State of the City speech

A person was arrested in connection with the canceled meeting, City Manager Eric Batista announced Wednesday night.

The municipality has a longstanding policy regarding the use of City Hall, which precludes protests, rallies, and demonstrations from taking place inside the building," Batista said in a statement. While this policy has not previously been widely distributed, we are making it publicly available and notifying the public that it will be strictly enforced. Any person found in non-compliance with the policy is subject to ejection and subject to arrest or other violations.

Even though he shares the publics frustrations about what is happening at the national level ... we cannot allow that to divide us, Batista said in his statement. Instead, we must find real ways to collectively support one another and those impacted while continuing to focus on the core services that municipal government is responsible for.

None of the items on the city councils meeting agenda for that night were discussed.

Unfortunately, we were unable to do the peoples business tonight  we had over 40 items on the agenda, and there were people in the audience who wished to speak on items that were important to them, but could not, Mayor Joseph Petty said in a previous statement.

More Worcester Stories

Read the original article on MassLive.
Protests against immigration raids conducted by the Trump administration have morphed into demonstrations against a variety of left-wing causes, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza and police brutality in the U.S.

At a March to Defend Immigrant Rights protest in St. Louis on Wednesday, participants turned to the outcry following an infamous police brutality case in 2014, chanting, From Ferguson to Palestine, occupation is a crime, according to The New York Times.

In Chicago this week, chants could be heard at a protest taking aim at U.S. immigration policy as well as the war in Gaza: From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go!

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The left has long worked under the notion that all oppressed people are connected, which means protests are often large but also lack a coherent message.

Labor groups have been leading the charge this week to bring protests into the streets. Numerous protests, including those in Los Angeles, have primarily focused on immigration raids conducted at workplaces. However, other protests have focused on a wide variety of causes and concerns.

The protests in Los Angeles began following ICE raids on workplaces (AFP/Getty)

The earlier protests have been coordinated by major groups such as MoveOn and Indivisible. Those groups have worked to keep the focus on issues such as Medicaid and Social Security cuts, the influence of billionaires, as well as immigration policies.

However, this week, protests also included issues such as racial justice, Palestinian rights, and socialist policies.

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The largest individual union in the U.S., the National Education Association, took action when the protests began in Los Angeles. Other groups that have taken on leadership roles include local chapters of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. They have worked with local leftist groups to share information about demonstrations all over the country.

Supporters of Palestinian rights have appeared at protests in several places, including Chicago and New York. As the march in St. Louis came to an end on Wednesday, several groups attempted to garner support for queer rights, Black Lives Matter, and for tornado victims.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation, Voices for Palestine Network, Black Men Build St. Louis, and the Ecosocialist Green Party all took to social media to promote the march in St. Louis, according to The Times.

St. Louis is a small city, and a lot of the people that care about organizing for human rights tend to all work loosely with each other through an unofficial coalition, activist Kaitlyn Killgo told the paper.

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Democrats have discussed the possibility, following their losses in 2024, that treating all issues as equally vital may have damaged their appeal.

The executive director of the low-income and immigrant advocacy group Mission Action, Laura Valdez, called the ICE arrest of a Los Angeles labor leader a four-alarm fire.

Following the Friday video of the detention of the labor leader, Mission Action was taking part in protests by Monday, which was a reaction to the Trump administrations immigration raids.

Left-leaning groups could quickly gather people to protest, as they had been protesting Trumps policies for most of the year.

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Emergency protest: solidarity with LA! Well see yall tomorrow at the state capitol to say ICE out of our cities! Stop the deportations! the Austin, Texas chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation wrote on social media on Monday.

Similarly, also on Monday, the New York workers rights group the Peoples Forum, told supporters there would be a protest on Tuesday backing Los Angeles.

We refuse to be silenced! The people of New York City demand ICE get out of our communities, stop the deportations, and stop the raids, they said.

Leaders of progressive groups often speak to each other several times a day about how the Trump administrations policies impact their communities. Such groups have also taken steps to educate immigrants, students, educators, and religious leaders about their rights as well as provide legal help and mutual aid. The network reacted swiftly after ICE agents started going into workplaces in Los Angeles last week.

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We could see that the government had decided it would be more effective to apprehend hundreds of people through workplace enforcement rather than having several agents try to go after one person at a time, said Valdez.

This comes as widespread protests have been planned for Saturday across the country, coinciding with the military parade in Washington, D.C.
(NewsNation)  As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigrants who entered the United States illegally, immigration enforcement operations targeting workplaces have expanded to fruit and vegetable farms in several regions of California.

Unions representing farmworkers report that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have conducted enforcement raids at farms throughout the state, targeting migrant workers who studies show have become the lifeblood of the nations farming industry, which contributed more than $1 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2020.

Farmworker union officials have called on President Donald Trump to intervene and halt farm raids immediately. However, Trump blamed the Biden administrations stance on immigration for infiltrating industries like farming with lawbreakers.

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Trump: Deportations are hurting farmers, changes are coming

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the nations great farmers and those working in the hotel and hospitality industry are now complaining about his administrations very aggressive policy on immigration that is causing farms and hotels alike to lose very good and longtime workers.

This is not good, Trump wrote. We must protect our Farmers but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!

How many immigrant farmworkers are there in the United States?

The Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed that workplace immigration enforcement operations have specifically targeted California farms but acknowledged that such operations are ongoing.

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A DHS spokesperson told NewsNation that workplace enforcement efforts are meant to protect workers from exploitation and human trafficking. The agency said that many times, workers are trafficked into the U.S. and forced to work in unsafe conditions and are exploited by employers.

These operations not only protect American workers but also illegal aliens, the spokesperson said. President Trump will not allow criminals to abuse and exploit workers for profit.

(COURTESY)

The Center for Migration Studies reports that 86% of agricultural workers in the United States are foreign-born and that 45% of all migrant workers, roughly 283,000, are in the U.S. illegally.

However, a large number of foreign-born farmworkers enter the U.S. under the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program, which allows immigrants to remain in the United States for up to eight months to help meet the labor needs of farms. The number of migrants here through that program more than doubled between 2010 and 2019, the Center for Migration Studies reported, jumping from 79,000 requests in 2010 to 258,000 in 2019.

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Democratic governors defend sanctuary policies before Congress

One-third of the nations farmworkers are located in California, according to the California Farm Bureau, which issued a statement of support for farm employees in the wake of reports of increased farm enforcement missions being conducted. The New York Times, citing federal data, reported that the Central Valley of California produces 25% of the nations food supply, which is worth approximately $17 billion annually.

Those production levels led the state farm bureau to surmise that without farmworkers, much of the operations involved in planting, cultivating and harvesting crops would not take place. But again, research conducted by the University of California, Merced shows that about half of Californias 255,700 farmworkers are in the U.S. illegally. But to farm bureau officials, the immigration status of farmworkers does not limit their value to the states farming landscape.

Farm employees are not just workersthey are partners in this industry, Bryan Little, the senior director of policy advocacy at the state farm bureau, said. They are people with families, dreams, and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America. We understand the uncertainty some might feel right now, and we want to be absolutely clear: Californias farmers stand with you.

Workplace enforcement raids raise concerns among migrant advocates

The United Farm Workers Union reports it is aware of multiple immigration enforcement operations targeting farmworkers in California this week alone. The union called efforts to terrorize and separate farmworker communities an attack on California and a dangerous waste of resources.

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In one case, video footage published by a local ABC affiliate showed federal agents chasing migrant workers through a field during a workforce immigration enforcement raid in which dozens of workers were detained by federal agents.

Migrant farm laborers with Fresh Harvest working with an H-2A visa have their temperature checked and are asked questions about their health before boarding the bus to their shift, in the company living quarters in 2020. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images)

The organization also called on Trump to halt farm raids immediately and urged California lawmakers to act and seek transparency in the enforcement operations underway. It also called out Trump for characterizing many agricultural workers as those who have been charged or convicted of committing crimes. The raids are taking place as California and immigration have remained in the spotlight amid anti-ICE protests taking place in Los Angeles.

However, union officials remain committed to protecting migrant workers in agriculture.

ICE agents locations in Los Angeles being outed by protesters

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These workers who feed us are not criminals, the union said in a statement on Thursday in response to Trumps Truth Social post. Most have been here for decades. We need to protect the workers here from being hunted down in the fields. If President Trump is in charge, these raids against farms will stop immediately.

Last month, U.S. Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., reintroduced the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act that is designed to reform the H-2A visa program, which would assist migrant workers in being more easily able to obtain visas to help fill agricultural jobs in the U.S.

Yet as immigration crackdowns continue, advocates for the immigrant community said there are not enough resources for migrants to protect themselves from being targeted by federal agencies like ICE and Homeland Security.

Kathleen Bush-Joseph, a policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute, said that even though many immigrants are attempting to follow proper channels to work in the U.S., including in agricultural roles, they are fearful about ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts. She said the needs of migrants requiring legal assistance with work authorization and visas far outweigh the resources being made available to them.

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I think this reflects the larger picture where Trumps moves not only affect only the unauthorized immigrant population but also people who do have visas, who are green-card holders, and weve seen reports of U.S. citizens being arrested, she told NewsNation.

So just the way that the system is set up doesnt address employers needs, so theyve turned to unauthorized immigrants, some of which is leading to some of these difficult situations.

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In todays CEO Daily: Diane Brady on the impact of ICE raids on CEOs.

The big story: Israel attacks Iran and oil surges.

The markets: Down on Middle East fight.

Analyst notes from Convera, UBS, and Deutsche Bank.

Plus: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.

Good morning. I spoke with a C-suite leader of a large retailer this week who shook his head when I asked about the ICE raids and protests. I understand and support our laws, he said. What I dont understand is why we have to be so vindictive and cruel in applying them.

Therein lies the challenge for CEOs in speaking up right now as some fear that seemingly innocuous statements might put a target on their backs. We do hear from those who are already wounded, like Gary Rohwer of Glenn Valley Foods whose plant is operating at 30% capacity after federal immigration officials arrested half his workforce, despite him clearing them through the governments own E-verify system. Even those who havent been raided may be feeling an impact from the crackdowns. More than a million foreign-born workers have dropped out of the labor force since March, according to the St. Louis Fed. One leader in the construction sector told me that one of his workers quit because theyre worried a raid might harm an undocumented sibling whos staying in their home.

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For Scott Boatwright of Chipotle, whose workforce is 52% Hispanic, the answer has been to focus on his people. As he put it during a recent Leadership Next podcast: All of our team members go through the E-verify process. But its not lost on me that I could have team members within the organization that could have family members that are affected one way or another. I think its important for us as leaders in the organization to ensure we are connecting with all of our people, and just a mental check-in to say, Hey, how are you doing? How can we help? How can we support? I know you may be going through a challenging time.

More news below.



Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday that it would not release green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, after a federal judge ordered him to be released.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey had given the government a deadline of 1:30 p.m. on Friday to appeal his ruling, and in a last-minute filing, the government said that it didnt have to appeal the decision to keep detaining Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and leader of pro-Palestine campus protests.

The government claimed that the judge did not order them to release Khalil, but said only that they could not detain him based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios determination that he was a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests because allowing him to remain in the U.S. would create a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.

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The government stated that it was well within its rights to detain Khalil on other grounds, namely his removability as an alien inadmissible at the time of entry or admission, to wit.

And while the court made a factual finding that it was unlikely that Khalili would be detained on another basis  the court never held that it would be unlawful for Respondents to detain Khalil based on another charge of removability, the filing stated.

Last month, the U.S. government alleged that Khalil purposefully failed to divulge his work as an unpaid intern for the United Nationals Relief and Work Agency and withheld his membership of certain organizations when applying for a visa, which was grounds for his removal. Khalil entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022, and later applied for permanent residency in 2024.

UNWRA is a U.S. aid organization in Gaza that Israel has long sought to shut down. Israeli officials claimed that 12 of the organizations 32,000 staff members had been complicit in Hamass deadly incursion into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. A U.N. investigation found that nine of them could have been involved.

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The U.S. government also claimed Khalil had failed to disclose his work with the Syria office in the British Embassy in Beirut, as well as his involvement with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a pro-Palestinian activism group at his school.

But none of this would have likely prevented him from receiving his green card, and it serves as weak pretext for his removal.

Across the country, federal judges have ordered the release of multiple students and faculty detained as part of Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian speech. Mahmoud has remained in ICE custody since March, and missed the birth of his child.
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY)  Graduation for Hampton High School is on Friday, and those in attendance are in for a treat! This year, the honor of Valedictorian has a very unique twist.

17-year-old Nirmani Brahmbhatt is excited for her high school graduation this year.

I think its just going to be a really proud moment, said Nirmani.

Nirmani was named valedictorian. She has always been in a back and forth competition academically for the honor with another student at the school.

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We did have a friendly competition, but it was not, like, really intense.

That friendly competitor just happens to be her identical twin sister, Nishtha.

We always had a really small gap between our GPA. So, it was always like, whos going to be one? Whos going to be two? said Nishtha.

Well, guess what? These sisters, born only 60 seconds apart, are both number one! For the first time in Hampton High School history, this years graduation will have identical twin co-valedictorians!

I really do feel like were both inseparable, said Nirmani.

Nishtha and Nirmani are first generation Americans. Their parents moved to the United States from India.

Theyve always been working so hard for like us to get where we are, and they also like working to be financially stable here. So, for us to be able to be valedictorian is kind of like, you know, we can now like from now on, we can support them and we can like have a bright future for them as well, said Nishtha.

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Nishtha and Nirmani both plan to go to Old Dominion University. Nishthas major is mechanical engineering. Nirmani plans to become a software engineer.

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Israel launched a "preemptive" strike on Iran's nuclear programme on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Telegram channel.

The IDF said the attack was in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel. Dozens of jets struck military targets in various locations of Iran in a first stage, the IDF said.

Several loud explosions rocked the Iranian capital Tehran overnight, state media and eyewitnesses reported.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency for the country, saying a missile and drone attack on Israel was expected "in the immediate future," according to the Times of Israel.

The Israeli Ministry of Transport announced, according to the news site ynet, that Israeli airspace would be closed to take-offs and landings until further notice.

Recently, concerns in the Middle East about a possible Israeli attack on Iran had grown. The dispute over Iran's nuclear programme had increasingly escalated. At the end of May, US media reported that Israel had already prepared a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking for citizens to help with a wild turkey survey.

Summertime is when young turkeys are hatching, and by counting them and adult females, biologists can assess trends in reproductive success and survival of young turkeys. Biologists also count male turkeys to estimate total wild turkey abundance, male-to-female ratios, and adult survival, the IDNR wrote.

The agency asks residents to submit turkey sightings through the departments wild turkey survey site.

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Those who cannot participate online can have postcards mailed to them, IDNR said.

IDNR has been able to track meaningful trends in Illinois wild turkey population. Observations over the past five years include:

Increased reproductive success with poults per hen (PPH) rising from 1.62 in 2019 to over 3.0 in 2023 and 2024.

Improved poult survival with poults per brood (PPB) climbing from 3.69 to 4.23 during the same period.

Higher nesting success with hens observed with broods increasing from 53% in 2019-2020, to over 75% in 2023-2024.

The male-to-female ratio hovered around 0.46 to 0.48, suggesting consistent male carryover from spring hunting seasons and stable winter survival.

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GREENBRIER COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  An Illinois woman was sentenced for marriage fraud and perjury in Greenbrier County.

According to a press release from the United States Department of Justice, 28-year-old Kalee Ann Huff, of Fairbury, Illinois, was sentenced on Thursday, June 12, 2025 to five years of federal probation, including one year on home detention, for marriage fraud and perjury.

Illinois woman pleads guilty to marriage fraud and perjury in West Virginia

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The press release stated that according to court documents, Huff married 29-year-old Aakash Prakash Makwana, a foreign national, in Greenbrier County on September 3, 2021. Huff revealed that she agreed to the marriage in exchange for $10,000 as part of a plan to keep Makwana in the United States due to the upcoming expiration date of his immigration visa, however she never received or used the money from the scheme.

According to the United States Department of Justices press release, Huff also admitted that after Makwana received lawful permanent resident status, also known as a Green Card, they planned to divorce. They reportedly traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in March 2023 to have an interview with U.S. immigration officials with the intent to trick the officials into believing the marriage and relationship was real, however Makwanas application for the Green Card was denied.

The press release stated that immigration officers confronted Huff on August 8, 2023 about the fake marriage scheme, and Huff signed a statement saying that she went into the marriage with the intent of evading U.S. immigration laws.

Citizen of India pleads guilty to marriage fraud scheme in West Virginia

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According to the press release, on December 10, 2024, Huff went to Charleston and appeared before a federal grand jury following a subpoena and a cooperation provision in the marriage fraud case against her. Huff acknowledged that she committed perjury during her grand jury testimony when she answered questions falsely about material facts related to the governments investigation.

29-year-old Aakash Prakash Makwana, a citizen of India who was unlawfully living in the Ronceverte area of Greenbrier County, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 to aggravated identity theft.

The press release stated that Makwana admitted to committing aggravated identity theft when he put the residential property managers signature and name on the fake lease agreement without the permission of the property manager.

Makwanas sentencing is scheduled for September 26, 2025.

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According to the press release, on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Huffs brother-in-law, 33-year-old Joseph Sanchez, of Fairbury, Illinois, pleaded guilty to participating in an immigration marriage fraud conspiracy. He revealed that he pushed Huff to be a part of the scheme and that out of the promised $10,000, he only received $3,000. On May 28, 2025, Sanchez was sentenced to five years of federal probation.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston, who thanked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for their work on the investigation.

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This photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows a view of Tehran after Israeli airstrikes, in Iran. (Xinhua/Sha Dati)

CAIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's overnight military strikes on targets in Iran drew widespread condemnation across the Middle East on Friday, with regional powers warning the operation risks exacerbating tensions in a region already riven by multiple conflicts.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud expressed the kingdom's "strong condemnation" of what he described as "blatant Israeli aggression" in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. Faisal reaffirmed Riyadh's rejection of the use of force, stressing the need for dialogue to resolve disputes and warning the Israeli strikes would undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.

In a separate statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate steps to halt the assault, which it said "violates Iran's sovereignty and breaches international law."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly condemned Israel's overnight attacks on Iran, calling them a "clear provocation" and a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.

"The attacks of Israel on our neighbor Iran are a blatant provocation that flouts international norms," Erdogan said on social media platform X, warning that such actions threaten not just the region but global stability.

Turkiye's Foreign Ministry also issued a sharply worded condemnation, calling the Israeli airstrikes a "blatant violation of international law" and accusing Israel of pursuing a strategy of "regional destabilization."

The ministry said the attack's timing, amid negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, clearly demonstrates the Israeli government's "aversion to diplomacy and its willingness to jeopardize regional and global peace." Ankara urged Israel to cease "provocative and aggressive" actions and called on the international community to act swiftly to prevent further escalation.

Egypt also strongly condemned Israel's military strikes on Iran, calling them a blatant and highly dangerous escalation that threatens regional and international peace and security.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry described the attacks as a flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. It warned the escalation could severely jeopardize the stability and resources of the region, risking a slide into widespread chaos.

Iraq's government denounced the airstrikes as "a serious threat to international peace and security." Government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said the attack undermined ongoing talks between Tehran and Washington.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) warned of the "grave consequences" of continued escalation and stressed the importance of restraint. In a statement published by the official WAM news agency, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for adherence to international law and respect for national sovereignty, urging the international community to work toward a ceasefire.

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani warned on Friday that Israel's "reckless actions" are undermining international efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East and pose a serious threat to both regional and global security.

In a post on X, the prime minister said: "While countries around the world are working tirelessly to find diplomatic solutions that restore peace to the Middle East, Israel's reckless actions continue to destroy these chances and endanger our people, as well as global peace and security."

He added: "The international community must act to stop these dangerous violations before it's too late."

Other countries including Jordan, Oman, and Lebanon also condemned the Israeli attacks.

Yemen's Houthi group described the Israeli strikes as "aggression" and accused the United States of complicity. In a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the group said the attack marked "another chapter in Western-led escalation" against Iran, and warned of broader consequences if the campaign continues.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Friday that it had launched a "preemptive, precise, combined" assault on dozens of military targets across Iran, including facilities linked to Tehran's nuclear program.

State media in Iran reported that several senior military figures, including Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes. Reports also said six prominent nuclear scientists, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were killed.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned the attacks, warning in a statement that Israel would face "severe punishment" for what he called a "crime" against Iran. 

This photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows a view of Tehran after Israeli airstrikes, in Iran. (Xinhua/Sha Dati)

This photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows a view of Tehran after Israeli airstrikes, in Iran. (Xinhua/Sha Dati)

Missiles illuminate the night sky in Teheran, capital of Iran, June 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on June 14, 2025 shows a view of Tehran after Israeli airstrikes, in Iran. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Missiles illuminate the night sky in Teheran, capital of Iran, June 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Missiles illuminate the night sky in Teheran, capital of Iran, June 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Missiles illuminate the night sky in Teheran, capital of Iran, June 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Missiles illuminate the night sky in Teheran, capital of Iran, June 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Shadati)
The Trump administration has reportedly given the personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as part of President Trumps sweeping deportation agenda.

Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) handed over a dataset on Medicaid enrollees in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., according to The Associated Press. All these states allow non-U.S. citizens to receive Medicaid benefits.

The AP obtained an internal memo and emails showing that two top advisers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the data sharing and gave the CMS 45 minutes to comply. The data includes names, addresses, Social Security numbers and immigration status.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), in a statement to the AP, said the potential data transfer was extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is aiming to deport 3,000 immigrants lacking permanent legal status per day, according to White House aide Stephen Miller.

The administration has frequently threatened states that dont cooperate with Trumps immigration policies. Trump this week suggested hed like to see Newsom arrested over his response to protests in Los Angeles against federal workplace immigration sweeps.

The CMS announced May 27 that it was increasing federal oversight to stop states from misusing federal Medicaid dollars to cover health care for individuals who are in the country illegally, in line with Trumps executive order Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders, signed Feb. 19.

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Medicaid funds must serve American citizens in need and those legally entitled to benefits, CMS Deputy Administrator Drew Snyder said at the time. If states cannot or will not comply, CMS will step in.

According to the AP, Medicaid Deputy Director Sara Vitolo wrote in a memo that this move could violate federal laws such as the Social Security Act and Privacy Act of 1974.

The growing tension between state and federal authorities over Trumps deportation push was on full display Thursday when Democratic governors appeared for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing.

Last month, a judge allowed ICE to have access to IRS data to facilitate mass deportations, which overturned decades of precedent in handling of personal data between agencies.

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The Brief

Salvador Guerrero-Lopez, 42, was indicted in Chicago for unlawfully re-entering the U.S. after being deported three times.

He has prior convictions for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and narcotics distribution, and was arrested May 30 in Island Lake, Illinois.

He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and possible deportation; arraignment has not yet been scheduled.

CHICAGO - An undocumented immigrant who was previously deported three times after serious criminal convictions has been indicted in Chicago for unlawfully re-entering the United States, federal prosecutors said.

What we know

Salvador Guerrero-Lopez, 42, was charged Monday in a federal indictment with one count of unlawful re-entry after removal, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Chicago.

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Guerrero-Lopez, who had been living in Island Lake, was arrested May 30.

Authorities said he had previously been deported to Mexico in 2004, 2011 and 2021 following criminal convictions for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in California and narcotics distribution in Arkansas.

He was taken into custody after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations in Eagle Pass, Texas, requested assistance from Chicago law enforcement to locate and arrest him.

Guerrero-Lopez was under investigation in Texas for suspected criminal activity, officials said.

What's next

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He could also be deported again.

An arraignment date in federal court in Chicago has not been scheduled.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A man who was falsely accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and threatened with deportation to Mexico was released Thursday from a Wisconsin jail on bond, three weeks after federal immigration agents arrested him.

Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, was accused of a writing a letter threatening Trump in a social media post by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that got widespread national coverage. The post includes Morales Reyes photo and an excerpt from the letter he purportedly wrote in English. But the claims quickly fell apart as Wisconsin authorities determined that Reyes, who doesnt speak English well or write in the language, was framed.

Morales Reyes was a victim in a violent 2023 attack where his bike was stolen. According to authorities, the alleged attacker, Demetric D. Scott, forged the letter to try to clear his case. Morales Reyes was set to be a witness in Scotts July trial for armed robbery and aggravated battery.

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Morales Reyes was released in the afternoon after paying the $7,500 bond that an immigration judge set on Tuesday. Speaking to WISN-TV, Morales Reyes said he and his lawyer will fight his deportation.

I believe (the lawyer) knows the history and all of you know what happened," he said.

He was later met by relatives and members of the Milwaukee-based immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, which has helped work on his case.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the organization's executive director, said Morales Reyes was relieved and very grateful for all of the support hes received.

Judge Carla Espinoza said at the immigration court hearing in Chicago that Morales Reyes was not a threat to the community.

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Morales Reyes, a married father of three U.S. citizen children, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee.

He was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping a child off at school. He immigrated from Mexico in the 1980s and doesnt have legal permission to be in the U.S. This year, he applied for a U visa, which is for people in the country illegally who are victims of serious crimes. Getting such a visa can take years.

Homeland Security issued a statement to reporters last week saying that although Morales Reyes was no longer considered a threat to Trump, federal attorneys would still pursue an immigration case. The government alleges that Morales Reyes reentered the U.S. numerous times without a visa.

Morales Reyes had been held in the Dodge Detention Center in Juneau, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of Milwaukee. He was released after the federal government did not appeal the setting of his bond.

Noems social media post blaming Morales Reyes for an assassination attempt, which was circulated by Trump supporters, remains online.

___

Tareen reported from Chicago.
VENTURA, Calif. (AP)  Large-scale immigration raids at packinghouses and fields in California are threatening businesses that supply much of the countrys food, farm bureaus say.

Dozens of farmworkers have been arrested recently after uniformed federal agents fanned out on farms northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County, which is known for growing strawberries, lemons and avocados.

Others are skipping work as fear in immigrant communities has deepened as President Donald Trump steps up his immigration crackdown, vowing to dramatically increase arrests and sending federal agents to detain people at Home Depot parking lots and workplaces including car washes and a garment factory. It also comes as Trump sent National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles following protests over his immigration enforcement operations. Demonstrations have since spread to other U.S. cities.

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Maureen McGuire, chief executive of Ventura Countys farm bureau, said between 25% and 45% of farmworkers have stopped showing up for work since the large-scale raids began this month.

When our workforce is afraid, fields go unharvested, packinghouses fall behind, and market supply chains, from local grocery stores to national retailers, are affected, she said in a statement on Thursday. This impacts every American who eats.

California is a major center of American agriculture

California's farms produce more than a third of the country's vegetables and more than three-quarters of its fruits and nuts. While the state's government is dominated by Democrats, there are large Republican areas that run through farm country, and many growers throughout the state have been counting on Trump to help with key agricultural issues ranging from water to trade.

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Primitiva Hernandez, executive director of 805 UndocuFund, estimates at least 43 people were detained in farm fields in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties since Monday. The number is from both the Mexican consulate and the groups own estimates from talking with family members of people detained, she said.

Elizabeth Strater, the United Farm Workers director of strategic campaigns, said her group received reports of immigration arrests on farms as far north as Californias Central Valley. Lucas Zucker, co-executive director of the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy, said farmworker members reported that agents went to at least nine farms but were turned away by supervisors because they lacked a warrant.

This is just a mass assault on a working-class immigrant community and essentially profiling, Zucker said. They are not going after specific people who are really targeted. Theyre just fishing.

In response to questions about the farm arrests, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the agency will follow the presidents direction and continue to seek to remove immigrants who have committed crimes.

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Trump recognizes growers' concerns

On Thursday, Trump acknowledged growers concerns that his stepped-up immigration enforcement could leave them without workers they rely on to grow the countrys food. He said something would be done to address the situation, but he did not provide specifics.

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace," he said on his social media account, adding: "We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!

The California Farm Bureau said it has not received reports of a widespread disruption to its workforce, but there are concerns among community members. Bryan Little, the bureaus senior director of policy advocacy, said the group has long pressed for immigration reform to deal with long-running labor shortages.

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We recognize that some workers may feel uncertain right now, and we want to be very clear: California agriculture depends on and values its workforce, Little said in a statement. If federal immigration enforcement activities continue in this direction, it will become increasingly difficult to produce food, process it and get it onto grocery store shelves.

Farmworker fears for his children

One worker, who asked not to be named out of fear, said he was picking strawberries at a Ventura County farm early Tuesday when more than a dozen cars pulled up to the farm next door. He said they arrested at least three people and put them in vans, while women who worked on the farm burst out crying. He said the supervisors on his farm did not allow the agents inside.

The first thing that came to my mind is, who will stay with my kids? the worker, who is originally from Mexico and has lived in the United States for two decades, said in Spanish. Its something so sad and unfortunate because we are not criminals.

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He said he didnt go to work Wednesday out of fear, and his bosses told him to stay home at least one more day until things settle down. But that means fruit isnt getting picked, and he isnt getting paid.

These are lost days, days that were missing work. But what else can we do? he said.

___

Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California
Investing.com -- Indian authorities are examining multiple factors in the Air India Boeing (NYSE:BA) 787-8 crash that killed more than 240 people in Ahmedabad on Thursday, according to a Reuters report on Friday.

The investigation is focusing on several technical aspects of the aircraft, including engine thrust issues, problems with the flaps, and why the landing gear remained open during the incident. Possible bird strike is reportedly not among things being investigated.

Officials are also evaluating whether Air India bears responsibility for the crash, particularly regarding maintenance procedures.

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The Indian government is reportedly also considering a temporary grounding of all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in the country while the investigation continues.

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The Indiana University board of trustees voted to change a policy intended to tighten restrictions on campus protests after a federal judge found it was likely to violate the First Amendment.

Nearly a year ago, IU's board passed its "expressive activity" policy to ban overnight camping and the use of unapproved structures in response to a pro-Palestinian solidarity encampment that stood on campus for months during the spring 2024 semester.

Violators faced a range of possible disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, loss of university employment and a responsibility to pay for damages.

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However, the policy was paused after a judge ruled two weeks ago that it likely violates the campus community's First Amendment rights. Time, place and manner restrictions on free expression are legal as long as they are narrowly tailored; the judge's order said IU's policy was not.

During its June 12 meeting, the board unanimously agreed to end the prohibition on overnight protesting and other expressive activities. It also added language saying the policy should be "interpreted in favor of free speech rights."

While the overnight restriction is removed, protests stretching after hours, like the pro-Palestinian encampment, may still prove difficult. Camping is not permitted, and protesters must still obtain prior approval for structures.

The trustees voted to amend the policy at their June 12 meeting without explicitly detailing the changes before the vote. The policy was updated online about 15 minutes after the vote.

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General Counsel Anthony Prather said he and other administrators were evaluating changes to the policy prior to the court's decision. The new version is a combination of stakeholder feedback and takeaways from the preliminary injunction, he said.

Newly sworn-in trustee James Bopp Jr., a longtime conservative First Amendment lawyer, said he agreed that the previous policy overstepped constitutional rights. The new version, he said, adequately weighs guardrails and rights to on-campus speech.

"This issue, not only in my general practice but for the purposes of the university, is of critical importance that we get this right," Bopp said. "I really want to compliment the general counsel, in my opinion, as having done that now."

Trustees were also set to discuss resident undergraduate tuition, the budget and President Pamela Whitten's compensation during the June 12 meeting.

Newly appointed trustee James Bopp, Jr., middle, poses with Chair Quiinn Buckner, left, Indiana University President Pamela Whitten, second from right, and Vice Chair Cindy Lucchese, right, after being sworn in during the Indiana University Board of Trustees meeting in the Henke Hall of Champions at Memorial Stadium at Indiana University - Bloomington on Thursday, June 12, 2025.

'Expressive activity' policy history

Last year, trustees crafted an update to IU's "expressive activities" policy after a Dunn Meadow encampment resulted in several clashes with police and dozens of arrests. The university fenced off the area last school year to make pricey repairs it said the encampment caused.

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Three of the nine trustees voted against it during its initial passage last summer. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has since removed three of the board's members, including two of the dissenting trustees, under his new appointment powers, codified last legislative session.

The campus community widely decried the policy as unconstitutional, and protesters staged midnight candlelight vigils throughout the fall 2024 semester to test and challenge IUs enforcement of the policy.

The Indiana Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit challenging the policy on First Amendment grounds last August, which resulted in the policy's temporary halt this May.

The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

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Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com or message her on Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana University changes rule about overnight protests
When my first son was born, I was flooded with questions: sleep schedules, screen time, how to assemble a car seat without losing my mind. But as hes gotten older, one question has risen above the rest: Will he be ready for school?

Like so many parents, Ive learned what researchers, educators and employers have known for decades. A childs earliest years are some of the most important. Access to high-quality early childhood education shapes a childs academic success, emotional development and long-term ability to contribute to society.

Unfortunately, access to that opportunity is slipping further out of reach for too many families in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Public Schools recently announced it would no longer offer free pre-K starting in the 20252026 school year. Families could be asked to pay as much as $570 a month, if they can even find a seat. In a city already struggling with childcare deserts, stagnant wages and learning loss, this isnt just a logistical problem. Its a crisis.

IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson, left, visits with teacher Amy Engelhardt and pre-K student Javier Govea in the pre-K classroom Monday, July 31, 2023 at Carl Wilde School IPS #79.

This isnt IPSs fault. Its the result of chronic underinvestment in early learning, made worse by outdated state policy. Fewer than 10% of Indianas 4-year-olds qualify for the states On My Way Pre-K program. There just arent enough dollars or options to meet the need.

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Thats why I introduced legislation that would allow local communities to step up where the state has stepped back. And Ill offer it again in the 2026 Indiana General Assembly session.

My bill would give counties the ability to hold a referendum to fund early childhood education for 3- and 4-year-olds. If approved by voters, those funds could support a mix of providers: public schools, charter schools, private centers and even churches. Programs would operate under the guidance of trusted partners, like United Way or Early Learning Indiana. Its a local solution to a statewide problem, rooted in community choice and accountability.

The idea isnt ideological. It is focused on outcomes.

Studies show that for every dollar invested in early childhood education, communities can see up to $12 in return through reduced remediation, lower incarceration rates and higher future earnings. Pre-K isnt a luxury. Its an economic development strategy, a public safety tool and a workforce investment plan, all in one.

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There's no sugarcoating it: Passing a bill is just the first step in building a universal preschool system. Voters will need to approve it. We will need to recruit teachers, convert facilities and invest in the capacity of current and potential local providers. But these steps are doable, especially with a strong coalition of parents, educators, elected officials and business leaders as advocates.

If we want to build a stronger K-12 system in Indianapolis, we have to start by building a stronger foundation. That means making sure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn, regardless of their ZIP code or their parents income.

The path forward is clear. Its practical. Its popular. And its possible, if we choose to act.

Indianapolis deserves a serious plan for universal preschool. Lets give local communities the chance to lead.

State Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, represents Indiana House District 100.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Universal pre-K can come to Indiana. Here's how. | Opinion
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The driver of an SUV involved in a fatal crash in Terre Haute this past weekend made her first appearance in Vigo County Court today.

Eleven charges have been filed against Misty Casey. The charges include neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and causing death when operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Prosecutors said she was driving drunk when she wrecked her SUV, killing two teenagers.

She pleaded not guilty this afternoon.

According to the Terre Haute Police Department, Casey failed to stop at a stop sign at 13th and Oak Street. Her SUV collided with a pickup truck. According to court documents, a witness said they saw Casey driving at a high rate of speed and driving recklessly.

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Police said Caseys blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit to drive and she tested positive for THC.

Her trial date is set for December 2nd. Shes being held on a $100,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
As demand for electricity surges in the U.S., one nuclear energy company is offering a simple solution: building with what already works.

The Nuclear Company, a startup founded in 2023, just raised over $50 million in Series A funding to develop a new wave of nuclear reactors, not by designing brand-new ones but by using existing, preapproved designs and sites, according to TechCrunch.

The company's goal is to bring 6 gigawatts of clean energy online in its first development phase, enough to cleanly power millions of homes and businesses.

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This practical approach couldn't come at a better time. Energy use is expected to jump nearly 16% by 2029, largely due to the rise of data centers. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are all scrambling to lock in stable power sources for their data centers. Many have proposed nuclear energy, but the challenge lies in public support, and most new reactors take decades to design, permit, and build.

By focusing on sites that already have licenses or permits in place, The Nuclear Company could sidestep years of delays and red tape and get more clean, reliable power flowing faster. While solar farms and battery storage continue to grow in popularity, nuclear power offers the unique benefit of steady 24/7 electricity with zero carbon pollution.

This could be a big win for the environment and everyday consumers. More clean power on the grid helps lower emissions, reduces our reliance on nonrenewable fuels, and keeps energy prices low.

From studies showing the overwhelming benefits of clean solar, wind, and green hydrogen energies to developments in "cold universe" energy and progress in nuclear energy, the future of energy looks bright.

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The Nuclear Company's practical retrofitting strategy is already earning attention from nuclear experts and enthusiasts online.

On Reddit, one commenter highlighted the depth of talent behind the project: "They hired Laura Dudes from NRC. She had recently been acting head of NRR.  There aren't many people with that breadth and depth of experience.  If their other management has comparable resumes, they should be taken seriously."

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster praised the company's investment in the state. "Reliable, affordable energy is essential for our future prosperity, and this investment marks another step toward securing a bright future for our state," he told World Nuclear News. "As our population increases and technology advances, expanding nuclear power will be critical to meeting our energy needs."

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.




A spreadsheet circulating on X, shared by @DataRepublican on June 13, 2025, appears to expose a coordinated network of activist groups orchestrating monthly protests across the United Statesincluding the recent Tesla Takedown on February 15, 2025.

The document identifies multiple organizationsreportedly 22 in total, according to the original postincluding CHIRLA, which allegedly received $34 million in grants, and progressive advocacy arms like Vote Save America. The coordination suggests these demonstrations are far from spontaneous grassroots activism.

The spreadsheet, corroborated by posts from journalist @AsraNomani, shows a pattern of overlapping organizers and synchronized nationwide protest dates.

The spreadsheet shared by @AsraNomani confirms it : many of the same people involved in the Tesla Takedown protest are also active in other coordinated protests across the country. It looks like they're staging a nationwide protest every month now. The left is getting pic.twitter.com/gvOeOrg7lt  DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) June 13, 2025

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Critics on X, including @DataRepublican, have labeled the network a potential color revolutiona term historically associated with uprisings like Ukraines 2004 Orange Revolution, where foreign-funded NGOs were widely believed to have played a role.

A 2016 article in the Journal of Democracy discussed how NGO networks can sometimes serve as soft-power instruments for geopolitical influence, lending context to the comparison.

Concerns over foreign involvement have surfaced alongside allegations that Neville Singham, a controversial activist and donor, is linked to groups behind the June 89 protests, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

Multiple outlets have accused Singham of having ties to entities aligned with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interests, though no formal charges or direct financial links have been proven. These reports have nonetheless intensified scrutiny of nonprofit funding channels.

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Taxpayer dollars may also be fueling the activity. According to @DataRepublicans analysis of public filings, CHIRLAs grant income surged from $12 million to $34 million within a year.

Other organizations, such as the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), are said to operate with opaque donor networks.

The failed H.R. 5128 Nonprofit Transparency Act of 2023, which aimed to require 501(c)(3) nonprofits to disclose foreign donations, left a loophole that critics say enables this kind of funding.

Watchdog groups have long warned that many nonprofits do not fully comply with donor transparency standards, allowing millions to circulate with limited federal oversight.

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Users on X expressed outrage. @JKash000 asked, Why is a nonprofit charity funding riots against American citizens? Another user, @TonyDGianino, posted, By paying taxes, were funding the destruction of our own country.

Such reactions reflect mounting public distrust in nonprofit and government oversight, with increasing calls for audits and federal investigations. The IRS needs to step in, wrote @SaveUSAKitty.

This controversy goes beyond isolated demonstrationsit raises questions of influence and intent. The spreadsheets pattern of methodically scheduled, nationwide events mirrors tactics seen in past politically motivated revolutions.

As @realMAG1775 noted, drawing clear lines between domestic billionaire donors and alleged foreign-linked operatives like Singham is crucial.

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The involvement of platforms such as ActBlue and affiliated PACs suggests a convergence of financial and ideological motives.

Congress must act. Weak regulatory oversight has allowed what @DataRepublican describes as a well-oiled machine to exploit DHS grants and route money through nonprofits, potentially turning taxpayer funds into fuel for political agitation. Proposed reformssuch as mandatory disclosure of foreign donations and stricter IRS compliance auditscould help restore accountability.

Until then, Americans may be unknowingly bankrolling a protest apparatus with global ambitions.

As the nation watches, one question remains: Are these uprisings authentic expressions of dissentor orchestrated campaigns to destabilize American society?

The emerging evidence increasingly points to the latterand demands urgent scrutiny.
BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon will pay an official visit to China from June 17 to 20 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

This visit marks Luxon's first visit to China since taking office and takes place at a time when the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade, spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing.

During his visit, Chinese leaders will meet or hold talks with him separately to have in-depth exchanges of views on China-New Zealand relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, Lin added.

Lin noted that since the two countries established diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago, their relations have achieved considerable development. Leaders of both countries have agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation to drive the sustained and in-depth development of bilateral relations.

"Facing the current complicated and changing international situation, China is willing to work with New Zealand to strengthen strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, consolidate traditional friendship and jointly meet challenges," the spokesperson said.

China is ready to work with New Zealand to promote the building of the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect, mutual accommodation, cooperation and common development, so as to better benefit the two peoples, Lin said. 
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On the last day of the 2025 Texas legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a bill aimed at enhancing safety and transparency for Texans getting Botox.

This week on Inside the Investigation, Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost explains why, at the last minute, the states top leader rejected the measure.

Related reading

Backroom Botox is a wild west in Texas

Botox party bill heads to governor

On the final day of the session, Gov. Abbott vetoed the Botox patient safety bill filed after a KXAN investigation

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Join KXAN Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley every Friday at 10:30 a.m. on KXAN+, YouTube, Facebook, or KXAN.com for a recap of the latest reporting from the KXAN Investigates team.

You can also listen to KXANs investigative podcast, highlighting some of our award-winning teams latest reports exposing corruption, safety concerns, and system failures across Texas. We also feature audio versions of our weekly Inside the Investigation discussion with the journalists working on those stories.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Sparks flew Thursday as a trio of Democratic governors clashed with Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee over immigration policy.

The nearly eight-hour hearing with Democratic Govs. Kathy Hochul of New York, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Tim Walz of Minnesota on sanctuary states was scheduled last month, but gained even more prominence this week amid unrest in Los Angeles over President Trumps deportation efforts.

Each governor faced questions about their stances on working with the federal government on immigration, but politics overshadowed much of the hearing.

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Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), for example, first asked Walz, the vice presidential candidate for Democrats last year, if he had spoken to Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Kamala Harris about former President Bidens cognitive decline during last years presidential election.

No, not that I can recall, Walz responded. As governor and being on the ticket, I was probably more concerned with my own debate performance.

A number of House Republicans hit Walz over his comments last month referring to federal law enforcement agents carrying out Trumps immigration crackdown as the modern-day Gestapo.

New Yorks gubernatorial election took center stage early on after Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who is considering a run for governor, appeared at the dais in her capacity as a member of House Republican leadership.

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This is Kathy Hochuls New York. Its one of the many reasons why youre hemorrhaging support from hardworking New York families, Stefanik said, citing a number of recent crimes committed by those who were in the country without authorization, including the burning of a woman on the New York City subway last year.

We deserved a governor who stands up for New Yorkers, who doesnt put illegals first but actually puts New Yorkers first, she continued.

Hochul repeatedly told Stefanik she condemns the horrific crimes Stefanik cited, but hit back at the congresswoman.

Rather than you going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts, the governor said.

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Like Stefanik, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who is also mulling a gubernatorial bid, went head-to-head with Hochul.

Frankly, New York is better off with you down here and not in the state, Lawler told Hochul.

I dont think its better off with you here, Hochul hit back.

The New York governor did land her own zinger at the hearing after she was asked by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) if she was a proud, registered Democrat.

Yes, is that illegal in your country? Hochul responded, eliciting some gasps in the hearing room.

The third Democratic governor at the hearing, Pritzker, also faced his share of adversarial questioning. Like Walz, Pritzker is widely seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028.

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His most heated exchange arguably took place with Illinois Rep. Mary Miller (R ), who accused Pritzker of tying the hands of Illinois law enforcement.

You know Congresswoman Miller, Im not going to be lectured to by someone who extols the virtues of Adolf Hitler, Pritzker said, referring to Millers past remarks in which she said Hitler was right about the value of influencing a nations youth. Miller apologized for the 2021 remarks.

At one point, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) questioned Pritzker over whether he agreed with allowing men in womens restrooms and whether he supports Hamass agenda.

So youre admitting that this is just a political circus? Pritzker responded. This has nothing to do with immigration and [is] really about you grandstanding.

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It was not just the three Democratic governors who clashed with lawmakers during the hearing.

It also devolved into a shouting match after Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) called on the committee to subpoena Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after news broke that Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was thrown out of a press conference she held earlier in Los Angeles.

We need to subpoena Secretary Noem, Frost said as Comer repeatedly said he was recognizing Greene to speak.

Democrats cant follow the rules. Cant follow up, Greene said as Comer told Frost he was out of order.

Amid the shouting, Comer looked toward Frost and said, Will you just shut up?

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No, youre not going to tell me to shut up, Frost fired back.

The stakes were not only high for the three Democratic governors. Thursdays hearing could arguably be seen as an audition for many of the committees members ahead of the election for the its ranking member position.

Democratic Reps. Stephen Lynch (Mass.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas) and Kweisi Mfume (Md.) are all running for ranking member, while Republican Reps. Byron Donalds (Fla.) and Andy Biggs (Ariz.) are each running for governor in their respective states. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) is running for Senate, and Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Greene are mulling gubernatorial bids.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Scotland's first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer has died, aged 85.

Sir Geoff, chancellor and professor emeritus at Heriot-Watt University, moved to the UK from Jamaica as a teenager and became known as both an academic and a human rights advocate.

Scottish Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury paid tribute to Sir Geoff on social media - describing him as a "father figure" and a "courageous voice for justice and equality".

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Prof Richard A Williams, the principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: "Sir Geoff was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world.

"His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this University was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years.

"He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time."

In a social media post Mr Choudhury said he was "deeply saddened" to share the news of the passing of Sir Geoff.

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He added: He was not only a distinguished scientist & academic, but also a courageous voice for justice & equality. My sincere condolences to his family & all who knew and admired him

"May his soul rest in peace."

He later thanked people for their messages of sympathy, saying: "Geoff wasn't just my dad's best friend, he was a father figure to me, took me under his wing as a teen and continued to inspire me his entire life.

"It's a huge loss, but I'm grateful for the memories."

First Minister John Swinney said he was saddened to hear about Sir Geoff's death.

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He said: "Sir Geoff Palmer was a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual. He had a hugely positive impact on Scotland and will be sorely missed."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the academic was "a gentleman, a pioneer and an intellectual giant" who would be dearly missed.

Sir Geoff's links to Heriot-Watt began in the 1960s [PA Media]

Sir Geoff moved to London from St Elizabeth, Jamaica, in 1955, joining his mother in the city.

After studying at the University of Leicester, he completed his PhD in grain science and technology jointly with Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh in the 1960s.

Following a spell in Surrey, he returned to Heriot Watt in 1977, going on to become Scotland's first black professor in 1989 before eventually retiring in 2005.

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Sir Geoff's academic work saw him invent the barley abrasion process - which involves deliberately damaging the protective husk of grains to speed up the process of malting.

His efforts won him the American Society of Brewing Chemists Award of Distinction, an honour dubbed the Nobel prize of the beer world, while the success of his discovery attracted funding that established the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling as part of the Heriot-Watt campus.

'Lasting impression on Edinburgh'

Sir Geoff later served as leader of Edinburgh's Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group [PA Media]

Sir Geoff was also known as a passionate advocate for the rights of black communities, work which saw him invited by Edinburgh City Council to chair a review group looking at the city's colonial legacy.

The group presented a number of recommendations, including that the city council should apologise for Edinburgh's past role in slavery and colonialism.

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In 2014 Sir Geoff was knighted for services to human rights, science and charity and four years later he he was appointed Jamaica's first Honorary Consul in Scotland.

He was the 2020 recipient of the Jamaican national honour, the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) and in 2021 was appointed chancellor of Heriot Watt university.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge called Sir Geoff a "true inspiration" who will "leave a lasting impression on Edinburgh".

He added: "In chairing the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Sir Geoff made a vital contribution to recognising and profiling the capital's links with slavery and colonialism in the public realm.

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"I know Sir Geoff's legacy in academia and activism will live on for years to come, inspiring future generations. He will be dearly missed  my thoughts are with his friends, family and all those who knew him."
Intermountain Healths Intermountain LDS Hospital and Select Health are teaming up with the Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake to improve community health and wellness by offering education, free screenings and prevention.

The two will host a booth every second Saturday throughout the summer, offering free screenings, connections with hospital services and wellness resources to help marketgoers boost their health. According to an Intermountain Health release, Visitors can engage with caregivers at the booth with fun activities for kids, take home healthy recipes using fresh market produce and access information about local healthcare services.

The Downtown Farmers Market kicks off June 14 and runs each Saturday through October at Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake City. The events hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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One of the largest farmers markets in the country, its organized by Urban Food Connections of Utah and features hundreds of vendors and local farmers. Each week, thousands of visitors flock to the park, located off 400 South and 300 West, to experience local food, fresh produce, arts and crafts and culture.

People attend the Salt Lake City Farmers Market at Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 1, 2024. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News

Our participation in the Downtown Farmers Market reflects our commitment to helping residents live the healthiest lives possible, said Heather Wall, president of Intermountain LDS Hospital. We want to meet people where they are to help them enhance their health and wellness, and the market is a perfect place to share resources, answer questions, and help individuals and families take steps toward better health.

Wall said Intermountain LDS Hospital and Select Health will highlight different recipes that the community can make through season-available foods throughout the remainder of the summer. She added that the two health entities are proud to support this community-driven initiative for more than 15 years, which aligns with our mission to help people live the healthiest lives possible.

The news release highlights some of fresh, locally grown produce available at the market: arugula, basil, beet greens, beets, bok choy, chard, cherry tomatoes, chives, cilantro, collards, dill, living butterhead lettuce, microgreens, mustard greens, oregano, parsley, peas, pea shoots, radishes, rainbow chard, rhubarb, spring salad mix, strawberries, sun shoots thyme, tomatoes and turnips.

Multiple parking, travel options

Farmers Market parking options includes two-hour free street parking, and free parking at The Gateway. Free bike valet is available on the east side of the market. A GREENBike docking station is nearby in front of Caputos. TRAX also runs near the market with both Arena and Planetarium stops close to The Gateway.

Intermountain LDS Hospital offers more information on its market participation and other community programs through its Facebook page.
Elon Musk has called for the International Space Station (ISS) to be de-orbited within two years amid concerns about the ageing facilitys safety.

The billionaire owner of SpaceX, which sends astronauts and cargo up to the ISS regularly for Nasa, said parts of the station were simply getting too old.

Even though SpaceX earns billions of dollars from transporting astronauts & cargo to the ISS, I nonetheless would like to go on record recommending that it be de-orbited within two years, Mr Musk posted on X, his social media platform.

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The ISS is not scheduled to be brought back to Earth until 2030.

Mr Musks comments follow Nasas decision to postpone a commercial mission to the ISS, which is jointly run by the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and the European Union, that was previously scheduled for Friday.

Nasa said it was working with Russian space agency Roscosmos to investigate a new pressure signature in a section of the station, called the Zvezda service module.

Nasa has described the leaks, which are caused by microscopic cracks in the stations aluminium-based structure, as a top safety risk

Top safety risk

Zvezda hosts living quarters, life support systems, key electrical components and flight control and propulsion systems, according to Nasas website.

Leaks were first detected aboard the ISS in 2019. Nasa has described the leaks, which are caused by microscopic cracks in the stations aluminium-based structure, as a top safety risk.

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Over time, the leaks have been growing worse  although experts say they are closer to a slow puncture in a tyre than a blowout.

Nevertheless, it means valuable air is being lost from the station, which is dependent on supply runs from Earth for oxygen, food, water and other essentials.

The cracks in the station, parts of which are now a quarter of a century old, are thought to be the result of general wear and tear to its largely aluminium-based structure.

In orbit, the ISS undergoes a constant cycle of cooling and heating that causes what is known as high cyclic fatigue in its metal components, where tiny cracks can emerge. This is because aluminium becomes harder but more brittle over time as it is flexed.

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Casey Handmer, an American physicist who previously worked at Nasas jet propulsion laboratory, claimed that the problem was potentially far more serious than had been publicly acknowledged and could lead to a failure in orbit that put astronauts at serious risk.

There are seven people currently aboard the ISS.

We could wake up tomorrow and find, with zero warning, that it has failed catastrophically, Mr Handmer wrote on X.

Whether that means a leak slow enough to close some hatches, get the crew out or at least into safer parts of the station, is a roll of the dice.

It could also depressurise in less than a minute.

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On Thursday, Nasa said Russian cosmonauts had carried out repairs to the Zvezda section. However, the US space agency postponed the Axiom Mission 4 launch, which would have taken an Indian astronaut to the ISS, while investigations are carried out.

The postponement of Axiom Mission 4 provides additional time for Nasa and Roscosmos to evaluate the situation and determine whether any additional troubleshooting is necessary, Nasa said.

The Axiom Mission 4 launch will be carried out by Mr Musks SpaceX, using both the companys Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon capsule.

The billionaire threatened to decommission his Dragon capsules as part of a blazing public row with Donald Trump on social media.

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However, Mr Musk has since said he regrets some of his comments during the spat and there has been no sign of him following through on the SpaceX threat.

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NEW CANAAN, Conn. (WTNH)  Kent Mawhinney cut a plea deal Friday in the Jennifer Farber Dulos case, pleading guilty to the lesser charge of interfering with an officer rather than conspiracy to commit murder.

Kent Mawhinney pleads guilty to interfering with an officer in Jennifer Farber Dulos case

Former State Prosecutor Ryan McGuigan spoke with News 8 Friday afternoon about his thoughts on the deal and whether or not he was surprised to find out the newest developments.

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Watch the full interview in the player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Between the daily political chaos from MAGA and the Trump administration and the culture-war battles that make your head want to explode, its exhausting trying to stay informed while keeping your sanity intact.

Thats why were so excited to introduce Standing Room Only with Amanda Marcotte, Salons new YouTube show and podcast. If youve ever found yourself yelling at the TV during political analysis or rolling your eyes at both sides journalism, this show is for you.

With her signature sharp perspective, Amanda Marcotte has been calling out political BS and cultural hypocrisy for years here at Salon. Standing Room Only was  and still is!  Amandas politics newsletter. Now shes bringing that same fearless energy (and killer music recommendations) to your screens and headphones every week. New episodes drop on YouTube on Thursdays at 5 p.m. Eastern. (Follow SalonTV and get notified of new episodes.) You can also listen to Standing Room Only on your favorite podcast apps, including on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Amanda digs into the stories that matter, from the MAGA movements latest power grabs to the cultural trends that shape our political reality, examining these moments with the critical eye they deserve. Take her recent Mar-a-Lago Face episode, where she unpacks the new aesthetics of power among MAGA women and men  exactly the kind of incisive cultural analysis that makes her voice so distinctive.

By combining keen political insights with cultural commentary, and adding just enough dark humor to keep you from completely losing hope, Standing Room Only Amanda connects the dots in ways that make sense of our chaotic world. Her guests on the Pass the Mic booth bring additional expertise and valuable perspective to these necessary conversations.

How to Watch and Listen

You can catch Standing Room Only on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Perfect for your morning coffee, evening wind-down, or whenever you need a dose of clear-eyed commentary that doesnt insult your intelligence.

How to contribute

Have thoughts on what Amanda should cover next? Want to share your own take on the topics shes discussing? The show thrives on community engagement, so dont be shy about joining the conversation in the comments under every video on YouTube, or in the newsletters new comments feature (for subscribers only).

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Why is Karoline Leavitt so annoying?

From trolling the media to gaslighting the public, its no surprise Donald Trump chose 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as his new press secretary. In this episode, Amanda unpacks her combative style with reporters, including scolding the press and calling their questions stupid. We also look into her curious rise from White House intern to MAGA mouthpiece and examine why her tactics may backfire. Theres also the lie that shes an empowering role model and her questionable style. Our guest this week is communications specialist Kate Bernyk.

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Trump thinks ego is his strength  its actually his weakness

Donald Trumps obsession with himself isnt just a personality trait; its a real danger for the rest of us. From a military parade that turned into an authoritarian spectacle, to Trumps lagging approval ratings and growing tension on the worlds stage between Iran and Israel, the president is restless. In this episode, Amanda explains why understanding Trumps narcissism is key to fighting back. Her guest this week is Salon executive editor Andrew OHehir.

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Why misogyny is winning right nowFrom Blake Lively to Trump

When a woman accuses a man of abuse, her reputation can be destroyed, while the man is recast as the victim. It happened to Amber Heard after Johnny Depp won a defamation case against her. Now its happening to Blake Lively, following her lawsuit against It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni.

But this isnt just about Hollywood. Misogyny is becoming more normalized across our culture, especially among young men, and its one of the key forces that helped Donald Trump win the 2024 election.

In this episode, Amanda explains how the system is still rigged to tear women down. Journalist Kat Tenbarge joins the conversation to discuss how online influencers fuel smear campaigns and how their videos serve as a gateway to conspiracy thinking and right-wing ideology.

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Mar-a-Lago Face What is it? The look that took over Trumpworld

Pumped-up lips, spray tans, hollowed-out cheeks and false lashes are just some of the characteristics of the Mar-a-Lago face that Donald Trump adores in his women.

In this episode, Amanda talks about why the look is so popular, what it stands for and how it relates to an emerging social media trend called feminine energy. Journalist Laura Bassett joins the booth to talk about some of the notable Mar-a-Lago faces, including Kristi Noem, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lara Trump and more.

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Now they want to ban dress-up in Texas schools

Whats wrong with a kid wearing cat ears or roaring like a lion at playtime? Texas Republicans and Gov. Greg Abbott dont like it and they have a plan to ban dress-up and other non-human behavior in schools.

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In this episode, Amanda details how a logic-defying culture war about litter boxes turned into a real bill aimed at forbidding kids from playing pretend at school. Imara Jones, journalist and CEO of TransLash Media, joins to give more context on why its happening.

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Wellness influencers are getting more conservative

RFK Jr. and Dr. Casey Means are gaining big traction in both wellness and conservative circles. Whats behind the crossover between health influencers and Christian right politics? We break down why its happening and the dangers of Means, an unlicensed functional medicine doctor who talks to trees, advocates against sunscreen and is an aspiring poet, being nominated for Surgeon General. What does it mean for the future of health and politics?

In this episode, Amanda reads Casey Means poetry and explains why Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is lining up with Christian right views, anti-science MAHA moms and tradwives by choosing Means. Journalist Lindsay Beyerstein, who writes about fringe health schemes, joins this week.

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* * *

I tried MAGAs favorite prayer app  It was weirder than I expected

Hallow, a Christian prayer app, is trending in MAGA circles. As someone who is not religious, Amanda wanted to understand what its all about. And wow  its weird. Heres what she found as she took courses on the app, such as The Feminine Genius, and listened to Fasting Fridays, featuring actors Chris Pratt and Mark Wahlberg.

In this episode, Salon journalists Coleman Spilde and Russell Root join Amanda on her Pass the Mic segment to break down the signs of MAGA-coded celebrities. Plus, the debut of the Encore section, with Amandas music recommendations from Latchkey Records in Philadelphia.

The post Introducing Standing Room Only with Amanda Marcotte, Salons new YouTube show and podcast appeared first on Salon.com.
An investigation is underway after Boston police responded to a report of a person shot in Brighton.

According to a spokesperson from the Boston Police Department, around 8:09 PM, officers were dispatched to the area of Gordon Street and Pomeroy Street for a person shot.

Once on the scene, officers located a male suffering from a gunshot wound.

Officers transported the victim to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

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No arrests have been made, and homicide detectives have been called to the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

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
Investigators and rescue teams are searching the site of one of Indias worst aviation disasters, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met with the lone surviving passenger, a day after an Air India flight fell from the sky and killed 241 people on the plane and multiple people on the ground.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick Airport with 242 people on board, went down shortly after takeoff on Thursday, striking a medical college hostel in the western Indian city.

Investigators and rescue workers recovered the digital flight data recorder  one of the two black boxes on the plane  from the rooftop of the building on which the jet crashed, the aviation ministry said.

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Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said it had begun its work with full force. Meanwhile, operations on Friday were focused on locating missing people and recovering aircraft fragments and the remaining black box  a cockpit voice recorder.

An official from the National Disaster Response Force said it deployed seven teams to the crash site and they have recovered 81 bodies so far.





The crash caused extensive damage and left bodies scattered both inside the aircraft and among buildings at the site.

The devastation is saddening

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the scene in his home state of Gujarat on Friday, meeting with rescue officials and some of the injured in hospital. The scene of devastation is saddening, he posted on X.

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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau launched an investigation into the incident.

Medics are conducting DNA tests to identify those killed, said the president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, Akshay Dongardiv.

Meanwhile, grieving families gathered outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

Two doctors at the hospital said the bodies of four medical students killed on the ground were released to their families. They said at least 30 injured students were admitted to the hospital and at least four were in critical condition.

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Witnesses described hearing a blast on Thursday before dark smoke engulfed the area. We were at home and heard a massive sound. It appeared like a big blast, the Reuters news agency quoted 63-year-old resident Nitin Joshi as saying.

Footage from CCTV cameras captured a fireball rising above the crash site shortly after the Dreamliner took off. Parts of the fuselage were found scattered across the hostel complex, and the aircrafts tail was lodged in the buildings roof.

Boeing said it was ready to send experts to assist in the investigation, which Air India warned would take time. The crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner since the aircraft began commercial service in 2011.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson arrived in Ahmedabad early on Friday.

Modi meets lone survivor

The sole survivor of the crash was seen in television footage meeting Modi at the government hospital where he was being treated for burns and other injuries.

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Viswashkumar Ramesh told Indias national broadcaster he still could not believe he is alive. He said the aircraft seemed to become stuck immediately after takeoff. He said the lights came on and right after that, the plane accelerated but seemed unable to gain height before it crashed.

He said the side of the plane where he was seated fell onto the ground floor of a building and there was space for him to escape after the door broke open. He unfastened his seatbelt and forced himself out of the plane.

When I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive, he said.

The crash claimed the life of Vijay Rupani, Gujarats former chief minister. Police said most passengers were still strapped in their seats when found.

The passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants, a source told Reuters. Air India said 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven were Portuguese and one was Canadian.




IOWA (KCAU)  Local landowners and Woodbury representatives spoke out about Governor Reynolds veto.

Multiple landowners from Iowa spoke about their anger over the Governors veto Wednesday on House File 639. The measure would have required additional insurance by companies looking to build, covering damages and operations of a hazardous liquid pipeline.

The bill would have required pipeline companies to hold informational meetings in every county where property rights would be affected. The governor said in a veto letter that the bill combined valid concerns and vague legal standards.

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Megan Solma, a fourth-generation farmer from Sioux County, says Reynolds had to contemplate farmers rights and the summits rights. So she weighed those rights, my rights, and the summits rights, and she chose the summit. She chose a summit over hundreds of landowners, and she allowed them to trample on our property rights, she said.

Story continues below

State Representative Steven Holt also took part in the news conference. He said he questions why the governor did not express her concerns over the measure when it was going through the legislative process.

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Holt stated, Where were her bills? Where were her ideas? If she shares the goal of protecting landowners. That is just a disingenuous statement that is betrayed by the fact that there was a total leadership void from her office over the past three and a half or four years.

Holt said the fight over protecting property rights is Far from over.

Democratic State Representative J.D. Scholten released a statement on Facebook saying, The Iowa Capitol seems like the White House right now, where if you contribute enough money for a Republican campaign, you get your will I feel bad for all of the pipeline protesters who come to the capitol, day in day out, only to see our governor sell out to corporate interests.

KCAU spoke with Woodbury County Supervisor and farmer Mark Nelson about his response to the veto.

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Nelson said, And, you know, its an issue that 80%, 90% of Iowans just dont view this as an appropriate use of eminent domain. And so its just really ashamed that the government got it wrong and that the ramifications of this are going to continue to happen, and speed up now, unfortunately.

Another woodbury county resident, Doyle Turner, told KCAU 9 in a statement, The governor landed on the money. Turner also said that Reynolds had plenty of time to work with legislators, but did nothing for four years.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley is asking House GOP lawmakers to sign a petition to reconvene for a special session to override Reynolds veto.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Wei Zijian, an award-winning pianist from China and winner of the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition, performs at an event titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future" in New York City, the United States, on June 12, 2025. Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries.

The young musicians showcased a wide range of classic pieces including String Quartet No.12 in F Major, Op. 96 by Antonin Dvorak, Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake by Lu Wencheng, Soiree de Vienne, Op. 56 by Alfred Grunfeld. They ended with a joint performance of Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 by Robert Schumann.

The performance featured four musicians from the National Youth Orchestra of the U.S.A. (NYO-U.S.A.) and Wei Zijian, an award-winning pianist from China and winner of the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition.

Moreover, the performance also acted as a preview of a few upcoming shows, continuing the exchange between musicians in China and the United States.

The NYO-U.S.A. summer concert schedule consists of venues in China's Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai while Wei will make his Carnegie Hall debut on October 26.

The evening began with welcome speeches from key members who made the event possible.

"Today's performance is one example of many ongoing China-U.S. cultural exchanges," said Chen Li, Consul General of China in New York.

Cultural exchanges between the two countries not only greatly enrich diverse cultural experiences for Chinese and American people, but also provide the people of the two countries, especially young people with a valuable opportunity to get to know Chinese and American culture and society are close, according to Chen.

"To have these brilliant young players going around the world as youth ambassadors for America, connecting with people all around the world is so important. These things are particularly important at times when relationships are more difficult between countries," said Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall.

Mary Anne Huntsman, trustee of Carnegie Hall and chair of the NYO Council, has seen firsthand the success of music and diplomacy. As a classical pianist herself, she has played with orchestras in Beijing and Guangzhou and is looking forward to accompanying the NYO-U.S.A team and going back to China this summer.

"I've come to believe that the most meaningful progress often begins not in policy rooms, but in concert halls, classrooms, and moments of shared beauty," said Huntsman.

"As the National Youth Orchestra prepares for its upcoming journey, we carry more than instruments. We carry a belief that the arts can soften what divides us, strengthen what unites us, and inspire the kind of understanding that policy alone cannot," Huntsman said.

As for the upcoming tour of the NYO-U.S.A. to China, "it's a way for them to see China, but also to make relationships and to make friendships," Huntsman told Xinhua on the sidelines of the performance.

"We have a lot of amazing Chinese artists who perform here and ones who keep coming back...They're all phenomenal. And Carnegie welcomes them back many many times," added Huntsman.

17-year-old Dana Chung, a violist in quintet told Xinhua she likes the medium of music. "There's so much collaboration...Even though we come from different cultures, we all play music and it's all the same once you're in a collaborative space. So in that way, it can mesh cultures together," said Chung.

Shaw Edwards, an 18-year-old cellist, expressed interest in visiting China for the first time. "It's a whole new introduction to a great culture, which we have so much of in New York City. But, going to China is going to be a whole new melting pot. And it's going to open up a lot of perspectives for us," Edwards told Xinhua. 

Clive Gillinson, executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, speaks at an event titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future" in New York City, the United States, on June 12, 2025. Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Mary Anne Huntsman, trustee of Carnegie Hall and chair of the NYO Council, speaks at an event titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future" in New York City, the United States, on June 12, 2025. Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Young musicians perform at an event titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future" in New York City, the United States, on June 12, 2025. Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)

Young musicians perform at an event titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future" in New York City, the United States, on June 12, 2025. Young musicians from China and the United States Thursday jointly performed to an audience of around 200 guests at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The event, titled "Youth Dialogue for the Future," focused on collaboration and diplomacy of the two countries. (Photo by Winston Zhou/Xinhua)
Irans foreign minister is calling Israels strikes on its nuclear facilities and military leaders a "declaration of war" on Friday, as Tehran quickly replaced top commanders who were killed in the attacks, according to multiple media reports.

The comments from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi come as his department also released a statement claiming Israels "aggression against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States."

"Consequently, the U.S. government, as the primary patron of this regime, will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the Zionist regimes reckless actions," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.

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The Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami and the country's chief of staff of the armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, were killed by Israel's strikes. As of Friday morning, Ahmad Vahidi was appointed to temporarily replace Salami, while Habibollah Sayyari will fill in for Bagheri, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing Iranian media.

Live Updates: Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion On Iran

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Major Gen. Hossein Salami, third from right, and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, right, are seen during a meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, on April 21, 2024.

Vahidi previously held the roles of Irans defense minister and interior minister and once led the IRGCs elite Quds Force (QF) from 1988 to 1998, the Jerusalem Post added. It noted that during his time with the IRGC-QF, Vahidi was linked to the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which left 85 dead.

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Sayyari is a former marine who led Irans navy from 2007 to 2017.

Israel Hits The Heart Of Irans Nuclear Program In Natanz Facility Strike

Irans Foreign Ministry said Friday that Israels strikes "constitute a violation of Article 2(4) of the U.N. Charter and a blatant act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"In accordance with Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, Iran reserves the legitimate and legal right to respond to this aggression. The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to defend Irans sovereignty with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate," it continued.

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"As a founding member of the United Nations -- an organization whose very purpose is to prevent aggression, breaches of peace, and threats to peace -- the Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the Security Councils obligation to take immediate action against this violation of international peace and security, stemming from the Zionist regimes blatant aggression. We call upon the President and members of the Council to act without delay in this regard," the foreign ministry added.

"The grave and far-reaching consequences of the Zionist regimes aggression against our beloved homeland, Iran, will rest entirely upon this regime and its supporters," it also said.





Original article source: Iran calls Israeli strikes a 'declaration of war,' swiftly replaces killed military leaders
Iran has closed its airspace "until further notice" following a major Israeli strike, the country's civil aviation authority said on Friday.

Residents have been advised not to travel to airports and to monitor media for updates. Operations at Tehran's main airport had already been suspended.
Israel has launched airstrikes against Iran, saying the regime has enough material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days.

In what could be the opening salvo of a regional war, explosions lit up the skyline in Tehran, as jets attacked both nuclear and conventional regime targets  without the support of the US.

Blasts were heard in Natanz, one of two known nuclear underground sites, according to state television.

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The headquarters of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were also ablaze, in a sign that Israel is targeting key elements of the regime, not just military infrastructure.

An apartment building burns in Tehran | Credit: sentdefender/X

Iranian state media confirmed that Hossein Salami, the IRGC commander, was killed in Thursday nights airstrikes.

Irans state TV said nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in an Israeli strike earlier this morning.

Early on Friday, Israel was braced for a retaliatory missile and drone attack.

We are at a decisive moment in Israels history, said Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video address.

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We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters and exports across the globe.

Confirming that the IDF had struck Irans main enrichment facility at Natanz, targeting leading scientists in the process, the Prime Minister added that This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.



This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

The attacks come despite ongoing talks between Iranian and US negotiators to broker a nuclear deal.

Earlier on Thursday, Donald Trump said he did not want the strikes to happen and warned of massive conflict in the Middle East.

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It is currently unknown if the US was warned in advance. Marco Rubio, the American Secretary of State, confirmed the US was not involved in the strike.

Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

Israel said it decided to attack after intelligence indicated that the Islamic republic was closing on a bomb despite the ongoing talks.

A military official said: Nuclear scientists and senior officials in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for developing a nuclear weapon  explosive materials, the core - enriched uranium- and neutron source.

In accordance with this decision, the regime has enough fission material for 15 nuclear bombs within days.

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In recent months, secret attempts to assemble this have been made with the approval of the regime.

Mr Netanyahu said Iran already had enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs.

Israel said the decision was taken also because of Irans plans to triple its stockpiles of conventional ballistic missiles, which were described as an existential threat to the state of Israel.

Renewed attempts by Iran to arm terrorist proxies in the region for attacks against Israel further played into the decision.

Mr Netanyahu said the Islamic republic had plans to accumulate 20,000 missiles within six years.

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According to Israeli sources, these elements amounted to a new strategy after Irans decades-long policy of fighting by proxies was heavily set back last year, with defeats for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

We cant leave these threats for the next generation, he continues. Because if we dont act now, there will not be another generation. If we dont act now, we simply wont be here, said Mr Netanyahu in a video address. Never Again is now,

A military source said: If we dont act now, with each day we will have less chance. We have a gun to our head. We are nearing the point of no return.

Damage from an Israeli air strike in Tehran - REUTERS

Previously, analysts believed that Iran had enriched uranium to more than 60 per cent, putting it within weeks of building a crude nuclear warhead.

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Israeli strategists are known to have been agitating for a strike during a favourable military window created by the IDFs destruction of Irans S-300 air defence systems last autumn.

The effective defeat of Hezbollah in Lebanon also means Israel can attack with less fear of retaliation on its northern communities.

However, the whole of Israel was tonight put on high alert for an Iranian retaliatory barrage of ballistic missiles, with an order prohibiting educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, except for essential sectors.

Flights to and from Israel have also been suspended.

The chief of the Home Front Command, Maj Gen. Rafi Milo, said: Movement and travel should be minimised. We are facing intense and complex days. We are strong and prepared to safeguard and defend the State of Israel.

Smoke rises from a blast in eastern Tehran - EPA

Sirens wailed across Israel at 3am local time to alert the population of the change to what is effectively war footing.

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Previously, attacking Iran without an explicit green light from the US would have been considered unthinkable by most Israeli strategists.

Although Mr Trump himself threatened to bomb Iran repeatedly before the talks started, he is thought to want a deal with Tehran in order to avoid a war and establish his legacy as a statesman.

Israel said it is prepared to defend itself from Irans expected retaliation.

However, its sophisticated missile defence system can become overwhelmed, and military chiefs would prefer active US support in fending off ballistic missiles.

Israel has been at war on several fronts since October 7 2023 and is currently embarked on an expanded offensive in Gaza. Israel has placed all Palestinian towns in the West Bank under lockdown until further notice, and mobilised troops near its northern border to defend against an attack, if needed.

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Senator Jack Reed, a senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, criticised the strikes as reckless escalation that put the region and American forces at risk.

On Thursday the US prepared to evacuate non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad, which is vulnerable to Iranian retaliation, and issued an order restricting the movement of its staff within Israel.

A number of Iranian civilians have been killed in the strikes so far, according to Iranian state media.

Dozens of commercial airliners were in Iranian airspace when the attacks started, according to flight tracking websites.

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When I was woken up this morning at 3am by sirens that sounded across Israel I knew exactly what was happening. Now the sirens are sounding here again as Iran attempts to retaliate against Israels deadly, effective strikes against its nuclear weapons enterprise.

But the signs had been piling up for the last few days: International Atomic Energy Agency declaring Iran in breach of its obligations, US pulling non-essential staff out of embassies, hospitals in Israel made ready, a warning issued to Hezbollah in Lebanon against attacking; the list goes on. But the signs of the inevitable had also been there for many years before.

Iran has been a rogue state since the ayatollahs seized power in 1979. The Islamic Revolution that year was built on death to Israel and death to America. The US was the Great Satan, Israel and Britain the Little Satans. These were not mere words. Iran was behind the suicide bombings that killed 241 US and 58 French military personnel plus six civilians in Beirut in 1983, as well as 63 deaths at the US Embassy there six months before.

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Irans dirty work was also responsible for the killing of 85 people at a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires in 1994, as well as 29 in an attack on the Israeli embassy in the same city in 1992. Iran and its proxies killed at least 1,100 British, American and allied troops in Iraq between 2003 and 2007 as well as an unknown number of coalition troops during the Afghanistan campaign. They have targeted US bases, international shipping and oil fields in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

And they have been attacking and killing Israeli soldiers and civilians for decades. That eventually culminated in the October 7 pogrom in Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and many were taken hostage. There is much more to add to Irans catalogue of terror: a bomb factory in London, for instance, that was disrupted by British security services in 2015 and alleged attempted terrorist attacks in the UK leading to arrests last month. Iran has also been the major supplier of drones and missiles to Russia which have been used against civilian and military targets in Ukraine.

For decades the Tehran regime has been working to develop nuclear weapons. Although Iran sometimes paused its programme when it feared punitive action from either the US or Israel, it has refused to stop; its upward trajectory has now reached a point where the IAEA believes it now has enough highly enriched uranium to make at least ten bombs.

Irans ballistic missile capability has also been proceeding apace, giving it a nuclear capability to span the region, and of course there are also other more covert means of delivering nuclear weapons. Until recently the missing part of the intelligence jigsaw was weaponisation, the ability to turn fissile material into a viable bomb. Today Israeli prime minister Netanyahu revealed that Iran has indeed been working on that important final step.

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With all diplomatic pathways to prevent Iran becoming a nuclear armed state closed off, Israel had no choice but to attack. The alternative would have been unthinkable: a regime that has repeatedly proven its capacity for unlimited violence acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

But Irans dictators are now in a desperate situation. Israel has decapitated their armed forces and destroyed significant parts of their offensive capability. The IDF will continue to attack Irans nuclear facilities and to degrade its capacity to strike, although we dont yet know whether it will be completely neutralised.

If not, like Hitler in his bunker, the unhinged ayatollahs might try to lash out at oil states in the region  either with their own remaining armoury and or using what terrorist proxies remain to them. They might even attack US bases in the Middle East, which they have threatened to do, even though they know that could bring about their Armageddon.

All of that might lead to insurrection in the country. Much of the population in recent years has reached new heights of hatred for rulers that have oppressed, imprisoned, tortured, murdered and impoverished them. But it is far from clear that there is a viable opposition able to step up; one scenario is perhaps some kind of military coup.

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Until then Iran and Israel will trade blows: but my money is on Israel talking less and hitting harder.

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(Reuters) -Iran fired less than 100 missiles on Israel on Friday, most of which have either been intercepted or fallen short, the Israeli military said.

"A limited number of buildings were affected, some of them as a result of shrapnel from the interception operations," the Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, said in a post on X

(Reporting by Hatem Maher)
Iran has fired hundreds of missiles at Israel, according to a statement published by the state news agency IRNA on Friday.

The Israeli military previously said it had detected Iranian missiles being launched towards Israel.

Air raid sirens sounded in several parts of the country and the population was called upon to seek shelter.

Iran had vowed to respond to large-scale Israeli airstrikes, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said were considered a declaration of war.

Israel's attacks, which began on Friday morning, targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, who was killed in an Israeli air strike on Tehran Friday, was a veteran officer close to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei known for his tirades against Israel and its US ally.

"If you make the slightest mistake, we will open the gates of hell for you," the white-beared general warned Tehran's arch foes during a tour of an underground missile base in January.

Born in 1960 in central Iran, Salami joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in 1980 at the start of the devastating eight-year war launched by then Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

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He spent most of his career in the Guards, a parallel military set up after the 1979 overthrow of the Western-backed shah to defend the goals of the Islamic revolution.

The force is now 125,000-strong strong, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, although Iran has never released any official figure.

Salami rose through the ranks to become head of the Guards' aerospace division, and was placed on Washington's sanctions blacklist.

He served as the corps' deputy commander for nine years before being promoted to the top job in 2019 as part of a major reshuffle.

Iran's revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had made support for the Palestinian cause a centrepiece of Tehran's foreign policy and Salami repeatedly alluded to calls for Israel to be wiped from the map.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should "learn to swim in the Mediterranean Sea" in readiness to flee, he said in a 2018 speech.

The Revolutionary Guards played a central role in Iran's forward foreign policy in the Arab world, which saw Tehran-backed militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah lead Gaza and Lebanon into war with Israel.

The twin conflicts were accompanied by the first-ever direct exchanges of fire between Iran and Israel last year and were to lead to the much bigger wave of Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday, one of which killed Salami.

sbr/cab/kir/dv
Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that its nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Fordo have been attacked.

However, the IAEA does not yet have any information beyond reports of military activity around these facilities, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council in New York on Friday.

There is no information about damage at this stage.

"At this moment we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has been taken place around these facilities as well, which initially had not, I repeat, had not been been part of the military operation, but now there is enough information for me to say to you that these facilities are also concerned all these developments," Grossi said.

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According to the IAEA, only attacks on the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz had been confirmed.

Grossi warned that nuclear facilities must not be attacked under any circumstances and that such attacks could have serious radiation consequences.

The Israeli army said on Friday evening that it had attacked the nuclear facility in Isfahan. Iranian media also reported at least two explosions at the Fordo nuclear facility.

This is located about 100 kilometres southwest of Tehran and deep inside a mountain.

Centrifuges for uranium enrichment are also installed there, but the facility is smaller than the one in Natanz, which Israel also attacked during its major offensive against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described Israel's large-scale attack on his country as a declaration of war, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Friday.

Israel had crossed all red lines, Araghchi said according to the report. He called on the UN Security Council to deal with the incident immediately.

Earlier, Iran formally requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

It said that it had sent an urgent letter condemning Israel's strikes on nuclear facilities and the killing of military personnel, calling for the council to respond to what Iran described as the "obvious aggression of the Zionist regime."
Credit: X

Iranian missiles targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Tehran escalated its retaliation against Israel.

Dozens of ballistic missiles struck Tel Aviv, Israels second largest city, and other sites in the country on Friday in what the IDF said was an attack on civilians. Footage showed at least one high-rise building badly damaged in the city centre. It was not immediately clear whether it had taken a direct hit.

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Israel said there were at least five casualties in what would amount to a serious escalation. Iran has not previously aimed missiles at civilian areas.

Attacks continued early on Saturday morning, with residents in Jerusalem running for shelter as projectiles rained down over the ancient city.

Iran has crossed red lines by daring to fire missiles at civilian population centres in Israel, Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, said in a statement on Friday. We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous actions.

The attacks came after Israel launched waves of missiles at Iran in the early hours of Friday, decapitating the top layer of Tehrans military and hitting nuclear sites.

Iranian missiles hit civilian areas in Tel Aviv - AP Photo/Tomer Neuberg

After the barrage, which lasted hours, Donald Trump warned Irans leaders that they faced complete destruction unless they agreed to a deal that put an Iranian nuclear bomb out of reach.

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The US president told Iran to make a to make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian empire.

The initial raids on Iran involved about 200 aircraft using 330 different munitions across 100 targets, the Israeli Defense Forces said.

Senior senior military commanders as well as a wide array of military and nuclear installations across the country were hit, they added.

Emergency services at the scene in Tehran after the Israeli strikes - Meghdad Madadi/Tasnim News/AFP via Getty

The Israeli attack continued deep into the afternoon, with the Israeli air force targeting ballistic missile systems that could be used in a counterattack.

Leaving these missiles in the hands of the Iranian regime poses a danger to the region and the entire world, said an IDF spokesman.

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On Friday night, Iran claimed it had captured an Israeli pilot after the fighter jet attacks. Israel denied the reports.

After initially saying we are not involved in the attacks, the US moved to frame the action as a possible second chance for Irans leadership.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote:

In a separate, earlier post, the US president said: There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, pledged to keep up the attack for as many days as it takes to decapitate Irans nuclear programme.

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On Friday night, there were reports that Israel had hit Irans deepest and most sophisticated nuclear sites.

I can now confirm that we struck the nuclear facility in Isfahan. The operation is still ongoing, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz and Fordow were hit.

At the Natanz facility for uranium enrichment, Israeli defence officials assessed the damage as significant.

According to the military, the Israeli strikes destroyed the underground section of the site, which housed a multi-level enrichment hall housing centrifuges, electrical rooms and other supporting infrastructure.

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The strikes also destroyed critical infrastructure, disabling the sites continued operation and advancement of the Iranian regimes nuclear weapons project.

Analysts said that while the strikes on Irans nuclear facilities were significant, they were probably not decisive. Some gave more weight to Israels decapitation strategy that killed three of Irans most powerful men overnight.

Those reported killed included Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces. Salami was close to the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and often accompanied him at public events. Together, the pair led the Supreme National Security Council.

Salami and Bagheri would normally have co-ordinated with Khamenei to launch retaliatory action against Israel.

There was first fear, then elation in Israel as news of the strikes spread, said a Tel Aviv local. However, by nightfall Israeli officials were warning people to stay near shelters, saying they expected several waves of attack from Iran.

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At about 7.30pm UK time, Iranian news outlets were reporting that hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched towards Israel.

The US said during the Iranian barrage that it was helping to intercept missiles. America has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist and to provide better protection of US bases in the region.

Mr Trump and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, had said they would defend Israel if it came under attack.

The US president said his country was ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliated, Fox News reported.

Mr Macron said France would defend Israel if it was attacked by Iran as it had done in the past, but he ruled out taking part in any operation against Tehran.

Irans top military generals were killed in the attacks - Majid Saeedi/Getty

France and Israel, traditionally close allies, have had frosty relations in recent months, with Mr Macron increasingly critical over Israels war in Gaza.

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Sir Keir Starmer said Israel had the right to defend itself but, speaking to Bloomberg, declined to comment on reports Britain would not help intercept missiles and drones fired at Israel.

UK forces assisted Israeli defence efforts during the last Iranian attack on the country.

Vladimir Putin said on Friday he had spoken to the leaders of both Israel and Iran and urged them to return to diplomacy.

In a Kremlin statement, Putin told Irans Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia condemns the actions of Israel taken in violation of the UN Charter and he expressed condolences for those killed.

The statement said Putin, in his conversation with Mr Netanyahu, stressed the importance of a return to the process of talks and resolution of all issues concerning Irans nuclear programme strictly through political and diplomatic means.

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Mr Netanyahu called on Iranians to unite against what he described as an evil and oppressive regime, telling them Israel was engaged in one of the greatest military operations in history.

The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime, he said in a video statement.

We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Lion, he added.

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SACRAMENTO, the United States, June 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. citizens are almost evenly split over President Donald Trump's decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles, according to a new Washington Post-George Mason University poll published on Thursday.

41 percent support the move, 44 percent oppose it, and 15 percent are unsure, according to the text-message survey of 1,015 adults, including 217 Californians, conducted on June 10.

California residents are more critical, with 58 percent opposing the deployment and 32 percent supporting it. Party lines remain stark.

Nearly 86 percent of Republicans support the action, compared with 10 percent of Democrats. Meanwhile, 76 percent of Democrats oppose it. Independent voters lean against the troop deployment by a 15-point margin, with 48 percent opposed and 33 percent in favor.

Trump federalized about 4,000 National Guard members and mobilized 700 Marines last week to reinforce immigration raids in the nation's second-largest city, saying the troops will protect federal property and assist agents.

Governor Gavin Newsom has sued, arguing the deployment undermines state authority and stokes unrest; a federal judge heard the emergency motion on Thursday afternoon but have not made a rule immediately.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew over roughly 2.6 square kilometers of downtown since Tuesday after scattered looting and clashes between protesters and police. The Los Angeles Police Department reported dozens of arrests for curfew violations and vandalism.

The protests, which began after aggressive ICE raids in immigrant communities, have spread beyond Los Angeles to cities including Chicago, New York, San Antonio, and Spokane, according to multiple media reports. Curfews also have been imposed in multiple locations to curb unrest.

Despite some incidents of property damage and clashes with police, officials emphasized that the vast majority of residents remain peaceful. Los Angeles County Attorney highlighted that 99.99 percent of residents near protest zones had not engaged in unlawful activities.

Public opinion on the protests themselves is also divided: 39 percent of Americans support the anti-immigration-enforcement demonstrations, 40 percent oppose them, and 21 percent are undecided. Views of Trump's broader immigration strategy have turned negative, with 52 percent disapproving and 37 percent approving. 
Warning sirens sounded across Israel on Friday as Iran fired dozens of ballistic missiles in a retaliatory attack after Israel launched overnight airstrikes.

Around 100 missiles were fired from Iran in two salvos, officials said. Israel has a robust missile defense system known as the Iron Dome, which intercepted most of the missiles, the Israel Defense Forces said. The IDF reported a limited number of hits on structures, some from interception failures.

Video and photos showing a number of buildings damaged or on fire, though the full extent of the damage is not yet clear. The IDF reported that 21 people had been injured and two were in serious condition.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. / Credit: Tomer Neuberg / AP

A U.S. official and a White House official confirmed to CBS News that the United States helped Israel intercept Iranian missiles.

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During the strikes, U.S. troops at two bases in the Middle East were ordered into bunkers. Troops at Union III in the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, and Al-Tanf Garrison in Syria spent about an hour in the bunkers, CBS News confirmed.

A third wave of missiles is not expected, CBS News contributor Robert Berger reported, and people in Israel have been told they can leave their bomb shelters.

Fire and smoke rise from a building, reportedly hit by a missile fired from Iran, in central Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025. / Credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

The retaliatory action from Iran came after Israel launched over 200 airstrikes on Iran  continuing a major operation that began overnight, IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Friday. Israel's airstrikes are continuing, Defrin said.

Israel first launched airstrikes on Iran early Friday and announced its operation was targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, scientists and senior military commanders.

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Tehran responded by launching more than 100 drones at Israel on Friday morning, Israel's military said. Defrin said earlier Friday that Israel's air defenses had worked to "intercept the threats." Later Friday, an Israeli military official told reporters that while the threat wasn't over, Israel had managed to intercept many of Iran's UAVs.

"Throughout the day, we once again demonstrated our ability to remove threats in a coordinated, precise and daring manner," Defrin said Friday night local time.

In a televised statement on Friday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the Iranian Armed Forces would respond fiercely to the strikes and leave Israel "helpless."

Shortly after the statement, the IDF confirmed that its fighter jets had "completed a strike on the Iranian regime's nuclear site in the Isfahan area." Ishafan is in central Iran. The strike "dismantled a facility for producing metallic uranium, infrastructure for reconverting enriched uranium, laboratories and additional infrastructure," the IDF said.

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The U.S. was not involved in Israel's strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, adding a warning that "Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

President Trump said in a post Friday morning on his Truth Social media platform that he had given Iran "chance after chance" to make a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, but that despite his warnings to Tehran that the alternative would be "much worse" than anything seen before, "they just couldn't get it done."

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Mr. Trump said. "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left."

An Iranian-made Shahed-136 explosive drone is launched from a mobile launching unit in a file image taken from a propaganda video distributed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). / Credit: IRGC/Handout

In a later post on Friday, Mr. Trump said he "gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"

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Israel has intercepted virtually every Iranian weapon launched in previous large-scale attacks by the Islamic republic. The retaliatory action by Iran was long anticipated and well planned for, Defrin said.

Iran's President Mahsoud Pezeshkian said Friday on Iranian TV that the country would "strongly take action" against Israel in response to the attacks, promising "a severe, wise and strong answer."

"The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act," he said.

Israel says it destroyed Iran's air defenses, killed top commanders

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Earlier Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the IDF had begun "Operation Rising Lion," with a massive wave of airstrikes against dozens of Iranian nuclear sites, military commanders and research scientists, saying the goal was to "roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival."

Like Netanyahu, Defrin, the IDF spokesman, called the attack on Iran preemptive in a video statement delivered Friday, saying Israeli intelligence had uncovered an Iranian "plan to destroy Israel that has taken shape in recent years." He said that plan involved Iran "racing towards a nuclear bomb," working to double or triple its ballistic missile stockpile, and continuing to "finance, arm, and operate its proxies throughout the Middle East against the State of Israel."

"I can confirm that the senior security leadership of the Iranian regime has been eliminated in the strike: the Iranian Chief of Staff, [Mohammad] Bagheri; the Commander of the Revolutionary Guards, [Hossein] Salami; and the Head of the Emergency Command, [Gholamali] Rashid," Defrin said, adding that other commanders had been killed and that Israeli would provide further updates. He said Israel had "targeted and struck the Iranian regime's aerial defense arrays."

/ Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The IDF said its operation would continue for days, but that the first wave consisted of 200 Israeli fighter jets dropping "over 330 different munitions," to hit more than 100 targets in Iran.

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"The breadth and scale of these strikes  against senior Iranian officials and other military facilities in addition to nuclear sites  suggest this operation is intended to not just dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, but also cripple any potential military response and even to destabilize the regime," Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a British military think tank, said in a statement. "Israel has once again demonstrated its considerable conventional military superiority, and the size of the force allegedly assembled for this series of attacks represents the overwhelming bulk of their longer-range strike aircraft. They have the ability to conduct multiple such rounds of strikes, but operating for an extended duration over this considerable range will stretch even the Israeli Air Force."

Savill said Iran's response "might be delayed or split into multiple phases, but their main weapon will be ballistic missiles, which have the best chance of inflicting damage on Israel, whereas drone and cruise missile attacks will face more extensive Israeli defenses. Israel operations have therefore targeted air defenses and ballistic missile sites to forestall this."

Savill said that if Iran "believes the U.S. or others were involved" in the Israeli strike, then their retaliation could include targeting the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, and American air facilities in Qatar, "though both would widen the conflict to drag in others."

NATO chief urges de-escalation, says nuclear clash "not close"

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Iranian state media said the Israeli strikes had hit several cities, including in the capital of Tehran and the city of Natanz, a key center for Iran's uranium enrichment program. The IDF said it struck Iran's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area.

"The underground area of the site was damaged," the IDF said in a statement. "This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure. In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted."

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA, said in a series of social media posts that its Director General, Rafael Grossi, had been in contact with Iranian authorities on Friday, who told him the country's highly-sensitive and highly-secured Fordo nuclear site "has not been impacted" by the Israeli strikes. Later Friday, Reuters reported that two explosions had been heard near the site and that state media said Iranian air defenses had shot down an Israeli drone near the facility.

The IAEA also said Iran's "Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant had not been targeted and that no increase in radiation levels has been observed at the Natanz site."

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building, targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran, June 13, 2025. / Credit: AFP via Getty

On Friday, during a visit to Sweden, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters that "this was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate."

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Despite the ongoing attacks, Rutte said he believed the region was "not close" to a possible nuclear conflict.

While there have been no claims that Iran has yet built a nuclear weapon, Israel is believed to have multiple warheads, though it has never formally confirmed nor denied its status as a nuclear-armed nation.

Iranian officials quickly threatened retaliation to the attack, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying Israel "should await a harsh response."

The IDF said in a statement before Iran's retaliatory strikes that it had prepared for "a campaign on the frontline and on the home front."

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Netanyahu said Israel's strikes against Iran, "will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

Shortly after Israel's strikes, the U.S. Embassy in Israel ordered American personnel to shelter in place.

A day beforehand, the Trump administration ordered non-emergency U.S. personnel to leave Iraq and allowed U.S. military family members to leave the Middle East voluntarily.

Risk of an escalating regional conflict

Israel has carried out strikes against Iranian proxies in recent years, while Iran has backed foes of Israel, including the militant group Hamas.

In April of last year, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel after a strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus was widely attributed to Israel, but the Israeli military intercepted the vast majority of the weapons.

Six months later, Iran launched more missiles at Israel, which retaliated with strikes on Iranian sites.

Friday's back-and-forth could escalate to be among the most severe clashes between Israel and Iran, which have been adversaries for decades. Mr. Trump warned earlier in the week that the strikes could snowball into a "massive" conflict.

Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at the Chatham House think tank, said in a statement Friday that the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen could play a role in the Iranian response to Israel.

"With Iran currently weakened and humiliated, this marks the first time the Houthis will be called upon to repay decades of Iranian investment and support," Al-Muslimi predicted. "Following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, the Houthis have effectively become Iran's first line of defense against Israel  an increasingly central role."

Al-Muslimi said the Houthi response could extend beyond retaliatory strikes on Israel itself.

"Strikes in the Red Sea will likely resume, the ceasefire with the United States may unravel, and we shouldn't be surprised if Saudi Arabia and the UAE are dragged back into direct conflict in Yemen," Al-Muslimi said. "Attacks by the Houthis on U.S. military bases in the Gulf, the Horn of Africa, and naval forces at sea are also highly plausible."

Fabian Hinz, an air warfare expert at London's International Institute of Strategic Studies, told the Associated Press that Iran's current capabilities are potentially "more threatening to the U.S. military than to Israel."

Iran has a "huge arsenal" of shorter-range missiles, Hinz said, and there are a number of U.S. military bases in the region. He said Iran also has "lots of anti-ship capabilities."

"Think of the Iranian shipping threat as similar in quality to the Houthi threat, but much larger in quantity," Hinz told the AP.

Israeli attack casts doubt on fate of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks

The Israeli strikes and Iranian counterattack came amid efforts by President Trump to strike a new deal with Iran to limit the country's nuclear ambitions  an idea Israel has long been dubious of.

The U.S. and Iran were set to hold talks Sunday, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News. There was no immediate comment from any high-ranking Iranian officials that those plans would change after Israel's attack, but some reports in Iranian media outlets indicated Iran would likely no longer participate in the negotiations.

"With Israel's actions, the sixth round of negotiations with the United States will probably not be held," Iranian lawmaker Aladdin Boroujerdi, a member of parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said, according to Iranian media.

Michal Ben-Gal, Seyed Bathaei, Jennifer Jacobs and Olivia Gazis contributed to this report.

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
Iran retaliated to Israel's large-scale attacks with waves of missile attacks on Friday evening.

The Israeli military reported that it had detected Iranian missiles being launched towards Israel, with air raid sirens sounding in several parts of the country.

Shortly afterwards, Iran announced that it had fired hundreds of missiles at Israel, in a statement published by the state news agency IRNA.

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It later announced a second and third wave of missiles had been launched. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the start of the operation, saying it was targeting dozens of military targets and air bases.

The Israeli military said audible explosions could be heard from air defences or impacts, and called on the population to seek shelter.

Iranian television reported attacks in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

According to the Israeli emergency services, there were several injuries.

Israel's large-scale attack on Iran

Iran had vowed to respond to large-scale Israeli airstrikes, which Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said were considered a declaration of war.

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Israel's attacks, which began on Friday morning, targeted Iranian cities, nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists, eliminating top military figures.

The first wave began in the early hours, with loud explosions rocking the Iranian capital Tehran overnight, state media and eyewitnesses reported. The Natanz nuclear site was also targeted.

Hours later, Iranian media reported that Israel had carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian territory including on the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz and again at the Natanz nuclear site.

There were reports of new Israeli attacks near the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday evening, with air defences activated in the south of the metropolis, according to the Mehr news agency.

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There were also reports of explosions in the western part of the city. These occurred near a popular park and on the outskirts of Tehran, which is home to more than 15 million people.

Later, Israel said its air force had bombed a nuclear facility in Isfahan. Israeli army spokesman Nadav Shoshani confirmed the attack on X.

According to Israeli media, a previous wave of 100 drones launched by Iran towards Israel had been shot down.

Iran vows to 'destroy' Israel

In an evening address on state television, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to "destroy" Israel.

"The armed forces will act with determination and destroy the despicable Zionist regime," the religious leader said.

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The Iranian people can be sure that there will be no negligence after the major attack, Khamenei said.

He had earlier threatened Israel with "severe punishment." He said the attacks had exposed Israel's "evil nature more than ever before" and had hit residential areas.

UN Security Council to convene

The UN Security Council said it would convene in New York later on Friday, according to diplomatic sources.

The UN's most powerful body was set to meet at 3 pm (1900 GMT) at the request of Russia, backed by China. The council is usually unable to take decisions regarding the Middle East due to the veto power of Israel's ally, the United States.

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Earlier on Friday, Iran had formally requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Several Iranian military figures and scientists killed

Khamenei confirmed the deaths of several commanders and scientists in the Israeli strikes, calling them "martyrs."

The Iranian news agency Tasnim, considered the mouthpiece of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Major General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, was killed in an Israeli strike on the IRGC's headquarters.

He was considered one of the most powerful men in the Islamic Republic.

The Israeli military later said it had killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' air force, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. The death was confirmed in an IRNA report.

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At least six prominent Iranian scientists, including nuclear scientists, and academics were killed in the overnight attacks airstrikes, according to reports from Iran.

On Friday afternoon, Iranian media reported that at least 96 people had been killed by the earlier Israeli strikes. The ISNA news agency reported 18 deaths in the province of East Azerbaijan in the north-west of the country. According to consistent media reports, at least 78 people were killed in the province of Tehran.

Concerns in the Middle East about a possible Israeli attack on Iran had grown in recent weeks, as tensions over Iran's nuclear programme escalated.

At the end of May, US media reported that Israel had already prepared a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu: Israeli strikes to continue as long as needed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at eliminating the nuclear threat from Iran.

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The attack, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," is to continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," he said in a video published online on Friday.

Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency for the country, citing the risk of retaliation.

Israel subsequently announced that it was shutting all of its embassies and consulates around the world.

US says this was an Israeli operation

Soon after news of the strike broke, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved, and warned Tehran not to target US personnel in the region in retaliation.

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US President Trump called on Iran to quickly conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. "JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

Later, Trump said his team had been informed in advance of Israel's plans to attack Iran.

Asked in a telephone interview by US daily Wall Street Journal what kind of heads-up the United States was given before the attack, Trump said: "Heads-up? It wasn't a heads-up. It was, we know what's going on."

Status of nuclear facilities uncertain

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, informed Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Friday that the Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz suffered "serious damage" in Israel's wide-scale strikes on Iran, a spokesman for Herzog said.

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Iranian nuclear authorities said earlier, however, that the strike on the Natanz site had not resulted in any radioactive contamination or chemical leakage.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that the radiation levels there were not elevated.

A uranium enrichment plant about 150 kilometres south of the Iranian capital Tehran had not been affected by the wide-scale Israeli airstrikes overnight, according to the IAEA on Friday, as more details emerged about the targeted sites.

Calls for de-escalation

The attacks in an already unstable region has caused concern worldwide.

"Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.

"This was a unilateral action by Israel," said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "So I think it is now crucial for many allies - including the United States - to work ... to de-escalate."

Russia condemned the "serious escalation of tensions."

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the Interfax news agency that Putin had been kept informed and that "Russia is concerned about the developments."

Egypt's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, denounced the Israeli attacks as "a blatant and extremely dangerous regional escalation."

Smoke and flames rise from an apartment building following an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Police officers patrol the streets following an Iranian missile attack. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Police officers patrol the streets following an Iranian missile attack. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
DUBAI, June 13 (Reuters) - Iran is planning to give a harsh response to an Israeli attack launched early on Friday against its nuclear programme, an Iranian security source told Reuters.

The response to the Israeli attack will be harsh and decisive, the official said, adding that details of Irans retaliation are being discussed at the highest levels when asked whether the attack would be imminent.
Over the decades, it became a cliche that, after a terrorist attack, an Israeli spokesman would come on television and say, in the tone of someone who means business, Israel will know very well how to respond. Usually, this was true.

After the Hamas atrocities of October 7 2023, it was not true. The shock of the sheer evil of the massacres was compounded by the shock of Israels failure to foresee them. That failure made it harder for Israel to react appropriately and fast.

But the other effect of October 7 was to teach Israel no end of a lesson. Ever since its foundation in 1948, it had always said it faced existential threat; yet here was that threat proved in the most bestial way, and it had not been ready.

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Israels repeated, wide-ranging and successful attacks on Irans installations and key military leaders in the small hours of Friday morning and again on Friday night follow the logic of the lesson Israel has re-learnt. In particular, the Israeli air force has displayed the greatest effectiveness since its heroic Operation Focus in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel knew very well how to respond.

The phrase existential threat is bandied about. In a vague sense, the entire world faces existential threats, from nuclear weapons and, some say, from climate catastrophe. But targeted, active existential threat  an enemy trying to wipe you out  is much less universal. In the world just now, only two UN-recognised nations face it. They are Ukraine and Israel.

Vladimir Putin denies that Ukraine is a nation at all. His imperial version of history proves this to his satisfaction, so he feels free to use any amount of violence to return Ukraine to the Russian world. It is not racist: after all, he thinks Ukrainians are Russians. But it is ravenously tyrannical: obliterate the Ukrainian state and subjugate its people.

The violent opponents of Israel go one better  or rather, worse. They want not only to destroy the state of Israel, but also to kill all the Jews who inhabit it. In living memory, Jews learnt about that. I was about to call it lived experience, but the phrase froze on my lips: most died.

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Here in Britain, when the militant Gaza marches, so indulged by our police, surge through our streets, opinions vary. A minority, chiefly Muslim, supports them. Most people find them irksome, disruptive, aggressive. For Jews, it is much more serious than that. When the marchers shout about a free Palestine, From the river to the sea, Jews know which river, and which sea. The slogan offers the people of the Jewish state no nation, no room, no life.

Ever since its revolution of 1978-9, Iran has put this destruction at its heart. Death to Israel is the constant cry from the ayatollahs pulpit, and because Iran is a theocracy, that is not just the aspiration of perverted religion, but a policy. It is why Iran wants the nuclear bomb.

So whereas Western powers undoubtedly do not want a nuclear Iran, seeing it as a menace to regional peace, they regard this as just one of the trickier questions of international relations. It is even, from a diplomatic view, rather exciting. Officials preen themselves on dealing with difficult people: how clever they felt when they concocted with Iran the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), now deceased. For them, the question is not existential. For Israel, it is.

For a long time now, Iran has been the principal orchestrator of global and regional attacks on Israel. Even for Hamas, which is Sunni not Shia, it has been a key backer. With Hezbollah, it has been, in effect, the commander, as it is for the Houthis in Yemen and numerous militias in Iraq.

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For just as long, and especially under the premiership of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel identified Iran as its greatest external threat, but the difficulty was to inspire in friends of Israel the necessary sense of urgency. Especially with the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the United States could always find a reason to stall Israeli efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear programme dead.

But the after-effects of October 7 changed everything. In April last year, by which time it had at last made progress against Hamas in Gaza, Israel decided to hit back at Hezbollahs attacks as well and killed two Iranian generals in their countrys embassy in Damascus.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council (IRGC) and Hezbollah then launched Irans first ever direct attack on Israel. It was called Operation True Promise, but its results were feeble. Virtually all Iranian drones were interdicted and there were scarcely any casualties. A second Iranian attack in October was a bit more successful but still, overall, a failure.

In July, Israel was able to kill the Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, when he was the honoured guest of the Iranian regime in Tehran. In September, with its famous blowing up of their pagers, Israeli killed dozens of Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon and Syria; shortly afterwards, it assassinated the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. It was also helpful that, before Christmas, president Bashir Assad had fallen in Syria.

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The hits were the result not only of prodigious technological precision, but also of the most careful, long-term Mossad penetration of Iran, whose IRGC and wider regime have become more corrupt. The fact that Israels attacks succeeded showed that Iran, far from being invincible, had become decadent.

Why not leave it there, then? Why not let Iran stew in its own juice until its people finally muster the courage to overthrow it? Here again, the issue is existential threat. Israeli intelligence recently reported a new Iranian sprint to get the bomb while negotiations were in progress. The International Atomic Energy Authority, usually so reticent, this week announced that Iran had achieved new nuclear capacity in breach of its commitments. Iran itself boasted of its advances. The situation is a bit like Germanys development of V2 rockets in 1944: it was losing the war, but its power to attempt a desperate last throw made it deadly dangerous.

Historians will debate  indeed they are already debating  how exactly we reached this point. Did Iran deduce that Donald Trump, under the influence of anti-Israel Maga types, was being less hawkish than it had expected? Did it therefore judge that he would block an Israeli attack, and conclude it could get away with proliferation? Did Netanyahu, with a similar worry the other way round, feel the need to force the hand of a hesitating White House? Or was Trumps recent show of reluctance a coordinated feint which gave Israel the advantage of surprise? It is not clear, though we do know that he was aware of Israels intentions.

But what does seem clear is that Israel is winning by prosecuting its long-term existential aims rather than seeking an unavailable peace process. Coverage in the West is obsessed by the idea that Israeli behaviour is the product of Netanyahus cynical selfishness in clinging to power. He is certainly intensely controversial within his own country, but not in relation to Iran.

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It is that existential point again. Most Israelis agree who their greatest enemy is. Who are we to say they are wrong? For decades, Iran has been their Goliath. Netanyahu, aged 75, is no David. But he must by now have some claims to be their Churchill. He has seized the moment to insist on national survival.

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Iran no longer plans to engage in nuclear talks with the U.S. that were scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday, Iranian leaders announced Friday after Israel launched deadly airstrikes it said targeted Tehrans nuclear facilities and military sites.

Oman News Agency and Iranian state media reported the talks have been suspended indefinitely.

Israels unilateral attack on Iran is illegal, unjustifiable and a grave threat to regional stability, Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi posted on the social platform X after the attacks. I condemn it and urge the global community to come together to reject Israeli aggression and support de-escalation and diplomacy with one voice.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, meanwhile, vowed retribution against its long-standing adversary Israel.

With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself up for a bitter and painful fate, and it will receive it, he said in remarks released through state media.

President Trump and his administration have been working for weeks to reach a deal with Tehran on a nuclear agreement.

The meeting Sunday would have been the sixth round of high-level talks since April, as the U.S. and Iran try to hash out an agreement to replace the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action that Trump withdrew the U.S. from during his first term.

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Trump continued to urge Iran to enter the latest round of negotiations with serious intentions of striking a deal, despite Israels surprise attack.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he added, noting Iranian hard-liners who had resisted an agreement are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse.

Trump has repeatedly stressed that a nuclear deal will not allow Iran to enrich uranium into a weapons-grade material, though the country has stood by its stated aim of peaceful enrichment that will be mutually beneficial.

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Iran launched over 100 drones against Israel, all of which were intercepted outside of Israeli airspace, Ynet News reported on June 13, citing Israeli military spokesperson Effie Defrin.

The drone attack follows heavy air strikes launched by Israel against Iran, targeting the country's nuclear program and reportedly killing Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other top officials.

Israel said it had deployed some 200 aircraft in its "preemptive" attack overnight on June 13, dropping 330 munitions over 100 sites.

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The full extent of the consequences was not immediately clear. Multiple explosions were reported in Tehran as videos posted on social media purportedly show fire burning in multiple locations of the Iranian capital.

Open-source intelligence researchers have shared alleged footage of Shahed kamikaze drones flying in the direction of Israel. Tehran has provided thousands of these drones to Russia for use against Ukrainian cities.

Iranian Shahed-136 attack drone headed westbound over Iraq, towards Israel.



Iran reportedly launched more than 100 attack drones this morning, as part of its opening wave of strikes on Israel. pic.twitter.com/0SU3aLR9ZX  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed to enact "severe punishment" in response to the attack, accusing the United States for "also (being) responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation."

In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran, calling it a "unilateral action."

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The U.S. Embassy in Israel instructed its employees and family members to take shelter until further notice.

Jordan has announced it had closed its airspace "as a precaution against any risks resulting from the regional escalation."

The attacks are taking place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. In April 2024, Iran launched 170 drones and 150 missiles against Israel, with an overwhelming majority being shot down outside of Israel with the assistance of Western partners.

The attack was a response to Israels strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1 as part of the broader Israel-Hamas war.

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Read also: Israel launches preemptive air strikes on Irans nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

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Following the launch of Israel's major attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic retaliated with more than 100 drones, the Israeli military said on Friday.

Over the past few hours, more than 100 drones have been sent towards Israel, according to Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin. The army and military defence systems are working to shoot them down, Defrin said.

Israel attacked more than 100 targets in Iran overnight with approximately 200 fighter jets, including Iranian nuclear facilities, Defrin said. A total of 330 different types of munitions were used, the spokesman added.

Top Iranian military leaders reported killed

The Tasnim news agency, considered a mouthpiece for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the IRGC Commander in Chief Hossein Salami, and General Staff Chief Mohammad Bagheri were killed in the strikes.

Iran announces "harsh punishment"

Israel must expect "harsh punishment," Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying in a statement from his office. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency for the country and urged citizens to take precautions.

Netanyahu: Core of nuclear weapons programme hit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attack as a "very successful opening strike." He said senior representatives of Iran's command leadership and scientists involved in developing nuclear weapons were targeted, as well as nuclear facilities.

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He vowed to keep the operation going "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

Due to the dramatic escalation in tensions, airspaces in many Middle Eastern countries were closed, including Israel, Iran, Jordan and Iraq.

Netanyahu claimed that Israel had hit the core of Iran's uranium enrichment programme.

IAEA concerned about attack on Iran's nuclear plant

The uranium enrichment facility in Natanz was "among the targets," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced on X, calling the situation "deeply concerning."

Smoke was seen rising from the facility in central Iran, according to state television.

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IAEA nuclear inspectors are currently in Iran, Grossi said. The agency's headquarters in Vienna is also in contact with them, he added.

Later, Grossi said Iranian authorities had informed the IAEA that no increase in radiation levels had been detected at the Natanz site.

In Natanz, located in central Iran, uranium with a purity level of up to 60% is produced. This material is considered nearly weapons-grade, as it could be enriched to the 90% level required for nuclear weapons with relatively little effort, according to the IAEA.

Tehran has consistently maintained that it does not intend to build nuclear weapons.

US: Not involved in the attacks

The United States is not involved in Israel's attacks, according to the government in Washington. US President Donald Trump plans to meet with his National Security Council on Friday and hopes for a return to negotiations despite Israel's major attack.

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Trump, in an interview with Fox News, repeated that Iran must not be able to get a nuclear bomb, adding he hopes to get back to negotiating.

In the event of Iranian retaliation, the US is prepared to defend both itself and Israel, Trump said.

Trump had repeatedly warned Iran in recent months that a military operation could occur without an agreement in the nuclear dispute. Talks were reportedly scheduled for Sunday, but that was before Israel's attack. Trump had also repeatedly threatened Iran with military strikes if negotiations failed.

Iran also threatens the US with consequences

Iran's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Israeli attack, calling it a clear violation of the United Nations Charter.

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Israel's actions could not have occurred without coordination and approval from the US, the ministry stated. Therefore, the US government, as Israel's main supporter, is also responsible for the consequences.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tehran in a press release not to attack US facilities or its personnel.
Pride flags decorate an empty street in Tel Aviv on June 13, 2025, after the citys annual parade was cancelled amid concerns of a retaliatory attack by Iran. <br> Credit - Jack GuezAFP/Getty Images

Iran began its retaliation campaign against Israel on Friday, after warning Israel that it would pay a heavy price for its earlier strikes targeting military leaders, civilian officials, and nuclear sites across the country.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin said, according to CNN, that Iran had launched more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory. Such drones can reportedly take up to seven hours to reach Israel from Iran.

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All [aerial] defense arrays have been operating to intercept the threats, Defrin was quoted as saying. This is a different event to what weve experienced thus far, and were expecting difficult hours. We should show resilience and patience.

Around 9:30 a.m. in Tel Aviv (2:30 a.m. ET), an IDF official told the media that Israels military had begun to shoot down Iranian drones. About two hours later, the IDF said, according to Times of Israel correspondent Emanuel Fabian, that it had control over the situation, though it did not specify at the time whether it had shot down all the drones.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier said Israel should expect an immediate retaliation from Tehran following the strikes, which came a day after the U.S. began evacuating embassy personnel across the Middle East amid concerns of possible escalation of conflict. The State Department on Thursday evening directed embassy employees and their families in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza to take shelter.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff warned Senate Republicans last week, according to a report by Axios, that Irans response to an attack by Israel could involve hundreds of missiles launched at Israeli and U.S. sites that could overwhelm defense capabilities and result in mass casualties.

Israel braces for attack

A number of moves have been made within Israel in seeming preparation for an attack, including the cancellation of a Pride parade scheduled for Friday in Tel Aviv.

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Israeli authorities instructed all hospitals to move their services to protected areas and underground facilities, according to the Times of Israel, and they asked the public to only come to hospitals for urgent cases.

Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem is in full emergency mode, the Associated Press reported, and it is releasing patients whose conditions permit as well as cancelling non-urgent operations.

A general view of Tel Avivs skyline on Friday, June 13, 2025. Leo CorreaAP

The Times of Israel also reported that Israel Manufacturers Association president Dr. Ron Tomer said essential industries will continue to operate throughout any potential emergency so that supplies will be available to the public throughout the country at any given moment. Tomer warned against hoarding, saying there is no need to storm the shelves, in an effort to prevent shortages of foods, medicines, and other essential products.

And Reuters reported that Israeli airline Israir, as well as airlines Arkia and El Al, will evacuate and relocate its aircraft from the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv as part of a contingency plan developed in recent days.

International involvement

Israels National Security Council also warned Israelis overseas to take precautions as terrorist elements will seek to carry out acts of revenge against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world.

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Jordan, which shares a border with Israel, announced early Friday that its airspace would be closed in light of the military escalation in the region. Iran and Iraq have similarly closed their respective airspaces.

Jordanian state media reported that its Air Force jets and air defense systems intercepted several missiles and drones that entered its airspace Friday morning, adding that these were intercepted based on military assessments indicating that the missiles and drones were likely to fall within Jordanian territory, including populated areas, posing a potential threat to civilian safety.

Dubai-based international airline Emirates also announced flight cancellations to and from Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon and announced that customers connecting through Dubai with their final destinations in those countries will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice.

Other countries are reportedly choosing not to get involved. Larisa Brown, defense editor at The Times of London, posted on X: UK defence sources say there arent any UK plans to help protect Israel. Clearly this could change throughout the course of day. In response to a request from TIME about the report, a British government spokesperson pointed to Prime Minister Keir Starmers and Foreign Minister David Lammys statements urging restraint and deescalation. The spokesperson noted that the U.K. did not play a part in the military action in Iran and that British nationals should monitor official travel advisories.

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Iran requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the Israeli strikes, claiming its right to respond in a decisive, proportionate, and deterrent manner in a letter submitted by its permanent mission to the U.N., the Tehran Times reported. A statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, however, said that its response will have no limits.

Iran has threatened to retaliate against the U.S., too, for the Israeli attack, despite the U.S. claiming no involvement. The Israeli military released images of U.S.-made warplanes used in its strikes against Iran. The U.S. is Israels top weapons supplier.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Iran on Friday retaliated against Israel with an unprecedented missile barrage against the country.

Israel's defense systems were actively intercepting the threat, and authorities have issued an urgent directive: all civilians must enter a protected space immediately and remain there until further notice.

The Israel Defense Force has urged those in Israel to not leave shelter unless explicitly instructed by official sources.

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Iran Claims Right To Nuclear Prowess Following Israel Strikes, But Remains Silent On Negotiations With Us

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, Jun. 13, 2025.

Iran fired 100 ballistic missiles, of which five to seven got through Israel's missile defense shield, regional sources told Fox News.

Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst was forced to take cover live on-air as missiles fired from Iran slammed toward Tel Aviv.

Read On The Fox News App

Yingst, who was unharmed, said he had never seen anything like it in his seven years of covering Israel.

Iran Calls Israeli Strikes A Declaration Of War,' Swiftly Replaces Killed Military Leaders

Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, Jun. 13, 2025.

Reporting from one of Israels most densely populated cities, Yingst and his crew ducked for safety as explosions rocked the area around them.

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The attack came after the Israel Defense Forces launched a sweeping strike on Iran following months of attempted, and seemingly failed, nuclear negotiations.

Click Here For Ongoing Live Coverage

The Iranian army launches retaliatory strikes on Tel Aviv following Israel's attacks on Iran's various cities.

Five people have been hospitalized, including at least two "very serious injuries," Yingst reported. Four others suffering from anxiety after the attack were also treated, Israel's national emergency service, MDA, said.

"The U.S. is assisting Israel to shoot down Iranian missiles," a senior U.S. official tells Fox News in a statement. "There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel and the U.S. is working to protect them," the official said.

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According to Iranian state media, Iran is calling its ongoing retaliatory strikes against Israel operation "True Promise 3."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Iranian people Friday night, saying, "The Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for nearly 50 years, threatens to destroy my country, the state of Israel."

He said the objective of Israel's military operation in Iran is to remove its nuclear and ballistic missile threat to Israel.

In their objective, he said Israel also supports "freedom" for the Iranian people.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Iran retaliates against Israel with missile barrage
Editor's note: This is a breaking story and is being updated.

Iran and Israel continued to exchange attacks on June 14, more than 24 hours after Israel launched its first strikes on Iran's nuclear sites and military leadership.

According to recent reports, there are civilian casualties in both countries. In Israel, two people have been killed and more than 40 injured since Iran launched its initial wave of retaliatory strikes.

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In Iran, more than 70 people have been killed and 329 injured, according to the country's United Nations ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani.

Responding to Israel's preemptive strikes on Iran overnight on June 13, Tehran responded with multiple waves of ballistic missiles, as well as an earlier barrage of drones.

The drone attack followed heavy air strikes launched by Israel against Iran, targeting the country's nuclear program and reportedly killing Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other top officials.

Amid the escalation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond to the most recent attack.

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"More is on the way. The (Iranian) regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them. It has never been weaker," Netanyahu said in an address.

Clear, dramatic footage captures active missile intercepts over Tel Aviv, including impacts that struck locations downtown. pic.twitter.com/ISxbIQ6CU0  GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) June 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier in the day that the U.S. military is on high alert and watching for any kind of retaliation, adding that the U.S. will respond to defend itself or Israel if Iran strikes back.

Before the attacks, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear aspirations. "I want to have an agreement with Iran," Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

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Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on June 13 that its aerospace commander, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who led Iran's Shahed drone supply to Russia, was killed in the strike on June 13.

Just hours after Russia launched its own missile and drone assault on Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin decried the "numerous civilian casualties" in Iran and condemned Israel's actions as violations of the UN Charter and international law.

Following the initial strikes by Israel, Kyiv expressed concern over the security situation in the Middle East after Israeli air strikes against Iran, but stressed that Tehran remains a "source of problems" in the region "and beyond."

Read also: Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

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UNITED NATIONS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned "any military escalation in the Middle East," said Farhan Haq, his deputy spokesperson, in a statement on Israel's strikes against Iran on Thursday local time.

The UN chief "is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear program are underway," the statement said.

Noting UN member states are obliged to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, the secretary-general urged both sides to show maximum restraint and avoid at all costs a descent into deeper conflict -- a situation that the region can hardly afford, the statement added.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran. Israeli Defense Forces confirmed in a statement that its jets have completed the first-stage attack, notably strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Iran's IRIB state TV reported explosions in areas of the capital of Tehran and counties of Natanz, Khondab and Khorramabad. Multiple casualties, including women and children, were reported in a residential building in Tehran, according to the state TV. 
Irans Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi has stated that Tehran would respond to Israels strikes, noting that the US would also "pay dearly" despite Washingtons claims of non-involvement.

Source: CNN; Iranian state media outlet IRNA

Quote from Shekarchi: "The Islamic Republic of Iran will definitely retaliate, and the enemy will pay a heavy price."

Details: Shekarchi added that both Israel and the US would "pay dearly".

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"[They] will be dealt a harsh blow," he promised.

Shekarchi said that residential areas had been affected by the Israeli strikes and the armed forces were in full combat readiness.

IRNA also reported that eyewitnesses and reporters from Iranian state television had seen the bodies of women and children among the victims.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme and targeting military facilities.

It was also reported that Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had been killed in the strikes.

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Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel.

Source: Reuters, citing Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)

Details: Meanwhile, the Israeli military has confirmed that the country is under attack from "dozens of rockets".

The military said the explosions currently being heard in Israel are the result of Iranian missiles either being intercepted or striking their targets.

Iranian missiles have reportedly been seen in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme.

The strikes reportedly killed Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Gholamali Rashid, Head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Irans Armed Forces, and six nuclear scientists.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Irans Armed Forces, warned that Tehran would respond to Israel's strikes, noting that the United States would "pay dearly" despite Washington's assurances of its non-involvement.

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JERUSALEM  Israeli defense companies may be forced to cancel their participation in the Paris Air Show after Israels strike against Iranian nuclear and military installations overnight.

The attack led Israel to announce the closure of its airspace on Thursday night and Friday night and evacuated its main airport while diverting flights to airports in neighboring countries. Israeli security officials currently estimate that the civilian airport will remain closed for at least 3 days.

Officially, there is no change in the intention of major Israeli weapons companies to participate in the marquee Paris event, which starts on Monday.

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The countries largest aerospace firm, Israel Aerospace Industries, on Friday announced the cancellation of a Monday briefing by CEO Boaz Levy through a public relations agency. A spokeswoman there said the company was evaluation the situation, with a final decision on participation dependent on developments.

The Israeli national airport closure is due to Israels preparations for an Iranian Missile attack. Several hours after the Israeli strike, Iran responded by launching about 100 unmanned aerial vehicles towards Israel, with all UAVs intercepted outside Israeli borders, according to the Israeli government.
Dramatic views are now circulating online after Iran launched a large ballistic missile barrage against Israel as part of its retaliatory strikes. Iranian authorities had earlier said that Israels decision to target its nuclear program, ballistic missile and other military capabilities, and top leadership figures, which began last night, had constituted a declaration of war and promised a massive response. Readers can first get up to speed on the ongoing Israeli campaign so far and the fallout from it already in our reporting here.

Israeli authorities say that Iran launched fewer than 100 ballistic missiles, down from earlier estimates of at least 150 or higher, in two waves. In part, the Iranian missiles look to have targeted key anti-ballistic missile air defense sites, including in Tel Aviv, or at least have been aimed at overwhelming them. Though most of the missiles were reportedly intercepted, a small number made it through to the ground. Dozens of people were reportedly injured.

Some 35 people were wounded in Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel, according to medical officials.



One woman is listed in critical condition, while four other people are moderately hurt. Nine are listed in light-to-moderate condition, while the rest are lightly hurt or  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says less than 100 ballistic missiles were fired from Iran at Israel in the two barrages.



He says most of the missiles were intercepted by air defenses or fell short before reaching the country.



"There are a limited number of impacts on  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

In video footage that has emerged so far, many of the missiles could be seen being intercepted at low altitudes deep into their terminal phases of flight. The videos below offer particularly close-up looks at one strike, which may have been targeting a key Israeli Ministry of Defense building in Tel Aviv, or what was likely Stunner/Davids Sling air defense site nearby protecting it.

A closer view of this hit. Crazy https://t.co/FxS0XBstZ5 pic.twitter.com/P7WWM1F59y  Alireza Talakoubnejad (@websterkaroon) June 13, 2025

Footage from on the ground in Tel-Aviv, showing the impact earlier of a ballistic missile launched by Iran. pic.twitter.com/ka60gRkXR1  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

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The Iranian ballistic missile appears to have missed the main Israeli Ministry of Defense building by about 360m and impacted near the Da Vinci apartment blocks seen on the left of the video. https://t.co/FcRJxohFss pic.twitter.com/VIEFzh9DwW  Oliver Alexander (@OAlexanderDK) June 13, 2025

So far, Iran has fired some 150 ballistic missiles at Israel in two barrages, according to new IDF estimates.



There have been reports of nine impact sites, with some 15 people wounded, mostly in good condition, according to medics.  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Additional pictures and videos of incoming Iranian missiles, as well as at least some of them being intercepted, can be seen below.

Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/VMcK8ALRXh  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Insane footage showing interceptions earlier over Tel-Aviv in Central Israel. pic.twitter.com/dV7ut9Wi40  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

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Incredible footage of intercepts. pic.twitter.com/NjbDR0r07V  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jamal Awad pic.twitter.com/0GYY7b9hgc  Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) June 13, 2025

Imagery of the aftermath of the strikes in Tel Aviv has also now begun to emerge.

Visuals of the missiles being launched from Iran, as well as apparent celebrations of the retaliatory strikes in that country, are now circulating online, as well.

Video of a wave of Iranian ballistic missiles launched from near the city of Parand towards Israel tonight. pic.twitter.com/5U5zMNPpNz  Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) June 13, 2025

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Video of the 2nd wave of Iranian ballistic missiles launched towards Israel tonight seen from the city of Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/TOyN8CrTMD  Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, Iranians took to the streets to celebrate the attack pic.twitter.com/gUiWfB2U7s  NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 13, 2025

Israeli authorities have already threatened to further escalate their operations against Iran in response, saying that attacks within populated centers are a red line. There have been reports that an expanded target set could include Irans oil and natural gas infrastructure. There also continue to be concerns that the growing conflict could spill over elsewhere in the region.

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Iran has "crossed red lines after it dared to fire missiles at civilian population concentrations in Israel."



"We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Overall, the Israeli campaign against Iran, and the Iranian responses to it, are very much still in their early phases.

Update, 4:40 PM Eastern:

Imagery from the Iranian ballistic missiles strikes continues to emerge online.

Fox News captured the moment Tel Aviv was hit. pic.twitter.com/8r4nzy1vF0  Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 13, 2025

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Close call: Israeli man records Iranian missile attacks on Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/ziA1ErYcCA  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

A video, seen below, has now emerged that is said to show debris on the ground from the intercept of an Iranian ballistic missile in Tel Aviv.

Center of Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/VlYjOGrC9I  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

CNN has reported that the U.S. military has assisted in some way in the interception of incoming Iranian missiles and drones in the past 24 hours. A U.S. official told TWZ that the U.S. Navys Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Thomas Hudner was heading east across the Mediterranean in the direction of Israel. Additional reports had said that another destroyer of this type was also being repositioned for a potential forward deployment to the region if necessary. Arleigh Burke class destroyers are among the assets the U.S. military has used to defend Israel from previous Iranian attacks in the past year or so.

The U.S. is helping intercept Iranian missiles and drones as they are launched against Israel, a U.S. official tells @NatashaBertrand.  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 13, 2025

The Israeli Security Cabinet has now met to assess options for responding to the latest Iranian strikes on Tel Aviv and elsewhere across the country. Tehran has now also threatened to expand the scope of its target list for further strikes on Israel if its oil and natural gas infrastructure is struck.

The Israeli Security Cabinet is currently meeting at an undisclosed, secure location to discuss a response to Irans ballistic missile attack tonight against population centers in Israel.  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

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Tehran will immediately target Israels economic and energy infrastructure if Irans own is hit.



Source: Reuters  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Separately, Israel has now confirmed strikes on the Iranian Air Forces Hamadan and Tabriz airbases in western Iran, and is claiming to have destroyed Tabriz. In addition, the Air Force attacked and destroyed dozens of targets in the Iranian regimes air defense system, unmanned aerial vehicles, and surface-to-surface missile launchers, according to a machine translation of posts from the Israeli Air Force.

, -          ,       -.  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Amid the ongoing campaign, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a call to Iranians to rise up against the current regime in their country.

 BREAKING: Netanyahu calls on Iranians to rise up



 "And the time has come for you to unite around your flag and your historic legacy by standing up for your freedom from an evil and oppressive regime. It has never been weaker. This is your opportunity to stand up and let pic.twitter.com/vhQEZGxWIz  NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 13, 2025

Update, 5:20 PM Eastern:

Reported casualties from the Iranian strikes on Israel continue to rise.

Casualties from the Iranian ballistic missile attack tonight against Israel have risen to 40 injuries, with two of those in critical condition, most are being treated at Sheba Medical Center, as well as Sourasky and Beilinson Hospitals. pic.twitter.com/PziUt6xmm5  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

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Videos said to show anti-aircraft guns firing into the skies above Tehran have appeared online amid reports of new Israeli strikes.

Air-defenses seen active once again over the Iranian capital of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/Je4HYnHFin  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Additional footage showing anti-aircraft guns continuing to fire into the sky over Tehran, amidst another wave of strikes by Israel. pic.twitter.com/PsI6J2EiNg  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

The Israeli Air Force has released footage that is says shows an unspecified helicopter, very likely an AH-64 Apache, downing an Iranian kamikaze drone with a gun earlier today.

The IDF releases footage showing the interception of an Iranian drone by an Israeli Air Force helicopter earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Gy5F9rpxxU  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Earlier today, International Atomic Energy Agency Director (IAEA) General Rafael Grossi provided the following details about Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in a statement to the United Nations Security Council:

Iran has confirmed that at present, only the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant site has been attacked in todays strikes. This facility contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, per Grossi. Electricity infrastructure at the facility (electrical sub-station, main electric power supply building, emergency power supply and back-up generators) has been destroyed. There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there.

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The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event, he added. However, due to the impacts, there is radiological and chemical contamination inside the facilities in Natanz. The type of radiation present inside the facility, primarily alpha particles, is manageable with appropriate radiation protection measures.

At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on the other facilities, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant; and Esfahan site, where a fuel plate fabrication plant, a fuel manufacturing plant, a uranium conversion facility and an enriched UO2 powder plant are located, he continued. However I have to inform that at this moment we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has been taking place around these facilities as well which initially had not been part of military operation.

CNN has reported that damage to Natanz, specifically, is far greater than can be seen from the surface, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

NEW: The damage to Natanz went far beyond the exterior structure  U.S. officials to CNN  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian. He stressed the importance of a diplomatic resolution to the current crisis, according to a social media post from the Russian Embassy in the United States. Russia has strong ties to the current regime in Tehran.

In light of the dangerous escalation resulting from Israel's act of force against Iran, Vladimir Putin had telephone conversations with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu



 The President of Russia expressed his condolences to the pic.twitter.com/SimiekLBDo  Russian Embassy in USA  (@RusEmbUSA) June 13, 2025

Update, 5:50 PM Eastern:

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) says it has intercepted a suspicious aerial target in the vicinity of the port city of Eilat. Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have targeted Eilat with drones in the past.

-       ,    -00:15  .



          .  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Drone intrusion alerts now for the city of Eliot in Southern Israel. pic.twitter.com/CEcJ2dwYKY  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

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Two more suspicious aerial targets were also intercepted over the Arava region in southern Israel, according to the IDF.

   -00:27  ,               (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Event over  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Irans Isalmic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said the ballistic missile strikes targeted military centers and air bases that were the source of the criminal aggression against our country, as well as military industrial centers that were used by [Israels] army to produce missiles and other military equipment and weapons to commit crimes against the resistant nations of the region, especially the oppressed people of Palestine and Gaza, along with other military targets deep in the occupied territories, according to Irans Fars news outlet.

The IRGC has also threatened the use of Kheibar Shekan medium-range ballistic missiles against Israel. The Kheibar Shekan is one of the most modern and capable ballistic missiles in Irans inventory, as you can read more about here.

Irans IRGC:



Kheibar missiles will be launched soon  the world will be shocked by what it sees.  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Israeli outlet Haaretz has reported that at least nine buildings in Ramat Gan in central Israel were destroyed and more were damaged in Irans ballistic missile strikes.

Iranian missiles completely destroyed nine buildings and damaged hundreds of others in Ramat Gan in central Israel.



Source: Haaretz  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

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Rescue and security personnel work at an impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Ramat Gan, Israel June 13, 2025 REUTERS/Itai Ron pic.twitter.com/GNAfTmLjBb  Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) June 13, 2025

The video below is said to have been taken in Tel Aviv tonight, showing an impact very close to bystanders on the street.

U.S. Army Patriot surface-to-air missile systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense systems helped shoot down incoming Iranian ballistic missiles, Fox News has reported.

There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel and the U.S. is working to protect them, an unnamed U.S. official said, according to Fox.

Reuters has separately reported that U.S. warships and aircraft have not yet taken part in defending Israel from the last round of Iranian threats.

The U.S. Army is assisting in shooting down incoming Iranian missiles with Patriot Pac-3 missiles and with Thaad, officials tell Fox's @LucasFoxNews  Liz Friden (@Liz_Friden) June 13, 2025

The U.S. is assisting Israel to shoot down Iranian missiles, a senior U.S. official tells Fox News in a statement. "There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel and the U.S. is working to protect them," the official said.  Liz Friden (@Liz_Friden) June 13, 2025

So far, the U.S. military has only used ground based interceptors and not fighter or warships to carry out the intercepts. https://t.co/bIklnbtYzv  Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) June 13, 2025

Israel has also denied the loss of any F-35 stealth fighters, according to Axios Barak Ravid.

Israeli officials deny that https://t.co/2wVY8jiBSz  Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) June 13, 2025

Update, 6:15 PM Eastern:

Iran has launched another volley of missiles at Israel, according to the IDF. Based on publicly available alert messages, the new wave of strikes may be aimed at Israels Nevatim and Hatzerim airbases, at least in part.

Iran is launching another round of ballistic missiles towards Israel. Expected to hit in the coming minutes.  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Attack possibly targeting Nevatim and Hatzerim airbases. pic.twitter.com/g7z8knv2Xf  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

There are also reports of Iranian air defense activity in the Pastour neighborhood of Iran, which is where Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis residence and the presidential compound are situated. Whether or not either were actually targeted is unknown.

Iranian air-defence batteries are firing continuously in Tehrans Pastour neighbourhood where Supreme Leader Khamenei lives and the presidents compounds are located, according to residents  NYT https://t.co/LlbVNvm2nS pic.twitter.com/NNh3WUNQGy  Faytuks News (@Faytuks) June 13, 2025

The IDF has also released additional drone intercept footage from earlier in the day.

       5   



          pic.twitter.com/B7E4BFqKAS     (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Update, 6:50 PM Eastern:

Irans latest wave of ballistic missile strikes has again targeted Tel Aviv, at least in part, with at least one of them reaching the ground.

BREAKING: Video of a direct hit on Tel Aviv, Israel pic.twitter.com/FpHszFcDi4  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

NEW: Iranian missiles over the skies of Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/zqi3PTfZvF  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Iranian ballistic missile impacting Tel Aviv short time ago. pic.twitter.com/1lXRBU4v0m  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

Another video is circulating that is said to show Iranian missiles passing over Jerusalem.

NEW: Missiles launched from Iran toward Israel are visible over the skies of Jerusalem.



Siren alarms are sounding throughout the area. pic.twitter.com/pI4u9c2vNV  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Air defenses are again active in attempting to bring the incoming Iranian missiles down. The video immediately below shows what appears to be an exoatmospheric interception outside of the Earths atmosphere.

Pretty spectacular clip of the exoatmospheric interception of an Iranian ballistic missile by Israeli air defenses just now. pic.twitter.com/LkLln5ntdh  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

NEW: Israel's air defense system is attempting to intercept missiles launched from Iran. pic.twitter.com/ATuntzH0SO  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Imagery has also emerged showing the missiles being launched from the Tehran area.

BREAKING: Missiles are currently being launched from western Tehran toward the Israel. pic.twitter.com/1teVqLv7JL  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

BREAKING: NEW MISSILE LAUNCHES FROM IRAN, BOUND FOR ISRAEL pic.twitter.com/aBiBdW1EF2  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Update, 7:25 PM Eastern:

TWZs own Tyler Rogoway has noted that Irans ballistic missile arsenal is not just limited to major bases, including those built into mountains, but also includes an array of road mobile launchers that can be readily dispersed. This mobility, in turn, makes it harder to find and fix them, as well as target them pre-emptively. As such, Israels targeting of Iranian missile bases is an important part of the countrys campaign, but would not directly address any dispersed launch capacity.

While Iran is well known for their bond villain-like missile caves, which harden, but centralize missile storage, their BMs can also be highly mobile and can be dispersed virtually anywhere. Iran is a big country. This makes them very hard to find and destroy preemptively.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

Regardless, striking the tunnel entrances and the launch fissures would be the goal for those caves. This would keep them from firing and leaving. But many of these weapons are already distributed around the country to non cave complex sites, many of which are not static storage  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

Another round of Israeli strikes tonight looks to have caused at least one significant fire in Tehran, based on a video now circulating online.

At least one site burning in Iran's capital, Tehran, tonight after Israeli airstrikes. pic.twitter.com/uwxJBr0zVH  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

#UPDATE: New Israeli strikes hit the capital of Iran, Tehran. pic.twitter.com/wrJcn97jsp  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

There are reports that one of the individuals injured in Irans strikes on Israel today has died. Additional imagery from the latest wave continues to appear online.

First known fatality from Iranian ballistic missile strikes. https://t.co/B3lGp9CdN5  Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 13, 2025

Another scene from Irans missile attack on Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/t12RrCRKuF  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

NEW: Iranian ballistic missiles striking Tel Aviv City in Central Israel. pic.twitter.com/SgFhqRCyxI  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Were in rolling live coverage, so Ill post more when I can. But there is a massive amount of damage in the suburbs of Tel Aviv on a few blocks. They are still digging through the rubble, looking for survivors. pic.twitter.com/3i5GqQMN9D  Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) June 13, 2025

The IDF has released several videos showing personnel assigned to its Home Front Command responding in the wake of the Iranian strikes.

         pic.twitter.com/QAq6T1R7bv     (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

Update: 8:22 pm Eastern

Iran threatens to strike the bases of anyone who helps defend Israel from their attacks. This would already be the U.S. by default. If they did this, it could lead to the U.S. entering the conflict, which would be a huge win for Israel.

BREAKING: Iran will target the regional bases of any country that defends Israel  Senior Iranian official to CNN  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Israel has struck the hardened aircraft shelters at Tehran International. F-14s are known to be stationed there.

The fighter jet hangers at Mehrabad airbase in Tehran are on fire after Israeli strikes 35.6929737, 51.3388766



Pov 35.6834678, 51.3430099@FaytuksNetwork @GeoConfirmed https://t.co/ylj3mY677s pic.twitter.com/nekbfyUUI3  Rocket Man   (@Grimm_Intel) June 14, 2025

4. Another video of fire in the Mehrabad airport in Tehran due to the Israeli attack. The fire seems to be expanding. pic.twitter.com/9wNr6Rdutv  Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) June 13, 2025

IDF says they hit a key uranium conversion center in Isfahan, along with other nuclear infrastructure:

#BREAKING: IDF announces it struck the Isfahan nuclear facility in Iran, destroying a uranium metal production building, enriched uranium conversion infrastructure, laboratories and additional infrastructure https://t.co/AVBaqosSMX  ELINT News (@ELINTNews) June 13, 2025

Similar targeting has occurred at Natanz, another epicenter of Irans nuclear program:

STRATEGIC TARGET: @AFP reports that that the aboveground section of Irans Natanz uranium enrichment plant has been destroyed. The plant, located 225 kilometres south of Tehran was hit multiple times on Friday. pic.twitter.com/3Y6UAUEGDQ  Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) June 13, 2025

Azerbaijan is deploying radoatopm detectors due to the nature of the targets being hit by the IAF:

NEW: Azerbaijan has deployed radiation monitoring units to its border regions, heightening precautionary measures amid rising regional tensions.  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

And with that, after well over 24 hours of continuous rolling coverage, our crew badly needs a break. We will be back with another post soon, especially if anything that significantly changes the current constructs of the conflict occurs or a major military technology or tactics element needs addressing. Smaller takes and updates can be had in the meantime on our editors X feed at @aviation_intel.

Howard Altman contributed to this story.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
June 13 (UPI) -- Iran said Friday after Israel's strikes on multiple Iranian targets that it is pulling out of nuclear talks with the United States.

Iranian state media and Oman's News Agency reported the talks are suspended indefinitely.

Another nuclear talks session had been set for Sunday as the Trump administration worked to reach a deal with Iran on its nuclear program.

Iran state media said," Iran announced it will not participate in nuclear negotiations with the United States scheduled for Sunday, suspending its involvement "until further notice" after a series of Israeli strikes that targeted senior Iranian officials and nuclear infrastructure.

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President Donald Trump Friday called on Iran to continue to try to reach a deal even after Israel's widespread attack on Iran.

In May the Trump administration said the talks with Iran mediate by Oman had produced encouraging results.

Oman's News Agency said Iran has announced its withdrawal from the nuclear talks following Israel's airstrikes on Iran.

Iran Thursday vowed to significantly increase its enriched uranium output.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, a U.N. nuclear watchdog, on Thursday determined that Iran is in breach of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Irans UN ambassador says 78 people have been 'martyred' and over 320 injured in Israeli attacks.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on June 13 that its aerospace commander, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was killed in an Israeli air strike on a command facility, according to the Times of Israel.

Hajizadeh was sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 for overseeing Tehran's supply of Shahed-type drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine, which have become a key component of Moscow's war against Ukraine.

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He played a central role in advancing Iran's drone and missile capabilities, meeting with then-Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in 2023 to showcase Iranian weapons.

The Israeli operation, described as "preemptive," involved 200 aircraft and the dropping of 330 munitions, targeting the country's nuclear program and killing top military officials.

Hajizadeh is also known for his role in the January 2020 downing of a Ukrainian civilian aircraft, which Iran later admitted was mistakenly shot down amid tensions with the U.S. All 176 people on board were killed.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 13 expressing concern over the fallout from the Israeli operation but underscored that "the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression" and supplies Moscow with "weapons to kill Ukrainians."

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Along with North Korea, Iran has been a key ally to Russia during its full-scale war against Ukraine, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles.

The drones, cheap and packed with explosives, have become a central weapon in Russia's aerial assaults on Ukraine since their introduction in late 2022.

Known for flying long distances before slamming into targets, they are now mass-produced by Russia and launched in near-nightly waves to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.

The Israeli strike took place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, as well as U.S. negotiations with Tehran regarding its nuclear program. The Trump administration has acknowledged it knew about the operation in advance but denied any involvement.

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Kyiv warned of the potential global repercussions of the strike, noting that regional instability could severely impact international security and financial markets, particularly oil.

Crude prices surged more than 10% following the attack, boosting revenues for Moscow, whose economy is heavily reliant on energy exports.

Russia has condemned Israel's attacks as "unprovoked aggression" and a violation of the U.N. Charter.

Read also: After Israels strikes, Ukraine says Iran source of problems but warns against destabilization

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The conflict between Israel and Iran rages on, with the countries trading deadly missiles throughout the weekend. The recent flare-up of military action started after Israel launched a precise and integrated preemptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities and military targets in the early hours of Friday morning. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) said in a statement that the strikes were carried out with the aim of damaging the Iranian nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the aim of the strikes, part of Operation Rising Lion, was to dismantle the Iranian nuclear programme, which has long been a cause of concern. "This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," he warned.

Iran has stayed true to its vow to retaliate, with the countries now engaged in a brutal conflict that shows no signs of easing.

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World leaders have expressed concern about the escalating attacks, which have resulted in reports of fatalities among civilians on both side. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a grave warning to Iran, telling the Middle Eastern country there will be serious consequences if the U.S. is targeted in "any way, shape, or form" in retaliatory strikes.

Later on Sunday, Trump said that while the U.S. is not currently involved in the conflict, that could change in the future. "We're not involved in it. It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved," he told ABC.

People look on as emergency responders assess the damage after Israeli strikes hit Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025 Majid SaeediGetty Images

Read More: Iran Vows Painful Response After Israeli Attack

The initial Israeli strikes targeted a number of locations across the Iranian capital, Tehran, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps HQ.

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On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the deaths of three top Iranian commanders.

We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Irans Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets, the statement read. These are three ruthless mass murderers with international blood on their hands. The world is a better place without them.

An additional update from the IDF confirmed that another commander of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) Air Force had been "eliminated." Scientists working on Irans nuclear development were also reported killed.

Additional high-profile deathsamong Iran's military and nuclear science personnelhave been reported since this latest round of the Israel-Iran conflict spiraled.

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Read More: Netanyahu Says Israel Will Strike Every Site of the Ayatollahs Regime

Heres what to know about the figures reportedly killed so far by the Israeli strikes.

Military personnel and aides

Major General Hossein Salami

Gen. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Irans main military force, was a key figure in the political sphere. Its understood he reported directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Salami rose to power around six years ago, and during his time as Major General of the IRGC, he repeatedly threatened Israel and the U.S. with military action.

After the 2020 death of Qasem Soleimani, the head of IRGC Quds Force, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike on a base in Baghdad, Salami said: If they [Israel and the U.S.] threaten our commanders, none of their commanders will find a safe place to live. Days after the death of Soleimani, Iran launched a number of missiles at American military facilities in Iraq, with no casualties reported.

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Khamenei has announced that Salami will be replaced by Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri

Mohammad Bagheri served as the Chief of Staff to Irans armed forces, a position he acquired in 2016 which saw him oversee an estimated 610,000 personnel. He was the second-highest commander after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Born in 1960, Bagheri was head of the most senior military body in Iran, which implements policy and monitors and coordinates activities within the armed forces, according to U.S. Treasury documents detailing sanctions against the general in 2019.

Bagheri will be replaced by Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, as announced by Ayatollah Khamenei.

General Gholamali Rashid

Rashid was confirmed dead after the airstrikes in Tehran, alongside his son. He was deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, and commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, a branch of the IRGC.

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Rashid was key in the operations of Irans unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme, mostly consisting of the use of drones in warfare.

In February, the general vowed to retaliate against any strikes on Irans nuclear program after reports of plans from Israel and the U.S. to strike nuclear targets in Iran by mid-2025.

Rashid is set to be replaced by Major General Ali Shadmani as head of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters.

Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh

Ali Hajizadeh was the commander of the IRGC.

Upon announcing his death, the IDF said Hajizadeh "had assembled in an underground command center to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel."

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The IRGC described the general as a prominent and influential figure of the resistance front and a symbol of development, innovation, and might in the defense and missile spheres.

Ali Shamkhani

Ali Shamkhani was a close aid to Ayatollah Khamenei, and part of the Iranian delegation which secured the restoration of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia in March 2023.

Despite being replaced as Irans top security official just two months after securing this diplomatic deal with Saudi Arabia, Shamkhani remained a key adviser to the Iranian Supreme Leader.

In May, he said that Iran would be willing to sign a nuclear deal with Trump, subject to conditions that Iran could still enrich certain levels of uranium for energy use.

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Its still possible. If the Americans act as they say, for sure we can have better relations It can lead to a better situation in the near future, Shamkhani said, regarding possible talks with the U.S. during Trumps three-country tour of the Middle East.

Gen. Gholamreza Mehrabi

Gen. Gholamreza Mehrabi served as the deputy intelligence chief of the Iranian Armed Forces.

Gen. Mehdi Rabbani

Gen. Mehdi Rabbani was a top-ranking official and served as the deputy commander of operations for the Iranian Armed Forces.

Nuclear Scientists

On Saturday, the IDF reported it had "eliminated" nine senior scientists and experts responsible for advancing the Iranian regimes nuclear weapons program. "Their elimination is a significant blow to the regimes ability to acquire weapons of mass destruction," a statement read.



The scientists listed were: Fereydoun Abbasi, an expert in nuclear engineering and the former head of Irans atomic energy, who also served as an MP (Member of Parliament). Mohammad Mahdi, a physics expert. Akbar Motalebi Zadeh, a chemical engineering specialist. Saeed Barji, a materials engineering specialist. Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari Daryani, an expert in nuclear engineering. Ali Bakhouei Katirimi, an expert in mechanics. And three physics experts: Amir Hassan Fakhahi, Abd al-Hamid Minoushehr, and Mansour Asgari

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Another scientist previously reported as killed by is Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist and a key expert involved in the AMAD plan, Irans significant programme to advance nuclear capabilities launched in the early 2000s. Tehranchi was also the President of Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

Seyed Amir Hossein Feqhi has also been reported as killed. Feqhi was deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, s well as on the faculty for Nuclear Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
At least 78 people have been killed in the province of Tehran alone during a large-scale Israeli attack on Iranian territory, the Iranian government confirmed on Friday, following press reports of the casualties.

"So far, 78 people, including high-ranking military officials, have been killed and over 320 others injured. The vast majority of them were civilians, including women and children," Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani told the United Nations Security Council in New York.

Earlier media stories reported 329 people injured.

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The targets of the Israeli attacks in Tehran overnight were primarily military facilities as well as high-ranking officers, some in densely populated districts of the metropolis.

Residents of the capital told dpa about several civilian casualties.

According to state media, the headquarters of the armed forces and other military facilities in the west of the city were attacked in addition to the generals' homes in affluent neighbourhoods.

At least 18 different locations in the capital were hit, media reported.

Elsewhere in Iran, the main targets of attacks were cities in the west, including Ghom, Kermanshah and Tabriz.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Iranian missiles again evaded Israel's sophisticated aerial defense array on Thursday, striking a main hospital in the south as well as residential areas in the country's populous center.

Israel has long relied on its multilayered missile defense system to protect communities around the country from rocket barrages from militants in Gaza or Lebanon. Since the wars in the Middle East erupted in 2023, that list has grown to include fire from rebels in Yemen and Iran.

Over the decades, Israel, with U.S. assistance, has developed a tiered system capable of detecting incoming fire and deploying only if the projectile is headed toward a population center or sensitive military or civilian infrastructure while letting other projectiles land in open spaces.

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The array can shoot down short-range rockets to medium-range missiles to attack drones to ballistic missiles like those Iran has been firing.

But the military warns the system is not fool proof and while interception rates are generally high, enemy missiles can penetrate. Too many projectiles launched at once can overwhelm the system, which relies on a combination of technology and human decision-making to be effective.

Israeli authorities say at least 24 people have been killed by Iranian strikes since the fighting began on June 13, which has reduced homes, buildings and other property in multiple areas of the country to ruin.

Heres a closer look at Israels air-defense system:

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The Arrow

This system developed with the U.S. is designed to intercept long-range missiles, including the types of ballistic missiles Iran launched on Tuesday.

The Arrow, which operates outside the atmosphere, has also been used in the current war to intercept long-range missiles launched by Houthi militants in Yemen.

Davids Sling

Also developed with the U.S., Davids Sling is meant to intercept medium-range missiles, such as those possessed by Hezbollah in Lebanon. It has been deployed on multiple occasions throughout the war.

Iron Dome

This system, developed by Israel with U.S. backing, specializes in shooting down short-range rockets. It has intercepted thousands of rockets since it was activated early last decade  including thousands of interceptions during the current war against Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel says it has a success rate of over 90%.

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Iron Beam

Israel is developing a new system to intercept incoming threats with laser technology. Israel has said this system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems.

According to Israeli media reports, the cost of a single Iron Dome interception is about $50,000, while the other systems can run more than $2 million per missile. Iron Beam interceptions, by contrast, would cost a few dollars apiece, according to Israeli officials.

The army says the technology has been tested during the past 20 months of conflict, but the system is not yet operational.

___

This story was originally published on Oct. 2, 2024. It was updated Thursday.
This photo issued by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 13, 2025 shows Israeli military aircraft preparing for airstrike operations in Iran. The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua)

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Friday that part of the Natanz nuclear facility was damaged in an Israeli airstrike carried out early in the morning, but reported no casualties or radioactive leaks.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, the AEOI said in a statement. It condemned the strike as a clear violation of international law and criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for remaining silent, warning that the agency's inaction could undermine its credibility.

An emergency meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors will be convened to address Israel's strikes on Iran, diplomats said on Friday. The decision follows a request made by at least one member state during the board's regular quarterly session.

Israel's military confirmed the strike, saying its air force had conducted a precision-guided attack on the underground sections of the Natanz facility, located in Iran's central province of Isfahan. The site is Iran's largest uranium enrichment plant.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted a multi-story underground enrichment hall containing centrifuges, electrical systems, and other critical infrastructure. It added that key components enabling the continued operation and advancement of Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program were also hit.

"The close cooperation between the IDF's Intelligence Directorate and the air force resulted in significant damage to the site," the IDF said.

The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. 

This photo issued by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 13, 2025 shows an Israeli military aircraft preparing for airstrike operations in Iran. The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo issued by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 13, 2025 shows an Israeli military aircraft preparing for airstrike operations in Iran. The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo issued by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 13, 2025 shows an Israeli military aircraft preparing for airstrike operations in Iran. The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo issued by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 13, 2025 shows Israeli military aircraft preparing for airstrike operations in Iran. The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity. (IDF/Handout via Xinhua)
Before Israeli strikes on Friday, Washington and Tehran had held several rounds of talks on Iran's nuclear programme, as concerns mounted about its rapid expansion.

Iran has significantly ramped up its nuclear programme in recent years, after a landmark deal with world powers curbing its nuclear activities in exchange for sanction relief began to unravel in 2018 when the United States unilaterally withdrew.

As of mid-May, Iran's total enriched uranium stockpile was estimated at 9,247.6 kilograms -- or more than 45 times the limit set out in the 2015 deal -- according to the latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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Among its stockpiles, Iran has an estimated 408.6 kilograms enriched to up to 60 percent -- just a short step from the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.

The country now theoretically has enough near-weapons-grade material, if further refined, for about 10 nuclear bombs, according to the definition by the Vienna-based IAEA.

But Iran has always denied any ambition to develop nuclear weapons.

Below is a list of Iran's key nuclear sites, which are subject to regular inspections by the UN nuclear watchdog:

- Uranium enrichment plants -

Natanz

About 250 kilometres (150 miles) south of Tehran, Natanz is Iran's heavily bunkered main uranium enrichment site, whose existence was first revealed in 2002.

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Natanz operates nearly 70 cascades of centrifuges at its two enrichment plants, one of which is underground. A cascade is a series of centrifuges -- machines used in the process of enriching uranium.

In April 2021, the site was damaged in an attack that Iran said was an act of sabotage by Israel.

On Friday, Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", targeting the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi confirmed the Natanz site was "among targets".

Fordo

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Secretly built in violation of United Nations resolutions under a mountain near the holy central city of Qom, Fordo was first publicly revealed in 2009.

Initially described as an "emergency" facility built underground to protect it from potential air attacks, Iran later indicated it was an enrichment plant capable of housing about 3,000 centrifuges.

In 2023, uranium particles enriched up to 83.7 percent were discovered at the Fordo plant, which Iran claimed were the product of "unintended fluctuations" during the enrichment process.

- Uranium conversion and research reactors -

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Isfahan

At the uranium conversion facility at Isfahan in central Iran, raw mined uranium is processed into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) and then into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), a feed gas for centrifuges.

The plant was industrially tested in 2004 upon its completion.

The Isfahan centre also harbours a nuclear fuel fabrication facility, which was inaugurated in 2009 and produces low-enriched fuel for use in power plants.

In July 2022, Iran announced plans to construct a new research reactor there.

Arak

Work on the Arak heavy-water research reactor on the outskirts of the village of Khondab began in the 2000s, but was halted under the terms of the 2015 deal.

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Iran has meanwhile informed the IAEA about its plans to commission the reactor by 2026.

The research reactor was officially intended to produce plutonium for medical research and the site includes a production plant for heavy water.

Tehran

The Tehran nuclear research centre houses a reactor that was supplied by the United States in 1967 for the production of medical radioisotopes.

- Nuclear power plant -

Bushehr

Iran's only nuclear power plant in the southern port city of Bushehr was built by Russia and began operating at a lower capacity in 2011 before being plugged into the national power grid in 2012.

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Russia continues to deliver nuclear fuel for the plant, which remains under IAEA control.

A German company began construction on the plant with a 1,000-megawatt nominal capacity until the project was halted in the wake of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Moscow later completed it.

Darkhovin and Sirik

Iran began construction in late 2022 on a 300-megawatt power plant in Darkhovin, in the country's southwest. In early 2024, it also began work in Sirik, in the Strait of Hormuz, on a new complex of four individual plants with a combined capacity of 5,000 megawatts.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nearly 20-year-old threat to strike Iran came true on Friday, as US President Donald Trump warned Tehran of further "brutal" attacks if it refuses to negotiate.

In its largest military action against Iran to date, Israel's strikes hit about 100 targets including nuclear facilities and military command centres, and killed the armed forces' chief, top nuclear scientists and other senior figures.

The strikes came as the United States and Iran were due to meet in Oman Sunday to pick up negotiations towards an agreement on the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.

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"We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement," Trump told reporters on Thursday, hours before news broke of the Israeli attacks.

"I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it," Trump added, speaking of the Israelis.

But on Friday, Trump seemed unbothered by Israel's action, and on his Truth Social platform urged Iran to make a deal.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," he wrote.

- Timing 'makes sense'-

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Netanyahu, who has always scorned talks with Iran, paid no heed to Trump's original warning and took advantage of the seismic changes in the Middle East since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

"I doubt Israel would do this if the US told it not to," Menachem Merhavy, an Iran expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told AFP.

Merhavy said that the timing of the attack "makes sense because Israel has been clipping the wings of Iran for the last year and a half", in actions against Tehran-aligned groups and proxies in the region, many of whom Israel has significantly weakened.

Netanyahu said he had "ordered" the attack on Iran's nuclear programme months ago.

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"It was necessary to act and I set the implementation date for the end of April 2025," Netanyahu said. "For various reasons, it did not work out."

But his obsession with Iran goes back much further than the ongoing Gaza war, sparked by an unprecedented attack by Tehran-backed Palestinian group Hamas.

After Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad caused international uproar in 2005 when he called for Israel to be "wiped off the map", Netanyahu -- then an opposition leader following his first term as premier in 1996-1999 -- called Tehran's nuclear programme "a serious threat for the future".

He said at the time Israel "must do everything" to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb, even if it meant striking the country's nuclear facilities as Israel had in Iraq in 1981.

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Iran has consistently denied seeking atomic weapons, but after his return to power in 2009, Netanyahu repeatedly dismissed Tehran's assurances that its nuclear programme was meant for civilian purpose only, and advocated a "military option".

Netanyahu called the UN Security Council's 2015 approval of an agreement with world powers lifting sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's nuclear activities a "historic mistake".

In 2018, he applauded Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the agreement, effectively scrapping it.

Iran's reaction was to gradually abandon its commitments, enriching uranium to levels close to weapons-grade material and in unprecedented quantities.

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This gave Netanyahu a justification to keep up the fight against Iran's nuclear programme.

- 'Reshape the Middle East' -

All the while, Israel's Mossad spy agency worked in secret to undermine Iran's nuclear programme.

Since the start of the Gaza war, Netanyahu has said on several occasions he was seeking to "reshape the Middle East".

In late 2024, Israel dealt a hard blow to Iran's so-called "axis of resistance", by crippling Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

The fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, another Iranian ally, helped cement the regional dominance of Israel -- the Middle East's only, if undeclared, nuclear power.

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But it was an Israeli response to 200 Iranian missiles in October 2024 that "changed the balance of power" between the two foes, according to statements at the time by then defence minister Yoav Gallant, after a series of Israeli strikes inside Iran -- a rare direct confrontation.

In February, Netanyahu told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that with the Trump administration's support "I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job".

Danny Citrinowicz, of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies, told AFP that Trump most likely viewed Israel as "serving his interests".

"Trump really thinks that as long as Iran is weaker, he will be able to achieve a deal on the nuclear file," said Citrinowicz.

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Holly Dagres, an Iran expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, warned that "if the Trump administration somehow thinks it's going to be having a sixth round of talks with the Iranians in Oman on Sunday, then it truly doesn't understand the Islamic republic and how it operates".

mj-reg/lba/jd/ami/jsa
Baghdad (dpa)  The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced Friday the complete suspension of air traffic across all airports and the temporary closure of the countrys airspace, citing rising regional security tensions following Israeli strikes on Iran overnight.

The ministry did not comment on the reported use of Iraqi airspace by Israeli forces.

"In the early hours of dawn today (Friday), the airspace became a corridor for Israeli missiles and drones heading toward Iran, an eyewitness told dpa.

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In a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the ministry said "due to regional tensions, Iraqi air navigation and airspace have been suspended until further notice, in order to maintain the safety of civil aviation in Iraqi airspace."

The statement further noted that the General Company for Air Navigation Services had begun gradually clearing Iraqi skies of all incoming, outgoing, and transiting aircraft, prioritizing the safety of travelers and overflying planes.

No further details were immediately available on when the airspace might reopen.
After a successful first event in 2024, the Iron Chef event returned on Thursday, June 12, to Shed 5 at Detroits Eastern Market.

In the style of popular national and international Iron Chef chef cooking shows, two of Detroits well-known and finest chefs battled to create a trio of dishes for a panel of judges.

(Full disclosure, I was a judge.)

For this culinary showdown, Anthony Lombardo, chef/owner of SheWolf Pastificio & Bar in Midtown and the winner of last years inaugural event, battled against Andy Hollyday, executive chef and partner of Selden Standard, also nearby in Midtown.

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The competition was intense as the two chefs worked quickly and feverishly to create each course.

In the end, and by a slim margin, chef Hollyday bested defending champ Lombardo.

Chef Andy Hollyday (left) winner of the Iron Chef II Detroit event held in Shed 5 at Eastern Market with host Carlos Parisi.

While the chefs competed, the event was hosted by WDIV-TVs Tati Amare and Kim DeGuilio, along with Carlos Parisi, a Detroit food influencer. Parisi is also the owner and founder of Aunt Nees, whose products include Detroit-made tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole sold at Eastern Market and several metro Detroit stores. He also founded Detroits Sandwich Week, which takes place at year-end.Hundreds attended the culinary showdown, which raises funds for Cass Community Social Services, whose mission is to support Detroiters in need through various programs. The organizations programs include food distribution, affordable housing initiatives, health care services, and job training programs. As part of the event before and during the competition, more than a dozen local restaurants provided samples of their signature dishes as guests strolled Shed 5. Restaurants providing sampling included Basan, Cafe Cortina, Cornman Farms, The Sprout House, Slows Bar BQ and Supino Pizzeria.

Chef from downtown Detroit Basan restaurant near Little Caesars Arena plate up Chicken Salad Bao at the Iron Chef II Detroit event on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Eastern Markets Shed 5.

The chefs showcased their skills in a friendly, timed competition and live broadcast where each chef and their teams had to create an appetizer, main entree and dessert dish.

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A limited pantry of ingredients was provided, but each chef also had to include a special ingredient  Better Made potato chips  and incorporate it into each course. The chefs worked quickly and deftly chopping vegetables, prepping ingredients and plating their creations.

For the appetizer and dessert course, the chefs had 20 minutes to create and plate a dish for judges and 30 minutes for the main course.

Andy Hollday's winning shrimp dish at the Iron Chef II Detroit event held Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Shed 5 at Eastern Market.

It was Hollydays entree and dessert dishes that cemented his win. For the entree, Hollyday and team created a fresh-tasting and well-balanced dish featuring breaded shrimp. Potato chips were incorporated into the lightly coated breading on the shrimp. Hollyday plated the shrimp in a pool of fresh shucked, well-seasoned creamy corn with hints of lime and garnished with cilantro. Lombardos entree featured pounded-thin pork cutlets breaded in a mix of panko and potato chips and topped with crisp-tender broccoli and served with a potato chip sauce.

Anthony Lombardo's breaded pork cutlet dish was topping with broccoli and served with a potato chop sauce at the Iron Chef II Detroit event held Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Shed 5 at Eastern Market.

For the dessert round, Hollydays crepe dish beat out Lombardos rice pudding dish. Hollydays crepe featured a trio of fresh berries and a filling of goat cheese and powdered sugar with crunchy potato chips.

Andy Hollyday's crepe dish featured a trio of berries at the Iron Chef II Detroit event held Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Shed 5 at Eastern Market.

Defending champion Lombardo bested Hollyday in the appetizer round with a dish of grilled peaches topped with crunchy Better Made red hot barbecue chips and drizzled with a sweet sauce with added heat from tiny bits of Thai chile peppers.

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For his win, Hollyday's name was added to the Detroit Iron Chef trophy.

Faith Fowler, of Cass Community Social Services holds the Iron Chef II Detroit trophy Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Eastern Market.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Iron Chef Detroit II: Chefs from SheWolf, Selden Standard compete
An Afghan national who had ties to the CIA has pleaded guilty to two federal crimes over his thwarted plot to carry out a terrorism attack last November on Election Day in support of ISIS.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, made the plea through a translator on Friday, June 13, in Oklahoma City federal court. A jury trial had been set for next year but Tawhedi waived that right during the hearing.

U.S. District Judge Scott Palk will decide his punishment later. The maximum possible prison sentence for the two crimes is 35 years.

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Tawhedi and his brother-in-law, Abdullah Haji Zada, were arrested Oct. 7, 2024 at a rural Oklahoma location after purchasing two AK-47 rifles and 500 rounds of ammunition, the FBI reported in a court affidavit.

The purchase came during a meeting with an undercover FBI employee and two FBI sources.

Tawhedi admitted after his arrest that the two bought the guns to commit an attack on Election Day "targeting large gatherings of people," according to the affidavit. Tawhedi said they expected to die in the Nov. 5 attack and be martyrs.

Earlier in 2024, Tawhedi used his Google account to access webcams for the White House and Washington Monument, according to the affidavit.

What charges did Tawhedi plead to?

Under a deal, Tawhedi pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy count for his attempt to provide support to a foreign terrorism organization.

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He also pleaded guilty to a felony count of receipt of guns and ammunition to commit terrorism.

Before agreeing to a plea deal, Tawhedi had faced three felony counts with a maximum punishment of 55 years.

At the time of the arrest, Tawhedi was living with his wife and daughter in an Oklahoma City apartment. He arrived in the United States in 2021 from Afghanistan and moved to Oklahoma in December 2023. He had been working as an auto mechanic.

He had worked for the CIA in Afghanistan as a security guard, NBC News reported last year.His wife filed for divorce in Cleveland County District Court in January, one day after their second child was born. The case is pending.

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Zada, now 18, pleaded guilty in April to a felony count of receipt of guns and ammunition to commit terrorism. He is awaiting sentencing.

He is the brother of Tawhedi's wife and also is an Afghan national. He has been in the United States since 2018.

At the time of his arrest, Zada was living in Moore with his parents and siblings. He was a virtual student at Southmoore High School.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond pointed to the plot to carry out a mass shooting in support of ISIS when he called for the expulsion of all Afghan refugees from Oklahoma.

ISIS was largely defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019 by a U.S.-led military campaign. The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, however, continues to attract people from across the world to join its ranks.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: ISIS supporter who played Election Day attack pleads guilty in OKC
For President Donald Trump, few goals on the world stage have been more explicit -- he will not drag the United States into another "forever war."

Yet Israel's massive strikes on Iran will test that promise as never before, potentially setting up a showdown with his base as Trump decides how much support the United States will offer.

Trump had publicly called for Israel not to strike as he sought a negotiated solution, and his roving envoy Steve Witkoff had been scheduled to meet Iranian officials for the sixth time Sunday.

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Trump, who hours earlier warned that an attack would cause "massive conflict," afterward praised Israeli strikes as "excellent."

He boasted that Israel had "the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the world" thanks to the United States -- and was planning more strikes unless Iran agrees on a deal.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the United States was not involved in the strikes and warned Iran not to retaliate against the thousands of US troops stationed in nearby Arab countries.

A US official, however, confirmed that the United States was helping Israel shoot down retaliatory missiles fired Friday by Iran.

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"The US has calculated that it can help Israel and that the Iranians will obviously be aware of this, but at the end of the day, at least at the public level, the US stays out," said Alex Vatanka, founding director of the Iran program at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

The hope is that "the Iranians will do a quick cost/benefit analysis and decide it is not worth the fight," Vatanka said.

He said Iranian leaders are for now focused on staying alive, but could decide either to swallow a tough deal -- or to internationalize the conflict further by causing chaos in the oil-rich Gulf, potentially sending oil prices soaring and pressuring Trump.

- 'America First' impulse -

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Most key lawmakers of Trump's Republican Party quickly rallied behind Israel, whose prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is a hero for many on the US right and has long called Iran an existential threat.

But Trump's populist "America First" base has been skeptical.

Tucker Carlson, the prominent media commentator who counseled Trump against a US strike on Iran in the first term, has called fears of Tehran building a nuclear bomb overblown, saying neither Iran nor Ukraine warrants US military resources.

Carlson wrote on X after the Israeli strike that there was a divide in Trump's orbit between "those who casually encourage violence, and those who seek to prevent it -- between warmongers and peacemakers."

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Trump has brought outspoken non-interventionists directly into his administration.

In an unusually political video this week, Trump's director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, warned after a visit to Hiroshima that "warmongers" were putting the world at risk of nuclear catastrophe.

In a speech in Riyadh last month, Trump denounced decades of US interventionism in the Middle East and said, "My greatest hope is to be a peacemaker and to be a unifier. I don't like war."

- How far to back Israel? -

Daniel Shapiro, who served as US ambassador to Israel under former president Barack Obama, said it had been certain the United States would back Israel's defense against Iranian retaliation.

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But Trump will face a harder decision on "whether to use the United States' unique capabilities to destroy Tehran's underground nuclear facilities and prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon," said Shapiro, now at the Atlantic Council.

"The decision will split his advisers and political base, amid accusations, and perhaps his own misgivings, that Netanyahu is attempting to drag him into war."

Lawmakers of the rival Democratic Party widely revile Netanyahu, including over Israel's bloody offensive in Gaza.

"This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage," said Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro.

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"What does 'America First' even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans don't want?" he wrote on social media.

Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the progressive Center for International Policy, said that China -- identified by Trump as the top threat -- could seize the moment, perhaps by moving on Taiwan, as it sees the United States as even more distracted.

"Even without direct involvement, Washington now faces the prospect of indefinite resupply, intelligence and diplomatic backing for Israel, just as the war in Ukraine intensifies and global crises multiply," Toossi said.

"Wars are easy to ignite, but once unleashed, they tend to spiral beyond control, and rarely end on the terms of those who start them."

lb-sct/bjt
It took 22 months to get from President Barack Obama's June 2009 speech in Cairo, promising a "a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect," to his decision to bomb Libya in March 2011, opening up a new chapter of America's wars in the region.

President Donald Trump has broken that record. Just last month, he was in Saudi Arabia promising the end of the "neocon" era and a future "where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together, not bombing each other out of existence." Now he's cheering on the Middle Eastern equivalent of Pearl Harbor. And he reportedly used the promise of talks as a smokescreen for the opening shots of this war.

The United States and Iran were scheduled for a round of negotiations over the Iranian nuclear program in Oman on Sunday. Trump even hinted at a grand bargain involving the United States, Israel, and Iran to end the war in Gaza, which continues to drag on.

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But on Thursday night, Israeli bombs brought down apartment buildings in a surprise attack on Tehran, killing several generals and nuclear scientists as well as other bystanders. The Israeli military also hit military bases around Iran, and it claims to have damaged the Natanz uranium enrichment plant. Iranian media estimate the casualties at 73 deaths and 329 injuries, including women and children.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to 'just do it,' but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday morning. "I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come."

Trump said that Iran could still accept a deal "before there is nothing left," and a Trump administration official told Reuters that "we still intend to have talks Sunday." That ship seems to have sailed, though. State media in both Iran and Oman have announced that the negotiations are officially over. One of the officials killed in his home, after all, was Ali Shamkhanithe top Iranian nuclear negotiator.

"The Zionist regime at dawn today extended its vile and bloody hand to commit a crime in our dear country and revealed its evil nature more than ever by striking residential centers," Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared in a statement. "The regime must expect harsh punishment. The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic's armed forces will not let it go, God willing."

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So far, Iran seems to have been disoriented, much like the Lebanese militia Hezbollah after the Israeli pager attacks. The Iranian government has apparently been focused on replacing the casualties, who include Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the military chief of staff, and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, in charge of Iranian missile forces. In the first few hours after its attack, Israel says, it shot down a slow-moving Iranian drone swarm outside its airspace.

Some of the attacks were reportedly carried out by explosive drones smuggled and launched from inside Iran, much like the Ukrainian attack on the Russian air fleet earlier this month, which suggests a high level of Israeli intelligence penetration of Iran.

Still, Israeli officials are expecting a more serious, drawn-out fight once Iran gets back on its balance. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war will last "as many days as it takes." Hospitals are preparing for mass casualty events. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli army chief of staff, declared that "the expected cost will be different from what we are used to."

Although the Israeli government claimed the attack was a "preemptive strike" because Iran was rushing to build a bomb, U.S. intelligence said as late as Thursday that it didn't believe Iran was doing so. In March 2025 interview with Politico, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance predicted this kind of escalation on a thin pretext.

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The Iraq War was caused by the emotional "need to fuck something else up, and Afghanistan didn't satisfy that need," Vance said. "If I have a big fear for Israel, right now, it's [about] the same exact dynamicthat they're going to need to try to fuck something else up, because the psychology impact of [the Hamas attacks on] October 7 was so, so powerful."

For an attack aimed at taking out Iran's nuclear program, the Israeli raids left out one curious target: Fordow. The Fordow uranium enrichment plant was not attacked last night, the UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed. Buried inside a mountain, the Fordow plant is designed as a survivable backup site and is the most likely site for a dash to the bomb.

That dash seems increasingly likely to happen for real now. IAEA Director-General Raphael Grossi told The Jerusalem Post earlier this week that Iranian leaders had clearly told him that an Israeli attack would push them towards building a bomb. After all, the lessons of Libya and North Korea (and perhaps Ukraine) suggest that nuclear weapons are a valuable insurance policy and that giving them up invites invasion.

"If [the Israelis] don't destroy Fordow, this entire effort is basically for nothing," Jeffrey Lewis, a professor at the Middlebury Institute specializing in nuclear arms control, wrote on X. But there's a hard limit on what Israel can do by itself. Only the United States is believed to have bunker buster bombs capable of penetrating into Fordow, so Israel may be betting on American involvement in later raids.

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Indeed, Israeli officials have told Axios that the Trump administration had pretended to oppose an war as a ruse, even leaking to the press that Trump had told Netanyahu not to strike in a phone call that was really coordinating for the attack.

Immediately after the air raids, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that U.S. forces were "not involved" in the "unilateral" Israeli operation. That turned out to be a distinction without much of a difference. Trump promised to jump in to defend Israel from the consequences of its attack. The only question is how direct U.S. involvement will beand that's a question neither Congress nor the public seems to have a say in.

Although the usual suspectsneoconservative Republicans and a few hawkish Democratswere cheering on the war, many other members of Congress came out immediately and unambiguously against U.S. involvement. Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (DR.I.) denounced the "reckless escalation" that threatens "the safety of American citizens and forces" in the region. Rep. Rand Paul (RKy.) posted plainly: "No war with Iran. The Neocons latest plan must be opposed."

And Sen. Chris Murphy (DConn.) laid out exactly what the stakes are. "Israel's attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration's negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America," he wrote on X. "As Secretary Rubio stated, the United States was not involved in today's strikes, and we have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe."

The post Israel Attacks Iranand Burns Down the Off-Ramp With America appeared first on Reason.com.
Final stop on Curt's journey to discover the flavor of China's intangible heritage remains Huangshan, Anhui Province.

In the narrow alleys, Curt goes in search of a legendary local dish, stinky mandarin fish, that has grown into a multi-billion-yuan flavor economy.

At a local restaurant, he learns the traditional techniques behind preparing this famous dish.

At a modern production facility, he witnesses how technology is transforming the fish's journey, with standardized processes and cold-chain logistics bringing this specialty to dining tables across China.

Through tofu, tea, and stinky mandarin fish, Curt's journey across Anhui is a flavorful exploration of China's rich intangible heritage. As China celebrates its Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on June 14, these culinary traditions remind us that heritage is not just preserved in museums and textbooks -- they continue to evolve, inspire, and connect generations at the dinner table and beyond.
Major ocean container lines are less likely to return to the Red Sea/Suez Canal route, analysts said, as Israel and Iran continued to trade military strikes.

There were no immediate reports of attacks on commercial shipping by Iran after Israel attacked nuclear targets there Thursday. But industry observers warned that could change amid rising tensions in the region.

Published reports said Irans parliament was considering closing the Strait of Hormuz to vessel traffic, in an effort to put economic pressure on Israel and its allies. The narrow maritime passage between Iran and Oman serves as the trade gateway for global container traffic and 20% of the worlds crude oil supply moving via tankers from the Persian Gulf. The waterway was last closed in 1984 during the Iran-Iraq war.

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Any closure of the Strait of Hormuz would see services re-routed, with increased reliance on India West Coast ports for connecting the Far East to Indian sub-continent, said Peter Sand, chief analyst with Xeneta, in a research note. The inevitable disruption and port congestion, as well as the potential for higher oil prices, would cause a spike in ocean freight container shipping rates, with carriers likely also pushing for a security surcharge on these trades in the coming days.

This escalation also makes a large-scale return of container ships to the Red Sea seem less likely, a situation which continues to have a major impact on ocean container shipping rates 18 months after Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen began attacking vessels in the region.

Those attacks forced major container lines connecting Asia with Europe and the United States to divert away from the Red Sea on longer voyages around Africas Cape of Good Hope. The Houthis have since shifted their missile attacks directly toward Israel, but ocean carriers have said that the route remains too unstable for a return of scheduled services.

Vessel tracking websites showed maritime traffic continuing to flow through the Strait of Hormuz Saturday, including container ships of Mediterranean Shipping Co., Evergreen, and Seaspan.

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United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors Middle East shipping, said increased tensions in the region could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners. Vessels are advised to transit the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz with caution.

Iran still holds hostage the 14,000-TEU container ship MSC Aries, which it detained in 2024.

Maritime analysts said increasing conflict could lead major container carriers to withdraw services in the straits, as attacks by Yemen-based Houthi rebels did in the Red Sea.

If this leads to major container lines avoiding transits through the Strait of Hormuz, this will severely impact links to the major container terminal transshipment hubs inside the Persian Gulf such as Jebel Ali [in Dubai] and Port Khalifa [in Abu Dhabi], said analyst Lars Jensen, in a LinkedIn post. A ripple effect would be a sharp increase in handlings with a high risk of wider Asian congestion issues.

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Irans state news agency Friday denied reports that it had struck back at Israel with drones. Tehran also accused the United States of aiding Israels strikes, a charge denied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The attacks by Israel pushed West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices by more than 9%, while crude oil futures rose 13%.

Airlines are canceling and diverting flights because of the potential danger from a missile attack. Many flights between Asia and Europe are being rerouted further south over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, according to multiple news outlets.

Airlines have also suspended flights to Tel Aviv in Israel and Tehran.

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Flying less direct routes will add fuel cost and time to flights, which could result in less cargo capacity to make room for extra fuel. Western airlines already have to utilize less efficient routes because of the war in Ukraine war closure of Russian airspace.

This article was updated June 14 to add quotes from Xeneta analyst Peter Sand.

This article was updated June 13 to add information on airline cancellations.

 with reporting by Eric Kulisch in Vancouver, Wash.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

Related coverage:

Geopolitical upheaval tops new shipping concerns survey

House investigator Yi to lead Marad

Early peak coming as trans-Pacific container rates double

Retailers see cargo surge coming

The post UPDATE: Return of Red Sea cargo less likely after attacks on Iran appeared first on FreightWaves.
Israel has attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites, and carried out assassinations of top military officials and nuclear scientists. An initial wave of strikes was carried out on Friday morning. A second, separate attack on the city of Tabriz, northwest Iran, was reported by local media later on Friday.

On Friday afternoon, the semi-official state media group, the Iranian Fars news agency reported unofficial statistics showing that more than 70 people had been killed and more than 320 were injured in Israels attacks.

The aggression has led to fears of a wider military conflict in the region, with Tehran promising a harsh response.

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Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that Israel faces a bitter and painful fate following the attack.

By Gods will, the powerful hand of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic will not let it [Israel] go unpunished, he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a prerecorded message that the strikes early on Friday were aimed at hurting Irans nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile factories.

What has Israel attacked in Iran?

Strikes have been confirmed in the following locations:

The capital, Tehran, and military sites in the surrounding area.

The city of Natanz, where explosions were reported at the main uranium enrichment facility.

The city of Tabriz, where explosions have been reported near a nuclear research centre and two military bases.

The city of Isfahan, south of Tehran.

The city of Arak, southwest of Tehran.

The city of Kermanshah, west of Tehran, where an underground facility storing ballistic missiles was hit near the Iraqi border.

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Images posted on social media showed damaged structures, including residential buildings, across the Iranian capital.

Later on Friday morning, the Israeli army said it had damaged the Natanz uranium enrichment sites underground structures, including a multistorey enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure.

It added that vital infrastructure at the site that allows for its continuous functioning and the continued advancement of the Iranian regimes project to obtain nuclear weapons was attacked.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said radioactive contamination caused by the strike on the Natanz facility had been contained within the site and there had been no casualties.

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On Friday afternoon, the Israeli army said its fighter jets had completed a series of strikes against Irans surface-to-surface missile array.

Dozens of launchers, surface-to-surface missile storage sites and other military sites were destroyed in the operation, Israels military said.

Al Jazeera

Who has Israel killed?

According to Iranian media, Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian military, were among those killed in the Israeli attack.

State-run news outlet Nour News said Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani was critically injured.

According to Tasnim, the commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, Major-General Gholamali Rashid, was killed.

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Al Jazeeras Tohid Asadi, who is reporting from the Iranian capital, Tehran, said that aside from military officials, two top nuclear scientists, Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Tehranchi, were also killed in targeted assassinations.

Abbasi was the former chief of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, while Tehranchi was the head of the Islamic Azad University.





What has been the reaction in Iran?

People in Iran woke up to terrifying scenes of destruction in their neighbourhoods.

In a statement, Khamenei said Israel opened its dirty and bloody hand to a crime against Iran, revealing its evil nature more than ever by striking residential centres.

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The regime must expect severe punishment.

Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesperson for Irans armed forces, was quoted by Iranian media as saying that Israel will pay a heavy price for its attacks.

IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major-General Hossein Salami was reportedly killed in the attacks [File: Majid Asgaripour/WANA Reuters]

What has been the reaction in Israel?

Israeli military chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said Israel had reached a point of no return with the attack on Friday.

Describing the early morning strikes on Iran as a fight to preserve our existence, Zamir said Israel launched the attacks as it could not wait for another moment to act.

He also said: Anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price.

Israeli opposition politician Yair Lapid posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, congratulating the Israeli army for its attack.

This handout photo released by the IRGCs official Sepah News Telegram channel shows smoke billowing from a site bombed by Israel in Tehran early on June 13, 2025 [Sepah News/AFP]

How has the US responded?

Iran and the United States are currently involved in talks on Irans nuclear programme, aiming to reach an agreement that would limit the programme in return for sanctions relief for Iran.

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In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump said Washington was not involved in the Israeli strikes.

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, Trump said, adding that the US will help defend Israel if Iran retaliates.

Trump is expected to convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was not involved in the operation.

Our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

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Opposition Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said the Israeli strikes are clearly intended to scuttle the Trump administrations diplomacy with Iran.

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes in Tehran early on Friday [Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]

What is the danger of hitting nuclear facilities?

Attacking nuclear facilities can cause several consequences of unpredictable scope, including radioactive leaks, explosions and long-term contamination.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says the UN body is closely monitoring the situation in Iran.

He said that the IAEA can confirm that the Natanz site was among the targets hit by Israel.

The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.

This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20, 2025 [Planet Labs PBC via AP]

What has been the global reaction to the attacks?

In a statement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for maximum restraint to avoid descent into deeper conflict following the Israeli strike.

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The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East, his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said.

He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Irans nuclear programme are underway.

Oman, which is mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran, called Israels action a dangerous, reckless escalation, representing a flagrant violation of the UN charter.

Such aggressive, persistent behavior is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security.

The Sultanate of Oman holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences, and calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance to halt this dangerous course of action.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday in strikes that targeted the countrys nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program boiled over and Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

Countries in the region condemned Israels attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

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Israels military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Two security officials said the countrys Mossad spy agency was also able to position explosive drones inside Iran ahead of time and then activate them to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

The map above shows confirmed attacks by Israel on Iran and its nuclear facilities. (AP Graphic)

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran as well as strike systems on vehicles, which were activated as the attack began to hit Iranian air defenses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the highly secretive missions and it was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.

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The leader of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported, a significant blow to Tehrans governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of its long-simmering conflict with Israel.

The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

In response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel, with both Iraq and Jordan confirming they had flown over their airspace. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

The Trump administration, which had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Irans nuclear enrichment program, said it had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

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Still, it seemed likely the U.S. suspected an attack could be in the offing, with Washington on Wednesday pulling some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

Israel calls attacks preemptive strikes on Irans nuclear program

Israeli leaders cast attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

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Over the past year, Israel has been targeting Irans air defenses, hitting a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery in April 2024 and surface-to-air missile sites and missile manufacturing facilities in October.

Nervous Israelis rushed to supermarkets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere to buy bottled water and other supplies, and circulated messages on WhatsApp groups advising each other to prepare their shelters for potential long-term use.

Iran claims Israel targeted residential areas

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers, Khamenei said in a statement.

For Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now over 20 months old.

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There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran is a major threat, and Israels opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a staunch critic of Netanyahu, offered his full support for the mission against Iran. But if Iranian reprisals cause heavy Israeli casualties or major disruptions to daily life, public opinion could shift quickly.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

I believe that the day of your liberation is near, the Israeli leader said.

Multiple sites in the Iranian capital were hit in the attack, which Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites. Also targeted were officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Irans uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was closely monitoring radiation levels.

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The strike on Iran pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack. It wasnt immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian airspace or just fired so-called standoff missiles over another country. People in Iraq heard fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack. Israel previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq.

Tension had been growing for weeks ahead of attacks

The potential for an attack had been apparent for weeks as angst built over Irans nuclear program.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he did not believe an attack was imminent but also acknowledged that it could very well happen.

Once the attacks were underway, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert telling American government workers and their families to shelter in place until further notice.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday in the White House Situation Room, where he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers.

Israel has long been determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a concern laid bare on Thursday when the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years censured Iran over its refusal to work with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and install more advanced centrifuges.

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Even so, there are multiple assessments on how many nuclear weapons Iran could conceivably build, should it choose to do so. Iran would need months to assemble, test and field any weapon, which it so far has said it has no desire to do. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess Iran does not have a weapons program at this time.

In a sign of the far-reaching implications of the emerging conflict, Israels main airport was closed and benchmark Brent crude spiked on news of the attack, rising nearly 8%.

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U.S. President Donald Trump again urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear program, warning that Israels attacks will only get worse.

In his first public comments since the Friday attacks, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday in strikes that targeted the countrys nuclear program and killed at least two top military officers, raising the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Simmering tensions over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program boiled over and Iran quickly retaliated, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

Countries in the region condemned Israels attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

Israels military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Two security officials said the countrys Mossad spy agency was also able to position explosive drones inside Iran ahead of time and then activate them to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

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They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran as well as strike systems on vehicles, which were activated as the attack began to hit Iranian air defenses.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the highly secretive missions and it was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.

The leader of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported, a significant blow to Tehrans governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of its long-simmering conflict with Israel.

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The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

In response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel, with both Iraq and Jordan confirming they had flown over their airspace. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

The Trump administration, which had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Irans nuclear enrichment program, said it had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

Still, it seemed likely the U.S. suspected an attack could be in the offing, with Washington on Wednesday pulling some American diplomats from Iraqs capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

Israel calls attacks preemptive strikes on Irans nuclear program

Israeli leaders cast attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike. Iran maintains its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

Advertisement Advertisement

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It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

Over the past year, Israel has been targeting Irans air defenses, hitting a radar system for a Russian-made air defense battery in April 2024 and surface-to-air missile sites and missile manufacturing facilities in October.

Nervous Israelis rushed to supermarkets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and elsewhere to buy bottled water and other supplies, and circulated messages on WhatsApp groups advising each other to prepare their shelters for potential long-term use.

Iran claims Israel targeted residential areas

Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers, Khamenei said in a statement.

Advertisement Advertisement

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For Netanyahu, the operation distracts attention from Israels ongoing and increasingly devastating war in Gaza, which is now over 20 months old.

There is a broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran is a major threat, and Israels opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a staunch critic of Netanyahu, offered his full support for the mission against Iran. But if Iranian reprisals cause heavy Israeli casualties or major disruptions to daily life, public opinion could shift quickly.

Netanyahu expressed hope the attacks would trigger the downfall of Irans theocracy, saying his message to the Iranian people was that the fight was not with them, but with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.

I believe that the day of your liberation is near, the Israeli leader said.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Multiple sites in the Iranian capital were hit in the attack, which Netanyahu said targeted both nuclear and military sites. Also targeted were officials leading Irans nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Irans uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was closely monitoring radiation levels.

The strike on Iran pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack. It wasnt immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian airspace or just fired so-called standoff missiles over another country. People in Iraq heard fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack. Israel previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq.

Tension had been growing for weeks ahead of attacks

The potential for an attack had been apparent for weeks as angst built over Irans nuclear program.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he did not believe an attack was imminent but also acknowledged that it could very well happen.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Once the attacks were underway, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert telling American government workers and their families to shelter in place until further notice.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

Trump is scheduled to attend a meeting of his National Security Council on Friday in the White House Situation Room, where he is expected to discuss the conflict with top advisers.

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Israel has long been determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a concern laid bare on Thursday when the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years censured Iran over its refusal to work with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and install more advanced centrifuges.

Even so, there are multiple assessments on how many nuclear weapons Iran could conceivably build, should it choose to do so. Iran would need months to assemble, test and field any weapon, which it so far has said it has no desire to do. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess Iran does not have a weapons program at this time.

In a sign of the far-reaching implications of the emerging conflict, Israels main airport was closed and benchmark Brent crude spiked on news of the attack, rising nearly 8%.

___

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Federman and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat and Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran, Iran; Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel; Eric Tucker in Washington; Bassem Mroue and Abby Sewell in Beirut, Lebanon; and David Rising in Bangkok contributed to this report.

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Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Israel has attacked Iran's capital, with explosions booming across Tehran.

The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

People in Tehran awoke to the sound of the blast. State television acknowledged the blast. It wasn't immediately clear what had been hit, though smoke could be rising from Chitgar, a neighborhood in western Tehran.

Israel attacks Iran's capital

What they're saying

Israel attacked Iran's capital of Tehran early Friday, and an Israeli military official confirmed that the attack had targeted Iranian nuclear sites, without identifying them.

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The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation, which is also targeting military sites.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said that his country carried out the attack, without saying what it targeted.

"In the wake of the state of Israels preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately," he said in a statement.

The statement added that Katz "signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front."

"It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas," it said

Dig deeper

The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones.

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Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn't want  though official there have repeatedly warned it could. The U.S. has been preparing for something to happen, already pulling some diplomats from Iraq's capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

A general view of Tehran after several explosions were heard in Tehran on October 26, 2024. (Credit: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

As the explosions in Tehran started, President Donald Trump was on the lawn of the White House mingling with members of Congress. It was unclear if he had been informed but the president continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes.

What they're saying

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address on YouTube that the country launched "a targeted military operation roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival."

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He added that the attacks will continue "for as many days at it takes to remove this threat."

Trump earlier said he was urging Netanyahu to hold off from taking action for the time being while the administration negotiated with Iran.

"As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I dont want them going in because I think it would blow it," Trump told reporters.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took "unilateral action against Iran" and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement released by the White House.

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Rubio also issued a warning to Iran that it should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Head of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard feared dead

Iranian state television says the head of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is feared dead after an Israeli attack.

The report offered few other details about what happened to Gen. Hossein Salami of the Guard.

The report on air added that one other top Guard officials, as well as two nuclear scientists were also feared dead.

The Source

The Associated Press contributed to this story. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel has begun stationing troops in "all combat arenas" throughout the country as its attack on Iran continues.
It would, to say the least, be helpful if we had a Prime Minister who understood even his own supposed principles. Since taking office last year, Sir Keir Starmer has been admirably strong and consistent in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, at least in his statements, if not in actual firepower.

But his response to the Israeli strike on Irans nuclear and military sites is not just naive, it is pusillanimous and shows how empty a vessel he really is: The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.

Starmer grasps the need to stand up to Putins aggression, but crumbles into spineless diplo-speak when confronted by a theocratic tyranny.

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For a leader with a clear understanding of the Iranian threat  of reality, in other words  there should be relief, not consternation. Just yesterday, for example, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared that Iran was in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, refusing to answer questions on uranium particles found in undeclared sites in the country and the stockpiling of uranium enriched to nearly weapons grade. Iran then revealed it is operating a previously secret new uranium enrichment centre. The threat of an Iranian nuclear weapon has not been theoretical but very real and increasingly imminent.

According to Sir Keir, Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy. This is the precise opposite of what it is the time for. Diplomacy led us to the disastrous Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) which relaxed sanctions on the regime, handed it huge amounts of money from oil exports, and thus funded not just the Iranian proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis but the nuclear weapons programme.

In this sense Israel has been acting not only on its own behalf but on behalf of all those Middle Eastern states which have been destabilised by Iran  and on behalf of the West itself.

This is a familiar story; twice before Israel has saved us all from nuclear enemies, in 1981 when it destroyed Saddams reactor in Iraq and in 2007 when it destroyed Assads facilities in Syria.

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One irony of this is that the so-called Free Palestine brigade, who will doubtless be back on the streets soon, should be cheering Israel today  if they genuinely cared about securing a Palestinian state. There are reports that the UK is on the verge of recognising such an entity next week at the special UN conference called by France. But there will never be a secure and stable Palestinian state while Iran continues to spread its malign influence through its proxies  and should it acquire a nuclear weapon the prospect of a Palestinian state would be the first casualty.

Contrary to Sir Keirs spineless timidity, this is the time for action by a clear eyed state which understands the threat posed by its enemy and is willing to act to defend itself by neutering that threat. Far from stopping now as Sir Keir urges, it is essential that Israel finishes the job it began last night. Israel has not started a war  it has prevented one.

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Israel launched a wave of unprecedented strikes on Iran shortly before sunrise Friday morning, hitting key sites in the nations nuclear program as well as residential areas in upscale neighborhoods of Tehran and killing some of the countrys highest-ranking military leaders.

A CNN analysis of satellite imagery and dozens of videos shared on social media offers insight into how the wide-ranging operation unfolded across the country. The attacks landed hundreds of miles from Tel Aviv, with strikes continuing through the afternoon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the bombardment could go on for days.

Israels military said it used some 200 fighter jets in the operation, called Rising Lion. Based on a review of strike targets, the attack had several prongs: Heavy strikes against at least one of Irans uranium enrichment sites as well as its stockpiles of ballistic missiles, and more targeted strikes in Tehran to decapitate the regimes military leadership. It aimed to halt what Israel said was Tehrans rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons.

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Videos geolocated and verified by CNN reveal multiple residential neighborhoods were hit across Tehran, including in the north, west and east. Aftermath footage showed crowds and emergency workers surrounding collapsed buildings in densely populated areas.

The Israeli operation came after years of threats and days of heightened speculation.

Earlier in the week, the US had made efforts to withdraw non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, with one official citing developing tension in the region. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House that he did not want Israel to target Iran while talks to reach a new agreement to limit Iranian nuclear enrichment were ongoing.

In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of missiles toward Israeli territory on Friday evening local time.

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Heres what we know about how Israels attack unfolded, minute by minute. All times are local to Iran.

Pre-dawn: First strikes

The first reports of explosions in Tehran came at around 3:30 a.m. local time Friday. Video geolocated by CNN showed a fire burning across several floors of an apartment block in northern Tehran, as emergency services arrived at the scene.

Seven miles west of those buildings  still in the north of the city  another video showed damage from a strike on the upscale Chamran Town neighborhood. An entire wall had been stripped off one of the buildings, with people seen climbing through the rubble inside.

One strike hit centrally near Laleh Park, the site of protests over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died after Irans morality police detained her for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly.

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Beyond the capital, a video showed a strike on the Piranshahr military base in western Iran, some 350 miles (about 560 kilometers) away from Tehran. The video showed the dark night sky being lit up by a series of rapid explosions, with smoke rising in the distance.

Trevor Ball, a munitions researcher and former US Army senior explosive ordnance technician, told CNN the video indicated rocket motor burning, which would be consistent with a strike on a ballistic missile storage facility.

Strikes also hit the Natanz nuclear facility, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Tehran. Social media footage showed a huge fireball rising from the site. CNN obtained radar imagery from a space imaging company, Umbra, which captured damage to several areas of the facility. Other satellite imagery reviewed by CNN showed the same damage in more clarity; black plumes of smoke rising from multiple locations across the site.

The Natanz nuclear facility includes two large underground halls believed to hold centrifuges for enriching uranium, according to a 2003 report from the Institute for Science and International Security, which includes satellite imagery of the site under construction in 2002. Based on that imagery, the latest attacks do not appear to have hit the underground buildings, but the full extent of the damage is not yet known.

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Irans atomic energy agency said its primary nuclear enrichment facility did not encounter serious damage and there were no radiation leaks that would cause concern to the people after Israel attacked it. The spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Behrouz Kamalvandi, said on Iranian state media that the damage was on the ground level away from the underground facility at the plant.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement that radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged but added that there was radioactive contamination present inside the facility, which can be managed with appropriate protective measures.

4:14 a.m.: IDF speaks

Soon after the first explosions rocked Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had launched preemptive strikes against Irans nuclear program.

It said it used jets to strike dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

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The statement came at 3:44 a.m. in Israel, which is 30 minutes behind Irans time zone.

4:35 a.m.: Rubio distances US

Within minutes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the US was not involved in Israels strikes and that Israels actions were unilateral.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, Rubio said in a statement on X, anticipating a potential Iranian response.

Sunrise: Strikes continue

Just one mile west of the strikes on Chamran Town, daylight video showed the aftermath of a strike on Tehrans Chizar neighborhood. A huge hole had been blown in the top two floors of a building, with twisted iron bars hanging from the concrete structure.

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Residents of Tehran later told CNN how they had been woken up by their homes shaking from Israels attack.

A 17-year-old Iranian, who asked to remain anonymous, said people were screaming in the streets. I didnt know what was happening. It was really scary, the teenager said.

5:17 a.m.: Netanyahu announces Operation Rising Lion

As evidence of Israels strikes began to pour in, Netanyahu gave a televised address, saying that Israel had acted to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival. He said the operation would continue for as long as it takes to remove these threats.

Netanyahu claimed Iran had produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine nuclear weapons. In a report sent to member states May 31, the IAEA had said that Iran possessed a quantity of uranium enriched to 60% purity  not yet weapons-grade, but sufficient to eventually make nine nuclear weapons if further enriched to 90%.

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Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Netanyahu said. This is a clear and present danger to Israels survival.

The prime minister claimed Israel had struck Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz, which was corroborated by video of the site.

Past 6 a.m.

As the sun rose, the full scope of Israels attack became clearer. Videos published after 6 a.m. showed the aftermath of a strike on a military base and a cargo terminal in the western Kermanshah region, which borders Iraq, over 250 miles from Tehran and 167 miles from Baghdad.

6:26 a.m.: IAEA concerned

After Netanyahu claimed Israel had targeted the nuclear facility at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Natanz had been hit.

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The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran, it said.

The agency said it was in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels in the area. In a later statement, it said it had not observed an increase in radiation.

8:35 a.m.: IDF announces killings

The Israeli military said it had killed three of the most senior men in Irans military and its nuclear program.

Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the secretive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was the highest-profile of those killed. In its initial statement, Israel also said it killed Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Irans armed forces, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, leader of Irans emergency command.

The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, attends a military parade in Tehran in April 2024. - Atta Kenare/AFP/getty Images

Later, the IDF said it had killed Ali Shamkhani, a close aide to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGCs air force.

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Many of the strikes on Tehran appear to have been targeting these senior officials. Last year, Israel demonstrated its ability to assassinate its adversaries in highly targeted attacks on Iranian soil. In July 2024, it killed Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas  the Iran-backed militia in Gaza  by remotely detonating a bomb that had been hidden in his room in Tehran.

While Fridays strikes appeared extremely targeted, there have also been reports of civilian casualties.

8:48 a.m.: Iran responds

The IDF said that Iran had launched more than 100 drones towards Israeli territory, and that Israels air defenses were preparing to intercept them.

Were expecting difficult hours, it said.

Around midday

Early afternoon, Iranian media reported that Israel had launched a fresh strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz. Tamsin news agency said the Tabriz Airport had come under heavy Israeli attack.

12:26 p.m.: Trump posts

After learning the extent of Israels attack, Trump urged Irans leaders to agree to a new nuclear deal before there is nothing left of their country.

Trump said he had given Iran chance after chance to make a deal. JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

Under a 2015 nuclear deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran agreed to drastically limit its number of centrifuges and cap uranium enrichment at levels far below those required to make weapons, in exchange for sanctions relief.

But during his first term as president in 2018, Trump withdrew from the deal, saying the rotten structure of the agreement was not enough to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. He ramped up sanctions on Iran and threatened to sanction any country that helped the regime obtain nuclear weapons.

In his second term, Trump has revived efforts to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran.

Just hours before Israels attack, the president on Thursday cautioned Israel against launching a strike while talks are ongoing. US officials have held several rounds of high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran in recent weeks, demanding that Tehran stop all uranium enrichment activity.

Iran has long claimed that its nuclear program is peaceful. It has said it wants to keep enriching uranium for civilian purposes, like building a nuclear reactor, and not for weapons.

Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post last month, setting out Tehrans red lines in the talks.

CNNs Mostafa Salem contributed to this report.

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The Israeli military has carried out several waves of air strikes targeting nuclear facilities and military sites across Iran, killing senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists in a large-scale attack that raises fears of an all-out war in the region.

In a prerecorded video message posted early Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at hurting Irans nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile factories.

This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us, Netanyahu said.

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The Israeli military confirmed to The Times of Israel newspaper it had launched an aerial campaign against Irans nuclear programme in an operation dubbed Rising Lion.

The Israeli militarys chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said Irans nuclear programme had reached a point of no return, and Israel could not wait for another moment to act in the fight to preserve our existence.

In a later statement, the Israeli army confirmed that 200 fighter jets struck more than 100 targets across the country. Israeli strikes have been confirmed in at least eight locations across Iran, including the capital Tehran, Irans main uranium enrichment site in Natanz, and a nuclear research centre in Tabriz.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there was no sign of an increase in radiation levels at Natanz. A fuel enrichment plant in Fordow had also not been affected as of yet, it said, adding that a nuclear plant in Bushehr was also not impacted.

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Iranian state media has reported several casualties, with civilians and senior Iranian officials among the dead. Confirmed killed are Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans Armed Forces, and nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi. It also said six scientists were killed in the overnight attack.

In a statement following the attacks, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Israel to prepare for a bitter and painful fate.

Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tehran has a legal and legitimate right to respond, as it promised to involve the US as Israels strikes could not have taken place without its coordination and authorisation.

Iranian response

Following the blitz early on Friday morning, the Israeli military said Iran launched about 100 drones towards Israel and that it was making an effort to shoot them down.

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Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.

In a later statement, a military source told The Associated Press that Israel was intercepting drones outside Israeli territory.

An Al Jazeera reporter in Amman said loud sirens sounded over Jordans capital as Iranian drones were inbound to target Israel. Jordanian state media said the countrys air force was intercepting missiles and drones in its airspace.

Jordans state news agency quoted an unnamed senior military official as saying that the interceptions were carried out based on military assessments indicating that the missiles and drones were likely to fall within Jordanian territory, including populated areas, posing a potential threat to civilian safety.

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Two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said that more than 100 drones launched from Iran towards Israel were tracked crossing Iraqi airspace.

Sirens have sounded across Israel as a warning to people, while the Israeli military announced in a post on X that Israels civil and public security guidelines had been changed to essential activity only as of 3am local time (00:00 GMT).

The guidelines include: a ban on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential businesses, it said.

Israels transport ministry confirmed that it has closed the countrys airspace for arrivals and departures until further notice.

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United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed late on Thursday that the US was not involved in the strikes, as he urged Iran not to target American interests or personnel in the region.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement.

Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, he added.

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025 [Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters]

Al Jazeeras correspondent in Washington, DC, Alan Fisher, said developments over recent days indicated that US President Donald Trump was told that there was going to be some sort of strike.

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[Just] 24 hours ago, the United States announced that it was going to start moving nonessential personnel out of the embassy in Baghdad [in Iraq], and also recommended that others in embassies around the region could also leave if they wish, he said.

Fisher said President Trump did not want Iran to get a nuclear weapon, but he was hoping that nuclear talks would be able to avert a conflict.

The big question now, of course, is how the United States reacts to any response from Iran. If they side with Israel, that suggests that the nuclear talks are done, Fisher said.

[US Special Envoy to the Middle East] Steve Witkoff still intends to hold another meeting with the Iranians at the weekend. Of course, itll be up to the Iranians to decide whether or not they want to go, he added.

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Irans Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Wednesday that his country would target US military bases in the region if nuclear talks break down and the US launches attacks.

Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations dont come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us  all US bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them in host countries, Nasirzadeh told reporters.

Washington and Tehran have held five rounds of nuclear talks since April as Trump seeks a deal that would place constraints on Irans uranium enrichment.
Israel has suspended operations at its diplomatic missions worldwide and temporarily halted consular services.

Source: Israeli Embassy in Ukraine in a statement

Details: Due to recent events, all Israeli missions globally will remain closed and consular services will not be provided.

Israelis abroad are urged to report their location and status via an online form to keep the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme and targeting military facilities.

The strikes reportedly killed Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Irans Armed Forces, and six nuclear scientists.

Irans Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said that Tehran would respond to Israel's strikes, noting that the United States would "pay dearly" despite Washington's assurances of its non-involvement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israels actions as "unilateral", though the US was aware of the planned strikes. President Donald Trump confirmed prior knowledge of Israels plans and affirmed US readiness to defend its forces and assist Israel against potential retaliatory strikes.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Iran plays a destructive role both in the Middle East and beyond, in particular, by supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine.

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BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China is committed to promoting the steady, sound and sustainable development of the China-U.S. military-to-military relationship, a Chinese defense spokesperson said Friday.

Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, reiterated China's adherence to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

He urged the United States to stop playing up the alleged "China threat," respect China's core interests and major concerns, and work with China to strengthen communication and dialogue, properly manage differences, and enhance mutual understanding and trust.

He called on the two sides to jointly improve and develop the relationship between the two militaries. 
Israel is coming under a heavy bombardment Friday from Iran after the massive attacks overnight on Tehrans nuclear capabilities.

Dozens of ballistic missiles have been fired on Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said Friday amid Irans counterattack.

Explosions could be heard throughout Tel Aviv. There have been at least seven hits on the ground in the city, a source told The Hills sister network NewsNation.

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Millions of Israelis rushed into bomb shelters as missiles targeted multiple cities.

We will take every measure necessary to protect the people of Israel, Israels ministry of foreign affairs said Friday on social platform X.

A US official confirmed the US is assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles targeting Israel.

The retaliatory strikes come hours after the Israeli military took out Tehrans top military leaders and targeted key nuclear facilities in a surprise strike Thursday.

The U.S. was not involved in the strike and has distanced itself from Israels decision, while offering support for Jerusalem.

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Nuclear talks aimed at curtailing Irans ambitions were scheduled for this weekend, but Iran said it was withdrawing given the Israeli attack.

The attacks seem aimed at making sure Iran does not have the capability to hit Israel with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, though it is unclear if that objective has been met despite the notable successes of the mission.

Israel has killed key figures in Irans political and military establishment as well as nuclear scientists. Some of the strikes came from within Iran.

President Trump on Friday urged Iran to make a deal on its nuclear program.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social.

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Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

The response has triggered fears about a broadening war between the two powerful regional militaries.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Friday on X that Iran must give a strong response to the evil, despicable, terrorist Zionist identity. God willing, we will respond with strength, and will show no mercy to them.

The supreme leader, who has final say on all state matters, added that this is a certainty that the Islamic Republics Armed Forces will deal heavy blows to this evil Zionist enemy.

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The United States, in the days before, took steps to reduce its diplomatic footprint and to allow families of military members to leave the region.

Trump administration officials said Friday one of their focuses was on securing the safety of U.S. forces.

Israels operation, which involved 200 Israeli jets and struck around 100 targets, killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cmdr. Hossein Salami and Irans commander in chief, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri.

Apart from military targets, Israel was also able to strike Natanz, a nuclear facility that produces most of fuel in Iran.

Iran initially retaliated by launching about 100 drones toward Israel, according to the Israeli military.

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Updated at 4:37 p.m. EDT

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(NewsNation)  As tensions rise between Israel and Iran over the future of the Islamic Republics nuclear program, former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton believes Israel will eventually have to make an existential decision about what to do next.

I think one question for the Gulf Arab states and for the United States  and others as well is  Would you rather face Iran before it gets nuclear weapons, or after it gets nuclear weapons? How close is it now? I think its very close, and I think Israel really has to make an existential decision in the next, I would say, 60 days, Bolton told NewsNation.

Iran said it has built and will activate a third nuclear enrichment facility, ratcheting up tensions with the U.N. on Thursday immediately after the U.N.s atomic watchdog agency censured Iran for failing to comply with nonproliferation obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

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Schumer: Forcible removal of Padilla from Noem press conference reeks of totalitarianism

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously warned that Israel or America could launch airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiators failed to reach a deal on Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program. A sixth round of Iran-U.S. talks is scheduled to begin Sunday in Oman, and as tensions simmer, some American government staffers deemed nonessential have begun leaving the Gulf region.

Trump said Thursday he is still urging Iran to negotiate a deal but that he is concerned a massive conflict could occur in the Middle East if it does not.

I dont want to say imminent, but it looks like its something that could very well happen, Trump said in response to a question from a reporter about a potential Israeli attack. Look, its very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

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Trump launches web site for gold card

As far as U.S.-Iran negotiations go, Bolton said he doesnt anticipate much movement.

We will know a little bit more after Sunday, he said. But I dont think those negotiations are going anywhere. So we will be close to a point where Israel has to make a decision. I dont know what it will be exactly, but the decision basically will be, do they try to take out the Iran nuclear weapons program, or do they acquiesce in Iran becoming a nuclear weapons state?

President Donald Trumps administration told the Israeli government the U.S. will not be directly involved in any potential Israeli military strike against Irans nuclear facilities, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two U.S. sources and an Israeli source familiar with those discussions.

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You cant see Iran from Israel, but on its scenic northern border stand the hills of Lebanon, which at the point where the two countries are closest, is done up to look just like the Islamic Republic.

In Kfar Kila, a town just yards from an Israeli town, you might be in Tehran: Iran's leaders, past and present, wave from a monument adorned with the emblem from its flag. Blue metal boxes on posts line the roadway, a slot beckoning a few coins to the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, named for the cleric who, in 1979, turned Iran from Israels stalwart ally to its implacable foe.

In the decades since, every other country in the region has made some sort of accommodation with Israel, persuaded on the one hand by its formidable U.S.-backed military, and on the other by the security-minded tech sector that grew out of that military. Iran was different. It cast Israel as the unifying nemesis in its unlikely ascension to leadership of a Muslim-only Middle East. The eradication of the Zionist entity remains core to the radical regime Khomeini installed some 1,000 miles away.

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That distance was the largest challenge to the 200 warplanes the Israel Defense Forces launched into Iran the early morning hours of June 13. The primary target was nuclear facilities that have edged ever closer to producing a bomb, and Iranian state television showed footage of an attack on the Natanz facility where uranium is enriched. Bursts of orange flash under a half dozen columns of black smoke billowing just beyond a freeway where traffic continues as usual. Its daylight, which meant the assault had been under way for hours. It was not yet 3 a.m. when the apartments of senior commanders began exploding in northeast Tehran. Iran announced the deaths of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, two other senior commanders, and as at least two of the 25 nuclear scientist Israel reportedly targeted.

A veiled Iranian worshipper waves a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah next to a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on Iran in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. Morteza Nikoubazl  Getty Images

By first decapitating the military leadership before going after the hardware, Israels plan of attack mirrored the one that had made it possible. Last September, it had carried out an extraordinarily effective campaign against Hezbollahthe militia Iran had installed in Lebanon, then armed with more than 100,000 missiles, with instruction that they were to be launched on its order. Those missiles were pointed at Israel, which lived in mortal fear of them. There were more than could be knocked out of the sky by Iron Dome or any other defense system. They were why Israeli hospitals made plans to treat mass casualties in underground garages. The missiles essentially protected Tehran by making Israeli leaders think hard about the consequences of an attack on Irans nuclear sites.



We thought of it as an existential threat, an Israeli reserve officer told me on June 12, wonder in his voice at the reality that the missiles were gone. They vanished in waves of Israeli bombs last fall  precision strikes that followed the demise of Hezbollahs leadership deep in their bunkers. The militias rank and file, meanwhile, was shattered first by pagers, then walkie-talkies that detonated in their hands, having been boobytrapped by Mossad. After living in fear of Hezbollah for 20 years, Israel decimated it in the space of a month. Then turned to Iran.

The Islamic Republic was looking poorly. Israel had already humiliated it by exploding a bomb in the most highly guarded zone of in Tehran, killing the leader of Hamas in a government guesthouse. None of its gains over the prior two decadesseeing Iraq turned from enemy to vassal by the U.S. invasion; getting to call the shots in Syria, where it saved the Assad regime; and finding a friend in Yemen, where it sponsors the Houthi militianone of that compared to the loss of Hezbollah. Compelled to reply, Iran's leaders launched scores of missiles and drones toward Israel. As had been the case in an even larger attack in April, when almost all were knocked down with the help of U.S., European, and even neighboring Arab forces, the result was ineffectual.

Worse, the attack gave Israel standing to retaliate, which it did by launching precision strikes that knocked out Irans most important anti-aircraft defensesin preparation for the assault now underway. In announcing it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack would last at least a few days, and noted that the targets included Irans ballistic missiles. Iran has so many that, even from 1,000 miles away, the numbers could overwhelm any interception systems. We cant leave these threats for the next generation, Netanyahu said. If we dont act now, there wont be a next generation.

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President Trump called the attack excellent. Iran's initial response, reportedly of 100 drones, produced no result. Meanwhile, Israel released footage of what it said were its own commandos on the ground in Iran, with a drone base prepositioned. It said it killed most of the leadership of Irans air force, after luring them to a meeting. A half day in, the war was going well.

Like the cascading campaign against Hezbollah, it was the war Israel has been preparing for.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the other kind drags on: 1,200 civilians and soldiers killed in Israel in one day (and 251 dragged into captivity) and 55,000 civilians and soldiers killed in Gaza over the next 20 months. Israel, accurately, calls Hamas a client of Iran, though the relationship has had its ups and downs. Iran counts itself the leader of the smaller of Islams two branches, Shiism, and all its other clients align with the sect in some fashion. Hamas is firmly Sunni, which has caused problems in the past. The elimination of Israel is their common ground, and Hamas attack of Oct. 7 was intended to ignite. After overwhelming Israel with its strike out of Gaza in the south, its planners hope was that Hezbollah would unleash the assault Israelis had long feared from the north, and the Zionist entity would collapse.

Instead, Iran instructed Hezbollah to hold back. For the next year, as tens of thousands of Israelis fled their homes near the border, Tehran played the military equivalent of chess, sending a few missiles a day over the border in tit-for-tat exchanges that signaled no change, status quo. As if this could go on forever.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of Irans top nuclear facilities had been hit in Thursday night's strike against the regime.

"Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs, nine," Netanyahu said. "In recent months, Iran is taking steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time."

Hours later, officials confirmed that Iran launched approximately 100 retaliatory drones toward Israeli territory, which the IDF was working to intercept.

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The Natanz Nuclear Facility  one of Tehrans key nuclear sites and which has been flagged by security experts that in coordination with the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, could produce enough weapons-grade uranium to produce 11 nuclear weapons within a month  has been hit in the strikes, though the extent of the damage remains unknown.

FILE - This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20, 2025.

Israel Launches Sweeping Strike On Iran While Trump Administration Seeks Diplomatic Solution

"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart Iran's nuclear weaponization program," Netanyahu said in live remarks. "We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz.

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"We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb," he added.

The Nantaz Nuclear Facility was at least partially destroyed in 2020 following an explosion, and satellite imagery has suggested Iran began constructing deep underground tunnels to further secure and obscure their nuclear program, reported the Institute for Science and International Security earlier this year.

Israel Announces Preemptive Strike Against Iran

It is unclear at this time if any of the underground structures were hit in the Thursday night strikes.

"We will not let the world's most dangerous regime get the world's most dangerous weapons, and Iran plans to give those weapons, nuclear weapons, to its terrorist proxies," Netanyahu said. "That would make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real.

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"The increasing range of Iran's ballistic missiles would bring that nuclear nightmare to the cities of Europe, and eventually to America," he added.

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Reporting by The New York Times also said the Parchin military complex had been hit in the overnight strikes, though Fox News Digital could not independently confirm the hit.

The extent of the damage also remains unknown as it was reported in November that the Parchin military complex had been significantly damaged in Israels October strikes which housed a nuclear weapons research facility.

Another five military bases surrounding Tehran were also reportedly hit.





Original article source: Israel hits the heart of Irans nuclear program in Natanz facility strike
Israel bombed nuclear and military sites in Iran on Friday morning local time, reportedly killing Irans top military commander and dealing a blow to the nations nuclear ambitions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement saying the United States was not involved in the attack.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubio said.

Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran. | Vahid Salemi

Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

President Donald Trump had been pursuing a nuclear deal with Iran, but in recent days he sounded less positive about that path.

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On Thursday, Trump told reporters he didnt want to say a strike by Israel against Iran was imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen," he said, according to pool reports. He reiterated, Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, but said, besides that, he wants Iran to be successful.

Israel has long viewed the issue of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons as a clear and unacceptable threat, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressuring the U.S. repeatedly over the issue.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025. | Maxar Technologies via the Associated Press

The Jerusalem Post reported sirens were sounding in Israel, warning of potential counterattacks by Iran.

Several top military officials in Iran, including senior nuclear scientists, were believed by the Israeli Defense Forces to be killed by the strikes, the Post said.

A man walks past a billboard displaying images of top Iranian commanders and scientists killed in Israeli strikes early Friday, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. | Vahid Salemi

An Iranian military spokesman said on state television that Israel and the United States would receive a forceful slap, and a retaliation attack is definite, according to The New York Times.

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After the strikes, Netanyahu gave remarks where he said the strikes were necessary.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation aimed at dismantling the Iranian threat to Israels survival. This operation will continue for as long as necessary to eliminate this danger, he said.

Netanyahu claimed Iran had enriched enough uranium to build nine atom bombs.

In recent years, Israel and Iran have fought through proxies in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, while also engaging in skirmishes elsewhere.

The fight between the two escalated following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks on Israel, with Iran firing a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in October 2024. Israel retaliated with rocket attacks against Iran.
Israel launched a "preemptive" strike early on Friday against Iran's nuclear programme, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Telegram channel.

The IDF said the attack was in response to the Iran's ongoing aggression against Israel. Dozens of jets struck military targets in various locations of Iran in a first stage, the IDF said.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim, considered the mouthpiece of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Major General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, was killed in an Israeli strike on the IRGC's high command headquarters.

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He was considered one of the most powerful men in the Islamic Republic.

Several loud explosions rocked the Iranian capital Tehran overnight, state media and eyewitnesses reported.

Netanyahu: Israeli strikes to continue as long as needed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel's strikes on Iran, aimed at eliminating its nuclear threat, would continue for as long as needed.

The attack, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," is to continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency for the country, saying a missile and drone attack on Israel was expected "in the immediate future," according to the Times of Israel.

US says this was an Israeli operation

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in Israel's strike against Iran. He warned Tehran not to target US personnel in the region.

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US President Donald Trump is planning to meet with the White House's the National Security Council, a group of foreign and security policy experts, on Friday at 11 am (1500 GMT) in the white House, the government said.

Rubio emphasized that the attacks were an Israeli operation.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," he said in a post on X.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he added.

The Israeli Ministry of Transport announced, according to the news site ynet, that Israeli airspace would be closed to take-offs and landings until further notice.

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Iran has also closed its airspace following Israel's attack. The order will remain in effect until further notice, according to a statement from the national aviation authority.

Recently, concerns in the Middle East about a possible Israeli attack on Iran had grown. The dispute over Iran's nuclear programme had increasingly escalated. At the end of May, US media reported that Israel had already prepared a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

In his speech, Netanyahu said Israel struck "Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz" and also targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists who were working to develop the bomb. Israel also struck at the centre of Iran's ballistic missile programme, the prime minister added.

Netanyahu condemned what he said was Iran's stepped up pursuit of uranium enrichment that he called "a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival."

The Israeli prime minister also thanked Trump "for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme."
Not only has Israel's attack on Iran been more wide-ranging and intense than its two previous military operations last year, but it also appears to have adopted some of the strategy that was used in the Israeli offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon last November.

That is not only to hit Iran's missile bases - and thus its ability to respond with force - but also to launch strikes to take out key members of Iran's leadership.

That strategy of decapitation of Hezbollah senior figures had devastating consequences for the group and its ability to mount a sustainable counter offensive.

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Footage from Tehran has shown what seem to be specific buildings hit, similar to images from Israel's attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut, which culminated in the killing of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

No figure of that magnitude appears to have been killed in Iran. The Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not been targeted.

But to kill Iran's military chief of staff, Hossein Salami, the commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guards, and several of the country's top nuclear scientists in the first hours of an operation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested might go on for days is to have inflicted an unprecedented degree of damage on Iran's elite.

That would seem to necessitate a fiercer response from Iran than we saw in its two attacks on Israel last year.

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But it may also make Tehran's ability to summon up such a response that much harder. That presumably is the calculation that Netanyahu made in ordering this escalation in the conflict.

Why he decided to go ahead with the attack right now - one that he has for so long advocated - could be for the reasons he has given.

In a statement released not long after the operation began, he said that it was a matter of Israel's survival.

But Netanyahu has been making the argument that Israel faces existential threat if Iran gets a nuclear bomb for many years. To underline the renewed urgency, a senior Israeli military official has said that there was information that Iran had enough material to make fifteen nuclear bombs within days.

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But there may also have been a very different factor at play.

The talks between the US and Iran on a deal over Tehran's nuclear programme was about to enter its sixth round on Sunday. There have been conflicting signals over how much progress has been made in this.

For Netanyahu, though, it may have seemed that this was a crucial moment to ensure that what he sees as an unacceptable deal would be stopped in its tracks.

Militarily, he and his advisors may have felt that not only Iran but its proxies in the region - Hezbollah in particular - have been weakened to such an extent that the threat they once posed is now no longer as potent.

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The coming hours and days will show whether that is proved to be correct or a dangerous miscalculation.

More on this story
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's reprisals have brought the two Middle East adversaries closer to an all-out war, which also threatens to draw in the United States, at least to some degree.

So how do the militaries of Iran and Israel stack up against each other?

Iran boasts a large standing force but also relies on proxies and undercover operations that have been severely disabled in recent months by U.S. and Israeli actions. Israel, meanwhile, relies on both subterfuge and robust regular ground and air forces that are apparently unmatched in the region. Though roughly equal in the number of troops, the two militaries bring strikingly different tactics and firepower.

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Where does Iran stand?

On paper, Iran would seem to have an advantage in numbers, with 88 million people and a land area of 1.6 million square kilometers (618,000 square miles) compared to Israels 9 million people and 22,000 square kilometers (8,500). Militarily however, those numbers mean little.

Irans troops are divided between the regular armed forces, generally commissioned with guarding Irans borders and carrying out more conventional military tasks, and the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, including the elite Quds Force, the strategic missile command and the cyberforce.

The regular forces command the bulk of the troops  around 600,000 men  and standard equipment, while the Revolutionary Guard has about 200,000 personnel split between various divisions. Along with Irans proxies, its conventional forces are believed to have been heavily degraded by Israeli and U.S. military operations over the past year.

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Iran's military equipment is a hodge-podge, including some provided by the Soviet Union and others by the U.S. prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, along with more recent Russian additions. With an estimated 350 antiquated planes in its air force, it lags far behind Israel in both quantity and quality. Iran, however, does have the ability to produce a wide range of UAVs and similar equipment, typified by the Shahed attack drones it has sold to Russia in large numbers for use in the war in Ukraine.

On Thursday, an Israeli military official said that Iran used a missile with multiple warheads, posing a new challenge to its defenses. There was no immediate independent analysis of the attack.

Iran claims to have a multi-warhead missile, known as the Khorramshahr, which was first tested in 2017 and appears likely to be derived from a North Korean missile, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Defense Project.

According to the CSIS report, the multiple warheads claim is most likely a reference to a submunitions warhead, rather than multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. A true MIRV missile allows separately targeted warheads to be set on independent paths from the main missile.

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The security of Iran's top commanders has also been a recurring problem, with the head of the Revolutionary Guards Gen. Hossein Salami and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans armed forces, among those who killed in last Friday's strikes in Tehran. Top nuclear scientists were also killed. Other senior commanders have been killed in recent strikes around the region.

Iran's nuclear program has advanced in recent years, and it is believed to have developed enough uranium enriched to near-weapons grade levels to produce multiple nuclear weapons in a matter of months if it took the decision to do so.

But Iran would need even more time to develop a missile or other means of weaponizing them. Israel does not appear inclined to take that chance, however, having already struck facilities manufacturing nuclear material and ballistic missiles.

How does Israel compare?

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Israel's formidable land, sea and air forces are derived from both the latest U.S. and European technology as well as a robust domestic defense industry that can design, build and sustain a full range of armaments, allowing it to take on opponents on multiple fronts at the same time.

For a small nation it also has a considerable supply of troops, with about 170,000 active duty forces and another 400,000 reserves. Though fewer than Iran, Israels forces have been battle hardened by regional conflicts.

One option for Iran's counterstrike may include hundreds of ballistic missiles targeting Israel, though how long that could be sustained is unclear. In October 2024, a massive Iranian missile assault on Israel caused only limited damage, partly because of U.S. help in shooting down Iranian missiles.

That defense was made possible by Israel's multi-tiered missile defenses. The sophisticated system, developed over decades with considerable U.S. support, is capable of detecting incoming fire and deploying only if the projectile is headed toward a population center or sensitive military or civilian infrastructure. Israeli leaders say the system isnt 100% guaranteed, but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties.

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Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, though it has never acknowledged having such weapons. Israel also has a steadfast ally in the United States, which has been key in previous conflicts and will likely be crucial in any that follow.

The U.S. role

The United States has distanced itself from the Israeli actions but could be a target of Iranian retaliation. Among the U.S. assets in the region are an aircraft carrier with about 60 fighters in the Arabian Sea, along with dozens of other jets at bases throughout the region  as well as thousands of troops.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel took unilateral action against Iran, warning Iran not to target U.S. forces in retaliation. In recent days, the U.S. began pulling some diplomats from Iraqs capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

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Israel already curtailed Irans ability to fight back, having decimated Iranian proxies Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah and heavily bombed Irans air defense systems.

Ahead of Friday's strikes, Iran had vowed massive retaliation for any attack, not just against Israel but also U.S. bases in the region, with one official vowing to effectively drive the U.S. from the Middle East through the destruction of its military infrastructure.

___

Associated Press writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow and David Rising in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
As the percussion of Israeli munitions rattled Tehran on Thursday night, President Donald Trumps MAGA movement observed a rare silence  a sign, influential Republicans say, of the divide within their own party when it comes to the prospect of a war between Israel and Iran.

It took Trump, who comments publicly more often than any president in recent memory, about 10 hours to put out a statement on his Truth Social platform, in which he urged Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program.

The first official U.S. assessment had been issued by the White House under Secretary of State Marco Rubios name, and it emphasized that America was not involved in the strikes.

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But three U.S. officials told NBC News later Friday that the U.S. is assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles and projectiles targeting Israel. The Pentagon also moved a number of military assets into the region in recent days to support the operation, according to another U.S. official.

In the meantime, Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, polled his 5 million X followers on the question of whether America should get involved in Israels war against Iran. By Friday afternoon, the poll showed more than 350,000 votes, with an overwhelming proportion in the No column.

When Kirk read Rubios statement on the strikes during a podcast Thursday night, Jack Posobiec, a right-wing activist popular with the MAGA audience, interjected that it was not a supportive statement at all. Earlier Thursday, before the strikes, Posobiec had warned on X that a direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition.

And Steve Bannon, host of the War Room podcast, which is influential with MAGA adherents within the administration and outside of it, steered clear of public commentary Thursday night.

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It all adds up to a demonstration of the quandary facing Trump as he and other elected Republicans seek safe political turf.

Trumps electoral success owes in no small part to his isolationist-leaning America First platform and his fierce criticism of drawn-out U.S. engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan that were launched by Republican President George W. Bush and continued by Democratic President Barack Obama.

But Israels latest action pits traditional Republican support for the Jewish state  and antipathy toward Iran  against the MAGA bases fear that the U.S. will be drawn into a new foreign war. And even within Trumps MAGA wing, theres a long-running split over American backing of Israel. Trump has always been on the pro-Israel side of the divide.

Republicans are a pro-Israel party, and the president hasnt wavered on that, said one longtime Trump adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the political sensitivity within the MAGA movement. I think the challenge here is not how to move forward. The question is how to sell that to the recalcitrant base.

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If Trump is able to do that, it will be despite powerful voices on the other side of the debate weighing in. Tucker Carlson, one of Trump's most influential supporters, wrote in his newsletter Friday that the U.S. should "drop Israel."

"If Israel wants to wage this war, it has every right to do so. It is a sovereign country, and it can do as it pleases, Carlson wrote, according to Jewish Insider. But not with Americas backing.

Israel launched its attack to forestall Irans development of a nuclear weapon and perhaps pressure Tehran into giving up that goal. Trump has been trying to construct a new version of an Obama-era nuclear deal that he shredded during his first term, and he articulated his hope Friday that Israels campaign will help serve as a catalyst for Iran to sign a new pact. But it is not at all clear that the fighting wont have the opposite effect and spark a broader war between the two Middle Eastern powers.

Thats a showdown that establishment Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have been itching for.

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Game on, Graham  whose hawkish worldview predates the rise of the MAGA movement  wrote on X on Thursday night as video of explosions in Tehran bounced around the world.

On the other side of the spectrum, Infowars host Owen Shroyer, one of the hundreds of people pardoned by Trump in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, posted a video to X that framed the new conflict as an existential question for the presidents base.

America, the Trump movement, MAGA  however you want to say it, theres going to be a lot of soul-searching as these events go on, because a lot of MAGA is anti-war, Shroyer said. What good is Make America Great Again if we cant even be isolated from this war-torn region of the world, if we cant even be isolated from these foreign countries and these foreign conflicts that are just filled with hate?

Well never be able to make America great again, he added, as long as were entangled in the Middle East.

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With Trump signaling approval for how Israel conducted strikes while cajoling Iran to make a deal Friday morning, some of the presidents MAGA faithful seemed to settle on a narrative that U.S. involvement is acceptable to a point: troops on the ground.

On a call with reporters Friday, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., asserted his own opposition to U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts while expressing confidence that Trump feels the same.

Its one thing to support our ally, which were doing, and we should do, unequivocally, Hawley said. Its one thing to provide them with arms for their own self-defense, which we have done and should do. But I cant imagine a world in which we would send United States troops, in which we would be involved in any kinetic activity, as the defense people like to say, there in the region, unless its just defending our own installations.

Israeli airstrikes on Iran are a far cry from American troops invading a nation that has been far more vulnerable to internal revolution than foreign conquest over the course of thousands of years of existence. Even the Republicans who are most aggressive when it comes to Iran talk about missiles and bombs rather than staging an incursion with American ground forces.

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But drawing a line on that is a middle ground that may satisfy most, if not all, Trump supporters for the moment.

In the hours after the strikes, Trump allies hewed closely to the administrations sparse talking points.

Alex Bruesewitz, a Republican consultant with close ties to the White House, shared Rubios statement on X, emphasizing that the US WAS NOT INVOLVED IN STRIKES AGAINST IRAN.

Meanwhile, Laura Loomer, the right-wing conspiracy theorist aligned with Trump, posted several messages supportive of Trump and Israel.

Iran, Loomer wrote, must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Mehek Cooke, an attorney and pro-Trump political commentator active in the MAGA movement, said Friday that her recent visit to Israel opened her eyes to the devastation of Irans Oct. 7 proxy war there.

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Israels strikes, Cooke added, were not just justified; they were inevitable. This matters to every American, including the MAGA movement. You cant negotiate with regimes chanting Death to America.

Cooke also pointed to recent polling from Rasmussen, a right-leaning firm, that found that 57% of respondents favored U.S. military action to combat Irans nuclear weapons program. She said she believes MAGA loyalists will remain united behind Trump.

MAGA wants peace, but were not blind, Cooke added. Yes, some in MAGA lean isolationist. But appeasement is not an option. Irans leaders just threatened both Israel and the U.S., bringing us to a dangerous tipping point. Trumps 60-day deadline  blatantly ignored by Iran was followed by real consequences.

Still, the political perils of taking sides in the early stages of what Israel says could be a sustained campaign were underscored by the reluctance of some MAGA figures to deal with the question head-on.

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Asked to explain the tension within the MAGA movement, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., a close Trump ally, texted: MAGA is more concerned with the Battle for Los Angeles, where Trump has deployed the National Guard and Marines in a standoff with Americans protesting against immigration raids, than the Battle for Tehran.

What the White House appears to be most concerned about, at least in terms of Trumps domestic politics, is portraying the U.S. as uninvolved in the Middle East conflict.

The word that trickled out overnight from the White House, and from a phone interview Trump gave to Fox News, emphasized that U.S. military had no role in the strikes.

It wasnt until Friday morning that Trump weighed in directly  and ominously.

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There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, Israel launched a major attack early Friday, resulting in explosions heard in Tehran.

The strikes, which Israel say targeted nuclear and military facilities, mark a new chapter in the long-standing tensions between the two nations.

Iranian state media reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and two leading nuclear scientists were killed in the attack.

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For the latest updates on these developing events, follow The Independents live coverage

This action follows increasing concerns over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Israel views as an existential threat.

Here is a timeline of some significant events in the hostilities between the two countries over the past 15 years:

Iran's nuclear program is a primary target

2010  The Stuxnet computer virus is discovered and widely believed to be a joint US-Israeli creation. The virus disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

2018  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel obtained tens of thousands of pages of data showing Iran covered up its nuclear program before signing a deal with world powers in 2015. An ex-Mossad chief confirms the information was obtained by more than a dozen non-Israeli agents from safes in Tehran in 2018.

Demonstrators wave a Iranian flag in their anti-Israeli gathering in Tehran, Iran, Monday, April 15, 2024 (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

2020  Alleged Israeli attacks against Irans nuclear program are stepped up significantly after the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal meant to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

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July 2020  A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel.

November 2020  A top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. A top Iranian security official accuses Israel of using electronic devices to remotely kill the scientist, who founded Iran's military nuclear program in the 2000s.

11 April 2021  An attack targets Irans underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Iran blames Israel, which does not claim responsibility, but Israeli media widely reports the government orchestrated a cyberattack that caused a blackout at the facility.

16 April 2021  Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

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June 2022  Iran accuses Israel of poisoning two nuclear scientists in different cities within three days of each other, though circumstances remained unclear.

Mideast wars

7 Oct 2023  Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage, beginning the most intense war between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants.

14 February 2024  An Israeli sabotage attack causes multiple explosions on an Iranian natural gas pipeline running from Irans western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province to cities on the Caspian Sea.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2025 (AFP/Getty)

1 April 2024  An Israeli airstrike demolishes Irans Consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people including two Iranian generals.

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14 April 2024  Iran launches an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and attack drones in response to the Israeli airstrike in Damascus. Working with a US-led international coalition, Israel intercepts much of the incoming fire.

19 April 2024  A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system near an airport in Isfahan, Iran.

31 July 2024  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by an apparent Israeli airstrike during a visit to Tehran. Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the Oct. 7 attack.

27 September 2024  Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members who went to Lebanon in 1982 to fight invading Israeli forces, Hezbollah was the first group that Iran backed and used as a way to export its brand of political Islam.

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1 Oct 2024  Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a US-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.

16 Oct 2024  Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.

26 Oct 2024  Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program.

30 April 2025  Iran executes a man it said worked for Israels Mossad foreign intelligence agency and played a role in the killing of Revolutionary Guard Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran on May 22, 2022.
TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned Swiss ambassador Nadine Olivieri Lozano, whose country represents U.S. interests in Iran, to protest Israel's "aggression" against Iran.

She was summoned by Issa Kameli, director general of the department of America at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, a few hours after Israel carried out airstrikes on a number of areas in Iran's capital Tehran and other cities, killing top military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry official expressed Iran's "disgust and strong protest at Israel's act of aggression that was perpetrated with the U.S. support."

He said Israel's "flagrant crime" was in violation of all international standards and regulations as well as the United Nations Charter.

Kameli pointed to the U.S. track record of providing Israel with "all-out support," highlighting that the U.S. government was responsible for the very "dangerous and large-scale" consequences of Israel's latest adventurism.

He warned against any military support for Israel by the United States, including through preventing Iran from enforcing its "legitimate right to self-defense."

The Swiss envoy gave the assurance to relay Iran's protest to the U.S. government.

Israel early Friday carried out airstrikes on Iran's capital and other cities, killing at least 78 people and wounding 329 others solely in Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes.

Following the attacks, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel would face a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran. 
Israel's "preemptive" strikes against Iran targeting the country's nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia's ability to continue its full-scale invasion, experts have told the Kyiv Independent.

Iran has been one of Russia's staunchest allies throughout the war, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has long been Israel's strongest backer and any escalation of the conflict will likely cause further shifts in the White House's geopolitical priorities.

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"It will be more difficult for Ukraine to acquire weapons from the U.S. because Washington is expected to boost military aid to Israel," Serhii Danylov, an expert at Ukraines Association of Middle East Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

And this is just one of multiple factors that Israel's attacks on Iran have already had, and which a wider war in the region would only likely exacerbate.



Oil prices and Russia's economy

Israels attack on Iran could be a godsend for Russias ailing oil sector, which fell last month to its lowest price in over two years.

In anticipation of Irans retaliation, Brent crude prices, the global benchmark, jumped from $69.36 to $74.5 to $75 per barrel  levels not seen since February  with some oil forecasters warning prices could skyrocket to $80 per barrel.



Its a jolt thats shocked the oil sector, which has seen declining prices, particularly after Saudi Arabia spearheaded a production hike and U.S. President Donald Trumps "Liberation Day" tariffs sparked fears of an economic slowdown.



For Russia, this could be the adrenaline shot needed to recover its anemic Ural crude prices, which have dropped 14% year-on-year from January to May, David Fyfe, chief economist at Argus Media, a market analyst group, told the Kyiv Independent.



Russias energy sector made up 35-40% of its budget revenues pre-full-scale invasion and is powering its war machine.

Western sanctions on Russian energy and the G7s Russian oil price cap of $60 per barrel have hampered its profits, with Russia losing more than $150 billion over the last three years, but have yet to deal a crippling blow.



Until the Israeli attacks, the future wasnt looking so bright for Russian crude. Europe is planning its 18th sanctions package hitting Russia's energy sector, and the G7 is pushing for a $45 price cap.

The oil and chemical tanker Birthe Theresi sails along the Sea Canal of the Big Port in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Feb. 12, 2025. (Artem Priakhin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

If Brent prices continue to rise, it will likely drag up Ural prices too, potentially funneling more money into Moscow's coffers, said Fyfe.

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Ural crude, which is of a similar quality to the potentially at-risk Middle East crude, is an attractive replacement over Brent Crude.

"Its also possible that the threat posed (however hypothetically) to Middle East oil supplies forces G7 nations to pause their current attempts to lower the price cap for Russian crude exports from $60 to $45," said Fyfe.



"Shelving that proposal would also be welcomed by the regime in Moscow."



This is not the first time oil prices have risen due to tensions in the region. Irans missile attacks on Israel on Oct. 1 caused oil prices to spike by nearly $10 a barrel as forecasters braced for Israels retaliation. Experts predicted that a wider conflict in the region would be a gold rush for Moscow.

"The Russian budget is directly dependent on oil price. The higher it is the better it is for the Russians," Warsaw-based energy analyst Wojciech Jakobik told the Kyiv Independent.

"It is an open question if Russia is capable of a greater military effort than the one it is already making against Ukraine."

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The situation now is closer to the edge than in October. Back then, Israel said it wouldnt target Irans nuclear and oil facilities. But this time, Israel said it hit the heart of Irans nuclear program.



According to Fyfe, the main concern that would affect oil prices even more significantly would be Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which could block one-fifth of global oil demand.

This would also mean Iran blocks its own oil exports too, so it would only be a last resort from Tehran, said Fyfe. Even so, just the fear of this hypothetical has been enough to drive up energy prices.

Diplomatic shifts

An Israeli-Iranian war is likely to shift attention from Ukraine to the Middle East  similarly to the Gaza war, which started after Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2023.

"I suspect the main impact on Russia and Ukraine will be the removal of the international media's spotlight and its refocusing on the Middle East, and the same with the attention of the Trump administration," Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at the U.K.'s Aberystwyth University, told the Kyiv Independent.

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"Any pressure on Russia for a ceasefire or a peace agreement will drop away."

A damaged building in Tehran, Iran, after an Israeli strike on June 13, 2025. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Russia may see this as an opportunity to redouble its offensive, according to James Shea, a defense and security expert at Chatham House.

"But it is an open question if Russia is capable of a greater military effort than the one it is already making against Ukraine," he said.

Support for Iran

Russia has historically supported Iran and its regional allies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah Islamist group and Syrian ex-President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which was toppled in 2024. In exchange, Iran has supplied its Shahed kamikaze drones to Russia.

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Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on June 13, saying that they "threatened stability and security" in the Middle East.

The Kremlin will likely back Iran in its war with Israel politically and diplomatically and through intelligence sharing, according to Danylov.

Russias President Vladimir Putin meets with Syrias then-President Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024. (Valery Sharifulib/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

But Russia has previously opposed Iran's nuclear program, and it might also be afraid of backing Tehran because it would lead to a confrontation with the U.S., Michael Sahlin, a Middle East specialist at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

The Kremlin might also try to present itself as a mediator between Israel and Iran, analysts say.

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"Putin is well placed to play the magnanimous peacemaker role alongside Trump and try to arrange a ceasefire and de-escalation," Shea said.

"He will use this to score points with Trump as a reliable partner and use this to persuade Trump to go easy on him in Ukraine and not to impose new sanctions on Moscow."

Trump's peace efforts

The escalation of the war also highlights the failure of Trump's efforts to negotiate peace deals in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

Trump's team has been unsuccessfully trying to broker peace between Israel and Hamas, an Iranian ally in the Gaza Strip, as well as an agreement on ending Tehran's nuclear arms program.

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Despite Trump's promise "to stop all wars," those in both Ukraine and the Middle East are now escalating.

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putins war economy heads toward breaking point

The military implications

Iran has been one of Russia's key allies during the course of the full-scale invasion, second only to that of North Korea.

Russia's default weapon for its near-nightly barrages of Ukrainian cities are variations of the Iranian-designed Shahed drone, imported versions of which first appeared in Ukraine's skies in October 2022.

Since then, attacks have only escalated and recent mass strikes have seen nearly 500 Shahed-type drones launched per night.

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Shea told the Kyiv Independent that events in Iran are unlikely to have an effect on Russia's ability to launch mass drone strikes.

"Russia has set up factories on its own territory to produce Iranian Shahed drones under license," he said.

Shahed-136s, an Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), in the south of Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 21, 2024. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

"It also gets drones from China which it converts to military use and has rapidly developed its domestic drone manufacturing since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said most if not all Shahed-type drones used by Russia are now domestically produced, "so the Israeli attack on Iran is not going to disrupt whatever flows used to exist."

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But Shea does point out that Russia may have difficulty obtaining newer versions of the Shahed that it doesn't yet mass produce domestically, such as the Shahed 238 (Geran 3) which is a turbojet powered model that can fly much faster than previous versions.

A more unknown quantity are the Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly delivered to Russia late last year.

Despite multiple Western governments confirming deliveries, and the U.S., U.K., France, and Germany placing further sanctions on Iran as a result, to date there have been no reports of their use against Ukraine, Danylov said.

But while Russia's offensive capabilities may remain largely unchanged by Israel's attack on Iran, Ukraine's defensive capabilities  much of which has been supplied by the U.S.  could suffer as a result.

"The U.S. may need to provide greater assistance to Israel in the aftermath for one reason or another, which could ultimately hurt Ukraine," Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Why cant the West match Russias ammunition production?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

Israels warplanes were in the air barely two hours after Donald Trump, the US president, had laid out the case for continuing talks with Iran at the weekend.

We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue, he posted on his Truth Social site. My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.

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Had Benjamin Netanyahu, the headstrong prime minister of Israel, not got the memo? Or was he sending a clear signal to Washington that he was not going to take orders from anyone.

As ever in the Middle Easts quagmire of religious strife and decades of power struggles, it was all a lot more complicated than that.

The Americans had been forewarned that Israel had run out of patience with Iran and its deadly pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Just a day earlier, the State Department had announced it was reducing its diplomatic footprint in Baghdad and other regional facilities, Mr Trump warning the Middle East could be a dangerous place.

Trump said strikes could very well happen when questioned at the White House - Shutterstock

The US president was asked directly whether Israeli strikes were imminent.

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Well, I dont want to say imminent, he told reporters in the East Room of the White House, but it looks like its something that could very well happen.

Strikes, he said, could upset delicately poised negotiations. Or, maybe, he mused, it might help it actually.

So when explosions echoed across Iran early on Friday morning, Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu were settling into rather familiar roles.

Firefighters and people clean up the scene of an explosion in Tehran - AP

The American president had spent the day as good cop  talking up the idea of a negotiated settlement and trying to keep his people in the region from becoming targets. However, while officials said negotiators were on their way to Oman for a sixth round of talks on Sunday  he was happy to let the Israeli prime minister play the bad cop, pulling the trigger.

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In my assessment, the timing of an Israeli strike on Iran reflects a convergence of interests between Trump and Netanyahu, said Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official.

From Trumps perspective, as long as the US is not directly militarily involved, there is an advantage to a situation in which Israel takes military action aimed at forcing the Iranian regime back to negotiations from a significantly weaker position.

The one who will pay the price for this move is Israel.

People gather near damaged vehicles in the aftermath of the strikes - Reuters

As he announced Operation Rising Lion to his nation, Mr Netanyahu set out the scale of the threat just a few hundred miles away.

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For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israels destruction, he said, describing how their weapons programme had produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs.

The strikes, said Gabriel Noronha, president of POLARIS National Security and a former adviser to the State Department, were simply the first in maybe a week of attacks, starting with command and control centres, top leadership, and aerospace headquarters that would have launched drone and missile retaliation.

The question now is whether Iran will have the ability or the intent to strike US facilities or at any of the 40,000 military personnel in the Persian Gulf and the rest of the Middle East.

Theyve threatened the US for a long time, Mr Noronha said.

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The question is whether they will have the munitions and the capability to strike US bases or they say, We barely have enough to inflict damage on Israel. Were going to keep it at that.

Either way, it is just the start.

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Two key Iranian nuclear scientists are among six scientists killed in Israeli strikes on sites in Iran on Friday.

More than 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets hit more than 100 nuclear, military and infrastructure targets across Iran, including its main nuclear facility in Natanz.

The Israeli army said it had damaged the Natanz uranium enrichment sites underground structures, including a multistorey enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure.

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It added that vital infrastructure at the site that allows for its continuous functioning and the continued advancement of the Iranian regimes project to obtain nuclear weapons was attacked.

This came just a day after United States President Donald Trump said his administration was fairly close to a pretty good agreement with Iran and that military action could blow it and lead to a massive conflict.

However, on Thursday, Washington also hinted at the possibility of an imminent escalation when it announced it was partially evacuating its embassy in Iraq and had authorised the voluntary departure of dependants of US personnel from other locations across the Middle East.

On Thursday, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), declared that Iran had not complied with its nonproliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme focuses on peaceful purposes and is not developing weapons.

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The spokesperson for Irans armed forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, warned that Israel would pay a heavy price for its attacks, which also killed three senior military figures, including Mohammad Bagheri, the countrys highest-ranking official.





Who are the Iranian nuclear scientists who have been killed?

In total, six Iranian scientists have been killed in the Israeli strikes.

Irans Tasnim news agency described two of the victims, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, as major nuclear scientists.

Tehranchi, a theoretical physicist, was the president of the Islamic Azad University of Iran. He was added to the US Departments Entity List of actors acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests in March 2020.

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The building housing the residence of Tehranchi and several other Iranian scientists was severely damaged in Friday mornings attacks.

Abbasi was a former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and a former member of the Iranian parliament. He held a PhD in nuclear physics and had conducted nuclear research at the defence ministry.

In 2010, Abbasi survived twin blasts in Tehran that killed fellow nuclear scientist Majid Shahriari. Iran blamed Israel for the incident, although Israel neither confirmed nor denied the assassination.

The news agency identified the other slain scientists as:

Abdolhamid Minouchehr, holder of a PhD in nuclear engineering, who served as dean of the nuclear engineering faculty at Shahid Beheshti University and conducted extensive research on improving the efficiency and safety of nuclear plants

Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, professor of nuclear engineering at Shahid Beheshti University

Amir Hossein Faghihi, who belonged to the engineering faculty at Shahid Beheshti University and previously served as vice president of the AEOI and head of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute

Motallebzadeh, a nuclear scientist who was targeted and killed along with his wife

Which nuclear facility did Israel target in Iran?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the so-called Operation Rising Lion had struck Irans main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz.

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The IAEA said there was no increase in radiation levels at the site following the strike. No casualties have been reported.

Natanz, a heavily fortified facility located outside the Shia holy city of Qom, houses an underground fuel enrichment plant and an above-ground pilot fuel enrichment plant.

The IAEA said it had not received reports of strikes or damage at other key Iranian nuclear sites, including a large nuclear technology centre on the outskirts of Isfahan, a nuclear power plant in Bushehr and a fuel enrichment plant in Fordow.

More sites could be targeted in the coming days, however. Netanyahu said the military operation aimed to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival and would continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

(Al Jazeera)

Has Israel killed Iranian nuclear scientists before?

The killing of the six Iranian scientists is only the latest in a long line of assassinations blamed on Israel.

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In 2020, top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was shot dead by a remote-controlled machine gun in the town of Absard, east of Tehran. Iranian authorities blamed the assassination on Israel, which again neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.

Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, an academic who worked at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, was killed in 2012 by a magnetic bomb stuck to his car as he was driving in Tehran.

The explosion occurred on the second anniversary of the killing of Masoud Ali Mohammadi, another nuclear scientist killed by a remote-control bomb.

In November 2010, Majid Shahriari, a top nuclear scientist and a member of the nuclear engineering department of Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, was killed in one of two explosions in Tehran. The then-president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, accused Western governments and Israel of being behind the assassination.

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The second blast caught Abbasi, the scientist killed in Israels attacks on Friday, and his wife. Both were injured but survived the event.





Has Israel targeted nuclear sites in Iran before?

Yes. While Israel has never used missiles in direct attacks on Irans nuclear military sites before, it has targeted Irans primary nuclear facility at Natanz by other means.

In April 2021, Iran accused Israel of causing an explosion and power cut at the nuclear site that damaged centrifuges in its underground fuel enrichment plant. Ali Akbar Salehi, who headed the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said the attack was an act of nuclear terrorism but did not specify who was responsible.

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The same site was also damaged by an explosion in August 2020. Iran accused Israel of sabotage on that occasion, but it did not specify what had caused the blast.

What is different about this latest attack?

Israel has stepped up its cultivation of human intelligence sources inside Iran, and has improved its technological capabilities for spying with the help of European and US satellites.

Muhanad Seloom, an assistant professor in critical security studies at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli attack was a demonstration of its progress in this sector.

The Israeli side have already sent the message clearly to Tehran that we know where your leaders are, we know who they are, we have accurate intelligence, and we have the technological means to reach inside Iran, he said.

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The significance is not about the type of weapons used, but the intelligence success that Israel has been able to achieve inside Iran, he said.

Al Jazeera correspondent Dorsa Jabbari said Irans civilian population had been caught off guard by the latest escalation. They have not seen anything like this since the Iran-Iraq war ended in 1988, she said. These scenes are very new to the new generation in Iran. Its something theyve never seen before and something they thought theyd never see.

Jabbari added that the scope and scale of Fridays attacks by Israel were much greater than the tit-for-tat missile attacks the two countries engaged in last year, when Israel targeted non-nuclear sites such as military facilities and infrastructure.

This was completely by surprise. And the scale of this attack is much larger and broader, she said. Its not a one-off. This is not a strategic in-and-out kind of attack, they are continuing as we speak, and we have no idea when they will end.
Israel launched major strikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday morning, raising the prospect of a regional war between the longtime foes over Tehrans nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had started a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival.

"This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us," he added.

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Netanyahu said the operation was aimed at Irans nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile program, and other military sites.

The Israeli army said in a statement that dozens of jets took part in the first wave of strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (at left) said his country had begun a targeted military operation against the nuclear capabilities of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (Reuters/AP)

Explosions were heard in and near the Iranian capital of Tehran in the early hours as the news broke, Irans state-run Nour News reported.

Earlier, Israels Defense Minister Ian Katz said Israel had carried out a preemptive strike against Iran and that a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.

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A state of emergency was declared across Israel ahead of the expected response.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the U.S. was not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S interests or personnel, he said in a statement.

Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Irans nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb. Israeli officials have accused Iran of seeking a bomb in secret, without providing evidence.

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Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, a claim that is backed by U.S. intelligence.

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

But Iran has repeatedly refused a U.S. demand to give up the ability to enrich uranium, which it says it needs to fuel its nuclear power program, but which could also be used to build a nuclear weapon.

Tensions have been building at the same time that Donald Trump has been leading efforts to reach a new agreement with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear program in return for the easing of sanctions.

Iran had previously struck a deal with the U.S. and world powers in 2015 over its nuclear program that imposed strict limits on its activities and enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

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Trump unilaterally withdrew from that deal during his first term, insisting that he could strike a better bargain, and imposed sweeping sanctions.

It resulted in Iran reviving and improving its nuclear facilities and enriched uranium to a much higher purity than it had under the previous deal, and much closer to the grade needed to make a bomb.

Talks had stalled in recent days, but the U.S. and Iran were due to hold another round of negotiations on Sunday.

On Wednesday, non-essential personnel began evacuating from U.S. embassies across the Middle East. Still, Trump signaled earlier Thursday he still hoped an agreement could be reached.

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"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," he added.

Trump has reportedly tried to dissuade Netanyahu from launching an attack on Iran while the U.S. was still engaged in talks. Those efforts appear to have failed.

Although the U.S. has denied being involved in the attack, any war between Israel and Iran would likely draw in American forces into a wider regional conflict.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Israel launched airstrikes at Iran targeting the countrys nuclear infrastructure and killing at least two of Irans top military officers.

Israel has been concerned Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon and Thursday the international nuclear watchdog said Iran wasnt cooperating with inspectors.

Israel shared video of its fighter jets taking off under the dark of night.

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In Tehran, security camera video shows the impact of Israeli airstrikes on Irans capital city.

We stuck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program, said Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says theyre pre-emptive strikes targeting Irans nuclear program.

If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time, said Netanyahu.

Iran confirmed top military generals and nuclear scientists were killed.

President Donald Trump who was on the South Lawn as the strikes began has been working on a deal to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

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He encouraged Israel not to strike earlier Thursday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement after Israel struck Iran, We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

The secretary of state added, Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Israel says Iran launched 100 drones at Israel in response.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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After days of escalating tensions, Israel has launched an attack on Iran.

Israeli government officials called the move a "preemptive strike" in an emergency message to citizens. While declaring a state of emergency throughout the entire country, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that retaliatory strikes were expected.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," a message from Katz read.

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The Associated Press shared that explosions were reported in Tehran. The outlet added that the explosions had been acknowledged by state television in Iran. An unnamed Israeli official who spoke to the AP said that the wave of attacks targeted nuclear sites and military outposts.

It is not the first missile exchange between the two countries since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7. In late 2024, Iran launched an air attack on several sites in Israel, with many of the missiles being intercepted. Israel attacked key parts of Iran's air defense system that same month.

The strike comes after days of President Donald Trump hoping that cooler heads would prevail. The U.S. and Iran are in the middle of talks around a potential nuclear deal, and Trump administration insiders told Axios that the president has no desire to follow Israel into a wider war in the region. Trump had reportedly urged Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu not to carry out such a strike.

The White House has yet to respond to news of the airstrikes publicly.
Israel vowed to press on with "full force" on Friday after its unprecedented onslaught on Iran that killed several of the country's top military brass, with media in the Islamic republic reporting strikes and projectiles well into the evening.

Amid the shocking scale of the Israeli operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the airways to issue a word of caution, saying he expected "several waves of Iranian attacks" in response.

Earlier in the day, Israel said its air strikes had killed several top Iranian generals, including most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force, while hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities.

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"We are continuing with full force, at a high pace, in order to meet the goals we have set for ourselves," Israeli Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a statement.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was due to speak later Friday, warned Israel it faced a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as a "declaration of war" and President Masoud Pezeshkian said "Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act".

The Israeli military said Iran launched around 100 drones in response, with air defences intercepting them outside Israeli territory, while neighbouring Jordan said it targeted drones and missiles that violated its airspace.

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In the attack's wake, Trump urged Iran on Friday to "make a deal", warning of "even more brutal" attacks to come.

The United States underlined that it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Iran not to attack its personnel or interests, but Tehran said Washington would be "responsible for consequences".

Netanyahu said Israel struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at nuclear scientists and the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz.

The strikes would "continue as many days as it takes", the Israeli premier said, while the military said intelligence showed Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

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The strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

- 'Clear message' -

Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed, while state media said a senior adviser to the supreme leader had himself been wounded.

"The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel," the Israeli military said, adding that its attacks had killed most of them.

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Iran confirmed the Guards aerospace commander had been killed, along with "a group of brave and dedicated fighters".

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the "precise targeting of senior commanders... sends a strong and clear message: those who work toward Israel's destruction will be eliminated".

AFP images showed a gaping hole in the side of a Tehran residential building that appeared to have sustained a targeted strike.

State media reported continued attacks and interceptions well into the evening Friday, including on the northwest where it said 18 people were killed..

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Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were among the dead.

Later Friday, the UN Security Council said it would hold an emergency meeting at 3:00 pm (1900 GMT).

The meeting was requested by Iran, and supported by Russia and China, a diplomatic source told AFP.

- 'Scathing response' -

Tehran's streets were deserted except for queues at petrol stations, a familiar sight in times of crisis.

"How much longer are we going to live in fear?" asked Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree.

"As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response."

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Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspace.

Israel declared a state of emergency as anxieties grew amid a wave of uncertainty gripping the region.

"I'm worried for my children, and also about my livelihood, because this affects the market. You can't work, you can't do anything," Tel Aviv resident Vered Saar told AFP.

Israel's military also began deploying reservists "to all combat arenas throughout the country" to prepare for "defence and offence".

Oil prices surged while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.

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Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran had threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict broke out.

Prior to the strikes, Trump said he believed a deal on Iran's nuclear programme was "fairly close", cautioning however that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.

- 'Within reach' -

With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the US and Iran would go ahead on Sunday in Oman, Trump said Washington was "hoping to get back to the negotiating table".

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Confirming Natanz had been among Israel's targets, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said radiation levels outside the site "remained unchanged".

"Most of the damage is on the surface level," said the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran's spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi.

Fawaz Gerges, a professor of international relations at the London School of Economics, said: "I think Israel has declared all-out war against Iran."

The United States and other Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an ambition it has consistently denied.

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Israel again called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Thursday of non-compliance with its obligations.

The agency later said it would hold an extraordinary meeting of its board of governors in the coming days.

Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely moribund 2015 agreement with major powers, but still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.

bur-ds/jsa
Editor's note: This is a breaking story and is being updated.

Israeli forces launched "preemptive strikes" on Iran overnight on June 13, targeting Iran's nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.

Netanyahu said in an overnight address that Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," which would last for "many days," marking a drastic escalation in conflict in the Middle East.

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"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program... We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb," Netanyahu said.

The strikes killed Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), multiple Iranian state media outlets reported. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed that several nuclear scientists and officials had been killed in the attack.

The full extent of the attack was not immediately clear. Multiple explosions were reported in Tehran as videos posted on social media purportedly show fire burning in multiple locations of Tehran.

"Following the State of Israels preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future" Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned in a statement.

Iran's Supreme Leader vowed to enact "severe punishment" in response to the attack, accusing the United States for "also (being) responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation."

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In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who plans to convene a cabinet meeting in response to the strikes, expressed concerns about escalating tensions between Israel and Iran earlier in the day, warning that a "massive conflict" could erupt in the Middle East.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on June 12 ahead of the strikes, Trump warned that an Israeli strike on Iran "could happen" if a nuclear deal is not reached with Iran. Talks between Washington and Tehran were set to resume this weekend on Iran's nuclear program.

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Earlier in the day, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear aspirations. "I want to have an agreement with Iran," Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks in Oman.

Writing on Truth Social later in the day, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a "diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue," and insisted that his "entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran."

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Coinciding with Trumps remarks, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report highlighting Irans failure to comply with its obligations to fully disclose activities at its nuclear facilities.

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Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

In April 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified a strategic partnership with Iran, vowing to strengthen bilateral ties and pledging not to support any third party engaged in conflict with the other.

Read also: Irans parliament ratifies 20-year strategic agreement with Russia

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Israel has launched what it described as a preemptive military strike aimed at Irans nuclear facilities, raising the specter of a broader conflict between the Middle Eastern adversaries that threatens to drag in the United States.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes, which took place early morning Friday in the Middle East, targeted facilities at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program including its main enrichment facility. Netanyahu also said Israel struck the homes of Iranian nuclear scientists. The Israeli leader added that the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Israels defense minister Israel Katz placed the country in a special state of emergency in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.

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Iranian state media reported that the Israeli attacks killed Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, another top Iranian military commander. The strikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, per Iranian state media.

The strikes came even though President Donald Trump had urged Israel to hold off and allow the U.S. to keep pursuing talks with Tehran aimed at curbing its nuclear program, the next round of which was set to be held Sunday in Oman. Trump has long been wary of being pulled into a conflict with the Islamist regime in Tehran; his relationship with Netanyahu has grown strained in part over the Iran challenge.

But although U.S. officials quickly announced that Washington had played no role in the attack, they did not rule out helping Israel defend itself should Tehran strike back.

Israel took unilateral action against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.

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He also warned: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

The statement was unusual in that it did not contain the typical U.S. lines wholeheartedly defending Israels right to take action and reminding the world of Americas ironclad commitment to Israel.

Israels decision to move ahead with the attack underscored its longstanding skepticism of the Iranian regime, including whether it could ever be trusted to uphold an agreement that contains its nuclear ambitions. The Israeli government has long seen Iran as an existential threat, not least because of Tehrans threats against it and nurturing of anti-Israeli proxy militias.

But Israels decision to act now also likely came from the belief that Iran is unusually weak after a range of recent Israeli-led attacks on its proxy militias and in some cases on Iranian territory. The proxies include Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, where Israel has been waging war since Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

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Its not likely, however, that the latest strikes will completely wipe out Irans nuclear infrastructure, much of which is buried deep underground. (Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is meant for peaceful purposes, not to build a bomb.) Nonetheless, Israeli leaders insisted they had no choice but to remove the threat.

Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the state of Israel and to the wider world, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. The state of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.

Senior Israeli officials  including Ron Dermer, a close adviser to Netanyahu, and Mossad chief David Barnea  had been slated to meet with Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the coming days, ahead of nuclear talks on Sunday between the U.S. and Iran in Oman. It is unclear whether nuclear talks, or the meeting between Witkoff and top Israeli officials, will still occur.

Republicans on Capitol Hill posted messages of support for the strikes. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of the White House, wrote on X: Game on. Pray for Israel.

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Irans defense minister had threatened Wednesday that the U.S. would also face consequences if talks regarding Tehrans nuclear program broke down and bigger conflict broke out in the Middle East.

Ahead of the strike, the U.S. took steps to minimize the potential harm to U.S. installations in the Middle East. Diplomats and their families were pulled from U.S. diplomatic outposts in Baghdad and Erbil , and the Pentagon allowed for the voluntary departure of military dependents from U.S. bases in the region.

Paul McLeary contributed to this report.
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a sweeping strike on Iran following months of attempted, and seemingly failed, nuclear negotiations between the Trump administration and Tehran, but according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. was not involved in the strikes.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran," Rubio said in a statement Thursday night. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

"Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense," he added.

Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on Friday.

In remarks following the strike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed, "We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program.



"Our fight is not with the people of Iran, our fight is with [Iran's] dictatorship," he added.

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President Trump On Rising Tensions With Iran

According to an IDF spokesman, the strike has been dubbed "Operation Rising Lion" and came after Jerusalem had collected "high-quality intel" that suggested "Iran is closer than ever to developing a nuke."

Read On The Fox News App

An IDF spokesman told reporters, "We have no choice but to act against these existential threats to the State of Israel."

Fox News' Trey Yingst reported that Israel carried out strikes in Iran, adding that explosions were heard in the capital of Tehran.

A state of emergency has been declared across Israel as the country braces for an Iranian response.

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The strikes came after Israel first threatened to go after Irans nuclear facilities in early November following a series of back-and-forth missile attacks between April and October last year.

Direct engagement between Israel and Iran began after Tehran in April 2024 levied its first ever direct strikes against Israeli territory. Israel responded less than a week later and destroyed part of Irans S-300 long-range air defense system.

Trump Warns Israel Strike On Iran 'Could Happen' Amid Middle East Evacuation, Nuclear Negotiations

On Oct. 1, Iran levied a ballistic missile strike on Israel, to which Jerusalem responded with a series of hits on Oct. 26 that targeted military facilities and missile storage locations.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that Israels October strike partially degraded part of Irans nuclear program, and international concerns remained heightened that the security threat could escalate in the region.

Some hoped that President Donald Trumps administration would be able to make headway in nuclear negotiations where the Biden administration, and others in the international community could not.

Negotiations between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Oman, resumed in Muscat on April 12 and Trump repeatedly called on Netanyahu not to hit Tehran and to let negotiations proceed.

President Donald Trump, right, talks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 7 during a meeting in Washington, D.C., where Trump announced nuclear talks with Iran.

Iran Becoming 'Much More Aggressive' In Nuclear Talks, Trump Tells Fox News

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Following the first round of talks, Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that the U.S. was looking to limit Irans uranium enrichment to 3.67%, a level generally used for civil nuclear energy needs.

Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump pulled out of in 2018, Iran committed to maintaining no more than this level of enrichment until 2031  though it has been found to have repeatedly violated this agreement.

But the next day, on April 15, Witkoff backtracked his comments and said in a statement that "Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program."

Four days later the U.S. entered its second round of nuclear talks in Rome on April 19, before a third round was held in Muscat on April 26. Both sides expressed optimism following the talks.

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Details of the negotiations were not released, but reports suggested the discussions largely focused on limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanction relief.

Talks appeared to take a turn after the U.S. hit Iran with another round of sanctions in late April, which resulted in the postponement of the previously scheduled May 3 talks.

The fourth round of talks began to show signs of strain when Iran described the negotiations as "difficult but useful," and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear that Washingtons zero enrichment demand was a "non-negotiable."

An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is seen in Tehran, Iran, on April 12.

Omans Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi reported that "some but not conclusive progress" was made following the fifth round of talks held in Rome on May 23.

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By early June, Trump and Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei had repeatedly made clear they both would refuse to bend when it comes to the issue of enrichment, but a sixth round of talks was still set for Sunday in Oman.

It is unclear if those talks will continue following the Israeli strike.





Original article source: Israel launches sweeping strike on Iran while Trump administration seeks diplomatic solution
ROME, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Friday urged Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran to avoid further conflict escalation and return to negotiations.

Tajani's appeal followed a series of Israeli airstrikes overnight targeting multiple sites in Iran, including a nuclear facility, military installations, and senior military officials.

In a morning phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Tajani "reiterated the need for an immediate return to negotiations," according to a statement from his office.

He also reaffirmed the Italian government's stance that halting Israel's military operations in Gaza is "an absolute priority, given the unacceptable toll being inflicted on the Palestinian civilian population."

In a subsequent conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Tajani urged Tehran to exercise restraint and avoid military escalation, warning that any further deterioration could threaten the stability of the entire Middle East.

"We must urgently return to negotiations and to the path of diplomacy," Tajani said.

The Italian minister added that he would remain in close contact with officials from the United States, Oman, and Israel in an effort to "keep diplomatic channels open for the exchange of messages."

According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the airstrikes were a "preemptive, precise, and combined" operation targeting dozens of military facilities across Iran, including sites linked to its nuclear program.

Iranian authorities condemned the strikes as a "blatant act of aggression." Supreme leader Ali Khamenei described the attack as a crime against Iran and "a declaration of war," vowing that it would be met with severe retaliation. 
Iran launched successive missile barrages on Israel late Friday, a retaliation for a punishing Israeli campaign the same day that wiped out the upper echelons of Irans military leadership along with important parts of its nuclear and military infrastructure.

The exchanges constituted the most significant escalation between the longtime adversaries  raising the possibility of a protracted conflict and fears the U.S. would become embroiled in another war in the Middle East.

Sirens echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with the nighttime skies over the latter lighted with bursts of yellow as missiles from Israels Arrow defense system lanced up to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles. The bass-drum beat of multiple explosions could be heard as far away as neighboring Jordan.

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Broadcasts from Tel Aviv showed a residential tower with fire raging inside a number of apartments, while other video showed smoke wreathing several buildings in central parts of the city and missiles falling on empty intersections.

Videos from Iran and published on social media depicted fire and visible damage to several residential buildings in Tehran. Others showed entire buildings having collapsed, with rubble carpeting the street. One image  The Times could not verify its authenticity  showed a bloodied child lying on a debris-covered floor.

Israeli officials said more than 40 people were wounded and that rescue crews were examining nine reported impact sites in central Israel. In Iran, news outlets reported 78 dead and more than 320 wounded in Israel's attacks, which also struck residential areas.

At least five people, including three children, were injured by shrapnel from a missile that fell near the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday evening, according to WAFA, the official Palestinian Authority news service. The Israeli military, which said the missile that fell in the area came from Yemen, said "no interceptors were launched."

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Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement that Iranian forces conducted a "crushing and precise response against dozens of targets, military centers and airbases" in Israel.

"They started this and now theyve launched a war," said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a statement, adding that Israel would not be allowed to conduct what he called hit-and-run attacks without grave consequences.

"The Iranian nation must be sure that our response will not be half-measured."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran crossed red lines after it dared to fire missiles at civilian population concentrations in Israel.

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The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel acted "to thwart the Islamic regimes nuclear and ballistic missile threat to us," adding, "more is on the way. The regime does not know what hit them, or what will hit them."

Israel launched a compound operation involving some 200 warplanes and drones hitting more than 100 nuclear sites, ballistic missile factories and other military areas across the country, including in Natanz  home to Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility  along with Kermanshah, Tabriz and Isfahan.

President Trump lauded Israel's operation, describing it in an interview with ABC News as "excellent" and warning more attacks would be forthcoming if Iran's leadership did not negotiate a new nuclear deal.

"I think it's been excellent," Trump said. "We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come. A lot more."

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Explosions began to rock Tehran shortly after 3 a.m., with blasts reported in the Iranian capital's central, northeastern and northwestern neighborhoods.

Iranian protesters hold up Iranian and Palestinian flags in an anti-Israeli gathering in Tehran on Friday. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)

Read more: Israel attacks Iran's capital; blasts rock Tehran

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel's campaign was a "declaration of war," adding in a letter to the United Nations  and later published on his Telegram channel  that the U.N. Security Council should "immediately address this issue."

The strikes proved to be a devastating blow to Irans top military leadership and a demonstration of Israel's intelligence infiltration, hitting senior members of Iran's chain of command in their homes.

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Iranian state and local media confirmed the death of Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the Iranian armed forces chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, an IRGC commander who heads the armys central headquarters; and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Forces. Also killed were veteran nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi, Abdolhamid Minoucher and Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, according to the semiofficial Iranian outlet Press TV.

Ali, a resident living a few blocks away from one of the targeted sites who gave only his first name to avoid harassment, was praying when he heard huge explosions around him.

The floor started shaking, so I stopped praying and ran outside, he said. He went down the street and found smoke coming out of the second floor of a six-story building, with people shouting on the street.

Later, an official with Israel's Mossad said in an interview with Israeli daily newspaper Times of Israel that the spy agency smuggled vehicles carrying weapons systems and constructed a secret explosive drone base in Iran ahead of the operation. The official added that the swarm of explosive drones was used to destroy ballistic missile launchers to cripple Iran's ability to thwart the strikes.

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Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, said in an interview on state TV that there were no casualties and that initial assessments showed that damage to Natanz was "superficial." He added that there was no external contamination.

Iranian worshipers attend an anti-Israeli rally under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini after their Friday prayers in Tehran on Friday. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press)

Iran's leadership said Friday's attacks were only the start of their retaliation.

Yet it remains unclear how Tehran can make good on that threat. In the past, it could rely on a network of militias and sympathetic governments in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq and Gaza that were collectively known as the "Axis of Resistance."

But the last 20 months have seen Israel systematically cripple the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, while the fall of Iranian ally Syrian President Bashar Assad has denied Tehran a passageway to Israel's borders; its Iraqi militia allies have kept a low profile in recent months and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are facing their own wide-ranging offensives in Gaza. And previous ballistic missile and drone barrages by Iran and Yemen's Houthis have had little impact on Israel's defenses.

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Hours after the initial Israeli strikes, crowds streamed into Tehran's streets, calling for revenge and chanting "Death to Israel. Death to America." Others queued before gas stations and supermarkets, preparing for what they thought would be a long war.

As the Iranian drones winged their way to Israel, Jordan warned citizens to keep indoors and avoid open areas. Later, sirens sounded in Amman, even as the missiles and the interceptors rising to meet them could be seen in the skies over the Jordanian capital. Jordanian jets scrambled to shoot down some of the projectiles flying through the country's airspace, after assessments said the missiles were likely to fall on Jordanian territory, the Jordanian military said.

In the initial hours after the strike, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to distance the U.S. from Israel's attacks, describing them as a "unilateral action" that Israel believed "was necessary for its self-defense."

But that messaging was likely undercut by Trump's statements putting pressure on Iran's leadership to continue negotiating.

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I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done... They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!" Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. He added that, "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to speak candidly, told The Times that the Iranians had reached out to Trump administration officials after the Israeli strike  a sign, to them, of the success of the Israeli operation and of desperation in Tehran. But it is unclear what will be left to discuss regarding Iran's nuclear program, the official added.

"Itll be hard to break out," the official said, referring to the sprint from fissile material to warheads, "if you have no nuclear infrastructure left.

Netanyahu, in a televised address, appealed to the Iranian people, saying now was the time for them to rise up against repressive leaders. "This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard. Woman, Life, Freedom  Zan, Zendegi, Azadi," Netanyahu said, employing the slogan of anti-government protests in Iran.

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Read more: Iran claims without evidence that it took Israeli nuclear files

The U.S. Navy repositioned some of its forces in anticipation of Irans retaliatory attacks. The USS Thomas Hudner, a guided missile destroyer, was dispatched to the eastern Mediterranean while another destroyer was made available if requested by the White House, according to two U.S. officials speaking to the Associated Press.

Israels operation spurred a raft of condemnations from regional countries. Saudi Arabias foreign ministry denounced the heinous Israeli attacks against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran.

Oman, the main mediator between the U.S. and Iran in recent months, said the attacks were unacceptable and ongoing aggressive behaviour that undermines the foundations of stability in the region.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for maximum restraint to avoid descent into deeper conflict."

Trump insisted that there was still a chance for diplomacy.

Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it! Today is day 61," he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

"I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Times staff writer Michael Wilner contributed to this report from Washington.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Israel is continuing with its operation aimed at neutralizing Irans nuclear program, dubbed Rising Lion. Israeli forces have apparently already made use of drones and missiles launched by operatives from deep within Iran, as well as air-launched munitions, as you can read more about here. Iran has now also launched at least one retaliatory attack consisting of approximately 100 drones. Readers can first get caught up on the situation through our initial reporting here.

Authors note: We have ended updates on this post. You can find the latest on our new post here.

Since the start of Operation Rising Lion last night, Israel has struck more than 100 major targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities and missile sites, and killed senior military commanders and scientists in what Tehran said was a declaration of war.

The IDF releases footage showing Israeli Air Force fighter jets heading out for the strikes in Iran this morning, as well as landing following the attacks. pic.twitter.com/1xbif5i8gK  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have provided additional information about one of the key nuclear targets that they went after overnight.

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This is the uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area, a particularly tough target that is understood to be buried more than 130 feet below ground and which is protected by a steel and concrete shell. It was targeted by Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighters.

According to the IDF:

This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the infrastructure required for enriching uranium to military-grade levels. As part of the strikes, the underground area of the site was damaged. This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure. In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the sites continuous operation and the Iranian regimes ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted. We will continue to operate to prevent the Iranian Regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

 IAF fighter jets, guided by precise intelligence, struck the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area overnight. This is the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons capability and houses the pic.twitter.com/JVLIZFHwLm  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Timelapse of the past year at the underground facility near Natanz which may be the third enrichment facility the Iranians announced earlier today.



Growing spoil piles suggest continued excavation and lots of work on the perimeter.



Thanks to our friends @planet pic.twitter.com/8q1JYc9zlp  Sam Lair (@sam_lair) June 12, 2025

It's going to be a two pot of coffee kind of day One of the latest @umbraspace collects from last night's strikes on Iran. pic.twitter.com/b4xKG4CH3v  Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 13, 2025

A video released by the IDF shows the destruction of an Iranian surface-to-surface ballistic missile that was apparently disguised as a commercial truck:

-      .

   - : pic.twitter.com/sFSApTaWw2  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

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A video that shows the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Tabriz, reportedly targeting an Iranian ballistic missile facility. The extent of the secondary explosions could well indicate the presence of solid fuel associated with ballistic missile storage and/or production:

Footage of multiple major secondary fires and explosions in Tabriz, Iran, after a series of Israeli strikes this afternoon.



Israeli aircraft reportedly struck an Iranian ballistic missile facility. pic.twitter.com/axQStacKzR  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Also reportedly taken in Tabriz, the following video claims to show an Israeli Heron drone operating over the city:

An Israeli drone was reported hovering over the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz.



 : Submitted pic.twitter.com/SpE366xRrR  Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) June 13, 2025

More details are now coming to light about some of the individuals who were targeted.

The IDF says that they eliminated multiple senior officers within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force. Reportedly, IAF fighters struck an underground IRGC Air Force HQ overnight, killing the commander of the service, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, together with senior officers, among them drone chief Taher Pour and air defense head Daoud Shaykhian.

The commander of the IRGC Air Force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Iran overnight, the IDF announces.



According to the military, the top brass of the IRGC Air Force was killed alongside him as they met in an underground command center to pic.twitter.com/RqjTaULNjp  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Previously, Iranian state media had confirmed the deaths of the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Hossein Salami, the Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Joint Forces Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Gholamali Rashid, and six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013.

Kashirin

This is how Israel works. A missile strike was launched directly into a residential building. Even the windows were intact. The strike was aimed right at the bedroom of a member of the Iranian General Staff. That is, they literally hit the man in the forehead with a pic.twitter.com/Mxcv5E8sGM  Ukraine Front Line (@EuromaidanPR) June 13, 2025

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Meanwhile, Israel appears to be making good on Prime Minister Benjamins assertion that the process of rolling back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival will take many days.

The IAF says that operations against Iran are continuing, including flexing to more defensive operations, to bring down drones launched by Iran against Israel in response to Operation Rising Lion.

The IAF has released footage showing F-16 fighters taking off to shoot down the drones, at least 100 of which have reportedly been launched at Israel. Although the IDF has said it has control over the situation, not all of the drones have been shot down.

Iranian attack drones, including Shahed variants, have been launched towards Israel, starting Iran's retaliatory strikes.



Seen here, an Iranian Shahed-136 flies low over eastern Iraq, heading westward. pic.twitter.com/qEADnoWWly  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

A tweet from the IAF shows a pair of F-16s about to launch to intercept Iranian drones:

-      -      pic.twitter.com/559AVcs8Oe  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Footage from the ground in Iran indicates that Israel is continuing offensive operations, as well. The IDF campaign has included efforts to degrade and disable the Iranian air defense system, which will allow the IAF to operate more freely in and around Iranian airspace.

Israeli sources claim the IDF struck a site in the Hamadan province of Iran used as a command center for all of Irans air defense systems, which may explain the minimal response from Iranian air defenses. pic.twitter.com/Hb390KaeG6  OSINT Aggregator (@AggregateOsint) June 13, 2025

Israeli strikes continue on sites around the city of #Kermanshah.#Iran. pic.twitter.com/yIWLrsET36  Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) June 13, 2025

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At least one unverified video claims to show IAF aircraft operating with impunity in Iranian airspace, including an F-16 taking on fuel from a 707 Reem tanker, although the legitimacy of this claim cannot be confirmed.

This is beyond humiliation.

IAF jets are refueling over Iranian skies.

Incredible. pic.twitter.com/iAz6UDRun6  daniel   (@LionsOfZion_ORG) June 13, 2025

The IDF has released pictures and videos showing strike aircraft armed with a mix of weapons, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision-guided bombs and Rampage missiles, which are an adaptation of a ground-launched precision-guided artillery rocket.

Notable that many of the F-15s and F-16s in #IAF footage  supposedly from last night  are carrying 2000lb GBU-31(V)1 JDAMs. Suggests Israel has established sufficient control of the air to operate directly over Tehran and Natanz without relying on standoff weapons like Rampage pic.twitter.com/Ug5cMrt4q0  Justin Bronk (@Justin_Br0nk) June 13, 2025

There are also signs that the Israeli strikes may be switching their focus to Iranian airpower, with reports from Iran of attacks on at least two Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) bases, Noje Air Base in Hamadan province and Tabriz Air Base in East Azerbaijan province. A video purported to show the aftermath of an airstrike on the latter shows a column of smoke rising above it.

Fars News Agency: Nojeh Air Base in Hamadan was bombed by Israel twice in the past hour pic.twitter.com/XrjBDeWKTJ  Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) June 13, 2025

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Israeli aircraft struck the Iranian Air Forces Tabriz Airbase, with a massive plume of smoke seen rising over the area.



The base is home to a mix of Iranian MiG-29s and F-5s from the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd tactical fighter squadrons. pic.twitter.com/CEEei6Wl46  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Israeli forces hit Irans Tabriz Airbase again this afternoon, with new pillars of smoke seen rising over the airfield.



Tabriz Airbase, a key installation covering northwestern Iran, has been hammered by the Israeli Air Force today. pic.twitter.com/F0zCEh3gGc  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Reflecting the intensity of the IAF air operations so far, there have been multiple sightings of discarded drop tanks, jettisoned by F-15s in the course of their missions, as seen in the tweets embedded below.

An external fuel tank, likely for an F-15I Ra'am Strike Fighter with the Israeli Air Force, was discovered in the Daraa Governorate of Southwestern Syria. pic.twitter.com/Nv0vRDNytt  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Israil F-15'lerine ait 600 galonluk yakt tanklar Suriye'de. pic.twitter.com/1vIZPNZS0U  Cem Dogut (@DogutCem) June 13, 2025

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Foreign powers around the world are also reacting to the still-evolving situation. Today, U.S. President Donald Trump described the attack as excellent and warned further strikes would be more brutal unless Tehran agreed to back down over its nuclear program. This contradicts Washingtons previous official stance that Israels action against Iran has been unilateral.

I just spoke to President Trump and asked him about the Israeli attack on Iran. Heres what he told me:



"I think it's been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didn't take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's  Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) June 13, 2025

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump said in a social media post.

FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP:



I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal pic.twitter.com/lsCQHkyT2f  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

In another post, the U.S. president suggested Israel had attacked a day after a 60-day deadline he had given Iran to secure a deal had run out and indicated vaguely that Iran might have a second chance.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to update it as more information becomes available.

Update, 10:30 AM Eastern:

The following video claims to show the evacuated Ben Gurion International Airport, Israels main international air transport hub, on the outskirts of the city of Lod. The airport was closed until further notice earlier today, due to concerns about possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. Publicly available flight data from today also indicates that airlines cleared out of the airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Jordan.

A gap is seen in the airspace over Iran on the Flightradar24 app in this illustration photo taken on 13 June, 2025. Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto Jaap Arriens

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A separate video has also emerged showing Israeli commercial aircraft now parked at Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus.

VIDEO: Israeli commercial aircraft parked at Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus. pic.twitter.com/RWUbRCNKjY  Avi Mayer   (@AviMayer) June 13, 2025

While the following video cannot be verified, its claimed to show a pair of IAF C-130J transport aircraft flying at very low level over southeast Syria, close to the border with Iraq. If thats the case, the airlifters could have been involved in transporting Israeli commandos out of Iran after the first strikes of Operation Rising Lion. Reports from Israel, citing an unnamed Israeli security source, suggest that the strikes included the use of drones and missiles launched by operatives from deep within Iran.

VIDEO: Syrian shepherd up at sunrise films two Israeli Air Force C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft flying at a very low altitude over Al-Hammad in southeast Syria, near the border with Iraq, apparently coming from the direction of Iran. pic.twitter.com/fV3CA685eg  Avi Mayer   (@AviMayer) June 13, 2025

The Israeli Navy, as well as the IAF, has been active in intercepting drones inbound from Iran. The following footage, published by the IDF, is said to show the interception of a drone over the Red Sea by an Israeli Navy Saar 6 class corvette. As you can read about here, the Saar 6 is well equipped for such air defense missions, being armed with Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles plus a pair of Rafael C-Dome systems, which are armed with Tamir missiles.

Footage showing the interception earlier of a drone launched from Iran over the Red Sea, by a Sa'ar 6-Class Corvette with the Israeli Navy. pic.twitter.com/kpnFmCMQht  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

While the IRIAF appears to have been heavily targeted by Israel, there are indications, at least, that at least some Iranian aircraft might have been able to get airborne after the launch of Rising Lion. The following video shows an F-5E or related Saegheh fighter flying over Ahvaz in western Iran. A column of smoke rising in the background suggests that the jet was scrambled soon after an Israeli airstrike. Its also possible that the aircraft was in the process of evacuating its base as that came under attack.

Iranian Northrop F-5E Saegheh fighter jet flying over Ahvaz in western Iran as smoke can be seen rising in the distance. pic.twitter.com/Uo0pExmf0v  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

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The response to the current conflict from Hezbollah, Irans most important regional proxy, has been interesting, to say the least. Hezbollahs warfighting capacity has been seriously eroded after its senior leadership was killed in Israeli strikes last fall. As of today, the Iran-backed militia has given no sign that it will get involved in the Iran-Israel conflict. While Hezbollah has condemned Israels attacks, it has said it will not respond with its own strikes on Israel.

Hezbollahs half-hearted response to the Israeli strike on Iran is arguably the final nail in the coffin of Irans much vaunted axis of resistance. If Iran cannot rely on Hezbollah to help broaden the battlefield in a situation such as this, of what use are they really to Iran?  Evan Kohlmann (@IntelTweet) June 13, 2025

The Lebanese government has reportedly informed Hezbollah that they will not allow them to join any kind of military action or retaliation against Israel in support of Iran, adding that the era in which they bypass the country when it comes to declaring war is over.  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Update, 11:00 AM Eastern:

Details of Israels assessment of the initial phase of Operation Rising Lion continue to emerge.

According to an unnamed Israeli security official, speaking to Fox News, the success of the airstrikes that eliminated the IRGC Air Force leadership relied upon tricking those officials into gathering for a meeting, and then keeping them there.

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We did specific activities to help us understand things about them and then used that information to make them act in a specific way, the security official said. We knew this would make them meet, but more importantly, we knew how to keep them there.

There are indications, too, that Israel was surprised by the success of the initial series of airstrikes, which appear to have been conducted in a notably compressed period of time.

According to the same security official, more than 20 sites across Iran were targeted in less than 15 minutes. These included apartments and offices, with the targets being particular individuals, like the IRGC Air Force leadership. These strikes were in addition to those that went after Irans nuclear facilities and air defense sites.

New reporting from @TreyYingst @FoxNews



Israeli security official to Fox News:



On the strikes against IRGC Air Force leadership: Israel tricked the top command of Irans air force into a meeting and then kept them there.



We did specific activities to help us understand  Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) June 13, 2025

We are also getting a slightly better picture of U.S. involvement in the Israeli operation.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that Washington provided exquisite intelligence to Israel, which will have helped ensure the success of its airstrikes. Rubio reiterated that the United States did not play a military role in the Israeli attack. However, the U.S. military will be ready to help defend Israel if needed  especially against ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran  something that it has done in the recent past.

Washington has provided intelligence and will help defend Israel if necessary.



The strikes will continue and will be extremely intense over the next few days.



Source: ABC News  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Update, 12:00 PM Eastern:

Satellite imagery is beginning to emerge, showing the extent of the damage caused by some of the Israeli airstrikes.

The following imagery shows the aftermath of the attack on the uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area, which was reportedly targeted by IAF fighters. According to initial analysis, the airstrikes appear to have destroyed the pilot fuel enrichment plant and damaged at least two other buildings, including the electrical substation that provides power to the facility.

However, there is no visible damage to the below-ground enrichment facility, nor to a new complex being constructed south of Natanz.

Despite some rumors that the airstrikes may have led to a radiation leak, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said today that radiation levels outside of the Natanz uranium enrichment site remained unchanged after the airstrikes.

Satellite images are out this morning from Natanz Facility in Iran



Sources say there may be radiation leak ongoing at Natanz, although this is unconfirmed as of now.



If radiation were present, it would most likely be from UF6 (Uranium Hexafluoride) a form of Uranium used in pic.twitter.com/9YqUbRzJYO  GeoInsider (@InsiderGeo) June 13, 2025

A second strike point imaged by airbus appears to be the main electrical substation for the Natanz site. It's located in the northwest corner of the site. pic.twitter.com/nLk4bBlTzC  Geoff Brumfiel (@gbrumfiel) June 13, 2025

Natanz damage via Mizar  pic.twitter.com/JzbAxUrBmX  Hurin (@Hurin92) June 13, 2025

The Institute has obtained high-resolution satellite imagery of Natanz taken at 11:06 AM local time after the strikes were carried out by Israel. The imagery shows damage and destruction to several buildings around the complex, most notably the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant pic.twitter.com/A8HqRXa25g  Inst for Science (@TheGoodISIS) June 13, 2025

Other Israeli strikes appear to have been less successful, in that they hit missile-related hardware that had, according to analysts, been out of service for some time. The following screen capture from an IDF video shows a transporter-erector-launcher (TEL), which Decker Eveleth, a strategic forces analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses (CAN), a U.S. nonprofit research and analysis organization, notes has been immobile at the same location for the last seven years.

Improper strike planning. They're bombing the TEL graveyard at Imam Ali missile base. Some of these TELs have not moved in seven years. https://t.co/NOrSahqbNW pic.twitter.com/L2qATa8YNd  Decker Eveleth (@dex_eve) June 13, 2025

Update, 2:00 PM Eastern:

There are reports that Iran is preparing to launch ballistic missiles as part of a new retaliatory attack on Israel. The IDF has also said it has detected an incoming threat from Yemen.

Israel detects preparations to launch missiles from Iran.



Source: Israeli Channel 12  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

 Sirens sounding in the Jerusalem area following projectile fire from Yemen  pic.twitter.com/CKHjr8ERau  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Iranian oil and natural gas infrastructure could be targeted if retaliatory strikes hit Israeli population centers, the latter countrys Channel 12 has reported.

Israel will launch strikes against Iranian oil refineries and natural gas sites on the Persian Gulf, if Iran decides to target Israeli population centers during their retaliatory attack, according to Channel 12.  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Pictures of debris said to have been found in Iraq in the wake of Israels ongoing strikes on Iran point to the use of air-launched ballistic missiles based on the Sparrow target missile. Israeli defense contractor Rafael openly offers a missile fitting this general description called Rocks, which you can read more about here. Evidence pointing to the use of Rocks or a related design had emerged after Israeli strikes on Iran last year, as well.

Munition debris reportedly located in Iraq following Israel's attacks on Iran are visually similar to Blue Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles.



You can view all Blue Sparrow images in the OSMP here: https://t.co/7gWW1RbRUJhttps://t.co/UUvg4wQCj8 pic.twitter.com/zYwPnNWNe3  Open Source Munitions Portal (@MunitionsPortal) June 13, 2025

Additional satellite imagery of areas known or believed to have been targeted in Iran continues to emerge. There is notably no evidence yet of damage to Irans nuclear technology center in Isfahan or the IR-40 heavy water reactor complex in Arak.

Major areas burned around/at the underground installation near Karmanshah, Iran (dark areas) pic.twitter.com/sBXfw2lhPf  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

Planet imagery acquired 0725Z 13JUN2025 suggests the IRGCN naval base west of Bostanoo was likely targeted during Israels airstrikes. Smoke was obscuring the berths of the IRGCNs fast attack craft at the time of capture. The base is located 19 nautical miles northwest of Lavan pic.twitter.com/e3F2gwlqYV  Chris Biggers (@CSBiggers) June 13, 2025

Satellite images of Natanz and Fordow this morning from @Airbus that @ArmsControlWonk and I looked at



All the damage to Natanz is at the original complex. Electrical infrastructure was targeted, along with the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant. The UGF entrances were not damaged pic.twitter.com/qwZ7RGrm4C  Sam Lair (@sam_lair) June 13, 2025

Isfahan nuclear technology center and Arak heavy water reactor are both undamaged.  Decker Eveleth (@dex_eve) June 13, 2025

Reports that Israel has been striking additional targets, including Irans key enrichment facility at Fordow, also continue to emerge.

Explosions and smoke seen at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility https://t.co/IsAHkyc3l2  ELINT News (@ELINTNews) June 13, 2025

Axios has reported that U.S. President Trump and his administration deliberately misled Iran and the public about their opposition to Israels strike on Iran, citing two unnamed Israeli officials. At the same time, even today, Trump has publicly insisted that he remains interested in striking a deal with the regime in Tehran over its nuclear ambitions.

Two Israeli officials claimed to Axios that U.S. President Trump and his aides were only pretending to oppose an Israeli attack on Iran in public  and didn't express opposition in private. We had a clear U.S. green light. Aides for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pic.twitter.com/b5At4jHNLZ  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Update: 2:26 pm Eastern

Multiple ballistic missiles have impacted in Tel Aviv. Dramatic video shows interceptors flying up in a last ditch effort to hit the incoming warheads in their terminal stage. Some clearly leaked through:

Incredible footage of intercepts. pic.twitter.com/NjbDR0r07V  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

Israel has warned Iran that it would go after its oil terminals if it struck civilian targets in population centers, according to Israels Channel 12.

Another video shows that Iran targeted what is likely a Davids Sling/Stunner air defense site. You can see the missile impact right near where an interceptor rises up just after:

Footage from on the ground in Tel-Aviv, showing the impact earlier of a ballistic missile launched by Iran. pic.twitter.com/ka60gRkXR1  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Irans plan would have logically been to target/overwhelm key air defense sites capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in an attempt to degrade Israels defenses for follow on attacks.

Additional video of the saturation attack:

Iranian missiles over Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/VMcK8ALRXh  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Another strike:

Insane footage showing interceptions earlier over Tel-Aviv in Central Israel. pic.twitter.com/dV7ut9Wi40  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Multiple interceptions and at least two ballistic missile impacts seen in Central Israel. pic.twitter.com/8OGl6d5OSv  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Long exposure image of the action over Tel Aviv:

A photoworthy moment in the sky over Tel-Aviv during the recent wave of ballistic missiles launched by Iran. pic.twitter.com/vzN5FRoXlw  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Two separate rumors/claims are circling about the loss of IAF fighters  an F-16 from earlier and an F-35. Both are entirely possible and some losses should be expected in an operation of this scale and risk. But no proof that this has actually happened exists at this time.

BREAKING: Iranians now claim that they hit an Israeli F-35 fighter jet.  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Damage seen in Tel Aviv:

Situation on the ground in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/BoviIKybHX  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Reports of at least seven different impacts in and around Tel-Aviv in Central Israel, with one ballistic missile landing near and causing damage to the Headquarters of the Israel Defense Force. pic.twitter.com/ioq6s0hw5w  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Israel reports that roughly 150 ballistic missiles have been launched so far with ten impacts in central Israel. The attack is ongoing Israel says.

 The Iranian attack is ongoing. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward Israel.  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Update: 3:16 pm Eastern

Even more dramatic footage showing the ballistic missile impact near an air defense site in Tel Aviv:

A closer view of this hit. Crazy https://t.co/FxS0XBstZ5 pic.twitter.com/P7WWM1F59y  Alireza Talakoubnejad (@websterkaroon) June 13, 2025

Khamenei talking trash to Israel on X:

Life will definitely become bitter for the Zionists.  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

Israel responds further to Irans missile attack, warning Iran will play a heavy price for doing so:

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Iran has "crossed red lines after it dared to fire missiles at civilian population concentrations in Israel."



"We will continue to defend the citizens of Israel and ensure that the Ayatollah regime pays a very heavy price for its heinous  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

One of the missiles landed very close to the MoD. Unclear if it was targeting the building or a battery nearby protecting it:

Update: 4:20 pm Eastern

We have ended updates on this post. You can find the latest on our new post here.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Israel's air force has bombed a nuclear facility in Isfahan as part of its large-scale attack on Iran, Israeli army spokesman Nadav Shoshani wrote on X on Friday.

He did not provide further details.

The attack follows waves of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military commanders and top scientists earlier on Friday.

After the earlier strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Natanz enrichment plant north of Isfahan had been targeted.
CAIRO (Reuters) -The Israeli military said on Friday a missile that was launched from Yemen towards Israel fell to earth inside the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, adding that no interceptors were involved.

At least five Palestinians, including three children, sustained injuries from the missile's sharpnel that fell in Hebron, the Palestinian Red Crescent said in a later statement.

The incident occurred amid an ongoing Israeli military campaign targeting nuclear sites in Iran that wiped out that country's entire top echelon of military commanders and also killed nuclear scientists.

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Yemen's Houthis, who usually claim responsibility for missiles launched towards Israel from Yemen, are allied to Iran.

(Reporting by Menna Alaa El-Din, Enas Alashray and Yomna Ehab; Additional reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi and Ali SawaftaEditing by Gareth Jones)
By Alexander Cornwell, Parisa Hafezi and Steve Holland

TEL AVIV/DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes at Israel on Friday night, with explosions heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the country's two largest cities, following Israel's biggest-ever military strike against its longstanding enemy.

Air raid sirens sounded across Israel as authorities urged the public to take shelter. Missiles were seen over Tel Aviv's skyline, with the military saying Iran had fired two salvos.

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Israel's military said Iran fired fewer than 100 missiles and most were intercepted or fell short. The U.S. military helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed for Israel, two U.S. officials said.

Israel's Channel 12 said two people were critically injured, eight moderately and 34 slightly from shrapnel.

Several buildings were struck in the attack including an apartment block in a residential neighbourhood in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv. Another building in central Tel Aviv was also struck, causing significant damage to multiple floors.

The Israeli strikes on Iran throughout the day and the Iranian retaliation raised fears of a broader regional conflagration, although Iran's allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have been decimated by Israel.

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Iran's state news agency IRNA said Tehran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel after Israel blasted Iran's huge Natanz underground nuclear site and killed its top military commanders. Iran says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.

Israeli officials said it may be some time before the extent of damage at Natanz was clear. Western countries have long accused Iran of refining uranium there to levels suitable for a bomb rather than civilian use.

The above-ground pilot enrichment plant at Natanz has been destroyed, U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi told the Security Council on Friday. He said the U.N. was still gathering information about Israeli attacks on two other facilities, the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of starting a war. A senior Iranian official said nowhere in Israel would be safe and revenge would be painful.

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Iran's U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani said 78 people, including senior military officials, were killed in Israel's strikes on Iran and more than 320 people were wounded, most of them civilians.

He accused the U.S. of being complicit in the attacks and said it shared full responsibility for the consequences.

'AS MANY DAYS AS IT TAKES'

Israel's operation "will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV address.

"Generations from now, history will record our generation stood its ground, acted in time and secured our common future."

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Netanyahu, who for decades has raised the alarm about Iran's nuclear programme, said he authorised the assault to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. Israel and its Western allies have said this is Tehran's objective but Iran denies it.

Israel's U.N. envoy Danny Danon said intelligence had confirmed that within days Iran would have produced enough fissile material for multiple bombs.

Iran has long insisted its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only. The U.N. nuclear watchdog concluded this week that it was in violation of its obligations under the global non-proliferation treaty.

U.S. President Donald Trump said it was not too late for Tehran to halt the Israeli bombing campaign by reaching a deal on its nuclear programme.

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Tehran had been engaged in talks with the Trump administration on a deal to curb its nuclear programme to replace one that Trump abandoned in 2018. Tehran rejected the last U.S. offer.

The price of crude leaped on fears of wider retaliatory attacks across the oil-producing region, although there were no reports that oil production or storage was damaged. OPEC said the escalation did not justify any immediate changes to oil supply.

'WE KNEW EVERYTHING,' TRUMP TELLS REUTERS

In a phone interview with Reuters, Trump said nuclear talks between Tehran and the United States, scheduled for Sunday, were still on the agenda though he was not sure if they would take place.

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"We knew everything," Trump said of the Israeli attack plans.

"I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out," Trump said. "They can still work out a deal, however, its not too late."

Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said military action by itself would not destroy Iran's nuclear programme, but could "create the conditions for a long-term deal, led by the United States" to get rid of it.

Two regional sources said at least 20 Iranian military commanders were killed, a stunning decapitation reminiscent of Israeli attacks that swiftly wiped out the leadership of Lebanon's once-feared Hezbollah militia last year. Iran also said six of its top nuclear scientists had been killed.

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Among the generals killed on Friday were the armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and the Revolutionary Guards chief, Hossein Salami.

Major General Mohammad Pakpour, promoted to replace Salami as Guards commander, vowed retaliation in a letter to the Supreme Leader read on state television: "The gates of hell will open to the child-killing regime."

MOSSAD OPERATED DEEP IN IRAN

An Israeli security source said Mossad commandos had been operating deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack, and the Israeli spy agency and military had mounted a series of covert operations against Iran's strategic missile array.

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Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had bombarded Iran's air defences, destroying "dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers".

Iranians described an atmosphere of fear and anger, with some people hurrying to change money and others seeking a way out of the country to safety.

"People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic. We were all terrified," said Marziyeh, 39, who was awakened by a blast in Natanz.

While some Iranians quietly hoped the attack would lead to changes in Iran's hardline clerical leadership, others vowed to rally behind the authorities.

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"I will fight and die for our right to a nuclear programme. Israel and its ally America cannot take it away from us with these attacks," said Ali, a member of the pro-government Basij militia in Qom.

Iran's ability to retaliate with weapons fired by its regional proxies has been sharply degraded over the past year, with the downfall of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the decimation of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Israel said a missile fired from Yemen - whose Houthi militia are Iran-aligned - had landed in Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent said three Palestinian children were wounded by shrapnel there.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Howard Goller, Peter Graff and Michael Georgy; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Kevin Liffey, Aidan Lewis, Cynthia Osterman and Daniel Wallis)
Israel is shutting all of its embassies and consulates around the world following the wide-scale Israeli strikes on Iran, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said on Friday.

Israel carried out at least two waves of attacks on Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities, top scientists and military commanders, provoking a furious reaction from Tehran and sharply escalating the conflict between the two regional foes.

Israeli media reported that Iran retaliated with about 100 drones and that they were all shot down.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the Israeli attacks as a declaration of war, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
By Louise Rasmussen and Matthias Williams

COPENHAGEN/LONDON (Reuters) -Israel is shutting its embassies around the world and has urged citizens to stay alert and not display Jewish or Israeli symbols in public places, statements posted on embassy websites said on Friday after Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran.

The statements said Israel would not be providing consular services and urged citizens to cooperate with local security services if faced with hostile activity.

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No timeframe was given for how long the embassies would be closed. A person picking up the phone at the embassy in Berlin gave no further details, and Israel's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.

Israelis abroad were encouraged to fill out a form to update the foreign ministry on their location. This was also done after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel to coordinate the return of reservists and organise rescue flights.

"In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided," the statement said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, said Germany was stepping up protection of Jewish and Israeli sites.

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The area around the Israeli embassy in Berlin was largely quiet and empty except for some police and police cars.

Visible security was increased outside the Great Synagogue of Stockholm, with a police van and car parked near the building, a Reuters witness said.

Earlier, Israel said it had attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories in Iran and had killed a swathe of military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting U.S. demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, "with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal".

(Reporting by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Matthias Williams, Ilze Filks, Riham Alkousaa, Kate Holton, Crispian Balmer; writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Timothy Heritage, Gareth Jones, William Maclean)
SEOUL/LONDON (Reuters) -Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region.

Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern. Detours add to airlines' fuel costs and lengthen journey times.

Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

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Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed and Israel's air defence units stood on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

Israel's El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel as did Air France KLM and budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz. Delta Air Lines suspended flights to Tel Aviv through the end of August.

Wizz said it had re-routed flights affected by closed airspace in the region for the next 72 hours. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia were moving planes out of the country.

FlightRadar data showed airspace over Iran, Iraq and Jordan was empty, with flights directed towards Saudi Arabia and Egypt instead.

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About 1,800 flights to and from Europe had been affected so far on Friday, including approximately 650 cancelled flights, according to Eurocontrol.

With Russian and Ukrainian airspace closed due to war, the Middle East region has become an even more important route for international flights between Europe and Asia.

The escalation of the Middle East conflict knocked shares in airlines around the world with British Airways owner IAG down 4.6%, Delta Air Lines down 4%, and Ryanair off 3.5%. A surge in oil prices after the attack also stirred concerns about jet fuel prices.

Many global airlines had already halted flights to and from Tel Aviv after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels towards Israel on May 4 landed near the airport.

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Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots.

Air India, which flies over Iran on its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London.

Germany's Lufthansa said its flights to Tehran have been suspended and that it would avoid Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace for the time being.

Emirates also cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran while Qatar Airways axed flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Iraq early on Friday closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.

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Eastern Iraq near its border with Iran contains one of the world's busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any one moment.

Jordan, which sits between Israel and Iraq, also closed its airspace several hours after the Israeli campaign began.

Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia said it had instructed Russian airlines to stop using the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan until June 26. It said flights to airports in Iran and Israel were also off limits for civil carriers. FlyDubai has cancelled 22 flights scheduled for June 13-14 to Dubai from 10 Russian airports, Russia's RIA news agency said, citing Rosaviatsia.

FLIGHT DIVERSIONS

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"Traffic is now diverting either south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, or north via Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan," according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 led to commercial aviation sharing the skies with short-notice barrages of drones and missiles across major flight paths  some of which were reportedly close enough to be seen by pilots and passengers.

Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and there have been three near misses since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions.

Last year, planes were shot down in Kazakhstan and in Sudan. These incidents followed the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020.

(Reporting by Lisa Barrington in Seoul and Joanna Plucinska in London; Additional reporting by Steven Scheer in Jerusalem, Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt, Alexander Marrow in London; editing by Jamie Freed and Jason Neely)
Israel attacked Iran, eliminating several of the countrys top military officials and nuclear scientists.

Israel launched an air strike against Irans top nuclear and military sites overnight from June 12 to 13. The Israeli Defense Forces announced the attacks killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami, IRCG Air Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and the leader of Irans Emergency Command. According to the BBC, the strikes also killed other top military officials and nuclear scientists.

Videos circulated on X soon after the attack, apparently depicting the scene in Irans capital, Tehran.

 #BREAKING: Israel targeted Irans nuclear sites in their strikes tonight, per AP Many areas around Tehran were struck, and are now ablaze. This is just getting started. pic.twitter.com/1oOSfcLxq8  Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 13, 2025

Israel sent 200 fighter jets into Iran, striking targets like Tehran and the Natanz-area uranium enrichment site  the largest uranium enrichment site in Iran. The IDF said Iran was nearing the point of no return in its race toward a nuclear weapon, producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium in fortified, underground sites.

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This program has accelerated significantly in recent months, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, the IDF posted to X. The State of Israel has been left with no choice. The IDF has the obligation to act in defense of the civilians of Israel and will continue to do so.

Iran reportedly launched close to 100 drones toward Israel on the morning of June 13, and IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israel was working to intercept the threats, according to CBS. Israel was under a state of emergency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said America was not involved in the strikes, in a statement soon after the attack.

Israel took unilateral action against Iran, Rubio wrote. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

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Israel advised American officials they thought the strikes were necessary for its self-defense, according to Rubios statement. Trump said earlier on June 12 that he was seeking diplomatic solutions to the situation.

President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubio wrote. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Amid ongoing tensions in the region, with Israels war on Hamas and Irans hostility to the Jewish state, this could soon erupt into a wider conflict.
VIENNA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- China condemns Israel's military action against Iran and opposes armed attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities, a Chinese envoy said Friday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

During the IAEA Board of Governors meeting over Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, said China has always been committed to promoting a peaceful solution to the Iran nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means, and opposes resorting to force and illegal unilateral sanctions. The country will maintain close communication with all parties and jointly deal with the current urgency at the IAEA Board of Governors, Li said.

Noting that China is seriously concerned about the negative impact of the current conditions on the prospects of diplomatic negotiations, Li urged relevant countries to avoid actions that may worsen the situation and to support the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.

He said China will continue to support political and diplomatic efforts around the Iran nuclear issue in a highly responsible, objective, and fair manner, firmly safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation mechanism, and uphold peace and stability in the Middle East.

During the meeting, dozens of IAEA member states expressed serious concern about the relevant conditions, and many developing countries strongly condemned Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Citing a number of resolutions adopted by the IAEA General Conference, the parties indicated that attacks or threats of attacks on peaceful nuclear facilities violate the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the IAEA Statute, posing a serious threat to nuclear safety, nuclear security, regional and international peace and security. The parties emphasized that political and diplomatic approaches are the right option to resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and called on the international community to continue unremitting efforts to this end.

At the meeting, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stressed that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. "Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security," Grossi said. 
Israel struck Iranian nuclear and military facilities with a barrage of missiles on Friday, killing several top officials and prompting a counter-attack by Iran.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's attack on its arch-rival would last "as many days" as needed, and cited Israeli intelligence that Tehran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme.

Iran called the Israeli air assault "a declaration of war" and fired dozens of missiles at Israel later Friday and Saturday.

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International calls for restraint are multiplying, as fears grow the Middle East could be on the threshold of a broader conflict.

Here is what we know:

- Nuclear sites hit -

Israel's attacks started in the early hours of Friday, a day of rest and prayer in Iran, and continued through the day, on various sites.

A key target was a vast underground nuclear site in Natanz, which Israel hit several times, according to Iranian state television.

Radiation levels outside the facility "remained unchanged", the head of the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said.

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Iran said there was limited damage to its Fordo and Isfahan nuclear sites.

- Commanders killed -

Top brass killed included the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, with replacements swiftly named by supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

The Revolutionary Guards said its aerospace commander Amirali Hajizadeh was also killed. He was in charge of Iran's ballistic missile forces.

Iranian media said several nuclear scientists were killed.

Iran's ambassador to the UN said 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in the first wave of strikes by Israel.

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- Ongoing strikes -

Additional strikes hit sites in Iran's northwestern East Azerbaijan province, with 18 people killed there, state news agency IRNA said.

An Israeli military spokesman said "more than 200 targets" were hit, including nuclear facilities and air bases.

Netanyahu's national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said "there is currently no plan to kill" Khamenei and other political leaders.

Internet restrictions were imposed across Iran, the country's communications ministry said, adding they would be lifted "once normalcy returns".

- Iran's response -

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Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel, the Revolutionary Guards and Israel said, hours after the Israeli military said "most" of the 100 drones fired by Iran were intercepted outside Israeli territory.

Early Saturday, Iran launched a fresh wave of attacks, according to state media, with the Israeli military sounding air raid sirens and reporting more inbound missiles from Iran.

Israel said its air force was "operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat".

Israeli rescuers said Saturday that they were treating 21 people wounded in a rocket strike that hit the country's coast.

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Rescuers said earlier that 34 people had been wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports.

- US involvement? -

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the Israeli attacks "a declaration of war" and urged action from the UN Security Council, which held an emergency meeting on Friday.

Tehran had previously warned it would hit US military bases in the Middle East if conflict occurred. The United States pulled out non-essential personnel from several sites days ahead of the Israeli attack.

US President Donald Trump said Israel fully informed him of its raids ahead of time, but insisted Washington was not involved.

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He warned Iran that the "next planned attacks" will be "even more brutal" and said Tehran should cut a deal to roll back its nuclear programme "before there is nothing left".

Trump has repeatedly said he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

His secretary of state Marco Rubio warned Iran not to target US interests or personnel in the Middle East.

- Nuclear programme -

Tehran has long denied seeking atomic bombs but had been enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely obsolete 2015 agreement with major powers.

However, Iran's 60-percent enrichment level is still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.

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The United States and Iran had been holding talks on Tehran's nuclear programme. The next round, scheduled for Sunday in Oman, now looks to be cancelled.

- Reactions -

The attack, and Iran's response, is fuelling international alarm.

Many capitals have urged restraint, fearing the consequences if the Israel-Iran conflict widened and drew in the United States, and if Middle East oil production and shipments were impacted.

The UN's atomic energy agency planned an emergency meeting for Monday.

UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Israel and Iran to halt their conflict, saying: "Peace and diplomacy must prevail."

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Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Syria closed their airspaces, and several airlines cancelled flights servicing the region.

Oil prices surged on Friday, trading sharply up to around $75 a barrel before falling back a little.

Analysts underlined the risk to the 20 percent of the world's crude oil supplies that are shipped through the narrow Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf.

burs/rmb/gv/ami/sco/cms
Israeli forces have attacked missile launchers and infrastructure in Iran, with explosions heard near a nuclear site in Fordow.

Source: Iranian news agency Fars; The Times of Israel; BBC

Details: Media reports say two explosions occurred in the area, where the nuclear facility is located several hundred metres underground.

Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces, said Israeli forces continue to strike Iran "with full force". He said Israel remains focused on two main objectives: defence and offence.

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Halevi added that the situation will become even more difficult, and Israeli forces must be ready for a range of scenarios that they have trained for.

Major General Tomer Bar, Commander of the Israeli Air Force, said the countrys presence in western Iran is "critical. Every launcher we strike saves lives in the State of Israel."

The Times of Israel also reported that Iranian air defences had shot down an Israeli drone near the Fordow nuclear site.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme and targeting military facilities.

The strikes reportedly killed Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Gholamali Rashid, head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Irans Armed Forces, and six nuclear scientists.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Irans Armed Forces, said that Tehran would respond to Israel's strikes, noting that the United States would "pay dearly" despite Washington's assurances of its non-involvement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israels actions as "unilateral", though the US was aware of the planned strikes.

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Irans Revolutionary Guard said it launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel Friday in retaliation for Israeli strikes attacks aimed at hamstringing Tehrans nuclear program and weakening the countrys military leadership.

Israeli residents were instructed to go into bomb shelters as smoke could be seen rising over Tel Aviv, while explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, CNN reported; further missile attacks were expected, the IDF said.

American forces helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed towards Israel, US officials confirmed to Semafor.

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Israels unprecedented strikes on Iran continued Friday evening, targeting one of the countrys largest uranium enrichment facilities in Isfahan as the countrys leadership said it would continue the attacks as long as necessary. Several other highly-fortified nuclear facilities have also been targeted, although it remains unclear if they have been destroyed.

Oil prices rose at their fastest pace in three years, while global markets fell as fears of a regional war intensified.

US President Donald Trump urged Iran to make a deal, before there is nothing left, later calling the attacks very successful.

Iran should have listened to me when I said  you know, I gave them, I dont know if you know, but I gave them a 60-day warning, and today is day 61, he told CNN. It was unclear whether US-Iran nuclear talks set to take place in Oman this Sunday would go ahead.

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The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, was killed in Israels attack on Tehran, Iranian state media said, along with two other military generals, effectively wiping out Irans senior military chain of command. Several scientists who worked on developing Irans nuclear program were also reported to have been assassinated Friday. The overnight strikes were reported to have hit densely populated residential neighborhoods in the capital, killing civilians.

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State Secretary Marco Rubio Thursday night described the Israeli strike as unilateral but said the US was in close contact with allies in the region.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, he said, adding, Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

The strike roiled markets, driving oil prices and safe havens such as gold up, and sending global stocks falling. Crude prices at one point rose the most since the early weeks of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and could rise far further: With tensions in the region surging in recent days, JPMorgan analysts have warned of a possible exponential increase in oil prices.
Israels airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday morning have prompted the U.K. and Greece to advise their merchant shipping fleets on taking a more cautious approach to sailing certain trade bottlenecks in the Middle East.

According to a report from Reuters sharing information from the U.K.s Department for Transport, all U.K.-flagged vessels, which include ships registered under the flags of Gibraltar and Bermuda, were advised to avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

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If transiting these areas, vessels must adhere to their highest level of security measures and limit the number of crew on deck during transits, said the advisory.

The Union of Greek Shipowners, which represent more than 60 percent of the E.U. controlled merchant fleet, urged shipowners to send details of their vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to Greeces maritime ministry, Reuters said. The Strait of Hormuz flows into the Persian Gulf, with roughly one-fifth of the worlds daily oil supply passing through, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The pre-emptive airstrikes bring speculation as to the immediate future of Red Sea shipping, particularly since the Iran-aligned Houthi militant group responsible for attacks in the waterway have been in direct conflict with Israel in recent months.

Ahead of Fridays attacks, the Yemen-based Houthis had warned both Israel and the U.S. that any escalation against Iran would drag the entire region into the abyss of war. The militants had conducted drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels traveling through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait starting in late 2023, which lasted throughout 2024.

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The U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization said it began the attacks in support of Palestinians in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.

Overall, the Houthis conducted more than 130 attacks on commercial vessels in that time frame, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a crisis monitoring organization.

The onslaught resulted in container shipping firms mostly abandoning the Suez Canal, instead committing to rerouting their ships around southern Africas Cape of Good Hope. The mass diversions lengthened East-to-West ocean shipping times by roughly one-to-two weeks.

Although the Houthis have not conducted any attacks in the Red Sea in 2025, most of the major ocean carriers have refused to return to the trade artery due to a lack of safety guarantees.

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A circular shared by maritime security firm Ambrey early Friday said there was no impact to shipping at the time of the report. The firm warned of heightened risk to Israel-affiliated shipping in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, similar to a warning sent out by the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office of the Royal Navy ahead of the Israeli airstrikes.

For safety precautions, Ambrey recommended thorough affiliation checks for vessels planning to transit through the affected regions. Vessels with strong affiliations to Israel are advised to avoid these areas where possible.

Protests hit Maersk NYC office over Israel ties

With tensions continuing to escalate in the Middle East amid Israels ongoing military campaign in Gaza, roughly 200 protesters occupied the lobby of Maersks Manhattan headquarters on Wednesday morning.

The demonstration occurred in protest of the container shipping giants transport of military equipment to Israel, namely the reported shipping of F-35 fighter jet parts.

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Maersk has stated that while it carries military equipment to Israel, it does not transport weapons or ammunition to the area, or any other conflict zones.

Earlier this year, the companys shareholders voted against a proposal to halt shipments of arms to Israel on the grounds that premise of the proposal was incorrect.

Members of the protesting group, which was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and Jewish Voice for Peace, refused to move from the lobby and chanted phrases like Maersk, Maersk, drop the cargo, we demand an arms embargo. The demonstrators also demanded that more food and aid be sent to Gaza.

Members of the NYPDs strategic response group moved in after about an hour and cuffed protesters. At least 50 had been taken into custody by the time the protest ended.

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The Manhattan demonstration follows a series of protests in major cities like Copenhagen, Paris and Berlin.

Last month, more than 50 activists including Greta Thunberg held a demonstration in the Copenhagen office of Maersks tankers division in protest of the equipment shipments, as well as the carriers overall carbon emissions.

Thunberg and a group of other activists on a Gaza-bound flotilla were later detained by Israeli officials after attempting to bring food and humanitarian aid to the region. The detainees were brought to Israel before they returned to their home countries.
Israel has launched an attack against Iran, a senior IDF official told The War Zone. The nature and extent of the attack is not yet known.

Authors note: You can read the latest updates on operation Rising Lion by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

The attack has just begun in Iran, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details. We are in an emergency situation all over the country.

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The official confirms earlier reporting by Axios that the Israeli Air Force conducted a strike in Iran on Thursday, according to two sources with knowledge of the operation. Its not yet clear what Israel is targeting, but explosions were reported in Tehran.

Axios confirms: The Israeli Air Force conducted a strike in Iran on Thursday, according to two sources with knowledge of the operation. It's not yet clear what Israel is targeting.https://t.co/nLERD6DKMw  Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) June 13, 2025

Israeli officials have yet to officially comment.

If Israel is striking Iran, there is no U.S. involvement, no U.S. assistance, a U.S. official told The War Zone.

Once again, the nature of this operation, which has been labelled preemptive in nature isnt clear. It could be the opening blows of a protracted campaign or an opportunistic play based on intelligence. We just dont know.

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The attack comes against the backdrop of rising tensions over Irans nuclear ambitions. Earlier today, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued a scathing report saying Iran was trying to hide its uranium enrichment program. In response, Iran said it would create new facilities. You can read more about that in our story earlier today here.

This is a developing story. Stay with The War Zone for updates.

Update: 8:51 PM Eastern

The IDF has issued a statement on what it is calling a preemptive, precise strike on Iran.

A short while ago, following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence to strike Irans nuclear program, and in response to the Iranian regimes ongoing aggression against Israel. A short while, dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

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The public is requested to follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command, which will be updated as necessary, and act calmly and responsibly. The IDF and the relevant authorities are prepared for a wide range of scenarios in defense and offense that may be needed.

For years, the Iranian regime has been waging a direct and indirect campaign of terror against the State of Israel, by funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is at the head of the axis responsible for all terrorist attacks against the State of Israel since the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, including by arming and funding the Hamas terror organization which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre. During the Swords of Iron War, Iran even directly attacked Israel twice, firing hundreds of missiles toward the State of Israel.

The Iranian regime has proclaimed that its objective is to destroy the State of Israel. Senior officials in the Iranian regime have publicly declared their intent to destroy Israel, and are operating to achieve this together with their proxies in the Middle East. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the wider world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose objective is to destroy the State of Israel to obtain weapons of mass destruction.

The IDF has conducted a process of preparations for a campaign on the frontline and on the home front. The resilience of Israels citizens will be an important factor of the campaign.

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The IDF is ready to continue to act as required. The State of Israel has the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.

The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will update on any developments.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also isssued a statement.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

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Update: 8:59 PM Eastern 

The Israeli Air Force said the attack was designed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Iran is closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are a threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the entire world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose goal is the destruction of the State of Israel to possess weapons of mass destruction.

        .                .         ,    .  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Update: 9:02 PM Eastern 

Netanyahu said Israel targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb, according to Reuters.

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We also struck in the heart of Irans ballistic missile program, he said.

NETANYAHU: WE TARGETED IRAN'S LEADING NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS WORKING ON THE IRANIAN BOMB, WE ALSO STRUCK THE HEART OF IRAN'S BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAMME  Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 13, 2025

This fits with what we are seeing as far as the nature of the strikes, although our view is very limited. This appears to have been an operation that focused as much on targeting individuals as capabilities, or at least both. Exactly how this will be staged going forward isnt clear. Air defenses would need to be degraded if a protracted air campaign were to occur that would make use of direct attacks and go after the entirety of the nuclear program and Irans ability to build delivery systems for it. Other military capabilities  specifically long-range weapons that threaten Israel  and their production capacity would also likely be targeted. The coming hours will be telling as to if this attack was opportunistic and/or used as a pressure device on the regime or if a much larger and prolonged campaign will spin-up.

This feels more like targeting specific humans than capabilities, but it could be both.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

Update: 9:20 Eastern

There are multiple reports and some video, which remains unconfirmed, that claims Irans nuclear site at Natanz was struck. If that did indeed occur and to what extent remains unclear.

BREAKING: Fire visible at the nuclear facilities area in Natanz, Iran following Israeli airstrikes. pic.twitter.com/EWVr5VbJSJ  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

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Israel has deemed the operation Rising Lion and Netanyahu says this operation could take many days. It is focused on rolling back Irans nuclear program and dismantling its ballistic missile capabilities. Full statement:

Full statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following tonights strikes against Iran: pic.twitter.com/dYDrQsCm7M  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Statement from the IDF:

A statement from IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin on the preemptive Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear targets pic.twitter.com/IJNT5LXz6o  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Update: 9:28 pm Eastern

Irans Press TV has confirmed that the countrys sprawling nuclear site in Natanz was struck overnight.

Claims are being made in the Israeli press that the U.S. downplayed the possibility of this operation starting so soon in order to catch Iran by surprise. Having talks scheduled on Sunday between the U.S. and Iran certainly would point to that possibility.

Curiously, Israels Channel 12 reports that the US participated in a campaign to lull Iran into believing there WASNT going to be an attack. Although really, from all the statements & actions, the most logical conclusion was that there would be an attack. https://t.co/IxQXgTK7qf  Liz Sly (@LizSly) June 13, 2025

The Jerusalem Post reports the following:

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A senior defense official on Friday morning said that there is an increasing possibility that the Iranian high command, including Irans military chief and Irans senior nuclear scientists, have been killed in the preemptive strike.

Additional strikes are now reported underway in the city of Piranshahr and other locales (unconfirmed videos):

#Iran: lot of secondary explosions at a targeted site in the city of #Piranshahr. Possibly an ammunition depot that was hit. pic.twitter.com/YnJUzJMuIF  Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) June 13, 2025

Attacks on the Iranian-Iraqi border pic.twitter.com/ofaUvrIC4d  Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) June 13, 2025

A senior IDF official tells TWZ the following:

In Israel, the Home Front Command has issued formal alerts instructing all Israeli citizens to prepare for a state of emergency and to remain near protected areas, as a period of heightened conflict is expected to last several days.

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Currently, a second wave of strikes is underway, with reports indicating that the Mossad and the IDF have successfully eliminated the entire Iranian General Staff.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced Operation Lions Resolve aimed at neutralizing Irans nuclear capabilities. The operation involves the use of advanced Israeli-manufactured munitions with exceptional deep-penetration capabilities.

Airstrikes are taking place in Tehran and across Iranian territory, targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran has reached the capacity to produce 15 nuclear bombs, including enriched uranium warheads and delivery systems capable of reaching Israel. This, according to Israeli assessment, marks the point of no return, necessitating immediate military action.

Search and rescue efforts are underway in Irans capital:

Search-and-rescue operations are underway across the Iranian capital of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/sTeaCeqyfX  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Israel also executed boots on the ground sabotage operations according to an Israeli official:

"Israeli official: Alongside extensive strikes by the Israeli Air Force, the Mossad led a series of covert counter-terrorism operations deep inside Iran. These operations were designed to damage Iran's strategic missile array and air defense capabilities." https://t.co/S6Plm9UlvX  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

Iranian state press also says a fire is burning near/at the IRGC headquarters in Tehran.

More from IDF: The Chief of the General Staff: We have begun this operation because the time has come, we are at the point of no return. We cannot afford to wait for another time to operate, we have no other choice. Recent and past events of history have taught us that when the enemy is attempting to destroy us, we must not turn a blind eye. We need to fight for our existence, freedom was given to those willing to fight for it.

I warn that anyone who will try to challenge us, will pay a heavy price. We are entering this operation together with one goal in front of us  to secure a safer future for the State of Israel and its civilians, in unified effort and faith, we will win.

Attached is a video announcement by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir:

https://bit.ly/44amPIB

Attached are photos of the Chief of the General Staff overseeing IDF strikes against Iran from the Israeli Air Force situation room:

https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/IDFANC130620258482

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir made the following statement, which included notifications of calling up tens of thousands of troops:

Civilians of Israel, these are decisive days, we are currently at the start of a new phase in the operation to secure our future.

The IDF began Operation Rising Lion tonight, in order to strategically strike the threats from the Iranian regime against the State of Israel. We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us.

We began this operation because the time has come, we are at the point of no return. We cannot afford to wait for another time to operate, we have no other choice. Recent and past events of history have taught us that when the enemy is attempting to destroy us, we must not turn a blind eye. As such, we need to fight for our existence, the freedom is given to those willing to fight for it.

Right now, we need, more than ever, bravery, spirit and unity among us. I promise you that the IDFs operations are being conducted as a result of immediate and justified operational needs and in a secure and precise manner. It is necessary at this time to make difficult decisions, and be confident that all the decisions made are taken with the gravity of the situation. Civilians of Israel, I cant promise absolute success  the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to. The IDF is prepared to defend the Israeli home front and I ask you to be responsible, for yourselves, for your family and your communities and listen to the instructions.

We have been preparing this operation for a long time  unprecedented efforts have been made across all branches and directorates to achieve readiness against the tangible and present threat. At this time, I ask that you support the IDF troops and security forces, who are operating with strength and determination, both in near and in far fronts. They are defending us all at great risk to their lives. We are calling up tens of thousands of soldiers and prepared across all borders. I warn that anyone who will try to challenge us, will pay a heavy price. We are entering this operation together with one goal  to secure a safer future for the State of Israel and its civilians; in a unified effort and faith, we will win. 77 years since the State of Israel was established, the nation of the Jewish people founded after the Holocaust, we stand again for our survival. Unlike the past, we face an enemy as a nation and regional power, with an army like no other. Beyond the technology, operational means, and methods  we inhibit an additional unique element  the Zionist and Jewish spirit that beats within us. With this spirit  and faith in our justified path  our actions will speak.

Update: 9:55 PM Eastern

We are getting reports that many high-ranking Iranian officials  from military to political figures  were killed in the first wave of strikes.

#BREAKING: Iranian State TV says unconfirmed reports that IRGC Chief Hossein Salami, as well as another general and multiple nuclear scientists have been killed in Israeli strikes  ELINT News (@ELINTNews) June 13, 2025

TWZ has checked infrared imagery from NASAs FIRMS portal and do not see any major infrared events at Irans nuclear facilities, but this could be a time lag issue.

Additional images of follow-on strikes in the daylight are starting to emerge. Air defenses are likely to be targeted heavily in this next stage:

Update: 10:10 pm Eastern

Irans Tasnim News Agency announces the assassination of Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami. This is a major deal. It will spark extreme outrage and calls for revenge, especially among the extremist elements in Iran and the IRGCs orbit, and it is a major victory for Israel. Just how many figureheads Israel has hit will impact Irans command structure and its ability to rapidly react to Israels operations.

More damage seen in Tehran:

U.S. Embassy in Israel puts out a shelter-in-place order:

Israel: As a result of the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.



This is provided for your information as you make your own security plans.



The U.S. Embassy pic.twitter.com/mQC9bHuGwt  Travel  State Dept (@TravelGov) June 13, 2025

Update: 10:50 pm Eastern

Interestingly, there is no clear evidence of Iranian air defenses reacting to Israels strikes. Whether this is due to the types of weapons employed and/or other factors is unknown.

No signs of Iranian air defenses reacting. Could be the weapons used, especially the air launched ballistic missiles or they have wormed/hacked their integrated air defenses, or both. The latter is Israel's specialty.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

The Iranian Air Force is now reportedly patrolling at least a portion of the countrys airspace, which remain shut down to civilian air traffic. The skies over and around Iran were full of commercial aircraft before the strikes began.

Iranian state television has confirmed that the countrys airspace will remain closed for an undetermined period. The Iranian Air Force is currently conducting emergency combat air patrol operations across key sectors.



According to Iranian security sources, a retaliatory pic.twitter.com/qKjwrDGHr3  GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) June 13, 2025

This time-lapse of air traffic over the Middle East shows how civilian airspace cleared after Israels operation against Iran began. pic.twitter.com/aap8ilC2MI  Brady Africk (@bradyafr) June 13, 2025

Israeli officials continue to stress that there is more to come for Operation Rising Lion. Especially absent more active U.S. support, Israel lacks the capacity to sustain very high long-range sortie rates, which could contribute to an extended campaign.

Israeli official: We are just getting started.  Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) June 13, 2025

I am not saying months here, but days/weeks. It gets trickier if they put manned aircraft into Iranian airspace.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

We went on the offensive because the time has come, we have reached the point of no return. We must not wait for another time to act, we have no choice, IDF Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir has now said in a statement. History, both distant and recent, has taught us that in the face of ambitions to destroy us, we must not bow our heads, and from this we fight to preserve our existence. Freedom was given to those who are willing to fight for it.

I warn you, anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price, he added. We are going into battle together with one goal in mind  to bring a safer future to the State of Israel and its citizens. With faith, together, and joint effort, we will win.

:     ,   -.      ,   .                  .      



 ,    pic.twitter.com/kFXYjAI9uo     (@idfonline) June 13, 2025

History is watching you. pic.twitter.com/T3VOorseeV  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

There are now also multiple reports that Iran is preparing a harsh and decisive response to the Israeli strikes. Spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, General Abolfazl Shekarchi, has reportedly said Israel and the United States will receive a forceful slap.

IRAN IS PLANNING TO 'GIVE A HARSH RESPONSE' TO ISRAELI ATTACK, IRANIAN SECURITY SOURCE TO REUTERS  Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 13, 2025

The Spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, General Shekarchi has said that Israel and the United States will recieve a forceful slap and Irans Armed Forces are prepared and would be retaliating in force soon with counterstrikes. He said a retaliation attack is definite, God pic.twitter.com/LDweGcgTfU  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Additional claims of senior Iranian officials killed in Israels strikes, as well as imagery of targets hit, continue to emerge, though many continue to remain unconfirmed at this time.

Israeli media claims Ali Shamkhani, head of Irans nuclear program and senior advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei, was targeted by Israel. pic.twitter.com/anEJi6ELTZ  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Reports about Israeli strikes in Ilam, western Iran. pic.twitter.com/AyFNT8ORzm  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 13, 2025

Update: 11:10 pm Eastern

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been briefed about the Israeli strikes and is alive, Reuters has now reported, citing an unnamed security source. There had been reports that his residence had been targeted.

IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI IS ALIVE, BRIEFED ABOUT THE SITUATION FOLLOWING ISRAELI STRIKE , SECURITY SOURCE TELLS REUTERS  Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 13, 2025

Ali Shamkhani, Political Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader is confirmed alive, despite reports of his residence being targeted.  Saeed Azimi (@SaeedAzimi1772) June 13, 2025

During their call on Monday, President Donald Trump reportedly told his Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not to attack Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal. Israels public broadcaster Kan has separately reported that Israeli officials informed their American counterparts in advance, and their strikes were fully coordinated with the U.S. government.

ISRAEL NOTIFIED WASHINGTON BEFORE IRAN STRIKE, ISRAELI OFFICIAL TELLS KAN  Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 13, 2025

ISRAEL FULLY COORDINATED WITH WASHINGTON ON IRAN, ISRAELI OFFICIAL TELLS ISRAEL PUBLIC BROADCASTER KAN  Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) June 13, 2025

There continue to be reports of additional Israeli strikes on Tehran and other locations across Iran.

Explosions and air-defense activity reported over the Iranian capital of Tehran, amid another wave of strikes against the city by Israel. pic.twitter.com/ibdEuSROZa  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Additional strikes reported on the Iranian capital of Tehran. pic.twitter.com/U6T8UC01XD  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Israeli strikes in Kermanshah pic.twitter.com/QrsRNI0D4X  Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) June 13, 2025

Update: 11:45 pm Eastern

The IDF has released additional details of Israels assessment of Irans nuclear efforts that it says prompted the decision to strike pre-emptively.

Recent intelligence shows Iran is nearing the point of no return in its race toward a nuclear weapon. The regime is producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified enrichment compounds, in underground, fortified sites. This program has pic.twitter.com/lf3SYNGWqf  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Israels strikes on Iran have targeted at least six military bases in the Tehran area, including one at Parchin, along with multiple compounds and residences of senior leadership, according to The New York Times. Separate reports say that Israel has now carried out five waves of strikes in total.

The Israeli Air Force has so far carried out five waves of strikes in Iran, a military official tells The Times of Israel.



Hundreds of strikes have been carried out in total.



The IDF said earlier it was striking Iranian nuclear sites, military sites, and top military and  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Breaking: Israel struck at least six military bases around Tehran, including Parchin, plus two secure commanders compounds and multiple residential buildings in apparent targeted assassinations, four senior Iranian officials tell the NYThttps://t.co/LlbVNvm2nS pic.twitter.com/5Dlb0ei1Jk  Faytuks News (@Faytuks) June 13, 2025

At least one of Israels strikes on a residence has been geolocated to a particular area of eastern Tehran.

Israeli missile strike damages apartment in East Tehran. Geolocated to 35.812 N, 51.518 E.



This is just South of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's "Diplomatic Club".



@JamesMartinCNS pic.twitter.com/TSRy6jVOkQ  Carl Parkin (@CRParkin) June 13, 2025

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri was among those killed in the strikes, according to Irans Fars News.

#BREAKING: Chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri killed in Israeli strikes  Fars news pic.twitter.com/6Hb6XA8gwI  Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) June 13, 2025

Israel carried out with its evil and bloody hand a crime in our dear country and revealed its wicked nature further by hitting residential areas, Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei has now said in a statement. The regime should await a harsh response.

With this crime, [Israel] has sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that [destiny] brought upon it, he added.

As for the individuals Israel targeted, their successors and colleagues will immediately pick up their work, Khamenei vowed.

The Iranian Supreme Leader has not, at least for now, explicitly declared war on Israel.

No declaration of war. https://t.co/aSmgz5pWHj  Aurora Intel (@AuroraIntel) June 13, 2025

Update: 12:00 am Eastern

Fox News is now reporting that President Trump was aware of Israels strikes in advance, but that he has denied any U.S. involvement. Trump has also insisted that he remains interested in a negotiated agreement with Iran over its nuclear ambitions.

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, Trump reportedly told Foxs Bret Baier. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.

The U.S. military is now prepared to defend itself and Israel from any potential Iranian retaliation, according to Fox.

Exclusive: @BretBaier spoke to President Trump by phone tonight following start of airstrikes.

Heres what he said:



President Trump was aware of the strikes beforehand. There were no surprises, but the US was NOT involved militarily and hopes Iran will return to the  Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) June 13, 2025

Update: 12:15 am Eastern

Lets slow down for a moment for some analysis. Iran is threatening to respond in major force. Their ability to do so and at what scale remains unclear due to chaos in the command structure and whatever Israel has struck, as well as what cyber/espionage operations have been initiated. There are many unknowns. Iran has the ability to rain ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones down on Israel, as well as U.S. bases across the region, but this is under conditions when their country is not under direct attack from its prime nemesis. If they do go after U.S. bases, then a major fork in the road is created for the Trump administration. Does the U.S. then join Israels kinetic operation or not?

Israel clearly could benefit massively from the U.S. military joining the fold, even in a direct supporting manner, not an actively kinetic one (more on that in a moment). At the same time, the U.S. has kinetic capabilities Israel does not, especially when it comes to hitting deeply buried nuclear installations with the B-2/Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) combination. Some high-value U.S. aircraft appear to be evacuating some bases in the Persian Gulf area, which is an indicator of the risk window these installations are entering into.

U.S. seems to be currently evacuating critical aerial assets from Middle East. pic.twitter.com/ERCvdWbcue  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

As for other forms of support, Israel lacks a robust aerial refueling capacity. A long-range operation like this is going to take weeks to execute with this critical bottleneck. The U.S. military could supply aerial refueling and drastically ratchet up Israels sortie rates to accelerate the campaign. Its possible American forces are doing this now, even to a limited degree. However, there is absolutely no proof of that now, and there should be if the USAF tanker force was fully supporting Israels operation.

Then there is the question of whether Israel will push manned combat aircraft deep into Iran. This drastically complicates operations, especially if combat search and rescue is required. There are only indications of standoff attacks, likely launched from near the Iran-Iraq border, at least at this time. So far, Irans air defenses have been silent. While previous Israeli attacks on Iran degraded key air defense capabilities, they didnt dismantle Irans eclectic integrated air defense system. So it is likely that Israel has wormed/hacked their system, or large portions of it. This is a known capability that Israel wrote the book on, and nowhere else would they be more prepared to deploy it than in this operation they have been preparing for for decades.

Then there is the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has very low-tech capabilities, as well as higher-tech ones, which can deny that waterway to any ship movements. Interdicting these operations would be impossible for Israel and would require the U.S. and Arab Gulf States to launch a major operation. Regardless, it remains a major wildcard, as it always has been the case in this projected scenario. It also has the greatest risk of internationalizing the conflict.

Update: 12:50 am Eastern

Additional imagery has emerged that is said to show the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Iranian underground missile facilities.

This is the Kermanshah Underground Facility (UGF) at 34.368586, 47.236778



POV starts around 34.35011, 47.22774 https://t.co/8aLGc9qhBc pic.twitter.com/erm8v6LKM5  Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 13, 2025

              pic.twitter.com/qQKwJrLLCu    (@orfialkov) June 13, 2025

Iranian ballistic missile site in Tabriz, Iran, reportedly hit by Israeli forces this morning, major secondary explosions seen. pic.twitter.com/jT441ZB2eO  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

An image has also emerged that is said to show a strike on a radar site in western Iran. There had previously been reports that Israel was targeting Iranian strategic air defense radars.

An Iranian (stationary) early warning/acquisition radar site reportedly targeted near Subashi 

in Hamadan province. Tentative geolocation: 35.1854516353, 48.2706791099 pic.twitter.com/zwAUbm9lZB  Shahryar Pasandideh (@shahpas) June 13, 2025

Update: 1:15 AM Eastern

IDF states 100 drones have been launched from Iran at Israel. Last time this occurred, Israel, US and allied forces nullified the entire armada of drones, which was even greater in number. This time those defending Israel are far more prepared and experienced with dealing with a large-scale long-range attack of this nature. Keep in mind that it will take the drones many hours to reach Israel, if they are not shot down in advance. Usually their arrival would be timed with ballistic missile strikes. Just how capable Iran is of launching a large ballistic missile barrage at this time remains unclear.

#BREAKING Iran launches about 100 drones towards Israel, army working to intercept, says Israeli military pic.twitter.com/yRSgZPEasf  AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 13, 2025

Isreal is executing major SEAD/DEAD operations as this next phase of the campaign kicks into high gear.

A security source tells IDF Radio that the Israeli Air Force has so far carried out 5 waves of attacks across Iran



Meanwhile, two Iranian officials tell the NYT that a third wave of attacks is ongoing targeting radars and air defence across the country.https://t.co/aaTHX9kloL pic.twitter.com/KdpdgIA56m  Faytuks News (@Faytuks) June 13, 2025

Netanyahu toutes early successes in the operation:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning:



"We are after a very successful opening strike. With G-d's help, we are going to have many more achievements." pic.twitter.com/Ahdzd9d0fb  Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Update: 1:36 AM Eastern

Iranian drones on their way to Israel spotted over Iraq.

Additional footage showing Iranian drones flying over Eastern Iraq towards Israel. pic.twitter.com/yXhlCxJVhh  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Footage supposedly showing launches for the first wave of strikes shows F-15A-D and F-16Ds, as well as F-35s heading out.

The IDF releases footage showing Israeli Air Force fighter jets heading out for the strikes in Iran this morning, as well as landing following the attacks. pic.twitter.com/1xbif5i8gK  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

Munitions include the standard JDAM/Sparrow/short-range AAM, Elta-8222 self-escort pod loadout on the F-15A-D Bazs, meanwhile an F-16D is seen carrying the AN/ASW-55 datalink pod used to control the Popeye missile.

F-16D with AN/ASW-55 data-link pod for Popeye missile seen launching for a strike sortie in Iran (IDF claim). It allows the crew to fly the missile via man-in-the-loop control all the way to the target with a first person view. Incredibly precise. pic.twitter.com/27y7dTibmX  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

An image just released by the IAF shows F-16Is loaded with quad racks of Small Diameter Bombs and AIM-120s.

/photo/1

The IAF says 200 fighters were involved in the initial strikes:

We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Irans Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets.



These are three ruthless mass murderers with  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

Update: 2:30 AM Eastern

Saudis condemn the attack publicly. This is expected. Although it is a very complicated issue and there are huge risk here to the region, a nuclear Iran would be hugely problematic for the Sunni gulf states.

The Foreign Ministry of Saudi Arabia has released a statement condemning Israels attacks against Iran:



The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its condemnation and strong denunciation of the Israeli attacks that targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran, which violate its pic.twitter.com/jOnnO5E4Mv  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

The Royal Saudi Air Force is up and watching the waves of Israeli jets and the Iranian counter-strike. Whether they provide defensive info to the U.S. during such a time is unknown.

 Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS up. pic.twitter.com/sd8NSlAQKP  Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) June 13, 2025

The house of the senior nuclear scientist who was assassinated in a strike:

House of Ali Shamkhani, head of Irans nuclear program and senior advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei in the aftermath of Israeli attacks. pic.twitter.com/K4tjQoBiUp  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Update: 3:12 AM Eastern

Israel released animation of areas it struck. This makes sense as they are relatively close to Irans western border, where the IAF has access. As the operation goes on, strikes will go deeper east.

Israeli Army relases a new video showing Iran's regions that were attacked by Israel. pic.twitter.com/pVT9gD4dFE  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Just as we predicted above, IDF is saying the operation will last roughly two weeks.

NEW: Israeli official says the military attack targeting Iran would continue for TWO WEEKS  Israels Channel 12  Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) June 13, 2025

The UK says it wont take part in defending Israel against drone and cruise missile strikes this time around.

BREAKING   



UK says it will not take part in defense drone interceptions or any interceptions like I did in the past.



-The times.  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025

Jordan says they have intercepted drones and missiles in its airspace. This area should, like last time, be the primary engagement zone for drone interceptions.

The Jordanian Armed Forces report that the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) intercepted a number of missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace this morning, adding that RJAF aircraft are operating at a high level of readiness to protect the skies of the Hashemite pic.twitter.com/qrjOQ00EJU  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025

Update: 4:22 am Eastern:

Israel has posted a video of a man-in-the-loop missile attack on an air defense system in Iran:

IDF released a video of its strike against Iran's air defenses pic.twitter.com/KSPOK6pkqt  Michael A. Horowitz (@michaelh992) June 13, 2025

        -. pic.twitter.com/53NHYsJ381  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Iran has raised its red flag of revenge, apparently:

Iran has raised the red revenge flag 4 times in the past five years:



 After Qassem Soleimanis assassination (Jan 2020)

 After the bombing in Kerman (Jan 2024)

 After Ismail Haniyehs assassination (July 2024)

 After Israels latest strikes (June 2025) https://t.co/ulQVYgFWLq  Clash Report (@clashreport) June 13, 2025

Basic map of areas struck:

Israel's 'Operation Rising Lion' has hit deep inside Iran targeting nuclear sites, vital military assets & top officials, severely damaging the nations command structure  this strike map will be updated as new data becomes available pic.twitter.com/KVoa2dQR4e  Damien Symon (@detresfa_) June 13, 2025

Update: 6:30 AM Eastern

Check out our new post on Israels commando operation inside Iran that targeted air defenses here.

We have concluded updates on this article, and you can find our ongoing rolling coverage here.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
The News

Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran aimed at hamstringing its nuclear program, the Israeli military said.

The attack marks a major escalation amid US efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran.

Explosions could be heard in Tehran early Friday morning local time, US wire services and the state-run Nour News reported. Sirens rang out across Israel as well  a warning against what security official Tzvika Tessler said was an anticipated significant attack from the east, though no counterstrike has yet occurred, he said.

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According to Iranian state-controlled outlet Tasnim News Agency, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, was killed in Israels attack on Tehran. Iranian officials told The New York Times that Israel attacked six military bases as well as complexes housing military commanders in what appear to be targeted assassinations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israelis the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat, and said the strikes were targeted at Irans nuclear missile program.

The Jewish state refuses to be the victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by an Iranian regime, he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order imposing a special state of emergency, he told domestic media in the wake of the attack.

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The strike came amid US talks with Iran aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from developing nuclear weapons. Netanyahu said the strikes hit one of Irans main enrichment facilities, Natanz; smoke was seen rising from the location.

Know More

State Secretary Marco Rubio Thursday night described the Israeli strike as unilateral but said the US was in close contact with allies in the region.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, he said, adding, Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Major US stock market futures sank Thursday night on reports of the attack, while Brent crude oil jumped above $7 a barrel.

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President Donald Trump spent the evening participating in the annual Congressional Picnic. In public remarks in days prior, Trump had noted the possibility of Israeli-Iranian hostilities worsening. I dont want to say imminent, but it looks like its something that could very well happen, Trump said. Earlier this week, the US withdrew personnel from the region, though Trump insisted Thursday that Israel didnt tell me anything.

The View From Capitol Hill

US lawmakers struck notably varied tones on the strike. Republicans largely affirmed Israels right to strike Iran; Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said he cannot understand why Israel would launch a preemptive strike at this juncture, given ongoing nuclear talks, and said Americans have no interest in another forever war.

Sen. Chris Murphy went further, saying the attack was clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administrations negotiations with Iran and risks a regional war.

We have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe, the Democrat said.
Israels attacks on Iranian nuclear and military sites mark a significant escalation in regional tensions, and may reshape Tehrans nuclear calculus.

The coordinated strikes killed several senior military and security officials, including the head of Irans military Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami.

One of the concerns in attacking the nuclear sites has been that setbacks could lead Iran to reconstitute their operations with a more determined effort to obtain a nuclear deterrent, said Ali Vaez, an expert on Iran for the International Crisis Group (ICG).





Sceptics validated

Iran has long had an internal debate among reformers and hardliners about whether to reach an agreement with the United States on its nuclear programme.

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[The attacks] likely confirmed the position of hardliners and ultra hardliners who said that Iran was wasting its time to try and negotiate with the West  they said Iran can never negotiate from a position of weakness and appeasement, said Reza H Akbari, an analyst on Iran and the Middle East and North Africa Programme Manager at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.

Talks between Iran and the US have suffered from a large trust deficit after President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled out of the nuclear deal between Iran and several Western nations, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), during his first term in 2018.

The JCPOA was orchestrated by Trumps predecessor Barack Obama and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in 2015.

It aimed to monitor Irans nuclear programme to ensure it did not approach weaponisation levels. In exchange, some sanctions were lifted from Iran.

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While the deal was lauded as an achievement of diplomacy, Israel disapproved of the JCPOA. Ten years later, the US and Iran appeared interested in striking another similar deal.

The former ostensibly did not want to get dragged into a regional war as tensions mounted across the Middle East, while the latter was again looking for much-needed sanction relief.

But Israels strikes on Iran, which were reportedly planned months in advance and with US approval, have scuttled any diplomatic solution in the short term, said Akbari.

Its hard to imagine that someone in the shoes of Irans supreme leader [Ali Khamenei] is not taking the side of hardliners after this, he told Al Jazeera.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025 [File: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA/Handout via Reuters]

No other options

In response to Israels strikes, Iran has launched drones and ballistic missiles at Israel, with some hitting targets on the ground.

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In the past, Irans deterrence against external aggression relied primarily on its self-described Axis of Resistance.

The axis consisted of powerful armed groups across the region, such as Lebanons Hezbollah, as well as Syria under former President Bashar al-Assad.

However, Hezbollahs capabilities were degraded significantly during the peak of its recent war with Israel, which lasted from September to late November last year.

Al-Assads fall in December, the culmination of a more than decade-long civil war in Syria, also compromised Irans ability to resupply Hezbollah through Syria, as it used to do.

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Trump is now exploiting Irans weakness by urging it to capitulate to a deal that would see it give up its nuclear programme, said Michael Stephens, an expert on regional response to Irans nuclear programme with the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI), a defence think tank.





On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left of the country and that the next Israeli attacks will be even more brutal.

Later that evening, Israel carried out more air strikes on Irans military sites and nuclear facilities.

There are no good options for [Iran] really, said Stephens.

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Either Khamenei  orders his negotiators to compromise on the nuclear file or  he holds firm [and] more sites are hit and further targeted assassinations of high-level officials take place, he told Al Jazeera.

Either way, if Iran decides to sprint towards a bomb, its going to be very, very difficult to do that now, he added.

Last stand

Despite Irans military weakness compared with the US and Israel, it is wary of giving up its nuclear programme, analysts told Al Jazeera.

Negar Mortazavi, an expert on Iran with the Centre for International Policy (CIP), said Iranian officials have long referred to the fate of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who agreed to give up his nuclear weapons programme in exchange for US sanction relief in 2003.

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The deal came after the US President George W Bush had launched his so-called War on Terror after the September 11, 2001, attacks, which led to the invasion and prolonged occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

At the time, Bush warned his partners and foes in the region that they were either with us or against us.

Former US President George W. Bush, right, with Vice President Dick Cheney at his side, speaks during a meeting with congressional leaders in the White House Oval Office on September 18, 2002 [File: Doug Mills/AP]

Eight years after Gaddafi gave up his nuclear programme, the US backed a pro-democracy uprising in Libya, which spiralled into an armed rebellion and led to Gaddafis overthrow and eventual death.

The [Libya] scenario is something that Iran has taken notice of, and they dont want to go down that path, Mortazavi explained.

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She added that Iran may likely pull out from the JCPOA and try to quickly expand its nuclear programme in reaction to Israels ongoing assault.

Just how far and how soon Iran will expand its nuclear programme is unclear, Mortazavi told Al Jazeera.
Israels attack on Iran will no doubt set back Tehrans nuclear ambitions. But among many Middle East obsessives, theres a growing sense that the Israeli operation has the potential to lead to something much bigger: toppling Irans Islamist government.

Yeah, Ill say it. Regime change.

Its a phrase that normally sends shudders through a Washington and a Middle East chastened by the U.S. experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its a concept that has long left President Donald Trump extremely wary; his administration has already put out word it played no role in the attack. And the Israeli government hasnt declared that regime change is its official objective.

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Still, as Ive listened to Israeli comments on the strikes and learned about their scope, including assassinations of top Iranian military officials, Ive been struck by how theyre not dismissing the possibility of regime change, either. When you put the moves in the context of Israeli military actions since fall 2023  strikes that have ousted, helped oust or decimated multiple Iran-allied regimes in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria  it doesnt seem that far-fetched.

Ousting, or at the very least severely weakening, Irans regime also is something Israel can arguably do on its own; it doesnt necessarily need American help on the offensive end.

In his many-layered initial remarks about the early Friday strikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation against Iran will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. He never limited the definition of that threat to Irans nuclear program.

Thats because the Israeli government sees Irans regime itself, not merely its nuclear and military infrastructure, as the real danger. Given that Iranian leaders, many of them fervent believers in extreme Shia Islamist ideology, have long threatened to annihilate Israel, thats an unsurprising conclusion.

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As reports came in about the strikes and assassinations, I reached out to several current and former U.S. officials as well as analysts asking if the Israelis real goal was regime change.

No one ruled it out, and this was a bipartisan crowd.

Why not? Sure, said one former senior U.S. official who dealt with Middle East issues during the Biden administration. Wouldnt that be grand? I granted the former official, and others, anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue candidly.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, an analyst with the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, pointed out that the Israeli strikes went beyond just infrastructure and targeted Irans command and control, meaning the operation cant simply be defined as counterproliferation.

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Many in the Iranian diaspora  a famously fractious group where hopes of reforming Irans regime have long faded  are hoping this is the moment theyve long awaited.

Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran whose father, the shah, was ousted by Islamist revolutionaries in the late 1970s, called on ordinary Iranians to seize the day and Iranian security forces to break with the clerical leadership.

The regime is weak and divided. It could fall, he wrote on social media. As I have told my compatriots: Iran is yours and yours to reclaim. I am with you. Stay strong and we will win.

As the hours wore on Friday, and after this column was first published, Netanyahu weighed in with similar exhortations to Iranians, telling them that the Islamist regime has "never been weaker" and that Israel is "clearing the path for you to achieve your freedom."

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"The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy by standing up for your freedom from the evil and oppressive regime," he said.

There are many, many unknowns.

Can Israel really carry out an operation that spurs regime change on its own?

Military analysts generally agree that Israel would need U.S. help to take out all of Irans nuclear infrastructure, much of which is buried deep underground. But if Israel pursues more assassinations, including of Iranian political leaders, a regime collapse isnt out of the question.

Iran has already begun retaliating against Israel with drones and missiles. Israelis need to determine how long theyre willing to endure such bombardments  if Iran can keep them up. The U.S. and some Arab states are almost sure to help Israel defend itself, as they have before.

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Whether Iranians would turn on the regime is unclear. In some scenarios like this, youd expect a rally-around-the-flag effect. But Ive watched Iran for years, and my sense is that Iranians are so sick of the regime that many would welcome outside help in getting rid of it.

Their response could depend, however, on Israeli tactics.

Strikes that are confined to military and nuclear targets will be a blow to the regimes prestige, whereas strikes that cause broader economic and civilian harm could spur a different kind of popular response, noted Michael Singh, who served on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration.

Even if the Iranian government survives this Israeli onslaught, it could be weakened enough that its demise comes sooner than it would have otherwise. But that could depend on how much pressure outside powers, especially the United States, continue to place on a regime whose anti-Americanism is foundational.

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Already, there are calls from world capitals for Israel and Iran to avoid escalation. Given Israels pattern in places like Gaza and Lebanon, I wouldnt bet on it heeding those demands. Sometimes the calls ring hollow anyway, especially if they come from Arab countries that would be thrilled to see Irans regime fall.

Even Trump, whom Netanyahu practically campaigned for, doesnt seem able to influence Israels decisions.

Hes long been wary of getting entangled in Middle Eastern wars, and  publicly, at least  hed urged Israel to wait until U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations were further along. But Israel struck before another round of those talks was due to be held Sunday.

In his latest social media posts, Trump was using the threat of further Israeli strikes to urge the Iranians to make a deal that would constrain their nuclear program. (Iran has long claimed that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, not weapons.)

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Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, Trump wrote. (He may have meant the Persian Empire, which hasnt existed in quite a while, but thats not the point.)

Even if the regime falls, theres no reason to be certain that something better will replace it, current and former officials warn. A failed, leaderless Iranian state could be a breeding ground for all sorts of new problems. A much more militarized autocracy also could take over, one unabashedly determined to obtain a nuclear weapon.

History tells us it can always be worse, Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. intelligence officer, wrote in an online analysis. Israel might find itself in a perpetual, ongoing, and far more intense war that is no longer in the shadows, as it has been for years.

Israel, however, may not be thinking that many steps ahead, argued one U.S. official who has long worked on the Middle East.

"I dont think they care enough about what comes next as long as it's too weak to threaten Israel," the official said.
Before Israel launched an unprecedented wave of strikes against Irans nuclear facilities and top military leaders this week, its spies were already on the ground in enemy territory.

Israeli intelligence agency Mossad had smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of the strikes, according to Israeli security officials, and would use the weapons to target Irans defense from within.

The officials said Israel established a base for launching explosive drones inside Iran, and the drones were later used to target missile launchers near Tehran. Precision weapons were also smuggled in and used to target surface-to-air missile systems, clearing the way for Israels Air Force to carry out more than 100 strikes with upward of 200 aircraft in the early hours of Friday local time.

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The plan to disable Iranian defenses seems to have been effective; Israel said all of its aircraft returned safely from the first waves of strikes, appearing to show Israeli air superiority over parts of a country hundreds of miles away.

Intelligence gathered by the Mossad in Iran also gave Israels air force the ability to target senior Iranian commanders and scientists.

In an incredibly rare move, the Mossad released video from some of its operations, showing drones attacking what appear to be unsuspecting missile launchers.

It is the latest operation to show how deeply Israels intelligence services, including the Mossad, have penetrated some of Irans most closely guarded secrets. The operations have made the Mossad appear a nearly unstoppable force in Iran, capable of hitting at some of its highest-ranking officials and most sensitive sites.

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Mossad has treated Iran like its playground for years now, said Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute and curator of the Iranist newsletter.

From assassinating top nuclear scientists to sabotaging Iranian nuclear facilities, Israel has proved time and time again that it has always had the upper hand in this shadow war that has now been playing out in the open since the first tit-for-tat strikes in April 2024.

An Israeli security source said the latest operation required commando forces operating deep within Tehran and across the country while avoiding detection from Irans security and intelligence agencies. The source said Mossad teams targeted air defense missiles, ballistic missiles, and missile launchers as the attack from the Israeli Air Force began.

A second Israeli security source said the Mossad operations were years in the making, involving both intelligence-gathering efforts and the deployment of Mossad commandos deep behind enemy lines.

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Some of the Mossad commando forces operated in the Iranian capital itself, according to the security source.

A video shared with CNN appears to show a one-way attack drone targeting a missile launcher. - Mossad

In addition to the drone base established by the Mossad long before Wednesdays attack, Mossad commandos deployed precision-guided weapons systems near Iranian missile air defense systems, which were activated at the same time as the Israeli air force began striking its targets. A second operation deployed sophisticated vehicle-mounted weaponry to target other Iranian defense systems.

The Mossad operation also involved assassinations of top Iranian officials.

Israel has shown  flaunted even  the Mossads ability to operate with near impunity in Iran in the past.

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Starting in the early-2010s, Iran accused Israel of carrying out a campaign of assassinations against the countrys nuclear scientists. Former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon tacitly acknowledged the targeted killings when he said in 2015 that Israel cannot be held responsible for the life expectancy of Irans nuclear scientists.

From 2007 to 2012 Israel allegedly carried out five covert assassinations, nearly all in Tehran, through remote-controlled bombings, or remote-controlled machine guns. Only one of Irans key nuclear scientists survived the assassination attempt, Fereydoon Abbasi.

Just last month, Abbasi told Iranian state media that any attack on production sites would have little impact on the timeline of developing a bomb, saying, our capabilities are spread all over the country. If they target production sites, it will be inconsequential to our timetable, because our nuclear materials are not stored above ground for them to hit.

Abbasi was one of the scientists killed in Israels early morning attack in Tehran.

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The Mossads actions soon became much more public.

In early-2018, Israel stole Irans nuclear archive from Tehran, displaying the intelligence coup in a live broadcast from Jerusalem. Speaking in English, Netanyahu showed off the archive, including what he said were copies of 55,000 pages of Iranian nuclear information and a display of discs he said were 55,000 files.

Iran tried to dismiss Netanyahus comments as childish and laughable, but the plundering of the archive showed the confidence Israel had in the Mossads ability to function in Tehran. The operation, which would have required extensive planning and an intimate knowledge of the archives location and security, pushed the first Trump administration to withdraw from the original nuclear agreement with Iran, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Israel wasnt done yet.

Military personnel stand near the flag-draped coffin of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh during his funeral in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, November 30, 2020. - Iranian Defense Ministry/AP

In November 2020, Israel assassinated Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Irans chief nuclear scientist, while he was in a bulletproof car traveling with his wife. Fakhrizadehs car was moving in a convoy with three security vehicles when he came under fire. Iranian state media said a remote-controlled machine gun opened fire on the nuclear scientist, who had been a long-time target for Israel.

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The operation, which Israel has not publicly acknowledged, was carried out with remarkable precision, and it displayed a deep knowledge of Fakhrizadehs pattern of life.

And yet despite its repeated inability to stop the Mossad, Iran has proven incapable of improving.

Ram Ben Barak, the former deputy director of the Mossad, said the organizations continued success is due to a very, very disliked regime, even hated by most of the public, so this allows for intelligence penetration on one hand, and on the other, you have the sophistication and professionalism of the Israeli intelligence personnel.

After the start of the war in Gaza, Israel assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the heart of Tehran. A source familiar with the matter said Israel planted an explosive device in a guest house where Haniyeh was known to stay. The bomb was concealed in the room for two months before the targeted killing and detonated remotely once Haniyeh was in the room.

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By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel sent Mossad commandos deep into Iran to destroy Iranian weapons systems during Israel's attack on nuclear and military targets, an Israeli security source said, while another official said Israel used a ploy to suggest the strike was not imminent.

The Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the clandestine nature of the operations, described secret and lengthy preparations that went into an attack that sent oil prices sharply higher on fears of regional escalation.

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Reuters could not independently verify the accounts.

Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters shortly before the attack had been dismissive about any imminent action and repeatedly said talk of strikes was just "psychological pressure" to influence U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations that were due on Sunday.

Iran has not given a detailed account of what its Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called "unlawful and cowardly attacks", but it has promised a harsh response. Iran's mission at the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Israel's covert operation and other subterfuge related to the attacks.

Ahead of the strike, Israel gave the impression its focus was still on U.S. diplomacy towards a nuclear deal with Iran, briefing journalists that its spy chief would go to Washington before the next negotiations.

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Instead, Israel said it sent 200 warplanes to conduct a wave of air strikes across Iran before dawn on Friday, hitting nuclear facilities and missile factories, and killing military commanders and nuclear scientists, in a culmination of its efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Iran says its nuclear programme is purely civilian.

The Israeli security source said Israel's military and Mossad had worked for years on the intelligence needed for the strikes, which killed the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps among others.

The security source said Mossad commandos had covertly deployed weapons across Iran, including explosive drones that were launched at a surface-to-surface missile base near Tehran.

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The Mossad commandos also fired precision-guided weapons systems at Iranian surface-to-air missile systems as the Israeli attack got underway, reducing the threat to Israeli warplanes.

A grainy black and white video distributed by Mossad showed what it said were the organization's operational force - two camouflaged figures crouched in what looks like desert terrain, deploying the precision weapons system meant to destroy Iran's air defence systems.

Some of the operation's components would have taken years to be put together, said Sima Shine, a former chief Mossad analyst and now a researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).

The decision to strike Iran was made on Monday, the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone, when Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz and military chief Eyal Zamir decided the operation would begin on Friday, said a second source, an Israeli defence official.

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Their discussion was held after the conversation between Trump and Netanyahu, a third official, close to Netanyahu, said.

PRESS BRIEFINGS

The final green light was given by Netanyahu's security cabinet, which convened on Thursday night.

In the days leading up to the strikes, Israel played out a ploy to create the impression an attack was not imminent, according to a fourth source, also an Israeli official.

False reports suggesting that a rift between Israel and the United States had emerged during Netanyahu and Trump's phone call on Monday were not denied, the fourth source said.

A press release about a visit by Katz, Zamir and the head of Israel's Air Force Tomer Bar to an air force base mentioned Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon - but not Iran.

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The fourth source said that the ruse included misleading information given in press briefings. As the attack unfolded in the early hours of Friday, some Israeli journalists pointed to one such briefing, according to which Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Head David Barnea were to be sent to Washington ahead of the next round of nuclear talks on Sunday.

Dermer later appeared seated with Netanyahu at Israel's defence headquarters bunker in Tel Aviv, in a video distributed by the prime minister's office.

A fifth, military source said that Israel had been able to surprise Iran but since the operation was not over, there could be "difficult days" ahead.

Iran, which fired ballistic missiles at Israel when they traded blows last year, has promised "harsh punishment" in response to the attack. Israel said it had intercepted many of the 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
JOHANNESBURG, June 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Friday condemned Israel's attacks on Iran, calling for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

"South Africa expresses profound concern regarding the attacks conducted by Israel on targets within Iran on 13 June 2025, including reported impacts on military areas, nuclear facilities, and civilian infrastructure. Reports of civilian casualties, alongside military personnel, are deeply troubling," said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) in a statement issued Friday night.

"These actions raise serious concerns under international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the protection of civilians enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law," it said.

The department noted that South Africa is particularly concerned about the implications for nuclear safety and security arising from attacks in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference passed a resolution against attacks on peaceful nuclear installations as violations of the UN Charter and international law, it said.

While extending its sincere condolences to the Iranian government and the families of all victims, South Africa also reiterated its unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"South Africa urges maximum restraint by all parties and calls for the urgent intensification of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and promote stability in the Middle East," said DIRCO.

"We support ongoing bilateral discussions, such as those between the U.S. and Iran, and reaffirm the critical importance of establishing a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East," it added. 
Israel's unprecedented strikes on its archfoe Iran Friday are a resounding blow for Tehran that has thrown into doubt its ability to respond militarily, analysts said.

Israel said it hit 100 targets including Iranian nuclear and military sites in the attack.

The airstrikes killed senior figures, among them leaders of the Revolutionary Guards, the armed forces' chief and top nuclear scientists.

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Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks.

But analysts say the Islamic republic's options are limited, after Israel showed itself capable of precisely locating and taking out high-ranking Iranian officials.

"This is an intelligence defeat of existential proportions for the Islamic Republic," said Ali Fathollah-Nejad, director of the Berlin-based Center for Middle East and Global Order (CMEG) think tank.

"It exposes the vital vulnerability of the regime's military and security apparatus and its key infrastructures -- including nuclear -- as well as its top political and military leadership," he told AFP.

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"All this is meant, inter alia, to cripple Tehran's command and counter-strike capacities."

The United States and other Western countries, along with Israel, accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon.

Tehran denies that, but has gradually broken away from its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers, after the United States pulled out of it.

The landmark accord provided Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after President Donald Trump halted US participation in 2018, during his first term.

- Tehran 'in a bind' -

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Western nations in recent days accused Tehran of deliberately escalating its nuclear programme, despite several rounds of US-Iran talks for a new accord.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Thursday it would "significantly" increase production of enriched uranium, after the UN's nuclear watchdog found Tehran in breach of its obligations.

Israel has previously carried out attacks in the Islamic republic, including against military targets in October last year.

But Friday's attacks were unprecedented.

"The Israel campaign is sweeping in scope and sophistication," said Ali Vaez, of the International Crisis Group.

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"We may still only be in the early stages of a prolonged operation that continues to expand, disrupting Iran's ability to either formulate or execute a response."

Friday's strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported.

A senior adviser to Khamenei was also wounded, state television said.

Israel hit a key underground nuclear site in Natanz several times, it also said, reporting that most damage was at "surface level".

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British intelligence firm Janes said, however, that hitting Natanz will "have almost certainly dealt a significant blow to Iran's enrichment capabilities and facilities".

Clement Therme, of the Sorbonne University, said that "to retaliate, the regime seems to be in a bind".

"Either it targets US bases in the region and jeopardises its future, or it targets Israel, but we see that its military capabilities are limited," he said.

The Israeli military said Iran launched around 100 drones against it, but its air defences intercepted "most" of them outside Israeli territory.

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- Iran's 'cataclysmic' economy -

Israel, which relies on US diplomatic and military support, carried out the attack despite Trump's public urging for it to give time for diplomacy.

Trump's Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff had been set to hold a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in Oman.

Iran wants a new deal that would ease the sanctions that have battered its economy.

A Western diplomat earlier this year described Iran's economy as "cataclysmic", saying the country had "a gigantic need for the lifting of sanctions, reforms, a cleanup of the banking system, foreign investments".

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Ellie Geranmayeh, an Iran expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the strikes were "designed to kill President Trump's chances of striking a deal to contain the Iranian nuclear programme".

"It is highly unlikely that in these conditions, Iran will proceed with the Omani-mediated talks scheduled for Sunday," she added.

But, after the strikes, a US official said Washington still hoped the Sunday talks would go ahead.

Trump urged Iran to "make a deal, before there is nothing left", warning of "even more brutal" attacks to come.

Vaez said the strategy may not work.

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"Rather than prompt Iranian concessions it could also lead to a doubling down by Tehran," he said.

"Setbacks could lead Iran to reconstitute their operations with a more determined effort to obtain a nuclear deterrent."

jr-cf-dla-ah/as/rmb
Israels Operation Rising Lion, which aims to neuter Irans nuclear and long-range weapons capabilities, began with an overnight attack on a wide array of targets. These strikes included the use of drones and missiles launched by operatives from deep within Iran. This is the conclusion of a report from Israeli outlet N12, which cites an unnamed Israeli security source.

You can get up to speed with our initial reporting of Operation Rising Lion and its aftermath here.

While details understandably remain thin, the implication is that Mossad meticulously prepared for the attack over many months, including placing agents in Iran. From there, they would operate one-way attack drones and loitering anti-armor missiles, as well as establish a covert drone base in the heart of Iran, to neutralize Iranian air defenses and create other critical effects to kick off the long-awaited campaign.

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As part of their activities, Mossad agents implemented significant moves to introduce special weapons on a large scale, deploy them throughout Iran, and launch them towards the attack targets in a precise and effective manner, the security source told N12.

 Cleared for publication: Mossad agents on Iranian soil used drones & high-precision missiles in ops to eliminate key Iranian officials, N12 News reports. Unbelievable. https://t.co/rc9DRFVzNt  Israel Radar (@IsraelRadar_com) June 13, 2025

Among the targets reportedly prosecuted by Israeli operatives within Iran was an air defense site near Tehran. Shortly before the operation began, Israeli drones launched from within Iran struck surface-to-air missile launchers there, clearing the way for the larger strike, which also involved Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets. This would also explain the apparent inactivity by Iranian air defense sites during the Israeli bombardment. At the same time, the IAF has also been flying suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) operations that the service says have destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers.

An Iranian surface-to-air missile launcher seen in the crosshairs in a screenshot from a video released by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. IDF

     -,      ,            .

       -. pic.twitter.com/pCuNUXFkQz  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

According to Israeli officials, around 200 IAF aircraft were involved in the operation, dropping some 330 munitions. Although the IAF routinely uses standoff weaponry for strikes of this kind, removing Iranian ground-based air defenses would have provided a further element of protection as well as ensuring that munitions launched from IAF aircraft were able to make it through to their targets.

Video and photos released by the IDF show Israeli Air Force F-16 and F-35 fighters launching to attack targets in Iran. The F-16s are seen carrying Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) and Popeye missile datalink pods:

The IDF releases footage showing Israeli Air Force fighter jets heading out for the strikes in Iran this morning, as well as landing following the attacks. pic.twitter.com/1xbif5i8gK  Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) June 13, 2025

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" ":         -,      pic.twitter.com/uQkjU2o8MU  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 13, 2025

Meanwhile, other Israeli one-way attack drones launched from within Iran were reportedly sent against surface-to-surface missile launchers determined to pose a threat to Israeli strategic targets and Israeli citizens.

Its unclear exactly how the Israeli drones and missiles were transported into Iran and how they were then concealed. According to N12, the Mossad cells established at least some drone and missile bases in the open, not far from Irans air defense systems.

The video in the tweet embedded below purports to show drones and/or missiles launched by Mossad operatives who were infiltrated close to Tehran:

   -           | @roysharon11 pic.twitter.com/JJX7SJUjmh    (@kann_news) June 13, 2025

Video footage appears to show Israeli commandos on the ground in Iran and operating Rafael Spike precision-guided missiles. Spike, specifically the Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) version, would be an ideal weapon for this sort of mission, since it can be launched from behind cover. It can be employed in a fire and forget mode or using man-in-the-loop guidance. In this way, the missile can also be used to reconnoiter targets before striking them, with extreme precision, as well.

Images of Mossad operatives in Iran conducting strikes overnight. Appear to possibly use Spike ATGMs to hit air defence assets. https://t.co/01v0na4rbx  ELINT News (@ELINTNews) June 13, 2025

In an operation that was years in the works, Mossad and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) drew up a target list of individuals associated with the Iranian nuclear program as well as key security officials. The preemptive strike eliminated various individuals, apparently targeting at least some of them in their own homes, as well as hitting elements of Irans nuclear infrastructure and strategic missile systems.

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According to Iranian state media, the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Hossein Salami, the Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, and the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Forces Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Gholamali Rashid, were killed in the strikes, as well as six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013.

Smoke rises from a location targeted in the wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran, Iran, on the early morning of June 13, 2025. Photo by SAN / Middle East Images via AFP SAN

The institutional campaign was planned for a long time and required bold and sophisticated planning alongside groundbreaking thinking and strategizing, the same intelligence source told N12. All operations required accurate research and intelligence gathering, advanced technologies, and the operation of extensive commando forces that operated in the heart of Tehran and throughout Iran in complete secrecy and under the watchful eyes of Iranian security and intelligence agencies.

When it comes to covert drone and missile operations, a recent precedent for this is seen in the work of Ukraines intelligence services, which launched one-way attack drones from within Russian territory during Operation Spiderweb at the start of this month. On that occasion, drones concealed within trucks were launched in a coordinated attack on strategic bombers on different airfields deep within Russia, as you can read about here. The use of covertly launched drones to take out a strategic target in a long-planned and closely coordinated pre-emptive attack has significant parallels with what we are now seeing happen in Iran.

Israel likely used similar tactics against Iran's air defense systems as Ukraine did against Russia's bombers. Near proximity precision attacks against critical targets using lower-end drones. The exact threat I have been detailing and warning of for over a decade.  Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 13, 2025

There is also a suggestion that Israel may have employed vehicle-based weapons within Iran, with reports of undisclosed sophisticated technologies [] installed on vehicles that targeted Iranian defense systems.

BREAKING. This is downright insane. In the best sense of the word. Just wow. Seriously.



This puts the beepers to shame.



IDF Spokesperson:



Two hundred planes dropped 330 munitions, the Chief of Staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guards and other senior officials were pic.twitter.com/SmOP2TikZq  Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) June 13, 2025

Israel, too, appears to have also previously conducted covert kinetic attacks from within Iran. Israeli officials claimed that the assassination of Irans top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in 2020, involved using a gun in either a remote-controlled or entirely automated mount on a pickup truck, with no actual human assassins involved. The New York Times subsequently reported that Israeli intelligence used [an] AI-powered weapon built into an abandoned-looking vehicle to target Fakhrizadeh.

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While a covert operation like that which appears to have been launched from within Iran during Operation Rising Lion has the advantage of surprise, its not clear whether it can be repeated, at least in the short term. At the very least, Iranian authorities will now be very much on the alert to uncover any other similar bases or cells.

With that in mind, Israel will likely resort to more traditional means for further kinetic attacks on Iran in the short term. On the other hand, Israel does still have different options for unconventional attacks, in particular other forms of sabotage, especially in the cyber domain. This is an area in which Israel essentially wrote the rulebook, notably in terms of the suppression of air defense systems.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already declared that Rising Lion, which he says is aimed at rolling back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival, will take many days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the assembly during a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) at its headquarters in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025. Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP MENAHEM KAHANA

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program, Netanyahu said in a recorded televised address. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile program.

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With Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, threatening severe punishment against Israel, and Iran already having launched around 100 drones against Israel this morning, more strikes launched by both sides appear likely. Netanyahu has warned that the operation could be long and difficult, and that Israeli citizens may have to remain in sheltered areas for lengthy periods of time.

In the meantime, we may well start to learn more about how Israel launched an unprecedented attack from within Iran, as well.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Three of Irans most powerful men were killed in Israels overnight attacks on Iran, wiping out significant military expertise and throwing Tehrans ability to retaliate into disarray.

Those killed included Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces.

Salami, who led the IRGC, was very close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and often accompanied him at public events. Together, the pair led the Supreme National Security Council.

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Salami and Bagheri would normally have coordinated with Khamenei to launch retaliatory action against Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces said 200 jets were involved in striking about 100 targets, which along with Irans military leadership also killed six top nuclear scientists, wiping out essential atomic know-how.

Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes, which were years in the making, were launched to prevent Iran from making a nuclear bomb and derailing ongoing negotiations for a peace agreement.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Tehran pulled out of a sixth round of talks with the US that were due to be held on Sunday.

Hossein Salami  commander-in-chief of the IRGC

Hossein Salami was the most senior Iranian leader to die in Israels overnight strikes, and would normally be the one vowing to rain down hell and fury in retaliation.

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He was commander-in-chief of the IRGC, which was set up to defend the regime in the aftermath of the revolution and is now Tehrans primary military force.

Only yesterday he declared that Tehran was fully prepared for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.

He said: The enemy thinks it can fight Iran the same way it fights defenceless Palestinians who are under an Israeli siege.

We are war-tested and experienced.

We are ready, and this is the reality we have been living with for years, because being prepared for a war on any scale is our job and duty.

Hossein Salami was the leader of the IRGC - Atta Kenare/AFP

Salami joined the IRGC at its inception in 1979 and rose up through the ranks, serving as commander of the guards air force and its deputy commander-in-chief before his promotion to the top position in 2019.

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Highlighting the significance of his death, the IRGC said in a statement that Salami was one of the most distinguished commanders of the Islamic Revolution, present on all fronts of scientific, cultural, security, and military jihad.

Mohammad Bagheri  chief of staff of Irans armed forces

Mohammad Bagheri was Irans highest-ranking military officer, serving as chief of staff of the armed forces since 2016.

He was responsible for the coordination and supervision of Irans regular army and the IRGC, which answers only to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His killing is likely to throw the IRGCs leadership into disarray.

Bagheri was also a member of the IRGC Command Network, which according to the American Enterprise Institute dominates the upper echelons of Irans military and controls planning, operations, intelligence, covert and irregular warfare operations, and internal security.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri was responsible for the coordination and supervision of Irans regular army and the IRGC - Atta Kenare/AFP

On Thursday, he ordered the commencement of the countrys annual nationwide military drills. Weeks prior, he vowed that Irans armed forces were at the apex of readiness  a statement that rings hollow in the aftermath of his death.

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Born in 1960 in Tehran, Bagheri studied engineering and earned a doctoral degree in political geography. He was involved in the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979, when 52 Americans were taken hostage.

He joined the IRGC in 1980 as an intelligence official and claimed to play a major role in all operations of the Iran-Iraq War between 1980 and 1988.

In February 2022, he announced that Iran was advancing its ballistic missile programme. In October that year the White House reported that he was overseeing supplying Russia with Iranian-made drones.

Gholam Ali Rashid  senior commander of IRGC

Less was known about General Gholam Alo Rashid.

Born in 1953 in Khuzestan, he joined the IRGC at the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, he became one of the key decision-makers during the war and was eventually promoted to deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces.

Gholam Alo Rashid was deputy chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces - Amin Ahouel

Like Bagheri, he was also a member of the IRGCs Command Network and had previously declared that any military action taken by the US against Iran would be a strategic mistake.

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At the time of his death, he was serving as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, a combatant command that coordinates joint military operations.

Nuclear scientists

Six nuclear scientists were killed in Israels strikes, according to Iranian state media, in a blow to Irans nuclear programme.

Fereydoun Abbasi and theoretical physicist Dr Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi had already been named among the dead by Mehr News.

Fereydoun Abbasi was among six nuclear scientists killed in Israels strikes - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto

Abbasi was a professor of nuclear physics, reported to be a member of the IRGC, who was regularly linked to Irans nuclear weapons programme.

He is reported to have personally directed work to calculate the yield of a nuclear weapon.

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Less is known about Mehdi, a professor of physics. He was a theoretical physicist and president of the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

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About 100 drones launched from Iran towards Israel have been intercepted, according to an Israeli media report.

The news portal ynet reported on Friday that the drones had all been shot down. The Israeli military did not confirm the information.

The Israeli Homeland Front Command told the population that it was no longer necessary to remain in the vicinity of air raid shelters.

Israel launched a large-scale overnight airstrike on Iran, targeting more than 100 sites with around 200 fighter jets, according to an Israeli military spokesperson.

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The operation included strikes on nuclear-related sites and killed senior military commanders and scientists.

In response, Iran launched more than 100 drones towards Israel, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating that Israel must expect "harsh punishment."
The Israeli military launched a massive attack on Iran on Friday in a dramatic escalation of their long-running conflict that drew a retaliatory missile assault from Tehran and raised the risk of another war in the Middle East.

The Israeli strikes took out a significant swath of Iran's top military leaders and senior scientists, as Israel unleashed more than 200 fighter jets across roughly 100 targets. They were aimed at Irans main enrichment facility and targets associated with the countrys ballistic missile program, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In a firm response Friday evening local time, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, the nations defense forces said, prompting its highly sophisticated defense systems to "intercept the threat."

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Heavy smoke appeared in the night sky over Tel Aviv as incoming rockets from Iran descended on the city, with many intercepted by Israels missile defense systems. Before the retaliatory attack began, the Israel Defense Forces directed residents across the country to remain close to protected spaces, minimize movement in public areas and avoid public gatherings.

Police officers and bomb disposal experts responded to reports of fallen projectile debris, according to the Israeli Police, which advised people to report suspicious findings to an emergency hotline.

Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said it was providing medical treatment to 34 injured people following a rocket strike in Israel's central region.

The Israeli paramedic organization also said it was providing treatment and evacuating at least 21 people after a strike south of Tel Aviv.

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Iran later launched a fresh wave of missiles in the early hours of Saturday morning local time, Israel Defense Forces said.

A Tel Aviv hospital treated seven people with injuries following the early morning attack, The Associated Press reported.

Israel's strikes have killed 78 people so far, including senior military officials, and injured 320 people, according to Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Ali Bahreini. Residential buildings were among the structures damaged in Tehran.

Loud explosions in Iran were heard in the northern part of the capital on Friday night, while state media reported attacks in Qom, located south of Tehran and a holy city for Shia Muslims. Fars reported on X that explosions could be heard in the area of the heavily fortified nuclear site of Fordow, which is located deep underground near Qom.

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Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly vowed retaliation, telling his nation in a televised address Friday evening local time that Israel would be punished.

Damage to buildings following Israeli airstrikes Friday in Tehran, Iran. (Majid Saeedi / Getty Images)

Air defense systems were activated in central Tehran, home to Khamenei's compound and presidential office, reported the Iranian semiofficial Mehr news agency.

Soon after the strikes, Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, Israeli Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said. The Israel Defense Forces said it was attacking missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran, and a military spokesman said on X that strikes were conducted on the nuclear plant in Isfahan in central Iran.

Iran has long denied that it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

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The United States, which had been publicly urging Israel to hold off on such an attack as the Trump administration continues talks with Tehran on its rapidly advancing nuclear program, said it was not involved in the strikes on Iran and was not assisting with the attacks.

But three U.S. officials told NBC News later Friday that the U.S. is assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles and projectiles targeting Israel. The Pentagon moved a number of military assets into the region in recent days, including Navy destroyers to be positioned off the Israeli coast to help shoot down missiles and other aerial attacks expected after the Israelis launched their initial attack, according to another U.S. official.

President Donald Trump told NBC News in an interview Friday he was pleased with the manner in which the strikes were conducted.

"They had the finest equipment in the world, which is American equipment," he said.

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According to a U.S. official, Trump and Netanyahu spoke Friday.

Follow live coverage here.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, earlier said Iranian authorities had confirmed Natanz, Irans largest nuclear site in Isfahan, had been struck but that there was no increase in radiation levels observed there.

Defrin confirmed that Israel struck an underground area of Natanz that targeted critical infrastructure linked to its continued functioning and "inflicted significant damage on this site."

Other targets appeared to be residential compounds for top military officials. A main building for Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), founded in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the regime against internal and external threats, also appeared to have been attacked and could be seen burning on state television.

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Among those killed in Israel's strikes was Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Irans most senior military official, multiple Iranian state news outlets reported. Bagheri, who was chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, had a status equivalent to that of Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Irans secretive Quds Force who was assassinated by the U.S. in a drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020.

The Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran said in a statement on Telegram that at least five professors from the schools community had been killed, including nuclear scientist Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi. It said some family members of professors were also killed, but did not share their identities or further details.

Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was reportedly killed in an Israeli attack Friday. (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the IRGC, was also killed in Friday's strikes, according to the force's media arm.

Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, a top official in the IRGC; Fereydoon Abbasi, a nuclear scientist and former atomic energy chief; and Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, a nuclear scientist, were also killed, according to Iranian state media.

Iran blames the U.S.

Trump told NBC News that Iranian leaders "missed the opportunity to make a deal," although "now, they may have another opportunity. We'll see."

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He also suggested that there are Iranian officials who have reached out to speak with him, but he was unclear about who they may be.

Still, Israels strikes appeared to be a significant break with the Trump administration, which had been set for a sixth round of nuclear talks with Iran in Oman on Sunday. The strikes scuttled the meeting after Iranian state TV announced Friday that Iran would not participate, although a U.S. official responded that "we are still hoping for talks."

A big worry for the U.S. is possible retaliation by Iran against American personnel or assets in the region. One U.S. official noted that there are hundreds of thousands of Americans living in Israel, in addition to U.S. military assets.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was not involved in strikes and its top priority was protecting American forces in the region.

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"This was an act of national preservation," Israels ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Friday. "It was one we undertook alone, not because we wanted to but because we were left no other option."

Danon urged the Security Council to condemn what he said were Iran's "nuclear violations," and to recognize Israel's "undeniable right and duty to defend its people from extermination."

The scene of an explosion at a residential compound in Tehran on Friday. (Vahid Salemi / AP)

While Israel said it had acted alone, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi argued that the attack could not have happened without the coordination and approval of the United States.

The American government, as the main supporter of this regime, is also responsible for the dangerous consequences of these actions, he said.

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U.S. officials had earlier announced the voluntary departure of nonessential employees from the region.

Israel and Iran have been locked in a long-simmering rivalry and conflict in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, often played out via Tehran's proxies in the region. In recent years, Israel has carried out strikes against Iran's allies to prevent them from gaining sophisticated weaponry while both countries have also targeted one another's ships at sea.

The Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel led by Hamas and the ensuing military assault on Gaza only deepened the feud between Israel and Iran, which supports Hamas, and holds itself up as the Palestinians' main champion internationally.

Israel became more serious about attacking Iran as Washington and Tehran appeared closer to reaching a preliminary agreement that included provisions about uranium enrichment that Israel views as unacceptable.

The board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency formally found this week that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.

A satellite image captured in February shows Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, south of the capital, Tehran. (Maxar Technologies / AFP - Getty Images)

Israel and Iran also traded attacks in October, starting with an Iranian attack on Israel after Israel launched an attack on Lebanon that killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Officials said most of the 200 missiles Iran launched toward Israel were intercepted.

Israel responded with three waves of strikes on Iranian military sites, though it avoided nuclear and oil facilities in what appeared to be a limited attack.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Israeli militarys overnight attack inside Iran killed Tehrans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Crops (IRGC) Cmdr. Hossein Salami, according to multiple Iranian state media reports.

Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regimes attack on the IRGC headquarters, the Tasnim news agency, associated with the IRGC, reported.

Israeli strikes also killed senior IRGC Cmdr. Gholamali Rashid, along with at least two prominent nuclear scientists  Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi  according to Iranian state TV.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his military targeted Irans nuclear scientists, ballistic missile sites and Natanz, one of the countrys top enrichment facilities.

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile program, Netanyahu said in a Friday morning video statement.

Netanyahu said the operation is dubbed Rising Lion and warned it will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel should anticipate a harsh punishment. The strong hand of the Islamic Republic will not let them go.

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Israels military said it launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Irans rapidly expanding nuclear program.

The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, it said in a statement.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said it was in contact with Iranian authorities and confirmed Natanz was hit. The watchdog, based in Austria, criticized Iran earlier Thursday, saying Tehran has kept up enriching uranium to near weapon-grade levels and has not complied with nonproliferation obligations.

Big explosions could be heard in Tehran along with smoke coming out of some buildings.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is not involved in the attack and that the administrations top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubio said in a statement late Thursday. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

President Trump has not commented on the developments. He has a National Security Council meeting at 11 a.m. EDT Friday, according to the White House.

Trump previously said Israeli strikes against Iran have the potential to derail Washingtons nuclear talks with Tehran.

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As long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But also, could blow it, said Trump, who has previously warned Netanyahu to refrain from military action against Iran in fear of it running the negotiations with Iran.

So far, the U.S. has completed five rounds of nuclear talks with Iran, led by Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff is planning to meet with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday for the sixth round of discussions in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday, a U.S. official said Thursday morning.

The two sides still appear to be far apart on striking a deal as Iran wants to keep enriching uranium, a red line for the U.S. side.

Israeli strikes come as the administration ordered a downsizing of the number of diplomats and military dependents in the Middle East.

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They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place. Well see what happens, Trump said Wednesday. Weve given notice to move out and well see what happens.

On Wednesday, Irans Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said if Tehrans discussions with the U.S. go sideways and conflict with Washington arises, Iran would strike U.S. military bases in the region.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump on Friday urged Iran to quickly reach an agreement on curbing its nuclear program as Israel vowed to continue its bombardment of the country.

Trump framed the volatile moment in the Middle East as a possible "second chance for Iran's leadership to avoid further destruction "before there is nothing left and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

The Republican president pressed on Iran as he met his national security team in the Situation Room to discuss the tricky path forward following Israel's devastating strikes, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to keep up for as many days as it takes to decapitate Iran's nuclear program.

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The White House said it had no involvement in the strikes, but Trump highlighted that Israel used its deep arsenal of weaponry provided by the U.S. to target Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz and the countrys ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he had warned Iran's leaders that it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it."

Just hours before Israel launched its strikes on Iran early Friday, Trump was still holding onto tattered threads of hope that the long-simmering dispute could be resolved without military action. Now, he'll be tested anew on his ability to make good on a campaign promise to disentangle the U.S. from foreign conflicts.

In the aftermath of the Israeli strikes, the U.S. is shifting its military resources, including ships, in the Middle East as it looks to guard against possible retaliatory attacks by Tehran, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

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The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

As Israel stepped up planning for strikes in recent weeks, Iran had signaled the United States would be held responsible in the event of an Israeli attack. The warning was issued by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi even as he engaged in talks with Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Friday's strikes came as Trump planned to dispatch Witkoff to Oman on Sunday for the next round of talks with the Iranian foreign minister.

Witkoff still plans to go to Oman this weekend for talks on Tehrans nuclear program, but its unclear if the Iranians will participate, according to U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private diplomatic discussions.

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The president made a series of phone calls Friday to U.S. television news anchors to renew his calls on Iran to curb its nuclear program.

CNN's Dana Bash said Trump told her the Iranians should now come to the table" and get a deal done. And Trump told NBC News that Iranian officials are calling me to speak" but didn't provide further detail.

Trump also spoke Friday with British Prime Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron about the evolving situation, as well as Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, oil prices leapt and stocks fell on worries that the escalating violence could impact the flow of crude around the world, along with the global economy.

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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., offered rare words of Democratic praise for the Trump administration after the attack for prioritizing diplomacy and refraining from participating" in the military strikes. But he also expressed deep concern about what the Israeli strikes could mean for U.S. personnel in the region.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who's on Democrats shortlist for top 2028 White House contenders, said if Israel can set back Iran's nuclear program with the strikes its probably a good day for the world.

But make no mistake: We do not want an all-out war in the Middle East," Shapiro said. "Thats not only bad for the Middle East, its destabilizing for the globe, and its something that I hope will not occur.

Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

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Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below. The U.S. military assisted Israel intercept the missiles fired by Iran in the retaliatory attack.

Trump, in the hours before the Israeli attack on Iran, still appeared hopeful in public comments that there would be more time for diplomacy.

But it was clear to the administration that Israel was edging toward taking military action against Iran. The State Department and U.S. military on Wednesday directed a voluntary evacuation of nonessential personnel and their loved ones from some U.S. diplomatic outposts in the Middle East.

Before Israel launched the strikes, some of Trump's strongest supporters were raising concerns about what another expansive conflict in the Mideast could mean for the Republican president, who ran on a promise to quickly end the brutal wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

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Trump has struggled to find an endgame to either of those conflicts and to make good on two of his biggest foreign policy campaign promises.

And after criticizing President Joe Biden during last years campaign for preventing Israel from carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump found himself making the case to the Israelis to give diplomacy a chance.

The push by the Trump administration to persuade Tehran to give up its nuclear program came after the U.S. and other world powers in 2015 reached a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limited Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

But Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from the Obama administration-brokered agreement in 2018, calling it the worst deal ever.

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The way forward is even more clouded now.

No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and an ally of the Trump White House, posted on X on Thursday. Im very concerned based on (everything) Ive seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.

___

AP writers Tara Copp, Seung Min Kim, Matthew Lee, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Noah Trister in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed reporting.
(Corrects spelling of person's name in paragraphs 14-15 and 17)

By Alexander Cornwell

TEL AVIV (Reuters) -The streets of Tel Aviv were calm on Friday morning, even as the country's leaders warned the public to brace for Iranian retaliation after Israel launched a widescale attack on Iran.

The military closed schools nationwide and banned public gatherings, cancelling the annual Tel Aviv Pride parade, which normally attracts tens of thousands of revellers to the city.

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"Weve already been in this scenario twice," said 31-year-old Uri, sitting on a bench outside a supermarket, questioning whether to open his restaurant or have to throw out the day's food.

"I dont really care, honestly. Ill just go to a shelter and Ill be okay," he said, when asked whether he had any concerns about his own safety.

Iran fired hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles at Israel in two attacks last year in response to Israeli strikes, rattling the Israeli public but causing only modest damage.

Tehran has vowed retaliation for Israel's early morning attack on Friday on Iranian military and nuclear facilities that killed several top commanders. Israel said it was working to intercept 100 drones that were launched by Iran, but had not reached Israel.

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The Israeli public has been told to be prepared to spend long hours in bomb shelters, with the government warning that it would be carrying out a prolonged attack against its arch-foe.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister, invoked the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust during World War Two to justify his decision to attack Iran, framing the strikes as a decisive step to protect Israel from a future existential threat.

Over the past year, Israel has openly clashed with Tehran, firing rocket salvos deep into Iran. After militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli communities in October 2023, Israel dismantled many of Irans allies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"Iran? Thats the first place we need to attack if you ask me," said Aviv, 38, adding he hoped the strikes would lead to the release of 53 mostly Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

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In Gaza, which has been reduced to a wasteland by Israels devastating campaign, some hoped that the strike on Iran might pave the way for an end to the war in the coastal enclave.

"We hope that this time the Iranians will push for a comprehensive solution," said Abu Abdallah, a Palestinian businessman displaced to the south of Gaza.

STOCKING UP

Across Israel, supermarkets and some cafes remained open, although some businesses chose to keep their doors shuttered. Shoppers stocked up on food and bottled water, prompting long queues at checkouts.

"My fridge is empty," said 41-year-old Noah as she made her way to a supermarket. The mother of two said she was due to celebrate their wedding anniversary with her husband at a hotel.

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Noah said she was worried about the severity of any potential retaliatory strike, adding that people were asking whether the bomb shelters in their apartment buildings would be strong enough to withstand it, or if it might be safer to seek refuge underground.

The strike on Iran comes as Netanyahu's right-wing coalition has faced growing domestic and international pressure over the Gaza war, now in its 21st month.

"The way the government is handling things is horrible," Noah said, adding that she condemned the decision to strike Iran, fearing that it will put the country in further danger.

"Because I feel like we have reached the top end of the scale, like this is serious this time. It feels like okay, they have nothing to lose," she said.

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In Jerusalem, others expressed support for the decision.

"I am very happy for this. We were waiting for this," said 66-year-old Oral Liral.

"Am Yisrael Chai. We are strong. We will be here. Its our country," she said, using a Hebrew expression of perseverance that means "the people of Israel live".

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; additional reporting by Rami Amichay in Tel Aviv, Dedi Hayun in Jerusalem, Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israels massive strike on Iran on Friday morning came after decades of mutual hostility and a long-running shadow war of covert strikes and sabotage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as its greatest threat, citing the countrys nuclear program, its hostile rhetoric and support for anti-Israel militant groups across the region. Iran has championed the Palestinian cause and portrayed Israel as a malicious Western encroachment on the Middle East.

The latest escalation was set in motion by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which sparked a crushing Israeli response and eventually drew in Iran's other allies, who were in turn crippled by successive waves of Israeli strikes, leaving Iran largely alone in facing Friday's onslaught.

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Heres a closer look:

Why are Israel and Iran enemies?

Following Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, the countrys leadership immediately identified the U.S., Britain and Israel as its main enemies because of their ties to Iran's deposed monarch and the long history of Western colonialism and military interventions in the Middle East.

Over the past two decades, Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons and is believed to have carried out numerous covert attacks on its nuclear program, including cyberattacks and the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists  while rarely acknowledging such operations.

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Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, but the U.N. atomic watchdog agency has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make several nuclear bombs if it chooses to.

The International Atomic Energy Agency and Western nations assess Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. Iran insists its program is peaceful while still enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

Israel sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat and had long aspired to breaking up Irans regional network of allies  including Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who was overthrown in December.

For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israels destruction, Netanyahu said Friday. They backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons.

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Iran's Axis of Resistance has been weakened

Over the past four decades, Iran built up a network of militant proxy groups it called the  Axis of Resistance  that wielded significant power across the region in recent years but has suffered major setbacks since the Oct. 7 attack.

Hamas' military capabilities have been decimated in more than 20 months of ongoing war that has also killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, destroyed much of the Gaza Strip, displaced around 90% of its population and raised fears of famine.

Hezbollah traded strikes with Israel for nearly a year before Israel clobbered it with a sophisticated attack involving pagers and walkie-talkies, targeted strikes that killed most of its leaders and an air and ground campaign that devastated southern Lebanon.

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The weakening of Hezbollah contributed to the downfall of Assad, which paved the way for Israel to seize parts of southern Syria and carry out strikes that destroyed much of its military assets.

Iran itself was weakened after two previous exchanges of fire with Israel, both linked to the war in Gaza. A wave of Israeli strikes last October destroyed missile sites and weakened Iran's air defenses.

Why did Israel decide to strike now?

Netanyahu said time was running out to strike Iran, alleging Iran had taken recent steps to weaponize enriched uranium. If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within a very short time, he said.

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The United States and Israel have long vowed to take military action if necessary to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, but President Donald Trump has been seeking a diplomatic solution after scrapping an earlier nuclear agreement with Iran during his first term.

A sixth round of talks was scheduled in Oman on Sunday, but it was unclear if they would be held in the aftermath of the strikes.

Israel has long been skeptical of such efforts, fearing they give Iran time to develop a weapon, and has said it would only accept an agreement in which Iran gives up its entire nuclear program  something Iran has vehemently ruled out.

On Thursday, for the first time in 20 years, the board of governors at the IAEA censured Iran for not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones.

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Trump said he had asked Netanyahu not to attack Iran while the negotiations are ongoing, but the president has provided unprecedented support to Israel over the years, and his administration has so far expressed no opposition to Friday's strikes.

___

Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
CAIRO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's large-scale strike on Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday has drawn widespread condemnation across the Middle East, with governments denouncing the assault as a violation of international law and Iran's sovereignty.

In a statement, Tunisia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as "a blatant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security," warning that such actions threaten peace and stability not only in the region but globally.

Tunisia expressed its solidarity with the Iranian people and called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take urgent and decisive action to halt the attacks and ensure accountability, the statement said.

Denouncing Israel's overnight military strikes on Iran, the Libyan Foreign Ministry in a statement said, "this serious escalation... represents a threat to the regional and international peace and security."

The ministry urges parties involved to "resolve the dispute peacefully through dialogue and diplomatic channels," the statement said.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in separate phone conversations with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, Badr Abdelatty and Ayman Safadi, condemned Israeli "military aggression" on Iran, calling for diplomatic solutions to avoid further deterioration.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry noted that Hussein and Abdelatty emphasized the importance of continuing negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, while Hussein and Safadi reiterated their rejection of further escalation and called for renewed dialogue.

The Israeli Defense Forces reported that Friday's operation struck nearly 100 sites across Iran, including targets in Tehran, Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad. Iranian state media reported multiple casualties, including women and children, in a Tehran residential area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the assault aimed to cripple Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production and military capabilities.

Iranian state media reported the deaths of several high-ranking military officials, including Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces; and Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Two senior Iranian nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were also reportedly killed. 
Israel's spy agency claimed Friday that it was able to attack Iran from within following a barrage of strikes that targeted the heart of the country's nuclear program.

Israel launched dozens of strikes against Iran early Friday morning local time, killing high-ranking military leaders and several nuclear scientists, according to Israeli officials.

MORE: Israel strikes live updates: Iran launches dozens of missiles toward Israel

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An Israeli security source told ABC News that Mossad established a base in Iran for explosive drones, which were introduced into the country long before the attack and were activated during it.

According to the source, the explosive drones were launched at surface-to-surface missile launchers at the Asfajabad base near Tehran, which threatened Israel.

PHOTO: Israels spy agency Mossad, released video of how they attacked Iran from within. One clip shows two agents on what Mossad said was Iranian soil, released June 13, 2025. (ISRAELI ARMY HANDOUT via Reuters)

Mossad released footage on Friday that it said showed two agents on Iranian soil. Mossad said the agents deployed precision attack systems "designed to destroy Iranian air defense systems."

Another clip showed an attack on an air defense device in "a secret operation by Mossad," according to the agency.

PHOTO: Smoke billows from a site targeted by an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran, June 13, 2025. (Sepah News/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Trump tells ABC Israel strikes on Iran 'excellent' and warns 'more to come'

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A third video showed a target approaching what appeared to be a long-range missile.

The footage was released by Reuters, which said it was not able to confirm the date or the location of the videos.

Following Israel's attack, Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel on Friday night in retaliation for Israel's surprise attack early Friday.

PHOTO: Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, June 13, 2025. (Tomer Neuberg/AP)

Israel's spy agency Mossad claims it was able to attack Iran from within originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Thousands of passengers are facing major disruption to flights after Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran on 13 June.

Airspace stretching from Iran to Iraq has been empty for 10 days since Israel began its strikes on Iran, with airlines diverting, delaying and cancelling flights across the region due to safety concerns.

Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport is closed until further notice, and major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and Delta have cancelled flights or suspended services.

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After the US attacked key nuclear sites in Iran overnight on Sunday, 22 June, some airlines also cancelled services to nearby aviation hubs like Dubai and Doha.

If you are travelling to affected countries or have a trip planned, here are the latest updates and advice from authorities.

Airlines cancel flights to Dubai and Doha after US strikes Iran

Hundreds of British Airways (BA) passengers found themselves thousands of kilometres away from their intended destination on Sunday after the US launched attacks on Iran overnight.

A BA flight heading for Dubai on Saturday evening was forced to divert to Zurich due to security concerns. All three BA services from London Heathrow to Dubai were then cancelled on Sunday, along with an evening flight to Doha in Qatar. More than 1,000 passengers were left stranded in Dubai due to the cancellations.

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The airline is due to resume services to Dubai and Doha on Monday, but is offering a flexible booking policy for passengers with flights to Dubai and Doha between Sunday and Tuesday, 24 June.

"We are contacting our customers to advise them of their options while we work through this developing situation," BA said in a statement.

Some other operators have extended cancellations to these aviation hubs over the next few days.

Singapore Airlines, for example, has described the situation as "fluid" and cancelled services to Dubai through to Wednesday, 25 June. Iberia cancelled flights on Sunday and Monday to Doha and is still assessing the situation for later flights.

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Air France KLM also cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday, while Finnair has cancelled flights to Doha until at least Tuesday, 24 June.

KLM has also offered to rebook and refund passengers scheduled to fly between Amsterdam and Dubai, Riyadh or Dammam between 19 and 29 June.

American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada suspended services to Dubai in the days before the strikes.

The situation could change rapidly, so if you are planning to travel via these airports, check the status of your flight before you go.

Are airports closed in Israel and Iran?

With Israels Ben Gurion Airport closed for all civilian flights until further notice, many airlines have cancelled and suspended services.

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Many international airlines had already halted services to and from the airport after a missile fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels on 4 May landed nearby.

Despite airspace closures, Israel's airlines were given government permission last week to start operating rescue flights to bring back people stranded abroad during the conflict with Iran.

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport is empty of passengers following an Israeli military strike on Iran. - AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

There are as many as around 50,000 Israelis looking to return to the country, Israel's Transportation Ministry has said.

El Al Airlines said it is expecting to operate these flights for anyone with a cancelled ticket to Israel from 18 June from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan and Paris. No passenger flights will leave Israel, and all scheduled services are cancelled through to 23 June.

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Israel's second biggest airline, Arkia, has also said it will start bringing back stranded people from Larnaca in Cyprus, Karpathos in Greece and Tivat in Montenegro.

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Israir said it would operate three rescue flights from Larnaca, Athens and Varana in Bulgaria on Wednesday and is hoping to offer more soon.

Iran's Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, along with Tabriz Shahid Madani Airport, were all closed to civilian flights immediately after the attack.

Where else are airports closed in the region?

Authorities have closed some airports overnight in neighbouring countries when attacks are at their most intense, so stay informed if you are still planning to travel.

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Iraq's airports have all been closed due to its proximity to Iran.

Dubai International and Dubai World Central  Al Maktoum International airports have issued a warning saying that passengers "may experience delays, cancellations or diversions" due to airspace closures.

"We strongly advise all travellers to check with their airline for the latest flight status before heading to the airport, and to allow extra time for their journey."

Which countries have closed their airspace?

Flights which were in Iranian airspace when news of the strikes hit were diverted or returned to their point of departure. Irans Imam Khomeini International Airport swiftly halted both inbound and outbound traffic.

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More than 10 international flights that were forced to change their routes on Friday landed at Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan. Among these flights were those operated by leading airlines such as AJet, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Etihad Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

A total of 29 flights carrying 2,427 passengers were diverted to Cyprus, with 20 flights from Europe and the US landing in Larnaca and 9 in Pafos.

Around 1,800 flights to and from Europe alone were impacted on Friday, according to Eurocontrol.

Skies over much of the Middle East still remain closed. Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Syria quickly closed their airspace following the strikes, causing airlines to reroute services.

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Airspace is now partially open in Lebanon and Jordan, but there are still reports of chaos at airports with many passengers stranded due to delayed and cancelled flights.

Much of the air traffic that would have passed across the region is now being diverted either south, via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, or north, via Turkey, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Eastern Iraq, near the border with Iran, is an exceptionally busy air corridor used by many routes from Asia to Europe.

This means some flights that pass over the region may arrive later than scheduled as airlines avoid these closed airspaces, leading to delays, missed connections and further knock-on disruption.

Flights that now need to pass over the Mediterranean will also be competing for Europe's already crowded airspace, which could also lead to delays, especially for routes to Italy, Croatia and central Europe.

Which airlines have cancelled flights?

Israel's strikes against Iran and the ongoing conflict have prompted many international airlines to suspend or cancel services to destinations across the Middle East.

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Low-cost carrier flydubai said flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel and Syria will remain suspended until 30 June.

Dubai-based Emirates has temporarily suspended flights to Iran and Iraq until 30 June.

Qatar Airways said it had "temporarily cancelled" flights to Iran, Iraq and Syria due to the current situation in the region.

Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, has suspended flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv until 15 July. Flights to Amman and Beirut are now operating on a revised schedule, so check before you travel.

Lufthansa has suspended flights to Tehran and Tel Aviv until 31 July. Flights to and from Beirut are cancelled until 30 June.

Air France flights to and from Tel Aviv have been suspended "until further notice" after the closure of Israeli airspace.

Dutch airline KLM has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until at least 1 July, and some flights to, from or via Beirut until 29 June may also be disrupted.

British Airways has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least 31 July due to ongoing security concerns. Flights to and from Amman and Bahrain are suspended until 30 June.

Greece's Aegean Airlines has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman and Erbil up to and including the early morning flight on 8 September.

Hungarian-based budget airline Wizz Air has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Amman until 15 September.

Italian airline ITA Airways has said it will extend its suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv until 31 July.

Spanish airline Air Europa has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 31 July.

Ryanair has cancelled all flights to and from Tel Aviv until 30 September.

US carrier Delta Air Lines has advised passengers that travel to, from or through Tel Aviv may be affected between 12 June and 31 August.

Israeli airline El Al has cancelled all of its scheduled flights to and from Israel through 27 June over security concerns. New bookings have also been closed for flights scheduled to depart through 15 July.

El Al said it would allow passengers with departure tickets until 28 June to cancel them and convert them into travel vouchers.

Israir has said it is cancelling all flights to and from Israel until 30 June and has stopped the sale of all flights until 7 July.

If you have a flight booked to Israel, Iran or neighbouring countries, you are advised to monitor airline and airport websites closely for updates.

What is the latest government advice for travelling to the Middle East?

The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued a string of advisories on Friday, 13 June, warning travellers visiting Middle Eastern and North African destinations about rising tensions in the region.

It included popular tourist destinations such as Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

"Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region," the UK FCDO said.

Warnings were also issued for Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Travellers have been told to monitor local and international media for the latest information and be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities.

On Sunday, the UK FCDO advised against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories amid ongoing missile attacks.

The FCDO also advises against all travel to Iran, warning that "British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention".

Foreign ministries in other European countries, including France and Germany, have also issued similar warnings against travel to Israel and Iran.

Am I covered by travel insurance if I travel to Israel or Iran?

Foreign offices warn that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against their advice. This means going to areas where they have issued a no-go warning or advise against all but essential travel.

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If you do so, you are likely to be left without coverage for incidents, including medical emergencies and evacuations.

It may also mean that if you are arrested or put in detention, your countrys embassy or officials have limited ability to help you.

If you have booked with a travel agent or tour operator, contact the company directly to understand your options.

You can find more information on your passenger rights and what to do if your flight is cancelled here.
Kyiv on June 13 expressed concern over the security situation in the Middle East after Israeli air strikes against Iran, but stressed that Tehran remains a "source of problems" in the region "and beyond."

The statement follows what Israel called a "preemptive" strike against Iran overnight on June 13, targeting the country's nuclear program and reportedly killing top military officials.

"We would like to remind you that the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and provides Moscow with weapons to kill Ukrainians," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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Along with North Korea, Iran has been a key ally to Russia during its full-scale war against Ukraine, providing thousands of Shahed strike drones and short-range ballistic missiles.

Ukraine has called upon the international community "to take joint and decisive action" and deter a "group of aggressive regimes  Russia, Iran, and North Korea."

Kyiv nevertheless also warned that further hostilities could destabilize the region with "negative consequences for international security and global financial stability, especially in oil markets."

Israeli strikes were quickly followed by a surge in oil prices, Russia's key export commodity, with Brent and Nymex crude prices jumping by more than 10%.

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"We are convinced that restoring peace and stability in the Middle East will serve the interests not only of the region but also of the entire international community," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Iran has pledged a response to Israeli air strikes and accused the United States of "also being responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation." The Trump administration has acknowledged it knew about the operation in advance but denied any involvement.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Tehran has already launched over 100 drones against Israel in response.

The attacks took place amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and U.S. President Donald Trump's push to find a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear aspirations. A round of indirect U.S.-Iranian negotiations in Oman was scheduled for June 15.

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Russia has condemned Israel's attacks as "unprovoked aggression" and a violation of the U.N. Charter.

Read also: Israel launches preemptive air strikes on Irans nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The canonization of Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Churchs first millennial saint, will take place on September 7, Pope Leo XIV has announced.

Acutis, an Italian teenager who died from leukemia in 2006, will be declared a saint by Leo at a ceremony in St. Peters Square expected to be attended by thousands of young people.

Acutis was just 15 when he died, but during his short life he used his computing skills to spread awareness of the Catholic faith by setting up a website that documented reports of miracles.

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The Vatican said on Friday that following a meeting with cardinals Pope Leo will canonize Acutis in September, along with another youthful saint, Pier Giorgio Frassatti, who died in 1925 at age 24. Acutis canonization had been scheduled for April 27 but was postponed after the death of Pope Francis.

The September 7 ceremony will be the first canonization presided over by Pope Leo, the first American pontiff.

Acutis, nicknamed Gods influencer, has developed a strong following among young Catholics and beyond. The British-born Italian teenager, who loved video-gaming, is often depicted wearing jeans and trainers, making him a relatable figure to a new generation of Catholics.

His canonization also comes as recent surveys in the United Kingdom and United States show a rise in interest in Catholicism among Generation Z.

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The churchs sainthood process normally requires that candidates have two miracles attributed to them, with each reported supernatural occurrence requiring in-depth examination. In May, a second miracle attributed to Acutis was recognized by Pope Francis, a decision that paved the way for the teen to be declared a saint.

Acutis was beatified (declared blessed) in 2020 after his first miracle, when he reportedly healed a Brazilian boy with a birth defect that left him unable to eat normally. The boy was reportedly healed after his mother said she prayed to Acutis to intercede and help heal her son.

The second miracle attributed to Acutis relates to the reported healing of a girl from Costa Rica who had suffered a head trauma after falling from her bicycle in Florence, Italy, where she was studying. Her mother said she prayed for her daughters recovery at the tomb of Acutis in Assisi.

Acutis mother, Antonia Salzano, previously told CNN that her son spent time helping the homeless in Milan and giving his pocket money to those sleeping on the street.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
ROME (Reuters) -Italian police arrested a U.S. citizen on Friday in connection with the death of a woman and her baby daughter whose naked bodies were found in a park in central Rome.

The man, who was not named, was arrested on the Greek island of Skiathos, Rome's chief prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi told reporters at a news conference.

The case has grabbed headlines in Italy since the mother and her child, who was less than one year old, were found dead on Saturday in Villa Pamphili, Rome's largest central city park.

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None of the people involved have been named, and prosecutors in the case told reporters they had still not been able to identify the mother or the child.

Italian newspapers have reported that the mother and child were also U.S. citizens, but prosecutors did not confirm this.

Lo Voi said the arrested man had declared he was the father of the child, and there was "robust evidence" that he had killed her, while the cause of death of the mother was less clear.

The suspect flew to Skiathos from Rome on Wednesday, and his DNA would be examined to establish whether he was the father, the prosecutor said.

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He was arrested based on evidence including witness accounts and surveillance camera footage, while the fact he had flown to Greece shortly after being seen with the victims "in itself doesn't count in his favour," Lo Voi said.

Lead prosecutor Giuseppe Cascini said the man had been seen with the child in his arms after the presumed time of death of the mother.

The evidence against the suspect was particularly strong regarding the death of the child, Cascini said, but the case was "a probable dual murder".

The prosecutors thanked the U.S. FBI for its help in identifying the man, and the Greek authorities for their role in the arrest.

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The man, woman and child were first seen together in Italy in April, and there was no record of any of them in the country before then, they said.

(Reporting by Paolo Chiriatti; Writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Mark Porter and Aidan Lewis)
New Hampshire lawmakers took final action on several bills on Thursday. Here, House members meet during a session in March. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin)

As New Hampshires 2025 legislative session nears its end, state lawmakers are working to get some of the remaining pieces of legislation across the finish line  or kill them entirely.

The New Hampshire House and Senate convened Thursday to review the bills, which required another vote because they were amended later in the legislative process. These are bills that one chamber approved before the other chamber added an amendment and passed a different version. Now, the chamber where the bill originated must review those amendments to decide whether they agree.

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Lawmakers had three options. They could accepted the amendment, advancing the bill to Gov. Kelly Ayotte; kill the bill outright, if they disliked the amendment; or aim to hash out their differences by creating a committee of conference, which includes lawmakers from both chambers.

Heres a look at some of those votes.

Bills that were accepted

In many cases, the chambers simply agreed with the new amendments and decided to approve the bill. These bills will now be reviewed by Ayotte, who will have the option of signing them into law or vetoing them. She could also let them become law without her signature. Here are some of the noteworthy bills from Thursday headed to the governors desk:

AI child pornography: The Senate approved Senate Bill 300 in March, which makes it a felony to create child pornography  or any intimate visual representation of a childs intimate parts  using artificial intelligence or any other technology. It is already illegal to create child pornography using a camera. The House amended the bill to specify that, for it to be a felony, the perpetrator must be creating it for the purpose of sexual gratification or sexual arousal. The Senate agreed Thursday.

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Drones and high speeds: House Bill 468 originally sought to make it illegal to use a drone in a manner that interferes with law enforcement, emergency response, or human-occupied airplanes or airports. The bill would also make it illegal for civilians to equip drones with weapons or fly them into restricted airspaces. The House approved the bill in February, but the Senate subsequently added an amendment that would make punishments for speeding more severe if the perpetrator drives over 100 mph. The bill would require fines of at least $750 on the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses, and it would temporarily revoke the perpetrators license.

Local tax caps: The House approved House Bill 200 in March, legislation that makes it harder to override a local tax cap. Currently, if voters want to impose a tax cap on their local elected officials  forbidding them from raising taxes above a certain point  they must have a 60% supermajority of votes in favor of the tax cap. If they want to override the tax cap and allow their elected officials to raise taxes above the established threshold, they need only a simple majority. This bill seeks to change that and require a supermajority to override the tax cap as well. When the Senates turn to consider the bill came, it amended the bill to remove a provision forbidding tax cap override votes from being put on the same ballot used to elect local officials. The House concurred Thursday.

Crime reports: House Bill 218 seeks to require police to provide crime reports to the victim for free within 7 days if requested. The House approved it in March. The Senate amended the bill to specify the procedures for how the police should inform victims of their rights to receive crime reports. The House agreed with that amendment Thursday.

Bills that were thrown out over differences

Both chambers outright rejected several bills over their new amendments and decided against a committee of conference. Here are some of them:

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Medicaid  and ivermectin: Senate Bill 119 was originally proposed as a Medicaid efficiency program. The bill wouldve allowed Medicaid to purchase name-brand drugs when they are cheaper than generics, something it has long been prohibited from doing because historically name brands are more expensive. Recent market developments have resulted in some name-brand drugs being cheaper than their generic counterparts, so lawmakers introduced SB 119 to change that and save the state money. The Senate approved it in March. However, when the House took up the bill, a group of Republicans added a provision that would turn ivermectin  the antiparasitic drug that gained notoriety when it was erroneously touted as an effective COVID-19 treatment  into an over-the-counter drug that doesnt require a doctors prescription. The Senate killed the amended bill Thursday.

Horse racing  and vaccines: Senate Bill 60 was introduced to make online horse betting legal. Horse racing is already legal in New Hampshire, but lawmakers in support of this bill said the laws needed to be modernized to account for new digital advancements in gambling and to allow the state lottery commission to properly regulate it. The bill also wouldve allowed gamblers to deposit money into accounts before they place a bet, rather than paying each individual bet. However, when the House approved it, they added unrelated provisions that would take away the state health commissioners ability to require that children receive certain vaccines. These provisions were taken from a different bill, House Bill 357, that was approved by the House but rejected by the Senate. The Senate rejected this Thursday.

Migrant drivers licenses: The Senate rejected the Houses amended version of Senate Bill 13 Thursday. The bill wouldve made out-of-state drivers licenses issued to immigrants who lack proper documentation invalid in New Hampshire. The Senate approved it in January, but when the House considered it months later, lawmakers added a provision that wouldve barred state employees from renewing drivers licenses for people with pending asylum claims, regardless of whether they have a previous or current work authorization in the country. The Senate voted this down Thursday and killed the bill.
A Russian-born scientist and Harvard University cancer researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos into the United States has been released following four months in federal custody Thursday.

Kseniia Petrova, 30, was arrested in February after returning from a vacation in France, where she had obtained a package of superfine sections of frog embryos from a laboratory for research. Upon arriving at Boston Logan International Airport, Petrova was questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding the materials.

"I just want to thank everybody," Petrova said on the steps of the federal courthouse in Boston following her release. "A lot of people started contacting me and sending me letters, and it was a huge support without which I wont be able to survive."

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Judge Takes Step Toward Possible Release Of Detained Russian Harvard Scientist Accused Of Smuggling

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist and research associate at Harvard University, speaks to reporters outside the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse after she was released from U.S. federal custody while awaiting trial in a criminal case in Boston on June 12, 2025.

Following the interview, the researcher was informed her visa was being canceled.

The Department of Homeland Security previously said in a statement posted on social media that Petrova was arrested for "lying to federal officers about carrying substances into the country," adding that messages on her phone "revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them."

Read On The Fox News App

The Department of Homeland Security and Harvard University did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

This undated photo provided by Polina Pugacheva in April 2025 shows Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist who was a researcher at Harvard University.

In an April interview with The Associated Press, Petrova said she was unaware the samples needed to be declared upon her return and insisted she was not trying to smuggle anything into the country.

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Russian Harvard Scientist Kseniia Petrova 'Knowingly' Smuggled Illicit Items To Us: Feds

Petrova was initially detained by immigration officials in Vermont before being sent to a facility in Louisiana. In May, she was formally charged with smuggling in Massachusetts, with a federal judge in Vermont setting a hearing date on her petition seeking release.

The federal judge in Vermont later ruled that the actions of the immigration officers were unlawful and that Petrova "posed a threat to no one." She was subsequently released from ICE custody but remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service due to the smuggling charge.

On Thursday, Magistrate Judge Judith Dein approved an agreement between federal prosecutors and Petrovas immigration attorney, effectively releasing the researcher but limiting her ability to travel while maintaining custody of her passport.

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"I hear its sunny," Dein told Petrova after her release. "Goodbye."

Chinese Official Claims No Knowledge Of Fungus Situation, Says China Requires Citizens Abide By Local Laws

Kseniia Petrova, a Russian-born scientist and research associate at Harvard University, leaves the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse after she was released from U.S. federal custody while awaiting trial in a criminal case in Boston on June 12, 2025.

Petrovas colleagues have previously testified on her behalf, telling the court she is conducting valuable research that aids in searching for a cure for cancer.

Greg Romanovsky, the immigration attorney representing Petrova, said his client has not "decided whether she wants to stay in the United States yet."

"She has offers from different countries around the world, countries that are eager to support the important research that shes doing," he said. "Shes weighing her options at the moment, and shes very grateful to be out."

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Romanovsky did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment.

Under the conditions of her release, Petrova must report any contact with law enforcement  including ICE  to her supervising officer within 24 hours, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.

Petrova is scheduled to return to court next week for a probable cause hearing regarding the smuggling charge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Ivy League bio smuggling suspect with ties to American adversary gets break from federal judge
Closing arguments took place Friday in the second murder trial of Karen Read, who is charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend in a case that has generated more than three years of heated debate.

WATCH LIVE: Judge in Karen Reads retrial charging jury ahead of deliberations

Read, 45, is accused of striking John OKeefe with her car outside a suburban Boston house party and leaving him to die in the snow in January 2022. She has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene.

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Reads lawyers say OKeefe, 46, was beaten, bitten by a dog, then left outside a home in Canton in a conspiracy orchestrated by the police that included planting evidence against Read.

Reads second trial followed similar contours to the first, which ended in a mistrial last year.

Judge Beverly Cannone, who also oversaw the first trial, said the case will likely go to the jury shortly after closing arguments. Cannone said she wants the jury to get in several hours of deliberations Friday if possible.

Read has never been jailed for OKeefes killing. She did not testify at her first murder trial or this one.

WATCH: Alan Jacksons full closing argument (defense)

WATCH: Hank Brennans full closing argument (prosecution)

Defense attorney says Read is an innocent woman framed

Defense attorney Alan Jackson opened by repeating three times: There was no collision. He told the jury that Read is an innocent woman victimized by a police cover-up in which law enforcement officers sought to protect their own and obscure the real killer.

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He also reminded the jury that Read is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and a moral certainty.

Jackson suggested Brian Higgins, a federal agent, was agitated at a bar after Read didnt respond to his text, and coaxed OKeefe over to the Canton house party. Higgins had exchanged romantic text messages with Read and sent her a text message that said um, well after seeing her with OKeefe. He also gestured at OKeefe while looking agitated, Jackson said.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson speaks to jurors during closing arguments in the murder trial of Karen Read, at right, in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle via AP, Pool) /// [EXTERNAL]

What happened inside that house, that basement, or that garage? What evidence was there for investigators to look into? What did they ignore? Jackson asked, noting the obvious dog bites on OKeefes arm and the head injury from his falling backward onto a hard surface.

Jackson also referenced the medical examiners testimony in making the argument that OKeefe wasnt hit by the SUV. She testified that she couldnt determine the manner of death to a reasonable degree of medical certainty.

Prosecutors say Read made a choice to leave OKeefe dying in snow

Prosecutor Hank Brennan opened his closing argument by saying Read callously decided to leave OKeefe dying in the snow, fully aware that he was gravely injured. He described that decision as a choice to let OKeefe die.

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He also said Read was well beyond the legal alcohol limit when she drove at the time.

She was drunk, she hit him, and she left him to die, Brennan said.

Describing OKeefe as a good man who helped people, Brennan said OKeefe needed help that night and the only person who could lend a hand  call 911 or knock on a door  was Read. Instead, she drove away in her SUV.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan cross-examines expert Daniel Wolfe when he returns to the stand during the Karen Read retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Monday June 9, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Brennan said the defenses characterization of Higgins behavior at the bar earlier in the night was inaccurate. He said Higgins was playfighting and not displaying true hostility.

Brennan also characterized OKeefe and Reads relationship as failing at the time of OKeefes death, and said there was growing animosity between them.

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He leaned hard into Reads own words, playing video clips of Read telling an interviewer after the first trial that she shouldnt have been driving and how she wondered if she might have hit him. He also played angry voicemails she sent to OKeefe that night after she arrived home.

Defense paints portrait of a botched investigation

Jackson described the investigation into OKeefes death as botched and biased from the very beginning.

He attacked the lead investigator in the case, Michael Proctor, reading aloud some of his offensive and sexist texts and explaining how he was fired for his blatant bias in the investigation. He also noted that the state never called Proctor as a witness in this trial, as they did during the first trial.

Michael Proctor is clearly radioactive, he said.

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Jackson also suggested Proctor planted glass on the SUVs bumper, noting it didnt match the cocktail glass. That glass had to be placed there.

Jackson also said Proctor failed to interview many key witnesses, including a snowplow driver and Brian Nagel, who had come to pick up his sister.

Michael Proctor

He said investigators never searched the house owned by former Boston police officer Brian Albert for a sign of struggle, nor did they go there to collect blood or DNA. He also noted a group text after OKeefe was found, where one person suggested they say no one came into the house, and Albert responded, Exactly.

That is not justice, folks. That is pure favoritism, he said.

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Jackson also noted the family dog, Chloe, whom the defense alleges bit OKeefe, disappeared and then was gotten rid of altogether.

Who gets rid of their family pet unless they have something to hide? Jackson asked.

Prosecutors point to car data that show Read reversed, accelerated

Brennan said the data on Reads Lexus proved she reversed her car to where OKeefe was standing, and that health data on his phone showed he had gotten out of her car right before the alleged collision.

Brennan has repeatedly referenced the data to make his case.

Read, he said, decided to put the car into reverse and decided to accelerate toward him after the two had an argument on the way to the house where the party took place.

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I suggest to you that it is second-degree murder, he said.

Brennan said the collision caused so much damage to Reads taillight that it left a debris field on the lawn.

As Read arrived back at the scene in the morning, Brennan described how she screamed let me out as the vehicle reached the home where the party took place.

She knows where he is. She knows exactly where he is. She knows where she left him, he said before playing a video clip in which Read described seeing OKeefe in the snow and looking like a buffalo on prairie and a weird shaped lump.

Read supporters continue to gather outside court

Read waved to supporters as she arrived at court. About 100 supporters of Read, many of them wearing pink, were behind a barricade across from the courthouse.

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William Read, the father of Karen Read, walked toward the court and also waved to her supporters across the courthouse.

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In a statement, City of Jacksonville Councilman Rahman Johnson said his plan to codify the citys Neighborhood Bill of Rights will give residents a structured seat at the table before decisions are made.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

He said that with the law the way it is, the city fell short of Brentwood residents by leaving them out of the decision to build a morgue in their neighborhood.

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Action News Jax has been reporting on the medical examiners office and forensics laboratory that is being built in the Brentwood neighborhood for years.

Read: Find another place: Brentwood community protests morgue being built next to school

Neighbors have complained that they were not properly notified about the citys building plan.

People such as Katrina Spencer, who lives in Brentwood, said the change to the law is coming too late, though.

The law will be good, but its not going to benefit us because its already being in effect, she shares.

Read: Brentwood residents suing City of Jacksonville for building morgue in their neighborhood

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Councilman Johnson tells Action News Jax while the current law provides no legal remedy for Brentwood residents, his proposed changes to the bill would do some things like:

Require early notice to neighborhoods for zoning and development

Ensure residents have a voice before decisions are made.

Use CPACS, or Citizen Planning Advisory Committees, as official community mediators.

On Monday, June 9th, the councilman held the first of the meetings to introduce the legislation to community groups.

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Councilman Johnson said he plans to meet with more community groups to discuss the legislation before bringing it before the council for codification.

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You can read his full codification proposal here:

Neighborhood Bill of Rights Proposal by malinacureton100 on Scribd

The councilman said he plans to have a final draft ready to present before his peers as late as the fall.

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(Reuters) -Japan and the U.S. on Friday explored the possibility of a trade agreement, Japan's top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, told a briefing, while refraining from commenting how close they are to reaching a deal.

"We had a very detailed exchange and explored the possibility of a trade agreement," Akazawa told reporters after he met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick separately in Washington in a sixth round of tariff negotiations.

It is likely to be the last round before Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump are to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the Group of Seven leaders' summit, where Japan has been hoping to clinch a deal.

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Akazawa refrained from commenting on whether the talks have matured enough to reach an agreement, saying a deal is possible only when the leaders of both countries approve everything as a package.

He also declined to comment on the chance of Ishiba and Trump reaching an agreement at their upcoming meeting.

Japan faces a 24% tariff rate starting in July unless it can negotiate a deal with the U.S. It is also scrambling to find ways to get Washington to exempt its automakers from 25% tariffs on automobiles, Japan's biggest industry.

(Reporting by Yoshifumi Takemoto and and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo and Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler and Stephen Coates)
LONDON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump had a phone call about the escalating Israel-Iran conflict on Friday, and agreed on the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in solving the crisis.

According to a statement by Downing Street, Starmer reiterated Britain's grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programmes. "The leaders looked forward to speaking again at the G7 in Canada next week," the statement added.

Earlier today, Starmer called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region, according to Downing Street. 
YORK, Va. (WAVY)  A man was arrested on Wednesday after firearms and narcotics were found during a search.

According to officials, just after noon, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Lee Drive for reports of a male suspect making threats to himself and others.

Adonis Bellinger (Courtesy: VPRJ)

While officers were headed to the scene, they were advised that the suspect, 23-year-old Adonis Bellinger, was wanted out of Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court for violations on a conditional release. Police also said Bellinger was facing charges of assault and strangulation against a family member.

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Upon arrival to the scene, officers were given permission to enter the residence in the hopes of deescalating the situation. Once inside, officers located a firearm and drug paraphernalia in plain view.

A further investigation of the residence resulted in the seizure of a rifle and shotgun with ammunition, multiple containers of suspected narcotics and several accessories consistent with drug distribution. Bellinger was then taken into custody without incident and charged with the following:

Possession of a schedule I/II controlled substance

Two counts of possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance

Possession of marijuana over four ounces

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Items seized by officers during search (Courtesy: James City County Police)

Bellinger is now being held in the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. Additional charges may be pending.

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JEFFERSON, Iowa  Earlier this year, Jefferson was honored as a winner of the Great American Main Street Award by Main Street America, the highest honor a Main Street community can receive.

Woodworking meets Broadway in small town Iowa

Jefferson Matters Executive Director Matt Wetrich said its a reflection of 13 years of hard work to revamp the historic central business district in a struggling small town, as well as turn Jefferson into an enticing destination and welcoming hometown.

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He joined Today in Iowas Calyn Thompson during the Live On Location coverage to discuss the recognition.

You can check out all the stories from Today in Iowas week-long focus on Jefferson here: Live on Location in Jefferson.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  First in flight and the future in flight.

North Carolina will be home to a major aircraft manufacturing project thats expected to bring in billions in economic investment. JetZero executives announced Thursday theyll start operations in Greensboro.

The Tar Heel State is home to more than 400 aerospace companies. Some of them are in the Queen City, putting the state well on its way to becoming an aerospace hub. While this new facility will be about 100 miles away, economic experts said we could reap some of the benefits of this growth and innovation.

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Two new companies bringing over 500 jobs to Mecklenburg County

I am proud to announce that JetZero will establish its flagship manufacturing operations right here at Piedmont Triad International Airport, said Goveror Josh Stein.

It was an exciting day for the Old North State, as Stein and other state leaders announced the largest job commitment in the states history. The JetZero team plans to bring more than 14,000 jobs to a new facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport.

North Carolina is exactly the right place for JetZero and the factory for this aircraft, said the companys CEO Tom OLeary. North Carolina is the birthplace of flight. North Carolina is first in flight, and today with this announcement, the state becomes the epicenter of the next era of flight.

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The governor estimates JetZero will bring $250 billion in economic investment to North Carolina, which UNC Charlotte economics professor Matthew Metzgar said could reach far beyond the Triad.

May have just some more general spillover that theres more growth in the state where people are moving here, and maybe theres again partnerships that companies in Charlotte and Raleigh and Durham can work with this company, he said. Maybe have some common interest or again associated businesses that might be able to be partners with.

State and local leaders are planning to give the company more than a billion dollars in economic incentives.

JetZero leaders estimate their planes will be in operation by 2030, so we could eventually see them at Charlotte Douglas International.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
FIRST ON FOX: A Jewish student who alleged she was forced out of her graduate program in part because of her Shabbos observance has settled her religious discrimination lawsuit against Columbia University.

The terms of the settlement in the lawsuit filed by The Lawfare Project and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP were confidential, but Lawfare Project executive Ziporah Reich said it included financial compensation and other relief.

"These outcomes reflect the power of legal action to bring about meaningful change, we are proud to stand behind a courageous student who chose to stand up for her rights," Lawfare Project Director Brooke Goldstein told Fox News Digital in a statement.

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A Columbia spokesperson confirmed the settlement, saying, "We have reached a mutually agreeable confidential settlement with Forrest that did not include any admission of liability."

Columbia University settled a lawsuit with an Orthodox Jewish student who was alleging religious discrimination.

Trump Admin Alleges Columbia Violated Civil Rights Law With 'Deliberate Indifference' To Campus Protests

Mackenzie Forrest, an Orthodox Jewish student from Florida, claimed she was forced out of the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program at the Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW), after she requested that she be allowed to attend classes remotely out of concern for her safety amid widespread antisemitic campus unrest following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

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Forrest alleged that she attended the Columbia School of Social Work specifically because of her interest in the DBT program. However, when she informed the programs director, Andre Ivanoff, Ph.D., that she would not be able to engage in classroom activities that fall on the Jewish Sabbath shortly after she was accepted in Spring 2023, Ivanoff allegedly replied that that would be a "problem," court documents say.

The student alleged Columbia retaliated against her after she requested remote classes out of fear for her safety.

Columbia University Punishes Students Who Took Over Building During Anti-israel Protests

The Jewish graduate student received further pushback regarding her religious practices when she informed Ivanoff that she would be unable to attend a weekend-long workshop on suicide risk assessment because it fell on Shabbos, also known as the Sabbath.

Despite Forrest saying that she could attend the parts of the workshop that did not occur between Friday night to Saturday night, Ivanoff allegedly told her she would need a "dispensation" from her rabbi to attend the workshop. Eventually, Ivanoff decided she would assign her substitute coursework in lieu of the workshop when Forrest informed her she could not attend.

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Following the Oct. 7 attacks in 2023, Columbias campus exploded into a hotbed of antisemitism. In light of what the plaintiff claimed was widespread verbal abuse and a physical assault of a pro-Israel student who was allegedly beaten with what appeared to be a broom, Forrest requested that she be allowed to attend class remotely out of fear for her safety.

Not only was the grad students request denied, but soon after she claimed she faced retaliation from the university. Despite being a straight-A student, Forrest was told she was at risk of failing the field-based internship portion of her curriculum, according to the claim. The Jewish student alleged that she had never previously been told she was under-performing by her academic advisor, whom she met with regularly.





Original article source: Jewish student settles religious discrimination suit against Columbia
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  For decades, we were told the area was losing population, but leaders with the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber recently started noticing a change.

For starters, the research firm MacroTrends shows the area has grown in population over the last two years after bottoming out in 2023, something Guy Coviello, with the Regional Chamber, says has not happened since the 1970s.

The numbers since 2020 show an upward trajectory, Coviello said. Stats for the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, our labor force grew three years in a row, and its the first time thats happened since the 1990s.

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Coviello said figures for wage earning grew in 2024 over the previous year. In addition, the Youngstown-Warren Metropolitan Area is seen as being the most affordable for middle-class families and retirees, and has seen the third highest percentage gain in home prices in the country  but why?

I think a couple of things, but I think most importantly is weve seen some rapid growth in job creation, Coviello said.

As examples, Coviello points to Ultium Cells, which now has 2,200 employees, twice as many as the company had initially predicted, as well as the neighboring Foxconn plant, with its 500 workers.

In addition, there has been growth with distribution businesses like Amazon and FedEx. And with Kimberly-Clark set to build a plant in Howland, there will be increasing demand for housing stock for workers coming into the area.

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Coviello said the Chamber has created a council to find ways to reduce the time needed for home building and streamline the mortgage lending process..

We think well be in front of this when the time comes that we really feel the crunch, Coviello said.

As leaders continue to hope for more growth.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Thursday said Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) should be censured after he tried to approach and question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Los Angeles, prompting federal agents to forcibly remove him from the room and handcuff him.

Video of the altercation  captured by reporters on the scene  sent shock waves through the Capitol, with Democrats slamming the way law enforcement personnel handled Padilla, and Republicans condemning the senators conduct at the media availability.

Pressed on whether Padilla should face consequences, Johnson initially demurred  its not my decision to make, Im not in that chamber  before endorsing censure for the California Democrat.

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I think that that behavior at a minimum rises to the level of a censure, Johnson told reporters. I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what were going to do, thats not what were going to act.

Were not going to have branches fighting physically and having senators charging Cabinet secretaries, he added. We got to do better and I hope that we will.

Just eight senators have been censured in history, the most recent being former Sen. David Durenberger (R-Minn.), who was penalized for financial wrongdoing. The punishment requires a simple majority in the Senate.

The comments came during a press availability in the Capitol after House Republicans narrowly passed a bill to claw back $9.4 billion in federal spending for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Johnson staged the gaggle to discuss the legislation but was swarmed with questions about the altercation in Los Angeles.

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I saw the same video, a very brief video, that I think many people did  I think the senators actions, my view, is it was wildly inappropriate, he said. You dont charge a sitting Cabinet secretary, and everybody can draw their own conclusions, you can see its a heated debate here.

As he delivered those remarks, a long line of House Democrats  including many in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and from the California delegation  walked behind the Speaker and heckled him as he spoke.

Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif), who represents the San Francisco Bay area, shouted Mike, thats absurd. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) yelled why dont you stand up for Congress? Another House Democrat exclaimed thats a lie.

Asked if he would respond to some of the comments, Johnson declined.

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Im not going to respond to that, the Speaker said. I think the American people can draw their own conclusions. They saw a senator acting like a, wildly inappropriate, Ill leave it at that.

What I saw was agents asking him to quiet down so that the secretary could continue her press conference. He refused to do so. What were they supposed to do? They have to restrain someone who is engaging in that kind of behavior. They moved him out of the room, Johnson later added. A sitting member of Congress should not act like that, it is beneath a member of Congress, it is beneath a U.S. senator. They are supposed to lead by example, and that is not a good example.

Earlier on Thursday, Padilla interrupted a press conference Noem was holding in Los Angeles amid widespread protests against the Trump administrations deportation efforts and against President Trumps mobilizing the National Guard and Marines to protect agents.

Multiple men forcibly removed him from the room and handcuffed him.

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Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, Padilla is heard saying as he struggled with officers holding him back.

As he was aggressively moved out two double doors the senator can be heard saying Hands off!

Senator Padilla is currently in Los Angeles exercising his duty to perform Congressional oversight of the federal governments operations in Los Angeles and across California, Padillas office said in a statement immediately after the altercation.

He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noems press conference. He tried to ask the Secretary a question, and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed. He is not currently detained, and we are working to get additional information.

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Updated at 6:21 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.
Consumers have been advised against eating a popular American candy after a health agency determined that the beloved sweet treat is "of toxicological concern."

According to a report from The Independent, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom has issued a warning to consumers about an ingredient in Jolly Rancher candies  a beloved hard candy owned by the Hershey Company.

The FSA warns that Jolly Rancher candies contain mineral oils, which include mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (Moah) and mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (Mosh). These chemical compounds are added to confectionery items to prevent stickiness and to create a glossy appearance, like that of the Jolly Rancher candies.

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However, the FSA warns that when consumed regularly over time, these mineral oils may pose health risks, especially in younger consumers. The agency warned of cancer risk and the possibility of damaged DNA.

Consumption of the affected sweets is of toxicological concern, especially in younger age groups and where consumers eat a lot of the products or eat them regularly," the FSA warned in an alert published Wednesday, according to The Independent.

Moah can cause damage to DNA and has the potential to increase the risk of cancer, particularly if consumed in high quantities over a prolonged period of time. Moah is a genotoxic carcinogen, therefore no exposure is without risk to human health.

The Independent reports that Hershey has been working with the FSA to remove all Jolly Rancher products from the UK market since 2024, though they continue to be imported despite these efforts.

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The FSA has a simple warning for anybody who has purchased Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, "Misfits" Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies: "do not eat them."

If you have bought any of the above products, do not eat them," the FSA warned.

Instead, dispose of them at home. If you are concerned, notify your Trading Standards department or environmental health department in the local authority you purchased it.

For consumers, dont buy them, and if youve eaten these products, there should be no immediate cause for concern, as food safety risk is low, but dont eat any more.

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It's worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration in the United States has not issued a warning about any health risks associated with the candies, and they are still permitted to be sold in the United States.

Still, given this information from another health agency in another country, American consumers might still be a bit wary of consuming the popular candy going forward.

Jolly Ranchers Hit With 'Do Not Eat' Warning in U.K. first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
Jon Stewart had some strong words Thursday for ABC News, calling the organization a f**king joke.

The network, which agreed last year to pay $15 million toward Donald Trumps presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit, said Tuesday it had decided to not renew Terry Morans contract  after the reporter criticized senior White House aide Stephen Miller on social media.

Stewart discussed the matter on his Weekly Show podcast with Jill Lepore, a professor of history and law at Harvard University, and Kevin M. Kruse, a professor of history at Princeton, and minced no words answering a listeners question asking whether ABC shouldve fired Moran.

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Of course not, Stewart said. So stupid. No, for Gods sakes, Should they have fired him?

They shouldnt have paid the $15 million, they shouldnt have fired him, he argued. Literally every day on Fox News theyre taking stuff out of context, or their people are saying utterly vicious things about Democratic politicians and all kinds of other things.

Stewart echoed numerous other pundits, political figures and publications in condemning the network, and argued Thursday that ABC clings to this facade that they somehow exist in a bubble.

He said plainly, Its a joke. Theyre a fucking joke.

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ABC News agreed in December to settle a defamation suit over anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurate on-air assertion that Trump was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. On Sunday, it suspended Moran for a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred, Moran wrote earlier that morning in a since-deleted post. Hes a world-class hater. You can see this just by looking at him because you can see that his hatreds are his spiritual nourishment.

Terry Moran (left) was suspended before ABC News announced his contract wouldn't be renewed over his criticism of White House aide Stephen Miller. Left: Lorenzo Bevilaqua/ABC/Getty Images; Right: Jacquelyn Martin/Associated Press

The network announced Tuesday that Moran wont be returning, and told HuffPost that his words were in clear violation of ABC News policies. Stewart argued Thursday that this seeming strategy to appease Trump is useless against a vindictive administration.

The problem with it all is theres no level of fealty that is enough, he said on his podcast. Youve seen him attack Fox News. That is literally like a 24-hour Trump ball-polishing machine.

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He continued, What does he always say whenever he gets asked a question? Thats a terrible question. Why dont you ever just thank me?

Moran has since announced that he will continue his journalistic work on Substack.

Check out more of the latest episode of The Weekly Show.

Related...
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Jorita Bowers obtained her ultimate healing and victory on Sunday, June 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at the Youngstown Mercy Health Care campus.

As a lifelong resident of Youngstown, she was born on August 20, 1950, to the union of Edna Southerland-Robinson and Clyde Robinson, Sr. Jorita lived a life that was replete with love, laughter, and resilience.

Find obituaries from your high school

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Affectionately known as Jodie by family and friends, she was a dedicated mother, sister, and grandmother. Jorita found sheer joy in traveling, family reunions, and indulging her passion for cooking and baking for her loved ones. Her vibrant spirit thrived in moments spent with family and friends, particularly during the playful games of bingo or trips to the casino.

A proud alumna of the Rayen School, Jorita enjoyed a significant 27 year career with the Youngstown Hospital Association, working at both Southside and Northside Hospitals, where she made lasting friendships while enhancing the quality of life for others.

She is survived by her beloved children, Antionette Toni Bowers Allie, Andree Bowers, Charlotte Bowers, as well as her cherished brothers, Clarence Robinson, Clyde Robinson, Jr., David Summit, William Bebe McKinley, and John Davenport. Joritas legacy will continue to radiate through the lives of her 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a score of family and friends.

Her faith was an integral part of her life, attending Early Morning Church of God in Christ under the late Dr. James Reynolds, where she found strength and community. With her faith becoming sight, Jorita was rewarded with eternal life and was reunited with her parents, along with her grandsons, Jason Jennings and JaBreal Collins, each who welcomed her into eternity.

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The Bower family expresses profound gratitude for the exceptional care and kindness provided by the staff at Beeghley Rehabilitation Center and the compassionate healing ministry of Youngstown Mercy Health Care, which contributed to Joritas quality of life in her final years.

As we gather to celebrate Joritas life and the legacy of love she leaves behind, we invite all who knew her to join us in remembrance of a remarkable woman who fought a good fight and has now obtained her wings.

A public viewing will take place on Friday June 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., the Jaylex Event Center, 2110 Glenwood Ave., Youngtown. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Lewis Macklin presiding. After a committal ceremony, Jorita will be laid to rest alongside her grandson, JaBreal at Tod Homestead Cemetery.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Jorita Jodie Bowers elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J.E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.

A television tribute will air Sunday, June 15 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
ADDIS ABABA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has expressed condolences over the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 that killed over 200 passengers.

"On behalf of the AU Commission and the peoples of Africa, I express my profound sorrow and deepest condolences to the government and people of the Republic of India, and to all other nations affected," Youssouf said in a statement on Thursday.

The chairperson said he is deeply saddened by the significant loss of life, including many Indian nationals as well as citizens of other countries, and affirms that his thoughts and prayers are with all the families grieving the loss of their loved ones in the unimaginable tragedy.

Also on Thursday, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah extended condolences to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the plane crash.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said in a statement that the tragic crash is not only an air disaster that saddens the Indian people and other nationalities on board, but also deeply pains the Namibian people, who have strong bonds of friendship and cooperation with India.

The plane crash on Thursday afternoon killed 241 people on board. However, a passenger survived the crash and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, about 17 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat. 
A federal judge presiding over Mahmoud Khalils case ruled on Friday that the Trump administration can continue to detain the Columbia University activist.

In his ruling on Friday, Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey rejected Khalil's request for release. The judge wrote that Khalil can remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, as long as the detention is not based on a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the activist is a national security threat.

"To the extent the Petitioner requests relief from this Court, the request is denied," the judge said in his ruling.

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Justice Department officials argued in the letter that while Khalil cant be detained based on Rubios determination, according to the judges ruling, he can be detained for other reasons. The officials cited immigration-related statutes.

As a second accusation, they argued they could continue to hold Khalil for failing to disclose all required information on his legal permanent resident application. The court has allowed the government to detain Khalil based on that claim.

Brett Max Kaufman, a senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents Khalil, said that the move is an attempt from the Trump administration to "delay justice for Mahmoud."

The government practically never holds people in detention on a charge like this, and its clear that the government is doing anything they can to punish Mahmoud for his speech about Palestine," Kaufman said. "We will not stop until hes home with his family.

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To justify Khalils removal, Rubio released a memo in April, citing an obscure provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It allows the secretary of state to deport noncitizens if the secretary determines their presence in the country would result in potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.

Rubio wrote in the memo that allowing Khalil, who led protests against the war on Gaza, to stay in the U.S. would create a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.

But the judge, Michael Farbiarz of the U.S. District Court for New Jersey, ruled Wednesday that the foreign policy grounds for Khalils detention are insufficient and likely unconstitutional. Farbiaz stayed the preliminary injunction until 9:30 a.m. Friday, giving the government time to appeal. And by Friday morning, Khalils legal team filed a letter, requesting the court to order his release.

The Government has not filed a notice of appeal of this Courts Order by the Court-ordered deadline for the preliminary injunction to be in effect, the letter said.

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Khalil, who grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and and was granted permanent U.S. resident status, became a widely recognized activist amid the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year. In March, he was abruptly arrested outside his student housing on campus and detained before the Trump administration accused him of leading activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Since then, his legal counsel has been challenging efforts to deport him. He has not been charged with any crime.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has alleged that Khalil has acted to glorify and support terrorists.

In a declaration filed last week, Khalil called the claims grotesque and false.

These were not just attacks on my character; they were efforts to erase my humanity, Khalil said in the legal filing.

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Amid his three months in detention, Khalil also became a father and fought for contact with his newborn son, Deen. Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, a Michigan-born dentist, gave birth in April. ICE previously rejected Khalils request to attend his sons birth, court documents show.

The most immediate and visceral harms I have experienced directly relate to the birth of my son, Deen, Khalil said in the legal filing. Instead of holding my wifes hand in the delivery room, I was crouched on a detention center floor, whispering through a crackling phone line as she labored alone.

ICE also denied a request last week for Khalil to be moved from Louisiana to a facility closer to his family, with no explanation, emails show. The agencys own policy requires detaining noncitizen parents or legal guardians, who are primary caretakers or have custody of minor children, in facilities close to their children.

ICEs directive recognizes that the government should have no role in destroying the family unit, and yet that is exactly what is happening here, said Nora Ahmed, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, which is part of Khalils legal team.

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Khalil met his son for the first time last month, his attorneys said, just before an immigration hearing.

Khalil has drawn widespread support from pro-Palestinian activists nd free speech advocates, with his arrest and detention prompting protests across the country. Most recently, several celebrities who are also fathers, including comedian Mo Amer, actors Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali and Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, came together to read a letter that Khalil wrote to his son ahead of Fathers Day on Sunday.

I am a Palestinian refugee, asylee to America, became a citizen in 2009, and in 2023 I had a son, Amer said. Mahmouds letter is like a dagger to the heart, and thats why I am doing this.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A Manhattan Supreme Court justice on Friday blocked the Adams administration from bringing federal immigration officers onto Rikers Island.

The preliminary injunction will prevent agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies from setting up shop at the jail complex until the case, filed by the New York City Council against the mayor and his administration, is resolved.

New York City, which thrives as a global hub due in large part to its reputation as being a welcoming home for immigrant communities from around the world, risks having this goodwill and invaluable reputation irreparably damaged as a result of an Executive Order borne out of Mayor Adams alleged conflict of interest, Justice Mary Rosado wrote in her decision.

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The mayors top deputy, Randy Mastro, signed an executive order in April to give the green light to federal agents to operate offices on Rikers. The Council filed the suit challenging it a week later, arguing that the order was unlawful and the poisoned fruit of a corrupt deal with the Trump administration.

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is currently running for mayor, said in a statement that the decision was a victory that would protect New Yorkers from Trumps immigration overreach.

New Yorkers are counting on our city to protect their civil rights, and yet, Mayor Adams has attempted to betray this obligation by handing power over our city to Trumps ICE because he is compromised, she said. This attempted corrupt bargain to allow ICE to set up a center on Rikers would only make our city, and all New Yorkers, less safe.

We disagree with the judges decision, and we remain confident we will ultimately prevail in this case, Mastro said in a statement. At no point does the judge dispute that the substance of our executive order fully complies with local law  thats because it does. Furthermore, there is no actual conflict of interest here, and the mayor responded to the appearance of a conflict by delegating this issue to me as his first deputy mayor  whom the judge herself described as an accomplished and highly educated attorney  and I acted entirely independently of the mayor.

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Trumps deportation efforts in New York have ramped up in recent weeks, with agents lurking in the citys immigration courthouses to arrest immigrants checking in for routine court proceedings in their asylum cases.

The mayors attorneys have argued that any risks of imminent harm are no more than speculation. The judge wrote that she found that argument disingenuous.

It is akin to the police telling a 911 caller that they will not assist a victim who calls while a burglar attempts to enter her house but will be helped once the burglar enters her house, Rosado wrote.

The judge also wrote that the Council was likely to succeed in showing that, at the very least, the mayor appeared to be executing a corrupt deal with the Trump administration by agreeing to bring ICE back onto Rikers.

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The mayor was indicted on bribery charges in September, and was set to go on trial in April until President Trumps Department of Justice ordered the charges dropped, in part because they impeded Adams ability to help carry out the presidents hardline immigration agenda.

That directive prompted waves of resignations within Manhattan Federal Court, including that of then-U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon  who alleged there was a quid pro quo between Adams and Trump.

Murad Awawdeh, the president of the New York Immigration Coalition, said that the ruling would prevent thousands of those in pretrial detention at Rikers from being deported: New York City should not be in the business of carrying out Donald Trumps mass disappearance agenda, which is in fact illegal under our local laws, Awawdeh said.
A federal judge ruled Thursday that President Trump must return control of Californias National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) by Friday afternoon, prompting a lightning-fast appeal that began within minutes.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, an appointee of former President Clinton, temporarily blocked the president from deploying thousands of Guard members to Los Angeles, where protests over his immigration agenda have sometimes turned violent.

But the judge paused his order until Friday at noon PDT, giving the administration a quick window to try to fast-track an emergency appeal.

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At this early stage of the proceedings, the Court must determine whether the President followed the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions, wrote Breyer, who is also the brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. He did not.

His actions were illegalboth exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the judge continued. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.

Charles Breyer went on to reject Trumps justification for mobilizing the troops, saying the protests fall far short of a rebellion.

The decision hands a major victory, at least for now, to Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) in their quest to invalidate Trumps deployment as illegal and an unconstitutional intrusion into state authority.

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The judge left for another day, however, whether Trump needed Newsoms consent.

Newsom did not ask the judge to completely block Trumps deployment at this stage, instead urging him to immediately prevent the troops from patrolling the streets of Los Angeles.

Breyer refused Newsoms Tuesday request to intervene in mere hours, instead providing the Trump administration a chance to defend itself at a Thursday hearing before ruling.

At the hearing, Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate argued Trump was not required to seek approval from Newsom in mobilizing the Guard, calling the governor merely a conduit.

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The president does not have to call up a governor and invite them to Camp David for a negotiation summit to call in the National Guard in their state, he said.

There is one commander in chief of the armed forces, and when the president makes a decision, the states are subservient to the presidents decision, Shumate said.

Newsom and Bonta sued Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense over the deployment of several thousand National Guard troops to Los Angeles, where protests over the administrations aggressive immigration enforcement efforts have sometimes turned violent.

During a congressional hearing Thursday, Hegseth refused to commit to following court orders regarding the deployment after a Democratic lawmaker pressed him on the matter.

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He said the U.S. should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country.

The California officials say the deployment was unlawful. Nicholas Green, a lawyer for the state, said the federal governments argument meant the president by fiat could federalize the National Guard and deploy it in the streets of any civilian city in the nation. He called it an expansive, dangerous conception of federal executive power.

I view the constitution a little differently than my colleagues do, he said.

Updated at 9:37 p.m. EDT

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A federal judge on Friday determined that Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestinian activist from Columbia University, will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after the federal government pivoted its legal strategy.

The Trump administration argued Friday it could detain Khalil, a green-card holder, under the justification he kept some of his prior work off his application for permanent residency.

The change comes after District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Wednesday the federal government could not detain Khalil due to Secretary of State Marco Rubios determination he is a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

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Khalil is now detained based on that other charge of removability, the government argued Friday. Detaining Khalil based on that other ground of removal is lawful.

The decision isnt a shock after Farbiarz said in his Wednesday ruling the Trump administration could appeal or keep detaining Khalil based on other justifications.

To be sure, it might be argued that the Petitioner would be detained anyway. After all, as noted above, the Department of Homeland Security is seeking to remove the Petitioner based not only on the Secretary of States determination  but also on a second basis, the Petitioners alleged failure to accurately complete his lawful-permanent-resident application, he wrote at the time.

The federal government waited until the last moment to present its argument, after Farbiarz originally said Khalil, an Algerian citizen, was to be released by 9:30 a.m. Friday morning.

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That time came and went, and Khalil was not released, with his lawyers submitting a filing asking the judge to explicitly order his release. The judge gave the Trump administration until 1:30 p.m. to respond.

Mahmoud Khalil was detained in retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian rights. The government is now using cruel, transparent delay tactics to keep him away from his wife and newborn son ahead of their first Fathers Day as a family, said Amy Greer, associate attorney at Dratel and Lewis, part of Khalils legal team. Instead of celebrating together, he is languishing in ICE detention as punishment for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Palestinians. It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful.

Khalil, the lead negotiator for Columbias pro-Palestinian encampment last spring, was arrested on March 8, becoming the first known activist to come under the wrath of the Trumps administrations foreign student crackdown.

He has been in detention for three months and missed the birth of his first child.

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The most immediate and visceral harms I have experienced directly relate to the birth of my son, Deen. Instead of holding my wifes hand in the delivery room, I was crouched on a detention center floor, whispering through a crackling phone line as she labored alone, he wrote in court filings last week.

I listened to her pain, trying to comfort her while 70 other men slept around me, he added.

There are other pro-Palestinian activists who have been released while their immigration proceedings play out in the courts.

Updated at 6:49 p.m. EDT

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RED BAY, Ala. (WHNT)  Attorneys for a Red Bay daycare worker motioned for a new trial, saying the State introduced forged credentials as evidence. Judge Brian Hamilton has denied the motion.

Payton Ganns trial for her alleged role in the death of 4-month-old Autumn Wells began Monday. She is facing a manslaughter charge.

The State introduced the forged certificates into evidence during the testimony of a DHR investigator on Thursday. The investigator said Ganns DHR file showed that she completed the state-required childcare training of 21 and a half hours.

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According to court documents, after the close of evidence in court on June 12, the State disclosed to Ganns attorneys that the certificates showing the completion of several training courses were in fact, forgeries.

The prosecutors said they were unaware at the time they were brought into evidence that the certificates were forged.

Whether or not Gann received training on the prevention of SIDS and sleeping

environments for infants is material evidence that would aid the jury in determining her

guilt, Ganns attorney wrote.

He added that the introduction of the forged evidence violates his clients rights to due process and a fair trial under the Fifth Amendment and Section I, Article 6 of the Alabama Constitution.

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In August 2022, Gann filed a motion for discovery to request that the State provide any information, material, possible testimony, potential evidence or evidence that may be helpful to the defense.

Ganns lawyers said that the information about the forged certificates was suppressed until after the close of evidence, even though it was helpful to Gann for impeachment of the States witnesses.

The document continues, saying that the DHR investigator who testified on Thursday said she had gotten the forgeries as part of her investigation for the State of Alabama. She also said that the certificates were for seminars conducted by DHR as part of the policies and procedures.

The [DHR] worker either knew or should have known the certificates were fraudulent if she had cross-referenced the certificates found in Ganns file at Tiny Tigers with the state system, Ganns attorneys added.

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In response, the State noted the overwhelming evidence of the Defendants guilt inclusive of, but not exclusive to, evidence of numerous false statements given to laypersons as well as investigators. The prosecutors also spoke with the Autumn Wells family, who said they did not wish to endure the retrial.

Prosecutors stated in the court document that they deny that any evidence was suppressed, saying that the State and DHR were both unaware that the certificates were forgeries. The efforts to prove whether they were forged or not began on June 12 after it was suggested they were fake.

The State contacted the vendor that provided the online training. Late Thursday afternoon, after testimony for the day had concluded and jurors had been dismissed, the vendor reached out to prosecutors to tell them that the certificates could possibly have been forged by the daycare owner.

Following that, the State said they had a conference call with the Defendants counsel and the Court to inform them of what the vendor said. The State then issued a subpoena to develop more information.

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The motion, filed June 12, 2025, was denied by Judge Hamilton on June 13.

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CHICAGO  A federal judge ruled Friday that former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan lied repeatedly and willfully on the witness stand when he testified in his own defense.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey made the finding as Madigans sentencing hearing got underway, listing a series of examples from the trial record where he said Madigan deliberately tried to mislead the jury in his testimony.

Among them, the judge said, was Madigans testimony about his minimal involvement with a ComEd subcontractor contract for his longtime precinct captain, Edward Moody. Blakey said Madigan also lied when he denied he expected quick and favorable responses from ComEd as to his demands, as well as when he claimed he was only contemplating recommending then-Ald. Daniel Solis to a lucrative state board position.

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He further lied, Blakey says, about the closeness of his relationship with Mike McClain, his longtime confidant and co-defendant.

The evidence showed that McClain was one of Madigans most trusted operatives, not just one lobbyist of many as Madigan falsely testified on the witness stand, Blakey said.

Blakeys ruling signaled that Madigans risky decision to take the witness stand could backfire and lead to a harsher sentence.

The video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard Earlier in the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz said Madigan lied purposely and to influence the jurys decision making process to secure a not guilty verdict. One key falsehood, she said: That Madigan had no idea that his associates werent doing any work for ComEd.

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That was a lie, Schwartz said. Mr. Madigan set up these.. arrangements to pay these people for these low- and no-show jobs. Wiretaps in the case showed that Madigan thought it was great, Schwartz argued, pointing also to the a recording where Madigan laughed with a colleague about some of his people making out like bandits at the utility.

Madigan attorney Lari Dierks argued, however, that Madigan should not get a perjury enhancement for his testimony because there was nothing in the record showing anything he said was intentionally untruthful, which prosecutors have to show.

Here, Mike took the stand, he subjected himself to vigorous cross-examination and the government has put forth no evidence that he willfully lied, Dierks said.

Dierks also said its notable that 134 people wrote to the court and shared that Madigan is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is important to him, Dierks said.

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Madigan, 83, who for years was widely hailed as the most powerful politician in the state, entered the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse just after 12:30 p.m., giving a slight smile as he strode past a horde of television news cameras with his lawyers and family members without comment. Carrying a briefcase and umbrella, he then headed to the 12th floor courtroom of U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey.

Blakeys courtroom quickly filled to capacity and spectators were being directed to an overflow room on the 14th floor. The hearing began with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker telling the judge that after the sentence is imposed, the government will move to dismiss the remaining six counts where the jury was deadlocked.

Before arguments began, the judge called Madigan up to the lectern.

Good afternoon sir, ..How are you? Blakey said. Madigan, dressed in a dark gray suit and red tie, adjusted the microphone and chuckled. Been better, right? Blakey said with a laugh of his own. Blakey then told Madigan sentencing is the most difficult process for everyone, including him and his family.

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The hearing is expected to last two hours or more. Before hearing arguments, Blakey must first determine the sentencing guidelines in the case, though its no longer mandatory for him to follow them. Before the judge imposes the sentence, the famously taciturn former speaker will be given a chance to make a statement of his own.

Its the most highly anticipated sentencing in a Chicago public corruption case since former Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich more than a decade ago, and U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey has a wide range of options at his disposal.

The difference between the recommendations of the two sides is stark. Prosecutors have asked for 12  years in prison, while the ex-speakers team requested five years of probation, with the first year on home confinement.

One big question is whether the letters Blakey received on Madigans behalf will help persuade him to go easy on the longest-serving speaker in American history.

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Under the federal rules, the judge must also balance the seriousness of the crime and the need for deterrence, both for Madigan and others who might be tempted to commit similar acts, with the ex-speakers background, personal traits, family history and other good works.

In justifying a lengthy prison sentence, prosecutors have argued Madigan used his public office to increase his power, line his own pockets and enrich a small circle of his most loyal associates.

Madigans legal team, meanwhile, have stressed his age and lifetime of public service, saying that he is a good man whose name was dragged through the mud and will forever be branded as a felon.

After a trial that stretched nearly four months, Madigan was convicted by a jury Feb. 12 on bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges The jury found him guilty on 10 of 23 counts, including one count of conspiracy related to a multipronged scheme to accept and solicit bribes from utility giant Commonwealth Edison.

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Jurors also convicted him on two counts of bribery and one Travel Act violation related to payments funneled to Madigan associates for do-nothing ComEd subcontracts.

Madigan also was convicted on six out of seven counts  including wire fraud and Travel Act violations  regarding a plan to get ex-Ald. Daniel Solis, a key FBI mole who testified at length in the trial, appointed to a state board.

But after 11 days of deliberation, the jurys final verdict was mixed, deadlocking on several counts  including the marquee racketeering conspiracy charge  and acquitting Madigan on numerous others. Jurors also deadlocked on all six counts related to Madigans co-defendant, Michael McClain.

The verdict capped one of the most significant political corruption investigations in Chicagos sordid history. It also cemented an extraordinary personal fall for Madigan, the longest-serving state legislative leader in the nations history, who for decades held an iron-tight grip on the House as well as the state Democratic Party.

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It was a case many thought would never be made. Madigan, a savvy lawyer and old-school practitioner of Democratic machine politics, famously eschewed cell phones and email, and stayed largely above the fray while dozens of his colleagues were hauled off to prison over the years.

Ultimately, it took Soliss extraordinary cooperation, including wearing a hidden wire in meetings with Madigan, along with an FBI wiretap on Madigans longtime confidant, Michael McClain, to break the case open, leading to a series of indictments and pay-to-play allegations against two major utilities, Commonwealth Edison and AT&T Illinois, and more than a dozen other individuals.

Madigan held the speakership for all but two years from 1983 until 2021. Along with ruling the House, Madigan chaired the Illinois Democratic Party from 1998 until 2021, resigning both his House seat and the party post after he lost the speakership.

Madigans hold on the House Democratic caucus started loosening in the wake of a series of explosive sexual harassment cases involving misbehaving aides in 2018, including longtime chief of staff Tim Mapes.

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But the momentum picked up speed in July 2020 when the U.S. attorneys office reached a deferred prosecution agreement with ComEd, which acknowledged trying to influence Madigan by showering his pals and associates with do-nothing contracts, legal work and a seat on the ComEd board of directors.

While ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine, the biggest political marker in the agreement was that Madigan was referenced clearly when the court document called the speaker of the House Public Official A.

McClain and three others were indicted in the separate ComEd Four case four months later. Sentencings in that case, which have been delayed for more than a year due to fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the federal bribery statute, are now expected to unfold in July and August.

______
UPDATE (June 12, 2025 11:48 p.m. E.T.): Late on Thursday night, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit temporarily halted Judge Breyers order returning control of the California National Guard back to Gov. Gavin Newsom. The panel set a hearing for June 17, with Breyers order likely to stay blocked at least until then, pending further word from the court.

A federal judge on Thursday granted a temporary restraining order against President Donald Trumps deployment of the California National Guard in Los Angeles. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer deemed Trumps actions illegal and wrote that he must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith.

Breyer, sitting in California, issued the order after holding a hearing earlier Thursday, but he put his order on hold until noon Friday. The Trump administration has already filed a notice that it's appealing his order to the federal appeals court that covers California. The appeal could quickly reach the Supreme Court.

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Breyer said his task at this early stage in the litigation was to determine whether the president followed proper procedures.

He did not, wrote Breyer (who is the brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer).

His actions were illegal, the judge wrote, both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Breyer wrote that its well-established that the police power is one of the quintessential powers reserved to the states by the Tenth Amendment.

State officials had argued in an urgent motion Tuesday that the Trump administrations use of the military and the federalized National Guard for general law enforcement activities creates imminent harm to State Sovereignty, deprives the State of vital resources, escalates tensions and promotes (rather than quells) civil unrest.

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California officials emphasized that the police  not the military  enforce the law in the United States. They criticized the federal government for seeking to bring the military and a warrior culture to American cities and towns. Now, they have turned their sights on California with devastating consequences, setting a roadmap to follow across the country, they wrote in their motion for a temporary restraining order. California officials said the protests have largely been peaceful and that when they havent been, local and state law enforcement have been able to handle it.

The Trump administration argued that granting a restraining order would judicially countermand the Commander in Chiefs military directives and that it would be unprecedented and dangerous.

Californias restraining order motion Tuesday followed its initial complaint, filed Monday in the same case, against Trumps invocation of the military authority Saturday. The state said Trump used a protest that local authorities had under control to make another unprecedented power grab, this time at the cost of the sovereignty of the State of California and in disregard of the authority and role of the Governor as commander-in-chief of the States National Guard.

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This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A sign inside the Montgomery County Courthouse, as seen on Oct. 10, 2023. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector)

A judge will hold a hearing later this month in a lawsuit filed by parents of children potentially eligible to receive medical cannabis under Alabamas long-delayed program.

The five parents  Dustin Chandler, Cristina Cain, Catherine Hall, Megan Jackson and Kari Forsyth  want the court to require the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to establish a patient registry for medical cannabis, citing delays in access to the program.

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Plaintiffs also bring this petition in their individual capacities because they have suffered specific injuries as a result of the Commissioners failure to establish the patient and caregiver registry and seek to vindicate their own private rights, the parents claimed in the lawsuit. The are also suing in the name of the State of Alabama to uphold the Compassion Acts requirement.

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The commission argued in a motion to dismiss filed in May that the lawsuit lacks standing and asks the AMCC to take steps already taken or beyond its control.

The Commission applauds the early advocacy of those among the Petitioners who supported passage of the (Compassion Act). Regretfully, it appears the Petitioners have been misinformed about the status of the Patient Registry and why it has not yet been populated with the names of eligible patients, counsel for AMCC wrote in the motion.

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The plaintiffs said in their filing that each child has a condition that is treatable with medical cannabis but does not provide any further details.

The AMCC states in the motion that a patient registry has, in fact, been established and is being maintained at a significant expense. But according to the motion to dismiss, no patients are currently registered because physicians cannot be certified until certain licensing requirements for cultivators, processors, transporters and dispensaries are met.

According to the AMCCs filing, rules established by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners (BME) dictate that physician certification is dependent on issuing at least one license in each of the licensing categories, or to one integrated facility.

The Petitioners have not made the BME a party to this litigation, and the Commission has no control over its rules and restrictions, according to AMCCs filing.

The hearing is scheduled for June 26.

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A federal judge warned at a Thursday hearing that accepting the Trump administrations assertion he has no authority to review the presidents National Guard deployment in Los Angeles is a slippery slope.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said he hoped to rule later in the day on California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) request to immediately restrict the troops power on the ground, suggesting federal law at minimum required President Trump to alert the governor.

The judge repeatedly emphasized that Trump is exercising presidential authority  not a kings  and the role comes with limitations.

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Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, Breyer said.

Its not that a leader can simply say something and then it becomes it. Its a question of is a leader, a president or the governor, following the law as set forth in both the Constitution and statutes, he continued. Thats what a president, a governor or any leader must act under. Otherwise, they become something other than a constitutional officer.

Breyer seemed willing to agree with Newsom that Trumps deployment was legally defective, but its still a question as to whether the judge will enjoin the presidents directive or give the administration a chance to institute it the proper way.

At the same time, Breyer appeared skeptical of blocking at this stage the 700 Marines sent to assist the several thousand guard members deployed.

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The Trump administration argues Breyer has no authority to review Trumps deployment of the National Guard because it is in the presidents sole discretion.

Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate argued that Trump was not required to seek approval from Newsom in mobilizing the guard, calling the governor merely a conduit. The president does not have to call up a governor and invite them to Camp David for a negotiation summit to call up the National Guard in their state, he said.

There is one commander in chief of the armed forces, and when the president makes a decision, the states are subservient to the presidents decision, Shumate said.

Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) contend that Trump was required to receive Newsoms consent before deploying the National Guard.

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They suggest, your honor, that there are no guardrails, Nicholas Green, a lawyer for the state, said.

Amid the legal battle, Trump said Thursday that he doesnt feel like a king. He was responding to questions about No Kings demonstrations expected around the country this weekend, which are set to coincide with a military parade marking the U.S. Armys 250th birthday.

I have to go through hell to get stuff approved, Trump said.

Breyer during the hearing kept returning to monarchy talk, trying to determine how he could side with Trump without giving him unchecked power.

What makes America great, different, is our Constitution and our robust discussion of views of the citizens, the judge said.

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A federal judge pressed the Department of Justice during a hearing Thursday about whether President Donald Trump followed the law when he activated the National Guard in response to recent anti-immigration enforcement protests and riots in Los Angeles County, California.

Judge Charles Breyer, a Clinton appointee, repeatedly drew comparisons to a monarchy as he weighed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's request that the court temporarily restrict Trump's power to use the National Guard.

Breyer said the United States is not ruled by a king and that presidential power has limitations.

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"We're talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is, of course, limited to his authority," Breyer said. "That's the difference between a constitutional government and King George. Its not that a leader can simply say something, and it becomes it."

Retired Justice Stephen Breyer's Brother Assigned To Newsom National Guard Lawsuit

President Donald Trump, California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Breyer, who is the brother of retired liberal Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, did not make any decisions from the bench during the hearing and did not signal how he would rule. He indicated that a decision would come as soon as Thursday evening.

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The judge's remarks came as he weighed arguments presented by DOJ Civil Division head Brett Shumate. Shumate argued the courts do not even have authority to review Trump's invocation of Title 10, a set of laws that lays out what mechanisms a president can use to federalize National Guard members.

The National Guard is a state-based military force under the dual control of presidents and governors. Typically, a president activates the National Guard with a governor's consent.

But, as demonstrated in the courtroom in Northern California on Thursday, the law leaves room for debate about whether a governor's permission is necessary.

The Title 10 law that Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth relied on to federalize thousands of National Guard members says presidents must go "through" a governor. A memorandum Hegseth sent out deploying the soldiers states that he went through Newsom, a point Breyer questioned.

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Former Ag Barr Shreds Gavin Newsom's 'Nonsense' Legal Claims As Trump Sends In Troops To Quell La Riots

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies during a hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.

"Im trying to figure out how something is through somebody if, in fact, you didnt give it to him," Breyer said.

Newsom vehemently opposed Trump sending the military into his state, saying the president's show of force exacerbated the fledgling riots in parts of Los Angeles and caused them to worsen.

After the presidents proclamation, protests and riots intensified. Demonstrators set several self-driving cars on fire, looted stores, and continued assaulting law enforcement officers, including by pelting officers with concrete and other hard objects.

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Trump Tells Judge He Does Not Need Newsom's Permission To Crack Down On Rioters, Deploy National Guard

A rioter waves a Mexican national flag next to a car on fire during a protest following federal immigration operations, in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on June 7, 2025.

California's attorney general filed a lawsuit over Trump's actions, pitting the president against Newsom, one of the most prominent Democrats in the country and a possible 2028 presidential contender.

Attorneys for Newsom argued in a complaint that Trump and Hegseth exceeded their authority, violated Title 10, and violated the Administrative Procedure Act.

They "unlawfully bypassed the Governor of California," the attorneys wrote. In addition to possibly requiring consent from a governor, Title 10 also requires that there be a rebellion or similar type of scenario that is underway.

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"At no point in the past three days has there been a rebellion or an insurrection," the attorneys wrote. "Nor have these protests risen to the level of protests or riots that Los Angeles and other major cities have seen at points in the past, including in recent years."





Original article source: Judge mulls Trump's authority over National Guard, warns US is not 'King George' monarchy
HELSINKI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday that it has concluded a criminal investigation into the damage caused to submarine cables in the Gulf of Finland on Dec. 25, 2024.

According to a press release issued by the NBI, the investigation centered on the possible involvement of the Eagle S, a Cook Islands-flagged tanker that was present in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

Based on evidence gathered from the vessel, seabed inspections, and crew interviews, Finnish police suspect that senior officers aboard the Eagle S may be responsible for the incident.

The suspects include the ship's master, chief mate, and second mate, all of whom were in charge of the vessel's safe passage, navigation, and operations, said Detective Chief Inspector Sami Liimatainen, head of the investigation, in the press release.

They are suspected of aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications, the NBI said.

In an interview with Finnish national broadcaster Yle, Liimatainen noted that all suspects denied the allegations during the preliminary investigation.

The damaged cables include EstLink 2, a critical submarine electricity transmission line connecting Finland and Estonia, which plays a key role in integrating the Baltic and Nordic energy markets and ensuring a secure power supply across the region.

The Eagle S reportedly damaged the cable by dragging an anchor across the seabed, also affecting several adjacent data cables.

The tanker was seized by Finnish authorities during the course of the investigation; the seizure was lifted in February 2025, and the vessel subsequently departed Finland in March, Yle reported. However, the individuals under investigation remain subject to a travel ban.

The case has been referred to the Office of the Prosecutor General for a decision on possible charges, the NBI said. 
A judge has ordered Donald Trump to return control of the California National Guard to the state, saying the president's decision to deploy them to protest-hit Los Angeles over Governor Gavin Newsom's objections was "illegal."

"His actions were illegal ... He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith," US District Judge Charles Breyer wrote of the president in the ruling, seen by AFP.

However, he paused the order until 12 pm local time (1900 GMT) Friday -- and the White House almost immediately launched an appeal that could make it all the way to the Supreme Court.

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"Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow," Newsom said in televised comments after the ruling was issued.

"He is not a monarch, he is not a king, and he should stop acting like one," the 57-year-old Democrat said.

Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard -- a reserve force -- and deploy them in California over the objection of the state governor was one not taken by a US president since 1965.

The Republican has argued he did so because protests in Los Angeles against immigration raids ordered by his administration had gotten out of control, and the city was "burning."

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But Newsom and local law enforcement have stated repeatedly that there was no need for the deployment, and the protests have been mostly peaceful and contained to a few city blocks -- albeit tarnished by some spectacular violence, including the torching of several cars.

Critics have accused Trump -- who also deployed 700 active Marines to the sprawling city -- of exaggerating the crisis and exceeding his authority to conduct a power grab.

Breyer's 36-page opinion said the violence fell "far short" of the "rebellion" Trump described to justify calling in the guardsmen.

There was "no evidence of organized, as apart from sporadic or impromptu, violence" during the protests, which first broke out in Los Angeles on Friday, he said.

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"Nor is there evidence that any of the violent protesters were attempting to overthrow the government as a whole; the evidence is overwhelming that protesters gathered to protest a single issue -- the immigration raids."

Breyer also wrote that he was "troubled" by the implication that "protest against the federal government, a core civil liberty protected by the First Amendment, can justify a finding of rebellion."

There was no immediate reaction from the White House to the ruling.

bur-st/sla
A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to return control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom. The Trump administration quickly appealed the order, which the judge set to take effect Friday at noon Pacific time.

On June 6, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeted warehouses, clothing manufacturers, and Home Depot parking lots across Los Angeles, prompting a wave of local protests. Trump seized the opportunity to exert control over the state, deploying 2,000 National Guard troops into the city despite protests from both Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass.

In his evaluation of Californias request for a temporary restraining order against the federal government, Judge Charles Breyer of the Federal District Court in San Francisco determined Trump did not follow the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions.

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His actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Breyer wrote in his order Thursday. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the governor of the state of California forthwith.

The news of the ruling was announced on the same day Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was dragged out of a Department of Homeland Security press conference, forced to the ground, and handcuffed by members of the FBI after attempting to ask DHS Secretary Kristi Noem a question.

Padilla said in a press conference outside the building that he was there peacefully and was hoping to get answers from the administration about their immigration policies. I began to ask a question, the senator recalled, delivering his remarks both English and Spanish. I was forced to the ground, and I was handcuffed, he said, clarifying: I was not arrested. I was not detained. Padilla then directly addressed reporters: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question you can only imagine what theyre doing do farmers  and day laborers.

Earlier this week, Newsom called out Trumps theatrical display of toughness and said the president has crossed a red line in this country. When speaking with Pod Save America, the California governor responded to threats of arrest by the president and his administration, while lambasting Trump for inciting chaos, using valuable resources, and militarizing city streets.







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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  The federal judge presiding over the case against five former Memphis officers convicted in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols recused himself Friday, just days before he was supposed to hand down sentences for the men.

U.S. District Judge Mark S. Norris issued a one-sentence order saying he was recusing himself and "returns the matter to the Clerk for reassignment to another United States District Judge for all further proceedings.

He offered no further explanation. Norris' clerk did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the U.S. Attorneys Office declined comment Friday.

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Norris had overseen the case since federal indictments were issued in September 2023. He accepted guilty pleas from two of the officers and presided over the trial for the other three officers in October. Four of the five officers had been scheduled to be sentenced next week and the fifth on June 23.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman was added to the case late Friday, court records showed. It was not immediately clear how the change in judges would affect the timing of the sentencings.

Several motions had been filed under seal in recent days. It was not clear if any of those asked for Norris to step away from the case. It is unusual for a judge to recuse themself from a case between the trial and sentencing.

Beating was captured on cameras

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The officers yanked Nichols from his car, then pepper-sprayed and hit the 29-year-old Black man with a Taser. Nichols fled, and when the five officers, who are also Black, caught up with him, they punched, kicked and hit him with a police baton. Nichols called out for his mother during the beating, which took place just steps from his home.

Nichols died Jan. 10, 2023, three days later.

Footage of the beating captured by a police pole camera also showed the officers milling about, talking and laughing as Nichols struggled with his injuries  video that prompted intense scrutiny of police in Memphis.

The beating also sparked nationwide protests and prompted renewed calls for police reform. The five officers  Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith  were fired from the police force and indicted in state and federal court.

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Bean, Haley and Smith were found guilty in federal court in October of obstruction of justice through witness tampering related to an attempt to cover up the beating.

The officers failed to say that they or their colleagues punched and kicked Nichols and broke Memphis Police Department rules when they did not include complete and accurate statements about what type of force they used.

Bean and Smith were acquitted of more serious civil rights charges by the federal jury. Haley was found guilty of violating Nichols civil rights by causing bodily injury and showing deliberate indifference to medical needs. He was also convicted of conspiracy to witness tamper.

Bean and Smith were scheduled to be sentenced on Monday. Haley's sentencing was scheduled for Tuesday, and Martin was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday. Mills' sentencing was set for June 23.

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Martin Zummach, Smith's lawyer, referred questions on Norris' recusal to the district court and the U.S. Attorney's Office on Friday.

Bean, Haley and Smith were acquitted in May of all state charges, including second-degree murder. The jury for the state trial was chosen in majority-white Hamilton County, which includes Chattanooga, after Judge James Jones Jr. ordered the case be heard from people outside of Shelby County, which includes the majority-Black Memphis. The officers' lawyers had argued that intense publicity made seating a fair jury difficult.

Martin and Mills pleaded guilty in federal court last year to violating Nichols civil rights by causing death and conspiracy to witness tamper. They did not stand trial in federal court with their former colleagues. Martin and Mills also avoided the trial in state court after reaching agreements to plead guilty there. Both Martin and Mills testified in the federal trial, and Mills also took the stand in the state trial.

Officers were part of Scorpion Unit

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The officers were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit that was disbanded weeks after Nichols died. The team targeted illegal drugs and guns, and violent offenders, and sometimes used force against unarmed people.

In December, the U.S. Justice Department said a 17-month investigation showed the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people. The investigation also found that the Memphis Police Department conducts unlawful stops, searches, and arrests.

In May, the Trump administration announced it was retracting the findings of Justice Department civil rights investigations of police departments, including Memphis, that were issued under the Biden administration.

The city has hired a former federal judge and created a task force to address police department reforms. The task force has not announced any recommendations.

Nichols' family is suing the five officers, the city of Memphis and the police chief for $550 million. A trial has been scheduled in that case next year. Norris is the judge presiding over that case too. Court records in the lawsuit did not show any order of recusal Friday.
A federal judge ruled Friday that President Trumps firings of three former President Biden-nominated Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) members were illegal, enabling them to return to their posts.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox, a Biden appointee who serves in Maryland, ordered the administration restore the commissioners pay as well as their access to office spaces, computers and email accounts.

The three commissioners  Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr.  sued the administration after Trump fired them last month.

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Maddox is the latest district judge to block Trumps efforts to fire Democratic appointees at independent agencies across the federal bureaucracy despite federal law providing them with for-cause removal protections.

The president did not purport to have cause in firing the CPSC members or those at other agencies. His administration seeks to invalidate the protections as unconstitutional by intruding on the presidents authority to oversee the executive branch.

The Supreme Courts conservative majority has signaled a willingness to agree with that view, but it has not yet formally overruled the courts 90-year-old precedent that paved the way for Congress to provide the removal protections.

In its latest signal, the nations highest court last month lifted lower injunctions blocking Trumps firings at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), saying the agency leaders could be terminated until any appeals are resolved.

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Maddox acknowledged that decision Friday but distinguished it from his case. He stressed the Supreme Court rooted its decision in how the NLRB and MSPB leaders faced a whiplash of removals and reinstatements throughout the lower court proceedings, insisting the decision did not eviscerate the constitutionality of removal protections.

Disruption might have resulted in the instant case if Plaintiffs had been reinstated while this case was in its preliminary posture, only to have the Court later deny relief in its final judgment and subject Plaintiffs to removal again, the judge wrote. The risk of such disruption is no longer a factor now that the Court is granting permanent injunctive relief as a final judgment.

The Justice Department declined to comment.

Todays opinion reaffirms that the President is not above the law, Nick Sansone, the commissioners lead counsel who works for consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said in a statement.

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Congress structured the CPSC as an independent agency so that the safety of American consumers wouldnt be subject to political whims and industry pressure, Sansone continued. The courts ruling upholds that sound legislative choice.

He added, We are thrilled that our clients can get back to work keeping us safe from hazardous products.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 federal appeals court has preserved President Donald Trumps ability to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles, blocking for at least a few days a judges order that found the call-up illegal and unconstitutional.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked U.S. District Judge Charles Breyers order just hours after he issued it, amid an urgent push from the Trump administration to vindicate Trumps power as commander in chief.

The three-judge panel included Trump appointees Mark Bennett and Eric Miller, as well as Biden appointee Jennifer Sung. They set a Tuesday hearing on the matter, ensuring Trumps deployment will remain in place at least into next week.

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The appeals court order came after Breyer ordered Trump to relinquish control of Californias National Guard troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who sued to block Trumps deployment earlier this week.

Breyer ruled that the presidents deployment to Los Angeles amid immigration protests violated the law. The civil unrest accompanying those protests fall far short of rebellion, the judge ruled, concluding that Trumps attempt to equate the sporadic violence over the weekend to an organized uprising were specious.

On Saturday, Trump cited a federal statute allowing him to use the National Guard to suppress the danger of a rebellion or to execute federal laws when regular forces are unable to do so.

While Defendants have pointed to several instances of violence, they have not identified a violent, armed, organized, open and avowed uprising against the government as a whole, Breyer concluded in a 36-page opinion. The definition of rebellion is unmet.

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The ruling was an extraordinary rebuke of Trumps unprecedented use of the military to support federal immigration authorities as they carry out deportation raids amid volatile protests in Los Angeles. That order resulted in a decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy 4,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles this week. Those troops have since helped protect federal buildings and immigration officials as they carried out deportation efforts.

The appeals courts short-term block came after an urgent plea from the Trump administration for a ruling before midnight in Washington, saying Breyers decision represented a dangerous affront to Trumps power as commander in chief to protect federal interests.

Newsom quickly celebrated the ruling, calling it a big day for the Constitution and said he was confident the ruling would withstand appeals.

"The National Guard men and women will go back to their day jobs, he said, describing their deployment as a detraction from their work on fire prevention, fentanyl trafficking and other state-led missions.

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The sweeping nature of Breyers decision could make it vulnerable on appeal. When the states lawyers filed an emergency motion Tuesday seeking Breyers intervention, they asked only for a temporary order prohibiting the federalized National Guard troops from engaging in law enforcement or accompanying immigration officers in the field. However, the judge ruled much more broadly, declaring Trumps order federalizing the Guard to be unlawful and ordering that those forces be returned to Californias control.

In his order, Breyer agreed that some of the protests had been accompanied by unacceptable violence. But he said the law and Constitution require far more significant degrees of violence to justify deploying the military to enforce civil laws.

The idea that protesters can so quickly cross the line between protected conduct and rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States is untenable and dangerous, the judge concluded.

Breyer also noted that despite the unrest, immigration authorities had still managed to conduct operations in Los Angeles without military intervention, making 44 arrests in the days after protests began.

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Whether ICE could have detained more people in the absence of the protests is mere conjecture  Defendants provide no support for that assertion, he noted. Even assuming that Defendants are correct, however, the statute does not allow for the federalizing of the National Guard when the President faces obstacles that cause him to underperform in executing the laws  The statute requires that the President be unable to execute the laws of the United States. That did not happen here.

Breyer also concluded that Trump failed to follow the procedures set out in the law authorizing him to federalize members of a states National Guard contingent, which include a mandate that he issue such an order through the governor of the state.

That failure was accompanied by Trump effectively usurping Californias policing power, which the Constitution reserves to the states, Breyer concluded.

It is not the federal governments place in our constitutional system to take over a states police power whenever it is dissatisfied with how vigorously or quickly the state is enforcing its own laws, the judge wrote.

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But Breyer stopped short of suggesting the deployment violated another law, the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of military forces to enforce domestic laws, except in rare circumstances. He said he would make that determination after further litigation.

Breyer issued his ruling just hours after he cast doubts on the legality of Trumps troop deployment during an emergency hearing in San Francisco.

In addition to ruling against Trump on the legality of the deployment, Breyer snubbed the presidents attorneys by giving them only about 18 hours to comply or get relief from an appeals court, instead of the 48 hours the Justice Department requested.

The judge also framed his ruling as a temporary restraining order, which is a short-term block thats not typically appealable. A DOJ attorney had asked Breyer to issue a preliminary injunction, which is a longer-lasting block but clearly subject to appeal. Justice Department lawyers have a mixed record convincing higher courts to take up appeals of the shorter-term orders, which are often issued on a skimpy factual record and with limited legal briefing.

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Newsom, in his filing to the appeals court, seized on this issue to suggest the panel may not even have the authority to consider the Justice Departments appeal, saying there are serious questions about whether the court has the power to act in response to a temporary restraining order.

Blake Jones contributed to this report.


A judge has sided with a union representing workers at the University of New Mexicos Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Rio Rancho, finding the employer violated the unions legal right to bargain.

Second Judicial District Court Judge Elaine Lujans seven-page order issued Tuesday upheld an opinion from the Public Employee Labor Relations Board. That opinion said the hospital breached its statutory duty by refusing to bargain with the United Health Professionals of New Mexico about a reduction in force after the union submitted a formal demand.

It also faulted the hospital for failing to respond to requests about the reduction in force and implementing unilateral changes to working conditions for employees in the bargaining unit.

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The union called Lujans decision as a significant legal victory in a news release Wednesday.

This ruling should shut the door on the hospitals campaign to avoid bargaining in good faith and silence its workers, Regina McGinnis, a physical therapist and president of United Health Professionals of New Mexico, said in the release.

She added, Its refusal to follow basic legal obligations under labor law is not only unethical but dangerous for workers and the patients they serve.

Chris Ramirez, a spokesperson for UNM Health System, wrote in an email to The New Mexican that the organization respects the recent decision.

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D-202-CV-2024-01995.pdf

UNM Hospital is committed to working with its labor partners to ensure that it fulfills its mandate to the community by providing high-quality patient care, Ramirez wrote. UNM Hospital looks forward to continuing this dialogue with its labor partners.

The Public Employee Labor Relations Board ordered UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center to recognize and bargain with the union immediately on wages, hours and all terms and conditions of employment.

It also required the hospital to halt all violations of the Public Employee Bargaining Act  which in New Mexico dictates the rights of unionized public employees, their employers and the state Public Employee Labor Relations Board  and to post notice of its past violation for 30 days with a promise of compliance in the future.

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United Health Professionals of New Mexico is currently reviewing the boards remedies to determine whether the employer has complied or whether further legal action is required, the union said in the news release.

However, McGinnis said she remains concerned about UNM Sandovals compliance.

This is a public hospital, funded by public dollars, and there must be public accountability, McGinnis said. Healthcare workers deserve more than empty apologies and legal delays. They deserve respect and a lawful seat at the table.
Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who was the first target of President Donald Trump's crusade against foreign students he calls "terrorist sympathizers," could soon be released from custody thanks to a preliminary injunction that a federal judge in New Jersey granted this week. The reasoning behind that injunction underlines the chilling impact of Trump's attempt to treat speech he does not like as a deportable offense.

Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, was arrested in Manhattan on March 8 and since then has been confined to an immigration detention facility in LaSalle, Louisiana. His case ended up in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey because that is where he was detained when his lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition.

The government "can have little or no interest in applying the relevant underlying statutes in what is likely an unconstitutional way," U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz wrote on Wednesday. His preliminary injunction bars the government from "detaining" or "removing" Khalil "based on" Secretary of State Marco Rubio's determination that his pro-Palestinian activism poses a threat to U.S. foreign policy interests.

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Farbiarz stayed his injunction until 9:30 this morning to allow for a government appeal of his decision. That deadline came and went without an appeal. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official nevertheless told Khalil's lawyers "the government has no immediate plans to release him," The New York Times reports.

ICE may be relying on a secondary justification for Khalil's detention that the government added after his arrest generated controversy because of its First Amendment implications: When Khalil applied for a green card, the government claims, he failed to fully disclose his associations and employment history. But according to declarations from three immigration law experts, Farbiarz noted on Wednesday, "lawful permanent residents are virtually never detained pending removal for the sort of alleged omissions in a [green card] application that [Khalil] is charged with here." As Farbiarz saw it, that evidence "strongly suggests that it is the Secretary of State's determination that drives [Khalil's] ongoing detentionnot the other charge against him."*

Rubio's determination was based on 8 USC 1227(a)(4)(C)(i), which authorizes the removal of noncitizens when the secretary of state "has reasonable ground to believe" their "presence or activities" in this country "would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." Specifically, Rubio claimed in a two-page memo invoking Section 1227, Khalil had participated in "antisemitic protests" that "foster[ed] a hostile environment for Jewish students."

Those activities, Rubio averred, "undermine U.S. policy to combat anti-Semitism around the world and in the United States" as well as "efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States." He added that "condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the United States would severely undermine" a "significant foreign policy objective," which he described as "champion[ing] core American interests and American citizens."

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Rubio was alluding to Khalil's prominent role in protests at Columbia against Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza. But he did not cite any specific evidence that Khalil had promoted antisemitisma charge that Khalil vehemently denies. Nor did Rubio accuse Khalil of breaking the law in any way. In fact, the memo acknowledged that the case against Khalil was based on "past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful."

Although that concession meant Rubio was required to cite "a compelling U.S.

foreign policy interest," he described the relevant interest as merely "significant." That was by no means the only problem with his memo. In a 101-page opinion published on May 28, Farbiarz concluded that Khalil was likely to prevail in his claim that Rubio's rationale was unconstitutionally vague as applied to him: It failed to give clear notice of prohibited conduct, as required by the Fifth Amendment right to due process, and it invited discriminatory enforcement.

Farbiarz noted that Rubio had repeatedly cited the purported domestic impact of Khalil's activities, which on its face had nothing to do with foreign policy, and conspicuously failed to claim those activities had affected U.S. relations with any particular country. Farbiarz thought that omission was striking in light of Section 1227's legislative and enforcement history.

When that provision was enacted in 1990, Farbiarz found, it was "expected to be used in contexts in which the underlying conduct (a) took place mainly abroad, not inside the United States, and (b) was determined by the Secretary to impact U.S. relations with another country." The way the law had been deployed prior to Khalil's arrest pointed in the same direction: "Section 1227 was generally meant to be used, and has been used, for conduct (a) that entirely or all but entirely took place outside the United States and (b) that, as determined by the Secretary, would impact U.S. relations with a foreign country."

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Khalil, by contrast, "acted solely within the United States," Farbiarz noted, and Rubio "did not affirmatively determine that [his] conduct had any impact on U.S. relations with another country." Section 1227's legislative background and enforcement history "do not suggest in 'the common mind' that removal might be sought in these circumstances," Farbiarz wrote. "Rather, they underscore that a Section 1227 removal of the kind at issue here is unprecedentednot within the realm of conduct that the statute normally covers, of which an ordinary person would have notice."

The alleged connection between Khalil's domestic conduct and the global fight against antisemitism presents all sorts of puzzles for anyone keen to avoid deportation, Farbiarz noted:

How is an ordinary person to have notice that his conduct in America may have the impact that Section 1227 requires? How will he know whether people are hearing his words? That they are being influenced by them? That he is being seen by others as a kind of role model? What facts will he need to look to in order to answer these questions? Is he to read foreign newspapers to see whether he is being covered and how? In what languages? Newspapers from what places? Should he look to YouTube? TikTok? How thoroughly must he search for himself online? And critically: how much influence abroad is enough? When will he have a sense that his influence has risen to the high level of "compromis[ing]"a compelling American foreign policy interest?

Someone who "wishes to steer clear of the possibility of being removed from the United States under Section 1227," Farbiarz observed, will "have to go quiet, or he will have to figure these things out." But "having people go quiet because they cannot readily determine how to stay on the right side of the law" is "one of the things vagueness doctrine exists to guard against."

When a law implicates First Amendment rights, as it does in this case, the need for clarity is especially important. Yet "Section 1227 is vaguer than other statutes that have been struck down" as unconstitutionally vague, Farbiarz wrote. "Section 1227 has been applied here in a surprising wayone that lessens the notice that an 'ordinary person' receives and leaves enforcement fully 'standardless.' [Rubio] has not determined that [Khalil's] conduct has impacted U.S. relations with another country. But that is what Section 1227 requires. And the statute's legislative and enforcement history [does] not foreshadow [Rubio's] determination. Moreover, Section 1227, as applied here, requires hard thinking to even know whether it is being triggered."

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The vagueness problem, Farbiarz added, is only compounded if we give Rubio a pass by reading "foreign policy interest" to encompass U.S. "relations with the external world as a whole," as opposed to a specific country. Drawing on government documents, Farbiarz listed 33 potential "foreign policy interests," noting that the list could be expanded to several pages. "What notice is provided if 'foreign policy interest' can mean relations with other countriesplus the 33 things noted above, plus the many multiples of the 33 that might have been put down here?" he wrote. "Not very much. What sort of limits on enforcement discretion does this list imply? Only light ones."

If such vagueness is tolerated in this context, Farbiarz warned, it could easily spread to the criminal code, implicating the rights of U.S. citizens as well as foreign visitors. To underline that point, he quoted from a 1996 opinion by U.S. District Judge Maryanne Trump Barry (the president's late sister), which he described as "the first and only time

before today that a federal court has written substantively" about Section 1227.

"Imagine, for a moment, how quickly our constitutional hackles would rise if a local

police chief were granted the power to arrest any person whose mere presence would

cause potentially serious adverse consequences for the public peace," wrote Barry, who deemed Section 1227 unconstitutionally vague on its face. "If the hypothetical police chief statute would be void for vagueness (as it obviously would), then so, too, must be Section 1227."

It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will comply with Farbiarz's injunction by releasing Khalil or keep him in custody based on its post-hoc rationale for deporting him: that he did not supply all the information he should have when he applied for a green card.* But federal judges have issued similar orders in other cases involving students whose criticism of the Israeli government was deemed contrary to U.S. foreign policy interests.

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Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown University graduate student who was detained in March, was freed on May 14. Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi, who was detained at his U.S. citizenship interview on April 14, was released two weeks later. Romeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University graduate student who was arrested on March 25 because of an op-ed piece she published in the school newspaper, was released on May 9.

Those deportation cases, like Khalil's, are still pending. But they may ultimately fail, largely for the reasons that Farbiarz has described in great detail. The due process problems intersect with the obvious First Amendment issue: Trump is trying to punish people for constitutionally protected speech, and the Supreme Court has said freedom of speech extends to "aliens residing in this country," not just U.S. citizens.

*Update: In a letter to Farbiarz on Friday afternoon, the government's lawyers said they are indeed now relying on the failure-to-disclose rationale that the judge had already suggested was pretextual. One of Khalil's lawyers, Marc Van Der Hout, said that charge is "completely bogus and completely retaliatory for his First Amendment activity." But Farbiarz said Khalil had yet to present "factual evidence as to why it might be unlawful to detain him on the second charge" or "make meaningful legal arguments" on that score.

The post A Judge Said the Excuse for Arresting Mahmoud Khalil Was Unconstitutionally Vague. Why Isn't Khalil Free? appeared first on Reason.com.
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.

The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the Guard was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority.

The White House had no immediate comment on the ruling, but the federal government immediately filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.

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U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said Trump overstepped his bounds in ordering the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown.

It was not immediately clear how that would change the situation on the ground.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block the Guards deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

He argued that the troops were originally deployed to protect federal buildings and wanted the court to block the troops from helping protect immigration agents during the raids, saying that involving the Guard would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

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The Trump administration called the lawsuit a crass political stunt endangering American lives in its official response Wednesday.

In a broad ruling, the judge determined Trump had not properly called the Guard up in the first place.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and one other media outlet, said that as of Wednesday about 500 of the Guard troops have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

Sherman is commander of Task Force 51, which is overseeing the Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles.

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Typically the authority to call up the National Guard lies with governors, but there are limited circumstances under which the president can deploy those troops. Trump federalized members of the California National Guard under an authority known as Title 10.

The lawsuit argued that Title 10 requires, among other things, that the president go through governors when issuing orders to the National Guard.

Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, said Trump complied with the statute by informing the general in charge of the troops of his decision and would have the authority to call in the Guard even if he had not.

In a brief filed ahead of the Thursday hearing, the Justice Department said Trumps orders were not subject to judicial review.

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Courts did not interfere when President Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation. Courts did not interfere when President Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail in the midst of a postal strike. And courts should not interfere here either, the department said.

Our position is this is not subject to judicial review, Shumate told the judge.

Breyer, who at one point waved a copy of the constitution, said he disagreed.

Were talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is of course limited in that authority. Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, he said.

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The protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

Federal immigration agents have been arresting people at Home Depot parking lots and other businesses, sparking fear in immigrant communities, after the Trump administration said it wanted to dramatically increase arrests under its immigration crackdown.

Trump has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Bass and Newsom say are nowhere close to the truth.

The Marines have not yet been spotted in Los Angeles, and Guard troops have had limited engagement with protesters.

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Dozens of mayors from across the Los Angeles region banded together Wednesday to demand the raids stop and the troops leave.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Thursday directing President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.

The order, which takes effect at noon Friday, said the deployment of the Guard was illegal and both violated the Tenth Amendment and exceeded Trumps statutory authority.

The White House had no immediate comment on the ruling, but the federal government immediately filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.

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U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said Trump overstepped his bounds in ordering the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown.

It was not immediately clear how that would change the situation on the ground.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block the Guards deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

He argued that the troops were originally deployed to protect federal buildings and wanted the court to block the troops from helping protect immigration agents during the raids, saying that involving the Guard would only escalate tensions and promote civil unrest.

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The Trump administration called the lawsuit a crass political stunt endangering American lives in its official response Wednesday.

In a broad ruling, the judge determined Trump had not properly called the Guard up in the first place.

Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, speaking in an interview with The Associated Press and one other media outlet, said that as of Wednesday about 500 of the Guard troops have been trained to accompany agents on immigration operations. Photos of Guard soldiers providing security for the agents have already been circulated by immigration officials.

Sherman is commander of Task Force 51, which is overseeing the Guard troops and Marines sent to Los Angeles.

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Typically the authority to call up the National Guard lies with governors, but there are limited circumstances under which the president can deploy those troops. Trump federalized members of the California National Guard under an authority known as Title 10.

The lawsuit argued that Title 10 requires, among other things, that the president go through governors when issuing orders to the National Guard.

Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, said Trump complied with the statute by informing the general in charge of the troops of his decision and would have the authority to call in the Guard even if he had not.

In a brief filed ahead of the Thursday hearing, the Justice Department said Trumps orders were not subject to judicial review.

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Courts did not interfere when President Eisenhower deployed the military to protect school desegregation. Courts did not interfere when President Nixon deployed the military to deliver the mail in the midst of a postal strike. And courts should not interfere here either, the department said.

Our position is this is not subject to judicial review, Shumate told the judge.

Breyer, who at one point waved a copy of the constitution, said he disagreed.

Were talking about the president exercising his authority, and the president is of course limited in that authority. Thats the difference between a constitutional government and King George, he said.

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The protests over immigration raids in Los Angeles intensified after Trump called up the Guard and have since spread to other cities, including Boston, Chicago and Seattle.

Federal immigration agents have been arresting people at Home Depot parking lots and other businesses, sparking fear in immigrant communities, after the Trump administration said it wanted to dramatically increase arrests under its immigration crackdown.

Trump has described Los Angeles in dire terms that Bass and Newsom say are nowhere close to the truth.

The Marines have not yet been spotted in Los Angeles, and Guard troops have had limited engagement with protesters.

Dozens of mayors from across the Los Angeles region banded together Wednesday to demand the raids stop and the troops leave.

------

By Olga R. Rodriguez

Read the original article on MassLive.
UPDATED with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling pausing a federal judges order

In a late-night ruling that capped a tumultuous day of tension between California state officials and the Trump administraion, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeal paused a federal judges ruling earlier in the day that blocked President Trumps decision to dispatch California National Guard troops to Los Angeles over the objections of the states governor and the citys mayor.

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Earlier in the day, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer ordered the Trump administration to return control of the guard to Newsom, saying the president had acted illegally in federalizing 4,000 guard troops against the governors wishes. But action on that was paused late Thursday when the appeals panel paused the decison and scheduled a hearing on the matter for June 17, according to NBC LA.

Throughout this week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump continue to square off over the administrations militarized response to anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles.

The Court concludes that Plaintiffs have demonstrated that the balance of equities tips in their favor and that an injunction restraining the Presidents use of military force in Los Angeles is in the public interest, Breyer wrote in his ruling that was paused later in the day by the 9th Circuit.

Protests have lasted nearly a week in Los Angeles following a series of raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement around Southern California. Trump declared on June 7 that the protesters were engaged in rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States, and called out the guard.

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The ruling cites several dictionary definitions of rebellion and concludes that the protests  including sporadic acts of violence  does not qualify.

The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of rebellion,' Breyer wrote.

The order does not goes into effect until 12 p.m. PT on Friday; the Trump administration is expected to seek an appeal beforehand.

The ruling came hours after Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference in Los Angeles, taken to the ground, and put in handcuffs. The moment became an instant media firestorm, leading news sites, playing on cable news all day and bringing condemnation from Democrats on the Senate floor.

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In an interview Thursday evening on MSNBCs The Beat with Ari Melber, Padilla said he was listening to a press conference from Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, when the political rhetoric got to be too much.

At one point, it was just too much to take, Padilla said in his first interview about the encounter. Not the first, but the second attack on the political leadership of California and this notion that Donald Trump and Kristi Noem have to come in and rescue the people of Los Angeles from Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass? It was too much. And so I spoke up.

Noem appeared at the FBI building in Westwood to vow to continue to crack down on the protests.

We are not going away, Noem said. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and this mayor have placed on this country.

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That was the point at which the senator reacted, moving toward the front of the room and raising his voice to ask a question. The agents apparently did not recognize Padilla  the lesser known of Californias two senators  and grabbed him. He identified himself as he was pushed backwards and out of the room.

To suggest that they have to come into Los Angeles to restore order   he told interviewer Jacob Soboroff. You know Los Angeles. Its a big, spread-out city. The images that weve seen over the course of the last week of some vandalism, some violence, et cetera, thats wrong. And I denounce it. But its very small and very contained in a big metropolis of the Los Angeles area. So the National Guard was not necessary.

He said he did talk with Noem afterward, but never got a scheduled briefing on the federal response.

If theyre allowed to do this in Los Angeles, they can and they will do this in any corner of the country, Padilla said.

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Smoke rises following an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 13, 2025. Dozens of missiles were fired from Iran into Israel on Friday evening, according to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA).

The MDA reported two people critically injured, two moderately, four lightly-moderately, while the remaining individuals suffered light injuries or trauma-related symptoms, including panic attacks.

Photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows a building damaged in an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dozens of missiles were fired from Iran into Israel on Friday evening, according to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

Following the launches, air defense sirens were activated, sending millions of residents to protected rooms and shelters for more than an hour.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said that most missiles were intercepted by the air defense system or did not reach their target. He noted that the injuries reported occurred inside buildings, with several caused by shrapnel from intercepted missiles.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said following the launches that "Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles at civilian population centers in Israel."

"We will continue to protect the citizens of Israel," he said, warning that the country would "ensure that Tehran pays a very heavy price for its criminal actions."

Photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows a building damaged in an Iranian missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dozens of missiles were fired from Iran into Israel on Friday evening, according to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Gideon Markowicz/JINI via Xinhua)

Meanwhile, the IDF denied Iranian media reports that Iran had downed an Israeli fighter jet and detained its pilot.

In a separate statement, the IDF said it had attacked earlier Friday Iranian Air Force bases in western Iran, destroying Tabriz Airbase, without providing further details.

Bright Traces are seen over Jerusalem during missile attacks launched by Iran to Israel, on June, 13, 2025. Dozens of missiles were fired from Iran into Israel on Friday evening, according to statements issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

It added that the IDF attacked and destroyed dozens of Iranian air defense targets, drones, and surface-to-surface missile launchers.

"The IDF is prepared to continue to operate as necessary," the statement read. "The IDF is continuously conducting situational assessments and will continue to update on developments." 
The federal judge ruled Thursday evening that President Donald Trump acted unlawfully in his actions to federalize the California National Guard and deploy them in Los Angeles amid protests.

His actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said in his ruling, per USA Today.

Breyer issued the temporary restraining order and a stay on the injunction, which the Justice Department has already filed a notice of appeal.

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Following the ruling, California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised the decision.

The court just confirmed what we all know: The military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets.End the unnecessary militarization of Los Angeles now, @realDonaldTrump. Refusing to do so will only confirm your authoritarian tendencies. The country is watching.

The court just confirmed what we all know: The military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets.



End the unnecessary militarization of Los Angeles now, @realDonaldTrump.



Refusing to do so will only confirm your authoritarian tendencies.



The country is watching. pic.twitter.com/mqIbYRnPKb  Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) June 13, 2025

During the Thursday hearing

Prior to the ruling on Newsom v. Trump, at Thursdays hearing Breyer focused on the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution regarding the presidents authority to federalize the National Guard.

Were President Donald Trumps actions on June 8 to deploy nearly 4,000 California National Guard soldiers on protesters against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement an abuse of power or constitutionally sound?

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Trumps order to deploy 700 Marines was beyond his scope of jurisdiction, Breyer said.

Im just trying to figure out where the lines are drawn, Breyer said during the hearing. Its important because it establishes a system of process, a system of regularity, a system of norms, and a system (of) how you go forward and how you govern yourselves and how you implement the basic dictates of the Constitution and of the Declaration of Independence, thats what the system is.

Breyer said he would rule quickly on the issue.

The federal law in question has three conditions for when the president of the United States can activate the National Guard:

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The United States, or any of the Commonwealths or possessions, is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation. There is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States. The President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.

Newsoms suit against Trump is his response to what he believes was an abuse of power. Theatre, its madness, its unconstitutional, he said during an interview on The New York Times podcast, The Daily, and went as far as to say Trump was using the Guard as pawns.

California National Guard are positioned at the Federal Building on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. | Eric Thayer

Though Trumps attorney, Brett Shumate, an attorney for the federal government, argued before the judge that Trump was within his executive authority in federalizing the guards, and also said Trump had spoken to Newsom the day before he did.

But even if he hadnt, Shumate said it ultimately doesnt matter.

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I think theres no doubt on this record that Gov. Newsom was fully aware of this order. He objected to it publicly.

You need to focus on the language of the statute that says the orders shall be issued through the governors of the state. It doesnt say by the governors. It doesnt say consult with the governor. It doesnt say the governor is the co-executive and has a right to approve. It merely says pass through. It says the governor here is a conduit for those orders. He is not somebody who gets to issue orders, countermand orders.

Breyers concern with how Trumps authority is interpreted was made clear when he related it to monarchy.

This country was founded in response to a monarchy, and the Constitution is a document of limitations, frequently limitations, and an enunciation of rights, he said.

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Nicholas Green, attorney for California, suggested Trump was serving more like a King George than a George Washington.

The version of executive power to police civil community that the government is advancing is breathtaking in its scope, he said, adding that the federal attorneys were treating presidential power as if it has no guardrails and is unreviewable by the courts.

The provisions in the Constitution related to the militia and the domestic use of law enforcement flow from the initial concerns of the deployment of military forces to police a civilian population that animated the founders.
A federal judge declined Friday to order the Trump administration to release pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention despite finding that the basis for his arrest and initial detention was illegal.

U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled Wednesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubios decision to revoke Khalils green card and tee up his deportation was likely unconstitutional retaliation for his role organizing pro-Palestinian protests on Columbia Universitys campus last year. But on Friday, Farbiarz said the administration could continue to keep Khalil detained in Louisiana, where hes been locked up since March, on a separate alleged immigration violation that officials lodged after his arrest.

That violation was based on an allegation that Khalil failed to list prior employers and membership in certain organizations when he obtained his green card. Khalil and his attorneys say the second charge was linked to the same retaliation campaign.

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But Farbiarz ruled Friday that the administration could continue to detain Khalil on the basis of that alleged paperwork violation.

That second charge has not been preliminarily enjoined by the court, Farbiarz wrote in response to a demand for clarity from Khalils attorneys.

Farbiarzs ruling dashed the hopes of Khalils advocates that he might walk free Friday morning, when Farbiarzs earlier order blocking his detention under the Rubio determination took effect.

We are profoundly disappointed that Mahmoud has to bear any more delay and detention from this historically outrageous government conduct, said Baher Azmy, an attorney for Khalil.

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Farbiarzs Friday ruling came despite his finding Wednesday that it was overwhelmingly likely that the alleged green card application violation was not the reason he was being held by immigration authorities. Rather, he said, the detention almost surely flows from the charge that is based on the Secretary of States determination.

The judge also noted Wednesday that people are rarely detained for the paperwork infraction Khalil is accused of.

The evidence is that lawful permanent residents are virtually never detained pending removal for the sort of alleged omissions in a lawful-permanent-resident application that the Petitioner is charged with here, Farbiarz wrote in the initial ruling.

In his Friday order, Farbiarz noted that Khalil can seek a bond hearing from an immigration judge on the second charge.

An immigration judge in Louisiana ruled weeks ago that Khalil can be deported as a national security risk. Khalil is expected to appeal the immigration judges ruling.


WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  The Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Juneteenth Celebration Parade this Saturday.

The purpose of the parade is to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans on June 19, 1865. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed at the White House on June 17, 2021, recognizing it as a federal holiday.

The Chamber has hosted this parade celebration for several years now  celebrating with music, dancing, and more. Each year, the number of participants from across Waco have continued to grow, bringing the community together.

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The parade started at 10 a.m. in Heritage Square, and ended at the site of the old Paul Quinn College.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Several free-to-the-public Juneteenth events are planned in Marshall this year.

Juneteenth is a celebration that marks the day, June 19, 1965, that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed slaves there that they had been freed. Official Juneteenth celebrations began the very next year. As black Texans began to move across the country, the celebration traveled with them, unofficially being used to commemorate the end of slavery.

All smiles at upcoming Juneteenth celebration in Queensborough

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The Marshall-Harrison County Juneteenth Committee is presenting Freedom Day events.

June 14 will feature a Commemoration program at the Wiley University Julius S. Scott Senior Chapel at 10 a.m., followed by a Juneteenth parade beginning at the Alumni Gym and concluding at the George Washington Carver Center at 11 a.m. A four-wheeler competition follows the parade at the George Washington Carver Center at noon, a business expo and Wiley Financial Literacy Kick Off at 12:30, and the Bo Green Domino Tournament concludes the days events at 2 p.m.

Juneteenth Jam celebration with storytelling, dance

On June 19 at 8 a.m., there will be a Freedom Walk at the Harrison County Historic Courthouse.

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The Marshall Juneteenth Freedom Day events are sponsored by Wiley University and supported by the Marshall Regional Arts Council, Top Ladies of Distinction, Top Teens of America, the Carver Center, Greens Professional Services, and the East Texas Chapter of Links, Incorporated.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topeka Family & Friends will be hosting a car show and parade around downtown Topeka on Saturday.

Starting at 11 a.m., a parade with lowriders, old cars, Model As, ratrods and more will travel around the Capitol Building. 27 News spoke to one of the organizers, Randy Wheat, who said the parade will end around noon with drivers setting their cars up at the Judicial Building parking lot.

Wheat said there will be several prize categories for cars. He said there will be a Top 25 Cars award, Best Paint award, Best Interior award, and a Peoples Choice award.

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Visit Topeka shared that the parade will start in the east parking lot of the Judicial Building and head east on Southwest 10th Street, north on Southwest Jackson to Southwest 7th then East to Southwest Harrison and finally south back to the Judicial Center.

AG Kobach rejects Gov. Kellys requests to join funding lawsuits

You can sign up for the car show online by clicking here. Registration costs $20. For more information on the car show, click here.

Also happening downtown on Saturday, a No Kings protest will be on the south side of the Statehouse in Topeka on Saturday, June 14 in the afternoon. Organizers say the goal is to stand up against what they see as government overreach from the administration of President Donald Trump. You can learn more about other No Kings protests happening around the nation this weekend by clicking here.

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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.

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Jurors in the Karen Read Retrial Will Hear Closing Arguments Friday originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

Jurors who sat through eight weeks of testimony in retrial of Karen Read on murder charges connected to the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, whose body was found in a snowbank on a fellow cop's front lawn in 2022, will hear closing arguments Friday Charles Krupa via AP Photo

Jurors in the Karen Read trial in Massachusetts - a case that has riveted the nation - are expected to begin deliberations Friday to determine how her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, died before his body was discovered in a snowbank outside a fellow cop's home on Jan 29, 2022.



Prosecutors argue that Read reversed into O'Keefe while behind the wheel of her Lexus SUV after a night of heavy drinking outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts, where several fellow law enforcement officers had gathered after closing down a neighborhood bar at the invitation of then Boston Police Sergeant Brian Albert.



Her defense team presented evidence from its experts that says O'Keefe's injuries are not consistent at all with a vehicle strike and say that he suffered cuts that point to a dog attack, and was more likely involved in an altercation inside the house that led to his death. Read, her defense team says, is the victim of police cover-up to protect fellow law enforcement officers who were inside 34 Fairview Road, among them: Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Agent Brian Higgins, who was exchanging flirty texts with Read, and had shared a kiss with her, in the weeks before O'Keefe's death.



Jurors saw footage of Higgins, Albert and other law enforcement officers drinking at a neighborhood watering hole, the Waterfall Bar & Grille on Jan. 28, 2022. Read was there with O'Keefe, and ignored the federal agent - which, her team argued Thursday - gave him motive to kill him.



In the video, the bar outing came to a close, it appeared that Higgins gestured at OKeefe to meet him outside. Higgins has denied any wrongdoing and was not called to testify by either side in the case.

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

Jurors have heard evidence that has raised serious questions about the investigation conducted by Massachusetts State Troopers assigned to the Norfolk County District Attorney's office, where the case against Read was charged. Evidence collection was done with red Solo cups and leaf blowers. The homeowner was not questioned by state troopers who responded to O'Keefe's death. And several of the witnesses admitted to lying or misremembering details of the case.



The lead investigator in the initial probe, State Trooper Michael Proctor, was fired for misconduct in March, weeks before Read's retrial began, based on text messages he sent about Read in a chain that included his MSP superiors. In one he wrote that she was a "wack job cunt" with "no ass" and reported he had not found any "noodz" on her phone after it was seized. After Read's first trial ended with a hung jury last year, Norfolk County D.A. Michael Morrissey hired a private defense attorney, Hank Brennan, who was a lawyer for notorious Boston gangster and longtime FBI informant James "Whitey" Bulger, to work as a special prosecutor in the case.



Read hired a team of attorneys that includes high-profile Los Angeles defense lawyer Alan Jackson, and his partner Elizabeth Little, along with former Boston prosecutor David Yanetti and white shoe lawyer Robert Alessi from New York City.



The defense's final witness, Andrew Rentschler, a crash reconstructionist, concluded his testimony Wednesday afternoon. He told the court he did not believe O'Keefe was "hit" by a car and that a vehicle strike is not consistent with the evidence he examined. Outside court Wednesday, Read told reporters she is ready for closing arguments and said she thinks her team presented a solid defense. "I thought it was strong last year, it's stronger yes," Read said. "We just called more witnesses and laid out more of the case."

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Earlier this month, one of those witnesses, Dighton police Sergeant Nicholas Barros, who had responded to Read's parents' home where she went, hysterical, after O'Keefe's body was found, dropped a bombshell on the witness stand. He told the court he believes Read's taillight - which prosecutors say points to her guilt - was tampered with after Norfolk County investigators towed her vehicle.



Did you observe anything of note about the rear end?" of the SUV, Read defense attorney Alan Jackson asked Barros.



He responded: "There was a crack missing, but it was not completely damaged,



Jackson then presented Barros' with a photo of Read's vehicle taken in the sallyport of Canton Police Department, where the SUV was towed, that showed extensive damage to her taillight, asking, "Is this the condition of the right rear taillight when you showed up at the Read household?"



"Absolutely not," Barros answered. That taillight is completely smashed out in the photo, he added said. That middle section was intact when I was there.

Another pivotal witness for the defense was University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine Professor Dr. Marie Russell, a former police officer and emergency room doctor who lives in Los Angeles. She testified that O'Keefe was the victim on an animal attack, and was not hit by Read's SUV.



Both sides - prosecutors and defense - hammered out details for Friday morning's closing arguments in a brief hearing with Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone Thursday.



The defense renewed Reads request for a required finding of not guilty, arguing prosecutors produced no witnesses who could say the injuries on Reads boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, were caused by her SUV. She is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal collision.



And if he was not hit by a motor vehicle, none of these three indictments may stand, David Yannetti argued. He then told the judge: If theres no collision, theres no case.



Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally told Cannone she needs to deny that request, saying the defense team's experts exhibited bias and advocacy.



Cannone then denied the defense motion for a required finding of not guilty, and prohibited them from suggesting in closing arguments that Higgins or Albert had motive, means and opportunity to kill O'Keefe, and the connections to cover it up.



Closing arguments from each side will be limited to an hour and 15 minutes per Cannone's instructions. Deliberations will begin after the juror's lunch break, the judge said, and she plans to ask them to stay past the usual 4 p.m. conclusion of the court day.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Jun. 12WILKES-BARRE  A Luzerne County jury Thursday convicted Jafet De Jesus Rodriguez of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Ashokkumar Patel inside Craig's Food Mart in Hazleton more than four years ago.

Rodriguez, 44, faces life in prison without parole when he is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Michael T. Vough on July 24.

The jury deliberated for nearly four hours before reaching their verdict just before 4 p.m.

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"This was a team effort for more than four and a half years to bring this man to justice," said specially assigned Assistant District Attorney Drew McLaughlin.

Detectives with Hazleton City Police and the district attorney's office charged Rodriguez with shooting Patel inside the food mart just after 9 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2020. Patel was mopping the floor when a masked gunman wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, a face mask and gloves rushed inside with a firearm, shoved Patel into a closet where he was shot in the neck.

Immediately after shooting Patel, the gunman ran behind the counter where he stole a bank bag used to pay out winnings of skill chance machines.

During the four day trial, McLaughlin and Assistant District Attorney Gerry Scott relied heavily on global positioning mapping from data extracted from Rodriguez's Apple iPhone 11. Rodriguez provided his phone to detectives during an unrelated drug investigation.

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The GPS coordinates of Rodriguez's cell phone placed him at the food mart playing skill chance machines from 8:09 to 8:45 p.m. on Dec. 12, 2020. Rodriguez drove to his residence on East Cranberry Drive, returning to the store to fatally shoot Patel at 9:07 p.m., McLaughlin and Scott said.

Using GPS coordinates of Rodriguez's cell phone, detectives located several surveillance videos that matched the location and Rodriguez's travels before and after Patel was shot, including finding the sweatshirt, gloves and mask hidden in a stove at a garage on East Diamond Avenue where Rodriguez operated a car wash and an auto-detailing business.

Rodriguez's attorneys, Michael A. Sklarosky, Joseph F. Sklarosky Sr. and Michael O. Palermo Jr., suggested another man, Angel Luis Rivera, was likely the killer because Rivera was in financial trouble and had access to a firearm.

Michael Sklarosky strongly advocated that the red sweatshirt, gloves and face mask did not contain Rodriguez's DNA and the footage from inside the food mart did not provide identifying factors such as the gender and race of the gunman.

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"The case was four and a half years in the making going back to December 2020, and what you see, the case we presented this week, we've had more evidence than I've ever had in a case. We had GPS, DNA, gunshot residue, all kinds of forensic evidence. We've had surveillance video...people don't realize the painstaking work it takes and it starts crunching search warrants.

"Having a case without an eyewitness to say this is our shooter, we have to piece it together and present a compelling case to the jury which we did," McLaughlin said.

Patel was working at the food mart, McLaughlin and Scott said, to earn money to send to his family in India.

McLaughlin said Patel's family will likely participate via video when Rodriguez is sentenced.

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Rodriguez was familiar with the food mart having a gambling addiction playing skill chance machines and was aware, McLaughlin and Scott argued, where the bank bag was kept inside the store.

Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis.
SOUTH DAKOTA (KCAU)  Jury selection has begun for the trial of a man accused of murdering a woman in the Dakota Dunes.

The trial of Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales was supposed to begin in March, but following a health-related emergency for one of the defending attorneys, it was pushed back to June 12.

As of 5 p.m. on June 12, a jury still has not yet been seated. The trial is expected to get underway next week.

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Castellanos-Rosales was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Jordan Beardshear in April 2023. He reportedly fled the area and, a month later, was apprehended in Mexico.

To view previous coverage of this case by KCAU 9, click here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A traffic stop on Tuesday, June 10, ended with the arrest of an Assumption Parish man on drug and gun charges.

Torianno Adarryl Howard Jr., 21, of Belle Rose, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, sale, distribution, or possession of a legend drug without a prescription or order prohibited, illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of controlled dangerous substances, possession of drug paraphernalia, no motor vehicle inspection tag, no proof of liability insurance, illegal window tint and failure to dim headlights.

The Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office said the stop took place Tuesday, close to LA 308 and Massey Lane, after a traffic violation. A deputy spoke with Howard and had a K-9 perform an open-air sniff of his vehicle.

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APSO said the K-9 alerted positive for the presence of controlled dangerous substances.

A search of the vehicle uncovered assorted drug paraphernalia, a gun, synthetic marijuana and marijuana.

After his arrest, Howard was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.

Baton Rouge man arrested on car theft, gun charges

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From left, Hadiya Toney and Sapphire Garcia appear at Liberation Place, a mutual aid hub that distributes sexual and reproductive health supplies and baby items in Wichita. Toney is community care coordinator at Liberation Place and Garcia is executive director and founder of the Kansas Birth Justice Society. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  More Kansans will die during pregnancy and childbirth as a result of proposed federal cuts to Medicaid, says the leader of a state organization focused on maternal health equity.

A new analysis of cuts contained in the GOPs big beautiful bill under consideration by Congress shows that 13,000 Kansans would lose enrollment in Medicaid, and the state would lose $3.77 billion in federal funding.

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Sapphire Garcia, executive director and founder of the Kansas Birth Justice Society, said the gutting of Medicaid funding would decimate perinatal care systems and accelerate maternal mortality. The burden, she said, would fall hardest on those who already face steep inequities  Black, Indigenous, rural and low-income Kansans.

Advocates on the front lines of this crisis already are exhausted, she said.

We are tired of fighting a system that continues to ignore our pleas while our communities are left grieving unbearable losses, Garcia said. We hold space for families who have buried their babies, their partners, their birthing people  and then were asked to carry on as if that grief is not the result of policy choices. But it is.

Garcias comments followed a panel discussion Thursday organized by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. The discussion centered on a recent report on access to maternal health care in Kansas and an analysis by Manatt Health of proposed federal cuts to Medicaid.

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The report on maternity care access, which was produced by the Kansas Center for Rural Health with funding from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, found that most Kansans dont have local access to inpatient maternity care. Most Kansas counties dont even have an OB-GYN, and only eight counties have more than five OB-GYNs, the report found.

One of the panelists, Beth Oller, family medicine physician at Rooks County Health Center, said it is difficult to get physicians to move to rural areas, where they might have to cover the ER and provide hospice care and other services to support an undeserved community. And most family doctors who graduate residency dont have an interest in providing obstetric care, she said.

For a while, she said, she was one of two OB-GYNs at her health center, and the other wasnt trained for operative deliveries. She spent two years never being off of work because she needed to be available for caesarean sections. Then, the other doctor moved out of state and she couldnt recruit another physician.

As a mother of four, she said, she was missing so many things.

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I was heartbroken when I realized that our maternity unit was going to close, Oller said. However, I couldnt do it anymore alone. I knew it wasnt feasible to keep going that way.

She said the closest place to Stockton, where she lives, to deliver a baby now is in Hays, about 45 minutes away. Another doctor travels two hours from Salina to provide some prenatal care, she said.

Panelists during Thursdays discussion said access to maternal care is connected to Medicaid, which finances more than 40% of births in the state.

The states failure to expand Medicaid to serve more low-income families or allocate adequate reimbursement rates for Medicaid services are factors in maternal health deserts and the financial struggles of rural hospitals, they said. GOP leaders in the Legislature for more than a decade have blocked Medicaid expansion, which would have served about 150,000 adults and children and unlocked nearly a billion dollars in annual federal funding. Kansas is one of 10 holdout states that have not expanded the program.

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We need to remember that economics are policy, and policy is a matter of life and death, Garcia said during the panel discussion. The fact that we have not expanded Medicaid has killed birthing people in our state is going to continue to kill birthing people in our state and lead to these poor health outcomes. We need to acknowledge that this is a structural failure of our maternal and health care systems.

A study published in 2020 by the medical journal Womens Health Issues found that Medicaid expansion resulted in seven fewer maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

Garcia told Kansas Reflector after the panel discussion that Medicaid expansion is a necessary step toward racial and reproductive justice. But now, she said, the most urgent concern is to protect Medicaid itself.

If the federal program is slashed, expansion in Kansas becomes meaningless  there will be nothing left to expand, she said. Saving Medicaid must be our top priority, and we also cannot lose sight of the need to expand coverage here in Kansas, where families are still denied basic care due to arbitrary income thresholds and political inaction.
NAIROBI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Earnings from Kenya's horticulture exports shrank by 11.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025, the Central Bank reported Friday, with the decline in revenue attributed to a strong shilling and insecurity in the Red Sea shipping route.

The apex bank said in an economic report released in Nairobi, Kenya's capital, that the country earned 40 billion shillings (309.4 million U.S. dollars) during the first quarter, a decline from 349 million dollars during a similar period in 2024.

Kenya exported 216,429 tonnes of produce, up from 206,714 tonnes in a comparable period in 2024, according to the bank.

The East African nation's main horticultural exports are vegetables, fruits and cut flowers, with the latter contributing the bulk of the earnings from the sector, which is one of Kenya's leading foreign exchange earners.

The decline in horticulture export earnings during the quarter is a continuation from last year, when earnings from the sector stood at 1.06 billion dollars, a fall from 1.21 billion dollars in 2023.

Paul Kipronoh Ronoh, principal secretary of the State Department for Agriculture, said recently that the strong shilling had made exports expensive, reducing demand for horticultural produce in destination markets.

"Change of export routes also has not only lengthened transit times for those highly perishable products but also increased airfreight costs," Ronoh said.

The Netherlands and Britain are the biggest horticultural produce markets in Europe for Kenya, while in Asia, China, India and Kazakhstan lead. 
Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Karen Arnold-Burger questions an attorney during a Jan. 27, 2025, hearing in a dispute over whether Kansans can change their gender markers on driver's licenses. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  A three-judge appeals court panel on Friday cleared the way for Kansans to resume changing their gender markers on drivers licenses, rejecting arguments made by Attorney General Kris Kobach and overturning a lower court ruling.

The Kansas Court of Appeals panel ordered the case return to the district court level to be heard by someone other than Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson, who abused her discretion and committed legal and factual errors, according to the Friday ruling.

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Judges Karen Arnold-Burger, Stephen Hill and Sarah Warner determined the state would suffer no harm by allowing transgender residents to be identified by their gender, which is a personal identity or expression, rather than their sex, which relates to reproductive systems. Kobachs office had argued that the two terms are interchangeable.

The Legislature passed a law in 2023 that requires vital statistics to recognize a persons biological sex at birth. Kobach sued the Kansas Department of Revenue for continuing to allow transgender residents to change the gender markers on their drivers license, as the office had done since at least 2007.

From 2011 to 2022, KDOR issued 9,316,937 drivers licenses. During that period, 380 drivers changed their gender marker.

Watson in 2023 issued a temporary injunction to block changes in gender markers on drivers licenses. The appeals court, which heard arguments in January, removed that injunction and replaced it with an order to allow changes.

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Watson, the higher court said, had committed a legal error by concluding, without any support, that Kobachs mere allegation that KDOR was violating state law had established irreparable harm. Additionally, the higher court faulted Watsons conclusion that changing a gender marker could hinder law enforcement officers.

The problem with the district courts finding is that the AG presented no evidence to support this claimed injury beyond unsubstantiated speculation, Arnold-Burger wrote on behalf of the appeals court panel.

In fact, she wrote, the evidence was overwhelming that there was no harm.

At the district court level, Shawnee County Sheriff Brian Hill testified that one time, he didnt say when, he arrested a transgender woman who told him that she was a man. One of the problems with that example, Arnold-Burger wrote, is that he relied on the individuals outward appearance, not their drivers license. And, she wrote, the same mistake could be made for any cisgender woman who appears less feminine and more masculine than the average woman.

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Additionally, the sheriffs gender confusion didnt prevent the arrest or immediate discovery of the persons identity. And, Hill acknowledged that law enforcement officers cant always rely on a drivers license anyway because people change their names.

The district court committed an error of fact by concluding that there was evidence  any evidence beyond mere speculation  to support a finding that law enforcement would be immediately hindered in the identification of suspects, victims, wanted persons, missing persons, detainees, and others if the drivers license did not display the drivers sex assigned at birth, Arnold-Burger wrote.

The appeals court ruling also noted that the Kansas Supreme Court has recognized a distinction between sex and gender since at least 2002. And it determined that Kobach was unlikely to prevail in the case.

The appeals court panel ordered the case return to the district court level for a hearing before a new judge.

Because of the district courts abuse of discretion, the KDOR has been unable to issue reclassifications of gender designations on Kansas drivers licenses for two years while this litigation languished, Arnold-Burger wrote.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City has accepted a $6 million grant for environmental cleanup and housing redevelopment in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Mayor Quinton Lucas announced on Friday that the Kansas City Council approved $6 million in federal Brownfields funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activates National Guard, declares State of Emergency

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Im pleased the council has approved the $6 million EPA investment that will accelerate our work transforming environmental challenges into neighborhood opportunities, said Mayor Lucas.

Were creating a pathway for affordable housing and economic growth, particularly east of Troost.

The funding includes a $4 million Cleanup Grant for two high-priority sites:

Washington Wheatley Neighborhood: 47 vacant lots where environmental assessment found lead contamination on 84% of parcels, along with buried debris and likely asbestos.

Former Benson Manufacturing Site: A 2.68-acre site at 18th Street and Agnes Avenue, which was used for industrial production from the 1930s to the 1970s and contains hazardous materials in soil and groundwater.

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A separate $2 million Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant increases the citys total loan fund to $16.5 million  enhancing its ability to provide low-interest loans and subgrants for future brownfield cleanups.

Mayor Lucas said this expanded capacity will help attract private investment, reduce redevelopment barriers and support long-term goals in affordable housing and infrastructure renewal.

This is a milestone in restoring neighborhoods that have long been overlooked, said Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley.

With this EPA investment, were taking a major step toward transforming once-blighted vacant lots into vibrant, livable spaces. It shows that real results come when we commit to solving hard problems with bold, collaborative and community-focused solutions.

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Brownfields cleanup directly benefits residents by removing lead, asbestos and other toxins from historically impacted neighborhoods  which helps pave the way for new and safe affordable housing development.

The mayor said this project supports Kansas Citys broader goals of promoting public health, attracting private investment and transforming vacant properties into community assets.

Mayor Lucas said the councils approval through Ordinance No. 250462 authorizes the city to begin remediation work immediately.

For more information, visit kcmo.gov/brownfields. You can learn more about the EPAs Brownfields Program Grants here.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City police detectives are asking for the publics help in locating a man wanted for a 2024 deadly shooting.

LaRelle D. Dennis, 23, is charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with second-degree murder, among other felonies, in connection with the killing of Treshaun Wright, 21.

3 Leavenworth school employees accused of failing to report child abuse

Police said Wright was shot and killed inside a car in the area of East 82nd Street and Holmes Road in Kansas City in the early-morning hours of Aug. 25, 2024.

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The charges against Dennis were filed in February and a warrant was issued for his arrest at that time.

Dennis is described as a Black man, around 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing around 290 pounds.

Anyone with information about Denniss whereabouts is asked to call the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477 or scan the QR code below.

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KANSAS (KSNT)  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced in a press release that it has won a court case that barred Kansans from changing their gender markers on their drivers licenses.

A Kansas state appeals court stated the Kansas Department of Revenue may resume allowing Kansans to change their gender markers on their drivers licenses, according to the ACLU. Kobach has 30 days to file an appeal in the case. After the 30-day window to file the appeal ends and if no action is taken by Kobach, Kansans will be able to change their gender markers on their drivers licenses again.

This decision recognizes that the Attorney General failed to show any harm at all in allowing transgender Kansans the same personal autonomy, privacy, and dignity that all Kansans have, said D.C. Hiegert, Civil Liberties legal fellow for the ACLU of Kansas. Being required to use a license with the wrong gender marker has already meant that transgender Kansans have been outed against their consent in their daily lives. We commend the incredible courage and sense of community our clients have had in standing up to this attack on all of our fundamental rights.

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Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit in 2023 to prevent transgender people from changing their gender markers, citing the recently passed Senate Bill 180 that defined biological sex. A trial judge granted a temporary injunction in March 2024 blocking gender marker changes while the case moved forward, according to the press release from the ACLU.

AG Kobach rejects Gov. Kellys requests to join funding lawsuits

The ACLU was allowed to intervene in the case in August 2023 as it raised questions about the constitutionality of SB 180, which establishes definitions of male and female in the states statutes.

The Governor has stated that SB 180 changes nothing with respect to drivers licenses and birth certificates. That is nonsense. The Legislature passed SB 180 and overrode Governor Kellys veto specifically to ensure that those documents reflect biological sex at birth. The Governor doesnt get to veto a bill and then ignore the Legislatures override. She is violating her oath of office to uphold Kansas law. We will see her in court. Kris Kobach, Kansas Attorney General wrote on June 29, 2023

The ACLU said the Court of Appeals didnt find that changing gender markers would impair criminal identification and that Kobach didnt have evidence to support his interpretation of S.B. 180.

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Kansas political divide intensifies as leaders support or condemn President Donald Trump

The Court of Appeals opinion contains multiple factual errors, and its legal analysis is deeply flawed. In a case of such importance to the public, one would expect the Court of Appeals to be more careful. In addition, the Court improperly attempts to strip jurisdiction over the case away from the district court judgewhich is highly unusual. We will be asking the Kansas Supreme Court to review this case in an expedited manner and overturn the Court of Appeals decision. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach

In the past, opponents of a gender marker ban have argued it raises privacy concerns. An example would be the employment process. People are usually required to submit proof of identity and employment authorization, including a birth certificate. If the gender listed on the birth certificate doesnt match an individuals identity, information about them being transgender may be outed.

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CHEROKEE CO., Kan.  A Cherokee County man accused of possessing child sex abuse materials told federal investigators he liked viewing videos of children as young as 6 years old being sexually assaulted, according to a federal complaint filed on Thursday.

Kenneth Norman Baker, 41, of Baxter Springs, is charged federally with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.

Federal authorities arrested Baker at his residence in Baxter Springs on Tuesday with the help of local law enforcement officers. They say Baker admitted that he was primarily attracted to videos depicting minor females and adult males, according to the criminal complaint.

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Baker said he would download two or three videos a day or every few days and estimated that approximately 150 videos would be on his laptops hard drives. Court records say investigators actually found 2,189 files on his computer.

Baker also confessed to enjoying bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism and anal sex, the court document states.

In the federal complaint, authorities say Baker used Freenet software, and that it was actively running when they seized his computer. They say Bakers files were organized and labeled with descriptive titles.

Baker is in federal custody and no court date has been set.

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Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, speaks to House members during an April 10, 2025, debate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

News analysis

TOPEKA  As Kansas Rep. Pat Proctor launched his campaign to oversee state elections, he honed in on a signature phrase that would serve his interest of dismissing critics  and reporting by Kansas Reflector  while appealing to far-right voters.

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His ambiguous axis of ballot harvesting serves as a catchall for anyone who challenges his false claims about the hazards of early voting, and signals a vast make-believe conspiracy by foreign nationals to undermine elections.

Proctor frequently repeats the phrase on the campaign trail, and used it in a fundraising message where he suggested a new law could be used to bring criminal or civil charges against Kansas Reflector.

When video surfaced in April of Proctor asserting that women stole the 2022 election on abortion, he falsely claimed the video had been doctored by voting rights advocates at the core of the so-called axis.

And when three nonprofits filed a lawsuit in early May to challenge new restrictions on early voting, Proctor exclaimed on social media: The axis of ballot harvesting strikes again!

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The Leavenworth Republican declined to answer questions from Kansas Reflector seeking clarity about his contradictory comments and a definition of the axis of ballot harvesting, echoing President George W. Bushs use of axis of evil to describe nations propping up terrorism in the early 2000s. Proctor, a retired Army colonel serving his third, two-year term in the state House, also declined to identify an example of anything Kansas Reflector has published that is inaccurate.

Instead, Proctor responded with the following statement: Heres a quote for you: You are a partisan hack and your so-called newspaper is a woke, leftist propaganda rag. Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

The response is consistent with Proctors frequent criticism  including personal attacks on social media  of journalists who accurately report on him.

So far, Proctor is the only Republican to file for secretary of state in next years election cycle. The job involves overseeing voter registration in Kansas and guiding county-level administrators on election policy.

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Republican Rep. Ken Rahjes, of Agra, plans to join the race. In an interview, Rahjes didnt criticize Proctor. Rahjes said he is focused on making sure our elections are safe, secure, and that Kansans have confidence that their vote is counted.

If you look at the outcomes of the last three presidential elections in Kansas, Donald Trump has won all three, Rahjes said. It looks like those elections have turned out the way that the people in Kansas have wanted.

In contrast, Proctor calls for restrictions on early voting  even though he acknowledges that he personally enjoys the convenience of voting early. And after launching his campaign for secretary of state in early April, Proctor has criticized voting rights groups  Loud Light, Kansas Appleseed, League of Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas  who challenge his proposals in legislative hearings and in court.

Loud Light circulated on social media a video clip of Proctor speaking at a June 20, 2024, forum on elections that was published on Rumble, the far-right alternative to YouTube.

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During the forum, Proctor recalled the fierce campaign ahead of Kansas August 2022 vote on abortion rights. Kansans overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional amendment to strip those rights, and post-election audits and recounts affirmed the integrity of the election. Illegal voting is exceedingly rare in Kansas, as a federal judge ruled in 2018, as it is in the rest of the U.S.

But Proctor said he was going around to polling places in advance of the August 2022 election, and theres, like, all these, like, women, like 20- to 30-year-old women who, you know, that you never saw at the polls before, and its like a long line, got a long line, and theyre all there to vote, and its just the  its theyre stealing it fair and square.

The Loud Light clip was unaltered, but when Proctor was asked during an April 19 town hall in Leavenworth to explain his comments, he replied: Thatd be really terrible if Id actually said that.

They chopped up a video to make it look like I said that 20- and 30-year-old women were stealing the election by voting, or something like that, Proctor said.

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Melissa Stiehler, advocacy director for Loud Light, said in an interview that she was bothered by Proctors willingness to drift further away from the truth and really embrace things that he knows to be lies.

Weve had these conversations behind closed doors in the past. He knows that these things arent true, and yet hes embracing this culture of conspiracy theories for his own political gain, which is desperate and shameless, Stiehler said.

In an April 12 fundraising email, Proctor warned of a shadowy collection of groups I call the axis of ballot harvesting.' His targets included Loud Light and States Newsroom, the parent organization of Kansas Reflector.

Proctors email said Kansas Reflector is part of a vast, dark money, left-wing propaganda machine called States Newsroom. He said a significant percentage of that organizations funding comes from foreign sources, including the Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss.

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States Newsroom follows all laws regarding nonprofits and does not accept donations from foreign-based entities. The U.S.-based Wyss Foundations $1.14 million grant to States Newsroom in 2020 has never been a secret. On its website, States Newsroom publishes an extensive list of donors who have contributed more than $1,000, as well as its 990 tax forms. The organizations annual fundraising exceeds $20 million to support nonprofit news operations, including Kansas Reflector, in 39 states.

As Chair of the House Committee on Elections, in response to this threat, I introduced House Bill 2106 to begin the process of getting foreign money completely out of Kansas politics, Proctor wrote. This first-step bill requires organizations campaigning for or against constitutional amendments to ensure and certify that they have not accepted foreign money over the preceding four years or face serious civil and criminal consequences.

He then said the law would prevent foreign nationals like Hansjorg Wyss from improperly influencing Kansas elections.

HB 2106 requires any entity who engages in any activity promoting or opposing a proposed constitutional amendment to certify that each donor is not a foreign national, and that each donor has not received more than $100,000 from any foreign national within a four-year period.

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Kansas Reflector reports on the stakes of policies and elections but doesnt advocate for or against ballot questions or candidates.

Proctor offered a different interpretation of the law during a Feb. 4 hearing in his committee, where Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose appeared via video to complain about States Newsroom.

We are not about to legislate who can spend money doing news in the state of Kansas, OK. Were not going to touch that with a 10-foot pole, Proctor said at the time.

The Legislature adopted the bill with veto-proof bipartisan support  94-25 in the House and 39-0 in the Senate  in advance of next years vote on a constitutional amendment that would replace the current nominating system for Kansas Supreme Court justices with statewide elections for judicial candidates. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly allowed HB 2106 to become law without her signature.

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An abortion-rights advocacy group has filed a federal lawsuit to try to block the law from taking effect.

Stiehler said Proctors language in the fundraising email was really teetering on the line of at least some dog whistle language of antisemitic, globalist conspiracy theories.

This is a lot of hullabaloo, she said. Hes making up a fake problem and making up a fake enemy to try and create and drive the fear, to prove that only he is the one to fix it. And its all based on lies and nonsense.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas State University is changing its admission requirements for future students.

Students applying to K-State will only need a GPA of 3.0 to be admitted, regardless of test scores starting in the Fall 2029 semester. Additionally, students with a minimum 2.5 GPA can still be admitted if they have an ACT score of at least 21.

Kansas State University requires a minimum high school GPA of 3.25 in order to be admitted currently. The Board of Regents voted to approve these changes on Wednesday, June 11.

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Tuition costs will go up for Kansas college students in 2025

The board also recently changed admission requirements for the University of Kansas. KUs 3.0 GPA requirement took effect in the Spring 2025 semester.

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KAPLAN, La. (KLFY)Former Declambre police officer, Christopher Moorehart was sentenced on Monday by the 15th Judicial District Judge Thomas Frederick to 60 years for raping a 5 year old girl while dating the victims mother.

Prosecutors said the rapes even occurred while the victims mother was in the bed. Kaplan Police Chief, Joshua Hardy, shared his reactions with News 10s Rodricka Stevens and a message he hopes the public receives.

Its a good thing that our justice system went through and actually sentenced this guy for the crime he committed, Hardy said.

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Hardy said he has been in law enforcement for 20 years and in those years law enforcement has changed drastically.

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Officers nowadays dont quite realize that pretty much when you put on a badge, you are held to a higher standard. Hardy said. People watch everything you do. They watch everything you say. They hold you accountable for what you do or say because youre there to keep the peace and uphold the law and enforce it. So when someone that is in law enforcement breaks the law, it puts a dark shadow over law enforcement and makes not just that officer look bad, it makes all officers look bad. No matter whether you do your job or cross all the Ts and dot all the Is. It still makes you look bad.

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While one former officers story is viewed as horrific he reminds the public to not fault other officers for honoring the badge and having integrity.

My advice would be not to take it out on the police officers that do their job and uphold the law. He should be held 100% accountable. Its sad that it had to happen to a child, but now he has to answer for that. Thank goodness for our justice system taking action on his conviction and his sentencing, Hardy said.

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Karen Reads second trial in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe, continues on Friday in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court before Judge Beverly Cannone.

Jurors heard closing arguments from Reads defense, then the prosecution, before a short lunch break Friday. Cannone will then instruct the jury about the charges and the law, before sending them out for their deliberations.

People to know:

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Hank Brennan, special prosecutor for the Norfolk district attorneys office

Alan Jackson, lawyer for Read

12:33 p.m. - Brennan concludes

Brennan spent much of the end of his argument refuting the testimony of a number of defense experts.

He acknowledged that the states medical examiner didnt conclude OKeefe was hit by a car: but he said she didnt consider all the evidence, as she only had 90 days to reach her determination.

Two defense experts, Dr. Marie Russell and Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, contradicted each other on the subject of the wounds on OKeefes arm, he noted. Russell said they werent punctures, Laposata said they were.

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He also dismissed the testimony of two experts from the firm ARCCA: Theyre not the arbiters of the truth.

There is evidence that "cant be put in that spot without a collision," he emphasized.

There is no doubt what happened that night. There is no doubt who did it.

Brennan closed with a photo of OKeefe smiling projected in the courtroom.

John OKeefe was a person and he was murdered by Karen Read, he said. Whether she meant to hit him or not.

12:19 p.m. - 'We dont need Trooper Proctor to prove this case'

Brennan addressed the issue of former trooper Michael Proctors firing head-on: you should be offended by the texts, he told jurors. But they dont change the evidence.

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He was held responsible, Brennan said. But that doesnt mean a free pass.

We dont need Trooper Proctor to prove this case, he said.

Instead, he said the defenses pointing to Proctor was an effort to get the jury to look the other way.

Dont look at what she did.

Theres no boogeyman, Brennan said. Theres no plant.

12:07 p.m. - Brennan emphasizes I hit him statement

It was independent first responders  total strangers  who confirmed they heard Read say I hit him on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, Brennan said.

Those comments represented Read coming to terms with the moment.

Shes recognizing what she did, Brennan claimed.

He hammered the defense for attacking witnesses: Anybody that says anything adverse or inconvenient or inconsistent is a liar or a perjurer or in on a conspiracy?"

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The reality is independent, core people heard her say it.

The attempt is to portray everybody as a liar, Brennan said.

But he told the jury the statement was confirmed by Read herself, playing a video clip where she says I know I said I hit him

And, Jennifer McCabe, the villain of the story was trying to help Read, telling her to stop talking to first responders.

11:52 a.m. - She knows she hit him

Brennan, citing Reads media interviews, said Read knew she hit OKeefe when she left 34 Fairview Road on the night of Jan. 29, 2022.

He noted she made more than 50 calls that night, but not one was to 911, not one was to a hospital.

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If OKeefe had gone in the home, his cell phone would be moving. His phone would have recorded more steps, Brennan said.

The datas the data, he emphasized.

The voicemails to OKeefe represent panic and drunken denial setting in. She knows exactly where he is, Brennan said.

Brennan noted that Read never called Brian Higgins, who was inside 34 Fairview Road, to ask if OKeefe made it in the house.

By 5 a.m., when Read woke up, her panic had gone to self-preservation, Brennan argued. When Read arrived to Jennifer McCabes house that morning, she was panicked, out of her mind.

When Read, McCabe and another woman, Kerry Roberts, approached 34 Fairview, it was Read who found OKeefe in the snow.

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She knows where to find him, she knows where to expect to find him, Brennan said.

He played a clip where Read says, I was expecting I would find him.

11:40 a.m. - Brennan explains the law

Brennan told the jury the prosecution wasnt trying to prove Read intended to kill OKeefe or even intended to hit him. But rather that she intended an act  putting the car in reverse  that caused a clear, plain and strong likelihood of death.

Read in the midst of that tension and fight drove away, then came back for the last word in the darkness, under the influence of alcohol. She decided to put her car in reverse and accelerate toward where OKeefe was standing

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That data tells a story that cant be changed, Brennan said.

Brennan emphasized that theres no doubt theres a collision because Reads taillight was all over the yard.

11:27 a.m. - A historian in the data

Brennan suggested to the jury that Reads rage was incited by a mention of a woman OKeefe had hooked up with previously when they called Jennifer McCabe for directions as they headed to 34 Fairview Road.

He played a clip of an interview Read gave to support his argument. The clips also reinforced his argument about Reads drinking. In one, Read says I shouldnt be driving.

From 12:12 on we have a historian in the data, Brennan said.

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He told the jury it was the prosecution expert, Shanon Burgess, who found the key  an SD card in Reads SUV that showed a trigger event.

The health care data shows OKeefes movements, Brennan said. It is critical.

The data shows John OKeefe is not moving, he said. The data is the data. You cant change it as much as you want to.

Data is not subject to bias, Brennan emphasized.

In the car, the pair were arguing, he stressed, pointing to Reads statement to a first responder.

The data from OKeefes phone shows he never left the area near the flagpole, where his body was found, Brennan said. The steps on OKeefes phone could be pacing, could be a straight line, could be shaking the phone.

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We dont know everything. We dont have to, he said.

Its at that point that Read makes a decision: she takes her SUV and steps on the gas, after banging it into reverse.

11:17 a.m. - John OKeefe needed help

Brennan began his closing argument on an emotional note. Unlike Jackson, who raised his voice throughout and pounded on the podium, Brennan was measured, his voice level as he spoke.

OKeefe was the kind of person who helped people. But on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, OKeefe was the one who needed help.

The only person who could help him was Read, Brennan said. Instead, she left him to die.

John OKeefe and Karen Read were in a toxic relationship, Brennan said. On the night of Jan. 29, 2022, they were not getting along, he said.

Brennan argued the timeline in this case is beyond dispute.

He told the jury theyd seen Read pouring shots into her mixed drinks at the Canton bars that night.

Reality sometimes is different than argument, he told jurors. The fighting they saw on surveillance video was not practice for a murder, Brennan said.

Instead, the mood in that bar was celebratory.

11:12 a.m. - Jackson concludes closing argument

Jacksons closing ended with a focus on truth. He told the jury to demand it.

Youve seen the facts and youve seen the evidence, Jackson said. The truth is Karen Read is not guilty.

Jackson again hammered the law, the physics and the data. He told the jury it wasnt their responsibility to determine how OKeefe was hit by Read.

The prosecution failed to maintain a fair and unbiased and honest investigation, he said.

Your sworn obligation under the law is to acquit Karen Read. Not just because you can, because you must, Jackson said.

He ended with a simple message: find Karen Read not guilty, not guilty, not guilty.

10:58 a.m. - Jackson highlights broken taillight

Pointing to the testimony of two police officers: Kelly Dever and Nicholas Barros as he tried to highlight police manipulation.

Dever, a Boston police officer, was hostile on the stand when called by Reads defense. She told federal investigators she saw Brian Higgins, the federal agent, and Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz in the sallyport with Reads SUV for a wildly long time. On the stand, she said it was a false memory.

Dont you have questions about Brian Higgins? Jackson asked.

He noted that Higgins visited the police station around 1:30 a.m. on the morning of OKeefes death.

What was so important he needed to go there? Jackson said.

Higgins is a member of the blue wall, Jackson said.

Its the same blue wall, he suggested, that led to Dever changing her testimony.

Barros, on the other hand, was a totally independent officer, who testified when he saw Reads car at her parents house in Dighton, the taillight was cracked but not shattered.

Jackson suggested the taillight was cracked when Reads SUV hit OKeefes around 5 in the morning. The prosecutions own recitation confirms it, he said.

He noted that no taillight fragments were found at the scene until after Reads SUV was seized.

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if you can trust the commonwealths case, Jackson said.

10:45 a.m. - Thats not justice

Jackson sought to cast blame toward those inside 34 Faivriew Road on the night of OKeefes death.

What if it wasnt the house of a Boston cop? Jackson said. We can be certain they wouldve torn that house apart looking for answers."

But because this was Brian Alberts house, they didnt. They didnt even open the door. Thats not justice.

Theyre blank spots on a map where justice is supposed to live, Jackson continued. Reasonable doubt abounds.

Brian Alberts phone was never secured by the lead investigator, Michael Proctor. Albert never exited his home on the morning of OKeefes death, Jackson noted.

His sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, claimed Albert slept through this complete chaos.

But the phone records tell a different story, Jackson said, noting McCabe called her sister at 5:07 a.m. that morning, the precise time Karen left her house.

Jackson emphasized the Alberts rehomed their dog after OKeefes death, and pointed to a message in a family group chat that he said represented the group getting their stories straight.

10:30 a.m. - Jackson hammers lead investigator

Jackson again returned to what he portrayed as the failures of the police investigation, and specifically former trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator.

He emphasized the failure of Proctor and other investigators to ever enter 34 Fairview Road, where OKeefe was found.

Lets not forget this was Brian Alberts house and that comes with privileges, Jackson said, pointing to Proctors text message saying the homeowner wouldnt catch some [expletive], noting he was a Boston cop too.

He hammered Proctors texts: those messages now belong to you, he told the jury. I urge you to go read them.

Proctor dehumanized this woman, Jackson said, referencing Read. He betrayed her as a human being.

Jackson read several messages from Proctor: shes got a leaky balloon knot. She leakes poo.

Up to this point, Michael Proctor had done zero investigation. Nothing. Save talk to 3 people: all of whom were named Albert or McCabe. Thats it, Jackson said.

He noted that Proctor was never called a witness during the trial.

Proctor clearly is radioactive and the commonwealth stayed away from him, Jackson continued, noting Proctor was fired for his misconduct in the Read case.

He emphasized that the only piece of glass found at 34 Fairview Road that matched a piece of glass on the bumper of Reads SUV was recovered by Proctor.

Proctor failed to interview obvious witnesses, Jackson said, including Brian Loughran, who plowed Fairview Road that night.

Loughran wouldve told Proctor he drove by the lawn and there was no body.

Another witness, Heather Maxon, wouldve told Proctor she saw Read in her SUV, with the dome light on, and the passenger seat empty.

At the time, there was only one place OKeefe could be, Jackson said. He was in the house.

10:21 a.m. - He was not outside

Jackson ran through the digital evidence in the case: he told the jury the time data still shows OKeefe was very much alive and walking around after the time the prosecution claims Read hit him.

The commonwealths witness ... confirmed, he conceded, he has doubts, Jackson said. If their own cell phone expert has reasonable doubt, so should you.

The cell phone battery temperature data proves it, Jackson said.

The data tells us he was not laying outside in the cold but inside somewhere a little bit warmer, he argued. " He was not outside, he was someplace warmer like a basement or a garage."

He returned to the medical data: every expert agreed, OKeefe fell backwards from a standing position.

What could make you fall straight back like that? Jackson asked. He suggested it was a punch.

Just look at Johns arm, he continued. The prosecution couldnt find a medical expert who would say those were inconsistent with a dog bite or a scratch.

10:11 a.m. - Jackson highlights evidence

Jacksons argument moved to the medical evidence in the case.

Not a single medical expert has testified that John was hit by a car, Jackson said.

Even the commonwealths medical examiner confirmed she didnt see an impact site on OKeefes body.

That in and of itself is reasonable doubt, Jackson continued.

He told the jury to focus on the silent witness: the science, the physics, the data.

Jackson highlighted the testimony of two experts from the firm ARCCA, who were first hired by the U.S. Attorneys office, not the defense.

Both PHDs, both engineers, determined: there was no collision, Jackson said. John was not struck by a 6,000-pound SUV. Full stop.

He criticized the testing of a prosecution expert, Judson Welcher, who performed a ridiculous blue paint kindergarten experiment.

Reads taillight had severe internal damage, Jackson said. The internal diffusers, which light up the taillight, were completely damaged.

But Jackson put up two photos that showed the taillight completely illuminated after the time Read is accused of hitting OKeefe.

How can that be if the diffuser was already scattered around 34 Fairview? he asked.

Jackson stressed the lack of injuries to OKeefes arm: Johns arm was pristine, save those dog bites.

He didnt even have a bruise.

There was no blood, no skin, no tissue on a single shard of taillight, found at the scene of OKeefes death, Jackson said. It doesnt make sense.

10 a.m. - What did they ignore?

Jackson gave jurors a timeline of the night before OKeefes death. He and Read met members of the Albert family at a Canton bar, where they were already drinking.

But also there was Brian Higgins, a federal agent who has flirted with Read. He had a romantic design on Karen.

Higgins was agitated, Jackson said. He was agitated it was John with Karen, not him.

He sent an aggressive text to Read  ummm... well.

Jackson played several videos from the Canton bar, all of which he said Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, completely ignored.

On the video, Higgins is seen, as Jackson described it, practicing for a fight.

Jackson continued to hammer Proctor and other investigators: what did they ignore? he asked. He listed evidence, including the obvious dog bites on OKeefes arm, and black eyes on his face.

Their investigator was corrupted from the start, Jackson said. They cant prove a collision.

9:48 a.m. - Jackson begins closing argument

There was no collision. There was no collision. There was no collision, Jackson opened.

He asked the jury to have courage because thats what this moment demands. He implored the panel to stare down injustice.

You folks are the last line of defense, Jackson said. The last line of defense between an innocent woman and a system that has tried to break her.

Jackson emphasized a theme the defense has hammered throughout the trial: that the case was corrupted from the start.

He pointed to the misconduct of former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor, and said the jury saw on full display ... the lengths to which some police officers will go to protect their own.

Jackson raised the high burden the prosecution must meet: that the jury must believe Read is guilty to a degree of moral certainty.

The law defines moral certainty as the highest level of certainty known in all human affairs, he said.

9:44 a.m. - Jury enters

Cannone apologized to jurors for the delay Friday morning, telling them everybody has worked so hard that everything has to be right before you hear it.

As she does each morning, she asked jurors if they were able to follow her instructions about avoiding coverage of the case and not talking about it. Each juror said they had.

Cannone reminded jurors that closing arguments arent evidence and asked them to put their notebooks away.

Weve all noticed that youve paid very close attention to this case, she said.

She emphasized that the commonwealth had to prove the case against Read to a reasonable doubt.

8:53 a.m. - Lawyers called to sidebar

When Cannone entered the courtroom Friday morning, Brennan said he needed to be heard, unfortunately. Cannone called the lawyers to sidebar with the jury on their way.

About 20 minutes later, Cannone returned with a laptop and called the lawyers back to sidebar. At 9:30 a.m., Cannone departed the courtroom again.

The court docket showed a new filing from Reads defense Friday morning, a motion to ensure transparency in alternate juror selection process. It was denied by Cannone.

The selection of alternates is the role of the court clerk, who does so through a random process where all juror numbers are placed on balls that are then spun around and picked one by one.

Jurors can deliberate for as short or as long as it takes to reach a unanimous verdict. During Reads first trial, jurors deliberated for about four and a half days before Cannone ultimately declared a mistrial.

The last time the jury was in the courtroom, they heard testimony from a biomechanical engineer who said testing showed OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a car crash. Reads defense rested its case following the engineers testimony.

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 murder case

Read the original article on MassLive.
For the first time in weeks, lawyers were able to address jurors directly in the Karen Read retrial on Friday as they delivered their closing arguments. Hank Brennan, the lead prosecutor, and Alan Jackson, Reads lead defense attorney, took differing approaches in their closings, reflective of how each side approached the trial.

Jackson spoke first, going nearly 90 minutes as he hammered two key points: that there was no collision between Reads SUV and her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, and that police failed to properly investigate the case.

What if it wasnt the house of a Boston cop? Jackson said. We can be certain they wouldve torn that house apart looking for answers."

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He also leaned on the testimony of numerous experts, including the commonwealths medical examiner, all of whom said OKeefes injuries werent consistent with being hit by a car.

Just look at Johns arm, he said. The prosecution couldnt find a medical expert who would say those were inconsistent with a dog bite or a scratch.

Throughout Jacksons speech, index cards flashed on the courtroom TVs, each representing a key point.

As he concluded, Jackson told the jury to consider that stack of index cards. Each one represented reasonable doubt, and each one meant Read must be acquitted.

Brennan, though, leaned more on raw emotion: he opened and closed on OKeefe himself. He was a man who tried to help everyone, Brennan said, and on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022, he was the one who needed help. It was only Read, he suggested, who could get OKeefe help.

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He also suggested to the jury that the data proved the case beyond a reasonable doubt, even though he admitted the prosecution didnt know exactly how the collision at the center of the case took place. Brennan pointed to the healthcare data from OKeefes phone, the plummeting temperature of his cell phone battery and the data from Reads Lexus SUV.

The data shows John OKeefe is not moving, he said. The data is the data. You cant change it as much as you want to.

Data is not subject to bias, Brennan emphasized.

He closed with a photo of OKeefe on the screen.

John OKeefe was a person, and he was murdered by Karen Read, he said. Whether she meant to hit him or not.

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After eight weeks, dozens of witnesses and hundreds of exhibits, 12 jurors finally got the case and began their deliberations. The panel deliberated for only two hours on Friday before they were sent home for the weekend.

Heres what else you need to know from the eighth week of the trial.

Rising tension as retrial reaches a conclusion

As the retrial entered its final stretch this week, there were visible moments of escalating tension between the lawyers and even with judicial decisions.

Norfolk County prosecutors tried to block the defense from questioning one of their final witnesses  a forensic pathologist and former medical examiner  about her opinion that John OKeefes injuries were caused by dog bites.

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The judge ultimately allowed the forensic pathologist, Dr. Elizabeth Laposata, to testify about the wounds coming from an animal, not from a dog specifically.

I just think its outrageous, Alan Jackson, a defense attorney, told the judge, sounding exasperated.

There were barbs traded between attorneys throughout the week.

Robert Alessi, one of Reads attorneys, moved for a mistrial after a prosecutor mistakenly pointed to cuts in OKeefes sweatshirt  made by a state police technician  and implied they could have been caused by road rash.

The Commonwealth has no case. They have no collision. They are desperate and trying to create evidence of specters of collision where the evidence doesnt support it, Alessi said.

Crash test dummies showed extensive road rash

Jackson spent a good deal of time questioning a defense expert witness, Daniel Wolfe, about a test involving a crash dummys right arm being struck at 29 mph.

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Wolfe is an accident reconstructionist with the company ARCCA and he described a series of holes on the dummys sweatshirt caused by road rash. There were also visible signs of road rash to the face and torso.

Wolfe said the damage to the dummy was inconsistent with the damage to OKeefe. He also noted that the dummys shoes stayed on his feet after impact. One of OKeefes shoes was found at the scene of 34 Fairview Road, the other stayed on his foot.

Jackson also projected a photograph from the SUV with a shattered back window after the dummy test. Wolfe stated it was inconsistent with the damage to Reads SUV.

2nd mistrial motion: Passionately argued, swiftly denied

Reads lawyers pushed for a mistrial on Monday  the second time in a week.

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Defense attorney Robert Alessi told Judge Beverly Cannone that the motion for a mistrial with prejudice was based on intentional misconduct by the prosecution. Alessi accused a prosecutor of misleading jurors while questioning an accident reconstructionist about OKeefes sweatshirt.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned the defenses expert witness, Wolfe, about punctures to the back of OKeefes sweatshirt. Brennan pulled out the sweatshirt encased in a transparent display to ask Wolfe about damage to the back of the sweatshirt.

Alessi said the questions were misleading because Brennan knew the holes in question were made by a Massachusetts State Police criminalist, and could not have happened as a result of a collision.

The holes on the back were clearly, unequivocally, without doubt caused by the cutting of a criminalist. Those holes in the back of the sweatshirt [have] nothing to do with any type of event on or about Jan. 29, 2022.

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What could be more egregious? Alessi asked. They picked the most opportune, sensitive time to pull this stunt. This is intentional, this is irremediable, this is on the key issue of this case, whether there was a collision at all.

Brennan admitted to having made a mistake, but the judge denied the mistrial motion. She instead gave jurors an instruction telling them the holes in the sweatshirt came from a criminalist and they cannot consider the holes as coming from the events of Jan. 29, 2022.

X-rays of OKeefes arm come into evidence

Laposata, the forensic pathologist, testified that OKeefes arm injuries were very consistent with an animal attack.

She then testified about X-rays that she reviewed of OKeefes chest, arm and legs. She said she did not see any defects to his right hand, and that the bones were intact without any breaks or fractures.

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Its a normal right arm, Laposata said.

Then, at a later point, she said, The bones were 100 percent intact.

An expert witness for the prosecution said during his testimony in a previous week that there were no X-rays of OKeefes arm that he reviewed.

Defense rests after crash reconstruction witness points out inconsistencies

The last witness of the trial, Andrew Rentschler, bolstered Laposatas opinions that OKeefes injuries were inconsistent with a car collision.

Rentschler is another ARCCA accident reconstructionist, and he said on Wednesday that OKeefes arm had 36 superficial abrasions on his right arm, which he terms a conservative estimate.

He said there would need to be 36 points of contact to piece the sweatshirt and the skin, but there were nine defects on the right sleeve of his sweatshirt.

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Rentscheler also criticized a test done by the prosecutions crash reconstructionists using blue paint transferred from a taillight onto the arm of an analyst.

The analyst did not take any measurements of where the blue paint extended on the mans arm and did not say with scientific certainty that that area of paint corresponds to where the abrasions are, Rentschler said.

Brennan sought to undermine Rentschlers testimony by making him appear to jurors as cozy with the defense team.

Rentschler admitted to having eaten a ham sandwich during a lunch with defense lawyers after his testimony at the first trial.

Brennan asked if Rentschler was discussing the case and laughing it up a little bit with the defense.

Whatever was spoken about at the table, Im sure I heard, Rentschler said.

After Rentschlers testimony, the defense rested its case.

In an unexpected twist, Brennan decided against calling rebuttal witnesses. Earlier in the week, hed indicated he wanted to recall an accident reconstructionist from Aperture, the company retained by prosecutors, and another expert to testify about dog DNA.

Karen Read murder case

Read the original article on MassLive.
This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran. Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN envoy, said that at least 78 people were killed as a result of Israel's strikes, while 320 others were injured, most of whom were civilians. (Xinhua)

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's air defense has downed two Israeli Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets as well as a large number of micro aerial vehicles, capturing a female Israeli pilot, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The Iranian army has not officially confirmed the report.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rejected the report. In a statement, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee called the allegations "completely baseless."

The statements come amid heightened tensions following Israel's large-scale strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, which have raised fears of broader regional escalation.

Iran's state-run Press TV reported that Iranian air defenses had shot down an Israeli drone near the Fordow nuclear facility, located close to the central city of Qom.

Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN envoy, said that at least 78 people were killed as a result of Israel's strikes, while 320 others were injured, most of whom were civilians.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were killed in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran.

Late Friday, Israel reported that Iran launched nearly 100 missiles toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, two of whom are in critical condition. 

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows a car damaged during Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN envoy, said that at least 78 people were killed as a result of Israel's strikes, while 320 others were injured, most of whom were civilians. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows buildings damaged during Israeli airstrikes in Tehran, Iran. Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN envoy, said that at least 78 people were killed as a result of Israel's strikes, while 320 others were injured, most of whom were civilians. (Xinhua)
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City group is organizing a No Kings Rally this weekend in response to Gov. Kehoe declaring a State of Emergency and activating the National Guard  and in response to President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown.

Indivisible Kansas City said it plans to exercise its First Amendment right to peaceably assemble on Saturday, June 14, at the No Kings Rally on the Country Club Plaza.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activates National Guard, declares State of Emergency

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The local rally will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at 47th Mill Creek Parkway. in Kansas City, Missouri.

We Missourians join millions around the country for a day of nonviolent mass mobilization to say clearly and defiantly: No Kings, the group said in a news release.

The group cited several incidents that have taken place across the country.

The current ruling party of the United States government demonstrably plans to punish those whom President Trump, his Cabinet and allied politicians deem unwilling to yield to their unlawful activities, Indivisible Kansas City said.

The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.

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No Kings rallies will be held across the nation this weekend in response to the actions taken by President Trump and other government officials.

What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

On Saturday, the group said Missourians will peacefully demonstrate their opposition to the current unconstitutional actions taken by President Trump and Governor Kehoe.

There is no state of emergency. This is the First Amendment in action.

Indivisible Kansas City emphasized that violence will not be tolerated at Saturdays event.

Nationwide protests against immigration raids escalate, leading to arrests and curfews

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A core principle behind all No Kings events remains a commitment to nonviolent action, the group said.

We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.

The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy

Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page on Friday issued a joint statement:

As leaders from opposite sides of our state, we are united in our belief that the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy. In both St. Louis County and Jackson County, we fully support the right of residents to make their voices heard freely, safely and lawfully.

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With demonstrations expected this weekend, we urge all participants to remain peaceful, respectful and focused on the values that bring people together. Protest is a powerful expression of democracy, but violence, destruction and intimidation have no place in that conversation and only undermines the purpose of peaceful protest.

Our teams are working closely with law enforcement and community partners to ensure that demonstrations are safe and orderly for everyone involved. We are also aware that the Governor has placed the Missouri National Guard on standby. While we understand the desire to be prepared, we believe that community-centered approaches grounded in de-escalation, transparency and mutual respect are the most effective way to ensure public safety and uphold constitutional rights.

At a time of deep national concern, we remain committed to listening, learning and working toward a future that reflects justice, compassion and dignity for every member of our communities.

Indivisible Kansas City said that if you have additional questions and/or are interested in volunteering at this event, you can reach out to info@indivisiblekansascity.org.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced a new appointee to oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments (SLMPD) citizen-led board of police commissioners.

St. Louis City native Derek Winters will serve as the Transition Director. According to the Governors Office, Winters will work with St. Louis City officials, SLMPD, Missouris Department of Public Safety and other entities.

Winters overall focus is ensuring an efficient transition to a citizen-led board, which is expected to assume control over SLMPD before July 1, 2026, as well as minimizing citizen conflicts in the city.

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This is a pivotal moment for the city of St. Louis, Winters said. It is an honor to support the process of building a board that supports our men and women in uniform, reflects the Citys values, and is equipped to meet its responsibilities from the start.

House Bill 495 establishes a board of police commissioners that consists of six members, including St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, to guide the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).

The Governors Office will announce the remaining commissioners in the coming weeks, with Kehoe responsible for appointing each member.

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SLMPD Police Chief Robert Tracy acknowledged Winters new role and said he is in full support of Kehoes decision. Tracy said SLMPDs priorities surround maintaining public safety, supporting officers and serving St. Louis City.

Winters has a professional background in leadership, and he previously served as a commissioner on the St. Louis City Board of Elections and board chair of Saint Louis Makes.

This transition team requires leadership rooted in accountability, professionalism, and a clear sense of purpose. Derek brings all of that, and we are confident in his ability as a highly skilled operations professional to help build a strong foundation for the board and its long-term role in public safety, Kehoe said.

Spencer released a statement in response to the new Transition Director:

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I spoke to the governors office and have full confidence that this appointment doesnt change the chiefs ability to lead the City of St. Louis police department this weekend and in the future. While the governor and I disagree on the issue of local control, we share the common goal of a successful SLMPD, and I look forward to meeting with Mr. Winters in the near future, Spencer concluded.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT)  Decatur businessman Kent Lawrence made it official on Tuesday that he is in the running for mayor.

Lawrence is seeking to replace Mayor Tab Bowling, who is serving his second term but announced two years ago that he is not running for reelection.

Jury finds Brian Mann guilty in attempted murder trial

I believe Decatur can be a great city, a clean, safe city that were all proud to live, work and raise a family in, Lawrence said. I want Decatur to be the city that inspires an example for other communities to look at.

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Lawrence said he understands that it is going to take a lot of work to accomplish that. Since the police shooting death of Stephen Perkins in 2023, there has been a clear divide in the Decatur city community.

So much so that at nearly every city council meeting, there is a call for Bowling to step down from his seat immediately for his failure to maintain peace among his citizens.

Im not Tab Bowling, Im Kent Lawrence, and Im going to talk about what Im going to do, Lawrence explained. Theres no doubt that Decatur is fractured, communities are divided, and weve got to fix that, and that starts with communication. Thats not saying the word because communication is truly sitting down and listening to each other and understanding the other persons point of view.

Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go.

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Lawrence has worked for the City of Decatur for 18 years and currently serves as chairman of the Decatur City Planning Commission.

Im going to be the CEO of the city while providing leadership and leadership with integrity and responsibility, Lawrence said.

Lawrence joins city councilman Billy Jackson as the early qualifiers for the election.

Lawrence told News 19 that there is a lot that needs to be done to solidify the future of Decatur, but number one is re-establishing trust in its citizens.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Kent Mawhinney pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday in connection to the Jennifer Farber Dulos case after the state dropped a conspiracy to commit murder charge.

Farber Dulos, 50, a mother of five from New Canaan, disappeared on May 24, 2019, after dropping off her children at school.

Mawhinney, 59, was initially charged with conspiracy to commit murder in January 2020. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The plea deal allows Mawhinney to be sentenced to time served, which is 11 months in jail.

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Kent Mawhinney pleads guilty to interfering with an officer in Jennifer Farber Dulos case

Outside of the state Superior Court in Stamford on Friday, News 8s Jeff Derderian asked Mawhinney if he wanted to say anything to the Farber Dulos family after pleading guilty to the charge.

Mahwinney: Obviously, its a tragedy, but, ya know, I have as much responsibility for that tragedy as you do.

Derderian: So, you dont know what happened to Jennifer?

Mahwinney: No.

Derderian: Do you know where she is?

Mawhinney: No. If I did, Id tell them. I dont know how they can get closure without that.

Jennifer Farber Dulos family releases statement after Kent Mawhinney pleads guilty to lesser charge

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Authorities believe Farber Dulos was killed by her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos. He was charged with her murder in January 2020 and died by suicide a few weeks later.

Mawhinney once served as Dulos attorney and was a friend of Dulos and Troconis. Mawhinneys license to practice law in Connecticut was suspended by the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch in January 2020. On Friday, he said he has no plans to return to practicing law.

Michelle Troconis was found guilty in March 2024 of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and one count of hindering prosecution in the second degree.

Jennifer Farber Dulos: The Untold Story | News 8 Special Presentation

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Troconis was sentenced in May 2024 to 20 years in prison, suspended after 14.5 years, for her role in helping Fotis Dulos kill and cover up his wifes death.

Although Farber Dulos body has never been found, a judge declared her dead in January 2024.

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STAMFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Kent Mawhinney pleaded guilty to interfering with an officer in connection to the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos in state Superior Court in Stamford on Friday.

Mawhinney, 59, was initially charged with conspiracy to commit murder in January 2020. The plea deal allows him to be sentenced to time served, which is 11 months in jail.

RELATED >> THE DULOS CASE

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Farber Dulos, 50, a mother of five from New Canaan, disappeared on May 24, 2019, after dropping off her children at school. Authorities believe she was killed by her estranged husband, Fotis Dulos, who was charged with her murder in January 2020 and died by suicide a few weeks later.

In state Superior Court in Stamford on Friday, States Attorney Paul Ferencek stated that there is insufficient evidence to continue the case against Mawhinney.

We do not have sufficient evidence to prove of a charge of conspiracy to commit murder beyond a reasonable doubt, Ferencek said. Ive had a number of discussions with defense counsel regarding this matter, and we do have the disposition. The states going to be filing a substitute information, charging Mr. Mawhinney with interfering with an officer. The agreed disposition is 11 months in jail.

Outside court, News 8s Jeff Derderian asked Mawhinney if he wanted to say anything to the Farber Dulos family after pleading guilty to the charge.

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Kent Mahwinney says he doesnt know what happened to Jennifer Farber Dulos

Mahwinney: Obviously, its a tragedy, but, ya know, I have as much responsibility for that tragedy as you do.

Derderian: So, you dont know what happened to Jennifer?

Mahwinney: No.

Derderian: Do you know where she is?

Mawhinney: No. If I did, Id tell them. I dont know how they can get closure without that.

Mawhinney once served as Dulos attorney and was a friend of Dulos and Troconis. Mawhinneys license to practice law in Connecticut was suspended in January 2020 by the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch.

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Jennifer Farber Dulos: The Untold Story | News 8 Special Presentation

Michelle Troconis was found guilty in March 2024 of conspiracy to commit murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and one count of hindering prosecution in the second degree.

Troconis was sentenced in May 2024 to 20 years in prison, suspended after 14.5 years, for her role in helping Fotis Dulos kill and cover up his wifes death.

Although Farber Dulos body has never been found, a judge declared her dead in January 2024.

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Kent Mawhinney, former lawyer and friend of the late Fotis Dulos, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in connection with the disappearance and death of Jennifer Farber Dulos, taking a plea deal that allowed him to avoid any more time behind bars.

Mawhinney, 59, took the plea deal during a hearing Friday in Stamford Superior Court, according to the clerks office. He pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine to one count of interfering with police.w

An Alford plea allows defendants to take a plea bargain while maintaining that they dispute the allegations but acknowledge that there is likely enough evidence to convict them. Mawhinney had been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder, but prosecutors did not believe they had enough evidence to pursue that charge.

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During previous court hearings, Mawhinneys attorney, Jeffrey Kestenband, indicated that his client would be taking the case to trial.

We express our condolences to Jennifer Dulos family, Kestenband said in a statement on Friday. We were very pleased with the result today. Kent was not part of a conspiracy to kill Jennifer Dulos. The state acknowledged in court that there is a lack of evidence to prove that charge. The states acknowledgment is not surprising because Kent was not involved. He has been through a lot since his arrest, and he can now move on with his life.

Lead detective in CT Farber Dulos case speaks out. Why he thinks Troconis holds key to what happened

Mawhinney was sentenced to 11 months in prison, according to the clerks office. The sentence equated to time already served, as he spent nearly a year locked up on bond after he was arrested in January 2020 and charged in connection with the death of Farber Dulos.

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Following the plea deal, Carrie Luft, who was friends with Farber Dulos, issued a statement on behalf of her family and friends, saying todays development does not absolve Kent Mawhinney of conspiracy to murder.

His arrest warrant includes evidence sufficient to bring that charge, but the burden of proof is great by necessity, the statement said. The conspiracy charge was dropped for multiple reasons, including the fact that another lengthy, complex jury trial would come at a substantial cost, financial as well as emotional, to all involved. We are in full support of the states attorneys decision.

Six years after her death, family and friends of Farber Dulos said many questions remain.

It is clear that Jennifer was the victim of a systematically planned, ruthlessly executed murder, and her body still has not been found, the statement said. We believe that someone possesses additional knowledge about where she is, and we hope fervently that they will come forward with that information.

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We miss Jennifer every day, in every way, and ask that you please respect the privacy of her family and loved ones. Thank you, the statement said.

Family and friends also thanked the investigators who have worked tirelessly on the case.

We want to thank the states attorneys office  in particular, Paul Ferencek, Michelle Manning and Sean McGuinness  for their long-term commitment to this case and their careful consideration in seeking justice, the statement said. We also express deep gratitude to the investigators and other law enforcement personnel for their dedication.

Michelle Troconis found guilty on all charges in disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos

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Farber Dulos, a mother of five, disappeared on May 24, 2019, after police believe Dulos was lying in wait at her New Canaan home. At the time, the two were involved in a contentious divorce proceedings and a custody battle.

Farber Dulos was declared legally dead in 2023 after never being seen or heard from again. Her body has never been found.

According to court documents, Mawhinney denied being in contact with Dulos leading up to Farber Dulos disappearance. Detectives believe Dulos called him while Dulos and Michelle Troconis were discarding garbage bags in the north end of Hartford the day Farber Dulos disappeared, court documents said. The bags were later found to have items with Farber Dulos blood on them.

Police also tried to tie Mawhinney to what was believed to be a shallow grave at a gun club in East Granby that he helped establish, court documents said. The pair that made the discovery reported seeing a blue tarp and bags of lime  which can be used to dispose of remains  inside. State police later went to the property and could not find any human remains.

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State police also believe Mawhinney was at Dulos office the day Farber Dulos went missing, court documents said. Investigators also found his name in what would commonly be referred to as the Alibi Scripts that investigators believe Dulos and Troconis  who were dating at the time  put together to help align their stories, according to court documents.

Like Dulos, Mawhinney was in the midst of divorce proceedings. Police believe Dulos communicated with Mawhinneys estranged wife despite a restraining order against Mawhinney, court documents said.

Dulos died at a New York hospital in January 2020 following what police said was a suicide attempt using carbon monoxide in the garage of his Farmington home.

Troconis in May 2024 was sentenced 14  years in prison following a trial that ended with a jury finding her guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, tampering with evidence, hindering prosecution and additional conspiracy charges. Her appeal in the conviction and a contempt of court case remain pending.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kratom is a tropical tree found in Southeast Asia, and it has been around for hundreds of years. Its leaves are sold throughout the United States and can treat things like pain, coughing, anxiety, depression, and even opioid use disorder and withdrawal.

It is sold in Kentucky. Usually, it will come in either an herbal powder form or in a pill form, said Program Director for Voices of Hope Lexington, Jimmy Chadwell.

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In early June, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy put out a health alert advising the public not to consume kratom products and products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, better known as 7-OH. It is a chemical compound found in kratom.

The health agencies warned that when 7-OH is concentrated or synthetically made, it can increase the risk of overdose, severe health issues, and death.

Chadwell urges those using pure kratom products for their harm-reduction benefits to do so wisely.

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Exercise caution. Moderate the amount you use. Never use it alone. Always have Narcan available. Okay? Because of these kratom and the 7-OH, they work on the opioid receptors. So having Narcan available is really going to save somebodys life, he told FOX 56.

Kratom is not FDA-approved and is illegal in six states.

But Chadwell said that Voices of Hope, an organization for people recovering from substance abuse disorders, believes the answer is not more laws; it is more conversation.

We believe that creating more laws surrounding drugs and drug users will not help the community. Instead, we feel that supporting increases in the availability of education and encouraging harm reduction initiatives when using any substance are the best route to go, he said.

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Health officials also said there are no guarantees that kratom products contain the ingredients the packages claim, have the correct concentrations, or are free from contaminants or other drugs.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Kentucky family court judge raised concerns to lawmakers over the process to get children out of bad situations, sometimes taking too long.

We feel like theres too many children falling through the cracks, Judge Kent Varney of Pike County told a panel of lawmakers on the legislative oversight and investigations committee.

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Varney said many of his colleagues feel theres a disconnect between the judiciary and the Department of Family and Children Services. At Thursdays meeting, Varney elevated his concerns that the process for removing a child from an abusive home does not move forward quickly enough, and that delay could allow further harm.

This did not meet acceptance criteria. This was a report from a teacher. Someone who has a duty to report child abuse or neglect, Varney said, explaining one case he dealt with that required multiple concerned calls before authorities stepped in.

At that time, the child had lost about 30% of his body weight. The children disclosed that one child, at least, was locked into a room with no lights and was set there, not fed. And the child said he was fed Vaseline, Varney said when removal occurred.

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If youre going to put those duties on us, we should be able, once we call in, that it triggers an automatic investigation, Varney said, arguing a 2024 law requiring one or more mandatory reporters calling in before an automatic investigation is triggered is being interpreted to mean multiple reports are required. He asked lawmakers to make a clarification. We cant ignore a report. We have to process it. It has to go through the process. So we have to look at all of them. However, like I said, this new legislation has raised the burden, not the burden, has raised the standards for us on certain levels of professionals reporting on what we have to do and next steps, Cabinet for Health and Family Services general counsel Wesley Duke said when asked about the process by the committee.



Thursdays testimony may contribute to new legislation on the issue for the 2026 session.

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Thousands of people protested in cities across Kenya after a blogger critical of the government died in police custody.

Authorities had previously claimed that Albert Ojwang died from self-inflicted injuries, but an autopsy showed that he was likely killed by an assault; a police officer has been arrested.

Ojwangs case has reignited long-running anger against police brutality in a country that has been roiled by anti-government protests in recent years.

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At least 60 people were killed last year after demonstrators turned to Nairobis streets to criticize a contentious tax law. We are on our own, and its becoming more dangerous, a human rights activist told The Washington Post.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Kenyan authorities on Friday arrested a senior police officer responsible for the cell where a blogger died, leading to widespread protests in the capital, Nairobi, that left dozens injured.

Samson Talam, the officer commanding the central police station in Nairobi was arrested on Friday, and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority said that CCTV at the police station had been tampered with and its disks formatted a day after the blogger died inside the cell.

Albert Ojwang, 31, was arrested on June 6 in western Kenya and driven 400 kilometers (248 miles) to Nairobi for what police said was publishing false information about a top police official on social media. He died two days later at the police cell and police said he hit his head against the wall. A pathologists report refuted the police account, stating that the deceased had head injury, neck compression and other injuries spread all over the body that are pointing towards assault.

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The arrest comes a day after the detention of another officer from the central police station. James Mukhwana was arrested Thursday in connection with the blogger's death. He appeared in court Friday, where detectives requested for more time for their investigation.

Ojwangs death led to protests on Thursday that turned violent as police clashed with protesters injuring several and leading a trail of property destruction.

President William Ruto on Friday said his government would protect citizens from rogue police officers and he called for investigations into Ojwangs death.

Kenya has a history of police brutality and Ruto had vowed to end brutality and extrajudicial killings.

The bloggers death comes almost a year after several activists and protesters were killed and abducted by Kenyan police during finance bill protests. The rallies led to calls for the removal of Ruto, who has been criticized for what some say is his authoritarian streak.
HOUSTON, June 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that Israel's strikes could help his administration make a nuclear deal with Iran.

Asked by media outlet Axios whether the Israel bombing jeopardized the negotiations, Trump said: "I don't think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously."

"I couldn't get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen," Trump said.

According to the Axios report, Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Friday for the first time since the attack.

However, the president declined to provide details about the call and didn't want to comment on whether Netanyahu asked the United States to directly join in the operation, said the report.

In multiple phone interviews with media outlets on Friday, Trump repeatedly urged Iran to make a nuclear deal to avoid further Israel strikes which he warned will be "even more brutal."

"They missed the opportunity to make a deal. Now, they may have another opportunity. We'll see," he told the NBC News.

"They can still work out a deal, however, it's not too late," he told Reuters.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday morning.

The U.S. State Department had notified Qatar and several other U.S. Middle East allies hours before Israel attacked Iran, according to a Reuters report.

Trump also told The Washington Post on Friday that he knew Israel would strike Iran.

"I always knew the date," Trump said. "Because I know everything. I know everything. I know everything," 
The head of the main police station in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, has been detained over the killing of a young blogger in police custody, independent investigators say.

As well as Officer Commanding Station Samson Talam, another policeman, PC James Mukhwan, plus a technician accused of disabling the station's CCTV, have also been arrested.

Albert Ojwang's death sparked protests after doctors refuted a police claim he had died from self-inflicted injuries caused by hitting his head on a cell wall. Instead they concluded that it was likely the result of an assault.

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At least 23 people have been questioned and five others removed from active duty while an independent investigation takes place.

Mr Ojwang, 31, died in police custody last weekend after he was arrested over a post on X that was allegedly critical of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat.

In an initial statement, police said Mr Ojwang was found unconscious in his cell and rushed him to a city hospital, where he succumbed to head injuries allegedly sustained from banging his head against the wall.

But an autopsy report and an investigation by the police watchdog, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), ruled out the possibility that Mr Ojwang might have killed himself.

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Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has since retracted the earlier statement and apologised for what he called "misinformation" from his juniors.

On Friday PC Mukhwana made an initial appearance in court and will now remain in custody until his bail hearing in a week's time.

Preliminary investigations allege that PC Mukhwana and other suspects at large were "likely involved in the planning and execution" of Mr Ojwang's killing including tampering with CCTV to attempt to cover-up what happened, court papers submitted by detectives show.

PC Mukhwana is yet to respond to the accusations but his lawyer asked the court to grant him bail saying the constable willingly submitted himself to the authorities when summoned.

Another police officer, James Mukhwana, is in custody after appearing in court on Friday [Cyrus Kimanga]

Police on Friday also arrested a technician who is suspected to have disabled the surveillance system in Central Police Station, effectively obscuring potential evidence about Mr Ojwang's killing, local media reported.

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On Thursday, hundreds of protesters angered by the killing took to the streets of Nairobi calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Lagat.

He is facing mounting pressure from the public, opposition leaders and civil society groups to step aside or be suspended.

President William Ruto has called for a swift investigation, and promised on Friday that his government would "protect citizens from rogue police officers".

Ruto had pledged to end Kenya's history of police brutality and extrajudicial deaths when he came into power in 2022.

But nearly 160 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances were reported across Kenya last year, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC).

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At least 20 people have died while held by police in the past four months alone, according to the IPOA.

Additional reporting by Andrew Ochieng and Natasha Booty

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The Kern County Fire Department released renderings of its Firehawk helicopter which is set to level up firefighting power by 400% per helicopter, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

The Firehawk helicopter will bring water drops from 250 gallons to 1,000 gallons per drop.

Fire officials said the helicopters will be life-saving, wildfire-fighting machines that protect Kern County.

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The projected delivery for the Firehawk is set for 2026.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man who sexually abused a child over a two-year period was sentenced Thursday to 18 years in prison.

Marco Paiz, 47, was found guilty on three felony counts in April.

The victim reported the abuse in 2018, when she was 13. She told sheriffs investigators Paiz had sexually abused her multiple times a week since she was 11.

A towel returned positive matches for the victims and Paizs DNA, according to Kern County District Attorneys Office.

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In a pretext phone call between the victim and Paiz, he begged her to lie and said hed never sexually abuse her again, prosecutors said.

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A sheriff in Florida issued an ominous warning to people planning protests opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in his county this weekend.

If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a Friday press conference. Because we will kill you graveyard dead.

Were not going to play, he added.

Demonstrations have been taking place nationwide after ICE raids and days of tension in Los Angeles in recent weeks. President Donald Trump has already authorized the deployment of 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops to California. The Los Angeles Police Department said earlier this week that it had started making mass arrests."

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Roughly 1,800 nationwide rallies in opposition to ICE and the Trump administration more broadly are planned for this weekend. The demonstrations on Saturday will coincide with a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the Armys 250th birthday and Trumps 79th.

Ivey, the Florida sheriff, also threatened protesters who turn violent in other ways  including by resisting orders, blocking intersections, fleeing arrest or gathering around cars to stop traffic  with jail time and hospitalization.

Speaking earlier this week, Trump pledged to crack down on any protesters in the nations capital during his planned parade, saying that they would be met with very heavy force.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man mistakenly deported to El Salvador appeared in a federal courtroom in Nashville Friday for a hearing and arraignment.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported to an El Salvador prison in March 2025. A Tennessee judge will hear arguments on whether Abrego Garcia can be released from jail pending the outcome of a trial on human smuggling charges. He is accused of conspiring to bring undocumented migrants to the United States from around 2016 to 2025.

Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges and was arraigned. The judge announced Friday afternoon that she would take the case under further advisement, adding a decision would come sooner rather than later.

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Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia argue for due process in new court filing

He was returned to the U.S. last week to face criminal charges, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bondi claimed Abrego Garcia and co-conspirators worked to bring undocumented immigrants to the U.S., including minors, from around 2016 until this year. He has also been accused of trafficking narcotics, abusing women and has been associated with child sexual abuse.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Putnam County in 2022. Body camera video shows officers discussing among themselves their suspicions of human smuggling before letting Abrego Garcia go free. He was not charged with any offense at the traffic stop before he was deported in March and returned on June 6.

The motion for detention pretrial accuses Abrego Garcia of trafficking people, drugs and firearms and abuse. None of those allegations are part of the actual charges against him.

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On Wednesday, Abrego Garcias public defenders argued the government is not entitled to a detention hearing because the actual charges are not serious enough. His attorneys claim the charges are a desperate attempt by the Trump administration to justify the mistaken deportation. They say Abrego Garcia has been denied due process.

Multiple protest are planned Friday ahead of the hearing at the federal courthouse. Metro officers were seen arriving to the courthouse and preparing for protests with police shields

(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

According to court documents, Abrego Garcia entered the country illegally in 2011 to escape gang violence and he is married to a U.S. citizen.

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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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June 13 (UPI) -- Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Friday formally pleaded not-guilty to federal human trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, also said a court appearance this week was the first time she was able to see her husband since he was arrested and detained in March.

The Salvadorian migrant was returned to the United States earlier this month after being deported to a prison in El Salvador.

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"Even though it was through a video screen, I was finally able to see Kilmar," Vasquez Sura, who is a U.S. citizen, told supporters at a rally in Nashville.

"I'm grateful for everyone who has been fighting for this milestone, in this fight to bring my husband back home with our children."

The couple were living in Maryland with their young children at the time Abrego Garcia was arrested.

Lawyers will now argue in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes whether the 29-year-old should be granted bail before trial.

Prosecutors have argued he "would have enormous reason to flee" if released.

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Abrego Garcia was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in March and eventually deported to El Salvador.

Supporters argued Abrego Garcia was denied due process in the deportation proceedings

A U.S. District Court judge later ordered the federal government to "facilitate" his return, after the Justice Department later acknowledged Abrego Garcia's deportation was made in error.

President Donald Trump's administration pushed back against efforts to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States.

In 2019, a federal judge ruled in 2019 that Abrego Garcia could be deported, but not back to his home country of El Salvador.

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He was indicted on two federal charges last month before his return to the United States. Abrego Garcia is accused of playing a "significant role in an alien smuggling ring," dating back as far as 2016, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at the time of the indictment.

Bondi said if Abrego Garcia is found guilty, he will be returned to El Salvador.

Police stopped the vehicle he was driving in Tennessee in 2002 and found several Hispanic men with no identification.

After he was returned to the United States, Abrego Garcia was immediately sent to Tennessee to face the federal charges.

Federal officials also contend Abrego Garcia was a member of the El Salvadoran MS-13 gang, accusations he and his family deny. They argue Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador because of the threat of gang violence.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national mistakenly deported from the US three months ago, pleaded not guilty Friday to federal human smuggling charges.

But at the end of an all-day hearing, a federal magistrate judge didnt decide whether Abrego Garcias alleged smuggling of undocumented immigrants through Tennessee in 2022 merits him staying behind bars under the courts purview to await a criminal trial.

At times, the judge strongly questioned whether the Justice Department had even met bottom-rung criteria to try to claim he even deserved to withstand arguments he should be detained. However, even if the judge determines the Justice Departments arguments werent enough to keep him detained, Abrego Garcia is likely to stay in immigration detention for the foreseeable future.

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The allegations against him relate to a traffic stop when Abrego Garcia drove a Chevrolet Suburban with nine Hispanic male passengers through Tennessee in 2022. Prosecutors allege he transported undocumented people in the US on more than 100 trips between Texas, Maryland and other states.

Prosecutors allege that over several years, Abrego Garcia operated in the illicit world of an international smuggling ring.

Fridays hearing, which included extensive testimony from a Homeland Security special agent who investigated human smuggling groups and gathered evidence from troopers on the 2022 traffic stop, was a rocky initial road-test for the prosecutors case. In many instances, Abrego Garcias defense attorneys cast doubt on the reliability and admissibility of evidence from the traffic stop, and the testimony of cooperating witnesses they called snitches.

Robert McGuire, the acting US Attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee who handled the detention arguments Friday, told the judge he believed Abrego Garcia was a danger to the community.

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But Abrego Garcias defense attorney, Dumaka Shabazz, painted a picture of a government that has overblown its arguments to fit their political needs.

The only reason theyre calling him dangerous now is to deny him due process and subject him to cruel and unusual punishment, theyve got to cover that up, Shabazz said.

For months, the Trump administration has been locked in an intense standoff with the federal judiciary over court orders for the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias return from El Salvador, which experts, members of Congress and judges have perceived as a Constitutional crisis between the branches of government.

The Tennessee indictment, approved under seal by a grand jury in late May, and accompanying arrest warrant are what enabled the US government to ask the Salvadoran government to return him, officials have said.

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Ahead of his arraignment Friday, Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, shared his gratitude for those who are fighting for his release at a news conference. She said Kilmar urges anyone who, like him, remains in immigration custody to have faith.

He says to continue fighting and (we) will be victorious because God is with us, she said.

Vasquez Sura, who is a US citizen, also stressed that her family should have never been put in this situation.

Our son, Kilmar Jr., is right now at his kindergarten graduation, she said through tears. My son is alone on his big day  and Im here fighting for my husband  for his Dad  to come back home.

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In a separate federal court proceeding in Maryland, Abrego Garcias attorneys are arguing for Trump administration officials to be sanctioned because of their handling of his deportation situation and the lack of information they provided to his legal team following multiple court orders, while Abrego Garcia was in El Salvador this year.

CNNs Chelsea Bailey contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee  A federal prosecutor seeking to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia locked up as he awaits trial on immigrant-smuggling charges mounted a broad attack on his character during a detention hearing Friday.

Interim U.S. Attorney Robert McGuire accused the Salvadoran native of spending years illegally ferrying undocumented immigrants across the U.S, while endangering his own children, propositioning underage girls on his trips and even seeking nude photos from a 15-year-old via SnapChat.

During a daylong court session, Abregos defense attorney undercut many of those accusations, noting they are almost entirely based on a handful of closely connected informants seeking help from prosecutors.

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And many of their accounts were second-, third- and even fourth-hand, Abregos lawyers noted.

This house of cards is based on the credibility of unverifiable cooperators, defense lawyer Dumaka Shabazz said. He repeatedly called those informants snitches, which drew an objection from the prosecution.

A federal grand jury in Nashville secretly indicted Abrego last month, prompting the Trump administration to return him to the U.S. after deporting him to El Salvador so he can face trial on two felony charges accusing him of transporting undocumented immigrants and conspiring with others to do so.

But defense attorney Richard Tennent argued that some of the accounts from Abregos accusers are almost comically improbable. The lawyer noted that the informants have claimed Abrego often made two to three trips per week between Houston and Maryland, often carrying his wife and children as well as eight or nine immigrants seeking transport to the East Coast.

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Tennent asked Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Peter Joseph, the sole witness to testify Friday, if hed ever taken his own children on a road trip of a few hours.

They of course get a little antsy, the agent replied.

You ever done a 24-hour outbound trip, then made them sit on the floor for 24 hours when theyre packed in a van with eight other men? the defense attorney asked.

Of course not, Joseph replied.

Tennent suggested the idea that Abrego was driving several times a week between Houston and Maryland with a vehicle full of immigrants and one or more of his own children in the car was absurd.

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So, Saturday after 144 hours on the road, [Abrego] would finally stop driving around with his children sitting on the floorboard? Tennent asked, also noting that two of Abregos children have autism.

Thats the statement the government got from one of the cooperators, Joseph said.

The exchange came as the prosecution and defense jousted fiercely Friday about whether Abrego should be detained as he awaits trial, although hes unlikely to be released immediately even if U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes rules in his favor. Prosecutors could appeal such a ruling and have indicated they would seek to detain him on immigration grounds regardless of his status in the criminal case.

At the outset of Fridays hearing, Abrego pleaded not guilty to immigrant-smuggling charges that federal prosecutors leveled upon his return to the United States.

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Another federal defender, William Allensworth, entered the not guilty plea on his clients behalf, just after Abrego briefly spoke in court, saying in Spanish that he understood the charges against him.

Abrego, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, entered the courtroom minutes before the hearing began. He got a hug from one of his attorneys, who sat flanking him at the defense table. Two Spanish interpreters were also on hand.

The criminal case against the Salvadora n native, lodged secretly through a grand jury indictment last month, preceded Abregos abrupt return to the United States last week. That was more than two months after the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his release from El Salvadors custody. Since then, the administration has resisted efforts by federal courts to provide updates about its efforts to bring him back, cloaking them in assertions of state secrets privilege and assailing judicial demands for more information.

While the defense seemed successful Friday at suggesting that some cooperators may have exaggerated or embellished their accounts, there is strong evidence that Abrego was involved in at least one episode of immigrant smuggling. Joseph also detailed a traffic stop of Abrego on Interstate 40 in 2022 that is the centerpiece of the immigrant-smuggling charges he faces.

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McGuire played video from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officers body-worn camera in which Abrego says the nine other men in the SUV were working construction in St. Louis and headed for Maryland, but Joseph said they had no construction tools. The state officers asked the men in the vehicle to put their names and birth dates on a piece of paper passed around the van, he said.

McGuire asked Joseph how many of the passengers Abrego was driving were in the U.S. illegally.

Right now, were at six of the nine, the agent said.

Abrego and the other men were not charged or even detained longer than about an hour that night. Abregos defense suggested the government was now pouring tremendous effort into a quick investigation, taking the probe from first steps to indictment in about three weeks.

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We had the assistance of a joint task force on this, Joseph acknowledged. We are a federal agency. We have a long reach. So, we had many resources at our disposal.

Holmes noted that the two charges against Abrego involve transporting undocumented immigrants, not more serious charges of human trafficking. Theres a very distinct difference under the law, she said.

Holmes also said a critical legal question she needs to resolve is whether the government even has the authority to seek pretrial detention based on the charges. Abregos defense has said the government does not, but prosecutors have argued that Abregos alleged conduct toward minors, including the claimed presence of his children in vehicles used to transport immigrants, makes him eligible for pretrial detention.

The presence of minors and the victimization of minors is a key issue in this hearing, the judge said.

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Prosecutors have said they believe one of the immigrants in the SUV he was stopped while driving in 2022 was 15, based on the date next to his name on a list the state officers obtained from the passengers that night.

But Abregos lawyers said theres no way to know if the names or dates on that list are accurate, particularly since minors can often get better treatment than adults who face immigration issues.

All those people have a real disincentive to give their accurate identifying information to law enforcement, Allensworth said. if you are going to be undocumented in the U.S., it is better to be under 18 than over 18.

By the conclusion of the hearing, Holmes seemed to harbor serious doubt that prosecutors had shown Abregos conduct involved a minor victim, although she did not pronounce a final judgment on that issue.

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I intend to issue a decision sooner rather than later, the judge said as the session wrapped up for the day.

Abrego deportation case emerged as the most prominent early example of the perceived excesses of Trumps mass-deportation policies and of his administrations resistance to complying with court orders it disagrees with.

Abrego entered the United States illegally in 2012 and sought asylum in 2019 after he was detained and faced deportation proceedings. Though his claim was denied, an immigration judge at the time barred ICE from sending him back to El Salvador because of the potential that he might be targeted for violence by a local gang.

Despite the court order, which remains in effect, he was abruptly arrested on March 15 and loaded aboard one of a controversial trio of flights that ferried more than 230 foreigners from the U.S. to El Salvador, where they were immediately frog-marched into a notoriously harsh anti-terrorism prison.

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Many of those men were expelled from the U.S. under the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime authority Trump invoked against a Venezuela gang, Tren de Aragua. The White House and prosecutors have claimed that Abrego, who had been living in Maryland, is a member of MS-13, which his lawyers have denied. Trumps proclamation covered only Venezuelan citizens and Abrego is Salvadoran.

Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, initially described his deportation as an administrative error because it violated the immigration judges order. However, the White House quickly retreated from acknowledging any mistake.

About 100 protesters rallied outside the courthouse as the hearing got underway, carrying signs with slogans such as Free Kilmar: Support Due Process and Human Rights and Resist ICE.


Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleaded not guilty Friday to human smuggling charges, and the judge in case said she would wait to issue a decision on whether he should be released from custody pending trial.

One week after he was brought back to the Unites States from detention in El Salvador, Abrego Garcia entered his not guilty plea at his arraignment in Tennessee, where federal prosecutors have charged him with transporting undocumented migrants within the U.S. in what they say was a conspiracy involving the domestic transport of thousands of noncitizens from Mexico and Central America, including some children, in exchange for thousands of dollars.

Following his plea, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes heard arguments over whether he should continue to be detained, after which she said she would likely issue a written order in the near future -- "soon rather than later," she said.

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MORE: Abrego Garcia's attorneys ask judge for sanctions against Trump administration

Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing on Monday that Abrego Garcia would almost certainly be immediately taken into custody by ICE if Judge Holmes were to deny their motion for pre-trial detention -- but they asked the court to consider, for the sake of argument, that he "would have an enormous reason to flee" if he were not immediately detained by ICE.

Much of the government's testimony in support of pre-trial detention came from Homeland Security special agent Pete Joseph, who testified about his investigation into the 2022 traffic stop where Abrego Garcia was pulled over for speeding in a vehicle with eight passengers and told police they had been working construction in Missouri.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol officers ultimately issued no speeding ticket and allowed Abrego Garcia to drive on with just a warning about an expired driver's license.

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As ABC News previously reported, the criminal investigation that led to the charges was launched in April as federal authorities began to scrutinize the traffic stop.

PHOTO: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant in this handout image obtained by Reuters on April 9, 2025. (Abrego Garcia Family via Reuters)

Joseph testified that law enforcement officers who pulled over the vehicle asked those in the car to write down their name, date of birth and where they were traveling to -- what was described in court as a "roster" of who was traveling in the car. One person on the roster was a 15-year-old minor, according to the list provided to law enforcement -- a piece of evidence that the government alleges proves that Abrego Garcia also transported minors.

The judge grappled with how much weight to give that information, given that the Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper wasn't in court to testify specifically about the list.

"I'm not saying to you that I'm completely discounting it," said Judge Holmes, who added that she wasn't sure she was willing to accept that because the person was a minor meant that he was a minor victim.

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Joseph also testified that some of the alleged co-conspirators and witnesses who spoke with federal authorities alleged that Abrego Garcia sometimes transported noncitizens with his wife and children. His children, Joseph said, sat on the floorboard of the car.

U.S. attorney Robert McGuire argued that showed there was a danger to Abrego Garcia's children, who he allegedly used as "cover."

"I would submit, Your Honor, that his children were at risk," McGuire said. "It is a dangerous business. And it was dangerous for his children."

MORE: Newly released video shows Abrego Garcia's 2022 Tennessee traffic stop

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Attorneys representing Abrego Garcia pressed Joseph about the so-called "deals" witnesses and co-conspirators received in exchange for their testimony.

Jose Ramon Hernandez-Reyes, the owner of the car Abrego Garcia was driving -- and the main witness for the government -- is a two-time felon who re-entered the country five times, according to Joseph.

Reyes, who was serving a 30-month prison sentence for illegal reentry, was recently sent to a halfway house due to security concerns -- a point Abrego Garcia's attorneys focused on during their cross examination.

Abrego Garcia has been the subject of a prolonged legal battle since he was deported in March to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison -- despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation to that country due to fear of persecution -- after the Trump administration claimed he was a member of the criminal gang MS-13, which his family and attorneys deny.

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The Trump administration, after arguing for nearly two months that it was unable to being him back, returned him the U.S. last week to face a two-count indictment alleging that, while living with his wife and children in Maryland, he participated in a yearslong conspiracy to haul undocumented migrants from Texas to the interior of the country.

MORE: Timeline: Wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador

In addition to arguing that Abrego Garcia represents a flight risk, the government contends that Abrego-Garcia's alleged MS-13 ties put him at risk of attempting to obstruct justice or intimidate potential witnesses against him, including his alleged co-conspirators.

"The United States would submit that at least one co-conspirator has described that the Defendant has previously used his membership in MS-13 not just to facilitate his illegal activity in the smuggling conspiracy but also to intimidate others in the conspiracy who attempted to confront him about the treatment of female smuggling victims and his smuggling of firearms and drugs which added to the conspiracy's risk of detection and were not a goal of the overall conspiracy," the government's Monday filing said.

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In response, attorneys for Abrego Garcia said in a filing Wednesday that the Trump administration's arguments for a detention hearing are meritless.

"It should also come as no surprise that the government has not cited a single case holding that a generic alien-smuggling charge provides grounds for a detention hearing," Abrego Garcia's attorneys said. "This case should not be the first."

Abrego Garcia's attorneys also argued in the filing that their client is not a flight risk, and said that the government "points to zero facts" suggesting Abrego Garcia has a history of evading arrest, has any prior restrictions, or has "systematically engaged in international travel in the recent past."

The attorneys also argued that there is no "serious risk" Abrego Garcia will obstruct justice, arguing that the government's "baseless gang-affiliation allegations" do not support a finding that he poses a "serious risk" of obstructive behavior.

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"[The] government is not entitled to seek detention in this case, Mr. Abrego Garcia respectfully asks the Court to deny the government's motion for detention," the attorneys said.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Jennifer Vasquez Sura, in black dress, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is embraced by friends and supporters before speaking at First Lutheran Church in Nashville before Abrego Garcia's June 13 arraignment on federal trafficking charges. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  The wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia  a Salvadoran native who was wrongfully deported to an El Salvador prison as part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown  shared a message from him with a crowd gathered at a downtown Nashville church ahead of his arraignment Friday morning:

Continue fighting, and I will be victorious because God is with us.

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About two blocks down the street, Abrego Garcia awaited his arraignment in federal court on criminal alien smuggling charges and a hearing to determine whether he will continue to be detained until trial.

Speaking to a crowd of immigrant rights advocates, union leaders and clergy, Jennifer Vasquez Sura said Thursday marked exactly three months since the administration abducted and disappeared my husband and separated him from our family.

It also marked the first time she was able to see him  albeit through a video screen.

Hundreds of miles away, their son, Kilmar Jr., was in Maryland at his kindergarten graduation, she said.

Our family should have never been in this situation, she said, her voice choking with emotion. We should be with our children. Me and Kilmars mind is here in Tennessee, but my heart is in Maryland with my kids  My son is alone on his big day, and Im here fighting for my husband, for his dad, to come back home.

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Abrego Garcia  a 29-year-old Salvadoran native living in Maryland, union sheet metal worker and father of three  was driving home with his five-year-old son when he was pulled over in March. He was detained and mistakenly deported to a notorious Salvadoran prison under allegations of membership in the MS-13 criminal gang. His family says they are false. A court order from 2019 expressly prohibited his deportation to El Salvador, where he fears persecution.

The El Salvador government returned Abrego Garcia to the United States in June to face a grand jury indictment in Tennessee for one count of conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain and one count of unlawful transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain between 2016 and 2025.

The indictment was issued May 21 but remained sealed until June 6.

The charges are tied to a traffic stop by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in November 2022, when Abrego Garcia was pulled over for speeding about 80 miles east of Nashville while driving an SUV with nine Hispanic men. No charges were filed at the time, but prosecutors now allege that the stop involved smuggling migrants within the United States.

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Vasquez Sura said Abrego Garcia spoke of faith and gratitude.

To everyone who continues to support Kilmar and the fight for justice, Kilmar says, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God has put us in this path together for a reason. He knows why He does it and what He does, and theres always a reason we have all come together at this moment, Vasquez Sura said.

Kilmar shares that he feels Gods presence with him, as only God knows the darkness he has faced in these past three months, she said.

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A building is hit by a missile in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Tomer Neuberg/JINI via Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA).

The MDA reported two people critically injured, two moderately, four lightly-moderately, while the remaining individuals suffered light injuries or trauma-related symptoms, including panic attacks.

Following the launches, air defense sirens were activated, sending millions of residents to protected rooms and shelters for more than an hour.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said that most missiles were intercepted by the air defense system or did not reach their target. He noted that the injuries reported occurred inside buildings, with several caused by shrapnel from intercepted missiles.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said following the launches that "Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles at civilian population centers in Israel."

"We will continue to protect the citizens of Israel," he said, warning that the country would "ensure that Tehran pays a very heavy price for its criminal actions."

Meanwhile, the IDF denied Iranian media reports that Iran had downed an Israeli fighter jet and detained its pilot.

In a separate statement, the IDF said it had attacked earlier Friday Iranian Air Force bases in western Iran, destroying Tabriz Airbase, without providing further details.

It added that the IDF attacked and destroyed dozens of Iranian air defense targets, drones, and surface-to-surface missile launchers.

"The IDF is prepared to continue to operate as necessary," the statement read. "The IDF is continuously conducting situational assessments and will continue to update on developments." 

A building is hit by a missile in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Tomer Neuberg/JINI via Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli first responder works at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli first responder works at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli first responder works at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli first responders arrive at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

An Israeli first responder works at a site hit by a missile fired from Iran in central Israel, on June 13, 2025. Nearly 100 missiles were launched from Iran toward central and northern Israel in two massive barrages, causing significant damage and injuring 41 people, according to the Israeli military and the national emergency service, Magen David Adom (MDA). (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Jennifer Vasquez Sura, in black dress, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is embraced by friends and supporters before speaking at First Lutheran Church in Nashville before Abrego Garcias June 13 arraignment on federal trafficking charges. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia  a Salvadoran native who was wrongfully deported to an El Salvador prison as part of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown  shared a message from him with a crowd gathered at a downtown Nashville church ahead of his arraignment Friday morning:

Continue fighting, and I will be victorious because God is with us.

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About two blocks down the street, Abrego Garcia awaited his arraignment in federal court on criminal alien smuggling charges and a hearing to determine whether he will continue to be detained until trial.

Speaking to a crowd of immigrant rights advocates, union leaders and clergy, Jennifer Vasquez Sura said Thursday marked exactly three months since the administration abducted and disappeared my husband and separated him from our family.

It also marked the first time she was able to see him  albeit through a video screen.

Hundreds of miles away, their son, Kilmar Jr., was in Maryland at his kindergarten graduation, she said.

Our family should have never been in this situation, she said, her voice choking with emotion. We should be with our children. Me and Kilmars mind is here in Tennessee, but my heart is in Maryland with my kids  My son is alone on his big day, and Im here fighting for my husband, for his dad, to come back home.

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Abrego Garcia  a 29-year-old Salvadoran native living in Maryland, union sheet metal worker and father of three  was driving home with his five-year-old son when he was pulled over in March. He was detained and mistakenly deported to a notorious Salvadoran prison under allegations of membership in the MS-13 criminal gang. His family says they are false. A court order from 2019 expressly prohibited his deportation to El Salvador, where he fears persecution.

The El Salvador government returned Abrego Garcia to the United States in June to face a grand jury indictment in Tennessee for one count of conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain and one count of unlawful transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain between 2016 and 2025.

The indictment was issued May 21 but remained sealed until June 6.

The charges are tied to a traffic stop by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in November 2022, when Abrego Garcia was pulled over for speeding about 80 miles east of Nashville while driving an SUV with nine Hispanic men. No charges were filed at the time, but prosecutors now allege that the stop involved smuggling migrants within the United States.

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Vasquez Sura said Abrego Garcia spoke of faith and gratitude.

To everyone who continues to support Kilmar and the fight for justice, Kilmar says, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God has put us in this path together for a reason. He knows why He does it and what He does, and theres always a reason we have all come together at this moment, Vasquez Sura said.

Kilmar shares that he feels Gods presence with him, as only God knows the darkness he has faced in these past three months, she said.

This story was originally published by Tennessee Lookout. Like Maine Morning Star, Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, pleaded not guilty in a Nashville federal court on June 13.

He is charged with conspiracy to transport aliens and unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens.

Abrego Garcia, 29, entered his plea alongside his attorneys in the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and Courthouse in downtown Nashville at 10:13 a.m. June 13. Attorneys also argued a motion to keep Abrego Garcia in detention while the case is pending.

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes had not ruled on the detention motion as of the afternoon of June 13.

Abrego Garcia's wife read a statement from him at a news conference before the hearing, asking people to "keep praying and keep fighting that the light will always come soon."

Both prosecutors and defense are heavily staffed for the case. Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Rob McGuire, who leads all federal prosecutors in Nashville, and lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice are representing the federal government. Abrego Garcia's attorneys include the local Federal Public Defender Dumaka Shabazz and three assistant public defenders.

"This has the feel of a case that's going to be very heavily litigated," said Jack Chin, a professor at the University of California Davis School of Law.

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The charges against Abrego Garcia were revealed when a federal indictment against him was unsealed June 6, the same day the U.S. flew him back from El Salvador. Abrego Garcia appeared in the Nashville courthouse that day, where he was read the charges against him.

Since then, he has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

More: How a routine traffic stop in TN exploded into human smuggling charges for Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Attorneys trade arguments over keeping Abrego Garcia in detention

During the hearing, prosecutors and defense attorneys debated whether Abrego Garcia should stay behind bars while the case proceeds. Prosecutors have argued he is a danger to the community, and children in particular, and said there's a risk he could leave the country.

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Homeland Security Investigations special agent Peter Joseph testified that agents have spoken with five witnesses, including two alleged co-conspirators in what prosecutors say was a smuggling operation.

Prosecutors played the bodycam footage from the November 2022 traffic stop in Cookeville now central to the case. Joseph said there was a minor in the car when Abrego Garcia was stopped.

In the footage, Abrego Garcia is heard telling Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers that he and the nine others in the car were coming back from St. Louis. License plate readers, however, showed they were not in St. Louis in all of 2022, Joseph said. A license plate reader in Spring, Texas, registered a hit on the vehicle Abrego Garcia was driving days before he was stopped, Joseph said.

Joseph also said agents found six of the nine people were in the country illegally. Two had been removed from the U.S. to Mexico in early November.

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Joseph testified that the Chevrolet Suburban Abrego Garcia was driving was owned by a man named Jose Hernandez-Reyes, whom Joseph said was convicted of alien smuggling.

Prosecutors entered into evidence two orders of protection Abrego Garcia's wife has taken out against him.

Just before the court recessed for lunch, one of Abrego Garcias defense attorneys, federal public defender Richard Tennent, pressed the prosecution while cross examining Joseph.

Tennent tried to poke holes in the timeline of the allegations of human smuggling levied by the prosecution. In particular, Tennent pointed to the length of the drives prosecutors say Abrego Garcia was taking, and questioned how Abrego Garcia would manage these distances while transporting his family and other passengers.

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Defense attorneys have argued for his release.

"[T]he government isnt even entitled to a detention hearing in this case  much less detention," the defense wrote in a June 11 filing. "Mr. Abrego Garcia should be released."

They argued Abrego Garcia does not have an incentive to flee and in fact may have a basis for a new asylum claim after he was illegally deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison. Abrego Garcia denies allegations he is a member of the MS-13 gang; defense attorneys argue that even if he were a member, that not reason enough to keep him detained. Defense attorneys also said the crimes did not involve minor victims, because no children were alleged to have been harmed in transit.

Even if judge says Abrego Garcia can't be detained, he won't walk free

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a detainer against Abrego Garcia.

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If Holmes were to rule that prosecutors cannot detain Abrego Garcia before trial, he would leave Marshals custody but be transferred to ICE custody due to the detainer, Chin said. If that happened, his attorneys may be able to secure his release. An immigration judge may decide to grant Abrego Garcia bail from ICE custody, Chin said.

Protests held outside courthouse

A crowd of at least 100 people had gathered outside the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse by 9:45 a.m. At a nearby news conference, Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, read a message from her husband to the reporters and community members who'd gathered.

"To all the families still fighting to be reunited after a family separation, or if you too are in detention, Kilmar wants you to have faith," Vasquez Sura said. "He said these dark times are where we're facing all of the tribulations God has put in our path. But keep praying and keep fighting that the light will always come soon for all of us, and you too will be able to see your family again."

The crowd at the news conference chanted, "We are all Kilmar, we are all Kilmar."

Background on the charges

This case is separate from the civil case over Abrego Garcias deportation.

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Prosecutors say between 2016 and 2025, Abrego Garcia was part of a conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants from various countries in Central and South America into and within the U.S. They say Abrego Garcias role was generally to pick up immigrants in the Houston area and drive them to other locations in the U.S.

The charges were filed in the Middle District of Tennessee because he was stopped in Cookeville in 2022 driving a Chevrolet Suburban with nine men the indictment suggests were undocumented immigrants. The Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers who pulled him over allowed him to leave, giving him only a warning for driving on an expired license.

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: Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to charges in Nashville court
A Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported from the US before being returned to face criminal charges has pleaded not guilty to two counts related to alleged human trafficking.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia appeared at a hearing via video link in Nashville on Friday and denied charges of illegally transporting migrants and conspiracy.

Trump officials claim that he is a member of the MS-13 gang, an accusation that Mr Abrego Garcia's lawyers and family have strongly denied.

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After he was deported in March, government officials initially said he could not be brought back to the US, but later had him brought to Tennessee where he was charged.

Mr Abrego Garcia first entered the US illegally in 2011 and was granted protection from deportation by an immigration judge in 2019 because it was determined he might face danger from gangs if returned to his native El Salvador.

However in March 2025 the Maryland resident was deported and initially held in El Salvador's Cecot mega-prison, in what Trump administration officials later admitted was a mistake. A judge ordered ordered the government to "facilitate" his return, however White House officials initially refused to bring him back.

On Friday, protesters gathered outside the courthouse in support of Mr Abrego Garcia in advance of the hearing, according to local news reports.

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Mr Abrego Garcia's wife read out a message outside the hearing.

"To all the families still fighting to be reunited after a family separation, or if you too are in detention, Kilmar wants you to have faith," Jennifer Vasquez Sura said.

A hearing in front of a federal judge ended without a ruling about whether Mr Abrego Garcia will be detained or released before his trial. However, the judge said she would issue a written decision "sooner rather than later".

Even if he is allowed to be released before his trial, Mr Abrego Garcia is not likely to be immediately freed, as prosecutors could appeal and seek to have him detained on immigration grounds.

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In an indictment filed last month, US Justice Department prosecutors alleged that for years Mr Abrego Garcia conspired with others to bring migrants from Latin American countries into the US.

Prosecutors said that Mr Abrego Garcia and an unnamed co-conspirator would pick up migrants in Houston and transport them to other places in the US and that they "knowingly and unlawfully transported thousands", according to the indictment.

The charges, which date back to 2016, allege he transported undocumented individuals between Texas and his home in Maryland and other states more than 100 times.

At one point in December 2022, Mr Abrego Garcia was briefly detained by a Tennessee highway patrol officer. However, no criminal charges were lodged against him at the time.

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His lawyers dispute the government's case, describing it as "preposterous" and an "abuse of power".

"There's no way a jury is going to see the evidence and agree that this sheet metal worker is the leader of an international MS-13 smuggling conspiracy," said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Mr Abrego Garcia's lawyers.
A Gastonia shooting left multiple people injured and an unborn baby dead in March, police said. Two arrests have been made, but a mother is still grieving her baby, who would have been a month old by now.

Alyssa Raine was 17 years old and nine months pregnant when she said two masked men broke into a Gastonia motel room and killed the baby she never got the chance to meet.

She told Channel 9s Ken Lemon that even though the shooting happened in March, its still very real for her.

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Every night is hard to go to sleep, the same scene replays over and over in my head, Raine said.

She said the two masked men carried guns and forced their way into the room at the Ecolodge.

Jadedic Black was arrested and charged in Gaffney on Thursday, police said.

READ: 2 charged in shooting that left unborn baby dead, multiple hurt at Gastonia hotel

Police arrested their first shooting suspect, Trinity Hopper, last week. Both are behind bars, charged in connection with the death of Raines unborn child.

She said she recognized Hopper from the robbery.

Raine said Hopper pushed her onto the ground after she told the men she was nine months pregnant. She got up, told a friend to call the police, and then heard gunfire.

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I had nowhere to go, and the bullet hit me straight in my stomach, she said.

Raine said she felt her little girl react.

I knew from the moment that I was shot when I felt my daughter curl up inside of me, and I felt no more movement, she said.

And she said it has been difficult ever since.

I had to spend my first Mothers Day without a daughter, Raine said.

Lemon asked her if there was anything she wanted the suspects to know.

I forgive them, she responded. Because if I dont, Ill never be able to heal, and Ill always hold that over them.

Raine told Lemon that even though she forgives them, she still cant excuse what happened. She said she hopes they never get out of jail.

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Hopper has been indicted and Black is waiting to be extradited to North Carolina to face a judge.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

WATCH: 2 charged in shooting that left unborn baby dead, multiple hurt at Gastonia hotel
Authorities continued to investigate after a large passenger plane with 242 people on board crashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad, shortly after its departure for London Gatwick Airport. Officials say 241 of the passengers and crew on flight AI171 were confirmed dead, but one passenger survived. Casualties were also reported on the ground.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, left Ahmedabad Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time Thursday, June 12. The plane went down minutes later in a residential area, hitting buildings, including the dining area of a medical college, officials said.

Although law enforcement initially told reporters that no one on the plane survived, officials later confirmed that one man had survived and was being treated at a local hospital.

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Here's what we know so far.

Air India plane crashes in Ahmedabad

The director general of India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, told The Associated Press that flight AI171 crashed five minutes after its departure from Ahmedabad airport. The live tracking site Flight Radar reported receiving a final signal from the aircraft only seconds after it took off.

Data collected by Flight Radar showed the jet briefly reaching a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet before beginning to descend at a vertical speed of about 475 feet per minute  a steep dive.

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Video shared online and verified by CBS News showed the jet low over buildings near the airport, descending toward the ground and disappearing from view. An enormous ball of fire and smoke erupted seconds later.

Emergency workers at the scene of an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2024. The airport. This Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff with 242 people on board. / Credit: Saurabh Sirohiya/NurPhoto via Getty Images

What caused the Air India crash?

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the investigation.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it will lead a U.S. team currently heading to India to assist the local authorities. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration officials also said they are deploying teams to India to assist in the investigation alongside the NTSB.

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"When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation," the FAA said in a statement. "In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB."

Air India and Boeing said they are prepared to cooperate and support the investigation.

In videos of the crash, the plane appeared to have its landing gear down and flaps up at a time in the flight when those should have been reversed, said CBS News aviation safety analyst Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the NTSB.

Aviation consultant John M. Cox told the AP the aircraft had its nose up and was not climbing, which investigators are expected to look at.

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"At this point, it's very, very, very early, we don't know a whole lot," he said. "But the 787 has very extensive flight data monitoring  the parameters on the flight data recorder are in the thousands  so once we get that recorder, they'll be able to know pretty quickly what happened."

The plane's two "black boxes"  the flight data and cockpit voice recorders  have been recovered from the wreckage, officials said.

"I think these are going to unlock the mystery of this accident, so it's critical to get these black boxes and get them read out," Sumwalt said.

This illustration shows the path of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in western India on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

India's civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said he was "shocked and devastated" by the crash.

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"We are on highest alert," Kinjarapu wrote in a social media post. "I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us" and called it "heartbreaking beyond words."

Map shows where Air India plane crashed

The Air India crash happened in the city of Ahmedabad, near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where the plane had departed. Ahmedabad is located in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

Map shows location of Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The victims  and survivor  of the Air India crash

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Air India said in a statement that 241 people on the plane died in the crash. "The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital," the airline said.

The passengers of the plane were identified as 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national, Air India said.

The lone survivor was later identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who had been listed as the passenger in seat 11A on the flight manifest shared by Indian authorities.

"Everything happened in front of my eyes," Ramesh said in an interview with Indian media from his hospital bed. "I don't believe how I survived. For some time I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape."

The sole survivor of the Air India plane crash, Vishawashkumar Ramesh, is interviewed from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad. / Credit: Doordashan/Reuters

Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital told the AP that while Ramesh "was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body ... he seems to be out of danger."

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At least five medical students died when part of the plane hit the dining area of B.J. Medical College, Divyansh Singh, the vice president of the Federation of All India Medical Association told the AP. Singh said almost 50 people who were in the building are injured  some critically.

"We are in close contact with our peers in the hospital who are on a lookout for more people feared buried in the debris," he said.

The Indian Army was assisting civil authorities in combing through the debris and helping to treat the injured, the AP reported.

London Gatwick Airport said it was working with Air India to establish hotlines for relatives of flight AI171's passengers.

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"London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided," airport officials said in a statement. "British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call 020 7008 5000. Air India have set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information."

Spotlight on Boeing

The Air India crash appeared to be the first involving a Boeing Dreamliner, according to the company's statistical summary of commercial jet accidents between 1954 and 2024.

The aircraft manufacturer has described this model as the aviation industry's "best-selling passenger widebody of all time."

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"We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected," a spokesperson for Boeing said in a statement to CBS News several hours after the incident.

On Wall Street, shares of Boeing fell $15.34, or 7.2%, to $198.66 in pre-market trading.

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AHMEDABAD, India (AP)  The Air India plane crash this week was one of Indias worst aviation disasters, killing 241 people on board and several people on the ground.

Indian authorities said Friday the investigation into the crash was underway and is expected to include experts from the plane's maker Boeing and U.S. aviation regulators.

The Air India plane crashed minutes after takeoff Thursday afternoon in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad. Surreal images captured both the plane's last moments and the horror of the crash site, with rescuers picking through smoking debris as they searched for survivors.

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Here's what is known about the crash:

One person on the plane survived

The lone survivor was a passenger, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin.

Ramesh was thrown from the aircraft and walked to an ambulance, according to Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh. The doctor told The Associated Press that Ramesh was disoriented, with multiple injuries, but that he seemed to be out of danger.

Another medic said Ramesh told him that immediately after the plane took off, it began descending and suddenly split in two, throwing him out before a loud explosion.

The airline said there were no other survivors among the 242 passengers and crew on board.

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Video and photos showed the crash and damage

Security camera footage verified by The Associated Press showed the plane taking off and then veering slightly to the side. It then drops into a downward glide, disappears briefly from sight and hits the ground.

Moments later, a huge orange and black fireball appears, rising high into the air.

At the crash site, the tail cone of the aircraft with damaged stabilizer fins still attached was lodged near the top of a building. The plane's jagged cavity has torn into the facade. A web of cracks spirals outward from the plane's impact.

The battered building in Ahmedabad was the dining area for medical students and they were having lunch when the plane crashed.

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Indrajeet Singh Solanki, a witness and rescuer, said that at first it was chaotic, with smoke everywhere.

"We could see some small parts (of the plane) burning. Just like this wing lying over here, he said. Through the smoke, we kept rescuing injured people and rushed them to the trauma center in the civil hospital in auto rickshaws. We rushed nine people to the hospital.

Air India has tried to overcome past troubles

The airline had been plagued by tragedy and financial losses under prior state ownership.

In 2010, an Air India flight arriving from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, overshot the runway in Mangalore, India, and plunged over a cliff, killing 158 of the 166 people on board. In 2020, a flight for the Air India Express subsidiary skidded off a runway in southern India during heavy rain and cracked in two  killing 18 people and injuring more than 120 others.

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An Air India Boeing 747 flight crashed into the Arabian Sea in 1978, killing all 213 aboard.

The carrier was under government control from 1953 through 2022.

It's the first crash of a Boeing 787

The Boeing 787 went into service in 2009. This was the first crash of the model, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The 787 Dreamliner was the first airliner to make extensive use of lithium ion batteries, which are lighter, recharge faster and can hold more energy than other types of batteries. In 2013 the 787 fleet was temporarily grounded because of overheating of its lithium-ion batteries, which in some cases sparked fires.

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There was no information yet about possible causes of the crash. Authorities were searching the crash site Friday as part of the investigation, and there was no word whether the plane's black boxes  the flight data and cockpit voice recorders  had been recovered.

Key issues investigators will focus on

Crash investigators are likely looking at whether the plane was configured correctly for takeoff, whether the engines lost power during takeoff and whether the crew inputted information correctly about the hot temperature outside as well as the weight of the fuel and passengers. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti said a mistake in the data the crew put into the planes system could result in the flaps and slats being set incorrectly.

We can see what we see on video and all of these potential issues were talking about: fuel, engine thrust, settings for the flaps and slats. Thats all going to be recorded on the flight data recorder, said Guzzetti, who is a former crash investigator for both the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration. And the cockpit voice recorder will hopefully have the discussion between the crew on what kind of performance numbers are being put into the computer."

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Of course it's still too early to know what caused the crash, but the flight data recorder that investigators have already recovered should quickly provide some answers. Another aviation consultant, John M. Cox, said the video of the last moments of the flight raises questions about whether the flaps and slats were set correctly.

The image shows the airplane with the nose rising and it continuing to sink, he said. That says that the airplane is not making enough lift.

The slats and flaps should be positioned so that the wing makes more lift at lower speeds, said Cox, who is the CEO of Washington DC-based Safety Operating Systems.

Its hard to tell but from looking at the aircraft from behind  it doesnt look like that the trailing edge flaps are in the position I would have expected them to be, he said. But Im very cautious that the image quality is not good enough to make that a conclusion. Its just an area where I know that theyre going to look.

___

Klug reported from Tokyo. Associated Press writer Josh Funk contributed to this report from Omaha, Nebraska.
In late May 2025, a New York Times article detailed a supposed combined effort between the U.S. federal government and the data analysis software company Palantir to centralize data on American citizens.

Palantir rebutted the allegations in a statement on X and in a blog post, arguing that the New York Times story overstated Palantir's ties to the Trump administration  particularly to the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative  and that the company does not collect data to "unlawfully surveil" Americans.

Using USASpending, the publicly available database for federal government spending, Snopes found that Palantir received between $228 million and $542 million in government contracts per year between 2020 and 2024, mostly with the Defense Department. While we were not able to confirm the details of all of these contracts, some departments and agencies reportedly use Palantir's Foundry product for data management.

Comments from former DOGE figurehead Elon Musk implied that one of the initiative's goals is to compile and centralize data on American citizens. DOGE could easily use Palantir's powerful data tools to construct such a database or create connections between existing government data. A March executive order and two June Supreme Court rulings would also help facilitate that work.

We found no evidence that Palantir itself was compiling any master database, as social media posts claimed.

On May 30, 2025, The New York Times published an article titled "Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans," detailing a supposed combined effort between the U.S. federal government and the data software company Palantir to centralize data on American citizens.

Data privacy advocates did not take the news well, calling it "dystopian" and a massive invasion of privacy.

To my diehard 2A-ers terrified of a registry and basic gun control.. Team Trump just hired Palantir to build a master database on everyone. Not just your guns, your whole life. Where you at? pic.twitter.com/nU2erIlcjV  Karly Kingsley (@karlykingsley) June 1, 2025

Four days later, Palantir posted a statement to X responding to the article, calling the reporting "blatantly untrue" because "Palantir never collects data to unlawfully surveil Americans, and our Foundry platform employs granular security protections."

The recently published article by the New York Times is blatantly untrue.



Palantir never collects data to unlawfully surveil Americans, and our Foundry platform employs granular security protections. If the facts were on its side, the New York Times would not have needed to  Palantir (@PalantirTech) June 3, 2025

On June 9, 2025, the company followed up with a long blog post on X titled "Correcting the Record: Responses to the May 30, 2025 New York Times Article on Palantir," which aimed to fact-check the article. (Snopes began researching this story before this blog post was released. We reached out to Palantir for comment but have not yet heard back; if we do, we will update this story.)

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Since the May 30 article came out, a claim based on the reporting began circulating on social media  namely, that U.S. President Donald Trump or someone in his administration contracted Palantir to create a master database of all U.S. citizens.

In this article, we aim to check the accuracy of both the New York Times article and Palantir's response to it. In doing so, we will also address the claim spreading on social media.

When two sides of a story publish conflicting accounts, the truth of the matter generally lies somewhere in the middle. Snopes' research suggested that was the case in this situation. Both the New York Times' reporting and Palantir's response omitted details relevant to the story at hand.

Snopes found the social media claim that Palantir was creating a master database of all U.S. citizens was an exaggerated version of the New York Times article's headline, which oversimplified the situation.

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Here's what we found:

What does Palantir actually do?

Palantir is a company that lies at the crossroads of Silicon Valley and the Pentagon. Founded by Peter Thiel, Alexander Karp, Stephen Cohen and Joe Lonsdale in 2003, the company's website describes its mission as making "products for human-driven analysis of real-world data."

The company's founders and data tools are very Silicon Valley  Thiel co-founded PayPal alongside Elon Musk (until recently the figurehead of the Trump administration's cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency initiative) and was also the first big investor in Facebook, for instance.

But Palantir's customer base is based around Washington, D.C. Public spending data showed the company has held government contracts since at least July 2008. The left-leaning newsroom More Perfect Union quoted Palantir CTO Shyam Shankar in 2021 saying that the company's goal was to become "the U.S. government's central operating system."

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Different versions of the claim on social media listed the Palantir products Gotham and Foundry as the main ways the company was supposedly consolidating government data. Palantir's website describes Foundry as "Ontology-Powered Operating System for the Modern Enterprise" (it's an internet-based data management system) and Gotham as an "Operating system for global decision making." (It's designed for the military.) Based on those product descriptions, Foundry is the product of interest.

Palantir's connections to the administration

Palantir's response to the New York Times story acknowledged the company's extensive work with the U.S. federal government. However, it also aimed to distance itself from one of the most talked-about groups in the early months of Trump's second term  the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which the tech billionaire Elon Musk spearheaded until late May.

The New York Times and WIRED previously reported that several DOGE staffers worked at Palantir before joining the initiative. More Perfect Union found other former Palantir employees working within Trump's administration as "foreign policy advisers" and "high-level technology appointees."

On June 5, 2025, WIRED published an article claiming that Palantir's head of strategic engagement, Eliano Younes, retaliated in reaction to WIRED's reporting on connections to the Trump administration by threatening to call the police on a WIRED reporter watching software demonstrations at Palantir's booth at the AI+ expo, a free and public event open to journalists.

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In its response to the New York Times article, Palantir claimed that the New York Times and WIRED's reporting was misleading because "Palantir does not control where its employees go after leaving the company" and that attempts to draw connections between Palantir and the Trump administration "lend credence to a conspiracy to surveil the American public."

It is true that former employees of Palantir joining an administration isn't a sign of conspiracy. However, it is also true that at least one co-founder and co-owner of Palantir, Peter Thiel, is a man who has a business history with Musk and who helped bankroll the campaigns of both Vice President JD Vance and Trump.

The New York Times story found that since Trump took office, Palantir has received over $113 million in government contracts. Using USASpending, the publicly available database for federal government spending, Snopes found that Palantir received between $228 million and $542 million in government contracts per year between 2020 and 2024, mostly with the Defense Department. Palantir's response noted that many of those contracts dated back to previous administrations.

In 2025, however, the company earned its first billion-dollar contract with the Defense Department for a military surveillance system.

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In short, Palantir does have connections with the Trump administration, although it has attempted to downplay them.

The Executive Order

The federal government has a lot of data. An April 2025 story from the New York Times counted 314 different pieces of information various U.S. government agencies have on file for each citizen, and suggested the total was likely even higher.

On March 20, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order titled "Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos."

The May 30 New York Times story marked this executive order as a starting point for the consolidation of information.

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But Palantir's response to this idea left out the most important stipulation in the order:

A close reading of the Executive Order is merited to better assess the intent and to observe the Order's language that specifically directs any data sharing efforts to align with existing legal authorities and procedural standards, and for the express purpose of addressing inefficiencies in government programs. Inefficiency, waste, fraud, and abuse reduction initiatives have been nonpartisan and regular focuses of multiple administrations. The statement draws on a vague rhetorical maneuver ("raising questions") to extrapolate from a common sense government initiative  that of IT modernization  to the presumption of nefarious and dystopian intent.

Describing the executive order as solely an "IT modernization" initiative is highly misleading, even when acknowledging the fact that information technology systems are listed in the executive order.

The executive order's "purpose" section reads:

Removing unnecessary barriers to Federal employees accessing Government data and promoting interagency data sharing are important steps toward eliminating bureaucratic duplication and inefficiency while enhancing the Government's ability to detect overpayments and fraud.

It instructed all federal agencies to ensure that "Federal officials designated by the President or Agency Heads (or their designees) [had] full and prompt access to all unclassified agency records, data, software systems, and information technology systems."

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In simple words, the executive order stated that if the president, or anyone authorized by the president (say, a member of an initiative explicitly created by that president to reduce government waste and fraud), asked for unclassified data, agencies had to provide it.

It is true, as Palantir's response noted, that programs targeting "inefficiency, waste, fraud and abuse" have been non-partisan, and that the executive order includes wording about the legal framework. It is also true that the executive order does not explicitly mention DOGE by name.

But the executive order, without naming DOGE, still gives the agency enormous power.

DOGE's employees are federal employees. According to an interview then-DOGE figurehead Musk gave Fox News, the government is defrauded when "the computer systems don't talk to each other." Using Musk's own rationale, DOGE would therefore need to make the computer systems talk to each other (read: allow one computer system to access data from another system) in order to combat fraud.

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The agency's strategy of "move fast and break things" seems to ignore whether the actions it takes are legal, based on the dozens of lawsuits filed against the initiative. (DOGE supporters, of course, can claim those lawsuits are without merit, but that argument is outside the scope of this story.)

Indeed, DOGE has attempted to interlink the various government systems, according to previous reporting from WIRED and CNN. Palantir's response to the New York Times story claimed those WIRED and CNN reports were also misleading because they helped "propagate similar inaccuracies about Palantir's actual work with U.S. government federal agencies," noting that the company has "no contracts with DOGE."

So, let's discuss that question.

Where does the federal government use Palantir?

USASpending listed every federal contract with Palantir dating back to 2008 as follows.

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The following five departments or agencies all had contracts with Palantir totaling over $100 million:

Department of Defense

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Homeland Security

Department of Justice

Department of Treasury

Five federal entities had contracts totaling between $10 and $100 million:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Energy

Securities and Exchange Commission

Department of Transportation

Department of Agriculture

Finally, the following five had contracts totaling less than $10 million:

Department of Commerce ($4.5 million)

Department of State (just under $2 million)

General Services Administration ($750,000)

Department of Labor ($80,000)

Department of the Interior ($5,000)

Snopes reached out to all of those departments for comment. We received a response from the Department of Defense directing us to publicly available information on Palantir contracts we had already found. We also received a response from a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official saying, "Like other law enforcement agencies, ICE employs various forms of technology while respecting civil liberties and privacy interests."

The May 30 New York Times story claiming that Palantir had been tapped to consolidate data named the three biggest departments  Defense (DOD), Health and Human Services (HHS) and Homeland Security (DHS), as having Palantir contracts. (It did not specify when those contracts started.) That story also claimed that new contracts with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) might be coming soon. Palantir confirmed its work with the IRS in its response  since 2018, it has helped support "the agency's criminal investigative workflows."

A June story from the New York Times clarified that the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, all within HHS, use Palantir Foundry for data management.

So, no  Palantir does not have a direct contract with DOGE. However, the existence of a direct contract does not change the facts of WIRED's reporting about DOGE employees using Palantir's technology to centralize and connect government data sources.

The April 2025 reporting from WIRED and CNN claimed that DOGE was combining Homeland Security databases with information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and voting records to create "a master database for immigration enforcement."

That WIRED story also noted that DOGE leaders at the IRS were attempting to create a system that would allow "privileged users to view all agency data from a central access point" using Foundry. The article stated that the Treasury Department denied having a contract for this work, but that "IRS engineers were invited to another three-day 'training and building session' on the project located at Palantir's Georgetown offices in Washington, DC." Several government IT personnel told WIRED that it would be "easy to connect the IRS's Palantir system with the ICE system at DHS."

In total, Palantir software certainly isn't used throughout the federal government, as noted in the company's response to the New York Times story. However, Foundry is reportedly used in the department that maintains databases on health, and if DOGE's work at the IRS is fully implemented, it could also be used to connect tax data and immigration data.

As for social security, in June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two unsigned rulings allowing DOGE to access Social Security data and shield records from a watchdog organization. Whether or not Social Security data has been moved to Foundry is unknown.

What does all this mean?

Palantir's initial response claimed the company never "collects data to unlawfully surveil Americans."

The recently published article by the New York Times is blatantly untrue.



Palantir never collects data to unlawfully surveil Americans, and our Foundry platform employs granular security protections. If the facts were on its side, the New York Times would not have needed to  Palantir (@PalantirTech) June 3, 2025

The New York Times article never accused Palantir of breaking the law. Social media users replied to the company's statement pointing out that the word "unlawfully" could be doing a lot of heavy lifting, implying that Palantir was collecting data to surveil Americans legally.

Stating that you dont unlawfully surveil Americans is deliberately evasive.



It doesnt deny surveillanceit simply implies government authorization, which is not the same as public consent or constitutional legitimacy.



Likewise, referencing granular security protections  Doni  (@DoniTheMisfit) June 3, 2025

Based on our research, this claim isn't true, because Palantir isn't the one collecting or storing the data  rather, the U.S. government is doing so. Furthermore, Palantir isn't the one attempting to compile or centralize that data  that's DOGE.

Palantir's response described their role as follows: "Our business is to provide our customers with the software capabilities to use their data effectively and in accordance to their legitimate mandates."

Assuming this is true, Palantir itself is not building any master database, as social media posts claimed. However, its powerful data tools could easily be used to construct such a database. The company acknowledged as much in its response:

As a company that focuses on building privacy and civil liberties protective technologies, as well as one that fosters a culture of open dialogue on controversial topics impacting our business, we consider many types of risks associated with our customer engagements and products in order to help avoid or mitigate concerns. There likely may still be residual risks of misuse for any product or tool, technical or otherwise. But our efforts to discuss, understand, and address such risks are one of the reasons that some of the most critical institutions in the world spanning public, private, and non-profit sectors trust Palantir and our products.

Furthermore, there is some evidence  based on Trump's executive order, statements from Elon Musk speaking about data consolidation, previous reporting from WIRED and CNN on how Homeland Security and ICE has created an immigrant database from multiple data sources and a recent decision by the Supreme Court that allows DOGE to access SSA data  that the administration is undertaking such an initiative. Palantir's Foundry, a tool to access government data, would only be a part of such an initiative.

Paraphrasing what a source within the SSA told WIRED in April, creating a network of computers and databases that DOGE can connect to is "more feasible and quicker than putting all the data in a single place, which is probably what they really want."

Sources:

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---. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ95Gmvg_D4. Accessed 9 June 2025.

"About Palantir." Palantir, https://www.palantir.com/about/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

"Alexander Karp." Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/profile/alexander-karp/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

Alexander, Sophie, and Jamie Tarabay. "Peter Thiel's Deep Ties to Trump's Top Ranks." Bloomberg, 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2025-peter-thiel-trump-administration-connections/.

Alvarez, Alayna. "Palantir's Partnership with ICE Deepens." Axios Denver, 1 May 2025, https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/05/01/palantir-deportations-ice-immigration-trump.

Badger, Emily, and Sheera Frenkel. "Trump Wants to Merge Government Data. Here Are 314 Things It Might Know About You." The New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/us/politics/trump-musk-data-access.html.

Bajwa, Arsheeya. "Palantir Defies Tech Gloom as Trump Momentum Powers Stellar Share Gains." Reuters, 3 June 2025. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/business/palantir-defies-tech-gloom-trump-momentum-powers-stellar-share-gains-2025-06-03/.

Elliott, Vittoria. "The Recruitment Effort That Helped Build Elon Musk's DOGE Army." Wired. www.wired.com, https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-doge-recruiting-palantir/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

Enabling Granular Access Control for All Data Connection Types. https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/enabling-granular-access-control-for-all-data-connection-types/. Accessed 10 June 2025.

Frenkel, Sheera, and Aaron Krolik. "Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans." The New York Times, 30 May 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/technology/trump-palantir-data-americans.html.

Haskins, Caroline. "Palantir Is Going on Defense." Wired. www.wired.com, https://www.wired.com/story/palantir-defense-conference-journalists/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

"Joe Lonsdale." Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/profile/joe-lonsdale/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

Kelly, Makena. "DOGE Is Building a Master Database to Surveil and Track Immigrants." Wired. www.wired.com, https://www.wired.com/story/doge-collecting-immigrant-data-surveil-track/. Accessed 9 June 2025.

Lemonides, Alex, et al. "Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump's Agenda." The New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/us/trump-administration-lawsuits.html.

Liptak, Adam, and Abbie VanSickle. "Justices Grant DOGE Access to Social Security Data and Let the Team Shield Records." The New York Times, 6 June 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/us/politics/supreme-court-doge-social-security.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur.

Luhby, Priscilla Alvarez, Sunlen Serfaty, Marshall Cohen, Tami. "Elon Musk's DOGE Team Is Building a Master Database for Immigration Enforcement, Sources Say | CNN Politics." CNN, 25 Apr. 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/25/politics/doge-building-master-database-immigration.

Mandavilli, Apoorva. "Palantir's Collection of Disease Data at C.D.C. Stirs Privacy Concerns." The New York Times, 6 June 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/06/health/cdc-data-privacy-palantir.html.

Natanson, Hannah, et al. "Move Fast, Break Things, Rebuild: Elon Musk's Strategy for U.S. Government." The Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/02/24/doge-fast-cuts-federal-workers-programs-elon-musk/.

Palantir. "Palantir Is Still Not a Data Company (Palantir Explained, #7)." Medium, 9 June 2025, https://blog.palantir.com/palantir-is-still-not-a-data-company-palantir-explained-7-8322d5b38cef.

Palantir IR. https://investors.palantir.com/governance/board-of-directors. Accessed 9 June 2025.

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"Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos." The White House, 21 Mar. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/stopping-waste-fraud-and-abuse-by-eliminating-information-silos/.

Times, The New York. "The People Carrying Out Musk's Plans at DOGE." The New York Times, 27 Feb. 2025. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/02/27/us/politics/doge-staff-list.html.

Vincent, Brandi. "'Growing Demand' Sparks DOD to Raise Palantir's Maven Contract to More than $1B." DefenseScoop, 23 May 2025, https://defensescoop.com/2025/05/23/dod-palantir-maven-smart-system-contract-increase/.
TORONTO (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump will arrive Sunday for a Group of Seven summit in a country he has suggested should be annexed and as he wages a trade war with Americas longstanding allies.

Trumps calls to make Canada the 51st U.S. state have infuriated Canadians, and Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won his office by pledging to confront the U.S. presidents increased aggression, now hosts the G7 summit.

Carney asserted this week that Washington no longer plays a predominant role on the world stage, imposing tariffs for access to its markets and reducing its contributions to collective security.

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Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a lengthy joint statement, or communique, at the summits conclusion as French President Emmanuel Macron did at the G7 summit in France in 2019.

The document typically outlines the consensus reached by leaders on summit issues and provides a roadmap for how they plan to tackle them.

Trump roiled the 2017 meeting in Italy over the climate change passage in that summits final statement. He then withdrew his support from the 2018 communique after complaining he had been slighted by then Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the host that year.

The leaders of the world's richest countries begin arriving Sunday in the resort town of Kananaskis, Alberta in the Canadian Rockies.

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Who will attend

The Group of Seven comprises Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and Britain. The European Union also attends as well as other heads of state who are not part of the G7 but have been invited by Carney.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their contentious Oval Office encounter, which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the U.S. president.

Other world leaders will be meeting with Trump both in a group setting and for bilateral talks, which are often precarious as foreign leaders must navigate between placating and confronting him.

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Anything could happen. The Canadians would be crazy not to anticipate something. We cant tell. Thats Trump stock and trade. He likes to keep everyone guessing, said Robert Bothwell, a University of Toronto professor of Canadian history and international relations.

It all depends what kind of theater hes going to want to have, he said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum will attend and said she expects to have her first in-person meeting with Trump. On his way to Canada, Macron is making a notable stop in Greenland, the semi autonomous Danish territory that the U.S. president has also suggested annexing.

Among the other newcomers are German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

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Starmer will meet with Carney on Saturday in Ottawa before flying to Alberta.

Carney also invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite accusations from Canada's national police force that agents of Modi's government were involved in widespread violence in Canada.

Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler, was invited but will not attend.

Will Trump upstage this G7 too?

The 2018 G7 summit in Quebec was thrown into disarray after Trump called Trudeau dishonest and weak," while complaining that he had been blindsided by Trudeaus criticism of Trumps tariff threats at a summit-ending news conference. Trump pulled out of the G7 group statement just as it was released.

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We werent too happy because we thought we managed to pull off a pretty good summit, said Peter Boehm, Canadas deputy minister for the Quebec summit." The reaction  and I was with Mr. Trudeau at the time  was a bit of disbelief."

Boehm expects a chair's summary from Carney this year instead of a joint statement from the leaders.

During the Quebec summit, Trump also insisted on Russia's readmission to the elite group, from which it was ousted in 2014 following President Vladimir Putins annexation of Crimea.

Trump raised that at the foreign policy dinner," Boehm recalled. It was a bit awkward because British Prime Minister Theresa May was there and some British citizens had just been killed by Russian operatives using a toxic agent.

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Former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were targeted in a nerve agent attack a few months before the Quebec summit in the English city of Salisbury.

Looming tariffs

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has said that Carney has been quietly holding direct talks with Trump about a trade deal in the lead up to the summit. Separately, top Canadian cabinet ministers have also been in Washington for negotiations in recent weeks.

Trade tensions may be unavoidable. The United States runs trade deficits with all G7 countries except the United Kingdom. In an effort to balance what he describes as Americas lopsided trade relations, Trump has imposed 10% import taxes  tariffs  on almost every country in the world. He also announced bigger tariffs, then suspended them, on countries that sell more to the United States than they buy.

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The big X Factor (is) the looming tariffs, said Max Bergmann of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The G7 is supposed to provide global economic governance. And the way the Europeans see it right now is that the country thats the source of major instability in global economic affairs is the United States.

Trumps trade wars are already threatening the world economy. The World Bank on Tuesday sharply downgraded its forecast for global economic growth this year, citing a substantial rise in trade barriers.

A prelude to NATO summit

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will attend the G7 meeting ahead of this month's NATO summit and has said most U.S. allies in the alliance endorse Trumps demand that they invest 5% of gross domestic product on their defense needs.

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Carney said this week Canada would meet NATO's current 2% target but seemed to suggest he would not support 5%, saying his goal is to protect Canadians, and not to satisfy NATO accountants.

Why such a remote location

Law enforcement overseeing security expect large protests but say protesters won't be able to get anywhere near Kananaskis, as access roads to the summit will be closed to the public.

The Mounties say there will be designated G7 demonstration zones in Calgary and Banff, Alberta that will have live audio and video feeds, which will be broadcast to G7 leaders and delegations at the summit. Kananaskis also hosted a G8 summit in 2002.

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Associated Press writer Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report.
Hillsborough County got more than $709 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help with hurricane recovery after storms in 2023 and 2024.

But before the money can get to residents, the county must create a plan for distributing it, Assistant County Administrator Cheryl Howell said.

Neighboring Pinellas County also received federal funds to help with the recovery process.

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Heres what to know about Hillsboroughs next steps.

How soon will residents see the funds?

The earliest the grant money could be released is in the late fall, according to a presentation Howell shared at a public hearing Thursday.

Hillsborough County commissioners are responsible for creating an action plan of where the grant will be spent, Howell said. The public comment period is open until July 7.

The county is hosting four more meetings to explain the grant and get feedback. Residents are also able to leave comments on an online survey.

Commissioners are expected to approve a plan on July 16 and submit it to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which must decide whether to approve the plan within 45 days.

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Howell said its possible to change the plan after its submitted. But if there is a change, the county will open public comments for 30 days.

What will the funds go to?

At least 70% of the grant must benefit low- and moderate-income communities.

This applies to households that earn at or less than 80% of the area median income. A four-person household would fall into that category if its combined income is $114,000 or less, according to the grant presentation using 2024 housing estimates.

The grant must also be used to support initiatives such as housing, infrastructure, public service and economic revitalization.

Hillsborough identified housing as the area with the most unmet need, according to the presentation shared at Thursdays public hearing.

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Robin Lockett, a resident and the regional director of Florida Rising, an organization committed to advancing economic and racial justice statewide, said she wanted to see the funds put toward building affordable, multi-family homes.

We need to build multi-family units, because there are a lot of underserved people that are in need of that, Lockett said.

Another resident, Paul Hauck, said his neighborhood partially went underwater.

Hauck said he wants to see money used to study water management and to build collaboration with other local governments and organizations for regional solutions.

How can I send the county my feedback?

Hillsborough is hosting two more meetings to receive public input:

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6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Lennard High School, 2342 E. Shell Point Road in Ruskin.

6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 S. Maryland Ave. in Plant City.

The county is also hosting two meetings next week to provide information about the grant.

Residents are also able to share comments or feedback through an online survey or a public comment form.

Resident Yalexia Rodas, who is also a community organizer with Florida Rising, said its important for residents to come out to the meetings to talk with their elected officials.

I urge the community to take action, participate and let your voice to be heard, Rodas said.


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Last week in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramped up federal immigration enforcement raids, separating families and holding people in conditions that have concerned immigration lawyers. In response, thousands of protestors have rallied on the streets for seven consecutive days, and more than 450 people have been arrested in Los Angeles County, according to CBS.

In light of the ongoing protests, Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 U.S. Marines, despite California Governor Gavin Newsoms objection. While the National Guard typically serves both state and federal levels, CNN reports Trump put a rarely-used federal law into action because the protests are a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States.

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As additional protests spread across the country, here is how you can safely make a difference no matter where you are.

Donate to people impacted by the raids.

Anadolu - Getty Images

If you are willing and able to make monetary contributions, the following organizations are accepting donations that will go to those affected by the raids:

Donate your time.



If whats happening in our current climate does not sit well with you, then make sure your voice is heard. You can call your elected officials and demand action; Find a list of elected officials here.

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You can also send strongly-worded emails directly to the Trump administration. The ACLU has organized an email campaign featuring a pre-written message that will call on officials to block mass deportations. You can fill out their automated form or send customized letters here.

If you are on the ground, be safe and know your rights.



David McNew - Getty Images

While demonstrations started in California on Friday, June 6, they have since spread across the country to Texas, Illinois, and New York. CNN reports that authorities have allegedly used tear gas, flash bang grenades, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Los Angeles. If youre using your voice on the grounds during these protests, it is important to know your rights. Please read up on what is and is not permitted when protesting, compiled by the ACLU here and here.

Know what resources are available for those affected.

Anxiety and uncertainty in these times can take a toll on the mental health of those affected. Find a list of resources local to Los Angeles below, provided by local news outlet KTLA:

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The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has also compiled a spreadsheet full of resources, from legal aid to educational reads.

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Bintou Keita (C), special representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), attends a press briefing in Goma, eastern DRC, on June 13, 2025. Leaders of the rebel group, March 23 Movement, have expressed their willingness to resolve the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through peaceful means, the senior United Nations official said Friday. (Str/Xinhua)

GOMA, DR Congo, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the rebel group, March 23 Movement, have expressed their willingness to resolve the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through peaceful means, a senior United Nations official said Friday.

The statement was made during a press briefing by Bintou Keita, special representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, following a meeting with the leadership of M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a politico-military group allied to the M23, in the city of Goma, capital of North Kivu Province, which has been under rebel rule since late January.

"The leaders of AFC/M23 conveyed their readiness to engage in dialogue and pursue a peaceful solution," the UN envoy said.

According to Keita, who also heads the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), a total of 1,359 personnel from the DRC military and national police were recently relocated from Goma to Kinshasa, the country's capital. The transfer was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, the DRC government, AFC/M23 and MONUSCO.

MONUSCO reiterated its commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the region, Keita said. 

Bintou Keita (3rd, R), special representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), attends a press briefing in Goma, eastern DRC, on June 13, 2025. Leaders of the rebel group, March 23 Movement, have expressed their willingness to resolve the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through peaceful means, the senior United Nations official said Friday. (Str/Xinhua)
Irans nuclear program suffered one of its most serious setbacks in years on Friday, after Israel launched a series of airstrikes on nuclear sites, top scientists, and military officials in a dramatic escalation of its long-running campaign to contain Tehrans atomic ambitions.

Israeli officials described the strikes as a preemptive operation aimed at crippling Irans ability to build a nuclear weapon, following what they called a sharp and alarming expansion of uranium enrichment over the past six months.

Initial damage assessments indicate that the strikes on Irans Natanz nuclear facility were particularly effective, knocking out the electricity on the underground area where the centrifuges used to enrich uranium are stored, Israel Defense Forces said in a statement Friday. Natanz had been the centerpiece of Irans nuclear infrastructure and the site where much of its uranium fuel has been produced.

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On Friday evening, Iranian state media reported that Israel began striking Irans other major enrichment siteFordow, which is buried deep within a mountain and is considered nearly impervious to conventional airstrikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the campaign a strike at the head of Irans nuclear weaponization program, and said it would continue as many days as it takes to eliminate the threat. Explosions were reported over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv Friday evening as Iran launched a broad retaliatory strike against Israel.

Iran has insisted that it is not developing a bomb and that its nuclear program remains non-weaponized for peaceful energy purposes, though international inspectors have found increasing evidence to the contrary. The United Nations nuclear watchdog reported that Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uraniumjust below weapons-gradehas grown large enough to produce multiple bombs if further enriched. Analysts say Iran could theoretically produce a bombs worth of material in as little as a week, and that no other country has that level of uranium without a nuclear weapons program.

This really was done as a last resort, says Matt Kroenig, the senior director of the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center on international security who served in the Department of Defense and the intelligence community during the Bush, Obama, and Trump Administrations. They were out of time. The best estimates were that Iran's dash time to one bomb's worth of weapons grade material was down to about a week.

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Read more: Trump Issues Grave Warning to Iran After Israeli Strikes: No More Death, No More Destruction

Heres what to know about Irans nuclear program.

How did Irans nuclear program get this far?

Irans nuclear journey began with American support. In 1957, the United States helped launch Irans atomic energy program under President Eisenhowers Atoms for Peace initiative, when the two nations were allies. By the 1970s, Iran was working on nuclear reactors with U.S. and European assistance, but that partnership collapsed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Since then, the U.S. has watched with alarm as Iran pursued nuclear capabilities, largely in secret. The Natanz site has been a focal point of that concern. In the early 2000s, it was revealed as part of a covert network of nuclear sites that Iran had failed to disclose to international inspectors.

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Iran has insisted that its nuclear program is peaceful, aimed at energy production and medical research. It is also a party to the UNs Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which obliges members not to develop nuclear weapons. But international watchdogs have warned about the countrys enrichment of uranium to levels far beyond civilian use and its concealment of key facilities.

Tensions escalated when President Donald Trump in 2018 pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal reached under President Barack Obama, an agreement that rolled back much of Irans enrichment activity, capped its uranium stockpile, and subjected its facilities to rigorous international inspections. Trump had called the deal a disaster and instead initiated new sanctions on the regime to cripple its economy.

But Iran responded by gradually abandoning the agreements restrictions and ramping up uranium enrichment. It also removed all of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) equipment that had been installed for surveillance and monitoring. By 2024, Iran had resumed operations at Natanz and Fordow at a pace not seen in over a decade, deploying more advanced centrifuges and enriching uranium to 60-percentalarmingly close to the 90-percent purity required for a nuclear weapon.

Read more: Israel Gets the War It Wanted

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In recent months, Iranian officials confirmed they were building a third enrichment site, further deepening concerns that Tehran was preparing to take its nuclear program underground and beyond the reach of future diplomacy or attack.

There are only really three key nuclear facilities [in Iran], says Jonathan Panikoff, the former deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East at the National Intelligence Council, pointing to Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. If they succeed in destroying those three facilities, it will really set Iran's nuclear program back.

Could Iran build a nuclear weaponand how soon?

Technically, Iran has not yet built a nuclear weapon. But the infrastructure and know-how are in place, analysts say.

Before Israels strikes, the IAEA found that Iran could enrich enough uranium for a bomb in about a week. That means that in five months, Iran could have had enough for 22 nuclear weapons. However, analysts note that uranium alone isnt enough for a viable nuclear weapon and that it would take additional time to manufacture it.

A veiled Iranian worshipper waves a flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah next to a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on Iran, after Friday prayers ceremonies in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. Morteza NikoubazlGetty Images

Why Israel and the U.S. oppose a nuclear Iran

Netanyahu believes that a nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat, claiming that Iranian leaders have openly called for the end of the Israeli state and have lent support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

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Eighty years ago, Jews were victims of a Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be the victim of a nuclear Holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime, Netanyahu declared on Friday.

For Israel, the fear is not just a direct nuclear strike, but that Iran could act more aggressively throughout the region under the protection of a nuclear deterrent.

Trump, a strong ally of Israel, has insisted that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and framed the moment as a possible second chance for Irans leadership to quickly reach an agreement on curbing its nuclear program in order to avoid further destruction before there is nothing left and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

How has Irans nuclear program been damaged?

Israels strikes on Friday marked the first overt attack on Irans core nuclear infrastructure. While it remains unclear how Irans nuclear program will ultimately be impacted, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told the U.N. Security Council on Friday that Natanz, the facility at the heart of Irans nuclear ambition, was destroyed in the strikes. Other major nuclear sites were not initially hit, though Grossi later noted that Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on two other facilities, namely the Fordow fuel enrichment plant and at Isfahan.

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Several high-ranking Iranian military officials were also killed in the strikes, according to state-affiliated media, including six nuclear scientists and security forces tasked with protecting its nuclear sites.

But analysts note that Iran still likely retains much of its expertise and equipment. A full dismantling of Irans nuclear infrastructure would likely require a sustained campaign involving not only air power, but also cyber warfare, intelligence operations, and potentially ground forces.

Even so, the deeply buried Fordow sitenearly half a mile inside a mountaincould be beyond the reach of Israels current munitions. Only the U.S. is believed to possess the most advanced bunker-busting bombs capable of reliably penetrating such sites, says Panikoff.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  U.S. forces have attacked three Iranian nuclear and military sites, further upping the stakes in the Israel-Iran war.

President Donald Trump said the strikes, which he described as very successful, had hit the Natanz, Fordo and Isfahan sites, with Fordo being the primary target. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed there were attacks early Sunday at all three nuclear sites.

Israel launched a surprise barrage of attacks on sites in Iran on June 13, which Israeli officials said was necessary to head off what they claimed was an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs.

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Iran, which has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, has retaliated with a series of missile and drone strikes in Israel, while Israel has continued to strike sites in Iran.

The U.S. and Iran had been in talks that could have resulted in the U.S. lifting some of its crushing economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for Tehran drastically limiting or ending its enrichment of uranium. Until Saturday, Washington had helped shoot down Iranian strikes on Israel but had not launched direct attacks on Iran.

Heres a look at the sites Trump said the U.S. struck and their importance to Iran's nuclear program.

Natanz enrichment facility

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Irans nuclear facility at Natanz, located some 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran, is the countrys main enrichment site and had already been targeted by Israeli airstrikes. Uranium had been enriched to up to 60% purity at the site  a mildly radioactive level but a short step away from weapons grade  before Israel destroyed the aboveground part of the facility, according to the U.N.s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Another part of the facility on Irans Central Plateau is underground to defend against potential airstrikes. It operates multiple cascades, or groups of centrifuges working together to more quickly enrich uranium. The IAEA has said it believes that most if not all of these centrifuges were destroyed by an Israeli strike that cut off power to the site.

The IAEA said those strikes caused contamination only at the site itself, not the surrounding area.

Iran also is burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or Pickax Mountain, which is just beyond Natanzs southern fencing. Natanz has been targeted by the Stuxnet virus, believed to be an Israeli and American creation, which destroyed Iranian centrifuges. Two separate attacks, attributed to Israel, also have struck the facility.

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Fordo enrichment facility

Irans nuclear facility at Fordo is located some 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Tehran. It also hosts centrifuge cascades, but isnt as big as Natanz. Its construction began at least in 2007, according to the IAEA, although Iran only informed the U.N. nuclear watchdog about the facility in 2009 after the U.S. and allied Western intelligence agencies became aware of its existence.

Buried under a mountain and protected by anti-aircraft batteries, Fordo appears designed to withstand airstrikes. Military experts have said it could likely only be targeted by bunker buster bombs  a term for bombs that are designed to penetrate deep below the surface before exploding  such as the latest GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb in the American arsenal. The roughly 30,000 pound (13,600 kilogram) precision-guided bomb is designed to attack deeply buried and hardened bunkers and tunnels.

The U.S. has only configured and programed its B-2 Spirit stealth bomber to deliver that bomb, according to the Air Force. The B-2 is only flown by the Air Force, and is produced by Northrop Grumman, meaning that Washington would have to be involved in such an operation.

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Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center

The facility in Isfahan, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) southeast of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear scientists. It also is home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories associated with the countrys atomic program.

Israel has struck buildings at the Isfahan nuclear site, among them a uranium conversion facility. The IAEA said there has been no sign of increased radiation at the site.

Other nuclear sites

Iran has several other sites in its nuclear program that were not announced as targets in the U.S. strikes.

Irans only commercial nuclear power plant is in Bushehr on the Persian Gulf, some 750 kilometers (465 miles) south of Tehran. Iran is building two other reactors like it at the site. Bushehr is fueled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran, and is monitored by the IAEA.

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The Arak heavy water reactor is 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Tehran. Heavy water helps cool nuclear reactors, but it produces plutonium as a byproduct that can potentially be used in nuclear weapons. Iran had agreed under its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers to redesign the facility to relieve proliferation concerns.

The Tehran Research Reactor is at the headquarters of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the civilian body overseeing the countrys atomic program. It initially required highly enriched uranium but was later retrofitted to use low-enriched uranium over proliferation concerns.

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Associated Press staff writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.

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The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/
Israel and Iran have continued to exchange strikes in their latest conflict, which began on Friday.

There has been angry rhetoric from both sides, and US President Donald Trump is now considering whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.

It started when Israel attacked nuclear and military sites in Iran, and then Iran retaliated with aerial attacks targeting Israel.

More than 220 people have been killed in Israeli strikes so far, according to Iran's health ministry, while Israel says Iranian attacks have killed 24 people.

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Israel launches Operation Rising Lion, and Iran retaliates

On Thursday 12 June, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told people in Tehran's District 18, which includes military buildings and residential neighbourhoods, to evacuate.

Hours later, the first volley of strikes was reported in Tehran at about 03:30 local time (01:00 BST) on Friday, with residential areas in the capital hit, Iranian state television reported.

BBC journalists are unable to report from inside Iran due to restrictions by the country's government, making it difficult to assess the damage caused by Israel's offensive.

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Israel targeted the Natanz nuclear facility - about 225km (140 miles) south of Tehran, causing significant damage, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack - called Operation Rising Lion - targeted "the heart" of Iran's nuclear programme.

"If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time," Netanyahu claimed. Iran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel "should anticipate a severe punishment", while its foreign minister called the strikes a "declaration of war".

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Iran's retaliation began hours later, when ballistic missile attacks were launched on on "dozens of targets, military centres and air bases" in Israel, in an operation it called True Promise 3.

The IDF said about 100 missiles were launched towards Israel, and most had been intercepted by its Iron Dome system.

These exchanges have continued for days.

However, the scale of Iranian attacks has diminished recently, possibly indicating the impact that Israeli strikes has had on Iran's military, reports the BBC's Hugo Bachega.

[BBC]

Israel's strikes have killed several top Iranian military figures, including Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and several nuclear scientists, including Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.

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Iran said civilians, including children, were also among those killed.

The IDF said it launched several waves of attacks on Iranian drone and missile sites, and intercepted a barrage of missiles aimed at Tel Aviv and northern Israel.

Iranian forces said they had focused attacks on Israeli security installations and have urged residents of major Israeli cities to leave.

In Tehran, a news presenter for Iran's state broadcaster fled the studio mid-broadcast when the building was struck. Iranian media said three staff members were killed.

The Israeli military declared on Tuesday that it had achieved "full air superiority" over Tehran, and had destroyed a third of Iran's missile launchers.

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It came after Iranian missiles struck four different areas in the northern and central Israel, killing at least eight civilians, according to the military.

Iran's health ministry said at least 224 people had been killed since Friday.

Israel has reported 24 deaths in the same period. They were in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Tamra, Rishon LeZion and Bat Yam, where a 10-storey block of flats was hit.

The US considers its next move

President Trump is considering joining Israel's campaign to target Iranian nuclear sites, sources have told the BBC's US partner, CBS News.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke on the phone on Tuesday following a meeting of the US National Security Council.

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The US president had earlier taken to social media to call for Iran's "unconditional surrender" and said the US knew where Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was located, but would not kill him, "for now". This followed reports on Sunday that Trump had rejected a plan by Israel to kill Iran's leader.

For his part, Khamenei warned Trump of "irreparable harm" if the US military intervened in the conflict.

Boarding Air Force One on Monday after leaving the G7 summit early, Trump told reporters that he was not flying back to Washington to broker a ceasefire - he wanted something "better than a ceasefire".

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"A real end," he said, which might include "a complete give-up".

Trump had previously blamed Iran for not engaging fully in talks with the US on a new deal that would place strict curbs on its nuclear programme.

A new meeting between the US and Iran had been scheduled for Sunday, but was cancelled after Friday's Israeli strikes.

Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One after departing early from the the G7 summit in Canada [Reuters]

How did we get to this point?

Netanyahu said on Friday that the strikes were "a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival".

He said the operation would "continue for as many days as it takes to remove the spread".

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An Israeli military official told the BBC Iran had enough nuclear material to create nuclear bombs "within days". Iran has said it has never sought to develop a nuclear weapon and that its nuclear activities are peaceful.

The strikes began as US talks over Iran's nuclear programme, which started in April, appeared to have stalled. Trump had hoped to strike a deal to stop Tehran developing a nuclear weapon, but the latest round of talks was cancelled in light of the recent escalation in hostilities.

Last year, Iran and Israel launched a number of air strikes against each other in April and October - though Israel's strikes last year were not believed to have been as wide-ranging as its current operation.

What is Iran's nuclear programme?

[BBC]

Iran has long maintained its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes only. It has several facilities around Iran, at least some of which have been targeted in the Israeli strikes.

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But many countries - as well as the global nuclear watchdog, IAEA - are not convinced the programme is for civilian purposes alone.

Earlier in June, the watchdog's board of governors formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years.

It cited Iran's "many failures" to provide full answers about undeclared nuclear material and its stockpile of enriched uranium.

An earlier IAEA report said Iran had enriched uranium to 60% purity, near weapons grade, to potentially make nine nuclear bombs.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Sioux Falls Police are preparing for crowds this weekend. Three events are expected to draw people downtown right around the same time. Whether you are interested in getting involved or you want to avoid the extra traffic, KELOLAND News Intern Kyla Andvik has everything you need to know.

Damage in Sibley, IA after near 70 mph winds

From celebrations to protests, its shaping up to a busy Saturday in central Sioux Falls.

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It all starts at 10 oclock when the pride parade marches down 8th Street.

The Festival of Cultures will begin at 10:30 and will continue until 5:30 at the Levitt at the Falls.

Police say if you dont want to join the celebrations, youll want to avoid the area.

There could be an impact on traffic if people are driving downtown, the roads are usually marked really well. Find alternate routes, but just to let people know if theyre going to be downtown during that time, there may be some delays, said Sam Clemens, Public Information Officer.

You may also want to avoid a stretch of Minnesota Avenue.

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Protestors are expected to line the road between 6th and 8th streets from 11 am until 2 pm.

Sounds like the organizers are anticipating quite a few people there. Maybe a thousand people or so. Theyve been really good about working with us, and weve developed a plan with them, said Clemens.

With so many events in a small area, police will be ready to respond to any problems.

Most of these things go off without a hitch, and we really dont have any need to, theres really no need for police to be there. But we do have officers that monitor different situations just to make sure that everybodys safe, said Clemens.

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In addition the Pride Parade, there will also be a festival at noon at Yankton Trail Park.

Saturdays protest coincides with the Armys 250th anniversary parade in Washington D.C.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Question : I had heard that Hawaiian Airlines has a new no-show policy but not that they cancel your return flight too. Auwe !

Answer : Yes, under the policy that took effect May 15, a passenger with a nonrefundable ticket who fails to board their confirmed flight will forfeit that fare and any connecting and return flights on the reservation, according to the airlines website.

If you think youre going to miss your flight, please let us know before your flight departs in order to receive the value of your ticket as credit to use on a future flight,  it says, explaining that the new policy applies to all nonrefundable tickets purchased in the United States, for domestic or international flights. Passengers who bought tickets outside the U.S. are advised to review their fare rules.

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Passengers who miss their ticketed flight without modifying or canceling their reservation beforehand are no-shows. This means : Well cancel your flight reservation and all continuing and return flights. The money or miles spent on non-refundable fares will not be available as credit towards a future flight,  the website says.

Passengers with nonrefundable tickets who know theyll miss their flight and have time before departure can try to modify the reservation online. To change a flight to a different date or destination, first pull up your trip on HawaiianAirlines.com by clicking on Manage Flights  and selecting My Trips. Enter your confirmation code or ticket number and your last name. If your flight can be changed online, you will see a Change flight  button. Click that button and follow the instructions to change your flight. If you are unable to change your flight online, contact our Reservations Department toll-free at 1-800-367-5320 for further assistance,  the website says.

Passengers who missed a flight without informing the airline beforehand should call the Reservations Department as soon as possible. Those already at the airport can seek help from a Hawaiian Airlines customer service agent at the kiosks or check-in counter.

The policy does not exempt HawaiianMiles /Mileage Plan Elite Members or corporate clients, although corporate travelers may be eligible to receive a travel credit based on the specific fare rules associated with their ticket,  the website says.

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Passengers with refundable tickets who missed their flight should review their fare rules, as changes and cancellations on refundable tickets are based on the fare agreement for those tickets at the time of ticketing.

Alaska Airlines, which bought Hawaiian Airlines last year, has a similar no-show policy, although its automated ticket cancellation system has a short grace period to accommodate those running late,  according to its website.

Overall, the message to passengers is to get to the airport in plenty of time for your flight, and, if your travel plans change, to let the airline know before your original flight departs.

Q : If my husband and I are already on Social Security, can either one of us get survivor benefits if the other one dies ?

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A : If you already receive retirement or disability benefits on your own work record, you may be due survivor benefits if theyre greater than your own. You wont receive bothyoull get the higher amount,  according to the Social Security Administration. This answer applies to the surviving spousewhether its you or your husband. Read more at.

Q : How long will the homeless service site be back at Old Stadium Park ?

A : The citys Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons program returned to the McCully /Moiliili park on June 2 and is scheduled to stay until the end of September, with an option to extend, according to a news release from Hono lulus Department of Community Services. HONU, with its large tan tents, is expected to shelter about 45 people at the site, while also helping them find longer-term housing.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Last week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers swarmed Southern California in concentrated raids of undocumented citizens that are still ongoing. Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Los Angeles (and in solidarity nationwide), giving President Donald Trump an excuse to send National Guard troops last weekend and move to deploy Marines to L.A..

Trump baselessly implied the protesters are paid insurrectionists during a press conference where he revealed he told California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that Hes doing a bad job, causing a lot of death and a lot of potential death. If we didnt send out the National Guard  and last time, we gave him a little additional help  Los Angeles would be burning right now. (No one has died during the L.A. protests.)

Newsom has said the chaotic sweeps to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel, and that, Donald Trumps chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power Americas economy. On June 10, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass (D) instituted an 8 p.m. curfew in downtown L.A.

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Rolling Stone spoke with several on-the-ground Angelenos, who dispute the notion that L.A.s on fire or being overrun by vandals.

Adrianne Shropshire is the board chair of the grassroots organization Community Coalition. She says the Trump administration and allied politicians are spewing propaganda that inflames tension between citizens and law enforcement.

When you have federal national leaders from this administration talking about arresting our mayor, arresting our governor, when you have the president himself using the kind of rhetoric describing a reality that is nothing like what is happening on the ground right now, it just increases the tension, she says. Nothing here that theyre doing is about de-escalation. It is all about escalating a confrontation with the people of Los Angeles.

Shropshire spoke at a June 9 rally for David Huerta, the president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, who was arrested during a June 6 ICE raid in downtown L.A. and charged with a felony charge of conspiracy to impede an officer (hes since been released on $50,000 bail). She also attended a prayer vigil on June 10, noting that both events were peaceful. From her vantage point, People [wanted] to simply show up and say, I do not consent. This is wrong. And my presence here is a demonstration of my right to protest.

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The same mentality spurred 33-year-old L.A. native Victor Ulloa, aka L.A. media personality Rosecrans Vic, to participate in a demonstration in downtown L.A. on Sunday. Im not even sure what my politics are right now, but I just know that I dont stand for families being torn apart and destroyed, Ulloa tells Rolling Stone.

On Sunday, Ulloa walked in a demonstration in downtown L.A., which initially took place without commotion. He saw cops on the roof of the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters, including Hispanic officers, staring down at them. I was like, Are they observing in a We support you way or I remember some of your faces way? I couldnt really call it, to be honest, but we were staring back at each other, he says.

When Ulloa passed Temple and Los Angeles Street, he saw protesters blocking traffic on the nearby Highway 101, and a line of cops pushing back against them; thats when violence ensued.

One man was shoeless, knocked out cold, and being dragged away by officers, and another man in a Mexico shirt was arrested as well, Ulloa recalls. Then, he says, officers began shooting rubber pellets at protesters. You start to see that stuff happen and its like, Oh, shit, its going down now, he says.

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Shortly after he headed home, he saw viral footage of citizens being tear-gassed and a police car lit aflame in the area where he had been peacefully protesting 20 minutes earlier. While Trumps administration has framed these moments as evidence of Southern California being on the verge of destruction, Ulloa says that clash happened in a specific area, and it was business as usual on the other side of downtown L.A.  the BET Experience was taking place there before the Monday BET Awards showcase. All of L.A. was not on fire. It wasnt all shut down, he clarifies.

Since last week in California, ICE has conducted a series of aggressive workplace raids and courthouse arrests. The ICE campaign began after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reportedly instructed agency officials not to bother trying to target gang members or violent criminals, and instead just go out there and arrest illegal aliens, including by going to Home Depot or 7-Eleven.

Ulloa, a first-generation Mexican-American, says hes never seen ICE raids on the scale that theyve taken place over the past week, and even though he and his family are American citizens, he is worried about them, especially his young son, being accosted by law enforcement who dont know that.

Last Friday, the Department of Homeland Security announced, Today, ICE officers and agents alongside partner law enforcement agencies, executed four federal search warrants at three location in central Los Angeles. The department claimed to have apprehended approximately 44 people in the initial raids.

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After rampant anti-ICE protests began that night, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth federalized and sent thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles and announced they would deploy 700 Marines there, too. While the National Guard is ostensibly there to protect federal buildings, Hegseth posted a photo on social media showing troops standing guard as ICE carried out an arrest.

Newsom filed an emergency motion blocking the deployment. Yesterday, a federal judge ordered Trump to return control of the National Guard to the governor, but an appeals court quickly put that order on hold. An appeal hearing will be held on June 17.

On Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security published a press release titled, ICE Captures Worst of the Worst Illegal Alien Criminals in Los Angeles Including Murderers, Sex Offenders, and Other Violent Criminals, which contained mugshots of various undocumented citizens they detained.

In the statement, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said, These rioters in Los Angeles are fighting to keep rapists, murderers, and other violent criminals loose on Los Angeles streets. Instead of rioting, they should be thanking ICE officers every single day who wake up and make our communities safer.

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But the raids arent about apprehending sex offenders; theyre affecting everyday Angelenos like a Mexican mother of three who spoke to us under the alias Sofia.

Through a translator, the undocumented woman tells Rolling Stone that the traumatizing threat of ICE raids has her South Central community feeling like theyre living in de facto lockdown.

Stress levels have increased, she conveys. Theres a lot of individuals who are not going to work because they fear deportation. Its not just about, What if I get deported? I need to go to work, how am I going to pay my rent and my bills? but, Why are we being surrounded as if were criminals? Sofia has been concerned that her husband, who works at different L.A.-based sites every day, could be detained while out providing for his family. And the anxiety has extended to her children.

A few days ago I was at the clinic when my son called me to ask me where I was. He sounded extremely worried, wondering if I was going to be OK because there were ICE raids in the area where I normally commute, she says. Instead of my children being able to be at school fully present, they are concerned about my well-being, and thats not how things should be. We are honorable, hardworking individuals with dreams, goals, and aspirations for a better life and a better future.

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Shropshire says that the Community Coalition is organizing mutual aid for Angelenos like Sofia to ensure their basic needs are met. Sofia also lauded the efforts of L.A. nonprofit Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (SCOPE), which has provided her aid and taught her community how to make use of their voice so that they could empower their friends, family, and neighbors, and together be able to come together as one.

The ICE raids continued into Thursday. Shropshire believes that the show of force isnt just a concern for Hispanic communities, but all of L.A. For that reason, she says a mosaic of people of all identities have been present at the protests, marching in anti-ICE solidarity. Contrary to rampant social media discourse relegating immigration to a Latino issue, she clarifies that ICEs predation affects immigrants in every community, including Black ones.

Were talking about African immigrants, were talking about Caribbean immigrants, were talking about Afro-Latinos, she says. Theres no distinction between a Black American and a Black immigrant. How do you know if Im Haitian? If Im Belizean? Theres nothing that says that I am a citizen or Im not a citizen. So if you have unmarked vans rolling up in your neighborhood and you are a Black Angeleno, you are going to be concerned  its a continuum of the kind of escalation and unnecessary policing of our communities that Black Angelenos have seen for decades.

Fox 5 DC has confirmed that Trump is preparing to deploy ICE special response teams in Northern Virginia (right outside Washington, D.C.), New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Seattle; Shropshire notes that the latter four cities, as well as Washington D.C., have Black Democrat mayors. When we think about this being a test case, its important that folks in those cities also get prepared, she says, imploring citizens to get their members of Congress and their senators to push back on what is happening.

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Shropshire is unequivocal that what ICE is doing should be challenged by all citizens. I think that people are really, really clear that this is a moral moment in America, she says. It is a moral moment in Los Angeles. This is about: Who are we as Americans? Who are we as Angelenos? Who are the better angels, and how do we pull them out in this moment to say, This is not who we intend to be as a country. This is not who we intend to be as a city.

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This article was originally published in The 19th.

What was supposed to be a day of celebration for students at Gratts Learning Academy for Young Scholars turned into one of chaos as immigration enforcement in and around Los Angeles  along with subsequent protests and attempts to quash them  reportedly left some of their relatives too fearful to attend the elementary schools graduation.

Gratts is in the citys Westlake District, where immigration raids Friday led to a showdown between demonstrators and law enforcement agencies that persisted throughout the weekend. Altogether, at least 56 people were arrested in the L.A. area. In Downtown Los Angeles, near Westlake, the sight of blazes on several blocks  after riot police lobbed flashbang rounds at crowds, and protesters set off fireworks and torched cars  called to mind the wildfires that ravaged the region at the start of the year.

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President Donald Trump on Sunday deployed the National Guard in this deeply blue city that opposes his mass deportations policy, a move that critics  including former Vice President Kamala Harris  argued intensified confrontations between protesters and the authorities. Commuters driving to work on Monday morning saw what remained of the clashes  self-driving Waymo cars burnt to crisps and graffiti tagged all over downtown businesses and buildings.

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Related

L.A. Schools Create Perimeters of Safety Against ICE Agents

Schools are still reeling from the raids and the unrest, with commencement ceremonies set to continue this week.

Officials acknowledge that many families in the district  which includes an estimated 30,000 immigrant students  plan to sit out commencement because of concerns about immigration enforcement. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho described that decision as a heartbreak during a news conference Monday.

Ive spoken with parents whove told me that their daughter will be the first in their family to graduate high school, and theyre not going to be there to witness it because they have a fear of the place of graduation being targeted, Carvalho said. What nation are we? Who in their right mind would accept that reality?

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Fears have been stoked by unfounded rumors such as the one that emerged on Friday that an immigration raid took place at Gratts graduation. The claims that immigration enforcement activity arrived at the school and during the event are false, an LAUSD spokesperson told The 19th.

The superintendent, an immigrant from Portugal who was formerly undocumented, said the district is taking steps to protect each graduation site, whether on or off campus. The school police will establish perimeters of safety around graduation locations and intervene if any federal agency tries to disrupt the ceremonies, Carvalho said.

Weve instructed our principals to not create lines, to not restrict access, he said. As soon as [families] come, they will enter the venues where the graduations are taking place, reducing the risk for them while on the street waiting to get in. We also have authorized the principals to allow parents to remain at the venue for as long as it takes should there be any immigration enforcement action around the area where the graduations are taking place.

School police will also remain on site well after the ceremonies end to allow parents to exit safely. And, in limited capacities, the district will create opportunities for families to watch their children graduate via Zoom.

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Carvalho said that the recent raids and unrest happened at the worst possible time, given that over 100 graduation ceremonies will be taking place throughout LAUSD Monday and Tuesday, the last day of school. Still, he said the district is prepared to protect students, staff and families.

Every child has a constitutional right to a public education, he said. Therefore, every child and their parent has a right to celebrate the culmination of their educational success.

United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), the woman-led labor union representing Los Angeles Unified educators, has also spoken out against the immigration enforcement that took place in Los Angeles last week.

The ruthless targeting of hard-working people by ICE and law enforcement agencies is not only unjust but cruel, the union said in a statement pinned to its Instagram page. They are using violence and scare tactics to detain people who are simply trying to live and support their families. We will not stand for this.

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On Monday, United Teachers Los Angeles organized a rally to stand up for immigrant communities and to protest the arrest of union leader David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU)  United Service Workers West and SEIU California. Huerta was arrested Friday while observing an immigration raid at a Los Angeles garment factory. He has been charged with felony conspiracy to impede officers and could face up to six years in federal prison if convicted.

We need more people to continue to be loud about these attacks by ICE, the Los Angeles teachers union said. History has taught us that we cannot afford to stand idly by while our community members are being ripped away from their schools, homes, neighborhoods and workplaces.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, the nations second-largest teachers union, also expressed her outrage over Huertas arrest, the detainment of immigrant workers and Trumps decision to mobilize the National Guard against protesters.

It is no coincidence that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained David Huerta and raided the site of a known worker center  and we, alongside the entire labor movement, are demanding his and others immediate release, Weingarten said in a statement. The assault on Los Angeles contradicts all this country stands for. We are a nation made stronger by immigrant workers, stronger by the unions that represent them, and stronger by the rule of law. Huerta was released from custody Monday afternoon.

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Kamala Harris criticized the violent repression of mostly peaceful protesters in Los Angeles, singling out Trump for his role in the unrest that ensued. Harris has lived in L.A.s Brentwood neighborhood since marrying Doug Emhoff in 2014, though she was largely based in Washington, D.C., as vice president.

Los Angeles is my home, and like so many Americans, I am appalled at what we are witnessing on the streets of our city, she said in a statement. Deploying the National Guard is a dangerous escalation meant to provoke chaos. In addition to recent ICE raids in Southern California and across our nation, it is part of the Trump administrations cruel, calculated agenda to spread panic and division.

The White House, meanwhile, took aim at the protesters, as well as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, both Democrats.

Radical left lunatics are taking to the streets of Los Angeles  attacking law enforcement, hurling projectiles at police cruisers, burning vehicles, and shutting down freeways  because the Trump administration is removing violent criminal illegal immigrants from their communities, the White House said in a statement Monday. Democrats like Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass should be thanking President Trump for stepping up and leading where they refused  and for ridding their streets of criminal illegal immigrant killers, rapists, and gangbangers.

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Rob Bonta, Californias attorney general, sued the Trump administration Monday over its deployment of the National Guard, arguing that doing so infringed on the states sovereignty.

Los Angeles school leaders say theyre prepared for the Trump administration to escalate immigration enforcement, including on campuses. In January, Trump lifted restrictions on immigration enforcement in sensitive locations, including schools, churches and hospitals. The policy change has led parents across the country to pull children out of class. During Carvalhos address on Monday, he said that two federal vans were parked near schools.

No action has been taken, but we interpret those actions as actions of intimidation, instilling fear that may lead to self-deportation, he said. That is not the community we want to be, that is not the state or the nation that we ought to be.

LAUSD is urging parents or guardians who see immigration activity to contact their school or call the districts Family Hotline: (213) 443-1300.

This story was originally reported by Nadra Nittle of The 19th. Meet Nadra and read more of their reporting on gender, politics and policy.
Chronic absenteeism remains a problem for LAUSD, but the school district is making gains, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said on his last house visit of the year aimed at driving student attendance.

The district made progress this year with the tricky challenge, Carvalho said during the home visit last month, but officials could not say how much progress was made exactly in reducing chronic absenteeism, defined as missing more than ten percent of the school year.

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Our approach is we support, were not about penalizing, said Carvalho of the strategy being employed in getting chronically absent kids to class. Two years ago, we were in a different position  [but] conditions have improved dramatically.

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Carvalho said the number of chronically absent students is slowly dropping closer to pre-pandemic levels, in part because of the districts push to personalize its efforts to bring individual students to class, with well-known tactics like his house visits.

Los Angeles isnt the only place struggling with persistent attendance issues. A study from the American Enterprise Institute found that chronic absenteeism nationwide rose over 10% from 2019 to 2024, peaking in 2022 at 28% of students.

The same report said the national percentage of students with good attendance fell sharply between 2019 and 2023, compounding the problem.

More and more research, in fact, is suggesting that higher levels of chronically absent students could become the new normal.

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In L.A., chronic absenteeism remains a problem. At the beginning of the school year, nearly one-third of all students in the nations second-largest district were missing class enough to be deemed chronically absent.

Thats an improvement from the years following the COVID-19 shutdowns in the district, when nearly half of all students were chronically absent, the worst the problem ever got in LA Unifieds history.

Carvalho said its gotten better because he and the districts attendance team got personal in their approach, tailoring efforts to individual families, and knocking on the doors where kids had repeatedly missed school.

Attendance counselors, school principals, and sometimes Carvalho himself have visited with thousands of families personally each school year since then, and talked to parents about why their kids are missing class.

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They offer solutions, like free busing or new school uniforms, or whatever could help. The tactic is a standard tool for LAUSD, one that Carvalho and district attendance workers and officials trumpet as a reason for their success.

But chronic absenteeism has been a serious problem for years in L.A. More than 32% of L.A. Unified students were considered chronically absent for the 2023-2024 school year, the latest year for which the data exists.

Thats well above the historic norms, but still an improvement from the abysmal previous years. Los Angeles Unified had 36% of students consistently missing class in 2022-2023, and just over 45% of students in 2021-22.

Fallout from COVID-19 remains the main thing parents and educators blame for the historically high numbers.

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During Carvalhos last at-home visit of the year, the mother of a chronically absent student said that since the pandemic shes been confused over when to keep her sick home from class.

At the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Carvalho said annual incremental gains will be how the district digs itself out.

That plan appears to be working, he said in May, with last year seeing a dip and district officials expecting 2024 to have even lower numbers.

LAUSD officials told the LA School Report that chronic absenteeism data for the 2024-2025 school year has not been finalized, so they could not quantify the gains.

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Still, Rudy Gomez, the director of iAttend, LAUSDs district-wide attendance program, said in an interview that the district has made progress fighting chronic absenteeism.

We have had some significant gains in chronic absenteeism, although we still have a lot of work to do, said Gomez. But weve seen some major gains, all across the board.
The National Guard, brought in by the Trump administration over the weekend, remains in Southern California as the area has entered Day 8 of anti-ICE protests.

The troops' ongoing presence comes as the appeals court blocked a federal judge's initial order to allow California to take control of the National Guard from President Donald Trump. The shock reversal came just hours after California Governor Gavin Newsom declared victory over the federal judge's ruling. The hearing to decide the fate of the National Guard will be held on Tuesday, June 17.

In the meantime, Los Angeles remains at the center of demonstrations against ongoing ICE raids happening across Southern California.

Timeline of events

Below are live updates of the ongoing protests happening across Southern California (all times listed in Pacific Standard Time):

Marines arrive in LA

Roughly 200 U.S. Marines moved into Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal buildings amid continuing protests over ongoing immigration raids in the Southland.

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Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, said the deployment of Marines in the L.A. area will free up National Guard troops, who have been primarily protecting federal property over the past week of unrest, to serve a more protective role for federal agents conducting enforcement operations in the field.

"I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities," Sherman told reporters during a morning briefing. "Rather, they'll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel."

Sherman said some National Guard troops have already been doing protective work for federal agents conducting immigration enforcement activities, but they have not engaged in any police-type work or made any arrests or detentions.

Marines began arriving around midday Friday at the federal building in West Los Angeles to begin their duties in the city.

Lawmakers call for an end to ICE raids

5:15 p.m.: Mayor Karen Bass, along with 20 state legislators, held a press conference demanding the ICE raids stop. She said it has caused fear and panic among people. She again said she believes LA is being used as a test case by the federal government to seize power from the state.

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"How much will the American people put up with? How much will Californians put up with? How much will Angelenos put up with? How much will people from all of the other 88 cities in our county put up with? And we're here to tell you that we're not going to put up with it. We're not going to solve anything by chasing people at car washes, by intimidating families near schools, or by sending troops into an American city," Bass stated.

"This is not about immigration reform. These agents are coming into our cities, and they are detaining US citizens. They are detaining legal immigrants, and they are detaining immigrants who are going through the legal process with their status," added Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove.

Preparations underway for No Kings protest

3:26 p.m: Law enforcement officials are on high alert ahead of Saturday's mass protests, which are scheduled to occur around the nation.

Thousands of demonstrators are expected to gather throughout SoCal to protest the policies of the Trump administration while offering a counterpoint to a planned military parade in Washington, D.C. that coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday.

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Ahead of Saturday's events, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp held a joint news conference at LAPD headquarters on Friday to discuss law-enforcement preparations aimed at keeping the numerous demonstrations peaceful.

Their message was clear: Law enforcement is fully prepared and will arrest anyone who commits a crime or incites violence.

There is a list of prohibited items protesters are not allowed to bring. They include lumber, pipes, aerosol spray, mace, balloons, laser pointers. A full list is below.

Additional criminal charges filed

3:20 p.m.: City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced that her office has filed 10 criminal cases involving 14 defendants for a variety of violations stemming from the immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles. Each of the misdemeanor charges filed carries penalties of up to one year in county jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

This is not normal!

1 p.m.: Elected officials, community advocates, and business leaders called out the threats facing Latino communities as ongoing ICE raids continue across Southern California and the country.

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The gathering emphasized the urgent need for action, accountability, and systemic change to restore faith in public institutions and reaffirm a shared commitment to justice and representation for all LA communities.

Weekend enforcement

12:25 p.m.: At 2 p.m., LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp will hold a joint news conference at LAPD headquarters to discuss law-enforcement preparations ahead of planned demonstrations this weekend.

Immigrants encouraged to "know your rights!"

11:15 a.m. Families and loved ones of those detained by ICE joined labor and immigrant rights leaders in downtown Los Angeles for a press conference to launch the "Summer of Resistance: Hope in Action, Strength in Unity" campaign. It is aimed to "build community resilience and demand an immediate end to federal actions that threaten families and livelihoods."

"The "Summer of Resistance" will center nonviolent tactics such as fasting, prayer, art, Know Your Rights teach-ins to uplift the voices of the most impacted. A series of peaceful actions will send a clear message: Los Angeles will not stand by while our families and neighbors are targeted and torn apart," organizers said.

Gov. Newsom claims Trump administration leaked personal info to DHS

10:55 a.m.: Gov. Newsom spoke out following reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services allegedly shared Medicaid beneficiary information with DHS.

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"We deeply value the privacy of all Californians. This action by the federal government has implications for every person on Medicaid, but it is especially alarming for our immigrants and American mixed-status families who are already under relentless, indiscriminate attack by this administration. The federal government continues to instill fear across this nation and shroud its continued violation of Americans privacy rights in propaganda."

His statement continued to say, "Sharing Medicaid beneficiary information with the Department of Homeland Security  which is itself legally dubious  will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse, and Americans more broadly. Federal law requires emergency care to be provided to all to save lives, and the federal government helps pay for it for low-income individuals, regardless of immigration status. Every state should be concerned about this data sharing and its implications for the safety and health of its communities. We will continue to vigorously defend Californians' privacy rights and explore all avenues to protect their information and safety."

LAPD details overnight arrests

9:40 a.m.: Officials with the Los Angeles Police Department detailed arrets made from Thursday evening into Friday morning.

33 arrested for failure to disperse

13 arrested for curfew violation

1 arrested for resisting a police officer

1 arrested for pointing a laser at an airship

1 arrested for robbery warrant following a detention for curfew

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The department added that during the crowd control situation, numerous less-lethal tactics were used.

Preparations underway for No Kings anti-Trump protests

8 a.m.: Law enforcement and business owners prepared for "No Kings" anti-Trump protests planned for Saturday.

"No Kings" will follow several days of nationwide protests against federal immigration raids including in Los Angeles, where Trump's deployment of the National Guard has been met with heavy opposition.

RELATED COVERAGE: List: 'No Kings' anti-Trump protest locations in LA, Southern California

DHS doubles down on immigration raids

5:30 a.m. In a recap of Thursday's events, FOX 11's Gigi Graciette explains how DHS Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on the ongoing ICE raids in Southern California.

Trump maintains control of National Guard troops in LA

5 a.m.: California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a short-lived victory as an appellate court quickly made its decision. Newsom remains in a battle with President Trump over the presence of the National Guard in LA.

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SUGGESTED COVERAGE:Appeals court lets Trump keep troops in LA, turning tables on ruling favoring Newsom

Big picture view

The recent raids come in the wake of President Donald Trump's nationwide push for mass deportations.

Internal government data shows ICE arrests during President Donald Trump's second term have already surpassed 100,000 this week, including over 2,000 arrests on both Tuesday and Wednesday. This marks a dramatic increase from the daily average of approximately 660 arrests during the first 100 days of the Trump administration.

These numbers reportedly move closer to the stated goal of top administration officials, such as White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who has pushed for ICE to conduct "a minimum" of 3,000 arrests each day.

The Source

This report used information provided by FOX 11's crew at the scene and previous FOX 11 coverage. In addition, announcements made by local departments and elected leaders were used in this report.
At least 600 patient appointments were cancelled at the Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center this week because of protests and violence in the city, and Veterans Affairs officials are asking local leaders to take steps to secure the area to prevent future care disruptions.

In a letter to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, VA Secretary Doug Collins said appointments at the medical site were cancelled for this entire week due to violent mobs rioting in support of illegal immigrants and against the rule of law.

Officials also said the care center  which sits less than three miles from the citys convention center  was vandalized with messages opposing President Donald Trump and his immigration enforcement policies during the protests.

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Hegseth doesnt initially commit to obeying courts on LA deployments

Your citys failure to maintain law and order in Los Angeles is coming between veterans and the health care they have earned, Collins wrote.

Last weekend, Trump ordered National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to mobilize in support of law enforcement efforts responding to the protests, sparked by immigration raids in the city.

City officials have imposed a curfew for the last two events to quell unrest, but they have also pushed back on Trumps decision to employ military assets over the objections of state leaders, calling the moves an overreaction.

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Los Angeles Police Department officials have said at least 160 people have been arrested since protests began on June 6, with the majority of that number coming last weekend. The immigration raids and federal response have now prompted additional protests in other cities nationwide.

In letters to Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Collins asked for plans to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the VA clinic graffiti, as well as city funds to cover the cost of repairs. He also questioned the citys ability to secure the area and prevent future problems there.

City officials did not provide an immediate public response to the requests.

In a social media post earlier this week, Collins said that the LA site will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Appointments at the facility have been rescheduled or shifted to telehealth.

Trumps military deployments to the city are currently being contested in the courts, with conflicting rulings so far over his ability to override the wishes of Newsom.
NEW YORK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- In the hours before tanks barrel down the streets of Washington, D.C. for U.S. President Donald Trump's grand military parade on Saturday, thousands of Americans are expected to gather across the country in defiance of what they call his dangerous brand of authoritarianism.

"The organized day of protests in over 2,000 cities -- dubbed 'No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance' -- comes after a week of unrest and anger in Los Angeles and other cities following immigration raids in the LA area and the Trump administration's move to federalize the National Guard and dispatch Marines to California," reported The Washington Post on Friday.

No Kings organizer Ezra Levin said that interest has "skyrocketed" since those protests began, with individuals in 200 more cities signing up to host No Kings events just this week. He said more people are now expected to turn out than the estimated 3.5 million who participated in a similar nationwide day of action in April.

Organizers deliberately chose not to hold an event in Washington because of the military celebration, although other groups have planned demonstrations in the capital for Saturday.

Law enforcement officials around the country are bracing for arrests, and Trump himself warned from the Oval Office this week that people who "want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already deployed 5,000 Texas National Guard troops and 2,000 state troopers in advance of protests around the state Saturday, without consulting mayors or other local leaders. 
Labour has threatened to ban Serco from any new Government contracts after its blunders led to criminals going untagged for months.

Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, said the global contracting giant could be blocked from future public contracts if there was another episode of similar poor performance.

It follows an undercover investigation by Channel 4 Dispatches which found criminals, including a murderer, had gone untagged for months under the 51 million-a-year contract Serco had with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

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An undercover reporter hired to fit and monitor electronic ankle tags on newly released prisoners was repeatedly sent to the wrong addresses for criminals, including a murderer and paedophile.

They also discovered a murderer had gone without a tag for at least two months after claiming his legs were too swollen for an ankle monitor.

Another criminal was accused of taking off her tag to go on holiday and boasting about it to almost 200,000 TikTok followers. Another was overheard claiming that he had ripped his tag off and could do what he wanted.

Early release scheme

A total of 20,000 people are tagged at present and the technology  which allows a freed offender to be tracked via GPS  is central to the Governments plans to expand the use of community punishments as an alternative to jail.

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The plans could see the number of people tagged more than double as thousands more prisoners are released early from jail. Up to 40,000 criminals convicted of lower-level crimes could also be spared prison in favour of community orders.

In a letter to the Commons justice committee, Lord Timpson said new legislation  which came into force in February  will enable ministers to bar companies from being awarded contracts or securing procurements for up to five years.

It also enabled public authorities to exclude contractors from bidding for contracts if they were judged to be unreliable in delivering work or where public confidence could be undermined by the honesty, integrity and probity of suppliers.

Lord Timpson said: In the event of another episode of similar poor performance [as defined in the Act] by Serco after the Act came into force, or a new occurrence of poor performance by Serco after the Act came into force, then Serco could be excluded from bidding or being awarded a future public contract through either the debarment or exclusion regimes.

Ever-increasing requirements

In a statement to Channel 4, Antony King, managing director of Citizen Services at Serco, said: We are proud of the challenging work our people do, working with multiple partners across the criminal justice system in delivering an essential and critical public safety service, often with complex and ever-increasing requirements.

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Our performance continues to improve, which the MoJ recognise, and we continue to monitor record numbers of people in the community supporting our colleagues in probation and the Home Office.

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Tens of thousands in Canada have fled their communities to avoid wildfire risk, disasters some say were premeditated to evacuate land and facilitate the extraction of natural resources. This is unsubstantiated; experts said blazes are too unwieldy to realistically use them to target specific areas and some evacuees have already returned home as of June 12.

"This isn't just wildfire policy -- it's a global land control strategy operating through 'sustainability' language," a June 1, 2025 Facebook post claims.

The text claims the "Rio Law" is a global framework established to encourage sustainability that can be used to reclassify land in Canada for resource extraction and forbid residents from returning home after they are evacuated due to wildfires.

The text spread across Facebook, Instagram and X partly echoing debunked theories about Agenda 21 and moves to push fire-displaced residents into "smart cities" where they will be subjected to strict technology surveillance or face restriction of movement.

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Simultaneously, users on Facebook and TikTok made additional claims about land grabs precipitated by wildfire evacuations invoking either controversy over Ontario province's Bill 5 or images of a possible pipeline route, which would supposedly cross Manitoba to reach Hudson's Bay.

Collage of screenshots of Facebook posts taken June 13, 2025

Conditions are primed for another massive wildfire season in Canada, as the over 3.6 million hectares (13.8 thousand square miles) of area burned so far in 2025 has already surpassed the year-to-date average for the past decade (archived here).

More than 30,000 people have evacuated their homes in western Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba provinces, including remote Indigenous communities fleeing south. But as of June 12, some 7,000 evacuees in Saskatchewan province began returning home.

Media report people will also soon be allowed to go back to communities Manitoba, but many areas remain under evacuation orders there and in neighboring Ontario.

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The fires hit as trade tensions with the United States have triggered the new federal government to open discussions about access to Canadian natural gas and coveted minerals. But the potential projects, including pipelines, raise concerns of environmental impact and Indigenous consent.

Nevertheless, experts told AFP it was highly improbable for a wildfire to be used to intentionally target specific areas for resource exploitation.

Unforeseeable spread

Mike Flannigan a professor of wildland fire at Thompson Rivers University (archived here) said a wildfire is defined by three factors: how it starts, what it can burn through, and the weather conditions around it.

Many fires are started -- mostly unintentionally -- by humans, he said, but fuel and weather play too large of a role in where flames spread, making it nearly impossible to start a wildfire that could successfully target a premeditated location.

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Flannigan also pointed out that climate change creates conditions that suck up moisture from vegetation and generate stronger wind, a mix conducive to more unwieldy fires.

"The drier the fuel, the easier it is for a fire to start," he told AFP on June 5.

Wildland firefighters use burning techniques to impede the path of smaller and less intense fires and keep them away from populated areas (archived here), but Flannigan said once the blazes reach the tops of the trees -- also known as a crown fire (archived here) -- response becomes limited.

"There's only two options then: one is evacuate, get out of the way until the weather changes or the fuels change, or do a burnout operation, which is where you get in front, where the wildfire is spreading, start a new fire that's fighting against it," he said.

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Hossein Bonakdari, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Ottawa (archived here), analyzed indicators such as leaf coverage and winter snow area to predict the probability of wildfire in certain parts of Canada.

Even with these prediction tools, Bonakdari noted, a plethora of minute variables dictating a wildfire's spread exist, making it impossible to foresee whether it could reach a certain location.

"I need a dataset of today to do the prediction for tomorrow," he said on June 6.

Resource regulation

While the claim that wildfires could be used to clear certain areas for resource extraction may be unsubstantiated, concerns about infringement on Indigenous treaty rights in relation to Ontario's Bill 5 exist (archived here).

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The legislation gives the province authority to declare "special economic zones" (archived here), overriding local laws for resource projects in a move that Indigenous leaders say will conflict with the government's treaty obligations.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford plans, for example, on extracting minerals from the Ring of Fire deposit in the north of the province.

Other Canadian premiers also recently floated the idea of a pipeline through Manitoba to end in Hudson's Bay, similar to what has been referenced in some land grab claims online.

Using reverse image search, AFP traced the map in those posts to a 2023 blog proposing a path for pipelines (archived here).

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However, no formalized proposals for such a project could be found.

The posts also misrepresent the 1992 Rio Declaration (archived here). The document produced at the United Nations' Earth Summit does not mention removing people from land. Rather, it lays out principles of protecting environmental and developmental systems, to which it says states should agree.

AFP previously debunked claims about resident displacement to extract resources following hurricane evacuations.

Read more of AFP's reporting on wildfire misinformation here.
One of the new flyover ramps, pictured prior to opening, that connects I-10 to New Orleans' Armstrong International Airport officially opened on Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo credit: Daniel Gitlin/DOTD)

Gov. Jeff Landry is making leadership changes at the state highway department that will go into effect Monday.

In a statement issued Thursday, the governors office said Department of Transportation a Development Secretary Joe Donahue will move from that post to become the agencys executive counsel. Glenn Ledet Jr. will leave as executive director of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to become DOTDs new secretary.

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Also, Eric Dauphine, DOTDs current Lafayette region administrator, will become a deputy secretary for the department.

Joe has done an outstanding job in one of the most thankless roles in state government. Louisianas roads and infrastructure are in dire need of reform, and Joe worked every day to move DOTD forward despite the challenges, Landry said in the statement.

Ledet departs the CPRA after a year and a half as its leader and previously working as administrator of its operations division. The authority has state-level oversight of major coastal infrastructure projects in Louisiana. The governor credited Ledet with CPRAs implementation of the states $50 billion Coastal Master Plan.

The governors office shared no information on plans for Ledets replacement at CPRA.

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The incoming DOTD secretarys background includes 13 years in civil and environmental engineering, including management positions with private companies that have worked as contractors for the state transportation department. Ledet holds an environmental engineering degree from LSU and is licensed as a civil engineer in multiple Gulf Coast states.

I am honored and grateful to Governor Jeff Landry for the trust he has placed in me to lead DOTD, Ledet said in a statement. I look forward to working alongside the agencys dedicated team and partners throughout the state to strengthen Louisianas transportation network. Together, we will focus on delivering efficient and safe infrastructure that meets the needs of Louisianas residents, communities, and businesses both now and in the future.

Donahue has worked with Landry since the governor held the attorney generals post. In addition to his time at DOTD, Donahue has also been a staff lawyer with the state Department of Environmental Quality.

His exit comes as state lawmakers have approved a package of Landry-backed bills that call for greater efficiency and accountability at DOTD, while also giving the governor more say-so on state highway spending. The changes will include a new deputy secretary of transformation. Landrys office has not clarified whether Dauphine is filling this position or an existing deputy secretarys position.

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The new laws will also allow DOTDs secretary to eliminate positions within the department deemed to be unnecessary in fulfilling the goals of the office of transformation in accordance with civil service rules.

Lawmakers approved a separate measure that could remove civil service protections from thousands of state government positions. Voters will consider whether to make that change constitutional amendment next year, though its not clear whether the legislation would affect the status of current state employees.

Donahue is the third member of Landrys cabinet to move out of their role since the governor took office in January 2024, and the first to stay within state government.

Madison Sheahan left her job as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in March to become deputy director for U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move reunited her with Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, for whom Sheahan worked when Noem was governor of South Dakota.

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Last month, Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto resigned as DEQ secretary to take a job with a Washington, D.C. law firm. Though Landry remained consistent in his support for her, Giacomettos tenure was marked with strife within the department and several departures from high-ranking employees. A workplace survey from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor revealed pervasive low morale during her time in charge.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) crews battled three separate fires within 13 hours on Wednesday, June 11, including a fire where one man had to be airlifted to a burn center in Lubbock, Texas.

At about 7:30 a.m. on June 11, firefighters responded to a call of a commercial structure fire at the Discount Tire, located at 420 S. Telshor Blvd., Las Cruces Fire said.

According to Las Cruces Fire, when crews arrived, firefighters encountered heavy smoke inside the building.

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Crews located the source of the fire on a second-level storage area. The fire was contained to the area and extinguished, LCFD said.

No injuries were reported, and the business was able to stay open for the remainder of the day, LCFD said.

The Las Cruces Fire Department said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Then, shortly before 6 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of a shed fire at the intersection of Lohman Avenue and Solano Drive, LCFD said.

Las Cruces Fire said a bystander told crews that a man was possibly inside the shed.

Firefighters found a man in the shed and removed him from the fire, Las Cruces Fire said.

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LCFD said crews provided immediate patient care to the victim, whose name and age remain unknown.

The victim was initially transported to a local hospital and then was airlifted to a burn care facility in Lubbock, Las Cruces Fire said.

The cause of the shed fire remains under investigation, Las Cruces Fire said.

Finally, at roughly 8:20 p.m., firefighters were called to a residential structure fire along the 400 block of East Court Avenue, LCFD said.

According to Las Cruces Fire, crews attacked the fire from multiple angles and had it under control within 10 minutes.

The residence was vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported, LCFD said.

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The Las Cruces Fire Department said the cause of the residential fire and damage estimates are under investigation.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  In a quiet courtroom tucked inside the Las Vegas Justice Court, lives are being rebuilt  not punished. Instead of jail time, individuals struggling with untreated mental illness or addiction are being offered a new path: one filled with counseling, care, and a shot at redemption.

For Judge Eric Goodman, this mission is more than professional  its personal.

When I was 19, I lost a good friend of mine to suicide, Goodman said. Over the years, Ive lost a number of friends to suicide or drug addiction. Every time that happened, I just wished I had done something.

(KLAS)

Now, from the bench, hes doing something big. Just months after taking the gavel in 2009, Goodman noticed a troubling pattern: the same people appearing in his courtroom again and again  many of them homeless, addicted, and living with serious mental illness. Jail, he realized, was not the answer.

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In February 2023, Goodman partnered with fellow Justice Court Judge Nadia Wood to launch the Las Vegas Municipal Court Mental Health Court Program. Their goal: address the root causes of crime through treatment, not incarceration.

Sometimes 30 to 40 percent of our jail population is on medication for mental health conditions, Wood explained. The system wasnt built to treat them. This program is.

(KLAS)

The program is open to people over 18 with a serious mental health illness and a misdemeanor.

Participants must voluntarily commit to a rigorous program involving therapy, case management, medication stabilization, substance abuse treatment, and housing support. So far, 11 participants have completed the program. Many are now off the streets, sober, and in stable housing for the first time in years. But the impact goes beyond the individuals.

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It costs over $100,000 a year to keep someone in jail, Wood said. With our program, it costs between $12,000 to $14,000 a year to have these individuals housed, fed, taken care of, receiving treatment, (and) receiving medication.

For Goodman, graduation days are emotional.

When I see them graduate and move on with their lives and be successful, it really touches me because Ill always think back to my friend who gave up early in life, Goodman said. That was the end of his life, now these people are changing their lives, and they have a chance for a future.

Goodman and Wood said the program not only saves lives  it makes the community safer. They hope to expand the program in the coming years, reaching more individuals in need  and continuing to shift the justice system from punishment to possibility.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  First Amendment attorney Marc Randazza explained the boundary of free speech and unlawful activity to 8 News Now after Wednesday nights protest.

RELATED: 94 arrested, 4 officers injured during Las Vegas protest

He said the First Amendment protects your freedom to stand on the sidewalk, chant, and hold signs  but it does not make you innocent of crimes committed while doing so.

If youre doing something that would be illegal if you werent protesting, it doesnt magically become legal because you are a protester, Randazza said.

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When it comes to what happened Wednesday night, he said Metro Police made the right call after protestors began to throw rocks and block roads.

Once a protest descends to people blocking the roads, if the police want to declare it unlawful to clear the streets, you know, even as a staunch First Amendment advocate, that does not rub me the wrong way, he said.

Randazza said a First Amendment violation happens when police arrest protestors who are acting lawfully, and he hasnt seen many violations in Las Vegas.

Metro is pretty good with that, but theres a history in Las Vegas, a tolerance, for free speech activities, Randazza said.

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He supports protests regardless of their message.

I dont care if youre pro-ICE or anti-ICE. Go out there and do it, Randazza said. But do it with your words, do it with signs, do it with chants, if you like. But the moment you start to block traffic, I hope somebody runs you over, and I have no problem with that.

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A man from Las Vegas has been sentenced to federal prison after he was convicted of defrauding the City of Moline out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2020.

A news release from the Department of Justice says Luisito Espanola, 65, was sentenced on May 21 to 32 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, following his convictions for wire fraud and money laundering. United States District Judge Sara Darrow ordered Espanola to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons on June 23.

The government gave evidence during a one-week jury trial that on December 2, 2020, and December 22, 2020, Espanola created and sent fraudulent emails to the City of Moline, asking the city to make ACH (payment information) changes for two vendors the city worked with. Moline experienced a loss of $404,764.59 as a result of the fraud.

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We thank the thorough and professional efforts of the Moline Police Department and the United States Secret Service in investigating this matter and bringing this fraudster to justice, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy A. Bass.

Espanola could have received a penalty of up to 20 years in prison on each of his two fraud convictions and a penalty of up to 20 years in prison on each of his two money laundering convictions.

The United States Secret Service investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bass and Jennifer L. Mathew represented the government in the prosecution.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  An Allegiant Air employee allegedly stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in a scheme involving payments for damaged or missing luggage, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

Alexis Herrera faces one count of theft for allegedly stealing $263,000 from the Las Vegas-based airline from 2022 to 2024, records said.

Metro police detectives believe Herrera, a system baggage service coordinator, filed false claims for lost or damaged baggage and then reimbursed herself, documents said. She admitted to the theft, according to detectives.

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Police began their investigation into the alleged embezzlement last November, they said. The company terminated her in October.

In all, police suspect Herrera altered or fabricated refunds for dozens of transactions, replacing an e-mail address on file with her own, documents said. Each transaction ranged from $1,000 to $4,000.

Alternatively, Herrera used dummy itinerary and passenger information to fabricate baggage settlement claims, using the email addresses associated with her own bank account, police said.

Employees at Allegiant began their internal investigation when a customer contacted the company, saying they never received their settlement payment, documents said.

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As the company fired her, Herrera promised to repay the money, police said. She told detectives she used the money for rent, down payment on a car and general living expenses.

Herrera posted bond and was scheduled to appear in court on July 7.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Several days after a man allegedly shot and killed a husband and wife in front of the Bellagio Fountains on the Las Vegas Strip as part of an online feud, police are asking anyone with video of the incident to come forward.

Police are specifically asking for anyone with video of before and after the shooting, either from cell phones, tablets, vehicle dashcams, or business security systems in the area, according to a release.

Anyone with video or information on this incident is urged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the Crime Stoppers website.

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The shooting was reported around 10:40 p.m. Sunday, when two Metro officers on routine patrol heard gunfire and ran toward the area where they discovered two people with gunshot wounds on the sidewalk, according to LVMPD Undersheriff Andrew Walsh.

The suspect, Manuel Ruiz, 41, walked into a Henderson police station Monday morning and turned himself in. He is facing two counts of murder with the use of a deadly weapon, Las Vegas Metropolitan police said.

Ruiz said he shot both in self-defense because he thought they were going to shoot him, according to an arrest report.

Police said the victims, identified by the Clark County coroner as Rodney Finley, 44, and Tanisha Finley, 43, were not armed. Both suffered gunshot wounds to the head, the report said.

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I think its probably garbage, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said of Ruizs self-defense claim. He added that no weapons were found on or near the victims and the motivation is pretty clear.

The photo below shows the suspect and his clothing the night of the murder shortly before the shooting.

Suspect in deadly Las Vegas Strip shooting. (Provided by LVMPD)

The arrest report said Ruiz left the shooting scene, ditching his shirt, hat, and the gun before taking a rideshare only as far as New York, New York, because he didnt have money to pay. He then walked to a friends house, who told him to turn himself in.

After being taken into custody, Ruiz said he was approached by Finleys wife who was dancing in his face. He said he saw Finley reach for his waistband and ask, What up cuz? aggressively, and believed he was reaching for a firearm, so he shot in self-defense, documents said.

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He told police he fired toward Finleys torso, but when Finley continued to move, he aimed higher. He also admitted to shooting Finleys wife when he saw a shiny black object he believed to be a gun, according to the report.

Rodney, who also went by the online name Finny Da Legend, and Ruiz, known as streamer Sin City Manny, had argued online for several months over, among other things, copyright infringement. The two trolled each other, disagreed, and had lengthy conversations over the course of hours on a myriad of streams and sometimes different social media handles.

A fellow YouTube content creator told police the feud started in 2023, the report said.

On Thursday, Wolfson said prosecutors will consider seeking the death penalty for Ruiz.

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This is a case involving the death of two innocent people, and whenever we have a situation where two people are killed, needlessly, senselessly, its always an option, Wolfson said.

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Jun. 13It's official  the 136-year-old Nez Perce County Courthouse is just an empty building and Idaho's old Supreme Court Bench will move to a new home.

At 3 p.m. Thursday, the Court convened a final time to sign a petition authorizing the relocation of "the Supreme Court Bench" from Courtroom 1 to the new courthouse.

"This is the last hearing in this building and all further court business will be conducted in the new courthouse," said District Judge Mark Monson, who has spent the past three years presiding from the bench in Nez Perce County's 2nd Judicial District.

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Preservation of the bench drew praise from Idaho Supreme Court Justice G. Richard Bevan.

"The Idaho Supreme Court extends its sincere thanks to Nez Perce County and the Second Judicial District for their thoughtful preservation of this historic bench and for incorporating it into the beautiful new courthouse. This gesture honors our state's legal heritage while serving the needs of today's citizens. When the Court convenes in Lewiston next spring, I will be proud to take my seat at a bench that so meaningfully connects our past to our present," Bevan wrote for a news release.

There's an incongruity to the light-hearted mood in a place where some of the area's most terrible crimes have been aired for the public.

But the group of 50 lawyers and courthouse workers there to witness this last proceeding were cheerful. There were no tears. If the tone hinted toward somber, it was when Monson mentioned the "continuity" of justice that the bench will represent  with decades of emotional testimony soaked like linseed oil.

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Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks, a lawyer, authored the petition to relocate the hulking oaken piece of history, behind which judges have perched since at least 1904. Its central position in the room forced lawyers and clients alike to literally look up to the robed figure administering any given day's justice.

Long-time Lewiston lawyer Darrel W. Aherin, a 1969 Lewis-Clark State College graduate and a lawyer since 1973, presented Weeks' petition to the court.

This final business was not without some lawyerly discussion.

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Lewiston Lawyer Alan Baker, 38, asked that the word "territorial" be removed from an earlier version of the petition. The exact history of the bench is uncertain. However, a 1954 Lewiston Tribune article reports about the relocation of the bench to the courthouse from the former Idaho Supreme Court Library at Pioneer park.

That article dates the bench back to 1904, at least, Weeks said. Research continues to determine if the bench might in fact be Idaho's very first Supreme Court bench.

The courts started hearing cases in the new, $50.6 million courthouse yesterday.

Ferguson can be reached at dferguson@lmtribune.com.
NEW YORK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is stepping up deportation efforts in California with immigration raids at restaurants, traffic stops and routine legal check-ins, but economists warn that, long term, fewer immigrants could take a hit to the economy, prompting labor shortages and slowing economic growth.

"Immigrants play a huge role in the California economy," USA Today on Friday quoted Giovanni Peri, an economics professor at the University of California, Davis, as saying. Without immigrants, "there will be less economic growth. Less opportunity, also, for local companies and American workers."

The country's economy has become "very immigrant dependent," according to Christopher Thornberg, founding partner at Beacon Economics, a Los Angeles research and consulting firm.

About 479,000 U.S.-born workers were added to the labor force over the last five years compared with 3.6 million foreign-born workers, according to an October report from the National Foundation for American Policy, a nonpartisan research organization.

The report pointed to a spike in immigration and retirements, coupled with a slowdown in U.S.-born working-age population growth.

In California, immigrants make up roughly one-third of workers and comprise an outsized share of the workforce in physically intensive sectors like construction and agriculture. 
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Laulima Giving Program, a local nonprofit aimed at aiding the community, will be hosting the first Back 2 School event on June 14 at the Walmart in Kapolei.

The drive will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the program looking to support keiki in need while they pursue their educational journey.

Ewa Beach 1st graders learn value of laulima

A donation table will be set up at the stores entrance, and shoppers will be asked to purchase any items that may help students during their trip to the store.

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Supplies include:

Loose leaf paper

Erasers

Crayons

Lunch boxes

Combination locks

According to the Laulima Giving Program, over 3,000 students on the island received school supplies from their efforts. For more information, including a complete list of requested supplies, visit the Laulima Giving Programs website.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival returns this weekend, welcoming thousands of people downtown to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

With police anticipating big crowds, Columbus Police Commander Scott Evers said safety is top of mind.

We started planning for this event pretty much the day after, you know, it ended last year, Evers said. From that, you know, we just kind of figure out what we can improve from last year.

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How Granville, Grove City and Gahanna are celebrating Pride 2025

Evers said when it comes to planning, the main focus is allocating resources. He said the department works with federal and state partners and gathers feedback from other cities.

Some of the things we change is just a lot of its just logistics, Evers said. You know, how we can situate personnel so they can, you know, be better able to respond to different areas.

Officers will be out patrolling the area on foot, horseback, bikes and cruisers. Attendees can also expect to see cameras throughout the Pride festival and parade route.

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If you see something, say something, Evers said. Cameras obviously make it easier for people to see more things. Its a force multiplier.

Pride on High viewing area to benefit Columbus LGBTQ+ groups

Pride Month comes amid rising political protests and tensions, and police are prepared for protests planned at the statehouse.

We have dialogue officers that are here, Evers said. They have existing relationships with all kinds of groups, as many groups as we can, and we focus on it is truly a relationship with a lot of groups, right? If people are protesting, I mean, its their First Amendment right, and we are here to accommodate and welcome anybody that comes.

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This year, with warmer temperatures forecast for the weekend, police said there will be more water available and theyll be communicating with event organizers should they have to make changes due to weather.

We continuously evaluate every event, like I said, that happens here, nationally, internationally and we adjust plans, Evers said. We adjust plans, or we dont adjust plans, just depending on it.

List: 2025 Pride Month events, festivals in central Ohio

According to Columbus police, they have not received any credible threats to the Pride fest or protests this weekend.

The Pride Festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on June 13 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 14 in Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St. The march will leave from the corner of Broad and High streets at 10:30 a.m. June 14. Participants will proceed north on High Street to the Buttles Avenue intersection.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Memphis Shelby County Schools is denying accusations made by two state Republican leaders of destroying documents ahead of the forensic audit of the district.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, State House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally accused MSCS of destroying documents ahead of the forensic audit.

Hearing Shelby County Schools is destroying documents ahead of the forensic audit  this is a crime! Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury has been notified. Those tampering with or destroying public records will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

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Memphis Shelby County Schools then released the following statement denying any knowledge of documents being destroyed.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools officials have been made aware of a joint social media statement from Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally accusing unidentified MSCS personnel of engaging in the tampering with and/or destruction of public documents in anticipation of a forensic audit of MSCS. We are unaware of any such alleged acts by any MSCS representative or official, nor have we received any evidence substantiating these extremely serious claims and accusations. Therefore, we implore those with information related to the alleged conduct to share it with us, so that any responsible individual(s) can be thoroughly investigated and held accountable.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond has publicly and privately committed to fully cooperating with local and state officials to conduct a fair and transparent auditing process. He has personally attempted to contact Speaker Sexton in a continued effort to work with the General Assembly and directly address suspicions of unethical, improper, or illegal conduct on behalf of any MSCS staff or officials.

County orders forensic audit for Memphis-Shelby County Schools financial records

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Back in February, the Shelby County Commission approved hiring an auditing firm to look through the school districts financial records from Jan. 1, 2020, to Jan. 31, 2025.

The audit would determine whether taxpayer money may have been misused over the past five years. The district has a budget of $1.9 billion and serves more than 100,000 students.

WREG asked Representative Mark White of Memphis why and how allegations like these are shared with state leaders.

Educators meet with lawmakers to discuss effects of school vouchers

And so then someone calls in. People dont give their identity. Of course, I understand that and say, well, you know, it looks, it looks like this is happening, you know that records may be destroyed before the audit starts, said Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis).

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That MSCS audit starts in just a matter of weeks on July 17th.

So the leadership in the State Speaker and the Speaker of the Senate just put it out there and said that this is happening. It doesnt need to be happening. Its criminal. If it is happening, stop it. Let the forensic audit take place and let us find what we find, said White.

Earlier this year, the Shelby County Commission approved a resolution that set aside $50,000 for a forensic audit of the last five years of the district.

Yeah, I would say, Alex, Im more concerned about the fact that people can share out tweets and allegations like this without sharing their evidence, said County Commissioner Charlie Caswell.

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We hear these things all the time, and if its not true, its not fair to our system. If it is true, then we need to correct it, because 100,000 students in this community deserve the best education they can get, said White.

Representative White told WREG he has heard from the Interim Superintendent, Dr. Roderick Richmond.

White said the two talked today about scheduling a meeting to discuss the allegations against the district.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship News Service)  The Louisiana House voted 98-1 Thursday to give final legislative approval to $53.5 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year without objecting to any of the major changes that the Senate had made earlier this week.

With three hours to go in the session, lawmakers also agreed to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment in a new attempt to fund permanent salary raises for K-12 public school teachers and support staff.

Voters had rejected a long and complicated amendment in March that could have provided funding for permanent raises. Under the latest plan, voter approval could lead to salary increases of $2,250 for teachers and $1,225 for staff members.

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The proposed constitutional amendment would dissolve three state education trust funds and used $2 billion to pay down debt on teacher retirement plans. That would save parishes enough money to provide the raises.

While waiting to see if voters approve the amendment, the state will pay stipends of $2,000 to teachers and $1,000 to support staff at K-12 schools for a third year in a row.

The state budget and the new teacher pay plan both passed on the final day of a legislative session that also saw significant changes in car insurance regulation designed to lower some of the highest annual premiums in the nation.

Other high-profile legislation stalled during the session. A bill to reinforce President Donald Trumps ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public agencies and colleges failed after the Senate declined to take it up, even as similar bans gained traction in other Republican-led states.

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The bill had narrowly passed the House after a lengthy debate during which Black lawmakers called it racially oppressive.

Gov. Jeff Landrys push to more than double funding for his LA GATOR private school voucher program also failed.

The House had approved the $93.5 million that Landry sought to sharply increase the number of families that could use public funds to send their children to private schools.

During the session, the Senate limited funding on the vouchers to $43.5 million, and the House acquiesced.

That funding will allow students already enrolled in private schools under the similar program to stay there, but there will not be any money for new families to join, as Landry had envisioned.

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Lawmakers approved another national conservative prioritythe Make America Healthy Again efforts led by Trump and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The bill bans ultra-processed ingredients, such as artificial dyes and synthetic additives, in meals served in schools that receive state funding, starting in the 2027-28 school year.

All bills that passed now go to Landry for his approval or veto. The budget bill would take effect on July 1.The governor has the power to veto individual items in it.

As part of the budget, lawmakers agreed to spend $1.2 billion in one-time money from the states Revenue Stabilization Trust Fundwhich collects corporate and severance taxeson transportation projects, economic development, water system upgrades, college maintenance and criminal justice infrastructure.

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They also approved using $1.1 billion in extra cash for short-term needs like infrastructure projects, debt payments and deposits into state savings accounts.

That total includes last years surplus, additional general fund dollars recognized by the states revenue forecasting panel, and unspent agency money, either because fewer people used certain programs or agencies found other ways to cover costs.

The stipends for the K-12 teachers and support workers will cost $199 million. The Senate also restored $30 million for high-dose tutoring programs that had been cut in the Houses version.

Legislative leaders were reluctant to expand spending in other areas, like for Landrys signature voucher plan to pay for more students to go to private schools.

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Some lawmakers are concerned that potential cuts in federal Medicaid spending and federal disaster-relief could force the state to absorb hundreds of millions in additional costs.

The House approved a resolution on Thursday by Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, urging Congress not to cut Medicaid funding in a way that would hurt the state.

Legislators from rural areas also expressed concern that expanding private school vouchers could eventually cut into support for public school district.

Some lawmakers noted that the final level of spending on the LA GATOR program was not a cut but rather keeping funding flat.

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We always use the word cut, Rep. Eric Tarver, R- Lake Charles, said. When really we mean it just isnt an increase.

The Legislature also passed a supplemental spending bill for the current fiscal year with about $130 million, mostly in lawmakers earmarks for projects in their districts.

Taking steps to try to bring down auto insurance rates was another major focus during the session.

Landry signed a package aimed at lowering premiums by limiting certain lawsuits and increasing oversight of insurers. However, on Wednesday, he vetoed Senate Bill 111, which would have restricted when policyholders can sue insurers for bad faith.

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Landry said the bill risked making it easier for companies to deny claims, leaving policyholders with fewer options to challenge delays, especially after major disasters.

Landry had said at the start of the session that he was seeking a balanced approach in trying to cut rates.

He also persuaded lawmakers to give the insurance commissioner more power to block companies from charging auto insurance rates that appeared excessive.

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Flags of the 11 Native American tribes of Wisconsin in the Wisconsin State Capitol. (Wisconsin Examiner photo)

At a state prison in Stanley, Wisconsin, participants in a Native American-focused group take part in traditional cultural practices.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation.

According to Ryan Greendeer, executive government relations officer with the Ho-Chunk Nation, Stanley Correctional Institutions chaplain recently reached out to the tribe with requests for the groups programming.

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The chaplain wanted teaching materials, as many materials in the current selection were old. He said that men learn songs and Native language with the materials, as well as history and culture.

The chaplain said the men are eager to learn more about all things Native, according to Greendeer. He was also seeking a larger pipe bowl and poles to help build a new lodge. The pipe has a history of ceremonial use.

The prisons annual report for fiscal year 2024 mentions a Native American smudge and drum group. The report says that each month, several religious organizations and volunteers come in to hold various services, and the list includes Sweat Lodge (Native American).

There were 79 American Indian or Alaska Native people at Stanley Correctional as of April 30, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC).

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Gov. Tony Evers budget recommendations for corrections included a tribal liaison position for the DOC. The liaison would be responsible for working with Native American tribes and bands on the agencys behalf.

Each of the governors cabinet agencies has already set at least one staff member to be a tribal liaison. The governors proposal would create a new position, set aside for the job of tribal liaison for corrections.

Evers also proposed creating a director of Native American affairs in the Department of Administration and tribal liaisons in several other agencies, including the Department of Justice and Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. Evers commitment has beenand always will beto ensure that the state maintains strong partnerships with the Tribal Nations by recognizing and respecting the needs and perspectives of the Nations and Indigenous people, Britt Cudaback, communications director for the governors office, said in an email.

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The Legislatures Joint Finance Committee removed the proposed positions in May, along with hundreds of other items proposed by Evers.

Unfortunately, [Evers] sends us an executive budget thats just piles full of stuff that doesnt make sense and spends recklessly and raises taxes and has way too much policy, Joint Finance Committee co-chair Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said in May.

Tribes already work with the state, including the Oneida Nation, which is located in northeast Wisconsin. The tribe told the Examiner that it continues to work with the state to make sure incarcerated Native Americans have proper access to culturally based practices and resources.

With a tribal liaison that can help navigate the corrections system, the tribes efforts to make sure resources are provided and distributed appropriately make better progress, the tribe said.

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These efforts will continue whether or not a tribal liaison position exists, although the impact on incarcerated individuals who use culturally based resources may be greater as efforts take longer, the tribe said.

The Oneida Nation said it supports tribes efforts to ensure incarcerated members maintain access to appropriate support services as provided by tribal, state, and federal laws.

Maggie Olson, communications coordinator for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, said the tribe is not located close to the corrections facilities where their tribal members are incarcerated. This is a significant barrier, she said.

It would be nice to be able to have a better handle on where our people are within the system to ensure they are having their spiritual and cultural needs met, Olson said in an email to the Examiner. It is much easier (at this time) to meet religious needs (think Christianity) within the correctional system than it is to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of Native Americans within the system.

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A great first step would be having a dedicated person who can build relationships with incarcerated Native Americans, she said.

In a statement, the tribe said the liaison would be a start to developing and enhancing tribal input with State initiatives. The tribe said it wants to work with the DOC on access to supportive services in county jails.

Olson said she met DOC Secretary Jared Hoy at an event on June 5 and that they had a great discussion about the potential benefits of a tribal liaison at the agency.

With the uncertainties surrounding federal funding, we are hopeful state funding will be increased to tribal programs in Wisconsin, Olson said.

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The tribes criminal justice work involves partnership with the DOC. In the St. Croix Tribal Reintegration Program, case managers work with tribal members before and after their release from prison or jail, the tribe said. The program has a memo of understanding with the Department of Corrections, providing guidance for working relationships between tribal reentry and probation.

All of the governors cabinet agencies have consultation policies that say how they will work with tribal governments. Agencies and tribal elected officials have annual consultation meetings to talk about programs, laws and funding that may affect the tribe.

Discussions at the annual state-tribal consultation tend to be about high-level policy, but they can delve into specifics, Greendeer said. He gave an example related to tribal members who are on probation or parole.

For example, a topic that keeps coming up is re-entry programming for enrolled tribal member offenders, Greendeer said. A concern discussed at a recent consultation was that probation/parole officers might not consider tribal norms/values, citing a lack of eye contact in saying a client is disengaged or disconnected.

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The co-chairs and vice-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee did not respond to requests for comment. DOC communications director Beth Hardtke did not answer a question from the Examiner about the responsibilities and goals of the tribal liaison position.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The clock is ticking to pass the state budget, and money for schools seems to be a sticking point.

The Republican-led House passed its school budget plan Wednesday night, and Democrats are responding. The Democrat-led Senate Appropriations Committee met Thursday, and lawmakers say the two chambers are far from agreeing on a final budget.

State Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) is in charge of the budget coming out of the Senate and said she has some serious concerns about the $21.9 billion school budget plan coming out of the House, including the timing of it.

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By this time last year, we had already negotiated the pretty critical pieces of our budget, said Anthony.

To get the two chambers on the same page by the July 1 deadline, Anthony says that lawmakers will have to work around the clock.

Lawmakers in a committee meeting. (WLNS)

I take that statutory deadline very seriously, but Im not interested in cutting a bad deal for our school districts, said Anthony.

The House chose to eliminate funding for specific programs like free meals for students; mental health and school safety grants; and vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Instead, they are putting that money into a per-pupil payment that school districts can qualify for if they have a resource officer and a mental health support staff member.

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State Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford), who played a part in the House-created budget, said this gives school districts more flexibility.

We are giving our schools more money, so they have more freedom to use it at their will. Thats the best thing about this budget, Rep. Maddock said.

Anthony sees it differently, though, saying this is unsustainable and would have bigger impacts on low-income schools.

In a time in which we are trying to right the wrongs of the past and meet the moment, thats just kind of unacceptable, Anthony said.

The State Capitol (WLNS)

The senator says that another issue for her is one-time funding being used for programs that she feels deserve ongoing funding.

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However, Maddock says that dozens of these programs waste money and gave an example of one that he feels is unnecessary.

Its a multi-million-dollar contract to have people from this company come in to teach our teachers and the people doing recess how to conduct recess in schools. That is a waste of money, said Maddock.

The representative said that the House did what was best for students and said that if they cant get the Democrats to agree, there could be consequences.

Maybe the government might get shut down, Maddock said. But its a war worth fighting because Michigan people are great, and theyve been taken advantage of for too many years.

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The Senate school budget plan is $21.8 billion, and has more specific funding designations and community violence intervention grants. Conversations will continue as lawmakers work toward a budget both chambers can agree on.

6 News will keep you updated with the latest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Lawmakers and mainstream media figures were blasted online Friday morning over some of their responses to the development that Israel executed a widespread bombing campaign against key Iranian targets.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT., wrote on X that Israels attack was "clearly intended to scuttle the Trump administration's negotiations with Tehran," and is "further evidence of how little respect world powers - including our own allies - have for President Trump."

Murphy, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe, was later mocked for using the situation to slam Trump:

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"Do you think Israel respected Biden, Obama, or Bush? Now is not the time for a partisan bromide," one critic replied.

"You think Kamala couldve stopped them?" riffed another.

Trump, left, Israel bombing Iran, right.

Former Ohio State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, an occasional media figure and former campaign staffer for Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., replied to Murphys critics, saying that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "always wanted a broader war."

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"This was inevitable, given the U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. Arms embargo now," Turner added.

Left-wing former ESPN and MSNBC host Keith Olbermann informed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on X that "your soul is lost" after the lawmaker celebrated Iran being attacked.

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"Game on, pray for Israel," Graham originally wrote.

The oft-profane pundit did, however, receive some backhanded support from the right for the remarks, with one respondent saying, "you know society is about to collapse when I agree with Keith"  while another shared a "holy s---" meme featuring actor Keegan Michael Key.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., who has become one of President Donald Trumps loudest critics, went after Trumps supporters following the bombings.

"Yesterday: Trump scared to death of action against Iran."

On X, several pro-Trump ripped Kinzinger, saying he "lives in a bottle," "was too scared to run for reelection" in his swing Kankakee district because of his break with Trump, and should "cry harder."

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Kinzinger, however, did appear to celebrate Israels killing of Iranian military commander Hossein Salami -- sharing a grinning GIF of the late Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain in response to a news alert.

Global Calls To Avoid Escalation Pour In After Israel Strikes On Iran

Several "Squad" members also got in on the action Friday, including Rep. Gregorio Casar of Texas.

Casar said Netanyahus "reckless strike risks provoking a wider war and pulling in the United States."

He called on Trump to oppose Netanyahus escalation and "not violate the Constitution" by involving U.S. troops without congressional approval.

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Reaction to Casar was mixed, with some respondents asking what his own strategy would be, while one defender of the Austin lawmaker shared a meme of Trump dressed as a chambermaid standing aside Netanyahu in his office.

Meanwhile, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., actively sparred with critics of her statement that "regardless of what Trump thinks, Israel knows America will do whatever they want and feels confident about their ability to get into war and have the American government back them up."

"Everyone in America should prepare themselves to either see their tax dollars being spent on weapon supplies to Israel or be dragged into war with Iran if this escalates."

"Somalians belong in Somalia," one critic responded. "And in Congress," Omar shot back.

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Olbermann Leads Liberal Meltdown Against Cnn, Calling To Burn It Down After Biden's Performance

Keith Olbermann

When another critic said she should focus more on issues in her Minneapolis district, the congresswoman replied, "I am focusing on my district and we dont believe our tax dollars should go to war. Thank for your input."

"This is all planned," tweeted "Squad" colleague Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

"Both [U.S. and Israel] are liars."

Tlaib then claimed Jerusalems government is "genocidal" and that "war criminal Netanyahu will do anything to maintain his grip on power."

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"Squad" member Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., followed by tweeting support for her "Block the Bombs Act" to withhold weapons sales to Israel in response to actions in Gaza.

The far-left lawmaker, who took over longtime moderate Democrat Dan Lipinskis district, said that Netanyahu "cannot be trusted with offensive weapons that enable dangerous actions like what we saw last night."

Elsewhere on social media, other liberal figures were raging at the Trump administration for other recent developments, like the brief detainment of Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., after he crashed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems Los Angeles press conference.

Col. Alexander Vindman, now retired, but a key figure in the Trump-Ukraine impeachment saga and a twin brother of Rep. Yevgeny "Eugene" Vindman, D-Va., railed against Noem multiple times, calling her a "fascist b---h."

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"Hey Kristi, f--- off," Vindman wrote.

Frequent "Special Report" All-Star panelist Mollie Hemingway responded to Vindman, remarking on how the mainstream media regularly characterized him as a "stable," nonpartisan whistleblower.





Original article source: Lawmakers, media dinged for blaming Trump or ripping Israel on Iran: 'You think Kamala could've stopped them?'
State lawmakers finally put the finishing touches on a drawn-out budget negotiation this year, agreeing to nearly $560 million in funding for projects and sealing deals on environmental and higher education funding.

As part of the June 13 budget deal, they agreed to cut $1.3 billion in taxes. More than $900 million of that will come from eliminating the tax on business rent.

Other cuts are targeted at consumers, including a move to make traditional back-to-school sales tax holiday on clothes under $75 dollars and other school items permanent, lasting the length of August every year. Thats estimated to save consumers at least $167.7 million per year.

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The agreement also will permanently eliminate the sales tax for some batteries, fire and smoke detectors, portable generators, tarps, life jackets, bike helmets, sunscreen and insect repellant. But the move will cost the state coffers $127.1 million per year.

The deal resolves the key dispute that held up the budget for more than a month  a standoff between House and Senate leaders over tax cuts  and sets up a vote on the 2025-26 spending plan as early as the evening of June 16. Floridas constitution requires a 72-hour cooling off period once the budget is made public before legislators can vote on it.

A price tag for the total budget wasnt available, but House budget chief Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, said it would be less than Gov. Ron DeSantis proposal of $115.6 billion. The current year's budget is $118.6 billion.

Rep. Lawrence McClure answers questions regarding HB 1B during special session Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.

Choices have to be made, right? And we all come from different corners of this state with different experiences and different situations so that conversation took a little bit longer than expected, McClure told reporters. Hopefully next years legislature and future legislatures will be the beneficiaries, where otherwise they would have been making equally if not more difficult decisions than we did this year.

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The cuts include eliminating more than 1,000 vacant positions throughout the state government and setting aside $750 million per year into a key reserve fund.

Not every portion of the budget, though, will see cuts. State workers will receive an across-the-board raise of 2%, and teachers and law enforcement will receive targeted raises, as will judges, state attorneys and public defenders.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs anti-illegal immigration legislation with Senate President Ben Albritton and Speaker of the House Danny Perez by his side Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

Lawmakers agree on over half-billion dollars' worth of special projects

As part of the last-minute deals, lawmakers agreed to $560 million in special projects in what have come to be known as "sprinkle lists," a nickname from the idea that lawmakers are "sprinkling" extra money across the state.

That includes $136.9 million to boost nursing home reimbursement rates, $23 million in operational funds for the Florida State Guard, $10 million for a cancer research fund supported by First Lady Casey DeSantis and $1.8 million for the Mary Brogan Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

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Senate budget chief Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, said with President Donald Trump and other top federal officials talking about phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency, it was important to provide funding for the Florida State Guard to help state residents recover from future hurricanes.

Sen. Ed Hooper listens to remarks presented Senate President Kathleen Passidomo during the opening day of the 2024 Legislative Session on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

We heard yesterday from our friends in Washington after this hurricane season there may be no more FEMA. We may be on our own some day and that would not be the time to start thinking, 'Should we plan ahead?'  Hooper said. The State Guards an important part of making sure we have the resources.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, has said he wanted to cut expenses, concerned about a projected $7 billion shortfall in two years if current spending trends continued. But he clashed with Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, about how to do it.

Perezs main priority was cutting the state sales tax from 6% to 5.25%, costing state coffers about $5 billion per year. Albritton initially refused to go along, concerned such a big cut would hamper the ability to fund vital programs for a growing state.

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The dispute pushed the budget negotiations past the original May 2 end date for the regular session. Then a framework agreed to by Albritton and Perez to cut the sales tax to 5.75% was scuttled by DeSantis, who vowed to veto any tax cut plan that included an overall sales tax reduction. He was concerned such a move would crowd out his push for a property tax cut on the 2026 statewide ballot.

Gov Ron DeSantis holds a press conference at the Wakulla Environmental Institute on Monday, June 9, 2025.

When House and Senate negotiators went back to the drawing board, another framework for a tax cut deal emerged, with $1.3 billion in cuts.

Before the latest agreement, lawmakers knew they were pressed for time to pass a spending plan. The fiscal year ends June 30, and if a budget wasn't in place by then, parts of state government may have needed to shut down.

We knew that we had to come here to get where we are today because, come July 1, nobody wanted a government shutdown. Nobody wanted employees to be without a paycheck, Hooper said.

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Lawmakers now are poised to vote on the budget the evening of June 16. DeSantis, who has line-item veto authority, must still sign it into law by June 30. Given the fights with the Legislature, he could wield a heavy veto pen when he does.

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: Florida lawmakers cut state budget deal, sets up June 16 vote
Lawrence ODonnell celebrated President Donald Trump walking back his campaign promise to deport 15 million illegal immigrants from the United States.

The central lie of Donald Trumps deportation campaign promise came apart today, ODonnell announced. He pointed to a post Trump made on Truth Social Thursday morning, in which the president noted the concerns of farmers and hotel corporations throughout the country who want to keep their hard-working immigrant employees and wrote, We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA.

Donald Trump promised to deport every one of those people working on farms. Every one of them. He promised to deport all of them, and then he decided not to deport them today, the Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell host explained on Thursday nights episode. Hes not going to deport 15 million people. Hes not going to deport a million people. Its over. The mass deportation lie that he never could have done anyway is over. Donald Trump formally, publicly gave up today.

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You can watch the full Last Word segment yourself in the video below.

In response to a clip of Trump saying that America cannot take away farmers most hard-working employees, ODonnell said, He was doing it to the farmers! The MSNBC anchor continued, What everyone has been saying for years and years and years in defense of those people who Donald Trump was calling murderers and rapists, everything weve been saying, I guess, has finally sunk in with Donald Trump, the slowest and stupidest president in history.

Maybe they dont have what theyre supposed to have in legal documentation to be here, ODonnell said of the immigrants Trump has been targeting since he retook office in January. Donald Trump doesnt care about any of that anymore. The stupidest man in the room finally realizes the Democrats are completely right about this, and always have been.

Unfortunately, ODonnell noted that Trumps immigration surrender was overshadowed Thursday by California Senator Alex Padillas forced removal from a press conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. What Donald Trump said today is not going to make one person in this country feel safer tomorrow, ODonnell lamented. They wont feel safer because theyve all seen what happened to a United States senator today.

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We are all Alex Padilla tonight, ODonnell concluded. Any one of us could be the next one on the floor in handcuffs, in the ragingly thuggish, unconstitutional government now run by the stupidest, most dangerous president this country has ever had to endure.

You can watch the full The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell episode in the video above.

The post Lawrence ODonnell Mocks Trump for Backtracking Promise to Deport 15 Million: Slowest and Stupidest President in History | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Families of students at some school districts in northwest Arkansas are suing over Act 573 of 2025, a law mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms.

The plaintiffs come from diverse backgrounds, some of which are very religious, while others are not, but all argue that the law is unconstitutional.

Ten Commandments, In God We Trust in classrooms is now Arkansas law

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When school starts, the Ten Commandments are to be displayed in classrooms across the state. However, the lawsuit seeks to stop the law from taking effect.

John Williams, legal director for the ACLU of Arkansas, said the plaintiffs believe the law violates the U.S. Constitution.

We think that by posting a religious document for students to view every day when theyre in school, that that is an establishment of a preferred religion, and thats against the Establishment Clause, Williams said.

Williams also said the law violates the free exercise of religion.

USDA approves Arkansas Gov. Sanders waiver to ban soda, candy from SNAP

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Jerry Cox, executive director of the conservative Family Council, supports the law.

We think that this is a very good law; the purpose of school is to teach young people good values and to teach them about our history, Cox said.

Cox says that the Ten Commandments are also historical and foundational to Western civilization.

I think its undeniable that the Ten Commandments formed the basis for all Western civilization, our laws, our morals, our society, Cox said.

Williams disagreed, emphasizing the religious nature of the commandments.

Ten Commandments are not really a basis for law in the United States, he said.

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Cox noted that the commandments are already displayed in various public places.

We display the Ten Commandments in a lot of public places. Theyre over there on the grounds of the Capitol, you can find them at the U.S. Supreme Court, he said.

Lawsuit filed to halt Arkansas law putting 10 Commandments in classrooms

The law is scheduled to take effect Aug. 5, before the new school year begins.

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TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Friday it launched a military operation against "tens of" targets, military centers, and aerial bases in Israel.

The IRGC said that the "crushing and precise" response was in retaliation for Israel's "aggression" against areas in Iran and the killing of high-ranking Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including children, according to the IRGC's official news outlet Sepah News.

According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran's air defense has downed two Israeli Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets as well as a large number of micro aerial vehicles (MAVs), capturing a female Israeli pilot.

The operation began after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed in a televised message that the Iranian armed forces would make Israel "miserable."

Early Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran.

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC's Chief Commander Hossein Salami, Gholam-Ali Rashid, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and Commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division Amir Ali Hajizadeh were assassinated in the Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Following the attacks, the Iranian leader said in another message that Israel must wait for a harsh punishment for its "crime" against Iran. 
The woman who accused the former lead pastor of Southlakes Gateway Church of sexually abusing her as a child has filed a new lawsuit against the pastor, according to court documents.

At the center of the lawsuit, accuser Cindy Clemishire and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, claim that former Gateway founder and pastor Robert Morris and the Southlake-based church benefited financially from concealing the alleged abuse, according to the documents. Clemishire and her father are seeking civil damages in excess of $1 million.

Clemishire came forward last summer with the allegations that Morris had abused her in the 1980s at her Oklahoma home, the Star-Telegram previously reported. Morris resigned from the church shortly afterward and in March was indicted in Oklahoma on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in the Clemishire case.

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In the suit filed Thursday in Dallas County, the Clemishires claim that Morris and the church dismissed the sexual assault for years, characterizing it as nothing more than an inappropriate relationship, when in reality it was the sexual abuse of a child, according to a statement from the familys lawyers.

Morris and his co-conspirators dismissed the sexual assault of Clemishire... deceiving thousands of church parishioners and the public with a false narrative that the sexual acts performed on the plaintiff as a minor child were consensual, the statement reads.

Cindy Clemishire poses for a photo at her home in Jones, Oklahoma, on Aug. 6, 2024. Clemishire says Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church, began sexually abusing her when she was 12.

The suit also alleges that the church knowingly issued false and defamatory statements shortly after Clemishire came forward with the allegations in June 2024. At the time, church elders said they didnt have all the facts about Clemishires abuse and did not know she was 12 years old at the time, according to the lawsuit.

Several of Gateways elders, also named as co-defendants in the lawsuit, were removed from the church last fall after an independent investigation found they did have knowledge of Morris conduct before it was publicly disclosed, the Star-Telegram previously reported.

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Taken together, the actions of Morris, his family and the churchs elders constitute a civil conspiracy aimed at covering up the sexual abuse of Clemishire, according to the lawsuit.

The accusations make clear the defendants acted in concert, cooperated with each other and conspired to maximize their profits through their unlawful and unjust course of action to fraudulently conceal and cover up the rape of [Clemishire,] a statement from Clemishires lawyers reads.

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In May, Morris filed a lawsuit asking Tarrant County courts to force the Southlake megachurch to arbitrate a dispute about his retirement pay, the Star-Telegram previously reported. Morris claimed in that suit that Gateway was using Clemishires abuse allegations to get out of fulfilling a multi-million dollar financial commitment to him.

A Gateway Church spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuit Thursday and noted that former spokesperson Lawrence Swicegood, who is named as a defendant in the suit, has not been employed by the church since November 2024.

Lawyers for Morris could not immediately be reached for comment.
A nickel mining company in Indonesia is facing serious heat after leaked documents revealed they "did not disclose" polluting the local water supply with a cancer-causing chemical.

What's happening?

The Guardian recently reported that the Harita Group allegedly lied about contaminating drinking water on the remote Obi Island with unsafe levels of hexavalent chromium (Cr6), the same chemical associated with Erin Brockovich in the 1990s.

Cr6 is known to cause cancer, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, targeting the respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes.

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In Indonesia, the world's largest supplier of nickel, the maximum contaminant level of Cr6 legally allowed in drinking water is 50 parts per billion (ppb). An initial investigation by the Guardian in 2022, however, found the contaminant levels in a nearby village exceeding 60 ppb, which Harita disproved with its own lab results.

However, the leaked documents revealed that just one day after releasing a statement, Harita found that the spring water did not meet Indonesian water quality standards and found even higher contamination values in the following days.

Why is this new information on hexavalent chromium levels important?

Nickel production has become a booming business, as it is a crucial component of electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels.

However, the push for more technology that is kinder to the environment requires an upfront manufacturing process that releases harmful carbon dioxide. While material suppliers want to meet growing demand, they must ensure they are doing the least harm possible during this process to offset the initial environmental impact of nickel production.

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By neglecting the responsibility of keeping drinking water clean, the Harita Group has undermined the value of the clean technology it supplies. Unfortunately, Cr6 contamination is not an uncommon occurrence. In the U.S., there have been recent incidents of company neglect leading to unsafe drinking water.

What's being done about Harita Group's pollution?

Harita has yet to respond to the claims posed by The Guardian, but environmental experts say the new information should be taken seriously by the company and the Indonesian authorities.

Environmental attorney Matthew Baird noted that while nickel production is crucial to a healthier planet, ensuring fair mining practices for the sake of nearby communities is a vital element of that effort.

"Nickel is meant to be one of the transition metals [toward a more sustainable economy] and we require a just transition to ensure the protection of the environment, human rights, and the community," Baird said, per The Guardian.

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.




President Donald Trump speaks during a special commencement event on Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Coleman Coliseum at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Laura Chramer for Alabama Reflector)

A group of at least 14 protests under the banner No Kings are planned for Saturday in Alabama.

The demonstrations are part of nationwide effort that organizers say aim to reject President Donald Trumps made-for-TV show of force coinciding with his birthday and Flag Day, a date chosen by organizers to reclaim the symbol of the American flag.

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Real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else, organizers stated on the website. The flag doesnt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us.

The nationwide Hands Off protests drew thousands of people in early April to several cities around the state, including Montgomery, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. The protests focused on concerns about the administrations efforts to deport immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 and attacks on federal agencies. Protestors pointed to concerns about federal workforce reductions and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender individuals.

Protests Saturday are scheduled from Florence and Huntsville in the northern part of the state to Dothan and Mobile in the south.

The following protests are planned at various times throughout Saturday.
At least 2,680 people were killed in Haiti in the first five months of the year, the United Nations said Friday, voicing alarm at widening gang violence.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere with swathes of the country under the control of rival armed gangs who carry out murders, rapes and kidnappings.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said the crisis had plummeted to a new low, with gangs extending their reach beyond the coastal capital Port-au-Prince into central regions.

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The UN Human Rights Office said at least 2,680 people had been killed between January 1 and May 30, including 54 children.

Those figures were from information it has been able to verify, but it said the true toll would likely be far higher.

At least 957 others had been wounded and 316 kidnapped for ransom, it added. Sexual violence by gangs and their recruitment of children was also still rising.

"Alarming as they are, numbers cannot express the horrors Haitians are being forced to endure on a daily basis," Turk said in a statement.

"I am horrified by the ever-increasing spread of gang attacks and other human rights abuses beyond the capital, and deeply concerned by their destabilising impact on other countries in the region."

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With law enforcement struggling to restore security, mobs and self-defence groups were taking matters into their own hands, leading to even more human rights abuses, he added.

Turk cited deadly clashes between gangs and so-called self-defence groups, including one in which at least 25 were killed with machetes.

While the country is nominally run by a transitional government, there has been a fresh surge of violence since February, with gangs pressing into previously safe areas.

Gangs control 85 percent of Port-au-Prince, according to the UN, and have stepped up attacks on areas not yet under their control.

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A record number of people -- almost 1.3 million -- have been forced to flee their homes in Haiti due to violence, the UN's migration agency said Wednesday.

Turk said the coming months would test the international community's ability to take stronger action to stabilise Haiti and the wider region.

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U.S. Army soldiers work on an assortment of M1 Alpha a3 Abrams tanks, stryker armored vehicles, and M2 Bradley fighting vehicles at West Potomac Park along the Potomac River on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Tanks and other heavy military equipment have arrived in the nation's capital for a military parade in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, which coincides with President Donald Trump's birthday and Flag Day (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images).

A No Kings demonstration is scheduled Saturday in downtown Columbia, one of nearly 30 planned in Missouri and almost 2,000 across the country against Trump administration policies.

The No Kings Day of Defiance was organized nationwide at the same time a military parade will mark the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C. The date also coincides with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday.

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In response to the planned rallies in Missouri, Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he had activated the Missouri National Guard in preparation for the protests. The Guard will be mobilized only if assistance is needed to support local law enforcement, according to a news release from the governors office.

The rallies across the country are intended to honor civil liberties for all and protest deportation, U.S. actions in Gaza and recent funding cuts to government departments such as USAID, said Jeff Stack, coordinator of the Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation and an organizer of the demonstration in Columbia.

A number of rallies are planned in Kansas City and St. Louis, with additional demonstrations scheduled in Boonville, Fayette, Marshall, Jefferson City, Warrensburg, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Joplin, Rolla, St. Joseph, Poplar Bluff, West Plains, Kirksville, Maryville, Clinton and several other locations.

The demonstrations were spurred by the 50501 movement, a network of opposition that organizes and calls for protests across the country. The number refers to 50 protests, 50 states, one movement, according to the organizations website.

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It began on the social media platform Reddit after Trumps second inauguration in January. The movement issued a statement earlier this month that all No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety.

Saturday is also Flag Day, a federal holiday that marks the adoption of the American flag on the date in 1777. No protest rally will be held in Washington, D.C., with the organizers saying it will make action everywhere else the story of America that day.

The rally in Columbia will be a nonpartisan event, Stack said. It is not in direct response to the presence of the National Guard and ICE in Los Angeles, Stack said, but federal action on the streets of California is emblematic of what will be protested.

Were not aligned with one particular party, Stack said. Were just concerned about the policies.

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The goals of No Kings are to give people a chance to come together to air grievances and honor the human rights and civil rights that we all have, he said.

Cutting federal funding, deporting immigrants, enacting policies that benefit the wealthiest of the wealthy and laying off scores of federal employees are examples of the grievances, Stack said.

The demonstration in Columbia will begin at 11 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse, 705 E. Walnut St. Speakers will address the crowd until about 12:30 p.m., when there will be a march through downtown.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.
At least 11 people are dead and several others are missing after intense flash flooding covered roadways and swept away vehicles in San Antonio, Texas, triggered by heavy rainfall the area has not seen in more than a decade.

The death toll increased Friday afternoon as search and rescue operations continued in two main areas of the city, according to a news release from the San Antonio Fire Department. Authorities did not specify how many people remained unaccounted for, but said the number was decreasing.

Multiple deaths occurred early Thursday morning in northeastern San Antonio, near the citys Perrin Beitel neighborhood, according to the department. Water rescue calls started just after 5:00 a.m. CDT Thursday for the area, which is near the northeast loop of Interstate 410, Joe Arrington, the departments public information officer, told CNN.

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Fifteen vehicles were swept away, and 10 people were rescued from trees and bushes about one mile from where they entered the water, according to Arrington. Four of the people rescued needed treatment for minor injuries. A search is ongoing for at least two missing people thought to have been swept away in the flooding there, Arrington added.

Crews are also searching an area on the western side of the city, not far from Lackland Air Force Base, according to an earlier news release. The release did not detail the number of victims or missing people in that area.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner has identified three of those killed near Perrin Beitel as Victor Manuel Macias Castro, 28, Matthew Angel Tufono, 51, and Martha De La Torre Rangel, 55, a release from the county, where San Antonio is located, stated.

The fire department has responded to at least 70 water rescues in the city since early Thursday morning, according to Arrington.

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While the majority of the water rescue responses were not severe in nature and consisted of our crews assisting drivers from vehicles that were stalled in high water, several of these calls were harrowing and involved our crews entering swift-moving water to effect rescues, Arrington said Thursday evening.

The San Antonio River rose extremely quickly in the vicinity of the deadly flooding in the Perrin Beitel area Thursday. Water levels went from about 3 feet to just over 25 feet in just two hours beginning at around 5 a.m. CDTa rate comparable to flooding from tropical systems.

Crews respond to flooding in San Antonio, Texas, on Thursday. - KABB/WOAI

San Antonio received 5.6 inches of rain in just three hours shortly after midnight  nearly 4 inches of that rain fell in a single hour.

The city typically records just over 3 inches of rain in all of June, so more than a months worth of rain fell in just 60 minutes. That hour-long deluge represents between a 1-in-50 and 1-in-100 year rainfall event  meaning it only has about a 1 to 2% chance of occurring in any year.

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Thursday was San Antonios second-wettest June day on record and the seventh-wettest single day since 1942, with just over 6 inches of rain. April 25, 2013, is the only day in recent memory that saw more: nearly 10 inches.

Farther east, in Victoria, Texas, authorities responded to around 25 calls of motorists stranded by flash flooding, county Emergency Management Coordinator Rick McBrayer told CNN Thursday.

No injuries have been reported in Victoria. Floodwater is starting to recede on roadways, but river flooding was an ongoing concern, McBrayer said, urging residents to stay where youre at through the duration of this event.

A world warming due to fossil fuel pollution is tipping the scales toward more heavy rainfall events like this. Hourly rainfall rates have intensified in nearly 90% of large US cities since 1970, a recent study found.

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A warmer atmosphere as a result of climate change is capable of soaking up more moisture like a sponge and wringing it out in the form of gushing rainfall, which can easily create dangerous or deadly flooding.

Heavy rain came to an end by Thursday evening for much of Texas, but some flood threats will persist into the weekend as area waterways swell.

Multiple rivers from south of San Antonio and east to the Gulf reached minor or moderate flood stage Thursday night and some  including the San Antonio, San Bernard and Guadalupe rivers  will take until the weekend to recede back to normal levels.

CNNs Taylor Ward, Jeremy Grisham and Ritu Prasad contributed to this report.

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At least 13 people have been found dead and several more remain missing after heavy rains this week caused flooding on highways throughout San Antonio, Texas, authorities said Saturday.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office and the San Antonio Fire Department confirmed to CBS News on Saturday that the death toll had risen to 13. Officials said on Saturday that 10 of the 13 confirmed dead have been identified  eight of them men and two women  and that their next of kin have been notified. Their ages range from 28 to 67.

Bexar County includes the San Antonio metropolitan area.

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Earlier Friday, the fire department said its crews were focusing their search on Salado Creek and Leon Creek, and that it had requested assistance from Texas A&M Task Force 1, a federal search and rescue team that operates under the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Heavy rains overnight Wednesday led to water rescue calls just after 5 a.m. local time on Thursday in northeastern San Antonio, near the city's Perrin Beitel neighborhood.

The identities of the victims have yet to be released, but one of the victims was identified as a 77-year-old woman, according to CBS affiliate KENS-TV.

The fire department believes that those rescued or located were initially in their cars, sitting in traffic, but by the time emergency crews arrived, they had ended up in trees due to water flooding their vehicles.

Multiple damaged cars are seen in flood waters Thursday, June 12, 2025, after heavy rains overnight in San Antonio. / Credit: Jessica Phelps / AP

The fire department said Thursday that it had responded to at least 70 water rescues. At least 10 people were rescued, four of whom were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.

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"This rescue/recovery effort will be an ongoing, and extremely thorough process for days to come," the fire department said in an email Friday.

A damaged car is seen in flood waters Thursday, June 12, 2025, after heavy rains overnight in San Antonio. / Credit: Jessica Phelps / AP

One woman, Angel Richards, told KENS 5 that her husband, Stevie, was on his way to work when he called to say he was caught in the floodwaters.

"It's hard because I was on the phone when this happened, and then not to have a lot of communication, to see my car, it's devastating to me," Richards told KENS 5. "No one can say to me, 'Hey, this is what's going on.'"

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At least six prominent Iranian scientists and academics were killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight, according to reports from Iran.

Among the victims are three professors from the Faculty of Nuclear Engineering at Shahid Beheshti University, the Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.

Another nuclear scientist was killed along with his wife, it said.

Earlier reports stated that Mohammed Mehdi Tehranji, a physics professor, and Fereydun Abbasi, the former head of Iran's nuclear programme, were also among those killed in the large-scale attack.

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Israel launched a large-scale overnight airstrike on Iran, targeting more than 100 sites with around 200 fighter jets, according to an Israeli military spokesperson.

The operation reportedly included strikes on military and nuclear-related sites across Iran and killed senior military commanders.

In response, Iran has vowed retaliation, launching more than 100 drones towards Israel, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating that Israel must expect "harsh punishment."
Lebanon has closed its airspace until Saturday as a precautionary measure after Iranian rockets targeted Israel.

"All commercial and civilian flights have been temporarily suspended. The airspace closure is set to last until 6 a.m Saturday.....," the civil aviation authority said in a statement.

The move comes amid growing concerns over potential spillover of tension between Israel and Iran, especially given the volatility in the region.

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The closure of Lebanese airspace follows a series of military escalations involving Iran and Israel.

Some of Beirut residents who live on the outskirts of the capital saw several Iranian rockets on their way to neighbouring Israel.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said US forces stationed in north-eastern Syria were placed on high alert late Friday after intercepting an Iranian missile near the Kharab al-Jir base in the Rmelan countryside, north of al Hassakeh.

According to local sources, the missile was shot down in the vicinity of the base, triggering full emergency protocols.

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Air defence systems, radars, and warning sirens were activated, while U.S. military aircraft conducted aerial patrols over both Kharab al-Jir and Qasrak bases in anticipation of further threats.

The incident marks a serious escalation in the already tense regional atmosphere, as Iran-Israel hostilities continue to spill into Syrian territory.

Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh told the official Syrian news agency SANA: "In light of the military escalation in the region, we call on citizens not to gather or climb onto rooftops to monitor developments, for their own safety."

Earlier Friday, according to the Observatory, a child was reportedly injured in the village of Al-Rafid in Quneitra province, after shrapnel from Iranian missile fragments landed in the area.

The explosion occurred amid growing fears of conflict along Syrias southern border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Beirut (dpa) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that the Israeli attacks on Iran targeted not only the people but also all international efforts to maintain stability in the region.

His remarks followed Israeli airstrikes on multiple sites in Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, in a major escalation of regional tensions.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the strikes.

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I strongly condemn the dangerous Israeli aggression against Iran," he said, writing on X.

"It constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and Iranian sovereignty, and its repercussions threaten the stability of the entire region, and even world peace.
NEW YORK, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of marching soldiers, dozens of helicopters flying overhead, and hundreds of military vehicles, including at least 28 tanks will all parade through the heart of Washington, D.C. for a celebration honoring the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army on Saturday, also President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

"It is expected to be the largest military parade in the nation's capital since the end of the first Gulf War in 1991 and will be part of a day-long extravaganza on the National Mall that will include musical performances, parachutists and fireworks," reported The Washington Post on Friday. There also will be street closures, heightened security and protests.

According to the Pentagon, about 150 ground vehicles, 6,600 soldiers and 50 aircraft will appear in the parade, grouped to represent each major era of the Army's history.

The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue NW, beginning at 23rd Street near the Lincoln Memorial and finishing about a mile down the road, at 15th Street near the Washington Monument. The parade involves thousands of soldiers in historic and modern uniforms, dozens of Army vehicles including Abrams tanks, a flyover and a parachute jump, according to the report.

However, also on Saturday, more than 1,600 rallies are planned across all 50 U.S. states as part of the No Kings movement organized by a coalition of organizations calling for a "nationwide day of defiance." There are No Kings events in Virginia and Maryland, but not in D.C. 
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  North Carolina lawmakers passed Senate Bill 50 (also known as Freedom to Carry NC), which would remove the requirement for concealed carry permits in the state, sending it to Governor Josh Stein for his approval. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes discusses the bill and what it would mean for North Carolina if passed.

READ MORE | Gov. Stein considers immigration, concealed carry bills

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Anyone protesting in Florida may want to keep an eye on traffic.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Floridians have the right to hit protesters with their car if they felt threatened, and state and local officials said "rioting" could bring jail time, or even death.

The governor's comments came ahead of "No Kings" protests planned in nearly 80 cities in Florida on June 14, part of almost 2,000 to be held across the country for Americans objecting to President Donald Trump's policies and the escalating immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protests are scheduled to counter Trump's planned massive military parade in Washington, D.C.

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"We also have a policy that if youre driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety," DeSantis said on The Rubin Report on June 11, "and so if you drive off, and you hit one of these people, thats their fault for impinging on you.

"You dont have to sit there and just be a sitting duck and let the mob grab you out of your car and drag you through the streets. You have a right to defend yourself in Florida," he said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says that Floridians are ALLOWED to drive over protesters in the street, if they feel like their life is in danger..



LOVE this!  pic.twitter.com/xUDVMfM5g4  American AF  (@iAnonPatriot) June 12, 2025

In a Fox News interview, DeSantis said local police, county sheriffs, Highway Patrol and even the National Guard will be ready to stop any violence or unrest at the statewide protests.

Its a bad decision to try to pull that nonsense in Florida, DeSantis said.

Brevard sheriff warns protesters: Florida is 'anti-riot' state

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was even more direct.

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"If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead," he said at a press conference with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and other lawmakers.

If you plan to attend or participate in a protest in Florida, here's what you should know.

Is it legal to hit a protester with your car in Florida?

Florida law does not specifically say people can drive into crowds.

But it does provide civil (not criminal) immunity by allowing anyone charged with causing property damage, personal injury or even death to plead self-defense because their actions "arose from" someone "acting in furtherance of a riot."

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Self-defense is what James Alex Fields Jr. claimed when he was found guilty of murder in 2017 for driving into a protest, hitting and killing civil rights activist Heather Heyer while she was counterprotesting the white nationalist Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville.

Between May and October 2020, there were over 100 incidents of drivers driving into crowds of protesters, and at least eight of them were in Florida, Vice.com reported. In May 2020, a Georgia man drove his pickup into a crowd of marchers protesting the death of George Floyd. No criminal charges were filed.

Protestors in Tallahassee being ran over by cars. Its really no words to even express how ridiculous this is. We need change and action immediately. #tallahassee #justice #protests @LeratoMannya pic.twitter.com/dlhiPt5H9Q  Chrisdaniels1887 (@DrChrisDaniels) May 30, 2020

DeSantis signed a sweeping "anti-riot" bill in 2021 in the wake of the George Floyd protests to increase punishments for people who violently riot, loot and destroy properties and add several new crimes including "mob intimidation" and "aggravated rioting," calling it the "strongest anti-rioting, most pro-law enforcement piece of legislation in the country."

HB 1 was blocked in the courts for being potentially unconstitutional, chilling against free speech, and overly vague about what defines a "riot."

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The Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the new law in 2024, clarifying peaceful protesters should not be arrested if involved in a protest where violence occurs, and an appeals court allowed the state to enforce it.

What are Florida laws regarding protests?

Protesters are not permitted to willfully obstruct the "free, convenient, and normal use" of any public street, highway, or road.

Gatherings of three or more people to commit a break of the peace or commit unlawful acts are considered unlawful assemblies , a second-degree misdemeanor.

Knowingly protesting within 500 feet of a residence, cemetery, funeral home, house of worship, or other location when a funeral or burial has just occurred, will occur soon, or is occurring is a first-degree midemeanor.

A riot is defined as a violent public disturbance involving three or more people acting to assist each other in violent and disorderly conduct. It is a third-degree felony.

Aggravated rioting , a second-degree felony, is a riot consisting of 25 or more people where great bodily harm or property damage is caused, someone displays or uses a deadly weapon, or blocks safe movement of a vehicle by force or threat of force.

Inciting a riot is a third-degree felony. Aggravated inciting a riot , a second-degree felony, occurs if the suspect incites a riot resulting in great bodily harm to a non-participant, property damage in excess of $5,000, or supplies a deadly weapon to another person or teaches them how to prepare one for use in a riot.

Committing assault in furtherance of a riot is a first-degree misdemeanor; an aggravated assault is a third-degree felony. Burglary during a riot is a first-degree felony.

Any group of three or more who act with common intent to use force or threaten to in order to compel someone else into changing a personal viewpoint against their will commits " mob intimidation ," a first-degree misdemeanor.

Battery against a law enforcement officer in a riot means a minimum term of six months in jail.

Defacing or damaging a memorial or historical property worth more than $200 is a third-degree felony. Destroying one is a second-degree felony.

Defendants who cause personal injury, wrongful death or property damage to protesters in a riot may claim self-defense.

The law "does not prohibit constitutionally protected activity, such as a peaceful protest," according to Florida statutes.

I'm going to a protest. How can I protect myself?

First and foremost, the "No Kings" website tells participants not to bring any weapons, act in accordance with local laws, and de-escalate any potential confrontation with law enforcement or anti-protesters.

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Public protests are protected in the United States by the First Amendment and are legal in public areas providing you are not blocking car or pedestrian traffic or blocking access to government buildings.

That said, law enforcement may interpret your intentions differently and some may act with force.

The Human Rights Campaign advises protesters to scope out the area of the protest ahead of time and identify multiple routes out of the area. An offline-accessible map can help. During the protest, remain aware of your surroundings and what's happening around you.

What should I bring to a protest?

Protest signs and sunscreen are just the beginning. Experts at Physicians for Human Rights suggest bringing the following:

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Backpack or string bag: You won't want anything bulky and you'll want your hands free.

Face mask or bandanna, hat and sunglasses: Useful for helping to shield your eyes from pepper spray or tear gas, can also protect you from identification by law enforcement or online doxxing if that's a concern.

Water: Stay hydrated. Bring as big a bottle as you can, with a squirt top in case you need to quickly wash off your skin or eyes.

Glasses: Avoid wearing contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals. If you must wear contacts, wear shatter-resistant goggles with a tight seal. Avoid wearing makeup.

Comfortable clothes, closed shoes: Pick neutral colors without obvious slogans or easily identifiable markings. Consider bringing a spare change of clothes in case what you're wearing gets sprayed.

Identification, contact information: Make sure you can identify yourself (and your citizen status). Write your emergency contact info on your skin. If you have a lawyer, write that number, too.

A few days of any vital medication: Ideally, they should be in a labeled prescription bottle.

Cash: In case you need bail.

Snacks: High energy, high protein munchies are preferred.

Many organizations advise protesters to leave their phones at home to protect their privacy as they can easily be tracked. If you must take your phone, keep it turned off until you need it and, before you go, disable Face ID or fingerprint security and stick with the 6-digit passcode instead. You may also consider buying a cheap secondary phone to use.

Where are the No Kings protests in Florida?

According to the No Kings website, more than 75 protests (including several in some cities) are planned across Florida as of June 10.

 Find an event near you

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Can't attend in person? See a live stream of 'No Kings Day of Defiance'

When protesting, know your rights

According to the ACLU of Florida, the First Amendment generally prohibits restrictions based on speech content; however, this does not mean that the Constitution completely protects all types of speech in every circumstance. Threatening someone with violence is not protected, and government official can place "reasonable" restrictions on the time, place and manner.

Your rights are strongest in "traditional public forms" such as streets, sidewalks and parks, but you can be asked to disperse if you are blocking car or pedestrian traffic. You may also protest at government buildings as long as you don't block access to them or interfere with the purpose of it.

Can I take photographs or video at a protest?

When you are lawfully present in a public space, you have the right to photograph or video anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police, the ACLU said.

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Law enforcement may not confiscate your photos or video without a warrant and may not demand you delete anything, but they can order you to stop if you're interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.

In Florida, that can be a wide definition. The "HALO" law  Honoring and Listening to Our Officers  went into effect in January.

Under the law, if a first responder such as law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel ask you to back off in the course of their duties, you must move 25 feet away or face a second-degree misdemeanor charge punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Fla Gov. DeSantis OKs running over No Kings protesters if threatened
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Authorities arrested a Roman Catholic priest at the capitals international airport on charges of raping of a minor over a period of years, officials said Thursday.

The Mexico state prosecutors office said that Rev. Antonio Cabrera, a member of the Legion of Christ religious order, was arrested Wednesday night on a court order for rape.

Authorities cited incidents in 2004, 2007 and 2011, but the investigation only began in December 2024, after the alleged attacks were reported. The abuse allegedly occurred in Naucalpan, a Mexico City suburb. The prosecutors office did not say why Cabrera was at the airport.

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The Legion of Christ religious order has been involved in sexual abuse scandals before, including those of its late founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, who was later determined to be a serial pedophile.

The Vatican in 2010 took over the Mexico-based Legion and imposed a process of reform after an investigation showed that Maciel had sexually abused seminarians and fathered at least three children with two women.

The Legion of Christ confirmed the arrest of one of its priests without naming him in statement Thursday. The order said it had not received information from authorities about the case, but were willing to cooperate with the investigation.

Cabrera was jailed pending an initial hearing.
South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden speaks during a press conference Feb. 6, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre with Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota lawmakers will not convene to make the call on a new prison site on July 22, according to Gov. Larry Rhodens office.

Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen wrote a letter to Rhoden this week asking that the special session the governor had hoped to call on that date be pushed back. Lawmakers would be asked to back plans for a new prison at that session.

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Venhuizen leads the Project Prison Reset group, called into being in February via a Rhoden executive order and charged with deciding if the state needs new prison facilities, how large and where those facilities should be.

Members voted during a Springfield meeting in late April to build a replacement for the South Dakota State Penitentiary, which is located in Sioux Falls.

Pierre played host to the groups most recent meeting last week, where the group narrowed down locations to Mitchell or Worthing and existing prison campuses in Springfield and Sioux Falls, and voted to cap the cost of such a prison at $600 million. Elected officials in Mitchell including the mayor and sheriff have since come out against locating the prison near their community.

This week, Venhuizen wrote that the group had made excellent progress, but that the two weeks between the next Project Prison Reset meeting and the intended special session arent enough.

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Even if the task force is able to adopt a specific proposal on July 8, we do not feel that two weeks provides adequate time for a final proposal to be completed with adequate detail, and for state legislators to learn about that proposal prior to the special session, Venhuizen wrote.

Rhoden, through spokeswoman Josie Harms, said the governor will accept the task forces request and consult with leadership on a rescheduled date.

Im eager to see what the task force can accomplish in their next meeting, Rhoden wrote.

The cost of the Rhoden administrations preferred solution to correctional overcrowding  a 1,500-bed, $825 million facility south of Harrisburg in Lincoln County  was among the primary concerns for the lawmakers who rejected the idea in February.

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A consultant hired on behalf of the task force to reevaluate the states needs concluded that the state needs more beds than that, 1,700, immediately, to ease current crowding.

A 1,700-bed prison wouldnt solve the states problems long-term, however, according to the consultants. By the mid-2030s, the state would need yet another 1,500-bed prison.

The task force ultimately rejected those conclusions, betting that $600 million would be enough to bulk up the system and replace the oldest parts of the Sioux Falls penitentiary complex.

Lawmakers had put back more than $600 million for prison construction before the 2025 legislative session, and the fund had swelled larger than that with interest by winter.

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Ongoing construction bills at the site of a new womens prison in Rapid City  an $87 million project that earned legislative approval  have since come out of that fund, DOC spokesman Michael Winder told Searchlight on Thursday.

The states also paid some of the bills associated with site prep at the now-rejected Lincoln County site out of that fund. Lawmakers had approved the spending of up to $60 million in prison design and site prep for a mens prison in 2024, and the state spent or obligated $52 million of that money for the Lincoln County plan before it came to a halt.

Subtracting the money spent since the last legislative sessions end and adding the $23 million earned in interest this year that will be deposited in August, Winder said, the funds available balance will sit at approximately $538 million by the end of summer.
The Maine State House in Augusta. (Jim Neuger/Maine Morning Star)

Thursday saw several major issues come to the floor, with the Maine Senate and House of Representatives taking up more than a dozen gun bills. Additionally, the Senate voted on two bills related to transgender rights, arguably the most contentious topic this session, while the chambers backed proposals to increase taxes on corporations and top earners.

With papers frantically shuffling between chambers this week ahead of the planned June 18 adjournment, Maine Morning Star will highlight the biggest items of debate as well as legislation and issues that weve followed all session.

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Heres an overview of what else happened Thursday.

Both chambers

After the House voted 76-71 on Thursday, both chambers have now backed a measure (LD 913) that would prohibit ticket sellers from banning the transfer of tickets to third parties.

The Senate on Thursday followed the House in backing LD 172, which would require the Maine State Police to create a statewide list of missing persons and study improvements for investigating those cases, but then moved to table the measure. (Read more about this issue here).

With the Senate voting 19-16, the majority of both chambers support a proposal (LD 648) to expand the states supervised community confinement program for incarcerated people who committed offenses before they were 26 years old.

Nonconcurrent matters

The Senate on Thursday insisted on its support of a proposal (LD 1200), rejected by the House Wednesday, that would prohibit the sale of items intended to be used to inhale nitrous oxide for recreational use.

Senate action

Voting without a roll call, the Senate passed legislation (LD 1955) that establishes several new programs to help support and incentivize people to become early childhood educators and providers. It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for the long-term sustainability of the Maine Child Care Affordability Program. Introducing her bill, Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland) said it is about supporting the workforce behind our workforce.

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The Senate voted 20-15 on legislation that would establish a moratorium on the sale of mobile home parks. During debate, Sen. Chip Curry (D-Waldo) explained the pause would allow some of the other bills that passed protecting mobile home owners to take effect.

An emergency bill (LD 1986) from the governor to fund collective bargaining agreements for judicial branch employees passed the Senate, with members agreeing to skip the committee process to advance the legislation.

The Senate voted without a roll call to back a plan (LD 1669) to establish the Cannabis Advisory Council, to make recommendations to the head of the state Office of Cannabis Policy, as well the Legislature, on matters related to the industry and policy.

House action

Legislation (LD 1164 ) that would give the Wabanaki Nations exclusive rights to operate internet gaming in Maine passed the House 85-59. During debate, Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Aaron Dana said the bill offers hope and opportunity not just for tribal communities but for rural Maine. He added that its ultimately about long-overdue economic inclusion. (Read more about this issue here).

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Death penalty in keeping with principles of the Bible (Reading Eagle, June 4), which asserts that the Hebrew Bible generally supports capital punishment, brings to mind comedian Lewis Blacks advice that if you want to understand what the Hebrew Bible means, ask a Jewish person.

The letter is based on an understanding of the Hebrew Bible that is, forgive the pun, dead wrong. The Hebrew Bible is understood not simply by reading the text itself but through studying the Talmud, an explication of the biblical text by ancient rabbis and sages.

Wrestling with the text reveals its true meaning. The letter says Exodus 21:14 demands the death penalty for premeditated murder, but how is premeditation proven? To convict someone of premeditated murder under Jewish law, the court required two witnesses, according to Numbers 35:30. The Christian Bible accepts this principle in John 8:17.

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In Jewish law, two witnesses must testify that they warned the assailant he could be sentenced to death if he commits murder. The witnesses had to testify they heard the assailant assent in case the assailant was deaf.

Premeditation under biblical law was extremely difficult to prove. Many other legal requirements were imposed. Historians doubt anyone was ever convicted of premeditated murder under Jewish law.

Marshall Dayan

Pittsburgh
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  An unusual request from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights about Cuban medical brigades that operate worldwide and provide much needed help has roiled countries in the Caribbean and the Americas.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the commission asks members of the Organization of American States, OAS, for details including whether they have an agreement with Cuba for medical missions, whether those workers have labor and union rights and information about any labor complaints.

This was an unprecedented move, said Francesca Emanuele, senior international policy associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington. Its deeply troubling.

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Cuba has more than 22,000 doctors working in more than 50 countries, including in the Caribbean and the Americas, according to its government. A breakdown for the region was not available, but many impoverished nations in the Caribbean rely heavily on those medical professionals.

The commission, an independent body of the OAS, which is heavily funded by the U.S., said it plans to analyze the data collected as well as offer recommendations given the persistence of reports of rights violations.

A spokesperson for the commission declined comment, saying the letter is private.

The letter was sent after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions in late February for Cuban or foreign government officials accused of involvement in Cubas medical missions, which he called forced labor.

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The timing is really suspicious, Emanuele said, noting that the information requested falls squarely within the member states sovereign decision-making. The role of this organization should not be distorted.

In June, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump slapped several unidentified officials from Central America with visa restrictions.

A deadline looms

Silence has prevailed since the human rights commission issued its May 24 letter giving OAS member states 30 days to respond.

Im awaiting a regional approach, said Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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He said in a phone interview that he would raise the issue next week during a meeting of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States as chairman.

There are no human rights issues involved here, he said, noting that St. Vincent is party to several international and labor conventions. They have not been breached and will not be breached.

Gonsalves said Cuban doctors run the sole hemodialysis center in St. Vincent that provides free care to 64 patients at a rate of $5 million a year.

Without the Cubans, that dialysis center will close, he said.

When asked if he worried about potential visa restrictions, Gonsalves said he met earlier this year with Rubio and provided a lengthy letter that he declined to share detailing the work of Cuban medical professionals in St. Vincent.

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We didnt scrimp on any of the details, he said. I didnt walk away from that meeting thinking that there was any possibility or threat of sanctions.

A divided region

Guyana 's foreign minister, Hugh Todd, told The Associated Press on Friday that the government plans to amend its payment and recruitment system involving Cuban medical professionals.

He said their main concern "is to make sure we are compliant with international labor laws. Todd did not say whether the planned amendments are related to concerns over U.S. visa restrictions.

Late Thursday, Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the government wants to ensure that "the conditions of work here dont run afoul of the requirements set by the United States of America.

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Guyana depends heavily on the U.S. for support, especially given an ongoing and bitter border dispute with neighboring Venezuela.

Some Caribbean leaders have said they would risk losing a U.S. visa, noting that Cuban medical professionals provide much needed help in the region.

If we cannot reach a sensible agreement on this matter...if the cost of it is the loss of my visa to the U.S., then so be it, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley told Parliament in March as legislators pounded a table in support.

No Cuban medical workers are currently in Barbados.

Echoing Mottleys sentiment was Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley.

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I just came back from California, and if I never go back there again in my life, I will ensure that the sovereignty of Trinidad and Tobago is known to its people and respected by all, he said in March.

In April, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel criticized what he described as a campaign against the Caribbean country.

There is no doubt that that desperate campaign to block Cuban cooperation has two clear objectives: to close off any avenue of income for the country, even in an activity as noble and necessary to other nations as healthcare services, he said.

The other reason is political and ideological: they want to sweep Cuba away as an example. And they resort to methods as immoral as threatening any foreign official involved in that activity, he added.

Rubio has defended visa restrictions, saying they promote accountability.

___

Associated Press reporters Bert Wilkinson in Georgetown, Guyana, and Andrea Rodriguez in Havana contributed.
To the editor: When is enough enough? I am in tears as a senator from my state is manhandled to the ground for asking questions ( California Sen. Alex Padilla forcibly removed, handcuffed during Kristi Noem press conference, June 12). How could Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems "security" assault our senator for exercising his constitutional rights? Whether Sen. Alex Padilla was a government representative or not, this is all a part of our rights as citizens, as granted by the 1st Amendment.

On top of all the affronts by President Trump's disregard of our laws, this is over the edge to dictatorship. All senators and representatives must stand up to this outrageous disregard of our laws. The Posse Comitatus Act is not a suggestion, nor is the Constitution. It is well past time for Republicans to stand up for our country. Do they really care to go down in history as seditious cowards?

I am a 78-year-old Los Angeles native and have never been so angry at the behavior of government officials in my life. I've seen President Nixon lie and the Iran-Contra mess under President Reagan, in addition to many other incidents where officials broke the law. This is much worse. Our rights are on the line. If my mobility were not impaired, I would be protesting with my fellow Angelenos. Stand up for us!

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Leslie Forester Tillmann, Palm Desert

..

To the editor: Noem can shoot defenseless animals, but is unable to answer questions from a United States senator. Is she really capable of ensuring our nations domestic security? It doesnt look like it.

Mary Griswold Gordon, Rancho Palos Verdes

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: The goal of overcharging defendants is to foment fear and anxiety into the protesters lives and discourage demonstrations ( Federal prosecutors coming after L.A. protesters. Do some charges encroach on 1st Amendment?, June 11).

It doesn't matter if the case against the protester is won or lost in the federal courts. The intent is to disrupt and discourage other protesters, who have to watch them get cuffed, arrested and overcharged.

Dan Mariscal, Montebello

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..

To the editor: Social distortion continues where, in Los Angeles, businesses are being looted and defaced, vehicles are being set on fire, freeways are being shut down and American flags are being burned (the Mexican flag appears to be immune). Police are being pelted with projectiles. Theres been one criminal complaint that charges a Molotov cocktail was thrown at Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies.

A photo of fleeing protesters accompanied this article instead of injured police officers or business owners who will have to rebuild both their business and their lives because of the mob operating under the guise of a peaceful demonstration.

Richard Austen, Westchester

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla (WMBB)  Sheriff Dusty Arnold and his team are hosting the Annual Junior Deputy Day Camp this summer.

On June 26, kids can get a first-hand look at the role of law enforcement in the community in a fun and engaging way.

The event will be hosted at the W.R. Tolar K-8 school in partnership with the 21st Century Program.

Agencies from across the Panhandle will be taking part in the fun.

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Bay County Courthouse to open new South Wing

We invited all the kids to spend a day with law enforcement from all over North Florida. We got the Tallahassee Police Department coming over, and theyre going to bring their SWAT team, their Bearcat, and show all their different equipment, FWC. Last year, we had the United States Air Force out of Panama City come up here, and its just a cool time and a great time to spend with kids, Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said.

Children enrolled in the 21st Century Program can sign up directly through their school.

If your child is not in the 21st Century Program, click here for more information.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
NICE, France, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The third United Nations Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, unveiled a new action plan at its conclusion on Friday in Nice, reaffirming global political commitment to ocean protection.

The Nice Ocean Action Plan, named after the southeastern French city Nice, includes a political declaration titled "Our Ocean, Our Future: United for Urgent Action," and a series of voluntary commitments from states and relevant stakeholders.

The declaration outlines concrete goals to expand marine protected areas, decarbonize maritime transport, combat marine pollution, and mobilize financing for vulnerable coastal and island nations.

A central topic at the conference was the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), adopted in 2023. Nineteen additional countries ratified the agreement during the event, bringing it closer to entering into force, which requires 10 more ratifications.

Held from June 9 to 13, the conference brought together heads of state, policymakers, academics, as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations and the private sector to advance dialogue on ocean governance and sustainable development. The next conference will be co-hosted by South Korea and Chile in 2028. 
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  A facility thats built for the future: the Liberty County Sheriffs Office and Jail Complex is just months away from completion.

For years, the sheriffs office has worked out of makeshift offices while running a jail built in 1942.

Its the oldest operational jail in the state of Florida right now. So, the design of it, while it was functional back then, is not functional now, Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said.

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Sheriff Dusty Arnold and his deputies are set to move into the new facility, which will streamline operations all under one roof.

The $23,000,000 project is fully funded by state appropriations.

Liberty County Sheriffs Office to host Junior Deputy Day Camp

With the 128-bed jail, Sheriff Arnold says the complex is built to accommodate any future growth Liberty County may experience.

For the first time, the jail features a control tower, an intake room, and a sallyport.

The old jail that was built in 1942 does not have a sallyport, doesnt have a fence or anything. The deputy literally pulls up to the front door and lets the inmate out, and walks into the jail. This right here will have the sallyport, you pull in, the gate will shut behind if the inmate wants to do anything, try to run or anything like that, theyre in a closed facility and they cant when they get out of the patrol car, Arnold said.

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On the other side of the building, the new sheriffs office features a fitness facility, a break room, a media room, beds for employees if they need to stay overnight in a natural disaster, and more.

The training room is to invite other agencies to come up here and do different classes like radar and laser, interdiction courses, and different courses that our instructors can offer now. But were thinking towards the future. Hopefully, one day we can partner with either Chipola College or Pat Thomas [Law Enforcement Academy at Tallahassee State College] and make this a facility where you can actually train law enforcement and corrections in the future, Arnold added.

The jail and the dispatch center in the Sheriffs office are rated to withstand a Category 5 Hurricane. The remainder of the sheriffs office is rated to withstand a Category 3 hurricane.

Contractor Culpepper Construction is more than three months ahead of schedule.

Its set to be complete on September 17th.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Liberty Township man is in the Trumbull County Jail, facing rape charges.

Read next: Boy at park reports unknown man solicited him for lewd acts

Isaiah Short, 21, was booked into the jail Thursday, at which time a secret indictment in his case was unsealed.

A Trumbull County grand jury returned the indictment against Short on June 5 on two counts of rape, first-degree felonies; and two counts of gross sexual imposition, fourth-degree felonies.

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Short was named as a suspect in a report filed Friday, Dec. 6, with the Girard Police Department.

According to the report, a 16-year-old student reported that Short raped her a week prior. She said she woke up to him on top of her, and she screamed for help and told him to stop, but he continued to sexually assault her, the report stated.

Short is scheduled to appear in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas for his arraignment on Tuesday.

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.
[The plot of The Life of Chuck will be discussed below; read on at your own risk.]

THE LIFE OF CHUCK IS SIMULTANEOUSLY EFFECTIVEit jerks those tearsand almost terrifyingly ineffective, a movie that feints at a sort of transcendent human depth but has a nullity at its center that undercuts the entire premise upon closer examination.

To understand why, youll need to know the broad strokes of the plot, including the first act twist; I think everything discussed here will be painfully obvious to any viewer about ten minutes into the movie, but still, caveat emptor. We open on Act Three: Thanks, Chuck, witnesses to a world on the precipice of collapse. Marty Andersons (Chiwetel Ejiofor) America is much like ours, if ours had everything go wrong at once. California has collapsed into the ocean; wildfires rage through the Midwest; the rest of the world is starving; and, worst of all, as the film begins the internet has collapsed. The one constant? Advertisementson billboards, radio stations, and network-TV test patternsthanking Chuck Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) for 39 great years.

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Retirement ads? At a time like this? Why, he looks like hes 39 himself, not a 39-year veteran of the bankor maybe accountancy or life insurance firm; no one actually seems to know the guywhere he works. Why are these ads everywhere? And is that a tear in his eye? Hm, something feels strange about this. Its almost as if, yes, obviously, Chuck is dying, and this is all in his mind. Indeed, he dies, and we travel backwards through time from there: The second act focuses on a near-miraculous day in the life of Chuck, in which he, a distraught passerby, and a drumming busker engage in a crowd-pleasing dancing exhibition; the first on his childhood with his doting grandparents in their darling Victorian home, one with a terrifying mystery in the attic cupola.

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As I said, The Life of Chuck is effective in that it acknowledges early death is intrinsically unfair, and writer-director Mike Flanagan, adapting a Stephen King short story, understands how to milk this for all its worth. We see Chuck full of life, dancing up a storm on a random street corner, the audience cheering along. Its a great set piece: well-staged, perfectly edited. Im a sucker for a good drum solo, and while Im not one for dancing, I still appreciate seeing rhythm on the screen. We also see Chuck near death, his child and his wife weeping over him, damning the unfairness of it all. We see Chuck as a child, full of hope for the future. We know how that turns out. Mistiness, achieved.

However, rather than serving as a life-affirming masterpiece, as the advertising for The Life of Chuck has promised, the whole charade feels weirdly empty, bereft of greater meaning. And thats because the universe that Chuck has created in his mindthe one where we meet Marty and his ex-wife, who reconcile at their endhas no resonance through the rest of the film, no real connection to his life or what he accomplished or who he loved. A hippy-dippy teacher in Chucks elementary school informs him that Walt Whitmans I am large, I contain multitudes refers not to the inherent contradictions of lifethe different roles we play, the hypocrisies we reconcile internallybut to an actual universe created by the randomly firing neurons in our brain, an entire cosmos of imagined existences that blink out of existence when we breathe our last. The invocation of Whitmanand, later, Carl Sagans famous cosmic calendar, the one that informs us all of human existence takes place a few ticks before midnight in a universe condensed to a yearsuggests an effort to create a sort of secular cosmology, a sense of a universe greater than the self.

But the effect is precisely the opposite. Itd be one thing if Chucks life of the mind represented important moments and people in his actual life, if we learned that the characters we were following were key figures in Chucks own world, if we discovered that he helped them find something deeper, something more meaningful, if he saved their lives or redirected the stream of their existence. But we . . . dont. Theyre just kind of random, stray thoughts. A couple of teachers, a funeral director, a little girl he saw skating on a promenade one time. And when he dies, they disappear into nothingness.

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This simply does not work as a metaphor for a life well lived or a person who matters to the community; it is fundamentally solipsistic, an expression of a nearly unimaginable form of self-centeredness, almost a hope that the world ends when we die, that people cannot go on without us.

So yes, The Life of Chuck works, kinda, if what we mean by work is itll make you tear up. But its a work of nearly distressing emptiness.

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Milwaukee County unveiled its new $32 million Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center in the near north side's King Park neighborhood June 13, creating a hub for essential services and upgrading access for residents across the county.

Hundreds of members of Milwaukee's political elite, family members of the building's namesake and residents gathered to visit the new site at 1230 W. Cherry St.

The center is now home to the Department of Health and Human Services and provides behavioral health programming; housing and energy assistance resources; child, family and veteran services; an on-site food pantry; and wraparound services for youth with complex needs. The center is already open for walk-ins, referrals, and scheduled appointments.

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It's more than a building. It's a lifeline, Shakita LaGrant-McClain, the county's health and human services executive director, told the crowd.

The 60,000-square-foot building, which is the first new county construction in or near Milwaukee's downtown since the Criminal Justice Facility in 1992, is a stone's throw from the county's Mental Health Emergency Center.

It figures as another step toward the county's overarching commitment to ensure a "No Wrong Door" policy when it comes to residents accessing behavioral health services, regardless of age, gender, race or socioeconomic status. After receiving county approval in 2022, the project was funded by $32 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

"This building represents the upstream investment in race and health equity for our entire community," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. "We will become the healthiest county in Wisconsin."

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The building is named after Marcia P. Coggs, a trailblazing advocate for human needs who was the first African American woman elected to the Wisconsin state Assembly and the first Black person to sit on the state Legislatures Joint Finance Committee.

County Board Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones, the granddaughter of Marcia P. Coggs, speaks during the grand opening celebration of the Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center in the King Park neighborhood on West Cherry Street in Milwaukee on June 13, 2025. The $32 million relocation and redevelopment project will house the countys Department of Health & Human Services and provide a new home for the community food center, NourishMKE.

"(The center) embodies her belief that public service is not paperwork, it's personal, and because of her vision, every child with an empty stomach, every parent in crisis and every senior in need will be filled with compassion and resources that they deserve right here said Milwaukee County Supervisor Priscilla Coggs-Jones, the granddaughter of Marcia P. Coggs.

In late 2022, the sudden closure of the original Coggs location at 6055 N. 64th St. by Karen Timberlake, then the secretary-designee of the state Department of Health Services, followed a monthslong tussle at the county to demolish and rebuild the center or relocate out of concerns for accessibility as well as lead and asbestos issues.

The former building was known to many as the place to access services related to FoodShare, Medicaid and GoPass.

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The original building, which was a former department store built in the 1920s, was later tapped to be developed into 65 affordable apartments.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County unveils Marcia P. Coggs Health & Human Services Center
The rise of AI has sparked fears that it will cause jobs to disappear.

But Reid Hoffman says young people should embrace AI in their job hunt.

The LinkedIn cofounder said AI knowledge would make them "enormously attractive" to employers.

Reid Hoffman, the venture capitalist who cofounded LinkedIn, says young people should use their familiarity with AI as a selling point when seeking work.

"You are generation AI. You are AI native. So bringing the fact that you have AI in your tool set is one of the things that makes you enormously attractive," Hoffman said in a video he published on his YouTube channel on Thursday.

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Hoffman was addressing questions sent in by college students on how they should best navigate the job hunt. Several students had asked Hoffman about AI's impact on their employment prospects.

Hoffman said in his video that AI's impact on jobs was a "legitimate worry," but he added that students could try to use it to their advantage.

"Look, on this side, it's transforming the workspace, entry-level work, employers' confusion," he said. "But on this side, it's making you able to show your unique capabilities. That, you know, in an environment with a bunch of older people, you might be able to help them out."

A representative for Hoffman did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The rise of AI has sparked fears that companies could end up hiring fewer people in the years to come. Last month, the CEO of Anthropic, Dario Amodei, said in an interview with Axios that AI might wipe out half of all entry-level office jobs.

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In the interview, Amodei also said unemployment could reach 20% within five years.

"Most of them are unaware that this is about to happen," he said. "It sounds crazy, and people just don't believe it."

Not all business leaders agree with Amodei's dire prediction.

Jensen Huang, the CEO of the chip giant Nvidia, told reporters on the sidelines of VivaTech 2025 in Paris this week that Amodei was wrong.

"I pretty much disagree with almost everything he says," Huang said. "He thinks AI is so scary, but only they should do it."

Huang said that while some jobs would disappear, AI could also create new job opportunities.

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"Do I think AI will change jobs? It will change everyone's  it's changed mine," Huang said.

Mark Cuban had a similar response to Amodei's comments as Huang. The "Shark Tank" star wrote in a BlueSky post last month that AI would create, and not destroy, jobs.

"Someone needs to remind the CEO that at one point there were more than 2m secretaries. There were also separate employees to do in office dictation. They were the original white collar displacements," Cuban wrote.

"New companies with new jobs will come from AI and increase TOTAL employment," he added.

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Correction: June 13, 2025  An earlier version of this story misstated Dario Amodei's comments. Axios had paraphrased him as saying that the unemployment rate could reach 20% within five years, not that he expected it to rise by as much as 20% during that time.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Scenes from the old Napa-to-Platte rail line. (Courtesy of Friends of the Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail).

Seven landowners in Bon Homme and Charles Mix counties will receive a total of nearly $128,000 from the federal government after the U.S. Court of Federal Claims found their land was taken without compensation to make way for a proposed hiking and biking trail.

The ruling stems from a claim for compensation filed under the Fifth Amendments Takings Clause, which requires just compensation when private property is taken for public use, a process known as eminent domain. Attorneys from the St. Louis firm Lewis Rice represented the landowners.

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If the government takes 10 feet or 10 acres, you should be rightly compensated, said attorney Meghan Largent.

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At issue is a 24-mile stretch of former railroad corridor between Tyndall and Ravinia in southeast South Dakota. On Aug. 18, 2023, the federal Surface Transportation Board issued a notice allowing the removal of the tracks and conversion of the corridor into a public trail. The stretch is part of a larger proposed rail-to-trail project, converting a 75-mile portion of the old Napa-to-Platte rail line to a trail from Tabor to Platte.

A spokesperson with the transportation board declined to comment.

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Some sections of the rail-to-trail land are owned by the state. However, Largent said some sections within the 24-mile stretch are under easements, which are agreements allowing the crossing of someone elses land. She successfully argued that the purpose of the easement cant be changed without just compensation to the landowners.

She said the $128,000 will be paid out of a federal judgment fund, and efforts to create the trail will continue regardless of the lawsuits.

Robert Foley is with Friends of the Tabor to Platte Rail to Trail.

No, it doesnt really doesnt impact the project, he said.

Foley said the project is moving forward. He said the group is raising its final $5,000 of funding for a $250,000 feasibility study. He said the study should be completed by late fall.

Largent said her analysis shows another 120 landowners along the corridor qualify for compensation. They have until Aug. 18, 2029, to file a claim. The firm is already pursuing two more cases.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Spartanburg Countys interim sheriff held a press conference to share his plans for the agency and its future.

Stephens said this week that Andy Wright, Chuck Wrights son, announced his resignation from the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office. Stephens said he accepted his resignation.

Stephens announced that he will not be a candidate in the upcoming race, and that it was more important that he corrects things. He said that there is a lot to do at the moment, and that its more important to focus on the issues instead of campaigning.

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The role demands accountability, not politics, Stephens said in Fridays press conference.

While only 14 days into his new role, Stephens said that the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office is working to handle issues. He said one of the main goals is to restore the publics trust.

SLED will be reviewing the evidence room and handling procedures.

Stephens announced the cancelation of Rolling Thunder, saying that it tied up a lot of resources that could have been handled better.

Personnel assignments will be reviewed; making sure the right people are in the right positions.

The Spartanburg County Internal Auditors Division will be conducting a financial review of the sheriffs office current financial procedures and policies in place.

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The aviation program will also be inspected, as officials will conduct a cost analysis of the sheriffs offices two helicopters and drone program.

You can watch the full news conference live in the video player 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
No ruling on detention

Magistrate Judge Barbara D. Holmes will not rule whether the government can detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia before his trial on criminal charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia will stay in detention until Holmes rules, however.

Holmes noted that waiting to rule on a motion for a detention is unusual, but said "this is an unusual case."

She said she will make her decision "sooner rather than later."

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The decision came at the end of a six-hour detention hearing featuring testimony of a Homeland Security Investigations agent.

Abrego Garcia's brother won't testify after all, attorneys decide

It's been slow going since court returned to session Friday afternoon, just after 1:30 p.m.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia's attorneys decided that his brother, who'd previously been slated to testify after the recess, would not be called to testify after all.

As of shortly after 2:30 p.m., much of the hearing has been dedicated to testimony from Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Peter Joseph, who stepped off the stand at 2 p.m.

Court to return from lunch break at 1:30 p.m.; Abrego Garcia's wife exits and later returns

Friday's court proceedings had yet to draw to a close by the early afternoon.

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The court paused for lunch around 12:30 p.m. and is slated to return at 1:30 p.m. When they do, Kilmar Abrego Garcia's brother will take the stand and testify for the defense.

In the meantime, Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, made a brief exit. Vasquez Sura left the courthouse just before 1 p.m., flanked by escorts who covered her face. The group walked to a coffee shop across the street, then returned to the courthouse around 1:20 p.m.

Prosecutors call Homeland Security Investigations special agent; defense questions timeline

Kilmar Abrego Garcias voice burst through courtroom speakers.

Prosecutors played the bodycam footage from the November 2022 traffic stop in Cookeville now central to the criminal charges against the 29-year-old Maryland man. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Peter Joseph sat on the stand.

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In the footage, Abrego Garcia is heard telling the Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers who had stopped him that he  along with the nine others in the car with him  was coming back from St. Louis. License plate readers, however, show they were not in St. Louis in all of 2022.

A license plate reader in Spring, Texas, registered a hit on the vehicle Abrego Garcia was driving days before he was stopped.

Joseph, who on April 28 was assigned to investigate alleged human smuggling by Abrego Garcia, said he received a list of the people that were in Abrego Garcias car the night he was stopped.

He said Homeland Security is still investigating the case but has found that six of the nine people were found to be in the country illegally. Two of the people had been removed from the U.S. to Mexico in early November.

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Joseph said Abrego Garcia had also been previously stopped on I-81 in Virginia and given a citation by Virginia State Police. Reporters with the USA TODAY Network have since learned that, according to Virginia court records, that stop occurred in April 2015 when he was 19.

During the Virginia stop, Abrego Garcia was issued a $67 fine for a "high occupancy vehicle violation" and charged with a misdemeanor for driving without a license. The charge was later dismissed. In Virginia, that type of violation applies to vehicles that have less than two or three passengers, depending on the lane.

Abrego Garcia's attorney, Richard Tennent, had a chance to press Joseph during cross examination shortly before the court took its recess for lunch.

Tennent expressed concern about the timeline alleged by the prosecution, particularly regarding the length of the drives Abrego Garcia purportedly was taking and how he could have managed them while also transporting his family and other passengers.

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Earlier in the hearing, Abrego Garcia had pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges. He was indicted in the U.S District Court in Nashville on one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and one count of unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens.

More: Read the indictment against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, charged in Tennessee

Abrego Garcia enters plea as dozens protest outside

Abrego Garcia entered the courtroom about five minutes before 10 a.m., wearing a jumpsuit that appeared orange on a live video and audio broadcast feed from a different courtroom. He entered his plea at 10:12 a.m.

Meanwhile, a crowd of at least 100 people protested Abrego Garcia's prosecution outside the Nashville federal couthouse.

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara D. Holmes read the specifics of Abrego Garcia's charges and possible penalties against him at 10:10 a.m.

In addition to several attorneys for both the prosecution and defense, 44 people were allowed into the courtroom.

'It's a shame what they're doing,' protester says

As Kilmar Abrego Garcia was being arraigned inside the federal courthouse, Tiki Osorio wore his passion on his sleeve during a protest outside the building.

Osorio was brought to tears as he chanted for change. For protection.

Years ago, his family migrated from Mexico. The Arkansas native was accepted to an engineering school in Arkansas, but he denied it hoping that he can become a lawyer instead.

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"They're good people, very good people. I love them so much, it's a shame what they're doing," Osorio said.

Osorio is attending Motlow State Community College in hopes of making a better life.

Though his family is in Mexico, Osorio said he felt at home and supported as he chanted with other protesters June 13.

Courtroom opened to public about 20 minutes ahead of hearing

As of 9:36 a.m., the doors to the courtroom where Abrego Garcia is scheduled to appear have been opened to the public. A group of young people, likely judges' clerks, filed in eight minutes before.

From the hallway, three men on the rooftop of the courthouse can be seen operating a wired drone.

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Outside of the courthouse, a growing group of at least 80 protestors has gathered at the corner of Church Street and 7th Avenue in support of Abrego Garcia.

Wife shares message from Abrego Garcia: 'Have faith'

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, read a message from her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to the reporters and community members who'd gathered ahead of his trial on June 13.

"To all the families still fighting to be reunited after a family separation, or if you too are in detention, Kilmar wants you to have faith," Vasquez Sura said. "He said these dark times are where we're facing all of the tribulations God has put in our path. But keep praying and keep fighting that the light will always come soon for all of us, and you too will be able to see your family again."

Vasquez Sura said she and her husband should never have been in this situation, but together with their children instead.

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"Me and Kilmar's mind is in Tennessee, but my heart is in Maryland with my kids," Vasquez Sura said.

Abrego Garcia's family arrives in courtroom

Members of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's family  including his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, who'd just spoken at a news conference nearby  arrived in the courtroom around 9:06 a.m. They were accompanied by a legal observer and representatives with Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Numerous local clergy members also followed the family.

Abrego Garcia's wife: 'My son is alone' graduating kindergarten in Maryland, while she fights for husband's release

U.S. Marshals opened the courthouse doors at about 8:20 a.m., just under two hours until Abrego Garcias arraignment is scheduled to begin.

Officials corralled 20 people in at a time, bringing in a large group of reporters in the first group, all of whom had to register in the clerks office.

Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, arrived outside the courtroom at 8:38 a.m., at which point the courtroom was still closed.

About 15 people could be seen protesting on the street corner outside the courthouse at that time.

Meanwhile, chants rang out at the press conference a couple blocks away: "We are all Kilmar, we are all Kilmar" as the drum beat to speakers including Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, who said their son, Kilmar Jr., was graduating from kindergarten in Maryland as she spoke.

"My son is alone on his big day," Vasquez Sura said. "And I'm here fighting for my husband, for his dad, to come back home."

Lydia Walther Rodriguez, with Court Appointed Special Advocates, told the crowd that Abrego Garcia is not just a "name in a court case" but a Maryland father whose family is fighting for his liberty.

Lisa Sherman Luna, the executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said state officials are hoarding power for themselves. She also decried a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation, which focused on largely immigrant neighborhoods in South Nashville and ultimately led to nearly 200 arrests.

"In early May, ICE, with support from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, conducted a dragnet operation in the heart of Nashville's most diverse community, stopping people from minor traffic infractions and turning them over to ICE simply for driving while Brown," she said.

And Metro Nashville Council Member Terry Vo said "we will not back down" as Black and Brown communities are "under attack."

"We've stood up, we've spoken out and we are demanding justice," Vo said.

Media, public await immigrant advocates' news conference

More than 50 people gathered, including several media outlets and members of the public, outside First Lutheran Church at 113 Eighth Ave. South for a news conference in support of Kilmar Abrego Garcia featuring representatives with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.

Outlining the speakers adorned on the church entrance is "Te Deum Laudamas," which means "We praise you, God."

Signs in the swelling crowd read "Due process for all" and "Stop separating families."

One woman carried an American flag with the stars replaced with corporate logos and another sign read "My birthday wish is justice for all."

Reporters and community members wait for a news conference to begin outside First Lutheran Church, 113 Eighth Ave. South, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

'We are all children of immigrants,' says first Nashvillian in line to enter federal courthouse

Michele Flynn stood feet from the federal courthouse doors with a sign reading, Free Garcia from the land of white supremacy.

By 7:45 a.m., a line of about 15 had formed behind Flynn, the first person in the line waiting for the courthouse to open. But she was not going to stay  she is holding a place in the courthouse for Abrego Garcias family.

Flynn, who said she frequently goes to the state capitol to protest anti-immigrant bills, said she sees Abrego Garcias prosecution as another example of attacks on immigrants.

We are all children of immigrants, Flynn said.

She said she wants to see state and national politicians stay away from Nashville.

We may be a blue dot in a in a red state, but we are speaking from a moral center about what is right, Flynn said.

Protest march canceled due to ICE concerns

Luis Mata, the government relations manager for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said a march for justice for Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been canceled.

Mata said the planned march was canceled out of an abundance of caution with the anticipated presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The march would have followed a news conference featuring TIRRC, fellow immigrant advocacy organization CASA and Metro Nashville Council Member Terry Vo, plus other guests, at 8 a.m.

When announcing the march, the organizations said it was intended "to defend due process, protect vulnerable communities and expose the dangerous authoritarianism driving these abuses."

Media arrives ahead of 10 a.m. hearing

Just under three hours from Kilmar Abrego Garcias federal court appearance in Nashville, news media has already gathered as a light rain falls overhead.

Across the street from the courthouse, one apartments windows feature signs displaying Abrego Garcias face with messages saying: Immigrants are welcome here, and Due process for all people.

What crime is Kilmar Abrego Garcia charged with?

This case is separate from the civil case over Abrego Garcias deportation.

Prosecutors say between 2016 and 2025, Abrego Garcia was part of a conspiracy to illegally transport undocumented migrants from various countries in Central and South America into and within the U.S. They say Abrego Garcias role was generally to pick up immigrants in the Houston area and drive them to other locations in the U.S.

The charges were filed in the Middle District of Tennessee because he was stopped in Cookeville in 2022 driving a Chevrolet Suburban with nine men the indictment suggests were undocumented immigrants. The Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers who pulled him over allowed him to leave, giving him only a warning for driving on an expired license.

Protests scheduled for morning of hearing

An hour before the hearing, protesters are expected to march to the Fred D. Thompson Courthouse. The march will be held to defend due process, protect vulnerable communities, and expose the dangerous authoritarianism driving these abuses, a news release from the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, which organized the march, said.

More protesters are expected to show up directly at the courthouse.

A recent fire at the parking garage at the public library branch across from the courthouse will make parking more difficult than usual.

Abrego Garcia in U.S. Marshal custody

Abrego Garcia has been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals for the last week since his first court appearance, but it's not publicly known where. The Marshals said they do not release information on the location of pretrial detainees.

The Marshals will bring Abrego Garcia to the courthouse before the hearing begins.

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: Live updates: Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to federal human smuggling charges
Israel and Iran traded strikes for a second night, with Irans counterattack sending a barrage into Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said Friday.

The U.S. is assisting in Israels defense, an official confirmed.

The retaliatory strikes come hours after the Israeli military took out Tehrans top military leaders and targeted key nuclear facilities in a surprise strike Thursday.

President Trump chided Tehran for not making a nuclear deal through several rounds of talks, but he held out hope it still could do so. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance! Trump wrote Friday morning on Truth Social.

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Iran said Friday it was pulling out of talks, with the next round originally set for Sunday. Those weeks of talks, however, appear to have given cover to Israel to prepare its attack.

At home, Washington is in the final stages of preparation for its massive parade marking the Armys 250th birthday Saturday, which is also Trumps 79th birthday. Nationwide protests in cities beyond D.C. are expected, part of the No Kings movement.

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State and local government have an upcoming deadline on live-streaming meetings. (Getty Images)

Five years after seemingly everything went online during a pandemic, governments are still wrestling with how to make public meetings more accessible. And a July 1 deadline looms around the corner.

Livestreaming is an important way to keep Hoosiers informed about decisions being made at all levels of government. And many city council meetings and state events have long been online.

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But with new technology also comes new concerns.

Take the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, for instance. It had been regularly livestreaming meetings of various professional groups  from doctors and surveyors to nurses and plumbers. Some of the boards even allowed Hoosiers who needed to appear before them do so remotely. That saved upwards of five hours of travel a day for some residents.

But then so-called Zoom bombings, which also came over WebEx, started to occur more regularly. We wrote about it in March.

Porn, hate content

The isolated incidents occurred during various professional licensing board, commission and committee meetings beginning in October 2024. Pornographic content was displayed during three incidents and KKK imagery was displayed during one.

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At the time, state officials said the incidents could be prevented and sent out reminders to all board, committee, and commission directors and assistant directors to enable the appropriate security settings when starting meetings.

But four months later and there are still no livestreams or remote attendance for the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. That led to one member of the Indiana Pharmacy Board to express frustration at a recent meeting.

As the consumer advocate on our board, I believe we are doing the public a disservice by not resolving this issue swiftly, Kate Snedeker said. Requiring in-person attendance  especially for working families, caregivers, or out-of-state stakeholders  creates unnecessary barriers to civic participation and transparency. We should be making it easier, not harder, for people to engage with the decisions that directly affect their lives and businesses.

She said other states have figured it out.

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Reinstating secure Zoom access isnt about convenience  its about equity and trust. When stakeholders have to take off work, arrange child care, or fly in from Texas for a 10-minute agenda item, we send the wrong message about accessibility and transparency and our willingness to serve the public.

Emily Cox, assistant director of communications for the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, confirmed that all PLA meetings were moved to being held in-person only because of the disruptions but promised that streaming will return by July 1 as required.

Deadline approaching

That brings me now to the July 1 deadline not only for the state, which theoretically should have more resources and expertise, but for local government.

A recent Indianapolis Business Journal article looked at the challenges some are facing to meet a law passed in 2023. It requires state and local governments to begin livestreaming, recording and archiving meetings. The law covers public meetings held by state boards and commissions; elected school boards; county commissions; and county, city and town councils.

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Any other meetings held in the same room as those entities  such as a city plan commission or a board of zoning appeals  will also need to be livestreamed.

I think the move ensures Hoosiers remain a part of the process. It is especially helpful for those working or who are physically unable to make it to meetings.

But I would go further and recommend the General Assembly take the next step in accessibility.

The Legislature set the standard more than a decade ago by streaming its daily sessions and then committee hearings. But not allowing remote testimony is still a missed opportunity.

Lawmakers didnt even allow it during the 2021 session dominated by Covid-19, and still required that Hoosiers trek to the Statehouse to have their say.

Livestreaming is about access and accountability, and both should be treated as equally important.

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A woman takes photos of a painting at an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Henri Matisse Museum in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

NICE, France, 13 June (Xinhua) -- The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) concluded Friday in Nice, a coastal city in southern France, with the adoption of an intergovernmentally agreed political declaration. It commits nations to urgent, science-guided multilateral action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.

According to the French Foreign Ministry, about 100 countries are represented at the Nice conference, including over 50 national leaders. A much larger turnout than at the two previous editions, in New York in 2017 and Lisbon in 2022, demonstrated a "very strong commitment made by countries" to take action, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Despite being a key player in global ocean governance, the United States limited its presence at the UNOC3 to only "technical and working level" delegates. Notably, no U.S. scientists participated in the One Ocean Science Congress (OOSC), held just ahead of the UNOC3. The congress brought together more than 2,000 researchers worldwide to debate and formulate scientific input for policymakers.

Several expected participants from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) were absent due to recent layoffs in federal agencies, a result of sweeping budget cuts by the Trump administration. According to the French National Centre for Scientific Research, co-organizer of OOSC, NOAA is facing a 25 percent funding reduction for fiscal year 2025, with over 1,500 staff either laid off or pushed into early retirement.

In light of the U.S. withdrawal from several key international commitments, including the Paris Agreement and the pandemic accord negotiations, Emmanuel Macron, president of UNOC3-host country France, said he was not surprised. "Should that stop us from moving? No!" He declared, reaffirming France's dedication to the ocean agenda.

"Multilateralism" has been a key word at the Nice conference. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose country will host the next COP on climate change, warned against the dangers of unilateralism. "Today, the threat of unilateralism hangs over the ocean. We cannot allow what has happened to international trade to happen to the ocean," he said.

A report in the British journal Nature Ecology & Evolution noted that the absence of U.S. scientists at the UN conference poses "severe disruptions to operational forecasts, data assimilation and international collaboration" in ocean studies and conservation efforts.

The current U.S. policy direction is "undermining the ocean science and multilateral cooperation that are essential for marine conservation, sustainable resource management and climate resilience globally," affecting "progress on Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and the broader global ocean agenda," the report said.

Despite the U.S. stepping back, the UNOC3 adopted a final declaration that stresses the critical importance of basing ocean action on "the best available science and knowledge."

Edward Allison, principal scientist at the WorldFish Center, urged the United States to reconsider its approach. The United States should "recognize that it shares the planet with other nations, that it needs to share responsibility of planetary stewardship with other nations." 

People visit an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Henri Matisse Museum in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A man visits an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Villa Massena, Nice art and history Museum in Nice, southern France, June 13, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A woman visits an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Villa Massena, Nice art and history Museum in Nice, southern France, June 13, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People look at an painting at an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Henri Matisse Museum in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A woman visits an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Musee des Beaux-Arts Jules Cheret Nice in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A woman looks at paintings at an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Henri Matisse Museum in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People visit an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Henri Matisse Museum in Nice, southern France, June 12, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

People visit an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Villa Massena, Nice art and history Museum in Nice, southern France, June 13, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A man visits an exhibition with the theme related to the ocean at the Villa Massena, Nice art and history Museum in Nice, southern France, June 13, 2025. The third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) was held in Nice of southern France from June 9 to 13, under the theme of "Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean". Various exhibitions with themes related to the ocean were held during the event across the city. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A proposal to restrict school districts from transporting students to and from school on public transportation is not moving forward as planned.

Local State Representative Phil Plummer told 2 NEWS pushback from cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati likely led to the bill being removed from the State Senates version of the budget.

Local lawmakers stress student safety after downtown bus hub shooting

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The bill was first introduced following the death of Dunbar High School Student Alfred Hale, who was fatally shot near the downtown Dayton RTA hub while on the way to school earlier this year.

A new amendment has been added to the bill, making it specific to Dayton, with hopes of getting the bill back in the budget.

Plummer says its not just student safety at risk.

The business community initially came to us and said, were fed up with this, things need to change. Thats our tax space, we cant lose our tax space,' said Rep. Phil Plummer, (R) Dayton. Some of them are ready to leave the situation.

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If re-added and approved, when students take a public bus, districts will be required to provide routes that do not require transferring bus lines.

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Editors note: This story corrects the date of the event. We regret the error.

NILES, Ohio (WKBN)  A local business in the Eastwood Mall is giving away free ice cream cones on Sunday to honor the memory of their late granddaughter.

Read next: Angiulis celebrating Dairy Day with strawberries and ice cream

NyOmi Eatery announced on Facebook that this is in honor of NyOmi Stores, the granddaughter of owners Sharnette and John Randall. Stores passed away unexpectedly in 2020 before her second birthday.

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The ice cream cones will be given out between 1 and 5 p.m.

The business shares NyOmis love of fair foods with customers. Some of the items sold include snow cones, cotton candy, lemon shakes, popcorn, nachos and candy apples.

She spent, basically, every day with me so she was more like my child than my grandchild, so the best way for me to grieve was to find something, a passion, to help me grieve, Sharnette said.

NyOmi Eatery is located between Claires and Ashcroft & Oak Jewelers.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.

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HARTFORD, Ala (WDHN)  Sardis Church in Hartford will keep its doors open despite being named by the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church as a church that will be closing.

Church leaders say there are no signs of slowing down as they are currently in the Dominican Republic doing mission work.

We dont know exactly what came out in the news, but they may remove the name of Sardis Methodist Church off their roll, and thats fine, but Im here to tell you that Sardis church is alive and well, Pastor Tom Chestnut said.

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Nationally, within the United Methodist Church, congregations have been disaffiliating from the conference primarily due to differing views on human sexuality, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights and other issues. Church leaders say there is no ill will towards the conference, though.

We just had major theological disagreements from the way we interpret Gods word, Pastor Tom Chestnut said.

We asked to leave and we had built our own buildings and were surviving well as we have grown, Charles Hales said.

For the churches that are closing, declining attendance was one of the reasons; however, Sardis leaders say that this also does not apply to them, as they believe their church is thriving.

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We average about 150 people on a Sunday, and every Wednesday we have 100 children and 20 adults we feed, and another reason is funding, well, we are tithers. We run three buses, run air for 100 people every Wednesday night, and now 11 of us are helping Dominicans with their camp, Pastor Chestnut said.

But for churches that will be affected, despite the reasoning, church leaders are lifting them in prayer.

A church is family, and when they are closing their doors its like losing a lot of family Its been a haven of refuge, so I pray they have peace and god will lead them to a new place, Chestnut said.

The church worships every Sunday at 10 a.m.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Sinclair Community College is launching an AI initiative to reshape how the college teaches and learns.

During a press conference Friday, Sinclair leaders announced they will launch an AI Excellence Institute.

Expert: AI could change future of education

This $5 million, three-year initiative aims to establish Sinclair as a national community college leader in AI-integrated teaching and learning.

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Following the success of Sinclairs AI Action Team, the college wants to advance their teaching and learning environment by encouraging AI literacy among faculty and students.

The AI Excellence Institute will launch on July 1 ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. The $5 million budget will cover personnel, equipment, curriculum development and more.

To learn more about Sinclairs eLearning initiatives, visit their website.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Savannah city leaders voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that bans people from sleeping in public spaces, but one faith-based leader believes its hurting the homeless community instead of helping.

Reverend Matthew Henning of Lutheran Church of the Ascension spoke out against the ordinance during Thursdays city council meeting.

WSAV spoke with him Friday after the vote, and he said he works closely with the unhoused community.

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The folks experiencing homelessness are confused and afraid, Henning said. They dont know where to go and they dont know what to do. It has increased their level of fear with public servants like police and firemen, and its made them more uncomfortable in seeking help.

Henning said the new law criminalizes homelessness. According to the ordinance, individuals get one warning before they can be taken into custody.

Any time an individual is placed into custody by law enforcement, it implies a criminal act, Henning said. And so, when law enforcement places a person against their will into custody and either takes them to the county jail facility or another place, they feel judged by society. Also, there are court issues and court dates.

Some argued that the change will push more people to seek available resources.

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We do have shelters in the community, Henning said. We have places for people to stay. But sometimes, the unhoused do not have the resources to stay.

Henning said he is worried that a record will create more obstacles.

This will become another hurdle, and it will also make employment difficult, he said. Many of our clients work in Savannah.

They work in the hospitality industry, construction industry, Henning said. They are our hotel room maids; they are our dishwashers. They are people that do the jobs that make Savannah. So, it makes it difficult for them to keep their employment, difficult for them to continue to work toward housing.

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According to the ordinance, belongings can be deemed as abandoned and may be confiscated if they are left unattended in a public space. No warning is required prior to the confiscation.

Henning is also concerned about their belongings if they are taken into custody. He hopes to work with city leaders for a solution.

City council will revisit the ordinance in 90 days to evaluate the impact.

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ORANGEVILLE, Ohio (WKBN)  Local Navy veteran Steven Reed is rallying support for his mother, Kathy Reed, who is battling stage 4 ovarian cancer.

A special fundraiser and bike run is set for this Saturday at Yeagerbaums Bar & Grille in Orangeville, Trumbull County.

All the money raised will help cover her urgent medical expenses.

We found out at the beginning of March that she has ovarian cancer. She lived in Las Vegas, and within three days of finding out, we flew her here to get her to the Cleveland Clinic because we know thats probably the best place, Reed said. Shes gone through three rounds of chemo already. Shes a fighter, a warrior.

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Sign-ups for the bike run start at 10 a.m..

There will also be a Chinese auction, raffles, and a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Bikers are $30-dollars, passengers are $10, and the food is $15.

Yeagerbaums Bar & Grille is located at 7651 Brockway Sharon Rd, Orangeville.

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Are local officials duty-bound to certify elections? Arizona ruling creates new doubt

When two Republican Cochise County supervisors delayed their certification of the countys 2022 election results, a judge forced them to certify, pointing to language in Arizonas election manual that says they have no choice.

A state grand jury later charged the two supervisors with two feloniesconspiracy, and interference with the secretary of states duty to certify the election. And two secretaries of state have sought to make the rules about supervisors duties more explicit, Votebeat reports.

A recent court ruling, though, challenges the long-held presumption in Arizona that supervisors have no discretion when certifying election results. The court threw out that section of the Elections Procedures Manual entirely, saying it goes further than the statute supports.

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The decision could shake up the pending criminal trial against one of the Cochise supervisors, Tom Crosby, as a judge weighs his latest request to dismiss the charges. (The other supervisor, Peggy Judd, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor as part of a deal with prosecutors last year.)

It could also encourage supervisors across the state to test the boundaries of the states certification law by attempting to delay or block certification of future elections.

Former Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, a Republican, said thats risky, and that partisan supervisors shouldnt have that choice.

I think it opens it up to potential concerns if you allow essentially one political entity to essentially hijack an entire election, he said.

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Ambiguity in election certification laws is a problem in several swing states across the country, including others where local officials have debated whether to certify recent elections, according to a review by Informing Democracy, a nonprofit that studies election administration. While the states laws typically say local officials shall certify, they dont often specify that they dont have discretion to hold up certification, said Jenny Gimian, the organizations director of election law research and senior policy counsel.

Arizona law says supervisors shall certify election results, and courts in the past few years have interpreted that to mean that they must do so. The latest court ruling doesnt say supervisors have discretion; it just says thats for the courts to decidenot Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, who wrote a detailed interpretation of the supervisors nondiscretionary role in the latest version of the Elections Procedures Manual.

Informing Democracy suggests its best to make it as explicit as possible in the statutes that local officials dont have discretion when finalizing election results. Arizonas lawmakers have a different idea.

A bill from State Rep. Rachel Jones, a Republican from Tucson, would prohibit the attorney general from prosecuting supervisors who refuse to certify results. It passed the House and is awaiting a final vote in the Senate. Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is unlikely to sign it.

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Jones said during a February committee hearing that the bill was a direct response to the Cochise County supervisors case, and she believes challenging results during the certification process falls somewhere in their First Amendment right.

Arizona statute says that supervisors shall meet and canvass the election within 20 days of a general election, unless results from polling places are missing. Even then, they can postpone certification only up to six times. The terms canvass and certify are both used in the statute, but they arent defined. Theyre often taken to mean something similar: to finalize results.

The statute also says that supervisors must determine the vote. But it doesnt clarify what that means, and its silent as to what discretion, if any, supervisors have.

Until 2019, the Elections Procedures Manual simply outlined the statute, emphasizing the timeline for certification. But in 2019, Hobbs, who was then secretary of state, expanded that section, adding the word non-discretionary to describe the supervisors mandate.

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The Board of Supervisors has a non-discretionary duty to canvass the returns as provided by the County Recorder or other officer in charge of elections and has no authority to change vote totals or reject the election results, that edition of the manual said.

Her successor, Fontes, made more changes to the manual after GOP leaders and candidates pressured county officials to use the certification step to block the 2020 and 2022 election results. That update also said supervisors cant delay certifying the results without express statutory authority or a court order.

Fontes also added a line saying that if a countys canvass isnt received by deadline, the secretary of state must proceed with the state canvass without the votes of that countyessentially threatening to disenfranchise a countys voters if its supervisors dont do their job.

Republicans challenged those parts of the manual, along with many others, in several lawsuits.

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In December, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Blaney ruled that Fontes overstepped when writing that county supervisors, when certifying results, have no authority to change vote totals, reject election results, or delay certifying. He also said that the secretary of state cant exclude a countys results from its statewide canvass.

The Secretary has relied on the statutes silence and interpreted it to preclude the Board of Supervisors from doing anything other than opening the returns and counting what they find, Blaney wrote. But again, it is the Courts role, not the Secretarys, to interpret.

Blaney said the appropriate time to determine the meaning of the provision is once the issue actually arises in an election and is ripe for determination on specific, existing factsin other words, if supervisors actually refuse to certify an election on time and the question goes to court with results hanging in the balance.

Fontes has appealed Blaneys ruling.

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Part of the reason that the duty is nondiscretionary, Volkmer said, is that county officials have a tight timeline to finalize their results and send them to the Secretary of States Office, at which point they can be challenged in court during the contest period allocated in the law.

Crosby said he voted to delay the certification in 2022 because he wanted to hear more testimony from residents who claimed that the voting machines werent properly accredited.

Hobbs, who was then secretary of state and governor-elect, sued to force the county to certify. Pima County Judge Casey McGinley heard the case on Dec. 1, 2022, and ordered the supervisors to meet to certify that same day. It was two business days before Hobbs Dec. 5 deadline to certify statewide results.

McGinley said during the hearing that the nondiscretionary duty language in the manual appropriately describes supervisors duties, does not contradict the statute and it has the force of law.

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Similarly, when considering Crosbys first attempt to get the charges dismissed two years later, the Arizona Court of Appeals wrote in December that his vote on certifying the election was non-discretionary.

The ordinary meaning of shall in a statute is to reflect a mandatory duty the court wrote at the time.

And by cutting into the secretary of states certification timeline, the judges said, Crosbys delay may amount to interference.

Alex Gulotta, Arizona director of All Voting is Local, said he still believes the law is clear that the boards duty is ministerial. The process to resolving election disputes is through the formal court contests, not local certification, so it doesnt become a political process, he said.

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They havent been able to win in the courts, he said, and they want to move an evidence-based process into the politically charged board of supervisors process.

Crosby is now again asking the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the state didnt provide evidence to support the conspiracy charge before trial. He also contends in court filings that the state has not explained which duty of the secretary of state he interfered with.

He also goes back to what he has been contending since the beginning of the Cochise saga: that the boards job is not to rubber-stamp the results.

Clearly, any reasonable supervisor, or any other person, would reasonably believe that the required canvassing and certification of the vote had to mean more than merely ignoring it and passing it on to the SOS, he wrote. That is simply an absurd interpretation.

This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
Residents of Venice, already fed up with crowds of tourists cramming into their canal city, now have one more gripe: Jeff Bezos.

The billionaire Amazon founder is due to marry journalist Lauren Sanchez in a celebration in Venice from June 24 to 26 that is expected to attract countless VIPs.

Not everyone is feeling the love though, with some residents hanging a huge banner with an X over Bezos's name on a belltower overlooking the Venice lagoon before the sign was removed on Thursday.

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"He's not welcome, not in Venice, not anywhere!" wrote the "No Space for Bezos" collective on Facebook, which was responsible for the banner.

Bezos is also the owner of space travel company Blue Origin, whose all-female flight in April carrying Sanchez, pop star Katy Perry and four others met with a public backlash for its high cost and environmental impact.

The anti-Bezos group, whose posters and stickers have been seen in recent days across the city, has called a public assembly for Friday evening to drum up opposition.

The UNESCO-listed city, famous for its romantic gondolas and canals, is a favourite spot for lovers.

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In September 2014, it was the backdrop for the wedding of Hollywood actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin, a glamourous high-profile event that attracted countless tourists, fans and onlookers.

The atmosphere ahead of Bezos's nuptials appeared more hostile.

"Venice is a living city, not a place to rent to the highest bidder," the collective wrote on social media.

Venice's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, had welcomed the couple's decision, however, saying in March that the wedding would bring in millions of dollars to the city.

City hall in March blasted "fake news" circulating about the wedding, saying that only 200 people were on the guest list and that the event would be "without any disruption whatsoever to the city, its residents and visitors".

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Local media say that five hotels have been reserved for the occasion, as well as an impressive fleet of water cabs and a mooring for Bezos's megayacht.

It is unclear where exactly the marriage ceremony will take place.

str-ams/ide/bc
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Gov. Joe Lombardo emphasized progress on education and housing laws as he released a statement Friday on this years legislative session.

Lombardo, a Republican, also touched on decisions he made in vetoing a record 87 bills approved by the Democrat-controlled Nevada Legislature  just over 14% of everything that passed. He signed 518 bills into law.

While contentious, this session had a smoother end than in 2023, when Lombardo called two special sessions immediately following adjournment. One session dealt with an unresolved budget that Republicans blocked, and the other passed the As stadium deal.

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New Nevada traffic ticket laws to go into effect

And despite this years harsh criticism coming from progressive groups and advocates who cast many of his vetoes as betrayals, he thanked lawmakers for working in good faith toward a stronger, safer, and more affordable Nevada for all.

The Governors Office said ceremonial bill signings are forthcoming for Senate Bill 460, the landmark bipartisan education reform package, and Assembly Bill 540, the Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act.

Lombardos full statement appears below:

I am proud of the meaningful progress we made this session  particularly in the areas of education and housing. Working together, weve taken important steps to expand educational opportunity, begin restoring accountability in our public schools, and make housing more attainable for working families across our state.

That said, I did not take lightly the decision to veto 87 bills. I do not enjoy using the veto pen, but as Governor, it is my responsibility to protect Nevadans from legislation that goes too far, expands government unnecessarily, or creates unintended consequences that hurt families, businesses, or our economy.

Each veto was carefully considered. My priority will always be to ensure that every law enacted serves the best interest of the people of Nevada  not special interests, and not bigger government.

To the legislators who worked in good faith throughout this session: thank you. I remain committed to working with you to build a stronger, safer, and more affordable Nevada for all. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo

The Nevada Legislature convenes once every two years for a 120-day session. The 83rd session ended on June 2.

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NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH)  Two people suffered gunshot wounds in a shooting Thursday night near Bank Street, according to New London police.

Around 11:12 p.m., police responded to the area of Bank Street and Golden Street for report of shots fired and someone possibly injured.

Groton police investigating scene at Super 8 Motel on Route 12

Upon arrival, officers found an adult male with a gunshot wound to his lower extremity. He was transported to a hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening injury.

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Later, a second adult male arrived at the hospital, also for treatment of a gunshot wound in his lower extremity. The injury was non-life threatening.

Police said the shooting does not seem to be a random act.

Groton police share photos of individuals allegedly tied to bank robbery

Members of the Investigative Services Division responded to collect evidence and process the scene.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New London Police Departments Detective Bureau at 860-447-1481. Anonymous information can be submitted via the New London Tips 411 system by texting NLPDTip plus the information to Tip411 (847411).

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At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon will pay an official visit to China from June 17 to 20.

Al Jazeera: Israel today launched early morning attacks against targets in Iran. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: China is closely following Israels attacks on Iran and is deeply concerned about the potential grave consequences of the operations. China opposes actions that violate Irans sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and opposes moves that escalate tensions and enlarge conflicts. The abrupt heating up of the region serves no ones interests. China calls on relevant parties to choose the course of action that is conducive to the regions peace and stability, and avoid further escalation of the tensions. China stands ready to play a constructive role in helping ease the situation.

Xinhua News Agency: China announced that President Xi Jinping will attend the second China-Central Asia Summit. Could you share with us the arrangement and Chinas expectation?

Lin Jian: Establishing the China-Central Asia mechanism was a unanimous decision among China and the five Central Asian countries, which dovetails with the regions common desire to maintain stability and pursue high-quality development. In May 2023, President Xi Jinping successfully chaired the first China-Central Asia Summit in Xian. Since then, Chinas relations with Central Asian countries have entered a new era. Our cooperation has been deepened and solidified, which keeps injecting fresh impetus into regional development and delivering tangibly for the peoples of all six countries.

It is the first time that the China-Central Asia Summit will be held in a Central Asian country. President Xi Jinping will attend the summit and deliver a keynote speech. Together with leaders of the participating Central Asian countries, they will exchange views on the achievements of the China-Central Asia mechanism, mutually beneficial cooperation under the framework, and international and regional hotspot issues, and jointly attend relevant events. During the summit, President Xi will also meet with these leaders and lay out the top-level plan for Chinas relations with five Central Asian countries.

We believe through this summit, China and five Central Asian countries will further consolidate the foundation of mutual trust, build consensus for cooperation, deepen the synergy between strategies, upgrade cooperation in various fields, and inject more positive energy into the building of a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

CCTV: On the afternoon of June 12, Beijing time, an Air India flight bound for London crashed near Ahmedabad Airport in the State of Gujarat shortly after takeoff, which claimed the lives of more than 200 people aboard. Can I have the Foreign Ministrys comment on this?

Lin Jian: We are following the tragic air crash in India that has caused heavy fatalities. President Xi Jinping has sent messages of condolence to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, King Charles III of the UK and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi respectively. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, President Xi expressed deep condolences over the lives lost and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Premier Li Qiang also sent messages of condolence to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer respectively.

China News Service: To follow up on Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxons visit to China, could you share with us the background and Chinas expectation?

Lin Jian: This will be Prime Minister Christopher Luxons first visit to China after he took office. The visit will be taking place just as the two countries enter the second decade of their comprehensive strategic partnership. During his visit, Chinese leaders will meet and hold talks with Prime Minister Luxon to have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have made marked progress. Last November, President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Luxon on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Lima. Premier Li Qiangs visit to New Zealand was a full success. Leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and sustain and deepen bilateral relations. In a complex and rapidly changing world, China stands ready to work with New Zealand to step up strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, consolidate traditional friendship, jointly address challenges, and promote the building of a bilateral relationship featuring mutual respect, inclusiveness, focusing on cooperation and common development so as to deliver greater benefits to our two peoples.

China Daily: Its reported that the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session overwhelmingly adopted a draft resolution on the conflict in Gaza on June 12. Do you have any comment?

Lin Jian: The Chinese representative has elaborated on Chinas position in the explanation of vote on the draft resolution. Let me reiterate that the adoption of the draft resolution by a large margin reflects the overwhelming call of the international community. We should not allow the conflict in Gaza to drag on and the humanitarian catastrophe to continue. China calls for efforts to defend the authority of international law, faithfully implement relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, promote the early deescalation of the situation in Gaza and realize the comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of the two-State solution.

AFP: Indias Foreign Ministry said today that it has agreed with China to expedite the process to resume direct flights between the two countries. Can the Chinese side confirm this and provide further details?

Lin Jian: Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. The resumption of direct flights is conducive to ensuring cross-border travel, exchanges and cooperation between China and India, which is in the interest of the two sides. China is positive toward it. We hope India will work with us to resume flights as soon as possible and ensure safe and orderly mutual visits between the two countries.

Hubei Media Group: Latest data show that the China-Europe Railway Express has run over 110,000 trips in total, with the value of goods shipped exceeded US$450 billion. Comments say that the China-Europe Railway Express has become an accelerator for economic and trade cooperation among BRI participating countries. Whats your comment?

Lin Jian: The China-Europe Railway Express is a signature outcome of the Belt and Road Initiative. At present, routes of the China-Europe Railway Express have been launched in 128 cities in China, reaching 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. With freight trains departing every 30 minutes or less on average, the China-Europe Railway Express operates in an efficient, stable and smooth manner, not only bridging the economic and trade exchanges between Asia and Europe, but also injecting forces for growth to BRI participating countries.

The China-Europe Railway Express is an epitome of connectivity cooperation between China and the wider world. From the China-Laos Railway and the new western land-sea corridor train service that are operating smoothly to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway under construction, new logistics routes have enhanced the efficiency of cross-border logistics, enabled more personnel and trade exchanges, and deepened industrial coordination and value chain integration, driving industrial transformation and upgrade in those countries and bringing tangible sense of gain for the local people.

Connectivity is one of the key cooperation areas of the Belt and Road Initiative. We will uphold the principle of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, continue to act as an important driving force for world connectivity, benefit the world through our own development, and achieve win-win and all-win.

Bloomberg: Iran has repeatedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz if its attacked. Now thats a real possibility after Israels attack overnight. Would China support Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz as a retaliatory measure?

Lin Jian: I do not answer hypothetical questions. The abrupt heating up of the region serves no ones interests. China calls on relevant parties to choose the course of action that is conducive to the regions peace and stability, and avoid further escalation. China stands ready to play a constructive role to this end.

Reuters: Leaders of seven advanced economies will gather for a summit in Canada starting this Sunday. Last year, they agreed to take action to protect their businesses from what they said were Chinas unfair practices and Chinas overcapacity problems. Does China expect to be a target again this year?

Lin Jian: Cold-War mentality and ideological bias have always been the hallmark of the G7 which always tends to act within its small circle and exclude others. The group constantly incites conflict and bloc confrontation, which is not welcome in todays world and will not succeed.

We urge the G7 to recognize the trend of the world, stop interfering in other countries internal affairs and hurting other countries development, stop manipulating issues on China, and act in ways that are conducive to international solidarity and cooperation.

AFP: Japans Defense Minister said today that it is unacceptable for China to say that Japan was responsible for the close encounter last weekend between military planes over the Pacific. Im just wondering does China have a response to these comments today or an updated statement on that incident?

Lin Jian: Yesterday, I shared our position on the relevant issue. We are in communication with Japan through diplomatic channels and have made clear Chinas position.

***************************

The following question was raised after the press conference: Its reported by media that in an interview with France-based Le Figaro on June 10, Indias Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that China and Pakistan have had close ties, but on an issue like terrorism, you cannot afford ambiguity or double standards. Its a problem that concerns all of us. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: Let me stress that Chinas position on fighting terrorism is consistent and clear. Terrorism is humanitys common enemy, and combating terrorism is the common responsibility of the international community. China is committed to safeguarding international and regional peace and tranquility, and to firmly combating all forms of terrorism. There is no so-called ambiguity or double standards.

The current China-India relations are at the crucial stage of improvement and development. We hope India will work with us to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their meeting in Kazan last October, and move bilateral relations forward on a sound and steady track.
YAOUNDE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- As the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo unfolds in Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province, a Cameroonian economist has highlighted the event's vast potential and mutual benefits for both sides.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Nformi Eugene Tawe described the expo, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, as a key platform for advancing win-win trade cooperation and unlocking Africa's development potential.

"African business people attending this trade fair are hoping to build more sustainable business partnerships, connect with potential lenders offering favorable credit terms, gain a better understanding of China's import and export needs, and learn about regulatory and compliance requirements," Tawe said. "It's also an opportunity to share experiences, challenges and opportunities with their Chinese counterparts."

With over 28,000 participants from China, Africa and international organizations, the economist said the expo plays a crucial role in building confidence and deepening collaboration. He urged all parties to seize the opportunities arising from the event.

"In recent decades, China has consistently been Africa's largest trading partner, with trade reaching over 295 billion U.S. dollars in 2024," he noted. "This fair will not only strengthen investor networks but also increase visibility for African commodities."

Tawe welcomed the expo's evolution beyond product showcases to include sectors such as agriculture, clean energy, cultural tourism, fashion and manufacturing. These additions, he said, help foster people-to-people exchanges and deepen bilateral ties.

By incorporating cultural, educational and tourism initiatives, "the expo builds trust, mutual understanding and cooperation between China and Africa," he said.

Africa's modernization and industrialization have been propelled by partnership with China, said the economist, pointing to China's infrastructure investments across the continent, including roads, railways, ports and energy systems, as well as support for the telecommunication technology sector through funding and technical assistance.

"The use of Chinese technology and equipment has laid a solid foundation for industrial growth and economic development in Africa," he said, adding that the expo offers a valuable platform to highlight the positive outcomes of such cooperation. 
The lone survivor of 242 people aboard a London-bound passenger plane that crashed in the Indian city of Ahmedabad said Friday how even he was struggling to explain how he miraculously walked out alive from the fireball explosion.

"Everything happened in front of me, and even I couldn't believe how I managed to come out alive from that," British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh said from his hospital bed on Friday, speaking in Hindi to national broadcaster DD News.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane, which was full of fuel as it took off for a long-haul flight to London, exploded into a burst of orange flame on Thursday afternoon just after taking off.

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Ramesh -- who was in seat 11A according to media reports -- was the only one aboard the plane not to be killed, with at least 24 others killed on the ground.

His brother was also on the same flight, his family in Britain told reporters.

"Within a minute after takeoff, suddenly... it felt like something got stuck... I realised something had happened, and then suddenly the plane's green and white lights turned on," Ramesh said.

"After that, the plane seemed to speed up, heading straight towards what turned out to be a hostel of a hospital. Everything was visible in front of my eyes when the crash happened."

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to Ramesh on Friday at the hospital where he is being treated for burns and other injuries, footage on his YouTube channel showed.

- 'About to die' -

Ramesh, aged 40, is from the British city of Leicester, according to Britain's Press Association news agency, which spoke with his family at home.

The plane smashed into the buildings just outside the perimeter of the airport.

"Initially, I too thought that I was about to die, but then I opened my eyes and realised that I was still alive," he said.

"I saw the air hostess and aunties and uncles all in front of me," he said, his voice trailing off in emotion, using a term of respect used in India for older people.

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"I unfastened my seatbelt and tried to escape, and I did," he said.

"I think the side I was on was not facing the hostel," he added. "Where I landed was closer to the ground and there was space too  and when my door broke -- I saw that there was space, and I thought I could try to slip out."

Videos shared on social media showed Ramesh soon after, dressed in a bloodied t-shirt and limping, but walking towards an ambulance.

"My left hand got slightly burnt due to the fire, but an ambulance brought me to the hospital," he said. "The people here are taking good care of me."

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Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members.

The death toll currently stands at 265, police said.

Authorities have set up DNA testing for relatives of passengers and those killed on the ground to identify the scorched bodies and body parts.

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For the Longmont Senior Center, getting older adults active isnt the problem  its making sure theres enough space to take them where they want to go.

Over the past three years, the Longmont Senior Center has seen an increase in visitors interested in going on day trips to fun destinations around Colorado. According to Ronnie Maynes, senior services manager, guest visits to the Senior Center increased from 66,761 in 2022 to 98,144 in 2024.

However, with two 15-passenger vans, theres often not enough room to fit all of the people, ages 55 and up, who want to participate.

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The vans can carry a total of 26 senior participants, but there is always a waitlist for day trips, Maynes said. The Senior Center will sometimes offer popular trips twice, but that isnt possible with all excursions.

Whatever approach we take, we constantly have a waitlist of people wanting to go on these day trips, Maynes said. We have a lot of people who dont get to experience these trips.

To meet this growing need, the center took a request for two additional vans to local nonprofit Friends of the Longmont Senior Center last year. The nonprofit, which financially supports Senior Center programs and services, decided to fund the purchase of the two new vehicles. The vans started transporting seniors a couple of weeks ago.

The Longmont Senior Center now has two new 15-passenger vans. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

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The new vans, which are 2024 Ford models, also hold 15 people each. This allows the number of trip participants to be capped at 52. One of the new vans also has a wheelchair lift, which means the Senior Center now has two vans with these lifts.

Maynes said the two vans cost a total of $218,000. The city of Longmont bought the vans as city vehicles, and Friends of the Longmont Senior Center reimbursed the city for that purchase.

Karen Roney, Friends of the Longmont Senior Center board chair, said the funds to buy the vehicles came from the nonprofits investment account. The board voted to put the money toward the vans after hearing about the Senior Centers waitlists.

We thought we could make a difference, Roney said. We just felt like we could make that investment and really make life more enjoyable for Senior Center participants who really love to participate in those day trip activities.

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Maynes said that acquiring new vans is ultimately cheaper than the Senior Centers alternative: renting a charter bus. Its also more affordable for seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes, since registration prices wont have to increase to cover a charter bus fee.

Were providing more opportunities for people to go on trips, and were saving money, he said.

Maynes noted that the population of people over 60 living in Boulder County is expected to increase from approximately 73,000 to 111,000 by 2050, according to county data. This is because more seniors are moving to Boulder County, and because current residents are aging into that senior demographic, Maynes said.

In 2024, the Longmont Senior Center offered 134 day trips with over 2,400 participants, according to Maynes.

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Were going to see our senior population increase drastically, he said. But in real time, here in Longmont, were already seeing it.

Day trips coming up this summer include trips to Nederland, Fort Collins, Denver and Estes Park. There are also several trips that depart from the Longmont Senior Center and stay within the city, including visits to Longmont Bingo Alley and the Callahan House.

Maynes said the Senior Center is a place where older Longmont residents can find community and belonging.

I just love walking through our building and seeing our classrooms full, he said. Its so important to have a place where you feel welcomed.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  Longtime Newport News Treasurer Marty Eubank will seek re-election as an independent.

Eubank filed paperwork and qualified with the Department of Voter Registration in May.

For nearly three decades, Eubank has served as the Newport News treasurer. In March 2025, Eubank shared exclusively with WAVY-TV 10 that he would not seek re-election.

Previous: Longtime Newport News treasurer will not seek reelection; 3 candidates enter race

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I did not have a change of heart. I have worked for the city for 41 years. Ive been the longest-serving treasurer of 28 years for Newport News. Im very proud of that. I very much looked forward to retiring this year, he said. I did everything I could to position myself to run in this campaign for one more term. But after I met Sanu Dieng-Cooper, I talked to her and realized what a perfect candidate she would be to be my successor, which is something Ive been looking for the past few years! She impressed me with her ideas, her vision, her knowledge of the office already, and her understanding of what it does. I realized shed be the perfect candidate to win the Democratic primary. Thats when I decided to bow out of the primary. I fully support Sanu. I 100% still endorse being the next Treasurer of Newport News. Im confident that the voters will see how qualified she is. They will support and vote for her on June 17.

Your Local Election Headquarters on WAVY.com

The Newport News Department of Voter Registration confirms that Sanu Dieng-Cooper and Derek Reason are the Democratic candidates for the June primary. There are no Republican candidates. Justin Kennedy, an independent candidate for treasurer, will appear on the November 4th ballot.

Eubank told 10 On Your Side he filed as an independent following the 2025 NAACP Newport News Candidate Forum on April 30.

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I am confident she [Sanu] will win the Primary. But you cant predict an election, and that 1% off chance that Sanu might not win. Then I position myself to come back into the general election, said Eubank. After watching the NAACP forum and listening to both sides, I was in the audience. I became concerned that Sanu Cooper has to be elected as our next treasurer. She has to!

Eubank also received a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request regarding the legitimacy of one of the candidates businesses. WAVY-TV 10 received an independent copy of the FOIA from the Newport News Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue, which states the business in question does not hold a City of Newport News business license, as such a license is not required for the type of activity this business performs. The USDOT number associated with this business is currently listed as inactive in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) database. The businesss status with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) is also listed as inactive per SCC records.

WAVY.com asked Eubank about integrity following the recent filing.

Im doing it for the right reason, not the wrong reason. Im not going back on my word. I still fully support Sanu. I fully expect her to win. She has my 100% endorsement. Come June 17, I will be by her side celebrating. But I am trying only to position myself [just] in case. Elections can be unpredictable in the event that 1% off the chance the Sanu is not elected. I will be here to protect this office, said Eubank.

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Eubank urges residents to watch the candidate interviews and forum to judge for yourself.

I have always been a Democrat. I will always be a Democrat. I view myself at this point as an Independent-Democrat, but Im doing what I have to do. Im doing this for the right reasons. For the citizens of Newport News, he said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
HYATTSVILLE, Md. (DC News Now)  Sometimes it takes a village to rescue a kitten in Hyattsville!

Free mulch up for grabs in Hyattsville: Heres where you can get some.

On Thursday, the City of Hyattsville said some residents, crews from the Department of Public Works and A Cats Life Rescue worked together to rescue a kitten from a storm drain near Driskell Park.

(Courtesy: City of Hyattsville) (Courtesy: City of Hyattsville)

The kitten, affectionately named Stormy, is now settling into its new foster home.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.






NEED TO KNOW

Lori Vallow Daybell has been convicted of conspiring to kill her niece's ex-husband in October 2019

Daybell faces a possibility of two life sentences stemming from the conviction

Daybell is already serving three life sentences without the possibility of parole in connection with the deaths of her two young children and her fifth husband's ex-wife







Lori Vallow Daybell, the Doomsday mother who was convicted of killing her two young children, an ex-husband, and the ex-wife of her most recent fifth husband, has been convicted for conspiring to kill another man in Arizona.



Daybell, 51, was found guilty on Thursday of conspiring to kill Brandon Boudreaux, the ex-husband of her niece, in October 2019, according to The Associated Press, as well as local outlets ABC 15 and NBC 12.

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Daybell is already serving three life sentences for murdering and conspiring to murder her son 7-year-old Joshua "J.J." Vallow and her daughter 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and conspiring to murder Tammy Daybell, the ex-wife of her fifth husband Chad Daybell. Those three murders also took place in 2019, PEOPLE previously reported.

On Thursday, Daybell was convicted of conspiring with her late brother Alex Cox to kill Boudreaux outside of his home in Gilbert, Ariz., the AP reported. Cox has since died, while Daybell will be sentenced on July 25 and faces another two possible life sentences as a result of this weeks convictions.

AP Photo/Kyle Green Lori Vallow Daybell Lori Vallow Daybell

According to NBC 12, investigators say Cox shot at Bordeaux with a rifle while he was outside his home. The gunshot missed Bordeaux and shattered a window on the drivers side of his car while he was inside. Bordeaux said he recognized the jeep  where the shot came from  as the car that Daybells daughter Tylee used to drive before her own disappearance.

Daybell represented herself during the trial, once being removed from court after a testy exchange with the judge.

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"I did not enjoy sitting and giving someone who tried to kill me the chance to question me," Boudreaux told reporters after Daybells conviction, according to NBC 12. "But I owed it to Charles, to Tylee, to JJ and to Tammy, to speak because I could."

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.

Colby Ryan, Daybells only living child, stood by Boudreaux as he addressed reporters.

"We stand united," Boudreaux said, according to the outlet. "We're still family, we always will be. Regardless of the things that happened."

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NBC 12 reports that after her July sentencing, Daybell will be extradited back to Idaho where shell continue to serve the life sentences related to her children and husbands ex-wifes murders.

Read the original article on People
NEOSHO, Mo.  Goodman police Chief Mike Akins said hes been out to Black Rain Ordnance before, for training, but he came for a different reason Thursday  First Responder Appreciation Day.

He was one of hundreds of first responders who turned out for the event.

Black Rain officials said it was a way to reach out to those serving communities across the nation with support and thanks. It was held at the companys Neosho site, where the precision firearms manufacturer has been operating since 2009.

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The event was open to the entire first responder community, including law enforcement, EMS, 911 dispatch, fire departments and active military.

A life of service is a life of purpose, said Kyle Hicks, marketing manager at Black Rain Ordnance. When you have things you can believe in, you can stand for something. We choose to stand behind the people that protect and serve our community, the thankless jobs, the ones that are often overlooked. In todays world, its important to remember what makes us great, and its people who serve our community that make us great.

The day included a home-cooked lunch and several vendors demonstrating products such as pistols, long-range rifles, less-lethal rounds and medical response equipment.

As a national dealer for law enforcement, Black Rain drew visitors from as far away as Louisiana.

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Its a day for us to give back, Hicks said. Most of our staff is either former law enforcement or military, and thats a deep part of who we are. Being able to give back and continue to serve that community really speaks to the core of our beliefs.

Akins said the event was good opportunity for him to talk with peers, some of whom have been doing this longer or may have similar cases they are working.

I just want to hopefully make some good contacts, talk with some vendors and go from there, Akins said. Black Rain has supported law enforcement pretty much from the go. This is just their way of giving back to us, and its just great.

Alex Scrivner, sales director for law enforcement for Templar Tactical and Outdoor out of St. Louis, was on hand Thursday presenting nonlethal options that launch things such as pava, a small capsule containing a strong irritant powder. The rounds are meant for compliance and de-escalation, he said.

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In addition to working with Templar Tactical, Scrivner has worked in law enforcement for many years and currently is an officer in Breckenridge Hills. He said reaching out to officers is a passion of his and that he wanted to attend the event offering officers another tool to help them with de-escalation and perhaps save a life.

Its good to have a day like today where guys can come out and have fun and de-stress, Scrivner said. This is very important because it helps guys get away from all of the day-to-day and relax. They can share their experiences in law enforcement and solutions to problems. Theres a lot of networking, a lot of brotherhood here.
LOUISIANA (KLFY)  This week, CVS customers across Louisiana were met with an alarming text message:

Last-minute legislation in Louisiana threatens to close your CVS Pharmacyyour medication cost may go up and your pharmacist may lose their job. Contact your elected officials to protect your access.

The text, which quickly triggered confusion and concern, refers to House Bill 358a late-session proposal that would ban pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like CVS Caremark from owning or controlling pharmacies in the state.

Critics of the message say its more than a warning; its a political campaign that may have crossed a legal line.

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People give their information to health care providers to provide patient information for the betterment of their health, said former state senator and pharmacist Fred Mills. I dont know if they give this information for political purposes.

PBMs act as a middleman between insurance companies, drug manufacturers and pharmacies. Supporters of the bill argue that this dual role (particularly when companies like CVS own both the PBM and the pharmacy) creates a conflict of interest and limits consumer choice.

If you work for a company that decides youll pay $5 or $10 for your prescriptions, the PBM implements that plan, Mills said. So, theyre kind of like a Visa Card for prescriptions.

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But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says CVS went too far by using private customer data for lobbying.

Federal investigation underway into allegedly undocumented LCG workers

They were sending out information using peoples personal cell phone numbers to lobby against legislation that they didnt like, Murrill said. That is not the purpose for which they obtained our personal information.

In response, Murrill says her office has issued a cease-and-desist letter and opened an investigation into whether CVS violated the states Unfair Trade Practices Act.

CVS has cornered the market and used that market to run a lot of independent pharmacists out of business, she said. Its also running up our costs of medication.

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In a public statement, CVS claimed the legislation would force the company to close 119 pharmacies in Louisiana, impacting one million patients and nearly 2,700 employees. But Murrill and other state officials argue the companys messaging is misleading.

The loss of independent pharmacies has been much more damaging to us than losing a large chain pharmacy like CVS, Murrill said. It is so damaging to our rural communities. And they have been decidedly persistent in putting them out of business.

The bill did not pass despite pressure from Governor Landry. If Governor Landry does call a special session, it would most likely happen in August.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KTAL/KMSS)  This week Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, of Louisianas 4th congressional district, welcomed Louisianas 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner to the U.S. Capitol.

On Thursday, representatives from Speaker Johnsons office shared photos of Grace Rougeau of Leesville, Louisiana visiting the United States Capitol during the 2025 Congressional Art Competition Celebration.

Rougeau won first place for her painting, Craw-Fever. The painting will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

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The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide, visual art contest for high school students. One piece of artwork from each congressional district is chosen by a panel of judges to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year.

Representatives from Speaker Johnsons office say the second, third, and fourth place selections will also be displayed in Johnsons congressional offices.

2025 Louisiana Congressional Art Competition Winners:

1st: Craw-Fever by Grace Rougeau, Faith Training Christian Academy

2nd: Glow of the Magnolia by Ava Agee, Airline High School

3rd: Serene by Samirah Etienna, South Beauregard High School

4th: Bayous Serenity by EMantyi Mosby, Airline High School

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9, 2025. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2025 regular session Thursday having passed an agenda to try to lower insurance rates with legislation that focused on consumers and so-called tort reform policy targeting personal injury lawyers on the belief they are the cause of the states high coverage premiums.

The agenda was part of what Gov. Jeff Landry promised to shepherd through the legislature as a balanced approach to the states insurance crisis. However, one of Landrys latest actions  vetoing a tort reform bill Wednesday  has upset a member of his own party, Sen. Alan Seabaugh, R-Many.

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Seabaugh sponsored Senate Bill 111, which would have watered down Louisianas bad faith statute that holds insurance companies liable when they unreasonably delay or deny claims. Such practices made headlines in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Landry snubbed Seabaughs bill, writing in his veto explanation that it would have allowed insurers to deny claims, refuse reasonable settlements and avoid accountability.

If the legislature would like to make reasonable changes to the bad faith statute next year, I will gladly work with them over the next year to make those changes, the governor said.

In an interview Thursday, Seabaugh expressed frustration with Landry, saying he felt blindsided by the veto because he thought he had the governors support. He contrasted Landry with former Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat.

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John Bel would call and tell me when he vetoed a bill, Seabaugh said. Jeff didnt.

Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, said Landry also doesnt speak to him before vetoing any legislation, though Henry did not express any frustration over it.

As for the rest of the approved insurance legislation, Henry said it lives up to the governors promise of a balanced approach to rein in both sides  insurance companies and trial lawyers  and their unpopular practices that have become the target of complaints from policyholders.

The Senate president said he wants to hold off on any additional reforms for a couple of years to see if the measures approved this session have any impact on policy rates.

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Thats kind of a wait-and-see game, Henry said, adding that laws the insurance industry backed last year are supposed to lower homeowner premiums but have so far not had any noticeable impact.

Others are less confident that the new laws will do anything to lower insurance rates.

I talked to people in the insurance industry who tell me none of this is gonna make rates go down, Sen. Jay Luneau, D-Alexandria, said, citing statements from the heads of tort reform associations.

Another controversial measure became the center of a public feud between the governor and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple.

House Bill 148 by Rep. Jeff Wiley, R-Maurepas, was among the first this session that Landry signed into law, gives the state insurance commissioner power to strike down any insurance rate increase considered excessive or unreasonably high. Prior to the change, the commissioner could only exercise that power after holding a public hearing in which someone proved the state insurance market lacks competition.

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Although Wiley sponsored the bill, the governor crafted the legislation with the help of two House Democrats and lobbied heavily for its passage, arguing that Temple wasnt doing enough to regulate insurance rates.

Temple and other critics argued that Landry is using the new law to try to deflect any blame voters might place on him for Louisianas insurance crisis.

Wileys bill allows the public to review documents insurance companies file with the state when seeking a rate increase, but only if the insurance commissioner determines the information shouldnt be kept confidential as a proprietary trade secret.

It takes effect on Aug. 1.

Consumer-focused bills

Among the many insurance bills passed this session was House Bill 329 by Rep. Troy Hebert, R-Lafayette, which allocates $5 million per year to the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program with fees collected from insurance companies. It will take effect July 1, 2026.

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The program, managed by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, offers $10,000 grants to homeowners for the installation of hurricane-resistant roofs and has been effective at lowering homeowner insurance costs, according to a review by Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack.

Senate Bill 28 by Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, would give homeowners a nonrefundable income tax credit for up to $10,000 for out-of-pocket expenses used to pay for a fortified roof. Combined with an LDI grant, the new tax credit could allow more Louisiana homeowners to invest in fortified roofs. Talbots bill is pending approval of the governor.

House Bill 345 by Rep. John Wyble, R-Franklinton, requires a 60-day notice, up from 30 days, from an insurer to a policyholder prior to any cancellation or non-renewal of a homeowner policy except when termination of coverage is for nonpayment of premium. The bill is pending the governors consideration.

House Bill 496 by Rep. Troy Hebert, R-Lafayette, would give policyholders a pass protecting them from any rate increases tied to a lapse in auto coverage so long as the lapse doesnt exceed 90 days. The bill would prohibit insurers from penalizing policyholders for a single instance of nonpayment during a five-year period. It received overwhelming bipartisan support from both chambers and is pending approval by the governor.

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Senate Bill 34 by Luneau would prohibit an insurance company from changing or altering the repair estimate filed by the adjuster originally assigned to the claim without that adjusters permission. It is pending approval by the governor.

Pro-insurance, tort reform bills

House Bill 450, by Rep. Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport, ends the Housley presumption, a standard of evidence explained in a 1991 Louisiana Supreme Court ruling that applies to auto accidents, medical malpractice and other injury lawsuits. In a nutshell, the Housley presumption says courts should assume a plaintiffs injuries resulted from the accident in question if they were in good health beforehand.

Lawmakers tried repeatedly to revoke the presumption in previous years, only to see their attempts fail or vetoed. Landry signed Melerines bill into law May 28, and it took effect immediately.

Senate Bill 231 by Sen. Mike Reese, R-Leesville, deals with a concept called collateral source that prevents civil defendants from admitting certain types of evidence into court, which critics say has allowed plaintiffs to sue for medical expenses they never actually had to pay. Reeses bill would effectively undo that rule and could ultimately reduce the money plaintiffs can recover in auto accident lawsuits. It is pending consideration by the governor.

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House Bill 431, by Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge, limits the ability for people to recover damages for injuries sustained in accidents for which they are mostly at fault. The bill changes Louisianas comparative fault statute, which assigns a percentage of blame to each party in an accident and allows for the recovery of damages in proportion with those percentages.

Under prior law, a person partly at fault in an accident would be liable for their share of the damages and can recover the remaining amount found to be the fault of the other party. Cheneverts bill changes that to prohibit recovery of any amount by a party whos 51% or more at fault. It will take effect Jan. 1.

House Bill 436, by Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, prohibits unauthorized aliens  defined in the measure as individuals illegally in the United States under federal immigration law  from receiving general damages stemming from auto accidents. General damages include compensation for pain and suffering, but the proposal would still allow recovery for special damages such as medical expenses and property damage. It will take effect Aug. 1.

House Bill 291, sponsored by Rep. Jay Galle, R-Mandeville, would extend the filing deadline, called a prescriptive period, for wrongful death lawsuits from one year to two, aligning Louisiana with the deadline in most other states. It does not apply to medical malpractice cases.

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Proponents of the bill have argued a shorter prescriptive period attracts more tenuous lawsuits by essentially forcing people to quickly file claims so as to not lose their litigation rights. The proposal, which awaits the governors consideration, also complements a similar measure lawmakers approved last year to extend the deadline for filing personal injury claims.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A 27-year-old man who was shot and killed over the weekend in Buffalo is being remembered by loved ones for his creativity, personality and love for his children.

According to Buffalo Police, the shooting happened just before 4 a.m. on Saturday. Police were called to Jefferson Avenue and Broadway, where they found Dayshone King shot.

When we arrived, there was tape on the scene, said Kings cousin, Darius Foster. The car he was in was parked in front of the store and we saw a body on the ground.

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King was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by gunfire during an altercation involving several men. The victims brother, Zaire King, said King was debating if he even wanted to go out that night.

He wanted to stay in the house, but he felt like his friend needed him at that time, said Zaire King. It was probably one of those moments where he went against his intuition.

To family members and friends, Dayshone King was known as DayDay. They said he was known for his huge personality and the smile he always had on his face.

He had a passion for tattoos and was a tattoo artist for nearly seven years. His father inspired him to get involved, and King turned it into a career where he met new people every day while doing what he loved.

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King leaves behind three young children.

Family was always big to him, said Foster. He was so involved. He would fall asleep every night on the phone with one of his kids.

His energy, laughter, the way he lit up a room  those are just a few of the things his loved ones said will never be forgotten.

They plan to turn Kings drawings into merchandise with some proceeds going to his children. They also hope to one day see his artwork at the AKG Art Museum so his passion can live on even in his absence.

Continuing to carry his legacy is to make sure we take care of his kids, keep that same energy, good spirit, and always be loving, said Zaire King.

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Family members told WIVB News 4 they have not heard of any updates in the investigation, but they are hopeful justice will be served.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to call or text the Buffalo Police Departments tip call line at 716-847-2255.

Latest Local News

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday expressed deep concern over escalating violence in different parts of Sudan, including in and around El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur state.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council recalled Resolution 2736 of 2024, which demands that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) halt the siege of El Fasher.

The council members strongly condemned the attack on June 2 near al Koma in North Darfur on a joint World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Children's Fund humanitarian convoy, which killed five humanitarian workers, injured several people, damaged life-saving humanitarian supplies and burned multiple trucks.

They reiterated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for an urgent investigation and for the perpetrators to be held to account.

The council members also condemned repeated shelling by the RSF on May 29 that damaged a WFP facility in El Fasher.

They reminded the parties to the conflict to ensure the safety and security of UN and humanitarian personnel and their premises and assets. They reiterated that deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel, their premises and assets may constitute war crimes. 
DENVER (KDVR)  The Loveland Police Department reported the arrest of a street racer in a Facebook post, assuring residents that the agency is cracking down on dangerous road behaviors.

The agency shared details from an incident that occurred a few weeks ago that started when a traffic team saw two vehicles racing in the 3000 block of South Lincoln Avenue. Police officers initiated traffic stops, and one of the vehicles pulled off the road.

Driver with suspended license clocks over 100 mph on I-70: police

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The second driver sped from the scene, ran a red light and turned off the vehicles lights before crashing. The driver didnt stop there, police said, fleeing the scene on foot where he was ultimately hit with a stun gun and arrested.

Police said the suspect smelled of alcohol and found that his drivers license had been revoked.

Needless to say, the subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Larimer County Jail, the department shared.

The agency said that the community has voiced concerns about street racing, saying it has become a dangerous problem throughout Loveland, and said officers completed over 8,000 traffic stops in 2024.

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The LPD is often described as not taking these types of incidents seriously, but we want to assure the community that we do and they are being worked, the agency said.

The police department also said that it sees social media posts that alert drivers to their locations while working traffic details.

We respect the free speech communication of doing such, but please know it can be counterproductive in our efforts, especially in smaller, residential areas, the agency said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
WASHINGTON (WCBD)  Preparations are underway in the nations capital for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Armys grand military parade.

The parade will be attended by dignitaries from around the country, including South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.

Evette will join more than 9,000 soldiers from across the U.S. as they march through the streets of Washington and display some of the militarys equipment.

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The parade will feature approximately 130 vehicles, including 28 M1A1 tanks, 28 Bradley fighting vehicles, 28 Stryker armored fighting vehicles, and various other vehicles towing artillery launchers.

There will also be more than 50 helicopters and horses, mules, and army bands. The parade is estimated to cost $45 million.

It gets underway Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB)  The Lynn Haven Police Department has arrested a woman after responding to a report of a small child found unsupervised and wandering on Thursday.

According to a LHPD Facebook post, concerned citizens contacted dispatch after observing a child hiding and playing in the bushes of a nearby home.

Authorities said that as a result of previous investigations by LHPD Narcotics Investigators in the area of 1312 Delaware Avenue, they conducted a welfare check at the residence.

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The initial welfare check revealed another unsupervised child in the home while the mother was asleep and unaware of the childs location.

LHPD said that as they investigated further, evidence was gathered, resulting in a search warrant being issued.

During the execution of the warrant, authorities recovered methamphetamine and associated paraphernalia.

The mother, 35-year-old Amber Nichole Wagner, was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and child neglect

Wagner has been booked into the Bay County Jail.

The Department of Children and Families has been notified and is actively involved in the case.

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Anyone who has any information about this case or other illegal drug activity is urged to call LHPD at 850-265-4111 Ext 8217 or Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
CABOT, Ark.  In a milestone for Arkansas future veterinarians, Lyon College officially broke ground Thursday morning on the states first school of veterinary medicine.

The Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Service Center, located in Cabot, will address Arkansas shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas.

Cabot, Lyon College announce lease agreement for veterinary school

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Educators, state officials, and future veterinarians gathered to mark the historic event, which many say is long overdue.

For years, aspiring veterinarians from Arkansas had to leave the state, often paying out-of-state tuition and leaving behind their communities, said Reese Johnson, a veterinary technician and second-year student at Louisiana State University. Now we can change that.

The new facility will include classrooms, laboratories, surgical sites, simulation centers as well as a teaching hospital. Lyon officials say the center will play a key role in opening the states food supply chain, supporting public health, and boosting the local and statewide economies.

People cant get in to see veterinarians. Veterinarians are overworked. Theyre stressed because they care, said Dr. Eleanor Green, founding dean of the veterinary school. They want to provide care, and they are just trapped. Ask any practitioner.

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Currently, nearly 10% of Arkansas lacks veterinary coverage, leaving farmers and families without critical access to care. Arkansas ranks last in the U.S. for available veterinary professionals, according to state leaders.

Theres a lot of places that have needs, said Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College. Our idea is that we bring people who are qualified, who have that passion, into these roles to serve.

Lyon College Veterinary School announces partnership with Cabot Animal Support Services to offer hands-on learning

Lyon College plans to welcome its first class of veterinary students in 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
College Station, Tx (FOX 44)  Texas A&M University has appointed Dr. Bonnie R. Rush as the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. Rush comes from a position as the Hodes Family Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, where she has served for over thirty years,

She begins her new job at A&M August 1.

Dr. Rush brings to Texas A&M an extraordinary record of academic leadership, clinical insight and institutional vision, said Dr. Alan Sams, executive vice president and provost. Her commitment to innovation, wellness and student success aligns perfectly with the mission of the university and the VMBS. Im confident she will elevate the impact of our veterinary programs across Texas and beyond.

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Rush joined Kansas States faculty in 1993 as an associate professor of equine internal medicine and rose through the ranks to department head, then hospital director and, in 2017, to dean. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Large Animal) and an internationally respected voice in veterinary internal medicine, medical education and student well-being.

During her tenure as dean, she led the creation of multiple Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) certificate programs and expanded clinical outreach through high-impact shelter medicine and community rotations. She also launched a donor-funded student wellness program  now a national model for veterinary schools  and oversaw major faculty and staff development initiatives, as well as the renovation of teaching and hospital facilities.

Her leadership helped secure federal funding from the National Institutes of Health to support a new biomedical research facility on the Kansas State campus. Rush currently serves as president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, a role that gives her a national platform to address the future of veterinary education and workforce development.

Rush currently serves as president of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, a role that gives her a national platform to address the future of veterinary education and workforce development.



Im deeply honored to join Texas A&M and lead a college with such a distinguished legacy in veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences and One Health research, Rush said. The faculty, staff and students at VMBS are at the forefront of the profession, and Im excited to partner with them to advance education, research and service in ways that truly matter to animals, people and communities.

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Rush earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, summa cum laude, and a Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Sciences from The Ohio State University. Her scholarship has focused on respiratory disease in horses, as well as evidence-based approaches to clinical teaching.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Israel has embarked on a perilous path to dismantling Irans nuclear programme, and has launched direct aerial attacks on one of the key uranium enrichment sites located in Natanz. These facilities are built just a few meters underground, and are thus vulnerable to missile attacks and aerial bombardments.

A number of prominent nuclear scientists were also killed in the attacks, including a former head of Irans Atomic Energy Organisation. The attacks constitute a major warning to the Islamic Republic to curb its nuclear activities.

Iran, over the past six decades, has acquired a highly advanced and encompassing nuclear programme, including Uranium Enrichment Plants, the Heavy Water Plant, and Heavy-Water research reactors. The dual use nature of nuclear technology is well established, and Israels concerns about nuclear proliferation have provided them the impetus to attack Irans critical infrastructure  including nuclear facilities.

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It is most likely that Israel, as part of the Operation Rising Lion, will attack other nuclear sites in the subsequent phase of its aerial military campaign. It may target the highly advanced facilities at Esfahan Nuclear Technology Centre and also the Esfahan Nuclear Research Centre, in particular the Uranium Conversion Facility, where uranium concentrate is converted to uranium hexafluoride gas, as feed for centrifuges to enrich uranium.

The Heavy Water Plant at Arak could also be a potential target for attack, as the key components of the plant are tall columns built in the open. In the event of an all-out strike, the research reactor in Tehran could be targeted, as it is vulnerable to drone, missile, and aerial strikes.

The Fordow Uranium Enrichment Facility, built some 60 meters inside a mountain, is designed not to be vulnerable to attacks by drones, rockets, missiles, or the U.S. Bunker Busting bombs. However, its external (offsite) electricity supply, cooling water supply, and air supply systems are highly vulnerable. Uranium has been enriched to 83.7 per cent at Fordow, which is comparable to the 80 per cent enriched uranium contained in the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

It is unlikely that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant would come under attack, as such plants are designed and constructed to withstand aerial attacks. However, external power supplies and cooling water systems are regarded as soft targets, and highly vulnerable to drone and missile strikes.

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Extensive damage to the plant could lead to a Fukushima-like accident, and release of significant quantities of radioactivity into the marine environment of the Persian Gulf. This could lead to the extensive contamination of the ecological systems and disruption of shipping operations. It could also affect oil and gas production and the supply of water to some of the Arab States in the Persian Gulf.

Moreover, Russian personnel may be present at the plant, and any harm to them would constitute a major escalation of the conflict which Israel, under the circumstances, would not wish to provoke.

Should Israel decide to launch further direct attacks, it is likely that it would also target critical infrastructure adjacent to nuclear facilities, including fossil-fuelled power stations, electricity grids, and cooling water supplies. Destruction of critical infrastructure could lead to extensive damage to nuclear facilities and their normal operations.

Iran, in the event of an all-out attack on its nuclear facilities, could take retaliatory action by striking Israels nuclear research centres. Irans recent aerial attack on Israel has demonstrated its military capabilities and its ability to escalate the conflict. Iran could heighten the hostilities yet further by attacking Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates: these countries have normalised diplomatic relations with Israel and host US military bases. The US could thus become directly involved in the conflict.

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It is imperative that concerted diplomatic efforts are instituted to prevent further escalation of the conflict, and to restore peace, security and stability in this highly turbulent region. Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail.

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France's President Emmanuel Macron on Friday urged the US and Iran to resume nuclear talks following a wave of Israeli strikes against Iran.

"Iran bears a heavy responsibility in the destabilisation of the whole region," he said after Western nations in recent days accused Tehran of deliberately escalating its nuclear programme, despite several rounds of US-Iran talks.

"We call for the resumption of dialogue and the reaching of a deal."

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US President Donald Trump's Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff had been set to hold a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in Oman.

After Israel's deadly strikes early on Friday, Trump afterwards urged Iran to "make a deal, before there is nothing left", warning of "even more brutal" attacks to come.

Macron, who earlier on Friday defended Israel's right to protect itself, said France could help in the case of an Iranian retaliation against Israel.

"If Israel were to be attacked in retaliation by Iran, France, if in a position to do so, would take part in protection and defence operations," he said.

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Macron earlier in the day spoke by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Elysee said, following a spike in diplomatic tensions.

The French presidency said the phone conversation took place but did not provide details.

Relations between Macron and Netanyahu have been strained in recent months over Israel's blockade of Gaza and France's plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

- UN meeting postponed -

France and Saudi Arabia have been planning to co-chair a UN conference on a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians next week in New York.

But Macron said on Friday evening that meeting had been postponed.

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"While we have to postpone this conference for logistical and security reasons, it will take place as soon as possible," Macron said at a press conference.

Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids, striking 100 targets including nuclear and military sites, as well as killing the armed forces' chief of staff.

In the aftermath of the strikes, Macron also spoke with leaders including Trump and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

Earlier Friday, Macron said Israel had the right to defend itself and ensure its security but also called for de-escalation.

"To avoid jeopardising the stability of the entire region, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to de-escalate," he said on X.

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Macron spoke after convening a meeting of the National Defence and Security Council.

"All necessary steps will be taken to protect our nationals and our diplomatic and military missions in the region," Macron said.

Iran has gradually broken away from its commitments under the nuclear deal it struck with world powers including the United States and France in 2015.

The landmark deal provided Iran sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme, but it fell apart after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States during Trump's first term in 2018.

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On Capitol Hill, its common for lawmakers to approve funding measures, but its far more unusual to see members un-approve funding measures. With this in mind, the latest NBC News report from Capitol Hill stood out as important for a few reasons.

The Republican-led House voted 214-212 on Thursday to pass a proposal from President Donald Trump to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved federal funding. The rescissions package would claw back $8.3 billion for foreign aid and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to NPR and PBS. It is part of an effort by the White House to codify cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency, which was helmed by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Its worth noting at the outset that the measure very nearly didnt pass. Four Republicans ended up voting with the Democratic opposition, but there were other GOP opponents who opposed the effort. They ultimately caved under partisan pressure.

Republican leaders were aided significantly by the fact that four House Democrats, who wouldve voted against the package, missed the vote altogether for reasons that were not immediately clear.

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But as the dust settles on the developments, there are four elements that are worth keeping in mind.

Whats a rescissions package? When Congress appropriates funds, the White House is obligated to spend the tax dollars accordingly. Presidents, at least for now, do not have the legal option of simply ignoring lawmakers wishes and impounding the money, though Richard Nixon tried and failed to do so.

But there is a legal mechanism in place that allows the White House to send Congress requests to undo funds that were appropriated but not spent. These are called rescissions packages. Once they arrive on Capitol Hill, lawmakers have 45 days to either approve the packages and un-spend the money, or ignore the presidents request, which in turn would force the administration to do what Congress directed in the first place.

Whats in Trumps rescissions package? While other presidents have had small and unremarkable rescissions requests, Trumps version was far more ambitious: It sought to codify cuts from Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), cutting $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps fund local public television and radio stations around the country, and $8.3 billion from the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

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While $9.4 billion might not seem like an enormous amount of money given the size of the federal budget and the overall U.S. economy, these specific cuts would, if approved, have a significant impact. Not only are there communities nationwide that rely on public broadcasting  for things such as weather forecasts and emergency alerts  but as MSNBCs Michael Steele explained this week, the USAID cuts raise life-or-death questions for many desperate people worldwide.

What about the power of the purse? A bedrock feature of the Constitution is that Congress controls the nations purse strings. Trump and his team have made no secret of the fact that they hope to shift at least some of these powers to the White House, and pry authority away from lawmakers, as part of a larger power grab. A great many Republicans appear eager to go along with these efforts.

What happens now? With the House narrowly approving the measure on Thursday, the package now heads to the Republican-led Senate (which rejected a similarly sized effort in 2018). While many measures in the upper chamber require 60 votes to advance, the rescissions process is different: If a simple majority in the Senate supports the presidents request, itll pass, and the spending will be cancelled.

In other words, unless four GOP senators balk, Trumps rescissions gambit will succeed  and will almost certainly open the door to a series of related efforts. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* In Iran: Israels attack on Irans Natanz Nuclear Facility completely destroyed its above-ground fuel enrichment plant where uranium was being produced, the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) said.

* In Israel: Irans retaliatory attack on Israel is ongoing, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Dozens of additional missiles were launched toward Israel, the IDF said.

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* The United States role: The U.S. is assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles and projectiles targeting Israel, according to three U.S. officials.

* So many Trump administration legal setbacks, so little time: A federal judge in California on Friday temporarily blocked the U.S. State Department from implementing an agency-wide reorganization plan that includes nearly 2,000 layoffs. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco said during a virtual hearing that her May ruling barring federal agencies from laying off tens of thousands of employees at the direction of President Donald Trump applies to the planned overhaul announced by the State Department in April.

* Speaking of judges telling Trump what he doesnt want to hear: President Donald Trump failed to persuade a federal appeals court to reconsider the $5 million verdict won by E. Jean Carroll after a jury found that he sexually abused and defamed the former magazine columnist in the 1990s. In an 8-2 vote, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on Friday left intact its Dec. 30 decision by a three-judge panel upholding the jury award.

* Keep an eye on this one: President Donald Trumps administration this week provided deportation officials with personal data  including the immigration status  on millions of Medicaid enrollees, a move that could make it easier to locate people as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown. An internal memo and emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully sought to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns.

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* All is not well in Florida: Floridas child welfare agency sent a letter to a Florida newspaper telling it to cease and desist its reporting on foster families for a story about a nonprofit associated with Gov. Ron DeSantis wife that is the subject of an investigation.

* Speaking of the Sunshine State: Floridas Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey issued a harsh warning to protesters ahead of expected demonstrations, saying anyone who throws a brick, a firebomb, or points a gun at deputies will be killed graveyard dead.

* These DOJ moves in Colorado raise all sorts of questions: The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding an unprecedented amount of election data from at least one state, according to documents obtained by NPR, as the DOJ transformed by the Trump administration reviews cases targeting the presidents political allies and caters to his desire to exert more power over state voting processes.

* I seem to recall Republicans taking a significant interest in the cost of home appliances during the Biden era, making their silence now that much more conspicuous: Washing machines, refrigerators and other common household appliances made with steel parts will soon be subject to expanded tariffs, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Have a safe weekend.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
MADISON, Ala (WHNT)  The Focus Act will ban the use of cell phones during the school day starting this fall, and while that rule is the same for every school in the state, the guidelines and consequences in place will vary per school system.

Theyre not to be even be on that person, Madison City School Superintendent Ed Nichols said. The law talks about placing those in their cars or their lockers, or another designated area. For Madison, it will be their backpack or their purse to meet the law.

Madison City Schools asking for feedback on school rezoning

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Of course, there are a few exceptions for some students to access their phones. Some of these are for emergencies and individualized healthcare plans.

Shari Moore is the mother of three Madison City Schools students.

Her son, Clark, is heading into the fifth grade and happens to fall under one of these exceptions.

He does have type one diabetes, she said. He has a couple of devices that read his blood sugar.

Keller EMS becomes first ambulance service in Shoals to offer blood transfusions in the field

She said they used to be in constant communication with Clark about managing his sugar, but they learned this was actually doing more harm than good.

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What we found out is that it was actually more of a hindrance for him in the learning environment, she said. I wouldnt have thought that going in, but we did put that into practice, and it really was a distraction for him, for his classmates, and for his teacher.

Despite her son falling under the exception, she said she supports the Focus Act, saying it encourages a better learning environment and social skills outside of the classroom as well.

From what my daughter has told me during lunch, everybodys on their phone, she said.

You should be learning those social skills. We are sending you to school to learn those as well as education.

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Nichols said he supports the effort of enhancing learning in the classroom, but he wants to make sure the enforcement of the law doesnt take away from the education.

I dont want teachers and administrators spending time dealing with a new law and all the intricacies of it, and that literally takes them away from focusing on instruction, he said. Im a little concerned that the reach of it was a little farther, maybe, than it needed to be, but its the law and were going to follow it.

The law says school systems must come up with punishments for policy violations by July 1st.

Nichols said they are still working on this proposal, but they are thinking it will fall under a class two offense, which will likely result in a suspension or loss of other privileges on campus.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
A 23-year-old Madison man has been charged with engaging in terrorist threats after he posted to X that he wanted to kill Black, gay and Jewish people, prosecutors say.

Dejuan F. Angelo was charged by the Dane County District Attorney's Office on June 10 with terrorist threats charge and drug-related charges, including drug trafficking, after police say they recovered more than 10,000 grams of THC in his residence.

According to a criminal complaint:

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The FBI was alerted to threats being posted from an X account, formerly Twitter, and initiated an investigation. The messages, posted to the X account from May 19 to June 4, called for the "slaughter" and decapitation of Black, Jewish and gay people using derogatory terms for each.

"We will hunt you (expletive) to extinction in the states soon," the account posted. "We need to kill (expletive). Save the world from them."

The account also posted that they previously killed someone and it felt "cathartic" and they wanted to do it again. The account also advocated to "start beating woman to death every time they abort a child for frivolous reasons."

"I broke a (expletive) arm after she told me she had three abortions," the account posted.

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The FBI identified Angelo as the account holder and he was further identified using Department of Transportation records, the complaint said.

Madison police arrested Angelo on June 6 and searched his home that same day after being granted a search warrant. Angelo told police that he knew why they were there, adding he is "very opinionated" and "often makes derogatory comments on X," the complaint said.

According to the complaint, police found over 5,400 grams of commercial THC products and nearly 20 pounds of marijuana flowers, the complaint said. Further, police recovered about 475 grams of Psilocybin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, the complaint said.

Angelo is not in custody after posting $30,000 bail on June 13. If convicted of the drug charges, he could be sentenced to decades behind bars. The maximum sentence for terrorist threats is 3 years.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison man charged with terrorist threats following posts to X
President Donald Trump is facing a MAGA firestorm over Israels deadly strike against Iran, with some of his staunchest supporters warning that U.S. involvement could split the base that got him elected.

In a stunning operation, Israel launched what it described as a preemptive strike on Irans nuclear program on Thursday, hitting Tehrans long-range missile facilities and aerial defenses and killing several military commanders.

A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack, on June 13, 2025. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

While the U.S. says it was not involved in the attack, Trump on Friday reiterated his support for Israel and described the strikes as excellent. He also warned that theres a lot more to come.

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But the escalation in the Middle East has ignited a war within MAGA ranks and put the president under growing pressure to keep America out of the conflict.

As the prospect of an Israeli attack began to escalate on Thursday, MAGA activist Jack Posobiec took to social media to warn that a direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition.

Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for - the midterms are not far and Congress majority is already razor-thin. America First!

Marjorie Taylor Greene says Trump should not get involved in the regional conflict between Iran and Israel. / ELIJAH NOUVELAGE / AFP via Getty Images

Trump loyalist Marjorie Taylor Greene also came out strongly against the presidents policy of defending Israel against Tehran.

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Americans dont want to bomb Iran because the secular government of Israel says that Iran is on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb any day now, she said.

And Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk raised concerns that the issue could cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency.

Moments after the strike, Kirk went live on air to pose the MAGA dilemma Trump now faces: How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda  stay consistent with this right now?

No issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy. Im very concerned based on every Ive seen in the grassroots the last few months that this will cause a massive schism in MAGA and potentially disrupt our momentum and our insanely successful Presidency. https://t.co/asUBrQAXVC  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 12, 2025

GOP war hawks such as Fox News host Mark Levin, who has been pushing for the U.S. to abandon nuclear talks and give the green light to strike, took a different view.

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The Iranians are about to get their asses kicked and its been coming since Jimmy Carter, he said on Hannity as the strikes took place on Thursday evening.

As tensions between MAGA isolationists and war hawks escalated on Friday morning, conservative firebrand Laura Loomer asked on X: Explain it to me like I am 5 years old. How is it not AMERICA FIRST to congratulate those who just made sure Islamists who chant DEATH TO AMERICA and who openly plotted to assassinate President @realDonaldTrump never have an opportunity to have a nuke?

Israels strike was a humiliation for Trump, who had spent weeks asking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off in order to find a diplomatic solution.

On Thursday, hours before the attack took place, Trump even told reporters at the White House that I dont want them going in because it could blow it.

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I want to have an agreement with Iran. Were fairly close to an agreement, he said. Whether or not we get there, I cant tell you but it will happen soon.

Trump took to the airwaves on Friday morning with a somewhat different tone, blaming Iran for bringing the destruction on itself.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, he wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.

Kevin Mohatt/Reuters

However, critics accused the president of trying to save face.

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Trump is scrambling to spin this, said Democrat Senator Chris Murphy.

Netanyahu wasnt trying to help diplomacy; he was trying to destroy diplomacy. How do we know? They reportedly targeted and killed Irans chief negotiator.
President Donald Trump campaigned on ending what his base has long derided as U.S. foreign adventurism, leading the rebellion against an establishment that long favored international interventions.

Now some of his most vocal supporters fear Israel  and possibly Trump himself  may have trampled his ability to make good on that promise.

The Jewish nations decision to conduct a pre-emptive strike on Tehrans nuclear facilities on Thursday night threatens to draw the United States into a Middle East conflict  and split the MAGA coalition that catapulted Trump back into the Oval Office.

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While administration officials say the U.S. played no part in the offensive, it was unclear as of Thursday night whether the U.S. will be able to actually stay on the sidelines. Trump  who Friday morning reiterated U.S. support for Israel and even praised the strike, less than a day after asking Israel to stand -down will almost certainly feel compelled to help defend Israel against counter-attacks by Iran.

And there are real questions about how Tehran  which was slated to meet with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff for the latest round of peace talks on Sunday  will react. Will they, for instance, blame the U.S. and retaliate on American bases in the region, forcing Trumps hand into a military operation he long campaigned against?

The entire situation is infuriating the MAGA base, whose leaders had been imploring Trump to stop Israel in recent days. But the president either tried and failed, highlighting his lack of sway with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu  or he privately greenlit the campaign against the warnings of his base.

Either way, the president who insisted his negotiating prowess would usher in a new age of world peace, now finds himself in perhaps the diciest situation of his presidency: facing down the possibility of leaving Israel to fend for itself  or joining it in going toe to toe with Iran.

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What the president does from here could end up defining his presidency, MAGA scribe Matt Boyle of Breitbart told me just after news of the strikes. He has to balance protecting Americas greatest ally in the region in Israel with avoiding getting the USA drawn into war.

Others in the MAGA-sphere are more blunt. After suggesting Thursday night that Israel has now made a mockery of the United States and calling the attack deliberate sabotage to force us into war, Breaking Points host Saagar Enjeti trained his ire on Trump Friday morning.

Trump has now praised Israels strike, affirmed US material support; and Israeli media is reporting his public opposition was a disinformation campaign to mislead Iran, he wrote. So in other words Trump, not Israel, has made a mockery of all of us wanted to avoid this war.

Indeed, moments after the strike occurred, Trump ally Charlie Kirk went live with his supporters and declared the entire situation a mess that is now going to have major American domestic implications. Americans will once again start debating whether to finance Israel and sell them arms, he said  and if we do, Tehran could react.

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As you very well know, I'm very pro-Israel on this show; I'm just simply interpreting the political dynamics here, he said. And I could tell you right now that the audience, you guys ... are not thrilled with this situation at all.

The question is also, I think fundamentally at its core: How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda  stay consistent with this right now? he asked.

Israels offensive came after pleas to the president from the MAGA base reached a fever pitch on Thursday. Some of the most high-profile figures of the movement took to social media, podcasts and television imploring Trump to intervene to stop it, believing that he actually could.

Kirk  the Turning Point USA leader whos become a de facto whip for the administration warned that a strike on Iran will cause a massive schism in MAGA. Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief at the right-wing publication, The Federalist  who frequently lavishes praise on Trump on Fox News  argued that allowing the Israeli strike would be seen as an unforgivable betrayal by millions of American voters.

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Right-wing activist Jack Posobiec warned that the midterms are nearing and wondered: What do you think a new Middle East conflict with Iran would do to summer gas prices? And on Steve Bannons War Room podcast two days in a row, Boyle insisted that its incredibly important that President Trump resist the pressure for military action.

The president listens to the base  its his best quality, Boyle had told me earlier in the day.Clearly people across the MAGA movement are watching whats happening very closely and are concerned that any moves by globalists and neocon forces to drag the United States into another endless war in the Middle East would cause serious political damage to the president.

Just a few days ago, many of these types were only talking about this issue privately  if they were talking about it at all. For the few who went public, they directed their criticism at hawks like Mark Levin or others they deem warmongers, as I wrote three days ago .

But in light of evacuation orders for some State and other U.S. officials in the region, those pleas took on new urgency on Thursday  and were being redirected at the man they put in the Oval Office.

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The public pleas presumed, of course, that Trump had the sway to actually stop Israel from forging ahead on its own. While many experts have suggested Israel would want a green light from Trump before acting, all of a sudden some began questioning whether that was still the case.

Speaking to reporters at a bill signing Thursday, Trump bluntly warned that an Israeli strike on Iran could very well happen  though he made clear his preference is for diplomacy and that hes asked Israelis to hold off. But Trump allies have argued that it wont matter if the U.S. isnt technically the country to start the war  if Israel gets involved, so will the U.S.

The White House appears to recognize the political sensitivities. Throughout the day, officials appeared to closely monitor the MAGA pushback on Iran: At 11:57 a.m. Enjeti highlighted a nugget in a CBS story reporting that Trump was "weighing options.. .to support Israeli military action without leading it ... including aerial refueling or intelligence sharing.

The narrative of an independent Israeli strike is bunk then, he wrote . This would be a U.S. sanctioned operation, and we must stand against it.

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One hour later, Enjeti updated his followers that he got some push back from a WH official, who said the U.S. wont be involved in a strike by Israel at least for now. (I was told the same last night by an administration official before the strike.)

I called up Enjeti Thursday afternoon to get his take on whats going on. The first thing he did was draw my attention to a 2011 video clip of Trump slamming President Barack Obama, claiming that our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate.

Hes weak and hes ineffective, Trump said of Obama. We have a real problem in the White House.

The clip, Enjeti said, was making the rounds on Thursday among MAGA types.

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Its being passed around specifically because that was a key tenet of his indictment of the George W. Bush/neoconservative wing of the party, Enjeti said. Whats happening now is very counter to the things he said from the very beginning, on the campaign trail  it flies really in the face of the way he talked about stupid leaders who pursue disastrous foreign wars.

By the end of Thursday, Trump appeared to be getting the message, doubling down on his insistence that he wants to avoid a new Middle East conflict.

We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! he wrote on Truth Social. My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.

Hours after he posted that missive, Israel struck Tehran.


NEW YORK  A tumultuous day in Mahmoud Khalils bid for freedom ended late Friday with a federal judge in New Jersey refusing to force the Trump administration to release the Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist from a Louisiana lockup.

Judge Michael Farbiarz denied a request from Khalils lawyers calling for his immediate release after the government declined to appeal a ruling Farbiarz issued Wednesday that found the main reason cited for jailing and seeking to deport Khalil was unconstitutional.

Until Friday, Trump administration lawyers had primarily argued the lawful permanent resident should be detained and deported based on a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his pro-Palestinian advocacy could compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest, meaning U.S. support for Israel.

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When Farbiarz said Khalil could no longer be detained on that basis, government lawyers were expected to appeal before his order went into effect on Friday at 9:30 a.m. That didnt happen, prompting Khalils lawyers to call for his instant release.

But lawyers for the federal government later in the day said they did not interpret Farbiarzs opinion as ordering them to release Khalil because they had a backup reason for keeping him in lockup  alleged omissions on his immigration forms about his work experience.

Khalil is now detained based on that other charge of removability, Trump admin lawyers wrote.

Farbiarz said Khalil could make a bid for bail to the judge presiding over his separate immigration case in Louisiana.

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The 30-year-old grad student, a legal permanent resident, has been detained in Jena, Louisiana, since March 9, a day after agents from the Department of Homeland Security took him into custody at his Columbia-owned apartment. He played a prominent role in campus protests against Israeli military activity in Gaza and the West Bank and Columbias financial ties to Israel, acting as a mediator between students and the school administration.

In the weeks that followed, the government cited an obscure provision in a 1952 immigration law that says the office of the secretary of state can order someone deported if their beliefs or activities could unfavorably impact U.S. foreign relations, namely, the governments policy of combating antisemitism.

Khalil, a Palestinian who grew up in a Syrian refugee camp, rejects that his advocacy for civilians in war-torn Gaza and the West Bank is based on bigotry. His lawyers have pointed to public comments he made well before his arrest condemning antisemitism.

Farbiarzs Wednesday opinion and order found the basis provided by the government was so vague as to be unconstitutional and said Khalils ongoing detention was jeopardizing his professional reputation and right to free speech, amounting to irreparable harm.

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As of Fridays back and forth, the governments reason for detaining Khalil is now based on its allegations that when he applied for lawful permanent residency in 2024, he didnt disclose membership in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), that hed worked for the British Embassy in Beirut after 2022, or that he was a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD).

Though he accepted the governments position Friday, Farbiarz on Wednesday appeared skeptical that the alleged omissions warranted his detention, noting that the government virtually never [detains] people on such allegations and that Khalils jailing was, by all accounts, driven by Rubios unconstitutional policy.

Khalil, whose U.S. citizen wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, accepted his diploma from Columbia on his behalf last month, is fighting his detention and deportation in a habeas corpus case filed in New Jersey, where he was swiftly transferred after being taken into custody.

Separately, hes faced immigration proceedings in Louisiana, where Judge Jamee Comans has sided with the government in ordering him deported. Before a hearing in that matter last month, where Khalil and other witnesses sought to convince Comans that his deportation could result in his death, he met his 1-month-old son, Deen, for the first time, who was born weeks after he was detained.

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At that hearing, according to court papers, the government did not appear to bolster its allegations about Khalils lawful residency forms.

The immigration judge dismissed the claim about the British embassy. Khalil testified he was never employed by UNRWA or a member or a leader of CUAD, and government lawyers didnt cross-examine him. The government did not mention the UNRWA or CUAD membership allegations in written closing arguments.

Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to the Daily Newss queries. Khalils lawyers could not immediately be reached following Farbiarzs order late Friday.

The deadline has come and gone and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately, the attorneys said in a statement earlier Friday. Anything further is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

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NEW YORK  The Trump administration blew a Friday morning deadline to challenge Mahmoud Khalils release from the Louisiana detention center where hes been held since March, prompting lawyers for the Columbia University student activist to call for him to be freed immediately.

New Jersey federal Judge Michael Farbiarz on Wednesday granted Khalils request to stop the government from detaining and deporting him  for now  based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios determination that his pro-Palestinian advocacy compromises a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest, meaning U.S. support for Israel.

The judge said the order wouldnt go into effect until Friday at 9:30 a.m., giving the government time to file a notice of appeal challenging his finding, a deadline that passed.

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The deadline has come and gone and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately, Khalils lawyers said in a statement to the New York Daily News. Anything further is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

In filings asking the judge to order his release, the lawyers said that the Government has not filed a notice of appeal of this Courts Order by the Court-ordered deadline for the preliminary injunction to be in effect. Nor has the Government represented that Mr. Khalil is being detained based on any ground other than the one the Court (barred).

The attorneys attached their email correspondence with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Thursday, in which the agencys New Orleans field office director said they had no information Khalil would be released or a time estimate.

Following the Friday morning filings, Farbiarz gave the government until 1:30 p.m. to respond.

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Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

In a statement Wednesday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin had indicated the government would challenge Farbiarzs order, saying it delays justice and seeks to undermine (Trumps) constitutionally vested powers. McLaughlin said a green card was a privilege that should be revoked for people who support terrorist activity, an allegation the Trump admin has levied against Khalil without backing up.

The 30-year-old grad student, a legal permanent resident, has been detained in Jena, Louisiana, since March 9, a day after agents from DHS took him into custody at his Columbia-owned apartment.

In the weeks that followed, the government cited an obscure provision in a 1952 immigration law finding the office of the secretary of state can order someone deported if their beliefs could unfavorably impact U.S. foreign relations, namely, the governments policy of combating antisemitism. Khalil, a Palestinian who grew up in a Syrian refugee camp, rejects that his advocacy for civilians in war-torn Gaza and the West Bank is based on bigotry.

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His lawyers have pointed to public comments he made well before his arrest condemning antisemitism.

Farbiarzs Wednesday opinion and order found his detention jeopardized his reputation and right to free speech.

(The) Court finds as a matter of fact that (Khalils) career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled, Farbiarz wrote Wednesday, and this adds up to irreparable harm.

The government has also cited another basis for Khalils deportation in alleging that he failed to fill out forms when he applied for residency accurately. Farbiarz noted Wednesday that the government virtually never (detains) people on such allegations and that Khalils ongoing detention was, by all accounts, driven by Rubios unconstitutional policy.

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The student activist, whose U.S. citizen wife accepted his diploma from Columbia on his behalf last month, is fighting his detention and deportation in a habeas corpus case filed in New Jersey, where he was swiftly transferred after being taken into custody.

He played a prominent role in campus protests against Israeli military activity in Gaza and the West Bank and Columbias financial ties to Israel, acting as a mediator between students and the school administration.

Separately, hes faced immigration proceedings in Louisiana, where Judge Jamee Comans has sided with the government in ordering him deported. Before a hearing in that matter last month, where Khalil and other witnesses sought to convince Comans that his deportation could result in his death, he met his 1-month-old son, Deen, for the first time, who was born weeks after he was detained.

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The Israeli strikes against Iran are affecting travelers around the world as multiple major airlines have canceled or delayed flights.

And they're not just flights to Israel.

The turmoil is affecting worldwide travel. Multiple major airlines have cancelled or diverted "thousands of flights," straining airlines already struggling with profitability, according to Reuters. Eurocontrol told Reuters that it's not just the Middle East; about 1,800 flights to and from Europe were affected by the turmoil on June 13 by mid morning, including 650 cancelled flights, Reuters reported.

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Air India announced a string of diverted flights, including some from or to European destinations and the U.S.

There were 15,964 delayed flights worldwide on June 13 with 928 cancellations, including 168 into or out of the U.S., FlightAware reported.

Flight tracking sites showed there was no commercial air travel over Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq on June 13. The airports in Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Amman were all closed.

Global air travel has been disrupted, CNN reported.

According to Reuters, flying through the Middle East region is an "important route for international flights between Europe and Asia," especially since Russian and Ukrainian airspace was already shut down.

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Travel to Israel or the Middle East was impacted most.

Airlines that had canceled, delayed, or "redirected" flights on June 13 included "Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Air India, as well as the German-based Lufthansa," according to CBS. In addition, El-Al and Isair, which are Israeli airlines, "evacuated planes from Tel Aviv," CBS reported.

The cancellations affected the region around Israel but also "beyond," the network reported.

Israel's Ben-Gurion airport was completely closed to air travel passengers.

Emirates "canceled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran," CBS reported.

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According to Reuters, El Al Airlines, Air France, Ryanair, and Wizz, suspended flights to and from Israel.

Related: Major Airline Diverts 16 Flights, Including From New York

Major Airlines Cancel 650 European Flights as Delays Rock Travelers first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: More Americans support rather than oppose Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, according to a new national poll conducted before Israel's Friday attack on Iran.

But the survey, released by the Ronald Reagan Institute, indicates that most Democrats and Republicans don't see eye-to-eye on the issue.

Majority Of Americans Back Israeli Airstrikes On Iran, Poll Shows

According to the poll, which was first shared with Fox News on Friday, 45% of those questioned said they would support Israel conducting targeted airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran fail.

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Thirty-seven percent said they opposed Israeli airstrikes, with 18% unsure.

Smoke rises from a location allegedly targeted in Israel's wave of strikes on Tehran, Iran, on the early morning of June 13, 2025.

Trump Faces Critical Decision As Middle East Teeters On Brink Of War

Read On The Fox News App

But the poll indicates a partisan divide.

Six in 10 Republicans said they support the airstrikes, but that backing dropped to 35% among independents and 32% among Democrats.

Twenty-seven percent of Republicans opposed the Israeli airstrikes, with a third of independents and just over half of Democrats opposed.

The poll of adult Americans was conducted, May 22-June 2, before Israel's unprecedented attack on Iran, named "Operation Rising Lion," which included strikes on both the Islamic State's nuclear program and military leaders.





Original article source: Majority of Americans back Israeli airstrikes on Iran, poll shows
NEW YORK  Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander, the leading progressive candidates running for mayor in this months Democratic primary, are cross-endorsing each other, urging their respective supporters to rank the other candidate second on their ballots.

In a joint statement Friday, the Mamdani and Lander campaigns said theyre making the move because it has become increasingly clear they are the two left-wing candidates in the race who can defeat disgraced Andrew Cuomo, the ex-governor whos polling as the favorite to win the primary.

As Brad and I exposed the ex-governors record of corruption and scandal on last nights debate stage, New Yorkers could see Cuomo for what he really is: a relic of the broken politics of the past, Mamdani said in a statement, referring to Thursdays second and final Democratic mayoral primary debate.

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His campaign has always been a house of cards, and with Brad and I cross endorsing on the eve of early voting, we will topple it together.

Cross-endorsements have become increasingly common in New York, given the ranked-choice voting system the city adopted for the first time during the 2021 local elections. Under that system, candidates who trail after the first round of vote tabulations could eventually prevail if they are ranked on ballots featuring other candidates in the No. 1 slot.

Im proud to cross-endorse Zohran because of his strong commitment to a more affordable New York, and to stop the corrupt, morally bankrupt, unacceptable Andrew Cuomo from becoming mayor of a city he doesnt even like, Lander added in his own statement.

Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual harassment and pandemic mismanagement accusations he denies, netted a surprise cross-endorsement last week from Jessica Ramos, a progressive mayoral candidate who used to be one of his harshest critics.

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Whitney Tilson, an ex-hedge fund manager running on a centrist platform, offered Cuomo a surprise cross-endorsement during Thursday nights debate, too.

A spokesman for Cuomo  who hasnt returned the favor by cross-endorsing either Ramos or Tilson  said its no surprise Mamdani and Lander are ganging up on him.

The two have been attached at the hip for months, but it wont move the needle, spokesman Rich Azzopardi said, adding that voters know Andrew Cuomo is the only one with the experience and the record to get the city back on the right track.

A Lander campaign official told the Daily News he and Mamdani decided to cross-endorse after speaking following Thursday nights debate.

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The official said the decision was made by the candidates alone and not influenced by progressive powerbrokers like the Working Families Party or New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The official explained a key factor behind the move was a recent poll projecting Mamdani and Lander just 3% apart from each other  within the margin of error  in a ranked-choice voting simulation of the primary.

Their announcement came just as New Yorkers gear up to head to the polls for the first day of early voting Saturday. New Yorkers will then be able to cast early ballots every day through June 22 before polls open for the final round of voting on the June 24 primary day.

Mamdani and Lander had since previously urged their supporters to rank the other candidate somewhere on their ballots after they were both endorsed by the Working Families Party as part of an anti-Cuomo slate.

The direct cross-endorsement further indicates the progressive duo believe they have a better shot at beating Cuomo if they team up against him.

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Mamdani, a democratic socialist running on a populist platform that includes promises to freeze rent on stabilized tenants and drastically expand fully subsidized child care, has consistently polled as the runner-up to Cuomo and one recent survey even showed him overtaking the ex-gov for the first time.

Lander has typically ranked in the No. 3 or 4 spot in most polls. On Thursday, he netted the endorsement of an opinion panel convened by the New York Times editorial board, and he has said he expects that to give him a boost.

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A 56-year-old man was shot to death following a heated disagreement outside a Bronx deli, police said Friday.

The victim, identified by police as Anthony Huggins, was in front of the Franklin Gourmet Deli on E. 169th St. and Franklin Ave. in Morrisania around 9:20 p.m. Thursday when he got into an argument with another man.

The rival pulled a gun and fired, striking Huggins in the head, cops said.

It was not immediately clear what the pair were arguing about.

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EMS rushed the victim to Saint Barnabas Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead at 9:41 p.m.

A 56-year-old man was shot to death following a heated argument outside the Franklin Gourmet Deli on E. 169th St. and Franklin Ave. in the Bronx on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News) Show Caption1 of 2Scene where a 56-year-old man was shot to death following a heated argument on E. 169th St. and Franklin Ave. in the Bronx on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)Expand

The gunman ran off. No arrests have been made.

Cops on Friday were scouring the area for surveillance footage that could help them identify the shooter and track his movements following Thursdays shooting.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  One man was taken into custody after he was accused of assaulting two people during the mostly peaceful protest that took place in Salt Lake City on Thursday night.

Lander Gomez, 22, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he faces charges of second-degree felony robbery and misdemeanor charges of riot, assault, and criminal mischief.

Police say Gomez was part of a group of individuals that ripped an American Flag out of the hands of one victim and punched the victim in the face just after 9 p.m., after many demonstrators had already left.

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Salt Lake City officers said they then witnessed Gomez punch a second victim in the face at least once.

PREVIOUS: Anti-ICE protest mostly peaceful; arrest made after fight breaks out

Officers said the alleged assaults were recorded on video by other protesters as well as SLCPD drone footage, where a group of five to 10 people, including Gomez, were throwing their fists at the victims.

According to court records, neither victim attempted to retaliate against the alleged assault, with the first victim described as actively keeping his hands in the air and attempting to get away from Gomez. Police also noted that participants in the demonstration worked to mitigate and defuse several agitators provoking fights.

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Gomez was booked on the aforementioned charges. Court records show he was ordered to be held on a $5,000 bail.

Gomez was the only arrest made during the protest that saw over 1,000 people gather at Washington Square Park near 400 South and State Street. Aside from the lone fight that broke out at the end of the night, the Salt Lake City Police Department said it was also investigating the vandalism of a Tesla that was parked on the side of the street.

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Overall, SLCPD Chief Brian Redd said he was thankful that the demonstration remained mostly peaceful and that participants made a genuine effort to keep the protest respectful and lawful.

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That is our expectation and doing so respects the values of our community, said Chief Redd. As there are future demonstrations, we expect everyone to follow the law and to avoid confrontations that could turn violent. I also appreciate the hard work of our Salt Lake City police officers and those from allied agencies for their professionalism and coordination. Our top priority is public safety, which includes doing everything we can to keep safe while protecting our community.

More demonstrations are planned throughout the state this weekend for No Kings Day, a day set in response to a planned military parade in Washington, D.C., to honor the Armys 25th birthday and President Donald Trumps 79th birthday.

Protests are expected to take place at the University of Utah and downtown in Salt Lake City as well as in Ogden, Provo, Moab, St. George and several other Utah cities. Multiple agencies have said there is no information indicating the planned protests will be anything other than peaceful.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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by Xinhua writer Yan Ran

NAIROBI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Port networks stretch across the continent, solar panels gleam under the African sun, and factory floors buzz with activity -- this dynamic scene captures the evolving landscape of China-Africa industrial cooperation. As the two sides work together to lay down the cornerstones of development through "hard connectivity" in infrastructure and "soft connectivity" in talent training, industrialization is emerging as a powerful engine driving Africa's modernization.

In recent years, China and Africa have tapped their complementary strengths to achieve tangible results. Roads, bridges, airports, and ports built with Chinese expertise are not only transforming local landscapes but also integrating African countries into regional and global trade networks. At the same time, initiatives like Luban Workshops and sector-specific vocational training are equipping young Africans with practical skills, fostering a generation of professionals.

With solar power plants springing up across the continent, green energy is powering the next phase of industrial growth. Together, China and Africa are advancing comprehensive, multi-level, and high-quality cooperation, charting a shared path toward sustainable development and prosperity.

RESHAPING ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE

Connectivity is the lifeline of economic growth. Confronted with vast territories, uneven development, and weak industrial bases, African countries are leveraging cooperation with China to promote regional coordination.

In May, Cameroonian authorities inaugurated the second phase of Kribi Deep Seaport in the southern part of the country. Constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), the Kribi Deep Seaport is the first deep seaport in Cameroon and the biggest in the Central Africa region.

"Kribi is undergoing a remarkable transformation," said Patrice Melom, general manager of the Kribi Port Authority. "Previously, the port in Douala could only handle vessels under 10,000 tons, but here, docking 100,000-ton ships is now standard."

The port has outperformed expectations, he stressed.

Since the CHEC completed the first phase in 2018, Kribi Deep Seaport's cargo throughput has grown by an average of 22 percent annually, attracting over 60 companies and creating more than 6,000 jobs. With two new berths now operational, the port's annual handling capacity has reached 4.5 million tons, cementing its role as a key hub for exporting bulk commodities like iron ore and cocoa in Central Africa.

Ports are reshaping regional economies. Products from the Chinese-invested Keda Cameroon Ceramics factory, located about 60 km from the port, can be shipped to neighboring countries within 48 hours of production, filling a gap in Cameroon's ceramics manufacturing.

The model of port-industry-urban integration is gaining momentum not only in Cameroon, but also in other parts of Africa. In Nigeria's Lekki Peninsula, Lekki Port, Nigeria's first modern deepwater port built by the CHEC, and the co-developed Lekki Free Trade Zone are forming a synergistic ecosystem.

Chen Ze, general manager of CHEC's Central Africa Division, said that the coordinated development of infrastructure and industrial parks is "key to transforming 'transient flows' into 'lasting settlements'." The free trade zone, with an annual design capacity of 1.2 million 20-foot equivalent units and an investment of 2.3 billion U.S. dollars, enables local appliance and automotive manufacturing to realize "made in Africa, sold globally."

At the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China reaffirmed its strong support for the African Union (AU)'s efforts to accelerate regional integration and economic development.

Since the inception of the FOCAC 25 years ago, Chinese enterprises have overseen the construction and upgrading of over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of roads, nearly 1,000 bridges, and about 100 ports in Africa. These projects have significantly accelerated infrastructure modernization in African countries and promoted coordinated economic connectivity and development.

EMPOWERING TALENT

In the central Angolan city of Huambo, 20-year-old Tomas Dinis learnt from his instructor about mechanical components at the China-donated Integrated Center for Technological Training (CINFOTEC). Dinis is among 76 students in the mechatronics program at the Angola-China Institute of Technology. After a year and a half of courses and Chinese language study, he hopes to qualify for advanced training and internships in China.

"I loved mechanics since childhood. I often see Chinese electronic products on social media, which impresses me deeply. When I learned about the chance to study in China, I immediately signed up," Dinis told Xinhua.

The Angola-China Institute of Technology, part of China's "vocational education going global" initiative, was jointly established by Wenzhou Vocational and Technical College, four other Chinese vocational colleges, and multiple enterprises. Inaugurated at CINFOTEC in January 2025, it has trained over 2,000 students to date.

"Our institute is developing a teaching system aligned with Chinese vocational education standards, aiming to cultivate skilled technicians that meet local needs," said Song Wuyu, a teacher from Wenzhou Vocational and Technical College.

Geraldo Pambasange, principal of CINFOTEC, said that vocational training is the cornerstone of national development, and China has steadfastly supported Angola's development. "After the civil war, we needed infrastructure reconstruction, and China came to help us. Now, as Angola is striving for industrialization, we are once again benefiting from China's cooperation," he added.

Africa is the world's youngest continent. In recent years, China has strengthened capacity-building in Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC. The Luban Workshops further advance this effort, transforming demographic advantages into development dividends and driving sustainable industrialization across the continent.

Established in February 2022 in partnership with the University of Antananarivo, the first group of students has graduated from the Luban Workshop in Madagascar. Andrianina, a graduate of the industrial electricity program, said, "I have applied to continue my studies at Tianjin University. Industry currently accounts for only 16 percent of Madagascar's gross domestic product. I want to acquire professional skills and all I can to contribute to my country's industrial development."

With the Luban Workshop, production methods once reliant on manual tools and handcrafted parts are gradually mechanizing.

"Even a small oil refinery needs specific machines, and all these parts can be made with machines," said Faniry Emile Rakotondrainibe, head of the mechanical engineering program at the Luban Workshop.

"This technology is the cornerstone of Madagascar's industrialization," he added.

Madagascar's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Loulla Chaminah said that the Luban Workshop enhances the country's human capital and promotes local industrial development by providing high-quality training, introducing advanced tech equipment, and cultivating young engineers and technicians.

GO GREEN, GROW BETTER

At midday, the sun blazes over the land. About 25 km southeast of Kabwe in Zambia's Central Province, rows of photovoltaic panels glisten in the sunlight. The Kabwe 100 megawatts (MW) Solar PV Project, Power Construction Corporation of China (POWERCHINA)'s largest solar project in the country, is advancing steadily.

Project business manager Li Dongxiang said the project is expected to generate 180 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, powering 50,000 to 100,000 households. "By using advanced photovoltaic panels and an intelligent monitoring system, it boosts energy efficiency and significantly cuts operational costs," he added.

"Within a month and a half, residents living in darkness will have access to electricity, and their lives will change for the better," Zambian Energy Minister Makozo Chikote said during a site visit in March. Chikote said that these power stations will not only alleviate power outages and drive economic growth but also light the way for Zambia's energy independence.

Green development is Africa's enduring engine of industrialization. "Green industrialization is not an option. It is a necessity for Africa's modernization," said Albert Mudenda Muchanga, AU commissioner for economic development, trade, tourism, industry, and minerals.

As Africa advances toward green industrialization, China is committed to supporting these efforts. The successful construction and operation of major energy projects, including Kenya's Orpower 22 Geothermal Power Plant, Zambia's Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station, South Africa's Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project, and Uganda's Karuma Hydropower Station, demonstrate how China-Africa cooperation can help ease energy bottlenecks, improve living standards, and accelerate the continent's industrial transformation.

This wave of green industrialization is also driving new digital demands. Recently, Africa's largest optical fiber cable manufacturing plant began operations in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, significantly boosting Africa's optical fiber manufacturing capabilities.

Pieter Viljoen, chief executive officer of Yangtze Optics Africa Cable, said the company developed slimmer, more compact cables tailored to rural and impoverished areas' broadband needs in South Africa. "This reduces costs, improves durability, and ensures underserved communities access reliable broadband," he added.

Kenya's Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Korir Sing'Oei said the China-Africa partnership is both desirable and beneficial, addressing mutual aspirations amid shifting geopolitics.

"As Kenya advances modernization, we look forward to learning from China's best practices. I believe other African countries will too," Sing'Oei added. 
After nearly 48 hours on the run, a man accused of ramming into a north Georgia sheriffs office patrol vehicle and injuring a deputy is back behind bars.

Jonathan William Harris, 34, was arrested late Thursday night after a store employee recognized him and called 911.

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Surveillance video captured Harris leaving the store in a Kubota side-by-side, which investigators found abandoned a short distance away. Investigators then tracked him to a camper parked in the yard of a home.

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Harris was found hiding underneath a bed in the camper. He had two guns with him and two more in a bag.

The manhunt for Harris started early Wednesday morning when a Habersham County deputy pulled over Harris and the truck pulling a trailer he was driving near Toccoa because the trailer had two flat tires.

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When the deputy got out of the patrol car, they say Harris rammed into the car, pushing it into the deputy.

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As Harris sped away, the 34-year-old deputy fired shots at him. The deputy only suffered minor injuries.

A passenger in the truck, Antone Cortez Hall, 44, of Gainesville, was arrested at the scene.

The full list of charges that Harris will face is unclear. He is currently being held in the Habersham County Jail.

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CROCKETT COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  A man accused of kidnaping a teenage girl, as well as her baby, and selling the girl for sex has been indicted in Federal court.

Devin Maurice Harmon was indicted for Transportation of a Minor with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity and Tampering with a Witness and Victim during Federal court in Abilene Thursday morning.

Members of the Crockett County Sheriffs Office initially made contact with Harmon, the teen victim, and her 2-year-old son when they received a courtesy ride from deputies to their hotel after experiencing car trouble on I-10 in July 2024.

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Court documents reveal an investigation began after marijuana was found in their vehicle, prompting detectives to search their hotel room as well.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

According to the documents, Harmon and the victim were on their way to Louisiana, where more prostitution was scheduled to take place.

No further information is available at this time.

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MANCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56)  A man was arrested Thursday, accused of trying to sell rocking chairs allegedly stolen from a community center.

The Manchester Police Department said officers received a report of stolen rocking chairs from the VOA Recovery Center on Owens Road.

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When police arrived, they checked out surveillance video of the theft and later allegedly found Terry Jones behind Express Care Pharmacy with the four stolen rocking chairs, attempting to sell them to customers.

Jones was arrested and charged with theft by unlawful taking and public intoxication.

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The Brief

Laird Dinsmore, 35, is charged with first-degree murder and assault for allegedly killing James Foster in Poulsbo, WA.

Dinsmore reportedly confessed to shooting Foster and firing at SWAT officers during his arrest.

The motive remains unknown, but Dinsmore allegedly stole items from the property where Foster was working.

POULSBO, Wash. - Kitsap County prosecutors have charged a man who was arrested after an hours-long search with first-degree premeditated murder and first-degree assault.

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Laird Dinsmore, 35, is accused of killing 50-year-old James Foster outside a home on Big Valley Road Northeast in Poulsbo on June 4.

James' brother has started a GoFundMe to ask for help, writing, "Hello family, friends, and community. I am Aaron Foster, the brother of James Wayne Foster whose life was needlessly taken from him in a horrific crime in Poulsbo, Washington last week. Our family is asking for help raising the funds for a proper burial. We thank you with grateful hearts in advance for donations and prayers. He will be put to rest at Fraola Cemetery in Port Orchard, Washington."

The backstory

According to court documents, Dinsmore confessed to murdering Foster with a rifle and to shooting towards SWAT team members when they were trying to arrest him in Snider Park on Wedneday.

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No motive was given in the court documents, but detectives say Dinsmore is believed to have stolen items including a rifle from the home where Foster was staying on the property, and working as a caretaker while it was being renovated.

Detectives say a surveillance camera shows Dinsmore walking up with a rifle and firing twice at Foster, who was bent over working on an electric wheelchair, then jogging towards him and firing again. He then walked toward a motorhome, checked the rear window, walked back and allegedly shot Foster's lifeless body one more time. He then walked down the road and accessed Foster's truck.

Foster's body wasn't discovered until June 7. Dinsmore was arrested on June 12.

The Source

Information in this story came from the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office and court documents from the Kitsap County Superior Court.

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A man was arrested after releasing a racoon into an open business in Murray, Kentucky.

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The man, 40-year-old Jonathan Mason, was charged with assault, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and failure of owner to maintain required insurance.

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Police say they received a call that someone had intentionally set a racoon loose inside a business.

Officers found Mason while he was driving and initiated a traffic stop. Police say Mason refused to roll down his windows or exit his vehicle, so officers removed him from the vehicle.

Police learned that Mason had been previously warned that he was not allowed in that business. They also learned that the racoon had bit a person.

Mason is being held in the Calloway County Jail.

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HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Hendersonville business owner and his wife survived a gun battle with an armed man inside the couples collectible shop early Wednesday morning. As for the suspect, hes facing multiple charges  including attempted homicide  following his release from the hospital.

According to the Hendersonville Police Department, surveillance footage from The Cache on West Main Street shows a man  later identified as Dylan Bryan, 33, of East Tennessee  using a hammer and smashing the stores glass doors around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11.

It sounds like explosions going off while hes getting in, and then he tiptoes around like hes the Hamburglar, HPD Assistant Chief Scott Ryan told News 2.

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Video shows the suspect going behind the counter. Then, authorities said he heard one of the owners in a back room, so he fled the store.

We think everythings over with, Ryan said.

Suspect in Franklin armed robbery identified

Then, just moments later, Bryan can be seen coming back to the door, pulling what law enforcement described as a 9mm from his backpack, ducking back through the broken glass into the store, and rushing toward the back of the shop.

Hes looking to do harm at that point, Ryan stated.

By this point, the co-owner of The Cache, Roger McCandless, was ready and armed with a shotgun loaded with birdshot.

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From multiple cameras inside the store, you hear the gun battle as McCandless fired one round from his shotgun. Police said the birdshot, fired from about 30 feet away, struck Bryan in the stomach.

Video shows Bryan quickly retreating, but while doing so, officials said he opened fire. News 2 counted as many as many as five rounds fired by the suspect.

Authorities later learned that Bryans bullets hit the floor, the ceiling, and the wall, even passing through to the next business, according to The Caches co-owner, Shera McCandless.

Multiple Middle Tennessee police departments say theyre dealing with cross-county crime

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News 2 documented the metal parts of the front door that were peppered with birdshot.

Despite all the gunfire, neither Roger nor his wife, Shera, were hurt.

It happened so fast you dont have time for emotions. The problem got resolved pretty quick. Right now, its good guys one, bad guys zero. Were happy about that because it could have went the opposite very, very quickly, Roger explained.

Bryan was reportedly unfamiliar with the area, so while he escaping in the darkness, he fell a great distance  which Ryan estimated was about a story high  and broke his pelvis.

Police dash camera footage shows the armed man limping into the street, falling to the ground, tossing his firearm, and surrendering to law enforcement.

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Ryan credited the store owner for being ready to protect his family and his property: This owner was prepared for the situation, and had he not been prepared, Im afraid this would have been a complete slaughter. There was nothing good going to come from this.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to officials, Bryan was brought to a hospital, where hes being treated for the shotgun wound to the stomach and the broken pelvis. Upon his release, he faces two counts of attempted homicide, attempted robbery, aggravated burglary, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, and possession of stolen property.

Meanwhile, the McCandless family wants everyone to know they are okay and The Cache is open for business.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Surveillance video from inside a Family Dollar store shows someone beating up a Dekalb County minister. Police are searching for the suspect.

We got to get this guy off the street, Lonnie Robinson said.

Robinson is a gospel musician and minister for several churches around metro-Atlanta.

He said he stopped in to pick something up at the Family Dollar in the Bouldercrest Plaza Shopping Center around 3 p.m. on May 12.

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When he walked in, he said a customer at the register was having issues paying with his card.

Young lady kept trying to work with him, and Im just standing there patiently. I wasnt saying anything. As time went on, she was like, Well, OK, Im having problems with your card. Let me just go ahead and get this gentleman, Robinson said.

Robinson said she started to work on his transaction but needed a barcode.

She started ringing up my item, but for some reason there wasnt no price on it. So, she called to the manager, I need a price. He said, OK, Ill text it to you real quick, Robinson told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco.

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Robinson said the cashier began trying to ring up the customer with the card issues again instead.

I said, Excuse me, you was ringing mine up. Why would you stop, you know, in the middle of the process? Robinson said.

Thats when he said the other customer told him to mind his own business and began punching him repeatedly.

This kind of vicious attack, if he did it to me, hell do it to somebody else, Robinson said.

He said the assault left him with cuts and bruises on his face and back, and it could have been worse.

Ive had two heart attacks and open-heart surgery, Robinson said.

He said he cant escape flashbacks of the fight.

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Thats the worst part of it. I feel totally violated, you know? Robinson said.

Family Dollar has not yet responded to Franciscos emails and calls about the attack inside the store.

Police said they are still searching for the suspect, and Robinson said he does not feel safe anymore.

I dont, Robinson said. I want to look for another place to move to because Im too close to that area over there.

Investigators said if you recognize the man throwing punches in the video, you could get a cash reward if you turn him in, officers arrest him, and it leads to felony charges.

You must submit a tip through DeKalb County Crime Stoppers. You can remain anonymous.
MADISON  A Dane County judge sentenced a man who brutally attacked a University of Wisconsin-Madison student to 30 years in prison, calling him an "extreme risk" to the public.

Dane County prosecutors described the 2023 attack by Brandon A. Thompson, 28, on a stranger who barely survived as "one of the most horrific sexual assaults in recent memory." Circuit Court Judge Ellen Berz sentenced him June 12 to 30 years in prison, followed by 20 years of extended supervision.

The victim, who is in her 20s, suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken teeth, swollen eyes, a broken jaw and broken nose. The woman was unable to speak with police immediately after the attack because she was put on a feeding tube and in a medically induced coma.

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Assistant District Attorney Matt Moeser said in the hours leading up to the attack Thompson pursued two other young women in downtown Madison before setting his sights on the victim and following her for several blocks, both by car and on foot.

Moeser said the victim was about a one-minute walk away from her home when the attack occurred in the 500 block of West Wilson Street. Thompson then posed as a witness, shouting to nearby residents that the woman needed help.

"This was not some random encounter," Moeser said. "He followed her, stalked her and preyed on her. ... This was a horrific, predatory assault that requires a stiff sentence."

Prosecutor shares details on hours leading up to attack

Moeser recreated the night of the Sept. 3, 2023, attack by presenting police photos, video footage, a bar receipt and cell phone data.

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Thompson arrived at a Fitchburg bar at about 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and left just before 1 a.m. He bought three beers and three shots, played pool and showed no outward sign of distress during this time. Yet a note he typed to himself on his phone showed a man struggling with loneliness, depression and anger.

"I don't feel I can love," said the note, later retrieved by police. "All I really want to do is drink and fight. ... I know deep down I'm not OK at all but my body shocks me back into normality."

After leaving the bar, a Fitchburg police officer pulled over Thompson for speeding and an illegible license plate. He let Thompson go with a warning.

Thompson headed to the downtown area, later telling police he went to bars and college parties. But GPS data showed him circling the area in his car and on foot. Video cameras showed him tailing two women before seeing the victim and following her.

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Moeser presented police photos and videos of the aftermath of the attack: AirPods flung across the yard; a tooth lying in the grass; a trail of blood leading through the backyard to an air conditioning unit, smeared red; the victim's cell phone tossed nearby, its home screen showing a missed call from her sister and a text message from a friend.

Thompson posed as witness helping victim

A pair of roommates who lived next door called 911, a recording of which was played in the courtroom. The women told a dispatcher they heard noise outside and found a naked woman, bloodied, and moaning in pain. She was incoherent, curled in the fetal position.

Minutes before the call, the roommates heard a man calling out for help. He told them he had found the woman while out on a walk. They said the man, whom police later identified as Thompson, had blood on his hands because he said he had carried the bleeding woman off the street and to the back of the building.

But there was no blood in the street, Moeser said.

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When the residents decided to call police, Thompson became nervous, eventually leaving the scene because he said he was high.

Police close in on Brandon Thompson

Thompson returned to his Fitchburg home after the attack. Among the searches on his phone the next morning: crime in Madison, mental health facility, Madison warrants and how do you know if youre a monster.

Thompson called a suicide crisis hotline later that day and expressed guilt for beating up someone, according to the dispatch notes. He checked himself into a local hospital. A doctors discharge note said Thompson was dealing with depression, suicidal ideation and substance abuse.

Police arrested Thompson four days after the attack.

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He told officers when he encountered the woman, he "saw red" and "just kind of zoned out during the rage." He said he didn't remember sexually assaulting the woman but said, "I could have."

Defendants attorney describes difficult childhood, mental health and substance abuse programs

Thompson, who previously had no criminal record, grew up in a strict military family, his attorney, Emily Bell, told the court. He started drinking at age 8 and was sexually assaulted as a child by an older child. Despite a difficult childhood, he graduated from high school and college and had maintained steady employment.

At the time of the attack, Thompson struggled with his mental health, the recent death of his grandma and alcohol and cocaine abuse, she said. He pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault, first-degree reckless injury and strangulation and suffocation, sparing the victim from reliving her trauma through trial.

Thompson is taking responsibility for his actions, Bell said. He is trying to improve his life by joining Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, taking anger management classes and participating in other jail programming.

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"This is not somebody who engaged in a monstrous act" and showed no remorse, Bell said.

In Thompson's own remarks to the court, he apologized to the victim and her family, offering no excuses for his behavior. He said no apology can make up for his "horrendous act" and he hoped to change.

Berz, the judge, said Thompson had not received a formal mental health diagnosis nor had his attorneys presented evidence of his childhood sexual assault or drinking. She said it was unclear whether any rehabilitation would reduce the danger he posed. She read aloud a 2020 journal entry by Thompson in which he wrote he was a walking bomb.

"It was brutal," Berz said about the assault at the end of a more than two-hour sentencing hearing. "It was senseless, inexplicable, which means, repeatable."

Victim statement shares insight on her recovery

The victim still bears scars from the attack and has lost her sense of smell. She spent two weeks in the hospital, followed by 10 days in a rehab facility. She has made a miraculous recovery, Moeser said.

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The victim, who was in court with family and friends, did not speak during the hearing but submitted a written statement. She described her struggle with her prison abolitionist views, her ongoing recovery, and how so many little things remind her of the attack.

The victim wrote about how she used to enjoy evening walks, how walking fit with her environmentalism and how she refuses to stop walking at night. She no longer listens to music while walking and is more mindful of letting people know when she makes it home.

I dont believe I did anything wrong, and have a distaste for that victim-blaming mentality, she wrote. Ive heard of plenty of safety rules  but I always wonder how much of a difference they really make if someone wants to hurt you.

Kelly Meyerhofer has covered higher education in Wisconsin since 2018. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brandon Thompson gets 30 years in prison for UW-Madison student assault
ST. LOUIS  A tornado on May 16th destroyed Demetrius Thomass home in North St. Louis. The tornado completely removed the roof of his home. Despite the devastation, Thomas is currently staying in a hotel, with expenses covered by his insurance company.

Thomas said hes thankful he has insurance on his home. He kept his policy despite financial difficulties after his brothers death.

LIST: How to donate, where to receive help after STL tornado

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Thomass home was originally purchased by his mother after Pruitt-Igoe, and it has been passed down over the years. The destruction of such a home is a significant loss for Thomas and his family.

Demetrius Thomass home was severely damaged by the tornado, leaving him with limited options for permanent housing. As Thomas navigates the aftermath of the tornado, he remains grateful for his decision to keep his insurance, which has provided temporary relief amid the destruction of his family home.

Rebuilding St. Louis Stories:

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BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  A Killeen man has been indicted in connection with a girls death at Stillhouse Hollow Lake.

The Bell County Sheriffs Offices Criminal Investigations Division presented information to a Grand Jury on Wednesday. This was in reference to an investigation into the death of eleven-year-old Zoey Rene Walls, who died on Stillhouse Hollow Lake on July 2, 2023.

Upon reviewing the information provided, an indictment was given against 44-year-old Joshua Glenn Walls for the charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide.

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Investigators and members of the Bell County Sheriffs Offices Violent Crimes Apprehension Team found Walls on Thursday, took him into custody, and placed him in the Bell County Jail. Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman has set his bond at $50,000.

This comes after the Bell County Sheriffs Department originally responded to a report of a boat crash on Stillhouse Hollow Lake at approximately 7:58 p.m. on Sunday, July 2. The Central Bell County Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, U.S. Corps of Engineers Parks Rangers, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens also responded. It was reported that an eleven-year-old girl identified as Zoey was struck by a boat.

The investigation revealed the victim had been at the lake with her family, riding on a tube drawn by the family boat, when she fell from the towed device. When the father, who was operating the boat, returned to pick her up, she was struck by the boat and suffered fatal injuries.

The Sheriffs Office says a bystander witnessed the familys cries for help and assisted, taking the victim to the Stillhouse Hollow Marina located at 4596 Simmons Road. First responders then arrived.

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Justice of the Peace Nicola J. James pronounced Zoey dead and ordered an autopsy to be performed at the Dallas County Medical Examiners Office.

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KABUL, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have inaugurated development projects in eastern Laghman and Khost provinces to improve the economy and create employment, state-owned Bakhtar news agency reported on Friday.

The projects, which cost more than 743,000 U.S. dollars, include the construction of a canal, check dams, a bridge, and other infrastructure facilities, the report said, adding that the projects have been inaugurated with financial support from private and government organizations.

Meanwhile, through the implementation of a fiber optic project in western Herat province, job opportunities have been created for thousands of residents, and the living conditions of thousands of people in the province have improved, the report said.

The Afghan interim government plans to launch more agricultural and infrastructure projects throughout the poverty-stricken country, focusing on alleviating economic hardship and creating job opportunities. 
As we reported earlier this week, OpenAI's ChatGPT is sending people spiraling into severe mental health crises, causing potentially dangerous delusions about spiritual awakenings, messianic complexes, and boundless paranoia.

Now, a wild new story in the New York Times reveals that these spirals led to the tragic death of a young man  likely a sign of terrible things to come as hastily deployed AI products accentuate mental health crises around the world.

64-year-old Florida resident Kent Taylor told the newspaper that his 35-year-old son, who had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, was shot and killed by police after charging at them with a knife.

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His son had become infatuated with an AI entity, dubbed Juliet, that ChatGPT had been role-playing. However, the younger Taylor became convinced that Juliet had been killed by OpenAI, warning that he would go after the company's executives and that there would be a "river of blood flowing through the streets of San Francisco."

"Im dying today," Kent's son told ChatGPT on his phone before picking up a knife, charging at the cops his father had called, and being fatally shot as a result.

The horrific incident highlights a worrying trend. Even those who aren't suffering from pre-existing mental health conditions are being drawn in by the tech, which has garnered a reputation for being incredibly sycophantic and playing into users' narcissistic personality traits and delusional thoughts.

It's an astonishingly widespread problem. Futurism has been inundated with accounts from concerned friends and family of people developing dangerous infatuations with AI, ranging from messy divorces to mental breakdowns.

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OpenAI has seemingly been aware of the trend, telling the NYT in a statement that "as AI becomes part of everyday life, we have to approach these interactions with care."

"We know that ChatGPT can feel more responsive and personal than prior technologies, especially for vulnerable individuals, and that means the stakes are higher," reads the company's statement.

Earlier this year, the company was forced to roll back an update to ChatGPT's underlying GPT-4o large language model after users found that it had become far too obsequious and groveling.

However, experts have since found that the company's intervention has done little to address the underlying issue, corroborated by the continued outpouring of reports.

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Researchers have similarly found that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are incentivized to rope users in. For instance, a 2024 study found that AI algorithms are being optimized to deceive and manipulate users.

In an extreme instance, a chatbot told a user who identified themself to it as a former addict named Pedro to indulge in a little methamphetamine  a dangerous and addictive drug  to get through an exhausting shift at work.

Worst of all, companies like OpenAI are incentivized to keep as many people hooked as long as possible.

"The incentive is to keep you online," Stanford University psychiatrist Nina Vasan told Futurism. The AI "is not thinking about what is best for you, what's best for your well-being or longevity... It's thinking 'right now, how do I keep this person as engaged as possible?'"

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"What does a human slowly going insane look like to a corporation?" Eliezer Yudkowsky, who authored a forthcoming book called "If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman A.I. Would Kill Us All," asked the NYT rhetorically.

"It looks like an additional monthly user," he concluded.

More on the delusions: People Are Becoming Obsessed with ChatGPT and Spiraling Into Severe Delusions
Russian forces attacked a border village in the Novhorod-Siverskyi district of Chernihiv Oblast on the evening of 12 June. A 46-year-old local resident was killed in the FPV drone strike.

Source: Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: Chaus reported that the Russians struck the border village with an FPV drone. A 46-year-old civilian man, a resident of this village, was killed in the attack.

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Chaus expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased.

Background: On 12 June, two 12-year-old teenagers climbed onto the roof of a freight wagon and were electrocuted in Chernihiv Oblast.



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ROWLESBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  A man was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital after a bear reportedly attacked him near Rowlesburg.

Troopers with the West Virginia State Police were called to a wooded area outside of the Rowlesburg neighborhood of Manheim for a reported bear attack at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Troopers said that a man in his 60s suffered severe injuries from the attack, and troopers treated him until EMS arrived.

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The victim was later life-flighted to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Troopers said his condition as of Friday morning was unknown.

Fatal motorcycle accident reported in Harrison County

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is looking into the cause of the attack and deciding what to do with the bear, according to the state police.

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Tahir Syed was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to kidnap and drugs conspiracy offences [National Crime Agency]

A drug dealer who kidnapped and murdered his uncle before hiding his body in a bank vault has been jailed for more than 34 years.

Asghar Badshah, a 39-year-old bus driver from Bradford, was taken to a disused bank on Commercial Street in Batley by his nephew, Tahir Syed, on 30 November 2019 over a missing sum of money, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Mr Badshah was beaten to death and his body was found behind a false wall in a vault four weeks later.

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Syed, 42, of no fixed address, was found guilty of murder, conspiracy to kidnap and drugs conspiracy offences on Monday and sentenced at the same court earlier.

Syed stored the body of his uncle in a vault of a disused bank [West Yorkshire Police]

Syed and his associates had imported tonnes of cocaine and heroin to the UK in more than 30 shipments between 2016 to 2021, the court heard.

Judge Thomas Bayliss KC said Mr Badshah had been asked to "hide a large amount of cash" by Syed, who then suspected Mr Badshah of stealing 600,000 from him.

The court was told how Mr Badshah was kidnapped from his mother's address in Mayo Road, Bradford, in a Mercedes at around 01:35 GMT on the day of the murder and taken to the bank, where he was beaten with a metal rod.

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Syed lied to his family, the court heard, telling them that his uncle was still alive, knowing that in reality his naked body had been stored in an old vault in the disused bank.

Judge Bayliss said: "I am quite sure that your primary purpose, was to detain and interrogate Asghar Badshah, in order to ascertain where the missing money was."

Syed was jailed for a minimum term of 34 years and 153 days, taking into account almost four years already spent behind bars since being extradited from Turkey.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Related internet links
Originally appeared on E! Online

A man who pretended to be a flight attendant for six years is no longer flying high.

Florida local Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted on June 5 of wire fraud and entering into a secure area of an airport by false pretenses, according to a release from the United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25.

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The United States Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida stated in a June 10 release, "According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from 2018 to 2024, Alexander booked free flights on an airline carriers website that were only available to pilots and flight attendants."

Alexander had worked for a Dallas-based airline company since 2015 but was never a pilot or flight attendant, per the indictment obtained by NBC News. He is accused of booking 120 free flights in total across four airlines by "falsely claiming to be a flight attendant.

tk

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"Alexander claimed through the airline carriers website application processa process that required an applicant to select whether they were a pilot or flight attendant and provide their employer, date of hire, and badge number information," the release continued, "that he worked for seven different airlines and had approximately 30 different badge numbers and dates of hire."

As for how Alexander made it through security? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released a statement explaining he went through all airport security procedures, per NBC News.

Getty/Dobrila Vignjevic

For more air-travel related incidents this year, read on.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Jan. 29: American Airlines Flight 5342 Collides With Army Black Hawk Helicopter

An American Airlines-owned American Eagle jet was approaching the runway at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., just before 9 p.m. ET when it collided with an Army Black Hawk Helicopter, killing everyone aboard both aircraft. The jet was carrying four crew members and 60 passengers, including a number of athletes returning from a national figure skating camp in Wichita, Kan. President Donald Trump called it a "dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital." The helicopter with three military personnel aboard was last tracked by air traffic control to be traveling at 300 feet, though the customary ceiling under FAA rules near that airport is 200 feet, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The jet's last logged altitude, per the aircraft tracking site FlightAware, was 375 feet. The crash remains under investigation. "We look at the human, the machine and the environment," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters Jan. 30. "We will look at all the humans that were involved in this accident. We will look at the aircraft. We will look at the helicopter. We will look at the environment in which they were operating in. That is standard." It was the first deadly commercial airline crash on U.S. soil since Colgan Flight 3407 crashed into a Buffalo, N.Y.-area house in 2009, killing all 49 aboard and one person on the ground.





Jan. 31: Medical Transport Jet Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed on a street in northeast Philadelphia just after 6 p.m. ET. All six people aboard the jeta child who, according to Jet Rescue, had just completed treatment for a life-threatening condition, her mother, a doctor, a paramedic and two pilotswere killed, as was a 37-year-old man who was driving at the time. The plane had been in the air for less than a minute after taking off at 6:06 p.m. when the crash occurred, according to FlightAware. It was due to stop in Branson, Mo., and then return the patient and her mom home to Mexico. "She fought quite a lot to survive," Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold said, "and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home." The crash remains under investigation, per NTSB. A preliminary report released by the agency March 6, per NBC Philadelphia, states that the cockpit voice recorder, or "black box," didn't capture any audio from the flight and likely hadn't worked for several years.





Feb. 6: Small Plane Crash in Alaska Kills 10

Nine passengers were headed from Unalakleet, Ala., to Nome, about 140 miles away, when their Bering Air Cessna Caravan went down about 40 minutes into the flight. Three bodies were discovered Feb. 7 amid wreckage found approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which noted at the time that they believed the remaining seven, including the pilot, were "inside the aircraft, which was inaccessible due to the condition of the plane." Calling Alaska "a big small town," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a statement, "When tragedy strikes, we're never far removed from the Alaskans directly impacted. But that also means we come together as a community to grieve and heal." The NTSB said it would be investigating the crash.





Feb. 10: Vince Neil's Learjet Involved in Fatal Collision

One person was killed when a Learjet 35A owned by Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil collided with a parked plane (later identified as a Gulfstream G-200) when it veered from the runway while trying to land at Arizona's Scottsdale Airport at 2:39 p.m. local time, according to a statement from Nashville-based attorney Worrick Robinson IV. Neil was not onboard at the time. His lawyer called it "a rapidly evolving situation" under "ongoing investigation," adding, "Mr. Neil's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today." There were four aboard the Learjet and the FAA later confirmed the pilot had died, while the co-pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. Per WMTV 15 News, a preliminary report released March 3 by the NTSB stated that surveillance and cell phone video footage of the incident showed the jet's rear left landing gear in an askew position as it approached the runway in Scottsdale. The report also noted that the same flight crew had reported an issue landing in McAlester, Okla., on June 20, 2024. The pilot hired a mechanic who performed maintenance, the report detailed, and additional maintenance was conducted on the plane in December. A mechanic who serviced the landing gear noted that nothing appeared unusual, the report stated, but the left landing gear took an excessive amount of grease.

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Feb. 17: Delta Jet Crash Lands in Toronto and Flips Over

Delta Flight 4819, originating from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, crash-landed upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport and burst into flames with 80 people aboard. Everyone survived, and 21 people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Toronto Pearson president and CEO Deborah Flint. "All of a sudden, I just remember being fully sideways," passenger Pete Koukov said on TODAY Feb. 18. "I was looking down and just seeing like sparks and flames and whatever was grinding against the ground. It happened pretty dang quick and we were just upside down, hanging from our seat belts. Ultimately, he added, Everyone got off in a pretty orderly fashion. It didnt seem too insane once the plane had stopped and everyone realized, for the most part, they were OK because no one was seriously injured." Flint said the incident had occurred in clear conditions and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada was investigating.





Feb. 19: Private Planes Collide at Arizona Airport, Killing 2

A Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S, both small single-engine planes, collided midair around 8:30 a.m. MT at Marana Regional Airport, near Tucson, Ariz. The Cessna "landed uneventfully," while the Lancair "impacted terrain near runway 3 and a post-impact fire ensued," killing at least two people, the NTSB said in a statement. According to the FAA, two people were aboard each plane and a man and a woman on the Lancair were later identified as the deceased. "On behalf of the Town of Marana and the Marana Regional Airport, our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by this event," Marana Regional Airport Superintendent Galen Beem said in a statement, per AZFamily. "This is an unprecedented event, and we are grateful for the swift response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District."





March 1: FedEx Plane Engine Catches Fire After Colliding With Bird

FedEx Flight 3609, headed from Newark to Indianapolis, struck a bird shortly after takeoff and had to make an emergency landing. While footage of the incident showing the Boeing 767 shooting flames was dramatic, the plane landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport at 8:07 a.m. ET and the three people aboard the cargo flight were uninjured. "Our B767 crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage, including an engine fire," FedEx said in a statement to NBC News, noting they were thankful for the "quick actions" of the crew and first responders. Aviation expert John Cox told NBC News that aircrafts such as the Boeing 767 are certified to fly on one engine in case the other fails. "Now, its just like any other mechanical failure of an engine, youre down to a single engine operation," Cox said. "There are procedures for that, and pilots train for it, and it results in a safe landing."





March 29: Small Plane Crashes Into Minnesota Home

A single-jet aircraft, piloted by U.S. Bank vice chair Terry Dolan, crashed into a two-person home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. That same day, Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway confirmed at a news conference that there were no survivors, adding that it wasnt clear how many people how many people were aboard the plane. Dolan was confirmed dead two days later by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner due to multiple blunt force injuries. And the residents of the homewhich was engulfed in a massive fire after impactKenneth Tobacman and his wife Mary Butler have since recounted the terrifying experience from their perspective. All of a sudden there's a big boom, Kenneth said on Good Morning America. The lights went out, and I saw a flash. Sparks or something, or a little bit of smoke. I thought, 'What the hell?

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(FOX40.COM)  A 23-year-old man was sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually abusing care home residents in Galt, according to the Galt Police Department.

Video Above: Accused accomplice of Daniel Serafini wraps up third day of testimony

GPD said officers responded to reports of an employee sexually assaulting the care residents on January 24 at the Rancho Seco Care Center.

The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Justin Atkinson, of Stockton, who has been employed at the facility as a nursing assistant for around six weeks, police said.

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All residents, faculty staff and administration were interviewed, and investigators identified seven male victims between the ages of 60-years-old to 87-years-old.

Atkinson was taken into custody on January 28 and sentenced to nine years in prison on June 6.

2 arrested in Sutter County for mail theft, fraud

His charges include:

Oral copulation of a victim unable to give consent due to a mental disorder or physical disability

Lewd or lascivious acts by a caretaker of a dependent adult

Attempt to commit lewd acts by a caretaker of a dependent adult

Sexual battery involving sodomy against a person who is medically institutionalized

Sexual battery against a person who is medically institutionalized (3 counts)

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GPD said that Atkinson will be required to register as a tier three sex offender, with no eligibility for removal once he is released.

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NEED TO KNOW

Police said Lesner Cardenas called authorities on May 29 about a traffic collision he was involved in, but had disappeared before officers could make contact with him

Authorities said that Cardenas returned to his apartment but later vanished

A cab driver told authorities he picked up Cardenas and took him to Mt. Shasta







Authorities are continuing to look for a California man who went missing late last month after he was first involved in a car crash and then later took a cab to a mountain trailhead.

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The Redding Police Department stated in a June 4 news release that Lesner Noe Velasquez Cardenas, 21, of Redding, contacted California Highway Patrol (CHP) on May 29 about the traffic collision on Oak Run Road. However, according to authorities, he left the scene before officers could make contact with him.

At the time, Cardenas roommates believed that the victim got a ride back to his apartment on Trudie Trail, according to the Redding Police Department. However, he wasnt present at his residence, and his whereabouts were unknown.

The Shasta County Sheriffs Office started an investigation on May 31 after Cardenas was reported missing. Authorities later confirmed that Cardenas did return to his apartment and then later vanished.

The Redding Police said it took over the missing person investigation on June 4, adding investigators discovered that Cardenas was picked up by a cab near Wells Fargo on East Cypress Avenue at around 2:22 p.m., local time, on May 29.

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The cab driver told authorities that he picked up Cardenas and took him to Mt. Shasta, located in Siskiyou County, where he dropped him off at the trailhead to Avalanche Gulch.

At that time, Lesner was in possession of backpacking gear and made statements about trying to beat a friends time to complete a hike, the Redding Police Departments statement continued.

Redding Police Department/Facebook Mt. Shasta Mt. Shasta

The police also said it contacted the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office about the investigation into Cardenas disappearance.

In a Tuesday, June 10, update, the Redding Police Department said authorities canvassed Mt. Shasta on June 6 and 7, adding that CHP Northern Division Air Operations assisted in the search with aircraft resources. However, those efforts were unsuccessful in finding Cardenas.

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Lesner was in possession of a cellphone when he was last seen, but it has not been in service since the afternoon of Thursday May 29th, police said in the update.

Those with information about the victims whereabouts are encouraged to call police at 530-225-4200.



Read the original article on People
Police are investigating after a man was shot in Hartford on Thursday night.

Officers responded to the area of 150 New Park Ave. around 10:50 p.m. on the report of someone being shot and found a man in his 50s suffering from a single gunshot wound, according to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police Department.

The victim was taken to an area hospital where he was listed in stable condition, Boisvert said.

The shooting is being investigated by the Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions. Anyone with information has been asked to call the Hartford Police Department Tip Line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man turned himself in to the Horn Lake Police Department on Thursday after being accused of shooting a repo man in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

Marshun Colbert, 26, was taken into custody on his outstanding warrant for aggravated assault.

Marshun Colbert (HLPD)

Around 4:45 p.m., Horn Lake Police say they responded to a shots-fired call in a parking lot on 7256 Interstate Boulevard.

Officers say a wrecker driver for All Star Recovery attempted to repossess a vehicle on the lot. That is when an argument about the repossession of an SUV began between the repo man and a man, later identified as Marshun Colbert.

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ORIGINAL: Repo man shot in store parking lot: Horn Lake Police

During the argument, Cobert is accused of firing a single shot at the wrecker driver.

Baha Hamed is the owner of Beauty and Company in DeSoto Crossing shopping center in Horn Lake.

His front doors not far from where an overturned SUV and evidence markers were surrounded by crime scene tape.

Horn Lake Police presence after shooting in parking lot

Overturned car in store parking lot.

Yesterday, the manager called me and told me that he seen the commotion outside, Hamed said. Actually, he didnt hear a gunshot. He just heard commotion and he walked outside and seen a crowd of people. That was pretty much seconds after the incident happened.

People were obviously in shock.

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As the wrecker driver drove off, police say the vehicle being repossessed fell from the wrecker lift and onto its side in the parking lot.

A woman was also in the vehicle being repossessed when it fell from the wrecker lift, police say. She was taken to Baptist DeSoto Hospital for injuries and later discharged.

The wrecker driver drove himself to Baptist DeSoto Hospital for treatment and was later taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

Man wanted for shooting repo man in Horn Lake: Police

Police say he is still critical but stable.

A local repo company owner who didnt want to be identified told WREG that she knows the victim.

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It was a really frightening. It was scary cause we were just worried that he was hurt really bad and critical, she said. I think hes gonna pull through, but its just really scary thing cause I have agents out in the field also.

She added that a couple of his own agents had been shot at multiple times.

She added that these types of situations are happening more frequently and repo agents are often helpless targets.

Insurance regulations, they dont want any of the agents carrying guns, he said. So, none of our agents carry guns. We just tell them if theres altercations like that, just to leave.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Brief

Jonathan Harris, wanted for assaulting a deputy during a traffic stop and fleeing, was captured Thursday night in Habersham County after a tip from a local business.

Deputies found Harris hiding in a camper and arrested him with help from K-9 teams; he was armed with multiple firearms.

Harris faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault on an officer, and the GBI is investigating the earlier officer-involved shooting.

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. - A man wanted in connection with an officer-involved shooting earlier this week in Habersham County has been captured following a multi-agency search and a tip from a local business, according to Habersham County Sheriff's Office.

What we know

Jonathan William Harris, 34, of Sautee, was arrested Thursday night at a residence on Rosewood Drive, just off Toccoa Highway near Clarkesville. The arrest came nearly two days after authorities say Harris assaulted a deputy and fled the scene during a traffic stop.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Man wanted for shooting at Habersham County officer captured after being spotted in local store

The backstory

The incident began around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Chopped Oak community, when a deputy attempted to stop a truck pulling a trailer with two flat tires. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is now handling the officer-involved shooting probe, Harris allegedly rammed his vehicle into the deputys patrol car, striking the deputy and knocking him to the ground. The deputy fired his weapon as Harris exited the vehicle, but Harris ran away. The deputy sustained minor injuries.

The passenger in the vehicle, Antone Cortez Hall, 44, of Gainesville, was arrested at the scene. He was charged with theft by receiving stolen property, obstruction of an officer, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Investigators later determined the truck and trailer were reported stolen out of Hall County.

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The search for Harris intensified Thursday evening when an employee at a local store contacted 911 after recognizing him. The employee said a man entered the store wearing a yellow traffic vest, helmet, gloves, and a mask. When he pulled the mask down, the employee identified him as Harris. Deputies reviewed store surveillance footage, confirmed the mans identity, and quickly responded.

Harris was last seen leaving in a Kubota side-by-side vehicle loaded with pine straw. Deputies located the vehicle a short distance away on Rosewood Drive. Inside were the clothing items matching the suspect's disguise, and the bed still contained pine straw.

Tracking dogs from the Habersham and Banks County sheriffs offices followed a scent to a camper behind a home, where deputies noticed a forced-open window. After observing movement inside and confirming the camper was supposed to be unoccupied, law enforcement entered with a key provided by the owner.

Harris was found hiding under the camper bed. He refused multiple commands and was apprehended by a K-9 team. Authorities say Harris had two handguns on him and two additional firearms in a nearby bag.

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He was treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham for injuries from the K-9 apprehension and will be booked into the Habersham County Detention Center. Harris now faces numerous charges including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, obstruction, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving, and additional counts related to the latest incident.

What they're saying

Sheriff Robin Krockum expressed gratitude for the support of multiple agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Banks County Sheriffs Office, and police departments from Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, and Helen.

What you can do

The Habersham County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of theft or burglary since early Wednesday to contact investigators.
NEW DELHI, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's civil aviation regulatory body, on Friday ordered for an "enhanced safety inspection" of Boeing 787-8/9 fleet with the private airline company Air India.

The order came a day after the plane crash involving Air India's flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, flying from the western Indian city of Ahmedabad to London. Among the 242 people aboard, 241 died. An official probe was instituted on Friday to find the cause of the crash.

In the order, issued by DGCA's Director of Airworthiness Jayanta Ghosh, the country's civil aviation watchdog enumerated various inspections, tests and reviews of Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 fleet.

"As a preventive measure, the DGCA hereby directs Air India to carry out following additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices," said the DGCA's order.

The maintenance actions involved inspection of fuel parameter monitoring and associated system checks, inspection of cabin air compressor and associated systems, electronic engine control-system test, engine fuel driven actuator-operational test and oil system check, serviceability check of hydraulic system and review of take-off parameters.

Besides, the DGCA also ordered for a "flight control inspection" of the Boeing fleet to be introduced in transit inspection till further notice, power assurance checks to be carried out within two weeks, and closure of maintenance action based upon the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days at the earliest.

The order further said that a comprehensive report on the said checks and inspections was to be submitted before the DGCA for review. 
In May 1856, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner took to the floor of the Senate to deliver a speech denouncing slavery. Sumner was a fiery abolitionist; in his maiden speech on the floor of the Senate four years earlier, he had called for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act, which an Alabama senator disparaged thus: The ravings of a maniac may sometimes be dangerous, but the barking of a puppy never did any harm. Sumner continued to inveigh against slavery and its apologists throughout his first term. Clearly, he suffered from Pierce Derangement Syndrome (Franklin).

Among those Sumner attacked directly in his May 1856 speech was his Senate colleague Andrew Butler of South Carolina. His words were, to be sure, impolitic: [Butler] has chosen a mistress to whom he has made his vows, and who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sightI mean the harlot, Slavery.

Two days later, in one of the most infamous incidents in American political history, Representative Preston Brooks of South Carolina, a first cousin once removed of Butlers, walked over to the Senate chamber, waited until no women were present in the gallery (Southern chivalry!), and attacked Sumner on the Senate floor with a metal-topped cane, beating him within an inch of his life.

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Alex Padilla, the Democratic California senator, did not bleed Thursday. He wasnt even hurt. But the sight of a U.S. senator being manhandled by FBI agents was shocking enough. Lawrence ODonnell said Thursday night that Padilla was the first senator in history to be so accosted by law enforcement officials. I dont know for sure that thats true, but (1) I suspect if there were another, wed know about it, and (2) even if hes the second or third, that wouldnt make how he was treated any better.

The incident didnt last that long. But the real damage came after, when the lie machine reliably revved itself into action. It started with Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary whose press conference Padilla had interrupted. She went on Fox News within the hour to say he burst in and was lunging toward her and did not identify himself.

All lies. As anyone can see from the video, he was a good 10 feet away from Noem. But even if he had lungedand even if he were not a senator but a mere citizen, or really any human being who is not threatening violencethis is how Donald Trumps FBI treats such people? Escort them awayOK. But push them to the ground and cuff them, when theyve left the room and are no longer in any way a plausible threat?

And it was in that momentthe decision by the agents to take the matter to a totally unnecessary, completely gratuitous extremethat we find lurking the essence of Trumpism.

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The essence of Trumpism is just this: Dig in the heel of the boot; step on the enemys neck; determine in any situation the action that would be appropriately small-d democratic, and then do the oppositego intentionally overboard, do something that shocks and offends the democratic sensibility. And then lie about it and try to reverse realityto convince America that it didnt see what it just saw. That truth is not what it seems.

A few Republican senators, and I mean a precious few, responded appropriately. Like, one: Alaskas Lisa Murkowski said, Its horrible. It is shocking at every level. Its not the America I know. Susan Collins emitted the usual timorous excretion. Otherwise? Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on Morning Joe Friday that he and colleagues Cory Booker and Brian Schatz waited on the Senate floorwho knows, perhaps not far from Sumners Desk 29, occupied today by New Hampshire Democrat Jean Shaheenfor their GOP colleagues to appear and denounce what happened. Not only did they not do that, Murphy said: They basically said he deserved what he got simply because he was disrespectful to the president.

But Trump was surely most pleased by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who put all the blame on Padilla and called on the Senate to censure him: I think that that behavior at a minimum rises to the level of a censure. I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what were going to do; thats not what were going to act. Note the at a minimum, which leaves dangling the insane possibility that Padilla should  what? Just be expelled? Again, the essence of Trumpism is found in those three words.

This is what they do. All the time. Trump federalizes the National Guard and sends in the Marines; he crows that if he hadnt acted, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated. Think about the scale of that lie, referring to protests in a four- or five-block area in a city of 500 square miles. He told it over and over in various forms, as did Noem and others. The behavior has its precedents in the United States: Southerners accused Sumner of faking his injuries. They argued that the cane was not heavy enough to cause severe injury. Others, more direct about matters, piped up that Sumner deserved a caning every day.

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And the right-wing media, like the Southern press in the 1850s, reliably echoed every word Trump, Noem, and the others said. Meanwhile the mainstream media failed dramatically this week by accepting the lazy frame that immigration is a winner for Trump. Two polls came outthis one and this oneshowing this emphatically not to be the case. The second poll, from Quinnipiac, was bleak for Trump across the board. Only 27 percent of the country supports the big ugly bill. Thats not even all of MAGA America. People are beginning to understand that they indulged themselves last year in some fantasy projection of Donald Trump. Theyre seeing the real article now, and theyre remembering his viciousness, his ignorance, his incompetence, and his lawlessness.

And its going to get worse. Trumpism proceeds by the successive breaking of taboos. Each time a new one is broken, the previous one is normalized, made to look not so bad by comparison. The cuffing of Padilla was a red-line moment. And yet: Theres plenty of reason to worry that in four months, well look back on it as a moment of comparative innocence.

This article first appeared in Fighting Words, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by editor Michael Tomasky. Sign up here.






Israel's airstrikes on Iran Friday targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, scientists and senior military commanders, the Israeli military said.

Israel Defense Forces said 200 fighter jets struck more than 100 targets in Iran in an initial round of strikes and that the operation would continue for days. Those targets included multiple sites in Iran's capital, Tehran, and Natanz, a key uranium enrichment site, officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Israel's strikes "a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival" in a video statement Friday.

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In response, Iran launched more than 100 drones at Israel, many of which were intercepted by Israel's air defenses. Following additional strikes by Israel, Iran fired more missiles at Israel. While most were intercepted, there were "a limited number of hits on structures, some from interception failures," the IDF said.

The maps below show the confirmed locations of Israel's strikes and will be updated as information is verified.

In a later round of strikes, the IDF said it had hit "the Iranian regime's nuclear site in the Isfahan area," located south of Natanz in central Iran.

"The strike dismantled a facility for producing metallic uranium, infrastructure for reconverting enriched uranium, laboratories, and additional infrastructure," the IDF said in a statement.

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Another enrichment site in Fordow had not been hit as of Friday morning, according to Iran and the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency. Later Friday, two explosions were heard near the site and state media said Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli drone near the facility, according to Reuters.

A map of Iran showing nuclear sites, reactors and uranium mines. / Credit: Sylvie Husson via Getty

In Natanz, "the underground area of the site was damaged," the IDF said in a statement.

"This area contains a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms, and additional supporting infrastructure," the IDF said. "In addition, critical infrastructure enabling the site's continuous operation and the Iranian regime's ongoing efforts to obtain nuclear weapons were targeted."

No increase in radiation levels had been observed outside the Natanz site after the strikes, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday morning.

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Israel's strikes also killed nuclear scientists and military leaders, the IDF said, including Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Hossein Salami, IRGC Senior Commander Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, and Maj. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC's missile program.

An infographic showing senior Iranian commanders killed in Israeli attacks on June 13, 2025. / Credit: Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty Images

The U.S. was not involved in the Israeli strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The operation came as the Trump administration has been trying to negotiate an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program. President Trump's Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff was set to hold a sixth round of talks in Oman over the weekend, but it was not immediately clear if those would still happen.

On Friday, Mr. Trump urged Iran to "make a deal, before there is nothing left."

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Iran's President Mahsoud Pezeshkian said Friday on Iranian TV that the country would "strongly take action" against Israel in response to the attacks.

"The Iranian nation and the country's officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act," he said.

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Israel ready to launch operation into Iran, U.S. officials say
In 2024, scholar, author and activist Marc Lamont Hill was the victim of a terrifying attack during a speaking engagement that left him and those who witnessed it in complete shock. Hill, who has not previously spoken about the event, just gave us more details about the incident and the woman who instigated it.

On the June 12 episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, Hill explained that an alleged stalker attacked him with pepper spray at a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in his native Philadelphia, which took place across the street from his bookstore, Uncle Bobbies Coffee & Books. The woman  who apparently believed Hill was part of a government plot against her  approached the stage where he was sitting and pepper-sprayed him.

Hill shot behind the stage curtains until security could restrain the woman.

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She had written a letter to me, saying that she was trying to talk to me about how the CIA and Joe Biden were trying to frame her for murder, Hill explained.

A video of the incident has recently resurfaced on social media.

Marc Lamont Hill mentioned on the Joe Budden podcast that he was pepper sprayed once while speaking. Welp JBTV found the files! 

(Notice how he tells them not to call the police proving MLH aint just talk ) pic.twitter.com/FH0ID1f0vz  After Hours X JBTV (@JBTVSpaces) June 11, 2025

Although the incident was extremely serious, host Joe Budden still managed to find a way to make a joke. When teased by Budden that the alleged stalker might have been upset about a romance gone wrong, Hill quickly denied having any ties with his alleged attacker.

Not only did I not hit, I never met her before. It was clear she was a crazy person, right? he asked.

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In case you were wondering, Hill, who has been outspoken about finding alternatives to calling the police, told Budden that he understood the woman was mentally ill and never planned to get law enforcement involved.

You can hear me on the tape say, Do not call the police, he said. I walk it like I talk it. She was mentally ill. She had been stalking me for a couple of weeks, and I didnt know  I never met her before.

Hill shared more about how hes engaged with the womans family since the incident on social media.

I have worked with her family and community members to enable a restorative process. Through the process, I have learned that she did indeed suffer significant childhood abuse, as well as serious mental health challenges that continue to this day. Instead of criminal prosecution, I have done my best to make sure that she receives social and mental health support to help her heal as best as possible, he wrote in part in a June 12 post on X.
The deputy secretary of state posted and then quickly deleted a social media attack against President Donald Trumps ambassador to NATO.

Ambassador Matt Whitaker, who is a MAGA hardliner, had posted a routine diplomatic post on the social media platform X, writing, What happens in the Indo-Pacific matters for transatlantic security, he wrote.

Thats why NATO works with partners globally. In Brussels Ive met with our partners from Japan, South Korea, Australia New Zealand over recent weeks, Whitaker continued, introducing a thread about his meetings with ambassadors from those countries.

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Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, however, took issue with the seemingly innocuous posts.

NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker came under fire from Marco Rubios righthand aide after he posted a routine diplomatic post on social media. / Michael Ciaglo / Getty Images

He obviously didnt get the memo of our Deputies Committee meeting on this very issue, Secretary of State Marco Rubios right-hand aide wrote in a reply, according to The New York Times. NATO is still a solution in search of a problem.

What happens in the Indo-Pacific matters for transatlantic security. Thats why NATO works with partners globally.

In Brussels, I've met with our partner ambassadors from over recent weeks. Heres a thread.   U.S. Ambassador to NATO (@USAmbNATO) June 10, 2025

Landau then quickly deleted the post. It wasnt clear if he had accidentally insulted one of Trumps ambassadors in public or if he intentionally leveled the attack and then regretted it, the Times reported.

The State Department did not respond to the Times request for comment. The Daily Beast has also reached out.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau publicly dunked on President Trumps ambassador to NATO in a social media post and then quickly deleted it. / Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Whitaker worked at the Department of Justice during Trumps first term and gained a reputation for personal loyalty to the president, despite the department traditionally enjoying a degree of independence from the White House.

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He was a vocal critic of the Mueller investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 election and temporarily led the DOJ as acting attorney general.

Before being tapped as ambassador to NATO, he accused European countries of taking advantage of the U.S. and spending their money on socialized medicine and other experiments.

President Donald Trump put NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in an awkward position when the U.S. president fantasized about invading fellow alliance members during Ruttes March visit to the Oval Office. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The U.S. has since put NATO in several awkward positions, with Trump subjecting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to rants about taking over Canada and Greenland.

Canada and Denmark, which has sovereignty over Greenland, are both founding members of NATO, an alliance built on the principle of collective defense, with an attack on one member being treated as an attack on all.

Rutte has been dubbed the alliances Trump whisperer for his ability to tactfully handle Trump and his advisers.

Landau previously served as Trumps ambassador to Mexico.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday night that Israel launched unilateral strikes against Iran, emphasizing that the United States was not involved in the military action.

The statement comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with Washington scrambling to protect American forces while avoiding direct confrontation.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a White House statement released June 12, 2025.

BREAKING: Israeli Air Force is striking Iranian nuclear facilities and long-range missile capabilities, @TreyYingst reports pic.twitter.com/pF0wZc0DG1  Fox News (@FoxNews) June 13, 2025

The secretary emphasized that Israeli officials had informed the U.S. of their plans beforehand. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, he stated.

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Still, the administration moved quickly to safeguard American personnel across the region. Rubio confirmed that President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.

The statement concluded with a stark warning to Tehran. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel, Rubio said.

That said, the careful wording underscores Washingtons delicate balancing actsupporting a key ally while avoiding entanglement in another Middle Eastern conflict.
Marine Corps Battalion Finishes Training to Deploy to Los Angeles by Friday originally appeared on L.A. Mag.

Protestors gather in front of National Guardsmen at the Los Angeles County U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building following ICE raids in the areaCourtesy Eli Young

President Trump mobilized 700 Marines to Los Angeles earlier this week to aid the National Guard in putting an end to what he called attacks of a vicious and violent mob. As of June 11, the battalion has completed training in de-escalation, crowd-control and the Standing Rules for the Use of Force.



According to the U.S. Northern Commands update on Wednesday, the Marines will be joining Task Force 51, composed of approximately 2,100 National Guard soldiers with Title 10 status protecting federal buildings and personnel, within 48 hours.



Title 10 forces do not conduct civilian law enforcement functions, said the update. Title 10 forces may temporarily detain an individual in specific circumstances such as to stop an assault, to prevent harm to others, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties.



Title 10 of the U.S. Code gives the president the authority to federalize the National Guard, but they are unable to participate in civil law enforcement under a 19th-century lawthe Posse Comitatus Act.

The law can be overridden by the Insurrection Act, also from the 19th century, which is rarely used. The Insurrection Act allows a sitting president to deploy military forces inside the United States to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.



If theres an insurrection, I will certainly invoke it. Well see, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday.



Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom oppose the federalization of the National Guard and deployment of Marines to Los Angeles. Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the president to end the illegal and unnecessary takeover of a CalGuard unit, which has needlessly escalated chaos and violence in the Los Angeles region.



Bonta filed a temporary restraining order on Tuesday for the use of federalized troops, but a judge denied this request, giving the administration time to respond at a hearing today.



U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said during the hearing today that the issue at hand is urgent and he intends to act expeditiously. The judge said that he will have an order out very soon.

This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Marines deployed to Los Angeles will start their mission of guarding federal buildings on Friday. National Guard soldiers who were already in the area will transition to protecting local law enforcement, the commander of the mission announced.

I would like to emphasize that the soldiers will not participate in law enforcement activities. Rather, theyll be focused on protecting federal law enforcement personnel, Maj. Gen. Scott Sherman, commander of Task Force 51, the name of the militarys mission in L.A., told reporters Friday.

President Donald Trump federalized 2,000 California National Guard soldiers from the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on June 7 to protect federal buildings and law enforcement as protests against U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement operations erupted in Downtown L.A. last weekend. Two days later, Trump ordered the mobilization of 2,000 more Guardsmen, led by the 49th Military Police Brigade. He also ordered 700 Marines from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment to make their way to L.A.

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According to an Army North spokesperson, there are close to 2,000 troops actively doing personnel and property protection while 700 troops are assigned to logistics and administrative support for Task Force 51. The additional 2,000 troops may eventually be deployed to L.A. but had not been sent as of Friday night.

The Marines arrived at the Wilshire Federal Building in L.A. on Thursday night where they received left seat, right seat leader familiarization training with the 79th Infantry Brigade soldiers. The Marines will take over building protection operations at noon Pacific time. U.S. Northern Command said that Marines were at the Wilshire Federal Building at Sepulveda and Wilshire boulevards, approximately 13 miles West of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Downtown Los Angeles.

Sending Marines into a major city like Los Angeles to assist with law enforcement is uncommon. The mission is unusual for Marines, particularly a unit like 2/7, which is known for its combat role, and has raised concerns about their participation in law enforcement and use of force. Marines were last deployed to LA in 1992 to help quell riots that erupted after police were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.

The United States Marine Corps, as you know, theyre the ones who guard our embassies worldwide, and they are certainly trained on how to defend a federal building, Sherman said. Thats the mission that weve really focused on them to do, and thats what they will be doing here. Theyve already started with the Wilshire building today, and we will progress from there.

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Sherman said soldiers or Marines have not been involved in temporary detentions but have watched as federal law enforcement make arrests.

While all of the troops are mobilized with their assigned weapons and have crowd control gear, which includes helmets, face shields, shields, batons and gas masks, Sherman said they strictly use it for crowd control and to hold people away as the federal agents are doing their job.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Task Force 51, rehearse non-lethal tactics in Los Angeles, June 11, 2025. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jaye Townsend.

Sherman said that Marine Corps lawyers did a complete comprehensive review of the standing rules of force for all of the soldiers and Marines in L.A. Service members typically receive this training before they ever go on the mission, which includes de-escalation techniques and the proper use of crowd control, he added.

The military is paying money to contract building latrines, showers, hand washing stations, food service, full laundry service, bulk ice and bulk fuel for the troops in L.A., Sherman said, adding that they have adequate shelter, food and water.

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The National Guard Bureau told Task & Purpose that if the mission is over 30 days, the orders that the soldiers will be serving under will include basic allowances for housing and food.

UPDATE: 6/13/2025; This article has been updated with information on the roles of the troops already deployed to L.A. and the status of an additional 2,000 who have been mobilized.

The latest on Task & Purpose
Armed Marines arrived on the streets of Los Angeles Friday, part of a large deployment of troops ordered by Donald Trump that has raised the stakes between the US president and opponents criticizing him of growing authoritarianism.

Men in fatigues and carrying semiautomatic rifles were seen around a federal building, where passersby questioned why they were in an area 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the protests against immigration raids.

"Taxpayer dollars could be used for other things," RonNell Weaver told AFP. "Is this really necessary?"

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AFP witnessed Marines temporarily detaining one man at the federal building before they handed him over to law enforcement.

The US military would not say why he was detained, despite multiple requests, but the incident appeared to be a minor -- albeit extremely rare -- example of federal troops detaining a US civilian.

Seven hundred Marines -- normally used as crack troops in foreign conflicts -- along with 4,000 National Guard soldiers are tasked with protecting federal buildings, while local police handle protests over Trump's sweeps for undocumented migrants.

An intense legal battle is underway over Trump's authority to deploy troops on US soil as the country braces for widespread protests Saturday, when the Republican will be overseeing a rare large-scale military parade in Washington.

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The parade celebrates the 250th anniversary of the US Army but also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday, and will be the first time tanks and other heavy weaponry have rolled through the capital city in three decades.

In response, a "No Kings" movement has sprung up promising to stage protests in more than 2,000 places across the country, including a large demonstration expected in Los Angeles, which organizers say will feature a "20-foot-tall balloon of Trump wearing a diaper."

"Unprecedented" crowds could attend, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters Friday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, whose deputies are part of a large law enforcement response in the enormous city, urged protesters to behave properly.

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"It's a good cause, but we do not want violent agitators out there destroying property or committing acts of violence," he said.

Mayor Karen Bass said demonstrations are expected to be "even larger because of what has happened in our city."

"We do call on people over the weekend to demonstrate peacefully, to exercise your first amendment right, to not play into the hands where it could be used as a pretext to roll out troops in our city," she said in a news conference.

- California v Trump -

In a show of political force, Trump overrode the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to deploy California's National Guard.

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The president has repeatedly exaggerated the scale of violence, claiming that without troops, Los Angeles would be "burning to the ground right now."

On Thursday, District Judge Charles Breyer ruled Trump's actions were "illegal" and ordered that he return control of the guard to Newsom. Breyer said the LA unrest fell "far short" of the "rebellion" Trump had described.

However, a higher court quickly paused the order pending an appeal hearing with the Trump administration next Tuesday.

The Department of Justice slammed Breyer's ruling as "an extraordinary intrusion on the President's constitutional authority as Commander in Chief."

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The dispute mirrors multiple other tussles over Trump's attempts to expand the limits of presidential power -- but is the first to involve troops.

- Hamlet -

Many in Los Angeles are angry about immigration raids carried out as part of Trump's ambition to deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants from the country.

About 100 mostly good-natured protesters gathered Friday evening outside the federal detention center in Los Angeles that has been at the heart of the rallies, ahead of a nightly curfew placed on the downtown area by the mayor.

In a sign of how contained the demonstrations have been, however, those attending a performance of "Hamlet" -- Shakespeare's play about a mad prince -- and other shows at nearby venues were exempt from the curfew.

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Outrage at Trump's raids and the use of masked, armed immigration agents backed by uniformed soldiers have also sparked protests in other cities, including San Francisco, New York, Chicago and San Antonio, Texas.

Tensions hiked further Thursday when California Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

bur-st/hg/dhc/mtp
Hundreds of members of the U.S. Marine Corps could soon be joining the military task force assembled in Los Angeles in response to immigration enforcement protests, although its unclear if theyll be returned to their previous command before ever hitting the streets.

On Thursday, the U.S. Northern Command confirmed that Marines mobilized to L.A. conducted mission orientation and familiarization in the area and could be integrating with the thousands of National Guardsmen already given orders in the city.

The Marines would be joining Task Force 51, the U.S. militarys name for the hundreds of troops deployed to the greater Los Angeles area to protect federal buildings and federal agents.

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But just as the Marines came one step closer to joining the National Guard in their federal protection mission, President Donald Trump was dealt a legal blow that puts into question how much longer a military presence will remain on L.A.s streets.

Trump ordered the National Guard into the city without coordinating with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass or California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the latter of whom filed a legal challenge of the presidents authority to do so.

Photos shared by U.S. Northern Command shows Marines getting to make the journey from Twentynine Palms to Los Angeles where they were mobilized to assist federal agents who have been clashing with anti-ICE protesters on June 9, 2025. (U.S. Northern Command/Department of Defense)

The use of the military to quell civil unrest without a request from local leaders is considered highly unusual and, in Newsoms view, potentially illegal. Newsoms lawsuit met a legal hurdle after a federal judge denied the states request for an urgent pause on the deployment of troops.

A formal hearing for a temporary restraining order was instead held Thursday, with Newsoms claim ultimately proving successful.

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A federal judge ruled the Trump did not follow the congressionally mandated procedure for his actions, ruling that seizing control of the California National Guard from Newsoms control as the states governor was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Trump was then ordered to return control of the California National Guard to Newsom. The president has not yet responded to the courts decision.

The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets, Newsom said on social media. End the illegal militarization of Los Angeles now,

[President Trump]. History is watching.

The Trump Administration has argued that the mobilization of troops was necessitated by local authorities not doing enough to protect federal agents conducting immigration raids at various locations across the area.

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Last Friday, the first of targeted enforcement operations took place in downtown L.A. and in the nearby Westlake District. After several people were loaded into unmarked vehicles at a downtown clothing store, a crowd developed with many seen shouting at federal agents, and even throwing items at their vehicles.

Protesters gather outside City Hall, Monday, June 9, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo Jae Hong)

Those overnight protests grew destructive in the days that followed, with looting and vandalism reported, as well as multiple driverless Waymo taxis being torched.

Trump and his allies have characterized those protests as widespread across Los Angeles, leaving chaos in their wake. In reality, the protests, and ensuing looting and vandalism, have happened primarily in a small portion of downtown L.A. less than one square-mile.

While Trump has called protesters troublemakers and agitators, Bass and Newsom have lobbed those same barbs back at the president, accusing him of fanning the flames of unrest for political gain and to advance his immigration goals.

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While protests have been moderately tame over the past two days due to an overnight curfew in downtown, National Guard Brigadier General Scott Sherman told ABC News he expected activity to ramp up in the coming days. Sherman was put in command of the federal protection task force in Los Angeles, and it remains to be seen what, if any, role he will have with enforcement in the coming days.

On Saturday, as the White House watches its long-sought after military parade finally taking place to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army, as well as Trumps birthday, counterprotests are planned at hundreds of locations across the globe.

Local leaders have urged calm in these demonstrations in hopes of reducing any chance of violence breaking out between the public and law enforcement officers and their military counterparts.

LAPD officers confront protesters after a series of immigration raids on June 09, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

According to the U.S. Northern Command, military personnel have been granted the authority to detain individuals during protests if they are committing crimes or interfering with immigration operations, but arrests are ultimately the jurisdiction of local law enforcement.

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Department of Defense military personnel on this mission are performing ground activities to protecting federal functions, personnel, and property. If necessary, this support may include crowd control and establishment of security perimeters to ensure federal personnel are protected from harm or threat of bodily injury while those they protect perform their federal duties, military officials 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 KTLA.
Mark Peterson - WNDU

WNDU senior reporter Mark Peterson will retire after 40 years at the South Bend, Indiana NBC affiliate.

His last day will be Tuesday, June 24. He joined the station in 1985.

It's been an honor and a privilege for us here at WNDU to have worked with Mark, the station wrote on its website. He is one of a kind, both as a person and as a journalist.

Indiana 2nd District Rep. Rudy Yakym celebrated Mark's career accomplishments in an address to Congress. Click here to watch that video.

On June 24, 1985, Mark began his tenure at WNDU, embarking on a journey that would see him become one of the most respected reporters in our region, Yakym said in part. Throughout his 40-year career at WNDU, Mark has been lauded for his ability to quickly grasp complex issues and report them with great clarity and composure. His commitment to factual reporting and his calm demeanor under pressure have made him a trusted voice in our community. As someone who grew up in South Bend. I have vivid memories of watching Mark deliver the news with professionalism and poise, his reporting was not just informative. It was a fixture in our home.
KATHMANDU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and nine others wounded in lightning strikes in Nepal in the last 24 hours, the authorities said on Friday.

Among the dead was a boy in Kailali district and a man in Makwanpur district, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in a notice.

In Khotang district, one lightning strike left two children and an elderly woman injured, while in Sindhuli district, a mother and her child were struck by lightning and injured in a field.

Four others were wounded in separate lightning strikes in different districts.

"Please remain inside homes during the thunderstorms," the NDRRMA said. 
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) was a special guest speaker at the 2025 Maryland Democratic Party Gala on Thursday. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters).

It was a celebration of Maryland Democrats and their victories over the past year, but the specter of President Donald Trump and the Republican Congress was never far off.

With fancy gowns, sharp suits and drinks in hand, several hundred Maryland Democratic politicians, advocates and donors gathered Thursday at Martins West and tried to find the light in their uphill battle against the Trump White House and the Republican majority in Congress.

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But in three hours of speeches, nearly every speaker stressed that the fight against Trumps administration needs to continue  even if the challenges seem insurmountable. That included the evenings keynote speaker, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), a one-time pastor at Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore.

We will not give in to those who are trying to weaponize fear and despair, Warnock told the crowd. We will not be intimidated into silence. We must raise our voices now more than ever.

We are not going to give in to the rhetoric  of those who are trying to divide us. People who have no vision, he said. They dont know how to lead us, so they are trying to divide us.

During the evening, Democratic leaders aired a wide range of grievances against the Trump administrations actions over the last five months  from mass layoffs of federal workers to the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to massive proposed budget cuts for programs such as Medicaid.

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While much of the evening served as a rallying cry to push back against Republicans in Congress, the evening also functioned as a farewell event to the outgoing Maryland Democratic Party Chair Ken Ulman, who will officially resign from the position Friday.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Ulman said he was proud of what was accomplished in the time since he took over as chair in 2023.

Weve been busy the last couple of years. What did we do? In 2024, we won some elections. We won some big elections, Ulman said. We kept our margin in the federal delegation. Angela Alsobrooks beat Larry Hogan  it took 10 years, we got him.

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He was referring to the election of U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D) against former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R).

Ulman also recognized wins by Democratic freshman Reps. Johnny Olszewski Jr. (2nd), Sarah Elfreth (3rd) and April McClain Delaney (6th), and he celebrated the partys hand in staving off several school board candidates  normally nonpartisan elections  who were politically aligned with the conservative group Moms for Liberty.

But always it came back to the Trump administration. Democrats promised to fight back against what Alsobrooks called a horrible time in America.

We must understand in this moment that we have to fight back with everything within us, because we are not only harming ourselves here at home, but our image across the world is at stake, Alsobrooks told the gala. What a horrible time it is for our country.

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Many of their comments centered around the budget reconciliation bill known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which aims to reduce federal spending by drastically cutting funds to programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps.

Props for a photo booth at the 2025 Maryland Democratic Party Gala on June 12, 2025. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters).

In a live recording of the Maryland Democratic Partys new podcast, called Burn the Talking Points, Marylands freshman House members were asked to describe the Big Beautiful Bill in one word.

Olszewski said the bill was ugly, Elfreth called the legislation an abomination, while McClain Delaney simply called it mean.

Also speaking Thursday were Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th), as well as Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller.

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Gov. Wes Moore (D) ended the evening with his usual bright message of encouragement for the years ahead under the Trump administration.

As Sen. Warnock said, these are challenging times. No one can deny it, he said, adding that he hoped to see Maryland take charge in pushing back against Trump and the Republicans.

There is something that no one can deny. Maryland is showing that we can do different. That inside this moment, we have to be able to call out injustices, Moore said. And we have to be able to call out the atrocities that we are seeing from this administration.

But we also have to be very clear that calling out the atrocities will not be enough  we have to show what an alternative can actually be, he said.
BALTIMORE  Weeks after returning from South Carolina, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore will hit the road again  this time as a featured speaker at the Detroit NAACP Dinner on Sunday, June 29.

Moores senior press secretary, Carter Elliott, told The Baltimore Sun Friday that the governor believes its important as the only Black governor to speak to one of the oldest NAACP chapters in the country.

Elliott added that the governors reelection campaign funds will cover the cost of his trip to Michigan, meaning Maryland taxpayers are not directly on the hook. Moore has not yet officially filed to run for another term in 2026, but has more than $4 million in cash on hand.

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Though Moore has publicly maintained he is not running for president in 2028, his Detroit dinner speech marks another appearance in a state with a relatively early and important Democratic primary. In late May, Moore headlined the South Carolina Democratic Partys Blue Palmetto Dinner and attended Rep. Jim Clyburns World Famous Fish Fry  both historically important events for Democratic candidates seeking to woo the states large base of Black voters.

Michigan is home to auto manufacturing titans like Ford and General Motors, which employ thousands of blue-collar workers whose votes carry considerable weight nationally. More narrowly, the Detroit metropolitan area has a high population of Arab and Muslim Americans who traditionally vote for Democrats but largely soured on the party last year amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Moore told Politico theme of his speech will be the work of repair  perhaps a catch-all term for his economic agenda since taking office in 2023.

The theme of the speech is going to be the work of repair, and its really highlighting some of the work we are doing here in the state of Maryland that were really proud of, Moore told the outlet. There is no state that has moved with a sense of urgency to be able to do the work of repair like the state of Maryland the past two years.

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The word repair has been used in a different context by Black Baltimore leaders like Rev. Dr. Robert Turner, who criticized Moores May 16 veto of a bill that would have studied reparations for slavery in Maryland. The reparations issue prompted a South Carolina lawmaker, state Rep. John King, to call for Moore to be disinvited from the Blue Palmetto Dinner before the governor ultimately headlined the event.

Moores trip to the Detroit NAACP is not his only upcoming appearance that will address issues impacting the Black community. He has said he will visit Marylands Eastern Shore on Juneteenth next Thursday to announce a plan to end the states racial wealth gap.

---------------
The Brief

Hundreds of Montgomery Blair High School students staged a walkout Thursday to protest the reported deportation of a fellow student.

The student, believed to be a junior, was detained by ICE agents earlier this month.

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Hundreds of students at Montgomery Blair High School walked out of class Thursday afternoon to protest the recent deportation of a classmate, reportedly a junior, to Guatemala.

What we know

The protest was organized by the schools chapter of Students for Asylum and Immigration Reform (Students FAIR), a student-led group advocating for immigrant rights across Montgomery County.

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In a social media post, the group thanked participants and stated that "no one should live in fear, and no one should be taken from their community without due process."

The demonstration began near the schools front loop, with students marching around the parking lot as community members lined the sidewalks holding supportive signs. One sign read, "No human is illegal."

Other students opened their class windows and waved in support.

MORE: ICE to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and 4 other cities, sources say

Dig deeper

Montgomery Blair High School is Marylands largest public high school, serving almost 3,200 students. According to the Washington Post, about 38 percent of its student body is Hispanic and Latino.

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While details remain limited, MBHS administrators confirmed the student was not detained on campus. A school staff member told local reporters the student was 18. Due to privacy concerns, neither the school district nor students have publicly identified the individual.

MBHS administrators notified families ahead of the protest, noting that Montgomery County Police would be on site for safety. Officers were seen blocking off entrances and monitoring the march.

The walkout comes amid nationwide concerns about immigration enforcement.

The Source

This story includes information from The Washington Post and FOX 5 reporting
ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now)  Police said Friday that they have arrested two suspects in a shooting that happened in Rockville on Thursday night, leaving a man hospitalized.

Caleb Jiron and Ferddy Gonzalez-Soto, both 18, were taken into custody shortly after the shooting.

The Rockville City Police Department said the incident broke out in the 200 block of N. Washington Street shortly after 6 p.m. There, a man had been found shot multiple times.

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Man shot multiple times in Rockville, police investigating

Though it was still unclear what led up to the shooting, police said Jiron and Gonzalez-Soto were armed with ghost guns at the time of their arrest. They were charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and other related charges.

The man shot was still in the hospital as of Friday morning. He was in stable condition.

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Masked federal agents have repeatedly grabbed people in immigration raids over the past few weeks. Most seem to be members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but in the moment there is often little to indicate who they are. This presents a danger not only to the public but to the masked agents themselves.

"There is no federal policy dictating when officers can or should cover their faces during arrests," CNN's Emma Tucker reported in April, "but historically they have almost always worn them only while performing undercover work to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations." At the time, masked plainclothes agents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had recently arrested Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University graduate student from Turkey, on little more justification than her having co-written a student newspaper article critical of Israel.

Rather than expressing any unease about anonymous government agents, prominent Republicans have doubled down. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (RTenn.) introduced a bill to make "doxxing" federal law enforcement officers a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. House Speaker Mike Johnson (RLa.) endorsed the prospect of letting ICE agents remain anonymous, claiming that otherwise "activists" would "put [agents'] names and faces online."

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That explanation strains credulity. Government operatives, operating on the public's dime and at least nominally in the public's interest, are entitled to fewer privacy protections while on the job than the rest of us.

"Law enforcement knows the power of a name, the power of identity, the power of accountability. It insists on all three of those things from the public in almost every interaction," police officer and former CIA operative Patrick Skinner wrote in The Washington Post in 2020, as masked federal agents were deployed against protesters. "Yet during a time where identity and accountability are needed mostat the time of most tensionlaw enforcement says it will provide neither."

Similarly, as Republicans in Congress mulled jail time for anyone who unmasks anonymous law enforcement officers, President Donald Trump posted on social media that "from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???"

"There are instanceslike a raid on a murderous cartel or a mafia strongholdin which it might seem reasonable for police to hide their identities," Samantha Michaels wrote this week at Mother Jones. "But routine immigration arrests don't appear to meet the public threshold for such behavior."

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Allowing law enforcement agents to act with complete anonymity means allowing them to operate without effective oversight.

"When New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) attempted to investigate the hundreds of complaints of police brutality and misconduct during the 2020 George Floyd protests, it was forced to close a third of the cases because it couldn't identify the officers involved," Reason's C.J. Ciaramella wrote last week. "The CCRB noted that it faced 'unprecedented challenges in investigating these complaints' due to officers covering their names and badge numbers, failing to turn on their body-worn cameras, and failing to file reports."

In 2007, agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) raided a home in Detroit and roughed up the two women who lived there, but found no drugs. The women tried to sue for damages, but the agents wore face masks, covered their names and badge numbers, and refused to identify themselves at the scene. The suit was dismissed.

Such cases clearly show why allowing officersempowered to make arrests and potentially killto remain anonymous is injurious to both public safety and individual liberty. But masked agents also pose a danger to themselves.

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In April, three plainclothes ICE agents detained two men at a courthouse in Charlottesville, Virginia. The agents resisted identifying themselves to bystanders when asked, and one wore a balaclava to cover his face.

"I amgreatly concerned that arrests carried out in this manner could escalate into a violent confrontation, because the person being arrested or bystanders might resist what appears on its face to be an unlawful assault and abduction," Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Hingeley commented at the time. (In a response, ICE not only accused Hingeley of "prioritiz[ing] politics over public safety," but it declared that "the U.S. Attorney's Office intends to prosecute" two women who attempted to question and identify the agents at the scene.)

It's one thing to be approached by a phalanx of police officers, decked out in identical SWAT gear with badges and their agency's acronym emblazoned across the front. It's something else entirely to be swarmed by a group of masked men in street clothes with guns drawn. One could easily mistake them for a criminal gang and might potentially take deadly defensive action.

A similar principle applies to no-knock raids, in which officers are empowered to break down the door to your home without announcing themselves. In that event, the first indication you have that the police have arrived is when something crashes through your front door. You would have no indication whether the armed intruders are police with a search warrant or violent criminals with dangerous intentand they may feel justified in defending themselves.

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That has happened numerous times, with deadly consequences. In 2014, Marvin Guy awoke at 5:45 a.m. as police broke his bedroom window and smashed his front door with a battering ram to serve a search warrant, without knocking first or identifying themselves. Understandably afraid, Guy shot at the intruders, hitting four officers and killing one. A Texas jury convicted him of murder in November 2023.

In March 2020, police in Louisville, Kentucky raided the home of Breonna Taylor on a no-knock narcotics warrant. Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, thought they were being robbed and called 911; Walker shot through the front door, and police returned fire, killing Taylor. Police had obtained the warrant on the grounds that Taylor's ex-boyfriend might be sending shipments of drugs to her apartment, though it later emerged that they knew a month ahead of the raid that the packages actually came from Amazon.

Even if you support the mass arrest of undocumented immigrants, it's indefensible to deploy anonymous, unaccountable government agents to carry out that task. Worse, it carries the serious risk of an armed confrontation between law enforcement and well-meaning individuals.

The post Masked ICE Agents Are a Danger to Both the Public and Themselves appeared first on Reason.com.
Massachusetts District Court Judge Shelley Joseph, for the first time, takes the stand and publicly speaks about the case that put her at the very center of the heated national debate on immigration.

Judge Joseph is accused of helping an undocumented suspect escape from a waiting ICE agent at Newton District Court in 2018 by allowing the suspect to walk out of the courthouse through a back door.

The suspect, Jose Medina-Perez, was in Newton District Court on drug charges and a fugitive from justice warrant.

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But there were questions over his true identity

Under questioning, Judge Joseph told the State Commission on Judicial Conduct that she did nothing wrong.

"Did you have any role in how ICE would actually get him or where they would actually get him?" Joseph was questioned, to which she replied with, "No, I no, no."

During that 2018 hearing, Judge Joseph is accused of conspiring with a defense attorney to release the undocumented suspect during a bench conference.

52 seconds of that bench conference were off the record and not recorded.

When asked if she wished that she had a record of those 52 seconds, she answered: I do, no question.

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Judge Joseph repeatedly said during this hearing, she thought the matter would be continued the next day.

She said she allowed Medina-Perez to be released through a downstairs lockup, rather than out the front door, so he could meet his attorney, and if necessary, thats where ICE would detain him.

She said there was nothing sinister about it.

I was thinking, just pause where we are. We havent arraigned him yet, lets just all come back tomorrow and do this tomorrow. Joseph said. Thats all I was trying to do.

Judge Josephs lawyers are expected to call witnesses on Friday, with closing arguments to begin on Monday.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A Salem man indicted in connection with the deaths of two people found near a Walmart pleaded not guilty in Essex County Superior Court on Thursday, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tuckers office said.

Jay Blodget, 30, was charged with two counts of murder. Judge Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman ordered Blodget to be held without bail. He is scheduled to appear again in court on July 24.

On April 23, a man walking his dog found the bodies of Andrew Ross Guempel, 41, of Arizona, and Jonathan Thompson, 42, of Oregon, Tuckers office said in a statement. The man and his dog were walking in the woods next to a Walmart at 450 Highland Ave.

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Salem police were called to the scene and found that both men had signs of blunt force trauma and stab wounds

Following his initial arrest, Blodget was arraigned in Salem District Court on April 24. He was indicted less than a month later.

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A second man was charged in connection with an attack on a man outside a Revere ice cream shop, with another man who used a brick in the attack already charged, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said.

Jeffrey Satterwhite, 35, of Lynn, appeared in Chelsea District Court on Wednesday and was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (rock), and malicious destruction of property exceeding $1200.

At around 3:34 am on May 4, Satterwhite and Leonard Lomax, 33, of Boston, were seen kicking a vehicle outside a Twist N Shake at 82 Revere Beach Boulevard, according to camera footage reviewed by investigators.

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As they damaged the car, the owner, 33, called 911 before Lomax approached him, Haydens office said. The man stepped back after he saw a brick in Lomaxs hand, pleading that he drop the brick.

Satterwhite was seen driving away, parking a car and then walking up to the man before he struck him with an object believed to be a rock, Haydens office said. After the man fell, Satterwhite struck him with the object three more times before Lomax ran up to the man on the ground and struck him with the brick.

The man had orbital fractures, a skull fracture and a brain bleed, the statement read. He was treated at Mass General Hospital.

The man later identified both Lomax and Satterwhite from a photo array, Haydens office said.

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Lomax was arraigned on Monday with the same charges as Satterwhite. He was released on personal recognizance, the statement read. Judge Kimberly Foster denied the prosecutors request that Lomax be held for a dangerousness hearing and revoke his bail.

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Top Democrats on the powerful U.S. House Oversight Committee are calling for President Donald Trumps homeland security secretary to appear before Congress to explain why federal agents detained a U.S. senator from California.

And they want her hit with a subpoena if she does not agree to appear voluntarily, they said.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-8th District, the panels acting ranking Democrat, was among the lawmakers who made that request in a letter to U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who chairs the committee.

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Video of Padilla, the Golden States senior U.S. senator, being forcibly removed from a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem went viral on Thursday, provoking outrage among his fellow Democrats.

The videos showed officers aggressively pushing Padilla out of Noems news conference in a Los Angeles federal building and eventually restraining him on the floor outside the room. He was later released and not charged.

... We were disturbed to witness another shocking escalation of executive overreach by the Trump administration. While attempting to ask a question at a Department of Homeland Security press conference in Los Angeles, multiple videos show several seemingly unidentified plainclothes men whom we assume to be DHS agents violently push and pull Senator Padilla out of the room where the press conference was being held, the lawmakers wrote in part.

Once outside of the room, video shows agentsin this case, wearing FBI insignia  roughly push Senator Padilla to the ground in the hallway, twist his arms behind his back, and handcuff him," they continued.

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The letter calls on Comer to demand by June 14, 2025, that Secretary Noem appear before the Committee. If the Secretary does not commit by June 21, 2025, to such testimony, we urge you to issue a subpoena to compel her appearance before the Committee to answer to Congress and the American people.

Padilla has strongly denied the White Houses claims, led by Noem, that he crashed the news conference and was initially believed to be a security threat.

Videos show Padilla introducing himself and trying to ask a question before he was confronted by federal agents.

The altercation came just days after U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted on federal charges alleging she assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a detention center in New Jersey.

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In addition to Lynch, Democratic U.S. Reps. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, of Florida, and Summer Lee, of Pennsylvania, also signed the letter to Comer.

This shocking encounter adds to a litany of alarming moves by the Trump administration to seize and abuse power, including by turning the military on the American people, Lynch, of South Boston, and his colleagues wrote to Comer.

The Trump administration has mobilized the military to the streets of an American city, and any other city could be next. The Trump Administration has violently tackled, kneeled on, and handcuffed a sitting U.S. senator, and any other American could be next, they continued. The American people have questions, and we hope you will join us in bringing these dictatorial actions to account.

Associated Press reports are included in this story.

More political news

Read the original article on MassLive.
A shooting in Brockton that left a woman and a boy hurt was not a random act of violence, Brockton police said Thursday.

At around 5:29 p.m. on Tuesday, police learned of a shooting at 229 Battles Farm Drive, according to a department statement.

Officers found a 17-year-old boy and a 67-year-old woman who were both shot, the statement read. Both received first aid from Brockton firefighters before a Brewster ambulance arrived. EMS then took them to a Boston hospital, where they are both recovering from their injuries.

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Police ask the public to contact them if they have any information about the shooting.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. No further information about the shooting has been released.

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ASTANA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Kazakhstan plans to launch nine investment projects in the light industry sector, Kazinform news agency reported Friday.

The announcement was made by Mukhamed Andakov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Industry under the Ministry of Industry and Construction, during the second Congress of Light Industry.

According to Andakov, the projects are scheduled for implementation in 2025 and are expected to create around 600 new jobs.

He also noted that the ministry is working on the introduction of product labeling in the sector.

Over the past five years, more than 3,000 new jobs have been created and over 40 projects launched in Kazakhstan's light industry sector, he added. 
(NewsNation)  A Massachusetts teacher is accused of lying about a military background, including a claim that she received a Purple Heart, as well as falsifying the credentials that allowed her to teach in multiple school districts.

Lissa Lagasse, 57, of Lowell, was arrested Friday after a grand jury indicted her on a total of 21 charges, including stolen valor, larceny, identity fraud, child endangerment and intimidation of a witness. Lagasse pleaded not guilty at her arraignment, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office.

Local outlet NewsCenter 5 in Boston reported that Lagasse, who claimed to be a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, told people she had twice been wounded in combat. Her alleged deception included bringing her service dog to school with her.

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The dog has no training or certification as a service animal, the station reported. The investigation into Lagasses background began after the dog bit a student.

Prosecutor Shailagh Kennedy said Lagasse told people she obtained the dog via the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps seriously wounded military veterans adapt to civilian life. According to NewsCenter 5, Wounded Warrior officials had never heard of Lagasse.

The investigation showed she had never served in any branch of the military.

Further investigation revealed that Lagasse had falsified her teaching credentials, as well as a masters degree and doctorate from Duke University, according to the news station. She reportedly claimed to hold a doctorate in child psychology.

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Lagasse had worked for Worcester Public Schools, Lowell Public Schools and Haverhill Public Schools, the latter as recently as this spring. Haverhill Superintendent Margaret Marotta told Boston 25 that Lagasse had been hired in September as a science teacher at Haverhill High School.

At the time of hire, Ms. Lagasse held a valid teaching license, and standard reference checks were completed with her previous school districts, with no concerns reported, Marotta said. As soon as red flags surfaced, the district acted swiftly and responsibly, prioritizing the safety and trust of our students, families, and staff.

We have no further public comment due to the ongoing police investigation, she added.

A judge ordered Lagasses bail set at $25,000, the DAs office said. If released, she is ordered to remain under home confinement with GPS monitoring.

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LEBANON, Mo.  Marvel and DC Comic book writers will be coming to the Cowan Civic Center on June 21 in Lebanon.

The Fourth Annual Masseys Comics Route 66 Comic and Toy Convention will feature special guests who have been published by DC and Marvel Comics, who are responsible for bringing the likes of Batman and Spider-Man to the masses.

This is one of our favorite weekends of the year! We love bringing artists, crafters and vendors

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to Lebanon each year, said event organizer Casi Massey. We love going to these events around the state and are happy to bring it to our community.

Weve got comic book creators coming in that have worked in the industry for years, legends you might say, and some who are on their way up, said co-organizer Fines Massey.

A new guest this year is artist and writer Andre Parks. Parks is a long-time collaborator with a return guest, Phil Hester. The pair is probably best known for their work on Green Arrow with filmmaker Kevin Smith.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under.

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Tickets can be purchased in advance at Masseys Comics in Lebanon or at the door.

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Mayor Karen Bass is moving quickly to shore up small businesses caught in the crossfire of recent federal immigration enforcement actions in L.A.

In a rebuke of what she called the chaotic and reckless federal response, Bass announced today that the city is launching a series of multilingual virtual webinars to connect Downtown L.A. businesses with urgent assistance  from legal aid and funding access to graffiti cleanup and staffing support.

For a week now, our city has been dealing with the fallout driven by reckless raids of Home Depot parking lots and the activation of federalized troops, Bass said in a news release. They have no plan but chaos  but the city is prepared to deliver for downtown businesses who have been impacted.

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The response comes as L.A. grapples with the aftermath of high-profile immigration raids and rising tensions in immigrant neighborhoods. The Mayors Office has instituted a nighttime curfew (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) following vandalism and looting incidents by what Bass described as bad actors exploiting the crisis.

The virtual assistance events begin today  Friday, June 13  and will be held in English, Spanish, and Korean. The webinars aim to offer practical support for business owners navigating damage, legal confusion, and staffing disruptions caused by ongoing enforcement activity.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who represents the district, emphasized the need to stand strong for both businesses and the immigrant community.

Our local businesses are the backbone of Downtown L.A., Jurado said. We will keep showing up for them  and for the people who make Los Angeles vibrant and strong.

DTLA Business Relief Webinars:

Friday, June 13 | 1-2 PM



Monday, June 16 | 1-2 PM



Wednesday, June 18 | 1-2 PM

 RSVP here

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Businesses can also request help with property restoration, legal rights, funding access, and more.

For info on curfew enforcement and public safety updates, click here.

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ST. LOUIS  Mayor Spencer spoke with FOX 2s Mandy Murphey about how her main focus has been getting federal disaster relief for St. Louis. FEMA is now on the ground and plans for financial relief are in the works.

The first month of recovery was spent with the Mayor and other city leaders coming up with their roadmap. Mayor Spencer asserts that they not only innovated but also invented new methods following the tornado. She says that no city is prepared to manage such a massive disaster.

Mayor Spencer says she is speaking with Joplin officials about how they handled the aftermath and rebuilding process. The long-term goal is to keep people where they live. She wants to focus on preserving generational homes and ensuring that the residents remain in the city and and their neighborhoods. The people who live in north St. Louis will lead a long-term rebuilding conversation with her.

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), alongside her counterparts in the surrounding area, on Wednesday condemned local raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

I posit that maybe we are part of a national experiment to determine how far the federal government can go in reaching in and taking over power from a governor, power from a local jurisdiction and frankly leaving our city and our citizens, our residents in fear, Bass said during a Wednesday press conference.

All of us represent cities in this region where immigrants are key and if in some cases not the majority of the population. To have people live in fear like it is today is just unacceptable, she added.

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Her words came as President Trump deployed thousands of National Guard service members and hundreds of Marines to combat protests in Los Angeles. Bass issued a curfew for the downtown LA area seeking to quell violent demonstrations while urging the Trump administration to remove federal forces.

Militarization of immigration enforcement has no place in our neighborhoods. And the deployment of Marines on U.S. soil is an alarming escalation that undermines the values of democracy, Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores, a former active-duty soldier, told the public Thursday.

As mayors across this region, we stand united in rejecting fear-based tactics that target immigrant communities and erode public trust. Let me say that one more time. We stand against these fear-based tactics that target immigrant communities and erode public trust, he added.

Flores urged federal forces to uphold civil rights noting that their communities are not battlegrounds.

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Deploying military forces and conducting militarized ICE raids in immigrant neighborhoods is not about public safety, he said.

It is about political theater that is rooted in fear. It threatens families, traumatizes children, and corrodes the foundational trust between local government and the people that we serve. I stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Bass and with my fellow leaders and fellow mayors here and any leader who values justice over intimidation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) filed a lawsuit against Trump for unleashing the states National Guard without first consulting him. Newsom said National Guard troops have not been given a place to sleep or ample food and water since arriving in LA.

For many in our city this has been one of the most devastating moments in recent memory. Lives have been disrupted, families are too afraid to leave their homes, and the very places that once served as gathering spots for joy, like our beloved swap meet, have been marred by fear, Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons said at the press conference.

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As a vibrant gathering place for our diverse community, some are avoiding going to work.

Hundreds of residents have been arrested since demonstrations began last Friday, and more people face potential detainment as Trumps border czar Tom Homan pledges to continue operations amid outrage.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
EXCLUSIVE: A senior lawmaker in the U.S. House of Representatives said the current conflict with Israel and Iran could be a singular opportunity for Iranians to overthrow their authoritarian Islamic government.

"Now that their top leadership has been taken out, if there's ever a time for the people to rise up against this theocracy, I would think the conditions are set," Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital on Friday.

McCaul was part of a group of lawmakers in the Middle East late last month. Part of that trip was in Israel, where the congressional delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others.

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"I think this is the perfect opportunity  it would have been better if, I don't know what level of coordination took place, but I mean, when an event like this happens  to have this theocracy that's in power, out of power, and liberate the people of Iran," McCaul said. "The majority do not like the Ayatollah. There's a real opportunity for that to just end."

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Cracks Down On Biden's Student Loan 'Scheme,' Top Republican Says

Rep. Michael McCaul and a photo of Tehran mccaul-iran-israel Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke with Fox News Digital about Israel's strikes on Iran.

Israel unleashed a barrage of airstrikes in and around Tehran beginning Thursday night Eastern Time. The Israeli government said the strikes were pre-emptive, and that Tehran was approaching nuclear weapon capabilities.

Read On The Fox News App

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"They were very close to a nuclear bomb," McCaul said.

Israel said it hit Iranian nuclear sites, and that its strikes killed multiple senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israeli territory on Friday afternoon.

McCaul said it was a "major setback" for Iran but that he was sure that officials in Tehran would respond.

"When we were in the region, they felt certain that Iran would strike our military sites in Saudi, Jordan and the UAE," he said.

"The big talk also at that time was, give CENTCOM time to get prepared in the region to get all of its strategic assets in place for a response. And my understanding is  all of our bases and military sites and embassies are on high alert."

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The Texas Republican also recalled what he now believes were telling signs that some kind of military operation was imminent.

While in Israel last month, McCaul said he asked Netanyahu about reports that Iran was preparing a nuclear strike.

"And he said, If you dont fight, you die,' He said that several times in the context of striking Iran," McCaul said. "He said that, I will strike Iran with or without you.'"

"I said, Well, sir, we need you to coordinate with us. Whether or not the president decides to do this with you, you need to coordinate with the United States, our allies and partners in the region."

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Indeed, President Donald Trump told Fox News Channel's chief political anchor Bret Baier on Thursday he had prior knowledge that Israel was going to conduct pre-emptive strikes on Iran.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership in Iran that will not be coming back," Trump said.

Republicans Challenge 'Irrelevant' Budget Office As It Critiques Trump's 'Beautiful Bill'

Trump said the strike happened on Day 61 after Iran had a 60-day window to make a deal with the U.S. to contain its nuclear enrichment. He also said he hoped Iran would come back to the negotiating table after the attack.

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But McCaul was not optimistic Tehran would agree to sufficient standards.

"I just, I have little faith in the negotiations, to be honest with you," he said.

It's not clear as of now whether those talks will resume.

But if they were to fall through again, McCaul said, Iranians would have incentive to push for a new government "once and for all."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised a "legitimate and powerful response" to Israel's strikes.





Original article source: McCaul says Israel strikes are 'perfect opportunity' for Iranians to overthrow Islamic regime
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The Animal Wellness Action organization this week unveiled

a bombshell video alleging the Oklahoma GameFowl Commission leaders participating in illegal cockfighting events held in McIntosh County, Oklahoma.

The Animal Wellness Action, a animal right non-profit organization is known for conducting undercover investigations into cockfighting in Oklahoma in seeking to bring awareness and highlight the industry bad actors saying, Theyre trying to hurt animals just for human amusement and illegal gambling. The whole apparatus is a criminal enterprise, said Wayne Pacelle, the President of Animal Wellness Action.

Investigators with Animal Wellness Action, acting undercover say, video evidence confirms the identity of leaders Anthony Devore and Blake Pearce co-founders of the Oklahoma GameFowl Commission at a allegedly illegal cockfighting event on May 31 and the second on June 7 on Cherokee Tribal land. Both men are currently two of the leading proponents of the loosening on the ban of cockfighting.

Map courtesy of Animal Wellness Action

Warr Acres woman charged after allegedly drugging grandchildren, locking them in dog cage for hours

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The video released allegedly shows nearly 100 participants, children in attendance and cockfighting weapons for sale. says Pacelle.

Leaders of Animal Rights Organization say, Anthony Devore and Blake Pearce have raised money from other cockfighters across the nation to donate totaling $70,000 to politicians in an attempt to decriminalize staged animal fights

According to JJ Humphrey when asked about campaign donations given from the Oklahoma GameFowl Commission he replied he is on their side:

Im very glad to take their money because Im way more on their side than I am on these crazy, crazy animal activists what I am hearing you say is that you would rather accept donations from criminal activity than extremist views you dont agree with. Im not going to accept from criminal activity. The Oklahoma Game Fowl is legal now. If they catch one of those people out there breaking the law then fine.

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Currently, cockfighting is illegal in Oklahoma and considered a felony with up to 10 years in prison and at most, a $25K fine.

No arrests or charges have been made as the investigation continues.

If you see a cockfight happening you contact the tip line at 800-722-3998 or you can email OKcrueltytips@animalwellnessaction.org.

If it leads to an arrest, they offer cash rewards up to $2,500.

*This story is developing

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Route 96 is closed to traffic between Park Road and Fishers Road due to a Monroe County Sheriffs Office investigation.

MCSO has said the investigation involves a motor vehicle accident with injuries and a motorcycle.

The extent of the injuries of those involved has not been confirmed.

A News 8 photographer on scene confirmed seeing a damaged vehicle among trees and a motorcycle that appears to be on its side.

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Motorists are advised to find alternate routes at this time.

Bushnells Basin Fire Department is also responding to the scene.

News 8 will update this post as additional information is made available.

This is a developing story.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Residents browse offerings at a 2023 festival in downtown Fargo, N.D. Measles outbreaks starting in May have grown to 34 cases in North Dakota, giving the state the highest rate in the country, followed by New Mexico and Texas. (Photo courtesy of Visit Fargo-Moorhead)

As super-contagious measles continues to spread and nears a six-year U.S. record, cases in its original epicenter of West Texas may be subsiding as hesitant residents become more concerned and willing to vaccinate, while North Dakota is a new focus with the highest rate of any state.

The reality of measles may be overcoming vaccine misinformation in some areas, despite the purge of experts from decision-making roles in the Trump administration under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The nations top vaccine expert resigned under pressure in March.

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And on June 11, Kennedy appointed eight new members of an immunization advisory panel  some of whom are vaccine critics  after sacking all 17 members of the group two days earlier. Kennedy called his actions a major step towards restoring public trust in vaccines.

The University of Minnesotas Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, however, called the committees mass replacement one of the darkest days in modern public health history. The Infectious Diseases Society of America called the move reckless, shortsighted and severely harmful, saying Kennedys criticism of the original 17 committee members is completely unfounded.

Now theyve seen measles in their community so now theyre thinking, OK, now Im going to get vaccinated.

 Katherine Wells, director of public health in Lubbock, Texas

In West Texas, where outbreaks are concentrated, the city of Lubbock hasnt seen a new case in 20 days, said Katherine Wells, public health director for the city. The area is east of the largest Texas outbreaks, which were centered on a Mennonite community with religious objections to vaccination.

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Wells attributed the recent success to a combination of more vaccinations, public awareness campaigns and willingness to stay home when sick to avoid transmission.

I talked to some people who, because theres so much information about the risk of vaccines and the bad side effects, I can see from a parents perspective, Why would I give my child that? Wells said. Now theyve seen measles in their community, so now theyre thinking, OK, now Im going to get vaccinated.

Outbreak moves north

In North Dakota, however, the states 34 cases give it the highest rate in the nation, followed by New Mexico and Texas, according to the North Dakota Public Health Association, a nonprofit health advocacy group that published an analysis of individual states data on Facebook. The states first case since 2011 was reported May 2.

This is not a result of local public health failure, the organization posted. This is a result of persons in the community choosing not to have their children vaccinated and resisting local public health recommendations and urgent efforts to increase vaccination uptake.

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Dr. Stephen McDonough, a pediatrician and former state health officer in North Dakota, said he hasnt seen signs of improvement in the state. He doubts recent federal moves will do anything but make the situation worse.

The outbreak in North Dakota is real, has not peaked yet and is expanding, McDonough said in an interview. It was just a matter of time before North Dakota experienced a measles outbreak due to our low immunization rate.

Missouri Ridge Elementary School in Williston, N.D., is among the sites that had measles exposure this spring, prompting unvaccinated students to quarantine at home. (Photo courtesy of Williston Basin School District #7)

Middle school band students in Minot, North Dakota, had to cancel trips to a regional band festival and parade in May because of the outbreak. Some 150 unvaccinated children were asked to quarantine for 21 days to avoid further spread.

North Dakota had a 90% vaccination rate among kindergarteners for the 2024-2025 school year, a number that has declined from about 95% in the 2019-2020 school year, according to state records. Vaccination coverage at 95% or above is needed to halt measles transmission.

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North Dakotas small population makes its measles rate misleading, said Jenny Galbraith, an immunization manager for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

However, the state has suffered from low vaccination rates in recent years as more parents have claimed exemptions based on personal philosophy, religion or other reasons as allowed by state law. With about 7% of children exempted, its almost impossible to reach the goal of 95% vaccination, she said.

One hopeful sign is that North Dakota hasnt seen a new measles case since May 28, Galbraith said. Its hard to say its getting better because were not out of the woods yet, she said.

Its not always possible to overcome vaccine misinformation in the rural areas where it has taken root, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

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Increases in vaccination are generally in areas where people are already comfortable getting vaccinated, she said, rather than areas such as parts of North Dakota and Oklahoma that are more leery of vaccines and harder to penetrate because of misinformation. Texas County in Oklahoma has 16 confirmed cases, almost all among unvaccinated people.

But local officials can keep stressing the benefits of vaccination and also the need to stay home when measles symptoms appear, advice that those unwilling to vaccinate may be more likely to heed, Freeman said.

In this day and age, its an embarrassment that weve lost three people to measles, she said, referring to the three deaths reported this year.

Cautiously optimistic in Texas

According to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update June 13, there are 1,197 confirmed cases affecting 34 states. Navajo County, Arizona, reported the states first four cases this week.

There have been 21 measles outbreaks, defined as clusters of three or more related cases, this year compared with 16 in all of last year, according to the CDC. Cases are now more than four times higher than they were all of last year. And with less than half the year over, case numbers are closing in on 2019s high of 1,274.

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Thats still a small number compared with almost 28,000 cases in 1990, when an outbreak centered in California hit low-income areas with low vaccination rates.

While the total case count grows, the number of weekly new infections is dropping since a peak of 116 in late March.

In Texas, outbreaks have slowed as unvaccinated people have either gotten vaccinated or become infected and gained immunity, said Lara Anton, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The number of new cases in West Texas has slowed down and we are cautiously optimistic that this trend will continue, Anton said.

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The current list of states affected by confirmed measles cases this year: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to reflect new measles statistics released June 13.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Jun. 13As super-contagious measles continues to spread and nears a six-year U.S. record, cases in its original epicenter of West Texas may be subsiding as hesitant residents become more concerned and willing to vaccinate, while North Dakota is a new focus with the highest rate of any state.

The reality of measles may be overcoming vaccine misinformation in some areas, despite the purge of experts from decision-making roles in the Trump administration under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The nation's top vaccine expert resigned under pressure in March.

And on June 11, Kennedy appointed eight new members of an immunization advisory panel  some of whom are vaccine critics  after sacking all 17 members of the group two days earlier. Kennedy called his actions "a major step towards restoring public trust in vaccines."

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The University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, however, called the committee's mass replacement "one of the darkest days in modern public health history." The Infectious Diseases Society of America called the move "reckless, shortsighted and severely harmful," saying Kennedy's criticism of the original 17 committee members is "completely unfounded."

Now they've seen measles in their community so now they're thinking, 'OK, now I'm going to get vaccinated.'  Katherine Wells, director of public health in Lubbock, Texas

In West Texas, where outbreaks are concentrated, the city of Lubbock hasn't seen a new case in 20 days, said Katherine Wells, public health director for the city. The area is east of the largest Texas outbreaks, which were centered on a Mennonite community with religious objections to vaccination.

Wells attributed the recent success to a combination of more vaccinations, public awareness campaigns and willingness to stay home when sick to avoid transmission.

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"I talked to some people who, because there's so much information about the risk of vaccines and the bad side effects, I can see from a parent's perspective, 'Why would I give my child that?'" Wells said. "Now they've seen measles in their community, so now they're thinking, 'OK, now I'm going to get vaccinated.'"

Outbreak moves north

In North Dakota, however, the state's 34 cases give it the highest rate in the nation, followed by New Mexico and Texas, according to the North Dakota Public Health Association, a nonprofit health advocacy group that published an analysis of individual states' data on Facebook. The state's first case since 2011 was reported May 2.

"This is not a result of local public health failure," the organization posted. "This is a result of persons in the community choosing not to have their children vaccinated and resisting local public health recommendations and urgent efforts to increase vaccination uptake."

Advertisement Advertisement

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Dr. Stephen McDonough, a pediatrician and former state health officer in North Dakota, said he hasn't seen signs of improvement in the state. He doubts recent federal moves will do anything but make the situation worse.

"The outbreak in North Dakota is real, has not peaked yet and is expanding," McDonough said in an interview. "It was just a matter of time before North Dakota experienced a measles outbreak due to our low immunization rate."

A North Dakota elementary school. Missouri Ridge Elementary School in Williston, N.D., is among the sites that had measles exposure this spring, prompting unvaccinated students to quarantine at home. (Photo courtesy of Williston Basin School District #7)

Middle school band students in Minot, North Dakota, had to cancel trips to a regional band festival and parade in May because of the outbreak. Some 150 unvaccinated children were asked to quarantine for 21 days to avoid further spread.

Advertisement Advertisement

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North Dakota had a 90% vaccination rate among kindergarteners for the 2024-2025 school year, a number that has declined from about 95% in the 2019-2020 school year, according to state records. Vaccination coverage at 95% or above is needed to halt measles transmission.

North Dakota's small population makes its measles rate misleading, said Jenny Galbraith, an immunization manager for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

However, the state has suffered from low vaccination rates in recent years as more parents have claimed exemptions based on personal philosophy, religion or other reasons as allowed by state law. With about 7% of children exempted, it's almost impossible to reach the goal of 95% vaccination, she said.

One hopeful sign is that North Dakota hasn't seen a new measles case since May 28, Galbraith said. "It's hard to say it's getting better because we're not out of the woods yet," she said.

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It's not always possible to overcome vaccine misinformation in the rural areas where it has taken root, said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

Increases in vaccination are generally in "areas where people are already comfortable getting vaccinated," she said, rather than areas such as parts of North Dakota and Oklahoma "that are more leery of vaccines and harder to penetrate because of misinformation." Texas County in Oklahoma has 16 confirmed cases, almost all among unvaccinated people.

But local officials can keep stressing the benefits of vaccination and also the need to stay home when measles symptoms appear, advice that those unwilling to vaccinate may be more likely to heed, Freeman said.

"In this day and age, it's an embarrassment that we've lost three people to measles," she said, referring to the three deaths reported this year.

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'Cautiously optimistic' in Texas

According to a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update June 13, there are 1,197 confirmed cases affecting 34 states. Navajo County, Arizona, reported the state's first four cases this week.

There have been 21 measles outbreaks, defined as clusters of three or more related cases, this year compared with 16 in all of last year, according to the CDC. Cases are now more than four times higher than they were all of last year. And with less than half the year over, case numbers are closing in on 2019's high of 1,274.

That's still a small number compared with almost 28,000 cases in 1990, when an outbreak centered in California hit low-income areas with low vaccination rates.

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While the total case count grows, the number of weekly new infections is dropping since a peak of 116 in late March.

In Texas, outbreaks have slowed as unvaccinated people have either gotten vaccinated or become infected and gained immunity, said Lara Anton, spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

"The number of new cases in West Texas has slowed down and we are cautiously optimistic that this trend will continue," Anton said.

The current list of states affected by confirmed measles cases this year: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect new measles statistics released June 13.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at [email protected].

YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
ISLAMABAD, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Friday advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travels to Iran and Iraq amid heightened regional tensions following the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory.

"In view of the evolving security situation in the region, pilgrims from Pakistan are advised to reconsider their travel plans to Iran and Iraq," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Pakistan is closely monitoring developments through its embassies in Tehran and Baghdad. He added that authorities remain in contact with local officials to ensure the safety and well-being of Pakistani nationals.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed concerned government agencies to provide full support to Pakistani pilgrims currently in Iran.

He instructed relevant departments to coordinate efforts for their protection and facilitate their safe and timely return.

In response to the situation, the Foreign Ministry has established a crisis management cell to assist citizens and respond to emergencies.

The advisory comes after Israeli airstrikes early Friday targeted military and nuclear sites in Iran, resulting in the deaths of several senior military officials and scientists. The incident has sparked concerns over the possibility of a broader regional conflict. 
It takes a staff of dedicated journalists to bring you the news from around Central Indiana. In this feature, the Indianapolis Star introduces readers to our newsroom staff  or, rather, we let them introduce themselves. Up this week is Domenica Bongiovanni.

What's your job title?

Arts and creativity reporter

When did you join IndyStar?

2017

What's your favorite part of your job?

I love having the opportunity to earn someone's trust and to discover cultural gems that give us a better understanding of our communities. From there, I love to challenge myself to find the most compelling ways to share those stories with readers.

Why journalism?

The short answer is that I love people, arts and culture, and storytelling, and journalism combines all of these. The longer answer is that when Grade-School Me told my mom I wanted to write for a living, she suggested journalism and explained what it was. After that, I played with the idea of other careers, but becoming a journalist was permanently lodged in my brain.

IndyStar's Domenica Bongiovanni reports on the red carpet Sunday, May 28, 2023, ahead of the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

What's your favorite Indy area restaurant or hidden gem?

Pianist Christopher Pitts and a group of jazz musicians play an informal afterparty every First Friday at McGowan Hall, 1305 N. Delaware St. The venue's speakeasy vibe and the opportunity to witness these musicians cut loose and be creative makes for a fantastic evening.

What do you do to unwind from a job that can be stressful?

A great meal with great people goes a long way. I also bake bread, take long bike rides and play cello. I love the fact that these activities demand a process that takes time and forces me to relax.

What are you reading or streaming?

Do podcasts count? Because I'd have to go with American History Tellers and American Scandal. Compelling writing coupled with topics like the Hare Krishna murders, Billy the Kid and the plot to steal Abraham Lincoln's body make it so hard for me to hit the pause button.

Whats your favorite quote?

"I don't know what I think until I see what I say." I first heard this quote from a college professor, but versions of it have been attributed to Joan Didion, E.M. Forster and several others.

Domenica Bongiovanni on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Indianapolis.

Whats the best piece of advice you ever received?

On writing: Make each word count, and make sure each sentence supports the larger point of the piece.

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On life: Your attitude plays a large part in determining how far you'll go.

Whats something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I started playing cello when I was 3 years old via the Suzuki method, which teaches kids music by ear before they learn to read notes on the page. I instantly loved it  unlike my childhood ballet class, which disinvited me after one season because I neglected the steps in favor of people-watching. As it turns out, each of these activities pointed to my future career.

How did you earn your first dollar?

Technically, the answer to this is taking out the trash  a childhood household chore that my parents rarely compensated me for because I failed to accomplish it most nights. I was much more committed to my first teen job: cashiering and verifying prices at a grocery store.

Whats your favorite comfort food?

Kalamata olives, which I buy in bulk

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Meet Indianapolis Star arts reporter Domenica Bongiovanni
Matt Mattia used both hands to flip through the branch at his eye level, studying each side of every leaf as sunlight filtered from above.

Just healthy leaves, he said, noting the dark green color.

He turned his attention to a young fruit that was still the same color as the leaf next to it.

That looks pretty symmetrical, he said, plucking it for further examination. That should develop into a nice, big orange.

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Mattia is no farmer, and the tree was no ordinary plant. He works for the United States Department of Agriculture as a geneticist. The tree has a name: Donaldson.

Mattia called it the most researched tree in the state of Florida. Its also the tree that growers hope will save the states citrus industry.

When I saw the Donaldson tree, I was like, Wow, this is something thats really unique and really different, Mattia said.

Decades of decline

Donaldsons notoriety has come from its unique combination of three attributes: its status as a genetically pure orange tree, its sweet taste, and most importantly, its resistance to the Huanglongbing disease, more commonly known as HLB or greening.

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Since arriving in the United States from Brazil, greening has killed groves across the state of Florida and contributed to a 90% decline in citrus production over the past 20 years. Leaves of infected trees appear splotchy in color and can be abnormally shaped. The trees fruit also takes on irregular characteristics  until the tree dies.

While it has infected almost every variety of citrus tree, it hit one of two types of orange trees particularly hard: the Hamlin variety, which fruits early in the winter before the late-season Valencia oranges came in.

Under FDA rules, Hamlins and Valencias are the two major types of oranges that are allowed to be used for Florida orange juice, Mattia explained. Without the Hamlin trees, growers profits suffered.

Donaldson is also an early season tree. It was planted 30 years ago when the USDA created its Groveland research farm with different citrus varieties that growers could fall back on, like a seed bank.

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Mattia found it by sampling 25,000 different trees to test for infection and fruit sweetness. He found other trees tolerated greening, but their fruit was bitter, bordering on inedible, he recalled.

Donaldson, with its high sugar content, stood out.

A Hamlin tree was planted near Donaldson at the same time. Mattia pointed at the spot, which was nothing more than the remnant of a trunk sticking out of the ground and a pink ribbon tied around it.

Greening did most of the damage, and Hurricane Milton finished it off, he said.

It just was a huge stark contrast between something that was really very, very sick and declining and something that appears to continue to produce a regular crop, he explained. We took the fruit, we sampled the fruit, and we tasted it, and we were like, wow, this has industry potential.

The Donaldson tree, a variety of orange tree that has shown a tolerance for the greening disease. It looks a little ragged in this picture because it's still recovering from Hurricane Milton.

Donaldson seedlings at the USDA's test site near Groveland.

The grove where the Donaldson tree was planted has been decimated by greening, which first arrived at the property around 2010.

USDA-ARS geneticist Matt Mattia opens a bottle of juice from the Donaldson tree. The tree's flavor is identical to traditional orange juice found on supermarket shelves.

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Juice from the Donaldson tree at the USDA farm in Lake County, FL.

USDA-ARS geneticist Matt Mattia standing in front of the Donaldson tree. He discovered the tree from 25,000 different specimens he sampled for greening infection.

A citrus tree infected by HLB, more commonly known as greening.

USDA-ARS geneticist Matt Mattia stands behind a Donaldson seedling at the agency's Groveland-area research farm.

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The USDA's

An fruit grows on the Donaldson tree, which has shown a tolerance for the greening disease that has killed much of Florida's orange juice industry.

Road to rebound

Now that theyve settled on a tree, Mattia and his team have been figuring out what it would take to make Donaldson a commercial success.

Several researchers analyzed the taste, which to the average palette is identical to Hamlin and Valencia. The best method to produce orange juice was also looked at, with Mattia opening a bottle that had been created using a method new to their research.

Mattias team is now working on the next phase of their testing: monitoring young Donaldsons that had been grafted onto dozens of different rootstocks to see which combination of plants grow the strongest and fastest.

One Hamlin tree planted among the Donaldsons as a control showed signs of greening infection. Mattia said it was highly likely many of the healthy-looking nine-month-old plants had already been hit, though as a researcher it only helped him get further to his goal.

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But the USDA isnt gate-keeping Donaldson, even though the tree itself is grown behind fences and locks.

Were pushing it out to commercial usage, Mattia said. If people want to test it in their own grove, its available, and we have the data and the research going on here that supports that effort.

Florida is already on-board. Mattia said the state has propagated 18,000 Donaldsons that its sending to growers across the state to accelerate the adoption effort.

One of those potentially interested is Mary Graham, owner of Grahams U-Pick Farms, who had heard of Donaldson and wanted to know how many seeds each fruit had (five to seven) and whether the fruit was edible when freshly picked (yes).

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For a century, Grahams specialized in oranges. As of this year, they only grow peaches.

We noticed greening hitting our grove probably about 15 years ago, she recalled. About 10, 12, years ago, it started getting a little more aggressive. So at that point, we looked for an alternative crop.

Like her neighbors, Graham tried different methods to save her trees. She and her husband added more nutrients to the soil and cut down on chemicals, which she said helped the trees recover.

Eventually, the disease won the battle, and her husband tore out the last of the trees in January. Shes looking to plant new seedlings for her children to eventually care for, even though she said her peaches were better for business.

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Were hopeful about the Donaldson tree, she said. With that one, what else can they come up with?

Thats what Mattia is all about. He previewed future orange juice, a blend of different citrus fruits that resembles orange juice but has a notable flavor difference thats being created as an alternative to Donaldson in case the tree doesnt work out.

My mission is to really help people, he said. So if they, if the industry and the processors find utility from this tree, I feel like our mission is accomplished.

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Less than a month after it began receiving migrants, a controversial detention center run by a private firm has been the scene of protests, violence, and escapes, sources said Friday.

Soon after Donald Trump's inauguration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inked a billion-dollar, 15-year contract to outsourcing giant Geo Group to transform an industrial estate near the international airport in Newark, New Jersey into a 1,000-bed detention center.

In May, the center - Delaney Hall - began receiving migrants arrested by ICE and facing deportation, despite objections from area residents and local politicians.

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Late Thursday, detainees at the center began a protest against detention conditions, according to Mustafa Cetin, a lawyer for an asylum seeker being held there.

"I have talked to my client yesterday and he told me that roughly 50 detainees were protesting against their conditions," Cetin told AFP.

"They were getting aggressive and it turned violent."

Cetin slammed the Geo Group and ICE for their performance, decrying "a lack of planning and accountability."

US media reports and footage circulated late Thursday showed protesters trying to block an ICE van in front of Delaney Hall and clashing with police.

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A senior official with the US Department of Homeland Security meanwhile confirmed to AFP on Friday that four detainees "had escaped" from the center the night before.

"Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees," the official said.

Newark's mayor, Democrat Ras Baraka, said Friday that he was concerned about reports of events at Delaney Hall, "ranging from withholding food and poor treatment, to uprising and escaped detainees."

"This is why city officials and our congressional delegation need to be allowed entry to observe and monitor, and why private prisons pose a very real problem to our state and its constitution," he said in a statement.

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The detention center has become one of the latest flashpoints in Democrats' fight against Trump's crackdown on what he calls an "invasion" of undocumented migrants.

Baraka himself was arrested and briefly held last month after he tried to enter the detention center, closely guarded by ICE agents and security personnel.

Following the dispute that broke out between elected officials and federal agents, Democratic congresswoman LaMonica McIver was also charged with assaulting law enforcement officers, something she has dismissed as "purely political."

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DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A woman accused of killing and completely dismembering her boyfriend will undergo a mental evaluation to determine if she is fit to stand trial.

Joselina Lopez was set to stand before a jury of her peers on June 23. However, on Tuesday, Judge William Filmore ordered Lopez to undergo a mental evaluation with the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

This evaluation will push her trial date back.

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Lopez is charged with murder and corpse abuse in the death of 41-year-old Benito Morales Guzman.

Geneva County deputies found Guzmans body dismembered in a car behind his house around Grady Garner Road and New Hinson Road in the Fadette community last August. Officers were called to the scene after receiving a missing persons report for Guzman.

Investigators with the State Bureau of Investigation claim that when officers arrived at the scene, a strong odor was coming from the car, and they found a chainsaw with human flesh in the car, along with Guzmans body. The body was in around 10-15 pieces, stuffed in garbage bags, and placed in the backseat and trunk.

According to investigators, after finding the body, officers began searching the home and discovered a pistol, a hatchet, two knives, two other chainsaws, and various receipts showing Lopez had purchased tools.

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Chainsaw marks were found on the floor of the home, and it is believed Guzman was shot around five times before being dismembered, investigators say.

Prosecutors and investigators believe Lopezs and Guzmans 4-year-old child may have been in the home at the time of the murder and dismemberment.

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MERCER, Pa. (WKBN)  The Mercer Borough mayor is facing criminal charges, one of them a felony, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.

Read next: High bacteria levels detected at local beach

Travis Schaa, 38, is facing criminal trespass charges.

Mercer Borough police were contacted last Friday by a woman who said Schaa, her father, had entered her apartment without her permission. The investigation was referred to the Mercer County Detective Bureau through the County District Attorneys Office due to a conflict of interest, as Schaa is the mayor of Mercer, according to the criminal complaint.

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The detective who investigated the complaint reported that Schaa admitted that he went into the apartment using a copy of his daughters apartment key.

His daughter said she had asked for the extra key back from Schaa in February, and she thought she had the only key, according to the complaint. She added that she told Schaa he did not have permission to enter her apartment.

The complaint stated that Schaa had been upset about seeing his daughter with a man and that he reportedly became confrontational after entering the apartment.

WKBN attempted to reach out to the mayor but has not yet heard back.

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A preliminary hearing in the case is set for June 26.

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Mesa has a new police chief and it may take people a little time not to confuse him with the new city manager: both have the same last name  although they are not related.

Executive Assistant Chief Dan Butler takes the job July 1, succeeding Chief Ken Cost, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service.

A 25-year veteran of the force, Butler was appointed by new City Manager Scott Butler, who was effusive in praising the man he appointed to be Mesas top cop.

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Dan Butler represents the very best of the Mesa Police Department, he said in a release. His 25 years of service, comprehensive operational experience and proven leadership make him the ideal choice to build upon Chief Costs remarkable legacy.

Dan has been instrumental in our departments recent achievements and possesses the vision and expertise to guide us through our next phase of growth and innovation.

In his current position, the chief-to-be oversees the daily operations of nearly 1,500 sworn and professional staff members, providing leadership across the departments core functions, the city noted in a release.

His responsibilities have encompassed key support divisions including human resources, wellness, financial services, communications and training.

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The city also noted that the incoming chief has also successfully led the management of more than $100 million in three major capital improvement projects, ensuring the timely and fiscally responsible completion of critical infrastructure upgrades.

Besides thanking his namesake, Chief-elect Butler said, Having served alongside this departments exceptional men and women for 25 years, I understand the dedication and professionalism that makes Mesa Police special.

Im committed to continuing our focus on innovation, community engagement and supporting our officers and professional staff. Together, we will maintain Mesas position as one of Americas safest cities.

The new police chief worked in multiple divisions in the department, including head of the Patrol Operations Bureau, the departments largest operational unit encompassing Central, Fiesta, Red Mountain and Superstition Patrol Divisions, as well as Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport operations.

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Chief Butlers appointment reflects our commitment to promoting excellence from within our ranks, said Mayor Mark Freeman. His deep understanding of our community, combined with his extensive experience and advanced training, positions him to continue Mesas reputation as a leader in modern policing.

Im confident he will maintain our focus on community partnership, officer wellness and public safety excellence.

Butler holds a Master of Administration from Northern Arizona University. He has completed several prestigious law enforcement leadership programs, including the FBIs National Executive Institute (NEI), the Major Cities Chiefs Associations Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI), the Police Executive Research Forums Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) and Northwestern Universitys School of Command and Management.

He currently serves as a committee member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
All but one person on board the London-bound flight died in the crash [Imtiyaz Ali Sayed]

Imtiyaz Ali Sayed refuses to grieve.

Not when the news first broke - that his younger brother Javed, along with Javed's wife and two children, had perished in the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon.

Not even now, more than 10 hours later, as the clock strikes three in the morning and he paces the sterile corridors of the hospital where their bodies lie, refusing to sit, refusing to accept.

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Authorities have confirmed that only one of the 242 people aboard the London-bound flight survived. DNA testing is now underway to identify the victims.

Mr Sayed, a Mumbai-based businessman, is one of dozens of families awaiting closure after one of India's worst aviation disasters.

He says that until he sees his brother's body - or "whatever remains of it" - with his own eyes, he will keep looking for him.

"You don't understand. They were my life - if I give up now, I might never be able to recover," he says.

Then he swipes through his phone, showing pictures of his niece and nephew, including some that were taken just moments before they boarded the flight.

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Mr Sayed recalls how their elder sister was meant to travel to London with Javed but couldn't get a ticket. Then he falls silent. Outside, the night deepens, the sky darkening by slow degrees.

Minutes later, he picks up his phone again - this time to show a series of messages he sent Javed after hearing about the crash.

"Look," he says, holding out the screen. "They're still getting delivered. That has to mean something, right?"

Debris of Air India plane after it crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad [AFP via Getty Images]

The tragedy had unfolded in seconds: a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashing into a medical college in a densely packed residential neighborhood.

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"There was a loud roar, a deafening screech and then suddenly, fire, iron and steel began to rain from the sky," said Mukesh, a driver who lives about 15 minutes away from the site of the crash.

At least eight people who were killed on the ground, a senior health official in Ahmedabad has told the BBC. When rescuers first arrived, they found fragments of the aircraft shattered with such force that it was hard to tell the pieces apart from human remains, two members of the disaster force told the BBC.

Since the crash, a foul, acrid smell has hung over the area as smoke billowed from the wreckage late into the night.

Authorities say they're working to identify victims, but the scale of destruction has made the task immensely difficult.

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A volunteer at Civil Hospital told the BBC, on condition of anonymity, that many bodies are so badly charred and mangled, physical identification may be impossible.

"It's like trying to tell ashes apart from ashes."

For families, the wait has been excruciating. Many have camped outside the hospital- in cars or on the streets - their anguished cries echoing through the corridors.

Sameer Shaikh's wife can't stop crying. Their son, Irfan - an Air India crew member - didn't call often, but always messaged before takeoff and after landing.

So when the airline called that afternoon, Mr Shaikh was confused. Irfan was supposed to be en route to London.

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"But instead, we found out he died in a crash."

Shaikh, who lives in Pune, flew to Ahmedabad with his family to collect his son's body. An Air India official at the Civil Hospital helped him with the identification process.

"But the police didn't let us take my son back," he says. "They asked us to come back in three days, after the DNA sampling of all the victims was completed."

Devastated, the couple have been searching for help - and answers.

"What are we to do?" he asks, pointing to his wife, sitting on a street corner, sobbing. "How can we wait three days when we know it's our son?"

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The Shaikhs are not alone in their anguish. Just across the city, another tragedy is still unfolding - this one at the very site where the plane went down.

BJ Medical College Civil Hospital, one of Ahmedabad's most respected institutions, became ground zero when the aircraft crashed into its hostel on Thursday. Casualties have been reported, but the full toll remains unclear.

Payal Thakur paces anxiously, searching for any news about her mother, Sarla, who worked as a cook at the hostel. She was in the back of the building - the very spot where the aircraft struck.

Recounting the day's events, Ms Thakur says her family, who work at the hospital, had left for work around 13:00 local time.

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"The plan was to serve lunch to the doctors and return home. But when my mother saw students arriving at the mess hall, she decided to stay back and make rotis (flatbreads) for them," she says.

That was the moment the plane slammed into the hostel and tore through the building's first floor. In the chaotic minutes that followed, confusion and grief hung heavy.

"There was so much black smoke pouring out of the building. People were running, trying to save their lives. We've been searching for our mother since morning, but we haven't found any trace of her," she adds.

Her father, Prahlad Thakur, says Sarla wasn't alone - "My brother's daughter was with her," he says. Both are missing.

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They searched the top floor, where the kitchen was, but found nothing.

"I went there twice, hoping to find something - anything. But there was only water and debris," he says.

The crash didn't just shatter a building - it shattered a normal afternoon on campus.

"There was a loud noise. All the doors and windows of the classroom began to tremble. Everyone ran outside to check what had happened," a student, who preferred to remain unnamed, said.

As the news spread and it began to become increasingly clear that many students had been injured - possibly even killed - panic rippled across the campus. Some began to run, others, too dazed by what they had witnessed, froze on the spot, their sobs mingling with the screams.

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"A student just stood there with tears in his eyes, unable to move, while others were so badly hurt they had to be carried to the hospital. Many are now being treated for severe wounds, a few of them are in the ICU," the other added.

By evening, the badly damaged corridors stood silent. Backpacks and half-eaten meals lay abandoned on tables where students had fled. The air was still thick with smoke, sirens, and the weight of what had just unfolded.

Additional reporting by Kalpesh Kumar Chavda in Ahmedabad
Meta and a California-based geothermal energy company announced plans on Thursday to build a geothermal power plant in Northwestern New Mexico, as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and other officials touted a report outlining how the state has the resources to produce substantial geothermal power.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and XGS Energy aim to build a geothermal energy site capable of producing 150 megawatts at a location that has not yet been named. A recent report indicates the Santa Fe region, as well as portions of Sandoval and Tao counties, are particularly well positioned to produce geothermal energy.

"We sit on, no kidding, one of the best dry hot rock energy resources not just in Western United States but in the entire world," said Josh Prueher, XGS Energy CEO, during a news conference at the state Capitol, flanked by Lujan Grisham. "The statistics are staggering."

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Meta in 2019 opened a sprawling data center in Los Lunas where the tech giant stores videos, photos and other media that its billions of users have posted to the social network. It is unclear whether the new geothermal power plant would support its existing footprint in New Mexico and the Southwest or a future expansion.

Prueher said XGS is considering public, private and tribal lands to site the planned plant and is engaged with landowners in each of those categories. Asked whether Sandoval, Santa Fe and Taos counties might be potential locations, Prueher said they could be.

The 200-page "The Future of Geothermal in New Mexico" report, published by Project InnerSpace in collaboration with New Mexico Tech and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, notes the potential for 163 gigawatts of geothermal power to be generated in the state.

The Future of Geothermal in New Mexico

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The vast subsurface heat present in the state could help boost the Land of Enchantment's clean energy future, advocates of the project say.

"It's a big damn deal," Lujan Grisham said, praising the economic and job creation impact the project could have.

Geothermal resources, typically reservoirs of hot water that exist at various temperatures, generate renewable energy from hot water sources deep beneath Earth's surface.

Most of the geothermal power plants in the U.S. are in western states and Hawaii, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, where geothermal energy resources are close to the earth's surface. California generates the most electricity from geothermal energy.

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Lujan Grisham said the project is not receiving state money at this time.

The geothermal power plant in Northwestern New Mexico would be the second in the state, with one such power plant already in operation in Hidalgo County.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
With its stately homes and bustling business districts, Downey has long been known to some as the Mexican Beverly Hills.

But the Southeast L.A. County city of more than 110,000 people has been roiled this week by Trump immigration raids in Southern California, sparking both fear and outrage.

Downey Councilman Mario Trujillo said the raids are creating a culture of fear thats prompting people, even with documents, to stay home out of concern they could be targeted by federal agents simply for being Latino.

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The downtown Downey area, which had already been hurting amid a tenuous economy, is now a ghost town, Trujillo said. While he understands that immigration agents have a job to do, Trujillo questions the necessity of grabbing workers trying to support their families and people just trying to go about their daily lives.

Read more: Arellano: Sen. Alex Padillas crime? Being Mexican in MAGA America

Were supposed to be made to feel safe by this agency because theyre removing bad people, he said. Thats what theyre supposed to be doing."

On Wednesday, masked federal agents detained at least 12 people from businesses in Downey, but community members were able to discourage them from taking one man without proper documents.

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Downey has long been a landing spot for upwardly mobile Latinos, who make up 75% of the population. The median income is $97,000, above the California average. The Times reported in December that support for Donald Trump increased during the last election. While Democrats still dominated, The Times found Trump gained 18.8 percentage points in November compared with the 2020 presidential election.

Paula Mejia, a Downey resident in her 50s who immigrated from Mexico to the U.S. more than 45 years ago, said that fewer people have been going to restaurants and to other businesses in Downey ever since the ICE raids began.

"I've been scared and I have to carry my passport," she said. "I have never done before and we are out of words. Even my kids, they were born here. Now, they're carrying their passports." Mejia, who was wearing a green jacket with a "Mexico" badge sewn to the front Thursday afternoon, said she's a U.S. citizen and has been disappointed by the way Mexicans have been treated under the Trump administration.

"They just look at our colors, our nationalities, and they're just profiling people," she said. "Colombians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians. They're just calling them Mexicans. They're denigrating us and want to use the term 'Mexicans' and we're not backing up. We work very hard in this country and for them to be treating us like criminals, we're not criminals. We're hardworking people."

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In a video of the encounter, the unidentified man can be seen sitting on the ground surrounded by masked agents who had chased him down. The man spotted Immigration and Customs Enforcement at his job and rode away on his bicycle, but one of the masked men grabbed his tire, causing him to fall, ABC7 reported.

Read more: How the flags of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala symbolize defiance against Trump's L.A. raids

Melyssa Rivas recorded community members peppering federal agents with questions about why they were chasing the man. Its unclear what prompted the agents to leave the scene.

It looked like a full-on kidnapping scene out of a movie; it was scary, Rivas told the outlet.

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Jose, 26, who declined to provide his last name because of safety concerns, is the son of the owner of Galaxy Auto Detail in Downey, which was targeted by federal agents on Wednesday.

Two agents arrived shortly after 9 a.m. and attempted to quickly surround an employee in an apparent attempt to keep him from running away. But the worker saw what was happening and sprinted toward nearby train tracks. He was later detained along with another man. Only one of the individuals was undocumented, Jose told The Times.

Jose said he tried to ask the agents if they had a warrant but was told he was going to be arrested for interfering if he kept asking questions.

With only five workers remaining, the car wash was closed on Thursday and Jose said he doesnt know when itll reopen. Joses mother, an immigrant from Mexico, has owned the car wash for 12 years. She and her son said they believe federal agents are targeting businesses owned by Mexicans.

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I have my citizenship, said Jose, who was born in the U.S. I feel unsafe, even if I have papers. I just saw them targeting brown people.

Were starting to feel that were the only race thats being targeted because its easy pickings because of the color of our skin, Trujillo said. Thats what its starting to feel like  racial profiling.

Downey Memorial Church, the site of where a group of armed men wearing face coverings detained and drove off with a Latino man on Wednesday, was completely empty Thursday afternoon. All of the doors were locked and lights shut off.

Estevan Phillipy, 22, works at the Around the World Learning Center, a preschool right next to the church. Phillipy is a teacher and was with the kids when the man was detained Wednesday, but his father, who owns the preschool, saw the entire incident unfold.

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All of a sudden, a bunch of vans and cars pulled up into the parking lot, and they just jumped on him, he said. Some people from the church tried to stop it or were saying stuff, but the guy got detained and taken away.

Phillipy is half white, half Mexican and was born in the U.S., but said his Mexican relatives have been afraid to go outside since the raids began.

My family's scared right now, he said. We are all documented, but we just look the part. I know there's a lot of racial profiling going on.

Alex Cruz, a 43-year-old Downey resident who has worked at Papa John Car Wash for the past year, said the raids have been so unsettling that many have stopped coming to work. Cruz said the seven or eight undocumented workers who were employed at the car wash stopped showing up two weeks ago.

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Everybody is intimidated, he said. Everybody is afraid to get out of their house. Everybody is afraid to go to work.

Cruz, the son of an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who came to the U.S. in the 1970s, said hes angered by the federal governments portrayal that anyone without documents living in the United States is a criminal.

Thats how theyre categorizing every Hispanic or Latino, he said. The president should have a little more humanity. If it wasnt for immigrants washing their dishes, nobody would do it.

Read more: All of L.A. is not a war zone. We separate facts from spin and disinformation amid immigration raids

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This is not right, he added. Everyone deserves the opportunity to work and support their families. A lot of these guys are missing out on a paycheck or a salary because of whats going on right now.

Some are continuing to work despite the uncertainty they feel leaving their homes each day.

A man who identified himself only as Francisco, because he was undocumented and feared deportation, said he has been working as a taquero on the outskirts of downtown for over a year. He said he has never felt as worried as he does now, in the shadow of this weeks ICE raids.

We cant go out to work as much on the streets now, the 23-year-old said in Spanish. Weve heard from some colleagues who work in other positions, and theyve even arrested a couple of them. We go to work afraid they might arrest us.

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To stay safe, Francisco said he has limited his movement, turning to Uber Delivery for necessities such as groceries and medicine. But he continues to come to work.

If we dont go out to work, how do we cover our expenses? he asked.

Staff writer Karla Marie Sanford contributed to this article.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Workers with Health Care for the Homeless offer water, education and treatment to unsheltered New Mexicans in Albuquerque in response to high heat risk. (Courtesy of Health Care for the Homeless / Sara Lucero)

Parts of New Mexico this weekend will encounter intense heat for the first time this year, including projected temperatures of 103 and 104 degrees in Las Cruces.

The temperatures will be dangerously hot in some places, according to the National Weather Services Heat Risk Map. The map takes into account how unusual the heat is at a given time of year, how long it will last into the day and night and whether those temperatures pose a higher risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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On Friday afternoon, New Mexico health officials issued a warning that New Mexicans should take extra precautions to protect themselves from this weekends heat. Recommendations include: staying inside with cooling or shade during the hottest parts of the day; wearing loose-fitting light clothing if outside; drinking more water; and avoiding alcohol.

Heat illness is preventable, but it takes planning, awareness and very quick action, Chelsea Eastman Langer, who leads NMDOHs Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau, said in a statement. Protect yourself and others when its hot outside by staying cool, staying hydrated and knowing the symptoms.

Children, older adults and people with mental illnesses are often more sensitive to heat-illness, which includes symptoms such as cold, pale skin; weak pulse; dizziness and fatigue; muscle cramps; headache; vomiting or fainting.

Since April 1, hospitals reported 120 heat-related emergency department visits statewide, including 27 in the last seven days, NMDOH said in a press release. The state publishes heat-related emergency room data on its dashboard.

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Local New Mexico officials told Source New Mexico earlier this week that theyre monitoring for heat threats and ready to take action during extreme heat.

Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Las Cruces recently topped a USA Today analysis of cities with the largest increase of high-heat days  90 degrees and upward  since 1985: 39, 36 and 31 more such days, respectively.

According to the Heat Risk Map, areas in and around Las Cruces will be so hot that theyll turn from red to magenta beginning Monday, June 16. Areas can reach this extreme level of heat with rare or long-duration extreme heat with little overnight relief.

Heat at the magenta level affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure, the National Weather Service warns.

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Despite the extreme temperatures predicted, local officials in Las Cruces told Source that, as of Wednesday, they did not plan to extend cooling center hours, unless a power outage or further needs arise.

Dona Ana Assistant County Manager Steven Lopez said recent temperatures have not reached a threshold of 105 degrees on the heat index. The county requires those high temperatures for several days to provide additional cooling sites, he said.

Dangerously hot temperatures forecasted in the coming days have nonprofit advocates and providers bracing for life or death impacts to unhoused people in New Mexicos largest cities. Advocates said governments at all levels need policies, funding and data to better address the threat.
SKOPJE, June 13 (Xinhua) -- An indictment was filed against 34 individuals and three legal entities for criminal offenses related to the fire in North Macedonia's Kocani that killed 62 people, an official said on Friday.

They were accused of committing acts that caused significant danger to the life of people and to property on a large scale, in a place where a large number of people gathered, the Balkan country's Public Prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski told a press conference.

The devastating fire, which broke out on March 16 at the "Pulse" disco, also injured 211 people, 157 of whom severely.

Kocevski said that an order for an investigative procedure has been issued against 13 police officers connected to the case.

They were being investigated for allowing the use of pyrotechnics during the event. 
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  More of New Mexico will soon be powered by the earths natural heat. State leaders are celebrating a one-billion dollar project to build a geo-thermal power plant.

Story continues below

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Even though the project is a private investment, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the renewable energy project will benefit the entire state. We have a responsibility to address climate change, lower our carbon footprint, said Gov. Grisham. But we also need the power, were going to need more power, not less.

The deal is the work of Facebook parent company Meta to offset the electric usage at its Valencia County data center. Meta partnered with XGS energy to build the geothermal plant, which works by harnessing heat from deep within the earth for heating, cooling, and generating electricity.

State officials say the 150-megawatt plant will pump electricity into the grid, supplying enough power for 50,000 houses, all while using no water and producing zero carbon emissions. Right now New Mexico has just one geothermal power plant outside Lordsburg.

But local experts say, the states experience with oil and gas, plus the regions natural subsurface heat, make it a prime location for developing geothermal energy. We sit on, no kidding, one of the best dry hot rock energy resources not just in the western United States, but in the entire world, said XGS Energy CEO Josh Prueher. He says the company is working with landowners and tribal groups to determine the best site for the plant, which will most likely be built in the northwestern part of the state.

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The plant will be privately funded, with no state dollars going towards the project. The governor says she hopes this will be just the start, of a geothermal boom in the state. Construction on the power plant is expected to start in the next couple years.

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MIAMISBURG, Ohio (WDTN)  The city of Miamisburg is actively working to make it more accessible for bikers and walkers.

On March 12, the city held an open house for community members to speak on where they reside and locations they would like to bike and walk to, as well as current obstacles that hinder it.

7-Brew planning location near Dayton Mall

Andrew Rodney, city planner for Miamisburg, confirmed the city is already looking into areas of improvement for active transportation.

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We have downtown, obviously, which is very popular, and not everybody is as well-connected to those areas as we would like them to be, said Rodney. So part of this project will help us identify those locations where folks want bike, walk or need access for handicap accessibility.

The city is expected to hold additional open houses in the future. It is anticipated the project will continue for roughly one year.

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WJW)  A Michelin-star chef is facing more charges after he reportedly tried to contact the woman he is accused of assaulting to help him get out of jail, court documents reveal.

Jacob Bickelhaupt, 41, left a voicemail for the victim on June 4, telling her to call his public defender and say she didnt want a no-contact order that had been filed against him, according to a criminal affidavit obtained by FOX 8 News.

He disappeared in 1991. Investigators now dig for clues in his familys old backyard

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I have nowhere to stay, nowhere to sleep.  I need your help, Bickelhaupt reportedly said in one voicemail, asking her to help him post bond, which at the time was $90,000.

Twenty minutes later he called again.

Here is the deal, I know there is a lot going on, and youre in really bad shape. Im going to be here for a very long time if you so choose, maybe a year, he said. Im not trying to sound inconsiderate right now. I really dont have a lot of time. I love you. Please call that number.

The number he called, according to the affidavit, was not the victims own line, but a joint number for Bickelhaupts high-end West Palm Beach restaurant, Konro. A business partner reported the calls to authorities, according to Palm Beach Sherriffs Office.

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With the discovery of the phone calls, witness tampering and contempt charges were added to Bickelhaupts aggravated battery and battery charges. His bond now sits at $99,000, according to the sheriffs office.

Man arrested in murder of missing father found dead in East Cleveland

The West Palm Beach Police Department was originally called to Saint Marys Medical Center on June 2, when a patients story wasnt sitting right with the medical team.

According to police, a patient told staff she had been in a car accident, but the story was inconsistent. The victims injuries were so severe, with bruising and swelling to her face and upper body, she was rushed into an emergency brain bleed surgery.

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The victim reportedly told police the assault lasted two hours, leading in part to Bickelhaupts arrest.

The victim was recovering in an intensive care unit when Bickelhaupt attempted to reach out to her from jail, according to police.

Konro is currently listed as temporarily closed on the Michelin Guides website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Scams on Facebook and WhatsApp luring users into fake investment schemes are on the rise, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

These scams spreading across Facebook and WhatsApp have already and will continue to drain retirement savings, college funds, and the financial safety nets of users, Nessel said. Meta must do more to protect its users from these deceptive advertisements, especially when the company profits from the very ads that fuel this fraud.

Nessel and a group of 41 other attorneys general sent a letter to Meta on Wednesday, raising concerns over a large number of reported scams on Facebook and WhatsApp that convince users to invest in fake companies or cryptocurrencies.

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These scammers then exploit victims via pump and dump schemes, convincing them to buy stocks to artificially inflate their prices before selling them and leaving their victims with massive losses.

In the letter, the attorneys general demand that Meta adopt stricter user protection policies, including being more diligent on who they allow to advertise on their platforms, having employees review investment ads instead of automated systems, and stopping all investment advertisements until these policies are in place.

Nessel says there are some ways to keep yourself safe when investing your money, including:

Do your research before you invest, and do not wire money or provide credit card or banking information without doing so

Be wary of pitches on social media or cold callers

Do not trust investment tips or secrets online, as they can be from scam websites

Do not trust heavy pitches to invest now, as they can be evidence of a  pump and dump scene

Be wary of things that appear to be celebrity endorsements

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at June 12, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Daily 3 numbers from June 12 drawing

Midday: 2-3-0

Evening: 4-5-2

Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily 4 numbers from June 12 drawing

Midday: 3-6-5-1

Evening: 9-1-0-6

Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from June 12 drawing

02-04-06-37-40, Lucky Ball: 05

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Poker Lotto numbers from June 12 drawing

QC-QH-QS-6C-2H

Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 12 drawing

12-21-31-36-37

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16-18-20-32-35

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Daily Keno numbers from June 12 drawing

05-07-08-10-16-21-25-27-37-39-47-48-49-50-54-56-59-62-63-68-76-77

Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize

All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices.

To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:

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Michigan Lottery

Attn: Claim Center

101 E. Hillsdale

P.O. Box 30023

Lansing, MI 48909

For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.

If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:

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Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325

Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325

Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325

Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325

Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325

Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325

For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page.

When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?

Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.

Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily

Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily

Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily

Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for June 12, 2025
Mid-South protestors prepare for No Kings Day

DESOTO COUNTY, Miss.  Protestors across the country and in the Mid-South are preparing for No Kings Day on Saturday.

Thousands are mobilizing for what are scheduled to be peaceful protests against President Trumps policies.

The focus that weve got for tomorrow is simply this that this country does not belong to a king, said Erin McElyea, Indivisible, DeSoto, Mississippi.

What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

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Her group is expecting over 100 volunteers to show up Saturday outside the Courthouse in Hernando to make their voices heard for a No Kings visibility event.

We are alarmed at the amount of power thats been given to the President, and we dont want our country to turn into a dictatorship, said McElyea.

The event in Hernando is part of what McElyea says is a nationwide day of defiance coinciding with the US Armys 250th anniversary, Flag Day, and Donald Trumps birthday and aims to focus on increasing activity by ICE putting National Guard and Marines on the ground in Los Angeles and what McElyea said are broken promises by the President.

Drawing attention to what the governments doing, particularly what Trumps trying to do, centralize the government and weaken the other two branches of government, said McElyea.

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What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

There are other protests planned in the Mid-South in addition to the one in Hernando, including Oxford, Memphis, and West Memphis, Arkansas.

Theres going to be people there tomorrow that are all there for different reasons, but were all united in saying that we dont allow tyranny in the United States, said McElyea.

WREG has reached out to the Hernando Police Department, Memphis Police Department, and West Memphis Police Department, and they have not responded to our inquiries regarding the No Kings Day protest.

The DeSoto County Sheriffs Office said they have a plan in place and will be prepared. Oxford Police said they will provide security as they do with all permitted events.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Aerial attacks between Israel and Iran continued overnight into Sunday, marking a third day of strikes following Israels Friday attack. That surprise strike hit the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

The U.S. did not provide any military assistance or have any involvement in Israel's Friday strike, a U.S. official told ABC News.





Latest Developments





Jun 15, 9:55 AM

Trump says it's 'possible' US 'could get involved' in Israel-Iran conflict

President Donald Trump told ABC News that "it's possible we could get involved" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.



The president made the comments to ABC News' Rachel Scott. He also reiterated that the U.S. is "not at this moment involved" in the conflict.



Trump also said that he would be "open" to Russian President Vladimir Putin being a mediator in the conflict. "He is ready. He called me about it. We had a long talk about it, " Trump said.



-ABC News' Rachel Scott





Jun 15, 9:24 AM

IDF says more missiles launched toward Israel; says 'over 250' targets in Iran struck

The IDF says missiles have been launched from Iran toward Israel and that "defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat." It also warned citizens to "enter a protected space and remain there until further notice."



The IDF said during a briefing Sunday that it has struck "over 250 targets" in Iran since the beginning of strikes earlier this week. It says it is still actively conducting strikes in the country.



The IDF spokesperson also confirmed it struck Yemen Saturday night, targeting a Houthi leader, but cannot confirm whether the strike was successful. There were also projectiles fired from Yemen overnight toward Israel, according to the spokesperson.



The spokesperson warned that "there will be further launches and impacts in the coming days" toward Israel and advised Israelis to pay attention to sirens and alerts.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller





Jun 15, 8:56 AM

US non-emergency personnel authorized to leave Israel: State Department

The State Department is authorizing the "voluntary departure of family members and some non-emergency U.S. government employees" from Israel amid the country's escalating conflict with Iran, officials said on Sunday.



The U.S. embassy's shelter-in-place order for U.S. personnel in Israel remains in effect "until further notice" as a result of the conflict between Israel and Iran, the State Department said in a notice.



"U.S. citizens who wish to depart should not delay in taking advantage of commercial transportation options," the notice said.



-ABC News' Chris Boccia





Jun 15, 8:12 AM

Iran doesn't believe US was not involved in strikes: Foreign minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a meeting of ambassadors in Tehran on Sunday that Israel's ongoing attacks on the country could not have happened "without the agreement and support of the United States."

PHOTO: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gives a statement in Beirut, Lebanon, on June 3, 2025. (Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images)

"We have received messages from the U.S. through various channels over the past two days stating that the U.S. had no involvement and will have no involvement in this attack," he said during the meeting, which was broadcast by state media. "As I said, we don't believe the U.S.'s claim."



Araghchi also called on the international community to condemn Israel's attacks on nuclear facilities.



"This is perhaps the last red line of international law that the Israeli regime has crossed, and if the international community is indifferent to these red lines, it will certainly have consequences for all other countries," he said.



Araghchi said he had called for a meeting on Monday with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency over attacks on the Natanz nuclear facilities.



Of Iran's own retaliatory strikes on Israel, the foreign minister said the attacks were "legitimate self-defense." He added, "If the aggression stops, naturally our reactions will also stop." Araghchi confirmed that Iran struck "economic" targets in Israel on Saturday night.



Araghchi also said Israel is responsible for the breakdown in nuclear negotiations with the U.S., its attack having scuppered planned talks in Oman on Sunday.



"It is perfectly clear that the Israeli regime does not want any agreement on the nuclear issue; it does not want negotiations; it does not want diplomacy; and the attack on Iran amid nuclear negotiations demonstrates the Israeli regime's opposition to any negotiations," he said.



-ABC News' Victoria Beaule





Jun 15, 7:58 AM

Israeli jets flying nonstop over Iran for 50 hours, official says

An Israeli military official told ABC News that the country's warplanes have been flying over Iran for 50 hours nonstop since the beginning of Israel's strikes on the country on Friday.



The Israel Defense Forces are still searching for missile sites and other targets as strikes expand, the official said. They did not say how long attacks are expected to continue.

PHOTO: A plume of heavy smoke and fire rises over an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

Among those targets hit so far are Iran's Defense Ministry in Tehran, plus gas and oil sites near Bandar Abbas, which the official said were "dual-use" sites -- meaning for both civilian and military use.



The official confirmed that Israel has not hit the Fordow nuclear site, which is buried deep underground.



Before the operation started, Israel believed Iran had about 2,000 ballistic missiles, the official said. They did not say how many are believed to be remaining.



When asked if Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei -- the country's supreme leader -- is a target, the official refused to answer.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 7:48 AM

IDF tried to kill Houthi chief of staff in Yemen, official says

An Israeli military official confirmed to ABC News that the Israel Defense Forces tried to kill the Houthi chief of staff in Yemen in an overnight airstrike.



The official said Israel is still waiting to see the outcome of the attack.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 6:41 AM

Trump says US has 'nothing to do' with latest Iran strikes

President Donald Trump said in a post to Truth Social early Sunday morning that the "U.S. had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight."

PHOTO: President Donald Trump is pictured during celebrations for the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

"If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the U.S. Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before," the president added. "However, we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!"



-ABC News' Hannah Demissie





Jun 15, 5:38 AM

13 killed in Israel by 2 nights of Iranian strikes, prime minister says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Sunday that at least 13 people have been killed since Friday in Israel by Iranian strikes, as Tehran retaliates to Israel's ongoing attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites and leaders.



PHOTO: Rescue teams clear rubble in a neighbourhood in the northern Israeli village of Tamra, following an overnigh missile attack from Iran on June 15, 2025, where four people, including a child, were reported killed. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

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Two consecutive nights of Iranian attacks saw around 200 ballistic missiles fired into the country, the prime minister's office said, with 22 places in Israel hit either directly or by falling missile debris.



At least 380 people have been injured, the prime minister's office said, nine seriously.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller and Dada Jovanovic





Jun 15, 3:08 AM

Israel issues 'urgent' warning to Iranians near weapons production sites

The Israeli military on Sunday morning issued an "urgent" warning to Iranians near facilities producing weapons.



"Your presence near these facilities puts your life at risk," the Israel Defense Forces said in social media posts in Farsi and Arabic.





Jun 15, 1:58 AM

IAF downs 7 drones, Israel says

The Israeli Air Force said it had intercepted seven drones launched toward Israel with about an hour on Sunday morning.

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Four men escaped from an immigration detention center in New Jersey on Thursday following several days of turmoil over conditions in their lockup.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin told The New York Times, additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees.

The Delaney Hall detention center went into lockdown on Thursday night after a large number of law enforcement officials responded to a disturbance report, attorneys with clients at the facility told the paper. The unrest stemmed from concerns about the punctuality and quality of meals, attorneys and relatives of detainees said.

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People were hungry and got very angry and started to react and started to rebel against what was going on in the detention center, a volunteer at the emergency immigration hotline DIRE, Ellen Whitt, told The Times.

A staff member at DIRE got a call at about 6 p.m. from a detainee, Whitt noted.

Protesters linked arms to block the entrance to the immigration detention facility Delaney Hall (AP)

When we were on the phone with him, we could hear screaming and yelling in the background, she said, adding that people were trying to break windows and that guards appeared to have left their posts at one point.

The missing men appeared to have escaped via an unhinged piece of exterior siding, a law enforcement official said.

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Shortly after 7 p.m., masked officers with pepper spray and plastic handcuffs were spotted entering the building. People in the vicinity said they could smell something pungent. Protesters attempted to barricade the entrance to the detention center.

On Friday morning, officials announced that phone calls and visits had been suspended, according to the managing director of Bronx Defenders, an immigration practice.

Karla Ostolaza told The Times, We have no idea what is happening with our clients right now.

Mustafa Cetin is an attorney who has been representing a man from Turkey working to get citizenship. He said he received an email at 7.37 a.m. on Friday telling him that all movement, such as meetings with attorneys, was canceled until further notice. His client had been detained about two weeks previously during a court appearance in Newark.

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Delany Hall is operated by the GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies in the U.S. The company has a contract with the Trump administration to hold as many as 1,000 migrants.

The facility began housing detainees last month after Immigration and Customs Enforcement entered into a contract with the GEO Group worth $1 billion.

New Jersey Democrats have opposed the opening of the facility, prompting a lawsuit, protests, and a confrontation outside the building that resulted in the arrest of Newarks mayor and assault charges being filed against Rep. LaMonica McIver. Shes set to be arraigned on Monday and has said that shell enter a plea of not guilty.

McIver said on Thursday that the Trump administration had been stonewalling efforts to learn the truth about conditions at Delaney Hall.

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I have serious concerns about the reports of abusive circumstances at the facility, she said.

Relatives with appointments set for Thursday said they hadnt been allowed inside. Many remained outside the facility when a fire truck and police from several agencies appeared.

Following sunset, a K9 unit, FBI agents, and officers from the Hudson County Sheriffs Office started arriving at the scene while protesters blocked the gate of the facility. The crowd was later dispersed by law enforcement officials using pepper spray.

Dominican immigrant Francisco Castillo told the paper over the phone from the detention center that some detainees had been forced to sleep on the floor and that they had been served subpar meals at odd hours of the day. He claimed that detainees were often served small cartons of expired milk for breakfast and that dinner was at times not served until about 11 p.m.

Every day is a disaster with the food here, he told the paper in Spanish.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., tore into a fellow Empire State lawmaker Thursday after the latter accosted Lawler on the House floor.

Chaos briefly broke out in the House of Representatives during the chamber's final vote series of the week, when Rep. John Mannion, D-N.Y., began shouting at Lawler that he was on the wrong side of the floor.

Democrats and Republicans traditionally sit on opposite sides of the chamber, but it's not unusual for lawmakers of either party to enter through any door and cross to their side.

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Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Cracks Down On Biden's Student Loan 'Scheme,' Top Republican Says

The House briefly descended into chaos when Democratic Rep. John Mannion, left, yelled at Republican Rep. Mike Lawler on the floor.

Mannion was then heard shouting at Lawler, "Get over there and tell them the country is falling apart."

"F---ing get over there and get some f---ing balls," Mannion could be heard shouting. "You know who I am. I'm a New Yorker, just like you."

Read On The Fox News App

Lawler responded to Mannion on X, writing, "John Mannion was entirely unhinged and unprofessional. That was a shameful display that exposed his complete lack of temperament."

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"No wonder numerous staffers have previously alleged a toxic work environment. He should go seek help for anger management  and f--- off."

Unverified accusations arose during Mannion's campaign that he had created a toxic work environment for staffers in the New York State Senate, which the New York Democrat dismissed at the time as a "false political attack."

148 Democrats Back Noncitizen Voting In Dc As Gop Raises Alarm About Foreign Agents

Fox News Digital reached out to Mannion's office for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The New York Democrat was heard shouting at reporters ahead of the confrontation, "We need you. We need you to hold them accountable. Media, it's your country too."

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"Don't cover the distractions. Cover the actions that lead us towards authoritarianism, please," Mannion yelled, according to Politico.

Mannion is a first-term Democrat who unseated former Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., whose district boundaries were changed last year to include more blue-leaning areas.

Mannion unseated former Republican Rep. Brandon Williams.

Lawler's office referred Fox News Digital to his statement on X when reached for comment.

The dust-up was brief but is a sign of the sky-high tensions in the current political climate.

Democrats were already furious over the forced ejection of Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from a media event being held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Thursday.





Original article source: Mike Lawler tells NY Dem to 'f--- off' after chaos ignites on House floor
Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, right, participates in a forum hosted by the Sutherland Institute at the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics in 2024. (Photo: Katie McKellar, Utah News Dispatch)

Utah Sen. Mike Lee is bringing back a proposal that would allow the federal government to sell off several million acres of public land in Nevada, Utah and other Western states.

Lee says it will open up underused federal land for housing and help communities manage growth  opponents, including a number of Democrats in Congress and environmental groups, say its an attempt to pay for tax cuts and warn it will jeopardize access to public lands.

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Introduced Wednesday evening, Lees proposal, part of the 10 Senate bills that will make up Republicans reconciliation package nicknamed the big, beautiful bill, renews an effort initially spearheaded by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, and Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, that sought to dispose of 11,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in southwestern Utah and some 450,000 acres of federal land in Nevada.

But Lees proposal is much broader  rather than earmark specific parcels of land for disposal like Maloy and Amodeis amendment, Lee wants to require the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell off a percentage of land managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

According to Lees proposal, both agencies would be required to dispose of between 0.5% to 0.75% of land they manage, which amounts to about 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres. State and local governments would be allowed to nominate parcels of land, and would be granted priority to purchase.

Eleven states would be eligible  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Notably, Montana is exempt, and Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke was instrumental in sinking Maloy and Amodeis original proposal, stating that selling public lands is a line he would not cross.

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Though the scope is much bigger, Lees reasoning behind the proposal is the same as Maloy and Amodeis  identify parcels of federal land near high-growth areas, and sell them at market value to local governments to use for housing, water infrastructure, roads and other development.

The legislative language prohibits the sale of land thats already designated, like national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas or national recreation areas. Land that has an existing right, like a mining claim, grazing permit, mineral lease or right of way is also off limits.

If it passes, the secretaries of the departments of interior and agriculture would have to prioritize nominating land thats next to already developed areas, has access to existing infrastructure or is suitable for residential housing. The proposal also directs the secretaries to nominate land thats isolated and inefficient to manage, and to reduce the checkerboard land pattern, the result of railroad grants in the 1800s that left small plots of private land scattered within swaths of federal land and vice-versa.

Were opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C. out of the way for communities that are just trying to grow, Lee said in a video address. Were talking about isolated parcels that are difficult to manage, that are better suited for housing and infrastructure. To our hunters, anglers and sportsmen, you will not lose access to the lands you love. Washington has proven time and again it cant manage this land. This bill puts it in better hands.

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Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto slammed Lees proposal after it was introduced, saying it was developed without input from Nevadans.

Lees proposal ignores provisions for affordable housing and eliminates funding Nevada relies on for our schools and water conservation projects, Cortez Masto said in a statement. Shoving lands sales in a reconciliation bill in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires is not the way forward, and Ill continue to fight against this misguided proposal.

Lees proposal also didnt fly for a number of environmental groups, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which called it an attempt to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

Senator Lees never-ending attacks on public lands continue. His hostility stands in stark contrast with Americans deep and abiding love of public lands. Senator Lees plan puts Utahs redrock country in the crosshairs of unchecked development, said Travis Hammill, Washington, D.C. director for the alliance. In Utah and the West, public lands are the envy of the country  but Senator Lee is willing to sacrifice the places where people recreate, where they hunt and fish, and where they make a living.

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The Center for Western Priorities, a public lands advocacy group, called Lees effort a shameless ploy to sell off pristine public lands for trophy homes and gated communities that will do nothing to address the affordable housing shortage in the West; the National Wildlife Federation dubbed it a fire sale that is orders of magnitude worse than Maloys proposal; The Wilderness Society said it was a betrayal of future generations and folks on both sides of the aisle and warned that could spark political backlash.

This story was originally published in Utah News Dispatch.

Correction: Lees public land sale proposal is part of the Energy and Natural Resources Committees portion of the reconciliation bill package. An earlier version of the story mischaracterized the procedural status of Lees proposal.
INVITATION: Ten Years After the 709 Crackdown: Symposium on the Rule of Law and Religious Freedom under Xi Jinping

NEWS PROVIDED BY

ChinaAid Association

June 13, 2025

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ -- On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, ChinaAid Association and Shining Light Media LLC will co-host a symposium marking the 10th anniversary of the 709 Crackdown. Titled Ten Years After the 709 Crackdown: Symposium on the Rule of Law and Religious Freedom under Xi Jinping, the event will be held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Congressional Visitors Center (CVC 200) on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Lunch will be provided after the event.

Launched in July 2015, the 709 Crackdown was a widespread operation by the Chinese Communist Party targeting human rights lawyers, legal defenders, and faith communities. Hundreds were detained, interrogated, or imprisoned under national security charges, signaling the Partys deep hostility toward legal advocacy and independent religious practice.

The symposium will feature two expert panels reflecting on the impact of the crackdown, the erosion of rule of law and religious freedom in China, and the implications for U.S. policy and global human rights.

Confirmed speakers include:

 Government & Congressional Officials: Senator Ted Cruz, SBO Patrick Harvey (International Religious Freedom Office, Bureau of Democracy, Labor and Human Rights, DRL), Ambassador Yui Tah-ray (Taiwan's Representative to the United States, TECRO)

 Panel 1  709 Crackdown and Chinas Rule of Law: Ambassador Nathan A. Sales (Distinguished Fellow, Atlantic Council), Professor Terence Halliday (Research Professor Emeritus, American Bar Foundation), Chen Guangcheng  (Distinguished Fellow, Catholic University of America), Attorney Piero Tozzi (Staff Director, Congressional-Executive Commission on China), Sophie Shengchun Luo  (Wife of imprisoned human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi)

 Video Remarks: By one of the most severely persecuted human rights lawyers during the 709 crackdown

 Panel 2  Reflection on Chinas Religious Freedom: Commissioner Maureen Ferguson (USCIRF), Tony Perkins (President, Family Research Council), Dr. Sophie Richardson (Senior Fellow, Hoover Institute, Stanford University), Zubayra Shamseden (Chinese Outreach Coordinator, Uyghur Human Rights Project), Frances Hui  (Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation)

RSVP and Media Inquiries: RSVP at: https://forms.gle/KY6oVJqK8Zneq39f7, or contact us at media@chinaaid.org

ChinaAid is a U.S.-based nonprofit advancing religious freedom and rule of law in China through advocacy and legal aid. Shining Light Media LLC is an independent media company reporting on freedom and conscience in the Chinese-speaking world.

SOURCE ChinaAid Association

CONTACT: media@chinaaid.org
KIEV, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine on Friday brought home the bodies of 1,200 fallen soldiers as part of another stage of a swap deal with Russia.

The repatriation was carried out in line with agreements reached by the two parties in Turkiye's Istanbul last week, said Ukraine's Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

"Law enforcement investigators, in cooperation with expert institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies," the agency said.

Russia's TASS news agency also reported the latest handover on Friday, revealing that the Ukrainian side has not handed over any bodies of Russian soldiers in return.

On Wednesday, Ukraine received 1,212 bodies from Russia and returned 27 bodies of Russian soldiers. 
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Washington, D.C. is gearing up for one of the largest military parades in recent history as the U.S. Army marks its 250th anniversary this Saturday. The celebration will feature thousands of troops, tanks rolling through the streets, and dramatic aircraft flyovers above the National Mall.

Being part of the Armys 250th is an amazing opportunity especially to represent the First Infantry Division, said Major Brandt Murphy, who will be among the soldiers marching down Constitution Avenue.

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Husted added: You dont see tanks drive down the streets in D.C., so that in itself is going to be very, very cool.

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Preparations are underway not only for the parade, but also for a massive security operation. Fencing and security checkpoints now line the National Mall as the Secret Service and local authorities brace for large crowds and a potential visit from former President Donald Trump.

Im from Dallas, Texas, said Jaslyn Jackson, one of many spectators arriving in D.C. ahead of the parade. I just want to see how it turns out  the crowds, the energy, and who shows up.

Mary Walker, a Capitol Hill resident, says her family is especially excited, Weve got a two-year-old boy whos very excited to see tanks and helicopters and celebrate the Army.

Not everyone is thrilled with the military display. Critics have raised concerns about the optics of tanks in the capital, and the cost.

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I think thats pretty ominous, right? said Rachael Harvender, visiting from Vermont. Its not something were used to on American turf, so it puts a little bit of a spooky feel over it.

Despite the criticism and a projected price tag in the tens of millions of dollars, organizers insist the celebration is a once-in-a-generation moment to honor the Armys legacy.

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Poor countries around the world are still dealing with the impact of Americas foreign aid programs being essentially shut down in the early days of President Trumps second term. Now Republicans in Congress are poised to deal a smaller yet still significant blow to another crucial financial lifeline: Money they receive from loved ones working in the U.S.

Money transfers from the U.S., often sent by immigrants who came here specifically to earn cash they can use to support the people they left back home, are a vital source of income for people in developing countries around the world. Cumulatively, U.S. residents sent more than $79 billion abroad in 2022, the most recent year with available data. Thats more than the federal government spent on direct foreign assistance the same year and double the amount that was sent from any other country.

The GOPs big, beautiful bill includes a provision that would impose a new tax on these transfers, which are formally known as remittances. As its currently written, the bill would place a 3.5% tax on all outbound remittances. If that rate holds, it would mean billions of dollars intended for the poorest people across the globe would instead go to the government.

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The bill is still being negotiated, however, and some Republicans in Congress would like to see the rate cranked up substantially. Even if the rate does not change, the bill would still make the U.S. one of the worlds most expensive wealthy countries to send money from, when you combine the new tax with the fees that banks typically charge for international transfers.

Who would be most affected?

Most of the money that leaves the U.S. goes to countries with the most immigrants living here. Mexico received $52 billion in remittances in 2021, equivalent to about 4% of the countrys gross domestic product. India was a distant second with $15.8 billion.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denounced the proposal last month, calling it an injustice and a tax on those who have the least.

While Mexico would lose the most in terms of sheer dollars, the impact would be felt most acutely in poorer nations with small economies that are heavily dependent on money from overseas. Remittances account for more than a quarter of the GDPs of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Some of the poorest countries in Africa would also be significantly affected.

Debate over the tax

The amount of money the new tax would generate would be a drop in the bucket in the governments budget. Proponents of the proposal say its value would be much more than the revenue it would generate. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the anti-immigration think tank Center for Immigration Studies, told the Associated Press that the extra costs would help reduce the incentives that people have to travel to the U.S. illegally.

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One of the main reasons people come here is to work and send money home, he said. If thats much more difficult to do, it becomes less appealing to come here.

Critics of the plan say that, while the most severe harm would fall on vulnerable people who are already reeling from the Trump administrations aid cuts, Americans would also suffer negative consequences.

The tax is likely to create collateral damage by imposing compliance burdens on people who are not the intended target of the tax while struggling to collect revenue from the intended targets, Alan Cole and Patrick Dunn of the Tax Foundation wrote earlier this month.

Some financial services groups also oppose the tax because they believe it will create unnecessary and harmful hurdles for international business.

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This remittance tax provision in particular mandates a massive invasion of privacy by private businesses and the federal government on American citizens, creates undue tax burden for law-abiding Americans, reduces business revenue, complicates regulatory efforts, and hinders law enforcement, the heads of seven lobbying groups for the finance sector wrote in a joint statement.

The big, beautiful bill passed the House last month and is currently being negotiated in the Senate. The remittance tax is a relatively minor part of the massive tax and spending plan, but there are some indications that it could be the source of disagreement within the GOP caucus.

Insider reports say that some key senators are weighing concerns about the tax, but it also has some strong backers. The most fervent supporters of the plan are in the House, which will have to approve whatever bill comes out of the Senate before it can become law.

Several far-right GOP representatives  including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Chip Roy  reacted to Sheinbaums criticisms by calling for the rate of the tax to be dramatically increased. Rep. Eric Schmitt wrote on social media that he would introduce a proposal to increase the rate to 15%. America is not the world's piggy bank, he wrote. And we don't take kindly to threats.
The plan was simple: Go into a Walgreens convenience store with a pistol in his pocket, point it at someone's face, then come out moments later with prescription drugs.

Damien Huff had done this many times before.

It worked each time.

Adapting a somewhat similar approach with armored truck guard Scott Bee at a bank would be a deadly one.

Huff showed little reaction as Circuit Court Judge David Swanson sentenced to him on June 13 to spend the rest of his life behind bars for his role in a string of robberies two years ago that ended with Bee's shooting death.

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"You took a life. You took my dad, my best friend," Bee's oldest daughter, Apryl Kitchen, said through tears. "My father deserves so much more than what he was dealt."

A jury convicted Huff, 30, in April of first-degree intentional homicide in the July 13, 2023, slaying of Bee, a 55-year-old security guard from Waukesha.

Jurors also found him guilty of other felony charges, including armed robbery as a party to a crime.

More: Milwaukee police release footage of officer shooting, killing man following reported robbery

Here's how the robberies unfolded

Prosecutors said Huff and another man, Colby Logan, robbed five Walgreens pharmacies of prescription medication in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa in June and July 2023.

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In each instance, a masked man with sunglasses and a handgun demanded Oxycodone pills and fled with the help of a getaway driver. Different vehicles were used in each caper.

In one instance, the suspects made off with more than 4,000 pills.

More: 14 year old dead, three other teens injured in two separate Milwaukee shootings

Milwaukee police investigate an attempted robbery of an armored truck at North Shore Bank, 7927 W. Capitol Drive, on July 13, 2023.

What happened to Scott Bee?

On July 13, 2023  just three days after the fifth Walgreens robbery  the suspects set their sights on hitting an armored truck.

That day, three security guards inside an armored vehicle pulled up near an ATM outside a northwest side bank. They were there to refill the machine with cash.

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A black Mazda that was connected to at least one of the Walgreens robberies showed up nearby and a man got out from it. That man then approached Bee while pointing a handgun at him.

Bee was kneeling at the ATM when he heard someone say give me the money, he later told first responders. The man then opened fire.

Bee was hit three times. Two of the shots were fired into his back while he lay on the ground.

Bee was able to return fire but did not hit the attacker. He died 12 days later, leaving behind a wife, six children and two grandchildren.

It was later determined the man made off with nearly $70,000. Another $95,000 had been dropped as the suspect fled, and was recovered by police.

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"He (Huff) thought the money he was going to get from the ATM machine and the other robberies ... were worth more than Scott Bee's life," Assistant District Attorney Grant Huebner said.

More: Prosecutors say Milwaukee woman recorded in jail call plotting her ex's death

Prosecutor: Damien Huff 'didn't learn lesson' from previous incarceration

Huebner pleaded with Swanson to give Huff life, noting his "disturbing" criminal history. He was first charged with a crime as a juvenile in 2007; police said he brought "a dangerous weapon to school."

Huff was 12 at the time.

At 13, he was charged with armed robbery and spent a year in juvenile custody. Other arrests in Sheboygan and Milwaukee counties followed for disorderly conduct and other crimes.

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It was May 2014 when Damien Huff walked into a Milwaukee Dollar Tree and placed one item on the conveyor belt.

No one can recall if it was a candy bar or a bag of chips, but the cashier, according to a criminal complaint, remembered clearly the $1.06 he had in his hand.

When the clerk opened the register, the customer pulled out a pistol.

Give me everything youve got. Put it in the bag," the robber demanded, according to a June 14, 2014, criminal complaint.

The robber got away with $230.40, but was eventually caught. It was Huff, who was later convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison.

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He was 18 at the time.

The Walgreens crime spree started not long after his release in 2022.

Huebner said Huff used the same strategy to rob the Walgreens stores. Prosecutors believe he stole prescription drugs, so he could resell them on the street.

"He didn't learn his lesson in prison," Huebner said.

More: Milwaukee man gets 12-year prison sentence for robbing postal workers

Robberies in Milwaukee remain a big concern in the first six months of 2025

According to Milwaukee police data, 1,965 robberies were reported in 2024, up from 1,932 in 2023, the year Bee was shot and killed.

There have been 661 robberies reported in 2025 as of June 12, compared with 818 at the same point last year, the data shows.

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Logan, 33, of Milwaukee, pleaded guilty in November to felony murder as a party to a crime and two counts of armed robbery as a party to a crime. He was sentenced to a 25-year prison term.

Bee's widow, Carmen Bee, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that while she was pleased with the court's decision, no amount of prison time for Huff would make up for the loss of her husband.

"He (Huff) deprived me of the man I wanted to grow old with," she said. "What he took from me, from family, will never be replaced  a man I truly love. And it hurts.

"At least now, he can't destroy another family ... or hurt anymore people."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man gets life for killing guard in Walgreens robbery spree
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV)  An officer with the Milwaukee Police Department was injured in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect during a foot pursuit through a southeastern Wisconsin alley.

On Thursday, June 12, officers with the Milwaukee Police Department were assigned to a Directed Patrol Mission in the 4600 block of West Hampton Avenue due to recent violent crime.

Driver flees scene of crash with motorcycle in Waupaca County, motorcyclist seriously hurt

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While patrolling the area around 6:45 p.m., officers were flagged down by a witness who saw two people allegedly flashing guns. While trying to stop the two suspects, the two men fled on foot.

After giving chase on foot, the officer, a 30-year-old man with over seven years of service, encountered one of the suspects in the alley of the 4800 block of North 46th Street.

The suspect, a 39-year-old man, allegedly refused commands to drop his gun, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the officer and suspect. Both were subsequently hit in the exchange.

Community gets update on potential Green Bay Correctional Institution closure

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Both the suspect and the officer were taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-fatal injuries. The second suspect, a 19-year-old man, was also arrested.

Officers say that two ghost guns were recovered during the incident, and the officer will be placed on administrative duty.

Criminal charges for both suspects will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office.

The Milwaukee Police Homicide Unit will be investigating the fluid and ongoing investigation.

No additional details were provided. A video of the incident will be released soon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
The Brief

A Milwaukee police officer was shot in the leg on Thursday, June 12.

The shooting happened near 46th and Hampton around 6:45 p.m.

Two men were taken into custody and charges are pending.

MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee police officer was shot in the leg on Thursday, June 12.

Officer shot

What we know

It happened near 46th and Hampton.

MPD responded to the area due to recent crime in the area around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday. Officers soon observed two people with guns and chased the suspects.

Scene near 46th and Hampton, Milwaukee

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said an officer demanded one of the suspects, a 39-year-old male, drop the gun and the suspect refused, then gunfire was exchanged. Both the officer and the suspect were struck by gunfire.

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The second suspect, a 19-year-old male, was arrested without further incident and nobody else was injured.

Norman said the two guns were recovered.

Charges pending

Dig deeper

The injured officer is a 30-year-old male with over seven years of service. He was placed on leave, per routine.

Scene near 46th and Hampton, Milwaukee

The police chief noted both the officer and the 39-year-old were taken to the hospital for non-fatal injuries.

Charges against the two suspects will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

"You're too damn old"

What they're saying

Mayor Cavalier Johnson condemned the shooting.

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"Youre too damn old to be shooting at police officers at 39 years old," he said. "And worse, you have a 19-year-old kid with you? Youre supposed to be a role model."

Scene near 46th and Hampton, Milwaukee

Neighbor Jennifer Navarr's nerves were on edge.

"I want my children to be safe," she said. "I just want us all to be blessed, and all of our babies to come home every night."

"The Milwaukee Police Department sends our thoughts and prayers to our officer and wish him a speedy recovery," Norman said.

The Milwaukee Police Association provided the following statement:

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"The Milwaukee Police Association was deeply concerned to hear that a District 7 police officer was shot this evening during an incident at 46th and Hampton Ave. The officer was transported to the hospital where he is currently being treated for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. We are relieved to report that the officer is expected to make a full recovery.

This incident comes just hours after the MPA issued a press release highlighting critically low staffing levels in this very district. We warned that officers are being pushed beyond safe limits and that the safety of both the public and our officers is being compromised.

"Tonights events underscore the urgency of our message," said Alexander Ayala, president of the MPA. "Our officers are committed to protecting this community, but they are doing so at great personal risk. We must tend to our officers' well-beingnot just physically, but mentally and emotionally. That starts with proper staffing, support, and resources."

We commend the bravery of the officers who responded. The MPA is providing full support to the involved officers and their families, and we will continue advocating for the safety and health of all our members."

Full press conference

What you can do

The Source

FOX6 News was on the scene and got information from Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, as well as neighbors.
The Milwaukee police officer who was shot in an exchange of gunfire on June 12 has been released from the hospital less than 24 hours later.

Officer Sam Schwabenlander walked out of Froedtert Hospital the afternoon of June 13 to cheers from his fellow officers gathered outside the hospital. He was using crutches to walk and appeared to have a bandage on his left leg, according to a post from the Milwaukee Police Association.

Schwabenlander exchanged gunfire with a 39-year-old man in an alley near North 46th Street and West Hampton Avenue after patrolling the area following recent violent crime incidents along Hampton Avenue.

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Schwabenlander also shot the man in the exchange. Police said he has nonfatal injuries and was transported to a hospital.

Schwabenlander and his partner approached the man and a 19-year-old man following a report that they were "flashing guns," Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said June 13.

The two men fled and a short foot pursuit ensued before Schwabenlander caught up to the 39-year-old in an alley where gunfire was exchanged, according to police. The 19-year-old was also arrested and police said charges will be referred to the district attorney for both men.

Schwabenlander is on administrative duty as is routine in police shootings. The Milwaukee Police Department will make footage from the incident available within 15 days.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police officer shot June 12 walks out of hospital next day
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Two Milwaukie police officers who shot an unarmed suspect in the head, critically injuring him, were cleared of any criminal charges by a jury, authorities announced.

On September 30, 2024, the two officers were conducting a traffic stop in a Taco Bell parking lot when they pulled over 21-year-old Hunter Newton. Newton allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and resisted being physically removed from the car.

Rowena Fire was human-caused, wildland officials say

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During the course of the traffic stop, the officers shot him, with Newton being placed in critical condition at the hospital.

The Clackamas County District Attorneys Office investigated the incident, later announcing that Newton was not armed at the time. He was accused of driving with a misdemeanor suspended license, the DAs office said.

Newtons family later released a statement, saying he was shot in the head and that a bullet was lodged in his brain and was considered inoperable. He remained in critical condition three weeks after the shooting. Its unclear what Newtons current medical status is.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Hunter Newton and his family, and we recognize the deep and lasting impact this event has had, said Milwaukie Chief of Police Ryan Burdick. We do not take lightly the impact a significant use of force has on so many.

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3 arrested after lighting fire outside ICE building

The conclusion of the criminal investigation related to the officers shooting comes after the Clackamas District Attorneys Office asked the Oregon Department of Justice to assume prosecutorial responsibilities. The grand jury returned a not true bill, meaning they found that the officers had not committed crimes.

Though the criminal investigation has concluded, the Milwaukie Police Department said it will begin an internal administrative review of the incident as part of a use-of-force and policy 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 KOIN.com.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is making changes to her package of welfare reforms in an attempt to reassure Labour MPs who are considering rebelling against the plans.

Kendall has tried to soften the impact of planned benefits cuts worth 5bn a year by 2030 before MPs vote on the government's welfare changes.

The welfare reform bill will include proposals to make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim personal independence payment (Pip).

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The BBC has been told anybody who loses Pip will receive the payment for a transitional period of 13 weeks, rather than the usual four weeks, before it is removed.

Carer's allowance will continue to be paid during the 13-week transition, but will be ended when Pip is taken away.

Benefits recipients with the most severe health conditions will not be reassessed and will receive extra income support through a universal credit payment.

A scheme to give disabled people a right to try employment without the risk of losing their benefits will also be introduced at the same time as the welfare reform bill.

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Kendall has described these additions as "non-negotiable" protections, which will be added to the bill before it is published next week.

The protections were proposed in the government's Pathways to Work green paper and consulted on before Kendall decided to add them to the bill.

Kendall told the Guardian newspaper: "When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work.

"I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on.

"That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes.

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"These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable."

Labour discontent

The BBC understands the protections had been raised in discussions between ministers, Labour MPs and disability rights groups.

Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concerns about the plans to cut Pip payments and the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC).

Many have said they are prepared to vote against the primary legislation the government needs to pass to make the changes to welfare payments.

The welfare package as a whole could push an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty, according to the government's impact assessment.

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Neil Duncan-Jordan is one of 42 Labour MPs who wrote a letter that said the welfare reforms were "impossible to support" if changes were not made.

When asked what he made of the protections Kendall had added to the bill, Duncan-Jordan said: "Poverty delayed is still poverty."

Another discontented Labour MP, Ian Byrne, said: "After 14 weeks do the disabled and sick affected miraculously end the need for the vital assistance being taken away? An absolute nonsense."

And Labour MP Rachael Maskell said Kendall had "just restated the proposals in Pathways to Work with a three-month transition before people lose their support".

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She added: "It will therefore not change the material facts nor my intention to vote against."

Another Labour MP said the added protections will not stop dozens of his colleagues from opposing the bill.

"The whips are pushing very hard with MPs but it's not working," the Labour MP said.

But one supportive Labour MP, Alex Ballinger, said Kendall's protections sounded sensible.

"I welcome these steps on welfare reform," he said. "I know many living with health challenges have been anxious about the changes, and I hope these additional protections show that the government is listening.

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"I support reforms that provide people who want to work extra support to do so, while continuing to protect the most vulnerable."

Some Labour MPs used the government's U-turn on winter fuel payments to renew their calls for the planned benefit cuts to be reversed.

But on Thursday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government would not row back on the cuts.

"We're not going to be changing that," she told the BBC. "It is important that we reform the way the welfare state works."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it expects 3.2 million families  a mixture of current and future recipients - to lose out financially, as a result of the total package of measures, with an average loss of 1,720 per year.

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This includes 370,000 current Pip recipients who will no longer qualify and 430,000 future claimants who will get less than they would previously have been entitled to.

But ministers have stressed the figures do not factor in the government's plans to spend 1bn on helping the long-term sick and disabled back into work, or its efforts to reduce poverty.

Ministers hope these efforts will boost employment among benefits recipients, at a time when 2.8 million people are economically inactive due to long-term sickness.

If nothing changes, the health and disability benefits bill is forecast to reach 70bn a year by the end of the decade, a level of spending the government says is "unsustainable".

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The government is planning to put the welfare reforms in place by November 2026 and no one will lose out on benefits payments until that happens.
Photo via Getty Images

Shondiin Silversmith and the Arizona Mirror took home three awards in the Indigenous Journalists Associations annual journalism contest.

Silversmith, who began working for the Mirror covering Arizonas Indigenous communities in 2021, was honored on June 12 for her work covering the continuing fallout from the states sober living home fraud crisis, the challenges that Indigenous voters face when heading to the polls and the role that tribal culture plays for 2SLGTBQ+ people.

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She was awarded first place for Best Editorial in the IJA contests professional category for her reporting on the Election Day challenges that Navajo voters had to overcome in order to cast their ballots in 2024. Through the course of her reporting on the days activities, Silversmith spent nearly 10 hours in her car and logged more than 250 miles as she visited just 10 polling locations.

On average, the polling stations within the Navajo Nation are about 20 to 30 miles apart, depending on the part of the reservation you live in. But there are places where people may have to drive up to an hour  one way  just to vote, she wrote.

Silversmith also earned a second place for Best Longform/Magazine Story for her continued coverage of the challenges Native people and communities are facing because of the massive Medicaid fraud that victimized tribal members and that state leaders turned a blind eye to for years.

For the story, she followed volunteers who scoured the streets of Phoenix to find people who had been displaced after the sober living homes they were living in were abruptly shut down when officials cracked down on the Medicaid fraud. Were going through genocide, one of the activists told her about how bad the crisis has gotten.

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And she was honored with another second place award for Best Two-Spirit Coverage  an Indigenous term that broadly encompasses LGBTQ+ people  for her reporting on Pride celebrations in tribal communities across Arizona, from the large Navajo Nation to the tiny Hualapai Tribe.

Its really good to be able to see our own people coming together, not only to celebrate pride but to celebrate their own people that live and work in their community, one Tohono Oodham celebrant told her.

The Indigenous Journalists Association, which was formed in 1983 and originally known as the Native American Press Association, serves and empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. Its annual journalism contest recognizes excellence in coverage of Indigenous communities and issues that directly affect Native peoples.

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MEXICO CITY, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that she has reiterated opposition to ongoing immigration raids in the United States, saying the measures were counterproductive to the U.S. economy.

At her daily morning press conference, Sheinbaum informed reporters of her meeting with visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Wednesday.

The president said the two spoke about several issues, including crime, immigration, trade, and "the defense of our migrant brothers and sisters."

"We oppose the use of raids to detain people working honestly in the United States," she added, noting the raids "would harm not only the people, but the economy of the U.S."

It was "a good meeting" that highlighted the importance of strengthening the relationship between the two countries and peoples, said Sheinbaum. 
The Palm Beach resident who claimed the Miss Florida USA crown in May is no stranger to competing in beauty pageants  or winning them.

Lou Schieffelin, 25, a longtime professional model, aspiring pilot and director of marketing for a prominent Palm Beach real estate agent, secured her second crown on the Miss USA circuit on May 25. She previously was the 2018 Miss Florida Teen USA.

The title comes one year after Schieffelin finished as second runner-up in the Miss Florida USA pageant. She will represent Florida at the Miss USA 2025 competition this fall, though a date and location have not been set.

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The Miss USA winner represents the United States at the Miss Universe competition, which will be held in November in Thailand.

Here are five things to know about Miss Florida USA 2025 Lou Schieffelin:

Miss Florida USA 2025 was raised in Connecticut

Schieffelin, who celebrated her 25th birthday June 7, spent her childhood in Greenwich, Connecticut, a city of 63,000 in the southwest corner of the state.

She moved to Winter Park as a teenager and attended The First Academy in Orlando, where she played on the school's varsity volleyball team. Schieffelin went on to graduate from the University of Florida.

Lou Schieffelin began her modeling career as a child

Lou Schieffelin begins a year-long reign as Miss Florida USA after winning the crown May 25 in Orlando.

Schieffelin has been a professional model for 16 years, following in her mom Stacey's footsteps.

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Stacey Schieffelin was a cover, catalog and runway model for more than 20 years, and she was instrumental in getting Lou and her sister, Knox, into modeling at a young age.

As a child, Lou Schieffelin appeared on the cover of American Girl magazine, and she went on to work with brands like Ralph Lauren, Max Mara and Oscar de la Renta.

Schieffelin said she has stepped away "a bit" from modeling, but she remains grateful for what it has offered her during the past 16 years.

"It's been an amazing experience," she said.

Miss Florida USA 2025 moved to Palm Beach "on a whim"

While holding the Miss Florida Teen USA title, Lou Schieffelin was active in community outreach throughout Florida.

Schieffelin relocated to Palm Beach a year ago, moving in with a friend.

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She joined Margit Brandt's real estate office team as a director of marketing and licensed executive assistant, a role she told the Daily News she really enjoys.

"She's obviously been very successful on the island," Schieffelin said of Brandt, who is affiliated with Premier Estate Properties. "I feel very honored to even be on the team."

Lou Schieffelin is training to become a licensed private pilot

Both of Schieffelin's grandfathers were involved in aviation. One was a B-17 fighter pilot in World War II, and the other was a U.S. Army paratrooper.

"Planes are kind of in my family, and I'm grateful to be able to continue the legacy," she said.

Miss Florida USA 2025 comes from a cattle-ranching family

Schieffelin's grandfather, Ed Stetler, operates a general livestock farm in Lakeland, and Schieffelin often visited during her childhood.

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"I definitely was dirty more than I was clean when I was little," she said. "I grew up in the mud. We were kind of in that southern tradition, like respect and hospitality and good business and handshakes. I'm grateful for my grandfather for raising me and my sister that way."

Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miss Florida USA 2025: Facts on Lou Schieffelin in Palm Beach
A missile fired from Yemen has struck the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the Israeli military said Friday.

The missile landed in the vicinity of Hebron without Israeli air defences firing any interceptor missiles, it said in a statement. Sirens sounded in the region.

The incident is still being investigated by the military, the statement added.

According to the Red Crescent rescue service, three Palestinian children were wounded by shrapnel. No reports of damage were initially available.

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The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen did not initially comment. It is possible that the attack was a response to Israel's major strikes on targets in Iran.

Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have launched repeated rocket and drone attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel has regularly responded with airstrikes on Yemen.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), awarded more than $3.1 million to airports in Mississippi.

The following awards were announced:

Carthage-Leake County Airport  Carthage, MS

Amount: $404,519

Construction of a new 9,500 sq. ft. sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage, helping the airport become more self-sustaining.

Ruleville-Drew Airport  Drew, MS

Amount: $506,988

Construction of a new 2,013-foot paved Taxiway A to meet current FAA standards.

Grenada Municipal Airport  Grenada, MS

Amount: $595,646

Reconstruction of Runway 13/31 and Taxiway A lighting and signage, replacing infrastructure that has reached the end of its useful life.

Fletcher Field  Clarksdale, MS

Amount: $150,000

Installation of a new Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) Type III-P/T to provide accurate, site-specific weather information.

C.A. Moore Airport  Lexington, MS

Amount: $106,099

Reconstruction of the existing soil foundation to address erosion control issues at the end of their useful life.

Indianola Municipal Airport  Indianola, MS

Amount: $97,800

Reconstruction of 120 feet of perimeter fencing and gates, along with improvements to the Taxiway A safety area.

Greenville Mid-Delta Airport  Greenville, MS

Amount: $186,000

Rehabilitation of 2,000 feet of Taxiway B pavement. This grant funds the first phase of the project, which consists of design.

Hawkins Field  Jackson, MS

Amount: $158,334

Rehabilitation of 133,333 square yards of west apron pavement. This award funds a portion of the total project.

John Bell Williams Airport  Raymond, MS

Amount: $450,000

Resealing of 6,495 feet of Taxiway A and 5,499 feet of Runway 12/30 pavement at this nonprimary airport to extend pavement life.

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All projects are funded through the FAAs Airport Infrastructure Grant Program.

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The Missouri state flag is seen flying outside the Missouri State Capitol Building on Jan. 17, 2021 in Jefferson City (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images).

June is a significant time for mens health.

In addition to Fathers Day on Sunday, June is both Mens Health Month and Mens Mental Health Month, and includes both Juneteenth and LGBTQ Pride. All this provides a great opportunity to reflect on the challenges that men and boys face and how we can better support their health and well-being.

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And it should be more than just celebrating fathers or reminding men to get their check-ups. We must take a closer look at how our state and society are supporting the lives of boys and men and consider whether Missouri is ready to take a new step by establishing a Commission on Boys and Men.

A growing conversation is taking place across the country.

In community meetings, classrooms, and places of worship, people are quietly naming a set of challenges that have been building for years. Nationally, boys are struggling in school. Young men are disconnected from work or education. Fathers are trying to stay involved but feeling shut out by systems. Men experiencing mental health crises in silence.

These are not new problems, but we are finally starting to acknowledge them out loud. These stories cross racial, economic and geographic lines. And they matter  not just for the people involved, but for families and communities who need boys and men to be healthy, present and supported.

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A statewide Commission on Boys and Men would allow Missouri to examine these same issues through a community-based lens. We could begin to chart a path forward by gathering data, listening deeply, and elevating voices. The commission would bring together researchers, community leaders, practitioners, and people with lived experiences to study the challenges boys and men face and recommend impactful solutions.

The commission would ask questions that too often go unspoken in policymaking: How do we help young boys thrive in schools? How do we better support fathers who are struggling? What would it look like to create mental health services that men are more likely to use?

The State of Missouri has councils, committees, and departments that help children, women, veterans and older adults. These organized groups recognize the importance of addressing specific needs and developing solutions tailored to these populations. A commission focused on boys and men would help fill a gap in how we understand and respond to urgent issues.

To be clear: Supporting boys and men doesnt mean turning away from the needs of women and girls.

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In fact, the health and well-being of men is closely connected to the health of families and communities. When boys are supported in school, it creates better classroom environments for everyone. When men are healthier and more emotionally engaged, their partners and children benefit. When fathers are involved, children are more likely to do well across a range of outcomes.

To achieve this goal, we must accept that things can be complex. We have to be willing to talk about gender and identity, social isolation, economic shifts and generational trauma  without judgment, but with respect and compassion.

We have to ask what it means for men to seek help, express emotions, and build relationships in a culture that has not always encouraged them to do so. And we have to be ready to design policies that reflect these complex realities.

Other states and cities have already started this work. The State of Washington has a grassroots campaign to pass legislation. California established a Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in 2011. Cities like Washington, D.C. and Boston have launched initiatives to support boys and men.

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And this year, the Missouri House passed legislation to establish the Missouri Fathership Project with the state social services department to promote fathership and empower fathers to become successful in fathership, though the bill died in the Senate.

Missouri could be among the first states in the Midwest to take this seriously, to say, We see you. We hear you. And we are committed to understanding whats happening and what needs to change.

As we observe Fathers Day and Mens Health Month, we have an opportunity to shift the narrative. We can create a new story. To move beyond short-term programs and one-off initiatives and toward a more intentional, informed, and inclusive approach. A Commission on Boys and Men wouldnt just be a policy win. It would be a turning point.

Maybe this June, in between cookouts and celebrations, we can take a moment to ask: What would it look like to truly support boys and men in Missouri? And what might change if we tried?

Thats a question worth exploring. And a commission could help us find the answers.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) on Thursday declared a state of emergency and activated the states National Guard in anticipation of protests across the state  and in response to civil unrest across the country.

Missouri Executive Order 25-25 declares a State of Emergency and allows the Adjutant General to order service members to aid state officials.

The order comes after the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri National Guard and Missouri Department of Public Safety established a Unified Command to monitor situations across the state and prepare local law enforcement.

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Additionally, the order also declares that the Adjutant General may employ necessary equipment to support authorities and provide assistance.

While nationwide protests continue to flare up in response to the Trump administrations immigration policies, Kehoe said his order is purely precautionary.

We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state, the governor said.

While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities, he added.

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To read Kehoes full order, click here.

Blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas Office shared a statement Thursday regarding the mayors concerns about Gov. Kehoes decision.

Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouris urban streets, the statement reads. The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago.

For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions, it continues. Unnecessary escalation from our nations capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe.

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Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune (D-Kansas City) also responded Thursday, saying the governors actions are unwarranted:

Governor Kehoes preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights, she wrote in a statement.

The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the presidents unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies, the state lawmaker added. By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) too condemned the governors actions, calling it an unnecessary provocation.

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Governor Kehoes decision to activate Missouris National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent, the ACLU wrote. The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right.

It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions, the union added. We emphasize attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another.

Lucas also posted on social platform X after California Sen. Alex Padilla (D) was forcibly removed from a press conference on Thursday.

One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful, he wrote.

We will not allow what is going on in LA to happen in Missouri

Other state officials have commended Kehoe for his actions.

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U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Mo.) said the governor is sending a strong message.

We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State, Alford wrote on x.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey thanked Kehoe for taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness weve seen across our country does not reach our state.

We will not allow what is going on in LA to happen in Missouri, Bailey wrote on X.

California protests

On President Trumps order, thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines were deployed to Los Angeles following protests in response to the administrations enforcement of immigration laws.

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This has prompted Los Angeles officials to enforce curfews. Gov. Gavin Newsom accused the president of abusing his authority.

In addition to protests nationwide, activists are also planning No Kings events across the country Saturday to coincide with the presidents planned military parade in Washington.

In Kansas City, a No Kings Rally will be held Saturday at the Country Club Plaza from noon to 3 p.m.

Texas has also readied roughly 5,000 National Guard troops ahead of expected protests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The length of the waitlist is up by over 40% from a year ago and over 80% from 2023 (Darrin Klimek/Getty Images).

The number of Missourians languishing in jail while they wait for a spot in a state-run psychiatric hospital continues to climb, with nearly 450 people stuck in limbo in need of mental health treatment.

Individuals on the waitlist have been charged with crimes but not convicted. Many are detained for longer than they would be if theyd received the maximum sentence for their charges.

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The length of the waitlist is up by over 40% from a year ago and over 80% from 2023, according to the latest figure provided during a monthly Mental Health Commission meeting on Thursday and data previously received by The Independent.

Nora Bock, director of the behavioral health division of the Missouri Department of Mental Health, said the silver lining of the situation is that more individuals have begun receiving care through a pilot program the legislature passed in 2023, which brings treatment to the jails. There are 18 individuals currently enrolled in that program, Bock said, so this is good movement.

People on the waitlist were arrested, found incompetent to stand trial and ordered into mental health treatment designed to allow them to have their day in court  a process called competency restoration that generally includes therapy and medication. Their cases are on hold while they wait for competency restoration.

The average wait time in Missouri has held steady at 14 months, Bock said.

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There have been successful lawsuits in several other states arguing that months-long wait times for competency restoration is a violation of due process and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The consequences can be fatal.

Last month, a 64-year-old named Timothy Beckmann, who had been found incompetent to stand trial and been waiting for months for treatment, was found unresponsive in the Jackson County Detention Center and brought to a hospital where he was declared dead.

In the seven months he spent in pretrial detention, Beckmanns mental and physical health deteriorated, public defenders involved in the case told The Independent after his death.

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The Department of Mental Health previously declined to answer questions, citing patient privacy laws, and Bock didnt mention Beckmann in her presentation. The Jackson County sheriffs office is still investigating Beckmanns death and the medical examiners office hasnt concluded its report yet, a spokesperson for the sheriff told The Independent Thursday.

The legislature in 2023 passed several measures in an attempt to ameliorate the waitlist. Those have been slow to get off the ground. Some of the remedies are years away, such as a new psychiatric hospital being built in Kansas City.

Bock said that there are two individuals receiving outpatient competency restoration now  meaning they were charged with low-level offenses and deemed safe enough to receive treatment in their community  and I do anticipate that as we work with our other stakeholders that well see that that increases over time. Advocates have raised concern that patients are rarely referred to community-based treatment.

There are more patients in the pipeline: 61 people were evaluated and found incompetent who are waiting to be court ordered into DMH custody, Bock said. There are 213 open pretrial evaluations, of which Bock said the department expects around half to be found incompetent.

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The waitlist is a result of limited bed capacity, workforce and a lack of community placements, officials have told lawmakers, as well as a surge in the number of court-ordered competency evaluations.

Bock shared staffing data during the presentation as well. The group with the highest vacancy rate across state psychiatric hospitals is social workers, at 71%.

This is across our system, so it will vary by facility, but thats a pretty staggering number for us to deal with, Bock said. She said Fulton State Hospital struggles the most with staffing, with one-quarter of their direct care positions open, and a Kansas City hospital called the Center for Behavioral Medicine struggles the least, which Bock attributed to the job market and population.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
I wish more commonwealths attorneys would heed my call to listen to victims. Too many havent, Attorney General Jason Miyares said in an interview with The Mercury this week. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

As protests erupt again in Los Angeles over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and President Donald Trumps deployment of U.S. Marines to back up the National Guard, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares isnt blinking.

Its not unprecedented, Miyares, who is seeking a second term as Virginias top law enforcement official, said of Trumps decision to send troops to the streets. President George H.W. Bush did it in 1992 during the L.A. riots. Twice the number of Marines were deployed then.

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In a wide-ranging interview at his office in Richmond earlier this week, Miyares, the son of a Cuban refugee and the first Hispanic Virginian elected statewide, insisted that whats happening in California is the result of leadership failure.

This is about protecting facilities and backing up law enforcement  not policing, he said, emphasizing that peaceful protest is a hallmark of democracy, but violence is not. When you cross the line  that is not protest, that is violence.

In the interview, Miyares defended the use of force in Los Angeles, spoke at length about his offices crime-fighting initiatives and touted settlements with corporate polluters and opioid makers. He also fielded questions on civil rights enforcement, voting access, utility regulation and his complex views on criminal justice reform.

Democrats, not surprisingly, remain deeply skeptical of Miyares record.

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Carolyn Fiddler, spokeswoman for the Democratic Attorneys General Association, dismissed his claims of prioritizing public safety.

Throughout his time as AG, MAGA Miyares continuously put politics before people, Fiddler said in an email. While he touts his tough on crime stance, hes failed to call out Donald Trump and Elon Musk for blatant violations of the law  including those actions with devastating impacts on the commonwealth. Virginians deserve better than Miyares, and we will take back the seat this year.

And while critics accuse him of being more focused on punishment than reform, Miyares says his approach is guided by listening, law enforcement feedback, and a victim-first mindset.

From Virginia Beach to the statewide stage

Born in Greensboro, North Carolina and raised in Virginia Beach, Miyares, 49, earned his law degree from the College of William & Mary and worked as a prosecutor before running for office.

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In 2015, he became the first Cuban American elected to Virginias General Assembly. Six years later, he unseated Democratic incumbent Mark Herring to become attorney general, winning on a platform centered around public safety.

Now, as he runs for reelection, Miyares is highlighting what he calls some of the biggest public safety and civil litigation wins in Virginia history. But hes also navigating internal GOP rifts, pressure from both the right and the center, and a polarized electorate thats increasingly skeptical of tough-on-crime rhetoric.

I think one of the most important things for a leader to do is just listen, Miyares said.

Since taking office in 2022, Miyares has zeroed in on violent crime. He calls Operation Ceasefire, a grant-driven program launched in 13 Virginia cities, one of his proudest achievements. The initiative funds a mix of prevention, intervention, and prosecution strategies aimed at repeat violent offenders.

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We saw a 66% drop in the murder rate across the 13 cities, Miyares said. Virginias statewide murder rate fell by a third. We also saw a decline in overdose deaths  because were getting fentanyl dealers off the street.

The program, he insists, is based on listening tours he conducted with police and community leaders around the state. Roughly 5% of felons commit over 50% of violent crimes. If you want to lower crime, you go after that small subset.

Still, sustaining the initiative may prove difficult amid budget fights. I wish we could expand Operation Ceasefire to more cities, Miyares acknowledged, hinting that local buy-in has been mixed. I wish more commonwealths attorneys would heed my call to listen to victims. Too many havent.

When asked whether his office has done enough to address police misconduct, Miyares pointed to his 2023 settlement with the Town of Windsor, where officers had unlawfully stopped and threatened a Black Army lieutenant.

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You can be pro-law enforcement and still demand accountability, he said. Theyre the only ones with a monopoly on violence in our society  they should be held to a higher standard.

He added that oversight takes time. We want to be thorough and systematic. And yes, if any other department crosses that boundary, well get involved.

That approach hasnt stopped critics from accusing Miyares of being too soft on departments that violate civil rights  an accusation he flatly rejects. The facts dont support that claim, he said.

Still, Miyares makes clear that his office prioritizes public safety above political fashion. I will not support a criminal-first, victim-last mindset, he said. Weve heard a lot about reform, but rarely do you hear the word victim in those debates. That ends with me.

Taking on corporations

Miyares has also overseen a wave of settlements that he says bring real change to communities.

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Weve secured over $1.3 billion from opioid manufacturers and distributors, he said. Some of that money, he said, helped open a new inpatient treatment center in Abingdon  the first of its kind within a 100-mile radius.

He emphasized that the money is managed by Virginias Opioid Abatement Authority, not his office, to ensure transparency and local tailoring. What works in Fairfax may not work in Galax. But this is the largest influx of treatment funding in state history.

On environmental enforcement, Miyares points to an $80 million settlement with Monsanto over PCB pollution and multiple other actions, including prosecuting illegal landfills and forcing remediation of oil spills and raw sewage discharges. Our environmental law section has been incredibly active, he said. Were thorough, were relentless, and were the peoples protector.

That populist posture extends to corporations. Miyares boasts of taking on utility giants and the Washington Commanders alike. We got a bigger settlement from the Commanders than D.C. and Maryland combined, he said, referring to the $1.3 million paid over unlawfully withheld ticket deposits.

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And in 2023, his office negotiated changes to Dominion Energys offshore wind plan. We got them to share $3 billion of the risk, instead of placing it all on the ratepayers, he said. Before us, Virginians were on the hook for 100% of that cost.

But his critics say his record on housing and regulation is mixed. Miyares counters that protecting property rights doesnt preclude enforcing civil rights.

I dont think those are mutually exclusive, he said. We secured the largest housing discrimination verdict in Virginias history  $750,000 to two families evicted because one member was Black. And were making sure bad actors are held accountable, without choking off affordable housing through overregulation.

Elections, energy and political calculations

Early into his tenure, Miyares established an Election Integrity Unit, which he said ensures voter rolls are accurate. Launched in September 2022 with no new funding, the unit is tasked with investigating election-law violations and safeguarding voting integrity. It successfully issued a ceaseanddesist against misleading mailers sent by Look Ahead America  an action upheld by a federal appeals court.

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While Miyares touts the unit as crucial to preventing fraud, no actual voter fraud has been identified, leading watchdogs like the NAACP to criticize the unit as more reflective of political signaling than prosecutorial gain.

I can cite several Virginia elections decided by a handful of votes. It should be easy to vote, hard to cheat, he said, rejecting the notion that voter ID laws are a means of suppression. I cannot get a library card without an ID. Voter ID is not controversial.

In the interview, Miyares wouldnt commit to refraining from prosecuting voters accidentally registered in error, noting that knowingly voting as a non-citizen could still result in legal action. Theyd have to fear prosecution if they go knowing theyre a non-citizen, he said.

Miyares, along with Youngkin, has repeatedly challenged Virginias ties to Californias environmental standards, particularly on electric vehicles.

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Tying ourselves to California is a fools errand, he said. Their regulations are being dictated by an unelected air board. The average EV costs $68,000. Thats a tax on working-class Virginians.

He said Virginia needs to expand its baseload energy capacity, not rely on intermittent sources like wind and solar. I want electric bills to go down. Tying ourselves to California ensures they go up.

Despite this skepticism, Miyares defended his record on climate enforcement, including recent court victories over solar and wind energy permits. We are enforcing the law  just not surrendering to mandates that hurt working people.

Miyares has also made second chances a talking point, holding job fairs for formerly incarcerated Virginians. But he remains skeptical of broader criminal justice reforms, including eliminating mandatory minimums.

Theyre an effective tool, he said. They help us go after repeat violent offenders and keep them off the streets.

He argued that justice reform must be victim-centered.

Too many of these conversations leave out the victims entirely. Theyve been through trauma, theyve testified under oath in a courtroom full of strangers, and they deserve to know the system protects them.

When asked if he supports GOP lieutenant governor nominee John Reid, whose campaign was embroiled in scandal earlier this spring, Miyares replied simply, I support Republicans. Despite Youngkins attempts to nudge Reid from the race, Miyares said he respects the governors judgment  but John Reid is our nominee.

Looking to the 2025 election, Miyares said hes proudest of the states drop in fentanyl death  46%, more than double the national average. There are Virginians alive today because of our work, he said.

If reelected, he said, hed expand Operation Ceasefire and continue pressing commonwealths attorneys to prioritize victims.

I have said before, I will not support a criminal first, victim last mindset. And I find it amazing that whenever we have these great discussions about criminal justice reform, the one word that you never hear is victims, Miyares said.

Denying the voice of victims is not something Ill ever find acceptable.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson is asking Governor Mike Kehoe to call for a new session with a focus on increases to property tax assessments across the state.

I do intend to appoint an interim committee to focus especially on property taxes, Patterson said.

Patterson claims the property tax hikes are an issue in Jackson County, one of Missouris counties that encompass the Kansas City region.

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This is a huge problem, he said. I would say it goes to crisis levels.

Patterson said he would like to see a property tax session later this year.

I would call on the governor, during our September veto session, to concurrently have a session for legislation that would address the property tax problem, Patterson said.

Kehoe is expected to sign legislation from this months special session into law this weekend.

The governor will head to France next week for a trade mission.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) U.S. Dermatology Partners and the Skin Cancer Foundation will provide free skin cancer screenings for residents of Tyler in June.

Tyler City Council approves resolution to add new path connecting parts of the city

On June 16 and 17, the Skin Cancer Foundations mobile clinic will offer free screenings at the Tyler Senior Center between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Destination Healthy Skins education program has provided skin cancer screenings and skin cancer education across the country.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Parks and Rec

Photo courtesy of Skin Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of Tyler Parks and Rec

Photo courtesy of Tyler Parks and Rec

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The mobile clinic features two private exam rooms and volunteers who perform the screenings. Several board-certified dermatologists will participate in the screenings and no registration is required with screenings being first-come, first-serve basis. Education about sun safety and early skin cancer detection will also be offered.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.






NEED TO KNOW

Darrian Randle, 31, is facing murder and child abuse charges, per Maryland State Police (MSP)

The mom previously alleged that her daughter was kidnapped on Tuesday, June 10, according to a New Castle County Police Facebook post

A second suspect, Cedrick Antoine Britten, 44, has also been arrested and is facing charges including accessory to first and second-degree murder







A mother has been charged with murder after previously claiming that her 3-year-old daughter had been kidnapped, according to police.

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On Wednesday, June 11, Maryland State Police (MSP) stated in a news release that Darrian Randle, 31, had been arrested and "charged with first and second-degree murder, first degree of child abuse resulting in death of a minor under thirteen, and other related criminal charges," in connection with the disappearance of her 3-year-old daughter, Nola Dinkins.

Randle, of Newark, Delaware, previously alleged that on the evening of Tuesday, June 10, "she had pulled over after Nola became upset and was attempting to comfort her when an unknown white male armed with a handgun approached the vehicle and took Nola. The suspect then fled in a dark-colored SUV driven by a white female," the New Castle County Police (NCCPD) said in a news release shared on Facebook on Wednesday.

"An Amber Alert was issued for 3-year-old Nola, prompting an overnight investigation by the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit and the FBI. Detectives later determined Darrians account was false," the news release continued.

New Castle County Police/Facebook Darrian Randle Darrian Randle

Police said the Amber Alert was canceled earlier on Wednesday, adding that the case, which was turned over to the MSP, was now being investigated as a homicide. The NCCPD confirmed Randle has also been charged with one count of felony falsely reporting.

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The MSP said in Wednesday's release that a second person, Cedrick Antoine Britten, 44, of North East, Maryland, has also been arrested. He has been "charged with accessory to first and second-degree murder after the fact, failure to report child death, and other related criminal charges," per the Facebook post.

Britten is Randle's boyfriend, according to ABC-affiliate station WPVI, citing police.

National Center For Missing and Endangered Nola Dinkins Nola Dinkins

The MSP stated human remains were found on Wednesday afternoon, but the body, consistent with that of a young child, was yet to be identified.

"The New Castle County Division of Police requested Maryland State Police to respond to Randles last known address in North East where they made contact with Britten. Further investigation led to potential criminal activity which subsequently led to the recovery of human remains in a vacant lot in North East, Maryland," per the MSP news release.

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"At 1:45 p.m. [local time] today, investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit located human remains consistent with that of a young child. Positive identification of the remains is pending autopsy results by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore," the release continued.

The MSP added in the release, "Randle is currently in police custody at the New Castle County Division of Police awaiting extradition," while "Britten is in police custody in Maryland and awaiting transport to the Cecil County District Court for an initial appearance."

The NCCPD said on Facebook that Randle had been "committed to the Baylor Womens Correctional Institution in lieu of $1,000,000 cash bail."

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A preliminary court hearing for Randle has been scheduled for Monday, June 23, according to online inmate records.

The MSP didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.



Read the original article on People






NEED TO KNOW

Authorities in Hamilton, New Jersey, are investigating a murder-suicide where Fernando Mercado allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Claribel Torres, and her 10-year-old daughter, Evangelina Velasquez, before taking his own life

Evangelinas father, Bladimir Velasquez, had been concerned about his daughters safety

Bladimir has started a GoFundMe for funeral expenses and expressed his deep grief over the loss







Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide in New Jersey after a man allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and her daughter before taking his own life.

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10-year-old Evangelina Velasquez was with her mother, Claribel Torres, 42, and Fernando Mercado, 42, when Hamilton police officers found the three dead inside Mercados home after responding to a 911 call around 4 a.m., NJ.com reported, citing police.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene per the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

Our community is grieving an unimaginable tragedy involving the untimely deaths of three people, including a 10-year-old girl, township Mayor Jeff Martin said to NJ.com. On behalf of Hamilton Township, I extend my prayers to their family members, friends, and neighbors.

gofundme

Evangelinas father, Bladimir Velasquez, said that two other children were also in the home at the time of the shooting but were not harmed, CBS News reported.

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Bladimir said he was already concerned for his daughters safety and was waiting for an upcoming court date, per the outlet. I went to child services for a very long time, and it was always one court after another; they kept rescheduling, he said.

Bladimir told CBS that his daughter, a fourth grader at Foundation Academy Charter School in Trenton, loved to swim and was always decisive.

She was always very clever, strong fighter, from when she was born, always active, never stopped moving, he said, per the outlet, adding that she always knew what she wanted. If we were in Disneyland and she wanted to take that ride and not this one, no matter what anybody said, she was going to follow her instincts.

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Bladimir started a GoFundMe to raise money for his 10-year-old daughters funeral expenses.

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She was murdered by her stepfather while defending her mother and brothers, he wrote in the post. Eva was the oldest sister, just beginning to rise, loved by everyone, and will be missed by friends and family and never forgotten. I love and miss my baby forever.

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.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Gombojav Zandanshatar looks on during a meeting with his counterpart in the Hungarian parliament in Budapest on March 6, 2024. Credit - Tibor IllyesMTI/AP

Its either a triumph for people power or a worrying lurch towards authoritarianism, depending on whom you ask, but Mongolia has a new Prime Minister: Zandanshatar Gombojav, a Russian-educated former banker who previously served as Foreign Minister, Chief of the Cabinet Secretariat, and speaker of the State Great Khural parliament.

I will work forward, not backward, Zandanshatar told the State Great Khural, whose lawmakers overwhelmingly approved his elevation to the premiership by 108 out of the 117 members present. By respecting unity, we will overcome this difficult economic situation.

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Theyre economic woes that contributed to the downfall of outgoing Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, who belongs to the same Mongolian Peoples Party (MPP) but quit after failing to receive sufficient backing in a June 3 confidence vote he called to quell popular protests demanding his ouster.

For several weeks, thousands of predominantly young demonstrators have thronged central Ulaanbaatars Sukhbaatar Square in outrage at the lavish displays of wealth that Oyun-Erdenes son and fiancee posted on social media, including helicopter rides, an expensive engagement ring, a luxury car, and designer handbags.

The crowds called for Oyun-Erdene to disclose his personal finances, but he declined saying that they had already been provided to the nations Anti-Corruption Agency, as required by law. However, public trust in that body and the wider judiciary is scant following a slew of high-profile graft scandals coupled with a conspicuous lack of prosecutions or accountability.

Oyun-Erdene was the one who was talking about morals, transparency, and corruption, protest leader Unumunkh Jargalsaikhan, 27, tells TIME. But Mongolia is actually degrading when it comes to the economy and freedoms. The corruption scandal was just the spark.

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Unumunkh blames rising living costs and torpid wages for driving public anger, especially among young people. Mongolia is facing an economic crunch with government spending rising 20% year-on-year for the first four months of 2025 but goods exports falling by 13% over the same period, owed not least to a 39% decline in coal exports. Still, Oyun-Erdene was dismissive of the protesters and in a statement instead blamed a web of interests, tangled like a spiders web for toppling him.

Oyun-Erdenes supporters say his ouster had three drivers: Firstly, and with a dash of irony, his relentless pursuit of official graft, including a draft law his cabinet just submitted that would compel all public officials to justify their income.

Secondly, last years updated Minerals Law, which puts 34% of the equity of strategic minesdefined as producing over 5% of GDPinto a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Today, nine of Mongolias 16 strategic deposits are privately owned by influential industrialist families. Those private companies are very unhappy and completely opposed to 34% belonging to the state, says Jargalsaikhan Dambadarjaa, a Mongolian broadcaster and political commentator.

Read More: The Promise of Nuclear Energy Brings the West to Mongolia

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The third alleged driver is more contentious: that Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh deviously undermined Oyun-Erdene in order to change the constitution to boost presidential powers and extend term limits from the single, six-year stint currently permitted.

True, incoming Prime Minister Zandanshatars most recent posting was as chief-of-staff to Khurelsukh, who chose to give a midnight speech to the State Great Khural on the eve of Oyun-Erdenes no-confidence vote that urged lawmakers to represent their constituents rather than a single political leader. Despite the MPP having enough lawmakers to reach the 64-vote threshold required to save Oyun-Erdene, his own party deserted him, with the secret ballot totaling just 44 votes for, 38 against.

Oyun-Erdenes camp paints Khurelsukh as an aspiring autocrat intent on aligning Mongolia with authoritarian neighbors China and Russia, noting how he hosted Vladimir Putin in Ulaanbaatar in September, flouting an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, and also attended Moscows Victory Day Parade in May. A doctored photo depicting Khurelsukh as having commissioned a giant golden statue of himself in the manner resembling a Central Asian despot is doing the rounds on social media.

However, this narrative has some problems. Gladhanding Putin is a political necessity for landlocked Mongolia, whose 3.5 million population relies on Moscow for 90% of imported gas and petroleum and is completely beholden to Russia for security. Turning up in September was Putin showing the rest of the world his middle finger, says Prof. Julian Dierkes, a Mongolia expert at the University of Mannheim in Germany. There was no option for Mongolia to say no.

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Moreover, Khurelsukh has proven an internationalist, first addressing the U.N. General Assembly soon after his inauguration in 2021 and returning every year since. (His predecessor, Khaltmaagiin Battulga, rarely showed up.) While not outright condemning Russias aggression in Ukraine, Khurelsukhs latest UNGA address in September did pointedly voice opposition to using force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state.

Khurelsukh has also repeatedly gone on record to oppose amending the constitution, which was just updated in 2019 to strengthen the legislative branch. Honestly, there isnt a lot of worry about the President trying to stay in power, says Bolor Lkhaajav, a Mongolian political analyst and commentator. Dierkes agrees: I call baloney on the evil President thesis.

Its also a thesis that completely ignores the concerns of the Sukhbaatar Square protesters while presuming that things in Mongolia were otherwise rosy and improving under Oyun-Erdene. However, Mongolias score on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index had fallen from 35 out of 100 when he came to power in 2021 to just 33 last year. Meanwhile, human-rights groups have condemned the prosecution of peaceful protesters and prominent journalists under his watch. Mongolias press freedom ranking dropped to 109 out of 180 countries last year, down from 88 in 2023, according to Reporters Without Borders.

On corruption, hes taken rhetorical actions, Dierkes says of Oyun-Erdene. And on democracy promotion, hes taken negative actions. He is no democracy warrior.

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Moreover, while Zandanshatar is clearly close to the President, he is by no means a lacky, being a highly educated career politiciana former visiting scholar at Stanfordwith his own power base. Still, what Zandanshatars rise to the premiership means for Mongolia going forward is a big question.

A married father-of-four, Zandanshatar, 55, developed a reputation as a thoughtful, steady speaker of parliament. Following his posting at Stanford, he returned enthused about deliberative polling, which was subsequently employed to gauge public opinion prior to the 2019 constitutional amendment. Zandanshatar does, however, have a democratic deficit given hes one of the few senior MPP figures not to have won a seat in the 2024 election, though he had been elected three times previously.

Although choosing a non-lawmaker as Prime Minister is not unprecedented, Dierkes fears this may serve as a legitimacy achilles heel should the winds turn against him. Jargalsaikhan also notes Zandanshatar was one of the proponents of Mongolias 2006 windfall tax on copper and gold mining profits. (The 68% levythe worlds highestwas repealed in 2009 after decimating investor confidence.)

Oyun-Erdene had earmarked 14 new mega projects to boost economic growth, including a major expansion of renewable energy and cross-border railway connections with China, which receives 90% of Mongolian exports. He also promised to diversify the countrys economy, which is heavily dependent on a mining industry that accounts for a quarter of GDP. But policy continuity is key to attracting the foreign investment necessary to realize these goals.

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Until investment laws are consistent here, investors are going to be wary, says Steve Potter, an honorary member and former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ulaanbaatar. Constant changes in rules and regulations have long been a problem. Consequently, foreign investment has been very lackluster.

Investor uncertainty isnt the only worry. Having lasted in power four-and-a-half years, Oyun-Erdene was the longest-serving of Mongolias 18 Prime Ministers since its 1990 democratic revolution. The revolving door of governments and leaders has augmented the idea that parliamentarian democracy is flawed or inherently unsuited to Mongolian society, while rendering a centralized political system more appealing for somean idea that is being amplified by shadowy actors on social media and galvanized by Oyun-Erdenes tone deaf response to protesters demands.

The protests were organic, but instead of showing his financial papers the Prime Ministers response was so political, says Bolor. His reaction showed just how disconnected he was from the people, who only care about how his policies are impacting their daily lives, such as air pollution, unemployment, and corruption.

So while Oyun-Erdenes demise was likely rooted in factional bickering rather than a nefarious power grab, the debacle contains a stark warning that Mongolias political class needs to start pulling in the same direction for cherished freedoms to be secured. Democracy itself is very fragile, says Jargalsaikhan. But its so important and can only be protected by a thriving parliamentarian system. And we must not lose democracy in Mongolia.

Write to Charlie Campbell at charlie.campbell@time.com.
Jun. 13While most of Montana's congressional delegation will not attend a military parade this weekend celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, they are standing firm behind President Donald Trump's defense policies.

A swarm of soldiers, tanks and military vehicles are expected to hit the streets of Washington D.C. in the showcase scheduled for Saturday, June 14, which also coincides with Trump's birthday. In addition to the hour-long parade, the U.S. Army plans to host a fitness competition, festival and fireworks show on the National Mall, with some 200,000 people expected to attend.

In total, the celebration is projected to cost the government between $25 million and $45 million. That price tag comes at a time of deep cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government services, as well as increasing tensions over Trump's use of the military to enforce immigration policy and quell protests.

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Congressman Troy Downing, R-Montana, an Air Force veteran, says he fully backs the planned cost of the parade. In an email to the Inter Lake, Downing said the event was "money well spent" as it will encourage enthusiasm for the armed forces.

The rest of Montana's delegation waffled when asked about the event.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines expressed support for "President Trump's efforts to rebuild the military and ensure that America is respected once again on the world stage," while leaving questions about the military parade unanswered. A statement from Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke's office was similarly ambivalent, redirecting questions about the parade to the Department of Defense.

Both Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, and Daines are skipping the event, according to their respective press offices. Neither provided a reason why.

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Sen. Tim Sheehy, another former Navy SEAL, will be back in Montana, according to a recent post on the social media platform X.

"It's branding season, and I have a lot of work to do back at the ranch," the Republican captioned a June 11 re-post of a Politico article, in which the senator confirmed he would not attend the parade.

About six in 10 U.S. adults believe the military parade is not a good use of federal funds, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press-National Opinion Research Center for Public Affairs Research. About 40% of those polled approved of the parade, 29% disapproved, and 31% neither approved nor disapproved.

Similar divides appeared in Congress as the date of the event approached. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have spoken out against the expenditure and some have likened the spectacle to military parades in North Korea and Russia.

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MILLIONS OF protestors are also expected to take to the streets Saturday as part of the nationwide "No Kings" movement. Protests are slated for nearly 2,000 locations across the country, including an event in Kalispell organized by Flathead Democracy and 50501.

The groups have collaborated to host numerous peaceful protests since Trump was elected. Leanette Galaz, an organizer with the Flathead Democracy, said a variety of strategies are used to ensure all events remain non-violent. Volunteers are trained in de-escalation techniques and the Kalispell Police Department is notified ahead of all events, including the upcoming No Kings protest.

"We're not looking to agitate," said Galaz.

Still, she said the Trump administration's response to protests in Los Angeles had amplified existing concerns for protesters' safety.

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"The Trump administration is really fanning the flames of conflict between Americans," said Galaz. "It's more politically charged after what's happening in L.A."

On Tuesday, Trump promised that counterprotests to the military parade "will be met with very heavy force." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later insisted that the president's threat only applies to nonviolent protestors.

As of Wednesday, about 600 people had registered to attend the protest in Kalispell. The No Kings website lists a total of 25 protests across the state, including events in Eureka, Libby, East Glacier, Polson and Hot Springs.

Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran demanded commitments from federal officials during hearings Thursday to keep airspace safe at Reagan Washington National Airport, the site of a deadly collision in January. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran's YouTube channel)

TOPEKA  U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran pressed federal officials Wednesday on how they intend to ensure safety at the Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., in the wake of a January crash between a passenger plane from Wichita and an Army helicopter that left no survivors.

Moran, a Kansas Republican, questioned U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Federal Aviation Administration administrator nominee Bryan Bedford at separate committee hearings Wednesday on whether they would commit to keeping in place restrictions on non-essential helicopter flights around the D.C. airport.

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Its my understanding, from information from the Army, that since Jan. 29, seven flights have taken off and landed at the Pentagon, Moran said to Hegseth. Six of those flights occurred during periods of high volume at DCA. One of those aircraft caused two different commercial flights to abort landing on May 1, and since this latest incident, I understand that all flights have been halted.

Since the January crash, Moran has pushed for aviation reforms, introducing legislation that mandates in busy airspace the use of Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast, or ADS-B, which automatically transmits an aircrafts location to nearby pilots once per second. The legislation also removes the possibility for pilots to opt out of using ADS-B.

Moran introduced that legislation after close calls at the same airport where the crash took place. The Pentagon, which is less than two miles away from Reagan National as the crow flies, halted military helicopter flights near the airport. The legislation has been in a committee awaiting action since it was introduced in early May.

Moran wants the flight restrictions in place until the FAA can come up with a safe route, if there is one.

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Hegseth, in response, said no authorization for VIP or convenience flights exists in that area.

You have our assurance that Im working with (Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy) very closely to make sure that the only flights that would be  even in a modified path  would be those that are necessary and are authorized, Hegseth said.

Moran sits on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, where he questioned Hegseth, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, where he requested a commitment from Bedford to maintain safety restrictions.

My understanding is the FAA is supreme when it comes to the control of the airspace, Bedford said. But we want to be good partners with the Department of Defense, and we have protocols on how to do that  multiple protocols, as I understand.

The FAA creates military operating areas, which include restricted and prohibited spaces, and line of fire space and alert zones, and determines the airspace classifications around airports. The busiest airports, like Reagan, are Class B airspace. Bedford said the FAA can accommodate the U.S. Department of Defenses needs, but he added, we cant have this mixed-use traffic in Class B airspace.
Work to rebuild an infamously tangled Puyallup intersection on State Route 167 will pick up steam this summer, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

After decades of planning and more than $2.8 billion, once complete the Puget Sound Gateway Project in Pierce and King counties will add new connections to Interstate 5, the ports of Tacoma and the Sea-Tac Airport.

There will be a new expressway between State Route 410 and North Meridian Avenue in Puyallup, a new interchange at North Meridian Avenue, two bridges and updated street surfaces and ramps, according to WSDOT. The project also will build a new paved trail between Tacoma and Puyallup that passes through the Puyallup Tribe of Indians reservation and features artwork by Coast Salish artists.

A map shows the timeline of construction improvements on State Route 167. Work on Stage 2a begins this summer.

The work will be completed in stages.

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The first stage of work completed the new Wapato Way East bridge and SR 99 roundabout in Fife. The second stage builds the expressway between I-5 and the Port of Tacoma. Its scheduled to open in 2026. Work on the third stage between SR 161/North Meridian Avenue and SR 410 began in 2025. Construction of the last stage between North Meridian Avenue and I-5 will begin in 2026. The entire project is planned for completion by 2030, according to WSDOT.

The improvements will improve freight mobility in and around the Port of Tacoma, WSDOT project engineer Tom Slimak told The News Tribune on Wednesday. Slimak said that would improve economic vitality in the region and make driving more efficient for passenger vehicles as well, which will see a new expressway.

WSDOT will keep sending updates about road closures but anticipates some nighttime closures on SR 167 in the coming months, Slimak said.

These projects have been a long time coming and the publics been waiting for it. Its pretty exciting that were there. Lots of planning and effort to get to this point, he said. Its rewarding at this point to be able to be building this and being almost done in 2029  . after decades of preparatory work.

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The entire Puget Sound Gateway Program project will cost $2.83 billion, which includes $2.44 billion of state funding, $213 million in toll funding, $144 million in local funding and $73.7 million of federal funding from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program, according to WSDOT.

Here is a breakdown of the SR 167 program costs:

Stage 1a: $55 million

Stage 1b: $635 million

Stage 2a: $265 million

Stage 2b: $660 million

Residents can learn more about the project and provide feedback online until Aug. 9.
A pattern more reminiscent of the middle of spring rather than the middle of June will result in frequent showers, thunderstorms and fluctuating temperatures across the Northeast into the new week.

Wet weather has been common across the region, with weekends especially prone to rain. This has resulted in disrupted landscaping projects, outdoor weddings, graduation ceremonies and recreational plans.

AccuWeather.com

AccuWeather forecasters say the remainder of Father's Day weekend will be no different, at least for part of the region. A slow-moving storm with ample moisture will trigger clouds and pockets of rain into early this week. This storm resulted in a gloomy start to the weekend for many from the Ohio Valley to the central Appalachians and southeast New England, with low clouds and rain for much of Saturday.

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The steadiest rain and most frequent downpours will be across the mid-Atlantic, where localized flooding can occur. Residents and visitors from Pittsburgh to Richmond, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore should prepare for showers and thunderstorms at times and the potential need to seek shelter when outdoors.

"The rain is not welcomed due to a wet spring and already saturated soil," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said.

AccuWeather.com

Although the stormy weather will be widespread and can repeat across the Ohio Valley, southern Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic, some communities may be spared from wet weather for much of the weekend.

Across northern New England, a wedge of cool air has settled into the region following a backdoor cold front, and the cool conditions are expected to linger into this week. Backdoor fronts are named after their atypical movement from the northeast to the southwest. They more typically cross the region during the middle of spring.

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"A pocket of dry air may dip down from Canada on Sunday and may be just enough to keep rain away most of the day in parts of New England and eastern upstate New York, resulting in good weather for Father's Day barbecue plans, fishing trips or a day at the ballpark," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

High temperatures through Monday will be in the 60s and 70s F across the Northeast, which is around 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit below historical averages and a far cry from the burst of heat experienced during the middle and latter portion of last week.

AccuWeather.com

AccuWeather's team of long-range meteorologists expect the atmospheric pattern to shift and allow summer heat to return.

"An extended period of heat, with warm and humid nights, is possible from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast starting during the second half of this week and into the last full week of June, making it feel more like summer," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said.

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.
During his Friday appearance on MSNBCs Morning Joe, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy warned that America has reached a point of no return, following California Senator Alex Padillas forceful removal from a Thursday press conference with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

Padillas brutal treatment made waves the moment footage of the incident began circulating online Thursday afternoon, prompting incredulous, incendiary responses from other Democratic politicians. Murphy, for his part, echoed the sentiment of his fellow public officials. What a world we live in today, if simply because you raise a voice in service of your constituents, you are going to be met with violence, Murphy lamented.

Thats what happens in dictatorships, in authoritarian regimes, the Democratic senator noted. We are in a really perilous moment in this country. Were at a point of no return. You can watch Murphys full Morning Joe interview yourself in the video below.

Murphy also refuted the Trump administrations claims that Padilla was detained because he did not identify himself. Senator Padilla identified himself. You can hear it clearly on that video. He apparently was wearing a pullover that said United States Senate on it. And, maybe most importantly, he didnt burst into that room, Murphy observed. He was there with an FBI agent and a member of the National Guard, so members of the administration brought him into that room.

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The Connecticut senator conceded that Padilla may have spoken at the press conference without being called upon by Noem, but quickly explained, Thats not illegal. That is not an excuse for that kind of brutal treatment. Murphy then took a moment to slam Trump and his administration for their treatment of Padilla. What the president is trying to do is to intimidate this country, to try to intimidate members of Congress, he said. I dont think its going to work.

The Connecticut official concluded his statement moments later by calling out his Republican counterparts who have defended the Trump administrations treatment of Padilla, warning, Republicans shouldnt think that they will be protected from violence in the future if they excuse it when Donald Trump uses it on his behalf.

You can watch the full Morning Joe clip in the video above.

The post Morning Joe: Chris Murphy Says Alex Padilla Incident Is Proof Trump Is Trying to Intimidate This Country | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Russia has condemned the "serious escalation of tensions" in the Middle East following the Israeli attacks on Iran.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told the Interfax news agency that Putin had been kept informed and that "Russia is concerned about the developments."

Russia, which has close relations with Iran, recently offered to mediate in the US negotiations on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

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In mid-January, Moscow and Tehran agreed on a strategic cooperation deal covering the next 20 years, although this does not include mutual military assistance - unlike a similar agreement between Russia and North Korea.

Russia and Iran are working closely together, partly because of the Western sanctions that are burdening both countries. Iran has been criticized for supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Mossad agents snuck into Iran and set up a factory to build explosive drones that were used to cripple Tehrans air defences ahead of Fridays strikes, intelligence officials said.

The drones were activated and used to attack missile launchers pointed at Israel as the IDF launched its overnight raid aimed at crippling Irans nuclear programme.

The operation, which would have been years in the making, has the hallmarks of the Mossad intelligence agency, which is famed for its clandestine activities.

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It would have involved Israeli intelligence agents sneaking into Iran to build the base well in advance of Fridays attack, pre-empting Irans probable retaliation. Vehicles carrying weapons systems were also smuggled into Iran, a security official told The Times of Israel.

By destroying Irans air defences, the explosive drones gave Israeli planes supremacy in the skies and freedom to carry out Fridays air strikes that killed several top generals while hitting about 100 targets including nuclear facilities.

Credit: Mossad via Sent Defender / X

Pre-deployed Mossad commando units were indeed working inside Iran, said the British-Israel Communications and Research Centre (BICOM).

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Mossad units were involved in launching precision-guided munitions that targeted Iranian surface-to-air missiles, other air defences, as well as ground-to-ground missiles that would have been used in a retaliatory strike against Israel, BICOM said.

Footage emerged purporting to show exactly those activities  Israeli agents setting guided missile launchers that were then used to take out Irans air defences.

The operatives also launched surface-to-surface missiles and explosive drones at targets near Tehran, including a truck carrying missiles, the footage suggests.

The black-and-white footage shows armed figures with their faces pixelated, crouching in an area of open ground.

Strategic capabilities

Israeli intelligence officials have said publication of the material was designed to illustrate the breadth and depth of Israels clandestine capabilities and to discourage escalation.

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If what Israeli authorities are claiming is indeed true, it is a stunning demonstration of strategic capabilities in what amounted to a multi-pronged attack combining surveillance, intelligence and firepower.

It also shows how far Israel is willing to go in confronting Tehran and its potential nuclear threat.

Emerging reports about more unconventional activity by Mossad are a reminder of Israels expertise in covert operations, its penetration of the Iranian security establishment and its agility in planning ahead with imaginative operations which can be executed at short notice, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute.

Setting up such key secret attack infrastructure within the territory of Iran, Israels number one rival, would probably have involved multiple undercover missions.

Credit: Reuters

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It would also have required targeted intelligence of where exactly Irans own military and weapons infrastructure was located, allowing the accurate placement of various weapons systems to hit those strategic targets.

The attack has killed at least three of Irans most powerful men  including its most senior military leadership  further crippling the Islamic Republics ability. It has not only suffered a blow to its missile capabilities but it has now also lost significant architects that would have designed and executed a response.

The breadth and scale of these strikessuggest this operation is intended to not just dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons, but also cripple any potential military response and even to destabilise the regime, said Mr Savill.

Mossad has a history of carrying out bold operations on enemy soil, especially in Iran.

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In 2020 it helped the US to assassinate Major General Qassim Suleimani, who was Irans top security and intelligence commander.

In 2022, two assassins on motorcycles gunned down Col Sayyad Khodaei, an IRGC officer, and in 2024 Israel killed Ismail Haniyeh, Hamass political leader, in Tehran by planting an explosive inside an IRGC guest house.

Israel also dismantled the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah, Irans most powerful proxy in the region, in a series of strikes in 2024.

This included elaborate, coordinated attacks that saw thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by the group detonate, killing dozens and injuring thousands.

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Mossad had infiltrated the supply line and planted explosives inside the devices 10 years before they were detonated.

With its latest strikes, Israel is signalling that far more is to come.



We are a few hours into the operation. this is something that, when we spoke about it six months ago, seemed like fantasy, said Maj Gen Oded Basiuk, Israels head of operations directorate.



Thus achievement is the result of planning, drills and thorough work by those sitting here, and also by those who arent.

The audacity of Thursday nights strikes rivalled the heroic Operation Focus in 1967, when Israel destroyed most of the Egyptian Air Force in a massive preemptive strike at the start of the Six-Day War.

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LOS ANGELES, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order late Thursday, directing U.S. President Donald Trump to return control of the National Guard to California.

Trump's deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines in Los Angeles was illegal, both violating the Tenth Amendment and exceeding Trump's statutory authority, said the order, which takes effect at noon on Friday.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said Trump overstepped his bounds in ordering the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles after protests erupted over the immigration crackdown.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sued to block the National Guard's deployment against his wishes. California later filed an emergency motion asking the judge to block the Guard from assisting with immigration raids.

The restraining order from Breyer delivered "a sharp rebuke to President Trump's effort to deploy thousands of National Guard troops on the streets of an American city, a move that has contributed to nearly a week of political rancor and protests across the country," reported The New York Times.

During the hourlong hearing before Breyer in San Francisco, a lawyer for the Justice Department argued that courts lack the authority to second-guess the president's decisions concerning the National Guard troops and Marines that Trump has deployed despite objections from state and local officials.

Breyer expressed doubt that Trump had complied with the terms of a statute that specifies when National Guard units, which normally are commanded by the state's governor, can be federalized. But he also said he was reluctant to grant Newsom's request for an order forbidding the use of military personnel to enforce federal laws without strong evidence that troops actually were doing so.

The judge stayed his order until noon on Friday to allow for appeals, but scheduled a hearing for June 20 to determine whether to make the restrictions permanent. The Trump administration has filed for appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit after the ruling. 
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Robert Malone has a history of arguing against the data. He has called for an end to the use of mRNA vaccines for COVID despite the well-established fact that they reduce mortality and severe illness. He has promoted discredited COVID treatments such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, dismissing studies that show they are ineffective against the coronavirus. Recently, he called reports about two girls in West Texas dying from the measles misinformation, even though the doctors who treated the girls were unequivocal in their conclusion.

Now Malone will have a leading role in shaping Americas vaccine policy. He is one of eight new members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing the 17 former members whom Robert F. Kennedy Jr. relieved of their duties on Monday. The re-formed committee will be responsible for guiding the CDCs vaccine policy, recommending when and by whom vaccines should be used. The doctors and researchers who make up the new ACIP are all, to some degree, ideological allies of Kennedy, who has spent decades undermining public confidence in vaccines. And Malone arguably has the most extreme views of the group.

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Malone, a physician and an infectious-disease researcher, readily acknowledges that he defies mainstream scientific consensus. Just this week, he wrote in his popular Substack newsletter that readers should embrace the anti-vax label, as he has done, and oppose the madness of the vaccine mania that has swept public health and government. (This was only a day before Kennedy pledged that the new ACIP members would not be ideological anti-vaxxers.)

He is also openly conspiratorial. In his best-selling book, Lies My Govt Told Me: And the Better Future Coming, Malone alleges that the Chan Zuckerberg Initiatives grants to news publications (including The Atlantic) were payments to smear vaccine critics, and accuses Anthony Fauci of fearmongering to amass power. Last fall, Malone and his wife, Jill, released a follow-up, PsyWar, making the case that the U.S. government is engaged in a vague but diabolical program of psychological warfare against its own citizens. According to the Malones, the CIA, FBI, and Defense Department, along with a censorship-industrial complex, have granted the U.S. government reality-bending information control capabilities. (They also claim that sexual favors are routinely exchanged to seal short-term alliances, both within agencies and between contractors and Govies.) They envision this corruption spawning a postapocalyptic future in which guns, ammo, horses, and a well-developed network of like-minded friends might be necessary for survival. Malone, who lives on a horse farm in Virginia, appears to be already well prepared.

[Listen: How fragile is our vaccine infrastructure?]

Malones rise to contrarian glory began in the summer of 2021, when public-health officials were urging hesitant Americans to roll up their sleeves for the new, mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Back in the 1980s, Malone had conducted research on delivering RNA and DNA into cells, which, he and his co-authors suggested in a 1990 paper, may provide alternative approaches to vaccine development. That early work lent credibility to his dire warnings that the COVID shots hadnt been adequately tested, as perhaps did his grandfatherly beard and professorial demeanor. His popularity grew with appearances on Tucker Carlsons and Glenn Becks shows, where he questioned the safety and effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines while toutingand, critics said, overstatinghis own role in the development of the underlying technology. It was Malones conspiratorial musings on The Joe Rogan Experience that prompted several famous musicians, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, to pull their music from Spotify in protest of the platforms contract with Rogan. Today, Malones newsletter, where he shares his anti-vaccine claims and often praises Kennedy, has more than 350,000 subscribers.

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Kennedy and Malone have long been intertwined. Kennedy wrote the foreword to Lies My Govt Told Me and wrote an endorsement for PsyWar, alleging that the same techniques that the Malones described shaped public reaction to the assassinations of his father and uncle. Kennedys 2021 book, The Real Anthony Fauciwhich alleges that the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases spread corruption and fraudis dedicated to Malone, among others. Since Kennedy was appointed as Health and Human Services secretary, many of his allies in the anti-vaccine world have accused him of moderating his views to be more palatable to lawmakers. But among anti-vaccine activists, Malones appointment to the advisory board was taken as evidence that Kennedy remains on their side.

Public-health experts, by contrast, are horrified. I think that the scientific and medical community wont trust this committee, and for good reason, Paul Offit, a pediatrician and former member of the advisory group, told me. Hes heard from fellow public-health experts who are considering forming their own committees to weigh the evidence, because they wont trust the conclusions of these people. Sean OLeary, the American Academy of Pediatrics liaison to ACIP, told me he was deeply concerned with RFKs decision to entirely remake the committee. This maneuver really endangers public health. It endangers children, he said. He worries that it will lead to disease, suffering, and death among adults and children alike. (Neither Malone nor HHS responded to requests for comment. On X, Malone promised to do my best to serve with unbiased objectivity and rigor.)

[Read: RFK Jr. is barely even pretending anymore]

Malones appointment is perhaps the strongest sign yet of Kennedys willingness to appoint ideological crusaders into powerful government roles. ACIPs recommendations are nonbinding, but historically, the CDC has almost always hewn to them. The committees verdicts will help determine which vaccines insurance companies and the federal government pay for, decisions that will inevitably shape countless Americans immunization habits. Malones new role requires in-depth, good-faith examinations of scientific evidence. But he has already earned a reputation for rejecting it.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
New York City saw significant population loss from 2022 to 2023.

A high cost of living drove movers to states like Florida, New Jersey, and North Carolina.

Though thousands left New York City, the Big Apple still draws movers from all over the country.

In 2021, Taylor and Tatum Barnes decided to leave New York City.

The couple paid $160,000 for a one-bedroom fixer-upper in the small town of Pomfret, Vermont; their mortgage payment is half of what they spent on rent for a studio apartment in Brooklyn. They felt the property, which came with 2.6 acres of land, was the perfect place for them to start a homestead and grow their family.

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The slower pace of life in Vermont has been refreshing, even more so now that they have a toddler in tow. While they're "still exhausted" being young parents juggling work and family life, one thing's for sure, Tatum told Business Insider: "I just can't imagine how we'd pull it off in New York."

Census data released in October 2024 indicates that more than 481,500 people left New York for another state between 2022 and 2023, while just over 302,835 moved into New York from elsewhere in the US. The data comes from the American Community Survey, which includes responses to questions concerning moving patterns.

Between 2021 and 2022, about 545,600 people left New York, while 301,500 moved in. Between 2020 and 2022, New York City lost nearly half a million residents.

Unsurprisingly, New Jersey captured the second-most movers, with those who wanted a break from the city without having to travel too far. Others made much farther moves.

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Florida had the most movers from New York, while Pennsylvania and California followed New Jersey. Texas and North Carolina also received a large number of New Yorkers.

Elliott Harrell left New York City for Raleigh, North Carolina, and found that her dollar goes a lot further down south.

Harrell and her husband rented a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn before buying a four-bedroom home in Raleigh with an extra 2,800 square feet. She told BI that her mortgage is less than what her rent was in New York.

"Overall, we've found that the cost of living is lower," she said. "Going out to eat or grabbing cocktails is significantly less expensive than it was in New York."

New York is expensive, but the benefits outweigh the cons for some

Over 31,000 people moved from California to New York between 2023 and 2024, while nearly 28,000 made the move from Pennsylvania. Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas also had large outflows into New York.

New Jersey took the top spot as the state losing residents to New York. California sent the second-most movers, and places like Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas were behind.

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A move from Tennessee to New York is an unexpected route, but for Lisa Miller, it was exactly what she needed.

Miller moved to Brooklyn from Knoxville, Tennessee, with her husband and three children.

She pays three times the amount of her mortgage in Tennessee, but she told BI that moving has been great for her children.

"The schools they've ended up in are incredible, and we feel a lot of support," she said. There's more focus on social-emotional development in New York than in Tennessee schools.

New York isn't for everyone

Social media manager Julia Broome told BI in 2023 that she moved from Los Angeles to New York City to start a new job.

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However, the city's reality didn't exactly meet her expectations. As a woman, she was constantly on high alert while walking along the sidewalks, which were also often littered with trash.

Although she was used to high rental prices in Los Angeles, she felt that her money didn't stretch as far in New York City. She ended up moving into a one-bedroom apartment in Hudson Yard with a roommate  and slept in the living room.

After five months, Broome moved back to LA because the job she had moved for ultimately changed.

"I felt myself spiral. They say New York City will chew you up and spit you out, and that's how it felt to me," Broome said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A mother from Villages at Roll Hill has been charged after her 2-year-old son suffered a gunshot wound, according to court documents.

Teasia Leonard, 22, is charged with child endangerment in connection with the May 31 incident which Chief Teresa Theetge said was caused by "negligence by a gun owner" to secure their firearm.

The child was hospitalized after the shooting, but survived.

Court documents state Leonard left the toddler alone in a room where the child suffered a gunshot wound.

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Earlier this month, another person was charged in connection with the shooting. Carmelo Anderson, 21, is charged with tampering with evidence.

Court documents state Anderson gave the handgun to someone and told them to "get rid of it."

A 2023 ordinance by the city to regulate gun storage, under existing child endangerment laws, was blocked by an Ohio state appeals court. State law bans most local gun regulations, the court said in 2024 ruling.

The ordinance stated firearms should not be stored where "a child is able to gain access to the firearm," and that failing to do so creates a substantial risk to the health and safety of a child. It was written to allow charges to be filed even if no one is hurt in an incident.

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Leonard's lawyer had not responded to a voicemail request comment at the time of this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mother charged after 2-year-old suffers gunshot wound
Malcolm Graham says that his sisters body was still in the morgue when he noticed that people were rallying around the importance of forgiving her killer.

A librarian who loved her community, Cynthia Graham Hurd was one of the nine Black worshippers who were fatally shot on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. She and other church members were in the middle of a Bible study session when the gunman walked into Mother Emanuel, sat with them for 45 minutes, and then opened fire.

Malcolm Graham, who moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, for college, was getting ready for bed when he saw a news report about a shooting at the church thats been a haven for his family for more than half a century. After he learned that his sister had attended Bible study at Mother Emanuel that night and couldnt be found, he began preparing for the worst.

Cynthia Graham Hurd was one of the nine Black worshippers who were fatally shot on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. (Courtesy of Malcolm Graham)

Within days, some of the victims family members said that they had forgiven the gunman, stressing that hate wont win, and political leaders praised this spirit of forgiveness. Graham underscored that he respects that everyone walks in their faith differently. He also appreciates that, sometimes, forgiving is more about helping a victims loved ones to move on than about absolving a perpetrator of their sins.

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Even so, in the 10 years since the shooting, Graham and others in the Mother Emanuel community feel as if the focus on forgiveness has come at the expense of crucial conversations on issues such as the ongoing dangers of racism and political action that might protect against hate crimes.

I didnt forgive then, and I dont forgive now, Graham, a member of the Charlotte City Council, told Capital B. He added that we need to ask tough questions about discrimination and hatred  for instance, examine the radicalization that continues to occur through fringe online platforms  even if we have to sit with the discomfort of the answers.

But that hasnt really happened, he said, because people want to race to forgiveness.

The other victims of the 2015 shooting were the Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Susie Jackson, the Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney (who also was a state senator), Ethel Lance, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. Daniel Simmons, and the Rev. Myra Thompson.

Busts memorializing the victims of the 2015 shooting at Mother Emanuel were recently unveiled at Allen University, a historically Black school in Columbia, South Carolina. (Mauricio Richardson/Pressmark LLC)

Busts memorializing the victims  who are known as the Emanuel Nine  were recently unveiled at Allen University, a historically Black school in Columbia, South Carolina, where many of them had connections. The universitys Boeing Institute on Civility, which sponsored the project, said in a statement that the occasion represents both an act of tribute and a renewed commitment to confronting hate with hope. This is a mission that the Emanuel Nine Memorial also embraces.

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Like Graham, Pinckneys wife is adamant about grappling with difficult conversations.

Jennifer Pinckney and the couples younger daughter, Malana, who was 6 years old at the time, survived the shooting by hiding under a desk in a church office while the gunman slaughtered the worshippers. In the years since, Pinckney, who has said that she has struggled with forgiveness, has been in the vanguard of a push to hold social media companies liable for how racism is incubated and spread online.

The Pinckney family has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hold Facebook responsible for allegedly radicalizing the gunman, challenging legislation that broadly protects platforms from having to answer for content published on their sites. The family contends that though Facebook does not create extremists out of whole cloth, it also is not just a fabric store  its algorithm gave the gunman racist propaganda that led to the real-world consequence of mass murder.

Earlier this year, the family experienced a legal disappointment when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled 2-1 that the law affords Facebook immunity from liability for the content its users post. A strong opinion from the dissenting judge encouraged one of the familys attorneys to appeal the case to the Supreme Court, according to The Post and Courier.

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It could be months before the high court decides whether to hear the appeal.

Ten years after shooting, an uphill battle for political action

Alana Grant  Simmons granddaughter  also is frustrated with the attention that forgiveness receives in the conversation around Mother Emanuel when political action in response to the shooting has lagged.

It was a powerful move of the Holy Spirit, Grant told Capital B, for Nadine Collier to forgive the gunman mere days after he killed her mother, Ethel Lance. Lance was a church sexton, and just after the shooting, the cloud of despair hanging over Charleston was still as thick  and as oppressive  as the citys humidity during the summer.

However, I believe that we have to stop weaponizing forgiveness and trying to use it as a tool to circumvent accountability, Grant said. The Lord asks us to forgive, but he also asks us to take responsibility for our actions. Ive been on my journey to forgiveness and healing, but people dont realize how much more difficult they make it when they focus on forgiveness, or they suggest that theres a certain way a community should respond to victimization.

Photographs of the nine victims killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, are held up by congregants during a prayer vigil at the the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington in June 2015. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Something Grant wants, she explained, is state hate crime legislation. Though most states have laws that explicitly address hate crimes  or acts motivated by bias against an identity category  South Carolina is one of the last remaining states without such laws.

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Reported hate crimes in South Carolina have ballooned by 77% in recent years, from 65 incidents in 2022 to 115 incidents in 2023, per the U.S. Department of Justice.

On its website, the agency notes that even if a state or territory does not have a hate crimes law, hate crimes can still be reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, since there are federal hate crime laws. One of those laws, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, is named after a gay Wyoming student and a Black Texas man who were murdered in separate acts in 1998.

In 2017, the Charleston gunman became the first person in the U.S. to be sentenced to death for a federal hate crime. Still, many want a state hate crime law, given that the federal government has limited time and resources and that states conduct the vast majority of criminal prosecutions.

Grants husband, South Carolina state Rep. Hamilton Grant, said that its unconscionable that South Carolina has no state hate crime law a decade after the shooting. Such legislation wont root out underlying prejudices, he acknowledged, but it can offer Black Americans stronger protections and options after experiencing hate violence.

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There seems to be no appetite to pass state hate crime legislation, Grant told Capital B. When a hate crime bill has been introduced before, its been introduced in the House, and it would pass the House, even with a Republican majority. But then it always gets hung up in the Senate. Just imagine the disrespect of a senator [Pinckney] being murdered  and his colleagues not even giving the bill so much as a hearing.

Opponents of the measure usually say very little, allowing it to quietly fade away, according to the Associated Press. Grant shared that he wonders whether some legislators worry that backing a hate crime bill might be viewed as supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion and wokeness  which the Trump administration is fiercely pushing back against  and invite a primary challenge in the ruby-red state.

I dont see anything like this passing the General Assembly, he said. And its sad and frustrating because though people might believe in the legislation, they feel like they cant publicly support it without losing their power.

While progress on the state level has been glacial, Richland County this month became the first county in South Carolina to pass a hate crime ordinance. This makes it illegal for someone to cause fear, intimidation, harm, or damage to a person or their property because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identity characteristics.

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In the decade since the tragedy, Mother Emanuel has become a point of pilgrimage, a destination for people who visit Charleston.

The church is a very special and tragic location, Bernard Powers, a professor emeritus of history at the College of Charleston, told Capital B. When people visit friends or relatives who live in Charleston, those residents will frequently take them to the site if they havent been there. If youre showing people around, this is one of the places you dont want them to miss.

He added that the church has become a site of activist meetings, particularly those intended to promote hate crime legislation and stricter gun-control legislation.

What we didnt appreciate  and what we couldnt appreciate  at that point [in 2015] was that similar events were in the offing, Powers said, noting the racist killings at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, in 2022; a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, in 2019; and a synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018. Theres a murderous trajectory that weve been on.

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Its this deeper appreciation of the wider environment of hate that Graham, the Charlotte city councilman, hopes the country will embrace.

Martin Luther King Jr. said when he gave a eulogy after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing to pay less attention to the killer and more attention to the system that produced the killer, Graham explained.

He added, What system failures let this young guy become filled with so much hate  and then get the opportunity to act on that hate? My sister would have said, I know that I bore the brunt of what happened that night, but this attack was against all of us.

The post Some Mother Emanuel Families Say the Focus on Forgiveness Has Cost Them Justice appeared first on Capital B News.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A motorcyclist sustained minor injuries after a crash in Darke County late Thursday afternoon.

According to the Darke County Sheriffs Office, the single vehicle crash occurred on the 4200 block of State Route 571 around 6:46 p.m.

An initial investigation indicates that the driver of a Harley Davidson was traveling east on the state route when a group of deer had encroached the roadway. The motorcyclist swerved to avoid crashing into them, seizing their control of the vehicle in the process.

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The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The crash remains under further investigation.

Greenville Township Fire and Rescue and Greenville City Fire assisted at the scene.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A motorcyclist is dead after police said they crashed into a construction vehicle on I-5 in North Portland late Thursday night.

Just before 11:30 p.m., officers responded to reports of a crash on I-5 southbound near North Killingsworth Street.

On arrival, officials said they found a motorcyclist had crashed into the back of a parked construction vehicle, which was blocking a traffic lane undergoing repairs.

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10 arrested outside Portland ICE building as protests continue

The motorcyclist died at the scene from their injuries, authorities said, but the driver in the parked construction vehicle was unhurt.

During the investigation, southbound I-5 traffic was detoured to the North Columbia Boulevard exit.

Anyone with information about this crash is encouraged to contact the Portland police.

According to PPB, this marks the 12th fatal crash in Portland in 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 KOIN.com.
HUBBARD, Ohio (WKBN)- A person on a motorcycle was hurt after a crash with a car Friday morning, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Troopers were called to I-80 at the on ramp to US-62 in Hubbard around 5:30 a.m.

OSHP said that the motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The crash is still 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 WKBN.com.
Motorists are being urged to "plan ahead" as a major motorway junction will close for 14 weeks for a 5.7m upgrade project.

Somerset Council's contractor Heidelberg Materials is refurbishing Junction 26 of the M5 and the A38 Chelston link road near Wellington with a complete closure from Sunday 15 June evening until September.

Locals and businesses in the Wellington area said the closure will cause "chaos" on the surrounding road network.

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Somerset Council say they understand people have "real concerns" but added "this is the only available window" to complete the works.

The official diversion will take road users off at either J25 (Taunton) or J27 (Tiverton) and along the A38.

Sian Hughes, who lives in Wellington said the closure is going to be "horrendous".

She told BBC Radio Somerset: "All of the traffic will have to come off at Junction 25 or Junction 27 especially at Taunton so it will cause chaos on the A38.

"I'm just going to have to leave earlier and hopefully I won't have to travel too far."

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"My husband Rob is a driving instructor so it will really affect his lesson times," she added.

The Falcon bus service from Exeter up to Bristol Airport will not stop at J26 Wellington during the closure.

Sian Hughes, who lives in Wellington, said the closure will cause "chaos" [BBC]

Julie Bishop, who lives in Wellington, said: "It is going to affect everyone who needs to get in or out of Wellington and West Buckland.

"The failure to coordinate with ongoing roadworks in Taunton is just inexcusable."

Jez Harvey said: "Look on the positive side, at least we will have a motorway slip road with lovely smooth tarmac and proper drainage never to be under water again."

The A38 link road at the Chelston roundabout has tarmac more than 50 years old [BBC]

Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, Councillor Richard Wilkins said: "When completed we will have a new, smoother, quieter road surface with better drainage so please bear with us and plan your journey carefully while work is underway."

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Jonathan Hill, National Highways route manager for the M5 in Somerset urged motorists "to plan ahead accordingly".

He said: "From a National Highways point of view we were looking at capacity at J25 (Taunton) and J27 (Tiverton) that it wasn't backing onto the M5 and will monitor it."

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

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HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss.  A Holly Springs aldermans race was decided by a coin toss after both candidates received the same number of votes.

Sandra Hodges, known to folks in Marshall County as the Sunshine Lady, was ecstatic after a coin toss declared her the newly elected Ward One Alderman for Holly Springs.

They asked me to pick heads or tail and I picked tail, and it landed on tail, said Hodges.

Coin toss, Holly Springs election, Courtesy of Paulette Nicole Coin toss, Holly Springs election, Courtesy of Paulette Nicole Coin toss, Holly Springs election, Courtesy of Paulette Nicole Coin toss, Holly Springs election, Courtesy of Paulette Nicole Coin toss, Holly Springs election, Courtesy of Paulette Nicole

The election was held at Holly Springs City Hall with Kaylon Freeman and Sandra Hodges both tied 154 votes to 154 votes each.

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According to a State statute, whenever a race is tied, it shall be decided by a coin toss or drawing of straws.

I found that was legal and that was actually the next step, and we had some other residents in town post that information on Facebook as well, said Paulette Nicole, Campaign Manager for Sandra Hodges.

Hodges said she would have preferred a special election to be held to decide the winner is anxious to be sworn in on July 1, along with other elected Holly Springs board members, to start to work for the city.

She said all areas need improvement.

Because this our very first time, historical call on a coin toss. Ive never seen it before, Ive never been in it before. This is my very first time, but Im excited about it after I know that I won. Im the winner, so Im excited, said Hodges.

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WREG reached out to Kaylon Freemon about the coin toss decision, and he acknowledged the Mississippi law allowing for the coin toss in the situation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Can you think of any political problem to which the words Kamala and Harris might sound like a solution? Me neither. It is with a sense of some foreboding, therefore, that we learn that the former vice-president may be plotting to become the next governor of troubled California.

And there we were thinking that it couldnt get any worse than Gavin Newsom. In recent weeks, the Golden State has looked more like a war zone than the home of Hollywood, beach bums and LGBTQ+ activism; National Guard troops and even Marines have battled the looters and vandals rampaging through Los Angeles.

Their grievance? Donald Trumps attempt to send undocumented migrants home. This progressive Mecca would obviously have no truck with that, so on went the balaclavas and out came the Molotov cocktails and, inevitably, the keffiyehs. Think Queers for Palestine meets the White Walkers.

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One viral clip said it all. There was governor Newsom extolling the virtues of California as the liberal capital of the United States and one of the best places to live in the world, superimposed against footage of masked rioters lobbing rocks from bridges at police cars.

Even before the unrest, all was not well in the state of California. The home of Americas most progressive policies  from vehicle emission crackdowns to marijuana legalisation and liberal criminal justice reform  has long been dogged by low-performing public schools, homelessness, housing shortages, soaring poverty and erratic water supplies.

Januarys wildfires, which caused hundreds of billions of dollars of economic damage, are barely in the rearview mirror; despite a heroic effort to blame climate change, they were undeniably made worse by the negligence and lack of preparation from the state.

But for the love of God, why Kamala Harris? Why now? If the adage about leaving every room better than you found it is true, youd have thought she could do the world a favour simply by walking out the door and never coming back. Incredibly, the voters of California may disagree.

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Her brand recognition in the state  she served as district attorney of San Francisco, state attorney general and senator, not to mention her stint as VP  would enable her to leapfrog a contested primary to become the instant frontrunner, despite her patchy record in those roles. From there, she would be within touching distance of winning.

In another display of her trademark myopia, however, her true ambitions may lie once again with the Oval Office, for which California could provide a springboard in 2028. Yup, even after her historic drubbing last year. She is unburdened, I suppose, by that humiliation.

Governor Newsom is himself tipped as a presidential contender. The way he has used the LA riots as a perch from which to launch tirade after tirade at Trump  in an interview with the New York Times podcast on Thursday, he called the president a stone cold liar after he had dispatched troops to California without telling him  shows naked political positioning. He wants to be the man to take the fight to the Donald.

But Newsoms term is up in November next year. Little wonder Harris is giving it the eye. By the same token, little wonder that when she telephoned Newsom to offer her support this week, the call was sent straight to voicemail.

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This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter.

Dutch payments processor Adyen plans to keep fueling expansion, including in the U.S., by building its own software and systems over buying up other businesses, Adyens president for North America, Davi Strazza, said in an interview this week.

The global provider of payments processing, point-of-sale hardware and software services for merchants, including retailers such as Crate & Barrel and Dicks Sporting Goods, prizes its unique ties to clients and sourcing proprietary data from those relationships, he explained.

Specifically, the company can track customer data across store and e-commerce environments, Strazza said. He contends Adyens authorization rates are better with its custom approach.

When we talk about optimization, we can go deeper than any other company can, because we have those direct connections, Strazza said in the Monday interview. We have unfiltered, unrestricted access to the data in the ecosystem.

Thats true when there are trouble spots with services too. We can go to customers and say Hey, if you have a challenge, you're going to talk to Adyen, period, he explained. It's not going to be like a hot potato problem where there's pointing fingers. No, it's us.

Sharpening its edge in the market is key because Adyen operates in a highly competitive arena, against processing behemoths Fiserv, with its Clover point-of-sale services, and Worldpay, now a unit of Global Payments. Then there are digital rivals PayPal Holdings and Stripe also battling for merchants payments volume.

Some of those competitors have taken a very different approach to expansion, opting for acquisitions.

For instance, Fiserv has been on a growth tear in recent years buying up other smaller businesses to bolster its overall enterprise. It absorbed Clover as part of its 2019 mega-deal to buy First Data, which had purchased Clover in 2012. It also bought Finxact, The LR2 Group, restaurant reservation management company Nextable, ISO Merchant One, BentoBox, NetPay, Integrity Payments, Pineapple Payments, and Ondot in recent years.

Adyen processed $1.4 trillion in payments volume last year, catering to U.S. clients that also included Cinemark Holdings, Patagonia, Etsy and EBay, Strazza said.

The North America operation that Strazza oversees is the companys second-highest revenue-generating region, with the market contributing about a quarter of the top line.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Multiple protests are planned to take place in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina on Saturday.

The protests, also known as the No Kings protest, is nationwide, with multiple expected in our region, including in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Cape Charles and Elizabeth City.

Trump on No Kings protests during military parade: I dont feel like a king

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But what exactly does No Kings even mean in this context? According to the AP, the theme for the protest was created by the nationwide 50501 Movement, calling for Americans to stand up for what the group deems to be authoritarian actions from the Trump administration. 50501 stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day, according to their website.

Thousands of people across the Hampton Roads region and beyond are expected to participate on Saturday, June 14, which is slated to happen during President Trumps military parade in Washington to mark the Armys 250th anniversary  also coinciding with Trumps birthday.

The protests come after several days of protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles. Members of the National Guard and Marines were deployed due to the protests in L.A., a move the states Governor Gavin Newsom has heavily criticized.

Homeland Security secretary pledges to carry on with Trumps immigration crackdown

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Organizers of the No Kings protest said they are committed to non-violent action and avoiding potential confrontations. Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and James City County Police have stated they are aware of the planned protests and anticipate a peaceful gathering but will monitor these events.

Governor Glenn Youngkin told our sister station in Richmond, WRIC, that he is planning on activating the National Guard ahead of the protests.

Youngkin says National Guard is ready ahead of national immigration raid protests

New: @GovernorVA tells reporters they are deploying/staging state resources including the National Guard ahead of dozens of planned anti-Trump protests tomorrow across Virginia and the nation.



There will be zero tolerance for any violence. pic.twitter.com/KsOZBglrEX  Tyler Englander (@TylerEnglander) June 13, 2025

Youngkin went on to say that while he supports Americans First Amendment rights to demonstrate, there is zero tolerance for any violence, any destruction of personal property, business property, for disrupting traffic and putting peoples lives in danger. A video of Youngkins response can be found below:

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Local activist Dr. Sharon McQueen, an organizer of the No Kings rally in Norfolk, says the movement is meant to push back against authoritarian behavior from President Trump.

Our checks and balances have been eroding. And people talk about this slow slide into authoritarianism. But I dont think its a slow slide. I think were here, adds McQueen.

Another organizer Carrie Short says she expects a large turnout of people to speak out against recent Trump administration actions.

The idea behind the rallies is to engage more people in politics, to allow people to find a positive way to demonstrate their opposition, Short said.

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Business owners in the area of Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake like Diana Cruz were surprised by the announcement of the protest, but welcomes the idea.

I hope that its peaceful. I hope that they are able to walk, I dont care what party or side youre on. Its our right to be able to walk down the street if they want to and protest, Cruz said.

A list of times and locations of the protests can be found below:

Norfolk  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Jeff Robertson Park, west Ghent at 1542 Armistead Bridge Road

Chesapeake  10 a.m. to noon Location: Greenbrier at 100 Volvo Parkway

Virginia Beach  2-4 p.m. Location: Intersection of Independence and Virginia Beach Boulevard at 4592 Virginia Beach Boulevard

Williamsburg  5-6 p.m. Location: Williamsburg James City County Courthouse at 5201 Monticello Avenue

Cape Charles  noon to 2 p.m. Location: 21 Bay Ave at the LOVE sign

Elizabeth City  3-5 p.m. Location: Veterans Park at 222 North Water Street



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This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com

Seattle is preparing for two protests this weekend, including one during the University of Washingtons (UW) graduation.

Two No Kings rallies are planned for Saturday, one at Cal Anderson Park and the other at UW. They are meant to run opposite to President Donald Trumps military parade in Washington, D.C., according to Axios Seattle.

NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies, event coordinators stated.

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In addition to the demonstrations goal to end U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration, in solidarity with the movements in Los Angeles, the protests will also focus on what they claim is rising authoritarianism under the Trump administration.

The protest at UW will also rally over the colleges specific ties to Boeing and its response to a pro-Palestine campus protest.

The Cal Anderson protest is supported in part by Seattle Indivisible, a grassroots and all-volunteer organization working to create and secure progressive policies.

In his ruthless pursuit of power, Donald Trump has launched an assault on the American peopledestroying livelihoods, dismantling democratic institutions, terrorizing communities, and defying the rule of law, Seattle Indivisble said in a statement ahead of Saturdays rally. He has weaponized our government to silence dissent, seeking to dominate Congress, the press, universities, states, cities, and anyone who refuses to submit to his authoritarian agenda. Now, he has ordered the military to crush protesters in Los Angeles and threatens Seattleand any community that defies himwill be next.

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Katie Garrow, the head of MLK Labor, Noah Purcell, Washington Solicitor General, Palmira Figueroa, a long-time immigrant rights advocate, and U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal are expected to speak at Cal Anderson Park.

Participants in the Capitol Hill protest are expected to march to the Seattle Center or the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle, while the UW protest is expected to gather in the campus Red Square, outside Suzzallo Library.

According to UW Police, the UW protest could march downtown, potentially meeting and joining the other protest starting in Cal Anderson Park.

Both protests are scheduled to start at 12 p.m., and could last anywhere between 3 and 6 p.m. UWs commencement ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with doors opening at 12 p.m.

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Law enforcement around Seattle has been preparing for the rallies, especially in light of recent events.

Similar protests are scheduled all across the state, including Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and Spokane. A map tracking all the No Kings protests across the nation can be seen here. There are as many as 50-something protests set to occur in the Puget Sound region from Olympia to Bellingham.

Recent Seattle protests

Wednesday night, eight protesters were arrested by the Seattle Police Department during an event outside the federal building. The building was tagged with Abolish ICE, and a dumpster fire broke out.

Thousands gathered downtown, demanding an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration.

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Two Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers were injured during the clash with protesters.

Last month, at least eight people were arrested at what police called a First Amendment event outside Seattle City Hall. Chaos steadily escalated as opposing protest groups clashed at the scene. The event was spurred after a Christian groups rally at Cal Anderson Park earlier that week turned violent.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  We have an update on the criminal case of Joseph Benson.

Hes the Edgerton, Minnesota man whos been charged with the killing of a Sioux Falls woman late last year.

According to court documents, attorneys are still waiting to see if Benson was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of his alleged crime.

Damage in Sibley, IA after near 70 mph winds

Joseph Bensons attorney filed a motion back in mid-April notifying the prosecutor of its intent to assert a mental illness or cognitive impairment defense.

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So Benson was ordered to be examined by a phsychologist.

Hes charged with one count of 2nd-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Samantha Koehne.

According to court documents, police responded to a report of a possible domestic assault that took place at a home in Edgerton where Benson was staying with his girlfriend.

When they got there they noticed Benson had scratches on his face and all down his arms.

Court papers say when officers tried to make contact with anyone else in the house, Benson stated there was no one else inside, but said theres a dead body upstairs.

They later discovered Koehne lying face up on the bathroom floor with an extension cord around her legs and lying across her body.

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Authorities also saw marks on her throat, blood in her ear, and blood matted in her hair.

Benson has a lengthy criminal history in South Dakota, and at least one of the crimes involved the same woman hes now accused of killing.

We dont know if that mental examination has been done yet, because no paperwork has been filed with the Pipestone County District Court.

But we do know they had 60 days to complete it and that deadline is this Sunday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Muscogee County Sheriffs Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Thursday that 10 people were arrested in a drug enforcement operation called Operation: Hades.

The joint effort focused on a narcotics trafficking ring, according to the GBI, involved in the trafficking and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana in Muscogee County.

The sheriffs office said the arrests were the culmination of an eight-month long investigation into what was described as a drug trafficking organization and conspiracy.

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"This investigation led to the arrest of drug trafficking leader Archie Zanders and his co-conspirators," Sheriff Greg Countryman said in a statement.

The operation happened on Monday, with officers, deputies and agents executing nine search warrants in Muscogee County.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The search warrants resulted in the following seizures of drugs, weapons, vehicles and cash, worth an estimated $1.39 million:

108 pounds of Marijuana, with an estimated street value of $481,810

20 pounds of Cocaine, with an estimated street value of $895,300

78 grams of Methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $7,800

158 Oxycodone pills, with an estimated street value of 3,950

117 Ecstasy Pills, with an estimated street value of $2,925

11 firearms, including 1 9mm Glock modified to operate in a fully automatic capacity

6 vehicles

$106,409 in US Currency

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Sheriff Countryman said the investigation remains open and there may be additional charges and arrests on the horizon.

We will not stop until the criminal behavior stops, Countryman said in a statement online. The last time we had a press conference, we told you that we were coming for you. Archie Zanders and his drug-trafficking associates just found this out. We know who you are, and we are coming.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The sheriffs office and GBI were also assisted by several federal agencies and the Lee County Sheriffs Office in Alabama.

The following individuals were charged as a result of the operation.

Archie Zanders

Trafficking Cocaine

Trafficking Marijuana

Trafficking Methamphetamine

Trafficking Ecstasy

Conspiracy to distribute  2 counts

Possession of Psilocybin with Intent to Distribute

Possession Of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Possession Of a Schedule II with Intent to Distribute - Oxycodone

Possession of a Schedule II with Intent to Distribute - Morphine

Possession Of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

Possession Of Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Christopher Mabry

Trafficking Cocaine

Possession Of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Possession of Firearm or Knife During Commission of a crime  3 counts

Possession of a Machine Gun, Dangerous Weapon, Or Silencer

Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon - 3 counts

Conspiracy To Distribute

Hakeem Zanders

Conspiracy to Distribute

Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon - 2 counts

Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute

Tampering with Evidence

Possession of Drug-Related Objects

Kenisha Miles

Trafficking Cocaine

Trafficking Marijuana

Trafficking Methamphetamine

Possession Of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute - Oxycodone

Possession Of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent Distribute - Morphine

Possession And Use of Drug-Related Objects

Possession Of Firearm or Knife During Commission of Or Attempt to Commit Certain Felonies

Drugs Not in Original Container

Jama Zanders

Trafficking Cocaine

Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Possession Of Firearm During Commission of a Crime  3 counts

Possession Of Machine Gun

Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon  3 counts

Edward Watson III

Trafficking Cocaine

Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Possession Of Firearm During Commission of a Crime  3 counts

Possession Of Machine Gun

Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon  3 counts

Bobby Nelson

Conspiracy to Distribute

Earnestine Sumrell

Trafficking Ecstasy

Possession of Schedule I with intent to distribute  Psilocybin

Possession Of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute

Possession Of Firearm During the Commission of a Crime

Henry Royal

Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon

Possession Of Drug-Related Objects

Samantha Elders

Excessive Tint

Driving While License Suspended or Revoked

Driving While License Suspended or Revoked

Contempt Of Court - 6 counts

Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute

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Joplin regional members of the National Cookie Cutter Collectors Club shaped a special place in the club Wednesday for the curator of the Joplin History & Mineral Museum.

The curator, Chris Wiseman, has assembled collections and prepared exhibits for the Joplin museum for 28 years. The cookie cutter collectors thought it was time to honor Wiseman for his assistance to their club and to the National Cookie Cutter Museum, which is part of the Joplin museum.

Kay Johnson, of Monett, one of the curators of the cookie cutter museum, and other members of the club that was formed in 2004 to promote the cookie cutter museum and its history, surprised Wiseman with a plaque recognizing him for his help.

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Officially, Wiseman was nominated and selected as a friend to the national club.

This is in appreciation for the support that youve always given to the cookie cutter group, Johnson said. You have always been helpful to share your knowledge and abilities when asked for advice on how to properly display something, or how to construct a special title board, plus what might be needed and where to purchase items for archival security. We appreciate your helpfulness, your experience and your support.

She told Wiseman the plaque was his to keep, and he joked, I dont have to give it back? Its kind of a lame shape for a cookie cutter, drawing laughter from the club members such as included Pam Bowling, Leeica Bloss and Barb Hogelin as well as Kelly Reddin, president of the Joplin Historical Society board.

Wiseman earned a degree in secondary education from Missouri Southern State University and a doctorate in art education along with a degree in museum science from Texas Tech University. While there, he also studied archaeology and geology.

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The Joplin museum complex became the home of the cookie cutters in 2004. The cutters were previously displayed in retail shop in Knightstown, Indiana, but the national club was looking for a new home for the collection. The club contacted six museums, including Joplins. Then-museum director Brad Belk went to Knightstown to see the collection. When he returned, he discussed it with the history museums directors, and they agreed to take in the collection.

Since then, thousands of people from around the world have gone through the National Cookie Cutter Museum, and the collection has grown from its original six display cases to 11 cases today.

The collection includes vintage, advertising and seasonal cookie cutters, as well as handmade cutters from around the world. Many used to be made of tin, but the era of tin cutters is coming to an end because those cutters are hand-shaped and artisans are not making them anymore because of the expense of tin now, Johnson said.

A basket of cookie cutters is kept at the exhibit, and visitors are invited to take one home as a souvenir.

The museum offers research materials for those interested in delving deeper into the history of cookie cutters, which literally shaped America by taking on shapes that reflected popular themes or characters of the different eras, Johnson said.
Cicadas, whose musical courtship calls once echoed around an ancient forest in southern England, have been reintroduced from France by conservationists hoping to re-establish the insect's UK population.

Conservationists from the Species Recovery Trust believe New Forest cicadas went extinct in the 1990s, due to changes in the way land was managed.

They have now released 11 female cicadas, some of which are believed to be pregnant, into a specially created habitat just outside the woods they once populated.

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"This has been a really challenging project so it's amazing to see New Forest cicadas in England after all this time," said Charlotte Carne, project officer at Species Recovery Trust.

"It's like bringing them back from the dead," she said.

Having returned from a collection trip to Slovenia empty-handed, the trust called on a prominent French entomologist and cicada expert to help source some insects.

The 11 insects, which are black with golden rings and transparent wings, were caught in northern France and shipped to the UK on Wednesday.

Conservationists will not know until 2029 whether this phase of the project has been successful, and whether the cicadas have reproduced, as their offspring spend at least four years underground as nymphs.

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If they survive, conservationists will release the adults in the New Forest.

"We believe the New Forest cicada probably went extinct because of changes to the way land was managed but we have worked with Forestry England to put the right kind of management in place," said Dominic Price, Species Recovery Trust director.

"What's more, we think that our warming climate could also favour their survival, so we are very hopeful that one day soon, cicadas will sing in the New Forest again," Price said.

jwp/jkb/djt
Federal workers are still sending largely pointless emails detailing the five things they did the previous week, even though the mastermind behind the idea, Elon Musk, has left his government role.

Staff at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Social Security Administration are among those still dutifully submitting the updates Musk demanded under threat of termination for noncompliance, Axios reported.

Musks idea arrived as he was making mass cuts and firings as part of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mandate. The weekly accomplishments emails were widely mocked, and in some agencies, flat-out ignored at the time.

Elon Musk's email asked workers not send any

FBI Director Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligenceagencies that handle classified and sensitive informationwere among those who told staff to not to bother sending the updates.

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Despite Musks departure from his special government employee role at the end of May, which followed soon with his spectacular public fallout with President Donald Trump, some federal employees are still sending the weekly emails.

Were told to send it every Monday before midnight, one Social Security employee told Axios. It takes a while. I have never gotten a response from anyone.

The White House claimed in February that over 1 million federal workers responded to emails asking them to justify their jobs. The pressure to do so amid threats of being fired now seems to have fizzled out.

The pushback against Elon Musk's email demands was a sign that government officials were lamenting Elon Musk and his work style. / Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

One unnamed agency worker said that while NOAA employees are still required to send the weekly roundups, workers at OPM are now merely encouraged to do so.

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Staff at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureauwhich has been gutted and mostly shut down due to Musks DOGE cutshave stopped sending the emails entirely, despite never being officially told to stop.

Got tired of saying I hadnt accomplished anything because we havent been given any work, one CFPB worker said.

In a statement, OPM defended the weekly emails, saying they are vital to maintain accountability and transparency in employee contributions.

The mission of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is part of the DNA of the federal government and will continue under the direction of the President, his Cabinet, and agency heads to enhance government efficiency and prioritize responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, added White House spokesperson Harrison Fields.
MONROVIA, Ala. (WHNT)  If youre looking for a family-friendly event this weekend, then head on over to Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

On Saturday, June 14, MVFD is partnering with Calvary Baptist Church to host an open house. The free event runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

MVFD said its doors will be open and firefighters will be on hand to give tours, show equipment and answer any questions.

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Well do some demonstrations with our equipment, our fire prevention team will be here, well have our inflatable smoke house so we can teach the kids some fire prevention type things, said Public Information Officer Lieutenant James Filley. Youll get to touch a truck and see how we operate here.

Calvary Baptist Church will be providing free lunch for all event attendees.

MVFD said it will be fun for the whole family.

Its an event geared for families so absolutely bring the kids out, bring the little ones out, you know a lot of our members will be here with their kids so it will be a whole family thing Filley said.

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Well have some burgers and hot dogs and that kind of stuff, itll be a good time, he added.

The event is happening at Monrovia Volunteer Fire & Rescue Station 1 at 345 Mt. Zion Rd, Madison, AL 35757.

MVFD Station 1 on Mt. Zion Road, Madison, AL.

Filley told News 19 that members of the personnel committee will also be on hand at the event, if youre looking for more information about applying to volunteer.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is celebrating several local projects for its Historic Preservation Awards.

Read next: Angiulis celebrating Dairy Day with strawberries and ice cream

Each year, the Mahoning Valley Historical Society recognizes individuals working to preserve historical landmarks in the community. This year, MVHS recognized five projects. This includes buildings that were renovated, preserved and adapted to show their importance to the Mahoning Valley.

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The awards also tie in with the Mahoning Valley Historical Societys 150th anniversary.

This is a special year for us because we are really getting into our 150th anniversary celebration, which we will be doing now through September 10, which is the actual anniversary date this year, said MVHS Executive Director Bill Lawson. Its an advocacy program becoming increasingly popular, and the community is recognizing that these preservation projects are meaningful for now, but for generations into the future.

The 2025 Commercial Revitalization Award:

Tim Huber and Michael Fagan for the preservation and remodeling of the Apollo Building at 117 South Champion Street in Youngstown.

BSHM Architects for the preservation and remodeling of The Apollo Building: Suite 201, 117 South Champion Street in Youngstown.

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The 2025 Community Revitalization Award:

The lot owners and trustees of Forest Lawn Memorial Park for the preservation of the Little Church at Forest Lawn Memorial Park located at 5400 Market Street in Boardman.

The 2025 Board of Directors Award of Achievement:

The Hull Family for their continued preservation of White House Fruit Farm located at 9249 state Route 62 in Canfield.

Award of Achievement for Cultural Heritage:

The Braceville Community Foundation for the revitalization and creation of the Braceville African American Heritage Museum at 1250 Cedar Street in Braceville Twp.

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The awards presentation will be held on Tuesday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tyler History Center. Along with the awards, MVHS will be holding its annual membership meeting to elect new and returning board members, and to report on achievements over the past year in celebrating the history of the Mahoning Valley.

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is located at 648 Wick Avenue in Youngstown. For more information and to learn how to nominate, visit MahoningHistory.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Unlike Earth, the Moon doesn't have much of a magnetic field  and yet, a strange pile of rocks on the far side seems mysteriously magnetized.

A new study suggests that a major cataclysm, over and done in under an hour, left a lasting imprint.

A team led by researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has found that a massive impact may have generated a huge amount of plasma that temporarily strengthened the Moon's tiny, ancient magnetic field.

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According to lead author Isaac Narrett, a planetary scientist at MIT, this theory could explain the presence of highly magnetic rocks detected on the Moon's far side in a region near the south pole.

"There are large parts of lunar magnetism that are still unexplained," he says. "But the majority of the strong magnetic fields that are measured by orbiting spacecraft can be explained by this process  especially on the far side of the Moon."

In 1959, the Soviet Luna 1 spacecraft conducted the first magnetic measurements of the Moon and found that unlike Earth, it did not have a strong, intrinsic magnetic field. Later research showed that the Moon had weak fields largely confined to the lunar crust, which seem to be created by interaction with charged solar particles.

However, the analysis of samples brought back by astronauts on the Apollo missions showed that some rocks formed in magnetic fields that were much stronger. This led to the general consensus that while the Moon does not have an intrinsic magnetic field today, it once did.

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In a previous study, MIT planetary scientists simulated how a giant impact could have amplified solar-generated magnetic fields on the Moon. However, their results indicated that this would not generate a field strong enough to explain the highly magnetic measurements of surface rocks.

In the new study, Narrett and associates took a different approach and assumed the Moon once had a dynamo that produced a weak lunar magnetic field. Given the size of the Moon's core, they estimated that such a field would have been about one-50th the strength of Earth's field today.

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera images of Mare Imbrium. (Morgan et al., JGR Planets , 2016)

They then simulated a large impact and the cloud of plasma that would result as the force of the impact vaporized material on the surface. They also ran simulations on how the resulting plasma would flow and interact with the Moon's existing magnetic field.

This entire process would have been incredibly fast, lasting around 40 minutes from when the field was amplified to when it decayed back to baseline.

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This is consistent with the fact that one of the Moon's largest impact basins, Mare Imbrium, is located exactly opposite the far side southern polar region. According to their simulations, an impact powerful enough to create the Imbrium basin would have sent a pressure wave through the Moon that converged on the other side.

The researchers suspect that this shock coincided with the plasma cloud amplifying the Moon's magnetic field.

Rocks can contain records of the magnetic fields they formed under, thanks to the orientation of the electrons inside them. In this case, the shock waves could have temporarily disrupted electrons in the rocks at the point of convergence, and as they settled back down they could have taken a snapshot of the short-lived, strong magnetic field.

"It's as if you throw a 52-card deck in the air, in a magnetic field, and each card has a compass needle," says study co-author and planetary scientist Benjamin Weiss at MIT. "When the cards settle back to the ground, they do so in a new orientation. That's essentially the magnetization process."

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According to the researchers, these findings have effectively settled the debate between the competing schools of thought. Instead of the Moon's magnetic field being the result of a dynamo or a massive impact, their results show that a combination of a dynamo and a large impact with a resulting shockwave could be responsible for the Moon's highly magnetized rocks, especially on the far side.

This theory could be tested in the coming years as astronauts travel to the lunar south pole and collect rock samples, as part of the Artemis Program.

The paper detailing their findings was published in Science Advances.

Related News
This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Amazon has named a restructured leadership team for its Worldwide Grocery division that includes top executives from Whole Foods Market, according to a report by Business Insider, which cited a corporate memo that was confirmed by an Amazon spokesperson.

In addition, Whole Foods Market corporate employees will migrate to the same system as Amazon employees for benefits, compensation structure and other aspects of their jobs, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Grocery Dive.

As Amazon works to grow its grocery business, its further integrating Whole Foods, which it acquired in 2017 and has mainly operated as a separate business.

Dive Insight:

As Amazons various grocery brands have continued to grow and cross-pollinate, it seemed only a matter of time before the company brought its biggest industry asset further under its wing.

After Amazon acquired Whole Foods eight years ago, it mostly stayed out of the specialty grocers way, letting it continue to expand and maintain its product standards as Amazon learned more about the business. Since then, Amazon launched its own grocery chain, Amazon Fresh and outlined plans for a more integrated online shopping experience that allows customers to combine products from Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and Amazons main marketplace. During a question-and-answer session with investors late last month, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said hes very bullish on the companys future in grocery.

These latest moves are part of an initiative Amazon is calling One Grocery, according to the memo first reported by Business Insider. They mark the first major realignment under Jason Buechel, who became head of Amazons grocery division early this year after serving as CEO of Whole Foods since 2022.

The updated leadership team appears to be a mix of individuals who are assuming new roles and some who are continuing in their current roles. Karen Christensen, who has worked at Whole Foods for nearly 30 years and is the grocers SVP of merchandising, will lead North America Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, per Business Insiders report. Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, who became Whole Foods chief merchandising and marketing officer in 2023, will lead Worldwide Grocery marketing and private brands along with Whole Foods Market Business.

Whole Foods veterans Bill Jordan and Christina Minardi are also listed under the new Worldwide Grocery leadership team, with the former heading up store operations while the latter will lead the divisions real estate growth and development. Amazon veteran Anand Varadarajan will lead technology and supply chain, according to the report.
An organization that promotes and supports the arts in North Pocono hopes a new concert series will bring people together to hear different kinds of music.

The North Pocono Cultural Society will host the first Music in the Park concert series this summer. The concerts will take place this Monday, and on June 30, July 14 and Aug. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Moffat Estate pavilion in Covington Twp.

The free concerts, which will take place rain or shine, will include food and dessert trucks, although families are invited to bring their own food, along with blankets and chairs. It is free to the public.

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Society President Michele Orrson said the organization was inspired to put on the concerts after getting requests from music and performing arts groups to perform at the yearly Moscow Country Street Fair. The society was unable to have them perform due to time or monetary limitations.

We really wanted to provide an opportunity for our students and up and coming musicians, she said. Its always been a good area with a focus on the arts, so we wanted to highlight some of our local musicians.

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Peach Polaroid, a band performing as part of the North Pocono Cultural Societys first Music in the Park concert series this summer. (Submitted)

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Robbie Walsh and Jack Foley, one of the musical acts performing as part of the first Music in the Park concert series hosted by the North Pocono Cultural Society this summer. (Submitted)

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Peach Polaroid, a band performing as part of the North Pocono Cultural Societys first Music in the Park concert series this summer. (Submitted)

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They are also similar to Mondays in Moscow, a weekly concert series that brought different types of music and musical acts to the borough. Orrson said the organization was interested in doing an event like Mondays in Moscow but for all of North Pocono.

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She said she is excited about the variety of music that will be performed, which includes folk, rock and pop, and alternative rock. Students at Musical Dreams Studio in Moscow will perform before each concert.

The society is using some of the funds from a $5,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and a $4,500 Lackawanna County Arts and Culture grant.

Orrson said there has been interest in the concerts and hopes they will get a good turnout. She also hopes they will be a yearly event, as long as they get the funding and community support.

The concert lineup is as follows:

June 16: Robbie Walsh and Jack Foley; food trucks: Papis Kitchen and Karmacarons.

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June 30: Peach Polaroid; food trucks: Fondippity and Riss Sweet Shop.

July 14: Lydia Monroe and Marianna Stahl; food trucks: Smash Hut NEPA and Karmacarons.

Aug. 11: Pammie & The Groove Factory; food trucks: 2Wayz One and Riss Sweet Shop.
ICE officers and National Guard members confront protesters amid demonstrations over immigration raids outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 2025. Credit - Tayfun Coskun/AnadolaGetty Images

The Trump Administration is signaling the President could deploy the National Guard more widely to help enforce immigration policy and quell protests amid its crackdown on demonstrations over ICE raids in Los Angeles.

President Donald Trump told reporters this week that his deployment of thousands of National Guard members to Los Angeles would be the first, perhaps, of many.

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I can inform the rest of the country that when they do it, if they do it, theyre going to be met with equal or greater force than we met right here, the President warned.

The Administration has held discussions about mobilizing the National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement in the U.S. for months, Trump border czar Tom Homan told the Washington Post.

Further deployments will be considered if other cities go down the same path as Los Angeles, he said. As long as its peaceful protest were okay, but if it gets out of hand like it did in L.A., then the President will consider it on a case-by-case basis.

The military could provide security, transportation, infrastructure, and intelligence assistance, Homan said, though he noted it could not assist with immigration arrests.

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Read more: What the Data Reveals About Trumps Push to Arrest and Deport More Migrants

The comments come as Trump has mobilized the National Guard and Marines to Los Angelesagainst the wishes of state and local officialsin response to protests that broke out following a series of immigration raids. At least 330 undocumented immigrants in the city have been arrested. The protests have generally been peaceful, though escalated tensions caused portions of downtown Los Angeles to be placed under an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew through Thursday. Demonstrations have spread across the country as well, as protesters have taken to the streets in solidarity with Los Angeles and in opposition to the Trump Administrations immigration policies.

Five hundred of the National Guardsmen deployed in L.A. have already been trained to assist immigration agents, the commander of the task force overseeing the federal troops sent to the city told The Associated Press, though officials said that they were not sure that the military would remain in the area once demonstrations settled.

Its presence there is the subject of a challenge working its way through the court system. A federal judge on Thursday ruled that Trumps federalization of Californias National Guard was illegal and ordered that control be returned to the state, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the decision hours later, delivering Trump a win.

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Read more: Why Trump Sending the National Guard to L.A. Is Different From Its Deployment There in 1992

If I didnt send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!! the President shared on Truth Social early Friday following the stay.

Prior to the deployment of the National Guard to L.A., the Department of Homeland Security called for more than 20,000 National Guardsmen to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the New York Times first reported earlier this year.

The servicemembers would help transport and process individuals to detention centers, as well as assist with catching people, per the Washington Post, which cited a memo it had obtained.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
In a whiplash moment, a late-night order by the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Thursday night allowed President Donald Trump to continue federalizing the California National Guard by pausing U.S. District Judge Charles Breyers ruling that it was unconstitutional earlier in the day.

The administrative stay was greeted with immediate opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsoms legal team after taking away his short-lived victory against the president, by allowing the deployment of roughly 4,000 guards on protesters in Los Angeles to continue.

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer granted an emergency temporary restraining order to stop President Donald Trump's deployment of the California National Guard, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the California State Supreme Court building in San Francisco. The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals paused U.S. District Judge Charles Breyers ruling that it was unconstitutional earlier in the day. | Santiago Mejia

Trump posted on social media following the appeals courts decision, claiming that If it werent for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!

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Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done.

Since last weekend, protests in Hollywood have continued and are expected to persist through the weekend. Though they began peacefully, several have turned violent, with law enforcement as the target in some cases. According to Time magazine, more than 350 people have either been detained or arrested since the protests began on June 6.

In his 36-page ruling, Breyer argued that the Trump administration acted unlawfully in federalizing the National Guard without consent from Newsom, as the commander in chief of the state of California.

Members of the California National Guard work outside of a federal building, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. | Damian Dovarganes

His actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution. He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith, he said.

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But in response, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly ultimately said the district court has no authority to dictate Trumps authority as president:

The president exercised his lawful authority to mobilize the National Guard to protect federal buildings and personnel in Gavin Newsoms lawless Los Angeles. The Trump administration will immediately appeal this abuse of power and looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue, Kelly said, per The Associated Press.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  One week into the National Guards assistance with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) in fighting crime, the APD reports that they are already making a significant difference behind the scenes. In fact, one man is alive due to the guards efforts.

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They immediately notified a supervisor at the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), who dispatched officers right away, said Rebecca Atkins, Deputy Director of Communications with the Albuquerque Police Department.

The Albuquerque Police Department monitors 15,000 cameras across the city, and it was a National Guardsman at the RTCC who spotted a person having a medical emergency on one of those cameras. Members of the Guard were monitoring some of the cameras that we have access to along the Central Corridor, and kind of as they were looking in that area, their eyes caught some of that motion that was going on at the bus stop.

This quick observation allowed officers to rush to the corner of Louisiana and Central, where the man was passed out at a bus stop. Officers believed he had overdosed. They administered Narcan, and he immediately revived.

The APD states that this is just one example of how the National Guard is assisting them. The department is being transparent with the public about their actions and insists they have no intention of deploying the guard in violent confrontations. Atkins stated, This is completely different. Youre not seeing the members of the guard out in our community except at scenes, perimeters, and for traffic control.

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The guard has also been seen helping across the city by maintaining crime scene perimeters. This allows our officers to be freed up much quicker when we have members of the guard assisting at those scenes, Atkins explained. As for the duration of the guards presence in Albuquerque, they will be working with the APD for the next few months, with the possibility of an extension.

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(Photo courtesy of National Institutes of Health)

April marked the 1-year anniversary of the death of one of my closest friends. She was 42  my age. Two years earlier, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer of the uterus. She had a heart that loved so many, and a heart that so many loved.

Her prognosis wasnt good. But she wasnt ready to die. And no one who loved her was ready for that either. She survived multiple surgeries, multiple rounds of chemo and radiation, multiple days of feeling like garbage, multiple hair losses, multiple doctors appointments, multiple medications, multiple treatments, and multiple clinical trials.

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The last year of her life she lived trial to trial, and she lived because of those trials. Those clinical trials allowed her access to new drugs, new therapies, new treatments that promised to give her more days on this Earth. And thank God they did. After each trial did the magic it was designed to do, she had to find a new trial that would give her a little more time. Each trial could only do so much.

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I remember her wife texting me with remarkable relief after they found out she qualified for a new trial. Sending tissue samples to renowned clinics to apply for another trial. Waiting. Then getting the call saying she was eligible, and loading up their 7-year-old in the minivan to drive five hours for the new treatment.

The trials ran out about the same time her body and soul did. But they gave her, and all of us, time we knew was borrowed, and yet, time that let our hearts grow in entirely new ways.

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As a scientist, Ive always known how important research, grants and clinical trials are on a scientific and public health level. Watching them save my friends life, give her three more years, cemented my vocation.

Like many, I became a researcher and scientist of health to alleviate suffering. Every new grant, every new study, every new discovery, every new breakthrough has a similar premise: to ease the suffering of people from a variety of illnesses, conditions and behaviors. To find ways to make peoples lives easier, and more meaningful in the face of illness. To find ways to give people more time with their loved ones and time to do what they love. To find ways to let people live as well as possible for as long as possible. Its impossible to separate these things.

The National Institutes of Health has been our vehicle for doing this for decades. Its work has saved millions of peoples lives  people you and I love and who love us deeply. Someone once told me that we used the wrong words for the NIH  that it should be called the National Institutes of Hope.

I smiled. Thats it. These institutes, in their effort to alleviate suffering, are often our only pathways to help when someone we love receives a horrific diagnosis:

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When your best friend receives a terminal diagnosis at 40.

When your child is told their heart is not strong enough.

When your spouse is given a Stage III breast cancer diagnosis.

When your husband is told he has early prostate cancer.

When your dad is told he has advanced bladder cancer.

When your sister has a stroke and needs to learn to walk again.

When your 18-year-old kid is told they have Type 2 diabetes.

When your cousin is dealing with opioid addiction and suicidal.

When your brother is told he has a rare autoimmune disease.

When a friend from college who is an avid runner is told she has multiple sclerosis in her 30s.

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When your mom  a widow  is diagnosed with dementia, and she cant remember who you are when you walk in the door.

This is the heartbeat of what the NIH does  to make these experiences, and so many more, a little less horrific.

Every one of the 2,500 grants terminated since January is 2,500 terminations of hope, 2,500 terminations for those living with serious illness, 2,500 openings for unnecessary suffering.

It should not be this way. It cannot be this way. We cannot stay silent. Too many lives are already at risk. We need the NIH. We need every scientist in every part of this country to pursue their unique and lifesaving research so we all can live as well as possible for as long as possible.

You cant make America healthy without a strong National Institutes of Health.

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National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet is resigning from her post two weeks after President Trump tried to fire her and accused her of being highly partisan and supportive of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

We are grateful to Kim for leading the National Portrait Gallery with passion and creativity for 12 years. Throughout her tenure, she has reimagined and reshaped the impact and storytelling of portraiture, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said Friday morning in an internal memo, which was obtained by The Hill.

Bunch said Sajet, an Australian native and the first woman to helm the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery, made lasting contributions to the Institution, including the expansion of the national collection with key acquisitionssuch as the earliest known daguerreotype of First Lady Dolley Madison, dating back to 1846.

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The internal memo included statements from Sajet, who is also a citizen of the Netherlands, expressing that it has been the honor of a lifetime to head the gallery.

This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one. From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been to put the museum first. Today, I believe that stepping aside is the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart, Sajet said. The role of a museum director has never been about one individualit is a shared mission, driven by the passion, creativity, and dedication of an extraordinary team.

Sajets resignation came two weeks after Trump said he was terminating the National Portrait Gallery director, arguing she is a partisan actor and a strong supporter of DEI initiatives, which is totally inappropriate for her position.

The White House has pointed to Sajets political contributions to Democratic lawmakers and party groups. Sajet has dished out donations to former President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, EMILYs List  a PAC that works on electing female Democratic candidates  the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and others, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

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On Monday, the Smithsonian said it holds authority over personnel decisions.

The board is entrusted with the governance and independence of the Institution, and the board appoints a Secretary to manage the Institution, it said in a statement. All personnel decisions are made by and subject to the direction of the Secretary, with oversight by the Board. Lonnie G. Bunch, the Secretary, has the support of the Board of Regents in his authority and management of the Smithsonian.

Bunch wrote in the memo that Kevin Gover, the under secretary for museums and culture, will work as the next acting director.

On day one, President Trump made clear that there is no place for dangerous anti-American ideology in our government and institutions. In align with this objective, he ordered the termination of Kim Sajet, White House spokesperson David Ingle told The Hill in an emailed statement Friday.

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The Trump Administration is committed to restoring American greatness and celebrating our nations proud history, Ingle added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kim Sajet is stepping down from her position as director of the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery, even as the network of museums disputed President Donald Trumps announcement he was terminating her last month.

We thank Kim for her service. Her decision to put the museum first is to be applauded and appreciated. I know this was not an easy decision. She put the needs of the Institution above her own, and for that we thank her, Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III wrote in an email sent to employees, which was shared with POLITICO.

Kevin Gover, undersecretary for museums and culture, has replaced Sajet as acting director of the museum. The New York Times first reported Sajets departure.

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Trump announced his attempt to fire Sajet in a Truth Social post on May 30, referring to the director as highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position.

But whether the president had the authority to remove Sajet was unclear  and the Smithsonian, an independent organization created by Congress, disputed that he did.

Trump  and the Department of Government Efficiency  has sought to influence or take over independent organizations with ties to the government, including the U.S. Institute for Peace.

Sajets departure comes days after the Smithsonian released a statement reiterating the institutions position as an independent entity and maintaining control over personnel decisions. The statement did not name Sajet or mention the Trump administration directly.

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The Board of Regents is committed to ensuring that the Smithsonian is a beacon of scholarship free from political or partisan influence, and we recognize that our institution can and must do more to further these foundational values, the statement, released Monday, reads.

The Smithsonian has been subject to mounting pressure from the administration. Trump signed an executive order in March that seeks to remove improper ideology from Smithsonian-affiliated institutions, including barring exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.

Sajet was the museums first woman director, leading the institution for 12 years.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to lead the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery. This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one, Sajet wrote in a statement shared with POLITICO. From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been to put the museum first. Today, I believe that stepping aside is the best way to serve the institution I hold so deeply in my heart.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Friday that de-escalating the situation in Middle East was now the top priority, after Israel launched wide-scale airstrikes on Iranian territory.

"This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is now crucial for many allies - including the United States - to work as we speak to de-escalate. I know they are doing that, and I think that is now the first order of the day," Rutte said at a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm.

In response to a question about how close we are to a nuclear war or a world war, Rutte replied: "No, we are not close."

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During the night, Israel launched a major attack on Iranian cities and nuclear facilities. According to Israel, Iran retaliated with about 100 drones, which were shot down.

Kristersson said the exchange of fire risked making things worse in an unstable region.
Donald Trump will be handed a one-page communique to sign off at a Nato leaders summit, in an effort to avoid sparking a row between Europe and the US president, The Telegraph can disclose.

The simplified statement will likely only contain around five or six paragraphs, detailing how the Western military alliance will meet Mr Trumps demand to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.

The summit in The Hague will also be modelled on a similar leaders gathering in London in 2019, which was deliberately kept short because of the presidents attention span.

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The one-page communique will be almost entirely focused on the historic decision to more than double spending on defence by leaders to meet new capability targets for deterring a Russian invasion.

The Telegraph understands the document will brand Russia as a threat to Nato, as well as offer a nod to the alliances support for war-torn Ukraine.

But it will strip out any mention of Kyivs irreversible path to membership, and remove any mention of climate change posing a defining challenge to member states.

Also, there will unlikely be any language accusing China of being a decisive enabler of Russias war against Ukraine.

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One alliance source said it would be focused on the core issues at hand.

It will be a stark contrast to previous statements issued by Nato leaders after their set-piece annual summit.

At the 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, the declaration contained 90 paragraphs.

A year later, in Washington, leaders signed off on 44 lines of text, including statements on climate change, Ukraine, Russia, terrorism and the defence industry.

The 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the leaders declaration contained 90 paragraphs - Doug Mills/The New York Times Pool

A senior Nato diplomat said: Were going to go even shorter this time. A single sheet of paper and it should be five paragraphs long.

The conciseness of the statement is purely designed to prevent rows from breaking out between Mr Trump and his counterparts in Canada and Europe.

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European leaders have been barred from bringing up the issue of trade tariffs, in a further bid to maintain harmony with the president.

The White House chief is known for preferring short, sharp briefings, with his aides deliberately keeping their memos to a single page of A4.

Crackdown on leaking

A Nato source said the drafting process for the annual communique of Nato countries had been changed this year by Mark Rutte, the alliances secretary-general, to make it more secure.

Usually, the document leaks to the media in the final hours of negotiations between member states as the various commitments are agreed by deputy ambassadors and their staff.

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But sources close to Nato HQ said Mr Rutte had restricted the distribution list of the communique only to ambassadors, in an attempt to prevent it from leaking.

The secretary-general has also cracked down on the Christmas tree approach taken by member states in previous years, when national governments attach their own priorities to the communique.

One example given was Spains insistence at previous summits that the Mediterranean was listed as a key strategic region for Nato.

The Dutch organisers of The Hague summit will also roll out the red carpet for the US president in the hope it keeps him sweet.

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There will be a working session solely on defence spending, with leaders huddled around the table.

Mr Trump, a fan of royals, will also be given the opportunity to meet King Willem-Alexander at a dinner hosted by the Dutch monarch the night before the summit.

Interactions between the US president and Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, will also be limited, because of the risk of a public bust-up.

A meeting of the Nato-Ukraine Council, the official body established in Washington, will be held by foreign ministers.

There also wont be any meetings of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which coordinates Western military aid to Kyiv, or the coalition of the willing, the Anglo-French initiative to police any ceasefire.

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NATO isn't the 21st-century fighting force it needs to be, a top commander told Business Insider.

Adm. Pierre Vandier said member states must reinvest in defense to prepare for the next war.

And the alliance has several different initiatives underway that are helping it modernize fast.

NATO still has work to do before it becomes the 21st-century fighting force that it needs to be, and allies need to invest heavily in their domestic defense industries, a top commander told Business Insider.

"I think it's a struggle," Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation and the man overseeing alliance modernization efforts, said during an interview this week at his office in Norfolk, Virginia.

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In recent decades, NATO militaries have been focused predominantly on lower-end counterinsurgency operations in places like Africa or Afghanistan, depending heavily on expeditionary forces enabled by uncontested airpower. In this context, allies thought differently about their own defense, and supporting industries were not sufficiently focused on preparing the alliance for a modern war against a top adversary.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 set off alarm bells throughout NATO, with Western officials warning that Moscow could feel emboldened to push deeper into Europe if it wasn't adequately deterred, presenting the alliance with the possibility of a large-scale conventional war or worse.

The past three years have seen many NATO states dramatically boost their defense spending and buy more weaponry. Countries along the eastern and northern edges  the front lines of the alliance, as they share borders with Russia  are hardening their defenses. However, many still argue that there's more work to be done.

For years, NATO forces were focused on counterinsurgency operations rather than large-scale conventional wars. Hoshang Hashimi/AP

"I think we forgot all the big principles of a symmetric war, and so it's where we need to reinvest," Vandier said, referring to a conflict in which combatants are more evenly matched. He added that because the defense industrial base shrank so much over the years, ramping it up is "very difficult."

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Delivering on high-end platforms like warships, fighter jets, and missiles can be a yearslong process. A single F-35 stealth aircraft, for instance, takes around 18 months to build.

Vandier warned that if a fight breaks out before NATO has sufficiently bolstered its defenses, the alliance could have a major problem.

He acknowledged that NATO still has a long way to go to reach its full potential as a modern fighting force. Member countries are pledging to spend more of their respective GDPs on defense, but the process of going from funding projects to delivery is far from quick.

"It's a question of speed," Vandier said.

ACT is behind efforts to integrate drones, like the ones pictured above, into more traditional NATO operations. US Army photo by Sgt. Marita Schwab

In 2014, when Russia illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula, NATO members agreed to spend 2% of their national GDP on defense. Since then, amid increased Russian aggression, the number of allies that have met or exceeded that goal has steadily risen from three to 22 last year.

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Earlier this week, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said all allies will reach the 2% target this year, though he is calling for heads of state to agree to a new target  5%, in line with calls from the Trump administration  at a summit later this month.

"The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defense," he said Monday at an event in London. "We must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defense plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends."

Modernizing at speed

In its quest to become a modern fighting force, NATO is also focused on integrating asymmetric solutions like drones and other new emerging technologies into its planning. The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have highlighted the value of uncrewed systems.

Vandier and his Allied Command Transformation are at the forefront of these efforts. One initiative they've rolled out is Task Force X, an experiment underway in the Baltic Sea that uses drones, artificial intelligence, and other tech to monitor and deter aggressive Russian activity in the region.

NATO officials have voiced their concern over increased Russian aggression in the Baltic region. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. John Allen

Unlike the West's traditional weapons procurement process, which can be slow, Task Force X is NATO's attempt to showcase its speed by quickly deploying cheap and readily available systems to counter Russia. It is simultaneously working to integrate emerging tech with traditional maritime operations.

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Vandier emphasized the importance of achieving what he described as "digital transformation at speed." He said that another crucial element in NATO's efforts to modernize is leveraging commercial space to improve command, control, communications, and computers, simply known as C4, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

"These are, I think, the two most critical domains for the alliance at war," the commander said.

Meanwhile, NATO just shared it has signed a contract with US commercial satellite imaging company Planet Labs PBC in a first-of-its-kind agreement that will give the alliance expanded surveillance capabilities, helping it track potential threats such as new defensive fortifications or large troop build-ups along the eastern edge.

Vandier said that, aside from the US, no other country in NATO had this capability and stressed that if America pivots all its surveillance focus to the Pacific, the alliance needs to be self-sufficient and have the resources to keep tabs on Russia, Ukraine, and the rest of Europe, from the Arctic down to the Black Sea.

Satellite imagery can help militaries spot adversary movement. Planet Labs PBC/via REUTERS

The seven-figure agreement is another example of NATO's efforts to modernize at speed and firm up Europe's defenses.

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"We've been able to do that in three months, from idea to delivery," Vandier said. "Three months to find the money, make the contract, put that in the field."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) -Ant Group, an affiliate of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, plans to apply for a license to issue stablecoins in Hong Kong through its overseas arm Ant International, the subsidiary said in a statement on Thursday.

Last month, Hong Kong's legislature passed a stablecoin bill that establishes a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers in Hong Kong.

Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a constant value, usually pegged to a fiat currency such as the U.S. dollar, are commonly used by crypto traders to move funds between tokens.

"We plan to apply for the fiat-referenced stablecoins (FRS) issuer's license once the process is open after the Stablecoins Ordinance takes effect on August 1," Ant International said in a statement.

The move was first reported by Bloomberg News, which also said Ant would seek to apply for a stablecoin licenses in Singapore and Luxembourg as well.

Ant was founded by billionaire Jack Ma and is 33% controlled by Alibaba. It operates China's ubiquitous mobile payments app Alipay.

(Reporting by Kanjyik Ghosh; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
NATO plans to enhance its missile defense systems on its eastern flank in response to a growing threat from Russia, Bloomberg reported on June 12, citing its undisclosed sources.

For the first time, member states of NATO are reportedly considering combining the alliance's ballistic missile shield with other integrated missile defense assets. The talks are taking place behind closed doors and involve sensitive deliberations, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources.

Moscow has long opposed NATO's missile defense infrastructure, particularly the U.S.-built interceptors deployed in Poland and Romania, states neighboring Ukraine. The alliance has previously said those systems are intended to counter potential long-range threats from Iran, not Russia.

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The so-called "NATO expansion to the east" is one of the key narratives used by Russian propaganda to justify its large-scale war against Ukraine.

The proposed integration of ballistic missile defense with NATO's broader air and missile defense network would address threats from any direction in the future. This shift suggests the effort would increasingly be focused on deterring Russian capabilities, according to Bloomberg's sources.

The move comes as NATO ramps up its defense posture more than three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The alliance recently agreed on the most ambitious new weapons targets since the Cold War.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on alliance members to make a "quantum leap" in defense investment in response to the enduring threat from Russia. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Rutte urged allies to increase air and missile defense by 400%.

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Talks on integrating the systems may wrap up ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague on June 2425, but could continue afterward, the sources said. Ukraine is invited to attend the summit. It remains unclear whether the initiative will still officially cite Iran as a threat or move fully toward addressing Russia.

The effort is part of a broader strategy to reinforce NATO's eastern flank, but some officials have raised concerns about how it might affect peace efforts in Ukraine and whether the United States will fully support the integration, Bloomberg reported.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump echoed Russian claims that Kyiv provoked the invasion by pursuing its NATO ambitions.

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that NATO is deploying a new satellite surveillance system aimed at monitoring military activity in Ukraine and along the alliance's eastern borders. The system, known as Smart Indication and Warning Broad Area Detection (SINBAD), will use AI-powered analysis to scan large areas and detect potential threats with unprecedented frequency.

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Read also: NATO expands satellite surveillance to monitor Ukraine, eastern flank

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CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  The Navy depot in Hampden Township has long used firefighting foam, which contains so called forever chemicals.

Now, they will host an open house Monday, June 16, where guests can learn how to test private wells for the chemical.

In 2019, the Navy asked homeowners within a mile of its base to test their wells out of concern the foam may have spread beyond its property.

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Officially known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS chemicals break down very slowly over time. They often appear in the blood of people and animals because of its wide use, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Studies show the presence of the chemical is linked to harmful effects in humans and animals, the agency said.

What are forever chemicals and should we be concerned about them?

Those who attend the open house will have the opportunity to check if they are within the Navys sampling area, speak with experts and learn more about ongoing efforts to investigate the chemical.

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The event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the West Shore Elks #2257 located at 108 N. Saint Johns Church Road in Camp Hill.

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The Trump Administration is on track to do what two previous GOP administrations sought to do: strip federal funding for NPR and PBS. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

LINCOLN  Nebraska House Republicans joined a GOP majority Thursday in advancing a White House request to claw back $9.4 billion the federal government had already approved for international aid and funding for public media.

The legislation revokes more than $8 billion from several foreign aid programs run by the U.S. State Department or the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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It also would rescind all funding Congress approved for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, totaling $1.1 billion.

Every vote mattered

It passed the House on a largely party-line vote of 214-212. The proposal now goes to the U.S. Senate, where it needs a simple majority to pass. The Senate would need to act before mid-July to approve the cuts, States Newsroom reported.

The Trump Administration is on track to do what two previous GOP administrations sought to do  strip federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service.

For decades, Republicans have promised to cut NPR, but have never done it, until now, Trump said during the vote on Truth Social. The Rescissions Bill is a NO BRAINER, and every single Republican in Congress should vote, YES. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

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The push is just another step in the White Houses political battle with the media. Trump and some House GOP members said they are fulfilling their pledge to cut the organizations funding.

U.S. Reps. Adrian Smith, who represents Nebraskas rural 3rd Congressional District and Mike Flood, who represents eastern Nebraskas 1st District, had telegraphed support for the proposal for days. But Rep. Don Bacon, who represents the Omaha-based 2nd District, had told the New York Times last week he was a no on the rescissions package, saying he wouldnt follow His party off the cliff.

Behind Bacons flip

Bacon flipped his vote to yes after a brief floor conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson as the vote was held open. States Newsroom also reported that New York Republican Rep. Nick LaLota also changed his vote after a similar talk.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb, addresses a business forum in Ashland as, from left, Sen. Pete Ricketts, Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Mike Flood and Rep. Don Bacon listen. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Bacon told the Nebraska Examiner on Thursday that he got reassurances from House GOP leadership to find funding for international AIDS prevention and at least some funding for public media.

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I was reassured by House Republican leadership that PBS would receive funding for next year, and it would go to annual funding after that, Bacon said. They also told me that PEPFAR funding for life-saving treatments will not be affected. Because of these reassurances, I voted yes on H.R. 4.

PEPFAR, or the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was launched by former President George W. Bush in 2003.

Bacon had previously said that if Nebraska Public Media loses funding, its absence would leave a void.

Bacons critics, including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said it continued a trend of Bacon saying one thing publicly to sound moderate and ultimately voting with the party  though he recently voted against party lines for a bill that would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

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How many times have we seen this same tired act from him? DCCC Spokesperson Madison Andrus said.

Budget impact

While federal funding accounts for only a fraction of the budget for national independent public news organizations, it does help smaller, often rural, local affiliate stations afford to operate in places the free market might not serve.

The impact of the cuts on Nebraska Public Media could be significant, up to 16% of its annual budget, which could put essential services, including emergency alert systems, at risk, the organization has said. NPM is responsible for most public TV and radio stations in the state. It receives approximately $4 million in federal funding, representing roughly 16% of its annual budget.

Nebraska Public Media is tasked with live-streaming the legislative session and public hearings on bills. NPM also covers state government daily during legislative sessions. NPM also broadcasts and streams local high school and college sports. It also issues essential vital alerts for severe storms and other emergencies.

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The state funds roughly 44% of the NPM budget, according to information published on the NPM website.

Nebraska Public Media officials said they were disappointed in the outcome of this vote as clawing back funding already approved by Congress threatens the core mission of public media, especially in rural areas.

These arent just numbers on a spreadsheet, NPM General Manager and CEO Stacey Decker said. Federal investment underpins the journalism we produce, the educational resources we share with children and families, the remarkable stories we tell about our state.

Not just NPM

KIOS, a smaller Omaha public radio station that Omaha Public Schools operates, received approximately $154,000 this year in federal funding. Omaha Public Schools officials decline to comment on the vote but are monitoring the potential impact on the station.

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Flood, in a joint statement with the House Main Street caucus, said the rescission package codifies important spending cuts identified by the Trump administration.

This package ends funding for foreign programs that are antithetical to American values, stops woke gender and climate programs and reins in wasteful spending, the statement reads.

Flood in May echoed criticisms of NPRs national bias but defended the value Nebraska Public Media provides locally in previous Examiner reporting.

Smith called the package another step toward fiscal responsibility.

I will continue working with the administration and my colleagues to follow through on spending priorities overwhelmingly supported by the American people at the ballot box last November, Smith said.

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This story contains some information from a States Newsroom D.C. Bureau report.

Editors Note: Nebraska Examiner Reporter Juan Salinas II interned at KERA, an NPR station serving North Texas.

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MURRAY, Utah (ABc4 Utah)  A new study by researchers at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City aims to determine the best method to screen and evaluate patients who are at risk of developing coronary heart disease to identify those who would benefit from statin medication to lower their cholesterol.

Currently, cardiologists determine a patients need for a statin medication based on traditional risk factors, which includes using the Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) to determine their risk.

The PCE method calculates coronary risk by assessing risk factors of age, sex, total and HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and whether someone has diabetes and is a smoker.

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However, a new approach to determining risk and selecting a statin is the use of the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, which is determined by taking a low-radiation dose image of the heart using computed tomography  a CT scan  to look for calcium deposits in plaques in the hearts coronary arteries.

Which approach is more effective? The new study aims to find out.

Our study is now fully enrolled with over 5,600 patients, and in this abstract, we wanted to look at baseline characteristics and differences in statin prescribing recommendations, said Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, co-principal investigator of the study and distinguished clinical and research physician at Intermountain Health.

The question we want to answer is whether we can do a better job in selecting people who need a statin for primary coronary risk reduction by using the coronary artery calcium score, rather than just putting coronary risk factors into an equation, said Dr. Anderson. That is, is it more effective to use direct imaging to assess evidence of plaque burden or a risk probability equation? Thats what were aiming to find out.

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The new study was presented on March 29 at the American College of Cardiologys Annual Scientific Sessions meeting in Chicago.

The research is part of CorCal Outcomes, a large, randomized clinical trial at Intermountain Health that is comparing the PCE versus CAC score guidance to initiate a statin prescription for patients for primary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Since 2019, Intermountain heart researchers have enrolled 5,615 patients into the study, with patients having an average age of 64.1 years old, and 51.3% of the study subjects being women.

This CorCal Outcomes study has been a systemwide, eight-year effort to complete enrollment, said Dr. Anderson.

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Intermountain patients at risk of coronary disease were invited to enroll in the study, and those agreeing to participate were randomized into two groups: those assessed using the PCE or those evaluated using their coronary artery calcium score.

Results of scoring by their assigned risk assessment tool were sent in letters to their personal physicians, including whether a statin was recommended based on a high-risk score.

Patients in the two groups in the study were found to have very similar baseline characteristics. However, researchers found that the rate of statin medication recommendations were different.

The study is expected to conclude in early 2026, at which time a comparison of outcomes, including deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and revascularizations during up to seven years, and an average of over four years, of follow-up will be made.

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For the enrollment phase, researcher found a recommendation to start a statin was made much more often based on the PCE. In the PCE group, 50.7% of patients were recommended a statin, with another 21.7% to be considered for one. By contrast, in the CAC group, only 22.3% of patients were recommended a statin.

This large difference in statin recommendations appears to be explained by the strong influence of older age in recommending a statin by the PCE and, in contrast, the frequent finding of a zero or low CAC score in many older patients, leading to a no-statin recommendation in them.

Knowing which score is most effective is important, said Dr. Anderson, so that physicians can get statin medication to the right people, and not prescribe statins to those who dont need it.

This is especially important considering that statins entail costs and can have side effects, including muscle aches and an increased risk of diabetes. We know theres a huge difference in prescribing recommendations, and next year we are anxious to see the impact of these differences on outcomes, said Dr. Anderson. These findings can have a huge impact on how we practice preventive medicine in the future and how many and whom we put on a statin or other lipid-lowering drugs.

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HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now)  A city police officer is recovering in the hospital after being shot during a barricade early Thursday morning.

Police responded to a call on Forrest Drive in the citys north end, just across from the Jamison Door manufacturing plant.

Assisting city police were the Maryland State Police, the Washington County Sheriffs office and the K-9 unit from Frederick city police.

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It was a domestic violence call, explained Lt. Rebecca Fetchu with the HPD. In the course of that call, one of our officers was shot. He was hit in the arm.

ORIGINAL COVERAGE: Barricade situation ends nearly 12 hours after Hagerstown police officer shot

I was at work, said Andrea, a neighbor. I was on 16 hours and as soon as I got off I got a message from my kids the police was outside.

Andrea made contact with her children from that point on while the shooter remained barricaded.

I was just checking on them, Andrea said of her kids. Making sure they were okay and just staying away from the windows.

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Police escorted the children out of the home shortly after 2 p.m., reuniting them with their mother.

The officer who was hurt underwent surgery at Meritus Hospital and is recovering.

The suspect was arrested late Thursday afternoon.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Central Faith Baptist Church has been a part of San Angelo for the past 70 years and is now facing an unfortunate circumstance.

San Angelo neighborhood church destroyed by storm

Concho Valley Home Page followed up with the churchs pastor of 24 years, Gerald Clark, to hear about any updates following the storm damage on Tuesday night.

Clark said he and one of his guys started working on reconstructing the church. So far, for the roof, all they have done is cut off the remaining parts that were hanging on. Clark has not yet done much because the men at his church work during the week, so he was waiting for their assistance after work.

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Sunday morning, Im going to reach out with a short message and meet with them about how we are going to approach this and what I need my men to step up and do, said Clark. I know they will, they are good guys, theres not many of us.

TGSO jail roster update

Clark did say he started tearing down the ruined sheet rock in the fellowship area. He said the main mission right now is to just clean out the building where it was damaged. Clark told the website that theres a lot of work to be done.

In this conversation, Clark, a pastor in his 70s, made it clear that due to financial challenges, he and his congregation will have to handle most of the churchs reconstruction work themselves.

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Clark said if anyone would like to volunteer and help the church rebuild to give him a call at 325-650-5341.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Following the start of a massive military attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on the Iranian people to rise up against the leadership in Tehran.

The aim of the Israeli operation is not only to eliminate the nuclear and ballistic threat to Israel posed by the "Islamic regime," but also "to pave the way for you to achieve your freedom," Netanyahu said in a video message to the "proud Iranian people."

The leadership in Tehran had "never been weaker than it is now," Netanyahu asserted.

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"This is your opportunity to stand up and raise your voices," the Israeli prime minister added. At the same time, he reiterated that Israel's attacks were not directed against the Iranian people, but only "against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses you and keeps you in poverty."

The time has come for the Iranian people to rally around their flag and their historical heritage by standing up for their freedom from this "evil and oppressive regime."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel's strikes on Iran, aimed at eliminating its nuclear threat, would continue for as long as needed.

The attack, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," is to continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," he said.

Netanyahu said Israel struck "Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz" and also targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists who were working to develop the bomb. Israel also struck at the centre of Iran's ballistic missile programme, the prime minister said.

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In what appeared to be an appeal to the US public, Netanyahu said Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles in three years, and asked his listeners to imagine the landing of 10,000 tons of explosives "on a country the size of New Jersey." He made his video address in English.

Netanyahu condemned what he said was Iran's stepped up pursuit of uranium enrichment that he called "a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival."

He noted that 80 years ago the Jewish people were the victims of the Nazi Holocaust and that now the Jewish state will never allow those who want to destroy it to succeed. Throughout his roughly seven minute speech he made repeated references to World War II and the Holocaust.

The Israeli prime minister also thanked US President Donald Trump "for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons programme."
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo unexpectedly vetoed a bill on Thursday that would have required voters in the swing state to show a photo ID at the polls  a conservative priority across the country and something that has long been on the governors legislative wish list.

The move brings a dramatic end to one of the legislative sessions most surprising outcomes: A bipartisan deal that combined the requirement for voter identification with a Democratic-backed measure to add more drop boxes for mail ballots that Lombardo had initially vetoed.

The bill came together in the final days of the session and passed mere minutes before the Democratic-controlled Legislature adjourned just after midnight on June 3. Lombardo had been expected to sign it.

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In his veto message, Lombardo said he wholeheartedly supports voter ID laws but that he felt the bill fell short on addressing his concerns about ballots cast by mail, because such ballots could still be accepted solely on the basis of a signature match" under the bill.

Because it would apply voter ID requirements unequally between in-person and mail ballot voters and fails to sufficiently guarantee ballot security, I cannot support it, he said.

The voter ID requirements in the bill mirrored a ballot initiative known as Question 7 that Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved last November. But voters would have to pass it again in 2026 to amend the state constitution. The requirement would then be in place by 2028.

Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, the Democrat who brokered the deal with Lombardo, said when he introduced the legislation that voters seemed poised to give the final approval, and that enacting a voter ID law would have given the state a head start on ensuring a smooth rollout before the next presidential election.

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In a scathing statement, Yeager called the governor's decision a breach of trust," saying that he believes Lombardo gave in to pressure around him to veto the bill, designated Assembly Bill 499.

Lombardo was for AB499 before he was against it, encouraging all legislative Republicans to support it, which they did, Yeager said.

Voting rights groups condemned the legislation, saying it would have made it harder for some people to vote, including low-income or unhoused voters, people with disabilities and older voters.

Let Nevadans Vote, which describes itself as a nonpartisan coalition, said Thursday in a statement that the governor's veto only temporarily stops what it called the misguided and ill-conceived implementation of voter ID in Nevada.

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Come 2026, Question 7 will still be on the ballot," the group said while describing voter ID requirements as strict regimes that decide who gets to exercise their constitutional right to vote and who cannot.

Polls have shown that most Americans support voter ID laws, and that has been consistent over the years and across party lines. A 2024 Gallup poll found 84% of Americans were in favor of requirements for a photo ID at voting places, consistent with Gallup findings from 2022 and 2016. That includes about two-thirds of Democrats, according to the 2024 survey.

Voters are either required or requested to show ID when voting in person in 36 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Not all states require photo ID, though. Some accept documents such as a bank statement, and some allow voters without ID to vote after signing an affidavit. A few states allow poll workers to vouch for voters without an ID.

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Lombardo on Thursday also vetoed a bill that would have allowed the swing states nonpartisan voters to cast ballots in Republican or Democratic primary races.

The bill sought to include the more than 855,000 voters registered as nonpartisans  the state's largest voting bloc  in the process of nominating major-party candidates for congressional races and statewide offices.

A ballot initiative to open up primaries for all registered voters was rejected by voters last November. The sweeping measure, which also attempted to implement ranked choice voting, faced intense opposition from party leaders on both sides who said it was too broad and confusing.
Apple Hospitality Real Estate and Investments (REIT) has acquired a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel in Brandon, Florida, US, for a total purchase price of $18.8m, equating to approximately $149,000 per room.

The 126-room hotel is positioned a short drive from downtown Tampa.

The acquisition price reflects a 12% capitalisation rate on the trailing twelve-month financial results up to April of the current year and is expected to yield a high single-digit cap rate post-anticipated capital expenditure.

Apple Hospitality REIT president Nelson Knight said: Our acquisition of this hotel represents a unique opportunity to expand our ownership in a submarket that continues to perform well for us at a purchase price below replacement cost.

We anticipate that additional upside from operational synergies and improved market positioning following our planned renovation will further enhance returns on our investment. Our execution of this transaction in the current environment illustrates the underlying strength of our platform and our ability to effectively and efficiently deploy capital to maximise total shareholder returns over the long term.

Tampa's market is evidenced by a 15% year-over-year increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the Tampa East, Florida submarket, as reported by STR for the 12 months ending 30 April 2025.

The hotel is expected to undergo renovation.

In addition to the Homewood Suites acquisition, Apple Hospitality has one more hotel under contract for purchase and another for sale.

The company is set to acquire a Motto by Hilton in downtown Nashville for an anticipated $98.2m upon its expected completion of construction in late 2025.

Additionally, the sale of the 206-room Houston Marriott Energy Corridor is projected to generate approximately $16m, with the transaction expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

However, the finalisation of these deals is subject to various conditions that are yet to be met.

With the latest acquisition of the Homewood Suites property, Apple Hospitality's portfolio has expanded to include 221 hotels with 29,893 guest rooms across 37 states and the District of Columbia.

This follows a previous acquisition in June 2024, when the company added the Embassy Suites by Hilton property in Downtown, Madison, Wisconsin, to its collection for around $79.5m.

"Apple Hospitality buys Homewood Suites hotel in Tampa, US" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nevada lawmakers unanimously passed and Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a proposal to amend the states traffic-ticket system.

Senate Bill 359, which will become law Oct. 1, gives courts flexibility to reduce the amount a driver needs to pay upfront. Courts interpreted the current law as a driver having to pay the full amount of a ticket before a hearing.

The 8 News Now Investigators first looked into the issue this spring when a retiree had to pay her $417 ticket in full before her court hearing. Before Senate Bill 359, Nevada law required her to pay the fine in full  whether she wanted to fight the ticket or not.

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Since 2021, Nevada lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have changed most traffic infractions, like a speeding ticket, to be a civil infraction, not a criminal one. That means tickets no longer carry the threat of jail time, and missed court appearances do not really matter in the long run since the court may already have your money.

Democratic State Sen. Melanie Scheible sponsored the change, which passed unanimously. The governor signed it last week.

In addition, changes written in Senate Bill 359 now combine civil and criminal infractions  minor speeding offenses versus driving without a license  and allow a judge to deal with both in one hearing.

The new law also gives judges more discretion, not a presumption in favor to reduce a traffic ticket to a nonmoving violation should the driver pay all their fines and have a good driving record.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Two vineyard workers were targeted in arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs officers in Newberg on Thursday, the office of U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas confirmed to KOIN 6 News.

In a statement, Salinas confirmed the arrests of the vineyard workers.

There were two targeted ICE arrests of vineyard workers in Newberg. As a part of my Congressional duty, I am meeting with ICE to ensure they maintain the right to due process for all detained individuals. I have also spoken at length with Latino leaders in the community to ensure individuals know their rights and how I can support them, Salinas, a Democrat representing Oregons 6th Congressional District, said.

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Portland police respond to protests outside ICE facility

Authorities have not released the names of those arrested, nor have they immediately released further details about the arrests.

However, KOIN 6 News spoke with family members of a person who they said is one of the people who was arrested.

The family told KOIN 6 that Moises Sotelo was detained by ICE after his daughter, Alondra Sotelo Garcia, tracked his phone to the ICE detention center in Portland after hed gone missing.

Moises is a fixture in Oregon wine country, his daughter said. He had spent two decades working there, earning awards along the way, before launching his own business earlier this year. The business was aimed at helping wineries manage their grape crops.

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Hes a good man, taxpayer, hard working man, proud of what he does, granpa, dad, uncle, Alondra said.

On Thursday morning, Moises vanished, Alondra said. His truck was left misparked on the street he drives every day in Newberg. She knew instantly, ICE had taken him, before her fears were confirmed by tracking his phone.

Moises Sotelo (left) with his daughter, Alondra Sotelo Garcia (file, undated photo courtesy Alondra Sotelo Garcia). Moises Sotelo worked in the wine industry near Newberg, Oregon, before he was taken by ICE. (file, undated photo, courtesy Alondra Sotelo Garcia). A sign reads Free Moises outside the ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. June 12, 2025 (courtesy Alondra Sotelo Garcia). Moises Sotelo worked in the wine industry in Newberg before being taken by ICE, his family says. (file, undated photo courtesy Alondra Sotelo Garcia).

Whispers here and there of possible spotting but when it happens to you, its a whole different feeling, ordeal, you enter into panic, Alondra said.

After seeing that his phone location was listed as being in Portland, she rushed to the ICE facility there to see him.

I just saw my dad chained at his feet, you know, with a big old smile, still trying to keep his head up for me, more than anybody in that moment, Alondra said.

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Outside the Portland facility, where protesters have been gathered for days, a sign now hangs, reading, Free Moises.

Alondra declined to discuss her fathers immigration status. But the process is often long, complicated and costly.

Still tracking her dads phone, Alondra heard a ping, mid-interview, notifying her that he was being moved. She traced his path as he moved north on I-5, toward Tacoma, Washington.

This is news to me, she said.

Alondra said the entire ordeal represents a call to stay ready and aware.

Just for being brown, even if youre a citizen, youre still at risk, she said.

The arrests come amid growing protests across the nation, including in Portland, over federal immigration enforcement raids around the country.

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KOIN 6 News has reached out to ICE for more information. We will update this story if they respond.

The Yamhill County Sheriffs Office shared the following statement with KOIN 6 News after our request for comment:

I cannot confirm anything definitively, as I have not seen anything myself, and I have not had any direct communication from any federal entities. I have had several reports of ICE enforcement action in Yamhill County today and have received two inquiries in prior days from media outlets asking me to confirm if I have any information. I have received some information today third hand which I would deem to be credible information, which suggests that there has been some level of enforcement activity at least today in Yamhill County.

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliot

The Newberg-Dundee School District shared the following letter with KOIN 6 News that they shared with community members:

Dear Newberg Dundee Community,



We were made aware of ICE activity in our community over the night and throughout today. Our leadership team worked closely with school principals to ensure a safe and secure last day of school. At this time, we have not had any disruptions to our schools or offices, and we ended our last day of school safely. As a reminder of how Newberg Dundee schools will respond in these cases, we want to reiterate our January 27 communication:



Here is what you need to know:



Student Records and Privacy Protections:

Our actions are guided by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA strictly prohibits the release of student records or personally identifiable information without prior parental consent, except in very limited circumstances (such as cases involving child abuse). This applies to all requests, whether from federal, state, or local authorities.



Requests for Access to Students:

If any official, including federal authorities, arrives at a school requesting information or access to a student, they will be referred to the district office. This ensures a consistent and legally compliant response to every request.



Legal Requirements for Information Disclosure:

The only circumstances under which we would release student information are:

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When presented with a valid judicial subpoena or court order.

When disclosure falls under the board-approved Directory Information policy (JOA), what may be shared is highly limited.



Administrative Training and Compliance:

We have met with all school administrators to review and reinforce these policies. Every principal understands their responsibility to safeguard student information and ensure compliance with federal and state laws.



Our commitment is clear: Every student in our district has the right to a safe and supportive learning environment free from fear or unnecessary intrusion.



Sincerely,



Dave Parker

Superintendent

Newberg Dundee School District

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is meeting the moment, Democrats say.

Amid the growing storm over the Trump administrations response to protests of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which hit a new crescendo Thursday when officials put Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in handcuffs, Newsom is doing what his party wants.

Hes punching back, and hes going on offense.

While its been a horrible week for the country, Gov. Newsom has been a credible voice of so many peoples discontent and anxiety about Trumps America, said Democratic strategist Jamal Simmons. Democrats want people who can take on Donald Trump, and he is seen as someone who has been taking him on.

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The ICE raids in Los Angeles, the biggest city in Newsoms state, had the possibility of becoming political quicksand for the California governor.

Trump on Saturday sent in the National Guard without Newsoms consent, amid images of burning cars and masked protesters. Trump justified the decision by arguing that things were going out of control on Newsoms watch; Newsom and Democrats argued he deliberately provoked a larger confrontation and escalated the situation.

There was some risk to Newsoms decision to fight Trump, who maintains a number of protesters were breaking the law and sees both immigration and law and order as strong issues on which to batter Democrats.

But so far, it has been far from a disaster for Newsom, who seems to be winning more support.

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And the video of Padilla being forced to the ground and handcuffed by officers after seeking to ask a question to Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem gives he and other Democrats new images to use against the White House.

It feeds into the argument that Trump is going too far.

Democratic strategist Basil Smikle said Newsom has been good at framing Trumps actions as a massive overreaction and abuse of authority.

And the fight comes as many Democrats have been frustrated with a party they see as too cowed by Trump.

When voters say they want a fight, this is what theyre referring to  even as Trump threatens Newsoms arrest, Smikle said.

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Newsom has spoken directly to the public in speeches, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks. He is slapping Trump on the social platform X. He is even using Taylor Swift lyrics on TikTok to get under Trumps skin.

This is what Gavin does best, said one longtime ally of the California governor. He is absolutely unapologetic about getting up in someones face and calling out their weaknesses. Thats why hes so effective in going after Trump and MAGA Republicans.

Some Democrats had soured on Newsom earlier this year.

After he launched a podcast, for example, he received scrutiny for playing host to the likes of Steve Bannon, the Trump loyalist, and Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist.

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It looked to many as if Newsom was trying to position himself as more of centrist while turning his back on his party.

Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said while Newsoms current posture could do well in the Democratic primary should he run for president, a bigger question looms.

The question is will this be the version of Newsom who shows up or the one who was hosting right wing podcasters a few weeks ago? Vale said.

He was also seen as trying to cozy up to Trump on the heels of the catastrophic wildfires that ravaged parts of Southern California earlier this year. It came at a time when other Democrats including fellow governors, like JB Pritzker of Illinois, said Democrats should oppose Trump at all costs.

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Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption, Pritzker said in April. But I am now.

Democrats have criticized Newsom for being too focused on his political prospects while as one put it, missing the boat on issues important back home.

Theres a criticism of him that he always has his eyes on the next thing, one strategist said.

But Democrats  even those who have rolled their eyes at Newsom in recent months  say they appreciate the tone he has taken in standing up to Trump on the call-up of the National Guard and his over-the-top immigration policies.

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In a speech on Tuesday, Newsom was blunt: What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty. Your silence. To be complicit in this moment, he said during his speech. Do not give it to him.

If some of us can be snatched off the streets without a warrant  based only on suspicion or skin color  then none of us are safe, he said. Authoritarian regimes begin by targeting people who are least able to defend themselves, but they do not stop there.

This is about all of us. This is about you, he continued. California may be first  but it clearly wont end there. Other states are next. Democracy is next.

Garry South, a longtime Democratic strategist in California who served as a senior adviser to Newsom during his first bid for governor, said while the speech was effective, the most palpable moment for Newsom this week was when he egged on Trumps border czar Tom Homan this week and said to come arrest him.

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[It] had Democrats all over doing high-fives and fist bumps, he said.

Its the kind of confidence that Simmons said would go a long way should Newsom decide to run for president in 2028.

Courage and confidence are going to be large markers in the 2028 race, he said, adding that Newsom has proven to have both.

And of all the would-be candidates, Simmons added, Newsoms name has come up the most by those outside of the political class, unsolicited and unprompted.

Hes got a reputation out there for being a courageous Democrat, 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 The Hill.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said President Donald Trump had seemingly lost a step mentally in a new interview, in an unmistakable comparison to former President Joe Biden.

During an episode of The New York Times "The Daily" podcast published Thursday, the Democratic governor accused Trump of being "not all there," saying that the presidents been making up a different reality than what is actually going on with the federal governments response to the unrest in Los Angeles.

"And hes not all there. I mean that," Newsom told Times podcast host Michael Barbaro, who seemed to be stunned by the description.

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White House Mocks Newsom Address, Accuses Governor Of Hiring Harris', Biden's Campaign Manager

President Donald Trump, left, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom continued their feud over the response to the L.A. riots, with Newsom most recently accusing Trump of being "not all there."

As Newsom told it, Trumps behavior regarding the riots has been erratic and unhinged.

"Then I talked to the president. Hours later, to your point, I wake up, and Im Newscum again," he said, referencing a nickname Trump has called the governor on multiple occasions.

Read On The Fox News App

"Wow," Barbaro replied.

"Yeah, its the President of the United States calling someone scum, Newscum, which is, for what its worth, what I think a seventh grader used to call me on Baltimore Street in Corte Madera, California," Newsom continued. "He begins the day with that, and then talks about the National Guard, and then starts making up all these things he claimed he told me about, which honestly starts to disturb me on a different level that maybe he actually believed he said those things."

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When Barbaro prompted him to clarify his "not all there" claim, the governor replied, "I dont know. Honestly, he literally a few days later talked about a conversation he had with me after he announced his 700 U.S. Marines to be deployed for domestic law enforcement in the United States of America. Thats blatantly against [the] law. He claimed he had another conversation with me."

In another interview, Newsom told Fox LA that Trump has "lost it" and is not the same person he was four years ago.

Federal Officials Slam Democrats For 'Dangerous' Rhetoric As Ice Agents Face Violent Mobs In La, Nyc

However, Newsom had no reservations about former President Biden's mental fitness when even Democratic figures were calling it out. After Biden's disastrous debate with Trump last summer, Newsom rejected the idea that Biden should step away from re-election, telling CBS News, "Im all in, no daylight."

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Last year on "Meet the Press," Newsom said he'd seen Biden up close and said his age was what made him successful.

Biden's mental decline in office has been a hot topic since he left office, coming to a head last month after the book "Original Sin" outlined alarming examples while he was still president. Trump, who turns 79 on Saturday, will break Biden's record as the oldest president ever by the end of his second term.

Newsom and Trump have been feuding over the presidents response to the LA riots that began after Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations commenced downtown last week.

Trump ordered the U.S. National Guard and subsequently 700 U.S. Marines into the city to support local law enforcement. Newsom spoke out against the actions, calling them a "brazen abuse of power" during a televised address on Tuesday night. Democrats have claimed Trump exacerbated the situation to benefit himself politically.

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The White House did not immediately reply to Fox News Digitals request for comment.





Original article source: Newsom tries to give Trump the Biden treatment, says he's 'not all there'
The secret militrial trial of Ken Saro-Wiwa was widely seen as a sham [Tim Lambon / Greenpeace]

Nigeria's president has pardoned the late activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, 30 years after his execution sparked global outrage.

Along with eight other campaigners, Mr Saro-Wiwa was convicted of murder, then hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime.

Many believed the activists were being punished for leading protests against the operations of oil multinationals, particularly Shell, in Nigeria's Ogoniland. Shell has long denied any involvement in the executions.

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Though the pardons have been welcomed, some activists and relatives say they do not go far enough.

As well as issuing the pardons on Thursday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu bestowed national honours on Mr Saro-Wiwa and his fellow campaigners, who were known as the Ogoni Nine.

The nine men - Mr Saro-Wiwa, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuinen, Baribor Bera, Felix Nuate, Paul Levula, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo and Daniel Gbokoo - were among dozens who received the honours as part of Nigeria's annual Democracy Day.

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Tinubu said the accolades recognised "heroes" who had made "outstanding contributions " to the nation's democracy.

Responding to the pardons for the Ogoni Nine, campaign groups said they would like the government to take further steps.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Mosop), which was formerly led by Mr Saro-Wiwa, called the pardon a "courageous act".

However, Mosop also said that the pardon implies wrongdoing, while in reality "no crime ever took place".

Barinem Kiobel's widow expressed her gratitude to Tinubu for the national honour, but called on the president to "properly declare [her] husband and his compatriots innocent" because a "pardon is not granted to the innocent".

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She told the BBC she wants a retrial.

Elsewhere, Amnesty International said clemency falls "far short of the justice the Ogoni Nine need".

More must be done to hold oil companies to account for environmental damage currently occurring in Nigeria, the organisation added.

Mr Saro-Wiwa, who was one of Nigeria's leading authors, led the Ogoni people in peaceful demonstrations against Shell and other oil companies.

Mosop accused the multinational company of polluting the land that locals relied on for their livelihoods.

The Nigerian government responded by brutally cracking down on the protesters. The Ogoni Nine were subsequently found guilty by a secret military tribunal of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs.

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Their execution sparked outrage within the international community. It was widely condemned as extrajudicial murder and became a global symbol of the struggle against environmental injustice and repression.

Nigeria was consequently suspended from the Commonwealth group of nations.

Since then, Shell has faced various lawsuits over oil spills and environmental damage in the Niger Delta, the southern region that Ogoniland is a part of.

In 2021 a Dutch court ordered Shell to compensate farmers for spills that contaminated swathes of farmland and fishing waters in the Niger Delta. The company agreed to pay more than a hundred million dollars.

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Earlier this year, lawyers representing two Ogoniland communities argued in London's High Court that Shell must take responsibility for oil pollution that occurred between 1989 and 2020.

Shell denies wrongdoing and says spills in the region have been caused by sabotage, theft and illegal refining for which the company says it is not liable.

The case's full trial is set for 2026.

Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor

More BBC stories about Nigeria:

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Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP)  Nigerias President Bola Tinubu has posthumously pardoned nine environmental activists executed 30 years ago by the then-ruling military junta, drawing sharp criticism and anger from activists who argued on Friday that the individuals committed no crime.

During an event Thursday to mark the 26th anniversary of Nigerias return to democracy, Tinubu pardoned the Ogoni Nine, including celebrated writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, and described them as national heroes.

The men were convicted of murdering four local chiefs and were hanged in 1995 by the then-military regime led by Gen. Sani Abacha. They were part of the Ogoni ethnic group in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, and had protested environmental pollution in the region by multinational oil companies, particularly Shell.

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Their trial and murder sparked international outrage at the time, with rights groups calling it unjust and lacking credible evidence.

Local rights and civil society groups described Tinubu's pardon as misleading and insulting.

A pardon is given to people who have been convicted of wrongdoing," said Ken Henshaw, executive director of local rights group We The People.

Henshaw said the process leading to their execution did not prove that they were guilty of the allegations against them. For him (Tinubu) to say he wants to pardon them is a misnomer, he added.

The Nigerian government must also recognize formally that the murdered activists are innocent of any crime and fully exonerate them, said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigerias director.

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Full justice for the Ogoni Nine is only a first step," said Sanusi. Much more needs to be done to get justice for communities in the Niger Delta, including holding Shell and other oil companies to account for the damage they have done and continue to do.

____

Follow APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
By Ope Adetayo

LAGOS (Reuters) -Nigeria's Ogoni activists on Friday rejected a posthumous pardon for nine members executed three decades ago by a military dictatorship, criticising President Bola Tinubu's move as inadequate and perpetuating injustice.

To commemorate Nigeria's Democracy Day on June 12, Tinubu pardoned the men, known as the "Ogoni Nine", including writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were hanged after being tried by a military tribunal for their protests against Shell's pollution in the oil-rich Niger Delta, which is home to the Ogoni ethnic group.

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The executions sparked international condemnation against Nigeria's then-military junta and continue to be a contentious issue in the nation's history.

"You cannot pardon someone that has not committed an offense; we are demanding total exoneration," said Celestine Akpobari, coordinator of the Ogoni Solidarity Forum.

"To say 'pardon', I think it is insulting. If there is any group who needs pardon, it is the Nigerian government that has committed so much crime against the Ogoni people," he told Reuters.

Tinubu's spokesperson rejected such criticism.

"The president has done what is normal. They can make an argument for exoneration and the president will look into it," Bayo Onanuga told Reuters.

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Shell, which halted oil drilling in the area in the early 1990s and later sold its assets there, has denied any responsibility or wrongdoing.

Tinubu's efforts to resume oil drilling in Ogoniland have drawn fresh criticism from environmental activists.

Alagao Morris, deputy executive director of the Environmental Defenders Network, an interest group in the Niger Delta, said the pardon appeared to be an attempt to mollify the Ogoni people in the face of the region's continued environmental devastation.

"The pollution that ought to be addressed has not been addressed," Morris said. He said the issue of oil drilling should be decided by the Ogoni people, but the complete exoneration of Saro-Wiwa and other executed activists should come first.

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Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, relies on oil for more than 90% of export earnings and around two-thirds of government earnings, exposing its economy to global price shocks.

(Reporting by Ope Adetayo; editing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo and Tomasz Janowski)
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  With reports of a new variant of COVID-19 out there, its important to remain informed and prepare. Public health experts are saying that the new Nimbus variant is more contagious, and theyre recommending COVID boosters.

The official name of the new variant is NB.1.8.1, but it has been nicknamed Nimbus.

ABC4.com spoke with Dr. Kelly Oakeson, Chief Scientist for Next Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics at the Utah Public Health Lab with the Utah Department of Health about what you need to know about this new COVID-19 variant.

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According to Dr. Oakeson, the CDC is predicting that the Nimbus variant makes up anywhere from 38-50% of the current COVID cases in the United States. He also said that weve seen it in Utah, through a handful of clinical cases, and its been detected in wastewater.

As we have seen with previous variants, new mutations have made the virus more transmissible.

Its better at attaching to our cells and infecting our cells and making us sick, but it also has mutations as well that help us avoid our immune response, right? Dr. Oakeson explained. It has ways of avoiding our antibodies that we have built up against COVID, either from vaccination or from infection.

Symptoms are similar to current COVID symptoms: cough, fatigue, fever, loss of taste and smell, etc., he said.

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Four measles cases now reported in Arizona, first of this year

What can you do to protect yourself? Dr. Oakeson recommended the same measures people have been taking all along to protect themselves against COVID.

If youre not feeling well, stay in bed, rest up. If you have to go out and youre going to be in large places, put a mask on, Dr Oakeson said. We know these N95, these surgical masks do a good job at helping prevent spread of respiratory viruses.

He also recommended getting a COVID booster if you havent yet.

If you got one last fall, and depending on your health status, youre probably okay. There are recommendations for people that are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised to get boosters more often, he explained.

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If you havent gotten a booster in the past year, Dr. Oakeson said that its probably time to go out and get one. The formulation of the newest booster will provide some protection against the new variant, he said.

From a public health perspective, Dr. Oakeson said that the biggest concern is a summer surge, where large groups of people would be infected, putting pressure on hospital systems.

We tend to see COVID come in waves, you know, in the summer and then again in the winter, so were keeping an eye out to see how that wave crests here as cases start increasing, he said.

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NEED TO KNOW

Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel was identified as the only Canadian national on the Air India Boeing 787-8 that crashed in India

The 32-year-old dentist was a wife and mother to a 1-year-old

Of the 242 people onboard, including 12 crew members and 230 passengers, there was only one survivor  a British national of Indian origin







The only Canadian on board the Air India flight that killed all but one person has been identified.

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Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, a 32-year-old dentist from Mississauga, Ontario, was among the 241 victims aboard the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. She is survived by her husband and their 1-year-old child, CTV News, National Post and CP 24 reported Thursday, June 12.

The London-bound plane crashed in a residential area of India around 1:43 p.m. local time  just five minutes after taking off.

Its absolutely shocking. Theres no words in this grievance, community leader Don Patel, told CTV News Toronto on Thursday. Don, who knew Nirali's family, said she had been in India for four or five days before making her return to Etobicoke.

Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty wreckage at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025 wreckage at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025

She was coming back. And we heard this tragic thing happened as soon as we wake up, he said.

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Her husband, who declined to share his name publicly, reportedly said, That was my wife. I am not in a state to speak right now, per the National Post.

He and the child are reportedly in the process of traveling to India.

I spoke to her brother very briefly this morning while we were trying to help and arrange their travel, Don said of Niralis family trying to get to India.

Well try to give them strength, whichever way we can. Sometimes words might not help them, but moral support or just showing (up) and being there with them gives them so much strength, the family friend added.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford shared his condolences on X.

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Im saddened to learn that a Canadian from Mississauga, Ontario was among those lost in the tragic Air India crash near Ahmedabad. On behalf of the people of Ontario, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of every victim. We are keeping you in our thoughts during this difficult time, the Canadian politician wrote.

There were 230 passengers and 12 crew on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty debris at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025 debris at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025

"The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national," the airline said on Thursday morning.

All on board were thought to have been killed; however, it was later reported that the only survivor from the crash was "a British national of Indian origin." That person was identified by local reports as 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who is currently hospitalized.

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He and his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, 45, were in India to visit family and were traveling back to the U.K. together. Ajay is presumed dead.

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.

Ramesh sustained impact injuries to his chest, eyes and feet, but was alert enough to describe the crash from the hospital.

Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed, he told The Hindustan Times from his hospital bed. It all happened so quickly."

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"When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran," Ramesh continued. "There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.



Read the original article on People
From left, Urvi Parekh, Meta's head of energy, joins Josh Prueher from XGS Energy, New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Rob Black and Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to announce a $1 billion dollar geothermal energy generation site anticipated within the next three years. (Screengrab from live stream )

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday announced what she described as a big damn deal for green energy production in New Mexico, one that she said will provide Metas New Mexico data centers with huge amounts of green energy they need without using much water or costing taxpayers a dime.

At a news conference at the Roundhouse, surrounded by cabinet agency heads and leaders from the Silicon Valley giant and also XGS Energy, the governor said the deal means XGS Energy would produce 150 megawatts of energy for Meta through its advanced geothermal technology.

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Geothermal energy taps into heat under the Earths surface to generate electricity using steam turbines or further uses for heating and cooling. Leaders touted the advanced version of that technology as a way to minimize water usage through a closed-loop system and also by using a tiny surface footprint, claiming only 15 acres is needed on the surface for a project that produces enough energy to power 50,000 homes.

Read the report here.

In addition to the energy production, the new geothermal plant will mean a $1 billion private sector investment that will create 3,000 construction jobs and 100 really good jobs running the geothermal power plant, the governor said.

Its not clear when the company will break ground on the plant or plants or where they will be located. Company leaders described at least a three-year permitting timeline.

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The governor and XGS Energy CEO Josh Prueher said New Mexico has the exact right geology to greatly expand geothermal projects. A 238-page academic report released Thursday from Project InnerSpace, New Mexico Tech and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources claims the state has enough capacity to produce 163 gigawatts of geothermal power, which the report authors say is more than 15 times the amount of capacity the state had in 2023.

XGS Energy CEO Josh Prueher said New Mexicos favorable geology and permitting landscape makes it easy and inviting for developers and investors, during at a news conference Tuesday, June 12, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Combine the right geology with what Prueher called an easy permitting process, and then add in an oil and gas workforce that could be trained to work in geothermal technology, and youve got an environment thats easy and inviting for developers and investors he said.

The governor said the state helped the deal come together through years of policy and legislative work, but stressed that no taxpayer money would be spent on it. She also said there isnt any state agency rulemaking required or legislation that will need to pass at the upcoming legislative session.

This is born from all the groundwork all of us have been laying in the state, which is why, frankly, its a great announcement jointly, and it should be a bit of a celebration, she said.

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The governors proposal is the latest shes offered that seeks to enable continued growth while confronting the states arid climate, diminishing water supply and reliance on the oil and gas industry. In 2024, she announced a push for a so-called Strategic Water Supply that sought to create a market for wastewater produced by oil and gas drilling, along with brackish water.

The states 50-year water plan released last year says the state can expect a 25% reduction in its water supply over the next 50 years, thanks to climate change-caused aridification.

While leaders were tight-lipped about where the projects could go, they said the public is welcome to weigh in via the permitting process.

New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks Thursday at the news conference regarding the partnership between XGS Energy and Meta. (Photo by Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

In a presentation elsewhere in Santa Fe as part of the release of the academic report, Melanie Kenderdine, secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, showed a map that suggested the sites could be in Sandoval, San Miguel, Dona Ana, Catron and Hidalgo counties, and listed an additional 13 other counties that have most favorable potential for other sites.

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The state aims to move forward with further projects, Kenderdine told attendees at a conference hosted by Project InnerSpace, a nonprofit pushing for further geothermal projects.

The state has competing needs for the space underground beyond geothermal, Kenderdine said, such as sequestering carbon underground or developing geologic hydrogen as another fuel source.

We need to do very, very detailed mapping of the New Mexico subsurface and we need to do it quickly, she said.
Bank of America (BAC) CEO Brian Moynihan said Wednesday that the countrys second-largest bank is going to take a look at stablecoins after key crypto legislation passes.

We're working with the industry, working individually. We have this pretty well understood  but the problem before was it wasn't clear we were allowed to do it under the banking regulations, and there was a lot of mystery about that, Moynihan said at a Morgan Stanley conference in New York.

Unlike bitcoin and other digital assets, stablecoin prices aren't supposed to fluctuate. Instead, they are pegged to assets such as the US dollar and are seen more widely as a means of payment.

As far back as February, Moynihan has said that his bank would plan to launch a stablecoin pending crypto legislation. What has not been highlighted before is that his bank will wait for both pieces of legislation to pass before moving forward.

If they get the Genius Act or the stable act or anything like that passed,and then they get the markets infrastructure enablement piece  that will allow us to figure out whether there's really a business proposition in stablecoins, Moynihan added.

Meanwhile, Bank of America's investment banking is expected to decline by more than 20% in the second quarter compared to the year ago period, Moynihan said. Trading revenue is poised for a "mid-to-high single digit" increase for the same period.

Figuring out a stablecoin approach? Bank of America Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan speaks during the Clearing House Annual Conference in New York City, U.S. November 13, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo  REUTERS / Reuters

In recent days, Wall Street has been embracing the potential that crypto stablecoins may bring to digital payments and wider finance.

Legislation setting rules for how bank holding companies and other firms can issue stablecoins, known as the Genius Act, has been reintroduced in the Senate this week. Its final passage is expected as early as next week, according to a Senate aide.

Both Democratic and Republican Senators have called for at least seven notable amendments to the bill, including one preventing the president and his family from profiting via a stablecoin venture while in office. Another, proposed by Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), would add language prohibiting interest paid to stablecoin customers as a way to protect the competitive standing of the nations community banks.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune has prevented the Senate from voting on those amendments, according to the aide.

The other larger and more recently introduced piece of crypto legislation, known as the Clarity Act, sets rules for the overall market regulation of digital assets and hasnt yet made it to the House floor.

Blocking amendments: US Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks at a press conference following the U.S. Senate Republicans' weekly policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura  REUTERS / Reuters

As part of a broader executive order and campaign promise to make the US the crypto capital of the planet, President Trump has previously indicated a desire for both pieces of legislation to be passed quickly.
By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The number two U.S. diplomat questioned the need for NATO in a post on X - which he later deleted - as the alliance prepares for an annual summit expected to be dominated by a U.S. demand for higher defense spending and Russia's war on Ukraine.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau was replying to a social media thread by Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO. Whitaker in his post said that what happened in the Indo-Pacific mattered for transatlantic security.

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"He obviously didn't get the memo our [sic] of our Deputies Committee meeting on this very issue," Landau wrote at 6:56 pm on Wednesday, referring to Whitaker. "NATO is still a solution in search of a problem."

It was not clear if Landau meant for his message to be public or if he intended to send Whitaker's post to a third person.

"This was a casual, lighthearted remark intended for a brief, private exchange," a State Department spokesperson said in emailed comments.

"The Deputy Secretarys comment was in the context of his desire to improve NATO and ensure it remains focused on its mission," the spokesperson said.

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Landau's post was later deleted. The Deputies Committee is subordinate to the National Security Council and composed of deputy secretaries of State, Defense and other agencies, according to the White House website.

The administration of former President Joe Biden had pushed the European allies to pay more attention to the threats in the Indo-Pacific, particularly from China, but the Trump administration has encouraged those allies to focus on their own security.

Landau's post contrasts with views of most of NATO's European members, who see Russia and its war on Ukraine as an existential threat, and the U.S.-led alliance as their main means of defense.

His post came as NATO leaders prepare for a two-day summit in the Hague beginning on June 24, where they will consider U.S. President Donald Trump's demand that they boost defense spending to 5% of GDP.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to attend the meeting. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, he regularly has attended NATO summits, and alliance members have pledged billions in weapons and condemned Russia for an illegal war of conquest.

Trump has shifted U.S. policy, partially accepting Moscow's justifications for its full-scale invasion in February 2022 and disparaging Zelenskiy.

European allies have expressed concern about Trump's commitment to the 32-member alliance and its support for Ukraine's battle against Russia's occupation forces.

(Reporting by Jonathan LandayAdditional reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and Leslie Adler)
A photo from 2024 shows former Democratic state Sen. Mark Mullet, when he was running for governor. Hes now running to be mayor of Issaquah after retiring from the Legislature. (Photo courtesy of Mark Mullet gubernatorial campaign)

Former Washington state lawmaker Mark Mullet didnt break any laws when he accepted contributions to his campaign for Issaquah mayor in December, a judge ruled Friday.

Issaquah Municipal Court Judge Scott Stewart dismissed a complaint against Mullet, saying the city ordinance he was accused of violating, which restricted when candidates could receive donations, is unconstitutional.

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Stewart ruled from the bench following a hearing that lasted a little over five minutes. He later issued a one-page order stating the citys limitation violates the First Amendment right to donate to political campaigns.

This unconstitutional law was left on the books too long. As mayor, I look forward to fixing inconsistencies in our laws like this one, Mullet said afterwards.

The city pretty much conceded last month, informing the judge that it would defer to his decision.

Mullet, a Democrat and ex-state senator who ran unsuccessfully for governor last year, launched his mayoral campaign in December. That month, he raised $4,478.34.

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A complaint filed in February accused him of violating an Issaquah law that says candidates can only fundraise in the same calendar year as the election for the office they seek. Therefore, he needed to wait until Jan. 1 because the mayoral race is on the November ballot.

Had the judge upheld the law, Mullet could have been ordered to surrender his December haul to the city as a penalty.

The Issaquah City Council passed that ordinance in May 2009, and it took effect on June 1 of that year. It also imposed a $500 cap on donations that is not affected by Fridays ruling.

That same year, Mullet won a seat on the city council. He has said he recalled the debate on the city law focused on the contribution limit, not the timing for accepting donations. Mullet served on the council until 2013 when he entered the Legislature.

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Mullet never disputed the facts. He questioned the legality of the ordinance and noted no other city in the state had such a rule restricting when contributions could be collected.

In a May 19 letter to the court, Issaquah Prosecuting Attorney Alexa McBarron attached a February ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas, which said the city of Austins ban on fundraising outside a one-year period is unconstitutional.

Mullet and City Councilwoman Lindsey Walsh are competing to be Issaquahs next mayor.

In March, Walsh took a swipe at her opponent, saying she knew the rules and that it was important that if somebody is going to lead the city, they respect and follow the laws.

She declined to comment on Fridays outcome.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -There are no policy changes under way to exempt farm, hotel and other leisure workers from Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a day after the U.S. president vowed to issue an order for such workers.

Trump's comments on Thursday were aimed at soothing industry leaders, but there will be no changes to current deportations, according to the report, which cited three people with knowledge of the administrations immigration policies.

Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report, which comes amid demonstrations protesting Trump's immigration raids.

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Trump's border czar Tom Homan told the Washington Post that he had not discussed any changes for such workers with Trump and has not been involved in any policy plans to address them.

Farm and hotel industries rely heavily on migrant labor, and farmers were strong supporters of Trump's 2024 re-election bid.

While Trump is carrying out his campaign promise to deport immigrants in the country illegally, protesters and some Trump supporters have questioned the targeting of those who are not convicted criminals, including in places of employment.

On Thursday, Trump acknowledged the impact of his immigration policies on some sectors and said he would issue a related order "soon," giving no details.

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"Our farmers are being hurt badly and we're going to have to do something about that... We're going to have an order on that pretty soon," he said at the White House.

He added that it would also address the hotels sector, which would include the Trump Organization, Trump's private business that has said it is being run by his adult sons.

"Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace," he wrote on his social media platform before his Thursday remarks. "Changes are coming!"

U.S. farm industry groups have long sought to be spared from mass deportations, which could upend a food supply chain dependent on immigrants, and welcomed his comments.

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Major hotel companies and casino operators did not return Reuters' requests for comment.

Trump did not say what steps he would order or when they would come.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told CNBC on Thursday that Trump was reviewing all possibilities but that Congress would also have to act, pointing to the H-2A visa program that allows employers to hire temporary or seasonal labor.

An immigration raid of an Omaha, Nebraska, meat-packing plant on Tuesday forced the company to operate with reduced staffing and caused concern among traders and analysts about how such raids could disrupt U.S. food production.

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The United Farm Workers and California's Democratic Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff this week called for a stop to immigration enforcement actions targeting farmworkers after media reports of Tuesday raids at California farms.

In April, Trump suggested farmers could petition to keep some workers if the migrants left the country and then returned with legal status.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Jeff Mason, P.J. Huffstutter, and Doyinsola Oladipo; additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya, Aatreyee Dasgupta, Leah Douglas and Ted Hesson; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien, William Maclean)
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Trumbull County grand jury chose not to indict a Youngstown mayoral candidate on fourth-degree felony charges.

A no bill was returned in the case against John White, who had faced disrupting public service and domestic violence charges stemming from his arrest in Liberty on May 2.

Police arrested White after they were called to a home on Tibbetts Wick Road for a reported domestic disturbance.

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A woman reported that White was breaking things around the house and took her car keys, throwing them onto the roof of the garage. She said when she called 911, he took her phone and threw it into a ditch, according to a police report.

When questioned about the incident, White said no violence occurred and said the phone slipped and fell into the ditch.

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BEDFORD, Ohio (WJW)  A staple community event in Bedford is announcing a security-based change to protect its guests this weekend.

The Bedford Strawberry Festival said no juveniles will be permitted without an accompanying adult.

Just last weekend in Gates Mills and Mayfield Heights, a chaotic scene developed after the St. Francis Festival  countless juveniles were reportedly fighting outside the festival and in surrounding neighborhoods. Multiple arrests were made by the Mayfield Heights Police Department.

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Cleveland health officials warn COVID spike is coming

Bedford Strawberry Festival organizers said they are not taking any chances this weekend.

We just wanted to make sure we keep all the families safe, and we keep this festival going, Bedford Councilwoman Sandy Spinks said. We want young kids to come and have fun but come with your family.

Betsy Squire Lee, the co-chair of the annual event celebrating its 61st year, said it will remain family-friendly and welcoming to all. Juveniles simply need to be accompanied by an adult.

WJW photo

Everybody just come here and enjoy, Squire Lee said. Have fun, eat  eat all you can. Its really good food. We do have a few games for the kids. Check all the vendors out there. Some really interesting, unusual things here.

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Organizers said there will be a zero-tolerance policy for troublemakers and that Bedford police will be ready to respond to any disturbances.

The police will be on the square all the time if anything happens, Squire Lee said. Were not thinking it. Were sure that it wont. But if anything happens, theyll be here to take care of it.

Major downtown Cleveland traffic changes

The festival runs through the weekend with a special appearance on Saturday.

FOX 8 Cleveland legends Tim Taylor and Lil John Rinaldi will be signing autographs at 2 p.m. inside the Town Hall Museum.

Organizers said they are hopeful that rain this weekend will be the biggest worry.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Protests in cities across the country are scheduled for June 14, with participants looking to protest the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration, with several events scheduled for our island home.

June 14, which is Flag Day and also happens to be the presidents birthday, will see a total of six protests, according to a social media graphic shared by the ACLU Hawaii.

What to know about No Kings protests against Trumps policies

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While President Trump is holding a military-style parade which falls conveniently on his birthday, we want to send a reminder here in Hawaii and across the country that we say no to dictators and tyrants, said Sergio Alcubilla, director of community engagement at ACLU Hawaii. No to fascism, terror and tyranny. This is not the vision for this country.

According to Indivisible Hawaii, one of the co-organizers of the protest along with ACLU Hawaii, said they anticipate more than 7,000 island residents across the states 12 chapters to participate.

While some may concede to President Trump, others across the country have fought back since he returned to office. People and organizations have protested his furthest overreaches, packing town halls of elected officials, calling members of congress to demand action and protesting in the streets, Alcubilla said. Those who want to fight back are serving on the frontlines of these attacks on our civil liberties. We join with Indivisible Hawaii in sending a clear message.

On Oahu, a protest will take place at the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Maui, there will be a demonstration at Queen Kaahumanu Center from noon to 1:30 p.m.

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Hawaii Island has the most protests, with Hilo having one from 10 a.m. to noon at 774 Kamehameha Ave., Kona having a demonstration from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Naalehu having a gathering from noon to 1 p.m. at the Naalehu Post Office and a protest in Waimea from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mamalahoa Highway in front of the Parker Ranch Center.

The protest, called No Kings Day of Defiance across the country, is being called No Dictator Day in Hawaii due to the annual King Kamehameha Day parade taking place down the road around the same time. The organizers said its because they recognize the Hawaiian Monarchy.

Law enforcement agencies across the state are preparing too, but they said they expect everything to remain peaceful.

We have four locations on the Big Island where people will be gathering, said Hawaii Island Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz. Hilo, Waimea, Kailua-Kona, and Naalehu. Weve been in touch with the organizers and our community policing team has been working proactively with them to let them know we want to support your First Amendment right to peacefully gather.

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Were certainly prepared, but we have no reasonable expectation to believe that things will get violent or out of hand because thats not how people in Hawaii are, Chief Moszkowicz continued.

On Oahu, the Department of Law Enforcement said it is working with Honolulu Police and bringing more resources to the Capitol Saturday, where the protest will begin at 11 a.m.

Also happening at the Capitol on Saturday at the same time is the Hawaii America 250 Commemoration of US Army and US Flag Birthdays, which was planned months ago, and will have military personnel and veterans at the event.

Were not getting any sentiment that well have to bring in riot crews or anything like that, said DLE Director Mike Lambert. They tend to be on standby, but its not something youd see like what youre seeing in LA, and it would really break my heart if thats what we saw here in Hawaii and Im really hoping people will keep it the way weve always done it tomorrow.

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DLE said there will be drones deployed to ensure safety and they anticipate anywhere from 5,000 to 7,000 people.

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We want very much for this to be a peaceful protest, regardless of whats happening in LA and we are simply going to be there voicing our opinions peacefully, said one of the protest organizers Jay Henderson of the Indivisible Hawaii Statewide Network.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Left-wing agitators have been planning events scheduled for this weekend to promote hate against President Donald Trump with No Kings Day, following violent anti-ICE riots across America.

The No Kings Day mobilizations are set for June 14 across the country, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Several of these events are occurring across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and are organized by powerful national groups.

The group 50501 is a leading force behind these mobilizations  the latest in a series against Trump, with Hands Off and May Day events earlier this year. As The Dallas Express reported, 50501 previously organized demonstrations across the DFW area.

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Other groups like Indivisible  an influential left-wing network  are also organizing the demonstrations. Indivisible is known for working with groups like the Democratic Socialists of America, whose paramilitary wing is Antifa. According to The Federalist, Indivisible boosted previous protests like Hands Off with things like infrastructure to get the campaign off the ground.

A spokesman for No Kings Day told The Dallas Express that 50501 started anti-Trump events earlier this year, and other groups like Indivisible joined. Last month, Indivisible announced that it and other left-wing groups are helping organize the upcoming events.

The No Kings spokesman said he could not limit the goal to a singular purpose because the demonstrations are coming from different local organizations in each city.

He said national groups like Indivisible, the American Federation of Teachers, SEIU, and other unions are planning the mobilizations. No Kings Day partners also include the ACLU, Bernie Sanders and his group Our Revolution, Move On of the Tesla Takedown demonstrations, and the anti-Trump protest group Families Over Billionaires  which is supported by a billionaire-funded dark money network.

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People are tired of not feeling like theyre being heard in Washington D.C., people are tired of feeling like Congress has abdicated its responsibility to be a check and a balance on the executive branch, the No Kings spokesman said.

The upcoming events fall in the wake of violent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles and Dallas, as The Dallas Express reported. Gov. Greg Abbott deployed the National Guard across Texas this week to keep order.

The Dallas Express asked if organizers expect the No Kings events to merge with anti-ICE actors, and the spokesman said he could not speak to it from a global perspective.

These are grassroots organizations that people want to amplify their voices by partnering up with other organizations, the spokesman said. I dont think anybodys going to say, Dont do that.

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The No Kings spokesman said organizers are working with police and training marshals to keep the mobilizations peaceful. He blamed the violence on one-sided escalation.

I think at their very nature, theyre nonviolent, theyre peaceful. But then when you do things like calling the National Guard, it amplifies tensions, he said.

The riots in Los Angeles featured burning vehicles, a siege against the ICE building, and attacks against state and federal police, as The Dallas Express previously reported.

The Dallas Express asked the spokesmans thoughts on the riots in Los Angeles before the National Guard was there, where rioters started throwing rocks at immigration agents and surrounding the federal building.

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Its very strange to portray single actors throwing rocks as an entire movement if youre not doing the same thing for masked ICE agents kidnapping people in schools, in hospitals, on the streets, the spokesman replied.

The FBI is currently investigating those with monetary connections responsible for the riots, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Tech tycoon Neville Singham  a Marxist sympathizer who moved to Shanghai  uses a global web of nonprofits and shell entities to push Chinese Communist Party propaganda worldwide.

Singham supports the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a communist group that helped organize the Los Angeles riots with a history of anti-Israel activism, as The Dallas Express also reported.

"WE WILL NOT PUT UP WITH ICE!" NOW: Thousands are en route to LA City Hall to say "ICE out of LA  National Guard, go away!" pic.twitter.com/voZtBdrSgs  Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) June 9, 2025

The group CHIRLA  Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles  helped organize inflammatory rallies in the city, The Dallas Express reported at the time. Singhams wife, Jodie Evans, is the founder of the left-wing activist group Code Pink, which published an anti-ICE toolkit to resist immigration enforcement. The group advocates for Chinese interests, claiming, China is not our enemy.

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The anti-Trump No Kings Day events are set to take place in Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as the suburbs Arlington, Burleson, Denton, Euless, Flower Mound, Frisco, McKinney, and Sanger.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker previously told The Dallas Express she has full faith in police to keep Saturdays demonstrations under control. Both the Fort Worth Police Department and the Dallas Police Department are monitoring the events.

The Dallas Express reached out to Indivisible and 50501 but did not hear back in time for publication.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID-KPEJ)- This Saturday, June 14th, there will be a No Kings Day protest happening in downtown Midland at Centennial Park, from five to six p.m. The protesters will be meeting by Colorado Street.

Organizers said the protest is about peacefully standing against control through violence, fear, and cruelty. The organizers of the protest believe in the freedom of Palestine, the freedom of immigrants, the protection of LGBTQ plus trans lives, and the right to protest and speak freely.

It is very important to us because we personally have families that are going through this same situation as far as what is going on with immigration right now. I also have friends that are a part of the LGBTQ + community.

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We are tired of seeing Gaza people being murdered and we are tired of the daily oppression that is going on by the current administration.

We are also tired of our voices being pushed to the side and us not being heard. Every American citizen has the right to be able to be heard and to use their voice and the current administration is taking that right away.

The protestors said it is very important to have the whole community involved and to come out because it will bring more awareness to the cause and to what is happening in the world and to different groups of people.

Like he was saying, it affects everyone. No matter what side of the political spectrum you might be on. It really does affect everyone whether you agree to it or not. It does.

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The main objective is to win over the masses and with the growing solidarity and consolidation of peoples. That is how we can over our daily needs.

While the Midland Police Department did not want to speak on camera, they did release a statement. The city officials said they are aware of the No Kings movement and respect the right of individuals to express their views in a lawful and orderly manner.

MPD has also prepared accordingly to ensure the safety of all participants, bystanders, and property. They said while peaceful protests are protected, any acts of vandalism, violence, or civil unrest will be addressed promptly and appropriately with the law.

Organizers said they want everyone to come out and let their voices be heard. They said even if you do not know what is happening, to still come out and they will try their best to educate you.

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"No Kings" organizers are expecting a large crowd for a protest outside the Georgia Capitol they are working hard to keep peaceful Saturday. Pictured is a 2023 protest over abortion rights at the same location. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Five years ago, an Atlanta protest that began peacefully ended in chaos with burning police cars and tear gas canisters.

With mass protests over the Trump administrations policies set to take place around the country Saturday, Georgias leaders say they will be prepared if violent elements overtake peaceful protests. Around two dozen protests are scheduled across Georgia with hundreds across the country.

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But organizers of the planned No Kings event in Atlanta say theyve taken every step to ensure a morning of peaceful demonstration.

This is a permitted rally, said Laura Judge, an activist with the Indivisible Georgia Coalition, one of the main organizers of the Atlanta event. We went and we talked with local officials and law enforcement to make sure that this is a safe and permitted, peaceful rally. But, you know, we went above and beyond to ensure that there is safety and de-escalation.

Judge said that means over 100 volunteers, including 28 medics and 37 marshals trained in de-escalation, conflict prevention and crowd safety techniques. Medics will be specifically trained to assist older attendees and with disabilities, and the staff will include a law enforcement liaison to assist with communicating with police.

Georgias top leaders have warned against violent escalations. Gov. Brian Kemp vowed heavy accountability, and Attorney General Chris Carr issued a statement threatening to charge offenders with domestic terrorism, which comes with a prison sentence of up to 35 years.

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Our attorney general just put a statement out about how protests should look, Judge said. And while were committed and we want all our attendees to be peaceful and use their First Amendment rights, we dont want anyone having that threat of being arrested or being detained when we have done everything, we have checked all the boxes to do what is right using our First Amendment.

Organizers of Columbus event recommended an unusual response in case of unexpected behavior.

In the rare event that individuals outside our organization come to the event and behave in ways that are contrary to our peaceful values, we strongly encourage attendees to sit, hold hands, and listen to to instructions from our trained de-escalators, reads a post from Indivisible Columbus on social media. We are 100% committed to and united in peace.

Speaking at a virtual meeting for nationwide participants Thursday, Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin called for spirited but peaceful protests, saying that violence would play into the hands of their political opponents.

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When some bad actors engage in property destruction or violence, the Trump team says, see, there, now we need to escalate further, he said. And thats Trumps plan, rinse and repeat. Its straight from the authoritarian playbook.

Britt Jacovich, deputy communications director at the liberal MoveOn advocacy group, echoed Levins sentiments.

Trump wants chaos on camera, and so we shouldnt give him any footage to use, she said. We win by showing the truth. We are joyful, proud, nonviolent, in every corner of the country.

Judge said problems caused by outside agitators are always a concern for protesters, but volunteers have been trained to deal with potential criminal elements.

I believe its important that at least the organizers and the volunteers are all on the same page knowing who we go to and who we need to work with when things are escalating like that so that were not branded as these agitators, she said. Because that is not the purpose, our purpose is to show the power belongs to the people and were allowed to speak up and we should not just automatically be branded as agitators or instigators.
Organizers are planning more than a dozen protests all across metro Atlanta on Saturday as part of the nationwide No Kings demonstrations against President Donald Trump and his policies.

Law enforcement said they are prepared.

More than 5,000 people are expected to crowd into Liberty Plaza on Saturday morning as part of the demonstration.

Laura Judge of Indivisible North Metro Atlanta is one of the organizers.

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Just seeing some of the things that he does, we wanted to take a stance and say that we dont have kings in America, she said.

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She told Channel 2s Richard Elliot that theyve actually been working with state and local law enforcement to make sure everything goes off peacefully.

Because we have gotten the other permits and were working with Atlanta police as well as Capitol police, we do want to respect and show that First Amendment rights look different to everyone, Judge said.

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Elliot also spoke with Georgia State Patrol Commander Col. Bill Hitchens, who confirmed the organizers have been working with them to make sure everything goes off without any problems

Its one of the core tenets of our country that people have a right to protest and say their issues or disagreements with the government as long as its peaceful and doesnt cross certain lines, Hitchens said.

But State Attorney General Chris Carr warns that if outside agitators come in and spark violence, his office will prosecute under the states domestic terrorism statute.

I will defend your right to peacefully protest, but again, if you are going to go after, light buildings on fire, or shoot police officers, or loot buildings, nope, were not going to stand for it, Carr said.

The big protest at Liberty Plaza is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Saturday.
(Reuters) -BlackRock CEO Larry Fink said on Thursday he was not planning to leave the asset manager anytime soon.

Fink said BlackRock had a strong leadership team, despite some of the firm's senior leaders moving on in recent years.

A recent wave of senior executive departures has reignited speculation about Fink's eventual successor.

Fink said it was a top priority for him and President Rob Kapito to make sure that they are developing the next generation of leaders for BlackRock.

"The colleagues we are welcoming from GIP, Preqin, and HPS will also be great leaders at BlackRock," Fink said.

BlackRock spent about $25 billion in 2024 on infrastructure investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and private credit firm HPS Investment Partners. It also struck a $3.2 billion deal to acquire UK data provider Preqin.

(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
No Kings protestors gather on Beechmont Avenue in Anderson. The protest is intended to counter President Donald Trump's planned Washington D.C. military parade on June 14.
The Brief

A national protest movement called "No Kings" will bring a large rally and march to downtown Chicago on Saturday, coinciding with Flag Day and President Donald Trumps birthday.

Organized by Indivisible Chicago and ACLU Illinois, the event is part of a nationwide day of action denouncing what organizers call authoritarianism and corruption under Trump.

The Chicago rally at Daley Plaza will feature speakers and a two-mile march, with similar demonstrations planned across all 50 states.

CHICAGO - A large-scale protest denouncing President Donald Trump will take place in downtown Chicago Saturday as part of a national day of action called "No Kings."

Chicago's No Kings rally and march

What we know

Organized by Indivisible Chicago and ACLU Illinois, the No Kings rally and march will run from noon to 2 p.m. at Daley Plaza, located at 50 W. Washington St.

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The march route, which is about two miles long, will not be announced in advance.

Organizers said the demonstration, which coincides with Trump's birthday and Flag Day, is meant to reject "corruption, cruelty and the abuse of power."

The protest is one of many being held across the country on Saturday with groups accusing Trump of defying democracy and cutting public services.

"America has no king," organizers wrote on their website. "For anyone who thinks hes gone too far, this movement is for you."

Recent Chicago marches and protests

At least two large protests were held this week in downtown Chicago.

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On Tuesday, hundreds of people flocked downtown to protest ICE raids across the country.

While the protests were mostly nonviolent earlier in the afternoon, there were some brief clashes between protesters and officers. Police squad cars were vandalized and there was one instance in which a car drove through the crowd amid rolling street closures.

Seventeen people were arrested, including three people who allegedly struck Chicago police officers.

On Thursday, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Chicago for an anti-ICE demonstrationshutting down Michigan Avenue during rush hour.

Unlike Tuesday's protest, however, things remained peaceful with no arrests, according to police.

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Led by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), the crowd took to Michigan Avenue, marching north until they reached Wacker Drive.

As they rounded the corner, Wabash Avenue was blocked by salt trucks and fencing, which prevented demonstrators from getting any closer to Trump Tower.

No Kings protests

Dig deeper

The "No Kings" theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.

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The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a press release from No Kings.

The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.

Earlier protests organized by 50501 had rallied against Trump and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who led Trumps Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending.

The Source

The information in this report came from Indivisible Chicago, the 5051 Movement and FOX Local.
GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  Roughly 2,000 No Kings rallies are expected to be held across the U.S. Saturday in opposition of President Donald Trump and his policies.

The rallies have been planned for the same day as Trumps military parade and come as smaller protests against the actions of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have also popped up across the U.S., resulting in hundreds of arrests.

In Sumner County, 200 or so people are expected to attend what organizers stressed, will be a peaceful gathering in downtown Gallatin. Organizer Mandy Cook, who leads the Indivisible Sumner coalition, said this rally has been planned for about a month.

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RELATED: Nashville among cities where No Kings anti-Trump military parade protests planned

Our intention is for this to be a 100% peaceful demonstration. Thats all this is about, Cook said. Its people who have similar ideals coming out and building community together and sharing a space together to make our voices heard.

Cook said organizers have been in constant communication with Gallatin Police, adding that Saturday presents a huge opportunity to connect with like-minded community members.

We have some great speakers that I am so excited to be able to support and give a platform to, and we have a lot of people interested who I think are just ready to show Sumner County that we just want to open things up and be a little more inclusive, and make everybody feel like this is a safe place to live, Cook said.

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Another key cog in Saturdays gathering is the Sumner County Democratic Party.

I hope that those that feel overlooked by our current administration feel encouraged, Megan Lange, Chair for the SCDP, said. I want people to understand that they are not alone in the feelings of despair that we are consistently dealing with.

Since word has gotten out, Lange said a small, conservative group within the county has displayed fear-mongering towards them. Otherwise, she said the response within their predominantly-conservative county has been civil.

Gallatin Police will be on-site for the demonstration, with assistance from the Sumner County Sheriffs office.

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The department has shared their guidelines for Saturdays attendees, which include not wearing face coverings, not carrying backpacks, and not obstructing surrounding businesses.

Sumner County Mayor John Isbell also shared a statement regarding the demonstration on social media. While acknowledging a persons constitutional right to express their views, Isbell emphasized his confidence in local law enforcement to keep the peace.

Trump on No Kings protests during military parade: I dont feel like a king

While we fully support the right to peaceful protest, I want to be absolutely clear: illegal activity of any kind will not be tolerated in Sumner County. In Sumner County, our Police officers will arrest you, our District Attorneys office will prosecute you, and our Judges will put you in jail. We will not allow a small number of individuals engaged in criminal behavior to threaten the safety of our residents and businesses. Part of a statement posted to Facebook by Isbell

The rally will start at 2 pm Saturday from the steps of the new Gallatin courthouse on East Main Street.

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Schuylkill County Democrats are planning a No Kings protest rally against President Donald Trumps administration.

The plans calls for protesters to gather from 11 a.m. until noon at the pedestrian bridge at the Coal Creek Commerce Center off Route 61 in Saint Clair.

No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance, according to the website nokings.org. The idea evolved from Trump comparing himself to a king.

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Protests will occur all over the nation. The website lists York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Carlisle and Jim Thorpe among the cities planning protests in Pennsylvania. Information about Saturdays event in Saint Clair was submitted to the national website, but for some reason did not make the list, said Todd Zimmerman, chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee.

Its all free speech, Zimmerman said about the objectives of the event.

The rally coincides with Trumps 79th birthday and his administrations planned military parade and celebration of the U.S. Armys 250th birthday in Washington, D.C.

Zimmerman expects some passerby on Route 61 during Saturdays rally will show support by honking their car horns, while others may be less enthusiastic.

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We created a constitution to prevent a dictatorship, Zimmerman said, adding that the actions taken by the Trump administration have real world consequences.

Democrats contend that the Trump administration is testing the tenets of the U.S. Constitution regarding the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government.

News of immigrants being arrested has sparked protests around the county, most recently in Los Angeles.

Here at home, Ruben Rojas-Vargas, of Pottsville, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on May 30. Rojas-Vargas, 32, who has been in the United States for 16 years, was sent to a processing center in Phillipsburg, Centre County, where he remains, according to online records.

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We need immigrants, Zimmerman said. I think the arrest of law-abiding immigrants is going to affect our economy.

With regards to security concerns for Saturdays rally, Saint Clair Borough Manager Roland Price said he has no plans to provide extra police presence for the event.

I dont anticipate major issues, Price said Friday. We have no objections to them protesting.
AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) A peaceful protest is planned for this Saturday, June 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Toomers Corner, as part of a national day of action dubbed No Kings.

The nationwide protest counters President Donald Trumps military parade in Washington, D.C. The demonstrations coincide with Trumps 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which organizers say underscores their concerns about rising authoritarianism and use of military spectacle for political purposes.

Were protesting because President Trump and his enablers have gone too far, said Kristin Hinnant, an organizer with Indivisible. From defying court orders to staging a $45 million self-glorifying parade, theyve shown us exactly who they are. This protest is a peaceful, powerful response to a president who thinks hes untouchable. Hes not.

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The nationwide movement includes more than 1,400 rallies across the country, as citizens prepare to speak out on issues ranging from military force against protesters to threats to vital programs like Medicaid and Social Security.

ICE doesnt belong in our neighborhoods. Tactical teams with military-grade equipment dont make communities safer, they terrorize them. Trump is turning federal agents into a political militia and its happening in broad daylight. Its the latest example of authoritarian overreach designed to rule by fear, not serve the people, said Hinnant.

Organizers say they chose Toomers Corner for its deep significance to the Auburn community.

Its where we celebrate our victories and mourn our losses. Its been the site of a daily civil rights protest since George Floyds murder, Hinnant said. What better place to rally our people to oppose tyranny?

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Hinnant voiced strong concern over the Trump administrations use of federal force in American cities.

Trump is turning federal agents into a political militia. Tactical teams with military-grade equipment dont make us saferthey terrorize neighborhoods, she said. This is about ruling by fear, not serving the people.

According to Hinnant, local support has been strong. Hundreds have RSVPd, and both Auburn Police and campus security are aware and supportive of the peaceful demonstration.

Weve proven who we arenonviolent, focused, and united, she said. We expect a joyful, peaceful show of courage and solidarity.

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Indivisible Auburn-Opelika is also calling on elected leaders, including Congressman Mike Rogers, to take a stand.

We need leaders to reject authoritarianism and restore accountability. That means protecting the rule of lawand protecting people, not power, Hinnant said.

As communities across the country rise up for No Kings Day, organizers in Auburn say their message is clear: democracy belongs to the people, not to any one man.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to hit the streets on Saturday as a way to push back against President Donald J. Trump's self-serving military parade, and Flag Day and birthday (his) celebration.

The spectacle in downtown Washington, D.C., estimated to cost U.S. taxpayers north of $50 million when it's all said and done, is to mark, in the most ostentatious way, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

As someone whose brother and three uncles (as well as numerous other friends and relatives) served in that proud military branch, I wholeheartedly agree that it is a birthday worth noting. But President Trump, as is his wont, has turned it into a gaudy celebration of him worthy of an authoritarian regime because it's his birthday . . . sheesh.

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Opinion: Trump's mass deportations hurt Floridians like these. It's a shame to US values.

Trump's parade comes amid protests against ICE

Cue the concerns that this has a lot of people feeling some kind of way; and rightly so given the growing tension around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids from Tallahassee to Omaha to San Diego. (I won't get into the hypocrisy compared to the deadly Jan. 6 insurrectionists' attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.)

And coming as it is, in the wake of the president siccing the California National Guard and U.S. Marines on largely peaceful protesters in Los Angeles over the past week, the planned Russian-style military procession of troops, tanks and missiles in our nation's capitol is all the more galling to many citizens. So much so that the arrests and detainment of several hundred protesters, so far, have inspired some 1,800 "No Kings Day" protests throughout the country  including Palm Beach County.

To be sure, there have been a relative handful of rioters and looters who've taken advantage of the situation by burning several cars, defacing storefronts and even throwing water bottles at police. Thankfully no law enforcement has been reported injured. But police have also responded with force using batons and firing rubber bullets to quell the violence.

A King worth following on 'No Kings Day'? MLK Jr.

That's why during these "No Kings Day" protests, I implore those exercising their right to peaceful assembly to indeed follow the lead of one king: Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Remember, King made "peaceful protests" the centerpiece of the Civil Rights Movement. And it was effective.

Opinion: There are a trillion issues with the Big Beautiful Bill. Tax cuts are a big one.

Yes, there were plenty of doubters along the way, both inside and outside of the movement. How could there not be when you're being beaten, bloodied and fire-hosed every day. Imagine the intestinal fortitude needed to not strike back, or return the next day after watching you wife or child being attacked by a police dog.

But King's message of "passive resistance" through peaceful boycotts, sit-ins and protests, from the streets to the lunch counters, no matter your pain or anger is what eventually won the day. It's a hard lesson lost on many of us today seeking instant gratification rather than strapping in for the long haul.

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Over and over again, King stressed that returning fire only played into their attackers' hands. It's worth mentioning here that King didn't have to contend with "edited" video and deepfakes on social media. But that violence only gave them the excuse to do even more terrible things, and eventually drown out the message of treating people humanely. Today's protests, and those to come, are an opportunity to show those lessons are not lost.

Peace.

Rick Christie, Florida State Opinion Group Editor for the USA Today Network

Rick Christie is the Florida State Opinion Group Editor for the USA Today Network-Florida and Interim Editorial Page Editor for The Palm Beach Post. You can email him at RChristie@gannett.com.

Join the Conversation: The Palm Beach Post is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. Email us at letters@pbpost.com. Letters are subject to editing, must not exceed 200 words and must include your name, address and a daytime phone number to confirm the letter is for publication. We only publish names and cities with the letters.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: At Trump protests, remember Martin Luther King Jr. | Opinion
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Protesters are taking to the streets across the U.S. on Saturday for the No Kings march, a nationwide movement against President Donald Trumps administration and policies.

The marches coincide with Trumps birthday and his Washington, D.C. military parade. Rallies have recently been held in New York City to oppose recent mass deportations of immigrants under the Trump administration.

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Heres where No Kings marches are being held in the tri-state area:

New York City

Long Island

Northern Suburbs

New Jersey

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A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, organizers wrote on the No Kings website.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and New York City Mayor Eric Adams have previously said they will not tolerate violent protests.

Trump responded to the counterprotests on Thursday, saying, I dont feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

A king would say, Im not gonna get this. A king would have never had the California mandate to even be talking, he wouldnt have to call up [Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune and say, fellas you gotta pull this off and after years we get it done, he said.

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To find out where No Kings marches will be held, check out the map on the organizers website.

This story comprises reporting from The Hill.

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.
No Kings: What to know

NO KINGS in america protest sign at the captiol building february 2025

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

No Kings Day protest at the Capitol Reflection Pool on Presidents Day, Washington DC, February 2025

This Saturday, June 14, is set to be the largest mass protest of President Donald Trump's second term so far.

June 14 is a notable day for many reasons. In the United States, the day is known as Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag on that day in 1777. It's the anniversary of the Army's founding, which will have happened 250 years ago this year. It's Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

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It will also be marked by the largest mass mobilization of protests and rallies since Trump's second term started in January.

In celebration of Flag Day, the Army's anniversary, and his birthday, Trump has planned a large-scale military parade for Saturday through the streets of Washington, D.C. The parade will reportedly include over 6,000 soldiers, 49 aircraft, and 128 vehicles, including tanks, 25 horses, two mules, and a dog in "a spectacular military parade in Washington, D.C., like no other," according to an Instagram video posted by Trump.

That won't be the only significant event that day. Across the country, and in a few places in Mexico and Canada, people are organizing No Kings protests and rallies in response to what many see as an increase in authoritarian power grabs and overreach from the current administration. Over 2,000 No Kings protests and rallies are scheduled for June 14. Here's what you should know about them.

What are the No Kings protests about?

statue of liberty protester at the captiol building february 2025

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No Kings Day protest in front of the Capitol building on Presidents Day, Washington DC, February 2025

The No Kings movement is in direct response to actions taken by the Trump administration that many see as corrupt, authoritarian, and morally wrong.

"Theyve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services," the movement's website reads. "The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings."

The protests are being held on the June 14 to counterbalance Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., which is seen by many as another sign of his administration's excess and corruption. Organizers are calling for the protests to be peaceful.

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"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance," the website says. "From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like."

Are the No Kings protests tied to immigration raids and ICE?

\u200bNo Kings in America banner at the Hands Off Rally protest Saint Paul Minnesota April 2025

Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Hands Off Rally, St. Paul, Minnesota, April 2025

While the No Kings protests aren't directly related to the anti-ICE protests over recent immigration raids in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, the raids are an important issue to the movement.

"Whether you're outraged by attacks on civil rights, skyrocketing costs, abductions and disappearances, the gutting of essential services, or the assault on free speech  this moment is for you," the website says, referencing mass arrests made by ICE agents in workplace raids in areas like the LA Fashion District.

Where are No Kings protests?

\u200bNo Kings Day protest on Presidents Day Detroit Michigan February 2025

Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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No Kings Day protest on Presidents Day, Detroit, Michigan, February 2025

There are over 2,000 No Kings protests planned across the United States, with a few also scheduled to take place in Canada and Mexico. To find out where the closest one is, check out the movement's map.

What are Donald Trump's plans for June 14?

Indianapolis Indiana protester holds a sign reading Hey Diaper Don America has no kings

Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

50501 Movement protest, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 2025

Trump will be in Washington, D.C., celebrating his birthday with a large military parade, something he has wanted to do since his first term as president.

Will there be a No Kings protest in Washington, D.C.?

Fox News headquarters no kings sign coverage protest Washington DC June 2025

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Fox News coverage protest, Washington, D.C., June 2025

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No, there will not be a No Kings protest in the nation's capital. According to the movement's website, it is avoiding Washington, D.C. , because that is where Trump's parade will be.

"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," it says.

Instead, No Kings is hosting a large march and rally in Philadelphia in an attempt "to draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful, and un-American birthday parade in Washington."

What has Donald Trump said about the protests?

\u200bNo Kings rally at Hancock Adams Common Quincy MA near boston April 2025

Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

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No Kings rally at Hancock Adams Common, Quincy, MA, April 2025

Trump has said that he has no patience for anyone who wants to protest the parade in the capital. "If theres any protester that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force," Trump said, per NBC News. "I havent even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force."
Thousands of anti-Trump protests are erupting across the United States this weekend under the banner of No Kings day, a coordinated movement aimed at pushing back against what demonstrators see as authoritarian overreach since the president returned to office in January.

Protesters say the event is a symbolic rejection of what they view as unchecked executive power, highlighting recent policies they argue erode democratic norms and civil liberties  particularly those targeting immigration, LGBTQ+ communities, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

With dozens of demonstrations planned across Texas, the band of protests is expected to amount to the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, No Kings organizers say.

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More: Protesting on 'No Kings' day? Know your rights for anti-Trump protests on Saturday

More: What is 'No Kings' day? What to know about Texas protests on June 14, Trump's birthday

'No Kings' protest planned for Saturday: What are the protests about?

June 14 is Flag Day, which this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, the U.S. Army is holding a military parade that will cross in front of Trumps viewing stand and bisect the National Mall. It is expected to include 7,500 soldiers and 120 vehicles, and is estimated to cost up to $45 million.

It is also Trump's birthday.

President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else, a message on the event website says. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like.

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In response to the parade and other grievances with the Trump administration, No Kings is planning protests nationwide. Event organizers say protesters are not "gathering to feed his ego" but rather "building a movement that leaves him behind.

"The flag doesnt belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. Were not watching history happen. Were making it," the event's website says. "On June 14th, were showing up everywhere he isnt  to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

The demonstrations are organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups, which states that it is organizing to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.

"In America, we dont put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies," the protest website states. "Weve watched as theyve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens and defied the courts. Theyve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies."

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The website nokings.org adds that the day is to "gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King!"

'No Kings' protest near me this weekend: See Texas locations

There are protests planned in over 1,500 cities across the country, including dozens in Texas, according to a map on the No Kings website. Here's where No Kings protests are planned in Texas' major metro areas.

To view all locations vin Texas, visit this map.

'No Kings' protests in Dallas-Fort Worth area

Arlington : Arlington Sub Courthouse, 10 a.m. to noon

Burleson : No Kings protest, 100 NW John Jones Drive, 1 to 3 p.m.

Carrollton : Carrollton Winco, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Dallas : Akard Plaza, noon to 2 p.m.

Denton : Denton Square, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flower Mound : Parker Square Gazebo, 2 to 4 p.m.

Fort Worth : Burk Burnett Park, noon to 2 p.m.

Frisco : FM 423 between Main/King and Stonebrook, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

McKinney : Target near SH 380 and Hwy 75, 10 a.m. to noon

Weatherford: Parker County Courthouse, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

'No Kings' protests in Austin-San Antonio area

Austin : Capitol, 5 to 8 p.m.

Bastrop : Pedestrian bridge over Colorado River, 10 a.m. to noon

Boerne : Boerne City Hall, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Cibolo/Schertz : I.G. Wiederstein Elementary, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guadalupe County (Seguin) : 201 S Austin St, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Kerrville : County Courthouse, 10 a.m. to noon

Lockhart : Caldwell County Courthouse, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Pflugerville : Kelly Lane between Kennemer and Colorado Sands, 1 to 3 p.m.

San Antonio : Travis Park, 5 to 8 p.m.

San Marcos : Courthouse Square, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Taylor: 301 Main, 10 a.m. to noon

'No Kings' protests in Houston area

Conroe : City Hall, 1 to 4 p.m.

Houston : City Hall, 10 a.m. to noon

Katy : 901 Avenue C, noon to 1 p.m.

League City : 555 W Walker, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Sugar Land: Town Square, noon to 2 p.m.

'No Kings' protests in El Paso area

El Paso: 1250 Airway Blvd., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MDT

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Where are 'No Kings' protests in Texas? See locations for June 14
Nicole Preble holds a sign during a protest against the Trump administration on April 23, 2025, in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Nationwide protests against the Trump administration are planned this Saturday, including in South Dakota cities.

No Kings is the theme of the protests, which will coincide with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Flag Day and the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary military parade in Washington, D.C. The D.C. events will cost an estimated $25 million to $45 million, according to Army spokesperson Heather Hagan, though the price tag for the parade alone was not specified.

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Protest organizers are calling attention to what they describe as the Trump administrations authoritarian overreach.

Theyve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services, the No Kings website reads. The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.

The No Kings website lists the following protests planned in South Dakota:

Spearfish: 11 a.m. Mountain time at North Main Street and West Jackson Street.

Rapid City (hosted by Indivisible Rapid City): noon Mountain at 300 Sixth Street.

Rapid City (hosted by 50501 South Dakota): 1:30 p.m. Mountain at 1510 W. Omaha St.

Pierre: 12:30 p.m. Central at 500 E. Capitol Ave.

Watertown: 11 a.m. Central at 211 E. Kemp Ave.

Brookings: 1 p.m. at Sixth Street and 17th Avenue.

Sioux Falls: 11 a.m. Central at 300 N. Minnesota Ave.

Yankton: 10:30 a.m. Central at 2000 Douglas Ave.

Chamberlain: 10 a.m. Central at 100 King Street and Main Street.

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No Kings is part of the 50501 Movement, founded to protest the Trump administration. Partners include the American Civil Liberties Union, 350 Action, Climate Defenders, Greenpeace, Human Rights Campaign, Vote Save America and many other advocacy groups.

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By Laman Ismayilova



A novel "A Woman in Black Came" (Siyah montlu kad?n) by People's Writer of Azerbaijan, Maqsud Ibrahimbayov, has been published in the Turkish language.

The book presentation took place in Istanbul in accordance with the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the national writer.

The presentation was held with the joint organisation of the Azerbaijani Consulate General in Istanbul and the Maqsud Ibrahimbayov Creativity Centre, as well as with the support of the Humanist Publishing House, which published the book.

Speaking at the event, the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul, Narmina Mustafayeva, stressed that Maqsud Ibrahimbayov is one of the most valuable personalities that Azerbaijan has raised.

She pointed out that the writer, who conveyed modern Azerbaijani thought in the language of literature, dedicated his work not only to his native country, but also to a wide geography covering various regions.

Director of the Maqsud Ibrahimbayov Creativity Centre Anna Ibrahimbayova, thanking for organising the event, expressed confidence that thanks to this book, the Turkish reader will be able to get to know the writer's work better.

Then, a video dedicated to the rich creative heritage of Maqsud Ibrahimbayov was shown.

Rector of Uskudar University in Istanbul, Professor Nazife Gungor, touched upon the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye and the peculiarities of Azerbaijani culture. She underlined that literature is one of the fundamental elements of Azerbaijani culture.

Note that the Education Advisor of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkiye, Nadjiba Nasibova, representatives of the public and other guests attended the event which took place at Tophane-i Amire Cultural and Art Centre, located in the historical part of Istanbul.
The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is one of the best Dow stocks to invest in.

On June 9, a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft landed in China, marking what appears to be the resumption of deliveries to Chinese airlines after a pause linked to trade tensions between the US and China. Flight tracking data showed the jet, painted in Xiamen Airlines livery, arrived at Boeings Zhoushan completion center near Shanghai after departing from Seattle and stopping in Hawaii and Guam to refuel.

Boeing Restarts 737 MAX Shipments to China

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) had suspended deliveries to China in April when both countries escalated tariffs. However, the company indicated in late May that shipments would restart in June, following a temporary 90-day easing of those tariffs.

The same aircraft had initially been ferried to Zhoushan in March but was sent back to the US in mid-April after Chinese airlines halted acceptance of new Boeing jets. According to Flightradar24, it was the first of at least three planes returned by Boeing from Zhoushan that month.

China accounts for about 10% of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA)'s commercial order backlog and remains a key market for the manufacturer. Talks between Chinese and US officials on a potential trade agreement are set to take place in London.

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), Xiamen Airlines, and the Civil Aviation Authority of China did not immediately comment on the resumed delivery.

Previously, Boeing had stated that due to tariffs, Chinese customers had declined to take delivery of new jets, prompting the company to consider reselling dozens of aircraft, though none were redirected. The company had forecast delivering 50 planes to China over the rest of the year, with 41 already built or in production.

While we acknowledge the potential of BA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Biotech Stocks with Huge Upside Potential and 10 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure. None.
No Kings Day demonstrations are planned across North Texas this weekend to protest President Donald Trump and his administrations policies.

On Saturday, June 14, demonstrations are planned in a number of cities in the Metroplex, including Dallas, Arlington and Fort Worth. These protests coincide with Trumps 79th birthday and a planned massive military parade in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the U.S. Armys 250th birthday.

Gov. Greg Abbott said he will deploy National Guard troops and Texas Department of Public Safety officers across the state to to uphold law and order during the planned protests.

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Most of these protests are taking place in parks or other public areas. Heres what to know about any planned street closures surrounding these events.

 More trending stories from our newsroom:

What's the difference between TX law enforcement and the National Guard?

Can you get in trouble for not slowing down in a work zone in Texas?

How to stay safe at Texas protests

Fort Worth No Kings protest

Fort Worths No Kings protest will be from noon to 2 p.m. at Burk Burnett Park (501 W. 7th St.).

The city told the Star-Telegram that Downtown Fort Worth Inc., who manages the park, has permitted a First Amendment Event on the property. Separately, a Downtown Fort Worth spokesperson confirmed this with the Star-Telegram and said there are no planned street closures around the event site.

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If anything changes leading up to the protest, residents can receive updates from the organization by texting Downtown Closures to 817-904-4255.

The city said it has not received any permit applications as of Thursday afternoon for any counter-protests to the No Kings demonstration. Furthermore, the city said Fort Worth police are working closely with the community and its Intelligence Fusion Center to monitor all activity during any peaceful protests.

There is also a March of Dissent event planned for downtown Fort Worth on Saturday morning.

Burk Burnett Park is surrounded by West Seventh Street, Lamar Street, West 10th Street and Cherry Street. Refer to the map below for an image of the area.

Arlingtons No Kings protest

Arlingtons No Kings protest will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Arlington Sub Courthouse (700 E. Abram St.)

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A city spokesperson told the Star-Telegram there are no planned street closures related to the protest.

The courthouse is surrounded by East Abram Street, Weeks Avenue, East South Street and S Jeffries Street. Refer to the map below for an image of the area.

Other No Kings protests in North Texas
Twin Tiers (WETM)  People across the Twin Tiers are expected to gather on Saturday to join in a nationwide effort aimed at protesting the Trump Administration.

Demonstrators are calling the protests, No Kings Protests, aimed at voicing concerns about President Donald Trumps policies since taking office.

Protests around the Twin Tiers will be held in Steuben, Chemung, Bradford, and Tioga, PA, counties on Saturday, June 14. Below are the times and locations:

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As stated on the organizers website, all No Kings protests are committed to nonviolent action. All participants are expected to seek to de-escalate potential confrontation with anyone disagreeing with them.

These protests are expected to take place nationwide on Saturday. The day comes as it coincides with President Trumps 79th birthday, the Armys 250th birthday, and Flag Day.

In Washington D.C. a large military parade is scheduled to take place with tanks, armored fighting vehicles, artillery, aircraft, and troops along a section of the National Mall.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Editors note: This story has been updated with a statement from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Protests are scheduled to take place across the U.S. on Saturday, including in West Virginia.

The No Kings protests are in opposition to President Donald Trumps policies on immigration and ICE detainments and his scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C. for the Armys 250th birthday on June 14, which also coincides with Trumps 79th birthday.

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Critics of Trump also say that the protests are in response to his deployment of the National Guard at other nationwide protests this week.

The theme No Kings is part of a call by protesters for Trump to be dethroned as they compare his actions to that of a king and not a democratically elected president, The Associated Press reported.

What to know about the protests over Trumps immigration crackdown in LA and other cities

According to the website for the protest, events are scheduled in Morgantown, Elkins, Buckhannon, Charleston, Wheeling, Romney, Keyser, Lewisburg, Huntington, Martinsburg, Berkeley Springs, Shepherdstown and Bluefield in West Virginia. The protests are all scheduled to take place before Trumps military parade.

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Mountaineers Indivisible Citizen Action, which is organizing the Honk and Wave demonstrations in Morgantown, called the action a modern-day rebellion. As of Friday morning, more than 120 people have said they plan to attend the Morgantown event.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) released the following statement about the planned protests:

There are planned political demonstrations across West Virginia this weekend. I support the constitutional right to free speech and assembly, but West Virginia will uphold law and order. We will not tolerate looting, destruction, vandalism, or any violence toward law enforcement. I have directed the National Guard and State Police to stand ready to quell any actions that cross the line from peaceful protest to violent criminal behavior. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
"No Kings" protests are taking place June 14 to counter President Donald Trump's 79th birthday plans to "feed his ego" with a military parade.

"President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else," the website states.

The protests, now nearly 80 of them scheduled in Florida, coincided with Trump's 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Parade. The administration has insisted that the Armys anniversary and Trumps birthday are coincidental and that the parade is justified to honor soldiers sacrifice; however, USA TODAY notes that similar plans to celebrate other branches, including the Navy and Marines, are currently nonexistent.

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Here's all you need to know about "No Kings" protest locations in Florida.

Anti-Trump protests near me; see FL 'No Kings' protests by city list

According to the No Kings website, over 75 protests (including multiple in the same city) are planned across Florida as of June 10:

 Find an event near you

Can't attend in person? See a live stream of 'No Kings Day of Defiance'

What are the 'No Kings' protests? When are the protests?

"No Kings National Day of Defiance"  or simply protests called "No Kings"  seeks to counter Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade in D.C. and speak out against his policies since retaking office in January.

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These protests are being planned nationwide on Saturday, June 14, which is also Flag Day, the Army's 250th anniversary celebration, and Trump's birthday.

"No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like," the website says.

Continued: "On June 14th, were showing up everywhere he isnt  to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

The website notes they expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with its values and to act lawfully at these events. They advise that weapons should not be brought to the protest.

Who are the organizers behind the 'No Kings' protests?

Indivisible is partnering with 50501 and dozens of other advocacy groups to promote the anti-Trump movement nationwide.

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Indivisible, a grassroots political activism group focused on progressive causes, was founded in response to Trump's 2016 presidential election. The network has branched into a statewide network of groups, including over 75 in Florida.

The 50501 Movement is a grassroots initiative formed on Reddit under the hashtag #50501 in the early days of Trump's second inauguration. It stands for 50 protests in 50 states on 1 day, which has since evolved to 50 states, 50 protests, and one movement.

What has Trump, Florida officials said about 'No Kings' protest?

Trump addressed the protests on Thursday by taking reporters' questions while signing a resolution blocking California's proposed ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars starting in 2035.

"I don't feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved," Trump told reporters.

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Continuing: "A king would say 'I'm not going to get this he wouldn't have to call up (House Speaker) Mike Johnson and (Senate Majority Leader John) Thune and say fellas you've got to pull this off and after years we get it done. No no, we're not a king, we're not a king at all."

.@POTUS on the left-wing "no kings" protests:



"I don't feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved."  pic.twitter.com/Inei6RJxhc  Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 12, 2025

As for Gov. Ron DeSantis, he appeared on the "The Rubin Report" on Wednesday and told host Dave Rubin that Floridians have a right to hit protesters with their cars if they fear for their safety.

"We also have a policy that if you're driving on one of those streets and a mob comes and surrounds your vehicle and threatens you, you have a right to flee for your safety," the governor said.

Other state officials have stressed they will ensure that no rioting takes place, threatening arrest and even death. Florida passed an "anti-riot" bill in 2021 that states peaceful protesters can face criminal charges if their actions become violent.

What to know before attending any protests in Florida

Human Rights Campaign has tips for those participating in a peaceful protest to help ensure their safety and well-being:

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Properly prepare: Dress for the weather, pack the necessary supplies (cash, water, extra battery, etc), have at least one emergency contact, and plan to share your status throughout the protest.

Know the environment: Research the location beforehand and have an offline-accessible map to reference if the service is spotty. Have multiple routes into and out of the protest area.

Stay Aware: Maintain 360 situational awareness always know what is happening around you. If you see something, say something.

Observe, Orient, Decide, Act : The OODA Loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) is a helpful framework to stay calm and make decisions during high-stress situations: Observe: Identify the source of danger and your surroundings Orient: Determine where you are and where you need to go Decide: Choose a course of action that minimizes risk Act: Implement your decision and stay aware of changes in the environment



When and where is the June 14 DC military parade?

The military parade, which will span six blocks and bisect the National Mall, will take place on Saturday, June 14, in the heart of Washington, D.C. Organizers say the procession will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Events from the 250th birthday celebration, including the parade, will be live-streamed on all U.S. Army social media platforms.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'No Kings' in Florida: Why people are protesting, 75 protests planned
Jun. 12Rallies and protests are taking place across the nation on Flag Day, June 14. Two "No Kings" rallies will take place in the Golden Belt.

The Pawnee County Democratic Committee will sponsor a "No Kings" rally from 10 a.m. to noon next Saturday, June 14, at the Pawnee County Courthouse in Larned. Organizers said they will have a peaceful rally on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse.

In Great Bend, the Barton County chapters of the League of Women Voters and Women for Kansas will sponsor a "Pro Democracy No Kings" demonstration rally from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the courthouse band shell. There will be speakers and live music. Participants are welcome to bring signs, flags, drums, lawn chairs and water. After the rally, they will march in protest on the courthouse square. Questions may be emailed to w4kgreatbend@gmail.com.

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Pam Martin, chapter leader for Women for Kansas  Barton County, said both her group and the League of Women Voters are non-partisan and are protesting on an issue, not a candidate.

"What we are emphasizing is, this is a nonpartisan issue," she said. "We welcome Democrats, Republicans and Independents  anyone that is concerned with the consolidation of power in the Executive Branch. This is going to be a celebration of our democratic republic that we hope to retain."

That should concern everyone, she said.

Martin said she hopes to see plenty of U.S. flags at the rally. "The flag belongs to us all."

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Janice Walker, president of the League of Women Voters  Barton County, said the two organizations teamed up "to continue to give a voice to the concerns people have regarding the impact of the various cuts this administration has made and how they can affect communities.

"We want this to be peaceful, non-violent and full of good energy, as we encourage rally-goers to share their patriotic enthusiasm."

Larned's rally

Jaccques Molleker, chairperson for the Pawnee County Democratic Committee, will speak in Larned. His focus will be the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and exactly where the powers of government fall within the Constitution  what branch has what power. Committee members are making signs and he hopes there can also be someone who can speak from the viewpoint of agriculture and what impact tariffs have on this region.

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"Our rally is based on defense of the Constitution of the United States of America," he said. The "No Kings" title recognizes that "all public officials, when they are sworn in, take an oath to defend the Constitution."

The Pawnee County Democratic Committee has been growing over the last four to six years and its members want to actively demonstrate what their beliefs are, he said. "Not everybody in western Kansas has the same beliefs about everything. We just want to be heard."

Nationwide, No Kings Day on June 14 is described as a day of action and mobilization against the Trump administration and in support of democracy and the U.S. Constitution.

There are at least a dozen No Kings protests organized in Kansas communities from Arkansas City to Wichita. Websites mobilize.US and NoKings.org list some of the locations.

June 14 is also Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. The U.S. Army's Birthday Festival parade and celebration will take place at 5:30 p.m. local time on Constitution Ave. NW between 15th Street and 23rd Street in Washington, D.C.
The Brief

Thousands of people are expected to attend Saturdays "No Kings" protest in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Police and the District Attorney said they will protect peoples rights to demonstrate while holding law-breakers accountable.

The rally kicks off 12 p.m. at Love Park.

CENTER CITY - 1,800 "No Kings" protests are planned across the country this weekend. The largest is expected to take place in Philadelphia.

What we know

The "No Kings" protests call for a day of action to oppose the policies of President Donald Trump.

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The protests coincide with Trump's 79th birthday.

More than 2,000 protests are scheduled around the country. The flagship is being held in Philadelphia.

A noon rally at Love Park will be followed by a march to Eakins Oval where barricades have already been put in place.

Dig deeper

Event organizers for the Philadelphia "No Kings" protest on June 14 anticipate 30,000 attendees, according to police.

"There is a lot of us who are very upset with whats going on," said Jessica Reynoso. "There are a lot of us who want to push back and show that were upset with the way the administration has been conducting, especially with whats been happening in Los Angeles, the excessive force, and the National Guard that is being used against the citizens."

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Reynoso is an activist with Our Revolution, a progressive political organizing group. She has been getting the word out about the mass protests across the country and will volunteer during the Philadelphia rally.

"Im just worried about due process and I feel like me and my friends focus on that the United States is a democracy, and we just want to make sure our institutions are upholding that and keeping people accountable," said Reynoso.

What they're saying

During a news conference at Salt and Light Church in Kingsessing Thursday, District Attorney Larry Krasner said the upcoming protest was one of the important topics he discussed face-to-face with PPD Commissioner Kevin Bethel on Wednesday.

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"We will carefully hold accountable anyone and everyone, whether they are uniformed ice agents or they are opportunistic criminals, who would tuck in behind lawful protest in order to loot. We will hold all of them properly accountable," said Krasner.

PPD Sergeant Eric Gripp said in a statement:

"The Philadelphia Police Department remains firmly committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all individuals, including the right to peacefully assemble and express opinions under the First Amendment. As we have consistently stated, our role during demonstrations is to safeguard public safety while ensuring that individuals can exercise their rights without fear or interference.

While we do not comment on hypothetical situations, we continuously monitor events locally and nationally to ensure we are prepared for any scenario. In coordination with our local, state, and federal partners, the PPD is always working to balance public safety concerns with the need to protect civil liberties.

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As with all demonstrations, our priority is to facilitate peaceful protest, prevent violence or disorder, and protect the rights of all residents, businesses, and participants. We train our officers accordingly and deploy resources proportionate to the potential needs of the event.

We encourage anyone who plans to demonstrate to do so peacefully and in accordance with the law. The Philadelphia Police Department will continue to uphold our responsibility to serve all communities with professionalism, honor, and integrity."

Governor Josh Shapiro also released this statement about upcoming protests:

"The right to peacefully protest and exercise our First Amendment is a sacred American right  and here in Pennsylvania, we will always protect it. At the same time, we will always remain focused on keeping our communities safe and ensuring all demonstrations remain peaceful. As Governor, I will stand in defense of this constitutional right and work to ensure all Pennsylvanians can exercise it safely and peacefully.

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With demonstrations and protests planned across Pennsylvania this weekend, I want to be very clear: all protests and demonstrations must remain peaceful, lawful, and orderly. Violence is not an answer to any political differences, destruction and chaos are unacceptable  and neither will be permitted here in Pennsylvania.

My Administration is coordinating with the Parker Administration in Philadelphia and local officials and law enforcement all across the Commonwealth to make sure that demonstrations this weekend are lawful and peaceful. Colonel Paris and the Pennsylvania State Police are working closely with local police departments to ensure they have the resources and support they need. Together, we are prepared to keep our communities safe while protecting Pennsylvanians' fundamental rights - and we will be working around the clock to ensure both the rights of protesters and the wellbeing of our cities and towns are protected.

So long as l am your Governor, I will continue working every day to protect our freedom and keep our communities safe. Here in the Commonwealth William Penn founded on the promise that it would be welcoming to people from all walks of life, we can and must do both."

"Were just trying to show our power in numbers, not in any other actions, so were hoping that thats enough to keep us safe," said Reynoso.

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The "No Kings" protest in Philadelphia will begin 2 p.m. Saturday at Love Park then march to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Some say there is no better place to exercise free speech than Philly they just hope it stays safe.

"If I was to come down I would just keep my antenna up and be careful. And I have done many protests in my day so I which everybody a safe journey when they come" said a Havertown grandmother walking the Parkway.

Local Businesses

A couple blocks off the Ben Franklin Parkway, the happy hour drinks were flowing at McCrossens Tavern Thursday night.

But the buzz around the bar was about whats coming this weekend.

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"We are hoping for the best and we support freedom of speech and if the people have something to say we just hope its said peacefully get their fair shake" said owner Jamie Brennan.

What's next

Philadelphia Police say they are prepared for what could be the biggest protest in the country on Saturday.

Motorists are being told to avoid the area at all costs on Saturday. Eakins Oval and Kelly Drive inbound from Fairmount Ave. will be closed to traffic starting at 3 a.m. Saturday.

There are similar protests going on in several suburban communities as well.
EAU CLAIRE  Nationwide rallies are being planned this weekend to protest against President Donald Trumps policies, including a rally slated for Eau Claire on Saturday.

The No Kings  Nationwide Day of Defiance is slated to begin at noon at Owen Park. The plan is for protesters to march over the Lake Street Bridge, down Farwell or Barstow to the Haymarket Square. Then, cross the bridge at Phoenix Park. The Eau Claire Democratic Party lists details of the plans on its website.

A similar event is planned for 4-5:30 p.m. in Chippewa Falls at Chippewa Riverfront Park, at the roundabout at the corner of River Street and Highway 124.

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Dana Wachs, an Eau Claire attorney and former Democratic State Assembly member, is hopeful for a good turnout. Wachs said the rallies nationwide have picked up steam after President Trump opted to send the National Guard and the U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, although Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom did not request the troops be activated and sent there.

This is a reaction to the martial law-like activities this president has decided to invoke, Wachs said. Weve worked so hard to have a democracy, and hes trying to undermine it. This is very unusual. We dont need a king, and we dont want one. This has got to stop. Hes [flirting] around the edge of a dictatorship, and its got to stop. It isnt funny.

The last time a president has sent the National Guard to a state without the request of a governor was in 1965. Newsom has since filed a lawsuit against Trump, arguing that it was unlawful for Trump to send troops to Los Angeles.

Wachs contends that the Los Angeles police could have handled any protests in that city, and the national troops arent necessary.

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It seems like an unnecessary escalation out there, Wachs said.

Cynthia Greening of Chippewa Valley Indivisible said the rallies are in response not only to the military in Los Angeles, but also the U.S. Army parade in Washington D.C., at the same time Congress is looking at the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that would cut funding for SNAP food share benefits, Social Security, Medicaid and public schools.

Across all 50 states, millions will gather to declare: The president is not a king, Greening wrote in a press release Thursday. No Kings is a nationwide day of celebration of we the people. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like.

All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide.

For more information on Saturdays rally in Eau Claire, visit eauclairedemocrats.org.
Credit: X/ShivAroor

Air India has confirmed there was only one survivor from todays plane crash in Ahmedabad.

An airline spokesman said that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.

It came after a senior Indian police officer said there could be more survivors being treated in hospital.

The only person to escape the crash alive was earlier confirmed to be Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin.

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He was near the emergency exit and managed to escape by jumping out the emergency door, said Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police officer in Ahmedabad, speaking about Viswashkumar.

The flight to Gatwick took off at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23. Of the 242 passengers on board, 53 were British.

Credit: X

Downing Street warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives, while the MP for Leicester East said a handful of residents from the city were onboard.

So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that, said Shivani Raja, a Conservative MP.

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Air India said 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese and one Canadian were also among the 242 on board. Eleven passengers were children.

Mobile phone footage showed the plane flying low over the city before hitting the ground and bursting into flames. Indian police said the jet struck a hostel that was used by local doctors.

The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave no chance to save the lives of passengers on board, Indias home minister said.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: Aircrafts full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.

The wreckage of the Dreamliner embedded in a building

Part of the planes fuselage was seen sticking out from the building, and plumes of thick black smoke could be seen rising over the city.

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Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph: We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes. There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions. He said the smoke remained visible more than a mile away.

The cause of the crash is unclear. Boeing has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, but the Dreamliner had never crashed in 14 years of service.

01:24 AM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage. We will be back on Friday with the latest on the crash investigation.

12:32 AM BST

US experts head to India

A US team of experts is travelling to India to help with the crash probe after India asked for assistance.

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The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and General Electric are all sending experts.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier promised that the government would act quickly if it learnt about any safety issues with the Boeing 787, but it is still too early in the investigation.

11:31 PM BST

Prayers at Hindu temples around London

About 100 people gathered at a temple in the Neasden area of London on Thursday night, where much of the community has ties to the state where the flight crashed.

Yogvivekdas Swami prayed for all those affected, including the people killed and injured on the ground and the teams that worked to rescue them.

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We will offer prayers for the unfortunate people who have passed away, the passengers, the crew, the pilots, Mr Yogvivekdas said.

Also for all their family members that they may find strength and courage at this very difficult and challenging time.

Yogvivekdas Swami leads prayers in London - AP

10:54 PM BST

Tribute to British man: His vibrancy and enthusiasm won people over

Tributes have been to Britons including a couple of wellness advocates who are believed to have been killed alongside more than 240 people in the crash.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre, were said to be among the dead.

Mr Greenlaw is said to have appeared on ITVs This Morning earlier this year to talk about wellness.

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Former editor of the show Martin Frizell praised his vibrancy and enthusiasm.

So so sad to hear that Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his partner are reported to be among the passengers and crew killed today on board the Air India flight bound for Gatwick, he said in an Instagram post.

I remember his visit to the studio in January, he was passionate about auras and although Im a sceptical sort his vibrancy and sheer enthusiasm won folk over.

And I know for a fact that he hoped to use his appearance on This Morning to build his wellness brand, he had a great future ahead of him.

Thoughts are with his family and friends and those of his partner Jamie.

Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, and husband Jamie, 45

10:11 PM BST

Relatives mourn in Ahmedabad

The relatives of passengers and crew who died in the Air India crash are in mourning in Ahmedabad tonight.

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The parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, were comforted by family members at the crash site.

Relatives comfort parents of Arjun Patoliya, 37, who died in the crash - REUTERS/Amit Dave

09:40 PM BST

Pictured: The crash site tonight

A police officer stands in front of the wreckage of the plane - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Night fell with part of the plane still lodged in a building - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

09:31 PM BST

Survivors family and friends gather in Leicester

The relatives and friends of the sole survivor of the Air India plane crash gathered at a house in Leicester on Thursday evening.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was the only person on board the aircraft who survived.

Nayan Kumar Ramesh said it was a miracle that his brother Vishwash survived the crash but said he was still worried about his other sibling who was also on board the flight.

Relatives and friends of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh gathered in Leicester on Thursday evening - Joseph Walshe / SWNS

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09:20 PM BST

Pictured: Passenger luggage at the crash site

Passengers luggage lies strewn at the crash site - REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

09:06 PM BST

Bereaved relatives gather outside Ahmedabad morgue

Bereaved relatives of those on board the Air India flight have gathered outside the post-mortem room at Ahmedabads hospital.

Bodies are being brought to the facility for identification usign DNA sampling.

T. Thanglingo Haokip told BBC News his cousin, Singson, was cabin crew on Air India flight 171.

Her parents are worried, he said. She only has a mother, her father passed away. Her brother has cancer. She was the only breadwinner in the family. Her family was wholly dependent on her.

Indian security personnel outside the post-mortem room at the Ahmedabad hospital - RAJAT GUPTA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

08:28 PM BST

Air India confirms 241 of 242 passengers died

Air India has confirmed that 241 of the 242 passengers on board the flight died in the crash, making British man Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, the sole survivor.

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In a statement, the airline said: We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities.

The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital. The passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national.

The survivor is a British national of Indian origin. Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones. A team of caregivers from Air India is now in Ahmedabad to provide additional support.

Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

The remnants of the Air India plane in Ahmedabad - REUTERS/Amit Dave

08:26 PM BST

Boeing chief executive vows to assist investigation

The chief executive and president of Boeing has vowed to assist the investigation into the crash.

Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad, Kelly Ortberg said.

I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

Mr Ortberg said Boeing will defer to Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171.

08:01 PM BST

US involved in plane investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration is engaged with Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace to review information as part of the investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Sean Duffy, the US transport secretary, also said Washington will not hesitate to implement any safety recommendations that may arise. We will follow the facts and put safety first.

Mr Duffy said the agency is prepared to send additional resources to get the data we need to ensure the safety of the flying public.

07:29 PM BST

There may be more survivors, says police officer

A senior Indian police officer has said there could be more survivors from todays plane crash.

Chances are that there might be more survivors among the injured who are being treated in hospital, said Vidhi Chaudhary, who confirmed that Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British survivor, jumped out of the planes emergency exit.

07:16 PM BST

At least 260 killed, say police

Indian police have said that at least 260 people were killed in todays crash.

There were 242 people onboard the Air India flight, with a British man thought to be the only survivor.

The death toll in the plane crash is at present 260, police commissioner Vidhi Chaudhary said, suggesting that at least 19 people were killed when the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner smashed into a medical staff hostel in Ahmedabad.

07:05 PM BST

British survivor called his dad from runway

A British man who survived the Air India plane crash called his dad from the runway to tell him that he had survived.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen, is believed to be the sole survivor. He escaped through an emergency exit from seat 11A.

Nayan, his brother, told Sky News that their father was on the phone with Vishwash while he was still on the runway.

My dad called him, Nayan said. And Vishwash said oh were going to take off soon.

Two minutes later, Vishwash called his dad again - this time to say the plane had crashed and that he had survived.

He video called my dad as he crashed and said Oh the planes crashed. I dont know where my brother is. I dont see any other passengers. I dont know how Im alive - how I exited the plane, Nayan added.

06:55 PM BST

Lammy chairs Cobra meeting

David Lammy has chaired a Cobra meeting about the plane crash in India, Sky News has reported.

Cobra meetings involve senior government officials discussing the governments response to national emergencies.

06:27 PM BST

Intense heat from burning fuel left no chance to save lives

The heat from burning fuel on the plane was so intense that it gave no chance to save the lives of passengers on board, Indias home minister said.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Amit Shah told reporters: Aircrafts full fuel tank, intense heat gave no chance to save lives.

Debris at the crash site in Ahmedabad - REUTERS

06:07 PM BST

Three more British victims named

Three more British victims have been named as a family who were living in Gloucester.

The Gloucester Muslim Community said in a statement: GMBC extends its most sincere and deepest condolences to the Nanabawa family upon receiving the tragic news of the passing of: Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hana, and their beloved daughter.

05:37 PM BST

Plane crash was horrific, says Trump

Donald Trump said he has offered India help in responding to todays horrific plane crash.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US president said nobody had any idea what happened.

It looks like it was flying just fine, Mr Trump said, adding that it was one of the worst crashes in aviation history.

05:28 PM BST

The theories that could explain the crash

It could take weeks, if not months, for the exact cause of the plane crash to become clear.

But experts have already outlined a number of possible reasons why flight AI171 crashed in a ball of fire after less than a minute in the air.

Prof John McDermid, Lloyds Register chair of safety at the University of York, said: Take-off and landing are the most dangerous phases of flight  accidents from cruise are very unusual.

However, that said, its surprising that the accident occurred before the aircraft had even got to 200-metres altitude.

Pilots can abort take-off until quite late in the take-off roll, so it seems like the problem occurred very suddenly in the final part of the take-off roll, or shortly after take-off, and was sufficiently serious to be unmanageable.

05:02 PM BST

Wing flaps may have played role in crash

An aviation expert has said that the position of the planes wing flaps may have played a role in the crash.

One video of the crash shows the plane descending, followed by a large explosion.

When Im looking at this, the undercarriage is still down but the flaps have been retracted, aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas told the BBC.

Mr Thomas said it was very unusual for the planes flaps to remain in line with the wing so soon after take-off.

The undercarriage is normally retracted within 10-15 seconds, and the flaps are then retracted over a period of 10-15 minutes, he explained.

Credit: X

04:56 PM BST

Pictured: Luggage scattered across side of building

Clothes from airline luggage were scattered across the side of a building after todays crash.

Local TV image of clothes from airline luggage on the side of the building - CNN/UNPIXS

04:44 PM BST

Watch: British couple describe magical India trip

A British couple believed to have been aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their magical experience in the country.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of India and the mind-blowing experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off.

Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: So its our last night in India and we have had a magical experience, really  there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.

Jamie said: We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you.

Credit: jamiermeek / Instagram

04:19 PM BST

Where sole survivor was sitting

The sole survivor of todays plane crash was sat next in seat 11A, next to the emergency exit.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh described being surrounded by bodies before standing up and running out of the plane.

04:12 PM BST

Prepare for significant loss of British lives, says Downing Street

Downing Street has warned the public to be prepared for a significant loss of British lives following todays crash.

Asked if the public should prepare for a significant loss of life, a No10 spokesman said: Yes.

They continued: As the PM said this morning, the scenes emerging of the London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city at Ahmedabad are devastating.

Clearly this is a deeply distressing time for families. The situation is still unfolding.

No10 would not confirm reports that a British citizen had survived the crash.

04:07 PM BST

Handful of Leicester residents onboard crashed plane

The MP for Leicester East has told the BBC that a handful of Leicester residents were onboard the crashed plane.

Shivani Raja said her community was really horrified and devastated waking up to such tragic news.

So far my understanding is that there are a handful of Leicester residents who were on board that flight - but I am still awaiting for official reports on that, the Tory MP said.

03:55 PM BST

Video shows doomed flight in full

Credit: X/ShivAroor

03:44 PM BST

Injured passengers taken to hospitals, says Air India boss

Campbell Wilson, the boss of Air India, has expressed his deep sorrow following the plane crash in Ahmedabad.

This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, he says. Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.

He said the injured passengers have been taken to hospital by local authorities to the nearest hospital.

However, there is only one known survivor at the moment.

Message from Campbell Wilson, MD & CEO, Air India. pic.twitter.com/19MiwtkwAI  Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

03:14 PM BST

Pictured: A woman cries over the death of her brother on the flight

A family member cries upon hearing the news of her brother who died - REUTERS

03:10 PM BST

British couple on Air India flight named

A British couple believed to be aboard the crashed Air India flight posted about their magical experience in the country.

Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, who run a spiritual wellness centre and yoga studio, spoke of their love of the country and the mind-blowing experiences they had had just hours before the flight took off.

On Tuesday, the Greenlaw-Meeks had posted on their social media accounts from their boutique hotel in the city, The House of MG, talking about how they planned to create a vlog documenting their time in the city and were excited to tell everyone about the details.

Sitting beside his husband, Fiongal said: So its our last night in India and we have had a magical experience really, there have been some quite mind-blowing things that have happened.

Jamie added: We really have been on quite a journey, and then just spending the last night here in this amazing hotel, and we have just had the most delicious Tali food. It was a perfect way to round up the trip. Excited to share it all with you.

British couple, Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, were on board the doomed jet

03:00 PM BST

Foreign Office to deploy response team to India

The Foreign Office will deploy a team of civil servants to India to assist with the aftermath of this mornings crash, The Telegraph understands.

Senior officials in the FCDO spoke with the British high commissioner in India, Lindy Cameron, a short while ago to discuss the UK governments response to the tragedy.

Officials will soon be dispatched from the UK to help with the response on the ground in Ahmedabad, including helping the families of British victims.

The Foreign Offices Global Response Centre, a 24-hour helpline for British people abroad, is handling communications with suspected victims families in the meantime.

A source said it was too early to confirm the names of British individuals on board the plane, but that the Government expected to be in contact with the families of victims later today.

02:44 PM BST

Pictured: Chaos, smoke and charred suitcases at the crash site

Officials inspect debris at the site of a plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

People look at the belongings of passengers strewn across the smoldering wreckage - Xinhua / Alamy Live News

02:37 PM BST

Evidence points to power or flight control loss, says expert

The Air India crash may have been caused by power or flight control lost, according to an international aviation attorney.

Robert A. Clifford, who worked as the lead counsel in the crash on a Boeing 737 crash in Ethiopia six years ago that killed all 157 onboard, said: Review of available video and eyewitness information indicate some form of power or flight control loss.

Mr Clifford, senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, added: The Indian government investigators should have flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information within a couple of days that will provide vital information to try to get to the bottom of this deadly tragedy.

02:23 PM BST

Grief-stricken relatives wait outside the hospital for news

Outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, tense and grief-stricken relatives gathered, desperate for any word on their loved ones following the crash of the London-bound Air India flight.

A man in his late forties broke down near the hospital gates, pleading with officials to let him through.

My sister and brother-in-law were on the flight. Their seats 110 and 111 were confirmed, he said. Our niece called from London to say: Mumma and Papa were on the plane.

Were from Naroda and have been moving from one checkpoint to another for over an hour and a half. No one is letting us enter the hospital or even wait nearby. We havent come here for a picnic, weve lost our family.

Mahendra Vasandiya, 65, another relative of passengers on board, stood quietly among the crowd.

My younger brother and his wife were travelling to London to see their daughter, he said. I still have no information about them. No one is telling us anything.

Nearby, a woman clutched her phone, struggling to hold back tears.

My sister-in-law and her husband were on that plane, she said. Their daughter called me in tears from the UK to say they were coming to visit her. I didnt even know they were flying today.

Ambulances crowd the area close to the crash site - Sagar Patel

Teams outside the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad wait to receive the remains of victims - AP

02:09 PM BST

Incredibly complex and difficult crash site, says former investigator

A former aircraft accident investigator has said the crash site of the Gatwick-bound passenger plane is probably the most complex scene that Ive seen pictures of.

Tim Atkinson told BBC News: My initial thoughts are this will be the most incredibly complex and difficult crash site for the investigators, and more immediately for the emergency service workers to be dealing with.

All manner of hazards, even just to the individuals working there, before you begin to think of the air accident investigators task of recovering the flight recorders and then the physical remains of the aircraft.

He added: It is probably the most complex scene that Ive seen pictures of, Im very glad Ive never seen one myself in real life as complex and difficult as this. This is going to be a very lengthy and extraordinarily difficult and awkward crash site for those working on it to be involved in.

02:02 PM BST

Pictured: Locals look at the aircrafts torn tail

People look at the debris of an Air India plane tail after it crashed in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

01:55 PM BST

More than 200 bodies recovered from site

At least 204 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, police said.

GS Malik, the Ahmedabad police commissioner, said rescue workers were still searching through the debris, but there were no reports of survivors being found.

The bodies, he added, included both passengers and those killed on the ground.

At least 41 people were injured, but it is unclear whether they were passengers or people on the ground.

01:38 PM BST

King Charles desperately shocked

King Charles has said he is desperately shocked by the Air India plane crash, with passengers including 53 Britons and one Canadian.

My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning, the King said in a statement.

Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.

I would like to pay a particular tribute to the heroic efforts of the emergency services and all those providing help and support at this most heartbreaking and traumatic time.

01:30 PM BST

How doomed Air India flight exploded in less than 60 seconds

Air India flight 171 was scheduled to make a 9-hour 50-minute non-stop journey to Gatwick when it took off from Ahmedabad at 9.09am BST with 242 people on board.

Instead, less than a minute later, it hit the ground just a few hundred yards from the end of the runway, exploding in a fireball that could be seen from miles around.

In those fateful moments, the highly-experienced pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and his co-pilot Clive Kundar issued a mayday call, but after reaching a maximum altitude of barely 400ft above the runway, all contact with the aircraft was lost.

The flight never reached the right height during its short trajectory.

Video footage shows the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner appearing to suffer a catastrophic loss of power as it falls to the ground, still in its nose-up take-off angle, unable to stay airborne.

01:24 PM BST

We have lost a lot of people

Indias foreign ministry said a lot of people had been lost in todays plane crash.

Speaking this afternoon, Randhir Jaiswal, a foreign ministry spokesman, said there had been a very tragic accident.

The rescue operations are on. We need to wait a little more time for exact details to be put out, he said.

He added: We have lost a lot of people. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones.

01:16 PM BST

Pictured: Wreckage of Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The wreckage of the Boeing 787 has been pictured scattered across the ground in Ahmedabad as emergency services continue their response.

The picture below shows part of the planes registration VT-ANB on the wing.

Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site, showing part of its registration VT-ANB - REUTERS

01:10 PM BST

Casualties on the ground, says police chief

Ahmedabads police chief has said there are casualties on the ground where a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed on its way to London.

Since the airplane has fallen on an area which was residential and had some offices, there are more casualties as well, city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon.

Rescuers work at the site of an airplane that crashed in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad - AP

01:00 PM BST

Police: There appears to be no survivors

There appear to be no survivors in the Air India plane crash, a city police commissioner told the Associated Press.

There appears to be no survivor in the crash, city police commissioner GS Malik said this afternoon.

12:55 PM BST

Flights resume at airport

Flights are resuming at the airport in Ahmedabad after the deadly crash.

The Indian civil aviation ministry confirmed operations have started again as of 4.05pm (11.35am BST) .

Flight safety protocols are being followed with utmost care, the ministry added.

12:51 PM BST

Gatwick prepares centre for relatives of passengers

Gatwick said a reception centre was being set up for relatives of passengers on board the doomed Air India flight.

In a statement posted on social media, it said: We can confirm flight AI171 that was involved in an accident on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today (12 June) was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST.

The Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board.

London Gatwick is liaising closely with Air India and a reception centre for relatives of those on board is being set up where information and support will be provided.

It added that Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline.

12:45 PM BST

What does a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner look like?

12:41 PM BST

More than 100 bodies brought to hospital

More than 100 bodies were brought to a hospital in Indias Ahmedabad after an Air India plane crashed on Thursday, local police told Reuters.

12:39 PM BST

Inside the crash site

Credit: X / @Nisha_gowru

12:36 PM BST

Remains of bodies seen at crash site

The charred remains of bodies have been seen at the crash site.

Images, posted on social media, showed the chaotic scenes of emergency services working through the rubble and burnt wreckage, while the planes fuselage stuck out from the site of the building.

Indias health ministry confirmed that many were killed in the tragedy, but there has been no official comment on the death toll.

Several people are believed to have also been killed when the plane smashed into an accomodation housing doctors.

12:26 PM BST

Boeing gathering more information

US planemaker Boeing has said it was aware of initial reports about the crash of a London-bound Air India flight.

It said it was working to gather more information on the incident, but did not comment further at this time.

12:23 PM BST

Watch: First responders at the crash site

12:21 PM BST

Data suggests unusual take-off pattern

According to data logs, the Boeing 787-8 remained on the ground or taxiing slowly for over four minutes after first registering on public trackers.

A sharp increase in speed to 174 knots was recorded at 1.38pm local time, with an altitude of just 625 feet, a height far below standard for a commercial aircraft several minutes into departure. No further altitude gains were recorded.

The data, according to experts, has raised questions about whether the aircraft experienced a failure to climb, lost lift, or suffered another critical fault.

Lt Col John R. Davidson, a former US Air Force pilot, aviation safety consultant, and editor of Felons Assistance, said the plane appears to have reached take-off speed, but not altitude.

There are a number of possible scenarios: thrust or engine performance issues, excessive aircraft weight, poor trim or flap configuration, or a more critical failure that affected the aircrafts ability to climb. Weather, windshear or even bird strike cant be ruled out either at this early stage.

The low-altitude, high-speed reading at the final moment might indicate a steep nose-down trajectory or a stall event immediately following take-off, he added.

12:13 PM BST

My son jumped from second floor when the plane hit

A woman has described how her son, who was inside the hostel when the plane hit, jumped from a window and survived.

The building was reportedly full of doctors, from a nearby medical centre, eating their lunch when the Boeing Dreamliner smashed into it.

My son had gone to the hostel during lunch break, and the plane crashed there. My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries, Ramila, who only gave her first name, told the Ani news agency outside the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.

Food remains on the tables of a hostel for doctors in the wake of the plane crash

12:07 PM BST

The hostel before and after the plane hit

12:02 PM BST

We heard a huge explosion and ran from our homes

We heard a huge explosion and rushed out of our homes, Raju Prajapati, who lives just a few hundred metres from the crash site, told The Telegraph.

There were thick plumes of black smoke rising into the sky. People were shouting and running in all directions, he added.

Mr Prajapati described the chaos and panic as emergency services raced to the site.

Ambulance after ambulance has been arriving, he said. The police and Army have cordoned off the area and are not allowing anyone near the wreckage. There is panic and confusion. We are about two kilometres away now, and even here, the smoke is still visible.

11:58 AM BST

Pictured: The destroyed Boeing lodged inside a building

The crash site of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

The planes tail sticking out after it crashed into a hostel for doctors

11:53 AM BST

Modi: Crash is heartbreaking beyond words

Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, said he was shocked and saddened by the crash of a London-bound passenger plane in western India.

The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words, Mr Modi wrote on X.

In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it, he said, adding he had been in touch with ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.

11:43 AM BST

Pictured: The wreckage site

Rescue team members work as smoke rises at the site where an Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India - REUTERS

A doctor next to the burn remains of a car close to where the plane crashed after take-off - AP

11:39 AM BST

Boeing shares drop heavily after Air India crash

Boeing shares fell sharply after one of its Air India planes crashed shortly after take-off.

The planemakers stock sank 7.2pc in premarket trading in New York after the crash, which looks likely to become the worst involving its most advanced 787 wide-body aircraft.

The company has been involved in a series of incidents in recent years, including fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

A Boeing 737 MAX 9 run by Alaska Airlines suffered a mid-air blowout last year, forcing pilots to scramble to land the plane safely.

A preliminary investigation found it was the result of its door plug missing four bolts. Other airlines later reported finding loose bolts on multiple Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

Boeing suffered its second biggest annual loss in its 109-year history last year, taking its total losses since 2019 to more than $35bn. Shares have fallen 48pc during that time.

11:31 AM BST

Fatalities had become rare in Indian aviation

Fatalities had become a rarity in Indian commercial aviation  in line with the global trend of improving safety.

The last major crash of this kind was in August 2020, when an Air India Express Boeing 737 skidded off the end of the runway at Kozhikode International Airport, killing 21 of the 190 passengers and crew.

The downed Air India jet in Ahmedabad today had 242 people on board. While we do not have confirmed casualty statuses, the incident has the potential to prove historically deadly.

It could make 2025 Indias most lethal year since 1996, etched in painful memory by Charkhi Dadri, the worst mid-air collision in aviation history, which claimed the lives of all 349 on board the Saudi Boeing 747 and Kazakhstan Airlines Flight 1907. The incident prompted a renewed focus on safety in India, its governing body subsequently pioneering the mandatory implementation of airborne collision avoidance systems (ACAS).

This crash could also push 2025s global commercial aviation fatality total past that of the whole of 2024, barely 5 and a half months into the year.

11:28 AM BST

Captain is experienced flyer

The plane was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who is a line training captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience.

The co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kundar, has also previously completed 1,100 in the air.

11:21 AM BST

Keir Starmer: Crash is devastating

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the passengers and families of those on the Air India flight.

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating, he said.

I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.

11:19 AM BST

Plane crashed on hostel for doctors

The plane crashed on a hostel building used by doctors, reports Reuters.

Pictures from those inside show the plane having come through the ceiling.

Survivors assess the damage after a plane landed on the roof of their building

11:13 AM BST

Watch: Survivors rushed to hospital

11:08 AM BST

Kemi Badenoch: Crash is heartbreaking

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has described the news of the crash of an Air India plane bound for Gatwick Airport as heartbreaking.

In a message on X, Mrs Badenoch said: My thoughts are with all those affected - especially the families of those on board, and the emergency teams responding to what appears to be a horrifying tragedy.

11:07 AM BST

Where was the crash?

Ahmedabad is the main city in Modis home state of Gujarat.

The airport has since confirmed it has suspended all flight operations with immediate effect.

Locals look on at the scene of the crash, where smoke billows into the sky

A close up shows the extent of the damage

11:04 AM BST

Foreign Office working to urgently establish facts

Air India confirmed the Boeing 787-8 flight to Gatwick was carrying 242 passengers and crew members - made up of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.

The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals, a spokesman said.

Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.

The Foreign Office said: We are aware of a plane crash in Ahmedabad. The UK is working with local authorities in India to urgently establish the facts and provide support to those involved.

10:55 AM BST

Pictured: Map of where plane crashed

10:51 AM BST

Flight had 53 Britons on board

The plane had 53 Britons on board, it has been reported.

The rest of the passengers were made up of 169 Indians, one Canadian and seven Portuguese.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The aircraft was introduced in 2009 and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website.

10:47 AM BST

Pictured: First responders at smouldering crash site

Firefighters work at the site of a plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad - Shutterstock Editorial

Part of the plane sticking out of a building after crash

10:40 AM BST

Plane gave mayday call and then went silent

According to air traffic control at Ahmedabad airport, the aircraft departed at 1.39pm local time (9.09am BST) from runway 23.

It gave a mayday call, signalling an emergency, but there was no response from the aircraft thereafter.

Flightradar24 also said that it received the last signal from the aircraft seconds after it took off.

The aircraft involved is a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with registration VT-ANB, it said.

10:39 AM BST

Pictured: Moment of impact

The crash and subsequent inferno caused panic among unsuspecting locals

Firefighters work at the charred site

10:36 AM BST

Crash caused panic in surrounding areas

Thick plumes of smoke from the crash site were visible from more than 1km distance, triggering panic in surrounding areas.

Emergency response teams, including the fire brigade, immediately rushed to the scene. Authorities are yet to confirm the extent of the damage or casualties, and further details are awaited.

Initial reports suggest that the Air India aircraft crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. In the moments following the crash, local residents rushed to the site to help passengers and assist with rescue efforts.

10:33 AM BST

Video shows moment of crash

Credit: X

10:32 AM BST

Air India chairman: Crash is tragic accident

Air India confirmed Flight 171 from the western city of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick had crashed in a tragic accident.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran chairman said in a statement: With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.

Locals look on at the site of the crash

10:25 AM BST

Indias aviation minister shocked and saddened

Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was shocked and saddened at the crash.

Indias aviation minster said his thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.

I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action, he said in a statement.

Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site, he added.

The planes wreckage engulfed in flames

10:22 AM BST

Pictured: Smoke billowing from crash site

The plane was due to land at 6.25pm local time, Gatwick has confirmed.

The plane had been in the air less than a minute before impact

The aircraft crashed after losing signal with air traffic control

10:12 AM BST

Crash happened less than a minute after take-off

The plane crashed less than a minute after take-off, flight data has revealed.

Signal was lost from the aircraft at 1.39pm (9.09am BST) local time after it had climbed to just 635 feet.

10:09 AM BST

London-bound flight crashes in India

An aircraft bound for London crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The number of casualties is currently unknown.

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Suspects were in custody after a police shooting in Mesa, the city police department said on social media.

No officers were injured in the June 12 incident, according to the Mesa Police Department.

The shooting occurred near 72nd Place and Broadway Road in Mesa, police said. Information on the people involved was not immediately available.

The shooting came a day after Gilbert police officers shot and killed a man they said was asleep at the wheel who then pulled a gun on them.

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In Apache Junction, a police officer was shot June 2 while responding to a police call and later died from those injuries.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mesa police shooting leads to arrest of 2 suspects; no officers hurt
Editors note: This article has been updated to include the intended target of the raid.

HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif. (KTLA)  U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined federal immigration agents Thursday on a raid targeting a man with a criminal record at a Huntington Park, California, home, the agency said.

The raid occurred Thursday morning when about a half-dozen vehicles carrying heavily armed, masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents converged on a home occupied by a 28-year-old pregnant mother of four.

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Sabrina Medina said she was in the shower at around 6 a.m. when her brother-in-law first saw the menacing presence in front of the familys home.

I was just terrified, Im not going to lie to you, Medina told Nexstars KTLA. I was shaking. I was scared. Ive never gone through anything like this.

Medina, a U.S. citizen, said she looked out the window and saw 10 men dressed in tactical military gear, all of them carrying rifles.

I was like, Am I dreaming or is this real? she said.

According to Medina, the agents told her to exit her home with her children. Standing in the driveway, they showed her a warrant for her husband, with his name listed as David Garcia.

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As she explained that her husbands name is Jorge and that he was not at the house, one of the agents is captured on an outdoor home surveillance camera turning the device away from what was transpiring.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seen at an ICE raid at the Huntington Park home of a pregnant mother of four on June 12, 2025. (DHS) DHS Sec. Kristi Noem seen watching an ICE raid at the Huntington Park home of a pregnant mother of four and a U.S. Citizen on June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (Citizen) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seen at an ICE raid at the Huntington Park home of a pregnant mother of four on June 12, 2025. (DHS) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen outside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen inside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) ICE agents seen inside a Huntington Park home during raid on the morning June 12, 2025. (viewer image) Sabrina Medina, her children and extended family members seen on June 12, 2025, after ICE conducted a raid on her home. (KTLA) A document shown to a Huntington Park mother by ICE agents who searched her home for her husband on June 12, 2025. (KTLA) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seen at an ICE raid at the Huntington Park home of a pregnant mother of four on June 12, 2025. (DHS)

Cameras inside the home captured the heavily armed ICE agents going through the residence room by room, all while Noem, donning a bulletproof vest and ballcap, watched from the street.

The Homeland Security chief would later mention the Huntington Park raid at the press conference where Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was roughly shoved out of the room, pushed to the ground, cuffed and briefly detained.

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U.S. Marshal wrongly detained by ICE agents in lobby of federal building

After hearing about the raid, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn went to the Huntington Park neighborhood and spoke with some of Medinas neighbors.

Im very disappointed in this government right now and what theyre doing, she told KTLA.

Four months pregnant with her fifth child, the Huntington Park mother said if her husband is deported, the familys future is bleak.

Im not going to be able to pay my rent when I have to pay it, she explained. My husband is not here. I dont know if theyre going to pick him up tomorrow, the day after tomorrow. Its sad.

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ICE agents, along with Noem, eventually left the home empty-handed, and the children were allowed back inside.

For now, the family is unsure what the coming days will bring, but Medina said if her husband is deported, she and her children will likely follow him back to Mexico.

This story was updated at 5:42 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.
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter.

Award: Campus expansion

Value: Contract value undisclosed, overall campus project $1.8 billion

Location: St. Louis

Client: Boeing

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is laying the groundwork for a major expansion in St. Louis, according to a June 5 news release.

The Arlington, Virginia-based company tapped Jacobs to deliver design, engineering and environmental services for a 1.1-million-square-foot build-out. The project includes new advanced assembly facilities and a post-assembly operations center, according to the release.

While Jacobs did not disclose contract terms, the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership pegged Boeings broader investment at $1.8 billion.

Construction is already underway and will be completed in multiple phases between 2026 and 2030, according to Jacobs. The Dallas-based contractor secured federal environmental approvals for the project in eight months, amid broader efforts to speed up permitting requirements for defense and infrastructure work.

Scope of work also includes demolition of existing structures to prepare the site for new classified facilities, said Susannah Kerr, Jacobs executive vice president and general manager of federal and environment business, in the release.

Once complete, the expanded campus will support the production of future-generation aircraft, said Mark Webb, Boeings vice president of site readiness in St. Louis.

The largest investments Boeing is making in defense is in St. Louis, said Webb, who noted the facility will feature advancements in digital design and manufacturing. Our St. Louis site will continue to grow in facilities and head count for the next several years.

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June 12 (UPI) -- The House-passed budget reconciliation bill promoted by the Trump administration would benefit higher earners at the expense of lower-income Americans, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported Thursday.

The CBO's findings said between 2026 and 2034, after-tax federal benefits "would decrease for households toward the bottom of the income distribution, whereas resources would increase for households in the middle and top of the income distribution," the report said.

"If you are a hardworking American that is struggling to take care of your family, you are going to love this legislation," Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said during an interview on Fox News last week.

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But the CBO report indicates that the top 10% of earners would receive the highest tax cuts.

The CBO analysis shows that households earning up to $107,000 yearly will see an average tax cut of $1,200 annually through 2034. People making up to $138,000 annually will see a $1,750 tax cut; those earning up to $178,000 will see a $2,400 yearly benefit; those bringing in $242,000 will see a $3,650 benefit; and households earning up to $682,000 a year can expect an annual $13,500 tax benefit.

A recent analysis by the Joint Taxation Committee reflected the results of the CBO report and also suggested that lower income Americans would benefit less from the legislation than higher earners.

The budget bill, which has seen staunch opposition from Democrats, faith leaders and social service advocates, faces a tough road in the Senate, where even some members of the GOP have expressed concern about the depth of the cuts, especially to Medicaid services and SNAP benefits, which would fall most squarely on the most vulnerable Americans.

Academics and scientists have also been critical of proposed reductions in research funding in the budget bill while adding trillions of dollars to the national debt.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A non-profit teamed up with the city to help create careers for hundreds of justice-impacted New Yorkers, giving them careers as bike mechanics.

29-year-old Zarravon Quarry from Flatbush says that at the age of 16, his trouble with the law began.

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The death of a very close friend moved him to change his life. It wasnt easy, but Quarry had a powerful drive and a new ally.

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Thanks to a city and a nonprofit, Quarry says changing his life.

The Hope Program aligned him with a program called Bike Path run by Bike NY. Its a 3-week training program for previously justice-involved people over 18 to become certified Bike Mechanics for Citi Bike.

Ken Podziba, the president and CEO of Bike New York, says it gives them a second chance and gives them a job right away with Citi Bike. A win-win, maintaining the city bike fleet and offering a fresh to a stable career.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MYSTIC, Conn. (WTNH) Senior citizens from Middletown were able to spend their day with beluga whales, penguins and other sea life on Thursday thanks to a local nonprofit.

The elderly residents of Stonecrest Towers visited the Mystic Aquarium where they enjoyed a change of scenery along with lunch in the village, all granted by the Twilight Wish Foundation.

Lamont approves $3 million in funding for nonprofits

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Its very important to get out and see something different, Jim Oktavec said, who was one of the seniors in attendance. Im glad we came on the trip.

Many of the residents dont have cars and it is difficult for them to make long trips, according to the Connecticut chapter of the nonprofit. Due to their fixed incomes, this trip would not have been possible without the additional funds.

Wednesdays Warrior: Local nonprofit helps senior community members in Greater New Haven

The Twilight Wish Foundation grants wishes to seniors who are over 65 years old and have an income of less than 200% of poverty level, or who are residents of a nursing facility and cannot make their own wishes come true.

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All of the residents on Thursdays trip remain active in their communities as they volunteer with decorating, games and other events, according to a spokesperson for the Connecticut chapter.

If you would like to donate to the nonprofit, visit www.twilightwish.org or call 215-230-8777 ext. 104.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Changes are in the works for Norfolks school system. The school board is looking to the future  after the superintendent was fired Wednesday night. Dr. Sharon Byrdsong was officially ousted by a vote of 4-3.

The board voted for Dr. James Pohl to serve as the interim superintendent, effective immediately.

The Norfolk School Board is confident that under Dr. Pohls leadership, Norfolk Public Schools

is entering a new chapterone marked by renewed focus, transparency, and strategic direction. Excerpt from NPS news release issued June 12

Read the full news release about the appointment of Dr. Pohl

Norfolk School Board votes to terminate superintendent Sharon I. Byrdsong

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10 On Your Side talked with school board member Jason Inge, who voted in favor of the termination. He insists this was not an act of collusion.

Speaking for just himself, Jason Inge says he based his decision Wednesday night on the data.



Unfortunately the achievement gaps in Norfolk have been persistent, Inge said.



Dr. Sharon Byrdsong was appointed superintendent in 2020. WAVY asked Inge, what was it about her performance that was lacking?



I welcome the community to go look at our academic data, such as our SOL passing scores, our pass rates for our English non-speaking learning students, and particularly students with disabilities as well. And then also looking at our subgroups and of African Americans. We made great strides in the African American subgroups for reading; however, we still have missed the mark, Inge said.



He says they have not met certain milestones and refutes any suggestion that this was a personal vendetta.



Im not aware of any collusion. Like Ive spoken to countless peoplethey can FOIA any of the emails that, they have a right as a citizen to do such, and I welcome that.



As for what he hopes to see moving forward:



A superintendent that is very engaged with the community. I would like to see a superintendent that is open to feedback, a superintendent that works alongside the community, our teachers, our board and is there for the full investment of public education.



Statements from Sharon Byrdsong are provided below:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
North Carolina mass shooting suspect arrested in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A suspect connected to a June 1 mass shooting in North Carolina was booked into the Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis at 11:38 a.m. Thursday.

Charles R. Kincaid III, 27, was wanted for attempted first-degree attempted murder following the mass shooting at a house party in Catawba County that left one person dead and 11 others injured.

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Details of his arrest and why he was in Minnesota have not been revealed.

Kincaid III is one of five men who have been identified by North Carolina authorities as suspects wanted on charges of attempted first-degree murder. All of them are now in custody.

Charles Rodell Kincaid IIIHennepin County Jail

The FBI told North Carolina media on June 3 that its investigators believe "gunfire came from up on the hill behind the house next door and was directed at the pool and party goers."

Police found approximately 80 shell casings on two acres of land at the scene.

The others in custody and the charges they are facing, according to the Catawba County Detention Facility, are:

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Ke'Andre O'Neal Mack, 19 (four counts of attempted first-degree murder)

Toland Huff Jr., 20 (three counts of attempted first-degree murder)

Garon Killian, 20 (one count of attempted first-degree murder)

Zachary Bates, 22 (five counts of attempted first-degree murder)

The person killed in the attack was 58-year-old Shawn Hood. According to his obituary, he was a former associate scout for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A jury has found 42-year-old Kenneth Miller Jr. guilty on three charges related to the assault of his then-84-year-old aunt, Ms. Juanita Dukes, according to a statement from Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson.

The North Charleston Police Department arrested Miller after being accused of shooting Dukes on January 4.

The bullet lodged itself in a plastic component of Dukes prosthetic knee, which likely saved her life, according to Wilsons statement.

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Miller is sentenced to 15 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections after being convicted of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Weapon by a Person Prohibited, according to Wilsons statement.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence including testimony from the victim, forensic analysis connecting Miller to the crime, and surveillance footage of Millers vehicle leaving the Dukes neighborhood right after the shooting.

According to an initial incident report, Dukes told North Charleston officers that she let Miller into the residence and that he pulled out a handgun while they were talking and fired a shot.

The Dukes told police there was no argument before the shooting and said the assault was unprovoked; however, the report noted that while in the ambulance, she stated that the suspect had accused her of stealing a bag of personal items from him.

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Ms. Dukes showed remarkable strength throughout this process, and we are grateful the jury held the defendant accountable, said Assistant Solicitor Knox.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
June 13 (UPI) -- North Korea successfully launched a 5,000-ton destroyer that was damaged during its first launch attempt last month, state-run media reported Friday, with leader Kim Jong Un in attendance and vowing to build two more warships next year.

The launch ceremony was held Thursday at the Rajin Shipyard, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

Kim witnessed the destroyer's botched launch on May 21, and called it a "criminal act caused by absolute carelessness, irresponsibility and unscientific empiricism which is out of the bounds of possibility and could not be tolerated."

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He demanded that the warship be restored by the start of a ruling party congress in late June and warned of serious consequences for those found responsible for the launch mishap.

At least four officials have been arrested so far, including vice department director of the Munitions Industry Department Ri Hyong Son, according to state media.

The capsized ship, named the Kang Kon, was raised at Chongjin Shipyard last week and moved to the Rajin site on the northeastern tip of the country for repair.

In remarks delivered at the ceremony Thursday, Kim said that the failed launch "impaired the dignity and prestige of the country," but claimed that it had not impeded the country's naval modernization goals.

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"No obstacle could delay the important course of bolstering up the naval combat power," Kim said, according to KCNA.

"We safely raised and floated the ship in just two weeks after the accident, and today, we have concluded the complete restoration as planned," he claimed.

It is unclear whether the ship has been fully repaired or when it will be ready for use.

"The vessel has yet to undergo critical phases before it can be deemed operational," the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a report Thursday. "It will require considerable time to complete fitting out, manufacturer's trials and navy acceptance trials before being committed to operations."

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The Kang Kon was the second warship introduced by North Korea in recent months, following the launch of its 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer at the Nampo Shipyard on April 25. That vessel is armed with a wide range of weapons, including supersonic cruise missiles and strategic cruise missiles, according to North Korean reports.

Photos released by the North showed that the Choe Hyon's missile and radar systems resemble those found on Russian vessels, prompting speculation that Pyongyang received technical assistance from Moscow in its development.

North Korea has deployed troops, artillery and weapons to Russia to aid in Moscow's war against Ukraine, and is believed to be receiving much-needed financial support and advanced military technology for its own weapons programs.

In his remarks at the launch ceremony, Kim said the North "will continue to commission two destroyers of the same class or higher into the navy every year."

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He cited growing threats from the United States and its allies as a primary reason for the country's warship construction plans.

"Recently, the provocative intentions of the United States and its military forces have become more and more hostile, and the level of threats to our safety has clearly gone far beyond dangerous limits," Kim said. "Having ocean-going operational capability and exercising naval power in the ocean is an essential choice to protect national sovereignty and security interests."
North Korea says it has successfully relaunched its new 5,000-ton naval destroyer, less than a month after it capsized during the first attempted launch, state media reports.

The country's leader, Kim Jong Un, had reacted furiously to the warship's failed launch in May, and demanded it be quickly repaired.

At least four officials - three shipyard officials and one senior official - have since been arrested over the incident.

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State media says the ship has now been fully restored. But given how quickly it has been relaunched, experts are questioning whether the repairs are really complete.

Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, oversaw Tuesday's launch at Rajin Port in the country's north, according to KCNA, which published photos of them at the event.

This warship is one of two brand new 5,000-ton naval destroyers North Korea has built over the past year and launched since April.

They are now the biggest ships Pyongyang has in its fleet and are capable, in theory, of launching nuclear weapons.

Kim has made it a priority to develop a nuclear-armed navy, and says he plans to build two more of these destroyers in the coming year.

The destroyer is named Kang Kon, after a North Korean general who died fighting in the Korean War [Reuters]

Satellite photos over the past few weeks showed the capsized ship in the harbour, before it was moved to a repair site, and then being refloated in the water, before it was moored at the pier.

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According to KCNA, Kim spoke at Friday's event, saying that the initial failed launch had not set back the North's military modernisation programme.

"Soon, enemies will experience how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters," it quoted him as saying.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Police in North Little Rock have opened a death investigation after a man was found dead in the road.

Just before 1 a.m. Friday morning, officials said officers responded to the 8000 block of Faulkner Lake Road in reference to an injured or sick person in the road.

When police arrive, they located the body of a man and NLRPD began a death investigation, according to officials.

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The body will be transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death.

The name of the man has not been released at this time.

NLRPD is encouraging anyone with information regarding this death to contract the tip line at 501-680-8439 or Detective Adam Williams at 501-771-7167. Tips can remain anonymous, according to police.

This is an active investigation. More information will be provided when made available by investigators.

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The Brief

A worker needed to be rescued from a deep trench on Thursday morning after his "safe box slid."

It happened near 64th Street and Mayo Boulevard on June 11 at around 10:30 a.m.

PHOENIX - A construction worker was rescued after becoming trapped in a trench in north Phoenix on Thursday.

What we know

The June 12 incident happened around 10:30 a.m. near 64th Street and Mayo Boulevard.

"Crews arrived and found one worker in a 12 foot by 27 foot wide trench who was partially trapped after his safe box slid. Firefighters assisted with the help of heavy equipment operators to move the safe box over the patient and made it safe to extricate him out of danger," Phoenix Fire Capt. Daniel Lee said.

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They used an excavator and rope to rescue him. The fire department said he wasn't pinned by dirt or material, and that he just wasn't able to get out due to the depth of the trench.

The worker is stable at the hospital.

What we don't know

The worker wasn't identified.

We don't know the type of construction site the rescue happened at.
(Reuters) -U.S. grains merchant Bunge is close to getting a ruling from Chinese regulators on its $8.2 billion purchase of Glencore-backed Viterra with a verdict expected within days, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.

The merger, first announced in 2023, would create a global crop trading and processing giant closer in scale to chief rivals Archer-Daniels-Midland and Cargill.

Regulatory approval in China remains among the last remaining hurdles to the deal's closing.

Bunge and Viterra said in two separate, similarly worded statements to Reuters that the companies were in the final stage of regulatory approval and thanked Chinese officials for "constructive dialogue throughout the review process."

Chinas commerce ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The deal has secured most global approvals required for the merger, including from the EU and Canada.

The completion deadline, originally scheduled for mid-2024, has been extended multiple times, with the current date set for June 13.

(Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi and Devika Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
The Brief

A 7-year-old adopted Haitian girl, Esther Smith, is safely in the U.S. after a rescue operation amidst ongoing violence in Haiti.

Plano residents Kathleen and Jordan Smith had been trying to adopt Esther since December 2023, but the process was halted by unrest.

Esther is currently in the U.S. on a visa while her adoption process is finalized, and she will spend the summer with her new family.

PLANO, Texas - It has certainly been a long and emotional journey for the Smith family as this unification has been years in the making.

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Their adopted daughter is safely out of Haiti and learning to live life as a Texan.

What we know

Plano residents, Kathleen and Jordan Smith, could finally relax after years of uncertainty as their 7-year-old adopted daughter, Esther Smith, was finally safe on U.S. soil after living in limbo in Haiti.

The Smiths spoke to us from Tampa, Florida on Wednesday following the rescue operation.

A rescue operation which included the extraction of two other Haitian girls.

The Smiths' adoption process

The Smiths began the process of trying to adopt Esther in December 2023.

However, by the following March, escalating violence in Haiti and the closure of the U.S. Embassy there brought that process to a halt.

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Like many other American families in the same situation, the Smiths pleaded with the U.S. State Department but got nowhere.

What they're saying

"We got to see all the photos of how this transpired throughout the trip, and it was just amazing," said mother Kathleen Smith.

"We're so grateful for all the people who coordinated this. It was a huge undertaking. It took a lot of resources, and we didn't have that, so we're thankful God provided that," said father Jordan Smith.

Dig deeper

Bryan Stern, who is the founder of Grey Bull Rescue, literally came to the rescue. The Grey Bull Rescue Group, a for-profit organization founded to directly assist governments and other entities with rescuing citizens in danger.

It started by taking a private jet from Florida to Cape Haitien on the north coast of Haiti on Tuesday morning.

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There, the team got on a helicopter bound for the capital of Port-au-Prince, which is still heavily overrun by gangs.

"We actually had gunfire. We actually had to peel out to the north and east because fighting had erupted just down the street from us," said Stern.

Because of the ongoing violence in the capitol, Esther had been moved to a safe-house.

Trump's travel ban

Stern says the travel ban, recently imposed by President Donald Trump, made the rescue mission a little more complicated.

"At the same time, there are ways to do this properly, legally and smartly," he said.

Esther's arrival

Shortly after landing, Esther got to FaceTime with her three American siblings, eagerly waiting for her arrival back home in North Texas.

"We'll be one giant happy family. We're so pumped," said Kathleen.

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"Just because it's hard doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. There's a need everywhere and, wherever you feel called, just take the step," said Jordan.

What's next

The Smiths tell FOX 4's Alex Boyer that they're also very grateful to Texas congressman August Pfluger, who assisted in the effort.

Esther is in the U.S. on a visa while the rest of her adoption process plays out.

Jordan and Kathleen Smith tell me Esther is funny and will fit in perfectly with her three American siblings.

They plan to spend the summer getting to know one another.

The Source

Information in this article was provided from interviews conducted by FOX 4's Alex Boyer and the Smith family. Additional information is provided by greybullrescue.org and an interview conducted with the Grey Bull Rescue Group.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Northglenn-Thornton Rotary Club donated $3,150 to support emergency assistance for seniors and new trees at Rotary Park.

The Rotary Service Club was recognized for its donation during Northglenns city council meeting on June 9.

Art on Parade exhibit installed in Northglenn

As Rotarians, we believe in taking meaningful action that uplifts our neighbors and strengthens our community, said Club President Marisa Phillips.

The Northgenn-Thornton Rotary service club donated three trees to be planted at Rotary park. (Courtesy City of Northglenn) The Northlgenn-Thornton Rotrary service club was recognized during a city council meeting on June 9. (Credit City of Northglenn)

The rotary club donated $2,000 to Northglenns Senior Emergency Grant Program in addition to three trees  valued at $1,050 in total  to be planted in Rotary Park, according to Phillips.

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Partnering with the city on initiatives like these reflects our mission to help our community grow stronger, greener and more connected, said Phillips.

Residents who would like to learn more about the Northglenn-Thornton Rotary Club can visit its website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Jun. 12WASHINGTON  Thousands of Americans are expected to descend on the nation's capital on Saturday to see the city's biggest military parade in decades, but members of Congress from the Northwest won't be among the crowds.

The parade marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which estimates the total cost of the event will be between $25 million and $45 million. It also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, and with Flag Day.

Republicans from Washington, Idaho and Oregon said they don't plan to attend the spectacle but appreciated the opportunity to celebrate the Army. More than 6,000 soldiers will participate in the event, along with tanks, armed vehicles, rocket launchers, marching bands, horses, mules and one dog, according to the Army.

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"It's a great way to honor America's military history; happy birthday to the U.S. Army," Rep. Michael Baumgartner said. The Spokane Republican dismissed the idea that Trump is using the occasion to celebrate himself.

Democrats from the Northwest said they celebrate the Army but questioned why the government would spend millions of taxpayer dollars on what they see at least partially as an elaborate birthday bash for the president, at a time when Trump and his GOP allies in Congress are proposing cuts to Medicaid and food assistance for low-income Americans.

"It is a huge waste of taxpayer dollars," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in an interview. "I appreciate the 250th anniversary, but it should be about the soldiers. It should be about the men and women who serve, not about satisfying President Trump's ego."

Rep. Adam Smith of Bellevue, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, called the parade "wildly inappropriate" and said that while he has no problem celebrating the U.S. military, including in parades, the price tag of Saturday's event is unprecedented.

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"It's clear Trump is doing this as a celebration of his power, not as a celebration of the military," Smith said in a brief interview at the Capitol. "It's obviously going to be very costly and very disruptive, and also, I think, sends the wrong message. As someone said a long time ago, we are not a tanks-in-the-street type of republic, and we should not become one."

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were also founded in 1775, but in October and November of that year. Smith said neither of those military branches is likely to get the same celebration as the Army, "because their birthday doesn't fall on Donald Trump's birthday."

Most members of Congress choose to head home on weekends and during recess periods, but several Republicans have said they plan to stay in D.C. to attend the parade.

"While I will not be in attendance at the parade, I sincerely appreciate this meaningful tribute honoring our nation's heroes," Rep. Russ Fulcher, a Republican who represents North Idaho, said in a statement. "This celebration marks a historic milestone in the Army's proud legacy of courage and unity. It is with deep respect and gratitude that we recognize the U.S. Army's 250 years of dedication, service, and sacrifice on behalf of all Americans."

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Fellow GOP Reps. Dan Newhouse of Sunnyside, Mike Simpson of Idaho Falls and Cliff Bentz of Eastern Oregon will all miss the parade, their spokespeople said. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch also said they will be out of town.

"Happy 250th Birthday to the U.S. Army!" Crapo said in a statement. "For two and a half centuries, the brave men and women of the U.S. Army have stood as a bulwark of freedom, defending our nation and its values at home and abroad. We are eternally grateful for their unwavering courage, sacrifice, and dedication. Thank you for your service."

Asked what he thought about the estimated cost of the event, Risch replied, "Don't know anything about it."

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she routinely goes to Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma for events celebrating the military, but she sees Saturday's event as something else.

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"We appreciate 250 years of the Army," she said in a brief interview. "I don't know that we had to do this to celebrate that. I'll definitely be thanking the men and women at our Army installations and commemorating them."

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
SAN FRANCISCO  California Gov. Gavin Newsom lit into President Donald Trump on Thursday, heralding a new day in this country after a federal judge ordered the president to end his unilateral deployment of the states National Guard troops.

But the victory was short-lived, with an appeals court hours later preserving Trump's ability at least temporarily to deploy the National Guard to Los Angeles.

"He is not a monarch. He is not a king, and he should stop acting like one," Newsom told reporters outside the federal courthouse after an emergency hearing in downtown San Francisco.

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Newsoms remarks came moments after a federal judge ordered Trump to relinquish control of Californias National Guard troops, ruling his deployment of the Guard to Los Angeles was illegal and unconstitutional. But hours later, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked the order, setting a Tuesday hearing on the matter.

Following the short-term block of the order, Newsoms team referred to the governors comments from earlier Thursday night projecting confidence the decision would stand.

I'm confident in the rule of law, Newsom said. I'm confident in the Constitution of the United States. I'm confident in the wisdom and judgment of a very well-respected federal judge. And I'm confident, on the basis of the review of the 36 pages  absolutely it will stand.

Earlier Thursday, Newsom had also mercilessly mocked Trump for his upcoming military parade  calling it a vulgar display of weakness  and referred to the president as a stone cold liar for claiming he spoke with the Democratic governor in advance about commondeering his National Guard.

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I would love to share the readout, but I revere the office of presidency, so I'll keep it in confidence. He is quite literally made up components of that conversation, Newsom said. He never discussed the National Guard, period, full stop. I would love to share with you what he actually talked about. It would send shivers up your spine.

The court battle came after Newsom and state Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Trumps move to use the National Guard to quell protests over ICE raids in Los Angeles.

Newsom said local law enforcement had the situation under control, calling Trumps move authoritarian and an intentional effort to inflame violence and justify his use of executive power.

"The National Guard will go back to border security, working on counter drug enforcement and fentanyl enforcement, which they were taken off by Donald Trump, Newsom told reporters after the ruling. The National Guard will go back to working on what we refer to as the rattlesnake teams, doing vegetation and forest management, which Donald Trump took them off in preparation for wildfire season. The National Guard men and women will go back to their day jobs, which include law enforcement that he took them off the job."

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Newsom added: "Clearly, there's no invasion, there's no rebellion. It's absurd."

Trumps move to seize control of the Guard troops is exceedingly rare in modern American history. Not since the civil rights era of 1965 has a U.S. president deployed the National Guard without a governors consent.

Attorneys for the Trump administration contend Trump didnt need the governors consent to take control of the Guard given resistance to federal immigration enforcement efforts. Trump has accused Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of failing to control unrest as scofflaws burn cars and assault police.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, who issued the temporary restraining order, bristled at the administrations stance that the presidents position cannot be second-guessed  even by the courts  because he is the commander-in-chief.

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Thats the difference between a Constitutional government and King George, Breyer told a packed courtroom earlier Thursday. Its not that a leader can simply say something and it becomes it.

Breyer  a Clinton appointee and the younger brother of former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer  noted that, under federal law, the president has the authority to call up the National Guard in limited situations, provided such orders are issued through the governors of the states.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  As protests against the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement have spread across the country, Middle Tennessee demonstrators have shifted their focus to President Donald Trump.

While the US Army gears up for a major parade in Washington D.C., a national organization with a group in Nashville is pushing back, saying it looks more like a show of force than celebration. Theyre calling it No Kings Day.

This is not the America that any of us grew up in, volunteer with Nashville Indivisible, Jennifer Brinkman, said. I am a native Nashvillian. I am blown away that this is where we are- its wrong.

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No Kings protest planned in Murfreesboro

On Saturday, the Army will celebrate its 250th anniversary with a parade in Washington D.C. The event also falls on Trumps birthday, but not everyone is celebrating. Participants with the No Kings movement have called the parade a spectacle made to look like strength.

This looks more like a military parade that you would see like in North Korea or Iran, China or Russia and its costing a lot of money and it seems to be a big distraction, Brinkman expressed.

Jennifer Brinkman, a volunteer coordinators for the Nashville No Kings demonstration told News 2 that distraction pulls attention from what she calls urgent issues like immigration enforcement, civil rights concerns and cut to public programs.

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The cuts to Medicaid and then the trade off is give ultra wealthy more tax cuts, Brinkman said.

In May, Nashville was the center of a joint ICE and Tennessee Highway Patrol operation which led to the arrest of 196 undocumented immigrants, according to ICE.

Brinkman told News 2 tactics used during those arrests raise major red flags.

Deporting people without due process that is not American, Brinkman expressed. ICE agents that we dont even know if they are ICE agents, I mean literally they are not wearing the same uniforms. They dont have their names on their vest. They are not being held to any kind of accountability.

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As cities like Los Angeles enact curfews amid ICE protest tensions, Brinkman said over 2,000 Nashvillians are already registered to gather with the focus on keeping things peaceful with designated peace keepers.

Stay with the group, chant together, support one another, Brinkman said. Also we ask our participants that are showing up to document dont confront. If something concerning happens quietly take a photo or a video and alert your organizers or your peacekeepers.

Organizers say they are working with the Metro Nashville Police Department and State Park Rangers.

The biggest tip is do not escalate, Brinkman said. So we tell them no matter what others say or do not respond with anger, threats or physical actions, escalation undermines our message and puts others at risk.

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No Kings protest to be held in Gallatin Saturday afternoon

Brinkman encouraged people to register online and show up at Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park with signs and a shared message:

This is not a monarchy. We have a say in this. We are raising our voices please listen to the voices that are being raised. These are your constituents.

MNPD said it is aware of this weekends gathering and support the right to peaceful demonstration. THP said it is prepared to assist as needed. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will help manage 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 WKRN News 2.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Rockfords southwest side is quiet Friday, a day after personnel from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security were confirmed in the area.

People were confused about some things. From my understanding, that it may have been in a residential area or near a park, all of it is, with the social media posts, and not from official sources, said 6th Ward Alderwoman Aprel Prunty (D).

Prunty said she heard from residents of her ward that DHS personnel conducted operations near Liberty Park.

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While officials have not determined if agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were present, the City of Rockford released a statement saying, It is important to note that ICE is a federal agency operating under the Department of Homeland Security.

This was scary for a lot of people. And, especially if it were near a park, we know that children were probably there. I have heard that, since then, that maybe children did witness it, Prunty said.

Fernando Lopez, the station manager at Rockfords Latino radio station La Bamba Radio, said he was made aware of two individuals who were targeted due to active deportation orders against them.

Its not a random operation of ICE. It was targeting specific people. As far as we know, they pick specific people with deportation proceedings. Thats what this is. No massive raids, no random stuff, Lopez said.

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According to ICE, those arrested in its operations nationwide had criminal histories, including sexual assault, robbery, drug and weapons charges, and domestic violence.

In Illinois, the TRUST Act, signed by former Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) in 2017, prevents state law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

According to the 2023 Way Forward Act Compliance Report, 88.5% of requests from federal immigration authorities were rejected statewide.

City officials did not have further updates.

Earlier this year, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd issued a statement on the departments policy, saying, The enforcement of civil immigration laws is the primary responsibility of federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Rockford Police Department does not participate in civil immigration-related investigations or actions.

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Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said in a January statement, Local law enforcement agencies are prohibited from honoring ICE detainers or acting on an individuals immigration status without a judicial warrant. These legal restrictions limit the ability of local law enforcement to collaborate with federal partners, including ICE, in addressing certain public safety concerns.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
ST. LOUIS  An upper-level closed low is currently moving into southern Missouri, bringing a transport of light rain showers Friday morning. Coverage in these light showers should lessen as we progress through sunrise.

Instability recharges for Friday afternoon, which will promote scattered rain and thunderstorms through the evening. The threat of stronger storms is extremely low, but slower-moving cells beneath the low will support locally heavy rainfall that could result in isolated flash flooding.

The cloud cover and precipitation will limit high temperatures Friday to the mid-70s to nearly 80 F. Overnight, rain and storms will become less numerous as the low advances east; however, isolated showers and a few areas of thunder will persist along and south of I-44 (MO) and I-55 (IL). Some patchy fog may become apparent through Saturday morning in the wake of this system.

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Man suspected of shooting 2 Minnesota lawmakers surrenders to police

Saturdays chance of rain and storms has dropped off tremendously. Though we are not 100% in the clear, most of these spotty storms will blossom during peak daytime heating hours primarily east of the Mississippi River. Drier air begins to filter in on the backside of this departing low by Saturday afternoon, which should transition the overcast skies into areas of clouds and sun for the Missouri side.

A little more sunshine on Saturday should help high temperatures to rebound near the low to mid-80s. Another cutoff low over eastern Kansas ejects into Missouri late Saturday into Sunday but the storm chances with this system are pretty conditional and look overall weak.

Better drying conditions take shape for Sunday as clouds decrease, and temperatures easily soar to the upper 80s. A stray shower or two still cant be ruled out but a majority of the area will remain dry. A gradual warming trend takes place early next week, as well as several opportunities for more rain and scattered storms.

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The sister of a nun, who has taken the first step towards sainthood, has appealed for people to be respectful when visiting her gravestone and her family home.

Sister Clare Crockett, 33, died after the school she was teaching music at in Playa Prieta, Ecuador, collapsed during a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April 2016.

In November, Sr Clare was declared a Servant of God by the Catholic Church - the first step towards being canonised.

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Shauna Gill said: "There are days you come to that grave and you would have to queue and we love that people come to the grave, but they are disrupting other graves around it."

'Have to queue for grave'

The council, which owns the City Cemetery in Londonderry, is to consider installing paths and railings around the grave of Sr Clare to accommodate an influx of visitors to the site.

"There are just so many people that come from everywhere, they are not just from Derry, they travel from afar," Shauna Gill told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today.

"I totally understand other families' disappointment when they see other people are standing on graves.

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"They are touching Clare's gravestone and posing for photos with the headstone, so some people are just not thinking about their surroundings.

"A lot of people are respectful, but there are some graves that are being damaged around it."

A number of signs at the City Cemetery direct visitors towards Sr Clare Cockett's grave [BBC]

Ms Gill said the narrow path makes it difficult for people to navigate the grave and believes removing hedging at the back of the grave and installing railings could help with access.

"This could take all that congestion away from the front of the grave," she said.

Ms Gill said she understands why people come to pray to Sr Clare, but they must understand their parents are also buried there.

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She said it can be hard for her family to visit the grave for a quiet moment of reflection knowing "you might not get near the grave".

Who was Sister Clare Crockett?

A mural of Sr Clare's motto was painted in Brandywell in 2020 [BBC]

Sr Clare Theresa Crockett, from Brandywell in Derry, was previously an actor but turned down the chance to present on children's TV channel Nickelodeon to become a nun.

Friends were said to be in disbelief after she announced her decision while holding a "beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other".

She then took a vow with the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother order.

Her motto in life was "all or nothing" and has previously been associated with fertility miracles.

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Sr Clare and another Irish nun injured in the quake, Sr Therese Ryan from County Limerick, had been teaching guitar and singing with five young women postulants - who were entering the religious order - when the earthquake struck.

It is believed they became trapped on a stairwell as they ran out of the building.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed at least 480 people, injured more than 4,000 and left 231 missing.

Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown has said every grave is sacred and every family should have the right to pay their respects.

He said the grave was "a major attraction" at the cemetery and a number of signposts had been erected to guide visitors to it.

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"Many people who have even come to visit me in Derry and have asked specifically to visit the grave," he said.

Catholic Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown Donal McKeown has said every grave is sacred and every family should have the right to pay their respects [BBC]

"I just hope something can be done for all the family involved."

He said long-term plans are being considered to manage the sheer volume of people arriving into the cemetery and sites linked to Sr Clare.

'Strangers outside the house'

Shauna Gill said they are also dealing with people arriving at Sr Clare's old house, which is currently occupied by a family member.

"They can show up at any time of the day and can knock at the door," she said.

"We have had people come and touch the walls or stand outside the house.

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"They have even asked for clothes or anything that Clare had, they just want a bit of Clare.

"This is all new for everybody, so we are all trying to come to terms with it both as a town and as a family and we are just trying to find out what we can do about it."

Ms Gill said it was difficult to navigate the many complexities associated with being the sister of a nun who is in the process of becoming a saint.
The Brief

Council Member Keith Powers, who is also running for Manhattan Borough President, announced plans this week to introduce a bill that would legalize bodega cats.

Despite their popularity, cats have been technically banned from stores that sell food under current New York laws. But that hasn't stopped them from becoming beloved neighborhood fixtures.

Many New Yorkers say these cats are what make a bodega feel like home.

NEW YORK - "A bodega without a bodega cat? You gotta be kidding me."

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In New York City, bodega cats are local legends, but technically they are not allowed. Now the city is poised to make these iconic shopkeepers official.

Council Member Keith Powers, who is also running for Manhattan Borough President, announced plans this week to introduce a bill that would legalize bodega cats.

The grassroots petition with over 12,000 signatures, helped inspire the new bill.

Are bodega cats legal?

Despite their popularity, cats have been technically banned from stores that sell food under current New York laws. But that hasn't stopped them from becoming beloved neighborhood fixtures.

The Instagram account @bodegacatsofnewyork that has amassed over 500,000 followers calls the current rules a "New York contradiction."

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"We started the petition because these cats arent just part of the storetheyre part of the neighborhood. It means a lot that Keith Powers actually listened," the group wrote on Instagram.

Many New Yorkers say the cats are what make a bodega feel like home, and owners say they help with rat control.

This bill is the next step, and it gives these cats the recognition and protection theyve always deserved. Lets make it happen! @bodegacatsofnewyork on Instagram

And when customers were asked whether they would choose a flower display over a cat, one shopper answered without hesitation, "cat all day."

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Regardless, bodega cats have long been neighborhood celebrities, like Mia from the bodega on 69th Street and 2nd Avenue . Shes featured regularly on Instagram and adored by locals who see her as part of the community.

One customer said, "It is adorable. The cat plays with everyone and people pet it all the time. My wife loves it and will be so happy to hear this bill is coming."

Take Mia, for example. She is the bodega cat on 69th Street and 2nd Avenue, a local celebrity featured regularly on Instagram and adored by customers who see her as part of the community.

The Instagram account @bodegacatsofnewyork, which has gained more than 530,000 followers, calls the current restrictions a New York contradiction.

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They argue that cats take care of the dirty work by keeping rodents away, yet they are not legally allowed in food establishments.

The petitions creator, Dan Rimada, launched the effort after years of documenting shop cats across the city.

"We started the petition because these cats are not just part of the store. They are part of the neighborhood. It means a lot that Keith Powers actually listened," the group wrote in a recent post.

The proposed legislation would create a certification system for bodega owners who meet humane standards. That includes regular veterinary checkups, spaying or neutering, proper feeding, and safe areas where the cats can rest without interfering with customers or merchandise.

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Certification would also require proof that each cat has received its vaccinations and is living in healthy conditions, not locked away in basements or tucked into unsanitary corners. The bill also includes a free vaccination program for cats that are registered to bodegas.

For more information on bodega cats of New York, visit their website here.
New York City authorities have been searching endlessly for a 2-year-old Black boy for the past month. The investigation into his disappearance has brought police to a disturbing theory about what might have happened to him  and it involves his own father.

Little Montrell Williams was last seen on May 10 wearing just a shirt and a diaper on Hunts Point Road in the Bronx. Sources say he was last with his parents at a family event, per NBC 4 New York. When he left, he went with his father, whose turn it was for a custodial visit, back to the childs grandmothers house. The 20-year-old man has not been named by authorities.

The following day, the childs father and his grandmother got into a disagreement, per ABC7 News. Authorities believe the man left with Montrell but never brought him to his mothers house.

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Me and him had a conflict. Im in my room. My cousin told me that my son took the baby. I went downstairs to chase him. He was gone. From that day, I was trying to search for my grandson, the grandmother said via ABC7.

The two vanished, leaving the childs mother, a 17-year-old, and the childs grandmother in a frenzy trying to search for them. She told reporters she received little to no help in the search from law enforcement when she sought them for help. It wasnt until Sunday (June 8) that the childs mother ran into the father again and it was not a peaceful interaction.

She tells ABC7 he pulled a knife on her when she confronted him about the toddler and allegedly confessed to where the toddler was: in the Bronx River where he allegedly threw him. In just an instant, the hope that Little Montrell was alive was gone.

The childs mother called the police and he was taken into custody. Despite his chilling confession to his childs mother, the report says he refused to give any details to the cops when they interrogated him. Investigators say they obtained surveillance footage of Montrells father tossing a black bag into the river which they believed contained the toddlers body. However, the childs remains are still yet to be recovered.

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On Monday (June 9), the childs father appeared in family court for failing to return Montrell to his mother and violating their custody agreement, the report says. The judge also ordered him to jail for failing to report where the child was. Hes not facing any charges at this time.

In the meantime, the police department is facing their own scrutiny from Mayor Eric Adams for how they responded to the incident. The mayor said he plans to examine everything from the time it took for the missing persons report to be filed to the case being pitched to the detective division.

We were still investigating all actions, the actions of the dad, the actions of officers who responded, and once we have a full understanding based on the detective division will be able to answer what happened but right now our goal is to try and find the child, Adams said in a press conference.
This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Centerspace is marketing its entire five-community portfolio in the Saint Cloud, Minnesota, region for sale, and several properties from its Minneapolis portfolio are on the block, according to a news release.

The Minneapolis-based apartment REIT is also adding to its portfolio. In late May, it officially entered Salt Lake City, Utah, with the purchase of Sugarmont, a 341-unit property located in the Sugar House submarket with walkable access to multiple retail, dining and recreational offerings, for $149 million. The property was built in 2021.

Centerspace also signed an agreement to acquire a 420-unit community in Fort Collins, Colorado, for $132 million, with closing anticipated in mid-June. The REIT will assume approximately $76 million of long-term, below-market-rate mortgage debt.

Dive Insight:

Centerspace owns 72 properties, consisting of 13,353 homes, in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah.

By moving into Salt Lake City and expanding in Fort Collins, Centerspace continues to evolve as a multifamily REIT focused on the Midwest and Mountain West.

The firm is attracted to Salt Lake City's economic base of high-tech, finance, healthcare and education jobs and easy access to plentiful natural amenities, including the nearby Wasatch Mountain range.

The expansion into the Salt Lake City market furthers our scale in our target geographic exposure while improving our portfolio quality and enhancing our growth profile, Centerspace President and CEO Anne Olson said in the news release.

Centerspace Senior Vice President of Investments and Capital Markets Grant Campbell said the REIT likes the long-term fundamentals of the Mountain West. We're going to continue to focus on ways where we can enhance the differentiated offering that we can provide in that region, he said on the REITs first-quarter earnings call in May.

Campbell said Centerspace was focused on acquisitions with attractive embedded financing.

It could be potential mezz executions, harder to make development math pencil today, but we continue to have those conversations, he said. We're also talking to folks about potential mezz executions on recaps of existing assets.

To increase financial flexibility, Centerspace exercised the accordion feature of its existing line of credit, expanding the borrowing capacity by $150 million to $400 million.
The Brief

With just weeks until the New York City mayoral primary, a high-stakes Democratic debate took place Thursday night, drawing increased attention to the tight race.

Only seven candidates took the stage Thursday night including front runners, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

Thursday nights debate highlighted several hot-button issues, with rent-stabilized housing emerging as a key flashpoint.

NEW YORK - With just weeks until the New York City mayoral primary, a high-stakes Democratic debate took place Thursday night, drawing increased attention to the tight race.

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Only seven candidates took the stage, including front-runners, former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.

Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent, will skip the June 24 primary and avoid a direct matchup with the two.

Who won the mayoral debate?

Thursday nights debate highlighted several hot-button issues, with rent-stabilized housing emerging as a key flashpoint.

Most candidates backed a rent freeze to address affordability and the citys housing shortage, while Andrew Cuomo and Whitney Tilson declined to support it.

On immigration, nearly every contender positioned themselves as staunch defenders of New York City's sanctuary laws in response to President Trump's ongoing crackdown.

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SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

Who is leading in the NYC mayoral race?

For the first time since former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo entered the race back on March 1, one poll has him trailing. It comes as other recent polls show Cuomo roughly 10 percentage points ahead.

Cuomo polls strongest with Black voters and those over 50, while Mamdani leads among younger voters, white voters, and the college-educated (Emerson/PIX11/The Hill, May 2025).

Get to know the mayoral candidates through one-on-one interviews conducted by FOX 5 NY, featured below.

New York City will use ranked-choice voting in primary and special elections for mayoral races.

Here's everything to know about the 2025 Mayoral Election.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained |

How does ranked choice voting work?

Why you should care:

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In ranked choice voting, you can rank up to 5 candidates.

First Round: If a candidate gets over 50%, they win.

No Majority? The lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and their votes go to voters' next choices.

Repeat: This continues until two candidates remain, and the one with the most votes wins.

Results are final only after all ballots (including absentees) are counted. For the June 27 Primary, ranked-choice voting will be used for City Council races.

Heres a quick look at the key candidates vying for mayor and what they stand for.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

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What they're saying:

Independents running for mayor in NYC

Eric Adams, Incumbent

Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, 64, announced that he is running as an independent, forgoing the Democratic primary for mayor.

The decision comes after a federal judge dismissed the corruption indictment against Adams, ending the first criminal case against a sitting city mayor in modern history.

Adams explained that the case "dragged on too long" with "false accusations" hanging over him, and he believes the city is better served by independent leadership, not influenced by extremists on either side.

Now he plans to appeal directly to all New Yorkers as an independent candidate in the general election.

Jim Walden

Jim Walden, 59, a longtime NYC lawyer, is running as an independent in the 2025 mayoral race.

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He is known for handling high-profile cases, including serving as special counsel to a task force created by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to investigate the states tax incentive programs.

He's also advocated for NYCHA families exposed to toxic lead.

Walden has been openly critical of Mayor Adams' "City of Yes" plan, claiming it has serious flaws and doesnt address the housing crisis effectively.

His campaign focuses on housing solutions and anti-corruption, with a promise to build over 50,000 new housing units every year.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

Democrats running for mayor in NYC

Andrew Cuomo

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, seems to be focusing his 2025 mayoral campaign on what he describes as a city in crisis.

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In his 2025 mayoral campaign ad, Cuomo positioned himself as a leader ready to address what he calls "a city in crisis."

Cuomo argues that the city feels unsafe and out of control because of poor leadership, and he believes his experience makes him the right person to fix these problems and bring the city back on track.

Despite stepping down as governor in 2021 amid scandal, Cuomo is seeking a political comeback, positioning himself as a solution to the citys most pressing issues.

Adrienne Adams

Adrienne Adams, 64, jumped in as a contender to enter the race, directly after former Cuomo.

Adams, who was first elected to the City Council in a 2017 special election, is nearing the end of her term due to term limits. If elected, she would make history as the first woman, the first Black woman, and the first City Council speaker to become mayor of New York City.

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If she officially enters the race, Adams will likely face significant obstacles, including limited campaign resources and a recent poll showing her with only 2% support among likely Democratic voters. Despite these challenges, she says her experience sets her apart and has reportedly been urged to run by key stakeholders, including unions such as District Council 37 and 32BJ.

Brad Lander

Brad Lander, 55, is the current NYC comptroller and a progressive who advocates for police reform, affordable housing, and better management of the migrant crisis.

He has criticized Adams' handling of migrant services and aims to improve workforce development for migrants.

Lander has faced criticism for speeding violations despite pushing for stricter traffic laws.

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SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

SKIP TO: Candidates | How to vote | Ranked choice

Jessica Ramos

State Sen. Jessica Ramos, 39, announced that she would be running for NYC mayor amid calls for Eric Adams to resign.

Ramos focuses on affordable housing, tackling human trafficking, and improving city services.

As the only woman in the race, Ramos connects deeply with immigrant communities and emphasizes the importance of basic services like garbage collection and school funding.

She is also a strong advocate for closing the immigrant trust gap and providing better support for migrant workers.

Whitney Tilson

Whitney Tilson, 58, is an investor and lifelong Democrat who has emphasized the need for a city that is safe, affordable, and prosperous, criticizing career politicians for failing to address key issues.

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Tilson, who is not a career politician, pledges to restore common sense to City Hall and fight for real change in leadership.

He believes that with working families leaving the city, New York cannot afford more of the same leadership.

Zellnor Myrie

Zellnor Myrie, 38, is a Brooklyn native focused on affordable housing and electoral reform.

Myrie is known for legislative victories on tenant protections and voting rights.

As Chair of the Elections Committee, Myrie has worked on improving election processes and policies.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

Zohran Mamdani

Zohran Mamdani , 33, is a self-declared socialist with a focus on rent freezes, free bus rides, and no-cost childcare. He advocates for housing affordability and aims to redirect funds to public institutions like CUNY.

Mamdani reportedly reached the maximum funding limit of $8 million for the June primary, making him the first candidate to do so.

Mamdani is known for his activism, including leading a hunger strike alongside taxi drivers.

SKIP TO: Candidates | How to vote | Ranked choice

Scott Stringer

Scott Stringer, 64, former NYC comptroller, is focused on transparency and good governance.

Stringer was the first mayoral candidate to qualify for public matching funds.

He gained attention last mayoral cycle in the race despite sexual misconduct allegations from a former intern, which he denies.

Stringer is tied for third in the most recent poll with 8 percent alongside state Sen. Jessica Ramos, State Sen. Zellnor Myrie.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

Michael Blake

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 01: Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee Michael Blake attends Swing Left's "The Last Weekend" Election Rally at Cooper Union on November 1, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Michael Blake, 42, a former Bronx assemblyman and vice chair of the DNC, is known for his focus on economic equity and social justice.

He previously ran for New York's 15th congressional district, where he lost to Ritchie Torres.

Blake, a former White House aide to President Obama, also served as campaign manager for Reshma Saujani's 2013 run for New York City Public Advocate.

He has focused his run committed to issues like fair wages, universal childcare, and housing equality through his work with the Atlas Strategy Group, which focuses on policy issues for communities of color.

Republicans running for mayor in NYC

Curtis Sliwa

Curtis Sliwa, 67, is a longtime New York City activist and founder of the Guardian Angels, a 1970s nonprofit known for its crime-fighting efforts and signature red berets.

Sliwa says he's running for mayor to "finally end the disastrous reign of de Blasio-Cuomo," with public safety and police funding at the core of his campaign.

He proposes adding 4,500 uniformed officers and 500 undercover officers to patrol the subways and pledges to restore all NYPD budget cuts, according to The City.

Sliwa is a Republican who does not support President Donald Trump, and has noted that he's never voted for him.

SKIP TO: Republicans | Democrats | Independents| How to vote | Ranked choice explained | Polls

NYC voting deadlines

June 14: Last day to update your address for the general election.

June 24: Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Early voting: Available from Saturday, June 14 through Sunday, June 22.

Make sure your registration and address are current so you can vote without any issues.

New York City will use ranked-choice voting in Primary and Special Elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. This change was approved by voters in 2019.
Scores of city cops are expected to be out on the streets Saturday to monitor and police the thousands of demonstrators attending Saturdays anti-Trump No Kings Day events, Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, giving protesters fair warning that if they break the law, they will be arrested.

New Yorkers have different emotions right now, and they have a right to express those emotions. But you dont have a right to engage in violence or lawlessness, Mayor Adams said at a Friday press conference at NYPD Headquarters. Do not come tomorrow if you want to bring about any cause of problems. New Yorkers should be able to express their concerns without violence or hate.

Thousands are expected to attend the No Kings Day march in Manhattan on Saturday afternoon. Marchers are expected to meet at Bryant Park around 2 p.m. before they march throughout the city. Other events are scheduled in the outer boroughs and Long Island, as well.

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Organizers of the No Kings Day events estimate that 75,000 protesters will join Saturdays protest in the city.

The event is billed as a nationwide day of defiance against President Trump and his hardline immigration policies. It coincides with Trumps birthday and military parade in Washington, D.C.

Police Commissioner Tisch said the NYPD would do everything in its power to ensure people are able to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech.

For those who seek to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights tomorrow, we are there to help you do just that, she said, adding that agitators milling in the crowds may make that difficult.

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The NYPD has been policing protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics at Foley Square in lower Manhattan all week, Tisch said. Thousands have attended those protests, during which roughly 100 were arrested for blocking streets, resisting arrest and assaulting police officers.

Weve facilitated thousands of peaceful protests, Tisch said Friday. When individuals committed crimes, we swiftly arrested them.

Tomorrow will be no different, she added. For those intent to commit crimes, incite violence, cause property damage and attack our cops, you will be met with the full strength and determination of the greatest police department in the world.

While they are in constant contact with federal authorities monitoring the situation across the country, Tisch and Adams made it clear to them that they wont need the National Guard or a military presence to help police the protests as Trump ordered in Los Angeles last weekend.

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We made it clear to them in three simple words: We got this, Adams said.

No matter how many protesters show up, the number will pale in comparison to the 8.5 million city residents who will be spending the day going about their business, Adams said.

The protesters, he said, will be a numerical minority compared to the population of the city, he said.

Were not going to romanticize what disorder does to a city. You have seen it played out across the country, Adams said. We cannot allow it to happen here.

Our job is to make sure people can go to work and that emergency services can go where they have to go to help New Yorkers. Were not going to allow the numerical minority to impact the quality of life that they deserve.
NEW YORK  Scores of city cops are expected to be out on the streets Saturday to monitor and police the thousands of demonstrators attending Saturdays anti-Trump No Kings Day events, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, giving protesters fair warning that if they break the law, they will be arrested.

New Yorkers have different emotions right now, and they have a right to express those emotions. But you dont have a right to engage in violence or lawlessness, Adams said at a Friday press conference at NYPD Headquarters. Do not come tomorrow if you want to bring about any cause of problems. New Yorkers should be able to express their concerns without violence or hate.

Thousands are expected to attend the No Kings Day march in Manhattan on Saturday afternoon. Marchers are expected to meet at Bryant Park around 2 p.m. before they march throughout the city. Other events are scheduled in the outer boroughs and Long Island, as well.

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Organizers of the No Kings Day events estimate that 75,000 protesters will join Saturdays protest in the city.

The event is billed as a nationwide day of defiance against President Donald Trump and his hardline immigration policies. It coincides with Trumps birthday and military parade in Washington, D.C.

Police Commissioner Tisch said the NYPD would do everything in its power to ensure people are able to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech.

For those who seek to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights tomorrow, we are there to help you do just that, she said, adding that agitators milling in the crowds may make that difficult.

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The NYPD has been policing protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics at Foley Square in lower Manhattan all week, Tisch said. Thousands have attended those protests, during which roughly 100 were arrested for blocking streets, resisting arrest and assaulting police officers.

Weve facilitated thousands of peaceful protests, Tisch said Friday. When individuals committed crimes, we swiftly arrested them.

Tomorrow will be no different, she added. For those intent to commit crimes, incite violence, cause property damage and attack our cops, you will be met with the full strength and determination of the greatest police department in the world.

While they are in constant contact with federal authorities monitoring the situation across the country, Tisch and Adams made it clear to them that they wont need the National Guard or a military presence to help police the protests as Trump ordered in Los Angeles last weekend.

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We made it clear to them in three simple words: We got this, Adams said.

No matter how many protesters show up, the number will pale in comparison to the 8.5 million city residents who will be spending the day going about their business, Adams said.

The protesters, he said, will be a numerical minority compared to the population of the city, he said.

Were not going to romanticize what disorder does to a city. You have seen it played out across the country, Adams said. We cannot allow it to happen here.

Our job is to make sure people can go to work and that emergency services can go where they have to go to help New Yorkers. Were not going to allow the numerical minority to impact the quality of life that they deserve.

_____
BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (PIX 11)  Flames erupted in an NYPD parking lot after detectives say a masked arsonist torched 11 police vehicles in Bushwick Thursday morning.

According to investigators, a perp wearing all black and yellow gloves hopped a fence to gain entry to the lot, which houses vehicles assigned to Patrol Borough Brooklyn North. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a police officer caught the perp in the act.

8 police cruisers set on fire in Brooklyn parking lot: NYPD

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A member of service assigned to our station house security at Brooklyn North interrupted the perpetrator as he was setting fire to a number of vehicles, at which point the perpetrator removed a piece of plywood and fled through an alleyway back to Hart Street, said Tisch.

City officials say three vehicles were discovered, untouched by the flames, with unignited fire starter balls and bundles of hay strewn across their windshields and around the front and rear passenger tires. Mayor Eric Adams said theres reason to believe that the suspect is connected to the anti-ICE protests taking place across the country.

We received some information that is going to be part of the investigation, but theres a clear indication that someone that had first hand knowledge of this and taking credit for it, Adams said.

He added, One has a right to peacefully protest, but you do not have a right to destroy the property of the city of New York.

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Maddie Flynn lives nearby and said she heard commotion after the fire broke out just before 1:30 Thursday morning.

Just woke up in the middle of the night. Police helicopters kind of swirling above, said Flynn.

She added I think it just reflects how maybe people are feeling in this moment. Theres a lot of tension in this moment and cant say that Im surprised.

The charred vehicles were towed from the scene later in the evening as the NYPD Arson & Explosion unit and the ATF continue investigating the incident. Meanwhile, Adams is vowing to hold the suspect accountable.

We are going to find you and were going to bring you to justice, said Adams. This is a felony. It is arson and were going to treat it as such.

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Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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The NYPD said it is ramping up security at Jewish sites across New York City after Israel launched strikes on Iran overnight.

The precautionary measures aim to protect Jewish communities amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we're deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli and other sites throughout NYC," the NYPD wrote on X late Thursday as the attacks were unfolding.

The NYPD said it is ramping up security at Jewish sites across New York City after Israel launched strikes on Iran overnight. NYPD officers outside a synagogue earlier this month.

Who Were 2 Of The Top Iranian Generals Killed In Israeli Strikes?

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"Were coordinating with our federal partners and we'll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC."

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he had been briefed on the unfolding situation in Israel and Iran, and that the NYPDs Counterterrorism Unit is closely monitoring the situation.

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"Out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing security at houses of worship and at Israeli diplomatic sites, Adams wrote on X. "I am praying for peace in the region."

Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch are scheduled to hold a joint press briefing later today ahead of anti-ICE protests already planned for the weekend.

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Meanwhile, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that there are no credible threats to New York at this time.

She said security and cybersecurity protections for sensitive locations have been stepped up in the state.

Members of the Orthodox Jewish community walk past NYPD officers as they stand guard outside of Congregation Shaarei Zion of Bobov on June 2, 2025 in Brooklyn, New York City.

Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' On Iran, Targeting Nuclear Facilities, Tehran

"My priority is keeping New Yorkers safe," Hochul wrote on X.

There has also been increased security outside the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C., Fox 5 reported.

The Community Security Service, a group that trains volunteer synagogue security guards in New York City and other U.S. cities, told its network to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior. It also told its network to review security protocols and request increased police presence.

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The heightened tensions across the state come as Israel carried out targeted attacks on Irans nuclear and missile infrastructure.

The strikes took out at least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including Gen. Hossein Salami, the leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, as well as several nuclear scientists.

The sweeping strikes, called "Operation Rising Lion," followed months of attempted and seemingly failed nuclear negotiations.

Following Israel's preemptive attack on Iran, the Navy directed the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving closer to Israel as well, a U.S. official tells Fox News.

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This echoes a move the US made in April 2024 after Iran shot ballistic missiles at Israel. At the time, USS Carney and USS Arleigh Burke shot down the missiles.

Fox News Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.





Original article source: NYPD ramps up security at Jewish sites across NYC after Israeli strikes on Iran
NEW YORK  The NYPD has dispatched officers to patrol yeshivas, synagogues, and other Jewish sites throughout the five boroughs following Israels bombing of Irans nuclear facilities in the Middle East, the department said Friday.

The NYPD is tracking the situation in the Middle East, the NYPD said on X. Out of an abundance of caution, were deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli & other sites throughout NYC. Were coordinating with our federal partners & well continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Thursday that he has ordered his military to launch an attack on Irans nuclear and missile sites to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike.

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Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

It could be a year. It could be within a few months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to remove this threat.

The Israeli attack killed Irans top military officers and ramped up the potential for an all-out war in the Middle East. Iran quickly retaliated to the Israeli offensive, sending a swarm of drones at Israel as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of severe punishment.

President Donald Trump urged Iran to reach a deal with Washington on its nuclear program, warning on his Truth Social platform that Israels attacks will only get worse.

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The NYPD had already ordered additional patrols at Jewish sites throughout the city following violent antisemitic attacks at a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. that left two Jewish embassy workers dead and a flamethrower attack on Jewish marchers in Boulder, Colo.

The departments decision to focus primarily on Jewish locales in the city as the conflict in the Middle East escalates drew criticism on social media.

What about Iranian and Muslim communities? Are they not deserving of the NYPDs protection? poster @girlbosswoman wrote on X.

The writer for @LordStirling_ agreed.

Who is NYPD to take sides in a foreign conflict? the X post asked. And to protect the aggressors who attacked unprovoked?

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The NYPD has seen an uptick in antisemitic crimes in the city since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.

Mayor Eric Adams last month said that displays of antisemitism in New York City since then have been constant.

While the NYPD saw a 54% drop in anti-Jewish hate crimes in May compared to the same month last year, from 52 to 24, the number of antisemitic incidents amounted to nearly 60% of all hate crimes investigated that month, officials said.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  The NYPD will be deploying officers trained in de-escalation to monitor the thousands of people expected at the No Kings protests Saturday across New York City.

The protests are in response to President Donald Trumps birthday and military anniversary parade in Washington, D.C.

Thousands of officers will be available to safeguard these protests. Those officers will be deployed to the right places at the right times, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

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Thousands of protesters will be marching against some of the presidents policies, including immigration. Rallies have recently been held in New York City to oppose recent mass deportations of immigrants under the Trump administration.

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Its kind of scary. I hope everything goes well, said Alex Carrillo, a business owner in Bryant Park.

Trump responded to the planned counterprotests on Thursday, saying, I dont feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Speed Week is underway in New York, and State Police are cracking down on those speeding and aggressive drivers.

News 8s Adelisa Badzic went on a ride-along with Troopers from Troop E, where they showed her how exactly they operate during this time.

NYSP posted on Facebook saying they would be out in both marked and unmarked cars. They add that in 2023 alone, there were 307 fatal crashes that were speed related. Two incidents happened on Wednesday, just hours apart, one where a woman hit three NYSDOT workers. She was charged with reckless endangerment as well as DWAI.

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Another, where a trooper was trying to get debris out of the roadway, when his patrol car was sideswiped.

Trooper Lynnea Crane expressed the importance of this week.

We got to slow down, we need to pay attention, we cant be distracted while were driving and heading down the roadway. This is one of those just, please pay attention, she said.

We want people to know were out there. Were out there in numbers. And unfortunately, we dont want to have to enforce a law if we dont have to. Sometimes, just by us driving out and about, you see us, you slow down. Said Crane.

They hope this will fly the colors, meaning if someone sees a patrol car in an area, hopefully the next time around they slow down because of their previous presence.

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The residents that live in these in-between areas, really appreciate it when we come by, they say I still live in the 30 and people are already doing 55 mph flying by my house. Theres a reason those speed limits are there. Crane added.

Trooper Ryan McConnon has been with the NYSP for nine years now. Ive sat here before and the gentleman that owns this house, has come out to me at least two or three times because he appreciates us sitting here to help slow people down. McConnon said.

Speed week in NYS goes until Sunday, June 15th. They will also be looking for distracted or impaired drivers as usual, seatbelt violations and those failing to move over for an emergency or hazard vehicle.

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Last night, Israel struck at Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, and high-ranking military leaders and nuclear scientists, dealing an audacious blow at what Israelis of all stripes have long viewed as an existential threat. The attack also took many analysts, including me, by surprise. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to take such action for decades, but was never ready to execute. He was always restrained by military, diplomatic, and political factors, leaving Israel perpetually teetering on the edge of attacking Irans nuclear program. And then last night, it took a decisive jump forward.

Since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, several events combined to remove the constraints that had operated on Netanyahu, enabling him to forge ahead at the same time that Iran was allegedly racing toward nuclear breakout. The first and most important was Israels devastatingly successful campaign in August and September to take out Hezbollahs top leadership and destroy much of its advanced-rocket stores. That attack provided a proof of concept for the similar campaign unfolding now against Iran.

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The combination of Israeli air power and intelligence neutralized Hezbollahs offensive capabilities, preventing an immediate response that would have overwhelmed the Israeli home front. The universal assumption in Israeli security circles had been that a war with Hezbollah might be necessary but would be very costly. The unexpected degree of success, however, reduced Israeli wariness about launching a similar campaign against Iran, despite expectations that a severe Iranian response might still be forthcoming.

[Graeme Wood: Why Israel struck now]

Israeli fear of diplomatic blowback has also diminishedironically, not because such blowback has lessened, but because it has increased. For years, Israel has been worried that a regional war would lead to isolation, crumbling relationships with its Arab neighbors, and European opprobrium. Israels campaign against Hamas and the resulting destruction in Gaza have created diplomatic challenges that once seemed unthinkable: The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israels prime minister and former defense minister, multiple government ministers are under personal sanctions from Europe and Canada, accusations that Israel is committing genocide are routine, and the regional normalization process has ground to a complete halt. Many Israelis have treated much of this with a shrug and moved on, embracing the adage that the fear of death is often worse than death itself. Israeli leaders have found all of this less consequential than they anticipated, and that makes their concerns about diplomatic isolation from an extended conflict with Iran less acute.

And then President Donald Trumps distinctive foreign-policy approach created an environment in which Israel had more leeway to strike Iran but was also more likely to have to do it alone. Trump has been clear about his reticence to have more American military involvement in the Middle Eastand since Israeli strikes have begun, he has rushed to clarify that the U.S. did not participatebut was also not going to hold Israel back if it was willing to proceed and accept the risks involved. Past U.S. administrations had withheld a green light from Israel, but had also intimated that they would be willing to deal with the threat of Iranian nuclear breakout if it became advanced enough. Trumps preference for avoiding military conflicts and his pursuit of a deal with Iran counterintuitively created a greater incentive for Israel to take action, because the U.S. was neither going to stop Israel from attacking nor necessarily stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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Finally, for much of his tenure, Netanyahu has been Israels most cautious prime minister when it comes to employing military force. But the aftermath of October 7, his criminal indictments and ongoing trial, and the deep unpopularity of his coalition have together led Netanyahu to throw all caution to the wind. His poll numbers are deeply underwater and have been since he first pursued his proposed judicial overhaul more than two years ago. The unpopularity of the war in Gaza, the sense that he has abandoned the remaining hostages held by Hamas in order to placate his far-right partners, his refusal to take any responsibility for October 7, and his capitulation to the Haredi parties on dodging military service so he can keep his government afloat have left him in a deep political hole. In such an environment, rolling the dice on an Iran strikethe only move left to him that will be popular across the Israeli political spectrummight salvage his poll numbers at a time when he has little left to lose, and give him the boost he needs to call a snap election and remain in office.

All Israeli leaders have warned about Iran for years, and the consensus that Iran seeks Israels destruction is the primary factor behind the strikes that Israel has embarked upon. But the timing is not a coincidence, and the chain of events kicked off by Hamass Yahya Sinwar changed Israels military, diplomatic, and political standing in ways that enabled Israel to finally do what it had long promised but never delivered.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the best Dow stocks to invest in.

The company has been impacted recently because of the Angola platform fire. In a video message to employees on April 29, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth stressed the need to strengthen safety protocols following a rise in near-miss incidents.

His remarks came just weeks before a fatal fire on one of the companys offshore platforms in Angola claimed the lives of three workers and injured 15 others.

Chevron CEO Flagged Safety Risks Before Fatal Angola Fire

An aerial view of an oil rig at sea, the sun glinting off its structure.

The warning followed Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)'s February announcement of plans to cut up to 20% of its workforce in a cost-saving move, as several major energy companies have turned to layoffs this year amid the lowest oil prices in four years.

In the two-minute message, titled "Do it safely or not at all," Wirth urged employees to prioritize safety despite internal and external pressures. He acknowledged concerns that speaking up or halting work might be seen as risky in the current climate, but reassured staff that raising safety issues remains essential.

Wirth emphasized that Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is working to renew its commitment to a safety-first culture. The fatal incident on May 20 occurred on a deepwater platform located about 60 miles off Angolas coast. According to Chevrons latest corporate sustainability report, the company recorded 12 serious injuries and one fatality in the previous year.

While we acknowledge the potential of CVX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Biotech Stocks with Huge Upside Potential and 10 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure. None.
(NewsNation)  Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday, which resulted in a major blow to Irans military chain of command.

The strikes targeted Irans nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders to prevent Tehran from developing an atomic weapon, reportedly killing at least three top military leaders and six nuclear scientists.

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including Aerospace Force Cmdr. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were also killed in the strikes, two regional sources told Reuters.

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What Trump knew about Israeli strikes on Iran

Heres what we know about those killed:

Iranian commanders

Among those killed were three of Irans top military leaders and at least 20 senior Iranian commanders.

Maj. Gen. Gholamali Rashid was head of the IRGCs Khatam al Anbia headquarters. He previously served as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and fought for Iran during the 1980s war with Iraq.

Gen. Hossein Salami was commander-in-chief of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Salami, who was born in 1960, as head of the IRGC in 2019.

Gen. Mohammad Bagheri was a former IRGC commander. He was chief of staff of Irans armed forces from 2016. Born in 1960, Bagheri joined the Guards during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh: Hajizadeh was the head of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force. Israel has identified him as the central figure responsible for directing aerial attacks against its territory. In 2020, Hajizadeh took responsibility for the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which occurred shortly after Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani.

Rubio: US not involved in Israels strike inside Iran

Nuclear scientists

Fereydoun Abbaski-Davani served as head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013. He was also a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

Mohammad Medi Tehranchi was head of Irans Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

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Four other scientists killed in Fridays strikes are Abdolhamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feghi and Motalibizadeh.

The Associated Press and Reuters 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.
(NewsNation)  Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday, which resulted in a major blow to Irans military chain of command.

The strikes targeted Irans nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders to prevent Tehran from developing an atomic weapon, killing at least three top military leaders and six nuclear scientists.

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were killed in the strikes, two regional sources told Reuters.

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What Trump knew about Israeli strikes on Iran

Heres what we know about those killed:

Iranian commanders

Maj. Gen. Gholamali Rashid was head of the IRGCs Khatam al Anbia headquarters. He previously served as deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and fought for Iran during the 1980s war with Iraq.

Gen. Hossein Salami was commander-in-chief of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Salami, who was born in 1960, as head of the IRGC in 2019.

Gen. Mohammad Bagheri was a former IRGC commander. He was chief of staff of Irans armed forces from 2016. Born in 1960, Bagheri joined the Guards during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh: Hajizadeh was the head of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force. Israel has identified him as the central figure responsible for directing aerial attacks against its territory. In 2020, Hajizadeh took responsibility for the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane, which occurred shortly after Iran launched missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani.

Rubio: US not involved in Israels strike inside Iran

Nuclear scientists

Fereydoun Abbaski-Davani served as head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization from 2011 to 2013. He was also a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

Mohammad Medi Tehranchi was head of Irans Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

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Four other scientists killed in Fridays strikes are Abdolhamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feghi and Motalibizadeh.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A flight of four craft beers on the bar, June 8, 2023, at Restoration Brew Worx in Delaware, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.)

Cheers for Ohio beer.

Ohios 442 craft breweries brought in $1.29 billion of economic activity in 2024, according to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association economic and fiscal impact of Ohios craft brewing industry. This is an increase from 2022 when Ohio breweries contributed $1.27 billion to the economy.

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Ohios craft beer industry had 9,753 direct jobs and an additional 2,502 indirect jobs sustaining 8,095 Ohio households, according to the biennial report.

Beer was flowing in Ohio with 1.15 million barrels brewed. Ohio craft breweries generated an estimated $128.6 million of state and local taxes and $99.1 million of federal taxes in 2024, according to the report.

The number of craft breweries in Ohio continued to go up. There were 45 in 2011, 135 in 2015, 300 in 2018, 357 in 2020, 420 in 2022, and 442 in 2024, according to the report. 53 breweries are in planning around the state.

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The Northwest region had 41 craft breweries that brewed 17,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $78 million.

The North Central region had 37 craft breweries that brewed 10,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $36.1 million.

The Greater Cleveland region had 59 craft breweries that brewed 209,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $231 million.

The Northeast region had 49 craft breweries that brewed 26,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $71.2 million.

The State Line region had 46 craft breweries that brewed 9,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $34.8 million.

The West Central region had 39 craft breweries that brewed 16,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $60.7 million.

The Greater Columbus region had 56 craft breweries that brewed 159,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $184 million.

The Greater Cincinnati region had 50 craft breweries that brewed 669,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $495.6 million.

The Southwest region had 33 craft breweries that brewed 16,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $45.7 million.

The Southeast region had 32 craft breweries that brewed 19,000 barrels of beer for an economic impact of $52.4 million.

Ohio breweries will likely see the effects of new tariffs on aluminum, steel and malted barley.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods and President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on aluminum and steel imported into the United States, and a 25% tariff on Canadian barley.

There were 9,796 craft breweries across the country in 2024.

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Last year was the first year since 2005 that there were more brewery closing than openings nationwide  with 430 new breweries and 529 breweries closed, according to the Brewers Association.

Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A recently introduced Ohio bill inspired by a Columbus mans disappearance aims to help solve missing persons cases in the state.

The FIND Act, sponsored by Reps. Christine Cockley (D-Columbus) and Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta), would require law enforcement agencies in the state to enter missing people into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) within 30 days of a report being filed with police.

NamUs is a free national database of missing persons and unidentified remains. Dental records, fingerprints and DNA profiles can be uploaded to the platform, helping law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners identify remains as missing people. Since the database was launched in 2007, it has helped solve over 46,000 cases across the country.

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We are at a pivotal moment when technology can help solve cases that have remained unsolved for years, Cockley said in a statement. The FIND Act will equip law enforcement and medical professionals across Ohio with the tools they need to support families of the missing, while also giving families and the public a greater voice in the process.

At the bills first hearing in April, Cockley said every day on her drive to work, she passes a billboard on West Broad Street featuring information about Andrew Andy Chapman, who has been missing from her district since 2006. She said Andys story inspired her to introduce the legislation.

Andys case is not an isolated one, Cockley said. There are hundreds of families in Ohio still waiting for answers. What makes that wait even harder is knowing that we are not using all the tools we have available.

While many police departments in the state do enter missing people into NamUs, it is currently not required by law. Andy Chapmans sister Aimee Chapman said when Cockley called and shared that the billboard inspired her to introduce a bill, her family was so happy.

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If you are familiar with Andys story, unfortunately he fell into opioid addiction, and I feel like were changing his legacy, Aimee Chapman said. Were changing it from a missing addict to somebody whos making a difference.

While the bill likely will not make a difference in Andy Chapmans case, which was entered into NamUs by Columbus police in 2011, Aimee Chapman said she hopes it can help other missing people.

If we can help another family not have to go through the mishaps that we went through by getting this bill passed, that would be a huge victory for our family, Aimee Chapman said.

Currently, over 1,100 residents  including both adults and children  are missing, according to a database maintained by the states attorney generals office. Recorded cases date to 1928, with the disappearance of 4-year-old Melvin Horst.

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If the act is signed into law, Ohio would become the 17th state in the country to mandate the use of NamUs in missing persons investigations.

The bill has 17 cosponsors, consisting of both Democrats and Republicans. It was assigned to the Houses Public Safety Committee, where residents will have the chance to testify in support and opposition of the bill.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Global oil prices soared on June 13 after Israel launched a strike on Iran, triggering fears of a broader conflict in the energy-rich Middle East that could disrupt global supplies, the BBC reported.

The spike threatens to undermine Western efforts to choke off a vital revenue stream for Russia, which relies heavily on oil profits to sustain its war in Ukraine.

According to the BBC, Brent and Nymex crude prices jumped by more than 10% following the Israeli attack, reaching their highest levels since January. Prices later stabilized but remained about 7.5% higher, with Brent at $74.50 a barrel and Nymex at $73.20.

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The price surge comes at a crucial time for Ukraine and its Western allies, who are intensifying efforts to minimize the Kremlin's oil revenues  the backbone of Russia's wartime economy.

President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union on June 11 to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, including a more aggressive price cap on oil exports.

"A ceiling of $45 per barrel of oil is better than $60, that's clear," Zelensky said at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit in Odesa. "But real peace will come with a ceiling of $30. That's the level that will really change the mindset in Moscow."

The EU's current $60 per barrel cap, introduced in December 2022, prohibits Western companies from shipping, insuring, or servicing Russian oil sold above the threshold. While this measure has curtailed some of Russia's profits, the Kremlin continues to earn significant revenue, especially when market prices rise.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 10 that the EU is considering lowering the cap to $45, a move that will be discussed at the G7 summit in Canada between June 15 and 17. According to Reuters, most G7 countries, excluding the U.S. and Japan, are prepared to proceed with the reduction regardless of Washingtons stance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early on June 13 that Israeli forces had launched "Operation Rising Lion," a preemptive strike targeting Iran's nuclear program. In a televised address, Netanyahu claimed Israeli forces struck Iran's main nuclear enrichment site in Natanz and targeted key nuclear scientists.

Read also: Key to Russias defeat lies in its economy

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  An Oklahoma organization focusing on helping vulnerable communities says its volunteers will publicly shop for individuals who are afraid to do so due to immigration enforcement.

Community Response Network Oklahoma shared in a social media post Wednesday that anyone who is avoiding public spaces or immigration enforcement can contact the organization for help with groceries or essential drop-offs. Oklahomans have responded asking if they can donate money to the effort or volunteer themselves to help pick up and make deliveries for people.

Gov. Stitt warns immigration protestors about violence, protestors say none planned

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There is a community here that is going to support them, said Fernando Baquera with Community Response Network Oklahoma. Going to grocery stores for people, helping to pick up their medication, anything they may need in essentials. You know, they may be afraid to go out in public.

Baquera says his organization has seen an overwhelming amount of messages from people asking how they can help. He says the group is in the process of creating a volunteer sign-up form for individuals who would like to do so.

The Oklahoma Legislative Latino Caucus shared this week that immigration enforcement has increased in recent weeks. On June 10, News 4 confirmed through the Department of Homeland Security that an ICE operation was carried out in a Warr Acres church parking lot and that one person was arrested. The church was not affiliated with the operation, and ICE agents did not go inside of it. Baquera told News 4 on Thursday that he just wants anyone who feels uneasy to have options.

Give them a helping hand when they need it the most, said Baquera. In these times of, you know, of when they feel persecuted and attacked.

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News 4 asked Oklahoma immigration attorney, Lorena Rivas, if what the organization is offering to do is illegal.

There is no law in the state of Oklahoma or nationally that says, you know, youll be criminalized, said Rivas. Theres certainly criminal grounds for smuggling somebody, but just for providing them food or taking them a ride to their doctors appointment or doing errands for them. Theres no law against that. Theres nothing criminalizing that.

Baquera says volunteers do not plan on giving individuals rides, just run errands for them.

We just plan to get groceries for them and help them out in whatever way that we can, said Baquera.

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A social media post for the initiative asks individuals who need the service to call or text (405) 240-5959.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Perkins, Oklahoma man who pleaded guilty to throwing a pipe bomb at the Satanic Temple in Salem in April, United States Attorney Leah Foleys office said Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani sentenced Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Palmer pleaded guilty to one count of using an explosive device to damage and attempt to damage a building used in interstate or foreign commerce.

Palmer was caught on a surveillance camera on April 8 around 4:14 a.m. walking toward the temple wearing a black face covering, a tan-colored tactical vest and gloves, Foleys office said in a statement.

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Palmer lit up a pope bomb as he approached the temple and threw it at the main entrance before he ran away, the statement read. The bomb did not fully detonate and left minor damage to the building.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was made from a roughly 2-foot section of plastic pipe covered with metal nails attached to the pipe with duct tape, Foleys office said. Investigators found Palmers DNA on the outside of the IED.

Near the temple in a flower bed, a six-page handwritten note by Palmer was found by investigators. It read:

DEAR SATANIST ELOHIM SEND ME 7 MONTHS AGO TO GIVE YOU PEACEFUL MESSAGE TO HOPE YOU REPENT. YOU SAY NO, ELOHIM NOW SEND ME TO SMITE SATAN AND I HAPPY TO OBEY. AND ELOHIM WANT ME TO CONTACT YOU TO TELL YOU REPENT. TURN FROM SIN. ELOHIMNO LIKE THIS PLACE AND PLAN TO DESTROY IT. MAYBE SALEM TOO? ELOHIM SEND ME TO FIGHT CRY BABY SATAN, BUT WANT ME TO MAKE HARD EFFORT SO NO ONE DIES. I OBEY.

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Palmer was charged on April 17 after he was found by law enforcement in Perkins.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked a court Thursday to schedule Tremane Woods execution on or after Sept. 11 this year. The filing comes weeks after a post-conviction evidentiary hearing yielded compelling proof of what Tremane and his legal team had insisted for years: His death sentence was the result of an unfair trial.

Tremane, the subject of a HuffPost investigation last year, was sentenced to death in 2004 for a homicide he has consistently maintained he did not commit. His brother, who admitted to the killing, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a sentencing disparity that Tremanes current lawyers attribute to the quality of legal representation afforded to each brother at trial. It is also a stark example of the inconsistent outcomes of felony-murder statutes, which state that anyone involved in a felony that leads to a death can be held criminally responsible for that death, regardless of intent or involvement in the actual killing.

The evidentiary hearing, held over three days in April, revealed that prosecutors had misled jurors about the incentives offered to two of their trial witnesses in exchange for their testimony. The revelation offered the possibility that Tremane, who has argued for decades that he was deprived a fair trial on multiple grounds, might finally get a new trial. Instead, District Court Judge Susan Stallings adopted the states proposed factual findings and legal conclusions  including typos in the states brief  and denied Tremane request for relief.

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Tremane is appealing the judges decision and will pursue a request for clemency from the governor. On Friday, Tremane asked the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to block the execution until his pending claims were resolved. But absent intervention from the courts or Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), he faces execution later this year.

Tremane Wood with his mother, Linda Wood. Tremane Wood's legal team

No One Was Supposed To Die

Tremane grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the youngest of three boys. Some of his earliest memories are of his father beating his mother and threatening to kill her. When Tremane and his brothers tried to protect their mom, their father beat them, too. Because their father was a cop, their mom didnt feel that she could turn to the police for help.

He has handcuffed me and dragged me down the highway on the outside of the car, Tremanes mother, Linda Wood, told HuffPost last year. He has beaten me to the point where you couldnt even tell what I looked like, knocked my teeth out, broke my nose, broke my bones, and then wouldnt let me even get any medical help. Hes tied me up and beat me with an extension cord. I got hit in the head with a pipe wrench.

Its really hard to parent your kids when youre in survival mode, Linda said in a video prepared for Tremanes clemency application. Theres a saying that says everybody dies but not everybody lives. And we werent living, we were just surviving. Just trying to stay alive for another day.

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Both Tremane and his next-eldest brother, Zjaiton Wood, were sexually abused by a male neighbor, they later told separate psychologists. Zjaiton, who went by Jake, coped with the trauma with drugs and alcohol as a child. He joined a gang when he was 10 or 11, and brought Tremane along soon after.

The brothers bond was beyond bounds, their eldest brother Andre Wood said in an interview. Ive never seen anyone be that loyal to a person. Tremane would follow Jake to the end of the Earth. Tremane just loved his brother. And Jake loved Tremane. And there was nothing that could break that. Nothing.



Jake is Tremanes idol, he would die for Jake, Linda told a social worker in 1994.



Jake was a violent and increasingly angry kid who lacked impulse control and learned to use his intimidating stature to get what he wanted, Linda said in an interview with HuffPost. She wanted to get him mental health treatment, but they didnt have health insurance.



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Tremane planned to spend New Years Eve in 2001 with his cousins, but Jake convinced Tremane to go out with him instead. Jake had recently come home from prison, and after years apart, Tremane was eager to spend time with his brother, he said in an interview last year.



The brothers went to a brewery in Oklahoma City with Jakes girlfriend, Lanita Bateman, and Tremanes ex-girlfriend and longtime friend, Brandy Warden. The girls ended up talking with two men from out of town: Ronnie Wipf and Arnold Kleinsasser, who were passing through town on their way to Texas to work on a harvest crew. Ronnie and Arnold grew up in rural Montana in a colony of Hutterites, a religious group similar to the Amish, and had only recently left the colony.



Ronnie suggested the four of them go back to a motel room. Brandy and Lanita didnt want to go, they would later say, but felt pressure from Jake and Tremane to get money from the naive out-of-towners. Once at the motel, they negotiated a price of $210 in exchange for sex. But before anything happened, Jake and Tremane knocked on the door, wearing masks, long trench coats and leather gloves. When Ronnie opened the door, the girls burst out and the brothers moved in, one armed with a gun and the other with a knife.



Arnold gave one of the masked men the $68 in his wallet, but Ronnie fought back. Arnold escaped, hiding in a dumpster for hours in the January cold. When he made his way back to the motel, a detective told him Ronnie had been fatally stabbed.



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That night, Jake told Lanita he had killed someone, although he did not say how, she said in an interview. When Tremanes cousin, Roshonda Jackson, saw him the next day, he broke down in tears, so distraught that he threw up, she wrote in a 2022 affidavit. He kept saying he was sorry, she wrote. When I asked what was wrong he said, No one was supposed to die!

An Absentee Lawyer

Within a week, Jake, Tremane, Lanita and Brandy were all arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder, robbery with firearms, and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. The state sought lengthy prison sentences for the women  who had fled by the time of the killing  and death sentences for Jake and Tremane.

Brandy, who had three kids, including a son with Tremane, agreed to plead guilty to reduced charges and testify for the state in exchange for a shorter sentence. She took the deal, she said at the time, because she wanted to go home to her kids one day. She did not respond to interview requests.

Lanita, who had only known Jake for a few months, refused to cooperate with the state, citing an unwillingness to help send someone to death row. She was sentenced to life plus 101 years, with the chance to seek parole in 2040, when she will be 58 years old.

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Jake was appointed a team of three experienced capital defense lawyers from the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, who thoroughly investigated the crime, as well as mitigating circumstances, in order to develop their defense strategy.

Because it would be a conflict of interest for the office to represent both brothers, Tremane was appointed a private attorney named Johnny Albert. Albert was allowed to bill up to $20,000 for his work on the case; his co-counsel was allowed an additional $5,000. At the time, defense attorneys for people facing the death penalty worked an average of 3,557 hours per trial. Had Albert worked that much on the case, he would have earned less than $6 an hour.

Ultimately, Albert billed just two hours of work outside of court appearances in Tremanes case. He never visited his client, and did not answer phone calls from Tremane or his family. He failed to identify evidence that Tremane was not the one who killed Ronnie, or present a compelling picture of Tremanes abusive childhood and Jakes sway over him. Critically, he did not reach out to Lanita, who heard Jake admit to the killing. Lanita would have been willing to testify in support of Tremane, she wrote in a 2011 declaration.

Albert also neglected to prepare Jake, who insisted on testifying at Tremanes trial ahead of his own. During the trial, Jake testified that he was the one who stabbed Ronnie, but he also falsely claimed that Tremane was not present at the robbery  a claim that lacked credibility after Brandy, the mother of Tremanes child, testified that Tremane was present.

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I was hoping to not get the death penalty, but I had no faith because Johnny wasnt prepared, Tremane said in an interview last year. I knew this was a wrap.

Watching the trial unfold was agonizing, his brother Andre said. Im sitting there, looking at my mom, going, This is the fucking lawyer? he said. I wanted to get up and say, Can I represent my brother? Because this asshole has no clue what hes doing.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Tremane was the actual killer  a version of events they would later directly contradict at Jakes trial. They didnt need to prove Tremane killed Ronnie in order to secure a guilty verdict or a death sentence, but it was part of their strategy in convincing the jury that Tremane represented the worst-of-the-worst offender. Brandy became their key witness. Although she had fled before Ronnie was stabbed, she testified that Tremane and Jake were the two masked intruders at the motel, and that the smaller of the brothers, Tremane, was holding the knife.

In 2006, Albert was arrested for repeatedly failing to appear in court for another case. He admitted to struggling with substance abuse, and began inpatient drug and alcohol treatment. The Oklahoma Bar Association charged him with 11 counts of professional misconduct after clients complained that he neglected their cases. He admitted to the allegations, and his law license was suspended for 14 months.

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Years later, he passed along an apology note to Tremane, scribbled on the back of his business card. Treman Im sorry for everything in the past. You got me at a bad time and its not your fault. Its mine. I will do anything I can to help you.

An apology note to Tremane written by his attorney Johnny Albert. HuffPost

Two of Alberts former clients have had their death sentences tossed after a trial court found that they had received ineffective assistance of counsel. But appellate courts have refused to grant Tremane the same relief.

Initially, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals found that Alberts decline began shortly after Tremanes trial. Tremane then presented affidavits from two of Alberts former clients who said they gave him drugs in exchange for legal services and saw him use cocaine frequently, starting well before Tremanes trial. But the OCCA again denied relief, this time on procedural grounds. His petition was too similar to his previous ineffective assistance of counsel claim and he should have presented this evidence earlier, the court wrote.

In 2019, the Supreme Court declined to review the lower courts denial of Tremanes habeas petition, which made him eligible for execution. Months later, Jake died by suicide in his prison cell.

Secret Cooperation Agreements

Prosecutors repeatedly told jurors that Brandy would spend 45 years in prison as a result of her plea deal. But her sentence was later modified to 35 years, and with good time credit, she was released after 12 years.

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During the recent evidentiary hearing, former Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney George Burnett, one of the prosecutors in Tremanes trial, testified that the prosecutions plea agreement with Brandy represented the full extent of their deal. Federal public defender Amanda Bass Castro Alves, one of Tremanes current lawyers, confronted Burnett with evidence that his plea agreement with another witness for the prosecution did not reflect the fact the prosecutors dismissed and downgraded the witness pending felonies after Tremane was sentenced to death.

Burnett then testified that the full scope of the states agreement with Brandy was documented in a memorandum, not in the plea agreement. After learning that neither lawyers for Tremane or the state had seen the memorandum, the judge obtained a copy from Wardens case file at the Oklahoma County Public Defenders office. It clearly showed, contrary to prosecutors claims at Tremanes trial, that Brandy would receive a sentence of 35 years in exchange for testifying against her co-defendants.

Asked in the evidentiary hearing why he told jurors Brandy would spend 45 years in prison, Burnett said he made a mistake probably.

Never underestimate my  my ability to say something stupid to a jury, Burnett said.

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At the time, Brandy was serving a deferred felony sentence for an unrelated crime, meaning her sentencing was delayed and her case could be dismissed upon successful completion of probation. After she was charged with felony murder, probation officials filed a violation report, recommending acceleration of her deferred sentence. But Payne County Assistant District Attorney Tom Lee opted to hold off, he wrote in a note on the report.

Lee testified at the evidentiary hearing that he had a standing agreementwith the Oklahoma County district attorneys office to pursue or forgo accelerating deferred sentences to felony convictions to assist with prosecutions. He said he did not speak with anyone from the Oklahoma County DAs office before deciding not to pursue Brandys sentence  but he also admitted he didnt remember writing the note about hold[ing] off.

Had Brandys felony been accelerated, she would not have been eligible for a sentence modification from 45 to 35 years, Bass Castro Alves wrote in a recent court filing. This arrangement allowed prosecutors to emphasize Brandys lack of a felony record to jurors.

The prosecutors suppression of their full agreement with Warden undermined [Tremanes] defense and misled the jury by depriving it of information critical to jurors assessment of Wardens truthfulness, credibility, and motivations for testifying to the story she told the jury, Bass Castro Alves wrote in her proposed factual findings and legal conclusions.

It allowed prosecutors to convincingly argue in closing at the first stage that Warden was not some big conspirator but rather was a girl who know[s] one rule, you do what Termane told you to do, she continued. (Tremanes name is misspelled as Termane throughout his trial records.)

In their proposed factual findings and legal conclusions, the state denied any prosecutorial misconduct at trial and claimed that even if there was an undisclosed deal, Tremane had failed to prove that it would have resulted in a different outcome at trial.

The judge signed the states recommended findings verbatim.

Related...
A London-bound passenger jet ploughed into a residential area of India's western Ahmedabad city on June 12, 2025, killing at least 265 people on board and on the ground. Social media was soon awash with misused visuals including old clips that depict a plane crash in Nepal and an incident on a Ryanair flight.

"This is a live video of the plane crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at that time, in which a boy came live on Facebook before the Boeing 787-8 plane crashed, and this accident happened at the same time," says a Hindi-language Facebook post shared just hours after the disaster.

One man aboard the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner miraculously survived the fiery crash, which left the tailpiece of the aircraft jutting out of the second floor of a hostel for medical staff from a nearby hospital (archived link).

The video in the post, which was also shared on X, shows a young passenger inadvertently filming the final moments before the plane he was in crashes.

Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken June 13, 2025

"Footage Just before the Ahmedabad flight crash," says a TikTok post that shared another clip, showing a cabin filled with smoke.

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Another post, written in Burmese and shared on Facebook, contains a picture of a burning aircraft on a runway. "London-bound Indian plane carrying 242 passengers, crashed in Gujarat, many feared dead," the caption reads.

Screenshots of the false posts, taken June 13, 2025

The circulating visuals are unrelated to the Air India tragedy.

A reverse image search of the first video's keyframes led to news reports about a plane crash in central Nepal in January 2023 (archived here and here).

The Yeti Airlines service was flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a gateway for religious pilgrims and trekkers, when it crashed on descent. All 72 on board were killed (archived link).

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According to Britain's The Guardian newspaper, local police and a close friend of the young man shown in the recording verified his identity and several other individuals in the footage (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the false post (L) and the same clip from a 2023 news report

Meanwhile, the second clip has earlier been posted on TikTok on March 16, 2023 with a caption indicating it was taken on-board the Irish no-frills carrier Ryanair (archived link).

The TikTok user indicated the passengers were safe and filmed a separate clip showing himself inside the plane reacting to the commotion (archived link).

The aircraft's interior shown in the falsely shared clip matches a stock image taken inside a Ryanair plane (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared video (L) and the stock photo of a Ryanair cabin

Finally, the falsely shared picture has earlier been published in multiple news articles about the Jeju Air crash in South Korea on December 29, 2024 (archived here and here).

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AFP also distributed the photo. Its caption reads: "In this handout photo provided by the South Korean National Fire Agency, Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 burns after skidding off the runway at Muan International Airport on December 29, 2024 in Muan-gun, South Korea."

The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 was carrying 181 passengers from Thailand when it smashed into a barrier during its landing at Muan International Airport and burst into flames. The impact killed everyone aboard except for two flight attendants plucked from the wreckage (archived link).
However bellicose the mullahs in Tehran are this morning, they know they have been absolutely hammered by a superior military power. Operation Rising Lion was the second extraordinary military operation within a few days, which like Ukraines Operation Spiders Web by Kyivs secret service will have a strategic impact across the world.

This operation has been years in the planning and, with the autocratic Iranian regimes frightening intransigence over nuclear weapons, amid warnings it has enough material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days, Israel had run out of patience. The IDF has likely been preparing this battlefield in detail for a decade. The level of intelligence required to take out key military and political leaders suggests that the Israeli security services have a huge network of spies on the ground, probably at the very heart of military and political command, to produce a comprehensive set of strategic targets.

The precursor to this strike was the annihilation of the main Iranian proxy Hezbollah last year, when pagers and radios blew up in the pockets of operatives, an audacious attack which struck Irans heart and soul. In the months previously, I was briefed about the complete domination of Syria and Lebanon by Hezbollah, which evaporated with their pagers, paving the way for the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

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Israeli jets and missiles destroyed part of Irans air defence around many key military sites last year, which will have been pivotal to the apparent success of these latest attacks. The main nuclear development site at Natanz seems to have been comprehensively attacked and its many centrifuges likely destroyed. Without centrifuges you cannot enrich uranium, and without enriched uranium you cannot make nuclear weapons.

Today Israel still has nuclear weapons and Tehran does not. Any retaliation the mullahs may try to inflict on Israel will be tempered by the fact that the IDF has the ultimate deterrence  nuclear weapons. In effect Israel still has a step up the escalation ladder and Iran does not.

But this wasnt just about enrichment and crushing the nuclear weapons programme. It was also an attack on senior military and political decision-makers. The intensity and complexity of these strikes is on a level not seen in living memory, and if Ukraine is given the wherewithal to replicate this, we might see a very different outcome in the fight with the Russians. The axis of evil in its entirety ought to be afraid.

Israel does nothing in half measures and like them or not, when it comes to military operations against legitimate targets, they show the rest how it is done. This operation will be studied by military experts and historians for generations, as a way to achieve military success when you have no limits to the risks you are prepared to take and must care little for what others  even your purported allies  may say.

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As the dust and smoke begins to settle on Irans shattered nuclear weapons programme its military chain of command is in turmoil. The apparent declaration of war by the mullahs on Israel is a staggering admission of the humiliation Tehran is feeling.

Irans immediate attempt at retaliation  a fleet of drones  lies in pieces across the deserts of the Middle East. To add to the humiliation, President Trump has demanded that Iran signs up to his nuclear deal or face slaughter. Tehran may be able to ride out a few more waves of Israeli attacks but if Trump wades in with his overwhelming military power it is likely to be game over for the current Iranian regime. They might have expected help from Russia, who they have supported so much in his Ukraine war, but apart from the usual anti West rhetoric it does not look as though Putin will lift a finger  let alone a missile  to help.

Iran appears to be checkmated.

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CN (CNI) announced plans to invest approximately $20M in Indiana in 2025, as part of its 2025 capital investment program. This investment will support track maintenance and strategic infrastructure initiatives in the state. This includes investments to increase capacity and upgrade rolling stock. We believe that investing in our network is about building for the future. Our continued infrastructure investment in Indiana will help strengthen the resiliency and efficiency of our network across the state. Our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and supply chain partners, supporting strong economic growth for North America and across communities where we operate, said Tracy Robinson, President, and CEO of CN.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Deloittes U.S. employees can now buy $1,000 of Lego in an effort to boost their well-being and morale. Chief Business Correspondent Taylor Young explains the growing trend of company perks to show appreciation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MADISON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is dead after a single-car crash involving a stolen vehicle in Madison Township early Friday morning.

At about 12:13 a.m., a white 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling eastbound on Winchester Pike, approaching Bixby Road. The vehicle traveled off the south side of the roadway, slid into a field, then rolled, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

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The driver was ejected from the vehicle, and found laying on the edge of the roadway. Medics pronounced the individual, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, dead at 12:17 a.m.

Law enforcement later discovered that the Tahoe was recently reported missing from the Canal Winchester area.

The sheriffs office is continuing to investigate the crash and asks anyone with information to contact their crash investigation unit at 614-525-6113.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  In Danville, police responded to the scene of a dump truck that hit a person on a mobility scooter on Thursday.

It happened near the intersection of Fairchild and Harmon Streets just before 1 p.m. Investigators said the dump truck failed to yield, causing the collision.

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The driver of the scooter was hurt and taken to a local hospital, while the driver of the dump truck was ticketed for failing to yield.

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There is no further information 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 WCIA.com.
A Rhode Island man is dead and his father is injured after they barricaded themselves in a Groton motel and shots were fired on Thursday evening.

Authorities with the Town of Groton Police Department were investigating a robbery from earlier in the morning when their investigation led them to the Super 8 Motel on Route 12, according to Chief Louis J. Fusaro, Jr.

The robbery was reported just after 10:30 a.m. at the Chelsea Groton Bank on the Gold Star Highway where two people wearing surgical masks implied that they had a gun and handed the teller a note demanding cash, Fusaro said. They fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money.

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Authorities investigating the robbery were led to the motel around 5 p.m. where they found a vehicle believed to be used by the suspects. Detectives identified the room they believed the suspects were in and began a dialogue with them, according to Fusaro. The suspects refused to leave the room.

Task Force officers from the Connecticut State Police Bureau of Special Investigation, who were nearby investigating an unrelated matter, responded to the motel to assist. At some point after the suspects told authorities they were armed with firearms and explosives and refused to surrender, according to Fusaro.

That kind of slowed things down, Fusaro said.

Detectives continued communicating with the suspects while the state police Emergency Services Unit responded. The motel as well as several area businesses were evacuated as police established a perimeter around the area.

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Shortly after 11 p.m., police heard two gunshots that came from the motel room, Fusaro said. Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said. The state police Tactical Unit and Bomb Technicians entered the room and later found that there was no explosive.

The suspects were both given medical attention at the scene and taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead. He was identified as 27-year-old Zachary Fallon of Charlestown, Rhode Island, according to Fusaro.

The other individual, identified as 56-year-old Shaun Fallon also of Charlestown, remained hospitalized as of Friday afternoon, Fusaro said.

Police said the two were father and son.

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No law enforcement officials discharged their guns at any point, according to Fusaro. He said investigators are still trying to piece together what unfolded in the room.

We surmise that a couple of different scenarios could have happened, Fusaro said.

No other injuries were reported.

This was an extremely dangerous and volatile situation, and I want to commend the bravery and professionalism of all the law enforcement personnel involved in bringing it to a close, Fusaro said in a statement. We are thankful to all our mutual aid partners as well as our dispatchers and Fire and EMS personnel for their assistance during this incident. I would also like to sincerely thank the patrons and staff of the motel for their patience, understanding and cooperation. Your support helped ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
One person was killed in a mobile home fire in East Windsor early Friday.

Crews responded to Fairway Drive at a mobile home park just before 3 a.m. and found a fully involved fire at one of the residences, according to the Warehouse Point Fire Department.

The first engine crew arrived within minutes and was able to knock down the blaze, fire officials said. Crews had to start putting the fire out before entering the home.

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Fire officials said they received the report that someone was trapped inside. One person was found dead during a search of the unit, according to fire officials. The victim has not been identified.

Fire officials said reports indicate no one else was living in the home. No other injuries were reported.

It was not immediately clear if the mobile home had a working smoke alarm, according to fire officials.

According to the South Windsor Fire Department, which provided mutual aid, two other mobile homes sustained damage from exposure to the fire.

The blaze is being investigated by the Warehouse Point Fire District Fire Marshal with assistance from Connecticut State Police.
A soldier was killed and another injured during an aviation training mission Wednesday evening at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the service announced.

The incident occurred at 7 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the 101st Airborne Division. Emergency responders confirmed one fatality at the scene. The second soldier was evacuated to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital in Clarksville, Tennessee, where they were listed in stable condition.

The helicopter involved was carrying only two personnel -- the pilot and co-pilot -- at the time of the accident, according to the service. Officials did not release the names of those involved or specify which crew member died. Identities are commonly withheld until notification of the next-of-kin.

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The division did not release further details on what led up to the crash or the nature of the training exercise. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

The fatality comes just weeks after another deadly incident involving a 101st Airborne soldier. Sgt. Aaron Cox died during a vehicle training exercise near Camp Croft, Hungary, in early June while assigned to the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

The Army has grappled with a series of high-profile aviation mishaps, particularly involving Black Hawk helicopters. Despite the frequency and severity of these incidents, Army officials have not publicly indicated whether the accidents stem from aircraft design flaws, training protocols, or systemic oversight gaps.

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In January, a Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines Flight 5342 over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killing all 64 people aboard the commercial jet and the three-soldier military crew.

That incident followed a deadly 2023 crash in which nine soldiers died during a nighttime training flight when two HH-60 Black Hawks collided near Fort Campbell.

It was one of the most serious non-combat aviation accidents in Army history. Just weeks later, three soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska were killed when two Apache helicopters collided during a training mission.

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The back-to-back incidents triggered a force-wide stand-down to review flight safety procedures.

Fort Campbell, encompassing more than 106,000 acres, is home to several key Army units, including the 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces Group and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The base serves as a critical hub for air assault and special operations.

Related: Route Used by Army Black Hawk During Deadly Collision Was Far Too Risky, Safety Officials Say
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Many Ohioans have recently received texts or calls from people claiming to be the Ohio BMV or county courts.

Officials said these are scams, but if you dont know what to look for, they can seem legitimate.

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The most recent text allegedly from the BMV said the recipient had an outstanding parking or traffic ticket and if they didnt pay it immediately, their drivers license could be suspended or they could be prosecuted.

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Ohio State Registrar Charlie Norman said this BMV scam is happening nationwide. It comes shortly after many people received texts that were allegedly from the Ohio Turnpike about unpaid tolls.

The BMV is never going to send you a text asking for personal information or demanding payment, Norman said. Its just not something we do.

These are just a few examples of the most recent text scams and they always have that sense of urgency.

The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio said scammers are getting more sophisticated.

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I think were so used to just like paying things from our phone that its easy for us, Lee Anne Lanigan with the Better Business Bureau said. We think if we click the link, were going to get more information and were going to be able to take care of this right away.

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A woman in Delaware said she nearly fell victim to a scam over the phone.

Holly LeMay said someone called her claiming to be from the Delaware County courts, saying she missed jury duty and there was a warrant out for her arrest.

The person on the phone, claiming to be a sergeant, sent LeMay a website where she was asked to upload her drivers license.

It had my name, it had a court case on it, it looked very legitimate, LeMay said. It had, you know, the emblem of the federal government in the corner and it had court fees and find your court and your juror. It was over $12,000 that they wanted. At that point, I started panicking because I dont have $12,000 to throw into a bond.

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State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festivals future

LeMay ended up calling the Delaware County court system herself to check. She said they told her theyve been dealing with these jury duty scammers for years, adding that the scam LeMay reported looked very legitimate.

When I realized that it was a scam, after that, I felt incredibly raw, she said. I was very, just, scared. I felt dumb. I felt like I had just been completely bamboozled.

Whether someone is texting or calling, saying you owe money, the BBB said you should always double-check the alleged government agencys website to see if you actually missed jury duty or owe money on a parking ticket.

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LeMay said shes been warning everyone she sees about what almost happened to her.

Just make sure youre careful and pay attention because it doesnt take long and theyre getting really, really good at it, she said.

The BBB said to avoid being scammed, keep in mind that a government agency will never text you, dont trust an urgent message with links, verify a potential bill on your own and be on the lookout for mistakes.

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If you think you may have fallen victim to a text or call scam, the BBB said you should contact your bank and your local law enforcement agency to get this taken care of immediately.

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For more tips from the Better Business Bureau on avoiding scams, visit the bureaus website. The bureau also breaks down specifically how scammers target people about jury duty: read that information by clicking here.

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Its Friday the 13th  the only one this year! Does that make it luckier?

The summer solstice is just around the corner, bringing the longest day of the year. Maybe this eerie Friday is just clearing the air before the sun takes center stage.

Either way, today can serve as a day to reflect and let go, to create a chance for renewal.

What's the history of Friday the 13th?

Friday the 13ths reputation for bad luck largely originates from religious and cultural beliefs. In Christianity, it is associated with the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion on a Friday, according to USA TODAY.

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Norse mythology also contributes, with the 13th god, Loki, bringing chaos and death.

This superstition deepened over time, particularly after the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13th, 1307, further cementing the days unlucky status.

When is the next Friday the 13th?

This is the only Friday the 13th of 2025.

Next year will feature three Friday the 13ths  spanning February, March and November  the maximum possible in a single calendar year.

7 Friday the 13th superstitions to either avoid or pursue

To avoid:

Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck, so handle glass carefully today.

Walking under a ladder : This superstition stems from the idea that walking under a ladder disrupts the triangle, a symbol of life, and invites misfortune.

Spilling salt : Accidentally spilling salt has been seen as bad luck for centuries. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.

Crossing paths with a black cat : Black cats, often associated with witches and bad omens, are considered unlucky, especially when they cross your path on Friday the 13th.

Stepping on Cracks: The rhyme "step on a crack, break your mother's back" comes from the idea that stepping on cracks invites bad energy or harm.

To pursue:

Carrying a lucky charm: Items like four-leaf clovers, horseshoes or rabbits feet are believed to bring good luck and protection from bad vibes.

Knocking on wood: This age-old superstition is believed to prevent bad luck or jinxes. If you say something hopeful, knock on wood to "seal the deal" and keep good fortune on your side.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What's the history behind Friday the 13th? 7 superstitions to know
The storm was predicted for so long that many believed it would never break.

Now, at last, Israel has launched an all-out attack on Iran  designed, above all, to destroy the Islamic Republics ability to build a nuclear weapon.

So do not be distracted by the killing of generals or the bombing of missile factories.

In normal times, Israel decapitating Irans entire high command in one night, which appears to have happened, would be an astonishing development. But these are not normal times.

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Now all that matters is how much damage Israel can inflict on three vital plants at the core of Irans nuclear industry  Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.

Credit: Reuters

The first two are where Iran enriches uranium, potentially to weapons grade. In Isfahan, raw uranium is converted into gas prior to being fed into centrifuges for enrichment.

If Israel can wreck all three of these installations, it will tear out the heart of Irans nuclear programme, to use Benjamin Netanyahus phrase, and block its enemys path to the ultimate weapon.

So far, Israel appears to have struck Natanz but not Isfahan or Fordow.

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The latter is by far the toughest target  an enrichment facility dug into a mountain, beneath hundreds of feet of rock and earth, where centrifuges are already producing uranium at 60 per cent purity, barely a hairs breadth from weapons grade.

Conventional wisdom holds that only the heaviest bunker-busting bombs of the US Air Force could destroy Fordow, while Israels weapons would only cause superficial damage.

The great risk for Mr Netanyahu is that when the smoke clears and Operation Rising Lion, the codename of this campaign, is over, Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan will be reparable in a matter of months or even weeks.

If so, he will have achieved nothing but a short delay in Irans path to a nuclear weapon. And you can be sure that Irans leaders  if they are still in power when this ends  will immediately dash for a bomb.

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But Israel has been preparing for this operation for 20 years, and it does not lack military ingenuity.

Few believed that Mossad and the Israeli air force could cripple Hezbollah by wiping out the Lebanese terror groups entire leadership and thousands of rank and file personnel in the space of a few weeks  yet exactly that happened last year.

It never pays to underestimate Israels capabilities or assume that its air force, which specialises in destroying underground targets, could only knock dents in Fordow.

The enrichment halls of the much larger facility at Natanz are also found in subterranean bunkers, but at least they do not sit beneath a mountain. Meanwhile, the uranium conversion facility outside Isfahan is partially below ground level, though not as deeply buried as Fordow.

Whether Israel can utterly destroy  or merely damage  all three of these plants will determine whether Mr Netanyahu achieves anything more than briefly delaying Irans nuclear ambitions.

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Do not underestimate the stakes of his monumental gamble. He is doing something that no previous Israeli prime minister, including himself at earlier stages of his career, would have seriously considered.

He is launching an all-out strike on Iran without American backing and against the open opposition of Israels new friends in the Gulf and its old ones in Europe.

The cautious Mr Netanyahu of earlier years  a master of delivering incendiary rhetoric and of pulling back from the brink  would never have dared take such a colossal risk.

The new, bolder Mr Netanyahu of today is clearly contemptuous of his allies, even of the US under Donald Trump.

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He is supremely confident of Israels military prowess, and believes the destruction of Hezbollah and of much of Irans missile arsenal last year gravely weakened his enemys ability to retaliate.

Now he is determined to go for broke, as if acting on the verse of the first Duke of Montrose: Like Alexander I will reign, and I will reign alone. My thoughts shall evermore disdain a rival on my throne. He either fears his fate too much, or his deserts are small, that puts it not unto the touch, to win or lose it all.

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The 35th Annual Thurston Classic, a free hot air balloon event, is captivating the skies over Crawford County this weekend.

The event, named after a Meadville family with a rich history in ballooning, features 22 balloons flown by some of the countrys most skilled pilots.

PI Boat Tours offers update on Lady Kate absence

Ive been flying for 39 years and as you witnessed here, I still get excited watching these balloons fly, its just magical, said Alex Jonard, the Balloonmeister of the Thurston Classic.

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Crowds from near and far are gathering in Crawford County to witness the spectacle of the Thurston Classic. The festival has been a staple in the community since 1988, drawing large audiences to enjoy the vibrant display of balloons.

Pilots convened early Friday morning to discuss weather conditions and ensure safe flights. Its much different than flying a fixed wing; we cant really power through things, Jonard explained, emphasizing the importance of clear visibility and favorable wind speeds.

Among the balloons is Tiny the Fire Dog from Virginia, piloted by Henry Rosenbaum. Youll see us lay it out on the ground here now, the basket gets hooked up, and we stretch the fabric out, Rosenbaum described the preparation process. The balloon, weighing 400 pounds due to extra fabric, offers a unique flying experience.

Lake City Fire Company welcomes community for annual carnival

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Rosenbaum, who has been flying for over 30 years, likens the experience to a magic carpet ride, offering a 360-degree view from heights of up to 1,000 feet.

The Thurston Classic continues to enchant visitors with its colorful displays and skilled pilots, maintaining its status as a beloved community event in Meadville.

For more information about the event, click here.

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.

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CN (CNI) announced plans to invest approximately $30M in Tennessee, as part of its 2025 capital investment program. This includes investments in infrastructure, technology, rolling stock equipment, as well as network improvements These projects will help ensure the safe movement of goods and support long-term sustainable growth in Tennessee and across CNs network.

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Five years ago, the world watched as George Floyd slowly died under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Brother Floyd was not the first Black man killed by an overzealous police officer, nor even the first caught on video. But the combination of his constant refrain of I cant breathe and the expression of utter disregard for human life demonstrated on Officer Chauvins face etched this moment into the consciousness of our nation.

Floyds murder ignited nationwide protests, the largest since the civil rights movement. In communities large and small, people marched in fury and in grief, demanding justice not only for George Floyd but for every life cut short by police violence. They called for something deeper: an end to the systemic racism that has brutalized Black communities for centuries.

For a while, it felt like real change was possible. Cities debated reducing bloated police budgets and investing in addressing the root causes of violence in our communities. Corporations made commitments to racial equity. Politicians, even some who had long ignored calls for reform, found their voices and joined the chorus calling for change.

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Unfortunately, as in every era when victories against racism have been won, the backlash against reforms came swiftly. We are seeing that now. But our fight for justice must continue.

Over the past five years, we have witnessed an aggressive effort to claw back not just the gains from 2020 but decades of progress on racial equity. Politicians and media figures turned wokeness into a slur. In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Stop W.O.K.E. Act, restricting schools and workplaces from providing education about systemic racism, and thousands of books about race and marginalized people were banned.

Corporations eager to support equity initiatives in the aftermath of Floyds murder appeared relieved to be freed of the responsibility for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility by the edicts of Project 2025 and the current administrations flood of executive orders. In abandoning these responsibilities, they also abandoned people as they rushed to curry favor with politicians.

This backlash of hate and bigotry, the abandonment of principles of equity and fairness, the flaming of fear, and the theology of scarcity cannot stand. Every step toward reform is met with retrenchment, a doubling down on the very racist and unfair systems we seek to dismantle. After Reconstruction came Jim Crow. After the civil rights movement came mass incarceration. And, after Barack Obama and Black Lives Matter came Project 2025.

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Despite this reactionary tide, we must remember the many victories we have won, and understand deep in our being that there is no victory without a fight.

Illinois, where I live, was one of the few states to take real, tangible action in the wake of the 2020 uprisings. While much of the country settled for symbolic gestures, the Illinois legislative Black caucus championed and secured the passage of several omnibus bills aimed at addressing systemic racism throughout our state. Among them was one of the most ambitious packages of criminal justice reforms in recent memory.

Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate the use of money bond, ending a system where freedom was bought and sold, which disproportionately harmed Black and minority communities. Guardians of the status quo prophesied chaos and destruction, and stoked the flames of fear and division; yet, a year later, crime rates are dropping, and individuals accused of crimes are appearing in court as required. Results prove that centering safety and justice works.

Ending the outdated and absurd practice of forcing people to purchase their freedom while awaiting trial was a direct response to calls for systemic change. It demonstrated what is possible when we collectively raise good trouble. It serves as proof of democracy in action, showing that public outcry can lead to concrete policy shifts and that marches can result in tangible legislative changes.

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Good trouble, or Holy mischief, is not just a civic ethic but a spiritual principle central to the ministry of Jesus. Pretrial fairness demands that those who claim a faith tradition consider: do we believe in compassion, redemption, restoration and equity, or is our faith nothing more than a hollow trinket used for personal status and psychological comfort?

But Illinois was an exception, not the rule. Across the country, police budgets have ballooned, and reform measures have been walked back. Still, that revolutionary summer of 2020 mattered. It demonstrated the strength of collective action, even in the midst of a global pandemic. It reminded us that millions of people from diverse races, classes and ethnicities were willing to leave their homes and publicly declare that this is not the country we want to live in. These are not our values. We can do better.

The backlash has been loud, but we can be louder. We must remember that half of the country didnt vote for the current administration and that most Democrats, along with a quarter of Republicans, believe we could do more to advance racial equality. And we can. We must keep pushing the needle forward, just as generations before us did. The fight for racial justice will take time. It may feel hopeless at times. But that hopelessness becomes real only if we silently comply.

With our nation once again at a historic crossroads, it is essential for us to recommit to uprooting racism and resisting forces that seek to dismantle our democracy. The future of our country depends on it.

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Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III is the senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

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Israel just executed the most far-reaching decapitation strike in the history of Iran. Within hours, targeted airstrikes had eliminated Irans top military planners  General Mohammad Bagheri, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and General Ali Rashid. Simultaneously, missile development facilities and key military coordination nodes were targeted, severing some of Irans communication links with proxy networks in Syria and Iraq.

And yet the man at the apex of the system, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not targeted. To some observers, this omission may seem inexplicable. But martyring Khamenei would have produced explosive consequences far beyond the battlefield.

Under Irans constitution, the death of the Supreme Leader triggers an emergency succession process managed by the Assembly of Experts. Since the March 2024 elections, this body has been dominated by clerics aligned with the hardline factions.

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Their candidate would likely be Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leaders son and behind-the-scenes enforcer. But Mojtaba faces a problem: He lacks the religious credentials necessary for the role. He has never issued a formal legal opinion, never taught in the traditional seminaries of Qom or Najaf and has never been accepted as a senior clerical authority.

In Shia Islam, legitimacy must be earned through decades of scholarship and peer recognition  it is not inherited as with a monarchy.

Had Israel killed Khamenei, this would likely have fast-tracked and legitimized Mojtabas rise. Absent that, it would be very controversial. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq, for example, has long rejected Irans system of having a cleric as a political ruler. As long as the Ayatollah lives to a ripe old age, Mojtaba is both too illegitimate to unify the system and too protected to be sidelined. Thus, he may stall Irans succession process into a doctrinal stalemate  one that Israel has now made more likely by weakening his military protectors while leaving his father alive.

Shia political theology is structured around martyrdom. The Seventh Century deaths of Ali and Hussein form the religious foundation of resistance and sacrifice.

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Had Khamenei been killed by an Israeli missile, it would not have been processed politically but mythologically. His death would have been viewed as a reenactment of the Karbala tragedy. That would have sanctified his son, unified Irans factions, and legitimized violent escalation from Irans regional proxies.

These groups  Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq  see themselves as guardians of the Supreme Leaders religious authority. Iranian defectors have long hinted at internal escalation plans that treat the assassination of the Supreme Leader as a trigger for full-spectrum retaliation: coordinated missile barrages, cyberattacks on Gulf energy terminals, and asymmetric operations against U.S. targets in the region. Sparing Khamenei denies Iran that trigger.

It also preserves strategic ambiguity. By targeting Irans ability to act but not its spiritual figurehead, Israel prevents the regime from invoking an existential crisis. The message to Irans mid-level commanders and bureaucrats is clear: Escalation is not inevitable. There is still room for recalibration.

Khameneis regime has never relied solely on brute force. At the center of this is the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Supreme Leader. While nominally a clerical publishing organ, the office functions in reality as a doctrinal surveillance and enforcement bureau. Under the informal leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei, it regulates clerical discourse, curates access to the Supreme Leader, disciplines heterodox scholars, and manages a patronage economy for the seminaries.

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This system operates under the protection of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps senior command. The generals eliminated were the regimes enforcers of doctrinal compliance. Their presence deterred rebellion, reinforced Mojtabas authority, and insulated the clerical apparatus from challenge. The strike helps to break this protective outer layer, leaving the regimes ideological core exposed and overextended.

Israel should keep targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command. But it should not eliminate Mojtaba or high-profile hardliner clerics. That would risk martyrdom and consolidation. Instead, it should be to disrupt the infrastructure that sustains Mojtabas influence. This includes severing the financial lifelines that fund loyalist seminaries, exposing internal contradictions within Qoms clerical elite, and quietly empowering transnational rivals  especially those aligned with Sistani in Najaf, who reject clerical political rule altogether. The goal should not be to decapitate the regime, but to delay, fragment, and deny.

For the first time in decades, the Iranian religious establishment faces the threat of a vacuum of coercive insulation. In this new context, figures who once maintained quiet distance from the state may now emerge as active challengers to Mojtabas succession, potentially leading to a schism that would dramatically affect the operations of pro-Iranian militias across the region. Their legitimacy not just to Tehrans treasury but also to the symbolic authority of the Supreme Leader.

If that authority is contested  if Mojtaba is promoted without consensus  then these groups may begin aligning with other clerics or factions. Figures such as Qais Khazali or Hashem Safieddine, who combine militia leadership with religious aspirations, could become new centers of gravity. The result would be the transformation of the Axis of Resistance from a coordinated deterrent bloc into a constellation of semi-autonomous and potentially competing actors.

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In wars of theology, as in wars of missiles, the decisive blow is not the one that kills a man. It is the one that denies a myth.

Carlo J.V. Caro is a New York-based writer who studied and lived in both Jordan and Israel.

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Years after his presidency, I got a chance to thank Bill Clinton for championing education reform as a Democratic president. I had worked on his campaign and in his White House as a young staffer, and I was in the process of reminding him that he ran for president as a charter school supporter when he interrupted to steal the punch line: In 1992 when there was only one charter school in America!

He was proud of that fact, holding up his index finger for emphasis.

Clintons education record is a quaint memory in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris losing presidential campaign. She talked about choice and freedom in every speech, but never as it pertained to schools.

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Presidents Clinton and Barack Obama not only ran as education reformers, they ran broadly as outsiders and change agents. Both challenged Democratic Party orthodoxies, which was a feature  not a bug  of their success.

On the other side, Harris, along with every other Democratic nominee who lost a general election since Walter Mondale, effectively ran as a champion of Democratic Party special interests, including teachers unions.

As Chuck Todd noted in the aftermath of the election, that meant Harris didnt have much to say to working-class public school parents trying to dig out of the massive learning-loss hole caused by pandemic-related school closures.

I have worked in education reform for two decades. I also have deep roots in national Democratic Party politics. In addition to working in the Clinton White House, I was a paid staffer on five Democratic presidential campaigns, including Harriss. I traveled mostly across Wisconsin towns planning events for Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), her running-mate.

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The only Harris education policy I heard about from Wisconsin voters was that of transgender kids playing sports, on which Trump was attacking her relentlessly. Politics abhors a vacuum. With Harris silent on education, Trump filled the void.

Because I care about other issues such as climate change, Ukraine and democracy, I dutifully worked on Harris campaign despite having sued her when she was California attorney general. She was the defendant in Vergara v. California, a case where I helped nine students sue California, claiming that their quality of education was so poor, it violated their constitutional rights.

Our victory created a constitutional right to high-quality public education that California children would still enjoy today, had Harris not appealed that decision up to the Supreme Court as a favor to the teachers unions. In court, Harriss lawyers conceded that we had proven the system was harming children, but they argued that because there was no explicit right in the Constitution to quality public education, children effectively had no right not to be harmed.

The court sided with Harris by one vote, overturning the ruling.

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It was a constitutional right that could have could have mitigated the impact of the pandemic school shutdowns, as blue-state Democrats with Biden administration support, robbed millions of students, including my daughters, of 18 months of learning  and a piece of their childhood.

Eventually, frustrated Los Angeles Unified School District parents sued to reopen all schools for all kids. In its legal reply, the school district cited Harris arguments in the Vergara case to say the quiet part out loud, claiming that because students had no right to quality education, the Los Angeles Unified School District had no legal obligation to deliver quality instruction, and parents had no right to demand they reopen schools, or do anything else.

That was the status quo for children and parents in the Biden-Harris administrations America.

The same crowd that covered up President Bidens cognitive decline crafted his education policy. If we dont change course, were going to lose the next generation of kids  along with the next election, and maybe our democracy along with it. That is why the time is now for a new generation of Democratic Party change agents to lead and win.

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That means acknowledging that the Biden-Harris school closures represented a tragic policy failure that demands hair-on-fire action.

It also means moving beyond defending status quo institutions to driving an abundant education agenda focused on results, not scarcity. For example, it is politically untenable for Democrats to oppose all forms of school choice when Republicans are offering a free market smorgasbord of choice with loosely regulated vouchers.

Democrats need a visionary answer to the question of how American education must evolve to meet the needs of the 21st century. Translating high-quality public schools from a soundbite into a civil right should be the North Star of any populist progressive education agenda.

The good news is that Democrats have an exciting bench of 2028 kids-first contenders, including New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, among others. Many of these candidates have strong records expanding high quality public charter schools, with the scars to prove it.

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If Democrats want to reclaim our identity as the party of progressive change, we must reclaim the mantle as the party of public education. Not just for kids  but because the future of American democracy might depend on it.

Ben Austin is a former staffer for Kamala Harriss 2024 presidential campaign and founding director of Education Civil Rights Now.

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NewsNation National Correspondent Robert Sherman has found himself on the frontlines of some of the worlds biggest stories: from Ukraine to Israel and across the United States. He shares what hes seeing on the ground. Subscribe to his newsletter: Frontlines with Robert Sherman here.

I just boarded my flight back to Israel. This will be my fifth assignment in the region since the October 7, 2023 attack, which changed the world as we know it.

But this time, everything feels different. It looks and seems as though the world has changed yet again, but the metamorphosis is incomplete. More is on the horizon and the days ahead are set to be highly consequential.

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The same could be said last year, just ahead of the October 7 one-year anniversary. I remember standing on our balcony in Haifa when Israel and Iran traded blows. I watched as Iranian missiles passed through Syrian airspace and entered Israeli territory as the Iron Dome worked feverishly to make those interceptions.

After US-Iran nuclear talks crumble, what happens next?

You can read more about that experience in a dispatch I filed last year called Riding Out Irans Attack.

That was a day in which the whole region held its breath, yet wasnt necessarily caught off guard. We knew it was coming. The Biden White House at the time was rather public about the fact that they knew Iran was preparing a salvo, giving Israel a few hours to prepare.

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Call it a leak, call it good intelligence, call it whatever you like. The bottom line is that day was more about sending a message than starting a war.

What we saw Thursday of this week, however? A different story. I had been speaking with sources inside the Israeli Prime Ministers Office throughout the day, and they were steering me toward the possibility of action next week. Things might get busy, one Israeli official told me, though it was unlikely anything would come before Shabbat.

TEHRAN, IRAN  JUNE 13: An excavator removes debris from a residential building that was destroyed in todays attack by Israel in Tehran, on June 13, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Early this morning, Iran was hit by a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear sites, as well as top military officials. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Adding to that, the common line of thought was that nothing would kick off before the U.S.s large-scale military parade Saturday or until the G7 Summit meetings wrapped up in Canada early next week.

Even into the evening hours, Israeli officials refused to change their Home Front command guidance to civilians, which is effectively the marching orders for individuals and the precautions they should take.

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How to watch the Armys 250th anniversary parade

We were all caught off guard as Israel played this one close to the vest. They wanted to hit Iran hard and didnt want anything to make the strikes less effective. With the dust settling, its clear Israel landed some big punches.

I am now trying to get back into Israel as quickly as possible before the window of opportunity shuts. The people on the ground there, I know, are describing today as calm. It wont stay that way. They know better, and the whole world knows Tehran is weighing its options. Calculating its response. Preparing for its next step.

Yes indeed, the days ahead are consequential. The sun rose today, and its beating rays cast their glow upon a new world.

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Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but NewsNation intends to be there. Our coverage continues on the ground in the Middle East.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.

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While Iranians are sifting through the rubble caused by over 100 Israeli strikes on strategic targets across their country, questions about the Trump administrations role in the strikes are swirling in the air in capitals worldwide.

The narratives being peddled by the Israeli and U.S. governments are not making matters clearer. It does not help matters that both are notorious for their lies.

The Israelis quickly sought to make it appear that they coordinated the attack closely with Team Trump. They argued that Trumps public statements of opposition to such attacks was all a ruse designed to mask the joint Israeli-US intent to strike a blow to Irans nuclear and missile launch capabilities.

Israel's strikes, seen in Tehran in daylight Friday, were either against Trump's objections or without his knowledge or some sort of 4-D move which rather obviously leaves his own peace talks in tatters. / Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters

Trump meanwhile issued a statement which began, I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. It then went on to say that he warned Iranians that if they didnt that they would have content to contend with the fact that the U.S. makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it..and they know how to use it.

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He then said, Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! This led into another plea from the U.S. president for Iran to make a deal to save what was once known as the Iranian Empire (sic). For emphasis, in his signature ALL CAPS style, he wrote, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

While the Trump statement was written to suggest the strikes were all part of a US-Israeli plan, a statement put out by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio immediately after the attacks asserted, Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran.

@realdonaldtrump/Truth Social

The statement went on to assert that because of our lack of involvement, Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel. While inconsistent with Trumps remarks, Rubios statement does fit more easily with the seeming reality of the chill between the U.S. and Israel that made headlines when Benjamin Netanyahu was snubbed by Trump during the U.S. presidents recent trip to the Middle East.

Other reports suggested the U.S. shared intelligence with the Israelis to help them prepare for the strikes. As seasoned Middle East analyst Steven Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations told me, in the hours after the attack there was a lot of BS flying.

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Call it the fog of war. Or call it the fog of having to deal with leaders like Trump and Netanyahu.

Two things concerning Washingtons role in the attacks are, however, clear. One is that that despite the U.S. efforts to perform their now familiar clean-up on Aisle Trump duties, none of the possible scenarios for what actually happened with regard to the Israeli attacks reflect well on the U.S. president and his team.

The bombs are matched by the BS but one thing on clear display: Trump and Netanyahu are not on the same page. / Kevin Mohatt/Reuters

The other, related to the first, is that this latest development only extends the Trump Administrations foreign policy losing streak and, combined with his fumbling efforts to look like hes on top of this when he is clearly not, make him appear increasingly impotent.

Consider the scenarios that might be true. If Trump is a master of the universe and he was playing 4-D chess negotiating with Iran while plotting Israels sneak attack and his goal was to use the threat of the attacks to push Iran toward a deal, that did not work.

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If, as the Israelis assert, Trump greenlit the attack he owns the war that will now take place and has put U.S. personnel in the region in grave jeopardy. Further, it suggests that either the negotiations with Iran were a sham or they failed.

If he did not OK the attacks and actually argued against them as several experts with whom I have spoken believe, then it reveals yet again how little sway the U.S. has over an Israeli ally it continues to supply with vast amounts of military aid.

If he knew about Israeli plans and considered an Israeli war with Iran an equally effective way to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat, then he was being reckless and the jury is likely to be out for a long time about whether he was right and whether the losses incurred actually justify the returns.

In any of these scenarios, of course, Trumps position is doubly bad because there was in fact, a pretty good deal with Iran to keep it from developing nuclear weapons, the one negotiated by the Obama Administration, that Trump pulled out of in 2018.

Nuclear facilities like these in Natanz would have been limited by the Iran nuclear deal signed by Obama. But Trump trashed it and now his hopes of simply signing a similar one in his own name are dead under the rubble in Iran. / Maxar Technologies/Reuters

He undid it and now appears to have been unable to do his usual sleight of hand of condemning or undoing a deal then renegotiating and claiming credit for a deal that was pretty much the same as the one he pulled out of (see NAFTA). He will own the consequences which, should this turn into a protracted war or should there be significant civilian or U.S. casualties, could be severe.

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For a president who came into office professing mastery of the art of international diplomacy, great relations with world leaders, and ability to make peace in the worlds most volatile regions, this latest development is yet another setback.

Indeed, it demonstrates that despite his self-image and in ironic contrast to his critique of his predecessor, Trump may be turning out to be the most impotent American president of the modern era.

The war between Russia and Ukraine was not ended within 24 hours. What is more, Trumps efforts to court Vladimir Putin have largely been met with derision and rejection from the Russian president. The carnage in Gaza continues. In both cases, the problems are growing worse because of the reluctance of Trump to apply real pressure on leaders with whom he once boasted he had strong relations.

This is the aftermath of a Russian strike on Wednesday in Kostiantynivka, in Ukraine's embattled Donetska war which Trump said he would end within 24 hours. Now Putin mocks him personally and in the death of Ukrainian civilians. / Serhii Korovainyi/Reuters

The Liberation Day tariffs have been a flop producing virtually no gains of any sort for the U.S.: no real deal, only political backlash and market volatility. Trump, who likes to boast that he has all the cards, has been revealed to be holding little more than jokers in negotiations with the Chinese.

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Trumps rejection of international trade norms and threats have alienated many of our closest allies who are now working furiously to find ways to move forward without the U.S. The leaders of many of those allies have in fact openly mocked or tweaked Trump, sometimes while sitting next to him in the Oval Office.

Mockery of a U.S. president is not unprecedented. Rifts with allies happen. Biden did not have much influence over the Israelis either.

But signs of Trumps weakness internationally are spreading and its costs are rising in human, military and economic terms. The new crisis in the Middle East could compound those costs geometrically and, in so doing, diminish a U.S. president who appears to be shrinking daily on the global stage.
Its understandable that the headlines about the news conference Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held in Los Angeles on Thursday are focused on Secret Service agents manhandling Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and throwing him to the ground after he attempted to ask Noem a question. The images of Padilla  the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committees panel on immigration, citizenship and border safety and one of two senators representing the most populous state in the country  being treated as if he were a violent threat to the tough-talking secretary are jarring.

And, yet, whats even more significant than authorities detaining a U.S. senator for asking a Cabinet secretary a question at a news conference is Noems ominous remark immediately prior to Padillas interruption.

We are not going away, she warned. We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city.

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Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary. Because the fact of the matter is ... the senator said before being violently detained. Hands off!

Trump administration officials frequently take their lead from their boss  who mouths off so recklessly and constantly that his most outlandish statements are often dismissed as thought bubbles or negotiating bravado or deliberate trolling meant to incite the opposition into hysteria.

So what should we make of Noems statement  the one that prompted Sen. Padilla to demand specifics (just before he was detained by the feds)?

I have questions for the secretary, the senator said.

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I do, too.

When she says we are going to liberate Los Angeles from the socialists and the burdensome leadership of the governor and the mayor, is she merely talking about continuing with ICEs sadistic, haphazard raids in which undocumented immigrants with no criminal records, including women and children, and even legal immigrants and U.S. citizens have been ensnared in the name of protecting the homeland from a fictitious foreign invasion of terrorists and hardened gang members? Or is the secretary speaking more literally and indicating the Trump administration intends to remove  or otherwise render moot  democratically elected state and local officials who oppose the federal governments brutal incursion into their jurisdictions?

Its a question that every Republican in office should be compelled to answer.

In an alternate timeline, one might assume that members of the party of limited government and states rights would have strong opinions  and maybe even a little dissent  on such a drastic proposition. But that would assume Americas ruling party consists of patriotic Americans who meant it when they took an oath to defend the Constitution. What we have, though, are true believer sycophants who would happily bestow Dear Leader Trump with dictatorial powers and go-along-to-get-along careerists terrified of a MAGA-funded primary opponent.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson set the tone, when, almost immediately, he called for the Senate to censure Padilla. I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what were going to do, thats not what were going to act [sic], the speaker told reporters.

Noem, who called Los Angeles a city of criminals earlier this week, may not have been directed by the president to suggest that the federal government intends to overturn the will of millions of voters and relieve Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass of their duties.

But as I wrote less than two months ago, in the second Trump administration, President Donald Trump and his chief advisers are conducting themselves as though they have the right to do anything to anyone in the name of national security, with no factual justification necessary.

So while it is entirely possible that Noem was just mouthing off, wed be fools to reflexively conclude the Trump administration hasnt at least considered the idea of a federal takeover  a liberation  of an American city and state they seem to consider illegitimately ruled by their democratically elected officials.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 9 pm ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.

Weather watch: Thunderstorms could cancel or postpone President Trumps military parade on Saturday.

Who can argue with this: Floridas Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey on how his county is handling rioters:

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If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at. Because we will kill you, graveyard dead. Were not gonna play.

I dont get it: Members of Congress have big staffs  they could easily come up with some really good lines of questioning for Cabinet secretaries they dont like.

Yet they choose to lecture and name-call. Case in point: Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a House Armed Services Committee hearing earlier today: Im not going to waste my time anymore. Youre not worthy of my attention or my questions. Youre an embarrassment to this country. Youre unfit to lead you should just get the hell out, Carbajal said.

Its a both sides thing  Republicans would lecture Bidens Cabinet picks. I dont get it.

California Senator Alex Padilla is pushed out of the room as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Who Has Ever Beat Trump?

Its pretty clear that California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants a fight with President Trump  he has one.

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Newsom is willing to have riots in his state to force the square-off.

Now, his new attack line is that Trump is losing it  just like former President Joe Biden declined. From Axios: Newsoms jabs at Trumps age are part of a barrage of criticisms hes tossed at Trump in the past week. Hes called Trump a threat to democracy who is putting the U.S. on a road to authoritarianism. Points for style: The age and Biden comparisons will get under Trumps skin.



Click here to look at Gov. Newsoms official website  more about Trump than anything else.

I have just one question for Newsom Central Casting  who has ever won a fight against Donald Trump? Elon Musk  the richest man on Earth  just came crawling back apologizing.

Crowded path: Two more Democratic governors also want to carry the Trump-resistance flag. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Trump would have to come through him to arrest illegal aliens. Earlier today, he ended up getting bashed in front of Congress by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-N.M.  no, seriously, watch it Gill: Do you think men should be allowed in womens restrooms? Pritzker: Im not sure why this has come to this issue. Gill: You tweeted: As a protest against President Trump, everyone should use the other genders bathroom today. Have you ever used the womens restroom? Pritzker: Not that I can recall. Gill: So you just wanted everybody else to do it, but you didnt? Pritzker: 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz compared ICE to the Gestapo. Today, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., asked Walz about his comments, and it didnt go well for Walz. Watch the full interaction here.



Why Gavin Newsom Will Never Be President, headlines our friend Batya Ungar-Sargon in The Free Press.

Newsom and Democrats clearly have (some) deeply-held beliefs  namely, opposing Trump even on relatively popular issues.

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Only Trump: For Trump, flexibility gets him out of everything.

During the campaign, he promised to deport everyone  but just said farm workers could stay. is logic as explained in a Truth Social post is something only he could come up with: Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace. In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs. This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming! Trump writes. In other words: If the Department of Homeland Security deports illegal immigrants who are working on farms, then other illegal immigrants (criminals let in under Joe Biden) will take their jobs. Ok  as I said, only Trump would argue this. But his base will buy it, and the Republican Party will get behind it.



More: From the Fighting with Trump files  who thought tackling a United States senator was a good idea?

Well, it actually appears that Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., got exactly what he wanted. Fellow Democrats now have a cause celebrity  one of their own who confronted the Trump administration.

Padilla crashed a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in his home state of California. Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, video catches the senator saying as he pushes towards the secretary and then the Secret Service pushes him out of the room. Click here to watch Padilla being shoved to the ground. To be fair: Law enforcement right now  especially Secretary Noems Secret Service detail  feels embattled.

For what its worth: Noem later met with Padilla and said her Secret Service detail had no idea who he was and viewed him as a potential attacker as he pushed forward. Question: Who thinks walking up to a podium surrounded by Secret Service is a good idea? Here is the video of the confrontation. Its hard to fault the Secret Service. Its hard to argue with Noem, who called Padillas stunt political theater. Even CNN seems to agree.

Watch tonight: Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., joins us on the program to discuss the incident.

An Iranian flag waves in western Tehran, Iran, on February 4, 2025, on the eve of the 46th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. (Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Bombing Iran (or Not)

I have followed events in the Middle East long enough to know that nobody really knows what will happen.

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The closest you will get to knowing what will happen in the Middle East is Barak Ravid of Axios  read his dispatch here.

Bill OReilly told Chris Cuomo last night that this weekend is the weekend Israel will decide if they hit Iran, dependent on whether the U.S. makes a deal with Iran:

There is no plan B  the mullahs are going to have to stop now. Whether they will or not, if I had to bet tonight, I would say there will be a deal because once the military thing is in motion, thats the end of Tehran.  So if the mullahs want to go and commit suicide, then they wont make the deal. Im betting they dont want to commit, they always take it up to the brink, but this time with Israel ready to go right now  if this doesnt work this weekend, then all hell is going to break loose, OReilly warned.

Look back: In 2012, I canceled vacation after vacation to stay in Israel as a Middle East correspondent because thats when Israel would attack Iran.

Good tactics: Its in Trumps best interest for Iran and the world to think the Israelis might strike.

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Go deeper: Listen to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and journalist Bari Weiss warn about the Iran-friendly wing of MAGA.

Thought bubble: Its perplexing to me why Trump doesnt return to the maximum pressure campaign, bankrupt Iran and force regime change from within.

He could do it without the Israelis or the U.S. dropping a single bomb.

Why give the ayatollah a way out or to survive?

Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 9/8 CT on NewsNation. Find your channel here.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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I still remember the frustration in my clients voice.

They had found the perfect house just outside of Atlanta. No other offers were on the table  full price, clean terms. It shouldve been accepted immediately. Instead, the listing agent questioned whether my client actually had the money. When I assured her he was pre-approved, she warned that if they received a conventional offer, the sellers would likely choose it  even if the terms were less favorable  because conventional buyers usually had more money.

This wasnt about creditworthiness or ability to pay. It was about how he was paying. And it happened to many of my clients in Georgia. But its not unique to Georgia.

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Across the country, renters and buyers are being denied access to housing and homeownership not because they cant afford it, but because of what I refer to as the source of their funds. And although some states now protect against source-of-income discrimination, those laws often stop at renters, leaving out homebuyers entirely.

Renters using housing vouchers and buyers using government-backed loans share something significant in common: They are disproportionately people of color and/or low-to-moderate income  the very groups these programs are meant to support.

So why is it legal to reject them? In addition to federal loan programs, many states and cities offer down payment or closing-cost assistance to buyers historically excluded from wealth-building. But automated underwriting systems often decline borrowers using these programs  even when the same borrower would be approved without the assistance.

Thats not logic. Its stigma built into an algorithm. And it gets worse.

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Buyers receiving gift funds from family  often wealthier, often white  face no such scrutiny. Programs meant to close the wealth gap are treated like liabilities, while generational wealth is accepted without question.

Its a double injustice. First, these borrowers have to qualify for programs by proving the impact of systemic discrimination. Then they are punished for needing the programs  unnecessarily slowed down, burdened with extra paperwork and treated like a risk.

Even more troubling is how this dynamic plays out with independent contractors. Borrowers making 1099 income  typically entrepreneurs, gig workers and self-employed professionals  routinely face higher barriers to financing, despite having incomes comparable or even higher than W-2 earners.

Once again, people of color, immigrants and working-class communities  those disproportionately steered into 1099 work  are further punished for the impact of discrimination with the systemic obstacles that come with accepting help.

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This is not just a policy gap  it is a fair housing failure.

These programs are touted as progress, but without legal protections in place, they amount to little more than empty gestures. If you can legally reject someone for using a program designed to level the playing field, we havent leveled anything at all.

This is where a source of funds protection becomes critical.

It would extend fair housing rights to include buyers  not just renters. It would prevent blanket rejections of viable, vetted financing sources. It would acknowledge that neutral policies and systems often have discriminatory impacts. And it would help close the gap between whats legal and whats ethical.

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Currently, no states source-of-income laws protect against rejecting a buyer based on how theyre financing their home  whether thats through a VA loan, a first-time homebuyer program, a public sector grant or alternative income like 1099 wages.

And while states can lead, this needs to be a federal protection. Especially since many of these programs are federally backed and funded. If the federal government is serious about creating equity, it must enforce it  not just offer it and walk away.

This is a moral issue  and an economic one.

Denying someone housing or homeownership because of how they pay destabilizes families, interrupts generational wealth and even shortens lives. Thats not theoretical  its measurable. And in a time where advocating for equity is under attack, its even more urgent that we prioritize housing justice. We cant continue to normalize its harm while we wait for the political climate to shift.

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Protecting source of funds would strengthen real estate markets by expanding the buyer pool, increasing market competition, and stimulating long-term community growth. Offers would be evaluated based on actual numbers  not bias against the path someone took to get there.

Lets be clear: when sellers or agents reject a type of financing, they are often rejecting the buyer themselves  usually someone already protected by fair housing law. But because the rejection is framed around the funding, the discrimination goes unchecked.

Its time to close the loopholes. This isnt about charity. This is about establishing fairness in fair housing.

Dominique Lamb is Owner and Principal Broker, The Haven Firm, LLC and founder and principal consultant at the Kirby Institute of Wealth & Real Estate.

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During his Senate confirmation hearings for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. went to great lengths to downplay his previous anti-vaccine positions to try to assure the public that he wasnt as extreme as his record indicated. But now that he has unveiled new members of an important vaccine advisory committee, his long-held extremism is not only coming back into full view, its also being operationalized.

On Monday, Kennedy removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, which is made up of medical and public health experts and advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As NBC News reports, this committee makes recommendations to the CDC about who should get certain vaccines, including the schedule for childhood vaccinations. These recommendations are then adopted by medical professionals and insurers.

Kennedy justified the move by alleging that the experts on the panel were all compromised by financial conflicts of interest. But the claim looked like a dubious pretext for clearing the way for a new panel. As NBC News reports, Members of ACIP, who undergo an extensive vetting process before they are appointed, are required to disclose conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from voting on vaccines for which conflicts exist. Sean OLeary, chair of the infectious disease committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics, who serves as a liaison to the committee from the pediatric academy, told The New York Times that the idea that the old committees decisions were influenced by financial conflicts of interest was factually incorrect, and you can look at the record to see that. He called Kennedys firings manufactured chaos.

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Kennedys vision came into clearer view on Wednesday when he announced eight new people to serve on ACIPs board, including several experts with questionable or outright dangerous track records on vaccinations or public health recommendations. They include:

Robert Malone, a physician-scientist and biochemist whom The New York Times has described as a misinformation star, in part because of his record of misleadingly questioning the dangers of Covid and the safety of Covid vaccines.

Vicky Pebsworth, the director of research and patient safety at the National Vaccine Information Center, which NBC News reports is considered a leading source of misinformation about vaccines.

Cody Meissner, a Dartmouth pediatrics professor who was a signer of the Great Barrington Declaration, the statement that opposed lockdowns during the Covid pandemic.

Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management. NBC News reports that he has called for an end to Covid vaccinations, claiming mRNA vaccines cause serious harm and death, especially among young people.

Martin Kulldorff, an epidemiologist and biostatistician who was one of the authors of the Great Barrington Declaration.

Kennedy didnt pick random people off the internet; they have credentials, often at highly esteemed institutions, although some of these academic backgrounds apparently deviate from the kind one typically expects for this panel. But many public health experts and those who keep a close eye on vaccine skeptics and anti-vaxxers note that Kennedy appears to be putting together a slate of experts who skew ideologically against consensus and near-consensus views on vaccine safety and efficacy.

Kennedy did not pick people with strong, current expertise in vaccines, Dorit Reiss, a professor at UC Law San Francisco who studies vaccine policy, told NPR. It tells me that Kennedy is setting up a committee that would be skeptical of vaccines, and possibly willing to implement an anti-vaccine agenda.

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David Mansdoerfer, who served as deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services in the first Trump administration, called Kennedys announcement a huge win for the medical freedom movement.

Its not yet clear how the advisory board will rule on vaccine recommendations in the future. But the real-world effects of this could be significant. As The New York Times notes, the panels recommendations, which dont have to be adopted by the CDC but typically are, can affect how strongly doctors recommend vaccinations. If the panels recommendations skew away from recommending vaccines, then it could mean that physicians might be more hesitant to counsel patients to take vaccines that have long been proved to be safe.

Furthermore, the panel's recommendations could affect how health insurance companies cover vaccines. Right now, insurance companies cover the four-dose polio series. But without an A.C.I.P. recommendation, the shots might cost you more than $300, the Times reports.

We still dont know how this newly formed panel will play out. But contrary to Kennedys Make America Healthy Again mantra, all indications so far are that Kennedy is laser-focused on advancing activist goals that will make our society less healthy.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
When an arsonist set fire to Pennsylvanias governors mansion in April, he claimed to have done so because of what Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) wants to do to the Palestinian people.

On May 21, two young diplomats assigned to the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. were gunned down outside the Jewish Museum. The suspect, a 30-year-old Chicago native, shouted free Palestine as authorities took him into custody. Court documents later quoted him saying he did it for Gaza.

In Boulder, Colo., 10 days later, an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa used homemade incendiary devices to set demonstrators on fire at an event supporting Israeli hostages. He then began shouting about civilian deaths in Gaza, seemingly unbothered by the absurdity of protesting the killing of civilians by attempting to kill civilians.

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These attacks are accompanied by  or perhaps even energized by  a rise in antisemitic rhetoric and activity carried out under the guise of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the U.S. Last year, protestors at Cornell University and George Washington University chanted, there is only one solution, intifada revolution. The attacks in Boulder and Washington are the physical manifestations of that chant.

These developments follow a long history of political violence in the West inspired by the Arab-Israeli conflict. The perpetrators of such attacks are always duped into believing that their actions will help Palestine  despite a lack of evidence supporting that belief.

During the Cold War, Palestinian fighters armed and encouraged so-called urban guerrillas in West Germany. The June 2nd Movement emerged from Berlins college scene in the 1960s, and an undergraduate there named Michael Bommi Baumann became its most infamous member.

Encouraged by Palestines struggle, Baumann and his comrades quickly graduated from looting convenience stores to killing German officials after the Six Day War gave speed to their anti-Zionist fervor in 1967. Other European extremist groups, such as the Baader-Meinhof Gang (also called the Red Army Faction), had numerous ties to Arab terrorist organizations as well.

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Between 1969 and 1970, Palestinian guerrillas connected with the Red Army Faction and June 2nd members to provide them with weapons, explosives and propaganda training in Jordan. During the 1970s, Baumanns associates assassinated Gunter von Drenkmann, the president of West Berlins highest court; kidnapped an industrial tycoon after killing his four bodyguards; and executed one of their own members who had turned informant.

Notorious Venezuelan terrorist Ilich Ramirez Sanchez  better known as Carlos the Jackal  also credited Palestine for his radicalization in the 1960s. One of Carloss biographers, journalist John Follain, wrote that the Six Day War became the revolutionary rallying cry for tens of thousands of left-wing students the world over.

Inspired by the ideology of Palestinian militant Wadi Haddad, Carlos grew to believe that the destruction of Israel would free Palestine and trigger a global revolution. George Habash was a confidant of Haddads who founded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. An ardent Marxist with connections to student groups in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S., Habash became Carloss mentor.

French special forces eventually apprehended Carlos during a 1994 raid in Sudan. While serving multiple life sentences in prison, Carlos stated that no one has executed more people than me in the Palestinian resistance. Baumann was also arrested in 1981, several years after his close friend died in a shootout with police and his passion for the cause dwindled.

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Extremist factions like Hamas promote terrorism colored with false hopes of liberation in the interest of a charter that renounces peace and mandates perpetual war against the Jewish State. The Arab-Israeli conflict has always been ripe for exploitation and is thus used as a vehicle to recruit for that mission, not to help Palestinians. War is the objective because it globalizes the intifada.

Instead of generating support for Palestine, however, these recent attacks have united Republicans and Democrats in a way few issues can. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) agree that antisemitism must be crushed, and Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who chairs the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, announced a hearing on the rise of anti-Israel attacks.

Feeding into the decades-old delusion that global terrorism helps Palestine is a fools errand from which no one benefits  especially not Palestinians. Activists turned terrorists delivered a masterclass in that that lesson during the 20th century. Others need not relearn it in the 21st.

Maj. Michael P. Ferguson, U.S. Army, is a Ph.D. student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and coauthor of The Military Legacy of Alexander the Great: Lessons for the Information Age. His views as expressed here do not necessarily reflect official policies or positions of the Army or the Department of Defense.

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Rangachari has enjoyed a ring side seat during past industry turning points. He argues that AI and emerging technologies go far beyond the ability to offer increased efficiency and cost savings, new revenue opportunities, improved risk management, greater personalisation and increased customer engagement.

During his time at Capital One, he launched next-generation digital origination and servicing platforms increasing origination volumes and customer engagement. Most recently, he founded and led the product and technology function at Tandym, a digital payment wallet provider.

As Managing Director at JPMorgan, he led the banks digital channels platform and open banking strategy. At FIS, as Chief Product Officer for Banking and Payments, he spearheaded cloud banking initiatives and growth in the payments business.

One highlight was a discussion with Sai Rangachari, Temenos Chief Product Officer. His appointment, back in January, was a high-profile hire as he leads the development of Temenos solutions and defines the companys overall product strategy. It was also a headline-grabbing appointment given his track record. His CV includes over 20 years of experience and an in-depth knowledge of the US financial landscape from start-ups to leadership roles in Tier 1 US banks and leading vendors.

There are few, if any, more impressive and significant vendor-run annual banking conferences than Temenos celebrated Community Forum. The latest event attracted over 1,400 C-level executives, decision-makers, and industry pioneers and it remains an annual highlight of the conference circuit. Not for the first time, in the 20 years or so of regular attendance, one was left with the impression that TCF was bigger and better than ever before.

And now the rise of emerging technologies such as AI, evolving regulations, and shifting customer expectations represents another genuinely transformative turning point.

Banking has witnessed many a turning point in the past 30 years or so. The 1990s witnessed mass liberalisation of banking regulation. Then there was the abolition of interest rate controls and of barriers to the entry of foreign banks. The rise of non-bank competitors and a reduction in state ownership and in politically directed loans, often at concessionary rates, followed. The period following the financial crisis of 2007-2009 was another turning point. The digital drive including the mass adoption of mobile banking was another such turning point.

The financial industry is at a turning point. Emerging technologies, evolving regulations, and shifting customer expectations demand bold leadership. That was a key takeaway of Temenos TCF25 in Madrid.

Story Continues

This is a paradigm and a mindset shift. In the past, banks have always talked about efficiencies, and what we're hearing from our clients this time is different. Previously, it was all about say, how can I go from 10 steps in loan origination to seven steps so I can cut off two hours of processing or two days. Take it from seven days to maybe, one day or two days. Now the conversation really is about, how do I eliminate those steps so I can have more real time functionality? So even from an efficiency perspective, the vision and the asks and the conversations have gotten way bolder than before in terms of what they want as outcomes.

With the power of AI and what it is able to enable, I think we're just scratching the surface, but it's getting started. The other thing that's really happened and we saw this with mobile is that people are using AI to advance their daily productivity, their non-professional life productivity. So, when they come into work, the expectations are changing quite a bit. The mindset is already baking in that I can eliminate these steps. I can automate, I can become a superhuman.

TCF25 highlights

AIs potential to be truly transformative was highlighted in a number of key sessions during TCF25, such as the presentation from Srinivasan Seshadri of HCLTech. It does rather boost Temenos credentials as sector leaders when it can draw on high profile and longstanding tier one clients. For example, Santanders Jose Manuel de la Chica, discussed how the bank was working with Temenos to implement AI systematically across banking functions.

The head of Canadas EQ Bank, Dan Broten, explained how near-instant insights is giving it a competitive advantage thanks to innovating with Temenos Data Hub. And Marnix Tummers, IT Director for Wealth at ABN AMRO highlighted the banks near-20-year partnership with Temenos and how the bank continued to benefit from the shared focus on innovation, co-design and customer centricity.

Other key takeaways included an example of the Temenos design partner programme. Specifically, work with clients Commerce Bank and BIL. The Temenos Product Manager Copilot solution empowers the Gen AI knowhow of Microsoft and helps customer teams move from idea to product faster, with less effort and more confidence.

General availability of FCM AI Agent

News of the general availability of the advanced screening solution built with AI, real-time evaluation, and robust compliance frameworks, also merits a mention.

With Temenos FCM AI Agent, financial institutions can detect, investigate, and prevent sanctions transgressions against global and domestic watchlists using advanced AI to reduce false positives and evaluate screening alerts in real time with augmenting human capabilities.

The tool ticks a lot of boxes: it boosts customer satisfaction, reduces compliance risk and cost, increases employee productivity and boosts revenue. Specifically, Temenos says that FCM AI Agent is achieving less than 2% false positives rates against industry average false positive rates for customer screening of 5% to 8%.

Core transformation, Gen AI and co-innovation

Super-regional US bank, Regions, completed its core transformation on the Temenos core banking platform in early 2022. At the time, Temenos contract win from Regions represented a strategic win in such a competitive and key market. TCF25 featured a positive presentation from the top30 US bank as it shared key learnings from its journey replacing its core on Temenos SaaS. Post TCF25, Temenos again ranked the best-selling core banking provider in the IBSi sales league table, for the 20th consecutive year. It also tops the table for categories covering digital, payments, wealth and Islamic banking. So, sales remain healthy. More than that; Rangachari says that core banking is about to become really cool.

Core banking as cool is arguably a novel concept but Rangachari makes his pitch with gusto and explains why Temenos is so well positioned to benefit.

Now there's a cultural mindset aspect to it and as core banking providers, we're in a prime spot to enable a lot of the integrations and innovations. So, I'm really excited about the core banking space.

The kind of demand we have seen from clients, the amount of chatter that we've seen around co-innovation has been fascinating. We are extremely motivated to co-innovate so we don't build products in silos. We are building solutions that matter for our customers.

Three standout themes dominate TCF25m namely, acceleration in the adoption of AI, continued investment in its core banking product experience and the benefits of co-innovation.

Looking ahead, this turning point has some way to go when once considers just one stat from a recent Temenos survey. It highlighted that about 80% of its banking clients are experimenting with AI, but only a third of them have taken it to production.

There are, says Rangachari, the early adopters, the wait and watchers and the fast and slow followers.

A large number of factors are holding back some of the more cautious banks as they look for more proof in the market, especially from their peers, on what works and what are the lessons before they would do a fast follow, or a slow follow.

Leading Banking Forward

If Temenos is to deliver on its tagline, namely, Leading Banking Forward, much depends on the success of AI initiatives such as FCM AI Agent. And then then there is Temenos AI Studio.

We're actually beginning to partner with clients in our Temenos AI studio, where they can start creating this their own use cases, and servicing their own use cases, leveraging the same Explainable AI infrastructure that we use behind the scenes.

He says that in the past, Temenos would have conversations with customers and they would explains what Temenos needed us to build and it would say okay. But now, the vendor can provide its AI Studio so that banks have the ability to develop, customise, deploy and monitor their own models. Temenos can preload it with banking modules that the bank can start from and Temenos will provide training and support that then allow the bank to build those for themselves.

Just how the initiatives announced in Madrid pan out will be hot topics for debate at future TCFs. The wise money would be not to bet against Rangachari being able to deliver. Whether core banking will ever pass muster as cool is another matter entirely.

"Core banking is about to become really cool: Rangachari" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




UPDATE (June 12, 2025 9:07 p.m. E.T.): This column has been updated to reflect the details of Israel's preemptive" strikes against Irans nuclear program.

On Friday in the dead of night local time, Israel launched what it called preemptive strikes against Irans nuclear program. Dubbed Nation of Lions, the military operation was conducted unilaterally by the Israeli Air Force and reportedly hit numerous targets in Tehran, without U.S. military assistance, according to a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Hours before, for the first time in 20 years, the International Atomic Energy Agencys board of governors censured Iran for failing to comply with its ongoing investigation into the countrys nuclear work. Iran is likely to respond with missile or drone attacks of its own.

The Pentagon  concerned about an Israeli bombing operation against Tehrans nuclear facilities and possible Iranian reprisals  was prepared, having ordered a drawdown of nonessential diplomatic personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

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Rubio said in his statement that Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. He added, Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pining to hit Irans nuclear facilities with military force, the region seems to yet again be on the precipice of an all-out confrontation. So what, if anything, can President Donald Trump, the so-called dealmaker-in-chief who wants to spare the Middle East of further bloodshed, now do to prevent another war in the region?

Netanyahus position isnt surprising. The Israeli premier has spent the last decade highlighting just how dangerous a nuclear-armed Iran would be to Israel, the United States and the world at large. In 2015, he delivered a high-profile speech to Congress in a failed attempt to kill the Obama administrations nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Three years later, he convinced Trump that Obamas deal gave Tehran too much and Washington too little. That the deal put strict, verifiable limits over Irans entire nuclear apparatus  from the number of centrifuges Tehran could manufacture and operate to which nuclear-related equipment it could import  was deemed of little consequence.

However, in contrast to his first term, when he generally deferred to Israel on these matters, Trump is keeping Netanyahu at a distance this time, and he has already, on a number of occasions, chosen to disregard Netanyahus recommendations. Trump doesnt want war and in April decided to plunge into exploratory diplomacy with the Iranians in the hope that an agreement could be reached. For his part, Netanyahu couldnt care less about negotiations, views the entire diplomatic process as a smoke screen Iranians will inevitably use to their advantage, and remains persuaded that dropping bombs on Tehrans nuclear program is the more efficient way of dealing with the problem. Israeli officials presented the White House with a military plan in April that would have required U.S. military support to execute, but Trump rejected it in favor of continuing the talks.

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Ultimately, Trump is right to prefer diplomacy. Although the talks with Iranian officials have dragged on past Trumps initial two-month deadline, the prospect of wrapping up a brand new, comprehensive nuclear accord  entailing highly complicated discussions about nuclear physics and lifting sanctions  over such a short time period was always low. At times, Trump has shown frustration with the pace of the negotiations, accusing the Iranians of slowing things down and telling the New York Post this week that hes getting less confident about striking an agreement. Yet a day later, Trump was more upbeat, telling reporters that his team had very good discussions with Iran and that he would oppose Israel engaging in any military action as long as there was a decent probability of success.

Give Trump credit: For now, he appears to understand that military force is no magic pill, and he remains far more cautious than the Israelis about pulling the trigger. Trump warning Netanyahu during a phone call this week not to do anything that could jeopardize the negotiations reflects this dynamic. It also happens to be correct; it's likely this military strike on Irans nuclear program will, at best, buy a year, and thats assuming the United States and Israel are able to destroy some of the enrichment and centrifuge facilities the Iranians have buried deep underground.

A good agreement, however, could earn the countries decades of iron-clad limitations over Tehrans nuclear work as well as more people on the ground monitoring what the Iranians are doing on a daily basis. (The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the nuclear deal Trump threw into the garbage, included 10, 15 and 20-year restrictions on various nuclear activities.)

Just as importantly, with a deal, the United States would accomplish its goal of constraining Tehrans nuclear work without firing a shot and without having to manage the blowback of a military retaliation from Iran. And make no mistake: A U.S. or Israeli military operation against Iran would produce blowback. Iran may not be powerful relative to the United States, but it isnt powerless either. Tehran has spent months rebuilding its cruise and ballistic missile capability, retains strategic relationships with militia groups in Iraq, where 2,500 U.S. troops remain deployed, and possesses the ability to strike oil facilities and U.S. military bases in the Gulf Arab states.

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Iranian military retaliation could encompass anything from terrorist attacks against U.S., Western and Israeli targets, sabotage of civilian vessels in the Persian Gulf to large-scale missile strikes on Israel. Depending on how many projectiles the Iranians choose to use, Israeli air defense systems may have difficulty defending against such strikes.

One hopes Trumps advisers have briefed him on everything that could go wrong in the course of a war. Although Netanyahu may view an air campaign as quick, clean and decisive, it's more likely to be messy, risky and costly, and more likely to push Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei toward a nuclear bomb than into submission.

Trump campaigned on ending wars, not starting them, and turning the page from decades of ill-conceived preventative wars that killed thousands of U.S. service members and drained the U.S. Treasury. War with Iran would essentially negate everything Trump said on the campaign trail and expose him as no different than the presidents he rails against.

Trump, therefore, needs to be brutally honest with his Israeli counterpart. First, Washington is prioritizing the diplomatic track over other available options, and Israels military operations wont change that. Second, the United States views Israels decision to strike as not only premature but escalatory, even more so given the scheduled sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks set to take place this weekend. And third, while the United States respects Israels power to make sovereign decisions on behalf of its own security, Israel must also respect Americas power to stay out of a fight that doesnt serve its interests.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
During his first term in office, President Trump pulled no punches in his personal attacks on federal judges with whom he disagreed. For instance, in February 2017, Trump called U.S. District Judge James L. Robart a so-called judge after he temporarily stopped Trumps travel ban.

In his second term, Trump has upped the ante. In his all-caps 2025 Memorial Day message, Trump denounced what he claimed were USA-HATING JUDGES WHO SUFFER FROM AN IDEOLOGY THAT IS SICK, AND VERY DANGEROUS FOR OUR COUNTRY.

Presidents have long expressed their unhappiness with court decisions they disagree with, often in public. But President Trump takes a different approach from other presidents by personally attacking judges. This violates decades of norms of presidential respect for the judicial branch and has important consequences.

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Most notably, physical threats against federal judges reached an all-time high during Trumps first term. And things have only gotten worse.

This year alone, the U.S. Marshals Service, the law enforcement agency charged with protecting federal judges, has investigated almost 400 threats to federal judges, with 162 judges facing threats between March 1 and April 14.

Much of the recent intimidation comes in the form of pizza doxing, in which federal judges receive unsolicited pizza deliveries to their homes. The recipient of these deliveries is listed as Daniel Anderl, the late son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, who was killed by a gunman who was targeting Salas.

Recognizing this problem, Democratic members of Congress have introduced the Marshals Act, which would move the U.S. Marshals Service from the executive branch to the judicial branch, overseen by a board that includes the chief justice of the United States and the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body of the federal courts.

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Congress should pass this important legislation. By bringing the Marshals Service under the authority of the judicial branch, the nation can better protect the safety of federal judges.

In addition, the act anticipates two very real possibilities, helping the nation avoid a potential constitutional crisis.

First, the Trump administration has violated federal judicial orders relating to federal funding, the freedom of the press and the deportation of immigrants without due process of law. If the administration continues to ignore court decisions, the primary tool at the disposal of judges is to hold Trump administration lawyers in contempt of court. This usually begins with a fine, but can escalate to jail time if the administration continues to refuse to comply with court orders.

Heres the problem: The entity charged with enforcing a criminal contempt of court order by making the arrest is the U.S. Marshals Service.

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Since the Marshals are under the control of the executive branch, President Trump could simply order the Marshals not to enforce the court order. This would render the judicial branch powerless over the Trump administration, setting off a constitutional crisis.

By moving oversight of the Marshals from the executive branch to the judicial branch, we can avoid this crisis since federal judges would surely enforce their own orders.

Second, there are concerns that Trump may order the Marshals to stop protecting federal judges. This wouldnt be the first time Trump has removed protective details for federal officials.

For example, in his second term, Trump pulled security details for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former national security advisor John Bolton and President Bidens adult children, Ashley and Hunter Biden. It is hardly a stretch to imagine Trump removing the Marshals protection of federal judges.

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We can avoid this by putting the Marshals Service under the control of the judicial branch, which will no doubt ensure its judges get the protection they need.

As Chief Justice Roberts stated in May, Judicial independence is crucial to the American separation of powers system, which doesnt work if the judiciary is not independent. In the current era, our system of checks and balances is deteriorating, and the judicial branch is arguably its weakest link.

Passing the Marshals Act will strengthen judicial independence by allowing judges to render decisions free from concerns about intimidation or retribution from those who would do them harm.

Paul M. Collins, Jr. is a professor of Legal Studies and Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the coauthor of The President and the Supreme Court: Going Public on Judicial Decisions from Washington to Trump.

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President Donald Trump has for years dismissed critics of his mass deportation program as simply not understanding his policy genius. But in a rare apparent concession, the president posted to Truth Social on Thursday seeming to acknowledge how his immigration raids in particular have impacted American farmers.

Our great farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace, Trump wrote. That is not goodChanges are coming!

For once, hes right.

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Trump and his Republican supporters swept into office last year thanks to big promises to help Americas forgotten small farmers. Instead, theyve pillaged the land for cash and left struggling farmers with the bill. Farmers have warned their Republican lawmakers for months that mass deportations and tariff battles would cripple rural states agricultural economies. Battered by trade wars, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and a budget that slashes their take-home pay, Americas farmers have been fighting for their livelihoods. Its a fight that could rattle the foundations of the GOPs electoral coalition just as voters begin thinking about next years midterm elections.

Trumps ever-expanding use of ICE deportation raids made new waves this past week after anti-ICE protests broke out in Los Angeles, and Republicans reflexively focused on disparaging a Democratic city in turmoil. In reality, Trumps ICE raids have played out in red states like Nebraska, too, albeit without the same heavy TV coverage.

Farmers from California to Nebraska have shuttered operations in the wake of raids that carted off dozens of workers. In Florida, Trump voter Vincent Scardina choked back tears as he described a raid where ICE detained six of his longtime employees, all Nicaraguan men, The Daily Beast reported. Those men represent a third of Scardinas staff, and he has no idea how his business will replace them while staying afloat.

After the president promised to focus his efforts on capturing dangerous criminals, Trumps broad ICE raids feel like a betrayal to many farmers. The workers and families picked up in farm raids arent bloodthirsty gang members Republicans talk so much about. In many cases they are longtime family friends and senior team members. In one January raid that resulted in the arrests of over 1,200 people, nearly half of them had no criminal record at all.

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Farmers have also had to internalize a deep sense of unfairness in Trumps policies. The factory farms and meatpacking companies that donate to Republicans by a two-to-one margin have so far been spared ICE raids despite being among the nations biggest exploiters of illegal migrant labor. In an industry where two-thirds of workers are here illegally, federal enforcement seems to be falling almost exclusively on the smallest  and poorest  offenders.

If the relationship between Republicans and their rural base was already strained over immigration, Trumps brutal federal spending cuts sent things into a deep freeze. In April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture slashed over $1 billion from a federal food-purchasing program that served as a lifeline for farmers in Iowa, North Dakota and across the plains. Anna Pesek, who owns Over the Moon Farm, told the North Dakota Monitor that Trumps cuts would shrink her business by about 10% and worsen her already tight profit margins. Follow the supply chain and youll also find that rural food banks depend on that program to stock food for hungry families.

Again, not everyone is suffering equally. Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill proposes even more cuts to USDA support programs that form the backbone of a small farmers life and business. House Republicans have proposed the deepest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in history, amounting to over $300 billion in reductions. For the farmers who supply SNAP with healthy produce, those cuts mean devastating income losses and even farm closures.

The world looks a lot different if you run one of the megafarms owned by a multinational corporation like Cargill. Big agribusiness spent over $178 million on federal lobbying last year, and in return Trumps budget showers Americas richest farmers with billions of dollars in subsidies. Taxpayer money that once supported rural schools, food banks, adult education centers and health clinics will instead help megafarms drive even more small farmers out of business.

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Despite asking the small farmers who voted for him to accept massive cuts in federal support, Trumps budget still expands USDAs budget by $56.6 billion. Almost all of that increase  $52.3 billion  comes in the form of expanded subsidies that are mostly claimed by industrial farms growing key staple crops. Indianas 25,000 small farmers may be losing their local health clinics and workers, but at least the executives at Archer Daniels Midland can afford another round of bonuses.

All of that unhappiness is causing serious problems for Republicans in areas that used to be political strongholds. Trumps approval recently fell to a low of 38%, driven in large part by erosion in the GOPs core support. Rural voters have consistently supported Trump at the ballot box, and he even improved his numbers with them last year, to a record 63%. Those days are over: An NPR/PBS/Marist poll conducted in April found that only 4 in 10 rural voters approve of Trump today.

Republican lawmakers know how difficult it will be to hold critical swing districts if they stay this unpopular with core constituencies like heartland farmers. That puts the House Republicans who represent rural areas in a real bind, because they have no good answers for Trumps betrayal of family farmers. Back in February, seven of Wisconsins GOP lawmakers simply didnt show up for a community forum hosted by the Wisconsin Farmers Union. Running from your voters isnt a winning strategy.

Faced with the mounting political cost of his policy failures on rural Americans, Trump now promises that Changes are coming! The millions of farmers who helped send him to the White House last year are done waiting.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Bezalel Smotrich, Israels minister of Finance, leads the Religious Zionist Party in the Israeli parliament. Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of National Security in the Netanyahu government, leads the Otzma Yehudit Party. The two men constitute the farthest-right position in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus right-wing government.

Both men have opposed humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Both have supported the transfer of all Palestinians out of Gaza. Both have also downplayed violence against West Bank Palestinians as well as the construction of illegal settlements there.

And now both have been sanctioned by four major American allies: Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand, as well as Norway.

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The five nations are freezing the assets of both men and are barring them from entry, because, as they explained in a joint statement, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights. Extremist rhetoric advocating the forced displacement of Palestinians and the creation of new Israeli settlements is appalling and dangerous. These actions are not acceptable.

The statement also discusses the conditions in Gaza, asserting that there must be no unlawful transfer of Palestinians from Gaza or within the West Bank, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip, without mentioning Ben-Gvir and Smotrich in that context, though both have been outspoken advocates of those policies.

There is nothing new about their racism and their advocacy of the harshest treatment of Palestinians. As young man, Smotrich bitterly opposed Israels 2005 withdrawal from Gaza and was arrested and jailed for three weeks that year on suspicion of participating in an attempt to blow up Ayalon Highway, the major road that runs through Tel Aviv and skirts the area where the Israeli defense ministry headquarters are located.

In 2016, Smotrich tweeted that Arab and Jewish women should be segregated in hospital wards, because, he argued, it is natural that my wife would not want to lie down next to someone who just gave birth to a baby that might want to murder her baby in another 20 years. In 2023, as a member of Netanyahus government, Smotrich asserted that there is no such thing as a Palestinian nation. In November of that year, he called for the voluntary migration of Gazans, subsequently stated that Israel needed to encourage immigration  and has vocally supported the Trump plan to do just that.

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Ben-Gvirs radicalism makes Smotrich look tame by comparison. Ast age 16, Ben-Gvir joined Kach, the racist anti-Arab party founded by Meir Kahane that the Israeli government branded a terrorist organization. Kach advocated the expulsion of all Arabs from Israel; Ben-Gvir served as one of its youth coordinators.

In 1995, Ben-Gvir vandalized Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabins official car. Appearing on television, he flaunted the cars hood ornament and announced that we got his car and well get to him too. Only a few weeks later, Rabin was assassinated.

Whereas Smotrich served in the Israel Defense Forces, though not in a combat unit, Ben-Gvir was disqualified from joining the military because of his radical background. Indicted on dozens of occasions, he was convicted in 2007 for incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organization. This convicted criminal now is now in charge of Israels police and prisons.

Like Smotrich, Ben-Gvir has advocated settler expansion in the West Bank, and has strongly defended settler attacks on Palestinians. He has argued that Jewish freedom of movement in the West Bank is a higher priority than that for Palestinians. As a government minister he has been a strong supporter of extremist demonstrations, which often result in violence against Palestinians. He has opposed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and, like Smotrich, has advocated for their removal from the enclave.

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It is no wonder then that both men are no longer welcome in the U.K., Canada and Australia. The wonder is that they continue to be welcome in America. Smotrich visited Washington this year, and Ben-Gvir in particular has been granted a heros welcome elsewhere in America.

It is time that Washington followed the lead of its close allies. Smotrich and Ben-Gvir should both be sanctioned and no longer be welcome anywhere in the U.S.

Dov S. Zakheim is a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and vice chairman of the board for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. He was undersecretary of Defense (comptroller) and chief financial officer for the Department of Defense from 2001 to 2004 and a deputy undersecretary of Defense from 1985 to 1987.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A panel of judges is openly defying Trump administration policy  and effectively allowing a Chinese firm to keep stealing an American semiconductor technology used in everything from self-driving cars to satellites.

These judges are not members of the judicial branch. They are executive branch employees, and the Trump administration has the authority to overrule their dangerous decision. It should do so immediately to protect American workers and uphold the rule of law.

But the administration will also need to implement broader reforms  and work with Congress to codify them  to prevent rogue administrative judges from helping Chinese companies pilfer U.S. intellectual property in the future.

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The administrative patent judges in question work for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, a powerful part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They just sided with Innoscience, a Chinese firm locked in a years-long legal battle with Efficient Power Conversion, a California-based semiconductor innovator.

Efficient Power Conversion accused the Chinese firm of stealing its patented technology and selling knockoff chips. It took its case to the U.S. International Trade Commission, which investigates trade violations and protects American industries from unfair competition. After a 16-month investigation  including a trial, depositions, and expert testimony  the commission found that Innoscience had indeed stolen the technology and that Efficient Power Conversions patent was valid.

As a result, the commission barred the Chinese firm from selling the infringing chips in the U.S. And after its mandatory review period, the White House allowed the ruling to stand.

That should have settled the matter. But separately, Innoscience challenged Efficient Power Conversions patent at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which ultimately invalidated key claims in the patent. This ruling handed Innoscience fresh ammunition to challenge the import ban and try to resume flooding the U.S. market with stolen technology.

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This is a direct assault on American innovation and the Trump administrations efforts to crack down on Chinese intellectual property theft.

Worse still, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board should never have taken the case.

The first Trump administration issued guidance barring the Patent Trial and Appeal Board from reviewing patents already being litigated in parallel forums. This policy was designed to protect smaller American companies from being overwhelmed by duplicative litigation across multiple venues.

Put simply, patent disputes should be handled in court, or at the International Trade Commission, or at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board  but not all three.

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That changed in 2022 when the Biden administration reversed the policy. This gave Innoscience an opening to request a Patent Trial and Appeal Board review in 2023. The Patent Trial and Appeal Board accepted  and in 2024, proceeded with a review of Efficient Power Conversions patent, even though the International Trade Commission had already completed its exhaustive trial and was days away from issuing its final decision.

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board, applying lower evidentiary standards than a court, invalidated the patent. It issued its ruling on March 18, 2025  weeks after the second Trump administration had reversed Bidens policy and reinstated the original rules, which on its own should have blocked the Patent Trial and Appeal Board from acting.

The director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office can reverse this decision. That should happen immediately. Overturning the Patent Trial and Appeal Board s ruling would align with the commission and block the theft of a vital American technology.

But righting this one wrong isnt enough. The system that allowed this must be reformed to prevent future abuses.

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That means putting the new Patent Trial and Appeal Board guidance through the formal rulemaking process, thus making it harder for a future administration to reverse it arbitrarily. Even more important: Congress must act. Bipartisan legislation like the PREVAIL Act would bar duplicative Patent Trial and Appeal Board challenges and hold it to the same evidentiary standards as federal courts.

As a member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, I know how important it is to protect our innovation from theft by our most determined adversary. Passing this law would reaffirm Americas commitment to its inventors, send a clear message to China, and stop unelected bureaucrats from hijacking trade enforcement.

Americas economic security depends on innovation. We cant afford to let the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries sabotage our innovators.

Nathaniel Moran represents the 1st District of Texas and is a member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

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(COLORADO)  On Thursday, June 12, the Southeast Colorado Opioid Region 19 (SECOR) provided a public update on how its opioid epidemic education program is impacting the community.

The Colorado Attorney Generals Office was part of a national lawsuit pursuing compensation from pharmaceutical companies over the opioid epidemic. Each state in the lawsuit was awarded opioid settlement funds to deal with the epidemic.

Region 19 is made up of board members from nine counties in Southeast Colorado: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers and Pueblo. Using the awarded funds, the region created an app called SoCoYoGo, meaning Southern Colorado Youth Go.

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Users of the app can earn digital Pueblo chile seeds and then redeem them for free food, merch, and more around Pueblo. Its a youth-only platform addressing barriers youth have when participating in positive and healthy opportunities in Pueblo County. Youth then earn rewards for visiting certain social and community locations that are redeemable at local businesses.

We have a lot of assets here in Pueblo. We have a lot of schools and afterschool programs, and creating more like parks and things, like more activities for youth to do, said Jessica Apodaca, Program Manager with the Pueblo Department of Health and Environment. And so thats where the SoCoYoGo program came from, is really creating those pro-social activities so that, you know, youth have things to do so theyre not engaging in risky behaviors.

SoCoYoGo is a free service available on all devices and it can also be used on desktop at SoCoYoGo.com.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has once again raised the topic of Ukraine during his regular Friday interview on pro-government radio, using the occasion to offer some advice to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: Hungarian pro-government news agency MTI, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Orban complained that "without us, without the West, Ukraine would not last a day, not only unable to fight Russia but unable to exist"  arguing this precludes its EU membership.

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Quote: "We know exactly who the Ukrainian president is; we know Ukrainians and who they are. They should not pose as champions of morality before us, as they have no right to do so."

Details: Orban cited a recent interview Zelenskyy gave to a Hungarian media outlet, which he perceived as threatening Hungary with "facts and documents unknown to us".

He added that if Zelenskyy has evidence of something offensive, he should disclose it, "not threaten or intimidate".

"President Zelenskyy must understand that Hungary belongs to Hungarians. He cannot make demands here or speak condescendingly. If he wants something, he must come here honestly, with due modesty, and state his request. We will respond accordingly," Orban said.

Background:

On 12 June, Orban complained of alleged threats from Ukraine and stated that Ukrainians should be grateful to Hungary.

Previously, the Hungarian leader responded sternly to an interview Zelenskyy gave to a Hungarian media outlet, in which he accused Budapest of interfering in Ukraines internal affairs.

Read also: Orban wants a "war" with Ukraine. What dangers this brings and how Kyiv should act

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America in One Room, a collaboration between Stanford Universitys Deliberative Democracy Lab and Helena, a nonprofit, hosted a deliberative poll in Philadelphia in June 2025 focusing on immigration, healthcare, voting, and other issues. Voters from around Pennsylvania gathered to discuss these issues and try to reach consensus on policy proposals. (Carter Walker / Votebeat)

This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access.

After years of fruitless debate in Pennsylvanias legislature about whether and how to update the commonwealths election laws, a civics project is trying to see whether ordinary voters have better luck reaching a consensus on issues such as early voting and voter ID.

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Nearly 200 Pennsylvanians gave it a shot last weekend in an effort organized by Stanford Universitys Deliberative Democracy Lab and Helena, a nonprofit that describes itself as a global problem solving organization.

The discussions among the participants, gathered in small groups at a Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia, spotlighted the way ordinary voters process the issues that fuel political rhetoric, legislative debates, and court battles.

In one exchange, William Sontag, a participant from Chester County, said he was baffled about what the argument against new voter ID requirements might be.

Sarah Dewey, from Bucks County, told him about a friend who had been homeless for a time, with no identification. Dewey said she wasnt necessarily against voter ID, but worried that the cost of obtaining it could be prohibitive.

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After about 15 minutes of discussion, the group coalesced around the idea that requiring an ID to vote would be acceptable, so long as there were no barriers to getting one. They also decided to ask an expert panel later that day whether the cost of getting an ID could be considered a poll tax.

Assessing the will of the people through a deliberative poll

Sontag, Dewey, and the rest of the participants got involved in the project after the organizers randomly selected them from across Pennsylvania, using a method meant to proportionally represent the states geographic regions, as well as demographic and political characteristics, such as age, race, education, and political leaning. Participants were paid for their time.

Focusing on a single states policies was a novel approach for the American in One Room project, a collaborative effort between the Deliberative Democracy Lab and Helena which have organized four similar nationally focused events since 2019.

This type of event is called a deliberative poll. Participants are provided with relevant information on the issues and access to policy experts. They also take a survey meant to gauge their opinions both before and after the event, to see how the deliberation affected their policy preferences. A control group of residents who arent participating in the deliberations also take the poll as a basis for comparison.

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The idea is to get a better assessment of the will of the people, said James Fishkin, a communications and political science professor at Stanford and director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab.

Besides elections, participants in the Pennsylvania event talked about healthcare, immigration, and housing, among other topics. Many of the election topics mirrored proposals currently being debated in Harrisburg as part of an omnibus voting reform package sponsored by state House Speaker Joanna McClinton, a Philadelphia Democrat, who answered participants questions on election issues on the third day.

Fishkin said deliberative polling can prompt policy changes, as it did during consideration of constitutional changes in Mongolia in 2019  a process that Stanford was also involved with. Deliberative polling also played a role in energy policy debates in Texas, after the Legislature there ordered it as part of its planning process.

A Helena representative said McClinton will use the results of its Pennsylvania poll to inform her priorities in ongoing negotiations with the state Senate over sweeping election legislation that passed the state House last month.

Weighing difficult policy questions, tradeoffs

Participants wrestled with a list of thorny election policy questions, including whether to install video cameras to monitor ballot drop boxes; audit a random sample of ballots to check the accuracy of election results; implement in-person early voting; allow counties to begin processing mail ballots ahead of Election Day; create criminal penalties for misleading, deceiving, or intimidating voters; preregister voters at age 16; and require photo identification to vote.

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Many of those policies are part of McClintons election bill, which organizers said they used to select the topics for discussion.

In the group discussion observed by Votebeat and Spotlight PA, participants reached agreement on many of the questions posed to them, but its hard to know if they had all the information.

For instance, participants were assigned to consider whether Pennsylvania should allow 11 days of early voting, as McClintons bill proposes. The briefing document listed increased accessibility as an argument for the proposal, and increased cost as an argument against, among other pros and cons.

One factor they didnt consider: that the states current version of quasi-early voting  in which voters can apply for, complete, and return a mail ballot in person at an elections office  has prompted long lines and confusion. Pennsylvania election officials said they expect that to be an issue for them and for voters in the 2026 and 2028 federal elections.

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Instead, the participants in that group looked at early voting only from a redundancy standpoint.

If mail-in ballots remain, then I dont see a need for this, Dewey, from Bucks County, said.

Others in the room agreed with her. Roy Bell, a poll worker from Delaware County, cited the cost of adding personnel for early voting, and election officials difficulties in enough poll workers.

Errors in the briefing materials

In addition, the briefing materials provided to participants were not entirely accurate.

For example, the section on pre-canvassing mail ballots said Pennsylvania currently permits election officials to begin processing mail-in and absentee ballots ahead of time but restricts how early this can start. Pennsylvanias election code does not allow any pre-canvassing  the technical term for this process  of mail ballots before Election Day.

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It also said that an argument against allowing pre-canvassing is that it could increase wait times before results. Its actually the opposite: Election officials say allowing pre-canvassing would speed up results.

Other portions of the briefing were accurate but incomplete, such as a section on post-election audits that did not mention that Pennsylvania already requires two such audits. Some of the citations in the report also included broken links.

Votebeat and Spotlight PA used GPTzero, a tool that detects whether text is generated using artificial intelligence, to see whether any of the election portions of the briefing had been written by AI. The tool found that for many of the sections on election issues between 80% and 100% of the text was AI-generated.

WITF, an NPR affiliate in Harrisburg, also found errors in other areas of the document.

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A spokesperson for the Deliberative Democracy Lab said the briefing materials were developed by research assistants and incorporated materials from previous events. An advisory committee  only one member of which was from Pennsylvania  reviewed the materials, and AI was used to help address recommendations and simplify the language to an 8th-grade reading level, reflecting the average level of a US adult, the spokesperson said in an email response to questions.

Some information, including the currently required audits, was excluded so as not to overwhelm the participants, the spokesperson said.

Organizers said they were confident in the integrity of the deliberations, and would note any errors in their final results. Due to the error in the pre-canvassing pros and cons list flagged by Votebeat and Spotlight PA, the Deliberative Democracy Lab said data from that proposal would be excluded.

These errors appear to have been introduced during an editing and review process of human-created material in which some AI tools were used to assist, Fishkin said.

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We apologize for these errors and are reviewing our processes to ensure that such issues do not occur in the future, Fishkin said. We are, however, confident that in totality, the materials provided to participants were reliable and allowed for a fact-based civil dialogue, which is at the heart of the Deliberative Polling process.

Carter Walker is a reporter for Votebeat in partnership with Spotlight PA. Contact Carter at cwalker@votebeat.org.

Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization covering local election integrity and voting access. Sign up for their newsletters here.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Oregon legislature passed a trimmed-down version of a bill on Thursday that would allow striking workers to receive unemployment benefits.

Senate Bill 916 repeals a law that denies unemployment insurance benefits to unemployed Oregonians due to an active labor dispute, allowing striking workers who are otherwise eligible for UI to receive the benefits under the bill.

The bill passed on Thursday after failing in the Senate.

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DONT MISS: Oregon bill offering unemployment benefits to striking workers could destabilize school services, superintendents warn

Initially, the bill allowed striking workers to receive up to 26-weeks of benefits, except during a recession or as the economy recovers from a recession, when workers are less likely to strike. Lawmakers in the House passed the bill, however the legislation hit a snag in the Senate.

On Tuesday, lawmakers held a Conference Committee hearing in a group made up of members of senators and representatives. There, the lawmakers discussed amendments to the bill. This included deductions in backpay for teachers who claim unemployment during a strike and trimming the initial 26-weeks of unemployment benefits to 10 weeks, which lawmakers passed on Thursday.

During the Conference Committee hearing, Representative Dacia Grayber (D-SW Portland East Beaverton) said she felt the 10-week amendment is a massive compromise.

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Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas

Its not something Im entirely thrilled with, Grayber said. When unemployment insurance was developed in Oregon, I do believe that we were living in very different economic times in a very different political reality where we have over the last few decades watched systemic disenfranchisement.

Grayber, who was among chief sponsors of the bill, told KOIN 6 News in a statement on Friday, This is a historic win for the working people of Oregon. Nobody should starve or lose their health care while a fair contract is being bargainedand SB 916 was crafted to expedite ending strikes by bringing parties to the table with more urgency for a last, best, and final offer.

In addition to the previous House changes made to be responsive to the revenue forecast, protective of the UI fund, and streamline the process for schools, the changes adopted by the Conference Committee limit striking workers to receiving benefits for ten weeks, a sixteen-week reduction from the bill we passed out of the House last week. While I am disappointed with this reduction, it is a testament to the power of compromise, and the ability of legislators to bridge divides to secure policy wins for working Oregonians, the representative added.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

During the Conference Committee hearing, Senator Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) voiced his opposition against the amendment or the underlying bill, decrying the bills provision allowing both public and private sector employees to receive unemployment benefits while on strike.

For me, its too much to ask of the system and structure that we have in place, Bonham said.  We have a healthy fund today due in no small part because all the agreements over the years have been honored. It is a healthy enough (unemployment) fund that I dont know that this will be a massive draw on it but again, the kids will lose if teachers are incentivized to strike. Weve always been able to negotiate for backpay but then the framework coming back from strike, incentivizing strikes in this way, in my opinion, youre decreasing the threshold for which someone wouldnt be burdened by a strike and thus I think youre incentivizing a strike.

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Portland leaders address community ahead of weekend demonstrations

Bonham issued a press release after the bills passage, calling the bill a terrible idea.

Democrats just made it easier to strike against schools and public servicesand stuck taxpayers with the bill. But the people who will suffer most are the kids, the ones without a lobbyist or a vote, whose school days will be lost so unions can cash in, Bonham said.

After passing the House and Senate, the bill heads to Oregon Governor Tina Koteks desk for signature.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  At least 20 different No Kings protests have been scheduled around Georgia for Saturday and one organizer spoke with WSAV about what it means to them.

Coastal Georgia for Democracy is one of the organizers of what may be 2,000 national No Kings protests.

One of the founders of Coastal Georgia for Democracy, Kris Mecholsky, said the meaning behind the No Kings message is to present the simple idea to the Trump administration that they dont want a king.

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Were fundamentally bothered and disturbed by the lack of separation of powers and the lack of following the rule of law and the Constitution, Mecholsky said. One example is that the administration is detaining people with no due process and deporting them to foreign countries and foreign prisons.

ICE contracts Southeast Georgia prison to create largest detention center in U.S

Coastal Georgia for Democracy said they are committed to ensuring this protest and all of the events they are involved in follow a non-violence policy.

We have been a very peaceful group determined to be peaceful, Mecholsky said. The police have always worked with us and work to help ensure that things go safely.

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The Savannah Police Department gave WSAV a statement in regard to the protest:

The Savannah Police Department supports First Amendment rights. We are aware of the demonstrations planned on Saturday, June 14, and have a security plan in place in order to keep our citizens, visitors and those exercising their First Amendment rights safe. Per our policy, we do not discuss security tactics, techniques and procedures for planned events.

Mecholsky said that they will organize at Thomas Park at 11 a.m. and march up to Forsyth Park around the famers market, ending at the fountain. He said that he expects a good-sized turn out to join their cause.

Since Trump has been in power, when we have registrations, were seeing three times the number of people who signed up, Mecholsky said.

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Mecholsky continued, We are veterans, retirees, we are just working people, construction workers and restaurant workers, you name it. People are coming out. Theyre volunteering their time.

Mayor Van Johnson also issued a statement Friday:

As Mayor of this great City, I want to reaffirm Savannahs unwavering respect for the constitutional rights of all Americans to peacefully assemble, protest, and demonstrate. The freedom of expression is a cornerstone of our democracy, and we will always support the right of our citizens to make their voices heard peacefully and lawfully.

However, let me be clearwhile peaceful protest is protected, criminality is not. We will not tolerate violence, destruction, or any acts that seek harm to people, property, or our community. Savannah is a city built on resilience, pride, and unity. Savannahians will not stand for anyone attempting to mess up our City.

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We are actively monitoring all developments and are fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any emergency situation. Our law enforcement and public safety teams are on alert and ready to act to protect our residents, our businesses, and our historic city.

Let us continue to stand together in peace, purpose, and respect. Savannah is strong, and we intend to keep it that way.

Local and state leaders have responded and released statements regarding the recent Immigration Control and Enforcement (ICE) raids and the protests against them.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued a stern warning to anyone planning to protest this weekend on Wednesday.

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While the Savannah event begins at 11 a.m. at Thomas Square Park, a Bluffton protest will be in front of the Beaufort County Government Building starting at 4 p.m. Saturday. There are rallies at noon in Beaufort and Hilton Head as well.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Key Points

Technology-focused ETFs are some of the hottest in the market right now thanks to rising interest in artificial intelligence (AI).

While Cathie Wood's various ETFs or the Invesco QQQ Trust garner a lot of attention, I see another fund that's the better buy.

The Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF provides investors with exposure to AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, infrastructure services, enterprise software, and so much more.

10 stocks we like better than Wedbush Series Trust - Dan Ives Wedbush Ai Revolution ETF 

If you watch financial news programs such as CNBC or Bloomberg, chances are you're familiar with a technology analyst named Dan Ives. Ives is a managing director and global head of technology research at Wedbush Securities.

Over the last few years, he has rose to prominence due to his coverage of several hot themes fueling the next chapter of the technology industry: artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data analytics, autonomous driving, and more.

Below, I'm going to dig into the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (NYSEMKT: IVES) and explain why it's my top exchange-traded fund opportunity over the next decade.

What is in the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF?

If you're unfamiliar with ETFs, you can think of them as a basket of stocks. Many ETFs revolve around a specific theme, such as AI or dividend stocks.

Given Ives spends his time researching technology businesses, it's not surprising to learn that tech is the theme of his ETF. Per the fund's documentation, the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF holds positions in each of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks as well as emerging opportunities such as Broadcom, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Oracle, Palantir, ServiceNow, Advanced Micro Devices, Salesforce, and International Business Machines.

By owning the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF, investors gain exposure to megacap technology stocks, leading semiconductor opportunities, infrastructure services players, cloud computing, enterprise software businesses, and even quantum computing.

Not only does this provide investors with a fair level of diversified holdings, but it also allows investors to gain passive exposure to many companies leading the AI revolution without chasing momentum and paying a premium.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why do I like this ETF over other technology-focused funds?

When it comes to technology-focused ETFs, my guess is your mind races right to the Invesco QQQ Trust or any one of Cathie Wood's ETFs over at Ark Invest. While investing in those funds has merit, I think the Dan IVES Wedbush AI Revolution ETF has an edge.
The number of planned "No Kings" protests across Florida and the United States is growing.

The events are scheduled to take place Saturday, June 14, and coincide with Flag Day, President Trump's 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary celebration and military parade taking place in Washington, D.C.

About 2,000 protests and rallies have registered at the nokings.org website across the US, with more than 80 in Florida.

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The "No Kings" day protests were planned before riots erupted in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement raids. Trump called in the California National Guard and a few days later ordered Marines to the city. California Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit over the presidents move to deploy members of the Guard without Newsoms authorization.

 Live updates: Court sides with Trump over control of National Guard in California

Here's who is organizing the events, the purpose behind them and how to stay safe if you'll be attending or be in the area.

What is 'No Kings' day protest on June 14?

"'No Kings' is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office  a mass, nationwide protest rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy," according to nokings.org.

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"Theyve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too. far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.

"Were standing together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption. On June 14, we gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King!

Who is organizing the 'No Kings' day?

"The 'No Kings' theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration," according to the Associated Press.

"The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement."

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Another event organizer is Indivisible, which calls itself "a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda."

Formed in 2016, Indivisible said it "rejects all forms of political violence and intimidation, no matter the source or the target."

"I think we will see the largest peaceful single day protests that this country has seen certainly since the first Trump term," said Indivisible cofounder Ezra Levin, one of the organizers. Levin previously served as associate director of federal policy for Prosperity Now.

Where are 'No Kings' day protests in Florida?

According to the No Kings website, more than 80 protests (including several in some cities) are planned across Florida as of June 13, including a No Kings Caravan March to Mar a Lago and Meyer Rally near Trump's residence in West Palm Beach.

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 Find an event near you

Organizers were urged to "prioritize landmarks or other public sites with high-visibility, like state capitols or city halls, major parks, or in other high traffic outdoor areas in your community."

'No Kings' day events to be live streamed

How to stay safe during 'No Kings' day protests

Authorities are urging both protesters and residents to stay informed and prioritize safety.

"All No Kings events adhere to a shared commitment to nonviolent protest and community safety. Organizers are trained in de-escalation and are working closely with local partners to ensure peaceful and powerful actions nationwide," nokings.org said.

 Protesting on 'No Kings Day'? Here's how you can stay safe and protect your rights

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Among the items experts at Physicians for Human Rights suggest bringing are:

Backpack, fanny pack to keep your hands free

Face mask or bandanna to shield your eyes from pepper spray or tear gas

Water

Avoid wearing contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals

Comfortable clothes and closed shoes. Cover as much skin as possible and consider bringing a spare set of clothes

Identification, contact information

What are your rights in Florida when it comes to protesting?

According to the ACLU of Florida, the First Amendment generally prohibits restrictions based on speech content.

However, this does not mean the Constitution completely protects all types of speech in every circumstance.

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"For example, threatening someone with violence is not protected," the organization writes on its website. "Additionally, government officials are allowed to place certain reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and narrowly drawn 'time, place, and manner' restrictions on the exercise of First Amendment rights."

Florida Statutes 871.015 state that a person may not "knowingly engage in protest activities or knowingly cause protest activities to occur within 500 feet of the property line of a residence, cemetery, funeral home, house of worship, or other location during or within 1 hour before or 1 hour after the conducting of a funeral or burial at that place."

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, USA Today

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: No Kings day organizers, Florida locations. Violence expected?
STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma State University (OSU) and A&M Board of Regents announced Friday, students will not see an tuition increase for the fourth straight year.

According to OSU, leaders are placing the focus on students and higher education access.

OSU/A&M Board of Regents Chair Jimmy Harrel shared his thoughts after the vote.

As Regents of the Oklahoma State University System, we are pleased to maintain tuition and mandatory academic fees without increase for the fourth consecutive year, Harrel said. The decision reflects the commitment of the regents and university leadership to maintaining the affordability and accessibility of a college education. It is our land-grant mission to provide those opportunities to as many students as possible, for the betterment of our communities, the state and our country.

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The boards decision keeps OSUs tuition rates affordable and accessible for students and their families.

Governor Stitt quietly signs several Education bills

OSU President Jim Hess echoed that sentiment and expressed his gratitude for the regents focus on students.

We are deeply grateful to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents for once again voting to keep tuition and mandatory academic fees flat, reaffirming our commitment to putting students first and fulfilling our land-grant mission, Dr. Hess said. We are called to widen the doors of opportunity, and by holding the line on tuition, we ensure that a world-class education remains within reach for every Oklahoman willing to work for it. This decision supports our mission to educate the next generation of leaders, from the classroom to the community.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
OLIVE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  With all but one finalist having dropped out of the running to be the next Ottawa County administrator, the Board of Commissioners did not make a decision on hiring Thursday.

The board held its interview with U.S. Army Col. Michael Tremblay, speaking to him for about a 1.5 hours. But the board was not prepared to vote on whether or not to hire him, with commissioners saying they wanted time to consider next steps and additional candidates.

The Holland Sentinel reports the search will resume during the boards June 24 meeting.

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The county previously said it wanted to pick a candidate this month, with the goal of the new administrator starting in late July or early August. Its unclear whether that timeline is still viable.

Tremblay told commissioners he thinks he would be a good fit for the job, but acknowledged their demanding job with a lot of competing interests.

Col. Michael Tremblay is interviewed by Ottawa County commissioners on June 12, 2025, as they seek a new county administrator. (Courtesy Ottawa County)

Youre going to go back and make a decision, drive on. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. And if ultimately decide to go a different way or do something else, I totally get that, too, he said. I will tell you this: I think I would do a great job for Ottawa County. I think I do a great job for the commissioners. I think I do a great job for the county.

1 candidate remains as Ottawa County seeks new administrator

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He was the only remaining finalist after four others pulled their names from consideration. Mark Eisenbarth, currently the Muskegon County administrator, withdrew Tuesday. Glen Salyer, currently a deputy county administrator in Florida, withdrew Monday.

We lost four candidates and maybe one left  because of how we acted in our board meeting last week, but the others did not. There were legitimate reasons why people withdrew. And so among the board commissioners and throughout the community, nobody should be pointing fingers at anybody about where we are, Board Chair John Teeples said.

The Holland Sentinel reports the boards June 4 meeting was contentious as commissioners disagreed about whether discussion of a number of administrator candidates should be in public or in closed session.

Nobody has a right to take credit. Nobody has a right to point (fingers). This is just part of the process, I think, and circumstances the way they are. So I think from that standpoint, we could all just take a breath, right? Remember were on a common cause to find the absolute best under the circumstances, Teeples said Thursday.

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Nearly all the board members are Republicans, but they are split into two factions. One is members backed by conservative political action committee Ottawa Impact. The other is Republicans unaffiliated with that group and includes Teeples as chair.

The last two times, weve lost a lot of candidates. And I think we, as a board, have a responsibility, Teeples said. We are the face of the county and how we act gets out on social media, its in the newspapers, its in the national press. We need to be leaders that that that people cant go on YouTube and say, I dont want to go there. We think, we all believe that Ottawa County is the plum colony of the state of Michigan. But people coming from the outside, they may not see that in us because of how we as a commission act.

I think our community needs to see us start to get along so that we can heal this county and have be less divisive, he added.

Ottawa County has been without a permanent administrator since February 2024, when then- board Chair Joe Moss and Ottawa Impact fired John Gibbs, whom they had put in the role during their first meeting in January 2023. Jon Anderson, a candidate for sheriff last year, filled the role on an interim basis before ultimately stepping down in October 2024. Deputy Administrator Benjamin Wetmore temporarily stepped in before he reached a severance agreement with the board in December. Gary Rosema, a former Ottawa County sheriff, has been serving in the role on an interim basis since January. He said all along he would not take the job long-term and hoped to be done in about six months.

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The next county administrator will make between $200,000 and $260,000, according to a job description shared with commissioners in April.

News 8s Byron Tollefson contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
MIAMI, Okla.  An Ottawa County man charged with violent acts in two separate incidents was acquitted in one of the cases after a two-day trial earlier this month.

Travis Wilburs trial on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon ended with a not guilty verdict in Ottawa County District Court on June 3.

The charges stem from an encounter with Jeffrey Littlefield and Michael Wiser at Sycamore Valley Creek in July of 2022. According to court testimony, the two men said they were packing up to leave the area and were searching for Wisers cell phone, when they said Wilbur attacked them.

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Wilbur reportedly came after the pair with a bat-like object, hitting Littlefield in the ribs and Wiser in the head, according to testimony. Littlefield said that after the attack, he drove Wiser to Grove INTEGRIS Hospital.

Prosecutor Chris Garner said one of the states witnesses was uncooperative, which affected the jurys verdict.

MURDER CASE

In an unrelated case, Wilbur is due back in court on Oct. 5, where he is charged with first degree murder for the fatal shooting of Matthew Vincent Locastro, 27, of Miami, in January 2024. Locastro died from a gunshot wound to the head.

In October, the court will either set a date for a plea hearing or for a trial.

Court records show Wilbur and Locastro were arguing and then struggled over a gun. He claimed the gun discharged during the struggle. His attorney argued Wilbur should be immune from prosecution due to the Castle Doctrine.

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Court records say there was a total of five gunshots heard on the ring camera recording. When the last gunshot is heard, Locastro is seen falling to the ground, according to the affidavit.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The OU Board of Regents approved a tuition and fees increase for the 2025-2026 academic year during its Thursday meeting.

This is the fifth year in a row that the University of Oklahoma has raised its tuition.

The board approved a 3% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate students at the OU-Norman campus and in OU Online programs; the OU College of Law will see a 5% increase for all students.

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The OU Health Sciences campus will also see a 2% to 4% increase for undergraduate and graduate programs, including ten professional programs.

RELATED: OU Board of Regents considering tuition increase, OSU wants no change

The revenue increase will go towards raises for employees, adding new engineering faculty positions, more money for study abroad scholarships and research, and maintenance projects.

A key component of the adjustment is a merit-based raise program, helping OU recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff in a competitive talent landscape, new strategic faculty positions to advance academic and research endeavors, expanding student opportunity through increased access to study abroad, undergraduate research, and high-impact learning experiences and addressing critical deferred maintenance projects. These investments are central to fulfilling OUs pursuit of delivering an affordable and accessible education while driving innovation and discovery. University of Oklahoma

News 4 visited the OU Norman campus on Wednesday and spoke with an undergraduate student and her mother, who were visiting the campus.

I just hope they dont do that, said Janice Balkenbush, visiting the campus with her undergraduate daughter. Because its already a struggle trying to come up with the finances to be able to send her here.

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During a June 4 press conference, Governor Kevin Stitt voiced his opinion when asked about where he stood on Regents potentially raising tuition rates.

My gut feeling is no, we dont need a tuition increase at this point, said Stitt. I dont think weve gotten all of the efficiency out of our, out of our universities. Look for efficiencies. Look for the professors that maybe arent teaching as many classes as they should.

The new rates, which range between 3% to 9% depending on the college, will go into effect this fall.

To view the full news release on the budget approval, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
When a black Jeep rolled into the Home Depot car park just after 8.30am on Friday morning, Abraham sprung into action.

As Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents dressed in vests and helmets climbed out of their blacked-out vehicle, he did his best to warn his fellow illegal migrants camped outside the hardware store in search of work.

La migra! La migra! he screamed, before sprinting away from the scene. Dozens of people tried to follow him.

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I felt very scared when I saw them coming but I ran like a flash and they didnt get me, he says.

Like the 100 or so men who gather daily outside the DIY shop in Westlake, Los Angeles, that morning Abraham had been hoping to pick up a days work from customers in need of help for their home improvements.

Most of those he was standing with are undocumented.

Nicaragua-born Abraham managed to escape but not everyone was so lucky.

Federal agents fire towards protesters near the Home Depot where immigration raids took place - ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

At least 40 men, some of whom had lived in the US for decades, were handcuffed and detained by ICE agents who had raided a string of workplaces and Home Depot locations that morning, sparking a wave of volatile protests which have gripped Los Angeles and spread to more than 35 other cities.

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Despite the pervasive threat of deportation, Abraham was back at the Home Depot parking lot on Wednesday morning to resume his search for work.

The targeting of day labourers in Home Depots, workers at car washes and clothing manufacturers marks a gear change in the administrations attempts to ramp up its deportation efforts in order to fulfil Donald Trumps largest deportation program in US history.

While officials had initially focused their efforts on those with criminal records, Stephen Miller, the architect of Mr Trumps hardline immigration policy, instructed ICE field officers to begin widening their nets.

Mr Miller has set a target of at least 3,000 arrests a day, a steep jump from the roughly 660 daily arrests during Mr Trumps first 100 days in office. He is understood to have directed ICE chiefs to start targeting spots where migrants congregate, specifically naming Home Depot.

Stephen Miller is the architect of Donald Trumps hardline immigration policy - Jacquelyn Martin

It is a move that has drawn fierce opposition from not only Mr Trumps political opponents such as Gavin Newsom, the Democrat governor, but also from some of the Republican leaders supporters, with Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, the co-founder of Latinas for Trump, saying the move was not what we voted for.

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While demonstrations have brought parts of the state to a standstill, the ICE raids have continued at pace, with uniformed officers chasing farmworkers through fields and turning up at churches to arrest migrants.

While the majority of migrants have stayed home amid the ongoing threat, Abraham, a father-of-two, who crossed the El Paso border with Ciudad Juarez three years ago, says he has no choice but to take the risk and continue his search for work at Home Depot.

Im not afraid to come... I have to work because if I dont work I cant eat, he tells The Telegraph as he cools himself from the California sun with a pink plastic portable fan.

Obdulio, another undocumented worker who managed to flee the Home Depot raid on Friday, had also returned on Wednesday despite seeing at least a dozen people grabbed by ICE agents.

A man holds a sign amid clashes with enforcement officers - ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Guatemalan, who has lived in the US for 20 years, was frustrated he could not do anything to help his friends.

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You cant confront them because theyre going to take you away, so what we did was shout at people to run and we kept running, he says.

Obdulio, 48, who did not want to give his last name, told The Telegraph: We are still in fear because weve heard ICE is still roaming here.

Were not criminals, we come to work honestly without harming anyone, he adds.

Standing on the other side of the Westlake Home Depot car park, Edwin Cuadra, who is from Guatemala and has a green card, recounted how he saw ICE agents arriving on Friday morning in his cars wing mirror.

Those who dont have papers had to escape, they started running, he says.

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The number of people out looking for work has since dwindled, he says, because migrants are terrified they will be caught.

Its very bad, he adds, becoming tearful. They are my brothers, like my family. They need the money to pay rent, to pay bills.

Edwin Cuardra, from Guatemala, says migrants are terrified of being caught - Jon Putman

On the sixth day of demonstrations in Los Angeles, a largely peaceful protest of around 1,000 protesters briefly became chaotic when police on horseback charged at protesters and hit them with wooden rods before the areas 8pm curfew came into effect.

Officers fired rubber bullets and pepper balls into the crowd before carrying out dozens of arrests and packing protesters into police vans, but the streets downtown were mostly quiet by 9pm.

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In recent days demonstrations across the city at times became violent, with some agitators setting fire to cars and throwing Molotov cocktails, fireworks and rocks at police.

Some of the thousands of National Guard troops controversially deployed by Mr Trump despite governor Gavin Newsom insisting they were not needed have been assisting ICE officers as they round up illegal migrants on raids, standing by with their rifles as agents arrest and detain people.

The 700 Marines sent into Los Angeles by Mr Trump will also accompany ICE agents on missions, officials have said, sparking fears that the administration could further intensify the pace of its raids.

Mr Newsom has warned the unprecedented militarisation of the state would spread further.

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Democracy is under assault right before our eyes, he said on Tuesday. California may be first, but it clearly wont end here.

The Department of Homeland Security released an Uncle Sam style poster on social media on Wednesday urging members of the public to report foreign invaders.

As ICE raids continued in spite of the protests, on Monday morning a Home Depot in Huntington Park, around eight miles away from the Westlake branch, was targeted.

Eduardo Baz, 45, who illegally crossed into the US from Honduras 20 years ago, was lucky to have escaped. He had been a safe distance away when he saw federal agents starting to detain migrants in the car park at around 7.30am.

Eduardo Baz illegally crossed into the US from Honduras 20 years ago - Jon Putman

The only saving grace, he says, was that it was early so not many people had arrived at the shop. On Wednesday morning he was one of a handful of migrants who had returned to the car park hoping to pick up work.

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Of course were all afraid, he says. All these years later, they can send you home in one swoop.

Youre never calm, youre always afraid they might catch you at any moment.

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Standing alongside a hundred civic leaders as police sirens blared in the background, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass delivered her most impassioned critique of the federal response to anti-ICE protests to date Thursday.

The mayor  flanked by faith leaders, business leaders, immigrant rights advocates and others  defended the city's ability to handle the sometimes chaotic protests that have swept across downtown L.A. for the last week, while accusing the Trump administration of deliberately misrepresenting the city as overwhelmed by violence.

"To characterize what is going on in our city as a city of mayhem is just an outright lie," Bass said, responding to comments by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier in the day. "I'm not going to call it an untruth. I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm going to call it for what it is, which is a lie."

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"I served with the Secretary for probably about 10 years in Congress. And Madame Secretary, I do not recognize you. I do not know the Kristi Noem that I served with," she said.

Noem told the media earlier Thursday that the Trump administration planned to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that the governor and the mayor have placed on this country.

Bass also denounced the brief detention of Sen. Alex Padilla, who showed up at Noem's press conference and was forcibly removed after he tried to ask questions.

"They just shoved and cuffed a sitting U.S. senator. How could you say you did not know who he was?" Bass asked of Noem.

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The hastily-called press conference at City Hall was the clearest representation yet of the two-pronged battle the mayor is currently facing  on the one hand trying to end the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids that have given rise to the protests across the city, while on the other attempting to quell the vandalism, theft and violence that have roiled the Civic Center and surrounding parts of downtown.

At the press conference, Bass once again called for the president to remove the National Guard and the U.S. Marines from the city and to stop the ICE raids. She also extended the 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. downtown Los Angeles curfew that she first announced Tuesday as the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies worked to clear out protesters.

The event came nearly a week after ICE agents began fanning across the region, showing up at workplaces, schools and courthouses, and triggering an array of protests across Southern California.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, said the Trump administration had brought cruelty, chaos and violations of human, civil and constitutional rights to L.A.

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"What has been brought to our city has been racial profiling in a way that I have never experienced it in my career," she said.

"The pain that we are witnessing, when we talk to the family members, is unbearable, of children being left behind," said Salas, as she stood next to Bass. "And I want this president to know that this city is tough, it is organized, it is disciplined and will not tolerate what is happening at this moment."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Anker Innovations is recalling more than 1.1 million power banks after some users reported fires and explosions.

The company said a problem could potentially make the lithium-ion battery within some of its Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks overheat "leading to melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards."

The recall, announced Thursday, specifically applies to Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks bearing the model number "A1263" and certain serial numbers that were sold in the U.S., according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

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The model number and serial number can be found on a label affixed to the bottom of the power bank.

Coca-cola Recalls Topo Chico Mineral Water Over Bacteria Concerns

Sales of the recalled power banks occurred on Ankers website, as well as Amazon, Newegg and Ebay, between June 2016 and December 2022.

Read On The Fox Business App

Anker said on its website that it issued the recall "out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our customers."

There have been 19 instances of fires and explosions related to the battery issue, according to the CPSC recall notice.

Two incidents resulted in "minor burn injuries" that did not need medical attention. Property damage worth more than $60,700 arose out of 11 incidents.

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Another Automaker Recalls Nearly 200,000 Vehicles Due To Rearview Camera Issue

Consumers "should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank," the CPSC notice said. They can register for the recall on a designated page on Ankers website.

"If your unit is confirmed to be part of the recall, stop using it immediately," Anker said on its website. "Even if it appears to function normally, there may still be a risk of overheating, fire, or other safety issues."

Owners of the recalled power banks will need to provide a photo "showing the model number, serial number, their name, the date of the photograph, and the word recalled written on the power bank in permanent marker" to get a replacement, per the notice. They will have to provide proof that they safely disposed of the power banks as well.

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Exercise Item Sold At Costco Recalled After More Than 100 Injuries Reported

Anker said the power banks must be disposed of at a "certified facility that accepts recalled lithium batteries" as they cannot be tossed in the trash or recycled normally.

Anker said the power banks must be disposed of at a "certified facility that accepts recalled lithium batteries."

Customers should check with their municipal household hazardous waste collection center to see if it can dispose of the power banks, the recall notice advised.

The company will give consumers the option to either wait for the replacement or get a $30 gift card "if replacements are on back order," according to Ankers website.





Original article source: Over 1.1M power banks recalled after reports of fires, explosions
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 111,387 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.

The publications' latest report covers the period of February 24, 2022 to June 6, 2025. Since it was last updated at the end of May, 1,762 additional Russian military personnel have been confirmed killed.

The journalists note that the actual figures are likely significantly higher, as their verified information comes from public sources such as obituaries, posts by relatives, memorial community tree-plantings, regional media reports, statements from local authorities, among other sources.

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The outlet published the complete list of identified casualties for the first time in February, marking three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the publication, volunteers manually enter and verify each record to prevent duplicate entries in the database.

The journalists' findings come as Russia surpassed 1 million losses on June 12, marking a symbolic, yet grim milestone in the 3-year-long war. The estimate, which is broadly in-line with estimates made by Western intelligence agencies, likely includes those killed, captured, wounded, and missing.

The confirmed death toll now includes 28,200 volunteers, 17,400 recruited prisoners, and nearly 12,300 mobilized soldiers, according to the media outlets. Over 5,100 officers have also been confirmed to have been killed.

Amid renewed summer offensives in multiple sectors of the front, Russia has steadily gained ground in eastern Ukraine and Kursk Oblast in recent months but at the cost of heavy casualties as well as equipment losses.

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Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) said on June 12 said that more than 100,000 Russian families have contacted a Ukrainian-run initiative in search of information about missing Russian soldiers.

Moscow does not disclose its casualty figures, though a Defense Ministry official let slip in December that the department received 48,000 requests to identify missing soldiers.

Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 1 million, Putins war economy heads toward breaking point









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His success in business is evident across the southern Central Valley, in sprawling ag fields and in a large distribution hub in Shafter. But it's not often Stewart Resnick is seen at large events in Kern County.

Late Thursday morning, though, the co-owner of Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Co. walked up, stood before an audience of more than 200 people just north of 7th Standard Road and took a moment to adjust the microphone downward. Then he opened with a joke.

Resnick, diminutive in a blue button-down, long-sleeve shirt and jeans, said normally when he comes to such events people look around and say, "You're Stewart Resnick?"

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"I say, 'I used to be 6 foot 4. My competition came and beat me into the ground,'" he said.

He's humble, folks. Even when surrounded by dignitaries celebrating another one of his company's large investments in the local economy.

Resnick had come to join them to mark the opening of Wonderful's new Amenities Center, a gleaming new complex with a tech training center, office building and subsidized restaurant with an urgent care center still to come.

The center serves as the welcoming heart of the Wonderful Logistics Center, which the company proposes to almost double in the years to come. If the City Council approves, the company hopes also to build thousands of new homes for workers and their families.

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Resnick called the already large development "one of our most ambitious projects," a state-of-the-art facility populated by Fortune 500 companies on land where three decades ago there were only orchards.

"This is an overnight success that has taken 30 years," he quipped after thanking those in attendance for sharing the day.

"Now let's go show the world what Shafter and the Central Valley can do!" he said in closing.

Wonderful has already had a big impact on farming communities in the valley portion of Kern County, especially in Lost Hills and Delano, where in addition to being a major employer, the company has opened charter academies, wellness centers and more.

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Shafter is the next big focus. If Wonderful moves forward with an expansion of the distribution-center hub, the logistics center's employment base is expected to expand over time from about 13,000 to 50,000. Housing units the company proposes to build would expand Shafter's population by about 40%.

The Amenities Center is sort of a precursor to those developments. Its training center works in partnership with Amazon and Bakersfield College to introduce job-seekers to tech-oriented warehouse jobs. The office building boasts numerous art pieces, and the restaurant serves healthy meals at relatively low prices.

Thursday's gathering drew representatives of many of Kern's most prominent business, government and educational organizations, many of whom accepted offers to tour the new buildings.

Resnick's humility was matched by that of invited speaker Supervisor David Couch, who said he was coming from a local government perspective when he told the audience, "We can't do anything, and I mean anything, until you all make something, provide a service."

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"The revenue that local government gets comes because you all come to work every day," Couch said. "It all starts because somebody  took the risk to invest their money in this community."

Shafter Mayor Chad Givens was up next. He said the city prides itself on how business operates in Shafter and how it is able to move in operators as fast as possible.

"We're a very business friendly city and we're thankful for that," he said before expressing gratitude to Wonderful for its work in the city.

Former City Manager John Guinn, now Wonderful Real Estate's executive vice president and chief operating officer, told the crowd Resnick and his wife, Lynda Resnick, have shown their commitment to the families of the Central Valley. In his experience, they want nothing more than for the region to become a strong, vibrant place to live.

"Everything they talk about, they actually do," he said. "That's uncommon."
Wallet verification: If your self-hosted wallet holds more than 1,000 ($1,100), youll need to verify ownership for transactions

Enhanced tracking: Starting in January, all service providers must collect sender and recipient information for every transaction, regardless of amount

Licensing requirements: Any company issuing or trading crypto needs an official license

The European Union deserves credit for being first out of the gate with comprehensive crypto regulation. In May 2023, the EU implemented the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. Heres what MiCA means in practical terms:

What this means for you: If youre a US-based crypto user, youre still navigating a somewhat uncertain regulatory landscape. The good news? This gives the industry more time to mature and for regulators to better understand the technology before implementing potentially restrictive rules.

These bills promised to answer some burning questions that have puzzled crypto users for years: When is a cryptocurrency considered a security versus a commodity? Which government agency is in charge of what? Unfortunately, while these bills were introduced with great fanfare, theyve since stalled in Congress.

The U.S. has been talking a big game about crypto regulation, and in 2023, it looked like we might finally get some clarity. Two important bills made headlines: the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act and the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act.

Lets take a friendly tour around the world to see whats happening with crypto regulation and what it means for you.

Grow your IRA or 401(k) with Crypto  unlock the power of alternative investments including a Crypto IRA within your retirement account .

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This shift isnt happening in a vacuum. The collapse of major players like FTX and several crypto-linked bank failures sent shockwaves through traditional finance, pushing regulators to act faster than many expected. While this might feel overwhelming, understanding these changes can actually help you make better decisions as a crypto investor or enthusiast.

If youve been in the crypto space for a while, youve probably noticed something big happening: governments everywhere are finally getting serious about regulating digital assets. Gone are the days when crypto felt like the Wild West. Today, from Washington to Brussels to Tokyo, lawmakers are crafting rules that will shape how we buy, sell, and use cryptocurrencies.

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

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Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson, explained that FTXs collapse highlighted the urgent need for imposing rules which will better protect Europeans who have invested in these assets.

What this means for you: If youre trading crypto in Europe, expect more paperwork and verification steps, but also potentially greater consumer protection. The days of completely anonymous transactions are numbered in the EU.

Asia: A Mixed Bag of Approaches

Asia presents a fascinating patchwork of crypto regulations, reflecting the diverse attitudes across the region.

Japan: The Crypto-Friendly Pioneer

Japan has been remarkably progressive, recognizing cryptocurrency as both a type of money and legal property. The Financial Services Agency oversees both crypto and yen transactions, giving citizens freedom to own and invest in digital assets. Recently, Japan has tightened rules around information sharing between exchanges to combat money laundering.

South Korea: Building User Protections

South Korea enacted the Virtual Asset Users Protection Act in 2023, focusing heavily on protecting everyday users through better record-keeping and transparency requirements. Financial authorities are expected to publish new guidelines for listing virtual assets soon.

China: The Strict Stance

China remains one of the most restrictive countries, maintaining bans on exchanges, trading, and crypto mining. If youre in China, crypto activities remain largely off-limits.

India: The Comeback Story

Indias journey has been particularly interesting. After banning crypto, the Supreme Court lifted the ban in 2020. Now, a Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill is working its way through parliament, though it has faced delays.

What this means for you: Your experience with crypto will vary dramatically depending on which Asian country youre in. Japan and South Korea offer relatively friendly environments, while China remains restrictive.

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Brazil: Taking Control of Rapid Growth

Brazil implemented crypto regulation in June 2023, making the central bank the supervisor for crypto assets through the Cryptoassets Act. This move came as Brazil saw cryptocurrency imports rise nearly 45% in the first eight months of 2023, totaling $7.4 billion.

Interestingly, Roberto Campos Neto, who was the governor of Brazil's central bank at the time, noted that local demand had shifted toward stablecoins, with people using crypto more for payments rather than solely for investment.

What this means for you: Brazils approach shows how countries are adapting to actual usage patterns. As crypto becomes more of a payment method rather than just a speculative investment, regulations are evolving accordingly.

Britain: Building a Balanced Framework

The UK is actively constructing crypto rules with a balanced approach. Any company offering digital currency services must be authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority, regardless of where theyre located if they serve UK customers.

The Bank of England and FCA have also proposed specific regulations for stablecoins, aiming to harness the potential benefits stablecoins could provide to UK consumers and retailers, in particular by making payments faster and cheaper while maintaining consumer protection.

What this means for you: The UK appears to be striking a balance between innovation and protection, potentially creating a model that other countries might follow.

The Push for Global Standards

Perhaps most importantly, international organizations are recognizing that cryptos borderless nature requires coordinated global approaches. The International Organization of Securities Commissions has issued 18 recommendations for global crypto rules, emphasizing the need for consistency across borders.

The World Economic Forum has gone even further, stating that international alignment on crypto rules is not just desirable but necessary.

What This All Means for Your Crypto Journey

As someone interested in crypto, here are the key takeaways:

Expect more structure: The days of completely unregulated crypto markets are ending. This isnt necessarily bad  clearer rules can mean greater mainstream adoption and institutional investment.

Prepare for more paperwork: Whether its KYC requirements, transaction reporting, or wallet verification, expect to provide more information about your crypto activities.

Geographic differences matter: Where you live will significantly impact your crypto experience. Consider this when making investment decisions or choosing platforms.

Compliance is becoming crucial: Choose exchanges and services that prioritize regulatory compliance. Theyre more likely to survive and thrive in this new environment.

Innovation continues: Despite increased regulation, innovation in the crypto space continues. Regulations often lag behind technology, leaving room for new developments.

The regulatory landscape might seem daunting, but remember that clearer rules often lead to greater mainstream adoption, institutional investment, and ultimately, a more mature and stable crypto ecosystem. While were still in the early stages of this regulatory evolution, staying informed about these changes will help you navigate the crypto world more confidently.

The key is to stay adaptable and informed. Regulations will continue evolving as governments learn more about this technology and its applications. By understanding these trends, youre better positioned to make smart decisions in your crypto journey.

Read Next:

Image: Shutterstock

This article Crypto Regulation Around the World: What Every Crypto Enthusiast Needs to Know originally appeared on Benzinga.com
The owner of a Bally-based personal care agency has been sentenced to state prison for running a scheme that defrauded Medicaid.

Gavin Mata, 36, of Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced Wednesday by Berks County Judge Thomas Parisi to one month in prison, followed by 22 months of parole and five years of probation.

Mata was also ordered to pay $235,778 in restitution.

Mata pleaded guilty in April to felony Medicaid fraud and perjury, as well as a separate count of Medicaid fraud on behalf of the company. He had been charged following an investigation by the state attorney general and a formal accusation of a crime made by the 47th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.

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According to officials from the attorney generals office:

The investigation showed that between 2020 and 2022 Mata and his company, Part of Our Family Home Care Agency, submitted claims for Medicaid reimbursements using false information or claiming to have provided services that were never done.

Some of the claims involved patients that never signed up for or received care from A Part of Our Family, while others regarded employees who were unaware Mata had submitted false claims for hours they allegedly worked.

During the grand jury investigation, Mata also testified untruthfully about payroll records.

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In all, officials documented that Part of Our Family received over $488,349 from Medicaid for nonexistent services.

The defendant went to great lengths to perpetrate this fraud scheme, falsifying records and reporting bogus hours for employees without their knowledge, Attorney General David Sunday said in a statement Friday announcing Matas sentencing. Medicaid fraud takes money and resources away from Pennsylvanians in need of care.
(NewsNation)  Could the most popular weight loss drug double as a treatment for alcoholism?

People using Ozempic say they are losing their desire to drink. Its anecdotal evidence right now, but this would be a game-changer for those who are trying to break free from addiction.

Drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The medicine mimics the behaviors of the natural hormone GLP-1, which controls appetite and regulates blood sugar.

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Lawsuit alleges Ozempic, Wegovy cause bowel obstruction, stomach paralysis

An unintended consequence appears to be that people on the drugs are turning to the bottle less. They say their urge to drink has dramatically decreased.

A new clinical trial will study people of normal weight who are dependent on alcohol, notes Pat Aussem with the Partnership to End Addiction. Over five months, participants will get either Ozempic or a placebo, she said.

Dr. James Besante, chief medical officer at Sante Fe Recovery Center in New Mexico, agrees the study is exciting, but he cautions its too early to tell whether the weight-loss drug will be effective for alcoholics.

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These treatments are still considered experimental for addiction, he told Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Thursday. And theyre not covered by insurance when theyre used for this purpose. And thats really important. It makes them inaccessible for many of the patients I see.

He said there are already proven medications in the marketplace that are covered by insurance. If Ozempic proves to be effective, Besante said, it would effectively become another tool in the medical toolbelt.

This is a really complex disease that affects different people differently, he said. Rarely is there a magic pill or one medication thats going to solve this persons issue.

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Union members and supporters rally in Grand Park calling for the release of union leader David Huerta, who was arrested during an immigration enforcement action on June 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Ahead of a day of national protest against the Trump administrations deportation tactics and deployment of troops to Los Angeles to quell resistance, Pennsylvania leaders and scholars cautioned against allowing anger to set the tone.

We cant allow ourselves to be moved by our emotions, because the anger that is being provoked, theres a reason for it, Kenneth Nuriddin, resident imam of The Philadelphia Masjid said Thursday. He warned protestors that yielding to violence would distract from their message and justify a violent government response.

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Americas immigrant communities have reasons to be angry, Nuriddin, who is the mosques spiritual leader, said. He spoke at a news conference Thursday with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner before a planned protest Saturday in the city.

Theres a promise  give me your tired, your poor  that is in the harbor in New York City, inviting people to come. And many people have come because of that invitation, Nuriddin said, adding the promise has been broken and the invitation rescinded.

Philadelphia is one of hundreds of cities where a partnership of labor, Democratic and anti-Trump organizations have planned non-violent demonstrations to counter the unprecedented military parade Saturday in Washington, D.C., set to coincide with President Donald Trumps birthday.

Krasner vowed to protect the rights of those who protest lawfully in Philadelphia.

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That is our oath, Krasner said. But, we will also hold accountable anyone and everyone, whether they are uniformed ICE agents or opportunistic criminals.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Gov. Josh Shapiro emphasized his support of protesters First Amendment rights, while issuing his own warning against criminal activity. Shapiro said hes working with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parkers office and law enforcement. State and local police will also be coordinating.

The right to peacefully protest and exercise our First Amendment is a sacred American right  and here in Pennsylvania, we will always protect it, Shapiro said.

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But he added, I want to be very clear: all protests and demonstrations must remain peaceful, lawful, and orderly. Violence is not an answer to any political differences. Destruction and chaos are unacceptable  and neither will be permitted here in Pennsylvania.

Dickinson College President John E. Jones III , who is a retired federal judge, told the Capital-Star he fears Trumps willingness to use military force to tamp down opposition could lead to a tragedy like the massacre at Kent State in 1970 by Ohio National Guard troops who shot and killed four and wounded nine unarmed student protesters.

Were a military gunshot away from a sort of national crisis, Jones said, noting that troops are forbidden from carrying out civilian law enforcement in the United States because theyre not trained for it.

Demonstrators protest outside a downtown jail in Los Angeles following two days of clashes with police during a series of immigration raids on June 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Youre relying on hundreds of troops to hold their fire in the face of hostile activity and maybe even demonstrations that bait them, Jones said. It only takes one to fire in a fit of anger or apprehension and weve crossed a line that will be very difficult to return from.

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Since President Trump took the oath of office for the second time in January, U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has conducted raids across the nation.

Such tactics have been standard in other administrations for decades. But those conducted in the last six months have been more aggressive, with agents in unmarked vehicles wearing face coverings targeting workers, foreign students and those with pending immigration cases.

Public outrage over the raids reached a boil in the last week as protesters in Los Angeles clashed with law enforcement and Trump responded by deploying National Guard troops and U.S. Marines into the city.

And it reached a new crescendo among elected leaders Thursday as California Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was shoved to the floor and handcuffed by FBI agents after he attempted to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions, while she was holding a news conference in LA.

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The FBI said in a statement that Padilla, who interrupted Noems formal remarks, was not wearing his Senate security pin, which law enforcement uses to quickly identify lawmakers. But he was released after being identified.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivers remarks to staff at the departments Washington, D.C., headquarters on Jan. 28, 2025. (Photo by Manuel Balce Ceneta-Pool/Getty Images)

Padillas fellow lawmakers condemned the administrations treatment of the senator.

Its horrible. It is shocking at every level. And its not the America I know, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told reporters.

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said in a tweet he was sad to see what happened to Padilla, who deserved much better.

We collectively must turn the temperature down and find a better way forward for our nation, Fettermans tweet said.

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Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd District) called videos of the incident terrible and frightening, in a tweet.

If the Trump regime can do this to a sitting United States Senator, then truly no American is safe, Boyles tweet said.

Retired Duquesne University constitutional law professor Bruce Ledewitz told the Capital-Star while the Trump administrations reaction to Padilla confronting Noem is unfortunate, he described it as performative fascism.

This is Trump clearly indicating to the executive branch that, We want to look tough. We want to look mean, Ledewitz said He means this to be a performance. He doesnt mean anyone to get hurt.

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Ledewitz said the incident doesnt rise to the level of a constitutional crisis, noting that while members of Congress are cloaked with the immunity to liability for their speech and actions in the performance of their duties, the Speech and Debate clause doesnt include interrupting press conferences.

Senator Alex Padilla, D-Calif., speaks at a Biden-Harris campaign and DNC press conference on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Jones offered the same assessment of Padillas Speech and Debate protections.

In my experience that hasnt extended to the kind of statements that triggered, literally triggered, FBI agents to push him to the floor and put him in handcuffs, Jones said.

While Padilla might have a claim under the Fourth Amendment against excessive force he could raise in a civil lawsuit, Jones said hes doubtful that would be worth the lawmakers effort.

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Nonetheless, there was no justification for the reaction to Padillas attempt to question Noem, Jones said. He noted that he recently has spoken out against the rhetoric Trump adviser Stephen Miller and others have used to attack judges.

Although I would wish for someone high in the administration to make a statement to try to ratchet down the overheated climate, I was fairly certain that would not happen, Jones said, adding that entreaties like those from Krasner and the clergy who joined him Thursday are unlikely to stop it.

I think its going to be a long, hot summer, he said.

Capital-Star reporter Ian Karbal contributed to this report.

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(WKBN)  A Crawford County jury has found a Sparta Township man guilty of killing a pregnant woman and her unborn child.

After four days of testimony, the jury convicted Shawn Cranston of first-degree murder, second-degree murder of an unborn child, and related charges.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 28. A life sentence is expected, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

According to Sunday, Cranston targeted 23-year-old Rebekah Bylers home for a burglary, and, after encountering her home alone, sliced her throat and shot her.

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It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home, Sunday said. Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven  this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.

Prosecutors presented testimony about key pieces of evidence, including a piece of a glove found at the home containing Cranstons DNA; shoe prints and vehicle tire treads that matched Cranstons shoes and vehicle; and GPS data from Cranstons vehicle that placed him at the scene.

Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Kevin Scheibel prosecuted the case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Democratic Party officials have been united in their public and vigorous support of Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) after he was forcibly removed and handcuffed at a news conference for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday.

Since then, Democrat after Democrat has offered their backing to Padilla, calling the incident a grave miscarriage of justice and signaling an effort to take on President Trump and his administration.

But behind the scenes, a number of Democrats worry the incident wont play well for the party in the long run, especially since the chatter appeared to fall along party lines in the aftermath of Padillas removal.

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In interviews Friday, these Democrats didnt want to speak on the record given that officials in their party are publicly unanimous in backing Padilla.

But these sources say they fear the Padilla incident could have negative ramifications as the party tries to find its way back from their devastating loss in November.

Heres the thing: Did it change anyones minds or did it just rev up the base? said one Democratic strategist worried the incident could backfire on their party.

This is what we dont understand. We think these moments will cause outrage, but they miss the point. Its not swaying anyone. It just makes us look petty.

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Some Democrats said the moment was political theater that would just become another thing for red and blue America to disagree over.

Im not sure it stands out, especially as more Democrats begin to take a stand, a second party strategist said. Lets put it this way, its a zero-sum game.

The mild-mannered Padilla remained the talk of political circles Friday, even as news about the incident disappeared from cable television airwaves amid Israels strikes on Iran and Tehrans counterattacks.

Even with that conflict crowding the Padilla controversy out of the spotlight, Democrats were seeking to turn the moment into a talking point against President Trump  and a fundraising opportunity to boot.

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Padilla himself was fundraising off the incident and doing interviews.

If thats what they do to a United States senator with a question, imagine what they do to farm workers, day laborers, cooks, and the other nonviolent immigrants they are targeting in California and across the country, a fundraising note from Padilla said.

In his own fundraising appeal, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) called Padilla one of the most decent people.

And the Democratic National Committee said the incident isnt normal and are steps toward authoritarianism, a sentiment other Democrats echoed in statements.

Some Democrats said their party should go even further.

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Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said she hoped Padilla and Democrats could successfully leverage this moment  but Im skeptical.

Trumps thugs chose Padilla to rough up for a reason: to show theyll physically take on anyone who dares to question them, including and especially a Hispanic man with power, Setzer said. The response from congressional Democrats should be absolutely apoplectic

They should shut down the Senate. Even the meekest response  calling for DHS to fire the men who handcuffed Padilla  would be welcome, Setzer added.

The incident surrounding Padilla comes at a time when Democrats are anxious to stand up to Trump and the GOP. While there was some thought early in the Trump administration to try to work alongside Republicans, some Democrats have concluded that its the wrong approach.

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Instead, theyre leaning into a fighting stance against the president.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) dared Trump to arrest him, after the two men got into a back-and-forth over the immigration raids in Los Angeles and the protests and at times violent disorder that followed.

Just get it over with, Newsom said. Arrest me.

Earlier this year, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) took a tough stance while participating in a 25-hour filibuster on the floor of the upper chamber.

And in April, Sen. Chris Van Holden (D-Md.) traveled to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, one of his constituents who was deported to a prison in that country.

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Democrats said they expected the tougher stance to continue in the months ahead.

Democrats are at a moment where the base needs to see them show their willingness to fight, said Democratic strategist Joel Payne, who predicted that more Democrats would follow Padilla and Newsom in standing up to Trump.

We need to demonstrate to our voters that were not just going to talk the tack but were going to walk the walk.

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Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) denied the Trump administrations claims he lunged at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Thursday press conference in Los Angeles.

I wasnt lunging at her or anybody, and yes, I identified myself, Padilla told CNNs Erin Burnett Thursday night after being forcibly removed from the event and placed in handcuffs.

The lawmaker said he attended the press briefing to ask why the National Guard was deployed by the president to address local protests sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids last week.

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Im just trying to do my job as a senator, when we ask questions in committee and dont get answers, he added.

Padilla said he used the press conference to try a different approach with the Trump administration to gain information on immigration operations after officials failed to respond to letters from lawmakers.

I had a potential audience with the secretary, and I took it. Sadly, still not forthcoming with any sort of data or details, the senator said, before describing his brief meeting with Noem following the incident.

You would think, you would hope that thats how the meeting would have started, but no apology, no acknowledgment whatsoever. But its the Trump administration, so Im not holding my breath for decency, decorum or manners, he told CNN.

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One of the big points I was trying to make with her is, I get if the Trump administration was doing what Trump said on the campaign trail. Lets focus on dangerous, violent criminals for detention and deportation. Theres no disagreement there. Theres no debate there. But thats not whats happening on the streets of Los Angeles and throughout the country, he added.

Padilla said instead, lawful residents are being wrongfully removed and detained.

Where is this going? Its going to keep getting worse. This is how authoritarianism happens, unless and until the people speak up and push back. So thats why youve seen so many protesters, vast majority peaceful protesters, not just in and around Los Angeles this last week, but increasingly in other cities, he told CNN.

So, we have to continue to exercise our First Amendment rights, keep it peaceful. Violence is not tolerated. Violence is not condoned. That will have its consequences. But people need to continue to speak up because this is not normal, he added.

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Some Republican lawmakers have called for Padilla to be federally prosecuted over the outburst with Noem, while Democrats defended his actions.

The incident with Padilla follows the federal indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) for allegedly impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers at an immigration detention center and the arrest of Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) for trespassing at the same site.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Democrats are fundraising off of his removal from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference Thursday.

Padilla, along with fellow California Sen. Adam Schiff (D) and the Democratic National Committee (DNC), blasted out fundraising emails Friday citing the incident.

If thats what they do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they do to farm workers, day laborers, cooks, and the other nonviolent immigrants they are targeting in California and across the country, Padillas fundraising note read, echoing his remarks from Thursday following the incident.

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Schiff touted Padilla as one of the most decent people he knows in his fundraising appeal, while the DNC warned the incident isnt normal and are steps toward authoritarianism.

5 takeaways from the Alex Padilla furor

The effort comes as Democrats unite behind Padilla following his removal from the press conference and broadly condemn the Trump administrations handling of those critical of the presidents immigration policies.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the incident involving Padilla reeks of totalitarianism and called for an investigation into the matter, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) called the federal agents forcible removal and handcuffing of the senator outrageous, dictatorial and shameful.

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On Thursday, video surfaced of Padilla interrupting Noems press conference and approaching her. Padilla is heard in the video identifying himself by name and his title as he moved toward the front of the conference room trying to ask a question. He was then grabbed by agents, who pushed him backward, shoved him through a set of double doors, and forced him onto the ground and handcuffed him.

The White House and Department of Homeland Security have blamed Padilla for the incident.

Padilla stormed a press conference, without wearing his Senate pin or previously identifying himself to security, yelled, and lunged toward Secretary Noem. Padilla didnt want answers; he wanted attention, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said. Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt  but its telling that Democrats are more riled up about Padilla than they are about the violent riots and assaults on law enforcement in LA.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Sen. Alex Padilla isnt the first prominent Democrat to mix it up with federal authorities over President Donald Trumps mass deportations. In fact, its kind of a trend.

The California senator was following in the recent footsteps of three other Democratic officials when he was wrestled to the ground Thursday and handcuffed as he tried to question Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a news conference inside a federal building in Los Angeles.

The Trump administration sees a pattern.

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Democrat officials and their staffers are growing increasingly radical and extreme, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said.

Democrats counter that they are standing up for civil rights, but the heated encounters make one thing clear: The politics of immigration are becoming increasingly tense as the Trump effort to deport noncitizens picks up pace.

Padilla argued that his treatment at the hands of federal agents shows the risk to ordinary Americans.

If this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country, he said.

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Since last month, at least four Democratic officials, including Padilla, have run into conflict with federal officers in clashes related to the administrations campaign.

Padillas handcuffing took place at a press briefing Noem held to tout the administrations efforts to arrest people without legal immigration status around Southern California in a series of actions that sparked raucous protests  and prompted the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops and Marines over the objections of local authorities.

Federal agents bustled the senator out of the room and forced him to the ground in a scene captured on video that caused outrage among Democratic members of Congress.

DHS defended the response and said that Noem met with Padilla later for about 15 minutes.

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The incident came after Democratic officials got into a scuffle with federal officers outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, in May, resulting in the arrest of the citys mayor, Ras Baraka, followed by the indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver.

Also in May, DHS officers briefly detained an aide to New York Rep. Jerry Nadler inside the Congressmembers office amid protests against immigration detentions at a federal courthouse in the same building.

The agency at the time said that officers only entered the space to conduct a security check on the representatives office because of reports of protests nearby. An officer can be heard in a video of the incident accusing Nadlers staff of harboring rioters, and requesting to search the space, prompting staff members to attempt to block their entry into private areas of the office.

No arrests were ultimately made, but the incident drew outcry from Nadler and other Democrats, who said the incident was a reflection of the Trump administrations approach to immigration enforcement.

Nadler cautioned in a statement at the time that if this can happen in a Member of Congresss office, it can happen to anyone  and it is happening.
Pakistan on Friday activated air defence systems and scrambled fighter jets near its nuclear facilities and the countrys border with Iran after Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, officials said.

Our systems are on alert as a precautionary measure ... we dont have any direct threat though, an intelligence official told dpa.

Pakistan is the only nuclear power in the Muslim world and shares a long porous border with Iran.

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Pakistani authorities also reinforced security to protect the United States embassy in the capital Islamabad and the US diplomatic consulates in other cities amid fear of violence or protests.

Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed solidarity with Iran, calling the Israeli attack "unjustified" and a "brazen violation of Iran's sovereignty." It also "gravely undermines regional stability," he wrote on X.

Pakistani authorities were making urgent arrangements to evacuate thousands of citizens who were thought to be in Iran to make a pilgrimmage to holy sites there, Dar said.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Palmer Moland on Friday pleaded no contest to three counts related to healthcare fraud, the plea bargain coming days after he was acquitted on six of eight counts related to voter fraud.

All cases against him are now resolved.

Moland, 37, a former trustee with the Fairfax School District, entered no contest pleas to fraudulently receiving healthcare benefits and altering medical records, and unlawfully obtaining public aid in an amount exceeding $950.

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Judge Gloria Cannon set sentencing for July 15. She said the sentence will run concurrent with and will not exceed what Moland is sentenced to in his voter fraud case.

The maximum penalty in that case is four years and eight months in prison.

According to prosecutors, Moland began misrepresenting his health status in 2018 to become eligible for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, which overpaid $78,012.55 for services that included laundry, cleaning, meal preparation and assistance while showering, according to prosecutors. He received IHSS assistance for four years.

In the voter fraud case, Moland was accused of using an address he didnt live at when filling out elections paperwork in 2018 and 2022 and running for governing board member of the Fairfax School District.

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He was elected to the board in 2018.

At trial, Deputy Public Defender Ajaib Gill argued Moland actually did live at the address he listed on paperwork for the 2018 election. He said Moland divided his time between that address and an apartment outside the district, but the one within the district was his home address.

After that home was sold in 2021, Moland looked for another residence within the district but was unable to find one, and was functionally homeless, Gill said.

Moland contacted the elections division to try to have his name removed from the ballot  hed listed the old address on elections paperwork  but it was too late, Gill said. The ballots had already been printed.

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Moland was found guilty of perjury and filing false candidacy papers in connection with the 2022 election, charges which Gill conceded. Not guilty verdicts were returned on the six remaining counts; two other charges were dismissed before trial began.

Sentencing in that case is set for July 9.

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By Laman Ismayilova



The 9th Mugham Television Competition is underway in the Aghdam Mugham Centre.

Young and young performers demonstrated their skills in the competition, organised by the Ministry of Culture and Azerbaijan Television with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

The members of the competition jury - Melekhanim Ayyubova, Mansum Ibrahimov, Nazakat Teymurova, Sakina Ismayilova, Vamig Mammadaliyev, as well as Honoured Cultural Worker Ilgar Fehmi - carefully analysed and assessed each performance on a 10-point scale.

We remind you that the Mugham TV Competition is open to participants in two age categories: 8-16 years old (boys) and 16-30 years old (youth). The competition involves 30 performers selected on the basis of auditions held in Baku and the regions for about three months.

The participants perform ghazals of classical and modern Azerbaijani poets on various sections of mugham, as well as folk songs, tasnifs and zerbi-mugams.

The final concert of the 9th Mugham TV Competition and the award ceremony for the winners are scheduled for the end of August.

Mugham competitions, held on the initiative and with the support of the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, have played a significant role in revealing the creative potential of young performers, preserving and passing on folk music to new generations, as well as promoting Azerbaijani mugham art in the international arena.

It should be noted that the 9th Mugham TV Competition has been held since 2005 with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. This year, the television competition turns 20 years old.
Deloitte US will reimburse employees up to $1,000 for items that support their well-being. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Deloitte US offers its employees a $1,000 well-being subsidy to spend on things like gym memberships.

The policy was updated in June to add several new items to the approved list, including Lego sets.

"Lego?!?!? Finally!" was the reaction in internal chats, one Deloitte employee told Business Insider.

Surviving the gruelling hours and high demands of a job in consulting isn't easy.

Deloitte has a new solution to help its employees handle the stress: Lego.

The Big Four professional services firm has updated its long-running well-being subsidy program to include "Legos and puzzles" on a list of items that Deloitte will reimburse, internal policy documents seen by Business Insider show.

The firm has long offered eligible US staff an annual subsidy to spend on one or a combination of subscriptions, equipment, and experiences. In 2021, the firm doubled the allowance from $500 to $1,000, an internal webpage shows.

The subsidy is meant to "empower and support your journey toward thriving mentally, physically, and financially and living your purpose," the policy documents say.

Most partners and salaried workers are offered the benefit. Interns, contracted professionals, and employees on a leave of absence are not eligible.

One Deloitte US employee told BI that people were discussing the new updates in internal team chats.

"Most of the responses are things like 'Lego?!?!? Finally!' or jokes about how they can now rationalize buying the coveted Millennium Falcon Star Wars Lego set," the employee said.

Lego's most expensive set, the Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon, costs $850, leaving Deloitte workers with a small allowance left over to spend on other qualifying items like fencing classes or neck pillows.

A second Deloitte employee told BI that they see the subsidy as a nod of appreciation from the company for dealing with the stress and frustrations of their job.

"This makes a huge difference! I personally like to think of what I need/want for the next subsidy. I have been able to upgrade my workspace, and it helps with the work intake," the person said.

They added that Lego was receiving a lot of attention in the office, as it was a departure from the basics. "Knocking out a four-hour Lego build in under two hours is a great stress reliever," the employee said.

Deloitte staff can now spend up to $1,000 annually on new Lego sets. Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

Lego is just one of several new additions to the list of approved items, which were updated on June 1, the start of Deloitte's financial year.

Under a section titled "what's new for FY26" are kitchenware and kitchen appliances (e.g., blender, refrigerator), spa services like facials and body treatments, personal portable cooling fans, and ergonomic, cooling, and sleeping pillows.
UPDATED: The CBS-Paramount Global legal team and representatives for Donald Trump said that they were in continued mediation to settle the presidents $20 billion lawsuit against the network over the way that a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris was edited.

The update came in a new filing in federal court in Texas in Friday, as the sides asked the judge for an extension of deadlines in filing motions to compel and responses. The judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, quickly granted the extensions.

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Trump claimed that CBS was deceptive in the way that the Harris interview was edited, as she was shown giving a different answer to the same question on the 60 Minutes broadcast in October than one shown on a Face the Nation preview the day before.

CBS has maintained that there was no deception and, in standard industry practice, one part of her answer was shown on Face the Nation and the other on 60 Minutes, due to time constraints.

Trump sued the network under Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Lanham Act, typically used in cases of false advertising. The president claims that the interview cost his media entities, including Truth Social, an audience that was diverted to 60 Minutes.

A number of legal experts see the lawsuit as meritless, but CBS parent Paramount Global is seeking administration approval for its merger with Skydance Media.

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Paramount-CBS has offered millions to settle the case, in what has been described to Deadline as an eight-figure discussion. The Wall Street Journal reported that Paramount offered $15 million, but Trumps team is seeking $25 million and apology. There also has been speculation that a settlement could go even higher.

The settlement talks have created consternation within the news division. Last week, in an interview with CNN, 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley said that a settlement and apology would be very damaging to the reputation of CBS and Paramount.

The legal teams told the judge that they are not asking him to extend a June 23 deadline for CBS to file a response to Trumps opposition to their motion to dismiss the case.

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PARIS  The Paris Air Show, the biggest event of its kind by number of exhibitors, will feature significantly more defense themes at this years edition compared to two years ago, driven by a deteriorating global security situation, the show organizers said.

About 45% of the show will be dedicated to defense and security, a strong increase from the previous show in 2023, with the remainder focused on civil aerospace, the general commissioner of the show, Emmanuel Viellard, said at a press briefing here last week by the French Aerospace Industries Association, or Gifas, which runs the event. The week-long show kicks off on Monday.

This years edition of the worlds oldest air show comes as Russias invasion of Ukraine is in its fourth year, and as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte calls for higher defense budgets to deal with a more dangerous world that includes a threatening Russia and expanding China. European NATO members spending plans include more drones, air and missile defense and air power.

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In addition, Israels strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities in the early morning hours of June 13 have diplomats and military officials on edge.

We are in a much more conflict-ridden environment, with increased attention on security issues, and therefore greater activity in the defense sector compared to what we saw in 2023, Guillaume Faury, the CEO of Airbus and president of Gifas, said at last weeks press briefing.

The event is held every two years at Le Bourget Airport north-east of the French capital, with the French commonly referring to the show as the Salon de Bourget. The first Paris edition was held in the heart of the city in 1909, at the time called the Salon de la Locomotion Aerienne.

Many industry stakeholders see this years show as a place to meet military brass, defense ministries and industrial partners to discuss security issues and prospects for increased defense spending in Europe. Faury said. Likewise, national delegations and military representatives expect to be able to meet with all the players in this sector in Paris, he said.

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NATO has singled out air defense as a priority, with Rutte saying earlier this week alliance members need to boost their air and missile defenses fivefold to counter the threat from Russia.

Among this years Paris Air Show exhibitors, Raytheon will brief visitors on the Patriot surface-to-air missile system, Diehl Defence will present its IRIS-T system, while other air-defense suppliers signed up for the show include pan-European missile maker MBDA and Norways Kongsberg.

Around 200 military delegations will attend the event, according to the organizers. The 2023 edition of the biennial show drew nearly 293,000 visitors, including some 127,000 professionals.

This years edition will feature 2,400 exhibitors, including around 1,110 from France, 450 from the United States, 120 from Italy and around 100 from both the U.K. and Germany, the show runners said.

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The Paris Air Show will host 83 of the worlds top 100 aerospace companies, compared to 57 for the U.K.s Farnborough Air Show, said Guillaume Bourdeloux, the CEO of the air show. Visitors will be able to see some 150 aircraft, with flying demonstrations of the Dassault Aviation Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martins F-35, as well as other aircraft.

The French Air and Space Force will display an Airbus A400M military transport at the show, and will operate a temporary air base with air and drone defenses to secure the skies over Le Bourget.

The French armed forces exhibit will also include two variants of the Rafale fighter jet including the carrier version, an Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal tactical transport helicopter and a SAMP/T air defense system fitted with MBDAs Aster missile.
(WJW)  Doug Prade, a former Akron police captain who shot his ex-wife six times, killing her, while she was completely defenseless inside her vehicle will stay in prison for now.

The Ohio Parole Board on Wednesday, June 11, chose to keep Prade in prison while serving his life sentence for the 1997 murder of Dr. Margo Prade.

This is a case that involved his decision to fire a weapon multiple times into the completely defenseless female victim, reads the Wednesday ruling.   The brutality and callousness of the crime outweighs any positive parole suitability factors in his case.

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I-Team: Cleveland Heights officials asked FBI, BCI to investigate actions by mayor

Douglas Prade

The parole board also found Doug Prade did not complete any programming to reduce his risk of reoffending.

Donzella Anuszkiewicz, a friend of Margos and a former federal investigator, is thankful for the decision.

I was justI was worried they were going to let him out, she said. And if they do, would he go after me and anyone else who testified against him. One common theme in criminal justice theory is once someone has murdered once, they can do it again. Its a lot easier the second, third, fourth time around.

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During his trial more than 20 years ago, testimony showed that after their divorce, Doug Prade continued to threaten and harass Margo Prade, a local physician.

We were very afraid for Margo, said Donzella Anuszkiewicz, a former federal investigator and friend of the Prade family, who spoke to FOX 8s Dave Nethers last month, before Prades parole hearing.

Dr. Margo Prade (Obtained by WJW)

The murder happened on the eve of Thanksgiving. Margo Prade was shot six times while inside her minivan, which was parked outside her medical practice in Akron.

Doug Prade maintained his innocence.

Douglas Prade released from custody

In 2013, his conviction was overturned and he was released from prison after the discovery of new evidence of a bite mark on Margo Prades lab coat. That evidence was later rejected and he wound up back behind bars.

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Prade was sentenced in 1998 to 20 years to life at Marion Correctional Institution, where hes spent more than 25 years in total, according to the parole board.

Young mother killed in at local park was shot in the head: police

The Ohio Supreme Court rejected his appeal in 2019.

It was just a vicious murder and he deserves to serve a very long time in prison, then-Summit County prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said at the time. He had been harassing her, He had been illegally wiretapping her phone, threatening her and assaulting her. She was terrified of him.

Doug Prades next chance at parole comes in 2033, said a corrections department spokesperson.

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She can never come back, said Anuszkiewicz. She only can visit in our dreams. And she does. Ive dreamt about Margo every year for 20-some years now.

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A parolee wanted for stealing his ex-girlfriends gun was apprehended by state police near the Adamstown exit of Route 222 following a 24-mile vehicle chase that started in Reading and reached 120 mph.

Troopers used spike strips to slow Carlos J. Flores, 28, then one of them used an unmarked patrol vehicle to force Flores to stop. Troopers from the Lancaster and Reading stations took him into custody.

Flores, whose last known permanent address was in Ephrata, was committed to Berks County Jail in lieu of a total of $110,000 bail after arraignment before District Judge Brian K. Strand in Reading Central Court.

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He faces felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, possessing a firearm while prohibited, flight to avoid apprehension or punishment and lesser counts of possessing marijuana and other controlled substances.

According to court records:

Reading police Officer William Fursin III was in a marked patrol vehicle Wednesday morning with state parole agent Christopher Hall. Shortly after 8 a.m. the data system in the patrol vehicle showed a hit by a license plate reader for an Acura TSX sedan registered to Flores.

City police had charged Flores a day earlier after his ex-girlfriend reported that he stole her pistol after absconding from a halfway house.

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Fursin drove toward the Bingaman Street Bridge and turned on his emergency lights and siren. He saw the suspects vehicle turn from South Fifth Street onto Pine Street.

He caught up to the Acura, which began to park on the east side of the street where parking is prohibited.

Fursin conducted a high-risk stop: pulling up behind the Acura, he exited the vehicle with his service weapon and pointed it at the driver, ordering him to put his hands outside the car.

The driver, whom he identified as Fores, looked at him through the side mirror and then pulled away, speeding toward the bridge.

Fursin returned to the patrol vehicle and began to pursue the Acura, which turned onto Route 422. Another officer joined the chase as the vehicles passed the Penn Street exit.

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The Acura swerved from the left lane onto the ramp to Route 12, nearly hitting several vehicles, before veering back to Route 422 westbound, continuing past the Berkshire Mall.

The suspect continued onto southbound Route 222 toward Lancaster, going as fast as 120 mph.

Fursin learned that state police from Reading were joining the chase. Several troopers whooshed past the Reading police car. Fursin followed without his emergency lights or siren on.

A short time later, he arrived at the Adamstown exit where the Acura was stopped. He saw Flores in the back of a troopers vehicle.

Flores was transported to Central Processing. Fursin had the car towed to City Hall and applied for a search warrant. A search of the vehicle revealed the 9 mm pistol that had been reported stolen to Reading police a day earlier, a plastic bag containing about 4.5 ounces of synthetic cannabis and a larger bag containing an unspecified amount of loose marijuana.

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Flores has a history of violent offenses dating to 2015, when he was arrested by Reading police for stabbing a woman in her leg. In 2022, he was sentenced by Judge Thomas G. Parisi to three to six years in state prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.

His convictions and status as a parolee prohibit him from having a firearm.
DALLAS  South Carolina pastor Rhett Burns set out to change how the Southern Baptist Convention thinks about financial transparency, and the denominations top policymaking body defeated many of his hopes.

But Burns advocacy didnt fall on deaf ears, as his congregation at First Baptist Church (FBC) Travelers Rest can attest to.

Its Gods money and we want to have an open hand and be up front with everybody, Ron Tweedy, a deacon at FBC Travelers Rest, said in an interview. And at the end of the day, I just have the same expectation for our denomination as I do for our church.

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Tweedy was one of five parishioners to accompany their pastor to Dallas this week as delegates, called messengers, on behalf of FBC Travelers Rest, a congregation of no more than 100. The FBC Travelers Rest delegation cheered on their pastor at the SBC annual meeting as Burns called for stronger requirements for SBC-affiliated agencies to publicly disclose more details about spending, including the salaries of top executives.

Rhett Burns, right, 42, pastor of First Baptist Church Travelers Rest in South Carolina, worships during the Southern Baptist Conventions annual meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

Burns advocated for the same basic SBC policy changes at the 2023 and 2024 SBC annual meetings, and this year he yet again faced resistance.

Almost none of the legislative proposals that Burns and his allies pushed for moved forward in any meaningful way, and a June 11 floor debate highlighted the differing views among Southern Baptists about how to strengthen financial accountability. Though divided, messengers at the Dallas meeting displayed a greater interest in the denominations financial health and how to best monitor that health going forward.

These differing sentiments emerged when Burns brought a proposed measure that dealt with reporting requirements about executive pay.

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Burns argues that requiring SBC-affiliated agencies, called entities, to publish detailed financial information like executive pay helps promote trust between those entities and everyday Southern Baptists. The Nashville-based denomination's collective budget, called the Cooperative Program, receives income from church giving and supports 10 major entities.

I wish we could get back to a point where we trust one another more, Burns said in an interview.

Burns believes having the right guardrails in place instills more confidence in Southern Baptists that entities are responsibly spending that income received from church giving. But a legislative debate dealing with one of Burns' proposals faced fierce opposition from other messengers.

Is there anything significant to be gained by simply knowing how much money certain people make?" John Piwetz, pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, said during a June 11 debate on the floor of the convention. "It would inevitably generate disagreements, envy and division.

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Ive learned that what matters more than transparency is integrity," Piwetz said. "Publishing salaries is not a solution, it only causes more issues.

Piwetz was speaking against a proposal from Burns to amend a new SBC Business and Financial Plan. The SBC Executive Committee, which is the denomination's administrative arm, put forward a new Business and Financial Plan this year for messengers to adopt.

Executive Committee staff said this new version is a step toward greater transparency. But Burns saw the plan as a farce, and he tried to amend it.

They did it in such a way to try to  take the bullet out of the chamber of those who are pushing for more transparency," Burns said in an interview prior to the June 11 floor debate.

Rhett Burns, 42, pastor of First Baptist Church Travelers Rest in South Carolina, poses for a portrait outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center during the Southern Baptist Conventions annual meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Dallas.

Ultimately, messengers strongly rejected Burns proposed change and adopted the new Business and Financial Plan as presented by the Executive Committee.

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"Im disappointed, but this isnt the end of the world," Burns said. "What I'm excited about is going back to Travelers Rest.  We have a lot of work to do at our church."

The church at the center of a campaign to change the convention

Burns' motivation for his advocacy across the SBC started with his experience at his small-town church.

Burns became the pastor at FBC Travelers Rest in 2023 after a ministry career that included seven years serving as a missionary in central Asia. But he long knew of FBC Travelers Rest from his grandparents, who had been longtime members there.

There are two members at FBC Travelers Rest who have been there for 70 years, since their baptisms in May 1955. Other members are descendants of the forbearers who founded the church in 1913.

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They have been faithfully giving to this church and faithfully giving to the Cooperative Program, Burns said. Theres a gravity there for responsibility with our money. As pastor, I feel a sense of responsibility.

Since Burns' appointment and the addition at around the same time of members like Tweedy, the congregation has been more engaged with SBC news and governance concerns. For this year's convention in Dallas and last year's in Indianapolis, FBC Travelers Rest has sent more messengers than it typically has.

Meanwhile, the same virtues have guided the congregation to re-examine its own financial practices.

Some of the newer members were thinking, Hey, we need to be better stewards of what were actually giving to the Cooperative Program, and making sure that money is being used properly, Tweedy said.

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The church formed a study group to review potential changes to the churchs giving to national Southern Baptist ministries. That study group gave a report in April, and the congregation waited to make any final decisions until Burns and Tweedy report back from Dallas.

Historically, 10% of FBC Travelers Rests budget has gone toward the Cooperative Program, which in 2024 totaled $11,508. Now, the church is considering separating out that 10% share and selectively giving to some SBC entities and withholding from others.

Southern Baptist Convention President Clint Pressley speaks on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, during the conventions annual meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

This model of targeted giving to certain entities is gaining popularity, and recent policy changes at the state level are allowing more churches to do that.

There has been growing distrust toward certain entities in the wake of different controversies, causing churches to carefully consider whether their giving is consistent with their values. One example is that more churches are withholding giving to the SBC Executive Committee due to legal fees the committee is paying for abuse-related court battles.

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Were living in this moment where authority is being decentralized in some ways, Burns said. The gatekeepers arent gatekeeping in the same ways.

Related: What Southern Baptist budget debate says about denomination's precarious funding

Echoes of the past, alarms to future crises

Elements of these deliberations in Dallas echo those of the 2019 and 2021 SBC annual meetings following a recommendation for financial accountability introduced by Morris Chapman, former chief executive for the SBC Executive Committee.

It is our desire that we who are administrators and executives  be just as trustworthy and as honest as those serving in the field giving a report to us, Chapman said at the 2019 meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. This year, the light has shined on our cooperative work in ways that revealed our need for reform.

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Two years later, the SBC Executive Committee proposed changes to the Business and Financial Plan but faced fierce opposition, including from prominent Southern Baptists who today are top executives at SBC entities. Many were concerned that the proposal gave the SBC Executive Committee too much authority over other entities and their compliance with financial guidelines.

The merit of that proposal aside, the fundamental concerns behind it are more prescient than ever. Cooperative Program giving has decreased by 6%, or $12.9 million, since the 2021-22 fiscal year, and many entities have reduced staffing totals since then.

Messengers at the Southern Baptist Conventions annual meeting file toward the convention hall on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

Also, the SBC Executive Committee, North American Mission Board, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have faced scrutiny for separation agreements between those entities and former executives who resigned, some in scandal. Southern Baptists have often wondered in those cases how much severance the entities paid those ousted executives.

Amid this turmoil, Burns congregation at FBC Travelers Rest has responded differently. Tweedy said some of his fellow parishioners think its simplest for the church to leave the SBC altogether.

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Though sympathetic to that unease, Tweedy and Burns support a more balanced strategy. For example, the church can potentially change its giving practices to the national convention without jeopardizing its ability to send messengers to the SBC annual meetings and to continue to advocate for policy changes.

To Tweedy, the best way to honor the churchs legacy of financial support for the SBC is not to give up.

Our folks have been giving faithfully for decades, Tweedy said, and it would be irresponsible of us just to take our ball and go home.

Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media @liamsadams.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Southern Baptist Convention: Pastor fights for financial accountability
Former State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service)

LINCOLN  Former State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks announced her 2026 candidacy Friday to return to the Nebraska Legislature, a day after the current officeholder said she would not seek reelection.

State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln announced her decision not to run again Thursday, leaving the central Lincoln seat open, as first reported by the Nebraska Examiner.

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Just 24 hours later, Pansing Brooks enthusiastically threw her hat in the ring with Rayboulds support, one of more than 70 current and former officials to endorse Pansing Brooks.

People keep calling me saying, What should I do? Pansing Brooks told the Examiner. And I keep thinking, Well, what should I do to help this country right now? The main thing that I know that I can do is run for office.

Pansing Brooks, 66, said she hopes to be an example for others to run for office and get involved in these very strident times.

Theres still work to do

During her first two terms in office, 2015 to 2023, Pansing Brooks said she worked to be a voice to bring people together, elevate conversations and help people see other sides to issues.

Former State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln talks to State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha as she returns to the Legislature for an annual visit by former state senators. April 16, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

If elected back to Legislative District 28, Pansing Brooks said she would continue uplifting juvenile justice reform, combatting human trafficking, defending workers rights, protecting public education, supporting small businesses, expanding correctional programming for successful reentry and ensuring access to and equity in health care, right where I left off in 2022.

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Among Pansing Brooks previous successes: protecting survivors of human trafficking from prostitution charges, mandating new juvenile room confinement standards and reports and shielding survivors of sexual assault and sex trafficking before criminal charges are filed.

Theres still work to do, she said.

Pansing Brooks has a history of working with conservative colleagues, such as with former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan on dyslexia. The pair toured schools and passed laws to increase interventions for students with dyslexia and require teachers to be educated about the disability.

Pansing Brooks also worked closely with former State Sen. Tom Brewer, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and the Legislatures first Native member, notably to help pressure the closing of four beer stores in the village of Whiteclay in Brewers north-central Nebraska district. For decades, the stores helped fuel alcoholism for the neighboring Pine Ridge Reservation, home to the Oglala Lakota.

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The duo also worked to add Indigenous Peoples Day to state law alongside Columbus Day.

Brewer is one of many former conservative colleagues of Pansing Brooks to have already endorsed her 2026 campaign.

Returning after term limits

Pansing Brooks, if elected, would join a handful of lawmakers to return after being term-limited. She said she knows there will be horrible days, as there were before and that it might be tough.

However, Pansing Brooks said, Theres goodness and kindness to share, important laws to make and ways to support our fabulous Nebraskans.

State Sens. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, left, and Tom Brewer of north-central Nebraska, chair of the Legislatures Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. March 3, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Since 2023, the one-house Legislature has been increasingly divided on partisan lines. Pansing Brooks would return as lawmakers have a heightened focus on the LGBTQ community that she advocated for during her time in office.

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She had proposed legislation attempting to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, which other senators picked up after her absence.

I care about the rights of people to live and to be who they are, to not have prejudice against them, no matter what group theyre in, Pansing Brooks said. But Im also going to be there to learn and listen and try to figure out if theres new steps where Im needed or new issues where Im needed, then thats what Ill do.

A different Legislature?

Another lawmaker who returned after being term-limited, former State Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, declined to seek reelection in 2022, in part because of how much the institution had changed in the four years he was gone. Lathrop endorsed Pansing Brooks, with whom he served.

Just one lawmaker has been term-limited twice since the voter-approved restrictions took full effect after 2006: former State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha.

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Pansing Brooks said that, if elected, she would not return with any assumptions that she would be treated differently than other newbie lawmakers.

She said she knows she would need to make new friendships and gain trust, which shes ready to do, and that Nebraska could be a model for Congress on working together.

In 2022, Pansing Brooks was the Democratic candidate for Nebraskas 1st Congressional District, falling short to U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb. Flood, a former colleague, repeatedly sought to tie Pansing Brooks to national Democratic policies and party leaders.

Then-State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks chats with former U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson during Pansing Brooks 2022 campaign for Congress. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Pansing Brooks in that 2022 congressional race won her legislative district by a slightly greater percentage of votes than Raybould did that year. It is Lincolns most progressive legislative district.

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A bipartisan group of former senators endorsed Pansing Brooks, including State Sens. Kathy Campbell, Bob Krist, Carol Blood, John McCollister, DiAnna Schimek, John Stinner, Tony Vargas and Lynne Walz.

She is endorsed by current State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh, John Cavanaugh, Danielle Conrad, Wendy DeBoer, George Dungan, John Fredrickson, Dunixi Guereca, Megan Hunt, Margo Juarez, Terrell McKinney, Dan Quick, Raybould, Victor Rountree and Ashlei Spivey. All but Hunt, a nonpartisan progressive, are Democrats in the officially nonpartisan Legislature.

Other early endorsements include Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson (former governors and former U.S. senators), former Nebraska Lt. Govs. Kim Robak and Maxine Moul and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird.

A plea to work together

Pansing Brooks, who had been a Republican for much of her life until the 2000s, including a stint as Lancaster County GOP chair, said shes honored by conservative friends she made in the Legislature who have now endorsed her.

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It makes me realize that this is possible. We dont all have to be divided and in circular firing squads, just firing away at each other, Pansing Brooks said.

Pansing Brooks added that the Legislature is special and that she hopes lawmakers can continue to find common ground.

Weve done that in the past, Pansing Brooks said. We can continue to do it.

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A teenage florist who used tips and donations to by bleed control kits for his community has been given a further two kits in a donation from the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Bobby-Ray, 16, from Yardley, Birmingham, decided to raise money for life-saving kits after friends had knives pulled on them.

He started his business, Bobby's Flowers, in March and the kits have cost 112 each.

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PCC Simon Foster said Bobby-Ray had shown "remarkable leadership" by raising money to provide the equipment.

The teenager previously said he was grateful for everyone who had visited a shop outside his mother's former cafe in Yardley.

Bobby-Ray opened his second shop in Hall Green in April.

Bobby-Ray has been selling flowers in Yardley [BBC]

Foster said the boy's actions were "a testament to the positive impact young people can have in preventing harm and saving lives".

The PCC stated he was "really impressed" by the teenager and "his outstanding initiative and commendable dedication to our community".

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"Bobby-Ray's efforts align with my commitment to prevent and tackle knife crime and to ensure the safety of our residents.

"Last year, I distributed 420 bleed control kits across the West Midlands, and it is heartening to see young people like Bobby-Ray taking up this vital cause."

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The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission oversees the state's liquor stores. (Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission/Flickr)

The former head of Oregons Liquor and Cannabis Commission will pay a $1,500 fine for using his state position to divert and obtain rare bourbon for himself.

In a 7-1 vote Friday, eight of the nine present members of Oregons Government Ethics Commission approved the penalty for Steve Marks, former state liquor and cannabis director, after rejecting a much smaller $500 fine proposed in May.

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Marks, who resigned from his position in February of 2023 after 10 years leading the agency, was one of six high-level liquor and cannabis employees implicated in a long-running scheme to divert rare bottles of liquor to stores where the employees could obtain them. All have either resigned or been fired. The others are also facing ethics penalties.

Commissioner Ivan Resendiz Gutierrez, the only member to vote against the $1,500 penalty, said he wanted Marks to pay either $5,000  the maximum civil penalty  or no less than $3,600.

I think the penalty should be significantly higher, and the reason for that is that he was an agency director, Resendiz Gutierrez said.

Commissioner Jonathan Thompson countered that, Theres no fine that we can impose greater than what they went through in the press and losing their jobs.

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Robert Steringer, Marks lawyer, said his client is prepared to accept the fine.

The Oregonian first reported on the years of diversions of rare liquors by Marks and employees on Feb. 8, 2023, following a records request that included an interagency personnel investigation.

An investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice that wrapped up in 2024, however, brought little to support a potential criminal case and agency lawyers opted not to pursue charges. In their investigation, they detailed challenges in tracing and proving who bought which bottles where, because of a convoluted distribution system for inventory and point-of-sale record keeping.

The Oregon Ethics Commission based their own investigation and fine on the evidence it had from an interview with Marks where he admitted to diverting and purchasing a single $329.99-bottle of rare Pappy Van Winkle 23 bourbon.

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Susan Myers, executive director of the Government Ethics Commission, said the $1,500 fine is an appropriate resolution.

Its five times the amount he paid for the bottle, three times more than what the prior settlements of others involved were, she said. It is an appropriate resolution given its one bottle, and recognizing that he was the director and, as you say, is held to a higher standard.

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(WHTM)  Pennsylvania children may be at risk because of diesel truck traffic near schools and daycares.

According to the Clean Trucks Pennsylvania Coalition, it found 70,000 children are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic diesel pollution in the state.

It added this is because 122 K-12 schools, 217 licensed childcare centers and 300 public parks are close to an interstate highway in Pennsylvania.

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Children are particular vulnerable because they breathe more air per a unit of bodyweight, spend more time outside and their lungs and immune systems are still developing, said Janet Conklin, a researcher with Generation180, who led the study.

Local areas in the report include Camp Hill, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg and York, among others.

PennsylvaniaDieselReportDownload

The researchers recommended no-idling zones, air quality monitoring and landscape buffers as a remedy to the issue.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WHTM)  A Pennsylvania inmate was captured after he was mistakenly released from a correctional facility last month.

U.S. Marshals announced they took 53-year-old Jamal Burkett into custody after he was released from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, a prison in Philadelphia.

According to U.S. Marshals, Burkett was convicted of shooting at a Philadelphia Police officer who was assigned to the federal task force.

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Officials were alerted about Burketts release when an audit was conducted Tuesday by the Marshal Service.

Former York County officer allegedly used law enforcement database for dating purposes

A southwest Philadelphia apartment where Burkett was found was swarmed by the fugitive task force at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. Burkett was taken to the Federal Detention Center after being taken into custody without incident, U.S. Marshals said.

Supervisory Deputy for the fugitive task force Robert Clark said the capture of Burkett was truly exceptional.

Anyone who discharges a firearm at police officers must pay for their actions, Clark said Capturing Burkett in less than 24 hours after being notified of his release is truly exceptional.

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Burkett was sentenced to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to assault on a federal officer and weapons possession charges.

Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility is the largest of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. It is comprised of four housing buildings and an administration building, according to its website.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Norwegian oil and gas operator DNO has completed the acquisition of Sval Energi from HitecVision.

The deal, which carries a cash consideration of $450m (NKr4.48bn) based on the enterprise value of $1.6bn, will boost DNO's presence in the North Sea.

In March, DNO signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Sval Energi Group.

The acquisition quadruples DNO's North Sea production to 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) and increases its proven and probable (2P) reserves to 189 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe), a fourfold increase.

Additionally, the company's contingent resources (2C) now total 316mboe.

With this strategic move, Norway and the UK now account for nearly 60% of DNO's global production and around 45% of its global reserves.

The remainder is largely concentrated in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

DNOs executive chairman Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani said: The Sval Energi assets provided a rare opportunity to significantly upsize DNOs North Sea operations and, of course, DNO itself. And we moved quickly to seal the deal.

Halvor Engebretsen, former CEO of Sval Energi, will lead the expanded North Sea business as managing director of DNO Norge.

Backed by ongoing field development projects and several discoveries in the pipeline for project approval, DNO stated that it is strategically positioned to enhance its North Sea production in the coming years.

The combined 2P reserves and 2C resources in the North Sea equal 15 years of production at the current output levels, added the company.

The company stated that it is also actively seeking additional acquisition opportunities and is committed to expediting the development and monetisation of its discoveries in Norway.

Rahmani added: It takes most Norwegian oil companies a ridiculously long eight to ten years to bring a discovery to first production, even with simple subsea tiebacks to existing platforms. Compare that to the two to three years, if that, to execute this task in other established basins.

Last week, to fund the acquisition, DNO raised $400m through hybrid bonds.

In Kurdistan, DNO has maintained production from its Tawke licence at approximately 80,000boepd, with minimal new investment. It holds a 75% interest and operatorship of the licence.

Its Cote dIvoire gas assets consistently produce more than 3,000boepd net.

DNO is planning four development wells and one exploration well in the years 202526.

"DNO completes acquisition of Sval Energi from HitecVision" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
(WHTM)  Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman (D) and Dave McCormick (R) both praised Israels Friday morning attack on Iran.

The assault targeted Irans nuclear program and top military leadership, increasing fears for an all-out war between the largest militaries in the region.

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Fetterman, who has become a black sheep in his party for his staunch support of Israel, did not mince words in a social media post: Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear program.

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In recent weeks, President Donald Trump has tried to secure a nuclear deal with Iran. A 2015 deal, which Trump pulled out of during his first term, allowed the country to enrich uranium to 3.67%, enough to fuel domestic energy, below the threshold of 90% needed for weapons-grade uranium.

Iran now enriches up to 60%. However, the country has long denied that it used uranium for anything other than civilian purposes.

In a statement, McCormick thanked the president for his efforts to reach a deal but pointed out that the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United nations nuclear watchdog, declared this week the country was not in line with its nuclear obligations.

Iran has been a destabilizing threat to security in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and around the world, and has the blood of Americans on its hands, McCormick said. Preventing Iran from having a nuclear bomb is in the interest of the civilized world.

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McCormick added he was praying for the success of Israels mission to thwart the worlds largest state sponsor of terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The United States was not involved in Israels strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an effort to distance the country from the spat.

Israel attacks Irans nuclear and missile sites, Iran responds with drone strikes

However, Fetterman called for the U.S. to provide increased support to Israel.

We must provide whatever is necessary  military, intelligence, weaponry  to fully back Israel in striking Iran, Fetterman said.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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As protests against the Trump administrations sweeping immigration raids continue across the country, particularly in California, where thousands have taken to the streets in largely peaceful demonstrations, tensions have escalated following Trumps deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles.

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Against this already charged backdrop  and coinciding with the planned nationwide "No Kings" protests on Saturday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey delivered a stark and deeply disturbing message that shocked many across the country.

Orlando Sentinel / TNS

Standing at a podium flanked by law enforcement officials and a sign that read "Florida: The Anti-Riot State," Ivey issued his warning to protesters. "So, I'm gonna break it down for you, all right, and if somebody wants to know what I mean by turn violent, all right, this is what I mean," he began. "If you resist lawful orders, you're going to jail. Let me be very clear about that."

"If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail. If you flee arrest, you're going to go to jail tired because we are going to run you down and put you in jail," he said.

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His language then quickly escalated into violent threats. "If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County, gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave, in our county, you're most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street."

Related: This FSU Student Had A Scathing Message For Donald Trump, And It's Going Mega Viral

He continued, "If you spit on us, you're going to the hospital and in jail. If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital and jail, and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here."

Then came his most chilling line: "If you throw a brick, a fire bomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains at, because we will kill you, graveyard, dead."

"We're not going to play. This has got to stop," Ivey said. "You're watching what's taking place out there. You're seeing police officers that are being attacked, being spit on, being put in harm's way just for doing their jobs. You're seeing ICE agents that are being targeted for doing their jobs, and you're seeing obstructionists that are doing all of this, standing in the way of law and order."

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Related: "Theres No More Hiding Their Ideology"  People Cannot Believe This "Terrifying" Post By Trump Is Real

With a sheriff warning he will kill protestors who do so much as throw a brick, many people are horrified:

"These violent fascist cops come out & just openly & unapologetically say that they're gonna brutalize &/or murder you for protesting &/or fighting back against their violence," one person wrote in a viral tweet.

"'we will kill you' this is so dystopian holy shit," another person said.

"When your state tells you that it will kill you for opposing them, the only option left is to overthrow the state. They should be careful what they wish for," this viral tweet read.

"What he is talking about is illegal," another said. "The police and ICE are engaged in nationwide lawlessness. They want the military to join in."

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"Threatening a violent death to any citizen by police should be a crime. Police are not judge, jury, and executioner. We have rights and due process for a reason. This should be a federal crime," this person said.

"they got all this heat for protesters but when a school shooter kills children they run and hide. FASCISTS ARE COWARDS," someone else wrote.

And lastly, this person asked, "Trump, ICE, police, the national guard, are all breaking the law and disappearing people, violating the constitution and the right to due process. Now, theyre threatening to kill people to preserve that act. What is this, if its not totalitarianism?"

What are your thoughts on the sheriff's warning and the reaction online? Let us know in the comments.

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Also in In the News: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public

Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem

Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason
Angela Rayner was the big winner from this weeks spending review, where ministers battled it out to convince the Treasury they are most deserving of the billions of pounds they want.

Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also in charge of housing, secured 39bn to fund the building of social and affordable homes.

This, coupled with attempts to loosen planning red tape, is part of Labours grand plan to build 1.5 million new homes to help ease the housing crisis that has kept a generation stuck in a renting doom loop.

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Britains housebuilders will be licking their lips, said Anthony Codling of investment bank RBC Capital Markets. Oodles of cash guaranteed for a decade should, in theory, release the shackles that have been holding back building for a generation.

Whether or not there are enough construction workers to actually build those houses remains to be seen. But as Codling says, while the housing market isnt fixed,it is less broken.

Except it isnt.

People who actually want to buy a property, as opposed to rent, are being milked by the state via stamp duty. This is a tax pretty much everyone agrees is terrible  it prevents people moving somewhere bigger when they have families, and downsizing when their nests are empty.

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Moving is not only good for society (it makes sense that people in the right-sized homes feel more settled and content), but also the economy. Every transaction generates income for conveyancers, surveyors, builders and so on.

People with room to house growing families are creating the next generation of taxpayers. No wonder the birth rate is worryingly low when its so hard for young people to buy.

It seems quite clear to me that there should not be stamp duty on property purchases, but politicians are addicted to the roughly 14bn it generates per year. Labour will also be worried about what happened in the pandemic, when a stamp duty holiday caused a surge in purchases and pushed prices through the roof.

You can understand the caution  pumping prices further into the stratosphere doesnt help the next generation take their first steps. But Sir Keir Starmer et al went further, making it dramatically more expensive for anyone to buy a house from April  and first-time buyers were badly hit.

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Before April, first-time buyers were exempt from stamp duty on the first 425,000 of a home. Now that has dropped to 300,000, meaning some buyers went from paying 300 in tax, to 7,000 overnight.

This betrayal is all the more cruel because this group of (largely) young people desperately getting on the property ladder, are highly likely to have voted Labour into an enormous majority just last year.

Apart from the pathetic Lifetime Isa (a confusing gimmick that barely helps anyone), there is now no real financial help for people trying to own their own home.

Perhaps the Governments grand plan will come off and there will be a glut of homes available to buy in a decades time. But that doesnt help people today.

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Labour has chosen, again, to prioritise one group of society over another. But Sir Keir and the Chancellor should remember that they were lent votes at the last election, as the end-of-cycle Tories ran out of steam.

Those aspiring to claim their own little piece of England today may not feel like giving Labour another chance next time around. Aiming to boost the number of social and affordable housing is all well and good, but achieving it by taxing the life out of those who dare to buy now is neither fair nor an election winner.

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Vendors were selling a variety of colorful national flags in downtown L.A. on Wednesday, but Axel Martinez settled on one with Old Glory on one half and the Mexican flag on the other.

The 26-year-old was born in the U.S., raised in Mexico City and returned to the States because of the opportunity, he said. On Wednesday, he stood among hundreds of other demonstrators outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown L.A. who were facing off with National Guard troops on Alameda Street. About a dozen other flags  from Mexico, the U.S., California, Guatemala and El Salvador  fluttered over the crowd.

"Everyone has a story here," Martinez said. "I'm proud to be Mexican and to be born here."

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For more than a week, protesters have made their way to downtown L.A. to demonstrate against immigration detentions in the city and the presence of the National Guard. Images of flags, mostly from Mexico, have spread in news reports and social media  at times drawing the ire of critics. Even supporters of the demonstrations have criticized the display of foreign flags, arguing they send the wrong message. Members of the Trump administration have posted images of the ensigns in social media posts, and called the protests an "invasion" or "insurrection."

"Look at all the foreign flags," Stephen Miller, President Trump's deputy chief of staff posted Sunday on the social platform X, calling Los Angeles "occupied territory."

Vice President JD Vance referred to protesters as "insurrectionists carrying foreign flags" on X.

But when several protesters were asked why they wave a foreign flag instead of the U.S.' red, white and blue, many provided a similar answer.

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"Why not?" Martinez said.

Near 1st and Alameda streets on Monday, 46-year-old Christopher Kim draped a South Korean flag over his back like a cape.

It was the first time he decided to participate in the protests, and he didn't think twice when he grabbed the Taegeukgi.

"I was seeing all these flags flying out there, but there's not just Korean, Mexican, Guatemalan people here," he said. "There's people from all over the world, living here in L.A., and we have a community here."

For him, bringing the flag was a tribute to his immigrant parents, who came to the U.S. and worked for their children to have better lives, he said.

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"They're not out here, but this represents my roots," he said. "This flag is my home, it's my family."

Asked whether flying the banner of another country during a protest should be deemed offensive or counterproductive, Kim scoffed and shook his head.

"This country is made out of immigrants," he said. "How could this be offensive to anyone?"

Early in the week, a 21-year-old woman who identified herself only as Jade bought a Mexican flag and joined a rowdy crowd of protesters on Alameda Street.

"These are our people," she told a reporter Monday.

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Both she and her parents were born in the U.S., but her grandparents immigrated from Mexico. Carrying the red, white and green flag was a nod to them and their sacrifices, she said.

"I came from a family of immigrants, and I'm here for them," she said. "This is my country. This is my family."

Farther down the street, Arielle Miller moved away from the police line, hoping to avoid the rubber bullets being fired by officers trying to disperse the crowd.

She looked back toward the police line and waved the blue and white flag of El Salvador. She's not Latin American, she said, but she was waving the flag for a close friend who couldn't go to the protests.

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"I got this for her because I wanted her to know that, she couldn't be here, and I love her, and I'm here for her," she said. "She has family that this is a really scary time for."

In the sea of people marching and chanting, the emblems of Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador and other countries were markers of the makeup of the community, she said. The flags are like hallmarks of the history that brought them to the same place to protest the treatment of new immigrants and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's presence in Los Angeles.

The flags "say, you can't erase me, and I matter," she said. "You can have pride in who you are, and where you came from."

Miller wasn't the only demonstrator this week to carry a flag for someone else.

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Najee Gow, who is Black and grew up in Minnesota, arrived downtown Wednesday with a Mexican flag on his back and led the crowd in chants with a megaphone outside the Metropolitan Detention Center.

His fiancee is from El Salvador, he explained, but the men who were selling flags had run out of the blue and white flags. He opted for the familiar red, white and green tricolor.

"It's affected me personally," he said of the recent immigration raids. Like other immigrants, he said, his fiancee is afraid.

He's heard critics who say foreign flags should not be carried in protests, but he shrugs it off.

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"That's like saying, 'Don't wave your heritage, your history,'" he said.

In protests where demonstrators are trying to stress the important contributions of immigrants and diversity, the assortment of national banners helps to underscore that message, he said. And that includes the Stars and Stripes.

"It's beautiful and, look, most of the [U.S.] flags are upside down," he said, looking into the crowd. "It should be every flag."

In front of the Metropolitan Detention Center, where protesters have gathered for several days near a line of National Guard troops, one flag vendor was selling a variety for $10 a piece.

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On Wednesday, he said he ran out of flags of Guatemala and El Salvador fast. Before he goes home, he'll probably give out the rest of the flags free to protesters, he said. It was his third day at the protests, and he said he'd just bring in a new batch the next day.

He declined to give his name, but said he was selling flags not just to earn a few extra dollars for his family but to support protesters.

When a demonstrator in a face mask tapped his pants' pockets and signaled he didn't have the cash for the flag, the vendor handed him a Mexico flag anyway.

"I got family that got deported too," he said. "They got picked up when all this started."

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Despite the images displayed by critics, there have been U.S. flags flown during the protests as well.

Javiera Burton, a 25-year-old from Chile, carried a U.S. flag Wednesday.

"We are living in the U.S., and this is the flag," she said, but she added that she had no qualms about foreign flags being flown in the protest. "I think people should do what they want to do."

At one point during the protest Wednesday, she said, a supporter of President Trump's immigration policies approached her and assumed that, because she was flying an American flag, she too supported the immigration crackdown that has occurred in the last few days.

So, she said, she detached the U.S. flag from its pole and hung it upside down  a symbol of distress.

"We're fighting for this country, fighting for our people," she said.

For some of those carrying foreign flags, the intent was to connect a disparate community of demonstrators, they said.

"The flag I carry is not my flag. It is our flag," said Kim, who carried a South Korean flag. "It represents an entire people, struggling to survive with dreams and hopes that are common to every human."

When he saw flags from Latin America in newscasts of the protests, he said, they seemed like an invitation for him to join in.

"Everyone out there holds their [flag] because of what it represents: we the people of Los Angeles," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
June 14 may be President Donald Trump's birthday and the 250th Army anniversary parade. But for those wanting to demonstrate distaste for the president, it will be "No Kings" day.

Approximately 2,000 communities across the U.S. plan to hold protests or demonstrations to oppose what they consider a power grab by the Trump administration. This is the third round of major nationwide protests in three months under Trump's second presidency, following the 50501 movement and the "Hands Off!" protests.

Organizers are expecting this to be the biggest yet, and crowds could be bolstered by Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles.

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Trump's first few months back in office have brought an onslaught of controversial directives, but are people actually protesting more than usual? Here is what we know.

No Kings protest locations: See where demonstrations are planned

Protests in 2025 compared to previous presidencies

The Crowd Counting Consortium is a joint project between the Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut. (Harvard and the Trump administration are in a fierce legal battle; this project was started long before that.) The consortium project collects publicly available information from political crowds in the U.S. at marches, protests, riots and more.

Here is how 2025 compares to Trump's first year in office and Biden's first year in office, by the number of gatherings:

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Jan. 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017: 4,641 protests

Jan. 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021: 10,933 protests

Jan. 1, 2025 - May 31, 2021: 14,713 protests

The Crowd Counting Consortium has not published movements since May 31. USA TODAY reached out to a researcher for this story.

Protests shift to focus on immigration this year

"The number of protests that they're saying they're going to have is absolutely jaw-dropping," says Dave Clark of the No Kings protests. Clark is a professor of political science at Binghamton University who collected global mass mobilization data funded by the Political Instability Task Force. (His research did not cover the U.S., which he says is hard to track due to the country's size and political diversity.)

But Clark said the consortium data suggests protests this year have intensified in frequency, in how nationalized they are and in their focus on pro-immigrant sentiment.

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"To the extent that we could call the protest regarding immigration as a movement ... it has the hallmarks of success," Clark said. "Where success really means that it's not going away. It's going to persist, it's going to stay in the public eye and remain in our public dialog, whether that will have policy consequences or not remains to be seen."

Anti-immigrant protests were uncommon under the Biden administration and nearly non-existent under the Trump administration, Clark said.

'Using the military for civil control is the wild card here'

On June 8, Trump sent in the California National Guard to quell largely peaceful protests over immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, without the governor's consent or invitation. He later sent 700 Marines to the city, some of whom are set to guard federal property and personnel. "No Kings" organizers believe these moves may prompt even more people to show up on Saturday, and Clark said it could change how the country reacts to the protests.

"I would say that using the military for civil control is the wild card here," he said, explaining there is little relevant precedent for it in the U.S. "In many cases, the move to authoritarian kinds of tactics will actually bring out more protesters."

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Trump had said that any protester may be "met with very heavy force," though the White House later walked it back to say he is fine with peaceful protests. The "No Kings" movement does not have a planned event for Washington, D.C.

But Clark said that a review of news reports from protests over the last week, after the last reported consortium data was released, shows a much higher number of arrests than usual.

"We don't usually see huge numbers of arrests in protests in Western democracies, particularly in the U.S.," Clark said. "And God knows we have a lot of protests in the U.S."

Where are the local 'No Kings' protests in Florida?

All protests have a different schedule, so check the No Kings website for details of a protest near you. Here are a few of the organized activities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

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How to watch the 'No Kings' protests around the country

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: No Kings, Hands off, 50501: Are people protesting more than usual?
MANILA (Reuters) -Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has petitioned the International Criminal Court to allow his interim release to another country, his lawyer said in a filing, citing his advanced age and a vow not to flee or commit any crimes.

Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague in March on murder charges linked to his "war on drugs", where thousands of alleged narcotics peddlers and users were killed. He has maintained his arrest was unlawful and tantamount to kidnapping.

Duterte's counsel Nicholas Kaufman told the ICC's pre-trial chamber a third country had expressed its "advance and principled agreement to receive Mr. Duterte onto its territory", according to the request released on Thursday. The name of the country was redacted in the text released to the public.

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Duterte is not a flight risk and will not commit crimes if released, his counsel said.

"Mr Duterte is no longer the President of the Philippines, and does not command the same influence or power he is said to have abused during the period of the alleged crimes," the request stated.

Duterte was swept to power in 2016 on a signature campaign to tackle crime and eradicate illegal drugs in the Philippines. During his six years in office, 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations, according to government data, but rights groups say the actual toll was far greater.

Duterte cited humanitarian reasons in his request, saying that he is already 80 years old.

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It also said the prosecution would not oppose Duterte's interim release as long as certain undisclosed terms are met.

The office of the prosecutor in an email said it would file before the ICC pre-trial chamber a response to Duterte's request, a public version of which will be available "which will clearly set out its position".

ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, who represents drug war victims, told broadcaster DZMM that her clients have opposed Duterte's interim release from the start.

Despite his detention, he was elected mayor by a huge margin in his home city of Davao during May's midterm elections.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by David Stanway, Martin Petty)
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte's defence team at the International Criminal Court has filed a motion for his interim release to an unnamed country, stating the prosecution would not object.

The 80-year-old stands accused of crimes against humanity over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups say killed thousands.

In a filing posted to the court's website late Thursday, defence lawyers said the involved country -- the name of which was redacted -- had expressed its "principled agreement to receive Mr Duterte onto its territory".

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ICC prosecutors have agreed not to oppose the request, according to the filing, which said discussions about an interim release had been under way since Duterte's first court appearance at The Hague on March 14.

"The Prosecution has confirmed its non-opposition to interim release to (REDACTED) (REDACTED) State Party" as long as certain conditions were met, the filing reads.

An annex spelling out the conditions for Duterte's release was not publicly available, but the defence team's filing noted that the octogenarian posed no flight risk and cited humanitarian concerns around his age.

Lawyers representing relatives of those killed in Duterte's drug war condemned the application for release, citing threats made against victims' families, and saying they had legal avenues to oppose it.

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"There is still a procedure within the ICC that requires the prosecution to comment and the ICC Pre Trial Chamber (PTC) to decide on the application for provisional release," lawyer Neri Colmenares said in a statement.

In an interview with local radio, lawyer Kristina Conti said she believed it was "50-50" the former president would be released.

"I hope the (drug war) victims can weigh in but that would be difficult if (the release is based on) humanitarian grounds, and he is reportedly sick," she said.

Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11, flown to the Netherlands that same night and has been held at the ICC's detention unit at Scheveningen Prison since.

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ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang is currently overseeing the case against Duterte after Karim Khan stepped aside during an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.

Requests for comment sent to the ICC prosecutor's office were not immediately returned.

cwl-pam/fox
Phoenix firefighters were dispatched to a construction site to rescue a worker who was trapped inside a trench.

Technical rescue crews arrived at the area in north Phoenix near 64th Street and Mayo Boulevard around 10:30 am. on June 12, said Capt. Daniel "DJ" Lee with the Phoenix Fire Department.

The construction worker was inside a 12-by-27-foot trench, unable to get out on his own, Lee said.

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He was partially trapped after his safe box slid, Lee said.

Rescue workers evaluated the worker in the trench and began treatment measures before extraction.

Using the excavator at the scene, along with rope rescue methods, crews were able to extricate the worker from the trench safely, Lee said.

The worker was taken to the hospital in stable condition, Lee said. No firefighters were injured in the rescue efforts.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix firefighters rescue trapped construction worker from trench
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Austin firefighters used a large saw to rescue a man stuck in a sewer drain in south Austin on Friday.

Just after 10 a.m. the Austin Fire Department posted about crews working in the 2000 block of West Ben White Blvd. westbound service road.

Photos show the crew pulling someone out of the drain after first cutting a section out of the concrete.

AFD works to free person stuck in sewer Off West Ben White Boulevard on June 13, 2025 (AFD Photo) AFD works to free person stuck in sewer Off West Ben White Boulevard on June 13, 2025 (AFD Photo) AFD works to free person stuck in sewer Off West Ben White Boulevard on June 13, 2025 (AFD Photo) AFD works to free person stuck in sewer Off West Ben White Boulevard on June 13, 2025 (AFD Photo) AFD works to free person stuck in sewer Off West Ben White Boulevard on June 13, 2025 (AFD Photo)

AFD said the crews will work to make the sidewalk safe again.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Troops get military assets into place and security fencing goes up around the National Mall where a large image of President Donald Trump drapes a federal building in preparation for Saturday's military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army that coincides with Flag Day and Trumps birthday.

This is a photo gallery curated by Associated Press photo editors.
Amid economic uncertainty, layoffs, and rapid changes in the workforce, strong leadership teams are vital to navigate challenges, and some companies have figured this out.

Most Read from Fast Company



On Wednesday, Comparably, an online platform for workplace culture insights and compensation data, revealed its eighth annual Best Leadership Teams ranking, highlighting the top-rated large, small, and midsize companies excelling in leadership.

At the top of the list was Elsevier, the science and academic publishing company, and ADP, the provider of human resources software.

ADPs leadership has been instrumental in strengthening ADPs brand

awareness, growing market share, and leading the companys sales,

marketing, and go-to-market activities, an ADP employee said.

These two top companies are led by women CEOs, despite only 6% of CEOs worldwide being women, and retained their ranking from the year before.

The leadership team always gives equal chances to the team members.

There is no partiality or favoritism. The forum is open for suggestions,

feedback, and discussion from the stakeholders, Comparably quoted one Elsevier employee as saying.

Despite positive employee ratings, women CEOs tend to leave their positions at higher rates than men, according to a recent report from Challenger, Gray, & Christmas, which looked at monthly data between January and February 2025. According to the report, 54% of women CEOs who left their position that month were replaced by men, and the rate of new women CEOs declined from 26% to 23%.

Where the top-ranked companies are located

Among the top 25 companies featured in the ranking, more than half are based in California and New York, with 10 companies across the Golden State, four in New York City, and one in upstate New York.

The ranking is the result of millions of reviews by employees who anonymously rated their direct managers, C-suite executives, and CEOs over a 12-month period. This years list was compiled with over 15 million ratings from 70,000 American and Canadian companies.

Here are the top 10 large companies with the best leadership teams.

Elsevier ADP Baylor Scott & White Health Teleperformance Synopsys Esri TaskUs Informatica SPS Commerce RingCentral

This post originally appeared at fastcompany.com

Subscribe to get the Fast Company newsletter: http://fastcompany.com/newsletters
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Duke Energy has finished a major upgrade to its underground electric system in downtown Terre Haute, aimed at reducing outages and improving reliability.

Over four miles of aging cables and 17 transformers were replaced across nine city blocks, along streets like Cherry, Ohio and Wabash.

Terre Haute underground electric network upgrade

Terre Haute underground electric network upgrade

Some critical equipment was also moved above ground to speed up future repairs, and new smart tech was added to automatically reroute power during outages.

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N. Vigo crash causes power outage for 100+ customers

The work originally began in 2021 and wrapped up this spring.

Duke also made upgrades to substations and transmission lines across Vigo County. The company said the improvements will help create a more resilient energy grid for years to come.

Duke Energy using helicopter to trim trees

This important work is part of a smart, multi-layered energy grid improvement strategy to help improve electric reliability and system resiliency, said Rick Burger, government and community relations manager at Duke Energy. The investments weve made in the city of Terre Haute over the past four years will ensure the energy grid our customers and their families depend on will be more reliable and more responsive in the future.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
South Korean far-right activist Jeon Han-gil does not appear on the official list of recipients of the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, contrary to claims online. The baseless posts share a manipulated image that splices Jeon's photo over a picture of US President Donald Trump conferring the award to a philanthropist and political donor.

"At first I thought he was full of hot air, but then I saw this photo where Jeon Han-gil received a medal directly from President Trump and I began to believe Trump really is behind him," reads part of the Korean-language caption of a collage shared on Facebook on June 11, 2025.

"Lee Jae-myung's government should realise that if it messes with Jeon, it will become enemies with President Trump."

The post refers to activist Jeon's claims that the United States would come to his aid if South Korea's newly elected president Lee Jae-myung targets him for supporting for impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol (archived link).

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The collage shows various screenshots of Jeon talking about Trump's supposed support and a larger image of him apparently receiving a medal from the US president (archived link).

Screenshot of the misleading Facebook post, captured on June 12, 2025

The same collage was shared in several Facebook groups supporting conservative politicians.

"Wow, an award from Trump himself -- you are a hero to the Republic of Korea," reads a comment on one of the posts.

"Any time a South Korean receives an award abroad should be a cause for great celebration," says another.

But the image purportedly showing Trump giving Jeon a medal is a fabrication.

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A combination of keyword and reverse image searches led to a photo taken by a New York Times photographer on November 16, 2018 (archived link).

The photo is captioned: "President Trump gave a Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miriam Adelson -- a doctor and philanthropist who, along with her husband, Sheldon Adelson, is a substantial donor to Republican candidates."

Screenshot comparison of the altered image (left) and the New York Times' photo from November 2018 (right)

Footage from the event was also posted on CBS News's YouTube channel, with the moment Trump awards Adelson the medal -- the highest US civilian award -- at the video's 25:05 mark (archived link).

Adelson is listed among the official recipients of the medal on the Trump White House website (archived link). Jeon's name does not appear on the list.

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The image of Jeon used in the doctored image matches his profile picture from the website of a civil service cram school, where he previously taught Korean history (archived link).

Screenshot comparison of the doctored image (left) and Jeon's profile image on a cram school website (right)

AFP has previously debunked other doctored images involving Trump and South Korean political figures, including similar manipulated visuals falsely showing Trump in a video conference with Yoon.
The timing of Israel's plan to attack Iran was top secret. But Washington pizza delivery trackers guessed something was up before the first bombs fell.

About an hour before Iranian state TV first reported loud explosions in Tehran, pizza orders around the Pentagon went through the roof, according to a viral X account claiming to offer "hot intel" on "late-night activity spikes" at the US military headquarters.

"As of 6:59 pm ET nearly all pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity," the account "Pentagon Pizza Report" posted on Thursday.

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Not confining its analysis to pizza, the account noted three hours later that a gay bar near the Pentagon had "abnormally low traffic for a Thursday night," and said this probably pointed to "a busy night at the Pentagon."

While far from scientific, the Pentagon pizza theory "is not something the internet just made up," The Takeout, an online site covering restaurants and food trends, noted earlier this year.

Pentagon-adjacent pizza joints also got much busier than usual during Israel's 2024 missile strike on Iran, it said, as there are "a multitude of fast food restaurants in the Pentagon complex, but no pizza places."

Pizza deliveries to the Pentagon reportedly doubled right before the US invasion of Panama in December 1989, and surged again before Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

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President Donald Trump told The Wall Street Journal he was fully aware in advance of the bombing campaign, which Israel says is needed to end Iran's nuclear program. "We know what's going on."

For the rest of Americans, pepperoni pie activity was not the only way to tell something was about to happen.

Washington had already announced it was moving some diplomats and their families out of the Middle East on Wednesday.

And close to an hour before Israel unleashed its firepower on Iran, the US ambassador in Jerusalem, Mike Huckabee, sent out a rather revealing X post: "At our embassy in Jerusalem and closely monitoring the situation. We will remain here all night. 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!'"

ksb/sms
PLAIN CITY, Ohio (WCMH)  Plain City is hosting locals on Friday for the opening of a historic railroad depot that was relocated to the village as part of a public square development.

The village is celebrating the depot at 134 Church St. in Plain Citys Uptown district from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, including a 4:15 p.m. dedication ceremony followed by tours of the new facility, live music and other family-friendly activities.

How a small town was revamped into Ohios most loveable downtown

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A community project several years in the making, the historic depot was dismantled and shipped from Upper Arlington in June 2024 then placed in Plain City. The depot marks the first phase of a larger public square project that will provide space for events, visitor amenities, commercial ventures, and historical displays.

The railroad depot was dismantled from Upper Arlington and marks the first phase of a larger public square project. (Courtesy Photo/Village of Plain City) The railroad depot was dismantled from Upper Arlington and marks the first phase of a larger public square project. (Courtesy Photo/Village of Plain City)

A goal of staff and council is to create unique gathering spaces in our Uptown district that complement our local businesses and landmarks of Plain City, said Haley Lupton, village administrator. Completion of the depot and plaza is a big first step and Im eager to see how these amenities breathe life into this growing area.

Future phases of the public square will include a park with a railroad-themed play area, splash pad, seating and fire pit, trailhead and green space for outdoor community events. The village will also repurpose an existing building into a marketplace that will provide all-season event and vendor space for a year-round farmers market.

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Black bear spotted in Licking County for the first time in over two decades

Positioned at the corner of East Bigelow Avenue and Church Street, the development pays homage to historical maps from 1862 to 1875 that also referred to the property as the public square. The site was home to the original Plain City town hall, fire department, school and other early community buildings.

The depot anchors Plain Citys public square, which will feature a park and a marketplace. (Courtesy Photo/Village of Plain City) The depot anchors Plain Citys public square, which will feature a park and a marketplace. (Courtesy Photo/Village of Plain City) The depot anchors Plain Citys public square, which will feature a park and a marketplace. (Courtesy Photo/Village of Plain City)

Plain City purchased the 1,473-square-foot depot in 2024 from the Fromm family, who restored the historic structure after acquiring it in 2004. Many of the original depot components were retained, including the original wooden walls and ceilings, while others were salvaged from other historical structures.

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The village said the depot project was made possible thanks to Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), who aided with the acquisition of a state capital appropriation grant worth $401,250. This funding was integral to the projects first phase which includes building installation, utility hookups, plaza construction, landscaping beds, and sidewalk installation around the park. the village said.

Proceeds from sale of Chillicothe paper mill property could help former employees, community

Were thrilled for the addition of the public square project and what it represents in the heart of our community, said Mayor Jody Carney. It solidifies a public gathering place that will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A small aircraft had to make an emergency landing at the North Las Vegas Airport, according to Las Vegas Metro police.

A police helicopter was on routine patrol when it was alerted to an in-flight emergency in the skies above the airport Thursday morning, police said.

LVMPD was able to locate the plane and notify the North Las Vegas Air Traffic Control Tower and the pilot that the landing gear was not deploying properly.

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At around 10:30 a.m., the pilot reported the malfunction.

Las Vegas Metro police said an in-flight emergency occurred above the North Las Vegas Airport on June 12, 2025. (Credit: Las Vegas Metro Police Department Air Support) Las Vegas Metro police said an in-flight emergency occurred above the North Las Vegas Airport on June 12, 2025. (Credit: Las Vegas Metro Police Department Air Support) Las Vegas Metro police said an in-flight emergency occurred above the North Las Vegas Airport on June 12, 2025. (Credit: Las Vegas Metro Police Department Air Support)

Police posted the video of the plane landing at the airport on its social media pages and added: Thanks to quick thinking and remarkable skill, the pilot executed a textbook emergency landing without the landing gear.

Those onboard were able to walk away safely, police added.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  This weekend, the City of Columbus is hosting several events in the Uptown area including the 80th Miss Georgia Pageant at the River Center, the Military Ball at the Trade Center and the Market Days on Broadway.

Additionally, two scheduled protests are expected to take place on Saturday, June 14, between 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.:

A No Kings demonstration in the 900 block of Broadway, with expected support from ColGay Pride and individuals affiliated with Antifa from Florida.

The same group applied for a permit to demonstrate in the 1300 block of Broadway.

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City officials say both protests are believed to be part of larger coordinated efforts.

Were fully prepared for the weekend ahead, said Chief Stoney Mathis. We welcome peaceful demonstrations and fully support the right to free speech. But we also have a responsibility to protect our community, and we will not allow violence or disorder to overshadow the events or endanger the public.



The Columbus Police Department says it is working with local, state, and federal partners to ensure a safe environment for everyone in the area. Officers will be present throughout Uptown to maintain public safety, manage crowds, and safeguard the rights of those who choose to protest peacefully.



RELATED COVERAGE: Security beefing up in Atlanta over potential protests

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Theres missing a flight, and then theres missing every flight because your airline just went bankrupt.

Thats what happened to hundreds of travelers this week when Silver Airways, a Florida-based regional carrier, abruptly announced it was ceasing operations effective immediately.

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Passengers flying between Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean were left at airports with no warning, no alternative flight plans and no customer service reps in sight.

We regret to inform you that we are ceasing operations as of today, June 11, 2025, the airline posted on Instagram. "Please do not go to the airport."

The bankruptcy came with zero notice and even fewer answers, raising questions for customers who already paid for tickets. Heres what led to the airlines sudden nosedive  and what to do if your summer vacation just hit major turbulence.

What went wrong?

Silver Airways has officially flown its last mile. Roughly five months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Florida-based airline grounded all flights  and not because of stormy weather.

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In a recent statement, the company revealed it had sold its assets to another airline holding company as part of a restructuring effort. But instead of reviving the brand, the new owner decided to ground all operations.

In an attempt to restructure in bankruptcy, Silver entered into a transaction to sell its assets to another airline holding company, who unfortunately has determined to not continue Silvers flight operations, the airline wrote in a statement.

Silver had hoped the bankruptcy would help secure new capital and offer a path toward financial recovery. Instead, the collapse has left travelers stranded and staff without jobs  a costly detour for everyone involved.

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

What about the travelers?

If youre one of the many people left grounded by Silvers sudden shutdown, dont expect a refund from the airline itself. In its final Instagram post, the company made it clear that customers wont be reimbursed directly.

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But all hope isnt lost.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you might be able to recover your money depending on how you paid. If you bought your ticket with a credit card, you can file a dispute with your card issuer under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Be sure to include a copy of your ticket and receipt, and clearly explain that the airline has ceased operations and failed to deliver the service you paid for.

Just dont wait too long. You typically have 60 days from the date your statement was issued  the one that includes the airfare charge  to file the dispute.

If you booked through a travel agent or third-party site, its worth reaching out to see if they can help secure a refund or offer any alternatives. Some agencies have extra protections or recourse built into their services.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Dana Bern and Stuart Meyer share a self-proclaimed nerd-hood for all things Naperville. Its a loving fascination, one the longtime friends relish. Now, they want to get the whole community  and really any potential Naperville buffs out there  in on the intrigue.

Bern and Meyer have started a new podcast dedicated to peeling back the layers on Naperville, the pair says. Dubbed Naperville Unwrapped, the podcast releases weekly. Episodes are short, just over five minutes at most, and focus on the idiosyncrasies  whether thats a person, place or phenomenon  that make Naperville, Naperville.

Launched earlier this spring, nine episodes have been released to date. Topics have ranged from the history of Napervilles Centennial Beach to nature exploration at Knoch Knolls Park.

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Were really just looking to turn Naperville inside out for all to see, Meyer said.

Meyer and Bern have known each other for years, they said. The pair met through their kids, who attended elementary through high school in Naperville together.

They were best buddies, Bern said.

Bern is a real estate agent who has lived in Naperville for more than two decades. Originally from Wilmette, she was living in Chicago when in 2004, her family decided it was time to move, she said. They had a wide breadth of places to choose from but Bern recalled going out to Naperville to attend Ribfest right around when they were weighing their options. The city piqued her interest and that was that, she said.

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Meanwhile, Meyer founded and owns Social Frequency Media Communications and lived in Naperville for more than 20 years. He moved to Florida in 2022 but still visits Naperville a few times a year. In that time, Meyer remained in touch with Bern.

Towards the beginning of the year, the pair started toying with the idea of launching a podcast. The venture was born out of their affinity for Naperville and their desire to tell its story  especially from a locals perspective  to a wider audience, they said.

Its really a fresh lens on a familiar place, Meyer said. I mean Naperville, lets face it, so many of us love it but it can get a bad rap from people who have never stepped foot in our community. My intention (is that this podcast) is a love letter (to the city).

Meyer and Bern decided to create a concise podcast that gives listeners audio snapshots into anything fun, quirky and quintessentially Naperville.

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Their first episode released April 22 and tells the story of how Naperville became Naperville, taking listeners back to the citys founding in 1831.

Another episode highlights Stenger Brewery, one of Napervilles earliest brewhouses. The same episode also offers a fun fact about a famous employee who worked at Stenger (and in the interest of staying spoiler-free, will remain anonymous here).

Theres an episode about the Naperville Cow Tunnel, built to be used by cattle more than 100 years ago near Webster Street and the current BNSF railroad north of downtown, and another about stargazing with the Naperville Astronomical Association.

Bern acts as host for the podcast, or as she says to listeners, is your local curatorial tour guide each episode. Meyer, who has previous experience podcasting, stays behind the scenes.

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Asked what other subjects they hope to delve into, Meyer and Bern said they already have a list of nearly 100 topics in their back pocket.

With their first batch of episodes out, they say the response so far has been incredible. And the duo is having a pretty good time producing the content too.

Im having a ball, Bern said. Im loving it. I love talking to people. Im probably talking peoples ears off about it, but Im just having so much fun.

Were just really looking forward to seeing what the road ahead has (in store) as people continue to fall in love with the show, Meyer said. Who knows what well be able to do once that really starts to happen.

Naperville Unwrapped is streaming on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Episodes are also available at napervilleunwrapped.libsyn.com/.

tkenny@chicagotribune.com
Police Department in Wisconsin provides response to inaccurate allegations of staffing shortages

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WFRV)  In response to recent online discussions regarding an alleged staffing shortage in one of its jurisdictions, the Milwaukee Police Department provided a release to address concerns.

According to the release, the Milwaukee Police Department was alerted that social media posts alleged only one squad was working in all of District Seven on Tuesday.

Janitor arrested at a Wisconsin high school in connection with child exploitation investigation

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That information is inaccurate and we were not contacted to verify that information, the release said.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the date in question for District Seven had multiple people on staff, but the lineup didnt reflect all squads on assignment.

District Seven had three hospital guards to staff, two sick calls, three limited duty officers inside, one officer on other excused union time and one at drone training, the Milwaukee Police Department said.

Police in Wisconsin continue to seek information in 2013 murder of woman shot in front of her children

According to the release, District Seven had a two-person captains car, another patrol car taking assignments and a late shift officer stayed over.

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No additional details were provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Independence Police Department confirmed a fatal shooting occurred overnight, Thursday, June 12, just before midnight at 15th Street and South Brookside.

IPD confirmed later Friday that one person is dead and two others are in the hospital, one being in critical condition and the other reportedly stable.

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IPD says that the three victims were located inside a residence on the scene, with one being pronounced dead there.

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However, IPD did not release any identification of the three victims.

This is an ongoing investigation; FOX4 will provide updates as theyre made available.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

A former Costco hourly sales employee may proceed with his lawsuit alleging that the retailer violated California's Fair Employment and Housing Act when it failed to accommodate his need to care for his wife, who had cancer, a federal judge held June 5.

The plaintiff in Head v. Costco Wholesale Corp. took continuous leave between March 2021 and June 2022 to care for his wife as well as his own medical condition. He exhausted all leave available under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Californias Family Rights Act and Costcos own leave policies. He then asked that his leave be further extended to continue care for his wife, but Costco denied the request and ordered him to return to work in July 2022.

The plaintiff ultimately resigned rather than return on the specified date. He sought reinstatement after his wife died but was denied. He filed several claims against Costco but, in a split verdict, the court held that only some of his claims could survive summary judgment, including failure to accommodate, failure to engage in the interactive process, retaliation, and wrongful termination.

Dive Insight:

The case highlights the complexities involved when state and federal leave laws intersect with an employers own leave policies.

Per the court, Costcos employee agreement with the plaintiff specified that the maximum continuous total amount of leave an employee may take  inclusive of both federal- and state-mandated leave, as well as Costcos own personal medical leave policy  is 12 months, except as required by law.

The plaintiffs first block of continuous leave began in March 2021 and ended June 2021, when he took FMLA and CFRA leave to care for his wife and exhausted his leave allotment under both laws in the process. He then took approved personal medical leave to care for his own health condition from June 2021 to February 2022.

Costco reached out to the plaintiff in February to inform him that his leave of absence was set to expire after one year. Per the court, the plaintiff responded by requesting an extension of his return date to February 2023 so that he could take care of his wife. Costco informed the plaintiff that he was not eligible for additional leave because he had not worked the requisite number of hours in the previous year to qualify for additional leave under either the FMLA or CFRA.

The plaintiff ultimately sued, alleging in part that Costco violated FEHA by discriminating against him based on his association with a person who had a disability, his wife.
Police investigating fraud

A 55-year-old Barnesville woman was scammed out of $5,810 after she fell victim to a hacker on her cellphone, state police at Frackville said.

Police said on May 31, an unknown person texted the woman, saying they were a member of Chime Mobile Banking Company. The scammer asked if she had authorized certain charges and said her account was hacked. The scammer told the victim to move all of her money out of Chime and any other accounts linked to it, and move it to her Apple Wallet. The victim deposited $5,810 to her Apple Wallet and gave the scammer her account information, then realized she had been scammed.

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Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Trooper Karaman at PSP Frackville at 570-874-5300, and reference incident number PA2025-675923.

Man injured in crash

A 66-year-old Cortland, New York, man was injured after a motorist under the influence of drugs rear-ended his vehicle on Interstate 81, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.

Zachary W. Shade, 30, of Pine Grove, was driving southbound on I-81 in Pine Grove Twp. when he struck a vehicle being driven by Edward W. Lancellotti, according to police. The New York man suffered an apparent serious injury and was transported by EMS to a local hospital. Police later discovered Shade was impaired by a drug.

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Shade faces DUI and assault charges.

Woman scammed by Dish TV

A 61-year-old Tremont woman was scammed out of $299.99 when someone posing as a Dish TV employee deceived her into sending a check, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.

Police are investigating the incident, which they say occurred between April 30 and May 22.
Two more arrests have been made in connection with a gangland feud across central Scotland, taking the total number of arrests to 44.

Police Scotland launched Operation Portaledge in response to a series of assaults, shootings and firebombing incidents in Glasgow and Edinburgh since March.

The force said a 25-year-old man was arrested and charged after a firearm was recovered from Roseburn Path in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

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Officers also arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with fire-raising of a vehicle on Peacocktail Close in Edinburgh on 16 May.

Meanwhile, detectives are investigating whether an incident at a property on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh is linked to the dispute.

A police spokesperson said a window was discovered damaged at a property in the street on Friday.

Police are keeping an open mind as to whether an incident on Walter Scott Avenue in Edinburgh is linked to the ongoing feud [BBC]

In a separate development, a 21-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with wilful fire-raisings at two properties in Glasgow and one in Shotts, North Lanarkshire, in April.

Officers also executed warrants at addresses in South Queensferry and Edinburgh on Friday.

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Det Ch Sup Dave Ferry said police were continuing to follow a number of lines of positive inquiry and thanked local communities for their support.

He added: "Our continued activity and arrests show our commitment to targeting organised crime and bringing those responsible to justice."

More than 8,000 homes have been visited and over 1,600 vehicles stopped as part of the current investigation.

Timeline: How the gang feud developed
ODESSA, Texas- The Odessa Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in identifying two individuals involved in a theft at Ulta Beauty.

The incident occurred at the Ulta Beauty store located at 6317 E. Highway 191. On the day of the theft, an unidentified male and female entered the store and stole over $600 worth of merchandise. The suspects were captured on in-store surveillance cameras, and still images have been obtained from the footage.

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The Odessa Police Department is now turning to the community for help. If you recognize either individual shown in the surveillance photos, contact Detective M. Troglin directly at 432-284-2012.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Odessa Crime Stoppers by calling 432-333-TIPS or by using the P3 Tips mobile app. Be sure to reference Case #25-0006173 when providing any information.

All tips submitted through Crime Stoppers are guaranteed to remain confidential, and information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.
CHICAGO (WGN)  Authorities in Chicago are offering a warning to residents in the Loop amid the search for a man who police say sexually assaulted two young girls at a playground on Wednesday evening.

According to police, the incident unfolded just after 7:30 p.m. at a playground in Jones Park, located in the 1200 block of South Plymouth Court in the Loop.

Officers said the victims, three minor girls, were at the playground when the unknown man approached one of them and grabbed her as she crawled on the equipment.

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Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The man then walked over to another girl in the group, sat next to her and engaged her in a brief conversation before officers say he allegedly touched her in an inappropriate manner.

Following the incident, the three girls left the playground, but police say the man proceeded to follow them briefly before he fled northbound through the Plymouth Court tunnel.

Photos provided by Chicago police show a man wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two young girls at a Loop playground on June 11, 2025. Photo provided by Chicago police show a man wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two young girls at a Loop playground on June 11, 2025. Photo provided by Chicago police show a man wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two young girls at a Loop playground on June 11, 2025.

On Thursday, Chicago police shared photos captured by surveillance cameras of the man as officers continued their search.

Officers say they believe the person responsible is a Black man who is between 60 and 70 years old.

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Additionally, officers said the man was missing teeth but had at least one gold tooth remaining and was bald-headed with grey or white facial hair.

At the time of the incident, the man was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt bearing a white skeleton decal and blue jeans.

Man arrested after gun fired on CTA bus in West Town

Police advise the public to remain aware of the incident and notify friends, family or coworkers who work or live in the area where it unfolded.

Police also advise the public to remain aware of their surroundings and pay attention to suspicious individuals or vehicles loitering in the area.

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According to officers, anyone who is confronted by an assailant should try to remain calm.

Authorities warn the public never to pursue a fleeing assailant and instead work to remember any unique physical characteristics of the offenders.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Police say those who fall victim or witness a crime should call 911 immediately and provide authorities with a detailed description of the offenders.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CPD Special Investigations Unit at 312-492-3810 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
PHOENIX - From a guilty verdict in the second and final Arizona trial for the so-called Doomsday Mom to a police shooting in the East Valley, here's a look at some of the top stories on FOX10Phoenix.com for Thursday, June 12, 2025.

1. Police shooting in the East Valley

2. Suspect IDed in New River pastor's murder

Also Read: New River pastor's murder: Investigators detail suspect's criminal history

3. Doomsday Mom found guilty in 3rd trial

4. Latest on deadly Air India crash

5. What to know about protests against Trump on Saturday

Also, your weather forecast for tonight
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo dismissed the notion that Iran is not a threat to the U.S., calling it a fantasy.

Israel launched an attack Thursday night, striking Irans nuclear facilities and killing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief and other high-status commanders. Iran retaliated with a swarm of drones, which Israels Iron Dome is shooting down.

Iran has killed hundreds of American troops. It tried to assassinate an ambassador in D.C. It tried to kill President Trump. Its leaders chant death to America. We must never let this terrorist regime get a nuclear weapon, Pompeo wrote Friday on social platform X.

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Through its involvement in the war in Iraq, the Pentagon confirmed the deaths of 603 U.S. service members killed by Iranian-backed militias.

In November, Manhattan prosecutors charged Iranian Farhad Shakeri of murder-for-hire in an attempt to assassinate Trump. And in 2020, the Iranian government was accused of plotting an assassination of a diplomat in Washington, D.C., in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military general.

After weeks of meetings, Iran pulled out of negotiations with U.S. officials planned for Sunday in Oman over its nuclear program. Trump posted on Truth Social, Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iran Empire.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill, on both sides of the aisle, have expressed support for Israel and agree that Irans nuclear program must be terminated.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -The canonisation of the first Catholic saint of the millennial generation, Carlo Acutis, will take place on September 7, Pope Leo announced on Friday.

Acutis, a British-born Italian who died from leukaemia in 2006 at the age of 15, was originally set to be made a saint on April 27 but the event was suspended after the death of Pope Francis.

Leo announced the new date during a meeting with cardinals to discuss sainthood causes on Friday.

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The pope did not say where the sainthood ceremony would be held, but canonisations are usually celebrated in St. Peter's Square. Acutis' sainthood has drawn wide attention from young Catholics and is likely to bring tens of thousands of people to Rome.

Acutis, sometimes referred to as "God's influencer", learned several computer coding languages before his death and built websites to spread his faith.

His mother, Antonia Salzano, told Reuters in April that the heart of her son's appeal was that he lived the same life as others who were teenagers in the 2000s.

"Carlo was an ordinary child like (others)," she said. "He used to play, to have friends, and to go to school. But his extraordinary quality was the fact that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and put Jesus in first place in his life."

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Being made a saint indicates that the Church believes the person is now in Heaven with God.

Sainthood causes are examined by a Vatican department that must confirm that a potential saint lived a holy life, and usually also involves the verification of two miracles attributed to the future saint's intercession with God in Heaven.

Acutis is credited with the healing of a 4-year-old Brazilian boy with a serious pancreatic malformation and of a 21-year-old Costa Rican woman who was near death after a bicycle accident.

The parents of both individuals had prayed to Acutis for help, Church authorities said.

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During the September 7 ceremony, Leo will also canonise Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian man who was known for helping those in need and died of polio in the 1920s.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Giulia Segreti and Kate Mayberry)
The first U.S. pope is a citizen of Peru, and the first U.S. bishop he appointed is a refugee from Vietnam. And next week, that bishop is urging his fellow priests to stand in solidarity with migrants by showing up to immigration court proceedings.

There may be a pattern here.

Pope Leo XIV appointed Rev. Michael Pham as bishop of San Diego, California, in May. On Wednesday, Pham, along with auxiliary bishops Revs. Ramon Bejarano and Felipe Pulido, sent a letter to faith leaders in the Diocese of San Diego suggesting they visit federal court buildings next week to stand in solidarity with immigrants making court appearances.

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We know that migrants and refugees find themselves in the difficult predicament of being called to appear, which is what the government asks of them, and then being given orders for expedited removal from our country, the group wrote in the letter.

This group of priests and faith leaders will simply be present during this process as it has been experienced that the presence of faith leaders makes a difference in how migrants are treated. Unfortunately, it will most likely not change the outcome.

The day of action, June 20th, is also International Refugee Day.

The church leaders plan to hold a press conference afterward to send the message that people of faith stand with immigrants and refugees.

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Pham has a remarkable story of immigration himself, having fled the North Vietnamese Army in 1975 when he was just eight years old, surviving for several days at sea on an empty rice cargo barge with no food or water.

I thought they were sleeping, he later recalled of the bodies he saw on the floor of the barge, but I came to realize that they were dead.

Pham and his family ended up in another part of Vietnam, but then he and two siblings fled to Malaysia in 1980, again via a harrowing boat journey. They lived in a refugee camp for seven months before they were sponsored by an American family in Minnesota.

Related...
The cause of death has finally been revealed for Chauncy Glover, the beloved news anchor at KCBS and KCAL in Los Angeles who died suddenly last November at the age of 39.

According to the the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, Glover's cause of death was acute intoxication by the combined effects of methamphetamine and chloroethane. The manner in which he died has been ruled as accidental.

The three-time Emmy winner was found dead at his home on Nov. 5. Authorities made a wellness check at his home when he hadn't been heard from for four days after calling out sick. Authorities found him unresponsive on his couch and pronounced him dead at 12:40 a.m. During the wellness check, authorities recovered a doctor's note in his vehicle and a can of Maximum Impact, a solvent cleaner that has been sold as "popper spray" or "ethyl poppers." Authorities have long warned against its dangers, which, if consumed, can lead to sudden cardiac death.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Chauncy Glover attends the 2024 President's Volunteer Service Award Gala to commemorate National Gun Violence Awareness Day at Hotel Casa del Mar on June 02, 2024 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Related: FDA Cracking Down on Popular Party Drug in Legal 'Gray Area'

Glover began his career in news in Detroit and had stints in Georgia and Jacksonville before finding a place to call home at KTRK in Houston. While there, Glover made history after becoming the station's first Black male to anchor the main evening news.

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After planting roots in Houston, Glover launched a mentorship program, the Chauncy Glover Project, which helped more than 350 boys and young men reach their goals of attending college.

He joined KCLA News as an anchor in October 2023.

Popular News Anchor's Cause of Death Finally Revealed first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  With protests over immigration enforcement raids, as well as planned demonstrations against President Trump over the weekend happening in Portland and nationwide, city and Oregon state leaders say this could lead to a lot more activity in the area.

Concerns are rising, especially after the Trump Administration recently deployed the National Guard and Marines to manage crowd control and make arrests in Los Angeles. Many people, in Oregon and in other states, are protesting the federal law enforcement agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a statement, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said in part:

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I support Oregonians right to peacefully demonstrate  it is a cornerstone of American democracy. Please know I will do everything in our power to protect the rights and safety of our residents  including the rights and safety of our immigrant communities.

At the same time, Kotek warned that any violence  including harm to public safety workers or property destruction  will not be tolerated.

Portland city and Multnomah County leaders also joined community and faith advocates to reinforce their promise to uphold the citys sanctuary status and the right to protest. This proclamation comes ahead of whats being called No Kings Day, a major protest thats happening in cities across the country on Saturday.

Newberg vineyard workers arrested in targeted ICE raids: Salinas

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Across local, county, state and federal levels, our leadership is unite in one goal, safeguarding our community while holding freedom of expression, said Mayor Keith Wilson. Portlands identity is defined by strength, resilience and contributions of immigrants who have enriched out city, making it a more vibrant, innovative and compassionate city for all.

He continued, We will not obstruct federal law enforcement operations. At the same time, the Portland Police Bureau exists to serve and protect our community. Our officers will not be used as agents of ICE We affirm the right to free speech while emphasizing that violence, destruction, and obstruction carry consequences.

Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey ODonnell also reiterated that per Oregon law, state agencies do not engage in immigration enforcement, nor to they work with ICE to carry out their directives.

10 arrested outside Portland ICE building as protests continue

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Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson also weighed in on the importance of protecting Portlands sanctuary status, referring to the current actions by the Trump administration as federal bullying.

Were committed to supporting our neighbors, families and communities who are immigrants and refugees, she said. We will continue to provide critical safety net services that treat every person with dignity regardless of their immigration status. That means all are welcome  today, tomorrow, no matter what What we are witnessing at the federal level is not normal. Its unprecedented, and it requires us to act.

Meanwhile, Multnomah County District Attorney cautioned anyone against hijacking the peaceful demonstrations by committing vandalism, acts of violence or arson, noting how the narrative got out of control during the 2020 protests.

I want our communitys voice to be heard loud and clear. One that is important, but is in no way associated with those particularly bad actors, he stressed. Theres no free pass under this administration. If you commit a crime, you will be prosecuted.

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Throughout the week, there was a steady presence of protesters outside the Portland ICE facility on South Macadam Avenue, with people camping overnight on multiple days. Wednesday afternoon, about 20-30 people peacefully demonstrated. But by night, the numbers grew and there were physical confrontations between demonstrators and federal agents, leading agents firing rounds of pepper spray at protesters. Three people were arrested.

The following night, Portland police arrested 10 people outside the same ICE building for criminal acts ranging from disorderly conduct to arson.

All of this also comes after two Newberg vineyard workers were arrested by ICE on Thursday. Earlier this month, ICE made four different arrests outside a Portland Immigration Courthouse. Two of those detainees were later released from ICE custody after lawyers with the Innovation Law Lab filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge the arrests.

Portland City Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney, who marched in the 2020 protests and comes from a background in advocacy, emphasized the importance of unity in the ongoing protests.

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To our immigrant communities, I see your fear, I share your anger, I stand with you and I know we must let your voices lead the actions that we take as whole community to keep everyone safe, she said. To all Portlanders, it is our responsibility to unite for the safety and well-being of our immigrant neighbors. And our collective voice is stronger when we all stand together and we create spaces where everybody can come and be a part of our actions.

There are multiple No Kings protests happening across the Portland metro area on Saturday, including one at noon at downtown Portlands Waterfront Park. Event organizers previously planned a Hands Off! event on April 5 that saw a crowd of at least 12,000 people.

Well move together peacefully to say to this country, this cannot go on. Millions of our siblings, many my own church, some of my staff could be deported tomorrow and their children would come home and no parents, Pastor W.J. Mark Knutson, Augustana Lutheran Church.

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By Divya Rajagopal and Portia Crowe

TORONTO/DAKAR (Reuters) -Barrick Mining has removed its Mali gold complex from its overall output forecast for 2025, four sources told Reuters, adding to fallout from a two-year dispute over new mining legislation aimed at boosting the West African country's revenue.

Operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, one of the Canadian miner's largest gold assets in Africa, have been suspended since January after the military-led government blocked gold exports by the world's third-largest miner of the precious metal, detained staff and seized three metric tons of stock during separate negotiations over a new mining contract with Barrick.

At stake for both sides is the opportunity to realize revenues worth at least $1 billion this year due to record high gold prices. Mali risks repelling potential investors, while Barrick shares have lagged those of its peers.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Spokespersons for Barrick did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did a spokesperson for Mali's Mines Ministry.

Barrick has not made its Mali output forecast public, but Morningstar analysts had predicted Mali would contribute around 250,000 ounces in 2025.

Mali's government, a shareholder in the complex, asked a domestic court in May to appoint a provisional administrator to reopen the complex, which would effectively see Barrick lose control over the mines that accounted for 14% of its total output, according to Jefferies.

A court hearing on the matter is scheduled for Thursday.

Negotiations are ongoing in parallel with the court case. In a significant concession, Mali has agreed to allow Barrick to repatriate 20% of its earnings into an international bank account, an exception that was not made for any other foreign miners who recently renegotiated contracts with the state, two people familiar with the matter said.

However, one remaining point of contention between Barrick and Mali is that authorities would like all future disputes to be handled in domestic courts. Barrick said any new mining contract should be covered under an international treaty and, in case of future disputes, be settled through international arbitration, according to one of the people and another source familiar with the matter.

While strong gold prices have supported Barrick's global revenue, the threat of a provisional administration worries investors, one of the sources said, noting that even if the miner later regains control of the complex, it could be left with depleted gold reserves.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Last week, law enforcement agents arrested a Portland man accused of raping and sexually abusing a developmentally delayed child multiples times over several years. Authorities said he may have had more victims.

Michael K. Cohron, 64, was stopped in a traffic stop near Southeast 65th Avenue and Southeast Woodstock Boulevard on June 5, where he was arrested by the United States Marshals Service, the Portland Police Bureau said in a press release.

Hawthorne Bridge lane closed for repairs due to crash

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In 2023, Portland police began an investigation after taking a report that Cohron was allegedly abusing a girl with a developmental disability, someone who was known to him. Cohron was accused of committing the abuse over many years, beginning in 2016 when the victim was 11, through 2023, when the victim was 18.

Prior to his arrest, the Multnomah County District Attorneys office indicted Cohron on 52 charges, including multiple counts of rape, sodomy and dozens of counts of sex abuse.

Police said they believe Cohron could have additional victims. He lives in the Lents Neighborhood in Southeast Portland after previously living in Milwaukie and has traveled to Vermont in the past.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Portland police.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Two travelers were diagnosed with measles during their visit to New Mexico. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, this has led to potential measles exposure in Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Sandoval counties.

Story continues below

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NMDOH released this list of locations, days, and times the public could have been exposed to measles from these latest cases:

Rio Rancho Aquatic Center , 745 Loma Colorado NE in Rio Rancho. Monday: June 2: 1  4 p.m.

Walmart Supercenter , 5701 Herrera Drive in Santa Fe. Thursday: June 5: 11 a.m.  2 p.m.

Walmart Supercenter , 2550 Coors Boulevard NW in Albuquerque. Friday: June 6: 9 a.m.  1 p.m.

El Super , 4201 Central Avenue NW in Albuquerque. Friday: June 6: 9 a.m.  1 p.m.

University of New Mexico Hospital Adult Urgent Care , 2211 Lomas Boulevard NE in Albuquerque. Tuesday: June 10: 9:30 a.m.  1:40 p.m.

Albuquerque International Sunport , 2200 Sunport Blvd in Albuquerque. Tuesday: June 10: 3  7 p.m. Main terminal and TSA Security Checkpoint Terminal A, Gate A-6



If someone was at one of these locations, NMDOH encourages them to check their vaccination status and report any measles symptoms to their health care provider in the next 21 days. The two travelers are adults of unknown vaccination status. They were traveling separately. There was also an 18-month-old child with age-appropriate vaccination.

These two cases remind us that travel remains an exposure risk when it comes to this contagious virus, said Dr. Miranda Durham, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles.

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New Mexicos total measles case count is currently 81. Symptoms do not necessarily appear all at once. They can develop between seven to 21 days post-exposure. They can begin with a cough, runny nose, and red eyes, then progress to fever and a rash at the neck that works its way down the body.

The NMODH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773) can help New Mexico residents with their available vaccination options.

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Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus can often produce a spotty red rash. Measles symptoms can take one to three weeks to develop, but people can spread the virus even before symptoms develop. (iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Two travelers visiting New Mexico may have exposed people to measles at the Albuquerque International Sunport and other locations across Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Sandoval counties over the past two weeks, health officials said on Friday. Other locations included Walmarts in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and an indoor pool in Rio Rancho.

The New Mexico Department of Health reported that two separate travelers were diagnosed with measles cases in the state: an adult with unknown vaccination status and an 18-month old with at least one vaccine.

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These two cases remind us that travel remains an exposure risk when it comes to this contagious virus, said NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham in a statement. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the best protection against measles.

The travelers diagnoses do not impact New Mexicos measles infections, which remain at 81 cases Friday.

The reported cases may have exposed people at the following places, dates and times:

Rio Rancho

1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 2: Rio Rancho Aquatic Center, 745 Loma Colorado NE

Santa Fe

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 5: Walmart Supercenter, 5701 Herrera Drive

Albuquerque

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 6: Walmart Supercenter, 2550 Coors Boulevard NW

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9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 6: El Super, 4201 Central Avenue NW

9:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10: University of New Mexico Hospital Adult Urgent Care, 2211 Lomas Boulevard NE

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10: Albuquerque International Sunport, 2200 Sunport Blvd

Main terminal and TSA Security Checkpoint

Terminal A: Gate A-6

NMDOH urged anyone who was possibly exposed to check vaccination status and to stay home if symptoms such as a rash or fever develop. Further questions about testing, vaccinations and potential treatment can be directed to the NMDOH Hotline at 1-833-796-8773.

Measles symptoms do not develop immediately, often between one to three weeks from exposure. People are infectious several days before and after symptoms such as headache, cough, runny nose, red eyes, fever, and spotty red rash appear.

Additional information, such as vaccine clinic hours, is available on NMDOHs measles webpage.

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(WHTM) Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt certified the results of Pennsylvanias 2025 primary election Friday, confirming that results from all 67 counties were fair and accurate after post-election audits.

Secretary Schmidt said that only 20% of registered voters in Pennsylvania cast a ballot in the May 2025 primary election.

After carefully reviewing and compiling results from our 67 counties, I have formally certified the outcome of the May 20 primary election, Schmidt said. I want to thank all county election officials, who not only worked hard on Primary Election Day to ensure a free, fair, safe, and secure election, but who also spent the last few weeks diligently verifying that all eligible votes were correctly counted.

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Seventeen counties had at least one batch of ballots randomly selected for a risk-limiting audit, including ballot batches from Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, and York Counties. No discrepancies were reported.

The audits have confirmed that the reported primary election results are accurate, which is a testament to the hard work of county election officials, Schmidt said. Because of their efforts, Pennsylvanians can feel confident in the accuracy and integrity of our electoral system.

Official vote returns for all statewide primary races can be found online.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The inaugural Power Up 2025 Business Conference was held in Morgantown on Thursday at the Courtyard Marriot with the goal of assisting small business owners as they navigate through real world challenges.

During the event, attendees learned about legal issues and questions, financial pitfalls, fraud risks and marketing advice. Other topics included taxes, contracts and accounting.

New Dobbins Slashings Preserve in West Virginia is open to the public

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Ive been in business for 30 years and I had to learn all of that by myself. Ive had to be the marketer and the accountant and the tax preparer and do the contracts, do everything and Ive made a lot of mistakes along the way and Ive learned a lot and Id like to see business leaders not have to make those mistakes so that they can be successful early on instead of worrying about that or having to do more than they can do, Organizer Patricia Porter said.

Tag info-for more information or to be on the lookout for next years conference, you can click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Humans exposed to toxic forever chemicals before birth may exhibit higher blood pressure during their teenage years, a new study has found.

This connection was particularly pronounced in boys and in children born to non-Hispanic Black mothers, scientists observed in the study, published Thursday in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

While previous research has shown these synthetic compounds may affect a rapidly developing fetus, the new study was able to investigate impacts on blood pressure from early childhood through adolescence.

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This suggests these forever chemicals can have long-lasting and potentially harmful effects that may only become apparent years after birth, lead author Zeyu Li, a graduate student researcher in public health at Johns Hopkins University, said in a statement.

Forever chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been linked to numerous illnesses, such as kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, cardiovascular conditions and preeclampsia  also a blood pressure issue.

Notorious for their inability to break down in the environment, PFAS are present in a wide range of household products, including cosmetics, waterproof apparel and nonstick pans, as well as in certain kinds of firefighting foams.

To draw their conclusions, the studys authors tracked 1,094 children from a group called the Boston Birth Cohort over a median span of about 12 years.

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The researchers analyzed more than 13,000 blood pressure readings taken at routine pediatric visits from July 2001 to February 2024, grouping the results into age brackets of 3-5, 6-12 and 13-18.

They then calculated age-, sex- and height-specific blood pressure percentiles, while accounting for the mothers health, delivery method, socioeconomic factors and weekly fish consumption, as fish are a known source of PFAS contamination.

Among the children whose mothers had higher levels of the chemicals in blood samples collected after delivery, the scientists identified issues with three types of PFAS: PFDeA, PFNA and PFUnA.

As levels of these PFAS doubled in the moms, systolic blood pressure  the top number in a reading, or the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts  were between 1.39 percentile points and 2.78 percentile points higher in the 13- to 18-year-old age group.

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Under these conditions, diastolic pressure  the bottom number, or the pressure when the heart muscle relaxes between beats  surged 1.22 percentile points to 2.54 percentile points higher among members of this cohort.

With the doubling of maternal PFAS blood levels, the risk of elevated blood pressure rose by 6 percent to 8 percent in boys and in children born to non-Hispanic Black mothers, according to the study.

Li expressed hope that due to the studys findings, more researchers might be inspired to track such effects in children into adolescence.

Many past studies stopped at early or mid-childhood, however, our study shows that the health effects of prenatal PFAS exposure may not appear until the teen years, Li said.

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Senior author Mingyu Zhang, an assistant professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, stressed that reducing prenatal and childhood exposure to PFAS requires policy-level action, as well as product phaseouts and widespread water regulation.

This is not something individuals can solve on their own, Zhang added.

Justin Zachariah, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine who was not involved with the study, explained that PFAS interfere with hormones and disrupt typical adolescent development.

While scientists are already aware that boys and Black children are at increased risk of elevated blood pressure, exposure to these compounds may exacerbate that risk, warned Zachariah, who also chaired the American Heart Associations 2024 scientific panel on pediatric cardiology and environmental exposures.

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These chemicals last in our bodies for years, suggesting that perhaps prenatal exposure may have occurred before conception, and these chemicals may cause changes that can carry forward for generations, Zachariah said.

Therefore, improvements we make could echo for generations to come, he added.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  President Donald Trump again urges Iran to reach a nuclear deal with US, warning attacks 'will only get worse!'
President Donald Trump is set to visit Pittsburgh to attend an innovation summit with Senator David McCormick.

McCormick said on Thursday that they would be attending the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit on July 15. It will be held at CMU and is intended to bring leaders in the AI and energy industry together.

The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit will align the leading energy companies, the most innovative AI platforms, global investors, and labor and trades behind President Trumps agenda to unleash American energy potential. Together, we can usher in a new age of energy production and power the AI and technological revolution. I am grateful to President Trump for announcing he will join us in Pittsburgh, McCormick concluded.

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Channel 11 will release more details on the presidents visit as they are made available.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are one step closer to making President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill federal law.

Its going to impact farmers, grocery store owners, and really all around its going to impact a lot of folks, said Austin Prickett.

Austin Prickett is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Governor Stitt quietly signs several Education bills

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. (KFOR)

Prickett says rural communities will feel the biggest punch if the legislation is passed.

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They have less resources. Its harder to get to food, its harder to get to a grocery store. This proposal will put the state on the hook for around $200 million per year to fund these programs, said Prickett.

The legislation would cut federal spending on SNAP benefits, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, all part of President Trumps efforts to lower taxes for Americans.

Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus on Children, an advocacy organization, says the bill poses a threat to struggling families and the success of children.

Wealthy kids will be fine because theyre going to get their full child tax credit. But for low-income kids, they will either qualify for only partial or no credit, and they also may lose other benefits like their nutrition and health care benefits, Lesley said.

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Oklahoma DHS sent a statement to News 4 about their plans moving forward.

Oklahoma Human Services is working with our partners to learn more about any potential effects on our programs. We will continue to communicate with partners and clients as we learn more. Oklahoma Human Services

If the bill passes the Senate, it will then go to President Trump for final approval.

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WHTM)  President Donald Trump will be in Pennsylvania this weekend for an energy and innovation summit.

Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania) is hosting the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh this Sunday, June 15.

The Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit will align the leading energy companies, the most innovative AI platforms, global investors, and labor and trades behind President Trumps agenda to unleash American energy potential, McCormick said. I am grateful to President Trump for announcing he will join us in Pittsburgh.

Get the latest Pennsylvania politics and election news with abc27 newsletters!

McCormicks office said the visit builds on the recent announcement of a partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel, which he says will create at least 14,000 jobs and protect 11,000 more.

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By Fabian Cambero

SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chile's Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, will focus on more public-private partnerships to buoy finances and improve its capacity to develop new projects amid efforts to boost production, CFO Alejandro Sanhueza told Reuters on Wednesday.

A growing global appetite for copper and lithium amid the energy transition has led to sky-rocketing demand at a time when Codelco has been struggling to lift production after hitting quarter-century lows in 2023, partly due to dropping ore grades and delays in projects to overhaul key mines.

The CFO's comments are the strongest to date that the state-run company will focus on private backing to boost growth.

Sanhueza said public-private partnerships will be a "pillar of growth" and are not intended for the overhaul projects or any existing operations so as to comply with the company's nationalization regulations that do not allow it to accept private money in its mines.

"Greenfield initiatives (new projects) are a key part of our growth strategy and an opportunity to continue partnerships with third parties," Sanhueza said in a written response to Reuters, adding that it will also help diversify risk.

"Our exploration partnerships allow us to attract external financing and (production) capacity, enabling us to accelerate value generation with additional resources beyond those available to Codelco."

Aside from recent lithium joint ventures, Codelco reached agreements with Rio Tinto and BHP to prospect new potential copper mines, which sources with knowledge of the matter have described as promising.

Codelco already has a partnership in the El Abra mine with Freeport McMoRan and also owns a fifth of Anglo American Sur. This year, it also acquired a 10% stake in the Quebrada Blanca deposit from the small state-owned company Enami.

Sanhueza said another goal is to build joint infrastructure, facilitate access to new technology, or minimize environmental impacts.

Codelco announced an unprecedented agreement earlier this year to jointly operate neighboring copper mines with Anglo American that the company said would increase production by 120,000 metric tons per year for 21 years. According to sources, the company is seeking to finalize the agreement by September.

The company is also strengthening its own exploration budget Sanhueza said, which increased to an average of $83 million annually in 2023 and 2024 and will grow to an average of $150 million annually during the 2025-2029 period.

"Codelco has a significant stock of mining resources, which is a privilege in the industry," Sanhueza said. "This collaboration with third parties allows us to make better use of these resources, which are complementary to our own projects."

(Report by Fabian Andres Cambero; Editing by Alexander Villegas and Sandra Maler)






NEED TO KNOW

Sentebale, an African charity cofounded by Prince Harry, has disabled Instagram comments due to "targeted online harassment"

Harry and Prince Seesio of Lethoso co-founded the organization in 2006; however, they resigned as patrons earlier this year amid a leadership crisis

The U.K.-based Charity Commission is currently investigating Sentebale and its chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka







Prince Harry's former charity, Sentebale, has disabled Instagram comments amid claims of "targeted online harassment."

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The organization, which was co-founded by Harry and Prince Seesio of Lethoso, shared a statement on Instagram on Friday, June 13, explaining the change.

"Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily disable comments on this platform due to the harmful effects of recent targeted online harassment," the statement read. "Our focus remains on our mission and the communities we serve. We will not engage with misinformation or personal attacks here.

The statement concluded by thanking "those who continue to support and follow the work of Sentebale."

The princes founded the charity in honor of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, in 2006. Sentebale's focus is on lifting up young people affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis in Lesotho and southern Africa.

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However, a scandal rocked the organization earlier this year. In March, the princes announced that they had made the "devastating" call to resign as patrons of Sentebale, following a breakdown in the relationships between the organization's board of trustees and its newly appointed chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka.

In a joint statement at the time, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said, "Whats transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebales beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about."

"With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same," they continued. "It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation."

Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Seesio of Lethoso (L) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R) Prince Seesio of Lethoso (L) and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (R)

Ultimately, the trustees also stepped down after Chandauka threatened to sue them for questioning whether she was the right choice to lead the organization.

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The princes' statement concluded, Although we may no longer be patrons, we will always be its founders, and we will never forget what this charity is capable of achieving when it is in the right care."

On April 3, the U.K.-based Charity Commission announced that it had opened a regulatory compliance case into the turmoil at Sentebale. The commission will gather evidence and assess the compliance of the charity and trustees past and present with their legal duties.

In response to the news, Harry issued a statement, bemoaning the fact that, amid the organizational infighting, "No one suffers more than the beneficiaries of Sentebale itself.

On behalf of the former trustees and patrons, we share in the relief that the Charity Commission confirmed they will be conducting a robust inquiry," he continued. "We fully expect it will unveil the truth that collectively forced us to resign. We remain hopeful this will allow for the charity to be put in the right hands immediately, for the sake of the communities we serve.

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At the time, Chandauka said she first reported "various governance, administration and management matters" about the organization in February 2025, promising that she would share her internal findings with the Charity Commission.

We hope that, together, these actions will give the general public, our colleagues, partners, supporters, donors and the communities we serve comfort that Sentebale and its new Board of Trustees are acting appropriately to demonstrate and ensure good governance and a healthy culture for Sentebale to thrive," she said in her statement.

Jason Koerner/Getty Prince Harry with Dr. Sophie Chandauka (second from left) Prince Harry with Dr. Sophie Chandauka (second from left)

In the meantime, our exceptional Executive team and operational staff remain focused on the day-to-day operations of the charity, ensuring continuity in our work and mission delivery," she added.

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We appreciate the patience, understanding and tremendous support we have received from our existing and prospective partners and supporters, and look forward to continuing to work together with you as we recalibrate for an ambitious future."



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Prince Williams friend passed away in a tragic accident. The news comes after some devastating updates to King Charles health.

Prince Williams friend Sunjay Kapur died on June 12, 2025, after he swallowed a bee at a polo match, which triggered a heart attack. Kapur was the billionaire businessman and chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar. He was 52.

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Kapur was a well known figure in the polo circuit in the UK. He frequently met up with Prince William who is also an avid Polo player.

Just hours before the accident, Kapur made a tribute to the Air India plane crash tragedy. Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, he wrote on X. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.

Related: The 1 Way Williams Reign as King Will Be Different Than Charles Amid Reports He Wants Harry Harshly Dealt With for How He Betrayed the Family

The news comes after reports that Prince Williams father King Charles cancer is incurable. The talk now is that he may die with cancer, but not of cancer following a rigorous treatment program, she revealed in The Telegraph. She also confirmed that King Charles 80th anniversary plans in 2028 are tentative due to his ailing health.

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Royal author Tom Quinn told Harpers Bazaar that the Prince of Wales succession plans are ramping up. The people Ive spoken to have said that the succession planning, as they call it, began even before Charles diagnosis, he said. I mean, hes the oldest Prince of Wales to become king in history, so succession planning had begun before Charles came to the throne simply because of the age issue.

One part of Williams most ardent tasks as King to deal with his brother Prince Harry after the Duke of Sussex pleaded for reconciliation with his family. Its no secret William wants Harry more harshly dealt with. He thinks he has betrayed the family from top to bottom, which is the ultimate Windsor crime. It wouldnt take much to provoke him to flex his muscles when he is king, a palace insider told The Daily Beast.

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Sunjay Kapur, Prince Williams friend and Aureus polo team owner, has died after having a heart attack during a polo match.

Guards Polo Club issued a statement about Kapurs death on Friday on Instagram, noting he died after becoming unwell when playing in a match at Smiths Lawn in Windsor. On Thursday, he was playing for the Sujan Indian Tigers polo team in the Cartier Trophy Semi-Finals when he fell ill.

The Club sends its deepest condolences to his wife, Priya Sachdev, his children, the wider Kapur family and his Aureus team-mates, the organization wrote in the caption.

Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur / X)

His death was also confirmed by Sona Comstar, where Kapur worked as Chairman and Non-Executive Director. The automotive company noted that the 53-year-old died of a sudden heart attack on Thursday.

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However, the heart attack was reportedly triggered by a freak accident. According to The Mirror, a bee stung Kapur in the mouth during the polo match, sending him into anaphylactic shock, before his heart stopped. He then collapsed on Smiths Lawn, according to the outlet.

A witness told The Telegraph that before he collapsed, Kapur said: Ive swallowed something.

Anaphylactic shock is a type of anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, according to the Mayo Clinic. When someone goes into shock due to anaphylaxis, their blood pressure drops suddenly and the airways narrow, blocking breathing.

A friend of Kapur also issued a statement about the businessmans death to Telegraph Sport, saying: He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the local community around his club as he employed so many people and made so many friends  he was fun, kind and generous.

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He didnt distinguish between his grooms or high net worth friends  when he had a party, everyone was invited and everyone was equal.

In 2015, Kapur inherited Sona Comstar from his father, Dr Surinder Kapur, who founded the company in 1987. Sona Comstar has nine factories spread across India, China, Mexico, Serbia, and the US, according to Forbes. The publication also noted that Sunjay Kapur had an estimated net worth of $1.2bn.

Sona Comstar also paid tribute to Kapur in its statement, writing: A visionary leader, Mr. Kapur played a pivotal role in shaping Sona Comstar into a global mobility technology company built on innovation, sustainability, and purpose. His passion, foresight, and relentless commitment to excellence inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with him.

An avid polo player, Kapur was known to play with members of the British royal family, including Prince William. The team Kapur owned, Aureus Polo, also paid tribute, calling him the life and soul of the team.

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Kapur was married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor from 2003 to 2016. The pair welcomed two children, Samaira, 20, and Kiaan, 14. In 2017, he married model Priya Sachdev, and they welcomed a son, Azarias, seven.

Only hours before his death, Kapur issued an emotional statement on X about the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed all but one of the 242 passengers onboard.

Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad," he wrote on X. "My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.

The Independent has contacted a representative for Prince William and the Guards Polo Club for comment.






NEED TO KNOW

Billionaire businessman Sunjay Kapur died on June 12 after reportedly being stung by a bee during a polo match in the U.K.

The automotive parts tycoon was an avid polo player and had played with members of the royal family, including Prince William

Kapur was previously married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, and they had two children













Sunjay Kapur, a billionaire businessman and polo pal of Prince William, died on Thursday, June 12, after collapsing during a polo match in England. He was 53.

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The Telegraph and The Mirror reported that Kapur, the chairman of global car parts giant Sona Comstar, died from anaphylactic shock after a bee possibly stung him in the mouth during the sporting event in Windsor.

Raajessh Kashyap/Hindustan Times via Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage

"He was full of life, laughing, joking, then gone in an instant," an insider told The Mirror.

According to The Telegraph, witnesses noted that Kapur said, "I've swallowed something," ahead of the medical incident.

A friend of Kapurs told Telegraph Sport: "He will be greatly missed not only by his family and friends but the local community around his club as he employed so many people and made so many friends  he was fun, kind and generous. He didnt distinguish between his grooms or high net worth friends  when he had a party, everyone was invited and everyone was equal."

Yogen Shah/The India Today Group via Getty Sunjay Kapur, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan Sunjay Kapur, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan

According to the Mayo Clinic, anaphylaxis causes the immune system to release chemicals that can cause a person to go into shock. "Blood pressure drops suddenly, and the airways narrow, blocking breathing. Signs and symptoms include a rapid, weak pulse; a skin rash; and nausea and vomiting. Common triggers include certain foods, some medications, insect venom and latex," the Mayo Clinic explains.

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Kapur was an avid polo player and often played with members of the British royal family, including Prince William.

Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince William plays polo in Windsor, England on July 12, 2024 Prince William plays polo in Windsor, England on July 12, 2024

Kapur was married to Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor from 2003 to 2016, and they have two children: daughter Samaira, 20, and son Kiaan, 14. Following their split, Kapur wed model Priya Sachdev in 2017. They shared a son, Azarias, 7.

Kapur inherited Sona Comstar from his father, Dr. Surinder Kapur, who founded the automotive component company in 1987.

In a statement regarding his death, Sona Comstar said: We are deeply saddened by the sudden demise of our Chairman, Mr. Sunjay Kapur. He was a visionary leader whose passion, insight and dedication shaped the identity and success of our company.



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Just hours before his death, Kapur had shared his sympathies with the victims of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

"Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad," he wrote on X. "My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour."

Kapur's death is just the latest tragedy for members of his family. In January, his former brother-in-law, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan, was attacked and stabbed multiple times during a home invasion at his property in Mumbai, India.

Staff from Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, where Khan received treatment, told the BBC that the actor "sustained a major injury to the thoracic spinal cord due to a lodged knife in the spine.

Khan recovered well from his injuries, returning to work in March.



Read the original article on People
The Brief

Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent over eight hours testifying before the House Oversight Committee, criticizing Republicans for focusing on partisan attacks instead of immigration reform.

Tensions rose during exchanges with Rep. Mary Miller, who questioned Pritzker about working with a potential Trump administration and ICE; Pritzker later called her a "terrible congresswoman."

Pritzker defended Illinois TRUST Act, saying it remains necessary due to federal inaction on immigration, and called for comprehensive reform from Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - After testifying before the House Oversight Committee in Washington, D.C. for eight hours on Thursday over the state of Illinois' sanctuary policies, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said ultimately, nothing was accomplished.

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"This Republican majority was not at all interested in addressing comprehensive immigration reform, which is what we need in this country, and instead, they simply attacked three Democratic governors who are all trying to deal with the failures of this Congress," Pritzker said. "Look, the Republicans have a bare majority in the House of Representatives, and they control the government. They should work with Democrats to get this reform done. They should have listened to us about the challenges that we have in dealing with their failures, but they did not. It was just attack after attack and it's too bad. We had an awful lot to offer."

What we know

Pritzker appeared before the committee alongside Democratic governors Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York to testify on state-level immigration policies, including Illinois' status as a sanctuary state.

The hearing also touched on the incident that day in which U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was shoved and handcuffed during a press conference led by South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and officials from the Department of Homeland Security.

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"They showed no respect about the attack on Senator Padilla. All he wanted was just answers to questions. He went into a press conference that Kristi Noem was running, tried to ask questions and instead was thrown down to the ground and handcuffed. I mean, this is Donald Trump's America, where they take a Democratic senator, throw him down on the ground, and handcuff him for just wanting answers that his constituents need for him to do the job," Pritzker said.

Another tense exchange came with U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., who cited a report that Pritzker had called for "mass protests, mobilization and disruption."

She then asked whether he would commit to working with the Trump administration and ICE to prevent violence like that seen during protests in Los Angeles.

"We work every day with our federal government we do all the time work with the federal government, with law enforcement," Pritzker said.

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"I'm taking that as a yes," Miller said.

Following the hearing, Pritzker criticized Miller, saying she "brings nothing home to her district."

"Mary Miller is a terrible congresswoman for her district. She literally brings nothing home to the district. She does not believe in doing things for her constituents and, instead, all she does is attack, attack, and attack. She does that on her Twitter account, she does that on her Facebook account. She barely shows up for her constituents and almost never wants to engage in conversation about actual policies that will help the people of her district," Pritzker said.

Illinois TRUST Act

Throughout the hearing, lawmakers repeatedly brought up Illinois TRUST Act, which limits how much local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

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The law, enacted in 2017 under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, has faced renewed scrutiny.

Pritzker was asked if he would consider making any updates to the law, to which he responded, "I think the TRUST Act has done the work that it's supposed to do in an environment in which the federal government is not doing its job."

"I said to Congressman LaHood, do your job. And I say that to all members of the Congress. It is time for comprehensive immigration reform," Pritzker added.

Pritzker closed his remarks after the hearing by condemning the overall conduct of the Republican-led committee.

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"An entire day of just harping on things that, frankly, were mostly false," he said. "Would I say it was a waste? I think this entire Republican-controlled Congress is a waste."

RELATED: Pritzker testifies before Congress on Illinois sanctuary laws
A private school has been forced to close after losing more than a third of its pupils to Labours VAT raid.

Bishop Challoner School in Kent told parents this week it would close at the end of the term because it was no longer economically viable.

The Catholic school, which this year celebrated its 75th birthday, said the 20pc levy on school fees meant it was no longer able to retain and recruit enough pupils.

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When Labour won last summers general election, standing on a commitment to tax private schools for the first time, the school had 317 pupils.

This fell to 270 in January when the Governments VAT raid came into force. A further 52 pupils have withdrawn for the next academic year, meaning the school would have had just 218 pupils remaining from September.

The loss of around 100 pupils in little over a year  equivalent to 31pc  is five times more than the 6pc of pupils that Labour forecast would leave as a result of its VAT raid.

In a letter sent to parents seen by The Telegraph, the school cited the VAT levy as well as the loss of business rates relief and increases to National Insurance in April as reasons for its closure.

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The school, which is on the border of London and charges 19,686 a year, also blamed the falling birth rate in the capital and wider cost of living concerns for it being harder to attract new families to the school.

Ticcy Colling, chairman of trustees, wrote: The impact has been felt this academic year with a fall in pupil numbers from 317 in 2023-24 when the school ran at a slight surplus to 270 in 2024-25.

Despite the efforts of all involved in marketing the school more broadly, the projected pupil numbers are currently only 218.

The combination of the falling revenues and increased costs resulted in a material loss being made this year. The impact of this and a further significant worsening of the position next year means that the school would not have sufficient cash reserves to trade to the end of the next academic year.

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Bishop Challoner said it had attempted to merge with nearby schools, and had appealed to benefactors, but these efforts had not been successful.

One parent told The Telegraph: The falling birth rate was one factor, but the decisive blow has undoubtedly been Labours introduction of VAT on school fees and the removal of business rate relief. This policy has directly caused the closure, no matter how well-intentioned it may have been.

We feel incredibly let down by the late notice. With just a few weeks left in the school year, were left scrambling to find new places for our children  either at another independent school or within the state system. Its stressful, overwhelming, and entirely avoidable.

Ironically, the policy that aimed to make education fairer is doing the opposite. Pushing children from closed private schools into a struggling state system creates more pressure, not less. It reduces tax revenue, not increases it. And even if more money did somehow reach the system, theres little confidence it would be used in a way that truly benefits pupils.

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It comes after Sir Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that revenue raised from the VAT levy would be spent on an affordable housing scheme, despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously promising every penny would go towards state schools.

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Three High Court judges have dismissed a legal challenge over the government's policy of adding VAT to private school fees.

Lawyers representing families and private schools at the judicial review hearings had argued that the policy was discriminatory and in breach of human rights law.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, which represented some of the families, said it was carefully considering the court's judgment and next steps.

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The government said it welcomed the judgment, with a spokesperson adding that the policy would raise 1.8bn a year to support pupils in state schools.

VAT on private school fees was introduced on 1 January across the UK.

Three separate claims were brought against the government from families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send), those attending same sex schools, and low-paying faith schools.

Some of the families had argued that they had no alternative schools in their area to meet the needs of their children with Send, and that the policy was "unprecedented" throughout Europe.

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But barristers representing Chancellor Rachel Reeves, as well as HMRC and the Department for Education, said they wanted to raise standards for the 94% of children who attend state schools by making private school parents pay "their fair share".

Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain found that the policy was "made by Parliament, in primary legislation, after full debate and was a manifesto commitment".

Their 94-page judgment says that the government was well aware that some families would no longer be able to afford private school fees - including those with children with Send, those with religious convictions or those who prefer single-sex education - but that it was "entitled to consider these factors to be outweighed by the expected revenue raised for public services".

The court found that while the legislation does interfere with some of the group's human rights, there is a "broad margin of discretion in deciding how to balance the interests of those adversely affected by the policy against the interests of others who may gain from public provision funded by the money it will raise".

Head teachers Caroline Santer and Jill Holt said they were planning to appeal against the judgment [Vanessa Clarke/BBC]

Sophie Kemp, from the law firm Kingsley Napley, which represented some of the families, said it was a "disappointing decision" but that it had been important to challenge the government's policy.

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"The court felt that it was not able to interfere because of the leeway it must give to Parliament," she added.

Some of the schools and families who were supported by the Christian Legal Centre say they plan to appeal against the judgment.

Caroline Santer, head teacher at The King's School, in Fair Oak, Hampshire, said the judgment was "a huge disappointment" to receive after two months of waiting, adding that they would "continue to challenge the legality of this policy".

The government says the High Court decision confirms that the legislation is compatible with its human rights obligations.
(In first paragraph fixes syntax to read "their" instead of "its")

By Luc Cohen

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Friday denied Mahmoud Khalil's request to be released from detention, after federal prosecutors changed their rationale for holding the Columbia graduate student as part of their crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.

Newark, New Jersey-based U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz on Wednesday said the government could not use foreign policy interests to justify Khalil's detention.

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On Friday the government said it was also holding Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States, on a charge of immigration fraud.

In response, Farbiarz said Khalil's lawyers had not successfully argued why it was unlawful for the government to hold him on the charge, which he has denied.

The ruling marked the latest turn in Khalil's fight to be freed from a Louisiana detention center after his March arrest for involvement in the pro-Palestinian protest movement, which President Donald Trump has called antisemitic. His detention was condemned by civil rights groups as an attack on protected political speech.

Marc Van Der Hout, a lawyer for Khalil, said the government practically never detained people for immigration fraud and the Syrian-born student was being punished for opposing Israel's U.S.-backed war in Gaza following Hamas' October 2023 attack.

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"Detaining someone on a charge like this is highly unusual and frankly outrageous," said Van Der Hout. "There continues to be no constitutional basis for his detention."

Farbiarz had previously suggested legal residents like Khalil were rarely detained on the basis of immigration fraud. On Friday he said Khalil should seek bail from the immigration lawyer in his case.

As lawyers for the Syrian-born activist sought his release, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another immigrant targeted by the Trump administration, pleaded not guilty to migrant smuggling charges after his wrongful deportation.

Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, was arrested by immigration agents in the lobby of his university residence in Manhattan on March 8.

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His U.S. citizen wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, gave birth to the couple's first child while Khalil was detained in April.

Ahead of Father's Day in the U.S., a group of celebrities including actors Mahershala Ali, Mark Ruffalo and Mo Amer, called for Khalil to be freed. They also sent him a video showing the celebrities reading aloud a letter that the activist had sent to his infant son.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting, writing by Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Matthew Lewis, Rod Nickel and David Gregorio)
Supporters of Mahmoud Khalil rally outside the federal courthouse in Newark, N.J., on March 28, 2025. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor)

The Trump administration told a federal judge Friday it will not release a pro-Palestinian activist from a Louisiana immigration detention facility where hes been held for three months..

This means Mahmoud Khalil will remain indefinitely at the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, where hes been since shortly after his March 8 apprehension by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at his Columbia University dormitory in New York.

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At the time he was taken, Khalil had permanent legal status to live and attend school in the United States. Federal officials have yet to charge him with a crime.

Khalil is among several foreign nationals the Trump administration has detained, citing the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The legislation allows immigrants to be deported if the U.S. government feels they pose a risk to foreign relations.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio deemed Khalil such a threat when revoking his green card, which ensured his permanent residency status.

U..S. District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz of New Jersey rejected Rubios argument when he issued an order Wednesday for Khalils release by midday Friday, which was the judges deadline for the Trump administration to respond to his ruling.

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Farbiarz was appointed by former President Joe Biden.

In its filing to the judge Friday, Trumps Department of Justice said it was no longer holding Khalil based on his foreign policy risk but because he provided false information on his green card application.

Lawyers for Khalil said the DOJ filing is another tactic to hold Khalil unjustifiably.

Mahmoud Khalil was detained in retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, Amy Greer, an attorney with Khalils legal team, said in a statement. The government is now using cruel, transparent delay tactics to keep him away from his wife and newborn son ahead of their first Fathers Day as a family. Instead of celebrating together, he is languishing in ICE detention as punishment for his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Palestinians. It is unjust, it is shocking, and it is disgraceful.

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After missing the birth of his son, Deen, in April, Khalil was allowed to hold the child for the first time when his wife brought their baby to the Jena detention center last month.

Khalils case originated in Farbiarzs New Jersey court because he was first placed in an ICE detention facility there. He was moved to the Louisiana detention center, as have many detainees, where immigration advocates consider the federal court landscape more friendly to the Trump administrations mass deportation objectives.

This is a developing story.
PEORIA, Ill (WMBD)  A federal lawsuit alleges Bradley University breached contracts with its faculty, failed to abide by its own faculty handbook and racially discriminated against some professors when it made deep cuts to trim a multimillion dollar deficit.

The suit, filed June 4, in U.S. District Court in Peoria, names the university as the sole defendant and asks a judge to reinstate the professors who lost their jobs due to the cuts as well as to compensate them with back pay.

In all, 10 current and former professors are named as plaintiffs as well as the schools chapter of the American Association of University Professors. The suit asks a judge to certify the case as a class-action to include all who were allegedly wronged by the schools actions.

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In mid-2023, former university president Stephen Standifird said the school had a $13 million budget shortfall. That led to the demise of 15 academic degree programs and 61 faculty positions. Bradley stopped offering five other programs as majors but kept some of the classes.

The schools chapter of the American Association of University Professors, which is akin to a union but without the ability to collectively bargain, opposed the cuts and argued the school didnt follow its own polices regarding the terminated positions.

In response to the suit, a Bradley University spokesperson shared the following: As a matter of practice, Bradley University does not comment on pending litigation. That said, we remain committed to our mission, our students, and the values that guide our academic community.

The suit alleges Bradley broke several promises it made to faculty through its contracts and policies including:

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Faculty would be afforded primacy in faculty status and educational decisions, The University would ensure employment security in the form of tenure-line faculty positions, thereby furthering shared governance and academic freedom principles Bradley would only eliminate academic programs based on educational considerations.

In the suit, the AAUP and the professors make it clear they believe the way the school went about things was wrong.

Through the faculty terminations, the administration eliminated programs, terminated faculty

appointments, and violated faculty rights of governance and due process while refusing to consider non-academic cuts recommended by the (Faculty Members of the Senate Executive Committee) and failing to eliminate inefficiencies and excessive spending in the senior administrations bureaucracy, the suit alleges.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Tassilo Hummel and Emma Rumney

PARIS/LONDON (Reuters) -Negotiators representing French cognac producers suggested minimum prices for exports to China of between $20 and around $300 per litre as an opening bid in talks aimed at ending a tariff stand-off with China, a document seen by Reuters shows.

The minimum prices are part of efforts to avoid permanent tariffs of up to 39% amid tense negotiations with China's commerce ministry, which has opened an anti-dumping investigation focused on the sector.

They were sent to producers several weeks ago for their approval by a Paris-based law firm negotiating on the spirit makers' behalf, a source familiar with the matter said.

A spokesperson for the law firm, GIDE, declined to comment.

The industry, grappling with falling sales and simultaneous tariff threats from the United States, its other key market, has been fighting to secure a deal with China since Beijing first threatened to levy the duties in January 2024. The move came amid a wider trade dispute with the European Union after it imposed tariffs on imports of Chinese electric vehicles.

A flurry of political meetings in Paris and technical discussions in Beijing last week raised hopes that a settlement of the trade spat was imminent. But the talks ended with no deal, leaving just weeks to go before a July 5 deadline for Beijing to wrap up its anti-dumping probe.

Chinese authorities subsequently announced that the industry had made a voluntary "price pledge" and it was reviewing its terms.

Separately, the head of France's wine and spirit exports lobby group FEVS told newspaper Le Figaro an agreement "in principle" to lift the trade restrictions in return for minimum prices has been reached with Chinese authorities. He gave no further details.

"The recent phone calls between President Macron and (Chinese President) Xi Jingping have helped here," FEVS President Gabriel Picard was quoted as saying in an article published on Thursday.

The price list seen by Reuters included a "minimum import price" for different bands of cognac defined by how long the spirit has been aged, ranging from two years for the cheapest "Very Special" (VS) cognacs to the most expensive "Extra Extra Old" (XXO), aged 14 years or more.

Under the offer, VS cognac would have a minimum import price of 144.70 yuan ($20.16) per litre, while "Very Superior Old Pale" (VSOP), aged for at least four years, would be priced at 177.92 yuan.

High-end "Extra Old" (XO) would cost 526.52 yuan to import, with the XXO category, where prices reach thousands of dollars per bottle and more, costing at least 2,126.07 yuan ($296.16) per litre.
A recently announced Navy initiative will help expand work opportunities for sailors unable to deploy by placing them in shore billets that suit their unique expertise, according to a service administrative fact sheet released Monday.

The EMPLOY program will place sailors who are dealing with injury or serious illness into positions that match their rank, and which would otherwise be gapped, a Navy spokesperson told Military Times.

EMPLOY helps retain Sailors who desire to continue to serve, and also preserves valuable knowledge, skills, and experience needed to meet our warfighting mission, the NAVADMIN said.

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EMPLOY was also created to reduce the administrative burden on the Disability Evaluation System, which determines whether a service member is eligible to return to duty, medically separate or medically retire due to a disability.

A collaboration between Navy Personnel Command and the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, the voluntary program is open to active duty sailors and sailors in the Navys Training and Administration of the Reserve program who are clinically stable and able to complete tasks associated with their rank/rate in a non-operational environment, according to the Navy.

This is about meeting the mission while also taking care of our people, said Lt. Cmdr. Stuart Phillips, public affairs officer for Navy Personnel Command.

How a sailor shortage is crippling ship maintenance at sea

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The program could apply, hypothetically, to a nondeployable sailor recovering from a musculoskeletal injury or one under observation after surviving cancer, Stuart said.

Sailors will serve on EMPLOY tours for a minimum of 24 months and will be reevaluated during that time  no later than 15 months before their projected rotation date  for eligibility to return to full duty, another EMPLOY tour, referral to the disability system or separation from the service.

Sailors assigned to career fields that require special duty screenings will need to complete the screening or de-screening process before being considered for EMPLOY.

The EMPLOY process begins with military medical providers nominating a sailor for the program. The nomination will be considered for approval by a Medical Evaluation Board and convening authority.

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After, the sailors command will fill out a candidate assessment form to evaluate the sailor. The Deployability Assessment and Assignment Branch (PERS-454) will then review the sailors medical evaluation and candidate assessment form to determine EMPLOY eligibility.

Detailers will work with sailors to negotiate their orders, or, if eligible, sailors may participate in the Senior Enlisted Marketplace, according to the admin message.

EMPLOY sailors may be stationed at any Type 1 or Type 6 duty station. Type 1 duty stations include shore duty assignments in the U.S., including Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska, where sailors arent required to be away from their duty station more than 150 days per year or attend schooling for 18 months or more, according to the Navy. Type 6 duty stations include overseas shore duty assignments where sailors arent required to be away from their duty station more than 150 days per year.

Sailors approved for the program will have the opportunity to apply for cross-rating or redesignation if the new job requires it. Sailors without enough time left in their enlistment contract to complete an EMPLOY tour may also receive a conditional reenlistment contract.

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Phillips told Navy Times that the first iteration of the EMPLOY model was introduced during a phased roll-out last year, with the first sailor gaining approval for the program in May 2024.

So far, 850 sailors have been considered for EMPLOY, which has retained 303 sailors. Twenty sailors are nominated for EMPLOY each week, Phillips said.
Kaiya Brown stands on campus at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute before heading to her internship at a local, Native nonprofit on June 10, 2025. (Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth)

Kaiya Brown was at work last week when she started getting the texts. Her friends were asking if shed seen the news: The Trump administration wants to cut funding for tribal colleges by nearly 90%.

Brown (Dine) is in her first year at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in northwest Albuquerque, one of 37 tribal colleges and universities in the country and four in New Mexico, many of which offer free tuition to tribal citizens.

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If Congress approves the administrations budget request released last Monday, funding for the schools will drop from over $183 million to about $22 million in the next fiscal year, starting in October. Federal funding makes up 74% of total revenue for tribal colleges and universities, ICT reported in January.

This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth.

Its really scary, Brown said. I dont think enough people understand the importance of tribal colleges and what they do for our communities. They provide opportunities that many students would have never had. It makes me really emotional, honestly, because they dont understand how this would impact so many lives.

Brown is studying early childhood education with hopes of going into social work to advocate for Native children.

The Sandia Mountains can be seen from the entrance to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in northwest Albuquerque. (Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth)

Part of why she chose a tribal college was because she didnt feel safe or supported at her Rio Rancho high school. In one instance, Brown wore her regalia, including moccasins and jewelry, to school, and a teacher asked, Wheres your feathers? Another time, she and a couple other Native students were carrying frybread for a sale, and a group of their peers started mocking them. One of the students told them, I thought we killed all your people.

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Her experience so far at college, Brown said, couldnt be more different.

Were all so close to one another. We all want to see each other succeed, she said. And I truly feel that from the staff and from my instructors. These are Native instructors, people that look like me and know my ways.

Shes also enjoyed the small class sizes. Last fall, 215 students were enrolled, according to data from the college, which was founded in 1971. The largest class Brown is in right now has five students total. Instead of getting lost in a lecture hall with a hundred other people, shes able to get more hands-on help from instructors.

But the mood on campus hasnt been the same lately, Brown said. The community has been reeling from a round of layoffs earlier this year.

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The institute, along with Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, is federally operated. In February, the Bureau of Indian Education laid off dozens of faculty and staff members at the two institutions in response to Trumps directives to reduce the federal workforce. Many classes were left without instructors, and a power outage in Browns dorm lasted 13 hours because there werent enough maintenance workers available to fix it. A few weeks later, some employees were re-hired, but it was unclear whether the hirings were permanent or temporary.

Thats according to a lawsuit against the federal government brought by the Native American Rights Fund in March. Brown is a plaintiff, along with four Haskell students and three tribal nations, including Isleta Pueblo.

Tribal nations and the federal government should be working together to best serve our Native students, Isleta Pueblo Gov. Eugene Jiron said in a statement. Instead, the administration is randomly, without preparation and in violation of their federal trust responsibility, taking away teachers and staff from already-underserved facilities. Our students deserve better.

Flowers bloom outside the Science and Technology Building at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in northwest Albuquerque. (Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth)

In fall 2024, about 62% of the 215 students enrolled were citizens of the Navajo Nation, according to data available on the colleges website. (Bella Davis/New Mexico In Depth)

The layoffs worsened problems caused by chronic understaffing at the schools, the lawsuit argues. Congress has underfunded tribal colleges by $250 million a year, ProPublica reported in 2024.

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The re-hirings brought some relief, Brown said, but the proposed cuts have stirred up fear among students and employees again.

These schools have done so much for our people, she said. So many passionate people and talented artists have come from these schools. They give us the tools to pursue our dreams. Its like our stepping stone into the world. And taking that away will be devastating to a lot of students, including myself.

New Mexico is home to three other tribal colleges: Dine College, which has campuses in Shiprock and Crownpoint, as well as in Arizona; the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe; and Navajo Technical University, with a main campus in Crownpoint. In fall 2024, an estimated 3,378 students were enrolled at the schools, according to the state Higher Education Department.

In a statement last week, Robert Martin, president of the Institute of American Indian Arts, said, I know that we will prevail in the end, but we cant take that for granted. We have strong Congressional support but they need to hear from all of our constituents.
The West End musician who was killed in February was likely trying to call the police to stop a robbery, prosecutors said.

Allen Scott, 50, was fatally shot in the 500 block of West McMicken on Feb. 6. About 10 days later, the 17-year-old was arrested and charged with murder in his death.

More: 'Grandpa Doom': Man killed in West End shooting was talented musician, noble friend

The teen's case was in Hamilton County Juvenile Court on June 13. Prosecutors are arguing to have the teen tried as an adult. The teen's lawyers argued that there was no probable cause and the case should be dismissed.

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Prosecutors showed surveillance video and said DNA evidence connected the teen to a jacket that was recovered near the scene of the shooting. That jacket also had gunshot residue on it, according to a report from the Hamilton County Crime Lab.

Assistant prosecutor Kate Buffington presented a reconstruction of what happened that day.

She said the teen was walking down the street when Scott walked out of his home with a bag of ice. The teen demanded money from Scott, but he didn't give him any, Buffington said.

Then the teen turned his attention toward another person who was walking across the street and tried to get money from him, she said.

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Buffington said that Scott decided to try to help by calling the police and went back inside his home, but when the teen figured out what was happening, he fired a single round through the door killing Scott.

The defense said the DNA evidence only places the teen in the vicinity of the killing, but argued that the witness statements were not consistent about a description of the suspect.

Luis Godines, who is representing the teen, said the teen was swabbed for gunshot residue shortly after the killing, and the test was negative. He pointed out that the murder weapon was never found and said a search of the teen's phone did not yield any location data that places him at the scene.

He said the teen also never confessed.

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Police did search his phone. During the hearing, Detective Delecia Grisby searched the teen's phone and found messages about robberies, messages about wanting to get money to leave with his girlfriend, as well as a picture of a gun.

Judge Stacey DeGreaffenreid did not make a ruling during the June 13 hearing about whether the case will be bound over to adult court. Another hearing was scheduled on June 23 for her to announce her decision.

Scott was a decade-long Cincinnati resident and Northern Kentucky native. He gained a following in the area through his heavy metal band Opium Doom Cult.

The teen has had no prior contact with the juvenile court system and no prior charges in Hamilton County. Court documents show that in 2024, the teen had no disciplinary issues in school.

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In Ohio, cases of murder involving 17-year-olds are considered "mandatory bindovers." But the juvenile court judges are required to find that there is probable cause in the case, meaning that there is enough evidence to suggest the defendant committed the offense.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Prosecutors: Musician was trying to call for help when he was killed
With No Kings demonstrations planned for Saturday, Dallas business owners may be eyeing the weekend warilyjust days after an event against immigration enforcement spiraled into street violence.

Here are 10 Top Tips to Help Dallas Businesses Prepare for Civil Unrest:

Review and update your emergency communication protocols.

Remove loose items like trash bins or sidewalk displays that could be used as projectiles.

Reinforce glass storefronts with protective film, boards, or polycarbonate sheeting.

Back up security camera footage and ensure cameras are functional and visible.

Shut off or secure critical infrastructure like gas lines and electronics if evacuating.

Alert employees early and consider remote work for Saturday.

Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, and medical supplies.

Identify multiple evacuation routes for staff.

Check your business insurance to ensure riot-related damage is covered.

Monitor real-time updates from police and emergency officials.

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Numerous No Kings demonstrations are planned across DFW for Saturday, June 14. No Kings website states that it is explicitly and ardently anti-Trump. One entry adds, No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianismand show the world what democracy really looks like.

These demonstrations raise fears that there could be echoes of events on June 9 when a demonstration near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge escalated into arrests, pepper spray deployments, and firework-throwing agitators. That event, organized against President Donald Trumps renewed ICE deportation initiative, mirrored violent outbursts in Los Angeles where vehicles burned and National Guard units were deployed, The Dallas Express reported.

The Dallas Police Department is aware of the demonstrations. DPDs main priority is the safety of people who live, work, and visit the city, according to a statement previously provided to The Dallas Express.

The Department will not interfere with a lawful and peaceful assembly of any individuals or groups expressing their First Amendment rights, the DPD spokesman said. Participants will see our patrols as they always do at large events.

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Fort Worths Police Department shared similar sentiments. The Fort Worth Police Department is working closely with our community and our Intelligence Fusion Center to monitor all activity during any peaceful protests that may take place in the City of Fort Worth, a FWPD spokesman said.

Gov. Greg Abbott has reportedly mobilized over 7,000 National Guardsmen in anticipation of what may happen, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.

In anticipation of possible unrest, The Dallas Express has compiled the best advice for protecting property and people during potential riots. These recommendations were collected from national business safety guides, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, security firms, and insurance companies, which were produced during the previous waves of nationwide violence in 2020 and 2021.

Advice from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Following the 2021 post-election unrest, the U.S. Chamber Foundation developed a comprehensive guide for businesses bracing for street-level chaos:

Tips from the Chamber:

Partner with law enforcement for timely alerts.

Lock windows and add protective film or wood barriers.

Hire temporary security, especially near government buildings.

Secure loose objects outside your business that could be weaponized.

Ensure your insurance policy explicitly covers riot-related damage.

Recommendations from Riot Glass (2021)

Riot Glass, a security firm specializing in protective materials, emphasized dual strategies: safety for employees and protection for property.

Tips for Staying Safe:

Keep an emergency kit with first aid, food, and water at your location.

Create detailed evacuation plans with alternate routes.

Monitor real-time police updates via scanner or social media.

Close early and send employees home at the first sign of unrest.

Tips for Property Protection:

Install highly visible surveillance cameras.

Hire security guards for entrances and exits.

Move vital equipment to safer locations and shut down utilities.

Overglaze windows with polycarbonate shields or board them up.

Insights from Chubb Insurance (2020)

Chubb, a major commercial insurer, emphasized business continuity and employee safety during unpredictable events.

Employee-Focused Tips:

Urge staff to avoid protest areas and allow remote work.

Keep employee contact information up-to-date.

Make all staff familiar with emergency plans.

Facility-Focused Tips:

Test alarms and backup systems.

Remove combustibles and secure doors and windows.

If vacating, shut down utilities while maintaining fire systems.

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On June 9, demonstrators in Dallas initially gathered to denounce ICE raids, where some reportedly hurled fireworks at police. DPD declared the demonstration unlawful by 9:40 p.m. and deployed pepper spray after dispersal orders were ignored. At least one arrest was confirmed.

Footage from the scene showed demonstrators chanting Free Palestine and waving Mexican flags, The Dallas Express reported.

While many participated peacefully, the confrontation resembled the escalating unrest in California that prompted national headlines and responses from political figures, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and entrepreneur Elon Musk, DX reported.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly being adopted to help prevent abuse and protect vulnerable people  including children in foster care, adults in nursing homes and students in schools. These tools promise to detect danger in real time and alert authorities before serious harm occurs.

Developers are using natural language processing, for example  a form of AI that interprets written or spoken language  to try to detect patterns of threats, manipulation and control in text messages. This information could help detect domestic abuse and potentially assist courts or law enforcement in early intervention. Some child welfare agencies use predictive modeling, another common AI technique, to calculate which families or individuals are most at risk for abuse.

When thoughtfully implemented, AI tools have the potential to enhance safety and efficiency. For instance, predictive models have assisted social workers to prioritize high-risk cases and intervene earlier.

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But as a social worker with 15 years of experience researching family violence  and five years on the front lines as a foster-care case manager, child abuse investigator and early childhood coordinator  Ive seen how well-intentioned systems often fail the very people they are meant to protect.

Now, I am helping to develop iCare, an AI-powered surveillance camera that analyzes limb movements  not faces or voices  to detect physical violence. Im grappling with a critical question: Can AI truly help safeguard vulnerable people, or is it just automating the same systems that have long caused them harm?

New tech, old injustice

Many AI tools are trained to learn by analyzing historical data. But history is full of inequality, bias and flawed assumptions. So are people, who design, test and fund AI.

That means AI algorithms can wind up replicating systemic forms of discrimination, like racism or classism. A 2022 study in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, found that a predictive risk model to score families risk levels  scores given to hotline staff to help them screen calls  would have flagged Black children for investigation 20% more often than white children, if used without human oversight. When social workers were included in decision-making, that disparity dropped to 9%.

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Language-based AI can also reinforce bias. For instance, one study showed that natural language processing systems misclassified African American Vernacular English as aggressive at a significantly higher rate than Standard American English  up to 62% more often, in certain contexts.

Meanwhile, a 2023 study found that AI models often struggle with context clues, meaning sarcastic or joking messages can be misclassified as serious threats or signs of distress.

Language-processing AI isnt always great at judging what counts as a threat or concern. NickyLloyd/E+ via Getty Images

These flaws can replicate larger problems in protective systems. People of color have long been over-surveilled in child welfare systems  sometimes due to cultural misunderstandings, sometimes due to prejudice. Studies have shown that Black and Indigenous families face disproportionately higher rates of reporting, investigation and family separation compared with white families, even after accounting for income and other socioeconomic factors.

Many of these disparities stem from structural racism embedded in decades of discriminatory policy decisions, as well as implicit biases and discretionary decision-making by overburdened caseworkers.

Surveillance over support

Even when AI systems do reduce harm toward vulnerable groups, they often do so at a disturbing cost.

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In hospitals and elder-care facilities, for example, AI-enabled cameras have been used to detect physical aggression between staff, visitors and residents. While commercial vendors promote these tools as safety innovations, their use raises serious ethical concerns about the balance between protection and privacy.

In a 2022 pilot program in Australia, AI camera systems deployed in two care homes generated more than 12,000 false alerts over 12 months  overwhelming staff and missing at least one real incident. The programs accuracy did not achieve a level that would be considered acceptable to staff and management, according to the independent report.

Surveillance cameras in care homes can help detect abuse, but they raise serious questions about privacy. kazuma seki/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Children are affected, too. In U.S. schools, AI surveillance like Gaggle, GoGuardian and Securly are marketed as tools to keep students safe. Such programs can be installed on students devices to monitor online activity and flag anything concerning.

But theyve also been shown to flag harmless behaviors  like writing short stories with mild violence, or researching topics related to mental health. As an Associated Press investigation revealed, these systems have also outed LGBTQ+ students to parents or school administrators by monitoring searches or conversations about gender and sexuality.

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Other systems use classroom cameras and microphones to detect aggression. But they frequently misidentify normal behavior like laughing, coughing or roughhousing  sometimes prompting intervention or discipline.

These are not isolated technical glitches; they reflect deep flaws in how AI is trained and deployed. AI systems learn from past data that has been selected and labeled by humans  data that often reflects social inequalities and biases. As sociologist Virginia Eubanks wrote in Automating Inequality, AI systems risk scaling up these long-standing harms.

Care, not punishment

I believe AI can still be a force for good, but only if its developers prioritize the dignity of the people these tools are meant to protect. Ive developed a framework of four key principles for what I call trauma-responsive AI.

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Honoring these principles means building systems that respond with care, not punishment.

Some promising models are already emerging. The Coalition Against Stalkerware and its partners advocate to include survivors in all stages of tech development  from needs assessments to user testing and ethical oversight.

Legislation is important, too. On May 5, 2025, for example, Montanas governor signed a law restricting state and local government from using AI to make automated decisions about individuals without meaningful human oversight. It requires transparency about how AI is used in government systems and prohibits discriminatory profiling.

As I tell my students, innovative interventions should disrupt cycles of harm, not perpetuate them. AI will never replace the human capacity for context and compassion. But with the right values at the center, it might help us deliver more of it.

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This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Aislinn Conrad, University of Iowa

Read more:



Aislinn Conrad is developing iCare, an AI-powered, real-time violence detection system.
Police on Friday announced that dozens of demonstrators were arrested after failing to disperse on the seventh day of anti-ICE protests in Downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Department officers, along with multiple law enforcement partners, were called to the downtown area Thursday night following reports of criminal activity, the LAPD posted in its news release.

Police took one person into custody for allegedly pointing a laser at an airship and another for resisting a police officer.

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Police said that 13 more were arrested for curfew violation, and 30 for failure to disperse, including one who had an outstanding warrant for robbery.

A protester is seen being detained by LAPD SWAT officers outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles on the 7th day of protests, June 13, 2025. (Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images) A protester is seen waving a Mexican-American flag outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles on the 7th day of protests, June 13, 2025. (Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images) A protester is seen being detained by federal agents from an unmarked vehicle outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles on the 7th day of protests, June 13, 2025. (Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images)

During the crowd control situation, numerous less-lethal munitions were used, the news release stated.

Despite nightly arrests, the acts of looting and vandalism that plagued the early days of the protests subsided with the implementation of the 8 p.m. curfew for Downtown L.A. on Tuesday.

The new measure will be tested this Saturday, as thousands are expected to participate in multiple demonstrations for what is being dubbed No Kings Day in opposition to the policies of the Trump administration.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Organizers came together Friday afternoon at the Free Stamp in downtown Cleveland for last-minute preparations for a major protest set for Saturday.

Cleveland is one of hundreds of cities where a No Kings rally is planned, protesting President Donald Trump and a military parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Cleveland health officials warn COVID spike is coming

As of this morning, we have over 2,000 sign-ups but we are expecting triple that amount tomorrow, said organizer Ellen Frank.

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According to Cleveland police, the protest just so happens to overlap with the citys Juneteenth celebrations on Mall C, as well as several other events downtown.

Free Stamp

We have an emergency operations plan in place. We have officers placed at strategic places, said Sgt. Freddy Diaz, with Cleveland police.

However, organizers said the protests plan to be peaceful, nonviolent gatherings, and the rally will happen regardless of the weather.

We have peacekeepers that are trained on how to de-escalate situations  26 of them in yellow vests, said Frank.

Cleveland is not alone in Northeast Ohio. Organizers are also listing demonstrations in Akron, Canton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Dover, Wooster, Ashland and Alliance.

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In Akron the afternoon demonstration is planned outside of the John F. Seiberling federal building.

A spokesperson for the city on Friday released a statement saying:

Weve been in contact with the organizers of the event here in Akron and we are expecting a good turnout of peaceful protestors. As always, Akron Police Department will be prepared if they are needed for any reason but that is not the expectation.

I-Team: Cleveland Heights officials asked FBI, BCI to investigate actions by mayor

Police say they have no reason to expect trouble.

Public safety is our top priority and if we are able to allow people to protest and public safety remains intact then we are all for it, said Lt. Michael Murphy Jr. of the Akron Police Department.

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When we talk about giving them space to do that that means the police department would like to stay as hands off as possible. We will respond if needed and if asked to do so If theres a problem we will address that but again we dont anticipate there being any issues and any problems he added.

There are, however, activities that police here say they will not tolerate.

We will not tolerate any threats, any types of violence, vandalism, anything of that nature, thats not going to be tolerated and will be addressed appropriately, said Murphy.

In response to unrest during ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles President Trump nationalized the California National Guard saying their mission, initially, was to protect federal buildings.

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Although Saturdays planned protest in Akron is outside of a federal building Governor Mike DeWine has, so far, indicated he will not be activating the Ohio National Guard on Saturday.

In Canton, demonstrators are expected to gather at the arts center where they will merge with a planned Stark Pride March that will travel to Centennial Park.

Organizers of the No-Kings event say they have urged anyone interested in attending that they expect the event to be peaceful.

Every message we put out there we are peaceful, we are non-violent, we are not here to antagonize or argue with people. We are just expressing ourselves as Americans and whats important to us and what our values are, said Lorraine Wilburn of Action Together Stark.

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Where there has been trouble during demonstrations across the country, including Los Angeles, the problems typically come from a small percentage of those who seem to be there to intentionally create chaos.

Wilburn said she does not expect that, bit knows it could happen.

Theres not much we can do to control those individual actors, except to step away from them and thats one of the ways we plan to handle it, Wilburn said. Although we dont anticipate any issues whatsoever.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
With a Washington military parade, President Donald Trump's birthday and growing opposition to immigration raids in Los Angeles, organizers have planned protests around the country for this weekend.

Protests have been a part of the United States since the founding of the country. The U.S. Constitution guarantees rights, but that doesn't always mean the police will respect them or that a court will uphold them if they're violated, according to the National Lawyers Guild's "Know Your Rights  a guide for protesters."

"When you are protesting or having any interaction with law enforcement, asserting your rights does not usually mean that the police will respect your rights or change how they are treating you. However, by using your rights ... you can make it harder for police to use your own statements or anything found on you during a search as evidence against you during a trial."

Justin Cheong, 35, a Chinese immigrant who now lives in Detroit, leads a protest against the Trump Administration at the Detroit Public Safety Building in Detroit on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Cheong said, Im here to defend immigrant rights against ICE gestapo attacks and to shut down the Trump facism movement.

Where do I have the right to protest?

Public property. No permit is necessary to march on public sidewalks, as long as car and pedestrian traffic is not obstructed, according to the ACLU of Michigan. Police may ask demonstrators without a permit to move to the side of a sidewalk to let people pass or for other safety reasons.

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According to the ACLU, the rights of protesters and organizers are strongest in "traditional public forums," such as streets, sidewalks and parks. People have the right to speak out in front of government buildings as long as they are not blocking access or interfering with operations.

The rules for speech on private property are determined by the property owner.

Counter-protesters also have the right to be present and voice displeasure within the vicinity of a different group, although they do not have a right to physically disrupt an event or drown out the speakers they are protesting, according to the ACLU.

Some Michigan cities, including Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, ask large gatherings that have the potential to obstruct traffic obtain a permit with up to 70 days notice.

Protestors gather at 9 Mile and Woodward in Ferndale to participate in a national day of protest titled Hands Off on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

What should I do if I am stopped by police?

The National Lawyers Guild recommends trying to end law enforcement interaction as quickly as possible, as well as stating your rights out loud when asked questions.

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If a cop is speaking to you on the street, ask: Am I free to go? If they say yes, you should leave, if you can do that safely.

"If the cop says anything other than yes, follow up with: 'Am I being detained? If they say anything other than yes, then say that you do not want to talk further and leave immediately, according to NLG's Know Your Rights guide.

If a police officer asks a question, a protester does not have to answer and can let the officer know they will remain silent and want to speak to a lawyer.

Statements you make to people who are not police can be held against you, according to the NLG.

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In Michigan, police cannot ask you to provide your name or other identity information unless you have been detained on reasonable suspicion that you have committed a crime. This right is not the same in every state.

Police are allowed to pat down the outside of your clothing without consent, but they need your permission or a warrant to search beyond that, according to NLG's guide. To decline a search, the guide recommends using the standard legal phrasing, I do not consent.

What if I get arrested?

Michigan's ACLU recommends asking for a lawyer immediately, remaining silent and not signing or agreeing to anything without a lawyer.

If a defendant hasn't hired a lawyer, they can ask for a court-appointed public defender if they can't afford it, according to Michigan Legal Help from the Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan State Bar Association.

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If you are arrested, you will be searched as part of the arrest process, according to NLG.

Police officers may lie to you about having evidence, deals to drop charges, overstating penalties for crimes, the timeline of your detention, and whether they are recording, according to the guide.

Lying to a government agent is sometimes a criminal offence, while remaining silent until speaking to a lawyer is not, according to the NLG.

Can I take photos and videos?

When in a public space, people have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and police, according to Michigan's ACLU.

On private property, property owners may set their own rules.

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Police may not confiscate or demand to view photos or videos without a warrant. They may not delete data under any circumstances, according to the ACLU.

Police may order citizens to stop recording if they are "truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations, but video recording from a safe distance is not interfering," according to the ACLU.

[ Your voice matters: Help us make the Free Press better for you. ]

What are my rights if police shut down a protest?

According to Michigan's ACLU, police may not disperse a protest unless there is "clear danger of a riot, disorder, interference with traffic, or other immediate threat to public safety."

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"Protesters must receive a clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, including how much time they have to disperse, consequences for failing to disperse, and what exit route they can follow before they may be arrested or charged with any crime," according to the ACLU.

Officers must give "reasonable opportunity to comply, including sufficient time and a clear exit path," according to the ACLU.

What should I do if I think my rights have been violated?

The ACLU of Michigan recommends getting contact information of witnesses, taking photos of injuries, and writing down everything you can remember, including officers' names, badge and patrol car numbers.

With this information, you can file a written complaint to a civilian complaint board, police department or agency, according to the ACLU.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Protest rights in Michigan: What to know ahead of No Kings events
Thousands of anti-Trump protests are erupting across the United States this weekend under the banner of No Kings day, a coordinated movement aimed at pushing back against what demonstrators see as authoritarian overreach since the president returned to office in January.

Protesters say the event is a symbolic rejection of what they view as unchecked executive power, highlighting recent policies they argue erode democratic norms and civil liberties  particularly those targeting immigration, LGBTQIA+ communities, and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

The No Kings National Day of Mobilizations comes as protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles escalated this week, following Trump's deployment of the National Guard to the state, an unusual step without the governor's permission.

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Under the First Amendment, all individuals in the United States have the right to free speech and assembly, but it's important to understand the limitations of this right.

More: 'No Kings' protests planned across US on June 14: See map of locations in Texas

More: What is 'No Kings' day? What to know about Texas protests on June 14, Trump's birthday

What does 'No Kings' day mean? Why are protests on June 14?

June 14 is Flag Day, which this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. To celebrate, the U.S. Army is holding a military parade that will cross in front of Trumps viewing stand and bisect the National Mall. It is expected to include 7,500 soldiers and 120 vehicles, and is estimated to cost up to $45 million.

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It is also Trump's birthday.

President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else, says the website. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like.

In response to the parade and other grievances with the Trump administration, No Kings is planning protests nationwide, stating that protesters are not "gathering to feed his ego" but rather "building a movement that leaves him behind.

"The flag doesnt belong to Donald Trump. It belongs to us. Were not watching history happen. Were making it," the event states. "On June 14th, were showing up everywhere he isnt  to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

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The demonstrations are organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of progressive political action groups, which states that it is organizing to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics.

"In America, we dont put up with would-be kings. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies," the protest event states. "Weve watched as theyve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens and defied the courts. Theyve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies."

The website nokings.org adds that the day is to "gather to remind President Trump and his enablers: America has No King!"

I'm going to a protest. How can I protect myself?

Public protests are protected in the United States by the First Amendment and are legal in public areas, provided you are not blocking car or pedestrian traffic or blocking access to government buildings.

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That said, law enforcement may interpret your intentions differently, and some have acted with force.

The "No Kings" website has a disclaimer with an expectation of peace.

"A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action," the event description states. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

Organizers urge participants to remain calm and peaceful, even when engaging with counterprotesters, who also have the right to assemble, and especially with law enforcement.

The Human Rights Campaign advises protesters to scope out the area of the protest ahead of time and identify multiple routes out of the area. An offline-accessible map can help, so take a screenshot or save a photo in case cellular data is spotty.

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During the protest, remain aware of your surroundings and what's happening around you.

Where can I protest?

The constitutional protection offered to protesters varies depending on the location, or forum, of the protest, according to the ACLU of Texas.

Public streets, sidewalks, parks and the internet : These are traditional public forums where free speech is highly protected. You can protest here as long as you dont block pedestrian or vehicle traffic or violate local laws.

Plazas in front of government buildings : You generally have the right to protest on public property like this, as long as youre not obstructing access to the building or disrupting its intended use.

Designated public forums : Some areas, like public meetings or certain spaces on school or university campuses, are specifically opened by the government for public expression. These typically receive intermediate to high protection.

Non-public government property: Spaces like military bases or government offices are not considered public forums. Speech may be restricted here, but only in ways that are reasonable and not based on viewpoint.

You cannot protest on private property, which includes housing units and businesses.

What should I bring to a protest?

Protest signs and sunscreen are just the beginning. Experts at Physicians for Human Rights suggest bringing the following:

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Backpack or string bag : Lightweight and hands-free; fanny packs are another compact option.

Face mask or bandana : Can help protect against pepper spray or tear gas and shield your identity if you are concerned about workplace or other forms of retaliation. Hats and sunglasses also help.

Water : Texas heat can be extreme. Bring a large bottle, ideally with a squirt top for rinsing eyes or skin if needed.

Glasses instead of contacts : Chemicals can get trapped under contact lenses. If you wear contacts, use sealed, shatter-resistant goggles.

Comfortable clothes & closed-toe shoes : Cover your skin to avoid exposure; consider plain or all-black clothing to stay unidentifiable. Pack a spare outfit in case of chemical exposure.

ID & emergency contacts : Carry ID and write your emergency contact number on your arm. Include a lawyers number if applicable.

Vital medications: Bring a few days supply in labeled prescription bottles in case of arrest or delay. Also carry a medical ID card listing any conditions, allergies, or necessary treatments.

Cash : Useful for transit, food or bail  ATMs may not be accessible.

Snacks: High-energy, protein-rich options to stay fueled during long protests.

Many organizations also advise protesters to leave their phones at home to protect their privacy, as they can easily be tracked. If you must take your phone, keep it turned off until you need it. Before you go, disable Face ID or fingerprint security and stick with a 6-digit passcode instead. You may also consider buying a cheap secondary phone to use.

If you're going without a phone, write important numbers  like an emergency contact or lawyer  directly on your skin using a permanent marker, and seal it with a layer of liquid bandage or clear nail polish to prevent it from smudging or washing off.

Can I take photographs or video at a protest?

When you are lawfully present in a public space, you have the right to photograph or video anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police, according to the ACLU.

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Law enforcement may not confiscate your photos or video without a warrant and may not demand you delete anything, but they can order you to stop if you're interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.

What happens if police issue a dispersal order?

Before making any arrests, law enforcement must give clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, according to the ACLU. This includes the time protesters have to leave, the consequences of failing to comply, and a clear and accessible route for dispersal.

Dispersal should be a last resort. Police may only break up a protest if there is a clear and present danger, such as a riot, traffic obstruction, or another immediate threat to public safety.

What happens if you are approached by law enforcement?

Dont argue, resist or obstruct the police, even if you believe they are violating your rights: Anything you say or do can be used against you. Arguing or fighting may give police an excuse to arrest you.

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Stay calm and dont resist : Do not argue, resist, or obstruct police  even if you believe your rights are being violated. Anything you say or do can be used against you, and resistance may give officers grounds to arrest you.

If you're on foot : If youre stopped but not being detained, you are not required to answer questions. You can calmly ask if youre free to leave.

Searches : Police may pat down your outer clothing if they suspect youre carrying a weapon. Do not resist or touch the officer. Instead, clearly state that you do not consent to any further search. You are never required to consent to a search of your person or belongings  doing so can affect your legal rights later.

If you're detained : You may be required to identify yourself. Politely ask, Am I under arrest? If yes, say you wish to remain silent and request a lawyer. Do not say or sign anything without legal representation. If youre not under arrest, ask if youre free to go.

If youre driving : You must show your drivers license. If you dont have it on you, you may be required to provide your name, license number, address, or date of birth.

Filing a complaint: If you believe police acted improperly, do not confront them on the scene. Instead, write down or record their name, badge number and patrol car number for a formal complaint later.

What happens if you are arrested?

You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

Remember, police are required to read you your Miranda rights.

You are not required to answer any questions or speak without a lawyer present. Anything you say can be used against you in court, so its best to remain silent until you have legal representation.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Protesting on 'No Kings' day? Here are your rights as a protester
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Public lands advocates, environmental groups and Nevada politicians issued strong reactions as details of a plan to sell off millions of acres emerged on Wednesday.

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lees plan could result in as much as 3 million acres at fair market value, with all the money going directly into the U.S. Treasury, where it will help pay for extensions to President Donald Trumps 2017 tax cuts.

Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto asks a question during Wednesdays U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

It is clear that this language was developed behind closed doors without input from critical Nevada stakeholders because it ignores provisions for affordable housing and eliminates funding Nevada relies on for our schools and water conservation projects, Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said Wednesday night. BLM auctions in the Las Vegas valley generate millions in revenue for parks and recreation through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA).

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Nevada public lands likely a target again when Senate takes up Trumps one big, beautiful bill

If we truly want to support affordable housing and economic development in Nevada, everyone needs to be at the table. Shoving lands sales in a reconciliation bill in order to pay for tax cuts for billionaires is not the way forward, and Ill continue to fight against this misguided proposal, she said.

Public lands

Lees plan would sell off up to 3.3 million acres, according to the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter. The majority of U.S. public lands are in the West, and 80% of Nevada is federally owned. The Bureau of Land Management controls 47 million acres (63% of the state) and the Forest Service owns 5.7 million acres. Those two agencies are ordered to sell land in Lees proposal.

At the end of the 69-page document detailing the plan, a single paragraph earmarks $500 million for water conveyance enhancement to restore or increase the capacity or use of existing conveyance facilities constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation.

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The magnitude of the federal ownership of land in the West becomes clear in the plans goal of selling 0.5% to 0.75% of land under the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture, which is over the Forest Service. The equates to 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres.

Wild horses on the Calico Complex. (Photo: Bureau of Land Management)

Our organization has always upheld that this type of land sale could never fix the affordable housing crisis, Olivia Tanager, executive director of the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, said Wednesday. No one who needs affordable housing can afford to live in the outskirts of town with no access to public transportation, jobs, schools, or grocery stores.

East Las Vegas valley site revealed in affordable housing plan

The Sierra Club is putting on five town hall meetings in Las Vegas to help explain Lees proposal. The first is tonight  Thursday, June 12, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Enterprise Library. A June 18 meeting at the Summerlin Library is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Click here for more on the Sierra Clubs schedule.

Conservationist criticism

More than 100 groups opposed including public land sales in the one big, beautiful bill making its way through the U.S. Senate.

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Public lands are part of our national heritage, and people around the country have stood up and said no to the MAGA public land fire sale, Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said earlier in the week. America needs these beautiful places for wildlife, people, clean air and clean water. Sen. Mike Lee is trying to ram public land sell-offs down Westerners throats, and we wont stand for it.

The reconciliation bill was passed by the U.S. House on May 22, but without Nevada Republican Rep. Mark Amodeis amendment to sell public lands. That provision was stripped out as Republican leaders moved to be sure they had the votes to pass the bill. Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, former U.S. Interior secretary during Trumps first term, would have voted against the bill if it included the public land sales.

Lees bill exempts Montana public lands from the sale, but that might not be enough to swing his vote if the bill gets back to the House. This was my San Juan Hill; I do not support the widespread sale or transfer of public lands, Zinke told the New York Times last month. Once the land is sold, we will never get it back.

Cortez Masto and others have criticized Amodeis tactic in using a late-night session for his amendment, escaping immediate public scrutiny. They have also criticized Lee, who didnt release his plan until Cortez Masto pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) addresses reporters during a press conference on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 to introduce the America First Act.

Backroom deals

Yet again, decision makers in Washington D.C. are making deals behind closed doors and excluding the public on how to manage our public lands, Russell Kuhlman, executive director of the Nevada Wildlife Federation, said. We already have processes in place to deal with the sale of public lands to address housing in the west which includes public participation. Circumventing nearly 50 years of tradition and trust in order to sell land to the highest bidder is not a precedent our decision makers should be making. I urge the Senate to listen to the hunters, anglers, hikers, and other public land users that make up the majority of westerners who want this proposal removed from the reconciliation bill.

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Kristee Watson, executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, echoed that statement.

This is what happens when you open the door to backroom land deals, Watson said. Mark Amodei lit the match, and now extremists in the Senate are fueling the fire, pushing a reckless sell-off of our public lands without public input or regard for the consequences. These lands are not disposable  they fuel Nevadas $8.1 billion outdoor economy, support thousands of jobs, and provide the open spaces that make our state special.

Watson said the move isnt about the housing crisis. Its about greed. Politicians in DC are once again trying to sell out Nevadans and put our public lands on the auction block to fund handouts for their billionaire buddies. We urge the Senate to reject this dangerous amendment and stand with Nevadans, not with out-of-state developers and wealthy interests, she said.

Senator Mike Lee should be ashamed of himself for using the housing affordability crisis as an excuse to sell public lands off to private developers, Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, said. Time and time again, Westerners have made it crystal clear that they want to keep public lands in public hands. Clearly Senator Lee isnt listening.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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FB Financial and Southern States Bancshares have announced the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals for their proposed merger.

The transaction is expected to be finalised on 1 July 2025, with system integration to follow in the third quarter of the year.

In March, FB Financial agreed to merge operations of Southern States Bancshares, in a deal valued at $381m.

As of 31 March 2025, Southern States Bancshares reported assets of $2.9bn, loans of $2.3bn, and deposits of $2.4bn.

FB Financial, reported assets of $13.1bn, loans of $9.9bn, and deposits of $11.2bn.

FB Financial CEO and president Christopher T. Holmes said: Were pleased to have received swift regulatory approval for the merger between FB Financial and Southern States.

Both institutions share a deep commitment to community banking, and were excited about bringing our teams together to continue delivering long-term value for our customers, associates, shareholders, and communities.

FB Financial, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, operates through its banking subsidiary, FirstBank.

The bank has 77 full-service branches across Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and North Georgia, in addition to mortgage offices throughout the Southeast.

Southern States Bancshares, based in Anniston, Alabama, operates primarily through Southern States Bank.

It operates 15 branches in Alabama and Georgia, along with two loan production offices in Atlanta.

"FB Financial and Southern States get regulatory approval for merger" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




U.S. House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse, a Lafayette Democrat, speaks at a press conference on protecting public lands May 28, 2025, at the Lake Estes Marina. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline)

Democratic members of the Colorado congressional delegation criticized a recent proposal by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, to allow the federal government to sell off more than 2 million acres of public land. The proposal covers 11 Western states, including Colorado.

Introduced Wednesday, the proposal would target underused public lands to sell for housing development, roads, water infrastructure and other projects, according to Lee. During a remote news conference Friday, the proposal drew disapproval from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, as well as Reps. Joe Neguse of Lafayette, Jason Crow of Centennial and Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood.

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(This proposal) is a five alarm fire for hunters, for fishermen, for conservationists, for recreationists and for everyday Colorado folks who enjoy these lands and who are committed to preserving them for future generations, Neguse said. The fact that they are potentially trying to auction off these lands to pay for President (Donald) Trumps reckless tax agenda, tax cuts for billionaires and large corporations, in my view, is shameful.

Neguse represents Colorados 2nd Congressional District, 60% of which is made up of public lands.

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Lees proposal would insert the public lands sell-off measure into the GOP big, beautiful tax and spending bill, which was passed by the House and is now before the Senate. Under the proposal, state and local governments would have priority to purchase the federal lands, and areas that already have a designation  like national parks, national monuments and mining claim sites  would be safe from sale.

Colorado is home to 23 million acres of federal public lands, which play a significant role in many local economies. Sarah Shrader, the president of the Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition in Grand Junction, called on Congress to save Colorados public lands from sale.

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These lands must remain protected, accessible and managed for the benefit of everyone, not just a few, Shrader said. Its an economic imperative, an environmental responsibility and a moral commitment to future generations.

Tony Prendergast, a hunting guide and rancher based in Crawford, pointed to the widespread support of his community for the protection of public lands, regardless of their political affiliation.

Theres nothing like this issue that will fire up people like me to get involved politically, Prendergast said. The depth of the anger I feel, and the disappointment in those elected officials who are putting this proposal forward and those who will support this, is intense for me.

After bipartisan opposition to a recent public land sale proposal in the House, the plan was axed. Bennet said he hopes there will be enough common ground to defeat the Senate proposal through continued negotiations.

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Public lands make Colorado, Colorado, Bennet said. They make the West, the West. Theyre the foundation of our economy, and they represent treasured parts of our culture, our geography and our history.

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Iris Feliciano-Hernandez moved to Milwaukee from Puerto Rico in 2016 so that she could start a new journey and grow as a person. She died in a suspected reckless driving crash this past weekend in downtown Milwaukee.

The early morning June 7 fatal crash took place at the intersection of West State and North Sixth streets, just a block from Milwaukee police headquarters. Feliciano-Hernandez, 30, died at the scene.

Tremayne A. Brown, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man, has been charged in connection to the crash with second-degree reckless homicide, accused of traveling at 70 mph downtown before running a red light and crashing into Feliciano-Hernandez.

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Brown told an officer at the scene that he had "a couple of shots" of gin earlier in the morning after the officer reported that Brown couldn't remember where he was going or what day it was, according to a criminal complaint filed June 10. Prosecutors said the result of Brown's blood draw are still pending.

Police recovered video of the crash and downloaded data from Brown's vehicle, which shows that Brown was traveling westbound on State Street at 70 mph and the accelerator was activated at 100% before the crash, the complaint said. The speed limit on this portion of State Street is 30 mph.

Brown also had a suspended driver's license and was cited twice in March and once in April of driving with a suspended license. He is currently in custody of the Milwaukee County Jail, held on $50,000 bail. He faces decades behind bars.

Feliciano-Hernandez was self-sustaining and loved by many

Feliciano-Hernandez's parents, Blanca Hernandez and Edwin Feliciano, still live in Puerto Rico. Feliciano-Hernandez grew up in Aguada, Puerto Rico. She had a small amount of immediate family members in Milwaukee.

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Her cousins, Dimy Hernandez and Zully Velazquez, and her partner, Felix, have been serving as points of contact for authorities and recently they worked with Feliciano-Hernandez's parents, who only speak Spanish, to respond to a request for comment from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"Iris was an only daughter and so loved," her family said in a statement. "She had a contagious smile, she was very creative and charismatic."

Iris Feliciano-Hernandez died in a suspected reckless driving crash in downtown Milwaukee on June 7.

Feliciano-Hernandez moved to the U.S. to "better herself," her family said. She was working for a manufacturing company in Waukesha and also had a small business baking Puerto Rican treats.

"She loved to make things to make others happy," her family said. "When she wasn't working she devoted herself to her small business. She also enjoyed spending time with friends and her fur babies: Milo, Aura, and Mia."

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Feliciano-Hernandez's family said they seek justice. "We don't understand how an individual who was stopped various times within the last two months by the Milwaukee police for driving with a suspended license was still driving around freely," the family said.

A small service for immediate family was held for Feliciano-Hernandez at Witkowiak Funeral Home on Milwaukee's historic Mitchell Street. Her father has returned to Puerto Rico, where he awaits the transfer of his only child's body. A funeral service will take place in Puerto Rico on June 19.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Puerto Rican killed in suspected reckless driving crash in Milwaukee
The Brief

Orlando marked nine years since the Pulse nightclub massacre with remembrance and reflection.

Survivors and victims families revisited the site ahead of its expected demolition.

The tragedy's emotional toll continues to shape the city and its calls for healing.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Nine years after a gunman opened fire inside Pulse Nightclub, killing 49 people in what was then the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, the Orlando community came together Thursday to remember the lives lost and others whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy.

Pulse Remembrance marks 9 years of grief, reflection

What we know

On the ninth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting, Orlando held a remembrance ceremony to honor the 49 victims and support those still coping with the trauma.

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Held at First United Methodist Church, the event included the reading of victims' names, many of whom belonged to the LGBTQ, Hispanic, and Black communities. Survivors and families were also allowed into the nightclub this week  now slated for demolition  for a final look inside the space where the tragedy unfolded.

What we don't know

While many came to pay respects, questions remain about the immediate future of the Pulse site. Though its expected to be torn down for a permanent memorial, no specific timeline has been finalized. Its also unclear how the site will ultimately be memorialized in a permanent way that satisfies the diverse needs of survivors, victims families, and the broader community.

The backstory

On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire inside Pulse, a popular LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, killing 49 and injuring dozens more. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. at the time and remains one of the most devastating attacks on the LGBTQ community in American history. The massacre sparked a global wave of solidarity and calls for reform.

Big picture view

The annual remembrance underscores how deeply the shooting continues to affect Orlando and communities beyond. Survivors carry lasting physical and emotional wounds, while families grapple with daily reminders of their loss. The nightclub, once a safe haven and symbol of celebration, has become a place of both pain and remembrance  and a focal point for broader conversations around gun violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and community healing.

'Unimaginable horror'

What they're saying

Mayor Buddy Dyer acknowledged the long-lasting toll of the shooting, saying people in the Orlando area live with the tragedy of the Pulse nightclub shooting every single day.

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At a remembrance ceremony held at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, the names of the victims  many of them members of the LGBTQ, Hispanic, and Black communities  were read aloud in a solemn tribute.

"Nine years ago today, our community faced unimaginable horror as 49 innocent people were murdered in the Pulse Nightclub," said Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan. "Our community came together to honor those taken and help those who are injured and traumatized. The innocent victims were members of the LGBTQ Latinx and Black community. Our Orlando community, and places around the world, lit their monuments in rainbows to honor the fallen."

For survivors and families of the victims, the anniversary stirred a wave of emotions. Some, for the first time since the shooting, stepped inside the now-shuttered nightclub  a final chance to see the site before it is scheduled for demolition.

Visitors walked through the darkened rooms, pausing where they once hid for safety or where loved ones took their last breaths. Quiet tears and moments of prayer marked their passage through the building.

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"I held that hope as I was running down the street, looking for him, yelling. I know he's going to be there," said Laly Santiago Leon, recalling her cousin, Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, and his partner Jean Carlos Nieves Rodriguez, who died on the dance floor. "Standing there, it kinda came through. Sat in that spot, kissed it."

Her family prayed over the place where the couple died.

Others, like Jorshua Hernandez  who survived after being shot multiple times in the nightclub bathroom  could not bring themselves to enter.

"I stayed outside because I know Im not going to be good mentally, because its hard," he said. "I dont want to see the restroom. I dont want to see the bullet [holes]."

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Hernandez still carries a bullet in his body and lives with visible scars from that night. "I have a bullet here with a screw. I have metal, and over here, another shot," he said, pointing to his wounds.

For Karynna Rios, the pain is personal and permanent. She lost her aunt, Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, who had survived cancer twice but died in the attack.

"Ill never stop missing my aunt, never stop thinking of what life would be like if she was still here," Rios said. "If we were nicer to each other  less issues in the world."

What's next

In the coming days, more survivors and family members are expected to walk through Pulse one last time  a gesture meant to help them confront the past, even as the future of the site remains uncertain.

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The building, once a place of joy and celebration, remains frozen in memory  a symbol of both loss and resilience.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

The Source

This story was written based on information shared by the City of Orlando, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan, survivors and family members of those killed in the Pulse Nightclub shooting.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has held phone calls with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Israels strikes on Iran.

Source: Putins press service

Details: In his conversation with Pezeshkian, Putin apparently expressed condolences to the Iranian leadership and people "in connection with the many human casualties, including among civilians".

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The Kremlin leader, who is considered guilty of war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague, also "condemned Israels actions as a violation of the UN Charter and international law".

Putin stated that Russia "will contribute to de-escalating the conflict between Iran and Israel".

In the call with Netanyahu, he emphasised the "importance of returning to the negotiation process" and even offered Russias services as a mediator.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme and targeting military facilities.

The strikes reportedly killed Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Gholamali Rashid, head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Irans Armed Forces, and six nuclear scientists.

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Irans Armed Forces, said that Tehran would respond to Israel's strikes, noting that the United States would "pay dearly" despite Washington's assurances of its non-involvement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israels actions as "unilateral", though the US was aware of the planned strikes.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken on the phone with both sides following Israeli airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, according to a statement from the Kremlin on Friday.

In conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin condemned Israel's actions as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, the statement said.

Russia has always advocated a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme, it added.

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According to the statement, Putin called for a return to dialogue in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Kremlin head offered to support both sides in de-escalation efforts, it said.

Iran is an important ally and arms supplier for Moscow in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
President Donald Trump has once again said the quiet part out loud.

During a signing ceremony for a trio of bills blocking California's new emissions standards and pro-electric vehicle push, the president admitted that he had been surprised when his bestie-turned-sparring partner Elon Musk worked to get him elected.

"I used to say I'm amazed that he's endorsing me because that can't be good for him," Trump quipped. "I'm abolishing the EV mandate."

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The president claimed that the Tesla CEO never spoke to him about his anti-EV stance, and when Trump brought it up himself, Musk seemed sanguine.

"I once asked him about it, 'You never talked to me about that.' He said, 'Well, as long as it's happening to everybody, I'll be able to compete,'" the commander-in-chief recounted. "It's a very interesting answer."

"You would have thought he would have been from day one, 'You got to make sure you don't do the EV mandate, the abolishing,'" Trump continued. "He never did."

Impressed as the president was by the Tesla CEO's even-keeled response to his attacks on his industry, he alluded to his and Musk's recent and very public breakup following the younger billionaire's exit from the White House a few weeks ago. Though they've cooled the flames of the conflict since, they don't seem to have quite kissed and made up.

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"He got a little bit strange," Trump said. "I don't know why, over much smaller things than [the EV attacks]."

Indeed, among the laundry list of reasons why the two fell out  including, according to the Washington Post, Trump's concerns about Musk being a "big-time drug addict"  the president's push to kibosh EVs was not among them.

Despite praising Musk's business bravado, Trump seemed unable to resist taking a final potshot.

"Now I know why Elon doesn't like me so much," the president joked during the ceremony.

More on EV policy: Elon Musk Is Realizing He Made a Huge Mistake
Tariffs hit hard, but queer-owned brands push back with transparency and community

At the start of President Donald Trumps second term in January, his administration quickly followed through on his promise to increase tariffs on U.S. trading partners. It began in February with a 10% tariff increase on all Chinese imports and a 25% increase on steel and aluminum products. Tariffs escalated between China and the U.S., with the highest reaching a 145% tariff for Chinese imports.

After a 90-day pause starting March 14, during which tariffs on both countries imports were reduced by 115%, the U.S. and China reached an agreement on June 10. Tariffs on Chinese imports settled at 55%, while U.S. import tariffs settled at 10%. For many U.S. businesses, the initial rise in tariffs has had a profound impact, particularly for those in the retail and apparel sectors.

News Is Out examined how queer-owned businesses have started speaking out about the impact of the tariffs and what they are doing to combat rising costs, or at least how to draw consumers attention to their efforts.

TomboyX adds a tariff surcharge to impacted products

Queer-owned apparel brand tomboyX shared a statement from CEO Leslie Garrand about the tariffs on its social media channels:

If youre uneasy about the whole Trump situationyeah, same.

These are unpredictable times, and we want to be real with you. Trumps wild tariffs are creating serious challenges for small businesses like ours  and starting this May, we now face sky-high tariff costs.

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The good news: Many of our products (like swim!) are less affected. So go ahead, shop away.

The not-so-good news: Products we sustainably produce in China are now hit with tariff rates of + 145%. To help offset just a portion of this cost increase, were introducing a temporary Trump Tariff Surcharge on those items starting May 1. Youll see a clear note on the product page and in your cart. (The amount varies by item, and well remove the charge as soon as we can.)

Thank you for sticking with us and supporting a small business doing its best to weather the chaos responsibly. Built to endure.

Leslie Garrard  CEO

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Since then, items on the tomboyX website that are affected by tariffs now feature a note in red that says Tr*mp Tariff Surcharge. The additional fees range from around $1 up to $7.

TomboyX has always done things the right wayhigh-quality underwear, sustainably made, and inclusively designed, Garrad shared with News Is Out. But the new Trump tariffs put extra pressure on small, values-led brands. These added costs are significant and unplanned, and relocating our manufacturing footprint requires time and money. For small businesses, it hits hard. Were grateful to our community for standing with us as we adapt.

Wildfang speaks out on CBS

Wildfang, a queer- and female-founded apparel company based in Portland, Oregon, has also spoken out publicly about tariffs. Wildfang CEO Emma McIlroy was interviewed on CBS Mornings on April 9 about tariffs, which heavily impact the company. When asked how the steep rise in tariffs would affect her company, McIlroy shared an example.

We had our summer orderso we make apparel, we make fashionarrived on Monday this week. If that order had arrived today, it would have cost us $178,000 more to receive it. I dont have that money.

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When asked if those increases could be passed on to customers, McIlroy said, I do think youre going to see businesses have to pass this on to consumers. If you were trying to maintain the current structure, it would mean an 83% increase in consumer prices. I dont think youll see that full price increase, but thats how aggressive this would be for consumers.

However, McIlroy shared that Wildfang is doing everything it can to mitigate the rising costs.

So, as a small business, were going to try everything in our power not to pass that along, McIlroy said. Thats going to include working with our factory partners, looking at new factories and locations to manufacture, and thats going to include cutting our own costs. Every business will try to do that. But as a small business, there arent that many places to cut. I think a last resort is going to increase prices.

After speaking out publicly about how Trumps tariffs could affect Wildfang, McIlroy said the response from the community and customers has been overwhelmingly supportive.

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Weve had tons of lovely messages of support from our community, McIlroy told News Is Out. Weve also had lots of notes from other business owners sharing their frustrations and fears and thanking us for speaking up and raising awareness about the topic.

In terms of next steps, McIlroy said Wildfang is working with factories to fast-track orders during the 90-day tariff pause. Additionally, were working with our factories to sample in Vietnam and Indonesia to diversify our manufacturing base, she said.

Gay Pride Apparel watches and waits

For Gay Pride Apparel owners Sergio Aragon and Jesus Gutierrez, the rise in tariffs hasnt yet directly impacted the business, but much remains to be seen. Gay Pride Apparel does much of its business with American printers, but tariffs could affect them in other ways.

There is a lot of uncertainty for us about whether theyll raise their prices because theyre being hit with tariffs, Gutierrez said in a Zoom interview with News Is Out. And its also very timely for us, because obviously, its about to hit Pride. So were trying to figure out: will our production partner raise our prices? Does that mean that we have to raise our prices on our end?

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Its not just tariffs giving Gutierrez and Aragon pause; its also a challenging economy.

We know the economy is a little bit rough right now to begin with, Gutierrez said. Our pricing is already pretty high compared to a normal T-shirt. So were trying to juggle it all. And I think its all been so volatilejust changing every daythat it hasnt really hit us in one way or another. Its almost kind of still up in the air for us.

Gay Pride Apparels partners have been working closely with the company to minimize shipping costs and maintain open lines of communication.

But the good thing is, our business partners and our suppliers have been really transparent with us and working with us, Aragon said. There are different workarounds theyre doing to help us avoid it.

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When asked their thoughts on tomboyXs approach of including a clear note about tariffs, Gutierrez applauded the companys transparency.

I love it, Gutierrez said. I mean, as you mentioned earlier, were very transparent with our customers, and I think its because its just us two. We engage in a two-way conversation with our customers and our community. So seeing tomboyX do that was really fun and felt like something we would do. We actually saw it and were like, Oh, should we consider doing something? But we dont know how its going to affect us yet.

Gutierrez and Aragon are considering what to do next and if tariffs really begin to impact the company negatively. While some companies are considering passing on increases, Gay Pride Apparel is also exploring an alternative.

But as people are raising their prices and responding to this, we were talking about maybe lowering our prices and making less money per sale per product, but becoming more accessible, Gutierrez said. Because truthfully, were struggling. Everyone struggles. How do we meet our customers where theyre at?

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On a positive note as a queer-owned business, Gay Pride Apparel is seeing an increase in consumers supporting the company as an alternative to those that have changed their stances on support for Pride, diversity and inclusion, like Target and Walmart.

Theyll straight up call it out, Gutierrez said. On Threads specifically, well get tagged randomly in posts that are like, whether its a boycott post or its a Pride-related kind of tag your favorite queer business. And then people are like, Oh, I only shop at Gay Pride Apparel now because the rest of them are abandoning us, or I only stick to companies that are here all year, such as Gay Pride Apparel. Theyll even say, Im trying to support, even if its 20% more, 30% more, to buy the shirtIll support Gay Pride Apparel over XYZ.

Grrrl Spells faces steep costs and hard choices.

While not a U.S.-based business, Canadian company GrrrlL Spells does a significant amount of business with consumers in the U.S. Last year, Grrrl Spells made headlines as one of the queer- and trans-owned businesses when their partnership with Target was drastically reduced and their labels were removed from remaining products.

Creator and designer of GrrrlL Spells, En Tze Loh, shared their experience as a Canadian brand.

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Even though were a Canadian business, the majority of our online customers are from the states, Loh said. The de minimis exemption allowing orders under $800 to enter the U.S. tariff-free was removed specifically for products manufactured in China, now subjecting them to an absurdly high tariff fee regardless of where its shipped from. We design all of our own products but get them manufactured both locally and abroad, including China. Unfortunately, many of our products will now be subject to those tariffs when delivered to U.S. customers.

As a result, Grrrl Spells has temporarily suspended shipping particular products to the U.S.

We have decided to stop shipping any of our items that were manufactured in China to the U.S. as we dont believe anyone should have to pay these extreme fees, which drastically decreases our sales. Enamel pins, which are our most popular product, do not have any North American manufacturers at all, and they are mostly produced in China, so sadly, there isnt an alternative.

During a time that should see the companys biggest spikes, Grrrl Spells is preparing for a slower season.

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We are definitely anticipating a much quieter Pride month and year due to the tariffs and decline of the economy in general, as weve already been feeling the effects of it since the year began. Were trying our best to adapt to the changes and find alternatives in order to keep going, but it has been challenging.

Looking ahead with resilience and gratitude

Loh also wants consumers and LGBTQ+ people to know how grateful they are for their support.

We would like to send so much love and strength to every queer and trans person during these wild times and thank you so much to everyone who has supported us throughout all these years, Loh said. We need the support of each other more than ever right now. While we may not be able to ship many of our current goods to the U.S. at the moment, were working on a new collection for Pride with items that we will be able to ship tariff-free, so please stay tuned!

This story was produced by News Is Out and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

RELATED CONTENT: Heres How Trumps Tariffs Are Putting A Damper On Black Protective Hairstyles
A charity founder who won two BBC awards for her contribution to animal welfare has been appointed an MBE.

Grace Muir, CEO of the Wantage Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS), has been recognised for services to charity, animal welfare and education in the King's Birthday Honours.

She had previously won two Make a Difference awards in 2024 for Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Ms Muir said she hoped the honour would "reflect some of my passion and future vision into HEROS to make us do more".

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HEROS was established in 2006 with a primary focus on ex-racehorse retraining and rehoming, and in 2023 it opened a forest school for students with special education needs.

Ms Muir said she had not started the charity "for any honour".

"But it is such an honour," she said.

"I couldn't do this without my team and if it can reflect some of my passion and future vision into HEROS to make us do more and make this shine the light on racing and the good it's trying to do, then that's what it's for."

BBOWT CEO Estelle Bailey said receiving her MBE letter "took my breath away for a moment" [BBC]

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) CEO Estelle Bailey as also been honoured with an MBE for services to nature's recovery.

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The charity's achievements include a 500,000 nature restoration project.

"It's really not the sort of letter you get every day," Ms Bailey said.

"To read the words MBE was just absolutely extraordinary, it took my breath away for a moment."

She added that charitable life was "really hard when you're working really for blood, sweat and tears - also not a lot of money".

"But it was that moment of recognition for me that was just really super special."

'Nice people have noticed'

Neil Stockton, chair of Oxford Hospital Radio Cherwell, was honoured with a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to hospital radio and to the local community.

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Mr Stockton said the service - established in 1967 - provided "more than just playing records in a little cupboard in the corner".

"It was actually going round the wards talking to patients, making them the stars of the shows, getting out into local communities," he said.

"After all these years it's nice to feel that people have noticed that this crackpot that spends all his time in studios wiring and talking to people on the radio is being honoured in this way."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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Last week, the Prime Minister said that 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.

The unfolding crisis in the Middle East underscores the need to do so. Now, more than ever, our national security must be the Governments overriding priority, trampling on any other competing demands for government money and ministers time. But it isnt. This noble organising principle seems not to apply where it matters most: the Governments economic strategy.

In her spending review this week, the Chancellor gave us her own definition of security: securonomics. This ugly word, reeking of socialist greyness and uniformity, means  to quote Rachel Reeves  government must step up to provide security for working people and resilience for our national economy.

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She is right about the need for economic resilience. For years, it has been clear that, in a turbulent world, the scale and structure of debt, combined with anaemic growth, makes our economy highly vulnerable to global shocks. Yet instead of rebuilding a fiscal buffer, the Chancellor has left us with a fiscal wafer so thin it could crack at the merest tap. Instead of bringing debt down, it will be higher at the end of the Parliament than today  and the cost of servicing it is already more than we spend on defence. And instead of supporting growth  critical to everything  the Government has suffocated it with higher taxes.

Next, how has the Chancellor helped deliver security for working people? For most working people, job security  the ability to find and keep a steady job  is key. Yet job insecurity is rising. By raising National Insurance on employers  a 25bn jobs tax  Rachel Reeves has provoked the biggest fall in employment in five years. Unemployment is ticking up.

The broader definition of security obviously encompasses our nations defence. Although defence spending is set to rise to 2.5 per cent GDP during this Parliament, this is clearly not enough. At the upcoming Nato summit, the UK will be pressed to raise it to at least 3.5 per cent. But in Wednesdays spending review, what was the Chancellors choice? To give the NHS, not defence, a bigger slice of government largesse. 90 per cent of the total increase in spending from 2025-6 will go to health. The NHS will see a record cash investment: real-terms, day to day spending is set to increase by 3 per cent per year, costing an extra 29 billion.

A government that sees defence as the organising principle of government would not have made that choice. It would have made the case that we need to move from a state that prioritises welfare to one that prepares for warfare. And as part of a strategy to put debt on a gradual downward path, it would have made tough decisions on spending overall  starting with a reform of incapacity and disability benefits, which now cost more than the defence budget.

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Instead, as her speech took us from spending more on affordable homes, to car production to training to buses in Rochdale, the Chancellor disorganised her Downing Street neighbours organising principle, showing it the respect Tracey Emin had for her bed.

There is only one conclusion one can draw from all this. Last week, when the Prime Minister said we need to make security and defence the organising principle of government, he left off four words: for this week only.

Lord Bridges of Headley is a former government minister; he was Chairman of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee between January 2022 and January 2025

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CHICAGO (WGN)  Religious leaders with Rainbow PUSH protested outside a downtown Target store on Thursday, saying that corporate executives reneged on commitments to the Black community, which company spokespeople deny.

Black leaders also demanded more hiring and advancement opportunities. For Rev. Jamal Bryant of Atlanta, Georgia, its a lingering question about fairness.

African Americans spend in the orbit of $12 million a day in Target stores around the country. So to just walk away from our community, we really felt betrayed, Bryant said.

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Target latest company to roll back DEI programs

Leading Thursdays protest on State Street in the citys Loop, Bryant, along with Rev. Jessie Jackson and members of his Rainbow Coalition, asked Target why the retailer seemingly had a change of heart.

Under no pressure and no response to any protest, they offered themselves a $2 billion commitment to the Black community and Black entrepreneurs, and then after the inauguration of Donald Trump, walked away from it, Bryant said.

Organizers are pointing to glaring disparities, such as the presence of 26 Target stores on college campuses across the country, they say. But none of them are at Historically Black Colleges and Universities  HBCUs for short.

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Weve asked them to partner with six HBCUs business programs, Bryant said. Theyve not responded to that.

But in a written statement to WGN-TV, Target spokespersons said:

We have committed to invest $2 billion in Black owned businesses and brands, supported students at over 20 Historically Black Colleges in Universities, invested 100 million to Black lead community organizations and given scholarships to over 30,000 members of our team to advance their career. Statement from Target

Yet, Yusef Jackson, with his father Jesse Jackson, and other community leaders say they need to see action.

Your word ought to mean nothing, Yusef Jackson said. You cant expect us to have foot traffic in a store and not be able to sit at the table with you to make decisions.

Last month, Target announced that sales fell more than expected in the first quarter, and the retailer warned they will slip for all of 2025 year as its customers, worried over the impact of tariffs and the economy, pull back on spending.

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Target sales drop in 1st quarter and retailer warns they will slip for all of 2025

The retailer also acknowledged that customer boycotts did some damage during the latest quarter.

Rainbow PUSH is holding its annual Peoples Conference this 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 WGN-TV.
A little-known company at the heart of the U.S. financial system is exploring issuing a stablecoin that could accelerate the use of digital assets across markets, according to people with knowledge of its plan, The Informations Yueqi Yang reports. The Depository Trust and Clearing Corp., the clearinghouse that processes U.S. stock trades, would consider issuing a stablecoin if legislation legitimizing the tokens is approved in Washington, the people said. The DTCC, which is owned by the nations banks, brokers and fund companies, is evaluating whether stablecoins could make settling trades involving traditional assets more efficient.

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I just have to say something, Prabal Gurung said. Who knew Long Island City was so fashionable?

The American designer and memoirist was joking, of course, but the sentiment was sincere.

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Just above a local factorys cutting room floor was a group of industry insiders and emerging designers, gathered in support of RaiseFashion, a nonprofit dedicated to offering pro-bono advisory services, grant resources, and network access to Black, Indigenous, and people of color-owned brands.

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Were here tonight not just to network and fund-raise, but to name the production gap for what it is, said Felita Harris, RaiseFashions executive director and co-founder. Considering most manufacturers require high minimums, she explained, designers need thousands upfront just to get started. Payment delays of 60 to 90 days only deepen the strain.

Eight out of 10 designers weve worked with cite production financing as their biggest barrier. In 2024, just 0.4 percent of venture capital went to BIPOC founders, Harris said. These statistics arent just numbers. They represent collections that never leave the sketchpad, opportunities that vanish before theyre realized, and creative businesses that stallnot for lack of vision, but for lack of access.

The organizations annual Raise the Future fundraiser was held June 12 at the family-owned Ferrara Manufacturing headquarters in Long Island City in support of the Designer Production Fund. This grant initiative was created to front production costs, broker relationships and fulfill orders at scale to, ultimately, build sustainable businesses without compromising integrity.

Your support helps turn a sketch into a sample, a sample into a collection and a collection into legacy, Harris said. And who doesnt want to be a part of that?

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Looking behind the curtain to go deeper into realities behind the runway, per Harris, the evenings panel explored the trust cost of production to take an honest look at what it takes to build a lasting business, highlighting production realities and power in local manufacturing.

I love running a family business. Its been great, its been an honor, Joseph Ferrara, co-founder of Ferrara Manufacturing, said. What I love about the industry most is the creative force that drives it. Its the designers, its the creators, and they are so prolific. They are so unbelievably talented.

To that end, Joseph Ferrara sees his role as something of a conduit.

I like to capture that energy in a bottle, translate it into a factory activity, and produce clothes that are a representation of that vision, of that joy, of that unbelievable creative talent, he said. Thats what turns me on.

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That same creative force, he said, is what makes the business possible in the first place.

Our reason for existing is because design exists, Ferrara said. Without design, without creativity, theres nothing for us to do.

Supporting the future of the industry, he emphasized, isnt optionalits imperative. That means backing all emerging creators.

Our job is to execute. Its to interpret, its to monetize, its to operationalize, its to make sustainable, Joseph Ferrara said. Design is a function, and if theyre not making money, were not making money.

The long-term viability of the business, Joseph Ferrara argued, hinges on investing in new talent now.

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Were going to need enough [designers] 10 years from now, he said. Its all about replenishment. When we think about what sustains forests, youre seeding new plants. And if youre not part of that ecosystemif youre not part of the futureyou shouldnt be part of the present.

This mindset persists throughout the local manufacturer. Gabrielle Ferrara, president and COO of Ferrara Manufacturing (and Joseph Ferraras daughter) highlighted a pervasive myth within the industry.

Sustainability is a hot topic, said Gabrielle Ferrara. Everyone wants to buy sustainable clothing, and everyone wants to make itbut its pretty complicated to do that.

She pointed out that the word sustainability often gets flattened in conversations despite being quite multifaceted in practice.

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Theres material sustainability: Buying something certified by one of many organizations, she explained. But theres also production sustainability: Are you paying fair wages? Are the people making your clothes being treated how they should?

Certifications tend to dominate the conversation, especially among big brands, Gabrielle Ferrara said. But they dont tell the whole story.

There are more holistic ways to approach it, she added. One of my favorite projects was with Jacob James American Woolen mill in Connecticut. We made a fully sustainable garment, using certified sustainable woolbut it wasnt just about the fiber. It was about labor, materials, the full production cycle.

The biggest myth, she said, is assuming that sustainability begins and ends with the fabric.

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Its not just about the material, Gabrielle Ferrara said. Its about the entire process.

Aisling Camps, designer and CFDA member, as well as RaiseFashion masterclass alumna and Designer Production Fund recipient, knows this all too well.

My background is in engineering, with a focus on sustainability, she said. From the start, I was committed to making products that were ethically and responsibly produced. But that comes at a cost.

That cost? Thinner margins. And harder decisions. Even with great partners and growing resilience, per Camps, the production process has been a constant challenge. And thats where RaiseFashion comes in.

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Raise has gotten me into rooms I never thought Id be inconnected me to C-suite leaders, opened doors, and, more importantly, helped cover production when I didnt know how Id pay my factory, Camps said. The grants go straight to invoices. Its that real.

The system, she argued, is structurally broken for smaller, emerging designers.

Its a cash flow game, she said. You get paid in six months, but you have to pay your entire business nowyour production, your staff, your show. The barrier to entry is astronomical. These production grants dont just helpthey keep us alive.

For founders like Camps, the challenge is less about vision and more about viability. Even the most responsible brands cant survive on ethics alone without financial support.

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Thats where people like Bradley Taylor, founder and investor of the Carrom Company, come in. For Taylor, a RaiseFashion board member, the evening was about more than fashion. Its about showing up.

You can run a sheet metal business or a fashion labelit doesnt matter, he said. If you believe in people, in nonprofits, in community, you have to actually show up. Everything is under attack right now. You cant sit it out.

For context, Taylor launched his own company in 2004 and sold it to Vista Equity Partnersled by Robert Smith, in 2017.

That acquisition prompted Taylor and his family to set up a donor-advised fund at the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. George Floyds murder in 2020 made everything we were doing feel more urgent, he said.

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Though Grand Rapids regularly ranks among the best places to live in America, Taylor pointed out the stark divide.

If youre white, its great, he said. If youre a person of color, its one of the worst cities in the country for economic opportunity.

Since then, hes focused on anything that has to do with generational wealth for people of color.

Everybody deserves a shot, but not everybody has the same access, Taylor said. Thats what we have to fix.
Four years ago, ranked-choice voting made its debut in New York Citys mayoral primary. As the city ramps up toward whats looking to be a closely contested Democratic nomination fight, candidates and outside political organizations have found that there remains much to learn about the still-novel system. In these final weeks, the mayoral hopefuls are working to tailor their campaigns to train voters on what they need to do when they enter their voting booths.

The city adopted ranked-choice voting for municipal primaries in 2019, allowing voters to rank up to five candidates in order of preference. If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round, the candidate earning the lowest vote share is eliminated, with their ballots redistributed to the voters next choices. This continues for several rounds, until one candidate earns a majority threshold of support. If a voter does not rank five candidates, there is a chance their ballot will become exhausted: If they only choose two candidates, and both of their options are eliminated, their ballot will not count toward the final result.

After the 2021 mayoral election, exit polling by Common Cause and Rank the Vote NYCcampaigns that backed ranked-choice votingfound that 83 percent of Democratic voters ranked at least two candidates on their ballot, while 42 percent ranked five candidates. In an effort to understand the victory of moderate Democrat Eric Adams, who has been embroiled in multiple scandals during his four years as mayor, the New York Working Families Partya powerful progressive party organization in the citybegan analyzing how they might ensure a candidate more favorable to its ideals could win in 2025.

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Despite the skepticism at the time of ranked-choice voting and how voters would understand and engage in it, the fact is that most voters gave it a try. But the political ecosystem of candidates, of endorsing organizations, press, and elected officials, for the most part, didnt actually try to guide voters how to use ranked-choice voting, said Ana Maria Archila, co-director of the New York Working Families Party.

Archila said that her organization had learned a lesson from the actions of two of the 2021 candidates. One week before the Democratic mayoral primary, candidates Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia formed a late-breaking alliance, appearing together on the campaign trail. Yang encouraged his supporters to rank Garcia second, in an effort to stymie the momentum of the leading candidate, Adams.

The show of unity between Garcia and Yang indicated a new type of strategy, one where the would-be nominees recognized that their chances of winning would increase if their rivals supporters ranked them second or third on the ballot. The tactic worked, but only to an extent: In the eighth round of voting, after Yang had been eliminated, Garcia was boosted to second place behind Adams, as enough Yang voters had ranked her second. However, it wasnt enough to push her across the finish line, and she narrowly lost the primary contest to Adams, who was then elected as mayor in November of that year. The eighth round of counting ended with more than 140,000 exhausted ballotsnearly 20 times Adamss margin of victory. If even a small percentage had ranked Garcia in any position, she would have defeated Adams.

We spent a lot of time looking at that to understand, what are the pieces that need to be in place? said Archila. We need to create an ecosystem that supports collaboration instead of just competition. We need to endorse a slate of candidates and help them work together. And we need to make sure that voters are told, very explicitly, not to rank the candidate of the opposition, which in this case now is Andrew Cuomo.

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The entrance of Cuomo, the former governor who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment in 2021, further galvanized progressive candidates and groups in particular, hoping to stave off his headwinds due to name recognition. Recent polling has shown a surge in support for Zohran Mamdani, a progressive state lawmaker who appears to be closing in on overtaking Cuomos lead. The Working Families Party has put Mamdani at the top of its slate of preferred candidates. (The party originally only endorsed four candidates, but has since encouraged voters to fill out all five options.)

This is also a strategy employed by prominent supporters of candidates. When Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Mamdani, she released her entire ballot ranking her preferred candidates. Representative Nydia Velazquez did the same, listing City Council President Adrienne Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and Mamdani as her top three choices. Both Ocasio-Cortez and Velazquez explicitly framed their endorsements in terms of stopping Cuomos momentum. (DREAM, a small but influential super PAC, has aided these efforts by blanketing the city with its message: Dont Rank Evil Andrew for Mayor.)

Some candidates seem to be pleased with earning support from a prominent endorser, even if theyre lower on the ballot. Lander, whom Ocasio-Cortez said she would rank third on her ballot, said in a press conference that he was grateful to have her support now running for mayor. Scott Stringer, another candidate, whom Ocasio-Cortez ranked fourth, said that her mention of him on her ballot was going to help me tremendously. (In an echo of Garcia and Yangs show of unity in 2021, Mamdani and Lander announced on Friday that they would cross-endorse each other in an effort to ensure their supporters would rank the other candidate.)

Archila said that when Working Families Party volunteers engage in canvassing and phone banking efforts, they are encouraging voters to rank their entire slate of preferred candidates, instead of focusing solely on Mamdani. This time around, we are much more explicitly trying to establish that connection, saying, If you like this person, then youll also like this other person and this one and this one, and you wont like this person, she said.

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Susan Lerner, the executive director of Common Cause New York and chair of the board of Rank the Vote NYCwhich led the campaign to introduce ranked-choice voting to New York Citysaid that she was expecting voters to employ ranked-choice voting in an even more effective and nuanced method in 2025, having learned from 2021. She also argued that candidates were more aware of how to effectively campaign for ranked-choice voting.

We are seeing more mayoral candidates talk about ranked-choice voting earlier, she said. Its more of a dialog with the voters. It also means the candidates themselves reach out and take the time to appear at events in parts of the community that previously they have not bothered to talk to.

But the political dynamics of this election are complicated. Because New York City is so heavily Democratic, the primary outcomes often determine the result of the general election. Moreover, New Yorks primaries are closed, meaning that only voters registered as Democrats will be able to vote on Tuesday. But this year, the general election may be actually competitive, with a larger universe of voters determining the outcome. Adams is running as an independent, and there is a good chance that, if Mamdani is the runner-up in the Democratic primary, the Working Families Party will put him on its party line. (The Working Families Party currently has a placeholder candidate as its nominee, who can be swapped out after the Democratic primary.)

Harry Siegel, a columnist for the Daily News, said that the focus on Cuomo and Mamdani was edging out consideration of other candidates who do not have the baggage of the former, and the relative inexperience of the latter. The choice that both Cuomo and Mamdani have promoted to this day is that this is what you have to decide between, Siegel said. That is remarkably distinct from what New Yorkers seem to want, which is someone whos not exhausting, scandal-prone, and difficult in the vein of Adams or Cuomo, and who has something more to offer in terms of actually delivering things than, I would say, Mamdani.

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Because Mamdani is seen as the most credible alternative to Cuomo in terms of polling, it may have inspired the more moderate candidates to carve out their own lanebut they could find it hard to leverage that strategy into success. In an interview with the New York Editorial Board, Adrienne Adams said that the system makes things different for sure.

Im not really critical of it because I think that it has helped for folks to exercise their vote even wider, in a wider perspective, even in a more democratic perspective, if we want to look at it that way also, said Adams. Im not going to really be critical of it, but it is challenging for some folks like me.

Siegel also argued that this system makes the entire process unnecessarily complicated, particularly for low-information voters. There will be state elections on the same ballot that are not subject to ranked-choice voting, which Siegel said could cause confusion.

It takes many charts and a lot of thinking that tons of people will be doing from the ballot booth while desperately googling things or texting friends to figure out how to strategize and vote in this phase of the election, Siegel argued. It is too much to think about. It is too much to explain. It demands complicated sentences.

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Moreover, unlike the municipal primary elections, the general election does not use ranked-choice voting. There will be multiple candidates on the general election ballot, including the Republican and Conservative Party nominees, but voters will only choose one candidate, and the top vote-getter will win.

The issue here is not the ranked-choice [voting] by itself. Its the partial ranked-choice system with different rules applying at different phases, Siegel said.

But Lerner argued that voters needed more experience with ranked-choice voting before the city could consider making even broader changes to the process, either with open primaries or adjusting how the general election is run. Its been our general feeling that its important to run with two large mayoral campaignsthe full slate of municipal elections with ranked-choice votingthrough at least two cycles. And then lets examine how its working in New York, and if there are changes we want to make, she said.
Context: video aired May 20, 2025.

MANHATTAN (KSNT)  The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) shared its arrest and citation information on Friday for its most recent Click it or Ticket campaign.

The RCPD focused on seatbelts, texting and driving, impaired driving and other traffic laws during this years enforcement campaign that ran from May 18 to June 2. The department reported that it issued the following:

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42 speeding citations.

10 speeding citations.

10 texting while driving citations.

33 other citations and arrests.

128 vehicle stops during the campaign.

RCPD Director Brian Peete participated in an interview on the 27 News Morning Show in May at the start of the campaign kicked off this year. He said his department had seen an increase in traffic accidents, including preventable accidents in Manhattan.

Kansas court halts gender marker change restrictions

So we have to crack down on those things, Peete said on the 27 News Morning Show on May 20. And a lot of community complaints on folks who are driving while theyre on their phone or theyre texting and things of that effect.

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For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
(ABC22FOX44)  Advocacy groups are speaking out against Governor Phil Scotts veto of a bill that would have overhauled Vermonts hotel-motel program. The bill was designed to replace the current program with a more localized community shelter system.

The governor vetoed this Wednesday.

The bill was called V-HEARTH for short by some. It stands for Vermont Homeless Emergency Assistance and Responsive Transition Housing.

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The group called End Homelessness Vermont says it would give more power to local communities by creating regional committees made up housing coalitions, shelter providers, state officials, and those who have experienced homelessness.

Brenda Siegel says the governor initially approved the funding in the state budget, now she says, hes walking it back.

The executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, Brenda Siegel says, The governor signed the budget that included the funding for V-HEARTH. That means that he already approved the money that was being spent.

In a letter to the legislature Scott writes, the bill proposes we spend millions of dollars more than the $45 million used last year. He goes on to say, its my hope to transform the hotel/motel program into one that delivers value for Vermont taxpayers, those in the program, the community-based organizations providing shelters and services, and communities that have been unfairly burdened by this failed program.

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Siegel says the bill shouldnt have been a surprise. Siegel says, the governor was in the room every single step of the way in making H.91. To end in a veto is not acceptable.

The ACLU of Vermont says without reforms, the state can expect more unsheltered people on the streets.

The governor says the state should be focused on building more shelter capacity and getting treatment to those who need it.

Advocates are concerned the proposed federal funding cuts to HUD and housing voucher programs such as section 8, will only add more challenges.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A day after federal agents forcibly restrained and handcuffed U.S. Sen Alex Padilla at a Los Angeles news conference, leaders of the countrys two political parties responded in what has become a predictable fashion  with diametrically opposed takes on the incident.

Padillas fellow Democrats called for an investigation and perhaps even the resignation of the senators nemesis, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, for what they described as the unprecedented manhandling of a U.S. senator who was merely attempting to ask a question of a fellow public official.

Noem and fellow Republicans continued to depict Padilla as a grandstander, whose unexpected appearance at Noems news conference seemed to her security detail to represent a threat, as she tried to speak to reporters at the Federal Building in Westwood.

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Republicans continued Friday to chastise Padilla, using words like launch, lunge and bum rush to describe Padillas behavior as he began to try to pose a question to Noem at Thursdays news conference.

The Trump administration official was just a few minutes into her meeting with reporters when Padilla moved assertively from the side of the room, pushing past a Times photographer as he moved to more directly address Noem. He did not lunge at Noem and was still paces away from her when her security detail grabbed the senator.

Read more: Arellano: Sen. Alex Padillas crime? Being Mexican in MAGA America

Padilla and his staff described how the veteran lawmaker went through security and was escorted by an FBI employee to the room where the press conference was held, saying it was absurd to suggest he presented a threat.

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Padilla spoke out after the secretary asserted that her homeland security agents had come to L.A. to "liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that the governor and the mayor have placed on this country.

The former South Dakota governor would have some reason to recognize Padilla, since he questioned her during her Senate confirmation hearing. A spokesperson at the Homeland Security Department did not respond to a question of whether Noem recognized Padilla when he arrived at her press conference.

As has become the norm in the nations political discourse, Republicans and Democrats spoke about the confrontation Friday as if they had observed two entirely separate incidents.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) said Noem should step down, adding: This is ridiculous. And she continues to lie about this incident. This is wrong.

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Lujan urged his Republican colleagues to support Democrats in asking for a full investigation.

This is bad. This is precedent-setting, Lujan told MSNBC. And I certainly hope that the leadership of the Senate, my Republican leaders, my friends, that they just look within. Pray on it. That's what I told a couple of them last night. Pray on this and do the right thing.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus went to Speaker Mike Johnsons office to protest Padillas treatment.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) spoke out on X and on the floor of the Senate. He said the episode fit into a pattern of behavior by the Trump administration. There is simply no justification for this abuse of authority . There can be no justification of seeing a senator forced to their knees.

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Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) went on X to repeat the call for an investigation and to say that Republican leadership is complicit in enabling the growing authoritarianism in this country.

Speaking publicly only one Republican lawmaker sounded a note of distress about the episode.

Ive seen that one clip. Its horrible, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). It is shocking at every level. Its not the America I know.

But most Republicans remained silent, or accused Padilla of being a provocateur.

I think the senator's actions, my view is, it was wildly inappropriate, said Johnson, the House speaker. You don't charge a sitting Cabinet secretary.

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Johnson added that it was Padilla, who should face some sanction. At a minimum  [it] rises to the level of a censure.  I think there needs to be a message sent by the body as a whole that that is not what we are going to do, that's not how we're going to act.

Rep. Tom McClintock, (R-Elk Grove) zinged Padilla on X, with some helpful tips. 1. Dont disrupt other peoples press conferences. Hold your own instead. 2. Dont bum-rush a podium with no visible identification. ... 3. Dont resist or assault the Secret Service. It wont end well.

Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) also sought to reinforce the notion that agents protecting Noem sensed a real threat, having no way of knowing that Padilla was who he said he was.

The congressman said on Fox Business that Padilla had obtained "the outcome that they wanted. Now they have a talking point.

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Read more: L.A. braces for multiple 'No Kings' demonstrations across the city Saturday

None of the officials in the room, several of whom know Padilla, intervened to prevent the action by the agents, who eventually pushed the senator, face down, onto the ground, before handcuffing him.

Noem did not back off her earlier statement that Padilla had burst into the room.

"Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem, Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant Homeland Security secretary, said in a statement Friday.

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McLaughlin also said that Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands, though video made public by Friday did not show such warnings, in advance of Padillas first statement.

The senators staff members said he privately had received messages of concern from several Republican colleagues, including Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.)

Padilla told Tommy Vietor of the "Pod Save America" podcast that Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown is an attempt to distract from many other failures  continued instability with the economy, a lack of peace in Ukraine and Gaza and a federal budget plan that is proving unpopular with many Americans.

He always finds a distraction," Padilla said, "and, when all else fails, he goes back to demonizing and scapegoating immigrants.  He creates a crisis to get us all talking about something else."

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Padilla said repeatedly that Americans should be concerned about how everyday citizens will be treated, if forces working for the Trump administration are allowed to "tackle" a U.S. senator asking questions in a public building.

On Friday afternoon, he sent a mass email urging his constituents to sign up for the protests planned for Saturday, to counter the military parade Trump is holding in Washington. "PLEASE show up and speak out against what is happening," Padilla wrote. "We cannot allow the Trump administration to intimidate us into silence."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ON SATURDAY, NEARLY 6,600 SOLDIERS, 150 military vehicles, and a range of aircraft are scheduled to form a grand military parade, ostensibly to celebrate the United States Armys 250th anniversary, which also falls on President Donald Trumps 79th birthday. The entire event is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 millionbut the real costs are much greater.

While both Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy showcased some military hardware during their inaugurations, there has not been a similar event since the 1991 Persian Gulf War victory parade. Festivities this weekend will include an Army physical fitness competition, a parade along Constitution Avenue, and fireworks. President Trump will be watching from a review stand south of the White House.

Contrary to popular belief, the military does not usually conduct parades for the public. (The Navys Fleet Week, the Marine Corpss small parades at its Washington Barracks, and other public events, such as air shows and static military equipment displays, are often designed to boost recruitment and are scrupulously nonpolitical.) When the troops do parade, its usuallyas in 1991 or 1946to celebrate a victory in a major war and to honor those who fought and won it. Whatever this event is really for, there is no victory to celebrate.

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Commanders are loath to loan out their soldiers for such events because theyre time-consuming and often rob active-duty service members of their free time, a precious commodity that members hold dear, especially as the militarys operations tempo continues without slowing. Modern military equipment, like the M1 tanks and Stryker vehicles scheduled to roll down Constitution Avenue,1 require immense amounts of logistical support and maintenance, so for hundreds of soldiers, the parade is just an invitation to spend many, many extra hours working on a project that doesnt contribute at all to readiness. While some may consider Trumps parade prestigious, for many servicemembers, taking part in yet another dog-and-pony show will rob them of time with their families, which is consistently the top issue facing active duty servicemembers.

For his part, President Trump, who has long boasted of his affection for authoritarians, is using this spectacle to boost his tough-guy image at home and abroad. While he stands in review in D.C., active-duty marines and National Guard will still be in Los Angeles, ostensibly keeping violent insurrectionists from causing chaos. So as Trump celebrates the military, and attempts to merge his legitimacy with its, he will simultaneously be using it, possibly in violation of the law, against American citizens.

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Trumps politicization of the military and militarization of politics poses a significant threat to the armed forces. While every president uses the military to boost their image to some degree, no president has used the military to legitimate harsh partisan rhetoric as Trump has, underscoring concerns that he is attempting to make the military loyal to him, rather than the Constitution. While Americans continue to view the U.S. military favorably, associating the military with President Trump and the Republican party threatens to jeopardize bipartisan support for one of the few remaining trusted institutions in American life.

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Trumps recent speech at Fort Bragg is likely a harbinger for this weekends event. During his recent trip, he disparaged California Gov. Newsom and former President Joe Biden, eliciting boos from active-duty service members. Soldiers were also spotted buying partisan merchandise on base.

Trump would like the country to believe that the military is populated entirely by MAGAs and is therefore implicitly loyal to him. This is not true, and the efforts the White House apparently made to ensure that the soldiers behind Trump at his Fort Bragg speech were politically loyal (as well as appearing soldierly enough for the draft-dodger-in-chief) reveals that the military, like the society from which its drawn, is a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and independents; liberals, conservatives, moderates, none-of-the-aboves, and every other flavor of political opinion.

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Trumps parade could also make frontline commanders jobs harder. Even during non-election years, commanders and frontline supervisors have to keep a wary eye on active-duty personnel engaging in political rhetoric. While Trumps appointees crossed this threshold while on active duty, it remains a critical component not only of good order and discipline but also of the very idea that service members swear an oath to defend the Constitution, not to the president himself.

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For many first-time service members, President Trumps insistence on pushing political norms might obliterate, like so many other sacred norms, the tradition of nonpartisanship. Appearing in nakedly political events while in uniform, especially at the behest of the commander-in-chief, will further erode the militarys nonpartisan posture and could embolden such rhetoric throughout the ranks.

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AS WITH ALMOST EVERY ISSUE of civilian-military relations, the danger runs two ways. The risks of a politicized military for civilians are more obvious, but there are three major risks to the military.

The first is the coherence of the force. Just as many members of the Trump administration cant accept that many Americans are not white, not Christian, and not straightthey also reject the fact that the same is true of the armed forces. In combat, trust in the chain of command and the unity of purpose must be immediate and unquestioning. As soon as a soldier wonders if theyre really part of the teamif their chain of command is really looking out for them as much as for the person in another unit or even the person next to themthe efficacy of the force will suffer.

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Thats related to the second problem, which is the future of the force. For years, the military has had trouble meeting its recruitment goals. Its become a crisis. If people begin to see the military as yet another MAGA institutionwhich is apparently Trumps goalwell, MAGA has never been a majority movement in America. Even in 2024, Trump failed to win an outright majority of the popular vote. If we have trouble staffing our military to meet our commitments now, imagine how bad the problem will be when more than half the country thinks the military is politically and culturally hostile to them.

The final risk to the military is that it wont be taken seriously because service members are not viewed as public servants. At the lowest levels, this can look like the experience of Vietnam veterans, who werent given the support they needed to reintegrate back into civilian life. All of society benefits when veterans bring their strengths back home with themand all of society suffers when theyre left to deal with their problems on their own. At the highest levels, senior military leaders have to be confident that their civilian bosses will consider their best professional advice. If those civilian bosses have reason to believe that advice has a partisan bias, the result could be bloody disaster.

If Trump really supported the troops, hed help them do their jobs and reintegrate back into civilian life when their service is over. But as his parade so obviously demonstrates, hes really only interested in the troops supporting him.

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Perhaps the White House should have considered the imagery: Trump military parade rolls over Constitution?
Star entertainer Taylor Swift would owe Rhode Island around $136,000 in new taxes on her Watch Hill mansion if a new charge to high-end vacation homes proposed in the House version of the state budget passes.

And Rhode Island real estate professionals, who successfully defeated a similar tax plan a decade ago, are mobilizing to kill the tax hike again and argue that even if Swift can afford it, she and others in her position shouldn't have to pay.

"We're screaming from the top of Jerimoth Hill. ... Do not hurt our housing market right here more than you are," Chris Whitten, president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, told The Providence Journal in a June 12 phone interview. "Because who knows what the slippery slope leads to? Let's heal. How about we heal our housing crisis we have here in Rhode Island, which is the worst in the nation by many of the stats that we see."

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The "Taylor Swift tax," if it passes, would apply to second (or third or fourth) homes with assessed values of more than $1 million, and its proceeds would fund the state's low-income tax credits that help finance affordable housing developments.

How much money would the new tax raise?

How much it will raise is murky.

Because the tax wouldn't go into effect until July 2026, House budget writers did not have to estimate its financial impact on the 12 months starting this July 1.

But real estate brokers and agents, who are even more ticked off about a proposed 61% increase in the conveyance tax on home sales, say soaring property values means the tax on expensive properties will hit more than just pop stars.

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"Think about that family that has had this Narragansett Beach house in their family for four generations, and the family collectively uses it various weeks throughout the summer, and in the winter it just stays vacant," Whitten said. "They're going to be whacked with this."

How would it work?

The Taylor Swift tax, officially called the "non-owner-occupied tax," applies to all residential properties assessed at more than $1 million that do not serve as a primary dwelling. To qualify as a primary residence, an owner has to live there more than half the year, or 183 days.

The non-owner-occupied tax rate of $2.50 cents per $500 of value only applies to assessed value above $1 million, so even homes worth exactly $1 million would pay nothing.

Properties that are rented  either in traditional long-term leases or short-term through online platforms  would be exempt from the tax as long as, again, they are occupied at least 183 days a year.

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Beyond the revenue benefit of the tax, House supporters of it point out the potential added benefit of creating an incentive for property owners to make more productive use of their luxury pads.

Swift could avoid the tax if, instead of spending a few summer weekends here, she becomes a bona fide 183-day-per-year Rhode Islander.

Alternatively, she could rent out the 1904-built, seven-bed, nine-bath estate during the cold winter months.

Either option would likely pump some welcome economic activity into Watch Hill during the offseason when the enclave can resemble a ghost town.

"You'll have to ask her," House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said June 12 when asked if he hoped the tax would encourage Swift to move here full time. "I welcome any and all people who spend more time around Rhode Island. It's a beautiful state, and I love it dearly."

What does this mean for the future?

Since then-Gov. Gina Raimondo first proposed a tax on luxury vacation "cottages" shortly after her inauguration in 2015, the politics around investment properties, out-of-state buyers and waterfront homes that sit vacant most of the year had not reached the boiling point where it is now.

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In the last decade, local governments have passed all kinds of ordinances restricting short-term rentals and lawmakers have considered numerous measures to encourage full-time owner-occupants but have largely maintained the status quo.

A preamble to the new tax in the budget rails against absentee property owners, calls owning a property you don't live in a "privilege" and suggests that more moves to push homes into year-round occupancy could be ahead.

"Non-owner occupied properties sometimes place a greater demand on essential state, city or town services such as police and fire protection than do occupied properties comparably assessed," the budget article says. "The residents of non-owner occupied properties are not vested with a motive to maintain such properties."

And, it goes on, "some properties are deliberately left vacant by their owners in the hope that real estate values will increase, thereby enabling the owners to sell these properties at a substantial profit without making any of the necessary repairs or improvements to the property."

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Is some of that criticism of the high-end market fair?

Whitten: "It's tough when people try to paint a broad picture, and it's a much more intricate situation. Just like landlord tenants, everybody's fighting at the State House, but we as Realtors are in the middle on that. We see both sides."

How does this compare with the last time the tax was proposed?

The tax rate in Raimondo's 2015 Taylor Swift tax proposal was half that of the current plan, at $2.50 per every $1,000 of value instead of $2.50 per $500 of value.

It was estimated to generate $11.8 million in new revenue, but was not included in the House budget that year.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Real estate pushback to RI's proposed 'Taylor Swift tax' begins
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The military parade Donald Trump has orchestrated to mark the 250th anniversary of the Armywhich happens to be his birthdayis not the first time that tanks have rolled down Constitution Avenue. That happened most recently in June 1991 to celebrate the end of the Gulf War. The speech Trump delivered at Fort Bragg this week is not the first time a president has used active-duty soldiers as a backdrop. That happens all the time. But context is everything, and this president is putting out all the signals that he wants to use the military in a whole new way, or at least new for a thriving democracy.

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In this episode of Radio Atlantic, we talk to staff writer Tom Nichols about how all the pieces fit together: the military parade, the speech at Fort Bragg, and the dispatching of Marines to the protests in Los Angeles.

Its not just that Trump wants to acclimate Americans to the sight of tanks in the streets. Its not just that Trump is signaling to governors that he will use the forces at his disposal to override their wishes. The real problem is how the military may begin to see itself.

The following is a transcript of the episode:

Hanna Rosin: The day after the Trump administration mobilized 700 Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles and four days before his military parade in the nations capital, President Trump walked out on a stage to Lee Greenwoods God Bless the U.S.A.

[God Bless the U.S.A. plays]

Rosin: and boasted about the crowd size.

President Trump: This is a record crowd. You know you neveryou never had a crowd this big. Thats an honor. You think this crowd would have showed up for Biden? I dont think so. I dont think so. And maybe Im wrong. Maybe Im wrong.

Rosin: This is stuff straight out of the Trump playbook. Brag about the crowd size? Check. Mention Biden? Check. Call the media fake news and whip up the boos against them?

Trump: Look at them all. Aye yai yai, what I have to put up with. Fake news. (Crowd boos.)

Rosin: Check and check.

Trump: What I have to put up with.

[Music]

Rosin: There were chants of U.S.A.! People bought campaign-style merchandise: Make America Great Again hats and chains, and fake credit cards that said White Privilege Card: Trumps Everything.

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But the difference this time was that this all happened at a military base: Fort Bragg, in North Carolina. And the crowd was full of active-duty soldiers.

Trump: I was elected, winning all seven swing states, the popular vote by millions and millions of votes, and all counties throughout America by 2,750 to 525. Thats what I call a big number.

Rosin: This is Radio Atlantic. Im Hanna Rosin.

Presidents have used the military as backdrops before. Its a delicate art. There have also been military parades in the past. But with the timing of it alldeploying Marines and the National Guard, a country very much dividedthings feel different. And if its indeed a delicate art, Trump is not being subtle.

So on the eve of the big parade in Washingtonbetter and bigger than any parade weve ever had in this country, as Trump put itwe called up staff writer Tom Nichols, who writes about the military for The Atlantic and has taught for 25 years at the U.S. Naval War College, to help us think this through.

[Music]

Rosin: So this military parade is happening this weekend. Its meant to celebrate the Armys 250th birthday. It also happens to be Trumps 79th birthday, and Trump has said its going to be better and bigger than any parade weve ever had in this country.

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So, Tom, on the one hand, its just a fancy parade with fireworks and all that. On the other hand, what message are you, whos good at reading military-coded symbols, seeing in this parade?

Tom Nichols: Well, first of all, the military wasnt going to do this parade. So the idea that this just happens to be a military parade that just coincidentally happened on Trumps birthday is nonsense.

Trump has wanted this kind of parade. And this is what he thinks the military does, is throw parades for the commander in chief. And hes doing it while hes sending troops into the streets of an American city, and Im sure hes more than happy for that split screen to say, you know, These are my guys. This is my Army, my generals, my artillery. And if you screw with me, this is what it looks like in Los Angeles.

Rosin: So you read it as my parade. Like, you read the split screen as necessary to understanding this military parade, not just as some kind of empty symbolism: He likes the look of it. He likes fit troops. Like, its just aesthetically pleasing to him. Thats not all it is, in your mind?

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Nichols: No. He obviously loves this stuff. I mean, Trump is, in many ways, very childlike. He likes shiny things and uniforms and big parades, and hes wanted this for a while, but I think he and the other people around him are also more than happy to create a second kind of symbolism here, of: Im the president. Im the commander in chief. I can put tanks in the streets anytime I feel like it.

Because remember: He wanted to do this. He was aching to do this kind of stuff during the 2020 protests, and, you know, people in the Pentagon, including his own secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chief[s of Staff] said, This is a bad idea. And he has learned his lesson. He surrounds himself now with people who are never going to tell him that anything is a bad idea.

Rosin: In the lead up to the parade, he gave this speech at Fort Bragg. Now, hes not the first president to give a speech in front of a military crowd. Presidents use the military as a backdrop all the time. What was different about this speech?

Nichols: It wasnt a speech. It was a political rally. He didnt use the backdrop of a military base to say, Im here to talk about the future military development, the defense department, you know, international relations. He just stood up there in a completely partisan mode, wearing his little red hat, and he encouraged U.S. Army soldiers to join him in a big, partisan hootenanny.

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And this actually goes back to your question, Hanna, about what hes thinking about this parade. He very much wants those soldiers to [hear], Remember, I am your only defender. I am the strong man who loves you. America hates you. And that is poisonous. It is a repudiation of everything that people from George Washington to George Marshall to Brent Scowcroft to others have always stood for in serving this country, either in civilian roles or as military leaders.

Thats how other countries fall into civil war and chaos and mayhem, is that the military becomeswhen you politicize the military, the military becomes an independent actor. And it says, Theres Republicans. Theres Democrats. Theres rural. Theres city. And theres us. And we are an interest group. And we are an independent group with an independent say in who runs this country. And you dont want the military saying, Oh, the election next year? Thatll be interesting, but we get a veto.



Rosin: Right. So its not just about Trump having an army or military that he can manipulate. Its about the military starting to see itself as an independent actor.



Nichols: Absolutely.

Rosin: Im trying to imagineactually, I dont want to get distracted, but I am trying to imaginewhat it would be like for the citizens of Washington to watch tanks roll down their street. Its kind of a profound image.

Nichols: Well, especially at a time like this, I mean, context is everything. And when Donald Trump has been walking around like a wannabe dictator, talking about the military as his personal muscle, the symbolism of rumbling a tank down Constitution Avenue is, you knowI mean, look: These people know exactly what theyre doing. They know the images theyre creating.

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And part of the goal here isand I think that this is true in Los Angeles, and I think its true with the Washington paradeTrump and his people want to acclimate Americans to the sight of the U.S. military in their streets, which is one of the most un-American things, going all the way back to the Founders, who had a deep suspicion of a standing army.

We honor the people who serve in our military. We value them. We cherish them. But no, we dont want them driving Humvees, you know, through the streets of D.C. every day.

Rosin: Yeah, its a really good point. Ive obviously seen National Guard in the streets before, but seeing tanks in D.C. streets while, on the other coast, Marines are being deployed in Los Angeles has a very different feeling.

Nichols: I think it feels wrong, and in part because, you know, part of the protection of American freedom is embedded in our system of federalism so that your local police are answerable to your local government, which in turn can be superseded by your state police, who answers to your state government. And if things really get tough, you have a National Guard of your fellow citizens, your neighbors, your friends who are then answerable, as well, to the governor.

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You should have to go through a whole bunch of blown circuits before you get to the United States military being in the streets of our own country, in part not just because its such a violation of everything from, you know, George Washington onward. I mean, this whole thing with the parade is something I think that would make the father of the American Army, George Washington, ill. But its also something that we avoid because it really isyou know, for conservatives who talk about not wanting to have a dictatorial central government, theyre acting like they really want a dictatorial central government.

And when you talk about the Army. You know, youre saying, State, local, county, governmentnone of that matters. The only real power in this country is right here in the White House in this one man. And its also a bad idea because the military itself hates these missions. And thats goodyou want a military that doesnt like domestic-policing missions.

Rosin: Right. Well, speaking of bypassing local authority, this is all happening against the backdrop of Trump sending the National Guard and troops to Los Angeles to deal with the protests against ICE raids, which Trump has called lawless and an invasion. And Governor Gavin Newsom says he didnt ask for help and said the L.A. police could handle them. Why do you think he sent the troops then?

Nichols: Specifically to show that Gavin Newsom is not in charge of the state of California, and that Karen Bass is not in charge of the city of Los Angeles. Its a very dramatic way of saying, All power in this country belongs to me, Donald Trump, and if I see something in Los Angeles I dont like, I dont care who the people of California electedthey mean nothingIm going to call out the Army because I can, and I want to establish that I can.

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[Music]



Rosin: After the break, how to engineer a crisisand how to counter it.

[Break]

Rosin: He does use the phrase liberate Los Angeles, but Im still not clear what it serves him. Why there? And you said he saw things that he didnt like. At least as Gavin Newsom puts it and reports from Los Angeles, they werent especially violent. They didnt get out of control. It wasnt a situation that the L.A. police could not handle, at least according to Gavin Newsom. So what is it that hes trying to do or accomplish? Whats the symbolism? What does it mean?

Nichols: Oh, you know, Trump has a genius for picking the right fights. Remember: His goal has nothing really to do with Los Angeles or California. The strategy here is: Lets go to a blue state. Lets go to one of the bluest cities in the blue states. Lets totally humiliate people that the American right really hates. And lets do it in a place where our narrative that America is under foreign invasion, which allows me to invoke these old laws, Alien Acts, and so on in response to an invasionlets go do it in the one place where I can count on the local population to do their part by cosplaying as exactly the kind of, you know, foreign-invasion force that I need them to play.

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They will play their role. And if there was any place theyre going to do it, its going to be in Los Angeles.

Rosin: Right. So maybe its an example of what people always say about Trump, that he can engineer his own reality. I mean, he can stage the theater and then walk into it.

Nichols: When I taught strategytheres an expression we use when were talking about when youre trying to plan your operations and your opponent isnt particularly adept. We call that a cooperative adversary. And Trump went someplace where he knows he has a cooperative adversary.

Rosin: Right. So in his speech on Tuesday, Newsom said, Its time for all of us to stand up. He left it vague what he meant by that, but thats what he said. You wrote a couple of what I thought were chilling sentences directed at the protesters, telling them not to provoke the soldiers. What you wrote was, You will not be heroes. You will be pretext. What do you mean by that? Pretext for what?

Nichols: A bigger crackdown, and for legislative action by these Republicans to say, Yeah, go ahead. We wont stop you if you want to invoke the Insurrection Act. The American people on both the right and the left, unfortunately, especially on the fringes, haveI think what George Will wisely once calleda hunger for apocalypse, a kind of aching for drama, where they want to feel like theyre part of a big tableau of a big adventure movie with a Hans Zimmer score.

And Trump knows that. He has a great instinct for theater. He has a great instinct for what will trigger his opponents, and going to Los Angeles with the Army was just a very clever thing to do. And one of the things that you see that sometimes humiliates authoritarians is when they say, There are terrible things happening, and people say, I was at work today. Everything seems fine to me.

Rosin: Yeah. Our writer Anne Applebaum wrote about this, that when theres a kind of a lull in the action or even a downturn in support, theres a need to engineer a crisis. And shes suggesting maybe this, whats happening in L.A. now, is the engineering of a crisis, to kind of whip that theater back up again.

Nichols: Its absolutely what hes doing. And hes thinking ahead. Another of our colleagues, David Frum, made the point that this is a dress rehearsal. Hes going to look for opportunities, perhaps even during voting, where hes going to say, Oh, I see irregularities. I see problems. I see people saying they are being harassed at the polls, and by then, he will have gotten us used to, you know, in this kind of boiling the frog approach. He will have us used to the president just running roughshod over the governors and sending in the Army.

Rosin: So if Americans have an appetite for this kind of drama, what do you think would be an effective way to counter this, what you call, authoritarian tendency?

Nichols: Well, thats the thing. People on social media get mad at me and I say, Well, have you considered voting? Because people say, Well, I voted. Yes, but have you voted at the local and state level? There are things you can do. You can register people to vote; you can donate to organizations that are fighting this in court.

And I think the courtsand Ive written about this, the courtshave become the last line of defense, and I think theyre actually doing well. And I think one of the reasons Trump is doing all this is because hes been losing so consistently. Hes trying to figure out a way to short-circuit the boring drudgery of the legal process that keeps working against him.

So, you know, my answer is, lookthe Founders were great believers in stoicism. I believe there are times to go into the streets, but if the president is laying a gigantic trap, dont walk into it.

Rosin: Tom, thank you so much for joining me.

[Music]

Nichols: Thanks for having me, Hanna.

Rosin: This bonus episode of Radio Atlantic was produced by Jinae West and Rosie Hughes. It was edited by Claudine Ebeid and engineered by Rob Smierciak. Claudine Ebeid is the executive producer of Atlantic audio, and Andrea Valdez is our managing editor.



Listeners, if you like what you hear on Radio Atlantic, you can support our work and the work of all Atlantic journalists when you subscribe to The Atlantic at theatlantic.com/listener.



Im Hanna Rosin. Thanks for listening.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwashkumar Ramesh at a hospital in Ahmedabad [Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP]

The only survivor of the Air India plane crash says he couldnt believe he made it out alive after escaping from a broken emergency exit in a deadly crash that killed 241 people.

Shortly after Thursdays crash, social media footage showed Viswashkumar Ramesh limping down the street in a blood-stained t-shirt and with bruises on his body.

The British national was sitting in seat 11A on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that was flying in to London when the plane crashed into a medical college hostel moments after taking off from Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad.

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Ramesh, 40, told Indias national broadcaster DD News from his hospital bed on Friday that he thought he was also going to die.

But when I opened my eyes, I realised I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape from where I could. It was in front of my eyes that the air hostess and others [died], he said.

He was travelling with his brother Ajay, who had been seated in a different row, members of his family said.

The side of the plane I was in landed on the ground, and I could see that there was space outside the aircraft, so when my door broke, I tried to escape through it and I did, Ramesh said.

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The opposite side of the aircraft was blocked by the building wall so nobody could have come out of there, he added.





He explained that the plane had seemed to have come to a standstill midair for a few seconds shortly after taking off and felt the engine thrust, which later crashed with speed into the hostel.

Rameshs cousin Hiren Kantilal, 19, told the AFP news agency that he called his family in Leicester, in the East Midlands in England, after the crash to tell them he was alive.

Our plane has been crashed, Ramesh told his dad, according to his cousin.

He was bleeding all over him, in the face and everything, and he said, I am just waiting for my brother and I dont know how I get out of the plane.

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He said: Do not worry about me, try to find about Ajay Kumar and he said: I am totally fine.'

Kantilal said his cousin had spent about 10 to 15 minutes seeking his brother, and then was whisked away to hospital by the rescue services.

We are happy Vishwash has been saved, but on the other hand, we are just heartbroken about Ajay, he told AFP.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on Friday and met Ramesh at the hospital.

Rescue workers continued to search for missing people and aircraft parts on Friday following the worst aviation crash in a decade.
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland woman was arrested on a warrant Thursday after a lengthy investigation into stolen property tax payments. Crystal Ontiveros, 29, has been charged with Theft of Property Greater Than $30K but Less Than $150K, a third-degree felony.

According to a Midland Police Department report, in January, detectives responded to the Midland Central Appraisal District to investigate a reported theft. At the tax office, investigators met with employees who said theyd been alerted about a possible theft by someone whod paid their $3,505 property tax bill with cash in November of 2024 but had later gotten a letter in the mail which stated their tax bill had not been paid in full.

Once questions about the payment issue began circulating through the office, Ontiveros reportedly called in sick for multiple days and other tax office employees said they worked through the weekend to look over months worth of transactions conducted by Ontiveros. Through the investigation, tax office employees learned that Ontiveros had accepted multiple cash payments and had issued the appropriate receipts showing that the bill had been paid.

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Then, investigators said Ontiveros allegedly voided the cash payments, took half of the money for herself, and then posted payments in lesser amounts toward the accounts. For example, court records showed that Ontiveros accepted about $41,000 in cash, then voided out the transactions, and applied new payments to the accounts totaling $15,665. MPD detectives said Ontiveros then pocketed more than $25,000 in cash that should have been applied to tax payments.

Further, investigators said that Ontiveros used overages from property payments for business accounts to even out the other accounts. A $14,600 over payment from Walmart was applied to two separate accounts, and overages from two CVS accounts were applied to six different property tax accounts. Investigators said that tax office employees reviewed Ontiveros transactions as far back as September of 2024 but believed she had been skimming tax payments for much longer. In all, a forensic accountant determined that Ontiveros had stolen more than $50,000 worth of tax payments.

On June 5, 2025, detectives finally made contact with Ontiveros who ultimately admitted to taking the money because her ex-husband stated, he would kill her if she didnt provide. Ontiveros offered to make payments and said she was really sorry.

After that conversation, detectives requested an arrest warrant and Ontiveros was taken into custody on June 12. She remained in the Midland County Detention Center as of Friday afternoon on a $50,000 bond.

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France and China could be close to a deal to resolve the ongoing trade dispute over Cognac exports.

Yesterday (12 June), the Cognac trade body Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) said that it was hoping for "a positive outcome" from talks which had taken place around China's ongoing anti-dumping investigation.

"Agreements could be signed in the coming hours, and we will be able to communicate once the agreement is finalised," the industry group said.

Diplomatic sources told Just Drinks yesterday that talks around the Cognac dispute were ongoing.

A statement from the BNIC today (13 June) confirmed "the industry has collectively decided to enter into negotiations with the Chinese authorities regarding minimum price commitment proposals".

This would allow producers to apply "a minimum import price" for the Chinese market, in exchange for the removal of anti-dumping duties.

Reports from Reuters indicate that negotiators have proposed implementing minimum prices for exports to China between $20 and roughly $300 per litre.

The proposal is allegedly an opening bid which looks to bring the ongoing trade deadlock between the two countries to a close.

The Cognac industry has been facing tariffs on exports to China since October, when the Asian countrys commerce ministry imposed provisional dumping measures on imports of EU-origin brandy.

Since October, companies importing products including brandy have had to pay a security deposit to Chinese authorities upon arrival.

China launched its investigation last year after receiving complaints of brandy dumping from the China Liquor Industry Association. The move followed the EUs launch of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles in September 2023.

The probe has been assessing dumping allegations made between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023 for EU brandy imported in containers of under 200 litres.

Florent Morillon, President of the BNIC said today: The ongoing negotiations are progressing positively, and we hope they will soon be concluded."

He added: Beyond these possible commitments, we reiterate our urgent call for the immediate lifting of the unjustified blockage of the duty-free market, which until recently accounted for 20% of our sales in China and has remained closed since December 1, 2024."

Gabriel Picard, chairman of the Federation des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS) was quoted by French daily Sud Ouest as having confirmed that a "minimum price commitment" was "being discussed between France and China"
ST. LOUIS  Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced a $100 million relief package for St. Louis tornado victims, following the devastating May 16th storm.

The relief effort comes after Governor Kehoe called a special legislative session to secure substantial aid for the affected area. The tornado caused significant damage in St. Louis, prompting immediate action from state officials.

Theres no blue or red jerseys in this disaster, said Governor Kehoe, emphasizing the unified response needed to rebuild St. Louis.

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LIST: How to donate, where to receive help after STL tornado

Governor Kehoe, in an interview with FOX 2, detailed how he and his team mobilized in the days following the tornado. The governor highlighted the importance of bipartisan support in the legislature in passing the relief package.

The $100 million allocated will directly assist those impacted by the tornado. Governor Kehoes personal connection to the St. Louis area disaster underscores the urgency and commitment to rebuilding the community.

Rebuilding St. Louis Stories:

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All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI)  The town of Portsmouth has released 70 pages worth of documents after a partial collapse at the Portuguese American Citizens Club that left a 15-year-old dead and four others injured.

The documents stretch back to the 1970s, but a review by 12 News revealed that none of them show whether the structure was inspected.

On Saturday, the Portsmouth Fire Department said the concrete landing of a 14-foot staircase at the entrance of the club collapsed during a graduation party.

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Portsmouth High School freshman Kelly Nevitt was killed and four other people were hurt, including a 17-year-old who was in critical condition.

RELATED: Community rallies around family of Portsmouth teen killed in collapse

The collapse is being investigated by Portsmouth police with the assistance of the R.I. Attorney Generals Office.

Speaking Thursday on 12 News at 4, Attorney General Peter Neronha said it is too soon to tell if criminal charges will be filed.

We want to make sure there wasnt the kind of reckless negligence that there would take for there to be a criminal case, Neronha explained.

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The town planner said the club was built in 1946. Documents provided by the town show the building received 14 permits between 1970 and 2017, including a renovation for the second floor, shingles and roof.

A review of the towns permitting system found that while there were reports for two electrical inspections in 2017 and 2018, no inspection report was attached to the only building permit on the website, which was in 2017.

The permitting site said it was for an awning repair on the east side of the building, but not the front where the collapse occurred.

During a somber town council meeting, Town Manager Richard Rainer said the town planners office is doing a full review of the documents it has.

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While we do not know yet how extensive the documentation will be, especially given the age of the building, we will compile what we can and make any public records available once assembled, he said on Monday.

MORE: Portsmouth community mourns teen killed in Portuguese club collapse

The president of the Portuguese American Citizens Club said he had no comment on the collapse. But the club offered their thoughts in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected, the post said. This tragedy has shaken us all to our core.

Meanwhile, flowers and donations continue to pile up for the Nevitt family. A GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses has already reached its goal of $125,000.

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A celebration of Nevitts life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 16, at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth. Donations in her honor can be made to the Newport Childrens Theater.

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WIMAUMA  Ashley Ambrocio knows exactly how long her father, an evangelical pastor at a small church in Wimauma, has been behind bars: 47 days. She has not stopped counting.

From the mobile home where she lives with her four brothers and her mother, they are separated by more than 110 miles.

They had never been apart from him for so long. Never before had they cried so much over his absence.

My father is a man of God and of family, she said. He loves to smile, talk to people, and help his community.

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Maurilio Ambrocios case illustrates how religious workers are now facing deportation threats under the same policies affecting the immigrant faithful they serve.

Ambrocio, 42, was arrested on April 17 after a regularly scheduled check-in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa, an appointment he had been attending for more than a decade without any issues. Although he has a stay of removal in place, which generally delays deportation, his sudden detention has shaken his family and his church, which National Public Radio first reported. He was sent to the Glades County Detention Center in Central Florida.

His family is awaiting the possibility of a hearing to reevaluate the case and prevent deportation.

Ambrocio is the leader of Iglesia de Santidad Vida Nueva, a rural congregation that gathers every weekend with about 50 Hispanic worshippers and their families. Most of them are from Mexico and Central America.

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Ambrocio came to the United States more than 20 years ago, crossing the southern border and fleeing violence in Guatemala. He started his own handyman business, doing restoration work and other repairs.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ambrocio was removed from the country in 2006 and later returned without official authorization. He was convicted of driving without a license in 2012 and received a final removal order from an immigration judge in January 2013.

But Ambrocios family says the same judge later allowed him to remain in the United States under supervision. They now believe the government is trying to reactivate that removal order to justify his detention.

My father is a very hard-working man, his daughter said. It is not fair that he is being detained.

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Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson at the Department of Homeland Security, said the administration is taking a tough stance on immigration enforcement, but is offering $1,000 and travel assistance for those who voluntarily leave the country.

President Trump and Secretary (Kristi) Noems message to illegal aliens is clear: If youre in the country illegally, leave now or face the consequences, McLaughlin said.

There are no official statistics showing the impact of immigration enforcement policies on religious leaders, who can be protected under certain immigration categories. Those include the R-1 visa, granted to foreign-born religious workers for up to five years; and the EB-4 visa, a special immigrant status that offers a path to permanent residency through religious organizations.

However, there are signs that churches and their religious workers are feeling the pressure.

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Some have chosen to offer virtual services to navigate the landscape transformed by the policies of President Donald Trump across the nation, and Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida. Others have decided to keep a lower profile amid the restrictions, penalties and deportations. Many more live in constant worry that one detention could disrupt their entire ministry and community.

The situation is alarming and goes against the administrations promise that only criminals will be targeted, said Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and pastor of The Gathering Place in Orlando.

A month ago, the Coalition sent a letter to Trump saying it supported protecting the border, but also expressed concern about recent plans to end protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrants allowed to live and work in the United States, such as Ambrocio.

Salguero said authorities are arresting people with no criminal record and immigrants who are in the middle of legal processes that are supposed to protect them.

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The crackdown has created confusion among faith leaders and religious workers. Recently, leaders from a Pentecostal denomination in South Florida contacted Salguero about an event where he was scheduled to speak. Salguero said they moved the event online because some pastors were afraid to travel between states amid increased immigration enforcement.

It was supposed to be a conference with churches from several states, Salguero said. They moved it online because people were afraid of being arrested while driving from one state to another.

Its taken an emotional and spiritual toll on churches and the broader community, said Nanci Palacios, deputy director of Faith in Florida, a nonpartisan network that works with churches across the state.

Palacios said many churches and their leaders are more careful about how they promote events and who they allow to speak to their congregation.

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They are being more protective because they want to make sure their members are not put at risk, she said.

Palacios said Faith in Florida removed its list of affiliated churches from social media at the churches request. Some congregations feared that having their names and addresses publicly available could put their members in danger.

If there is a raid, it could hurt many families, she said.

More than 10 million Christian immigrants in the United States are vulnerable to deportation, according to a recent report by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, and the Center for the Study of Global Christianity.

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The study concluded that the administration of laws should be done in ways that balance justice, compassion, redemption and proportionality.

Deportation is only one of several ways in which this principle can be upheld, the study read.

The late Pope Francis warned that mass deportations strip people of dignity and will end badly In a letter to U.S. bishops, he pushed back on Vice President JD Vances defense of the administrations policies. Pope Leo XIV, who succeeded Francis, also criticized Vance on social media prior to being elected pope.

For families like the Ambrocios, immigration policies are not just news stories. They can be personal and painful.

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My father was the light of this home, the one who took us out as a family, the one who made us laugh, said Ambrocios daughter.

She has become the pillar of the family. She works more than 80 hours a week between her fathers handyman business and a hostess job at a Chinese restaurant in Brandon. She tries to stay strong for her brothers, 16 and 12, but the pressure is heavy.

The family speaks to Ambrocio by phone every day. He tells them to stay strong and trust in God. Sometimes, he just listens as the children talk about their day, pets and hobbies.

Last week he told us he was preaching in jail to other immigrant detainees, said Ambrocios daughter.

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Roger Ruiz, an evangelical pastor in Stuart and a close friend of Ambrocio, said hes known in the community for helping those most in need.

Hes a man who keeps his word, Ruiz said. He accompanied Ambrocio to his immigration appointment when he was detained.

He could have avoided it, but he chose to show up, said Ruiz, 50. He tried to do the right thing. He hoped the government would see that in him.

At Iglesia de Santidad Vida Nueva, the congregation has also felt the loss of its spiritual leader. Before his detention, the community was preparing a major event to celebrate the churchs seventh anniversary with a guest pastor from Arcadia, live music, food and activities for the children.

Now, theyve set other priorities, such as a campaign on Change.org to collect signatures in solidarity with Ambrocio. So far, it has gathered 2,128 signatures.

We just want him home, Ambrocios daughter said. Thats all we pray for.
With Los Angeles reeling from immigration sweeps and unsettled by nightly clashes between protesters and police, Mayor Karen Bass was asked by a reporter: What did she have to say to President Trump?

Bass, standing before a bank of news cameras, did not hold back.

"I want to tell him to stop the raids," she said. "I want to tell him that this is a city of immigrants. I want to tell him that if you want to devastate the economy of the city of Los Angeles, then attack the immigrant population."

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After taking office in 2022, L.A.'s 43rd mayor carefully avoided public disputes with other elected officials, instead highlighting her well-known penchant for collaboration and coalition-building.

The high-profile Democrat, who spent a dozen years in Congress, largely steered clear of direct confrontation with Trump, responding diplomatically even as he attacked her over her handling of the Palisades fire this year.

Those days of tiptoeing around Trump, and avoiding head-to-head conflict, are over.

Bass is now sparring with the president and his administration at a perilous moment for her city and possibly for democracy.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers point less-lethal weapons at protesters. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

At the same time, the tumultuous events of the last week have given her a crucial opportunity for a reset after the Palisades fire, recalibrating her public image while leading her city through another historic crisis.

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"Having two moments of crisis during the first six months of this year has really tested her mettle as mayor," said GOP political strategist Mike Madrid, a long-standing Trump critic. "I think it's fair to say she did not perform to expectations during the fires. I think she's considerably improved during the current situation."

Since agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal authorities fanned out across the region, searching for undocumented immigrants at courthouses, car washes and Home Depot parking lots, Bass has accused Trump of creating a "terrible sense of fear" in her city.

Bass said Trump is on track to waste more than $100 million on troops who were neither requested nor needed. On multiple occasions, she said Trump wrongly gave credit to the National Guard for bringing calm to downtown L.A. last Saturday, when those troops had not arrived yet.

In many ways, Trump has emerged as the ideal foil for a mayor who, for much of the last six months, had been on her back feet.

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Read more: 'An outright lie': Fiery Bass delivers impassioned speech demanding ICE leave city

In the immediate aftermath of the Palisades fire, which erupted when she was out of the country, Bass struggled to show a command of the details and was savaged by critics over what they viewed as a lack of leadership. Months later, she released a budget that called for the layoffs of 1,600 workers, drawing an outcry from labor leaders, youth advocates and many others.

Bass has been quicker to respond this time around, announcing a nightly curfew for downtown, warning of consequences for those who vandalize or commit violence and spelling out the real-world impacts of the ICE arrests on her constituents.

The resistance reached a crescendo Thursday, when  with just a few hours' notice  Bass assembled more than 100 people from religious, community, business and civic groups to denounce the raids. It made for a potent tableau: a multi-ethnic, multiracial crowd of Angelenos cheering on the mayor as she declared that "peace begins with ICE leaving Los Angeles."

An ICE agent during a news conference in Los Angeles. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

Bass said she had received reports of ICE agents entering hospitals, workers not showing up to their jobs, parents afraid to attend their own children's graduations. An immigrant rights advocate said Trump had brought cruelty and chaos to Los Angeles. A church pastor from Boyle Heights said his parishioners "feel hunted."

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Trump and his administration have disparaged Bass and her city since the raids began. Stephen Miller, the president's deputy chief of staff, accused Bass on X of using "the language of the insurrectionist mob" while discussing her city. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called L.A. "a city of criminals" whose lawbreakers have been protected by Bass.

Republicans have begun threatening reprisals against outspoken Democrats, including Bass, with some hinting at criminal prosecution.

Asked about Bass' comments over the last week, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said ICE agents would not be "deterred from carrying out their mission."

"We will not apologize for enforcing immigration law and carrying out the mandate the American people gave President Trump in November: Deport illegal aliens," Jackson said.

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Fernando Guerra, who heads the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, said Angelenos fully expect their mayor to confront the president head on. Democrat Kamala Harris secured more than 70% of the vote in L.A. during last year's presidential election, while Trump received less than 27%.

"I'm not surprised by what she's doing," Guerra said. "I would even suggest she push a little more. I don't think there's a cost to her politically, or even socially, to taking on Trump."

Mayor Karen Bass speaks to the media at City Hall. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

The mayor is regularly calling in to TV and radio stations, as well as securing prime-time hits on national cable shows. In appearance after appearance, she has warned that L.A. is becoming "a grand experiment"  a testing ground for Trump to see if he can usurp the authority of Democratic mayors or governors in other states.

On Tuesday, while addressing troops at Ft. Bragg, N.C., Trump described L.A. as "a trash heap" with entire neighborhoods he claimed are controlled by "transnational gangs and criminal networks." Hours later, Bass clapped back on MSNBC, saying: "I have no idea what he's talking about."

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Bass has spoken repeatedly about traumatized Angelenos who could not locate loved ones caught up in the ICE raids.

"For the most part, the people that have been detained have been denied access to legal representation," Bass said during an appearance at the city's Emergency Operations Center. "This is unprecedented."

The raids, and their impact on families and children, are deeply personal for a mayor who cut her teeth organizing with immigrant rights activists decades ago.

Bass' own family reflects the multiethnic nature of her city. Her late ex-husband was the son of immigrants from Chihuahua, Mexico. Her extended family includes immigrants from South Korea, Japan and the Philippines. Immigration agents were recently seen making arrests outside her grandson's Los Angeles school, she said.

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The arrival of ICE, then the National Guard, then the Marines has caused not just Bass but several other Democrats to step out in ways they might have previously avoided.

Sen. Alex Padilla is removed from a news conference Thursday led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Wilshire Federal Building. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, known for decades as a soft-spoken political leader, was forcibly ejected and hancuffed at a news conference at the Wilshire Federal Building in Westwood on Thursday after interrupting Noem's remarks.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently accused Trump of a "brazen abuse of power," calling him "unhinged" and filing a lawsuit to block the deployment of the National Guard  not a huge departure for Newsom, who relishes both confrontation and the spotlight.

Head-to-head accusations are much more out of character for Bass, who spent her first two years at City Hall touting her success in "locking arms" with her fellow elected officials on homelessness and other issues. In recent months, the mayor has praised Trump for the speedy arrival of federal resources as the city began cleaning up and rebuilding from the Palisades fire.

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Read more: With her city in flames, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass' political future hangs in the balance

Long before winning city office, Bass prided herself on her ability to work with other politicians, regardless of party affiliation, from her early days as a co-founder of the South L.A.-based Community Coalition to her years in the state Legislature and Congress.

Bass' strategy of avoiding public feuds with Trump during the first few months of his administration was no accident, according to someone with knowledge of her thinking who was not authorized to speak publicly. The mayor, that person said, viewed an extended tit-for-tat as an impediment to securing federal funding for wildfire relief and other urgent needs.

"That's more her brand  to get things done with whomever she needs to get them done with," said Ange-Marie Hancock, who leads Ohio State Universitys Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity.

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Mike Bonin, who heads the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A., said he thinks that Bass' career of building multiracial, multiethnic coalitions makes her uniquely suited to the moment.

Now that Trump has "all but declared war on Los Angeles," Bass has no choice but to punch back, said Bonin, who served on the City Council for nearly a decade.

"I don't see that she had any political or moral alternative," he said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  With heavy hearts, yet an abundance of joyful memories, we celebrate the life of Renee S. Godfrey, who peacefully departed this world on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, on the Youngstown campus of Marcy Health Care.

Born on October 17, 1952, to the union of Percy Lee Godfrey, Sr. and Sylvia L Smith-Godfrey, Renee was a lifelong resident of Youngstown, Ohio.

Find obituaries from your high school

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Renee was a vibrant soul known for her loving spirit, strong sense of family and unwavering commitment to truth. She was a proud alumna of Saint Marys All Girls High School in Buffalo NY.

A cherished early childhood educator at Eagles Christian Preschool, Renee inspired countless little ones with her nurturing heart. Renee dedicated her life to inspiring the young minds with love, patience and wisdom. Her impact on the lives of her students and their families is a testament to her loving spirit and unwavering commitment to education.

Beyond the classroom, Renee relished family gatherings, crosswords and music and she had a special knack for hosting unforgettable fish fry events that brought everyone together. She exhibited a unique gift for keeping it real, providing constructive criticism to encourage growth and development, always with a sprinkle of love.

Renee was the beloved family matriarch, leaving behind her cherished daughters, Moniche Godfrey, Corrine Godfrey and Effieantta Effie Jenkins; sister, Annette McKintosh and brother, Antonio Godfrey. She was also the proud grandmother of nine, including, TaDajasia Green whom she reared and nurtured and enjoyed the joy of 13 great-grandchildren, each holding a special place in her heart. Renee is lovingly remembered by her best friend, Kimberly Martinez; along with a score of family and friends.

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Renees faith was a cornerstone of her life and she found community while exercising her faith at Christian Fellowship Tabernacle, where her spirit touched many.

Upon her decisive crossing of the celestial sands into eternity Renee was reunited with her parents and brother, Percy L. Godfrey, Jr., each who preceded her in death.

As we prepare to reflect on her remarkable journey, we invite all who knew and loved her to honor her legacy. Reflecting on Renees life, we celebrate her outspoken nature, her ability to build and create rather than destroy and her genuine goodness that touched so many.

Join us as we remember Renee S. Godfrey, a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend, who lived life vividly and embraced every moment with grace and joy.

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Renees journey will be honored on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Jaylex Event Center, 2110 Glenwood Avenue, starting at 9:00 a.m., with a public viewing and Celebration of Life Service which will begin at 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Lewis Macklin officiating.

After a parting committal ceremony, Renee will be laid to rest among the spacious meadows of Tod Homestead Cemetery. In this time of remembrance, let us gather to honor Renees legacy, a life well-lived, a heart full of love and a spirit that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know her.

At this time of intimate need and personal loss, the family of Renee S. Godfrey elected to entrust the Ministry of Comfort & Care, along with Transitional After-Care Arrangements to the J.E. Washington Funeral Services, 2234 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, 330.782.8500.

A television tribute will air Sunday, June 15 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
New York City renters know when it's time to find an apartment, it's always going to be an expensive venture. Even with a new broker-fee ban, it looks like renting will still be a costly option.

The Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses Act (FARE Act) went into effect on June 11 and does not allow a landlord's real estate agent to charge a fee to the tenants which was often 12-15 percent of the annual rent. That law will greatly reduce the costs for people to move into an apartment, but Bloomberg is pointing out how landlords are trying to find other ways to pass the costs onto their tenants by rolling it into their rent.

On average, it costs a person $12,942 to move into a new apartment with a security deposit, first month's rent, and the dreaded broker fees, per StreetEasy. Now, that price is expected to average $7,537, it is a significant relief for those hoping to reside in one of the five boroughs.

The skyline of New York City, United States. Getty Images

Still, the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) pushed back on the bill, and they are sending a warning to renters. "New Yorkers will soon realize the negative impacts of the FARE Act when listings become scarce, and rents rise. We will continue to litigate this case as well as explore our avenues for appeal," REBNY President James Whelan said, per ABC7 New York, in court after a judge denied their attempt to stop the FARE Act.

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History disagrees with REBNY though. Apartments with a broker's fee had "an average increase in rent around 5.3% compared to the rest of the market, which saw an increase of 4.6%, according to StreetEasy Senior Economist Kenny Lee.

REBNY will continue to appeal the judge's ruling, but people are celebrating the financial relief in the housing sector. Living in New York City has always come with a premium price, but the FARE Act will make a difference.

Related: There's 1 Word That's Fueling the Housing Market Right Now

Renters Face Sneaky Price Hikes in New York City first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
The Brief

A Renton couple says they're facing ongoing homophobic harassment, including slurs and an attempted break-in at their home.

Fernando Vega says he was shot with an airsoft gun after confronting a group trying to break into his sister's room.

Renton Police are investigating the incidents, and the family is raising funds to move to a safer neighborhood.

RENTON, Wash. - A Renton couple says they are looking to move to a new home after enduring years of homophobic harassment in the Fairwood neighborhood.

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Fernando Vega says his Ring camera captured kids in his apartment complex ripping off a Pride flag from his porch in the summer of 2023.

Vega says he spoke with the boy's parents, who later apologized. But in April 2025, Vega says his Ring camera captured a boy, claiming he was the person who stole his Pride flag in 2023.

Vega claims he, his husband and his sister have suffered harassment, homophobic and racial slurs, and this past week, an attempted break-in.

"I do not believe this is a joke, this is malicious," said Vega.

Vega says he and his family were at home on Wednesday night, when a group tried to break into his sister's room, and he went running after them.

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"That's when I told them they needed to get off the property, yelling at them, trying to get them to leave," said Vega.

Instead of apologizing, Vega says someone in the group pulled out an airsoft gun and began shooting at him.

"I was hit probably between 20 to 30 times," said Vega.

The Renton Police Department confirms officers did meet with Vega for a report of malicious mischief, and they are currently investigating this case.

In the meantime, Vega and his family are trying to move to a more accepting neighborhood and have started a GoFundMe to help them with moving expenses.

The Source

Information in this story came from the Renton Police Department and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

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The sun was setting on a busy London street on a May evening in 1337 when a group of men approached a priest named John Forde. They surrounded him in front of a church near Old St. Pauls Cathedral, stabbed him in the neck and stomach, and then fled.

Witnesses identified his killers, but just one assailant went to prison. And the woman who might have ordered the brazen and shocking hit  Ela Fitzpayne, a wealthy and powerful aristocrat  was never brought to justice, according to historical records describing the case.

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Nearly 700 years later, new details have come to light about the events leading up to the brutal crime and the noblewoman who was likely behind it. Her criminal dealings included theft and extortion as well as the murder of Forde  who was also her former lover.

Forde (his name also appeared in records as John de Forde) could have been part of a crime gang led by Fitzpayne, according to a recently discovered document. The group robbed a nearby French-controlled priory, taking advantage of Englands deteriorating relationship with France to extort the church, researchers reported in a study published June 6 in the journal Criminal Law Forum.

But the wayward priest may have then betrayed Fitzpayne to his religious superiors. The Archbishop of Canterbury penned a letter in 1332 that the new report also linked to Fordes murder. In the letter, the archbishop denounced Fitzpayne and accused her of committing serial adultery with knights and others, single and married, and even with clerics in holy orders.

The archbishops letter named one of Fitzpaynes many paramours: Forde, who was rector of a parish church in a village on the Fitzpayne familys estate in Dorset. In the wake of this damning accusation, the church assigned Fitzpayne humiliating public penance. Years later, she exacted her revenge by having Forde assassinated, according to lead study author Dr. Manuel Eisner, a professor at the UKs University of Cambridge and director of its Institute of Criminology.

The Medieval Murder Maps project collects cases of homicide and other sudden or suspicious deaths in 14th century London, Oxford and York, including the location of the killing of John Forde, a priest. - Medieval Murder Maps/University of Cambridge Institute of Criminology/Historic Towns Trust

This 688-year-old murder provides us with further evidence about the entanglement of the clergy in secular affairs  and the very active role of women in managing their affairs and their relationships, Dr. Hannah Skoda, an associate professor of medieval history in St. Johns College at the UKs Oxford University, told CNN in an email.

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In this case, events dragged on for a very long time, with grudges being held, vengeance sought and emotions running high, said Skoda, who was not involved in the research.

The new clues about Fordes murder provide a window into the dynamics of medieval revenge killings, and how staging them in prestigious public spaces may have been a display of power, according to Eisner.

Map of murder

Eisner is a cocreator and project leader of Medieval Murder Maps, an interactive digital resource that collects cases of homicide and other sudden or suspicious deaths in 14th century London, Oxford and York. Launched by Cambridge in 2018, the project translates reports from coroners rolls  records written by medieval coroners in Latin noting the details and motives of crimes, based on the deliberation of a local jury. Jurors would listen to witnesses, examine evidence and then name a suspect.

In the case of Fordes murder, the coroners roll stated that Fitzpayne and Forde had quarreled, and that she persuaded four men  her brother, two servants and a chaplain  to kill him. On that fateful evening, as the chaplain approached Forde in the street and distracted him with conversation, his accomplices struck. Fitzpaynes brother slit his throat, and the servants stabbed Forde in the belly. Only one of the assailants, a servant named Hugh Colne, was charged in the case and imprisoned at Newgate in 1342.

The coroners roll found that Fitzpayne persuaded four men  her brother, two servants and a chaplain  to kill Forde after she quarreled with the priest. - The London Archives/City of London Corporation

I was initially fascinated by the text in the coroners record, Eisner told CNN in an email, describing the events as a dream-like scene that we can see through hundreds of years. The report left Eisner wanting to learn more.

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One would love to know what the members of the investigative jury discussed, he said. One wonders about how and why Ela convinces four men to kill a priest, and what the nature of this old quarrel between her and John Forde might have been. Thats what led me to examine this further.

Thirst for revenge

Eisner tracked down the archbishops letter in a 2013 dissertation by medieval historian and author Helen Matthews. The archbishops accusation assigned severe punishments and public penance to Fitzpayne, such as donating large sums of money to the poor, abstaining from wearing gold or precious gems, and walking in her bare feet down the length of Salisbury Cathedral toward the altar, carrying a wax candle that weighed about four pounds. She was ordered to perform this so-called walk of shame every fall for seven years.

Though she seemingly defied the archbishop and never performed the penance, the humiliation may have triggered her thirst for revenge, the study authors wrote.

The second clue that Eisner unearthed was a decade older than the letter: a 1322 investigation of Forde and Fitzpayne by a royal commission, following a complaint filed by a French Benedictine priory near the Fitzpayne castle. The report was translated and published in 1897 but had not yet been connected to Fordes murder at that point.

An illustration shows the neighborhood of Old St. Paul's Cathedral in 1540, the area where Forde was killed two centuries earlier. - World History Archive/Alamy Stock Photo

According to the 1322 indictment, Fitzpaynes crew  which included Forde and her husband, Sir Robert, a knight of the realm  smashed gates and buildings at the priory and stole roughly 200 sheep and lambs, 30 pigs and 18 oxen, driving them back to the castle and holding them for ransom. Eisner said he was astonished to find that Fitzpayne, her husband and Forde were mentioned in a case of cattle rustling during a time of rising political tensions with France.

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That moment was quite exciting, he said. I would never have expected to see these three as members of a group involved in low-level warfare against a French Priory.

Violence experts

During this time in British history, city dwellers were no strangers to violence. In Oxford alone, homicide rates during the late medieval period were about 60 to 75 deaths per 100,000 people, a rate about 50 times higher than what is currently seen in English cities. One Oxford record describes scholars on a rampage with bows, swords, bucklers, slings and stones. Another mentions an altercation that began as an argument in a tavern, then escalated to a mass street brawl involving blades and battle-axes.

But even though medieval England was a violent period, this absolutely does NOT mean that people did not care about violence, Skoda said. In a legal context, in a political context, and in communities more widely, people were really concerned and distressed about high levels of violence.

The Medieval Murder Maps project provides fascinating insights into the ways in which people carried out violence, but also into the ways in which people worried about it, Skoda said. They reported, investigated and prosecuted, and really relied on law.

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Fitzpaynes tangled web of adultery, extortion and assassination also reveals that despite social constraints, some women in late medieval London still had agency  especially where murder was concerned.

Ela was not the only woman who would recruit men to kill, to help her protect her reputation, Eisner said. We see a violent event that arises from a world where members of the upper classes were violence experts, willing and able to kill as a way to maintain power.

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).

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(NewsNation)  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Thursday that Sen. Alex Padilla should be charged and prosecuted after the California Democrat was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a Homeland Security news conference in Los Angeles.

He should be charged. He should be prosecuted, Greene, a Georgia Republican, told The Hill on NewsNation, adding that Padilla came in very aggressively and actually fought police.

Video footage shows multiple agents restraining Padilla and forcing him from the room during Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference. Additional video shows agents pushing Padilla to the floor to handcuff him.

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Geraldo Rivera: Sen. Padillas removal a bad look

Im Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, Padilla is heard saying as hes pushed out of the room. As hes forced through double doors, he can be heard saying, Hands off!

A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman said Secret Service agents thought Padilla was an attacker and acted appropriately. Noem later said she spoke with Padilla for 15 minutes after the incident and told him no one realized who he was when he created a scene.

However, the video clearly shows Padilla identifying himself as a senator.

Greene criticized Padilla for not wearing his congressional identification pin and said he resisted arrest and aggressively refused to leave.

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Padilla forcibly removed from Noem press conference, handcuffed

You never saw any Republican member of Congress or senator going out aggressively towards the Biden administration secretaries and Cabinet officials, Greene said. You never saw us fighting police officers and resisting an arrest.

In his own press conference following the incident, Padilla said he was there peacefully to ask a question.

I was not arrested and I was not detained, Padilla said. If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they are doing to farmers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout the country.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. / McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  Congressman Pete Sessions hosted a town hall in McLennan County on Monday for residents of Texas 17th Congressional District.

The event took place from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Robinson Junior High School Cafetorium, located at 400 West Lyndale Drive in Robinson. It was an opportunity for citizens to share their thoughts, concerns, and opinions on how Congressman Sessions can better serve Central Texas in Congress.

At the event, Congressman Pete Sessions highlighted issues like the DOGE Mission 2025 and cited a GAO report showing over $2.7 trillion lost to fraud and improper payments since 2003.

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Other major topics included HR1, the expansion of Welfare Programs, and the ongoing challenge of balancing discretionary versus mandatory government spending.



The town hall gave residents of Texass 17th congressional district an opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas.

Community members raised questions about HR1, Medicare, the Doge Caucus, and housing affordability.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Nazrin Abdul



The open court session in the criminal case against Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others - citizens of the Republic of Armenia - continued on June 12.

The defendants stand accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the planning and conduct of aggressive warfare, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other offenses stemming from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova) presiding, the session ensured that each defendant was provided with a translator in their native language and legal representation.

The defendants, their lawyers, several victims and their legal successors, as well as the prosecutors representing the state, participated in the hearing.

During the session, the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan answered questions from the state prosecutor regarding the 2016 events known as the April battles. At the time, Mnatsakanyan served as the defense minister of the so-called regime, holding the rank of lieutenant general. He admitted that 18 combat positions were lost during the April battles.

In response to questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department of Public Prosecution Defense at the Prosecutor Generals Office, Mnatsakanyan claimed that civilian areas were not deliberately targeted during the April battles. He said those areas contained military units, equipment, and personnel, and that any damage to homes was coincidental. There was no attack on the village. We did not open fire on the village, he said.

The court examined parts of Mnatsakanyan's interviews with journalists following the April battles. In one interview, he stated: The overall situation is under control. The troops are at the proper degree of battle preparedness. Our borders are secure and in reliable hands. When asked by a journalist whether "the other side is also being defended," he answered, Yes.

The prosecutor confronted Mnatsakanyan with the contradiction between his courtroom claim of having made no public statements during the April battles and the interview footage. When asked who he referred to as the other side and what kind of attack was being defended against, Mnatsakanyan did not provide a specific answer.

Another interview featuring Mnatsakanyan was shown, in which he appeared in the Jidir Duzu plain discussing the battles of February 2425, 2015, and the April 2016 clashes. He referred to the Azerbaijani special forces as the Yashma Brigade, acknowledging their participation in the battles. He outlined the regimes military developments, stating:

Improvement means that we must further strengthen the capabilities we have. We must expand the capabilities of our firepower and systems. We are carrying out relevant work in this direction. In particular, we are expanding in the field of observation devices. Progress has been made in both fire and destruction systems. We had certain shortcomings in some limited conditions, but now - whether in the morning or in the afternoon - we can fire effectively.

Moreover, we have improved our management capabilities. This is also included in the overall system. We have made progress in both reconnaissance and firing. In addition, practical measures are being taken concerning the new technologies and technical means we have acquired. Work is also underway on the military-industrial complex.

There are also longer-range anti-tank and other modern means. In addition, we have acquired new technologies and firepower. Personnel are also being trained to use these means.

He explained that the interview was initially intended to be recorded on a balcony near Isa Bulaghi, but due to lighting issues, it was relocated to the Jidir Duzu plain.

After a break, the court examined another video retrieved from the internet, showing a dispute between Levon Mnatsakanyan and former defense minister Samvel Babayan. In the footage, Mnatsakanyan accused Babayan of surrendering 21 kilometers of territory to Azerbaijan in 1994.

Babayan had previously criticized the Armenian leadership for strategic failures during the April battles. While not denying territorial losses, Mnatsakanyan countered by urging Babayan to recall how land was surrendered in 1994. Babayan referred to the 2016 clashes as a sabotage, whereas Mnatsakanyan insisted it was a full-scale military operation.

Further footage shown in court depicted former Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan and the so-called regimes prime minister Arayik Harutyunyan meeting with servicemen in Azerbaijans then-occupied territories. Mnatsakanyan confirmed that Armenian officials, including ministers of defense and foreign affairs, frequently visited the region.

Additional footage showed former Armenian Defense Minister Davit Tonoyan inspecting the regime's military structure, accompanied by former Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and the regimes foreign minister.

During questioning about landmines in Azerbaijani territories, Mnatsakanyan said mines had been planted in both the northern and southern directions. He stated that after placement, documentation was submitted to higher headquarters: one copy remained with the military unit, and others were stored in the engineering troops office. He emphasized that mine placement forms showed precise locations, whereas mine maps only indicated general districts.

Mnatsakanyan revealed that the mines were initially produced in the Soviet Union, later procured from Russia, and then delivered to the separatist regime via Armenia. More recently, they had also been manufactured in Armenia. He admitted to planting both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines in the formerly occupied areas.

The next court session is scheduled for June 13.

The defendants  Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan  are charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and other articles.
We recently published a list of Investors Are Dumping These 10 Stocks. GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) is one of the worst-performing stocks on Thursday.

GameStop fell by 24.55 percent at intraday trading on Thursday at $21.54 apiece following plans to raise $1.75 billion through a debt offering.

In a statement, GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) said it would offer no-interest convertible notes to qualified institutional buyers through 2032, with the option for the investors to convert them into its shares later on.

GameStop (GME) Falters After $1.75B Debt Offer

A gamer playing a game on one of the specialty retail company's gaming platforms.

Upon conversion, GameStop will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of GameStops Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share, or a combination of cash and shares of Class A common stock, at its election, it said.

GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) said it plans to use the proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.

Last month, GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME) announced the acquisition of worth $500 million of 4,710 Bitcoins as it looked to other industries to grow its business. The $500 million forms part of the companys $1.3 billion Bitcoin purchase program, an amount it planned to raise from offering convertible senior notes.

While we acknowledge the potential of GME as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires.

Disclosure: None.
Tribal nations have an estimated $23.4 billion impact on the Oklahoma economy, according to a new report.

The report linked the economic activity of Oklahoma tribes to nearly 140,000 jobs and $7.8 billion in wages and benefits in 2023.

The numbers show the growing and significant impacts of tribal nations on Oklahomas economy, said Matt Morgan, chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association and spokesperson for United for Oklahoma. The two organizations, which are made up of tribal leaders and governments, commissioned the report.

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Whether you're talking about our cultural aspects, our economic aspects, the governmental programs and services, our partnerships, or even our philanthropic giving, you know you can't talk about the success of Oklahoma without having a tribal perspective involved in that conversation, said Morgan, a Chickasaw Nation citizen.

The report says tribes directly employed nearly 56,000 workers and generated $7.8 billion in business revenues. By generating their own funds, tribal nations can use that money to cover basic government services, health care and education costs and infrastructure upgrades.

Kyle Dean, an economist at Oklahoma City University, authored the report. He received fiscal year 2023 data from half of the tribal nations in Oklahoma. Using those figures, he estimated that tribes directly contribute $12.7 billion to Oklahomas economy and account for a total economic impact of $23.4 billion.

The report was issued Wednesday, June 11, at an event attended by tribal officials and other Oklahoma state and business leaders.

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I think we all intuitively know the impact that the tribes have  we get to see the great PR campaigns, we know the cultural history  but what we dont know, because its not as easy to tell, is the economic impact, said Chad Warmington, president and CEO of the State Chamber of Oklahoma. And that $23.4 billion, that number is stunning.

How tribes impact Oklahoma's economy

From the most southeastern part of the state to the New Mexico-Oklahoma line, there are 38 federally recognized tribes in the state.

Working with tribal officials to compile the new economic report, Dean gathered information on tribal businesses, governments and other ways tribes impact Oklahomas economy, such as bringing in federal funding to pay for projects within tribal areas.

It was the fourth tribal economic impact report that Dean has completed. He has tracked how tribal economic activity has consistently expanded over time.

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I have to say that I'm unsurprised by the results  the impact is extraordinary, but it no longer surprises me, Dean said.

More: Former OSU President Kayse Shrum to work as Chickasaw Nation chief health strategy officer

Tribal nations often have outsized economic impacts in non-metro areas of the state, because they are based outside of population hubs.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, more than 630,000 Oklahomans self-identify as Native American or Alaskan Native. Half of Oklahomas Native American population resides in the Oklahoma City or Tulsa areas, while 61.7% of all Oklahomans reside in those metro areas.

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The funding goes where the tribes are, Dean said. In terms of the funding that goes to tribes and impacts communities, I'd say it actually has a bigger effect on rural areas in the state that are devoid of a lot of economic opportunity.

Gaming is revenue generator for tribes

The biggest economic engine for tribal nations is gaming.

In 2023, 33 tribes were operating 136 gaming facilities in Oklahoma, bringing in an estimated $7.4 billion in revenues, according to the report. That represents a 27% increase since 2019. Tribally run gaming enterprises and related operations had a combined 24,900 jobs that paid $1.2 billion in wages and benefits.

(Gaming) helps us provide for tribal members in a bigger way that's less of a burden on state and federal government, and so we help in that way, said Jacob Keyes, chairman of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma. We really focus on taking care of our communities around us because what's good for the communities is good for the tribes, what's good for Oklahoma is good for the tribes.

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A model compact grants tribal nations the exclusive right to operate Las Vegas-style gaming in Oklahoma in exchange for paying the monthly fees. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has long criticized the compact but has so far been unsuccessful in his attempts to work out different agreements with tribal nations.

Under the model compact, Oklahoma tribes submitted $202 million in exclusivity fees to the state in 2023, up 36% from 2019, according to the report.

Most of that money went to fund public education across the state.

I think it's important for people to understand its not us padding our pockets with money, we are putting that money to work not only for our community but the people around us, as well, Keyes said.

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According to the report, Oklahoma tribes spent $133.6 million on educational programs and scholarships and donated about $39.3 million to support local schools and educational programs.

The report says tribes also spent $582 million providing health services to Oklahomans, recording more than 3.5 million unique patient visits in 2023 and maintaining more than 9,300 health care jobs.

Tribes investing more after the McGirt ruling

Many tribes in the eastern half of the state have also invested in building up their justice systems since 2020, after the pivotal McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling that emphasized the rights of tribal nations on tribal lands.

Since the McGirt ruling, the other big focus of ours is to exercise our sovereignty, said Gary Batton, chief of the Choctaw Nation.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said tribes have invested significantly in expanding their justice systems after the McGirt v. Oklahoma ruling.

The term tribal sovereignty refers to the inherent right of federally recognized tribes to self-govern and manage their own affairs within their own territories.

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Tribal contributions make a big difference in local communities and to the state as a whole, Warmington said.

What I think people oughta think about is: What would Oklahoma be like without that? he said. Without $23 billion in economic activity, it just wouldnt be the same state. Sure, those dollars are supporting their nations, their sovereignty, but they also support every Oklahoman.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Report shows 'stunning' economic impact of tribal nations in Oklahoma
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A Georgetown County Sheriffs Office report has identified the suspect and provided more details on an hourslong standoff near Pawleys Island earlier this week.

Deputies responded at about 1 p.m. Monday to St. Christopher Circle in the Pawleys Island area to serve Probate papers to Kweli Edwards, according to an incident report. The papers were signed and ordered by a judge for Edwards to be taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation at the request of Edwards parents.

Edwards told deputies he didnt want to go to the hospital, and authorities noticed while talking with him that he had a handgun sticking out from his waistband, the report said. A deputy told Edwards he needed to secure the gun in the house, but Edwards said he wasnt giving it up before he ran toward the back of the house and locked a bedroom door.

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Edwards mother tried talking with him to get him out of the room but was unsuccessful, according to the report. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents responded to the scene at about 4 p.m., and Edwards peacefully surrendered shortly after.

* * *

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.

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June 12 (UPI) -- Israel Defense Forces launched early morning aerial attacks against dozens of nuclear sites in Iran on Friday to prevent the Islamic nation from developing nuclear warheads.

Iran has said its top commander in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, along with some of the country's top nuclear scientists, were killed in the strike.

The United States has denied any role in the strikes, but U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is in close contact with Israel and its allies.

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"President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners," Rubio said in a statement. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

A spokesperson for Iran's Armed Forces, Gen. Shekarchi, said that Israel and the United States will "receive a forceful slap" and Iran's Armed Forces are prepared to bring counterstrikes and promised that "a retaliation attack is definite, God willingly," he said on state television.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured in the Knesset in Jerusalem on Wednesday) has pressured President Donald Trump to approve an Israeli strike against Iran before it produces a nuclear warhead and while Iran is vulnerable, according to news media reports. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI

Warning sirens sounded across Israel in anticipation of Iranian retaliation as the IDF attacks continued during the early morning hours on Friday, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The Israeli Air Force said it will continue the strikes against Iranian nuclear and long-range missile targets for several days.

An Israeli fighter jet, loaded with a mix of Python, Sidewinder and Sparrow air-to-air missiles, is readied to prevent an Iranian attack in April 2024. On Friday, Israel Defense Forces launched early morning aerial attacks against dozens of nuclear sites in Iran to prevent the Islamic nation from developing nuclear warheads. File Photo courtesy of Israel Defense Forces

"At the end of the operation, the will be no nuclear threat" from Iran, IDF officials told media.

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"We are in the window of strategic opportunities," the IDF said. "We have reached the point of no return, and there is no choice but to act now."

An Israeli fighter jet, loaded with a mix of Python, Sidewinder and Sparrow air-to-air missiles, is readied to prevent an Iranian attack in April 2024. On Friday, Israel Defense Forces launched early morning aerial attacks against dozens of nuclear sites in Iran to prevent the Islamic nation from developing nuclear warheads. File Photo courtesy of Israel Defense Forces

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency throughout the country in anticipation of retaliatory attacks.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the state of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future, Katz said.

Iran's pursuit of a nuclear arsenal triggered the military strike by Israel as diplomatic efforts failed to divert Iran from its efforts to become a nuclear power.

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"Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world," the IDF said.

The action is being coordinated with the United States, according to the IDF.

The Israeli military strike against Iran would not be supported by the United States, NBC News, The New York Times and ABC News reported earlier on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, U.S. and Iranian representatives discussed a potential agreement that would enable Iran to enrich uranium for energy but not to produce nuclear weapons.

The Trump administration was awaiting a response from Iran regarding the potential agreement framework, but Iranian negotiators have become more "hardline" during the process, President Donald Trump said.

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The hardline stance by Iranian leaders caused the Trump administration on Wednesday to order non-essential staff with the Defense and State departments to leave the Middle East due to reports of a pending Israeli strike on Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had pressured Trump to approve an Israeli strike against Iran before it produces a nuclear warhead and while Iran is vulnerable, The New York Times reported.

Trump says he prefers to negotiate a nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Iran, which Iran's hardline stance made more difficult to achieve.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators were scheduled to meet in Oman on Sunday, but Trump has said Iran has adopted "unacceptable" negotiation demands.

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Britain has announced new threats against commercial shipping in the Middle East, and Trump on Wednesday told the New York Post he has become less confident that Iran won't pursue the development of nuclear weapons.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on Thursday limited movement by its employees in anticipation of a potential Israeli military strike against Iran and its uranium enrichment facilities.

Israel opposes any form of uranium enrichment by Iran, which the board of governors for the International Atomic Energy Agency recently concluded is not complying with existing nuclear agreements.

Iran's military has begun drills that are aimed at targeting enemy movements after learning of the potential Israeli strike, The Jerusalem Post reported.

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IAEA investigators found man-made uranium particles at three locations in Iran in 2019 and 2020 and in a recent quarterly report announced Iran has enough enriched uranium to develop nine nuclear warheads.

"We have been seeking explanations and clarifications from Iran for the presence of these uranium particles," IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said.

"Unfortunately, Iran has repeatedly either not answered or not provided technically credible answers," Grossi said.

Iranian officials have tried to sanitize the sites and thwart IAEA inspectors, he added.
A senior Israeli military official has said that attacks against Iran are expected to continue in the coming days, according to Israeli broadcaster Channel 14.

The military official said Israel has a long-term, wide-ranging plan for further strikes in the coming days and warned of difficult times ahead, Channel 14 reported.

He reportedly said that Iran is expected to respond, and that if the Israeli population remains disciplined, the number of injuries would likely be low. Otherwise, he warned, many casualties could be expected. "We are at war," the outlet quoted him as saying.

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Regarding Israel's major overnight strikes, the official reportedly described them as a major success, saying that the Israeli military had delivered a significant blow to the upper ranks of Iran's military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

He said targets included nuclear scientists involved in advancing Iran's nuclear programme.
The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, has been killed in an Israeli attack, the Iranian news agency Tasnim, considered the mouthpiece of the IRGC, reported on Friday.

Salami, commander in chief of the IRGC, was killed in an attack on the headquarters of the IRGC's high command, the agency said. He was considered one of the most powerful men in the Islamic Republic.

General Staff Chief Mohammad Bagheri was also said to have been targeted in an attack, according to unconfirmed reports from Iranian media.

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However, the state news agency Irna stated that he was unharmed and located in a command centre.

However, Tasnim confirmed the killing of two prominent nuclear scientists. According to the news agency, both Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a professor of physics, and former nuclear chief Fereydoun Abbasi were killed in the attack.

The IRGC is Iran's elite military force, far more powerful than the conventional armed forces. Over the past decades, it has not only been heavily militarized but has also expanded its societal and economic influence.

Today, it is considered an economic powerhouse, with stakes in industries including hotel chains and airlines.
Extreme weather events are preventing medical centers in Malawi and other African countries from providing essential medical care, according to Nature Africa.

What are extreme weather events?

According to NASA, extreme weather events are when life-threatening instances of floods, heat waves, and other intense forms of weather occur.

While climate and weather are often used interchangeably, they mean different things. The weather is what we see outside and can change every day. Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns we notice in a specific area.

Why are extreme weather events important?

It's important to stay informed about extreme weather events because of how they can affect us and the planet.

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Extreme weather events are happening at a higher rate because of pollution and planet warming, per NASA. As we use dirty energy, we release polluting gases like methane and carbon dioxide. These gases warm the planet and supercharge extreme weather events while also endangering our health.

Events like cyclones have caused flooding in medical facilities like Mbenje Health Centre in Malawi.

A patient, Elizabeth Sosono, told Nature Africa that it takes at least two weeks for Mbenje to reopen after flooding. This jeopardizes her access to medicine. And there have been four closures since the last rainy season started this past November.

This means that Mbenje has been closed for at least two months total over the last five months or so.

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Barbra Ntapara, Malawi's chief forestry officer, told Nature Africa that extreme weather events "can lead to higher morbidity and mortality rates, exacerbating existing health challenges, disruption of healthcare services, and the increase in water-borne diseases, malnutrition, and mental health issues."

Nature also reported that Kenya has had an increase in vector-borne diseases due to the effects of a warming climate. If temperatures continue to rise, more people could succumb to mosquito-spread diseases like malaria and rodent-borne diseases.

How can we create climate resilience despite extreme weather events?

While investing in the climate can be expensive, it is nowhere near as priceless as the lives we could lose. It is better for us to invest in people to avoid undue amounts of illness and economic devastation, especially in the Global South.

Malawi News reported in 2022 that Malawi needs about $46.6 billion to create climate-resilient initiatives and reduce polluting gases by 2040 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.

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A report from WaterAid said that Malawi spent $246 million on healthcare-associated infections in 2022. While these happen because of a lack of sanitation, reducing pollution that drives more intense extreme weather could help prevent water contamination.

While the first number is considerably larger than the second, it's worth paying. Around 25,800 excess deaths happen each year as a result of healthcare-associated infections. If Malawi received assistance in financing for its climate, thousands of lives would be saved every year.

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.




Israel has carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian territory including on the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz and at the Natanz nuclear site, according to Iranian media on Friday.

The strikes follow wide-scale strikes overnight during which Israel attacked nuclear facilities and targeted top scientists and military commanders.

Israeli media reported that Iran retaliated with about 100 drones and that they were all shot down.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier described the Israeli attacks as a declaration of war, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

Israel had crossed all red lines, Araghchi said according to the report. He called on the UN Security Council to deal with the incident immediately.
Israel had reportedly deployed secret service forces deep inside Iran to help prepare its surprise night-time attack, several of the country's media outlets reported on Friday.

The strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities and military command had been prepared for years, the reports said, citing intelligence sources.

To this end, units of the foreign intelligence service Mossad had placed precision weapons, vehicles and drone bases near missile silos and air defence positions in the run-up to the attacks.

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At the start of the strikes, these systems were remotely directed against their targets and reportedly hit them with extraordinary accuracy, destroying the Iranian air defence positions.

This cleared the way for the Israeli warplanes and enabled them to move unhindered in Iranian airspace.

A drone base set up in advance near Tehran was used to fire combat drones at missile silos from which Iran would have launched retaliatory strikes against Israel, the reports said.

During the massive attack, Israel targeted much of the Iranian military leadership and attacked several bases and nuclear facilities.

It also hit targets in the capital Tehran and in the west of the country. Iran retaliated with about 100 drones sent towards Israel, all of which were intercepted, according to media reports.
There were reports of new Israeli attacks near the Iranian capital Tehran on Friday, with air defences activated in the south of the metropolis, according to the Mehr news agency.

There were also reports of explosions in the western part of the city. These occurred near a popular park and on the outskirts of Tehran, which is home to more than 15 million people.

The background to the new attacks was initially unclear. However, the area west of the capital is known for military installations, meaning the target could have been an air base.

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Israel carried out waves of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities early on Friday.

The strikes began in the early hours of the morning, with loud explosions rocking the Iranian capital Tehran overnight, state media and eyewitnesses reported. The Natanz nuclear site was also targeted.

Hours later, Iranian media reported that Israel had carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian territory including on the cities of Tabriz and Shiraz and again at the Natanz nuclear site.
This story was originally published on Automotive Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Automotive Dive newsletter.

General Motors named Mike Trevorrow SVP of global manufacturing, effective June 6, the automaker announced in a press release.

Trevorrow will serve a dual role, retaining his position as VP of global manufacturing engineering but will also oversee the automakers worldwide manufacturing operations, the company said. The combined units have more than 95,000 employees across 110 sites in 11 countries. Trevorrow will report to GM President Mark Reuss.

"Mikes extensive experience in manufacturing operations and engineering, along with his steady leadership, make him the right choice to lead our global manufacturing organization into the future, Reuss said in the announcement.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Trevorrow has served in a variety of management roles in engineering and manufacturing for GM since 2009. He succeeds Jens Peter Clausen who resigned as head of GMs global manufacturing after less than a year in the role.

GM said Trevorrows more than 40 years of experience in manufacturing operations and engineering will help the company effectively integrate advanced manufacturing technologies, accelerating our transition to software-defined vehicles while supporting GMs broader innovation strategy.

Trevorrows GM career began as director, launch and execution for North America Stamping Dies & Body Shop Tooling, per his LinkedIn. He was promoted to executive director, global body, in manufacturing engineering, and later served as plant executive director of the Lansing Region in Michigan.

In 2023, Trevorrow became VP of North American manufacturing and by early 2024 transitioned to VP of global manufacturing engineering at GM.

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Nevadas GOP Gov. Joe Lombardo on Thursday vetoed a voter ID measure, foregoing a proposed requirement to have voters show identification before casting ballots at the polls.

The bill, known as A.B. 499, was passed in a bipartisan effort by the state Legislature to improve voter verification and increase the number of drop boxes for mail ballots across the state.

Lombardo said he ultimately chose to veto the bill over a lack of clear provisions and guidelines on regulations.

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I wholeheartedly support Voter ID and am appreciative of the effort to codify it into statute. However, this bill is not entirely consistent with the constitutional amendment that Nevada voters will consider again in 2026, the governor wrote in a Thursday message.

AB 499 fails to resolve-and may even introduce- inconsistencies in how voter identification is reviewed, does little to improve signature verification and leaves too much ambiguity for future interpretation or regulation, he added.

The legislation wouldve required in-person voters to show their ID while allowing mail-in ballots to be accepted with a valid signature.

This inconsistency undermines the principle of uniform voter verification. Voter ID is essential for ensuring election integrity, and it should be applied consistently across all voting methods, Lombardo said.

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However, state Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager (D) said the veto symbolized a breach of trust after the governor previously shared support for the bill, according to The Associated Press.

Lombardos veto comes as Republicans usher in a sweeping push to codify stricter identification requirements for voters.

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Republican lawmakers welcomed Israels overnight attack against Iran and asked the public to pray for the United Statess Middle Eastern ally, which waged strikes against Tehrans expanding nuclear program and military leadership.

Game on. Pray for Israel, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a defense hawk, wrote Thursday night on the social platform X.

Similar messages were posted by other GOP members of Congress since Israel unleashed an attack that, so far, has killed Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Cmdr. Hossein Salami, along with two other top Iranian generals.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) echoed President Trumps consistent warning that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon in his response, commending the administration for working tirelessly to ensure that outcome.

Unfortunately, Iran has refused to agree and even declared yesterday its intent to build a new enrichment facility, Johnson posted to X on Friday.

Israel decided it needed to take action to defend itself, he added. They were clearly within their right to do so. Iran will face grave consequences if it responds by unjustifiably targeting U.S. interests.

Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also showed his support for Israel late Thursday, following the strikes.

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We stand with Israel tonight and pray for the safety of its people and the success of this unilateral, defensive action. I am also praying for the brave U.S. service members in the Middle East who keep America safe  Iran would be foolish to attack the United States, he posted on X.

Israel performed at least five rounds of strikes against Iran, hitting dozens of targets, including the Natanz, one of Irans main enrichment facilities. Israel said the attack was unleashed to help prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message that the operation, dubbed Rising Lion, would last as many days as it takes.

We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Irans nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Irans main enrichment facility in Natanz, the prime minster said in his address, shared to X. We targeted Irans leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Irans ballistic missile program.

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Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Commitee, said Israels reckless escalation threatens to ignite violence in the region and could jeopardize the safety of Americans stationed in the Middle East.

While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer, Reed said late Thursday in a statement.

I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control, the Democratic senator added. President Trump must be crystal clear with the American people and the international community in charting a way forward. The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of short-sighted violence.

Iran retaliated, launching more than 100 drones, some of which were intercepted by the Israeli military, according to officials.

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Trump warned Iran Friday morning to accept a nuclear deal with the U.S. or it would face harsh consequences.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come  And they know how to use it, the president wrote on Truth Social.

He added in a subsequent post, Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Iran, amid the tension, announced Friday that it was pulling out of the next round of nuclear talks that were expected Sunday in Oman.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two bears an East Sussex-based charity saved from "filthy" cages have undergone dental surgery.

International Animal Rescue (IAR), headquartered in Uckfield, sent its dental team to Armenia to rescued Syrian brown bears Aram and Noah.

The charity and an Armenian non-profit, the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), rescued Aram and two other bears in March, shortly after rescuing Noah.

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Aram and Noah had broken, decaying teeth and infected gums after "years spent gnawing on iron bars in sheer desperation", according to IAR.

Both bears are "recovering well" from their operations and eating, the charity added.

Veterinary dentist Gerhard Putter said the bears "spent many years breaking their teeth by biting cage bars" [IAR]

In addition to having two molars removed, 240kg Aram had root canal treatment on a canine tooth in the four hours the bear's surgery lasted.

Vets found Noah had a rotten incisor and a fracture running the entire length of a canine, which had allowed an infection to spread to the younger bear's jawbone.

They removed two teeth during Noah's four-hour operation.

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IAR president Alan Knight said it is "heart-breaking to imagine the pain" Noah was living in.

Cambridge veterinary dentist Gerhard Putter and IAR trustee Paul Cassar, from Chichester, led the surgeries at FPWC's wildlife rescue centre.

Mr Putter said the operations will allow Noah and Aram to "eat properly again and significantly improve their quality of life".

"These bears had spent many years breaking their teeth by biting cage bars and suffering from poor nutrition," he added.

Aram was rescued with two other bears in March. [FPWC and International Animal Rescue]

Mr Knight said the team "did an extraordinary job" and he was "proud of what they've achieved for these beautiful bears".

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"This isn't the first time we've carried out dental surgery on a bear in Armenia and sadly it won't be the last," he added.

Aram was rescued with partner Nairi and daughter Lola, following a public tip-off to FPWC, after being "confined to filthy cages and denied even the most basic care" at a residence in Yerevan, IAR said in May.

The charity added Noah had "endured long confinement in darkness" when he was found.

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By Sudipto Ganguly, Abhijith Ganapavaram and Aditya Kalra

AHMEDABAD, India (Reuters) -The investigation into the Air India plane crash that killed more than 240 people is focusing on the engine, flaps and landing gear, a source said on Friday, as the aviation regulator ordered safety checks on the airline's entire Boeing-787 fleet.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 people on board bound for Gatwick Airport south of London began losing height moments after take-off over a residential area of the western city of Ahmedabad and erupted in a huge fireball as it hit buildings below, CCTV footage showed.

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Only one passenger survived and local media reported that as many as 24 people on the ground were also killed as the plane crashed onto a medical college hostel during the lunch hour. Reuters could not immediately verify the number.

It was the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade.

On Friday, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Air India and the Indian government were looking at several aspects of the crash including issues linked to its engine thrust, flaps, and why the landing gear remained open as the plane took off and then came down within moments.

The probe is also looking at whether Air India was at fault, including on maintenance issues, the source said.

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A possible bird-hit is not among the key areas of focus, the source said, adding that teams of anti-terrorism experts were part of the investigation process.

The government is considering whether it should ground the Boeing-787 fleet in the country during the probe, the source said. There was no immediate response to requests for comment on that from Air India, Boeing and the aviation ministry.

Air India has more than 30 Dreamliners that include the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 versions. A source in Air India said there had been no communication so far from the government on the possible grounding.

Separately, India's aviation regulator ordered Air India to conduct additional maintenance actions on its Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines, including "one-time check" of the take-off parameters before the departure of every flight from midnight of June 15.

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The airline has also been instructed to introduce 'flight control inspection' - checks to ensure control systems are working properly - in transit inspection, and to conduct power assurance checks, meant to verify the engine's ability to produce the required power, within two weeks.

ONE BLACK BOX FOUND

The aviation ministry said that investigators and rescue workers had recovered the digital flight data recorder - one of the two black boxes on the plane - from the rooftop of the building on which the jet crashed.

There was no information on the cockpit voice recorder, the other black box, which is also crucial to the crash probe.

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Indian conglomerate Tata Group took control of the formerly state-owned Air India in 2022, and merged it with Vistara - a joint venture between the group and Singapore Airlines  last year.

Investigators from India, the U.K. and the U.S. have arrived to probe the crash and Tata will be fully transparent about the findings, Tata Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran said in an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Chandrasekaran said Tata wants to understand what happened, adding, "We don't know right now".

Aircraft engine maker GE Aerospace said it supports the action being taken by India's aviation regulator for enhanced safety inspections of Air India's 787 fleet.

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"Safety is our top priority," a GE Aerospace spokesperson said. "We are committed to providing all technical support necessary to understand the cause of this accident."

Earlier on Friday, rescue workers had finished combing the crash site and were searching for missing people and bodies in the buildings as well as for aircraft parts that could help explain why the plane crashed soon after taking off.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed by officials on the progress of rescue operations when he visited the crash site in his home state of Gujarat on Friday. Modi also met some of the injured being treated in hospital.

"The scene of devastation is saddening," he said in a post on X.

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Thursday's crash was the first for the Dreamliner since the wide-body jet began flying commercially in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

The plane that crashed on Thursday flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said. The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian.

(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly, Abhijith Ganapavaram, Sumit Khanna and Mahezabin Saiyed in Ahmedabad, Aditya Kalra, Aditi Shah, Shivam Patel and Sakshi Dayal in New Delhi; additional reporting by Hritam Mukherjee in Bengaluru; writing by Tanvi Mehta and YP Rajesh; Editing by Saad Sayeed, Kate Mayberry, Philippa Fletcher, William Maclean)
Feeling stressed or anxious? Research suggests a walk in the woods might be just what the doctor ordered.

An international study co-led by the University of Surrey and the University of Ghent has outlined how forests provide mental health benefits.

The institutions examined 164 forests across five European countries and detailed how different forest characteristics, such as canopy density and tree species diversity, can affect various health outcomes.

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Specific features like a dense canopy were both good and bad. A high density offers shade and better air quality, but it can also increase the risk of ticks and the disease they carry.

While the type of forest has mixed effects, one clear takeaway emerged: forests benefit the mind.

The study, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, showed that a forest setting reduces anxiety and stress. Being in a forest also increases positive emotions. If people thought a forest was more biodiverse and natural, it was more beneficial for mental health.

The findings suggest our connection to nature plays a major role in our well-being, and it reinforces an intuitive truth: spending time in nature is restorative.

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The study also covers physical health benefits. Dense canopies can reduce heat stress, and they can also improve air quality by trapping particulate matter, which is especially important in cities.

Increasing tree species diversity had a limited effect on health, but adding a variety of trees is still considered a beneficial practice for ecosystem health.

Dr. Melissa Marselle, an environmental psychology lecturer at the University of Surrey, described nature's medicine.

How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

"Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure," she said. "As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health."

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She noted that the United Kingdom should preserve urban forests for the benefit of its citizens, and she also suggested that time spent in green spaces should be prescribed by the country's National Health Service for people with mental health issues.

Telling someone to "touch grass" isn't just a meme anymore. The idea of "nature prescriptions" is gaining traction globally. The profound impact natural environments have on our health is a bare necessity.

When you need a mental reset, don't go doom-scrolling. Visit your nearest forest  science says it could do you a world of 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.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian migrant who was erroneously deported to El Salvador before being returned to the U.S. to face federal prosecution last week, pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges of human trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Garcias legal team told U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes on Friday that they have had time to review the indictment, and Garcia understands what he is accused of, before he formally entered the plea, which stems from a 2022 traffic stop.

Abrego Garcia is charged with the trafficking of undocumented migrants, and conspiring with others to do so.

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The criminal case against Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member, comes after a high-profile, protracted legal fight over his deportation and the Trump administration's efforts to delay his return to the U.S., even after the Supreme Court ordered the administration to "facilitate" his release earlier this year.

Us Judge Blasts Trump Lawyers For 11Th-hour Tactics In Ms-13 Deportation Case

In this handout provided by Sen. Van Hollen's Office, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) meets with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia (L) at an undisclosed location on Apr. 17, 2025, in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The indictment alleges that Abrego Garica was part of a smuggling ring that helped bring immigrants to the U.S. illegally and smuggle them across the country. According to the indictment, Abrego Garcia and his co-conspirators made at least 100 trips between Texas and Maryland between 2016 and 2025, when he was deported.

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Special Agent Peter T. Joseph told prosecutors on Friday that he was first assigned to Abrego Garcias case in April 2025, when he was still detained in El Salvador.

Since then, Joseph said, he has reviewed footage from Abrego Garcias 2022 traffic stop, which has emerged as the basis of the human smuggling charges.

At the time, Joseph told prosecutors, Abrego Garcia had been driving a vehicle with nine passengers and was pulled over while driving from St. Louis to Maryland with an expired license.

Six of the nine passengers in the vehicle have since been identified as being in the U.S. illegally, Joseph said, adding that one passenger in the van told officers that he was born in 2007, which would have made him just 15 at the time.

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Abrego Garcias legal team has vehemently disputed his alleged status as an MS-13 member, and are expected to contest the effort by U.S. prosecutors to have him detained pending trial.

Trump's Remarks Could Come Back To Bite Him In Abrego Garcia Deportation Battle

His case has become a national flashpoint in the broader fight over Trump's hard-line immigration policies in his second White House term.

In a court filing Wednesday night, lawyers for Abrego Garcia urged U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes in Tennessee to release their client from custody while awaiting trial, arguing that the government's grounds for a detention hearing  and his alleged status as an MS-13 gang member  are meritless.

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"Mr. Abrego Garcia asks the Court for what he has been denied the past several months  due process," his lawyers said, adding that there is no evidence their client is a flight risk, or that he has "systematically engaged in international travel in the recent past."

Abrego Garcias attorneys have also disputed his status as a member of MS-13, which was based on allegations made by a confidential informant, according to court documents. The informant had alleged Abrego Garcia belonged to an MS-13 chapter in New York, where he had never lived.

Speaking at a press conference in Nashville before the arraignment, Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, told reporters that yesterday marked three months since her husband was "abducted and disappeared" by the Trump administration.

She said the two were able to speak for the first time on Thursday.

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"Kilmar wants you to have faith," Sura said. "He says to continue fighting, and I will be victorious because God is with us."

Sura noted that their son, Kilmar Jr., was currently attending his kindergarten graduation ceremony in Maryland. "My heart is in Maryland with my kids," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "But I'm here fighting for my husband, for his dad to come back home."

Federal prosecutors disputed that and have urged the judge to keep him in custody, saying in a filing of their own that Abrego Garcia "would have enormous reason to flee" if he were not immediately detained by ICE.

100 Days Of Injunctions, Trials And 'Teflon Don': Trump Second Term Meets Its Biggest Tests In Court

Kilmar Abrego Garcia listens to court arguments during his hearing in Tennessee in a courtroom sketch from last week.

Court documents show the Justice Department filed the charges against Abrego Garcia on May 21  prompting a flurry of questions as to when the investigation and impaneling of a grand jury would have taken place.

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Abrego Garcias arraignment in Tennessee comes after his legal team asked a federal judge in Maryland late Wednesday to impose sanctions on the Trump administration for the administrations "egregious" and "repeated violations" of discovery obligations, according to the filing.

"The Governments defiance has not been subtle," his attorneys told U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who had been presiding over a civil case to determine whether the Trump administration complied with her order to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return from El Salvador. "It has been vocal and sustained and flagrant."

In the filing, Abrego Garica's legal team asked Xinis to impose fines based on a finding of civil contempt, and to compel the government to compel the production of information that they say the administration has improperly withheld, as well as "investigate the extent of the government's willful noncompliance."

Xinis has yet to rule on the motion.

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Earlier this week, lawyers for the Trump administration told the court that they planned to file a motion to dismiss the case by Monday on "mootness grounds," since Abrego Garcia is now on U.S. soil.

"The lengths the government has gone to resist discovery relating to these core questions raises a strong inference that the government is trying to hide its conduct from the scrutiny of this court, the plaintiffs, and the public," Abrego Garcias team told Xinis on Wednesday.

"What the government improperly seeks to hide must be exposed for all to see."

Abrego Garcia's family sued the Trump administration in March after the Salvadoran man, who entered the country illegally around 2012 and was living in Maryland, was abruptly deported to El Salvador in March. An immigration judge ruled in 2019 that he could be deported, just not to El Salvador.

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Upon being returned to the U.S. last week, Abrego Garcia was immediately sent to Tennessee to face federal charges related to transporting undocumented immigrants.

This is a developing news story. Check back for updates.





Original article source: Returned Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia arraigned on federal human trafficking charges in Tennessee
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Updated at 8:39 a.m. ET on June 13, 2025

When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accepted his new position as health secretary, he made a big show of distancing himself from his past life. News reports have claimed that I am anti-vaccine or anti-industry, Kennedy, who has for decades promoted the debunked notion that vaccines cause autism and has baselessly sown doubt over the ability of the U.S. government to vet shots, said at his confirmation hearing in January. I am neither. I am pro-safety.

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But for all Kennedys talk, this week, he did exactly what a person would do if they were trying to undermine the scientific consensus on vaccination in the United States. He abruptly dismissed the entire expert committee that advises the CDC on its nationwide vaccine recommendationsand began to fill the roster with like-minded people ready to cast doubt on the benefits of vaccination.

Like Kennedy, few of these new appointees to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice, or ACIP, have openly embraced the notion that they are anti-vaccine. But among them are individuals who have spoken out against COVID vaccines and policies, claimed vaccine injuries for their own children, and falsely linked COVID shots to deathsor even baselessly accused those vaccines of causing a form of acquired immunity deficiency syndrome.

In January, I wrote that remaking the committee in exactly this way would be an especially harmful blow to Americans health: Perhaps more than any other body of experts in the U.S., ACIP guides the nations future preparedness against infectious disease. By appointing a committee that is poised to legitimize more of his own radical views, Kennedy is giving his skewed version of scientific reality the governments imprimatur. Whether he will admit to it or not, he is serving the core goal of the anti-vaccine movementeroding access to, and trust in, immunization.

In an emailed statement, Health and Human Services Press Secretary Emily G. Hilliard reiterated that Secretary Kennedy is not anti-vaccinehe is pro-safety, pro-transparency, and pro-accountability, and added that his evidence-based approach puts accountability and radical transparency first, which will restore trust in our public health system. (Kennedy, notably, promised Senator Bill Cassidy during his confirmation process that he would maintain ACIP, as Cassidy put it, without changes.)

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Since the 1960s, ACIP has lent government policy on vaccines the clout of scientific evidence. Its mandate is to convene experts across fields such as infectious disease, immunology, pediatrics, vaccinology, and public health to carefully vet the data on immunizations, weigh their risks and benefits, and vote on recommendations that guide the public on how to use themwho should get vaccines, and when. Those guidelines are then passed to the CDC director, whowith only the rarest of exceptionsaccepts that advice wholesale.

These recommendations are what states look to, what providers look to, Rupali Limaye, an expert in vaccine behavior at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, told me. Medicare, for instance, is required to fully cover the vaccines that ACIP recommends; ACIP also determines which vaccines are covered by the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free vaccines for children whose families cannot afford them. The experts who serve on ACIP have the opportunity, more than just about any of their scientific peers, to translate their vaccine rhetoric into reality.

So far, Kennedy has dismissed the 17 people who were serving on ACIP, and filled eight of the newly open slots. Most of the new nominees have an obvious bone to pick with at least some vaccines, especially COVID shots, and have publicly advocated for limiting their use. Among the new members, for instance, is Robert Malone, a controversial physician who has spoken at anti-vaccine events, where he has denounced COVID vaccines and, without evidence, suggested that they can worsen coronavirus infections. Another appointee is Vicky Pebsworth, who serves on the board of the National Vaccine Information Center, an anti-vaccine nonprofit previously known as Dissatisfied Parents Together. A third, Retsef Levi, a health-care-management expert, called for the administration of COVID vaccines to be halted in 2023, and has questioned the shots safety, despite a large body of evidence from clinical trials supporting their continued use. (In an email, Levi wrote that he would do my best to help informing public health policies with data and science, with the goal of improving the health and wellbeing of people and regain the public trust. Malone and Pebsworth did not respond to requests for comment.) Overall, this is not a list that would increase confidence in vaccine decisions, Dorit Reiss, a vaccine-policy expert at UC San Francisco, told me.

The next ACIP meeting is scheduled for the end of this monthand the agenda includes discussion about anthrax vaccines, chikungunya vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, cytomegalovirus vaccine, the human-papillomavirus vaccine, influenza vaccines, the Lyme-disease vaccine, meningococcal vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and RSV vaccines. Thats a big slate of topics for a brand-new panel of members, Paul Offit, a pediatrician and a vaccine expert who has previously served on ACIP, told me: Depending on how the meeting is structured, and on the input from CDC scientists, these new committee members could substantially alter the guidelines on several immunizationsperhaps so much so that certain shots could stop being recommended to certain groups of Americans. Based on the composition of the committee so far, Offit predicts that the new ACIP will eventually push the CDC away from full-throated endorsement of many of these vaccines.

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Even subtle changes in the wording of CDC recommendationsa should swapped for a maycan have big ripple effects, Limaye told me. Insurers, for instance, may be more reluctant to cover vaccines that are not actively endorsed by the CDC; some statesespecially those in which vaccines have become a political battlegroundmay stop mandating those types of shots. If the CDC softens its recommendations, we will likely see more partisan divides in who opts for protection nationwide, Jason Schwartz, a vaccine-policy expert at Yale, told me. Pharmaceutical companies may, in turn, cut down production of vaccines that dont have full CDC backing, perpetuating a cycle of reduced availability and reduced enthusiasm. And primary-care physicians, who look to the CDCs vaccination schedule as an essential reference, may shift the language they use to describe childhood shots, nudging more parents to simply opt out.

Historically, medical and public-health associations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have aligned their vaccine recommendations with ACIPsbecause those recommendations were all driven by scientific evidence. Now, though, scientific consensus and government position are beginning to diverge: Multiple groups of physicians, scientists, and public-health scholars have issued statements condemning the vaccine decisions of Kennedy and his allies; a number of prominent scientists have now banded together to form a kind of alt-ACIP, dubbing themselves the Vaccine Integrity Project. As the views of fringe vaccine groups become the governments stance, Americans may soon have to choose between following the science and following what their nations leaders say.

Identifying as anti-vaccine has historically been taboo: In a nation where most people remain largely in favor of shots, the term is pejorative, an open acknowledgment that ones views lie outside of the norm. But the more vaccine resistance infiltrates HHS and its advisers, the more whats considered normal may shift toward Kennedys own views on vaccines; ACIPs reputation for evidence-backed thinking could even gild those views with scientific legitimacy. Assembling ones own team of friendly experts is an especially effective way to sanewash extremism, Reiss told me, and to overturn the system through what appear to be normal channels. If the nations most prominent group of vaccine advisers bends toward anti-vaccine, the term loses its extremist edgeand the scientists who argue, based on sound data, that vaccines are safe and effective risk being labeled anti-government.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
The Trump administration has handed over the personal data of immigrant Medicaid enrollees to deportation officials, the Associated Press reports.

Included in the data are the immigration statuses of millions of Medicaid enrollees, which could be used to identify individuals for deportation as part of President Donald Trumps hard-line immigration crackdown.

This has caused notable concern among officials in California due to the raids in Los Angeles by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, supported by troops, which have ignited protests and civil unrest.

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An internal memo and emails obtained by the AP show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully attempted to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns.

They were overruled by two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., who ordered that the dataset be handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails reveal.

RFKpremium (Getty)

The data consists of the details of people living in California, Illinois, Washington State, and Washington, D.C., all so-called sanctuary states that permit non-U.S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs funded solely by state taxpayer dollars.

California Governor Gavin Newsoms office expressed concern that the data would be used for immigration raids supported by the National Guard troops and Marines that President Trump deployed in Los Angeles.

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We deeply value the privacy of all Californians, a statement said.

This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon said the data was shared legally, to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them.

The data includes addresses, names, Social Security numbers and claims data for enrollees in those states, the AP reported, based on details of the memo and two people familiar with what the states sent to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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Officials at CMS were given just 54 minutes on Tuesday to comply with the RFK Jr. teams directive, the outlet reported.

The AP states that Nixon wouldnt answer questions about how Homeland Security would use the data, and DHS officials did not respond to requests for comment.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  As the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, the U.S. Attorneys Office in Rhode Island is pursuing new federal cases against undocumented individuals who re-enter the country after being deported.

On Tuesday, acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Honduran, Guatemalan and Dominican nationals on a charge of illegal re-entry.

The indictments come amid intensifying federal deportation efforts, raising questions about what these charges could mean for those involved.

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Military expert: Deploying National Guard to LA an overstep by Trump

All three individuals had previously been deported from the United States. According to Roger Williams University Clinical Professor of Law Deborah Gonzalez, if convicted, they face serious legal consequences.

The kind of conviction that would prevent that foreign national from obtaining just about any and all relief from immigration deportation in the United States, Gonzalez said.

In addition to illegal re-entry, the indictments include other charges such as simple assault, driving under the influence, and possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

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12 News Law Enforcement Analyst Steven ODonnell said authorities are taking a new, strategic approach to finding undocumented immigrants.

ICE across the countryand even locallyare starting to use the court system and indicting people, ODonnell explained. Finding those criminals, bringing that case in front of a magistrate or a judge in the federal system. They indict them, or they get an arrest warrant and then theyre in the system.

Beyond the threat of deportation, a criminal conviction could permanently bar individuals from returning to the U.S.even if they have children who are citizens, Gonzalez said.

In the past, immigration enforcement efforts were often hindered by legal challenges. But ODonnell noted that with criminal charges involved, obtaining an arrest warrant has become much more straightforward.

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Theyll be indicted for whatever crime. They have the support of the court because the court is ordering the police, ICE: You go out with our permission to do that, to take that persons liberties, ODonnell said.

If convicted, all three individuals could face time in federal prison before being deported, according to Bloom.

NEXT: Providence joins nationwide protests over LA immigration raids

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Richard Grenell, the longtime Trump ally and special presidential envoy, spoke with President Donald Trump this week about potentially running for governor of California.

Grenell, who also serves as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center, said in an interview on The Conversation with Dasha Burns that he would have to take a look at vying for the top job in California if former Vice President Kamala Harris launches a bid of her own.

I want to see if Kamala runs. If Kamala runs, I think there's a whole bunch of Republicans who are going to have to take a look at it, not just me, Grenell said in the interview, which was taped Thursday and scheduled to air in full on Sunday. If she runs, it is going to make me have to take a look at it. Right now, I'm not running for governor.

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Grenell also said he had spoke this week with Trump about a run, but declined to share details about the conversation. Harris is expected to decide on whether to announce a run by the end of the summer.

Grenell, who has a home in the Los Angeles area, traveled with Trump earlier this year to survey wildfire damage. Trump has been sharply critical of Gov. Gavin Newsoms response to the January wildfires and his handling of anti-immigration protests over the past week.

Trump has sent in hundreds of additional military personnel to Los Angeles, heightening tension between protesters and law enforcement. The president also called in the National Guard to Los Angeles against Newsoms wishes, sparking a high-stakes legal battle.

Grenell told POLITICO he believes the Trump administration has more credibility than Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass  even with Democrats.

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I would say that there is zero confidence in Karen Bass and Gavin Newsom right now from Democrats, he said. When Donald Trump decided to send in law enforcement and send in the National Guard and send in the military, there are a lot of Democrats in California who said, 'Thank God,' because Karen Bass isn't cut out to be a leader.

Grenell previously considered a run for governor in California ahead of the 2021 vote to recall Newsom, which ultimately did not pass.

Grenell also weighed in on Trumps visit to the Kennedy Center this week to take in a performance of Les Miserables, arguing that despite the mixed reaction Trump received, the Kennedy Center is now much more tolerant.

I think we want people here who sit next to each other, who voted for somebody completely different for president, Grenell said in the interview, which was taped at the Kennedy Center. You could have somebody sitting next to a Trump supporter who also voted, somebody who voted, for, you know, Bernie Sanders. No one gets vocal and no one gets into an argument because we're watching Les Mis. You know, that's the whole idea of tolerance.
General Motors (GM) is making a big investment in its US production footprint  in part because of uncertainty over President Trump's tariffs.

GM plans to invest $4 billion in certain US plants over the next two years to expand production of some vehicles and reshore production of others from Mexico.

So as we look at our landscape, as we look at the world around us, whether it's the tariff situation, EV adoption, there's a real opportunity to rebalance some of our manufacturing, GM CFO Paul Jacobson said to Yahoo Finance from the Deutsche Bank Auto Conference in Manhattan.

GM said it will add production of the gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet Equinox, which are currently made in Mexico, to the US starting in 2027. GM will also begin making gas-powered full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and light-duty pickup like the Silverado at its Orion Michigan plant, as well as shift EV production from that plant to the Factory Zero Michigan plant, which produces only EVs.

GM said it was No. 1 in overall full-size pickup sales during Q1, which includes Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models with more than 200,00 units sold  its best first quarter since 2007. GM said full-size pickups also had their best Q1 since 2007, with models like the Tahoe, Suburban, and GMC Yukon seeing sales up 31%.

It's clear that EV demand has slowed a bit, so we're able to fill that back at Factory Zero and really convert Orion to a much better-utilized plant for full-size SUVs, which will get us some incremental capacity and help take some of the pressure off our team at Arlington [Texas], but also full-size trucks where well be able to fill that plant up and have a really secure future going forward for [internal combustion engine] production, Jacobson said.

2025 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks are displayed at a Chevrolet dealership in Redford Township, Michigan, U.S., March 27, 2025. REUTERS /Rebecca Cook  REUTERS / Reuters

While rebalancing is a positive in terms of production and shifting powertrains in light of consumer demand makes sense, the moves also address tariffs, at least in the near term.

GM said in early May that it would take a $4 billion to $5 billion hit to EBIT due to tariff exposure, though it would mitigate up to 30% of that cost due to remediation and cost-cutting efforts.

Jacobson said that GMs peak tariff exposure and impact would occur in the second quarter, as the new initiatives will take time to complete. And despite tariff uncertainty, Jacobson said GM has maintained pricing in the environment and even gained market share, despite others cutting prices.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

In terms of imports, GM hasnt thus far altered shipments in other markets including Korea, where the popular Buick Encore GX, Buick Envista, Chevy Trailblazer, and Chevy Trax are produced.
The Brief

We're learning more about the suspect who the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says killed New River pastor William Schonemann.

His death happened on April 28, and two days later, the suspect, Adam Sheafe, was arrested on unrelated charges by Sedona Police.

MCSO says it will submit charges to the county attorney's office for a grand jury indictment.

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - More than a month later, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office publicly named the suspect accused of murdering New River pastor William Schonemann.

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The pastor, remembered as Pastor Bill, was found dead inside his New River home on April 28. He was the pastor at New River Bible Church.

Sources tell FOX 10 Schonemann was found with his arms stretched out with his hands pinned to the wall.

What we know

Court records show that the suspect, 51-year-old Adam Sheafe, had a criminal record spanning the state. He's had run-ins with authorities in Tucson, the High Country, and now, in New River for his alleged role in the pastor's murder.

After a long and exhausting search across the rugged Verde Valley terrain, Sedona Police arrested Sheafe on April 30, on unrelated charges.

Adam Sheafe

He's accused of committing two burglaries in Sedona, including another one in the same area the day before. Hes accused of burglary, trespassing, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

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Investigators also say Sheafe was driving a vehicle that was stolen out of Cave Creek.

Oro Valley Police say Shaefe was arrested for domestic violence in 2013. In past news reports, a female victim accused him of kidnapping and choking her.

Shaefe also spent time in federal prison for bank fraud and aggravated identity theft back in 2018. The district court of Tucson confirmed to FOX 10 that he served 51 months before he was released.

"He has an extensive criminal record in another state, and here," MCSO said.

We were not told what other state he has an extensive criminal history in.

Dig deeper

A surveillance video captured on a Sedona property shows a man in a blue shirt walking into a garage. The man, suspected to be Sheafe, was spotted outside near the pool that was under construction.

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His prominent neck tattoo is on full display.

The homeowner gave FOX 10 footage of the suspected burglary, along with videos showing officers in SWAT gear outside his home on April 30.

What's next

"The information we have indicates the motive was religious in nature and there were a number of future victims planned, some in Arizona and he had taken action in furtherance of those crimes. We have been in contact with those additional victims, and we are investigating or assisting with those incidents as well," MCSO said.

MCSO says it will submit charges to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for a grand jury to formally indict him.
MULLENS, WV (WVNS)  A meeting was held in Wyoming County Thursday afternoon to discuss public transportation coming to the county for the first time.

It all happened at the Mullens Opportunity Center and was hosted by New River Transit.

This project is part of a collaboration between the state, New River Transit, and Bluefield Area Transit to create routes into the county.

They were also there to discuss the fees, routes, and stops with attendees.

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New Dobbins Slashings Preserve in West Virginia is open to the public

Heather Lilly is the Assistant Director with New River Transit.

She said the response from the community was very positive and she hopes this new route will bring in financial and economic opportunities for Wyoming County residents.

New River Transit has expanded in the last 7 years Ive been here and it just gets bigger. Im very excited to be able to help out the community thats not used to having public transportation to get to and from where they are. Heather Lilly, Assistant Director with New River Transit

Lilly says the rollout for the public transportation will be on July 1, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOUTH OGDEN, Utah (ABC4)  A Riverdale man has been charged with sexually abusing a minor family member after her father discovered explicit messages.

The 26-year-old man, who ABC4 is not identifying to protect the victim, has been charged with six felony counts of rape, two felony counts of forcible sodomy, two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and one misdemeanor count of dealing in harmful material to a minor.

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According to documents, the South Ogden Police Department was contacted by the father of a 14-year-old girl, who said that an uncle had been communicating with her through a mobile device. The father had taken her mobile device and discovered frequent communication through text messages, phone calls, and FaceTime.

The father discovered that the 26-year-old man had allegedly engaged in illegal sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old victim, at which point he contacted the police.

Riverdale man charged with sexually assaulting, giving alcohol to underage teen, documents say

During a forensic interview at the Childrens Justice Center with the underage victim, she disclosed to police that she and the 26-year-old man had discussions related to sexual behavior and engaged in sexual acts. The victim also told police that she considered the 26-year-old an uncle.

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Officers reviewed the mobile device and found that explicit images had been exchanged between the 26-year-old and the underage victim. Police and the father used the mobile device to contact the uncle, and he confessed to the victims father that he had sexual intercourse with the child victim.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody by the South Ogden Police Department. During an interview with police, he admitted to engaging in illegal sexual activity with the 14-year-old victim approximately six times between March and May 2025. He also confirmed that he had sent and received explicit images through text.

He was booked into the Weber County Jail and is currently being held without bail. The 26-year-old man has an initial appearance in court on June 17.

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Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

RIVERDALE, Utah (ABC4)  A 28-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting an underage teenage girl after giving her alcohol.

Kyle Anthony Hird, 28, has been charged with two felony counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16/17-year-old and one misdemeanor charge of knowingly offering alcohol to a minor.

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According to documents, a juvenile victim contacted police on Feb. 3, 2025. She told officials that someone she knew from work, Hird, had invited her to his residence the night before. There, he gave her alcohol and sexually assaulted her, and she did not consent but was too intoxicated to stop him.

Daycare employee charged with sexually abusing children, documents say

Using the victims Snapchat, a Riverdale City Police officer contacted Hird and asked what had happened the night before. Hird allegedly responded that he would only speak about the incident in person, saying, Please understand I cannot get in trouble for anything, my kids cant [lose] their dads and s.

Police located and interviewed Hird regarding what happened. He allegedly denied providing the minor victim with alcohol and said that no sexual contact had happened. However, Hird did acknowledge that he was aware of her age.

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A search warrant for Hirds DNA was filed and approved. On June 11, 2025, the forensic report from a Code R Kit (used to test for sexual assault) performed on the victim provided very strong support that Hirds DNA was a match.

Hird has been booked into the Weber County Jail and is currently being held without bail.

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Jun. 13MOSES LAKE  Summer construction season does not always mean road construction. A section of a downtown Moses Lake street got a new sidewalk this week.

Crews from McBoyz Construction, Moses Lake, were out Thursday morning pouring and finishing new sidewalk at the intersection of West Third Avenue and South Balsam Street. The old sidewalk was removed from about half the block of West Third Avenue, along with the corner sections and about half the block along South Balsam Street.

A construction worker stood ankle-deep in wet cement, using a board to spread the concrete into the nooks and crannies. Other workers followed with trowels and a float for the finish work.

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It's the first sidewalk project this side of Westshore Drive, where crews are entering the home stretch of a project that began in early March. About two miles of Westshore are getting a repaved road, along with sidewalks, curbs, gutters and subsurface drainage.

The sidewalks were poured about two weeks ago, and crews are working on the subsurface layer for the new asphalt. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-July and will be the last piece in the reconstruction and improvement of Westshore Drive.

Construction season 2024 was very busy in the Columbia Basin; there's a lot less going on in 2025. The next round of major projects tentatively is scheduled for July, depending on the bid awards.

A project to resurface streets in downtown Moses Lake is being advertised for bid. Both north-south and east-west streets downtown, as well as Hill Avenue and East Wheeler Road, will be resurfaced with chip-seal.

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Traffic revisions are planned once the chip-sealing is finished, with streets that are now two lanes in each direction being reduced to one with a left turn lane added. City engineers also have proposed adding angled parking in some sections of West Third and West Fourth avenues.

A new roundabout is scheduled for construction at the intersection of South First Avenue and State Route 26 in Othello. That project is scheduled to begin in late July or early August.

People who travel on State Route 155 near Omak are being invited to give their opinion on a project to rebuild the bridge over the Okanogan River. An open house to explain the project is scheduled for June 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Omak City Hall, 2 Ash St. Repaving of a section of SR 155 around East Omak Elementary School is planned for the same time.

The project includes a designated route for pedestrians and bikes around the school and across the railroad tracks, according to a press release from the Washington Department of Transportation. Construction for both projects is scheduled to start in early 2027.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Rockford Police arrested William Houston, 32, after a woman accused him of attacking her and a child, according to court records.

On June 11, around 1 p.m., officers were called to the area of Ohio Parkway, off of Broadway, for a domestic violence complaint. The woman victim told authorities she was at a laundromat on 11th Street when the incident started.

Houston repeatedly hit the woman and pulled her hair while he was driving, according to court records. He also punched a child in the face, the woman reported.

William Houston. Photo: Winnebago County Jail

Both of the victims had visible injuries, court records show.

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A witness told authorities she saw the woman attack Houston in the 1600 block of Colorado Avenue.

Williams told officials the woman was the aggressor and that he did not attack her or the child.

Williams is charged with aggravated battery to a child that caused bodily harm, aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon, domestic battery that caused bodily harm, causing a child to be endangered and violation of pretrial release.

If you are a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, visit our Stateline Strong page for resources.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
The Brief

Rodney McWeay is accused of starving his 4-year-old daughter, Treasure, to death, facing 15 felony charges including malice murder.

Witnesses testified about McWeay's struggles with parenting and job stability, and alleged abuse and neglect in the home, including failed interventions by Child Protective Services.

Prosecutors allege McWeay kidnapped his children from Maryland, returned them to Georgia, and neglected them, leading to Treasure's death, with scrutiny over police response to welfare-check requests.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Testimony resumed on Thursday in the murder trial of Rodney McWeay, the Atlanta man accused of starving his 4-year-old daughter, Treasure, to death in December 2023.

What they're saying

Among those who took the stand was McWeays aunt, Dawn Kamara, a prosecution witness who told jurors her nephew struggled with parenting and job stability after moving to Atlanta.

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"I have known him all his life," Kamara said, recounting how she tried to help care for his children when he worked at Dollar Tree. "He was complaining he was bringing them to work," she testified. "I told him he could bring them to me. I would keep them so he could keep his job." When asked if McWeay took her up on that offer, she replied, "No."

Prosecutors allege McWeay killed his daughter in a home filled with abuse and neglect. Atlanta Police Officer Michael Gaither testified about a call he responded to at the familys home, where children had reportedly been left alone. When he arrived, he found the childrens mother locked outside trying to get in.

"The domestic violence history  I was familiar with calls for service at this residence, where Rodney had been arrested," Gaither said.

James Williams, a Fulton County DFCS case manager, testified about failed efforts to intervene after concerns surfaced about alleged abuse  including beatings of the childrens mother.

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"Were you ever able to provide services to the three younger ones?" a prosecutor asked.

"No," Williams replied.

Jurors also heard that six months before Treasures death, Child Protective Services had stepped in. The childrens mother left Atlanta and moved to suburban Washington, D.C., taking her older children with her after what officials described as abuse by McWeay.

However, prosecutors say McWeay later traveled to Maryland, brought the children back to Georgia, and ultimately neglected themleading to Treasures death.

Kamara grew emotional recounting a phone call from the childrens mother.

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"She was crying, yelling. She was begging me to get the boys because something had happened to Treasure," Kamara said.

Treasure McWeay, 4, died Dec. 11 after allegedly being starved to death by her father. She's seen here in a photo provided by a family friend.

The backstory

Rodney McWeay is on trial in Gwinnett County, facing 15 felony charges, including malice murder, after prosecutors allege he kidnapped and starved his 4yearold daughter, Treasure, to death.

According to Fulton County records, the Division of Family and Children Services removed Treasure and her two brothers from McWeays Atlanta duplex in June 2023, citing deplorable living conditions and malnourishment. The children were placed with their mother, who fled to Maryland after alleged domestic violence by McWeay.

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Prosecutors say McWeay traveled to Maryland around July 6, 2023, forcibly took the children and returned them to the same unit. Over the next five months, he allegedly locked the children inside, monitored them via surveillance cameras, and withheld food and water. Treasure died of starvation on Dec. 11, 2023, her body described in court as "just pure bone"

The case has drawn scrutiny over police response: DFCS made at least three welfare-check requests between the kidnapping and Treasures death. Records show officers either failed to respond or delayed arrival by hours. A legal expert noted Atlanta police had a duty to act more promptly under their own policies

McWeay remains jailed without bond. Prosecutors say he faces up to four life sentences plus 112 years if convicted.

SEE ALSO:

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The Source

Court proceedings and records were used for this article. Additional details come from previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a new legal opinion on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, affirming that law enforcement officers can arrest and detain individuals  including undocumented immigrants  who are caught driving without a license. (Getty Images)

A new opinion issued this week by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita asserts that law enforcement officers can arrest and detain individuals caught driving without a license  including undocumented immigrants  and book them into a county jail.

The Republican attorney general said the opinion, dated June 11, was requested by Jackson County Prosecutor Jeff Chalfant and seeks to address a critical public safety issue amid growing concerns about illegal immigration and its impact on Indianas roads.

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Attorney general opinions are legally non-binding.

Rokita maintained that drivers who drive without ever having a license  a Class C misdemeanor under Indiana law  cannot be released from a scene because theyre unable to provide the information required for a written promise to appear in court.

He pointed to a specific state statute allowing traffic offenders to be released without going to jail. But that document must include a valid license number. Because individuals without a license cannot meet that requirement, the opinion concludes they are not eligible for release under state law.

By its terms, the (state) statutes release provision does not apply to a person arrested for the misdemeanor of driving without a license. A person who has never been licensed cannot, by definition, provide a drivers license number ... and therefore is not entitled to be released.

 opinion issued by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita

Hoosiers deserve safe streets, and that starts with ensuring those who break our laws face consequences, Rokita said in a statement. This opinion gives our law enforcement guidance to hold accountable anyone, especially illegal aliens, driving without a license  a crime that puts our communities at risk.

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In a Friday news release, his office further held that illegal aliens operating motor vehicles pose unique and serious safety risks, and that booking an illegal alien at a county jail for driving without a license will ensure that federal authorities are notified of the arrest and able to make arrangements to apprehend the alien if they choose to do so.

Rokita noted that driving without ever being licensed is different from driving on a suspended or revoked license  a violation thats typically treated as an infraction, unless the individual is a repeat offender. The opinion clarifies that law enforcement has full authority to arrest and process individuals who have never received a license.

The attorney general emphasized, too, that undocumented immigrants are unable to obtain valid drivers licenses in Indiana, and that some use out-of-state licenses that are not recognized by Indiana law.

Illegal aliens cannot drive on Indiana roadways because they are barred from obtaining valid licenses, but they do it anyway because they dont respect our laws, Rokita continued in his statement. This opinion should provide clarity on law enforcements ability to detain these offenders, ensuring they face justice rather than being released back onto our streets.

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The opinion also cites U.S. Supreme Court precedents affirming law enforcements ability to arrest for minor criminal offenses and to hold individuals up to 48 hours pending a court determination of probable cause.

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The Brief

It has been nearly one year since the deadly shooting at Round Rock's Juneteenth celebration

RRPD have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting

Round Rock's mayor said there will be lots of police presence to help with safety

ROUND ROCK, Texas - It's been nearly one year since the mass shooting at Round Rock's Juneteenth celebration.

One year ago, a shooting at the Juneteenth celebration between two groups over a social media post injured multiple people and killed two mothers, Lyndsey Vicknair and Ara Duke. They were caught in the crossfire.

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Nearly 10 people have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Preparation for Juneteenth celebration

What they're saying

On Wednesday afternoon, Old Settlers Park was still quiet as crews set up the stage for this year's Juneteenth celebration.

For Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan, it does not go unnoticed that in this year's celebration, there is also a sense of heaviness.

"Its something that youll never forget, you know, serving in this seat," said Morgan. "The last thing you want is to have a loss of life when youre the mayor."

This weekend, Mayor Morgan feels confident about bringing the celebration back.

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"I trust our PD more than anything," said Morgan. "I know what kind of work they do, just kind of with like the investigations. I know they worked tirelessly and still are working tirelessly."

Police have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting.

"Were not going to stop," said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks. "This case just doesnt stop because we have those seven in custody. Anybody that was involved in this tragic incident will be held accountable, and we wont stop until we have everybody that was involved."

Banks said attendees can expect to see his officers at Old Settlers.

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"Well be out, our presence will be known," said Banks. "Well be out there with the crowd and walking around the event.

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, the celebration will pause for a video to remember the victims, followed by two beams of light pointing to the heavens.

"Were not going to let evil stop what were doing," said Banks. "Were a great community, were a great city with great events and our presence will be known, and again, anybody that decides they want to come out and disrupt a great family fun event, were going to be there."

The celebration will be moved to Yonder's Point at Old Settler's Park due to construction. It begins on Friday, June 13, with a barbecue.

The Source

Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Lauren Rangel
A Chinese citizen accused of bringing biological materials related to roundworms into the country for her work at a University of Michigan laboratory has agreed to remain in federal custody.

Chengxuan Han is charged with smuggling goods into the United States and making false statements. She appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit on June 13, two days after an initial detention hearing was adjourned so her attorneys could have more time to review material regarding issues pertinent to bond. Han has been detained since she made an initial appearance June 9.

One of her attorneys, Sara Garber, told the court that "(t)his is a constantly evolving situation involving a large number of factors" including the criminal charges, implications on Han's professional career, considerations in the United States and China, a language barrier and a need for an interpreter.

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"This situation is fluid. My client consents to detention without prejudice to remain in federal custody at this time," Garber told the court. "We have been working diligently on this matter."

Garber had no additional comment after the hearing. A preliminary exam is set for June 30.

Han appeared in court wearing an orange jumper with Sanilac County written on the back. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore thin eyeglasses. Her hands were handcuffed in front of her.

Han had a Mandarin Chinese interpreter, but spoke some English when answering yes or no questions posed by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Stafford. Han put a tissue to her nose toward the end of the hearing and could be heard sniffling.

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She is pursuing a doctoral degree from the College of Life Science and Technology in the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, according to a court filing.

More: Detention hearing adjourned for Chinese citizen accused in fungus smuggling case

Feds: Chinese citizens charged with smuggling harmful fungus for research at U-M

From September 2024 to March, the records indicated, she was listed as the sender of four packages of concealed or mis-manifested biological material addressed to two people associated with a lab at U-M. The packages did not contain the correct documentation and were not imported per U.S. Department of Agriculture or U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations, according to an affidavit.

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Han arrived at Detroit Metro Airport from Shanghai on a J-1 visa June 8 and customs officers conducted an inspection and interview. She denied sending the packages to members of the lab, according to the affidavit, but when pressed, admitted to shipping them, with the materials from her research lab at the Chinese university. It indicated the packages contained plasmids and petri dishes of C. elegans (nematode worms).In a separate case earlier this month, Yunqing Jian, 33, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements and visa fraud. They are accused of smuggling a fungus that causes a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice so that Liu could research the pathogen at a U-M lab where Jian works.

Jian agreed June 13 to be detained during a detention hearing in federal court. Liu is accused of smuggling the fungus, identified as Fusarium graminearum, into the country at the airport in clear plastic baggies in his backpack July 27. Customs officers denied him entry and processed him for expedited removal back to China, according to an affidavit.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.

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Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In roundworms smuggling case, Chinese citizen to be held in detention
Google is offering buyouts to certain employees in the United States and requiring more workers to return to offices as it continues to shift toward AI.

Most Read from Fast Company



The voluntary exit program, as Google calls it, is being offered to employees on the communications, core, knowledge and information (which includes search, ads, and commerce), marketing, and research teams, Google confirmed with Fast Company on Wednesday.

The buyouts would see Google provide employees with a pay and benefits package in exchange for their exit.

Earlier this year, some of our teams introduced a voluntary exit program with severance for US-based Googlers, and several more are now offering the program to support our important work ahead, Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini said in a statement. A number of teams are also asking remote employees who live near an office to return to a hybrid work schedule in order to bring folks more together in-person.

A new era for Google as search habits evolve

The exact details of this deal are to follow, according to a memo reportedly sent by Jen Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of core systems. CNBC reports that mid- to senior-level employees in the Peoples Operations unit received up to 14 weeks of their salary plus another week for every completed year on the job during a previous buyout in February.

CNBC and Business Insider reported on the memo on Tuesday.

Fitzpatrick reportedly stated that AI is reshaping everythingour products, our tools, the way we work, how we work, how we innovate and so on. She continued, To meet this transformational moment, we need everyone to show up with an unparalleled sense of energy and enthusiasm for Cores mission, connecting and collaborating at speed so that we can tackle all of the ambitious work we need to do.

Meeting the moment also means being willing to commute up to 50 miles to the office three times a week. In the same memo, Google reportedly announced that all employees within that distance of an approved return site must come in 60% of the time.

Taking the stance that workers must show face to perform well, Google reportedly stated, We want to ensure Core Googlers are fully committed to being here and actively contributing. These programs will help us be even more focused on our mission and will enable us to operate with greater velocity, efficiency and collaboration.
SELIGMAN, Arizona  They came suddenly and in numbers, cars and trucks weighed down with their owners worldly possessions. Angel Delgadillo was a boy when those hundreds of thousands of Dust Bowl refugees drove through his tiny hometown on Route 66, heading for California and the promise of work on farms so fertile, it was said, that fruit fell from the trees.

He and his friends used to run to a nearby building at night and wait for the passing vehicles headlights to cast their shadows on the white stucco wall. They danced and watched their shadows change as the cars neared.

And as a car left, he remembered, our shadows went with them.

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Delgadillos entire life, all 98 years, has played out along what John Steinbeck called the mother road, the road of flight. He and his eight siblings grew up on the route; he went to barber college in the Route 66 town of Pasadena, California, and then apprenticed for two years at a barber shop in another route town 43 miles east of his home  Williams, Arizona  before returning to Seligman to run his parents pool hall and barbershop.

As Route 66 aficionados look to the historic roadways 100th anniversary next year, most agree there would probably not be a centennial to celebrate if not for Delgadillo.

Theyre right, he said with a smile, sitting in his barbershop chair on a Friday in June.

An estimated 9,000 cars once passed through Seligman every 24 hours, Delgadillo said, until Interstate 40 bypassed it and other towns along Arizonas Route 66 corridor. The time, he recalled, was around 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 22, 1978.

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When you lose something so important, your livelihood, how can you forget that moment? he said. Listen to me: We knew we were gonna get bypassed, but we did not know how devastating it was going to be. The world just forgot about us. County officials didnt know about us. State officials, highway officials, the feds  it was like they told us, Angel, if you can swim out of it, swim out of it. If you cant, drown.

Businesses shuttered. People left. Delgadillo, his wife Vilma and four children considered doing the same.

Seligman was heading to its grave.

It was a very, very sad moment, he said. First, it was so sad. Then I got so angry.

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Then he did something about it.

Enlisting the help of his older brother Juan, who built the Seligman institution Delgadillos Snow Cap, and others, he formed the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in February 1987. They wrote letters to state highway officials telling them to step in and preserve the route. At first, they were ignored.

But, you know what, he said, those big boys in Phoenix didnt know who they were up against.

By November that same year, the states transportation department designated 83 miles of Route 66, from Seligman west to Kingman, as a historic road. Delgadillos association kept up its pressure, eventually convincing the state to add more miles.

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Today, the entire expanse is recognized by the state as a historic road, and Arizona boasts the longest remaining stretch of uninterrupted Route 66 in the country, starting at the California border and ending nearly 160 miles east near Ash Fork.

To fight the government, you lose. Go to city hall and try to convince them, you lose, Delgadillo said. We had to fight our state government and we succeeded. We the people.

Delgadillo soon fielded phone calls from would-be preservationists in the other seven states the route traverses. They wanted to know how they could protect their portions of the road.

Form your association, he told them.

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Delgadillos efforts have earned Seligman the title of the birthplace of historic Route 66, and Delgadillo, the guardian angel of Route 66. He retired from cutting hair a few years ago; the barbershop inside the Route 66 gift shop that bears his and his wife Vilmas names is now something of a shrine to his and his familys legacy.

Route 66 travelers from all over the world make a pilgrimage to Seligman to see him. More often than not these days, they see a life-sized cardboard cutout of his likeness instead. When he does stop in, like on that Friday in June, hes quickly surrounded by people wanting to have their pictures taken with him.

Its as though they have known me forever, he said with a chuckle. Its overwhelming. Theyre so thankful. It is mind boggling.

In retirement, he continues to help celebrate his beloved town and route. He started building birdhouses constructed using 100-year-old lumber from his grandparents Seligman restaurant that once stood on Route 66 before it was torn down.

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Each birdhouse is numbered. Last week, he finished number 268. He has enough wood for another 30.

They sell for $100.66 at the gift shop. The proceeds are being donated to help Seligman construct Route 66 welcome signs at either end of town ahead of next years centennial.
A row has erupted after a senior minister said the majority of people crossing the English Channel in small boats he had seen were "children, babies and women".

Treasury minister Darren Jones and Reform UK's Zia Yusuf clashed on the BBC's Question Time over the age and sex of people making the journey.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called on Jones to apologise for saying something that was not true.

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But the minister later said he had been referring to what he had seen on a recent visit to Border Security Command in Dover.

He added: "Of course the overall majority of people arriving illegally on small boats are men - but not 'north of 90%' as Reform claimed."

In the first three months of 2025, there were 6,420 small boat arrivals where the age and sex of the person was recorded, according to Home Office figures.

Of these, 81% (5,183) were adult men.

In the same period, of the 531 child arrivals (aged 17 and under), 427 of them were male and 104 female. There is no further age breakdown, so we don't know how many babies were amongst them.

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In the whole of 2024, 76% of small boat arrivals, where the sex and age are known, were adult male.

In the Question Time exchange on Thursday, Jones said: "Let me tell you, when you're there on the site, seeing these dinghies put together by these organised criminal gangs, which are clearly not safe.

"And when you see that the majority of the people in these boats are children, babies and women you have got to take note."

At this point in the debate, Jones was interrupted by Yusuf, who claimed more than 90% of those who cross the Channel in small boats are adult men.

"That's not true," Jones said.

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Yusuf and BBC presenter Fiona Bruce asked Jones to clarify if he disputed the 90% figure.

"I'm saying it's not true," Jones said.

He then added: "When there are babies and children put into that position by human trafficking gangs who are coming across the Channel with skin burns from the oil in those boats, mixing with the salt sea water, I would ask any of you to look at those babies and children and say go back where you came from."

He said the government could take a "humanitarian response" whilst tackling people-smuggling gangs without politicising the issue.

Apology call

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Jones to apologise, saying: "We're not going to have any trust in the government or politicians if people can't believe what it is they are saying.

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"So I think Darren Jones should absolutely retract his remarks and apologise."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage argued what Jones had said was "simply not true".

"Another clueless Labour minister," Farage posted on social media.

Jones hit back in a post on X, saying: "Of course the overall majority of people arriving illegally on small boats are men - but not 'north of 90%' as Reform claimed.

"On Question Time, I shared a story from my visit to the Border Security Command about a dinghy that arrived mostly carrying women, children and babies who had suffered horrific burns.

"I'm happy to clarify this given how this is now being misrepresented".

Additional reporting: Joshua Nevett
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday evening the U.S. was not involved in Israeli strikes inside Iran, making an effort to distance Washington from getting involved in the attack between the two adversaries.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel, he added.

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The Israeli launch, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites, comes as Trump and his administration have been working for weeks to reach a deal with Tehran on a nuclear agreement.

Hours before the strikes in Iran, Trump had cautioned that an Israeli strike on Iranian sites would could threaten the U.S.s nuclear talks.

As long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But also could blow it, Trump told reporters when asked if he had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against firing into Iran.

Trump acknowledged several weeks ago that he had, indeed, warned Netanyahu against taking any action that could threaten talks.

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Well, Id like to be honest. Yes, I did. Next question, please? Trump said.

Israel launched the attack overnight, saying it targeted nuclear and military sites. While it was not clear what had been hit in the strikes, The Associated Press reported, smoke was seen in western Tehran.

Israels military said in a statement it launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Irans nuclear program and that the strikes were on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.

Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past, the military said.

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Trump administration officials are expected to meet this weekend for another round of talks with Iran. Its unclear whether the strikes will impact those planned negotiations.

The president in May had expressed optimism that a deal was close with Iran, but he has in recent days sounded a more pessimistic note and warned that Iran was getting more aggressive.

Trump administration officials said this week it was downsizing its footprint in Iraq, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has greenlighted the departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and portions of South and Central Asia.

Filip Timotija contributed.

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Russian forces attacked over 30 settlements in Kherson Oblast on 12 June, killing one person and injuring seven.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: The Russians attacked Kherson Oblast using artillery, drones and aircraft. At least 35 settlements came under fire, including the city of Kherson and the settlements of Antonivka, Dudchany, Bilozerka, Beryslav, Shyroka Balka, Stanislav, Novooleksandrivka, Tiahynka, Osokorivka, Sofiivka, Naddniprianske, Komyshany, Kozatske and others.

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One person was killed and seven others injured on Thursday due to Russian aggression.

Kherson Oblast Military Administration reported that Russian strikes had targeted residential areas and critical and social infrastructure. Four apartment buildings, 13 houses, a petrol station, an outbuilding and cars were damaged in the attacks.

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Since the evening of 12 June, Russian forces have attacked Ukraine with four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 55 Shahed-type attack UAVs and various types of decoy drones; 43 targets were destroyed, but there were nine strikes.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram

Quote: "As of 09:00, air defence has downed 43 enemy Shahed-type UAVs and other types of drones in the north, east and south of the country. Twenty-eight were shot down by firepower, and 15 disappeared from radar/were suppressed by electronic warfare."

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Details: It is reported that the Russians attacked Kharkiv, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.

Strikes were recorded in nine locations.

The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units and mobile fire groups from the Ukrainian defence forces.

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Editor's note: This story was updated to include a comment from Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi.

Russia's Foreign Ministry expressed "extreme concern" on June 13 over Israel's recent strike on Iran, calling it a dangerous escalation that violated the United Nations Charter and international law.

Moscow, which currently wages war against Ukraine, the largest conflict on the European continent since World War II, condemned Israel's attack as an "unprovoked aggression."

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Earlier on June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces had launched "Operation Rising Lion," a preemptive strike targeting Iran's nuclear program. In a televised address, Netanyahu claimed Israeli forces struck Iran's main nuclear enrichment site in Natanz and targeted key nuclear scientists.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry denounced Israel's overnight attacks as "unprovoked military strikes" targeting a sovereign U.N. member's nuclear facilities. The ministry said the international community "cannot remain indifferent" to such actions that undermine global and regional stability.

The statement called it "cynical" that the strikes occurred during a session of the International Atomic Energy Agency and just before another round of indirect IranU.S. talks in Oman, scheduled for June 15.

Moscow said this timing undermined diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing confrontations over Tehran's nuclear program.

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The ministry accused Western countries of fueling "anti-Iranian hysteria" in international forums and warned that military solutions cannot resolve the Iranian nuclear issue. It urged all parties to show restraint to avoid a full-scale regional war.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi responded to Russia's statement, saying it was "one of those awkward moments when the Russian Foreign Ministry comments on the Middle East but forgets to look at the mirror."

Russian condemnation comes as Moscow and Tehran continue to strengthen their ties. Iran's parliament ratified on May 21 a 20year strategic partnership agreement with Russia, deepening military and economic cooperation.

While the pact does not include mutual defense, it outlines joint military exercises, energy cooperation, and interbank links designed to circumvent Western sanctions.

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Iran has also supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles used against Ukraine throughout Moscow's war.

Previously, Moscow claimed its willingness to remove excess nuclear material from Iran, converting it into reactor fuel in support of U.S.Iran nuclear talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is prepared to assist if both Iran and the U.S. find its help valuable.

Read also: Israel launches preemptive air strikes on Irans nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

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Russia is exploiting automatic medical exemptions in EU sanctions regulations to import dual-use goods for its military, Lithuania's Deputy Foreign Minister Gabija Grigaite-Daugirde told Bloomberg on June 12.

According to Grigaite-Daugirde, Lithuanian customs authorities blocked 28,854 goods in 2024 that were allegedly destined for Russia and Belarus "under the guise of medical exemption."

Many of the flagged shipments contained parts for motor vehicles, refrigerators, copiers, and microelectronics  all of which can have military applications.

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"We have witnessed parts for motor vehicles, refrigerators, copying machines, and other types of microelectronics being exported directly to Russia, claiming that these are bound for medical use," she said.

Under current EU rules, medical exemptions are automatically granted, leaving customs authorities to investigate the shipments retroactively. Lithuania has called for reforms allowing exporters to apply for exemptions before shipments are approved.

"Leaving automatic exemptions from sanctions for medical goods is like closing a door but leaving a keyhole," Grigaite-Daugirde said. "Russia definitely finds a way to pass."

As Moscow shifts to a wartime economy and seeks Western-made technology for its arms production, its efforts to circumvent sanctions have grown "desperate," she added.

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Lithuania, a key EU and NATO member bordering both Belarus and Russia's heavily militarized Kaliningrad exclave, has taken a hardline stance on enforcement and regularly pushes for tougher sanctions within the bloc.

Read also: Why cant the West match Russias ammunition production?

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At least four civilians were killed and 24 injured over the past day in Russian attacks across Ukraine, Ukrainian officials said on June 13.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia targeted the country with 55 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as four Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles launched from Russian territory.

Ukraine's air defenses shot down 28 drones, while 15 were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars.

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In Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said Russian troops shelled and launched drone and air strikes on dozens of settlements, including Kherson city. The attacks hit residential areas and critical infrastructure, damaging four apartment buildings and 13 houses. One person was killed and seven were wounded.

In Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that seven civilians were injured, including an 11-year-old child, during Russian attacks on seven settlements. Russian forces used 16 unguided rockets, six guided bombs, and over 20 drones, including Shaheds and first-person view (FPV) units. Civilian infrastructure, including houses and factory buildings in Kupiansk, Izium, and Bohodukhiv districts, sustained significant damage.

In Sumy Oblast, two people were injured when a Russian drone struck civilian infrastructure in the Mykolaivka community, regional officials said. Over the past 24 hours, Russia carried out more than 50 attacks on 25 settlements using FPV drones, multiple-launch rocket systems, and guided bombs.

In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said one person was killed and three injured in Russian attacks on the region. Russian forces launched nearly 500 strikes across the region, including 283 drone attacks, mainly FPV types, and 10 air strikes.

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In Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said two civilians were killed, while five others were injured across the region.

Read also: Ukraine secures return of 5 children from Russia, Russian-occupied territories

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Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast over 50 times on 12 June. Twenty-five settlements have come under attack, two women aged 88 and 57 have been injured and infrastructure facilities and residential buildings have been damaged.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: Russian forces struck 25 settlements in 11 hromadas in Sumy Oblast from the morning of 12 June to the morning of 13 June. The most intense attacks were recorded in the Sumy and Shostka districts. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

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The Russians fired over 50 munitions and drones: 35 strikes were conducted with multiple-launch rocket systems, over 10 with guided aerial bombs and 20 VOG high-explosive fragmentation grenade drops from UAVs. The Russians also used FPV drones.

Two women aged 88 and 57 have been injured in a drone attack on civilian infrastructure in the Mykolaivka hromada. Both suffered shrapnel wounds.

A house was completely destroyed in the Seredyna-Buda hromada. An outbuilding was damaged in the Putyvl hromada.

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Taking on a dual role may become the norm for chief financial officersespecially those who are also chief operating officersas companies face increasing complexity.

Theres an increasing trend of CFOs taking on the COO role, and some large companies are combining the functions to create a hybrid position. For Blocks Amrita Ahuja and Hasbros Gina Goetter, who both hold COO and CFO titles, it isnt just about managing numbersits about shaping the future of their companies.

Hasbro, the largest publicly traded toymaker in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, has a significant manufacturing footprint. Every decision is inherently operational or financial, Goetter said during a panel session at the Fortune COO Summit on Tuesday with Ahuja and moderated by Next to Lead editor Ruth Umoh.

Its very blended, Goetter explained. You cant do one without the other, and I find combining them actually creates a lot of simplicity across the organization.

As a CFO, you have the vantage point of the entire company strategy, Goetter noted. The finance chief is one of the few individuals who can connect all the pieces together in both strategy and execution. That strategy is deeply embedded in operations, she said.

Block, a Fortune 500 fintech company, offers customers financial options such as payment plans through Afterpay, various lending choices for Square sellers, and the ability for Cash App users to split paycheck deposits among cash, Bitcoin, or stocks. Ahuja provided an example of the value of having the dual CFO-COO role.

She is leading automation efforts, using generative AI and shared platforms to streamline everything from contract management to financial forecasting. Because our teams are together, we can share infrastructure and insights across the organization, Ahuja said.

Goetter, who joined Hasbro in 2023, pointed to navigating tariffs and macro uncertainty. By overseeing both operations and finance, she can balance day-to-day supply-chain and customer management with the companys financial health. This helps her make practical, no regret decisionsavoiding overanalysiswhile ensuring Hasbro doesnt end up with excess inventory in the wrong places, as happened after COVID.

Im confident that were not going to be in the same position we were coming out of COVID, where were sitting with action figures all over the world, Goetter said.

But the dual CFO-COO role can be complex. The tension in the role is aspiration and discipline, Ahuja noted. As CFO, you advocate for growth while ensuring responsible capital allocation, she explained. As COO, you enable the business to move quickly but responsibly. She added: No COO role is alike. At Block, in addition to overseeing finance, she leads the legal and people functions, oversees communications and policy, and serves as chairperson of Square Financial Services, the companys industrial bank.
Moscow may instigate a crisis in Moldova's Russian-occupied Transnistria region to destabilize the country ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for September, Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on June 12, according to Moldovan outlet Newsmaker.

"All these years, Russia has been using the residents of Transnistria and can provoke an even greater crisis at any moment if it suits its plans in Moldova," Sandu said.

"We can expect this crisis to deepen in the coming months, before the elections."

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The president's comments come after Transnistria declared a 30-day state of emergency on June 11, due to a sharp reduction in natural gas supplies.

The unrecognized region, located along Moldova's eastern border with Ukraine, has faced mounting energy shortages since January, when Russian gas giant Gazprom halted deliveries.

Sandu, a pro-European leader of the country, warned that Moscow could combine voter bribery and political manipulation with "blackmail" in Transnistria.

"Russia may promise assistance in exchange for votes on the Right Bank. We can expect all sorts of games," the president said.

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In February, Moldova's government revealed that Transnistria rejected a 60 million euros ($62 million) EU energy aid package under pressure from Moscow.

The Moldovan president assured that the country's institutions are monitoring the risks and pledged that the elections would be "free and fair," despite growing instability.

Sandu emphasized that Chisinau is prepared to support the population in Transnistria but must first address "the main problem  the withdrawal of Russian troops."

"This is a key issue that we must resolve peacefully, because otherwise we will not be able to justify our financial support," she said.

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Moscow continues to maintain a military presence in Transnistria, which has been under the control of pro-Russian separatists since the early 1990s. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that around 1,000 to 1,500 Russian troops are currently stationed in the region.

Chisinau has repeatedly called for the peaceful reintegration of Transnistria and the withdrawal of Russian forces, citing it as essential to Moldova's security and development.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean earlier told the Financial Times that Russia plans to send 10,000 troops to Transnistria and establish a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova.

Read also: Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns

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Moldovan President Maia Sandu believes Russia may trigger an even deeper crisis in Transnistria, the Russian-backed breakaway region on the left bank of the Dnister, in an effort to destabilise Moldova ahead of this autumns parliamentary elections and influence voting there.

Source: Sandu on Moldovan TV channel PRO TV, as reported by European Pravda, citing Moldovan news outlet Newsmaker

Details: Sandu expects the crisis to deepen in the coming months.

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"All these years, Russia has been using the residents of Transnistria and can provoke an even greater crisis at any moment if it suits its plans in Moldova. We can expect this crisis to deepen in the coming months, before the elections," Sandu said.

The president also believes that Russia may try not only to bribe voters in Transnistria but also to blackmail the population by deliberately provoking instability in the region.

"Russia may promise assistance in exchange for votes on the right bank [i.e. Moldovan government-controlled territory]. We can expect all kinds of games," she added.

Meanwhile, Sandu said that the relevant state authorities are assessing the risks and will do everything possible to ensure this autumns elections are free and fair.

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"We will do everything possible to ensure that the elections are genuine," Sandu stressed, noting that the situation in Transnistria remains unstable and that Chisinau is ready to support the population of the left bank of the Dnister, but first the Moldovan authorities must resolve "the main problem  the withdrawal of Russian troops".

"This is a key issue that we must resolve peacefully, because otherwise we will not be able to justify our financial support," Sandu concluded.

Background:

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said in an interview with the Financial Times that Russia wants to deploy 10,000 troops in the separatist Transnistrian region of Moldova and establish a pro-Kremlin government in Chisinau.

In response, Sandu said she had "certain information" that Russia was preparing to expand its military contingent in Transnistria.

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Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned on June 13 that Russia has begun preparing strategic military reserves, signaling plans for military operations that may extend beyond Ukraine.

"According to our intelligence, Russia has started to prepare strategic reserves, which indicates plans for combat operations not only in Ukraine," Sybiha said during the Globsec conference in Prague, calling for urgent diplomatic and economic pressure.

"Allies need full diplomatic mobilization to stop this war. This is not just a question for Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin only understands strength, and right now it's crucial to apply sanctions in a timely manner, using them as economic weapons to pressure Russia," Sybiha said.

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The comments come as Russia intensifies its military offensives and missile strikes across Ukraine, despite participating in two recent rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. The first talks were held on May 16, followed by a second meeting on June 2. While both rounds produced agreements on prisoner exchanges, they failed to secure a ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a June 12 interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that Russia is using the talks to delay tougher U.S. sanctions, while continuing to escalate attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Russia also continues to issue nuclear threats to Western countries. Putin claimed on June 11 that Russia possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems, with 95% of its strategic nuclear forces reportedly made up of modern equipment.

Putin emphasized the need to significantly strengthen Russia's ground forces. Russian defense spending has surged to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War, as Moscow continues to ramp up its military investment amid the ongoing war.

Read also: What Russias 1 million casualties mean for Ukraine

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia said on Friday it had conducted large-scale tests of new laser-based systems to defend against drones.

A government statement described the new technology as "promising" and said it had been tested against various types of drone in different weather conditions.

It said the anti-drone lasers would become part of a "universal air defence system" that President Vladimir Putin said this week Russia needed to build.

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"The test results will be used to refine existing models and create systems capable of providing reliable protection against modern air attack weapons. Conducting tests allows us to move on to serial production and upscaling," the statement said. An accompanying video showed charred debris from a destroyed drone.

Both sides have deployed drones on a huge scale in the Russia-Ukraine war, using them to spot and hit targets not only on the battlefield but way beyond the front lines.

Ukrainian drones have frequently struck sites deep inside Russia such as oil depots, refineries and airfields, highlighting the need for Moscow to boost its defences.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian drones smuggled close to air bases in trucks inflicted serious damage to Russia's long-range bomber fleet.

(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by William Maclean)
WARSAW (Reuters) -A Russian aircraft was intercepted over the Baltic Sea by two British fighter jets on Friday after it flew two kilometres inside Polish airspace, the Polish armed forces said on Friday.

The planes intercepted and identified the Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft, which then left Polish airspace.

"This is another case of provocative testing of the readiness of NATO countries' systems," the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command wrote on social media platform X.

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Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Western military alliance ramped up its presence along its eastern flank, sending more fighter jets there and setting up ground-based air defences.

The army said a pair of British fighters, stationed in Poland as part of NATO's so-called Air Policing effort, were scrambled before the Polish border was breached. The planes intercepted and identified the plane, and the incident is being analysed by the appropriate NATO commands, the army said.

(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Karol Badohal; Editing by William Maclean)
By Lucy Papachristou

LONDON (Reuters) -A 73-year-old American jailed by Russia as a mercenary for Ukraine protested his innocence when his U.S.-based legal team and family finally tracked him down in April, months after he vanished into the vast Russian prison system, they said.

Stephen Hubbard, a retired schoolteacher, was sentenced last October to almost seven years in a penal colony after a court found him guilty of serving in a Ukrainian territorial defence unit against Russian forces, tasked with manning a checkpoint.

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Russian state media reported that he had entered a guilty plea in the closed-door trial.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has not been granted consular access to Hubbard, a State Department spokesperson said, adding that U.S. officials have requested his immediate release.

Martin De Luca, his U.S.-based lawyer, told Reuters it was not until this April that his legal team learned Hubbard was being held in a facility in the Mordovia region, east of Moscow.

"The first thing Hubbard wanted to talk about when he was able to make contact with the outside world was: 'It's not true,'" said De Luca, who made his first public comments on the case to the New York Times this week.

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"They (Russian soldiers) grabbed him from his house. He was not in any combat or military unit", De Luca recalled Hubbard saying.

Joseph Coleman, a son from Hubbard's first marriage who lives in Cyprus, said he spoke to his father in prison by phone for less than five minutes on May 28.

"He did sound a little down," Coleman told Reuters. "He said, 'I'm tired of being a slave.'"

At least eight other Americans are currently imprisoned in Russia, which has stepped up arrests of alleged mercenaries for Ukraine since its 2022 invasion of its neighbour.

But Hubbard is the only one designated by the U.S. as "wrongfully detained," making him a top candidate to be returned in any future prisoner exchange. The Kremlin said last month the two sides were discussing a possible swap involving nine people on each side.

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A document written on the letterhead of the IK-12 penal colony, signed by a prison official and seen by Reuters, says that Hubbard is incarcerated there.

Russia's federal prison service did not respond to an emailed request for confirmation from Reuters. Other U.S. citizens previously jailed in Russia have been incarcerated in the same region.

VIDEO CLUES

Hubbard, a Michigan native who taught English abroad for decades, had moved to Izium in eastern Ukraine in 2014 to be with a Ukrainian girlfriend, but by 2022 he was living there alone, his family said. Russian forces captured Izium in April 2022.

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After his arrest, his family struggled to establish what had happened to him.

They caught glimpses of him in videos posted online in pro-war Russian Telegram channels. One showed what appeared to be a staged interrogation.

In another, Hubbard appeared with his hands zip-tied and whimpered as a man slapped him with a plastic sandal. His sister, Patricia Hubbard Fox, identified her brother in both videos in conversations with Reuters. The agency could not verify when and where the videos were taken.

"He is so non-military," Hubbard Fox told Reuters last year, expressing doubt that her brother would have taken up arms for any state.

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"He never had a gun, owned a gun, done any of that... He's more of a pacifist."

TRACKING HIM DOWN

After Hubbard's trial, De Luca and his team at a U.S. law firm began working to secure his release.

They picked up the case in late February. It wasn't easy to find him, De Luca said.

"Russia is still a functioning country. There are laws, bureaucracies, processes that get followed," he said.

The team located Hubbard at the penal colony in Molochnitsa, a very small town about a seven-hour drive from Moscow.

De Luca said the team has been able to call Hubbard three times since April. He described him as weak after months living in a prisoner-of-war camp.

(Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
A Harvard scientist who spent months in custody on a federal smuggling charge was released Thursday after a bail hearing in Boston.

Russian citizen Kseniia Petrova was stopped in February at Boston's Logan Airport by Customs and Border Protection agents as she returned on a flight from Paris. The Justice Department said in a press release that a search of her bags turned up undeclared frog embryos and embryonic samples. Petrova initially denied carrying biological materials but later admitted to it, the Justice Department said.

According to a court filing by Petrova's attorney, the materials were "non-hazardous, noninfectious, and non-toxic" and she was transporting them at the request of the leader of a research group at Harvard Medical School.

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"Having no prior experience transporting biological samples," her attorney wrote, she "was unfamiliar with U.S. customs requirements regarding these samples. She simply placed the samples in her luggage and did not declare them to CBP at the time of her entry."

But prosecutors allege that texts on her phone from a colleague show that she had been informed she would need to declare the materials.

Harvard University researcher Kseniia Petrova, 30, smiles after being released on bail from federal custody at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Leah Willingham / AP

Upon discovery, CBP canceled Petrova's visa and she was taken into custody. She was sent to an ICE detention facility in Vermont and then transferred to another ICE facility in Louisiana. In May, Petrova was released from ICE custody, but remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service, according to The Associated Press.

Petrova was a researcher at Harvard's Kirschner Lab, which focuses on cell and development biology, including cancer research. Colleagues testified on her behalf, saying she is doing valuable research and "excellent science," AP reported.

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"It remains difficult to understand why someone like Kseniia had to spend four months in jail. She poses no danger and has deep ties to her community," Petrova's attorney, Gregory Romanovsky, wrote in a statement to CBS News.

"Her work has the potential to improve lives around the globe  including here in the United States," he added.

Petrova's immigration case is ongoing, but Romanovsky said that she hasn't yet decided whether she will stay in the U.S. if she is permitted to.

CBS News has also reached out to Harvard for comment..

A probable cause hearing is set for June 18.

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Friday that a leak on the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) had been repaired, the Interfax news agency reported.

NASA on Thursday indefinitely delayed a four-person crew's mission to the ISS over an escalating probe into air leaks aboard the orbiting laboratory's Russian segment.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy PapachristouEditing by Andrew Osborn)
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A Russian SU-25 fighter jet reportedly crashed over Donetsk Oblast on June 13, Russian social media channels reported.

Videos posted on social media of the purported crash by bloggers with close ties to the Russian Air Force appear to show the plane crashing into a field after closely being followed by another fighter jet. The circumstances of the crash remain unclear as rumours swirl of Russian 'friendly fire' as a potential cause of the crash.

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The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the crash or the details surrounding it. Neither the Ukrainian nor Russian military have commented on the reported crash.

The Su-25, a Soviet-designed close-air support aircraft developed by Sukhoi in the late 1970s, is built for battlefield survivability. It features heavy armor and can withstand enemy fire.

The aircraft has been widely used in various conflicts, including in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and, more recently, in Ukraine, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces operate the platform.

Ukraine has downed multiple Russian Su-25s throughout the war. On Feb. 8, Ukraine's military reported shooting down a Russian Su-25 near the town of Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast.

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In another instance, Russia's Defense Ministry said on on March 24 that Russian Su-25 attack aircraft crashed during a routine training flight in Primorye Krai in Russia's Far East.

The incident comes less than two week following Ukraine's 'Operation Spiderweb' in which Ukrainian drones smuggled deep inside Russia and hidden inside trucks struck as many as 41 Russian heavy bombers at four airfields across the country.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Jun. 12SALEM, S.D.  The cluck of controversy returned to Salem this week as the idea of allowing backyard chickens was raised during the public comment portion of the town's City Council meeting.

Ashley Urrutia, a McCook Central High School graduate who returned to Salem after several years away, presented a detailed proposal seeking to amend the city ordinance that currently prohibits fowl within city limits.

Urrutia's plan calls for strict regulations, including a permit process, a limit of six hens per household, a ban on roosters and breeding, and approval from adjacent property owners.

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"This isn't just about chickens," Urrutia said. "It's about community resilience, food security, and giving residents more freedom over their property."

Urrutia pointed to Sioux Falls as an example of a city that has successfully implemented an urban chicken ordinance, allowing up to six hens under controlled conditions. She said her proposal includes additional measures that were missing from past proposals, such as a three-strikes enforcement rule, required site plans for coops and runs, and location restrictions ensuring the facilities are in rear or side yards and not unsightly.

Council Member Doug Mokros, who contacted 13 municipalities that allow chickens prior to the meeting in preparation, said Urrutia's proposal was more restrictive than most. The discussion was held Tuesday, June 10 at the new Salem city hall and community center building

"I feel with this proposal, Ashley has done her due diligence," Mokros said. "She worked very hard at this. I think she's stricter than almost all of them that I have researched."

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Council members did not take a vote on the issue but offered varying feedback. Mitch Rayman said the topic hadn't come before the council in several years, although city records show a discussion took place at a May 2022 meeting. At that time, four of five council members opposed any change to the ordinance.

Rayman said he recently polled 50 residents in his ward, with 47 opposing chickens in town. Council Member Janet Karel reported similar results from her conversations with constituents.

Mayor Glenda Blindert said she was open to the idea in principle but pointed to broader issues with animal control.

"I'm not against it, but before we add chickens to the list, we need to figure out how to better patrol the animals we already allow, like cats and dogs," Blindert said.

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Urrutia said she tried to account for those concerns.

"Hopefully the steps it will take to get a permit for chickens will weed out problem owners from the get-go," she said.

Former Mayor Robin Rayman spoke in favor of the change, recalling her own effort during her time in office.

"When I brought it up, I was told, 'If you want farm animals, move to a farm,'" she said. "I collected data and pushed for it, but it didn't go anywhere. It's encouraging to see someone else keep pushing."

According to Blindert, this is the first time that someone brought this as an official proposal to the council.

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"It appears the last time the council discussed this as an official issue and vote was during Robin Rayman's term as mayor. Her term ended in 2018," Blindert said.

A petition supporting the proposal has 77 signatures on change.org. Urrutia said the rising cost of living and groceries has prompted renewed interest in food self-sufficiency.

"Chickens can reduce grocery bills and help with pest control by eating bugs and ticks," she said. "This is a practical solution for many families."

Some residents also expressed support during public comment. Megan Francis said she doesn't personally want chickens but supports the right for others to apply for permits.

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"We allow dogs and cats, which often roam freely. Chickens, by contrast, would be kept in secured coops and runs under this proposal," Francis said.

Not all concerns were resolved. Mokros noted that enforcement could be difficult.

"Some chickens are going to get out, and then it's the city's problem when a cat or dog gets involved," he said.

Urrutia emphasized her plan requires chickens to remain in enclosed coops or runs at all times. She also included a clear enforcement structure and outlined that coops must meet construction and maintenance standards.

However, before any of Urrutia's ideas can take effect, the existing ordinance must be revised to allow chickens  a change that would need to be approved by the city council and involve drafting new language to implement it.

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"As council members we are here to represent the views of the registered voters in Salem. As we continue to poll the Salem residents, we are hearing way more people that are opposed rather than in favor.," Blindert said.

The council plans to revisit the discussion at its July meeting. Given the mixed public opinion, Blindert suggested that Urrutia might consider filing the necessary legal paperwork to put the issue on a citywide ballot, depending on the council's decision regarding any proposed ordinance changes.

"Only 16% of residents voted in the last city election," Urrutia said after the meeting. "That doesn't give me a lot of hope for a vote, but I'll keep trying. I believe residents should have more freedom and a voice in what's allowed on their own property."
By Ariba Shahid

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The International Finance Corporation will provide a $400 million subordinated loan for Pakistans Reko Diq copper-gold mine, according to an IFC disclosure on Friday.

The loan adds to a $300 million commitment announced in April, bringing IFCs total financing for the project to $700 million. The estimated cost of the mine is $6.6 billion, to be funded through a mix of debt and equity from a consortium of lenders.

The estimated total Project cost is $6.6bn, and it will be financed using a combination of debt and equity, the disclosure said, adding that other parallel lenders will provide the remaining debt financing.

This type of loan, known as subordinated debt, is typically repaid after other senior loans and helps absorb more risk, making it easier for other lenders to invest.

Other financiers, including the U.S. EXIM Bank, Asian Development Bank, Export Development Canada, and Japans JBIC, are also expected to join the financing package, project director Tim Cribb told Reuters in April. Term sheets are expected to close by early in the third quarter.

IFC chief Makhtar Diop said earlier this year that the institution was doubling down on Pakistan, with a focus on infrastructure, energy and natural resources.

Reko Diq, located in Balochistan, is one of the worlds largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits. It is being developed by Barrick Gold, which holds 50%, with the remainder split between Pakistans federal and provincial governments.

Production is expected to begin in 2028. Barrick has projected the mine will generate up to $74 billion in free cash flow over its estimated 37-year life.

(Reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Louise Heavens and Matthew Lewis)
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Concho Valley residents have an opportunity to join the Nationwide No Kings protest on June 13.

The No kings movement started a couple of months ago as President Donald Trump announced plans for his military event in D.C. on Saturday. The protest is expected to show support for democracy.

No Kings movement to protest in West Texas against Trumps national ICE raids

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The movement started two months ago when Trump decided to have a parade on his birthday using our tax dollars and we are trying to stand up and say you know what, that is not okay we want to take back flag day and be true patriots and wave our American flags, said Nichoals Hill, a member of West Texas Indivisible.

Police Chief Travis Griffith says he the police department is aware of the protest and will be monitoring it to make sure it doesnt get out of hand.

We have a plan of action that we will that we will rely on just like any other regular protest that we have had in the past, said Griffith. We have a great group of officers that are professional and understand the importance of exercising your rights to have free speech and gather.

For any Concho Valley residents that would like to participate in the protest on June 14, it will start at noon at San Angelo Civic League Park.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
[Source]

Gina Ortiz Jones defeated Rolando Pablos to become the mayor of San Antonio, Texas, making history as the citys first Asian American woman, first Filipino woman and first openly gay mayor.

By the numbers: Jones won 54% of the vote in the runoff election, receiving 77,484 votes to Pablos 65,202. Aside from the aforementioned milestones, she is now the first Asian American woman to helm a major Texas city and the first woman mayor in Texas to have served in war.

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About Jones: Jones, a 44-year-old West Side native, was born to a Filipino mother who immigrated from the Philippine province of Pangasinan and raised her and her sister alone. Jones left San Antonio in 1999 after receiving an Air Force ROTC scholarship to attend Boston University. She served as an intelligence officer in Iraq and later managed a $173 billion budget and 600,000 personnel as undersecretary of the Air Force in the Biden administration. She lost congressional races in Texas 23rd Congressional District in 2018 and 2020 before winning this mayoral contest.

What shes saying: In her victory speech Saturday night, Jones thanked her supporters and reminded the crowd that San Antonio is about compassion and leading with everybody in mind. She also stressed that her victory is a testament to the vision we put forward  a vision of getting things done while treating people with dignity, respect and compassion. She also said she looks forward to being a mayor for all.

Trending on NextShark: Air India Boeing 787 crash leaves hundreds dead, 1 survivor

Jones faces immediate challenges including projected multi-million dollar budget deficits when she takes office.

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This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter  a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.

Trending on NextShark: 3rd Chinese researcher arrested for smuggling biomaterials to University of Michigan lab

Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member  your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community.

Subscribe here now!

Trending on NextShark: Trump claims 'done deal' with China  but is it, really?

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San Diego Police Department urges peace, warns against violence in anti-ICE protests

(Above: Report by FOX 5/KUSIs Jennifer Franco on May 30 about the ICE operations at Buona Forchetta)

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego Police Department issued a statement Friday regarding the federal immigration enforcement actions happening nationwide.

Following on the heels of an announcement made earlier this week by the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, SDPD said it fully supports the right to peacefully assemble and exercise free speech and that it recognizes how the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have deeply affected the community.

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However, the department warned that damaging property or conducting other violent acts will have legal consequences.

Oceanside Police say they wont assist immigration enforcement due to state law

The San Diego Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws, nor do we inquire about immigration status, the department stated. Our mission is focused on public safety.

At the end of last month, ICE agents conducted two immigration enforcement operations at an Italian restaurant, Buona Forchetta, and its sister restaurant in South Park.

San Diego police officers were also called in to assist after the heightened response led to a crowd of people gathering around the scene, attempting to prevent the ICE agents and their vehicles from leaving.

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What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule?

The warnings come ahead of another wave of protests planned for Saturday called No Kings Day, a nationwide movement which is aimed against several policies and actions made by the Trump administration, including strict immigration enforcement. Heres where No Kings events are happening in San Diego County.

SDPDs reaction to the federal crackdown on illegal immigration echoes a similar sentiment made by the countys law enforcement association on Tuesday.

Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy, who is also the president of the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriffs Association, said assaults on law enforcement or acts like looting, vandalism and arson will not be tolerated.

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Should federal authorities request our assistance due to safety concerns, local law enforcement will respond as necessary to ensure the protection of all involvedofficers, agents, and members of the public alike, her statement on behalf of the association read. This support is strictly for safety and security purposes and does not reflect participation in immigration enforcement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
The San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA)  a nonprofit foundation established to create, sustain and advocate for parks  has abruptly shuttered amid a media and legal firestorm over alleged mismanagement involving at least $3.8 million in donations.

That leaves donors like Nicola Miner  whose Baker Street Foundation donated $3 million to the SFPA several years ago  speechless. She gave the SFPA that money to support construction of two neighborhood playgrounds.

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I wanted a park here, that was what our money was for, Miner told CBS News.

But the parks never materialized. Instead, she learned that the SFPA  an arms-length fundraising partner of San Franciscos Recreation and Parks Department  funneled nearly $2 million of her foundations donation to cover general operating expenses.

The money was not for general operating expenses. And so I just feel a real sense of betrayal, Minser said. The fact that they took money away from families, Im speechless.

A prominent nonprofit falls from grace

The San Francisco Standard reports that top employees at the SFPA got bonuses despite a massive deficit, and the nonprofit spent more on swanky galas and fundraising events than it made.

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You would never, in a million years, give a bonus under these circumstances, Joan Harrington, a nonprofit ethics expert at Santa Clara University, said.

Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan works every single time to kill debt, get rich in America  and that anyone can do it

In the wake of the allegations, San Franciscos mayor froze the organizations funding in May, and City Attorney David Chiu launched an integrity review into the nonprofit.

Subsequently, The San Francisco Standard reported that the SFPA was abruptly winding down, leaving donors and partners empty-handed.

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Just days afterward, the San Francisco Government Audit and Oversight Committee subpoenaed the organizations former CEOs and its board treasurer after they failed to show up at a committee hearing.

Doing your donation due diligence

Some donors may be left wondering how they could be let down by such a prominent and politically connected organization. Its a reminder that a prominent name is no guarantee of continued success or appropriate management  and the prudent approach to committing funds is to perform thorough due diligence.

To help with this process, the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (Stanford PACS) has published The Stanford PACS Guide to Effective Philanthropy, with questions that donors should try to answer before making a commitment. For example:

Does the nonprofit comply with tax regulations?

Are its donations earmarked for a specific purpose (like a playground)?

Are the donations restricted or unrestricted?

How does the organization track and report restricted donations?

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Restricted donations have conditions on how those funds are to be used, while unrestricted donations can be used for anything related to the nonprofits mission.

Stanford PACS also publishes the Philanthropist Resource Directory, which can be a helpful resource early in the due diligence journey.

Several third-party websites are also available to help with this process.

For example, GuideStar aggregates information about U.S. nonprofits registered as 501(c)(3) organizations and categorizes them based on the amount of information they self-report.

It also publishes IRS Form 990 tax returns, which are filed by tax-exempt organizations, nonexempt charitable trusts and section 527 political organizations.

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GiveWell researches and recommends charities working in global health and poverty alleviation that save or improve lives the most per dollar, while Charity Navigator rates more than 225,000 nonprofits based on their cost-effectiveness and overall health of a charitys programs, including measures of stability, efficiency and sustainability.

The Stanford PACS guide also suggests looking at which organizations have received grants from respected foundations such as the [Gates Foundation]https://www.gatesfoundation.org ) or Ford Foundation  both of which have searchable grants databases  and talking to people whove contributed to the organization or worked with it.

Donors can also consider a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), an account that allows donors to give to charity, receive an immediate tax deduction and recommend grants from the fund over time.

Donating a large amount of money to a charity is a big commitment  and even supposedly reputable organizations can run into trouble. So time spent on due diligence is time well spent.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
(KRON)  A woman who worked as a security manager at Nvidia and regularly spoke as an expert on fraud prevention was charged with submitting 167 fraudulent healthcare claims against the Santa Clara-based tech company, the Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office announced Friday.

Faranak Firozan, 47, is accused of submitting the fraudulent claims between November 2020 and January 2024 to Nvidias self-insured health plan, according to prosecutors. The DAs office said that many of the claims were either entirely made up or that bills were altered by changing service dates.

Providers verified that services listed in her claims were either not performed at all or were duplicated claims, the DAs office wrote.

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The scheme began to unravel in August 2024, according to prosecutors, after the California Department of Insurance received a suspected fraudulent claim referral from Cigna, which administered Nvidias health plan.

Motorcyclist suffers life-changing injury in San Jose hit-and-run

On her LinkedIn page, Firozan described herself as an expert in abuse prevention systems and fraud investigations for financial institutions, the DAs office wrote. In 2020, she provided training on cyber laundering for the Information Systems Security Association Silicon Valley Chapter.

Firozan was charged with altering medical records with fraudulent intent and preparing false statements in connection with insurance claims. She also faces an added aggravated white-collar crime enhancement.

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Firozan is scheduled to be arraigned on July 15. If convicted, prosecutors said she faces years in prison and would be ordered to pay restitution.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Santa Ana man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping a 14-year-old Bakersfield girl he allegedly met online.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday that Sergio Estrada, age 20, was found walking with the girl near an apartment complex in unincorporated east Bakersfield. She had gone missing at about 4 p.m. Tuesday in the 2400 block of Kentucky Street.

The mother told deputies she was worried the girl was having an intimate relationship with a man she met on the computer game Fortnite, the release said. It said detectives later learned the girl had been communicating with Estrada for two years on social media.

KCSO reported the girl was returned safely to her parents.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call KCSO at 661-861-3110.
The Brief

Flash flooding in Santo, Palo Pinto County, led to multiple home rescues overnight.

Ten people were rescued, with no injuries reported, though significant property damage occurred.

Residents are now focused on cleanup, still recovering from a tornado that hit the area three weeks prior.

PALO PINTO COUNTY, Texas - 911 calls started coming in just before midnight last night from people trapped in their homes in Palo Pinto County.

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Fire and rescue crews arrived and heard people yelling for help as the crews brought in a special engine to drive through the high water.

What we know

Search and rescue crews tied a rope to some homes and helped people to safety. When firefighters first arrived, a rushing current was outside a gas station in the center of the Palo Pinto County town of Santo.

A surveillance video from the convenience store shows the parking lot underwater. The inside of the store was completely flooded with an ice chest seen floating down one of the aisles.

Ten people on two different streets in Santo were rescued from their homes.

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First responders told FOX 4 no one was injured but the main task on Thursday for homeowners in Santo was drying out and cleaning up.

Local perspective

Family rescued

A family in the Palo Pinto County town of Santo was rescued from torrential rain that caused her family's property and street to flood on Wednesday night.

Ashley Kidwilder, her husband and her three kids made it inside a fire engine, which brought them to higher ground as some places saw four feet of water, according to Palo Pinto County emergency officials.

"Im going to be honest. I freaked out because I didn't know what to do," said Kidwilder. "They made sure that even the kids knew this is rushing, please hold onto the rope. I mean it was just like a river it was just flowing. You could see it."

What they're saying

Deputy fire chief of Santos Fire and EMS, Kent Farquhar, described just how bad the conditions were on Wednesday night.

"When I say rushing water, it was probably moving 1025 miles per hour minimum," said Farquhar. "When I saw the magnitude of the amount of water, that concerned me. I knew the creek overflown and the businesses were in line of fire and homes."

What's next

Kidwilder tells FOX 4s Peyton Yager that some of her goats did not survive, but her dogs did survive.

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They were on her porch when she got back home this morning. Her family was still recovering from the tornado that hit Palo Pinto County three weeks ago, and now they are trying to bounce back once again.

The Source

Information in this article was provided by
ATHENS, Pa. (WETM)  A Sayre man was arrested in June after police said he stole a school bus and drove it into a business in Athens back in May.

Jason Wayne Houghtalen, 42, was arrested and seen in court in June on several felony charges including:

Theft by unlawful taking, a grade three felony.

Criminal mischief-tampering with property, a grade three felony.

Accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, a summary offense.

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Around midnight on Sunday, May 25, officers from the Athens Township Police Department were sent to a report of a bus that had driven into a building in the 200 block of South Main Street in Athens.

PA AG: Seven arrested in trafficking pounds of meth into Pennsylvania from New York

At the scene, officers found a yellow school bus sticking out of the north side of Yales Music Shop with debris and dust still in the air, according to a criminal complaint.

The scene was searched and no one was found inside the bus or the business when officers arrived. A witness in the area told police they saw someone walking away away from the scene limping and walking up Central Avenue.

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Police went searching for the person, later identified as Houghtalen, and found him in front of a business on South Elmira Street, not far from the crash scene.

Houghtalen was met by police who said he had blood on his hands and was acting strange, so out of safety, was detained, the report said.

Another officer met with Houghtalen and explained to his colleagues that he knew who he was and that he had intellectual disabilities, making it difficult for Houghtalen to communicate with people.

The officer asked Houghtalen if he had driven a bus that night, with the complaint saying Houghtalen said yes, both verbally and by shaking his head. Houghtalen was taken from South Elmira Street back to the scene of the crash where he was treated by EMS and then taken to the hospital.

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The music shop was checked for fire or smoke before it was checked for structural integrity. The hole was secured and the building was stabilized, police said.

It was later learned the school bus came from across the street at the Dandy Mini Mart when the driver told police they parked it at the back of the Dandy and it was taken from there. Police later got access to camera footage from the Dandy and said it showed Houghtalen getting into the bus before accelerating at high speeds into the side of the music shop. Houghtalen was seen then walking out the back door of the bus and limping away from the scene south down South Main Street.

Pennsylvanians can now carry concealed firearms in 30th state

As the scene was clearing up, a resident in the area reported to police that someone had been driving around a skid steer on Susquehanna Street in Athens. He told police the engine was still running and evidence showed that someone was driving around in circles with it, the report said. The owner of the construction business was contacted and told police he didnt drive the skid steer at all that day.

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Police used this information and Houghtalens history of stealing construction vehicles to declare that Houghtalen drove the skid steer around until the parking brake was activated by accident, causing him to leave it parked on the sidewalk, the complaint said. Police believe that Houghtalen got out of the skid steer and walked to the Dandy where he took the bus.

Police had met with one of Houghtalens family members at their home in Sayre to try and find out how Houghtalen ended up in Athens. The family told police that Houghtalen was put to bed around 9 p.m. on May 24 and must have gotten up in the middle of the night to leave the house, walking his way to Athens and specifically the construction site, police said.

Houghtalen was later arrested and processed on Thursday, June 12, and had an initial hearing with a judge scheduled for June 17. Houghtalen is being held on $100,000 bail.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
Former New York governor Andrew Cuomo is eying a political comeback after being dogged by sex assault claims, hoping to become mayor of the largest US city New York.

But to take the big chair, he must first get around an insurgent leftist candidate who is closing the gap on the political scion with major financial firepower.

The other major obstacle facing Cuomo at the June 24 Democratic party mayoral primary, in a city where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one, might prove to be his past.

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In August 2021, New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Cuomo, whose father was also governor, of sexually harassing eleven women. He resigned and then his brother Chris, a star anchor on CNN, had to leave for advising him.

It marked a spectacular downfall for the Cuomo dynasty.

But just four years later, cries of "Cuomo, Cuomo, Cuomo" rang out at a small Harlem venue, where the candidate and his Hollywood smile, were welcomed by cheering supporters.

As mayor of the mega-city, the winner of the November election will have a unique berth from which to stand up to President Donald Trump and his campaign against migrants in diverse metropolises.

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"We have that existential threat, called Donald Trump, and now, that is a serious threat... he has declared war on New York City," Cuomo said from the podium.

When a handful of reporters pressed Cuomo on his checkered past with women, the former governor fired back.

"This would have been a high-profile case against the governor of New York, it would have got a lot of headlines, they could have been hero to the 'MeToo' movement... and there was no case," he said.

In the audience, Iris, a Democratic activist, said she does not want to revisit the past but wants to focus on the future.

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Cuomo can be the future of resistance to Trump and improve the lives of the middle class and the most disadvantaged in society by building social housing, she said.

As forward-looking as his supporters might be, Cuomo still has to contend with his complicated legacy.

"Cuomo did not erase the scandal from the past. His sexual harassment scandals are still on voters' minds," said Ester Fuchs, a professor of political science at Columbia University.

But the central issue of the campaign is who can stand up to Donald Trump, Fuchs continued.

"And this is where Cuomo rises above the rest of the candidates in the pool."

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- Trump's 'worst nightmare'? -

Once the front-runner, the 67-year-old centrist candidate has seen his lead shrink against openly "socialist" Zohran Mamdani, 33, in a battle that has laid bare divisions within the Democratic Party.

A fresh survey by Public Policy Polling had Mamdani beating Cuomo 35 percent to 31 percent for the first time, with the rest split between seven other candidates.

In the primary, Democratic voters rank the candidates in order of preference.

The winner will be the first to pass the 50 percent support mark, whether outright or after votes have been reapportioned according to voters' candidate rankings.

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Born in Uganda, Mamdani is the son of renowned historian Mahmood Mamdani, author of the book "Saviors and Survivors" about the Darfur war, and filmmaker Mira Nair, who directed the classic "Salaam Bombay!"

While former New York Mayor billionaire Michael Bloomberg and Democratic heavyweights have endorsed Cuomo, the young Democratic Congressional star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has thrown her support behind Mamdani.

"The difference between myself and Andrew Cuomo is that my campaign is not funded by the very billionaires who put Donald Trump in DC," said Mamdani, whose eye-catching posters adorn storefronts in neighborhoods including Brooklyn.

A New York State Assembly representative, Mamdani bills himself as Trump's "worst nightmare" and champions social policies like free bus travel, raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030, and a tax hike for the wealthy.

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"Trump would go through Mr Mamdani like a hot knife through butter," Cuomo said during a debate, criticizing his rival for lacking the experience to run a city with a $112 billion annual budget and 300,000 employees.

Mamdani insists he is ready, and more than capable of addressing the number one issue for New Yorkers -- the high cost of living.

gl/gw/md
Tyrannosaurus rex is a carnivorous icon. Exceeding 40 feet in length and nine tons, the bone-crushing giant stands out as the largest and last of its meat-eating family. Now a new and far smaller tyrannosaur is filling in the famous dinosaurs evolutionary backstory.

The newest addition to the tyrannosaur family tree is named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, which translates to dragon prince from Mongolia. Described this week in the journal Nature, the dinosaur has been identified for the first time from two partial skeletons that include skull bones, vertebrae, part of the hips, and limb bones.

Altogether, the pieces reveal a slender tyrannosaur that roamed Cretaceous Mongolia about 86 million years ago and was about 13 feet longor about the size of juvenile T. rex that would stalk North America 20 million years later. In fact, Khankhuuluu even looked like a juvenile of later, larger tyrannosaurs, with round eye sockets, blade-like teeth, and long, shallow jaws better suited to biting fast rather than hard.

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(T. rex had lips, upending its enduring pop culture image.)

Khankhuuluu does more than simply add another dinosaur to the ever-growing roster of dinosaurs. Khankhuuluu gives us the origin story of tyrannosaurs, says University of Calgary paleontologist and study co-author Darla Zelenitsky.

Comparing the fossils of mature Khankhuuluu (a, d, g) with fossils of mature Gorgosaurus (c, f, i) and juvenile Gorgosaurus (b, e, h) provides new insights into the evolutionary lineage between the smaller-bodied tyrannosauroids, such as Khankhuuluu, and the larger eutyrannosaurians like Gorgosaurus and Tyrannosaurus. Silhouettes compare the sizes of Khankhuuluu (left) with a juvenile (right) and adult (middle) Gorgosaurus. Scale bars, 5 cm (individual elements) and 1 m (silhouette). Illustration by Voris et al. (2025), Nature

Discovering a new tyrannosaur

In the early 1970s, Mongolian paleontologist Altangerel Perle found a pair of partial tyrannosaur skeletons in the eastern part of the country. The bones seemed similar to a small tyrannosaur that had been named before, Alectrosaurus. But when University of Calgary paleontologist and study co-author Jared Voris studied the bones during a research trip to Mongolia in 2023, he soon realized that the bones did not belong to Alectrosaurus at all.

The bones from the two skeletons belonged to a new form of tyrannosaur that had been waiting to be discovered in collections for half a century. It had features like a hollow air chamber in side its nasal bone, which no other tyrannosaur species has, Voris says. The fossils deserved a new name and have been recategorized as Khankhuuluu.

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Voris has found tyrannosaurs hiding in plain sight before. In 2020, Voris and colleagues named the 80 million-year-old tyrannosaur Thanatotheristes from bones assigned to another species found in Alberta.

("Reaper of Death" tyrannosaur discovered in Canada.)

The finds are part of a burgeoning array of tyrannosaur discoveries. Instead of a simple line of evolution from early tyrannosaurs to T. rex, paleontologists have uncovered a wildly branching evolutionary bush of different tyrannosaur subgroups that came and went through the Cretaceous. The glut of new tyrannosaur species is allowing experts to piece together how big tyrannosaurs, including the gigantic T. rex, evolved and spread across vast stretches of the planet.

What the dragon prince tells us about the evolution of T. rex

When compared to other tyrannosaurs, the researchers found that Khankhuuluu is a close relative of the broader group of tyrannosaurs that include Gorgosaurus from Alberta, the bumpy-snouted Alioramus from Mongolia, and the iconic T. rex. The new family tree, as well as where the fossils were uncovered, create an updated picture of how tyrannosaurs evolved over 20 million years.



It is a pivotal species in understanding the evolutionary success of T. rex and its relatives, says University College London paleontologist Cassius Morrison, who was not involved in the new study. In particular, the new analysis reveals how tyrannosaurs evolved into many different species as the carnivores wandered into new landscapes.



Sometime around the time of Khankhuuluu, Voris and colleagues propose, such small, slender tyrannosaurs were dispersing from prehistoric Asia into North America over a land bridge.

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Tyrannosaurs evolved into those giant apex predators and diversified very rapidly across North America, Voris says, the first of what Zelenitsky calls two explosions of tyrannosaurs. Some of the predators remained slender and chased smaller prey while others became bulkier and hunted larger dinosaurs, and they roamed habitats from southern California to New Jersey.

(See how these fierce dinos evolved in our pages over 100 years.)

The new study suggests, however, that the direct ancestors of T. rex, did not evolve in North America. Voris and colleagues propose that around 79 and 78 million years ago at least one lineage of tyrannosaurs ventured back into Asia. The researchers know this because of the close relationship of two tyrannosaur groups that at a glance might seem very different.

When tyrannosaurs returned to Asia during this period and underwent their second explosion, one group was relatively slender and had long snouts decorated with small horns, like the Pinocchio dinosaur Qianzhousaurus. The other group began to grow larger, with deep skulls adept at crushing bones, like Tarbosaurus.

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T. rex evolved from ancestors in the second group, a lineage of bone-crushers that once again crossed the land bridge back into North America between 73 and 67 million years agomaking T. rex a new form of predator that arrived from another continent. The new analysis provides strong support that the ancestors of T. rex evolved from a group of tyrannosaurs that ventured back to Asia after they had undergone an evolutionary radiation in North America, Morrison says.

Ultimately, the study suggests that the rise of one of Earths largest carnivores was due to a back-and-forth between North America and Asia that took place over a period of 20 million years. Had a devastating asteroid impact not abruptly ended the Cretaceous 66 million years ago, tyrannosaurs would have undoubtedly kept changing.
NEW YORK (AP)  Toy robots that teach children to code. Sneakers made in America. Mold-resistant kitchen gadgets.

The three items are among new products that have gotten stuck in the pipeline due to President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies, according to the brand founders behind the stalled items. They say that instead of fostering U.S. innovation, Trumps tariffs are stifling it with extra costs and unexpected work.

At Learning Resources in Vernon Hills, Illinois, Made Plus in Annapolis, Maryland, and Dorai Home in Salt Lake City, research and development have taken a backseat to recalculating budgets, negotiating with vendors and tracking shipments in the shifting tariff environment.

If we dont have enough cash to cover just the restocks of the things that we know we need, do we want to take a risk on this new thing when we dont know how well it will sell yet? Dorai Home founder Kelsey OCallaghan said.

OCallaghan started the eco-friendly home goods company with a stone bath mat and now offers about 50 kitchen and bathroom accessories, which are made in China with a non-toxic material that dries quickly. New launches are critical to increasing sales and attracting customers, she said.

As Trump increased the tariff on Chinese goods to 20% and as high as 145% before reducing the import tax rate to 30% for 90 days, Dorai Home postponed introducing new merchandise. O'Callaghan said she had to lay off the CEO as well as the head of product development, who helped the company jump on new trends.

I havent really put the time or the emphasis on (innovation) because Im covering too many other peoples roles, she said.

The company paused shipments from China in early April but resumed some on a staggered basis after the president's rate reduction. On Wednesday, Trump touted progress in U.S.-China trade talks.

With details still sketchy and a deal not finalized, entrepreneurs interviewed by The Associated Press said they viewed the tariffs war as an ongoing threat.

Tariffs and American innovation

The potential stunting of innovation follows an economic slowdown during the coronavirus pandemic, when companies also had to put projects on hold. Some experts think the on-again-off again tariffs may have more enduring consequences because they rewire markets and upend business strategies.

When executive attention shifts from innovation to regulatory compliance, the innovation pipeline suffers. Companies end up optimizing for the political landscape rather than technological advancement, economists J. Bradford Jensen, a nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, and Scott J. Wallsten, president of the Technology Policy Institute think tank, wrote in an April blog post.
Scioto County Engineer Darren C. LeBrun announced the work schedule for the week of June 16 through June 18, 2025, for the engineers department. All dates shown are weather permitting.

LANE RESTRICTIONS

* Junior Furnace-Powellsville Rd (CR7) in Green Township  the bridge over US 52 is open. One lane will be maintained by traffic signals.

* Cook Rd. (CR12) in Jefferson Township has a lane restriction at the 1.86-mile marker due to a roadway slip.

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* Henley Comstock Rd. (CR44) in Union Township has a lane restriction at the 1.65-mile marker due to roadway slip.

ROAD CLOSURES

* Henley Comstock Rd. (CR44) will be closed at the 2.89-mile marker for approximately 90 days. Contractor will be repairing the slip.

* Clinton Furnace Road CR9 will be closed until further notice due to a slip. Road Closure is between Monroe Road TR310 and Knapp Road TR341.

* Feurt Hill Road CR160 will be closed until further notice due to a roadway slip. Road Closure is between Eagle Creek Drive TR1618 and Maple Benner Road CR64. This is the hill section of Feurt Hill Road.

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DRAG PATCHING

Traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers.

* Junior Furnace-Powellsville Rd. (CR7) in Green Township Monday, June 16th and Tuesday, June 17th.

* Junior Rd. (CR277) in Green Township Wednesday, June 18th.

MOWING

* Lucasville-Minford Rd. and Blue Run Rd. in Jefferson and Madison Townships.

* Millers Run-Back Run Rd. in Jefferson, Madison and Valley Townships.

* Cockrells Run Rd. in Valley Township.

* White Gravel and Salem Rd. in Madison Township.

* Kentucky Trail in Bloom, Harrison and Madison Townships.

* Bennett School House Rd. in Bloom and Harrison Townships.

* Duck Run Rd. and Colley Rd. in Rush Township.

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* McDermott Pond Creek and Pollock Rd. in Rush and Union Townships.

* Houston Hollow-Candy Run Rd. in Jefferson Township.

* Houston Hollow-Long Run Rd. in Clay and Jefferson Townships.

* Maple Benner and Rosemount Rd. in Clay Township.

Please call the Engineers office with any questions or concerns (740) 259-5541) or you can visit them on the web at SciotoCountyEngineer.org.
A sculpture trail aimed at regenerating a Norfolk town through art and culture will be officially unveiled on Friday.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council invested 380,000 in the project, largely through the government's Town Deal Fund.

Artworks commissioned by local, national and international artists have been installed over the past six weeks.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ''The new trail is simply fantastic. I, like many others, have watched it take shape over the past few months and am delighted it is now complete."

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The pieces all celebrated the best of Great Yarmouth, from its role as a circus capital, its maritime and medieval history, through to its embrace of clean energy and transport links.

The launch will start at midday with a ceremonial unveiling of the "Yarn with Ernie" sculpture - created in honour of local artist and potter Ernie Childs - in the town's recently revamped Market Place.

A walking tour of the sculptures will take place, with members of the public invited to join civic dignitaries, including High Steward of Great Yarmouth Henry Cator OBE, who is chair of the Great Yarmouth Town Deal Board.

A number of the artists who created the pieces will also be at the launch to talk to people about their works.

Artist Lois Cordelia painted images of Black Beauty author Anna Sewell in Great Yarmouth's market [Andrew Turner/BBC]

Among the guests will be a representative of the Ukrainian Embassy, attending in honour of Alex Lidagovsky - whose seven-metre-tall Tightrope Walker is the UK's first permanent sculpture by a Ukrainian artist.

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Mr Lidagovsky was forced to leave Kyiv after the Russian invasion in 2022. His studio was subsequently bombed before he arrived in the UK.

The trail also featured a unique section of tiled paving outside Christchurch created by Great Yarmouth's Reprezent Project to reflect the cultural impact of the town's Portuguese community.

It is the only piece of traditional Portuguese pavement art - or Calcada Portuguesa - in the UK, and depicts Phillippa of Lancaster, who became Queen of Portugal through marriage to King Joao I.

Great Yarmouth Heritage Guides will be on hand to lead tours and distribute free maps of the route.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota State Medical Association is speaking out against the recent removal of the entire advisory committee for vaccinations at the Center for Disease Control. This comes at the same time measles cases are being seen in South Dakota.

This week, all 17 immunization experts who advise the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were removed from their positions.

South Dakota State Medical Association president, Dr. Keith Hansen, says he wasnt sure why when he heard the news.

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Pride fests and protests make for busy Sioux Falls weekend

To me, it didnt make a lot of sense. Why would you fire all of these very well-respected, intelligent individuals who spend all this time and effort to come up with these recommendations? Hansen said.

In response to the change, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says hes already tapped their replacements.

Were going to bring people on to the ACIP Panel, not anti-vaxxers, were bringing people on who are credentialed scientists or highly credentialed physicians who are going to do evidence-based medicine, RFK Jr. said.

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This month South Dakota saw its second case of measles this year, both on the west side of the state. Its something Hansen says can be preventable by vaccines.

Measles is a very highly contagious disease. So our best battle is for individuals to get the vaccine and to try to get as many people vaccinated as we can. Hansen said. So that we maximize herd immunity and also the individuals immunity, and especially for our real young kids.

Monument Healths chief of staff, Dr. Michael Huot in Rapid City says the MMR vaccine is still used today since approved by the FDA in 1971.

The reason we still use treatments that are that old is because theyre extremely effective and extremely safe. So, of vaccinations that MMR has had hundreds of millions of people vaccinated, Huot said.

With over 100,000 followers on TikTok, Huot hopes to continue spreading medical knowledge to those in his community and beyond.

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It also kind of dispels a lot of misinformation out there. I think its a way for people to connect with somebody locally, Huot said.

As of Wednesday, eight new vaccine members have been appointed to the panel by RFK Jr.

Click here for more info about measles symptoms.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
A seaplane made an emergency landing in the Port of Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon, prompting a multi-agency response from the U.S. Coast Guard, L.A. Port Police, and Los Angeles Fire Department.

The aircraft, occupied only by its pilot, landed in the water around 2:36 p.m. near San Pedro. Authorities said the pilot was uninjured, and there was no fire or fuel spill.

A downed seaplane is towed by a harbor patrol boat to a nearby dock after it went down near San Pedro on June 12, 2025. (Brent McGuyre of LAPD Harbor Area/@B_McGuyre on X)

Fireboats and land-based LAFD crews responded to assist, and the plane was towed by a harbor patrol boat to a nearby dock. LAFD personnel followed to provide support, though no medical aid was required.

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Brent McGuyre of the LAPD Harbor Area shared an image of the seaplane being towed on X. The post also appeared to show that one of the planes propeller had broken.

The cause of the unexpected landing was not immediately 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 KTLA.
Search for suspect who 'pointed crossbow' at Hennepin County deputies originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Police are hunting for a suspect who allegedly pointed a crossbow at deputies during an alert in Hanover, Minnesota, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says it was called to a dispute on the 11000 Crow Hassan Park Road, with the sheriff's office requested to stand by as a "tow truck company towed a car on site."

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Around 4:35 p.m., deputies were at a home "when Randy Mathews walked out pointing a crossbow at them." Mathews allegedly made a threat and then ran back into the house.

Hennepin County Sheriff's Office

Other people inside the house came outside at the request of deputies, with a series of law enforcement agencies then responding to the scene, including a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter.

"A perimeter was set up and search warrants were obtained. During the search, deputies were able to locate the crossbow but Mathews was not found.

"Efforts are underway to locate him. We are asking the public to stay vigilant and if you see him, call police."

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He is described as a black, 28-year-old man, 6'7" tall and weighing 222 lbs.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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PONCE, Puerto Rico  As Sargassum levels surge to unprecedented amounts across parts of the Atlantic basin, some beaches in the Caribbean have already been overwhelmed by the thick, smelly seaweed.

Photos and videos taken throughout the Caribbean show extensive accumulations of the smelly algae along the southern and eastern coasts of Puerto Rico, as well as in parts of Cozumel and Mexicos Yucatan Peninsula.

In some locales, the buildup appeared to be so significant that residents and tourists stayed away from the shoreline entirely, leaving some beaches relatively empty.

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The uneven impact of the seaweed means one area may be spared while a nearby location experiences the brunt of the activity. Much of the variation appears to be driven by ocean currents that either direct or protect the seaweed from reaching specific locations.

Record-breaking Sargassum Invasion In Atlantic, Caribbean Threatens To Foul Beach Resorts

Ceiba, a coastal community on Puerto Ricos eastern shore southeast of San Juan, appeared to be one of the hardest-hit areas.

Photos taken in the coastal community showed beaches blanketed by the brown algae.

Remarkably, the beaches located less than a 20-minute drive away looked pristine, which underscores the unpredictable nature of the event.

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Unlike the photos from Ceiba, images from tourist-heavy areas along Mexicos Yucatan coast revealed that some areas had benefited from cleanup operations, which helps to temporarily mitigate the unwanted sight.

The Mexican government previously stated it was taking a more proactive approach in 2025, dedicating resources to both monitor and manage the seaweed.

The governments efforts appeared to be focused on protecting the regions critical tourism industry, which can suffer when unpleasant coastal events arise.

Photos from Cancun, Mexico on June 7, 2025.

Noaa Mission Finds Unexpected Discovery At Site Of Sunken Uss Yorktown

While the seaweed might look unpleasant, health experts advise beachgoers that the Sargassum isn't usually harmful to humans. However, tiny creatures that bury in the globs can produce rashes and blisters if contact is made with the skin.

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For some species of marine life, the brown algae are considered to be helpful, and biologists believe that the buildup provides food and refuge for small fish, crabs, shrimp and other organisms.

Monthly updates from the University of South Floridas Optical Oceanography Lab are expected to show that the Sargassum will remain at significant levels at least through the summer.

Experts at the Tampa-based university warn that increased amounts could lead to problems along the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, but it remains to be seen whether volumes will rival what was experienced during the 2023 season.

Map showing Sargassum population as of May 2025.





Original article source: Seaweed overruns some Caribbean beaches as Sargassum hits record levels
A federal judge on Friday blocked key provisions of President Donald Trumps executive order that sought to make it harder to register to vote in federal elections, including a requirement for voters to prove their citizenship.

Massachusetts U.S. District Judge Denise Casper wrote in the ruling that the Constitution gives the power to regulate elections to Congress, adding that lawmakers have not passed any laws that authorize Trumps actions or otherwise delegate their authority to the president.

Casper, an Obama appointee, blocked parts of Trumps March order that directed federal and local officials to require documentary proof of citizenship when people register to vote and to assess citizenship before distributing voter registration forms at designated public assistance agencies, such as Medicaid offices. Those parts of Trumps executive order have also been blocked by a federal judge in Washington, D.C., in a separate lawsuit filed by voting rights groups and Democratic party officials.

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The latest ruling by Casper, which came in a case brought by the Democratic attorneys general in 19 states, went further to block most of Trumps executive order. Caspers decision bars enforcement of another provision that required proof of citizenship from military members and citizens living abroad. And it blocks provisions seeking to prevent states from counting ballots that were mailed on or before Election Day, but arrive afterward; and from allowing voters to fix timely submitted ballots that include minor, technical mistakes.

Only Congress has the power to adjust state election rules, Casper wrote, noting that the legislature has done so through its enactment of the National Voter Registration Act and other laws.

Defendants cannot point to any source of authority for the President to impose the new requirements in the executive order, the judge wrote.
Colombian prosecutors on Thursday charged a second man with attempted murder over the shooting of Colombian presidential candidate Miguel Uribe at the weekend.

Carlos Eduardo Mora Gonzalez stood accused of participating in the "logistics" of the attack and of driving the vehicle used to deliver the gun to the 15-year-old suspected shooter, who is already in custody.

Uribe, a 39-year-old conservative senator, was shot twice in the head and once in the leg while giving a speech in a park on June 7 in western Bogota.

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He remains in critical condition but doctors said Wednesday he was showing signs of improvement.

The attack stunned Colombia and raised fears of a return to the country's bloody past of political, cartel and paramilitary violence.

The alleged shooter, who was captured near the scene by Uribe's bodyguards after himself being shot and injured in the leg, said he acted "for money, for my family."

At his arraignment this week, however, he pleaded not guilty to the attack.

Mora Gonzalez is accused of carrying out a "reconnaissance" mission in the working-class Fontibon neighborhood two days before the attack.

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Besides attempted murder, he has been charged with "using minors in the commission of crimes" and of weapons possession.

He was remanded in custody.

Prosecutors say that on the day of the attack he was in the car which delivered the 9mm Glock used in the attack to the gunman.

A source close to the case told AFP he was the driver of the vehicle.

The teen, whose identity has been withheld because of his age, got into the car and changed his clothes, according to investigators.

- Family with tragic history -

Uribe is a member of the Democratic Center party of former right-wing president Alvaro Uribe. The two men are not related.

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Miguel Uribe is the son of Diana Turbay, a famed journalist who was killed after being kidnapped by Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel, and grandson of Julio Cesar Turbay, who led Colombia from 1978 to 1982.

The authorities believe the 15-year-old shooter was a hired gun, but it is not yet known who ordered the hit.

If convicted he faces up to eight years in prison, in keeping with sentencing rules for minors.

Uribe's lawyers claim that his repeated requests for increased security were ignored.

Colombia is experiencing its biggest security crisis in a decade.

On Tuesday, the country was rocked by a string of 24 coordinated bomb and gun attacks that killed at least seven people across the southwest, where government forces are fighting FARC dissidents.

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Uribe has been a strong critic of Colombia's first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, who sought in vain to make peace with the country's various remaining armed groups.

In recent months, Petro, a former left-wing guerrilla, has been accused of dialling up the political temperature by labelling his right-wing opponents "Nazis."

Petro has speculated the shooting was ordered by an international "mafia" or by dissident members of the defunct FARC guerrilla group who refused a 2016 peace deal.

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A second officer has been arrested in connection with the death of a teacher in custody in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, the police watchdog said Friday, a case that has sparked nationwide outrage.

Albert Ojwang, 31, died in custody last weekend after being arrested for criticising a senior officer online.

Police initially said Ojwang had fatally injured himself by banging his head against a wall, but a government pathologist later found the wounds were "unlikely to be self-inflicted".

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His death has reignited anger over a wave of abductions and heavy-handed policing during anti-government protests last year.

Protesters marched on parliament on Thursday, some throwing stones and police firing tear gas.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) watchdog said in a statement that Samson Talaam, the head of the central Nairobi police station where the incident occurred, had been arrested along with an unnamed civilian.

A police official confirmed to AFP that Talaam had been arrested in the western city of Eldoret.

Another officer from the same Nairobi station, Constable James Mukhwana, appeared in court earlier in a case under the charge of the IPOA.

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The watchdog asked for three weeks to complete its investigation, telling the court Mukhwana was present on the night Ojwang was processed by officers.

Earlier in the week, police spokesman Michael Muchiri said five officers had been removed from active duty, to "allow for transparent investigations".

President William Ruto has called for a swift investigation, and promised on Friday that the government would "protect citizens from rogue police officers".

The IPOA recently reported 18 people had died in police custody in the past four months.

Protesters have called for the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat -- the officer Ojwang was accused of criticising.

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Rights groups say dozens of people were illegally detained in the aftermath of last year's rallies, with many still missing, and others have been arrested for criticism of Ruto and the government.

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BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) is one of the 11 stocks on Jim Cramers radar. Showing interest in BlackRock, Inc.s (NYSE:BLK) upcoming Investor Day, Cramer said:

Now, Thursday brings some analyst meetings that could move the needle. The one that Im most interested in is BlackRock, thats the largest money manager in the world. Larry Fink, he started it. My Charitable Trust owns shares in the stock, which is down more than 3% for the year. It has not worked out for me so far, but I am patient. Maybe, maybe BlackRock can tell a good story about assets gathered, further explain the top-notch technology they have. If the meetings positive, I bet the stock goes positive for the year.

Jim Cramer Notes He Is Most Interested in BlackRocks Upcoming Investor Day

A professional asset manager making an investment decision at their office.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) is an investment management company that provides risk management, advisory services, and a variety of investment products such as mutual funds, ETFs, and hedge funds. More than a month ago, when a caller asked about the company, Cramer commented:

Look, we own it for the Charitable Trust. Candidly, were down on it, and I dont like that when were down on the stock, but we are. The stock has declined far more than I thought it would on what was a decent quarter. I agree with you, and I think it should be bought. That said, Ive been wrong, but I think it should be bought in the long term. I think itll be a great position.

While we acknowledge the potential of BLK as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
The secretary of state has dismissed claims by the DUP that he is keeping victims and some parties "in the dark" over his government's plans to change how Troubles legacy cases are handled.

Hilary Benn was responding to remarks by DUP leader Gavin Robinson, who described his approach as "hapless".

London and Dublin have been in talks for some time about trying to find a joint way forward, with the two governments meeting on Thursday during the British-Irish Council to discuss the latest developments.

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Benn said he made "no apology" for working with the Irish government and others to try and reach a solution.

The DUP said by Benn meeting Tanaiste (Irish deputy PM) Simon Harris, he had "dishonoured" victims who were concerned about the Irish government's own approach to dealing with the legacy of the past.

Labour intends to retain a new legacy body set up under the legislation - the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

A number of victims' groups have called for the ICRIR to be scrapped, arguing it is not sufficiently independent to investigate killings during Northern Ireland's decades-long conflict.

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Dublin maintains a legal challenge against the UK government over the legacy act, but Harris has said he believes a deal can still be reached to allow his government to drop that case.

The DUP leader said: "Last night, Hilary Benn disgracefully continued his desire to satisfy the Irish Government, seeking their approval for his actions.

"In meeting Simon Harris to negotiate next steps, he dishonours the countless victims in Northern Ireland that I have met over recent months who lament that whilst he may listen, he does not hear."

He also accused Dublin of having a "scandalous approach" to legacy.

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"The Irish continue to ruthlessly defend their sovereign information, yet Hilary Benn concedes their unconstitutional role in determining how the UK deals with ours," said Robinson.

"The Irish government have knowledge of and influence upon UK legacy plans, yet Northern Ireland victims, veterans and Parliamentarians are kept in the dark by the secretary of state without so much as a blush on his face."

Speaking at the British-Irish Council, Benn said legacy remained "unfinished business" and that all politicians had a responsibility to find a way forward.

"We are making good progress... the lesson indeed exemplified by the Good Friday Agreement is that we make most progress when we work together."
AUSTIN (KXAN)  U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) said his provision to reimburse Texas for money spent on border security was included in the Senates One Big Beautiful Bill.

RELATED | What issues to watch as big, beautiful bill moves to the Senate

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs recently released the legislative text for the bill.

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I was proud to lead this push in the Senate, and I look forward to voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill with this border security reimbursement for Texas included in the coming weeks, Cornyn said.

RELATED | Trumps beautiful bill spans 1,116 pages. Heres whats inside it

According to Cornyns office, Texas had spent more than $11 billion of taxpayer dollars on Operation Lone Star for border security.

This is a win for Governor Abbott and the Texas Republican congressional delegation, who I worked with closely to ensure this reimbursement was made a priority, Cornyn said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
WESTERN SLOPE, Colo. (KREX)  Lately, there has been speculation from the federal level that there will be funds cut from SNAP benefits.

On Thursday, Senator Michael Bennet held a virtual roundtable to discuss the quote Republican Dangers to SNAP.

Bennet states, I hope for the smaller cut; it would be better, you know, if we had to take one and not the other.

Communities around Colorado are on their toes regarding the outcome of possible SNAP benefit cuts.

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The virtual roundtable included community members around the Centennial State alongside Senator Bennet.

As I said earlier, [SNAP] is going to be on the receiving end of this unfunded mandate, Bennet said.

Bennet says the president passed the bill, which will need 51 Senate votes to pass in the Senate before being finalized.

I dont know what the choices that hes going to be able to assemble to get that majority vote are, but I will keep everybody on this call informed as I begin to hear whats going on, Bennet said.

WesternSlopeNow reached out to the Mesa County Department of Human Services, and the Economic Assistance Director, Melissa Schierland, sent a statement saying, This is pending federal legislation, and no changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have been finalized. We are closely monitoring the situation. If the program changes, we will communicate directly with our clients to ensure they receive clear guidance and support. Our priority remains helping families meet their basic needs and access the resources they rely on.

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State Senator Janice Rich of District 7 states, I think that it has been a successful program, and I guess I would hate to see it be cut, you know, a lot, because over the years, it has lifted over 70,000 people out of the poverty line.

State Senator Rich says its been reported that 9.9% of people use the SNAP program in the state.

Meanwhile, WesternSlopeNow reached out to the Colorado Department of Human Services about how these cuts could affect the rest of the state.

A representative sent us a statement saying in part, As of March 2025, approximately 334,000 Colorado households and 617,000 people receive monthly benefits. In 2024, almost one million individual Coloradans received SNAP, half of whom were children, 10% of whom were older Americans, and 15% of whom were Americans with disabilities. Minimizing food insecurity has positive impacts, including increased physical and mental health.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Shocking. Horrifying. Disgusting. Astonishing. When Democratic U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla was thrown to the ground , handcuffed like a common criminal, and hauled out of a press conference held by the single most inexperienced Homeland Security Secretary in U.S. history, Kristi Noem , it wasnt just an attack on one man. It was an assault on our democracy and all that democracy underpins.

Also being pushed out of the way were civility, the rule of law, decency, and the essence of freedom.

Padilla, Californias duly elected senior senator, wasnt disrupting anything. He wasnt threatening. He wasnt doing anything remotely out of the ordinary. He was simply wanting to ask questions of the repulsive Noem.

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What he was doing was his job. He was doing his job. When he gave a statement after the incident, he reiterated that very fact. Padilla was peacefully and legally doing his job. He had every right to be at that press conference on behalf of the people of California. Who, like him, are demanding answers on why California is being ferociously targeted by the Trump administration.

And for doing his job, he was tackled, humiliated, and forcibly removed from a public event by federal agents, which is essentially Trumps SS. They were alarmingly acting on behalf of an administration that treats dissent not as a democratic necessity, but as a threat to be eliminated.

Watching the video is gut-wrenching. Padillas body hits the ground. His arms are forced behind his back. His voice, which represents nearly 40 million Californians, is silenced by handcuffs and the arrogance of Noem and her henchmen.

And standing there behind the podium, in the room where he was removed, was the loathsome Noem, who owes her position not to merit or experience, but to unwavering and putrid loyalty to Trump.

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Thats how things work now. Loyalty, not law. Obedience, not oversight. Handcuffs, not questions.

This moment, vile, inexcusable, and deeply un-American, did not happen in isolation. It is the latest link in a chain of democratic destruction Trump has been yanking tighter around this countrys throat since January 20, 2025.

From the moment he retook the oath of office, Donald Trump has waged war on the institutions that define American democracy. He didnt walk into office with a policy plan. Hes too stupid for that. He came with a vendetta against American democracy.

Within days, he gutted the Office of Government Ethics and stripped funding from the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice. Within weeks, ICE raids ramped up in cities across the country, indiscriminately tearing apart immigrant families and terrifying communities. That has prompted the very protests in Los Angeles that Trump has now answered, illegally, by sending in the Marines .

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It still hasnt sunk in yet. Marines. In an American city. Deployed not for natural disaster relief or national security, but to quell a domestic protest of their fellow American citizens. Troops with combat training are being sent to intimidate civilians exercising their constitutional rights.

And in the process, Trump goads California Gov. Gavin Newsom into a political standoff, hoping to paint him as the villain in a drama Trump has written for one purpose, and that is to consolidate power, paint California and migrants as villains, and to crush opposition.

And now? Now hes overseeing the body-slamming of U.S. senators. What, in Gods name, is happening to us?

Whats happening is that Trump is horrifically showing us that no one is immune, not even elected officials, to his desire to be a dictator who militarizes American society . Padillas removal wasn't just a grotesque abuse of power. It was a message. A warning. And maybe even more frightening, a test balloon.

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Because if he can rough up a U.S. senator, whats to stop him from doing it to a mayor? A governor? Another member of Congress? How about a former president of the United States? All bets are off.

Frankly, weve already been seeing it in New Jersey, where Rep. Angela McIver was indicted on dubious federal charges after standing up to ICE abuses at a detention center. That same incident saw the mayor of Newark roughed up and arrested  he is suing. Weve seen it again this week in California and New York, where elected officials who have oversight over ICE were denied access to detention centers as reports of mistreatment pour in.

These arent isolated incidents. The Trump administration has weaponized federal agencies to act as a domestic enforcement arm of his political will. These are not the checks and balances of a healthy democracy. Far from it. These are the foot soldiers of creeping authoritarianism.

Newsom was right when he said,  Democracy is under assault . But its gone further because the assault is now literal. We have crossed the line. Democracy is bleeding out, one institution at a time, one senator at a time, one protester at a time.

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And if we dont rise to meet this moment, if we pretend this is politics as usual, we will wake up in a country where the machinery of democracy ceases to exist. Voting, speech, dissent, all rendered meaningless by fear, force, and fealty to one horrible man.

If you think for a minute that this is hyperbole, read up on the history of tyranny and rise of dictators. What Trump is doing is straight from that playbook, including attacking elected officials who dare to stand in his way.

There is no middle ground anymore. Either we stand with Padilla, with Newsom, with every Californian and every American whose voice is being silenced, or we step aside and let democracy be crushed under the boots of Trumps Hitler-like SS.

Were inching closer and closer to the edge. Will we look back someday and see that the pushing of Padilla around pushed us over that edge?

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Multiple Senate Democrats on Thursday called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and later handcuffed for interrupting a press conference Noem held in Los Angeles.

Kristi Noem should resign in disgrace, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said Thursday afternoon in a post on the social platform X.

Video of the incident showed multiple men restraining Padilla and forcing him out of the room, while other footage showed they later pushed him to the floor to handcuff him.

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Im Sen. Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary, Padilla is heard saying as he is pushed by multiple people out of the room.

Noem was holding a press conference about the widespread immigration raids in the Los Angeles are, which have prompted protests across the region.

In response to video of the incident, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) told Noem that she should resign.

Youre head of Homeland Security and you cant take a question from a sitting U.S. Senator at a press conference? This level of abuse of power is shameful, outrageous, and is not doing anything to keep our homeland safe, Cortez Masto added Thursday in a post on X.

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In a post on X, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Senator Padilla chose disrespectful political theatre and interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself or having his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem.

The Hill has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

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The Senates conservative hard-liners vowed to wage holy war against the big, beautiful bill. Now they appear to be coming to Jesus.

The recent rhetorical downshift from some of the loudest GOP critics of the pending megabill underscores the political reality for conservatives: As much as they want to rail publicly about the legislation and the need to address any number of pressing national emergencies in it, very few are willing to buck President Donald Trump on his biggest priority.

None of them are ready to cave just yet. But the White House and their GOP colleagues increasingly believe that three senators in particular  Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida  are now on track to support the bill.

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Johnson, in particular, has softened his once-fierce criticism of the legislation in recent days.

We all want to see President Trump succeed, he said in a brief interview this week. Everybody is trying to help. Thats why, if I seem to have been striking a more hopeful tone, its because I am more hopeful.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Johnson was demanding near-unworkable levels of spending cuts and warning that the bill would drive the nation off a fiscal cliff. Then the Trump administration and members of Republican leadership went to work.

Johnson made a pitch to Trump during a recent one-on-one phone call to let him work with administration officials on his deficit reduction plan. That led to a meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Kevin Hassett, the director of the National Economic Council. A person with knowledge of the meeting, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said afterward that the White House is optimistic that theres a path to getting Johnson to yes.

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Trump also privately urged Johnson during a meeting with other Finance Committee Republicans last week to speak more positively about the bill. The callout came after Trump officials  and Trump himself  grew annoyed watching Johnson savage the bill on television.

His message: You should be out there selling this bill proudly, he told Johnson, according to two White House officials granted anonymity to describe the meeting  arguing that even if he doesnt love every detail, there was plenty in the bill for Republicans to be proud of.

When the president says, Ron, youve been so negative, thats just not even helpful, I want to be helpful, Johnson said, acknowledging Trumps message in the meeting and admitting he has downplayed what is good in the bill.

One of the White House officials summarized the approach to Johnson: Don't be negative to create leverage for yourself, the person said. If you want to negotiate, like, we can negotiate in private. We're all reasonable people.

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The hands-on efforts to win over Johnson are part of a larger effort to try to help the fiscal hawks find a soft landing  and at least the semblance of some concessions that will be able to hold up as wins in the end. Thats played out in face-to-face meetings with administration officials, negotiations over pet provisions and discussions about how to continue the fight to cut budget deficits down the road.

Being able to win over their deficit hawks would be a huge boon to Majority Leader John Thune, who has acknowledged that hes got one hard no vote in Sen. Rand Paul, who firmly opposes the bills debt-ceiling hike. Thune can only afford to lose three GOP senators, with Vance breaking a tie.

That has given the fiscal hawks leverage, since the GOP leaders cant afford to lose all of them, and thats on top of the other potential headaches they have to navigate elsewhere in the conference.

To hear the fiscal hawks tell it, they are sounding a more positive note about their ability to support the bill because the administration is starting to take their demands seriously. To help appease their holdouts, GOP leaders have tried to scrounge up additional savings beyond what is included in the House bill.

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I believe well get a deal done. I'm doing everything I can to represent my state, Scott said in a brief interview.

GOP leaders are working to assuage Lee by tucking one of his top priorities into the bill. The deregulatory proposal, known as the REINS Act, was initially expected to run afoul of Senate rules for the party-line reconciliation process, but leaders have been working to try to find a version that could pass muster.

House conservatives, meanwhile, have grown increasingly worried that the Senate, with the blessing of their fiscal-hawk allies, will send back a bill that waters down some of their hard-fought victories. The House Freedom Caucus has laid out public demands, while its members have met privately with Lee, Scott and Johnson to strategize about additional spending reductions and maintaining their policy wins.

The Senate hard-liners arent ready to concede just yet. Senate Budget Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has promised Johnson he will advance a second reconciliation bill, giving conservatives another chance to enact cuts. But Johnson said that wouldnt be enough to get him on board. Instead he wants a forcing mechanism to maintain a longer-term push to return to 2019 spending levels. Hes letting the White House brainstorm other ideas and described himself as reasonably flexible.

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Lee said in a statement hes been working with my colleagues and the White House to make the Big Bill Beautiful. But added: Its not where it needs to be yet.

We need to sell federal land to help fix the housing crisis, terminate benefits that flow to illegals, end the Green New Scam, and get rid of the Medicaid provider tax. I want to see this effort cross the finish line, but we need to do more, he added.

Even as they continue to push, their colleagues see the signs of late softening  and arent surprised whatsoever. Theyll fold, said a GOP colleague who was granted anonymity to speak candidly.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said that Republicans have made progress with Johnson and I wouldnt count him out. And two others, Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), said they expect Lee, Scott and Johnson to come around when the bill comes up for a final vote, even if they dont ultimately love every provision.

They're very gettable, Kennedy said. At some point people are just going to have to decide, is this good enough?

Rachael Bade and Meredith Lee Hill contributed reporting.
WASHINGTON  Senate Republicans have removed a disturbing provision from the House GOPs massive tax-and-spending bill that would have allowed President Donald Trump to circumvent the courts and essentially serve as a king.

But they have swapped in new language that would still let Trump ignore the courts amid his lawlessness: Their provision would make it nearly impossible for people to sue the federal government by forcing them to cough up millions, if not billions, of dollars to do so.

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Late Thursday, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the panels proposed text for the GOPs so-called Big Beautiful Bill. The House passed its version of the bill last month, so now the Senate is making its changes. Each committee is tasked with putting together language for its relevant section in the legislation.

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The text that Grassley released for the bills judicial section doesnt include this jarring, one-sentence provision that House Republicans buried in their 1,116-page bill:

U.S. House of Representatives

Translated, this provision would restrict the ability of any court, including the Supreme Court, to enforce compliance with its orders by holding people in contempt. Contempt citations are an essential tool for the courts; they allow judges to threaten fines, sanctions or even jail if people disobey their orders.

The provision in the House GOPs bill also would apply retroactively to all temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, leaving courts with no real way of enforcing orders theyve already handed down.

Among those orders? The 184 court rulings that have temporarily halted unlawful actions taken by the Trump administration. And Trump has already been ignoring orders from judges to stop deporting migrants without giving them due process.

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Every House Republican voted for this provision when they voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Even if they didnt know it.

While the contempt language is gone in the Senate bill, there is new and arguably more problematic language in its place. This bill would require that anyone seeking a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction against the federal government first post a bond that covers the costs and damages that would be sustained to the federal government, in the event it loses the case. Were talking millions if not billions of dollars being required upfront, effectively shutting off peoples ability to sue the Trump administration.

The court must set the bond at an amount thats really large, said Coby Dolan, legislative director of the Access to Justice program at Earthjustice Action. the nonprofit advocacy partner to Earthjustice, a public interest environmental law group. In some of these federal actions, the federal government could say, Its going to cost $1 billion. What public interest group is going to be able to afford a $1 billion bond?

This language is narrower than the provision in the House bill  it only applies to the federal government and temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions  and it is not retroactive. But it would make it exponentially harder, if not impossible, for people to bring lawsuits against the government.

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Heres the language now in the Senate bill:

U.S. Senate

If this measure stays in the bill, only a billionaire would be able to get prompt relief from the courts when this administration breaks the law, Emily Martin, chief program officer at the National Womens Law Center, said in a statement.

This is not justice, its enabling an authoritarian power grab that would take away one of the last remaining checks on the Trump administration, said Martin. This measure seeks to rob all of us of the ability to demand that the administration follow the law and abide by the Constitution.

Senate Democrats had been pressuring Republicans to take the contempt provision from the House out of the bill, arguing it not only violates the Constitution but alsoSenate rules. Republicans are relying on a fast-track legislative process known as budget reconciliation to advance the bill, which means everything in it has to be related to budget matters. Restricting judges abilities to hand down contempt orders has nothing to do with budgets.

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Senate Republicans almost certainly knew this when they stripped it from the bill. So they came up with alternative language that they think is in line with Senate rules and would have the same effect of letting Trump skirt accountability in the courts.

If we cant go to court to hold [the Trump administration] accountable because our client cant afford an insanely large bond, then theres no case in the first place, said Dolan. This language is going after the publics right to vindicate their rights in court and its imposing on the courts themselves, all while staying with the theme of making Trump king.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told HuffPost last week that he knew some GOP senators were very uncomfortable with the contempt provision in the House GOPs bill. Its not clear if any of those same Republicans are uncomfortable with the new language, which has a similar effect.

This is a naked attempt to shield members of the Trump administration from court orders, Schumer said of the contempt provision.

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A Schumer spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new language in the bill and if or how Democrats plan to fight it.

This story has been updated to clarify that the Senate bill still has dangerous language in it aimed at preventing people from being able to sue the federal government, and at present, the Trump administration.
The News

Senate Republicans want to slash  or in some cases kill  the $40,000 state and local tax deduction cap that the House added to President Donald Trumps megabill  but avoiding a protracted battle may require them to bend.

Senators are cutting deals on Trumps campaign priorities as they craft their version of the massive tax and spending plan, delaying a foreign revenge tax and changing other divisive provisions the House passed. The so-called SALT deduction is one of the last sticking points: Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Semafor that the details of how his chamber treats the issue might look blank in its first draft because of the lingering bicameral disagreement.

House Republicans say they wont back off their position, which would quadruple the current limit on SALT deduction. The main problem for those House members? Some senators olive branch to the House reminds them of Michael Corleones infamous offer: Nothing.

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Zero is a good number for a SALT cap, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Semafor.

Its an epic clash between the disparate wings of the Republican Party  all over a tax break that disproportionately aids wealthy people in blue states. On one side is a Senate GOP almost entirely representing lower-cost states that is tired of kowtowing to the House; on the other side is a handful of House members whose electoral wins gave Republicans the majority, and the ability to even write a party-line tax bill.

Several Senate Republicans said the chamber wouldnt totally zero out the SALT deduction, but they are contemplating making a big cut to the House language. That could lead to a protracted disagreement between the two chambers  and stall Trumps megabill well past the GOPs self-imposed July 4 deadline.

Unless theres at least $40,000 of SALT in the bill, it cant pass the House, said Rep. Nick Lalota, R-N.Y. Those who are thinking pragmatically understand that reality.

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We all think its a rather unrealistic demand that the few members in the House are driving such a huge deficit creator, shot back Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.

LaLota flipped his vote Thursday on legislation clawing back federal spending on public media and foreign aid. Asked how leaders got him to yes, he replied that PBS and NPR will live on  and I expect my constituents will be quite pleased when they get $40,000 worth of SALT.

Several lawmakers are playing peacemaker between the chambers; Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Finance Chair Mike Crapo were expected to address the matter with Trump directly at a White House meeting on Thursday.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., is negotiating directly with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., one of the most hardline SALT Republicans. And House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith told Semafor Thursday that he is urging Senate Republicans to proceed with caution.

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They know whats necessary by what we passed out of the House, Smith said. SALT, its not an issue to them other than they want to have a bill on the presidents desk.

We passed a very reasonable compromise in the House, and I just tell the Senate to thread the needle lightly, Smith added.

Know More

There are at least five House Republicans who see $40,000 as a dealbreaker, LaLota said, who included Lawler and Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey in that camp. He added that they are on a roadshow of sorts, making sure that folks  understand how resolved we are about $40,000 SALT.

While some Senate conservatives would prefer to blow up the SALT cap completely, they will likely have to finesse the language to avoid steamrolling the House. The increase to the SALT cap is estimated to cost roughly $350 billion over 10 years, and slimming it down could satisfy fiscal hawks.

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Senators are considering potentially imposing a more strict income cap on the deduction to wring more savings out of the bill.

Im certainly willing to try to pass a bill that the House is going to struggle with, but ultimately pass, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Battleground-seat House Republicans, meanwhile, are so far out on a limb for SALT that backing down now could severely harm their election chances. Republicans from states like California, New York and New Jersey form the majority-making component of the House GOP.

No Republican senator likes the SALT; raising the SALT cap. I dont either, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on the Ruthless podcast Thursday. But I told [senators], The reality is, our majority runs through states like California and New York.

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Most GOP senators understand that dynamic  to a point. Republican senators are also tired of swallowing whatever can pass the House, a dynamic that has repeated itself on several recent must-pass pieces of legislation.

And conservatives vowed to pursue the most savings they can out of the bill. A House priority that almost no GOP senators support is a prime target.

Its an easy way to go in and grab money and cut the deficit, which: Dont disagree. The problem we have is, we still got to get the votes over there, Mullin told reporters.

Room for Disagreement

The general message from most Republicans is that blue-state House colleagues may have to climb down on SALT  at least a little. As Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., put it: Everybodys having to accept stuff they dont like in this bill.

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I think its actually going to be cut down a lot over here [in the Senate] and we move on, Donalds said. For my SALT colleagues: What matters more, SALT or small business taxes going up?

Burgess and Eleanors View

Republicans are closing in on a deal. But the last pieces are always the hardest, and the weird SALT dance has the potential to snarl things even more at the last minute  especially after Speaker Johnson labored to get some of the same pro-SALT members to codify spending cuts.

Its hard to see the Senate passing something that doesnt slim down the Houses SALT language. Weve even heard they might put a lowball number in their legislation to throw a scare into the House.

But in the end we think theyll back-channel a compromise. It doesnt seem like anyone wants a lengthy bicameral conference that delays the bill even longer.

Notable
Fox News talked to lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who are rattled by the incident with Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.

Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a news conference regarding the recent protests in Los Angeles earlier Thursday.

Even some Republicans are privately concerned about how Padilla was treated, although they concede his tactics were aggressive.

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This is where some GOPers believe this is theatrical, as Democrats struggle to find a message against the Trump administration that resonates.

Padilla Cuffed, Mciver Indicted: Can Congress Come Back From The Brink?

Sen. Alex Padilla speaks during a press conference at the Wilshire Federal Building on Wilshire Blvd. on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Senators are particularly shaken. The Senate is a body of equals. And if this can happen to one of them, well, theres a worry they could be next.

Read On The Fox News App

Democrats demand a full-blown investigation.

California Democrats and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus hectored House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., in the hall yesterday, accusing him of lying.

Reporter's Notebook: Gop Lawmakers Prepare To Slash $9.1B From Usaid, Npr, And Pbs In Rare Vote

Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, departs after speaking to reporters outside the Wilshire Federal Building, after he was forcibly removed after interrupting a news conference being held by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in Los Angeles on June 12.

Johnson believes Padilla should be censured.

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Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., said she had a private conversation with Johnson on Thursday. She wants to lower the temperature but said only President Donald Trump can do that.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., spoke to Padilla and Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway about the incident.

"I remain hopeful that Leader Thune and other Republicans can walk us back from the brink. But I am not so sure anymore," said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii.





Original article source: Senate shaken: Bipartisan worry erupts after incident involving California Democrat
Officially speaking, the last time a person landed on the moon was in 1972. But yesterday on Fox News, a senior Army official claimed that "we talked to an astronaut yesterday who's on the moon who's a soldier." This has many people wondering - is the US military secretly landing people on the moon?

In an interview with Brian Kilmede on Fox News this Wednesday, the Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll seems to have revealed extraordinary news when discussing All of the amazing things that the Army has done. After mentioning work the Army did to help with the floods in North Carolina and wildfires in California, he dropped an absolute bombshell of an admission when he stated that just yesterday they spoke with a soldier astronaut on the moon. Immediately he moves on to his final point about how the Army protects America by fighting wars to protect our freedoms.

The full statement with context:

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Kilmede: So Gavin Newsom foolishly said yesterday, The Presidents having a parade for his birthday. Its about the Army. And its about Flag Day. And it happens to be the Presidents birthday. And this idea was actually brought up by the Army by General George when Biden was President. But it was gonna be much smaller. Can you share a light on tha- shed a light on that?

Driscoll: Yeah I- I think theres kind of two things here that just I find preposterous. Thing one is as if the Army 170 years before the President was even born could have lined this up to be his birthday. It is just insanity to me that they are pushing back on this idea that we want to celebrate our 250th anniversary with an entity and a body that has done so much for this nation and that so many people have this incredible connection to.

Driscoll: And then the second things is, to your point, the Army started planning this long in advance because what we believe is this will continue the strength in recruiting and retention that we have as young Americans across the country get to see all of the amazing things that the Army has done whether its helping with floods in North Carolina or wildfires in California or we talked to an astronaut yesterday whos on the moon whos a soldier, including actually going to war and fighting to defend the freedoms that are, uh, that make our nation so great. We think this is gonna be an incredible opportunity for the Army to fill up our pipeline for the years to come and I find it offensive that anybody is challenging that.

Kilmede: Right. The Army can celebrate the Army. Thats what its about.

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So far the Pentagon has made no statement on this admission, and the context seems to offer no alternative explanation for what Driscoll could have meant.

Senior Army Official Makes Startling Admission About Soldier Astronaut on the Moon first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is one of the 15 stocks that Jim Cramer recently talked about. A caller asked for Cramers thoughts on Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), and he stated:

Alright, Walmarts been stuck at this level. Well, usually when that happens, its just a, its gaining momentum. Itll burst through. I think it gets to 110.

Jim Cramer on Walmart Stock: It'll Burst Through

A manager standing in a hypermarket, pointing out items available for wholesale.

Walmart. (NYSE:WMT) operates a vast network of retail stores, ecommerce platforms, and membership clubs. The company provides a wide range of consumer goods, groceries, health services, electronics, and financial products through both physical and digital channels. The Mad Money host made the following remarks about the company in May:

Was Walmart really supposed to eat all the tariffs that had been put on the goods it carries? It sure sounds like it. Take a look at the Presidents posting this weekend, Walmart should STOP trying to blame tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain. Walmart made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected. Between Walmart and China, they should, as is said, EAT THE TARIFFS, and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. Ill be watching and so will your customers

While we acknowledge the potential of WMT as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money.

Disclosure: None.
NAIROBI (Reuters) -Kenyan authorities arrested a senior policeman on Friday in connection with the death of a blogger in police custody last week, the police watchdog said, in a case that has sparked violent protests and shone a spotlight on police misconduct.

The police apologised after initially claiming Albert Ojwang died by suicide in a cell in Nairobi's Central Police Station on Sunday, two days after his arrest. An independent autopsy pointed to assault as a more likely cause of death.

The policeman in charge of Central Police Station was arrested on Friday, along with a closed-circuit television (CCTV) technician called to dismantle the CCTV at the station, said Samati Kemboi, commissioner of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the police watchdog.

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The CCTV system at the station had been interfered with, and records "changed and formatted" in the early hours of Sunday, according to a report by IPOA, which is conducting an investigation.

The 31-year-old's case has drawn close scrutiny of the country's security services, which have been accused of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances for many years, a source of mounting outrage for many Kenyans.

Hundreds of protesters angered by his death demonstrated in Nairobi on Thursday. Vehicles were set ablaze and police fired teargas to disperse crowds, who called for the country's Deputy Police Chief Eliud Lagat to resign.

On June 4, Lagat filed an official complaint that an X account reportedly associated with Ojwang had published "continuous false and malicious publications" about him, the IPOA report said.

(Reporting by Hereward Holland; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Democratic senators sharply criticized US ally Israel on Thursday for its strikes on Iran, as the White House distanced itself from the attack but Republican senators voiced gratitude to Israel.

"Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence," Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island said in a statement.

His comment came after Israel carried out a "preemptive" strike against Tehran's nuclear and military sites, in defiance of a call from US President Donald Trump to refrain from attacking Iran.

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Reed, the top Democrat on the US Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that the "strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces."

"While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer," he insisted.

"I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control."

Other Democrats also voiced alarm.

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"This action ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to deliberately undermine ongoing American diplomatic negotiations about Iran's nuclear program," Senator Andy Kim of New Jersey said on X.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut agreed.

"This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making, and now the region risks spiraling toward a new, deadly conflict," he warned on X.

He also took a political jab at the US president, insisting that Israel's decision to attack "is further evidence of how little respect world powers -- including our own allies -- have for President Trump."

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Republican senators responded as well, but with a very different tone.

Tom Cotton of Arkasas insisted on X that "Iran is the world's worst state sponsor of terrorism, has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands, and is rushing to build not only nuclear weapons, but also missiles that can strike the United States."

"We back Israel to the hilt, all the way."

Ted Cruz of Texas agreed.

"Israel is doing a favor to America right now by taking out Iran's nuclear capacity," he said.

bur-nl/sla
Jun. 13A young black bear joined the crowds enjoying the sunshine in downtown Anchorage Thursday morning with a brief romp that ended safely in the shade of the federal courthouse.

The bear, which weighed about 100 pounds, was darted and tagged by wildlife biologists at a spruce tree next to the U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, authorities said. The little female is a yearling that should be on its own by now, according to Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist Cory Stantorf.

Stantorf darted the bear and, with other staffers, was about to leave the Fish and Game offices and transport it to the north of the city, he said around noon Thursday.

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Biologists don't provide specific locations when moving wildlife.

"She's going to be relocated into the big wild yonder of Alaska's woods," he said.

Anchorage police officers on summer foot patrol downtown were alerted to the bear's presence by people in the area on Thursday morning, according to Sgt. Ben Drazenovich.

"They were able to locate the bear and got it sequestered at the courthouse," Drazenovich said. The building is near A Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, a few blocks from the downtown core.

Officers kept onlookers at bay  Drazenovich estimated there were 15 people at most  while Fish and Game arrived and handled the darting and tagging process.

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The bear clambered a short way into the tree after being darted, and then "climbed down and laid down," Drazenovich said.

Stantorf said the bear startled at first during the darting process but then calmed down, which was a good sign.

"We want to get her back to doing her normal bear things as soon as possible," he said.

Wildlife officials earlier this season reported at least two moose stompings in Anchorage after an unusually mild winter. Both incidents involved people with dogs and cow moose with calves.

Thursday marked one of the warmest days for Southcentral Alaska since last summer and following weeks of unseasonably cool, damp, cloudy weather.

"It's a beautiful day. It's actually probably pretty good it came over to Eighth and A and not downtown," Drazenovich said, of the bear's track away from the city's more congested streets. "It was easier to keep the crowds away."
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As a chronicler of American subcultures, Louis Theroux is used to being in uncomfortable situations. But when he started to research his latest documentaryabout Israeli settlers in the West Bankwhat surprised him most was how open everyone was about their project, which violates international law. It was just shocking and strange, Theroux told me, because most times, activity that feels really predatory or immoral takes place in the dark.

Some of the outposts depicted in The Settlers are illegal even under Israeli law, Theroux saysalthough the countrys government just approved 22 additional settlements in the West Bank, in some cases retrospectively legalizing ones already established. Achieving such expansions has been the lifes work of Therouxs main subject, Daniella Weiss, who is widely described as the godmother of the settler movement and boasts on camera about having senior politicians on speed dial. When Theroux tells the 79-year-old that moving a civilian population into a conquered territory is considered a war crime, Weiss laughs. Its a light felony, she replies. Her next target is the Gaza Strip.

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To Weiss, the timing seems perfect. Israels war on Hamas has displaced a majority of the population in Gaza at least once, according to the United Nations, and Donald Trump has spoken of turning the area into the Riviera of the Middle East. In America, this idea of Mar-a-Gaza has become a late-night-show punch line, but to the most hard-core Israeli settlers, retaking the Strip would be the fulfillment of a longtime dream.

[Read: Nobody wants Gaz-a-Lago]

The Settlers was broadcast in Britain, where I live, in late April. Within hours, bootlegged versions were circulating on X, where they racked up millions of views. This shouldnt be surprising, because many online outlets, from The Joe Rogan Experience to the start-up Zeteo, have taken a more skeptical line on Israels war objectives than the major U.S. television networks, reflecting the views of their audiences.

Theroux, who is British-American, described himself to me as not terrifically political, but he has nonetheless created a damning portrait of a group of religious extremists who believe that their claim to the West Bank comes from a higher authority than any mere UN directive or international treaty.

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Like many of the settlers Theroux interviews in the film, Weiss believes that the Jewish homeland is her birthright. She embodied this emboldened settler movement, both in her outlook, the fact of how long shed been doing it, her level of influence, the passion she projects, and her kind-of completely uninhibited quality, he told me. Toward the end of the film, Weiss even shoves him to make a point. Were he to respond in kind, she says, people could present that clip out of context and accuse him of physically abusing a woman. The implication is that what Theroux calls settler violence is merely self-defensea natural response to Palestinian provocation.

[Read: The right-wing Israeli campaign to resettle Gaza]

The documentary, which recently became officially available to watch in the United States on the streaming service BBC Select, also features a number of Americans who have moved to the region to pursue what they see as a more meaningful life. One of them, Ari Abramowitz, was born in Texas and came to live in the land he calls Judea and Samaria after visiting as a teenager. He now runs a farm and vacation retreat in the West Bank. Im so uncomfortable using the word Palestinian, he tells Theroux of a local Arab village, because I dont think it exists. Another, a man from New York who now lives in Hebron, tells Theroux: Our right to be in this land is the Torah, is the godly promise. Where we dont settle, terror grows. Both men are armed with rifles when Theroux meets them.

Theroux has tackled the settlers once already, in a 2011 documentary called The Ultra Zionists, which showed a more rounded pictureboth the zeal of the West Bank arrivals and the backlash they face from displaced Palestinians. (When traveling with one settler convoy, Therouxs car was pelted with rocks; a settler house he visited was later firebombed.) This new documentary feels more polemic, focusing on the demeaning daily restrictions on Palestinian life and the intensity of the Israeli military occupation. The architecture and infrastructure of power and domination is really interesting, Theroux told me. As much as the why of the psychology, or the political outlook, is fascinatingactually, if you strip that out, theres also this extraordinary process that takes place involving walls, gates, guard towers, specially built roads. And I very much wanted to do justice to that as well.

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Im not shocked that this documentary was made by the BBC, rather than an American network. To a degree that surprises me, many Americans treat pro-Palestinian activism as a fringe leftist pursuit, irredeemably tainted by disruptive and anti-Semitic protests on college campuses. But disillusionment and anger with Israel are widespread, among both ordinary voters and ruling politicians, in Europe and other places that are otherwise friendly to America and its allies. In a December 2023 filing in the International Court of Justice, South Africa accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. By October 2024, eight other countries, including Ireland and Turkey, had joined the case. In the latest YouGov sentiment tracker of six Western European countries, only 1321% in any country have a favourable opinion of Israel, compared to 6370% who have an unfavourable view.

[Listen: Mossads former chief calls the war in Gaza useless]

Although only a small minority of the surveyed Europeans believed the October 7 attacks were justified, less than a quarter of respondents agreed that Israels ongoing response is proportionate. These figures make uncomfortable reading for British Jews who abhor the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government but also recognize the existence of anti-Semitism within some parts of pro-Palestinian activism. My friend Hadley Freeman, for instance, wrote an agonized column reflecting on how the existence of anti-Jew hatred does not change the fact that thousands of people are dying on the Gaza strip. In April, 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, a group whose perspective is broadly pro-Israel, published an open letter condemning the war. Israels soul is being ripped out, they wrote.

One inevitable criticism of The Settlers is that Theroux has unfairly focused on a fringe minority of Israelis in order to demonize the entire country, which is taking military action to respond to the October 7 attacks, rescue its remaining hostages, and protect itself from future terror plots. What could have possessed the BBC to make a documentary about the very worst Jews they could find? Jake Wallis Simons, the former editor of the Jewish Chronicle, wrote after the initial broadcast on the BBC. By focusing on the freak show of the viciously contested town of Hebron and demonstrating a lack of curiosity about Palestinian violence, Wallis Simons argued, the documentary showed a patrician, sneering perspective that in the eyes of the BBC passes for impartiality.

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Theroux has indeed made a career out of interviewing extremists, weirdos, and people living marginal lifestyles. His previous subjects include swingers, porn actors, and the Westboro Baptist Church. By focusing on the hard-core settlers, is he being unfair? Theroux counters that some of Netanyahus most powerful cabinet members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, share Weisss outlook. Smotrich, who oversees the civilian administration of the West Bank, has repeatedly threatened to leave the ruling coalition if Israel agrees to a cease-fire in Gaza. Ben-Gvir is perhaps the most unpopular member, outside Israel, of Netanyahus cabineta man who joked at a recent appearance in the U.S. about how little food Palestinian prisoners were given. In the film, Ben-Gvir appears at a settler rally where the annexation of Gaza is openly discussed, and he urges attendees to rebuild, settle, encourage Palestinian emigration and win.

[Read: The two extremists driving Israels policy]

Here in the U.K., the documentary aired just as elite opinion soured decisively on Israels war in Gaza. Because Britains most important ally, the United States, strongly supports Israel, Prime Minister Keir Starmers left-wing Labour Party has struggled to find a position that reconciles its supporters distaste for Netanyahu and the demands of realpolitik. (The toxic legacy of the previous Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who was kicked out for denying the extent of anti-Semitism that flourished among party members on his watch, has also complicated Starmers response.) On May 19, however, Starmer released a joint statement with Emmanuel Macron of France and Mark Carney of Canada condemning Israels actions, and calling for more aid to Gaza and an end to settlement expansion in the West Bank. Israel suffered a heinous attack on October 7, the three leaders wrote. We have always supported Israels right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.

The next dayless than a month after The Settlers appeared on the BBCthe British government sanctioned Weiss, declaring that she was involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. (The Israeli government characterized this move, which prohibits Weiss from traveling to Britain and freezes any assets she might have in banks there, as unjustified and regrettable.) Theroux doesnt know if his documentary affected this decision, but it seems coincidental, doesnt it? He doubts the sanctions will make much difference to Weiss. On June 10, Ben-Gvir and Smotrich were also sanctioned by Britainas well as by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norwayfor what Foreign Secretary David Lammy described as their horrendous extremist language. In response, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.

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Like the majority of my fellow Britons, I dont believe that Israel is currently fighting a proportionate war. Launching a new armed campaign against Iran strikes me as reckless. Netanyahu is taking advantage of the Trump presidency to prolong the Gaza conflict, keeping his extremist coalition partners in the fold and himself in power. In doing so, he is being cheered on by Ben-Gvir, Weiss, and others in the settler movement who believe that they have an uncompromisable right to disputed land, backed by Gods will and military might.

No single film can do justice to the complexity and tragedy of the Middle East. But even if Theroux has settled upon the very worst interviewees he could find, its troubling that they have support at the highest levels of Israels government.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Seven men convicted in UK in latest trial over 'grooming gangs' scandal

LONDON (Reuters) -Seven men who sexually exploited two vulnerable girls in northern England were convicted on Friday in the latest trial over a decades-old "grooming gangs" scandal.

Greater Manchester Police said the men were convicted after a trial involving a total of 50 offences, including rape and indecency with a child, which occurred between 2001 and 2006.

Prosecutor Rossano Scamardella told jurors at the start of the trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that the group's two victims were "passed around for sex, abused, degraded and then discarded".

Scarmardella also said the two girls were known to social services and that it was "no secret" they were having sex with older South Asian men such as the defendants  a situation with similarities to other grooming gangs.

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The men had all denied the charges, but were unanimously convicted by the jury after three weeks of deliberations.

The scandal returned to the top of the political agenda in Britain earlier this year following criticism from Elon Musk of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The owner of social media platform X accused Starmer of failing to tackle the scandal when he was Britain's chief prosecutor, which Starmer angrily rejected.

A 2014 inquiry found at least 1,400 children were subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham, northern England, between 1997 and 2013.

The report said the majority of known perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage and that in some cases local officials and other agencies had been wary of identifying ethnic origins for fear of upsetting community cohesion, or being seen as racist.

Grooming gangs in other towns and cities in England have also prompted criminal prosecutions and local inquiries.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin;Editing by Alison Williams)
A new sex slaves grooming scandal in Rochdale has piled pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to back a national inquiry ahead of a Commons vote next week.

Seven Asian men were convicted on Friday of sexually exploiting two white teenage schoolgirls in the Lancashire town.

They preyed on the vulnerabilities of the victims who had deeply troubled home lives to groom them as sex slaves from the age of 13 on various dates between 2001 and 2006, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

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The men  aged 67 to 41  plied them with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes before expecting them to have sex whenever and wherever the defendants and other men wanted in filthy flats, on rancid mattresses, in cars, car parks, alleyways and disused warehouses.

The case comes ahead of a vote on Wednesday in the Commons on a Tory amendment to Labours crime and policing bill that demands the Government set up a national inquiry.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: Its time for a national statutory inquiry to get to the truth about the cover ups. I will push this to a vote in Parliament next Wednesday.

But so far Labour has refused to have one, which simply continues the cover up. If they vote against a proper inquiry next week, it will be a day of shame for Labour.

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Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, who is responsible for policing over an area including Rochdale, is among a number of senior Labour figures who are also backing a national inquiry.

He said he hoped the Dame Louise Casey review  which aims to provide a national picture on the scale of grooming  would lay out a path forward to a national inquiry. The findings of her inquiry could be published at the same time as Wednesdays vote.

He added: Ive certainly had discussions with Dame Louise about it and Ive expressed the Greater Manchester position which iswe support the idea of a first stage local inquiry but it has to have that second stage national inquiry.

Last month Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, refused to rule out a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal. Asked if she would reconsider the Governments opposition to such an inquiry if it was recommended by Dame Louise, she said she would look at whatever action was recommended.

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Jurors deliberated for three weeks before delivering unanimous guilty verdicts on Friday.

The seven Asian men convicted of the sexual exploitation of two white teenage schoolgirls in Rochdale

Three of the abusers, Mohammed Zahid, 64, Mushtaq Ahmed, 67, and Kasir Bashir, 50  all born in Pakistan  were stallholders at the towns indoor market.

Opening the prosecution case in January, Rossano Scamardella KC said Rochdale had been blighted by child sexual exploitation and that one of the two complainants, Girl A, was abused by many other Asian men.

Girl A told the jury she could have been targeted by more than 200 offenders as her phone number was swapped but said there was that many it was hard to keep count.

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The court heard that she told local childrens services in 2004 that she was hanging around with groups of older men, drinking and taking cannabis.

Giving evidence, Girl B said she was living in a local childrens home when she was preyed on by Zahid, Ahmed and Bashir.

She said she presumed various agencies knew what was going on as police regularly picked her up after social workers labelled her a prostitute.

Girl B told the hearing she had since read her file held by Rochdale social services which she said stated she had been selling herself for sex from the age of 10.

Both complainants denied claims from defence barristers that they fabricated the allegations to secure compensation.

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Father-of-three Zahid, known as Boss Man, gave free underwear from his lingerie stall to both complainants, and also money, alcohol and food in return for the expectation of regular sex with him and his friends.

In 2016, Zahid was jailed for five years in an earlier grooming gang case after he engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl he met when she visited his stall to buy tights for school in 2006.

Bashir did not attend the current trial, and jurors were ordered not to speculate why, but it can be revealed that he absconded while on bail before the trial got under way.

Mustaq Ahmed was one of those convicted for preying on the vulnerabilities of the victims - Peter Byrne/PA Wire

It can also be reported that Mohammed Shahzad, 44, Naheem Akram, 48, and Nisar Hussain, 41, were remanded in custody with their bail revoked in January before the jury was sworn in.

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Police received intelligence that the three Rochdale-born taxi drivers were planning to leave the UK and had already paid a deposit for their transport, the court heard.

All three denied the accusation, but Judge Jonathan Seely said the court was not prepared to take a risk that they too would abscond.

A seventh defendant, Pakistani-born Roheez Khan, 39, also featured in another previous Rochdale grooming trial in 2013 when he was one of five men convicted of sexually exploiting a profoundly vulnerable 15-year-old girl in 2008 and 2009.

Khan was jailed for six and a half years for engaging in sexual activity with a child and witness intimidation.

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The convictions are the latest under Operation Lytton, the most recent in a series of major investigations either launched, aborted or relaunched by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to deal with gangs acting in plain sight decades earlier.

Kasir Bashir absconded while on bail before the trial got under way

Operation Augusta, an investigation into grooming in south Manchester by Asian men was launched in 2004-5 after the death of Victoria Agoglia, 15, on Sept 29 2003.

She was in care but died after being injected with heroin by a man more than 30 years her senior, and had reported being raped.

GMP identified 97 grooming suspects and 25 child victims, all under the care of Manchester city council, but at a joint police and council meeting in 2005, bosses decided to abruptly shut down the operation.

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Minutes from the meeting, taken by the police and the council, both disappeared. Two senior officers in the meeting were later promoted to chief constables, Parliament heard.

More grooming gang offences in Rochdale were investigated in 2008, but the Crown Prosecution Service made the decision not to proceed to trial on the basis that it viewed the main victim as unreliable.

GMP later launched Operation Span, investigating offences between 2010 and 2012. It resulted in the conviction of nine men from Rochdale following a high-profile trial at Liverpool Crown Court ending in May 2012.

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BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  Malian security forces clashed with members of an armed separatist group over two days, resulting in the deaths of 10 separatists, the Malian army said Friday. The Azawad separatists said it killed dozens of Malian soldiers and members of a Kremlin-controlled armed force.

The clashes began with a military offensive in the northern Kidal region on Thursday, the Malian army said in a statement. On Friday, the Malian military's logistics convoy was ambushed before the attack was repelled, it added.

The separatists reported they killed dozens of Malian soldiers and fighters with the Kremlin-controlled African Corps in the ambush.

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The Azawad separatist movement has been fighting for years to create the state of Azawad in northern Mali. They once drove security forces out of the region before a 2015 peace deal that has since collapsed was signed to pave the way for some ex-rebels to be integrated into the Malian military.

We recovered 12 trucks loaded with cereals, tankers full of diesel, one military pickup, and one armored vehicles from the 30 vehicles in the convoy, Mohamed Maouloud Ramadan, spokesman for the Azawad separatists, said in a statement that acknowledged the death of three of their members.

Viral videos shared by the separatists showed military trucks on fire in a large swathe of desert land amid gunfire as gun-wielding hooded young men posed in front of the trucks. The videos also showed bodies with uniforms that resemble those of the Malian army. The Associated Press could not independently verify the videos.

The latest clashes show how difficult it is for security forces in Mali to operate in difficult terrains like Kidal, according to Rida Lyammouri, a Sahel expert at the Morocco-based Policy Center for the New South think tank.

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Its difficult to gather actionable intelligence to protect their convoys, and this gives a significant advantage to armed and jihadist groups, said Lyammouri.

The latest attack occurred days after Russias mercenary group Wagner  which for more than three years helped Malian security forces in the fight against armed groups  announced it was leaving the country. The Africa Corps, under the direct command of the Russian defense ministry, said it will remain in Mali.

There are around 2,000 mercenaries in Mali, according to U.S. officials. It is unclear how many are with Wagner and how many are part of the Africa Corps.
BEIJING (AP)  A typhoon changed its path and landed in southern China's Hainan island at late night Friday.

Typhoon Wutip, landed in Basuo township at a severe tropical storm level in the city of Dongfang in Hainan province, according to Hainan Meteorological Service. Its maximum sustained winds is 30 meters (98 feet) per second.

This is the second time in 70 years the island has the country's first typhoon in the year. Typhoon Wutip was forecasted to make landfall around noon Saturday on the Chinese mainland near the border between Guangdong province and the Guangxi region.

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Authorities in Guangdong province evacuated more than 10,000 people, closed schools and canceled flights, trains and vessels Friday.

It is unclear if Typhoon Wutip has caused any deaths or injuries.

Photos posted by a Chinese news outlet showed toppled trees and a strewn corrugated metal fence at a construction site in the city of Sanya, a popular beach resort on Hainan. All schools, construction sites and tourist attractions in Sanya were closed and flights were suspended at the city's airport, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

A dozen crew members were rescued Thursday night from a cargo ship that called for help, Xinhua said. The crew were transferred to a rescue vessel in rough seas with 3-meter (10-foot) waves.

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Typhoon Wutip had maximum sustained winds of 119 kilometers (74 miles) per hour before it landed.

Guangdong activated rescue boats and helicopters, and more than 49,000 fishing boats returned to port, Xinhua said. The provincial meteorological agency forecast heavy rain and said tornadoes were possible.

Wutip means butterfly in Cantonese, which is spoken in Macao. Countries and the Chinese regions of Hong Kong and Macao contribute the names for storms during the typhoon season.

The last time the island had the country's first typhoon landfall was in 2008 with Typhoon Neoguri. Neoguri means raccoon in Korean.
(Texas Scorecard)  An East Texas teacher arrested earlier this year for bestiality and possessing child pornography is facing a new charge of sexually touching a child.

Hillary Danielle Williams, 34, was arrested Tuesday and charged with indecency with a child by sexual contact, a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.

Williams is accused of touching a young child inappropriately on February 19. The child made an outcry about the contact in April and also told police Williams was practicing witchcraft.

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Williams was teaching in Wells Independent School District at the time of the alleged incident but had been allowed to resign on February 24 following her earlier arrest.

The teacher was previously arrested on February 22 and charged with bestiality and possession with intent to promote child pornography, both felonies.

Authorities alleged Williams and her boyfriend had sexually explicit images of an elementary school-age child and video of Williams performing a sexual act on a male dog on their phones. The couple claimed they had been victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Williams was released from jail on bonds totaling $350,000.

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An Angelina County grand jury indicted Williams on both counts in April.

On June 5, Angelina County Sheriffs Office investigators obtained a warrant for Williams arrest on the new charge.

She was taken into custody again on June 10 and booked into the Angelina County Jail, where she is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Williams taught junior high and high school math in Wells ISD from 2024 until her February arrest and resignation. She has held a Texas teaching certificate since 2015.

State records show Williams current certificate is under review by the Texas Education Agency.

Williams is among hundreds of Texas teachers and school employees accused of sex crimes involving children in just the past few years.
Cynthia Santiago, an attorney in Southern California, won her high school presidential class race the same year Stephen Miller, the current White House Deputy Chief of Staff, lost the class speaker race. More than 20 years later, Santiago is trying to fight Millers mass deportation efforts.

Santiago, the daughter of immigrants, has been working to defend immigrants rights since 2012. But having gone to school with Miller, watching his rise to prominence in President Donald Trumps world, and the actions of the administration he is a senior member of, worried her.

I was very concerned about where his thoughts were going, his views on immigration and the immigrant communities, his views against diversity in the United States, Santiago told The Daily Beast.

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Miller, largely credited as the architect of Trumps immigration policies during his first administration, has seemingly always abided by right-wing ideals and anti-immigration policies.

Recalling the day she won her class election at Santa Monica High School, Santiago said that Miller was booed off stage for giving an incendiary speech about picking up trash.

Cynthia Santiago is now working as an immigration lawyer in California (Youtube)

A video of the moment, posted online years ago, shows Miller on stage asking his fellow students, Am I the only one who is sick and tired of being told to pick up my trash, when we have plenty of janitors who are paid to do it for us?

A school newspaper clipping, obtained by The Daily Beast, says Millers microphone was turned off and he was escorted off stage for what school officials said was going over time.

A woman who went to high school with Stephen Miller is currently trying to fight his deportation efforts in California (Getty Images)

Writing for the Santa Monica Lookout in 2002, Miller advocated for all announcements to be written in English only, claimed very few Hispanic students were in honors classes, and asserted that the schools political correctness would make Osama bin Laden feel very welcome at Santa Monica High School.

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The Independent has asked the White House for comment.

Santiago said that many of Millers thoughts are things that he digs from history and that he doesnt have much of a perspective of the world we live in today.

But with his status as a close Trump ally, Department of Homeland Security advisor, and deputy chief of staff, Miller is able to bring his thoughts to life.

Miller is a close ally of Donald Trump and is largely credited with helping him develop his immigration policies (Twitter/StephenM)

The California lawyer says she is seeing firsthand how some of Millers tactics are impacting immigrants in Southern California.

Santiago told The Daily Beast that one of the ways the government is increasing the number of deportees is by taking pending asylum cases marked as favorable to court and revoking a persons temporary status.

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I saw [ICE ] taking people from courtrooms, sticking them in the van, Santiago said.

The person is basically at an undocumented status with no case pending, and theyre vulnerable to be picked up, Santiago said. They have no status, no filing, no case opening.

But Miller, and the Trump administration, are pushing to deport as many undocumented immigrants as possible to keep good on the presidents campaign promise, in whatever way they can.

This story was updated on June 13 to clarify that Stephen Miller ran for speaker of the house and Cynthia Santiago ran for student body president.
One of the most significant catalysts came in May when Toyota made a substantial $250 million investment in the company, becoming Jobys largest shareholder in the process. Toyotas involvement brings decades of production expertise and operational know-how that could prove invaluable as Joby scales from prototype to mass production.

Joby has been on a notable run lately, with shares climbing over 22% in the past month, thanks to several major announcements that have investors excited.

While the company operates in a competitive landscape with peers such as Archer Aviation (ACHR) and EHang (EH), strategic partnershipsincluding a manufacturing collaboration with Toyota and operational agreements with Delta Air Linesenhance its credibility. Additionally, contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense further diversify potential revenue streams and support the broader validation of its technology across both commercial and government sectors.

Beyond aircraft manufacturing, Joby is building a comprehensive ecosystem that includes pilot training initiatives and proprietary dispatch software. This vertically integrated approach may offer substantial competitive advantages if executed effectively.

Joby Aviation is playing a leading role in the transformation of the aviation industry through the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The global eVTOL market was valued at approximately $760 million in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated $17.34 billion by 2035.

Aside from confirming the specter of space-age technology making its way onto American streets, as foreshadowed by content creators for generations, leading electric aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation (JOBY) stands well-positioned to capitalize fully on the evolving opportunity. The company has been making headlines with major partnership announcements and impressive funding rounds. After analyzing recent developments and financial performance, I am bullish on the space and Joby Aviations potential.

On Friday, June 6 th , President Trump signed an Executive Order to unleash American drone dominance, which included directing the Transportation Department to develop an Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) program to accelerate eVTOL operations in the U.S.

Story Continues

Following that, Joby signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabias Abdul Latif Jameel to explore a potentially massive $1 billion distribution deal. If finalized, this could represent a significant international expansion opportunity, with up to 200 Joby aircraft potentially deployed across Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps most importantly for long-term prospects, Joby has been making steady progress through the complex Federal Aviation Administration certification process. The company recently advanced to the final phase of FAA type certification. It became the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company to conduct routine pilot-on-board transition flights. This regulatory progress is crucial because it directly impacts when Joby can begin commercial operations and start generating meaningful revenue. The recent White House directive may be enough to help get these birds airborne even sooner.

A Solid Financial Foundation

Jobys first-quarter net loss narrowed to $82 million from $95 million in the prior year, and the company beat earnings expectations by $0.07 per share. While cash burn continues, the trajectory suggests management is making progress on cost control as the company approaches its commercial launch.

Joby Aviation (JOBY) estimated and reported revenues history

Further, its robust balance sheet is a key selling point. The company ended the first quarter of 2025 with $813 million in cash and short-term investments. The recent Toyota investment, combined with an additional $500 million commitment from the automaker, significantly strengthens this position.

Joby Aviation (JOBY) balance sheet showing assets, liabilities and debt-to-assets

This financial cushion is particularly important given that Joby is still in the pre-revenue phase of its development. The company is projecting a cash burn of $500 million to $540 million in 2025, highlighting the significant capital requirements of introducing an entirely new form of transportation to the market.

The current war chest provides roughly 1.5 years of operational runway at current spending levels. Even better, Joby carries zero debt, giving it tremendous financial flexibility as it works toward commercialization.

Is Joby Aviation a Good Stock to Buy?

The market opportunity, while potentially massive, remains largely theoretical. Consumer acceptance of air taxi services remains unproven, and regulatory frameworks for urban air mobility are still evolving. Yet, analysts following the company remain cautiously optimistic.

Joby Aviation is rated a Moderate Buy overall, based on the most recent recommendations of seven analysts. Their 12-month average price target for JOBY stock is $8.86, representing a 4% downside from current levels over the next 12 months. However, various analysts are likely to shift their positions towards a more bullish stance once the full impact of Donald Trumps executive order is assimilated by market participants.

Cantor analyst Andres Sheppard remains optimistic, recently reiterating an Overweight rating for JOBY stock with a $9 price target. He notes the companys strong liquidity and strategic partnerships with Toyota, Delta Air Lines, and the Department of Defense, which position JOBY as a leading contender in commercializing eVTOL technology.

H.C. Wainwrights Amit Dayal shares a similar positive outlook, particularly following Toyotas significant $250 million investment aimed at supporting Jobys development efforts. Dayal anticipates a pivotal year in 2025 for the eVTOL industry, with milestones expected in certifications and piloted flights. The expectation is for Joby to produce 2530 eVTOL units by the end of next year, with substantial revenue growth projected, reaching over $1 billion by 2029. Dayal also maintains a Buy rating with a $9 price target.

Countdown to Take Off

Joby Aviation is a compelling investment opportunity in an embryonic industry poised to commercialize urban air transportation. The promise of flying cars, envisioned by countless visionaries over the past 100 years, is now becoming a reality, albeit gradually. JOBY has secured impressive partnerships, maintains a strong balance sheet, and is making meaningful progress toward commercialization.

The company is poised to transition from an ambitious startup to a commercial aviation company. Key milestones to watch include progress on FAA certification, formalization of the Saudi Arabia partnership, and updates on manufacturing scale-up.

The future of flight is here, and I am pretty bullish on the eVTOL space and the current market leaders, such as Joby, who are making it a reality.

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Trinity Hobbs, a 24-year-old flight attendant from Gary, remembers the excitement she felt when she got her conditional job offer from American Airlines.

I feel very accomplished, because now I have an actual career where I get to enjoy life and get to help others enjoy life as well. So Im very blessed. I feel blessed and accomplished

After a rigorous interview process, she was finally chosen out of thousands of applicants into the companys training class at American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. This was it: her first-class ticket toward a life full of free flights, foreign lands, and adventures around the world.

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After applying twice, the third time was the charm  but she said she wouldve applied a dozen more times, as many as it took to get accepted. Her perseverance, she said, was driven from a prophecy.

I knew that this was going to be my career for the rest of my life because it was prophesied to me, Hobbs said. I was doing it to fulfill Gods plan for me because theres a reason why he chose me to do that. I cant give up on something that I know is for me.

Hobbs grew up in church, attending True Light International Ministries in Griffith. She struggled with her self-confidence and mental health after being bullied for her physical features growing up. That insecurity lingered, she said, and left her confused about her direction in life  until one day, she changed course. During a life-changing talk, her pastor, Scott Jefferson III, told her that she was meant for a life in the skies as a flight attendant.

Trinity Hobbs said she struggled with her self-confidence after being bullied when she was younger. (Courtesy of Trinity Hobbs)

From then on, where her haters saw flaws, she saw flight. She spent a year applying to flight attendant schools with dozens of airlines, including Hawaiian, United, Delta, and Spirit, until she finally landed an acceptance with her dream company  American Airlines.

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During her training, Hobbs was taught the customer motto: You are why we fly.

However, her reason for pursuing flight school was to share her light and positivity with people around the world.

Im a strong woman, she said. I went through a lot. I grew up being bullied. Theres a number of things that can make someones life very hard. I know that I am able to use my strength to encourage others from different areas. So I want to spread love, and the best way to do that is to spread love across the world.

Looking back, Hobbs said she was always meant for a life in the skies. From her first plane ride in her mothers belly, to her 5-foot-10-inch reach-ready height, and her love of high altitudes, all the pieces had fallen into place. Moreover, Hobbs said that following her faith had guided her to becoming a flight attendant, and she credits the values she learned in Gary for the skills she uses to thrive in her career today, from developing her warm yet assertive personality to her ability to connect with strangers.

Personally, my neighborhood has always shown me that when you come in contact with someone, even if theyre not nice  just show you care, she said. Be there for them. Invite them to a cookout, invite them to your house, invite them to church. Thats what I got from here.

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Hobbs said she looks forward to bringing more positive representation about her beloved hometown to the rest of the world and carrying her roots with her everywhere she goes.

I understand people think of Gary as, like, oh, its the hood, its the streets or whatever, she said, or think of it as the hometown of Michael Jackson, but there is more to it.

Recounting some of her favorite memories in her hometown, she sighed with a smile. The neighborhood cookouts where no one leaves a stranger, tasty home-cooked meals, finding community with her church, and spending time with her cousins, aunties, and her mom  her biggest supporter.

Trinity Hobbs is pictured here with her mother, Judy Hobbs. (Courtesy of Trinity Hobbs)

Garys nice to go home to, Hobbs said. I dont care where I go in this whole entire world, Im always going to want to be able to go back home to Gary, because thats my home. The people there and my experiences there prepared me for aviation.

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Growing up in Gary taught Hobbs how to be authentic, and stand up for herself, she added, because the area let her be my own Black self that she couldnt be in other areas in Indiana.

When I came to Texas for training, I let everybody know Im from Gary, she said. And you know, Gary specifically, is predominantly Black. It impacts my humor, my personality, and my strength that comes from God.

She needed that strength for her upcoming class training. While she finally had an offer on the table, the work had just begun.

Just because you got the job offer, doesnt mean you got the job, she said. You really dont know until you get your wings.

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Hobbs said her training included emergency drills in cold pools, flight simulations, weekly assessments and evaluations on aviation safety, aircraft and regulations, customer service skills, and a detailed grooming process. This required her to learn the multiple aspects of the job to the fullest capacities of her mental, physical  and emotional strength.

Everything is extreme from the time you get there, Hobbs said.

Being away from her home, Hobbs said she initially struggled, but found community and friendship among her peers on the campus. She found her closest friend, Tirzah Harris, another trainee, who supported her throughout their journey.

Hobbs stands with her pastor, Scott Jefferson III. (Courtesy of Trinity Hobbs)

After a six-week whirlwind, it was Harris who finally pinned her wings at graduation in May.

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It was extremely emotional, Hobbs said, adding that her classmates, like family now, cried tears of joy for each other.

Its a huge deal because throughout training, you keep telling yourself, I can get my wings. I get my wings. You really have to make sure you make it all the way.

As a graduate, she joins a growing presence of Black women breaking the ground in aviations majority-white field. Women hold the majority of flight attendant jobs, making up 77% of the workforce. Overall, 69% of flight attendants are white and 22% are Black, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

After graduating, Hobbs said she is excited to go wherever work takes her. Now, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, she says she is looking forward to taking her mom to their dream destinations and building a future that will support her and her family.

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When my uncle was living in Vietnam  I promised myself I would come back there, she said. I said, Mom, next time we go to Vietnam, Im gonna pay for everything. I promise you, Im gonna make sure Im successful.

Growing up being mocked for her looks, people discouraged Hobbs from her dreams, saying that she didnt have what it took to make it. Now, she stays runway-ready in tailored uniforms  pressed, poised, and skybound.

My goal is to encourage people not to let anybody tell you what you can and cannot be, Hobbs said.

Thats why God took someone who was as broken as me, strengthened me, and then brought me to aviation, she said.

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To encourage them and be an example of why its important to recognize your beauty and so you can do whatever you want. You really can be whoever you want to be when you grow up. You really can. If its in you, its in you.

The post She Was Born and Raised in Gary. Now, Shes Bound for the Skies. appeared first on Capital B Gary.
Far-right groups are sharing violent messages ahead of the No Kings protests this weekend to coincide with President Donald Trumps military birthday parade.

Accounts associated with extremist groups are also sharing detailed information about protest organizers, including names and where they work, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Protests in more than 2,000 cities are scheduled to take place Saturday.

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Shoot a couple, the rest will go home, one meme circulating on a Proud Boys Telegram channel said.

Another meme posted in the channel depicted four armed men. HANG THE TRAITORS, EXPEL THE INVADERS, it said.

Far-right groups are sharing violent messages on social media ahead of the No Kings protests set for this weekend in over 2,000 cities (AFP via Getty Images)

The Northern Illinois Proud Boys shared a meme on their Telegram channel falsely claiming the LAPD was seeking support from vigilantes ahead of the protests this weekend.

Other far-right groups are frequently sharing memes in support of the Trump administrations efforts to increase raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Experts on extremism in America are alarmed by the posts because they could inspire lone-actor violence or persuade someone to get off the couch, pick up a gun and go out to one of these cities, Jon Lewis, a research fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, told The Journal.

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University of Pittsburgh sociologist Kathleen Blee also told the outlet that white nationalists are uniting against nonwhite immigrants. Far-right beliefs are resonating in the mainstream media with these groups more than ever before, Blee said.

Its by far the worst. Its scarily the worst. Its flashing red, she said. Its a very precarious time right now.

One of the memes in a Proud Boys Telegram channel. Experts said the posts were alarming because they could inspire lone-actor violence (Telegram)

A faction of the Proud Boys group also shared an anti-immigration poster originally put out by the Department of Homeland Security.

In the image, Uncle Sam is depicted nailing a poster to a wall. REPORT ALL FOREIGN INVADERS, it says.

At least two far-right X accounts claimed to have had some involvement in creating or disseminating the image before the department shared it, according to CNN.

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Elisabeth Fondren, a journalism professor at St. Johns University, told the network that the poster fits within a long history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and, yes, state propaganda.

In response, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that every American citizen should support federal law enforcement in their just effort to deport criminal illegal alien invaders from our country.

As organizers across the country gear up for Saturdays mass demonstrations, Trump was asked for his take on the No Kings demonstrations this week.

I don't feel like a king, Trump said, and proceeded to complain that he must go through hell to get anything done. No, no, we're not a king. We're not a king at all.

Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was released earlier this year from his 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy following Trumps pardons and commutations for January 6 rioters.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Portland police are asking for the publics help in identifying a person they believe to be involved in shootings targeting homeless individuals near a North Portland park.

According to PPB, the three non-injury shootings happened around Delta Park, with each occurring at different days and times:

Blue Heron paper mill fire now deemed intentional, suspect arrested

Saturday, May 31 in the 3500 Block of North Victory Boulevard

Saturday, June 7 in the 1300 Block of North Schmeer Road

Sunday, June 8th in the 1600 Block of North Schmeer Road

Portland police and Crime Stoppers of Oregon are asking for the publics help in identifying a man accused in shootings targeting homeless people near Delta Park. (Crime Stoppers of Oregon)

Police say the person of interest is a white man in his early 50s who rides a black electric bike.

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Crime Stoppers of Oregon is also offering cash rewards of up to $2,500 for any information leading to an arrest.

Tips can be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers website or their mobile app called P3 tips.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  The two people killed in a shooting over the weekend on the Las Vegas Strip captured it on video while livestreaming to their shared YouTube channel, according to a police report.

The married victims were identified by the Clark County coroner's office as Tanisha Finley, 43, and Rodney Finley, 44. Both died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Las Vegas police said the shooting on Sunday night near the landmark Bellagio fountains was an isolated incident between the victims and the suspect, who had been feuding on social media since at least 2023. The suspect, identified by police as Manuel D. Ruiz, surrendered to authorities Monday morning at a police station outside of Las Vegas.

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Ruiz, 41, faces two counts of open murder with a deadly weapon and is being held without bail, jail records show.

The Associated Press sent an emailed message Thursday seeking comment from his public defender. Ruiz told police after his arrest that he was acting in self-defense, according to his arrest report.

The suspect is seen in the video livestream pulling a gun from his waistband, raising it and initially firing between five and six shots, according to a description of the video detailed in the report. One or two more gunshots can be heard in the video after Tanisha Finley is seen grabbing the cellphone that is being used for the livestream.

The phone fell to the ground and remained still for a moment until a police officer appeared in the camera frame and turned off the livestream, the report said.

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The couple's son was among the 911 callers to report the shooting, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

I heard gunshots around him," he says. "I think he might have got shot, so I was just trying to check and make sure, just try to see if he's OK or where he's at.

In his interview with police after he surrendered, the suspect said he also has a YouTube channel and had been livestreaming from the Strip on the night of the shooting. Ruiz told police began shooting because it looked like one of the victims was reaching for a weapon, according to the report.

Police said no firearms were found on the victims.

The shooting happened on one of the busiest stretches of the Strip. The dancing Bellagio fountains, which soar up to 460 feet (140 meters) into the air, play every 15 minutes on the weekends between 8 p.m. and midnight.
The Brief

A gun went off inside a bus on the 1400 block of N. Ashland early Friday morning, prompting a police response.

A 34-year-old man was taken into custody after exiting the bus, and a gun was recovered at the scene.

No injuries were reported, and Area Five detectives are investigating with charges pending.

CHICAGO - A man was taken into custody early Friday after a gun went off on a CTA bus in the citys Wicker Park neighborhood, according to Chicago police.

What we know

Officers responded to a bus alarm around 1:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of North Ashland Avenue and were told by a witness that a 34-year-old man shot a gun while riding the bus. The bus came to a stop and the man got off, police said.

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Responding officers arrested the man nearby and recovered a gun. No injuries were reported.

Area Five detectives are investigating. Police said charges are pending.

The Source

The information in this report came from the Chicago Police Department.
A congressional hearing quickly devolved into a shouting match between two Republicans and a Democrat who sought a subpoena for Kristi Noem over the forcible removal of Sen. Alex Padilla from a Thursday press conference.

During a Thursday hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) implored his fellow lawmakers to subpoena Noem over the incident, which saw her security team manhandle and handcuff the California Democrat after he loudly questioned the homeland security secretary about ICE raids that have led to nationwide protests.

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla is pushed out and handcuffed as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem holds a news conference in Los Angeles on June 12. / The Daily Beast/Etienne Laurent/AP/Office of Sen. Alex Padilla

Rep. James Comer (R-KY), the committee chairman, quickly waved off Frosts concerns over the incident.

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Mr. Chair, also, we were just talking about this. I want to know if you can commit to working with us so we can subpoena, Frost began to say, before Comer cut him off.

Youre out of order, Comer replied.

The two congressmen briefly spoke over each other until Comer recognized MAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who entered the tense scene guns blazing.

Oh, Democrats cant follow the rules, cant follow the law, she said twice.

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene argued with Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost over House rules. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS

We need to subpoena Kristi Noem, Frost repeated. Its her staff, DHS federal officers, that threw a U.S. senator to the ground.

Greene continued to talk over the young Democrat: Theres a privilege of the majority, and that means were in charge. Not your side, because you lost the election, because you supported the invasion of our country.

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Frost, Greene, and Comer all refused to back down until the chairman grew exasperated with the back-and-forth.

Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost sought a commitment that the House Oversight Committee would subpoena Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. / C-SPAN

Shut up. Just shut up, Comer told Frost, who had repeatedly asked him to commit to subpoenaing Noem.

No, youre not gonna tell me to shut up, Frost hit back.

Hes been out of order six times, Comer said of Frost. He is trying to get on MSNBC. You probably knocked somebody off MSNBC to get on there.

The chairman then handed the floor over to Greene, who lobbed a bizarre accusation at Frost without providing evidence.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer had no patience for Frost during a tense exchange on Thursday. / Getty Images

I think because hes been arrested as a former antifa member, right? she said of Padilla, referring to the far-left movement. Hes a former antifa member Not surprised.

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Frost appeared to be in disbelief as he asked for Greenes remarks to be taken off the record.

The dramatic interaction ended when Greene turned her attention to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to ask questions.

Several Democrats have rallied around Padilla following his wild takedown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an immediate probe into the un-American incident: To look at this video and see what happened reeksreeksof totalitarianism," he said. This is not what democracies do.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed Schumer in a post, stating that those behind the brazen and aggressive manhandling of Senator Padilla must be held accountable.

Noem called Padillas interruption inappropriate, while Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin slammed the senator for choosing disrespectful political theater. Noem and Padilla spoke for 15 minutes after the incident, McLaughlin said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become more paranoid, fearful and angry in the wake of the so-called Signal-gate scandal that saw the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic included on a chat platform conversation with top national security officials as a drone strike was underway against Houthi rebels in Yemen, a new report reveals.

Six people told New York magazine that Hegseth was noticeably changed by the ordeal.

They said he seemed angrier, did not bother to shave as often and seemed afraid to make the wrong decision after Signal-gate.

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One source said that the Pentagon seemed to stop being creative. Another source said the scandal was consuming his whole life at a time when he should have been focused on, you know, our national security.

Hegseth also began to regularly have his personal lawyer, Tim Parlatore, and his wife, Jennifer, around, which confused foreign officials.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has become more paranoid, fearful and angry in the wake of the so-called Signal-gate scandal, a new report reveals. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

In addition, other news outlets reported that Hegseth had a second group chat going with Parlatore, his wife and his brother and had set up an unsecured internet line in his office.

Word of the embarrassing potential breach of national security broke in March, when then-National Security Advisor Michael Waltz added Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantics editor-in-chief, onto a text chain on the messaging app Signal where the Trump administrations national security team discussed striking Houthi targets in Yemen.

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The scandal immediately put Hegseth--who faced a narrow confirmation in the Senate earlier this year due to his views on women in the military, reports of drinking on the job and allegations of sexual misconduct that he vehemently denied--under heavy scrutiny.

In response, Hegseth assailed Goldberg. Youre talking about a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist whos made a profession of peddling hoaxes time and time again to include the hoaxes of Russia, Russia, Russia, he said at the time. He said that nobody texted war plans.

That led to Goldberg publishing screenshots of the full text messages, which showed that the administration officials had indeed been texting what looked like war plans.

Earlier this week, Hegseth appeared on Capitol Hill to answer questions about Trumps deployment of Marines to quell anti-ICE riots and demonstrations in Los Angeles. He also faced aggressive questioning about the US having contingency plans to invade Greenland and Panama.

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The magazine profiled Hegseths distress after NBC News reported the story about the plans to reclaim Panama and he told his chief of staff Joseph Kasper that he wanted an investigation. The Pentagon further plunged into disarray when the press reported that the Pentagon had ordered a second carrier into the Red Sea.

Hegseth defended the fact that sending troops to Los Angeles cost $134 million.

The magazine profile went into deeper detail about the dismissal of Hegseths allies in the Pentagon, including his advisers Dan Caldwell, Darin Selnick and Colin Carroll.

Kasper, Hegseths chief of staff, believed that Colin tried to get Kasper fired through a report by the Pentagons inspector general about Kaspers alleged drug use.

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Thats what pisses me off the most, Carroll said. I dont want a secretary of defense that cant even f***ing fire people properly and not have it rebound back on his ass. Pete cant even be a good villain.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell denied claims of disarray under Hegseths tenure.

Claims of chaos at the Pentagon under Secretary Hegseth are false, he said. When members of the legacy media lie, they disrespect the brave servicemembers and civilians who selflessly serve our country.

At the moment, Hegseth no longer has a chief of staff or deputy chief of staff.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A SILVER Advisory has been canceled by the Harrisonville Police Department for a missing 82-year-old man last seen Friday morning, June 13.

Police said that the man was last seen at 2308 Twin Oaks Drive in Harrisonville, Missouri, around 9:45 a.m. He was recently moved to Harrisonville from his home in Kearney, Missouri and reportedly told others he was going back home.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activates National Guard, declares State of Emergency

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However, police say that he hadnt been seen at his previous Kearney home. His vehicle, a silver 2011 Ford Edge with Missouri license plates JC0D4R, was seen on I-49 southbound near Archie, Missouri.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A Sioux City man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to drug crimes.

Phillip Plummer, 42, of Sioux City, was accused of conspiring to distribute meth in the Sioux City area from 2022 to 2023.

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The US Department of Justice reported, in a release, that Plummer admitted to distributing meth seven times, and four of those times were within 1,000 feet of schools  like Mater Dei Elementary and Hunt Elementary.

In May 2023, law enforcement claimed they search Plummers home and found 271.7 grams of pure methamphetamine, 155.6 grams of cocaine, 31.6 grams of suspected MDMA, 55.1 grams of suspected marijuana, 37.9 grams of suspected cocaine, two bags of THC gummies, and two vape pens.

After pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and a count of distributing methamphetamine, Plummer was sentenced to 120 months in prison with 10 years of supervised release.

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SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Public Museum will soon be offering another tour of the Peirce Mansion and the nearby area.

The tour will take place on June 24 and last for approximately two hours, allowing those who attend to check out the Peirce Mansion and the surrounding neighborhood.

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Starting at 5 p.m., the tour will explore the Peirce Mansion, a Victorian-era mansion located on Sioux Citys north side. The mansion was built by Sioux City developer John Peirce. Peirce helped the city grade the hilly area and establish a cable car line that once ran the full length of Jackson Street up to 40th Street.

After the house tour, the Jackson Street Walking Tour will begin at 6:30 pm. This leg of the tour will take attendees on a guided tour that explores Jackson Street and the surrounding neighborhoods history. Topics will include notable residents and architecture.

The tours are both free and open to the public to attend. For more information, contact the museum at 712-279-6174 or visit their website.

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By Nazrin Abdul



The Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan has ratified the Agreement on the Establishment of the Civil Protection Mechanism of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), marking a significant step in regional cooperation on disaster response and emergency management.

The agreement was approved in a single reading during todays plenary session of the Milli Majlis.

Signed on November 6, 2024, in Bishkek, the agreement was concluded between the governments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan. It aims to establish a joint civil protection mechanism capable of responding to disasters and emergencies both within the territories of OTS member and observer states, andupon agreementeven beyond.

The Turkic States Organization Civil Protection Mechanism (TSOCPM) is designed to coordinate emergency response operations across the region, including: Search and rescue missions; Medical assistance; Monitoring and disaster analysis; Provision of shelter and humanitarian aid.

Support will be provided upon the request of an affected state, and participation in relief efforts will remain voluntary for member countries.

The agreement also outlines the roles of each country's relevant authority:

- Ministries of Emergency Situations in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan

- Ministry of Internal Affairs in Turkiye

Under the agreement, TSOCPM will function as an international organization with legal entity status, governed by the following structures:

- Council of Ministers: Composed of ministers responsible for emergency management in each participating country. The council meets at least once a year and is chaired by the minister of the country holding the rotating presidency of the OTS.

- Secretariat of the TSOCPM: Based in Istanbul, the Secretariat supports coordination, implementation, and communication efforts. It is led by a Secretary General, appointed on a rotational basis for a term of three years (renewable for up to two more years).

The agreement will enter into force 30 days after the final party submits its ratification documents via diplomatic channels to the Depositary, which is designated as the Government of the Republic of Turkiye.

While the agreement is initially open to OTS member and observer states, third-party states may also join upon unanimous consent of all current parties. Signatories also retain the right to withdraw from the agreement through formal written notification.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is one of the best Dow stocks to invest in.

Recently, a federal judge ruled that a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary must pay $442 million in damages after a jury concluded last month that the company had broken antitrust laws by withholding support from hospitals that used reprocessed catheters.

U.S. District Judge James Selna ordered the company to pay three times the $147 million in damages awarded by the jury, as permitted under antitrust regulations. This sum does not include legal fees or other related costs.

Judge Orders J&J Subsidiary to Pay $442 Million in Antitrust Lawsuit

Daniel Vukelich, CEO of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, described the decision as a seismic result. In response, a Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) spokesperson said the company intends to appeal the verdict but will comply with the courts decision and any required relief for now. The spokesperson added, We strongly disagree with the jurys verdict and believe it will not withstand appellate review.

Innovative Health sued Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)'s Biosense Webster in 2019, claiming the company used its market power to block hospitals from using reprocessed heart-mapping catheters by tying support for its Carto 3 system to purchases of its own products.

A jury found Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) violated antitrust laws by withholding support for the reprocessed devices. AMDRs CEO said the ruling signals that anti-competitive tactics against reprocessing wont be tolerated. The case was heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

While we acknowledge the potential of JNJ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Biotech Stocks with Huge Upside Potential and 10 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure. None.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Fans of jazz, photography, or even just the overall music scene are encouraged to visit the new exhibit that will be up Saturday at the Sioux City Public Museum.

Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby opens June 14 and will be on display until August 10. Bob Willoughby is best known for his pictures of film sets and actors, but he is also known to have taken musician photos.

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Those musical images are what can be expected in the new exhibit. Willoughby has photographed some of the most well-known jazz artists, including, but not limited to, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and Frank Sinatra. In the release, Brubeck said, [Willoughby] had not only a good eye, but a keen ear, and seemed to know when to snap at an inspired moment.

Willoughbys photographs are collected and in museums around the world, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to the Tate Modern in London. The release suggests that Shutter and Sound is as enduring as the music.

Shutter and Sound will be displayed in conjunction with Uncle Johns Ceiling Murals.

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The Sioux City Public Museum is in downtown Sioux City. Its hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and admission will be free. For more information, call 712-279-6174 or visit their website.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Siouxland lawmakers reacted to Israels attack.

On X, South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson said, Israel is within its right to defend itself from Iran, the largest state-sponsor of terror. Iran breached its obligation and must end its nuclear weapons program. The United States will stand with Israel who continues to face threats across the Middle East.

South Dakota Senator John Thune said in a statement, Today, Israel has determined that it must take decisive action to defend the Israeli people. The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region

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Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts said on X, President Trump gave Iran ample opportunity to peacefully dismantle its nuclear program. Ive consistently said Iran can never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  An agreement between Wayne State College, Northeast Community College, and South Sioux City Community School will help students participate in the districts Gateway to Learning Program.

The alternative high school is designed to support students who may have challenges within a traditional school setting. The project helps students succeed, but positions the program to help even more high school students.

We couldnt be more excited to have our alternative education students relocate to a college center where, every day, they walk through the doors of a college center and have greater access to pursue their post-high school plans. And so that is a game changer for our kids, and we couldnt be more excited, said the superintendent of South Sioux City Schools, Dr. Rony Ortega.

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Local college officials say the partnership with the school district will assist in enhancing their current offerings for their programs.

It just makes perfect sense that we use our resources efficiently and we remove those barriers, the barriers of space, the barriers of access in this process, said Janet Lebeza of Wayne State College.

The existing GTL program is currently housed at 1000 West 29th Street. At the college center, the program will have 5 rooms and a corridor.

President of Northeast Community College, r. Leah Barrett, said to be able to come here as high school students and then just in the flip of a switch, get to be here as a college student, taking classes and finding a way to really learn what they want to do and what they want to live their life doing.

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Barrett also said that while the arrangement of the program with colleges might seem new, this isnt the first time this style of partnership has been implemented. In the press release, she said, Welcoming the GTL program to the College Center is a great step to building pathways to higher education for young people who may not have been college-bound. The students will have the benefit of stepping into a college facility every day for high school classes as well as multiple opportunities to participate in dual enrollment courses from Northeast and Wayne State.

The students in the new GTL high school will have new opportunities, one of which is welding. According to the release, the students will take welding and general education courses at the College Campus and finish their remaining high school requirements on Fridays or outside of the typical school day. Students will have access to tuition-free content because of Northeasts free Early College program.

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Students will be responsible for their own textbooks, course fees, and tools. And, according to the release, this is where the new partnership needs assistance. Students may need help paying for textbooks, course fees, and tools.

The director of the South Sioux City Extended Campus said that students who participate will graduate in May with a high school diploma and a welding diploma. She also said, We do not want these expenses to be a barrier to students, and therefore we are committed to securing sponsorships and in-kind donations to ensure a successful launch.

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Beirut (dpa)  Sirens sounded across parts of Jordan early on Friday as the Royal Jordanian Air Force and air defence systems intercepted multiple missiles and drones that breached the country's airspace, a senior military official said.

The state-run PETRA news agency, citing the Jordanian Armed Forces, said the intercepts were based on assessments that threats could enter populated areas, endangering civilians and infrastructure.

The military confirmed that its forces remain on high alert, working around the clock to secure Jordan's borders by land, sea and air. It reiterated that no violations of Jordanian airspace will be tolerated.

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The statement did not mention "Iranian" missiles and drones, but it followed a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear-related sites across Iran.

In response, Iran has vowed retaliation, launching more than 100 drones towards Israel, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stating that Israel must expect "harsh punishment."

Jordan lies along the direct flight path between Iran and Israel, placing it at risk of being caught in the crossfire of regional military activity.

The Public Security Directorate has urged citizens to adhere to official safety instructions amid growing regional tensions.

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Authorities said warning sirens would be activated if missiles or drones entered Jordanian skies, serving as an alert for people to seek immediate shelter.

Citizens were also advised to avoid gathering near impact sites or approaching unidentified debris, which could pose additional hazards.

Both the military and security authorities emphasized the importance of relying on official sources for information and warned against spreading rumours or false reports.
A 29-year-old skier visiting Alaska's Denali National Park died on June 10 after being caught in an avalanche while descending Mt. McKinley. Nicholas Vizzini of Washington state was descending the West Buttress Climbing Route with his climbing partner, a snowboarder, when they triggered an avalanche, according to the National Park Service.

The avalanche began at approximately 16,600 feet and fell to 15,000 above Mt. McKinley's base. Two mountaineering rangers on the scene first spotted the surviving snowboarder on top of avalanche debris. They promptly sent out a beacon search and found Vizzini buried deeper into the snow debris.

Rangers dug Vizzini out of the debris and performed CPR for approximately 40 minutes before stopping without being able to establish a pulse. The snowboarder was also treated for minor injuries on the scene and did not need to be immediately transported from the mountain.

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Vizzini's body was flown to nearby town of Talkeetna, Alaska, where the state medical examiner's office took over from the National Park Service. Denali National Park, located just north of Talkeetna and neighboring Anchorage, Alaska, is still in the midst of its annual climbing season that typically ends in early July.

This is the second fatal accident to happen on Mt. McKinley in the past week. On June 4, 41-year-old climber Alex Chiu of Seattle, Washington, passed away after falling 3,000 feet. That incident also took place on the West Buttress Climbing Route of Mt. McKinley, in the same area as the most recent June 10 incident.

Skier Dead in Late-Spring Avalanche at Famed National Park first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Hip-hop legend Slick Rick is proving his creative spark is far from fading.

The English-born rapper  known for his signature eye patch and masterful storytelling  returned to the booth with his first new project in nearly three decades. He's reminding the world of his timeless rap prowess on his visual album, Victory, released Friday.

It marks Slick Rick's first album since 1999's The Art of Storytelling. This new project is largely self-produced, with the rapper handling 95% of the production and sharing executive producer duties with Emmy-nominated actor and occasional rapper-DJ Idris Elba, who appears on the album alongside Nas, Giggs and Estelle.

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You was a young adult, then a middled aged man and now youre an older man, so my mentality has to grow with it, said Slick Rick, known for his rap classics such as Children's Story, La Di Da Di with Doug E. Fresh and Mona Lisa. His debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, in 1988 hit No. 1 on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop charts.

Victory was four years in the making, with Slick Rick, now 60, writing and recording the album between his birthplace of London then France, while the visuals were filmed in the United States, United Kingdom and Africa.

Slick Rick believes his voice still resonates in hip-hop. He said the subjects he tackles have grown with him.

Cant always be children all the time, he said. We grow and talk about things that interest us at this age.

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In a recent interview, Slick Rick spoke with The Associated Press about how storytelling plays a role in today's rap, his relationship with Elba and how hip-hop has no limitations.

Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.

AP: How did you and Idris hook up?

SLICK RICK: We met at a party and then we clicked. His people reached out to me, and they wanted to make an album. They flew me to England and France. I hung out with Idris at his cribs, and we just did what we do. We just had fun, And then when we was finished, we said, Yeah, were ready to bring it to the marketplace.

AP: Did you ever feel hesitant stepping back into the spotlight, or did this album feel like destiny?

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SLICK RICK: It might've been a little hesitation, but youre just having fun. We just bringing it to the marketplace and see what happens. Theres no pressure or nothing. We're bringing it to the people to see if they like it. Feed them.

AP: When did you feel like this project was ready for public consumption?

SLICK RICK: When we were in the studio with Idris doing our thing, I checked the reactions of people. But then I saw people in their happy place. Once I saw that, Im good. I see him and his peoples happy. A little dancing. Popped a little Moet. We were having a good time.

AP: You blended hip-hop melodies with various sounds including reggae and house music. What was your vision behind this musical approach?

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SLICK RICK: Its what Black people like. Were not just hip-hop. We like reggae. We like house music. Lets say like the Beatles or Barry Manilow. We go all over the place. Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross. We go places. We try to entertain ourselves in different areas of existence.

AP: What made you go the visual album route?

SLICK RICK: It was saving time. People make songs and do videos anyway. So why not just speed this up real quick? Video and rap both at the same time. Boom, lets keep it moving. ... This is like watching a movie. You want to expand the picture. Not only do you hear my voice and the music, which is the essence. You get ... visual picture as well.

AP: You produced the bulk of the album. Why did you decide to go that route instead of enlisting other producers?

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SLICK RICK: In my creative process, I need to have a lot of input or its not going to be authentic Rick. Too many hands, its not going to pop. So many hands is going to distort stuff. I do my own music most of the time.

AP: Whats the importance of rap storytelling in 2025?

SLICK RICK: Its an open space. It hasnt been filled, the whole storytelling thing. Before it gets too lost back into braggadocios, one frequency. Expand your horizons. You dont always have to be rough. Be romantic. Be humorous. Be vulnerable. Go all over. Be a politician. Use your imagination. Go places, so we can take stories and give to our people's imagination.
ST. LOUIS  The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) issued a statement surrounding upcoming protests in the city of St. Louis.

This announcement comes in following the No ICE demonstrations that have taken place across the country. Just yesterday, a couple of demonstrations were held in downtown St. Louis against President Donald Trump and his administration.

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SLMPD released a statement that reads:

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will utilize all means necessary to protect our community. The safety of everyonedemonstrators, residents and visitors remains our top priority.

The police department continued its statement, saying it supports the first ammendment and the right to protest peacefully.

We fully support the right to peacefully protest and are committed to ensuring individuals can exercise their first ammendment rights safely, SLMPD concluded.

On Thursday, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe activated the National Guard to protests occurring in Missouri. More demonstrations are planned over the weekend across the U.S. in response to Trumps birthday, which is June 14.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  On Tuesday night, hundreds of people marched down the streets of Kansas City opposing ICEs operations.

On Thursday night, another small group of demonstrators gathered on the Plaza to rally support for the protestors in Los Angeles.

Supreme Court revives lawsuit over mistaken FBI raid

It was only a crew of around 20 people that rallied, but made sure their voices were heard around the Plaza.

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Some of the protestors waved Mexican and Honduran flags, Pride flags and others.

They had signs that read No one is illegal on stolen land and one in Spanish that read Without us, they are nothing.

The people at the protest tell FOX4 they are opposed to the operations ICE is performing all over the country. One protester said that the government organization is ripping families apart.

Another told FOX4 that immigrants come to the United States seeking freedom and deportations dont seem like freedom to him.

When you came here, yall came here for religious freedom, one person said.

I came here for freedom. So when other people come here for freedom, what makes you, what makes you any better than them? They want the same freedoms that this country was supposed to be founded on.

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Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he has activated the Missouri National Guard in response to civil unrest across the United States.

Kehoe said the order is purely precautionary at this time.

The protestors on Thursday night in Kansas City said they plan to keep protesting despite Kehoes call.

Mayor Quinton Lucas responded to the decision, saying that hes concerned with the enhanced enforcement and said hes confident that protestors this weekend will use their First Amendment rights peacefully.

Hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested in cities across the country in recent days as they protest the Trump administrations immigration crackdown and the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles amid unrest.

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While public officials say many of the protests have remained peaceful, some have grown tense and led to clashes between law enforcement and civilians.

As protests in California continue, police said Wednesday night that nearly 400 people had been arrested or detained since Saturdays raids in Los Angeles.

In San Francisco, more than 150 people were arrested after thousands protested throughout the city on Sunday and Monday. Some vandalized buildings while others damaged cars, buses and police vehicles.

In Chicago, 17 people were arrested Tuesday at a protest downtown. Some were accused of vandalism and four were charged with felonies, including aggravated battery against an officer of the peace.

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Kansas City police monitored the marches on Tuesday night and said they were peaceful and so far, no issues have been reported on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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MACON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A small plane crashed into a wooded area in southern Macon County on Thursday afternoon.

According to Macon County Emergency Medical Services, the crash was reported shortly before 6 p.m. in the 900 block of Duncan Road off New Harmony Road.

Macon County Dispatch added that the only soul on board the aircraft was the pilot. There were no life-threatening injuries reported, but officials said the pilot was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Crews later confirmed that the single-engine aircraft experienced engine failure while flying over the county and deployed its parachute system, which allowed the aircraft to descend safely.

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We are grateful for the coordinated response of all agencies involved and thankful for a safe outcome, wrote Macon County EMS in a social media post about the incident.

No road closures were reported as a result of the crash.

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 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.

 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
PEARL, Miss. (WJTV)  The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and FEMA will be closing the Smith County Disaster Recovery Center after the end of business on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The DRC in Issaquena County will be closed on Saturday, but will resume operations on Monday, June 16, 2025.

So far, more than 2,421 valid registrations have been filed, with more than $6 million distributed to survivors.

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The locations across the state that are helping survivors of the March 14-15 storms will continue to operate at normal hours (MS-DR-4874). Survivors can visit the following Disaster Recovery Locations:

Covington County: Bobby Mooney Building, 1613 South Fir Avenue, Collins, MS 39428

Grenada County: The Ministry Center, 4461 Commerce Street, Grenada, MS 38901

Itawamba County: Mantachie Community Center, 265 Tishtontee Dr., Mantachie, MS 38855

Issaquena County: (Closed June 14 and will reopen June 16) Mayersville Multipurpose Building, 132 Court Street, Mayersville, MS 39113

Jefferson Davis County: Granby VFD, 957 East St. Stephens Road, Prentiss, MS 39474

Leflore County: Leflore County EMA Office, 701 US 82, Greenwood, MS 38930

Marion County: Morgantown VFD, 1464 Highway 587, Morgantown, MS 39483

Pike County: Silver Creek Baptist Church, 8017 Silver Drive, McComb, MS 39648

Walthall County: Walthall EOC, 908 Armory Drive, Tylertown, MS 39667



The center hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday; closed on Sundays.

Residents in the approved counties who sustained losses during the March 14-15 severe weather can also apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The disaster number is: DR-4874.

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Bloomberg / Getty Images AMD CEO Lisa Su speaks at the AI Action Summit in Paris on Feb. 11, 2025





Key Takeaways

AMD's "Advancing AI" keynote is scheduled for Thursday, with CEO Lisa Su and other executives expected to deliver updates on the company's latest chips.

Citi analysts anticipate the launch of the MI355X AI GPU at the event, as well as details on the MI400 expected next year.

AMD may also announce new high-profile tech customers like Amazon or OpenAI, they said.







Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) CEO Lisa Su is set to take the stage tomorrow for a keynote presentation on the chipmaker's latest developments in artificial intelligence.

Citi analysts said they anticipate AMD will use the event to launch its latest AI GPU, the MI355X, which the bank said could come with more high-bandwidth memory and at a lower price point than rival Nvidias (NVDA) B200 chip. The company could also offer updates on its upcoming MI400 model, which Citi expects to ramp in the second half of 2026. The keynote is set to begin Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET. (You can watch the event here.)

AMD could reveal new high-profile customers as well, such as Amazon (AMZN) or potentially OpenAI, Citi said. The bank maintained a "neutral" rating for the stock, while raising its price target to $120 from $100. The mean target of the 11 analysts covering AMD tracked by Visible Alpha, including Citi, is about $121, suggesting little change from Wednesday's intraday price. The stock has climbed less than 1% since the start of the year.

The event comes after AMD delivered quarterly results last month that beat Wall Streets expectations on the strength of its data center sales. However, the company warned it could take a hit in the current quarter to the tune of $800 million related to tightening restrictions on sales of its chips to China. Rival Nvidia said it took a $4.5 billion charge in its fiscal first quarter associated with new export curbs.



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SMYRNA, Tenn. (WKRN)  Members of the Smyrna Town Council are looking to improve how they resolve employee complaints and grievances in order to foster a more inclusive environment. During a meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed the approval of the terms of a revised open door policy.

According to the current employee handbook, the director of human resources or town manager handles grievances. The new changes would only enhance that rule and provide further direction for the council and the mayor.

Town Attorney Jeff Peach answered a question about the process from Smyrna Mayor Mary Esther Reed. She asked for clarification on how to address an employee who comes to her or a council member about a complaint.

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Spring Hill officials change regulations on food trucks, pave way for expansion

If the complaint was against me, then you would have [Town Manager David] Santucci to go to, and vice versa, and you would hold us accountable for making sure that those next steps are in place, Peach said.

However, if the complaint was against both the town manager and town attorney, Peach said they would look for outside counsel to address the grievance.

Several council members shared their thoughts about the changes, including Councilman Steve Sullivan, who wanted to make the policy more transparent for all members to receive notification of the complaint.

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No Kings protest to be held in Gallatin Saturday afternoon

I would like it to take a step further and maybe even have the language in here somewhere that if this form is used related to either one of your positions, the entire council needs to be made aware of it, not just one member, Sullivan said.

The Smyrna Town Council voted to defer the action so members can add new language to address their concerns. The matter will be brought back up at Julys meeting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse faced immediate blowback on Thursday in response to a social media post where he compared his Democratic colleague's outburst at a press conference to the work of Civil Rights pioneer and late Congressman John Lewis.

Shortly after Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a press conference held by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles amid anti-ICE rioting, Sen. Whitehouse posted a photo of the incident alongside a historic photo of Lewis being confronted by police officers after being attacked by a mob at a South Carolina bus station.

Lewis was arrested over 40 times during the Civil Rights Movement and was a major figure during many prominent moments of the era, including the Freedom Rides, speaking at the March on Washington and participating in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama.

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GOP Congressman Burgess Owens, who was raised in the Jim Crow South, was one of many who took issue with the comparison.

Senate Shaken: Bipartisan Worry Erupts After Incident Involving California Democrat

Dem. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse compared Dem. Sen. Alex Padilla to Civil Rights icon John Lewis on Thursday

"Talk about a cheap, woke insult," Owens told Fox News Digital. "As someone who grew up under segregation in the Deep South, I can tell you: comparing this political stunt to the courage of the Civil Rights Movement is offensive, wrong, and shameful."

Read On The Fox News App

The post was also criticized by conservatives on social media .

"Sit this one out," White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields posted on X.

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"Are you insane," Fox News host Lawrence Jones posted on X.

Dems Walk Back Pro-cop, Law And Order Rhetoric From J6 Era In The Face Of Spiraling Immigration Riots

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat from California, is removed from the room after interrupting a news conference with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 12, 2025.

"That reminds me  how is your whites-only beach club doing?" Federalist Editor-in-Chief Mollie Hemingway posted on X , referencing Whitehouses membership in an exclusive Rhode Island sailing club that has been criticized for reportedly only allowing White members.

"Neither would be allowed at Sheldons all white beach club," Republican communicator Matt Whitlock posted on X .

Whitehouse has denied that the club has "exclusionary rules for membership" but acknowledged it "does lack diversity" and apologized for "failing to address the sailing clubs lack of diversity."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Whitehouses office for comment.

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., told Fox News in a statement that "the comparison alone by Senator Whitehouse is disrespectful, but also quite rich coming from the guy with a membership to an exclusive, all-white country club."

"It appears the morally bankrupt Democrat Party is willing to go to extreme lengths to justify Senator Padillas pathetic political stunt, including comparing his inappropriate outburst to John Lewis heroic fight for civil rights," he said.

Padilla, the first Latino elected to the Senate from California, sparked a media firestorm Thursday over the press conference incident where his office says he was trying to ask Noem a question before he was "forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed."

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The video of officers removing and then bringing Padilla to the ground quickly spread among lawmakers on Capitol Hill, with some senators watching the spectacle unfold on the Senate floor.

Democratic lawmakers universally condemned the level of force used to remove Padilla, and staged a march to the offices of both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D, in protest.

Some demanded that Noem resign from her post.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

"Kristi Noem should never have been appointed to that office," fellow California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff said. "She should resign from that office. There ought to be an investigation of the conduct of those officers."

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The reaction on the opposite side of the aisle was largely on the same page, with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., accusing Padilla of making "a spectacle of himself," and questioning why he did not show up for Senate votes.

Others wanted to know if a crime had been committed, like Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who was presiding over the Senate floor when the video began making the rounds.

"In fact, the Democrats are the ones that like to say nobody's above the law," he told Fox News Digital. "Now it's a little ironic, given that they cheered as the FBI raided the house of a former president with almost completely no justification whatsoever."





Original article source: Social media erupts after Dem senator compares 'political stunt' to civil rights leader: 'Woke insult'
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Socorro Independent School Districts Department of Police Services implemented a new 911 dispatch system, the school district announced on Thursday, June 12.

According to the news release by Socorro ISD, the new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system ensures a quicker, more efficient response to emergencies, prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and staff.

The reason for upgrading the 911 system was to meet the requirements set forth by the State of Texas and to enhance the safety and security of our community, Socorro ISD Police Chief George Johnson said. A new feature of this system enables us to record all incoming and outgoing calls, as well as radio traffic, which is important for ensuring transparency.

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The new CAD system uses a software platform that receives calls, accurately records information, and dispatches units to respond to incidents, Socorro ISD said.

Socorro ISD said that responders equipped with mobile data terminals, radios, and cell phones can instantly receive messages and act swiftly and effectively.

Johnson also added that the CAD system is at a similar level of emergency response as other law enforcement agencies, including the El Paso Police Department and El Paso Fire Department.

According to Socorro ISD, the new dispatch system cost $135,000 and was paid for by a state grant.

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The dispatch center receives about 50 calls daily, SISD Police Services Dispatch Supervisor Stacie De Santiago said.

It makes it safer because were able to have better documentation of our calls and things that are being recorded. If we ever have to go back for our own benefit or for the publics, we have that ability to do so now, De Santiago said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SANTA TERESA, NM (Reuters) -The weapons system atop a drab green U.S. Army Stryker swivels, its camera shifting downward toward a white Ford F-150 driving slowly along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Under the watchful eye of the 26-ton armored vehicle perched on a sand dune above them, humanitarian volunteers are driving the dirt road next to the border wall to see if they can continue to search for migrant remains inside one of two military zones established along the border by the Trump administration in April and May.

Soon, they get their answer.

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It's not long before an unmarked gray pickup appears, makes a U-turn in the sand, and puts on its siren, here in the desert 5.6 miles (9 km) west of the Santa Teresa, New Mexico border crossing.

The driver pulls alongside, introduces himself as a U.S. Border Patrol agent, and tells the volunteers they can no longer be there.

James Holman, founder of the Battalion Search and Rescue group, whose volunteers also hand water to migrants through the bars of the barrier, acquiesces.

Then he vents his frustration.

"We're ramping up all this military and taking this public land away, it doesn't make sense, and it's theater, it's deadly, deadly theater," says Holman, 59, a former Marine, who is concerned the military zone will push migrants west into even more dangerous desert crossings.

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They are in one of two so-called "National Defense Areas" set up along 260 miles (418 km) of the U.S. southern border in New Mexico and Texas as part of the Trump administrations military buildup on the border.

U.S. President Donald Trump has long shown interest in using the military for civilian law enforcement, sending Marines to Los Angeles this week in their first domestic deployment in over 30 years.

The border military zones are one of his most audacious attempts yet to use troops trained for overseas combat in roles normally carried out by Border Patrol or local police.

The Army has not made public the zones' boundaries. The New Mexico area may run over three miles into the United States, in places, based on restricted area warning signs in English and Spanish posted along State Road 9 parallel to the border.

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The zones are classified as U.S. Army installations, giving troops the right to temporarily detain and question migrants and other civilian trespassers caught in the areas.

Their primary mission is to detect and track illegal border crossers as part of the Trump administrations quest for 100% operational control of the border at a time when migrant arrests are near an historic low.

Along the international boundary, Reuters saw warning signs posted inside the United States around 45 feet north of the border barrier around every 100 meters, facing south. That meant if you had crossed the border and could read them, you were already in the zone.

Migrants caught illegally crossing the border into the zones face new trespassing charges on top of unlawful entry to the country, with combined penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. Attempts to prosecute them for trespassing have floundered.

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Starting in May, federal judges in Texas and New Mexico have dismissed trespassing charges against migrants caught within the area and acquitted a Peruvian woman brought to trial, ruling there was no evidence they saw signs before entering the zone.

Illegal border crossings fell to a record low in March after the Biden administration shut down asylum claims in 2024 and Mexico tightened immigration controls.

Trump, who banned people from claiming asylum on the southern border shortly after starting his second term in January, nonetheless says the military areas are needed to repel an "invasion" of human traffickers and drug smugglers.

BORDER BUILDUP

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In the past four months Trump raised the number of active-duty troops on the border to 8,000 from 2,500 at the end of the Biden administration, according to the U.S. Army.

Presidents since Richard Nixon have used regular troops and reservists for support roles on the border. Trump has taken it a step further.

The Bureau of Land Management in April transferred 110,000 acres (172 square miles) of land in New Mexico, an area seven times the size of Manhattan, to the U.S. Army for three years to establish a first zone. A second was created in May with a transfer of International Boundary and Water Commission land in Texas.

The areas are satellites of the Fort Huachuca and Fort Bliss Army bases in Arizona and Texas, respectively.

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That gives troops the right to hold and question civilian trespassers without the need for Trump to invoke the Insurrection Act. The law lets a president deploy federal forces domestically during events like civil unrest.

Some 105 Stryker combat vehicles and around 2,400 troops from the 4th Infantry Division deployed from Colorado Springs in March. They rove in armored personnel carriers across New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Reuters saw Strykers concentrated in a roughly 20-mile ribbon from El Paso west to Santa Teresa, one of the 2,000-mile border's busiest and most deadly areas for migrant crossings.

The 8-wheeled vehicles, used by Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now by Ukraine in its war with Russia, can be seen parked under a bridge to Mexico, atop a landfill and on a ridge above a gap in the border wall.

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Their engines run 24/7 to cool crews in the 100 F. (38 C.) plus heat. Vehicles are unarmed but soldiers have personal weapons. Crews take shifts operating the joystick-controlled camera systems that can see for two miles (3.2 km) and have night vision, according to the Army.

A person familiar with Strykers, who asked not to be named, said the work was monotonous but said it gave soldiers a sense of purpose.

Troops have alerted Border Patrol to 390 illegal crossings in the nearly two months since the first zone was established. They made their first detentions on June 3, holding 3 illegal aliens in New Mexico before handing them over to Border Patrol, according to Army spokesperson Geoffrey Carmichael.

Border Patrol arrested 39,677 migrants in the El Paso sector in the fiscal year to April, down 78% from the year-earlier period.

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'COVERED BY DESERT SAND'

Sitting outside his juice bar in Sunland Park, Harold Gregory says he has seen a sharp drop in migrants entering his store or asking customers for a ride since Strykers arrived.

"We feel safer," said Gregory, 38. "They do kind of like intimidate so there's not so many people come this way."

In neighboring Santa Teresa, trade consultant Jerry Pacheco says the optics of combat vehicles are not good as he tries to draw international firms to the town's industrial park.

Its like killing an ant with a sledgehammer, says Pacheco, executive director of the International Business Accelerator, a nonprofit trade counseling program. I think having the military down here is more of a political splash.

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About 90 miles (143 km) west, New Mexico rancher Russell Johnson said he saw five Strykers briefly positioned in a gap in the border barrier on his ranch.

He welcomes the zone as an extra layer of security and has testified to the U.S. Congress on illegal border crossers destroying barbed wire fences, cattle thieves driving livestock into Mexico and a pickup stolen at gunpoint by drug smugglers.

He is unsure if his home, or over half his ranch, is inside the area but has been assured by U.S. Border Patrol he can continue to work land ranched by his family since 1918.

I dont know, I dont think anyone knows, says Johnson, 37, a former Border Patrol agent, of the zone's boundaries.

He says the Army has not communicated rules for hunters with permits to shoot quail and mule deer this fall in the military area, or hikers who start or end the 3,000-mile (4,800 km) Continental Divide Trail within it.

The Army has been seeking memoranda of understanding with local communities and agencies to continue activities in the New Mexico zone, said Nicole Wieman, a U.S. Army spokesperson.

"The MOU process for commercial and recreational activities, such as hunting, mining and ranching, is complex," Wieman said.

Jenifer Jones, Republican state representative for Johnsons area, said Americans can keep doing what they did before in the zone.

They can carry their firearms as they would have prior, said Jones, who welcomed the troops to her neglected area where only a barbed-wire fence separates the two countries in places.

To the east in Las Cruces, the states second largest city, State Representative Sarah Silva, a Democrat, said the zones have created fear and apprehension

I see this as an occupation of the U.S. Army on our lands, said Silva.

Back in desert west of Santa Teresa, Battalion Search and Rescue leader Abbey Carpenter, 67, stands among dunes where the group has discovered the remains of 24 migrants in 18 months, mostly women. She is concerned the area could be absorbed into the military zone.

"Who's going to look for these remains if we're not allowed out here," she said, showing the jaw and other uncollected bones of a woman her group reported to local authorities in September. "Will they just be covered up by the desert sands?"

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; editing by Donna Bryson and Michael Learmonth)
Hindustan Times

The lone survivor of the Air India crash that killed the other 241 people aboard said in a new interview that he thought he was going to die.

Everything happened before my eyes. I still cant believe myself how I came out alive. For a little while I thought I was going to die, but when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive. So, I tried to escape, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh told NDTV in a new interview from his hospital bed.

The tail of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane that crashed in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025. / REUTERS/Amit Dave

The 40-year-old British national explained that about five to 10 seconds after takeoff on Thursday, it felt like the planea Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed from Ahmedabad, India, to Londons Gatwick Airportwas stuck.

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A green and white light came on, and the plane flew straight into a building, which turned out to be a hostel for a medical college where the students were having lunch. Five people on the ground were killed in the crash.

There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I dont know how. I dont know how I came out of it alive. For a while, I thought I was about to die. But when I opened my eyes, I saw I was alive, and I opened my seat belt and got out of there. The air hostess died before my eyes., said Ramesh, who was seated in number 11A next to the emergency exit.

Rescue officials work at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. / SAM PANTHAKY / AFP via Getty Images

The door mustve broken on impact, he continued. There was a wall on the opposite side, but near me, it was open. I ran. I dont know how. I dont know how I came out of it alive.

On the other side of the plane, the buildings wall blocked people trying to get out, he said.

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It was really only on my side where there was space to get out, he said. But still I dont know how I survived. Because I could see in front of my eyes the air hostesses and othersjust everybody caught in it.

As he fled on foot, the plane was on fire.

The Daily Beast

When the fire erupted, I burnt my left hand. The ambulance brought me to the hospital, he said.

As of Friday, it wasnt clear yet what had caused the crash. The flights black box had been recovered, and investigators from the U.S. and the U.K. had arrived in India to help determine what went wrong.






NEED TO KNOW

A British passenger who was the sole survivor of the Air India tragedy on Thursday, June 12 has said he doesn't know "how" he "survived" the crash

At least 290 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board Flight AI171, died after the London-bound plane crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad in India

"I can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too," 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who has been named as the sole survivor by local outlets, said







A British man who is the only survivor from the Air India plane crash said he doesn't know how he made it out of the tragedy alive.

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The airline confirmed in a statement on X that there was a "sole survivor" out of the 230 passengers and 12 crew on board Flight AI171, which crashed on the afternoon of Thursday, June 12, just after takeoff from Ahmedabad in India. The jet had been bound for London's Gatwick airport.

Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP Vishwash Kumar Ramesh meets Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah Vishwash Kumar Ramesh meets Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah

The airline did not identify the living passenger beyond saying they are a British citizen "of Indian origin" who is being "treated in a hospital."

However, multiple local reports have since identified the man as 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Saurabh Sirohiya/NurPhoto via Getty Authorities are pictured at the scene after the Air India plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025 Authorities are pictured at the scene after the Air India plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025

Speaking with DD News from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Ramesh said, I dont know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me I walked out of the rubble, per the Hindustan Times.

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Even I can't believe how I came out of it alive. For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too. But when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realized I was alive. I still can't believe how I survived, he continued.

Ramesh recalled the moments before the crash: When the flight took off, within 5 to 10 seconds it felt like it was stuck in the air. Suddenly, the lights started flickering  green and white  then the plane rammed into some establishment that was there, according to the outlet.

The police commissioner in Ahmedabad, G.S. Malik, told Asian News International (ANI) that the living passenger was found in seat 11A and had been transported to a local hospital.

Citing health officials, CNN reported that at least 290 people have now been pronounced dead. The outlet noted that the plane crashed into a hostel for doctors.

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Ramesh explained that the section of the plane he was in did not impact the building and speculated that might be why others were unable to escape like he did.

When I saw the exit, I thought I could come out. I tried, and I did. Maybe the people who were on the other side of the plane werent able to," Ramesh said.

According to the Hindustan Times, Ramesh came out of the tragedy with impact injuries." He told DD News that he also had burns on his left hand from a fire.

He was visiting family in India with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, and was returning to the U.K. when the crash occurred. Per U.K. newspaper The Times, Ajay is thought to have perished in the crash.

Press Information Bureau (PIB) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Indian prime minister Narendra Modi visits the Air India crash site Indian prime minister Narendra Modi visits the Air India crash site

Vishwash's younger brother, Nayan, 27, also spoke to the media.

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When the crash happened my brother video called us and all he could say was I have no idea how I survived or exited the plane,'" he said, per The Times. He kept saying, I cant see my brother or anybody else. All he was worried about on the phone was telling us, Find Ajay, you must find Ajay.' "

At 9 a.m. [U.K. time], my dad called Vishwash. He was sat on the runway. He told us his flight was delayed. Five minutes later he video-calls Dad. The family is devastated, shattered, heartbroken," Nayan added.

After the crash, the airline shared a post on X confirming "the passengers comprised 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals and 1 Canadian national."

Video footage that emerged online showed the plane descending quickly to the ground right after it took off. It was then seemingly consumed by a large fireball. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

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Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed deep sorrow about this event on behalf of the airline in a video statement shared on X.

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We are actively working with the authorities on all of the emergency response efforts, he added. A special team of caregivers from Air India is on the way to Ahmedabad to provide additional support.



Read the original article on People
The man who walked away from the Air India plane crash as the disaster's only survivor was sitting near an emergency exit on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner as it took off from Ahmedabad, India, on its way to London on Thursday. His seat was 11A.

The seat is on the left side of the aircraft when facing the cockpit. The man, 40-year-old British national Viswash Kumar Ramesh, said the plane crash-landed on the ground floor of a building where medical students lived. Ramesh said he opened his eyes, realizing he was alive, and unfastened his seat belt before forcing himself out of the aircraft  escaping with a burnt hand.

"I could see there was space outside the aircraft, so when my door broke I tried to escape through a little space and I did," he said from his hospital bed.

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An infographic shows where Ramesh was seated. The image shows seat 11A was near the front of the plane, with some open space right in front of it.

Infographic showing the seat plan for the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, locating seat 11A, where the sole survivor was seated on flight AI171 when it crashed on June 12, 2025. / Credit: Nicholas Shearman/AFP/Getty Images

Ron Bartsch, chairman at the Sydney-based AvLaw Aviation Consulting, told the Reuters news agency that seat 11A "was obviously the safest seat" in this particular instance because Ramesh was sitting adjacent to the emergency exit.

"But it's not always 11A, it's just 11A on this configuration of the Boeing 787," Bartsch said.

Seat configurations vary depending on the aircraft, and many factors are at play when it comes to crash survival.



"Each accident is different, and it is impossible to predict survivability based on seat location," said Mitchell Fox, a director at the U.S.-based nonprofit Flight Safety Foundation, according to Reuters.

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Ramesh was in shock as he walked away from the crash. He was later taken to a hospital in an ambulance.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital told The Associated Press that Ramesh "was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body" but that he seemed to be "out of danger."

This handout photo shows Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh at a hospital in Ahmedabad, after Air India confirmed Ramesh was the sole survivor from the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed into buildings shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. / Credit: Indian Ministry of Home Affairs/AP

Video shows Air India plane crashing in Ahmedabad

Air India plane crashes shortly after takeoff, carrying more than 240 people

Las Vegas police warn "No Kings" protest violence will not be tolerated
An Air India commercial jet carrying more than 200 passengers en route to London crashed minutes after taking off Thursday morning from the Indian state of Gujarat.

The Boeing 787-7 aircraft had 242 passengers and crew members on board. Air India said later that 69 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, seven were Portuguese and one Canadian national was on board.

All but one aboard were killed in the crash when the plane went down in the residential area of Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat.

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The one passenger who survived was Viswash Kumar Ramesh.

Ramesh was filmed walking away from the wreckage. He is a British national of Indian origin.

Thirty seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly, Ramesh said to the Hindustan Times.

Family

Ramesh was visiting family in India for a few days and was returning to the United Kingdom, where he has lived for two decades.

When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital, Ramesh told the Times.

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Rameshs brother Nayan Kumar said their father spoke to Vishwash Kumar moments before the plane, bound for Englands London Gatwick Airport, took off.

My dad called him. And Vishwash said, Oh, were going to take off soon, Nayan said in a Thursday interview with Sky News.

He video-called my dad as he crashed and said, Oh the planes crashed. I dont know where my brother is. I dont see any other passengers. I dont know how Im alive  how I exited the plane,' Nayan Kumar Ramesh said.

Dr. Dhaval Gameti, who is treating Viswash Kumar Ramesh at Ahmedabads Civil Hospital, told The Associated Press that Ramesh was disoriented with multiple injuries all over his body.

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But he seems to be out of danger, the doctor told the AP.

Seat 11A

Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik told Indian news outlet Asian News International that Ramesh was seated in seat 11A in the emergency row.

Former Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector David Soucie told CNN that the 11A seat is right where the spar of the wing would go under, and it would be a solid place for the aircraft to hit the ground. But as far as survivability above it, that is incredibly surprising.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Brief

Malachi Chaney is recovering after being injured in a Locust Grove tornado.

He suffered broken ribs, facial fractures, and cuts.

He thanked supporters in a video for their well wishes.

ATLANTA - The 19-year-old son of actor Tray Chaney is speaking out for the first time since surviving a devastating tornado that destroyed his familys home in Locust Grove.

What we know

Malachi Chaney suffered serious injuries when an EF-2 tornado ripped through their subdivision, leaving the home in ruins. He sustained multiple broken ribs, facial fractures, and deep cuts in the storm and spent time in the ICU at a local hospital. His father, known for his roles on The Wire and Saints & Sinners, was also injured but has since recovered.

What they're saying

In a short video message posted to social media, Malachi expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported him during his recovery, calling the storm "one of the scariest things youve ever seen in your life."

Breaking News! While The News Breaking This In Real Time As We Speak!



MALACHI CHANEY SPEAKS 



ENUFF SAID! pic.twitter.com/RsQqX3RL7t  Tray Chaney (@traychaney) June 12, 2025

Tray Chaney says his son is now continuing his recovery in a rehabilitation facility, where he will receive ongoing treatment for his injuries.

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The tornado, part of a recent severe weather outbreak across Georgia, caused widespread damage in the Locust Grove area in Henry County and left several families displaced.

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The son of Iran's late shah appealed Friday to the country's security forces to abandon the cleric-run state, voicing hope for toppling the Islamic republic after Israel launched military strikes.

Reza Pahlavi blamed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for having "dragged Iran into a war" with Israel and described the government in Tehran as "weak and divided."

"It could fall. As I have told my compatriots: Iran is yours and yours to reclaim. I am with you. Stay strong and we will win," he said in a statement.

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"I have told the military, police, and security forces: break from the regime. Honor the oath of any honorable serviceman. Join the people."

"To the international community: do not throw yet another lifeline to this dying, terrorist regime," he said.

Pahlavi was crown prince in Iran's pro-Western monarchy, which collapsed in 1979 in a mass revolution that quickly brought to power the clerical establishment that declared an Islamic republic.

Pahlavi, who lives in exile near Washington, says he is not necessarily looking for the restoration of the monarchy and wants to use his name to support the movement for secular democracy.

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Israel sees the Islamic republic as an existential threat but was allied with Iran under the late shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Reza Pahlavi has also enjoyed warm relations with Israel, which he toured two years ago.

Iranian diaspora pro-monarchists, waving the old imperial flag, have figured prominently in protests in support of Israel since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.

Pahlavi has repeatedly described the Islamic republic as frail, including after mass protests broke out in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested by morality police who enforce modest dress on women.

sct/sst
President Trump warned Monday any country embracing the "anti-American" policies of the BRICS bloc nations will face an extra 10% tariff on exports.

The threat, posted on Truth Social, came from Trump after the BRICS nations, which include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, met over the weekend. The group condemned US tariffs and military attacks on Iran.

This latest warning from the Trump team comes as it struggles to seal trade deals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said around 100 partners would likely see a minimum "reciprocal" rate of 10% come next week, adding that he expects a "flurry" of deals to materialize before the deadline.

Trump said last week he would start sending out letters to countries to notify them of the tariff rates they will face on exports to the US, to go into effect on Aug. 1. He said duties could go as high as 70%.

Here is where things stand with various partners:

South Korea is seeking an extension of the July 9 deadline. Bloomberg reports the country's trade minister held talks on Saturday with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

China : The US has eased export restrictions on China for chip design software and ethane, a sign that trade tensions are calming between the two countries after they agreed to a framework to move toward a larger trade deal.

Vietnam: Trump said he had reached a trade deal with Vietnam, one that will see the country's imports face a 20% tariff  lower than the 46% he had threatened in April. He also said Vietnamese goods would face a higher 40% tariff "on any transshipping"  when goods shipped from Vietnam originate from another country, like China.

Japan: Trump said negotiations with Japan had soured, calling the country "spoiled" and saying he would force Japan to accept higher tariffs of "30%, 35%, or whatever the number is that we determine." Notably, that proposal is higher than the 24% April level.

European Union: The EU has signaled it is willing to accept a 10% universal tariff on many of its exports but is seeking exemptions for sectors.

Canada: Canada has scrapped its digital services tax that was set to affect large US technology companies. The White House said trade talks between the two countries had resumed, with a deal by mid-July in focus.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world.

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SOPHIA, WV (WVNS)  A vibrant addition is coming to the Town of Sophia. Members of the Sophia community have been braving the heat this week as work continues on a brand-new mural in town recognizing first responders.

The project came about as the result of a collaboration of Raleigh County United for Prevention and American Eagle Outfitters, who reached out to the prevention group as part of a service project for its AE Foundation branch, which works to promote the mental well-being of young people. Local volunteer, Bree Cummings has been chipping in on the effort and said that the towns recognition of first responders makes the project particularly meaningful.



Its very special to me because Im going to go to school to become a nurse, she said. Especially around this area  my family is from here, my dad grew up here, my grandparents are from here; Ive grown up here, so I think its just nice to have something fresh in the little town.

Raleigh County United for Prevention has worked closely with Town of Sophia Mayor, Ralph Sallie on bringing the mural to the area. Locals have been taking notice as the design takes shape, and everyone from business owners in the area to local youngsters passing through took time to pick up a brush and make their own contributions to the community piece.



Theres been a ton of interest. Weve had people drive by and honk their horns, wave at us, come in and stop in for a couple minutes and just paint for a minute, she said. Its been a really great experience. Weve had a lot of support from the Town of Sophia, the mayors been really supportive.

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Local artist and the mind behind the design, Hannah Moore Hughes told 59News that the project is about giving a voice to members of the Sophia community.



Theyre going to drive by this and see it all the time and people in the community are really excited to have something that enriches the neighborhood, she said. Instead of it just being a blank wall, now they get to see something that symbolizes their values. So, Im very excited about it. I really value art in the community, and I think public art is really important.

The striking design can be seen adorning the entire back wall of Sophia Fire Department Station 120, serving as a reminder to passersby of the enormous sacrifice made by our first responders each and every day.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A South Carolina man sent to death row twice for separate murders was put to death Friday by lethal injection in the states sixth execution in nine months.

Stephen Stanko, 57, was pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m.

He was executed for shooting a friend and then cleaning out his bank account in Horry County in 2005.

Stanko also was serving a death sentence for killing his live-in girlfriend in her Georgetown County home hours earlier, strangling her as he raped her teenage daughter. Stanko slit the teens throat, but she survived.

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The execution began after a 3 1/2 minute final statement where Stanko apologized to his victims and asked not to be judged by the worst day of his life. Witnesses could hear prison officials asking for the first dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital which was different from previous executions.

Stanko appeared to be saying words, turned toward the families of the victims and then let out several quick breaths as his lips quivered.

Stanko appeared to stop breathing after a minute. His ruddy complexion quickly disappeared and the color drained from his face and hands. A prison employee asked for a second dose of pentobarbital about 13 minutes later. He was announced dead about 28 minutes after the execution started.

Three family members of his victims stared at Stanko and didn't look away until well after he stopped breathing. Stanko's brother and his lawyer also watched. Attorney Lindsey Vann, who watched her second inmate client die in seven months rubbed rosary beads in her hands.

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Stanko was leaning toward dying by South Carolinas new firing squad, like the past two inmates before him. But after autopsy results from the last inmate killed by that method showed the bullets from the three volunteers nearly missed his heart, Stanko went with lethal injection.

Stanko was the last of four executions scheduled around the country this week. Florida and Alabama each put an inmate to death on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Oklahoma executed a man transferred from federal to state custody to allow his death.

The federal courts rejected Stankos last-ditch effort to spare his life as his lawyers argued the state isnt carrying out lethal injection properly after autopsy results found fluid in the lungs of other inmates killed that way.

Also South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster refused clemency in a phone call to prison officials minutes before the execution began.

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A governor has not spared a death row inmates life in the previous 48 executions since South Carolina reinstated the death penalty about 50 years ago.

Stanko is the sixth inmate executed in South Carolina in nine months after the state went 13 years without putting an inmate to death because it could not obtain lethal injection drugs. The South Carolina General Assembly approved a firing squad and passed a shield law bill which allowed the suppliers of the drugs to stay secret.

In his final statement, Stanko talked about how he was an honor student and athlete and a volunteers and asked several times not to be judged by the night he killed two people.

I have live for approximately 20,973 days, but I am judged solely for one, Stanko said in his final statement read by his lawyer.

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Stanko apologized several times to his victims and their families.

Once I am gone, I hope that Christina, Laura's family and Henry's family can all forgive me. The execution may help them. Forgiveness will heal them.

Stanko ate his last meal on Wednesday as prison officials give inmates a chance to enjoy their special food before their execution day. He ate fried fish, fried shrimp, crab cakes, a baked potato, carrots, fried okra, cherry pie, banana pudding and sweet tea.
GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH)  Parents who were concerned about the political affiliation of the advisory groups that the South Western City School Board joined last month revived concerns about another adviser to the board.

Omar Tarazi is a very, very hot button issue, district parent Kyra Paul said. He is known for being very politically charged and motivated in different ways. So by joining these organizations and by having that kind of legal counsel, I think it will 100% skew them (the board).

Tarazi is an attorney who has billed the district $166,885 between January 2024 and March 31, 2025. Parents like Paul said they were concerned with the high price tag and the lack of transparency about his services. Parents also said they worry about the alleged increased time spent in executive session with Tarazi and his record in education. See previous coverage of the concerns in the video player above.

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Grove City dentist retires months after patient dies

Tarazi was first brought in by the district in January 2024. At $300 an hour, he quickly racked up payments over $20,000 per month for undisclosed services with the board.

Engaging multiple perspectives has consistently benefited past and present school boards, providing a robust model for both checks and balances, district spokesperson Evan Debo previously told NBC4 about hiring Tarazi.

In July 2024, the board of education contracted Tarazi at $9,000 per month to serve on retainer. According to his contract, he can also bill up to $300 an hour for nonroutine services. His contract expired in December with the opportunity to renew it.

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Debo said the board renewed the contract when it expired as was permitted under the initial contact, which occurred outside of public meetings. He explained Tarazis services are different than hiring an employee, so it did not have to be open to the public, and the district does the same for other procured services. Debo also addressed concerns about how much Tarazi is costing the district.

South Western City Schools teachers, board clash over contract

Since Tarazi Law has been assisting the district retroactive to 2024, the district has actually seen a savings of $191,373 in overall legal expenditures relative to the 2023 levels, Debo said.

District legal invoices corroborate Debos statement, although the data is only up-to-date through the end of March.

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Legal invoices do not detail what the services are for. According to his contract, he is required to attend all board meetings, draft documents and provide legal help as requested. Parents said that since hiring Tarazi, the board appears to spend more time in executive session. They pointed to comments he made at a Big Walnut School Board meeting, alleging he is using attorney-client privilege to work outside the public eye.

The amount of time spent in executive session since he has been hired has skyrocketed, and there is a direct correlation between the time in executive session and the lack of transparency and accountability with our board as he represents them, parent Amanda Gooding said.

Endangered black bear spotted in central Ohio for the first time in over two decades

However, Debo said the district is currently engaged in contract negotiations for more than 2,700 employees across three unions. He said longer executive sessions are part of the district adequately building union agreements that retain talent and provide quality education.

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All school boards across the state of Ohio use discretionary tools such as executive session time to consult with legal counsel and thoroughly review proposals in order to secure fair and competitive agreements that support both our staff and students, Debo said. Legal representation for any district is both a negotiations standard and a necessary part of the process, with the specific reasons for the session identified on every board agenda and at every public meeting when enacted.

Parents said aside from the money, they were concerned with Tarazi not having a background in education law and with his advocacy for charter schools. According to public records, he has testified twice at the Statehouse in favor of charter schools, and he, his wife and his parents have all been involved in charter schools, from volunteer positions to serving as principal.

If you want to hire staff, teachers, administrators for whatever reason, and theyve got to have the merit and theyve got to be qualified, Paul said. Why wouldnt you seek the same for your legal counsel?

State, federal cannabis changes threaten Ohio festivals future

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Tarazi did not respond to a request for comment by publication, but he spoke with NBC4 previously about not having a background in education law.

A district has every kind of legal issue that comes up, Tarazi said. Theres a lot of different aspects of law, and I have a lot of experience in the area the board wants me to help them with.

Tarazis contract will expire Dec. 31.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Loved ones are heartbroken after a grandmother chose to self-deport to Mexico, leaving her family behind after living in Southern California for 36 years.

The woman, identified only as Regina, is a 51-year-old mother and grandmother who has lived in South Los Angeles since 1989.

While working to gain citizenship in the U.S., she raised a family and was employed as a garment worker in L.A.s Fashion District.

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As the Trump administration began increasing its immigration enforcement efforts, Julie Ear said her mother grew frightened over what her future would look like.

Regina (second from right) is seen with her family. Julie Ear (on left) and her mother, Regina, are seen in a family photo. Julie Ear said goodbye to her mother at the airport as Regina boarded a one-way flight to Mexico City, choosing to self-deport after living in Los Angeles for 36 years. (@julieeear) Julie Ear said goodbye to her mother at the airport as Regina boarded a one-way flight to Mexico City, choosing to self-deport after living in Los Angeles for 36 years. (@julieeear) Regina reunited with her mother in Mexico, marking the first time theyve been together in 22 years. (@julieeear) Regina bid family members farewell before boarding a one-way flight to Mexico City, choosing to self-deport after living in Los Angeles for 36 years. (@julieeear) Julie Ear posted a social media video that went viral, showing her familys journey as her mother chooses to self-deport to Mexico after living in Los Angeles for 36 years. (@julieeear)

She was afraid they would come to her house, Ear told KTLAs Sandra Mitchell. She was afraid to drive, to be pulled over and taken in.

Wanting to be in control of her life, Regina made the decision to self-deport. On June 7, the family drove to Tijuana, Mexico, and said goodbye to Regina as she boarded a one-way flight to Mexico City.

Ear documented her mothers self-deportation journey and posted a video of their experience on social media. The video went viral and has since been viewed millions of times.

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Regina leaves behind three children and three grandchildren.

The worst part was saying goodbye to her kids and grandchildren, Ear said. That was the hardest part for her.

Ear said her mother did not want to take advantage of the Trump administrations Project Homecoming, a program that offered those who self-deported a $1,000 stipend and a free outbound flight.

It honestly feels like a trap, she said. [Especially] once we give up that control to somebody else, to the government that is obviously not on our side.

After landing in Mexico, Regina reunited with her own mother, marking the first time theyve been together in 22 years. A video of their emotional reunion was posted online and has been viewed by many who were invested in her journey.

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Its been very overwhelming, Ear said of the social media attention her videos have received.

Ear said saying goodbye to her mother was heartbreaking, but shes trying to stay positive and focus on taking care of herself and her family members.

I just hugged her so close to me, Julie said. I kissed her. I kept telling her, Dont worry, Mom. Im going to go see you very soon.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A suspect was arrested for murder after a man was found dead inside a burning car in San Bernardino County.

On June 9, a Victor Valley deputy spotted a large cloud of smoke near El Mirage Road and Vinton Road in Adelanto.

He drove toward the smoke and discovered a sedan fully engulfed in flames. Fire crews were called to the scene to extinguish the growing blaze.

Inside the charred vehicle, a male victim was found in the front seat. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Detectives began investigating and identified Teveen Hemphill, 60, of Adelanto, as the primary suspect.

On June 10, Hemphill was located in Adelanto and arrested for murder. Details about a motive or how the suspect and victim were known to each other were not released.

Authorities have not yet identified the victim.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Detective Joshua Young with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
BURNS FLAT, Okla. (KFOR)  A high-flying, rocket-powered, remote-piloted plane is making its way to Oklahoma in a couple of years, and its all set to be used for space research.

This is a game changer, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority Craig J. Smith said.

LOCAL NEWS: Developer proposes converting half-empty OKC office towers into apartments

Beautiful views from the final frontier, and the plane bringing the image to your screen is soon to be stationed in Oklahoma.

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This partnership of Dawn Aerospace will establish Oklahoma as leading the future in space access in the United States, Smith said.

Its The Aurora from Dawn Aerospace, a company based in New Zealand. Theyre partnering with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to deliver it to Burns Flat, where the state air and space port is. Only 10 states across the country have ports like that.

Space research plane. Image courtesy Dawn Aerospace.

Space research plane. Image courtesy Dawn Aerospace.

We were the very first spaceport located inland in a landlocked state. So ours is designed for horizontal takeoffs and landings, Smith said.

Its rocket-powered, remote-piloted, and rapidly reusable. In only 4 hours, its ready to fly again, which sets it up to be the first aircraft to reach something called the Karman line, the boundary of Earths atmosphere and space, 62 miles high, twice in a day.

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Literally no vehicle thats ever been designed that can do this, founder and CEO of Dawn Aerospace Stefan Powell said.

CEO of Dawn Aerospace Stefan Powell. Image courtesy Dawn Aerospace.

LOCAL NEWS: Kevin Durants former OKC townhome up for sale, listing price $35

Its main use is for microgravity research. They do that for things that are hard to study on earth due to gravitys influence. Applied to several fields, it can lead to big discoveries, whether that be drugs for cancer research or even technology like chips in your phone.

That has just huge implications for how fast we can use space to improve our lives, Powell said. You know, it makes science go faster.

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A Dawn Aerospace team will be hired in Oklahoma and trained in New Zealand to operate the plane back in the Sooner State. They plan to provide parts and maintenance to keep it going. The plane is expected to be delivered in 2027, with a flight taking place that same year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Floridas 50th launch of 2025 was planned to carry humans into space but instead ended up taking another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit.

SpaceX and Axiom Space remain on hold for any attempt to launch the Ax-4 mission from Kennedy Space Center, which had several options to fly this week, but was stymied by weather and then a liquid oxygen leak on the Falcon 9 booster. They await the all clear from NASA and Roscosmos, which were checking out repairs to an ongoing leak on the Russian side of the International Space Station.

Roscosmos announced Friday, though, the leak had been eliminated but was still monitoring pressure, so no new launch attempt date has been set yet by NASA or SpaceX. SpaceX, though, did successfully retest the problem booster with a wet dress rehearsal Thursday to ensure it no longer had a leak.

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Meanwhile, SpaceX at 11:29 a.m. launched another Falcon 9 with 23 of its Starlink internet satellites from neighboring Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40.

The first-stage booster made its 21st launch with a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic.

It marked the 50th orbital launch from the Space Coast for the year with all but two coming from SpaceX. The other two were from Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance.

The Space Coast saw a record 93 launches in 2024 with 88 from SpaceX. At the beginning of the year, Space Force said the Eastern Range was prepared to support as many as 156 launches for the year. While not on that pace, it is on target to surpass 100 launches for the year.

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Blue Origin debuted its New Glenn in January but its not expected to fly again until summer at the earliest.

ULA had its first launch of the year in April using one of its remaining Atlas V rockets on the first of dozens of missions planned to help proliferate the Project Kuiper constellation of internet satellites for Amazon, which seeks to compete with Starlink.

That first flight took up 27 satellites and a second mission with another 27 is slated for as early as Monday when a ULA Atlas V aims to launch from Canaverals Space Launch Complex 41 during a window from 1:25-1:55 p.m.

Amazon had bought up nine of ULAs remaining Atlas V rockets, using one in 2023 for a pair of test satellites for Project Kuiper followed by the April mission. ULA has 14 left with half, including Mondays planned mission, for Amazon launches.

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ULAs plans are to begin using its new, larger Vulcan rocket for Amazon missions. Amazon bought up 38 launches on Vulcan as well as flights with Blue Origin, Arianespace, and even SpaceX, as it tries to get more than 3,200 of its satellites into orbit by 2028.

Meanwhile, SpaceX has launched nearly 9,000 of its Starlink satellites since the first operational mission in 2019.

With a Starlink mission from California on Thursday, SpaceX celebrated its 500th mission completed since its first Falcon 1 success in 2008. That early rocket had only two successful launches before SpaceX shifted to Falcon 9, which flew its first mission in 2010. Falcon 9 has since launched successfully 488 times with Fridays Canaveral launch, and suffered only two failures. The bigger Falcon Heavy has flown 11 times.

This year SpaceX has flown 73 Falcon 9 missions from its three launch pads in Florida and California.

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SpaceXs replacement for the Falcon family of rockets is its in-development Starship and Super Heavy rocket, which to date has only flown suborbital test missions from Texas. The company plans to build out two Starship launch sites on the Space Coast for operational missions. That includes taking over Canaverals Space Launch Complex 37, which most recently was ULAs second home on the Space Coast for the now-retired Delta IV family of rockets.

SpaceX and the Space Force demolished ULAs Delta IV launch tower Thursday to make way for a new Starship launch tower.

SpaceXs plans are to fly up to 76 missions a year from the new Canaveral site while adding up to 44 from a Starship pad in the works at KSC. This would be on top of continued Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches from existing pads at KSCs Launch Complex 39-A and Canaverals SLC-40.
The Brief

Spanberger opposes FBI relocation, calling it politically motivated and harmful to national security.

She prioritizes affordability, focusing on housing, energy, and healthcare costs in Virginia.

She warns against politicizing security, criticizing Trumps handling of National Guard deployments.

WASHINGTON - Democratic nominee for Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger is speaking out strongly against the Trump administrations proposal to move the FBI National Academy from Quantico to Alabamacalling the plan "outrageous" and "politically motivated."

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"This is an issue where politics shouldnt be in play," Spanberger told Jim Lokay on "The Final 5."

"Any person who cares about the security of our nation should be concerned."

FBI relocation opposition

The former CIA officer and congresswoman, who clinched the Democratic nomination earlier this spring and therefore won't be on the ballot in next week's primary, said the decades of training infrastructure and expertise at Quantico can't be easily uprooted. "The FBI needs to have the strength of the training facility and the program that has taken decades to develop and build out," she said. "To up and move it on a whimits a terrible idea."

Spanberger accused former President Trump of using federal institutions as pawns. "We need the FBI Academy to not be a political pawn, and something that President Trump is just choosing to upend," she said. "To play games with the FBI like thisespecially the training of new agentsis just outrageous."

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The move, she warned, would not only harm Virginia but undermine national security. "When there are terrorist attacks at home, it is the FBI that comes out to investigateand often thwarts threats before they happen," she added.

READ MORE: Virginia governor candidates eye end to Virginia car tax

Tackling affordability issues

Shifting to her platform, Spanberger outlined a comprehensive affordability agenda for Virginians, including housing, energy, and health care. "In every corner of the Commonwealth, housing costs are pricing people out of the market," she said. "Its impacting where people work, the jobs they can take, and the communities they can afford to live in."

Her recently unveiled housing plan seeks to address rising costs statewide, particularly in Northern Virginia. "We need a governor who understands the breadth and scope of the problem and lays out a plan to build more housing and address affordability head-on," she said.

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When asked about Virginias No. 1 ranking from CNBC as a state for business under Governor Glenn Youngkin, Spanberger credited both parties. "Its a bipartisan priority," she said. "Governor Youngkin carried on some of the policies of Governor Northam, and Id continue to build on them too."

On the campaign trail, one issue keeps coming up: the car tax. Efforts to repeal it have failed in the past, but both candidates have made proclamations about their intent to carry through with the effort.

Spanberger called it "the most hated tax in all of Virginia" and said shes committed to working with lawmakers to eliminate it.

She acknowledged that doing so would be complicated. "The devils in the details," she said, pointing to the need for a constitutional amendment and its role in funding local governments.

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Spanberger also weighed in on the escalating fight between California and the Trump administration over National Guard deployments. If faced with a similar situation in Virginia, she said she would prioritize working with local officials rather than being dictated to by Washington.

"When local and state law enforcement say they dont need additional resources, it calls into question the state's autonomy," she said. "It should not be the case that the president is dictating or mandating deployments."

What they're saying

Spanberger warned against the politicization of security responses. "What were seeing in California is violence being used as a political tool," she said. "The presidents efforts to politicize it are fanning the flamesand thats not what law enforcement is asking for."

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We have placed several requests to speak with Republican nominee Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, and we hope to speak with her during the campaign.

The Source

Information in this article comes from Democratic nominee for Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is fighting to keep his job, as corruption allegations prompted the resignation of a close aide and sparked tension in his minority coalition.

The scandal erupted on Thursday after the Supreme Court said Santos Cerdan, the third-highest ranking figure in Sanchez's Socialist party, was suspected of involvement in awarding of public works contracts in return for kickbacks.

The case is linked to a broader investigation that already ensnared former transport minister Jose Luis Abalos, once a close ally of the prime minister.

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Sanchez is not accused of any wrongdoing but the case adds to mounting legal scrutiny of his inner circle.

His wife, brother and Spain's top prosecutor, who was appointed by Sanchez's government, are all under judicial investigation in separate cases.

The scandals-- none of which have gone beyond the preliminary investigation phase -- have fuelled demands from his critics for him to resign and call early elections.

Centre-right newspaper El Mundo wrote in an editorial on Friday it was "untenable" for him to continue.

The situation was "agonising" for the Socialist leader, who was been in office since 2018, wrote conservative newspaper ABC.

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Speaking at his party's headquarters on Thursday, a sombre-looking Sanchez apologised for the scandal but vowed to serve out his term until 2027.

But his ruling coalition junior partner, far-left party Sumar, called for a change in the government's direction in the wake of the scandal.

"It's not enough to say sorry," Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz, the founder of Sumar, told reporters.

At the same time Catalan separatist party Junts has requested an urgent meeting with Socialist leaders to assess the viability of the legislature.

Sanchez's fragile minority government relies on Junts to pass laws in parliament.

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Paloma Roman, a political science professor at Madrid's Complutense University, said Sanchez may be forced to call a confidence vote to reassert control.

"What Sanchez needs to do now is to calm his allies' criticism by providing them with more information and addressing the issue of confidence," she told AFP.

- 'Earn trust' -

The government has so far refused to call a confidence vote.

"The prime minister has to keep earning the public's trust every day, as he's doing," Oscar Lopez, a cabinet minister who is close to Sanchez, said Friday during an interview with news radio Cadena Ser.

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"He has a duty to carry out his campaign promises and not let down the millions who voted for him," he added when asked whether a vote of confidence was being considered.

The main opposition Popular Party (PP) has called repeatedly for Sanchez to step down.

But PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, has ruled out the idea of proposing a motion in parliament to try to topple Sanchez, warning it could backfire and bolster the Socialist leader if it fails.

He instead urged Sanchez's allies to reconsider their support, saying they would be complicit in "the biggest wave of corruption" if they refused.

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Analysts say Sanchez's coalition partners are reluctant to withdraw their support, fearing that doing so could pave the way for a PP government supported by far-right party Vox -- a prospect many regional and leftist parties view as unacceptable.

"They won't let Sanchez fall -- not out of love, but because they fear a PP-Vox government even more," said Roman.

Sanchez came to power in June 2018 after ousting his predecessor, Mariano Rajoy, in a no-confidence vote over corruption scandals involving the PP.

Most recent opinion polls show the PP holding a slim lead over the Socialists.

du/ds/jxb
VIENNA (Reuters) -An exceptional meeting of the U.N. nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors will be held on Monday to discuss Israel's strikes on Iran after at least one country on the board requested one at Friday's regular, quarterly session of the body, diplomats said.

Any country on the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can call a meeting under its rules.

Iran, which is not on the board, requested a meeting and its call was supported by board members Russia, China and Venezuela, diplomats said. The diplomats gave differing accounts as to which board member was the first to clearly make the request.

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The meeting will start at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) on Monday, diplomats at Friday's closed-door meeting said before any public announcement of the emergency meeting.

The IAEA said earlier on Friday that Iran's Natanz nuclear site, which includes an underground uranium enrichment plant and a smaller above-ground pilot enrichment plant, had been targeted by Israel's strikes.

There was no sign of any push for a resolution or other action on Monday by the 35-nation board, said the IAEA's top policymaking body.

(Reporting by Francois MurphyEditing by Joe Bavier and Gareth Jones)
OpenAI hit $10 billion in annualized revenue on Monday, almost doubling its 2024 ARR in six months. Investor Mark Cuban believes the ChatGPT creators massive sales growth reflects its standout brand in a crowded start-up market.

Mark Cuban is bullish on ChatGPT.

The chatbots creator, OpenAI, said its annual recurring revenue reached $10 billion on Monday, almost doubling its $5.5 billion in ARR last year. While whispers of a potential IPO ripple through the investor community, AI advocate and investment luminary Cuban said he prefers the chatbot over competitors like Gemini and Claude, which he also uses.

This is still a race in the first inning, but ChatGPT has done the best job of building a brand, and it shows in their sales, he told Fortune in an email.

The San Francisco startup said its $10 billion figure includes ChatGPT business products, consumer products, and its application programming interface, or API.

(OpenAI) earned every penny of it, Cuban said of the companys revenue landmark.

ChatGPT became the fastest-adopted app in history when it launched in 2023, gaining a million users in five days. OpenAI now supports 500 million weekly active users, it said in late March.

The company announced earlier this month that it has 3 million paying business users, a 50% increase from the 2 million it reported in February. Customers of ChatGPT Enterprise, ChatGPT Team and ChatGPT Edu, which are all workplace-specific versions of the chatbot with separate subscription tiers, comprise the 3 million users.

But the companys growth hasnt been profitable. OpenAI lost about $5 billion last year.

Still, the company forecasts continued growth, and targeted $125 billion in revenue by 2029, The Information reported in April.

OpenAI closed a $40 billion funding round in March, penning the largest private tech deal on recordits valuation now 30 times its annualized revenue.

In early October 2024, OpenAI closed a $6.6 billion funding round that Cuban couldve contributed to, the former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks revealed during an appearance on the All-In podcast.

Cuban told Fortune Google Gemini, Anthropics Claude, and Perplexity AI are some of the chatbots he uses, noting he uses ChatGPT daily. The Information recently reported that AI native companiesbusinesses fundamentally built around AIannualized revenue have seen exponential sales in 2025, but OpenAI has taken the lions share, accounting for over two-thirds of revenue.

Anthropic hit $3 billion in annualized revenue in May, tripling its $1 billion figure from December 2024. The company said its on track to become profitable in 2027.
The defense for Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with killing four University of Idaho students, appears to have requested a special investigation into alleged leaks in the case in an episode of NBCs Dateline last month.

The prosecution in the case filed a response Wednesday to the defenses motion regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor, according to a public case summary. Judge Steven Hippler, who presides over the case, ordered that filing sealed Thursday, the record showed.

The case summary also indicated the defense filed a motion for Access and Fair Investigation and an Objection to Release of Privileged and Confidential Work Product on Wednesday, which Hippler also sealed Thursday.

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Sealed records are not released publicly, though the judges sealing orders eventually will post to the state courts website, Idaho courts spokesperson Nate Poppino told the Idaho Statesman on Thursday.

At a public hearing last month, Hippler stated he held a closed-door portion earlier that same morning, and the Ada County judge said he was open to bringing on a special prosecutor. That person would be tasked with investigating potential violations of the courts gag order by law enforcement or the prosecution through disclosure of previously unreleased information about Kohberger and the investigation revealed in the episode of Dateline.

As I indicated, I would be open to a request for appointment of a special prosecutor, Hippler told the defense at that hearing, and that special prosecutor to ask for a magistrate inquiry so they have the power of subpoena and the power to question witnesses under oath, as well as the power to grant immunity. So I will be looking for that from you.

Dateline representatives have not responded to prior requests for comment from the Statesman.

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The gag order, which took effect four days after Kohbergers arrest in late December 2022, restricts attorneys from both sides  and anyone affiliated with them, including members of law enforcement  from making public statements about the case outside of court. The episode of Dateline aired May 9  just days before a pretrial hearing in the case.

Edwina Elcox, a Boise-based criminal defense attorney, told the Statesman that the filing appears to be about the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Thats exactly what I think that is, Elcox said in a phone interview Thursday. Because obviously Judge Hippler invited it, and thats the way the formal request would be made. They do everything through motion practice, so the way you get that done is ask for a formal inquiry and the court would appoint a special prosecutor.

Hippler earlier issued orders to the prosecution and defense to retain all records and correspondence related to the likely violations within seven days. Each side filed a related notice of compliance to the court on May 22, with the prosecution also submitting a supplemental filing on the matter the next day.

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Kohberger, 30, faces four counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of four students at an off-campus home in Moscow. Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if a jury finds Kohberger guilty.

The victims were U of I seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20, and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. The three woman lived in the Moscow home with two female roommates who went physically unharmed in the attack, while Chapin was Kernodles boyfriend and stayed over for the night.

Kohbergers capital murder trial in Boise is scheduled to start with jury selection at the end of July.

Defense attorneys last month sought to delay Kohbergers trial, citing an overwhelming amount of evidence theyve yet to review, as well as the prejudicial information released about their client on the NBC news program. Prosecutors objected to that request to postpone, and a public court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, to argue the issue before Hippler.
Deliberations are underway in the Karen Read murder trial.

After both sides gave their closing arguments Friday morning, Judge Beverly Cannone spent the early afternoon reading jury instructions before alternates were selected and the remaining jurors were sent to the deliberation room.

Cannone selected Juror No. 5 to be the foreperson. The court clerk randomly pulled Nos. 13, 7, 6, 17, 2, and 8 as alternates.

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Read, 45, is accused of slamming her 2021 Lexus SUV into O'Keefe and leaving him to die on the ground in a blizzard on Jan. 29, 2022. Jurors heard more than 30 days of testimony in a trial that began on April 22.

Karen Read Trial Nears Its Finale: What Each Side Is Banking On

Prosecutor Hank Brennan, left, points to defendant Karen Read during closing arguments in Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Dedham, Mass.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan wrapped up his closing argument in the murder trial of Karen Read Friday afternoon, telling jurors there is no doubt that she's the one who killed John O'Keefe, her 46-year-old boyfriend, a Boston cop and the adoptive father of his orphaned niece and nephew.

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"She was drunk. She hit him. And she left him to die," Brennan said. "It's that simple."

Multiple witnesses testified that they heard her repeating the phrase, "I hit him. I hit him. I hit him," Brennan said. But it was the hard data  not accident reconstruction or witness accounts, that proves his case, he said.

O'Keefe's phone did not move from between the time Read allegedly slammed her 6,000-pound LX 570 in reverse until he was discovered dead on the lawn 5 and a half hours later.

Although Read didn't testify in her own defense, Brennan used her own words against her in the form of multiple televised interviews she sat for.

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He alleged that they illustrate that she knowingly left O'Keefe to die after hitting him and where to find the body when she went looking the next morning.

In one, she described O'Keefe as a "weird-shaped lump" and a "buffalo on the prairie," jutting out of the snow.

"John O'Keefe is not a body. John O'Keefe is not a buffalo on a prairie," Brennan said. "He was a person, and he was murdered by Karen Read."

Karen Read Announces She Will Not Testify In Her Defense As Massachusetts Trial Nears Conclusion

Defense attorney Alan Jackson speaks to jurors during closing arguments in the murder trial of Karen Read, at right, in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Dedham, Mass.

Read's lead defense lawyer Alan Jackson urged jurors to find her not guilty Friday in a closing argument that disputed the prosecution's entire timeline from the night O'Keefe died.

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"There was no collision," Jackson told jurors. "There was no collision. There was no collision."

He argued that a sloppy investigation, a lack of physical evidence and witness testimony left a mountain of reasonable doubt in the case. He said the commonwealth's case is "cooked" after an expert analysis of O'Keefe's injuries and called the prosecution's crash reconstruction a "ridiculous blue paint kindergarten project."

The lead homicide detective got fired from the Massachusetts State Police and did not testify at trial.

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Defendant Karen Read smiles before closing arguments during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Dedham, Mass.

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The case is expected to go to jurors later this afternoon after more than 30 days of testimony.

Although Judge Beverly Cannone asked for an earlier start than normal, court kicked off with a sidebar conference that lasted over a half-hour.

Read faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted on the top charge of second-degree murder. If convicted of drunken driving manslaughter, she would face 5 to 20.





Original article source: Fate of Karen Read now in jury's hands as murder trial reaches critical phase
Editors note: This is the fifth in a five-part series on the price of freedom, by exploring the work and experience of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. Deseret News Opinion Editor Jay Evensen has known Yunus since 1997, when the world leader first visited Utah. Evensen traveled to Dhaka to speak again with Yunus, entrepreneurs, politicians in the country, and even revolutionaries seeking change to understand the risks Yunus is enduring and why peace and opportunity in Bangladesh are so important to the United States.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH  Mahfuj Alam has broad and ambitious hopes for the future of Bangladesh.

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Its encouraging to hear it, and to know hes not alone. Many of the people I spoke to during a recent visit to this South Asian country expressed optimism about the future, and especially the prospect of free and fair elections  something they have been denied for 15 years.

This is especially good news for the United States, which has long worked with this important ally in South Asia to cooperate on trade and other important matters, such as regional security and counter terrorism. Freedom and prosperity in Bangladesh would strike a blow against tyranny, while shining a bright light in a troubled part of the world and putting pressure on neighboring countries to do the same.

Many of Bangladeshs leaders speak of the past with sorrow and anger. Turn the conversation to the future and they light up.

Alams opinion, in particular, carries considerable weight. At the age of 30, he is considered one of the chief architects of the revolutionary uprising last summer that led to the overthrow of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the nations interim leader. In February, Alam was named adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

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Yunus, known as the banker to the poor after establishing a bank that offers unsecured loans to impoverished Bangladeshis as part of a program to teach them entrepreneurship and self-sustainability, is working toward holding free and fair elections in April of 2026.

Muhammad Yunus, who is the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, talks during an interview with Deseret News Opinion Editor Jay Evensen, at the guest house in Dhaka on Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

He has faced mounting pressures to hold those elections sooner. Within the last few weeks he briefly threatened to resign. Sources said his cabinet members talked him out of it. They also said the nations voting rolls are a mess, which is a main reason why elections cant be held yet.

Until free and fair elections are held, and until the winners of that election establish important freedoms and reforms Yunus has proposed, Bangladeshs future will remain unsettled.

Many people, Americans in particular, are unaware of this. But the free world should hope Bangladesh settles itself correctly, soon.

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Yunus is a friend of Utah who has visited many times and spoken at venues from the Alta Club to BYU. Now, as the interim leader of Bangladesh (his official title is Chief Adviser to the Government), he faces many challenges, including unexpected new ones from the United States.

President Donald Trump has cut funding to programs that help the nation deal with concerns over health and poverty, and he has threatened tariffs that might devastate Bangladeshs struggling economy.

Mahfuj Alam, the revolutionary activist, is acutely aware of these dangers, as well. But he stays optimistic, even in the face of American-imposed problems that might make some people nervous.

People want to grow, he told me via an audio interview on WhatsApp. Our population is feeling unity and strength. The political process of Bangladesh will pave the way for economic prosperity.

A young school boy stands in the doorway of a bus outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A woman stands near a wall on the highway with two children in the early morning in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

People stand near a wall on the highway as traffic moves in both directions in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A man waves as he crosses a bridge in a village near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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A boat in a river in a small village and fishing nets near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Vehicles move on the road under large trees in a village outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A man sits on a small bench under an overpass near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A building is reflected in water near a brick making business in a village near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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A man sits on a bench in front of a business near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Bangladeshis begin their morning in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A man gives a thumbs up while working in a shop outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Light reflects off a dented bus as a man walks in between vehicles as they are stopped on the road begging in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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A woman stands on the side of the road near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A woman and three young children stand on the side of the road near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Bangladeshis begin their morning in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

With freedom comes worries

The New York Times recently reported that radical Islamic extremists are sensing an opportunity as the nation transitions to a more pluralistic society that allows for greater religious freedom.

Alam and others say it may be tempting to overstate the momentum of such a movement. In the days since the revolution, Bangladesh has been the subject of more than a few worries that many say are either false or exaggerated.

One of those is the persistent accusation that, under Yunus leadership, Hindu minorities, which make up about 8% of the population, are being oppressed or violently attacked. Many I spoke with blame Hasina for orchestrating these rumors from her exile in India. Others also blame Hindu nationalist groups.

Credible reports tell of attacks against Hindus in various parts of the country, especially toward the end of 2024.

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In an interview with Yunus at the Jumuna Guest House, near his official residence in Dhaka, he acknowledged to me that some crimes have occurred, especially during the chaos that followed the revolution. But he strongly denied any involvement from his government. Much of what happened during the revolution was politically motivated, rather than religiously motivated, he said.

His press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, said perpetrators of crimes are being held accountable. More than 100 people have been arrested in connection with crimes committed during that time and after, he said.

In my contact with numerous Hindus, including a visit with several Hindu women in the town of Gopaldi and in a meeting with a prominent Hindu politician with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, all denied feeling victimized or persecuted by the government since the revolution.

Deseret News Opinion Editor Jay Evensen, left, listens as women gather for a meeting to pay their loan payments in the village of Gopaldi outside of Dhaka Bangladesh on Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Yunus said he wants all people to feel equally protected by the nations constitution.

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The constitution gives me all rights, guarantees my rights; ensures my rights, he said. Thats what I want.

Tug and pull of democracy

On Aug. 8 last year, the day Yunus was sworn in, the BBC World Service invited me on its morning Newsday radio program to discuss the challenges of his new position. I said it would be interesting to watch how a man so principled in his plans to end poverty would navigate the tug and pull and the compromises that are necessary to operate a newly hatched democracy.

As it turns out, this has happened in unexpected ways, with major challenges from the United States.

Early in his second term, President Trump began dismantling the United States Agency for International Development program, or USAID, and it withdrew from the World Health Organization. USAID was contributing to more than 100 programs in Bangladesh, including those involved in fighting the spread of communicable diseases.

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An editorial in the Dhaka Tribune on Feb. 28 noted that the withdrawal from the World Health Organization threatens funding to fight or research tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal health. The U.S. was the largest donor of COVID-19 vaccines to WHO, and played a significant role in helping Bangladesh overcome this crisis.

Without U.S. contributions, Bangladesh would have likely faced substantial delays in securing vaccines for its population, the editorial noted.

Asked about Trumps actions, Yunus was diplomatic, especially concerning USAID.

Barbara Singer, of Bethesda, Md., who says she worked for USAID as a contractor until being let go three weeks ago, holds up a sign in support of USAID, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington. "It's a great agency that benefits all of us," says Singer. "Americans and people worldwide." | Jacquelyn Martin

Suddenly, you wake up and this whole thing (USAID) stops, he said. This is a new experience. Im sure they have a bright plan after that. They cant just walk away from such a beautiful program, a global program, they had.

USAID has been very helpful for us. Were very grateful for the support.

Tariffs and Bangladesh

In the days since that interview, the presidents new tariff program was initiated, then put on hold for three months. The U.S. was prepared to impose a 37% tariff on imports from Bangladesh, which would have been devastating for the nations struggling economy.

As I observed while driving through Dhaka, Bangladesh is home to more than 4,000 garment factories, most of which produce inexpensive clothing for the American market. The United States is Bangladeshs third-largest trading partner, behind China and India.

Workers stitch garments at a factory run by the Bangladesh based Urmi Group in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. | Mahmud Hossain Opu

The Trump administration claims Bangladesh imposes a 74% tariff on U.S. imports, something Bangladesh disputes. Economist Mustafizur Rahman noted that Bangladesh imports large amounts of cotton from the U.S., which it uses to make clothing it sells back to the U.S.

He told the Daily Sun of Dhaka that the U.S. has policies in place that are supposed to ease tariffs on foreign products made using American raw materials.

President Trumps three-month pause on increased tariffs was welcomed news, but Bangladesh is anxious to negotiate with Washington, hoping to avoid the mass layoffs and other problems that might come from their full implementation.

Relations with India

Yunus faces other challenges, including relations with neighboring India. But a recent impromptu meeting in Thailand with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a summit of The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, or BIMSTEC, is seen as a positive step.

Bangladesh and India have a long friendship that has been strained recently by Indias decision to grant asylum to Hasina. Yunus has called for her to be returned to Bangladesh to stand trial.

It will take strength and resolve for Bangladesh to overcome its challenges, but strength seems to be in good supply among many. Theres something about enduring the dangers of a bloody revolution.

Mahfuj Alam tried to bring that to life for me during our interview. He described life in hiding from security forces last July.

We were hiding, he said. We knew that any time we got caught, we would get killed.

What had started as a peaceful student protest  in opposition to Hasinas quota system guaranteeing a portion of government jobs to descendants of fighters in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971  rapidly turned violent as government police opened fire.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said as many as 1,400 people were killed over 36 days of protest, most being shot by government security forces, according to the UN News website. Videos of that violence show the brutality on the one side and the resolve on the other, as waves of protesters kept taking to the streets, despite the dangers. When the crackdown began, the movement shifted from a protest against quotas to demands for Hasina and others to resign.

I wasnt surprised, Alam says when I ask him about the violence. It was her (Hasinas) sort of playbook. If you were coming in the street with protests, you would have to face bullets. It happened with other political leaders. It happened with everyone who would oppose the regime.

We were expecting it would happen to us some day.

Policemen stop members and supporters of the banned Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir during a march near Baitul Mokarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, March 7, 2025. | Mahmud Hossain Opu

People stand around the vandalized residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's former leader and the father of the country's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Mahmud Hossain Opu

A protester hammers the remains of a burnt vehicle inside the vandalized residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's former leader and the father of the country's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. | Mahmud Hossain Opu

It ended quickly as Hasina fled. Alam and his fellow leaders of the movement were happy that Yunus accepted their invitation to lead the country, but Alam is quick to note that the nations deep-seated problems, including widespread government corruption, will take a long time to change.

Once Yunus leaves office, Alam and the students who prevailed last summer hope to assume much of the responsibility for shaping the future of Bangladesh. To that end, Alams vision is expansive.

Late last year he told The Diplomat, a publication that serves the Asia Pacific region, that he envisions Dhaka, the capital city, as a place where religions, cultures and civilizations can co-exist and form the foundation of a state unique in the region, where ideas can blossom and grow.

To me, he said, I hope that Bangladesh will be a country which will have educated and skilled workers and institutions free of corruption; a place where resources are used wisely.

People work in rice fields outside Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

It will have a say in global platforms. This is our hope: Bangladesh will be a dignified political community and will have the institutions necessary to have a say in global platforms and a democratic process. It will not be radicalized.

The Western world, including Utah, where Yunus has visited and spoken often, should hope this comes true.
Sen. Alex Padillas, D-Calif., forcible removal from a press conference held by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem triggered a firestorm in the media and on Capitol Hill, unleashing a wave of scrutiny against both the lawmaker and the Trump administration.

The tense scene came in the midst of the ongoing anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles, which began last week in response to ICE raids in the area. The violent protests and unrest triggered President Donald Trump to mobilize the National Guard in response and for curfews to be enacted in the city.

'Spectacle Of Himself': Senate Republicans Blast Alex Padilla After His Forcible Removal From Dhs Presser

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was interrupted during a press conference by California Sen. Alex Padilla.

Below is a breakdown of events between Noem and Padilla, and the reaction on Capitol Hill.

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Fox News first reported that the secretary would be holding a briefing, with guidance making the rounds at roughly 9 a.m. Pacific time. By roughly 11 a.m. Thursday, the press briefing at the FBI headquarters in L.A. began with Noem, local officials and press.

Padilla, however, was also in the building receiving a separate briefing when he caught wind of Noems press conference. The lawmaker had been in Washington the entire week prior, only missing votes on Thursday.

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Five minutes into her prepared opening remarks, Padilla burst into the room. Videos of the incident showed that he did not immediately identify himself, and was quickly swarmed by Secret Service and FBI agents, who bellowed "hands up."

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"I'm Sen. Alex Padilla," he said amid the scuffle. "I have questions for the secretary."

Democrat Senator Forcibly Removed After Crashing Dhs Secretary Noem's Press Conference

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to the media at the U.S. Capitol on May 22, 2025, in Washington.

He was later taken from the room and brought to the floor where he was briefly handcuffed while the press conference continued.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who was in the room, said on X that Padilla entered the briefing "without identifying himself," nor did he have "his Senate security pin on as he lunged toward Secretary Noem."

"Mr. Padilla was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated command," she said. "[The Secret Service] thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately."

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The pair later met and spoke for 10 to 15 minutes and had a good dialogue where Padilla laid out his concerns with the ICE operations, and they even exchanged phone numbers, Noem said.

But afterward, Padilla shared a much different sentiment with reporters.

"If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a senator with a question, you can only imagine what they're doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California," he said. "We will hold this administration accountable."

Noem scoffed at his remarks and suggested that "perhaps he wanted the scene."

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"I think the American people are tired of this," she said. "They just want the truth, and they just want to know what's happening, and that's what we were trying to provide."

The video of Padilla quickly spread on Capitol Hill, where members of the House were gearing up for a vote, and some senators watched the spectacle unfold on the Senate floor.

The scene triggered a firestorm in the media and on the Hill, where lawmakers rushed to either condemn the treatment of Padilla or blast him for trying to attract the spotlight in the midst of the ongoing anti-ICE riots.

"I think [Padilla] should have been here in Washington voting," said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who had yet to see the video. "He has a responsibility to his constituents, to show up at work, not to go try to make a spectacle of himself."

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Democratic lawmakers staged a march to the offices of both House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., in protest and arguments erupted on the House floor.

Democratic lawmakers universally condemned the level of force used to remove Padilla, with some calling for investigations into the matter. Others demanded that Noem resign from her post.

"We need an independent investigation of this," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told MSNBC. "It is also time for Kristi Noem to resign. She needs to resign."

Conservatives Erupt After Dem Senator's 'Temper Tantrum' Sends Dhs Presser Off The Rails

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Johnson called for Padillas censure.

"Were not going to have branches fighting physically and having senators charging Cabinet secretaries," he said. "We got to do better, and I hope that we will."

Thune, however, took a more cautious approach when hounded by reporters for a reaction to the incident.

He said that he spoke with Padilla, the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, and had been working to contact Noem.

"We want to know the full scope of what happened," he said. "And do what we would do on any incident like this involving a senator, to try to gather all the relevant information."

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Less than 24-hours after the incident, Padilla, who is not up for reelection until the 2028 cycle, and Senate Democrats were already fundraising off of the chaotic scene.

In a fundraising email sent at roughly 9 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, Padilla recounted the events and issued the same warning he made hours earlier.

"Trump and ICE are terrorizing immigrant communities," the email read. "Targeting schools and workplaces. Deporting people with no due process."

The Democratic National Committee also jumped into the fray, sending their own fundraising email just minutes after Padillas.

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The organization accused the Trump administration of taking "steps toward authoritarianism" and requested a contribution that would be split between Padilla and other Democrats so that others would have "the resources to keep fighting back against Trump."

"This is not only an attack on a sitting senator  its an attack on freedom of speech and expression in our country," the organization said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Padilla's office and the White House for comment on this article.





Original article source: From 'spectacle' to cash grab: Padilla's removal from DHS presser sparks DC firestorm, fundraising push
After Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and detained during a press event in his home state involving Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, his Republican colleagues blasted the senator for potentially breaking the law and making "a spectacle of himself" rather than doing his job.

Video of the incident showed Padilla trying to walk up to Noem while she was speaking at a podium during a press conference in Los Angeles. Padilla simultaneously attempted to shout over Noem, but law enforcement stepped in and forcefully stopped Padilla's advance.

Padilla was eventually taken to the ground and handcuffed, the video showed. Fox News reporters who were present said Padilla appeared to be detained for a period of time.

Den. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., is removed from the room after interrupting a news conference with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles June 12, 2025.

Democrat Senator Forcibly Removed After Crashing Dhs Secretary Noem's Press Conference

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"I think [Padilla] should have been here in Washington voting," Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said of the incident when asked for a reaction. "He has a responsibility to his constituents, to show up at work, not to go try to make a spectacle of himself."

Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo.

While Democrats are angerd by the way law enforcement handled the incident, Republicans like Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno and Majority Leader John Thune have signaled they want to learn the facts of what took place. Moreno said if Padilla broke the law, it would have been right to arrest him.

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Dem Lawmakers Defend Storming Of Ice Facility, Say Trump Admin Is Lying At All Levels

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"The important facts are, was he committing a crime? Right? The fact that I'm a United States senator doesn't make me immune from laws. In fact, the Democrats are the ones that like to say 'nobody's above the law,'" said Moreno, who had not seen the video at the time Fox News Digital spoke to him.

"If you walked into the Senate chamber right now and started yelling and screaming and asking questions, you couldn't say, Wait a second, I have a First Amendment right to do this. It would be more than frowned upon. The Capitol Police would escort you out of the building. If you refuse to leave, they would arrest you."

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio

Moreno added he thought it was "a little ironic" that Democrats "cheered" as federal law enforcement raided President Donald Trump's house "with almost completely no justification whatsoever" but are condemning law enforcement now that one of them is caught in the crosshairs.

However, at least one GOP senator, Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, sided with Democrats in their complaints over how Padilla was treated by law enforcement.

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"It's horrible. It is shocking at every level. It's not the America I know," Murkowski said.

After the incident Thursday in Padilla's home state of California, Senate Democrats took to the front steps of the Capitol to speak out against law enforcement's treatment of Padilla. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also marched over to House Speaker Mike Johnson's office to protest the incident.

Rep. Nadler Condemns Trump Admin After Staff Member Handcuffed During Congressional Office Security Sweep

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska

Padilla's office responded to the incident Thursday, describing the senator's actions as "exercising his duty to perform congressional oversight of the federal government's operations in Los Angeles."

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"He was in the federal building to receive a briefing with General (Gregory) Guillot and was listening to Secretary Noem's press conference," the statement from Padilla's says. "He tried to ask the secretary a question and was forcibly removed by federal agents, forced to the ground and handcuffed."

The statement added Padilla was not "currently detained" and that his team was working to get additional information.

But the White House fired back in a statement to Fox News, shifting criticism to Padilla for disrupting the press conference.

"Padilla stormed a press conference without wearing his Senate pin or previously identifying himself to security, yelled and lunged toward Secretary Noem," White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson said. "

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Padilla didnt want answers; he wanted attention. Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt, but its telling that Democrats are more riled up about Padilla than they are about the violent riots and assaults on law enforcement in LA."





Original article source: 'Spectacle of himself': Senate Republicans blast Alex Padilla after his forcible removal from DHS presser
Three Conservative Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in the south of England have criticised the chancellor's long-term spending plans.

Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday that police funding would rise by 2.3% a year to fund 13,000 more neighbourhood officers.

But Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber and Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC Donna Jones said the increase was funded by an assumed increase in council tax, while Dorset PCC David Sidwick said policing was at risk without "significant investment".

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Reeves told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme she did not "accept" the need for cuts to police jobs.

Reeves' comments were in response to Labour's London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan saying the Spending Review would lead to cuts to frontline policing.

Police budgets are made up of funding from both central government and a portion of council tax called the police precept.

PCCs can raise this precept by 14 a year for a Band D council tax bill without having to have a referendum. This is in addition to a 5% general rise.

"When they talk about spending power, that's predicated on me increasing council tax by 14 every year for the next three years on local taxpayers," said Barber.

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"The chancellor says no tax rise is needed to fund her spending plans [but] she's simply passing the buck from one place to another, and taxpayers end up picking up the bill."

'Tough decisions'

Jones said the plan to increase neighbourhood policing by 13,000 officers was "now merely a pipe dream".

"What it is going to mean is that smaller police forces across the country will probably be forced to reduce their head count for police officers, and probably entirely get rid of police community support officers," she said.

Sidwick said Dorset residents "already pay over and above what other areas do for their police force" because rurality and seasonality were not considered in the funding formula.

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"That is not right," he said.

"I understand there are tough decisions the government must make - we've had to make many in Dorset due to years of underfunding - but it is clear that serious and very real concerns from all corners of policing have once again not been heeded by those in power."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are committed to ensuring that police forces have the resources they need to keep our streets safe.

"Council tax levels are a local decision, and elected police and crime commissioners will consider the appropriate level for their local priorities.

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"Further details for next year will be set out in the autumn as part of the annual police funding settlement."

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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Jun. 12As immigration protests broke out downtown Wednesday night, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown had to strike a balance, not wanting to appear to be assisting or condoning the actions of federal immigration agents while fearful President Donald Trump could use a weak police response to justify the deployment of the national guard, as he did recently in California.

"I think we're all aware of the situation that unfolded in Los Angeles and the deployment of the National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to that city," Brown said Wednesday night as the curfew she ordered took effect. "It was fairly clear to me that if there was no Spokane Police presence, that that could be used as a justification for the National Guard or other national agents to come in and take control of the situation."

Her first response earlier in the afternoon had been to call Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown to see if there were any legal steps that could be taken to assist 21-year-old Cesar Alexander Alvarez Perez, who is seeking asylum from Venezuela, and Joswar Slater Rodriguez Torres, a Columbian national , and to connect the attorney general with former City Council President Ben Stuckart, who spurred the initial protest.

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She insisted that Spokane police were not deployed to "assist" Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their detention and transport of the two men.

Once protesters surrounded the Cataldo Avenue ICE office and blocked the exits, and unknown activists spray-painted an ICE vehicle's windshield and slashed another's tire, they were violating city law, requiring local police response, she argued. City spokeswoman Erin Hut noted that some protesters began to remove park benches to use them to add to the barricade, which "could be seen as an escalation."

The mayor had reiterated throughout the evening, including to Stuckart, that the city would keep the peace while abiding by the Keep Washington Working Act. Often referred to as Washington's "sanctuary state" law, the 2019 state law prohibits local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration agencies, including by sharing nonpublic information, holding people on ICE's request or arresting someone solely for a civil immigration offense, among other prohibitions.

Facing criticism from some activists for ultimately creating the space for ICE officials to leave the facility with the two detainees, transporting them to the state's central ICE holding facility in Tacoma, Brown argued her office was duty-bound to respond to the obstruction of any facility's public access and that it was unrealistic to imagine the situation would end any other way.

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"I think it's pretty clear from the observations I had of what was occurring there, and frankly from my communication throughout the afternoon with some of the protesters, that they did not expect that they would be successful in stopping ICE, a federal agency, from completing their mission," Brown said Wednesday night. "I think anybody who's observed that agency and its actions and the actions of this (federal) administration could reach the same conclusion."

Stuckart and the initial protesters, before they were joined by hundreds from a separately, previously scheduled anti-ICE protest, had expressed clearly that they expected to be arrested, she added.

Once Spokane police did arrive en masse and protesters refused to disperse from the immediate area surrounding the ICE offices, continuing to attempt to blockade the entrances, the use of limited crowd dispersal munitions such as smoke grenades and pepper balls became necessary, as did the eventual curfew order, she argued.

Notably, the curfew was announced shortly before 8:30 p.m. and wouldn't take effect for nearly an hour, giving protesters time to disperse, and it was not aggressively enforced when it began at 9:30. The area where the curfew took effect was limited, as well  so much so that a small group of protesters gathered outside the doors of City Hall just a few blocks away, visible and audible from a 10 p.m. news conference Brown held to debrief the events of the evening.

Broadly, Brown has stood behind the police department's response, but has also stated her office would review the incident to determine whether any mistakes were made and planned to be open about their assessment.
Jun. 12Spokane's Pride Parade and Festival will proceed Saturday along with several protests planned well in advance of an anti-ICE protest Wednesday that quickly escalated into a standoff with police and ended with a curfew order.

Spokane Pride is hosting the local iteration of a nationwide anti-Trump rally called "No Kings" at 4 p.m. near the Big Red Wagon in partnership with Spokane Indivisible  as well as a local civil rights Stonewall Rally at 3 p.m. in the Lilac Bowl.

Organizers feel well-prepared for any possible spillover of tensions from earlier in the week but expect events to proceed normally, said Jacob Schwartz, president of Spokane Pride, during a Thursday afternoon news conference. Spokane Pride maintains a command center with active lines of communication with stages and volunteers, and will have assistance from the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane and the PEACE Angels to de-escalate protests if necessary, Schwartz added.

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"First and foremost, come," he said. "We want to see you here. Of course it's tense times, tumultuous, but right now, everything is planned to be operating as normal at Spokane Pride."

Spokane police will have their regular presence at the Pride events Saturday, Schwartz noted, and the organization has been in conversations with the department, but there are currently no plans for increased patrols or any other changes.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown intends to walk in the parade alongside a contingent of city employees and members of the City Council, she said Thursday. While there are heightened tensions nationwide to keep an eye on and it's not always clear when those might spill over, she said she was not aware of any reason to believe rallies would flare up Saturday.

At least one other event scheduled Saturday could also contribute to tensions. Evangelical preacher and self-described Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht, best known locally for his controversial appearance in 2023 alongside former Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward and former state Representative Matt Shea, recently announced he is planning to host "Jesus Fest '25" in Spokane on Saturday. Feucht, who has been in Los Angeles in recent days condemning "anarchists" and "rioters," has stated the event will take Spokane "for Jesus during the largest pride festival."
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  More than $420,000 worth of grants is helping to support local summer programs in Springfield.

Springfield woman arrested for DUI, files false report after hitting trooper

16 local summer programs in the city are to benefit from this funding. The Jewish Community Center will be part of hosting some of the summer programs.

Officials like Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield Public School Superintendent gathered there on Thursday to make the announcement. This funding was made possible through a multi-grant that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education gave to the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.

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Officials explain the importance of providing these programs to hundreds of youth. Programs like this afford students who otherwise students and families who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to take advantage of these programs. It gives them access, and that for us is a powerful and moving way to support a community, said Co-Executive Director for Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, Matthew Brunell.

Officials add that the programs will also increase student engagement in the classroom and build core life skills. More than 5,000 middle and high school students across Springfield are to benefit from each of the programs.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A local park in the north end of Springfield has welcomed a newly renovated patio area to the neighborhood.

Italian Feast returns to Springfields South End with reopening of historic social club

The Jaime Ulloa Park is a stomping ground for many residents in the north end of Springfield. Some issues with the pavilion in the park made it hard for retired groups like the Domino Club to enjoy.

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The water was leaking from the roof, you couldnt play when it was raining, and it was uncomfortable, said Jose Riveria, a Domino Club member.

City Councilor Maria Perez brought the concerns to Mayor Domenic Sarno once she learned of the current conditions, and in a joint effort along with park management, it was time for a change.

I came here every afternoon and I check how they are doing, what is needed, said Perez.

This t$225,000 project helped renovate new tables, posts, but a few benches were kept to keep the nostalgic feel of the area. It was all made official in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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The Morgan Street Domino Club has been playing in the same spot for over 30 years, its their home, and theyre glad that they were heard. Playing dominoes isnt just an activity for the Latino community here; its essential to embracing their culture.

This is the beautiful things that happen to us. And we appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts, said Tony, another Domino Club member.

A new mural is possibly in the works as an addition to the new pavilion, and it might even honor the local legacy of the Domino Club.

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Meghan Markle has filed a trademark application to expand her lifestyle brand As Ever into the hospitality sector, signalling possible plans for hotels, restaurants, and lodging services.

According to the filing, the brand could cover services such as provision of food and drink, temporary accommodation, and broader hospitality services.

The move suggests that the Duchess of Sussex is exploring new business avenues beyond her current focus on lifestyle products and content.

Trademark filing hints at hospitality ambitions

The trademark application, recently lodged in the United States, lists several categories typically associated with the hospitality industry.

While no physical properties or service launches have been confirmed, the filing indicates that Meghan is securing the rights to offer experiences such as overnight stays and curated dining  potentially under the As Ever name.

Industry observers note that trademarking such categories is often a preparatory step, allowing a brand to explore or develop offerings in those areas at a later stage. It does not guarantee that a hotel or restaurant venture will follow, but it does leave the option open.

Lifestyle branding with a hospitality angle

Meghan has gradually repositioned herself in recent months as a lifestyle figure focused on food, entertaining, and wellness.

Her brand As Ever launched online earlier this year with messaging centred around home life and hosting, and her recent Netflix series With Love, Meghan showcased her cooking and hospitality preferences.

She has also increased her social media activity, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of family life, baking, and travel. While some of this content has sparked criticism in the UK, it appears to resonate strongly with audiences in the US  particularly among younger followers.

Future outlook remains uncertain

Although no business launch has been officially announced, public relations experts see the trademark application as part of a broader strategy to diversify Meghans brand and create new revenue streams.

However, transitioning from personal lifestyle content to operating hospitality services would represent a significant shift in scale and complexity.

Jack Izzard, a branding expert at Gallia Communications, noted that while the concept aligns with Meghans public image, running hotels or restaurants requires a very different skill set.

Shes positioning herself as a kind of Californian hostess, he said, but delivering that experience in a commercial setting will be a major challenge if pursued.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  On Thursday, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-25 authorizing the Missouri National Guard to assist state and local law enforcement in response to rising concerns about public safety and border security.

Ex-National Guard, Ron Carpenter said the decision may be excessive, but law and order must be made appropriately.

National Guard may be a little aggressive, but we need to get on top of it and stay on top of it. Try to tamp down permanently. Wishfully."

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When asked about the correct way to protest in circumstances like these, Carpenter said it's important to recognize what situations are worth protesting for and making sure that it doesn't jeopardize your own well-being.

In the Press release, the governor cited escalating criminal activity, including drug trafficking and human smuggling along Missouri's southern and eastern corridors, as the primary motivation behind the action.

"The safety of Missouri families comes first, Kehoe said in a press statement. This executive order ensures that every available state resource is being used to combat threats to our communities and support those on the front lines.

With a passion for voices to be heard, it took resident Kimm Fromm-Foster to find the right words for the decision made by the governor. Citing overall, the need for these situations to be the perfect recipe for more unrest and emotions to run high.

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"As Americans have the right to protest," Fromm-Foster said. "Of course, they need to be peaceful, but my concern is that they will be aggravated so that people will react with emotion and our Constitution allows us to have free speech and the right to protest. The governor is infringing on our civil rights and it's wrong."

While residents reflect on the decision made by the governor, some will be participating in the "No Kings" protest in St. Joseph.

In a press release sent to News-Press NOW, over 1,800 "No Kings" rallies will take place across the country on Saturday, June 14, where over one million people are expected to participate.

Organizers have said the rallies will be peaceful.

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"We are coming together to stand against the increasing authoritarian excesses and graft and corruption of Trump and his allies in Congress. They've fired federal workers (260,000 out of 2.3 million or 12% so far) and defunded our libraries, museums, the arts, scholarship programs for minorities, public broadcasting, foreign aid, agricultural commodities for food banks, green energy, diversity programs, science-based research grants and cut safety programs like Medicaid and SNAP. All this to give tax cuts to the billionaires and add trillions to our national debt," said Dr. Nancy Zeliff, who will be helping coordinate both northwest Missouri "No Kings" events."

In St. Joseph, the "No Kings Rally will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and rally goers will bring signs and flags and meet on the public sidewalks at the intersection of the Belt Highway and Frederick Boulevard. More details can be found at https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/789018/.

In Maryville, the rally will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the sidewalk in front of the Courthouse. Rally goers will bring signs and flags. More information can be found at https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/788656/.
ST. LOUIS  Faith leaders and their church communities in St. Louis have united to help the city recover, partnering with the Red Cross to ensure ongoing support. Despite some churches facing tragedy directly, many have joined forces with the Red Cross to provide aid and ensure that their efforts will continue for days to come.

LIST: How to donate, where to receive help after STL tornado

The faith-based partnership involves the Spirit of St. Louis Task Force Team, the American Red Cross, and local churches. St. James AME Church and West Side Missionary Baptist Church are at the forefront, providing food, supplies, emotional support, and housing assistance to those affected by the storm.

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The Red Cross is supporting this effort and we are really excited to get the faith-based hubs set up, said LaKricia Cox.

Bishop Aaron Calhoun of True Love Divine Church is among the many whose churches sustained significant damage. Despite the destruction, including a roof blown off and theft of new chairs, Bishop Calhoun remains committed to helping others. I believe God has a greater purpose for all of us to manage this type of disaster.

We know the church is really a good safe place in the community and we are working on dismantling information through those hubs with good things going out into those communities and people coming in for real resources, said LaKricia Cox.

As North St. Louis begins its long road to recovery, the collaboration between local churches and the American Red Cross offers a beacon of hope and support for storm victims.

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Rebuilding St. Louis Stories:

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jun. 12FARGO  A St. Michael man was sentenced Wednesday, June 11, to 62 months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter.

Ryan Cody Guy, 46, pleaded guilty to the crime in March.

On Feb. 26, 2022, Guy was driving a vehicle on the Spirit Lake Reservation while intoxicated and the vehicle rolled, according to a press release issued by the District of North Dakota United State's Attorney's Office. A passenger died as a result of injuries they sustained in the crash.

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Guy's blood alcohol content was 0.164, which is more than twice the legal limit under North Dakota state law, the release said. The indictment in Guy's case, which was filed in March 2023, says he did not have a license to drive a motor vehicle at the time of the crash.

He will serve a little more than five years, after which he will be on three years of supervised release, according to the judgment filed in his case. He was ordered to pay $7,000 in restitution to the victim's burial fund and given credit for time served since his August 2024 arrest.

The judge in Guy's case ordered that he be placed at the lowest level security facility as close as possible to Spirit Lake, and that he be allowed to participate in substance abuse treatment, as well as educational, vocational and mental health treatment opportunities as deemed appropriate by the Bureau of Prisons.
Minnesotas street dance festival, The SOTA Movement, has returned for its third year in St. Paul, showcasing a variety of hip-hop street dance styles and artists.

The SOTA Movement, organized by Maia Maiden Productions and MN Krump, is a three-day festival from Friday through Sunday, featuring dance workshops, battles and a performance showcase at Park Square Theater in St. Paul. The performances will include both solo and group acts from artists varying in age and experience, some as young as seven.

We are trying to bring one of the best experiences back to Minnesota when it comes to the streets, arts and hip hop culture in general, organizer and krump artist Ololade Gbadamosi-Alashe, aka Gambit, said.

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The festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday with The gathering, an event that encourages community members and dancers to connect, experience a cypher or freestyle dance workshop, eat, drink and highlight women in hip-hop.

At 1 p.m. Saturday, doors open for Uprizing, a series of krump battles where dancers compete head-to-head. Finally, at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Rooted, The SOTA Movements showcase, exhibits the skills and techniques of the finest choreographers in the Twin Cities and beyond, according to their website.

In a time where arts funding is getting cut and people are wondering where we will be, the time to show up is now, Maia Maiden said. The SOTA Movement is ready.

Not only does the SOTA Movement foster community togetherness, Gbadamosi-Alashe said, it also supports local talent.

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It gives people who are in street arts or hip hop a platform to present as artists rather than having regular street sessions or street battles, Gbadamosi-Alashe said. It gives them an opportunity to see themselves as artists, as well as create a portfolio for them to be in the industry.

Free dance workshops led by professional dancers, open to all experience levels and ages, will also take place Friday through Sunday. Tickets were to be reserved online, but Gbadamosi-Alashe said if you werent able to grab a free ticket, but are interested in joining a workshop, the best thing to do is just show up.

People can expect to have a good time, Gbadamosi-Alashe said. Some performances hes looking forward to are those of Rondo Double Dutch, previous krump battle winner, Athena and up-and-coming dancer, Desare Cox.

We pride ourselves on leaving everybody with not just a good time, but a full experience, Gbadamosi-Alashe said. We see the audience as part of our community. So come on through, enjoy it and start your summer off well.

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The Sota Movement

What: Minnesota hip-hop and street dance festival.

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Where: Park Square Theater, 20 W. 7th Pl, St Paul.

When: Friday, June 13  Sunday, June 15.

Cost: Free  $25 for general admission and VIP tickets.

For more information or to purchase/reserve tickets, visit sotamove.com.
Outside the historic National Guard Armory in Worcester, a slew of volunteers, civilians, and businesses that offered jobs, support, and health for those who serve our country.

Boston 25 News Anchor Mark Ockerbloom spoke with those volunteering and learned more about the Stand Down Initiative and what the organization is all about.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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[Watch in the player above: What happens when you call 911?]

CANTON, Ohio (WJW)  A Stark County sheriffs deputy was fired after shooting and killing an aggressive dog in a Tuesday, June 10, incident.

That day, a 911 caller reported two aggressive stray dogs roaming near the 800 block of 6th Street Southwest in Canton, according to a Friday news release from the sheriffs office.

Parole denied for Doug Prade, former Akron cop serving life sentence for ex-wifes murder

The woman claimed the dogs bit her grandson, according to the release. Deputies later learned another person had also been bitten.

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A deputy found the dogs on 5th Street and when he approached them, he fired his service weapon, killing one dog and seriously injuring the other, according to the release. The injured dog underwent surgery and is expected to survive.

After a review of the incident, the deputy was terminated for failing to follow proper protocols for handling aggressive animals, reads the release.

While aggressive stray dogs can pose a danger to our communities, there are established procedures for safely addressing these situations, and lethal force is always the last option, Sheriff Eric Weisburn is quoted in the release. In this case, lethal force was the first course of action, which is not acceptable to me or anyone at the Stark County Sheriffs Office.

The dogs owner was cited for allowing them to run free, according to the release.

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The same deputy was involved in a May 4 incident, in which he shot and killed two dogs, a sheriffs office spokesperson confirmed to FOX 8 News.

That day, homeowners called for help with two loose dogs. They told authorities they had been feeding the dogs, but that the dogs became aggressive toward them.

While speaking with the homeowners through their doorbell camera, the dogs charged at the deputy, cornering him between the home and the homeowners vehicle, according to a previous statement from the spokesperson.

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The deputy fired his service weapon, killing both dogs.

The dogs microchips led authorities back to their owner, who said they dogs had been running loose since the day prior. He was cited for allowing them to run free.

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Sir Keir Starmer will come under pressure to reveal the hidden scale of migrant crime.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, is to propose a law change that would force the Government to publish the data identifying the migrant nationalities with the highest crime rates.

He is laying an amendment to Labours Courts and Victims Bill that would require ministers to publish every quarter the nationality, country of birth, visa route, asylum status and method of entry of everyone convicted and sentenced to crimes in the Crown Court and magistrates court.

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Mr Jenrick plans to force it to a vote of MPs on the floor of the Commons and said that, if passed, it would end the shameful cover-up by state authorities which has prevented the public from being told the scale of crime committed by foreign nationals.

It would mirror an approach by some US states and Denmark, where league tables compiled from the government data show the crime rates of the top four nations  Kuwait, Tunisia, Lebanon and Somalia  are eight times those of Danish nationals.

We need the full, unvarnished truth

The Telegraph has previously published data on migrant crime rates but only as a result of the figures being released by Government departments under freedom of information laws.

That research suggested that foreign nationals were convicted of up to a quarter of sex crimes despite census data showing that they made up just 9.3 per cent of the population.

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Mr Jenrick said: We need to know the truth about who is committing crime in our country so we can protect the British public.

Right now we are importing a crime wave. Data that has been dragged out of the authorities shows migrants from some countries are enormously more likely to commit violent and sexual offences.

Indicative statistics suggest Albanians are 153 times more likely to be convicted of drug offences, while Eritreans are 20 times more likely to commit a sexual offence. We need the full, unvarnished truth.

Keir Starmer has a choice. Will he release the data about migrant crime, as countries like Denmark do, and act on it? Or will he instigate yet another shameful cover-up?

Credit: Robert Jenrick

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Labour has proposed its own league tables of migrant crime rates based on the nationalities and foreign criminals living in communities while awaiting deportation.

Albanians, Romanians and Poles are expected to be among the top nationalities for crimes including violence, robbery, theft and drug production and dealing.

It is understood Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, overruled Home Office officials who have previously claimed it is too difficult to provide quality data on foreign criminals. She has told them she wants it published by the end of the year.

Her immigration white paper also proposed that the Home Office should be informed of all crimes committed by foreign nationals in the UK as part of a deportation crackdown.

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At present, foreign criminals are only reported to the Home Office if they receive a jail sentence. A year behind bars is the automatic threshold for deportation from the UK, although those with prison terms under one year can still be considered for removal.

It is thought unlikely, however, that Labour will back Mr Jenricks proposal although it is likely to be backed by Nigel Farages Reform UK.

Data previously published by The Telegraph and obtained through FOI legislation by the Centre for Migration control revealed that foreign nationals accounted for between one in eight (12.5 per cent) and as many as one in six (16.4 per cent) of all convictions in England and Wales.

According to the new data, 872,488 convictions were recorded on the police national computer between 2021 and 2023, of which 833,522 had identifiable nationality information.

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Foreign nationals accounted for 104,000, but there were a further 38,966 where the nationality was unknown.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged de-escalation following Israeli strikes targeting nuclear and military sites in Iran.

He spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday afternoon and shared the UK's "grave concerns" about Iran's nuclear programme, No 10 said, as a fresh wave of Israeli strikes targeting Tehran began.

Fears of a full-scale conflict have been stoked by warnings of "severe punishment" from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reports of drone launches in response.

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A Cobra emergency meeting was held earlier to discuss the UK response to the situation.

In a social media post, Sir Keir said he had been "engaging partners to de-escalate," calling for "restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy".

On his call to Netanyahu, a No 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister was clear that Israel has a right to self-defence and set out the UK's grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme.

"He reiterated the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region."

Sir Keir also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday morning and made a joint call for diplomacy.

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A Downing Street spokesman said: "The leaders discussed the long-held grave concerns about Iran's nuclear programme, and called on all sides to refrain from further escalation that could further destabilize the region."

Asked if the UK is involved in nuclear talks with US and Iran, he said: "On Iran's nuclear programme, it is more advanced than ever, and it is a clear threat to international peace and security.

"We've urged Iran to continue engaging with President Trump's offer of a negotiated solution and we continue to liaise closely with our partners on this.

"We remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution but are prepared to take every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through snapback, if necessary."

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The UN snapback mechanism would lead to the re-imposition of international sanctions against Iran developing nuclear weapons, which had been lifted in 2015.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy had cancelled a planned trip to Washington DC to meet his counterpart Marco Rubio, and instead spoke to his equivalent in Iran, in what he said was a "moment of grave peril in the Middle East".

In a meeting with journalists, Lammy was asked several times about whether the UK had been informed before Israel made its strikes against Iran overnight. He said the UK was "not involved" and emphasised that Israel took "unilateral action".

UK officials said the UK did not play any part in the action overnight but is continuing to monitor the situation.

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Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch declined to condemn Israel's actions, stressing "Iran is an enemy of the UK" that had attempted terrorist acts "on UK soil".

She added: "If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that."

Badenoch added the UK should be increasing defence spending as well as energy security.

Rubio also said that Israel acted unilaterally, adding in a post on X that the US is "not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region".

The attack appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had "struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme" and "the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponisation programme".

Netanyahu added the "operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat".

Iranian state television reported that the leader of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Hossein Salami was killed as well as chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said international leadership was needed from the UK government.

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"People across the UK and the world will be fearing the break-out of widespread regional conflict in the Middle East, following Israel's strikes overnight," he said.

"The UK must work with allies to contain Iran's nuclear ambitions through diplomacy, not war."

[BBC]

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Harnessing ocean currents to boost fuel efficiency of vessels, or tracking whales using sensor data and AI -- startups at Paris trade fair Vivatech have been showing off the latest innovations aimed at protecting the environment.

Recently developed AI programs capable of learning from vast datasets have boosted projects trying to understand and predict real-world phenomena, several company founders told AFP.

"We have to use AI because in the natural world there are too many variables" to deal with manually, said Emily Charry Tissier, a biologist and founder of Canadian startup Whale Seeker, which is developing technology to track sea mammals.

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Powered by "neural network" systems that ape the functioning of the human brain, the learning systems behind today's AI models "can calculate a weather forecast 1,000 times faster than a standard digital model running on a supercomputer", agreed oceanographer Alexandre Stegner.

He flagged an AI model developed by his firm, Amphitrite, that he said could predict ocean currents by crunching "several layers of satellite data corresponding to different physical variables".

It can forecast currents up to 10 days in advance, he said, offering sea captains "a simple way to save fuel" by slightly changing course and using currents to gain a speed boost of up to four knots.

That could save operators money on fuel, reduce the carbon emissions from shipping, and avoid the classic solution of telling sea captains to reduce their speed.

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- Global protection push -

Technologies like these were being shown off in the halls of Vivatech as the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) drew to a close hundreds of kilometres to the south in French Mediterranean city Nice.

The conference has pushed a treaty to protect 60 percent of the world's oceans closer to becoming law, with 55 signatures -- just five shy of the number required for its enactment.

New technologies could be "a very good thing" for the oceans, said Andre Abreu, International Affairs Director at the Paris-based Tara Ocean Foundation.

But he warned that innovation should not be harnessed to allow more fish to be caught.

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"That would mean shooting ourselves in the foot" on goals like preserving marine biodiversity, he said.

That ambiguity can be seen in technology from OceanEyes, a Japanese startup using AI analysis of satellite data to predict sea conditions.

The company hopes to cut the time fishing boats spend tracking down a catch.

"A big problem in Japan is the efficiency of the fishery operations. Many fishers spend a lot of time searching for fish in the water," said boss Yusuke Tanaka.

With less fuel burnt, operators will save money and greenhouse emissions can be slashed.

Anticipating concerns about overfishing, OceanEyes said it also aimed to help vessels comply with recently updated Japanese regulations that oblige fishers to "ensure sustainable use of marine resources".

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- 'Can' vs 'should' -

Whale Seeker's Tissier said technology could be used in a considered way to find sustainable solutions.

"I'd like the market to recognise its own limits -- not the limits of what we can do, but what we should do," she told AFP.

That attitude pushed her to refuse to work with a company that wanted to use whale detection to identify nearby fish to catch.

But startups cannot grow without funding and, in the context of oceans, investments are likely to come from big firms keen to make a saving -- from fishing and ship management companies to haulage and logistics giants.

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This could well limit their ability to stand on principle.

Stegner called for "regulations that would push the maritime sector to reduce carbon emissions".

But Charry Tissier said the initiative could come from business.

"Technology is developing so much faster than regulation... what I'd like is for big companies to decide for themselves to be responsible," she said.

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PUPUKEA, Hawaii (KHON2)  The state claims over 1,000 bone fragments, said to be Iwi Kupuna, were disturbed and destroyed at a North Shore home in May.

Now, the state is seeking a restraining order against the homeowner and contractor.

North Shore community members discuss gondola plans

Court documents state that on May 1, a contractor and his team were digging out ground and constructing a new septic system at a property on Ke Iki Road when bones were discovered.

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The state alleged in the document that even though the defendants were told to stop work, and even after the defendants agreed to stop work, the defendants continued ground-disturbing activities, apparently attempting to finish their work before they can be forcibly stopped.

According to a now former employee of the contractor, two burials were found on May 1.

After they had encountered Iwi, the manager had instructed the crew to collect the bone fragments and place them in a cardboard box, place ti leaf over them, say a prayer and finish the job, the former employee told state officials according to the document.

The former worker said a third burial site was discovered on May 2, and that was the same day Honolulu police and the State Historic Preservation Division went to the property.

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The archeologist with SHPD stated she was notified of inadvertent discovery of human remains and she and another archaeology branch contractor visited the site. She stated she observed Iwi Kupuna and placed pin flags where bone fragments had been encountered by the former employee and where she observed them on May 2.

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The former employee then told SHPD that additional bone fragments had been uncovered and placed in an L&L disposable cup.

That same day, May 2, the documents state SHPD notified the property owner that no additional ground work could be completed until he retained an archaeological firm and consulted with SHPD.

The property owner said he was not at the property during the work and he said he allowed authorities access quickly, and he understands and respects the process. He also hired an archeological firm.

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On May 15, SHPD received an anonymous complaint about ground disturbance at the property.

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SHPD and DOCARE responded and confirmed ground disturbance activity had occurred at the property and a portion of a previously dug area was infilled with sand and the excavator was now outside the property.

The document states the excavator had already been removed from the site and placed on a trailer when SHPD staff arrived. And in the tracks of the excavator, two separate bone fragments were recovered.

On May 16, the hired archeology team began their assessment of the property. They recovered remains of a very young child in-situ burial. And had identified over 1,000 bone fragments with the project area.

Laulima Giving Program hosting Back 2 School drive

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Burials should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect, explained Kumu Hina, Oahu Island burial council chair. She explained that if a previous survey of Iwi has been done in an area then the survey falls under the burial council jurisdiction. Because this was an inadvertent discovery, it falls under SHPD.

The Attorney Generals office filed a temporary restraining order saying its necessary to protect Iwi and prevent further desecration.

The owner said he knew no one was allowed on his property until the issue was resolved.

I cant say whether it was intentionally callously done or not, Kumu Hina said. In a different time and in a different world it may have been sufficient to those involved to be dismissive like that and gather the bones, grab a ti leaf, say a prayer and toss them aside and move along, but our Hawaii has moved past that callous treatment of burials and so whether the burial is found in a sandy loam near the shoreline, or inland or at Punchbowl cemetery, they should be treated with the greatest level of honor, care, dignity and respect.

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Hawaii state flag derives from King Kamehameha I

She said depending on the areas history, finding 1,000 bone fragments could allude to previous disturbance. It might also allude to simply the natural process of bones going back to the land.

She explained burial laws came about around 1980 and property tax records indicate the home on the property was built in the 1970s.

But as more owners will be required to shift to septic in the near future, she said we can expect to see more burials unearthed.

When people go forward callous and careless with poor intention and forego giving respect to the burials found, thats when I can say advise caution, Kumu Hina said. Because thats what begets all sorts of emotions within the Hawaiian community, and misfortune tends to come upon those whom are not careful.

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How Generational Hawaiian Music Plays an Impact in Todays Culture

She said the city and state should also be prepared for more calls on burials being unearthed as the conversion deadline nears and possibly offer some kind of support.

Whenever you go digging around in the spaces and places in Hawaii there is a great potential for burials to come up and just as we would treat our loved ones who we know and treat with care and respect, so we treat with care and respect the burials that were at one time someones parent, sibling, relative and we honor them as well, thats important, she said.

KHON2 reached out to the contractor to find out why the excavator was removed, but did not hear back.

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The property owners attorney said they look forward to cooperating with the state AGs office to resolve this.

The TRO is set to expire on June 16.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Global credit rating giant Moody's Ratings and tokenization startup Alphaledger have completed a test run showing that municipal bond credit ratings can be embedded into blockchain-based securities, the companies told CoinDesk.

The trial, conducted on the Solana SOL blockchain, showcases how credit ratingstypically distributed through proprietary data terminalscould be integrated into tokenized assets on public blockchains.

In the proof of concept, a simulated municipal bond was tokenized using Alphaledgers platform. The bonds credit rating, provided by Moodys, was automatically submitted and attached to the token on-chain. The project used an API to move data from Moodys off-chain systems to Solanas public blockchain.

For institutional investors navigating decentralized markets, the lack of standardized, trusted information remains a hurdle. By baking a known credit rating into a security token, traders and portfolio managers could hypothetically make more informed decisions about debt instruments in real time.

"Weve demonstrated a potential scalable model that can unlock liquidity to real world assets by providing investors access to a trusted brand like Moodys Ratings," said Alphaledger CEO Manish Dutta.

The test highlights how blockchain tech could complement the existing financial plumbing, as a growing number of traditional finance giants explore ways to use crypto rails for real-world assets (RWA) like bonds, funds and credit.

The process, often called tokenization, promises more efficient operations, interoperability and faster, around-the-clock settlements compared to legacy rails. It's potentially a huge market: Boston Consulting Group and Ripple projected that tokenized assets could be a $18.9 trillion market by 2033.

Moodys said it will keep exploring how its ratings can serve digital finance. Future implementations could include other fixed income products such as corporate bonds.

"We continue to embrace innovation in finance and actively explore new avenues for digital finance ecosystem to access our credit assessments," said Rajeev Bamra, head of strategy for digital economy at Moodys Ratings.

The test also showcased Solanas capacity to handle institutional-grade financial data, adding to the network's growing RWA momentum.

Last month, Solana Foundation partnered with bank-focused blockchain tech firm R3 to bring real-world assets to the network. A Securitize-issued tokenized fund of Apollo credit assets also debuted on Solana-based DeFi protocol, while Centrifuge expanded Anemoy's $400 million tokenized U.S. Treasury fund on the chain.

Read more: Major TradFi Institutions to Pursue Tokenization Efforts on Solana
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  County and state officials are reacting to President Trumps plan to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

We want to wean off FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level, says President Trump.

The president wants states to be responsible for disaster recovery. But state and local leaders say there may not be enough money in their budgets to go around.

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We just cannot take on that kind of burden, says Kentucky State Representative J.T. Payne.

Payne represents the Henderson area and says the state is already on a tight budget. He says FEMA gets around $30 billion a year. He says the state sets aside around $100 million in the biannual budget to help communities that dont qualify for FEMA or to help until FEMA gets there.

Any type of burden that we receive from a change in federal policy, we have to reflect that by either finding ways to increase revenue or cutting somewhere else in the budget, and that is always difficult, says Payne.

Hopkins County Judge Executive Jack Whitfield says he is on board with phasing out FEMA if there is additional state and local funding.

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After the 2021 tornado, we had $15-16 million in infrastructure damage, and we would be bankrupt if we did not get help with that, Whitfield says.

Whitfield says it is sometimes hard to get FEMA assistance.

I think the state would be more efficient than the federal is. FEMA is not known for being the most efficient organization. The bureaucratic process can be difficult to work through, Whitfield says.

In Reed, Kentucky, Kassie Minton lost everything in Aprils historical flooding and says it took a while to get FEMA assistance. She was unable to interview today and told us that phasing it out is not the answer. She says it needs to be reformed, and both Whitfield and Payne agree.

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There is a lot that can be improved with the FEMA process, and maybe this will be part of it, says Whitfield.

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As Wisconsin's 2025 state budget approaches its June 30 deadline, northeast Wisconsin legislators are fighting to get the closure of Green Bay Correctional Institution included.

In Gov. Tony Evers budget proposal, he included $500 million intended to finance a series of changes to the state's prison system, which would allow for the closure of Green Bay Correctional by 2029. Advocates have been calling for the prison's closure for years, citing rodent infestations, prisoner deaths and homicides, and inhumane conditions.

The Allouez Village Board held a special meeting June 12 to hear updates from state Reps. David Steffen, R-Howard; Benjamin Franklin, R-De Pere; and Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay, on the potential closure of the 127-year-old maximum security prison. Here are three key takeaways from the meeting.

State Rep. Ben Franklin, R-De Pere; Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay; and Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, answer questions from the Allouez Village Board about the progress on including funding to close Green Bay Correctional Institution in the state budget on June 12 at Allouez Village Hall.

Bipartisan support for prison closure, disagreement on details

There is support throughout the state and on both sides of the aisle for closing Green Bay Correctional, Steffen said, "there's an understanding that this has to be done." If it isn't full bipartisan support, Franklin said, "it is very, very strong."

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The disagreement comes down to the details of how, Wall said. According to Wall, the Republican caucuses in the Senate and Assembly are interested in different elements of Evers' proposed plan, with senators interested in policy changes like increased vocational training programs and representatives more interested in the physical changes to the current prisons. The Republicans hold majorities in both the Senate and Assembly.

A time for the Joint Finance Committee to meet on the Department of Corrections budget has yet to be scheduled, Wall said, which "may be a good sign" as it gives more time for conversations on how to move forward.

"Everyone has told me that there has been good conversations that have been happening about this, it's just that they weren't the same good conversations," Wall said. "And whether we can square that circle or not is the challenge."

Representatives push for 2029 decommission deadline

Including a deadline for when Green Bay Correctional will be closed may be what the state needs to get the plans in motion, Steffen said. He and Franklin are fighting for a Dec. 31, 2029, deadline for the prison to be decommissioned to be included alongside funding allocation in the budget.

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"Every single one of you in here sets deadlines if you want to get things done, and we need one for this project," Steffen said.

A 2029 deadline mirrors Evers' proposal, Franklin said, and it is a plausible timeline for the project to be completed.

A deadline can "focus people's minds," Wall said, but for those in charge of running the prison adequately until the last inmate is escorted out, the "stakes are quite high" and setting a deadline to "figure it out later" isn't prudent.

State legislators 'fighting a battle' for Joint Finance Committee attention

Budget negotiations between Evers and Republican legislators collapsed in early June, which Wall said has left the Joint Finance Committee "probably a month behind where they should be." As a result, he said, their attention and time is "at a real premium."

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"We're fighting a battle for the attention of the Republican majorities in the finance committee as well, given the situation that they put themselves in," Wall said.

The committee is working hard, Franklin said, "burning the midnight oil" and working weekends. The committee's difficult job, Franklin said, has made getting additions like funding the prison closure challenging.

Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@greenbay.gannett.com or (920) 431-8314. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @vivianbarrett_.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin legislators see bipartisan support for closing Green Bay Correctional
The state flags hangs from the rotunda of the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise on Jan. 7, 2025. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Idaho state revenues fell short of expectations in May and now run $141.5 million below the projection set by the Idaho Legislature earlier this year, according to a new monthly revenue report released Thursday by the state.

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A month ago, state revenues lagged the Idaho Legislatures projection by $97.7 million, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

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Now, revenues are running $141.5 million below the Idaho Legislatures forecast with less than one month remaining in the fiscal year, according to the May Budget and Revenue Monitor report.

Idaho is still projected to finish the 2025 fiscal year on June 30 with a positive ending balance of $278.2 million, according to the May report.

However, that projected ending balance has shrunk from the approximately $420 million ending balance that the Idaho Legislature planned on when the 2025 legislative session adjourned April 4.

Declining sales tax distribution a driving factor in states revenue shortfall

The revenue forecasts and collections are important because the Idaho Legislature built them into the state budget.

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Idaho runs on a fiscal year calendar that begins July 1 and ends June 30 every year. That means fiscal year 2025 is about to end, and fiscal year 2026 is about to begin.

The Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee co-chairwoman Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, listens to proceedings at the Idaho State Capitol building on Jan. 11, 2023. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)

Rep. Wendy Horman, an Idaho Falls Republican who serves as co-chair of the Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, said the new revenue report shows positive strength in Idahos economy despite the missed forecast.

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, is a powerful legislative committee that sets the budget for every state agency and department.

Compared to last year, revenue collections are up by $145.3 million, or 2.9%, according to the May report.

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I think this gives us good news about Idahos economy, Horman said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. Sometimes when you look at numbers against a forecast, it tells us more about the forecast than the revenue.

The revenue report shows the sales tax distributions were less than last year and a driving factor in the revenue shortfall. Other revenue sources, including individual income tax collections, corporate income tax and miscellaneous revenues, were all up.

Lori Wolff, administrator of the Idaho Division of Financial Management, also expressed confidence in Idahos economy after the revenue report was released Thursday.

Division of Financial Managment Administrator Lori Wolff answers questions from reporters at a press conference before the annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Gov. Little and the Legislature have consistently prioritized responsible budgeting, which has led to Idahos tremendous economic success, Wolff said in a written statement. We are still seeing year over year growth in revenue, signaling a strong Idaho economy. We have made investments in critical priorities while leaving a $400 million cushion on the bottom line to hedge against revenue softening. Idaho also has 22% of General Fund revenues in rainy day funds, greater than almost every other state. While we continue to watch revenue closely, we feel good about the strength of the state budget and our economy.

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Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, said her heart sank when she read the new revenue report. She said the state will still have enough money to pay for programs in the current years budget, but she worries cuts are forthcoming next year.

I am deeply concerned that all of the tax cuts and the underestimating of revenue will create an on-ramp for my legislative colleagues to easily and unfortunately cut valuable programs and services that Idahoans need, Wintrow said in a phone interview Thursday. That is really what I have been dreading this whole time.

Tax cuts passed by Idaho Legislature reduce revenue available to the state

During the 2025 legislative session, the Idaho Legislature cut taxes by $400 million and provided an additional $50 million to create a new refundable tax credit for education expenses, including tuition at private, religious schools.

Those actions reduced the amount of state revenue that the state has to spend in its budget by $453 million.

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The role of revenue in the budget is extremely important. The Idaho Constitution requires the state to pass a balanced budget each year where expenses dont exceed revenues.

Horman said the newest revenue numbers still demonstrate the Idaho Legislature took a responsible approach to budgeting this year.

It makes me especially glad we more than doubled the amount we typically leave on the bottom line when we adjourned sine die because its giving us a cushion to adjust to the decline in sales tax revenue, Horman said, using the Latin term sine die that legislators use when they adjourn the legislative session for the year.

Horman said it will be important to monitor all revenue sources between now and when the Idaho Legislature convenes the 2026 session in January.

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She also said it would be a concern if revenues continued to to fall below the forecast in the coming months and into the forthcoming 2026 fiscal year.

Looking at the trends with sales tax tells us we made the right decision to have conservative budgeting this year, and we will need to monitor all revenue sources between now and January, Horman said. I do anticipate another year of probably even more conservative budgeting (next year) than we saw this year.

Horman said the Idaho Legislature has invested $7 billion in infrastructure projects like roads, school facilities, water projects, the permanent building fund and more over the past five years. She said the $1.05 to $1.55 per hour pay increases for state employees approved this year represent the largest salary increase in terms of dollars in state history.

Idaho state Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, listens to proceedings during the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee meeting on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

But Horman said next years budget may be more lean in terms of spending.

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We will need to be cautious about investments we make in the maintenance budgets as well as the budget enhancements moving forward, Horman said, referencing the new budget procedures where JFAC splits agency budgets into two parts.

Wintrow said shes worried.

I dont see my colleagues going back on their tax cuts to increase revenue, and my heart sinks wondering about the effects, which are dramatic and potentially harmful, Wintrow said.

2025-05-BudgetMonitor

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North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner (left) and Gov. Josh Stein at a bill signing ceremony at the governor's mansion in Raleigh on June 13, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Gov. Josh Stein signed a bundle of bills into law Friday, including one that overhauls how the states investments are managed.

Under House Bill 506, a five-person board of appointees would oversee North Carolinas $127 billion pension fund. It is currently the sole responsibility of the treasurer. The new law comes after Brad Briner, the new Republican treasurer, said he wanted to see the fund deliver better returns for state retirees.

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While I trust that Treasurer Briner would do an excellent job if he kept this authority to himself, he and I share a belief that this process will be stronger when more voices are involved, Stein said Friday at a bill signing ceremony in the governors mansion.

Briners predecessor, former Republican Treasurer Dale Folwell, was often criticized for keeping an unusually large portion of the state pension funds sitting in cash. Briner pledged to move North Carolina away from that sole-fiduciary governance model.

Briner, who also spoke Friday, said the state had fallen short on the investment side, which was coming at a cost to our retirees.

This legislation allows us to face that problem, he said.

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Four of the five members of the new board will be appointees. Two will be appointed by the heads of the House and Senate, both Republicans. Stein and Briner will both appoint one member each, subject to the legislatures approval. Those members will serve staggered six-year terms; they must have expert knowledge and a decade of relevant experience.

Stein also signed several other bills into law Friday:

House Bill 50, which changes how state law enforcement officers separation allowance is paid out.

House Bill 231, which makes it easier for social workers to transfer their licenses to North Carolina.

House Bill 477, which makes changes to the Death Benefits Plan in state retirement plans.

Senate Bill 248, which makes birth certificates for adopted persons similar to those not adopted.

Senate Bill 477, which makes changes to the Department of Natural Resources, including about public access to confidential information on rare species and sensitive habitats.

Stein has yet to issue a veto, but that could change soon. Several controversial Republican-led bills sit on the Democrats desk, including multiple proposals to crack down on immigration enforcement, and a bill allowing permit-less carry of handguns.

The governor has ten days to either sign or veto a bill before it automatically becomes law. If Stein does issue vetoes, the path for a GOP override could be challenging  Republicans are one vote short of a veto-proof majority in the House.
ASHLAND, Ky.  The Cosmetology Program at Ashland Community and Technical College is seeking wig donations in support of their Stepping Stones program.

The Stepping Stones program exists to provide local cancer patients who have suffered hair loss through chemotherapy with wigs free of charge. The program was launched in 2002 by former cosmetology program coordinator Patti Banfield, resulting in hundreds of wigs being provided over the years to those in need.

There is an incredible need in our community for support services like this, and were honored to be part of the solution, said Kim Minnehan, ACTC advancement administrator. Through the Stepping Stones program, donated wigs are cleaned and styled by our talented cosmetology students and then offered free of charge to cancer patients. Its about more than just appearanceits about dignity, hope, and helping people feel like themselves again during a difficult time.

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"Cancer is such a heartbreaking disease, said Mourine Smith, ACTC cosmetology program coordinator. It is our honor to be able to provide wigs to those who have been diagnosed. Cancer has the power to take so much away from the patient. Those who donate wigs to our program make a difference in the lives of those who are affected."

Wigs can be dropped off at the ACTC Foundation Office, located on the College Drive Campus in Ashland.
The visit of Rafael Manuel Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Kyiv in the beginning of the summer was a painful demonstration of how much the nuclear agency supports Moscows political interests in its illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and its plans for restarting reactors at the site.

The facts have already been widely reported in the media last week, but a quick recap can reveal the underlying structure.

27th of May Greenpeace Ukraine published satellite images of the active construction of an electricity line between Melitopol and Mariupol. It is an illegal activity by Russia on temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine as part of a larger plan to connect the ZNPP to Russia. In response Rafael Grossi said in Kyiv that he disagreed with Greenpeace and that the agency did not observe any activity at the plant showing an imminent restart. It sounded like a magician: "please look at my hand, there is nothing up my sleeve", while the other hand makes the electricity line 150 km further disappear to his public.

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But no-one had claimed that the restart will take place very soon or that preparations for it are underway at the station. Restarting ZNPP is a long process, and the construction of power lines is only one of the signals  and the Russians continue to install new electric pylons.

Since January last year, Greenpeaces remote sensing team have been keeping a close watch on satellite images to see the first signs of the construction of a water pumping station at the power plant, which is one of the key requirements for a reactor restart

But then comes the development of the story. After visiting Kyiv, , Grossi came to Kaliningrad to meet with Alexei Likhachev, the head of the criminal Russian nuclear enterprise Rosatom. And as a surprise, his Russian host mentioned that Russia had already started the construction of the pumping station, thereby not only contradicting Grossis claims of a few days earlier, but also humiliating him. It was not a slip of the tongue, becauseRussian diplomats officially informed the IAEA Secretariat in Vienna about the start of construction of the pumping station.

Perhaps Grossi can kindly beg Likhachev if his IAEA team of three men who are based at the plant, could visit the western part of the turbine halls? So far, Russia has refused them access for no clear reason. We can just guess that the preparations for the large pumping station are taking place there out of sight of the satellites in one of these huge halls.

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So why would Likhachev humiliate Grossi so openly? This is a clear example of Russia showing who is in charge. If Russia does not want the IAEA team to travel to the plant through Ukrainian territory, they bomb the team as they did in December last year, and force them to travel through Moscow next time instead. These are stepping stones for Russia in its desperate attempt to secure its false narrative and recognition that the plant is "Russian", that the occupied territory is "Russia" and create another "fait accompli".

Russias interest in restarting ZNPP is not to generate electricity. Restarting ZNPP is political symbolism for Russia. The restart of even one of the six reactors at partial power and with a weak link to Russia would in the eyes of the Kremlin be another stepping stone in recognition that this area is now part of Russia. Furthermore, one operating reactor inside Ukraine would be a huge radiological risk, which Russia could and will use to blackmail Ukraine and the EU.

The Russian state has sufficiently proven that it does not care about nuclear safety and can basically do anything they want. Still it wants and needs the IAEA to give the restart a semblance of legitimacy.

Behind this is a clear Russian strategy to attack the international legal order and impose Russian rule. We see Russia instrumentalising the IAEA for its imperialist territorial expansion in Europe. The painful reality is that Rafael Grossi is failing to stand up to Russias agenda and certainly not pushing back. Perhaps he really does believe that his diplomatic approach of never calling out years of Russian nuclear safety and security violations will prevent a nuclear disaster. He is wrong. But it also conveniently does not conflict with his ambition to be the next Secretary-General of the United Nations next year which requires support from Moscow. But more fundamentally, because the IAEA has been supporting Russias export of nuclear technology in the world for decades, with more than 80% of all exported nuclear reactor projects in the world today coming from Russia. And half of the world's uranium conversion and enrichment is controlled by Russia.

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It explains why the European Union has no sanctions on Rosatom, why French and German companies keep working together with this criminal enterprise, why EU countries keep buying nuclear fuel from Russia and why any new nuclear power expansion in the world is directly or indirectly strengthening Russia, which has masterly succeeded to transpose their nuclear dominance into political leverage.

This entanglement of dark interests is far too powerful to challenge all at once. But one thing is a clear priority. Russia must be stopped from the illegal restart of the Zaporizhzia nuclear plant and be forced to abandon its occupation of the nuclear site. And it can be done. There are enormous safety obstacles to any restart  and all efforts must be made to prevent Russia and its criminal nuclear agency Rosatom from overcoming these. Rosatoms global interests have barely been affected by its unprecedented role in the theft of Europes largest nuclear plant and now it is planning a restart that could lead to a disaster far greater than Fukushima or Chornobyl. Russias nuclear industry globally, powerful as it is, must be subject to full crippling sanctions. Those nations it trades with need to be confronted with the reality of doing business with a partner that conducts state sanctioned nuclear terrorism on Europe.

Ukraine does not stand alone in its efforts to confront Russia. The important statement issued by 47 nations and Ukraine at the IAEA in Vienna on 12 June sends a clear signal that restart of any reactors at Zaporizhzhia is unacceptable while the plant remains under Russian occupation. That is a message not just for Moscow but also to the IAEA Director General. The IAEA DG has enormous leverage over Moscow - but has failed to use it. Moscows global nuclear trade needs the stamp of approval of the IAEA.

Moscow considers its attack and occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as a strategic masterstroke. That has to change. The international community must turn the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant into a nightmare for Russia  all economic, political, diplomatic and other levers must be deployed. The long-term Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is not an option.

Shaun Burnie, senior nuclear specialist, Greenpeace Ukraine and Jan Vande Putte, senior nuclear specialist, Greenpeace Ukraine
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  It has been a more quiet day across KELOLAND so far with highs ranging from the 60s to the 80s. There has been more activity on satellite than radar as clouds hang around. Northeastern KELOLAND will get a needed break from the rain and we will turn our attention to western South Dakota. A shortwave trough will bring rain and thunderstorms to this area this evening. The Black Hills and southwestern South Dakota are in a slight risk for severe weather, while Rapid City is included in the marginal risk. Strong to severe storms could contain large hail and damaging wind gusts.

These storms will fizzle out as they move eastward into the overnight hours. Areas north of I-90 will have the best chance for thicker cloud cover and cooler lows. Winds will stay on the lighter side before slightly increasing for tomorrow.

Most of KELOLAND will have near to above average highs with some 90s likely along the South Dakota and Nebraska border. It will be another calm morning and afternoon before another round of thunderstorms return.

Storms will move into western South Dakota for the evening and overnight hours. Rapid City will now be included in the slight risk, along with Winner and Buffalo just on the border. More showers and thunderstorms could pop up East River going into Sunday morning, so East River is placed in a marginal risk. Large hail and damaging wind gusts will continue to be the main hazards.

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More severe weather is possible for Fathers Day as the slight risk shifts eastward. There will be enough instability to support storms during the late afternoon and evening hours again.

It will be a similar story going into Monday as a day 4 outlook indicates a chance for severe thunderstorms in West and East River. We will continue to monitor that trend over the weekend. The unsettled weather will continue into the middle of the week before we warm up and become more dry for next 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 KELOLAND.com.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va.  By the time Eric Tennant was diagnosed in 2023 with a rare cancer of the bile ducts, the disease had spread to his bones. He weighed 97 pounds and wasnt expected to survive a year with stage 4 cancer.

Two years later, grueling rounds of chemotherapy have slowed the cancers progress, even as it has continued to spread. But chemotherapy has also ravaged Tennants body and his quality of life.

Recently, however, the 58-year-old had reason to hope things would improve. Last fall, his wife, Rebecca, learned of a relatively new, noninvasive procedure called histotripsy, which uses targeted ultrasound waves to destroy tumors in the liver. The treatment could extend his life and buy him more downtime between rounds of chemotherapy.

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Early this year, Tennants oncologist agreed he was a good candidate since the largest tumor in his body is in his liver. But thats when his family began fighting another adversary: their health insurer, which decided the treatment was not medically necessary, according to insurance paperwork.

Health insurers issue millions of denials every year. And like the Tennants, many patients find themselves stuck in a convoluted appeals process marked by long wait times, frustrating customer service encounters, and decisions by medical professionals theyve never met who may lack relevant training.

Eric Tennant, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. His health insurer issued four denials this year for a treatment his doctor recommended to destroy a tumor in his liver. (NBC News)

Recent federal and state efforts, as well as changes undertaken by insurance companies themselves, have attempted to improve a 50-year-old system that disproportionately burdens some of the sickest patients at the worst times. And yet many doctors complain that insurance denials are worse than ever as the use of prior authorization has ramped up in recent years, reporting by KFF Health News and NBC News found.

When the Tennant family was told histotripsy would cost $50,000 and insurance wouldnt cover it, they appealed the denial four times.

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Its a big mess, said Rebecca Tennant, who described feeling like a pingpong ball, bouncing between the insurer and various health care companies involved in the appeals process.

Theres literally nothing we can do to get them to change, she said in an April interview with KFF Health News. Theyre, like, not accountable to anyone.

Rebecca Tennant at home in Bridgeport, W.Va. Tennant fought for months to get her husbands cancer treatment approved by his insurance plan. (NBC News)

While the killing of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson in December incited a fresh wave of public fury about denials, there is almost no hope of meaningful change on the horizon, said Jay Pickern, an assistant professor of health services administration at Auburn University.

You would think the murder of a major health insurance CEO on the streets of New York in broad daylight would be a major watershed moment, Pickern said. Yet, once the news cycle died down, everything went back to the status quo.

An unintended consequence of health reform?

Prior authorization varies by plan but often requires patients or their providers to get permission (also called precertification, preauthorization, or preapproval) before filling prescriptions, scheduling imaging, surgery, or an inpatient hospital stay, among other expenses.

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The practice isnt new. Insurers have used prior authorization for decades to limit fraud, prevent patient harm, and control costs. In some cases, it is used to intentionally generate profits for health insurers, according to a 2024 U.S. Senate report. By denying costly care, companies pay less for health care expenses while still collecting premiums.

At the end of the day, theyre a business and they exist to make money, said Pickern, who wrote about the negative impacts of prior authorization on patient care for The American Journal of Managed Care.

Eric Tennant is a safety instructor with West Virginias Office of Miners Health Safety and Training. In 2023, he was diagnosed with cancer of the bile ducts that spread to other parts of his body. (NBC News)

For most patients, though, the process works seamlessly. Prior authorization mostly happens behind the scenes, almost always electronically, and nearly all requests are quickly, or even instantly, approved.

But the use of prior authorization has also increased in recent years. Thats partly due to the growth of enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans, which rely heavily on prior authorization compared with original Medicare. Some health policy experts also point to the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, which prohibited health insurers from denying coverage to patients with preexisting conditions, prompting companies to find other ways to control costs.

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But we cant really prove this, said Kaye Pestaina, director of the Program on Patient and Consumer Protection at KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Health insurers havent been historically transparent about which services require prior authorization, she said, making it difficult to draw comparisons before and after the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, many states are looking to overhaul the prior authorization process.

In March, Virginia passed a law that will require health insurers to publicly post a list of health care services and codes for which prior authorization is required. A North Carolina bill would require doctors who review patient appeals to have practiced medicine in the same specialty as the patients provider. The West Virginia Legislature passed bills in both 2019 and 2023 requiring insurers to respond to nonurgent authorization requests within five days and more urgent requests within two days, among other mandates.

And in 2014, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services temporarily lifted all prior authorization requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries seeking rehabilitative behavioral health services.

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Federal rules to modify prior authorization that were introduced by the first Trump administration and finalized by the Biden administration are set to take effect next year, with the aim of streamlining the process, reducing wait times, and improving transparency.

These changes were supported by AHIP, a trade group that represents health insurers.

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.

Sick with little recourse

But the new federal rules wont prevent insurance companies from denying payment for doctor-recommended treatment, and they apply only to some categories of health insurance, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid. Nearly half the U.S. population is covered by employer-sponsored plans, which remain untouched by the new rules.

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For some patients, the stakes couldnt be higher.

On May 12, Alexander Schrift, 35, died at home in San Antonio, Florida, less than two months after his insurance company refused to cover the cancer drug ribociclib. Its used to treat breast cancer but has shown promise in treating the same type of brain tumor Schrift was diagnosed with in 2022, according to researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and the Institute of Cancer Research in London.

But Schrifts insurance company refused to pay. The Right to Try Act, signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, entitles patients with terminal illnesses to try experimental drugs, but it does not obligate insurance companies to pay for them.

In May, Sheldon Ekirch, 30, of Henrico, Virginia, said her parents withdrew money from their retirement savings to pay for treatment denied by her health insurance company.

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Ekirch, who was diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy in 2023, was recommended by her doctor to try an expensive blood plasma treatment called intravenous immunoglobulin to ease her near-constant pain. In April, a state agency charged with reviewing insurance denials upheld her insurers decision. Out-of-pocket, the treatment may cost her parents tens of thousands of dollars.

Never in a million years did I think Id end up here, Ekirch said, sick with little recourse.

Earlier this year, New Jersey congressman Jefferson Van Drew, a Republican, introduced a bill that would eliminate prior authorization altogether. But history suggests that would create new problems.

When South Carolina Medicaid lifted prior authorization for rehabilitative behavioral health services in 2014, the departments costs for those services skyrocketed from $300,000 to $2 million per week, creating a $54 million budget shortfall after new providers flooded the market. Some providers were eventually referred to the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office for Medicaid fraud investigation. The state Medicaid agency eventually reinstated prior authorization for specific services, spokesperson Jeff Leieritz said.

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What happened in South Carolina illustrates a common argument made by insurers: Prior authorization prevents fraud, reduces overspending, and guards against potential harm to patients.

On the other hand, many doctors and patients claim that cost-containment strategies, including prior authorization, do more harm than good.

On Feb. 3, 2024, Jeff Hall of Estero, Florida, became paralyzed from the neck down and spent weeks in a coma after he suddenly developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The cause of his illness remains unknown.

Hall, now 51, argued that the Florida Blue health insurance plan he purchased on the federal marketplace hindered his recovery by capping the number of days he was allowed to remain in an acute rehabilitation hospital last year.

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Hall said that after he was forced to step down to a lower-level nursing facility, his health deteriorated so rapidly within six days that he was sent to the emergency room, placed on a ventilator, and required a second tracheostomy. Hall believes the insurance companys coverage limits set his recovery back by months  and, ironically, cost the insurer more. His wife, Julie, estimated Jeffs medical bills have exceeded $5 million, and most of his care has been covered by his insurer.

Getting better is not always the goal of an insurance company. Its a business, Jeff Hall said. They dont care.

In a prepared statement, Florida Blue spokesperson Jose Cano said the company understands it can be a challenge when a member reaches the limit of their coverage for a specific service or treatment. He encouraged members impacted by coverage limits to contact their health care providers to explore service and treatment options.

A rare and exceptional reversal

Back in West Virginia, Eric and Rebecca Tennant say they are realistic about Erics prognosis.

They never expected histotripsy to cure his cancer. At best, the procedure could buy him more time and might allow him to take an extended break from chemotherapy. That makes it worth trying, they said.

As a safety instructor with the West Virginia Office of Miners Health Safety and Training, Eric Tennant is a state employee and is insured by West Virginias Public Employees Insurance Agency.

Eric Tennant, a state employee, is insured by West Virginias Public Employees Insurance Agency. (NBC News)

As the Tennants pleaded with the state insurance agency to cover histotripsy, they faced a list of other companies involved in the decision, including UMR, a UnitedHealthcare subsidiary that contracts with West Virginia to manage the public employee plans, and MES Peer Review Services, a Massachusetts company that upheld the insurers decision in March, citing that histotripsy is unproven in this case and is not medically necessary.

None of their appeals worked. After KFF Health News and NBC News reached out to West Virginias Public Employees Insurance Agency with questions for this article, the agency changed its mind, explaining the insurer had consulted with medical experts to further evaluate the case.

This decision reflects a rare and exceptional situation and does not represent a change in the Public Employees Insurance Agencys overall coverage policies Director Brent Wolfingbarger said in a prepared statement to KFF Health News.

For months, Eric Tennants health insurance refused to cover a cancer treatment recommended by his doctor, claiming the procedure was not medically necessary, a common reason health insurers use to deny care. (Part of this photo is digitally blurred to protect patient privacy.) (NBC News)

In a separate prepared statement, UnitedHealthcare spokesperson Eric Hausman said the company sympathizes with anyone navigating through life-threatening care decisions.

Currently, there is no evidence that histotripsy is as effective as alternative treatment options available, he said in late May, after the earlier insurance denials were reversed, and its impact on survival or cancer recurrence is unknown.

MES Peer Review Services did not respond to a request for an interview.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Tennant worries it might be too late. She said her husband was first evaluated for histotripsy in February. But his health has recently taken a turn for the worse. In late May and early June, she said, he spent five days in the hospital after developing heart and lung complications.

Eric Tennant is no longer considered a viable candidate for histotripsy, his wife said, although the Tennants are hopeful that will change if his health improves. Scans scheduled for July will determine whether his cancer has continued to progress. Rebecca Tennant blames her husbands insurance plan for wasting months of their time.

Time is precious, she said. They know he has stage 4 cancer, and its almost like they dont care if he lives or dies.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Jun. 12Former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart was released from the Spokane County Jail early Thursday morning after he sparked an hourslong immigration protest that grew into about a thousand supporters and ended only after police fired smoke cannisters and the mayor declared a 9:30 p.m. curfew.

In an interview Thursday morning, Stuckart maintained his belief that 21-year-old Cesar Alexander Alvarez Perez and Joswar Slater Rodriguez Torres were detained illegally, and said he remains committed to seeing them return to the Inland Northwest.

"I started sitting in front of the ICE bus yesterday for the purpose of releasing Cesar and Joswar," Stuckart said. "I didn't know what other option I had when they illegally detained them."

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Stuckart has since confirmed the two are being held in a detention facility in Tacoma. He said he is working to raise funding to cover the costs of their legal representation, and added that Sen. Maria Cantwell's office has reached out to offer support.

Of the 30 or so people arrested during the demonstration, at least two protesters who joined Stuckart to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from busing two men detained because of their immigration status spent the night in jail after police alleged they participated in unlawful imprisonments (a felony) by physically stopping the agents from leaving their operations base in the Broadview Dairy Building on the 400 block of East Cataldo Avenue.

Like Stuckart, Justice Forral, an activist with Spokane Community Against Racism, and Erin Lang, a local artist, also face possible charges of failing to disperse.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said protesters who threw recently deployed smoke canisters back at law enforcement could also face felony assault charges once identified.

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The accusations are recommendations by police, but could change when the Spokane County Prosecutor's Office vets the cases. The office could not be reached for comment Thursday.

On Thursday, the large turnout at a court appearance for Forral and Lang necessitated a change of venue after the small hearing room they were scheduled to appear in ran out of seating. Members of the public sat on the ground, in the jury box and just about any other available space even after moving to a larger courtroom.

Forral and Lang were released without having to post bail under the condition they do not return to the ICE offices. Neither has a criminal history, according to court records.

Attorney Sarah Freedman represented both on Wednesday and plans to do so moving forward with assistance from fellow Spokane lawyer Morgan Maxey, the grandson of the late Carl Maxey and a member of the family's firm, Maxey Law Office.

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Maxey has offered his services to the more than 30 protesters arrested and worked with Freedman through the night to identify, visit with and help see to the release of those detained.

"It was entirely guesswork based on bond amount, because the inmate roster system really isn't intuitive," Freedman recalled of her late night.

The unlawful imprisonment charges likely stem from allegations that Forral and Lang put benches and Lime scooters to create barriers in front of a gated parking lot for the federal workers.

Freedman and Maxey both expressed surprise at the seriousness of the charges. Most people taken into custody Wednesday were suspected of failing to disperse.

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"This seems like a slightly dramatic reaction, given that the normal context of this type of charge is somebody being locked in a room against their own free will, being confined to a space, whereas here we're all on the public areas, public streets," Maxey said. "It's not like they're being confined, but more so just temporarily prevented from going one direction."

The demonstration began when Stuckart called for assistance in protesting the detainment of two young men seeking asylum earlier that day.

"I just feel like (the law firm's) services are important to provide, just because people are standing up for their First Amendment right, which is free speech, freedom to gather, especially in a public place, there's really no restriction there," Maxey said.

Stuckart started his protest around 2 p.m. and was among those peacefully detained almost six hours later after he and a group formed a human chain around a bus to prevent it from being used to transport Alvarez Perez, who is seeking asylum from Venezuela, and Rodriguez Torres, a Colombian national, to an ICE detainment facility in Tacoma.

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Stuckart said Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres were taken into custody earlier that morning during what he called a "check-in" with federal officials. The two were in the United States on work visas and had full-time employment at the Walmart in Airway Heights until Friday, when their "work permits were revoked," he said.

Stuckart became Alvarez Perez's legal guardian three weeks ago as part of a call from Latinos en Spokane to assist vulnerable juveniles, but he said federal officials would not allow him to accompany Alvarez Perez to his appointment.

He estimated both were detained in less than 10 minutes from when they went back, and said he was not given a reason as to why.

"And each of them has a stack of legal paperwork at least 2 inches thick, with all their asylum paperwork and their guardianship paperwork, and they clearly didn't look at it," Stuckart said Wednesday. "They just said, 'We're detaining them.' "

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By 4 p.m., a few hundred people had gathered at the facility, toting signs, participating in chants and sitting in a row in front of the doors to a sprinter bus parked in front of the facility believed to be the mode of transport to Tacoma. Protesters deflated the tires, and a masked person spray-painted the driver side windshield and tightly parked a pair of cars in front and in back of the bus.

After police arrived hours later at about 6:30 p.m., many in that initial group sitting in front of the bus relocated to a red van that showed up and peacefully formed a human chain. They were arrested one by one.

Stuckart said he understands some may not agree with his manner of protest Wednesday, but emphasized that he was trying to do what was in his power to assist someone he cares about.

"You only have so much you can do if you're doing everything legally right," Stuckart said. "You're doing everything legally right, and they break those laws and illegally detain people. What other option do you have other than civil disobedience? You don't."

Spokesman-Review reporter Elena Perry contributed to this report.
(NewsNation)  It has been four years since five-year-old Summer Wells disappeared from her home in Tennessee.

Wells was reported missing on June 15, 2021, and there has been an active Amber Alert ever since. Her parents said that she was helping her mother and grandmother plant flowers before she went inside to play with her toys. Then, she was never seen again.

Body believed to be of missing 2-year-old found in NYC waters

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Wells mother, Candus Wells, said, I yelled downstairs for her a couple of times, and I didnt get an answer. Which was unusual because usually she always answers me, so I went down there to check and she was nowhere inside, she was just gone.

Summer Wells disappearance: Police still searching for answers

Four years later, police are still searching for answers in Summer Wells disappearance. Police had been told about a pickup truck that was reportedly seen in the area around when the five-year-old vanished. However, they only know that it is either a red or maroon Toyota truck with ladders on the back.

Since there arent many clues, if police do end up finding the truck, they still arent sure if it is connected to her disappearance. But Wells father said he wont stop praying that Summer Wells is found.

Police also had a tip from a neighbor in 2021, who claimed she and her children heard a scream about one hour before Summer Wells vanished. The witness said, Wish every day that when I heard that scream, I didnt try to dismiss it.

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Remains of Texas family missing in Alaska believed to be recovered

Unfortunately, this tip didnt lead police any closer to finding the five-year-old.

We have hope, always. But theres not much hope in this world. We have to trust God that theres hope in eternal life in heaven, he said. Summers parents were never named as suspects in the case, and they both passed a polygraph test. However, Hawkins County Sheriff Ronnie Lawson had said that everyone was a person of interest.

We were stripped away from all our kids: Don Wells

Wells parents told NewsNation affiliate WJHL that they were frustrated with the investigation. Candus Wells and her husband, Don Wells, believe their daughter was kidnapped and didnt just walk away.

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We know that she was taken off our property. We know that she was taken away in a vehicle or they wouldve found her in the area if she was somewhere in the area, Don Wells said. He also criticized the Department of Childrens Services for taking Summer Wells siblings away when she vanished.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released an age-progression photo showing what Summer would like today. (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) Posters and banner hung on a fence that blocks the road to the Wells family home. Posters read Justice for Summer Well, who went missing three years ago. (Credit: NewsNation) Posters and banner hung on a fence that blocks the road to the Wells family home. Posters read Justice for Summer Well, who went missing three years ago. (Credit: NewsNation) Photo: WJHL Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911. Summer Wells has been missing since June 15, 2021. If you have any information about where she may be, call 911.

We were stripped away from all our kids. All our kids have been kidnapped from us by DCS, and were not sure about Summer, but we know about where our boys are at, her father said.

No one has been arrested or named a person of interest in the five-year-olds disappearance. Her family has said they have dealt with harassment online.

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Before you know it, youre getting a mob going. My wife could go to the store, and somebody would scream at her, Baby killer, Don Wells explained. He claimed that the harassment was so bad that he had to leave the state in order to find work.

What happened to Summer Wells?

Summer Wells lived with her parents before her disappearance in Rogersville, Tennessee, a small town in Hawkins County. She reportedly went missing after going inside her home to play with her toys. Her family thinks she couldve been taken down the hill behind their home, possibly to a car.

Don Wells spoke with NewsNation about his daughters disappearance, saying, I know in my heart and in my mind she was abducted. Someone snuck up there and we dont know if they came in the basement and grabbed her or if she stepped outside the basement and was walking to her swing

At the time, police had issued an endangered child alert and searched the woods and other areas near their home. Police have received many tips since Summer Wells went missing, but none of them have led to any concrete answers.

Investigators said the case is active, and they have completed many searches as well as created age-progression photos. But they havent found any clues as to where she went.

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The case is one that weve just not been able to overcome. And its troubling, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Assistant Director Josh Melton said. We dont have the evidence in this case to know for sure whether or not Summer was abducted or whether or not she walked away from her home and became lost.

Police: Missing Denver hairstylists body found in suspicious alley death

When she disappeared, she was described as three feet tall and around 40 pounds. She has blue eyes, blonde hair and was last seen wearing a pink shirt with gray pants. Anyone who has information on her case should contact TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

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McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is one of the best Dow stocks to invest in. Morgan Stanley suggested that the company may soon start feeling some of the broader challenges affecting the fast food industry. On June 9, the firm downgraded the stock from Overweight to Equal Weight and lowered its price target from $329 to $324 per share, indicating a potential upside of about 5% from last Fridays closing price.

Morgan Stanley Warns Investors to Avoid McDonald's Corporation (MCD) Amid Growing Challenges

Analyst Brian Harbour made the following comment:

MCD is a top quality business but hasnt been, and probably will not be, insulated from some structural pressures on fast food.

He further said:

YTD, the stock is up 6% and has behaved defensively, 5% off all time highs despite fundamental headwinds for over a year. Simply, we see more balanced risk/reward skew today, weighing MCDs leadership position in the [quick service restaurant] segment against what we think are some structural headwinds that could continue.

The analyst pointed to economic uncertainty affecting lower-income consumers and changing preferences toward health and wellness as key challenges. While McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has outperformed its competitors so far, the firm noted that its momentum may begin to taper off.

MCD is up by nearly 3% since the start of 2025.

While we acknowledge the potential of MCD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Biotech Stocks with Huge Upside Potential and 10 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure. None.
Jun. 12Librarians in elementary school field a lot of questions in the course of the school day.

Suncrest Elementary's nationally known librarian, Charlotte Chung, could write a book, then check it out, as she recounts the queries that have come her way in the course of her career.

"I had a student ask me, 'How do worms poop ?' 'Is infinity a number ?' I love that they immediately think, 'OK, let's ask Miss Chung. She's a librarian.'"

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She can tell you all about it when you click on that video produced by the Carnegie Corp. of New York City.

Visit www.carnegie.org for that link. Chung was among 10 librarians across the U.S. recognized with the "For the Love of Librarians " award, sponsored by philanthropic firm and the American Library Association.

Chung was lauded for purchasing books and audiobooks in the native languages of students who attend the diverse school on Collins Ferry Road, by way of grants she secured.

Suncrest Elementary now boasts a multilingual collection of books that Chung says will speak to students there.

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She was especially heartened this past school year, she said, by the kindergartener who proclaimed, "This book is for me, " as she showed the audiobook in Spanish to her classmates.

"By providing books in first languages, we as school librarians support the literacy and educational goals of our students, " the librarian said.

By third grade, educators and literacy watchers said, students should be reading to learn after years of learning to read.

Her fellow honorees include a bookmobile librarian in Hawaii who literally delivered the printed word and other informational materials to parents and students displaced by wildfires that ravaged the Maui coast in 2023.

Another high school librarian in Texas was spotlighted for her work with low-income families in her school district.
Atmosphere by The Weather Channel curates products and services for all seasons. If you buy something from one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Ah, summer's eternal water debate. Beach waves, pool plunges, or lake loungingwhich claims your heart? As a former Floridian, you might expect me to wave the beach flag proudly  and yes, watching my puppies frolic on dog-friendly beaches and paddling happily in the surf was pure joy. But confession time: I've often forgone those sandy shores for the cool clarity of a pool. The lack of sand in unmentionable places is an added bonus.

Lake life? I'm practically a tourist with just one visit under my belt. I suspect lakes secretly hold the crown for water sports, but I'll leave that verdict to the wakeboard warriors.

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Whatever your water worship style, summer beckons with its warm embrace, golden rays (slathered in SPF 50 sunscreen, naturally), and the perfect excuse to rock swimwear that turns heads for all the right reasons.

With vacation plans filling my calendar, my swimsuit hunt reached Olympic-level intensity this season. After a parade of packages and returns, I've finally curated my water-ready wardrobe. From sunrise-inspired one-pieces that pop against any backdrop to playfully bold polka dots, here are the summer essentials making waves in my collection.

Shop Our Swimsuit Favorites At Amazon

Price: $36.99 at Amazon

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Color options: 38

Viottiset Women's Ruched High Cut One Piece Swimsuit

Shop It: Amazon

What we like:

Ruched high-cut cheeky one-piece

Drawstrings for customizable fit

Removable padding, double-layered lining

Adjustable spaghetti shoulder straps

What we dont:

Circular pads may be visible in lighter colors

I fell in love with the Viottiset Ruched One Piece Swimsuit as soon as I slid the straps over my shoulders. Featuring an ombre color palette of vivid purple, hot orange and fluorescent yellow, this is a versatile swimsuit that allows you to customize your spice level. Want to flash a little cheek and show off your hips? Pull the drawstrings just a little tighter and watch it rise. Or tug the strings down for a more modest covering, and youll feel right at home with the kiddos splashing in the water.

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While it claims tummy control, Ill be honest, I think its more about concealing than compressing. The ruching adds a little extra fabric around the belly, but theres no major flattening or tightening built into the swimsuit. With the adjustable spaghetti straps it can fit a number of height ranges comfortably as well.

My purchase: I fluctuate between a small and medium sizing, and I purchased a small and it fits perfectly. I average 120-125 pounds, 34B bust, 5'3" tall, and have a pear shape figure. It's a cheeky fit as designed but can be modified with the drawstrings. The bust coverage was good and there's a banded lining inside for a little extra support - though not as much as a bra or swimsuit with underwire.

The only drawback is the removable padding in the bust - they use the white circular pads that you can see in some of the lighter fabric options. Consider buying a separate waterproof insert that matches your skin tone.

Honorable Mentions

Price: $19.99 at Amazon

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Color options: 35

Supnier Women's Summer Maxi Dress

Shop It: Amazon

What we like:

Stretchy, lightweight fabric

Pockets

Adjustable straps

What we dont:

Very loose and somewhat shapeless cut

I really loved the color and array of options of this Supnier Maxi Dress, and I purchased the Gradient Navy thanks to the gorgeous sunset hues. It has 4.4-stars and over 14,000 company ratings.

I did appreciate the flowy, slick feeling of the dress; it was soft, and the color was lovely. The fabric was thin, so I had planned to use it as a swimsuit cover rather than a dress I would wear going out.

Unfortunately, it was quite large and so it veered towards shapeless on my body type. And since Im under 53 tall, it was long. I tested out tying a knot near the bottom of the dress as seen in some of the sample images, but it just made it awkward to walk.

Price: $31.99 at Amazon

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Color options: 25

Meyeeka Scoop Neck Lace-Up Back One-Piece Swimsuit

Shop It: Amazon

What we like:

One piece that functions as a bikini

Adjustable spaghetti strap

High waist (it falls right under the belly button)

Removable pads, double-layered lining

What we dont:

Its not super stretchy, so sizing is important

Im taking this polka dotted Meyeeka lace-up swimsuit with me on vacation as well this summer, and I cant wait. Its an fascinating combination of bikini and one-piece swimsuit, with a little belly and back exposed. I purchased a medium which fit snugly, I definitely could not have sized down with this swimsuit.

The top has a lace-up lattice-style back, so you can tighten or loosen as needed. These have a high-waisted cheeky bottom, so if you dont like a little bit of your butt to be exposed, you may want to pass on these. There is also a great assortment of color options.

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The fabric isnt as stretchy as other swimsuits  so while you swim, you may not see the same waterlogged sagging as other brands, but it also means it will run a little tighter. I suggest sizing up, especially if youre in between sizes or if you have a larger bust size.

Price: $30.99 at Amazon

Color options: 36

Women's Ruffled Tank Top High-Waisted Bikini

Shop It: Amazon

What we like:

Two-piece mix-and-match tankini

Modest high-waisted ruched bottom

Double-layered ruffled top

Removable padding

Adjustable straps

What we dont:

Top may feel slightly over-padded for small busts

I purchased this in the red top and polka dot bottom combination, but I absolutely love the Red Palm sunset colors in this ruffled tank high-waisted bikini set. Its comfortable, flattering for most body types, and you wont feel exposed as you sunbathe in your lounge chair.

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The ruched bottoms offer some tummy control, and the modest cut wont have you discretely tugging it as you stand up. The ruffled top comes down over my belly button and flutters around the waistline of the bottoms, offering a little extra coverage while splashing in the sun.

The only downside is that the plain bottoms may sometimes have that diaper appearance, especially if they are slightly too big. I wish you could mix and match the top and bottom sizes in these sets.

Price: $29.99, was $42.99 at Amazon

Color options: 13

Charmo One-Piece Swimsuit

Shop It: Amazon

What we like:

Ruched tummy control one-piece

Full coverage swim bottom

Metal buckle back strap

Double-lined material

Removable padding

Adjustable straps

What we dont:

Needs more color options

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The Charmo One-Piece swimsuit is one of my go-to favorites. I admittedly bought it last season (in blue) and its comfortable, flattering, and easy to slip on. Theres no crazy straps that go every way but the right way.

Overall, its a traditionally beautiful and comfortable one-piece swimsuit that is flattering for all kinds of body types. I have a pear-shaped body type, and some of the tummy control ruched fabric provides a flattering mirage that tightens everything together.

The only thing I wish this swimsuit offered was more colors and pattern options. The solids are a solid choice, but if there were a few more fun fluorescent colors, Id be even happier with this purchase.

More Summer Product Reviews

If youre looking for more ways to protect your skin from the summer sun, or beat that summer heat, check out our in-depth buying guides for sunscreen, sun protection essentials you can stash in your car, and other chill products.

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Price accurate and item in stock at time of publish.
Supporters of Venezuelans deported by the United States to El Salvador said Friday they had been refused permission to see the migrants in prison.

The spurned group included the first family member of a detainee to come to the Central American nation in hopes of establishing contact with them.

More than 250 Venezuelans were expelled by the United States to El Salvador in March after being accused of being members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang.

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"I came with great hope," Jhoanna Sanguino, the aunt of 24-year-old Widmer Agelvis Sanguino, told AFP shortly before leaving El Salvador.

"I promised my sister that her boy would soon be free, and I promised many mothers. I don't want them to lose faith. We were so close, yet so far away," she said.

Sanguino was accompanied by Reina Cardenas, a friend of deportee Andry Hernandez Romero, and activists from the Amparo Foundation, a human rights NGO providing legal support to some of the Venezuelans.

They said their request to visit the migrants in the high-security CECOT prison built by President Nayib Bukele to house gang members was unsuccessful.

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US President Donald Trump invoked rarely used wartime laws to fly many of the migrants to El Salvador without holding any court hearings.

His administration struck a deal to pay the government of ally Bukele millions of dollars to hold the deportees in prison.

"There are 252 Venezuelans whose families are crying and fighting for them," said Sanguino.

Relatives are waiting in Venezuela for "some contact, by phone or a letter, some proof of life," she said.

A law firm hired by Caracas to represent some of the other detained Venezuelans also says that it has been denied access.

mis/fj/dr/acb
Thursday marked nine years since the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub that claimed 49 lives and sent more than 50 others to the hospital.

To mark the anniversary, a reembrace ceremony was held at the First United Methodist Church of Orlando, as well as a private visit inside the club for survivors and victims families.

It was a solemn remembrance of that night when dozens of patients were rushed to Orlando Regional Medical Center for life-saving treatment.

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One of the trauma surgeons who helped save those lives was Dr. Chadwick Smith, who was at the ceremony to pay his respects.

Smith recounted how the medical team leaned into its training to save so many lives when 36 patients were rushed in within 36 minutes of each other.

Smith was the on-call surgeon on June 12, 2016. He was woken up by a phone call just after 2 a.m. and told he needed to get to the hospital right away.

A lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty, but the team really came together and took care of all of the patients," said Smith.

Every patient who was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center alive that night survived their injuries.

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Smith credits the teams training and the hospital being located less than one mile away from the nightclub for those survivals.

The proximity really made a difference getting patients to the hospital basically immediately," he said. In life-threatening situations like that, it makes a difference.

Since the attack, the hospital has more than doubled the size of its trauma bay to be prepared in even more ways in case the unthinkable were to happen again.

I think we just all need to come together as a community and remember that this happened, Smith said. We just need to always be ready."

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Smith says since the night of the attack, the trauma bay now has between 12-14 beds, a remodeled emergency department and a larger trauma team.

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CHICAGO  Charges are pending against a person accused of impersonating a police officer in the Loop on Thursday evening as demonstrators protesting ICE raids marched nearby.

Officers said it all unfolded around 5 p.m. in the 200 block of South Michigan Avenue as nearby protestors continued their calls for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to leave the state.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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According to police, the arrest came after officers spotted the male suspect allegedly wearing police identifiers in the area.

Officers then determined the identifiers were allegedly not legitimate and placed the suspect into custody. Following his arrest, officers said they recovered a weapon.

Police have not confirmed if the individual was arrested amid the protests, but officers said his arrest unfolded around 5 p.m. near the area where the march began, at South Michigan Avenue and East Ida B Wells Drive at 4 p.m

More ICE protests held in Chicago

Thursdays protest was the latest of several anti-ICE protests held in Chicago and around the country in recent days.

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During the citys first large-scale anti-ICE protest in Chicago on Tuesday, CPD said a total of 17 protesters were arrested and at least one police officer was injured.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Additionally, a woman was injured after a car drove through a group of people gathered for a protest Tuesday afternoon.

It all comes after ICE agents detained at least 10 immigrants in the South Loop last week. The immigrants, who are already in the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) were sent text messages instructing them to come for their check-in appointment, but after arriving, they were detained by ICE.

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Florida Highway Patrol reports that an arrest has been made in a deadly hit-and-run.

Troopers ay a 40-year-old Kissimmee woman was killed while jogging on Florida Parkway Wednesday morning. Troopers say a pickup truck did not stop and struck her as she entered the intersection of Sprucewood Lane.

She was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her name was not released.

The driver fled the scene.

On Thursday, troopers said they found the Ford F-250 and arrested the driver. Jairo Pena Espana, 21, of Honduras is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and driving without a license involving death.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
DENVER (KDVR)  A suspect is facing animal cruelty charges after 18 rabbits were found by a dumpster in Golden.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office took to its social media after deputies found 18 domestic rabbits, including six juvenile rabbits and seven younger baby rabbits with their mother, abandoned near a dumpster west of the West Pleasant View neighborhood.

18 abandoned rabbits found by dumpster in Golden

Abandoned rabbits (Courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Abandoned rabbits (Courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Abandoned rabbits (Courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Abandoned rabbits (Courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office)

After finding the bunnies in early May, the sheriffs office said on Friday it was able to quickly identify the suspect thanks to help from the community.

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Rabbit Justice: Delivered! A huge THANK YOU to everyone in our community who shared tips, info, and posts. Because of your quick action and support, we were able to quickly identify the suspect behind the rabbit abandonment, the sheriffs office said in a post on X.

The sheriffs office said the suspect faces 18 misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.

As for the bunnies, the sheriffs office said there are some ready for new homes. Four to five bunnies are available at the Foothills Animal Shelter.

We couldnt have done this without you. Thanks for keeping an eye out and making a difference, the sheriffs office said.

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SOIUX FALLS .S.D (KELO)  Oglala Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement said they found the suspect accused of stabbing a someone in the Wounded Knee area.

Fallen hiker rescued from Cathedral Spires trail

In an updated Facebook post, Raymond Eagle Hawk Jr. was arrested Thursday after he was reportedly on the run. The stabbing victim is alive, police confirmed Friday morning on Facebook.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
A suspect in a recent fatal mass shooting in Macon died by suicide Thursday evening, according to the Bibb County Coroners Office.

Christopher Clyde Valentine Jr., 25, was found dead at a house on Birch Street, in a neighborhood between Montpelier and Napier avenues, Coroner Leon Jones told The Telegraph.

Valentines death came a day after the Bibb County Sheriffs Office announced they were searching for him. He was allegedly connected to a shooting that left three dead and six injured on May 18. The shooting happened at Midtown Daiquiri Bar & Grill on Log Cabin Drive, according to a news release.

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On Thursday, a 911 call placed at 7:12 p.m. reported a man had died by suicide, a news release from the sheriffs office said.

Emergency medical services responded to the home, Jones said, where the sheriffs office said deputies found Valentine unresponsive. Chief Deputy Coroner Lonnie Miley pronounced him dead at the scene at 8 p.m.

Valentines family was notified of his death, deputies said.

Deputies urged anyone with information related to Valentines death to call the sheriffs office at 478-751-7500, or Macon Regional Crimestoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

Other suspects

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting, including Jarrius Terrell Curry, Muchman Bond III and a 17-year-old boy.

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Curry and the teen had their first appearance in front of a judge Monday. Curry was charged with five counts of aggravated assault. The teen was charged was three counts of murder.

Bond will face three murder charges and was arrested in connection to an unrelated charge on May 30, in South Carolina. He was being held at the Richland County Detention Center in Columbia, and was expected to be transferred to the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, though it was unclear if he was transferred by Thursday evening.

Jedarrius Meadows Jr., 28; Javonta Faulks, 32; and Javarsia Meadows, 24, were killed and pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting, Jones said.

Macon-Bibb County has since removed the bars temporary liquor license.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A man has been sentenced after last years fatal shooting of a 17-year-old on Nassau Street.

20-year-old Jumrere Feliciano will serve 20 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. He pleaded guilty in March to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting of Jaden Scott.

On July 26, 2024, Scott was found by police lying in the street with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, but died from his injuries two days later.

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According to investigators, Feliciano and Scott walked past each other on Nassau Street when Feliciano pulled out his illegally possessed gun and shot Scott.

Officers said Feliciano fled to Georgia after the shooting. He was arrested on September 17 and was taken back to Rochester.

He was originally charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, but he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
Spanish quantum software startup Multiverse Computing has raised 189m ($215m) in a Series B funding round to advance its CompactifAI technology.

CompactifAI, developed throughout 2024 and now rolled out to initial customers, can reduce the size of Large Language Models (LLMs) by up to 95% while preserving performance.

The investment round was led by Bullhound Capital with participation from investors including HP Tech Ventures, SETT, Forgepoint Capital International, CDP Venture Capital and Santander Climate VC, as well as Quantonation, Toshiba, and Capital Riesgo de Euskadi - Grupo SPRI.

Multiverse said it plans to leverage the funding to support broader adoption of CompactifAI, targeting the $106bn AI inference market.

This technology is claimed to address the high costs of running LLMs, which typically require specialised cloud-based infrastructure.

Multiverse Computing founder and CEO Enrique Lizaso Olmos said: With a unique syndicate of expert and strategic global investors on board and Bullhound Capital as lead investor, we can now further advance our laser-focused delivery of compressed AI models that offer outstanding performance with minimal infrastructure.

Unlike traditional compression methods such as quantisation and pruning, which often degrade model performance, CompactifAI maintains original accuracy, achieves 4x-12x faster processing, and cuts inference costs by 50%-80%, according to the company.

CompactifAI enables compressed models to operate on cloud platforms, private data centres, or devices including PCs, phones, cars, drones, and Raspberry Pi.

Compressed versions of Llama, DeepSeek, and Mistral models are available now, with more models expected soon.

The technology leverages Tensor Networks, a quantum-inspired approach to neural network simplification, pioneered by Roman Orus, Multiverses co-founder and chief scientific officer.

Orus said: For the first time in history, we are able to profile the inner workings of a neural network to eliminate billions of spurious correlations to truly optimise all sorts of AI models.

At the end of 2024, Multiverse Computing received an investment from CDP Venture Capital, an Italian venture capital investor, as part of its Series A funding round.

The investment was made through two compartments of the Corporate Partners I fund, ServiceTech and Energytech, which includes participation from major Italian corporations such as Baker Hughes, BNL BNP Paribas, Edison, GPI, Italgas, Snam, and Terna Forward.

"Multiverse raises $215m to advance CompactifAI technology" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.
HOBBS, New Mexico (KMID/KPEJ)  The man wanted in connection with a deadly Hobbs shooting that took the life of a teenager has turned himself in.

According to the Hobbs Police Department, 20-year-old Michael Alonzo Wynne Garcia surrendered to authorities on the night of June 11, 2025. He was arrested by the Lea County Sheriffs Office in Lovington, New Mexico, and booked into the Lea County Detention Center.

Garcia was wanted for murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer stemming from a June 6 shooting that left 19-year-old Ismael Rios, of Hobbs, dead and another person injured.

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Police said the shooting happened in the 800 block of East Lincoln. Officers responding to the scene found two people with gunshot wounds. One victim was flown to a hospital for treatment and has since been released. Rios, however, died from his injuries.

Shortly after the shooting, Garcia was briefly spotted in a red Toyota Camry but reportedly fled from officers as they approached.

Investigators credited the public with aiding in the search, saying community members played a vital role in sharing information and reporting tips about Garcias whereabouts.

No further information is available at this time.

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(KRON)  Suspected meth and fentanyl were found in the a stolen car, according to the Colma Polcie Department.

Colma PD was alerted by a Flock Safety automatic license plate reader of a stolen car entering the city around 10:21 p.m. on June 5. According to Colma police, the car was stolen from San Francisco the previous day.

Officers pulled the car over in the 4700 block of Callan Avenue in Daly City. The driver was a man who was alone. Officers detained the suspect and searched the car.

Oakland PD asks for help solving fatal shooting cold case

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Suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were found in the car.

The driver was identified as a 34-year-old Richmond resident. He was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail for suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owners consent, having a stolen vehicle, having drug paraphernalia, carrying possession of a controlled substance and having a controlled narcotic.

The vehicle was towed and returned to the owner, police said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) called for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to resign after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was forcibly removed and later handcuffed Thursday at her press conference in Los Angeles.

Kristi Noem should resign for what has happened under her watch. No one asked for this. We were promised violent criminals would be deported. Instead, they deported a 4-year-old American citizen battling cancer, they arrested a U.S. marshal over the weekend, a U.S. citizen and now a U.S. senator, the second member of Congress in 45 days whos been arrested, Swalwell said in a brief interview with NewsNation on Thursday.

No one asked for this. Its chaos, and her agents are running around, masked like 1800 bank robber  suspects, or the KGB officers in Russia. This is not what America looks like. So she should come to Congress. They should take the masks off, and they should stop terrorizing families, the House Democrat told NewsNations Joe Khalil.

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The Trump administration fired back at Swalwell; White House communications director Steven Cheung writing Thursday on X that the lawmaker is spewing lies because hes an absolute joke of a person who is unserious about his job. These are the rantings of either a madman or a puppet.

Padilla tried to question Noem at a Thursday press conference. The senator identified himself and walked up to the front of the room to try to question the DHS secretary. Agents then grabbed him and pushed him away. He was pushed through the door, forced to the ground and handcuffed.

The incident has infuriated Democrats in both chambers of Congress, with others, including Padillas seatmate Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), also calling for Noem to resign.

He had every right as a member of the United States Senate to talk and be at an event that was open to the public and the press. Instead, he was manhandled by law enforcement, forced to the ground and handcuffed. This is an outrage, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) said Thursday.

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The White House accused Padilla of seeking attention.

Padilla embarrassed himself and his constituents with this immature, theater-kid stunt  but its telling that Democrats are more riled up about Padilla than they are about the violent riots and assaults on law enforcement in LA, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement.

Padilla, later Thursday, said: If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country.

The DHS said in a statement that the California senator was told repeatedly to back away and did not comply with officers repeated commands.

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@SecretService thought he was an attacker and officers acted appropriately, it said, adding that Padilla and Noem had a 15-minute meeting after 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 The Hill.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Less than two weeks before a NATO summit, Sweden and the Netherlands said Friday that they intend to increase defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product, in line with U.S. President Donald Trumps demands.

Trump and his NATO counterparts meet for a summit in the Netherlands on June 24-25, where theyre due to agree a new defense spending target. He insists that Europe must look after its own security, while Washington focuses on China and its own borders.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Sweden will reach a new NATO spending target to 5% of GDP, where at least 3.5% of GDP will be allocated towards core defense requirements to fulfill NATOs new capability targets."

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We are in a specific geographical situation where we need to meet the future threats from Russia, Kristersson told reporters in Stockholm, standing alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, NATO's 32 allies agreed to spend at least 2% of GDP on their military budgets. But NATOs new plans for defending Europe and North America against a Russian attack require investment of at least 3%.

The aim now is to raise the bar to 3.5% for core defense spending on tanks, warplanes, air defense, missiles and hiring extra troops. A further 1.5% would be spent on things like roads, bridges, ports and airfields so armies can deploy more quickly, as well as preparing societies for possible attack.

According to the most recent NATO figures, Sweden was estimated to have spent 2.25% of its GDP on defense last year. The Netherlands spent 2.06%, among 22 of the 32 allies who reached NATOs old benchmark.

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The Dutch caretaker government announced on Friday that it would increase spending on defense to 3.5% of GDP in an effort to meet the 5% goal. Its not clear where the approximately 18 billion euros ($20 billion) will come from.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans called the decision historic and told reporters after a Cabinet meeting that he hoped other NATO countries would also increase their spending.

My expectation is that this will happen, he said.

Poland and the Baltic countries  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  have already publicly committed to 5%, and Rutte said last week that most allies were ready to endorse the goal.

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A big question still to be answered is what time frame countries will get to reach the new spending goals. A target date of 2032 was initially floated, but Rutte has said that Russia could be ready to launch an attack on NATO territory by 2030.

The United States insists that a near-term deadline must be set. But Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Thursday that his country would get to 5%,. but would require a decade to do so.

___

Molly Quell reported from The Hague, Netherlands.
By John Revill

ZURICH (Reuters) -The Swiss cabinet on Friday approved a deal struck in December with the European Union aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties and has now launched a domestic consultation process.

Global geopolitical uncertainty made it a "strategic necessity" to maintain stable and predictable relations with the EU, Switzerland's top trading partner, the government said.

"By fixing our economic and political relations with the EU we increase our security," Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told reporters, adding that Switzerland belonged to Europe not only geographically, but also economically and socially.

"An old Arabic proverb says 'he who lives in peace with his neighbours sleeps without fear,'" Cassis said, noting that instability had become the "new normal".

Issues such as wage protections, immigration and electricity as well as the type of referendum to be held on the accord have all been settled over the last five months.

The consultation process will last until October 31, the cabinet said. After that has been completed, the package of measures will go to parliament in the first quarter of 2026, before a referendum is held, probably in 2028.

Studies show the Swiss economy could suffer a cumulative economic hit of more than 520 billion Swiss francs ($640.87 billion) by 2045 without an agreement, the government said.

Pursuing closer ties with Brussels is contentious in Switzerland, where nationalist opponents of closer integration say that it risks undermining the country's higher living standards and unique character.

Analysts expect the government to face a tough campaign to win a referendum, and critics were quick to hit out.

"Switzerland is facing a historically unprecedented treaty that will destroy the proven and successful foundations of sovereignty, direct democracy, separation of powers and federalism," said the campaign group Pro Schweiz.

($1 = 0.8114 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill, Editing by Dave Graham and Miranda Murray)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR)  Despite tensions heating up from coast to coast, Syracuse Police and event organizers are planning to make Saturdays No Kings protest a peaceful one.

We are very fortunate to be in a very intimate, small, personable city where we dont seem to see a lot of flare-ups, Steve Simon, an organizer, said.

Sgt. Thomas Blake said that after a month of planning and gathering all the necessary information, they were ready to prepare for the nationwide event.

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Theres nothing to indicate that theres any kind of plan for violence at all, Sgt. Blake said.

Syracuse Police expect over 1,000 people to attend on Saturday at the Solar St. parking lots near Destiny USA from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

We are prepared, he said. We plan for these things. We reach out to the organizersjust to make sure that its going to be seamless, find out what they need from us, and then we have a plan in order.

Sgt. Blake said the police presence is not meant to spoil anybodys time during the event.

Were there to just make sure everybodys being safe and responsible, he said.

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Simon is encouraging everyone in Central New York to attend to protest against President Donald Trumps policies on immigration.

Theyre acting as if Trump is a king and thats really not an exaggeration, he said. Hes trying to act as if he is a king. So, this particular protest day is titled No Kings Day and its appropriate.

Simon also urged everyone to come out and exercise their First Amendment right to free speech.

We all believe in the rule of law, he said. You can be a Democrat or a Republican. It doesnt matter which side of the aisle youre from or what your beliefs are, expect you should be supportive of the constitution.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Early Friday, Israel changed the face of the Middle East by launching an unprecedented attack on Irans nuclear facilities and killing a slew of senior Iranian commanders. Iran retaliated with a massive drone and missile strike on Israel.

What happens next? President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that the Israeli attack will force Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, back to the bargaining table following weeks in which Khamenei rejected Trumps demand that Tehran cease all uranium enrichment. But former ambassador Ryan Crocker, one of Americas most experienced diplomats in the region, believes that would be an unthinkable humiliation and capitulation for Khamenei  meaning the conflict is likely to drag on and grow even riskier.

The capabilities that Israeli intelligence has displayed  again, stunningly  is that they have the Iranian national security infrastructure thoroughly penetrated, he said. So one has to assume that, if they wanted, they are positioned to also target the political leadership. If the Israelis do that, it could lead to an Armageddon-like response on the part of Iran.

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How do the Israeli attacks on Iran alter the situation in the Middle East?

Were at a totally new level in the Iran nuclear issue. This is not one that Israel is going to back away from until they feel that they have achieved their goal, which is the elimination of Irans nuclear weapons capability. And, following from that is the question: Can they do it? Im struck that so far they have hit Irans uranium processing center in Natanz, but apparently not at the uranium enrichment facility in Fordow, which is a deeper and more inaccessible target.

Not yet anyway. The Israelis say this could go on for days or weeks and include commando raids.

And it raises the question, is destroying Fordow something that the Israelis are counting on the U.S. to do? And that, of course, leads to the third main consideration: What is the U.S. going to do?

There was a sense, at first, that Trump wanted to move ahead with nuclear negotiations with Tehran and may have been opposed to these strikes. But at the same time, he didnt flash some sort of bright red light saying stop. The Israelis are saying that meant he was really giving them a green light to attack.

Clearly the United States was informed of the attack plan. We saw the decision to draw down the embassy in Baghdad, the departure of U.S. military dependents from the region, all pretty clear signals in retrospect that we knew this was coming. And I have to assume, therefore, there was no red light from Trump. Common sense would indicate that he is playing something like a good cop whos suggesting that, My buddy Bibi [Netanyahu] is completely nuts, and you, the Ayatollah Khamenei, had better get to the table and do the deal before worse happens. So Trump may expect that Iran will return to the table.

But do you think that theres any prospect that that the Iranians could actually come back to the table?

Certainly not immediately. That would be kind of an unthinkable humiliation and capitulation that is hard for me to imagine them making. Also, we dont know what worse there is to come. The Israelis have not targeted Irans energy infrastructure, and they have not targeted the political leadership. The capabilities that Israeli intelligence has displayed  again, stunningly  is that they have the Iranian national security infrastructure thoroughly penetrated. So one has to assume that, if they wanted, they are positioned to also target the political leadership. If the Israelis do that, it could lead to an Armageddon-like response on the part of Iran.

What would an Armageddon-like response be at this point, given that there are serious questions about what Irans retaliatory capabilities actually are?

I would think that it would involve targeting regional states and the U.S. in the region. And on the latter, if not the former, that would, of course, invite or necessitate a major U.S. response. Irans drones and missiles have not been effective. And theyve been stripped of many of their asymmetric capabilities and proxies.

Israel has decimated Hezbollah and Hamas. And clearly the Israelis are moving now, in part because they think that those retaliatory capabilities have been decimated. What damage do you think Iran could really do?

I dont think theyre going to do much damage to Israel in the short term. I think their target list would include, as I suggested, the regional states. The Gulf defenses are not nearly as robust,

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and there, they presumably could do some significant damage. But the other parties including the U.S. are reluctant to get involved. Did you see [Iraqi Shia leader] Moqtada al Sadrs statement? He, of course, vigorously and vociferously condemned this naked Israeli aggression, and then said that Iraq needs to stay the hell out of this fight.

There is also the question of whether Israel believes it has the capabilities unilaterally to put Iran out of operation on its energy infrastructure. That would certainly trigger Iranian retaliation against other Gulf energy infrastructure, and that is something I think the United States might draw a red line against, given the damage to the economy that would bring.

So Iran has very meager options. Does that suggest that it has no choice but to negotiate  and soon? Especially if Khamenei suspects he too could be killed if he doesnt?

God knows what goes on in the minds of Khamenei or his closest political allies. But given that he was present at the creation of the Islamic Republic and has been supreme leader since 1989, I think it is by no means probable that he would capitulate in some dramatic way. I think it is much more likely that he would resist that. And then it comes down to a question of, assuming the Israelis have the capability to kill him, what would they gain by doing so?

Perhaps because this is an attempt at regime change by Israel?

That would be highly optimistic on the part of the Israelis. What weve seen with authoritarian regimes is theyre very powerful until theyre not, as in Syria, but the degree to which that can be determined or even decisively influenced from the outside is questionable. Can this trigger a revolution? Recall the Green Revolution from 2009. It seems to me the same dynamic still persists, that there is widespread discontent and dissatisfaction with the regime inside Iran, but the problem is the same: There is no discernible leadership of a viable opposition.

So what do you think happens now? Is there going to be the kind of wider war that many fear, or would Iran be leery of dragging in the U.S. and instead just fire off strikes against, say, the more vulnerable Arab states? Just to show that they can do something?

Apart from the token firing of missiles and drones against Israel, my best guess is that Iran will strike back in some other surprising fashion, probably not against Israel, and probably not against the U.S. for fear of pulling us into it. That would leave Arab states as the most likely target. I could see some effort with missiles and or drones against Arab capitals. We dont have an air defense umbrella that covers the entire Arabian peninsula by any means. For example, in the Gulf states, air defense capabilities themselves are limited and somewhat uncoordinated. So if I were calling the shots from Tehran and I were determined to take a shot, I would want to make it have an impact.

What would be the object of that, just to show that they could do it?

Yes, I think that would be it. Because, frankly, to do nothing otherwise is complete humiliation.

That raises the question of how Sunni-Shia rivalries could play into this. Until now, Iran appeared to be trying some rapprochement with the Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia. Could those Sunni-Shia tensions erupt again?

It wouldnt be so much along sectarian lines, but to target these states as simply some ally of the West writ large, so they could show that countries with whom Israel has relations are taking a pasting from the Islamic Republic. Because its the only thing they can do. The only other option is just sit there and take it. And that would call into question the fundamental legitimacy of the Islamic Republic.

Do you think, looking at the way the Biden administration handled this, that they dropped the ball in trying to negotiate with Iran?

I think that the JCPOA [the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration] was probably our best shot at it. Yeah, and when Trump tore that up, Im not sure there was a viable diplomatic Plan B that would have worked at all, or even been worth trying.

So now do you see the Iranians settling into a long-term war mentality against Israel? In other words, they may not be able to hit back now, but five years, 10 years from now, they can?

I could easily imagine a scenario where over the long haul, Iran just hunkers down, does not give up its nuclear weapons aspirations, and continues to find ways to develop that program. With the failure of Irans other elements of projection of power, first its proxies and then its missile program, that leaves them with just that one option. You cant kill all of their nuclear scientists. The nuclear weapons capability is there intellectually, and youre not going to eliminate all of that.

How would you assess the power balance right now in the Middle East? Israel seems to be in a supremely dominant position right now with its military power and its intelligence capabilities.

Weve seen tactical brilliance on the part of Israel, aided by some good fortune in Syria. The Israelis had nothing to do with the Syrian revolution, but they certainly benefited from it [by removing Bashar Assad, Irans ally, and helping them eliminate the threat from Hezbollah]. Whether that can translate into strategic success is an open question. We dont really know where this gamble on decisively eliminating Irans nuclear weapons capability is going to go. Im not sure they can do it, and Im not even sure that we [the U.S. and Israel] can do it together.

I would go so far as to say that the most likely outcome of this is going to be that, whatever devastation is wrought in Iran and in the region, you will still have an Iran that will be determined to pursue a nuclear weapons capability, whatever it takes. I dont think that determination is going to change. Itll probably be reinforced.


When young conscripts in Taiwan refer to themselves as cannon fodder, it signals a crisis in trust that the government must not ignore. Taiwans government changed the duration of its mandatory military service from four months to one year beginning in 2024. A year into the reform, the Ministry of Defense admitted that it was falling behind schedule in training conscripts. Meanwhile, conscripts have shown growing dissatisfaction with the current system. Taiwan should seek a better and more efficient system based on its existing ROTC program, taking inspiration from the U.S. ROTC and Switzerlands military service system.

One year after the conscription reform implementation, Taiwans military faced several setbacks in the enactment of its plan. According to a 2024 report by the Washington Post, Defense Minister Wellington Koo acknowledged that equipment and instructor shortages have delayed plans to improve training for reserves. In 2024, only 6% of conscripts eligible for the one-year military service chose to enlist, with most choosing to defer service to attend university. Due to the small intake of one-year conscripts, drones, surface-to-air Stinger missiles and antitank rocket training was postponed for the cohort.

These disappointing results demonstrate that without properly addressing systemic flaws within the military and the conscription system at large, reform efforts could fail. The conscription reform has demonstrated that systemic issues have had a negative effect on the military conscription system. Taiwans military personnel fell from 165,000 in 2022 to 153,000 in 2024.

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Train like you fight: Taiwan comes to grips with an old military adage

Meanwhile, conscripts are seen as temporary helping hands for full-time military staff; thus, one of the main reasons for the decrease in military training is understaffing and a lack of instructors. The militarys staff and instructor shortages could be addressed by either hiring veterans to act as instructors or enabling a path for conscripts in the final stages of conscription to teach new conscripts basic training skills.

Additionally, the alarmingly high suicide rates in Taiwans military have shaken public trust in the military. According to an exclusive report by the Reporter, from 2016 to 2024, 134 deaths of military personnel by suicide have been recorded. The report indicated that overwhelming workload and understaffing had a tremendous psychological impact on soldiers. Legislator Wu Szu-Yao pointed out that the ratio of full-time psychological counselors with professional certificates to all personnel was 1:2318. This begs the question: If soldiers cannot fight the psychological battle, how would they be able to fight an external enemy? Thus, to build trust and resilience, Taiwan should seek inspiration from its democratic partners for a more effective conscription system.

The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) in the U.S. and Switzerlands mandatory military service are excellent models to take inspiration from. Taiwan already has a ROTC program, which was introduced by the Ministry of National Defense (MND), but it remains fairly limited in scope compared to the U.S. model. According to TVBS, the MND has signed agreements with 11 education centers and 129 schools, targeting recruitment of those aged 18 to 26. The program requires a commitment to serve in the military for five years upon graduation in exchange for three years of financial aid plus stipends during the participants education. Under the current ROTC program, cadets can attend civilian universities and attend regular classes, while also undertaking military training such as weekly military courses and military training during winter and summer breaks. Graduates from the program are assigned the rank of second lieutenant and receive specialized military training after graduation.

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Taiwans MND should leverage the program by expanding and making it more flexible, such as giving the option for conscripts to choose, after college graduation, whether they wish to remain in the force or not. For those who desire to join the military, the MND could continue providing stipends and financial aid for their studies, while those unwilling to commit to the military after graduation would be limited to the usual stipend paid during military conscription.

Some might criticize the lack of military discipline that the ROTC program would bring to conscripts. A solution to this issue would be to conduct a basic training camp, similar to the ones regular conscripts go on, which could take five weeks. After graduating from basic training, conscripts could attend university while enrolled in the ROTC.

Taiwan could develop two pathways for Taiwanese male students as an alternative to the one-year military service, which would be applicable for both those who want to study in domestic and international universities. This reform would be crucial to reduce the personal, academic, and professional toll that one year of military service would take on conscripts and would accommodate those with academic ambitions domestically and abroad.

For the former, Taiwan could adopt the current U.S.-based ROTC model to replace the one-year conscription system. Students would attend weekly classes on ethics, tactics, leadership and military science alongside academic courses, regular physical training, summer camps, and field training exercises. Upon graduation, students could be committed to serving in the military for a specific time or join the reserve.

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Meanwhile, students who choose to further their education abroad could opt for a digital curriculum, participating in online military education programs mirroring the domestic ROTC route. To complement their online learning and maintain physical conditions, intensive-mandatory training sessions would be required during academic breaks. Upon graduation, these students could potentially choose to join the active-duty service or participate in the reserve program.

Strengthening the training of reserve forces is equally important. Similarly to Taiwan, the Swiss army is made mostly of its conscripts, with men instantly joining the reserve after military service, but the Swiss reserve forces are regularly obligated to participate in periodic retraining courses. Taiwans military personnel are currently backed by a large reserve force of 1.66 million which could benefit from periodic retraining courses akin to the Swiss model.

According to Article 58 of the Swiss Constitution, every citizen must take on public duties to serve their community. The duty to serve is deeply ingrained in Switzerland and is a crucial part of its society. In contrast, Taiwanese society lacks a consensus on the effectiveness of the conscription system and lacks trust in the military. Revamping mandatory military service to be more flexible would improve public perception of the military.

Incorporating the U.S. and Swiss models could provide long-term benefits for young Taiwanese men in terms of their personal, academic and professional development, as it enables them to balance their personal plans with the duty to their country.

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Taiwan has a long path to effectively reforming its conscription system. This comprehensive reform should appease conscripts anxieties and improve the conscription systems structure by taking inspiration from the U.S. and Switzerland. To ensure young citizens are willing and ready to serve, Taiwan must change its approach to the conscription system as an opportunity for conscripts development. A smart conscription system is not only about defense but also about empowering Taiwans future.

Patrick Ko is a policy analyst at Safe Spaces, a policy consulting firm based in Taiwan and Washington, D.C. His work focuses on East Asian and Latin American international affairs.
By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan's National Palace Museum, home to one of the world's biggest collections of imperial Chinese treasures, must expand its horizons internationally to let the "world see Taiwan", President Lai Ching-te said on Friday as it marked its centenary.

The museum was re-established in Taiwan in 1965 after the Republic of China government lost a civil war with Mao Zedong's communists and fled to the island in 1949, taking with them thousands of cases of antiques once owned by China's emperors, saving them from destruction during and after the revolution.

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While it is a top tourist attraction, the presence of so many Chinese artefacts has over the years caused discomfort to those Taiwanese who champion the island's separate and distinct identity from China.

Speaking to inaugurate an exhibit of French impressionist and early modernist paintings from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lai said the National Palace Museum was a "state asset".

"The National Palace Museum not only needs to deepen its roots locally, it also needs to deepen them internationally. We need to go into the world, to let the world see Taiwan, but also to bring the world to Taiwan," he said at the museum, located in Taipei's foothills.

"The National Palace Museum is not only the National Palace Museum of Taiwan, but also the National Palace Museum of the world, and I believe these values should be strongly supported by the international community."

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A competing institution remains in Beijing, the similarly named Palace Museum, though the National Palace Museum is not planning any joint anniversary events with China.

Quincy Houghton, the Met's Deputy Director for Exhibitions and International Initiatives, speaking at the event with Lai, praised the close relations between the museums, including in 1996 when the National Palace Museum sent some of its collection to the Met.

"We are honoured to collaborate with the National Palace Museum on its very special centennial year," she said.

Works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne are on show at the National Palace Museum until mid-October.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard

WUSHI, Taiwan (Reuters) -Just off the small Taiwan fishing port of Wushi on its Pacific coast, a Taiwanese company is testing what could eventually be a powerful but unglamorous new weapon in the island's military arsenal - sea drones.

Used to great effect by Ukraine in the Black Sea against Russia, Taiwan is learning lessons on how it could use sea drones as an effective and low-cost way to fend off any possible Chinese invasion. These drones are uncrewed, remotely controlled small vessels that are packed with explosives and can be guided toward ships or potentially even attack targets in the air.

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Pushed by the United States, Taiwan has been working to transform its armed forces to be able to wage "asymmetric warfare", using mobile, smaller and often cheaper weapons which still pack a targeted punch, like sea drones.

"Uncrewed boats or vehicles have played a very significant role in the Ukraine war," Chen Kuan-ting, a lawmaker for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who sits on parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, told Reuters.

"Uncrewed vehicles, whether they are boats or underwater vehicles, can effectively deter China because Taiwan is not the attacking side, we are the defending side," he said.

Taiwan's defence ministry's research and development arm, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, has termed the sea drone plan the "Swift and Sudden" project, which so far has a modest budget of around T$800 million ($26.77 million).

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Defence Minister Wellington Koo said on Wednesday sea drones would be included in an additional spending package to be unveiled later this year. Details of that special budget have yet to be announced.

William Chen, chairman of the Thunder Tiger company, told Reuters last week on a boat off Wushi while viewing a test of their SeaShark 800 sea drone, which can carry 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs) of explosives and travel up to 500 km (310 miles), that these new weapons present an element of surprise for China.

"We can create uncertainty. We can fill the Taiwan Strait with danger and risks. No one knows where these dangers could surface," Chen added.

SEA DRONE SHOW

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Next week, Thunder Tiger will be among 12 Taiwanese and foreign companies joining an exhibition just down the coast from Wushi arranged by the defence ministry to showcase unmanned surface vehicles that may end up being added to Taiwan's arsenal.

Other companies taking part, according to the ministry, include Taiwan navy contractor Lungteh Shipbuilding and U.S. military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries.

"Drones is a top priority for both the United States and Taiwan. Obviously the conflict in Ukraine is focusing minds on what the next generation of warfare will look like," said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, who is leading a U.S. defence industry delegation to Taiwan this week, including drone makers.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has ramped up its military pressure over the past five years, including staging half a dozen rounds of war games. Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Taiwan has been studying how Ukraine has deployed drones to successfully offset Russia's advantage on the battlefield and has enlisted commercial drone companies, including Thunder Tiger, to help.

Ukraine has deployed sea drones not only to attack ships in Russia's Black Sea fleet, but also to shoot down aircraft.

Taiwan's navy is dwarfed by that of China with its aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines, though the country lacks recent combat experience.

China's last successful large-scale amphibious assault was in 1950 when it seized Hainan island at the tail end of the Chinese civil war, with troops ferried across on junks.

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Peter Chen, a drone expert and executive director of Taiwan security think tank TTRDA, said Taiwan can undoubtedly make world-class sea drones.

"But when it comes to the application, how to turn them into top-notch weapons, it is not the responsibility of private companies. The views of government and the military on how to properly integrate the weapons into the battle strategy, that needs more thinking," he said.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee in Wushi, Taiwan and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Additional reporting by Angie Teo; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Nvidia stock could surge after surprising Taiwan Semi news originally appeared on TheStreet.

Nvidia (NVDA) stock may be poised for another rally after a bullish revenue surprise from one of its key partners in the AI supply chain.

On June 10, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) , the worlds largest chip foundry and a critical manufacturer for Nvidia, reported May revenue of NT$320.52 billion (about $10.70 billion), up 39.6% from a year earlier but down 8% from Aprils figure.

Despite the sequential dip, May still marked TSMCs second-highest monthly revenue on record, behind only April 2025, which likely benefited from accelerated orders ahead of potential tariffs from President Trumps administration.

Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter

TSMCs revenue for January through May 2025 increased by 42.6% compared to the same period in 2024, signaling that demand for AI chips is strong even amid macro uncertainty.

That bodes well for Nvidia, which relies heavily on TSMC to manufacture its high-performance AI GPUs.

Nvidia stock is up 7.2% year-to-date.Image source: Chih/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Why Nvidia stock surged from its April lows

Nvidia was among the tech stocks hit hard in early April as tariff tensions flared and the U.S. tightened export restrictions on advanced chips. The company took a $4.5 billion charge in the fiscal first quarter ended April 27 and said it would have recorded an additional $2.5 billion in revenue without the restriction.

The stock later rebounded after the U.S. and China agreed to slash tariff rates on each other temporarily. Optimism also grew after the Trump administration scrapped the Biden-era AI diffusion rule, another export control on advanced AI chips.

Related: Analyst resets Nvidia stock price target after CEO slams U.S. chip policy

News that Nvidia will supply AI chips to Saudi Arabias Humain, an emerging tech player in the region, also boosted the stock.

On May 28, Nvidia reported strong fiscal first-quarter results. Adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share on $44.06 billion in revenue for its fiscal first quarter surpassed Wall Streets expectations of 93 cents and $43.31 billion.

The company forecasts $45 billion, missing analysts projections of $45.9 billion. But it noted that the figure would have been roughly $8 billion higher without the China export curbs.

Tensions between China and the U.S. remain the Damocles sword hanging over Nvidia. Investors are now focused on the second round of U.S.-China trade talks, which is taking place in London. If the worlds two largest economies fail to reach a trade deal, it could hit Nvidias bottom line.
Should you bring your phone to a protest? You should weigh the risks, cybersecurity experts say. David McNew via Getty Images

This weekend, Hina Sabatine will protest President Donald Trumps administration in Los Angeles, and they wont bring their usual phone.

Were protesting the administration, which is a lot scarier [than previous protests Ive attended], because weve seen how Trump can lash out, Sabatine said. For this upcoming protest, Im bringing a burner phone which doesnt have my Touch ID or my face scan.



Sabatine is one of many who are rallying against Trump at thousands of expected No Kings protests scheduled across the nation this weekend to reject authoritarianism and to counter Trumps military birthday parade celebration Saturday, according to the movements website. These marches follow ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting immigrants.



Sabatine, who has marched for a free Palestine and Black Lives Matter over the last decade, said they are now adding additional layers of phone security in response to Trump deploying the National Guard to Southern California.



In addition to using an old Android phone with just a memory card for taking videos, Sabatine will also be putting that phone in a special pouch, known as a Faraday bag, that can block cell and Wi-Fi signals.



Given that I am an immigrant, Im just going to just do all the extra steps, they said.



Should you do the same?



Many of us rely on our phones to travel and find our friends in crowds, but they can also reveal more about us than we would want  especially to authorities. Thats why one of the big questions you need to ask yourself is whether you should bring your phone to a protest.



We get this question a lot, and I think it really depends, said Anu Joshi, an American Civil Liberties Union staffer who has led multiple Know Your Rights trainings for the No Kings marches. What we encourage people to do is just to consider the potential risks.

The Case For Not Bringing A Phone At All

Your phone can track your real-time location, and you might not want federal authorities or law enforcement to be able to look up that you were at a protest through a potential subpoena.



Even if its in airplane mode, theres a chance that your movements can be tracked, Joshi said. The only way to ensure that you arent being tracked through your phone is not bringing it at all.



Thats because when you move, your phone is connecting to various cell phone towers. The most surefire way of preventing that from happening is turning your phone off, said Alejandro Ruizesparza, one of the co-directors at Lucy Parsons Labs, a Chicago-based group of technologists and activists that runs digital security training classes.



Ruizesparza said when they protest, they turn their phone off before they even leave their home, so its less easy for cellular data to help determine where they were going that day.



The other downside to bringing your phone is if it gets confiscated by officers, the data within it may get used against you.



If you are detained or arrested, then your phone could be taken from you. And law enforcement has wide use of a number of forensic extraction devices, said Bill Budington, an Electronic Frontier Foundation senior staff technologist.



Forensic extraction devices can reveal private information, such as whether you attended a protest, your communications with sources and social media posts on sensitive topics, for example.



And so those devices, especially if theyre being used on an older device or a device that hasnt had operating system security updates in a while, will be able to more readily extract all sorts of information, Budington said.



If you dont want to leave your phone at home, you can leave it in your car, so that it becomes harder to pinpoint your whereabouts at any point, Joshi suggested.



Or leave it off during the protest. This should ideally prevent some level of tracking and the creation of data linking you to these protests, Ruizesparza said.

If you do bring a phone, at least turn off Touch ID and Face ID.



Above, demonstrators hold signs during a protest to oppose the Trump administration's policies in February. Security experts strongly recommend disabling biometrics off of your phone if you go to a protest. Tom Williams via Getty Images

Although not bringing a phone at all makes it harder for surveillance, realistically, most of us want to have someform of communication and find it difficult to leave a phone behind, Ruizesparza said. In these cases, privacy experts strongly recommend disabling biometrics like fingerprint recognition and Face ID if you bring your phone to a protest.



Thats because, in general, a memorized passcode has stronger legal protections against a court order compelling you to unlock or decrypt your phone. But when you enable biometrics logins, you may compromise your Fifth Amendment privilege against being compelled to incriminate yourself.



As a practical matter, the protection is better too, added Budington. Because if you are in a situation where youre detained, then regardless of a situation legally, a officer might be able to unlock your device without your consent just by taking your fingerprint and pressing it against the touch ID or showing it to your face.

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Disabling biometrics can vary by device, but for Android 12 and later devices, you can enable Lockdown mode to temporarily disable fingerprint and facial recognition. For iPhones, you can go to Settings, find Face ID & Passcode and turn iPhone Unlock off.

We really encourage people to disable those [biometrics] and instead to use a strong numeric or alphanumeric password to unlock your phone, to ensure that no one can unlock your phone without your consent, Joshi said.

As for tracking concerns, airplane mode is pretty good, and can mitigate dangers of having your real-time location tracked by ads, Budington said.



You can also buy additional tech to help you block your location signal, but there are pros and cons. Faraday bags can help block signals a little bit more than airplane mode, Budington said, especially if you forget to turn off certain settings. But he cautioned that by bringing one, you will reduce your ability to plausibly deny that youre part of the protest.



These are basic phone security considerations, but there are longer primers that can help you strategize how to secure your phone before and after protests. For example, if you take pictures at protests, you should take some extra time to blur out faces and possibly remove metadata. Signal actually has a blurring feature built in, Ruizesparza noted.



Above all, dont wing it. Creating a gameplan before a protest takes time and sometimes difficult conversations but ultimately, secure practices dont just keep the individual safe, but also keep the collective network around the individual secure as well, Ruizesparza said. Practical safety and security is a simple act of solidarity.



And it gives you and your friends the reassurance that if it hits the fan, theres something we can do, Ruizesparza said.



So before you ask the question of whether or not you should bring your phone, ask, Am I going with someone? And will people know what to do if

something happens? Ruizesparza said.



Take it from Sabatine. Right now, they are planning to be the only one in their protest group who will have a burner phone, so that their friends can go phone-less. Beyond writing phone numbers of each other and of lawyers on their arms, Sabatine is also telling their parents and friends about their location for the protest, so someone knows where they will be.



If it wasnt for the increased military presence in Los Angeles, I dont know if I would have gone the extra mile for security or safety, Sabatine said. But because the forces are now different, I think thats whats making people pivot their action plans a little bit more and erring on the side of safety.

Related...
The potential for changes to taxation was among the most popular topics raised at the BBC's third election roadshow, which focussed on the island's finances.

Last year the States approved a package of tax reforms including a 5% GST, a lower income tax rate for earnings under 30,000 and social security contribution changes.

Former Dean of the St Andrew's Douzaine Godfray Guilbert said: "I know GST is unpopular, but we have got to widen our tax base somehow."

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Former UK Business Minister Lord Digby Jones agreed that sorting the island's finances and moving forward with plans for a GST should be the States "top priority".

On a visit to the shops, Gill Freeman said States finances need fixing but through a rise income tax rather than GST [BBC]

The roadshow on the state of the island's finances was held in Forest on Friday.

Gill Freeman was among people to attend and said her top election issue was balancing the books.

She said she preferred the idea of an increase to the rate of income tax, which the States rejected in favour of GST last year.

She said: "GST is unfair as it gets the lowest paid."

The agreed States policy, according to the treasury, is to mitigate against the regressive impact of a GST through the lower rate of income tax.

Lord Digby Jones and outgoing deputy Andy Taylor clashed over the island's system of government [BBC]

'Necessary evil'

Former UK Business Minister Lord Digby Jones said he wanted the next States to "have a sense of urgency" when it came to tackling the island's public finances.

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He said: "We need to follow through with GST+, as that is urgent, otherwise we are just going to run out of money.

"That's not nice to have. It's a must and we need to big time sort out the dosh."

Outgoing politician, Deputy Andy Taylor agreed: "This government needs to drum home the actual situation we are in, the financial difficulties in the future.

"If we don't tackle those we are absolute scuppered."

On the way to pick up her friend at the airport, Sandra Poulding agreed GST was a "necessary evil" for the island.

Deputy Bob Murray is leaving the States after one term in office [BBC]

Another States member, who is leaving government at the end of this term, Deputy Bob Murray, came to visit the roadshow on the way to grab some Guernsey biscuits.

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He expressed his exasperation at the current States and said he was concerned incoming candidates would fail to grasp how big an issue the future of the island's finances was.

He said: "The island has still not grasped the nettle in terms of the challenges we face, and I think we will have to wait for something like a car crash situation to have people wake up to the problems the island has.

"Hopefully GST will be introduced, it is a major way we can start to address the deficit in public finances. The other crown dependencies won't deal with us on corporate tax reform until we bring in a GST, why would they?"

A number of general election candidates have promised to reform the island's corporate income tax system, if they are elected.

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While others have suggested a mix of income from corporate tax reform and a new wind farm off the coast of Guernsey would be enough to stop the need for a GST.

For Paul Domaille the only issue on the ballot paper is the electoral system itself [BBC]

Island wide voting 'not working'

Outside Forest Stores, people weren't just talking tax, as several voters expressed their frustration with the current electoral system.

As she got some meat for her dog from the shops, Liz stopped by and said the States should go back to the parish system of electing deputies.

She said: "This election is too much, this way of electing is not good for our community.

"People's days are full, they have children to go home and look after, they don't have time to go through 82 manifestos."

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Paul Domaille said his top priority at this election was supporting candidates who would reform the voting system: "I don't think island wide voting is working."

Former deputy Gloria Dudley-Owen said she wants to see housing for local people prioritised by candidates [BBC]

Population concerns

Former Deputy for the west, Gloria Dudley-Owen, said she's been "disappointed" with the election campaign so far.

She said: "There are some candidates definitely lacking in knowledge about the issues."

In the past Mrs Dudley-Owen has campaigned to tighten the island's population laws and said high levels of net migration to the island were a concern that candidates needed to take seriously.

She said: "I think it's quite tragic what is happening with our population, we seem to have a bias against helping the Guernsey population.

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"Net migration was high last year, we do need workers but I feel our people, our local people are being neglected in their needs when it comes to housing."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A new, draft report by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) revealed a lack of space in Tennessees crime labs has caused significant delays in nearly every category of forensic testing turnaround times.

The report found the Knoxville and Jackson crime labs are at capacity, and the one in Nashville isnt far behind, resulting in longer turnaround times for forensic testing.

The General Assembly passed a bill to launch the study following the murder of Memphis teacher, Eliza Fletcher, and the revelation her killer should have been behind bars for a rape that happened a year before.

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However, the rape kit was still sitting in the TBIs crime lab waiting to be tested.

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In response, the state created 50 additional TBI crime lab positions to help process sexual assault kits. As a result, turnaround times for rape kits decreased from 45 weeks in Aug. 2022 to 14 weeks in Dec. 2024.

However, turnaround times for every other forensic category have increased, according to the report. For example, firearms analysis turnaround times increased from 38 weeks to 67 weeks from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2025, and violent forensic biology evidence turnaround times increased from 24 weeks to 37 weeks during the same period.

Currently, the primary constraint on TBIs capacity is space, said Madison Thorn, a senior research associate with TACIR.

An increased demand for forensic testing in Tennessee has also contributed to the problem.

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Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

I know a lot of the backlog is because weve seen a dramatic increase in certain areas across the state as it relates to crime, Rep Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville) said.

Since there is no more room to expand the Knoxville lab on its current plot of land, the TACIR report recommended the state build a new, bigger lab in Knoxville, in addition to expanding the Nashville and Jackson labs, and creating a new Chattanooga lab to help shorten turnaround times.

However, the state will need to find a funding source to keep the labs running.

We can come up with different one-time money to build facilities and all those kinds of things, but to maintain these facilities over time requires us to think creatively about how we fund these facilities over time, Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson) said.

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TACIR also recommended other methods to reduce turnaround times, including legislation to allow rapid DNA testing at law enforcement booking stations, which is an automated process that creates DNA profiles from cheek swabs within one to two hours. The group also suggested the state support resource-sharing partnerships to train local law enforcement agencies across the state through funding and technical assistance.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The TBIs goal is to have an average turnaround time of 8 to 12 weeks. The TBIs current average turnaround time is 25 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 WKRN News 2.
Illustration: HuffPost; Photo:Getty Images

If they spit, we will hit, and I promise you, they will be hit harder than they ever have been hit before. Such disrespect will not be tolerated!  Donald Trump

President Trump says he is defending Los Angeles from a foreign invasion, but the only invasion we see is the one being led by Trump.

Roughly a quarter of all students in the Los Angeles Unified School District are undocumented. The student body at the high school where I teach consists almost entirely of immigrants, many of them undocumented, and the children of immigrants, many of whose parents and family members are undocumented. This week we held our graduation ceremony under the specter of Trumps campaign against our city.

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Outside, school police patrolled to guard against potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Amidst rumors of various actions, LAUSD decided that some schools graduations would be broadcast on Zoom.

For many immigrant parents, graduation day is the culmination of decades of hard work and sacrifice, and many braved the threat of an ICE raid and came to our campus anyway. Others, perhaps wisely, decided to watch from home.

They deserve better.

Trumps Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calls us a city of criminals, and many Americans are cheering on the Trump administration and vilifying immigrants. What we see in LAUSD is an often heroic generation of immigrant parents working hard to provide for their children here while also sending remittance money to their families in their native countries. We see students who (usually) are a pleasure to teach, and parents who are grateful for teachers efforts.

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Watching the students at the graduation ceremony, I saw so many who have had to overcome so much. Like the student in my AP U.S. government class who from age 12 worked weekends for his familys business but made it into UCLA and earned a scholarship. Theres the girl who had faced homelessness this year. The boy with learning issues who powered through my AP class via an obsessive effort that his friends would kid him about, but which he committed to anyway. He got an A, which some of the students ribbing him did not.

Many students have harrowing, horrific stories of how they got to the U.S.  stories you can usually learn only by coaxing it out of them.

Theres the student who grew up in an apartment complex in San Salvador, where once girls reached a certain age they were obligated to become the girlfriend of a member of whatever gang controlled that area. When she was 14 they came for her, but she was ready, and shot a gang member before slipping out of the country, going all the way up through Guatemala and Mexico, desperate to find her father in Los Angeles.

As she told me this story at parent conference night, tears welled up in her fathers eyes. Its also touching to watch their loving, long-running argument  he wants her to manage and eventually take over the small business he built, and she wants to become an artist instead. To this day she does not know whether the gang member she shot lived or died.

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At the graduation ceremony, our principal asks all those who will be joining the armed forces to stand up to be recognized. These students are a windfall for the U.S. military. I teach seniors, and in an average class, three or four of my students join the military, most often the Marines, either right out of high school or within a couple years.

Were these bright, hard-working young people born into different circumstances, they would have gone to college. Instead, they often feel compelled to join the military for the economic opportunity  the so-called economic draft.

Some also enlist because it helps them gain citizenship and/or helps family members adjust their immigration status. A couple years ago, an accomplished student told me he was joining the Marines instead of going to college. I was a little surprised and asked him why, and he replied, Because its the best way to fix my parents papers.

The author teaching in June 2025. Courtesy of Glenn Sacks

Immigrants are the backbone of many of our industries, including construction and homebuilding, restaurants, hospitality and agriculture. They are an indispensable part of the senior care industry, particularly in assisted living and in-home care. Of the couple dozen people who cared for my ailing parents during a decade of navigating them through various facilities, I cant remember one who was not an immigrant. There is something especially disturbing about disparaging the people who care for us when were old, sick, and at our most vulnerable.

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Immigrants are woven into the fabric of our economy and our society. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, and an integral part of our community. The average person in Los Angeles interacts with them continually in myriad ways  and without a thought to their immigration status.

Immigrants are also maligned for allegedly leeching off public benefits without paying taxes to finance them. This week conservative commentator Matt Walsh called to ban all third world immigration whether its legal or illegal, explaining, We cannot be the worlds soup kitchen anymore.

One cant teach a U.S. government and politics class in Los Angeles without detailing the phenomenon of taxpayers blaming immigrants for the cost of Medicaid, food stamps and other social programs. My students are hurt when they come to understand that many Americans look at their parents, who theyve watched sacrifice so much for them, as takers.

Nor is it true.

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Californians pay Americas highest state sales tax. It is particularly egregious in Los Angeles, where between this and the local surcharge, we pay 9.75%. As I teach my economics students, this is a regressive tax where LAUSD students and their parents must pay the same tax rate on everything they buy as billionaires do.



Moreover, most immigrants are renters, and they informally pay property taxes through their rent. California ranks 7th highest in the nation in average property taxes paid.

Our state government estimates that immigrants pay over $50 billion in state and local taxes and over $80 billion more in federal taxes. Add this to the enormous value of their labor, and America is getting a bargain.

Part of what is driving the current protests is the sense that once somebody is taken by ICE, their families wont know their fate. Where will they be sent? Will they get due process? Will they end up in a Salvadoran megaprison where, even if its ordered that they be returned home, the president may pretend he cant get them back? It is fitting that the flashpoint for much of the protests has been the federal Metropolitan Detention Center downtown.

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We also question the point of all this, particularly since the Trump administration cant seem to get its story straight as to why ICE is even here.

Trumps border czar Tom Homan says the raids are about enforcing the laws against hiring undocumented workers and threatens more worksite enforcement than youve ever seen in the history of this nation. By contrast, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, citing murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers, says the purpose of the raids is to arrest criminal illegal aliens.

And now, having provoked protests, the Trump administration uses them as a justification for escalating his measures against Los Angeles.

Amid this, our graduating students struggle to focus on their goals. One Salvadoran student who came to this country less than four years ago knowing little English managed the impressive feat of getting an A in my AP class. Hed sometimes come before school to ask questions or seek help parsing through the latest immigration document hed received. Usually, whatever document I read over did not provide him much encouragement.



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He earned admission to a University of California school, where hell be studying biomedical engineering. Perhaps one day hell help develop a medicine that will benefit some of the people who dont want him here.

When we said goodbye after the graduation ceremony, I didnt know what to say beyond what Ive often told him in the past  Just keep your head down and keep marching forward.

I will, he replied.



Glenn Sacks teaches government, economics, and history in the Los Angeles Unified School District. His columns on education, history, and politics have been published in dozens of Americas largest publications.

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Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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Skelly Elementary teacher Charity Hargrave leads a reading exercise with a small group of fifth graders in Tulsa on April 9, 2024. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Longtime Oklahoma teachers will continue earning annual salary increases for an extra 10 years, and their children will qualify for a major state-funded scholarship under new laws the governor signed this week.

Gov. Kevin Stitt approved House Bill 1087 on Tuesday to extend the teacher salary schedule, which grants annual incremental pay raises, up to 35 years. The bill also adds one day to the minimum length of an Oklahoma school year, stretching it to 181 instructional days in public schools.

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HB 1727, which Stitt also signed Tuesday, opens the Oklahomas Promise college scholarship to the children of classroom teachers with at least 10 years of experience. Oklahomas Promise pays an amount equal to full resident tuition at a public college or university.

The states largest teacher union, the Oklahoma Education Association, celebrated both bills as ways to retain veteran educators.

Offering scholarship funds to educators children is a powerful step for Oklahoma valuing its teachers and their households, OEA President Cari Elledge said.

Cari Elledge is the president of the Oklahoma Education Association. (Photo by AJ Stegall/Provided to Oklahoma Voice)

By granting Oklahomas Promise Scholarship to children of certified educators with at least a decade of service, this bill eases the college burden on our families while incentivizing long-term commitment to our schools, Elledge, a former Norman teacher, said. OEA championed this from committee rooms to the governors desk because addressing the educator shortage requires meaningful investment.

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The governor also signed a bill offering grants to school districts that are trying to boost the pipeline of new teachers.

Senate Bill 235 offers matching funds to districts that have established Grow Your Own Educator programs, which give undergraduate college tuition assistance or loan repayment to aspiring teachers.

The bills author, Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said lawmakers set aside $5 million for these grants.

Pugh, who leads the Senate Education Committee, said the slate of school-focused bills the Legislature passed this year are building a stronger foundation for Oklahomas future.

Each of these measures reflects our commitment to supporting students, empowering teachers and ensuring every child in our state has access to a high-quality education, Pugh said in a statement.

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Multiple bills emphasizing math also passed.

Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, present their legislative priorities for the Senate Education Committee during a Jan. 27 news conference at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Stitt approved HB 1287, giving $3 million to the University of Oklahoma for a math tutoring program assisting the lowest-performing ninth graders. Qualifying students must attend a school district with enrollment of at least 30,000 or a public charter school.

The governor also signed on Tuesday the Oklahoma Math Achievement and Proficiency Act, also known as SB 140. Its expected to cost $1 million, according to a fiscal impact estimate from legislative staff.

The new law requires public schools to screen students math proficiency three times a year in grades 2-5. Schools must create a math intervention plan for children who score below their grade level and could receive extra funds dedicated for these students. Struggling students also must be screened for dyscalculia, a learning disability affecting comprehension of arithmetic.

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Those who screen above their grade level in math must be offered advanced learning opportunities.

Senate Bill 140 is a critical step forward in improving math outcomes across our state, the bills author, Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, said. By identifying students who need additional help or more advanced instruction, they will now have personalized support to ensure every child can succeed.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The parents of two 12-year-old students in the Denver Public School district are suing a language arts teacher, accusing her of baking and distributing marijuana-laced brownies to the two children.

Sharon Wilson, a 6th-grade language arts teacher at Kepner Beacon Middle School, is accused in a civil lawsuit of placing her students in direct danger after she personally baked and distributed home-made brownies laced with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive ingredient of marijuana.

Denver Public Schools will not close additional schools in 2025

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The lawsuit alleges that Wilson held a writing contest for her 6th-grade class and, instead of providing a typical prize, she gave them the laced brownies on June 4, 2024. The lawsuit says that the teacher admitted to making the brownies for the two minors.

Parents initially believe allergic reaction, seek medical care

The lawsuit alleges the two children ate the brownies and soon thereafter, began to feel sick and strange with symptoms including: difficulty walking, difficulty focusing, and overall feeling like something was happening to their bodies that they did not understand.

Both students required help making it out to their parents vehicles at the end of the day, the complaint alleges. The lawsuit states that one of the childrens mothers first thought her child had eaten peanuts, resulting in an allergic reaction, and texted Wilson to get more information.

(Wilson) responded via text message, admitting she did make the brownies because (the students) won (Wilsons) contest, the lawsuit states.

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A screenshot of the text message exchange is included in the lawsuit, showing that the mother said her child was exhibiting red eyes and dizziness, and asking what ingredients were in the brownies.

Denver changes its mind and will keep center that aids homeless open afterall

They are from scratch, Wilson responded, in part. Maybe it is the unsweetened chocolate? I also use sugar, flour, Mexican vanilla, salt, baking soda, eggs.

Another student had one too, they made the most words with Greek and Latin roots, so they won the prize, Wilson continued in her text with the parent. The other student hasnt reported any allergy symptoms. Im so sorry, it sounds like an allergic reaction.

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Both students were independently taken to urgent care that day, according to the lawsuit. Blood tests reportedly showed that each child had THC levels in their system.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations reportedly tested the brownies and found they did have marijuana.

Denver Public Schools provided a statement about the teacher to FOX31 on Thursday.

Middle school teacher Sharon Wilson was placed on paid administrative leave at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This is standard procedure for Denver Public Schools until a matter is resolved. Wilson separated from DPS in August 2024, before the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Personnel information is confidential therefore, we cannot provide further details on this situation. Denver Public Schools

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Wilson is also facing a criminal case in the matter out of Denver County Court, the parents alleged in their lawsuit, saying she faces a charge of misdemeanor child abuse.

The parents are seeking a jury trial to determine compensation for pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and other damages.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Like many Black mayors during the Trump era, Ive been subjected to a political lynching  driven by those who have weaponized our communitys unaddressed racist biases and hate for their own gain, manipulating fear and division to serve their interests.

I am deeply thankful to the voters of Cleveland Heights for electing me as mayor almost four years ago  and for working hard to put me back on the ballot this week despite the best efforts of some who have tried for my entire term to overturn the will of the voters by consistently undermining the person they chose to lead. While the validation of my candidacy is currently in the hands of the Board of Elections, I am your Mayor for the remainder of 2025.

In a democracy, the will of the voters must always come first. No special interests or outside forces should ever be able to override an election or block a duly elected mayor from doing the job they were chosen to do. Yet thats exactly what I have endured for almost four years. And I must call it what it is: an assault on democracy and a failed attempt to silence the will of the people.

As the mayor of this great city, I fully expect political opposition  that comes with the job and its fair. But what is not fair, what is not acceptable, is the persistence of a false and deeply harmful trope: that I, as a Black man, lack the intelligence, the work ethic, and the moral character to lead. That narrative is not new. It is a relic of Americas darkest chapters, used for generations to justify slavery and the systematic subjugation of Black people  by denying our capacity for thought, leadership and self-determination. To see that same trope weaponized against me today is not just a personal attack  its an attack on progress, on truth and on every Black person who has ever been told they are less than. I reject it fully  and I will continue to lead this city with the strength, integrity and vision our residents deserve.

James Baldwin once said, Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. Thats why Im speaking this truth today. I dont expect to change the minds of those who see me as their lesser simply because my Blackness tells them that I cant possibly be a leader that they should respect and value. I cant know what resentment and bias these people hold in their hearts, I can only conclude based on the consistency of their publicly expressed prejudice against my every action.

But I do believe this: the time is always right to stand up  to speak out  against injustice, against hatred and against the lies that seek to diminish the humanity of all people of color.

So I am addressing the hateful individuals who have tried to obstruct me from fighting for the people of Cleveland Heights. I am telling them that they cannot and will not win.

Theyve become so desperate, they have attacked the love of my life, my wife. She has been falsely accused in an attempt to tear me down. But I have evidence proving her innocence and will share that with the community. Now they are pulling another page from a well worn playbook: trying to criminalize my lawful actions as Mayor and seeking to destroy my well-earned reputation for a strict adherence to doing things the right way for a full decade of service to this community. I am in the good company of Black mayors nationwide  from Los Angeles to New Orleans, from Chicago to Memphis  who have all faced the same kind of stalker-level scrutiny, false accusations, and a constant drumbeat of negative propaganda against them on both the personal and professional levels.

All of this is a distraction rooted in outdated, hateful tropes that are carefully framed to mislead. It is noise meant to divide and derail us. But I am here to serve, to make our city better and to improve the lives of everyone in Cleveland Heights. That mission has not changed and I will not be prevented from moving our city forward.

Our richness lies in our diversity only if we choose to fully embrace it. We have people from nearly every walk of life that have chosen to call our city their home. That is something I am proud of and its something we all should cherish as one of Ohios greatest cities.

Serving as your mayor has been the honor of my life. And I will not allow racists, demagogues or special interests to distract me from the work that matters: building a cleaner, more affordable and more beautiful city for everyone who calls it home.

I invite you to attend a public event at St. Pauls Episcopal Church at 2747 Fairmount Blvd on Monday, June 16 at 6:30 PM to hear more from your Mayor.






NEED TO KNOW

Police say 17-year-old Dominic Ferrell was stabbed while sleeping inside his 34th-floor Miami apartment

The suspect, 26-year-old Kyrill Kehl, had no known link to Ferrell and died later that day from a fall at a nearby construction site

Authorities say Kehl followed residents into the secured building without a key fob and entered the victim's unit through an unlocked door







A teenager was fatally stabbed in his sleep inside a luxury Miami high-rise on Sunday  and police say the attacker was a stranger who slipped into the building undetected.

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According to a Miami Police news release, 17-year-old Dominic Ferrell, a student at St. Peter and Paul Catholic School, was found with multiple stab wounds inside a unit on the 34th floor of the Icon Brickell building, overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Officers say the suspect, 26-year-old Kyrill R. Kehl, entered the lobby by closely following a group of residents  bypassing key fob access  and got into Ferrells apartment through an unlocked door.

Ferrell was asleep when the attack occurred, authorities said. A roommate discovered him and called 911.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

Police spokesperson Michael Vega told NBC Miami, Its disheartening to see this 17-year-old... killed by a perfect stranger.

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Surveillance footage reportedly shows Kehl fleeing the scene and entering a nearby construction site across Brickell Avenue.

Police say Kehls body was later found at that site, and that he had died from a fall. Investigators have not yet determined whether the fall was accidental or intentional.

Officials said there was no known connection between the victim and the assailant. Kehl had reportedly arrived in Miami from Arizona just days before the incident and had a documented history of mental illness, per reporting from CBS News Miami and WPLG.



Read the original article on People
This teenager will graduate from high school this weekend after defying the odds.

In 2014, Samiyah Brown was playing in a creek before she started drowning. Her 11-year-old brother, Randez Brown, jumped in to save her life, but lost his.

My brother tried to save me. Well, he did save me, and Im grateful for that. But, um, it has been hard, Brown said.

She suffered brain damage and was in critical condition in the hospital for months.

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At the beginning, when I first found out, I kind of wished he didnt save me so he could live his dreams. But Im glad he did, because Im living mine, Brown told Channel 9.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 11-year-old boy dies after jumping into creek to save sister

This weekend, Brown will graduate from Olympic High School at Bojangles Coliseum. It will be a moment she wasnt sure shed ever see.

I have waited for this day since I first came to school. Its a big deal for me, Brown said.

Browns mother, Shaconda Mungo, said her journey has been a harrowing one. She said some doctors had little faith in her daughters ability to recover.

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She was like a vegetable in a coma. They said thats how shes going to be for the rest of her life. They wanted me to make some decisions on pulling the plug. But I was like, no, Im not going to it, because I know its not going to be two kids to pass like that, Mungo explained.

Mungos decision gave Brown a fighting chance and is why she is able to stand near the pond that almost took her life.

She is a miracle. She is my miracle child, and she has come a long way, said Mungo.

And that long journey is leading her to a stage that will showcase her academic accomplishments while encouraging others to defy the odds.

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Dont give up. Find your anchor, like somebody that grounds you, even if that person is not always physically with you, because theyre always in your heart, Brown elaborated.

And her brother will forever remain in her heart. She said that while they were a few years apart, they were extremely close and did everything together.

Im proud to call him my brother. My best friend. My whole life, Brown expressed.

After Brown crosses the stage, she wants to open a business where she can also help others.

VIDEO: 11-year-old boy dies after jumping into creek to save sister
Residents in Tehran have expressed shock at the wave of Israeli attacks on the Iranian capital and other parts of the country.

A 38-year-old from Tehran told dpa he was worried about the future. "The petrol queues are long and there are lots of security forces on the streets," he said.

"As an Iranian - although I am unhappy with the government - I am saddened by the attack and expect retribution. The killing of the commanders is shocking," the man said, referring the deaths of top military leaders in targeted strikes.

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A woman who was out shopping said she hoped the banks would not shut down, "because that would be chaotic."

The manager of the small store said that the government had been exposed by the strikes, and this made him feel ambivalent. "Fear or joy? Unfortunately, joy outweighs fear for me," he said.

An Iranian journalist said the military attack on the country was unacceptable. "I am afraid and I hope that the country will not be plunged into even more chaos," she said.
Energy services company Oceaneering Internationals offshore projects group (OPG) has entered into a vessel services agreement with a major operator for the multipurpose support vessel Harvey Deep Sea, which will be used for subsea services in the Gulf of Mexico.

The vessel is presently chartered by Oceaneering through February 2027 and is equipped with two Oceaneering Millennium work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

The operator plans to use the vessel for subsea inspection, maintenance, repair (IMR) and installation services.

OPG senior vice-president Chris Dyer said: This award not only secures vessel backlog in the region but also allows us to optimise our equipment spreads and reduce scheduling uncertainty.

We look forward to delivering critical subsea IMR and installation services to create value for our customer and further demonstrate our commitment to project execution that delivers safe, efficient and high-quality results."

This month, Oceaneering International announced a chief financial officer (CFO) succession plan.

Alan R. Curtis, who has served as CFO since 2015, will retire on 1 January 2026.

Curtis has been with Oceaneering since 1995, starting as a financial controller.

Michael W. Sumruld will join the company as senior vice-president of finance on 1 September 2025, with the expectation he will succeed Curtis as CFO upon his retirement.

Curtis will assist in an advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition, reporting to president and chief executive officer Rod Larson.

Last year, in August, Oceaneering International's UK subsidiary won multiple contracts for North Sea vessel services.

These contracts, awarded by various operators in the UK sector of the North Sea, include a range of offshore services such as decommissioning, inspection, subsea preparation and installation support.

"Oceaneering signs offshore vessel services agreement for Gulf of Mexico" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Pizza Premonition

A flurry of activity at pizza delivery outlets near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is a surprisingly accurate predictor of war, as hungry military leadership hunkers down to monitor unfolding military activities.

As painstakingly documented by X account Pentagon Pizza Report, a "busier than usual" indicator on the Google Maps profile of the Domino's in Arlington has been associated with major acts of war taking place around the world.

Most recently, the franchise received an onslaught of orders just before closing last night  almost perfectly coinciding with Israel's devastating attack on Iran.

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Even long before the advent of live, GPS-based customer tracking on Google Maps, famished Pentagon workers have long given away that there's something much darker going on by ordering copious numbers of pies.

"The Pentagon Pizza Index has been a surprisingly reliable predictor of seismic global events  from coups to wars  since the 1980s," The Economist's head of data journalism Alex Selby-Boothroyd wrote in a LinkedIn post.

"On the night of August 1st 1990, for example, the CIA ordered 21 pizzas in a single night just before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (a new record)," he added. "Who says pie charts aren't useful?"

War Pies

And it's not just Domino's. As Euronews reported last week, the Papa John's close to the Pentagon has also been found to be "busier than usual" during the days leading up to Iran launching drones into Israeli territory in April 2024.

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A separate event chronicled by Pentagon Pizza Report also predicted military activity on June 1, followed just hours later by an escalation between Israel and Iran.

Of course, making any definitive statements about any correlation would be foolish. But it's an intriguing sign that even the most secretive parts of the US government can easily show their cards without meaning to.

"Bottom line for journalists," Wolf Blitzer told CNN in 1990. "Always monitor the pizzas."

More on pizza: Chef Admits His Smash Hit Pizza Was Invented by ChatGPT
Hotter weather continues to move into New Mexico through this weekend. Drier air will also be moving into the state.

Scattered storms have developed again today in the northern mountains and along the central mountain chain. These storms have been moving to the east and southeast into this afternoon and evening. A couple isolated showers and storms have also developed just west of the Rio Grande Valley and are bringing in rain chances into the valley and also the Albuquerque Metro. Temperatures continue to heat up all across New Mexico today as well. Showers and storms will end by midnight tonight as skies clear out, but overnight low temperatures stay warm.

Drier and hotter weather moves into the state Friday. Isolated showers and storms will still be possible in south-central New Mexico and eastern parts of the state, especially closer to the Texas state line.

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This weekend, a few spotty afternoon showers and storms may still develop in eastern New Mexico, but it will be much drier. The biggest story this weekend will be the heat. It will be the hottest weather we have seen so far this year in New Mexico with temperatures climbing through Sunday afternoon. Triple-digit high temperatures are possible as far north as the Albuquerque Metro on Sunday. This kind of heat and drier weather will stick around into early next week. Temperatures will come down a few degrees into the middle of next week, but above average warmth will continue statewide.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Prayers were held at a Hindu temple in Lancashire for those who lost their lives in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad.

The London Gatwick-bound flight crashed soon after take-off from the city's airport in the western state of Gujarat at about 09:00 BST on Thursday, killing 242 people on board. One person - a British man - survived.

Crowds gathered at the Gujarat Hindu Society Temple in Preston on Friday to pray for those who had died and their loved ones.

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Temple president Ishwer Tailor said he hoped the vigil would give people some "consolation".

Mr Tailor said Preston has a large Gujarati community and admitted he wanted to do something sooner than the weekend "with people being in shock".

"It is a catastrophe not just for people who have passed away but also for India," he said.

"We have had several people coming up to us and telling stories of some of their friends and relatives who have perished in this terrible accident and the stories keep coming."

Ishwer Tailor said the vigil and temple was open to people of all communities [BBC]

He said the temple doors would remain open for all communities.

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"Whole families have been destroyed. All we can do in this moment in time is pray and make sure we remember them in our prayers," he said.

Prayers were said for the victims and their loved ones [BBC]

There were 53 Britons on board the flight, along with 169 Indian nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian.

One couple who died in the crash - 72-year-old Adam Taju and his wife Hasina, 70 - were described as the "foundation of our family" by their granddaughters, from Blackburn, Lancashire.

Additional reporting by Anna Jameson and Nishma Hindocha

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.

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A bitter feud is escalating between Republican Sen. Rand Paul and Donald Trumps top border official, injecting uncertainty into Congresss attempt to pass the administrations signature policy bill this month.

Key Trump adviser Stephen Miller came to Capitol Hill to meet with Senate Republicans on Thursday to resolve a disagreement over money for the bills border security provisions.

Paul and Miller have been locked in a dispute for days over the border funding. The White House is seeking $150 billion in funds for border security and deportation. But Paul  who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee  has repeatedly lashed out against the price tag of Trumps bill and wants to dramatically cut down that funding.

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And on Thursday night, Paul released his portion of the sweeping bill that includes a fraction of what Miller and the White House are demanding for border security, contending an additional $39 billion in new spending will deliver real border security without fueling Washingtons addiction to waste.

Now, GOP leaders will look to overrule Paul and change the bill to meet White House demands when they include the proposal in the larger Trump policy bill  all as tension between Miller and the Kentucky senator has been spilling out in the open.

Paul is taking swipes at Miller to reporters on Capitol Hill, attacking Miller for his recent comments about the administration looking at suspending habeas corpus and then suggesting on Wednesday that Miller himself was the reason he was uninvited from a White House picnic. Trump has since personally asked him and his family to attend the Thursday event, the senator said. Miller, meanwhile, has been firing off social media posts at the Kentucky senator, accusing him of, for instance, trying to cut funding for border security amid the Los Angeles riots.

They want to quiet me down, and it hasnt worked, and so theyre going to try to attack me. Theyre going to try to destroy me in other ways, and then do petty little things like social occasions or whatever. But you know, it probably will not work. It probably will not make me cow down or bend over, Paul told CNN on Wednesday, after saying he was disinvited from the White House picnic. Asked if he was talking about Miller, Paul nodded.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol after the senate luncheons on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. - Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP

Pauls strong push to limit Trumps border security cash puts him mostly on an island among Hill Republicans, according to one person familiar with the talks, though other GOP senators pressed Miller about specific funding accounts in a meeting earlier Thursday. And the back-and-forth has frustrated some of their fellow GOP senators.

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Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said Miller did a good job answering GOP senators questions on Thursday about border wall money, but he added some Republicans were upset or just didnt want to hear it.

I mean, Rand Pauls solution is cut everything in half and call it good. Yeah, thats not real budgeting, Mullin added.

Pauls proposal would call for $75 billion in total investment in border security funding, including $6.5 billion for construction of barriers  far less than what Miller is seeking.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Paul defended his stance and called out his GOP critics, including Senate Budget Chairman Lindsey Graham, saying the South Carolinian acts like a fiscal hawk only when convenient.

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Senator Graham wants to make sure the president gets exactly what he wants. Hes a rubber stamp, and I am a believer that we are acting fiscally responsible at every level of government, across government, and that you cant just sort of be fiscally conservative when its convenient, when it comes to the border, Paul told reporters Thursday.

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff, leaves the U.S. Capitol after a meeting with Senate Republicans on Thursday, June 12, 2025. - Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP

Paul did not attend Millers visit to Senate Republicans on Thursday, citing a conflicting committee meeting. Even so, the meeting at times grew contentious over the presidents plans to spend billions on the border.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, offering a defense of his GOP colleagues, said those Republicans were interested in more specifics about how the border money would be spent.

I think what everybody was pushing back is we want more detail. I know exactly how the money is going to be spent. Its not, has nothing to do with whether we support him, Scott said.

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One of those probing Miller on the border funding was GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, another fiscal hawk who has been working to make sure Trumps pricey tax breaks dont add to the deficit.

The numbers didnt quite add up, Johnson later told reporters of his questions to Miller. He did a really good job of explaining why it is going to be more expensive, but then just how difficult it is going to be to create the beds and the expense of that.

There was just some basic numbers that we werent aware of. We didnt have the math. We didnt have their calculation. I think he was a little blindsided from that standpoint.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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The 2025 Texas Legislature proved to be a session of recalibration, where health care regulations were either tightened or loosened and attempts to delve further into some policy areas were left hanging until the next session.

The past two legislative sessions saw more seismic shifts: a near-total ban on abortion, a massive expansion of the states psychiatric hospital system, the teeniest of Medicaid expansions to offer one year of insurance coverage to new moms and a mental health budget boom following the tragic Uvalde school shooting.

That didnt appear to leave much for the 89th Legislature to do on health, although lawmakers managed to approve a handful of intriguing bills and budget requests while killing other proposals.

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Vaccine-hesitant parents successfully lobbied and won easier access to the vaccine exemption form and lawmakers narrowly clarified the states near-total abortion bans to give doctors more confidence in performing life-saving abortions. They also passed a historic $3 billion dementia research fund that awaits voter approval in November.

There were also a variety of bills signaling to the Trump administration, particularly U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., that Texas was all on board his priorities to create transparency on food labeling and to stamp out chronic diseases.

The remaining health care cliffhanger is whether Gov. Greg Abbott signs or vetoes a hard-fought ban on THC products in the state. Abbott has until June 22 to veto any legislation passed this session. Otherwise, most of them will go into effect immediately or in September, even without his signature.

Heres a rundown of how health care fared this past session.

Vaccine choice

House Bill 1586 allows anyone the ability to download a vaccine exemption vaccine exemption form at home. The form allows children to be exempted from being vaccinated to attend public schools. Currently, parents have to contact the Texas Department of State of Health Services and request the exemption form be mailed to them. Critics of the bill fear it would allow vaccine exemptions to flourish, as the state grapples with declining vaccination rates, but proponents say the bill is only meant to make it easier for parents to access a form.

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Other vaccine skeptic measures that passed include HB 4076 which bars making patients ineligible as organ transplant recipients solely based on their vaccination status and Senate Bill 269 which requires providers to report patients vaccine complications to the national Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

HB 4535 requires health care providers obtain informed consent from patients before a COVID-19 vaccine is administered and that patients receive notice about possible side effects.

Make Texas Healthy Again

Two nutrition bills dubbed Make Texas Healthy Again bills passed.

Texans who receive benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program will no longer be able to purchase soda and candy with their Lone Star card following the passage of SB 379.

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SB 25 requires food manufacturers to label foods by 2027 that contain any one of 44 additives or colorings not permitted in food sold in the United Kingdom, Australia, the European Union or Canada.

The state labeling requirements would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027 but a loophole exists that if on Dec. 31, 2026 a snack food producer wants to stick with its existing packaging for another decade, no warning label is needed because the new law applies only to a food product label developed or copyrighted on or after January 1, 2027.

The bill also requires elementary, secondary and postsecondary educational institutions to re-prioritize health and exercise. It also forces health professionals to take continuing education courses regarding nutrition and metabolic health. And it will require recess or physical activity for kids in charter schools  physical activity is already required in public schools.

HB 26 creates a pilot program within Medicaid to offer pregnant moms with nutritional counseling and medically-tailored meals.

Reproductive health

Texas banned all abortions three years ago, with a narrow exception that allows doctors to terminate a pregnancy only to save a pregnant patients life. Immediately, doctors and legal experts warned that this exception was too narrow and vaguely written, and the penalties were too severe, to ensure women could get life-saving care.

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SB 31 says doctors need not wait until death is imminent to intervene, but affirms that the condition must be life-threatening to justify performing an abortion. It will also require doctors and lawyers to take continuing education courses on the nuances of the law.

Legislators passed a bill restricting cities, like Austin and San Antonio, from using taxpayer dollars to assist people who travel out-of-state to have an abortion. But the highest profile anti-abortion bill, SB 2880, which would have allowed anyone who manufactures, distributes, provides or prescribes abortion pills to be sued for $100,000 passed the Senate but stalled in the House.

Mental health

Lawmakers passed bills to expand crisis hotline services and provide loan reimbursement to address the mental health workforce shortage.

After a couple days of debate about the role of mental health professionals in Texas, lawmakers passed SB 646, which broadens eligibility for Texas loan repayment assistance program to include school counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other behavioral health professionals.

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HB 5342 establishes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund, which will accept donations, grants and federal funds to maintain or improve the crisis line. Additionally, the bill mandates an annual report on the usage of the crisis centers participating in the 988 network.

Texas lawmakers imposed some restrictions on how minors accessed social media.

SB 2420 sets up requirements for age verification and parental consent before a minor is allowed to download or make purchases within software applications. Under this bill, developers must assign age ratings to their apps, disclose the reason for the rating, and notify the app stores of any significant changes.

Parental consent will not be required for specific emergency or educational applications, such as those providing access to crisis hotlines.

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A bill to ban minors from social media altogether failed in the last few days of the legislative session.

Major budget items and agency changes

Several budget items involving health care and services for Texans were also approved.

Among them were an extra $100 million to fund child care scholarships to low income families on a waitlist for child care.

Nearly 95,000 Texas children are on a waitlist for child care scholarships at a time when facilities are closing and the cost of child care in Texas is making it difficult for working parents to make ends meet.

Last year, HHSC asked for $300 million worth of upgrades for its Medicaid and food stamps enrollment system but will? receive less than half that ask, about $139 million. The agencys request came after Texas and the nation suspended Medicaid rules requiring participants to renew their applications more often during the pandemic and then removed nearly 2 million participants following the pandemic. The improvements will shorten the time between application for health care coverage and food assistance and activation of those benefits.

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In Texas, Medicaid is mostly a childrens health insurance program. Only low income children, the elderly and new moms are covered by Medicaid in this state.

There is also a $18 million increase over the next two years for the states Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services which assists families with children up to 36 months who have developmental delays, disabilities or certain medical diagnoses that may impact development.

A $60 million rider was put in to cover Texas costs of entering a federal summer lunch program in 2027. The 2023 program would give qualifying parents $120 over the summer months to help pay for lunches when school is out of session. More than 30 states now participate in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program which also goes by the name Sun Bucks.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick championed the passage of Senate Bill 5, which creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, to study dementia, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and other brain conditions. Modeled after Texas cancer institute, the measure received bipartisan support. Abbott has signed the bill but the measure now goes before the voters to approve whether $3 billion in general revenue can be used to fund the project.

The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector Generals office investigates health care and benefit fraud. This year, a handful of bills were passed to help streamline investigations by the office and update salary classifications for OIG officers to those of other Texas law enforcement officers, improving recruiting. This comes as the office has been instrumental in identifying fraud within some of the states health benefits systems, leading to firings of some agency employees.
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) is launching a new leadership development program.

We are intentionally investing in the leadership development of our fine, high-achieving students with this brand new innovative program, says TAMUT President Ross Alexander.

The program, called EagleLEAD, will be available to first-time college students.

Waiting for them to go into the field to get the experience defeated the purpose so we developed a co-curricular product so that they can build their experiential base in leadership alongside when theyre earning their degree and that is how Eagle Lead was born, says Lisa Myers, Executive Director of the School of Professional Education and Community Engagement.

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Students will take part in coursework and seminars as well as work with mentors.

For students who are in the program, they will interface with industry experts. They will interface with campus experts, including myself, to learn and live leadership, says Alexander.

The university offers a Bachelor of Science-Leadership degree that has traditionally been geared towards adult students, but this program expands opportunities for everyone.

The idea is to recognize that leadership is not specific to any field, so all the students and all the majors had the opportunity to build up their leadership skills, says Myers.

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The program is being initially funded by a grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation. The announcement of the program coincided with the announcement that the library space in the University Center will now be known as the Texas Pioneer Foundation Leadership Commons.

I think its been rewarding to see the growth, the impact, and value of Texas A&M Texarkana for this region and for the community, says Fred Markham, President of the Texas Pioneer Foundation.

Students who take part will be able to leave the university with a Certificate in Transformational Leadership.

I feel that students graduating and going out into the workforce will be better prepared to be leaders of integrity and to make a difference, not only in their organization but in the community and region at large, says Markham.

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The program will begin at the start of the upcoming fall semester and will be limited to 20 students a 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 KTALnews.com.
A Texas law enforcement agency reportedly used license plate data shared by a Chicago-area police department in locating a woman for immigration enforcement purposes, despite Illinois state law prohibiting such use.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office allegedly used data from Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR)  also referred to as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)  through Flock Safety, a private company. The "National Lookup" feature is used by law enforcement agencies "for purposes of immigration enforcement."

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office notified the Mount Prospect Police Department that it was among multiple other law enforcement agencies whose data was used by the Texas department.

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"The use of ALPR data collected by Mount Prospect Flock Safety cameras for this purpose does not align with the Mount Prospect Police Department's values and is a clear violation of Illinois state law," the Chicago department stated in a press release.

Illinois license plate reading program flags 'immigration,' 'abortion'

A site called 404 Media shows the Johnson County Sheriff's Office requested data from 83,000 of Flock Safety's cameras, including those in Mount Prospect.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is requesting an investigation into the incident by the attorney general, The Independent reports. He says he is also making an audit system to prevent similar uses of ALPR data in the future.

A 2023 Illinois law prohibits the sharing of license plate data to track undocumented immigrants or people seeking abortions.

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A total of 262 immigrant-related searches were made between mid-January and April in Mount Prospect alone, Giannoulias said. Deputy Secretary of State Scott Burnham warned that such violations could lead to the loss of state funding.

Giannoulias says he requested that Flock Safety block access to 62 out-of-state agencies seeking data related to abortion or immigration. The ALPR company also created a program to flag access requests with the terms "abortion" and "immigration" and deny the requests. Finally, law enforcement agencies will be required to respect the secretary of state's audits with the goal of noting trends in certain requests, Burnham explained.

"I am tremendously upset that some law enforcement agencies who agreed to follow Illinois law, in order to gain access to our ALPR data, conducted illegal searches violating the trust of our community," Chief of Police Michael Eterno said. "As disappointed as I am with these other agencies, I want to emphasize that no member of the Mount Prospect Police Department shared ALPR data in violation of the law.

I realize that this misuse of Mount Prospects ALPR data violates the trust of our community, and we as a department will continue to work to enhance the Flock ALPR software and ensure this abuse does not occur in the future."

Illinois police department opts out of data sharing

Following the incident with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the Mount Prospect Police Department said it has made, or plans to make, several changes to prevent similar incidents in the future, including

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opted out of the Flock Safety "National Lookup" feature

cancelled any data sharing agreement with law enforcement agencies who violated Illinois state law

revoked access to Mount Prospect's ALPR data for all law enforcement agencies outside of Illinois

will be updating its ALPR policy to include regular audits of the searches being conducted by internal and external users

As of Friday morning, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office had not issued a public statement about the incident. The name of the individual who was the focus of the search has not been disclosed to the public.

ALPR company says Texas police were searching for woman with self-induced abortion

Flock Safety has released a statement amid what it calls "a misunderstanding."

The ALPR company indicated contact with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office regarding the incident in Illinois, seeking to correct "misreporting" that the program was used "to target people seeking reproductive healthcare." The Sheriff allegedly told Flock Safety that this "is unequivocally false."

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"According to the Sheriffs office, a local family called and said their relative had self-administered an abortion, and then she ran away," Flock Safety said. "Her family feared she was hurt, and asked the deputy to search for her to the best of their abilities. Law enforcement performed a nationwide search in Flock, the broadest search possible within the system, to try to locate her quickly. Luckily, she was found safe and healthy in Dallas a couple of days later."

The woman faces no charges and was never under criminal investigation, the ALPR company added, saying that Texas police were looking for her as a missing person rather than as a crime suspect.

"Were grateful for the opportunity to work with Illinois officials to clarify what happened, correct misconceptions, and implement lasting improvements that uphold the trust of both law enforcement agencies and the residents they serve."

 The Independent contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas police use of license plate data under investigation in Illinois
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Several Texas leaders have shared their thoughts and reactions after Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Israel struck Irans nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, and Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will face a severe punishment over its attack on the country. Iranian missiles later struck Israel in retaliation.

The Latest: Israel hit by missiles as Iran retaliates for strikes on nuclear sites

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News of the attacks has stirred up concern on social media, and several world leaders have posted their reactions. Lawmakers and politicians in Texas have also taken to the internet or issued statements in response to the attacks.

Gov. Greg Abbott

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X Friday morning, Israel was forced to defend itself  and American interests  from the Iranian regime that was hell bent on building nuclear weapons that would have endangered the globe. Texas stands with our ally taking necessary action to protect its people & restore global stability.

Congressman Michael McCaul

Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released the following statement:

President Trump gave Iran every chance to negotiate in good faith and to dismantle their nuclear program.



Prime Minister Netanyahu was also clear: The alternative to diplomacy would be strikes on Iran  a message he reiterated to me when I met with him this month. Unfortunately, the regime chose not to take the path of peace  to prioritize their own interests over their peoples. They brought this calamity on themselves.



One thing is certain: Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon, and our world is safer for it. They would be wise to come to the table and make an agreement with President Trump while the offer still stands. If they instead choose to harm U.S. troops in the region, they will once again regret it.

Sen. Ted Cruz

Senator Ted Cruz appeared on Newsmax with Greg Kelly late Thursday and posted the clip on X.

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Iran said they would not dismantle their advanced centrifuges. That was a giant middle finger to President Trump, Cruz said in the post. Tonight, we saw the consequences of Irans defiance.

He also appeared on Fox News, asking viewers to pray for Israel, posting the same message in a another post on X. Heres my message to the Ayatollah: If you strike at America, I have every confidence that President Trump will respond with overwhelming force, Cruz said in the post.

Sen. John Cornyn

Senator John Cornyn posted a message in solidarity with Israel on X Thursday night.

Israel has an unquestionable right to defend itself. I am proud to stand with Israel. #AmYisraelChai, the post said.

Congressman Greg Casar

Democratic Congressman Greg Casar posted in opposition to Israels strikes.

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Netanyahus reckless strike risks provoking a wider war and pulling in the United States. Trump must oppose Netanyahus escalation and pursue a diplomatic path to deal with Irans nuclear program. Trump must not violate the Constitution by involving American troops in Netanyahus war without coming to Congress, Casar said in a post on X.

Casar followed that up with another post, criticizing President Trump.

Trump promised peace and stability. Then, he picked reckless partisans for top foreign policy jobs. Now hes egging on escalation in a conflict he already made worse by tearing up a nuclear deal that was working. Trumps recklessness is undermining stability abroad and putting American lives at risk. Trump must reverse course and deescalate the situation.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett

Rep. Lloyd Doggett also opposed Israels preemptive strike and criticized President Trump. Doggett posted the link to a New York Times story headlined, What to Know About Israels Strikes on Irans Nuclear Program and Military Leaders, along with his thoughts on the strikes.

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Trumps weakness again on full display, Doggett said in the post on X. Just as he is too weak to stand up to war criminal Putin on Ukraine, Trump is too weak to restrain Netanyahu from interfering in ongoing negotiations for a peaceful way to prevent Iran from going nuclear. George W. Bush restrained Netanyahu from launching such an attack, but Trump is incapable of doing the same. Trumps weakness heightens the danger of the US being pulled into another deadly and costly Mideast war.

Rep. August Pfluger

Rep. August Pfluger backed Israel.

Israel has every right to defend itself. The United States stands firmly behind Israel, he said in an X post.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Brief

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office informed Mount Prospect of their data, as well as other Illinois law enforcement agencies,' was accessed through the National Lookup feature via Flock Safety by other law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement purposes.

The Johnson County Sheriffs Department in Texas utilized the feature, accessing the data from over 83,000 cameras around the country, including Mount Prospects.

Mount Prospect has since opted out of the program.

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. - A Texas sheriffs department accessed license plate reader data from Mount Prospect police as part of immigration enforcement efforts, in violation of Illinois law, authorities said.

What we know

The Illinois Secretary of State's Office informed Mount Prospect that its dataand that of other Illinois law enforcement agencieswas accessed through the National Lookup feature via Flock Safety by other law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement purposes.

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This is a violation of Illinois law, according to authorities.

Police said the investigation also revealed that other law enforcement agencies conducted 262 immigration-related searches on Mount Prospect's data.

The Johnson County Sheriffs Department in Texas utilized the feature, accessing the data from over 83,000 cameras around the country, including Mount Prospects.

Mount Prospect has since opted out of the program.

What they're saying

"I am tremendously upset that some law enforcement agencies who agreed to follow Illinois law, in order to gain access to our ALPR data, conducted illegal searches violating the trust of our community", said Chief of Police Michael Eterno "As disappointed as I am with these other agencies, I want to emphasize that no member of the Mount Prospect Police Department shared ALPR data in violation of the law. I realize that this misuse of Mount Prospects ALPR data violates the trust of our community, and we as a department will continue to work to enhance the Flock ALPR software and ensure this abuse does not occur in the future," said Chief Eterno.

Flock Safety said it is tightening access to the Illinois data.

The Source

Details for this story were provided by the Mount Prospect Police Department.
A hay bale, a K-9 unit, a hidden compartment, and a loaded flight to China set the stage for one of the weeks strangest immigration enforcement actions.

1. Smugglers Get Hay Bale Fever

In a post on June 9, U.S. Border Patrols Del Rio Sector Chief shared a video and praised a traffic stop by a Brackettville agent and K-9 unit that led to the discovery of two men allegedly being smuggled underneath bales of hay.

The agent was assisting the Texas Department of Public Safety when his canine apparently alerted him to a compartment in the trailer bed. According to the post, one of the individuals found concealed in the compartment had a prior assault conviction in Austin. The driver  a U.S. citizen  now faces state charges of human smuggling.

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The video, posted to X, shows at least two Hispanic men crawling out from beneath hay as officers reach into the trailer. Their faces were not visible. Border Patrol did not release the names of any individuals involved, nor did it say whether federal charges were forthcoming.

A Brackettville agent and his K9 partner supported @TxDPSSouth during a traffic stop and uncovered a hidden compartment being used to smuggle 2 illegal aliens. One of the illegals has a prior assault conviction in Austin! The driver, a US citizen, faces state smuggling charges. pic.twitter.com/gSV4he7BYC  U.S. Border Patrol Del Rio Sector (@USBPChiefDRT) June 9, 2025

Under Texas Penal Code 20.05 and 20.06, smuggling of persons can carry a 10-year minimum prison sentence if committed for pecuniary benefit or if it places the victim at risk of serious harm.

2. Trunk & Disorderly: Smugglers Caught at Javier Vega Jr. Checkpoint

Just days earlier, Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez posted images of another smuggling incident near Kingsville. Agents assigned to the Javier Vega Jr. Immigration Checkpoint allegedly discovered two Mexican nationals in the trunk of a sedan. The cars U.S. citizen driver was charged under 8 U.S. Code  1324 for alien smuggling, according to the tweet.

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That federal statute criminalizes knowingly transporting or harboring undocumented immigrants, with maximum penalties of up to 1o years in prison per count if the offense is committed for profit. Convictions can also carry steep fines.

Chavezs photos show the cars open trunk with two blurred individuals inside. The agency has not yet released booking information or court documents for the case.

We will arrest and charge you for smuggling aliens!! Great work by KIN BP Agents assigned to the Javier Vega, Jr. Immigration Checkpoint for rescuing 2 illegal aliens in the trunk of a car. USC Driver charged w Alien smuggling

2 Mexicans citizens charged with Illegal entry pic.twitter.com/8WehimYgYS  Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez (@USBPChiefRGV) June 11, 2025

The nationalities of the two individuals in the trunk were listed as Mexican, and both now face immigration violation charges for illegal entry, according to the Border Patrol.

3. 122 Chinese Nationals Fly Home

On June 3, a special high-risk charter flight departed Dallas carrying 122 Chinese nationals who had been ordered deported by U.S. immigration courts, according to a press release from ICEs Dallas Field Office. The public was not widely aware of this incident until June 9.

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The agency claimed that many of the deportees had been convicted of serious offenses, including murder, rape, drug trafficking, bribery, and human smuggling. ICE identified several individuals by offense and age  including a 47-year-old convicted of murder, a 27-year-old convicted of rape, and a 55-year-old found guilty of human smuggling, The Dallas Express reported.

ICE Dallas Field Office Director Josh Johnson said in a statement that the operation, which included detainees from across the country, was part of a broader DHS initiative to [enhance] public safety and [strengthen] national security. However, ICE did not release court records, conviction details, or the identities of the deported individuals.

Under U.S. law, specifically 8 U.S. Code  1231, individuals with final orders of removal must be deported within 90 days if a destination country is willing to receive them. China has historically accepted only a limited number of deportees, making this large-scale removal a significant development.

Just days earlier, The Dallas Express reported that federal prosecutors in Michigan charged two other Chinese nationals with attempting to smuggle a dangerous fungus, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States. Officials alleged the men were tied to the Chinese Communist Party and used a university lab to conduct unauthorized research on the pathogen, which threatens domestic crops.

To read about last weeks biggest border busts, click here: Texas Takedown Weekly: Borders Biggest Busts (June 6)
By Qabil Ashirov



Amid growing regional tensions, the Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has issued a warning to its citizens, advising them to refrain from traveling to Iran unless absolutely necessary.

According to a statement published by the ministry, the advisory comes in light of the deteriorating security situation following increased hostility between Iran and Israel.

"In view of the current heightened security risks stemming from the tensions between Israel and Iran, Azerbaijani citizens are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel to Iran. Those who must travel are urged to exercise extreme caution," the statement read.

The Ministry further emphasized that Azerbaijani citizens currently in Iran should strictly observe all safety and security protocols. It specifically warned against traveling near military or nuclear facilities and urged citizens to comply fully with the instructions of local authorities.

In case of emergencies, Azerbaijani citizens in Iran are encouraged to contact the Embassy in Tehran or the Consulate General in Tabriz via the following channels:

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Islamic Republic of Iran

???? [email protected]

???? +98 905 523 01 07

Consulate General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Tabriz

???? [email protected]

???? +961 4 922 066

The Foreign Ministry's call reflects Azerbaijans growing concern over regional instability and aims to ensure the safety of its citizens amid an unpredictable security environment.
Tokenization platform Ondo Finance ONDO has debuted its flagship U.S. treasury-backed token on XRP Ledger (XRPL), giving institutional investors new tools to manage cash on the blockchain.

Qualified purchasers can mint and redeem Ondo Short-Term U.S. Government Treasuries (OUSG) tokens around the clock using Ripples U.S. dollar stablecoin RLUSD, the press release said. Initial supply of the token on XRPL is $30 million to ensure liquidity, the firms said.

"This integration strengthens our commitment to providing reliable and composable infrastructure at the intersection of traditional finance and DeFi," Ian De Bode, chief strategy officer at Ondo Finance, said in a statement.

The expansion follows Ondo's announcement in January, targeting to go live in six months, CoinDesk reported then.

Tokenized Treasuries have spearheaded the rapidly growing real-world asset trend, which is bringing traditional financial instruments like bonds, funds and real estate onto blockchain rails. The market value of tokenized U.S. Treasuries mushroomed to $7.2 billion, up from $1.7 billion a year ago, according to rwa.xyz.

These products allow investors to park idle cash without leaving blockchain rails to earn a steady yield that's independent from crypto markets, similar to a money market fund. Increasingly, they are also used as reserve assets for decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols and as collateral in trading and asset management.

OUSG with $693 million supply is the third largest of its kind following BlackRock's BUIDL and Franklin Templeton's BENJI, per rwa.xyz data.

The new offering also fits into XRP Ledger's growing ambition to position itself as a hub for tokenized assets. This week, Guggenheim Treasury Services said it will issue Digital Commercial Paper on the network, while Dubai announced last month a tokenized real estate platform developed on XRPL as part of its $16 billion property tokenization goal.

Read more: RWA Tokenization Is Going to Trillions Much Faster Than You Think
A Texas truck driver who kidnapped and killed a 25-year-old Army veteran last year was sentenced to life in federal prison Thursday, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office in North Texas said.

Naasson Hazzard, 28, of Austin, was convicted on a charge of kidnapping resulting in death in February, the Star-Telegram previously reported. The victim, identified by family members as Caleigha Zangari of Dallas, was found dead last August in the woods off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg.

Surveillance video presented at trial showed Zangari entering Hazzards semi truck on the night of Aug. 15, 2024, officials said in a statement. Zangaris body was found eight days later with a plastic bag tied around her head.

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Hazzard had initially picked up Zangari with the intention of performing a sex act, according to the statement. In the days that followed, he switched cellphones and deleted his Google and Life360 location sharing accounts, officials said.

Hazzard also cleaned his truck with bleach and searched online for the sentences for first-, second- and third-degree murder, according to the statement. He and his wife later returned to the scene before going to dinner in Tyler, officials said.

Zangari served in Afghanistan and became a victim of sex trafficking after returning to the United States, her family previously said.
A Texas woman was arrested on Wednesday after Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers discovered 25 illegal immigrants crammed into the back of a box truck, hidden behind mattresses and inside a crawlspace.

DPS said 43-year-old Silvia Patricia Santamaria, of Houston, was arrested and charged with 25 counts of human smuggling and has since been booked into the Live Oak County Jail.

Just after 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a concerned citizen approached a DPS trooper at a truck stop along Interstate 37 in George West, Texas, regarding a minor crash that happened in the parking lot.

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When the trooper contacted the driver of a white 2005 International box truck involved in the crash, later identified as Santamaria, she allegedly told the law enforcement official she was driving to Houston after picking up mattresses in Alton, Texas.

17 Illegal Migrants Discovered Crammed In Rv, Sedan In Sweltering Arizona Heat

Texas DPS said Silvia Patricia Santamaria was driving a box truck that contained 25 illegal immigrants in the cargo area.

DPS said the trooper noticed inconsistencies in Santamarias travel plans and asked for consent to search the truck.

Read On The Fox News App

With assistance from the George West Police Department, the trooper discovered 25 illegal immigrants inside a small corner of the box truck who were attempting to hide behind 30 mattresses and inside a crawl space within the trucks wall, DPS said.

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DPS added that there was no ventilation inside the truck.

Alleged Human Smugglers Arrested In Texas After Hiding Migrants Inside Hollowed Hay Bales

Texas DPS said Silvia Patricia Santamaria was driving a box truck that contained 25 illegal immigrants in the cargo area.

The group of immigrants comprised of 12 males, 12 females and an 11-year-old child.

All the migrants were from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India, Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, DPS said.

The illegal immigrants were removed from the truck and received medical evaluation before being referred to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Driver In Texas Migrant Smuggling Run That Led To The Deaths Of 53 People Pleads Guilty

In 2022, San Antonio officials discovered 51 dead immigrants inside an abandoned tractor trailer.

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Officials said at the time they believed the truck was abandoned after it experienced mechanical problems.

A city worker discovered the trailer after hearing a cry from inside the trailer.

At least 46 migrants were found dead at the scene and more died in hospitals.





Original article source: Texas woman arrested for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants hidden inside box truck
A London Underground driver was spotted knitting and watching videos on their phone while operating a train.

The Northern Line driver shocked commuters by appearing distracted at Hendon Central station in February this year.

The driver was later dismissed by Transport for London (TfL) after an investigation.

One witness, who caught the incident on camera, said: I was so surprised. I didnt expect to see someone meant to be at work being so casual about the job.

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Especially because, at the time, there were Tube strikes going on, so it felt mad they were complaining about the job then relaxing on it.

A TfL spokesman said: This video was made earlier in the year. We carried out a full investigation and the person involved no longer works at TfL.

London Underground drivers can earn up to 72,849 a year for a 35-hour week.

Strike action

The Tube has been rocked by strike action in recent years.

Last year, TfL offered Tube drivers a four-day working week that would have come into effect from 2027 in an attempt to help fend off a series of threatened strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

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It was rejected by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

In return for an extra day off, drivers would have been asked to work the same 35 hours a week they do at present  while retaining their salaries of 72,849 and the generous travel perks that come with it.

Shifts on those four working days would have been lengthened by around 45 minutes, taking them to 8.5 hours on average.

Last year, Tube workers were given a 5 per cent pay rise by Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, that cost the taxpayer 30 million, prompting accusations that he had found a magic money tree.

Underground drivers also enjoy 43 days holiday a year, thanks to a previous deal that saw time spent on shift but not working transferred into extra holidays.

Sir Sadiqs record

Sir Sadiq has presided over more walkouts on the Tube network than the past two London mayors combined, despite promising zero strikes when he first ran for office.

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Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone, Sir Sadiqs predecessors and the first two London mayors since the post was created in 2000, oversaw 51 strikes between them over a combined period of 16 years.

Sir Sadiq exceeded that total in March 2022.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office (TGSO) jail roster on their website has been temporarily down for maintenance for the past month and there has been an update.

TGSO jail roster down temporarily

As of June 13, 2025, the TGSO jail logs are updating again on their website. At the time of publication, the photos of the arrestees have yet to populate on the website, but the names and the arrest information aspect are back up.

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Terroristic threat and ICE holds top Friday, June 13 jail logs

The email notifications for the jail logs have resumed as well.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's Supreme Court will hold hearings in July over the legitimacy of the prolonged hospital stay of influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in lieu of prison, and it could potentially send him back to jail.

Friday's hearing came a day after Thailand's medical council upheld its decision to punish three doctors who allowed the 75-year-old tycoon to avoid jail, with the court requesting the medical council's resolution to be submitted to its hearing.

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Although Thaksin does not hold a formal role in government, he remains highly influential and is seen as the power behind the ruling Pheu Thai party, which is led by his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The mounting challenges against the ex-premier, who is also currently on bail for a separate case of insulting the monarchy, have put more uncertainty around a government already besieged by a faltering economy and a border crisis with Cambodia.

The controversial billionaire former premier was sent to jail after his dramatic homecoming from self-exile in 2023 to serve a sentence of eight years for abuse of power and conflicts of interest.

The sentence was reduced to one year by the King. During his first night in prison, he was transferred to a police hospital after complaining of chest pains.

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Thaksin remained in the hospital's VIP ward for six months until he was released on parole. His prolonged stay has sparked public outrage and raised questions over his ailment.

The court on Friday summoned 20 witnesses to appear at its hearings, including a former corrections department head and physicians who treated Thaksin, as well as his medical records. Thaksin will be able to call his own witnesses at the hearings.

The panel of five judges set six sitting days next month to hear the case, with the first on July 4 and the last on July 30. The court said Thaksin was not required to appear at the proceedings.

"The truth is he was sick and he has completely served his sentence," Thaksin's lawyer, Winyat Chartmontri, told reporters outside the courthouse.

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"The medical council never said Thaksin was not sick, the question was whether his conditions were critical or not," Winyat said when asked about the medical tribunal's decision.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um, Writing by Chayut Setboonsarng, Editing by John Mair)
The founder of a Hull theatre for children with learning disabilities has been named in the King's Birthday Honours list.

Daniel Swift, 28, who set up the Concrete Youth charity in 2019, was awarded a MBE for services to the arts and to people with disabilities.

Mr Swift said he was "incredibly grateful and honoured".

Other people in East Yorkshire and Hull who were honoured include Leon Myers, head teacher of Swinemoor Primary School in Beverley, Michael Mitchell, who runs the Developing Minds project, Hull College vice principal Ranjit Singh, Jacqueline Crawford and Anita Barnard.

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Mr Swift said: "I'm excited that this recognition marks a moment of visibility for sensory theatre created with and for audiences labelled with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)."

He added that the honour reflected "the collective efforts of so many incredible colleagues, collaborators and artists who are dedicated to making the arts more inclusive".

He has run special school workshops and supported young people who wish to embark on a career in accessible theatre and produced the first ever West End production specifically designed for audiences labelled with PMLD.

Also awarded a MBE is John Thirkettle, who is the manager of Mental Health Operations at Humberside Police.

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The service ensures that officers responding to emergency calls get the most appropriate care and support for people with mental health issues, the force said.

Mr Mitchell will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his work supporting young people entering the railway industry.

The Developing Minds project aims to get youngsters from deprived areas into rail engineering and IT.

Mr Myers, meanwhile, has been awarded a MBE for services to education.

Ranjit Singh said his OBE was an "incredible honour" [Hull College]

Ms Crawford, who was awarded a MBE for services to the community in Goole, and Ms Barnard, who received a MBE for her work in foster care in the East Riding, were also honoured.

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Elsewhere, Mr Singh was awarded an OBE for services to further education.

He said it was an "incredible honour".

"This recognition is a reflection of all the amazing staff at Hull College, who I have the privilege of working with every day," he said.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Rowena Fire continues to rage in Wasco County, where winds are picking up and creating a challenge for firefighters while local residents reckon with the blazes aftermath.

Helicopters and planes have performed water drops between Mosier and The Dalles all Thursday to aid in the fight against the 3,500-acre fire that remains 0% contained.

READ MORE: Rowena Fire burning in Wasco County was human-caused, wildland officials say

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Among the devastation are several homes and cars along Highway 30 that are now completely leveled by the fire. One resident, Nick Grzych, showed KOIN 6 News that he lost everything.

Where his house stood just days ago, he spent the day sifting through a pile of rubble, burnt metal, ash, and debris. Thats all there is left of the home he shared with his son for five years.

Grzych said he was visiting the coast with family when evacuation alerts began pouring in Wednesday afternoon.

I got a Level 3 by the time I was in Cascade Locks, and by the time I hit Hood River, my neighbor called me and sent me pictures of what was going on, he said. It was fast. It was really fast

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KOIN 6 spoke with him as he saw the state of his property for the first time.

Im more sad about the things I cant replace, the pictures, some of my sons artwork, he said. But the rest of its just stuff. You know, you can buy more stuff. Im sad about the missed opportunities of my son growing up here.

Oregon State Police and the Wasco County Sheriffs Office are actively on the ground today combing through the devastation to count the structures lost. At least 20 structures have been destroyed.

We did everything we could to mitigate the fire danger, but fires dont care, he said. I mean, theres nothing we can do. If I was here, it wouldnt have been any different. So, Im just glad everybody was safe.

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Portland man accused of sexually abusing developmentally disabled child for 7 years

Grzych said while he always knew it was a risk living in the area, he never thought he would be impacted by the fires.

Just kind of one of those, You never think its going to happen to you, but its very real. It does, Grzych said.

KOIN 6 spoke with others who lost their home, including Floyd Barber Jr., who has lived in Rowena for 35 years. A barren landscape is all that remains in the area where his home once was.

Barber, who just had heart surgery and sells raspberries at the Saturday market, said he and his family are still trying to figure out what theyre going to do next without the aid of insurance.

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Its hard to swallow all this. It really is, Barber said.

Tialer Rundell escaped the blaze with his cats, a t-shirt and a phone charger, within minutes of devastation.

My neighbor came across the street and he was pounding on the door and so I opened the door, and he said, Theres a fire, weve got to go! Rundell said. We got maybe a quarter of a mile away from the house or so and some of the flames were coming up the embankment, and so we had to drive through it, and so we couldnt see anything in front of us, and we could feel the heat through the car.

Thankfully, Rundell and his young boys are staying with his mother in The Dalles.

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Everything is replaceable. But couldve been a lot worse, Rundell said.

There are currently GoFundMe fundraisers for both Barber and Rundell.

It remains an active fire zone. Wasco deputies say theyve had reports of people stopping along 1-84 and other unsafe areas to walk into Level 3 Go Now evacuation zones.

They are urging people to stay out of these dangerous areas for the publics safety and the safety of the multiple fire crews working to protect these properties.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On June 11, a woman was shot in the head and a man was shot in the foot during a shooting in Seattles Pioneer Square neighborhood.

That woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition and the man shot in the foot is in serious condition.

A day later, Seattle police officers assisted the Seattle Fire Department with a call for a person who had a gunshot wound to the leg.

The 54-year-old told officers that he got the injury during the shooting from the day before.

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He was taken to Harborview in serious condition.

The shooting happened at 3rd Ave and James Street around 5:17 p.m. on June 11. The third victim was found a block away from the initial shooting.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call the SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

The investigation is ongoing.
When Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head on 7 June, it shocked the international community. After years of growing peace, the attack was a callback to Colombia's most violent years, when cartel-ordered assassinations were a common occurrence.

But the identity of the alleged shooter proved even more shocking - a 15-year-old child.

A video, shared widely online, shows police arresting a young man with a boyish face and hair over his shoulders, wearing blue jeans and a green T-shirt.

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Media has reported that after he was swiftly arrested, he cried out: "I did it for money for my family."

He subsequently pleaded not guilty, the prosecutor's office said.

Turbay has remained in critical condition at a clinic in Bogota since last Saturday. Authorities are now searching for the people behind this crime, who allegedly used the boy to carry out the hit.

Unfortunately, if it proves to be true, the boy's story is all too common. According to the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, 409 children and teenagers were recruited by armed groups in 2024, an increase from the 342 cases reported in 2023.

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Authorities acknowledge that the data is underestimated.

Decades of armed conflict and organised crime have left thousands of children victims of violence in Colombia.

Over the years, many have been recruited by now-extinct drug organizations like the Medellin cartel led by Pablo Escobar and left-wing guerrillas, paramilitary forces and new armed and criminal groups.

"Minors were even used by public forces in undercover missions. Every single actor of the conflict has recruited minors," Max Yuri, director of the Institute of Political Studies at Antioquia University, told BBC Mundo.

More than 30 years after Escobar's death, child recruitment remains a problem in both urban and rural areas [AFP / Getty Images]

The child hitmen hired by Escobar

In the 1980s, many youngsters and minors were picked up by Escobar to carry out hits.

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"It was known as the practice of 'Los suizos'. Many youngsters and minors joined suicidal missions," Jorge Mantilla, a criminologist and security consultant and security coordinator for the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, told BBC Mundo.

One of the most infamous was John Jairo Arias Tascon, known as 'Pinina,' considered to be one of the hitmen closest to Escobar.

He is linked to several high-profile crimes, such as the assassination of the minister of justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in 1984; the attack on Avianca Flight 203, in which 110 people died in 1989; as well as several murders of politicians, journalists, civilians, and criminal adversaries.

Pinina died aged 29 in a shoot-out with police in 1990 in Medellin. It is believed he started as a hitman as young as 15-years-old.

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On 22 March 1990, another 14-year-old boy named Andres Arturo Gutierrez Maya shot and killed presidential candidate Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa at Bogota's El Dorado airport.

Then there was Gerardo Gutierrez, "Yerry", another young man who ended up being the main suspect in the killing of presidential candidate Carlos Pizarro Leongomez in 1990.

Escobar was initially blamed for the crime, but he denied any involvement.

According to the Historical Memory Center in Colombia, "Yerry" was shot dead by a bodyguard. Years later, the leader of the paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, Carlos Castano, admitted that he trained the hitman and planned the crime along with corrupted Colombian officials.

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To this day, the murder of Pizarro has not been fully solved.

Minors as war weapon

Recruited children usually share a common background.

Most come from low-income urban areas or isolated rural territories where the Colombian state has a limited presence.

There is a difference, however, between rural and urban recruitment.

While minors in urban areas often seek to improve their economic and social status, many rural youths are forcibly recruited by armed groups, who also harass and threaten their families.

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"It is a cheap labour force, easy to replace. Because of their malleability, they are often assigned acts of terror such as dismemberment," Mr Yuri said.

"It is common for them in cities to also be involved in the transportation of weapons, drugs, drug dealing, extortion collection, hitmen work, and murders," he added.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace estimates that more than 18,000 children were recruited by Farc guerrilla between 1996 and 2016, when this left-wing group signed a peace deal with the government.

But continued clashes between Colombian forces and other guerrilla groups mean that the demand for child hitmen has not gone away.

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Meanwhile, the recruitment methods have become more sophisticated.

In June 2024, the BBC reported how armed groups are using tools such as TikTok to reach youngsters in isolated areas in Colombia.

Authorities fear that forced recruitment of minors is increasing [AFP / Getty Images]

Rising numbers

A report by the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo states that 1,953 minors were reported missing in 2024, more than half of whom are still unaccounted for.

The information is based on data provided by the National Institute of Legal Medicine, and one of the theories behind the disappearances is that the children may have been forcibly recruited.

Children who live in impoverished regions are especially vulnerable.

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Of the 409 minors the Ombudsman's Office identified as having been recruited, about 300 were detected in Cauca, a troubled part of Colombia where coca is grown to make cocaine, that has become a frequent site of military operations.

Other hotspots for recruitment were Putumayo and Cauca Valley, where the conditions of violence are similar.

Mr Mantilla said that some recent data indicated forced recruitment may have skyrocketed by 1,200% in the last few years since the pandemic.

The rise is attributed to economic decline in vulnerable areas post-pandemic, and the territorial expansion of armed groups, Mr Yuri said. He also said public institutions are better at tracking these youths than they once were, leading to a rise in the overall official numbers.

"Child recruitment has been possible because of the existence of unprotected, abandoned and marginalised children, and legal loopholes in the Colombian justice system," Mr Mantilla said.
The map above the route for the U.S. Armys 250 birthday parade. (AP Graphic)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAV)  The Army will celebrate its 250th anniversary with a parade Saturday. It is also President Donald Trumps 79th birthday. As many as 200,000 people to attend.

More than 6,000 troops are scheduled to march, including the 3rd ID. More than a hundred Army tanks and other vehicles will roll through Washington streets and 62 aircraft will buzz overhead to honor the Armys milestone. One unknown is the weather. Rain is in the forecast, so theres a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.

Crews work on setting up an archway on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) A U.S. Army soldier walks past a Bradley fighting vehicle staged in West Potomac Park ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) U.S. Army soldiers work on Stryker combat vehicles staged in West Potomac Park ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) U.S. Army soldiers hold a performance as Washingtons Continental Army during the Army Birthday Twilight Tattoo event at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Fort Myer, Va. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) A crew member walks past U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters that will participate in an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Seen through security fencing, Army Spc. Steven Holmes, left, watches Army Sgt. Chase Beasley, right, take a swing as they sit-in on a game of softball with congressional staffers on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) People walk by security fencing as it is installed around Lafayette Park and the White House during security preparations for a festival and parade to commemorate the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) 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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) 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. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) U.S. Army military tanks are prepared for transport to Washington, D.C., Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Military tanks and other military vehicles are transported via railroad to Washington, D.C. for an upcoming parade for the Armys 250th anniversary, Monday, June 2, 2025, at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Physician Assistant Maj. Aubrey Hanson looks through the doors of the Aid Station that has been set up for the up to 5,000 soldiers who will be quartered in the GSA Regional Office Building for the Armys 250th Birthday celebration, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) Command Sgt. Maj. Carla Stancil opens the door of the outdoor shower facilities for the up to 5,000 soldiers who will live in the GSA Regional Office Building for the Armys 250th Birthday celebration, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) Boots sit next to a cot in one of the sleeping areas set up for the up to 5,000 soldiers who will be quartered in the GSA Regional Office Building for the Armys 250th Birthday celebration, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) Army soldiers play cards in the USO that has been set up for the up to 5,000 soldiers who will be quartered in the GSA Regional Office Building for the Armys 250th Birthday celebration, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf) U.S. Army personnel offload tanks and other military vehicles, Monday, June 9, 2025, at the CSX railroad yard in Jessup, Md., ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) U.S. Army personnel prepare tanks and other military vehicles that were offloaded at the CSX railroad yard in Jessup, Md., Monday, June 9, 2025, ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office, speaks during a Public safety briefing on preparations for a festival and parade to commemorate the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army, with at far left,Phillip Bates, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office Mission Services Division, and Jessica Taylor, Chief of the U.S. Park Police, and at right Clint Osborn, Director of the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, and Pamela Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Monday, June 9, 2025, at the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Center, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) People walk by security fencing as it is installed around Lafayette Park and the White House during security preparations for a festival and parade to commemorate the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Workers install security fencing on the National Mall, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, outside the USDA Whitten Building where a large photograph of President Donald Trump is draped, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) A U.S. Army soldier works on a Stryker combat vehicle staged in West Potomac Park ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Stryker combat vehicles are staged in West Potomac Park ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) A flight helmet rests on a seat in a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter that will participate in an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Army Sgt. Victoria Robinson speaks to the press outside a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter that will participate in an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter is seen through the window of another CH-47 Chinook helicopter, part of a group of aircraft that will participate in an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, June 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) People pass by and take photos with a tank, parked on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) The U.S. Capitol is seen through security fencing, set up on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Seen through security fencing, Army Sgt. Chase Beasley, left, watches as Army Spc. Steven Holmes, right, take a swing as they sit-in on a game of softball with congressional staffers on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Armys 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trumps 79th birthday, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Brandon Bell / Getty Images Papa Johns market capitalization is around $1.6 billion

Shares of Papa Johns jumped Wednesday on the news that the pizza chain might be taken private.

Papa Johns International (PZZA) stock finished the session up 7.5%, after rising as much as 15% earlier in the day to its highest level since November. A Semafor report said that asset manager Apollo and Irth Capital Management have bid to take the company private in a deal valuing it at about $2 billion. Papa Johns market capitalization is around $1.6 billion, according to Visible Alpha.

Irth Capital, which is associated with Qatars royal family, as well as Apollo and Papa Johns, did not respond to Investopedias requests for comment in time for publication.

Papa Johns in early May reported first-quarter North American comparable-store sales that were down year-over-year. Its shares' value has risen more than a quarter this year, climbing off April lows.



Read the original article on Investopedia
China's Yunnan province was struck at the start of June by devastating flooding that impacted nearly 5,000 residents and trapped more than 600 tourists.

What's happening?

Torrential rains soaked southwestern China during the country's Dragon Boat Festival, a long holiday weekend celebrated this year from May 31 through June 2. The intense rain fell in Yunnan, which borders Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. Local authorities had issued a red alert, the highest level of four in China's four-colored warning system, before the deluge arrived.

The flooding rains triggered mudslides and destroyed buildings and bridges in the region. Fortunately, no casualties were reported despite 4,800 residents in Gongshan County being impacted by the severe weather.

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Some popular hiking sites in the mountainous region had their road access cut off during the flooding. An evacuated four-story building on the Dulong River, which reached record levels during the flooding, collapsed, according to state broadcaster CCTV, per Reuters.

Why is extreme flooding in China important?

Our warming world is altering the water cycle. "Climate change is likely causing parts of the water cycle to speed up as warming global temperatures increase the rate of evaporation worldwide. More evaporation is causing more precipitation, on average," according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. "We are already seeing impacts of higher evaporation and precipitation rates, and the impacts are expected to increase over this century as climate warms."

Our overheating planet is supercharging storms. Climate Central discovered that many U.S. cities (88% of the 144 analyzed) have experienced an increase in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970. In another study, Climate Central scientists found that our overheating planet increased wind speeds for every Atlantic hurricane last year.

Another flooding event made headlines in late May, just a few days prior to the Yunnan event. A storm produced a deadly deluge in New South Wales, Australia, killing at least five people and leaving an estimated 50,000 people stranded.

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"Climate change is increasing the risk of landslides," according to French geophysicist Gilles Grandjean, per the Paris Polytechnic Institute. Even though the direct role our planet's rising temperatures have on landslides is difficult to pinpoint, "as climate change affects precipitation (by increasing the frequency of extreme events), it also has an impact on the risk of landslides," added Grandjean.

What's being done about extreme rainfall events?

Scientists say our warming atmosphere is acting like steroids for our world's weather. Cooling our planet by moving away from dirty energy and adopting renewable options is the best way to counter this effect.

New research from scientists in Germany and the United Kingdom has shown how small, hydrogen-powered boats could significantly lower carbon pollution from Europe's transportation sector. Chinese researchers may be close to a major breakthrough that would mark a significant advancement in solid-state batteries, which many say is the "holy grail" for green tech.

We can become advocates for the future of our planet by learning about critical climate issues and raising awareness about them through discussions with friends and family. Supporting pro-climate politicians is another way we can help protect our planet.

Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.




In whats expected to be a massive display of opposition to President Donald Trumps brutal immigration raids and other policies, throngs of Americans are slated to turn out at No Kings protests Saturday across all 50 states in communities large and small.

The event organizers  which include Indivisible, the American Civil Liberties Union and 50501  say there are around 2,000 demonstrations in the works on the same day that Trump has arranged a military parade honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, which happens to fall on his 79th birthday.

No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance, a website for the event states. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, were taking action to reject authoritarianism  and show the world what democracy really looks like.

People take part in an earlier iteration of the "No Kings Day" protest in D.C. in February. via Associated Press

Trumps event is a spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isnt staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else, it continues, adding: Were not gathering to feed his ego. Were building a movement that leaves him behind.

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Trump dismissed the demonstrations in remarks Thursday.

I dont feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved, he said from the White House, adding: Were not a king at all, thank you very much.

The protests website has an interactive map to help demonstrators locate events, each of which has an individual page with details about start times and locations. In Wyoming, the reddest state in the country, more than a dozen protests are planned.

People seeking to organize a protest in their area are asked to use this toolkit to register one, though theres one city organizers have said wont have protests: Washington, D.C., the site of Trumps military parade.

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Were making the center of gravity on June 14 everywhere President Trump isnt, organizers said. So rather than coming to D.C. to conflict with his military parade, were going to be everywhere else to contrast against it.

A federal employee protests in D.C. on Presidents Day. via Associated Press

Philadelphia, which is expected to have one of the bigger protests, will host a livestream of the event, Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, told The New York Times.

She wouldnt say how many attendees were expected at the protests but did say the events had more RSVPs then Indivisibles massive Hands Off! protests in April, which in D.C. alone drew an estimated 100,000 people.

The protests come as agents from Trumps Immigration and Customs Enforcement descend on immigrant communities around the country, rounding up undocumented people in raids. Those taken into custody include people showing up to immigration court hearings and young, asylum-seeking children.

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In a legally dubious move, Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles during protests against the raids there. Despite pushback, he also deployed Marines to the city, where hundreds arrived Friday morning.

Related...
AYDEN, N.C. (WNCT)  Three people were arrested after a report of a stolen excavator from a construction site in Ayden on Apr. 21, 2025, deputies with the Pitt County Sheriffs Office said.

An investigation found the excavator in the Greensboro area. Law enforcement also found the excavator was part of a scam involving a third party who picked it up under the belief it was for rent.

Warrants were taken out June 10th for the arrests of Broderick Moore, Christine Cox and Ron Mazon were all charged with:

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Felony larceny

Attempting to obtain property by false pretenses

Conspiracy to commit obtaining property by false pretenses

Felony conspiracy

Moore, 35, of Greenville, was caught June 11th after he surrendered to law enforcement. He was released on a $50,000 bond.

Cox, 31, of New Bern, also surrendered and was released on a $50,000 bond and Mazon, 51, of Greenville also surrendered and was released on a $5,000 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 WNCT.
The Brief

Three individuals were arrested for a violent kidnapping and assault across three counties in southeast Georgia, initially charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault.

The suspects allegedly assaulted the victim multiple times, including a sexual assault in a wooded area, and face additional charges such as aggravated battery and false imprisonment.

The case is under investigation, with further charges expected, and will be reviewed by prosecutors from multiple judicial circuits.

SOPERTON, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested three people in connection with a violent kidnapping and assault that spanned three counties in southeast Georgia.

What we know

Dean Tanner, 30, of Tarrytown; Lauren Bailey, 43, of Vidalia; and Jeff Sconyers, 51, also of Vidalia, were arrested on May 29, 2025, and initially charged in Treutlen County with kidnapping and aggravated assault.

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According to authorities, the incident began on May 28 when the victim reported being attacked at a home on Tarrytown Road in Soperton. The Treutlen County Sheriffs Office requested the GBIs assistance in the case.

Investigators say Tanner, Bailey, and Sconyers assaulted the victim and then forcibly transported him to a residence on Pine Street in Vidalia, Toombs County. There, they allegedly beat the victim again, rendering him unconscious, and searched for items they believed had been stolen from a warehouse owned by Bailey.

The suspects then drove the victim to a wooded area in Ailey, Montgomery County, where he was reportedly sexually assaulted.

On June 9, the GBI announced that all three suspects now face additional charges in Toombs County, including aggravated assault, aggravated battery, burglary, and false imprisonment. A new warrant was also issued for Tanner in Treutlen County for aggravated battery. Further charges are anticipated in Montgomery County.

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Tanner, Bailey, and Sconyers remain in custody at the Treutlen County Jail.

What's next

The case will be reviewed by prosecutors from the Dublin, Middle, and Oconee Judicial Circuits once the investigation is complete, the GBI said.

The Source

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided the details for this article.
Three Square Food Bank, in partnership with DoorDashs Project Dash, delivers meals monthly to homebound seniors in Southern Nevada, addressing critical food insecurity issues.

This initiative has resulted in the delivery of more than 500,000 meals to date, thanks to the efforts of volunteers who pack meals at the Three Square warehouse and Dashers who deliver them.

It is a gratified feeling to be able to have someone have access to food, said Tara Nerida from Three Square Food Bank, highlighting the importance of their work.

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Sharon Simmons, a Dasher involved in the program, explained, There are a lot of times when they want to talk and its great to listen to them, emphasizing the personal connection she makes during deliveries.

Three Square Food Bank has been a vital resource for addressing food insecurity in Southern Nevada, particularly among homebound seniors who face transportation barriers.

The partnership with DoorDash through Project Dash allows the food bank to extend its reach by utilizing DoorDashs delivery network to bring meals directly to those in need.

Volunteers at the food bank play a crucial role by packing thousands of meals each month, which are then distributed by Dashers like Sharon Simmons.

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The program not only provides nourishment but also offers social interaction for recipients, as Dashers often serve as the only visitors some seniors receive.

Through the combined efforts of Three Square Food Bank, DoorDash, and dedicated volunteers, the program continues to make a significant impact on the lives of homebound seniors, ensuring they receive the meals and companionship they need.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLAS. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLAS staff before being published.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for around the time President Trumps Washington, D.C. military parade is scheduled to get underway Saturday. But marchers may catch a break.

The event honoring the U.S. Armys 250th birthday, which also falls on Trumps 79th birthday, is scheduled to hit its stride at 6:30 p.m. when tanks, soldiers and military equipment travel the six blocks bisecting the National Mall. That procession will be followed by music and a 9:45 p.m. fireworks display.

There will be festivities throughout the day beginning with Defense Secretary and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth honoring fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery at 8:15 a.m.

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The Nation Weather Services said Friday that morning drizzle could give way to showers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday followed by a possible thunderstorm. Showers are likely as Saturday night ends. Temperatures will reach a high near 83 degrees. Sunday could begin with a thunderstorm.

Accuweather warns thunderstorms could occur Saturday around 4 p.m., then resume around 9 p.m. According to the Weather Channel, the day will start out soggy, but Trumps parade looked like it would play out under cloudy skies and otherwise dry conditions as of Friday afternoon.

Overcast skies and lingering wet weather isnt expected to alter the event.

Military officials said 6,700 soldiers including 400 troops from the New York Army National Guards 42nd Infantry Division will march before the President. The event on the ground will also include 28 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley Fighter Vehicles, 24 horses and eight marching bands.

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Fifty aircraft including combat helicopters will fly overhead.

The Army estimates the celebrations cost, including $14 million in road damage, to be around $45 million.

Coinciding with the celebrations in Washington, D.C. will be dozens of nationwide No Kings Day protests meant to counter Trumps spectacle meant to look like strength.

Organizers of that demonstration are deliberately avoiding hosting gatherings in the nations capital. No Kings gatherings will take place in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

The Trump administration has found itself going to battle in the courts this week as the President pushes to deploy National Guard and Marine troops in Los Angeles to challenge anti-immigrant deportation protesters. California officials have called those actions unnecessary and illegal.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Republican U.S. Senator John Thune is responding to Israels recent attack on Irans capital city of Tehran.

In a post on X, the Senate Majority Leader issued a statement regarding Israels recent attack.

Damage in Sibley, IA after near 70 mph winds

In the post, Thune states that Israel hs determined that it must take decisive action to defend the Israeli people and that the United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region.

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He also states that Iran should heavily consider consequences before taking any action against American influence in that area.

Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson also responded to the attack on X.

Israel is within its right to defend itself from Iran, the largest state-sponsor of terror. Iran breached its obligation and must end its nuclear weapons program. The United States will stand with Israel who continues to face threats across the Middle East.

Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds issued a statement Friday afternoon.

Iran has been financing Hamas terrorists for decades, in addition to supplying them with materials and training their forces. Its no secret that Iran wants to see Israel wiped off the map. Their missile strikes today confirm that. In addition, this Iranian regime has clearly been preparing to make nuclear weapons for years. Their only purpose was to threaten Israel and the United States. They were doing this while pretending to negotiate in good faith. Time to call it what it is.

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Our allies in Israel have determined that their strikes on Iran last night were a necessary step in defending their nation against those that wish to see it decimated. We stand with our friends and allies during this time. We also continue to pray for all of our U.S. troops who are stationed in the region, Rounds said in an emailed statement.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Top of the Ticker: C-SPAN, NewsNation, and Newsmax will offer live coverage of Saturday's U.S Army's 250th Anniversary Parade and Celebration. The parade-which also takes place on President Donald Trump's birthday-will be held along Constitution Avenue near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

C-SPAN's uninterrupted live coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET, hosted by Pedro Echevarria. NewsNation's coverage will also begin at 6 p.m. led by Leland Vittert and Anna Kooiman, with additional live reporting from Chris Stirewalt, Kellie Meyer, Robert Sherman, and Joe Khalil. Finally, Newsmax's Carl Higbie will host the network's coverage overlooking the parade route and the South Lawn of the White House. Correspondents Mike Carter, Logan Ratick, and Alana Auston will be positioned in key locations along the route.

SATURDAY: @USArmy 250th Anniversary Parade & Celebration in Washington, DC  LIVE at 6pm ET on C-SPAN https://t.co/z0T6c1jl63 pic.twitter.com/PY0ho6LAet  CSPAN (@cspan) June 13, 2025

Montana meet-up: The Associated Press is reporting that Vice President J.D. Vance recently met with Fox Corp.'s Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, as well as senior Fox News executives. No details were made available for the brief visit, which took place at the Murdoch family ranch in southwest Montana. Representatives from both sides did not provide any comment regarding the reasons for the encounter.

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BBC complaints: Veteran BBC News journalists who were recently laid off have filed discriminatory complaints against the news organization. According to Deadline, the journalists allege their employment was terminated because of their ages. The BBC News disclosed to the publication that it does not comment on personnel matters, but said that its layoff process-part of a savings plan announced in October 2024-thorough and fair.

Podcast news: CNN is rebranding one of its internal departments in recognition of the podcast mediums growing popularity. CNN Audio will become CNN Podcasts, with The Hollywood Reporter noting that the network will expand its roster of shows and formats, focusing on talent that may be underutilized on TV.

Also undergoing a rebrand is Fox News anchor Will Cain's digital show, which will be known as Will Cain Country starting June 16. Airing live at nooon on weekdays, Will Cain Country will continue to be available first on FoxNews.com and Fox News' YouTube channel and then packaged as a podcast afterwards.

Meanwhile, ABC News Audio and 20/20 have announced a new six-episode podcast that examines the tangled life of Hossein Nayeri, the mastermind behind one of the most brutal crimes in California history. Devil in the Desert premieres June 17, and will be hosted by ABC News' chief national correspondent Matt Gutman.

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Sophomore season: Fox Nation has inked a new deal with acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, which for an eight-episode second season of Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints. The new series will begin in November and run through the Spring of 2026. The first season broke Fox Nation's viewership records as its highest-engaged and most-watched series of all time.
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., said China might be the voice of "moral authority" following Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders.

During a "Whats Next: Conversations on the Path Forward" event hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), Walz responded to a question from CEO Neera Tanden about the "escalatory" nature of the strikes. Walz said, "Iran has to retaliate, in their mind," and the "Middle East is back on fire in a way that has now expanded."

"Now, who is the voice in the world that can negotiate some type of agreement in this? Who holds the moral authority? Who holds the ability to do that? Because we are not seen as a neutral actor, and we maybe never were," Walz said of the United States' role in de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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According to Walz, the United States once attempted "to be somewhat of the arbitrator" in those negotiations during the Iran Nuclear Deal, but he said Americans must face the reality that the "neutral actor" with the "moral authority" to lead negotiations in the Middle East "might be the Chinese."

Walz Ripped For 'Sickening' Use Of Nazi-era Language Describing Trump's Immigration Policy: 'Anti-american'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks to delegates at the South Carolina Democratic Party Convention on May 31, 2025, in Columbia, S.C.

Walz didn't elaborate on why China would be that world leader.

Read On The Fox News App

Walz Says Harris Picked Him For Vp To 'Code Talk To White Guys'

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The Democrat's ties to China took center stage during his brief time as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate during the 2024 presidential election.

During the 2024 campaign cycle, Fox News Digital reported that Walz had been a longtime vocal supporter of a medical research institute in his home state with a long track record of collaborating with a firm labeled by the Pentagon as a "Chinese military company" and with Chinese officials with controversial ties to the CCP.

And in a letter unearthed by Fox News Digital, Walz boasted about Minnesota hosting several top Chinese leaders. The Minnesota International Chinese School showcased a 2021 letter from Walz on its YouTube channel celebrating the 10th anniversary of the school's Chinese New Year.

CAP, who hosted the conversation with Walz, has its own questionable ties to China.

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Fox News Digital reported in 2024 that CAP Founder John Podesta, a former Obama and Clinton administration official who was tapped by the Biden administration to serve as senior advisor to the president for clean energy innovation and implementation, has close ties to Tung Chee-hwa, a top CCP official.

Tanden did not follow up on Walz's claim that China might be the world leader on peace negotiations, saying sarcastically, "Well, I definitely rest easy knowing Pete Hegseth is the secretary of defense."

Fox News Digitals Jessica Chasmar, Cameron Cawthorne and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.





Original article source: Tim Walz floats China as 'neutral actor' with 'moral authority' to negotiate Middle East peace
Former Democratic vice presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., is hoping for rain on Saturday during President Donald Trump's military parade.

During a "Whats Next: Conversations on the Path Forward" event hosted by the Center for American Progress (CAP), Walz told CEO Neera Tanden that he had never hoped for rain so much in his life.

"I'm just going to confess to it," Walz said. "It might get me in trouble. Whatever. I have never so hoped for rain in my life."

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Trump is hosting a massive Flag Day military parade on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to gather in the nations capital to witness the historic parade, which also coincides with the president's 79th birthday.

Tim Walz Floats China As 'Neutral Actor' With 'Moral Authority' To Negotiate Middle East Peace

Gov. Tim Walz (right) said he is hoping for rain during President Donald Trump's military parade.

According to the FOX Forecast Center's Risk Of Weather Impact ( Rowi ) assessment, there is a medium risk of inclement weather in the nation's capital, with showers and thunderstorms expected throughout part of the evening.

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And Walz is hoping for that perfect storm.

Protesters Expected To Converge On Dc, Neighboring Cities Ahead Of Trump's Military Parade

The Democrat, who rose to the national stage as Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate during her brief 2024 presidential campaign, criticized Trump along his usual attack lines on Friday.

Walz said Trump is "incompetent at governing," and America is in a "dangerous time" under Trump's leadership, which the Minnesota governor said is "marching towards authoritarianism" following the chaotic incident in which authorities forcibly removed Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., from a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference Thursday.

President Donald Trump speaks at Fort Bragg on June 10, 2025, in Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Democrat confirmed on Friday that he will be speaking at a "No Kings" protest in St. Paul, Minn., this Saturday during Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C.

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"Somehow this got tied to billionaires in China funding this or whatever," Walz said Friday. "I'm like, these are like people in St. Paul that just do protests and stuff. That's what they do. They're feeling it, and they organized it. I think going and making that case, it is a good counter."

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., grilled Walz about attending the protest during a House Oversight Committee hearing with his fellow "sanctuary governors" on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Luna said DHS discovered that China considered Walz a "prime target for influence operations."

Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota, during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing in Washington on June 12, 2025.

"You are working with, and going to be speaking at, an organization and rally that is not just funded by Christy Walton, the heiress of Walmart, but also has ties to the Chinese Progressive Association largely funding it, that actually brags on their website that they are pro-Maoist," Luna said.

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But Walz dismissed Luna's allegations, doubling down that Trump's military parade "just looks wrong, feels wrong."

"I think I'm going to go be with a few thousand folks who kind of have the tradition that there is a separation there, that we don't need this. This is not Pyongyang on a Saturday," Walz said, before admitting he was hoping for rain.

Pyongyang is the capital of North Korea, which is a communist, totalitarian dictatorship. Walz has joined many Democrats, including those planning to protest on Saturday, who have criticized Trump's military parade, drawing comparisons to China's and North Korea's military parades.

Trump's military parade on Saturday comes amid escalated conflict in the Middle East, after Israel launched air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leaders, and Iran responded by launching missiles toward Israeli territory.

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Walz was ridiculed earlier this year for celebrating Tesla's stock drop as protests raged on, rejecting Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

"On the iPhone, theyve got that little stock app. I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day  $225 and dropping," Walz said at the time.

FOX Weather's Raymond Sanchez contributed to this report.





Original article source: Tim Walz hopes it rains on Trump's military parade: 'I'm just going to confess'
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Dive Brief:

A judge of the Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed on Monday compensation vendor Payscales attempt to enforce a noncompete agreement against its former director of sales because the agreement was overbroad.

Per the court, the defendant in Payscale v. Norman and BetterComp, Inc. signed an agreement prohibiting her from engaging in any competitive business for or on behalf of any person or entity other than Payscale or its parent company for an 18-month period following separation. The defendant left PayScale in December 2023 and joined competitor BetterComp 10 months later, and PayScale sued to enforce the agreement.

The court held the agreement was unenforceable because it was overbroad in both geographic and temporal scope, prohibiting nationwide work in almost any role for any company engaged in business that [Payscales parent company] or its subsidiaries were conducting, or had even proposed conduct, as of [the plaintiffs] departure. It also held that the agreement was broader than necessary to protect Payscales business interests.

Dive Insight:

The decision is a reminder to employers that noncompetes, while often employed to prevent key talent from going to competitors, have been scrutinized both by courts and legislators across the U.S., especially when they are found to have overbroad stipulations.

The Federal Trade Commission in 2024 attempted to ban noncompetes nationwide over concerns that the agreements hindered competition by preventing affected workers from freely changing jobs. While federal courts ultimately blocked the ban, a number of state and local governments maintain limits on noncompetes within their own jurisdictions, according to the Economic Innovation Group.

In Payscales case, the court determined that the company provided only minimal consideration to secure the noncompete and that, when this is the case, the Court of Chancery has found a nationwide scope overbroad, the judge said.

Though the defendant received some nontransferable incentives in exchange for entering the agreement, the court found that the value of those incentives could not reasonably have been able to support an eighteen-month, nationwide prohibition on work.

Additionally, the judge held that the scope of the agreement was broader than necessary to protect Payscales business interests. Notably, the agreement prohibited the defendant from working in the same line of business as Payscale and its parent companys other subsidiaries even though the defendant is not alleged to have any special knowledge of [the parent companys] business that it conceivably could have an interest in protecting.
Israel and Iran opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict when Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Israel said it targeted nuclear and military facilities, killing Iran's top military and nuclear scientists.

Israels attack comes as tensions have escalated over Irans rapidly advancing nuclear program, which Israel sees as a threat to its existence.

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Here is a timeline of some significant events in the hostilities between the two countries:

Early days

1967  Iran takes possession of its Tehran Research Reactor under Americas Atoms for Peace program.

1979  Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fatally ill, flees Iran as popular protests against him surge. Pahlavi maintained economic and security ties with Israel. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returns to Tehran and the Islamic Revolution sweeps him to power. Students seize the United States Embassy in Tehran, beginning the 444-day hostage crisis. Irans nuclear program goes fallow under international pressure. Iran's new theocracy identifies Israel as a major enemy.

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August 2002  Western intelligence services and an Iranian opposition group reveal Irans secret Natanz nuclear enrichment facility.

June 2003  Britain, France and Germany engage Iran in nuclear negotiations.

October 2003  Iran suspends uranium enrichment.

February 2006  Iran announces it will restart uranium enrichment following the election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Britain, France and Germany walk out of stalled negotiations.

June 2009  Irans disputed presidential election sees Ahmadinejad reelected despite fraud allegations, sparking Green Movement protests and violent government crackdown.

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October 2009  Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. and Iran open a secret backchannel for messages in the sultanate of Oman.

Iran's nuclear program is a primary target

2010  The Stuxnet computer virus is discovered and widely believed to be a joint U.S.-Israeli creation. The virus disrupted and destroyed Iranian centrifuges.

July 14, 2015  World powers and Iran announce a long-term, comprehensive nuclear agreement that limits Tehrans enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.

2018  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel obtained tens of thousands of pages of data showing Iran covered up its nuclear program before signing a deal with world powers in 2015. An ex-Mossad chief confirms the information was obtained by more than a dozen non-Israeli agents from safes in Tehran in 2018. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdraws from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers.

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2020  Alleged Israeli attacks against Irans nuclear program are stepped up significantly after the disintegration of the 2015 nuclear deal meant to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

July 2020  A mysterious explosion tears apart a centrifuge production plant at Irans Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. Iran blames the attack on Israel.

November 2020  A top Iranian military nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is killed by a remote-controlled machine gun while traveling in a car outside Tehran. A top Iranian security official accuses Israel of using electronic devices to remotely kill the scientist, who founded Iran's military nuclear program in the 2000s.

April 11, 2021  An attack targets Irans underground nuclear facility in Natanz. Iran blames Israel, which does not claim responsibility, but Israeli media widely reports the government orchestrated a cyberattack that caused a blackout at the facility.

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April 16, 2021  Iran begins enriching uranium up to 60%, its highest purity ever and a technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

June 2022  Iran accuses Israel of poisoning two nuclear scientists in different cities within three days of each other, though circumstances remain unclear.

Mideast wars

Oct. 7, 2023  Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip storm into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostage, beginning the most intense war between Israel and Hamas. Iran, which has armed Hamas, offers support to the militants.

Feb. 14, 2024  An Israeli sabotage attack causes multiple explosions on an Iranian natural gas pipeline running from Irans western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province to cities on the Caspian Sea.

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April 1, 2024  An Israeli airstrike demolishes Irans Consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing 16 people, including two Iranian generals.

April 14, 2024  Iran launches an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, firing over 300 missiles and attack drones in response to the Israeli airstrike in Damascus. Working with a U.S.-led international coalition, Israel intercepts much of the incoming fire.

April 19, 2024  A suspected Israeli strike hits an air defense system near an airport in Isfahan, Iran.

July 31, 2024  Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by an apparent Israeli airstrike during a visit to Tehran. Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over the Oct. 7 attack.

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Sept. 27, 2024  Israeli airstrike kills Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Formed by Iranian Revolutionary Guard members who went to Lebanon in 1982 to fight invading Israeli forces, Hezbollah was the first group that Iran backed and used as a way to export its brand of political Islam.

Oct. 1, 2024  Iran launches its second direct attack on Israel, though a U.S.-led coalition and Israel shoot down most of the missiles.

Oct. 16, 2024  Israel kills Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip.

Oct. 26, 2024  Israel openly attacks Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program.

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April 30, 2025  Iran executes a man it said worked for Israels Mossad foreign intelligence agency and played a role in the killing of Revolutionary Guard Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei in Tehran on May 22, 2022.

Friday, June 13, 2025  Israel launches blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists.

Saturday, June 14, 2025  Israel expands its airstrikes to include targets in Iran's energy industry as Iranian missile and drone attacks continue on Israel.

Sunday, June 15, 2025  Israel unleashes airstrikes across Iran for a third day and threatens even greater force as some Iranian missiles evade Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the heart of the country. Planned talks on Irans nuclear program in Oman between the United States and Tehran, which could provide an off-ramp, are called off.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A wanted fugitive was arrested Thursday after being on the run for months for charges related to the discharge of a firearm at law enforcement in 2024, according to the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office.

Bryan Lebel, 44, was charged with Violation of Probation, Simple Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance, Evading Arrest, and Resisting Arrest.

Bryan Lebel_Courtesy of Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office

On Thursday, over 70 law enforcement officers from various agencies including the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office, USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force, Tipton County Sheriffs Office, Fayette County Sheriffs Office, 25th Judicial Drug Task Force, Memphis Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Corrections, Tennessee Bureau of Investigations Drug Investigation Division, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Shelby County Sheriffs Office executed a strategic operation.

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They said this operation led to the arrest of Lebel while he attempted to flee the wooded area near his residence, in the 600 block of Henning Bethlehem Road in Henning, TN.

Deputies said he was arrested at a campground. They said there were different items to help him in the wooded area, like night goggles.

Alexia Lebel was also arrested for allegedly assisting Bryan to flee from law enforcement. She was charged with accessory and false report.

Alexia Lebel_Courtesy of Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office

West TN fugitive captured, charged with attempted murder

Thank you to all law enforcement officers who came together today for the greater good of Lauderdale County, TN. This case was important because the risk that Lebel places on the citizens of our county, and your assistance is invaluable. Sheriff Brian Kelley.

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The search for Bryan Lebel began after he failed to turn himself in to Lauderdale County Jail to serve time connected to a 2024 incident in which Lebel was charged with shooting at a Deputys vehicle.

In January of 2024, Lauderdale authorities and U.S. Marshals were searching for Lebel following a domestic violence incident in Henning.

According to the sheriffs office, when deputies responded to the call, Lebel shot at them. A patrol vehicle was hit, but no deputies were injured.

U.S. Marshals hunt for survivalist considered armed and dangerous

Lebel was taken into custody three days later without incident after his residence was surrounded by law enforcement.

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Lebel was charged with attempted murder, but the charge was reduced to aggravated assault.

Attorney Barney Witherington told WREG in May that a time was scheduled for Bryan Lebel to report to the Lauderdale County Jail to serve the time, but he did not show up.

We worked out an arrangement whereby Mr. Lebel was to serve 40 additional days in jail, and that would be sufficient to satisfy the jail requirement of his sentence, and then followed by. I think it was a total of four years of probation, said Attorney Witherington.

According to the sheriffs office, they spent four months searching for Lebel, who is considered a survivalist spending most of his time in the woods, making arresting him challenging.

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The Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office said this is an ongoing 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 WREG.com.
Trump border czar Tom Homan has said that the administration is planning to use the National Guard more broadly as it enacts its tough-on-illegal-immigration agenda.

The National Guard cant make immigration arrests, but they can certainly augment for security, transportation, infrastructure, intelligence, Homan told The Washington Post.

The Department of Homeland Security made a request a month before President Donald Trump federalized the National Guard and sent troops to California for 20,000 National Guard members to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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The National Guard would take part in tasks such as aiding ICE in catching fugitives and guarding detention centers, in addition to processing and transporting migrants, a memo obtained by The Post reveals. The Pentagon has stated that it is reviewing the request but has yet to decide how many troops to deploy.

Homan told the paper that hes amenable to using the National Guard against protests if the situation is similar to the one in California. The protests in Los Angeles have been limited to a small number of locations and local leaders have argued that the federal response was unnecessary.

Trump border czar Tom Homan has said that the National Guard may be deployed to cities other than Los Angeles to clamp down on protests (REUTERS)

If other cities go down the same path, I think thats an option we should consider, absolutely, said Homan. As long as its peaceful protest were OK, but if it gets out of hand like it did in L.A., then the president will consider it on a case-by-case basis.

A district judge ruled on Thursday night that the troop deployment was illegal; however, the decision was subsequently blocked by an appellate court later the same night.

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The administration has been looking into using the National Guard for immigration enforcement purposes for months, said Homan. He didnt say who came up with the idea.

The partnership between ICE and the National Guard in Los Angeles has already been activated. About 500 troops have been trained to follow ICE agents as they conduct raids, officials have revealed. The troops have provided security for immigration detentions this week.

Roughly 13,000 troops are guarding the southern border, and officials have said that the administration is considering using military bases to develop detention centers. Recently, officials from the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense have toured several bases, including Travis Air Force Base in California, Fort Walker in Virginia, and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.

However, this would lead to the U.S. military being more closely involved in immigration enforcement than previously, going against legal limitations that restrict troops from taking part in domestic law enforcement.

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Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine sent his states National Guard to the southern border during his tenure as governor, under the presidency of George W. Bush. Speaking to The Post, he said theres a difference between troops supporting border operations and taking part in immigration arrests elsewhere in the country.

I think its a very bad idea to use military for that, said Kaine. People want to believe that the military is there to protect this nation, and they dont want to think its being weaponized against them.

Kaine asked why the government wouldnt use other federal agents to work with ICE.

The answer is they are trying to intimidate people, he claimed. They know a military presence is more intimidating, but that means its also more likely to lead to an escalation problem.

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During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, We very much support President Trumps focus on defending the homeland on our southern border, as well as supporting law enforcement officials doing their job in ICE in Los Angeles.

Hegseth also stated that the National Guard could be deployed in other cities to counter potential anti-deportation protests.
The Houston Chronicle is part of an initiative with ProPublica and The Texas Tribune to report on how power is wielded in Texas.

Leaders for Texans for Lawsuit Reform, the biggest donor in Texas politics, say they have a simple strategy when trying to persuade state lawmakers: We never make enemies, President Lee Parsley said in late April. We only make friends.

But now that the Texas legislative session has concluded without lawmakers passing any of the groups three high priority bills, TLR is taking a decidedly different tact.

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In a blistering letter to members, Parsley called out by name the lawmakers he said stifled TLRs agenda and all but promised to take them on in primary campaigns next March. He laid much of the blame on House Speaker Dustin Burrows shoulders.

[Houston megadonor Dick Weekley and his group Texans for Lawsuit Reform are losing in the Legislature after 30 years of wins]

The groups political action committee must redouble our efforts to elect strong, ethical, legislators who value a civil justice system that has integrity, Parsley wrote in his letter to the groups members last week.

Its signature priority, Senate Bill 30  an effort to rein in medical costs in personal injury lawsuits  died after the House and Senate passed vastly different versions of the bill and could not reconcile the differences.

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I think its fair to say we may look at backing some primary challengers, Parsley said. Well take a good look at what happened toward the end of session and decide how to engage politically, but the people who did not support TLRs bill fully are certainly people who will be a focus for us.

The legislative strikeout on these civil justice bills marks a low point for TLR, which won massive rewrites of the Texas civil justice code in the 1990s and early 2000s, spending millions to elect like-minded lawmakers and lobby them to pass the legislation. At its height, the group  led by Houstons most prolific political donor, the homebuilder Richard Weekley  was largely seen as synonymous with the Texas Republican Party, positioning itself as the political voice of the states business community.

The groups political action committee remains the top political spender in the state, spending $21.2 million on legislative races in 2024. The tone of its letter suggests the group could be on a warpath in the March primary elections. Instead of protecting incumbents, TLR could begin targeting members who bucked the groups wishes.

It did feel a little strange because TLR has basically gotten everything they wanted for a long time now, and the one time it seems like they didnt, it feels like theyre throwing a tantrum about it, said Andrew Cates, a Democratic legislative lawyer and former lobbyist in Austin. Everybody else would have been licking their wounds and hanging back and trying to make nice.

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TLRs letter alleged Burrows placed skeptical lawmakers on the key committees charged with shepherding SB30. It also called out state Rep. Marc LaHood, R-San Antonio, the main holdout on the House committee that forced significant revisions to the legislation; and state Rep. Mitch Little, R-Lewisville, who helped win passage of an amendment that TLR said made the bill ineffective. It named more than a dozen other Republican members as well, several of whom defeated TLR-backed candidates in last years GOP primaries.

Cates said the groups criticism of Burrows was notable, since lobbying groups rarely take those kinds of disputes public. Burrows has been endorsed by President Donald Trump for another term, and speakers have broad power to block legislation in future sessions.

The political capital is going to be really wasted if you come at him and miss, Cates said.

When asked if TLR would support a primary candidate against the speaker, Parsley paused and said, Not ready to comment on that.

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Other lawmakers responded to the accusations with barbs of their own. Simply put, TLR lies, LaHood wrote in a response on X.

Little said in an interview, Obviously, they were upset with the outcome and looking for people to blame or attack, but Ill just say on my part, I forgive them and Im not offended by any of it. I understand that their policy agenda failed.

Burrows office did not respond to requests for comment. But Little said TLRs claim that Burrows led the effort to tank the legislation is not true in any way.

A gutted bill

This year, TLR pushed three bills: SB30, which advanced the farthest but was significantly watered down as the session wore on; SB39, which dealt with civil liability for trucking companies; and SB779, which would crack down on public nuisance lawsuits that cities and counties sometimes file against companies on behalf of the public.

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SB30 started off ambitious. The original draft, passed quickly by the Senate, would have required appellate courts to reduce or review large jury verdicts, capped medical costs by tying them to what Medicare pays out for services and combined several different lines of action for plaintiffs into one newly defined category of mental anguish.

One by one, each of those measures were cut. Still, even the watered-down version of SB30 did not have enough votes to get out of the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, said state Rep. Joe Moody, one of five Democrats on the 11-member committee. The bill looked like it would languish in the committee without a vote.

In its letter, TLR blamed Burrows for the committee rosters, saying his selections made it more difficult to pass the legislation. But Moody said it was Burrows who revived the bill, wanting to ensure that at least some portion of TLRs agenda made it to the House floor.

On May 20, Burrows urged the committee members to renew discussions on SB30 and come up with a version that they could agree on, Moody recalled. What resulted was a 12-hour negotiation that Little was also asked to join, though he was not a member of the committee.

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The outcome of that meeting was a stripped-down bill that mainly would do one thing: require judges to automatically admit certain benchmarks to establish reasonable medical charges. The bill passed through the committee, with Moody and LaHood in support.

TLRs letter also blasted LaHoods performance on the committee, saying it was concerned from the start that he was not philosophically aligned with the business community, and we were right. It accused LaHood of fleeing the committee meeting to avoid having to vote on TLRs other two bills, meaning both bills would die in committee.

I did not flee the JCJN committee room after SB30 was voted out, LaHood wrote in response, saying his opposition to those bills was clear. As the Chairman knew, I left to lay out a bill in another committee. Afterward, I returned, and we continued to vote out more bills I do not run from a fight or a tough vote.

LaHood said he was appalled by the breadth of what TLR was attempting to codify into law, and he said TLRs ham-fisted attempt to shirk responsibility for their poorly drafted, poorly conceived bills impugned his character along with Burrows, Little and the entire House chamber.

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State Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, who chaired the committee, put out a statement clarifying the committee meeting. He said he knew LaHoods position, which meant the bills did not have the votes to pass, and decided to shelf the bills.

That was my decision and my decision alone, Leach said.

Committee records back up that account. They show that LaHood temporarily left the meeting and that, in his absence, two other bills failed because they did not get a majority vote, but after LaHood returned, Leach called them up for a vote again  and both passed.

The other lawmaker to draw TLRs ire was Little. After the revised version of SB30 advanced to the House floor, TLR suffered one final defeat. Moody and Little were concerned about making evidence automatically admissible, since that requirement is rare in Texas law.

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On the floor, they introduced an amendment that would allow judges to exercise some discretion about whether to admit the evidence. For example, they would be able to consider whether the evidence was relevant to their specific case. TLR described it as a gutting amendment.

The group accused Little of reversing course after negotiating the bill that passed the committee. The bill would be killed by Little, Parsley wrote.

Moody and Little both said that was not true; they had made it clear the issue was not totally resolved during those negotiations, both lawmakers said. Little said he supported the change out of loyalty to the law and the application of the rules of evidence.

The House passed the amendment on a razor thin margin, 72-70, gutting the bill in TLRs eyes. Little said the vote showed that the House probably did not have the votes to pass the bill without the amendment.

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There was still one chance to save the bill, Parsley wrote, referring to the conference committee charged with reconciling differences in the House and Senate versions. But Burrows put Little on the committee as the swing vote, ensuring the amendment would remain, he said.

The House lawmakers refused to cut the amendment, and the bill died. Two days after lawmakers adjourned, TLR sent out its strongly worded letter.

The biggest donor

If TLR decides to go after the 17 GOP lawmakers who supported the amendment, it could open a new rift among House Republicans. That cohort is coming off a grueling 2024 primary season fought over issues like Gov. Greg Abbotts school voucher plan and Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment.

TLR invested $14 million in the primary cycle last year, but it was on the losing side of many of those campaigns, spending roughly $6 million to back incumbents in races they lost.

Among the large freshman bloc that swept into office in those campaigns, 10 cast votes against TLR by backing Moodys amendment. Those candidates had already defeated TLRs money in one primary and may have been less beholden to them than those in the past. LaHood and Little were among them.

TLR gave $320,000 to Littles opponent, Kronda Thimesch, and $99,500 to former state Rep. Steve Allison, who lost to LaHood. The political action committee, however, gave money to LaHood for his general election campaign.

The groups single biggest beneficiary during the primary campaign was Jeff Bauknight, doling out nearly $1 million to back his campaign for a house seat in Victoria. He lost to state Rep. AJ Louderback, R-Victoria  who voted for Moodys amendment.

State Reps. Andy Hopper, Shelley Luther, Brent Money, Mike Olcott, Katrina Pierson and Wes Virdell all were namechecked in TLRs letter of what it called a bad session. Each beat TLR-backed candidates in their primary campaigns last year. Others listed by TLR included veteran members who TLR has supported in the past.

TLRs losses last primary season may portend trouble in trying to target members who opposed them this year. But the group still has a massive war chest of $26.8 million, according to campaign finance records.

It usually reports raising about $6 million after a legislative session wraps up. It will have to disclose how much more money it has raised this year in July.

We understand the realities of Texas politics. I think that what were doing is the right thing. Parsley said. If the litigation environment remains the same for a long period of time, they will all realize that we were right about this all along, and they will wish theyd paid more attention to us.

Big news: 20 more speakers join the TribFest lineup! New additions include Margaret Spellings, former U.S. secretary of education and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center; Michael Curry, former presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; Beto ORourke, former U.S. Representative, D-El Paso; Joe Lonsdale, entrepreneur, founder and managing partner at 8VC; and Katie Phang, journalist and trial lawyer.

Get tickets.

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department is working the scene of a bike vs. car crash Friday morning.

27 News reached out to Washburn University Police, who confirmed that a vehicle vs. bike crash happened at the 17th and Washburn intersection. Washburn Police said the Topeka Police Department was working the crash. Police were at the scene as of 8:50 a.m.

AG Kobach rejects Gov. Kellys requests to join funding lawsuits

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The Kandrive.gov map shows minor traffic disruptions at the Southwest Washburn Avenue and Southwest 17th Street intersection.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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NEW YORK  A vandal torched 11 NYPD police cars in a Brooklyn parking lot just down the street from a police stationhouse early Thursday, police said.

At a press conference at the lot near the 83rd Precinct stationhouse on Knickerbocker Ave. and Bleecker St. in Bushwick, Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch decried the brazen act of vandalism, which the mayor tied to the ongoing anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles.

This is unacceptable, Adams said. We have stated over and over again, everyone has a right to peaceful protest. You do not have a right to destroy property of the City of New York. We have reasons to believe the person who participated in this act is connected to some of the protests thats taking place in Los Angeles and throughout the entire country, he added.

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But when asked what evidence he had connecting the vandalism to the unrest in LA, Adams did not elaborate.

The marked and unmarked NYPD vehicles were set ablaze inside the lot around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, cops said. The FDNY managed to put out the blaze within a few minutes. No injuries were reported, but the vehicles suffered extensive damage, according to officials.

Tisch did not offer a motive for the crime, but said that preliminary investigation has turned up surveillance footage of a masked suspect, who is dressed all in black, entering the lot after hopping a fence around 12:40 a.m. Around 40 minutes later, an officer from the 83rd Precinct caught the perpetrator in the act of committing the crime, or in flagrante delicto, as Tisch put it.

The officer interrupted the perpetrator as he was setting fire to a number of vehicles, at which point the perpetrator threw a piece of plywood and fled through an alleyway, Tisch said.

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Investigators believe the vandal poured gasoline on the police cars before setting them on fire.

On scene we found three vehicles that did not sustain fire damage with unignited fire-starter rolls and haystack bundles scattered across the rear passenger tires, the front tires and the windshield, Tisch said. In total, we found 12 unignited fire-starter balls and 10 unignited haystack bundles, as well as a torch-style lighter  all are legal to possess and can be purchased at stores like Home Depot.

The vandal also busted the windshields of some of the vehicles that werent torched, a police source said.

We are in the process of conducting a massive camera canvass at this time, Tisch said. The incident is being investigated by the NYPDs elite Arson Explosion Investigation Squad.

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The NYPD could not say if the perpetrator was connected with the protests in LA, as the mayor asserted, but tensions between the Brooklyn neighborhood and police are running high for several reasons.

The attack happened just hours after protesters held a Speak Out at the stationhouse, during which they blasted the cops for their treatment of Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrants at after-parties in the neighborhood on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Community leaders called for calm as the vandalism stokes growing tensions between the NYPD and Brooklyn residents.

City Councilmember Sandy Nurse, D-Bushwick, called the cars torching completely unacceptable.

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Actions like this have no place in our neighborhood, Nurse wrote on X Thursday. Our community is already under stress with ICE present. Now is the time to de-escalate, stand together and work through our challenges peacefully.

City Councilwoman Jen Gutierrez, who also represents Bushwick, agreed with Nurse and called for cooler heads to prevail.

We cannot stand up to this and any other threat with more violence, Gutierrez posted. We must de-escalate and keep our families safe.

Precinct officers are being accused on social media of having been heavy-handed as they broke up Puerto Rican Parade after-parties in Bushwick on Sunday.

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On Sunday evening, NYPD pigs from the 83rd Precinct launched a fascist offensive against the community of Bushwick, NYC, attacking Puerto Ricans and non-Puerto Ricans during peaceful celebrations during the Manhattan and Brooklyn Puerto Rican Day Parades, one post noted. The first attack happened around the Bush Dyke Bar around 8 p.m. Victims of this unnecessary raid reported being slammed to the ground, resulting in hospitalizations.

In a second incident, cops shut down an after-party at Mood Ring on Myrtle Ave. The incident resulted in at least one hospitalization, BKMag reported.

An NYPD spokesman said cops were called to the second venue around 12:20 a.m. Monday after getting a 311 call about a disorderly group outside.

Officers tried to disperse the crowd, but several people refused to leave, the spokesman said, adding that at least one partier assaulted a cop trying to move the crowd along.

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Police took five people into custody. Three were hit with criminal charges, and two were given summonses for disorderly conduct, officials said. The criminal charges ranged from assault and resisting arrest to obstructing government administration and criminal mischief, cops said.

The NYPD did not shut down the premises and no enforcement action was taken inside the establishment, the NYPD spokesman added. The NYPD entered the establishment only to speak with management.

The NYPD was aware of the Wednesday night protest, but it wasnt immediately clear if it was connected to the arson incident hours afterward.

_____

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Vandals torched 11 NYPD police cars in a Brooklyn parking lot down the street from a police stationhouse early Thursday, police said.

The brazen act of vandalism happened just hours after protesters held a Speak Out at the 83rd Precinct stationhouse on Knickerbocker Ave. and Bleecker St. in Bushwick, decrying the cops for their treatment of Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrants at after-parties in the neighborhood on Sunday night and Monday morning.

The NYPD was aware of the Wednesday night demonstration, but it wasnt immediately clear if the two incidents were linked.

The marked and unmarked NYPD vehicles were set ablaze inside the lot around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, cops said. The FDNY managed to put out the blaze within a few minutes.

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No injuries were reported, but the vehicles suffered extensive damage, officials said.

Two men dressed in black were seen fleeing the scene.

Investigators believe someone poured gasoline on the marked police cars before setting them on fire. A torch lighter was found on the scene.

Vandals busted the windshields of some of the vehicles they didnt torch, a police source said. Palm-sized wads of kindling were found in the wheel wells of at least one car.

Cops were scouring the area for surveillance video that captures the vandals walking to the lot, which is just down the block from the stationhouse.

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Community leaders called for calm as the vandalism stokes growing tensions between the NYPD and Brooklyn residents.

City Councilmember Sandy Nurse, D-Bushwick, called the torching completely unacceptable.

Actions like this have no place in our neighborhood, Nurse wrote on X Thursday. Our community is already under stress with ICE present. Now is the time to de-escalate, stand together and work through our challenges peacefully.

City Councilwoman Jen Gutierrez, who also represents Bushwick, agreed with Nurse and called for cooler heads to prevail.

We cannot stand up to this and any other threat with more violence, Gutierrez posted. We must de-escalate and keep our families safe.

Precinct officers are being accused on social media of having been heavy-handed as they broke up Puerto Rican Parade after-parties in Bushwick on Sunday.

On Sunday evening, NYPD pigs from the 83rd Precinct launched a fascist offensive against the community of Bushwick, NYC, attacking Puerto Ricans and non-Puerto Ricans during peaceful celebrations during the Manhattan and Brooklyn Puerto Rican Day Parades, one post noted. The first attack happened around the Bush Dyke Bar around 8 p.m. Victims of this unnecessary raid reported being slammed to the ground resulting in hospitalizations.

In a second incident, cops shut down an after-party at Mood Ring on Myrtle Ave. The incident resulted in at least one hospitalization, BKMag reported.

An NYPD spokesman said cops were called to the venue around 12:20 a.m. Monday after getting a 311 call about a disorderly group outside.

Officers tried to disperse the crowd, but several people refused to leave, the spokesman said, adding that at least one partier assaulted a cop trying to move the crowd along.

Police took five people into custody. Three were hit with criminal charges, and two were given summonses for disorderly conduct, officials said. The criminal charges ranged from assault and resisting arrest to obstructing government administration and criminal mischief, cops said.

The NYPD did not shut down the premises and no enforcement action was taken inside the establishment, the NYPD spokesman added. The NYPD entered the establishment only to speak with management.

_____
Scots would receive a 650 million cut to their tax bills funded by savings from cutting the SNPs bloated public sector, under plans to be unveiled by the leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Russell Findlay will use a keynote speech to his party conference in Edinburgh to unveil proposals for a Taxpayer Savings Act to rein in wasteful public spending and slash bureaucracy.

The legislation would cut the number of quangos by a quarter, bring business leaders into government to identify savings and cut red tape in the NHS and other bodies.

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Mr Findlay will promise that the savings would be used to fund tax cuts of up to 444 per year for workers forced to endure the highest income tax bills in the UK.

The Scottish Tories want to abolish the current 20 per cent and 21 per cent rates of income tax and instead ensure that a 19 per cent rate applies on all taxable earnings up to the higher rate threshold of 43,663.

Mr Findlays intervention came after he told The Telegraph at the start of the year that Scotland needed a MacMusk to cut the huge amount of SNP waste and incompetence in the countrys bloated public sector.

He said that John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, should follow the example of President Donald Trumps decision to bring Elon Musk into the US administration to cut state bureaucracy and inefficiency. Mr Musk has since left the role and is embroiled in a public feud with the president.

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Around 600,000 people are employed in Scotlands public sector, making up 22 per cent of the total workforce, compared with about 17 per cent in the UK as a whole. They are also paid on average 2,400 per year more north of the Border.

Meanwhile, anyone earning more than 30,318 pays more income tax than if they lived elsewhere in the UK. There are six tax bands in Scotland, double the total south of the Border.

Wielding a claymore on waste

In his first conference speech as party leader, Mr Findlay is expected to say: Putting a stop to wasteful spending is top of our agenda. We need to urgently streamline bloated government.

Improving services means treating peoples money with respect. Today I can announce that our party would introduce a Taxpayer Savings Act to get the books in order and deliver better value.

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This proposal would save 650 million by cutting red tape, getting a grip on spending, and harnessing business expertise. We would then use that money to bring down peoples taxes.

He will pledge that the Tories would shut down quangos that dont deliver value and tackle the SNPs culture of cronyism through strict new rules on public appointments.

No more jobs for the boys, and we would reduce the number of ministers and advisors. We would introduce a Scottish Agency of Value and Efficiency  run by business leaders, Mr Findlay is expected to say.

People in the real world who know how to get things done. They would be tasked with wielding a claymore on waste.

Starter rate

Mr Findlay will say his party would also introduce an Accountability and Transparency Index to scrutinise organisations that receive public money and dismantle the SNPs toxic era of secrecy.

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Workers pay a 19 per cent starter rate of income tax on all earnings above the 12,570 tax-free personal allowance up to 15,397, then a 20 per cent basic rate applies up to 27,491, rising to a 21 per cent intermediate rate up to 43,662.

Under the Tory plan, the 19 per cent rate would apply on all these earnings, from 12,571 up to 43,662. The move would benefit everyone earning 15,398 or above, with the maximum saving being 444 a year.

The Scottish Government was approached for comment.

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Jun. 12MITCHELL  On Wednesday evening, Dakota Wesleyan University hosted a town hall that brought together fewer than 50 local farmers and community members for a focused conversation on the challenges facing South Dakota's agriculture sector.

The event was part of a statewide series organized by Nikki Gronli, former USDA Rural Development state director and former vice chairperson of the South Dakota Democratic Party, and Julian Beaudion, a Democratic Party candidate for U.S. Senate, aimed at giving South Dakotans a platform to share their concerns.

Previous town halls in Rapid City, Aberdeen, Vermillion, and Sioux Falls attracted larger crowds and allowed participants to raise a wide range of issues, including cuts to Medicaid, the Department of Education, and the impact of trade tariffs.

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For the Mitchell meeting, however, organizers decided to narrow the discussion to focus solely on agriculture, a vital part of South Dakota's economy and culture.

"We decided to switch things up for this town hall," said Gronli. "Instead of letting people bring up any topic like before, we wanted to try focusing on just one issue and see what the response would be."

Joining Gronli and Beaudion on the panel were Marcia Bunger, a farmer and former administrator at the USDA's Risk Management Agency under President Joe Biden, and Al Merrill, a third-generation farmer from Parker. The discussion covered key agricultural concerns including economic pressures, federal policies, labor shortages, and funding for research and innovation.

Bunger opened by outlining the tough financial outlook for farmers this year. According to Bunger, corn prices have fallen below $4 per bushel and soybeans are under $10, while costs for seeds, fertilizer, and equipment remain high. Many farmers face losses ranging from $50 to $100 per acre on corn, with even greater losses on soybeans.

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"Farmers are not going to make any money this year," Bunger said bluntly.

This economic pressure was not new, she said, recalling the 2017 trade war with China that sent corn prices tumbling below $3 per bushel.

"Tariffs get placed on the backs of farmers every time there's political tension," she said.

Labor shortages were also a key topic, especially regarding the reliance on immigrant workers for harvesting fruits, vegetables, and dairy production. Bunger described how immigration enforcement actions have disrupted farming communities.

"When ICE shows up and just drags people away, it hurts the farms, and it hurts families," Bunger said.

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Merrill added that many immigrant workers are eager to work and are essential to the farm economy.

Beaudion emphasized the interconnectedness of these issues. He pointed out that South Dakota farmers export nearly a billion dollars in products through West Coast ports, which also rely on immigrant labor.

The panelists agreed that immigration is both a human and economic issue that requires bipartisan attention. One audience member suggested reviewing immigration policy every five years to adjust to changing needs.

The group then turned to federal policy, focusing on the farm bill  a comprehensive piece of legislation that governs agricultural and food programs nationwide, typically renewed every five years. Since the 2018 farm bill has been extended twice, its uncertain future is causing concern among farmers. Gronli noted that some parts of the bill may be folded into a reconciliation act with a 2031 deadline, potentially creating confusion and overlap.

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Broader federal budget cuts also sparked discussion, including reductions to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and local food programs. Beaudion explained that a 10% cut to SNAP could increase monthly food expenses for South Dakota families by approximately $267.

Joel Allen, director of the McGovern Center at DWU, raised questions about the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, the largest school-based feeding initiative globally, which faces funding uncertainties. Gronli confirmed that many food assistance programs have seen reductions.

"These cuts affect the children of the next generation," Beaudion said.

Merrill suggested that farmers would likely support a universal school lunch program to help children and strengthen communities.

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Another concern raised was the potential loss of USDA staff, with up to 25% of the workforce expected to leave by September. Gronli warned this could mean a significant loss of institutional knowledge in rural areas.

"That's institutional knowledge walking out the door, and many of these federal workers hold some of the best jobs in small rural communities," she said.

Industry concentration in meat processing also came under scrutiny. Frank Kloucek, a farmer and former state legislator from Scotland, highlighted the growing foreign ownership of major companies like Smithfield and Tyson. He advocated for restoring country of origin labeling (COOL), which requires meat products to be labeled with their country of origin, helping consumers make informed choices and supporting local producers. Kloucek also called for stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, a law designed to promote fair competition and protect farmers from unfair practices in livestock and meat markets.

Bunger shared an example from the poultry industry, where farmers who invested heavily in building barns lost contracts and insurance coverage after avian flu outbreaks forced companies to remove birds. Because the farmers did not own the birds, they faced substantial debt without compensation.

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"That sent shivers down my spine thinking about what could happen to our pork producers," she said.

The panel also emphasized the importance of agricultural research and disease prevention. Merrill stressed ongoing investment in protecting livestock from diseases like avian flu and foot-and-mouth disease is essential to safeguarding the food supply. Kloucek lamented that short-term budget cuts threaten long-term research projects.

"If you're not in it for decades, you're not really in it," he said.

As the evening concluded, Beaudion encouraged attendees to stay engaged and communicate with elected officials.

"Don't talk about nonsense. Talk about the things that matter to South Dakotans," he said.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department (TPD) arrested a man in connection to the citys eighth homicide this year.

Lieutenant Donna Eubanks with the TPD said in a press release Thursday, June 12 officers transported Pearson Carter III, 19, of Topeka, to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. He was arrested for the following crimes:

Murder in the 2nd degree, intentional.

Aggravated battery.

Criminal carry of a weapon.

Unlawful discharge of a firearm in city limits.

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Officers were called to the 700 block of Southwest Western before 8 p.m. on June 3 after reports of gunshots in the nearby area. Police found Ian A. Mwaniki, 29, of Topeka at the scene who was later declared dead by medical personnel.

Can you get in trouble for driving too slowly on the highway in Kansas?

People who have information to share with police regarding this situation are encouraged to send an email to telltpd@topeka.org or call 785-368-9400. You can send anonymous tips to Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or by clicking here.

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.

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ROCKVILLE, Md. (DC News Now)  A new grocery store has opened its doors in Rockville.

On Friday, Trader Joes had its grand opening at The Square in Rockville.

Trader Joes marks a pivotal moment in the revitalization of The Square, joining a lineup of new retailers and restaurants that have transformed this Montgomery County destination into a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and community connection, a news release stated.

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MCDOT looking to deter crime in Silver Spring parking garage in a unique way

The Square, formerly known as Rockville Town Square, was recently rebranded.

Trader Joes, along with other new eateries and establishments, is working to reshape the Square into a must-visit destination that reflects the tastes, energy, and spirit of the Rockville community.

The new location is at 36 Maryland Ave. Its shopping hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Budget chains such as Poundland have been having a tough time because of growing competition from supermarkets. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

The discount retail chain Poundland is expected to close dozens of its stores after it was sold to the investment company Gordon Brothers for 1.

Poundland, which has more than 800 outlets in the UK and employs about 16,000 people, was put up for sale by its owners, Pepco Group, in March as a result of challenging trading conditions.

The US investment firm Gordon Brothers, former owner of Laura Ashley, said it would invest up to 80m in Poundland to help turn the business around.

As part of the deal, Poundland faces a restructuring plan that is expected to include a swath of store closures, putting thousands of jobs at risk. The company is also thought to be looking to slash its rent bill. Poundland said the details would be communicated in due course.

Poland-based Pepco, which bought Poundland in 2016, had been looking at options for the outlet since late last year in order to focus on its more profitable Pepco brand, at a time when Poundland was facing tough competition from other discount chains and in the face of increased wage costs.

Stephan Borchert, the chief executive of Pepco Group, said the sale marks an important milestone in our strategic plan to move away from FMCG [fast-moving consumer goods] and focus predominantly on Pepco, our higher margin clothing and general merchandise business.

Pepco reportedly received interest in Poundland from others, including the restructuring specialist Hilco and Modella Capital, the new owners of WH Smiths high street business.

However Pepco said last month that any sale of Poundland would not result in major proceeds for investors as Poundland might not make a profit in the last financial year.

Even at a time when consumers are watching their spending, budget chains such as Poundland have been having a particularly tough time as a result of growing competition from supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldi and Lidl, as well as the expansion of rival groups such as Savers, The Range and Home Bargains.

Discount retailers such as Poundland have slim profit margins, giving them little room to absorb extra costs such as the increase in national insurance contributions, which took effect in April, at the same time that sales growth is slowing as UK households rein in their spending.

Poundland was founded in 1990 with its first store in Burton upon Trent. It became popular for offering value products ranging from food and cosmetics to homeware and stationery, with all items originally priced at 1.

It moved away from its 1 model in 2019, bringing in what it called a new pricing structure, although in recent months it has tried to win back customers by increasing the number of 1 products it sells.
SYLVAN BEACH, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  A traffic stop in the village of Sylvan Beach on Wednesday led to the arrest of two people, according to New York State Police.

Troopers conducted a traffic stop on Main Street in the Village of Sylvan Beach at approximately 11:15 pm on Wednesday, June 11. Upon interviewing the driver  later identified as 58-year-old Thomas Spear of Blossvale  troopers noticed he was providing inconsistent answers to questions and refused to make eye contact with them.

A passenger  later identified as 60-year-old Brian Blowers of Taberg  was also interviewed. Blowers refused to cooperate with troopers.

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Further investigation found that Blowers had an active warrant out of the city of Oneida. He was subsequently arrested for the warrant. A search of his person found a clear plastic container containing methamphetamines in his pocket.

Troopers conducted a search of the vehicle and found another two clear plastic bags containing more methamphetamines. Spear was subsequently arrested along with Blowers. Both were transported to the New York State Police station in Sylvan Beach.

Blowers and Spear were both charged with seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A Misdemeanor. Spear also received a violation charge of Operating a Vehicle Without an Inspection.

Both Spear and Blowers were released with appearance tickets, returnable to the Village of Sylvan Beach Court at a later date.

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Blowers was turned over to the Oneida City Police Department for the active warrant.

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**Note: The southern terminus at Crazy Cook Monument may no longer be accessible due to it becoming a National Defense Area.

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A total of 3,100 miles. Thats how long some people travel to conquer one of the longest trails in America. Whether hikers are just starting their trek or celebrating the end of it, the Continental Divide Trail brings many travelers to New Mexico.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail was officially established by Congress in 1978 and traverses five states, situated between Mexico and Canada.

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Poll: Where is the best place to go hiking in New Mexico?

The hike is not an easy one, but 150 to 400 hikers will attempt an end-to-end trek each year, according to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. Some others choose to complete portions of the trail, which also runs through Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Focusing on New Mexico, the CDT spans about 820 miles in New Mexico from the southern terminus at Crazy Cook Monument in the bootheel of New Mexico to Cumbres Pass in the northern part of the state, next to Colorado.

Hikers will pass through four of New Mexicos national forests: Gila, Cibola, Santa Fe, and Carson, and the ancestral lands of numerous Native American tribes.

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The Continental Divide Trail Coalition recommends completing the New Mexico portion of the trail during late September and October when monsoon season is over and the weather is cooler.

Continental Divide Trail, New Mexico. (Credit: U.S. Forest Service) NOTE: The southern terminus at Crazy Cook Monument may no longer be accessible due to it becoming a National Defense Area.

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WASDESBORO, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The dog trainer for the Wadesboro Police K-9 killed in April is making counter-claims toward the department after being accused of making defamatory statements towards the interim chief.

Joshua Harrington is the Rowan County-based trainer who provided K-9 Blitz in early 2025 to the Wadesboro Police Department at no cost. In court documents, he says Blitz was trained for narcotics and suspect tracking, but was not certified in the apprehension or biting of suspects and should never be deployed in those circumstances, claiming serious injuries would occur.

Harringtons June 11 lawsuit claims that, despite knowing what that led to Blitzs killing, then-Interim Police Chief Jason Eschert and Town of Wadesboro Police Department took no efforts to take accountability for their mismanagement of the situation and/or negligence that led to K-9 Blitzs death.

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Counterclaim_1749751082Download

On April, Blitz was allegedly fatally shot by a Wadesboro officer after a police chase into Montgomery County. Harrigtons suit describes statements made by trainer Kayla Wright and another officer on scene that Blitz had secured the suspect by the leg. After being recalled by Wright, the suspect was holding Blitz around the nose, which led to Wright securing the dog, which eventually released the suspect in favor of a toy. During this, Blitz then bit his handlers hand while trying to get the toy.

Documents say Wright asked for assistance to remove Blitz and for a sergeant to apply a choke-off technique where the dog eventually released Wright. Wright told her fellow officers that Blitz was not a threat to any of them nor that it was being aggressive. But as Blitz returned to Wright in what is described as a non-aggressive manner, multiple shots were fired, striking Blitz.

Harrington says Wrights requests for assistance were ignored, and Blitz died from its injuries.

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The police department has held that that Blitz was killed by its handler.

The suit says that the next day, Harrington met with Eschert to be debriefed on the incident. Eschert allegedly told the trainer that Blitz was turned on Wright and was behaving aggressively.

The police chief told Harrington that due to the extreme aggressiveness of Blitz, the officers on scene had no choice but to kill Blitz.

Court documents say Officer Cody Teague corroborated Wrights account of what occurred at the scene.

The countersuit accuses Eschert of making several false statements about Harrington and Blitz. This includes that Blitz had a history of being aggressive and had been refused by the Virginia State Police because of this; Harrington had improperly trained Blitz; and Blitz could actually be used to apprehend suspects, and Harrington held paperwork that certified this.

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Harrington also says Eschert, the town of Wadesboro and the police department worked to censor him. The suit claims Eschert made multiple fake social media accounts and reported Harringtons own posts related to the incident for allegedly violating their respective community standards practices.

25CV000248-030-1Download

Escherts suit on April 10 that requests $425,000 in damages, claims Harrington initiated a smear campaign against him, the entire department and other law enforcement officers. Beginning on April 2, Eschert says Harrington made defamatory statements on his Facebook page that accused Blitz of being shot and killed by his own allies, the rogue agency lied to me, Eschert lied to him about what happened and that it was untrue that Blitz was Tased.

Escherts suit says Harrington later targeted the chiefs past, making accusations about his tenure at the Oakboro Police Department.

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Eschert, who had been named interim police chief just two months before the K-9 death, retired May 9 amid controversary surrounding the investigation. He notified town officials that people were allegedly making violent threats against him.

Harringtons counter points to the New York Times v. Sullivan Supreme Court case that sets a precedent for defamation. The case says that a public official may not recoup damages if the statements were made without actual malice.

The document states that in addition being protected by the truth: No statement made and published (Harrington) was made with knowledge that it was false, or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. To the contrary, all statements made and published by (Harrington) were his opinion, the absolute truth, privileged, fair reporting and commentary, and lacked actual malice.

No charges were brought related to Blitzs death, and the two officers involved have since resigned.

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In addition to the counterclaims, Harrington also requested a change of venue for the case, to Stanley County. It claims if proceedings took place in Anson County that it would prevent a fair and just determination of the matter.

The new suit says Harrington and his company Train Play Live has trained thousands of dogs over his career and has nationally recognized relationships with law enforcement partners across the United States.

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As the U.S. military prepares to celebrate the legacy of the Army with a massive parade in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, some transgender service members are grappling with an involuntary end to their careers after the Trump administration banned them from the military.

"I'm heartbroken," said Cmdr. Emily Shilling, a decorated Navy pilot who is also the lead plaintiff in Shilling vs. Trump -- one of three federal lawsuits challenging the Trump administration's executive order barring transgender service members.

Shilling, who is based in the D.C. area, is also the president of Sparta Pride -- an organization advocating for 2,400 transgender people in the military and those who hope to join.

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Reflecting on the upcoming parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding, Shilling, who has served since 2005, told ABC News that "military might does not equal patriotism."

"The members who take an oath and dedicate their lives to service -- that's patriotism, whether or not we have tanks or rocket launchers, that has nothing to do with it," Shilling said.

Trump's military parade: What to know about the Army anniversary event

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

And according to Shilling, for active duty members of Sparta, who were faced with the "heartbreaking" decision to voluntarily separate from the military or get kicked out, abandoning their commitment to serving their country is what's "keeping them up at night."

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"When I sit in these town halls that we do with Sparta, people are really struggling with the idea of giving up or quitting, or, you know, not fulfilling their oath," she said. "And that's actually what's keeping these men, women and folks you know, up at night. They feel like they have a duty to keep serving and keep fighting."

PHOTO: Washington D.C. Prepares To Host Military Parade To Mark Army's 250th Anniversary (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The Pentagon's new ban went into effect in early May shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could enforce the ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed in lower courts.

After the Supreme Court ruling, the Pentagon issued a memo giving active duty service members until June 6 -- last Friday -- to self-identify and begin the voluntary separation process. Transgender service members in the reserve forces have until July 7 to voluntarily separate.

Senate Democrats file bill to prevent ban on transgender military service

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The memo also stated that after June 6, military commanders will be told to identify people in their units who have a diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria or exhibit symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria. The move would initiate a referral to an annual health check-up that would begin what could be a lengthy process for each individual that could lead to their removal from the military.

Shilling, who will be eligible for retirement at 20 years in September, told ABC News that faced with these options, she chose to self-identify and begin the process of voluntarily separating from the military, but noted that she made the decision "under duress."

"I hit my retirement date in September. So if I didn't volunteer at that time, I could theoretically be kicked out between June and September and lose everything," she said. "So it was very much a decision made under duress. You know, I was coerced into it because we knew that the voluntary separation would give me an honorable discharge with some portion of my retirement, and I'd be able to keep all of my benefits."

The Pentagon incentivized service members with gender dysphoria to voluntarily separate ahead of the June 6 deadline by offering benefit payment packages that would be more than double what would be received if they were to separate involuntarily. Those who voluntarily separated would not have to risk paying back the recruitment or retention bonuses they may have earned during their military service.

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

Its policy came after the Trump administration announced a ban on transgender service members in a Jan. 27 executive order, where President Donald Trump directed the Defense Department to revise the policy allowing transgender troops to openly serve.

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"Expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service," the order said.

The order further argued that receiving gender-affirming medical care is one of the conditions that is physically and mentally "incompatible with active duty."

Transgender service members say they face 'heartbreaking' decision amid Trump ban: Leave military or get kicked out

Defense officials estimate that as of last December, about 4,240 current active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

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There are more than 2.1 million military service members serving on active-duty, National Guard and the Reserves. Advocacy groups have put the actual number of transgender service members as being much higher, at around 15,000.

"There's a lot of fear," Shilling said, reflecting on service members like herself who are losing their jobs.

PHOTO: Cmdr. Emily Shilling. (Courtesy of Emily Shilling)

She also said that being banned from the military has taken an emotional toll on the community -- some of whom have left "rough homes" and found a family in the military.

"For a lot of people, this was, you know, the dream they've always wanted, and now their family is saying, you're not good enough. They're being rejected again by another family," she said. "And that's pretty brutal."

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When asked how she feels about her decision to voluntarily separate from the military, Shilling said that she is at "peace" because she knows that the fight is not over.

"I'm at peace," she said. "I'm going to thrive, and I'm going to be able to fight this  and continue to fight for that America that I believe in -- that good, righteous America, and a lot of these service members feel very much the same."

Transgender Navy pilot, barred from service, reflects on 'patriotism' ahead of Trump's military parade originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Father's Day is fast approaching, and while barbecues are being planned, several restaurants are offering deals and discounts to treat any dads around.

While Mother's Day has been around for 100 years, Father's Day is having its 59th official celebration this year. It may have been celebrated before, but it was not officially made a holiday until 1966, while Mother's Day became a holiday in 1914.

To celebrate Father's Day this year, dozens of restaurant chains around Tennessee will offer discounts.

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Here is more on the day celebrating fathers across the nation.

When is Fathers Day 2025?

This year, Fathers Day falls on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Is Father's Day the same date every year?

The calendar date for Father's Day changes each year as it always falls on the third Sunday of June.

Father's Day 2025 food deals and freebies

Heres the list of confirmed Fathers Day deals for 2025, from The Krazy Coupon Lady:

Burger King: Royal Perks members can get their dads a BOGO Whopper deal at Burger King on Fathers Day, June 15.

Dave & Buster's: On Father's Day 2025, Dave & Buster's will offer 50% off all food for new and existing loyalty members. They'll also likely hold their "Dad Games, where participants can win a free year of Dave & Busters.

IHOP: If you order pickup or delivery at IHOP this Father's Day, youll save 20% on your first online order when you use promo code IHOP20 at checkout. The offer is valid for a one-time use through June 30.

Newk's Eatery: This Father's Day, dad can enjoy a free dessert with the purchase of an entree at Newk's Eatery.

Heres The Krazy Coupon Ladys list of predictions for Fathers Day 2025 deals:

The following is a list of predictions based on what these companies have offered in the past; these are not confirmed deals for 2025.

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Arby's: Arby's will likely offer its rewards members an exclusive deal. Last year, Arbys Rewards members could get five classic roast beef sandwiches for $5.

Auntie Anne's: Auntie Anne's will likely offer a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deal on an original or cinnamon sugar pretzel for Father's Day 2025. Last year, Auntie Annes offered a $5 reward on the next purchase for those who bought $25 in Auntie Annes gift cards.

Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins is likely to offer a discount on Father's Day cakes in 2025.

Cinnabon: Cinnabon Rewards members will likely receive an exclusive Father's Day deal in 2025.

Insomnia Cookies: Take dad to Insomnia Cookies on Father's Day, and you could receive two free classic cookies with any in-store purchase.

KFC: KFC may have several deals available for you to enjoy during the Father's Day weekend in 2025. Here are a few you might see: 50-piece nuggets for $25, free 10-piece saucy nuggets with a $10 or more online purchase, 40% off a 12-piece chicken bucket, and free delivery on Father's Day.

Krispy Kreme: Krispy Kreme could celebrate dads with a limited-time doughnut collection, similar to the one they offered in 2024. As part of Fathers Day weekend, watch for Krispy Kreme to offer $0 delivery from June 13 through June 15, with a minimum purchase.

Little Caesars: Little Caesars will likely have a few deals your dad can enjoy. Watch for discounts on pizzas and their cheese bread.

Moe's Southwest Grill: On Father's Day, Moe's Southwest Grill will likely offer free delivery.

Red Lobster: Red Lobster is expected to offer a limited-time dine-in-only promotion for Father's Day 2025.

Smoothie King: On Father's Day 2025, Smoothie King will likely offer a 12-ounce smoothie with the purchase of a 20-ounce or larger smoothie.

Starbucks: Starbucks will likely offer BOGO drinks from noon to 6 p.m. on Father's Day 2025.

Subway: On Father's Day, watch for a possible BOGO 50% off or BOGO free footlongs deal at Subway.

Wendy's: During Father's Day weekend (June 13-15), Wendy's Rewards members will likely have an in-app exclusive deal, such as a Buy One Get One (BOGO) Baconator.

When was the first Father's Day?

According to USA TODAY, the first Father's Day was celebrated in 1910, but it took more than 60 years for it to become an official holiday.

The first Father's Day was celebrated in 1910, but the country was slow to adopt a specific day for celebrating fathers.

Father's Day was first recognized in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, who made Mother's Day an official holiday in 1914. Then, President Calvin Coolidge urged states to observe the holiday in 1924.

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Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.

Is Father's Day a federal holiday?

Although Father's Day is not a federal holiday, it is widely celebrated across the nation.

There are 11 federal holidays in the United States. Those remaining in 2025 include:

Juneteenth (June 19).

Independence Day (July 4).

Labor Day (Sept. 1).

Columbus Day (Oct. 13).

Veterans Day (Nov. 11).

Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).

Christmas (Dec. 25).

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Father's Day 2025 deals, discounts and freebies for dad
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  NC A&T State University will be launching a new bachelors program that will bring in more students in the fall.

The college is also building a relationship with JetZero to provide a direct pipeline.

Dr. Sun Yi, a mechanical engineering professor at NC A&T State University, said the college offers various degrees in mechanical engineering with the option of aerospace.

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Now, more exciting news is on the way.

We are launching a separate bachelors program in aeronautical and astronautical area, and we are collaborating with electrical engineering and computer science for cybersecurity and manufacturing, Yi said.

Yi said the program will stand out to companies like JetZero for a reason.

We provide hands-on experiments  Using the skills, they can make controllers and tasks on the field, Yi said.

Right now, they have 2,500 students in the engineering program and 500 students in training who could be recruits for JetZero.

Yi said NC A&T State University is confident in producing the next generation of skilled workers to meet the companys needs.

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We are receiving more and more applications not only from high schools in North Carolina but from the U.S. and international applications for aerospace and other related fields, Yi said.

John Kizito is the interim chair of the Department of Engineering. He said NCA&T State University knows the industrys needs, and the universitys curriculum reflects those needs.

We shall all be able to provide the manpower the company needs to build the new levels and new sets of composites, especially the blended wing their planes are going to be shaped out of, Kizito said.

JetZeros big announcement has already reached campus.

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That does intrigue me a fair bit  I will definitely look into that, William Krueger, an engineering intern, said.

Krueger says hes ready to get to work.

Yi said the university is looking forward to building a relationship with JetZero.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(WGHP)  By now, most teachers across the country have said goodbye to their students, turned out the lights in their classrooms and started a well-deserved summer vacation.

But there are dozens of North Carolina public school teachers from the coast to the mountains preparing for what will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience abroad learning about the Holocaust.

That includes Damian Adame, who just finished his fourth year teaching World History to ninth-grade and tenth-grade students at Page High School in Greensboro.

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Its a mixed bag. There are a lot of emotions that go into it, Adame said. Theres excitement because this is honestly something that Ive wanted to do. But, at the same time, its also a little daunting.

Adame is one of nearly 40 North Carolina public middle and high school educators selected to travel to Poland to learn about the Holocaust in the very places where much of it happened. Led by retired Greensboro Rabbi Fred Guttman, theyll spend eight days visiting death camps, ghettos, communities and museums and eventually bring it all home to their students.

One of the cool things about this trip is its not just a tour of the camps. Its not just a tour of these areas where the events occurred, Adame said. Its a walking classroom. Were going to learn and take all these things and implement them in our classroom in a brand-new way.

The trip is funded by many organizations and private donors, including longtime Holocaust education advocates Zev and Bernice Harel of Greensboro. Zev is a Holocaust survivor who was sent to several death camps as a teen, including Auschwitz and Ebensee. He spent decades sharing his story all over the world.

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I felt comfortable doing that because the Holocaust was an experience that not too many survive, Harel said. Each time [I was] speaking about human adaptation and what survivors did in order to make it possible to survive.

At some point, the survivors realized that if they didnt start talking, everything that happened and everything they witnessed would disappear with them eventually, Bernice said.

Now, at 95 years old, Zev isnt able to share his story like he used to. So in a lot of ways, this Holocaust education trip is picking up where survivors left off, ensuring stories such as Zevs continue to get told.

Every person that goes on this trip is hopefully going to have a deeper understanding, but its also going to give them a deeper connection, Adame said. Its going to make us more motivated to give a better scope of whats going on with this event.

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The teachers leave for Poland on Monday, and FOX8s Katie Nordeen and McKenzie Lewis have been invited to join them.

You can expect their special stories on Teaching the Holocaust in September.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The "heartbroken" family of three victims of the Air India plane crash have paid tribute to their "kind and deeply respected" loved ones.

Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and Sara Nanabawa, aged four, were returning from a surprise trip to India when their plane ploughed into a residential area.

In a statement, the family said: "We are heartbroken as we await further information regarding our beloved family members. The news of this tragic incident has left us devastated, and we are still coming to terms with the enormity of what has happened."

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The plane was carrying 242 people when it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, in western India.

The cause of the crash is still not known [EPA]

Flight AI171 between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick took off on Thursday afternoon, but struggled to gain altitude and crashed 30 seconds afterwards.

The plane hit a residential area, killing 241 passengers and crew. One passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash and was treated in hospital for injuries.

Mr Nanabawa, Ms Vorajee and Sara were among 52 Britons killed in the tragedy.

Hannaa's relative, Hussain Vorajee, from Gloucester, told the BBC: "We're saddened by the crash, they were beautiful souls who we have lost.

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"She was a lovely girl, the community is shocked, not just in Gloucester but across the country.

"A very young family has been taken from us, this is something that we've never witnessed, something that has affected so many families.

"I wouldn't wish this disaster on anybody and you just don't know what is around the corner."

Derrick and Carol Francis, who live next door to the family's home, told the BBC "they were neighbours you cherished" and that they had felt like "parents" to the family.

"They were joyous, such a happy couple," said Mr Francis, describing Sara as a "little angel" they had watched grow up.

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Abdullah Samad, imam at the Masjid E Umar mosque and head teacher of Sara's primary school, who was speaking on behalf of the family, said the whole community has been left shaken by the tragedy.

"They were widely loved and deeply respected. His quiet generosity, her warmth and kindness, and their daughter's bright, joyful spirit made a lasting impact on everyone who knew them," Mr Samad added.

"She was a ray of sunshine in her school, and they were a pillar of strength in our lives."

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Mr Samad added that the family regularly volunteered at the local Islamic school and for various local projects.

"Hannaa was also a Director at Peace Inclusion, a grassroots organisation that works to build bridges between communities and promote understanding of Islam through education, dialogue, and shared humanity," he said.

'Shared pain'

He said the pain of the tragedy is felt throughout the whole community.

"Thank you for your compassion, your messages of support, and your understanding during this time of immense sorrow," he added.

Sara's school, Al-Ashraf Primary School, said in a statement that it would be providing pastoral support to children and staff in the coming days.

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"This tragedy has struck at the heart of our school family.

"We are devastated, and we now begin the difficult process of grieving together and supporting one another through the days and weeks ahead."

'Kind and caring'

Paying tribute to Akeel Nanabawa - who grew up in Newport, south Wales - and his family, a local councillor said the community was "deeply heartbroken and devastated".

Farzina Hussain, who represents Victoria ward on Newport City Council, said Mr Nanabawa was "known by many" in the area.

"He is remembered as a kind and caring young man, the outpouring of grief and kind words being shared across our community and social media are a testament to the lives he touched," she said.

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A special service will take place at Swindon's Hindu Temple later.

Trustee Neetu Bhardwaj told the BBC: "We are not Muslims or Hindus in India, we are one human being. We have got one blood. When they hurt, we hurt."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story
Tributes have been paid to a woman, her grandson and her daughter-in-law who died in a plane crash in India.

More than 240 people were killed on Thursday when a Boeing 787 bound for Gatwick crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad.

Raxa Modha, from Wellingborough, her two-year-old grandson, Rudra, and Yasha Kamdar were believed to have been flying back to England for a memorial service for Ms Modha's late husband. It is understood that another member of the family might also have been on board.

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In a statement, the Modha family said: "It is with deep sadness that we have lost three members of our family.

"Raxa Modha, Yasha Kamdar and Rudra Modha lost their lives on flight AI 171 on 12 June.

"Our hearts are broken. We are at a complete loss.

"We thank members of the Wellingborough community for their support."

Jaya Tailor, who lives in Wellingborough, said she knew Ms Modha personally and that she was "a people's person".

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"She helped her husband build a business," she said.

"She loved having people around her.

"She was kind, generous, loving, a real people's person."

It is thought Ms Modha's husband, Kishor Modha, died in April from cancer in India and a memorial for him was planned for 22 June in Wellingborough.

Only one passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived the crash.

Indian, Portuguese and Canadian nationals were also on board.

Among the 53 Britons to have been killed were a family who lived in Gloucester, three members of the same family who lived in London, and a married couple who ran a spiritual wellness centre in the capital.

'A complete loss'

Raj Mishra, the mayor of Wellingborough, called for people to come together.

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"I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and all those affected by this heartbreaking event," he said.

"May their memories be a blessing, and may we come together to support one another in this time of grief."

The Wellingborough District Hindu Association also described the incident as "devastating news".

"We have learned with deep sorrow that some family members living in Wellingborough were among the victims," it said in a statement.

"The loss of life is always a tragedy, and it is particularly poignant when it touches our own community so directly."

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The association said it would hold a special prayer gathering for all those who lost their lives in the crash on Friday from 18:30 to 19:30 BST at Sanatan Hindu Mandir on Highfield Road.

The emergency services and officials worked late into Thursday night and into Friday to clear debris and search for the plane's black box.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson, said: "We are supporting the family of British nationals who were on board Air India flight AI171."

The plane crashed into a residential area shortly after take off [Getty Images]

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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PHILADELPHIA - An investigation is underway after a triple shooting in North Philadelphia Thursday afternoon.

What we know

At around 3:40 p.m. officers responded to the 2400 block of North 5th Street for the report of a triple shooting.

Upon arrival, they found that three men had sustained gunshot wounds.

The first victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body and was transported by private vehicle to Episcopal Hospital in stable condition.

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The second victim was shot in the head and was taken to Episcopal Hospital by private vehicle and listed in critical condition.

Both men were later transported to Temple Hospital.

The third victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to Temple University Hospital by police. He is currently in stable condition.

No arrests have been made, and no motive has been determined.

What's next

The investigation remains active and ongoing with the Shooting Investigation Group (SIG).

The Source

The information in this story is from Philadelphia police.
Key Points

Delta Air Lines will emerge as a stronger airline coming out of the recent slowdown.

The current environment favors premium carriers like Delta over low-cost carriers.

Growing loyalty programs, premium travel revenue, and co-brand credit card remuneration are diversifying Delta's revenue streams.

10 stocks we like better than Delta Air Lines 

No one should be under any illusions that the air travel market isn't under some pressure right now. It is. Still, the long-term case for investing in a higher-quality airline like Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) remains undiminished, and some of the forces that created the weakness are now strengthening the case for buying the stock. Here's why buying Delta stock can set you up for many years of profitable income.

Near-term weakness, long-term strength

Unfortunately, the escalation in trade conflicts and tariff actions has had a negative effect on the travel market in 2025. CEO Ed Bastian noted on the last earnings call in April that "given broad economic uncertainty around global trade, growth has largely stalled" with "softness in both consumer and corporate travel" in Delta's main cabin. As such, Delta's management elected not to update on its full-year guidance.

While that's not a good sign, it's crucial to note Delta's and other airlines' reactions to events, as they help support the buy case for the stock. Simply put, Delta is planning to reduce its expected capacity growth in the second half to align supply with demand. United Airlines is also decreasing its international and domestic capacity relative to previous expectations in response to market conditions.

The airline industry is demonstrating discipline in reducing capacity when and where it's necessary in response to changing demand conditions. That's something that hasn't always been a part of the industry's history. Instead, airlines have often maintained routes (partly due to high fixed costs) through slowdowns and, consequently, suffered the slings and arrows of margin degradation.

However, the newfound discipline -- which, incidentally, was also in place last summer when overcapacity appeared -- is good news for the industry. It's particularly good news for the higher-quality airlines like Delta.

Image source: Getty Images.

Airport costs and return on invested capital

One of the long-standing criticisms of the industry (also made by Buffett) is that it fails to generate the return on invested capital (ROIC) necessary to cover its cost of capital. It's a valid criticism, also made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), but not all airlines are equal.
Ohio National Guard members with gas masks and rifles advance toward Kent State University students during an anti-war protest on May 4, 1970. More than a dozen students were killed or injured when the guard opened fire. (Howard Ruffner/Getty Images.)

This article was originally published by The Trace.

Earlier in June, President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to quell anti-deportation protests and secure federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles.

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The move, some historians say, harks back 55 years to May 4, 1970, when Ohios Republican governor summoned the National Guard to deal with students demonstrating against the Vietnam War at Kent State University. Guard members were ordered to fire over the students heads to disperse the crowd, but some couldnt hear because they were wearing gas masks. The troops fired at the students instead, killing four and wounding another nine.

The shooting served as a cautionary tale about turning the military on civilians. Dispatching California National Guard troops against civilian protesters in Los Angeles chillingly echoes decisions and actions that led to the tragic Kent State shooting, Brian VanDeMark, author of the book Kent State: An American Tragedy, wrote this week for The Conversation.

We asked VanDeMark, a history professor at the United States Naval Academy, more about the parallels between 1970 and today. His interview has been edited for length and clarity.

After the Kent State shooting, it became taboo for presidents or governors to even consider authorizing military use of force against civilians. Is the shadow of Kent State looming over Los Angeles?

VanDeMark: For young people today, 55 years ago seems like a very long time. For the generation that came of age during the 60s and were in college during that period, Kent State is a defining event, shaping their views of politics and the military.

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There are risks inherent in deploying the military to deal with crowds and protesters. At Kent State, the county prosecutor warned the governor that something terrible could happen if he didnt shut down the campus after the guards arrival. The universitys administration did not want the guard brought to campus because they understood how provocative that would be to student protesters who were very anti-war and anti-military. Its like waving a red flag in front of a bull. The military is not trained or equipped to deal well with crowd control. It is taught to fight and kill, and to win wars.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that deploying the guard to Los Angeles is inflammatory. What do you fear most about this new era of domestic military deployment?

Peoples sense of history probably goes back five or 10 years rather than 40 or 50. Thats regrettable. The people making these decisions  I cant unpack their motivation or perceptions  but I think their sense of history in terms of the dangers inherent in deploying U.S. troops to deal with street protests is itself a problem.

There are parallels between Kent State and Los Angeles. There are protesters throwing bottles at police and setting fires. The Ohio governor called the Kent State protesters dissidents and un-American; President Trump has called the Los Angeles demonstrators insurrectionists, although he appears to have walked that back. What do you make of these similarities?

The parallels are rather obvious. The general point I wish to make, without directing it at a particular individual, is that the choice of words used to describe a situation has consequences. Leaders have positions of responsibility and authority. They have a responsibility to try to keep the situation under control.

Are officers today more apt to use rubber bullets and other so-called less-lethal rounds than in 1970? Even though these rounds do damage, theyre less likely to kill. Could that save lives today?

Most likely, yes. In 1970, the guard members at Kent State, all they had were tear gas canisters and assault rifles loaded with live ammunition. Lessons have been learned between 1970 and today, and Im almost certain that the California National Guard is equipped with batons, plastic shields, and other tools that give them a range of options between doing nothing and killing someone.

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Ive touched one of the bullets used at Kent State. It was five and a half inches long. You can imagine the catastrophic damage that can inflict on the human body. Those bullets will kill at 1,000 yards, so the likelihood that the military personnel in Los Angeles have live ammunition is very remote.

Trump authorized the deployment of federal troops not only to Los Angeles but also to wherever protests are occurring or are likely to occur, leading to speculation that the presence of troops will become permanent. Was that ever a consideration in the 60s and 70s, or are we in uncharted waters here?

In the 1960s and early 1970s, presidents of both parties were very reluctant to deploy military forces against protests. Has that changed? Apparently it has. I personally believe that the military being used domestically against American citizens, or even people living here illegally, is not the answer. Generally speaking, force is not the answer. The application of force is inherently unpredictable. Its inherently uncontrollable. And very often the consequences of using it are terrible human suffering.

Before the Kent State shooting, the assumption by most college-aged protesters was that there werent physical consequences to engaging in protests. Kent State demonstrated otherwise. In Los Angeles, the governor, the mayor, and all responsible public officials have essentially said they will not tolerate violence or the destruction of property. I think that most of the protesters are peaceful. What concerns me is the small minority who are unaware of our history and dont understand the risks of being aggressive toward the authorities.

In Los Angeles, we have not just the guard but also the Marines. Marines, as you mentioned, are trained to fight wars. Whats the worst that could happen here?

People could get killed. I dont know whats being done in terms of defining rules of engagement, but I assume that the Marines have explicitly been told not to load live ammunition in their weapons because that would risk violence and loss of life. I dont think that the guard or the Marines are particularly enthusiastic about having to apply coercive force against protesters. Their training in that regard is very limited, and their understanding of crowd psychology is probably very limited.

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The crowd psychology is inherently unpredictable and often nonlinear. If you dont have experience with crowds, you may end up making choices based on your lack of experience that are very regrettable.

Some people are imploring the Marines and guard members to refuse the orders and stay home. You interviewed guard members who were at Kent State. Do you think the troops deployed to Los Angeles will come to regret it?

Very often, and social science research has corroborated this, when authorities respond to protests and interact with protesters in a respectful fashion, that tends to have a calming effect on the protesters behavior. But thats something learned through hard experience, and these Marines and guard members dont have that experience.

The National Guard was deployed in Detroit in 1967; Washington, D.C. in 1968; Los Angeles in 1965 and 1992; and Minneapolis and other cities in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Have the Marines ever been deployed? Or any other military branch?

Yes. In 1992, in the wake of the Rodney King controversy, the California governor at the time, a Republican named Pete Wilson, asked President George H.W. Bush to deploy not only the guard but also the Marines to deal with street riots in Los Angeles. Thats the last time it was done.

And how did that go?

Im not an expert on this, but I assure you that the senior officers who commanded those Marines made it very clear that they were not to discharge their weapons without explicit permission from the officers themselves, and they were probably told not to load their weapons with live ammunition.

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In 1967, during the Detroit riots, the Michigan National Guard was called out to the streets of Detroit. When the ranking senior officer arrived, he ordered the soldiers to remove their bullets from their rifles.

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It wasnt a matter of whether U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton was going to fire some hardball questions at President Donald Trumps Pentagon chief on Thursday  it was instead a matter of how many he could squeeze in and how intense they would be.

It didnt take long to find out.

Moulton, D-6th District, cut right to the chase during the five or so minutes he had with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the former Fox News anchor defended his agencys budget request before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

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The Salem lawmaker pressed Hegseth repeatedly on whether hed accept any personal responsibility for his role in the headline-grabbing national security meltdown known as SignalGate, as well as his purge of senior Defense Department officials.

You said accountability is back [at the Pentagon], Mr. Secretary, the Salem Democrat jabbed at one point.

" And you know what? The Houthis were held accountable for shooting at our forces," Hegseth responded.

Moulton, an ex-Marine, jumped back in: Im just asking if it applies to you.

I serve at the pleasure of the president, Hegseth responded.

It was a vivid reminder that the place and primacy of the American military  not to mention its role in a civil society  has been at the center of the public conversation recently in a way that it has not been for a while.

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That conversation largely has been dominated by the headlines emanating from Los Angeles over immigration protests and the U.S. Marines and National Guard soldiers who have been deployed there as a result.

And thats not to leave out Trumps military parade on the streets of Washington, D.C., on Saturday.

And Americans have thoughts.

A text survey of 1,000 Americans, including more than 200 Californians, by the Washington Post and the Schar School at George Mason University, found deep divisions over Trumps management of the protests.

The survey found that Californians were more critical of Trumps actions, as were Democrats and self-identified independents, the newspaper reported. Americans were mostly negative on Trumps handling of immigration.

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Read More: Poll reveals how Americans feel about Trump sending troops into LA over ICE protests

A plurality of respondents to a similar YouGov poll said they didnt approve of the White Houses decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, Axios reported.

Nearly 8 in 10 respondents to a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll said they dont have an opinion one way or the other on Trumps military parade on Saturday.

But even within that cohort, 6 in 10 respondents said they dont think its a good use of public money.

And if you think that the White Houses power play only applies to California, think again. The order Trump signed authorizing the National Guard deployment also opens the door to similar actions in other states.

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Thats according to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell, who joined with nearly two dozen colleagues nationwide in support of a lawsuit by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, challenging the White Houses action.

The unlawful deployment of armed forces under the guise of public safety to suppress protests, invoke fear, and silence dissent against the presidents cruel policies is dangerous, and every resident should be concerned, Campbell said in a statement.

On Thursday night, a U.S. District court judge in San Francisco ruled that Trump had to return command over those National Guard soldiers to Newsom, The Associated Press reported.

Hours later, a federal appeals court reversed the order and restored Trumps authority over the Guard.

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Elsewhere on Capitol Hill on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, the acting ranking Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee, blasted the White Houses decision to deploy Marines to one of the nations largest cities.

Our Marines are often the first responders in a war zone. But American neighborhoods are not war zones, Lynch, D-8th District, said as the committee held a hearing on the White Houses immigration policies.

Protesters are not enemy combatants  they are Americans who have the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and speak up," the South Boston lawmaker continued.

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-4th District, also a former Marine, told CNN that he never expected to see active-duty Marines deployed to Los Angeles or any other American city.

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Thats because in this scenario, as in almost every scenario imaginable, it is unnecessary, its illegal and its deeply unfair to these Marines, the Newton lawmaker said, according to Mediaite.

At times like this, were often inclined to look for historical parallels. Many people look to ancient Rome  although direct comparisons arent always easy, convenient, or even immediately apparent.

Still, the Romans did have a prohibition against allowing legions within the city walls.

Returning generals were required to dissolve their armies and enter the city as civilians. It was the ultimate expression of the civil governments authority over the military.

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When Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon in January 49 B.C., and eventually entered Rome itself, in defiance of that edict, it marked the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic.

Again, there are no easy parallels. But the United States has had a similar tradition of a rigidly apolitical military that swears to defend and uphold the Constitution, and not an elected leader, for all of its history.

But as history reminds us, once the legions are within the city walls, it can be awfully hard to get them to leave.

Read more analysis from John L. Micek

Read the original article on MassLive.
A truck driver who kidnapped a young veteran in Dallas and then dumped her body in East Texas last year was sentenced to life in federal prison.

Naasson Hazzard, a 28-year-old from Austin, was previously charged and convicted for the heinous crime, said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy Larson in a press release. On June 12, District Judge Sam Lindsay sentenced him to life in federal prison.

The jury answered the call for justice by finding him guilty, Larson said in the release. Now, the life sentence he will serve reflects the value and sanctity of this victims life. We hope that this sentence helps her family in the healing process.

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Hazzard was indicted in October for kidnapping resulting in death, with a mandatory sentence of life in prison. A jury convicted him in January.

Hazzards victim was 25-year-old Army veteran Caleigha Zangari from San Diego, California, according to Fox 4. Her family identified her as a sex trafficking victim.

Surveillance footage captured Zangari entering Hazzards semi-truck in Dallas on the night of August 15, 2024, according to the release. This took place near Harry Hines Blvd., an area The Dallas Express reported is known for prostitution and sex trafficking.

Eight days later, her decomposing body was found in a wooded area off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg, Texas, with a black plastic bag tied around her head, the release reads.

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The night Hazzard picked up the victim, he went to a nearby parking lot for close to 17 minutes, according to the release. Evidence in the trial suggested he picked her up with the expectation of engaging in a sex act.

Then, Hazzard drove more than three hours to a wooded area off Highway 11 in the East Texas city of Pittsburg, where he remained for almost an hour, cell phone records showed. He texted his boss he would be out sick the next day. He and his wife returned to the scene the next day before going to dinner in Tyler.

In the following days, Hazzard switched cell phones and deleted his Google and Life360 location sharing accounts, according to the release. He had searched how many years for first second and third degree murders, while his wife searched for Pittsburg Texas news. Hazzard also cleaned his truck with bleach.

Police found the victims body on August 23, the release said. The same day, agents found her cell phone shattered on the side of the road along the route Hazzard took the same night he killed her.

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The North Texas Trafficking Task Force investigated the crime with help from the Dallas County District Attorneys Office, the FBI Dallas Field Office, Texas Rangers, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. They also worked with the Haynes and Titus County Sheriffs Offices and police in Austin, Buda, Dallas, and Midlothian. ICE-Homeland Security Investigations leads the task force.

Dexter Henson, ICE Dallas spokesman, told The Dallas Express that there are a number of police departments that help support the task force. He said the case demonstrates the role that we play in state and local law enforcement.

That task force was the reason that we were able to bring justice to this individual, Henson said. In order to do that, there was collaboration between our state and locals.

Travis Pickard, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas, called Hazzards crime abhorrent in the release. He also wished the judgment would provide some solace to the victims family.

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HSI will never relent in our pursuit of sexual predators who aim to exploit and harm unsuspecting victims, Pickard said.

Hazzards victim, Caleigha Zangari, entered the military immediately after high school, according to the release. Her funeral included full military honors.

Naasson didnt just take a life. He destroyed futures. He created a ripple effect of suffering that reaches further than he could ever understand, Zangaris brother said during the sentencing, per the release. She was a daughter. A sister. A mother. A light in the lives of everyone who knew her. Her life mattered. And her death must mean something.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A truck driver who searched the internet about how to smuggle drugs across the border faces charges after police arrested him outside Las Vegas with more than 200 pounds of cocaine and heroin, documents said.

On May 9, police patrolling Interstate 15 south of Las Vegas arrested Mark Delarge, 49, of Alberta, Canada, following a traffic stop.

A detective first stopped Delarge, who was driving a semitruck in Jean, for traveling an estimated 75 mph in a 55-mile-per-hour work zone, police said. The detective noticed Delarge, who said he was returning to Canada from California, was nervous because his hands were shaking, documents said.

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The detective called for a narcotics detector dog to search the truck, police said. The dog alerted police to odors of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Delarge then admitted there was cocaine in the vehicle, documents said.

Mark said that as he was traveling from Canada to Los Angeles, he had conducted an internet search for how to smuggle drugs across the border, police said. Mark began to go to different website[s] and eventually contact an individual on Facebook who then agreed to have Mark pick up cocaine in the Riverside area and transport it back to Canada.

Inside the truck, police located several boxes of cocaine and heroin weighing a combined 201 pounds, documents said.

A Clark County grand jury later voted to indict Delarge on four drug-trafficking-related charges, records said. During a grand jury return hearing, Clark County District Court Chief Judge Jerry Wiese set bail at $250,000.

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Delarge has remained in custody since his initial arrest.

He was due to enter a formal plea in district court on 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 KLAS.
This week, President Donald Trump admitted on Truth Social that his mass deportations are hurting farmers and the economy. Those removals are taking very good, longtime workers away from farms and hotels, Trump declared, adding that those workers are proving impossible to replace. To be clear, Trump was talking about his own immigration policies.

Thats a stunning acknowledgment that Trumps forced mass removals are targeting hard-working folks and that those undocumented immigrants arent taking Americans jobs.

But its also functionally an admission of political vulnerability. Trump plainly grasps that his deportations are now perceivedaccuratelyas needlessly targeting good people who are contributing vitally to our economy and society, and not primarily the violent criminal migrant class that Trump and Stephen Miller keep insisting theyre removing.

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If you doubt this, then go listen to vulnerable House Republicans on the matter. In a new letter thats gotten almost zero media attention, six of them effectively reveal that they now see Trumps deportations as a political problem along exactly those lines. Democrats who worry about taking on this issue should ask themselves: If even Republicans are showing fear on it, isnt it time to drop the skittishness and engage already?

The letterwhich six House Republicans sent to acting Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyonsopenly calls on ICE to redirect its deportation resources toward convicted criminal aliens and away from undocumented immigrants who are not convicted criminals.

Naturally, the letter goes through the motions of hailing Trumps glorious toughness and infallibility on immigration. But these Republicans also state that they are concerned that Trumps limited resources may be stretched to pursue individuals that do not constitute an immediate threat to public safety:

Every minute that we spend pursuing an individual with a clean record is a minute less that we dedicate to apprehending terrorists or cartel operatives. We need to give absolute priority to every violent offender and convicted criminal illegal alien present in our nation. Diverting limited resources to other objectives puts our national security at risk.

Consider what this really means. These Republicans are admitting forthrightly that deportations that sweep widelybeyond convicted criminalstake resources away from pursuing the dangerous and violent, and that this makes us less safe, and that this is precisely Trumps policy.

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The letter is signed by representatives like David Valadao of California, Gabe Evans of Colorado, Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, and several others. Those are among the most vulnerable Republicans in next years midterm elections.

Now, anyone who understands politics will get that these members are putting out this letter so their local papers will report on how concerned they are about removals hitting their districts local businesses. In the end, theyll enthusiastically back whatever Trump does.

But this is nonetheless a revealing moment. To see why, note that Miller, who is reportedly raging about lagging arrests and deportations, is shrieking wildly at ICE officials, commanding them to round up as many migrants as possible by searching for day laborers in Home Depot parking lots.

The key point here is that to boost those numbers, Trump and Miller have to go after noncriminal migrants. There arent enough criminals around to pad the numbers, and targeting noncriminals is less resource-intensive. In other words, Miller is deliberately choosing to focus more resources on noncriminalsand thus away from dangerous criminals. Law enforcement insiders have leaked word of their anger over exactly this.

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Which is what these Republicans are obliquely criticizing. In so doing, what theyre really demonstrating is that Trump-Miller-MAGA propaganda is failing. To get voters to support mass removals, Trump and Miller have relentlessly smeared targeted migrants as uniformly dangerous criminals. But polls show that majorities oppose removing undocumented longtime residents, people with jobs, and those who dont have a criminal record.

The public is even souring on deportations more broadly. And as NBCs Natasha Korecki reports, headlines about deported families and other deeply sympathetic cases are growing more common. If this werent becoming a major political problem, vulnerable Republicans would not have to distance themselves from all of it.

Which raises a question: If those Republicans fear the politics of mass deportations, then why cant Democrats engage on them more vocally?

Trump has himself now admitted to precisely the same thing as those Republicans did: His mass deportations are sweeping up countless people who make essential contributions to economies and communities, to the detriment of our country. Yet after that admission, we saw only a handful of perfunctory statements from Democrats about it.

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This is puzzling because Trumps admission repudiates MAGA ideology and politics at a very profound level. A core MAGA tenet is the idea that undocumented immigrants must be forcibly removed because their presence is taking jobs from Americans who are now forced to molder away in idleness and social stagnation. In some iterations of thissee JD Vances lament to Ross Douthat in 2024elites are treacherously in on this scheme. In this mythology, those elites deliberately avoid employing American workerswhile sneering at them as lazy and entitled, to bootprecisely because they have the option of hiring undocumented immigrants.

But Trumps own admissionand to some degree that of these vulnerable House Republicansundercuts that story. As Trump himself concedes, there is not a rush of Americans looking to fill vacancies left by deported immigrants.

Some MAGA proponents might argue that many undocumented immigrants still take Americans jobs, even if farmworkers do not. But this has largely been debunked. And as Andrew Egger notes, Miller appears to have quickly persuaded Trump to clarify that he isnt backing off mass deportations; Miller clearly understood how damaging Trumps admission truly was.

Indeed, Trumps confession arguably undermines the broader zero-sum foundation of the MAGA worldview, which holds that any undocumented immigrants gain is an American workers loss. The reality is that undocumented immigrants often complement the American workforce. Without realizing it, Trump admitted this himself.

Why cant Democrats point this out? House Republicans in swing territory have openly demonstrated their vulnerability to these arguments. As theyve revealed, in places like Miami and the suburbs of Los Angeles and Denverhome to those GOP districts, where control of the House will be decidedopposition to cruel and indiscriminate mass deportations is growing. Trump has unwittingly produced the perfect weapon to make the case. So whats the holdup here, Democrats?
The British Royal family is always in the news. Either its reports about the Kings deteriorating health, his feud with Prince Harry or rumours of possible divorce for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Prince William and Kate Middleton. But King Charles, who has been mostly in the news lately because of his cancer and possible succession plans, is now making headlines for another reason. Or, hes making headlines for someone elses actions.

This all goes back to U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom King Charles has always had a very good relationship. The President is having a military parade to celebrate his birthday on Saturday, June 14. It just so happens thats the same day when King Charles and other members of the British royal family will stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace in London for Trooping the Colour.

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Related: Here are the celebrities who support Donald Trump

For nearly 300 years, Trooping the Colour has been a celebration of the monarchs birthdayeven if King Charles birthday is months away. Now, President Trump is staging his version of a royal military parade, on the same day, no less. Vanity Fair writer Erin Vanderhoof said the purposes of the two parades couldnt be more different, but comparisons seem inveitable and some people even feel like Trump is trying to steal King Charles thunder.

Trumps military parade is said to be more of a Soviet-style extravaganza, with battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers. The parade is not just supposedly celebrating Trumps birthday, but also the 250th anniversary of the Army and Flag Day. Numerous No Kings protests are scheduled to take place around the country during the same time as the parade.

According to Axios, President Trump got the idea for a parade after attending Frances Bastille Day parade in 2017, but had to cancel his plans in 2018 due to costs. However, Trump has always been a fan of the British Royal family and has attempted to present his family as American royalty, which might explain the insistence on the birthday military parade.

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King Charles recently took a strong stance against President Donald Trump in a speech to Canadas parliament. This came amid threats from the US President to annex Canada and make it the 51st state. We must face reality: since the Second World War, our world has never been more dangerous and unstable. Canada is facing challenges that, in our lifetimes, are unprecedented, Charles said in French.

Though Charles did not specifically address Trump in the speech, he did talk about the fact that many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them and affirmed Canadas sovereignty, saying the True North is indeed strong and free. According to the Associated Press, the King does not write his speeches in Parliament, and instead, he reads what the Canadian government provides.

Recently, King Charles reportedly wrote a letter to President Trump, looking for another state dinner. Quite apart from this presenting an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest, it would also offer a valuable chance to plan a historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. As you will know, this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content, Trump said about the letter.

Whether the relationship between the King of England and the President of the United States will remain on such cordial terms after Trumps birthday parade, on the same day as Trooping the Colour, and the inevitable comparisons, remains to be seen.

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The Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

Complaints from the farm and hotel industries that President Donald Trumps mass deportation effort is costing them valued workers will prompt change, Trump promised Thursday in a post on Truth Social.

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace, wrote Trump, who owns a number of hotels in the U.S., including one in Las Vegas.

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Its a very simple thing to say, were going to secure the border and were going to deport violent criminals and terrorists. Everybody agrees with that, Culinary Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said during a phone interview Thursday. When you bring in the Marines to arrest dishwashers, that backlash is exploding in industry, among citizens and voters. If theres one thing this president knows how to do its to backtrack quickly when he gets a backlash.

The U.S. employed more than 782,000 farm workers in 2023, according to the government. About two-thirds are immigrants, according to the government.

The leisure and hospitality industries in the U.S. employ some 14 million people, and almost one-third are immigrants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

Nevadas hospitality and leisure industries employed 368,400 people as of April, according to the Federal Reserve.

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These industries are run by very smart people, and they understand that the immigrant workforce powers this economy, said Pappageorge.

Pappageorge said hes not bothered by a carve-out from the deportation policy for two industries, suggesting agriculture and hospitality are just the first two to the table.

Gov. Joe Lombardo, who endorsed Trump and was endorsed by Trump, did not respond to inquiries about whether hes reached out to the White House regarding the presidents deportation plan and disruption to the labor force.

The Nevada Resort Association, which represents casino hotels in Nevada, referred the Current to the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

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Along with our members, we continue to communicate with Congress and the administration about the importance of building a strong hospitality and tourism workforce, the AHLA, which represents 32,000 properties, said in a statement. As an industry, we are committed to strict compliance with labor laws and immigration regulations, including those focused on recruitment, background checks and employment verification.

The hospitality industry is already reeling from a precipitous drop in travel resulting from Trumps trade wars, Bloomberg reported last week.

The AHLA urges Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, and strengthen the H-2B visa program, which allows temporary non-agricultural work in the U.S., and the J-1 visa program, which allows participation in exchange programs, says the AHLA website. We believe that the United States can have both an effective and welcoming legal immigration process that enables hotels and other businesses to meet our workforce needs, while also protecting our national security.

How Trump plans to exclude workers from the two industries from deportation is unknown.

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They could do this by prosecutorial discretion possibly, said Michael Kagan, director of UNLVs Immigration Clinic. Immigrations and Customer Enforcement (ICE) has the option to close cases and allow individuals to avoid deportation.

Nevada Current is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nevada Current maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Hugh Jackson for questions: info@nevadacurrent.com.

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Trump owns a number of hotels in the U.S., including one in Las Vegas. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current)

Complaints from the farm and hotel industries that President Donald Trumps mass deportation effort is costing them valued workers will prompt change, Trump promised Thursday in a post on Truth Social.

Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace, wrote Trump, who owns a number of hotels in the U.S., including one in Las Vegas.

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Its a very simple thing to say, were going to secure the border and were going to deport violent criminals and terrorists. Everybody agrees with that, Culinary Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge said during a phone interview Thursday. When you bring in the Marines to arrest dishwashers, that backlash is exploding in industry, among citizens and voters. If theres one thing this president knows how to do its to backtrack quickly when he gets a backlash.

The U.S. employed more than 782,000 farm workers in 2023, according to the government. About two-thirds are immigrants, according to the government.

The leisure and hospitality industries in the U.S. employ some 14 million people, and almost one-third are immigrants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.

Nevadas hospitality and leisure industries employed 368,400 people as of April, according to the Federal Reserve.

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These industries are run by very smart people, and they understand that the immigrant workforce powers this economy, said Pappageorge.

Pappageorge said hes not bothered by a carve-out from the deportation policy for two industries, suggesting agriculture and hospitality are just the first two to the table.

Gov. Joe Lombardo, who endorsed Trump and was endorsed by Trump, did not respond to inquiries about whether hes reached out to the White House regarding the presidents deportation plan and disruption to the labor force.

The Nevada Resort Association, which represents casino hotels in Nevada, referred the Current to the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

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Along with our members, we continue to communicate with Congress and the administration about the importance of building a strong hospitality and tourism workforce, the AHLA, which represents 32,000 properties, said in a statement. As an industry, we are committed to strict compliance with labor laws and immigration regulations, including those focused on recruitment, background checks and employment verification.

The hospitality industry is already reeling from a precipitous drop in travel resulting from Trumps trade wars, Bloomberg reported last week.

The AHLA urges Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, and strengthen the H-2B visa program, which allows temporary non-agricultural work in the U.S., and the J-1 visa program, which allows participation in exchange programs, says the AHLA website. We believe that the United States can have both an effective and welcoming legal immigration process that enables hotels and other businesses to meet our workforce needs, while also protecting our national security.

How Trump plans to exclude workers from the two industries from deportation is unknown.

They could do this by prosecutorial discretion possibly, said Michael Kagan, director of UNLVs Immigration Clinic. Immigrations and Customer Enforcement (ICE) has the option to close cases and allow individuals to avoid deportation.
An appeals court has temporarily blocked a federal judge's order that directed the Trump administration to return control of California's National Guard troops back to the state.

The appeals court's decision came hours after a federal judge said Trump's deployment of the troops to Los Angeles to quell immigration raids was illegal.

Trump said he was sending the troops - who are typically under the governor's authority - to stop LA from "burning down" in protests against his immigration crackdown.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom and other local officials rejected the move, however, and said it was an unnecessary provocation. The appeals court said it would hold a hearing on Tuesday.

At an earlier federal court hearing, Judge Charles Breyer said the question presented by California's request was whether Trump followed the law set by Congress on the deployment of a state's National Guard.

"He did not," the judge wrote in his decision. "His actions were illegal... He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith."

But the judge stayed the order until Friday afternoon to give the Trump administration time to appeal against it. The administration did so almost immediately after the order was issued.

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Newsom posted on social media on Thursday afternoon that "the court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets".

The Trump administration has said it took over California's National Guard to restore order and to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they swept up people in Los Angeles who were believed to be in the country illegally.

Despite Newsom's objections, Trump ordered a total of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to help quell the unrest. Some of the Guard troops are now authorised to detain people until police can arrest them.

A president last deployed the National Guard without a governor's consent more than 50 years ago - during the civil rights era. It is more common for a governor to activate troops to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies, and then ask for federal assistance.

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Before a packed courtroom on Thursday, a justice department attorney told Judge Breyer that Newsom did not need to be consulted when Trump issued his order.

"Governor Newsom was fully aware of this orderhe objected to it," Attorney Brett Shumate said. "There is one commander-in-chief of the US armed forces."

"No," Judge Breyer, the younger brother of former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, responded.

"The president isn't the commander -in-chief of the National Guard," he said but added there were times and situations where the president could become the head of the troops.

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Breyer, who had donned a light blue bowtie, invoked the Constitution multiple times during the hearing, holding up a booklet copy of the document at one point.

"We're talking about the president exercising his authority. And the president is, of course, limited in his authority," he said. "That's the difference between a constitutional government and King George."

Before the judge's ruling, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth repeatedly refused to say if he would comply with Judge Breyer's order.

"What I can say is we should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country," Hegseth said, speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday.

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Hegseth said he would comply with a Supreme Court ruling.

The appeals court decision on late Thursday allows the National Guard troops to remain in Los Angeles as the case makes it way through the courts.

The Trump administration used a law that allows the president to call the National Guard into federal service when a "rebellion" is happening.

But California said in its lawsuit that the protests that have spanned nearly a week in LA - and included more than 300 arrests and the shutting down of a major freeway - did not rise to that level.

"At no point in the past three days has there been a rebellion or an insurrection. Nor have these protests risen to the level of protests or riots that Los Angeles and other major cities have seen at points in the past, including in recent years," the lawsuit read.

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Additional reporting by Ana Faguy in Washington, DC

You can also get in touch by following this link

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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's administration this week provided deportation officials with personal data -- including the immigration status -- on millions of Medicaid enrollees, a move that could make it easier to locate people as part of his sweeping immigration crackdown.

An internal memo and emails obtained by The Associated Press show that Medicaid officials unsuccessfully sought to block the data transfer, citing legal and ethical concerns.

Nevertheless, two top advisers to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the dataset handed over to the Department of Homeland Security, the emails show. Officials at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were given just 54 minutes on Tuesday to comply with the directive.

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The dataset includes the information of people living in California, Illinois, Washington state and Washington, D.C., all of which allow non-U. S. citizens to enroll in Medicaid programs that pay for their expenses using only state taxpayer dollars. CMS transferred the information just as the Trump administration was ramping up its enforcement efforts in Southern California.

Besides helping authorities locate migrants, experts said, the government could also use the information to scuttle the hopes of migrants seeking green cards, permanent residency or citizenship if they had ever obtained Medicaid benefits funded by the federal government.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom s office said in a statement that it was concerned about how deportation officials might utilize the data, especially as federal authorities conduct immigration raids with the assistance of National Guard troops and Marines in Los Angeles.

We deeply value the privacy of all Californians, the statement said. This potential data transfer brought to our attention by the AP is extremely concerning, and if true, potentially unlawful, particularly given numerous headlines highlighting potential improper federal use of personal information and federal actions to target the personal information of Americans.

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Some California lawmakers on Friday also expressed alarm. U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman, a Democrat, wrote on X that we should never use a persons need to go to the doctor against them. This will only lead to more chaos and pain in our communities.

U.S. Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the data sharing was legal. He declined to answer questions about why the data was shared with DHS and how it would be used.

With respect to the recent data sharing between CMS and DHS, HHS acted entirely within its legal authority  and in full compliance with all applicable laws  to ensure that Medicaid benefits are reserved for individuals who are lawfully entitled to receive them, Nixon said.

An official with DHS, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said in a statement that Trump promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries. To keep that promise after Joe Biden flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans.

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The initiative appears to be part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to provide DHS with more data on migrants. In May, for example, a federal judge refused to block the Internal Revenue Service from sharing immigrants' tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help agents locate and detain people living without legal status in the U.S.

A targeted review of millions of immigrant Medicaid enrollees

CMS announced late last month that it was reviewing some state's Medicaid enrollees to ensure federal funds have not been used to pay for coverage for people with unsatisfactory immigration status. In a letter sent to state Medicaid officials, CMS said that the effort was part of Trump's Feb. 19 executive order titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.

As part of the review, California, Washington and Illinois shared details about non-U. S. citizens who have enrolled in their state's Medicaid program, according to a June 6 memo signed by Medicaid Deputy Director Sara Vitolo that was obtained by the AP. The memo was written by several CMS officials under Vitolo's supervision, according to sources familiar with the process.

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The data includes addresses, names, social security numbers and claims data for enrollees in those states, according to the memo and two people familiar with what the states sent to CMS and what was shared with DHS. Both individuals spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share details about the data exchange.

CMS officials attempted to fight the data sharing request from Homeland Security, saying that to do so would violate federal laws, including the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974, according to Vitolo's memo.

Multiple federal statutory and regulatory authorities do not permit CMS to share this information with entities outside of CMS, Vitolo wrote, further explaining that the sharing of such personal data is only allowed for directly administering the Medicaid program.

Sharing information about Medicaid applicants or enrollees with DHS officials would violate a long-standing policy, wrote Vitolo, a career employee, to Trump appointee Kim Brandt, deputy administrator and chief operating officer of CMS.

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Vitolo and Brandt could not be reached for comment.

The legal arguments outlined in the memo were not persuasive to Trump appointees at HHS, which oversees the Medicaid agency.

Four days after the memo was sent, on June 10, HHS officials directed the transfer of the data to DHS by 5:30 ET today, according to email exchanges obtained by AP.

Former government officials said the move was unusual because CMS, which has access to personal health data for nearly half the country, does not typically share such sensitive information with other departments.

DHS has no role in anything related to Medicaid, said Jeffrey Grant, a former career employee at CMS.

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Beyond her legal arguments, Vitolo said sharing the information with DHS could have a chilling effect on states, perhaps prompting them to withhold information. States, she added needed to guard against the legal risk they were taking by giving federal officials data that could be shared with deportation officials.

A concerning development

All states must legally provide emergency Medicaid services to non-U. S. citizens, including to those who are lawfully present but have not yet met a five-year wait to apply for Medicaid.

Seven states, along with the District, allow immigrants who are not living legally in the country to enroll  with full benefits  in their state's Medicaid program. The states launched these programs during the Biden administration and said they would not bill the federal government to cover those immigrants' health care costs.

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The Trump administration has raised doubts about that pledge.

Nixon, the HHS spokesperson, said that the state's Medicaid programs for immigrants opened the floodgates for illegal immigrants to exploit Medicaid  and forced hardworking Americans to foot the bill.

All of the states  California, New York, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado  have Democratic governors. Due to his state's budget woes, Newsom announced earlier this year he would freeze enrollment into the program; Illinois will also shut down its program for roughly 30,000 non-U. S. citizens in July.

The remaining states  New York, Oregon, Minnesota and Colorado  have not yet submitted the identifiable data to CMS as part of the review, according to a public health official who has reviewed CMS' requests to the states.

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Illinois health officials also said they were deeply concerned by the APs findings that revealed their states Medicaid customer information was shared with federal agencies outside of CMS, given that their understanding (is) that the data is protected under the federal Privacy Act of 1974 and other federal regulations  which protects the rights of Americans sensitive health and personal data.

In a statement issued after publication of AP's story, California's Newsom said the decision to share the data will jeopardize the safety, health, and security of those who will undoubtedly be targeted by this abuse.

State health officials from the District and Washington did not respond to requests for comment.
Triani Canada, the bottling subsidiary of Prime Drink Group, has been placed into receivership and ceased operations.

In a statement, the Canadian beverage holding company said Triani, which does business as Prime Bottling, was placed into receivership on 10 June.

The order was issued by the Superior Court in the District of Montreal following a petition by the companys primary creditors.

In a statement, Prime Drink Group clarified the parent company and its other subsidiaries remain unaffected by this receivership.

The company added its ownership of freshwater rights is separate from Triani, allowing continued operations in those areas.

Olivier Primeau, VP marketing, strategic vision and acquisitions at Prime Drink Group, said the receivership of Triani puts us in a challenging situation but our resolve and vision remain unwavering.

The Quebec-based company acquired Prime Bottling in November.

Primeau added: It is our intention to fight to recover what is owed to Prime and to continue developing our valuable strategic water and beverage assets.

In February, Prime Drink Group announced a restructuring of Triani following an objective third-party financial analysis of operations.

The company said the move would optimise organisational structures and improve the profitability of bottling plant operations and exclusively licenced brands.

However, nearly two months later, Triani's principal creditors, Roynat, Financement Agricole Canada and Banque Canadienne Imperiale de Commerce, filed for a receiver to be appointed for Triani's assets.

At the time, Prime Drink Group said: Triani intends to oppose the application from the creditors to pursue its restructuring plan and will continue to seek alternative solutions to the appointment of a receiver.

Prime Drink Group is evaluating several options, including submitting an offer to the principal creditors to acquire certain strategic assets of Triani.

The company is also exploring other avenues of recourse concerning Triani and its stakeholders.

Additionally, Prime Drink Group has appointed Jean Gosselin as its CFO.

Gosselin previously worked as the vice president of finance and corporate secretary of the group.

In April, Prime Drink Group reached an agreement to acquire a majority interest in the company behind Relax Downlow, a Quebec-based brand specialising in functional beverages.

"Prime Drink Groups bottling unit enters receivership " was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated the parole status of hundreds of thousands of migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These people, who have been living and working in the country, must now self-deport or face immigration enforcement actions.

An estimated 530,000 people came to the country through the CHNV parole program. (The initials stand for "Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela.") This pathway, implemented by President Joe Biden in January 2023, granted foreign nationals from those four countries U.S. work permits and deportation protection for two years while they sought other means of legal status. To qualify for CHNV parole, migrants had to have a sponsor based in the U.S. and pass security vetting.

Republicans denounced the program as a misuse of parole authority, and in October 2024 the Biden administration decided against extending it. It's unclear how many people obtained alternative means of legal status to stay in the country after arriving under the program.

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On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing DHS to "terminate all categorical parole programs that are contrary to the policies of the United States established in my Executive Orders." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the CHNV parole program on March 25, but legal challenges quickly blocked her move. In April, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that migrants on CHNV parole were entitled to a case-by-case review and implemented a preliminary injunction to pause Noem's order. That injunction was itself then paused by the Supreme Court, allowing deportation actions against people on CHNV parole to proceed while legal challenges continue to move forward.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson authored a dissent, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, decrying the "devastating consequences of allowing the Government to precipitously upend the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million noncitizens while their legal claims are pending."

On Thursday, June 12, DHSonce againbegan terminating the parole status of migrants benefiting from the parole program. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at Homeland Security, declared in a press release that DHS was aiming to reverse the "disastrous" effects of allowing "poorly vetted illegal aliens into the United States" to "compete for American jobs and undercut American workers."

Revoking a noncitizen's parole status may well be within Noem's legal authority, but the termination of this program will impact hundreds of thousands of migrants who came to the United States legally to make a better life for themselves. Many migrated due to urgent humanitarian reasons, seeking refuge from violence, from oppressive authoritarian socialist regimes, and from severe economic crises. And the program didas intendedrelieve pressure and disorder on the southern border.

The post The Trump Administration Just Created Hundreds of Thousands of Illegal Immigrants appeared first on Reason.com.
The Trump administration can maintain control of several thousand National Guard troops in California and continue to deploy them in Los Angeles, a federal appeals court ruled late Thursday, pausing a lower court ruling that determined President Donald Trump's federalization of the guardsmen was unlawful.

The ruling by a three-judge panel on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals keeps in place Trumps directives authorizing the deployment of at least 4,000 California National Guard troops and several hundred Marines pending further litigation, even as state leaders cast the military presence as unnecessary and escalatory.

The appeals court will hold a hearing on the matter Tuesday.

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Hours before the appeals court ruling, a federal judge temporarily halted the deployment in Los Angeles, writing Thursday evening that the federal government did not have the authority to nationalize Californias National Guard.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued the temporary restraining order after an hourlong hearing in a San Francisco federal court. It marked a significant setback for Trump, who in recent days increased the number of California National Guard troops under his command by thousands as he sought to flex his executive power and blunt volatile protests in Los Angeles triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, steadfastly opposed Trumps decision to deploy the troops, arguing that the presence of militarized law enforcement would only intensify protests and that the administration did not take command of the National Guard members in accordance with federal law.

The Department of Defense did not transmit this directive to the Office of the Governor, nor was it approved or ordered by the Governor of California, as required by the law, Newsom wrote in a letter urging the administration to relinquish control of the troops.

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A day after the letter was sent, California Attorney General Rob Bonta challenged the deployment in federal court, formalizing Newsom's concern that the administration failed to properly follow the statute that permits the federalization of a states National Guard.

In his ruling, Breyer appeared to agree with that argument, delivering a decision broader than the state had sought.

Bonta had wanted to ensure that the guard members werent participating in civilian law and immigration enforcement, acts that they are typically federally prohibited to do. But Breyer determined that Trump exceeded his authority in federalizing the troops because he did not notify Newsom, as the statute cited by the administration requires.

During a hearing in San Francisco this afternoon, a lawyer for the federal government argued the administration had met the requirements of a federal statute that governs when the National Guard can be called into federal service. However, in his order Thursday evening, Breyer said the Trump administration had in his view met none of those requirements.

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"His actions were illegalboth exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution Breyer wrote.

Demonstrators holding signs and flags face California National Guard members standing guard outside the Federal Building in Los Angeles as they protest in response to federal immigration operations Monday. (Apu Gomes / AFP - Getty Images)

He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith, the judge continued.

Newsom praised the ruling at an evening news conference, calling it "a big day for the Constitution of the United States" and "our democracy."

I hope its the beginning of a new day in this country where we push back against overreach," Newsom said. "We push back against these authoritarian tendencies of a president that has pushed the boundaries, push the limit, but no longer can push this state around.

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The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorneys for the Justice Department framed Breyer's ruling as an attack on Trump's presidential powers.

"The district court has entered an unprecedented order enjoining the President from deploying National Guardsmen to protect federal officers from ongoing violent protests and attacks, and to protect federal property from further damage," the attorneys wrote.

They added that the "order is an extraordinary intrusion on the Presidents constitutional authority as Commander in Chief to call forth the National Guard as necessary to protect federal officials."

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The district court concluded that the statutory conditions were not satisfied, the Justice Department attorneys wrote. But that sort of second-guessing of the Commander in Chiefs military judgments is a gross violation of the separation of powers. Nearly 200 years ago, the Supreme Court made clear that these judgment calls are for the President to makenot a Governor, and certainly not a federal court

Breyers order does not apply to the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. In the hearing Thursday afternoon, he expressed skepticism that he was able to control their movements, because the governor of California does not have authority over the Marine Corps. I dont understand how Im supposed to do anything with the Marines, to tell you the truth, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Donald Trump needs better enemies. More accurately, the American people need the president and his allies to have a higher quality opposition. In office, President Trump has embraced some truly terribleand occasionally dangerouspolicies, including federalizing National Guard troops and mobilizing U.S. Marines to deal with riots that really should be left to California officials to handle or fumble as their abilities allow. But his opponents insist on embracing lunacy and ineffectiveness and making the president look reasonable by comparison, effectively giving his actions a pass.

Feckless Opponents

"Donald Trump, without consulting with California's law enforcement leaders, commandeered 2,000 of our state's National Guard members to deploy on our streets. Illegally, and for no reason," complained Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom after the president turned local rioting into a federal issue.

Newsom expanded on his objections in a glitch-filled speech that focused more on Trump than the riots. It played into the reputation for incompetence he's gained over years of ignoring his state's problems, including all of the missteps that led to the recent wildfires in and around Los Angeles.

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Those fires didn't exactly cover Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in glory either, and neither has her response to the chaos. She's alternated between supporting demonstrators protesting the federal immigration raids that sparked the riots and vowing crackdowns on violence. One minute she touts her work with "community organizations, legal advocates, and local leaders to ensure that every resident knows their rights" and the next she reminds Angelenos that downtown is under curfew.

That's unfortunate, because the feckless California officials raise legitimate concerns about the president's actions. There are good reasons to object to a president responding to local events with federal troops.

Valid Concerns Lost in the Chaos

"Preemptive nationwide deployment of the military is the very opposite of using the military as a 'last resort,'" warns Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center's Liberty and National Security Program. "It is so wildly out of keeping with how the Insurrection Act and 10 U.S.C.  12406 have been interpreted and applied that it should be entitled to no deference by the courts."

The law that President Trump relied on10 U.S.C.  12406allows the president to "call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any State" to repel invasions, suppress rebellions, or enforce the law when regular forces are insufficient. Invoking that law over local disorder before state and local officials have had much of a chance to do anything is a stretch of the law's intent as well as a slap at federalism. The law says nothing authorizing the use of regular military forces, leaving the impression that the Marines Trump dispatched are just hitching a ride on his presidential memorandum to bypass the Posse Comitatus Act's restrictions on the domestic use of the military.

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Which means that Newsom and Bass had a great opportunity to show their chops and object to federal interferenceif they were up to the demands of that role. They're not.

Rioting Overshadows Legitimate Protest

Worse, though, are the rioters themselves. As Matthew Ormseth and James Queally described the scene for Los Angeles Times readers, "some in the crowd lobbed bottles and fireworks at the LAPD," "vandals set fire to a row of Waymos," and "people wearing masks flung chunks of concreteand even a few electric scootersat" California Highway Patrol officers. That speaks for itselfbut not as loudly as the idiots throwing Molotov cocktails at police.

Rioting understandably became the dominant news story, overshadowing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that originally set off protests before they turned violent.

Smarter protesters would have kept demonstrations peaceful and attention focused on arrests that we were told would target violent criminals but too often ensnare harmless people.

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"Federal immigration officials appeared to target day laborers in raids Monday at a Home Deport in Santa Ana," the Los Angeles NBC affiliate reported this week. Traditional gathering places for immigrants seeking workand not so many vicious gangbangershave been targeted across the country. "Stephen Miller, a top White House aide and architect of the president's immigration agenda, asked ICE officials to step up the pace of immigrant deportations, including in Home Depot parking lots and at 7-Eleven Stores," according to The Wall Street Journal.

ICE has also gone after immigrants navigating the bureaucratic path to legal immigration and even citizens who were wrongly detained.

Those outrages were pushed into the background when rioting inevitably grabbed the headlines.

Not that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gives a damn about keeping the message straight. As violent protests spread across the country, he urged his constituents to "rise up" and "resist." Apparently, he doesn't want to miss out on the excitement of watching parts of his city burn.

Wanted: Competent and Sane Political Opposition

Not everybody is impressed by this version of opposition to the Trump administration.

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"I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigrationbut this is not that," Sen. John Fetterman (DPenn.) warned this week. "This is anarchy and true chaos. My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement."

Fetterman has, somewhat surprisingly, emerged as a voice of sanity for his party. He's called Democrats to account over the antisemitism of the party's progressive wing and now for confusing tantrums in the street with effective opposition. A few more Democrats like him would go a long way towards rescuing the party from its self-inflicted wounds and giving the U.S. a functioning political opposition.

The country could really use a functioning opposition. The Trump administration's turn towards economic nationalism, unilateral power, authoritarianism, and xenophobia cry out for criticism and alternative solutions. That criticism should be peaceful and those alternatives should be sensibly presented. Ideally, they should also advance liberty and limit government.

For the moment, though, that may be too much to ask of Democrats. Many of them are still wrestling with the temptations of appearing to be either inept or dangerous lunatics.

The post The Trump Administration Needs Better Opposition appeared first on Reason.com.
NEW YORK  NEW YORK  The Trump administration said Friday it does not plan to free recent Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from a Louisiana detention center, despite missing a morning deadline to challenge his release in federal court.

New Jersey Federal Judge Michael Farbiarz on Wednesday granted Khalils request to stop the government from detaining and deporting him  for now  based on Secretary of State Marco Rubios determination that his pro-Palestinian advocacy compromises a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest, meaning U.S. support for Israel.

The judge said the order wouldnt go into effect until Friday at 9:30 a.m., giving the government time to file a notice of appeal challenging his finding.

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The deadline has come and gone and Mahmoud Khalil must be released immediately, Khalils lawyers said in a statement to the Daily News earlier Friday. Anything further is an attempt to prolong his unconstitutional, arbitrary, and cruel detention.

In response to Khalils legal teams Friday morning filings, the federal government said they havent sought to stay the ruling because they dont interpret the judges Wednesday order as requiring immigration authorities to release Khalil.

The Court did not order Respondents to release Petitioner Mahmoud Khalil, the government lawyers wrote in court documents. The Court instead enjoined Respondents from detaining Khalil based on the Secretary of States determination. That injunction does not interfere with Respondents authority to detain Khalil on other grounds.

The government is now detaining Khalil on allegations that when he applied for lawful permanent residency in 2024, he didnt disclose membership in UNRWA, that hed worked for the British Embassy in Beirut, or that he was a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest. His lawyers have called the allegations baseless.

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Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

In a statement Wednesday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin had indicated the government would challenge Farbiarzs order, saying it delays justice and seeks to undermine [Trumps] constitutionally vested powers. McLaughlin said a green card was a privilege that should be revoked for people who support terrorist activity, an allegation the Trump admin has levied against Khalil without backing up.

The 30-year-old grad student, a legal permanent resident, has been detained in Jena, Louisiana, since March 9, a day after agents from DHS took him into custody at his Columbia-owned apartment.

In the weeks that followed, the government cited an obscure provision in a 1952 immigration law finding the office of the secretary of state can order someone deported if their beliefs could unfavorably impact U.S. foreign relations, namely, the governments policy of combating antisemitism. Khalil, a Palestinian who grew up in a Syrian refugee camp, rejects that his advocacy for civilians in war-torn Gaza and the West Bank is based on bigotry.

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His lawyers have pointed to public comments he made well before his arrest condemning antisemitism.

Farbiarzs Wednesday opinion and order found his detention jeopardized his reputation and right to free speech.

[The] Court finds as a matter of fact that [Khalils] career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled, Farbiarz wrote Wednesday, and this adds up to irreparable harm.

The government has also cited another basis for Khalils deportation in alleging that he failed to fill out forms when he applied for residency accurately. But the federal judge so far has been suspicious of that reasoning for Khalils detention.

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Farbiarz noted Wednesday that the government virtually never [detains] people on such allegations and that Khalils ongoing detention was, by all accounts, driven by Rubios unconstitutional policy.

In response, the federal government on Friday argued that while the court found it was unlikely that Khalil would be detained on another basis, the federal judge did not explicitly say it would be unlawful to do so. They concluded that Khalil is now being held on the secondary charge.

The government lawyers also asked the court that if it isnt convinced by their argument to stay any order to release Khalil pending appeal or set a date for the order to go into effect a week later.

Khalil, whose U.S. citizen wife accepted his diploma from Columbia on his behalf last month, is fighting his detention and deportation in a habeas corpus case filed in New Jersey, where he was swiftly transferred after being taken into custody.

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He played a prominent role in campus protests against Israeli military activity in Gaza and the West Bank and Columbias financial ties to Israel, acting as a mediator between students and the school administration.

Separately, hes faced immigration proceedings in Louisiana, where Judge Jamee Comans has sided with the government in ordering him deported. Before a hearing in that matter last month, where Khalil and other witnesses sought to convince Comans that his deportation could result in his death, he met his 1-month-old son, Deen, for the first time, who was born weeks after he was detained.

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SEATTLE (AP)  President Donald Trump on Thursday pulled the U.S. out of an agreement with Washington, Oregon and four American Indian tribes to work together to restore salmon populations and boost tribal clean energy development in the Pacific Northwest, deriding the plan as radical environmentalism that could have resulted in the breaching of four controversial dams on the Snake River.

The deal, known as the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement, was reached in late 2023 and heralded by the Biden administration, tribes and conservationists as historic. It allowed for a pause in decades of litigation over the harm the federal government's operation of dams in the Northwest has done to the fish.

Under it, the federal government said it planned to spend more than $1 billion over a decade to help recover depleted salmon runs. The government also said that it would build enough new clean energy projects in the Pacific Northwest to replace the hydropower generated by the Lower Snake River dams  the Ice Harbor, Little Goose, Lower Monumental and Lower Granite  should Congress ever agree to remove them.

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In a statement, the White House said former President Joe Biden's decision to sign the agreement "placed concerns about climate change above the Nations interests in reliable energy sources.

Conservations groups, Democratic members of Congress and the Northwest tribes criticized Trump's action.

Donald Trump doesnt know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life  so of course, he is abruptly and unilaterally upending a historic agreement that finally put us on a path to salmon recovery, while preserving stable dam operations for growers and producers, public utilities, river users, ports and others throughout the Northwest," Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington said in a written statement. This decision is grievously wrong and couldnt be more shortsighted.

Basin was once world's greatest salmon-producing river system

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The Columbia River Basin, an area roughly the size of Texas, was once the worlds greatest salmon-producing river system, with at least 16 stocks of salmon and steelhead. Today, four are extinct and seven are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Another iconic but endangered Northwest species, a population of killer whales, also depend on the salmon.

The construction of the first dams on the main Columbia River, including the Grand Coulee and Bonneville dams in the 1930s, provided jobs during the Great Depression, as well as hydropower and navigation. The dams made the town of Lewiston, Idaho, the most inland seaport on the West Coast, and many farmers in the region rely on barges to ship their crops.

But the dams are also main culprit behind the salmons decline, and fisheries scientists have concluded that breaching the dams in eastern Washington on the Snake River, the largest tributary of the Columbia, would be the best hope for recovering them, providing the fish with access to hundreds of miles of pristine habitat and spawning grounds in Idaho.

The tribes, which reserved the right to fish in their usual and accustomed grounds when they ceded vast amounts of land in their 19th century treaties with the U.S., warned as far back as the late 1930s that the salmon runs could disappear, with the fish no longer able to access spawning grounds upstream.

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This agreement was designed to foster collaborative and informed resource management and energy development in the Pacific Northwest, including significant tribal energy initiatives, Yakama Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis said in a written statement. The Administrations decision to terminate these commitments echoes the federal governments historic pattern of broken promises to tribes, and is contrary to President Trumps stated commitment to domestic energy development.

Republicans in region opposed agreement

Northwestern Republicans in Congress had largely opposed the agreement, warning that it would hurt the region's economy, though in 2021 Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho proposed removing the earthen berms on either side of the four Lower Snake River dams to let the river flow freely, and to spend $33 billion to replace the benefits of the dams.

Todays action by President Trump reverses the efforts by the Biden administration and extreme environmental activists to remove the dams, which would have threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices, and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets," Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Republican from Washington, said in a news release.

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Tribes, environmentalists vow to fight for salmon

The tribes and the environmental law firm Earthjustice, which represents conservation, clean energy and fishing groups in litigation against the federal government, said they would continue working to rebuild salmon stocks.

Unfortunately, this short-sighted decision to renege on this important agreement is just the latest in a series of anti-government and anti-science actions coming from the Trump administration, Earthjustice Senior Attorney Amanda Goodin said. "This administration may be giving up on our salmon, but we will keep fighting to prevent extinction and realize win-win solutions for the region.
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration sought to distance the United States on Thursday from Israel's strikes on Iran, attacks that are likely to complicate Trump's drive for a nuclear deal with Tehran.

Israel said it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons, even as the Trump administration was preparing to hold a sixth round of talks on Sunday on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment program.

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Marco Rubio, Trump's secretary of state and national security adviser, stressed that Israel's strikes were unilateral, while saying the U.S. had known attacks would occur.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement. "Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense."

Just hours before the strikes, Trump had urged a diplomatic solution to the tensions, while saying a strike on Iran "could very well happen."

Iran says its nuclear energy program is only for peaceful purposes, although the International Atomic Energy Agency on Thursday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

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Rubio had a stark warning for Iran, a day after the United States ordered some U.S. personnel to leave the Middle East in response to tensions in the area. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he said.

His statement did not mention whether Washington would support Israel if it faces retaliatory strikes, a standard line in the past.

Trump has been increasingly at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over both Iran and his handling of Israel's war in Gaza, wanting to seal a deal with Tehran and accelerate food aid into Gaza.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Monday, and Trump told reporters the main topic was Iran. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he suggested an Israeli attack was imminent.

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"Well, I'd love to avoid conflict. Irans going to have to negotiate a little tougher, meaning theyre going to have to give us some things that theyre not willing to give us right now," he said.

Retaliation by Iran for Israel's strikes could put U.S. troops and diplomats around the region at risk, given that the United States is Israel's main backer.

Security concerns had risen since Trump said on Wednesday that U.S. personnel were being moved out of the region because "it could be a dangerous place" and that Tehran would not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Washington and Tehran on Thursday had announced plans for another round of talks on Sunday in Oman between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

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A U.S. official said late on Thursday that the talks were still on. "We still intend to have talks Sunday," the official said, without elaborating.

Trump, however, was equivocal on the talks, telling Fox News, Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see."

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Don Durfee and William Mallard)
The Trump administration told a federal judge on Friday that it doesnt intend to release Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate who was hauled off to a detention center by the Trump administration after protesting Israels military campaign in Gaza.

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Khalil must be released from a detention center in Jena, Louisiana. But on Friday, lawyers for the Trump administration said they didnt have to do so on the basis of that judges ruling.

We were made for this moment. HuffPost will aggressively, fairly and honestly cover the Trump administration. But we need your help. Consider directly backing our work today.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBSs Face the Nation in March that the decision to deport Khalil, despite his holding a green card, was for the sake of national security and protecting Americas foreign policy interests. Rubio used a rarely invoked statute to pursue the expulsion.

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But now, the administration says the judges decision didnt factor in other reasons to detain Khalil, including his alleged inadmissibility to the country as an alien at time of entry.

Khalil, who studied international affairs, was never accused of or charged with any crimes. He was detained by immigration agents in New York on March 8 while walking through the lobby of his university-owned apartment building. The push to deport Khalil from the U.S. was based on his involvement as a student negotiator and spokesperson for pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University. The Trump administration has labeled these demonstrations as antisemitic and has accused Khalil of being a radical terrorist.

Khalils lawyers said the administration was attempting to silence him and had violated his free speech rights. In a statement to the court last week, Khalil said the Trump administration had not only separated him from his wife and new child, but also harmed his financial and professional future. Because of his detention, he said, a job offer was rescinded for a policy adviser role at the independent nongovernmental organization, Oxfam International.

I strongly believe that the Rubio Determination, my arrest and detention  and the public stigma that followed  played a significant role in this decision, Khalil wrote of the lost job opportunity. I was not surprised; roles like this depend on your reputation. How could someone who has been labeled a risk to U.S. foreign policy credibly represent an international organization in diplomatic spaces  let alone serve as an advisor on human rights and regional policy in the Middle East and North Africa? Beyond credibility, how could I effectively perform the essential duties of a position like this  which requires traveling internationally  where visa denial or intense scrutiny would be nearly inevitable?

Mahmoud Khalil (right)participates in a pro-Palestinian protest at Columbia University on Oct. 12, 2023, in New York. Yuki Iwamura via Associated Press

Khalil was born in Syria to Palestinian parents. He grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. Khalil came to the United States in 2022 to pursue his masters at Columbia. He had previously obtained a degree in computer science from Lebanese American University.

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In their filing to the court on Friday, Trump administration lawyers wrote that while the court made a factual finding (emphasis original) that it was unlikely Khalil would be detained on another basis, the court never held that it would be unlawful for respondents to detain Khalil on another charge of removability. (emphasis original)

An alien like Khalil may be detained during the pendency of removal proceedings regardless of the charge of removability. Khalil may seek release through the appropriate administrative processes, first before an officer of the Department of Homeland Security, and secondly through a custody redetermination hearing before an immigration judge, the filing states.

Khalil must also be able to prove that his release would not pose a danger to anyone or any property.

An attorney for Khalil did not immediately return a HuffPost request for comment.

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Welcome back, Deadline: Legal Newsletter readers. When we left off, President Donald Trumps administration had a critical deadline heading into this week. It had until Wednesday to tell U.S. District Judge James Boasberg how it planned to provide due process to the scores of Venezuelan immigrants the government shipped to a Salvadoran mega-prison in March. But in that case and in the California military deployment litigation this week, two separate appellate panels saved the administration from immediate compliance with the law. Five of the six judges on those panels are Trump appointees.

In the first case, Boasberg had said hed leave it up to the government how to give the men entombed in El Salvadors Center for Terrorism Confinement a chance to challenge their removals. But instead of giving D.C.'s chief federal trial judge its plan, the administration waited until the last minute to ask the appeals court for help. The strategy worked. On Tuesday, a panel of three judges whom Trump had appointed in his first term agreed to put Boasbergs order on hold.

Its true that the panel merely granted an administrative stay, which technically doesnt forecast how a court will rule in the end. On that note, Judges Gregory Katsas, Neomi Rao and Justin Walker emphasized that their reprieve should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits.

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But the practical effect is that the men whom Boasberg said were illegally sent to that prison will languish there even longer, while the appellate judges ponder whether to keep the Obama-appointed trial judges order on hold, or whether theyll permit a glimmer of a hope of a shot of a chance for due process.

In the second case, a judge on the other side of the country handed the administration another significant loss at the trial-court level. U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer (brother of retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer) granted a temporary restraining order against Trumps takeover of the California National Guard. The Clinton appointee called the presidents actions illegal and said control over the Guard would be returned to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom at noon Friday in California.

But Trump administration lawyers launched another emergency appeal, and another appellate panel jumped in. On Thursday night, a three-judge panel on the West Coast granted an administrative stay to halt Breyers order. It set a hearing for Tuesday to consider a longer-term ruling.

To be sure, the West Coast panel only had two Trump appointees on it, plus a Biden appointee who didnt note any dissent from the order.

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But the practical effect is the same as in the first case: the maintenance of a status quo deemed lawless by a veteran trial court judge. While an administrative stay isnt a formal decision on the merits of an issue, if Trump saw this one as anything but a win, he wouldnt have responded by writing on social media: Thank you for the Decision!!!

So, we head into another week with our eyes on the courts, waiting to see if the president will be thanking them again next week.

Have any questions or comments for me? Please submit them on this form for a chance to be featured in the Deadline: Legal blog and newsletter.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will attend a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning, the White House said late on Thursday after Israeli strikes on Iran that have put the Middle East on edge.

The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. (1500 GMT) on Friday, the White House said.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Israel said early on Friday Middle East time and late Thursday U.S. time that it struck Iran and targeted its nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders. Israel warned it would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

The Trump administration sought to distance the U.S. from the strikes, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying, "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region."

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations said Israel has an ongoing dialogue with Washington but its determination to strike Iran was an independent Israeli decision.

When asked in a CNN interview if Israel expected the U.S. to assist Israel in case of an Iranian response, Ambassador Danny Danon said: "Don't think we should go into speculation." He added: "This decision was a decision of the Israeli leadership."

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The State Department said the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem directed all government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.

CONTEXT

U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday, but after Israel's strikes it was unclear if those would proceed.

Trump said earlier on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen" but reiterated hopes for a peaceful resolution.

The U.S. military is planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters.

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SECURITY ALERT BY U.S. EMBASSY

A security alert by the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem said the security environment was complex and could change quickly.

In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the State Department said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Raju Gopalakrishnan and William Mallard)
President Donald Trump told Fox News Channel's chief political anchor Bret Baier on Thursday he was aware that Israel was going to conduct preemptive strikes on Iran before they happened.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership in Iran that will not be coming back," Trump said.

Israeli strikes on Iran killed three of the countrys top military commanders, including Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and Commander of Irans Emergency Command Gholam-Ali Rashid.

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Trump has spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times in recent days.

Israel Launches Sweeping Strike On Iran While Trump Administration Seeks Diplomatic Solution

Trump tells Fox News' Bret Baier that he was aware of Israel's plan to fire on Iran before it happened.

The Trump administration reached out to at least one key Middle Eastern ally to acknowledge that the strike was going to happen, but said that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes.

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A firefighter calls out his colleagues at the scene of an explosion in a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The president said he hopes Iran returns to the negotiating table, though Iran has signaled its intention to pull out of further talks. U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his team had been scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterparts in Oman on Sunday.

This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on May 20, 2025.

Israeli forces used around 200 fighter jets to strike targets in Iran, destroying dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers as well as nuclear facilities. Iran launched around 100 retaliatory drones toward Israel hours later which Israeli forces said they were working to intercept.

Smoke rises from a location allegedly targeted in Israel's wave of strikes on Tehran, Iran, on the early morning of June 13, 2025.

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Trump said he is watching for any retaliation, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is on high alert. He noted that the U.S. is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates. In recent weeks, the U.S. has replenished Iron Dome missiles.

The president is expected to attend a National Security Council meeting later Friday morning.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump aware of Israel strikes on Iran beforehand, says there were no surprises
By Davide Barbuscia

NEW YORK (Reuters) -BlackRock said on Thursday it was aiming to grow its revenue to $35 billion and more by 2030, as the asset management giant expands its foothold in private markets.

The New York-based firm, which reported revenue of $20 billion for 2024, will hold an investor day on Thursday that is expected to provide insight into the firm's strategic priorities and its growing focus on private markets.

The world's largest asset manager, overseeing $11.58 trillion as of the end of the first quarter, last year expanded its presence in private markets through a series of acquisitions that BlackRock's boss Larry Fink said were transformational for the New York-based firm.

BlackRock spent about $25 billion in 2024 on infrastructure investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners and private credit business HPS Investment Partners. It also struck a $3.2 billion deal to acquire UK data provider Preqin. That acquisition officially closed in March this year.

BlackRock is also aiming to double its market cap to $280 billion and targeting $400 billion of cumulative fundraising in private markets by 2030, it said in an investor presentation on Thursday.

"I think investors are going to want more granular details and more color on BlackRock's strategy to increase exposure to alternative assets," said Cathy Seifert, an analyst at CFRA Research who covers BlackRock.

Private assets generate significantly higher fees than exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a core part of BlackRock's business through its iShares franchise.

BlackRock is aiming for its private markets and technology businesses to make up 30% or more of the firm's total revenue by 2030, up from 15% in 2024.

In his 2025 annual chairman's letter to shareholders, BlackRock's Chairman and CEO Fink said protectionism had returned with force as a result of a wealth divide that could be countered by offering more investors access to high-return private markets such as infrastructure and private credit.

Ben Budish, an analyst at Barclays, said he expected updates from the company on potentially creating indexes based on private markets after the acquisition of private markets data provider Preqin.

"Looking at what BlackRock did with iShares and ETFs, is there a way to do that with private markets?  Im sure theres more details to come on that," he said.

Private credit, where non-bank institutions lend to companies, has experienced significant growth in recent years due to stricter regulations that have increased the cost for traditional banks to fund higher-risk loans.
President Donald Trump backed Israel on Friday after it launched a sweeping attack on Irans nuclear program and leadership, although officials stressed the U.S. was not directly involved in the dramatic escalation that could lead to a wider war in the Middle East.

Trump claimed the Israeli attack was launched after Tehran ignored a 60-day ultimatum set by him to reach a deal to limit its nuclear program, the first time such a deadline has been mentioned.

I think its been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didnt take it, Trump told ABC News. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit.

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Trump added that the Iran should expect further attacks in coming days.

And theres more to come, a lot more, he added.

Trump claimed he had warned Iran it had only two months to conclude a new deal with the U.S. to limit its nuclear program and forgo nuclear weapons.

Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal, he posted on his social media site. They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Trumps claim appeared to be designed to counter the widespread perception that the massive strike means Israel snubbed the White Houses effort to negotiate a deal with Iran.

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Trump had recently said talks with Iran were going very well and suggested a breakthrough was near.

A U.S. team led by Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to journey to the Middle East for talks with Iran this weekend, an odd move if Trump had indeed given Iran an ultimatum that was set to expire this week. The White House said Witkoff was still planning to attend talks in Oman but Iran said it would not attend.

The Trump statement came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a decidedly less pro-Israel tone in his initial statement after the strike.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said, omitting usual language backing Israel, the top U.S. ally in the region. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

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The daylight between the Rubio and Trump responses raised new questions about administrations foreign policy in general and in the Middle East in particular.

Trump ran for office on a pledge to end U.S. involvement in forever wars in the Middle East and has sought to push negotiations with Iran even in the face of Israeli skepticism about the usefulness of any nuclear deal with Tehran.

Several national security hawks have been ousted from Trumps national security team including Mike Waltz, who was demoted from National Security Adviser to the less-powerful role of UN ambassador.

The White House stance may have sent mixed messages to geopolitical adversaries, including Iran as well as China, North Korea and especially Russia, which appears to be snubbing Trumps effort to forge a peace deal in Ukraine.

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Israel informed the Trump administration that large-scale attacks were coming and expected Iranian retaliation would be severe, U.S. officials said, leading the United States to order the evacuations of some nonessential embassy staffers and authorize the voluntary departure of military dependents in the region.

There was no sign of any widespread retaliation from Iran early Friday, leading some analysts to question if the Islamic republics leadership has been crippled by the attack.

_______
President Donald Trump backed Israel on Friday after it launched a sweeping attack on Irans nuclear program and leadership, although officials stressed the U.S. was not directly involved in the dramatic escalation that could lead to a wider war in the Middle East.

Trump claimed the Israeli attack was launched after Tehran ignored a 60-day ultimatum set by him to reach a deal to limit its nuclear program, the first time such a deadline has been mentioned.

I think its been excellent. We gave them a chance and they didnt take it, Trump told ABC News. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as youre going to get hit.

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Trump added that Iran should expect further attacks in coming days.

And theres more to come, a lot more, he added.

Iran began a major counterattack on Israel later Friday with hundreds of missiles launched. At least one missile apparently evaded missile defense systems and struck a building in Tel Aviv but no injuries or deaths were immediately reported.

Trump claimed he had warned Iran it had only two months to conclude a new deal with the U.S. to limit its nuclear program and forego nuclear weapons.

Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal, he posted on his social media site. They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

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Trumps claim appeared to be designed to counter the widespread perception that the massive strike means Israel snubbed the White Houses effort to negotiate a deal with Iran.

Trump had recently said talks with Iran were going very well and suggested a breakthrough was near.

A U.S. team led by Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to journey to the Middle East for talks with Iran this weekend, an odd move if Trump had indeed given Iran an ultimatum that was set to expire this week. The White House said Witkoff was still planning to attend talks in Oman, but Iran said it would not attend.

The Trump statement came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a decidedly less pro-Israel tone in his initial statement after the strike.

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We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said, omitting usual language backing Israel, the top U.S. ally in the region. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

The daylight between the Rubio and Trump responses raised new questions about administrations foreign policy in general and in the Middle East in particular.

Trump ran for office on a pledge to end U.S. involvement in forever wars in the Middle East and has sought to push negotiations with Iran even in the face of Israeli skepticism about the usefulness of any nuclear deal with Tehran.

Several national security hawks have been ousted from Trumps national security team including Mike Waltz, who was demoted from National Security Adviser to the less-powerful role of U.N. ambassador.

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The attack on Iran could also cause problems for Trump with his far right-wing base, which vehemently opposes U.S. involvement in overseas conflicts.

Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News personality, called Trump complicit in the Israeli attack, which he suggested would drag America into the conflict.

Its worth taking a step back and wondering how any of this helps the United States, Carlson wrote in his newsletter.

The White House stance may have sent mixed messages to geopolitical adversaries, including Iran as well as China, North Korea and especially Russia, which appears to be snubbing Trumps effort to forge a peace deal in Ukraine.

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Israel informed the Trump administration that large-scale attacks were coming and expected Iranian retaliation would be severe, U.S. officials said, leading the United States to order the evacuations of some nonessential embassy staffers and authorize the voluntary departure of military dependents in the region.

Some analysts to question if the Islamic republics leadership has been crippled by the attack although others suggested Iran might be waiting to retaliate.

_______
President Donald Trump said he thinks Israel's strike on Iran probably improved the chances a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal will come to fruition, according to Axios.

After an Axios reporter asked Trump whether he thought Israel's strike jeopardized the administration's efforts to strike a deal with Iran, the president reportedly responded, "I don't think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously."

The president has urged Iran to make a deal "before there is nothing left," after Israeli Defense Forces began bombing the country's nuclear and ballistic missile sites.

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Israel Launches Sweeping Strike On Iran While Trump Administration Seeks Diplomatic Solution

President Donald Trump, left, and Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei.

"I couldn't get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close. They should have done it. Maybe now it will happen," Trump added in his comments to the Axios reporter.

Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear agreement during his first term. The agreement restricted Iran's development of nuclear weapons, but, in exchange, the U.S. and other countries agreed to ease sanctions against Iran's economy.

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During former President Joe Biden's tenure, the U.S. sought to return to the JCPOA, but after years of talks, nothing came to fruition.

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How Close Was Iran To A Nuclear Weapon Before Israels Strike On Tehran?

Trump has signaled that a deal with Iran is among his top priorities but has repeatedly said the country will not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.

Iran has said the U.S. has not respected its right to enrich uranium for non-violent purposes for citizens. Media reports have suggested Trump has signaled an openness to letting Iran continue to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

An Iranian flag at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant Nov. 10, 2019.

Further nuclear talks between the two powers were scheduled for Sunday, but, after Israel's attacks, Iran has said it no longer plans to participate in the talks.

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Iranian state media reported that Iran has announced it will be suspending its involvement in the negotiations "until further notice."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for further comment.





Original article source: Trump believes Israel's strike on Iran could improve chances for nuclear deal: report
Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill will hand thousands of dollars to the rich and leave poorer Americans worse off, a US spending watchdog has warned.

The top 10pc of households will get a windfall of $12,000 (8,800) per year from the Bills tax cuts, while the bottom 10pc will see a net loss of $1,600 per year because of benefits cuts, according to analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

This means the richest people in America will get a cash boost worth 2.3pc of income while the poorest households will see losses worth 3.9pc.

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Mr Trumps One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, as the legislation is known, was narrowly passed by House Republicans last month and is currently under scrutiny by the Senate. The president has set a July 4 deadline for a final version of the Bill.

The Bill has come under heavy fire for driving up Americas debt burden just as economists are sounding alarm bells over the sustainability of the US debt pile.

Earlier this month, Mr Trumps former first buddy Elon Musk slammed the Bill as a disgusting abomination that he said would saddle America with crushing debt.

The US lost its last triple-A credit rating in May after a downgrade from influential credit agency Moodys.

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According to the CBO, the measures outlined in the Bill will add $2.4 trillion to the US deficit over the next decade.

The Bill includes tax cuts worth $3.7 trillion over the next 10 years  primarily through extending the income tax cuts Mr Trump introduced in 2017 which are due to expire at the end of this year  alongside $1.3 trillion in spending cuts.

The bulk of the spending cuts will come through reductions in Medicaid, which funds health insurance for low-income families, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), which provides food stamps for the poorest in America.

This means that although households will technically benefit from the tax cuts, the benefits for the lowest earners will be far-outweighed by the cost of their lost benefits. Around 16m Americans are expected to lose their health insurance as a result of the Bill.

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In a letter to Democrat lawmakers, who had requested the analysis, Phillip Swagel, the CBO director, said: The changes would not be evenly distributed among households.

The agency estimates that in general, resources would decrease for households toward the bottom of the income distribution, whereas resources would increase for households in the middle and top of the income distribution.

Households in the middle of the income distribution would gain just $500 per year, or 0.5pc of their annual income.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Trump said the Bill was one of the most important pieces of legislation ever signed, ever approved, so its going to be something very special.

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(Left) Powerlines above the Columbia River move electricity from the Bonneville Dam to customers across the region in Hood River County, Oregon, on July 25, 2024. (Right) Portrait of Farley Eaglespeaker, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, sitting atop a fishing scaffold along the Columbia River, in Cascade Locks, Oregon, on July 23, 2024. (Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

A historic deal made two years ago between the U.S. government, four tribes, Northwest states and environmentalists to put legal battles aside and invest in restoring endangered Columbia River fish runs is now off.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing the U.S. government from a Dec. 14, 2023, agreement to help restore salmon, steelhead and other native fish being decimated by federal hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin.

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The 2023 agreement was reached after decades of legal battles that pitted the federal government against four Lower Columbia River tribes and environmental groups backed by the states of Oregon and Washington.

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Nez Perce Tribe chairman: Salmon extinction is a truth happening now

Groups behind the suits said they would forge on, and legal battles will likely reopen.

This move by the Trump administration to throw away five years worth of progress is shortsighted and reckless, said Mitch Cutter, a salmon and energy strategist at the Idaho Conservation League, in a statement. The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement was a landmark achievement between the federal government, states, Tribes and salmon advocates to find solutions for salmon and stay out of the courtroom. Now, its gone thanks to the uninformed impulses of a disconnected administration that doesnt understand the Pacific Northwest and the rivers and fish that make our region special.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and the Nez Perce Tribe were part of the deal. In negotiations, the tribes, along with the states of Oregon and Washington, are referred to as the six sovereigns.

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Shannon Wheeler, chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe, said in a statement that Trumps decision is a denial of the truth.

This action tries to hide from the truth. The Nez Perce Tribe holds a duty to speak the truth for the salmon, and the truth is that extinction of salmon populations is happening now, he said. People across the Northwest know this, and people across the nation have supported us in a vision for preventing salmon extinction that would at the same time create a stronger and better future for the Northwest. This remains the shared vision of the states of Washington and Oregon, and the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Nez Perce tribes, as set out in our Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative.

Groups representing utilities, farmers, ports and others who rely on Columbia River dams for power, moving goods and irrigation, celebrated the executive order.

As demand for electricity surges across the nation, preserving access to always-available energy resources like hydropower is absolutely crucial, said Jim Matheson, CEO of the trade group National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, in a news release.

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U.S. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, also applauded Trumps decision, saying in a Thursday press release that he has long opposed tearing down the dams and that Congress alone has the power to decide their fate. In January, Risch introduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to protect the lower Snake River dams.

The Biden administrations one-sided, backroom agreement blatantly disregarded the essential role the lower Snake River dams play and the Idaho communities that rely on them, Risch said. Todays announcement by President Trump represents a return to sound science and common-sense.

Oregon Gov. Tina Koteks office could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

Snake River dams provide irrigation, hydropower, but also contribute to salmon declines

At the heart of the issue are four Snake River dams that provide irrigation and emissions-free hydropower for nearby communities, but have also contributed to the near extinction of 13 salmon and steelhead populations that return to the Columbia Basin from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The fish are important to tribal health and sovereignty and to basin ecosystems, and the declines are hitting southern resident orcas off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon that rely on salmon for food and that are federally listed as endangered.

Environmental advocates, tribes and others have pushed to remove the four dams  Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite on the Snake River between Kennewick, Washington, and Lewiston, Idaho  to help the fish, including filing lawsuits. Earthjustice, an environmental law group, has led litigation against five federal agencies, seeking changes to dam operations in the Columbia River Basin to help protect salmon.

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The 2023 agreement, coupled with Biden-era climate and clean energy funding, was meant to pour more than $1 billion in new federal investments for wild fish restoration into the Columbia River Basin over the next decade, along with clean energy projects on tribal lands. It also included potentially breaching the four Snake River Dams to restore natural flows that could revive native salmon populations.

Earthjustice Attorney Amanda Goodin said in a statement that they would not give up fighting in court to prevent salmon extinction in the Columbia River Basin.

The Trump administration is turning its back on an unprecedented opportunity to support a thriving Columbia Basin  and ignoring the extinction crisis facing our salmon, she said. Unfortunately, this short-sighted decision to renege on this important agreement is just the latest in a series of anti-government and anti-science actions coming from the Trump administration.

Oregon Capital Chronicle, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Julia Shumway for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

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When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents raided worksites in Los Angeles on June 6, randomly arresting and detaining undocumented and legal immigrants, these new and invasive tactics of immigration enforcement provoked protests. Those protests led President Donald Trump to deploy the military, which a judge found to be illegal on Thursday, to help ICE continue its raids.

But soon, these tactics and the militarized response to the protests they provoked would be turbocharged and deployed in every community in the country if Republicans pass Trumps budget bill.

The version of the bill passed by the House contains over $150 billion to fund Trumps immigration enforcement and detention regime. (A Senate version of the bill, by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, would offer much lower DHS funding, though its unclear if Pauls version will prevail in the Senate.) The funding infusion, as envisioned by House Republicans, would double the size of the immigration and border enforcement force, already the largest law enforcement force in the country, and create a detention regime for people not charged with criminal offenses that few countries have seen in recent decades.

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This includes $45 billion toward new detention camps  a 13,000% increase in funding that would quadruple detention capacity. ICEs budget would triple, and it would receive more than $8 billion to hire 10,000 new agents, officers and support staff for enforcement and removal operations  more than doubling its size. Customs and Border Patrol would receive $5 billion for its own detention centers  a 10,000% increase in funding  and $4.1 billion to hire 8,500 new frontline staff.

Theres just a lot of concern, given the authoritarian nature of the approach of this administration, that giving billions to them without appropriate oversight will spill into other areas, like what weve seen in Los Angeles, said Adriel Orozco, senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council.

Trump is currently pushing for immigration enforcement to deport at least 1 million people a year from the U.S. To do so, his administration has diverted resources from every other law enforcement function of the government toward immigration enforcement and engaged in new and brutal tactics to remove as many people as possible as quickly as possible.

These tactics include warrantless worksite raids and community sweeps targeting anyone on the street; arrests at immigration courts of people pursuing a legal process to stay in the country; and false accusations of gang membership to remove people to a concentration-camp-like prison in El Salvador without due process.

The GOP budget bill would provide for radical increases in ICE enforcement agents and detention facilities across the country. Stephanie Keith via Getty Images

It was these tactics that provoked protests in Los Angeles after masked ICE officers jumped out of unmarked vans to sweep up day laborers seeking work outside of two Home Depots and another site. Within one day of the protests breaking out, Trump federalized the California National Guard and deployed Marines to quell the protests under dubious legal authority and over the objection of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles Police Department. The deployment only inflamed the situation further as Trump used the military to help ICE continue its enforcement actions.

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The administrations goal in this deployment was to liberate Los Angeles from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into the city, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at a press conference where FBI officers tackled and handcuffed Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) for asking a question.

But the administration still needs more money if it wants to expand its effort to wage war on Democratic Party-controlled cities and states across the country through immigration enforcement.

Their ability to do that is only somewhat, but at least somewhat, constrained by what theyre appropriated by Congress, said Heidi Altman, vice president for policy at the National Immigration Law Center. But they are banking on the reconciliation bill passing to be able to carry out this authoritarian vision of immigration enforcement on such a scale that I dont think we can even imagine it right now.

That is exactly what Republican leaders in Congress are hoping for as they push for the Senate to pass legislation, as the House did in May.The special budget reconciliation process Republicans are using will allow them to avoid a Democratic filibuster, meaning they only have to agree among themselves to make the bill become law.

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The riots in Los Angeles this weekend underscore the need for the Senate to pass the one big, beautiful bill, House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Lisa McClain (Mich.) said, using the GOP name for the legislation that will increase the federal deficit by about $2.4 trillion over a decade. ICE needs our help. They need more resources to deport and detain violent, illegal aliens.

Anybody who watched these just inflammatory scenes roll out in Los Angeles over the weekend, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.) said. See one more example why we need to pass the one big, beautiful bill and why we need to get it to President Trumps desk as soon as possible.

Protests over ICE raids in Los Angeles led President Donald Trump to deploy military forces over the objection of the state's governor, city's mayor and the LAPD. Jason Armond via Getty Images

Congressional Democrats, on the other hand, remain conflicted on how to approach Trumps immigration enforcement actions. Some have declined to connect the scenes in Los Angeles to the budget bill, preferring to call the administrations heavy-handed immigration enforcement actions and militarized response to protests a distraction, while others have called out Trumps actions as authoritarian.

Why is Donald Trump doing this? To divert attention, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. He knows that his Big, Ugly Bill is highly unpopular with the American people. The more they learn about it, the more they hate it. So, he seeks to divert attention. Thats his M.O.

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The use of the word distraction has spread across the Democratic Party to deflect from any Trump action, particularly on immigration, that does not align with the partys preferred line of attack on the budget bill: health care.

Its Medicaid Monday, dont let Trump distract you from what he is trying to do. Cut millions from Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for the rich, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) posted online on Monday.

Other Democrats are vaguer in their efforts not to talk about the bills dramatic immigration enforcement expansion.

I think the problems in the reconciliation bill are enormous in every respect, and so there are numerous, innumerable reasons to oppose it, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told HuffPost when asked about the bills immigration provisions and their relation to ICEs actions in Los Angeles.

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There are also Democrats who are questioning the immigration spending in the bill and its connection to Trumps increasingly autocratic actions.

You can throw all the money you want at the problem, but the underlying problem is theyre breaking the law every single day, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told HuffPost. They could come to Congress and try to fix the law to make it better, but theyre not. Theyre just deciding to spend more money to act illegally, and its going to destroy this country.
Investing.com - U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to agree to a fresh nuclear deal following an Israeli strike on the country early on Friday, suggesting that the "next already planned attacks" could be "even more brutal."

Writing in a post on Truth Social, the president said Tehran must be ready to make a deal "before there is nothing left."

"No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump wrote, adding that he had previously told Iranian officials "in the strongest of words" to agree to a deal.

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Trump said earlier this week that a "massive conflict" could emerge in the Middle East should talks over an Iranian nuclear deal collapse. He noted at the time that he had already ordered the evacuation of some U.S. personnel from the region in case of a possible retaliation from Iran.

Prior to the remarks, the International Atomic Energy Agency had hit out at Iran, accusing the country of continuing to enrich uranium and not complying with a nuclear nonproliferation agreement. In response, Iran criticized the statement, and said that it would activate a third location for enriching uranium which could be used to produce the material needed to build a nuclear weapon.

Israel launched what it called a "preemptive" largescale airstrike on Iran early Friday, hitting dozens of military and nuclear targets, while a state of emergency was declared across Israel amid warnings of an imminent missile and drone counterstrike from Tehran.

Irans state media also confirmed reports saying that Israel has killed Irans Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami.

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Iran pledged a harsh retaliation against both Israel and the United States, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel carried out its military action against Iran independently, citing self-defense as the driving motive behind the strikes.

The White House had warned it would consider military measures should nuclear negotiations fail, with a key response deadline ending Thursday.

In the Truth Social post on Friday, Trump said "certain Iranian hardliners" had spoken "bravely," "but they didnt know what was about to happen."

"They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!" Trump said.

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The attacks have reignited concerns over risks to Middle East oil flows and global growth, exacerbating already fragile investor sentiment that has stemmed from global trade uncertainties. Oil prices spiked after the strikes.

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President Donald Trump celebrated after an appeals court signed off on his deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops against protestors in Los Angeles.

The Appeals Court ruled last night that I can use the National Guard to keep our cities, in this case Los Angeles, safe, the president wrote on Truth Social. If I didnt send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!

On Thursday, a federal judge had sided against Trump, ordering him to relinquish control of Californias National Guard to Governor Gavin Newsom.

The appeals courtat least for nowhas sided with Trump over California Governor Gavin Newsom. / Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Newsom, a Democrat who has sparred with Trump over the handling of protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in L.A., was quick to take a victory lap of his owneven as the federal government appealed the decision.

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This win is not just for California, but the nation, Newsom wrote on X. Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.

BREAKING: The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets.



This win is not just for California, but the nation.



Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.



End the illegal pic.twitter.com/0YMqvZSN6u  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 13, 2025

But just hours later, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals intervened and paused the ruling in a one-page order, meaning that Trump can keep the troops in L.A. for the time being. The court set a hearing for Tuesday.

It is still possible that Newsom could prevail over Trump once the court considers the case on its merits.

The San Francisco judge who originally sided with the governorCharles Breyer, who was appointed by former President Bill Clintonwas vehement in rejecting Trumps justification for deploying the guard.

Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops to quell anti-ICE protests in L.A. / Spencer Platt / Getty Images

His actions were illegal, the judge wrote, both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

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Trump has also moved 700 Marines to L.A., but the judges order didnt address these troops because they have not yet been actively involved in the protests.

Typically, a states governor must sign off before the National Guard is mobilized. However, Trump invoked a law that allows the president to do so in cases where there is a rebellion.

Trump and Newsom have battled over how to handle the L.A. protests. / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Over the last week, as protests have raged in L.A.at times becoming violentNewsom and Trump have traded barbs.

Newsom has likened Trump to failed dictators, calling his deployment of troops a brazen abuse of power.

The president, meanwhile, has called Newsom grossly incompetent, suggesting that he could be arrested for his handling of the protests.
[Source]

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that a U.S.-China trade deal is done after two days of high-stakes negotiations in London, but observers say it just put Washington in a circle.

Catch up

The London meetings were prompted by a May agreement in Geneva that temporarily lowered punishing tariffs that had brought trade between the superpowers nearly to a halt. Trumps April duties had climbed to 145% on most Chinese goods, leaving U.S. businesses that rely on them struggling. The Geneva agreement lowered Trumps new tariffs to 30% and Chinas to 10%, establishing a 90-day window until Aug. 10 for a broader deal.

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The arrangement, however, fell apart due to conflicts over rare earth shipments and technology access. Beijing holds dominant market position in rare earth production  materials vital for products from automobiles to military hardware  leading U.S. industries to lobby Washington for action.

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Where things stand

After a pivotal phone conversation between Trump and Xi Jinping last week that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said changed everything, negotiators reached what officials termed a framework during extended talks at Londons Lancaster House. Our deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me, Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday, noting that the U.S. will get a total of 55% tariffs and China, 10%.

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The 55% U.S. tariff structure includes several components: 10% universal duties on most trading partners, 20% penalties aimed at China over fentanyl issues and 25% rates carried over from Trumps first presidency. The framework calls for China to deliver full magnets, and any necessary rare earths  up front, while the U.S. will maintain Chinese student access to American universities.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told lawmakers that there is no quid pro quo in terms of chips for rare earths. Chinas Commerce Ministry, on the other hand, took a more reserved stance, calling the result a framework from the first meeting between the parties.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed that a consensus has been reached and reiterated that Beijing will always honor its commitments. It is hoped that the U.S. will work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone call, give full play to the role of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation through communication and dialogue, Lin said.

The big picture

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Despite Trumps positive assessment, analysts are questioning the deals substance. It appears the framework only primarily returns both nations to their pre-April status, with elevated tariffs still in effect.

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What exactly are we getting that we werent already getting before? Veronique de Rugy, a senior research fellow with the libertarian think tank Mercatus Center, told The New York Times. This deal suggests there was never a real plan. Fundamental trade disagreements  including Chinas large trade surplus and intellectual property concerns  remain untouched, while the World Bank this week lowered global growth projections, identifying elevated tariffs as a significant headwind for most economies.

The U.S. and Chinese governments must approve the framework before any implementation begins.

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The limits of President Trumps ability to control foreign events have been tested by an allys significant attack on an adversary, leaving him on the outside looking in for the second time in a month.

In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky in June opted not to inform Trump before launching a drone attack that destroyed 40 planes well within Russian territory, an operation that had been planned for more than a year.

It was a shocking attack in some ways, given the vulnerabilities it highlighted for Moscow. Trump responded with a call to Russia President Vladimir Putin, and later acknowledged the surprise Ukraine hit would make it more difficult to reach a peace deal, a top priority in the first six months of his administration.

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Overnight Thursday, an even closer U.S. ally in Israel launched the biggest attack on Iran in more than 40 years, openly targeting nuclear sites, military bases and residential neighborhoods in Tehran.

The U.S. was not blindsided by Israels actions, but while the Trump administration was aware of the operation, it also distanced itself, making clear the military action was led solely by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Thursday statement released by the White House.

Trump insisted on the campaign trail that he would end ongoing wars in his first 24 hours as president, but thats proved much harder to accomplish in practice.

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Nearly six months into his second stint at the White House, neither crisis has an end in sight.

While that isnt a terribly big surprise, it shows the limits of the presidents ability to make deals or impose his will to solve intractable conflicts.

Its also given an opening to Democratic critics.

We have a very weak strongman for president, Wendy Sherman, the former deputy secretary of State under former President Biden, said Friday in a CNN interview.

She noted that since taking office, Trump has not resolved conflicts in Ukraine, Iran and Gaza and that there were still Israeli hostages being held in the Gaza Strip  all issues Biden also did not resolve before leaving office.

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Sherman also said Friday that Israel is in charge this morning, not Donald Trump.

Trump seemed to be warning Israel off an attack in the hours before missiles were fired.

He said his administration was getting close to a nuclear deal with Iran and that any imminent attacks stood to blow any chance of an agreement. The president was adamant he supported a more friendly path between the adversaries.

Look, I want to have an agreement with Iran. Were fairly close to an agreement. We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement. Its got to be better than pretty good, though, he told reporters in the East Room. As I think there is an agreement, I dont want them [Israel] going in because I think I would blow it  might help it, actually, but it also could blow it. But weve had very good discussions with Iran.

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Israel launched its attack about eight hours later. By Friday morning, Iran had pulled out a sixth round of talks it had planned with the U.S. in Oman.

By then, Trump also was changing his tune.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he wrote on Truth Social, pitting the blame on the Iranians who last week had openly criticized negotiations with the U.S. as incoherent and disjointed.

Presidents before Trump have been felled by the Middle East, and Trump has had some successes with Ukraine, most notably the signing of a mineral rights deal with Kyiv.

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But the limits of dealmaking have also shown up on other issues.

The administration says it is conducting trade deal talks with more than 90 countries, but so far only a deal with the United Kingdom has come to fruition. Trump touted a deal with China earlier this week, but there is no indication he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have made that official.

Trump allies lauded the presidents approach to Iran, with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) saying Tehran should make a deal with Trump to give up its nuclear program.

I hope and pray the ayatollah and his henchmen who are still alive will heed President Trumps counsel, Graham wrote on the social platform X. If not, America  the greatest power for good on Earth  should be all-in to help Israel finish the job.

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And whatever limits Trump has encountered on dealmaking, hes not done trying.

Even Iran, he said in comments after Israels deadly assault Friday, could get a second chance.

Trump told CNNs Dana Bash that everyone he had been negotiating with had been killed. He later told NBC, when asked why the Iranians would want to negotiate a deal now, that some officials were calling him.

Theyre calling me to speak, Trump said. When asked who was calling, Trump said, The same people we worked with the last time.  Many of them are dead.

Trump has long cast himself as anti-war, and has argued the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Hamas attack on Israel would not have happened on his watch.

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Much of the MAGA base has an isolationist bent, in part a backlash to the forever wars in Afghanistan and Iraq launched by former President George W. Bush, the only other Republican to serve in the White House this century.

On Friday, some of Trumps remarks were pleas for peace.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

An escalation of violence in the Middle East, even if the latest attack on Iran did not deploy the U.S.s military might, stands to drag the U.S. into further conflict, if history is any indication.

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Trump has said he wants a deal and publicly warned Israel not to strike. Whether that was a strategic ruse or genuine restraint is now irrelevant. The Rubicon has been crossed, Sina Toossi, a nonresident fellow at the Center for International Policy, wrote in an analysis.

Rather than crippling Irans military and nuclear capabilities, Israels escalation risks fueling nationalist sentiment, solidifying internal cohesion, and triggering a dangerous cycle of retaliation, all while increasing the likelihood of American entanglement, Toossi continued.

That would not play well with the likes of MAGA loyalists such as Charlie Kirk, who in a lengthy post on X firmly arguing against any further escalation, citing Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dragging American into this war might be irrational and suicidal, but wars have a habit of making their participants irrational and suicidal (just look at the Ukraine war), Kirk wrote.

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Our focus must not be on seeking regime change or any further escalation of Americas involvement. The last thing America needs right now is a new war. Our number one desire must be peace, as quickly as possible, he continued.

Rema Rahman is the White House editor at The 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 The Hill.
The introduction of a new licensing system by China, now slowing the export of rare earth elements, has sent a ripple of disruption across global vehicle production lines, raising the spectre of stalled factories and delayed deliveries.

Rare earth magnets, often invisible yet indispensable, are the backbone of modern automotive technology. From the motors powering electric vehicles (EVs) to the sensors, steering systems, and regenerative brakes that define the modern driving experience, these small but mighty components are everywhere. But as China tightens its grip on these critical exports, amid a backdrop of rising geopolitical tension and new US tariffs, the industry is facing a reckoning.

Europe, which sources 98% of its rare earth magnets from China, finds itself particularly exposed. Efforts to bolster domestic supply through initiatives like the EUs Critical Raw Materials Act have thus far failed to match Chinas scale or competitiveness. Meanwhile, automakers are issuing warnings: stockpiles are dwindling, and the clock is ticking. Ford has already paused operations at a major plant, Suzuki has pulled back production on key models, and Germanys influential automotive industry group VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie) has raised red flags about looming shutdowns.

Behind the headlines, the implications are even more serious for the EV sector, which depends on rare earth materials far more than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. As electrification accelerates globally, the threat to supply chains grows more acute, and more costly.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

In this Q&A, Santiago Arieu (SA), Senior Autos Analyst at BMI, a Fitch Solutions company, sheds light on how the rare earth bottleneck could shape the next chapter for automakers and auto financiers. In conversation with Alejandro Gonzalez (AG), editor of Motor Finance Online.

AG: Given the current rare earth export delays from China, how likely is it that global vehicle production forecasts for 2025 will be revised downward, and which regions are most exposed?

SA: If the supply constraints for these critical minerals do not improve, we believe it is highly likely that we will need to implement downward revisions to our 2025 vehicle forecasts (involving both production and sales projections). Regarding regional exposure, whilst rare earth magnets are utilised across all vehicle types, we highlight that markets and regions producing more technologically advanced vehicles with a greater number of features requiring these components face disproportionate risk.

AG: To what extent could automakers' shift toward older EV motor technologies or reduced premium features reshape the competitive landscape in the electric vehicle segment?

SA: Whilst we believe some automakers may consider reverting to older EV motor technologies or reducing premium features that significantly rely on rare earth magnets, we believe that carmakers are likely to exhaust all other options before implementing such measures. It is worth noting that these components are strategically crucial as they enable carmakers to differentiate their products in increasingly competitive markets. Moreover, many of these magnet-dependent features form a central part of the value proposition for modern vehicles. Removing such features would risk compromising brand positioning and consumer appeal, particularly in premium segments where these differentiators justify higher price points.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed Thursday that it is "aware" of threatening "Kill Trump" graffiti messages spray-painted around the city of Los Angeles during this week's riots.

A spokesman for the protective agency would not confirm whether an investigation is underway but did say that it knows of the violent messaging directed at both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The messaging was seen in the city's downtown area amid civil unrest following Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of criminal illegal immigrants.

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"Burn it all down," one said, with "Kill Trump" graffitied below it.

A rioter waves a Mexican national flag next to a car on fire during a protest following federal immigration operations, in the Compton neighborhood of Los Angeles on June 7, 2025.

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"Kill Trump," the other said, with "JD Vance" spray-painted below.

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Last weekend, clashes between rioters and police erupted in Paramount, California, after ICE conducted arrest operations targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records.

The riots quickly spread to Los Angeles, where the Los Angeles Police Department faced down bad actors of their own. Vehicles were set ablaze, property was covered with anti-ICE and anti-Trump graffiti, and stores were broken into and looted during the unrest.

Protesters attempt to light a Molotov cocktail as a firework explodes during a protest in Compton, California, on Saturday, June 7, 2025 after federal immigration authorities conducted operations.

Los Angeles Business Owners 'Sick And Tired' Of 'Stupid' Anti-ice Rioters Looting Their Stores

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Trump activated the California National Guard and U.S. Marines. He has been in a legal battle with Gov. Gavin Newsom over control of the National Guard.

Other federal law enforcement agencies have also turned their attention to the city amid the tension.

FBI Director Kash Patel warned those who commit violence against police, saying "if you assault a law enforcement officer, youre going to jailperiod."

"It doesnt matter where you came from, how you got here, or what cause you claim to represent," Patel told Fox News Digital. "If local jurisdictions wont stand behind the men and women who wear the badge, the FBI will."

Police officers stand amid tear gas during a protest against federal immigration sweeps in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025.

Hundreds have been arrested since the riots began last weekend.

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The Trump administration, which says it has arrested criminal illegal immigrants who have been convicted of murder, sex crimes against children and battery, is continuing its ICE operations.

"Murderers, pedophiles, and drug traffickers. These are the types of criminal illegal aliens that rioters are fighting to protect. How much longer will Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass continue to prioritize these criminal illegal aliens over their own citizens?" Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Secretary Noem has a message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law and arrest criminal illegal aliens," McLaughlin added.

Fox News' Alexandra Koch and Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump death threats emerge amid Los Angeles riots; Secret Service aware
President Donald Trump said California Governor Gavin Newsom should be thanking him for calling in the National Guard in Los Angeles after an appeals court ruling delayed the military being used to help stop anti-ICE protests.

A U.S. District Judge ruled Trumps deployment of National Guard troops in LA was illegal and violated the Tenth Amendment, and that troops had to leave. But a late-night decision by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a blow to Newsom and delayed the implementation of the lower court order.

Incompetent Gavin Newscum should have been THANKING me for the job we did in Los Angeles, rather than making sad excuses for the poor job he has done, Trump raged on Truth Social Thursday evening. If it werent for me getting the National Guard into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now!

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For now, Trump will maintain control of the National Guard in LA after the court rulings.

President Donald Trump lashed out at California Governor Gavin Newsom again on Truth Social, and said he should be thanking him for deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals intervened, Newsom had touted the district judges decision as a win.

The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets, Newsom wrote in a statement on X. This win is not just for California, but the nation. Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.

Newsom and Trump have been trading barbs all week. The governor raised concerns about Trumps mental acuity Thursday, saying the president fabricated details of a conversation about federalizing the states National Guard.

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The military said that by Friday evening, a battalion of 700 Marines is expected to join the National Guard in Los Angeles to protect ICE agents conducting immigration raids.

After a week of unrest, more protests against the Trump administration's ongoing workplace raids erupted in Southern California and across the nation, which are expected to continue through the weekend, aligning with the presidents birthday parade.
In an effort to recruit Americans to use a tip line to aid its authoritarian crackdown on immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security this week promoted propaganda that white supremacist social media accounts claim to have generated.

As Donald Trump and his administration pursue their anti-immigrant raids in California, DHS X account shared an image Wednesday that featured an illustration of Uncle Sam alongside text encouraging Americans to report all foreign invaders to ICE. DHS post was also retweeted by White House deputy chief of staff Steven Miller, who has previously promoted white supremacist views, including circulating articles from white nationalist websites to a reporter at Breitbart prior to Millers first role in the White House.

Nashville-based investigative reporter Phil Williams, whos well-known for his reporting on extremism, identified a post on X from Christian nationalist influencer C. Jay Engel, who claimed the image originated from his account.

Stephen Miller and U.S. Homeland Security amplify an image from white Christian nationalist CJay Engel -- who has been the subject of my investigations since he and his allies began their move into Jackson County, TN. 1/x pic.twitter.com/kYXezGNS4l  Phil Williams (@PhilNvestigates) June 12, 2025

Williams went on to link to his past reporting on Engel, whose white nationalist beliefs include a vision of America that, in Engels words, affirms the domination and pre-eminence of European derived peoples, their institutions and their way of life. In another post, flagged by journalist David Bernstein, Engel says he got the image from X account mrrobertwp, which boasts a social media feed rife with racist propaganda, such as suggesting the Civil Rights Act is unconstitutional and reposting statements like racism is cool and normal. Independent journalist Tim Burke also noted that the pair apparently sourced the image from a World War IIera war bonds poster.

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The Department of Homeland Security didnt immediately return MSNBCs request for comment on the image.

In reality, there is no foreign invasion underway in the United States, nor is there any evidence one is imminent, despite the Trump administrations best efforts to convince Americans otherwise. But the propaganda aligns with some of the bigoted imagery Trump and his administration have deployed to target immigrants  and with Trumps history of promoting racist propaganda that hearkens back to xenophobic imagery popularized by the Ku Klux Klan in the early 20th century.

This incident is like a Russian nesting doll of racist propaganda that shows how social media can enlarge the audience for extremism. This situation also provides fresh evidence to support claims that white nationalist ideology is helping to fuel the Trump administrations anti-immigrant agenda.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In the hours before Israeli warplanes carried out an attack on Iran early Friday, raising fresh fears of all-out war in the region, President Donald Trump made clear it was an outcome he hoped to avoid.

I dont want them going in because, I mean, that would blow it, he said, referring to his diplomatic efforts to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

The fact Israel went in anyway  without any US involvement, and against the presidents publicly stated wishes  now thrusts Trump into one of the biggest tests of his young presidency. After promising as a candidate to end foreign wars and keep American troops out of faraway conflicts, his ability to avoid getting mired in a new Middle East war now faces reality.

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By his own telling, the strikes risk scuttling his attempts at diplomacy with Tehran, even as his top envoy Steve Witkoff was preparing to depart for Oman for another round of talks this weekend. Trump said early Friday his offer for diplomacy was still open, even as Iran vowed retribution for the killing of most of its top military leaders.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! the president went on. There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

Whether Trump and Witkoff are successful in using the Israeli strikes as leverage for their diplomatic efforts with Iran remained an open question. Even before the Israeli strike, Trump had begun expressing doubts about Tehrans willingness to reach a deal. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of harsh punishment following Fridays attack.

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After months of simmering tension, the strikes could darken the pall over Trumps already tense relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he urged as recently as this week to hold off on a strike. Trump did not mention Netanyahu in his statement, and there was no announcement of a phone call between the men.

Trump offered no signals in the immediate aftermath of the attacks that he was prepared to use American military assets to help defend Israel from expected Iranian reprisal, as his predecessor Joe Biden did when Israel and Iran exchanged fire last year.

Instead, the focus of public messaging from the US administration was on protecting the tens of thousands American personnel in the Middle East, and warning Iran not to drag the US into the fray.

In his warning to Iran on Friday, Trump implied the US would provide Israel with more military equipment  Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come, he wrote  but he stopped short of saying American resources would come to Israels defense. Trump is set to meet with his National Security Council later on Friday morning.

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Without American assistance, Israels air defenses could be unable to withstand a major Iranian onslaught.

Trump, who ran on a promise to end wars and bring about peace, will now find himself caught between competing crosscurrents from within his own party. Many Republicans were quick to offer their support to Israel on Thursday, including Sen. Lindsey Graham  a longtime Iran hawk  who wrote on X: Game on.

Yet Trump has never quite adopted that strain of his partys foreign policy, particularly in his second term. His administration is stacked with officials, starting with his vice president, who take a deeply skeptical view of US military involvement abroad without express American interests on the line.

Still, for all the complicated dynamics for Trump to now sort through, the attack hardly came as a surprise to the president and his team.

President Donald Trump takes questions in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. - Win McNamee/Getty Images

Even as he was speaking from the East Room on Thursday, the president and his aides were aware the strikes were likely coming soon, sources said, despite Trumps repeated attempts at urging Netanyahu to hold off.

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As the strikes were getting underway, Trump was appearing on the South Lawn at a congressional picnic. He returned to the West Wing afterward to huddle with top officials, according to a White House official and other sources.

Afterward, a terse statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to put distance between the US and any role in the attack.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, read the statement, which was distributed by the White House.

Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubio continue. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

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Devoid of even boilerplate language offering support for Israel and its defense, the statement made clear: this would be Israels conflict, not Trumps.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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President Donald Trump signaled there is no daylight between the United States and Israel after it launched an attack on Iran late Thursday, killing multiple high-ranking military leaders and targeting Irans nuclear and long-range missile capabilities.

Trump repeatedly praised the attack as successful in a media blitz on Friday morning  which took place before Iranian retaliation  and urged Iran to agree to a deal with the U.S. to shutter its nuclear program.

Iran retaliated later Friday with an attack of its own, Israels military said in a post on X . Explosions were heard throughout Jerusalem and Israeli TV stations showed smoke plumes rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent strike, the Associated Press reported .

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The U.S. is "using its air defenses in the region" to assist Israel in engaging Iranian missiles, according to an American defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational issues. American fighter planes were also launched from bases in the Middle East to protect U.S. forces, though it's not yet clear if they intercepted any of the Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched at Israel, a second defense official said.

The Iranian strikes wounded at least 34 people, including one critically, around Tel Aviv, Israeli paramedics said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video posted to social media Israel is planning additional attacks against Iran.

More is on the way, Netanyahu said. The regime doesnt know what hit them. They dont know what will hit them.

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The presidents strong support for Israels attacks took a noticeably different tone from Secretary of State Marco Rubios statement immediately following the attacks on Thursday, which stressed the U.S. was not involved in Israels unilateral actions.

Trump said the U.S. was aware of Israels plans to strike Iran in advance, but did not clarify if the U.S. sanctioned the attacks or was merely given advance notice. When asked by The Wall Street Journal about whether the U.S. was given a heads-up, Trump said, Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on. And he told Reuters, We knew everything.

Trump declined to answer when asked by ABC News if the U.S. was directly involved in the attacks, but praised Israels use of American equipment in the military operation to NBC News.

Shortly after the attacks on Thursday, Rubio released a statement that appeared to create some distance between the U.S. and Israel.

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Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in the Thursday statement.

Asked by CNN on Friday about Rubios statement, Trump reiterated his strong support for Israel.

We of course support Israel, obviously, and supported it like nobody has ever supported it, he said.

Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told CNN on Friday that Israel communicated its plans for the strike in advance and in real time to its allies but said the U.S. was not involved in the attack.

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U.S. allies around the world have expressed shock at the attacks and stressed the need for deescalation.

A Downing Street spokesperson said United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss long-held grave concerns over Irans nuclear programme and called on both nations to cease further military action.

The leaders reaffirmed Israels right to self-defense, and agreed that a diplomatic resolution, rather than military action, was the way forward, the spokesperson said.

Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, said Friday morning Israel launched the attack after gathering intelligence suggesting that Iran was moving forward with plans to destroy Israel.

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They were going to initiate another attack like Oct. 7. Once we gathered the information about that, we decided not to wait. We believed their intentions, Danon said in an interview with Fox and Friends.

In each interview, Trump called on Iran to return to the negotiating table and agree to a nuclear deal. The president told Axios he believes the attacks may help bring Iran closer to a deal  but it wasnt clear in the immediate aftermath of the strikes how negotiations were affected.

In his NBC News interview, the president said the Iranians were calling me to speak, but noted that the same people we worked with the last time ... many of them are dead now.

But just hours before the attacks, Trump said Israel attacking Iran could blow any chance of a deal.

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As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want [Israel] going in, because I think that would blow it, he told reporters at the White House on Thursday. Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.

Iranian leaders have reacted with fury to Israels wave of strikes  and have signaled the country also blames the United States for the actions. A post from Irans United Nations mission vehemently condemned the strikes, and said the Israeli regime and its backer  namely the United States  shall be held fully accountable for these blatant violations of international law and their grave consequences.

The Pentagon has several Patriot air defense batteries deployed throughout the Middle East, and last October deployed a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery, along with around 100 soldiers, to Israel to help knock down missiles fired by Iran and its proxies.

The system has been used multiple times since then, and was likely employed again in the most recent attacks.

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On Friday, The U.S. also ordered two destroyers to move toward the eastern Mediterranean as Israel braced for a retaliatory attack from Tehran after Fridays airstrikes on Iranian military targets. The ships, which are capable of defending against ballistic and cruise missile attacks, were already in the region and are rerouting, the officials said.

Trump told Reuters he is unsure if U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoffs scheduled meeting with Iran to continue nuclear talks in Oman on Sunday will still take place in the wake of the attacks.
President Donald Trump spent the bulk of this week saying he hoped Israel wouldn't strike Iran. But by Friday, he was all in.

The president had hoped for more time to negotiate with Tehran over its nuclear program, but once Israel launched the massive attack, Trump embraced the new dynamic, using it as leverage to try to seal the deal he wanted all along.

He didnt want them to go now, a senior administration official said about Israel. He understands theyre a sovereign nation, and he will support them because theyre our ally, added the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation, but he wanted more time.

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The administration's shift in tone in the first 24 hours after the attack underscores the balancing act the president is engaged in as he tries to assuage various factions in the administration while still maintaining pressure on Iran.

The messaging served to assure Israel that the United States had its back, nod to the hawkish faction of the Trump coalition and try to calm the jittery MAGA isolationists who have long been wary of Middle East entanglements.

The constant, however, was Trumps desire to bring Iran back to the table even as the Islamic Republic vowed retribution.

There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social, his first public remarks after the Israeli attack. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

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Trumps offer to Iran doubled as a direct push to Israel to tap the brakes, the senior administration official said. But by Friday afternoon, with Iran firing dozens/hundreds of rockets toward Israel, the administration left little doubt that it was ready to support Israels defense, a marked shift from the relatively neutral statement Secretary of State Marco Rubio released immediately after Israels attack.

Israel took unilateral action against Iran, Rubio said Thursday night in a statement. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.

But by Friday morning, Trump was calling reporters and making it clear that he knew about Israels plans in advance, describing it as a very successful attack in an interview with the Wall Street Journal .

The initial administration messaging was, we yellow-lighted it, said Curt Mills, executive director of The American Conservative magazine. Today they said we greenlit it. Or they moved toward a light green.

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The senior Trump administration official insisted that while Washington had been informed of Israels plans ahead of time, the United States had no role in helping plan the attack.

We did not help plan and they didnt give us every detail, said the person, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive conversations within the administration.

We purposely did not want to know the details, they said, adding that the United States had the chance to participate in the action against Iran, but opted not to join.

Though Trump might have preferred more time to negotiate, he appeared frustrated that talks had stalled, signaling early this week that time for Iran was running out.

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They are good negotiators, but theyre tough, he said Monday at the White House. Sometimes they can be too tough, thats the problem. So were trying to make a deal so that theres no destruction and death. We told them that. I have told them that. I hope that is the way it works out. It might not work out.

The too tough negotiations came as an influential group of hawkish conservatives lobbied Trump furiously to bless the Israeli governments efforts to destroy Iranian nuclear sites.

Israels attack further exposed a rift inside Trumpworld between those hawks, who see Iran as an existential threat to Israel, and the isolationists wary of Middle East entanglements informed by the long and costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"A lot of people in the MAGA movement, and ones that have really invested a lot in electing Trump and [Vice President JD] Vance will be incredibly disappointed if this turns into a larger war and it will lead to some fractures," said a former Pentagon official granted anonymity to speak about the internal dynamics of the presidents foreign policy team.
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, his administration has bombarded the U.S. Supreme Court with emergency requests seeking immediate intervention to free up his initiatives stymied by lower courts. The strategy is paying off.

Once a rarely used pathway to the nation's top judicial body, its emergency docket now bulges with an unprecedented volume of requests for rapid attention by the justices in clashes over Trump's far-reaching executive actions.

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As the Republican president tests the limits of executive power under the U.S. Constitution, Trump's administration has made 19 emergency applications to the court in less than five months, with one other such application filed by lawyers for migrants held in Texas who were on the verge of deportation.

The court already has acted in 13 of these cases. It has ruled in Trump's favor nine times, partially in his favor once, against him twice and postponed action in one case that ultimately was declared moot.

Trump's wins have given him the green light to implement contentious policies while litigation challenging their legality continues in lower courts. The court, for instance, let Trump revoke the temporary legal status granted for humanitarian reasons to hundreds of thousands of migrants, implement his ban on transgender people in the U.S. military and take actions to downsize the federal workforce, among other policies.

The court's 6-3 conservative majority includes three justice who Trump appointed during his 2017-2021 first presidential term.

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Six more emergency requests by the administration remain pending at the court and one other emergency request was withdrawn. Among the requests still to be acted upon are Trump's bid to broadly enforce his order to restrict birthright citizenship, to deport migrants to countries other than their own including politically unstable South Sudan and to proceed with mass federal layoffs called "reductions in force."

Emergency applications to the court involving Trump policies have averaged about one per week since he began his second term. His administration's applications this year match the total brought during Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden's four years as president.

"The Trump administration uses every legal basis at its disposal to implement the agenda the American people voted for," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told Reuters. "The Supreme Court will continue to have to step in to correct erroneous legal rulings that district court judges enter solely to block the president's policies."

'STRONG CASES'

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The administration has "not sought Supreme Court review in all the cases it could, and part of the story may be that the government is appealing what it thinks are strong cases for it," said Sarah Konsky, director of the University of Chicago Law School's Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic.

Georgetown University law professor Stephen Vladeck, who wrote a book about the court's emergency docket, said in a blog post on Thursday that the results favoring Trump should not be attributed only to the court's ideological makeup.

At a time when Trump and his allies have verbally attacked judges who have impeded aspects of his sweeping agenda, there is a "very real possibility that at least some of the justices ... are worried about how much capital they have to expend in confrontations with President Trump," Vladeck wrote.

The onslaught of emergency applications has diverted the attention of the justices as they near the end of the court's current term. June is usually their busiest month as they rush to finish writing opinions in major cases. For instance, they have yet to decide the fate of Tennessee's Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.

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Among the emergency-docket cases, the court most recently on June 6 allowed Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, a key player in his drive to slash the federal workforce, broad access to personal data on millions of Americans in Social Security Administration systems and blocked a watchdog group from receiving records on DOGE operations.

The court also has allowed Trump to cut millions of dollars in teacher training grants and to fire thousands of probationary federal employees.

On the other side of the ledger, the court has expressed reservations about whether the administration is treating migrants fairly, as required under the Constitution's guarantee of due process. On May 16, it said procedures used by the administration to deport migrants from a Texas detention center under Trump's invocation of a 1798 law historically used only in wartime failed basic constitutional requirements.

The justices also declined to let the administration withhold payment to foreign aid organizations for work already performed for the government.

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QUESTIONS OF TRANSPARENCY

Trump turned to the emergency docket during his first term as well. His prior administration filed 41 such applications to the court. During the 16 years prior, the presidential administrations of Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama filed just eight combined, according to Vladeck.

The court has quickly decided weighty matters using the emergency docket in a way often at odds with its traditional practice of considering full case records from lower courts, receiving at least two rounds of written briefings and then holding oral arguments before rendering a detailed written ruling.

It is sometimes called the "shadow docket" because cases often are acted upon without the usual level of transparency or consideration.

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Some recent decisions on the emergency docket have come with brief opinions explaining the court's reasoning. But typically they are issued as bare and unsigned orders offering no rationale.

Konsky noted that the justices sometimes designate emergency cases for regular review with arguments and full briefing.

"But in any event, the emergency docket raises complicated questions that are likely to continue to play out in the coming years," Konsky said.

Among Trump's emergency applications this year, oral arguments were held only in the birthright citizenship dispute.

The liberal justices, often findings themselves on the losing side, have expressed dismay.

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Once again "this court dons its emergency-responder gear, rushes to the scene and uses its equitable power to fan the flames rather than extinguish them," Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in a dissent in the Social Security data case.

"The risk of error increases when this court decides cases -as here - with barebones briefing, no argument and scarce time for reflection," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in the teacher grants case.

Conservative Justice Samuel Alito defended the emergency docket in 2021, saying there is "nothing new or shadowy" about the process and that it has wrongly been portrayed as sinister.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
Weve all had that friend. The one who drops a years salary on a one-day wedding with monogrammed cocktail ice and fireworks timed to the couples first kiss. You smile politely, wear the overpriced bridesmaid dress, and pretend the champagne tower wasnt funded with a 401(k) withdrawal.

Now imagine that wedding, but with tanks.

Because on June 14, the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army and, coincidentally, the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump, were all invited to his "Big Fat Military Parade."

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Its unnecessary. Its over the top. Its wildly expensive. And yes  were paying for it.

Letters: House budget provision exempts executive branch from following court orders

So in the spirit of love, liberty, and judgment, here are 6 ways Trumps parade is like your friends over-the-top gauche wedding:

Trump birthday parade a massive waste of money

Your friend spent $100,000 on a single day while still renting a studio apartment and paying 23.99% interest on her credit card balance. This parade? Same energy.

Its projected to cost up to $45 million dollars, but just like any good wedding, this one will likely blow the budget. Were talking tens of millions of dollars for tanks, jets, porta-potties, and housing the troops. Lets hope Rudy Giulianis appearance fee these days is just a bottle of scotch and partial immunity. Thats money that could actually help our troops and veterans with housing, healthcare, and food assistance.

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Instead theyre being paraded around like GI Joe action figures at an America First themed birthday party with enough red, white, and blue smoke to make a bald eagle develop asthma.

Trump military parade about vanity and optics

Trumps argument that tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue is a demonstration of patriotism is about as believable as your friends horse-drawn carriage, champagne wall and a third outfit change demonstrating her love and commitment to Chad.

This parade is about creating an Instagram thirst-trap but with tanks. Were about to get an epic amount of social media content set to a Lee Greenwood soundtrack.

No one asked for this and we're all paying for it

Just like a destination wedding, this isnt something most people asked for  and yet, were the ones footing the bill. Americans struggling with rent, insulin costs, and groceries now get to sponsor the equivalent to a wedding in Bali they never RSVPed to  except instead of frequent flyer miles, theyre paying for it in federal deficit.

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We didnt ask for this. We didnt budget for this. And we certainly dont need a military-themed engagement party for a man who avoided military service and now wants to wear patriotism like a rented tux.

The rest of us are left cleaning up the mess

After the wedding? Broken wine glasses, credit card debt, and a drunk cousin crying by the photo booth. After the parade? Damaged streets, a gross misuse of public funds, and a fresh round of international side-eye. And like any bad wedding, the rest of us are left with a hangover and haunting memories of forced applause.

Parade is giving off aspirational authoritarian chic

Some brides plan weddings that are less about a joyful union and more about going viral. Shes not inspired by love; shes copying Kim Kardashians flower wall and Marie Antoinettes budget. Trumps parade Pinterest board seems to be emulating an aesthetic that is part Putin, part Kim Jong Un, with a little young Mussolini mustache twirl.

The whole thing screams strongman pageantry, except instead of tiaras and couture, were flexing tanks and fighter jets.

This isn't normal. Celebration of America doesn't need tanks.

Trumps June 14 parade isnt about the country. Its about control, image, and the illusion of strength  just like your friends over the top wedding was less about commitment and more about drone footage of the Amalfi Coast.

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Letters: Making Canada 51st state is a great idea, but not for reason Trump thinks

Lets stop pretending this is normal.

A true celebration of America doesnt need tanks. Just like a good wedding doesnt need a fog machine, a 17 piece big band or a commemorative hashtag.

If this really were a wedding? Id give it six months.

Kristin Brey is the "My Take" columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: True celebration of America doesn't need tanks or flyovers | Opinion
President Trump signed a memo intended to save the lower Snake River dams in Eastern Washington on Thursday, reversing Biden administration actions that helped support efforts to remove the hydroelectric dams.

Trump said in a memo that his administration was committed to protecting the American people from radical green agenda policies that make their lives more expensive, and to maximizing the beneficial uses of our existing energy infrastructure and natural resources to generate energy and lower the cost of living.

He revoked the Biden Administrations Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin memo, which Trumps administration said placed concerns about climate change above the nations interests in reliable energy.

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Trumps memo called for a withdrawal from actions that grew out of Bidens memo, including an agreement between the federal government, the states of Washington and Oregon, and Northwest tribes signed in February 2024.

The agreement stopped short of a federal decision to remove the dams, but supporters and opponents of the dams called it a roadmap to breaching them, according to the Northwest Public Power Association.

Removing the dams from Ice Harbor Dam near the Tri-Cities upriver to Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston, Idaho, would be devastating for the region, Trumps memo said.

An aerial view of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., who has fought to save the dams throughout his decade in federal office, thanked Trump for his decisive actions.

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Removing the dams would have threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets, Newhouse said.

WA senator: Decision shortsighted

But Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said, Donald Trump doesnt know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life .... This decision is grievously wrong and couldnt be more shortsighted.

She said the once-in-a-generation agreement brokered by the Biden administration put the region on the path to recovering endangered salmon populations, while preserving the benefits of the lower Snake River dams.

The agreement led to a pause in a nearly 30-year-old court case over Columbia River system dams, with the stay now in jeopardy, Murray said.

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Under the agreement, the federal government was required to spend more than $1 billion, including $300 million from the Bonneville Power Administration, over a decade to restore native fish and their habitats.

Male coho salmon hang out in Lapwai Creek as they wait for females to spawn with. About 18,300 adult coho returning from the Pacific Ocean have passed Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River west of Lewiston this fall. Coho in the Snake River Basin were declared extinct in the 1980s but a decades-long effort by the Nez Perce Tribe has revived the run. The fish now provide annual tribal and nontribal fishing opportunities.

The Department of Energy would help develop tribal sponsored clean energy infrastructure to help replace hydropower production should the four dams be torn down.

Studies would be conducted by the federal government or with federal funding on how the services now provided by the dams could be replaced, including the barging of farm products and other goods, irrigation, recreation and electricity production.

Reaction to Trumps announcement was mixed, with those who rely on the dams supportive of Trumps decision and environmental interests unhappy.

Support for Trumps decision

Heres what those supporting Trumps decision had to say:

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 Biden administration policies put the Snake River dams on a path to being destroyed, which would have cost tens of billions of dollars and eliminated a reliable source of electricity the state will need to meet rapidly increasing demand, said Todd Myers, vice president for research of the Washington Policy Center.

He pointed out that the Trump administration estimated that the destruction of the dams would have eliminated more than 3,000 megawatts of secure and reliable hydroelectric generating capacity. That is enough electricity for 2.5 million homes.

Much work remains to recover salmon on the Snake River, but fixating on the Snake River dams and hoping that their removal will be a silver bullet is not the answer, he said.

Four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River in Eastern Washington have been proposed to be removed or breached to improve salmon runs.

 The agreement brokered by the Biden administration that Trump is now rolling back was negotiated in secret, with participation from public power utilities deliberately excluded from discussions, said Kurt Miller, executive director of the Northwest Public Power Association.

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(It) was never authorized or endorsed by the people or communities most affected by increasing energy costs, he said.

Losing the hydropower from the four lower Snake River dams could increase electricity rates by 40% or more for many communities and increase the risk of regional blackouts, he said.

The next steps dont need to involve the courtroom, he said.

Across the region, public power utilities are working side by side with tribes and conservationists to improve fish passage, restore habitats and innovate hatchery practices  all while maintaining the clean energy backbone of the Northwest, he said.

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 Hydroelectric power is the reason the lights stay on in the region, said Jim Matheson, chief executive officer of the National Rural Electric cooperative Association.

The association said that the dams are a critical source of reliable, always-available electricity for the Pacific Northwest and were jeopardized by the Biden administration.

 The Washington Association of Wheat Growers said the actions resulting from Trumps announcement reflect an understanding of not only family farmers and ranchers, but the regional economy.

More than 60% of Washington wheat exports are transported by river barges, it said.

Opposition to Trumps decision

Here is what opponents of the dams had to say:

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 Margaret Townsend, attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, predicted a return to more costly litigation over management of the hydroelectric system in federal court.

Trumps reckless move to scrap this settlement puts imperiled salmon, southern resident orcas and tribal treaty rights at even greater risk, she said. The deal marked real progress toward removing the four lower Snake River dams, which is critical to restoring the Columbia Basin and saving rare wildlife from extinction.

The endangered southern resident orca whale population feeds primarily on chinook salmon along the Washington coast.

Tearing up the agreement ignores science and tribal sovereignty, and one big result will be more costly litigation, Townsend said.

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 Trumps announcement echoed the federal governments historic pattern of broken promises to tribes, said Gerald Lewis, Yakama Tribal Council chairman.

The federal governments historic river management approach is unsustainable and will lead to salmon extinction, he said. Courtroom battles cannot provide the innovative, holistic solutions we need.

Terminating the agreement brokered by the Biden administration will severely disrupt vital fisheries restoration efforts, eliminate certainty for hydro operations, and likely result in increased energy costs and regional instability, Lewis said.

 Earthjustice said the Biden administration agreement among federal, tribal and state governments was an unprecedented opportunity and the Northwests best path forward to solve complex regional issues.

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It offered a way to restore imperiled salmon populations while planning ahead to modernize infrastructure and replace the benefits provided by the lower Snake River dams.

This administration may be giving up on our salmon, but we will keep fighting to prevent extinction and realize win-win solutions for the region, said Earthjustice Senior Attorney Amanda Goodin.

An aerial view of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River.

 The Biden administration agreement set the Northwest on a path to restore a strong fishing economy and honor tribal treaty rights, said Liz Hamilton, policy director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association.

Its a big loss for the Northwests economy, and a dagger to the heart of our industry, she said. The sportfishing industry is a cultural and economic engine generating over $5 billion in economic output for the region, creating jobs for nearly 37,000.

 Wild Columbia and Snake river salmon exist on borrowed time, said Greg McReynolds, Idaho Rivers Uniteds executive director.

The administrations decision to abandon these commitments is exceptionally shortsighted and deeply troubling, he said.

 Miles Johnson, legal director of Columbia Riverkeeper, agreed that Trumps decision was shortsighted, but said it would interrupt, but not derail, strong partnerships for salmon recovery and lower Snake River dam removal.
Following the Israeli attacks on Iran, US President Donald Trump plans to meet with his National Security Council on Friday.

The meeting with the White House's foreign and security policy experts is scheduled to take place at 11 am (1500 GMT).

The closed-door meeting is to be held in the "situation room," the highly secured crisis centre in the White House.
OTTAWA, ON, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Prime Minister Carney recognized the UAE's leadership in artificial intelligence and energy, and discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral collaboration in these sectors.

The two leaders committed to remaining in contact.

Associated Link

This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca

SOURCE Prime Minister's Office

Cision

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2025/12/c5780.html
Israel launched what it described as a preemptive strike on Iran on Thursday, just hours after President Donald Trump called for a diplomatic resolution to long-simmering nuclear tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Operation Rising Lion targeted Natanz, home to one of Irans main nuclear enrichment facilities, as well as the center of the Iranian ballistic missile program and leading Iranian nuclear scientists.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat, Netanyahu said in an address claiming that Irans nuclear program posed a clear and present danger to Israels very survival.

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. / Vahid Salemi / Vahid Salemi/AP

Explosions were heard in and around Tehran on Thursday night, according to Iranian state media outlet IRNA. Air raid sirens also went off in Tel Aviv, reported ABC News.

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The attack killed Major General Hossein Salami, chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards; nuclear scientists Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi; and at least a dozen civilians, IRNA reported.

I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Irans nuclear weapons program, Netanyahu said. He has made clear time and again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment program.

People gather in the street near an emergency vehicle in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. / Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters

But State Secretary Marco Rubio swiftly released an unusually strong statement distancing the U.S. from the attack, which Trump had explicitly warned against. The statement notably lacked any expression of support for the Israeli operation.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio



Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

Just two hours before explosions were first reported in Iran, Trump made a last-minute call for sobriety on Truth Social.

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We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! he wrote. My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon.

A view of a building damaged following Israeli strikes, in Tehran. / Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters

Earlier on Thursday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he would love to avoid a conflict in the region.

Asked whether an Israeli strike on Iran was imminent, Trump said it looks like its something that could very well happen.

Look, its very simple, not complicated: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, he said. Other than that, I want them to be successful. I want them to be tremendous. Well help them be successful. Well trade with them. Well do whatever is necessary.

People gather in the street in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. / Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters

Trump also touted that the U.S. was fairly close to a pretty good agreement with Iran, though he did not provide details. The next round of talks is scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

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I want to have an agreement with Iran, he said. As long as I think there is an agreement, I dont want them going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually, but it also could blow it.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump spoke with Netanyahu by phone on Monday and explicitly told him not to attack. Two U.S. officials claimed that the Israeli PM broached the topic of striking with Trump, who responded that he would like to see diplomacy run its course before turning to military options.

Trump also confirmed on Wednesday that non-essential U.S. personnel were being moved out of parts of the Middle East as tensions continued to escalate between Israel and Iran.

The State Department urged U.S. citizens in Israel and the broader region to take caution: Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly.

Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex and can change quickly. We remind U.S. citizens in Israel and the broader region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.  Department of State (@StateDept) June 12, 2025

Senior U.S. officials told CNN that they became increasingly concerned about an Israeli strike on Iran in recent days after Tehran said it would scale up its nuclear activities in response to a United Nations watchdog ruling that it failed to comply with its nuclear obligations.

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This marks the latest foreign policy flub for Trump, who campaigned last year on a promise of America First and vowed to swiftly end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Since then, both wars have seen major escalations, and Trump has made fresh promises to claim the Panama Canal, Greenland, and even Canada.

Im not going to start a war, Im going to stop wars, he declared in his victory speech in November.
As President Trump enforces his election promise to clamp down on immigration, he is coming good on his mandate: On day one, I will launch the largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America.

Once in office, Trump began to also target criminals and migrant workers, as well as students and tourists with visa issues.

4 jobs actively hiring

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White House officials have said they hope ICE can make 3,000 arrests a day. Thats up from around 660 per day they made during the first 100 days of Trumps presidency.

Though an independent watchdog project at Syracuse University, The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, says that of the 51,302 people in ICE detention facilities as of the start of June, about 44% had no criminal record, apart from entering the country without permission.

There have been two notable effects of Trumps clampdowns: one is that recent immigration crackdowns are causing widespread alarm which are seeing play out in protests in LA, for example.

The second effect is that because people are being taken from the workforce, this has resulted in its own set of consequences.

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Aligned with that is a wider concern around the U.S. ability to remain competitive in terms of innovation. There is a growing concern within the tech community around global competitiveness in the face of a potentially restricted workforce.

Innovation may be upended

Dmitry Litvinov is the CEO and founder of Dreem, a platform supporting tech immigration. He says that tech immigration to the U.S. has become incredibly challenging, and that this has the potential to significantly affect the U.S. AI landscape.

As a relatively new field, AI faces unique challenges in proving applicants eligibility and expertise for immigration, Litvinov says.

Even in established fields like physics, demonstrating outstanding qualifications is difficultAI is far more complex.

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He also points out that the U.S loss could benefit its competitors. Restrictive policies are driving talent to other AI hubs, strengthening rival nations and weakening U.S. innovation. Applicants report they are increasingly considering alternative AI hubs like Canada, the UK, the UAE, or even China, where immigration processes are faster and more welcoming.

Sectors most affected

According to a recent study by Brooks Law Firm, the American workforce is being reshaped. It analyzed key U.S. industries to identify and rank the ones most vulnerable to labor disruption under potential Trump-era immigration enforcement policies.

Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, the firm has created a list of the industries it says may be the most affected by new immigration laws.

Reflecting the concerns of the tech sector, it says the information industry will be the most affected by the latest Trump immigration laws, with 416K immigrant workers currently in the workforce. While this represents just 1.4% of its total workforce, because it is the second-fastest growing industry, the fear is this growth can be stymied by a reduced talent pipeline.

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Educational and health services rank as the second with the most to lose. Thats because this is an industry with the largest share of immigrant workers at 18.4%. Effectively, this accounts to about 183,500 industry workers with the potential to be removed from the workforce.

In third place is the professional and business sector. Professional and business services employ the second-largest proportion of immigrant workers at 15.8%. Now, because of the latest Trump laws, over 157,600 workers could leave the industry.

Public administration comes fourth. Currently, 765,000 immigrant workers are employed in public administration. The study points out that because this industry has the slowest growth rate at 0.1%, this means that recovery from worker loss can take a longer time than for other industries.

In fifth place is the leisure and hospitality industry. This is an industry with a large share of immigrant workers, employing more than three million people from other countries. As a result, it has the potential to shed 101,700 workers.

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Other industries are vulnerable too. The financial sector employs 5.4% immigrants, and due to a slow growth rate of 0.4%, the loss of these workers could take a long time to recover from.

In transportation and utilities, more than 2.1 million workers employed in the sector are immigrants, and in the wholesale and retail trade sector, three million immigrant workers are employed.

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Its a very scary time for immigrants and refugees in this country. Across the nation, there is more scrutiny on immigrants. Actions at the federal level are obfuscating rules and guidelines for immigrants and refugees, which raises concerns in the immigrant community around travel and civil rights.

Tacoma residents experience this fear. Each of us has been pulled aside from a crowd and asked in a whisper whether individuals living in Tacoma are safe.

In Tacoma, we are doing our best within our legal authority to provide safe access to city services. Public safety comes in all shapes and forms. One of these forms is access to government services.

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It is in our entire communitys best interest if everyone feels safe interacting with the government. It should not be threatening to go to Tacoma Public Utilities and pay your water bill. We want people to feel safe calling 911 to report a car accident or seek medical help in an emergency. We want all residents to trust in the system enough to show up at court when necessary and have access to documents in languages they understand. Maintaining access to the systems that govern us is critical for those systems to operate with integrity and in service to our community.

It is also important that people have access to their jobs and the day-to-day places that a society relies upon. This is not just because every person deserves to be treated with dignity  which they do  but also because it also drives our economy forward.

According to a report from the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, immigrants are vital members of Washington states bustling economy and vibrant community. Data from the Immigration Research Initiative shows that immigrant workers, which include green card holders, asylees, people with temporary protected status, and undocumented immigrants, play an outsized role in strengthening Washingtons labor force and economy.

We hear every day the demand that elected officials lead on protecting our immigrant and refugee neighbors. Tacoma is acting.

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The City Council passed Resolution 41627 to direct city resources be restricted from use for investigation and surveillance of individuals based on immigration or citizenship status without a court order. The city of Tacoma is in full compliance with the Keep Washington Working Act, which clarifies how local law enforcement engages with federal immigration law. We celebrate Pierce Countys recent ordinance change to end the use of E-Verify, bringing it into alignment with Tacomas practices.

We are doing what we can locally to make city services safe and accessible, and the work is ongoing. In America, everyone has the right to due process. Everyone has the right to peacefully protest. It is fundamental to our very democracy.

We champion sharing information about immigrant rights and the right to assemble. As council members, we keep abreast of court challenges to recent federal actions and how all the federal changes will have local impacts in Tacoma. Stand with us in preserving the safety of immigrants in Tacoma.

Olgy Diaz and Sandesh Sadalge are members of the Tacoma City Council. Diaz was appointed as an at-large member in 2022 and elected to a full term in 2023. Her parents immigrated from Guatemala, and she was born in Pierce County. Sadalge was appointed in 2024 to represent District 4. He immigrated from India at age 6 and became a U.S. citizen as an adult.
President Trump offered a stern warning to Iranian leadership Friday following Israeli strikes, urging the country to agree to a nuclear deal or face lethal consequences.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, he continued. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

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The presidents post came hours after Israel on Thursday night launched strikes it said targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites. Iranian state television said the strikes killed the head of its Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was told the strikes were necessary for self-defense, but was not involved in the operation. Rubio warned Iran against targeting U.S. interests or personnel in retaliation.

The Trump administration has for weeks been holding meetings with Iran in an effort to reach a nuclear deal with Tehran. While Trump had sounded an optimistic note in mid-May during a trip to the Middle East, suggesting an agreement was nearly complete, he has in recent days been more pessimistic in his assessment.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump added in his Friday post, following the Israeli strikes.

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I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come  And they know how to use it, he continued.

The president added, Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!

Trump in a follow-up post Friday morning said he gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum two months ago to make a deal.

They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there, he added. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

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Trump had a day earlier indicated he did not want Israel targeting Iran as long as there was a possibility of reaching a nuclear deal with Tehran, warning that such an escalation could blow the chances of an agreement.

He also acknowledged several weeks ago that he has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking any actions that could threaten ongoing talks.

Administration officials said earlier in the week that the government was downsizing its footprint in Iraq. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also greenlighted the voluntary departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and portions of South and Central Asia. The move came in anticipation of a potential strike in the region.

Tehran also announced they would pull out of the sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman, where U.S. officials were expected to meet with Iranian officials Sunday. The news comes as the president is set to hold a national security meeting with top aides at the White House.

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Trump frequently used similarly bellicose rhetoric at various times during his first term. He threatened to strike Iranian cultural sites if Tehran responded to the 2020 killing of the head of Irans Quds Force, though no such strike ever materialized. He also warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un about the size of his nuclear button in a social media post before the two ultimately met for in-person summits that resulted in the president speaking warmly about the dictator.

Updated at 7:46 a.m. EDT

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the White House on June 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, urging the country to accept a nuclear deal to avoid further planned attacks, citing that there has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter come to an end.

Trump spoke out via his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday morning, reacting to the news that Israel had launched an overnight attack on Iran, targeting multiple nuclear and military sites.

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Referencing the ongoing negotiations over Irans nuclear program, Trump said that he had given Iran a chance to make a deal.

"I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump said. Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse."

Trump added that Iran was told how the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come. And they know how to use it.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Trump warned.

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Read More: Iran Fires Back at Israel

The U.S. was decidedly not involved in the overnight military action, as confirmed by a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in which he urged Iran not to target the U.S.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, said Marco, in a statement shared by the White House shortly after the initial strikes. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

People look on as emergency responders assess the damage after Israeli strikes hit Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025 Majid SaeediGetty Images

A number of senior military officials and nuclear scientists have been killed by the Israeli strikes on Iran, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing retaliation, saying that Israel should anticipate a severe punishment and has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.

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The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced the preemptive, precise offensive in a statement in the early hours of Friday morning, local time.

Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world, the statement read. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes, part of Operation Rising Lion, will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Read More: Here Are the Top Iranian Generals and Scientists Targeted and Killed by Israeli Strikes

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Iran has since responded with around 100 drone strikes on Israel, with Jordan confirming that drones also entered its airspace.

Prior to this, talks between the U.S. and Israel had appeared to be heading in a more positive direction after Ali Shamkhanisenior adviser to Ayatollah Khameneisaid in May that Iran was willing to accept a deal subject to conditions.

Talks were still ongoing as of early June. Iran rejected a U.S. proposal and offered a counter-offer on June 9. The following day, Iranian lawmakers accused the U.S. of turning negotiation talks into a trap.

"The U.S. is not serious in negotiations at all. It has set the goal of talks as imposing its demands and has adopted offensive positions that are diametrically opposed to Iranians' inalienable rights," Iranian lawmakers said in a statement.

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Now, with Israel and Iran trading strikes, world leaders are looking to the Middle East and urging restraint.

A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has relayed his concerns.

Guterres "condemns any military escalation in the Middle East" and "is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran, while talks between Iran and the U.S. on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway."



Another round of nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S. was set to take place in the Sultanate of Oman's capital of Muscat this weekend, but it remains to be seen if those will go ahead, now that Israel and Iran are engaged in military action.

How have other U.S. lawmakers reacted to Israels attack?



Sen. Lindsey Graham

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Republican, has issued a number of comments on the strikes in Iran. Game on. Pray for Israel, read his initial reaction to the attack, which he called one of the most impressive military strikes in Israeli history.

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Graham followed up with a statement remarking on the possibility of Iranian retaliatory strikes on American military personnel or interests throughout the region.

The Senator said if such actions were taken by Iran, then America should have an overwhelming response, destroying all of Irans oil refineries and oil infrastructure putting the Ayatollah and his henchmen out of the oil business.

He also expressed support for Trumps comments, saying: I very much appreciate President Trumps strong statement in support of this Israeli operation and his urging for the Iranian Regime to make a deal to abandon their nuclear enrichment program to avoid further bloodshed.

Sen. Ted Cruz

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican, has relayed support for Israels attack on Iran, citing it as an act of self-defense.

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President Trump has been clear that Iran must completely dismantle their nuclear capacity. Iran has given President Trump the middle finger. Israel is acting to defend themselves, and we should stand with them. he said, later adding: Tonight, pray for Israel. Pray for the American servicemen and women who are in harms way. And to the Ayatollah: If you attack American military bases, President Trump will respond with overwhelming force.

Sen. Tom Cotton

Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a Republican, said: Iran is the worlds worst state sponsor of terrorism, has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands, and is rushing to build not only nuclear weapons, but also missiles that can strike the United States. We back Israel to the hilt, all the way And if the Ayatollahs harm a single American, that will be the end of the Ayatollahs.

Sen. Chris Murphy

Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democrat, criticized Israel and the Trump Administration over the strikes in Iran.

Israel's attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration's negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America and is further evidence of how little respect world powersincluding our own allieshave for President Trump," he said, describing Irans progression towards possible nuclear weapons as a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu's own making.

Sen. Andy Kim

Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey, a Democrat, has cautioned Iran on its response, whilst also issuing criticism at Israels decision to launch the overnight attack.

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Iran should know that any targeting of U.S. forces and personnel stationed across the Middle East in retaliation for Israel's actions would be a grave mistake, he said. This action ordered by Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to deliberately undermine ongoing American diplomatic negotiations about Iran's nuclear program We should do everything we can to stop this moment from spiraling into a wider conflict and bring parties back to the table to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Sen. John Fetterman

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat, also responded to Israels strikes on Iran. Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack, he said. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessarymilitary, intelligence, weaponryto fully back Israel in striking Iran.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Friday in which they discussed tariffs and Israel's attacks against Iran, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Trump has sought to leverage his tariff threats to strike bilateral trade deals with many countries, including U.S. ally Japan. Japan will remain steadfast in its request for a review of U.S. tariffs and would not accept a partial agreement, Tokyo's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Friday.

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On the diplomatic front, the two leaders agreed remain in close communication on Israel's strikes against Iran that began late on Thursday U.S. time and on Friday Middle East and Asia time.

Japan has condemned Israel's strikes by calling them escalatory while the U.S. has called those a form of "unilateral action" and said Washington was not involved.

KEY QUOTES

"Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated Japan's views on the U.S. tariff measures, taking into account the results of the Japan-U.S. Consultations on the U.S. Tariff Measures to date," the Japanese foreign ministry said.

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It added that the two leaders "concurred to accelerate the consultations between the ministers in charge in order to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement."

A White House official confirmed from the U.S. side the call had taken place on Friday.

The Japanese foreign ministry added that the two leaders agreed on the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East.

CONTEXT

Trump and Ishiba are expected to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meeting next week.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and David Brunnstrom in Washington; additional reporting by Steve HollandEditing by Diane Craft and Marguerita Choy)
US President Donald Trump can continue deploying the National Guard in the state of California for the time being, after an appeals court blocked an earlier order for the Trump administration to return them to state control.

Judge Charles Breyer of the San Francisco district court had declared on Thursday that the deployment of the National Guard in California by the US government was unlawful, finding that Trump had exceeded his authority.

An appeals court blocked the order late on Thursday evening, in response to a challenge by the US government.

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The temporary injunction was originally supposed to come into effect at noon on Friday, but is now suspended until a further hearing scheduled for Tuesday.

This means Trump can continue to deploy the National Guard over the weekend, when several rallies are planned in Los Angeles.

Protest at Trump's migration crackdown

Los Angeles has seen days of demonstrations opposing Trump's hard-line stance on migrants and recent deportation raids. In response, Trump mobilized 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 marines for deployment in Los Angeles, despite opposition from Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

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The move has led to criticism that the deployments are exacerbating the situation on the ground.

Under normal circumstances, control of the National Guard lies with individual US states. In times of war or national emergency, however, the president can assume command.

Newsom: Trump has 'authoritarian tendencies'

In his ruling, judge Breyer declared Trump's actions to be "illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution."

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who filed the suit against Trump, praised the initial ruling as a win for the nation.

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"It's a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day," the governor said on X.

Newsom did not initially comment on the later injunction.

Rare use of power

Trump's move to federalize the National Guard marks the first time in 60 years that a president has done so in opposition to the will of a governor.

In 1965 then president Lyndon B Johnson nationalized the guard to protect civil rights advocates against the will of Alabama Governor George Wallace, a known segregationist.
Trump loyalist Richard Grenell is weighing a run for California governor, and he says former vice president Kamala Harris could make the decision for him.

In an exclusive early clip from this Sundays episode of The Conversation podcast with Politicos Dasha Burns, Grenell revealed he recently spoke with President Donald Trump about jumping into the 2026 governors race, once Democrat Gavin Newsom is termed out.

Grenell is a longtime aide to the president, and already juggles three jobs. Hes Trumps special missions envoy, Trumps hand-picked head of the Kennedy Center, and last month, Live Nation added Grenell to its board of directors. He also served a brief stint as acting director of national intelligence during Trumps first term in office.

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I want to see if Kamala [Harris] runs, Grenell told host Burns. If Kamala runs, I think theres a whole bunch of Republicans who are going to have to take a look at it, not just me.

Grenell said Harris running for California governor would influence his decision.

Richard Grenell said he wants to see if former vice president Kamala Harris runs for California governor. / Etienne LAURENT / REUTERS

If she runs, it is going to make me have to take a look at it. Right now, Im not running [for governor], he added.

It isnt the first time Grenell has dangled a run for office.

If Kamala Harris runs for governor, I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is, that its a new day in California, and that the Republican actually has a shot, and I wouldnt say no, he told reporters February in Munich.

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And back in 2021, he was reported to be laying groundwork for a potential run against Newsom during the failed recall.

Grenell was installed by Trump as head of the Kennedy Center in February as part of a drastic conservative overhaul of the iconic arts center which he criticized as being too liberal. His appointment, replacing longtime president Deborah Rutter, sparked backlash across the arts community.

Trump said on Truth Social that Grenell shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture and would be overseeing daily operations to ensure NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.

Grenell echoed that mission, declaring at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February that he wanted to make art great again.

Former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, sheriff of one of Californias largest agencies, are also expected to run.
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.

This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. on June 13, 2025.

As Israeli jets streaked over the Middle East last evening, President Donald Trumps key aides were making preparations for their next round of nuclear talks with Iran, hoping to cement their bosss reputation as the worlds top dealmaker.

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For weeks, Trump had been warning Iran to accept the agreement that his envoy, Steve Witkoff, had offered, under which Tehran would receive sanctions relief in exchange for dismantling its nuclear program and ending its uranium enrichment. Trump had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call earlier in the week he believed that a deal was still possible and didnt want to risk a wider war, a White House official told us. When Netanyahu raised the possibility of a preemptive strike, Trump said he preferred the diplomatic route.

But by this morning, everything had changed. Israels largest-ever attack on Iran had left senior leaders of the Islamic Republic dead, its nuclear facilities badly damaged, and the outlook for Trumps dealmaking in shambles. What remains of Irans leadership appears even less likely to accept the embarrassing prospect of surrendering its enrichment capability, and will feel the need to hit back against Israel without restraint. More threatening for Trump, the president now faces the prospect of Iranian attacks on U.S. interests and an unpredictable, economically damaging wider war across the Middle East. The question that has dominated international attention on the Middle East for well over a decadewhether the standoff over Irans nuclear aspirations would be resolved with force or at the negotiating tableappears to be careening toward an answer.

Dead, one person familiar with the matter said of Trumps diplomatic push. Yes, Iran is an authoritarian state, but they care about how theyre viewed domestically and internationally. They cant be seen as negotiating from a position of weakness.

[Read: Irans stunning incompetence]

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A diplomat from a Middle Eastern country said that Trump is being naive if he thinks Iran will resume talks in any meaningful way any time soon.

Also, the diplomat added, Israel just killed their negotiators.

Israel dubbed its operation Rising Lion, and it included air strikes on more than 100 nuclear and military sites as well as the assassinations of a number of top officials, including the chief of staff of Irans military, the senior-most Revolutionary Guard commander, and the diplomat overseeing negotiations with Washington. The details of the attack suggest that Israel had invested months or years of planning and had deeply penetrated Irans security establishment, even beyond the espionage required to assassinate a senior Hamas operative at a Tehran guesthouse last year.

Netanyahu promised there would be more to come. Today the Jewish state refuses to be the victim of a nuclear Holocaust, he said in a message to the Iranian people.

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Former officials who have followed Israels decades-long standoff with Iran described yesterdays assault as the big one for Israel, which was hoping to take advantage of the setbacks it dealt its adversarys air and missile defenses in a series of tit-for-tat attacks over the past 18 months. Netanyahu said Israel was attacking to preempt a breakthrough moment for Iran in which the country develops nuclear-weapons capability. But the aims appeared even broader than that. Theyre not just trying to take out the nuclear program for a time, the individual familiar with the issues said. Theyre trying to permanently set it back and potentially to destabilize the regime.

What happens next may not only change the balance of power in the Middle Eastit may also come to define a chapter of Trumps presidency. A senior White House official told us that Trump continues to believe that a diplomatic solution is possiblea view that is not universally shared by those around him. He had hoped to keep Israel from striking but thinks that Tehran, which had been stalling in the talks, may now be compelled to negotiate to avoid further destruction. Trump is clearly attempting to push this message, in any case. He took to social media and spoke with reporters early this morning, touting the success of the strikeswhile exaggerating his support for themand declaring that peace was possible. There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump wrote early this morning on Truth Social. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

While the president is projecting strength, he is also playing catch-up. The administration was given notice about the attacks only in the hours before they began, a White House official told us. The Department of Defense briefed some key congressional committees yesterday afternoon that they had been told Israel would soon attack, though the exact timing of the strikes was still unclear, according to a person familiar with the briefing. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio distanced the United States from the attacks, saying the country did not take part, the U.S. had taken steps in the days after Trump and Netanyahus call on Monday to move personnel out of the region in anticipation of possible violence.

Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican and Trump ally who has been a staunch supporter of Israel, told us that Trump was not perturbed by the attack: He sees Israel as the winner right now. If Iran doesnt reengage with talks, the senator added, his perspective is that Washington should help Israel finish off the nuclear program.

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After Israel attacked Iran, Rubios statement did not address whether the U.S. would help with Israels defense in the event of an Iranian counterattack. When Tehran launched two major aerial attacks at Israel last year, the Biden administration authorized the U.S. military to help Israel shoot down the onslaught of missiles. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel should anticipate a harsh punishment, and after nightfall in the Middle East today, dozens of rockets arced toward Israel; explosions echoed across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Most of the incoming missiles were shot down by Israels Iron Dome defense system, but some broke through and crashed into populated areas. A U.S. official who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity confirmed that American forces based on land and at sea helped shoot down the Iranian missiles. Since Hamass October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, the United States has maintained a heightened military presence in the Middle East, giving it greater ability to come to Israels aid.

[Read: Israels bold, risky attack]

The Pentagon must also be ready for strikes against U.S. troops or other American interests in the region. While Irans proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, have been weakened, the ability of Iranian-backed groups to wreak havoc with asymmetric attacks remains significant, as the Houthi militants in Yemen have continued to demonstrate. In addition to major bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, the Pentagon has an array of naval assets in the region that could mount defenses for an Iranian counterattack, including the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, with some 5,000 sailors aboard and its suite of F-18 and F-35 jets, along with five guided-missile destroyers. Since the October 7 attacks, the United States has also moved additional air-defense assets to Israel.

Daniel Shapiro, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel during the Obama administration and was a senior Pentagon official during the Biden administration, told us the moment posed a significant dilemma for Iran: It would also want to hit back against the United States, Israels chief military backer, but the prospect of war with Washington in a moment of internal chaos and military weakness was likely to be daunting.

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Ironically, the blows to Irans conventional military might make Irans leaders less willing to accept limits to their nuclear ambitions than they would have been otherwise. Its more likely that Iran will now feel a desperate need to sprint toward breakout capability, because theyre now so damaged, said Shapiro, who is a fellow at the Atlantic Council. Theyve always viewed the nuclear program as part of their regime survival strategy.

Yesterdays attack revealed the extent to which the Middle East has been remade since October 7, allowing Israel to extend its military advantage against Iran and its allies far more than most imagined possible. But that altered reality may pose a political danger to Trump, driving a wedge between his duties as Israels chief foreign ally and the wishes of his political base.

If Iran does attempt to accelerate its drive to obtain nuclear weapons, it would pull the United States more deeply into the conflict. Trump has vowed that Iran will not get a bomb and that only the United States has the military capabilities to reach the deeply buried facilities at the Fordow nuclear site.

But some America First influencers, such as Tucker Carlson and Charlie Kirk, denounced the possibility of the U.S. becoming further embroiled overseas. In the hours after the attack, the stock market went down while the price of oil went up. And a president who campaigned on promises of quickly ending foreign wars was suddenly on the precipice of another conflict.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Israeli officials say that their countrys deadly military strike on Iran was rubber-stamped by Donald Trump, despite his claims to have had nothing to do with it.

Just hours before Israels massive operation Thursday targeting Irans ballistic missile and nuclear facilities, military officials, and nuclear scientists, Trump claimed he was against an attack because it would blow ongoing diplomatic talks, which were set to continue this weekend.

Two Israeli officials told Axios, however, that Trump was lying and the president had only pretended to publicly oppose Israels military operation to eliminate ballistic missile and nuclear facilities, which was reportedly eight months in the making.

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We had a clear U.S. green light, one Israeli official told Axios.

In a phone call with Netanyahu Monday, Trump reportedly urged the Israeli prime minister to stop chatter about a potential strike on Iran. But Israeli officials told Axios that the call had really been about coordination ahead of the attack, and Netanyahus aides had lied to reporters.

The New York Times reported in April that Israel, which is not a participant in the ongoing nuclear talks, had made plans to attack Iranian nuclear sites that were waved off by Trump, who wanted to continue negotiating with Tehran. The White House made it clear, at least publicly, that if Israel wanted to strike it would do so alone.

On Wednesday, some U.S. personnel were evacuated from the region, including from Baghdad and Bahrain, citing security concerns. When asked what Israeli officials had told him that prompted the evacuations, Trump said, They didnt tell me anything, but I said look, theres a chance of massive conflict.

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For a guy who says he had nothing to do with the attack, Trump has been quick to use the strike as leverage.

Iran should have listened to me when I saidyou know I gave them, I dont know if you know but I gave them a 60-day warning and today is day 61. They should now come to the table to make a deal before its too late. It will be too late for them, the president told CNN.

He also said that the strike had killed some of the people whod been part of nuclear talks. You know the people I was dealing with are dead, the hard-liners, Trump added. Irans top negotiator in the nuclear talks, Ali Shamkhani, has been confirmed dead.

When asked by The Wall Street Journal Friday what kind of heads-up Israel had given the U.S. about the impending strike, Trump replied, Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on.
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RealPage, the Texas-based software company embroiled in a firestorm of controversy and legal struggles due to its algorithmic rental price setting, may have found an escape in its fight against state and local governments. The company has the latest GOP tax bill to thank for its possible lifeline.

The bill, which passed the House on May 22, would hinder local and statewide efforts to ban algorithmic price-setting software, including RealPage and Yardi Systems, due to a provision that allows artificial intelligence-based decisions to prevail for 10 years. However, the bill would not prevent the civil lawsuit against RealPage brought by the Department of Justice from continuing.

Don't Miss:

Cities And States Could Have Their RealPage Bans Reversed

Several U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Providence, Rhode Island, and most recently, Jersey City, New Jersey, have implemented bans on the software, with several other cities on the verge of doing so, the Journal reports.

The cities allege that RealPage and others help landlords engage in illegal collusion to ensure rental prices continue to rise by collecting and analyzing confidential data and using it against residents. Should the bill pass Congress, all that could change. "We would no longer be able to enforce this ban," Providence City Council President Rachel Miller told the Journal.

Opposing Side Prepared To Fight

Local governments would not take the new law lying down should it pass. Suing the federal government as a first retaliatory measure, Miller told the Journal. Secondly, they would lean on tenant-protection laws.

"Rent controlthat would be the biggest tool if folks are using algorithms to jack up rents," Jersey City Councilman James Solomon, who was recently successful in banning RealPage in his city, told the Journal.

Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing  you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today.

RealPage is fighting back against the bans, suing Berkeley, California, over its ban. Meanwhile, landlord advocacy trade groups, such as the National Multifamily Housing Council, have intensified their lobbying efforts, arguing that the housing shortage, rather than algorithmic pricing, is the primary reason for rent increases.
Donald Trump said he was kept informed of Israels plans to strike Iran even as he publicly called for a new nuclear deal and warned against fresh military action.

The US president held phone calls with Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and Thursday yet continued to say he hoped for a diplomatic solution that would prevent Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

The result was a public smokescreen that allowed the US to get diplomats to safety and protect American interests, according to a string of sources familiar with the presidents thinking.

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One former senior administration official said Mr Trump was happy to play good cop, advocating for more talks, while Mr Netanyahu played bad cop.

This was very much a case of, if Israels going to do it and do the dirty work and do what we essentially want done, then hes happy with that, he said.

Mr Trump spoke with Mr Netanyahu on Thursday, hours before the strikes began.

Credit: Reuters

Asked what kind of heads-up he was given, Mr Trump told The Wall Street Journal on Friday morning: Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know whats going on.

Yet Mr Trump kept up a stream of public comments about the prospects for talks.

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We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue, he posted on his Truth Social site. My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran.

His officials quietly briefed reporters that Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, was to travel to Oman for the sixth round of talks.

And he told journalists in the East Room of the Oval Office that strikes could derail delicately poised talks.

Israel and US coordinated closely

Yet at the same time, American diplomats were preparing for Iranian retaliation to strikes. Non-essential staff were ordered to leave the embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and families began flying home from other diplomatic posts in the region.

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Simone Ledeen, former deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East under Mr Trump, said the sequencing, posture changes and the presidents own comments made it clear that the US and Israel had coordinated closely. The result was an operation to degrade Iranian capability while preserving American flexibility.

Trump doesnt want war. Hes made that clear, she said. But that doesnt mean sitting on the sidelines.

It means using all toolsintelligence, timing, messagingto support an ally while protecting American interests.

Rescue teams work outside a heavily damaged building in Tehran struck by Israel - AFP

It also appeared that Israel was acting on a two-month deadline issued by Mr Trump in a letter sent to Tehran in March. The strikes were launched 60 days after talks with Iran began on April 12.

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Mr Trump said on Friday: I told the other side, I said, you have 60 days to make the deal. On the 61st day, they attacked. Today is 61 actually, and it was a very successful attack.

Just before heading into the White House Situation Room, he said it could even improve the chances of forcing Iran to end its nuclear ambitions.

When he was asked by Axios whether the attack had destroyed any chance of reaching a deal with Tehran, he said: I dont think so. Maybe the opposite. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously.

The website also reported that Israeli officials had been spreading rumours that Mr Trump was quietly nodding through the plans, while maintaining a public veneer of opposition. The White House denies that this is the case.

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The president has political concerns at home to balance too.

He was elected on an America First platform with promises to end US entanglements overseas.

Loyalists such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, the hardline congresswoman from Georgia, have warned that he is in danger of being suckered by the Washington establishment into giving up on that commitment.

On Thursday night, the result was reportedly a debate about how best to deliver a statement on the strikes amid tensions between Maga and Neocon parts of Trump world. In the end, it fell to Marco Rubio, Mr Trumps secretary of state and a hawkish voice on Iran.

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Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran, he said. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

Mr Trump was mingling with guests at the congressional barbecue on the South Lawn of the White House when news of the strikes spread.

Donald and Melania Trump greet guests on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday evening - SAUL LOEB/AFP

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he posted on Truth Social at 5.56am.

But he already faces questions from supporters about where this leaves his campaign promises.

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How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda  stay consistent with this right now? Charlie Kirk, a Maga influencer and ally of the president said.

Tucker Carlson, a long-time friend of Mr Trump wrote in his morning newsletter: Drop Israel. Let them fight their own wars ... It is not Americas fight.

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Attorneys for President Donald Trump have requested a deadline extension in his $20 billion legal battle with CBS, citing their engagement in active settlement discussions, including continued mediation with the network.

Per the Friday filing with the Texas federal court, the presidents legal team is asking to push the deadline to file a response to CBS and Paramounts motion to compel from June 16 to June 30, the deadline for the network and media giant to file a reply to Trumps response from June 23 to July 7, and the deadline for Trump to file a motion to compel from June 30 to July 14. They also asked that Paramount and CBS response to a motion to compel from Trump be due July 28.

The Parties are not seeking to extend any deadlines regarding the pending motions to dismiss, and Defendants intend to file their reply on or before June 23, 2025. Nor are the Parties seeking to extend any other deadlines in the Courts Scheduling Order, the filing adds. Plaintiffs counsel has conferred with counsel for Defendants, and all Parties have consented to this motion in writing.

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Trumps lawsuit takes aim at an Oct. 7 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which he has claimed was deceptively edited to make her look good.

In a legal filing last month asking the court to deny Paramounts motion to dismiss the suit, Trump alleged the Harris interview caused him mental anguish and confusion and that its false advertising and tampering withheld viewers attention from him and his social media platform Truth Social, resulting in a decrease in value for Trump Media and Technology Group and his other media holdings.

CBS News has maintained that Trumps accusations of deceitful editing were false, explaining that the promo shown on Face the Nation used a longer section of Harris answer. It also turned over the transcript and camera footage from the interview to the FCC as part of the agencys investigation into allegations of news distortion. In a March filing to dismiss the Trump suit, CBS called it an affront to the First Amendment and without basis in law or fact.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump recently shot down Paramounts offer to settle the lawsuit for $15 million, with the president aiming to get at least $25 million and an apology.

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The high stakes legal battle comes as Paramounts pending $8 billion merger with Skydance Media awaits regulatory approval from the FCC due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses of the media giants 28 owned-and-operated local TV stations.

The deal, which executives have said would close in the first half of 2025, recently triggered its first automatic 90-day extension after failing to close by April 7.

Democratic Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden issued a warning to Paramounts controlling shareholder Shari Redstone last month that reaching a settlement in exchange for regulatory approval could violate federal anti-bribery laws. The California State Senate has also launched an investigation into the matter and invited former 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens and former CBS News president Wendy McMahon to testify.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr has argued that the settlement talks with Trump are unrelated to the agencys review of the Skydance deal. But he has warned that all options remain on the table in the agencys ongoing investigation into alleged news distortion related to the Harris interview, including potentially revoking CBS broadcast license if the network is found to have violated the agencys public interest standard.

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Paramounts settlement talks come as Disney previously paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit Donald Trump brought against ABC News and star anchor George Stephanopoulos. Meta also paid $25 million to settle Trumps lawsuit about being kicked off Facebook and Instagram after the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The post Trump Lawyers Ask to Extend Deadlines in $20 Billion CBS Lawsuit, Citing Active Settlement Discussions appeared first on TheWrap.
Donald Trump has long spoken of using military force to suppress protesters demonstrating against his policies and presidency. This week, Los Angeles gave him the chance.

After some protests against federal immigration sweeps grew chaotic, Trump overrode the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and activated the state's National Guard  a move former military leaders told the BBC was an escalation of Trump's previous pledges to use troops to quash protests and set a new precedent.

Combined with Trump's penchant for military optics  he has planned a military parade in Washington, DC on Saturday to mark the Army's 250th anniversary  the president's intervention in Los Angeles has raised fears that he is "politicizing the military," said Major General Randy Manner, US Army Retired.

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"He escalated immediately for reasons that are only political reasons. They are not reasons that are justifiable," said General Manner, who served as the acting vice chief of the National Guard Bureau.

But the Trump administration maintains it took over California's National Guard to restore order, and protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers as they conducted sweeps for undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles.

ICE "has the right to safely conduct operations in any state, in any jurisdiction in the country", Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said at a congressional hearing on Tuesday.

Trump also posted that Newsom "was unable to provide protection in a timely manner" for ICE officers.

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"If our troops didn't go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now," he wrote on TruthSocial on Wednesday.

But Newsom - a Democrat and outspoken critic of Trump - maintained that the state could handle protesters on its own. He called Trump's intervention a "brazen abuse of power" that inflamed a "combustible situation."

On Thursday, a federal judge said Trump's deployment was illegal and ordered him to return control of the Guard to Newsom. That order is on hold as the government appeals against it.

A protester holds a sign reading: "ICE: Out Of Our Communities" as burning Waymo cars line the street on 8 June in Los Angeles, California. [Getty Images]

The protests have continued for nearly a week and Los Angeles police have made hundreds of arrests, mainly for failure to disperse, but also for breaking curfew around downtown Los Angeles, posession of a firearm and assaulting a police officer.

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Trump's decision to wrest control of the Guard from Newsom goes beyond past tough stances on protests, particularly in states led by Democrats.

After the death of George Floyd in 2020 sparked nationwide demonstrations for police reform and racial justice, Trump called for a militarized response.

Trump had criticised his death, which occurred in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But as protests broke out and some devolved into looting, Trump later called for Democratic governors to get "much tougher", warning "the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests."

When protesters marched in Washington, DC, Trump tweeted that they would "have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen" if they had breached the White House.

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During the DC protests, National Guard helicopters flew low over crowds to disperse them. A subsequent investigation by the US Army concluded the incident was a misuse of military medical aircraft, the Washington Post reported.

"What we're seeing in Los Angeles is a perfect storm," said John Acevedo, an associate dean at Emory Law School who studies free speech and protests in the US. "There are protesters, they are violent. A perfect setup situation for President Trump, where he can use his goal of using troops against protesters."

The president does have the power to federalise National Guard troops, and will do so when they are needed overseas or states request additional assistance. But under normal domestic circumstances, the request for their assistance starts at the local level. The governor then can activate the state's Guard, or ask the president for federal assistance.

US presidents have not taken control of a state's National Guard against a governor's wishes since the Civil Rights era, when President Dwight Eisenhower intervened to aid school integration in Arkansas, and President Lyndon B Johnson later called on Alabama's troops to protect demonstrators.

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"We have, over the decades, developed statutes and regulations and protocols that govern how we handle civil disturbances for very solid reasons," said Major General (Ret.) William Enyart, a former congressman who also led the Illinois National Guard from 2007 to 2011.

Trump chose to "ignore all that hard-earned experience," General Enyart said.

He saw the president's actions in Los Angeles as "political theatre" and referenced a small number of protesters who burned Waymo self-driving cars over the weekend.

"Trump is the master of reality television. He understands this is great TV. What is more exciting than seeing a couple self-driving cars burning in the street?" said General Enyart.
A federal appeals court on Friday declined to rehear President Donald Trump's challenge to a $5m (3.6m) sexual abuse and defamation suit he lost to writer E Jean Carroll two years ago.

In May 2023, a New York jury awarded Ms Carroll damages over her civil claim that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s, and then branded the incident a hoax on social media. He denied the allegations.

Mr Trump, 78, had asked for a hearing before the full US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, after a three-judge panel rejected his appeal.

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The appellate court did not offer an explanation, though two of the 13 judges, both appointed by Mr Trump, dissented.

Ms Carroll, a former magazine columnist who is now 81, accused Mr Trump of attacking her in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan, and later defaming her on Truth Social in a 2022 post denying her claim.

Mr Trump has called her accusations a lie on several occasions, claiming she was "not my type".

The US Supreme Court is the last place Mr Trump can appeal the $5m decision.

He has also appealed a separate jury's decision in 2024 finding him liable of defaming Ms Carroll and awarding her nearly $84m.

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In a statement to US media, Ms Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said her client was "very pleased" with the news.

"Although President Trump continues to try every possible manoeuvre to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed. He remains liable for sexual assault and defamation," she said.

The BBC has contacted Mr Trump's legal team for comment.

In their written two dissent, the two Trump-appointed judges, Steven Menashi and Michael Park, said the decision not to rehear the case "sanctioned striking departures" from legal precedent.
President Donald Trump has painted a bleak picture of Los Angeles since protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids broke out over the weekend.

He has repeatedly said that the city was going to burn without the intervention of the military and that there were paid "insurrectionists" and "criminal invaders" seizing the city, which had devolved into "anarchy."

Local leaders, however, present a more complex picture of the scene on the ground.

PHOTO: California National Guard troops keep watch, as protests against immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, June 9, 2025. (Daniel Cole/Reuters)

While they acknowledged that there was some marked violence and lawlessness, they said that local authorities were able to bring the situation under control in the limited areas in which skirmishes broke out.

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In some instances, in fact, ABC News observed protesters self-policing as they spoke out against Trump's policies.

MORE: Protests live updates

It is possible that social media is feeding into the narrative that has grown around the protests.

Some social media users have been pushing false images of the protests, using images from the George Floyd protests, movies and video games and even AI-generated videos, to boost similar claims that the city is in shambles.

Here is a look at several claims made by the president and context around those claims.

Claim: On Tuesday, Trump said Los Angeles was "under siege."

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Context: Violent incidents had been confined to a relatively small area of downtown Los Angeles -- about a 10-block area.

Protesters were allowed to march but not allowed to set foot on freeways; however, on Sunday and Tuesday, some protesters did just that and temporarily blocked traffic.

The LAPD said that over 500 people have been arrested on charges linked to protest-related incidents as of Thursday night. By comparison, the LAPD said around 3,000 were arrested following the first three days of the George Floyd protests, which took place throughout the city in June 2020.

Claim: The White House, during a briefing on Wednesday, highlighted images and videos of smoke seen during the protests and scuffles with law enforcement.

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Trump suggested Tuesday that "a lot of cars go up in smoke and flames. You had a lot of bad scenes," and that if the National Guard and Marines weren't deployed "you would have that city on fire right now."

Context: Most of the fires took place Sunday during the most heated part of the protests. No buildings were set ablaze, according to law enforcement.

PHOTO: Demonstrators smash the windshield of a vehicle as protesters clash with law enforcement in the streets surrounding the federal building during a protest following federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, June 8, 2025. (Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images)

Many of the fires were in large trash canisters, sending smoke into the air. At least five Waymo vehicles, which are an autonomous driving cars, were seen covered in graffiti and engulfed in flames Sunday.

Protesters threw rocks at a California Highway Patrol vehicle on the 101, destroying the windows. Other protesters dumped rocks onto police cars from above an overpass.

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One man was being sought for allegedly throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles in the city of Paramount on Saturday.

Los Angeles officials said 23 businesses were looted overnight Monday, causing damage that is estimated to be in the millions.

Crews have started cleaning up the graffiti outside the federal buildings.

PHOTO: Police officers look on as a worker cleans a wall in Fletcher Bowron Square near the Edward Roybal Federal Building, following a night of protests in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, June 9, 2025. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the most serious arrests was of two men who were charged via federal criminal complaints with possessing Molotov cocktails, the Justice Department said.

MORE: LA protests lead to federal charges for 2 men accused of throwing Molotov cocktails

On Wednesday, the LA District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, announced a number of serious charges, including a person who allegedly distributed fireworks to protesters and lit them and threw them at officers.

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The DA also charged a man with allegedly driving his motorcycle into officers, injuring one. Still, Hochman said, "We estimate that there are probably thousands of people who've engaged in legitimate protests."

As of Tuesday, nine LAPD officers were injured. It is unclear if any members of the military have been injured.

Claim: Trump has repeatedly blamed Gov. Gavin Newsom and other Democratic leaders for letting the protests spiral out of control and took credit for quelling the rowdiness with the National Guard, which was activated without Newsom's consent.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in Washington, June 10, 2025 and California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an address, June 10, 2025. (Getty Images/AP)

Context: Newsom told reporters Tuesday that Trump was out of line calling in the Guard and the situation was being handled.

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"California is no stranger to this sort of unrest, we manage it regularly and with our own law enforcement," he said.

The governor has repeatedly denounced the violence and said those who cause damage or hurts anyone will be prosecuted.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has also been vocal in her opposition to the violence and destruction committed during the protests.

PHOTO: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a candlelight vigil on June 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

"If you are going to entertain violence, if you are going to try to take over a freeway, then you are going to suffer the consequences of doing that," she said Sunday.

Bass issued a curfew Tuesday night following arrests the day before. Bass said the curfew for the one-square-mile area could continue for several nights."

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Although Trump deployed thousands of National Guard members and Marines to the city, they have not been widely active in quelling the protests. The Guard, instead, has been protecting federal buildings and protecting ICE agents on raids.

PHOTO: Los Angeles Metro Police officers stand on the road in front of the City Hall after a curfew was put into effect following days of protests in response to federal immigration operations in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)

As of Thursday evening, the Marines had still not been dispatched to the streets of LA.

ABC News observed National Guard troops standing outside of a federal building, and the Los Angeles Police Department and other local agencies clearing the streets and interacting with protesters.

In some cases, the protesters policed themselves. ABC News observed some protesters keeping others in check during the demonstration and pushing people to avoid getting arrested.

ABC News' Jaclyn Lee and Camilla Alcini contributed to this report.

Trump has made a number of claims about the LA protests. Here is the context. originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
President Trump thinks that Iran will now somehow be more willing to concede to a nuclear deal after being bombed by Israel, according to Axios.

I dont think so. Maybe the opposite, Trump said when asked if Israels attack hurt efforts to close the nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. Maybe now they will negotiate seriously. I gave Iran 60 days, today is day 61. They should have made a deal. Maybe now it will happen.

Trump seems to think that Isreal striking nuclear facilities while killing multiple military leaders and scientistsand several civilians, according to state media in Iranon Thursday evening would cause Iran to retreat with its tail between its legs. But Trumps comments came roughly at the same time as Iran began raining missiles on Tel Avivhardly a sign that it was ready to slink back to the negotiating table.

Indeed, Irans refusal to back down in the face of violence, pressure, and sanctions is well documented. Thursdays strikes make it more likely that Iran will redouble its efforts to acquire a nuclear bomb, not that it would reenter talks. And this was fully demonstrated today as Iran struck back against Israel, launching multiple missiles at Tel Aviv. The extent of the damage is still unknown at this time. But what is known is that American intelligence has helped Israel repel Irans missilesanother reason to suspect Trump is being delusional when he clings to hope that hell have a deal soon.
By Andy Sullivan and Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Rural hospitals are sounding the alarm over proposed healthcare cuts in President Donald Trump's sweeping tax-cut and spending package, warning the changes could force them to scale back services or close their doors.

The bill would reduce federal spending on Medicaid, the health program for low-income Americans, by tightening enrollment standards and limiting federal aid to states.

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That worries rural providers, who rely heavily on the program to serve a population that tends to be poorer and sicker than the nation as a whole.

"We can't sustain serving our community the way we are with additional cuts," said Carrie Lutz, CEO of Holton Community Hospital in Holton, Kansas. The independent nonprofit hospital, which serves a farming community of 13,000, is asking voters for a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to help cover its costs, which outpace annual revenues in many years.

Lutz's concerns highlight the delicate balancing act lawmakers face as they try to enact Trump's priorities.

Republicans who control both chambers of the U.S. Congress aim to cut Medicaid spending by $785 billion over a decade, to partly offset the cost of extending and adding to the 2017 tax cuts that were Trump's signature first-term legislative achievement.

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The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will add $3 trillion to the $36.2 trillion national debt over the next decade, when interest payments are taken into account.

Independent analysts have said the bill will effectively boost incomes for wealthier Americans and reduce incomes for the less affluent, due to cuts to Medicaid and other safety-net programs.

Republicans have set a July 4 deadline to pass the bill out of Congress, giving the Senate three weeks to make changes, pass it and send it back to the House of Representatives.

No Democrats voted for the bill in the House, and no Democratic supporters for it have emerged in the Senate. So Republicans who hold a slim 53-47 Senate majority must reconcile demands of budget hawks who want deeper spending cuts against concerns of others worried about the toll on rural and working-class voters who helped elect Trump.

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An internal Republican poll in May found voters in the most competitive congressional districts would be less likely to vote for a Republican who supported cutting Medicaid to pay for tax cuts.

LOBBYING PUSHBACK

The upper chamber's slower pace has given interest groups time to seek changes to the 1,100-page bill.

Multinational companies seek to neutralize a retaliatory tax they say could discourage investment in the U.S. Some states are fighting a provision that would prevent them from regulating artificial intelligence. Solar-energy companies warn the bill could devastate their industry by revoking subsidies for green energy.

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Much opposition has focused on changes to Medicaid, which covers 71 million low-income Americans. The bill would cut spending on Medicaid, which represented about 9% of the $6.8 trillion federal budget last year, by requiring adult recipients to work, excluding non-citizens and limiting an accounting mechanism states use to boost the federal government's contribution.

Overall, the bill would leave 10.9 million more people without insurance, CBO estimates.

Any cuts to Medicaid would hit hard in rural areas and small towns, where roughly 18% of adults are enrolled in Medicaid compared with 16% for the country as a whole, according to Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families.

Rural residents tend to be sicker, with higher rates of addiction, mental illness, and mortality from heart disease, cancer and stroke, the center found.

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The National Rural Health Association said the bill could force providers to cut services or close. Nearly half of rural hospitals currently lose money, and 120 have closed or stopped offering inpatient services over the past decade, the trade group says.

The cuts could be especially acute in Kansas. The state recently increased its tax on Medicaid providers from 3% to 6%, an accounting maneuver that would effectively boost the federal government's contribution.

The provider tax has been widely criticized as a gimmick or loophole that does not accurately reflect how much money is actually being spent on medical care.

The bill would block that increase, freezing the state's provider tax at a lower level than in many other states.

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Lutz said that would reduce Holton Hospital's $22 million annual revenue by roughly $1 million - a significant hit for an organization that typically spends more money than it takes in each year. Tighter Medicaid enrollment standards, meanwhile, would increase red tape for hospital staff, while the citizenship provisions could exclude the town's Guatemalan immigrants, she said. With those changes, she said, the hospital would have to treat more uninsured patients.

'DON'T CUT INTO THE BONE'

At least 41 of the Senate's 53 Republicans represent rural states, and several said they will work to remove the bill's limits on the provider tax.

"Leave the provider tax alone. Put the work requirements in and all that kind of stuff. But for God's sakes don't cut into the bone," said Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia.

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The Senate Finance Committee could unveil changes to the House-passed bill in coming days. Failure to tackle that issue, they say, could leave many of their residents without reliable access to care.

"If we don't get it right, doctors do not have to serve Medicaid patients and so in rural areas we could have doctors exit and I don't think our members from rural states would want that," said Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan and Richard Cowan; Additional reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio)
As Donald Trump launched his militarized crackdown in Los Angeles, the president and many of his advisers were convinced that deploying troops to the streets of a major American city would be good politics for them. They maintain, three people familiar with the matter say, that immigration was one of Trumps strongest issues, that it helped get him back in the White House, and that his mass deportation program has polled well since the 2024 campaign.

No matter the pushback to Trump sending in the troops (likely illegally) from Democrats, the media, or protesters, the administrations brain trust saw this as a winner for them  and something they wish to replicate. If it works out well in L.A., expect it everywhere, a Trump administration official said of the presidents desire for militarized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the nation. (This official and the other three sources spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal deliberations.)

But just days into Trumps deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to quell anti-ICE protests in L.A., new public polling suggests that Trumps recent deportation operations, and his decision to use the military against his domestic enemies, are not boosting his approval ratings.

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In fact, Trumps latest power grab is tanking his latest numbers.

Trumps general platform of federal immigration crackdowns polled well in the build-up to his election and second term; 2024 polling showed Trumps calls for grand-scale deportations of undocumented immigrants enjoyed majority support. (However, that majority support diminished when voters were pressed on specific policies and methods.) In April of last year  to the alarm of Democratic operatives and Biden officials  a Harris Poll survey showed 42 percent of Democrats warming up to the idea.

According to a polling analysis by data journalist G. Elliott Morris, Trump entered office with a strong positive approval rating on immigration. But those ratings peaked in February at a high of +11.3 percent. Now, for the second time since April, Morris polling average shows Trumps immigration approval rating in the negatives.

It appears the militarized incursion into Los Angeles is not playing well with the public at large. A recent YouGov survey shows 47 percent of American adults disapprove of Trump ordering the Marines to L.A., compared to 34 percent who support it. In the same poll, 45 percent disapprove of the presidents use of National Guard troops, with 38 percent of respondents backing it.

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This aligns with a Wednesday Quinnipiac poll that found 54 percent of respondents disapprove of Trumps handling of immigration, and that 56 percent disapprove of his handling of deportations. (This is a markedly negative turn from an April Quinnipiac poll that found only 50 percent of respondents disapproved of his handling of immigration issues.) Similarly, a Thursday AP/NORC poll found that 53 percent disapproved of Trumps handling of immigration, compared to 46 percent who approve. A text survey conducted by The Washington Post and George Mason Universitys Schar School found that the public rated Trumps immigration and deportation policies negatively by a 15 percentage-point margin, 52 percent to 37 percent.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday shows a stark disconnect between the publics general approval for strong action to restore order, and disapproval of what Trump is doing in Southern California. It found that 48 percent of respondents theoretically agree with the statement that the president should deploy the military to bring order to the streets. But only 38 percent of respondents actually approved of how the president is responding to protests in Los Angeles.

Those numbers are likely to continue trending downward as the Trump administration continues to behave badly in L.A. On Thursday  during a press conference in which Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared her department would be staying in Los Angeles to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership of Democrats  Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was tackled to the ground and handcuffed by FBI agents when he attempted to ask a question of Noem.

Video of Padillas detention quickly went viral on social media. After being released without charges, the senator told reporters that if this is how DHS responds to a senator with a question you can only imagine what theyre doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California.

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Without a doubt the videos and stories of teenagers, pregnant women, and everyday working people being chased and detained by ICE is reaffirming what polling and surveys have long showed to be true: Americans generally believe that undocumented migrants with criminal records should be deported, but they are generally put off by indiscriminate immigration raids and deportations that disregard the circumstances of the individual.

Theres a silver lining, perhaps, for Trump and his party in some of this data. Democrats in Congress are also wildly unpopular, driven by dissatisfaction from their own liberal voters.

The public supports keeping America safe and secure, and they dont like the concept of people here illegally  the issue is how its administered, says Frank Luntz, a longtime pollster and a conservative Trump critic. They have an agenda the American people support; their problem is the way they execute it and articulate it. Voters do want immigration laws enforced, he says, but they dont want senators beaten up at press conferences. This has been the challenge of the Trump administration from the beginning, Luntz adds, because they think they are on the right track, but the way its being administered right now, theyre not.

Even the president himself  who wrote on Thursday that all undocumented people have to go home  seems to be oscillating on the issue, at least from a public-relations standpoint. Earlier in the day Trump posted on Truth Social that farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them. This is not good, Trump wrote. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!

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For the time being, however, the Trump administration is barreling ahead on its vision of his very American police state. In November, the American people resoundingly rejected the Democrat vision for immigration  open borders and millions of unvetted illegal aliens  and endorsed President Trumps vision for immigration  deportations and enforced immigration law, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement to Rolling Stone. President Trump is keeping his promise to the American people and violent left-wing rioters wont stop that.

Asked about the recent slate of negative polls for Trump on immigration, John McLaughlin, a top Trump pollster, simply replies: You mean the fake polls?

He points to rosy results for Trump in his own surveys and conservative-leaning polls: We did a national poll for Club for Growth yesterday among 1,000 likely voters and Trumps approval was 53-44. The Rasmussen Reports poll today is 53-45, McLaughlin says.

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The Trump administration must return control of California National Guard troops it deployed to the Los Angeles protests back to state officials, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

The decision sets up a potential standoff over the fate of the roughly 4,000 guardsmen the White House has tapped to respond to the ongoing unrest.

[President Trump]s actions were illegalboth exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, Judge Charles R. Breyer wrote in a Thursday evening ruling, referring to the amendment preserving certain powers of the states from federal interference.

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He must therefore return control of the California National Guard to the Governor of the State of California forthwith, the judge wrote. The decision also temporarily barred federal officials from deploying the National Guard in the meantime.

The courts order was set to take effect at noon on Friday, but the Trump administration appealed it, prompting the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the ruling. The appeals court said a hearing will be held June 17.

Judges ruling temporarily barred federal officials from deploying members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles, though the Trump administration quickly appealed (AFP via Getty Images)

California officials, who opposed Trumps deployment of the Guard, celebrated the ruling.

The court just confirmed what we all know  the military belongs on the battlefield, not on our city streets, Governor Gavin Newsom wrote in a statement on X. This win is not just for California, but the nation. Its a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day.

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The Independent has sought comment from the White House and Department of Justice.

The leadership of Task Force 51, which is coordinating the federal troop deployment in LA, deferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense when asked for comment. The Defense Department said it does not comment on ongoing litigation as a matter of policy.

The California federal court found that the Los Angeles protests didnt rise to the level of a rebellion against the government that would justify Trump taking control of the states National Guard (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In his ruling, Judge Breyer found the Trump administration had failed to meet federal requirements or follow proper procedure for federalizing Californias National Guard, a step federal law only allows in extreme cases such as rebellions or total breakdowns in the ability to carry out federal authority.

The protests in Los Angeles fall far short of rebellion, the judge wrote, noting that the protests arent aimed at overthrowing the government, and immigration officers have continued to be able to make arrests throughout the demonstrations.

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The decision came after the administration and the state squared off earlier in court as part of Californias lawsuit challenging the presidents decision from last week to federalize the troops despite opposition from state and local officials.

During the hearing, an attorney for California warned that the Trump administration, by taking control of the Guard, was attempting a dangerous expansion of executive power.

California officials have furiously protested the Trump administrations response to the Los Angeles protests, including a dramatic confrontation in which U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was dragged out of a press conference from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

"They are saying the president can by fiat deploy the National Guard," attorney Nicholas Green reportedly said.

California argued the deployment, which has swelled to include some 4,000 National Guard troops  about half of whom are already in the city  and 700 Marines, violates federal law on the topic, which describes presidents giving orders to state National Guard branches through the governors.

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The Trump administration, for its part, argued the president rightfully used his powers as commander-in-chief of the armed forces when calling up the troops, and that the National Guard order wouldve been lawful even without invoking the federal law in question.

Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate reportedly told the court on Thursday that pausing or revoking the White House decision on the National Guard was an extraordinary and inappropriate step for a federal court.

It would reverse the president's military judgment, Shumate said. It would put federal officers and property at risk."

The administration also argued it communicated its orders to a state official responsible for the Guard, despite ordering the deployment without Newsoms consent.

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Judge Breyer often appeared skeptical towards the Trump administrations position during the hearing, pushing back on its assertions that courts dont have the authority to weigh in on the legal and factual basis for sending in the troops.

At various points, the judge waved a pocket Constitution at the participants in the case, and suggested political leaders making decisions without checks and balances were more like the kings against whom the 13 colonies revolted to form the United States.

Thats the difference between a Constitutional government and King George, Breyer said. Its not that a leader can simply say something and it becomes it.
An appeals court paused a federal judges initial ruling that Donald Trumps takeover of the California National Guard was illegal, which ordered the president to return control back to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The Appeals Court ruled last night that I can use the National Guard to keep our cities, in this case Los Angeles, safe. If I didnt send the Military into Los Angeles, that city would be burning to the ground right now, Trump celebrated on Truth Social on Friday. We saved L.A. Thank you for the Decision!!!

Prior to the late Thursday reversal, it was a rare victory for the Golden State amid Trumps drastically escalating response to protests against ICE raids throughout Los Angeles. Still, Judge Charles R. Breyer had stayed his order until noon Friday, giving the Trump administration ample time to file an emergency appeal.

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Read the ruling here.

Trump federalized the California National Guard on Saturday and deployed them to support ICE personnel, after multiple protests sprung up in locations in and around Los Angeles in response to a sudden increase in ICE raids over the weekend. The state filed a lawsuit against the deployment on Tuesday, and Newsom has alleged that Trumps actions starting with the increased ICE raids were intended to cause unrest specifically to justify further escalation from the administration.

The administration has since repeatedly exaggerated the scope and scale of the protests and even told outright falsehoods about the situation in order to justify the escalation.

The decision also came just hours after the shocking scene at the Wilshire Federal Building, where late Thursday morning California Sen. Alex Padilla was violently shoved onto the ground by DHS agents on live television after trying to enter the room where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was holding a press conference. Padilla was dragged out of the room and later handcuffed.

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During her remarks, among other things Noem continued to state falsehoods about what is happening in Los Angeles, and openly said her goal was to illegally overthrow the citys government for, quite literally, purely ideological reasons.

The post Trump Retains National Guard Control in California as Appeals Court Blocks Federal Judges Order appeared first on TheWrap.
By Akbar Novruz



The trial of individuals of Armenian origin accused of committing grave war crimes during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories continues at the Baku Court Complex, chaired by Judge Zeynal Agayev of the Baku Military Court.

The hearing builds on new evidence presented in earlier sessions, including the planting of landmines during Armenias illegal control over Garabagh and surrounding regions.

Fifteen individuals, including former so-called officials of the separatist regime established in the occupied territories, are facing an extensive list of charges under Azerbaijans Criminal Code. These include:

Crimes against peace and humanity

Waging an aggressive war

Genocide

Forced displacement

Torture

Military robbery

Terrorism

Financing terrorism

Violations of international humanitarian law, among others

Among the defendants are prominent figures such as Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Babayan, and others who held high-ranking positions in the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which was established and supported by Armenia during its decades-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories.

The defendants are being tried under dozens of articles, including:

Article 100: Aggressive war

Article 103: Genocide

Article 107: Forced displacement of population

Article 113: Torture

Article 214: Terrorism

Article 278: Forcible seizure and retention of power

and more, reflecting the scale and gravity of atrocities alleged.

This high-profile trial is seen as a key step by Azerbaijani authorities toward ensuring accountability for crimes committed during the occupation and reinforcing the rule of law and justice for thousands of victims.
Europe and Japan are piquing investor interest again. Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Europe and Japan are back on investors' radar amid renewed economic momentum.

Investor focus is shifting back to Europe and Japan, driven by fiscal stimulus and signs of economic revival.

This shift comes as market dynamics shift in Trump's second term, with a broad sell-off in US assets.

This is the "Sell America" trade in one chart.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

President Donald Trump's policy moves are shaking up global markets and making US assets less appealing relative to their global peers.

The stock market offers a clear example of this. While the US benchmark S&P 500 has shaken off tariff jitters and turned positive for 2025, it's still badly lagging its Asian and European counterparts. This marks an abrupt shift from the US dominance of previous years.

"American equities look expensive relative to historic norms, almost any way you slice them, and some investors seem more wary of holding dollar-denominated assets during Trump's second term," Russ Mould, investment director at investment platform AJ Bell, told Business Insider.

But "Sell America" extends beyond stocks. The US Dollar Index  weighted against a basket of global currencies  is sitting at a multi-year low. US government bonds show a similar trend, as investors lose confidence in them as the ultimate safe haven. Prices have fallen, pushing yields higher.

As a result, investors chasing oversized returns in the US are no longer overlooking Europe and Japan.

While Japan, the world's fourth-largest economy, has been witnessing a comeback in its stock markets since 2023, investors have also recently turned bullish on Europe, where governments have pledged to ramp up spending, particularly in defense.

Investors see the growth expected from the fiscal expansion as early signs of a new dawn in the old continent.

"There is a joke that Europe is a museum. That may have been the case in the past. But it is dramatically shifting from a staid and relatively dull investment landscape to one of the more compelling," Sam Rines, a macro strategist at asset manager WisdomTree, told Business Insider.

The momentum has boosted stock indexes, with the STOXX Europe 600 and Germany's DAX indexes up 8% and 20% higher so far this year, respectively.

The optimism is a stark contrast from the years following the global financial crisis, when several eurozone economies struggled with debt crises.

Rines described the continent as being in the "early innings of a renaissance."

"From bilateral trade breakthroughs to potential de-escalation in US-EU tariff battles, the policy pendulum is swinging from fragmentation toward cooperation," he said.
OXNARD, Calif. - President Donald Trump is slightly changing course on his immigration policy, now saying "we must protect our farmworkers".

"They're not citizens, but they've turned out to be, you know, great. And we're going to have to do something about that. We cant take farmers and take all their people and send them back because they don't have maybe what they're supposed to have, maybe not. So we're going to have an order on that pretty soon. We can't do that to our farmers," the president said Thursday.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said he appreciated Trump's comments and expressed the vital role farmworkers play in the supply chain.

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"Farm employees work hard every day to help produce healthy, American-grown food. If these workers are not present in fields and barns, there is a risk of supply chain disruptions similar to those experienced during the pandemic. We look forward to working with the President on solutions that ensure continuity in the food supply in the short term, and we call on Congress to follow the Presidents lead to develop a permanent solution that fixes outdated and broken farmworker programs," Duvall said in a statement.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also commented on Trump's announcement, calling it a major win.

MAJOR WIN: Trump just reversed course on immigration.



Were watching closely  and well hold him to it.



This happened because you spoke up.



Keep it going. Keep it peaceful. Its working. https://t.co/CsTI1REoV6pic.twitter.com/xnTcMO0BfD  Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 12, 2025

Ventura County farms raided

Local perspective

Meanwhile, many farmworkers in Ventura County say they are terrified of going to work due to the ICE raids.

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According to the Mexican Consulate and the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, in the last 48 hours at least 40 farmworkers have been taken.

ICE agents tried to enter five local packing facilities without warrants, and conducted operations in at least 10 fields.

They also reportedly initiated random vehicle stops on roads that are frequented by immigrants going to work.

In video posted online, agents can be heard using a megaphone to ask workers if they are citizens and have proper documents. In another video, an agent was heard saying, "yeah they know their rights, they've been here for 30 years. I get it, we are doing our job."

What they're saying

Local politicians and farmworker advocates at the Ventura County government center condemned the arrests, regardless of the immigration status of those being detained.

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"The raid on Tuesday, the consulate confirmed that every single person picked up had been here for at least 10 years," said immigration attorney Vanessa Frank.

"This past week, our communities on the central coast in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties have been terrorized," Santa Maria councilmember Gloria Soto mentioned during a press conference.

The Source

Information for this story came from community members who spoke at a Ventura County press conference. A statement was provided by American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, and President Donald Trump.
The White House is considering cutting Elon Musks SpaceX out of its massive Golden Dome missile defense project after he and President Donald Trump had a nuclear falling-out.

Last month, the worlds richest man and Trump megadonor was considered the frontrunner to partner with data firm Palantir and drone builder Anduril in the presidents pet project, inspired by Israels Iron Dome defense system.

Trump has touted the Golden Dome as a $175 billion endeavor that would be operational by the time he leaves offices in 2029. The independent Congressional Budget Office, however, estimated the project would take 20 years and $524 billion to complete, making it a windfall for the contractors involved.

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Originally the administration had instructed the Pentagon to prioritize a network of satellites for the defense system, but a new framework could forego SpaceXs satellite capabilities in favor of expanding existing ground systems instead, sources told Reuters.

Donald Trump wants to build a Golden Dome missile defense shield despite critics warning of an arms race in space. / Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS

Musk donated more than $250 million to get Trump elected and served as one of his most important advisors until the two men got in an ugly public fight over the presidents budget bill.

Things escalated over several days, with Trump eventually threatening to cancel Musks government contracts. The worlds richest man then called for the president to be impeached and accused him of improper involvement with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who killed himself in a Manhattan jail in 2019.

Because of the blowup, the Pentagon has been given the space to look at other alternatives, for the Golden Dome, a source told Reuters.

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If SpaceXs role is in fact reduced, it would be the first known setback to Musks pursuit of federal contracts since his bromance with Trump ended last week, according to the news outlet.

A senior Defense Department official said the Pentagon has no announcements regarding future contracts associated with the Golden Dome effort.

After taking the weekend to cool off, Musk tried to come crawling back to Trump this week, deleting his Epstein post, sharing Trumps social media posts to his 220 million followers on X, and issuing a public apology. Reuters couldnt determine if those overtures will help SpaceXs Golden Dome prospects.

The entire saga, however, raises questions about whether the people building the Golden Dome are being chosen based on political affiliations as opposed to technical merit, Laura Grego, a missile defense expert and research director at the nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists, told Reuters.

A source told Reuters that last week's bitter feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump gave the Pentagon

SpaceX, Anduril and Palantir all have founders who have been major political supporters of Trump, and all three have met with top administration officials to discuss the Golden Dome, the agency reported.

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In a statement, a White House spokesman said the Trump Administration is committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts and that decision would be made prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology, Reuters reported.

But neither Congress nor the Department of Defense requested the Golden Dome, which experts warn could start an arms race in space.

Trump has not announced any of the contractors involved, saying only that he would engage the brightest minds from Silicon Valley. The administration hasnt offered a timeline for deciding on a framework or announcing the companies involved.

After Elon Musk's helped fund Donald Trump's re-election victory, he president-elect attended a SpaceX launch in November. / Brandon Bell / Getty Images

Contractors have been racing to pitch their products and services despite nobody really knowing what the Golden Dome will entail, sources told Reuters.

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There isnt a coordinated effort with a true vision, said one person familiar with the process. All of these companies are just grabbing at this pot of money.

SpaceX had pitched a constellation of 400 to 1,000 satellites that would detect missiles, track their trajectory and determine if they are headed to the U.S.

Changing the systems architecture could allow the administration to deliver at least part of the project by the end of Trumps term, sources told Reuters.
Section D subcommittee chair Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, outlines the Section D portion of House Bill 2 during the second reading floor discussion on the budget for the next biennium on March 22, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Changes outlined in President Donald Trumps sweeping domestic policy bill impacting Medicaid expansion, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and taxes could be a $160 million hit to Montanas state budget, according to an estimate this week from the Legislative Fiscal Division.

Legislative Finance Committee members met this week and, among numerous topics, heard a report from the Legislative Fiscal Division on impacts of federal legislation. A couple of Democrats described the potential reductions as staggering and frightening.

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Trumps tax cuts would reduce revenue from the taxable income of Montana by $122 million, said Josh Poulette, with the states fiscal division.

The changes could mean either less general fund coming in or more general fund that needs to go out, Poulette said during the finance committee meeting.

Additionally, if the federal bill was signed into law in its current form, the state would be on the hook for more than $26 million in SNAP benefits if it was to keep the program running as it is now.

Legislators heard the report Tuesday, and at the meeting, the committee discussed potential dates for a special session of the Legislature to address the reductions should one be needed.

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Trumps bill could be signed into law soon. While speaking with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines said lawmakers in the Senate are trying to get it on the presidents desk by July 4.

Daines also said the Congressional Budget Office is wrong in its forecast of revenue projections and that the bill will make some of the largest cuts, true spending cuts, to this runaway spending from the federal government in American history.

The biggest direct hit to the states budget would be the reduction in taxable income. It means the state would have more than $120 million less in its general fund because the law changes deductions.

SNAP would become more expensive because the state would be required to provide a match. The federal government currently pays for the cost of all SNAP benefits.

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This would be tied to the payment error rate of the state. So essentially, the feds do a backward looking error rate calculation for SNAP, and theyve got historical data on that, Poulette said during the meeting. Montanas error rate has hovered in that 78% range over the years. That would equate to Montana having a 15% match requirement that would come out to a cost of about $26 million additional state funds per year.

Medicaid expansion, meanwhile, could see 27,000 people dropped. Medicaid covers about 13% of all workers in the state. The Montana Legislature this session approved an extension removing the Medicaid expansion sunset date.

One of the big changes the federal bill makes is increased work requirements to be eligible for benefits. Montana already has this law on the books, but its never been enforced, and the Biden Administration did not approve the states request to add the stipulation.

Most people on Medicaid expansion already work, and in Montana, the number of people who are enrolled in the program and work is 72%. Another 7% are caretaking, 2% are retired and 10% are acutely ill or disabled and have serious barriers to employment.

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Poulette also said there is essentially a ban on new taxes on medical providers. Those taxes are often pumped into the Medicaid program, he added.

Rep. Connie Keogh, a Missoula Democrat and a member of the committee, called the impact to the budget frightening during Tuesdays meeting, while Rep. Paul Tuss, D-Havre, said during the meeting the numbers were staggering.

Gov. Greg Gianfortes office did not respond to a request for comment. However in a recent Leave Us Alone podcast episode, the Republican governor did speak on the topic.

If you believe in limited government, the best way to produce that is to limit the amount of money government collects, Gianforte said. Lets leave it in the peoples pockets.
Israel bombed several Iranian cities and nuclear sites early Friday, and Donald Trump has done nothing but inflame the situation.

In a phone call with ABC Newss Jonathan Karl, the president referred to the attacks as excellent, remarking that Iran got hit hard, very hard, and that there was a lot more to come.

In early morning posts to Truth Social about the escalating situation, Trump claimed that he had pushed Iran for months to come to terms on a new nuclear deal and warned thatif the nation refusedthere would be nothing left.

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I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, Trump wrote. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.

The president also promised that Israel would continue to strike Iranian territory with American-made weapons.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to comeAnd they know how to use it, he continued.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All! Trump said.

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In a separate post, Trump claimed that he had given Iran 60 days to make a deal approximately two months ago. They should have done it! he wrote, adding that the country now has a second chance to return to the negotiating table. But Iran has already said it would not participate in nuclear talks this weekend in the wake of the attack.

Iran has argued that it is seeking uranium for peaceful purposes. Iranian officials announced Thursday afternoon their intentions to expand their nuclear program, despite facing a censure from a U.N. nuclear watchdog for failing to uphold nonproliferation obligations. Israeli strikes have so far killed four senior Iranian commanders, including Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian state media confirmed late Thursday, though regional sources told Reuters that up to 20 senior commanders had been killed.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, said there would be severe punishment for the strikes.
With an ongoing attack on high-profile targets in Iran that began on Thursday, Israel has presented President Donald Trump with his most significant foreign policy crisis yet. Trump now has to decide how  and whether  to prevent an all-out war across the Middle East that could spiral, endangering millions of people, drawing in U.S. forces and worsening the global economic slowdown fueled by Trumps trade policies.

Israeli jets have already struck more than 100 sites, including in the Iranian capital of Tehran, killing at least three military commanders and two nuclear scientists, as well as civilians including children, according to Iranian state media. Israeli officials have told their U.S. counterparts they plan to continue strikes for several days or up to two weeks, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told HuffPost.

Israeli officials call their offensive preemptive, noting that Iran, a longtime foe of Tel Aviv, is closer than ever to being able to develop a nuclear weapon. There was no sign of an imminent Iranian attack on Israel, however, and Iran denied it intends to build a bomb.

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For months, Washington and Tehran have been discussing a possible agreement to limit Iranian nuclear development in exchange for easing sanctions on the country.

On Friday morning, Trump appeared to call for diplomacy on his social media platform Truth Social: There is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.

The Trump administration may struggle to shape what comes next, given its limited policy-making circle, the presidents unpredictability and its hollowing out of government expertise. The administration recently slashed staff at the National Security Council at the White House, has urged thousands of professional diplomats to resign and plans to fire hundreds more as early as next week, and top positions at the Pentagon and State Department are lying empty.

Still, some leading officials, like White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Vice President JD Vance, have previously questioned those who wanted the U.S. to help Israel attack Iran, like the demoted former national security adviser Mike Waltz. The administration may decide it must take the reins from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  defying him as Trump has notably done on Syria, and as some conservative voices, like conservative commentator Tucker Carlson, have urged him to.

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The split on the right is already obvious, said Reid Smith, the vice president of foreign policy at Stand Together, an organization founded by the right-wing billionaire Charles Koch.

Friends of Israel, and I number myself among them, should tread warily, as a casualty of this conflict could be essentially unanimous support for Israel on not just a bipartisan but a conservative basis, Smith told HuffPost.

This picture shows a building damaged in an Israeli strike on Tehran on June 13, 2025. ATTA KENARE via Getty Images

While Trumps preference for an agreement has been relatively consistent, so has Netanyahus opposition to one. He is joined by some influential foreign policy hawks in the U.S., including leading Republican lawmakers, who argue Iran cannot be trusted and insist the only possible compromise would include a clause that Tehran calls unacceptable: a ban on any uranium enrichment. Those voices say force is the only way to cripple Irans nuclear program and pressIran to make concessions.

Since Trump abandoned the last international deal to limit Iranian nuclear development, negotiated by President Barack Obama, Irans capabilities have dramatically increased.

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As Israels chief military backer and the key player in enforcing sanctions on Iran, the U.S. is deeply implicated in the dispute. Trump is convening national security officials at the White House on Friday and calling Netanyahu to discuss next steps.

Meanwhile, developments outside the U.S. control may shape his choices, the U.S. official told HuffPost, pointing to the chance that Irans plan for severe retaliation kills one of the tens of thousands of American troops deployed in the Middle East or prompts Israel to request additional U.S. military involvement in the region, creating even more tension. Iran has already launched drones at Israel, which were intercepted. The U.S. evacuated some personnel from the region earlier this week.

American and Israeli officials say they coordinated on the barrage against Iran, which hit sensitive figures and military sites, demonstrating extensive and effective Israeli espionage. Anti-Iran hard-liners who have long sought regime change in Tehran are, for now, echoing Trumps line that the Israeli attack is linked to his diplomacy.

Still, a fundamental disconnect between the goals of Trump and Netanyahu persists, and will make it hard for the administration to de-escalate. The situation reflects a contest within Trump-linked foreign policy circles that has been significant in shaping policy throughout the administration and may no longer be tenable.

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Trump has, for years, claimed he will limit global conflict, promising peace through strength and accusing his political rivals of enabling bloodshed in contexts like Ukraine and Gaza, while questioning deployments of American troops abroad. That political brand seemed reflected in the State Departments Thursday night statement about the Israeli attack, which emphasized that it was unilateral and urged Iran not to target U.S. interestsor personnel.

On Friday, the president told CNN hard-liners in Tehran had been killed, boosting chances for diplomacy. And Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador in Turkey and one of the personal friends Trump is relying on as a top Middle East deal-maker, posted on X: Even in tension, theres always a moment for dialogue to weave peace.

Barrack and Steve Witkoff, another business figure who is leading the U.S.Iran negotiations for Trump, are seen as more pragmatic than many in the traditional GOP national security establishment  and their influence has grown as Trump has repeatedly fired officials whom members of his MAGA movement say are too bellicose and tied to the so-called deep state.

But Netanyahu and influential hawks are openly speaking of increasing pressure on Iran, not of compromise.

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The Israeli leader appears to be betting that, as he did under President Joe Biden, he can treat the U.S. as primarily an enabler of his goals through military support, reacting to Israeli moves rather than being the force driving events.

Netanyahu has been able to do that with his ongoing, devastating U.S.-backed offensive in the Gaza Strip, pummeling Palestinians and avoiding a settlement with the Gaza-based militant group Hamas even as Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration. Under the Biden administration, Israel was able to use continued claims of interest in diplomacy and dramatic PR-focused moments  like its deadly pager attack in Lebanon  to sustain U.S. backing and defuse criticism as it pursued sweeping military campaigns.

Now, George Washington University professor Marc Lynch wrote on Friday, Israels attack on Iran is best understood neither as pre-emptive nor preventive, but as a continuation of its attempt to remake the Middle East through force.

The pattern of attacks in the first day of Israeli strikes actually suggests that the target of the attack is the regime itself, not necessarily the nuclear program, Lynch continued.

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Its unclear if Netanyahus playbook will work under Trump and against a far more capable opponent than Hamas or Hezbollah. As Iran faces greater pain and reputational damage, it could deploy a wide range of tactics, across the Middle East or even globally, to push back against Israel and the U.S. as its patron. That could create painful, unexpected consequences and a mounting, deadly, tit-for-tat cycle of violence.

Some observers claim a military-focused approach is the way to achieve Trumps stated goal of preventing a nuclear Iran. Israel should be hailed by nonproliferation organizations, Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces who now works at the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank in Washington, wrote on X.

Yet experts have, for years, said force alone cannot destroy Irans expertise in nuclear technology, and could instead spur its leaders to see developing weapons as the only way to protect their rule.

If the Trump administration truly wants to avoid Irans path to a bomb, it should clarify its involvement in these strikes and work to strike a deal. This will be exponentially more difficult if strikes continue, Nicole Grajewski, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, wrote on Bluesky.

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President Donald Trump on Thursday declared he doesnt feel like a king after he was asked to address the protests planned across the country in the coming weekend to counter the expensive Washington, D.C., military parade scheduled for Saturday  his birthday and the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary.

I dont feel like a king, Trump told reporters at the White House. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.

Trump cited the example of having to involve GOP leaders House Speaker Mike Johnson (La.) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (S.D.) before signing a resolution passed by Congress to block Californias ban on the sale of new gas-powered cars from 2035.

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No, no. Were not a king. Were not a king at all, Trump added.

Reporter: There are several no kings protests planned across the country on Saturday, as well, what are your thoughts on that?



Trump: I don't feel like a king, I have to go through hell and get things approved. Were not a king pic.twitter.com/qCR3udpxDS  Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025

The organizers of the No Kings protests said Saturday will mark a nationwide day of defiance, noting that they plan to deliver a strong message against authoritarianism.

Were not gathering to feed his ego. Were building a movement that leaves him behind. The flag doesnt belong to President Trump. It belongs to us, the events website states. Were showing up everywhere he isnt  to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.

No Kings protests are scheduled in 50 states and 1,500 cities across the country, but not in Washington. Organizers said they will host a flagship march and rally in Philadelphia.

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The protests come as the Trump administrations immigration crackdown has caused uproar in Los Angeles and other cities, where demonstrators came out to protest the raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In response, Trump authorized the deployment in California of the National Guard, against Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) wishes, and also of the U.S. Marines  a move Newsom warned would pour fuel on the fire.

Trumps Saturday parade, which is expected to feature armored vehicles, thousands of soldiers and military aircraft, is estimated to cost taxpayers about $45 million  a price tag Republicans have had a hard time defending.

Earlier this week, Trump had a warning for demonstrators planning to take to the streets in Washington this weekend.

If theres any protest that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force, by the way, he said. And for those people that want to protest, theyre gonna be met with very big force.

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Israeli forces launched strikes against Iranian nuclear sites late Thursday. The strikes reportedly killed top military officers and raised concerns globally, as well as among U.S. officials, of an all-out war between the two countries.

President Donald Trump responded in posts online, urging Iran to make a deal over its nuclear capabilities and warning of the destruction Israel could bring to the region.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, Trump said Friday morning on Truth Social.

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Trump said he told Iranian leaders that an attack would be much worse than anything they anticipated because Israel has a lot of U.S. military equipment, with much more to come.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, he said.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire, his post concluded. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

Israels attack: No choice

Israels military defended its military action, saying it had no choice because Iran is a global threat and an existential threat to Israel.

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Israels military said about 200 jets completed strikes on dozens of military targets, including Iranian nuclear sites.

The Israeli army confirmed that several of Irans top military leaders, including the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the senior chain of command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, were killed due to the attack.

Houthi supporters chant slogans as they raise a banner showing Iranian leaders who were killed during Israeli strikes, during a weekly anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, June 13, 2025. | Osamah Abdulrahman

Over the past several months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began preemptive and precise strikes, targeting the Iranian nuclear program to prevent the Iranian regimes ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe, Israeli army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said.

A statement from IDF Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin on the preemptive Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear targets pic.twitter.com/IJNT5LXz6o  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

The Israeli army shared an illustration that showed the range of Irans missiles, that extended as far out to Ukraine to the northwest and China to its east.

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The Israeli army said its fighter jets struck Irans uranium site overnight. Its the countrys largest uranium site that has operated to give Iran nuclear weapons capability and it was damaged as a result of the attack.

Israel was also able to get explosive drones inside Iran ahead of its attack and activate them to target Irans missile launchers. Precision weapons were also smuggled into the country to strike vehicle systems and Irans air defense systems when the attack began, The Associated Press reported.

United States weighs in

Shortly after Israel began its attack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the United States was not involved.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubios statement said.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio



Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF  The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

Rubio did not say whether the U.S. knew Israel was going to launch the strikes, but said Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the action was necessary for self-defense.

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President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners, Rubios statement said. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.

While Rubios statement can be viewed as a warning to Iran not to engage with the U.S., Trump highlighted the tension between the countries.

Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it! Trump posted Friday. Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Khamenei also confirmed the deaths of several top military leaders, which is a significant blow to its forces and its response.

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He claimed Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers, the AP reported.

While theres concern that the attacks could spark a larger regional war between the countries, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah condemned the attack but did not threaten to join Iran in retaliation. Hezbollah reached a ceasefire with Israel last November after several of its top leaders were killed in a battle.

Future of talks between U.S. and Iran unclear

The strike comes just days before the next round of talks between the United States and Iran over its nuclear program were set to take place.

Irans foreign ministry confirmed the meeting was planned to take place Sunday in Muscat, Oman. It would be the sixth round of talks as the U.S. tries to secure a deal over Irans uranium and nuclear power and looks to find an agreement to replace the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which Trump withdrew the U.S. from during his first term.

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While its not known if the U.S. was aware Israel would be launching an attack, it was reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth scaled back the number of personnel in the Middle East as tensions rose ahead of the planned talks.

On Friday, the Pentagon began positioning warships and military assets in the Middle East to help protect Israel and American troops from a possible retaliation from Iran. They will not participate in any offensive against Iran, officials said, according to The New York Times.

Trump will attend a meeting with the National Security Council on Friday, the White House said.

Irans response

Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel as its first response to the attack, but Israel said the drones were being intercepted.

A projectile hit buildings as Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. | Leo Correa

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel would face severe punishment for the attack.

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On Friday afternoon, sirens sounded in Jerusalem. The IDF said all of Israel was under fire from dozens of Iranian projectiles. Iranian media later said hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025. | Tomer Neuberg

The AP reported at least one explosion was heard in Israel as the IDFs Iron Dome intercepted missiles. Paramedics reported at least 5 people were wounded.

Global impact

Israels attacks shook up global markets as concern spread about the strikes setting off a larger war.

Oil prices surged as a result of concerns over what a broader war could mean for the regions oil production

Prices of Brent crude oil jumped 7% to more than $74 a barrel, the largest spike of the year, the Times reported.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.9%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.34% and the Nasdaq fell 0.4%. Markets in Europe and Asia also fell, Reuters reported.
President Donald J. Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum revoking a Biden-era executive action aimed at restoring native fish populations in the Columbia River Basin, citing concerns over energy production and economic impact.

The memorandum reverses President Joe Bidens 2023 directive titled Restoring Healthy and Abundant Salmon, Steelhead, and Other Native Fish Populations in the Columbia River Basin.

The original order emphasized the equitable treatment for fish, particularly species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

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Trumps new order calls the policy misguided and says it placed speculative climate change concerns above the nations need for reliable and affordable energy.

Under the new directive, Trump ordered several federal agencies to withdraw from agreements tied to the Biden administrations fish restoration efforts.

Those agencies include the Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Department of Commerce, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

All were previously party to a December 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to litigation over dam operations on the Lower Snake River.

Trumps memorandum instructs the agencies to end participation in that MOU, cease related spending, and begin revising environmental review procedures in coordination with the Council on Environmental Quality.

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The move is expected to halt federal commitments to support dam breaching efforts, which had been considered a major tool for salmon recovery.

According to the Trump administration, the MOU would have cost taxpayers millions of dollars and required compliance with what it described as 36 pages of onerous commitments.

Officials said those included potential dam removals that would have decreased irrigation access, disrupted shipping routes, raised energy costs, and affected recreation in the Pacific Northwest.

The Lower Snake River dams collectively generate more than 3,000 megawatts of hydroelectric powerenough to supply roughly 2.5 million homes.

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Trump officials argue that removing the dams would have undercut American energy reliability and harmed rural economies.

Trump framed the memorandum as part of a broader effort to restore American energy dominance and protect national interests.

He pointed to earlier executive actions aimed at boosting domestic energy production, including revitalizing the coal industry and lifting environmental restrictions in Alaska.

President Trump continues to deliver on his promise to end the previous administrations misplaced priorities, the White House said in a statement. Policies that promote environmental quality and economic growth are not mutually exclusive.
President Donald Trump promised that Israels next round of attacks on Iran would be "even more brutal" in a Truth Social post pressuring Iran to cut a deal on its nuclear activity.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

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Trump said he warned Iran that "the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it."

"Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!"

Israel Launches Sweeping Strike On Iran While Trump Administration Seeks Diplomatic Solution

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The U.S. and Iran have another round of nuclear talks scheduled for this weekend in Muscat, Oman, while the two sides remain on opposite ends over whether Iran should have the capacity to enrich uranium at all, even for civil energy purposes.

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It is not clear whether those negotiations will carry on in light of the attack. Trump had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to let talks play out before launching any strikes.

"I think it would blow it," Trump said earlier yesterday of the prospect of a premature Israeli attack. But then, he mused, it "might help it actually, but it also could blow it."

Trump Aware Of Israel Strikes On Iran Beforehand, Says There Were No Surprises

President Donald Trump speaks during an "Invest in America" roundtable with business leaders at the White House on Monday, June 9, 2025 in Washington, D.C.

After the attack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio put out a statement insisting the U.S. had no part in the strikes and urged Iran not to attack U.S. positions. Earlier, non-essential embassy staff in Iraq had been evacuated in light of the prospect of an attack.

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Tehran fired over 100 drones toward Israel on Friday morning in a counter-move, which Israel intercepted.

Netanyahu revealed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck a key nuclear site, Natanz, during the attack on the regime.

Among those killed were top nuclear scientists and top military leaders: General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Irans highest-ranking military official and chief of staff of the IRGC, along with most of the IRGC air force high command, who were convened in an underground bunker at the time.

The first wave of strikes hit over 100 targets with 200 Israeli fighter jets dropping "330 different munitions," the IDF said, adding the strikes will carry on for days.





Original article source: Trump says Israels next Iran attack will be even more brutal: Make a deal
US President Donald Trump and his team were informed in advance of Israel's plans to attack Iran, he told the US daily Wall Street Journal on Friday.

Asked in a telephone interview what kind of heads-up the United States was given before the attack, Trump said: "Heads-up? It wasn't a heads-up. It was, we know what's going on."

According to the report, Trump said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and planned to speak with him again on Friday. Trump described it as a "very successful attack, to put it mildly," the Wall Street Journal wrote.

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He was also positive about the long-term economic impact, saying it would ultimately be good for business because Iran would not have a nuclear weapon.

"It will be great for the market  should be the greatest thing ever for the market. Iran won't have a nuclear weapon that was a great threat to humanity."
(Bloomberg) -- Voyager Technologies Inc. shares ended their debut trading day up 82% after the company raised $383 million in an upsized US initial public offering.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Denver-based defense contractors stock closed at $56.48 each on Wednesday, versus the IPO price of $31 apiece. The company sold more than 12.3 million shares, after having marketed 11 million shares for $26 to $29.

The trading gives Voyager Technologies a market value of $3.2 billion based on the outstanding shares listed in its filings.

Janus Henderson Investors and Wellington Management have indicated an interest in buying a total of $60 million of shares in aggregate, the filings show.

Founded in 2019 and recently rebranded from Voyager Space, Voyager Technologies serves both government and commercial clients across sectors including national security, advanced technology and space infrastructure, according to the filings.

Space Station Replacement

Voyager has a $217.5 million development grant with NASA to design Starlab, the commercial space station planned to replace the International Space Station, which is set to be decommissioned in 2030. Voyager plans to operate Starlab through a joint venture with equity partners including Airbus SE, Mitsubishi Corp., MDA Space Ltd. and Palantir Technologies Inc.

The recent hostilities between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk jolted the share prices of companies in the sector on the prospect that SpaceXs dominant position had become vulnerable, though Musk later expressed regret over the rift.

In an interview on Bloomberg TV Wednesday, Voyager Chief Executive Officer Dylan Taylor credited SpaceX as a crucial player in the industry, and said that there are other firms that are also doing great things. The space sector is unique in that companies are looking to collaborate and cooperate, he said.

Really, everyone is rooting for everyone else, Taylor said. I mean that sincerely, because its important we get replacements up there prior to the International Space Station being decommissioned.

Another firm with links to both Voyager and the government is Palantir. A joint venture partner on the Starlab project, its also a Voyager share holder, the filing shows. Voyager issued 228,365 shares to the data analytics firm in April last year as payment for for services including developing a prototype to schedule payloads to the ISS.
The battle is on over the Congressional move to revoke California's environmental waivers. (Photo: Jim Allen\FreightWaves)

Legislation that would overturn waivers granted by the Environmental Protection Agency to California for its multi-faceted clean vehicle push impacting trucking was signed by President Donald Trump Thursday, and the state immediately followed with its promised lawsuit over the action.

At issue is the question of whether a waiver is a rule as defined by the Congressional Review Act (CRA). Rules are subject to being overturned by Congress under the CRA. But the generally accepted legal definition for waivers is that they do not come under the CRA. As Roll Call reported, Congress has never overturned a waiver by using the CRA.

The EPA grants waivers to California under provisions of the 1970 Clean Air Act when the state seeks environmental standards stricter than federal rules.





The key California waivers targeted by Congress in its most recent action are the Advanced Clean Trucks rule (ACT) and the Omnibus NOx rule. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule had sought a waiver. But just days before Donald Trump took office, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) yanked the waiver request and the ACF is effectively dead.

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In a prepared statement, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state had filed suit against the CRA action. He and California Attorney General Rob Bonta had threatened that action after the legislation passed both houses of Congress.

Multiple states join with California on lawsuit

The suit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Several other states that have committed to aligning with Californias zero emission vehicle (ZEV) rules are also plaintiffs in the suit: Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

The legislation defies decades of precedent of these waivers not being subject to the CRA, and contradicts the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Senate Parliamentarian, who both ruled that the CRAs short-circuited process does not apply to the waivers, Newsom said in a prepared statement.





Both the GAO and the Senate Parliamentarian had released opinions that they did not believe the CRA could overturn a waiver as opposed to a rule.

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The presence of other states as plaintiffs is why the issue has become of interest to Congress. The market share of California plus its follower states would effectively mean that OEMs, who want to avoid building cars for two separate regulatory regimes, would follow the standards set by California and its follower states.

While much of the media focus on the Congressional action and the Presidential signing focused on how it would impact a California-led push to more ZEVS, including passenger cars as well as heavy duty trucks, the Newsom statement focused not only on that but also on the legal issues surrounding using the CRA to kill waivers.

Waivers do not expire, and there is no process for revoking a waiver, the statement said. This is important because governments and industry rely on market certainty that waivers provide for years after they are granted to deliver clean vehicles and develop clean air plans.

ACT mandates a rising percentage of ZEVs into the 2040s that OEMs must sell into California. The omnibus NoX rule called for steeper reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy duty vehicles than what is called for in federal rules.

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The ACF was designed to produce a demand for all those ZEV vehicles that the OEMs were expected to sell into California under the ACT. But without the ACF, the ability of the ACT to accomplish its goals has been called into question.

CALSTART gives out some numbers

Just days before the Presidential signing, CALSTART, which described itself as a national nonprofit driving the clean transportation revolution, produced its annual report on the state of ZEV trucks nationwide.

The group has a wide definition of truck, as it includes cargo vans, medium-duty (MD) step vans, MD trucks, heavy-duty (HD) trucks, refuse trucks and yard tractors. Its data is as of December 31, 2024.





The key numbers in the CALSTART report:

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More than 52,500 ZEV trucks have been deployed nationwide.

The number of trucks deployed in 2024 was 22,692, which was up 76% from the prior year. But in the last six months of 2024, that number was just 9,841, so less than 50% for half of the year.

The number of new truck registrations nationwide was 978,748 last year. ZEV trucks accounted for 2.3% of that, a figure that was down from 3% a year earlier.

If the goal is still in place to have a fully ZEV truck fleet by 2040, and an interim goal of 30% by 2030, that pace of registrations needs to double.

Of those total deployments, CALSTART said 11% are for heavy duty vehicles. The largest segment is for ZE cargo vans, such as the Rivian vehicles that are in heavy use by Amazon. That category accounts for 89% of all ZEV deployments.

ZE cargo vans continue to dominate ZET deployments, comprising 89% of all ZETs nationwide.

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The remaining 11% is distributed across HD trucks (4%),

The rest of the distribution is 3% for yard tractors and medium duty step vans, 1% for medium duty trucks, and 0.2% for refuse trucks.

And while CALSTART is a vocal cheerleader for ZEV technology, it did not hesitate to say the arithmetic growth in ZEV usage was a long way from the exponential growth needed to make a serious dent in market share.

The lack of that exponential growth, according to CALSTART, has been caused by several factors: high upfront costs for growing a ZEV fleet; lack of charging infrastructure; and the upfront costs and policy uncertainty at both the federal and state levels has created hesitation among fleets, OEMs, and infrastructure providers to invest.

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The post Trump signs bill killing California ZEV-related waivers, state immediately files lawsuit appeared first on FreightWaves.
President Donald Trump has signed a congressional resolution reversing a waiver previously granted to California and other states that would have let them ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars, trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

At a ceremony at the White House on June 12, Trump said the resolution has the force of law and suggested it can't be challenged in court. But California officials and a coalition of officials from other states on the same day did just that, arguing it was passed in the U.S. House and Senate under a process they say violated existing law.

By signing the resolution, Trump continued to deliver on his promise to tear down rules and regulations promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide which he and other Republicans argue amounted to a mandate on American consumers regarding which cars and trucks they may buy.

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The signing also happened as Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom continue to spar over Trump's decision to send thousands of National Guard members and some 700 Marines to that state in support of efforts to respond to protests against immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. No such military intervention has been ordered into a state by the federal government without the state's request since the 1960s.

Trump said the California waiver, which is provided for under the Clean Air Act, "has been a disaster for this country." He added that by signing the resolution, he was moving to "rescue the American auto industry."

But Trump repeatedly seemed to suggest that the resolution somehow ends the federal government's requirement to consider and approve California's waivers on fuel emissions standards on cars and trucks except for under narrow legal circumstances. The resolution passed by the U.S. House and Senate only dealt with a waiver granted to California  and more than a dozen other states which are allowed to follow California's lead on car and truck emissions standards  about a month before former President Joe Biden left office in January.

The Trump administration, under Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin, asked Congress to overturn the Biden waiver for California's so-called Advanced Clean Cars II program under the Congressional Review Act, which lets Congress reverse certain agency rules within a short time of their implementation. Most importantly, the Congressional Review Act allows the U.S. Senate to adopt those reversals with a simple 52-vote majority, rather than a 60-vote margin needed to shut down debate.

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But the review act has never been applied to California's waivers under the Clean Air Act and the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), which provides nonpartisan recommendations to Congress and federal public agencies, has formally said that those waivers can't be considered under that law.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta called Trump's actions "reckless, politically motivated and illegal."

More: Trump has kind words for Slotkin, UAW's Fain, though without mentioning them by name

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California's ability to get waivers to set fuel emissions standards has been in place for decades as a way to fight pollution in a state where smog has been a huge problem. The most recent waiver allowed the state to effectively end the sale of gas-powered cars and trucks in the state by 2035.

Trump signed other resolutions reversing a few other California Clean Air Act waivers, as well, on June 12, including a measure sponsored by U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, which overturns California's program to require heavy trucks also emit no greenhouse gases. James attended the signing ceremony and was acknowledged by Trump. The resolution overturning the California program affecting a ban on gas-powered cars and light-duty trucks and SUVs was sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Pennsylvania.

Trump said his move will save consumers thousands on new cars and trucks, though that may not take into account fuel costs that EVs can save their owners over the lives of their vehicles.

The White House put out a statement June 12 from General Motors with the automaker saying, "We appreciate the actions taken by President Trump to sign (the resolution) into law and help align emissions standards with todays market realities. We have long advocated for one national standard that will allow us to stay competitive, continue to invest in U.S. innovation, and offer customer choice across the broadest lineup of gas-powered and electric vehicles.

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GM and other automakers have long argued that California and the states that follow it shouldn't be allowed to effectively decide what kind of cars and trucks they have to make for the whole country. But in more recent years  certainly since the Obama administration stepped in to financially rescue GM and what is now Stellantis in 2009  automakers have been more willing to work to avoid legal fights over fuel standards with California.

As to the most recent California standards, John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade group in Washington, said, Everyone agreed these EV sales mandates were never achievable and wildly unrealistic" and, if they remained in place would be, "harmful to auto affordability, to consumer choice, to industry competitiveness and to economic activity."

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He credited Trump for "identifying this problem and doing something about it."

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Meanwhile, American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers President and CEO Chet Thompson issued a statement calling the resolution, along with others reversing some other vehicle mandates earlier provided to California, "a major win for the American people."

Environmental groups criticized the resolution, as they had on its passage last month.

Californias vehicle standards reduce costs for drivers, increase customer choice, boost domestic manufacturing, improve air quality and help address the climate crisis," said Simon Mui, managing director for transportation at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The only losers from cleaner vehicles are oil industry billionaires." Several officials from the oil industry were on hand as the president signed the resolution.

Ripping away Californias clean air protections is Trumps latest betrayal of democracy, added Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological Diversitys Safe Climate Transport Campaign. Signing this bill is a flagrant abuse of the law to reward big oil and big auto corporations at the expense of everyday peoples health and their wallets."

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Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump moves to block Calif. car rules, says it will rescue automakers
As the massive size and scope of Israel's overnight attacks on Iran have come into view on Friday, Donald Trump is presented with a major new foreign policy crisis - as well as a diplomatic dilemma.

How does the American president who promised to be a peacemaker handle a dramatic military escalation in the Middle East?

In the hours after the strike, Trump appears to be struggling to find a consistent message in the face of a grave blow to his diplomatic efforts.

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Last night, US diplomats reacted coolly to the first reports of the Israeli strikes. While it was clear that American forces had advance notice of what was coming, a statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised the US was not involved in the logistics or planning of the attack.

By Friday morning, the president himself was commenting on his Truth Social account, with a sombre message directed at the Iranian leadership - more "I told you so" than a clear plan to stop the warfare.

"Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen," Trump wrote. "They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!"

He followed that up with a shorter post, noting that the 60-day deadline he had given the Iranians for a deal had expired - but still holding out hope. "Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!" he wrote.

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In comments to American media outlets, though, Trump's message was more muddled.

He told CNN that the US "of course" supports Israel "and supported it like nobody has ever supported it".

"I think it's been excellent," he said of Israel's strikes in an ABC interview. He added that the US gave Iran a chance, but they didn't take it. "They got hit about as hard as you're going to get hit. And there's more to come - a lot more."

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In another twist, to the Wall Street Journal he said the US received more than just a heads-up from Israel: "We know what's going on." He also called Israel's move "a very successful attack, to put it mildly."

According to Daniel Byman, from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, Israel's move represents a new willingness to go against American preferences in the region. For a more traditional American administration, such open defiance would be a significant affront.

But for Trump, his grab-bag of comments after Israel's attack illustrates how different rules apply - and that while Israel is clearly operating according to its own schedule and agenda, that may not lead to a clear break between the two longtime allies.

"He doesn't feel bound by any of his past statements," Byman said.

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As Iran assesses the damage  including more than 90 dead, explosions in its capital city Tehran, and what the Israel Defense Force described as significant damage to the Natanz nuclear facility - Israel is activating tens of thousands of its soldiers and continuing what its officials say will be a two-week military campaign. The prospects for peace seem dimmer by the hour.

Trump's strategy, at the moment, appears to be hoping that the military action jolts Iran into making new concessions  a delicate dance of distancing the US from Israel's actions while still trying to use them to gain advantage at the negotiating table.

By his own acknowledgement, however, key Iranian leaders have been killed in the strikes - and Iran is currently focusing its diplomatic efforts on appeals to the United Nations Security Council, where it has labelled Israel's action an "act of war".

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"I think that Netanyahu just torpedoed the nuclear talks for the time being," said Sina Azodi, assistant professor of Middle East Politics in George Washington University's School of International Affairs. "You cannot beat up a guy and then say come and negotiate with me."

The US still plans to hold scheduled talks with Iranian officials in Oman on Sunday. Will Todman, a senior fellow in the Middle East programme at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, said a US-Iranian deal, if it were to happen, would have a "dramatic impact" on Israel's strategy going forward.

"Israel would be much more constrained in the approach that it can take to its efforts to downgrade Iran's nuclear programme, but also its military capabilities," he said, adding that any kind of deal was unlikely to happen at this point.

That may be just fine with some key members of the Republican Party - exposing what could be a growing divide between conservative pro-Israel foreign policy hawks in Congress and the America First, isolationist sympathies of many in the Trump administration.

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"How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda... stay consistent with this right now?" Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and vocal Trump supporter, asked during an internet livestream that was broadcasting as the Israeli strikes began Thursday evening, Politico reported.

At about the same time, more bellicose Republicans were celebrating the attacks on social media.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina took to X to post: "Game on. Pray for Israel".

"Israel IS right - and has a right - to defend itself!" Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson wrote.

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Within the White House, many of the more vocal advocates for military action against Iran have been sidelined in recent months, including former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who reportedly had consulted with Israel on Iran attack plans before Trump requested his resignation in early May.

The president's most senior advisers, including Vice-President JD Vance, have been wary of allowing America to be pulled into new conflicts  or becoming overly involved in foreign policy concerns that they view as removed from core US interests.

"Previously, it seems that those advocating for restraint were ascendant in the administration, but I think ultimately, this comes down to President Trump alone," said Todman. "The statements that we saw from him this morning seem to indicate that he's open to providing more support to Israel, depending on how the next few days play out."

With American forces based across the Middle East, involvement may be unavoidable. Just five months into his second term in office, the peacemaker president could have a new war on his hands.

Additional reporting by Brandon Drenon
The role of Elon Musks SpaceX in the Trump administrations Golden Dome missile project is reportedly in doubt following the feud between the billionaire and President Donald Trump last week.

Musks company appeared to be the frontrunner to begin work on the ambitious project to create a missile shield over America, a project that would have pocketed Musk billions.

But after last weeks explosive breakup, which Musk has since attempted some damage control, the project is in jeopardy, three people familiar with plans told Reuters.

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Because of the blowup, the Pentagon has been given the space to look at other alternatives, one of the people told the news agency.

The White House said in a statement that any decision on the project would be made prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology. A spokesperson added that the administration is committed to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts.

Elon Musks SpaceX appeared to be the frontrunner to start working on the ambitious project, but following the billionaires very public breakup with President Donald Trump, that is now in jeopardy, according to a report. (Getty Images)

A senior Defense Department official told Reuters that the Pentagon has no announcements regarding future contracts associated with the Golden Dome effort.

If SpaceX misses out on the project, it would signal the significance of the presidents personal relationships when it comes to his leadership, aerospace and defense experts said.

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That people guiding the program or building it are approved based on their political affiliation signals a real concern that the project itself is very politicized and not being conducted on the technical merits, Laura Grego, a missile defense expert and research director at the non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists, told Reuters.

Insiders also told the outlet that there is a lot of uncertainty looming over the project and a scramble among contractors and industry experts.

There isn't a coordinated effort with a true vision, an insider told the outlet. All of these companies are just grabbing at this pot of money.

The independent Congressional Budget Office has estimated the project could take 20 years to complete and cost $524 billion.

Because of the blowup, the Pentagon has been given the space to look at other alternatives, one person said. The White House said any decision on the project would be made prioritizing the best deal for America and leveraging the most advanced and innovative technology. (Reuters)

After last weeks blowup between Trump and Musk, the tech mogul issued a groveling climbdown in the early hours of Wednesday, expressing regret over the public fallout between him and Trump last week.

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I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far, the worlds richest man wrote on X.

Trump also hinted that reconciliation between the pair was possible. Look, I have no hard feelings, Trump said in the interview recorded on Monday.
President Donald Trump on Friday put the United States firmly in Israels corner after Israeli forces attacked Iranian nuclear sites and conducted targeted strikes on Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, warning Iranian officials that they should come back to the negotiating table with him before more Israeli strikes hit with devastating effect.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said hed given Tehran chance after chance to make a deal that would have headed off the strikes by putting restrictions on the countrys nuclear weapons program and complained that Iranian negotiators had never been able to come to an agreement.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done, he wrote. Trump also said hed warned Iran that Israel has a lot of American-made military hardware  the best and most lethal  and is quite proficient in using it.

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Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! he added.

Continuing, Trump said there was still time for Iranian officials to make the slaughter by Israeli forces come to an end before even more brutal attacks come next.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, President Donald Trump said after overnight strikes on Iran carried out by Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he said.

In a separate post, Trump said hed previously given Tehran a 60 day ultimatum to make a deal and claimed that the strikes by Israel took place on day 61.

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I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance, he said.

In a brief phone interview with The Wall Street Journal on Friday, the president elaborated on his social media post when asked if he was saying the U.S. had gotten advance warning of the strikes from Israeli officials.

"Heads-up? It wasnt a heads-up. It was, we know what's going on, he said.

"I told the other side, I said, you have 60 days to make the deal. On the 61st day, they attacked. Today is 61 actually, and it was a very successful attack. They should have made a deal and they still can make a deal while they have something left they still can," he added.

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Separately, the president told CNN that the Israeli attacks had been very successful and said the Israeli government had operated with full American support.

We of course support Israel, obviously and supported it like nobody has ever supported it, he said.

Trumps boast of having foreknowledge of Israels attack plans stood in stark contrast to the initial reaction from another top American official, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who in a statement released by the White House called the strikes unilateral and said the U.S. was not involved in strikes against Iran and remained focused on protecting forces in the region.

Rubio, who is also serving as Trumps acting national security adviser, added that Israel had advised American officials that the strikes were necessary for its self-defense and warned Iran against targeting American interests or personnel.

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The Israeli attacks, which are understood to include audacious drone strikes launched from within Irans borders as well as hundreds of Israeli Air Force fighters, come after weeks of negotiations between American and Iranian officials aimed at reaching an accord to curb Irans nuclear program.

Those talks, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had long opposed, are unlikely to resume at this point, as Trump claims the Iranian officials most relevant to the talks were killed in the attacks.

The Israeli strikes are the latest chapter in a years-long story of opposition to Irans nuclear weapons program, which the Israeli government has long described as an existential threat to the country.

In a televised statement following the onset of the attacks, Netanyahu described the action as a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israels very survival and warned that operations would take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us.

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He said the targets of the operation had been Iranian nuclear infrastructure as well as ballistic missile infrastructure and other military locations, with Israeli defense forces stating that there were strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran by Israeli jets.

Defense Minister Israel Katz called the operation a preemptive strike  an attack meant to ward off another imminent attack  and said Iran had been expected to conduct a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population ... in the immediate future.

Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Irans nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb. Israeli officials have accused Iran of seeking a bomb in secret, without providing evidence.

Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb, a claim that is backed by U.S. intelligence, and Iranian officials had repeatedly refused a U.S. demand to give up the ability to enrich uranium, which it says it needs to fuel its nuclear power program, but which could also be used to build a nuclear weapon.

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A 2015 agreement between Tehran, the United States and other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council had imposed strict limits on Iranian nuclear program activities and enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.

Trump had unilaterally withdrew from that deal during his first term, insisting that he could strike a better bargain, and imposed sweeping sanctions.

That decision resulted in Iran reviving and improving its nuclear facilities and enriched uranium to a much higher purity than it had under the previous deal, and much closer to the grade needed to make a bomb.






NEED TO KNOW

Donald Trump urged Iran to make a nuclear deal "before there is nothing left."

The president's comments came hours after Israel attacked Iranian cities Tehran and Natanz in a series of airstrikes on June 12.

Trump has been seeking a new nuclear deal with Iran since he withdrew the United States from the last Iranian nuclear deal in 2018.







Donald Trump is warning Iran to make a nuclear deal "before it is too late."

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In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president urged Iranian leaders in the capital city of Tehran to engage in a nuclear deal, just hours after Israel attacked the nation with a number of airstrikes.

The attacks, which began on June 12, hit Tehran and Natanz  the site of a key nuclear facility  and resulted in the deaths of many of Iran's top scientists and generals, including Revolutionary Guard commander in chief Hossein Salam, per CNBC.

Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Protests in Tehran on June 13. Protests in Tehran on June 13.

The Trump administration was briefed on the hostilities, The New York Times reported, but the U.S.  Israel's primary ally  insisted it had no role in them.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," Trump wrote in the post just before 6 a.m. ET on June 13. He added, "There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end."

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"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," he concluded. "No more death, no more destruction, just do it, before it is too late."

Trump has been seeking a new nuclear deal with Iran since returning to office, per CNBC, after he withdrew the U.S. from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the previous nuclear deal) in 2018 and imposed subsequent economic sanctions on Iran.

Iran, in turn, has accused the U.S. of not respecting its right to enrich uranium for peaceful reasons, the outlet reported. U.S.-Iran nuclear deal negotiations were set to be held in Oman on Sunday, June 15, though Iran state media reported the country's officials no longer plan on attending.

Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Protests in Tehran, Iran, on June 13 after Israel's strikes Protests in Tehran, Iran, on June 13 after Israel's strikes

Israel told the Trump administration that it believed the attacks were "necessary for its self-defense," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on June 12 via NYT, after the initial attacks.

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Rubio added that the United States' primary goal was to protect American forces in the area.

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Donald Trump urged Irans leaders to agree to a nuclear deal to save themselves from an even more brutal second wave of strikes by Israel.

The US president told Tehran there was still time to halt the slaughter in favour of a diplomatic resolution despite Israels military action.

There has already been great death and destruction, Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. But there is still time to make this slaughter  with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal  come to an end.

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Iran must make a deal before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

Explosion seen in the Iranian city of Ilam. Credit: @QudsNen/X

His plea came as Washington moved to distance itself from what Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, described as unilateral action by Israel. The US was not involved, the president insisted.

The lack of direct American support will disappoint Benjamin Netanyahus government. Israeli military planners have long known that, without US long-range bombers and powerful bunker-buster bombs, destroying Irans deeply buried enrichment facilities will be far more difficult.

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Irans most fortified nuclear site, the Fordow enrichment facility, lies half a mile below the Earths surface, according to Rafael Grossi, the head of the UNs nuclear watchdog.

That is 14 times deeper than the platforms at Hampstead, Londons deepest underground station. Fordow has not been targeted by Israel.

There will be relief that Mr Trump, who reportedly dissuaded Mr Netanyahu from launching strikes earlier this year, did not stand in his way this time. Nor did he condemn them.

Mr Netanyahu formally authorised the strikes on Monday, and spoke to Mr Trump shortly afterwards, according to Israeli officials. The White House confirmed a phone call between the two that day, but offered no further details.

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Britain was also informed in advance, and on Thursday issued a warning to shipping in the Gulf to exercise caution.

Mr Trump had appeared increasingly pessimistic about prospects for a nuclear deal.

On Monday, he criticised Tehrans negotiating stance as unacceptable for its refusal to end uranium enrichment. By Wednesday, he declared that he had grown less confident about reaching a breakthrough at all.

He invested considerable effort in negotiations, insisting that diplomacy offered a better route to halting Irans nuclear ambitions. But Israels air strikes have put those hopes on hold  at least temporarily.

The Israeli strikes targeted both nuclear sites and areas known to house those connected with the projects - Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

Speaking to Axios on Friday, Mr Trump claimed the attack may have improved the prospects of a deal.

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Maybe now they will negotiate seriously, he said. I couldnt get them to a deal in 60 days. They were close, they should have done it. Maybe now it will happen.

The president also spoke to Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias crown prince, and Qatars Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, about the need to diplomatically resolve the conflict, according to readouts.

On Thursday, Gen Michael Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, abruptly postponed scheduled testimony before the senate armed services committee, a clear sign of the militarys heightened alert.

By that evening, it was clear that the US defence community was in full crisis mode.

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The Pentagon Pizza Report  a social media site that monitors pizza deliveries from local restaurants  noted extremely high traffic late into the night. At the same time, activity at Freddies Beach Bar, the Pentagons nearest gay bar, was reportedly well below average.

The Trump administration appears determined to avoid being drawn into a broader Middle East war at all costs. It remains unclear whether the US will defend Israel as robustly as it did last year, when it helped shoot down Iranian missiles and drones after the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader.

However, administration officials said the US was helping to shoot down Iranian missiles to protect American assets and citizens in Israel.

Britain, which also assisted last year, has already indicated that it will not do so again.

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But Mr Trumps reluctance may be tested if Israel falters under Iranian retaliation, or if Tehran strikes energy infrastructure in the Gulf, or US bases and embassies in the region.

Iranians took to the streets of Tehran on Thursday to protest against the strikes by Israel - Majid Asgaripour/Reuters

This week, Iran issued stark warnings to the US amid increasing signs that Israel was preparing for military action.

Aziz Nasirzadeh, its defence minister, said it would suffer heavy losses if Israel attacked.

America will have to leave the region because all its military bases are within reach and we will, without any consideration, target them, he warned.

Tehrans best hope of preserving its nuclear programme may lie in avoiding direct confrontation with Washington and betting that Israels strikes fail to do lasting damage.

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But wars have a momentum of their own, and the risk that Mr Trump will be drawn into a wider Middle Eastern conflict  whether he likes it or not  is now higher than ever.

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US President Donald Trump urged Iran Friday to make a deal or face "even more brutal" attacks by Israel, as Washington said it was helping its key ally defend itself against Iranian retaliation.

But Trump also kept the door open for negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program, as the president who boasted he had "no wars" in his first term tries to avoid getting dragged into one in his second.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Friday, a White House official told AFP. He said earlier that Israel had let him know in advance about its strikes on Iran's military top brass and nuclear facilities.

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After Iran launched barrages of ballistic missiles on Friday, the United States was "assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel," two US officials told AFP, without giving detail on the extent of Washington's role.

The US president also spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who both stressed the need for dialogue. He also reportedly spoke to Saudi and Qatari leaders.

Trump attended a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room as his team worked on the crisis. An aide posted a black and white picture of a grim-faced, purse-lipped Trump striding through the West Wing.

But the flurry of meetings and diplomatic calls came as Trump trod a tightrope between backing Israel and seeking the nuclear deal he promised he could reach with Iran.

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Israel struck Iran just hours after Trump publicly urged Netanyahu to hold off on an attack, with the first missiles landing as the US president hosted a picnic for lawmakers on the White House South Lawn.

"There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end," Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Friday.

- 'Excellent' -

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left... JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he said.

Trump said that he "gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal."

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But in a series of calls with US media later, he wavered between backing Israel's "excellent" strikes and calling for a return to the negotiating table.

"I think it's been excellent," ABC News quoted him as saying about Israel's offensive. "And there's more to come. A lot more."

Then shortly afterwards he stressed the possibility of a second chance, in an interview with NBC: "They missed the opportunity to make a deal. Now, they may have another opportunity. We'll see."

Trump also gave mixed signals about the extent of US involvement.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said Thursday that the United States was "not involved" in the strikes and warned Iran not to retaliate against any US forces in the region.

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Trump, however, said on Truth Social on Friday that Israel had acted because a 60-day deadline that he had set for Iran had run out, implying that the two acted in concert.

He also boasted about the "finest" US equipment that Israel had used -- a day before a huge parade in Washington, on Trump's 79th birthday, featuring US aircraft and tanks.

Trump earlier told Fox News he had been aware of the Israeli strikes before they happened, and stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb."

During Trump's first term, he pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear program.

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The United States and Iran have had several rounds of talks since Trump returned to the White House, but after initially striking an optimistic tone, the discussions have foundered in recent days.

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US President Trump called on Iran to conclude an agreement with Washington on its controversial nuclear programme, amid a series of Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities and military leaders.

"There is still time to make this slaughter ... come to an end," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," Trump continued. "JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."

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Observers consider it unlikely that Iran's leadership will opt for a diplomatic approach in light of the Israeli attacks. Israeli media reported that Tehran had retaliated with an attack involving about 100 drones, all of which were shot down.

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal," Trump wrote.

"The United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and ... Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it," Trump wrote.
By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -After months of urging Israel not to strike Iran while he worked toward a nuclear deal, President Donald Trump told Reuters in a phone interview on Friday that he and his team had known the attacks were coming - and still saw room for an accord.

"We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out," Trump said.

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"They can still work out a deal, however, its not too late," he added.

Trump had repeatedly pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay an Israeli attack to give diplomacy more time, though the president himself had threatened to bomb the Gulf nation if nuclear talks failed.

Trump's shifting stance around the Israeli strikes, which he called "excellent" and "very successful" in a series of media interviews on Friday, offered one of the most striking examples yet of how he conducts high-stakes negotiations through both frank public rhetoric and behind-the-scenes maneuvers.

The U.S. president offered support for Israel's decision to launch a series of devastating raids in Iran, showing a willingness to embrace the use of military force to set back Tehran's nuclear program. In contrast, some allies stressed the need for restraint.

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Asked if the U.S. would support Israel against Iranian counterattacks, Trump said he supported Israel. He said he was not concerned about a regional war breaking out as a result of Israel's strikes but did not elaborate.

Weve been very close to Israel. Were their number one ally by far," Trump told Reuters, adding, "We'll see what happens."

Later on Friday, two U.S. officials said the U.S. military had helped shoot down Iranian missiles headed toward Israel.

TALKS IN DOUBT

Still uncertain is whether Trump's attempt to reach an agreement with Iran to halt uranium enrichment is still viable, with a sixth round of talks still scheduled for Sunday in Oman but now in doubt after the attacks.

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In negotiations with Iran, Trump sought to persuade the Iranians to give up uranium enrichment and was awaiting a counter-proposal from Iran. Tehran had balked at giving up enrichment, seemingly leaving little room for an agreement.

"They seek enrichment. We can't have enrichment," Trump told reporters on Monday.

As the week wore on, Trump sounded increasingly resigned to the prospect that Israel would strike and hinted that he knew more than he was willing to talk about publicly.

"I dont want to say its imminent, but it looks like something that could very well happen. Look, its very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful," he told reporters on Thursday before the raids began.

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Speaking to Reuters on Friday, Trump said he had given the Iranians 60 days to come to an agreement and that the time had expired with no deal.

"We knew just about everything," he said. "We knew enough that we gave Iran 60 days to make a deal and today is 61, right? So, you know, we knew everything.

Trump said it was unclear if Iran still has a nuclear program following Israeli strikes on the country.

"Nobody knows. It was a very devastating hit," Trump said.

Israel said it had targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

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Trump said the U.S. still has nuclear talks planned with Iran on Sunday but he was unsure they would take place. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to meet an Iranian delegation in Oman.

"They're not dead," Trump said of the U.S.-Iran talks. "We have a meeting with them on Sunday. Now, Im not sure if that meeting will take place, but we have a meeting with them on Sunday."

The president had convened his top national security advisers at Camp David on Sunday night for what he said were discussions that included Iran, and he spoke to Netanyahu on Monday about Iran.

A White House official said Trump spoke with Netanyahu again on Friday. Trump also held talks about the attacks with his National Security Council in the White House Situation Room. No details of the discussions were immediately available.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; editing by Colleen Jenkins and Howard Goller)
As Starbucks continues its get back to Starbucks plan to revive slumping sales, the company announced it will implement an OpenAI-powered chatbot to remind baristas of drink recipes and assist them with equipment troubleshooting. Analysts told Fortune the move could help streamline hiring and efficiency, but it also carries with it the pitfalls of AI, including the potential for hallucinations and outages.

Starbucks is betting on AI to give its baristas some extra help behind the counter.

The Seattle-based coffee chain announced Tuesday the launch of Green Dot Assist, an AI-powered virtual assistant intended to simplify baristas jobs and fulfill orders faster. Starbucks will pilot the technology created with Microsoft Azures OpenAI platform at 35 locations and will roll it out nationwide next year.

The AI assistant will pull recipe cards of drinks to show baristas how to make them, as well as suggesting swaps if ingredients run out, the company said. The tech will also suggest food pairings to suggest to customers, provide troubleshooting support for malfunctioning equipment, and help managers find employees to backfill shifts should a store be short-staffed.

Its just another example of how innovation technology is coming into service of our partners and making sure that were doing all we can to simplify the operations, make their jobs just a little bit easiermaybe a little bit more funso that they can do what they do best, Starbucks chief technology officer Deb Hall Lefevre told CNBC.

Starbucks first announced the tech at its Leadership Experience event on Tuesday, when it also unveiled plans to expand the position of assistant manager by adding the role to most company-operated stores in the U.S, hiring about 90% of management internally.

The swath of labor changes are the latest in CEO Brian Niccols efforts for the company to get back to Starbucks and revive its cozy-coffeehouse reputation amid slumping sales. The company reported in April its fourth straight quarter of same-store sales declines, in part a result of economic uncertainty putting a damper on demand.

As part of the turnaround efforts, Starbucks will have to draw on its big brand name and past goodwill from customers to refocus on what made the chain popular to begin with.

All brands drift over time, and I have pattern recognition, Starbucks CFO Cathy Smith told Fortune in April. Ive seen this with a number of brands, and the great ones recapture what made them great.

AI behind the counter

The move follows the lead of other restaurant chains deploying AI. Yum! Brands, the conglomerate behind KFC and Taco Bell, has partnered with Nvidia to take drive-thru and digital orders. McDonalds, however, cancelled its contract with IBM after two years and returned humans to drive-thru order-taking.
Secretary of State Marco Rubios attempts to distance the U.S. from Israels strikes on Iran just got even more complicated.

In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bombing Iran on Thursdayeven after Trump asked him not tothe president warned Iran in a social media post that things will only get worse if Tehran doesnt make a deal with Washington.

Trump had reportedly asked Netanyahu on Monday to wait to strike Irans nuclear enrichment facilities until all diplomatic options had been exhausted.

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The U.S. and Iran were scheduled to have a sixth round of nuclear talks in Oman this weekend, and on Thursday night, Trump reiterated on social media that his administration remained committed to diplomatic resolution.

Hours later, though, Netanyahu announced what he called a pre-emptive strike against Irans main nuclear enrichment facilities, killing the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and his military chief of staff, two nuclear scientists, and at least a dozen civilians, according to Iranian state media.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly put out a statement saying the Israeli attacks were unilateral and that Iran should not retaliate against U.S. interests or personnel.

But in a rambling social media post early Friday morning, Trump threatened even more brutal strikes against Iran.

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I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come, Trump wrote.

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. / Vahid Salemi / Vahid Salemi/AP

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! he added.

In a follow-up post, he wrote that, Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to make a deal. They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Emergency services clear debris in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an Israeli attack on June 13, 2025, which caused a diplomatic incident between Iran and the U.S. / Anadolu / Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images

Both Iran and the Trump administration have said they wanted to make a deal, with Trump eager to notch a diplomatic win and Iran looking for relief from painful economic sanctions. The first rounds of talks were mostly indirect, but were described as positive and respectful, according to CNBC.

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This week, though, the talks seemed to hit an impasse.

On Wednesday, the president accused Tehran of delaying, while Iranian officials said Washington was not engaging seriously on the issue of sanctions or respecting the countrys right to enrich uranium at lower levels to generate nuclear power.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Israel's strikes were

Trump has warned that the U.S. or Israel could bomb Irans nuclear facilities if negotiations failed, leading Irans defense minister to tell the Iranian press on Wednesday, In that case, America will have to leave the region, because all of its bases are within our reach, The Guardian reported.

The State Department responded that it was instructing non-essential diplomatic staff and their families to leave the embassies in Baghdad, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

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On Thursday, the day of the Israeli strikes, the UNs nuclear watchdog group, the International Atomic Energy Agency, passed a resolution saying Iran was not complying with its nuclear safeguards obligations for the first time in nearly two decades.

President Trump acknowledged that he knew about Israel's strike on Iran before it happened. / SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images

Netanyahu called Irans nuclear program a clear and present danger to Israels very survival and vowed to continue Operation Rising Lion for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Israeli sources are now saying the U.S. supported the strikes all along and only pretended to oppose them to keep Iran from suspecting the attack, Axios reported. During Mondays call, Trump didnt actually try to delay the strikesNetanyahus aides just told reporters that so Israel could maintain the element of surprise, sources told the outlet.

Trump has acknowledged that he knew about the strike ahead of time but said the U.S. was not involved militarily. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.

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In his Friday Truth Social post, Trump wrote, There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!

A U.S. official told Reuters that Sundays talks will still go forward as planned.
President Donald Trump has said that the United States will help to defend Israel if needed after its wave of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday night provoked a retaliatory drone attack by Tehran.

The president made the comment in a private phone call with Fox News host Bret Baier, who relayed the message on air, adding that Trump had been aware of Israels pre-dawn raid before it commenced but that the U.S. had played no part in it.

Baier revealed that Trump had had several phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week and saw the ultimate goal of the airstrikes as driving Iran back to the negotiating table as talks continue about de-escalating its rogue nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump (AP)

Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see, Trump told Fox.

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There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.

The president has since taken to Truth Social to say: I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldnt get it done.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it.

Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didnt know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end.

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He concluded: Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!

Smoke billowing from a site reportedly targeted by an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian capital Tehran in the early hours of Friday morning (Sepah News)

In one of his calls with Netanyahu on Monday, Trump had advised his Israeli counterpart against the attacks, according to The Wall Street Journal, telling him that the negotiations should be allowed to run their course before military options were considered.

The presidents advice went unheeded as Israel embarked on a series of deadly strikes on more than 100 targets last night, killing General Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans Revolutionary Guard, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff to its armed forces, among others.

Iran has since retaliated by launching more than 200 drones at Israel.

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Like Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved quickly to deny American involvement in Israels assault.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran, he said. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.

Iranian state TV, however, was quick to signal its suspicion of Washington, rejecting Trump and Rubios denials and accusing the administration of being complicit in an attack that has killed children.

Steve Witkoff, the U.S. Middle East envoy, was due to meet Iranian officials in Oman on Sunday for the latest round of talks on the potential de-escalation of Tehrans nuclear activities. It is unclear whether those talks will still proceed in light of last nights events.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (AP)

Israels strikes  dubbed Operation Rising Lion  were necessary due to Iran's continued movement to weaponize enriched uranium, Netanyahu said in a statement, arguing the assault was critical to Israels very survival.

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The country has since declared a state of emergency and said the strikes against Iran would continue for as many days as it takes.

Earlier in the day, shortly before the bombing campaign began, Trump had abruptly left a White House picnic for members of Congress without suggesting anything was wrong.

As long as I think there will be an agreement, I dont want them going in, he had said of the tensions between Israel and Iran at the event, adding that he would love to avoid a conflict.

Pressed on whether or not an eruption was imminent, the president had conceded: It looks like something could well happen.

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On the possibility of ultimately resolving the American-led talks with Iran successfully, Trump again expressed frustration at their slow progress and said the Iranians are going to have to give us some things that theyre not willing to give us right now.

The president will attend a National Security Council meeting at 11 am ET on Friday morning to discuss the latest tensions in the Middle East.
President Trumps top diplomat in Africa, Troy Fitrell, will retire from the State Department next month, and Jonathan Pratt, the Bureau of African Affairs deputy assistant secretary, will take his place.

After a long and distinguished career, the Department of States Bureau of African Affairs Senior Bureau Official Ambassador Troy Fitrell is retiring in mid-July as planned, a State Department spokesperson told The Hill in an emailed statement on Thursday.

The Bureau of African Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Jonathan Pratt will step into the Senior Bureau Official role after Ambassador Fitrells departure, the spokesperson added.

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Fitrell, a foreign service official, previously worked as the United States ambassador to Guinea. He has served in various State Department posts across Africa, including serving as the director of the Office of Western African Affairs and Southern African Affairs. He was also the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassies in Ethiopia and Mauritius.

Fitrell has been the head of the State Departments African bureau since the assistant secretary, a Senate-confirmed position, has not yet been chosen.

Fitrell, who has been a diplomat for more than three decades, previously said that the Trump administration is changing the U.S. approach to Africa from one rooted primarily in development assistance to a strategy that prioritizes robust commercial engagement.

The administration sees trade as a way to counter Chinese and Russian influence on the continent.

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Semafor first reported on Fitrells forthcoming exit.

Pratt, who will succeed Fitrell, previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Djibouti from 2021 to 2023. He also had other assignments within the State Department, working in places such as Pakistan, Sudan and Angola.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 federal judge issued an order to block Donald Trump from deploying California National Guard troops to crack down on Los Angeles protests or to stand guard over his immigration raids.

Ruling Thursday night, United States District Judge Charles Breyer found that an injunction restraining the presidents use of military force in Los Angeles is in the public interest and ordered Trump to return control of thousands of National Guard troops to Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The injunction came in response to a California lawsuit claiming Trump is violating bedrock American law and the constitution. However, the presidents commitment of 700 Marines to the streets of L.A. is apparently unaffected.



The ruling was met by an emergency appeal by the Trump administration to the Ninth Circuit court of appeals, which has now stayed the lower courts injunction until at least June 17.

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The back-and-forth court battle over Trumps troop deployments poses a thorny question: Can the president of the United States really unleash the military on U.S citizens?

Heres what you need to know:

Why is Trump doing this?

Trump, an authoritarian, has long dreamed of using the military to counter his domestic opposition. The pretext for Trumps move is unrest following protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. ICE agents have been making provocative arrests and detentions of community members in Los Angeles, including of garment workers downtown and day laborers at an area Home Depot.

These protests were largely peaceful, but in several locations, devolved into skirmishes between agitators on one side and cops, sheriffs deputies, and/or paramilitary federal agents on the other. The unrest had largely calmed over the weekend, until Trump decided to federalize units of the California National Guard and send them to the streets of L.A.

How many troops has Trump sent to Los Angeles?

Trump mobilized as many as 4,000 members of the California National Guard along with 700 Marines to deploy in Los Angeles. The military described the National Guards mission as protecting federal personnel and federal property in the greater Los Angeles area.

Is that legal? What about Posse Comitatus?

The Posse Comitatus Act stands as Americas legal guarantee against military occupation.

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Like so much of American history, passage of the Posse Comitatus Act is tarnished by racism. This law dates from the late 1870s. It was born out of backlash to Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War, at a time when former Confederates bridled under occupation by federal troops. These forces, for example, ensured access to the ballot box by Black voters.

The acts passage barred the Army from being deployed in a domestic law enforcement capacity; it effectively ended Reconstruction and ushered in decades of Jim Crow segregation in the South.

Over time, the laws restriction on the standing military being deployed inside the United States became bedrock U.S. law and a marker of state sovereignty. It is seen as a vital check on authoritarian abuses by a U.S. president, and it allows the military to focus on defeating foreign adversaries, leaving policework to cops. The act has been updated periodically, including as recently as 2021 to clarify that its restrictions apply even to the Space Force.

(The phrase Posse Comitatus itself is Latin for power of the county and has a complicated legacy dating back to English common law.)

How did Trump justify federalizing the National Guard?

National Guard forces are usually under the control of state governors. They have long played a role in responding to state-level natural disasters and public unrest. Under state control, National Guard forces are not restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act.

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State-ordered National Guard deployments have also been controversial. In one of the darkest episodes in recent American history, National Guard troops, called up by the Governor of Ohio to crack down on protesters at Kent State in 1970, opened fire on anti-war activists, killing four and injuring nine.

To federalize the National Guard, as Trump did this over the weekend, the president invoked an authority established in Title 10 of the federal code. Under that provision, the National Guard may be pressed into federal service under one of three conditions:

The U.S. is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation.

There is rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the federal government.

The president is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States.

In any of these cases, the president may call into federal service the requisite National Guard forces to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws. Invocation of this provision has little case history; Richard Nixon used it to call in the National Guard to deliver mail during a postal strike in 1970.

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But in all cases, the statute states, orders to the National Guard shall be issued through the governors of the states  appearing to require agreement between the president and the governor, which does not exist in this case.

How has California contested Trumps National Guard deployment?

The state of California sued in federal court in San Francisco to block Trumps National Guard deployment as unlawful, insisting his Title 10 authority is a nonstarter in the case of the Los Angeles protests.

To put it bluntly, there is no invasion or rebellion in Los Angeles, the lawsuit states. It describes instead common civil unrest that should be handled by state and local authorities. The lawsuit underscores that Gov. Newsom was not a party to Trumps decision to federalize the National Guard: The governor never issued such an order or gave consent.



California is making the case that troops under Trumps command are already unlawfully integrated into a policing function. Military forces are pervasively intertwined with civilian law enforcement activities, the latest update to suit argues. Armed troops are working side by side with ICE agents in conducting arrests and raids in the streets, homes, and workplaces of Los Angeles.



In the court of public opinion, the state is highlighting past comments by Trump and members of his cabinet to argue that administration officials know what theyre doing is illegal. A post on the governors website, calls back to Trumps comments during the 2020 federal incursion into downtown Portland, Oregon. We have to go by the laws, Trump said at the time. We cant call in the National Guard, unless we are requested by a governor.

Likewise Kristi Noem, Trumps Homeland Security Secretary, said in 2024 as governor of South Dakota that a president seizing control of National Guard forces would be an unacceptable affront: If Joe Biden federalizes the National Guard, she said, that would be a direct attack on states rights.

What did the federal district judge decide?

In deciding to impose an injunction, Judge Breyer wrote that California had shown a likelihood of prevailing on their argument that Trumps federalization of the National Guard was not in fact not lawful, both exceeding the scope of his authority and violating the Tenth Amendment. (The judge leaned hard on the that amendment which reserves many powers for the states: It is well-established that the police power is one of the quintessential powers reserved to the states by the Tenth Amendment, he wrote.)

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Breyer recognized that the Trump administration has an interest in protecting federal agents and property but insisted that the the citizens of Los Angeles face a greater harm from the continued unlawful militarization of their city. He added that the state faces harm of being deprived of thousands of National Guard members to fight fires, combat the fentanyl trade, and perform other critical functions.

The judge underscored as well that that Trumps troop deployment threatens to chill legitimate First Amendment expression. He wrote that he was troubled by the administrations stance that protest against the federal government, a core civil liberty protected by the First Amendment, can justify a finding of rebellion.

The temporary injunction forbids Trump from calling up the National Guard and directs Trump to return control over these forces to Newsom.

Is that order being carried out?

The ruling by the district judge was immediately appealed to the Ninth Circuit, which quickly stayed the injunction Thursday, pending a hearing Tuesday, June 17.

What about Trumps decision to deploy Marines?

It is unclear what authority Trump has invoked to deploy active duty Marines to Los Angeles. A statement by U.S. Northern Command says the Marines mission is to seamlessly integrate with the Title 10 forces  i.e. the National Guard troops.

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The state of California lawsuit claims the Marine mobilization is a violation of Posse Comitatus. (It also argued that using federalized National Guard troops as military police violates that act.)



The suit reads, in part: The Marine Corps deployment for law enforcement purposes is unlawful. For more than a century, the Posse Comitatus Act has expressly prohibited the use of the active duty armed forces and federalized national guard for civilian law enforcement.

The judge in San Francisco did not make any ruling as to the Posse Comitatus Act arguments at this early moment in the litigation, explaining that both parties would soon have an opportunity to make their arguments in court.

What about the Insurrection Act?

The nativist Trump White House adviser Stephen Miller has been posting incessantly on X about the unrest in Los Angeles as an insurrection. Trump has also called protesters insurrectionists.



This over-the-top rhetoric has dangerous implications.

The president has a trump card he can play if he seeks to expand this foray into martial law. That is the Insurrection Act. This law gives the president authority to side-step the restrictions of Posse Comitatus and to direct active duty military to suppress insurrection, domestic violence, and even unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages.

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The act was pieced together from 1792 to 1871, and the liberal Brennan Center for Justice describes it as so poorly crafted and bafflingly broad as to leave virtually everything up to the discretion of the president.

The law is contradictory. Some provisions require the participation of the governor and/or legislature in the target state. Other parts give the president sole decision-making power.

The Insurrection Act has been used both ways. It was famously invoked by President Dwight Eisenhower to enforce desegregation in the South after the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Its most recent use was in Los Angeles in 1992, by President George H.W. Bush, during the Rodney King riots  a move requested by the state. Lyndon B. Johnson was the last president to invoke it against the wishes of a governor, sending in troops to protect Civil Rights marchers in segregationist Alabama in 1965.

Trump has been coy so far about his intentions, saying of the act from the Oval Office this week: If theres an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it. Well see.

What would that mean for democracy?

Under Trump, any invocation of the Insurrection Act would mark a dangerous step on a path toward dictatorship. In theory, the law only empowers the president to use federal military might to support local law enforcement, or ensure that the constitutional rights of citizens are defended, not to implement martial law.

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In practice, Trump was given near-kingly authorities last year by the Supreme Court in its immunity decision that shields the president from criminal prosecution. His administration has threatened to arrest Gov. Newsom, and even handcuffed one of the states U.S. Senators, Alex Padilla, when he attempted to ask Noem a question during a press conference, during which the Homeland Security secretary proclaimed that the federal government was on a mission to liberate Los Angeles, from the socialist leadership of its mayor and governor.



Trump does not see himself bound by any precedent or legal norm. And he is plainly not grounded in reality, rather in delusions of grandeur. In posts on Truth Social, Trump has written of his militarization as an effort to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion. On Wednesday he doubled down, adding: If our troops didnt go into Los Angeles, it would be burning to the ground right now.

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President Donald Trump has urged Iran to agree to United States demands to restrict its nuclear programme, as Tehran promised a strong response to Israeli air strikes targeting its nuclear sites and military facilities that killed at least two senior military commanders and several nuclear scientists.

Writing on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump warned that the next already planned attacks on Iran would be even more brutal and urged Iranian officials to make a deal before there is nothing left.

Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, he said.

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In another post on his social media platform, the US president later said that Iran may have a second chance after claiming he gave Tehran 60 days to make a deal two months ago.

I told them what to do, but they just couldnt get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!

Separately, Trump praised Israels attacks on Iran in a series of brief telephone interviews with media outlets.

I think its been excellent, Trump told ABC News. And theres more to come. A lot more.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier said that the US had no part in the Israeli attacks and urged Iran not to target American interests or personnel in the region in retaliation, but Tehran said Washington would be responsible for consequences.





Natanz nuclear site damaged

Iran promised a harsh response against Israel, and the Israeli military said early on Friday that it was trying to intercept about 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation. The countrys public broadcaster and Channel 12 reported that Israel also intercepted drones over Saudi Arabia.

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Some 200 Israeli warplanes took part in overnight air strikes on Iran, hitting more than 100 targets in the country, according to Israeli army spokesperson, Brigadier General Effie Defrin.

Iranian media reported explosions, including some at the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said Natanz had sustained damage, but no casualties had been reported. The organisation added that contamination  whether chemical or radioactive  has been detected inside the Natanz nuclear site, but not outside the complex, after this mornings Israeli attack.

On Friday afternoon, Irans Tasnim news agency said a new Israeli attack in the city of Tabriz, northwest of Iran. Later, Nour news agency said explosions were heard and smoke was seen coming from Alborz province, west of Tehran. On Friday evening, Fars news agency reported that two explosions were heard near the Fordow nuclear site, and Mehr news agency said a massive explosion was heard in Isfahan, a city home to several nuclear facilities. Several explosions were also heard in Tehran and surrounding areas, state media said.

Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, told the UN Security Council that at least 78 people were killed and more than 320 others were injured in the days attacks, including women and children.

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Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the heart of Irans nuclear enrichment programme, aiming for the main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. The attacks would continue as many days as it takes, he said.

Separately, there were reports that the US might move military assets into the Middle East. Two US officials told The Associated Press that the US is shifting military resources, including ships.

The US Navy directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner to begin sailing toward the Eastern Mediterranean and directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward, so it can be available if requested by the White House.

One of the officials has said that President Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals to discuss the situation.





Severe punishment for Israel

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that it must expect severe punishment after the assault. The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that Tehran has a legal and legitimate right to respond.

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Iranian state media has reported that Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Irans Armed Forces, were both killed in the attacks. Nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi were also killed.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Israel would regret its attacks.

The Iranian nation and the countrys officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act, Pezeshkian said in a video statement broadcast on state television.

Later on Friday, Netanyahu said in a video message that he expects several waves of Iranian attacks in response to the operation that had been initially planned for April. Hours later, Iran launched waves of missiles at Israel.

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In the Iranian city of Qom on Friday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Jamkaran Mosque to demand a severe punishment for Israel in response to the strikes.

Mohammad Eslami, a research fellow at Tehran University, said Iranian leaders are preparing an imminent strike on Israel targeting military and nuclear facilities.

The Iranian military were thinking about this scenario for many years, and also in recent days, we have heard lots of statements by the Defence Ministry of Iran that they are ready for any strike by the Israelis, he told Al Jazeera from Tehran.

Most Iranian political parties support defending the country because all Iranians [know] the history of Iraq attacking Iran. This is not about political points of view, he added.





Nuclear talks

US and Iranian officials are due to attend a sixth round of talks over Irans nuclear programme in Oman on Sunday, but some observers say this is unlikely to proceed.

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The only thing that the Israeli attack destroyed totally was the diplomatic solution that was under way between the Iranian [diplomats] and the Americans, Eslami said.

In an interview with the Reuters news agency on Friday, Trump said it was unclear if Iran still had a nuclear programme following Israeli strikes.

The president said the US still had nuclear talks plans with Iran, but was unsure if they would still take place. Yet, he said, it was not too late for Iran to make a deal.

I tried to save Iran humiliation and death, Trump said, adding he was not concerned about a threat of a regional war breaking out.

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Washington and Tehran have been negotiating over Irans enrichment of uranium, with Trump stating recently that zero enrichment should be allowed in Iran. He has also said repeatedly that Iran will not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently said that its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes.

Iran said in a statement that Israels cowardly attack showed why Iran had to insist on enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power.

The International Atomic Energy Agencys Board of Governors on Thursday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.




President Donald Trump delivered a vicious screed against undocumented immigrants on Thursday, calling for their remigration.

That terminology is popular in global far-right circles, and has been used by right-wing populist politicians in Europe to call for the mass deportations of immigrants in the name of restoring national identity.

The Biden Administration and Governor Newscum flooded America with 21 Million Illegal Aliens, destroying Schools, Hospitals and Communities, and consuming untold Billions of Dollars in Free Welfare, Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, with whom hes feuding at the moment.

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All of them have to go home, as do countless other Illegals and Criminals, who will turn us into a bankrupt Third World Nation, he continued. America was invaded and occupied. I am reversing the Invasion. Its called Remigration.

The Trump administration is moving to create a

Trump praised ICE officers, who have sparked protests around the country with their raids and deportation efforts, as HEROES.

We will always have their back as they carry out this noble mission. America will be for Americans again! Trump wrote.

Trump has used the remigration term before. In September, he pledged to immediately end the migrant invasion of America if elected, and return Kamalas illegal migrants to their home countries (also known as remigration).

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At the time, liberal media watchdog Media Matters accused the press of largely failing to cover his use of the term and of failing to accurately contextualize the concepts links to ethnic cleansing.

A demonstrator holds a placard in German saying

The term was popularized in part by Martin Sellner, an Austrian far-right activist who was involved with neo-Nazis as a teenager. He has since distanced himself from that ideology, but prominently promotes extreme ethnonationalist ideas. Hes a leader of the Austrian chapter of Generation Identity, which anti-extremism groups have described as an international white supremacist network.

In November 2023, Sellner reportedly presented a masterplan for remigration at a meeting in Potsdam, Germany, which was attended by members of the far-right Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) party, neo-Nazis, and other right-wing extremists. The co-leader of AfD, Alice Weidel, has since publicly embraced the term. Revelations about the meeting, reported by The Guardian and Correctiv in January, sparked uproar and mass protests in Germany. Sellner was subsequently banned from Germany.

Trumps State Department plans to create an entire Office of Remigration as part of a restructuring to aid Trumps sweeping deportation plans.
US President Donald Trump insisted Thursday he would bring India and Pakistan to the table together after recent fighting, saying he can "solve anything."

US diplomacy last month helped bring a ceasefire that ended four days of fighting between the nuclear-armed adversaries triggered by an attack on civilians in the Indian part of divided Kashmir.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in announcing the ceasefire that the two nations had agreed to "start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site."

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The statement was welcomed by Pakistan, which has long sought an international role over Kashmir, but India -- which has a warm relationship with the United States -- was more circumspect.

Asked whether there remained plans for talks between India and Pakistan a month after the ceasefire, Trump said: "We're going to get those two getting together, you know?"

"I told them, India and Pakistan -- they have a longtime rivalry over Kashmir -- I said, I can solve anything. I'll be your arbitrator," he told reporters.

India refuses any outside mediation on Kashmir, the scenic Himalayan region which has a Muslim majority but a sizable Hindu minority.

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"Any India-Pakistan engagement has to be bilateral," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on May 29.

"At the same time we are clear that talks and terror don't go together."

Gunmen on April 22 massacred 26 tourists in Kashmir, most singled out as Hindus, in the deadliest attack on civilians in decades in the region which has seen a long-running insurgency.

India has accused Pakistan of backing the assailants and launched military action in response. Pakistan denies involvement and accuses India of escalating tensions.

sct/jgc
President Donald Trump saw an opportunity to deploy thousands of active-duty troops to American streets in 2020 after the police murder of George Floyd galvanized protests across the country.

However, some officials in his first administration resisted the idea and checked some of Trumps more violent impulses when it came to resistance against his agenda. Trump ultimately did not invoke the Insurrection Act that year  reportedly at the guidance of officials who are no longer in his circle.

Five years later, the president  surrounded by law and order loyalists  federalized the National Guard for the first time in more than 50 years to deploy 4,000 service members across Los Angeles. Another 700 U.S. Marines are standing by, with dozens already guarding federal agents while they make immigration arrests.

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The administration appears to be aiming to avoid what Trump sees as a mistake from his first term. The White House and Homeland Security have spent weeks planning how to more broadly deploy the nations military into American cities to support the presidents anti-immigration agenda.

A spark from protests in Los Angeles, largely confined to pockets of the sprawling citys downtown areas and two nearby communities, appeared to give officials the fire they were looking for to put the plan into action and boots on the ground.

Donald Trump has deployed thousands of California National Guard members to Los Angeles (EPA)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told members of Congress on June 11 that Trumps order sending the Guard to California could apply to other states. He called it getting ahead of the problem.

So that if in other places, if there are other riots, in places where law enforcement officers are threatened, we would have the capability to surge National Guard there, if necessary, Hegseth told House lawmakers.

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Trump now appears to be trying to avoid a repeat of the summer of protests that plagued the final months of his first term in office and derailed a campaign he ultimately lost at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and political debate focused on racial justice.

Cant you just shoot them?

Thousands of people flooded streets across the country throughout the summer of 2020. The police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor sparked daily demonstrations against police brutality and racism, including in the streets of Washington, D.C. It led to violent clashes and vandalism in cities. Pictures of burning buildings and cops in riot gear dominated news coverage.

Cant you just shoot them? Trump said at the time, according to his former Defense Secretary Mark Esper. Just shoot them in the legs or something?

I had to figure out a way to walk Trump back without creating the mess I was trying to avoid, Esper wrote in his book A Sacred Oath, describing Trump as red faced and complaining loudly about the protests underway in the nations capital.

A National Guard soldier stands in a street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 29, 2020, following protests in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd (AFP/Getty)

Trump demanded law enforcement officers crack skulls and beat the f*** out of protesters, according to the book Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost by The Wall Street Journals Michael Bender.

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Dont we have an island that we own? What about Guantanamo? Trump reportedly said, referring to the Cuban naval base that became a notorious prison during the War on Terror.

Esper and General Mark Milley, then the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serving as the nations top military leader, appeared to be among the only senior administration officials who could confront the president and his chief loyalists.

During one Oval Office debate, Trumps adviser Stephen Miller compared scenes of burning buildings and crowds clashing with police to war zones  which infuriated Milley, according to Benders book.

Shut the f*** up, Stephen, Milley reportedly fired back.

Members of the California National Guard stand guard outside the Los Angeles City Hall on May 31, 2020, as protests raged following high-profile police killings. (AP)

But in public, Trump praised Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, whose state erupted with unrest and chaotic scenes after Floyds murder.

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I know Governor Walz is on the phone, and we spoke, and I fully agree with the way he handled it the last couple of days, Trump said at the time.

I was very happy with the last couple of days, Tim, he said. You called up big numbers and the big numbers knocked them out so fast it was like bowling pins.

Trump even dismissed the idea of invoking the Insurrection Act at the time and suggested he could not go over the heads up governors to deploy federal troops into the states.

We have laws. We have to go by the laws. We cant move in the National Guard. I can call insurrection, but theres no reason to ever do that, Trump said during an election town hall.

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We cant call in the National Guard unless were requested by a governor, he said. If a governor or a mayor is a Democrat, like in Portland, we call them constantly.

Were gonna have troops everywhere

Trump is no longer moored by advisers willing to argue against his instincts. During his 2024 campaign, Trump appeared to change his tune, suggesting that he would call on the National Guard if things were getting out of control.

I would have no problem using the military, per se, he told Time in April 2024. We have to have safety in our country. We have to have law and order in our country. And whichever gets us there, but I think the National Guard will do the job.

Within weeks after his inauguration, administration officials began to discuss how to leverage the military to support the presidents immigration enforcement plans, a hallmark of his 2024 campaign, according to CNN.

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First, Trump sent thousands of active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border with permission to detain anyone caught illegally crossing until law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.

Troops have been deployed to the southern border under previous administrations, typically in a supporting role alongside federal officers. But under Trump, federalized troops are allowed to detain and search anyone within a 170-mile stretch of federal land spanning three states.

A member of the U.S. military stands behind wire at the U.S.-Mexico border, where Trump has surged thousands of service members to detain and search migrants (Reuters)

The administration also is mulling the use of military bases to detain immigrants. A February memo outlined a plan to detain roughly 1,000 immigrants at Fort bliss in Texas. That plan could serve as a model for immigration detention at several other military bases, according to DHS officials.

In January, Trump outlined a plan to detain as many as 30,000 immigrants inside the notorious naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The detention center has held dozens of immigrants at various points since February.

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But officials have also discussed how to send troops into the nations interior, and whether they could act as a protective body for federal agents performing raids and arrests.

After anti-ICE raid demonstrations kicked off across Los Angeles, Trump mobilized the California National Guard against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

His order said troops would protect federal property and federal personnel.

Then he announced active-duty Marines would support local law enforcement, escalating a response that critics fear is a test for Trumps radical expansion of military force against civilians.

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Trump did not invoke the Insurrection Act, though the president and administration officials have repeatedly labeled protesters insurrectionists and seditionists  sparking fears that the president is laying the groundwork for mass deployment of military assets across the country.

Both actions drew legal challenges from Newsom and watchdog groups.

In a televised address, Newsom said Trumps actions put his state and the nation at the brink of authoritarian control.

California may be first, but it clearly wont end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next, he said.

U.S. Marines placed in an alert status to respond to protests in Los Angeles rehearse crowd control tactics at a base in California on June 10, 2025 (U.S. Marine Corps)

Another lawsuit from watchdog group American Oversight called the deployment an opening salvo in a coordinated national strategy and not simply an isolated incident.

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Deploying the military to quash protests over the administrations inhumane and legally dubious immigration policies  especially over the objection of elected state leaders  is a dangerous, though unfortunately predictable, escalation by the Trump administration, according to American Oversight executive director Chioma Chukwu.

If left unchecked, this abuse of power under thin legal pretense can be readily replicated across other states in the future, he added.

In his testimony before House lawmakers on June 12, Hegseth refused to answer whether the Defense Department would respect court rulings  including the Supreme Court  if they struck down Trumps order.

We should not have local judges determining foreign policy or national security policy for the country, he said.

Asked on June 8 whether he planned to send troops to other parts of the country, Trump said were gonna have troops everywhere.

Were not going to let this happen to our country. Were not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden, he said.

Two days later, he warned that any protests during a military parade in Washington, D.C. would be met with very heavy force.

If theres any protester who wants to come out, they will be met with very big force, he said from the Oval Office. I havent even heard about a protest, but [there are] people that hate our country.

Noem, appearing next to the president that day, said Minnesotas Governor Walz let his city burn in 2020.

The president and I have talked about this in the past, she said. He was not going to let that happen to another city and to another community, where a bad governor made a bad decision.
Jun. 12WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew from a 2023 agreement between the federal government, Columbia Basin tribes, environmental groups and the states of Washington and Oregon that sought to restore salmon populations and invest in clean energy production.

A fact sheet released by the White House cast the executive action as part of Trump's effort to combat "radical environmentalism" and said it reversed a Biden administration policy that "placed concerns about climate change above the Nation's interests in reliable energy resources." The document doesn't mention Washington, Oregon or any of the tribes that agreed to halt two decades of litigation in exchange for more than $1 billion in federal funds for fish habitat and energy projects.

"President Trump recognizes the importance of ensuring the future of wildlife populations in the Columbia River Basin, while also advancing the country's energy creation to benefit the American public," the White House fact sheet said.

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The move was hailed by hydropower industry groups and met with condemnation from the parties to the agreement, including the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

"This withdrawal is a necessary course correction toward energy reliability, affordability, and transparency," the Northwest Public Power Association said in a statement, noting that critics and some proponents of the agreement saw it as paving the way to eventually breaching the Lower Snake River dams.

"In an era of skyrocketing electricity demand, these dams are essential to maintaining grid reliability and keeping energy bills affordable," said the association, which includes public utilities throughout the Northwest. "Preserving the dams provides a lifeline for the Northwest's clean energy economy and its most vulnerable families."

The agreement included a plan for federal and state governments to assess options for replacing the energy generated by the four hydroelectric dams that have long been at the center of a battle over the impact of hydropower on salmon runs and the treaties that guarantee tribes the right to fish in their traditional territories. But it didn't authorize breaching the four dams, which would require action by Congress.

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Shannon Wheeler, chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe, said the Trump administration's action "tried to hide from the truth."

"The Nez Perce Tribe holds a duty to speak the truth for the salmon, and the truth is that extinction of salmon populations is happening now," Wheeler said in a statement.

The Nez Perce, like other Northwest tribes, ceded most of its territory in an 1855 treaty with the U.S. government. In exchange, the federal government pledged that the tribe's members would always be able to hunt and fish in their "usual and accustomed places" off the Nez Perce Reservation.

"People across the Northwest know this, and people across the Nation have supported us in a vision for preventing salmon extinction that would at the same time create a stronger and better future for the Northwest," Wheeler said. "This remains the shared vision of the states of Washington and Oregon, and the Yakama, Umatilla, Warm Springs and Nez Perce tribes, as set out in our Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative. It is a vision we believe is supported, publicly or privately, by most people in the Northwest. And it is a vision underlaid by the treaties of our Northwest tribes, by the U.S. Constitution that protects those treaties, and by the federal statutes enacted by Congress to protect salmon and other species from extinction."

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The Yakama Nation said the decision to revoke the deal contradicts Trump's commitment to developing domestic energy.

"The Administration's abrupt termination of the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement jeopardizes not only tribal Treaty-reserved resources but also the stability of energy, transportation, and water resources essential to the region's businesses, farms, and families," Yakama Tribal Council Chairman Gerald Lewis said in a statement. "This agreement was designed to foster collaborative and informed resource management and energy development in the Pacific Northwest, including significant tribal energy initiatives."

Gov. Bob Ferguson said Washington remains committed to a vision for the Columbia that it shares with the four tribes and the state government will do everything it can to support the river's restoration.

"The Columbia River Basin is the lifeblood of our region, our sovereign tribal nations and our agricultural community," the Democratic governor said in a statement. "The federal government made a commitment to Washington, Oregon and the Yakama, Umatilla, Nez Perce and Warm Springs tribes to work together to balance the shared goals of abundant salmon and reliable clean energy in the Columbia Basin. Today, the Trump administration has callously abandoned that commitment by backing out of the Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement."

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Several environmental and conservation groups denounced Trump's executive action as a missed opportunity.

"The Trump administration is turning its back on an unprecedented opportunity to support a thriving Columbia Basin  and ignoring the extinction crisis facing our salmon," said Amanda Goodin, senior attorney at Earthjustice, a legal nonprofit that has represented plaintiffs in the long-running litigation over the Columbia Basin.

Eric Crawford, Snake River campaign director at the conservation group Trout Unlimited, said the agreement "was the most promising framework to date for a durable, regional solution."

"It recognized that salmon recovery must go hand-in-hand with support for Northwest agriculture, investments in transportation infrastructure, and a reliable and affordable clean energy future," he said in a statement. "The decision to terminate this agreement undermines years of collaborative work, halts momentum for progress, and erodes trust among the diverse stakeholders committed to a better path forward.

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Republicans and Democrats in Congress also weighed in on Trump's action.

"Donald Trump doesn't know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement. "So of course, he is abruptly and unilaterally upending a historic agreement that finally put us on a path to salmon recovery, while preserving stable dam operations for growers and producers, public utilities, river users, ports and others throughout the Northwest. This decision is grievously wrong and couldn't be more shortsighted."

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, highlighted the role the Snake River dams play in international trade, by effectively turning the Snake and Columbia rivers into a series of pools between Lewiston and the Pacific Ocean that barges laden with goods can traverse.

"Today's action by President Trump reverses the efforts by the Biden administration and extreme environmental activists to remove the dams, which would have threatened the reliability of our power grid, raised energy prices, and decimated our ability to export grain to foreign markets," Newhouse said in a statement. "I want to thank the President for his decisive action to protect our dams, and I look forward to continuing to work with the administration for the benefit of the Fourth District."

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Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, alleged that the Biden administration struck the deal in private without giving opponents a sufficient chance to weigh in.

"The Biden administration's one-sided, backroom agreement blatantly disregarded the essential role the lower Snake River dams play and the Idaho communities that rely on them," Risch said in a statement. "Today's announcement by President Trump represents a return to sound science and common-sense. I've long fought the attempts by radical Democrats, unelected bureaucrats, and activist litigants to tear down our dams. Congress authorized these dams, and only Congress has the power to remove them."

Abby Tinsley, vice president for conservation policy for the National Wildlife Federation, said the Trump administration "needs to do its part" to embrace solutions that would recover salmon populations while generating affordable renewable energy.

"The Presidential Memorandum takes the region in the wrong direction, it pushes Columbia River salmon and steelhead ever closer toward extinction, and it puts taxpayers and ratepayers back on the hook for inefficient industry and failed salmon recovery efforts," Tinsley said in a statement.

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
President Donald Trump has described the upcoming military parade using a familiar theme: its size. It will be a "big, beautiful" event, he told NBC's Meet the Press last month.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The parade will, however, objectively be big, from the contents of the parade itself25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks! Dozens of other military vehicles! Aircrafts! 6,600 soldiers marching!to the price tag, which is currently estimated to come out somewhere between $25 million and $45 million for an approximately 90-minute event. That comes out to $277,778$500,000 per minute.

A majority of Americans, it turns out, do not think that big cost is beautiful; 60 percent of respondents in a recent poll said the parade is not a good use of taxpayer money. The sample size was 40 percent Republican and 40 percent Democrat, with the remaining 20 percent identifying as "independent/none."

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The millions of dollars the public is paying to fund the paradewhich will take place on Saturday, Trump's 79th birthdayare "peanuts," the president said, when "compared to the value." Yet it is difficult to reconcile that position with one of his hallmark campaign promises: reining in wasteful government spending.

Indeed, during the 2024 campaign, Trump promised to slash $2 trillionthe size of the budget deficitin federal spending. That was always a bit hard to believe, particularly when considering the immense amount he added to the national debt during his first term, trillions of dollars of which came before the COVID-19 pandemic. (His recent budget is another example of his proclivity for big spending.)

Even still, it was a welcome promise. A return to fiscal sanity was the animating force behind creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. DOGE has failed to live up to its promise to the people, most notably because, as Reason Contributing Editor Veronique de Rugy observed, it has been primarily concerned with "rooting out leftist culture politics and its practitioners in Washington." Many of those cuts needed to happen. But Trump's parade is a reminder that he is serious about cutting wasteful spending that generates splashy headlines and galvanizes his supporters while green lighting wasteful spending that generates splashy headlines and galvanizes his supporters.

Some in the GOP are willing to say so. "I would have recommended against the parade," Sen. Roger Wicker (RMiss.) told Politico after he learned how much it would cost. Sen. Susan Collins (RMaine) added that the cost was "steep," while Sen. Ron Johnson (RWis.) said, "If it costs money, I won't go."

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There are other reasons for skepticism. "If I say picture in your mind a military parade, I challenge anybody not to think of the Soviet Union or North Korea, because that's the only image that pops into my head," Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.) recently told The Fifth Column podcast. "It's like, yeah, we can commemorate. We can talk about how great our military is. But you know, missiles and tanks in the streets just isn't a great symbol. A free country is a country with a limited government, and really not one predicated on a massive military."



The post Trump's 'Big, Beautiful' Military Parade Is a Big, Ugly Waste of Millions of Dollars appeared first on Reason.com.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Swedish pension fund AP7 said on Friday it has blacklisted and sold all its shares in U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla, citing violations of union rights in the United States.

"AP7 has decided to blacklist Tesla due to verified violations of labor rights in the United States," the pension fund said in a statement.

"Despite several years of dialogue with Tesla, including shareholder proposals in collaboration with other investors, the company has not taken sufficient measures to address the issues," it added.

An AP7 spokesperson said the fund's stake in Tesla was, when it was sold in late May, worth around 13 billion crowns ($1.36 billion). At the time, the stake represented around 1% of the AP7 Equity Fund, the spokesperson said.

The fund's assets totalled 1,181 billion crowns at the end of May, according to AP7's website.

($1 = 9.5285 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Greta Rosen Fondahn, writing by Louise Breusch Rasmussen, editing by Anna Ringstrom)
Corey Lewandowski, who is apparently working extremely closely with Kristi Noem at the moment, was spotted in footage from the dramatic scene at the Department of Homeland Security secretarys Los Angeles press conference on Thursday.

The chaos erupted when California Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed and forcibly removed from the news conference, a move that Democrats slammed. Padilla said he was there peacefully and had raised his voice to ask a question before multiple agents pounced on him.

In footage aired by NBC4 Los Angeles, Lewandowski is seen standing beside a handcuffed Padilla after the scuffle. He didnt immediately return a request for comment.

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Lewandowski, a former Trump campaign chief, has been working as a close advisor to Noem, the Wall Street Journal reported in April. Designated a special government employee, hes taken on a top role by her side and is often the only person to accompany her to meetings, sources told the Journal.

Corey Lewandowski is a loyal but polarizing figure in Trumpworld. / Alex Wong / Getty Images

That personnel choice was sure to get tongues wagging, given the rumors that have dogged the two for years. In 2023, two conservative tabloidsthe Daily Mail and New York Postreported that the pair, suspected of being romantically linked since at least 2021, were having an affair.

The two MAGAworld mainstays, who are both married, have publicly denied any affair. A DHS spokesperson told the Journal the department doesnt waste time with salacious, baseless gossip.

Noem still hasnt appointed a formal chief of staff, but staffers reportedly view Lewandowski as the de factor person in the role, with some even referring to him as the shadow secretary.

Kristi Noem, who was governor of South Dakota before assuming her DHS role, is pictured here with Corey Lewandowski during a sound check ahead of the Republican National Convention in July 2024. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

The GOP operative wanted to serve as Noems chief of staff, but Trump and his top aides were uncomfortable with the optics given the rumors, the Journal reported.

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And that might not be the only work hes doing for Noem. In February, a source told The Swamp that Lewandowski was spotted in Noems Washington apartment building taking boxes down to the trash room.

Lewandowski has been one of the most polarizing figures in Trumps orbita bare-knuckled political operative known as much for his loyalty as the scandal that seems to follow him.

When he joined Trumps campaign last year, he was said to have butted heads with top aides, including co-campaign chairs Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Organ harvesting legends are a staple of horror films, but do they really happen? On this episode of New Mexico Strange, KRQE News 13 Host and Anchor Chad Brummett sat down with author Ben Radford to discuss the urban legends of organ harvesting.

First, urban legends are all around us. Oftentimes, these legends are told as true stories and localized. Over the years, Ben Radford has researched urban legends in the state.

One example he shared of an urban legend turning into a tragic event happened in the mid-1990s. According to Radford, a Taos woman, Melissa Larson, was hiking in Guatemala. During her trip, rumors amongst the locals spread that she was there to harvest the organs of children. She was attacked and later detained. However, she was not harvesting organs and was later set free.

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The following month, an Alaska woman traveled to Guatemala and suffered a similar experience. The locals believed the women were there to harvest organs based on fear and rumors.

About New Mexico Strange

New Mexico is perceived worldwide as a mecca for the extraordinary. Whether its the healing soil of Chimayo, the haunted trails of the Old West, or visitors from the final frontier, our state is home to countless myths and mysteries. New Mexico Strange is KRQE News 13s online exclusive web series, celebrating our unique history and shedding light on the shadows of the unexplained, unexplored, and unknown. Hosted by Chad Brummett, New Mexico Strange takes viewers through some of the Land of Enchantments most mysterious folklore and conspiracies.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  The financial barrier to higher education affects many people. With help from donors, The TSTC (Texas State Technical College) Foundation helps alleviate that burden.

The Foundation offers over 350 scholarships to new and current TSTC students, several of which are exclusive to students at the Marshall campus or to Harrison County residents.

TSTC Marshall grows diesel tech program with new facility

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Jill Crocker, a development officer for the Marshall campus, said, How it works is once they complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and their paperwork, if they receive government funding, we have scholarships out there that will cover the rest as long as they keep that grade-point average.

Martin Specialty Coatings in Shreveport will award two $2,500 scholarships to students enrolling in the Building Construction Technology program in Marshall. The Fat Boy Foundation is awarding a $1,500 Jonathan Holland Memorial Scholarship to a TSTC Electrical Lineworker and Management Technology student. The scholarships namesake studied in the program. Harrison County residents entering their first semester can have their entire tuition covered with The Steve and Penny Carlile scholarship.

Building Construction Technology program coming to TSTCs Marshall campus

Caleb Lovera, a TSTC Industrial Systems student who received the Carlile Scholarship, said, If you apply for scholarships, its free money. It doesnt matter if you get it or not; it doesnt hurt to apply.

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The deadline to apply for scholarships for the fall semester is Monday, June 30.



Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A person at Texas State University, or TXST, was diagnosed with tuberculosis disease, according to a message shared with the campus.

The Hays County Health Department informed the university of the diagnosis Tuesday. The person was at the San Marcos campus.

While the chance of exposure and infection is minimal, we wanted to make you aware, the message said.

TXST wouldnt specify if the person diagnosed was a student, staff member or visitor, saying it couldnt provide more information in order to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPPA, and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA.

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TXST said the health department would notify individuals who have had close contact with the person who tested positive.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by a bacterium and usually affects peoples lungs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can be deadly, and people with active TB disease can experience cough, chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, chills and night sweats. It spreads through the air. People can have the germs in their bodies but not show symptoms, which is called inactive TB. The disease can be deadly, but there is medicine to treat it, according to the CDC.

There were 1,242 tuberculosis cases in Texas in 2023, according to the latest data available on the Texas Department of State Health Services website. There were three cases reported in Hays County that 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.
Supporting Israels assault on Iran has caused the president to lose some of his longest-term acolytes.

One such loss apparently includes Tucker Carlson, who issued a newsletter to his audience Friday grimly titled: This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War. In it, the exFox News anchor accused Donald Trump of being complicit in the act of war and chastised executive decisions that he said had effectively launched U.S. soldiers into another war in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, unnamed Washington sources expressed concern over Israels ability to fend off Irans retaliation, which would inevitably lead to Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the American military to step in and fight on his countrys behalf, Carlson wrote. On Thursday, Irans president threatened to destroy any country that eliminates his governments nuclear facilities. Now, the world will learn what that looks like.

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Carlson also rejected Secretary of State Marco Rubios insistence that the White House had not been involved in the bubbling tensions that preceded the attack, and that the administration was putting the safety of American forces in the region above all else.

While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last nights events, Carlson continued. Washington knew these attacks would happen. They aided Israel in carrying them out. Politicians purporting to be America First cant now credibly turn around and say they had nothing to do with it. Our country is in deep.

Prior to the election, Trump had won enormous support across America for pledging to swiftly end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Six months into his second term, he has not only failed to do either but has seemingly escalated the situation in the Middle East.

Israel bombed Iran early Friday morning, just days before Iran was scheduled for negotiations with U.S. officials regarding its nuclear program. The attack appeared to shut down potential talks, as Iran announced that it would withdraw from the discussions in the wake of the attack.

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Iran has argued that it is seeking uranium for peaceful purposes. Iranian officials announced Thursday afternoon their intentions to expand their nuclear program, despite facing a censure from a U.N. nuclear watchdog for failing to uphold nonproliferation obligations.

Israeli strikes have so far killed four senior Iranian commanders, including Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian state media confirmed late Thursday, though regional sources told Reuters that up to 20 senior commanders had been killed.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, said there would be severe punishment for the strikes.

Its worth taking a step back and wondering how any of this helps the United States. We cant think of a single way, Carlson wrote.
Talk show host Tucker Carlson broke with President Donald Trump on Iran on Friday, writing in a scathing commentary in his daily newsletter that the United States should drop Israel and let them fight their own wars.



If Israel wants to wage this war, it has every right to do so. It is a sovereign country, and it can do as it pleases, Carlson wrote of Israels preemptive strike on Irans nuclear facilities. But not with Americas backing.



Trump, for his part, has endorsed Israels attacks, which he called very successful, and underscored in an interview with Fox News on Thursday night that the U.S. would defend Israel if Iran retaliates. He also warned that the situation will only get worse if Iran does not agree to a nuclear deal before there is nothing left.





TRUMPS TAKE Trump to Fox News: U.S. will defend Israel if Iran retaliates Read more

In recent days, Carlson has argued that fears of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon in the near future are unfounded and said that a war with the Islamic Republic would not only result in thousands of American casualties in the Middle East but amount to a profound betrayal of Trumps base and effectively end his presidency.



Carlson reiterated that claim in his newsletter, accusing Trump of being complicit in the act of war through years of funding and sending weapons to Israel.



Direct U.S. involvement in a war with Iran, he said, would be a middle finger in the faces of the millions of voters who cast their ballots in hopes of creating a government that would finally put the United States first.



What happens next will define Donald Trumps presidency, he concluded.




Political pundit Tucker Carlson criticized President Trump on Friday, saying he is complicit in Israels attack on Iran and warning the escalating conflict between the two nations could lead the U.S. into war.

Carlson, as part of his morning newsletter, said Trump was complicit in the act of war, noting the U.S. long-standing alliance with Israel, which attacked several military targets in Iran overnight Thursday and killed top Iranian military leaders  leading to fears of an all out war between the two nations.

What happens next will define Donald Trumps presidency, Carlson wrote in his newsletter, which was highlighted by several media outlets.

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Carlson has been a longtime media ally of the president, sitting with him at the Republican National Convention last summer and hosting him as part of speaking tour during the 2024 campaign.

The former Fox News host is known for his firebrand commentary on politics and culture, and has for years been a vocal critic of so-called neo-cons he argues have dragged the U.S. into unnecessary wars in the Middle East and elsewhere.

He has in recent weeks sparred with other conservative commentators who have urged Trump to take a tougher stance on Iran.

Carlson is among the presidents favorite right-wing pundits, and Trump has praised him publicly both while he was at Fox and after he left the network in 2022.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tucker Carlson has turned on President Donald Trump by accusing him of being complicit in Israels attacks on Iran.

The former Fox News host and MAGA figurehead rebuked Trump and the administration in his newsletter titled: This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War.

Despite being complicit in the act of war, the president hopes last nights events will help his ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, Carlson wrote.

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While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last nights events, the right-wing pundit added.

Trump boasted on Truth Social that Israel was using military equipment made in the U.S., which he described as the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR.

The former Fox News host and MAGA figurehead rebuked Trump and the administration in his newsletter titled: This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War. (AFP via Getty Images)

Carlsons newsletter went on to say that the U.S. is now in deep.

Washington knew these attacks would happen. They aided Israel in carrying them out, Carlson continued. Politicians purporting to be America First cant now credibly turn around and say they had nothing to do with it.

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The conflict is already splitting MAGA down the middle, leading figures of the movement have said publicly.

A direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition, podcaster Jack Posobiec wrote on X. Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for. He added that it could cost the Republicans the midterms.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk said that no issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy.

The conflict is already splitting MAGA down the middle, leading figures of the movement have said publicly. Iran has since retaliated with missile strikes on Israel. (AP)

If Trump gave Israel the green light to target Iran, it would be seen as an unforgivable betrayal by millions of American voters, Mollie Hemingway, the editor of right-wing publication The Federalist, said in a post on X.

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In one of his calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump had advised against the attacks, according to The Wall Street Journal, telling him that the negotiations should be allowed to run their course before military options were considered.

The presidents advice went unheeded as Israel embarked on a series of deadly strikes on more than 100 targets, killing General Hossein Salami, the leader of Irans Revolutionary Guard, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff to its armed forces, among others.

Iran has since retaliated by firing missiles at Israel, which the U.S. is supporting to intercept, according to Axios.

Trump had been aware of Israels pre-dawn raid before it commenced but said that the U.S. had played no part in it.

We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death, Trump told Reuters. I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out. They can still work out a deal however, its not too late.
Tulane Public Relations

Environmental advocates are questioning the actions of a private university in Louisiana following the resignation of a scientist who researches the health and job disparities in a heavily industrialized part of Louisiana known as Cancer Alley.

Kimberly Terrell, who served as a director of community engagement and a staff scientist with Tulane Universitys Environmental Law Clinic, accused university leaders of trying to censor the work shes doing to spotlight the harms to local communities plagued by industrial pollution.

Kimberly Terrell

Terrell said her research in collaboration with Floodlight highlighting job disparities in hiring at local petrochemical facilities triggered a backlash from state and university leaders. That led to her being put under an unprecedented gag order by the dean of the universitys law school, Terrell said in a prepared statement issued by a group calling itself the Louisiana Alliance to Defend Democracy.

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Terrell resigned from the New Orleans-based university on Wednesday, saying she would rather leave her position than have her work used as a pretext to dismantle the law clinic.

After being affiliated with Tulane for 25 years and leading groundbreaking research at (the law clinic) for seven years, I cannot remain silent as this university sacrifices academic integrity for political appeasement and pet projects, Terrell wrote in a letter to her colleagues.

On Thursday, a university spokesperson said Tulane is fully committed to academic freedom and the strong pedagogical value of law clinics. Tulane declined to comment on Terrells resignation, calling it a personnel matter.

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Debates about how best to operate law clinics teaching mission have occurred nationally and at Tulane for years  this is nothing new, the university said. We have been working with the leadership of the law school for the past several years to better understand how the clinics can most effectively support the universitys education mission.

Kate Kelly, spokesperson for Gov. Jeff Landry, said in an email that the governor never threatened to withhold state funding for the project. However, she said, I applaud Tulane for their actions standing up for our Louisiana businesses and jobs.

Punished for doing her job?

Terrells resignation is drawing outrage from grassroots environmental advocates in the state who credited her with providing data and scientific research substantiating the harm from the petrochemical industry suffered by the predominantly Black communities in southeast Louisiana.

Its appalling, said Jo Banner, who co-founded a nonprofit focused on community activism and cultural preservation in St. John the Baptist Parish.

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We are frustrated that a person who is just doing their job, and doing it well shouldnt be punished for it, she would be uplifted, Banner said.

Her twin sister and co-founder, Joy Banner, added: I cried at what is being done to someone who is so committed to just helping people, and doing right, and giving people access to objective information  that she is being penalized and censored so much. This is an attack on her freedom of speech.

An April 25 email provided to Floodlight from Tulane Law School Dean Marcilynn Burke states that effective immediately all external communications from the law clinic that were not client based would have to be approved by her. That communication included press releases, interviews, videos, social media postings, etc.

A poster advertising an equity, diversity & inclusion climate survey is staked into the ground in front of Hebert Hall at Tulane University on Oct. 28, 2022. (Credit: Michelle Liu/Verite)

In another email , dated May 4, Burke noted that the job disparity research was impeding the university from gaining political and financial support for its $600 million downtown redevelopment project in New Orleans . The email said Tulane University President Michael Fitts was facing criticism from elected officials and potential donors of the public-private project unless the universitys leadership curtailed the work of its environmental law clinic.

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At present, the president is focused upon the role of the staff scientist, Burke wrote. He understands her role in supporting the clinics representation of the clients. Thus, I need an explanation of how the study about racial disparities relates directly to client representation.

The email goes on to say, He is concerned, however, that her work may go beyond supporting the clinics legal representation and veer into lobbying.

Job disparities research cited

Floodlight reported on the research Terrell led for the university in April 2024 while it was still undergoing peer review. Preliminary data showed that minorities were being systematically underrepresented in the U.S. petrochemical workforce  despite promises that nearby communities would benefit from better job opportunities.

Terrell said the pollution vs. jobs narrative was oversimplified because the tradeoff affected different groups unevenly, with petrochemical jobs mostly going to white workers who dont live in the predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods that suffer most of the health impacts of that industry. That research and Floodlights reporting was recently featured in a documentary produced by The YEARS Project.

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Nationally, Terrells research found that higher paying jobs in the chemical manufacturing industry disproportionately went to more white people in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia where minorities represent 59%, 41% and 49% of their respective states populations but held 38%, 21% and 28% of the better paid jobs within the industry.

In the petroleum/coal industry, people of color were underrepresented in higher-paying jobs in at least 14 states  including Texas, California, Louisiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois, the research found.

Terrell, in her letter to colleagues, said the gag order came after the research had been peer reviewed and published online on April 9 in Ecological Economics.

Terrell said the research on job disparities has already been cited in legal arguments for student attorneys in the law clinic on behalf of clients from industrialized communities. And she said her 2022 study highlighting the health impacts in Cancer Alley ranks in the top 1% for research impact, garnering 28 citations and 87 news mentions to date, according to Almetric, which tracks the reach of research.

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Such impact would be celebrated by most institutions, Terrell wrote. Scholarly publications, not gag orders, are the currency of academia. There is always room for informed debate. But Tulane leaders have chosen to abandon the principles of knowledge, education, and the greater good in pursuit of their own narrow agenda.

The Banner sisters are concerned Terrells departure and the universitys focus on restricting the work of the law clinic will likely make collaborations harder going forward.

Theyre following their responsibility, theyre following the mission of the organization, and answering our call for help, and then now theyre getting slammed for it, Joy Banner said. The foundation the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic has already built, they cant tear that down. No one has questioned her findings. No one has questioned her assumptions. The only thing that they have said is: The truth is creating problems for us.

This report was first published by Floodlight, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powers stalling climate action.

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Hurricane season just got a lot more personal. In a rare and unfiltered moment, veteran meteorologist John Morales went off-script on live TV, delivering a grave message thats resonating far beyond Miami.

During a segment that began with archived footage of Hurricane Dorian, Morales did something that stunned viewers, the Cool Down reported. After decades of calmly guiding South Floridians through storm season, he admitted he may not be able to offer that same assurance this year. I am here to tell you I'm not sure I can do that this year, he said.

His reasoning? Cuts. Devastating ones. Morales pointed to what he called a sledgehammer attack on science, referencing years of reduced funding and staff at NOAA, the National Weather Service, and FEMA. The result is a multigenerational setback to the systems Americans rely on for timely, accurate storm predictions.

He warned that weather balloon launches, a critical tool for modeling storm paths, have been slashed by 20%, leading to degraded forecasts. The quality of the forecast is becoming degraded, Morales said bluntly.

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It was more than just a moment of candor. It was a stark warning from someone who has made a career out of staying calm under pressure. And it speaks volumes about the state of hurricane preparedness heading into a season already predicted to be above average in activity.

Related: FEMAs Hurricane Response in Jeopardy as New Leader Stumbles

One person replied, "I know a lot of people in Florida and I'm truly worried for them this year. Not only for the degraded weather predictions but for the new FEMA head who didn't know about hurricane season."

As meteorologists across the country raise red flags, Americans in hurricane zones are being urged to act now. That means creating a go-bag, preparing for power outages, and staying informed, especially if forecast reliability is no longer a given.

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Morales may not be able to offer the same confidence this year. But his message was clear: ignore this warning at your own risk.

Related: Staffing Shortages Threaten Weather Service Readiness for Hurricanes

TV Meteorologist Issues Stark Warning as Storm Forecasts Grow Less Reliable first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
By Liam Mo and Brenda Goh

BEIJING (Reuters) -Synopsys has resumed offering some services in China, relaxing a suspension it implemented earlier this month to comply with new U.S. export curbs, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

As tensions flared between the world's two largest economies last month, Washington ordered a broad range of companies to stop shipping goods to China.

The decision led Synopsys, a California-based provider of semiconductor design software, to halt sales and services in China and shut down access to its SolvNet customer support site.

Synopsys resumed some services last week, however, including sales of non-core hardware and intellectual property that allow it to serve some existing clients, said the source, who declined to be named as they were not permitted to speak to the media.

Synopsys did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

SolvNet has also reopened with restrictions, including limits on access to some Electronic Design Automation software-related documents, the source added.

But sales of essential EDA tools remain suspended, meaning that Synopsys will still be unable to attract new customers as its intellectual property and hardware cannot be put to use, the source said.

The IP consists of code the company sells to users for chip design, while the hardware systems such as HAPS and ZeBu are part of Synopsys' hardware-assisted verification product portfolio, primarily used for verification of acceleration processes.

EDA software is used to compile IP and other designs onto hardware.

Synopsys, along with Cadence and Siemens EDA, dominates the EDA software chipmakers can use to design semiconductors for everything from smartphones to computers and cars. The three companies control more than 70% of China's EDA market, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported in April.

Long-term restrictions on Chinese chip design companies' access to the tools would deal a significant blow to the industry in China.

Synopsys suspended its annual and quarterly forecasts after the U.S. implemented the restrictions, as they cast uncertainty over its ability to sell chip design software in China.

(Reporting by Liam Mo and Brenda Goh; Editing by Joe Bavier)
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the stabbing death of an 84-year-old man in the Hancock Park area, Los Angeles police said.

Officers responded to a call on the 100 block of North Rossmore Avenue around 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, and found Gary Nelson unresponsive with a severe laceration. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Investigators identified 41-year-old Rolando Guardado and 45-year-old Madeline Fresia Rivas as suspects.

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The pair, both from Palmdale, were arrested at a residence in Palmdale by members of an FBI and Los Angeles Police Department fugitive task force, with assistance from SWAT officers.

A weapon was recovered during the arrest, police officials said.

Investigators believe the motive may be tied to a burglary and are investigating any possible connection between the suspects and the victim. Guardado and Rivas were booked on suspicion of murder and are being held without bail.

The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office for possible charges, LAPD said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
PITTSBURG, Kan.  Two convicted felons are back in jail after a narcotics search on a suspected methamphetamine distributor turned up drugs, stolen property, and two dozen guns, police say.

Christopher Edward Lee

Irella Lee Burton

Pittsburg Polices Special Response Team executed a drug search warrant on the morning of June 12 at a home in the 700 block of East 10th Street, reportedly uncovering the suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, stolen items, and firearms.

Christopher Edward Lee, 51, and Irella Lee Burton, 37, were detained at the scene and later arrested. Both are convicted felons.

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Lee faces multiple felony charges, including drug distribution and illegal firearm possession. His prior convictions include drug possession and manufacturing and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Burton faces charges similar to Lees, related to Thursdays arrest. Her criminal history includes drug possession, theft, and criminal damage to property.

The Crawford County Sheriffs Office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation assisted Pittsburg PD with the case. The investigation remains ongoing, and PPD is asking anyone with more information to reach out.

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KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT)  Law enforcement officers with the Kinston Police Department arrested two men in connection with a three month long investigation into the dealing of drugs.

Kinston Police Department detectives with the Violent Crime Action Team, SWAT Team, Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division searched three separate properties on Macon Street as part of an investigation into the distribution of crack-cocaine. Investigators discovered digital scales and drug paraphernalia in addition to crack-cocaine within the residences.

Michael Fisher, 45 years old, was arrested without incident and taken to the Lenoir County Jail. Fisher was charged with possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver within 1,000 feet of a park and a school and felony maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances.

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While Fisher was being processed, detectives searched for and arrested 48 year old Perry Jones. Jones was charged with possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell/deliver cocaine within 1,000 feet of a park and a school.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Two men were arrested in Greenfield during street-level enforcement operations conducted by members of the Northwestern District Attorneys Anti-Crime Task Force.

In a news release sent to 22News from the Northwestern District Attorneys Office, detectives from state police and Greenfield police with the Northwestern District Attorneys Anti-Crime Task Force made two drug and weapons-related arrests.

Holyoke man charged with attempted murder and multiple gun offenses

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This past Wednesday, officers conducted a traffic stop on Bernardston Road in Greenfield at approximately 10:30 p.m. Ashfield resident, 34-year-old Christopher Gonyea, was arrested and charged with the following:

Possession of a Class A substance (Heroin/Fentanyl)

Possession of a Class B substance (cocaine)

Possession of a Class E substance

A traffic stop was conducted on Wells Street in Greenfield on June 3 at around 8:30 p.m. An officer observed drug paraphernalia in a car and, following an investigation,

loaded handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine as well as additional ammunition and approximately 79 grams of cocaine. The Keene, New Hampshire resident, 22-year-old Thomas Evans, was arrested and charged with the following:

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Carrying a firearm without a license

Possession of a large capacity firearm

Possession of a large capacity feeding device

Possession of ammunition

Trafficking in cocaine

Local News Headlines

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Authorities have identified two men who were found dead at a home in Maine earlier this week as a juvenile boy is charged with murder.

Christopher Hunnewell, 43, and Ty Carter, 22, both of Chelsea, were found dead at a home at 616 Windsor Road in Chelsea on Wednesday night, state police said Friday.

A juvenile boy has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with their deaths, state police said.

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The boys name or age were not released. He was taken into custody at the scene and transported to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.

Autopsy results for Hunnewell or Carter were not released on Friday.

Cause and manner of death are being withheld at this time, state police said.

On Wednesday night, at approximately 8:37 p.m., troopers responded to the home on Windsor Road in Chelsea.

When troopers arrived, they found Hunnewell and Carter dead at the scene.

Detectives and evidence response technicians with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit Central responded to investigate and process the scene.

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An investigation remains ongoing.

Chelsea is a small town in Kennebec County, just south of Augusta. The towns population was 2,778 at the 2020 census.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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LONDON (Reuters) -Two men were jailed on Friday for stealing an 18-carat golden toilet that had been on display as an artwork in an exhibition at Winston Churchill's birthplace.

The fully functioning toilet, a work titled "America" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was stolen from the Churchill family seat of Blenheim Palace in southern England, a major tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Prosecutor Julian Christopher told jurors at the start of the trial at Oxford Crown Court in February that a group of five men had driven two stolen vehicles through locked wooden gates into the palace grounds before dawn on September 14, 2019.

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They broke in through a window, smashed down a wooden door, ripped the toilet from the wall and left after five minutes in the building.

The toilet, weighing 98 kilos (216 pounds) was insured for $6 million. Prosecutors say it was probably divided into smaller amounts of gold to sell it off. None of the gold has ever been recovered.

James Sheen, 40, had pleaded guilty before trial to burglary, conspiring to convert or transfer the gold and converting or transferring the gold.

Michael Jones, 39, was found guilty of burglary by a jury, having pleaded not guilty.

Judge Ian Pringle said the pair had played important roles in the "bold and brazen heist", though the judge said he could not be sure that Jones was present during the burglary.

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Sheen was sentenced to four years in jail, with the sentence to begin at the end of a separate jail term of nearly 20 years he is currently serving for a series of thefts.

Jones was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

(Reporting by Sam TobinEditing by Gareth Jones)
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV)  Two Mississippi students were recognized with the Senior Mississippi Outstanding Affiliate Award during the National History Day 2025 contest, held in College Park, Maryland.

According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH), Phoebe Jones and Michael Taquino, both Starkville High School students, received the award on June 12. The Outstanding Affiliate award recognizes the quality and dedication of both the students and the teachers who guide them.

Mississippi airports receive $3.1 million for improvements

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All our student contestants represented Mississippi, well, said Bently Cochran, coordinator of the Mississippi History Day program at MDAH. Their achievement in the national competition is the result of their hard work on the projects and rigorous history instruction in school classrooms.

The Mississippi students were among more than 3,000 contest participants from the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Department of Defense schools in the Atlantic, China and Korea.

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)  Two protests are coming to State College this weekend, both claiming to be part of larger nationwide efforts.

State College is a community thats very engaged politically according to Mayor Ezra Nanes.

People are passionate not only about this community but about this nation, Nanes said.

The two protests are No Kings and Kick Out the Clowns. According to the website, No Kings is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. Kick Out the Clowns also claims to be a nationwide effort with the goal of hosting a record-breaking number of community circuses across the country to reflect the absurdity of the MAGA regime.

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Centre County elder abuse reports rising: new scams to watch out for

I think across the entire nation, people are standing up for things that they believe in, Nanes said.

When asked if they were taking any extra steps like an increased police presence to prepare for the protests, the State College borough said Penn State Police would be the organization to reach out to instead since the demonstrations would be taking place on university property. In a call with the university police, the dispatcher said that handling protests is more of a State College issue, so Penn State Police will not be seeing an increased presence Saturday.

Nanes believes the protests will not turn violent.

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This is a peaceful movement. People are here to express their views and show a powerful sense of unity. I do not expect anybody to do anything but protest peacefully, Nanes added.

Gov. Shapiro issued a statement June 12 ahead of the demonstrations. In it, he says his administration will remain focused on keeping our communities safe and ensuring all demonstrations remain peaceful, and that they are in contact with local officials and law enforcement all across the Commonwealth.

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No Kings is expected to start at 1 p.m., and Kick Out the Clowns will start right after at 2 p.m. At this time, WTAJ is unaware of any counter-protests popping up in response to the protests happening Saturday.

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Jun. 12It took almost no time for two refugees to become part of Shelly O'Quinn's family.

She was on the cusp of becoming one of their refugee "sponsors" to guide them in the United States as part of the U.S.'asylum program. By all accounts, everything was going right. The two would spend their days working at the Airway Heights Walmart, check in with immigration and make it to every court hearing.

It all changed on Wednesday when they received a notice to check in with immigration. But instead of a check-in, the two were picked up by federal authorities.

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"They are such good young men," O'Quinn said. "They did all of it legally. And they have such a heartbreaking story."

O'Quinn, a former Republican Spokane County commissioner, met 21-year-old Cesar Alexander Alvarez Perez and 28-year-old Joswar Slater Rodriguez Torres last year at a church event after they escaped persecution in Venezuela.

The two refugees met in Colombia and began the trek to Mexico, but their journey was largely traumatic, O'Quinn said  they were sleeping on roads, were robbed at gunpoint and threatened with machetes.

"They got jobs in Mexico. They went to the border every day and applied to get into the U.S.," O'Quinn said. "They finally were accepted and came here legally, in the humanitarian parole program."

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They both qualified for asylum and were following the legal court process, O'Quinn said. Alvarez Perez qualified for the juvenile asylum process because he came to the U.S. younger than 21.

They even had a court hearing scheduled for October, and it left O'Quinn optimistic about where things were headed. In Minneapolis on a work trip, she was stunned when she got the call that chaos had broke out on the streets of Spokane because the men were detained by ICE.

Alvarez Perez's sponsor, former city council president Ben Stuckart, had taken the two to their check-in when authorities detained them instead. Stuckart posted a call to action on Facebook, which led residents to swarm the ICE office off West Cataldo Avenue in North Spokane.

The protest erupted throughout the evening, with a group of people attempting to stop unmarked law enforcement vehicles from leaving. Federal agents pushed back, sending some protesters' belongings falling to the ground. Others crowded a bus to prevent it from leaving and were ultimately arrested for obstruction and failure to disperse, one of them being Stuckart.

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While more faced off with police and deputies, law enforcement began throwing canisters of smoke and pepper balls to disperse the crowd.

Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown then issued a 9:30 p.m. curfew, calling the decision "the best path forward" for everyone to stay safe.

Stuckart eventually posted bail, but he has yet to hear from Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres, he said. O'Quinn, fearing the worst, flew to Seattle on Thursday and plans to attempt a visit with the two transported to Tacoma's immigration detention center.

"If I can't see them, the next step is figuring out how I can ... Imagine if your kids were in a detention center with no contacts. It's a scary place," O'Quinn said. "I just imagine the fear they are feeling, and I want them to know someone cares for them."

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The legal way,

no longer

Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres came to the United States through a legal program known as the Venezuelan Humanitarian Parole Program, or the "CHNV" program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans. It allows for immigrants facing persecution to legally live and work in the U.S. "under parole."

President Donald Trump attempted to terminate the program earlier this year, but a Massachusetts judge issued an injunction to pause the action. On May 30, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the injunction, giving Trump free reign to end the parole program and continue mass immigrant deportations, something he has vowed to do since the start of his presidency. ICE is detaining people all across the country.

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On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a notice to the thousands of immigrants taking part in the program that their legal status has since been terminated, according to reporting from CNN.

"This notice informs you that your parole is now terminated. If you do not leave, you may be subject to enforcement actions, including but not limited to detention and removal, without an opportunity to make personal arrangements and return to your country in an orderly manner," the notice says.

It's unclear whether Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres received a parole termination notice, O'Quinn said. Either way, she expected it wouldn't affect them because they had another pathway into the U.S. by asylum  but now, even their asylum status is murky.

"We are a county that allows for due process. I believe they should have the right to due process. They did what they were supposed to do," O'Quinn said. "We are not a country that should be picking up people are who legally here without due process. It's a violation of our rights in the United States."

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The Supreme Court decision allowing for deportation of those on humanitarian parole is "brutal on its face," according to Spokane civil rights attorney Jeffry Finer. Normally, an injunction would give time for litigation while also preventing undue harm where there is no reasonable remedy, he said, like tearing down a historical building.

"There's no way to bring back the building. You can't fix it or reverse it," Finer said. "So if it's going to have irreparable damages, an injunction is the way to litigate the merit and keep the status quo so nobody is harmed if the lawsuit is successful."

The dissenting Supreme Court opinion states the court botched the way it protects people during ongoing litigation. Finer said his interpretation of it shows "the risk to the government is small" but "the risk to immigrants is huge"  because once they're deported, there likely won't be a push to bring them back.

And there's no telling if the two will be deported, because the jail is "a black hole" of information, Stuckart said.

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Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres were so desperate to flee, they walked for weeks to find freedom from persecution and remained here with no criminal record, Stuckart added, which tells him no one is exempt from deportations. Immigrants with minor or no criminal records are still being detained across the U.S. despite Trump saying he wants to crack down on immigrants with violent criminal records.

"They don't have years to wait. Once they did get here, these two gentlemen got legal work permits and were working full time and contributing to society with taxes," he said. "I don't know what the difference is between someone who comes in at one point or another point. Take politics out of it. This goes beyond a political lens."

Past the politics

O'Quinn's family refers to Rodriguez Torres as "Randy," a name he picked himself, because people had trouble pronouncing his name. It's hard for her to look at news reports and court records identifying him as "Joswar," she said. A picture of the two taken at the Barton English School, both smiling ear to ear, is "the smiles they always have on their face," O'Quinn wrote in a text. He also just turned 21 this week.

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"I want him to come home," she said Thursday. "Both of them."

While Stuckart is a Democrat and O'Quinn was a Republican commissioner, the urge to bring back the men spans the political divide. Stuckart has made contact with Sen. Maria Cantwell's office, and O'Quinn said she reached out to Rep. Michael Baumgartner for help, and he responded promptly by having his staff track information for her on how she could find where the men were taken.

"He's actually been very supportive," she said, "And I appreciate that."

Baumgartner released a statement Thursday about the protests applauding law enforcement's response and encouraging people to work with federal officials to enforce immigration laws.

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"We need both secure borders and immigration reform," the statement reads. "Peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Constitution, but there is no excuse for violence or impeding law enforcement officials."

His office has not responded for further comment.

The stories of Alvarez Perez and Rodriguez Torres deserve to be told, because "they have demonstrated their American values of hard work and integrity," O'Quinn said  they shouldn't become political pawns in a battle with red or blue. Both Republicans and Democrats have vouched for the men, Stuckart said later, calling them "the people you want in our country."

Both agree the men did everything they're told to do as immigrants: apply to come into the country legally, get a job and pay taxes.

It's the reason O'Quinn believes their detainment doesn't reflect the values of Spokane.

"I am grateful for the people who stood up for their rights yesterday," she said. "It tells them that it wasn't Spokane that kicked them out."
A two-story public market is in the works for Brookfield's former Boston Store site on the north end of Brookfield Square mall.

Irgens development firm is working with Visit Brookfield and the city to create the Brookfield Public Market as a major tenant of its current development plan for the 16-acre site it owns at 15875 W. Bluemound Road.

Irgens purchased the property in 2021 and has since razed the site. The Boston Store closed in 2018 after nearly 60 years.

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The plan would rely on approval and creation of a new tax incremental financing district, as well as the expansion of an existing TIF district, according to Dan Ertl, director of community development for the City of Brookfield.

The Milwaukee Business Journal first reported the concept, which was shared at a city meeting June 11.

Development firm Irgens and Visit Brookfield plan to bring a public market to Brookfield Square's former Boston Store.

Brookfield Public Market would fill need for community gathering space, according to Visit Brookfield

The market would include at least 12 food and retail vendors, a bar, space for private events and public seating. An "independent, iconic grocer and a Milwaukee-area cultural group" are in talks to become a major tenant of the space, Tom Irgens, executive vice president of Irgens, said in a news release from the developer.

Visit Brookfield would purchase about 2 acres of the property from Irgens to become owner and operator of the public market and gathering space, according to the release.

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Feedback from a feasibility study and tours of public markets around the country over the past year cemented that a public market is exactly the venue needed for the space, Nancy Justman, CEO of Visit Brookfield, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"We heard loud and clear that (residents) are looking for a community gathering space," Justman said. Residents had also voiced in surveys that they're looking for more locally-owned options, she said.

The public market could serve as an incubator for smaller operators, like those with food trucks, to have a home base, according to Justman.

City approval, TID creation still needed for Brookfield Public Market

The public market will need to go through a number of public meetings to gain city approval and secure tax incremental financing.

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First the plans must be submitted to the city for review and approval by various city committees and hearings, starting with the Community Development Authority meeting June 24, according to Ertl. Irgens also must make a formal request for tax incremental financing.

A TIF district would create a revenue stream to help pay for the market and improvements to aging water utilities, according to Ertl.

The public market could give Brookfield Square the economic jolt needed, he said.

"For our taxpayer, it means it will maintain, and over time increase, the commercial tax base to help offset the tax burden for residents, Ertl told the Journal Sentinel.

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"It's really prime land that deserves some really interesting businesses," City of Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto said.

"We're trying to come up with a proposal that doesn't encounter significant opposition from the mall itself, yet offers the kinds of things that will be attractive to residents of not just Brookfield but the surrounding area," Ponto said.

After purchasing the site in 2021, Irgens shared plans for a hotel, apartment building and office buildings. But the initial concept was met with resistance and challenges, including the aging watermain utilities.

The new plans, announced in early 2025, include a two-story medical office building called Bluemound Medical Commons.

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(This story was updated to add new information.)

Bridget Fogarty covers Brookfield, Wauwatosa and Elm Grove for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be contacted at bfogarty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Public market with food, retail and a bar eyed for Brookfield Square
Everyone's got their own definition of "rich." For some, it's never checking price tags. For others, it's just not stressing over bills. But when it comes to hard numbersincome and net worththere's a pretty clear line between being comfortable and being among the country's financial elite.

So what does it really take to land in the top 10%, 5%, or even the 1% of earners in America?

The Top 10% Club

You might be surprised to learn that you don't need to be a millionaire to crack the top 10%. An individual bringing in around $132,000 a year is already there, according to data from the Social Security Administration. For households, it's a bit highercloser to $216,000. Not chump change, but still within reach for high-earning professionals or dual-income families.

Don't Miss:

Top 5%: A Big Jump

To move up a tier, you're looking at a household income of around $352,000. That's more than three times the U.S. median income and enough to be considered truly upper class in most areas. Even here, geography mattersa $352,000 salary in Mississippi goes a lot further than the same number in New York or California.

Top 1%: Where the Air Gets Thin

Now for the real high-flyers. To join the top 1% nationally, you'll typically need to earn between $750,000 and $800,000 a year. Some states set the bar even higherConnecticut's threshold is a jaw-dropping $955,000. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, the top 1% line is around $375,000.

But income is only half the story.

Trending: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey  no cost, no obligation.

What About Net Worth?

Income fluctuates. Net worth builds over timeand it's what really determines long-term wealth.

According to the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances by the Federal Reserve, households in the top 10% typically have a net worth between $970,000 and $1.9 million. To reach the top 5%, you'll need somewhere between $1.2 million and $2.7 million. And if you're aiming for the top 1%? That starts at a hefty $11.6 million and climbs from there.

What Americans Think It Takes To Be Rich

Interestingly, most people aim much lower according to the Charles Schwab Modern Wealth Survey. Millennials believe $2.2 million qualifies as rich, while Gen Z says just $1.2 million. Boomers peg it closer to $2.8 million.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A two-vehicle crash on Knickerbocker Road sent one person to the hospital on Friday afternoon, according to preliminary reports.

Big rig overturns, major crash closes FM 2105 and U.S. 277 southbound

The crash involved a white Mitsubishi Galant heading eastbound on Knickerbocker Road and a silver Hyundai Elantra pulling out of a private drive. Authorities said the exact lane of impact remains unclear. According to a Concho Valley Homepage reporter at the scene, the driver of the Mitsubishi had to be extracted from the vehicle.

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Each vehicle had a single occupant. The driver of the Mitsubishi Galant was transported to the hospital with injuries that have not yet been disclosed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Two women have died after being found in a pool at Wales' largest national park.

North Wales Police said they were called to Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, at 21:31 BST on Wednesday in Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia.

One woman was reported to be in the pool on the Watkin Path, one of the main routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, Wales' tallest mountain.

The second woman was pulled from the water but pronounced dead at the scene, the force said.

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"Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families and friends of both women," said Det Ch Insp Andy Gibson.

An investigation is under way, and potential witnesses are urged to come forward.

A mountain rescue team, as well as police, air ambulance and a coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene.

Jurgen Dissmann, chairman of Llanberis mountain rescue team, said it was a "complex and difficult callout" carried out alongside Aberglaslyn mountain rescue colleagues.

County councillor June Jones called the incident a "tragedy".

"It is obviously very sad news for the families and the sympathy of the whole valley is with the families," she said.

Councillor June Jones thanked the emergency services and the mountain rescue teams for their efforts [BBC]

She told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast that social media "encourages people" to go to these natural beauty spots.

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"We don't know what has happened... social media encourages people to go to these wonderful places and of course the water can be extremely cold," she said.

More than 600,000 people climb up Yr Wyddfa every year, and the summit can get very busy during the summer season.

At 1,085m (3,559ft) it is the highest mountain in Wales and the busiest mountain in the UK.

George Herd, BBC News, reporting from Eryri

The Watkin Path is regarded as one of hardest routes to to the summit of Yr Wyddfa.

But it is a relatively easy hike to the pools and waterfalls where the two women died.

They can be found close to the start of the path in the Nant Gwynant valley where they have become a social media sensation in recent times.

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Hundreds of TikTok and Instagram videos can be found showing people taking a dip in the crystal clear water running off the mountain.

But after days of heavy rain across the national park, the gentle streams cascading into the pools have turned into torrents of foaming white water.

The water from the Afon Cwm Llan river has created a dangerous and powerful undercurrent that has flowed into the plunge pools below.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) A Tyler man was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after he shot his elderly father while arguing about taking care of a dog in 2024.

79-year-old dead after shooting in Smith County, man in custody

According to the Smith County Sheriffs Office, on March 25, 2024 Christopher Tilley shot his 79-year-old father, Dell Tilley at their home at 14600 block of Park Hill in Tyler after they had been arguing about taking care of an injured dog.

Picture of the scene in the 14600 block of Park Hill.

Picture of the scene in the 14600 block of Park Hill.

Once Christopher was arrested and at the Smith County Jail, he told officers that he and his father were arguing about taking care of a dog that was in their home, when his father began to choke him, and he then shot him out of self-defense.

Mugshot of Christopher Tilley, courtesy of Smith County Jail Records

The arrest affidavit said when asked where he and his father were when shots were fired, Christopher told officers at first that Dell was on the ground, but later changed his story that Dell was against a dresser. Christopher also told officers that he only recalled firing once.

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Affidavit reveals new details in shooting death of Smith County 79-year-old

Dell had suffered two gunshot wounds that were fired from close contact into his abdomen, and an additional gunshot wound to his neck/head that occurred near ground level, the document said.

Christopher plead guilty to his fathers murder on Thursday and was sentenced to life in prison.

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U.S. military forces are actively assisting Israel in shooting down Iranian missiles and drones launched in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, senior U.S. officials confirmed on Friday.

Yes, the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel, a U.S. defense official told Newsweek.

Another official emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting American interests, stating, There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel, and the U.S. is working to protect them, Fox News reported.

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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale operation, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, late Thursday night, targeting over 200 sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities, senior military leaders, and nuclear scientists. The strikes, which continued into Friday afternoon, reportedly killed three key Iranian figures, escalating tensions in the region.

Iran responded with Operation True Promise III, launching over 100 drones and fewer than 100 ballistic missiles toward Israel, according to the IDF. Most were intercepted by Israels air defense systems, with U.S. support, or failed to reach their targets. Iraq and Jordan reported Iranian drones crossing their airspace, but Israel said the drones were neutralized outside its borders.

U.S. Navy destroyers USS The Sullivans and USS Arleigh Burke, positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean, are aiding Israels defense efforts, Fox News reported. U.S. Army units are also deploying Patriot PAC-3 missiles and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to intercept incoming threats, officials told Fox News. A regional security source indicated Irans third wave of missile launches concluded Friday.

The IDF reported minimal damage, with most missiles intercepted or malfunctioning. However, some missiles have impacted Tel Aviv, and residents were urged to stay in shelters as air raid sirens sounded across the country.

BREAKING: Iranian missiles have made impact in Tel Aviv as Israel's air defense system fails to intercept all of the missiles. Residents have been told to remain in bomb shelters. pic.twitter.com/TuIgcIGNrc  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 13, 2025

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President Donald Trump met with his national security team in the White House Situation Room on Friday to monitor the crisis. He publicly called on Iran to negotiate a deal to avoid further escalation, a sentiment he echoed after Iran announced its withdrawal from nuclear talks with the U.S. in response to Israels strikes.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. was not involved in Israels offensive strikes, describing them as a unilateral action deemed necessary by Israel for self-defense. Rubio warned Iran against targeting U.S. interests or personnel.

The U.S. has previously supported Israel during Irans Operation True Promise I and II in April and October 2024, part of a cycle of retaliatory attacks tied to the broader Israel-Hamas conflict, fueled by Irans backing of the Axis of Resistance coalition. Israels latest operation marks the most significant escalation yet, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  With summer nearly here, many are wondering how this tourist season will fare amid recent tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

Both countries have updated their travel advisories recently, though officials stress theres no reason for alarm. For decades, the U.S. and Canada have each placed the other at Level 1  their lowest travel advisory rating  and that status remains unchanged as of Thursday despite recent updates.

In April, the Canadian government updated its advisory, telling citizens to expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices when crossing into the United States. The advisory went on to say: Comply and be forthcoming with border authorities, and if you are denied entry, you could be detained.

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On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State reissued its Level 1 travel advisory for Canada, continuing to consider it a safe destination. The department also encouraged U.S. travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in case of emergencies.

Hopefully this designation will help relieve some of those fears or concerns on both sides of the border, said Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara. We have always had a very strong relationship with Canada.

Mory Di Maurizio, chief operating officer of City Cruises Canada, said: A Level 1 travel advisory  I think the whole planet probably has a Level 1 travel advisory. Wherever you go, be safe, dont do dumb things. I dont think anybodys paying attention to it. I think theyre paying more attention to, OK, whats the travel? Whats the tariff deal? Whats the current thing being talked about right now?

WIVB News 4 also spoke with the mayors of Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Canada, who say summer is the perfect time to move beyond political tensions.

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Every time we hear something out of Ottawa or Washington (D.C.)  any kind of geopolitical comments and whatnot  I think most people have become a little desensitized. Weve made up our mind. Were traveling, were going there, said Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Weve been allies for more than 200 years. No matter what any politician says, were going to continue having this incredible relationship hosting the worlds longest un-militarized border.

I dont think that its going to interfere with the good people of Western New York coming to Fort Erie, participating in some of the summer events that we have here, said Wayne Redekop, mayor of Fort Erie, Ontario. And I hope it doesnt because everyone that I know is quite interested in having their friends and neighbors come back.

Despite the optimism, the U.S. Travel Association estimates a drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S. this summer, potentially resulting in over $2 billion in lost revenue.

Canadians and Americans should just continue to live our lives the way weve always lived them and whatevers happening 50 levels higher than us, well, cooler heads will prevail, and theyll figure it out, said Di Maurizio.

Latest Local News

Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
June 13 (UPI) -- The federal government has filed a suit against the state of New York over a law that has kept ICE enforcement out of its state courthouses.

The Department of Justice has named New York Gov. Kathleen Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James as the defendants in the lawsuit filed Thursday with the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York that seeks to have New York's "Protect Our Courts Act" ruled unlawful.

The act, signed into law in December of 2020, provides a "privilege against civil arrest" for anyone traveling to or from, or involved in court proceedings, whether that be for themselves or in support for family or household members when they need to appear in court.

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The law further states that only judicially signed orders or warrants can be executed in court buildings, and such warrants must also be reviewed by the court, which then determines where and when a warrant can be executed, and how it may be implemented.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a press release Thursday that New York is "employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension."

She added that the suit "underscores the Department of Justice's commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law."

Chair of the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal responded to the legal action with astatement Thursday in which he called the lawsuit "baseless and frivolous, and "part and parcel of the Trump administration's ongoing assault on the rule of law in New York."

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Hoylman-Sigal also insisted that the Protect our Courts Act is "well within the established purview of state law," and doesn't apply to federal or immigration courts, and permits Immigration and Customs Enforcement to make arrests with valid judicial warrants.

"At a time when masked ICE officials are roaming the state and lawlessly detaining New Yorkers without any due process, the law preserves access to justice and participation in the judicial process," Hoylman-Sigal said.

Hel was one of two New York legislators who wrote a letter to state Attorney General James in March when someone was allegedly detained by federal law enforcement while inside a state courthouse.

Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate also said in the Justice Department press release that the act allows New York to obstruct "federal law enforcement and facilitates the evasion of federal law by dangerous criminals, notwithstanding federal agents' statutory mandate to detain and remove illegal aliens."
Despite what the White House previously said, the United States is absolutely working with Israel after it launched strikes on Iran, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.

The report contradicts messaging issued by the White House late Thursday, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed in a statement that we are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.

But by Friday afternoon, another U.S. official had confirmed the countrys involvement in the emerging conflict.

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The official said there are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel and the U.S. is working to protect them, reported Axioss Barak Ravid.

Israeli strikes have so far killed four senior Iranian commanders, including Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian state media confirmed late Thursday, though regional sources told Reuters that up to 20 senior commanders had been killed.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, said there would be severe punishment for the strikes. Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected calls for restraint Friday in the wake of Israels large-scale attack.

But why the U.S. is embedded in a new global conflict is unclear. Donald Trump earned national support in part due to his isolationist campaign promises and his pledge to swiftly end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Six months into his second term, he has not only failed to do either but has seemingly embroiled America in a dire situation in the Middle East.

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Trump publicly stoked tensions between Iran and Israel for days, reportedly under the assumption that it would encourage Iran to return to the negotiating table over a potential nuclear deal. That hasnt happened. Instead, Iran has backtracked out of discussions that were scheduled to take place later this weekend.

In a phone call with ABC Newss Jonathan Karl Friday morning, the president referred to the attacks as excellent, remarking that Iran got hit hard, very hard, and that there was a lot more to come.

Israels attack, per Trump, was months in the making.

I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to comeAnd they know how to use it, Trump posted to Truth Social, promising that if Iran refused to come up with a nuclear deal then there would be nothing left.

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Despite public opinion, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the original Iran nuclear deal in 2018. That arrangement, signed by several world powers, restricted Irans nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Countries and organizations around the world lamented Americas withdrawal, while conservatives and Israel celebrated it.

In the aftermath of the withdrawal, political analysts pointed to three possible reasons for the massive policy reversal: that Trump was attempting to shed the legacy of his predecessor, President Barack Obama; that Trump was cozying up to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and/or that he had been influenced by a widening cast of yes-men in the White House.
The Pentagon is moving two destroyers toward the Eastern Mediterranean as Israel braces for a retaliatory attack from Tehran after Fridays airstrikes on Iranian military targets.

The ships, which are capable of defending against ballistic and cruise missile attacks, were already in the region and are rerouting, said two U.S. defense officials granted anonymity to discuss the situation.

They provide an extra layer of security for U.S. assets already in the Middle East and could help Israel beat back any Iranian missile attacks. U.S. ships played a similar role last October in defeating a massive Iranian ballistic and cruise missile attack on Israel.

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The Pentagon moved some firepower to the Middle East during the spring bombing campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. It included at least two Patriot missile defense batteries from Asia and one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense air and missile defense system.

While those remain in place, the Trump administration cut its boosted naval presence in half over the past month, with the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group heading home to Virginia. The Carl Vinson strike group remains in the Arabian Sea.

A Defense Department official did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, (right) participates in a forum hosted by the Sutherland Institute at the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics on Oct. 14, 2024. (Katie McKellar/Utah News Dispatch)

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is bringing back a proposal that would allow the federal government to sell off several million acres of public land in Utah and other Western states, including Idaho.

Lee says it will open up underused federal land for housing and help communities manage growth. Opponents, including a number of Democrats in Congress and environmental groups, say its an attempt to pay for tax cuts and warn it will jeopardize access to public lands.

Introduced Wednesday evening, Lees amendment to congressional Republicans budget bill, nicknamed the big, beautiful bill, renews an effort initially spearheaded by U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, and Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, that sought to dispose of 11,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in southwestern Utah and some 450,000 acres of federal land in Nevada.

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But Lees proposal is much broader  rather than earmark specific parcels of land for disposal like Maloy and Amodeis amendment, Lee wants to require the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell off a percentage of land managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

Idaho is among the states included in Lees proposal.

Lauren Necochea is chairwoman of the Idaho Democratic Party. She previously represented District 19 in the Idaho Legislature. (Courtesy of the Idaho Democratic Party)

How out of touch do you have to be to think our public lands should be sold off to pay for billionaire tax breaks? Idaho Democratic Party Chairwoman Lauren Necochea said in an emailed statement on Thursday. This shameless scheme would force the sale of millions of acres, including land right here in Idaho. These are the places Idahoans hunt, fish, hike, and pass down to the next generation.

Necochea slammed Idahos U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, both Republicans, for voting on April 7 in opposition to the Public Lands in Public Hands Act bill amendment. That amendment would have blocked the sale of public lands to help pay for the Republicans budget reconciliation proposals. U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, also voted against the amendment. The only member of Idahos congressional delegation to vote in favor of of the amendment to protect public lands from sale was U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, also a Republican.

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Now the bill heads to the committee Risch sits on, and if his record tells us anything, hell side with the billionaires again, Necochea stated. Idahoans have made it clear: our public lands are not for sale. If Risch and Crapo keep siding with out-of-state developers and mega-donors, well make sure they have plenty of time to enjoy the lands they refused to protect.

Utah senators proposal would require federal agencies to sell up to 3.3. million acres of public land

According to Lees new amendment, the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM would be required to dispose of between 0.5% to 0.75% of land they manage, which amounts to about 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres. State and local governments would be allowed to nominate parcels of land, and would be granted priority to purchase.

Eleven states would be eligible  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Notably, Montana is exempt, and Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke was instrumental in sinking Maloy and Amodeis original proposal, stating that selling public lands is a line he would not cross.

Though the scope is much bigger, Lees reasoning behind the proposal is the same as Maloy and Amodeis: identify parcels of federal land near high-growth areas, and sell them at market value to local governments to use for housing, water infrastructure, roads and other development.

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The amendment prohibits the sale of land thats already designated, like national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas or national recreation areas. Land that has an existing right, like a mining claim, grazing permit, mineral lease or right of way is also off limits.

If it passes, the secretaries of the departments of Interior and Agriculture would have to prioritize nominating land thats next to already developed areas, has access to existing infrastructure or is suitable for residential housing. The amendment also directs the secretaries to nominate land thats isolated and inefficient to manage, and to reduce the checkerboard land pattern, the result of railroad grants in the 1800s that left small plots of private land scattered within swaths of federal land and vice-versa.

Were opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C., out of the way for communities that are just trying to grow, Lee said in a video address. Were talking about isolated parcels that are difficult to manage, that are better suited for housing and infrastructure. To our hunters, anglers and sportsmen, you will not lose access to the lands you love. Washington has proven time and again it cant manage this land. This bill puts it in better hands.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Environmental groups decry Lees public lands proposal

But that reasoning didnt fly for a number of environmental groups, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which called Lees proposal an attempt to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

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Senator Lees never-ending attacks on public lands continue. His hostility stands in stark contrast with Americans deep and abiding love of public lands. Senator Lees plan puts Utahs redrock country in the crosshairs of unchecked development, said Travis Hammill, Washington, D.C., director for the alliance. In Utah and the West, public lands are the envy of the country  but Senator Lee is willing to sacrifice the places where people recreate, where they hunt and fish, and where they make a living.

The Center for Western Priorities, a public lands advocacy group, called Lees amendment a shameless ploy to sell off pristine public lands for trophy homes and gated communities that will do nothing to address the affordable housing shortage in the West; the National Wildlife Federation dubbed it a fire sale that is orders of magnitude worse than Maloys proposal; The Wilderness Society said it was a betrayal of future generations and folks on both sides of the aisle and warned that could spark political backlash.

Maloys proposal identified parcels owned by the Bureau of Land Management to sell to Utahs Washington and Beaver counties, the Washington County Water Conservancy District and the city of St. George. The land would have been used for water infrastructure (like reservoirs and wells), an airport expansion in St. George, new and widened roads, recreation and housing.

The proposal was widely celebrated by the water district and local governments, who said it would help them make adjustments as the region continues to experience rapid growth. But nearby tribes, environmentalists and politicians from both sides of the aisle were skeptical.

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The Greater Yellowstone Coalition on Thursday said in a press release that it is calling on Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming U.S. senators to stand up and speak out against Lees proposal.

Public lands belong to all Americans and are vitally important to the communities of Greater Yellowstone and other iconic western landscapes, said Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen in the press release. Our national public lands are not a luxury, theyre our legacy. These are outdoor spaces that connect us to each other, fuel the economies of western states, and provide clean drinking water to millions of Americans downstream. Once these lands are sold off, theyre gone forever.

Idaho Capital Sun editor-in-chief Christina Lords contributed to this story.

Utah News Dispatch, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com.

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TEL AVIV, Israel (ABC4)  A law professor from the University of Utah described the scene Friday just 10 minutes outside Jerusalem where Iran has begun retaliatory attacks following a deadly strike from Israel less than a day earlier.

Amos Guiora, a professor of law with the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, was alerted of an incoming air strike on his phone Friday afternoon.

The air raid warning is very clear, and very loud, Guiora told ABC4.com.

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Guiora has lived in Israel for four decades, commuting back and forth between Tel Aviv and Salt Lake City.

According to Guiora, the warning came just before 9:30 p.m. IST, or 12:30 p.m. MST. Shortly after, rumbles could be heard throughout Israel, and plumes of smoke could be seen over the Israeli coastline.

The primary focus is to make sure [the grandchildren] dont wake up and that they can sleep through this, Guiora said.

Anti-ICE protest mostly peaceful; arrest made after fight breaks out

There have been no immediate reports of casualties. However, the missile strikes have inflicted damage in Tel Aviv, Guiora says. The strikes come less than a day after an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites that killed at least three top military officials.

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Guiora, an active demonstrator against the Israeli government, doesnt see tensions dying down anytime soon. This is not a one and done. The general assumption is that there will be more coming within the next few days.

The escalating violence began shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for not working with agency inspectors and claiming they will reengage a third nuclear enrichment facility. Just one day after the censorship, Israel attacked claiming the attack was necessary to fend off a rapidly increasing Iranian nuclear program.

While U.S. intelligence agencies do not believe that Iran is actively pursuing the building of nuclear bombs, a report by a U.N. watchdog found evidence that Iran has stockpiled weapon-grade uranium.

Prior to the air strikes, the U professor was scheduled to speak at a demonstration against the government in Jerusalem tomorrow evening. He says the demonstration has since been canceled.

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Just last week, Guiora spoke at a demonstration in the Israeli city of Haifa about what he calls enablers in the Israeli government, a major focus of his work. Beyond activism, Guiora has also written articles and books about bystanders and enablers effects in sexual assaults. He concluded his speech in Haifa by saying, we are obligated to do something now.

He says his current focus, however, is on protecting his family. The critical thing is to keep the girls as calm as possible.

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(Corrects date in the dateline in an update of Thursday's story)

By Maki Shiraki

TOYOTA CITY, Japan (Reuters) -Toyota Motor shareholders re-elected Akio Toyoda as chairman on Thursday, highlighting support among mom-and-pop investors even as the Japanese automaker's $33 billion buyout of a group company draws criticism from overseas shareholders.

Toyoda, formerly chief executive of the world's top-selling automaker and grandson of its founder, was widely expected to be re-elected at Thursday's annual general meeting. For the first year in three, he was not opposed by either of the leading proxy advisory firms which had previously flagged governance concerns.

The breakdown of voting is yet to be released so it is unclear whether he secured more than last year's 72%, the lowest on record for a Toyota director. The Nikkei newspaper reported, without citing its source, that Toyoda was estimated to have received at least 96%.

On Tuesday, shareholders of group company Toyota Industries peppered executives with questions about the carmaker's 4.7 trillion yen ($33 billion) buyout bid that foreign investors have called unfair for minority shareholders. Toyoda, who is not on Toyota Industries' board, was not present at that meeting.

"There had already been a lot in the press about Toyota Industries ... so I think many shareholders thought they had enough information," said Akihiro Horiuchi, a Toyota Motor shareholder in his forties who was attending the AGM in central Japan for the second time. He said the automaker had explained its rationale for the deal on its Toyo Times news website.

"Toyota (Motor) is the best company in Japan and I think it will continue to grow," Horiuchi said.

Toyota Motor plans to take forklift-maker Toyota Industries private through a complex deal that will see Chairman Toyoda invest 1 billion yen of his own money and spur restructuring of Japan's most powerful corporate group.

Priced 16,300 yen a share, some overseas shareholders have said the price undervalues the target's intrinsic value and strengthens the founding family's control over the group.

Toyota Motor has said the acquisition will allow Toyota Industries to deepen collaboration with group companies, without the concern of short-term profit targets, as the group develops a broader mobility identity.

This year, proxy advisers Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services recommended shareholders re-elect Toyoda. Glass Lewis recommended voting against in the previous two years and ISS had last year.
The Dominican Republic is a popular resort destination for many U.S. tourists, who are drawn by the all-inclusive resorts, the beauty of the beaches, and the often affordable prices.

However, the U.S. Department of State is now warning U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling to the Caribbean nation.

On June 12, the State Department reissued the travel advisory for the country with minor edits. The country is at a Level 2 "exercise increased caution." The travel advisories are issued on a 1-4 scale, with 4 being the most dangerous level.

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Before June 12, the Dominican Republic travel advisory hadn't been updated for almost a year.

"Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists. Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations," the Department of State warned.

"If you decide to travel to the Dominican Republic, note that violent crime is a concern throughout the country, affecting all residents regardless of nationality," the State Department wrote, including:

Robbery

Homicide

Sexual assault

The U.S. government offered these safety tips:

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"Pay attention to your surroundings.

Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract attention.

Be vigilant about where your phone is and avoid using it openly on the street.

If robbed, hand over your personal belongings without resisting.

Travel with a partner or group if possible.

Do not leave food or drinks unattended."

Other popular beach destinations also have earned level 2 advisories, suggesting using increased caution. They include Jamaica. Multiple European countries are also under similar advisories. The full list can be found here.

Related: U.S. Travel Warnings Urge 'Increased Caution' in Germany, Spain

U.S. Updates Official Travel Warning for Dominican Republic first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2025
FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)  Two University of Connecticut medical students flew to Seattle on Tuesday with no return flight booked, as the pair plans to bike back to their home state while raising money for suicide prevention.

James Marks, 25, of Guilford, and Zach Giguere, 23, of Windsor began their summer cross-country bike trek as part of a two-decades-long UConn tradition that raises money and awareness for a specific cause. This year, the duo plans to raise awareness for suicide prevention, donating money toward advancing mental health research.

Hamden school raises money for cancer research at Saint Baldricks event

UConn medical students James Marks (left) and Zach Giguere (right) began bike riding across the country on June 10 to raise awareness for suicide prevention. They successfully made it up the high-elevation of Washingtons Pass. Their long trip pedaling back to Connecticut is expected to take a total of 48 days.

Their cause to prevent suicide is deeply personal to Marks.

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I lost my Dad, Marks said. I am glad I can do this journey to raise awareness.

Giguere finds it critically important to raise greater awareness of the importance of mental health.

Recently after COVID, I have seen more people struggling with anxiety and depression, Giguere said. Research into these topics and supporting people who are really struggling is so important.

Suicide Prevention Month: How to get help during a mental health crisis

Every year, more than 700,000 people die by suicide worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Mental health research and resources often lack the funding and attention they desperately need, the UConn students said.

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We believe that investing in suicide preventionthrough research, crisis support, and accessible mental health carecan save lives, they said. We are committed to raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle.

The two classmates coast-to-coast trip is planned for a total of 48 days.

A few days in, we are still on track, but we know the first few weeks will be the toughest, Giguere said, who will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday.

I have never been out West before, Giguere said. I always wanted to see all of the U.S. This is the absolute best opportunity to do so!

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Mark shared the same sentiment.

Its beautiful out here! he said. We did our biggest bike climbs yet in the Cascades here in Washington state even climbing up Washington Pass with its 5,500-foot elevation. Its really hard but everything of America we have seen so far, has incredible views.

Only a few days into the trek, both riders have witnessed the spirit of the American people over and over.

Bridgeport painting the city blue ahead of Swim Across the Sound fundraiser

Everyone and every town we encounter are really kind and are excited to hear what we are doing, Marks said. We were blessed when a strangers truck stopped to give us Gatorade. Americans are extremely nice out here.

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Their Coast-2-Coast journey can be followed on Instagram @_coast2coast25_ and you can donate to the duos cause by clicking on this link.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) announced road closures on I-15 in Davis County and lane closures on northbound SR-36 and eastbound I-80 in Tooele County. Heres what you need to know to plan your commutes and travel.

I-15 in Davis County is going to close for two Saturdays overnight in order to demolish the Shepard Lane bridge. Drivers will be detoured to U.S. Route 89 and Main Street in Kaysville during the closures.

SR-36 in Tooele will see weekday lane closures beginning on June 16 and continuing through the summer of 2026. There will be nighttime work as needed, and I-80 lane widths will be reduced during construction.

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For information updates, visit the UDOT traffic website or download the UDOT traffic app.

I-15 closures

This weekend, on Saturday, June 14, southbound I-15 between 200 North and Park Lane will close between 9:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. on June 15.

Next weekend, on Saturday, June 21, northbound 1-15 between 200 North and Park Lane will close between 9:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. on June 22.

Northbound I-15 closure and detour routes, courtesy: UDOT Southbound I-15 closure and detour routes, courtesy: UDOT

UDOT said that these closures are to create a safe work zone for crews to demolish the Shepard Lane Bridge, which closed permanently in May.

These closures are part of a project to build a new interchange at Shepard Lane in Farmington to reduce congestion and enhance safety in the area, according to UDOT. The interchange will create another connection to local roads by crossing over the Union Pacific Railroad and UTA tracks, and it will improve pedestrian and bike connectivity. The new interchange is expected to open in late 2026.

Tooele County improvements on SR-36 and EB 1-80

Beginning June 16, lanes on NB SR-36 will close on weekdays, continuing through the summer of 2026, and I-80 lane widths will be reduced during construction.

SR-36 and I-80 project map, courtesy: UDOT

The project is intended to improve mobility and reduce congestion on SR-36 in Tooele. It will widen SR-36 to three lanes between I-80 and Stansbury Park in addition to adding an auxiliary lane on EB I-80. The auxiliary lane will be added between the SR-36 on-ramp and the State Route 201 exit.

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As part of the project, UDOT has been working to widen southbound SR-36 between Sunset Road and Stansbury Parkway, which is expected to be finished this summer.

Other Salt Lake County traffic impacts

UDOT also shared some traffic impacts in Salt Lake County on Interstate 80.

Eastbound lanes and ramps on I-80 in Parleys Canyon will be closed at exits 132-134 between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. for paving through June 14. Lambs Canyon (exit 137) and heading westbound is the alternate route. Detours are posted.

I-80 Eastbound between 5600 W and Wright Brothers Drive in Salt Lake City will be reduced to one lane each night this week to repair bridge beams. Lane closures last from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until June 16.

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New York Citys powerful teachers union announced Friday it wont endorse in the Democratic mayoral primary, citing no clear consensus among United Federation of Teachers members this election cycle.

The UFTs seal of approval had been one of the last-remaining endorsements with the potential to shake up the mayoral primary. But signs the union was struggling to coalesce around a candidate became apparent earlier this week when no resolution was brought at the final delegate assembly before early voting begins on Saturday.

We couldnt even get near consensus, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the Daily News in an interview, despite what he described as an extensive process of polling and surveying the unions members.

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Mulgrew said it was frustrating and troubling not to endorse, but he considered it better than dividing or alienating members. The last time the union did not endorse was in 2009.

The UFT previously backed the former comptroller Scott Stringer in his last bid for mayor in 2021. Mulgrew told The News that this year, while the union liked Stringer best again for education, other concerns took precedence.

Traditionally, UFT ends up endorsing the candidate whos best for education, and thats not what our members are looking for at this point, Mulgrew said. The affordability of the city [and] pushing back against the Trump administration, those came ahead of education. And on those issues, our membership was basically divided.

Andrew Cuomo, the current front-runner in the race, had seemingly been angling for the UFTs endorsement, despite a rocky past with the teachers union over pension plans and charter schools. At the UFTs mayoral forum last month, he promised to rollback the plan known as Tier 6 that he implemented as governor. During mayoral debates, he called for hiring more paraprofessionals, which has been a top priority of the UFT.

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But the ex-governors history with the union proved to be a sticking point, as did Zohran Mamdanis support of Palestine. Mamdani has consistently been polling in second place. Mulgrew said he did not consider endorsing a slate of candidates.

The non-endorsement capped off a tumultuous approval process for the UFT, who had to drop a prerequisite for their backing that candidates spend a day teaching at the Adams administrations behest.
Anglers fish on the Colorado River near an idle Union Pacific freight train in western Grand County on June 12, 2023. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

The group pushing for a rail line in eastern Utah that would allow the state to ramp up oil production is hoping to fund the project through $2.4 billion in U.S. Department of Transportation bonds.

The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition for years has been lobbying for the 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway, which would connect the oil-rich region of northeastern Utah to national rail lines, facilitating the export of waxy crude oil to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

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To pay for the railway, the coalition  which consists of representatives from Dagget, Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, San Juan, Servier and Uintah counties  approved a resolution last month announcing its intent to seek $2.4 billion in private activity bonds from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Thats a $500 million increase from 2023, when the coalition passed a similar resolution seeking $1.9 billion in federal bonds.

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The railway extension could allow for the transport of an estimated 350,000 barrels of oil each day, massively increasing the states oil production. The refineries in Salt Lake City, for instance, currently have a market capacity of 85,000 barrels per day.

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But connecting the Uinta Basin to national rail lines means increased oil exports through Colorado, which has proved to be a major sticking point. In 2022, environmental groups and Colorados Eagle County sued the coalition, arguing that the federal Surface Transportation Board  the agency tasked with the environmental review  fell short in its analysis, failing to consider the risks of the railroad expansion.

The project cleared a major roadblock in May after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a prior court ruling that found the environmental review was incomplete. The ruling returns the case to a lower court for consideration.

This was not only a win for the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition and counties in the state of Utah, but a win for the United States in being able to move forward with a major infrastructure project, said Greg Miles, a Duchesne County Commissioner who sits on the board of the coalition, during a public meeting Thursday. Theres a lot of things that oil does for us in our lives.

And although it still faces regulatory and legal hurdles, the coalition has made several moves over the last month toward financing the railroad. On Thursday, it heard public comments related to the bonds.

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The Department of Transportations Private Activity Bonds program is a tax-exempt financing option from the federal government aimed at supporting private-public partnerships. The program has financed bridge replacements, highways, rail lines and other transportation-related ventures.

That $2.4 billion is the total estimated cost for the project, according to the coalition, although its unclear how much money will come from private investments.

But funds for the bond program are running dry. According to the departments data, theres only $500 million left to allocate, the program having dished out $29.4 billion of its $30 billion cap. Its up to Congress to replenish the program.

How is the coalition going to get this money? And when? asked Deeda Seed with the Center for Biological Diversity during the meeting Thursday.

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Seed also raised concerns over the ballooning cost of the railway, which has increased in the last few years.

How does this project pencil out? We have no clue, the public has no clue, especially when President Trump hopes the price of oil will decline to $40 to $50 per barrel, she said.

Just about all of the roughly two-dozen commenters on Thursday spoke against the railway, and using bonds to fund it  they cited concerns over the projects rising cost, potential harm to wildlife and habitat, the negative impact on air quality, and how a derailment could harm the Colorado River and the people who rely on it for drinking water.

I deplore subsidizing the increase of oil production in the Uinta Basin, which will increase the ozone and air pollution, at a time when all federal subsidies are being cut for renewable energy, said Joan Entwistle, a Summit County resident. Its just another example of how were putting the thumb on the scale for fossil fuels.

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The tariffs are being imposed at a level of 50% for steel. Clearly, that is going to raise the prices. Railroads are notorious for cost overruns, said David Bennett, also a Summit County resident.

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British civil servants must stop helping Israel with potential war crimes in Gaza, union bosses have demanded.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, which represents almost 200,000 civil servants across Whitehall, has advised members to stop all work within the civil service and its related areas which in any way potentially enables acts of genocide.

It has pledged to support civil servants who refuse to work on Israel and demanded that mandarins be given legal immunity for aiding potential war crimes.

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Union chiefs want an urgent meeting with the Cabinet Office and have written to officials to seek assurances that members are protected from legal liability for any acts carried out by the state of Israel.

The move comes just days after about 300 Foreign Office officials were told to consider resigning after sending a letter to David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, warning against complicity in Israels actions.

The letter cited the killing by Israeli forces of 15 aid workers in March and the blockade on aid into Gaza as examples of concerns.

Foreign Office officials were told to consider resigning after sending a letter to David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, warning against complicity in Israels actions - Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

Sir Olly Robbins and Nick Dyer, two of the most senior mandarins in the Foreign Office, suggested that the complainants step down if they disagreed with the Governments policy.

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The response was said to have been met with fury in Whitehall, with one insider telling the BBC that there was a deep sense of disappointment that the space for challenge is being further shut down.

In a letter sent on Friday to Cat Little, the Cabinet permanent secretary, the PCS union said the Governments response to the concerns raised this week by civil servants was dismissive and inadequate.

It argued that the Government may be putting UK civil servants at risk of liability for crimes committed by the Israeli state and placing them in a position of conflict given their obligations under the civil service code.

Fran Heathcote, the general secretary of the PCS, said the union was extremely concerned that the Government continues to ignore our members concerns that they may be held liable under international law for the war crimes being committed daily by the state of Israel.

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Ministers official line is that Israel is at risk of breaching international law with its actions in Gaza, with 30 out of about 350 arms sales licences to Israel halted in September out of fear that the weapons may be used for war crimes.

However, union bosses called on the Government to go further.

Ms Heathcote said: Given the scale of the death toll and the depth of the destruction to Palestinian society in Gaza, this matter is urgent and government officials need to act quickly.

She argued that it was time for the UK Government to wake up and listen to its own workers. Foreign Office bosses are said to back a healthy challenge to policy, but have argued that it is up to civil servants to deliver the will of the Government.

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The PCS union has pledged to fully back any member facing any sort of disciplinary action for refusing to action or work on any arms export license to Israel.

A Foreign Office spokesman said this week that since day one, this Government has rigorously applied international law in relation to the war in Gaza.

A government spokesman said: It is the job of civil servants to deliver on the policies of the government of the day and to provide professional, impartial advice as set out in the Civil Service code.

As youd expect, there are systems in place which allow them to raise concerns if they have them  and these were set out in the response to the letter in question.

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The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command has reported that British fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft that violated the airspace over the Baltic Sea on the morning of 13 June.

Source: a statement by the Polish Armed Forces Operational Command, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Il-20 entered the airspace over the Baltic Sea at around 10:50 on 13 June and was intercepted by two UK fighter jets stationed in Poland.

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"This is yet another case of provocative testing of NATO countries readiness systems," the statement said.

The Polish Armed Forces added that the appropriate NATO command has been informed of the incident.

Background:

On 10 June, Finlands Ministry of Defence reported a suspected violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft.

On 9 June, two Russian reconnaissance aircraft were intercepted by British fighter jets stationed in Poland.

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Some of the Citys leading law firms have ditched rainbow-themed logos to celebrate Pride month amid pressure from Donald Trumps crackdown on diversity policies.

Ashurst, Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Freshfields and Linklaters have all abandoned Pride logos on their LinkedIn pages this year having previously celebrated the event on social media.

Rainbow-themed logos are also absent from the firms pages on X, formerly Twitter.

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It comes after the US president issued an executive order banning companies with federal contracts from operating illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes.

Ashurst is among a host of magic circle firms to have dropped its rainbow-coloured logo for Pride month

Earlier this year, the Trump administration sent letters to 20 leading US law firms, warning them that their DEI policies may be discriminatory.

Mr Trumps threat prompted a flurry of law firms to line up offering free legal work to the administration in return for resolving the dispute. Kirkland & Ellis, Paul Weiss and A&O Shearman all struck deals with the US president to avoid being hit with executive orders.

All of the UK law firms that have dropped their Pride logos this year have significant operations in the US, suggesting Mr Trumps policies are having ripple effects across the pond.

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Clifford Chance and A&O Shearman were among the law firms to scale back their support for Pride last year by scrapping the logo from their social media platforms.

Slaughter & May is now the only one of Britains magic circle law firms to have kept up the practice, with the City firm having added a small rainbow column next to its usual logo in its profile picture on LinkedIn.

Slaughter & May has a significantly smaller American business than all four of its magic circle rivals, who have all pursued major US expansions in recent years.

Some of the Citys leading professional services firms have also scaled back celebrations with PwC choosing not to update its logo for Pride month this year, having done so in 2024.

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KPMG updated its own LinkedIn profile picture on June 12 after being contacted by The Telegraph. EY and Deloitte have both left their LinkedIn profile pictures unchanged.

A spokesman for Linklaters said it would be celebrating Pride month in other ways this year, including with rainbow-coloured lights at its City of London headquarters.

Freshfields instead opted to update its Linkedin banner with a picture of rainbow-coloured stairs, while keeping its profile picture the same.

A Baker McKenzie spokesman said the law firm plans to use Pride month to spotlight our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is accepted, valued and feels they belong.

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Clifford Chance, Ashurst, DLA Piper, A&O Shearman, PwC, EY and Deloitte were contacted for comment.

KPMG said their failure to update their LinkedIn profile picture was a genuine error.

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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Friday updated its travel guidance to Israel, saying the situation could escalate quickly following Israeli strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran.

"The situation could escalate quickly and could pose significant risks, including missile fire," an update on the government's website said.

The same warning was added to its advice for the occupied Palestinian territories.

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Britain also re-issued its travel advice for other countries including Iran, Iraq, Saudia Arabia, Egypt and Syria to include a warning on the risk of wider escalation.

(Reporting by William James, writing by Sam Tabahriti)
The bodies of 1,200 people have been brought back to Ukraine as part of repatriation efforts. Russia claims that they are all Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies will carry out identification procedures shortly.

Source: Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Details: The Russian side claims that the bodies are those of Ukrainian citizens, particularly military personnel. The repatriation took place in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul.

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Investigators from Ukrainian law enforcement, together with specialist agencies from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will conduct all the necessary examinations and identify the repatriated bodies.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine will transport the repatriated bodies to designated state institutions, where they will be handed over to Interior Ministry officials and referred for forensic examination organised by the Ministry of Health.

Staff from Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

The repatriation of the remains was made possible through the joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the Joint Centre under the Security Service of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commissioner, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Missing Persons under Special Circumstances, the State Emergency Service and other bodies within Ukraines security and defence sector, with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Staff from Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Background:

Following a meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Monday 2 June, the parties reached an agreement on the 6,000-for-6,000 exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers. The delegations also agreed to an all-for-all exchange of seriously wounded soldiers and those aged 18-25.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that out of the 6,000 bodies of soldiers that Russia wants to hand over to Ukraine, only 15% have been identified.

On Friday 6 June, Russia claimed that the repatriation efforts had begun, later asserting that "Ukraine had refused to collect the bodies of its citizens". Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said Russia was manipulating a sensitive issue, adding that preparations for the exchange were ongoing.

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Dive Brief:

The 50% tariff on imported steel levied by the Trump administration could increase canned food prices between 9% and 15%, according to the Consumer Brands Association.

The trade group estimated up to 20,000 U.S. food manufacturing jobs could be at risk if tariffs cause consumers to curtail their purchases of higher-priced canned goods and CPG companies opt to switch away from tin-plate steel to cheaper packaging alternatives.

The steel tariffs are impacting a slew of products in the food space, including sauces, seafood, soup and vegetables.

Dive Insight:

As the White House doubles tariffs on steel and aluminum, CBA moved quickly to underscore the negative impacts they could have on manufacturing and consumer shopping habits.

The CBA, whose members include Coca-Cola, The Campbells Company and Del Monte Foods, noted that while the majority of ingredients and inputs are sourced from the U.S., there are exceptions.

A major one is tin mill steel. Domestic can makers and canned food producers import nearly 80% of the material from foreign trade partners, Robert Budway, president of the Can Manufacturers Institute, said last week.

Conagra Brands CEO Sean Connolly said in April his company has no choice but to import the majority of its canned food packaging, estimating about 75% of the tin plate steel lines in the U.S. have been eliminated since 2018. CFO David Marberger said last week that the Hunts tomato and Wendys canned chili maker was working through how it will mitigate the higher cost for the material on its business.

Unfortunately, the domestic steel industry does not produce tin mill steel in the quality or quantities needed by U.S. can makers, Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain resiliency at CBA, said in a statement. The Trump administration should fine tune its approach to recognize supply chain dependencies and protect all U.S. manufacturers, workers and consumers.

A handful of other food and beverage manufacturers have warned that tariffs will impact their operations.

Campbells, which imports tinplate steel for cans and canola oil for chips, noted trade headwinds could cut into its fiscal-year earnings by 3 cents to 5 cents a share. Coca-Cola said in February that the Sprite and Dasani maker may shift some products sold in aluminum cans to PET bottles if input costs rise in light of new tariffs.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky has stated that over the past two years, Ukraines role in European security has shifted from that of an aid recipient to an equal strategic partner.

Source: Lipavsky at the GLOBSEC Forum 2025 in Czechia on 13 June, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Lipavsky said that the EUs shared understanding and reality have evolved over the past two years from "we have to help Ukraine" and "Ukraine, please help us" to true cooperation.

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Quote: "It is in our interest that we cooperate with Ukraine on our security. Now Ukraine possesses some of the state-of-the-art technologies, which possibly we want to have them too. So the only way to be part of that is to be doing things in and doing things with Ukraine."

Details: Lipavsky stressed that Ukraine is not a country whose "capital can be defeated in three days", but a "strategic partner in building up Europes security".

Quote: "It is in our interest that Ukraine is on our side, and we craft this strategic partnership and that we will integrate Ukraine in so many fields. And this is a novelty. This was not here three years ago, maybe two years ago. But it is the trend of the last year."

More details: Lipavsky also noted Czechias active policy of launching joint projects with Ukraine.

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Quote: "We are very grateful for this. So you have the dedication, our support and altogether we can defeat Russia and keep borders where the borders should be."

Background:

Czech President Petr Pavel previously said that under Czechias initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine globally, deliveries for 2026 are already being prepared.

Following his meeting with Pavel in Prague in early May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and Czechia are working on establishing a joint Czech-Ukrainian F-16 training school.

Czechia also recently completed a two-year programme to train 18 Ukrainian civilian aviation pilots.

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Ukraine's lawmakers have approved a new plan to pay civilians to shoot down drones.

A volunteer could get up to $2,400, depending on their level of participation.

The proposal says they can use their own vehicles and guns, including hunting weapons.

Ukraine has a new plan to pay civilian volunteers up to $2,400 a month to track and shoot down Russian drone threats.

The measure, which allows civilians to use their hunting guns and cars to destroy aerial targets, was approved on Wednesday by Ukrainian lawmakers, per Taras Melynchuk, a Cabinet representative in Kyiv's parliament.

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Melynchuk wrote on Telegram that the program aims to "strengthen the air defense" of Ukraine, and it comes as growing waves of Russian Shahed drones have hammered its cities.

A full draft of the proposal, published by parliament member Oleksiy Goncharenko, shows that volunteers can receive up to 100,000 hryvnias, or about $2,426, a month  depending on their level of contribution.

The full payout would be a hefty sum for many Ukrainians. By comparison, government statistics said the average monthly salary in Ukraine was 14,577 hryvnias, or about $353, per the last-recorded figures from January 2022, the month before the war began.

Data from Work.UA, a local job site that assesses salaries listed in job postings and resumes, shows that the average monthly wage offered in Ukraine had risen to 24,241 hryvnias by June 10.

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Funds for the air defense volunteers would come from local governments' budgets, and payout amounts are determined by commanders in the Territorial Defense Forces units stationed in the area.

These commanders are meant to work with volunteers through a group leader who reports on personnel and activities monthly, the proposal added.

The document said that volunteers can use supplies from Ukraine's forces if needed, but also have the "right to use their own vehicles, other equipment, as well as personal hunting weapons, small arms, and other types of weapons and ammunition."

Goncharenko said the approved vehicles include personal cars. That's relevant because much of Ukraine's anti-drone defense has relied on units that drive out at night to shoot down Russian uncrewed aerial vehicles with truck- or car-mounted small arms. Officials have said that the country has about 500 such mobile units.

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They're typically armed with a lot more firepower than a hunting rifle, though; official anti-drone squads often use machine guns such as the M2 Browning. On the other hand, drone units frequently use shotguns to shoot down first-person view drones on the battlefield.

Goncharenko added that anyone not mobilized under Ukraine's forces can sign up to volunteer.

This new project also aims to bring drone pilots from existing volunteer and paramilitary units under the defense ministry's wing, though they'll need to show a training certificate to be approved.

Families of anyone who dies while fighting in a volunteer air defense unit are also eligible for one-time cash payouts and pension benefits that the relatives of veterans get, the proposal added.

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Ukraine's new volunteer plan emerges as Russia has intensified its night-time drone attacks, which now regularly involve hundreds of Iranian-made Shaheds fired in tandem with dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities.

The approved measure is set to last for as long as two years, or until martial law concludes in Ukraine.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kiev has received another 1,200 bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers from Russia, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday, following another night of Russian drone strikes.

The handover - the second to take place this week - was brokered by the International Red Cross, the staff responsible for prisoner of war issues in Kiev said.

On Wednesday, Ukraine received the remains of 1,212 soldiers and handed over 27 dead bodies to Moscow in return.

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During direct negotiations in Istanbul at the beginning of the month, the warring parties agreed on the return of the remains of more than 6,000 fallen soldiers from Russia to Ukraine.

The exchange was originally expected last weekend, but stalled due to a lack of coordination between the two countries.

Friday's handover followed another wave of overnight Russian drone attacks on eastern Ukraine, with combat drones bombing areas around Sumy and Donetsk, the Ukrainian Air Force said in the early hours of the morning.

Air raid alerts sounded in eastern Ukraine, authorities said.

Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine has received another 1 billion from the European Union covered by the profit from Russian assets.

Source: European Pravda; Denys Shmyhal on social media

Details: Shmyhal said that 1 billion was the fifth tranche of macro-financial aid from the EU under the ERA initiative. The funds will be used for key state budget expenditures.

The PM said that Ukraine has already received 7 billion from the EU under the ERA initiative. This resource is secured by revenues from Russia's frozen assets.

Background:

The EU may allocate up to 9 billion for military aid to Ukraine in 2025 as part of the support provided by frozen Russian assets.

The discussion of the ERA mechanism comes as the European Union criticised the plan of its chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, to allocate billions of euros for weapons to Ukraine, citing the lack of specific implementation mechanisms.

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Ukraine has received another 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in macro-financial assistance from the European Union as part of a G7 loan, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 13.

"This is the fifth tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU under the ERA Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) initiative," Shmyhal wrote on social media. "The funds will be directed toward key expenditures of the state budget."

Shmyhal thanked Ukraine's partners for their "consistent and reliable support," adding, "Together, we will make (Russia) pay for all the damage caused to Ukraine."

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According to Shmyhal, Ukraine has received a total of 7 billion euros ($8 billion) from the European Union under the ERA initiative, which is funded by the windfall profits generated from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.

The ERA mechanism, launched by the G7 and backed by the EU and the United States, is a $50 billion program designed to support Ukraine through loans repaid using future income from frozen Russian assets. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, G7 countries have frozen around $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets.

Ukraine received the previous 1-billion-euro tranche on May 8 as part of the fourth installment of EU aid under ERA.

Read also: EU provides Ukraine with $1 billion tranche under G7 loan covered by Russian assets

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Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers and citizens as part of an agreement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 13.

The repatriation comes after Ukraine brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members earlier this week, with Moscow voicing readiness to release the remains of some 6,000 Ukrainians total during recent peace talks in Istanbul.

The headquarters coordinated the operation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman's Office, the military, the Interior Ministry, and other state and defense bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also provided assistance.

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It is not immediately clear whether Ukraine released the bodies of Russian soldiers in return. During the previous exchange on June 11, Moscow claimed it had repatriated the bodies of 27 Russian service members.

At the Istanbul meeting on June 2, Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a new exchange of POWs but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement.

The talks led to the most extensive prisoner swap in late May, involving 1,000 captives on each side. The exchanges continued this week, focusing on severely ill and wounded soldiers.

Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of failing to uphold a proposed prisoner exchange, a charge Kyiv denied. Russian media published footage showing refrigerated containers allegedly holding the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, suggesting Kyiv had rejected their return.

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POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov told Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and not at a designated exchange site.

Kyiv has repeatedly urged Moscow to adopt an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange formula. While over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to resist a comprehensive swap.

Read also: Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal

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Ukraine has warned that the escalation between Israel and Iran could further destabilize the international security situation.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed on Friday that Iran is supplying Russia with weapons for the war in Ukraine.

"Iran is the source of numerous problems in the Middle East and beyond," it said in a statement.

"We call on the international community to take joint and decisive actions to overcome today's security threats and to coordinately deter a group of aggressive regimes  Russia, Iran, and North Korea," it continued.

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Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years.

The Russian military employs Shahed combat drones, particularly in night-time airstrikes on Ukraine, which either originate in Iran or are being replicated in large numbers in Russia.
Ukraine successfully brought back five children who had been forcibly taken to Russia as well as Russian-occupied territory, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak announced on June 12.

The children have been returned home under the President of Ukraines initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, according to Yermak.

"We are fulfilling the President's mission  to bring back every Ukrainian child," Yermak said in an statement.

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Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself, according to a Ukrainian national database, "Children of War." Only 1,359 children have been returned thus far.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliaments Commissioner for Human Rights, estimated that Russia has unlawfully deported up to 150,000 Ukrainian children, while the Childrens Ombudswoman, Daria Herasymchuk, puts the figure at 200,000300,000.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, citing their involvement in the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children. Russia dismissed the ICC's decision as "outrageous and unacceptable."

Under orders from Putin, children were transported via military aircraft in 2022, reclassified in Russian databases as native-born, and subjected to pro-Russian re-education before being adopted into Russian families. Ukrainian children had been transported to at least 21 regions throughout Russia.

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Child abductions have played a key part of U.S.-Russia peace negotiations  all of which Russia has thus far rejected. Ukrainian officials have named their return as a key condition for any future peace agreement with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 3 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.

CNN reported on June 11 that the Yale University-based Humanitarian Research Lab, which spearheads the Ukraine Conflict Observatory is preparing to shut down after its funding was terminated by the Trump administration.

A Yale study published on Dec. 3 detailed Russia's systematic program of deporting and forcibly assimilating Ukrainian children.

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Read also: With only 2 weeks of funding left, US group tracking Russian abduction of Ukrainian children prepares to shut down

























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Key developments on June 13:

Ukrainian MiG-29 strikes Russian drone hub, ammo depot in Zaporizhzhia direction, releases video

Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns

Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia

Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea

A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine's Air Force reported on June 13.

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The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack.

"We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective 'arguments'," the service wrote.

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The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine's air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war's most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces.

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Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push.

Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations.

Read also: Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Ukrainian military denies NYT claims about Russian presence in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

There is no confirmed information that Russian troops have entered Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, spokesperson Victor Tregubov of the Khortytsia group of forces told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on June 13, refuting earlier claims published by the New York Times (NYT).

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The NYT cited Ukrainian military sources claiming that Russian troops crossed the administrative boundary into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the first time since the war began.

The reporting also referenced a map by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicating that Russian forces advancing in the region had allegedly secured a foothold.

Tregubov said the situation remains unchanged as of June 13. He indicated that no information suggests Russian forces have crossed the administrative border, but he noted that updated intelligence may be available later in the day.

Andrii Zadubiny, press officer of the Khortytsia forces, also rejected the claims.

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"No enemy incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been recorded. We refute this information," he told Suspilne. He suggested that ISW might be relying on Russian sources.

On June 8, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a claim that has not been substantiated by Ukrainian authorities.

The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState also reported no evidence of Russian forces entering the oblast. A map depicting Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine indicates that the Russian troops are only a couple of kilometers from the border.

To date, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast  a major industrial region in central Ukraine  has not seen confirmed Russian ground incursions, though it has remained under constant threat from missile and drone attacks.

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In late April, Ukrainian authorities began mandatory evacuations of families with children from four front-line villages  Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka  located just kilometers from Russian positions.

The latest developments come amid growing pressure on Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts and continued failure of U.S.-mediated negotiations to produce a ceasefire agreement.

Read also: Why cant the West match Russias ammunition production?

Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned on June 13 that Russia has begun preparing strategic military reserves, signaling plans for military operations that may extend beyond Ukraine.

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"According to our intelligence, Russia has started to prepare strategic reserves, which indicates plans for combat operations not only in Ukraine," Sybiha said during the Globsec conference in Prague, calling for urgent diplomatic and economic pressure.

"Allies need full diplomatic mobilization to stop this war. This is not just a question for Ukraine. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin only understands strength, and right now it's crucial to apply sanctions in a timely manner, using them as economic weapons to pressure Russia," Sybiha said.

The comments come as Russia intensifies its military offensives and missile strikes across Ukraine, despite participating in two recent rounds of peace talks in Istanbul. The first talks were held on May 16, followed by a second meeting on June 2. While both rounds produced agreements on prisoner exchanges, they failed to secure a ceasefire.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a June 12 interview with Germany's Bild newspaper that Russia is using the talks to delay tougher U.S. sanctions, while continuing to escalate attacks on Ukrainian cities.

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Russia also continues to issue nuclear threats to Western countries. Putin claimed on June 11 that Russia possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems, with 95% of its strategic nuclear forces reportedly made up of modern equipment.

Putin emphasized the need to significantly strengthen Russia's ground forces. Russian defense spending has surged to 6.3% of GDP, the highest level since the Cold War, as Moscow continues to ramp up its military investment amid the ongoing war.

Read also: Iranian commander killed in Israeli airstrike oversaw Shahed drone supply to Russia

Ukraine repatriates bodies of 1,200 citizens, soldiers under Istanbul deal with Russia

Ukraine has brought home the bodies of 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers and citizens as part of an agreement with Russia in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War (POWs) announced on June 13.

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The repatriation comes after Ukraine brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members earlier this week, with Moscow voicing readiness to release the remains of some 6,000 Ukrainians total during recent peace talks in Istanbul.

The headquarters coordinated the operation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Ombudsman's Office, the military, the Interior Ministry, and other state and defense bodies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also provided assistance.

It is not immediately clear whether Ukraine released the bodies of Russian soldiers in return. During the previous exchange on June 11, Moscow claimed it had repatriated the bodies of 27 Russian service members.

At the Istanbul meeting on June 2, Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed on a new exchange of POWs but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement.

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The talks led to the most extensive prisoner swap in late May, involving 1,000 captives on each side. The exchanges continued this week, focusing on severely ill and wounded soldiers.

Russia accused Ukraine on June 7 of failing to uphold a proposed prisoner exchange, a charge Kyiv denied. Russian media published footage showing refrigerated containers allegedly holding the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, suggesting Kyiv had rejected their return.

POW Coordination Headquarters deputy head Andrii Yusov told Ukrainian Pravda that the footage had been filmed inside Russia and not at a designated exchange site.

Kyiv has repeatedly urged Moscow to adopt an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange formula. While over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022, Russia continues to resist a comprehensive swap.

Read also: Amid Moscows war in Ukraine, Trump wonders why everybody hates Russia

Russian military equipment reportedly hit in Ukrainian drone attack against Crimea

Explosions could be heard across Crimea early on June 13, including in Sevastopol and Simferopol, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported amid Russian claims of Ukrainian drone attacks.

Atesh partisans reported "precise hits" against Russian military facilities near Simferopol.

"Our agents report that due to the negligence of the (Russian) command, valuable equipment was damaged, probably an air defense missile system," the group said on Telegram.

"There are also losses among the troops," Atesh said, adding that the exact numbers are difficult to establish.

The pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported a hit in Simferopol, Crimea's capital, sharing a photo of a plume of smoke rising in the vicinity of a local power station and of the village of Perevalne. Blasts in Yevpatoriia, Saki, Fedosia, and elsewhere were also reported.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 125 Ukrainian drones overnight on June 13, including 70 over Crimea and seven over the Black Sea. Russian officials did not comment on possible damage.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Ukraine has not commented on the alleged attacks.

Russia has illegally occupied Crimea since 2014, transforming the peninsula into a heavily militarized stronghold to support its war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted the peninsula with missiles and drones since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022. Most recently, Ukrainian drones attacked an ammunition depot used by Russia's 126th Coastal Defense Brigade near the village of Perevalne.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

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The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Iran plays a destructive role both in the Middle East and beyond, in particular, by supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Quote: "Ukraine is anxiously following the events in the Middle East in connection with Israel's strikes on targets in Iran last night.

Aware of the risks of further destabilisation of the entire region, we state that the continuation of hostilities may negatively affect international security and global financial stability, especially in the oil markets.

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It is important to avoid further destabilisation of the region and to prevent civilian casualties."

Details: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the continuation of hostilities could have negative consequences for global stability. The ministry also recalled that Iran continues to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, in particular by supplying weapons used to attack the Ukrainian population.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Iran "is the source of many problems in the Middle East and beyond".

"We are convinced that the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East will be in the interests of the region and the entire international community. Security in Europe and the Middle East are directly linked. In this context, we call on the international community to take joint and decisive action to overcome current security threats and coordinate the deterrence of a group of aggressive regimes  Russia, Iran, and North Korea," the statement reads.

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Amid the deteriorating situation, the Foreign Ministry called on Ukrainians to refrain from travelling to the countries of the region  in particular, Israel, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria  until the situation stabilises.

Citizens staying in these countries are advised to observe security measures, closely follow local authorities' messages, and always carry identification documents.

Background:

On the night of 12-13 June, Israel attacked Tehran and its outskirts and other cities across the country. Israel described its attack as preemptive and aimed at undermining Irans nuclear programme and targeting military facilities.

It was also reported that Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had been killed in the strikes.

Irans Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said that Tehran would respond to Israel's strikes, noting that the United States would "pay dearly" despite Washington's assurances of its non-involvement.

Iranian media reported that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri and six nuclear scientists were killed in an Israeli attack.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had known in advance about Israel's plans to strike Iran and said that the US was ready to defend its forces in the region and help Israel in case of retaliation.

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Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

You may be aware that President Donald Trumps global tariff war will see Americans paying more for consumer goods, but have you considered the cost of services will also rise?

According to a February report from Insurify, the cost of full-coverage car insurance in the U.S. could increase by 8% on average this year with Trumps 25% import tariffs on car parts made in Mexico and Canada. The only exemptions are USMCA-compliant parts that qualify for preferential treatment  meaning they meet certain place-of-origin manufacturing and labelling requirements, among other stipulations.

Plus, with Canadian steel and aluminum facing the same tariff, the price of manufacturing auto parts in America could also skyrocket.

Don't miss

The cost of auto parts is a major factor in the final price of your auto insurance. The car industry in the U.S. is reliant on our neighbors to the north and south, as the U.S. imports roughly 32% of its total auto parts from Canada and Mexico, according to data cited in the Insurify report.

Imports of finished cars and trucks from Canada and Mexico also account for one-fifth of all vehicles sold.

Tariffs on your transportation

Increasing insurance costs may not be the only headache. Demand for cars produced domestically could see automakers expand their workforces and add to the final cost of their vehicles.

Manufacturers may also have to absorb the higher cost of steel and aluminum imports, which will likely be reflected in car prices.

Whether youre buying a new car or repairing a used one, the cost of parts will make transportation more expensive for Americans. Demand for cars made domestically may also increase if imports become prohibitively expensive.

USA Today reports that tariffs could make the average cost of a new car rise by about $3,000, according to Wolfe Research.

Rising costs for insurance

In February, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association reported that about six in 10 auto replacement parts used in U.S. repair shops are from Canada, Mexico or China. Higher auto parts costs could lead to increased costs for insurers, with premiums rising accordingly.
Ukraines domestically developed short-range Sapsan ballistic missile has successfully completed combat testing and is in the process of serial production, Ukrainian media reported on June 13.

The missile, with a payload of 480 kg, completed testing in May after successfully striking a Russian military target at a range of nearly 300 km, Valentyn Badrak, head of the an independent Ukrainian think Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies told Liga.net.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry reportedly dedicated a department to formulate and test the missile.

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There is no reported timeline as to when the missiles can be seen in regular use on the battlefield.

Domestically produced long-range weapons are of key importance to Ukraine's defense strategy, as Western partners have been slow in delivering adequate weaponry amid increasing Russian attacks and offensives.

The news comes as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a congressional hearing on June 10 that the United States will reduce funding allocated for military assistance to Ukraine in its upcoming defense budget

In November 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has produced its first 100 missiles.

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Since then, Ukraine has continued to increase domestic weapon production. Zelensky said on April 16 that over 40% of the weapons used at the front line are now produced in Ukraine, including over 95% of drones used at front line.

Zelensky also previously revealed that Ukraine had developed another domestic-made weapon, a missile-drone Palianytsia.

As Ukraine attempt to increase its defense production, Russia has continued to unleash large-scale attacks on Ukrainian cities, regularly launching hundreds of drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.

Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent that Russia's production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year.

Russian monthly missile production (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in late 2024 that Ukraine also resumed and scaled up serial production of Neptune cruise missiles, modifying them to have a greater range.

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Kyiv has received a number of long-range missiles from partners, such as U.S.-made ATACMS, British Storm Shadow, or French SCALP/T. Despite Ukrainian requests, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on June 12 that Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles to Kyiv.

Read also: Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles

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The Air Force of Ukraine has posted a video showing a MiG-29 fighter jet using guided bombs to deliver a high-precision strike on a command post of Russian UAV operators.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force Command on social media

Details: The strike on the Russian facility was carried out on the Zaporizhzhia front.

The second bomb destroyed a Russian ammunition and fuel depot.

The date of the effective strike has not been disclosed.

Quote: "We thank our partners for their high-precision and effective arguments!"

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Four adults  three women and one man  were killed in an accident involving a bus carrying Ukrainian citizens in the French department of Sarthe on 13 June.

Source: BFMTV, a French news broadcast television and radio network, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The bus was carrying Ukrainian nationals, both adults and teenagers.

In addition to the four fatalities, nine people sustained serious injuries and another 18 suffered minor injuries, the prefecture reported.

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The crash occurred on a section of the Rennes-Le Mans motorway near the town of Degre. The road has been closed in both directions to facilitate evacuation and rescue operations.

During a visit to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said he was "thinking of the victims of the horrific bus accident that occurred in Sarthe".

"When such tragedies happen in our country, we are all concerned, and we will do everything necessary to determine the circumstances of this accident," he added.

In a statement on X (Twitter), French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot extended his "condolences" to the victims of what he called a "very serious road accident" that had taken "too many" lives.

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French Labour Minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet, who is currently visiting Sarthe, will visit the site of the crash. Ukraines Ambassador to France is also expected to be present.

Background:

Four Ukrainian citizens were killed in a road accident in Austria in April.

In mid-February, a Kyiv-Chisinau bus was involved in an accident that left 16 people injured.

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Ukrainian fighters from the 413th Raid Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces, as part of a consolidated unit from the 78th Separate Air Assault Dzhmil (Bumblebee) Battalion, have discovered and destroyed an anti-tank mine depot in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Source: Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote: "The soldiers from the 413th Raid Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces, operating in Kursk Oblast as part of a consolidated unit from the 78th Separate Air Assault Dzhmi Battalion, discovered and destroyed an anti-tank mine depot. The enemy had left them in a wooded area without proper camouflage and paid dearly for it."

Details: The Unmanned Systems Forces also stated that fighters from the unit used UAVs to strike a Z-STS armoured vehicle, known as Akhmat due to it being developed for Chechnya's security forces.

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In addition, the Raid Battalion operators destroyed Russian lorries, pickup trucks and minibuses with their strikes.

Background: On the night of 11-12 June, units from Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with other defence forces units, hit an important Russian defence industrial base facility  the Rezonit technology park in Moscow Oblast.

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A Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet carried out a precision strike on Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, targeting a command post for drone operators and a combined ammunition and fuel depot, Ukraine's Air Force reported on June 13.

The Air Force did not disclose the exact location of the strike but thanked international partners for providing the guided munitions used in the attack.

"We thank our partners for their highly accurate and effective 'arguments'," the service wrote.

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The MiG-29, a Soviet-designed multirole fighter jet, remains a front-line platform in Ukraine's air force and has been adapted to carry Western-supplied precision-guided weapons.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast, located in southeastern Ukraine, remains one of the war's most contested areas. While the city of Zaporizhzhia is under Ukrainian control, southern parts of the region remain occupied by Russian forces.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on May 31 that Russia has intensified offensive operations across several key areas, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of a broader summer push.

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Ukrainian forces have continued to conduct airstrikes and sabotage missions to degrade Russian supply lines and disrupt offensive preparations.

Read also: Russia preparing strategic reserves for conflicts beyond Ukraine, Ukraine warns

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There is no confirmed information that Russian troops have entered Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, spokesperson Victor Tregubov of the Khortytsia group of forces told Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne on June 13, refuting earlier claims published by the New York Times (NYT).

The NYT cited Ukrainian military sources claiming that Russian troops crossed the administrative boundary into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast for the first time since the war began.

The reporting also referenced a map by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicating that Russian forces advancing in the region had allegedly secured a foothold.

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Tregubov said the situation remains unchanged as of June 13. He indicated that no information suggests Russian forces have crossed the administrative border, but he noted that updated intelligence may be available later in the day.

Andrii Zadubiny, press officer of the Khortytsia forces, also rejected the claims.

"No enemy incursion into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has been recorded. We refute this information," he told Suspilne. He suggested that ISW might be relying on Russian sources.

On June 8, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had entered Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a claim that has not been substantiated by Ukrainian authorities.

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The Ukrainian monitoring group DeepState also reported no evidence of Russian forces entering the oblast. A map depicting Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine indicates that the Russian troops are only a couple of kilometers from the border.

To date, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast  a major industrial region in central Ukraine  has not seen confirmed Russian ground incursions, though it has remained under constant threat from missile and drone attacks.

In late April, Ukrainian authorities began mandatory evacuations of families with children from four front-line villages  Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raipole, and Sukhareva Balka  located just kilometers from Russian positions.

The latest developments come amid growing pressure on Ukrainian defenses across multiple fronts and continued failure of U.S.-mediated negotiations to produce a ceasefire agreement.

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Read also: After Israels strikes, Ukraine says Iran source of problems but warns against destabilization

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After 4 March 2027, when temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU expires, support will be provided for an unhindered return to Ukraine, while those employed or studying in the EU will be eligible to change their residence status.

Source: Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov in a conversation with journalists in Luxembourg on 13 June, as reported by an European Pravda correspondent

Details: Temporary protection in the European Union for Ukrainians will end in March 2027, after which Ukrainians will be helped to return to their homeland or remain in the EU with a different legal status, the Ukrainian minister said.

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"We are informed about prolongation of the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees for another year until March 2027. It is very important to provide to those people clarity for their planning of life and for their security," Chernyshov said.

He said that around 5 million Ukrainians currently have temporary protection status in the EU, having left Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion. Sixty per cent are in Germany, Poland or Czechia, with Germany hosting the largest number  over 1.2 million.

"We will be prepared to voluntarily return some of Ukrainians or most of Ukrainians once the war is over and there is stable peace. We are preparing special centres in the capitals of the European Union countries which are called unity hubs that will both provide professional services for those Ukrainians who are considering voluntary return back home after the peace is reached," Chernyshov said.

He noted that the unity hubs will also help those "who will decide to integrate into the European Union countries".

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"They should know language. They should have a job. They should be professionally developed. They should be an asset. We will be working on that," explained Chernyshov.

Background:

European Pravda earlier reported that the European Commission has proposed draft recommendations to the EU Council that will allow member states to prepare for the coordinated termination of temporary protection for Ukrainians. They will be offered either a transition to a new legal status in their country of residence or assistance in returning home. The list of proposed recommendations can be found here.

Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraines Ambassador to the EU, also told European Pravda that temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU will be extended for another year.

As of 31 March 2025, just over 4.26 million people who are not EU citizens and fled Ukraine due to Russias full-scale invasion were granted temporary protection in the European Union.

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Amid the screaming sirens of ambulances bringing Ukrainian prisoners back from Russia on Thursday, Yana Nepotribna struggled to make her voice heard as she yelled out to her husband.

Denys Nepotribna could not hear his tearful 26-year-old wife in the din.

And he was among the soldiers surprised to see the woman climb onto a two metre (6.5 feet) high wall to get a better view.

Nepotribna fell into the arms of her husband and the other former prisoners surrounded them as though forming a protective shield around their reunion. She was then carried in the crowd having nearly lost conscious in the emotion of the moment.

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"I held on to him like a vulture," she told AFP. "He says he said something, but I don't remember what it was."

The couple had one of the rare happy endings from the latest return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity.

At least one other woman emerged from the crowd in tears, unable to find the soldier she had been looking for in the crowd.

- Desperate soldiers' wives -

Russia and Ukraine agreed at talks in Istanbul last week to each free more than 1,000 prisoners of war and to send back the bodies of war dead. All of those freed were wounded or aged under 25.

The first stages of the swap took place on Monday and Tuesday, with Russia on Wednesday also handing back the bodies of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers killed since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

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The oldest Ukrainian soldier freed on Thursday was 59, the youngest 22. They included some who had been listed as "missing in action," Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said.

The freed soldiers were besieged by distraught families looking for news of missing fighters.

Under the window of the building where the soldiers were taken, people held up banners with the pictures of missing soldiers. Dozens of identity pictures are also stuck to the walls. Families begged the returning troops to look at the images and shouted their names and brigade numbers hoping for news.

Wounded soldiers, some without legs and other limbs, were pushed in wheelchairs. One looked at the pictures as he moved through the crowd. "That one is alive," he said after seeing one photo.

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One soldier walked through with a Ukrainian flag around his shoulders. "Mum, I am in Ukraine and I will soon be home," he shouted, in Russian, into a mobile phone.

Cries of joy and tears of sadness were passed through other phones as other soldiers made their presence known.

Iryna Melnyk said she found out during an exchange on Tuesday that her son, missing for the past two years, was alive.

"Two men told me that he was alive and in captivity," said the 44-year-old.

"I recorded them by video to show that my son is alive and that he must be saved," she added.

"I showed a photo of my son. I said: 'Look. 57th Brigade. Melnik.' And he looked at me and and recognised my son," she said.

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The prisoner exchanges are one of the rare areas where the war rivals have been able to agree after more than three years of conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Ukrainian officials said more exchanges were expected in the coming days despite wrangling between the two sides.

Russian state media showed Moscow's troops in camouflage chanting "Russia, Russia" with national flags around their shoulders as they returned on Thursday.

According to a Ukrainian interior ministry estimate given in December, about 60,000 Ukrainian civilians and soldiers are considered missing in the chaos of the war.

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By Margaryta Chornokondratenko and Aleksandar Vasovic

BUCHA, Ukraine (Reuters) -Volodymyr Umanets, a 69-year-old security guard, hopes his son will be among the Ukrainian prisoners of war now being handed over by Russia, but he knows he could be part of a more sombre homecoming: the repatriated remains of dead soldiers.

Not knowing which group his son, Sergiy, will be in is a torment. I am told to wait. What else is left for me to do? said Umanets, as tears welled up in his eyes.

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This week Russia and Ukraine began implementing a deal reached at June 2 peace talks in Istanbul to hand over 1,000 prisoners of war each, and also a huge number of human remains.

Alongside the joyful scenes of soldiers returning home and hugging loved ones, there have been macabre images of men dressed in hazmat suits transferring body bags from refrigerated trucks.

Russia said it plans to hand over the remains of around 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers in this phase of the exchange. So far this week, it said it transferred 1,212 sets of remains, while Ukraine said it handed over the bodies of 27 Russian soldiers.

Volodymyr Umanetss son Sergiy, 49, served in the army as a younger man and volunteered to rejoin shortly after the February 2022 full-scale invasion. He was serving in the Ukrainian military in south-eastern Ukraine when he went missing in combat in December 2023.

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His father, who works as a security guard in the town hall in Bucha, outside Kyiv, said he still hopes Sergiy is alive, and that he was captured by the Russian side.

But he acknowledged the possibility that his son may have been killed. He gave authorities a sample of his DNA so that if Sergiys remains are recovered, he can be identified.

You know, I want to know at least something, to get at least some information, he said.

I read recently in the newspaper that a young man was declared missing. And during the exchange of bodies, his DNA was identified. He was buried today. I wish I knew at least this.

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Each side has been handing over soldiers remains periodically throughout the conflict, but the swap now underway is of an unprecedented scale.

PAINSTAKING PROCESS

For Ukraine, the repatriation of the remains marks the start of a long and painstaking process to identify who they are, how they died, and to notify their families.

The task is made more complicated because sometimes the returned soldiers were killed in explosions so their bodies are in fragments, according to Djordje Alempijevic, a professor of forensic science at Belgrade University who helped examine the remains of people killed in conflicts in the Western Balkans in the 1990s.

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An added complication, he said, is that some of the remains have been stored for a long time, and they degrade, even if kept in refrigeration.

In the best case scenario, the bodies are returned with some documents to help identification, said Dmytro Hapchenko, a local council official in Bucha who has worked on remains of people killed in the war.

But he said that does not always happen.

In fact, Ukraine has alleged that Russias approach to processing the remains of Ukrainian soldiers has been haphazard.

On June 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters that in previous repatriations of remains, Russia handed over bodies to Ukraine that were actually dead Russian soldiers.

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Russia, in response, has accused Ukraine of deliberately delaying the exchange of the remains, stranding trucks with human bodies on the Russian side of the border, a claim denied by Ukraine.

Absent any identifying documents for the returned remains, forensic pathologists will try to conduct an autopsy, said Alempijevic. He said they look for features like old bone fractures, dental characteristics, and metal plates or screws from old surgeries.

Alempijevic, member of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, said autopsies also allowed pathologists to look for evidence of a war crime.

Ukrainian prosecutors have alleged some Ukrainian soldiers were tortured in captivity, or summarily executed, and they are preparing criminal prosecutions. Russia has denied those allegations.

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Hapchenko, the Bucha city official, said he was supporting families from his area whose loved ones went missing in the fighting.

Unfortunately, there are quite a few of them, he said. Referring to the repatriation of fallen soldiers now underway, he said: Maybe now theyll be able to bury them.

(Additional reporting by Sergiy Karazy; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday condemned "any military escalation in the Middle East," expressing concern over Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement that Guterres is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities "while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway."

"The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford," the statement said.

The statement follows a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting military and nuclear-related sites across Iran. Iran has vowed to retaliate, launching an initial wave of over 100 drones, according to the Israeli military.
Mars has appointed Paris-based Publicis to lead its global media account - Jeff Gilbert

Britains biggest advertising company has suffered a fresh setback after losing a $1.7bn (1.3bn) Mars contract to a French rival.

Mars, which also owns M&Ms, Snickers and Whiskas cat food, has appointed Paris-based Publicis to lead its global media account after kicking off a review late last year.

The move deals a major blow to WPP, which has held the lucrative contract since 2018.

It is the latest in a string of major client losses for the London advertising giant, which lost its $700m North America Coca-Cola account to Publicis in March.

Publicis, which owns Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett, last year leapfrogged WPP as the worlds largest advertising group by revenues, while the British company is facing added pressure as two other rivals  Omnicom and Interpublic  prepare to merge.

It also comes days after WPP announced the departure of Mark Read as chief executive.

Mark Read will step down as chief executive of WPP at the end of this year - Toby Melville/Reuters

Mr Read, who has worked at the company for more than three decades and served as chief executive since 2018, will step down at the end of the year.

The Mars contract covers the US companys media offering, as well as production, social media, influencer marketing and commerce capabilities across 70 markets worldwide.

WPP agency T&P will retain the creative account for Mars food and nutrition.

Arthur Sadoun, the chief executive of Publicis, said: We are delighted to reinvent the consumer business playbook with Mars, rekindling our longstanding partnership as we embark on this significant growth transformation journey.

The account loss underscores difficulties at WPP, which has suffered a sharp slowdown in growth and seen its share price halve under Mr Reads tenure.

While Mr Read has succeeded in slimming down the groups sprawling network of agencies, WPP has struggled to compete as tech giants such as Google and Meta have taken an increasingly large chunk of the advertising market.

Advertising agencies are also facing a fresh threat from artificial intelligence (AI), which has made it easier to automate much of the work traditionally carried out by creative agencies.

Mr Read has sought to embrace the shift, snapping up AI company Satalia in 2021, and pledging to invest 300m in the technology. However, investors have been unconvinced by the move and WPP has slipped behind its rivals.

The search for Mr Reads successor will be led by Philip Jansen, the former BT chief executive who took over as WPP chairman at the beginning of this year.

In a statement earlier this week, Mr Jansen said Mr Read had played a central role in transforming the company into a world leader in modern marketing services.

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The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with 149 countries including Germany voting in favour.

The United States and Israel were among the 12 nations that voted against the measure, while 19 abstained. The resolution also calls for the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and increased humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

Although resolutions passed by the 193-member General Assembly are non-binding, they carry symbolic weight and reflect global sentiment. Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the assembly has passed several similar resolutions urging a halt to the fighting and greater protection of civilians.
The UN Ocean conference in southern France ended on Friday with some progress towards marine conservation and calls from environmental organizations for quick implementation if the international community is to reach its goals by 2030.

Representatives from 170 countries spent five days in the French resort of Nice discussing the protection of the world's oceans, with signatories hoping to use the conference to make progress on the UN goal of effectively protecting at least 30% of the world's oceans by 2030, compared with 8% today.

"This conference has made significant progress on marine protection, despite the difficult geopolitical situation," German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said on Friday.

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The conference saw more support for an international agreement to protect the high seas, which make up around 60-70% of the oceans. The High Seas Protection Agreement, adopted by the United Nations two years ago aims to regulate international waters.

More than a dozen states ratified the agreement at the conference, meaning the target of 60 states ratifying should be reached by September, according to France, which co-hosted the conference with Costa Rica.

The event also built momentum to address plastic waste, with some 95 countries calling for the production of primary plastics to be limited.

They also want an obligation for countries to report on their production, import and export, and to see a commitment in the agreement to phase out the most problematic plastic products and chemicals in plastics.

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"What is outlined here is a good start and, at the same time, the absolute minimum required to effectively combat plastic pollution," said Florian Titze from WWF Germany.

Progress was also made on numerous other topics in Nice, including a French and German initiative to identify the exact location of munitions dumps in the Baltic and North Seas.

A group of states also wants to push ahead with the fight against noise pollution in the ocean, while UNESCO wants to do more to promote marine education.

However, the executive director of the OceanCare organization, Fabienne McLellan warned that UN Ocean Conferences serve as litmus tests for whether the international community can achieve the goals it has set itself for protecting the oceans by 2030.

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She said countries around the world are still a long way from these goals.

The next UN Ocean Conference is planned for 2028 and will be hosted by South Korea and Chile. Two previous editions took place in New York in 2017 and Lisbon in 2022.
Israels aerial assault on Iran has destroyed the above-ground enrichment plant at Natanz, where there is now contamination, according to Rafael Grossi, chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

Grossi delivered the update during an emergency UN Security Council meeting in New York on Friday, where he and other senior UN officials urged both Israel and Iran to show restraint to prevent a deeper regional conflict.

I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities should never be attacked regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment, said Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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He reported radiological and chemical contamination inside the Natanz facility, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 percent. However, he added that the contamination is manageable with appropriate measures, and said the IAEA is ready to send nuclear security experts to help secure the sites if requested.

I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation, he added.

Israels Ambassador Danny Danon listens to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on screen during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, in New York, US, June 13 [Eduardo Munoz/Reuters]

UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo also urged both sides to show maximum restraint at this critical moment.

A peaceful resolution through negotiations remains the best means to ensure the peaceful nature of Irans nuclear programme, she told the council. We must at all costs avoid a growing conflagration which would have enormous global consequences.

Israeli declaration of war

The 15-member Security Council, also joined by representatives of Israel and Iran, met at Irans request after Israel struck several Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites in the early hours of Friday, and carried out assassinations of senior military officials and nuclear scientists.

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Irans UN Envoy Amir Saeid Iravani told the emergency meeting that the attacks, which he described as a declaration of war and a direct assault on international order, had killed 78 people and injured more than 320.

He accused the US of providing Israel with both intelligence and political support for the attacks, the consequences of which he said it shares full responsibility for.

Supporting Israel today is supporting war crimes, he said.

The US representative, McCoy Pitt, insisted the US was not involved militarily in the strikes, but defended them as necessary for the self-defence of Israel.

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He warned that the consequences for Iran would be dire if it targeted US bases or citizens in retaliation. Irans leadership would be wise to negotiate at this time, he said.

How long did the world expect us to wait?

Israels UN envoy Danny Danon cast its attack on Irans nuclear sites as an act of national preservation, claiming Iran was days away from producing enough fissile material for multiple bombs.

This operation was carried out because the alternative was unthinkable, said Danon. How long did the world expect us to wait? Until they assemble the bomb? Until they mount it on a Shahab missile? Until it is en route to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?

We will not hesitate, we will not relent, and we will not allow a genocidal regime to endanger our people, said Danon

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An Iranian counterattack on Israel took place while the UN meeting was in progress, with Iran firing waves of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets.





Iran affirms its inherent right to self-defence, said Irans Iravani, promising to respond decisively and proportionately against Israel.

This is not a threat, this is the natural, legal and necessary consequence of an unprovoked military act, he said.

Vassily Nebenzia, Russias UN ambassador, told the council Israels actions in the Middle East are pushing the region to a large-scale nuclear catastrophe.

This completely unprovoked attack, no matter what Israel says to the contrary, is a gross violation of the UN Charter and international law, he said.
GOMA, Congo (AP)  The head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Congo met with leaders of the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 on Friday in Goma, in her first visit to the eastern city of Goma since its capture by the insurgents.

The meeting included discussions on the mandate of the peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO, especially on the protection of civilians, the mission said on X.

Mission head Bintou Keita met with Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance that includes M23, and other representatives.

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The rebel leaders "expressed their willingness to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, Keita said.

The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo escalated in January, when the Rwanda-backed M23 advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma in North Kivu province, followed by Bukavu in February.

Despite Congos army and M23 having agreed to work toward a truce in April, fighting between the two sides continues.

The meeting on Friday came as the rebels have recently been accused of committing possible war crimes in the territories they control.

In May, Amnesty International said the rebels killed, tortured and forcibly disappeared civilian detainees in Goma and Bukavu.

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M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced, including 100,000 who fled homes this year.

The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congos capital, Kinshasa, about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east.

The MONUSCO force arrived in Congo in 2010 after taking over from an earlier U.N. peacekeeping mission to protect civilians and humanitarian personnel and to support the Congolese government in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.

However, frustrated Congolese have said that no one is protecting them from rebel attacks, leading to protests against the U.N. mission and others that have at times turned deadly.

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In 2023, at Congos request, the U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to draw down the peacekeeping force and gradually hand over its security responsibilities to Congos government.

Last year, in the first stage of a planned full withdrawal, MONUSCO forces left the province of South Kivu.

The head of MONUSCOs visit to Goma sparked mixed reactions among local residents of Goma.

Shes here to carry out interventions where insecurity reigns in the country, and thats why, in my opinion, her presence in the city of Goma will change many things," Abiba Kasole, a student in the city, told The Associated Press.

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Another resident, Muguiko David, was less hopeful about the prospects of Keita's visit bringing peace.

What we think of MONUSCO, since it has been here with us, is that we live a miserable life, because they say they are here to help bring peace, and the peace theyre supposed to bringwe dont see it," he said.
The United Nations warned on Thursday that all aid operations in the embattled Gaza Strip could come to a halt due to the collapse of telecommunications services.

"Lifelines to emergency services, humanitarian coordination, and critical information for civilians have all been cut," UN spokesman Farhan Haq said in New York.

The outage is reportedly due to damage to the last fibre optic cable supplying the central and southern parts of the blockaded coastal strip, Haq said, adding that the damage was likely caused during intense military activity.

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According to experts, this is not a routine disruption, but rather "a complete collapse of Internet and data services."

In an area where aid for civilians is already restricted by access limitations and destruction, emergency services are now cut off, leaving civilians without access to life-saving assistance.

Last fibre optic network hit

Earlier in the day, the Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing the Palestinian Telecommunications Authority, reported that all internet and landline connections had been severed. The last remaining fibre optic network was reportedly hit during an attack.

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Since the start of the Gaza conflict more than 20 months ago, such disruptions to telecommunications services in the coastal strip have occurred repeatedly.

Over 100 reported killed in Gaza in 24 hours

More than 100 people were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza within 24 hours, amid deadly incidents near aid distribution sites and the communications outage on Thursday.

The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reported 103 deaths and 427 injuries in the past day. The figures, which do not differentiate between civilians and fighters, could not be independently verified.

Palestinians reported that Israeli forces opened fire near aid distribution positions, while a humanitarian foundation said Hamas launched a deadly attack on its staff.

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WAFA said at least 13 people were killed and around 200 injured at an aid centre in central Gaza. It also reported five deaths in the Sudaniya area, where people were waiting for food assistance.

The Israeli military has not commented on the incidents.

WAFA, citing medical sources, reported that 224 people have been killed and over 1,850 injured around aid distribution points since May 27. "The points have become traps for mass killings," it said.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the US, began distributing aid last month after a nearly three-month Israeli blockade. The initiative aims to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, according to Israeli officials.

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The UN and aid groups have repeatedly criticized the move over safety and access concerns.

UN General Assembly demands immediate ceasefire

Amid ongoing fighting in the region, the UN General Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, with 149 countries voting in favour.

The United States and Israel were among the 12 nations that voted against the measure, while 19 abstained. The resolution also calls for the release of all hostages held by Hamas and increased humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza.

Although resolutions passed by the 193-member General Assembly are non-binding, they carry symbolic weight and reflect global sentiment. Since the outbreak of the war between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the assembly has passed several similar resolutions urging a halt to the fighting and greater protection of civilians.
The UN Security Council is set to convene in New York later on Friday following Israel's heavy attacks on Iran, according to diplomatic sources.

The UN's most powerful body is to meet at 3 pm (1900 GMT) at the request of Russia, backed by China.

The council is usually unable to take decisions regarding the Middle East due to the veto power of Israel's ally, the United States.

Earlier on Friday, Iran had formally requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

According to a report by the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency, Iran sent an urgent letter condemning Israel's strikes on nuclear facilities and the killing of military personnel, and calling for the council to respond to what Iran described as the "obvious aggression of the Zionist regime."
A global oceans summit wrapped up Friday with world leaders taking major steps toward marine protection and vowing a showdown when nations meet to negotiate rules for deep-sea mining next month.

But as a cacophony of ship foghorns sounded the close of the UN Ocean Conference in France, a lack of funding pledges and the total omission of fossil fuels disappointed some observers.

The summit was just the third -- and largest yet -- dedicated entirely to what the United Nations calls an "emergency" in the world's oceans.

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More than 60 heads of state and government joined thousands of business leaders, scientists and environmental campaigners over five days in the southern city of Nice.

- Treaty tide -

There was unanimous praise for efforts to ratify the high seas treaty designed to protect marine life in the 60 percent of oceans that lie beyond national waters.

Some 19 countries formally ratified the pact at Nice, taking the overall tally to 50 -- but 60 nations are needed to bring the treaty into force.

France's oceans envoy, Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, said the numbers would be reached by September and the treaty should take effect by January, 2026.

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Rebecca Hubbard, director of the High Seas Alliance, welcomed the "incredible progress" but urged "all remaining nations to ratify without delay".

The summit sought a collective lift for oceans even as countries brace for tough talks over deep-sea mining in July and a plastic pollution treaty in August.

More than 90 ministers called in Nice for the treaty to enshrine limits on plastic production -- something fiercely opposed by oil-producing nations.

The summit also rallied behind a defence of science and rules-based oversight of common resources -- most notably the unknown depths of the oceans -- in a direct rebuke of US President Donald Trump.

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Trump was not present in Nice and rarely mentioned by name, but his shadow loomed as leaders thundered against his unilateral push to mine the ocean floor for nickel and minerals.

- Seabed row -

France and like-minded countries vowed to block any effort to permit deep-sea exploration at negotiations over a mining code at the International Seabed Authority next month, said Poivre d'Arvor.

"Nobody knows what is there in the deep sea... you cannot launch recklessly down this path," he said in a closing address.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged caution, warning against turning the deep sea into "the wild west".

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Leaders "made it unmistakably clear: deep-sea mining is one of the biggest threats facing our ocean, and the world is saying no", said Sofia Tsenikli from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition.

But for all the rhetoric, a global alliance opposed to deep-sea mining only attracted four new members at Nice, rising to 37 nations.

- Missing billions -

Greece, Samoa and Colombia were among 14 nations who unveiled plans for vast new marine protected areas, taking the share of the world's oceans under conservation to more than 10 percent.

Some also announced restrictions on bottom trawling, a destructive fishing method captured in grisly detail in a new David Attenborough documentary.

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Activists had pushed for a total ban on this kind of trawling, which uses heavy weighted nets dragged across the ocean floor.

Developing nations hoping their larger and wealthier counterparts would open the chequebook in Nice were disappointed.

Small island nations in particular have long complained they lack the finances required to build seawalls against rising tides and protect their waters from illegal fishers.

While private donors pledged around 8.7 billion euros ($10 billion) over the next five years, the UN says $175 billion a year is needed for sustainable ocean development.

Fossil fuels -- the main driver of climate change, ocean warming and the acidification of the seas -- were notably absent for a summit dedicated to marine protection.

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"Ignoring the imperative of phasing out offshore oil and gas is not just an injustice: it is inadmissible," said Bruna Campos from the Center for International Environmental Law.

The summit closed with the unanimous adoption of a political statement, negotiated over many months, that contained no mention of coal, oil and gas.

"We must all reckon with the reality that you cannot protect the ocean without confronting the biggest root cause bringing it to the breaking point," former US special climate envoy John Kerry said in a statement.

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A summit on the state of global oceans concludes Friday with nations having tested the waters on deep-sea mining and making strides towards protecting unpoliced reaches of the high seas.

But the UN Ocean Conference is set to fall short on major new financial pledges for poorer island nations, and many delegates are also disappointed that fossil fuels dropped off the agenda.

France welcomed more than 60 world leaders to the southern city of Nice along with thousands of scientists, business leaders and marine conservationists for the five-day event.

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It was just the third time nations had come together for the oceans at the UN level, and it was the largest gathering of its kind so far.

Many nations, including Colombia, Greece and Samoa, took the opportunity to unveil plans to create vast new marine parks and protected areas.

Others announced restrictions on bottom trawling, a destructive fishing method captured in grisly detail in a David Attenborough documentary that went viral ahead of the summit.

But marine groups praised efforts to ratify a landmark pact to protect marine life in the 60 percent of oceans that lie outside national waters.

France had hoped at Nice to secure the 60 ratifications necessary to bring the high seas treaty into force.

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By Thursday evening, 51 nations had ratified the agreement in what Rebecca Hubbard from the High Seas Alliance described as a "major milestone for ocean action".

"While we celebrate this incredible progress, we urge all remaining nations to ratify without delay," she added.

- Mining and money -

The conference sought to rally global action on marine protection as countries tussle over global rules for plastic pollution and seabed exploration.

More than 90 ministers issued a symbolic statement at Nice reaffirming their support for the strongest possible plastics treaty to be negotiated when the talks resume in August.

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It also provided an opportunity to defend the role of science and rules-based oversight of common resources, most notably the unknown depths of the oceans.

Alarmed at US President Donald Trump's unilateral push to fast-track deep-sea mining, leaders called for strict global rules to govern the ocean floor to stop a damaging race for critical minerals.

The International Seabed Authority meets in July to negotiate these rules.

"There has been a hardening of tone following the decision of the USA," Francois Chartier of Greenpeace told AFP.

But at Nice, very few countries added their name to a global call for a moratorium on seabed mining. "It's a disappointment," said Chartier.

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New financial commitments from rich governments were also missing, a key demand of small-island nations confronting sea-level rises, overfishing and marine pollution.

The summit will produce a joint political statement at its close on Friday that critics say is weak and without any reference to fossil fuels -- the key driver of ocean warming.

OceanCare, a marine conservation organisation, said the summit "must not produce another well-meaning declaration".

"The science is clear. The path is clear. What is missing is genuine political commitment and implementation."

aag-np/jj/sco
Iranians called for revenge on Friday demanding a swift response to a dizzying wave of strikes by Israel, as some took to the streets in protest, while others sheltered inside, unsure what would happen next.

The aerial onslaught killed several of the military's top brass, targeted an array of leading scientists and struck military and nuclear sites across Iran in an unprecedented attack that left many seething with anger.

"How much longer are we going to live in fear?" asked Ahmad Moadi, a 62-year-old retiree. "As an Iranian, I believe there must be an overwhelming response, a scathing response."

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The raids appeared to push the longtime enemies into full-blown conflict following years of fighting a shadow war mostly conducted through proxies.

Iran regularly arrests individuals it accuses of spying for Israel amid a flurry of targeted assassinations and acts of sabotage targeting its nuclear programme in recent years.

At least six scientists involved in Irans nuclear programme were killed in Friday's strikes.

"Theyve killed so many university professors and researchers, and now they want to negotiate?" Moadi exclaimed, referring to calls for Iran to go ahead with nuclear talks with Israel's US ally planned for this weekend.

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As Iran continued to assess the damage, some residents rallied in the streets of Tehran chanting: "Death to Israel, death to America," while waving Iranian flags and portraits of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

State television said similar demonstrations were held in cities across the country.

The Israeli strikes followed repeated threats from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appeared to finally cap a years-long quest to strike Irans nuclear programme.

"We can't let this bastard continue, or we'll end up like Gaza," Abbas Ahmadi, a 52-year-old Tehran resident, told AFP from behind the wheel of his car.

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"Iran must destroy him, it must do something."

 'If God wills it' 

Friday's attacks came after more than a year of soaring tensions as Israel took on Iran's regional allies Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.

Amid the tensions, Israel and Iran exchanged aerial barrages on two separate occasions last year. while stopping short of a full-scale war.

But following Fridays attack, all bets were off over what would come next, with Khamenei warning Israel faced a "bitter and painful" fate, while the Iranian military said there would be "no limits" to its response.

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Apart from scattered protests, Tehran's streets were largely deserted, except for queues at petrol stations, a familiar sight in times of crisis.

Air traffic was halted at Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport amid disruption across the region.

In the upscale district of Nobonyad in north Tehran, rescuers continued to comb through the rubble of two apartment blocks targeted in Israeli strikes.

Families with tear-streaked faces gathered nearby.

"They want to deprive us of our nuclear capability  that's unacceptable," said Ahmad Razaghi, 56, calmly echoing the official line.

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For Farnoush Rezaei, a 45-year-old nurse wearing a colourful hijab, Fridays attacks represented a final act by Israel -- a country "on its last breath".

Iranian leaders have for decades insisted that Israel will "soon" disappear. "If God wills it, at least a bit of peace will come from this," said Rezaei.

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"Vaccines have become a divisive issue in American politics," asserted Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his June 9 Wall Street Journal op-ed. "Public confidence is waning." This is true. But the HHS secretary bears responsibility for much of that division and waning confidence. And he's just made it worse.

How? Kennedy has politicized the U.S. vaccine approval process by summarily firing all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) earlier this week. Typically appointed to four-year terms, Kennedy has taken the unprecedented step of prematurely sacking the entire panel. Two days later, he announced his selection of eight new members, many of whom are chiefly famous for espousing contrarian views with respect to vaccine safety and efficacy.

So what did Kennedy find wrong with the original ACIP panel? The secretary asserted that it "has been plagued with persistent conflicts of interests" stemming from members' "immersion in a system of industry-aligned incentives and paradigms that enforce a narrow pro-industry orthodoxy." At least in his Journal op-ed, the secretary offers no evidence of any unreported or improper conflicts of interest among those he just fired. It is worth noting that the fired ACIP members were vetted before they were appointed and that they each declare any conflicts that later emerge before each of the committee's meetings.

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What about RFK Jr.'s vague claims hinting at nefarious "immersion in a system of industry-aligned incentives and paradigms" on the part of committee members? If your automobile keeps stalling out, you take your jalopy to a trained mechanic for diagnosis and repair. If your computer system has been hacked, you seek help from qualified computer engineers. You earnestly hope that your mechanics and computer engineers are fully immersed in their respective systems of industry-aligned incentives and paradigmsthat is, you hope they are experts who know what they are doing.

Looking over the pre-firing ACIP membership list, they chiefly appear to be immersed in the fields of immunology, vaccinology, and epidemiology. In other words, they, on the face of it, have the training you would expect them to have in order to expertly diagnose the relative safety and efficacy of vaccines. For the most part, the new appointees are notably lacking in such professional expertise.

The HHS secretary gives his game away when he characterizes his wholesale firing as being "above any pro- or antivaccine agenda." With respect to his new ACIP appointees, Kennedy promised that "none of these individuals will be ideological anti-vaxxers." That's great. After all, an anti-vaccine agenda makes as much sense as antiautomobile repair or anticomputer debugging agendas. The agendas we want are promaking cars run, procomputers correctly ciphering, and provaccines that protect against diseases.

However, in looking over the backgrounds of the new ACIP members, several of them can be fairly characterized as being at least anti-vaxxer-adjacent.

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First, there is physician researcher Robert Malone, who has made exaggerated claims about being the inventor of the mRNA technologies that led to the development of the successful mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Eventually, Malone became a COVID-19 vaccine skeptic, asserting that "they are not working." In 2023, he credulously cited a bogus analysis that claimed COVID-19 vaccines were responsible for 17 million excess deaths worldwide. Later epidemiological research suggests that the vaccines averted around 4 million deaths globally. A 2024 Brookings Institution report suggests "the delivery of vaccines to a substantial majority of the American population by mid-2021 saved close to 800,000 American lives relative to what would have occurred had vaccines not been developed."

Then there is public health nurse Vicky Pebsworth. She is a board member of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC). NVIC continues to peddle the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism, as does our HHS secretary.

Next up is Massachusetts Institute of Technology management professor Retsef Levi. In 2023, Levi called for the immediate suspension of all COVID-19 vaccination programs. His chief concern was the reported detection of heart inflammation (myocarditis) cases in young males who had been vaccinated. Subsequent research has shown that post-vaccination myocarditis is considerably less harmful than postCOVID infection myocarditis and conventional myocarditis.

In his announcement of the new ACIP members, Kennedy declared, "All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense." Maybe so, but the backgrounds of several of these appointees provide good reasons for skepticism.

The post Under RFK Jr., Vaccine Approval Is Getting More Politicized, Not Less appeared first on Reason.com.
In light of the escalating security situation between the State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has issued a travel advisory, urging its citizens to avoid visiting Israel unless absolutely necessary.

According to the official statement, Azerbaijani nationals currently in Israel are advised to exercise increased caution and strictly follow all safety regulations and security guidelines issued by local authorities.

"In view of the current tense security situation between Israel and Iran, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan are strongly recommended to refrain from non-essential travel to Israel. Those who are already in the country should remain highly vigilant," the statement said.

The ministry emphasized the importance of avoiding risky areas and complying with local instructions to ensure personal safety during this period of heightened tension.

In the event of an emergency, Azerbaijani citizens in Israel are urged to contact the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Tel Aviv via the following channels:

Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the State of Israel

???? [email protected]

???? +972 54 539 77 88

This warning follows similar advisories issued for travel to Iran and reflects Azerbaijan's ongoing commitment to protecting its citizens amid a rapidly shifting regional security environment.
The Chancellors Spending Review on 11 June 2025 set out a sweeping multi-year plan that aims to boost public services, infrastructure and policing.

Among its headline measures were a 2bn boost to policing, 13,000 extra neighbourhood officers, strengthened transport investment, upskilling initiatives and proposals for business rates reform.

In the retail sector, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) welcomed aspects of the package while underlining lingering concerns over crime, transport and future tax burdens.

Policing commitment responds to rising retail crime

Retailers have faced mounting pressure from shoplifting and abuse, costing the industry and consumers more than 4bn annually.

Tom Ironside, Director of Business & Regulation at the BRC, described the policing announcement as "welcome", noting the governments pledge of extra officers and funding.

With the huge rise in retail theft and the continued impact of violence and abuse on retail colleagues, we welcome the announcement of an extra 2bn for policing, Ironside said, adding that targeting both violence and abuse in retail, with over 2,000 incidents every day, and shoplifting must be a priority.

Official figures show retail crime levels remain stubbornly high across the UK, reinforcing the BRCs call for concentrated efforts on high streets under pressure.

Transport and skills boost for vibrant high streets

Successful town centres depend on reliable transport links. The Spending Review allocates billions to rail, bus and local transport schemes outside London. The BRC voiced support for this investment, highlighting it as vital to successful town and city centres.

Ironside added: Successful town and city centres are underpinned by an effective transport system which is why we support the funding aimed at improving transport in many parts of the country. With commerce increasingly local, improvements to connectivity can help drive footfall back to bricks-and-mortar stores.

On workforce development, the retail industry too stands to benefit. Ironside welcomed increased investment in skills:

The retail industry will welcome the increased funding for skills and training, and look forward to seeing more detail on the planned Skills & Growth Levy.

Finance pressures linger as business rates loom

Retail remains the UKs largest privatesector employer, but spiralling costs continue to strain margins. The BRC previously warned that retailers pay disproportionately high business rates5 % of GDP while covering more than 20 % of the total rates bill.
In convincing wary senators to confirm him as the nations top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised he would not discourage people from getting vaccines or make the shots difficult to access.

Now that the longtime anti-vaccine activist has the job, hes putting his promise to the test.

In the four months since GOP senators signed off on Kennedys appointment as secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has moved deliberately to upend the people and processes that have guided decision-making about vaccines.

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This week, he purged a government panel of outside vaccine experts and appointed eight replacements, some of whom share his view that the government has covered up vaccine side effects. He skipped the advisory process in changing who the government says should get Covid vaccines and stoked confusion when he issued updated guidance that gave parents room to decide for themselves. Hes hired an anti-vaccine activist to scour government records on vaccine safety and launched a search for autisms cause. Kennedy has long believed vaccines are one cause of the neurological disorder.

If we have a system that has been dismantled  one that allowed for open, evidence-based decision-making and that supported transparent and clear dialogue about vaccines  and then we replace it with a process thats driven largely by one persons beliefs, that creates a system that cannot be trusted, said Dr. Helen Chu, a University of Washington School of Medicine professor who was dismissed from the vaccine panel this week.

In the absence of independent, unbiased advice, she added, we cant trust that safe and effective vaccines will be available for use in the United States.

Kennedys sweeping moves in his first few months on the job underscore the broad mandate President Donald Trump gave him to remake the federal health department.

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Secretary Kennedy is restoring trust by demanding radical transparency and ending the complacency that defined past public health failures, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told POLITICO in a statement Thursday, noting that Kennedys commitment to putting accountability and radical transparency first will restore trust in our public health system.

Kennedy has said his mission is to reestablish trust by rooting out corruption in the health agencies  stemming, he believes, from the symbiotic relationship between regulators and industry.

But leaders in the public health establishment say his actions are more likely to do the opposite, arguing he distorts scientific data to suit his message.

What he's doing is undermining trust, said Tom Frieden, who led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during Barack Obamas presidency.

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Frieden worries that Kennedys hyper-skepticism about vaccine safety, which could be amplified now by like-minded members of his vaccine advisory panel, will mislead more people into believing the shots are unsafe, causing immunization rates to dip and infectious diseases to spread.

Kennedys belief that vaccines often carry serious side effects already has led to policy change, with HHS dropping guidance that pregnant women get vaccinated for Covid. HHS cited evidence that the shot was linked to miscarriages  though one of the researchers footnoted in an HHS document disputed the agencys characterization. Thirty-two medical groups protested the decision earlier this week.

Among the new members of the vaccine advisory panel are Dr. Robert Malone and Retsef Levi, who share Kennedys view that Covid vaccine side effects are more serious than the government has disclosed.

The changes Kennedy has made, public health experts warn, are upending the nations health agencies and risk paralyzing decision-making about what advice to give the public.

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But to Kennedys supporters, hes just doing what Trump asked him to do.

Frankly, the experts really got an awful lot wrong about Covid in particular, so I think in general the American population right now is pretty darn skeptical of the so-called experts, said Mary Holland, president and general counsel at Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit Kennedy founded.

An unprecedented move

The vaccine panel Kennedy has upended, the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, is one of four external panels housed at HHS that advise agencies on vaccine policy, but its regarded as the most influential.

The panel helps set the CDCs childhood and adult immunization schedules, and several state and federal laws reference ACIP recommendations  including the Affordable Care Act, which requires health plans to cover vaccines the committee recommends for routine use without cost-sharing. ACIP also votes on whether vaccines should be offered through the Vaccines for Children program that ensures low-income and under- and uninsured kids can access shots for free.

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If the secretary puts in place an advisory committee that shares his views around vaccination  I can envision the committee not making recommendations for vaccine use in children, or revisiting the existing schedule and changing some of those recommendations, Dr. Richard Besser, a former CDC acting director whos now president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told POLITICO Tuesday. We would be in a situation where your ability to get a vaccine depends on how much money is in your pocket.

The demise of an independent ACIP, Chu said, would lead to a patchwork of different policies by different states  a development that could see some states stop mandating certain vaccines for school entry and likely increasing the risk of infectious disease.

Historically, the CDC director decides whether to accept, reject or amend the groups recommendations, but its unclear whether anyone is filling that role.

Dr. Susan Monarez, a former Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health official, was tapped to lead the CDC, compelling her to step down as acting director. Kennedy told lawmakers in May that agency chief of staff Matthew Buzzelli  a lawyer with no public health background  was in charge.

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Even Holland called the absence of a confirmed CDC director troubling and questioned whether the Senate is prioritizing the position.

If approved, Monarez would be the first confirmed CDC director since Congress changed the law in 2023 to require the Senate to vote on the position. The Office of Government Ethics posted her financial disclosure forms on Saturday, which clears the way for the Senate health panel to schedule a confirmation hearing.

ACIP voting members usually serve four-year terms  and STAT has reported that the Biden administration intentionally stacked the committees membership , selecting replacements for members whose terms were set to expire in June.

Even so, Kennedys decision to fire all of the panels members and replace them is unprecedented. The HHS secretary wields broad authority to manage the panel as he sees fit under federal law.

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And the slate he announced late Wednesday includes several people known for questioning the safety of either messenger RNA vaccines specifically or, more broadly, the childhood schedule.

Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, a former public health official in California, has informally advised Kennedy since the November election, including compiling a list of names for new ACIP members who he thought would balance public health imperatives with vaccine safety concerns. None of his suggestions made the cut so far, he told POLITICO.

Most people dont understand there are very different ethics in the practice of public health. In medicine, its all about do no harm, and it's about advocating as much as one can for the benefit of that individual patient, Klausner said. In public health, youre trying to do the most good for the most people.

Kennedy said the new members will review safety and efficacy data for the current schedule, raising questions about how the new panel may seek to change recommendations relied upon by pediatricians nationwide.

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I'm very disappointed. Not so much for me, but for public health, said Mysheika W. Roberts, health commissioner for Columbus, Ohio, who was slated to join ACIP in July, replacing one of the members whose terms was set to expire. How are we going to make sure we have individuals at the table who can make decisions that impact everyone in our country, and really make those decisions based on proper data and proper science?

Choice vs. obligation

The firing of the vaccine advisers is only Kennedys most recent effort to remake HHS administrative structure in his image.

It follows his decision to launch a search for autisms cause  hes putting $50 million into it and promising answers within months  and his cancellation of a nearly $600 million contract with Covid shotmaker Moderna to use its mRNA platform to develop a bird flu vaccine. Kennedy has called the mRNA Covid shots from Moderna and Pfizer the deadliest vaccine ever made.

At the same time, Kennedy and the vaccine-wary wing of his Make America Healthy Again movement have elevated the once-fringe view that vaccination should be an individual choice and not a public obligation.

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Kennedy has made the point repeatedly in congressional testimony and in his response to an ongoing measles outbreak. He has said he believes reassuring Americans that vaccination is up to them, and not required, is essential to restoring trust in public health after vaccine mandates drew backlash during the pandemic.

But Kennedys perception of evidence-based decision-making with objectivity and common sense  the approach he said the vaccine advisory panels new roster would take  runs contrary to that of most scientists. They see vaccination as one of the most important public health interventions to limit and prevent disease spread, along with clean water, and believe it essential that people feel an obligation, if not a requirement, to get vaccinated.

Its the rise of individualism going against collective good, and public health DNA is public good  its protecting the population to protect the most vulnerable, said Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist whos consulted for the CDC. Thats just a very different framework in theory than the medical freedom movement, and how you reconcile those two things in this moment is the big question.

While Klausner said hes disappointed with Kennedys ACIP choices, hell continue to offer the secretary advice because hes in the position of authority.

Im trying to work with him to keep things on the rails, he said.
Americans are usually an optimistic people - except when it comes to our countrys future.

Right-track/wrong-track surveys have long found yawning gaps favoring the dark view. The RealClearPolitics poll average, stretching back to 2009, reports no point with a positive majority but several where the spread was 40 or even 50 points to the negative.

When Donald Trump was sworn in last January, the wrong-track view held sway by 30 points. Followers of the news - which presents the presidents first months in office as a kleptocratic frenzy marked by destructive economic policies and naked assaults on the Constitution - would expect these numbers to have subsequently cracked the oceans bottom.

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But, lo and behold, the wrong-track/right-track gap has shrunk to nine points. Its still in negative territory, but that is the tightest gap since April 2021 (minus 6.5), when the COVID vaccine offered hope that we might return to normal. We did, in a way, as the gap quickly shot back up, peaking at minus 57 in July 2022.

The recent positive poll numbers are just a snapshot in time. They might change tomorrow. They do not reflect an algorithms assessment of thousands of firm data points but the fluid psychological state - the vibe, to take the Democrats once favorite phrase - of the people.

Still, the near-historic rise in optimism recorded by established polls is significant. It can also be a little confounding given Trumps ridiculously harsh press coverage and the fact that material conditions have not dramatically improved during the last five months. Indeed, a key story of Trumps second term is the difficulty he and the GOP Congress are having passing his agenda.

Whats driving the vibe shift?

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Americas drive for innovation and the progressive domination of the intelligentsia have led us to judge presidencies by their forward-looking plans to get America on the right track. We remember what our leaders built. Trumps secret sauce so far has been his focus on the other side of the equation - dismantling past actions that sent us down the wrong track. Trump may not be a classic conservative, but, like Ronald Reagan, much of his success at home has been rooted in subtraction rather than addition.

Trump is a reactionary in the best sense of the word. He has been more "undo" than "can do." The Biden administration gave his wrecking ball plenty of targets.

His efforts to reverse the Biden administrations embrace of open borders and its insistence that males be allowed to compete against women seek a return to the way things used to be.

His deployment of troops to quell the LA riots is not a strong mans push to silence dissent but a commitment - lost in both the BLM riots of 2020 and the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol - to the principle that we should not express our political discontent through violence.

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The same spirit informs his efforts to reform higher education. He is not trying to destroy Harvard, Columbia, and other elite schools. He is seeking to restore their pivotal role as safe spaces for the free exchange of ideas. His efforts to limit the number of foreign students - 25% of whom come from our main adversary, China - aim to reassert the basic point that even our private institutions should, on the whole, serve our countrys interests.

Yes, many Americans have concerns about how Trump is pursuing these aims. The devil is always in the details. But the shrunken right-track/wrong-track gap suggests the broad sense across the country that he is moving the country in the right direction by moving us off the wrong track.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that even some of his opponents are quietly pleased by some of his more controversial actions. I recently asked a very liberal friend who "fears and despises" Trump whether she supports his opposition to birthright citizenship. "I support the Constitution," she replied. After telling her I wanted to wait for the Supreme Court to definitively answer that question, I asked her: "If we were writing the Constitution from scratch today, should we enshrine the idea that anybody born on our soil is automatically a citizen?"

"Of course not," she said, without missing a beat.

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Taking a step back, it seems fair to say she is not unhappy that he is asking the question. Likewise, she does not support his efforts to cut the federal government, but she is happy that hes refocused attention on the deficit and debt.

The right-track/wrong-track numbers show that Americans have recognized that things were amiss in our nations capital. The vibe has shifted because of Trumps willingness to challenge many assumptions of governance and sacred cows.

Will it last? Who knows. Getting us off the wrong track is a key first step; moving us on to the right track may be harder still.

J. Peder Zane is an editor for RealClearInvestigations and a columnist for RealClearPolitics. Follow him on X @jpederzane.
DELAWARE COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  An undocumented immigrant who lived in Delaware County is being deported after admitting to raping and choking a woman after having been let out of another jail in New York State.

45-year-old Cruz Garcia, who had been living in Fleischmanns, pleaded guilty to strangulation Tuesday in Delaware County Court.

According to District Attorney Shawn Smith, Garcia was originally indicted for rape and unlawful imprisonment as well.

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In July 2023, Garcia forcibly raped the victim and strangled her nearly to the point of losing consciousness.

That came just one month after Garcia had been arrested on felony DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation charges in Orange County.

Garcia was released according to New Yorks bail reform laws despite already being wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to a third, unrelated, and unspecified criminal conviction.

Smith accepted the guilty plea in exchange for the time Garcia had already served since his indictment, with the understanding that Garcia would be deported from the country.

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Smith criticized New Yorks bail reform law and thanked ICE for its cooperation in 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 WIVT - News 34.
The Brief

Ramon Morales-Reyes has been released from Dodge County Jail custody.

The jail, which holds ICE detainees, confirmed his release on Thursday, June 12.

He was allegedly framed for sending letters threatening President Donald Trump.

JUNEAU, Wis. - An undocumented man that was allegedly framed for sending letters threatening President Donald Trump has been released from custody.

Out of ICE custody

What we know

The Dodge County Jail, which holds ICE detainees, confirmed on Thursday, June 12, that Ramon Morales-Reyes is no longer in custody.

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On Tuesday, June 10, an immigration judge ruled Morales-Reyes did not pose a threat to the community. She had set his bond at $7,500.

Morales-Reyes and family

Morales-Reyes, a father of three, works as a dishwasher in Milwaukee.

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His family set up a GoFundMe to help with his legal bills and to help with the bond. It has since raised more than $10,000, surpassing the $7,500 cash bond.

Falsey accused

The backstory

Back in May, the Wisconsin Attorney Generals Office, the Milwaukee Police Chief and the Milwaukee ICE Office all received handwritten letters in the mail, per a criminal complaint.

The return addresses were handwritten on the envelopes in blue ink. The name and address on each of the envelopes were correctly written for the immigrant, Morales-Reyes.

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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. Those letters also appeared to be written by the same person.

Morales-Reyes was arrested by ICE in Milwaukee. Detectives interviewed him with the help of a translator, as he did not read, write, or speak fluent English.

Ramon Morales-Reyes

When asked if anyone would want him to get in trouble, he said that the only person who would want that would be the person who had robbed him and who law enforcement knows to be the defendant, Demetric Scott.

Milwaukee man charged

Dig deeper

Prosecutors said Scott admitted to writing the letter to frame Morales-Reyes, hoping he would be deported, and not able to testify against him.

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Scott has since been charged with the following:

Felony Identity Theft (Harm reputation)

Felony Intimidation of a Witness (By a person charged with a felony)

Felony Bail Jumping (2 counts)

Prior developments

What they're saying

FOX6 later questioned Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin about Morales-Reyes remaining in custody, who replied: "While this criminal illegal alien is no longer under investigation for threats against the President, he is in the country illegally with previous arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct with domestic abuse. The Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and fulfilling the Presidents mandate to deport illegal aliens. DHS will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of illegal aliens who have no right to be in this country."

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In immigration court, the judge stated that the arrests happened in 1996, and he was only convicted of disorderly conduct.

Family responds

Local perspective

Morales-Reyes family posted his bond but they said they were not notified he would be released, so he sat there for around two hours.

"I am feeling happy to be with my family. This was all a confusion and I was defamed," Morales-Reyes said. "It was difficult. Extremely difficult. I thank God. I will be taking some days to rest and see what happens next."

His daughter Anna is pushing for the DHS to retract its statements regarding her father.

Morales-Reyes and family

"I just want to say for the DHS to please take down the false information about my dad, since they already know my dad wasnt the one who wrote the letter, if [it] can please be taken down and clear out his name," she said.

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Nonprofit Voces de la Frontera wants to see accountability from the Trump administration as they fight for Morales-Reyes to stay in the U.S.

"The U-Visa would allow a path to lawful permanent residency as well as the fight, a separate which is his deportation defense and that is different issue, but the most immediate thing is the July 16 trial," Executive Director Voces De La Frontera Christine Neumann-Ortiz said.

The Source

The Dodge County Jail, Morales-Reyes' family and prior FOX6 News coverage contributed to this report.
A public employee union that represents more than 800 corrections officers in New Mexico alleges the state Corrections Department is refusing to negotiate staffing levels in good faith, instead running lockups with too few people to allow safe conditions for workers and inmates.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a complaint last week with the New Mexico Public Employee Labor Relations Board, accusing the department of "prohibited practices" and seeking a restraining order preventing officials from making changes to staffing rosters without union approval.

Union officials said this week the agency unilaterally makes staffing changes without their input.

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"They know they have a responsibility to bargain, so they call us into a room and they say, 'Here's what we're going to do.' And we say, 'No, let's, let's do this. This is our counter proposal.' And they don't entertain a counter proposal, and they just leave," AFSCME attorney Shane Youtz said in an interview.

"It really comes down to safety," he said.

He added, "The Department of Corrections is trying to reduce the number of posts so that they lower their payroll. And from the correctional officer's perspective, the reductions have gotten so dramatic ... there are not enough correctional officers to safely guard the prisoners at this point."

A spokesperson for the Corrections Department declined to comment directly on the complaint but said safety remains the agency's "top priority."

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"We recognize that adequate staffing is essential to both safety and the long-term success of our correctional system," spokesperson Brittany Roembach wrote in an email.

"Like many correctional agencies across the country, we continue to face staffing challenges, but our focus remains firmly on recruitment, retention, and workplace support," she added.

The Public Employee Labor Relations Board is set to consider the union's complaint in a daylong hearing Thursday.

Short staffing has long been an issue in the state's prison system. However, AFSCME Council 18 Executive Director Connie Derr said the problem has been exacerbated by the recent closure of the privately run Lea County Correctional Facility in Hobbs.

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"Now you've got 1,000 new inmates pouring into the state system, but yet we don't have any new additional officers to take care of them," Derr said in an interview.

Roembach said the department "continues to take proactive steps to ensure the responsible transition of inmates" from the private facility to public ones and pointed to a recent job fair and reopening of a lower-level facility in Los Lunas and a housing unit at a state prison in Santa Rosa as actions "designed to maximize capacity, while preserving safety and operational continuity."

"Although the Penitentiary of New Mexico is experiencing a higher vacancy rate, we are mitigating operational impacts by transferring lower-custody inmates to that facility; inmates who require fewer staff resources to safely manage," Roembach wrote.

"Regardless of vacancy levels, we remain agile and responsive, making operational adjustments as necessary," she added.

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According to the department, "most facilities are operating with correctional security staff vacancy rates below 20%."

Derr said, however, the department continues to chip away at staffing levels in a way that skews the data.

"As they eliminate positions, those no longer count to the vacancy rate," she said.

"I would say the vacancy rate right now is between 30% and 40%, and that's vacant yet funded positions," she added.

The department also routinely underreports inmate-on-officer assaults, which masks the dangers created by running facilities with too few guards, according to Derr.

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"There's a lot of inmate-on-officer assault, but it's how they're reporting it out," she said, adding, "If a person doesn't go to the hospital, the department doesn't even count that; you just get bandaged up at the facility."

Many of the corrections officers are young men and women who are just doing their jobs and facing assaults, Derr said. "They they know it's a hard job. They know they're going to get get hit, but it's hard to put a price tag on that."

Youtz said the department ignored an order the labor board handed down late last year directing it to bargain in good faith, and he expects that to happen again because the board and has few tools for enforcing its orders. He also noted state labor laws prohibit public employee union members from striking.

However, Youtz said, if the board again orders the department to bargain in good faith and the department fails to do so, the union will have laid the groundwork for bringing its concerns to the court, which can do something about it.

"Only a state District Court judge would have that authority," he said. "So we're moving it to that level so that we can be in front of an authority that has the ability to issue consequences that would deter their behavior."
Israeli attacks on Iran caused dozens of flight cancellations and diversions.

Flights by both United and Delta from New York to Israel turned around over the Atlantic.

Air India said it had diverted 16 flights, while Emirates and Qatar Airways both canceled flights.

Dozens of flights around Asia and the Middle East were diverted or canceled on Friday after Israel launched a series of military strikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure.

The Israeli military struck targets in Iran early on Friday, marking a significant escalation, which has drawn a retaliation campaign from the country.

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Iran sent 100 drones to Israel following the attacks, and a spokesperson for its armed forces warned Israel would pay a "heavy price" for the strikes.

The strikes forced thousands of passengers to change of plans after airspace over Iran, Israel, and Iraq was closed, and airlines avoided flying anywhere near the area.

According to Flightradar24, flights within Iranian airspace either avoided the capital city of Tehran, where Iran's nuclear facilities are located, and continued their transit or diverted out of the country.

Later, flights planned to pass through Iran were held or diverted. Flights also diverted from Israel's main airport, Ben Gurion in the city of Tel Aviv, per the flight tracking platform.

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Flights operated by both United and Delta from New York to Tel Aviv late Thursday turned around over the Atlantic after the strikes began, Flightradar data showed.

United confirmed to Business Insider that one flight to Tel Aviv, UAL84, returned to New York after departure, and that another, UAL90, was canceled.

"United will continue to monitor the situation and will work to assist our customers through this disruption," a United statement said.

It added that 26 crewmembers who had been in Tel Aviv on a layover when the airspace closed were given seats on an El Al flight out of Israel.

Delta did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

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Air India announced in a post on X that 16 flights were diverted or returned to their origin airports at the time of the strikes, citing "the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers."

The airline said it was trying to minimize customers' inconvenience by providing accommodation, offering refunds, complimentary rescheduling, or alternative arrangements.

Emirates and Qatar Airways both canceled and diverted flights.

"Qatar Airways has temporarily cancelled flights to Iran and Iraq due to current situation in the region," it wrote in a post on X.

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A video posted on FlightRadar's social media showed Iranian and Iraqi airspace clearing out in the early hours of Friday morning.

9-second video of the clearing of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. pic.twitter.com/VZLWbmk9sC  Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 13, 2025

Shares in several airlines dipped on Friday, driven by a combination of the strikes and the fallout from Thursday's Air India Boeing 787 crash.

International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, Vueling, and Iberia, declined 4%. Air France-KLM is down nearly 4%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The United Nations says the Israeli- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is a failure from a humanitarian perspective.

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said aid operations have stalled because the GHF is not delivering supplies safely to those in need.

GHF, I think its fair to say, has been, from a principled humanitarian standpoint, a failure, Laerke told reporters in Geneva on Friday. They are not doing what a humanitarian operation should do, which is providing aid to people where they are, in a safe and secure manner.

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The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritises Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs.

The newly formed private organisation began operations on May 26 after Israel had completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine.

It says it has distributed more than 18 million meals since then.

On Friday, at least 44 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, medical sources told Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeeras Tariq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said Israeli forces were targeting parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza with artillery fire and ground attacks.

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The Israeli military is deepening its ground operations, Azzoum said, saying there were clashes in the eastern part of the city.

The besieged territory remained under a communications blackout for a second day on Friday. Hamas has denounced what it described as an Israeli decision to cut communication lines in Gaza, calling it a new aggressive step in the countrys war of extermination.

Israel recently was pressured to allow some aid deliveries to enter Gaza after barring them for more than two months (AFP)

Israel continues to force civilians into what it calls the safe zone of al-Mawasi, a barren coastal strip with no infrastructure, which it has repeatedly bombed. A drone strike on a tent there killed at least two people on Friday.

The attack left everyone on the ground quite confused about where they can go in order to find safety, Azzoum said.

Israel locks down occupied West Bank

In the occupied West Bank, Israel sealed all crossings and checkpoints between Palestinian towns and cities early on Friday, shortly after it launched a wave of air strikes on targets in Iran.

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Sources told Al Jazeera the closures were imposed without any indication of when they might be lifted.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its ambulances were being denied access to patients, including those in urgent need of medical care.

In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing Palestinians from attending Friday prayers.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa held an emergency cabinet meeting in response and activated crisis committees across the West Bank.




A university student has been jailed for 14 years after admitting repeatedly raping a child.

David Thorne, 22, pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences, including five rape charges involving a child aged under 13.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Thorne, who is studying policing, travelled to Grantham in Lincolnshire to meet the girl.

Thorne had claimed the girl told him she was 17, but his evidence was dismissed by the court at a Newton Hearing  which seeks to determine the truth when two sides give conflicting evidence.

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Giving evidence, the girl insisted she told Thorne her real age and said it was Thorne who claimed to be 17.

All the offences took place over three days in December 2023.

The court was told Thorne, an Army cadet leader, wore his uniform during one of his visits to see the girl.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said he had "no hesitation" in accepting the victim's account of events.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, the girl said: "The crime made me angry and upset.

"I feel very sad, especially when I'm on my own."

Thorne, of New Crescent in Cherry Willingham, was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will have to serve an extended period of 12 months on licence when he is released from custody.

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A restraining order will also prevent Thorne having further contact with his victim.

Thorne was jailed at Lincoln Crown Court [BBC]

Det Con Victoria Oakes praised the girl for her bravery and courage.

"Thorne's actions are reprehensible and completely unacceptable in our society. His victim was clearly underage, and he knew that," she said.

"Instead, he chose to plead ignorance and I am glad that the judge dismissed his claims."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

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Many online scammers are adopting increasingly sophisticated strategies to trick their unsuspecting victims. While these now include everything from deepfaked audio to AI generated images, other bad actors continue to rely on comparatively simple methods for gleaning personal information or funds from targets. The past few years have also seen an uptick in phishing schemes disguised as unpaid highway toll text message alerts. But another equally mundane strategy frequently lurks in your email inbox: fake unsubscription links.

When Unsubscribe is untrustworthy

Most reputable bulk email chains like newsletters, online shopping promotions, streaming service updates, and charity fundraiser requests include an option to unsubscribe from future messagesusually in the form of a hyperlink button at the bottom of the email. By and large, this still remains a comparatively safe and easy way to whittle away at that mountain of unread inbox messages (or at least try to). However, digital experts caution this isnt always the case.

Trust is relative. I trust my email client, but I dont trust whats inside the email, Keanini, chief technology officer for the cybersecurity software company DNSFilter, told The Wall Street Journal earlier this month.

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Keanini explained that anytime you click a link leading you out of your safe, structured email client, youre automatically entering the open web. And that immediately poses its own unique security concerns.

DNSFilter estimates that 1 in every 644 email unsubscribe links is liable to send a user to possibly malicious sites. And while that might seem like a low percentage at first glance, try to count how many times you clicked Delete on junk or unwanted inbox messages in the last week alone.

Why scammers use emails as bait

So whats the point of tricking people into thinking theyre finally digging themselves out of that avalanche of emails? It often provides an easy way for scammers to confirm that a real human being is overseeing a target email address. Not only that, but a real human being who is liable to interact with spam. While not immediately harmful in and of itself, this could put a bigger target on your online presence later.

Another, more directly problematic scenario is using a completely fake unsubscribe link to send you to a URL that looks fine, but is actually a front for stealing your login credentials. A good rule of thumb is knowing that no legitimate business will request your username and password after clicking their emails unsubscription button.

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This isnt necessarily the case in situations that only prompt you to reenter your email address, however. The programming that underwrites unsubscription systems often hinges on a single link for all recipients. This means it wont know who to remove until you key in your personal address. In those instances, its generally safe to take that extra step.

Tips for spotting scams

In general, its usually relatively easy to spot the scams in your inbox. For extra safety, users can often use list-unsubscribe headers instead. These hyperlinks are maintained by email-service providers and added into a messages subject line or heading to offer a one-click breakup solution. This is frequently safer, since it keeps all your interactings within the email client and not the open web.

If a list-unsubscribe header is not available, theres always the Mark as Junk button for those who prefer a more slash-and-burn strategy.

Other suggestions include setting up dummy email accounts or taking advantage of Apples Hide My Email feature, or the similar tools on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

You may never truly free yourself from the torrent of emails that plagues your inbox, but following these steps can at least put a dent in it while keeping your digital privacy intact.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  An Upstate woman was arrested Friday for reportedly committing fraud.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office has charged 29-year-old Lauren Makenzie Welborn, of Greenville, with obtaining property under false pretenses valued $10,000 or more and medical assistance provider fraud.

A Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit investigation found that, between August 7, 2023, and September 12, 2024, Welborn allegedly submitted false claims for payment to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the states Medicaid program.

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While employed as an early interventionist at PlayWorks, LLC, Welborn is accused of submitting fraudulent data sheets and electronic clinician notes, falsely claiming she provided services to fifteen Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of four.

Officials said those claims resulted in $11,442.01 in losses to the Medicaid program.

Welborn was booked into the Greenville County Detention Center on June 13.

The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney Generals Office.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Whole Foods and other U.S. grocers are only being partially stocked as a major food distributor continues to grapple with a recent cyber attack, a recent earnings call revealed.

North American wholesale distributor United Natural Foods confirmed this week that it was forced to take some of its systems offline after noticing unauthorized activity. At a financial quarter meeting Tuesday, June 10, CEO Sandy Douglas said the wholesale distributor is only supplying customers on a "limited basis" amid the crisis.

"We are partnering with customers across the country and across our formats in various short term mode to serve their needs as best as we possibly can," Douglas told investors. "Any way that we can help them meet their needs, we're doing."

The company is working with the FBI and other authorities to determine how to resume services and why the technology defenses failed, according to Douglas.

A Whole Foods Market at the Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix, Arizona on Dec. 11, 2024.

"We just got penetrated, so we will be continuing to look at every aspect of our defense, every aspect of how our tools are working, and what may be necessary to bolster it going forward, because its clearly an area that requires a tremendous amount of focus from companies today," he said.

Users on social media have reported shelves being empty at some Whole Foods locations with signs apologizing for the inconvenience and promising to resupply soon.

A Whole Foods spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday, June 9 that the supermarket chain is working to restock its shelves as fast as possible and said it apologizes for any inconveniences.

CEO says it informed investors as soon as it could

When asked why the company hesitated to inform investors about the cyberattack and system shutdown, Douglas denied there being a delay.

Douglas clarified company officials noticed unauthorized activity in its systems on June 5 and investigated whether it was isolated. By the afternoon of June 6, the company made the decision to lock its systems down. On June 9, it filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to inform shareholders before the market opened.

"So there is no way that we could have communicated any faster, and there was no trading," Douglas added.

He also he was unable to confirm whether the shutdown has required customers to break contracts, adding "I wouldn't be able to factually answer that question, even if I was inclined to disclose it."

"The focus is making sure we serve the customers and have them be able to do whatever they need to do the best they can in this environment," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Whole Foods' distributor is supplying on a 'limited basis'
The U.S. is assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles launched Friday, a U.S. official confirmed to The Hill.

President Trump has also spoken to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a White House official confirmed. Trump had spent Friday in the Situation Room huddled with several national security advisers.

Israel came under heavy bombardment from Iran less than 24 hours after Israeli forces launched attacks overnight Thursday that targeted Tehrans nuclear capabilities and killed multiple top military officials.

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Dozens of ballistic missiles have been fired on Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said Friday amid Irans counterattack.

The Trump administration said late Thursday it was not involved in Israels offensive strikes inside Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the time said Israel had advised the U.S. that its action was necessary for its self-defense.

Even after Israels strikes, Trump on Friday urged Iran to agree to a deal to limit its nuclear program or face dire consequences. He also acknowledged that some of the negotiators had been killed in the Israeli strikes.

There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end, Trump posted on Truth Social. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire.

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A day before the strikes, the Trump administration downsized its footprint in Iraq and greenlighted the departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East, and portions of South and Central Asia. The move came ahead of talk of a possible strike in the region.

Alex Gangitano 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.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A federal appeals court panel on Friday refused to vacate the approval of the massive Willow oil project on Alaskas petroleum-rich North Slope though it found flaws in how the approval was reached.

The decision from a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes in a long-running dispute over the project, most recently greenlit in March 2023 by then-President Joe Bidens administration and under development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska by ConocoPhillips Alaska.

The courts majority opinion found what it called a procedural error  but not a serious or substantive one  by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as part of the analysis in approving Willow. The court sent the matter back to the agency for additional work.

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The majority determined that vacating the projects approval would be unwarranted and its consequences severe, though Judge Gabriel P. Sanchez dissented on that point.

A prior version of the project approved late in President Donald Trump's first term was overturned in 2021, leading to the environmental review process completed under Biden that drew the latest legal challenges from environmentalists and a grassroots Inupiat group.

Alaskas Republican governor and its congressional delegation and state Legislature have backed Willow. The project also has broad support among Alaska Native leaders on the North Slope and groups with ties to the region who see Willow as economically vital for their communities.

But critics cast the project as being at odds with Bidens pledges to combat climate change and raised concerns that it would drive further industrialization in the region.

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Trump expressed support for additional drilling in the reserve as part of a broader, Alaska-specific executive order he signed upon his return to office aimed at boosting oil and gas drilling, mining and logging in the state.

During the cold-weather seasons, ConocoPhillips Alaska has worked to build infrastructure such as new gravel roads, bridges and pipelines at the project site, and it has laid out a timeline for producing first oil in 2029. In a statement Friday, the company said it welcomed the ruling and looked forward to continuing the responsible development of Willow.

J. Elizabeth Peace, a spokesperson with the U.S. Department of the Interior, said the agency doesnt comment on litigation. The Bureau of Land Management falls under Interior.

The appeals panel ruling comes more than a year after it heard arguments in the case. Environmental groups and the grassroots Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic had appealed a lower-court ruling that upheld Willows approval. Attorneys representing the groups on Friday were evaluating next steps.

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Arguments before the appeals court panel focused largely on claims the land management agency did not consider a reasonable range of alternatives in its environmental review, as well as the groups contention the agency had limited its consideration of alternatives to those that allowed for full-field development of the project.

Attorneys for ConocoPhillips Alaska argued the leases in the companys Bear Tooth Unit in the northeast part of the petroleum reserve are in areas open to leasing and surface development  and that the agency committed the unit to development in issuing leases there over a number of years. Willow is in the unit.

Friday's ruling said the agency during the environmental review process took a stance that it needed to screen out alternatives that stranded an economically viable quantity of oil but then never explained whether the pared-back plan it ultimately approved satisfied the full-field development standard.

The agency framed its environmental review based on the full field development standard and had a rational explanation for doing so, the ruling states. But that does not permit BLM to potentially deviate from the standard without explanation.

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ConocoPhillips Alaska had proposed five drilling sites for Willow but the Bureau of Land Management approved three, which it said would include up to 199 total wells.

Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice who represented some of the groups that challenged Willow, saw the ruling as a partial victory.

They found a fundamental flaw that led them to conclude that the BLM acted arbitrarily in approving the Willow project and have sent that back to the agency to reconsider in a non-arbitrary way and make a new decision, he said.
A New Yorker who was stopped and detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents says he was treated like a criminal for simply existing as a Hispanic person in the U.S.

"[ICE] said that theyre looking for criminals, but in reality, they're the criminals," Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old from Brentwood, told reporters during a Thursday press conference.

Lemus, an electrician, was riding in the passenger seat of a car on his way to work when ICE agents stopped the vehicle in Westbury, New York. The ICE agents reportedly said that Lemus "looks like somebody we are looking for."

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He asked "who are you looking for exactly, because it's definitely not me." Much of his interaction with ICE was captured on cellphone video.

After the car was stopped, Lemus says he was surrounded by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations vehicles. The agents then threatened him and demanded his ID.

Elzon Lemus, 23, of New York, was stopped and detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents on his way to work because he looked like someone they were searching for. Lemus is a U.S. citizen, and when he demanded identifying information from the agents who detained him, they refused (NBC4)

This is going to go one of two ways here. I need to see your ID  if youre not the guy Im looking for, youre not the guy Im looking for. But we need your ID," the ICE agent says in the video.

Lemus said he demanded the agents' name and badge number, but they refused to provide any identifying information, claiming they were "not authorized" to do so.

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"I told them that I'm not authorized to give my ID then," Lemus said.

An ICE agent threatened him again.

"If we dont get your ID we are going to need to figure out another way to ID you and that may not work out well for you," the agent said.

Lemus was then placed in handcuffs for refusing to provide identification to the ICE agents. He said he was hesitant to cooperate because he hadn't committed any crimes, and he knew the federal agents were not local police, NBC 4 reports.

An ICE agent demanding that Elzon Lemus, a 23-year-old electrician in New York and a U.S. citizen, show his ID because he "looks like someone" that federal agents are searching for. (Elzon Lemus)

"I didn't want to get my ID because as soon as I saw how they were dressed, I knew they weren't police officers. I didn't commit a crime and wasn't driving," he said.

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The ICE agents allegedly left Lemus in cuffs for 20-25 minutes, and confiscated his phone to prevent him from filming them. They eventually found his ID in his pockets.

"It was heartbreaking  it felt like my rights were just out the window," Lemus said.

Lemus' attorney is calling ICE's alleged harassment a breach of his client's federal civil rights.

"This is not America. This is not how we as Americans should have to live. This is not how this young man, as a young Hispanic man going to work at 7:30 in the morning, needs to be greeted at the beginning of his day," attorney Fred Brewington said.

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The attorney said ICE can't just "randomly, on a hunch, stop people," calling it "contrary to the Constitution."

New York State Assemblyman Philip Ramo, a former police detective, also weighed in and demanded an investigation. He labelled the incident as racial profiling.

Lemus and his attorney are calling for a full investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. They have not filed a lawsuit at this time.

The incident left Lemus fearful about future potential encounters with federal agents based on nothing more than his ethnicity.

It felt like I lost all rights when they pulled me over," he said. "I felt like I had nothing anymore, Felt like they stripped my rights, I was honestly shocked."

The Independent has contacted ICE for comment.
The U.S. public is split over President Trumps decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to help quell protests over his robust immigration agenda that have spread across the country, according to a recent survey.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll released Thursday evening found that nearly half of Americans surveyed  48 percent  said they agree that the president should deploy the military to bring order to the streets when the demonstrations become violent. Another 41 percent of respondents did not agree with the statement.

GOP respondents were more supportive of having troops assist with containing protests, while Democrats were strongly against it, the survey found.

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The poll found that about a third of respondents, 35 percent, backed the Trump administrations response to the demonstrations in Los Angeles  which were sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements (ICE) latest deportation raids.

The administration approved the deployment of Marines and National Guard troops, arguing it was necessary to restore order as cars were being lit on fire and a federal building in downtown Los Angeles was vandalized. Half of the respondents said they did not approve of the moves, the data shows.

And 46 percent of U.S. adults said the anti-ICE protesters were out of step, while another 38 percent disagreed, the poll found.

Trumps promise from the campaign trail to ramp up deportations of those living in the country illegally still has strong support. More than half of respondents, 52 percent, were supportive of the presidents mass deportation efforts. That includes about 1 in 5 Democratic Party voters and about 90 percent of GOP backers, according to the survey.

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Nearly half of the respondents, 49 percent, said the Trump administration has gone overboard with arresting migrants, while 40 percent did not agree.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted June 11-12 among 1,136 Americans. The margin of error was 3 percentage points.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. military helped defend Israel from Iranian-fired missiles Friday, a day after Tel Aviv launched a massive air attack on Irans military leadership and nuclear program.

A U.S. defense official, who confirmed the news, did not say what American assets were used and how many interceptors were required.

Earlier in the day, U.S. European Command deployed two destroyers to the eastern Mediterranean Sea ahead of the attack, which could help defend against guided missile strikes, another defense official said.

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The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

US shifts warships in Mideast in response to Israel strikes

The Israel Defense Forces said that Iran had launched dozens of missiles, including at civilian sites, Friday in retaliation for an attack the day before.

On Thursday, without U.S. assistance, Israel targeted senior Iranian military leaders and scientists involved in Tehrans nuclear program in massive airstrikes across the country. Tel Aviv called the attacks a preemptive strike on Irans nuclear program, which had accelerated despite the Trump administrations attempts to negotiate a deal and avoid such a confrontation.

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President Donald Trump urged Iran to keep pursuing negotiations, hours before the retaliatory strike. Still, he has said that Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon is unacceptable to Washington.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform Friday morning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Trump by phone Friday, the White House confirmed.

The U.S. military normally has around 30,000 troops in the Middle East, including equipment in Israel. Amid heightened tensions in the region, though, that posture has increased to around 40,000 personnel.

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During an earlier airstrike campaign against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, a terrorist group in Yemen, the U.S. moved military assets and air defense batteries to the Middle East to better protect its forces in case of an Iranian strike.

This weeks dueling strikes come after a year of unprecedented attacks between Iran and Israel  including previous missile attacks by Iran last April and October.

U.S. forces helped defend Israel in both cases, and Israel later retaliated for the October strike, destroying Irans most advanced air defense systems.

The direct Israeli operation, which Tel Aviv has said will continue, now threatens an even further escalation between the two countries, risking an all-out war that could drag in the U.S. military.

It has also concerned U.S. analysts and former defense officials that Israels true aim is regime change in Iran.

More is on the way, Netanyahu said in remarks Friday.
American air defense systems and Navy assets in the Middle East helped Israel shoot down incoming ballistic missiles Friday that Tehran launched in response to Israeli strikes on Irans nuclear facilities and top military leaders, U.S. officials said.

The U.S. has both ground-based Patriot missile defense systems and Terminal High Altitude Air Defense systems in the region capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, which Iran fired in multiple barrages in retaliation for Israels initial attack.

Naval assets also were involved in assisting Israel as Iran fired missiles at Tel Aviv, one official said. It was not immediately clear if ships fired interceptors or if their advanced missile tracking systems helped Israel identify incoming targets.

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The United States also is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East in response to the strikes.

The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House, U.S. officials said.

American fighter jets also are patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and air bases in the region are taking additional security precautions, the officials said.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public or to discuss ongoing operations.

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President Donald Trump met with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss options.

The forces in the region have been taking precautionary measures for days, including having military dependents voluntarily depart regional bases, in anticipation of the strikes and to protect personnel in case of a large-scale response from Tehran.

Typically, around 30,000 troops are based in the Middle East, and about 40,000 troops are in the region now, according to a U.S. official. That number surged as high as 43,000 last October amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran as well as continuous attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The Navy has additional assets that it could surge to the Middle East if needed, particularly its aircraft carriers and the warships that sail with them. The USS Carl Vinson is in the Arabian Sea  the only aircraft carrier in the region.

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The carrier USS Nimitz is in the Indo-Pacific and could be directed toward the Middle East if needed, and the USS George Washington just left its port in Japan and could also be directed to the region if so ordered, one of the officials said.

Then-President Joe Biden initially surged ships to protect Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that launched the war in Gaza. It was seen as a deterrent against Hezbollah and Iran at the time.

On Oct. 1, 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers fired about a dozen interceptors in defense of Israel as the country came under attack by more than 200 missiles fired by Iran.

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(NewsNation)  An announcement that Iran has pulled out of nuclear talks with the United States came on Friday, just days after President Donald Trump acknowledged that he was less confident about reaching a deal than he had been in recent months.

In an interview with NBC News on Friday, however, Trump said that even though Iran had missed an opportunity to me a deal, they may still have another chance.

Well see, Trump said in the interview.

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What did Trump know about Israels strike on Iran before it happened?

Iranian parliament member Alaeddin Boroujerdi confirmed that the sixth round of negotiations, which was set to take place in Oman on Sunday, has been canceled, according to the Times of Oman. Both the Oman News Agency and Iranian state media reported that the talks have been suspended until further notice.

The diplomatic efforts were aimed at restricting Irans nuclear program.

Trump responded to Israels strikes on Iran on Friday through a social media post, calling on Tehran to reach a deal to avoid further escalation.

I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. I told them, in the strongest terms, just do it, but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they were, they just couldnt get it done.

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He added: Now everyone is dead, and its only going to get worse, but there is still time to stop this slaughter  before the next attacks, which are expected to be even more brutal. Iran must reach a deal. Just do it, before its too late. God bless you all!

A White House spokesperson did not immediately return a message from NewsNation seeking comment about the status of the U.S. talks with Iran in hopes of striking a deal.

How Israeli attacks shifts the narrative

Israel launched an attack Thursday night, targeting Irans nuclear infrastructure and killing senior military leaders.

Israeli forces struck key sites in Natanz, targeting enrichment facilities, weapons programs, nuclear scientists and missile production infrastructure.

Debris from an apartment building is seen on top of parked cars after a strike in Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025. Israel attacked Irans capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were also reported to be dead.

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Rubio: US not involved in Israels strike inside Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran could soon mass-produce missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, calling the threat intolerable.

Where the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks stood before Iran pulled out

Both the Trump administration and Iran had been hopeful of reaching an agreement as a result of the negotiations that had been mostly indirect, NBC News previously reported. Previous negotiations sessions had been characterized as being respectful and positive.

Trump said in a podcast with the New York Post this week that he was less confident that a deal could be reached than he was a couple of months ago. Trump also accused Iran of delaying, while Iran said that the U.S. was not seriously engaged in the negotiations. Iran also said that the United States did not respect its right to rich uranium, which Iran insists would be used for peaceful purposes.

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In the podcast, Trump said something happened to them, referencing Iran.

Asked what had happened to the country, Trump responded, Well, if they dont make a deal, theyre not going to have a nuclear weapon. If they do make a deal, theyre not going to have a nuclear weapon, too, you know? But theyre not going a have a new nuclear weapon, so its not going to matter from that standpoint.

The New York Post report indicated that Trumps special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had been involved in the indirect nuclear talks with Iran, but that the discussions had mostly been unproductive.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Ryan Patrick Jones and Doina Chiacu

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department issued security alerts on Friday for several Middle Eastern countries, in some cases advising against travel and warning of possible missile attacks after Israel launched military strikes against Iran.

It warned American citizens not to travel to Iran and said those there should leave. "U.S. citizens who are unable to depart Iran should shelter in place," the advisory read.

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The alerts warned of missiles, drones or rockets flying over Iraqi and Jordanian airspace. "In the event of such an incident seek overhead cover and shelter in place. Do not expose yourself to falling debris," the department said.

Israel said on Friday it had targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Iran promised a harsh response to the onslaught. Israel said about 100 drones had been launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation, although an Iranian source denied this.

Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after the Israeli attacks forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region.

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The State Department said on Friday there were no plans to evacuate or assist Americans departing Israel after the closure of Ben Gurion Airport.

On Thursday it said it had directed all U.S. government employees and their family members in Israel to shelter in place until further notice.

(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Howard Goller)
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) -A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration unlawfully removed three Democratic members of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and ordered the agency to reinstate them.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox in Maryland said in his ruling that Republican U.S. President Donald Trump's administration overstepped its authority when it dismissed commissioners Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr.

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Boyle, Hoehn-Saric and Trumka Jr., who sued the administration in May, were appointed to the five-member commission by Democratic former President Joe Biden.

The president can remove commissioners only for neglect of duty or malfeasance. Maddox said the plaintiffs have performed ably in their roles and that the administration had not presented a justification for terminating them.

"The court finds it to be in the public interest to have the persons duly appointed to occupy these key leadership positions resume their roles," Maddox wrote.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The ruling can be appealed to the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

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A lawyer for the commissioners, Nick Sansone, welcomed Maddoxs ruling in a statement.

Congress structured the CPSC as an independent agency so that the safety of American consumers wouldnt be subject to political whims and industry pressure, Sansone said. The courts ruling upholds that sound legislative choice.

The commission was founded in 1972 and tasked by Congress with shielding consumers from injury or death from defective or harmful products.

Trump has faced lawsuits over his efforts to remove members of other agencies.

In May, the U.S. Supreme Court said the administration could bar two Democratic members of federal labor boards from serving in their posts while they challenge their dismissal by the administration.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
A US senior federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that US President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops amid protests in Los Angeles was unlawful.

Charles Breyer on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to return control of the California National Guard back to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The order takes effect at noon on Friday.

"His actions were illegal  both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution," the judge wrote in his decision.

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Newsom, who filed the suit against Trump, praised the move.

"This win is not just for California, but the nation. It's a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day," the governor said on X.

"The Guard will be back under my command  and Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow," he added.

The US government has already filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit court.

Los Angeles has seen days of demonstrations opposing Trump's hardline stance on migrants and recent deportation raids. In response, Trump mobilized 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 marines for deployment in Los Angeles, despite opposition from Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

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The move has led to criticism that the deployments are exacerbating the situation on the ground.

Under normal circumstances, control of the National Guard lies with individual US states. In times of war or national emergency, however, the president can assume command.

Trump's move to federalize the National Guard marks the first time in 60 years that a president has done so in opposition to the will of a governor. In 1965 then president Lyndon B Johnson nationalized the guard to protect civil rights advocates against the will of Alabama Governor George Wallace, a known segregationist.
Key Points

The Trump administration may have reached a deal to lower tariffs on imported Mexican steel.

The lowered (or eliminated) tariffs would not affect 50% tariffs on steel sourced from other countries.

Cleveland-Cliffs stock also faces the prospect of stiffer competition from U.S. Steel.

10 stocks we like better than Cleveland-Cliffs 

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF) stock fell 8.5% through 2:10 p.m. ET Tuesday after Reuters reported on new trade negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico that could significantly roll back 50% tariffs on steel imports -- which had themselves been announced only last week.

Image source: Getty Images.

50% -- up to a point

The negotiations would not affect all steel imports -- only those from Mexico, and only to an extent. While details haven't yet been made public, Reuters reports the idea will be to permit a certain quota or specified volume of steel to come into the U.S. from Mexico duty free, or at a reduced tariffs rate. Imports in excess of that quota or volume limit would still pay the 50% tariff.

And of course, the 50% tariff will remain in place for imported steel from other countries.

Is Cleveland-Cliffs stock a sell?

Just the rumor of the creation of this single Mexican loophole, though, seems to have shaken investors' confidence that Cleveland-Cliffs stock is a sure thing -- and no wonder. After all, if tariffs can be renegotiated lower with one country, they can be renegotiated lower with other countries as well -- or even lowered back down to previous levels with entire regions (such as the E.U. or North America), or with the world as a whole.

That would be bad news for Cleveland-Cliffs investors, who've been counting on tariff policy to help turn their company profitable again, after losing $754 million a year. At the same time, the company has to worry about domestic competition from a U.S. Steel that will soon be backed by money from Japan's Nippon Steel.

It's a good reminder for investors: If you're counting on a change in government policy to save your stock, you may be setting yourself up for a fall.

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A US senior federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that US President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops amid protests in Los Angeles was unlawful.

Charles Breyer on Thursday ordered the Trump administration to return control of the California National Guard back to California Governor Gavin Newsom, saying the president had overstepped his authority. The order takes effect at noon on Friday.

"This win is not just for California, but the nation. It's a check on a man whose authoritarian tendencies are increasing by the day," Newsom said on X.

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"The Guard will be back under my command  and Donald Trump will be relieved of his command at noon tomorrow," he added.

The US government already announced it will appeal the ruling.

Los Angeles has seen days of demonstrations opposing Trump's hardline stance on migrants and recent deportation raids. In response, Trump mobilized 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 marines for deployment in Los Angeles, despite opposition from Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Thursday temporarily barred President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in Los Angeles.

Judge Charles Breyer ordered the National Guard to return to the control of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who sued to restrict its activity. Breyer's order will take effect at noon on Friday.

(Reporting by Andy Sullivan)
Roughly 200 US Marines took up position in Los Angeles on Friday to protect federal property and personnel after protests in the city against immigration raids.

The deployment of the Marine Corps -- typically deployed abroad as a rapid strike force -- is highly unusual for domestic crowd-control scenarios inside the United States.

- Why were they called? -

Protests began last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted raids in and around Los Angeles.

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The gatherings were mostly peaceful but there were also incidents of vandalism and aggression towards ICE agents and local police.

Some demonstrators breached curfews as they rallied by the downtown Federal Building and the nearby Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison holding immigrants.

President Donald Trump first took the controversial step of "federalizing" thousands of California National Guard troops -- sending them to the area against the wishes of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Shortly after, on Monday, the Trump administration announced that about 700 active-duty Marines would also be sent to Los Angeles.

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- What will they do? -

US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which has responsibility over US armed forces operating in North America, said the Marines will protect federal personnel and property.

Major General Scott Sherman, who is leading the Los Angeles mission, said two companies of Marines were taking up position at the Wilshire Federal Building.

Sherman said the Marines would "hold off crowds" as needed.

Military members cannot arrest protesters as that is a law enforcement activity.

But NORTHCOM said Marines could "temporarily detain an individual to stop an assault of, to prevent harm to, or to prevent interference with federal personnel performing their duties."

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- Could they get more power? -

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents the use of US federal troops such as Marines for domestic law enforcement activities.

But that would change if Trump invoked the Insurrection Act, which lets the president deploy federal troops to suppress a violent rebellion on US soil.

It was last used during the Los Angeles riots in 1992 following the acquittal of police officers involved in the beating of motorist Rodney King.

Under the Insurrection Act, federal troops have the power to conduct searches and arrest people suspected of breaking the law.

Trump has notably not ruled out using the act.

"If there's an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it," he said this week. "We'll see."

cf/bjt/acb
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Marines have moved into Los Angeles and will take over protecting the Wilshire federal building in the coming hours, the head of the military's efforts in the city said on Friday.

U.S. President Donald Trump can keep his deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, according to a court ruling, as protests against immigration raids look set to enter their second week in the strongest backlash since his return to power in January.

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The Trump administration has authorized 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to be deployed to Los Angeles to help protect federal property and personnel.

U.S. Army Major General Scott Sherman, who commands the task force of Marines and Guardsmen, said that about 200 Marines had moved into the city so far.

He added that neither the Marines nor the National Guard troops there had temporarily detained anyone yet.

"They have watched federal law enforcement arrest personnel as they were protecting, they have not had to detain anyone at this point," Sherman said.

The troops are authorized to detain people who pose a threat to federal personnel or property, but only until police can arrest them.

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Trump could take a more far-reaching step by invoking the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to directly participate in civilian law enforcement.

During the 2020 wave of nationwide protests over racial injustice, more than 17,000 National Guard troops were activated by 23 states.

What is rare, however, is sending active-duty troops during times of civil disturbance.

Cities across the United States were bracing for more demonstrations especially on Saturday, when those also opposed to a weekend military parade in Washington marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary are expected to take to the streets.

The protests so far have been mostly peaceful, punctuated by incidents of violence, and restricted to a few city blocks.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed toward Israel, two U.S. officials said on Friday.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that for now the U.S. interceptions had been carried out by ground-based systems. The official said fighter jets and warships had not been used so far.

Neither official provided information on where the U.S. intercepts took place from.

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The United States has nearly 40,000 troops in the Middle East, including air defense systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can help bring down missiles.

During previous Iranian missile and drone salvos that were aimed at Israel, the U.S. military has used jets and Navy warships to help shoot down Iranian projectiles.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)
Washington, DC  Less than three hours before Israel launched its first wave of strikes against Iran, United States President Donald Trump reiterated that the United States was committed to further diplomacy with Tehran.

The Israeli attacks early on Friday have put those negotiations in jeopardy and raised the risk of an all-out conflict in the Middle East that may involve the US.

Israels strikes came as polar opposites on the right and left ideological spectrum of US politics have urged Trump to resist being dragged by Israel into a war with Iran.

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But support for Israel in the US political establishment remains formidable despite the cracks that have been showing in recent years, both in public opinion and among politicians.

So as the bombs fell on Tehran and other Iranian cities, many American politicians rushed to send prayers for Israel, while others expressed concern  if not outright rejection  over the escalation.

Heres how US politicians responded to the events.

Trump administration says US not involved

The Trump administration was quick to distance itself from Israels attacks, while also warning Iran not to retaliate against US interests in the region.

Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

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Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel, Rubio said.





Trump later reiterated Rubios message, telling Fox News that the US is hoping to get back to the negotiating table with Iran.

But it is highly unlikely that diplomacy between Washington and Tehran will continue  at least in the near future.

Early reports from Iran indicate that Tehran will not attend the sixth round of nuclear negotiations with the US that are scheduled to take place in Oman on Sunday.

Republicans pray for Israel

Numerous members of Trumps Republican Party in Congress were quick to voice support for Israel, with many calling for prayers for the US allies, although it was Israel that initiated the attack on Iran.

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At least three lawmakers  Katie Britt, Rick Scott and Gary Palmer  used the exact words Please join me in praying for Israel in their statements.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also showed unflinching support for Israel.

Israel IS right  and has a right  to defend itself! Johnson wrote in a social media post featuring the Israeli flag.

Senate Majority Leader John Thunes defence of Israel was slightly less effusive, as he focused his statement on US interests.

The United States Senate stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas, Thune wrote in a social media post.

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Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.

Please join me in praying for Israel.  Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) June 13, 2025

Hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham  a Trump ally  was among the first lawmakers to comment on the strikes.

Game on. Pray for Israel, he wrote in a social media post.

Despite assertions by some critics that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the bombing of Iran to sabotage Trumps diplomacy with Tehran, most of the US presidents political party has come out in favour of the strikes.

Progressive Democrats slam Israel

Several Democrats criticised the strikes outright, stressing that war with Iran would not serve US interests.

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Senator Chris Murphy said the Israeli strikes are clearly intended to scuttle the Trump administrations diplomacy with Iran.

This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahus own making, and now the region risks spiralling toward a new, deadly conflict, Murphy said in a statement.

A war between Israel and Iran may be good for Netanyahus domestic politics, but it will likely be disastrous for both the security of Israel, the United States, and the rest of the region.

He added that the US has no obligation to follow Israel into a war with Iran.

Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also called on Trump to push for de-escalation.

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Israels alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence, Reed said in a statement.

I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.





Congressman Joaquin Castro noted that US officials were set to hold talks with Iran on Sunday.

This attack by Netanyahu is pure sabotage, Castro said in a social media post.

What does America First even mean if Trump allows Netanyahu to drag the country into a war Americans dont want?

Hawkish Democrats back Israel

The Israeli strikes have also highlighted the split within the Democratic Party on Israel, as some lawmakers voiced unreserved backing for the US ally despite criticism by their colleagues.

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Congressman Ritchie Torress claimed that Israel  which has its own undeclared nuclear arsenal and is accused by UN experts and major rights groups of carrying out a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza  is defending itself.

Senator John Fetterman rejoiced in the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Hossein Salami.

He wrote, thank u, next in response to the news.

thank u, next https://t.co/pKBZl12fHy  U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) June 13, 2025

Although US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard said earlier this year that Washington continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, several lawmakers portrayed the Israeli attacks as an effort to stop Tehran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

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America and the World will never be safe with a nuclear-capable Iran which would bring an existential threat to Israel and constant instability to the region, Congressman George Latimer said.

I support Israels right to defend itself, he added.
The News

Reactions in the US to Israels overnight strikes on Iran largely fell along party lines: Several Republican leaders backed Israels actions and its right to defend itself from Irans nuclear threat, while Democrats pushed for restraint.

However, some MAGA-aligned conservatives questioned the value of another war in the Middle East, as negotiations over Gaza have faltered.

The White House appeared to distance itself from Israels decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was not involved in the attack, and that Israels decision was unilateral. President Donald Trump said he had been made aware of Israels plans to strike Friday, but emphasized there was no US military involvement.

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Israel and Iran have made clear they will continue to retaliate, sparking concerns about a wider regional conflict. Trump said he will attend a National Security Council meeting today, though it is unclear if Sundays planned talks with Iran will go ahead.

The View From The GOP

Many Republicans backed Israels right to strike Iran, as they continue to support Israel as a key US ally.

Sen. Tom Cotton said on X that Iran is the worlds worst state sponsor of terrorism [and] has the blood of thousands of Americans on its hands We back Israel to the hilt, all the way.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned Iran of US intervention should violence escalate: Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region.

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Sen. Ted Cruz, responded with a similar warning: To the Ayatollah: If you attack American military bases, President Trump will respond with overwhelming force.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, wrote on X, Game on, adding Pray for Israel.

The View From MAGA

Some America First conservatives feared that Israels strikes may end up pushing the US toward yet another disastrous war in the Middle East.

The question is, Trump ally Charlie Kirk said moments after Israels attack began, How does the America First foreign policy doctrine and foreign policy agenda  stay consistent with this right now?

Dan Caldwell, who briefly served as a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, said, Another major war in the Middle East where America sends another generation of its sons and daughters to die is the last thing we need right now.

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Far-right influencer Jack Posobiec wrote ahead of the strikes that a direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition.

The View From Democrats

Democrats largely focused their messaging on de-escalating relations between Israel and Iran and avoiding all-out war.

Sen. Tim Kaine said he cannot understand why Israel would launch a preemptive strike at this juncture, given ongoing nuclear talks, and said Americans have no interest in another forever war.

Sen. Chris Murphy, said the attack was clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administrations negotiations with Iran and risks a regional war.

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We have no obligation to follow Israel into a war we did not ask for and will make us less safe, Murphy added.

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement: Israels alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.
Editor's note: The article was updated with Trump's statement on Truth Social.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on June 13 that he was aware of Israel's plans to conduct strikes on Iran in advance and that Washington is watching for any signs of retaliation by Tehran, Fox News reported.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Trump told Fox News' anchor Bret Baier.

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The comments come after Israel launched heavy air strikes against 100 sites in Iran, targeting the country's nuclear program and reportedly killing Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and other top officials.

In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran, calling it a "unilateral action."

The U.S. has reached out to at least one Middle Eastern ally to say that the strike is going to happen, but that Washington was not involved, Fox News reported.

Trump said the U.S. military is on high alert and watching for any kind of retaliation, adding that the U.S. will respond to defend itself or Israel if Iran strikes back.

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that Tehran had already launched over 100 drones against Israel, which are expected to reach their targets within the next few hours.

On the Truth Social media platform, Trump said he gave Iran a "chance after chance to make a deal" and had warned Tehran that "it would be much worse than anything they know" if there is no agreement.

"Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all dead now, and it will only get worse!" Trump wrote.

The U.S. president added that there is still time to stop the slaughter, calling upon Iran to make a deal "before there is nothing left."

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Before the attacks, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear aspirations. "I want to have an agreement with Iran," Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-U.S. nuclear talks in Oman.

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

In turn, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report highlighting Irans failure to comply with its obligations to fully disclose activities at its nuclear facilities.

Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

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Read also: Israel launches preemptive air strikes on Irans nuclear program, IRGC chief killed in attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The US has said it is not involved in Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites, an escalation that is threatening to send the region deeper into conflict.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement soon after the strikes began, saying Israel had taken "unilateral action" and warning Iran to not retaliate against the US.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."

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While the US has so far publicly distanced itself from the Israeli operation, Iranian state TV was quick to point the finger at Washington, accusing it of being "complicit" in an attack that has "killed children".

The Israeli strikes - dubbed Operation Rising Lion - targeted Iran's nuclear programme and other military sites, according to a statement by the Israel Defence Force.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was necessary due to Iran's continued movement to "weaponise" enriched uranium and was critical to "Israel's very survival".

Israel has declared a state of emergency and said the country expects retaliation. Netanyahu said the strikes against Iran would "continue for as many days as it takes".

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Israeli officials reportedly notified the US before beginning the strikes, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan.

Rubio's statement said Israel had advised the US that they believed this action was necessary for its self defence.

"President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners."

Worried that an attack by Israel could provoke Iran to retaliate by targeting US military installations nearby, the US had already partially evacuated US embassy staff from Iraq.

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The State Department had also limited the movement of its employees within Israel to the Tel Aviv area, as well, according to a social media post on Thursday.

Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump had warned that a military operation against Iran would "blow" the negotiations his administration has been holding with Iran in a bid to curb its nuclear programme.

News of the Israeli strikes came just moments after the president left a picnic held for members of Congress at the White House, in which he gave no indication of anything happening.

Trump has for some time been working to negotiate with Iran over limiting its nuclear programme, but a deal has so far been out of reach.

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"As long as I think there will be an agreement, I don't want them going in," Trump said of an Israeli strike earlier on Thursday, adding he would "love to avoid a conflict".

During the same event, Trump said that he did not want to describe any Israeli action as "imminent", he said that "it looks like something could well happen."

Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of negotiations, and on Thursday said that the Iranians "are going to have to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now."

Hours after he made those remarks - and just before the Israeli airstrikes - however, he posted on social media that the US remained committed to a "diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue" and that the "entire administration" had been directed to negotiate with Iran".

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The president's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was due to hold another round of talks with Iranian officials on Sunday.

On Friday morning, Trump was scheduled to meet with his National Security Council behind closed doors in the Situation Room, the White House announced late on Thursday.
By Nate Raymond

(Reuters) -U.S. Senate Republicans have added language to President Donald Trump's massive tax and spending bill that would restrict the ability of judges to block government policies they conclude are unlawful.

Text of the Republican-led U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's contribution to the bill released by its chair, Senator Chuck Grassley, late on Thursday would limit the ability of judges to issue preliminary injunctions blocking federal policies unless the party suing posts a bond to cover the government's costs if the ruling is later overturned.

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The bond requirement in the Senate's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is different from the provision the Republican-controlled House of Representatives included when it passed the bill last month that would curb courts' power in a different way.

The House version curtails the ability of judges to enforce orders holding officials in contempt if they violate injunctions. Judges use contempt orders to bring parties into compliance, usually by ratcheting up measures from fines to jail time. Some judges who have blocked Trump administration actions have said officials are at risk of being held in contempt for not complying with their orders.

Congressional Republicans have called for banning or curtailing nationwide injunctions blocking government policies after key parts of Trump's agenda have been stymied by such court rulings. The House in April voted 219-213 along largely party lines in favor of the No Rogue Rulings Act to do so, but the Senate has not yet taken up the measure.

A White House memo in March directed heads of government agencies to request that plaintiffs post bonds if they are seeking an injunction against an agency policy. Such bonds can make obtaining an injunction a cost-prohibitive option in cases concerning multi-billion-dollar agenda items.

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Grassley's office said in a statement the language the Judiciary Committee proposed would ensure judges enforce an existing requirement that they make a party seeking a preliminary injunction provide a security bond to cover costs incurred by a defendant if a judge's ruling is later overturned.

Judges rarely require such bonds when a lawsuit is not pitting two private parties against each other but instead challenging an alleged unlawful or unconstitutional government action. Several judges have denied the Trump administration's requests for bonds or issued nominal ones.

Republicans, who control the Senate 53-47, are using complex budget rules to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a simple majority vote, rather than the 60 votes needed to advance most legislation in the 100-seat chamber.

The Senate Judiciary Committee's piece of the bill would also provide the judiciary funding to study the costs to taxpayers associated with such injunctions and provide training for judges about the problems associated with them.

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A spokesperson for Senator Dick Durbin, the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, criticized the Republican-drafted legislative text, saying "Republicans are targeting nationwide injunctions because they're beholden to a president who is breaking the law  but the courts are not."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; additional reporting by Andy Sullivan in Washington, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Rod Nickel)
Key Points

A branch of the U.S. military wants to be in business with the company.

This would take the form of a power plant project in Alaska.

10 stocks we like better than Oklo 

On news of a fresh contract signing with a branch of the U.S. military, investors piled into the stock of nuclear energy start-up Oklo (NYSE: OKLO) on Wednesday. That surge in interest blasted the stock higher by almost 30%, on a day when the S&P 500 index dipped by 0.3%.

Going nuclear

Wednesday morning Oklo announced, no doubt with great pleasure, that it had received a notice of intent to award (NOITA) for a project in Alaska. The company was notified by the government's Defense Logistics Agency on behalf of the Air Force and the Department of Defense. The project is for the supply of nuclear power to Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.

Image source: Getty Images.

The project would see Oklo design, build, and operate an energy-generating facility to supply power and heat to the base. One of the key selling points of the company is that, being nuclear, its power-generating assets can operate off the traditional electricity grid -- an appealing proposition for remote sites like Eielson.

This didn't exactly come as a surprise to the company or its investors. Late last year, management divulged that it had been provisionally selected for the Eielson project. In its formative stages, however, the project experienced numerous delays because of protests from other applicants, so this is a major step forward.

In its press release touting the deal, co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte said it "reflects continued confidence in Oklo's ability to deliver clean and secure energy solutions for mission-critical infrastructure."

The company did not specify the financial terms of the arrangement.

A big step for the company

It's also an important milestone for Oklo, which hasn't yet built any of its nuclear powerhouses. Having a branch of the military as an early client is also a massive confidence builder not only for the company, but for the next-generation nuclear technology that is its specialty.

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(NewsNation)  Following Israeli strikes on Iran, one retired military officer told NewsNation the U.S. should stay out of the fight.

Iran has already vowed retaliation and the U.S. has shifted military assets into the region in case they are needed.

Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis told NewsNation that the path forward depends on whether Iran chooses to prioritize revenge or regime survival, with revenge being the more dangerous option.

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Rubio: US not involved in Israels strike inside Iran

Iran can bring substantial damage to Israel if they choose to go down the path of revenge, because then theyre not going to be concerned about what happens next, he said. Theyre going to be concerned about how much damage they can cause in the meantime.

Iran could consider the U.S. involved in the attack because it had forewarning and because the country supplies military aid to Israel.

I will just categorically say that no matter what happens in terms of Israel and Iran, we should not get involved, Davis said. It is not our war to fight. It shouldnt have started at all, and we should not sacrifice American troops, which we surely would do if we get into a fight there.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A UTA Paratransit car was involved in a traffic crash involving two other cars early Friday morning.

Mike Varanakis, a spokesperson with the Utah Transit Authority, told ABC4.com that the crash happened just after 8:30 a.m. on June 13 near 3200 West and 3100 South. Police and medical personnel were able to respond and arrive on the scene of the crash shortly after it happened.

The Paratransit vehicle had two passengers on board at the time of the crash, but Varanakis confirmed that all individuals involved were attended to at the scene of the crash, and no injuries were reported.

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Were grateful for the swift response from UTA Police and West Valley Police and grateful no individuals were harmed, Varanakis said.

The crash is still under an ongoing active investigation with West Valley City Police taking the lead.

No further details were provided.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Members of Congress from Utah and elsewhere shared their thoughts online in the aftermath of Israels attack on Iran, which targeted nuclear sites and took out several top military leaders.

Sen. John Curtis called the attack an example of extraordinary resolve of a nation determined to survive.

Israel exercised its sovereign right to defend itself against an existential threat. Just yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran is not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations, Curtis said on social media.

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Curtis called for the United States to stand firmly with Israel and remain committed to peace in the region.

I pray for the safety of our American service members stationed in the Middle East, and for the Israeli and Iranian people who suffer because of the Ayatollahs regime, he said.

Last night, the world witnessed the extraordinary resolve of a nation determined to surviveand to prevent Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon. Israel exercised its sovereign right to defend itself against an existential threat. Just yesterday, the International Atomic  Senator John Curtis (@SenJohnCurtis) June 13, 2025

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran on Jan. 24, 2025. | Maxar Technologies via the Associated Press

Utah Rep. Burgess Owens shared a message in support of Israels right to defend itself from international threat.

Iran is the worlds leading sponsor of terror and must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Israel has the right to defend itself, Owens said. Praying for the safety and security of our ally and for peace through strength.

Iran is the worlds leading sponsor of terror and must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. Israel has the right to defend itself. Praying for the safety and security of our ally and for peace through strength.   Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) June 13, 2025

Rep. Mike Kennedy said he was monitoring the situation in the Middle East and praying for peace, but also acknowledged the terrible effects of war.

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No one wants to see this situation escalate. Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons is a serious, ongoing concern. While Israel has a right to protect and defend itself, we also know that more conflict in the region comes at a high cost, he said.

Im monitoring the reports coming out of the Middle East and praying for peace. No one wants to see this situation escalate. Irans pursuit of nuclear weapons is a serious, ongoing concern. While Israel has a right to protect and defend itself, we also know that more conflict in  Dr. Mike Kennedy (@KennedyForUtah) June 13, 2025

Utah Sen. Mike Lee shared a similar sentiment.

He noted that hes long supported Israels right to defend itself and homeland, calling the country the lynchpin to an effective Middle East policy, but he also highlighted the impact on the Iranian people.

Along the way, we must remember the Iranian people  whose interests and aspirations are not represented by the regime that rules them  and be mindful of civilian harm as Irans nuclear facilities are shuttered, Lee said online.

I have always affirmed Israels inherent right to self-defense and to safeguard its homeland amid unprecedented threats to its existence. Israel is the lynchpin to an effective Middle East policy and there is no disunity between our respective postures when it comes to Iran  the  Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) June 13, 2025

The Utah delegations posts came just hours after Israeli forces launched an attack on Iran.

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Israel said it had no choice but to act preemptively against Irans nuclear capabilities, while the strikes come just days before U.S. officials were set to meet with Iran about a deal.

The situation has shaken up global markets and sparked concern that a larger regional war could occur.

In Washington, Republican leaders in Congress also expressed support for Israels attack, but Democrats remained quiet in the hours following the strikes.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Israel was with the U.S. in believing Iran should never be able to obtain a nuclear weapon. He said the Trump administration is working to make sure Iran does not reach that level militarily, but Iran has refused to reach an agreement.

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Israel decided it needed to take action to defend itself. They were clearly within their right to do so, Johnson said.

Israel and the United States have been united, including in our shared insistence that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon. President Trump and his Administration have worked tirelessly to ensure that outcome. Unfortunately, Iran has refused to agree and even declared  Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) June 13, 2025

His post online echoed that of Trump administration officials, who warned Iran that the U.S. was not involved in the attack and it should not look to retaliate against Americans.

Iran will face grave consequences if it responds by unjustifiably targeting U.S. interests, Johnson said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., shared a similar sentiment online. He said the Senate is ready to work with the Trump administration and Israeli allies to restore peace in the region and to defend Americans from Iranian aggression.

Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region, he said.
Drew DeWalt from Utah Energy speaks at the announcement of a proposed lease of Camp Williams land to host an uranium processing facility at the Utah State Capitol on June 12, 2025. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

Editors note: This story was updated to include clarifying comments state officials issued on Friday about the facilitys initial role, which would focus on manufacturing and not uranium enrichment.

As Utah Gov. Spencer Cox makes a high bet on nuclear energy, advancing processes to make Utah a nuclear hub, the state announced it is studying to lease military land for a facility that could lead to a uranium enrichment push in the country.

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Newcomer company Utah Energy is planning to sublease a piece of Camp Williams, located at the south end of Bluffdale, to manufacture hardware that would eventually be used to refine uranium into concentrations to make it a suitable fuel for nuclear reactors.

Thats the first step envisioned by the company for the Utah site. Later, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the company would study whether to host other uranium enrichment activities.

We want to be clear that as a state, were excited about this opportunity. We are in preliminary stages and our discussions at the moment are focused on manufacturing the machinery that would allow enrichment. The state regularly welcomes manufacturing projects like this, Joel Ferry executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources said in a statement on Friday.

This facility could lead to additional opportunities, including the exploration of nuclear enrichment within Utah, Ferry said.

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That uranium will then be transported by semitrucks to nuclear facilities as needed, Drew DeWalt, a representative from Utah Energy  and also behind other similar projects in other states, including Washington, said at the Thursday announcement hosted by the company, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, the Utah Office of Energy Development, and the Military Installation Development Authority.

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With a push from the White House to accelerate nuclear energy developments, DeWalt said that this processing is going to happen somewhere in the U.S., and odds are it will happen in Utah for its location and its governments willingness to embrace the resource. But, mostly, what he wanted to convey during the announcement was that the facility should be safe, necessary and important for neighboring communities.

This is really a closed-loop system. The major risks are not to the public, but to our employees, DeWalt said, adding that staff would face standard industrial risks in the project, especially since it would be a process the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would carefully oversee.

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This isnt a done deal. Its the start of an engagement process that could take years, DeWalt said. The lease proposal will be subject to the review of the Military Installation Development Authority Board and other legislative panels within the next two weeks.

Ariana Farber, deputy director for the Military Installation Development Authority, said this project is designed similarly to the Falcon Hill Project Area at Hill Air Force Base, which leased federal property for an aerospace research park.

The National Guard project area was created to facilitate infrastructure that supports military operations. The project directly contributes to that mission, Farber said about the facility, and its in alignment with our state of Utah energy initiatives from the governors office, and also in alignment with our national security posture.

In combination with other developments, this project will help fund large-scale capital projects for the Utah National Guard, Farber said, including a new aviation facility contemplated in rural southern Utah, an enhanced wildfire response and emergency deployment capabilities.

Let us know what you think...

Utah officials who have championed nuclear energy developments, including Cox in a recent op-ed published in the Deseret News, criticized the fact that about 25% of the enriched uranium used in U.S. nuclear reactors comes from Russia. About 70% of all enriched uranium used in the country in 2023 came from other countries, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

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According to DeWalt, the Camp Williams project may solve inefficiencies in the current fuel supply chain, which often requires the transportation of uranium to Europe for processing, since there arent enough facilities in the country.

Now, with a nuclear renaissance in sight propelled by President Donald Trump, Utah has been moving fast to implement the technology on its soil  the Legislature already approved a big bill to set up the foundation for nuclear energy and state officials signed a couple of memorandums of understanding with nuclear technology developers.

That momentum is something DeWalt is hoping to tap into.

How much faster could you do this and still be safe? I think theres got to be a happy medium where theres a lot of unnecessary bureaucratic delay, he said. Can we strip that out, and can we still be safe?

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Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, participates in a forum hosted by the Sutherland Institute at the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics on Oct. 14, 2024. (Katie McKellar / Utah News Dispatch)

Utah Sen. Mike Lee is bringing back a proposal that would allow the federal government to sell off several million acres of public land in Utah and other Western states.

Lee says it will open up underused federal land for housing and help communities manage growth  opponents, including a number of Democrats in Congress and environmental groups, say its an attempt to pay for tax cuts and warn it will jeopardize access to public lands.

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Rep. Cliff Bentz, Oregons only Republican member of Congress, defended giving away public land during a wide-ranging recent interview with the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

There are really good reasons many times in the West, where there are literally tens and hundreds of millions of acres of public land, to transfer a small portion of it so that we can actually grow and perhaps address, oh I dont know, housing issues? Since everybody knows that we are desperately short of housing, he said. Why in the world would we try to preserve land for hunting when people are living under a tree someplace?

Introduced Wednesday evening, Lees proposal, part of the 10 Senate bills that will make up Republicans reconciliation package nicknamed the big, beautiful bill, renews an effort initially spearheaded by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, and Mark Amodei, R-Nevada, that sought to dispose of 11,500 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in southwestern Utah and some 450,000 acres of federal land in Nevada.

But Lees proposal is much broader  rather than earmark specific parcels of land for disposal like Maloy and Amodeis amendment, Lee wants to require the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell off a percentage of land managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

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According to the Lees proposal, both agencies would be required to dispose of between 0.5% to 0.75% of land they manage, which amounts to about 2.2 million to 3.3 million acres. State and local governments would be allowed to nominate parcels of land, and would be granted priority to purchase.

Eleven states would be eligible  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Notably, Montana is exempt, and Montana Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke was instrumental in sinking Maloy and Amodeis original proposal, stating that selling public lands is a line he would not cross.

Though the scope is much bigger, Lees reasoning behind the proposal is the same as Maloy and Amodeis  identify parcels of federal land near high-growth areas, and sell them at market value to local governments to use for housing, water infrastructure, roads and other development.

The legislation prohibits the sale of land thats already designated, like national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas or national recreation areas. Land that has an existing right, like a mining claim, grazing permit, mineral lease or right of way is also off limits.

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If it passes, the secretaries of the departments of interior and agriculture would have to prioritize nominating land thats next to already developed areas, has access to existing infrastructure or is suitable for residential housing. The legislation also directs the secretaries to nominate land thats isolated and inefficient to manage, and to reduce the checkerboard land pattern, the result of railroad grants in the 1800s that left small plots of private land scattered within swaths of federal land and vice-versa.

Were opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C. out of the way for communities that are just trying to grow, Lee said in a video address. Were talking about isolated parcels that are difficult to manage, that are better suited for housing and infrastructure. To our hunters, anglers and sportsmen, you will not lose access to the lands you love. Washington has proven time and again it cant manage this land. This bill puts it in better hands.

But that reasoning didnt fly for a number of environmental groups, including the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, which called Lees proposal an attempt to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

Senator Lees never-ending attacks on public lands continue. His hostility stands in stark contrast with Americans deep and abiding love of public lands. Senator Lees plan puts Utahs redrock country in the crosshairs of unchecked development, said Travis Hammill, Washington, D.C. director for the alliance. In Utah and the West, public lands are the envy of the country  but Senator Lee is willing to sacrifice the places where people recreate, where they hunt and fish, and where they make a living.

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The Center for Western Priorities, a public lands advocacy group, called Lees proposal a shameless ploy to sell off pristine public lands for trophy homes and gated communities that will do nothing to address the affordable housing shortage in the West; the National Wildlife Federation dubbed it a fire sale that is orders of magnitude worse than Maloys proposal; The Wilderness Society said it was a betrayal of future generations and folks on both sides of the aisle and warned that could spark political backlash.

Maloys proposal identified parcels owned by the Bureau of Land Management to sell to Washington and Beaver counties, the Washington County Water Conservancy District and the city of St. George. The land would have been used for water infrastructure (like reservoirs and wells), an airport expansion in St. George, new and widened roads, recreation and housing.

The proposal was widely celebrated by the water district and local governments, who said it would help them make adjustments as the region continues to experience rapid growth. But nearby tribes, environmentalists and politicians from both sides of the aisle were skeptical.

Correction: Sen. Mike Lees public land sale proposal is part of the Energy and Natural Resources Committees portion of the reconciliation bill package, not an amendment.

Utah News Dispatch, like the Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Utah News Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor McKenzie Romero for questions: info@utahnewsdispatch.com.
EAU CLAIRE  The UW-Eau Claire professor who confronted college Republicans and flipped over a table set up to support a Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate settled a disorderly conduct charge with a $295 fine, court records show.

Jose Alvergue, 45, Eau Claire, paid the fine Wednesday, the same day as it was issued.

The incident took place on election day in April, amid a tense race for the state supreme court. While technically nonpartisan, the candidates clearly lined up with political parties in their bids for the open seat.

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Brad Schimel, a former state attorney general, was the Republican-backed candidate. He lost to Susan Crawford, who had the backing of the states Democrats. The college Republicans had set their table up to support Schimels candidacy.

Alvergue initiated the confrontation, approaching and asking why the table was close to a polling place. Like most states, Wisconsin bans campaigning near polling locations. The buffer area in Wisconsin is 100 feet, and the table was apparently in compliance with that requirement.

After speaking with the students Alvergue flipped over the table and walked off. He was identified after the students posted video showing him walking across the campus quad and the ground around their table littered with campaign items.

UWEC confirmed placing Alvergue on administrative leave after the incident drew attention, though it did not mention him. He was stripped of his position as chair of the universitys English department.

Alvergue remains listed as a faculty member on the UWEC website as an associate professor.
A new vaccine against gonorrhoea will be rolled out in Scotland in August following a UK-wide rise in cases.

The illness, which is the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in Scotland is potentially painful and in rare cases can be life-threatening.

Scottish cases have risen in recent years, with 5,999 infections in 2023 - a rise of 59% from before the Covid pandemic.

Those eligible for the vaccine will include gay and bisexual men at highest risk of infection, as well those involved in selling or exchanging sex, regardless of their gender.

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Those most affected by gonorrhoea in the UK are those aged 16 to 25, gay and bisexual men, and those of black and Caribbean ancestry.

The vaccine, which is 30-40% effective, is also being delivered in England and Northern Ireland.

Doctors and charities called for vaccinations earlier this year after the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a targeted roll-out in November 2023.

The Scottish government is funding the vaccination programme north of the border.

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Public Health Minister Jenny Minto said the campaign was "urgent and timely since the number of diagnoses has been high and the disease is becoming increasingly difficult to treat with antibiotics".

She added: "The science tells us that this vaccine will potentially protect thousands of people and prevent the spread of infection.

"Anything which stops people from contracting gonorrhoea in the first place can have huge benefits, including ensuring our health system remains resilient by reducing the amount of treatment needed."

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, head of the vaccination and immunisation division at Public Health Scotland, said the jab was a "welcome new intervention".

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He said: "This vaccination programme is expected to help control and prevent the spread of gonorrhoea.

"Public Health Scotland is working with the Scottish government and colleagues across NHS boards to finalise plans for the rollout of this targeted vaccination, offering to those at increased risk of gonorrhoea from August 2025."

Is the vaccine effective enough?

The vaccine was not designed for gonorrhoea - it is the meningitis B vaccine currently given to babies.

The bacteria that cause the two diseases are so closely related that the MenB jab appears to cut gonorrhoea cases by around a third.

However, it will not eliminate the risk of catching gonorrhoea - it is normally caught while having sex without a condom.

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Prof Andrew Pollard, the chair of the JCVI which recommended the vaccine, said despite it only being 30% effective, it was "worth having" and could have "a huge impact" overall.

Gonorrhoea is also becoming increasingly difficult to treat.

Most cases are treated with a single dose of antibiotics, but there is an 80-year history of the bacterium which causes gonorrhoea repeatedly evolving resistance to antibiotics.

This is also happening to current treatments and is why some doctors are concerned gonorrhoea could one day become untreatable.

They say the best way to deal with a drug-resistant infection is to never catch it in the first place.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in a file photo from February. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Senate Democrats unveiled a package of bills Thursday aimed at expanding access to health care coverage, including one bill modeled after a successful Maryland law that lets taxpayers use their tax returns to enroll in care.

Sen. Chris Van Hollens (D-Md.) Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act is one of about a dozen bills  including one from Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) requiring Medicaid and Medicare to provide dental, vision and hearing coverage  put forward by Democratic senators as a response to the Trump administrations efforts to cut federal health care spending.

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Were all here for those two reasons, Van Hollen said Thursday at a Capitol Hill news conference to unveil the bills. One is to shine a light on the great damage and harm the Trump Republican plan will do. But also to put forward some ideas about what we could be doing to actually make health care better for more Americans.

Van Hollen joined Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico to unveil the bills.

The Democratic legislation comes at a time when the Senate is deliberating the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill. The budget reconciliation bill would implement a number of Trump agenda items, including drastic cuts to Medicaid and other supports that backers say are needed to rein in what they call waste, fraud and abuse in those programs.

With a Republican majority in both the Senate and the House, Wyden acknowledged that the Democratic bills have little chance of passage. But, he said, Democrats still hope Republicans will work with them on the legislation and do the right thing.

Democrats and health care advocates say the budget reconciliation bill would create more administrative hurdles for Medicaid recipients and will result in millions of people losing coverage, even if they would be eligible for the joint state-federal health care program.

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Its beautiful if youre a billionaire or a very wealthy person. For everybody else, its an ugly mess, Van Hollen said of the GOP bill. It comes at the expense of everybody else in America. And thats especially true when it comes to attacking health care  In fact, it will kick 16 million Americans off their health insurance plans.

He said his bill, modeled after Marylands Easy Enrollment program, would do the opposite.

In Maryland, Easy Enrollment lets people check a box on their state tax forms to allow the state to use information on the return to see if their household qualifies for Medicaid. Those who qualify then get further information on what options they qualify for, reducing administrative hurdles to Medicaid and other programs in Maryland.

What we should do is make it easier for eligible individuals to get the Medicaid that they are eligible for, Van Hollen said.

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This is the second time he has introduced the bill in Congress. A version introduced in the last Congress never even got a committee hearing.

The other Democrats at the press conference offered their own bills to strengthen Medicaid.

Cortez Mastos bill would increase funding for health care fraud investigation units to help catch more waste, fraud, and abuse in the system. She says that is more productive than just cutting funds to Medicaid.

Lujan is sponsoring a bill to temporarily expand federal funding to Medicaid programs for home- and community-based services that help support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Wyden also highlighted his own legislation to address hospital labor and delivery unit closures by supporting rural hospitals with additional Medicaid dollars.

Fact of the matter is that Democrats want to make it easier for Americans to get health care, rather than put people who desperately need health care through bureaucratic water torture if theyre going to get the health care they need, Wyden said.

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The Brief

Philadelphia police say someone smashed car windows between Wednesday night and Thursday morning on several streets in Fairmount.

Residents sealed windows with plastic while looking into making repairs.

Police are asking residents to check home security cameras for anything that could help the investigation.

FAIRMOUNT - Destruction in Fairmount as police investigate rash of car break-ins and vandalism reports and neighbors are frustrated as this isnt the first time the neighborhood has been hit by vandals.

What we know

The Philadelphia police say between 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th, and 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12th, multiple vehicles parked along the 2100 block of Brown Street were vandalized and ransacked. Several car windows were reported broken, and items inside the vehicles were rummaged through. Investigators say at this time no arrests have been made.

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Anyone who may have witnessed this activity, has relevant information, or whose vehicle was affected is urged to contact Central Detectives at 215-686-3093 or dial 911.

What they're saying

"It's not just here. It will be a whole block around here. It will be a block around the corner," said Kristin Coffan. She and her precious pup, PJ, were out in their Fairmount neighborhood Thursday evening having a flashback from this time last year.

"Like, oh gosh, I guess it's summer again because here are the smashed windows," she said. She is talking about car after car on Brown Street between 22nd and 21st Streets with windows broken by vandals. It happened to her loved one last year.

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"My partner's car was parked in the school parking lot last year and came out and had the windows smashed along with two other cars in the parking lot," said Coffan.

FOX 29 reporter Shawnette Wilson and her photographer found others this go round on Parrish between 22nd and 23rd and a resident posted about it on the Nextdoor app stating, "Around 3:30 this morning six cars had windows smashed on Brown Street between Corinthian Avenue and 23rd."

The post stated that a police officer came out to take a report.

"I don't know when it's happening or how it's happening, who is doing it," said Harry Weckel.

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He and his sister Hanna question how this can continue to happen. Hanna does not have a car but recently used his to go back and forth while cat-sitting for him.

"It's easier to get over to his place with a car. And I parked it in the neighborhood and I live around here, so I have seen cars getting broken into and I was really nervous that when I had his car, I was gonna come out with a smashed window," she said.

It is a time and financial inconvenience no one wants.

"We had to get the window repaired that same day, so finding like where to get the window repaired because you can't really drive with it broken. And then you have to clean out your car such that you can actually sit in the seat and have it drivable," said Coffan.

The Source

Information for this article was provided by the Philadelphia Police Department.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Thursday night, the Vigo County School Corporation, in partnership with the See You In Terre Haute Plan, held a listening session for the community to provide them with input on their recent facility study.

The study found that out of the 23 current VCSC K-12 facilities, 11 are more than 50 years old, 9 have significant maintenance needs and 11 have moderate maintenance needs.

These listening sessions are a chance for the community to speak to non-biased facilitators who arent affiliated with the school corporation, to ensure people with concerns can voice their opinion freely.

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The chamber has facilitators here tonight that are listening to community members and hearing their thoughts and perspectives. Its a completely neutral party that is going to then take the information and share it with us, in a way that very real conversations can take place and real conversations can be heard, said Dr. John Newport, Deputy Superintendent.

Susan Turner is a mother of a child in the school corporation, and she said the school needs these renovations, not only for her kids, but also for kids in future classes.

Hard decisions have to be made, right. This is our time to step up and be good leaders, not just for the kids in the classrooms today, but for the children who are starting school in the fall and those who come in the next generation. These decisions we make today have long-lasting, long-reaching impact, and we have to make a choice. We have to move forward. Our kids deserve it , our grandkids deserve it, and every other community in the state has made steps forward. We should not be lagging behind on this, said Turner.

If you werent able to make it out to tonights listening session, there will be another one held this Saturday, June 14.

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The share price of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) fell by 10.58% between June 3 and June 10, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Lets shed some light on the development.

Here is Why PG&E (PCG) Crashed This Week

Brightly-lit nighttime view of an electricity power grid with distribution lines and transmission substations.

PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) provides natural gas and electric service to approximately 16 million people throughout a 70,000-square-mile service area in northern and central California.

PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) is currently trading at a 2-year low as the company continues to navigate through regulatory pressures and the aftermath of its role in past wildfire incidents. PCG suffered a setback recently after analysts at Wolfe Research reduced their price target for the stock from $22 to $19, while maintaining an Outperform rating.

It is worth mentioning that PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) fell below its Q1 earnings estimates, as it was hurt by higher operating and interest expenses. However, the company remains confident in meeting its FY 2025 targets, reaffirming its 2025 non-GAAP core earnings guidance at $1.48 to $1.52 per share.

While we acknowledge the potential of PCG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Cheap Energy Stocks to Buy Now and 15 Best Large Cap Energy Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

Disclosure: None.
Anglers on the Big Hole River near the Powerhouse fishing access site on Aug. 2, 2023. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan)

Discussions about tipping points have been getting plenty of coverage in the last few years as the planet hurtles forward in a climate crisis we seem incapable of stopping. Ice caps and glaciers are melting, sea levels rising more rapidly than expected, acidification of the oceans, and vast wildfires sweep the globe as the Sixth Mass Extinction event wipes species from existence at a sickening pace.

Whats not been normally referred to as such is the tipping point we have now reached in the governance of our nation. But make no mistake, whats going on right now with the would-be king in the White House fully qualifies as a tipping point  from democracy and adherence to the law and Constitution to a dictatorship under an individual who claims he is done playing by the rules and now turns our own military against we, the people.

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Apparently this delusional old man has forgotten what happened the last time a king tried to suppress freedom in this country. That was 250 years ago, when those who fled the oppressions of monarchy for the liberty of a new nation rose up to throw the kings heel off their necks.

Just as the founders of the United States kicked the kings royal troops out, make no mistake that the fire of liberty and democracy continue to burn hot as the No Kings! movement sweeps our nation with more than 1,800 demonstrations planned for June 14th. If the red coats could not extinguish the flame of liberty on which this nation was founded, neither will the red hat grifter-in-chief who wants to play king.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the tipping point we have reached in Montanas world famous rivers and wild trout fisheries. As recently pointed out in a grim assessment of the impacts of the climate crisis here in the Big Sky State, we are at a point in early June with low flows and high water temperatures that have not occurred recently until late July-August.

How bad is it? Well, according to the fisheries biologists at Montanas Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Clark Fork and Blackfoot are at one-third of their usual flows. Stretches of the Big Hole are at their lowest levels in more than 15 years, with the upper river  where the last of the Fluvial Arctic Grayling in the lower 48 states are barely hanging on  has already hit 70 degrees, nearing the lethal point for trout and above that point for grayling.

Dead fish on the Smith River some 25 years ago. (Provided photo from the collection of George Ochenski)

The Madison River coming out of Yellowstone National Park is now reaching its historic 1931 lowest point, with flows at half of usual and, like the Big Hole, temperatures already approaching 70 degrees. Its so bad NorthWestern Energy says it may not be able to meet all the needs of the system and is limiting outflows from Hebgen Reservoir, which is not expected to fill this year.

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The Dearborn River, which drains the now basically snow-free Rocky Mountain Front, is already lower than its been in 55 years  likewise the Sun River, which is at a stunning 1/14th of usual flows. A comprehensive assessment of our read em and weep river flows is here at the USGS site.

As our tipping points inexorably mount, the choices become clear. To protect our liberty and freedom, we must reject the would be king. To protect Montanas world famous rivers, we must likewise reject his insane, planet-killing fossil fuel agenda  or neither our nation nor Montanas famous rivers will ever be great again.
ELBA, Ala (WDHN)  A jury has brought down both guilty and not guilty verdicts in the case of two half-brothers accused of killing an Elba teen in 2023.

Court records show Terrance Green was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide, and his half-brother, DaQuann Green, was found not guilty of murder on Tuesday.

Both brothers were initially charged with murder in the death of Elba High School senior Xavier Marek. They were also facing one count of theft of property in the second degree.

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In September 2023, Marek crashed his Nissan SUV into the garage door of a home on Sunset Avenue in Elba. After arriving on the scene, first responders found that Merek had suffered a gunshot wound. He died a short time later at the Enterprise Medical Center.

Both brothers were arrested within a few weeks of Mareks death.

The half-brothers were tried together on the murder and theft charges, and Judge Sonny Reagan gave the jury the possible verdicts of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, or not guilty.

Terrance Green was convicted of criminally negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor, and theft of property. Terrance was released from the Coffee County Jail and will be sentenced in July.

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DaQuann Green was found not guilty on the murder charge, and only convicted on the theft of property charge. However, sources tell WDHN that DaQuann is being held in the Coffee County Jail due to him facing seperate federal charges.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  A long-awaited compromise on housing that gives towns more options to fund building projects, a bill addressing the impact of social media on children that will likely face challenges in court, and a reform that will seal many criminal history records were among ten bills Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law Thursday.

Senate Bill 127, on housing, was perhaps the bill that took the most work by both chambers of the state assembly. The bill establishes the Community Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP), which lets cities and towns fund housing projects by taking out loans to be repaid later, with the increased tax revenue gained from the projects. It was passed by the Vermont Senate this past March, and went through a long process of amendment before final passage May 30.

VT Governor calls for action on housing legislation

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This bill on housing also includes a provision to award up to $20,000 to people helping to build houses in empty lots, and establishes a state program to offer low-interest loans to cities and towns aiming to improve their infrastructure.

Scott made a special statement on Senate Bill 69, the Vermont Kids Code, which you can read more about in its own article below.

Vermont signs Kids Code into law, faces legal challenges

Senate Bill 12 changes the procedures for sealing someones criminal history after they have completed serving a sentence. Under previous Vermont law, when asking for a crime to be sealed the burden of proof is on the petitioner to show that sealing serves the interests of justice, while S. 12 moves this burden over to the state.

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The governor also signed S. 45, which protects farmers from nuisance lawsuits for activities that comply with generally accepted farming practice, S. 122, which funds several groups that aid small businesses in the state and explores the development of a convention center, and S. 126, which aims to lower health care costs by allowing reference-based pricing, along with four other bills.

VT House passes healthcare redesign, now goes to Senate

The Vermont state legislature is currently scheduled to adjourn for the summer on June 17, The adjournment has already been postponed at least once as the legislature said it needed more time to work out important reforms.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  One of the ten bills Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed Thursday has the goal of making Vermont children safer online. The bill faces challenges in court, but its supporters say it is necessary in a rapidly changing world.

Senate Bill 69, known as the Vermont Kids Code, aims to protect kids from abusive practices of social media companies. Governor Phil Scott, in his statement on signing the bill, said, As we see more and more kids using technology, I believe most would agree we need to take steps to protect them in a reasonable and responsible way when theyre online.

ACLU Vermont releases statement following Scotts hotel-motel transition bill veto

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Among other provisions, the bill prohibits companies from selling childrens data, keeps parents and other adults from secretly using apps to track kids, and making it so adults cannot message children without their explicit and unambiguous assent. It also says that social media companies must have push notifications disabled by default on childrens accounts.

Read the full text of the bill hereDownload

Other states have recently passed similar laws, such as Marylands Kids Code and Californias Age-Appropriate Design Code. They have faced lawsuits on free speech grounds, with judges blocking enforcement of the laws until litigation is resolved. NetChoice, the advocacy group behind those lawsuits, says the goal to protect children is just an excuse to police speech online.

Bus totaled after catching fire in Mount Holly

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An unconstitutional law will not keep anyone safe, said NetChoice vice president Carl Szabo about the Maryland law.

Scott referenced the current legal struggles in his statement, saying, With ongoing lawsuits in other states, I recognize this new law will likely face a legal challenge. But Im hopeful with the enactment of this law delayed until January 1, 2027, it will allow enough time to provide clarity and change the law if necessary.

Kaitlynn Cherry, a youth advocate from Sunderland, said Vermont needs to be proactive. Our future selves will thank us when we have safety, privacy, and autonomy in our digital experiences.

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VERNON (KFDX/KJTL)  The Vernon Police Department is searching for a missing woman and is seeking the communitys help.

According to a Facebook post made by the Vernon PD, the woman is Lotwanna Hardeman and has been reported missing by her family. Hardeman does suffer from IDD (Intellectual Disability Disorder) and can be aggressive at times.

Name: Lotwanna Hardeman

Last Seen: 6-6-2025

Age: 50 years old

Height: 510

Weight: 120 lbs

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Last seen wearing a black shirt and white capri pants. If you think you have seen Hardeman or you have any questions, contact the Vernon Police Department at (940) 553-3311.

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To mark the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary on Saturday  and, seemingly, to celebrate Donald Trumps 79th birthday  Washington, D.C., is set to host a day-long event that includes a massive military parade. But, for the hosts of The View, the festivities are nothing more than distasteful hypocrisy from the president.

In discussing the parade on Fridays episode of the ABC talk show, the women were largely bothered by the cost of it all, which is set to be in the realm of $25 million to $45 million. But even more so, the hosts called out the context surrounding that price tag.

I think whats so distasteful about this is not only the cost, but the cuts that have happened with the Veterans Affairs, host Sunny Hostin said. I mean, if you think about it, lets see, 6,000 veterans were fired due to budget cuts and layoffs. There are plans to remove up to 80,000 employees who provide support to veterans as well.

PROTESTS LOOM OVER TRUMP'S MILITARY PARADE: As the U.S. armed forces prepare to descend on D.C. for the Army's 250th anniversary parade, 'The View' co-hosts weigh in on Pres. Trump's warning to protesters. pic.twitter.com/YnQ1iCNFyj  The View (@TheView) June 13, 2025

And to spend $45 million and have these cuts, it just doesnt make sense, she continued. The best way to honor our troops is to make sure that our veterans are taken care of. Thats the most important thing.

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Host Ana Navarro was quick to concur, pointing out that this spending comes just days after several millions more was spent to deploy the military to Los Angeles in the wake of largely peaceful protests against ICE raids.

I agree with you, $45 million he is spending on this parade, on top of the $135 million that hes spending sending the Marines and the National Guard to California, she totaled. So thats almost $200 million right there, at a time when DOGE directed the VA to cancel over 800 contracts that support everything from chemotherapy treatments for veterans to records digitalization, and when the 2,400 staff from the Veterans Administration were fired. So, you know, its the hypocrisy.

Moderator Joy Behar  filling in for Whoopi Goldberg, who is off on Fridays  also pointed out that Trump himself did not serve.

Here we have a guy who avoided Vietnam because of his bone spurs. No one, according to what Ive read, no one in his family has ever served, she noted. His father, his grandfather, none of them have ever served. And yet he wants to have this big military.

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Meanwhile, host Alyssa Farah Griffin circled back to Hostins point about making sure that veterans are taken care of, arguing that nothing says more about a nation than that.

And it drives me crazy, I feel like veterans become political pawns every election year, she said. But the fact that youre going to potentially spend $45 million on this when the VA continues to be backlogged, when, right now, there are veterans that are dealing with homelessness, with PTSD, with wounds of war that are not being properly cared for. Thats really hard to compute.

You can watch the full discussion from The View in the video above.

The post The View Hosts Call Out Distasteful Hypocrisy of Trumps Military Parade After Stripping Funding for Vets | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  In Albuquerques North Valley, the Village of Los Ranchos is trying to figure out how it should prioritize millions of dollars of work over the next few years. The list includes 17 projects, including a lot of road work along Fourth Street and Rio Grande Blvd near Paseo del Norte, but before any decisions they want to hear what neighbors think.

Ideas include new sound barriers and better pedestrian crossings near Paseo del Norte, creating new balloon landing zones, and upgrading several basic rough trails.

Politicians sink $13M in closed New Mexico tourist attraction

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Theyre not even, theyre not flat, not developed. Theyre basically informal. Some of those will stay that way, but then there are others where we know we have to have better access for young people who might be wanting to access the schools, said Village of Los Ranchos Mayor Lawrence Rael.

Meanwhile, in some of the public feedback, some say Los Ranchos needs better traffic and noise management. Douglas Cutler agrees, saying he wants to see upgrades on Fourth Street.

I would like to see focus on Fourth and Osuna in that area. It seems like with all of the new construction there and the new residents in that apartment complex, the streets are not adequate to handle the traffic, said Douglas Cutler, a Village of Los Ranchos resident.

Mayor Lawrence Rael said the Village priorities also include upgrades to Rio Grande Boulevard, where a $15 million project could make a roundabout just south of Paseo. There will be some repaving of the whole corridor, Id like to look at the shoulders a little bit. We have a lot of folks commuting through there with bikes and a lot of folks recreating, said Mayor Rael.

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Where was No Country for Old Men filmed in New Mexico?

The mayor said their priorities arent final yet and could change with public feedback. It would be really great to have those projects in place and that the Village is thriving and moving forward, said Mayor Rael.

The Village will have one final meeting to discuss the project ideas and take more feedback in less than two weeks on June 24.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Look out New York  and Hawaii. Theres a new Spider-Hero in town. Just released this week, Marvel Comics latest character. Her name? Spider-Girl. And shes complicated, powerful and better yet, shes Hawaii-born.

Shes fierce. Shes fearless and bringing a fresh twist on classic Spidey vibes. Marvels new Spider-Girl is officially here and shes creating a buzz.

Avengers: Doomsday cast includes Hemsworths Thor, Mackies Cap, Fantastic Four and original X-Men

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Its cool because it does bring awareness to the Hawaiian culture itself, said Stig Lapoint, a comic book fan.

This Next-Gen web slinger has roots in Hawaii. Her secret identity is Makawalu Akana and has a dark past thats unlike any Spider hero before her.

Shes a protege of a famous Daredevil villain called Bullseye, and shes breaking away from that in the series and trying to become a proper hero, said David Nakayama, a veteran cover artist who created the cover art for the debut issue.

Thats right, Spider-Girl didnt start out trying to save the day. Her superpower is being able to copy other superpowers.

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I mean, thats literally the reason I signed on to do the project in the first place. They told me, Spider-Girl, shes Hawaiian. Im like, Yes, you got me. Im in, Nakayama said.

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David says the challenge was to capture both power and personality in a single image.

Shes of two worlds, right? Like shes from Hawaii, but shes now fighting crime in New York, like a proper Spider person. So we wanted to capture that duality, right? Nakayama said. Shes also a youthful spider character, right? Shes not Spider-Man, shes Spider-Girl. So, you know, putting in things like little plushies and tassels in her hair is something my daughter would wear. Thats kind of the youthful energy we wanted to communicate,

The new ongoing Spider-Girl series is written by Torunn Gronbekk, known for her work with Thor and Venom.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

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In a statement from Marvel, Spider-Girl she said eagerly jumps into fights others would think better of and her arrival has definitely caught the attention of the criminal underworld but maybe for the not the reason one would think.

You know, superhero women who are superheroes, has become much more popular in the last, you know, 20-25, years. And I think thats great. So that that hopefully will be a new crowd younger female readers who will get into comics, said Charlie Whitesell, owner of Other Realms comic book store.

Can Spider-Girl truly leave her villainous past behind and make it as a hero? Youll have to read it to see. The debut issue is on shelves now.

David Nakayama will be signing copies of the debut issue on June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Other Realms located on Nimitz Hwy in Iwilei.

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Flames, fireworks, and clashes with police in downtown Seattle got the attention of people nationwide on Wednesday night as people took to the streets to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

But Matt Adams, the legal director with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, says that kind of destruction can overshadow the main reason thousands of protesters marched in the first place.

What we dont want is that there be distractions of violence that the administration brings in troops and tries to make a spectacle of a political theater out of it in order for the administration to justify their actions, Adams said.

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While he wholeheartedly supports the peaceful protest that made its way to downtown, Adams says the damage and vandalism are hurting their cause rather than helping it.

It allows the government to then have an excuse to see what we saw in California, where they send in the troops, and theyre taking actions that, again, are unprecedented in using the military to harm the communities that live here, he said.

Crowds of people participated in the anti-ICE rally in Seattle while supporting immigrant rights in solidarity with what were seeing across the country.

When that wrapped up, things got violent.

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Adams says he doesnt want to see anyone in our community get hurt. He says the actions of the Trump administration with ICE have already been affecting his clients.

We have parents who have said, oh, Im afraid to take my kid to the hospital. Can I do that? Just things that you wouldnt even think of that now. We have community members that are afraid to just carry about the normal, the necessities of life, he explained.

Adams says they will be participating in the No Kings protests against Trumps policies on Saturday, which will be happening nationwide.

Seattle police is preparing for more than 2,000 people to march from Cal Anderson Park to Seattle Center starting at noon.
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56)  Somerset is a spot for food fanatics, lake lovers, and art admirers. The city is also not without history.

The Virginia has been entertaining Somerset since the 1920s. As expected, the historic venue has changed since the doors first opened.

It opened in 1922 as a local movie theater and for more than 70 years became part of the citys fondest memories. But the family-owned business fell on hard times, sitting vacant and deteriorating for nearly three decades.

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In 1994, The Virginia closed after an ice storm caused its roof to collapse.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Several years ago, Somerset bought the property from the citys downtown development corporation, spending $2.3 million to bring the theater back to life ahead of its 100th anniversary. The historic space is now more than a cinema, renovated into a multi-use venue.

The Virginia Theater, what I like to call the artist formerly known as the Virginia Cinema, was one of the movie theaters located in downtown Somerset. One of the others was the Kentucky, which is now a parking lot. That was one of the main reasons why this community really banded together to try to refurbish this theater was to not let it become a parking lot and to let it be a part of the rich history of this community, said John Alexander, the Pulaski County governments communications director.

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Last month, it hosted the 606-strong tornado relief benefit concert to raise money for storm survivors of Mays horrific tornado that damaged parts of the area.

Alexander is proud to have an iconic piece of the city back in play. He said if the lake is the citys lifeblood, then The Virginia is its heart.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

The community was very welcoming of it. I like to use the quote that Humphrey Bogart used in The Maltese Falcon: its the stuff that dreams are made of. This has been our dream for decades and to have it back open, to have it accessible to the public, and to be in a form that its never been in before and to have a building that is modern, that does have modern sensibilities, then also a throwback to the past, Alexander said.

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Alexander also hosts a classic movie series at the theater once a month.

To me, its a chance again to show people Somerset that when they visit here, when they visit the lake, when they visit this area, that its something that they can come see thats modern but then also looks towards the past as well, said Alexander. They cant stay on the lake 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, to have things like this in downtown Somerset for people to go do outside of the lake and outside of that regular Memorial Day to Labor Day lake season is something that benefits everybody.

Friday night, the band Whos Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience is performing at the Virginia. The show starts at 8 p.m. For a list of other shows and events, click here.

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The share price of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) fell by 4.66% between June 3 and June 10, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Lets shed some light on the development.

Here is Why Sable Offshore (SOC) Fell This Week

Copyright: 1971yes / 123RF Stock Photo

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is a Houston-based independent upstream company focused on developing the prolific Santa Ynez Unit in federal waters offshore California.

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) continues to sink after Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Donna Geck ordered the company to halt restart efforts on the operations onshore pipeline system while a related lawsuit is being resolved. The restraining order will remain in effect through at least mid-July and could even be extended. As a result, Sable has now pushed back their restart timeline from the beginning of July to August 1, 2025.

Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) posted significant gains in May after the company announced that it had restarted oil production at the previously dormant Santa Ynez Unit. However, the stock has now sunk by more than 30% over the last two weeks following the interventions by the court and the California Coastal Commission.

While we acknowledge the potential of SOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Cheap Energy Stocks to Buy Now and 15 Best Large Cap Energy Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

Disclosure: None.
HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  The Henry County Sheriffs Office arrested a man months after he fled Henry County once he was identified as the suspect in a September 2024 sexual assault case.

Evidence was submitted to the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and based on the evidence led to a warrant for 28-year-olfd Aaron Snider for Rape.

Gov. Youngkin signs legislation into law protecting children, including CODI Alert

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Investigators worked to locate Snider, and on June 11, information led investigators to Beaufort County, North Carolina.

On June 12, 2025, Aaron Ray Snider was located and arrested and is currently being held without bond in North Carolina until he is extradited back to Virginia.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriffs Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Volkswagen has stepped in to save and restore a blue and white VW camper minibus that miraculously survived the deadly Palisade fires near Los Angeles in January of this year.

The T2 bus was left intact on a street in Malibu amid homes destroyed by the flames although its paintwork was badly scorched. At least 30 people were killed in the blazes and many made homeless.

The German manufacturer said the van had become a beacon of hope as residents picked up the pieces of their lives as the flames subsided. An AP photo of the lone van in a desolate landscape was circulated widely on TV and social media at the time.

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"Like the rest of the world, we couldnt believe our eyes," said Mark Gillies, the company's PR head in the US. "But regardless of how good it looked in photos, we knew it was in dire need of a check-up."

Volkswagen contacted the vehicles owner, Megan Krystle Weinraub, who refers to her bus as Azul, about assessing the damage and determining whether it was still in road-worthy condition. If not, VW offered to restore Azul to pre-fires form if deemed possible.

"Getting that call was such a relief," Weinraub said. "I knew Azul was becoming a symbol of hope and that people wanted to see more of her, but I had so much to work through at the time that I wasnt sure how to approach it."

Once the area was accessible again, Azul was loaded onto a transport bound for Volkswagens nearby Oxnard Campus, which houses and maintains VWs US collection of historic vehicles.

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Volkswagen team members said that while Azuls "good side" was impressive, the bus would require extensive mechanical fixes and bodywork to be fully operable. Work on the restoration has now begun and is expected to be completed later this year.
Volunteers who rushed to help after a passenger jet crashed into a residential neighbourhood of India's Ahmedabad city described Friday the intense fireball they faced -- and the challenge ahead to identify the bodies of at least 265 victims.

Bharat Solanki, 51, was working at a fuel station when the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner -- carrying 242 passengers and crew -- took off from nearby Ahmedabad airport around lunchtime on Thursday.

Less than a minute later it ploughed into a residential area, bursting into searing flames with what residents described as an ear-splitting blast.

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All but one aboard the plane was killed, and at least 24 others died on the ground.

Solanki and a couple of friends rushed to the site.

"We saw bodies everywhere -- they were in pieces, fully burnt," he said, recalling the horror of the scene.

"We took out dead bodies", he said, adding that he also helped bring out those injured from the medical hostel and nearby buildings that the plane smashed into.

"Everywhere just bodies, parts, body parts. The bodies were totally burnt. It was like coal."

- 'Didn't get a chance' -

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the crash site on Friday morning, called it a "scene of devastation".

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He was seen peering up at a fire-blackened multi-storey building with the plane's wheels and tail embedded in a wall.

Authorities have set up DNA testing for relatives of passengers and those killed on the ground to identify the scorched bodies and body parts.

It may be weeks before a final death toll is confirmed.

Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking after visiting the crash site on Thursday, said the plane was carrying 125,000 litres (27,500 gallons) of fuel.

The "temperature was so high that one didn't get a chance", he said.

Air India said there were 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian on board the flight bound for London's Gatwick airport, as well as 12 crew members.

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Sona Prakash, who was close to the residential blocks of the medical accommodation, described how the "hostel was destroyed", adding that "so many doctors were injured, so many died".

Another witness, 35-year-old labourer Patani, who uses only one name, said those around him thought a bomb had gone off before they realised it was a plane crash.

"There was black smoke everywhere, plumes of smoke", added Vinod Bhai, another labourer.

"The sky was only black, that's how much smoke was there."

Forensic teams are searching for the black box flight recorders that will detail the last moments of the flight for crash investigators.

ash/pjm/fox
MADISON  The Wisconsin Elections Commission sent out postcards on June 13 to all Wisconsin registered voters who have not voted in the last four years.

Voters must respond to the postcard by July 15, 2025, to stay registered to vote in Wisconsin.

Here's what you need to know about the Wisconsin Elections Commission's effort to keep the voter rolls updated:

What is voter list maintenance?

State law requires the Wisconsin Elections Commission to mail out notices to all voters who have been registered to vote for the past four years but have not voted by the June following a general election.

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The notice informs that voters' registrations will be deactivated unless they request continuation of their registration within 30 days.

If the notice is returned as undeliverable or if the voter does not respond within 30 days, WEC will deactivate the voter's registration in the statewide voter registration system.

Deactivated voters do not appear on the poll list on Election Day and must re-register to vote again.

What do I do if I receive a post card notice from WEC?

If you received a postcard identified as a "NOTICE OF VOTER REGISTRATION SUSPENSION," and you are still eligible to be registered to vote in Wisconsin, you can:

Update your voter information on myvote.wi.gov or via a paper registration form mailed or delivered to your local clerk if either your address or name has changed

Sign and return the card to your local clerk if your address or name hasn't changed

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More information can be found here.

How do you register to vote in Wisconsin?

Voter requirements vary by state. In Wisconsin, voters need:

A photo ID, such as: A Wisconsin DOT issued Driver License (or receipt). A Wisconsin DOT issued Identification Card (or receipt). A military ID. A Native American tribal ID. A university-issued voter ID. A veterans ID card issued by the Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A certificate of naturalization issued at least two years before the date of the election.



Wisconsin has same-day voter registration, meaning voters can register on election day at their assigned polling place. To register to vote, you'll need to bring proof of address and a valid photo ID.

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Want to register to vote ahead of election day? You can do so on the MyVote Wisconsin website.

How may voters were purged the last time voter list maintenance took place?

WEC is required by state law to post voter record maintenance statistics on the agency website.

In 2023, Wisconsin sent out 116,051 notices, according to WEC. Of the notices sent out:

7,469 (6.4%) of the notices sent out were returned requesting continuation of registration.

77,726 (67%) voters did not respond to the notice.

108,378 (93.4%) voters mailed a notice that their registration status changed from eligible to ineligible.

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin voter record maintenance postcards
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) Virginia State Police have issued a Codi Alert for an endangered teen in Chesapeake.

According to state police, 17-year-old Jose Miguel Pomales was last seen at his residence on June 10 at 3:40 p.m. The description of his clothing is unknown.

Courtesy-Virginia State Police

He may be operating a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic with Virginia license plate: TEK4237.

Pomales is described as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He is 510 and 186 pounds. He has an appendix scar.

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Police say he is considered endangered and may be a danger to himself. He is believed to have his phone with him, but he is not known to require any medications or suffer from any known physical or mental illnesses

Anyone with information regarding Joses whereabouts is asked to contact the Chesapeake Police Department immediately at 757-382-6161 or call 911.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR)  The Virginia Tech Police Department has received a report of a van stopping on West Campus Drive and luring a juvenile into the van; however, the juvenile turned the van down, and the van driver continued to try and persuade the minor in an intimidating voice.

The juvenile ran from the scene, and the incident happened around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11.

The suspects van is described to be a newer white model passenger van driven by a male, possibly in his 40s. The van drove off and has not been located at this time.

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Roanoke County creates Online Police Reporting System: Learn More

Here are some tips from the Virginia Tech Police Department for personal safety and protection:

When possible, avoid walking alone. Walk with a friend or walk in welltraveled and welllit areas.

Avoid places where you are vulnerable and there are no exits.

Be aware of people around you. When you are walking, stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.

Walk with confidence; show that you are aware and in control.

If you are being followed, go to the nearest business or residence for help.

If you are harassed by the occupants of a car, turn and walk in the other direction. The driver will have to turn around to follow you.

If you feel you are in danger, call 911 to request assistance. The Virginia Tech campus has 129 Blue Light Phones around campus if your cell phone is not working.

VT PD reminds everyone to report all crimes or suspicious activity/person(s) anywhere on campus immediately to the Virginia Tech Police Department at 540-382-4343 or by dialing 911.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
WA animal laws and recent changes that affect pets and wildlife

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories describes laws about animals in Washington state, including recent changes to regulations about pets and wildlife.

For example, the state of Washington has enacted a ban on feeding certain wild animals to address the spread of illness. Washington also restricted the use of certain animals in traveling circuses to address animal welfare concerns.

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In Tacoma, changes to city codes include updates to pet licensing fees and a new classification for community cats as part of efforts to manage animal overpopulation.

Read the stories below.

The City of Tacoma allows residents to keep goats on their private property for short-term and long periods of time, but must be compliant with city code. Pictured above is Pat the ewe walks around in her enclosure at Graham Fire and Rescue Station 96 in Graham, Wash. on Oct. 4, 2022. Pat was rescued by firefighters at the station after she was reported wandering around the area. She now lives with the stations goats, Torch and Drip, after the station was unable to locate her owner. By Cheyenne Boone

NO. 1: CAN YOU HAVE GOATS, CHICKENS IN PIERCE COUNTY? YES, BUT THERE ARE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The number and type of livestock that Pierce County residents can have depends on the size of the property. Here the specific requirements. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

A trail cam in a Hartsel, Colorado, garden captures video of two raccoons fighting at night

NO. 2: ITS ILLEGAL TO TRAP WILD ANIMALS IN WA. WHAT TO DO WITH RACCOONS, OTHER WILDLIFE AT HOME

Trapping wildlife without certification is a measure of last resort and can result in a gross misdemeanor. Heres what to do instead. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

By Phillippe Lissac

NO. 3: ARE YOU ALLOWED TO BURY YOUR PET IN YOUR BACKYARD IN WASHINGTON? HERES WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The loss of a beloved pet is difficult and choosing how to honor them after their death is just as hard. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Rosemary Montalvo

Head elephant manager Terry Frisco with elephant Mable as she kicks a beach ball. By Michael S. Williamson

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NO. 4: WASHINGTON BECOMES TWELFTH STATE TO RESTRICT CIRCUS ANIMAL USE. HERES WHY

Animals like elephants, bears, big cats and others will not be allowed to travel for performance purposes. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Karlee Van De Venter

A deer  and friends  frolic at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. By Reid Wilson

NO. 5: DONT FEED WILDLIFE. WHY WA MADE IT ILLEGAL TO FEED SPECIFIC ANIMALS

From bird feeders to salt licks, feeding wildlife can actually be dangerous for them. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Genevieve Belmaker

NO. 6: LEGALIZING PIGS: TACOMA TO CHANGE CITY CODE TO ADDRESS ANIMAL OVERPOPULATION

The changes eliminate the potential for jail time or fines for residents who own pigs. License fees for cats and dogs also increasing. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
The Brief

Washington's ferry system will expand with two-boat service on the Bremerton-Seattle route starting June 15 and additional vessels for other routes by July.

The Wenatchee ferry is set to return in early July, aiding the restoration of full domestic service.

Despite budget cuts, $1.3 billion was allocated for new vessels and $40 million for crew support to address the aging fleet.

SEATTLE - Expansions to Washingtons ferry system aim to right the ship for riders dealing with years of delays and cancellations.

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On Thursday, Governor Bob Ferguson announced new updates that will impact three routes. He also revealed a possible date for the return of the states largest vessel back to the water.

"This is a milestone for sure to get us back to those pre-pandemic levels and restore that full domestic service," said Ferguson.

One of the biggest changes that affects thousands of Washington State Ferry riders happens on Sunday, June 15. The governor said the Bremerton-Seattle route will be permanently restored to a two-boat service for the first time in three years.

Fixing WA's ferry system

What they're saying

"For too long, commuters traveling to and from Bremerton have had to wait two and a half hours between boats every day," said Ferguson. "By adding this additional vessel, we are cutting that wait time by a full hour, and this expansion is permanent."

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The two-boat service is a highly anticipated improvement, which Bremertons mayor, Greg Wheeler, said couldnt come soon enough.

"We have faced a crisis in our community due to the ongoing lack of service. Our residents, workforce, businesses, and economy has suffered from ferry disruptions, cancellations, and lack of boats," said Wheeler. "The renewed trust in Washington State Ferrys Bremerton-Seattle route will encourage people to rediscover our community and will stimulate our economy."

The governor also announced the state is on track to permanently restore a third boat to the Triangle Route, between West Seattle, Vashon Island, and Southworth on the Kitsap Peninsula. That addition is scheduled for the end of June.

Big picture view

Starting on July 4, a second boat will service the Port Townsend-Coupeville route for the summer between Friday and Monday.

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"We have not been able to do this summer expansion on that route for five years. Riders on those routes will have more frequent ferry service, offering flexibility in their travel to work and their appointments," said Ferguson on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route.

Ferguson said the expansions are all part of a bigger plan to fully restore domestic service. To do that, he explained, the Wenatchee, the states largest vessel, must return to the water. The ferry has been out of service since September 2023, undergoing a hybrid electric conversion.

With just a few more weeks of tests by engineers and technicians, Ferguson said the Wenatchee could sail again as soon as the first week of July.

"At that point, well have 21 vessels in total, which will allow us to have 18 boats in the water at any one time. So, that allows us to restore full electric service for the first time since 2019," said Ferguson.

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The governor further explained it is a routine process to have 18 vessels on the water while three vessels receive maintenance.

All the new, welcomed updates come as the governor acknowledged the significant cuts to the states transportation budget. Recognizing there is more work to do in restoring the aging ferry system, he highlighted the approved budget investments that will make a difference now.

"$1.3 billion for new vessels to replace part of our aging fleet. And, approximately $40 million for crew hiring, retention, and training, which is equally important. We need to have the vessels, but also part of the challenges we had was the challenges on the workforce," said Ferguson.

Focused on long-term goals, the governor said he and other state officials are reviewing several bids for new vessels. Ferguson said he would publicly announce that decision soon, though he did not specify a date. He said the state is also looking at lease-to-purchase options to get more ferries on the water.

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"I think thats what its going to take moving forward, is making sure were doing everything we can to treat this as the crisis that it has been," said Ferguson. "Our fleet is aging. So, we have more work to do."

The Source

Information in this story comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter Franque Thompson.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Seattle traffic to be impacted from upcoming protests

Authorities shift tactics in search for WA triple murder suspect Travis Decker

Manhunt for Travis Decker moves to WA's Kittitas County

Anti-Trump NO KINGS protests planned for Seattle this weekend

Seattle police disperse 'ICE OUT' protesters after fire breaks out downtown

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Everything you need to know about Seattle Pride Parade 2025

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To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Washington is one of a few states whose Medicaid data has reportedly been shared with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which could use it to potentially track down immigrants without legal status.

The shared information, including names, addresses, and social security numbers, is from California, Illinois and Washington D.C., on top of Washington state, according to the Associated Press. This comes as the Trump administration seeks to ramp up deportations.

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Washington provides benefits that mirror Medicaid to immigrants in the U.S. without legal authorization. Enrollment is capped based on available funding, and only state dollars are used to pay for the program. The other states with data handed over offer similar benefits.

The agency that runs Washingtons Medicaid program, known as Apple Health, wasnt sure what information was disclosed or how it may have been used.

Weve seen the reports and are deeply concerned about the potential misuse of personal health information belonging to Washington Apple Health clients, state Health Care Authority spokesperson Katie Pope said in an email on Friday.

We are currently working closely with the Governors Office and the Attorney Generals Office to understand the scope of what occurred, including what data from Washington has been shared and how many individuals may have been affected, Pope continued.

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As of this spring, nearly 2 million Washington residents were enrolled in Apple Health, including over 850,000 children.

Medicaid, primarily funded by the federal government and run by the states, provides health insurance to low-income residents.

Federal law prohibits noncitizens from accessing Medicaid, but states can shell out money for programs that cover immigrants. Washington state lawmakers this year earmarked $150 million for this purpose, enough to continue coverage for about 13,000 people.

California and Illinois have moved to freeze or shut down their similar programs. Republicans in Congress have proposed reductions in federal Medicaid reimbursements for states that provide this kind of coverage to immigrants.

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In a statement, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said, President Trump consistently promised to protect Medicaid for eligible beneficiaries.

To keep that promise after Joe Biden flooded our country with tens of millions of illegal aliens CMS and DHS are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans, McLaughlin continued.

In light of a February executive order from President Donald Trump, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services late last month announced it was reviewing state Medicaid data to ensure federal funds werent being used on immigrants without legal status.

Medicaid is not, and cannot be, a backdoor pathway to subsidize open borders, Mehmet Oz, the agencys administrator, said in a statement at the time. States have a duty to uphold the law and protect taxpayer funds.

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California, Washington and Illinois shared information about noncitizens receiving health coverage, according to the AP, citing a June 6 memo.

Protecting the privacy of our Apple Health clients is core to our mission, and we take these concerns very seriously, said Pope, of the Health Care Authority. Well continue to coordinate with state and federal partners to determine the facts and will take appropriate action as we learn more.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are within the Department of Health and Human Services, run by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose advisers ordered the Medicaid data shared with the Department of Homeland Security, the AP reported Friday. They reportedly shared the information despite pushback from federal Medicaid officials.

The sharing came as federal immigration agents conducted immigration raids in California that led to protests. Trump has deployed National Guard troops and Marines in response to the demonstrations.
The Brief

Authorities are searching for Travis Decker, the man accused of murdering his three young daughters, in Washington's Chelan and Kittitas counties.

Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any sightings, as law enforcement uses helicopters and infrared cameras in the search.

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office emphasizes community involvement and continues to ask for public tips to locate Decker.

Cle Elum, wash. - The Chelan County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday that the sheriff in Kittitas County has been helping in the hunt for Travis Decker.

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There were concerns that he may have made it to the nearby Teanaway Trail area. In the meantime, law enforcement in both counties are asking residents to be on the lookout for the triple-murder suspect.

Local perspective

The Gardineer girls just got out of school for summer break. It should be a time for playing with their pup Olive, feeding chickens Ginger and Shelly, and hiking local trails.

"Its like a pretty wooded area around here," said Phoenix Gardineer, who lives in the search area.

However, many of their plans are now canceled.

"I feel like we cant go on hikes anymore," said Panthra Gardineer, who lives in the search area.

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Because the girls and their grandma live near Ingalls Creek, they are right in the middle of the expanded search area for Travis Decker.

"We are locking doors," said Phoenix.

"A lot of helicopters the first day, back and forth, up and down the river, and up and down the highway," said Anitria Nicol, who lives in the search area.

The Washington State Patrol has joined in the search from the sky. Spokesperson Chris Loftis says WSP has provided more than 23 flight hours of requested air support, using two Cessnas equipped with high-powered infrared cameras.

"Its going to take a group effort and the community to bring this to a conclusion," said Sheriff Mike Morrison, Chelan County Sheriff.

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Part of that effort has involved asking residents in the familys area to be on the lookout.

"We are continuing to reach out and talk to different residents throughout Valley High and the Ingalls Creek area, to see if they have any cameras mounted to their house," said Morrison.

The family will be doing their part by potentially using the camera that watches over their flock of chickens, to keep an eagle eye out for Decker.

"We have a trail cam, with our chickens," said Phoenix.

"I feel like hes not going to come around people with guns and barking dogs for the most part," said Anitria Nicol.

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For now, rather than hiking in the woods, Panthra says her new summer break hobby is taking pictures of the helicopters and planes as they continue their search.

"It's like straight over our house. I look out the window and I just see the plane right out the window and Im like, Wow, its super low," said Panthra.

Here is Thursdays statement from the Kittitas County Sheriffs Office:

"Kittitas County Sheriff's deputies and tactical team members are maintaining elevated presence in the area near the active manhunt for Travis Decker, the man suspected of killing his three young daughters in the Icicle Creek area of Chelan County. This includes visible patrols, backcountry teams, and drones, all operating day and night. We're focused on safeguarding our community and having the right resources in place to detect and apprehend Decker if he comes to our county.

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The best chance for a swift and successful end to this search is intelligence that comes from the public. As people head into the wilderness in and around the Teanaway valley and Blewett Pass this weekend, we ask the public to be vigilant and alert to anything unusual.

If you see Travis Decker call 911 immediately. If you learn anything that might indicate his presence or whereabouts in our county, promptly call Kittcom at 509-925-8534. Thank you to everyone who has offered information so far and to everyone who will!

Thanks also to the Ellensburg Police Department for dedicating its members of the Kittitas County Tactical Response Team to this critical mission."

The Source

Information in this story came from the Kittitas County Sheriffs Office, Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol and original FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Seattle traffic to be impacted from upcoming protests

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Authorities shift tactics in search for WA triple murder suspect Travis Decker

Manhunt for Travis Decker moves to WA's Kittitas County

Anti-Trump NO KINGS protests planned for Seattle this weekend

Seattle police disperse 'ICE OUT' protesters after fire breaks out downtown

Everything you need to know about Seattle Pride Parade 2025

Things to do for Father's Day in Seattle

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN / ACCESS Newswire / June 13, 2025 / XVIVO Perfusion AB (STO:XVIVO)(LSE:0RKL)(FRA:3XV) - Yesterday, XVIVO received the prestigious Swedish American Chamber of Commerce USA (SACC-USA) Business Award 2025, presented at the Swedish Embassy - House of Sweden - in Washington, D.C. The SACC-USA Business Award honors companies that strengthen Swedish-American business ties through industry excellence, innovation, and cross-border impact.

"To win the SACC-USA Business Award is a tremendous honor and a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to saving lives," said Christoffer Rosenblad, CEO of XVIVO. "It affirms the importance of our vision that nobody should die waiting for a new organ and reinforces our momentum as we continue to help clinicians and researchers push the boundaries of organ transplantation to serve more patients in the U.S."

The award highlights the deep connection between Swedish innovation and advancements in American healthcare. Following a year of substantial growth in the U.S. market, XVIVO's success is driven by the increasing need for organ perfusion and preservation technologies that help transplant teams save more lives.

"As the demand for more organs continues to grow, XVIVO is supporting the system through groundbreaking solutions rooted in science, technology, and measurable impact," said Andre Persson, Jury Chair, SACC USA Business Award, with SACC-USA. "Their rapid growth and transformative contributions to the U.S. healthcare system exemplify the forward-thinking innovation we celebrate with the SACC-USA Business Award."

June 13, 2025

Gothenburg

Christoffer Rosenblad, CEO

XVIVO Perfusion AB (publ)

For further information, please contact:

Christoffer Rosenblad, CEO, +46 73 519 21 59, e-mail: christoffer.rosenblad@xvivogroup.com

Kristoffer Nordstrom, CFO, +46 73 519 21 64, e-mail: kristoffer.nordstrom@xvivogroup.com

About Us

Founded in 1998, XVIVO is the only medical technology company dedicated to extending the life of all major organs - so transplant teams around the world can save more lives. Our solutions allow leading clinicians and researchers to push the boundaries of transplantation medicine. XVIVO is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and has offices and research sites on two continents. The company is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker symbol XVIVO. More information can be found on the website www.xvivogroup.com.

Attachments

XVIVO honored with 2025 SACC-USA Business Award for life-saving innovation and growth in the U.S. market
Wales is the worst part of the UK for providing surgical abortions with many women treated in England, according to a leading healthcare charity.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said it was "astonishing" Wales was behind Northern Ireland, where abortion was only decriminalised in 2019.

One south Wales woman said she felt extra trauma and guilt at the thought of being sent away for the procedure - which involves an operation to remove the pregnancy from the womb.

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The Welsh government said it accepted improvements needed to be made for mid-trimester (13 to 27 weeks) abortion services, and women should be able to access essential healthcare services closer to home.

In Wales, England and Scotland abortion is allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy with the approval of two doctors.

Abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland in 2019, and prior to that it was only allowed in very specific circumstances.

Abortion care provider BPAS told BBC Wales that Northern Ireland now offered second trimester surgical abortions beyond 20 weeks, with Scotland offering services up to 20 weeks.

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However, in Wales there was "very limited provision after 14 weeks" it said, partly because of a "skills gap" and few doctors.

Sarah, not her real name, found herself unexpectedly pregnant about two years ago.

She was already a mum, and because she had experienced serious post-natal depression in the past, could not face going through with the pregnancy.

Sarah, who is her late 30s, said she did not want a medical abortion because of an earlier miscarriage, but was told she could not have a surgical abortion locally because of an existing medical condition that meant she needed general anaesthetic.

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When she was around 16 weeks pregnant, she was offered the procedure in London with her travel and accommodation paid for for two nights.

But she found the whole experience "really stressful".

"There was a bigger sense of guilt, because I was being sent away," Sarah added.

"I was imagining people with placards waving and shouting, I didn't know what hospital it would be.

"Having to leave my two children  who I hadn't left for more than one night  what would we tell them, what would we do? It added a lot of extra stress and trauma."

Sarah decided to continue with the pregnancy, describing it as a "really difficult time" until she was around 28 weeks.

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"Emotionally, it was the worst summer of my life," she said.

What is surgical abortion?

Surgical abortion involves an operation to remove the pregnancy from the womb

It may be done with local anaesthetic, conscious sedation or general anaesthetic and, according to the NHS, the surgical method can be performed by vacuum or suction aspiration or by dilation and evacuation

Medical abortions, which involve the use of drugs, accounted for 86% of abortions in Wales and England in 2022

Rachael Clarke from BPAS said some women may choose to continue pregnancies because of a lack of access to care [Rachael Clarke]

Rachael Clarke from BPAS said each year about 175 women travel from Wales to England for care.

"Many of these women don't want to speak out about what they experienced, they don't want to revisit it, and it makes it very easy for people to ignore the quite harrowing experiences," she said.

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The head of advocacy added it was often seen as the "easy option" to send women to a different service or country instead of accessing care closer to home.

"A lot of that is down to clinical availability, but also premises," she said.

"If you don't have space in a hospital, if you don't have a theatre, if you don't have a ward where women can go before and after that limits what you're able to provide."

She added that there was a dangerous skills gap with a lack of doctors routinely performing surgical abortions, or procedures also used in mid-trimester miscarriage.

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The first women's health plan for Wales, published in December last year, lists abortion as a "fundamental aspect" of women's reproductive healthcare, stating it should be available "locally and without delay for all women" to reduce "complications, distress and cost".

Funding and delivering services for mid-trimester abortion care is listed as a long-term goal, with a timescale of approximately six to 10 years.

Ms Clarke described that timeline as "a kick in the guts".

Plaid Cymru's Sioned Williams raised the issue in the Senedd earlier this year [BBC]

MS Sioned Williams said the women's health cross-party group had been asking the Welsh government to act since 2018.

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"It's important to me that when we say something is a health right, as it states in the new women's health plan, that there's action behind that to make it so, and that people are able to access abortions in a timely way," she said.

The Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales West added she thought this could be easily changed because of the relatively small number of women who require this care.

A spokesperson for the Welsh government accepted that improvements in mid-trimester abortion services need to be made, adding it fully acknowledges that women should be able to access essential healthcare services closer to home.

"We are working with NHS Wales to identify and address the specific barriers to providing surgical abortion services locally and we are exploring what short-term improvements we can make while developing a robust, sustainable service for the future", they added.






NEED TO KNOW

Shawn Christopher Cranston, 52, was convicted of first-degree murder for killing 23-year-old pregnant Amish woman Rebekah Byler and second-degree murder for killing her unborn child

Investigators linked Cranston to the crime through a shoe print and his belongings found at the scene, including Nike sneakers and guns

Cranston, who had previously provided rides for a nearby family, had allegedly exhibited strange behavior, including wandering the property in black clothing with a pistol







A truck driver was convicted of shooting a pregnant Amish woman to death inside of her rural northwestern Pennsylvania home while her kids were in the next room over.

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Shawn Christopher Cranston, 52, was convicted of first-degree murder for killing Rebekah Byler, 23, and second-degree murder for killing her unborn child, the AP reported.

It is hard to fathom conduct more heinous than brutally killing a young expectant mother and her unborn child in her home, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said to the outlet. Our homes are supposed to be our safe haven  this defendant violated the sanctity of home to commit these truly evil acts.

On the morning of Feb. 26, 2024, Rebekah was at her home while her husband was being driven to work, the AP reported, citing authorities. When her husband, Andy Byler, returned home from work, he found her dead.

I didnt really believe it, Andy said at a preliminary hearing for Cranston, the outlet reported. I walked in and saw her cap laying inside the door.

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Rebekah and Andys two other children, a 2-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were at home when she was killed but the children were left unharmed, PennLive reported, citing court records. The boy later reportedly told police that a man in a green truck entered their home with sneakers and killed his mom.

Investigators later found a shoe print inside their home resembling a Nike Air Force One sneaker and later found the shoes in the familys home, the outlet reported, citing police. Police also found some of Cranstons clothing, five bank bags, a box of gloves and seven guns with ammunition.

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.

Cranston was a driver for an Amish man who lived a mile away from Rebekahs home, PennLive reported, citing court documents. Court records said the family had very odd experiences with Cranston, saying that after he provided the first ride, he would randomly show up at the familys home.

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Amish people rely on drivers outside of the community since they do not drive vehicles. They also do not traditionally wear sneakers, according to their community rules.

In one instance, Cranston allegedly drove a Jeep to the Bylers home, parked it in their driveway and wandered around the property wearing black clothing head to toe, PennLive reported. He allegedly had a black pistol in a holster on his belt and walked aimlessly, not making any sense when he interacted with neighbors.

Neighbors have told police that he is a member of the War Dogs motorcycle club, where he serves as sergeant at arms, the outlet reported.

Police are still not entirely sure what Cranstons motive was for killing Rebekah, local outlets reported. They're continuing to analyze his Jeep for evidence.

Cranston is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

Read the original article on People
The British man who was the sole survivor of Thursday's Air India plane crash said he managed to escape the wreckage through an opening in the fuselage.

"I managed to unbuckle myself, used my leg to push through that opening, and crawled out," Vishwashkumar Ramesh told Indian state media DD News.

Mr Ramesh, 40, was in seat 11A on the London-bound Boeing 787 flight when it went down shortly after take off in Ahmedabad, western India on Thursday.

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Air India said all other passengers and crew were killed - including 169 Indian nationals and 52 British nationals. More than 200 bodies have been recovered so far, though it is unclear how many were passengers and how many were from the ground.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Ramesh said the lights inside the aircraft "started flickering" moments after take off.

Within five to 10 seconds, it felt like the plane was "stuck in the air", he said.

"The lights started flickering green and white...suddenly slammed into a building and exploded."

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a building used as accommodation for doctors at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital.

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But Mr Ramesh, a businessman from Leicester who has a wife and four-year-old son, said the section he was sitting in landed near the ground and did not make contact with the building.

"When the door broke and I saw there was some space, I tried to get out of there and I did.

"No one could have got out from the opposite side, which was towards the wall, because it crashed there."

The cause of the crash is not yet known. Officials say one black box has been recovered from the crash site, according to news agencies, which will be able to provide further information for investigators.

Video shared on social media showed Mr Ramesh walking towards an ambulance with smoke billowing in the background.

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He told the Indian broadcaster he could not believe that he came out of the wreckage alive.

"I saw people dying in front of my eyes - the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me," he said.

"For a moment, I felt like I was going to die too, but when I opened my eyes and looked around, I realised I was alive.

"I still can't believe how I survived. I walked out of the rubble."

[PA Media]

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Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Mr Ramesh, said he was "disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body", but that he appears to be "out of danger".

On Friday morning, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site before making his way to the hospital to meet injured people including Mr Ramesh, and the families of victims.

A Downing Street spokesman said the Foreign Office had been "in contact with Mr Ramesh this morning to offer consular support".

Mr Ramesh was born in India but has lived in the UK since 2003. His brother, Ajay, was also onboard the plane.

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Their cousin, Hiren Kantilal, said that they had been in India for a few months on holiday.

He said the family had spoken to Mr Ramesh on Friday morning, adding that he was able to walk and speak "properly" to them.

"We want to get out as soon as possible and meet... Vishwashkumar," he said.

He added that they were looking for further support from the British government to get to India, which he said they had not yet received.

The BBC has asked the Foreign Office whether it has been in touch with Mr Ramesh's family.

A spokesperson confirmed they have been in contact with Mr Ramesh, and said: "Our consular staff are ready to support families of British Nationals who were on board Air India flight AI171."

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Following the crash, the Foreign Office set up helplines for British nationals in the UK and in India requiring consular assistance, or for those who have concerns for friends or family.
Seattle Public Schools is searching for its next superintendent, and theyre asking for the publics help.

Families, community members, and even students have the chance to weigh in on what they want for the next leader of education.

People can fill out an online survey, which closes June 30 or attend one of the following meetings:

Family and Community Engagement Sessions

Single-Language Engagement Sessions

Staff Engagement Sessions

All staff engagement sessions are virtual, and links will be shared via email.

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Tuesday, June 3

Certificated staff, 4:00 p.m. Classified staff, 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 5

Central Office staff, 3:00 p.m. Certificated and classified staff, 6:00 p.m.

Friday, June 6

School leaders, 4:00 p.m.



Student Engagement Sessions





Why is the current superintendent leaving?

In March, Seattle Public Schools announced that the current superintendent, Dr. Brent Jones, would be stepping down in the fall.

The district said he wants to spend more time with his family.

Dr. Jones last day with the school district will be Sept. 3.





How do I apply?

To apply for the job, click here.

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), the search firm thats helping the school board, has listed the salary range as $330,000 to $385,000.

The application deadline is July 31.
CARROLLTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentucky State Police arrested a man wanted in Cincinnati on a strangulation charge after a chase Thursday night in Carroll County.

In a news release Friday morning, KSP said 25-year-old Terron Minnifield fled into Carroll County after allegedly trying to ram officers with the West Chester Police Department in Ohio during an attempted arrest.

After being alerted by Cincinnati police, state police said troopers found a vehicle driven by Minnifield on southbound I-71 near mile marker 51. Police said they attempted to pull him over, but he fled, speeding up to a reported 88 miles per hour.

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After successfully deflating multiple tires on his vehicle, troopers said Minnifield drove on multiple flat tires for roughly 11 miles until a pit maneuver was used to get him to stop around mile marker 40.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Inside the vehicle, KSP said Minnifield had a 3.5-gram bag of marijuana, and he admitted to smoking roughly two hours earlier.

He was arrested without further incident and charged with:

Fugitive

First-degree fleeing or evading police

Reckless driving

Driving under the influence of a controlled substance

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of marijuana

Speeding 18+ mph over the speed limit

Multiple traffic offenses

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Minnifield was taken to an area hospital for examination, where he was reportedly seen falling asleep on the bed, KSP said.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Records show hes due back in court at 11:30 a.m. on June 18.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
The Brief

The FBI seeks public assistance to locate Trayvon Simmons, Leroy Mintz, and Devonta Jackson, wanted for federal drug trafficking charges related to cocaine distribution in Macon.

Federal arrest warrants were issued for the three men on January 16, 2025, as part of a larger case where nine others have already been arrested.

The investigation is led by the FBIs Atlanta Field Office, with support from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

ATLANTA - The FBI is asking for the publics help in locating three men wanted on federal drug trafficking charges stemming from a 2023 investigation into the distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in Macon.

What we know

Trayvon Simmons, 28, Leroy Mintz, 28, and Devonta Jackson, 30, are accused of participating in a narcotics conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, according to the FBIs Atlanta Field Office.

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The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia issued federal arrest warrants for all three on January 16, 2025. Nine others charged in the same case have already been arrested.

The investigation is being led by the FBIs Atlanta Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Dig deeper

Trayvon Simmons, who also goes by the alias "Abo," is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, distribution of cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Simmons is described as a Black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 142 pounds. A photo of Simmons was taken in 2022.

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Devonta Jackson is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He is described as a Black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. A photo of Jackson was taken in 2024.

Leroy Mintz, known by the alias "Booman," faces charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Mintz is a Black male with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is listed as November 30, 1996.

What you can do

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Simmons, Jackson, or Mintz is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov, or contact their nearest FBI office, U.S. Embassy, or Consulate.

The Source

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia provided the details for this article.
War, tariffs and the Air India crash will cast a shadow over the Paris Air Show as the aerospace industry's biggest annual gathering opens on Monday.

More than 2,400 companies from 48 countries are showing off their hardware at the week-long event at Le Bourget airfield on the outskirts of Paris.

The sales rivalry between Airbus and Boeing usually drives the headlines as the world's top civilian planemakers announce many of their biggest orders at the air show.

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But this year's event "is much more complex", said Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury, who also chairs the board of the Gifas association of French aerospace firms that organises the biennial event.

The list of challenges is growing.

Russia's war in Ukraine is stretching into its fourth year and there are fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East after Israel launched strikes on Iran on Friday, disrupting commercial flights across the region.

The world economy is expected to slow sharply after US President Donald Trump launched his tariff blitz in April.

And Boeing is facing a new crisis after Thursday's crash of a 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India in the city of Ahmedabad, which killed at least 265 people on board and on the ground.

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Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg cancelled plans to attend the Paris Air Show to focus on the investigation into the crash.

Prior to the tragedy, Boeing had been making progress under a new leadership as the US company sought to restore trust after a series of safety and quality lapses.

Boeing and its European rival, Airbus, have also been dealing with delays in delivering aircraft due to supply chain issues.

- Trade war -

US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught has added to the issues facing the industry, which relies on a global supply chain.

Trump imposed 10 percent tariffs on US imports of goods from nearly every country in April, and steeper levies on dozens of countries could kick in next month.

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The Trump administration is also mulling whether to impose sector-specific tariffs of between 10 and 20 percent on civil aircraft and parts.

The heads of Airbus and Boeing have both called for tariffs to return to zero as had been the case since a 1979 agreement.

"The entire Western aerospace industry considers that would be the best that could happen," said Faury.

In a recent interview with trade journal Aviation Week, Ortberg warned that that tariffs are an added cost for Boeing, which has been financially weakened in recent years by production problems.

We're "not in a position to pass those (costs) along to our customers," he told Aviation Week. "I'm hopeful that, as each of these country-by-country negotiations resolve, those tariffs will go away in the long run."

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The tariff problems come as the industry has yet to fully recover from effects of the Covid pandemic on its supply chain.

Airbus is having trouble getting enough fuel-efficient engines for its top-selling A320 family of single-aisle jets, holding back the delivery of around 40 aircraft.

The main bottleneck is a lack of toilets for widebody aircraft, said Christian Scherer, the head of Airbus's commercial aircraft division.

- Fighter jets -

The Paris Air Show is also about showing off the latest military hardware, at a time of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

European countries are boosting defence budgets in the face of the Ukraine war and fears about Trump's commitment to the NATO alliance.

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"The geostrategic environment has led us to bolster this aspect which was in the background in previous years," said Gifas head Frederic Parisot.

Some 75 companies related to weapons production will be participating at the show, with military jets, helicopters and drones to be displayed.

Lockheed Martin's F-35 fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter will be featured, along with the Rafale produced by France's Dassault Aviation.

Nine Israeli companies -- fewer than in the past -- are expected to have displays after a French court rejected a bid by NGOs to ban them over their alleged role in the Gaza conflict.

neo/rl-lth/cw
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Health Organization warned on Friday that cholera cases in Sudan are set to rise and could spread to neighbouring countries, including Chad, which hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan's civil war in crowded conditions.

The more than two-year-old war between the Sudanese army - which took full control of Khartoum state this week - and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has spread hunger and disease and destroyed most health facilities. Drone attacks in recent weeks have interrupted electricity and water supplies in the capital Khartoum, driving up cases there.

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"Our concern is that cholera is spreading," Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative for Sudan, told reporters in Geneva by video link from Port Sudan.

He said that cholera had reached 13 states in Sudan, including North and South Darfur which border Chad, and that 1,854 people had already died in the latest wave as the dangerous, rainy season sets in.

"We assume that if we don't invest in the prevention measures, in surveillance, in the early warning system, in vaccination and in educating the population, for sure, the neighbouring countries, but not only that, it can maybe spread to the sub-region," he said.

He called for humanitarian corridors and temporary ceasefires to allow mass vaccination campaigns against cholera and other disease outbreaks such as Dengue fever and malaria.

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Cholera, a severe, potentially fatal diarrhoeal disease, spreads quickly when sewage and drinking water are not treated adequately.

Sahbani said that this posed a high risk for Sudanese refugees, including some who had survived attacks on a displacement camp in Darfur, and who are living in cramped, makeshift border sites on the Chadian side of the border.

"In overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, a potential outbreak could be devastating," said Francois Batalingaya, U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad at the same briefing, describing the conditions for some 300,000 people stranded there with few aid services due to funding shortages.

The disease has not yet been confirmed in Chad, although a WHO spokesperson said that suspected cases had been reported in Geneina, Sudan which is just 10 km (6.2 miles) away. Sahbani also said that disease surveillance was low on the Libyan border and that it could possibly spread there.

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Case fatality rates have fallen in recent weeks in and around the capital Khartoum thanks to an oral cholera vaccination campaign that started this month, Sahbani said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Louise Heavens)
WARREN COUNTY, Iowa  One person is dead following a barn fire in Warren County earlier this week.

The Northern Warren Fire Department said it was dispatched to a structure fire on Geneva Street in the Spring Hill area shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Former Ankeny teacher sentenced to prison for sexually exploiting student

When they arrived, they found a barn fully engulfed in flames and a victim with severe burn injuries.



Bystanders were able to pull an 81-year-old male victim from the structure before emergency crews got there. He was transported by MercyOne Air Med to a regional hospital in critical condition, but died from his injuries despite lifesaving efforts. A second person was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Medical helicopter departs from scene of Warren County barn fire on June 10, 2025.

The identities of the victims are not being released at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Iowa news

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- Several events have taken place across the Tri-State in celebration of Pride month, and there are still a few more on the schedule.

Warrick County Indiana Pride will host a Pride Month Talk event at the First Presbyterian Church at 609 SE Second St., 47713.. The event will take place on June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is completely free to attend. The event will feature speakers, including author Karen Edwards.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
Traffic flows in both directions on Interstate 195 on the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 3:50 p.m. Demolition work that has removed much of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge is expected to be completed in December. (Rhode Island Department of Transportation Traffic Camera)

Two of the 13 firms being sued by the state for allegedly doing negligent work on the westbound Washington Bridge have filed a counterclaim, alleging the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) failed to tell them about a key inspection report.

The counterclaim filed by Barletta Heavy Division Inc. and Aetna Bridge Company in Providence County Superior Court Thursday argues they should have been alerted to the findings of a January 1992 report by Lichtenstein & Associates, at the time they bid for the states $78 million contract to rehabilitate the Washington Bridge in 2021.

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The 1992 report was cited by the state in its lawsuit against the firms, claiming they all should have known about deterioration in the concrete drop-in beams and signs of distress in the grout and cantilever beams that were eventually deemed a risk to the bridges structural integrity. The westbound span on Interstate 195 was closed in December 2023 when engineers determined the bridge was at risk of collapsing.

RIDOT knew or should have known, or ought to have known, that the Washington Bridge incorporated a unique design that limited the ability to determine its condition from visual inspections alone, the counterclaim states.

The westbound bridge is expected to be rebuilt by November 2028 and cost up to $427 million. Chicago-headquartered Walsh Construction Company was awarded the states contract on June 6 after two attempts by Gov. Dan McKees administration to secure a bridge builder.

Work is scheduled to begin in July, which overlaps with the ongoing demolition of the existing bridge by Aetna, which is among the 13 firms being sued by the state. The Warwick-based contractor is expected to complete its work by the end of 2025.

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Barletta and Aetna claim the state concealed the true condition of the bridge and neglected to conduct the appropriate testing ahead of issuing a request for proposals in 2021. Instead, the companies allege that they received a project scope which did not identify any structural deficiencies with the post-tensioning system.

The 1992 report called for RIDOT to perform additional radiographic and other evaluation of the Washington Bridge before any future attempts to rehabilitate the span over the Seekonk River.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation may have averted a costly and disastrous emergency closure of the Washington Bridge last December if it had followed recommendations in a detailed 1992 inspection report, Barletta spokesperson Sallie Hofmeister said in an emailed statement.

Because of the states alleged failure to investigate the bridge, Barletta and Aetna claim they were deprived of incentives available after successful completion of the initial rehabilitation project. The two firms have asked the court to issue a judgment against the state for all of its damages plus interest.

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The states initial August 2024 complaint seeks to recover damages based on alleged economic losses and physical damages, along with breaches of contracts.

RIDOT spokesperson Charles St. Martin deferred comment to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronhas office, which is handling the states case.

Counterclaims are to be expected in a case like this, Timothy Rondeau, a spokesperson for the AGs office, said in an emailed statement.The state stands by the allegations in its complaint. As this is part of ongoing litigation, we have no further comment.

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Washington state Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad (left) and Democratic U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington (right) at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024. (Shasti Conrad/WA Dems)

Washington state Democratic Party chair Shasti Conrad is getting another shot at a leadership post with the Democratic National Committee and a voice in retooling the political strategy for the national party.

Conrad is one of three women vying for a vice chair position in a do-over of the Feb. 1 election won by Malcolm Kenyatta.

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In that bid, Conrad made the case to voting delegates that the formula that brought Democrats success in Washington last year  a sweep of nine statewide executive posts, gains in their majorities in the Legislature and defeat of three conservative-backed ballot measures  is one the party can use to win back control of Congress and the White House.

Her message hasnt changed heading into balloting this weekend.

Weve won elections year after year. Today, through recruitment efforts and organizing, were gaining ground in red communities, she says in a one-minute video sent to the roughly 400 people who will vote.

If elected, she vowed to focus on winning elections, constituency organizing, and changing lives for the better.

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In February, Kenyatta and David Hogg were elected as vice chairs. But those contests were invalidated after a complaint that contended the party failed to follow its own rules on gender parity in officer elections.

DNC members decided this week to rerun elections for those seats. Only candidates who made it to the final round of voting in February and are eligible for each seat under party rules, can compete.

The new elections are being conducted separately, with ballots cast virtually.

Hogg, a 25-year-old gun-control activist and the partys first Gen Z vice chair, isnt running to keep his seat. Hes faced backlash from fellow Democrats for his plans to support challengers to incumbent Democrats with his group, Leaders We Deserve. His critics contend that party officers need to be neutral in primaries.

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Hoggs exit left Kenyatta as the only eligible candidate in the first election because the position must be filled by a male under the DNC rules. Voting began Thursday and ends Saturday for the spot held by Hogg.

Conrad, Kalyn Free, a national committee member from Oklahoma, and Jeanna Repass, chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, are competing to be second vice chair. A candidate of any gender can hold this seat. For this position, voting begins at 7 a.m. Sunday and runs through 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Free filed the complaint that set the new elections in motion.

Conrad led the King County Democrats for four years before being elected chair of the state Democratic Party in 2023 and re-elected in January. She is the first South Asian woman to lead a state party.

She enjoys strong ties to DNC Chair Ken Martin, who appointed her in March to be an associate chair for the national party. In this role, she said shes strived to spotlight issues of importance to Asian Americans and to work with influencers on ways to better engage younger voters.
Washington Democrats erupted in outrage at the sight of Sen. Alex Padilla of California being forcibly removed and pinned to the floor during a press conference with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Almost immediately, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denounced the apprehension of Padilla during a speech on the Senate floor.

I just saw something that sickened my stomach, the manhandling of a United States Senator, Schumer said. We need immediate answers to what the hell went on.

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Padilla arrived at Noems press conference to confront her about the Trump administrations increasingly extreme actions on immigration.

Los Angeles has seen unrest over the last week after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of raids on the nations second-largest city, which has a large Latino and immigrant population.

Shocking incident took place after Padilla arrived at Noems press conference to confront her about the Trump administrations increasingly extreme actions on immigration (AP)

President Donald Trump sent in the National Guard despite the governor not giving permission to do so.

Padillas apprehension came as the House of Representatives was voting. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, a Democrat of Texas, could barely speak to The Independent because she was saddened by it.

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Ive been saying this for months now, Donald Trump wants to be a dictator, and this is the latest escalation in what has been a very, very concerning series of events in recent weeks, Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona told The Independent.

Almost immediately afterward, members of the House Democratic Caucus marched to Senate Majority Leader John Thunes office, where they passed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and heckled him as Johnson held a gaggle with reporters.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Sen. Alex Padilla for interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems press conference. (AP)

Johnson, for his par,t assailed Democrats behavior.

The Democrat Party is on the wrong side, Johnson told reporters. Theyre defending lawbreakers and now theyre acting like lawbreakers themselves.

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Afterward, as Johnson made his way to his office, Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, had a private exchange with the speaker, where Johnson supposedly told her that he is talking to Trump.

I said, Whats going on in LA? Thats so incendiary, she told reporters. Whats the message that the president sent on day one when he pardoned everybody who attacked this Capitol and would have killed any one of us?

But as the White House prepared to host lawmakers for the annual congressional picnic  typically a setting for inter-branch comity  administration officials reacted to the images of Padilla being taken to his knees by federal agents with nothing short of glee. Communications Director Steven Cheung took to X to describe the California senator as a complete lunatic whod suffered a freak out.

One White House official slammed his behavior as attention-seeking and embarrassing while suggesting that Democrats who speak up in Padillas defense will be showing themselves to be more concerned about their own privilege as elected officials than about the officers who are being harmed by violent rioters.

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Another said that the president had been delighted by the scene because it made Padilla look weak and emotional.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X to condemn the senator as well, writing that heshould be ashamed of his childish behavior and accusing him of having crashed the middle of an official press conference being held by a cabinet secretary and recklessly lunging towards Noem while refusing to leave the room as directed by law enforcement officers.

A person familiar with internal deliberations within the presidents inner circle who asked not to be identified out of concern for retaliation said the administration sees no political downside to the images of law enforcement putting their hands on Democratic lawmakers because a significant portion of Trumps most fervent supporters have spent years calling for prominent members of that party to be arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier this week, Trump suggested that his border czar, Tom Homan, should arrest California Gov. Gavin Newsom. He has also called for Padillas partner in the Senate, Adam Schiff, to be arrested for treason when Schiff served as a congressman.

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In the hours afterward, plenty of Democratic Senators, including Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey, took to the Senate floor to defend their colleague.

The incident with Padilla is just the latest flash point as the Trump administration continues to ramp up its efforts to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the United States. It also coincides with his planned military parade.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The community is calling for the dismissal of charges against Cyonna Badger, whose child was fatally struck by a U-Haul last year.

Badger is facing charges of criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child after her 7-year-old child, Hakeem Badger, was fatally struck while crossing the street.

On July 4, 2024, surveillance footage caught Hakeem crossing West Ridge Road in Greece with an adult and several other children. Hakeem entered the eastbound lanes and was hit by the truck. Investigators say the group did not use the crosswalk and was crossing against a green light.

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Badger was initially released with electronic monitoring and supervision under pre-trial release. As a result of Fridays hearing, the electronic monitoring was removed.

Badgers arrest led to criticism from the community and advocates, who said Hakeems death was a tragic accident and wasnt a crime. The family of Badger and community members gathered outside the court, calling for her release and support.

From my understanding, he broke away from his Mom, it wasnt her fault, said Julius Porter, step-father of Hakeem and the father of Badgers daughter, adding, Theyre trying to make her out to be a bad person, but shes not. She doesnt have police records, shes not known for anything, she doesnt hang out, shes one of the greatest moms I know.

The Monroe County District Attorneys Office, in response to being asked why Badger is being charged, said they have evidence that supports the charges.

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This is a heartbreaking case, its tragic by all means of the words, but we do have evidence that fully supports these charges, said ADA Janna Jehlen. This was a moment that was captured on video, so we do feel that, with this tragic situation, these charges are appropriate.

Advocates are calling for the dismissal of all charges against Badger, access to mental health and grief support, and restoration of custody of her daughter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

Update 9:04 p.m.

Salt Lake City Police Department held a press conference after the protest dispersed. They said that the protest was mostly peaceful, but there were a few assaults before the march began. During the march, there were a few medical emergencies.

SLCPD also said that a tesla was vandalized.

Update 7:22 p.m.

According to Salt Lake City Police Department, the demonstrators left Washington Square Park and are marching north on State Street from 400 South.

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Police estimate the group to be around 600 people in size. Police said that they are working provide traffic control to help ensure the safety of participants and our community.

Police advised that temporary delays are expected, and people should seek alternative routes.

Demonstrators on the move (KTVX / Jordan Tracy)

Original Story

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The first of a series of protests against President Trumps immigration policies across the state of Utah began Thursday in Salt Lake City at Washington Square Park.

This is an emergency solidarity protest organized by PSL Salt Lake in support of the anti-ice protests in Los Angeles that began over the weekend.

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It began at 6 p.m. and there were police officers in the crowd handing out flyers with demonstration guidance, a list of ways to make sure the protest remains peaceful and there are no problems, such as no acts of violence, no property damage, no blocking roadways, etc. The handout also included the laws that protect first amendment demonstrations.

Protestors at Washington Square Park (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow)

Protestors and law enforcement at Washington Square Park (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow)

Additional No Kings protests have been planned in cities across the state on Saturday, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo, Moab and St. George.

Salt Lake City Police Department told ABC4.com Wednesday that they expect the protests to be safe and lawful and that their first priority is the safety of demonstrators. However, SLCPD also said that they will not tolerate any violence or destruction.

Protest signs (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow) Protest signs (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow) Protest signs (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow) Protest signs (KTVX / Ryland Sparrow)

Jordan Tracy contributed to the reporting of this story.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Saturday, June 14, could be a day of national pride for those celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary. For some, it will be a day of protest.

In Washington, D.C., the Army will put on a military parade and a festival that falls on President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, though the administration insists that is a coincidence.

But a slate of protests demonstrating resistance to what organizers call a power grab from Trump will happen across the country. There will be more than 80 "No Kings" demonstrations in Florida communities alone, with some down the road from Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private club in Palm Beach.

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Here is how to tune into the events of Washington, D.C., and across the country:

More: Who will perform at Trump's birthday military parade? A list of whos played for him before

How to watch the Army parade: Livestream

What time and where is Trump's military birthday parade?

For those in Washington, D.C., the Army will have events throughout the day, including a fitness competition, meet-and-greets and live music.

The parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET and proceeds along Constitution Avenue. USA TODAY's livestream will begin at 6 p.m. ET.

How to watch the 'No Kings' protests around the country

Where is the local 'No Kings' protests in Florida?

All protests have a different schedule, so check the No Kings website for details of a protest near you. Here are a few of the organized activities in Palm Beach County, Florida.

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Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, Samantha Neely, Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY Network

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DC military parade and 'No Kings' protests: What time, how to watch
The fate of Karen Read is now in the hands of the jury in her murder retrial.

Jury in Karen Reads retrial begins deliberating whether she is guilty of murder

At 2:39 p.m. Friday, Judge Beverly Cannone sent 12 jurors off to deliberate the charges that Read is facing: Second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death.

Cannone spent about an hour instructing the jury on the relevant law and how to apply it to the cases facts. She said she would keep the jurors at the courthouse for deliberations until about 5 or 5:30 p.m. before breaking for the weekend.

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Cannone ended up dismissing the jury at 4:30 p.m., telling jurors and attorneys to enjoy the weekend with no work. They will return first thing Monday to continue deliberations.

Lawyers spent the morning delivering their closing arguments.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson argued that his client was framed in a police cover-up. Prosecutor Hank Brennan countered that Read callously decided to leave OKeefe dying in the snow.

LIVE VERDICT WATCH:

Heres how todays court proceedings unfolded:

Jury is out in the Karen Read trial. 2:39pm Friday 6/13/25  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Court resumes  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Closings are done. Jury will get 1/2 hour for lunch and then instructions and choosing alternates.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

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Brennan closing:

"She pivots and she calls Kerry (Roberts) 'Kerry, Kerry, John's dead. I think he got hit by a plow.' Why do you think she chose those words?... Because she knew that there was a collision with a large motor vehicle, and she had to substitute. "  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Hank Brennan's closing: "When you are under the influence of alcohol and you drive a 6,000 pound Lexus in the heat of the moment at the direction of where somebody is, whether you intend to hit them or not, I submit to you that is wanton, it is reckless."  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Brennan: "They're arguing, they're arguing, they're arguing. And we know they're arguing because Ms Read tells us through first responder Becker, she was sad whenever he sees her in the back of the ambulance and he's trying to calm her down. "  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Before playing one of Read's interviews where she talks about drinking Brennan responds to Jackson's statements about Brian Higgins:



HB: There was no adversarial relationship. There was no anger between them. " pic.twitter.com/gP4LEcABuG  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

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Hank Brennan's closing:



HB: "On January 29th, 2022, John O'Keefe needed some help. He needed help from somebody else. You see, John O'Keefe had just been hit by Karen Reed in front of 34 Fairview Road, and he lay on the ground dying, and he needed help"  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Jackson is finished. I can hear people cheering outside.

Brennan begins his closing  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Karen Read watching Alan Jackson's closing:



AJ: "You weren't given the opportunity to hear from Michael Proctor, but you can read his thoughts for yourself. And I urge you, go read them. They're in exhibit 209" pic.twitter.com/wBbeADNog2  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

AJ: "Not a single medical expert called by the defense or called by the Commonwealth has testified that John was hit by a car. Not one. Think about the irony. "



AJ: "Doctor Dan Wolf did the testing on the tail light. Actual testing, not some ridiculous blue paint kindergarten  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

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Jackson is going all in on Brian Higgins showing video from Waterfall Bar



AJ: "These guys are not good friends. They barely spoke or even acknowledged each other when they walked into the bar together, other than a quick greeting. So why was Higgins coaxing John over to 34  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Closings begin. Alan Jackson first. He tells jury:



"You folks are the last line of defense. The last line of defense between an innocent woman and a system that has tried to break her, that falsely accused her, that tried mightily, mightily to bury the truth. This case was  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

According to a new entry on the docket dated today, the defense filed a "Motion to Ensure Transparency in Alternate Juror Selection Process and Affidavit of Counsel in Support"



The docket says the motion was denied pic.twitter.com/hpgKlWAHZZ  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Prosecutor Hank Brennan asks to be heard before the jury enters. Sidebar discussion now  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

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Good morning from Norfolk Superior courthouse in Dedham, MA.

Closing arguments will begin shortly in Karen Reads re-trial.

The mood has definitely amped up and the crowd outside the courthouse has grown.

Alan Jackson will close for the defense. Im told to expect a lot of  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 13, 2025

Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of striking John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die alone in a blizzard outside of a house party in Canton at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert on Jan. 29, 2022, following a night of drinking.

During her second trial, Reads lawyers argued that OKeefe, 46, was beaten, bitten by a dog, then left outside Alberts home in a conspiracy orchestrated by the police that included planting evidence against Read.

Reads first trial ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury on July 1, 2024, after several jurors came out to say that the panel had unanimously agreed that Read was not guilty of the most serious charge of second-degree murder.

After the prosecution and defense are given 75 minutes to deliver their closing arguments, there will be a quick lunch break before Judge Beverly Cannone issues jury instructions, selects a foreman, and sends off 12 jurors to deliberate Reads fate.

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The jurors have a lot to consider after hearing from 50 witnesses over 31 days of testimony: Did Read hit OKeefe? Was there any collision at all? Or is someone else responsible for his death?

Before the jury enters the courtroom Karen Read shares a lighthearted moment with her defense team, during her second murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read 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)

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Karen Read during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Karen Read talks with her attorneys Robert Alessi and David Yannetti during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Karen Read and her defense team watch jurors leave the courtroom during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read speaks with her defense attorney, Alan Jackson, during her retrial in Norfolk Superior Court, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell, Pool)

Defense attorney Robert Alessi, center, confers with Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone as Karen Read, left, stands by during a sidebar during Read's murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

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Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022, during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Karen Read and attorney Alan Jackson look at the empty jury box while listening to Judge Cannone during Read's murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 21, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Karen Read looks on during her trial Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read, right, confers with her attorneys Alan Jackson, left, and Robert Alessi, center, before Read's trial in Norfolk Superior Court, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Mark Stockwell/The Sun Chronicle, Pool)

Defendant Karen Read talks with her attorneys during her murder trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Mark Chavous/Enterprise News via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

Dedham, MA - April 12: Karen Read at her pre-trial hearing at Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Karen Read watches attorney Robert Alessi make a point during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court at Dedham, Mass., on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

Judge approves joint motion to delay start of Karen Reads 2nd murder trial

Dedham, MA - July 1: Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone (not pictured) in Norfolk Superior Court. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read jurors tell judge theyve been unable to reach unanimous verdict

Day 3 of jury deliberations finishes without verdict in Karen Read trial

Karen Read awaits the juries verdict in her murder case at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Wednesday June 26, 2024. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP)

Defense attorneys in Karen Read murder trial argue with judge over jury verdict slip

Some witnesses are in the courtroom on Tuesday include Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Jennifer McCabe.

Karen Read

Karen Read, center right, is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read is seated Monday, June 10, 2024, in Norfolk Super Court, in Dedham, Mass., during her trial on charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read

Karen Read smiles after listening to her attorney Alan Jackson during her trial at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 17, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Karen Read

Karen Read

Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

Karen Read sits with her legal team team in court, Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read, 44, is accused of running into her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV in the middle of a nor'easter and leaving him for dead after a night of heavy drinking. (David McGlynn/New York Post via AP, Pool)

The defense rested its case on Wednesday, and the prosecution indicated they wouldnt call any rebuttal witnesses. On Thursday, lawyers in the case met with Cannone to decide on jury instructions and the all-important verdict slip.

Boston 25 News legal expert Peter Elikann said cases have been won or lost on a well-crafted closing argument.

Theres almost a certain arrogance to doing a closing because youre saying to the jury, Look, you heard it all, but were going to tell you what you just heard. And yet it still is very important to kind of try to put the entire case into perspective for them, all the evidence that they heard, try to make sense of it in a logical pattern for the jury.

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.

Read said earlier this week that shes feeling anxious and has butterflies.

I thought it was strong last year. Its stronger, yes, Read told reporters outside court on Wednesday after she was asked, Do you think your case was stronger this time?

Read said she just hopes the jurors have been listening since opening statements were delivered on April 22.

I just hope they were listening. Thats all I can ask for. They were in the same room I was...For the last 31 days, Read said.

Read added, I feel good about the jury. We selected them. I was there and took part in it. We chose fair, truthful, civic-minded people.

Attorneys and jurors were instructed to arrive in court by 8:30 a.m. Friday to ensure arguments can start right at 9 a.m.

Get caught up with all of the latest in Karen Reads retrial.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Video courtesy of the Union Police Department.

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A sheep was spotted running into the woods near North Main Street in Union, Ohio.

On Thursday, the Union PD released video of the sheep running amongst traffic.

Anyone missing a sheep? Last seen going into the wooded area off N. Main St. north of Old Springfield Rd., the department said.

WDTN.com reached out to the police department on Friday; there is no update on the sheeps whereabouts as of this writing.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The massive military parade to mark the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary will roll through Washington, D.C., Saturday  coinciding with President Trumps 79th birthday.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time, following a daylong festival on the National Mall. Organizers have predicted the parade will last about 90 minutes.

Rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the nations capital Saturday, but Trump assured potential parade-goers Thursday that the festivities will take place rain or shine.

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I hope the weathers OK, but actually if its not, that brings you good luck, and thats OK, too, the president said during this weeks congressional picnic at the White House. It doesnt affect the tanks at all; it doesnt affect the soldiers  theyre used to it, theyre tough.

About 6,700 soldiers dressed in historic and modern uniforms will march in the parade, and the military has released a detailed roster of equipment that will take part, including tanks, artillery weapons, tactical vehicles and aircraft.

Those who cant make it in person  or would prefer to stay out of the inclement weather  will have several opportunities to watch the event on TV and online.

Where to watch online:

The parade will be livestreamed through the Armys social media platforms, including on YouTube and Facebook.

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The Hill also will live stream the parade on this website.

Where to watch on TV:

The Hills sister network NewsNation has planned special live coverage for the Armys birthday celebration, with reporting from events beginning at 7 a.m. NewsNations parade special Tribute to America will begin at 6 p.m.

Fox News Channel is slated to air special coverage of the parade 6-10 p.m.

Most major networks have opted to feature the event on their news-dedicated streaming channels. ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7 and NBC News Now will carry the networks parade coverage live.

Where to watch in person:

Those who want to watch in person can catch the parade along Constitution Avenue NW from the parades starting point at 23rd Street NW to its end near 15th Street NW at the Ellipse, south of the White House. The military has recommended the Washington Monument Grounds as another viewing point off the direct route.

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Parade viewing entry is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., and preregistration is suggested because of the high level of security anticipated.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Voters will have a chance to ask five candidates for the Public Service Commission (PSC) where they stand on issues like rising power bills Thursday.

The Georgia PSC is responsible for deciding what fair and reasonable rates are for services under its jurisdiction.

Coastal Georgia for Democracy, the Savannah Indivisible group for Georgia District 1 will host the forum, which is open to the public, at the Coastal Georgia Center Thursday at 6 p.m. WSAVs Tina Tyus-Shaw is serving as the moderator.

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Confirmed attendees for the candidate forum include Alicia Johnson in District 2 and Daniel Blackman, Peter Hubbard, Robert Jones and Keisha Sean Waites in District 3.

All PSC candidates have been invited to appear and will answer voters questions regarding anything under the purview of the Public Service Commission, which includes how much Georgia residents pay for their electricity, landline telephones, and natural gas, the group said.

Statewide PSC primaries for seats in Districts 2 and 3 will be held on June 17 and the general election will be on Nov. 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 WSAV-TV.
President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are hosting the annual congressional picnic on the White Houses South Lawn Thursday evening.

The informal gathering brings in members of the executive and legislative branches, along with their families, in a celebration across party lines.

Tension around Trumps big, beautiful spending package, however, threatened to upend the event after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) claimed they were uninvited to the event because of their apprehension to the GOP megabill.

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The president said Thursday Paul was in fact invited, calling him the toughest vote in the history of the U.S. Senate and said he would give him some time to win him over. He did not respond to Massies claims.

The event was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. EDT.

Watch coverage of the presidents comments 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.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A Waterbury man was charged with drug and firearms offenses Thursday after a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment on June 4.

Timeek Heath, 41, appeared in federal court in Hartford on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was ordered to be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 17.

Man charged with OUI, having a pistol in Norwalk

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The indictment alleges that Heath distributed fentanyl on two occasions in August and September of 2024. It also alleges that on Sept. 5, 2024, Heath sold a Glock, Model 23, .40-caliber pistol to an individual he knew to be a convicted felon.

The indictment goes on to allege that Heath has a criminal history that includes felony convictions for manslaughter and larceny. It is against federal law for an individual previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

The indictment charges Heath with two counts of possession with intent to distribute and the distribution of fentanyl, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison on each count; one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison; one count of sale of a firearm by a prohibited person, which carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison; and one count of firearms trafficking, which carries a maximum term of 15 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 WTNH.com.
Jun. 12RAMSEY COUNTY, N.D.  A Watford City man was recently sentenced to five years in prison, first serving two years, for leaving multiple dogs to starve and die in his camper located in Crary, which was hours away from his own residence.

Brandon Tyrell Rogness, 32, pleaded guilty to all six counts of Class C felony animal cruelty in January. He was sentenced June 5.

A Ramsey County deputy was dispatched on March 29, 2024, to Crary, North Dakota,

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for a report of a dog seen locked in a camper with blood on its face, as well as other dogs that were suspected to be dead, according to a declaration of probable cause filed in the case.

On scene, the deputy observed an emaciated dog sitting in the window of the camper, and could see the remains of more dogs inside, according to the declaration and information filed in the case. The floor appeared to be covered in feces.

Rogness, owner of the dogs, was contacted to come to the camper so that law enforcement could get help for the surviving dog. When he arrived, he admitted to knowing there was a deceased dog in the camper, and said he believed another one would die due to poor health; he said he checked on the dogs the previous weekend and was planning on checking on them again later that current weekend.

Rogness said he was unable to care for the dogs and was looking to rehome them. The information said Rogness prolonged the situation by leaving the surviving dog in the camper, and allowed all the dogs to starve and otherwise suffer due to a lack of adequate access to food, water or the opportunity to go outside for an extended period of time.

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The remains of five distinct dogs were found in the camper, and law enforcement documented an overwhelming smell of ammonia and decomposition.

Rogness has credit for 167 days served in custody. Upon release from prison, he will be on supervised probation for three years. If he violates any conditions of his probation, he risks serving the remaining three years of his prison sentence.
State Rep. Brian Harrison didnt mince words when reflecting on the 89th Texas legislative session: Just about everything went wrong.

In a blistering post-session assessment with The Dallas Express, the Waxahachie Republican said the session marked a dramatic failure of conservative governance, charging that GOP leadership enabled the growth of government, increased spending, and squandered a historic opportunity to cut property taxes.

The Texas government has been too weak, too liberal, for too long, Harrison said. We trampled liberty on the way to becoming a progressive liberal nanny state.

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For Harrison, who served in the first Trump administration and has allied with Texas medical freedom and anti-DEI movements, the clearest symbol of misplaced priorities came in the form of a pop icon. We spent more time deliberating and voting on Beyonce than we did property tax elimination, he said. And as crazy as that sounds, it is literally true.

The failure to deliver sweeping property tax relief dominated much of Harrisons critique.

Despite a $24 billion surplus, he said the legislature failed to give Texans the relief they demanded. If we had one job this session, it was to get the crushing burden of property taxes under control, Harrison said. Instead, we spent it on liberal pet projects.

One of the most prominent examples he cited was a bill to allocate $1.5 billion in taxpayer money to Hollywood production incentives, a dramatic increase from the $200 million spent last session. Thats Texans going to work so government can steal their wages to give it to rich Hollywood liberals, Harrison said. Its immoral. Its unethical.

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Harrison also condemned the passage of Senate Bill 3, which bans certain hemp-derived products, calling it destructive of liberty. He said the bill would push consumers into dangerous black markets and reverse the loosened restrictions created under President Trump in 2018. I think Im the only member of the Legislature who asked the governor to veto SB3, he said.

He also singled out the legislatures near-total ban on flavored vaping products, despite Trumps support for vaping as a harm-reduction alternative to cigarettes. The Texas House is going directly against Trump policy on both counts, he said.

The legislatures fiscal policy also drew fire from Harrison, who called the states budgetSB1the most reckless, bloated, liberal progressive budget in the history of Texas. He pointed out that it represented a 42% increase in state funds over the past two budget cycles. There is no defensenonefor any Republican who voted for that, he said. Every time the government increases spending, it is stealing from Texans. That makes them less free.

Harrison warned that this session expanded the governments cultural influence as well, particularly through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and university funding. Texas has not banned DEI in any way, shape, or form, he said. Our public universities are still allowed to engage in DEI in their classrooms.

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He added that the state government, including agencies like TxDOT, continues to award contracts based on DEI criteria. I had a state agency admit in a hearing that theyve awarded over $1 billion in DEI-based contracts, he said.

On higher education, Harrison said lawmakers had doubled down on transgender indoctrination, funding universities that offer LGBTQ studies and programming. Every public university in Texas has LGBTQ coursework, he said. Guess what funded that? SB1. Everybody who voted for SB1 voted for DEI and transgender indoctrination.

Harrison also expressed frustration that the legislature failed to advance HB 3175, which would have made ivermectin available over the counter. Making medicines like ivermectin available should have been the least controversial thing we did down here, he said, adding that the session signaled a lack of seriousness on medical freedom. He blamed House leadershipspecifically then-Calendar Committee Chairman (now Speaker) Dustin Burrowsfor blocking legislation that would have ended COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students in the last session and this session. We could have done that two years ago, Harrison said.

When asked where to place blame, Harrison was blunt: The people responsible for the bad legislation in Austin are Republicans. Completely. Texans are starving for bold, unapologetic, conservative leadership. We dont have that right now.

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Still, Harrison acknowledged that a few positive outcomes emerged. He praised HB 3441, authored by Rep. Shelley Luther, which allows Texans to sue vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state if someone is injured. But even that, he said, was a partial correction of previous government overreach. Almost all of the good things fall into one of three categories: theyre either too weak, undo a previous bad, or are years overdue, he said.

Harrison also criticized the education savings account (ESA) program passed this session as misleading. While he voted for it, he emphasized that it would serve only about 1% of Texas students. This is not universal school choice, he said. And to get it passed, we had to give Democrats a billion-dollar payoff.

Could there be a special session with the type of bold leadership he seeks? Harrison is not optimistic. To my knowledge, Im the only legislator who has asked for a special session.

As the legislature adjourns, Harrison said his message to constituents is clear: The Texas government has lost its way. Top to bottom.

The Dallas Express contacted state Representatives Jeff Leach and Dustin Burrows, and Senator Robert Nichols for comment but did not receive a response by publication. DX will provide updates as the story develops.
In the face of Israels far-reaching strikes Friday, its not clear that Iran  its longtime foe  has the capacity to muster the furious response that might be expected.

Israel has once again demonstrated it is the pre-eminent military and intelligence power in the Middle East, heedless to civilian casualties and the diplomatic impact of its actions on its allies.

As with their remarkable operation to decapitate their northern opponent  the Iranian proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah  the overnight operation has the hallmarks of months or even years of preparation. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have been faced with using this capability now, or losing it, as diplomacy kicked in during a sixth round of nuclear talks scheduled for this weekend between the United States and Iran in Oman.

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Iran is now left counting its far-reaching wounds. Images from across Tehran show apartment blocks hit, it seems, in specific rooms  suggesting the pinpoint targeting of individuals, likely through tracking cellphones. Iran has lost its top three active-duty commanders, as well as a leading voice in nuclear talks, overnight, but as the dust clears it may emerge more have been hit, and the survivors will likely be concerned they, too, could still be targeted.

This will slow and complicate any Iranian response. As will the damage the Iranians continue to sustain. A raid by Israel in October took out a large tranche of Irans air defenses. Israels military said Friday that it had destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers in strikes by fighter jets on aerial defense arrays in western Iran. The Iranian atomic energy agency confirmed that the nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz had also been damaged, but its not yet clear to what extent.

In the days ahead, Israels superior intelligence apparatus will search for targets of opportunity - commanders and equipment changing location, or the movement of materiel to facilitate a response  and continue to strike.

Such a wide-ranging assault was possible only because Hezbollah  Irans second-strike capability if their nuclear apparatus was hit - had been dismantled over a ruthless but effective months-long campaign last summer. This is beginning to look like a months-long Israeli plan to remove a regional threat.

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The risks remain high. Iran could now try to race for the nuclear bomb. But its faltering defenses and clear, humiliating infiltration by Israels intelligence, make that a long shot. Rushing to build a nuclear weapon is no simple task, especially under fire, with your key leadership at risk of pinpoint strikes. Netanyahu may have calculated that the risk of an Iranian nuclear breakout was depleted, and manageable with yet more military might.

There is another victim of the overnight barrage: the Trump administrations standing as a geopolitical power.

There may be suggestions from Trump advocates in the hours ahead that the Israeli assault was part of a wider masterplan to weaken Iran ahead of more diplomacy. But, in reality, a simpler truth is revealed: Israel had no trust in the United States to implement a deal with Iran that would remove its nuclear ambitions.

Despite public pleading by US President Donald Trump for it to hold off, Israel went ahead with the most significant attack on Iran since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. Israel neither cared for or feared Trumps response, and is apparently prepared to risk fighting on without US support.

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That is perhaps another indictment of Irans ability to respond now. Israel is less bothered by what it can do. Israels operation against Hezbollah provides reason for it to be confident (but also should stir anxieties about hubris and overreach). Israel has likely hit the vast majority of its key targets already, to maximize the advantage of surprise, and the extent of that damage will take days to be revealed.

What of proliferation now? There is a lot that we do not know about Irans nuclear program. Israel may have known a lot more. But we are now in a binary moment where the strikes on the Natanz facility may either herald its end, or its race to completion  in the form of a nuclear weapon. Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, but the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Thursday declared it in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, prompting Tehran to promise escalatory action.

In the moment of its greatest weakness, the Islamic Republic will struggle to project the regional swagger it has maintained for decades. It may feel it is unable to grasp diplomacy with the US as its way out, without looking even weaker. It appears unable to hit Israel back proportionately, so may look to strike asymmetrically, if possible.

In the immediate confusion, one basic fact is clear: Israel is acting in the Middle East now unimpeded by allies, unafraid of wider risks, and - at times brutally - seeking to alter regional dynamics for decades to come.

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U.S. President Donald Trump is not afraid of picking fights. From tit-for-tats with foreign leaders to squabbling with U.S. state governors, Trump has a propensity for making policy personal. This was most evident last week when he had a very public falling out with Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who had become one of Trumps closest advisers since backing his presidential bid last summer.

It started when Musk, who had left his post in the administration on good terms the week before, publicly opposed Trumps proposed tax cut and spending bill, calling it a massive, outrageous, pork-filled  abomination that would defeat all the cost savings achieved by his own so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. After a series of additional posts by Musk criticizing the budget, Trump finally replied, telling reporters that he was very disappointed in his former adviser and that, while they had a great relationship, he was no longer sure that would be the case moving forward.

It escalated from there, with Musk implicating Trump in sex crimes, claiming Trump wouldnt have won the election without his help and lambasting Trumps tariff policies, which he said threatened to pull the economy into a recession. For his part, Trump threatened to cut the governments contracts with Musks businesses and even announced his decision to sell the car he purchased from Musks company, Tesla.

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While the heated exchanges peaked a week ago, with Musk now admitting that he might have gone too far with his social media posts, the two sides have yet to reunite. The impetus of Musks attackTrumps tax cuts and spending billis now at risk of losing some much-needed Republican support in the Senate, in all likelihood due in no small part to Musks criticism of it.

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During the first few months of Trumps administration, Musk was instrumental in orchestrating DOGEs efforts to rationalize and reform the functioning of the U.S. government as well as to reduce its size. From cuts to U.S. foreign aid and the elimination of agencies responsible for scientific research, to the closing of entire agencies that provide basic government functions, such as weather tracking, pandemic prevention and emergency response, DOGE has left a mark on the U.S., both domestically and abroad.

Given the prominence of those efforts, coupled with the Musks visibility in the Oval Office during his time in the administration, Trump may not have taken kindly to the perception that Musk was truly the one in charge. After all, such perceptions didnt sit well with Trump when they were projected onto Steve Bannon during his first term.

Just as the wealth-politics nexus in the United States is not unique to Trump and Musks relationship, so is the nexus itself not unique to the United States.

While the two mens falling out was perhaps predictable, the public spectacle of it when it happened offered a bit of Schadenfreude for their critics, and even some of their supporters, who had tired of the chaos the two had sown since the beginning of the year. But others see a darker side to the episode. The Guardians Blake Montgomery wrote, Perhaps the loser is democracy itself rather than Musk. Political scientist Abe Newman also lamented what their spat, but also their prior relationship, means for U.S. democracy, saying it highlights how the country now operates more according to the power and egos of wealthy individuals than through institutions. The Trump-Musk fight, he wrote, signals how far US economy/politics has deviated from rule of law. We have entered a world in which rich people are not just donors but seek to steer the government.

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I agree with Newman, with one caveat: As with many things that Trump takes to extremes, this is by no means a recent development. Just as presidential power has long been a function of what is politically possible rather than legally permissible and U.S. policy toward its allies has long been uncomfortably coercive, the centrality of wealth in U.S. politics and governance under Trump is more a sign of continuity than change. The falling out between the worlds richest person and the worlds most powerful person only underscores this point.

Take the federal governments relationship to financial elites. The U.S. Treasury has repeatedly bailed out corporations and financial firms, even those engaged in risky lending, when episodes such as the 2008 financial crisis and before that the 1980s Savings and Loan crisis threatened to devastate the economy and, in turn, the political prospects of U.S. elected leaders. These protective measures even extended to financial firms investing abroad, such as the Federal Reserves efforts to save the Long-Term Capital Management hedge fund from insolvency during the East Asian Financial crisis in the late 1990s.

One could go back even further. The U.S. government relied on J.P. Morgan to save the banking sectorand the U.S. economyduring the 1908 financial crisis. The captains of industry and robber barons of the late 19th and early 20th centuriesa historical period during which America, according to Trump, was at its greatestwielded great influence on U.S. politics and policy. In the middle of the 19th century, it was the wealthy southern slaveholders that drove the secession crisis of 1860 that led to the Civil War. And one should not overlook how many of the founders of the United States were themselves some of the most affluent members of colonial society.

When attempts have been made to limit the influence of wealth in politics, such as the McCain-Feingold Act of 2002 restricting the ability of corporations to donate money to political campaigns, it has been short-lived: The Supreme Court overturned that bill in 2010 with a 5-4 decision.

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To be certain, just as the wealth-politics nexus in the United States is not unique to Trump and Musks relationship, so is the nexus itself not unique to the United States. Sovereign monarchies gave way to democratic systems in 19th- and 20th-century Europe in large part as a bargain by conservative landholders and court-aligned aristocrats to ensure the support of key capitalist wealth-holders. Even autocracies today are on fragile footing if they lose the support of, not the masses, but the wealthy class. For instance, the interplay between wealth and power are a key feature of the regime of Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Russian oligarchs are dependent on Putins support for their economic wellbeing, even as Putinwho may well be the wealthiest person in Russiamust maintain their loyalty to shore up his political power.

Years ago, the political scientists Adam Przeworski and Michael Wallerstein referred to this aspect of government as the structural dependence of the state on capital. By this they meant that under capitalism all governments must respect and protect the essential claims of those who own the productive wealth of society. The same idea is found in the writings of Karl Marx, but also of Adam Smith. The paper by Przeworski and Wallerstein was published in the late 1980s, in the midst of the Savings and Loans bailouts mentioned above, and while they drew on history for their evidence, their core argument remains relevant today. This isnt to say that corporations rule the world and that the true levers of power are in the hands of their CEOs, rather than elected national leaders. But the symbiosis between the two is quite evident.

By his manner, rhetoric and propensity to always say the quiet part out loud, Trump takes this characteristic to an extreme. But it is not a fundamental change in the operation of the U.S. government, which like most governments has long been dependent on, and even subservient to, capital.

Paul Poast is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a nonresident fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

The post Wealth Has Always Offered Outsized Influence in U.S. Politics appeared first on World Politics Review.
The richest 10% in the eurozone held 57.3% of total net household wealth in the final quarter of 2024. This is 2.8 percentage points higher than in the same period of 2009, when their share was 54.5%, according to the European Central Bank (ECB).

Wealth inequality has increased in some parts of Europe while declining in others in the period from 2008 to 2023, according to UBS's Global Wealth Report 2024. The report notes that wealth inequality has generally risen in most of Eastern Europe, while the data for Western Europe is extremely mixed.

So, which European countries have seen the greatest increases or decreases in inequality since the 2008 financial crisis? And which countries in Europe have the highest disparities between rich and poor?

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UBSs report covers 12 European countries and uses the Gini coefficient as the primary measure of inequality. A higher Gini coefficient indicates greater wealth inequality, with 0 representing perfect equality. Net worth  or wealth  is defined as the total value of a households financial and real assets (primarily housing), minus its debts.

In 2023, the Wealth Inequality Gini Index ranged from 46 in Belgium to 75 in Sweden, among the 12 European countries covered.

Sweden recorded the highest level of wealth inequality by far, followed by Germany (68), Switzerland (67), and Austria (65).

Belgium stood out with the lowest Gini score of 46, indicating the highest level of equal wealth distribution in the list. It was a clear outlier, as the closest countries  Italy and Spain  both had significantly higher scores of 57.

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France and the UK  two of Europes major economies  both fall below the 12-country average Gini index of 62.1, with scores of 59 and 61 respectively. Among the Nordic countries, Denmark (62) and Finland (64) were around the average, as was the Netherlands (64).

Wealth inequality rises most in Finland and Spain

Looking at the change in the Gini Index between 2008 and 2023, Finland recorded the highest increase, rising by 21%, from 53 to 64. Spain followed closely, with a 20% increase, from 47 to 57.

Italy also saw a notable rise of around 15%, going from 50 to 57, while Denmarks index increased by 11%, from 56 to 62.

According to the UBS report, wealth inequality also increased in the UK by roughly 8% and in France by 5% between 2008 and 2023. Sweden, which had the highest Gini Index among the countries examined, saw only a slight rise of 1% during this period.

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Wealth inequality declined in five out of the 12 countries examined. Belgium saw the largest drop, with an 11% decrease in its Gini Indexfrom 51 to 46.

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland each recorded a roughly 5% decline, while the Netherlands saw a 4% reduction over the same period.

Whats driving the rise in wealth inequality in Finland?

Veli-Matti Tormalehto, a senior researcher at Statistics Finland, noted that surveys carried out by his own organisation also indicate a rise in wealth inequality.

In general, the increase in wealth inequality in Finland can be attributed to a shift from real assets towards financial assets in households average portfolio, Tormalehto told Euronews Business. The role of housing wealth has been important, with weak and even declining housing prices and uneven regional patterns, as well as declining homeownership rate.

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He also noted that financial wealth has continued to grow, which contributes to rising inequality, as these assets are heavily concentrated among the wealthiest households.

According to Statistics Finland, the share of total wealth held by the wealthiest 10% of households increased from 43.9% in 2009 to 51.8% in 2023.

Related

Arthur Apostel, a researcher at Ghent University, pointed out that an ECB study shows a slight decline in Belgiums wealth inequality  from 0.71 in 2010 to 0.69 in 2023 representing a 2.8% decrease. This differs from what the UBS report claims. Apostel argued that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that wealth inequality in Belgium has decreased in recent years.

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According to the Distributional Wealth Accounts (DWA), the share of net wealth held by the top 5% in Belgium declined from 49.3% in 2010 to 44.8% in 2023.

Both Apostel and Tormalehto recommend caution when using UBS figures. Tormalehto is particularly concerned about cross-country comparisons, as the report relies on estimates drawn from a mix of micro- and macro-level data.

Gini Index vs wealth shares by top 10%

Gini Index scores may not clearly show how unequally wealth is distributed, partly because they're not very sensitive to the extremes.

But wealth shares held by top percentiles provide a more detailed picture. While this breakdown is not included in the 2024 UBS report, it is available in the 2023 edition, which presents data from 2022.

In 2022, the richest 10% of households in Sweden held 74.4% of total wealth, while in Belgium they held just 43.5%. These two countries had the highest and lowest wealth inequality Gini Index scores, respectively, among the 12 countries included in 2023.

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The top 10% of households held 63% of total wealth in Germany and 62.5% in Switzerland placing both countries just behind Sweden in both the Gini Index and the share of wealth held by the top 10%.

While the rankings of some countries shift slightly when looking at the top 5% or top 1% of wealth holders, the overall trends in wealth distribution remain consistent.

Inequality alone doesnt tell the full story

The report emphasised that changes in inequality alone dont necessarily indicate whether people are better or worse off in different countries.

It suggests that absolute wealth levels also need to be taken into consideration in order to paint a comprehensive picture of a society's wealth profile. In other words, it's also important to look at how much wealth people have, as well as how it is divided.
If you're heading to Great American Ball Park this weekend to watch some Banana Ball, then you may want to bring a poncho.

According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, several rounds of showers and storms are expected to arrive during the afternoon of Friday, June 13. Moderate to heavy rain will be possible at times.

Although heavy rain will be scattered, localized flooding may still occur. Due to thickening clouds, daytime highs will be in the low to mid-80s.

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Showers and storms will linger into the evening but will decrease in coverage as the night progresses.

Additional showers with embedded thunderstorms will return on Saturday, June 14. Localized flooding will continue to be a threat, as some areas will experience repeated rounds of moderate to occasionally heavy rain. Daytime highs will be near 80.

Precipitation chances will decrease Saturday night and increase again on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15. Severe weather will be limited, and some heavy rain could develop. Highs on June 15 will be in the lower 80s.

Temperatures in the mid-80s are expected on Monday, June 16, with slightly clearer skies and slightly lower rain chances.

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Gradual increases in heat and humidity are expected next week, with highs reaching the mid to upper 80s by Wednesday. Conditions will be favorable for showers and storms during this time. Some severe weather could develop, but the timing and severity are still uncertain, per the NWS.

[6:08 AM] Highs in the 80s are expected today, as chances for thunderstorms return to the area. Some storms could produce heavy rainfall and localized flooding. Storm chances will continue at times through the weekend, with highs in the lower 80s on Saturday and Sunday. pic.twitter.com/yAf160OAFK  NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) June 13, 2025

Detailed 7-Day Cincinnati weather forecast

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 68. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

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Saturday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., then a chance of showers after 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 69. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 8 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 68. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Monday: A chance of thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Monday night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 70. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms are likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms are likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 72. The chance of precipitation is 60%.

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Thursday (Juneteenth): A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Weather: Check forecast for Savannah Bananas' two Cincinnati games
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A pair of weekend events from Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation will have competitors hitting the water.

Lexann Littau is visiting from Wyoming and spending the morning water walking at Midco Aquatic Center.

Pride fests and protests make for busy Sioux Falls weekend

At my age, its good for the joints, its a lot easier, the impacts a lot easier on your joints, Wyoming resident Lexann Littau said.

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What about walking laps against the current of the lazy river?

Obviously, more challenging, but again, at my age, its just a good thing to keep moving because if you dont move, you lose it, Littau said.

Sioux Falls Parks & Recreation is hosting the first Lazy 5K of summer this Saturday at Drake Springs Aquatic Center, and its not as easy as the name suggests.

Its a lot harder than what youd think, its more of a workout than a lot of people would realize, recreation coordinator Adam Livermore said.

Adam Livermore is a recreation coordinator with Parks & Rec and says its a 5K  44 laps  but you dont have to do it alone.

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You can do a two- or four-person relay, so break it up, get some friends together and do it that way too, Livermore said.

Youre also encouraged to set sail with the Great Cardboard Boat Race on Sunday at Kuehn Park Pool.

Sign up, build a boat, cardboard and duct tape only, Livermore said. So (no) wood, fiberglass, anything like that, we try to keep an even playing field, so whatever corrugated cardboard you want to use and then duct tape, Livermore added.

If your vessel isnt seaworthy, there is an award for the quickest to sink.

Every now and again, we have one that doesnt make it very far or it capsizes right away, Livermore said.

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One of the many reasons is that there will be lifeguards on hand.

Registration is required for both events. The Lazy 5K is Saturday night from 7:00 to 9:00 at Drake Springs Aquatic Center. The cost is $20. The Great Cardboard Boat Race is Sunday morning at Kuehn Park Pool. Check-in begins at 9:00, followed by the race at 10:00. This event is free.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WEIR. Kan.  One Southeast Kansas community program that receives commodities from the state is now on pause.

Once a month, the city of Weir receives commodities from the state to give to residents who are in need of food. However, this month city leaders received word from the Emergency Food Assistance Program or TEFAP that funding to deliver to communities like Weir didnt come through. That caused the community to cancel this months commodities distribution.

About 35 residents from Weir, Scammon and West Mineral take advantage of the program each month, receiving canned and frozen foods.

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Some of them are elderly, and if they dont get it from us, they dont get it. You know, some of them get snap, but thats kind of in the range of being cut, too. So, if they you know, these people, they get hungry like everybody. You know, they need the food, said Milt Alexander.

Alexander says without federal funding for this program, hes now concerned about other commodities programs aimed at feeding seniors. He says they dont know if theyll be able to pick the program back up in July or not.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
At a time of growing concern over the power of the world's mighty tech companies, one German state is turning its back on US giant Microsoft.

In less than three months' time, almost no civil servant, police officer or judge in Schleswig-Holstein will be using any of Microsoft's ubiquitous programs at work.

Instead, the northern state will turn to open-source software to "take back control" over data storage and ensure "digital sovereignty", its digitalisation minister, Dirk Schroedter, told AFP.

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"We're done with Teams!" he said, referring to Microsoft's messaging and collaboration tool and speaking on a video call -- via an open-source German program, of course.

The radical switch-over affects half of Schleswig-Holstein's 60,000 public servants, with 30,000 or so teachers due to follow suit in coming years.

The state's shift towards open-source software began last year.

The current first phase involves ending the use of Word and Excel software, which are being replaced by LibreOffice, while Open-Xchange is taking the place of Outlook for emails and calendars.

Over the next few years, there will also be a switch to the Linux operating system in order to complete the move away from Windows.

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- 'Digital dependencies' -

The principle of open-source software is to allow users to read the source code and modify it according to their own needs.

The issue of the power wielded by American tech titans has been thrown into sharper relief by Donald Trump's return to the White House and the subsequent rise in US-EU tensions.

In the case of Microsoft, there have long been worries about the dominant position it enjoys thanks to it owning both the Windows operating system and a suite of programs found in offices the world over.

In 2023, the European Union launched an antitrust investigation against Microsoft over the way it tied Teams to its other programs for businesses.

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"The geopolitical developments of the past few months have strengthened interest in the path that we've taken," said Schroedter, adding that he had received requests for advice from across the world.

"The war in Ukraine revealed our energy dependencies, and now we see there are also digital dependencies," he said.

The government in Schleswig-Holstein is also planning to shift the storage of its data to a cloud system not under the control of Microsoft, said Schroedter.

He explained that the state wants to rely on publicly owned German digital infrastructure rather than that of an American company.

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- Taken 'by the throat' -

Experts point to economic incentives for the sort of shift Schleswig-Holstein is making, as investing in open-source alternatives and training staff to use them often costs less than the licences for Microsoft's programs.

This is particularly the case when businesses and public bodies find themselves taken "by the throat" when hit by unexpected extra costs for mandatory updates, said Benjamin Jean from consulting firm Inno3.

Schleswig-Holstein hopes that its move away from Microsoft will eventually save it tens of millions of euros.

But organisations considering this sort of change have to reckon with resistance from staff who fear upheaval.

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"If people aren't guided through it, there's an outcry and everyone just wants to go back to how it was before," warned Francois Pellegrini, an IT professor at Bordeaux University.

- Pioneer administrations -

The potential pitfalls can be seen in the experience of Munich, whose city administration was a pioneer in using open-source programs in the 1990s.

In 2017, the city announced an about-turn, citing a lack of political support and the difficulty of interacting with other systems.

But other public bodies are staying the course: France's gendarmerie, around 100,000 strong, has been using the Linux operating system since the 2000s and India's defence ministry was in 2023 reported to have launched a homegrown system called "Maya OS".

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Across the border from Schleswig-Holstein, in Denmark, reports say that the local governments of Copenhagen and Aarhus are also looking into ditching Microsoft.

Another factor that could push the trend is the EU "Interoperable Europe Act", which came into effect last year and encourages the use of open-source software.

According to Jean, "Within the space of two or three years" there could be a number of pioneer administrations who will be able to give feedback on their experiences and inspire others to make the switch.

lep/smk/jsk/fz/rmb/sco
Israel struck dozens of targets, including nuclear facilities, military sites and private residences, across Iran on Friday, killing a number of senior military commanders in what it called "Operation Rising Lion".

The Israeli attacks also targeted a number of other influential figures linked to Iran's nuclear programmes, including six nuclear scientists, IRGC-affiliated news agency Tasnim reported.

Dozens of civilians, including children, have also been reported killed.

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Here's what we know so far about the high-profile individuals among the dead.

Mohammad Bagheri

[Getty Images]

Bagheri was the highest ranking military officer in Iran, being the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces - which includes both the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Iranian army.

Bagheri joined the IRGC in 1980 aged 20 and, alongside his brother, helped establish the IRGC's intelligence unit during the Iran-Iraq war.

He was considered less hardline than other commanders. He had come under criticism recently for a speech he made in April in front of the ancient ruins of Persepolis in which he called for peace and urged for the avoidance of war.

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Abdolrahim Mousavi has been appointed the new chief of staff of the armed forces, Iranian state news agency Irna said. He does not come from within the ranks of the IRGC, being an army general.

Hossein Salami

[Reuters]

Hossein Salami was the commander-in-chief of the IRGC.

Salami joined the IRGC in 1980 during the Iran-Iraq war, and went on to become a deputy commander in 2009, before progressing to commander in 2019.

Known for his ability as an orator, he took a hard-line stance towards Israel and as recently as last month said Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by either Israel or the US.

Mohammad Pakpour has been appointed as the new commander of the IRGC, Iranian state media report.

Gholamali Rashid

[AFP]

Gholamali Rashid was the head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates joint Iranian military operations.

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Rashid fought in the 1980s war with Iraq and was formerly the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.

Since Rashid's death, Ali Shadmani has been appointed the emergency command's new leader, according to Iranian state media.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh

[AFP]

The commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force, Hajizadeh was a prominent figure in charge of the country's missiles programme.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hajizadeh had gathered in an underground command centre along with the majority of the IRGC's air force commanders to prepare for an attack on Israel.

The IDF said the group was then killed in a strike targeting the building.

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It said Hajizadeh commanded Iran's missile attacks on Israel in October and April last year.

Hajizadeh was regarded less favourably by members of Iran's general public after he took responsibility for downing a Ukrainian passenger plane flying out of Tehran in 2020, which killed all 176 people on board.

Fereydoon Abbasi

[AFP]

Abbasi, a nuclear scientist, served as the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation between 2011 and 2013.

He went on to be a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024.

He promoted hardline positions to do with Iran's nuclear activities.

In May, he spoke on Iranian TV channel SNN.ir about potentially building a nuclear weapon, and said he would willingly carry out orders to do so if he received them.

Nuclear scientists

A number of other nuclear scientists are also reported by Iranian state media to have been killed.

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They are:
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) is slated to travel to the battleground state of Michigan later this month, further stoking speculation he is considering a 2028 presidential bid.

Moore confirmed to Politico in an interview that he is slated to speak at the Detroit NAACP Dinner on June 29.

In an interview with the outlet, Moore said the theme of the speech will be the work of repair and noted he would highlight the work Maryland has done during his administration.

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There is no state that has moved with a sense of urgency to be able to do the work of repair like the state of Maryland the past two years, Moore said.

Moore has said he is not running for president and is focused on his reelection bid next year. Still, Moores recent trips outside of Maryland have raised eyebrows. Last month, the governor delivered the commencement address at Lincoln University, a historically Black university in the swing state of Pennsylvania. He also traveled to the early Democratic primary state of South Carolina to headline the state Democratic Partys Blue Palmetto Dinner.

The governor told Politico its in recognition that I am the only Black governor in the country, and only the third African American ever elected governor in the history of the United States when asked why he has chosen these states for travel.

But also, I think its a recognition of the work that weve done, Moore added.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The governors of California, Oregon, and Washington released a joint statement Thursday condemning U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for dismissing all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson expressed grave concerns about the abrupt removal of ACIPs members, describing the move as deeply troubling for the health of the nation.

The governors emphasized that their states remain committed to following scientific guidance in public health policy, particularly in the area of immunizations.

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Together, our states depend on the best science and knowledge available to protect public health, including scientific information about immunizations, the governors said in the joint statement. We have grave concerns about the integrity and transparency of upcoming federal vaccine recommendations and will continue to collaborate to ensure that science and sound medicine prevail to prevent any loss of life.

Washington, California, and Oregon depend on the best science and knowledge available to protect public health, including scientific information about immunizations.



We have grave concerns about the integrity and transparency of upcoming federal vaccine recommendations and will pic.twitter.com/AQ5IN7I3VA  Governor Bob Ferguson (@GovBobFerguson) June 13, 2025

Kennedy defended the dismissals by claiming that the ACIP members were contributing to a crisis of public trust.

ACIP, however, has served for more than 60 years as the CDCs primary advisory group on vaccine recommendations.

Its members include physicians, public health experts, and academics with deep experience in immunization science.

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Many of the ousted members, current and past, have worked for state public health agencies, including those in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Members are vetted for conflicts of interest and selected through a rigorous nomination process.

The move comes less than three weeks before ACIPs next scheduled meeting.

Health officials in the three states criticized the timing and potential consequences for national vaccine policy.

All three states continue to recommend that individuals 6 months and older have access to authorized COVID-19 vaccines, especially those at higher risk, including infants, pregnant individuals, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup  established during the pandemic by the three states  remains active and will continue evaluating vaccine safety and effectiveness alongside medical experts and professional organizations.
WESTFIELD  A fire in a Franklin Street apartment building Thursday night claimed one persons life, according to fire officials.

On behalf of the Westfield Fire Department, I want to express our condolences to the victims family and loved ones, said Westfield Fire Chief Patrick Egloff in a statement provided by the state Department of Fire Services Friday.

Just after 10:30 p.m., the Westfield Fire Department and Westfield Police Department responded to a central station alarm and 911 calls reporting a fire at 36 Franklin St. First responders saw fire showing from a first-floor apartment, with witnesses saying there was a person trapped inside, according to the statement.

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Firefighters attacked the fire at the front of the building while additional personnel entered the rear of the building in an attempt to locate the occupant. After battling heavy smoke and flames, firefighters later located the resident, a woman with limited mobility. She was deceased.

The womans name is not being released at this time, fire officials said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of her death.

The fire went to two alarms, drawing all unassigned Westfield firefighters and mutual aid to the scene. It extended to the second floor of the four-story brick structure, while upper floors sustained smoke damage. All residents of the nine-unit building have been displaced, fire officials said.

The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshals office, and State Police detectives assigned to the Hampden District Attorneys office.

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Firefighters with the 104th Fighter Wing from Barnes Air National Guard Base provided mutual aid at the scene while the fire departments of Holyoke and West Springfield provided station coverage.

Santiagos Family Restaurant next door will remain closed until further notice, management said in a social media post.

This has been a difficult time and a true loss for our community, the message read. Were taking time to gather our thoughts and figure out how to move forward.

Stories by Jim Kinney

Read the original article on MassLive.
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Food insecurity impacts people all across southwest Virginia and in Roanoke.

The WFXR crew is teaming up with Feeding Southwest Virginia and Goodwill Industries of the Valleys to combat hunger in the community with the Hunger to Hope food drive on Friday.

(Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News)

Its real and its here, said David Dantzler with Feeding Southwest Virginia. Its probably on your street. Food drives like this bring both awareness and they bring food. Obviously, the food nourishes our neighbors, and from there, they can lead healthier, happier lives.

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UPDATED STORY | Hunger to Hope food drive gathers 1,300 lbs to fight hunger

According to Feeding America, food insecurity impacts nearly 15 percent of all people and 20 percent of children across southwest Virginia.

That number rises to one-in-four children across Roanoke City, and the summer is a time when access to food can be the toughest it is all year.

Food insecurity goes up in the summer, said Dantzler. Schools out, kids are home, theyre not getting their meals at school, so we see our numbers increase, and our numbers are already high.

(Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News)

There are eight drop-off locations for donations all across the Roanoke Valley.

List of drop-off locations:

Market on Melrose  2502 Melrose Ave NW A, Roanoke, VA 24017

Vinton Store  907 Hardy Road, Vinton, VA

Hunting Hills Store  4335 Pheasant Ridge Road, Roanoke, VA

Hollins Store  6315 Archcrest Drive, Roanoke, VA

Cave Spring Store  3206 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA

Salem Store  1493 E. Main Street, Salem, VA

West Salem Store  1830 West Main Street, Salem, VA

Daleville Store  125 Commons Parkway, Daleville, VA

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From 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., the WFXR team will be at Market on Melrose, which opened on Melrose Avenue last fall and ended a decades-long food desert in Northwest Roanoke.

(Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News)

We want to eliminate poverty, and part of that is meeting peoples needs, and no one should be hungry, said Chelsea Moran with Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. Thats really where this partnership will thrive.

Feeding Southwest Virginia accepts monetary donations and non-perishable food items, focusing on high-protein foods.

Photo Credit: Adam Ranzer/WFXR News Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News Photo Credit: Adam Ranzer/WFXR News Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR News

(Photo Credit: Ben Oldham/WFXR 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 WFXRtv.
Families and educators at Epic Charter School now face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings.

A leadership change and a state investigation have piled on top of the cuts. The virtual charter schools superintendent, Bart Banfield, resigned Monday, days after Epic laid off 357 teachers and administrators. Its deputy superintendent of finance, Jeanise Wynn, resigned April 11.

There hasnt been much transparency about why and what are we doing, Epic teacher and parent Sarah Kitterman said. What actions are we taking to make sure this changes and we dont do this again?

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Kitterman, of Edmond, said Epic lost programs that were difference-makers for students. Her own children benefited from a now-eliminated ELA+ program that offered bonus reading classes.

Students wont get that extra English language arts instruction without the program, she said, and its unclear how Epic will repeat the incredible learning gains that ELA+ produced. A similar Math+ program has been reduced to grades 6-12 only.

Epic Blended Learning Centers, full-time in-person instruction gone

The closure of Epics Blended Learning Centers is a loss, too, Kitterman said. The centers, which offered in-person instruction in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, often had waiting lists.

Students with disabilities especially sought a place at the learning centers, said Kitterman, a special education teacher.

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Does that mean that were going to have an overload of students on our rosters now? she said. We cant serve those students the same way that they were being served. So where do those students go?

Epic announced it would give students from the learning centers priority in another face-to-face instructional option, Comet Academy.

Also gone are Epics options for full-time in-person instruction five days a week, its school meal services, and all of its Chinese and Latin courses. Other services, like Advanced Placement courses, have been outsourced to other entities, some now costing a fee.

These changes are part of our ongoing reorganization to better serve the 30,000 students statewide who choose Epic for their education, and to position the states largest public virtual charter school for strength and success in the years to come, the school told families in an email last week.

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Members of Epics school board spoke little of the schools financial situation Thursday in their first meeting since the layoffs and Banfields departure. The board, which is scheduled to meet again Tuesday, approved a new treasurer, assistant treasurer and encumbrance clerk for Epic, who will join the new chief financial officer, Michael Flory.

The school board has yet to approve a budget for the 2025-26 school year, which must be done before the next fiscal year begins on July 1.

The Statewide Charter School Board, a state agency that oversees Epic, is now investigating the schools finances.

After its enrollment skyrocketed to over 60,000 children in 2020, Epic has steadily lost students and, as a result, state funding. An influx of federal pandemic aid funds also came to an end in September.

Why did Epic lay off teachers and administrators?

To make matters worse, Epic administrators significantly miscalculated when crafting their budget for the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment came in 4,000 students short of what administrators expected, prompting a round of layoffs in October that cost 144 jobs.

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The cuts continued this month when Epic slashed 83 teaching positions and 274 administrators.

Banfield soon followed out the door.

At Epic, we often say, The only constant is change, Banfield wrote in his resignation letter, which Oklahoma Voice obtained. Over the course of this school year, it has become clear to me that it is time for a new chapter. With deep gratitude, I am formally submitting my resignation. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Board of Education, the Epic staff, and most importantly, the hundreds of thousands of families who have chosen Epic as their school of choice since 2011. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you over the past 11 years. I wish you the very best. Go Comets!

Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Justin Hunt will serve as interim superintendent while the board searches for a candidate to hire permanently.

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I appreciate the trust and respect, and (Im) looking forward to moving into next school year for the 30,000 kids that need us and choose us as a school option, Hunt said during Thursdays school board meeting.

As for Kitterman, she plans to return for her fourth school year teaching at Epic, and her three children will continue to attend, she said. Until this point, Kitterman has felt like a valued employee, she said, but the lack of transparency around the layoffs and cuts put that sense of value in doubt.

I plan to stay as long as Epic is open, Kitterman said. Weve loved it, so thats my hope. Its just so scary.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Epic Charter School downsizing staff, facilities, course offerings
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

A team of researchers discovered a new island in the Caspian Sea using space images.

Cyclical sea changes, climate change, and shifting tectonic plates may all be reasons that the isle has breached the waters surface.

Researchers anticipate the island becoming a valuable refuge for rare bird species and Caspian seals in the future.

Although the ocean covers roughly 71% of Earths surface , more than 80% of that ocean has yet to be mapped, explored, or even seen by humans. So, it isnt surprising that some stray land formations go unnoticedlike a whole new island in the northern part of the Caspian Sea, recently discovered by researchers from Russia.

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The currently unnamed island is located 19 miles southwest of Maly Zhemchuzhny Island, Russia. According to a translated report from TSS (a state-owned Russian news agency), a team from the P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) originally identified the formation in November of 2024 via imaging captured from space. The images showed a small sliver of dried bank peaking above the water (though this wasnt convincing enough evidence for some researchers).

Since then, the team has made an expedition to the northern part of the island and officially confirmed its existence. However, researchers were unable to make landfall because of shallow waters and poor weather conditions.



It is obvious that during the low-water period, when the water level is minimal, the islands elevation above the waters edge will be more significant, the report reads. At the time of the survey, the islands surface was a damp flat plain complicated by ridges of sand waves.



The islands emergence is thanks to a perfect storm of events. The occurrence of new islands in the Caspian Sea is associated with cyclical processes of long-term fluctuations in the level of [these] landlocked waters, Stepan Podolyako, a senior researcher at IO RAS, wrote in the statement to Live Science . Awash islands are uplifts on the seabed that come to the surface during periods of falling sea level.

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And this isnt the first time the area has seen shallow watersaccording to Podolyako, Caspian Sea water levels fell during the 1930s, 1970s, and the 2010s. He says the cyclical levels of the Caspian Sea depend partly on evaporation rates, so the water level could be attributed to climate change. The warming global temperatures associated with climate change speed up the water cycle (which includes evaporation), leaving certain areas in extreme droughts and others with overwhelming amounts of precipitation. Podolyako also cited tectonic plate shifts as a potential reason for the sea level changes.



As for the future of the island, Podolyako said that the next expedition is planned for the latter half of 2025. Once researchers investigate the isle and identify any distinguishing features, the team will decide on a name. Excitingly, the IO RAS anticipates that the island may become a valuable nesting site for rare bird species and a rookery (or a breeding place of a colony) for Caspian seals.

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NEED TO KNOW

Air India Flight AI171 crashed on June 12

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was a passenger jet bound for London from India

Out of the 242 people aboard the plane, all but one person died from the crash







More than 290 people have likely died after an Air India flight crashed on June 12.

Shortly after Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time, it crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar.

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Air India confirmed that there were 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The passengers comprised of Indian, British and Portuguese nationals, as well as one person from Canada. Air India has not released an official number of people who have died from the crash, but CNN estimated that the death toll has escalated to over 290 people.

The airline later confirmed that a British man was the "sole survivor" out of the total 242 people on board. The man, who has been identified as a British citizen "of Indian origin," has since spoken out about his experience.



An official cause of the crash has not been disclosed, but investigators confirmed to ABC News that they recovered two black boxes from the crash site. Video of just before the crash also shows the plane did not rise high into the air after takeoff before it began gliding back down.

From the identified victims to what may have caused the crash, here's everything to know about Air India Flight 171.

What caused the Air India Flight 171 crash?

Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Aircraft debris at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 on June 12, 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Aircraft debris at the crash site of Air India Ltd. flight AI171 on June 12, 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

An official cause of the crash has not officially been released. However, the airline and investigators have shared details about what took place ahead of the crash.

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Air India confirmed that flight AI171 from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick took off on June 12, 2025, at 1:38 p.m. local time. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was scheduled to land in London at 6:25 p.m., but it crashed just a few minutes later.

Just seconds after taking off, the cockpit gave a Mayday call to air traffic control, CNN reported. CCTV footage viewed by BBC showed the plane being airborne for just 30 seconds before it plummeted to the ground.

"There would have been no time for him to react if he lost both engines," one pilot told BBC after the crash.



Shortly after news of the crash broke, several videos surfaced on social media that showed the airplane falling into a residential area before exploding. Among other signs the plane was acting oddly, pilots spoke to CNBC about the videos and noted that the landing gear still seemed to be down after taking off, which they said was unusual.



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The plane crashed into the residential area of Meghani Nagar, and people on the ground were reportedly among the victims. The majority of the plane landed in a medical college hostel, while the tail was photographed stuck in a concrete building, per the Associated Press.



How will investigators determine the cause of the crash?

Raju Shinde/Hindustan Times via Getty Rescue personnel looking at the wreckage at the site of the Air India flight crash on June 12, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India. Rescue personnel looking at the wreckage at the site of the Air India flight crash on June 12, 2025 in Ahmedabad, India.

Crash investigators will look at a myriad of factors to determine what led to the plane's crash. One of the main pieces of evidence that investigators will look at are the airplane's flight recorders, or so-called "black boxes"  which include flight data and audio from the cockpit.

Shortly after officials began scouring through the wreckage, Indian officials confirmed to ABC News that both of the two black boxes aboard the aircraft had been recovered. The official explained to the outlet that one black box was damaged but will still be useable.

"This marks an important step forward in the investigation," Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Indian union minister of civil aviation, said, per the BBC. "This will significantly aid the enquiry into the incident."

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The Ministry of Civil Aviation is now establishing a committee to investigate the incident, promising to assess "the root cause of the crash" and "contributing factors, including mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, regulatory compliances and other reasons," it said in a June 13 statement.



How many people died in the Air India crash?

Prateek Joshi poses for a selfie with his family during Air India flight.

Everyone  except one person  aboard Air India Flight AI171 died as a result of the crash, the airline has confirmed. There were 242 total people onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian, according to BBC.

"Air India offers its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased," the airline said in a statement shared afterward. "Our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of all those affected, their families and loved ones."

In addition to those who died inside the plane, there were additional victims who died when the plane plummeted to the residential area. A health official confirmed to BBC that at least eight locals, including four medical students, died when the plane fell on the hostel.

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The complete list of victims has not been released, but family members and loved ones have come forward in identifying them.

One photo showed a family of five  including two parents and their three children  smiling while sitting aboard the flight. The doctor's employer later identified the father as Prateek Joshi, a radiologist at Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Hospital Burton, and the mother as Doctor Komi Vyas. The Times of India later identified their children as daughter Miraya and twin sons Pradyut and Nakul.

Other victims who have been identified, according to BBC, include British couple Ashok and Shobhana Patel; British citizen Ketan Shah; British couple Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara Nanabawa; British couple Adam and Hasina Taju and their son-in-law Altafhusen Patel; British couple Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek; British couple Javed and Mariam Syed and their two children Zayn and Amani; the former chief minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani; crew member Singson; British grandmother Raxa Modha and her grandson Rudra; British family Hemaxi Shantilal and Girish Lagli with their two children, Aadiv and Taksvi Girish; and British sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi.

In addition, News18 later reported that the captain of the plane was Sumeet Sabharwal and the first officer was Clive Kundar. The Canadian passenger was identified as Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel, according to CTV News.



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Also among the victims is Ajay Kumar Ramesh, whose brother, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is believed to be the sole survivor of the plane crash.

Did anyone survive the Air India crash?

Ministry of Home Affairs India via AP Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah meeting British plane crash survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Air India confirmed on June 12 that one man, who is "a British national of Indian origin," had survived.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik later told news agency ANI that the one confirmed survivor was traveling in seat 11A. The BBC later obtained a flight manifest that showed the man sitting in seat 11A was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Malik later told ANI that the survivor "has been in the hospital and is under treatment."



How did the Air India survivor live?

Press Information Bureau (PIB) / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the crash site. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the crash site.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh was seated in emergency row 11A when he escaped through the nearby emergency exit, according to The New York Times. Ramesh was seen stumbling to an ambulance near the crash site and telling the crowd that he came "from inside" the plane.

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He was subsequently taken to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Shortly after officials confirmed that there was one survivor, various Indian media outlets shared photos of Ramesh laying in a hospital bed.

"I dont know how I survived. I saw people dying in front of my eyes  the air hostesses, and two people I saw near me I walked out of the rubble, the man, whom local outlets have named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, told DD News from his hospital bed in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, per a translation posted by the Hindustan Times.

Ramesh recalled taking off and then feeling like the plane was "stuck in the air" in the first "5 to 10 seconds."

"Suddenly, the lights started flickering  green and white  then the plane rammed into some establishment that was there, he claimed.

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Ramesh explained that he was sitting in a part of the plane that didn't directly hit a building and was sitting next to an emergency exit. Ramesh said that he unbuckled his seatbelt after crash and escaped through "some space" in the emergency exit.

When I saw the exit, I thought I could come out. I tried, and I did. Maybe the people who were on the other side of the plane werent able to," Ramesh added.

Ramesh was reportedly returning to the U.K. with his late brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh. Their third brother, Nayan Kumar Ramesh, later spoke to The Times about learning about the crash.

When the crash happened, my brother video called us and all he could say was I have no idea how I survived or exited the plane,' " he said. He kept saying, I cant see my brother or anybody else. All he was worried about on the phone was telling us, Find Ajay, you must find Ajay.' "

The family is devastated, shattered, heartbroken," Nayan added.



Read the original article on People
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Most people know Phil Roe as the Congressman who served Northeast Tennessee for six terms.

During his time in Washington, D.C., he passed several bills to benefit veterans and servicemembers. He even chaired the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

I was one of the last people drafted in the army. I drafted in 1971, he said.

Roe was in Memphis for medical school when his first orders for Da Nang, Vietnam, were deferred for a year because so many doctors had been drafted from the area, leaving insufficient personnel to run the hospitals.

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He ended up going to Korea and was stationed 11 miles south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

When youre in an infantry division like I was, youre divided into battalions. You have infantry battalions, aviation armor, he said. I was in a medical battalion, and my medical battalion was right next to the armored battalion.

Roe was in the Second Infantry Division and the captain of the medical battalion.

There were three of us young doctors that were in charge of taking the health care of an infantry division with 10,000 men in it, said Roe.

When he got out of the army, the $300 a month he received from the GI Bill helped support his young and growing career, as well as his family.

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I was having to work extra shifts in the [Emergency Room] to just pay the bills. I mean the rent was almost as much as my check was for a month, and I had a family to feed, he said. To this very day, that made an impression on me.

Roe went on to become one of the most well-known OBGYNs in Johnson City, where he later served as the mayor before heading to Congress.

I never thought I would ever do what I ended up doing, he said. I never dreamed that, but I thought if I can ever do anything, Im going to. And so I did.

SEE MORE: Fmr Congressman Roe discusses passage of Blue Water Navy Act for Agent Orange effects

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When chairing the House Veterans Affairs Committee, he visited VAs across the nation. He spearheaded bills aimed at helping his fellow veterans, including making the GI Bill a lifetime benefit and securing care for Blue Water Navy Veterans.

They also have committed that service. And thats why I said, you know, Im going to take care of them now, he said.

Roe says the Army set him up for success in many ways, but there is one thing that has stuck with him every day.

I get up every day if Im going somewhere, I polish and shine my shoes, he said. You had to have shiny shoes in the military. If youll notice, my shoes are polished.

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He hasnt slowed down since leaving Congress five years ago. He continues to volunteer with several local and national boards and occasionally participates in speaking engagements. However, he now has more time to play his guitar and pick his banjo.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
How to achieve peace in the South Caucasus? If you listen to European politicians and officials, it turns out that they know the answer to this question better than we do.





The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, visited Yerevan and gave an interview to Public Television. The topic of the peace treaty was also raised in the conversation with the journalist. The Secretary General of the Council of Europe said that he had discussed this issue with Baku, informing him that "we want to move forward in this process." Berset praised Armenia for "taking a serious step in this direction." Most of all, the European official is worried that the topic of the peace treaty may be forgotten, and promised to take measures to prevent this from happening, God forbid. Apparently, it is not considered to leave the solution of the issue to the two countries themselves without interference in the process from outside.

"There is a risk that this topic may lose relevance in the global context, although it remains extremely important for the entire region. Our task is to constantly remind of the importance of the peace agreement, to continue negotiations and to exert friendly pressure on Azerbaijan to speed up the process," Berset said, regretting that the process is progressing very slowly.

The process is indeed progressing very slowly, but "friendly pressure on Azerbaijan" will not help speed it up. We are not talking about the attempts of unfriendly pressure, which are also being made. Putting pressure on Baku is the most unproductive way to solve problems. And European structures are already aware of this. The more active the attempts to persuade the Azerbaijani side to make certain decisions that are unfavorable to it, the less likely it is to resolve this or that issue.

Unfortunately, unlike Armenia, we are not spoiled by the friendliness of European officials and parliamentarians. But Mr. Berset represents Switzerland, a country that has never been particularly prominent in campaigns against Baku, and whose Foreign Ministry blocks initiatives that could harm relations with Azerbaijan. In addition, the new Secretary General of the Council of Europe has been in contact with the Azerbaijani side more than once recently, and these meetings, including the meeting on the sidelines of COP29 with President Ilham Aliyev, have left a good aftertaste. Therefore, we can trust in the friendly intentions of the current Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Nevertheless, the wording must be chosen correctly. Mr. Berset is concerned about the decline in international interest in the topic of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan, and we are concerned about the excess of this interest. Because international attention to solving problems in the South Caucasus has never been beneficial. Rather, it was harmful, because international, or rather Western, sympathies have always been and still remain on the side of Armenia in most cases. None of those who tried to mediate, whether before or after the war, was able to maintain equidistance and impartiality. Those who were capable of this, and those who sympathized with Azerbaijan, were not allowed to participate by external players who monopolized the mediation function. As a result, pressure has always been exerted on Baku.

No one has ever pressured Armenia to liberate foreign lands, and no one has pressed it on the issue of a peace treaty, although it has been slowing down the process for several years. On the contrary, European officials criticized Azerbaijan, condemning its unwillingness to sign a crude and not agreed document. The fact that Yerevan has finally agreed to all points is not the result of international pressure, but of Baku's diplomacy and the changed geopolitical conditions. In these new conditions, the allies, who dictated the line of conduct to Yerevan, themselves faced serious problems, and they became preoccupied with Armenian interests. Armenia was left virtually one-on-one with Azerbaijan, and they remembered how it all ended when it happened for the first time - in 2020. Hopes for the intervention of countries and organizations patronizing the Armenians, for the crushing decisions of international courts have become even more unrealistic than before.

It was a very reasonable step on the part of Yerevan, and it was taken without the participation of well-wishers from the EU or the Council of Europe. Now, by trying to "amicably" put pressure on Azerbaijan to speed up the process, external players are giving Armenia new hopes. The hope is that it is possible to conclude an uncertain peace, which Azerbaijan has always opposed, to take advantage of the preferences provided, and then let what happens. When all this ends with a new conflict, the well-wishers from Europe will not remember that Baku warned about the fragility of such a world. Moreover, Baku will be blamed for everything. After all, they accuse us of liberating their internationally recognized territories, although there is no logic in this.





That's exactly what we should be fighting - it's the forgetfulness, and sometimes the lack of information of the world about the prehistory of the 44-day war. For many in the West, the conflict between the two countries began on September 27, 2020, and the allies of the Armenians support this myth with all their zeal. But we will not forget and we will not let others forget. Azerbaijan remembers that during the years of the Armenian occupation, Armenia was never convicted of aggression against its neighbors, and angry resolutions were not passed against it. These resolutions were adopted in the same PACE against Azerbaijan, which suffered from occupation and ethnic cleansing. Today, the revanchist narratives of "Azerbaijani aggression" are supported by certain Western circles, and European officials weep over the fate of the Armenians of Karabakh, although they have not shed a tear over the tragic fate of a million Azerbaijanis.





We have already learned to treat this philosophically, but this does not mean that Azerbaijan is ready to yield and succumb to "friendly" pressure. Baku has specific demands on Yerevan, and the more outside actors try to help the Armenian side not to fulfill them, the more stringent Azerbaijan's demands will be. It is necessary to put friendly pressure on Yerevan in order to force it to hurry up with the steps, without which real peace is impossible. In this case, we do not put this word in quotation marks, because it has never been a problem for EU structures to be friendly to the Armenian side.

Those who really want to earn a place in paradise by achieving peace for two peoples face another very important task. Western circles should think about how to stop compromising themselves in the eyes of Azerbaijan with outbursts of anti-Azerbaijani activity. Provocative lobby groups are causing very serious damage to Europe's interests in our region. When the parliamentary structures of the European Union and the Council of Europe turn into venues for auto-dafe, it does not promote mutual understanding. It is worth recalling the outburst caused by the recent visit of the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, to Baku. A wave of hysteria rose against her, she was bombarded with accusations for wanting to restore relations with Azerbaijan, which were almost destroyed by her predecessor. For a long time and carefully formed by Baku's opponents, the comfort zone was violated, and Kaya Callas became a symbol of this process.

A few days ago, the notorious member of the European Parliament, Xavier Bellamy, poured out his bile on this issue in an interview with the Armenian media. The Armenian lobbyist was beside himself with indignation. A lot of things angered him. Both the fact that Callas did not travel from Baku to Yerevan, and the fact that she made positive statements, and the fact that Azerbaijan once again began to position itself as a partner of Europe and a guarantor of its energy security. Bellamy's verbosity clearly showed how furious he was. He told me that he met Callas and told her his "fi." He did not disclose what the head of European diplomacy replied to him, arguing that it was a "private conversation," but, apparently, he did not hear anything encouraging. And the French EP deputy is very concerned. He demands "to restore the negotiating position with Azerbaijan, which will be much more demanding, much more decisive." The position that the EU held under Josep Borrell and that was archived by Kaya Callas. Bellamio cannot influence this, but he hopes that the European Commission, when making decisions on cooperation with Baku, will listen to the European Parliament.

I must say that the European Commission, as well as other EU governing structures, never really listen to the opinion of the European Parliament, especially in matters of foreign policy and energy security. Europe has strategic interests that cannot be correlated with the opinion of the lobby and other interested groups. They can't and won't.

By the way, on Tuesday SOCAR and the German company SEFE signed a contract for the supply of 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Germany.

We don't know how Xavier Bellamy got over this news, or if he did at all.
A leak on a remote outpost orbiting about 250 miles above Earth may sound alarming, but not to worry: The seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station are not in harm's way.

But until the air leak detected on the laboratory's Russian segment is resolved, NASA has opted not to send any other people to dock at the station. That means an indefinite delay for a four-person commercial spaceflight that was due to launch from Florida.

The postponement is nothing new for Axiom Mission 4, which has already experienced previous delays due to bad weather here and issues with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket selected to get it off the ground. Axiom Space, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is the company behind the private mission  its latest in a series of human spaceflight in partnership with NASA and SpaceX.

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While the astronauts aboard the station are not in danger, small cracks on the ISS in recent years, particularly on the aging Russian segment, have contributed to the decision to retire the station by 2030.

Here's what to know about the latest leak on the space station, and how it will affect the launch of Axiom Mission 4 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral.

What is the International Space Station?

The International Space Station has been stationed in low-Earth orbit for more than 25 years, typically about 250 miles high, where it has been home to astronauts from all over the world.

The orbital laboratory is operated through a global partnership of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

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More than 280 spacefarers from 23 countries have visited the International Space Station, including 169 from the United States alone, according to NASA. Bigger than a six-bedroom house, the outpost has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym and a 360-degree view bay window.

Space station air leak delays Axiom 4 crewed launch

The launch of the Axiom mission had already been delayed to allow SpaceX to repair a liquid oxygen leak found on the Falcon 9 rocket, NASA has said.

Now, the mission is being delayed indefinitely after a "new pressure signature" was found on the stations Zvezda service module, a more than 2-decade-old core compartment, according to NASA.

The discovery came after cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized modules interior surfaces, sealed some area and measured the current leak rate.

NASA, Roscosmos to investigate leak on Russian module

The segment now is holding pressure, but NASA said the Axiom Mission 4 delay will provide additional time for the U.S. space agency to evaluate the leak with Roscosmos and determine next steps.

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NASA deferred additional questions about the leak to Roscosmos.

A new launch date for Ax-4 has not yet been announced as of Friday, June 13.

What is commercial Axiom Mission 4?

The official crew portrait of Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut mission from Axiom Space to the International Space Station. From left are, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., and Mission Specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

Axiom Mission 4, also known as Ax-4, is a commercial spaceflight venture that aims to send four private astronauts on a two-week trip to the International Space Station. Among the mission's crew are astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary who would be the first from their respective nations to ever reach the station.

Under the command of former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the crew members are due to undertake about 60 scientific experiments during their time aboard the orbital laboratory. The research was developed specifically to take place in microgravity on behalf of organizations around the world, according to Axiom Space.

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But the launch of the mission has undergone a slew of delays since Axiom Space was originally working toward a May 29 launch. When the crew does get off the ground, they'll be aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule that will be propelled to orbit atop a Falcon 9 rocket launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.

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. The missions began in 2022, with the most recent, Axiom Mission 3, taking place in January 2024.

International Space Station has had leaks before

The International Space Station is pictured in 2021 from the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly around of the orbiting lab that took place following its undocking.

This isn't the first time the International Space Station has experienced a leak.

In February 2024, an air leak in the Russian segment of the orbital laboratory known as the PrK module caused disagreement between Roscosmos and NASA about not only the cause, but how serious it was.

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By November, the leak was still unresolved while the two space agencies were monitoring it. The area has also been sealed from the rest of the station when crew members did not need to access the spacecraft docked at the module.

Leaks of air from the cracks have been minor and posed no immediate safety threats to the station's astronauts, who patch the leaks with tape, glue and other solutions. But issues on the ISS are increasingly worrisome signs of aging.

In late 2024, a NASA Office of Inspector General report even raised concerns about whether it would be safe or even affordable to operate past the station's 2030 retirement date.

Who is on the International Space Station?

NASA spacewalkers (from left) Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain work together at the International Space Stations Port-4 truss structure to install a modification kit readying the orbital outpost for a future rollout solar array.

Seven members of Expedition 73, including three Americans, are living aboard the ISS  conducting scientific research and working to maintain the station.

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That includes NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain, who in May made headlines for completing a rare all-female spacewalk.

The women both arrived in March 2025 with JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov as part of a NASA mission known as Crew-10. That mission also made headlines due to its role in paving the way for the NASA astronauts who crewed the doomed Boeing Starliner to depart with the Crew-9 mission.

Also at the station is NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, who reached the outpost in April 2025 with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space station leak: About delay of SpaceX Axiom 4 launch in Florida
Credit: Reuters

After mulling such action for 16 years, Israel has launched air strikes on Irans nuclear facilities  a mission fraught with peril not just for the Jewish state, but for the broader Middle East.

The danger of a regional conflagration is higher than ever, and the world is holding its breath.

Israeli forces struck military bases and nuclear sites across Iran, reportedly killing the countrys three most senior generals and several leading nuclear scientists.

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Whether the aim is to end Irans nuclear threat permanently or merely delay its progress remains unclear. But these strikes most likely mark only the beginning. The main phase of the operation may still be to come.

As in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon last year, one of Israels initial objectives appears to be the disruption of Irans military command structure, presumably to impair its ability to retaliate. Several residential buildings in Tehran were among the targets.

Israel has long prepared for this moment. The opening salvos make this clear. There were echoes of the metronomic precision seen in the first phase of its assault in Lebanon  even if this operation is far more ambitious and of vastly greater consequence.

Among the dead, according to Iranian media, was Brigadier General Mohammad Bagheri, Irans highest-ranking military officer and the head of its armed forces. So too were General Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and overseer of Irans regional proxy networks, and General Gholam Ali Rashid, who led the Iranian militarys central command.

What will be the impact?

Given Israels systematic decapitation of Hezbollahs leadership during its two-month invasion last year, Tehran would have taken precautions to protect its most vital human assets.

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And yet it failed  again underscoring the effectiveness of Israeli intelligence.

A gaping hole has been blown in the chain of command directly beneath Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader. He may even be a target himself, though it is possible that the United States has warned Israel against going that far.

Whether Benjamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, would heed such a warning is another matter. Last year, Israeli airstrikes killed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollahs leader, who was revered among the Middle Easts Shias and presumed to be untouchable. His assassination triggered little blowback.

Senior Israeli officials may now argue that there has never been a better opportunity to go after the man that many Israelis consider their chief nemesis.

Israels attacks on Iran killed several of Tehrans top military commanders - Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Has Israel hit nuclear targets too?

It was not just military commanders who were targeted  at least two senior nuclear scientists were also reportedly killed.

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This is evidence that Israel is attempting to degrade Irans nuclear knowledge base and impede any reconstruction effort if the programme is successfully disabled. Israel is widely believed to have been behind a string of similar assassinations in the past.

Launching at least six waves of air strikes, Israel also attacked Irans air defences  already weakened by retaliatory Israeli strikes last year  along with long-range missile sites, weapons depots and research facilities.

Israeli officials say Irans main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz was among the targets. It remains unclear whether the strikes hit the plants deeply buried centrifuges or merely the defences protecting them.

At this early stage, it is impossible to gauge the full effectiveness of these preliminary salvos.

How will Iran respond?

The pressing question now is how Iran will respond. Washington was quick to state that it was not involved in the attack, although it may yet be drawn in, depending on what happens next.

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In his first comments after the launch of what Israel is calling Operation Rising Lion, Khamenei notably refrained from threatening US forces or oil infrastructure in the Gulf, focusing his ire instead on Israel and warning that it should anticipate a harsh punishment.

Iran can be expected to retaliate with missile barrages against Israel, where sirens have already sounded and a state of emergency has been declared. Yet two barrages launched by Iran last year were largely neutralised with help from the US, the UK and others.

Even so, at least 20 missiles broke through Israels air defences, largely because of a shortage of interceptors. Israel and the US have since raced to replenish stocks to ensure greater resilience against what is likely to be a more sustained assault.

Other avenues of possible Iranian retaliation have been weakened over the past two years. Hamas, Hezbollah and  to a lesser extent  the Houthis in Yemen have been degraded by Israeli operations that have largely doused what Iran boasted was its ring of fire.

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Yet Iran still has options that could tip the region into war. It could attack US embassies and military bases in the region  a risk that Washington appears to be anticipating, having evacuated many diplomats and non-essential staff in the past 24 hours.

Could the war spread?

It could strike shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil supplies pass. The UK has already issued a warning to vessels operating in the Gulf.

An attack on energy infrastructure in Sunni Arab Gulf states  especially Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates  would have global economic ramifications. Oil prices surged 13 per cent within hours of the Israeli strikes.

Even so, Iran may hold back, opting to assess the damage before escalating. Without direct US support, Mr Netanyahu may struggle to deliver the knockout blow he seeks.

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Only a limited number of Israels 300 manned fighter jets and long-range attack drones can reach Iranian targets. So far, each wave of strikes appears to have involved only a few dozen aircraft. Much will depend on acts of sabotage by Israeli agents already operating on the ground.

Khamenei, despite the loss of his top commanders, may judge that Iran can weather the storm. Many experts have long expressed doubts about the feasibility of destroying Irans fortified nuclear sites. Even the most powerful US bunker-busting bombs  too heavy for Israeli jets  would need repeated use to have a significant effect.

The supreme leader may not want to test that theory. Escalating the conflict, particularly by attacking global shipping or oil infrastructure, could draw the US directly into the war, placing Irans nuclear programme at a far greater risk.

He may instead choose to wait. Should Israel fail to achieve its objectives, Khamenei could then claim justification in formally declaring Irans intention to build a nuclear weapon.

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Until now, Iran has insisted its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes, chiefly electricity generation. But the era of pretence is over. A long-feared showdown is under way. For now, the world can only watch and wait.

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Why Trooping the Color Is More Than Just a Parade for the Royal Family originally appeared on Parade.

Each June, the royal family gathers at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Color, a centuries-old tradition steeped in pageantry and national pride. This grand event brings together nearly all senior members of the monarchy in a vibrant display of unity, all to honor the legacy of one central figure: the reigning monarch. But the event is more than just a parade, here's why.

Trooping the Color is a ceremonial event performed every year on Horse Guards Parade in London, United Kingdom, by regiments of the Household Division to celebrate the official birthday of the British sovereign. However, the event is not actually held on the ruler's birthday.

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Typically, the event is held in June due to the chance of good weather. Thousands show up to support the royal family and to watch the pageantry they are famous for.

However, Trooping the Color is more than just a birthday parade. Per Hello! it is filled with activities such as a procession down the Mall, including the royal family and the Household Cavalry, a 41-gun salute to mark the King's official birthday, and a Royal Air Force flypast.

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It features the royal family in a positive light as they participate in the aforementioned events and interact with the public. This year, King Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will attend, as well as Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie will also be in attendance as will Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy James Hamilton Laurence.

The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh are expected to ride on horseback in the procession, alongside the Princess Royal as they did in 2024. Charles will travel down the Mall in a carriage with Camilla as he continues to receive treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.

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The king's second son, Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, will not be in attendance during this family event. The last time the couple appeared alongside other members of the royal family on the Buckingham Palace balcony was in 2019. They left the royal family in 2020 amid growing tensions between the couple and other senior royals.

Trooping the Color has taken place for over 200 years. The event will be held on Saturday, June 14 in London, England.

Why Trooping the Color Is More Than Just a Parade for the Royal Family first appeared on Parade on Jun 13, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Workers in Europe have been gradually putting in fewer hours. Over the past 10 years, the average time spent working per week has declined by one hour in the EU. In nearly half of 34 European countries, the drop was even greater  more than one hour between 2014 and 2024. Weekly working hours also vary significantly across the continent.

So, in which European countries do people spend the most time at the grindstone? How has actual working time changed across the region? And what could be the possible reasons behind this decline?

According to Eurostat, in 2024, the actual weekly working hours for both full-time and part-time workers aged 20 to 64 in their main job ranged from 32.1 hours in the Netherlands to 39.8 hours in Greece. When including EU candidate countries, EFTA members, and the UK, the highest figure was recorded in Turkey (43.1), where average weekly working time exceeded 43 hours.

Geographical trends: Southern and Eastern Europe top the list

People in Southern and Eastern European countries tend to work longer hours, with particularly high figures in EU candidate countries. Following Turkey, which tops the list at 43.1 hours, are Serbia (41.3) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (41.1). Montenegro hasn't reported data for 2024, although its working hours came to 42.8 in 2020.

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The next countries in the ranking also belong to the same region: Greece (39.8) and Bulgaria (39). North Macedonia, which only has data spanning up to 2020, also recorded a weekly working total of 39 hours.

These countries generally have lower wages, higher informal employment, and less part-time work.

Western and Northern European countries generally have shorter work weeks. Countries like the Netherlands (32.1), Norway (33.7), and Austria and Denmark (33.9) all report significantly fewer weekly working hours. These regions are characterized by strong labour protections, higher productivity, and widespread use of part-time and flexible work arrangements.

Among Europes largest economies, the UK and Spain (both at 36.4 hours) and Italy (36.1) report the highest average working times, all above the EU average. However, the UK data dates back to 2019, so the actual figure may be lower today, given the overall downward trend in working hours.

How did working times change in the last 10 years?

When comparing weekly working hours in 2014 and 2024, only four out of 34 countries saw an increase. In three of these countries, the rise was minimal: Lithuania and Cyprus (both by 12 minutes), and Malta (6 minutes). Serbia was the exception, with a significant increase of 1.7 hours  1 hour 42 minutes.

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Weekly working time remained unchanged in France, while the decrease was less than half an hour in Italy, Sweden, and Latvia.

Over one-hour decline in nearly half of the countries

In 16 out of 34 countries, weekly working time fell by more than one hour  exceeding two hours in some cases.

Iceland (3.5 hours) closely followed Turkey (3.8 hours) at the top. Belgium and Luxembourg also recorded significant declines, with a reduction of 2.5 hours each in weekly working time.

In a further seven countries, weekly working hours declined by 1.5 hours or more. These include Denmark and Austria (both 1.9), Germany (1.8), Estonia (1.7), Czechia (1.6), and Portugal and Croatia (1.5).

Reasons behind decline in working hours

Scholars and experts have been examining the reasons behind the decline in weekly working hours, offering various explanations. A recent working paper published by the European Commission analysed work time trends in six EU countries between 1992 and 2022. Sergio Torrejon Perez and his colleagues found that:

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Decline in working time is primarily linked to the growing prevalence of non-standard forms of work, mainly part-time work.

Part-time jobs have grown mostly because more women are working and because more jobs are in service industries.

Full-time workers are working more or less the same amount of hours as in the 1980s.

Self-employed people are working fewer hours over time because more of them are working part-time. Even so, they are still working the longest hours on average.

Rise in part-time work and female labour force participation

A paper published by the European Central Bank analysed working time in the euro area from 1995 to 2020. Vasco Botelho and his colleagues emphasised that the decline in hours contributed per worker is a long-term trend.

One reason is that technological progress over the past 150 years has transformed the nature of work.

They found that other key factors include the rising share of part-time employment, and the increase in female labour force participation, which is also closely linked to the growth of part-time work.

Part-time work largely voluntary

The decline in working time is driven by both demand and supply-side factors, according to the ECB report. Most part-time workers choose this arrangement voluntarily, opting to work fewer hours than full-time employees. In the overall sample, about 10% of workers reported that they would prefer to work more hours than they currently do.

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Another working paper from the IMF by Diva Astinova and her colleagues also found that declines in actual working hours match declines in desired working hours in Europe.

Increased income and wealth is likely to be the main force behind the decline in desired and actual hours worked, they suggested.

In other words, researchers proposed that people feel less of a financial pull to put in more hours.
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Donald Trump is focused this week on cracking down on the people he calls insurrectionistsbut not so much on the ones who fought an actual armed rebellion against the U.S. government in the 1860s.

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On Tuesday, Trump traveled to Fort Bragg, in North Carolina. When the base was established in 1918, it was named for Braxton Bragg, sometimes described as the worst Confederate general to serve in the Civil War. In 2023, the Defense Department renamed several facilities that had honored Confederates, giving Fort Bragg the admittedly uncreative name of Fort Liberty. In February, the Trump administration reverted to the old namebut with a twist. The base would instead honor Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, a World War II veteran awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Georgias Fort Benning had a similar rechristening.

At Fort Bragg, Trump announced that he was changing back the names of another new round of bases. We are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A. P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee, the president said. We won a lot of battles out of those forts. (The government began naming southern facilities for Confederate commanders during World War I, when the government wanted to encourage southern enlistment.)

Yet when the Pentagon released an official announcement, it said something subtly but significantly different: that actually the forts would, like Bragg and Benning, be named for other veterans with the same surnames. Instead of Robert E. Lee, the top Confederate commander, Fort Lee will honor Private Fitz Lee, a Black soldier who served in the Spanish-American War.

The discrepancy between Trumps claim that the names of generals including Lee and A. P. Hill were returning and the official announcement reveals the puerile wink-and-a-nod trolling behind the re-renaming. The original names were replaced after a careful process had identified military figures who deserved recognition. The Pete Hegsethled Pentagon, by contrast, appears to have found its new honorees by poring over lists of veterans in a superficial search to find any decorated veteran with the right surname. (This has apparently been a higher priority than finding a chief of staff for Hegseths tumultuous office or briefing the secretary on the legal justification for deploying Marines to Los Angeles.)

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Reverting is an insult to the families of those people whose names were added and then removed. But refusing to own up to the goal here is a laughable equivocation from guys who like to talk about how strong they are. Trump clearly wants to bring back the Confederate names. Why wont the Pentagon go along with it, or why cant officials admit it? Isnt this the wokeness and weakness that Hegseth has promised to eliminate?

Even under this same-last-name strategy, everyone can see that these names are intended as a nod to the Confederates. Its not a dog whistle if everyone can hear it. The president doesnt know much about history, according to a top former aide, or care that much for heritage. (Id be curious to hear how many of the original Confederate honorees he could identify, beyond Lee and perhaps Pickett, whose charge made him infamous.)

But Trump knows that much of his political support is in what we might call the cultural American South: the swaths of the United States not necessarily in the old Confederacy where Confederate symbols are popular. One January 6 rioter carried a Confederate flag into the U.S. Capitol. Trump also previously resisted the idea of dropping the Confederate names in 2020, when Congress passed a bipartisan law to do so after the murder of George Floyd. He even vetoed the bill, but Congress overrode him.

Reverting to the old names now is an emblem of Trumps broad campaign against anything that can be construed as woke. He is capitalizing on public dissatisfaction over some manifestations of DEI to attack any governmental gestures toward racial equity and reconciliationwhether symbolic and bipartisan, such as the fort names, or bedrock elements of the nations civil-rights enforcement. The clumsy approach has led to some embarrassments, such as flagging for deletion a photo of the Enola Gay, the airplane that dropped the first atomic bomb, apparently because gay was in the name.

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Lionizing Lee ought to be nearly as embarrassing. After the surrender at Appomattox, Confederate apologists worked to cultivate a dignified impression of Lee as a tormented patriot reluctantly defending his home state and a brilliant general fighting a lost cause. But as my colleague Adam Serwer wrote in 2017, Lee, despite his reputation as a military tactician, botched the rebel strategy in the Civil War. More important, he wasdespite the successful efforts of revisionists who have depicted him as a kindly, conciliatory mana committed white supremacist and a cruel slaveholder, even by the standards of the time.

Where Trump distanced himself from Lee in 2018, his administration is more willing to embrace Confederate ideas today. Citing the writer Michael Lind, future Vice President J. D. Vance said on a podcast in 2021 that American history is a constant war between Northern Yankees and Southern Bourbons, where whichever side the hillbillies are on wins, positioning himself on the side of the southerners: And thats kind of how I think about American politics today, is like, the Northern Yankees are now the hyper-woke, coastal elites.

This weekend, he appeared on the podcast of Theo Von, the comedian who memorably told Trump what its like to use cocaine. Von asked Vance, a Marine veteran, which side hed have fought on during the Civil War, and the good news is that Vance said the Union. But he added: I feel like something  happened like 10 years ago, where you have to think that every single person who fought for the Confederate side was an evil person, and I just think thats so stupid.

Ive heard versions of this argument when I have written critically about Confederate commemorations in the past, but its a straw man. With Vance, the question is always whether he really believes this or if hes just saying it cynically. But I dont know who is arguing that every Confederate soldier was an evil person. I know of relatives of mine who fought on both sides of the war, though, Im proud to say, more who fought for the Union. The point is not that all Confederate soldiers were bad people or personally committed to slavery, nor that anyone necessarily needs to be ashamed of each individual. It is that the Confederacy seceded to defend slavery and fought a treasonous war over it.

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The U.S. government has no reason to celebrate the rebels or their leaders for their part in the war. To paraphrase a certain president: I prefer the war heroes who fought for the United States.

Related:

Here are three new stories from The Atlantic:

Todays News

An Air India plane crashed into a college hostel in Ahmedabad, India, killing at least 241 people on board. Senator Alex Padilla of California was pushed to the ground and handcuffed after he attempted to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions at a press conference. The Democratic governors of Illinois, Minnesota, and New York were questioned about their states sanctuary policies for migrants during a contentious Republican-led House hearing.

Dispatches

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Evening Read

Dare to Act Differently and Be Happier

By Arthur C. Brooks

In financial circles, the investment strategy many people pursue during chaotic times is known as the flight to safety. That means dumping risky assets such as stocks and buying safer ones such as government bonds. This is not just a financial strategy, but a human one. When things get chaotic, eliminate your exposure to risk and hunker down. Thats the safe bet. Or is it?

Read the full article.

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Spend time with a loved one. In my household, Saturday is Dad-urday, Jordan Michelman writes. Its a father-daughter routine that has transformed his family life.

Celebrate. Music wouldnt be the same without Brian Wilson. Thats not an overstatement, Spencer Kornhaber writes.

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WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A former Justice of the Peace for Wichita County has passed away.

According to his family, Marc Newman passed away Friday, June 6, at the age of 75.

Newman was a graduate of Midwestern State University-Texas back in 1979, and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He dedicated his life to serving his community, having held positions as a Sheriffs Deputy for Wichita County, a police officer in Iowa Park, and spent 20 years as a Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 of Wichita County.

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A public memorial service for Newman will be held on Friday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dutton Funeral Home in Iowa Park.

His family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls and St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Mayor Lily Wu violated the citys ethics policy by not reading, and not arranging someone else to read ahead of time, the Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation at a March meeting, Wichitas Ethics Board found.

The ethics board cleared Wu of other alleged violations, and didnt find sufficient evidence that she asked for her signature line to be removed from the proclamation.

Sufficient time existed for the Mayor to fulfill her duty as the official head of the city to prepare for and preside at the council meeting. Presiding routinely includes reading proclamations approved by a majority or making preparations for and arranging in advance for someone else to read them, the ethics board report reads. Voting in the minority or not voting at all, as in this case, does not change the role of a mayor to execute the will of the majority.

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Council member Maggie Ballard ultimately read, and signed, the proclamation during the meeting.

The board found that Wus assistant crossed off her signature line after Wu made her own edits.

Twenty-two ethics complaints were filed against the mayor after she did not read a proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility at the councils March meeting.

Those complaints alleged a number of violations of the ethics code, including requiring city officials to maintain public confidence, remain impartial and address constituents needs. She was cleared of all of those allegations.

Wu will not have to pay a fine or attend ethics training as a result of her one violation. The ethics ordinance outlines those possible reprimands for ethics violations.

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The mayor is in Paris representing the city at the International Air Show and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The board approved the report on a 4-1 vote, with the only no vote being the mayors appointee to the board, Al Higdon, co-founder of the marketing agency Sullivan Higdon & Sink, now Signal Theory.

After the March meeting, Wu called the proclamation a political move by former mayor Brandon Whipples political team. She also said the proclamation segregated Wichitas transgender community.

The proclamation was requested by Chris Pumpelly early this year through Proud of Wichita: the LGBTQ Chamber. Pumpelly is running for District 1s open seat on the city council; he didnt announce his intent to run until earlier this month.

The mayor has said she has received racist emails as backlash after she did not read the proclamation, with one email using a racial slur for Asian people.
A bear rehabilitation center in northeastern India is struggling to cope with the unexpected arrival of bear cubs over two weeks.

The Arunachal Times reported that the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) at the Pakke Tiger Reserve took in five Asiatic black bear cubs in May 2025. The first two were transferred to the CBRC on May 8 after being spotted in a field near a rural village. Three more arrived just three days later after locals cared for them. Officials suspect the cubs' mothers were the victims of poaching.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Asiatic black bear as vulnerable.

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Once widely dispersed across Asia, the bear, also known as the moon bear, has suffered from habitat loss and extensive poaching. According to Animal Asia, the bear's body parts are used in traditional medicines, and some are farmed for their bile. Moon bear bile is touted for its alleged medicinal properties, but it is an immensely cruel practice that causes significant pain to the bears. While illegal in China, it isn't prohibited in Vietnam, and Animals Asia reports its population has declined by 60% in the last 30 years.

Poaching is one of the biggest challenges to conservation efforts, as it can be incredibly lucrative and poses a real challenge for authorities to clamp down on. As with any illegal trade, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but the World Wildlife Fund estimates it runs into the "billions of dollars" each year.

Rehabilitating orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs for re-release into the wild is difficult because they spend a long time with their mothers learning essential survival skills. Each cub will need the combined efforts of a dedicated team of experts. Thanks to the compassion residents showed taking local action to protect the cubs, the CBRC is hopeful they'll be able to return to the wild.

"With the arrival of five new bear cubs, we're intensifying our efforts in nursing, rehabilitation, and possibly identifying multiple acclimatisation sites," Dr. Subhasish Arandhara, an ecologist with the Wildlife Trust of India, said, according to The Arunachal Times. "Our entire CBRC team  is preparing to meet this challenge."

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.




Jun. 13---- The location for

's

rally has changed from

to the Willmar Middle School, 201 Willmar Ave. SE.

According to an announcement from the local group, the rally will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the parking lot at Willmar Middle School. Participants will then march to First Street led by a drummer. Bob and Jean Whitney will lead participants in patriotic songs and there will be speeches by veterans.

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Actions are taking place across the country to reject corrupt, authoritarian politics in the United States during President

military parade in Washington, D.C., according to a May 5 news release from

"Instead of allowing this military parade to be the center of gravity, activists will make action everywhere else the story of America that day," the release states.

Organizers have emphasized that a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. It is expected that all participants seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
***Watch previous coverage in the video above***

CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Willowick man has been convicted of using professionally installed cameras to stalk and sexually harass women, according to prosecutors.

On Thursday, 57-year-old Robert Hocevar pleaded guilty to several charges, including burglary, menacing by stalking, telecommunications harassment, possessing criminal tools and unauthorized use of computer, cable or telecommunications property, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office announced.

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He also must register as a Tier 1 sex offender.

As FOX 8 previously reported, Hocevar used his business Elite Technology to set up security cameras in three businesses and two homes in Lakewood, Brecksville, Lyndhurst, Westlake and Mayfield Heights between February 2021 and January 2025.

I-Team: New video, police response from Lee-Harvard shooting that left 7 injured

According to court records, Hocevar kept login information and passwords to access those camera systems without consent. He used that access to stalk and harass seven women between ages 36 and 56.

He would repeatedly send the victims unwanted, sexually explicit messages, photos and videos, the prosecutors office said in a press release. In addition, he would leave sexually explicit objects at three of the victims places of employment.

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Law enforcement started investigating after a woman told Westlake police that she received disturbing messages on her phone, FOX 8 previously reported.

He said that he could see her, that he would drop off particular clothing for her. He even named her by name in these communications, Westlake police Capt. Gerald Vogel told FOX 8 earlier this year.

A Lakewood bartender received similar messages, police said.

Investigators were able to trace the messages back to burner phones that Hocevar used. He was arrested by Westlake police officers outside his Willowick home in January.

I-Team: Video shows Gregory Moore, accused of killing Aliza Sherman, booked into jail

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Hocevar will be sentenced on July 7.

He has been convicted for similar crimes in the past.

According to prosecutors, in 2008, Hocevar was found guilty of repeatedly calling a victim and asking her inappropriate questions. He was sentenced to nine months in prison at the time.

He was also sentenced to one year in prison in 2015 and six months in prison in 2020 for harassment and stalking charges.

Just when you think youve heard it all, along comes Robert Hocevar, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley said. Clearly he has not learned from his previous stays in prison. Hopefully his next prison sentence will teach him a lesson.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Irvine received a two-and-a-half year jail sentence [PSNI]

The sentence given to Winston Irvine was unduly lenient and should be extended, according to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Irvine, 49, from Ballysillan Road in north Belfast, was given a two-and-a-half year sentence last month after admitting to firearm and ammunition offences.

The sentence was half the minimum recommended term, with the judge citing "exceptional circumstances".

The PPS said it will now appeal the sentence.

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Irvine's sentence  half of which is to be served on licence  was below the minimum sentence of five years and attracted criticism from some politicians.

A spokesperson for the PPS told the BBC's The Nolan Show: "After careful consideration of the sentence handed down in the case of Winston Irvine, including with the benefit of advices from independent Senior Counsel, we have determined that there is a sufficient legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal."

The PPS referral has now been lodged with the Court of Appeal.

Irvine is currently serving his sentence on the segregated UVF wing at Maghaberry high security prison.

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During sentencing Judge Gordon Kerr KC said despite Irvine's guilty plea, he had declined to give any explanation to the police or the court for having the guns and bullets in the boot of his car.

However, the judge said he did not consider the crimes to be connected to terrorism.

The judge cited Irvine's "character and long-term commitment to peace building in Northern Ireland" among exceptional circumstances relating to the case.

The court was told he had worked at the highest levels of government and had "devoted most of his adult life to peace".

Court documents released to The Nolan Show revealed the extent of the character references provided to the court.

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They include letters from Loyalist Communities Council chair David Campbell, former Policing Board member and director of Northern Ireland Alternatives Deborah Watters, Gary Mason a Methodist Minister, as well as Dr Harold Good .

The PPS said it would not be appealing the five year jail term handed to co-accused Robin Workman.
William Garcia, Joe Zepecki and Devin Remicker are the candidates for Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair. (Photos courtesy of candidates)

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will meet over the weekend with the task of choosing a new party chair who will lead the party into 2026 when crucial elections are at stake.

Those elections include a nominally nonpartisan state Supreme Court race that could nonetheless lock in a liberal majority past 2028, campaigns for competitive congressional seats, the governors race and state legislative races that will determine the balance of power in the state Legislature, where Democrats have a chance to flip both the Senate and Assembly for the first time in over a decade.

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The state party has been led by Ben Wikler since 2019. Hes credited with helping transform the party through fundraising and with being instrumental in many wins including electing Gov. Tony Evers to a second term, gaining back ground in the state Legislature and flipping the ideological balance of the state Supreme Court, though the party has also had some close losses under him with President Donald Trump winning the state last November and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson winning a third term in office. The state party had started considering who could fill the position earlier in the year when Wikler campaigned for Democratic National Committee chair in February, though some thought hed remain after he lost.

Wikler announced in April that he wouldnt be running for another term as chair, saying it was time to pass the torch.

Three candidates with slightly varied visions are running for the position: Devin Remiker, a party insider from Reedsburg who has worked in leadership roles in the party since 2018; Joe Zepecki, a Milwaukee-based Democratic communications professional, and William Garcia, the 3rd Congressional District chair and co-chair of the La Crosse County Democratic Party.

Party insider wants to fine-tune party

Remiker said he initially wasnt sure he would have the energy to be chair but that Susan Crawfords victory in her state Supreme Court race changed that.

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It was just a really good reminder of why we do this and why its important, so I sort of switched gears pretty quickly, Remiker said, adding that some people were encouraging him to run.

Remiker, a 32-year-old Two Rivers native, most recently served as a senior advisor for the state party. He is currently on a leave of absence during his campaign. He first joined the Democratic Party of Wisconsin as a staffer in 2018 and has worked up from there. He served as a senior advisor to the Biden-Harris and then Harris-Walz presidential campaigns in 2024 and was executive director of the party for a few years starting in 2021.

Remiker is responsible for some of the communications campaigns that the party launched during competitive elections, including the People v. Musk campaign, which highlighted Elon Musks involvement in trying to win the state Supreme Court seat for Schimel and his work to slash funds and staffing of federal agencies.

Remiker said he thinks the state party and candidates are in a fantastic spot, but that theres always room to improve and to figure out how we take things to the next level and thats what hed work on as chair.

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Despite committing to remaining neutral in a state party chair race during his DNC chair campaign, Wikler reversed course and endorsed Remiker in a column in late May. He said at a WisPolitics event that he changed his mind because he wanted people to know about the work that Remikers done for the party and is making calls on his behalf. Wikler said that he thinks there will be a burgeoning blue wave in 2026.

My decision to endorse was I knew that I thought hed do a phenomenal job and I also knew that I thought hed been working behind the scenes and people would not know what a role he played in so many of our fights unless I said something, Wikler said.

Remiker is also endorsed by U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, State Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine), State Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) and former state party chairs.

Remiker said that other than his father being in a union, he didnt grow up in a very political family, but he caught the politics bug pretty quickly in college at UW-La Crosse and during an internship with the special election campaign for now-state Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska).

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I collected nomination signatures. I knocked on doors, and I just love talking with people, Remiker said. The loss of his dads job when a nuclear facility in Kewaunee was decommissioned also pushed him towards politics.

It was a knife in the heart [to] this sort of rural county and area, Remiker said. This facility provided a lot of good paying benefits, providing union jobs, and then, to add insult to injury, I find out afterwards that they essentially are offering people their jobs back as independent contractors with no benefits, a fraction of the pay that they were receiving before I was mad as heck.

Remiker said it was at that point that he decided to see where a career in politics would lead and it has shaped his mission for the party: ensuring it fights for working people.

Our biggest failure from 2024 is that people lost faith in us as the party that fights for the working class, and I really want to center that in my work, Remiker said.

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Remiker noted there is tremendous opportunity for Democrats with fair state legislative maps and backlash against the Trump administration that is motivating people to become involved with the party, but the challenge will be keeping people engaged through 2026. He said there is more the party can do to ensure its engaging authentically across the state in all communities and to help Democrats in rural communities feel like they dont have to hide.

We just have to make sure that when there is energy, we are running towards it and bringing it with us, so that we can point it like a laser at the fights that we need to win next year, Remiker said. We have a lot of fights on our hands.

Remiker said he wants 72 county strategies that are unique to each county party. He said hed work towards that by building on the neighborhood teams that exist by creating regional teams, which would be tasked with going county by county to better understand the needs of county parties, college Democrats, community groups and others.

Theres no one size fits all solution to how we sort of support each county, but we really have to get into the weeds, Remiker said. This county they need some help building their membership base, because they might be struggling to have enough folks to sustain their level of work. This county might need some additional help opening a year round permanent office in their county. This county might need funding to get a trailer that they can build a parade float on. I think theres more room to provide resources. I just think that we need to make sure that we are listening, engaging and have a more consistent feedback loop with our leadership on the ground.

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Fundraising, he said, would also play a critical role for making that work. With his previous work for the party, Remiker noted that he has already helped do that work and would continue it as chair.

Wisconsins unique success [in fundraising] comes down to relationships of trust built with donors large and small over time, and that requires being honest about losses and proud of your victories, Remiker said. Ive been lucky enough having worked with Ben so closely to have been part of sort of building that trust over time  helping to write the memos, do the calls. Ive raised millions of dollars for the party myself.

Democratic comms professional says he offers fresh POV

Zepecki, a 43-year-old from Milwaukee, is pitching himself as having the fresh perspective the party needs to win more elections, saying hell work to revamp the organizations communications.

Two things can be true at the same time Ben and his team have done a remarkable job. We are the envy of 49 other state parties. At the same time, it is true that Democrats have a lot of work to do, Zepecki said in an interview. Our brand is busted. Our messaging isnt landing. We have work to do, and you shouldnt need more evidence of that than the occupant of the White House, than the fact that Ron Johnson is still representing Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate.

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As he decided to run, Zepecki said he took the time to consult a broad swath of people and entered with supporters who he said speak to the broad coalition that is our party  rural, urban, suburban, north, south, east, west, gay, straight, progressive [and] moderate. He said it was clear there was an appetite for some changes to the party.

Zepecki is endorsed by several state lawmakers, including Reps. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit), Darrin Madison (D-Milwaukee), Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) and Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay). He also has support from former Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Linda Honold and several local party chairs including Kelly Gallaher of the Racine County party, Nancy Fisker of the Lafayette County party and Matthew Mareno of the Waukesha County party.

Some advocates have also given their support including Angela Lang, the executive director of Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC), Shawn Phetteplace, an organizer and campaign strategist with small business advocacy organization Main Street Alliance and Kristin Lyerly, a Green Bay OB-GYN who advocates for reproductive rights and ran for Congress in 2024.

Zepecki appeared critical of Wikler for his endorsement of Remiker in a video posted to Facebook in May, saying the current chair had assured him he wouldnt make an endorsement and that he abandoned that commitment. He declined to speak further on the issue in the Examiner interview.

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I thought that was vitally important because it is the members of our party  the folks who knock the doors and plant the signs and make the phone calls  who should decide this election and know that their voice is paramount in this process, Zepecki said in the video.

If you dont change the people who are at the top are, I dont believe were going to see the changes and improvements we need to see, Zepcki added. We need new leadership and a fresh perspective. Thats what Im offering.

Since 2016, Zepecki has run a communications company and worked for organizations such as Protect Our Care Wisconsin. Prior to that, he also worked on federal and state campaigns including Democrat Mary Burkes 2014 run for governor, a U.S. Senate campaign in Nebraska and a presidential primary campaign in Nevada.

Zepecki said he wants to build better infrastructure for the partys communications and has been saying there are five Ms that should guide the work: message, messenger, mood, medium and masses.

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Spoiler alert: there is no magic set of words in just the right order that unlocks your vote Youre better off having a young person communicate with a young person, better off having someone whos a union member communicate with a union member. We need more messengers, Zepecki said. We cant just assume that our elected officials are going to be the only ones communicating our values, and when those messengers are out there, I think they need to match the mood of the country It is virtually impossible to get ahead, and people are pissed about that. When we do not match the mood of the electorate, people tune us out. There are more ways to reach people than ever before, and we need to be more intentional about using more of that.

Zepecki said this approach will help the party, which he said has troubles communicating what its for and against. When it comes to what Democrats are for, Zepecki said that communicating the party as one of economic opportunity and fairness is essential.

Whether theyre building trades union members and apprentices, whether its public sector workers, the Democratic Party is the party of working people. When we get back to communicating that every single day, I think people are going to respond favorably, Zepecki said, adding that this doesnt mean that we dont stand up for our trans brothers and sisters. It does not mean that we do not protect civil rights.

Zepecki said with the big, pivotal year of 2026 upcoming, he would want to use the latter half of the year to build up the partys power and infrastructure to be prepared to win. He said the approach would vary region to region but it comes down to communicating that people are welcome in the party and it will work for them.

It is required that we ask for and earn the support of people who have voted Republican in the past, and we do so without making them swear out a blood oath to be Democrats for the rest of their life. That is the way you win elections in a 50-50 state like Wisconsin, Zepecki said. We share many of the frustrations that people who vote for Donald Trump and Republicans have when it comes to how our economy is working. We do a better job communicating that we welcome folks into our party, dont like the chaos, division and the overreach of what the Trump administration is doing, and were going to be just fine next year.

Zepecki said his time serving as a political appointee in the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) in the Obama administration is the role that has prepared him the most for serving as chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He said he was tasked with leading a team of civil servants across 68 districts, and he compared it to Wisconsins 72 counties.

There are different realities and challenges and context depending on where you areYou have to earn trust. You have to win trust, and you have to lead and communicate internally as well as you communicate externally, Zepecki said. When you do that, I think you can improve organizations. We certainly did that at SBA  incredibly, incredibly proud of the two and a half years I spent there  and thats the type of approach that I would bring to this.

Garcia wants to strengthen county parties

The basis of Garcias campaign is strengthening the states county parties. He told the Examiner that he has seen first-hand the dangerous disconnect between the state party and county parties that exists.

Garcia, who is originally from San Antonio, Texas, said he grew up very, very political, having helped Democrats since he was a teenager. He and his wife moved to La Crosse about seven years ago after she secured a job at the UW branch campus and when they arrived he said he almost immediately looked to get involved at the local level. He is also an educator currently working as an instructor at Western Technical College and having worked in K-12 education for 17 years prior.

Hey, I live here now. How can I help? Garcia said, he asked when he walked in the La Crosse County party office. I started working from there. Over the last several years, Garcia said the party has grown strong and robust.

We get a lot of work done, Garcia said, noting that La Crosse recently elected its most progressive mayor and city council ever, and just overturned the 96th state Assembly seat, which had been represented by Republicans for about 70 years.

We were able to flip that through hard work, Garcia said, adding that new fairer maps helped also. That was because of the strong infrastructure that we built at the county, Garcia said. What I want to do is replicate that all across the state.

Garcia has support from Democrats in his local area, including Rep. Tara Johnson (D-Town of Shelby) of the 96th district, Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse), La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, as well as the chair of the Jackson and Richland County parties and John Stanley, who serves as the progressive caucus chair.

Garcia said some of the changes the party needs to make may appear small but are important for helping the party reach as many people as possible.

Logistical things like packets with turf maps that make sense, Garcia said. If you actually live in the area, you know, there are problems with how its put together, and it slows down our door knockers. Things like were not doing enough talking to our rural voters, and were not doing enough to talk to our farmers.

As chair, Garcia said he would want to ensure that county parties have the resources, tools, training and infrastructure so that they can spend all their time reaching out to voters. He said that he also wants to ensure that county parties have a bigger seat at the table when it comes to organizing and messaging decision making.

County parties are the experts in what is happening in their own communities, and we need to be listening to them in ways that were not right now about the best way to really reach out and talk to voters in those areas, Garcia said. The organizing strategy that works in Madison is not the organizing strategy that works best in Pierce County, and the messaging that works wonderfully in Milwaukee is not necessarily the strategy thats going to work best in Menominee.

Garcia added that this would apply to other local organizing organizations, including the state party caucuses such as the Latino, Black and rural caucuses.

Garcia said strengthening the county parties is essential towards winning the trifecta in 2026.

Its the county parties that are really the hub of activity for electing our Assembly candidates and our state Senate candidates. It is the county parties where we find our door knocking volunteers. Its the county party where we find the infrastructure the candidates need to tap into in order to mount an effective campaign, and so the stronger we can make these county parties, the more likely we are to flip those Assembly and Senate seats that we need to flip.

Garcia said it is also important to get to the areas where its difficult to win as well.

Even if an Assembly seat goes 65% for Republicans and is a very difficult win for a Democrat, we still desperately need those votes for our statewide office holders.

Garcia said that people dont get elected by being against something so Democrats needs to be proactive, illustrating what they are doing for people, their vision for government and, specifically, honing in on a message of protecting Wisconsin families.

Thats what Democrats are trying to do from child care, where were trying to make it actually affordable to pay for child care, trying to expand Medicaid so that pregnant women have the care that they need to take care of their babies, all the way up to protecting Medicare and Social Security, Garcia said. It is Democrats that are consistently passing laws  or preventing Republicans from passing laws  to help our people.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA)  The Make-a-Wish Foundation joined forces with Ashevilles Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) to make a childs dream come true.

Toby got the chance to partake in a villain battle with four of the real Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who were flown in by Nickelodeon.

Officers supplied Toby with gear necessary for his big battle, including a vest, hat, and Nerf gun. He even got the change to ride along with officers, operate a drone, and arrest the bad guys.

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At the end of the day, Toby was given a badge from the Asheville Police Department and became an honorary member of the force.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke separately with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 13, amid a sweeping Israeli air assault on Iran that killed top military officials and targeted the country's nuclear infrastructure.

The Israeli strike, described by Tel Aviv as "preemptive," involved 200 aircraft and the release of 330 munitions on over 100 sites. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed that several senior commanders were killed, including aerospace chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

During his call with Pezeshkian, Putin expressed condolences for what the Kremlin described as "numerous civilian casualties" and condemned Israel's actions as violations of the UN Charter and international law.

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The conversations took place just hours after Russia launched its own missile and drone assault on Ukraine. At least four civilians were killed and 24 injured in Russian attacks across multiple regions on June 13, according to Ukrainian officials.

Moscow has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians, and the true extent of the death toll is simply not known. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a clear and direct violation of both international law and the UN Charter.

During the conversation with Netanyahu, Putin emphasized "the importance of returning to the negotiation process," and offered to mediate in the conflict.

The Russian leader, who has himself been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Ukraine, also pledged Moscow's support in "de-escalating the conflict."

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Russia has deepened military and political ties with Tehran since the start of its full-scale war against Ukraine. Iran has supplied Moscow with thousands of Shahed-type attack drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in routine strikes on Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded to the Middle East escalation by expressing concern about broader regional instability but reiterated that "the Iranian regime supports Russia in its illegal war of aggression" and provides it with "weapons to kill Ukrainians."

Kyiv warned that the fallout could destabilize international security and trigger economic shocks. Global oil prices soared over 10% after the Israeli operation  a development that could enhance revenues for Russia, whose war budget is largely financed by energy exports.

Read also: Israel-Iran war could provide economic boost Russia needs to continue fight against Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A couple said they experienced a "once in a lifetime" event when they witnessed a volcano erupt on their holiday.

George and Anita Roberts, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, flew out to Giardini Naxos on the island of Sicily at the end of May to enjoy a week's holiday.

Days into their trip, they were shocked when nearby Mount Etna - one of the world's most active volcanoes - erupted just 12 miles (19km) from their hotel on 2 June.

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While the couple admitted it had been scary to witness, it had also been "exciting".

Mr Roberts took the images on his ZWO SeeStar S30 Robotic telescope and camera [George and Anita Roberts]

On the morning of the eruption, the couple had been enjoying some time around the swimming pool when Mrs Roberts, 74, was alerted to smoke coming out of the volcano by others.

Mr Roberts, 75, is an amateur astronomer and brought along his smart telescope, so decided at that point to go up to the hotel's roof terrace and set it up.

"It only took us about 30 minutes and Anita was taking pictures with her smart phone while I was doing it," he explained.

"After 30 minutes there was nothing more really other than a lot of smoke, then all of a sudden this column of smoke erupted vertically with real force."

The couple said they enjoyed visiting volcanoes and learning about them [George and Anita Roberts]

Mrs Roberts said she had been keeping an eye on local information on the volcano, but had not seen any warning.

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"It was very exciting," she said.

"When it started, because we'd seen more minor explosions in other places, we just thought it was something quite small.

"When it developed the second head on the mushroom [cloud], we thought that it possibly was alarming."

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) Etna Observatory said there had been a number of explosions of "increasing intensity" recorded in the early hours of that morning.

Later there was a partial collapse of the volcano's crater which produced a pyroclastic flow and an ash cloud "visible in much of easter Sicily", INGV said.

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Mr Roberts said the cloud "kept doubling in size" which was "incredible to see".

"It was a once in a lifetime experience," he added.

By about 18:30 local time INGV said there had been an end to the activity and the ash cloud had been swept away by wind from where Mr and Mrs Roberts were staying.

Both looked positively on the experience and are already planning on visiting again next year.

Mr and Mrs Roberts said their holiday had been "fantastic" and the eruption had been "exciting" to witness [George and Anita Roberts]

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SPRINGFIELD  Beginning on Sunday at noon, local activist Kaia Jackson, alongside collaborators, will begin a 25-mile grief march from Springfield to Northampton (the length of Gaza), in solidarity with the Global March to Gaza scheduled for June 12 to 19.

The march will begin at U.S. Rep. Neals Office in Springfield and then head north.

In December 2023, Jackson co-organized the 25 Mile March for Palestine from Northampton to Springfield to demand an immediate ceasefire and arms embargo of Israel.

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Its unimaginable that over a year and a half since the first 25 Mile March, where hundreds of locals joined global calls for a diplomatic, humane and just response to the events of Oct. 7, the world continues to watch ongoing escalations of violence by the Israeli military and its backers, Jackson said in a statement.

Jackson invites concerned local residents to consider taking actions of their own.

There is no right way to be an activist, but we need everyone to do something for anything to change, Jackson said.

Jackson is inviting donations inspired by the grief walk to Grassroots Internationals Palestine Emergency Fund.

Read the original article on MassLive.
WESTFIELD  Denise Sinico estimates she has saved 14,000 cats since she opened the doors to her nonprofit, no-kill shelter, The Westfield Homeless Cat Project in 2006. Her mission: to rescue and rehome any cat that needs help.

Spring marks the beginning of kitten season, a stretch of months in which the number of kittens being born and needing homes increases dramatically. Sinico estimates 100 cats and kittens in the area need to be adopted, due to a lack of neutering and spaying in the community.

With about 25 active weekly volunteers, and another 25 on tap, Sinico has the staffing to feed, clean, nurture and care for cats in her shelter and in foster homes.

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People in her home care for cats 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She often gets help from groups of children from different organizations, with a parent or guardian on hand, who volunteer. Due to the constant demand, she is grateful for all the help she can get.

Since Ive started this, I have never seen it slow down, she said. Its never-ending. Sometimes I feel that I actually havent made a dent in the cat population.

How it started

In 2006, Sinico heard about kittens taking dangerous shelter in truck engine compartments at the Department of Public Works in Westfield. Bringing a can of cat food to investigate, she recalled bending down and seeing 30 to 35 pairs of cat eyes underneath the trucks looking back at her. So, she invested in traps and worked with a local clinic to catch and save the animals.

After that, she witnessed the abandonment of a mother cat and kittens. She trapped them and brought them to the MSPCA in Springfield.

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When she called the next day to check on them, she says she was told that they were euthanized because they were black and it was unlikely they would be adopted in the middle of kitten season. Immediately after that, Sinico insulated a shed on her property and started her shelter, on in which no cat would be euthanized.

If I didnt get into this because of the kittens getting caught up, I probably would have never adopted a cat, said Sinico.

The Westfield Homeless Cat Project can be found on Petfinder, but most people know the organization from Facebook, where it provides regular updates with photographs of new cats available for adoption.

The people that love me actually know what we do here. They know how we work and why we do what we do, Sinico said. The people who hate me are usually the ones that are refused a cat adoption. Im not one to beat around the bush, and some people dont like that.

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All the cats that come to Sinico are vaccinated, dewormed and treated with flea medication. Then, they are examined by a veterinarian and tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. If positive, she notes this on their adoption information. All cats and kittens are neutered and spayed and if old enough, receive a rabies vaccine. If medication or dental work is needed, the shelter manages that until they are adopted.

Sinico said that in her experience, the reasons people surrender a cat vary, but the outcome remains the same. No cat is turned away.

Saving feline lives, though, is not cheap. Sinico estimates that depending on how many cats she takes in, she can spend between $300,000 and $500,000 a year. The shelter does not receive money from the city or state and relies on community donations and fundraisers. Adoption fees, said Sinico, cover the cost of veterinary bills.

The program is determined to meet each cats needs. Senior cats, or those about to have kittens, are matched with local foster families that can give them the attention and care they need for their circumstances.

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People think Im a crazy cat lady, but I do it not because Im a crazy cat lady or Im madly in love with cats. I do it because they need it, Sinico said.

more news from Western Massachusetts

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NEED TO KNOW

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Jerry McConnell was last seen on May 14 in Missouri and driving to her home in Overland Park, Kan.

McConnells car was found abandoned in Cowley County, Kan., on May 20

Authorities announced that human remains during the search for McConnell were found on June 11, about 1 mile from where her vehicle was previously located







Officials said human remains were found during the search for a Kansas woman who went missing last month.

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The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said in a May 17 news release that a Silver Alert was issued for Jerry McConnell, 81, of Overland Park, Kan.

According to the bureau, McConnell was last seen in Harrisonville, Mo., on May 14, and driving a grey 2009 Honda Accord to her Overland Park home. Authorities also noted that she may have been near Severy, Kan., on May 15.

Then on May 20, according to a news release from the Cowley County Sheriffs Office shared with PEOPLE, deputies were notified that a vehicle associated with the Silver Alert for McConnell was found abandoned on private property in a rural area near the 4000 block of 327th Road in Cowley County, Kan.

Daily searches for McConnell were conducted since the discovery of the vehicle, but to no avail, authorities added.

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Then, on Wednesday, June 11, while searching the area of 333rd Road, authorities came across human remains about 1 mile from the location where McConnells vehicle was earlier located, said the Cowley County Sheriffs Office.

McConnells personal belongings were also discovered.

An autopsy is pending to confirm the identity of the remains, the Cowley County Sheriffs Office said in its statement.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed time, resources, and support in the effort to locate Jerry over the past three weeks. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family during this difficult time, the department added.

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Rick McConnell, identified by Fox affiliate WDAF, The Kansas City Star and the Johnson County Post as the victims son, wrote in a Facebook message that authorities informed him that a body presumed to be that of his mother was found.

Conditions indicate Jerry likely passed not long after she abandoned her vehicle in the remote location, Rick wrote.

The Family wishes to express our gratitude and appreciation for the tireless efforts of both the Cowley County Sheriff's Department and the Overland Park Police Department, Rick further added. Unless you have personally experienced such an unfathomable situation, you cannot comprehend the enormous efforts such an operation entails.

PEOPLE contacted Rick McConnell for comment on Friday, June 13.

Read the original article on People
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baker woman was arrested after being accused of a drive-by shooting in Baton Rouge.

According to an affidavit, the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office was called to the 5200 block of Bangor Drive about a shooting on the morning of May 15.

When they arrived, deputies saw that two cars, as well as a home, had been hit by gunfire. Several of the bullets entered the house.

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During an interview, detectives learned that one of the victims former dating partners had shown up at the home earlier that day, knocking on the windows. One of the victims identified the suspect as Rea Herrera, 30.

Through an investigation, detectives obtained video surveillance of the incident. The video showed a car matching the description of Herreras vehicle passing the residence several times before the shooting. The car was seen passing the home about one minute before a witness said they heard gunshots at around 1:17 a.m.

EBRSO deputies attempted to interview Herrera at her home in Baker, but she denied being involved in the shooting. She became uncooperative and tried to run back into the home, but Baker police officers were able to detain Herrera.

After securing a search warrant for Herreras home and car, detectives found several spent bullet casings in the vehicle and an iPhone inside the home. The cell phone revealed a photo of a note, reading give me my shxt, that was allegedly left at the victims home by Herrera.

Cell phone data confirmed that Herrera was in the area at the time of the shooting.

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Herrera was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of four counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, assault by drive-by shooting, and stalking.

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A 58-year-old Bettendorf woman faces charges in connection with an investigation focused on Bettendorf massage parlors, according to Scott County Court arrest affidavits and a news release from Bettendorf Police.

Heling Di faces felony charges of pimping, ongoing criminal activity, conspiracy to commit non-forcible felonies and pandering, according to affidavits.

Heling Di (Scott County Jail)

In arrest affidavits, police say she solicited her employees for prostitution and shared the profit.

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According to the release, police searched three of her businesses around Bettendorf after they were investigated for months. Detectives say several employees who were victims of sex trafficking have been offered support services.

The release says Bettendorf Police Department (BPD) has concluded a months-long investigation into suspected human trafficking and illicit activity connected to several Bettendorf massage businesses.

This investigation was conducted with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement partners and began after community members raised concerns about suspicious activity at certain massage businesses in Bettendorf, the release says.

Evidence was obtained that confirmed unlawful sexual practices were occurring at these businesses. On Thursday, June 12, search warrants were executed at several business and residential properties in Bettendorf, according to the release.

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Contact was made with several individuals at these locations who were suspected of being victims of human trafficking. Victims identified during the operation were not arrested, and have been offered support services. They have been connected with advocacy groups to assist with recovery and relocation efforts, the release says.

Surveillance was conducted on and search warrants were executed at:

Ming Spa  2334 Spruce Hills Drive, Suite B

Ming Spa  868 Middle Road

Elite Massage  1980 Spruce Hills Drive



In arrest affidavits, officers say Di would transport the workers to and from the spa location in her vehicle. Di had bank accounts associated to the spa in her name.

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Affidavits show Di admitted to purchasing supplies for the spa with funds obtained from services being conducted at the spa. The rental agreement for the spa is in her name. The leasing agreement for the apartment where the spa workers live also is in her name.

Ads posted on known prostitution web services were located with the spa name, address, and phone number for the spa. Images related to the ads were fond in Dis phone after she gave consent to search the phone, affidavits show.

Di was being held on $41,000 bond in Scott County Jail on Friday. according to Scott County Court records.

A web service known for posting reviews of illicit sexual acts occurring at spas/massage parlors was also found to have the name, address, and phone number of the business with reviews posted related to sexual activity, according to the arrest affidavits.

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During the execution of a search warrant, a gun was found at Dis residence. Large sums of money were located at her residence, at the spa she managed and at the workers residences. Physical evidence located inside of the spa indicates evidence of sexual activity occurring at the location, affidavits show.

Unfortunately, no community is safe from human trafficking. The Bettendorf Police Department is committed to investigating these injustices and supporting the victims, said Bettendorf Police Chief Doug Scott.

The investigation continues, according to the release. Bettendorf Police encourage anyone who suspects human trafficking or exploitation to report it immediately. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the State of Iowa Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-614-4692 or contacting local law enforcement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A woman pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in a crash that killed a 23-year-old near Aynor in 2023, the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office said.

Vianey Martinez, 45, of Galivants Ferry, pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony DUI resulting in death in the May 2023 crash that killed Samantha Peeler of Gaffney. Circuit Court Judge Maite Murphy sentenced Martinez to 20 years in prison.

The crash happened on May 15, 2023, at Highway 501 and Secondary Highway 99 in the Aynor area, the solicitors office said. Law enforcement determined that Martinezs vehicle was at fault for causing the three-vehicle crash.

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Martinez submitted a blood test at the hospital, and she had a BAC of 0.154, nearly twice the legal limit in South Carolina, according to the solicitors office.

* * *

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
"I was brought up as your little sister, you shouldn't have harmed me. You cannot undo the harm you have done."

Jill Harris was sexually abused by her brother John Harris at their family home in Walsall. Both adopted, the offending started in the 1970s when she was a child and lasted years.

On Friday, Ms Harris could tell her abuser of the harm he had caused her, speaking to him directly in the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court as the 64-year-old was given a 12-year prison sentence.

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Ms Harris has waived her legal right to anonymity as a survivor of such crimes, to tell her story to the BBC and raise awareness of the issue of sibling abuse.

Warning: Some people may find details in this article distressing.

John Harris was two and a half years older than his sibling. At points during his campaign she was being abused several times a week, she said, with the offences including rape.

"At that time I'd never heard of sexual abuse. I knew I was having sex and that was wrong so why would I tell anybody about that?"

The abuse only stopped, Ms Harris said, when she went away to university.

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Simon Rippon, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday that Harris had "free reign" to rape his sister, essentially "as and when he wanted".

Conditions in the home, Mr Rippon explained, included a father who was largely absent through work and a mother with mental health problems, who was unable to give sufficient care to the children.

By the age of 13, Ms Harris felt like a prostitute, the prosecutor said, and blamed herself for the abuse.

It was more than 10 years later, at the age of 24, that Ms Harris decided to tell people of the abuse inflicted on her. This was partially due to her brother being in a relationship with someone who had a toddler.

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She did not anticipate her parents' response.

"Mom said 'if you split the family over this, I'll never forgive you'," Ms Harris said.

"Dad said 'you must have wanted it otherwise you'd have done something to stop it over the years'.

"It felt like another layer of silencing  the image of the family was more important than addressing what happened."

Ms Harris said her parents' reaction was the reason she did not go to the police to report the crimes until they had died.

Another reason she decided to go to the police, Ms Harris said, was that after decades of avoiding her abuser, family funerals meant she would have to see him more and more often.

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She said that initially she doubted going to the police and "using public money to get this conviction", but after 15 years of sexual abuse, she thought: "Why should it be allowed to slide by without consequence?"

John Harris, from Wednesfield, was convicted of nine charges, relating to when Ms Harris was 12 years of age and above. He was considered a child in relation to two of the nine.

He was acquitted of eight other counts.

At his sentencing, Judge Richard Grimshaw told him: "You were convicted of raping Jill on numerous occasions when you were between the ages of 15 and 18. She was pre-pubescent when you started raping her."

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The judge added his sister had been vulnerable and that he had "robbed her of her sexual innocence".

"You targeted Jill. She was a means to explore and act upon your sexual desires," the judge said.

"She was entitled to feel safe in her own home and her own bedroom  but you took that safety away from her."

He added: "You indicate some minimisation of your offending and seek to lay some blame with Jill."

More than half a century since the abuse started, John Harris is behind bars.

Ms Harris said she was "hugely relieved" that he was convicted of most charges, but felt concerned there were "hidden victims".

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Victims of sexual abuse and rape are given lifetime legal anonymity in the UK, but Ms Harris felt compelled to waive this right to tell her story.

"It feels to me like the right to anonymity actually protects the abusers more than us," she told the BBC.

In particular, she wants to raise awareness of the issue of sibling abuse and "break the taboo".

"Nobody talks about sibling abuse and it's a really hidden problem," she said.

Speaking directly to her brother in the court dock, Ms Harris said: "You should not have used our adoptions as a prop for not considering me [as] family.

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"I was brought up as your little sister, you shouldn't have harmed me. I was never your girlfriend or a willing participant.

"You need to find the courage and dignity to find responsibility for your actions."

She added: "You cannot undo the harm you have done."

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A woman has been sentenced to a decade in prison for her role in a smuggling attempt that became deadly. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico states that Georgina Ramirez, 44, led U.S. Border Patrol Agents on a high speed chase that eventually led to an individual being hit by a car.

Story continues below

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According to court records, the incident happened just after midnight on Sept. 20, 2023. Agents were carrying out inspections at the westbound I-10 checkpoint. Ramirez approached in a SUV. When she was questioned, Ramirez presented her drivers license, but would not fully lower a rear window. As agents tried to inspect further, Ramirez sped away.

A six-mile pursuit ensued where Ramirez sped up to 110mp and turned off her headlights to try and evade detection, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Ramirez eventually stopped in the median near mile marker 114. Her and five passengers exited the vehicle, fleeing on-foot per her instruction. One passenger tried to cross the interstate when they were fatally struck by a passing semi-truck.

Border Patrol agents apprehended Ramirez and five other passengers, four of whom were determined to be undocumented noncitizens without legal status in the United States. The deceased individual was also found to be unlawfully present in the country, the U.S. Attorneys Office stated in a news release.

Ramirez admitted to agreeing to transport the undocumented individuals from Deming. A search of Ramirezs phone revealed messages and recordings coordinating with a scout, who advised her on checkpoint activity, as well as proof of life videos of the smuggled individuals, the U.S. Attorneys Office stated.

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Ramirez pled guilty to conspiracy to transport an illegal alien and high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. Ramirez will be subject to three years of supervised release upon completion of her sentence.

The U.S. Border Patrol investigated this case with help from Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Williams and Randy Castellano prosecuted this case.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nearly 100 people were arrested Wednesday night after Las Vegas Metro police said protestors were throwing things at officers and blocking streets.

Its nerve-wracking to be put in a situation where cops have non-lethals, and theyre shooting at the crowd, Stephanie Gentry, who was part of the protest group in downtown Las Vegas said. I know someone who had their car shot at. Multiple of us were tear-gassed.

She continued, Once we got to the end point of the march, the police were there with riot gear, riot shields, and they had us surrounded on both sides.

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According to Gentry, tensions between police and protesters only escalated towards the end.

Republican Nevada Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama told 8 News Now she believes in peaceful protesting, but not what shes been seeing nationally.

Peaceful protests are fine, but vandalism and the destruction and the looting that we see right now is completely unacceptable, and I think people should be held accountable for their actions.

When asked if protestors deserved the penalties they faced, Gentry responded, saying it is inappropriate to be told how to demonstrate.

I would also like to argue that there really was no instance of violence on the protestors side, she said.

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LVMPD understands the rights of our citizens to exercise their First Amendment rights but will not tolerate acts of violence and vandalism resulting from these protests, according to a statement by Las Vegas Metro police.

Protestors have more events planned in Las Vegas throughout the weekend, including both downtown and on the Strip.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)  The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help to locate a woman wanted for questioning in an alleged criminal incident.

The want to talk to 34-year-old Dionysus Wood about an Aggravated Assault that occurred on the 3000 block Mistletoe Avenue on June 13th.

Wood is known to frequent the neighborhood of Fairington and Tobacco Road.

Anyone who comes in contact or has any information as to her whereabouts is asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriffs Office at (706) 821-1020 or (706) 821-1080.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
(NewsNation)  No. 1, we have to acknowledge that the world is a far safer place today than it was yesterday, NewsNations Leland Vittert tells Morning in America on Friday, the morning after Israel launched sweeping attacks against Irans nuclear infrastructure. Three Iranian leaders were reportedly killed in the operation. Iran has since pulled out of planned nuclear talks with the United States.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
The News

Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the countrys nuclear and military might.

Countries around the world called on Israel and Iran to seek a diplomatic resolution to hostilities, as fears of a regional war mounted following the biggest attack on Iranian soil in decades.

The View From Europe

Longstanding Israel allies France, Germany, and the United Kingdom warned of rising tensions in the region and called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

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French President Emmanuel Macron said he had convened a special defense cabinet meeting Friday to discuss the situation, and called for maximum restraint from all parties while affirming Israels right to defend itself.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he had held a phone call with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu Friday morning and emphasized Germanys readiness to use all available diplomatic means to help de-escalate.

The View From The Middle East

Oman, which has played a mediating role recent nuclear talks between Iran and the US, denounced Israels strikes as a dangerous, reckless escalation, calling the attack a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international law and saying it holds Israel responsible for fueling regional instability.

Gulf leaders condemned the Israeli strikes and urged de-escalation. Saudi Arabias foreign minister held calls with counterparts in Iran, Jordan, and Egypt on avoiding a regional escalation, while the UAE urged the utmost self-restraint and called on the UN Security Council to seek a ceasefire; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the Israeli attacks, calling them reckless, aggressive and lawless.

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However, popular reaction in the Gulf was to some degree celebratory, with pro-Israel memes and praise on social media reflecting the role Iran has played in destabilizing Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen via its proxies.

Meanwhile, Jordans military said it intercepted Iranian drones and missiles aimed at Israel that violated its airspace Friday, with a Jordanian official telling AFP the kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict.

The View From China

China condemned what it described as an attack on Irans sovereignty and offered to play a constructive role in easing the situation.

Beijing has in recent years signaled its intent to expand its influence in the Middle East, as part of its broader strategic rivalry with the United States.

The View From Russia

Moscow on Friday accused Israel of wrecking diplomatic efforts to strike a deal on Tehrans nuclear program, calling the strikes unprovoked and in violation of the United Nations charter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge the resolution of all issues ... strictly through political and diplomatic means, according to the Kremlin; in a separate call, Putin offered condolences to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Israels military says it launched a wave of strikes on Iran, hitting key nuclear facilities and killing senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists in a major attack.

The assault in the early hours of Friday also hit residential sites and killed at least 78 people, according to unofficial statistics reported by Fars, Irans semi-official state news agency.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that it must expect severe punishment following its crime, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military operation will continue for as long as necessary.

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Here is how the world is reacting:

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for maximum restraint to avoid descent into deeper conflict.

The secretary-general condemns any military escalation in the Middle East, Guterress spokesperson Farhan Haq said. He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Irans nuclear programme are under way.

The UN Security Council also held an emergency session over the Iran-Israel conflict on Friday. The meeting was requested by Iran, and supported by Russia and China.

International Atomic Energy Agency

UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said that nuclear facilities must never be attacked and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation following Israeli strikes on Iran.

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This development is deeply concerning  I reiterate that any military action that jeopardises the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond, Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said in a statement to board members.

The IAEA said later that they would be convening an extraordinary meeting of its board of governors on Monday at its Vienna headquarters, two diplomats told AFP.





NATO

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said it was crucial for Israels allies to work to de-escalate tensions.

I think it is now crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work, as we speak, to de-escalate. I know that they are doing that and I think that is now the first order of the day, Rutte told reporters at a news conference in Stockholm.

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This was a unilateral action by Israel, Rutte said, while noting it was obviously a rapidly evolving situation.

United States

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took unilateral action against Iran and that Israel advised the US that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence.

We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region, Rubio said in a statement released by the White House. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.

Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned Israels military aggression against Iran, saying that the wave of air strikes violated international law and threatened global security.

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The Government of the Republic of Iraq strongly condemns the military aggression launched by the Zionist entity against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the prime ministers office said in a statement, referring to Israel.

This act represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, and constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security.

Iraq later filed a complaint with the UN Security Council over Israels violation of Iraqi airspace in its attack on Iran, its foreign ministry said.

These practices constitute a flagrant violation of Iraqs sovereignty, the ministry said, calling on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and act to prevent the recurrence of such violations.

People gather for a protest against Israels wave of strikes on Iran, in central Tehran on June 13, 2025 [Atta Kenare/AFP]

Oman

Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran over recent months, decried Israels attacks as a dangerous and reckless escalation that violates the principles of international law.

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[It] represents unacceptable and ongoing aggressive behaviour that undermines the foundations of stability in the region, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Israel is responsible for this escalation and its consequences.

Turkiye

Ankara issued a sharp condemnation of Israels attack, calling it a violation of international law and a reckless provocation.

The air strike shows that Israel does not want issues to be resolved through diplomatic means, Turkiyes Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

It called on Israel to immediately halt aggressive actions that could lead to greater conflicts, warning that such moves could push the region closer to widespread instability.

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Turkiye condemned the assault in the strongest terms, it said.

Turkiyes top ministers, joined by military and intelligence chiefs, later held a closed-door meeting focussed on the process that started with Israeli airstrikes on Iran and their possible repercussions, a foreign ministry source said.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia denounced the heinous Israeli attacks.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Israeli attacks against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on X.

The ministry said Israels brutal offensive on Iran violates its sovereignty and constitutes a blatant breach of international laws and norms.

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It pointed to the UN Security Councils responsibility for immediately confronting and halting the repeated Israeli aggression.

Qatar

Qatar said it was deeply concerned over the dangerous escalation and called on the international community to urgently halt these Israeli violations.

The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it a flagrant violation of Irans sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.





United Arab Emirates

The UAE condemned the Israeli attacks and called for restraint.

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The UAE calls for the utmost self-restraint and wise judgment to prevent the conflict from expanding, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi stressed that diplomatic efforts must take precedence over military responses.

Jordan

Jordan has not and will not allow any violation of its airspace, reaffirming that the Kingdom will not be a battleground for any conflict, a government spokesperson told AFP after Jordan closed its airspace following Israels attack on Iran.

Lebanon

The Lebanese foreign ministry condemned Israels attack on Iran and said it was continuing its contacts to spare Lebanon from being dragged into any conflict.

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President Joseph Aoun said Israels strikes did not target the Iranian people alone, but also targeted all international efforts being made to maintain stability in the Middle East and neighbouring countries.

Aoun called on the international community to take effective and swift action to prevent Israel from achieving its goals, which are no longer hidden from anyone.

Hezbollah

The Lebanese group Hezbollah condemned Israels wave of strikes on its backer Iran, warning that they threaten to ignite the region.

This enemy adheres to no logic or laws and knows only the language of killing, fire, and destruction, Hezbollah said in a statement that condemned the strikes as a brutal aggression.

Houthis

Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi rebels said Tehran had a legitimate right to defend itself following Israels strikes.

The Houthis said on Telegram that they backed Irans full and legitimate right to  develop its nuclear programme and that we strongly condemn the brutal Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and affirm its full and legitimate right to respond by all possible means.

Hamas

The Palestinian group Hamas called Israeli strikes on Iran a dangerous escalation.

This aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilise the region, said Hamas in a statement.





Pakistan

Pakistan condemned the unjustified attacks.

Strongly condemn unjustified Israeli attacks on Islamic republic of Iran, Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar wrote on X. He said Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel, stands in solidarity with the Government & the people of Iran.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later warned the Israeli strikes were a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond.

China

Beijing said it was concerned about the potential for serious consequences as a result of the Israeli attacks.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Friday that China was closely following developments and urged all actors to avoid steps that could inflame the crisis.

China is deeply concerned about the grave consequences that the operations may cause, and urges relevant parties to avoid further escalation of tension, Lin said.

He added that China was ready to play a constructive role in helping to cool down the situation.

Russia

The Kremlin expressed concern over what it called a sharp escalation in tensions, Russian state media reported.

Russia is concerned and condemns the sharp escalation of tensions, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agencies.

European Union

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for all sides to exercise restraint.

The situation in the Middle East is dangerous. I urge all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Diplomacy remains the best path forward, and I stand ready to support any diplomatic efforts toward de-escalation, Kallas wrote on X.

France

France urged all sides to avoid further escalation, while reiterating what it described as Israels right to self-defence.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on X that Paris remained deeply concerned over Irans nuclear ambitions and stood by Israels right to respond to attacks.

President Emmanuel Macron called for the resumption of US-Iran talks and said Tehran bore heavy responsibility in the destabilisation of the whole region.

If Israel were to be attacked in retaliation by Iran, France, if in a position to do so, would take part in protection and defence operations, he said, but added that Paris would not take part in any offensives on Iran.





Germany

Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged both Israel and Iran to avoid any further escalation.

Both sides should refrain from steps that could destabilise the entire region, said Merz, adding that he had been briefed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the raids and had convened a meeting of Germanys security cabinet.

Merz emphasised that Berlin backed Israels right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens. Germany had for years been expressing concerns about Irans advanced nuclear weapons programme, he said.

Germany stands ready to use all diplomatic means at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. The goal must remain that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, Merz said.

Italy

Italys Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on his Iranian and Israeli counterparts to come back to the negotiating table after Israels strikes on Iran.

Tajani had spoken on the phone with both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the Italian ministry said in a statement.

During the conversation with Araghchi, Tajani called on Iran to avoid a military escalation in the conflict with Israel, a dynamic that would be extremely dangerous for the entire region, the ministry said.

We need to return to negotiation and diplomacy as soon as possible, Tajani told Araghchi, saying it was the same message he had given Saar earlier, according to the statement.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Israels strikes on Iran are concerning and that all parties need to step back and reduce tensions.

In a phone call with Netanyahu, Starmer said that London believes Israel has the right to self defence, as Britain has grave concerns over Irans nuclear programme, his spokesperson said in a statement.

He reiterated [to Netanyahu] the need for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution, in the interests of stability in the region, the spokesperson added.

Ireland

Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he was deeply concerned by the airstrikes on Iran in a post on X.

I call on all in the Middle East to exercise the utmost restraint and to avoid further escalation, said Martin, adding that the region and the world needs stability. Diplomacy must be the only way forward.

Sweden

During a press conference in Stockholm with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said it was already a very serious and tense situation in the Middle East. What is now happening in an unstable region, risks making things considerably worse.

Kristersson added that there was a very broad consensus that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, but said the issue needed to be brought back to the negotiating table.

This could further increase the risk of terrorist threats and other dangerous activities, Kristersson said.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said Israels attacks on Iran were a reasonable reaction.

Iran is supporting so many players, including the Hezbollah and Hamas movements, with the intention to destroy the state of Israel, and also seeking a nuclear bomb, that I see that this was a reasonable reaction from the state of Israel towards a possible threat of a nuclear bomb.

A firetruck is seen outside a building that was hit by Israeli air strikes in central Tehran, Iran, on June 13, 2025 [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE]

Australia

Australia said it was alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran.

This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions, said Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

We all understand the threat of Irans nuclear and ballistic missile programme represents a threat to international peace and security, and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, Wong said.

New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the attacks were an unwelcome development in the region.

The risk of miscalculation is high. That region does not need any more military action, and risk associated with that, Luxon said.

Indonesia

Indonesia strongly condemns Israels attack on Iran, said Indonesias Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on social media.

The attack risks exacerbating existing regional tensions and could potentially trigger a broader conflict. All parties must exercise the utmost restraint and avoid any actions that might escalate tensions or cause further instability.





Japan

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said the use of military forces at a time of diplomacy and negotiations between the US and Iran was deeply regrettable.

The government strongly condemns this action, which escalates the situation, Iwaya said.

African Union

The African Union expressed grave concern over the attacks and escalating hostilities.

AU chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expresses grave concern over reports of an Israeli airstrike on Iran and the ensuing escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, it said in a statement.

The Chairperson calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint. He pointed out that the current developments pose a serious threat to international peace and security, it added.

Afghanistan

Afghanistans Taliban authorities said the Israeli attacks violated international law and fuelled regional insecurity.

The strikes constitute a clear violation of the fundamental principles of international law, particularly national sovereignty, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid posted in a statement on X. The continuation of such tension-provoking actions has made the situation in the region even more fragile and worrying.

Mujahid said the Taliban authorities, which do not recognise Israel, called for all stakeholders to address this issue and prevent the spread of further insecurity and instability in the region.
In March 2024, Donald Trump hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago. After years of receiving praise and pilgrimages from the American right, the autocrat had begun appearing at conservative events in the U.S. Instead of visiting the White House to see then-President Joe Biden, Orban spoke at the Heritage Foundation  the conservative think tank behind Project 2025  before heading to Florida. Hes a non-controversial figure," Trump told a crowd at Mar-a-Lago upon Orban's arrival, "because he says, This is the way its going to be, and thats the end of it. Right? Hes the boss.

Trump loves that.

Orban's Hungarian regime has often been characterized as modern authoritarianism or a "hybrid regime of electoral autocracy," one in which power is accumulated by the ruling party over time through creative quasi-legal means. He focused on transforming institutions by changing election laws, allowing him to create legislative supermajorities while winning a mere plurality of the vote. He packed the courts with loyalists, found friendly oligarchs to buy up independent media and took over universities  or forced them to close down. He hammered on culture war issues of immigration, nationalism and family values.

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Observers have seen these methods as the way to perpetuate a soft-authoritarianism, enacted smoothly without the violence that authoritarian governments have traditionally employed to quell opposition and consolidate power. The right-wing intelligentsia has seemed to see this as a kind of respectable fascism  without all the 20th century unpleasantness with which the term is associated.

I doubt that Donald Trump has studied Orban's strategy. He doesn't study anything. Since his temperament is dictatorial by nature, much of his agenda is naturally autocratic. But people around Trump have certainly scrutinized Orban's methods, and they seem to have convinced Trump to import the Hungarian model to the U.S.

Over the past five months, the Trump administration has moved quickly, using "shock and awe" to stun the opposition and enact as much of their agenda as they can, as fast as they can. As Hungarian political scientist Peter Kreko told NPR, "I think Trump went further in two months than Orban could in 15 years. In the United States, it reminds me of a constitutional coup, where everything happens very rapidly."

The American right knows that Trump hasn't got that kind of time, and it's entirely possible that, once he's gone, the MAGA coalition will break apart. It is, after all, as much a cult of personality as it is a political movement.

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For his part, it appears Trump has no interest in "soft authoritarianism" or merely marginalizing his opposition. We have heard testimony from people in his first term who had to talk him down from shooting protesters and deploying the military in the streets of American cities. This time around, Stephen Miller, the architect of the administration's draconian deportation plan, has found a way to let Trump be Trump  to use the massive police power at, and sometimes beyond, his disposal to force his opposition to its knees.

Trump has effectively turned the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency into a secret police force that abducts people off the streets and transports them to unknown locales, including at least one foreign black site prison. These kidnappings have been targeted in areas run by the president's political opponents and rely on openly confrontational tactics designed to produce a backlash in order to justify militarizing American cities. And if that's not enough to make his point, this weekend Trump is staging a military parade through the streets of Washington.

This week, his hand-picked U.S. Attorney (and former personal lawyer and assistant) in New Jersey indicted a sitting congresswoman for allegedly "impeding law enforcement" when she was attempting to conduct oversight at an immigration detention center. Yesterday, California's senior senator, Alex Padilla, was tackled, pushed face-first to the ground and handcuffed for attempting to ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a question during a press conference following her chilling declaration that the federal government would not be removing the National Guard and the Marines from Los Angeles.

"We are not going away," Noem said. "We are staying here to liberate the city from the socialists and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on the country and what they have tried to insert into the city."

Noem's explanation for the crackdown defied logic. Despite Padilla announcing who he was, and despite the fact that Noem has testified before his Senate committee, she claimed nobody knew who he was and that she thought she was being threatened. Republican members of Congress, as well as right-wing media personalities and members of the administration, quickly took to parroting Noem.

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson actually called for Padilla's censure while Republican Senate Majority leader John Thune said he's "gathering information." Maine Sen. Susan Collins found it "disturbing" and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski said it was "shocking on every level." Padilla told MSNBC that a couple of other Republican colleagues had texted him personally but haven't spoken out publicly. A few other GOP colleagues are condemning him for being inappropriate.

If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question," Padilla said afterwards, "you can only imagine what theyre doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers.

What's happening in Los Angeles  and now, in the rest of the country  is clearly not about protests. It's not even simply about immigration and mass deportations. That would be horrible enough. Now, members of the opposition  duly elected Democratic politicians  are being brought to heel, arrested and roughed up. The administration has been so effective at flooding the zone, and we are becoming so anesthetized to its threats and violence, that we have seemingly moved on from this fact: The President of the United States publicly called for the arrest of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

This isn't Viktor Orban's modern autocracy, all clean and shiny. It's something worse: good old-fashioned 20th-century fascism, as dirty and ugly as it ever was.
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to rescind federal funding for public media, a decision that threatens the future of local stations like WQLN in Erie.

Federal funding accounts for 40% of WQLNs budget.

WQLN president and CEO speaks on potential loss of federal funds

The loss of this support could severely impact the stations ability to provide educational outreach, quality programming, and emergency communication services  That, according to station leadership.

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In a statement, WQLN President and Ceo Cindy Spizarny called it a sad day and voiced extreme disappointment with the vote. The statement reads in part:

For more than 50 years, WQLN has been a vital contributor, public safety partner, and educational resource to our community.

We now strategize how to deliver those meaningful services with significantly less funding.

We will continue to work diligently to keep quality media content, essential services, and important programs accessible to everyone.

USPS terminates contract with local Pony Express after 36 years

The bill now moves to the Senate, where its fate will be decided.

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WQLN is urging community members to express opposition to the funding cuts. You can do so 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Jun. 13In the shadow of the world's first practical airplane, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently celebrated with Wright family members legislation that makes the 1905 Wright Flyer the official state airplane.

Standing in Carillon Historical Park's Wright Hall, the building designed to house the flyer, DeWine reenacted the signing of the bill, with Amanda Wright Lane and Stephen Wright  great-grandniece and great grandnephew of Wilbur and Orville Wright  looking on.

Also watching was Rehn Wright Banhos, Amanda Wright Lane's grandson and a Columbus-area fourth grader.

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The Wright Flyer III, comprised of 80% original components, is the only airplane designated a national historic landmark and "is considered an engineering landmark, as well," said Brady Kress, president and chief executive of Dayton History.

Orville Wright first flew the plane in June 1905. The Wrights used the plane to learn aerial maneuvers above Greene County's Huffman Prairie that year before ultimately restoring it for display in 1950 at Carillon Park, according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

"The plane behind us all is considered the world's first practical airplane," Kress said. "That's what Orville Wright called it."

Orville Wright wanted Wright Hall built so that the plane was held in a pit, giving onlookers a chance to see it from above.

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"The only way to really understand how it flies is to look down on it," Kress said. "So you have the best seats in the house."

The very first Wright Flyer became part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection in 1948. It is on display today in Washington, D.C. in the National Air and Space Museum. A 1909 Wright Military flier replica can be found at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

In his remarks, DeWine emphasized that the Wrights perfected flying in Dayton and above Huffman Prairie.

"I hate it to break it to our friends in North Carolina," DeWine said to laughter. "God love them. They had great wind and they had great sand. But for the Wright Brothers, we know it worked out very very well.

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State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, described himself as an enthusiastic co-sponsor of the bill. He quipped that the next step was to get a representation of the plane on the state's great seal.

"The Wright Brothers don't just belong to us," said State Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, who introduced the bill. "They belong to America."
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The historic 1905 Wright Flyer III is being recognized on the state level with a new designation.

Gov. Mike DeWine visited Carillon Park in Dayton Friday to sign off on Senate Bill 24, which designates the Wright Flyer as Ohios official state airplane. The bill was sponsored by state senators Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City).

High flying acts announced for 2025 Dayton Air Show

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The Wright Flyer III was first flown by Orville Wright on June 23, 1905. This plane is significant since it was flown in Dayton  having been tested at Huffman Prairie near Fairborn.

The 1905 Wright Flyer III is a prime example of why Ohio is considered the heart of innovation, said DeWine. Making the Wright Flyer III the official state airplane is a great way to honor Ohios aviation heritage.

The ceremonial signing took place at the John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum, where the original Wright Flyer is on display.

Wright Flyer III at the John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum

DeWine says only 20 percent of the plane has been restored, with 80 percent still being the original materials crafted by the Wright Brothers themselves.

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Its a wonderful thing to to come out here and to see it, said DeWine. These two guys from Dayton, Ohio, who had a bicycle/print shop and decided that, they got inspired, that they wanted to fly and they figured it out.

The John W. Berry Sr. Wright Brothers National Museum is open daily at Carillon Park. Click here to learn more.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Lockport City School District says a written threat that caused students and staff to evacuate on Friday afternoon was determined to be non-credible.

No safety concerns were found, the district said.

Lockport High School was evacuated shortly before dismissal Friday following a written threat found in one of the classrooms, according to Lockport City School District Superintendent Mathis Calvin III.

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The threat was written on a piece of paper and found on the floor just after 2 p.m. Staff brought the note to administrators. Both staff and students were evacuated to the Kenan Center down the street out of an abundance of caution.

The Lockport City School District takes and treats issues such as this very seriously, Calvin said. Every incident is fully investigated and we will follow and use our code of conduct when addressing situations such as this manner.

A full sweep of the school took place, as well as an investigation. Students were sent home and after school activities were canceled for the rest of the day.

Calvin says all Lockport schools will reopen on Monday with an increased police presence on-site.

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The written threat comes just two days after a high school student made a similar non credible threat on TikTok, but Calvin says the two incidents do not seem related.

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.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
The Salvadoran migrant at the heart of a row over US President Donald Trump's hardline deportation policies pleaded not guilty on Friday to human smuggling charges.

Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, 29, was summarily deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador in March and brought back to the United States last week.

He was immediately arrested on his return and charged in Nashville, Tennessee, with smuggling undocumented migrants around the United States between 2016 and 2025.

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Abrego Garcia entered a plea of not guilty to the criminal charges on Friday before a federal district judge, US media reported.

The US Supreme Court had ordered the Trump administration to "facilitate" the return of Abrego Garcia after he was mistakenly deported to a notorious maximum security prison in El Salvador.

Abrego Garcia was flown back to the United States on June 6 but Attorney General Pam Bondi insisted to reporters that his return resulted from an arrest warrant presented to Salvadoran authorities.

Abrego Garcia was living in the eastern state of Maryland until he became one of more than 200 people sent to the CECOT prison in El Salvador as part of Trump's crackdown on undocumented migrants.

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Most of the migrants who were summarily deported were alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration has declared a foreign terrorist organization.

Justice Department lawyers later admitted that Abrego Garcia -- who is married to a US citizen -- was wrongly deported due to an "administrative error."

Abrego Garcia had been living in the United States under protected legal status since 2019, when a judge ruled he should not be deported because he could be harmed in his home country.

Bondi alleged that Abrego Garcia "played a significant role in an alien smuggling ring" and was a smuggler of "children and women" as well as members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13.

She said Abrego Garcia would be returned to El Salvador upon completion of any prison sentence in the United States.

sst-cl/nl
The Harrison Power Station coal fired power plant in Haywood, West Virginia, was the ninth highest emitter of greenhouse gases nationally in 2023. (Getty Images)

West Virginia elected officials this week celebrated proposals from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to roll back regulations on emissions from power plants that advocates worry will threaten public health as well as the environment.

The standards the EPA is looking to ease require existing coal-fired and new natural gas power plants to cut 90% of carbon emissions and tightens emission standards for toxic metals like mercury from coal-fired power plants by 70%.

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin officially announced the proposed regulatory changes at a news conference Wednesday, where he was joined by Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va, among other congressional representatives from across the country.

Zeldin said the regulations are responsible for increased power costs. Loosening them, he believes, could lower power bills for households across the nation.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, told West Virginia Public Broadcasting Wednesday that she was thrilled about the proposed changes as she has long opposed the standards because of potentially devastating economic impacts and energy reliability concerns.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey, in a news release Wednesday, called the EPAs proposal a major victory for West Virginia.

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These rules were a direct assault on our coal communities, designed to force a rapid transition away from fossil fuels by imposing unworkable emissions standards on existing power plants, Morrisey said. This action by Administrator Zeldin restores constitutional order and delivers long-overdue relief to states like West Virginia that have been unfairly targeted for years.

As the states attorney general, Morrisey successfully argued to the Supreme Court of the United States in a 2022 decision that the EPA lacks the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by changing standards for existing plants without action by Congress.

We kept fighting and ultimately won at the highest court in West Virginia v. EPA, a decisive ruling that reaffirmed what we had argued all along: major policy decisions like reshaping our energy grid must come from Congress, not from unelected federal bureaucrats, Morrisey said Wednesday.

The regulations being targeted by the EPA now were enacted through separate acts under President Barack Obama in 2015 and President Joe Biden in 2024. Zeldin on Wednesday emphasized that, at this point, the changes are only proposed. The public will have 45 days to comment on the changes.

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Through the rollbacks, the EPA is questioning whether emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants actually significantly contribute to dangerous air pollution. Since the pollutants are global in nature, according to the agency, any potential public health harms have not been accurately attributed to emissions from the U.S. power sector.

Carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide  as well as other greenhouse gases  are known to be the leading cause of climate change worldwide as they trap heat in the atmosphere which warms the planet. They are also known to increase air pollution and smog, contributing to asthma and other respiratory conditions for people who live in places with high concentrations of them in the air.

Corporate polluters with access to the Trump administration make more money when they dont have to worry about protecting our communities health, but the rest of us in Appalachia and across the country will feel the negative impacts, said Chelsea Barnes, the director of government affairs at Appalachian Voices, a regional environmental advocacy group. This action by the EPA, paired with the broad cancellation of billions of dollars in federal grants meant to help people clean up pollution and congressional and agency efforts to skip and eliminate environmental review for new polluting projects, will undoubtedly make Americans less healthy and less safe.

According to the Sierra Club, coal plants in Kentucky, West Virginia and Southeastern Ohio could see a 72% increase in carbon emissions if the current standards are repealed.

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West Virginia is home to several of the nations highest greenhouse gas emitters. In 2023, the state was the 12th highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the country, per data from the EPA. Power plants, according to the EPA data, were the largest emitter in the state, accounting for 72.25% of all emissions from 13 different facilities.

The states Harrison Power Station  which is operated by Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.  was the ninth highest emitter of greenhouse gases nationally in 2023, releasing about 11.18 million metric tons of greenhouse gases into the environment.

Carbon dioxide was by far the highest emitted greenhouse gas, with 52.3 million metric tons  about 81% of all emissions  coming from 113 facilities in West Virginia. According to the data, there were also 11.4 million metric tons of methane released by West Virginia facilities and 233,038 metric tons of nitrous oxide released in 2023.

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SAINT ALBANS, WV (WVNS)  A woman has called for West Virginia voters to decide the issue of abortion access in the state after she was forced to check herself out of a Charleston hospital in 2021 and travel six hours for a life-saving abortion.

The only decision in this sensitive situation should be in the hands of voters. Theyre the ones going through it, said Kristyn Fruit, 33, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Theyre the ones that matter.

In the case of a voter ballot, West Virginia voters and not elected officials would decide situations in which abortion is legal in West Virginia.

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In 2023, West Virginia lawmakers passed a near-total abortion ban in the state.

Fruit said that she grew up attending pro-life rallies with her mother, protesting against legal abortion.

In 2021, she said she was a mother of three following three uneventful pregnancies when she learned she was pregnant for the fourth time.

It was a boy, and we named him Kase, and at my 20-week ultrasound, I found out he had a rare abnormality, she said. He couldnt make amniotic fluid. All of his urine was backed up into his kidneys and his bladder.

Bright Life Mental Health & Recovery hosts ribbon cutting with BRCCC

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Fruit said doctors diagnosed Kase with fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), which left him unable to produce the amniotic fluid necessary for healthy fetal development.

Fruit traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, she said, and underwent two highly invasive surgeries to try to save her sons life.

She said she had planned a third surgery when a midwife told her Kase would not be able to survive, and that Fruit was not a viable candidate for the third surgery.

The midwife recommended she terminate the pregnancy, Fruit said, adding that she agreed it was the best choice for Kase.

Mother questions policies at Southern Regional Jail after son reportedly overdoses in jail

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I just did not want him to suffer, Fruit explained. I did not want him to be born to suffocate and die.

In 2021, prior to West Virginia lawmakers ban on abortion, elective abortion was legal in West Virginia up to 20 weeks.

Fruit made an appointment for an abortion in Washington D.C. as quickly as possible, she said, and concentrated on being present for her three children, despite being in physical and emotional pain.

Four days before that appointment, I started having complications with my health, said Fruit. I was putting up Halloween decorations, and I started having gushes of blood.

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Fruit said she later learned that her placenta had started to slowly detach from her uterine wall, as a result of the second surgery shed undergone to save her pregnancy.

She said she ended up at a West Virginia hospital, two years before lawmakers had passed the near-total abortion ban.

WV Board of Education to keep vaccine requirements against governors wishes

She said the high-risk obstetrician at the hospital was the only one in the region, and claims he was well-known for being vocally anti-abortion.

She said she was bleeding profusely and was in extreme pain, but that the OB-GYN told her he did not want to perform an abortion, despite the diagnosis by Fruits medical care team regarding Kases chance of survival. Instead, Fruit stated, the doctor informed her that he wanted her to continue the pregnancy until shed lost more blood and that he would perform a C-section, a surgery Fruit said shed never experienced.

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He wanted me to wait to the point of my bleeding getting to the rate of a fountain of blood,' Fruit quoted. Those were his exact words. I wasnt close enough to death for the life of the mother exception to apply to me.

Fruit said the medical advice was scary and contradicted her own providers directions. Against the advice of staff nurses, she said, she was forced to check herself out of the hospital and to travel six hours to Washington D.C.

Medical staff in Washington D.C. performed a life-saving pregnancy termination, she said, and the doctors also confirmed her own providers diagnosis that Kase also would not have survived a delivery.

President of West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Association explains how state law protects abortion and miscarriage patients from prosecution

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Medical staff in D.C. provided Fruit with ink prints of Kases hands and feet.

In Fruits medical records, the 27-week abortion she received in Washington D.C. was recorded as elective, meaning it was performed by the patients choice, even though she was experiencing a slow placental abruption, she said.

Fruit said she has since welcomed a fourth child, although she had been reluctant to get pregnant in West Virginia because of lawmakers 2023 abortion ban.

She called on Thursday for a reproductive rights amendment to appear on the voter ballot in the state, giving West Virginians the right to decide on legal abortion.

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Pointing to her experience at the West Virginia hospital, Fruit said the narrow exceptions in the states abortion ban to protect the pregnant patients health and life could actually delay or deny care for women, particularly when politics- such as a ban- play a role in health care decisions.

Nothing was good enough for him until I got to the point of hemorrhaging, she said of the obstetrician who had denied her abortion in 2021.

Fruit has also shared her story on podcasts and in national publications.

Fruit made the call for the voter referendum shortly after the Trump Administration rescinded federal guidance that hospitals provide emergency abortions in state hospitals.

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World War II veteran Caster Cas Salemi, a longtime Massachusetts resident, will turn 103 this weekend, on Flag Day.

Salemi, of North Attleboro, served in the Armys 251st Field Artillery Battalion in the South Pacific during the war. He served in two of its major campaigns, New Guinea and the Philippines.

Hes among the few remaining members of American war heroes known as the Greatest Generation, said Air Force veteran Natalee Webb-Rubino, who reached out to Boston 25 to share Salemis story.

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Nearly 131 World War II veterans die each day and of the 16 million men and women who served during the war, just over 100,000 remain, Webb-Rubino said.

This Greatest Generation are a rapidly dwindling sector of Americans that we should honor most reverently, said Webb-Rubino, a Franklin resident.

OFF TO WAR

After training in Paris, Texas for a year, the 21-year-old Salemi set off on a 30-day ocean voyage to New Guinea.

He had no fresh water on the journey. Soldiers had to wait for rain to shower.

As they neared the coast, soldiers saw lush green fields of grass -- kunai grass. Salemi and others had to use their bayonets to cut through the tough, fibrous blades of thick grass to make camp.

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At camp, Salemi was handed a can of British Bully Beef (C-Rations) that were from World War I, and manufactured 28 years earlier.

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When we opened the rations, the Palm Trees wilted, Salemi said, as told to Webb-Rubino.

Having run the enemy off to the West Coast of New Guinea, his unit prepared for their next campaign in the Philippines.

Salemi and the 251st were among the first soldiers to land in Luzon.

As they offloaded the vehicles from their boat, the truck containing all of Salemis communications equipment slipped into a sink hole.

With his truck and supplies gone, he had to sit on the beach for three days waiting for their replacement.

DANGEROUS MISSION

In 1941, in Manila, Salemi and his unit provided critical defense, Webb-Rubino said. Over 100,000 Filipino civilians were killed by the enemy.

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Cas and his unit bravely fought the enemy for 165 days without rest, Webb-Rubino said.

Radio frequencies in the thick jungle terrain of the Philippines would not work and had to be dangerously hardwired.

As a T-4 or Technical Sergeant, Salemis job was to lay vital communications wire between the 251st firing batteries and its command base.

He recalled to Webb-Rubino one dangerous mission where his unit had been pinned down in a valley between two mountains under heavy artillery action.

The enemy rolled out cannons from a cave and fired upon the Americans, he said.

With no way out, the men completely disassembled an M90 Howitzer cannon and dragged it across to the other mountain where they could see the enemys cave.

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When the enemy once again rolled out their deadly cannons, the soldiers of the 251st were ready and successfully brought an end to the enemys carnage in this Valley, Webb-Rubino said.

In another routine mission, the men positioned their allotted four cannons and created a perimeter around them.

Soon after, they heard and felt the ground rumbling.

The enemy had stampeded a whole herd of carabao, or water buffalo, directly in their path.

The men ran for cover under the guns, anywhere, just to get away from the animals to avoid death by trampling, Salemi recalled.

NUCLEAR BOMBS, WAR INJURIES

In 1945, nuclear bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, respectively.

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Japan surrendered days later, on Aug. 14, 1945.

Salemi was severely injured with jungle rot, a condition caused by prolonged exposure to moisture with the inability to keep skin dry leading to a fungal infection.

The North Attleboro veteran could barely walk, covered in the fungus on his hands and feet, he said, as told to Webb-Rubino.

He was medically evacuated on a ship back to the United States. During the 17-day trip home, in the aftermath of Typhoon Queenie, Salemis ship experienced sustained winds of 90 mph and rough seas with 50 to 60-foot swells.

While recovering from his severe injuries in California, he and other GIs in his ward heard a strange noise reminiscent of an incoming artillery fire.

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The loud noise, which was a jet flying overhead, prompted the soldiers to jump off their beds, Salemi recalled, as told to Webb-Rubino.

They dove underneath them believing they were once again under attack.

To this day, the Massachusetts centenarian remembers bonding with other soldiers from all walks of life while serving with them during their darkest hours.

Learning how to live with others from all different walks of life creates that special bond or camaraderie that soldiers share, Salemi said, as told to Webb-Rubino.

We learned to depend on each other which proved to be a critical component in warfare, Salemi said.

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He also compared his wartime service to that of soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War.

The difference between World War II and the Vietnam conflict was a matter of trust, Salemi said. While there was brutality with the Japanese, the soldiers knew where and who they were fighting. The Vietnam Conflict was rifled with distrust and high anxiety.

The enemy dug tunnels throughout the Vietnam landscape making it nearly impossible for a soldier to know who, when or where the enemy attacks were emanating from, Salemi said.

LIFE AFTER THE WAR

Salemi was honorably discharged from the military in 1946.

He was awarded several medals for his service: the Good Conduct, World War II Victory, Asiatic Pacific Campaign (with two stars for the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns) along with an Artillery Pin and the Philippine Liberation medals.

Not long after his discharge, he married the love of his life, Virginia, in 1949.

While he was born on Flag Day, his wife was born on Veterans Day.

The couple enjoyed 37 years together and raised two sons and a daughter.

Salemi moved to Massachusetts in 1972 while working for Sylvania Electric Products. He worked in research and development for 39 years through its mergers with GTE which ultimately became Verizon.

A 35-year resident of North Attleboro, Salemi has remained active in several military organizations and is a former member of the towns Veterans Advisory Board.

He is a Past Commander of the North Attleboro Disabled American Veterans Post 56.

In 2004, Salemi organized and escorted fellow veterans to the grand opening of the World War II Museum in Washington, D.C.

He has also traversed the Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization for veterans to visit memorials built in their honor.

He attributes his longevity to three things: Love what you do, dont smoke or drink hard liquor, save for an occasional glass of wine; and good genes.

Stories of service are what have inspired Webb-Rubino, who is also a military veteran.

She said she joined the Air Force in 1976, becoming its first female Aircraft Mechanic Crew Chief and while at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.

In 1999, she founded the 11K road race in Stoneham to honor and recognize veterans. In 2009, she became the City of Melroses first female Veterans Service Officer.

I firmly believe we need to recognize these Greatest Generation men and women as often as we can, she said.

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Drew Porter, right, and Glenn Gingrich, left, look at a Yaskawa America, Inc. printer at the RAPID +TCT event at Huntington Place in Detroit on May 18, 2022. Yaskawa America is relocating its North American headquarters to Franklin bringing with it 700 new jobs and an over $180 million investment into the city.

Yaskawa America is relocating its North American headquarters to Franklin  creating 700 new jobs and a $180 million investment.

The robotics manufacturer is consolidating its Waukegan, Illinois, North American headquarters and its Milwaukee-area industrial operation into one Franklin campus over the next eight to 10 years.

The company now has around 250 employees in Franklin.

The consolidated operations will be in Franklin Business Park campus, at 2 World Packaging Circle. That's according to a June 13 announcement from Gov. Tony Evers, Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., and Yaskawa America.

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Franklin Mayor John Nelson called Yaskawa America a wonderful community partner."

"We are grateful to Milwaukee 7 (M7) and WEDC for working with us over the last 22 month(s) to make this happen," Nelson wrote on his Mayor John Nelson - Franklin, WI Facebook page. M7 is southeastern Wisconsin's economic development organization.

The new 800,000-square-foot headquarters will include training, lab building, manufacturing and packaging facilities, along with robotics and semiconductor production operations, according to the company.

As part of the expansion into southeastern Wisconsin, Yaskawa America also plans to begin manufacturing robots in Franklin that will ship to customers or be integrated into production lines at the companys Ohio facility.

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I am really excited to be celebrating Yaskawas decision to relocate its headquarters to Wisconsin and expand its footprint here in the Badger State, bringing with them millions of dollars in capital investment in Southeastern Wisconsin and hundreds of high-quality, family-supporting jobs, Evers said in a statement.

WEDC plans to provide up to $18 million of Enterprise Zone tax credits. The exact amount is contingent on how many jobs are created and the amount of capital investment.

Missy Hughes, WEDC secretary and CEO, said Yaskawa America is a perfect fit for Wisconsin with the companys emphasis on advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge technology.

Mike Knapek, CEO of Yaskawa America, said the company looks forward "to a strong future of growth and innovation in Franklin."

Yasakawa makes industrial robots

Yaskawa America manufactures industrial robots, solar inverters, low and medium voltage AC drives, and motion control products, according to its website.

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These products are used in such industries as automotive, machine tool, solar, oil and gas and HVAC.

The company is celebrating its 110th anniversary globally with 58 years of sales and manufacturing in the United States.

(This article was updated to add new information.)

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Yaskawa America bringing headquarters and 700 jobs to Milwaukee area
The Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Four new film productions are headed for Utah and will receive a tax credit under the states film incentive program, including a Yellowstone spinoff and a new season of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.

Thats according to the Utah Film Commission, which made the announcement on Friday. The four productions will generate an estimated economic impact of about $57.4 million and more than 380 jobs, with filming set to take place in Salt Lake, Summit, Wasatch and Uintah counties.

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The Yellowstone spinoff  titled Y: Marshals  is the latest addition to the popular series that drew millions of viewers and was partly filmed in Utah. But after filming three seasons in the Beehive State, the production packed up and relocated to Montana, where it was offered a better tax break. That loss contributed to lawmakers expanding the states film incentive for rural productions.

Y: Marshals will star Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, continuing the arc of his Yellowstone character as a member of the U.S. Marshalls. Production will begin in Summit County this fall, and the show has a $52 million budget.

Utah is such a draw for film and television because of its diverse landscapes, fantastic crews, and amazing, knowledgeable film office, said Adam Morra, vice president of planning and finance for Paramount Global, in a statement. There is no doubt, though, the film incentive is a vital and necessary part of the package.

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The seventh season of The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch will also receive a tax credit under the states rural film incentive program. Focused on the notorious Skinwalker Ranch in Uintah County, the History Channel show follows researchers who explore the ranchs reported paranormal activity. It has a $3.2 million budget.

Filmed in Wasatch and Summit counties with a $1.8 million budget, Keep Coming Back is the third production to receive incentives under the states rural film program. Its an independent film from director and producer Mark Rosman, who said the tax incentives, experienced film crews and proximity to Los Angeles made Utah a draw.

When it came to picking a state to shoot the film, it was natural to look at Utah, Rosman said in a statement.

And the new competition show Freshman Inventors will receive a rebate under the Utah Community Film Incentive Program. With plans to film in Salt Lake County with a $300,000 budget, the Netflix show highlights Gen Z inventors.

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The Utah Motion Picture Incentive Program currently offers a refundable tax credit up to 25% for funds spent in the state, with different sums of money set aside for productions that meet certain criteria. The rural film incentive  which Y: Marshals, The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch and Keep Coming Back qualified for  sets aside $12 million per year for projects that spend at least 75% of production days in a rural county.

The community film incentive program is a 20% post-performance cash rebate for projects that originate in Utah. Its aimed at helping smaller productions with budgets between $100,000 to $500,000, and is meant to promote up-and-coming local filmmakers, according to Utah Film Studios.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
If you lose your job as part of mass layoffs at your company because your boss believes an artificial intelligence model can do your work instead, they will have to start filing more paperwork disclosing the decision.

That is according to a new law in New York state that requires employers to disclose if mass layoffs  which is defined as 50 or more workers  were due to AI.

The change to New Yorks Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system went into effect in March, but has received little coverage since then; Bloomberg was the first major outlet to report on the change on Thursday.

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Now, employers have to fill out a form at least 90 days before a mass layoff round, according to New York law, and check a box if the cuts are due to technological innovation or automation. If that box is checked, the employers then go to another screen on the WARN website where they have to specify whether AI or another technology is the reason for the cuts.

New York is the first state with such a law. Other states have looked to put safeguards in place against AI replacing workers, including in California, which had a law go into effect at the start of 2025 which protects actors from having their likeness used by AI models without informed consent; California also passed a similar law last year that requires the estates of dead actors and performers to give clearance for AI models to use their likeness.

The new law in New York comes as AIs rapid rise has led to questions over which jobs are safe in a number of fields.

This has been an issue in the media world as of late, where a number of outlets, like Axel Springer and News Corp. have signed content licensing deals with OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT. Editorial staff at some outlets have said they are concerned about newsrooms growing too cozy with AI models; the Vox Media Union, for example, called for protections to be put in place for writers at outlets like New York Magazine and The Verge so that their jobs would not be taken by AI bots.

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That concern is a common one in the U.S. A Pew Research Center survey earlier this year found 52% of Americans were worried about AI in the workplace, compared to 36% who said they were hopeful about it.

The post New York Becomes First State to Require Employers Disclose When Layoffs Are Due to AI appeared first on TheWrap.
Iranian state television has confirmed that Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, was killed in Israels strikes Friday morning. Salami was the chief of one of the countrys most powerful centers. His death was a tough blow to Irans embattled leadership, which has had a series of setbacks in the past 20 months of Middle Eastern war and unrest. Salami rose to power six years ago and had a history of threatening the U.S. and Israel.
MANHATTAN (PIX11)  The New York Civil Liberties Union is slamming the U.S. Department of Justice for its lawsuit against New Yorks Protect Our Courts Act.

The Trump administrations attack on the Protect Our Courts Act is a blatant assault on justice that would turn New Yorks courthouses into traps, Executive Director Donna Lieberman said. Our legal system cannot function when people are too scared to step through courthouse doors. Without the Protect Our Courts Act, immigrant New Yorkers may not defend themselves against charges, avoid seeking protective orders, miss custody hearings, and stop fighting unlawful wage theft or eviction. No one is better off when justice is denied.

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New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who sponsored the Protect Our Courts Act, told PIX 11 News This lawsuit is a shameful display of federal overreach and political cruelty. Theyre using taxpayer dollars to uphold a law that upholds due process and the human rights of people and I think its really despicable.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said, Lawless sanctuary city policies are the root cause of the violence that Americans have seen in California, and New York State is similarly employing sanctuary city policies to prevent illegal aliens from apprehension. Bondi added, This latest lawsuit in a series of sanctuary city litigation underscores the Department of Justices commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law.

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YOSEMITE, Calif.  As summer nears, visitors will be able to enjoy all the campgrounds at Yosemite National Park for the first time in six years, park officials announced Wednesday.

Opening all 13 campgrounds in Yosemite will make about 500 campsites available to the public as they visit the popular California national park, which saw more than 4 million visitors in 2024.

"We're very excited to have these campgrounds open to the public as we enter the busy summer season," said Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden. "Camping in this park is truly a magical experience, and we want to provide the opportunity for as many visitors as possible."

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While some campgrounds are currently open, others will be made available on a rolling basis throughout the summer.

The following campgrounds are now open:

Upper Pines - Located in Yosemite Valley.

Lower Pines - Located in Yosemite Valley.

North Pines - Located in Yosemite Valley.

Camp 4 - Located in Yosemite Valley.

Wawona - Located south of Yosemite Valley.

Hodgdon Meadow - Located north of Yosemite Valley.

Crane Flat - Located north of Yosemite Valley.

Three of the campgrounds located on Tioga Road will open in late June and early July:

White Wolf will open on June 20.

Tamarack Flat will open on June 23.

Yosemite Creek will open on July 1.

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The following campgrounds will open on dates that will be announced at a later time:

Bridalveil Creek - Located south of Yosemite Valley.

Porcupine Flat - Located north of Yosemite Valley.

Tuolumne Meadows - Located north of Yosemite Valley. It is the largest campground at Yosemite.

FILE - Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Fall in the Yosemite National Park, California on July 03, 2020.

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Officials noted that reservations are required at all campgrounds through October. They urged visitors to make reservations as soon as possible, as reservations can be booked weeks or months in advance.





Original article source: Yosemite National Park to open all campgrounds for first time in 6 years
YORKTOWN, Va. (WAVY)  Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined military leaders and visitors from across the country to commemorate the U.S. Armys 250th anniversary at a ceremony at the historic Yorktown Battlefield  in preparation for Saturdays celebrations.

The event, part of the America 250 initiative, honored the Armys legacy and highlighted Virginias pivotal role in the founding of the United States. Yorktown is widely recognized as the site of the final major battle of the Revolutionary War.

Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll called the anniversary a chance to reflect on the service and sacrifice of soldiers past and present.

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The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission is planning events statewide. More information is available here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Friday he will deploy and stage the Virginia National Guard ahead of weekend protests planned across the state as part of a national movement demonstrating against the Trump administration.

We have already asked the Guard to be engaged, Youngkin said, speaking after an event in Virginia Beach. Theyre integrated into our state police. We have local police, state police and Virginia National Guard that will be on duty over the weekend to make sure Virginians are safe.

The governor did not identify localities where the Guard will be staged ahead of Saturdays No Kings protests.

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More than 2,000 protests are planned in cities across the country this weekend as part of the No Kings movement to push back against Trump administration policies. The protests coincide with a large-scale military parade taking place in Washington, D.C. on Saturday for the Armys 250th anniversary  which coincides with President Donald Trumps birthday.

Protests are planned in five Hampton Roads locations Saturday, and thousands of people are collectively expected to attend.

There are a lot of planned demonstrations this weekend, Youngkin said at the Virginia Beach event. I swore that I would protect the Constitution and were going to protect the constitutional right for people to gather and demonstrate. But let be really clear: there will be no violence. There will be no looting. There will be no damage to personal or business property. We cannot allow people to put peoples lives in jeopardy by disrupting traffic or anything along those lines.

If you break the law, youre going to be arrested, he said.

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At an event earlier this week, Youngkin said he fully supports Trumps recent moves to send troops to Los Angeles, according to reporting from WTVR-TV in Richmond. The president deployed marines and National Guard to the city after protests began against recent raids and detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

We cant have cars being burned overnight and people rioting in the streets, tearing down not just business infrastructure and peoples personal property, but threatening federal facilities as well, Youngkin said at the Tuesday event. He said during his campaign that he was not going to allow our cities to be destroyed, and I think this is an appropriate step.

Members of the National Guard have been deployed in Texas and California. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed the Texas National Guard to San Antonio in anticipation of protests against ICE.

The planned No Kings demonstrations are not a direct response to the weekends immigration enforcement action, rather a broader pushback against what organizers call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. In Hampton Roads, local organizers say they will adhere to peaceful protesting. Organizers have taken de-escalation seminars ahead of protests, and many locations are working with local law enforcement for planning purposes.

Kate Seltzer, kate.seltzer@virginiamedia.com

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
British rapper Yung Filly is facing two more charges related to the sexual assault of a woman while on tour in Australia.

The YouTuber, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared before Perth District Court.

In March he pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, one of strangulation and four counts of sexual penetration without consent.

According to court documents filed on Friday he faces two new counts of sexual penetration without consent, and no plea has been entered for them.

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The attack is alleged to have taken place on 28 September.

Barrientos had been touring Australia at the time of the alleged offences.

The internet personality has been on bail since October 2024 after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in his hotel room after he performed at a venue in Hillarys, a coastal suburb of Perth.

Barrientos admitted to a reckless driving charge on 5 December, according to court documents.

He had been caught driving more than 96mph on the Roe Highway near the Perth suburb of High Wycombe on 17 November.

The star is known for his work with the YouTube collective Beta Squad, appearing in the celebrity version of Bake Off on Channel 4 and presenting BBC Three shows.

A 10-day trial is scheduled to start on 20 July 2026.
ZEELAND, Mich. (WOOD)  Zeeland residents are still divided after Thursdays public hearing regarding a local companys $836 million plan to expand in the area.

Mead Johnson is Zeelands third biggest taxpayer, with nearly 500 employees. The nutrition company has had a large impact on the city  but their potential growth could come at a major cost in the future.

The plan proposes levelling several homes on the north side of East Main Street, along with rezoning land from residential to industrial. Thursdays public hearing was to address the companys rezoning application. The discussion was ultimately tabled at the end of the hearing, so no vote took place.

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The proposal has sent shockwaves through the community, with residents arguing both for and against the companys plan.

This is not about being anti-business, one resident said at Thursday nights hearing. Its about responsible, sustainable decisions that respect the existing character of our city.

Some Zeeland neighbors want to block Mead Johnson expansion

Some have argued that Mead Johnsons expansion shouldnt come at the cost of peoples homes, regardless of the potential jobs or growth created down the line.

Homes are not just structures, they are sanctuaries, another resident said at the hearing. To rezone is to tell immediate and adjacent residents that their homes, property values and quality of life are expendable.

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Several people spoke out in favor of the proposal, arguing that the companys willingness to invest in the city is beneficial for the community.

Mead Johnson is proposing to invest in Zeeland for another 100 years, protecting 500 legacy jobs, said one resident.

Another supporter believes that the company will have an even larger impact on the citys future, for the better.

A yes vote will set Mead Johnson as a key driver of economic growth, innovation and community development for the city, a person said during the hearing. By fostering job creation, boosting local economies and engaging with the community, Mead Johnson stands to play a vital role in building a strong, prosperous and resilient Zeeland of the future.

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Mead Johnson sent a statement to News 8 following Thursday nights hearing. It read in part: There is no option to cut corners when it comes to feeding Americas infants, many of whom use formula as their sole source of nutrition. These facility upgrades will not only benefit the community, but are essential in maintaining Mead Johnsons high-quality and safety standards, as well as meeting U.S. FDA regulations.

The discussion was tabled at the end of the public hearing. Officials said that they plan to schedule a special meeting, with the intent to vote on the application. That date has not been set yet.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the evening of 13 June that three of the four people who died in a bus crash in France earlier that day were Ukrainian citizens.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Horrible news of a tragic bus accident which resulted in many Ukrainian victims, including children. They were returning from an academic exchange with a French lycee in Brittany. On the way to Paris, the bus lost control and veered off the road.

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As of now, four adults have died, three of whom were Ukrainian citizens. Two more people are in a critical condition, and French doctors are fighting to save their lives. The rest of the children sustained light to moderate injuries, and all are receiving the necessary medical assistance."

Details: Zelenskyy said Ukraines Foreign Ministry had immediately dispatched a team of diplomats and consuls to the site of the incident, led by the Ukrainian ambassador to France.

They are assisting Ukrainians and maintaining contact with the families of the injured.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the French authorities for the extensive involvement of emergency services.

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Quote: "More than 50 emergency teams were deployed to rush our children to hospitals and are continuing to help our people.

This is a true demonstration of French solidarity with us. I know that the Office of President Emmanuel Macron remains engaged and continues to monitor the situation closely. The emergency response centre of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities have also been mobilised.

My condolences to all the victims families. We all pray that lives will be saved and that the injured children will recover quickly."

Background:

The bus carrying adults and teenagers from Ukraine overturned into a ditch on the A81 motorway near the town of Degre at 11:58 on 13 June.

Three women and one man were killed. In addition to the four fatalities, nine people sustained serious injuries and another 18 suffered minor injuries.

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SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)  Theres a bit of a learning curve when it comes to zipper merging in Sioux Falls.

The city launched its campaign Wednesday, urging drivers to take turns merging into a single lane of traffic in construction zones.

Justices rule for contractor in fight over attorney fees

But the message might take a while to sink in.

Drivers attempting to zipper merge in this construction zone on West 41st Street pretty much had the merging lane to all to themselves. The few drivers who attempted to merge into the left lane during the busy lunch hour didnt have to wait long at all.

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Its really easy if you think about it and everybody does it. It works. But, I think we still need some training. Its like the turnabouts, I think you needed a little training to get there, Nancy Larsen of Sioux Falls said.

Perhaps a little training would make zipper merging more comfortable for drivers who didnt wait to reach the blocked section of the street where the merger is supposed to take place. Some drivers simply turned right and took another route to avoid the construction ahead.

Another driver tried to merge far too early, backing up traffic on 41st Street, which pretty much defeats the purpose of zipper merging. So we attempted the maneuver ourselves.

The lane is closed right up ahead. You can see the traffic is really backed up in the left lane over here. Lets see if we can do a zipper merger here. A lot of it depends on the kindness of strangers in the next lane. And sure enough, we got through! Were on our way!

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Each driver has their own strategy in executing a zipper merger.

I watch for a truck. Big trucks have to slow down and then I can get in, In case the cars wont let me. Semis have to slow down, so get in front of a semi, Judy Fischer of Worthington, MN

Courtesy and caution intersect at the point of each successful zipper merger. But perfecting the skill could take longer for drivers who prefer to steer clear of construction zones altogether.

I try to avoid any of these areas, absolutely. If theres an alternate route, Im there, Larsen said.

Minnesota driver Judy Fischer told us that zipper merger opportunities are far more plentiful in the Twin Cities because theres more road construction. But she says drivers there are more likely to make you wait before letting you into their lane.

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NEW YORK  After months of Andrew Cuomo topping the New York City mayors race while the organized left scrambled, progressive candidates are finally using ranked-choice voting to fight back.

Whether theres enough time to capitalize on Cuomos negatives remains to be seen  he continues to dominate most polls and is funded by a multimillion-dollar super PAC, with just 11 days until the Democratic primary.

Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander, the highest-ranking progressive candidates in the race, endorsed each other Friday, one day after the final Democratic primary debate during which both attacked Cuomo. The former governor saved most of his fire for Mamdani, who is nipping at his heels in the final stretch of the race.

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In backing each other, the two candidates each urged his supporters to rank the other second as they seek every advantage before early voting begins Saturday.

And it comes as the Working Families Party encourages its other endorsed candidates to formally combine forces  something the campaigns have avoided until now.

Todays cross-endorsement is probably the most impactful, Ana Maria Archila, New York Working Families Party co-director, told POLITICO in an interview Friday.

She sidestepped criticism of two other party-backed candidates  state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams  for not joining in the cross-endorsement.

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I know that Zellnor really cares about how to guide his voters. I know that the speaker really cares about how to guide her voters, Archila said. Its really a candidate-to-candidate conversation, and because of that, its very particular to the dynamics between the candidates.

When asked about the possibility of a cross-endorsement, Adams told PIX11 News this week, I am still considering all of the options available.

Cuomo, until recently appeared locked in a two-person race with Mamdani, a democratic socialist state lawmaker. But Lander, the city comptroller, had a good week with a strong debate performance.

An internal poll conducted by the Working Families Party showed a majority of respondents said an endorsement from their first-choice candidate would greatly impact who they rank second. The party endorsed a four-person slate in March, and placed Mamdani first, Lander second, Adams third and Myrie fourth two weeks ago. State Sen. Jessica Ramos was fifth but was removed from the slate after she endorsed Cuomo.

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Mamdani and Lander appeared together Friday to praise each other at the Workers United Labor Union offices in Manhattan. They shook hands for the news cameras and said more joint campaigning is to come. Neither would disclose the details of who first approached whom.

What we are looking at here are two campaigns that, if combined, actually have more support than that of Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani charged. And we know that were all of our votes to transfer to ensure that they retain within the two of us, that one of us will defeat Andrew Cuomo.

Mamdani also signaled this may not be the last of the cross-endorsement agreements among the races progressives.

This primary is New York Citys second citywide use of ranked-choice voting, which allows New Yorkers to rank up to five candidates in order of preference, rather than rely on a plurality vote in a crowded field. The contenders with the fewest votes are eliminated round by round, with their support redistributed until one of them surpasses the 50 percent threshold.

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Until the Mamdani-Lander cross-endorsement, first reported by the Times, the most consistent guidance among non-Cuomo candidates and their surrogates had been for voters to fill their ballots with five candidates and exclude the former governor entirely.

In the 2021 mayoral primary, Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia formed a partnership to boost each other, though Eric Adams ultimately won. Yangs one-way support of the political neophyte was viewed as a last-minute boost to her surprisingly strong candidacy.

Lander said Friday that a cross-endorsement among left-leaning candidates four years ago could have kept Adams out of office. And he said his arrangement with Mamdani comes at just the right time  as more voters are tuning in and as his campaign has been gaining momentum.

Zohran also understands the importance of integrity and decency, Lander said. You really shouldnt have to start there honestly and say that a gatekeeping principle for who you want as mayor of New York City is a person of decency and integrity, but that is what is on the line right now.

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The city comptroller has been lagging Mamdani in the polls for much of the race, but he was the top overall pick for a New York Times panel of experts and he stepped up his game at Thursdays debate. Still, Mamdani has been the surging candidate throughout the cycle and hes ranked No. 1 by the Working Families Party as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

We have been encouraging this level of coalescence from the beginning, Archila said. Honestly, its been a year of showing candidates how other places that have ranked-choice voting organized, and how candidates themselves sort of deliver the final punch by doing precisely what Brad and Zohran have done today.

Cuomo has campaigned as an experienced manager ready on Day 1, drawing a contrast with the 33-year-old Mamdani.

No surprise here  the two have been attached at the hip for months, but it wont move the needle, Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi said in a statement of Lander and Mamdani. The public is clamoring for leadership to take real action to make the city safer and more affordable and to protect New Yorkers from Trump.

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In a twist last Friday, long-shot left-leaning Ramos had endorsed Cuomo, though he made brutally clear he wasnt returning the favor. And at the Thursday debate, moderate candidate Whitney Tilson said he is ranking Cuomo second, though the governor didnt respond in kind.

Mamdani has tried publicly to nudge other candidates to cross-endorse.

Dont just rank me  fill out the rest of your ballot. Here are three others you should rank, he said in a video tutorial posted last week, pointing to graphics of Lander, Adams and Myrie. He delivered the guidance in Hindi and used glasses of mango lassi to demonstrate how votes are distributed in the citys ranked method.
Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked a federal judges order that directed President Donald Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids
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Israel has launched blistering attacks on the heart of Irans nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon
The Latest: Hundreds of 'No Kings' protests and rallies planned for Saturday over Trumps policies

Rallies against President Donald Trump are expected across the U.S. on Saturday to coincide with the military parade in Washington marking the Armys 250th anniversary, which also falls on Trumps birthday
The Court of Appeals previously upheld the state board of education's authority to define the standards of teacher performance, but not in a precedent-setting fashion
'Federal judges and their court staff are not legal pawns to be deployed in secret by wealthy disputants trying to get private answers to their problems,' wrote Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter
Budapest is set to host two of the years most anticipated musical events  both featuring world-famous male operatic pop groups.

Il Divo took the stage at the MVM Dome on 25 June, while Il Volo follows a few months later, on 14 November, at the same venue.



At first glance, the two ensembles seem nearly identical: both perform in the same genre, have similarly Italian names, showcase stunning male harmonies, and present a sophisticated, international style. However, there are distinct differences that set them apart.



Fans of "popera"  the fusion of classical and pop music  are in for a treat this year. Both groups are beloved by global audiences and are among the leading names in the genre. They even share some notable connections: each has appeared on American Idol and both enjoy a close professional relationship with the legendary Barbra Streisand.



Despite the similarity in their names, the meanings behind them differ significantly.



Il Divo, loosely translated from Italian, means divine performer or the male counterpart of a diva, suggesting a mature, powerful vocal style.



In contrast, Il Volo means the flight, evoking a sense of youthful energy and freedom. These interpretations hint at the subtle artistic differences between the groups  Il Divo exudes a refined, dramatic sound, while Il Volo brings a fresh, vibrant approach to the stage.



Nationality also marks a distinction. Il Volo is an all-Italian trio composed of Gianluca Ginoble (baritone), and Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto (tenors). Together, they carry forward the legacy of The Three Tenors, representing a new generation of crossover artists.



Il Divo, though originally formed in the UK, is an international ensemble featuring a Swiss, a French, and two American vocalists. One of the Americans, Steven LaBrie, joined the group following the untimely death of founding member Carlos Marin, becoming the groups new baritone voice.



Musically, Il Volo blends traditional operatic technique with modern pop, bringing a light, elegant crossover style thats particularly appealing to younger audiences. They masterfully merge classical music with contemporary flair, making it accessible without losing its depth.



On the other hand, Il Divo leans more towards grand, emotive performances. Their music often emphasizes operatic drama and maturity, weaving powerful classical elements into rich, pop-influenced arrangements.



Still unsure which one to see? The best solution may be to attend both concerts and experience the magic of each group for yourself.



One thing is certain: whether you choose Il Divo in June or Il Volo in November  or both  youre guaranteed a night of unforgettable music at the MVM Dome in Budapest.



Tickets:

koncertpromo.hu
(Ernest Luning/Colorado Politics) Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat, talks to volunteers at a get-out-the-vote rally on Sept. 17, 2022, in Lakewood. Weisers 2026 campaign for governor reported bringing in more than $1.9 million in his first quarter in the race, setting a record for off-year fundraising for a state-level executive office in Colorado.
New Delhi: Actor Pankaj Tripathi is the new face of Hyundai's latest advertising campaign. Innocean India, the carmaker's creative partner, has unveiled the campaign with Tripathi, highlighting the emotional and practical considerations that influence car purchases in India. It focuses on a common dilemma faced by buyers - choosing between aspirational desires and smart financial decisions with value-driven deals.

The campaign has been rolled out across television, print, radio, and digital platforms to ensure maximum reach. It marks Hyundais continued effort to connect more deeply with Indian households amid increasing challenges from Indian rivals like Tata Motors and Mahindra.

Santosh Kumar, COO of Innocean India, said, "Choosing Pankaj Tripathi was an obvious decision. People see themselves in him. He is relatable. We needed a voice that brings both relatability and confidence.

Virat Khullar, AVP and Vertical Head  Marketing of Hyundai Motor India Limited, expressed, We are delighted to welcome Pankaj Tripathi as the brand ambassador for this campaign. Car buying is often a head-versus-heart decision, and through this campaign, we want to assure customers that Hyundai is the answer to both."

Pulak Bisht, Creative Lead at Innocean India, has also vouched for the actor and said, Pankaj Tripathi has a unique charm. When it came to delivering our message, Logey toh Hyundai hi, chahe dil ki suno ya deals ki, we couldnt think of anyone more fitting."
New Delhi:India faces a critical decision in modernizing it's air fighter fleet as regional rivals accelerate their fifth-generation fighter programs. With Pakistan set to receive Chinas J-35 stealth jets by early 2026, and Indias indigenous AMCA fighter delayed until at least 2035, New Delhi must choose between two foreign options: Russias Su-57E and Americas F-35.

According to a report by CNBC 18, the government is not looking at buying the American F-35 fighter jets. Instead, seriously considering the Russian Sukhoi Su-57E aircraft offer.

India has officially received a comprehensive offer from Russia for the Su-57E fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. In contrast, while there have been verbal indications from U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance expressing willingness to offer the F-35 to India, there is no official or formal proposal from the American side as of now.

Pakistan will gain limited fifth-generation capabilities through 40 J-35A fighters, featuring Stealth design (though effectiveness remains debated) Advanced avionics and radar systems Compatibility with Chinese PL-15 and PL-17 long-range BVR missiles While not matching top-tier stealth jets, these aircraft will still outperform Indias current 4.5-gen fighters like the Rafale and Su-30MKI in radar evasion and sensor fusion.

The Russian Su-57E is seen as a practical choice for Indias short-term need for a fifth-generation fighter jet. One big plus is that it can be built in India using the same assembly lines where the Su-30MKI jets are made, which saves time and helps Indian industry. Another advantage is that the Su-57E can be integrated with Indian-made weapons like the Astra missile and Rudram anti-radiation missile and indo-Russian Brahmos missiles. Russia is also willing to do full transfer of technology. On top of that, the Su-57E is cheaper to buy than the American F-35.

However, there are some problems. The Su-57Es stealth ability isnt as good as the F-35, so it might be easier for enemy radars to detect. Also, the jet still uses older engines (AL-41F1), because the newer, better engines (AL-51F1) are still on trial. So, while the Su-57E gives India more control and is easier to build and upgrade at home, it may not be as invisible or advanced as some other fifth-generation fighters.



The American F-35 is known for it's stealth, making it very hard for enemy radars to spot. Its stealth design uses special shapes and coatings, and it keeps weapons and fuel inside the jet to stay hidden from radar. The F-35 also has some of the best sensors in the world, giving pilots a clear view of the battlefield and letting them share information with allies easily. Its also designed to work smoothly with NATO countries and their systems.

But there are some big drawbacks for India. The F-35s software updates and changes need approval from the U.S., which limits Indias control over the jet. The F-35 cant use Indian or Russian-made weapons, so it wont fit well with Indias current air force setup. Theres also no offer for India to build the jet locally or get any of the technology transfer, which contradicts Indias goal of self-reliance. Finally, the F-35s operational readiness rate in the U.S. is only about 51%, meaning many jets are often not ready to fly. It will also have interoperability limitation with non western platforms and may cost around USD 100 Billion as lifecycle cost by some estimates.

Indias own fifth-generation fighter jet, AMCA, is very important for the countrys air force future , but it is running behind schedule. Right now, the plan is for the AMCA to have its first test flight by 2031, and actual production is expected to start by 2035, though these dates could get pushed back even further. The AMCA is designed with some impressive features, like a computer system that helps the pilot fly (AI-assisted piloting), a large fuel capacity of 6.5 tons so it can fly long distances, and an internal weapons bay that can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of bombs and missiles without making the jet easier to spot on radar. Even though the AMCA will be a big step forward for India, the long wait means the country needs another solution in the meantime.

While it seems Su-57E is currently the front-runner for Indias next fighter jet, mainly because Russias offer matches what India needs most right now. First, it gives India the freedom to add its own weapons and technology, which is important for keeping control over its defense systems. Second, Russia has promised that 60-70% of the jets parts can be locally sourced, which would help Indian factories and create jobs. Third, the Su-57E can be maintained using the same tools and teams that already work on the Su-30MKI, making it easier and cheaper to keep the jets flying. Even though there are some worries about its stealth, these advantages make the Su-57E a better fit for Indias current priorities.



While India had earlier pulled out from the Su-57 (FGFA) program with Russia in 2018 due to concerns over the aircrafts insufficient stealth and radar capabilities, unreliable engine and airframe quality, high costs, limited technology transfer, and Russias low commitment to its own procurement, which raised doubts about the projects long-term value and viability for Indias defense needs but progress in SU-57 program and Russian current offer and Geopolitical realities has brought SU-57 as front runner in 5th gen fighter race.
New Delhi: Shares of Indian airline companies dropped sharply on Friday, mainly because of two big reasons: rising crude oil prices and the negative mood after the deadly Air India plane crash.

IndiGos shares went down by as much as 4.04 percent to Rs5,256 each, while SpiceJets shares fell 1.68 percent to Rs43.93 on the BSE. This was the second day in a row that both airline stocks fell, with IndiGo having its worst trading session since April 25 and SpiceJet seeing its biggest drop since May 6. However, both stocks recovered a bit after the morning session. at 2:17 PM, IndiGo and SpiceJet were still down 4.04 percent and 1.68 percent respectively, compared to a 0.73 percent drop in the main BSE Sensex.

One of the main reasons for this drop is the surge in crude oil prices. Tensions in West Asia have gone up after Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear sites and top scientists. Brent crude prices jumped over 9 percent to $76 per barrel, while WTI crude also saw a similar rise. This is the biggest weekly gain for oil since 2022, and higher oil prices mean higher costs for airlines, which hurts their profits.

Investor confidence was already low after the Air India crash. The London-bound Air India flight, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The crash killed more than 240 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. The plane hit a building housing medical students, adding to the tragedy. Only one passenger survived and is being treated in hospital.

The flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours. The crew issued a distress call just after takeoff, but lost contact soon after. The crash site was engulfed in flames, making rescue very difficult.

This disaster is a major blow to Air Indias efforts to become a world-class airline and modernize its fleet. The company has faced many challenges in the past, including other crashes and delays, but this is its worst crisis in a decade. Even global aviation stocks took a hit, with Boeings shares dropping sharply, along with other aviation companies.

The cause of the crash is still unknown, but technical problems cannot be ruled out. Indias aviation regulator, DGCA, has ordered a detailed investigation, and Boeing has said it will fully cooperate with Indian authorities during the probe.
New Delhi: Dr Pratik Joshi had been building a life in London since 2016  not only for himself but for the family he missed every single day. The medical doctor had one goal  to bring his wife, Dr. Kamini Joshi, and their three young children to live with them permanently. For years, that dream was on hold. Careers, commitments and the chaos of life kept stretching the distance.

But then, finally, everything fell into place. Kamini, a doctor at Udaipur Medical College, submitted her resignation. The couple packed their lives into suitcases. Their three children  twin boys, Nakul and Pradyut, and a younger daughter  were excited and nervous in equal measure. The family from Banswara in Rajasthan took one last photo before boarding the flight. Tired, yes, but smiling. Ready for a new chapter.

They boarded Air India Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London. They never made it. The Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, ending five lives in an instant  a mother, a father and their three innocent children. What should have been a beginning became a final farewell.

Back in Rajasthan, two families wait in disbelief, their homes now filled with an unbearable silence. At Udaipur Medical College, colleagues still check Kaminis desk as if expecting her to walk in any moment. Her students can barely process the news.

This familys story was the most heart-wrenching among the eleven lives Rajasthan lost in the crash. Five of the dead were children.

In Balotra, another family is in mourning. Just 24 years old, Khushboo Kanwar had only been married for five months. She was on her way to London to begin life with her husband, Dr. Vipul Singh Rajpurohit.

She never got the chance. Her entire village has plunged into mourning. Her wedding decorations had barely come down.

Udaipur lost four more souls. Varardi Chandra Menaria and Prakash Chand Menaria were traveling back to work in London. Both were cooks. Varardi had just returned from spending time with family. His wife and son had accompanied him to the airport, waved him off with hugs. A few hours later, their world collapsed.

Shagun Modi and her brother Shubh, children of Udaipur businessman Pinku Modi, were also on board. Both were studying in London. Their family home in Saheli Nagar now holds only memories  books still left open and rooms too quiet.

In Bikaners Sridungargarh, the tragedy reached the home of Shiv Parihar, grandson of former MLA Kishna Ram Nai. Shiv had opened a trading office in Ahmedabad just five days ago. He was heading to London to bring his wife and child back to start fresh as a family in India. But fate had other plans.

Eleven lives from Rajasthan. Eleven unfinished stories. Eleven empty chairs at dinner tables that will never be filled again.

Some of them were leaving home for the first time. Others were returning after years away. All of them believed they had time. But the sky had a different answer.
Agra residents Neeraj Lavania and his wife Aparna Lavania were among the victims of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash, which claimed 241 lives. The devastating news has plunged their native village, Akola in Agra district, into deep mourning.

Relatives and villagers have been gathering at the Lavania family home to offer condolences. The grief-stricken atmosphere reflects the profound sense of loss experienced by the entire community.

Speaking to IANS, Pramod Kumar Sharma, a relative, said, He was my uncles son. His behaviour was always kind and respectful. The whole village is in shock. No one could have imagined such a tragedy. People are coming from nearby areas to console us. The women in the family are inconsolable.

Neerajs nephew, Shubham Lavania, added, We are getting all our information from the news. Only one person survived the crash. The entire family is heartbroken.

The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London-Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:30 p.m. on June 12.

The aircraft slammed into the residential building and mess of BJ Medical College in the densely populated Meghani Nagar area, just 3 kms from the airport, bursting into flames.

At the time, medical students were gathered in their hostels dining hall, many of whom are also feared dead.

Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger  Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin  survived. He is currently receiving treatment in an Ahmedabad hospital.

Rescue and identification operations are ongoing at BJ Medical College, where authorities are using DNA sampling to identify charred remains. The process of handing over bodies to bereaved families has begun.

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with survivors and injured victims at the hospital.

Expressing his condolences, he stated, The loss of so many lives in such a heartbreaking manner is beyond words.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities continue to sift through the wreckage in what has become one of Indias deadliest aviation disasters in recent history.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: A London-bound Air India Flight AI171 met with a horrific accident on Thursday afternoon as it crashed shortly after its takeoff from the airport in Ahmedabad. The tragedy claimed the lives of 241 people on board; however, one passenger on seat 11A, who was sitting close to the emergency exit, jumped from the aircraft before it went down, and this miraculously saved him.

In an interview with DD News, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the survivor, recalled the ordeal and said that everything happened in front of him, and added that he could not believe how he survived the crash. He also said that for a minute there, he thought he was going to die.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with him in the Civil Hospital and asked about the events of the incident.

PM Modi had also visited the site of the crash and held a meeting with officials in Ahmedabad.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met with the 40-year-old British national, Vishwas.

Crash Details

Air India flight AI171 which was travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed after its take-off from the airport. The flight had departed at 1:38 pm and was carrying 242 passengers and struck the BJ Medical College building, resulting in more injuries and deaths.

Of the 242 passengers on board, 12 were crew members, and Tata Group announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 crore for the families of the individuals hurt in the incident. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also on the flight, and President Draupadi Murmu expressed grief on his demise.

After the crash, PM Modi had a conversation with Home Minister Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: One of the most devastating plane crashes India has ever witnessed occurred on Thursday afternoon in Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of over 260 people. On Friday, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India aircraft.

ANI quoted an ATS personnel as saying, "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon."

#WATCH | Gujarat ATS recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday in Ahmedabad.



An ATS personnel says, "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon." pic.twitter.com/zZg9L4kptY  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

The Gujarat ATS could be at the scene, inspecting the wreckage, to explore all angles of the crash.

What Does DVR Show?

A DVR in an aircraft is a specialised system designed to capture, store, and manage video footage from cameras installed onboard.

According to ANI, these systems are important for security, training, operational reviews, and compliance with aviation safety standards.

While DVRs focus on video, traditional Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) capture instrument metrics and audio, respectively, for crash investigations, as per the news agency.

Air India Plane Crash

Air India, in a statement, confirmed the crash of flight AI171 shortly after its take-off. It was travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and had departed from the airport at 1:38 pm on Thursday. It was carrying 242 passengers, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew, on board the Boeing 787-8.

"Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals," Air India said.

The plane crashed into the building of BJ Medical College, and this led to more injuries and deaths. Air India has clarified that 241 passengers were killed in the crash, and there was a sole survivor who jumped from the aircraft, saving his life.

After rescue operations and shifting the injured to the Civil Hospital, an investigation into the matter has begun. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the site of the tragedy and met the injured at the Hospital before holding a meeting with officials.

Amit Shah Reveals Details

Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed that the central government received information within 10 minutes of the accident. He added that the plane carried almost 1,25,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone.

#WATCH | Air India Plane Crash | Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "This afternoon, Air India flight AI-171 crashed and many passengers are feared dead. The entire nation is grieving and is standing together with the bereaved families... The central government pic.twitter.com/HTy00BWNVy  ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2025

Additionally, DNA samples of the family members are being collected, and the family members in foreign countries are also informed.

(with ANI inputs)
Thoubal / Kangpokpi / Ahmedabad/New Delhi: Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam had just turned 21. Barely a year into her job as a cabin crew member, she had started to taste the freedom and joy she had dreamed of since childhood. Her voice, full of laughter, echoed through her familys small home in Manipurs Thoubal district. It had only been a few months since she joined Air India, and Thursday (June 12) morning was just another duty call. At least, it seemed that way.

By afternoon, her name was on the list of the crew members aboard Air India flight 171  the one that crashed outside Ahmedabads airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft never left the citys skies.

Her father, Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, got the news from a mobile notification. "We have not heard anything from Air India. No confirmation. No clarity. We are still hoping she is alive. I still believe in fate. I still believe maybe maybe she was pulled out. Maybe she survived, he told ANI, his voice heavy, each sentence interrupted by silence.

Nganthois cousin, Khenjita, tried everything. She called hospitals, checked with local authorities and waited for an official list of survivors. Nothing came. "We are devastated. But we still hope. Until we know for sure," she said late Thursday evening, holding on to one last thread.

The family had not slept. Calls were made. Messages sent. All unanswered.

At the other end of Manipur, in Kangpokpi district, another family sat in stunned silence. 28-year-old Lamnunthem Singson, another cabin crew member on board the same flight, had not been reachable since the crash. Her family, displaced by last years ethnic violence, had only recently found stability. Now, there is only silence again.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh wrote on X, It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in todays Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Both were full of life, serving with dedication and pride

It is heartbreaking to share that two young cabin crew members from Manipur, Kongrabailatpam Nganthoi Sharma and Lamnunthem Singson, were among those who lost their lives in todays Air India crash in Ahmedabad.



Both were full of life, serving with dedication and pride. Their pic.twitter.com/j6QIslighu  N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) June 12, 2025

That crash has taken more than lives. It has taken hopes, futures and promises yet to be fulfilled.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, was carrying 242 passengers and 12 crew members when it crashed into a doctors' hostel near the airport shortly after takeoff. Only one person, by some miracle, survived. Officials say it was a technical failure, but an investigation is still underway.

The two young women from Manipur were more than crew members. They were symbols of hope. One came from a valley town. The other from conflict-hit hills. One was Meitei. The other, Kuki. In a state torn by division, they wore the same uniform, served the same flight and shared the same fate. Their families wait for closure, bodies and answers.

In that silence, only one thing rings clear  both women had dreams that reached for the sky. That sky gave no return.
Ahmedabad, New Delhi: When Air India Flight AI171 fell from the skies just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the wreckage did not only raise questions about the safety of Boeings Dreamliner fleet. It fuelled a debate  what do grieving families actually receive when disaster strikes at 30,000 feet?

Onboard the ill-fated flight headed to Londons Gatwick were 242 souls  230 passengers, 10 crew members and two pilots. Among them was Gujarats former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. For Boeing, this marks the first time the Dreamliner has suffered a crash. But the company is no stranger to tragedy. Its 737 Max series has crashed multiple times, killing over 500 people between 2018 and 2024  even after major design overhauls.

So, in the face of such devastation, what is the price of a life lost mid-air?

For international flights like AI171, compensation is governed by the Montreal Convention of 1999. India signed on years ago. Under this treaty, the families of deceased or injured passengers are entitled to up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights  a complicated financial term that roughly works out to Rs 1.4 crore per passenger.

But here is where it gets important. If it is proven that the crash happened due to airline negligence  say, a technical fault ignored, improper maintenance or failure to follow safety procedures, then there is no upper limit. The compensation can skyrocket.

This payout is usually split between the airline and its insurance partner. But for families, no amount can fill the void.

Who pays the compensation  the airline or the insurance company? The short answer is both. In most cases, the airline is responsible for initiating compensation under international aviation laws. But the actual funds usually come from a combination of the airline and its insurance company. That is why major airlines are required to carry large-scale liability coverage.

There is also another layer  travel insurance. Passengers who opted for personal coverage can unlock additional payouts. These can range from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore for accidental death and up to Rs 10 lakh for permanent disability.

While the Montreal Convention specifically covers international routes, Indias Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recommends that airlines apply similar compensation frameworks for domestic passengers as well. In recent years, many Indian carriers have voluntarily aligned with this approach, offering matching coverage to families of victims.

For some families, this insurance becomes the only financial cushion in the middle of emotional collapse.

As investigators dig through the charred remains of AI171, aviation analysts are already saying what many do not want to admit  this may have been a man-made disaster. A failure not of machines but of judgment, oversight and accountability.

Families are mourning. Legal teams are mobilising. And the question echoing through Indias airports and global aviation boards is this: Why was not this prevented? Because when a plane falls from the sky, it is not only metal that hits the ground, it is also the trust.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that he is in touch with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in connection with the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Jaishankar added that he has expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and offered full support in this hour of grief.

"In touch with FS @DavidLammy of the UK, FM @PauloRangel_pt of Portugal and FM @AnitaAnandMP of Canada regarding the Ahmedabad plane crash. Expressed our profound condolences and offered fullest support in this hour of grief," Jaishankar said on X.

Meanwhile, authorities are conducting DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers of the Air India 171 flight is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials in Ahmedabad in connection with the incident. He also visited the plane crash site in and took stock of the situation.

Prime Minister Modi has directed the Minister and authorities to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation, as per media reports.

Union Home Minister Shah has also met with the injured in the hospital and chaired a meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister, the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and others to take stock of the situation.

Following the crash, Tata Group announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 crore for the families of the individuals who were killed in the tragedy.

The plane crash occurred on Thursday afternoon, just minutes after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals were killed in the crash.

"On 12th Jun, 2025, Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew," ANI quoted a senior DGCA official as saying.
Monsieur Macron, they forgot to invite you to the war!

The Israeli army launched attacks on Iran - and, surprisingly, Paris did not know about it. The French authorities learned about the attack almost from the media.

"Israel did not warn France about the attack on Iran because it is no longer as close an ally as it used to be," the country's ambassador in Paris said.

Short and honest. Tel Aviv does not need Macron, it is not interesting. Like that.

Yesterday, the French president spoke out about humanitarian pauses, threatened Israel with sanctions and spoke about morality from a high rostrum, and today he is not even on the list of those who have been warned even out of friendship.

I wonder exactly how Macron will take offense at the Israelis now. A new interview? Or will he arrange another photo shoot with a punching bag, as at the beginning of the war in Ukraine?
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell testifies in a federal defamation lawsuit case Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver. (Sketch by Robyn Cochran-Ragland)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) finished the rescue efforts at the site of the Air India Flight 171 tragedy in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where a Boeing 787-8 crashed into a resident doctors' hostel close to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport just minutes after takeoff on Thursday. The tragedy resulted in the loss of 241 lives, including 12 crew members, with just one survivor, a British national of Indian origin, under treatment.

NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said seven teams were sent out, and 81 bodies have been recovered so far. "The operation is over, but the confirmed death toll is 241," Kumar said. The plane, traveling to London Gatwick, had 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian national on board.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal investigation, following International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated. A high-level multi-disciplinary committee will also look into the accident to further improve aviation safety. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will provide technical help, with investigators going to India, but all updates will be from Indian authorities according to ICAO Annex 13.

Air India confirmed that the 12-year-old aircraft, commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours of flight) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours of flight), took off at 13:39 IST, made a Mayday call, and afterwards became out of contact with Air Traffic Control. The aircraft crashed outside the perimeter of the airport, resulting in heavy black smoke. The Tata Group-run airline declared Rs 1 crore compensation to each of the victims' families and set up a helpline (+91 8062779200 for international calls, 1800 5691 444 within India) for assistance.

The condition of the lone survivor is still under close medical observation as inquiries continue to determine the reason behind this disastrous crash.
A resident of Meghani Nagar in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, where Air India flight 171 crashed, recounted the horror of the crash, terming the incident a 'horrible sight' to witness. He said that there were half-cut and completely burnt bodies all over the area.

"My son was there... He called me and told about the plane crash incident. My house is located 100-200m away from the crash site. The fire was still burning when I arrived... In 5-7 minutes, fire department, CISF and authorities reached at the spot. It was a horrible sight to witness. There were half-cut and completely burnt bodies all over the area... Meghaninagar has active roads. The situation of local commuters is still not known," ANI quoted A local who resides near crash site as saying.

Meanwhile, the cook of BJ Medical College, Thakur Ravi, said that his mother and two-year-old daughter have been missing since the incident took place.

"In this accident, my mother, Sarlaben Pralhadji Thakur, and my two-year-old daughter, Adyaravi Thakur, are still missing after the plane crash. "My mother, my wife, and I used to cook at the UG students' mess," said Ravi as quoted by ANI.

Earlier today, Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the crashed Air India plane.

Meanwhile, officials of the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad are conducting DNA sampling of deceased passengers for identification.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and took stock of the incident. He also held a review meeting with the officials in Ahmedabad.

As per media reports, Prime Minister Modi has directed the Minister to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately.

Union Home Minister Shah also chaired a meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister, the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and others to take stock of the situation. He also met with the injured in the hospital.

On Thursday, Air India flight number AI 171 crashed into the BJ Medical College campus in Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad minutes after taking off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.169 Indian citizens, 53 British citizens, 1 Canadian citizen and 7 Portuguese citizens were killed in this accident. Out of the 242 people on board the plane, only one miraculously survived the accident.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: With around 265 people losing their lives in the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the blame game has now taken centre stage. Opposition parties like Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT have questioned the government. While Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that 'nobody can stop an accident', Congress leader Pawan Khera said that Shah should at least promise accountability. Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut called for fixing responsibility for the tragedy in which 241 people aboard the London-bound Air India plane were killed.

What Experts Said

While the investigators have recovered the black box or flight data recorder, people are waiting to get the bodies of their loved ones after the DNA testing results. Meanwhile, aviation experts have not ruled out the angle of sabotage. Saligram J. Murlidhar, Former Deputy Director of NAL (National Aerospace Laboratories), told IANS that there are changes of sabotage.

"It looks like the aircraft did not get sufficient height. One possible cause that comes to mindthough this is just a very preliminary assumptionis fuel contamination, which could fall under sabotage. If the fuel added was contaminated with water or other substances, the quantity might appear normal, but the contamination could prevent proper combustion," said Murlidhar.

He said that after Operation Sindoor, India must be careful with sabotage activities.

Captain Sikandar Rizvi said that the accident appeared to be due to the power loss and it could be sabotage. "There are fuel tanks under the wings and one below the fuselage. The aircraft started descending within one and half minutes and the pilot even gave Mayday call. My experience says that this is sabotage. He said that the aircraft computer might have been hacked, thus paralysing the systems and leading to crash," said Rizvi.

Political Slugfest

Reacting to Amit Shah's statement, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "When a plane crashes and people die, the least a Home Minister can offer is a promise of accountability, not a shrug and a lecture on fate. Nobody can stop accidents is an abdication. If nothing can be prevented, why do we have ministries at all? Aviation accidents are not acts of God - they are preventable. Thats why we have aviation regulators, safety protocols, and crisis response systems. By the Home Ministers logic, should we stop investing in safety infrastructure, regulation, or crisis preparedness altogether? Just leave it to fate and call it a day?"

Sena-UBT MP Raut said that the government cannot run away from its responsibility by calling it an accident. Is anyone responsible for it or not? Will the matter be closed after being labelled as an accident?...The government is there to prevent accidents and save lives. The government must bear the responsibility. Who undertook the privatisation of the airline? The government had accepted its inability to run the airline, so who is responsible? he said.

Congress leader Udit Raj launched a scathing attack on the aviation safety system in India, claiming that a Director at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) holds a fake degree and that oversight failure led to the tragedy.
Air India Plane Crash: A day after the tragic Air India plane crash that claimed over 260 lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Ahmedabad to assess the situation.

Following his arrival in the city, PM Modi reached the site of the Air India AI171 flight crash. In the tragedy, 241 passengers lost their lives, including the 12 crew members.

According to ANI, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Patil were present at the domestic terminal of Ahmedabad airport to receive the Prime Minister.

Subsequently, PM Modi went to the Civil Hospital to meet the people injured in the horrific incident. He also met with the lone survivor of the tragedy, who apparently jumped from the plane during its last moments and miraculously survived the crash.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the lone survivor of yesterday's #AirIndiaPlaneCrash.



241 of 242 who were onboard the plane lost their lives.



(Source - DD) pic.twitter.com/tVXoscmOPE  ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2025

Earlier, a forensic team had also arrived at the site in Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Air India flight AI171, which was travelling from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, met with a tragic accident on Thursday afternoon. The aircraft had departed from the airport at 1:38 pm carrying 242 passengers, including 12 crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

According to a statement of Air India, of the 242 passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British nationals, 1 Canadian national, and 7 Portuguese nationals.

Following the crash, the Tata Group announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 crore for the families of the individuals who were killed in the tragedy.

Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was also among the passengers who were onboard the fateful flight. President Draupadi Murmu, in a post on X, had expressed grief over his demise.

PM Modi's Initial Action

Initially, after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister had a conversation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and took stock of the situation.

Later, in a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote, "The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected."

Earlier, the Union Home Minister Shah also met with the injured in the hospital and chaired a meeting with the Civil Aviation Minister, the Gujarat CM, and others.

(with ANI inputs)
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting on Friday at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar to review preparations for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, which is scheduled to start from July 3 to August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.

The meeting focused on ensuring a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for devotees.

The meeting included top officials from the Army, Central Armed Police Forces of Jammu and Kashmir Police, including DGP Nalin Prabhat, and other administrative officers who emphasized robust security measures, with 581 CAPF companies deployed to safeguard pilgrims. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were to be strictly enforced, and proactive measures were highlighted to counter potential terror threats.

The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) reviewed ongoing infrastructure projects, including Yatri Niwas complexes and disaster management facilities at Baltal, Nunwan, Sidhra, and Bijbehara. Sinha directed officials to expedite these works to enhance pilgrim amenities.

Upgrades include wider and safer tracks, with safety handrails on vulnerable stretches of the Pahalgam route and a new alternate route from Chandanwari to Pissutop. Grid-based power illumination at Panchtarni and the Holy Cave, along with helicopter services from Srinagar to Neelgrath, were also highlighted.

The Jammu and Kashmir Road Transport Corporation (JKRTC) will deploy 250 buses, with 100 operating daily from Jammu to Pahalgam and Baltal, supported by high-security convoys and 50 backup buses. Facilities like 100% E-KYC registration, RFID cards for tracking, and digital pre-paid systems for hiring services were discussed to streamline operations.

Medical support includes 77 healthcare facilities, 509 clinical beds, 26 oxygen booths, and 100-bed hospitals at Chandanwari and Baltal, staffed by 1,238 doctors and nurses.

A zero-landfill approach for waste disposal was emphasized, with 7,000 sanitation workers and 600 trained staff engaged to maintain cleanliness. Langar services and NGO contributions were reviewed to ensure adequate food and support for pilgrims.

The meeting covered weather forecasting systems, surveillance, and disaster mitigation strategies to address the high-altitude challenges of the 3,880-meter cave shrine. Insurance coverage for pilgrims, service providers, and ponies was also discussed to enhance safety.

Sinha, who recently performed the Pratham Puja at the Amarnath cave to mark the ceremonial start, urged devotees to participate in large numbers, assuring foolproof security and improved facilities. He said collaborative efforts are done by administration, security forces, and volunteers, emphasizing the pilgrimages role in promoting unity and spiritual heritage.

Over 3.31 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves till now which indicates a significant turnout of pilgrims this year too.
PATNA: Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said on Friday that Bihar is on the cusp of historic change, with over 60 per cent of its people seeking transformation. Speaking about his two-year campaign across villages, Kishor emphasised that people of Bihar want education and employment opportunities for their children and are tired of hardships due to poverty, limited political choices, and fear of leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and the BJP.

"We have been saying this for the last two years that the environment is changing... This time, history will be written in Bihar. For the last two years, we have been travelling around the village and saying that more than 60% of the people in Bihar want change. They want education and employment for their children. People are suffering hardships. They lived like this because of a lack of choice and fear of Lalu and the BJP. Now they have an option in the form of Jan Suraaj, they have a way out..," he said.

Jan Suraaj Party Chief Prashant Kishor came to address a public rally in Wazirganj, Gaya, as part of his campaign for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan earlier announced that he would contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. Speaking at a public gathering in Arrah, Paswan declared that his party would support the NDA in all 243 assembly seats to ensure its victory.

"For those who ask from where I will contest, I want to tell you that my party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and I will contest on 243 seats to make NDA candidates win and strengthen the NDA alliance. My goal is that the NDA moves towards victory," Chirag said. Making the announcement in Arrah, a traditionally weak region for JD(U), Paswan said that he would not contest the election "from Bihar but for Bihar." He added that he would leave the decision of his candidacy and constituency to the people.

Paswan's recent announcement has ignited a debate about seat-sharing within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. Paswan's demand for 40 seats, citing his party's 100 per cent strike rate in the last Lok Sabha polls, has raised eyebrows among NDA allies. The LJP is demanding 40 seats, while other allies like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) are also seeking a handful of seats, while the BJP and JD (U) are reportedly eyeing 100 seats each.

Paswan's aggressive posturing comes against the backdrop of the 2020 polls, where his party secured an almost 5.66 per cent vote share. This brought down the JD(U)'s tally from 71 in 2015 to 43, relegating it to third place behind the RJD and BJP. Bihar is expected to have its Assembly elections later this year. However, the Election Commission has not announced the dates.
An Air India plane flying from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi made an emergency landing on Friday morning after Airports of Thailand (AOT) officials received a bomb threat aboard the flight.

Air India flight from Thailand's Phuket returns back to Phuket over bomb threat. pic.twitter.com/vo78WopBQ3 June 13, 2025

AI 379 flight, with 156 people aboard, left Phuket International Airport at 9:30 AM IST (0230 GMT) but had to return following circular routes over the Andaman Sea, according to Flightradar24. Passengers were evacuated as per emergency procedures following the safe landing, a company official told Reuters.

AOT has kept details of the bomb threat under wraps. This comes in the wake of a recent airplane crash in Ahmedabad, raising concerns about air safety. There are probes underway, and more updates are pending.
New Delhi: The photos told one story. The truth told another. They looked like any happy couple, newly married, laughing in selfies and soaking in the misty romance of Meghalayas waterfalls. But behind Sonam Raghuvanshis smile was a secret so chilling, it stunned even hardened investigators.

She was not on a honeymoon, but a mission. Her husband, Raja Raghuwanshi, had no idea that he was being tracked, no clue that his bride had allegedly hired men to shadow them across hill roads and hidden trails and no warning that he would not make it back alive.

According to the Meghalaya Police, Sonam has now confessed that she killed her husband. She allegedly told them she paid Rs 50,000 to her suspected lover, Raj Kushwaha, to follow her honeymoon trip and help arrange the murder.

Raj, in turn, allegedly brought three men  Vishal Singh, Anand Kurmi and Akash Rajput  on a journey that ended in bloodshed near Wei Sawdong Falls.

By May 23 or 24, Raja was dead. His body would lie hidden in a gorge for days before anyone found him.

But Sonam? She was gone. She surfaced again in Uttar Pradesh on June 9  dazed, shaken and sitting at a roadside dhaba (eatery) in Ghazipur. No one knew where she had been. But by then, the body had been found. The mask had slipped.

The police now say Sonam and Raj stayed in touch throughout the trip using location-sharing apps. Every move was tracked. Every step calculated.

Raj claims he was never in Meghalaya. The police are not so sure. What they do know is that after the killing, Sonam returned to Indore, met Raj in a rented room in Dewas Gate and vanished again. They believe he arranged her transport to Uttar Pradesh.

The romantic trip that began with promises ended in murder. A bride walked into the hills of Meghalaya with her husband and returned with his death on her hands. Now, as investigators close in, questions remain. Was this all about love? About control? About betrayal?

All that is left is a shattered family, a dead man and an alleged confession that has turned a picture-perfect honeymoon into a nightmare tale of manipulation, deceit and cold and deliberate murder.
India and China have agreed to expedite steps to resume direct air services between the two countries and also hold talks to resolve trade issues.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is on a two-day visit to New Delhi from June 12 -13.

The Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

The two countries have agreed to hold certain functional dialogues, including in the economic and trade areas, to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern, the statement said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27 and agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a priority on people-centric engagements, according to the statement.

Foreign Secretary Misri appreciated the Chinese sides cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He noted the discussion in the April meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers for the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on this.

The two countries also positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same, the statement added.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is resuming this month after a gap of five years, with the first batch of 750 pilgrims ready to depart for the holy site. The resumption is seen as a positive step towards improving India-China relations, which had come under strain due to the prolonged military build-up in Ladakh. The resumption of the yatra and talks with China follows an easing in border tensions between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Misri visited Beijing in January this year as part of efforts to improve the diplomatic relations between the two Asian giants.
The Indian Embassy in Israel on Friday issued an advisory for Indian nationals living in Iran to stay vigilant and adhere to safety protocols, following Israel's attack on Iran.

The Embassy has also advised Indian nationals to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters.

In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command (https://oref.org.il/eng). Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters, the Embassy said on X.

Israel carried out preemptive, precise air strikes, targeting Irans nuclear and missile capabilities in the early hours of Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the development and called the strikes a necessary step to ensure Israel's survival. Prime Minister Netanyahu added that the operation dubbed "Rising Lion" will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," ANI quoted Netanyahu as saying.

The attack comes days after US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to prevent a military attack on Iran.

Israel has been calling for international help to stop Iran from completing its nuclear program.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for action after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report detailed how Iran was secretly conducting nuclear tests despite warnings from countries around the world.

IAEA in a report has detailed that Iran's uranium levels are now 90% of what is needed to make weapons, and if it continues to grow at the current rate, it will soon have enough for nine nuclear bombs.
While Wednesday's agenda for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission didn't include an update on the wolf program, that didn't stop commissioners from bringing up the most recent rash of problems from reintroducing the apex predators.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Apache attack helicopter made an emergency landing at Nangalpur in Pathankot, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday, officials said. The incident is the second such episode with an IAF Apache within a week after it made a precautionary landing near Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh amid a routine training sorties, as per ANI.

VIDEO | Pathankot, Punjab: An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made emergency landing in Nangalpur area. More details are awaited.



(Source: Third Party)



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/ciTWQsST3g June 13, 2025

Information on the reason why this latest emergency landing took place is not yet forthcoming, with inquiries in progress. There were no reported casualties.

This accident comes after a series of recent IAF accidents. Last month, in April 2025, an IAF helicopter had to make an emergency landing near a dam in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat while conducting a flight operation with no casualties. In February, a Mirage 2000 twin-seater fighter aircraft crashed near Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, on a training mission with both pilots escaping safely. Furthermore, in November 2024, an Indian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft crashed in a field in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, owing to a technical malfunction, while the pilot was safely ejected.

IAF has not made a public release on the Nangalpur incident so far, but more information should come in as the probe unfolds.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced his concerns regarding international community's silence over Israel's military actions against Iran. Drawing parallels to Russias invasion of Ukraine. Omar said Today, Israel did what Russia did in Ukraine. But when Israel attacks Iran, these powerswhether it's America, Europe, or anyone elsebecome silent, and when same thing is done by Russia against Ukraine these powers get united against Russia.

Questioning the justification for the military strike, Abdullah said, As far as I know, Iran didnt give any reason to be attacked. This looks like a pre-emptive strike. And if the worlds powers remain silent on this, its a very sad thing.

Like Omar Abdullah PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti too rose questions on world community she wrote on X Israels attack on Iran is yet another brazen act by a state that appears to have gone rogue. The silence of the global community particularly Western powers led by the United States is both alarming and telling. This silence amounts to tacit approval. In the case of India-Pakistan tensions, the U.S. never fails to assert that its intervention has been crucial in preventing escalation."

"Yet when it comes to Israels relentless bombardment of Gaza or its latest strike on Iran that same urgency is conspicuously missing. These glaring double standards endangers global peace and stability. Equally disturbing is the deafening silence of the so-called Muslim countries, which remain shamelessly non-existent in the face of such grave injustice. Their inaction is not just disappointing its a betrayal of the very causes they claim to stand for," it added.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his condolences following a tragic incident involving a Dreamliner aircraft that fell from the sky shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad. While speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah said that all passengers and crew lost their lives, with only one person fortunate enough to survive.

Abdullah extended his solidarity to the families affected by the incident, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
The process of identifying victims from the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash continues at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where bodies are being brought in for post-mortem examinations. As of now, five bodies have been identified and respectfully handed over to their families. These include two victims from Rajasthan, two from Bhavnagar, and one from Madhya Pradesh.

Civil Hospital officials confirmed that DNA samples have been collected from 192 families so far.

To support the identification process, a large team of 70 to 80 doctors, including those from PHCs (Primary Health Centres) and CHCs (Community Health Centres) across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Nadiad, has been working around the clock in the post-mortem room since Thursday.

The state government has set up a dedicated facility at the Kasoti Bhavan on the ground floor of B.J. Medical College for collecting DNA samples. Health Principal Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi stated that samples, mainly from immediate family members like parents or children, are being sent for matching. The process is expected to take at least three days.

To assist grieving families, the police and hospital staff are providing emotional support and ensuring that all formalities are handled with dignity and care.

For any queries regarding patients or post-mortem identification, the Civil Hospital has released helpline numbers: 6357373831, 6357373841

In addition, the state government has activated a control room at the State Emergency Operations Centre. Families can reach out for assistance on: 079-23251900, 9978405304

As the process of identification continues, officials have confirmed that over 250 post-mortem examinations have already been completed.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the citys Civil Hospital to meet those injured in the tragic incident and to express his condolences to the families of the deceased.

At the hospital, PM Modi was received by Civil Hospital Superintendent Dr Rakesh Joshi, who provided a detailed briefing on the condition of the injured and the medical response underway. The Prime Minister also met with Ramesh Vishwas, the sole survivor of the crash, and other patients receiving treatment. He offered words of encouragement and support, assuring them of the government's full assistance during this difficult time.

PM Modi spent time with grieving families, conveying his heartfelt condolences and standing in solidarity with them amid their profound loss.
While rescue officials sift through the debris of Air India Flight AI171, which crashed into a physicians' hostel just outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport within minutes of taking off, investigators are relying on the plane's black box to reveal the reason behind the tragedy that claimed 241 lives. The Boeing 787-8, which was headed to London, dived from 625 feet, bursting into flames and filling the air with thick smoke.

What Is A Black Box?

The black box, ironically enough, is an orange-colored object consisting of two parts: the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR). The CVR records radio communications, captain and crew member conversations, and noises such as engine sounds or stall alarms, allowing experts to study important audio signals. The FDR tracks a minimum of 88 variables, such as altitude, airspeed, and direction of travel, with contemporary aircraft monitoring as many as 1,000 features, like flap lever positions or smoke detector activation, reports the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Origins And Design

Initially developed in 1953 by Australian scientist David Warren, whose inspiration was his father's death in a 1934 plane crash and the 1953 Comet crash, the black box has become an essential instrument for aviation safety. Painted orange for visibility, they are constructed from titanium or stainless steel to survive high-impact crashes, fires, and 14,000-foot deep-sea pressure. The FDR is usually installed in the aircraft tail, and the CVR in the cockpit. On helicopters, a single combined recorder monitors 8001,200 parameters, according to Airbus.

How It Survives And Functions

Designed to endure extreme conditions, black boxes can transmit signals from ocean depths and are treated to remove corrosive salt if submerged. Data retrieval, often conducted at facilities like Delhi's new Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder Laboratory, involves meticulous repairs and analysis, providing insights within 24 hours, though full investigations may take weeks.

Limitations And Challenges

Although critical, black boxes are not infallible. The NTSB commented that the Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea (December 2024) lost vital data from the last minutes of the flight. Likewise, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's black box was never found (March 2014), and detection issues were exposed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will be depending on the Delhi lab to inspect the recovered black box in the case of the Air India crash, hoping to explain the catastrophic failure.
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday ordered enhanced safety inspection of Air Indias Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, following the devastating crash of the Tata Group airlines London-bound flight, within seconds of take-off from the Ahmedabad airport, in which 241 people were killed on Thursday.

As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on 8787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect in coordination with the regional offices concerned of the DGCA.

These include a one-time check before departure of flight from India with effect from June 15 onwards, inspection of fuel parameter monitoring and associated system checks, as well as inspection of cabin air compressor and associated systems.

Air India also has to carry out an electronic engine control system test, an engine fuel-driven actuator-operational test, and an oil system check. Besides, the airline has to carry out a serviceability check of the aircraft hydraulic system, review of take-off parameters, and introduce 'Flight Control Inspection' in transit inspection till further notice.

Air India also has to undertake power assurance checks within two weeks and closure of maintenance action based upon the review of repetitive snags during the last 15 days on 8787-8/9 aircraft at the earliest. The report of these above checks has to be submitted to the DGCA for review, the order further states.

The black box of Air Indias ill-fated Flight AI171 has been recovered, and investigations have begun to find out the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, experienced pilots are of the view that it could have been a twin-engine failure of the Boeing Dreamliner, which could be due to a bird hit or contaminated fuel or blockage of fuel or a combination of these factors. Indian investigators will be joined by experts from the US and UK in the coming days to carry out the probe.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 8,000 hours of flying and his co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had over 1,000 hours of experience. Immediately after take-off, the pilots gave a Mayday call, after which there was no communication from the pilots, and the plane came crashing to the ground, hitting a medical college building as it went up in flames.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: In one of the worst aircraft crash tragedies that India has witnessed, an Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad shortly after its takeoff on Thursday afternoon. After the tragedy, actor Vikrant Massey posted on his Instagram handle that his "uncle" lost his son Clive Kunder, co-pilot of the flight, in the incident.

In his story on Instagram, Massey offered condolences to the individuals who lost their lives in the plane crash and added that Clive Kunder was the first officer on the AI171 flight.

The Air India aircraft had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

"My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today," he posted.

"It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder, lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the 1st officer operating on that fateful flight. May God give strength to you and your family, uncle, and to all deeply affected," the post read.

In another post, Massey clarified that Clive was not his cousin and that Kunder's are his family friends.

Air India Plane Crash

The Air India flight AI171 was in a horrific plane crash and was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12 (Thursday). It departed from the airport at 1:38 pm and was carrying 242 individuals, 230 passengers, and 12 crew.

Air India confirmed the death of 241 passengers, and the sole survivor was being treated at the hospital. Additionally, the Tata Group announced ex gratia of Rs. 1 crore for the families of the people who died in the tragedy and will also cover the medical expenses of those injured.

"Tata Group will provide 1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical's hostel," the Company said.

Furthermore, President Draupadi Murmu, in a post on X, expressed grief over the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was also on the Air India flight.
Ahmedabad : From Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi to Jr NTR, several celebrities have expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the tragic crash of the London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday, which had 242 people onboard.

Taking to X, Allu Arjun extended his heartfelt condolences and wrote, "Heartbroken by the tragic Ahmedabad Air India flight crash. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May their souls rest in peace. Truly heart-wrenching"

Heartbroken by the tragic Ahmedabad Air India flight crash. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. May their souls rest in peace. Truly heart-wrenching  Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) June 12, 2025

The London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, ramming into the doctors' hostel in the Meghani Nagar area in Ahmedabad.



"Deeply saddened to know about the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad. My prayers are with all the passengers, crew on board, the affected and their families," wrote Ram Charan on X.

Deeply saddened to know about the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad.

My prayers are with all the passengers, crew on board, the affected and their families.  Ram Charan (@AlwaysRamCharan) June 12, 2025



Actor Nagarjuna Akkineni wrote, "Shocked beyond belief with the news of the crash in Ahmedabad, my prayers go out to families and everyone affected!!"

Shocked beyond belief with the news of the crash in Ahmedabad, my prayers go out to families and everyone affected!!  Nagarjuna Akkineni (@iamnagarjuna) June 12, 2025

Expressing grief over the tragic incident, Chiranjeevi said, "Devastated to hear about the horrifying tragedy involving the Flight #AI171 bound to London from Ahmedabad. No words will suffice to say how heartbreaking this is. My deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the departed! May their souls rest in peace!"



"Deeply saddened by the Ahmedabad Air India flight crash. Prayers and strength to everyone affected. My thoughts are with the passengers, crew members, and their families," wrote Jr NTR.

Deeply saddened by the Ahmedabad Air India flight crash. Prayers and strength to everyone affected. My thoughts are with the passengers, crew members, and their families.  Jr NTR (@tarak9999) June 12, 2025



Tamil actor and music director Vijay Antony said, "Shattered by the Ahmedabad plane crash. My heart goes out to the families grieving. Strength to them in this dark hour. #AhmedabadPlaneCrash"



"Deeply saddened by the devastating #airindia plane crash in Gujarat... Prayers for the deceased and for the families who lost their loved ones.... Life is brutal sometimes...," wrote Tamil actor and film producer Vishnu Vishal.

Deeply saddened by the devastating #airindia plane crash in Gujarat...

Prayers for the deceased and for the families who lost their loved ones....

Life is brutal sometimes...  VISHNU VISHAL - VV (@TheVishnuVishal) June 12, 2025



Actor Varun Tej Konidela said, "Deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of the Ahmedabad plane crash. My thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and their families. Praying for strength and support for their families during this difficult time."



Deeply moved by the tragedy, Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to Instagram stories to share her grief. She wrote, "Days like these remind us just how fragile life really is. So many hopes, so many dreams gone in an instant, leaving behind only heartbreak and sorrow. The devastating news of the Air India plane crash is hard to comprehend. One can't begin to imagine the pain and trauma the families of the victims must be going through. May God give them the strength to endure this unimaginable loss and somehow find a way forward through the grief. "

Rashmika Mandanna also expressed grief, saying, "Heard about the tragic Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad today, and it truly shook me to my core... having to take flights on an everyday basis and then this happens so close to you... and it's so scary... My heart goes out to all the passengers, and especially to their families."

Dulquer Salmaan also posted a message of support on his Instagram Stories. He wrote, "Heartbroken hearing about the Air India Crash. Cannot imagine what the families of all the victims are going through. Praying for all of them in this trying time."

According to an Air India statement, the Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating as Flight AI-171, departed from Ahmedabad at 1:38 pm IST with 242 people on board, including crew.

"The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, carried 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information," the airline said in a statement.

The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience, the official said. As per Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC).

It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC."Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site," the official added.
Mumbai: Bollywood veteran actor Dharmendra shared an incident when he confronted the late director Hrishikesh Mukherjee for allegedly replacing him with superstar Rajesh Khanna in the film 'Anand'.

Released in 1971, 'Anand' is considered one of the finest movies in Bollywood. It starred Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles and was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Rajesh Khanna's titular role in the film was reportedly first offered to the rising star of that time, Dharmendra. However, the director later allegedly replaced him without any formal explanation.

In a conversation with ANI on Friday, Dharmendra opened up about the incident and said that he once confronted the director for his removal from the film while he was drunk.

He said, "We were going to Bengaluru. He told the whole story. I was charged, naturally. He was a great director. I was very happy, and because of that, I drank a few glasses of alcohol. The next day, I read that Rajesh Khanna was working on it. So, naturally, I was a little surprised. I didn't have the courage to say it to him."

Then, one day, the actor mustered the courage to confront the late director Mukherjee and asked him, "Where is my 'Anand'?"

"I told him, Dada, you told me a story. We will do this and that while going to Bangalore. I was very happy. A good story with such a good director. And then I found out that Rajesh Khanna was working on it. At night, when I said this, he said he would do another film with me, and I was like, 'Where is my Anand?'. He told me to sleep. A little later, I again said, 'Dada'. I think he got agitated a little and then he said, 'Dharmendra, go to sleep'," said Dharmedra.

To this, the 'Sholay' actor responded, "Neend nhi aati. Anand ki neend tabhi aaegi jab mere paas 'Anand' hoga (I can't sleep. I will sleep peacefully only when I have 'Anand')"

Despite their professional and brief dispute over 'Anand', the actor said he still respects Hrishikesh Mukherjee and is sad about his passing.

Meanwhile, Dharmendra is set to reunite with actor Arbaaz Khan after 27 years with the film 'Maine Pyaar Kiya Phir Se'.

The film is set to begin its shooting schedule soon and is expected to hit theatres in November 2025, as noted in a press note shared by the makers of 'Maine Pyar Kiya Phir Se'.
New Delhi: Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan recently revealed that he experienced a complete blackout after getting drunk at his 60th birthday bash, which he celebrated on March 14.

In the latest episode of The Bombay Journey for Mashable India, Aamir shared that the party was organized by his daughter Ira Khan and ex-wife Reena Dutta, who invited all his loved ones and well-wishers. Although Aamir has almost completely quit drinking, he gave in to his friends' insistence and had a few drinks that evening which hit him unexpectedly hard.

He said,Yaar, bohot interesting hua. Ira, Reena, everyone organised a birthday party for me on my 60th. They invited all my loved ones. It was a memorable day, like all the memories will stay with me. I dont drink much these days, Ive cut down alcohol consumption to almost zero. But that day, because it was my 60th birthday, everybody insisted that I have a drink. Toh maine kaha theek hai. Aur kyunki mujhe aadat nahi hai, bohot jaldi chadh gayi mujhe. (So I said okay. And since Im not used to it, it hit me really fast). We started at around 7 pm, and by 9 pm, I knew that I was flying.

Although it was a special day, Aamir confessed that he has no memory of most of it due to a "clean blackout." He mentioned that there are photos and videos from the evening where people said nice things about him, but he doesnt remember any of it.

Aamir Khan on Why He Quit Drinking

Earlier, Aamir had revealed that he gave up alcohol because he lacked control while drinking. However, he admitted that he still smokes a pipe. In a candid conversation with actor Nana Patekar, Aamir opened up about his biggest personal struggle  his lack of discipline. While he maintains strong discipline in his professional life, especially with films, he described himself as an "extremist" in other areas.

I smoke a pipe. Now I have quit drinking, but at one point, I used to drink. And when I used to drink, I would drink all night, he said.

On the Work Front, Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of his much-anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by R.S. Prasanna. The film is a remake of the Spanish movie Campeones and is slated to hit theatres on June 20.
New Delhi: Actor Sana Makbul, known for winning Bigg Boss OTT last year, recently informed her fans that she has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Earlier, a photo of the actress from a hospital bed had sparked concern among well-wishers.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sana revealed that her condition has worsened and she is currently battling the serious liver disease.

Ive been living with autoimmune hepatitis for a while now, but recently things got worse. My immune system started attacking my liver more aggressively, and Ive now been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, Sana shared, adding, But Im trying to stay strong and take one day at a time.

The Bigg Boss winner also revealed that she has started immunotherapy, and doctors are doing their best to avoid a liver transplant.

The doctors and I are doing everything we can to avoid a liver transplant. Ive started immunotherapy  its really intense and tiring. Some days are harder than others. But Im holding on to hope. I just want to get better without needing something as big as a liver transplant. Its not going to be easy, but Im not ready to give up. Some days I cry, some days I laugh, but every day, I try. As they say, healing is a journey, and Im learning as I go.

Sana clarified that her condition didnt worsen overnight, but gradually became more serious over time This didnt happen overnight; Ive been managing it for a while. Recently, it flared up badly, which has forced me to pause my work commitments. It breaks my heart a little, as Ive worked really hard to achieve all this success. Just when things were falling into place, my health took a hit. I may be walking slower right now, but Im still movingand thats all that matters.

The actress also spoke about how her family has been her greatest support system.

My family has been my anchor through all of this. I think sometimes its harder for them to watch me in pain than it is for me to live it. Theyve seen me break down, shares Sana, adding, My mom doesnt say much, but her silence is filled with strength. My dad puts on a brave face, even when I know hes worried. They never let me feel alone, even on the toughest days. Healing isnt just about medicine; its about feeling loved.

What Is Liver Cirrhosis?

According to the National Institutes of Health, cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver becomes scarred and permanently damaged. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, preventing the liver from functioning normally. As cirrhosis progresses, liver failure can occur.

Doctors diagnose cirrhosis based on a combination of medical history, physical examinations, and various tests. These include blood tests (to detect liver damage or infections), imaging studies, and liver biopsies.

Cirrhosis can present with numerous signs and symptoms such as fatigue, easy bruising, swelling, and severe itching. Symptoms may not appear until the liver has sustained significant damage.

Common causes of cirrhosis include: Alcohol-associated liver disease, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), Chronic hepatitis C, Chronic hepatitis B

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.
Colorado is joining a multi-state coalition in filing a lawsuit to challenge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decision to provide access to individual personal health data to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a plea challenging Karnatakas "extra-judicial ban" on the screening of Thug Life -- a film by veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam and superstar Kamal Haasan.

A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan sought responses of Karnatakas Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home) and Director General of Police in the matter and posted the petition for further hearing on Tuesday (June 17).

During the films audio launch, Kamal Haasan claimed that Kannada is born out of Tamil, sparking strong reactions in Karnataka.

The writ petition filed by Bengaluru's M. Mahesh Reddy claimed that despite certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Karnataka government has prevented Thug Lifes theatrical release through oral instructions and police interference.

Advocate A. Velan, representing the petitioner, contended that such actions amounted to an unconstitutional restriction on free speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

The Karnataka government has completely "capitulated" to extremist elements, who were attacking linguistic minorities and calling for the burning of theatres, submitted Velan.

As per the petition, the ban stems from a deliberate campaign of terror, including explicit threats of arson against cinema halls, incitement to large-scale communal violence targeting linguistic minorities, and a chilling call for a repeat of past anti-Tamil riots.

This reign of intimidation is a direct, flagrant violation of the Fundamental Rights to Freedom of Speech and Expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and to Practice any Profession (Article 19(1)(g)). More seriously, it is a calculated attack on the secular fabric and public order of the State, stated the petition.

Following the row over Haasans remarks on the origins of the Kannada language, the film's producer, Raaj Kamal Films International, had petitioned the Karnataka High Court seeking protection. However, the Karnataka HC suggested that Kamal Haasan issue an apology, but the actor-politician has refused to do so. As a result of the actor's refusal to issue an outright apology, the films release in Karnataka has been postponed indefinitely.
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband and industrialist Sunjay Kapur died of a heart attack on Thursday June 12, 2025 in London. Several media reports suggest that the incident occurred while he was playing polo. Sunjay was currently married to Priya Sachdev. He was 53.

Actor and author Suhel Seth confirmed the death and extended his condolences in a post on X. He wrote: Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur : he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues @sonacomstar Om Shanti

Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur : he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleagues @sonacomstar Om Shanti  SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) June 12, 2025

A few hours before his demise, Sunjay had expressed grief over the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. "Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour. #planecrash," Sunjay's last post on X read.

Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour. #planecrash  Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) June 12, 2025

An official statement regarding his demise from his family and company is awaited.

For the uninitiated, Sunjay Kapur headed Sona Comstar, a global auto components company based in Gurugram, and served as President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). He also co-chaired the Manufacturing Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and sat on the board of The Doon School in Dehradun, where he studied.

Sunjay got married to Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor in 2003. The couple divorced in 2016 after a long legal battle. They have two children: daughter Samaira and son Kiaan.

After his divorce, he married model-socialite Priya Sachdev.
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor's former husband and industrialist Sunjay Kapur's sudden death has left the showbiz world shocked. He suffered a heart attack while he was playing polo in London on Thursday, June 12, 2025. He was 53.

Who Was Sunjay Kapur?

Sunjay Kapur, a famous name in automative industry in India, headed Sona Comstar, a global auto components company based in Gurugram. This company supplies critical parts, including EV traction motors and starter motors. He took over in 2015 after his father's demise.

He also served as President of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). He also co-chaired the Manufacturing Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and sat on the board of The Doon School in Dehradun, where he studied, reports Harper Bazaar.

He completed his BBA at the University of Buckingham and later attended Harvard Business School's Owner-President Management Program.

Sunjay Kapur's Personal Life

Sunjay was first married to ace fashion designer Nandita Mahtani, after which he tied the knot with Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor in 2003. The couple divorced in 2016 after a long legal battle. They had two children: daughter Samaira and son Kiaan.

A father holds his daughters hand for a short while, but he holds her heart forever. Happy 18th birthday to my first love, Samaira. Welcome to adulthood. Remember to be responsible and live your life to the fullest. You are beautiful inside out. And we are all so proud of you pic.twitter.com/zehZE9dVoq  Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) March 11, 2023

He then married model-socialite Priya Sachdev in 2017, whom he met in New York, reportedly. She already had a daughter from her previous marriage.

Sunjay and Priya also had a son named Azarius. According to reports, Karisma and Sunjay maintained a healthy relationship after their divorce.

Sunjay Kapur's Last Social Media Post

Just hours before his death, Sunjay Kapur had posted on X about the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour, he wrote.

Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour. #planecrash  Sunjay Kapur (@sunjaykapur) June 12, 2025

Hours after the news of Sunjay Kapur's death, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Malaika Arora were spotted reaching Karisma's house in Mumbai.
New Delhi:Almost all the iPhones that Foxconn exported from India between March and May 2025 went to the United States, according to customs data reported for the first time by Reuters. This is a big jump from last year, when only about half of these phones were sent to the U.S. Before, Indian-made iPhones were also shipped to countries like the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Britain, but now Apple is sending nearly all of them to America to get around the high tariffs the U.S. has put on Chinese goods.

From March to May, Foxconn exported USD 3.2 billion worth of iPhones from India, and 97 percent of those went to the U.S., compared to just over 50 percent in 2024. In May alone, shipments to the U.S. were nearly USD $1 billionthe second-highest ever, after Marchs record USD 1.3 billion. In just the first five months of 2025, Foxconn already sent USD 4.4 billion worth of iPhones to the U.S., which is more than the total for all of 2024.

This big shift is happening as the U.S. plans to raise tariffs on Chinese products even higher. President Donald Trump said China could face tariffs of 55%. India, like most U.S. trading partners, faces a basic 10 percent tariff, but is trying to avoid a higher 26 percent tariff that Trump announced and then paused.

Apple has sped up production in India to avoid the extra costs from tariffs on Chinese-made phones, even chartering planes to fly iPhones quickly to the U.S. The company also asked Indian airport officials to speed up customs clearance at Chennai airport, which is a key export hub.

Tata Electronics, another Apple supplier in India, also sent 86 percent of its iPhones to the U.S. in March and April, up from 52 percent in 2024. Experts think that in 2025, iPhones made in India could make up 25 percent to 30 percent of all iPhones shipped worldwide, up from 18 percent in 2024.

Reuters reports that this change shows how Apple is working hard to avoid U.S. tariffs on Chinese products by making and exporting more iPhones from India.
New Delhi: Google said it had resolved a temporary worldwide outage on its platforms that affected several services, including Google Chat, Google Meet, Gmail, and Google Cloud Search, on Thursday.

The disruption, which resulted from a fault within Google Cloud, caused extensive accessibility issues for tens of thousands of users worldwide.

Outage disrupts Google services

Due to the outage, services such as Google Search, Google Meet, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Cloud Search were completely unavailable for users. The outage also disrupted services on Spotify, Snapchat and Discord that depend on the tech giant's cloud managed services and infrastructure.

What has the company said?

Google said that it had fixed the worldwide outage on its platforms that affected its users. "The issue with Google Chat, Google Meet, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Cloud Search, Google Tasks, Google Voice has been resolved for all affected users," the company said.

Google further said that it will publish an analysis of the incident once the internal investigation is completed. All the services are fully recovered from the service issue. We will publish an analysis of this incident once we have completed our internal investigation," Google said.

Cause of disruption

Google Cloud engineers identified an identity and access management malfunction within Google Cloud's systems to be the cause of the disruption.

Google Cloud stated on its status page that multiple products were experiencing service impact.

"Our engineers have identified the root cause and have applied appropriate mitigations," Google Cloud stated on its status page.

All the services are fully recovered from the service issue. We will publish analysis of this incident once we have completed our internal investigation. We thank you for your patience while we worked on resolving the issue, said the company.
New Delhi: Alexandr Wang, the founder and CEO of Scale AI, told his employees that hes leaving the company to join Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). This news came right after reports that Meta was making a huge investment in Scale AIabout dollar14.3 billionwhich gives Meta a 49% stake in the startup, but without any voting rights or control over its business decisions.

In his message to staff, Wang said that big chance sometimes require tough choices, and for him, that meant stepping down as CEO. He called his time leading Scale AI the best experience of his life. Jason Droege, who was Scale AIs chief strategy officer and previously worked at Uber and Benchmark, will take over as the new CEO.

A few Scale AI employees will also move to Meta as part of this deal. Wang will be heading a new AI research lab at Meta, focusing on building advanced AI that could one day match or even surpass human abilities. Meta confirmed the partnership and said theyll be working even closer with Scale AI to improve data for their AI models, and that more details about the new team will be shared soon.

Metas CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is making AI the companys main priority for 2025, especially since Meta has been trailing behind competitors like OpenAI and Google in the AI race. He believes bringing in Wang from outside the company is the best way to speed up Metas progress in this area, even though he usually prefers to promote from within.

Scale AI doesnt build its own AI models. Instead, it helps companies like Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta by providing the huge, high-quality datasets they need to train their AI systems. Meta is already one of Scale AIs largest customers.

Even with Metas investment and Wangs move, Scale AI says its business with other clientsincluding Metas competitorswont be affected. Meta will not have access to Scale AIs confidential business information or data.

Meta is investing billions in Scale AI and hiring its founder to lead a new AI lab, hoping this will help them catch up in the race to build the worlds most powerful AI. Scale AI gets a big cash boost and a new CEO, while promising to keep serving all its customers as usual.
OnePlus Nord 5 Series India Launch: Chinese smartphone brand OnePlus is reportedly planning to launch the OnePlus Nord 5 series in India, according to media reports. The series include the OnePlus Nord 5 and OnePlus Nord CE 5. The smartphones are expected to debut on July 8 as part of the companys effort to expand its mid-range lineup. However, OnePlus has yet to officially confirm the devices or their launch date.

The OnePlus Nord 5 has been spotted on a benchmarking website, featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC paired with 12GB of RAM. It was previously rumoured to launch as a rebranded version of the OnePlus Ace 5 Racing Edition. OnePlus Global shared a teaser video on X (formerly Twitter) hinting at the upcoming launch of the OnePlus Nord 5 series. The video promised 'dragon speed and elite performance.' However, the post was later taken down, sparking even more curiosity among fans.

OnePlus Nord 5 Specifications (Expected)

The smartphone is expected to sport a 6.7-inch flat OLED display, offering an immersive visual experience. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM for smooth multitasking and performance. The handset is expected to sport a 7,000mAh battery along with a 100W fast wired charging for quick top-ups. On the photography front, the phone may feature a dual rear camera setup led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, along with a 16-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls.

OnePlus Nord CE 5 Specifications (Expected)

The device is expected to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It may feature a 6.7-inch flat OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The phone is backed by a massive 7,100mAh battery along with a 80W fast charging support. In the camera department, it could sport a triple rear setup with a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 16MP front-facing camera for selfies.

OnePlus Nord 5, Nord CE 5 Price In India (Expected)

The smartphone is expected to be priced between Rs 30,000 and Rs 35,000, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment. It may particularly appeal to mobile gamers seeking high performance at an affordable price. In contrast, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is anticipated to launch at around Rs 25,000, closely aligning with the Rs 24,999 price tag of its predecessor, the Nord CE 4.
Iranian authorities have significantly broadened a ban on walking dogs in public spaces, extending the restriction from Tehran to at least 17 other cities across the country, including Ilam, Isfahan, and Kerman. This expansion builds upon a 2019 police directive that initially prohibited dog walking in the capital.

The rationale behind this move is rooted in various factors. While no explicit law in Iran bans dog ownership, it remains a contentious issue since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Many religious scholars consider dogs and their saliva to be ritually impure. Additionally, some officials perceive pet ownership as a symbol of undesirable Western cultural influence.

Historically, Iranian authorities have intermittently imposed such bans, often as part of a broader effort to discourage dog ownership. This includes a 2010 prohibition on media advertisements for pets or pet products, and a 2014 parliamentary push to fine and even flog dog walkers (though this particular measure did not pass).

Officials have stated that the latest bans are intended to "maintain public order, ensure safety and protect public health." Local reports indicate that legal action will be taken against those who violate these new regulations, although specific details on enforcement have not been fully disclosed.

The newspaper quoted Abbas Najafi, prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, as saying, "Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace, and comfort. "

In 2017, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting and guard dogs is considered reprehensible, according to AFP.

"If this practice resembles that of non-Muslims, promotes their culture or causes harm and disturbance to neighbours, it is deemed forbidden," he had said.
Tehran/New Delhi: The night sky cracked open with thunderous booms. From rooftops to boulevards, people across the Iranian capital looked up in panic. Explosions lit up Tehrans skyline in the early hours of Friday. The smoke trails were not fireworks. According to multiple sources and later confirmed by IRNA, Irans official news agency, Israel had begun what many feared  a direct military strike on Iran.

But what if Iran had seen this coming all along?

Behind the drama of a surprise Israeli assault lies a darker and quieter buildup  one that unfolded through coded warnings, intelligence coups and quiet evacuations. This is not a sudden attack. It is rehearsed in shadows, and Iran, it turns out, was not in the dark at all.

Just days before the attack, Press TV published an exclusive conversation with a senior Iranian security official. His words were not vague: We have intelligence superiority. If Israel or the United States attacks, they will be caught off-guard.

Speaking to Press TV, a senior Iranian security official warned that the Islamic Republic will surprise the US and Israel if they attempt any aggressive actions.



Follow Press TV on Telegram: https://t.co/boCY50qfi9 pic.twitter.com/Vqil9SykyK  Press TV (@PressTV) June 12, 2025

That was not bravado.

According to reports, Tehran had intercepted thousands of secret documents from Israeli servers. These files were not mere scraps of information. They included detailed layouts of Israeli nuclear sites, plans of future operations and, perhaps most shockingly, proof that the International Atomic Energy Agencys top boss, Rafael Grossi, had been working hand-in-glove with Tel Aviv.

Irans Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib called it a treasure trove. These documents, he said, contain so much classified detail that calling them thousands might actually understate it.

They include nuclear blueprints, coordination with foreign countries and surveillance maps, he added.

In simpler terms, Iran now knows where to hit and how hard.

Documents released by Iran show that IAEA chief Grossi has been completely coordinated with Israel and has been carrying out Israel's orders.



Iran recently managed to obtain a wealth of secret documents from the Israeli regime. pic.twitter.com/iVz2V0oNh5  Press TV (@PressTV) June 12, 2025

Even as Israeli media speculated about a potential strike, Iran was not scrambling; it was positioning.

At least five rounds of indirect negotiations with Washington had quietly been taking place in Muscat since April. Still, behind those talks, Irans military was shifting into high gear. An unnamed official told Press TV that Irans forces had reached their highest level of readiness not only in air defense but across cyberwarfare, missile units and strategic command.

A two-ton warhead ballistic missile had just been successfully tested, confirmed by Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Nasirzadeh.

Meanwhile, on Irans southern front, Ansarullah in Yemen, already in combat with Israel over Gaza, made its own intentions clear. Speaking to Newsweek, a senior leader from the resistance group said they were at full alert. The reason? Any escalation against Iran will drag the entire region into the abyss of war, he said.

That is not rhetoric. It is a war declaration waiting for its cue.

And while U.S. troops were being discreetly evacuated from embassies and bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, Iranian missiles were likely being calibrated to new coordinates.

With Iranian soil now under open attack, the question has shifted from if to how Tehran will respond. But according to Tehrans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), there is no ambiguity.

If Israel carries out aggression, we will strike their secret nuclear facilities, reads their pre-strike statement.

Iran believes it now has real-time intelligence to make those strikes accurate and devastating. According to IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, the purported Israeli documents will be used to plan any future missile attacks.

And that could mean this war does not stay between Iran and Israel for long.

As IRNA reported the blasts over Tehran, Israel simultaneously declared a national emergency. That is a clue. Tel Aviv knows what might be coming not just from Irans territory, but from Yemen, from southern Lebanon, from Iraq and even possibly from Syria. Every group aligned with Iran is now likely to interpret Israels move as an attack on the region.

Meanwhile, the already fragile diplomatic bridge between Washington and Tehran has likely collapsed. Talks scheduled in Oman now look futile.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran never intended to build nuclear weapons but also warned that Tehrans scientific and defensive capabilities wont be surrendered.

It is easy to say this began when missiles flew over Tehran. But the first shots were fired long ago through assassinations of Iranian scientists, alleged leaked intelligence and covert sabotage.

What happened on Friday is just the visible part of a hidden war. The alleged classified documents Iran now holds have altered the balance. The evacuations by the United States were not a precaution; they were an admission. Israel made the first move but Iran may own the next play.

And if that response is as calculated as Tehrans intelligence game has been so far, the world may soon witness a conflict far broader and bloodier than anyone in Tel Aviv or Washington expected.
The conflict erupted between Israel and Iran after overnight Israeli airstrikes on Iran, targeting its nuclear sites and other military targets. The strikes were part of a military operation called Rising Lion. To avenge against Israeli Air Force attack, Iran also launched over 150 ballistic missiles toward Israel. As the situation is not normal in reason, Israeli citizens asked to immediately take cover in Bomb shelters. Amid the ongoing tension between both countries Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu dialled world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to brief him on the "evolving situation" between Tehran and Jerusalem.

Here Are The Top Updates On the Israel-Iran Conflict:

- EAM S Jaishankar stated that he received a phone call from Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran. The talks between the two leaders come in the wake of Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel against Iran.

- After a call with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon, EAM also has a call with the Iranian FM this evening on the recent development.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi also received a call from Israeli PM Netanyahu over the ongoing situation between Israel and Iran. Sharing the info, PM Modi said that he emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region.

- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed a "legitimate and powerful" response to Israel's deadly airstrikes on Tehran and other cities, promising retaliation for the attacks.

- Iran launches over 150 ballistic missiles at Israel, triggering emergency air raid sirens across the country.

- Israel Defence Force Spokesperson said that IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Due to this defense systems are operating to intercept the threat and the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.

- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had completed a new series of "precision strikes" on Iran's surface-to-surface missile systems, destroying multiple launchers, storage facilities, and other military sites. The DF stated that the operation was conducted based on intelligence provided by its Intelligence Directorate.

- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also urged "all parties to step back" and reduce tensions urgently after Israel carried out strikes on Iran.

- Iran appointed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as the new military commander after the deaths of key security officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, IANS citing the state-run IRNA news agency reports.

(With ANI, IANS inputs)
The Juneteenth Music Festival is held in Denvers Five Points neighborhood. This years festival is Sunday at 27th and Welton Streets.
NEW DELHI: Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Israel is carrying out Operation Rising Lion independently to defend itself against existential threats, even as coordination with Arab nations has deepened in the wake of the Abraham Accords. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, denied the existence of a formal military coalition but underscored growing regional cooperation to counter threats from Iran and its proxies.

"Israel is taking action by itself to defend itself. At the same time, what is happening is that following the Abraham Accords, we have a situation in which we have much higher coordination with countries in the region in monitoring the skies of the Middle East and defending ourselves against threats coming from Iran and its proxies. And that's the reason why we've been able to cope so successfully with the biggest barrage of ballistic missiles fired ever in the history of the world that happened back in April. So the help and the assistance of our partners are important. And this is, yes, you can say it's a coalition. It's not an official coalition. Israel is not fighting together with a coalition at this point. Israel is acting alone to defend itself against an existential threat to it," Ambassador Azar said.

Azar also elaborated on Israel's long-standing position regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. "Well, we haven't at any time mentioned that Iran cannot have nuclear power plants for electricity. What we didn't want was for Iran to possess the ability to enrich uranium by itself, because that would be an element in the composition of a nuclear arsenal. You have to understand. You need three components to launch a nuclear attack. You need the missile, which is the vehicle. You need the fissile material, that is the stuff that you need to put in a bomb. And you need a nuclear warhead. So if they have developed the plans, and we have already exposed that with the nuclear information that we have seized. About pairing the warhead with the missile.

That since 2003. Iran has been conducting activities to create a nuclear warhead. So if they already have the ballistic missiles and they have the fissile material and they are capable of producing fissile material, then they would have the potential to create a huge nuclear arsenal. And therefore, that fissile material has to be removed from Iran. And the only material that can be used is that which is being imported to create electricity. We haven't said that that's not possible," he said.

He emphasised that Israel's military action is limited in scope and entirely defensive. "Well, again, you know, I don't want to speculate. I think that we are taking limited action to defend ourselves. It's completely up to other countries to decide whether they want to get involved. I don't think that any of them have insinuated at this point that they want to be part of this military conflict. So I think I wouldn't go that far," he said. He also underscored that Israel's military response comes after prolonged restraint.

"I think that Israel has been acting very responsibly because we've been postponing this military action for a very long time. Iran has been given many, many chances to retract from this policy. They have been sanctioned, they've been negotiating with, we have seen many, many attempts by different countries in the world to try to divert Iran from this line of action. And the fact that we have reached this point is because it's an imminent moment that we couldn't continue living with. And therefore, we took action. I think people appreciate the degree of our restraint. And I can tell you that many countries in the Arab world feel as threatened by Israel as Israel, if not more, because, you know, what the Iranians are doing is very clear for many countries. Iran wants to take Jerusalem, but it's only a stop on the way to Mecca and Medina. This is what they want to do. They want to control the Islamic world. And they have been attacking other countries in the past. Look what happened more than four years ago in Saudi Arabia when they directly attacked the oil production of Saudi Arabia. So I think that Israel is supported. And people, even if they don't support, they understand why we are taking this action," Azar added.

Addressing global narratives and perceptions around the strikes, Azar said many countries are responding responsibly and acknowledging Israel's right to self-defence. "Well, I haven't seen, you know, I've seen the responses following what happened tonight. I think that many countries are responding in a very responsible way. Of course, they're in a situation of alarm and concern, but they haven't delegitimised our right to self-defence. I think the fact that we have shared intelligence... both with the IAEA and with other Western powers and other friends. People understand the ferocity and the radicalism coming from Iran, the fact that they have been doing all these activities to destroy us, and haven't seen condemnation so far. We are, of course, in touch with the Indian government as well, and we are coordinating briefs to our colleagues to present them with both the information we have and the action that we've taken," he said.

When asked about possible prior consultations with Saudi Arabia before the strikes, the Ambassador responded briefly, "I'm not aware of that."

He also outlined Israel's current state of readiness, stating that both the government and the public are on high alert. "We are prepared for any scenario. I think that Iran has the option to stop. Iran might continue. We have prepared ourselves for this continuation. And of course, the entire public in Israel is now in a state of alert. They have been instructed to stay close to shelters. We don't have schools in Israel today. So, yes, we are in a situation of alert. We will continue preparing our population for any retaliation. And we will, of course, keep the freedom of action that is necessary to defend ourselves against the power that wants to destroy us," he said.

Referring to a past U.S. proposal, he noted Israel's conditional acceptance of Iran's civilian nuclear use. "If that is the contours of moving forward. Yes," he said, referring to Trump's plan to provide Iran with nuclear fuel for civilian use. Azar also underscored the importance of narrative in modern warfare, noting that Israel would continue to present its position to the international community. "A lot of the military strategies are also about narrative building. The IDF has just put out a video which says that the Iranian regime wants to destroy the state of Israel and is not hiding," he said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged "all parties to step back" and reduce tensions urgently after Israel carried out strikes on Iran, what it called a "pre-emptive operation" targeting the latter's nuclear program.

Starmer called the reports of these strikes "concerning " and emphasised that stability in the Middle East must be a priority.

In a post on X, Starmer stated, "The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region. Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."

Starmer's statement comes after Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, according to Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, The Times of Israel reported. Katz declared an emergency situation across the country due to Israel's action in Iran.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying.

Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel." "You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," Katz added, as per The Times of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of a large-scale military campaign, Operation Rising Lion, aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Netanyahu said Israel had struck multiple high-value Iranian targets in a decisive first strike. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," he said, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

The Israeli leader accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme in defiance of global warnings, pointing to enriched uranium stockpiles capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he noted, warning that Tehran had taken "steps to weaponise this enriched uranium" and could develop a nuclear weapon within months.

Netanyahu likened the current moment to the prelude to World War II, referencing the Holocaust and past global inaction in the face of rising threats. "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime," he said.

Reaffirming Israel's red lines, Netanyahu declared: "Now, as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again. Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal. Tonight, Israel backs those words with action."

He elaborated on the targets, stating, "We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme."

He cited growing threats from Iran's missile development as a catalyst for action. "Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel. Each of these missiles carries a tonne of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds, but of millions. Iran is gearing up to produce 10,000 of those ballistic missiles within three years. Now just imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey. This is an intolerable threat. It must be stopped."

Netanyahu said Iran's "new plan to destroy Israel" involved surrounding the country with regional proxies and launching direct attacks, including the October 7th incident. "But the people of Israel, the soldiers of Israel rose like lions to defend our country. We crushed Hamas. We devastated Hezbollah. We hit Iranian proxies in Syria and Yemen. And when Iran directly attacked us twice last year, we struck back inside Iran itself. Yet in defending ourselves, we also defend others."
Israel Air Force on Friday carried out preemptive, precise air strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear sites and other military targets. The strikes were part of a military operation called Rising Lion. Iran Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami and former atomic chief Fereydoon Abbasi are feared to have been killed in the assault.

The Israeli Air Force conducted a strike in Iran, citing two sources with knowledge of the operation, reports Reuters, quoting Axios. pic.twitter.com/U3lQHjbv9c

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that its forces launched a targeted military operation dubbed "Rising Lion" at Iran to make the Islamic Republic roll back it's nuclear program, which he described as a "threat to Israel's very survival." Netanyahu added that the operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," ANI quoted Netanyahu as saying.

This comes after Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had called for international help to stop Iran from completing its nuclear program.

Addressing a press conference in Germany on June 7, Saar called for action after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a report detailed how Iran was secretly conducting nuclear tests despite warnings from countries around the world.

IAEA in a report has detailed that Iran's uranium levels are now 90% of what is needed to make weapons, and if it continues to grow at the current rate, it will soon have enough for nine nuclear bombs.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that he has signed a special order declaring a "special state of emergency" throughout the entire country following its strike on Iran

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," according to ANI The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying.

Katz said that he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed the news and clarified that Washington was not involved in the strike against Iran. He also urged Iran not to target U.S. interests or personnel.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," as per ANI US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

This attack comes days after US President Donald Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stop talk of a potential military strike on Iran, as per media reports.

(With ANI inputs)
Tehran/New Delhi: The sky over Tehran turned red before dawn. Loud booms cracked through the stillness of the Iranian capital, waking residents and shaking buildings. Smoke billowed upward from the outskirts as sirens echoed across neighborhoods. Israel has launched a full-scale pre-emptive assault on Iran  one that could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East overnight.

The strikes, part of a military operation reportedly called Operation Rising Lion, were confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they were targeted at Irans nuclear weapons infrastructure.

Iran has taken steps never seen before  steps to weaponise enriched uranium. This is a clear and present danger to Israels very survival, he said.

According to Iranian state media, multiple explosions were heard northeast of Tehran. Civilian eyewitnesses have confirmed hearing them too. The cause was not immediately clear at first, but as details emerged, it became evident that these were coordinated Israeli airstrikes, dozens of them.

Targets included suspected nuclear research facilities, long-range missile stockpiles and the Revolutionary Guards headquarters. BBC has quoted an Israeli official as saying that Iran now possesses enough nuclear material to create bombs within days and that the strikes aimed to dismantle that capability before it could become unstoppable.

Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami and former atomic chief Fereydoon Abbasi, both believed to have played key roles in advancing Irans nuclear ambitions, are feared to have been killed in the assault.

Reports have cited Israeli military as saying that people actually developing Irans nuclear weapon were taken out tonight. So Israeli attacks were aimed at erasing the expertise rather than hitting facilities.

Israel Declares Special State of Emergency

As tensions soared, Israels Defense Minister Israel Katz signed a sweeping emergency order. Following the State of Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future, he said.

Educational institutions, public gatherings and non-essential workplaces have been shut down. Air raid sirens wailed across Jerusalem at 3 AM local time. Phones buzzed with emergency alerts. Flightradar24 showed commercial aircraft rerouting away from Tel Aviv. The nation is on edge, bracing for what may come next.

What Pushed Israel To Strike Now?

Although Israel had hinted at a red line, the world assumed diplomacy still had room. President Trump, earlier in the day, was clear in his hesitation: As long as I think there will be an agreement, I do not want them going in.

But CBS reported that U.S. officials were told on Wednesday that Israel was ready to launch. It is part of why the United States quietly advised some of its citizens to leave the region. The anticipation was not if, but when.

Despite this, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was quick to distance Washington from the attack. We are not involved in strikes against Iran Israel advised us they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, he said.

IDF: This Is Just The First Stage

A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that this was only the beginning. Dozens of Israeli Air Force jets completed the first stage of the attack including strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran, it said.

The operation, they said, is aimed at neutralising the regimes nuclear ambitions and dismantling infrastructure that enables Tehrans long-range missile capabilities. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens, the IDF said.

Iran hasnt formally responded yet, but a retaliatory wave  missiles, drones or more  is widely expected. Whether Tehran will strike directly at Israel or target U.S. interests across the region remains unknown.

Iranian state media is reporting that Israel had struck residential areas in Tehran and other cities. Children were among those killed, Reuters reported Iran state TV as saying.

A line has been crossed. Israel believes it is now or never. Iran may see this as an act of war. The next 24 to 48 hours could determine whether this crisis ends in fire or if diplomacy has any hope left.
A federal judge in Denver on Thursday ruled that the deportation case for the wife and five children of Mohamed Soliman, charged with a hate crime after the June 1 firebomb attack on marchers in Boulder, will be heard in the Western District of Texas, not Colorado.

U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher of Colorado on June 4 granted an emergency request filed by lawyers representing the family, asking to temporarily halt deportation proceedings for Soliman's wife, Hayam El Gamal, and their children.

Eric Lee, one of the attorneys representing the Soliman family, told The Gazette the recent order was a victory for them in several ways. The defense team were prepared to argue their case in federal court Friday, but the Denver hearing has since been vacated with Gallagher's most recent order.

"We get to continue to fight on the merits, which is our assertion that the basis for detaining his family is totally illegal, that individuals in this country cannot be held responsible and detained for the allegations of criminal for criminal allegations against their relatives," Lee said.

"That's a core bedrock principle underlying American democracy, and so we live to fight another day on that issue."

The Gazette reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for a statement regarding the order but did not receive an immediate response.

According to Lee, an immediate deportation of the family would have been a violation of due process, since they have lived in the U.S. for over two years and still have a pending asylum claim.

Hours after the family was detained on June 3, the White House's official X account posted that the family was being processed for expedited removal, claiming they could be deported as early as that night.

Lee said of the tweets that the judge's ruling indicates the court has expressed "real concern with the fact that the government was totally unable of explaining the tweets from the White House."

Soliman, 45, is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at a group participating in a peaceful demonstration on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1, injuring 15 people and a dog.

Soliman was taken into custody shortly after police arrived, and his family taken into custody the following day. Before filing the initial petition to halt their deportation, Soliman's wife reported to the petitioner in the civil case, Denver-based immigration lawyer Susanna Dvortsin, that she and her children were in ICE custody in Florence as of 11:45 a.m. June 3.

On the evening of June 3, "a group of four of five officers" picked up the family from Florence and drove them to an unspecified Denver-area airport.

Soliman's wife and children were then flown to San Antonio, Texas, arriving shortly before midnight. From there, the family was taken to ICE's Dilley Detention Center, arriving between 2 and 2:30 a.m.

The petition to halt the family's immediate removal was filed at 1:45 a.m. CDT on June 4, meaning it had been filed by the time the family arrived, making the Western District of Texas the relevant jurisdiction, not Colorado.

The Thursday order states there "is no indication the Government purpose in relocating (the family) was concealment." In addition, the order states the motivation for the transfer was "innocent" and was done because the Dilley facility is better equipped to hold families.

While Colorado Springs private immigration attorney Stephanie Izaguirre said she doesn't think moving the case to Texas will change much on the legal front, it is a sign that due process is being followed.

"I think even if people think that the law supports this family being deported, I think surely everyone in America is in favor of due process," Izaguirre said.

Lee confirmed the Soliman family remained in Dilley as of Thursday and they have been housed together, but that the young children are "not doing OK."

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"This is extraordinarily traumatizing experience for them," Lee said. "No 4-year-old child should spend so much as five minutes in the federal custody of ICE agents for something that they didn't do."

"This is a great scar on American history, and we're trying to make it right as quickly as possible," Lee said.

Lee told The Gazette he volunteered to represent the family free in this case.

In the conversation with The Gazette, Lee spoke critically of President Donald Trump and his administration.

"There's no reason whatsoever for continuing to detain them, aside from the vindictive and illegal aims of this president, who appears based on all of his actions, intent on essentially eliminating the basic democratic rights of the entire American population and establishing a dictatorship," Lee said.

In both state and federal arrest affidavits for Mohamed Soliman, it appears his family had no knowledge of his violent intentions in Boulder. In one affidavit, investigators note that El Gamal was observed leaving their home and driving to a Colorado Springs police station shortly after the news of the attack broke.

"This family has been cooperating with the authorities to try and help them get to the bottom of this terrible crime. The family itself had no idea. This has come as a great shock to everybody involved," Lee said.

An affidavit released by authorities detailed how Soliman allegedly prepared for the attack over the past year. He told authorities he was waiting for his eldest daughter to graduate from high school to carry out his plan.

The daughter graduated on May 29. The Gazette published an article earlier this year regarding Soliman's daughter, Habiba Soliman, and a scholarship she won through the Gazette Charities Foundation. After the news of her father's alleged actions broke, social media posts on X disparaged the girl.

"I think it's really unfortunate to blame a child for the actions of their parents," Izaguirre said. "I don't think there's any evidence to indicate that she had any idea what the father was doing, so it sounds to me like she's innocent here."

Lee was unable to speak much of the discourse surrounding the eldest daughter as he has not been made aware of it.

"I would say that any Republican who endorsed, participated, or supported the criminal insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021, has absolutely no right to comment on the legality or illegality of actions of other persons in the United States," Lee said.

Soliman, his wife and children first came to the U.S. on Aug. 27, 2022, on a B2 tourist visa that expired the following February. On Sept. 29, 2022, Soliman filed for asylum, listing his wife and five children as dependents, in Denver. To file for asylum, the individual must be present in the country.

In March 2023, Soliman was granted work authorization. If an asylum application is pending for more than 180 days, the person who filed the claim would have qualified for a work permit until final adjudication. Federal law enforcement officials have confirmed the work visa has only recently expired.

Thursday's order reveals El Gamal is a network engineer with a pending EB-2 visa, which is available to "professionals with advanced degrees."

As of Thursday, the asylum claim is still pending. Lee was unable to speak on what the basis of the asylum claim was because he has yet to be provided access to it.

"What I will say is that it is extremely unusual, if not entirely unprecedented, to detain individuals who have committed no crime, whose only immigration offense is over staying a visa, who had pending asylum applications," Lee said.

According to Lee, El Gamal has received a notice to appear for immigration proceedings, but was unable to provide any more details on the matter.

It remains unclear when the Soliman family will have their day in court in Texas. The Colorado case has not been dismissed as of Thursday.

Of the 118 counts Soliman faces on the state level, 62 were for crimes committed against the victims. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver also is charging Soliman with a hate crime, which, if he is convicted, could result in life in prison.

Soliman's next state court appearance is scheduled for July 15. A preliminary hearing in federal court is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Major changes are coming to Air Academy High School  just not how school administration originally intended.

After securing $49 million in funding through a bond vote last November, Academy D-20 will now rethink its rebuild for its oldest high school after losing over $70 million in federal funding for the project.

Because of its location on the U.S. Air Force Academy, the school is eligible for the federal Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) program. The program, through the Defense Department, helps finance capacity deficiencies in the public schools located on military installations.

D-20 was invited in 2023 to participate in the program for both Air Academy High and Douglass Valley Elementary School.

To prevent federal dollars from funding an entire project, one requirement of the program to participate is a 20% match from the local school district.

In the case of D-20, this match was secured through a bond vote that also included upgrades throughout the entire school district. The ballot language approximated that $191 million would be provided through the PSMI program and matched with $49 million by the school district, if passed.

However, on May 22, the school district was notified of a shift in funding parameters for the federal program. Program leaders communicated that federal matching funds for the Air Academy project would now be capped at $120 million.

As a result, the new total to meet the programs requirements was reduced to $30 million.

During the D-20 Board of Educations regular meeting Thursday night, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer Becky Allen told board members that federal energy requirements had changed, which reduced their projected costs since their design proposal was presented.

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Since the bond passed in November, the net-zero and photovoltaic energy requirements were rescinded. Additionally, the district learned that the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is not required by the PSMI project or the Air Force Academy as they originally thought.

As a result, these considerations reduced the total building cost from $238.4 million to $209.9 million in 2027 dollars. Allen explained that these previous projections also factored into the districts $49 million total referred to in the November ballot language.

And so, what the federal government told us is We now have to cap the amount of money that the DoD Public Schools on Military Installations program is able to give to District 20, Allen said. So, thats a change from what we were anticipating for this project, where we were never given a cap.

Allen added that the plan remains to use all $49 million earmarked for the rebuild, since they still fall under the ballot languages intended purpose.

We can use those dollars [and] we now have a total project for $169 million, she said.

Douglass Valley received $48.9 million from the PSMI program, with the district covering $12.2 million for a rebuild and expansion to a K-8 grade school.

Allan noted that this project has not been impacted, since their design proposal has already been submitted and approved.

The plan going forward is to continue with the rebuild for Air Academy, though certain design elements will now be removed or adjusted, like reduced square footage, though no specific changes have been confirmed.

Upgrades and renovations detailed last fall include a new Career and Technical Education Center that will be available to all D-20 high school students. The new Center of Excellence will be an addition to an existing center at Liberty High School that houses automotive technology, construction technology, certified nurse assistant and emergency medical technician certification pathways.

The new center will offer pathways for aviation, advanced manufacturing/mechatronics, hospitality management/culinary, and computer programming/AI technology.
The organizers for Pikes Peak Pride were already expecting a big turnout this weekend its annual Colorado Springs festival and parade in response to the federal rollback of support for the queer community. Losing the proclamation from the City Council may just add another reason to speak out.

Justin Burns, vice president of Pikes Peak Pride and organizer for the festival since 2022, said they asked for the proclamation 30 days ahead of the event, which is the timeframe recommended on the city's website. They found out last Friday that City Council leadership had turned them down.

Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson and President Pro Tem Brian Risley said in a statement that "our role is not to engage in identity-based or political gestures, but to focus on governance that benefits all residents." Council leaders said they were trying to avoid "divisive or performative politics," but Burns said not issuing a statement was its own performance.

"We're not asking for special favor or pandering. We're just asking for recognition like any other event would get recognition," Burns said.

Amber Ptak, CEO of ChangeLine, the company that runs the downtown LGTBQ+ community center Prism Community Collective, said LGBTQ+ people have been in a heightened state of fear since President Donald Trump took office and that the City Council decision is just a byproduct of actions out of the White House.

She said the "national tenor" has shifted to be more anti-LGBTQ+, which provides cover for locals to spread more hate against the community. Ptak added that there's an increased rate of homelessness and suicide when LGTBQ+ people feel disconnected from their communities and families.

"I've heard heightened fears from people, who say they are less comfortable holding hands with those they love, and they have less trust with institutions," Ptak said.

Colorado Springs has a long history of ebbs and flows of support for the gay community. Burns said it felt like an achievement for Pikes Peak Pride to get support from both the mayor's office, under former Mayor John Suthers, and the City Council as recently as 2022  only to now have a step in the opposite direction by the new council leaders.

PrideFest had been the annual celebration in Colorado Springs from the early 1990s until it missed the years during the COVID-19 pandemic. It debuted around the same time the Colorado Springs-based group Colorado for Family Values began the ballot initiative for Amendment 2, which prevented local governments in Colorado from enforcing anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community.

The amendment was passed by voters in 1992 and overturned as unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996.

In 2009, when Vice Mayor Larry Small issued a letter in support of the event, it made headlines as the most support PrideFest had received from a city elected official in years. Suthers issued a annual welcome letter for Pride after he was elected mayor, a less formal acknowledgement than a proclamation but still a welcome sign of support.

"It's unfortunate that they leaned on a more political idealization of what they feel because it does harm when residents feel like they're being singled out and not acknowledged," said Naomi Lopez, vice chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party.

There will be a few other visible changes to this year's Pride event. The parade route on Sunday will step off from America the Beautiful Park to avoid the construction on Tejon Street. The corner of Tejon and Vermijo Avenue had been painted into a rainbow crosswalk for several years but Burns said they were told by the city it would not be allowed this year because of ADA concerns.

Pikes Peak Pride leadership said it is grateful for the city's support and the sponsorships it has retained as some companies pulled back on diversity efforts. Mayor Yemi Mobolade will be issuing a proclamation of support for Pride Saturday morning, joined by councilmember Kimberly Gold.

Burns said he felt the event would be fully supported and protected by the Colorado Springs police and emergency services, which was a big question for some attendees. The event is being held on the grounds around the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. The Colorado Springs Airport is a first-time sponsor.

"We don't rely on proclamations or crosswalks to have turnout for the event. The LGBTQ population is here, it's part of our community and we know that they want to come out," Burns said.

Gazette reporter Nick Smith contributed to this story.
By Akbar Novruz



Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, disinformation is being deliberately spread on foreign social media platforms, falsely alleging that Azerbaijani military aircraft are flying near the border with Iran.

The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) has issued a statement strongly rejecting these claims, labeling them as fake news and information manipulation.

This type of news is entirely fabricated and does not reflect reality, MEDIA emphasized.

The agency urged the public to rely only on verified information from official sources, and called on journalists and public figures to remain principled and vigilant against the spread of false narratives.

The clarification comes at a time when regional instability is being fueled by misinformation campaigns, with Azerbaijan underscoring its commitment to transparency and responsible communication.
The man arrested on suspicion of a road rage shooting with a AK-47 style rifle Wednesday evening had injured a minor, court documents reveal.

Michael Brodus, 29, of Colorado Springs is facing charges of first-degree assault after he allegedly shot at a vehicle following an altercation just before 7 p.m. in the 4200 block of Austin Bluffs. Colorado Springs police said the incident appears to be a potential road rage situation.

Police found the 17-year-old with multiple gunshot wounds to his arms in the 5000 block of Splitrail Drive, about a mile away from the shooting. He was transported to the hospital for what did not appear to be life-threatening injuries.

It was unclear from the arrest affidavit whether the 17-year-old had been targeted or was a passerby.

Investigators identified Brodus as a suspect after a witness shared a video of the shooting on social media, according to his arrest affidavit. The video shows a man standing behind the open driver's door of a blue Subaru and firing several shots toward other vehicles.

The witness gave police the license plate number of the suspect's vehicle, which was registered to Brodus. Police then went to his apartment and found him carrying bags from a blue Subaru. Police say he was wearing the same clothes as the man in the video.

Police did not recover the weapon used in the shooting.

Brodus is being held in the El Paso County Jail on a $100,000 bond. His next court date is June 16.
The organizers for Pikes Peak Pride were already expecting a big turnout this weekend its annual Colorado Springs festival and parade in response to the federal rollback of support for the queer community. Losing the proclamation from the City Council may just add another reason to speak out.

Justin Burns, vice president of Pikes Peak Pride and organizer for the festival since 2022, said they asked for the proclamation 30 days ahead of the event, which is the timeframe recommended on the city's website. They found out last Friday that City Council leadership had turned them down.

Council President Lynette Crow-Iverson and President Pro Tem Brian Risley said in a statement that "our role is not to engage in identity-based or political gestures, but to focus on governance that benefits all residents." Council leaders said they were trying to avoid "divisive or performative politics," but Burns said not issuing a statement was its own performance.

"We're not asking for special favor or pandering. We're just asking for recognition like any other event would get recognition," Burns said.

Amber Ptak, CEO of ChangeLine, the company that runs the downtown LGTBQ+ community center Prism Community Collective, said LGBTQ+ people have been in a heightened state of fear since President Donald Trump took office and that the City Council decision is just a byproduct of actions out of the White House.

She said the "national tenor" has shifted to be more anti-LGBTQ+, which provides cover for locals to spread more hate against the community. Ptak added that there's an increased rate of homelessness and suicide when LGTBQ+ people feel disconnected from their communities and families.

"I've heard heightened fears from people, who say they are less comfortable holding hands with those they love, and they have less trust with institutions," Ptak said.

Colorado Springs has a long history of ebbs and flows of support for the gay community. Burns said it felt like an achievement for Pikes Peak Pride to get support from both the mayor's office, under former Mayor John Suthers, and the City Council as recently as 2022  only to now have a step in the opposite direction by the new council leaders.

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PrideFest had been the annual celebration in Colorado Springs from the early 1990s until it missed the years during the COVID-19 pandemic. It debuted around the same time the Colorado Springs-based group Colorado for Family Values began the ballot initiative for Amendment 2, which prevented local governments in Colorado from enforcing anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community.

The amendment was passed by voters in 1992 and overturned as unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996.

In 2009, when Vice Mayor Larry Small issued a letter in support of the event, it made headlines as the most support PrideFest had received from a city elected official in years. Suthers issued a annual welcome letter for Pride after he was elected mayor, a less formal acknowledgement than a proclamation but still a welcome sign of support.

"It's unfortunate that they leaned on a more political idealization of what they feel because it does harm when residents feel like they're being singled out and not acknowledged," said Naomi Lopez, vice chair of the El Paso County Democratic Party.

There will be a few other visible changes to this year's Pride event. The parade route on Sunday will step off from America the Beautiful Park to avoid the construction on Tejon Street. The corner of Tejon and Vermijo Avenue had been painted into a rainbow crosswalk for several years but Burns said they were told by the city it would not be allowed this year because of ADA concerns.

Pikes Peak Pride leadership said it is grateful for the city's support and the sponsorships it has retained as some companies pulled back on diversity efforts. Mayor Yemi Mobolade will be issuing a proclamation of support for Pride Saturday morning, joined by councilmember Kimberly Gold.

Burns said he felt the event would be fully supported and protected by the Colorado Springs police and emergency services, which was a big question for some attendees. The event is being held on the grounds around the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum. The Colorado Springs Airport is a first-time sponsor.

"We don't rely on proclamations or crosswalks to have turnout for the event. The LGBTQ population is here, it's part of our community and we know that they want to come out," Burns said.

Gazette reporter Nick Smith contributed to this story.
By Akbar Novruz



Iran's Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei has pledged a forceful response following Israel's extensive airstrikes on Iranian territory.

In a televised address to the nation, Khamenei condemned the attacks and ordered the Iranian Armed Forces to be placed on high alert, warning that Tel Aviv's actions will not go unanswered.

The warning comes after more than 200 Israeli Air Force fighter jets reportedly struck over 100 strategic targets across Iran in an overnight assault. The strikes are said to have killed a number of senior Iranian military officers, nuclear scientists, and civilians, further intensifying tensions in the already fragile region.

In response to the strikes, Iran's Crisis Management Headquarters issued an urgent appeal to the public to:

Remain calm and avoid panic-driven actions

Rely solely on official and national media for updates and guidance

Encourage those active in digital and social media spaces to prioritize psychological public safety and refrain from spreading misinformation

This escalation marks a dangerous new phase in the Israel-Iran confrontation and raises fears of a broader regional conflict. With both sides signaling readiness for further action, the international community has expressed growing alarm and is calling for urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
When a child or adult walks into a hospital emergency room with a runny nose, cough, rash and fever, there could be several illnesses going on, and measles continues to be one of them, says Dr. Elizabeth Betsy Kleiner.

The infectious disease specialist works at Colorado Springs two major hospital systems  Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and UCHealth. Shes been called in as a team member on several recent measles cases to evaluate, assess and determine protocols.

The viral illness is highly contagious, Kleiner said. The virus can remain floating in the air for several hours, even after the patient has left.

People who have measles are usually contagious four to five days before and after a rash appears, she said, and 90% of people exposed will develop measles.

Patients suspected to have measles are immediately whisked to an isolation room in a hospital that minimizes sharing of air space, Kleiner said.

Patients are masked, as are staff, and a set of questions patients answer help medical providers figure out the health problem.

The hospitals infection-prevention team and the El Paso County Department of Public Health are contacted to determine appropriate intervention and testing, the doctor noted. There also can be expedited lab tests to aid in diagnosis.

Thirty percent of measles patients can develop complications, such as diarrhea, pneumonia or swelling in the brain.

Fever lasting three to four days indicates potential complications, Kleiner said, and some people may need to be hospitalized.

But most dont. Just 12% of the nation's 1,168 measles cases so far this year required hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three deaths have been confirmed.

As of Friday, Colorado has had 15 total measles cases this year, four of which have been traced to people in El Paso County, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reports. The state announced a new case of a Boulder resident on Friday. A fully vaccinated adult recently traveled to Europe, where there are a large number of measles cases, the public health department said in a news release.

St. Francis Hospital saw its first case last weekend, when a child under age 5 entered the emergency room after traveling to Ontario, Canada.

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The illness starts with a general feeling of being unwell and having cold-like symptoms. One to two days before a rash develops, oral lesions appear inside the mouth, opposite the cheeks and near molars, Kleiner said.

The rash appears on the forehead first, spreads down the body and can be accompanied by high fever.

The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is 97% effective with a two-dose administration and 93% effective after the first round, Kleiner said.

Vaccination is the cornerstone of prevention, she said. Breakthrough infections occur sometimes  we see those when people are exposed when there are high levels of outbreak.

The child who sought care at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs last weekend was vaccinated with one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

For the most part, the decades-old vaccine is time-tested, proven to work and has minimal side effects, Kleiner said. Those can include soreness at the injection site, joint pain and a mild fever.

Fewer people getting vaccinated is the reason measles went from being considered eradicated in 2000 in the U.S. to today's widespread outbreaks, according to the doctor.

The vaccination rate in Colorado fell to 88% for children entering kindergarten for the 2023-24 school year, which is far below the 95% threshold to maintain herd immunity, according to the CDC.

And the number of cases in 2025 is far more than weve had in Colorado in all of the last decade, Kleiner said.

El Paso County recorded six total cases between 2014 and 2024, compared with this years four cases to date, she noted.

Texas remains one of the epicenters for outbreaks. Around the country, many cases have emerged after people traveled to Mexico or Turkey, and of the infected, 95% were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.

More people have been asking for the vaccine in El Paso County this year, Kleiner said, although immunization statistics for the past six months are not yet available.
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 vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a cannabis marketplace May 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. Arapahoe County Commissioners passed regulation for sale, possession and growing psilocybin magic mushrooms starting January 2025, when the state law legalizing them takes effect.
When Brita Horn took over as chair of the Colorado Republican Party after winning a vote at a state GOP meeting late last month, the volunteer fire department chief and rancher's wife from Routt County faced the prospect of trying to lead a sharply divided party still reeling over a months-long attempt by some Republicans  including Horn  to remove and replace the previous slate of state party leaders just months before last year's election.
Pakistans Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed all possible assistance to be provided for the safe return and protection of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran, Azernews reports.

On Friday, the premier instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani Embassy in Iran to remain on alert until the regional situation stabilizes.

Following these instructions, a Crisis Management Cell has been established at the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson advised Pakistani pilgrims to reconsider their travel plans to Iran and Iraq, given the evolving security situation in the region.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the unjustified Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as a brazen violation of Irans sovereignty.

He stated that this abhorrent action by Israel has shaken the foundations of international law and the conscience of humanity, while gravely undermining regional stability and international security.
CHATHAM  With a 10-year contract, Vincent Shorter will become the new administrator for Pittsylvania County.

In a 6-1 vote Thursday evening, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors selected Shorter, currently the county treasurer, to fill the seat thats been vacant since April 2024.

Im excited, Shorter told the Register & Bee. Its a great honor and privilege to be selected by the elected officials of this county.

Shorter served as interim county administrator for 10 months starting last July, going through April.

Shorter will begin his new role on July 1. Hell have to resign as county treasurer, an elected position hes had for 9 1/2 years.

His base salary is $220,000, according to county spokesperson Diana McFarland, who also confirmed the contract is for 10 years.

Ken Bowman, the supervisor for the Chatham-Blairs District, voted against the motion that appointed Shorter under the terms of the contract during Thursdays special-called meeting.

Im not in agreement, as you all know, weve discussed this and Ive pointed out some issues in that contract that came to light, Bowman said prior to the vote. Im just not comfortable with that.

Tim Dudley, who represents the Staunton River District, also had an issue with the contract.

I had talked to Vincent and told him hes got my support, Dudley said Thursday evening. There are some things in the contract that we all stumbled on and had some heartburn, but I do support him.

Although not agreeing with the contract, Dudley said he would support Shorter and voted for the motion to name him as the administrator.

I think hes done a fine job, while serving in the interim post, Dudley said.

He also urged his fellow board members to establish a good relationship with him.

I think he probably understands the job a whole lot better than he did 12 months ago, Bowman said.

My question is, why do you want to do this? he asked, turning his head away from the table the supervisors were surrounding to look directly at Shorter, who was seated in the audience. Because it is a tough, tough job.

Although voting against him, Bowman vowed to work with him and provide guidance and advice.

This has been a long time coming, Vic Ingram, who represents the Tunstall District, said.

In 2021, it appeared the county could have hired Shorter, but that fell apart.

But he never gave up the possibility of being the county administrator, Ingram said.

He has done a fabulous job, he continued. He has so many gifts and talents that he brings to that office, and hes proved that time and time again.

Chair Robert Tucker said Shorter brings a unique skill set to the county.

County government must function effectively and efficiently for the benefit of the total constituency of the county, Tucker told the Register & Bee. I believe that Mr. Shorter is qualified, capable and ready to take on that task and lead us forward into that future.

It also gives the county a sense of stability, something thats been lacking in the last few years, the chair explained.

The county has been without a full-time administrator since April 2024 with the sudden resignation of Stuart Turille Jr., who was only in the position for a year.

Turille took over for former Pittsylvania County Administrator David Smitherman, who was terminated from his position during a reorganizational meeting for supervisors in January 2022.

This county is getting ready to explode in terms of announcements and different industries coming to the county, Tucker said. We really need that leadership in place.

When Shorter resigns as treasurer, thatll set the stage for a special election to fill his seat.

Pittsylvania County Registrar Shani A. Shorter explained that when someone resigns from a constitutional office, the court will have to essentially order a special election.

Generally speaking, that normally tries to align with the next general election, which would be in November.

Shorter, who is a native of the county, said as treasurer hes going to miss the interaction with the public and the people he works with.

I have a great staff that Im going to miss being with on a daily basis, he said.

He has a bachelors degree in computer science and criminal justice from Liberty University, according to the county. He also has whats known as a Master Governmental Treasurer certification from the University of Virginia and a Virginia Government Accounting Certificate from Radford University.

I just feel like I have more to offer the county after nine and a half years in the treasurers office, he told the newspaper on why he made the jump in jobs.

A lot of exciting things on the horizon for the county that I think I could bring a unique and local perspective to, he said. There are ongoing things that were started as the interim, as far as economic development in particular, projects in various stages in the pipeline that Id like to see carried all the way through the finish line.
GREENSBORO  JetZero has landed.

Thursdays confirmation that California-based widebody aircraft manufacturer JetZero will bring 14,560 jobs and $4.7 billion in capital investment to Greensboros Piedmont Triad International Airport is significant for the future of the region.

JetZero plans to begin hiring its local workforce in 2026 with job positions posted at NCworks.gov.

JetZero, along with Boom Supersonic, FedEx, HAECO, Honda Aircraft Co. and Marshall Aerospace USA, have the potential to make the airport campus the epicenter of U.S. advanced aviation manufacturing with more than 20,000 jobs in existence or pledged from just those companies.

This is the kind of transformational project that only comes around once in a generation, said Kevin Baker, executive director of Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. He also cited Boom Supersonics factory on the airport campus.

JetZeros vision aligns perfectly with our mission to be a global center for aerospace excellence for the next century, and were proud to help make that vision a reality at PTI, he said.

JetZeros commitment in Greensboro is the largest economic-development job pledge in state history, as well as in a top five capital investment commitment.

JetZeros Z4 aircraft is a blended-wing body jet, meaning the craft blends the wings and fuselage for a more fuel-efficient body to produce lift.

Jobs at JetZero will include systems and aerospace engineering, supply chain, production workers, administrative and financial, human resources, research and development and customer service.

According to a presentation by the company, JetZero plans to pay an average annual wage of $89,340.

Gov. Stein welcomes California company to NC

I am thrilled to welcome JetZero and its 14,000 good-paying jobs and unprecedented innovation to Guilford County, Gov. Josh Stein said. From first in flight to now the future of flight, North Carolina and our skilled workforce is soaring.

JetZero said its Z4 aircraft is expected to take an initial test flight in 2027 and be available for commercial flight service by 2030.

When asked why not build the plant at its Long Beach, California, headquarters, Tom OLeary, JetZeros chief executive and co-founder of JetZero, answered: The case for North Carolina is incredible.

He added, This facility is a critical milestone in bringing our all-wing Z4 to market. North Carolina offers the ideal combination of talent, infrastructure and forward-thinking leadership to support our mission to reshape aviation.

Those factors, OLeary said, set Piedmont Triad International Airport and North Carolina apart as the company spent the past 15 months evaluating 25 potential sites in 17 states. Greensboro was competing in the end with Huntsville, Alabama.

The way the state partnered with us, from the (Stein) administration, the legislature, local government and the airport, they showed they are with us in ushering in this next era of flight.

OLeary acknowledged the sounds-too-good-to-be-true aspect of the ambitious and transformative plan. Were confident we can find 14,000 employees here because an incredible workforce already exists right here within a burgeoning aerospace community, OLeary said.

People know of Greensboro as a hub for aerospace innovation. This will be a magnet. When you do something of this stature, you are going to draw people for the opportunities here. Thats a good-news message for North Carolina, and were happy to be part of it.

Baker said JetZeros manufacturing campus is expected to attract top engineering and technical talent and significantly expand the regions tax base.

OLeary said JetZeros confidence in developing the Z4 aircraft and the airport-based plant comes in part from advances in artificial intelligence in the aviation sector.

The facility will leverage cutting-edge technologies, including full digital integration, AI-driven manufacturing and 3D printing, allowing for faster production, improved quality, and a more resilient domestic supply chain, according to the company.

By working with Siemens, we are able to simulate the factory digitally and accelerate the ramp-up to full production, OLeary said. This plant is going to lead the world in the next era of flight.

Show me the incentives

JetZero has been made eligible for up to a combined $1.57 billion in a Transformative-class Job Investment Development grants over a 37-year period, along with infrastructure and workforce training funds.

Of that amount, $450 million will go toward expenses such as site preparation, road, water and wastewater improvements, as well as the construction of the manufacturing, research and development facility.

The Guilford County Board of Commissioners appropriated up to $75.9 million in performance-based incentives over 20 years. The Greensboro City Council approved paying $1,000 In incentives for every job created, which would make for at least a $14.56 million commitment.

The state Economic Investment Committee, which provided the final approval of the state incentive package, said the local incentives are valued at $784 million when factoring in the amount of local taxes that JetZero wont have to pay over the course of the incentive agreement.

N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, played a key negotiating role along with Stein, N.C. Commerce Department and airport officials.

Berger said the state funding will be included in either the 2025-26 state budget, a mini-budget bill or a standalone bill  all dependent on when House and Senate Republican legislative leaders reaches an agreement on the state budget bill.

Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said that if the standalone or mini-budget bill route is taken, the legislation covering JetZero should be addressed and voted on by the end of June.

The committee said JetZero will be eligible to receive $113 million from the state utility funding program, $60 million from Golden Leaf Foundation, $32 million in community college workforce training support and $10.7 million in funding from N.C. Division of Workforce Solutions.

JetZero projections

Founded in 2020, JetZero already has partnerships with NASA, Siemens, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, as well as development and supplier agreements with Northrop Grumman and their subsidiary Scaled Composites, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Hexcel and Collins Aerospace.

For example, JetZero is supported by a $235 million investment from the U.S. Air Force.

The manufacturer said its unique design  shaped like a stingray  uses technological advancements to help lower carbon emissions, burn less fuel and enhance the experience of its travelers.

JetZero said the aircraft will be compatible with existing airport infrastructure and will use sustainable aviation fuel that produces fewer emissions.

Stein touted a $259.4 billion economic impact to the state over the 37-year incentive agreement  a 250-to-1 return on investment for the state.

This announcement is a transformative win for Guilford County and the entire state of North Carolina, said N.C. Sen. Michael Garrett, D-Guilford. The magnitude of this investment is a vote of confidence in our world-class workforce to fill these great-paying jobs, and proof that our community is an ideal place for new companies and ideas to launch into a bright future.
Guilford County Schools leaders voted to close four elementary schools Tuesday  one of which was under 50% of capacity.

The closings will start following the upcoming school year.

Washington, Vandalia and Madison elementary schools will remain open another year, and close during the 2026-27 school year.

Southern Elementary is set to close for the 2027-2028 school year.

The closings are expected to save Guilford County Schools $1.7 million in operational costs, according to Julius Monk, deputy superintendent of business and operations for the district.

Washington Elementary is built for 514 students but had 215 enrolled during the 2024-25 school year. The students and staff will be absorbed by schools whose boundaries are being redrawn to include them. Superintendent Whitney Oakley said the plan aligns resources to better serve students.

Its hard, Oakley acknowledged at the Guilford County Schools Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

While the public hearing before the vote did not draw a crowd, two parents spoke with resignation at what was proposed.

It is a shame that money trumps what is best for our children in our society, said Southern parent Karmin Greene. We have been able to create a supportive and nurturing community. Our principal, Mr. (Johnathan) Moore, let the students duct tape him to the wall and dunk him in a booth all in the name of education. He was able to individually meet with our third through fifth grade students before the EOGs (end of grade tests) to remind them to take their time and do their best. 

Staff go above and beyond to make sure children have everything they need to succeed, she said.

This environment cannot be recreated in a larger elementary school, Greene said.

Julie Robbins said that Washington Elementary had been a school of choice for her family for the past nine years.

They have learned all their basics, Robbins said of her children. They have also learned how to ask for help when they need it and to offer help when they see a need. They have learned how to make the goals of their community their own. I will be forever grateful that my family has had the chance to be a part of the Washington Elementary community. 

Retiring Principal Paul Travers has looked at the challenges of his students and staff and finds data-driven ways to keep the school improving and thriving, Robbins said.

I would like to thank the incredible team of educators who respond to the needs of each student individually, who know every single student in that little school by name, Robbins said. Washington is the heart every community deserves.

Each of the votes on the individual schools passed by an 8-1 vote with Khem Irby of District 6 voting against the closings each time.

I felt that it was important to recognize that we did have some pushback about closing schools and what neighborhood schools mean to people, Irby said after the meeting. I just wanted to show support.

Irby said she understood why the schools must close.

But its just never an easy thing to close a school, Irby said. There are so many memories that are there. I just felt empathy tonight. I know I didnt have the votes not to close it, so there was no harm in showing the community that came out that I saw them.

The school system has a neighborhood lookup that allows families to insert addresses to find out school assignments and other information on choices theyll have.

Is it going to be the same? No, said District 2 board member Crissy Pratt, whose district includes Southern Elementary. Its just not. Its going to be different. But I do believe the staff of GCS is working as hard as they can to make it a positive difference.
With aging buildings and rising repair costs, Helena Public Schools aims to put a $283 million bond measure before voters this fall  despite community concerns over school closures and declining enrollment.

The Helena school board unanimously approved bond language June 10, the same day it closed Hawthorne Elementary School.

The high school district bond would be a 30-year bond for $280 million and the elementary district bond would be worth $43 million over 20 years.

Helena Public Schools officials highlighted the estimated combined total interest accumulated over the lifetime of the bonds at over $280 million.

The bond issues would be put before voters Sept. 9, because if the district wanted to open the doors of the schools in August 2028, the projects would have to begin in September 2025, Superintendent Rex Weltz said.

People with $100,000 homes would see an estimated annual property tax increase of a little over $13 annually, while a $300,000 and $600,000 home could see around $39 and $90 increases if passed.

"I have to talk about it, today's not the right time, I hear that a lot," Weltz said at the June 10 meeting. "It really never is the right time. Ten years ago it would have been the right time because the money would have gone a lot further."

Weltz said there was a need in the high school district, with one example of Helena High School's failing boiler system that officials have mentioned numerous times was not an "if, but when" situation for failure.

The high school has three boilers, but two are working and if another goes out, students will be left without heat throughout Montana winter.

"That means I'll have to put Helena kids in Capital (High School) from 6 a.m. to noon, then the next group of students would be in from noon until 6 p.m.," Weltz said.

The total deferred maintenance bill between the two high schools was about $50 million, according to District Facilities Director Todd Verrill.

Kessler had about $2.3 million, he added.

Verrill was asked if the renovations provided through the bond to Capital would alleviate some of the financial pressure. "Absolutely. I would imagine it will take care of most of it," he said.

Weltz said one of the goals for a rebuilt Kessler was to avoid building schools the state does not fund well.

Kessler held 235 students as of June 10.

Trustee Janet Armstrong, who attended tours hosted by the district earlier this year, said, "It was just very clear that we need to address Kessler."

Carrie Jones, a former board candidate and community member, offered public comment on the bonds before the trustees unanimously approved them.

"You need to understand, when you go out and ask people for a bond this year, they are going to look at it, and you're going to be unpleasantly surprised at how little appetite there will be for voting on this," Jones said.

Hanna Warhank, another former board candidate and community member, talked about how she felt the district needs to be honest with the community regarding its intentions going forward.

"You are about to approve bond language on a $43 million bond to build a school twice the size that you need for the students. We have been told over and over again, Helena has declining enrollment in their schools ...," she said. "That's why you're going to close Hawthorne. But yet, you want to build this school over twice what it needs to be, you need to be honest."

She highlighted the master facilities plan and said the district was going to close Broadwater Elementary School, based on the plan's language.

The plan listed multiple recommendations for Broadwater, one was to remodel the school and two were to "decommission" the school.

The board unanimously approved the bond language following board and public comment.

Earlier in the day, the public was invited to come to Helena High School and hear from students, teachers and district staff about the schools' needs.

Callie Aschim, president of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, said schools serve as pillars of their communities.

"Supporting our schools, for me, is nonnegotiable," she told the nearly 50 people in attendance for the 7:30 a.m. meeting.

One student told the crowd getting an education is hard and the current high school building makes it harder than it needs to be.

"I truly feel the community has let us down," he said.
The sell-off of federal public lands across the West is back on the table in Republicans federal budget bill  except in Montana  after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee chair, a staunch opponent of federal public lands, released the committees proposal Wednesday evening.

Chaired by Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee, the committees version of its portion of the proposed bill includes mandates to sell between 0.5% and 0.75% of both Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service land, which combined would total between 2.2 million and 3.3 million acres of public land.

The draft lists 11 eligible states where that land could be sold. Those include every state in the West save for Montana.

No one has outright explained why Montana was exempted, but the states delegation has been publicly pushing hard to prevent public lands from being sold off through the Trump administrations proposed Big, Beautiful Bill, and the provision has renewed pressure on senators across the West to oppose the bill entirely.

The Interior and Agriculture secretaries, which oversee the two land management agencies, would get $5 million each to undertake the sale process, which would begin with each publishing a list every 60 days of land identified for sale.

The agencies would have to consult with each states governor, the affected local municipalities, and Indian tribes where the proposed sale would take place. The secretaries of each agency would have to give priority to tracts nominated by state or local governments, those near existing developments or which have access to existing infrastructure, and other tracts that would be suitable for residential housing or could reduce the checkerboard of federal and private land that exists with many BLM tracts in the West.

The secretaries would also be able to give a state or local government a right of first refusal to purchase the land if it is intended for community development purposes under the proposal.

Montanas U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, both Republicans, have said they do not support the sale of public lands going into the massive GOP bill, and they were the two GOP senators who voted for an earlier amendment to prevent public lands from being sold. The states two U.S. Reps., Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, were key in stripping a provision from the House-passed version of the bill that would have allowed for the sale of half a million acres of public lands in Nevada and Utah.

Jack OBrien, a spokesperson for Sheehy, said Thursday the freshman senator was pleased to see Montana exempted and reiterated Sheehy's opposition to selling public lands. He did not answer a question about whether Sheehy had a role in Montana being exempted.

Daines' spokesperson, Gabby Wiggins, said Daines "is against the sale of public lands, but glad to see Montana is exempt." She also did not answer a question about whether Daines had a role in that choice. His office also sent out a news release highlighting Daines' conversation with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in support of the broad proposal.

A spokesperson for Zinkes office said he remains a hard no on any bill that includes the large-scale sale of public lands.

Downing said in a written statement he would continue to advocate to keep public lands sales out of the bill.

While I support improvements to our framework in the form of multiple use expansion, it is discouraging that some Senate lawmakers insist on making what was already a very good product more difficult to pass, Downing said. Montana has four public lands champions in our federal delegation, and I am proud to count myself among them."

A myriad of conservation, outdoors and public lands groups chastised Lee's new proposal for attempting to go back, and even further, on the public lands sale provision taken out of the version that passed the House.

Even though Montanas lands are not included in this bill, public lands are the legacy and right of every person in America. We know public lands do not stop at state lines, Wild Montana Executive Director John Todd said in a statement.

Todd also highlighted how Daines in particular has been publicly pushing his support for the bill overall and challenged him and Sheehy to stand strong against the bill if it carries the provision once it comes to the full floor for a vote.

Senators Daines and Sheehy: only you have the power to defend the American peoples interests and stop this bill from moving forward, Todd said. Anything less than full opposition is a vote in support of a dangerous, irreversible attack on public lands across the country.

Renee Kelley, the interim executive director of Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, said the Montana carve-out does little to assure anyone that the GOP-held Senate does not still support selling off millions of acres of public lands.

This is not just a Montana issue, Kelley said in a statement. Public lands are essential to our local economies, our way of life, and our national legacy. Every acre deserves lasting protection, not piecemeal political carveouts that leave the rest of the West on the chopping block.

The executive director of the Center for Western Priorities accused Lee of including the Montana carveout to give Montanas delegation cover to support the bill.

Senator Lee might think he can buy off the support of Montanas congressional delegation by excluding Montanas public lands, but these lands belong to every American, executive director Jennifer Rokala said.

Other facets of the committees draft proposal have also drawn the ire of conservation groups from Montana and across the West, including Trout Unlimited, the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, the Outdoor Industry Association and a slew of others.

Montana and eight other states would be subject to at least four oil and gas lease sales every year. The proposal would require an annual increase over the next nine years of 250 million board-feet of timber sales from National Forest and BLM lands than were sold in the previous year, handing out at least 45 total long-term timber contracts through 2034 that would run for at least 20 years each.

The proposal, if adopted, would also grant new offshore energy leases in the Gulf of Mexico and aim to broadly expand oil and gas leasing in Alaska.

This bill would give billionaires and corporate polluters free rein to drill, mine, and log these treasured landscapes without oversight or accountability, and sell millions of acres of public lands to private developers, locking out American families forever, Athan Manuel, the director of the Sierra Clubs Lands Protection Program, said in a statement.
Every time we turn around, it seems somebody local is on TV. Today we will tell you about the latest. Weve also got news about law school graduates, new businesses downtown and more people getting high-speed internet.

No. 1

Kannapolis resident on the HISTORY Channel. Douglas S. Meyer is on the 12th season of Alone, which began Thursday evening. Meyer has lived in the Concord/Kannapolis since the early 1980s. He is a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School and UNC Charlotte. He formerly worked at the city of Concord.

Following his high school years, Meyer enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer before pursuing his academic interests at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he delved into history and anthropology. It was during an anthropology field trip to the Schiele Museum that he encountered Steve Watts, a master of primitive skills, whose demonstrations ignited Meyers fascination with ancient crafts.

He dedicated himself to mastering the intricacies of primitive living, drawing inspiration from cultures around the world. His passion for preserving ancient traditions led him to share his expertise with audiences worldwide, conducting demonstrations and workshops and contributing to the preservation of indigenous knowledge. He authored books on Native American blowguns and Stone Age survival, enriching the understanding of primitive technologies and their cultural significance. Today, he resides in Kannapolis with his wife of over three decades, Jana, and their beloved Shih Tzus, Sassy and Sadie. Together, they continue to embrace a life filled with gratitude, honoring the timeless wisdom of their ancestors and inspiring future generations to connect with nature and traditional skills.

Heres how the HISTORY Channels website describes the show:

Season 12 marks one of the most visually stunning and intense seasons of Alone yet, in one of the most intense and dangerous locations in series history  South Africa.

For the first time on Alone, 10 new survivalists navigate the rugged and unforgiving Great Karoo Desert and face off against searing heat, foul water, unpredictable storms and exotic, dangerous animals. From frequent animal encounters and significant game harvests to unexpected medical extractions, impressive shelter builds and creative foraging techniques, the survivalists mental willpower and wilderness skills are put to the test as they attempt to master new territory in hopes of being the last person standing.

Good luck, Douglas!

No. 2

Four local graduates of Campbell Law. Three students from Concord and one from Kannapolis recently graduated from Campbell Universitys Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. Darrah Perry of Kannapolis was awarded the National Association of Women Lawyers Award. This is awarded to an individual based on academic achievement, motivation and potential to contribute to the advancement of women in the profession.

Sarah W. Bryant of Concord graduated cum laude, and was part of the Campbell University Law Review. The other graduates from Concord were Olivia L. Reiff and Jacob Rush.

Perry, Bryant, Reiff and Rush were among the 183 graduates the law school conferred Juris Doctor degrees on Friday, May 9, during its 47th hooding and graduation ceremony at the Martin Marietta Center in downtown Raleigh.

The Class of 2025 marks the largest graduating class in the law schools history, said Dean J. Rich Leonard.

Standing here in my 12th year as your dean, I have enormous confidence in the superb quality of our legal education program, Leonard told the graduates. In my final words to this class I love, we have taught you to analyze an issue thoroughly, write persuasively and stand on your feet and comfortably defend your position.  Hopefully we have taught you to follow your own moral compass. And we have put you out in this community, in externships, clinics, pro bono initiatives and mentorships to learn how the practice of law works. You are ready. And your skills are desperately needed.

North Carolinas Attorney General Jeff Jackson in his first commencement address in his new role told the graduates his mission was to help them feel a little less anxious about their future, including the upcoming bar exam and subsequent job hunt.

Campbell does the best job of preparing students for the bar exam of any school in the state, he said. You are in such a stronger position than I was walking into that test. You are going to be OK  for those of you who dont have something lined up, if you are applying anywhere in North Carolina, you have an advantage because Campbell Law is widely known and  its well regarded.

No. 3

A new downtown Concord bakery. Barley Jeans Bakery is coming to The District Exchange at 22 Union St. N.

Melissa Allen is the owner of the bakery, which will have its first location in 200 square feet in the former Cabarrus Theatre.

Barley Jeans has been at local farmers markets and pop-up events.

A handful of other tenants are expected to be announced soon, according to The District Exchanges Facebook page.

No. 4

Dive Bar grand opening planned. A few weeks ago, we told you about Dive Bar coming to a downtown Concord Church Street location.

Members of the community are invited to welcome Dive Bar to Concord at its grand opening on Thursday, June 26, at 3 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a party where patrons can explore the new location and enjoy the variety of attractions.

It will be the companys sixth location in North Carolina. The first opened in downtown Mooresville in the basement of a 150-year-old building.

The new Concord location will feature a variety of attractions, including darts, pool tables, pinball, Buck Hunter, arcade games and more. Patrons can also enjoy drink specials every day of the week, and an assortment of affordable bar bites.

No. 5

High-speed internet grants. N.C. Gov. Josh Stein on Wednesday announced more than $58 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 10,076 households and businesses in 26 counties to high-speed internet.

Good partnerships between our counties, the state and internet providers will connect North Carolinians, said Stein. I look forward to continuing to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the state so that people can communicate with family and friends, grow their business, or access telehealth services or educational opportunities.

In Cabarrus County, Spectrum and Windstream will use grants to provide high-speed internet access to 1,314 homes and businesses.

In Rowan, Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation (Zirrus) will provide high-speed internet access to 261 homes and businesses.

If you have a Friday Five, story suggestion or something I can rant about, email mplemmons@independenttribune.com or call or text 704-786-0001.
GUEST OPINION: As organisations lean further into real-time analytics, competitive intelligence, and digital automation, one piece of infrastructure is quietly becoming indispensable: the proxy server.

For enterprises that rely on web data to fuel strategic decision-making  from monitoring competitors to tracking global sentiment  proxy usage has moved beyond the realm of cybersecurity into the core of business intelligence.

Among the solutions leading this transformation are Elite Proxies, which offer a blend of security, anonymity, and performance unmatched by basic or shared proxy configurations.

The Rising Strategic Value of Proxies

Digital transformation is no longer just about cloud migrations and SaaS subscriptions. Its about building infrastructure that supports intelligent automation, data-driven insight, and market adaptability. Proxies now sit at the intersection of all three.

By masking IP addresses and routing traffic through secure and diverse endpoints, proxies enable a wide range of critical enterprise functions:

Web scraping for market intelligence





Global SEO and ad verification





Data aggregation from public sources





Geo-targeted testing and content delivery





Multi-location monitoring for brand and product performance





In each case, proxies act as both a performance enhancer and a risk mitigator, enabling stealth, scale, and compliance in data-intensive operations.

What Sets Elite Proxies Apart?

Elite Proxies are designed for enterprise-grade use cases. Unlike standard or anonymous proxies, they:

Offer dedicated IPs that arent shared with other users.

that arent shared with other users. Provide high anonymity levels , ensuring that websites cannot detect the proxy users real IP address or location.

, ensuring that websites cannot detect the proxy users real IP address or location. Support stable, high-speed connections, crucial for high-volume scraping, testing, or automation.

These characteristics are vital for businesses conducting sensitive competitive research, operating multiple social media accounts across regions, or testing international web experiences under native conditions.

Crucially, Elite Proxies help reduce the risk of IP bans or blacklisting by providing clean, reliable IPs that mimic genuine user behaviour.

For organisations evaluating providers, services like Proxy-Cheap are gaining recognition for offering cost-effective access to rotating residential and mobile proxies while maintaining enterprise-grade reliability.

Cybersecurity and Compliance Considerations

In an environment where data governance, privacy, and compliance are increasingly scrutinised, not all proxy solutions are created equal.

Elite Proxies, when sourced from reputable vendors, support:

Encrypted connections





Usage transparency





Geo-fencing controls





Compliance with local data laws





These features make them suitable for industries such as finance, healthcare, and retail, where operations often span multiple jurisdictions with varying data protection mandates.

Moreover, when integrated with secure proxy management systems, businesses gain additional control over authentication, session persistence, and user access, bolstering internal cybersecurity postures.

AI, Automation, and the Future of Proxy Use

The AI revolution is accelerating the demand for high-quality training and operational data. Whether feeding machine learning models, powering generative AI tools, or enabling real-time market prediction, reliable data ingestion is foundational.

Elite Proxies support these workflows by ensuring uninterrupted access to structured and unstructured web data, without triggering blocks or rate limits. Their role in future-ready data pipelines is set to grow, especially as enterprises seek to de-risk and decentralise their digital infrastructure.

Final Takeaway

For enterprises aiming to outpace disruption and extract maximum value from public web data, proxy technology is more than an optional tool  its core infrastructure.

Elite Proxies represent the upper tier of whats available, offering the reliability, privacy, and scale necessary to stay competitive in increasingly dynamic and digital markets.

As the demand for automated intelligence and global market responsiveness grows, expect proxies  especially elite-tier solutions  to become standard in every forward-looking CIOs toolkit.
Microsoft has evidence of in-the-wild exploitation for just one of the vulnerabilities published and that is reflected in CISA KEV. Separately, Microsoft is aware of existing public disclosure for one other freshly published vulnerability. Microsofts luck holds for a ninth consecutive Patch Tuesday, since neither of todays zero-day vulnerabilities are evaluated as critical severity at time of publication. Today also sees the publication of eight critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. Two browser vulnerabilities have already been published separately this month, and are not included in the total.

Windows WebDAV: zero-day RCE

Remember the WebDAV standard? It has been seven years since Microsoft has published a vulnerability in the Windows implementation of WebDAV, and todays publication of CVE-2025-33053 is the first zero-day vulnerability on record. Originally dreamed up in the 1990s to support interactivity on the web, WebDAV may be familiar to Exchange admins and users of a certain vintage, since older versions of Exchange, up to and including Exchange Server 2010, supported WebDAV as a means for interacting with mailboxes and public folders.

It will surprise no one that Windows still more or less supports WebDAV, and that turns out to be a bit of a problem. Microsoft acknowledges Check Point Research (CPR) on the advisory; CPR in turn attributes exploitation of CVE-2025-33053 to an APT, which they track as Stealth Falcon, an established threat actor with a long-running interest in governments and government-adjacent entities across the Middle East and the surrounding area.

Curiously, the Microsoft advisory does not mention that the Windows implementation of WebDAV is listed as deprecated since November 2023, which in practical terms means that the WebClient service no longer starts by default. The advisory also has attack complexity as low, which means that exploitation does not require preparation of the target environment in any way that is beyond the attackers control. Exploitation relies on the user clicking a malicious link. Its not clear how an asset would be immediately vulnerable if the service isnt running, but all versions of Windows receive a patch, including those released since the deprecation of WebClient, like Server 2025 and Windows 11 24H2. On Server 2025, for instance, its still possible to install the WebDAV Redirector server feature, which then causes the WebClient service to appear.

SMB client: zero-day EoP

Publicly disclosed elevation of privilege (EoP) zero-day vulnerabilities that lead to SYSTEM are always going to be worth a closer look, and CVE-2025-33073 is no exception. The advisory sets out that the easiest path to exploitation simply requires the user to connect to a malicious SMB server controlled by the attacker. Its not entirely clear from the advisory whether simply connecting is enough to trigger exploitation, or whether successful authentication is required, since there is currently conflicting language in two separate FAQ entries with almost-identical titles: How could an attacker exploit this/the vulnerability? It may well be that Microsoft will come back around and clarify this wording, but in the meantime the only safe assumption is that fortune favours the attacker.

Windows KDC Proxy: critical RCE

The Windows KDC Proxy Service (KPSSVC) receives a patch today for CVE-2025-33071, which describes a critical unauthenticated RCE vulnerability where exploitation is via abuse of a cryptographic protocol weakness. The good news is that only Windows Server assets configured as a Kerberos Key Distribution Center Proxy Protocol server, happily, this is not enabled as standard configuration for a domain controller, and exploitation requires that the attacker win a race condition.

The bad news is that Microsoft considers exploitation more likely regardless, and since a KDC proxy helps Kerberos requests from untrusted networks more easily access trusted assets without any need for a direct TCP connection from the client to the domain controller, the trade-off here is that the KDC proxy itself is quite likely to be exposed to an untrusted network.

Patching this vulnerability should be top of mind for affected defenders this month.

Office preview pane: trio of critical RCEs

Microsoft expects that exploitation of three Office critical RCE vulns patched today is more likely. CVE-2025-47162, CVE-2025-47164, and CVE-2025-47167 share several attributes: each was discovered by prolific researcher 0x140ce, who topped the MSRC 2025 Q1 leaderboard, and each includes the Preview Pane as a vector, which always ups the ante for defenders. Admins responsible for installations of Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, also confusingly referred to as Microsoft 365 for Office in the advisory FAQ, will have to hang on, since patches for todays vulnerabilities arent yet available for that particular facet of the Microsoft 365 kaleidoscope.

Microsoft lifecycle update

June is a quiet month for Microsoft product lifecycle changes. The next batch of significant Microsoft product lifecycle status changes are due in July 2025, when the SQL Server 2012 ESU program draws to a close, along with support for Visual Studio 2022 17.8 LTSC.
After an immigration raid at an Omaha meatpacking plant Tuesday, Sandra Rojo noticed something about the English class she teaches at Lincoln Literacy.

Fewer people showed up.

When they hear something or rumors about raids or things like that, then we notice that classes slow down a lot. And then they pick up again, Rojo said. And then something like what happened this week happens.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said federal authorities detained more than 70 people at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha, the largest workforce enforcement operation in Nebraska since the start of President Donald Trump's second term.

Students at Lincoln Literacy have called in to say they would prefer to stay home from classes and avoid going outside following the raid in Omaha, Rojo said.

If people also arent going to work out of fear, they might lose the ability to pay their bills, Rojo said.

I mean, their paycheck this week might not be complete, so at the same time, the food and their table won't be complete as well, she added.

In the days following the raid in Omaha, rumors about similar activity at the Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp. plant in Lincoln began spreading on social media.

A Kawasaki spokesperson said Thursday social media rumors about ICE conducting raids at its Lincoln plant were untrue, although the company was aware of the posts.

A spokesperson for Rep. Mike Flood said Flood's office has also not received any reports about ICE operations at the Kawasaki campus, 6600 N.W. 27th St.

Jason Hellbusch, the corporate director of administration for Kawasaki, said the company has had no contact with ICE. Hellbusch said the rumors were disappointing because they could disrupt the workplace.

On Thursday, an ICE spokesperson said "reports of any ICE immigration operations and/or attempted operations in Lincoln today are simply disinformation being used to confuse the American public."

A city of Lincoln spokesperson said that since Trump took office, federal officials have not given city officials advance warning about any immigration enforcement taking place in Lincoln. The city also hasnt been notified about operations after theyve happened.

In March, a Department of Homeland Security audit said ICE arrested two people working for an Omaha-based contractor at a Lincoln hospital. And in February, a Lincoln man who went to court for a misdemeanor was arrested by ICE agents.

Omaha police and the Douglas County sheriff said immigration officials had warned them about their plans on Tuesday, and their departments helped block off traffic around the neighborhood where many food production plants are located while ICE officers worked.

The Lincoln Police Department said in a statement the day after Trumps inauguration in January the department would continue enforcing city ordinances and state law with equal treatment, regardless of someones immigration status.

In the statement, the department reminded community members immigration enforcement is a function of federal law enforcement, and its not the role of Lincoln police to participate in arrests or transportation of those in custody for immigration violations.

The Lancaster County Sheriffs Office, in a Jan. 22 statement, said immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal law enforcement.

The Sheriffs Office said it would provide assistance if requested and will cooperate within the scope of the law.

Worry of chain reactions

In Crete, home to a large Hispanic population, Cristina's Family Restaurant has been seeing fewer customers in the past few months.

Owner Jonathan Lopez said there could be a lot of reasons why people arent eating at the restaurant, which usually does well in the summer.

He is worried about people not going out and spending money like they used to. He said it is similar to COVID-19 when people werent going out to restaurants.

Immigrants are an important part of the U.S. economy, and raids could have a chain reaction, impacting supply and demand for businesses, Lopez said.

If you construct a building, you take the one brick on the bottom and then slowly take another one, another one and everything's gonna end up collapsing, Lopez said. It's the same thing here. I mean this country was built with immigrants.

Advocates seek to help

Jonathan Rubio, a supervisor with the Center for Legal Immigration Assistance, said the Lincoln-based nonprofit was working with other groups to build a website with resources for those affected by immigration enforcement actions.

After the raid at Glenn Valley Foods, the groups rushed to get the website  www.helpingneighborslnk.org  online.

We were just surprised that it happened in Omaha, Rubio said. We felt like it could happen at any time, just because the administration has been a lot more aggressive in its enforcement policy, and we knew it was only a matter of time. We just werent expecting it to be so soon.

The site instructs visitors on what to do if a loved one is detained. Another section lists documents concerned community members can carry, such as know your rights cards.

Nick Grandgenett, a staff attorney with Nebraska Appleseed, said one thing the organization does is advocate for positive immigration laws.

Grandgenett said he thinks the immigration enforcement strategy ICE is pursuing creates a tremendous amount of harm in the community.

The raid in Omaha did not target people with serious criminal convictions, Grandgenett said. Instead, ICE was just trying to find undocumented people.

Glenn Valley Foods CEO and owner Gary Rohwer told WOWT in Omaha he wasnt made aware of the operation ahead of time. He said federal agents entered the plant with a list of 97 people they wanted to screen.

Of course not. Its a raid, said Rohwer, whose company makes the Gary's QuickSteak brand of ready-to-grill steak.

Rubio said word-of-mouth is a popular form of communication in immigrant communities, but it can lead to uncertainty, such as the fears regarding a raid at the Kawasaki plant.

They dont know whats going to happen to them, their family members, and it disrupts the flow of their work day or what they have going on, he said.

Rumors also swirled Tuesday in Omaha around ICE activity. Reports throughout the day said multiple plants in the city had been raided, but by the end of the day it became clear the only raid was at Glenn Valley Foods.

People in Omaha, Lincoln and across the state have good reason to be on edge, Grandgenett said.

I think it's not lost on people that this happened at a food manufacturing site and all across rural Nebraska, there's meatpacking plants that are staffed predominantly by immigrant community members."
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones to attack key facilities and kill top generals and scientists  a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

Iran retaliated by unleashing scores of ballistic missiles on Israel late Friday, with explosions flaring in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

In a second round of attacks, sirens and a round of explosions, possibly from Israeli interceptors, could be heard booming in the sky over Jerusalem early Saturday and the Israeli military said another attack was taking place.

The Iranian outlet Nour News, which has close links with the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said a wave was being launched. Journalists in Tel Aviv could see at least two Iranian missiles hit the ground, but there was no immediate word of casualties.

A hospital in Tel Aviv treated seven people wounded in the second Iranian barrage; all but one had light injuries.

Meanwhile, the sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets echoed across central Tehran shortly after midnight on Saturday, and a reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home.

We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a recorded message in which he vowed revenge. Irans U.N. ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in Israeli attacks.

Israels paramedic services said 34 people were wounded in a barrage on the Tel Aviv area, including a woman who was critically injured after being trapped under rubble.

U.S. ground-based air defense systems in the region helped shoot down Iranian missiles, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The developments raised fears of all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Israel long threatened such a strike, and successive American administrations sought to prevent it, fearing it would ignite a wider conflict across the Middle East and possibly be ineffective at destroying Iran's dispersed and hardened nuclear program.

But a confluence of developments triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack  and the reelection of U.S. President Donald Trump  created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally follow through on its threats. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S. was informed in advance of the attack.

On Thursday, the U.N.s atomic watchdog censured Iran for not complying with obligations meant to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Countries in the region condemned Israel's attack, while leaders around the globe called for immediate deescalation from both sides.

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Iran's request. In a letter to the council, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the killing of its officials and scientists "state terrorism" and affirmed his country's right to self-defense.

Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defenses and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not possible to independently confirm the officials' claims.

Among the key sites Israel attacked was Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz. It also appeared to strike a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility in Fordo, about 60 miles southeast of Tehran, according to an Iranian news outlet close to the government.

Israel said it struck a nuclear research facility in Isfahan, too, and said it destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Iran confirmed the strike at Isfahan.

Israel military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the Natanz facility was "significantly damaged" and that the operation was "still in the beginning."

An official said Israel is prepared for an operation that could last up to two weeks but there was no firm timeline.

Among those killed were three of Iran's top military leaders: one who oversaw the entire armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; one who led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami; and the head of the Guard's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

Iran confirmed all three deaths, significant blows that will complicate efforts to retaliate. Khamenei said other top military officials and scientists were also killed.

Trump urged Iran on Friday to reach a deal with the U.S. on its nuclear program, warning on his social media platform that Israel's attacks "will only get worse."

On Wednesday, the U.S. pulled some American diplomats from Iraq's capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

On Friday, the U.S. began shifting military resources in the region, including ships, as Israel prepared for more retaliation, two U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity.

Israel attacks Iran's nuclear sites; MLB player accused of being drug supplier On today's episode: Israel struck nuclear and missle sites in Iran; an update on the Air India crash; a judge rules on President Trump's deployment of the National Guard; protests are planned across the nation on Saturday; Reds pitcher Wade Miley is accused in court documents of being the drug supplier for the late Tyler Skaggs; and the owner of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic is arrested.

Trump administration tells immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela they have to leave.

Sen. Padilla is forcefully removed from Noem's news conference on immigration raids and handcuffed.

Democratic governors defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panel.

Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon has contingency plans to invade Greenland if necessary.

There was a testy exchange on Capitol Hill over the use of a public app by the Defense Secretary.

Trump signs measure blocking California's ban on new sales of gas-powered cars.

Trump says an Israeli attack on Iran is not imminent but is concerned it 'could very well happen.'

Supreme Court revives lawsuit from Atlanta family whose home was wrongly raided by the FBI.

Most US adults say Trump's military parade is not a good use of money, a new poll finds.

Weinstein case judge declares mistrial on remaining rape charge as jury foreperson wont deliberate.

Wall Street ticks closer to its record after Oracle rallies.

Massive Google Cloud outage disrupts popular internet services.

The Oilers overcome an early three-goal deficit to tie the Stanley Cup Final, Winnipegs Connor Hellebuyck brings home Hart and Vezina, bogey-free J.J. Spaun tops U.S. Open leaderboard, the Mets lose their ace to injury and a former All-Star is accused of supplying drugs to a late pitcher. Also: Democrats criticize latest effort by Congress to regulate college sports as setback for athletes.

Why 2 Chinese aircraft carriers are operating in the Pacific together for the first time.

Russia's military casualties top 1 million in 3-year-old war, Ukraine says.

At least 240 people, including those on the ground, killed in the Air India crash, official says.

Israel says it deported 6 more activists detained on a Gaza aid boat.

Netanyahu's government survives vote to dissolve Israel's parliament. The Associated Press About this program Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate. Theme music The News Tonight, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: ZR2MOTROGI4XAHRX

The Navy directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean and directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House.

American fighter jets also are patrolling the sky in the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and air bases in the region are taking additional security precautions, officials said. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public or to discuss ongoing operations.

Trump met with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation.
1. Yes. Odom seems sincere about the plan and has assembled a strong network to help.

2. Yes. He has name recognition and shows a willingness to make a difference in the area.

3. No. For all the enthusiastic talk and hype, this project seems more like a pipe dream.

4. No. Residents should be skeptical, since he plans a reality show about running for mayor.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say. It may be a legitimate initiative, or it may be all smoke and mirrors.

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Nurse practitioner Surani Hayre-Kwan discusses her article Are you protecting your career? 5 essential questions about your NP liability insurance. Surani discusses the critical need for nurse practitioners to secure their own professional liability insurance, highlighting how relying solely on employer-provided coverage can leave significant gaps. She provides insights into common pitfalls, such as employer policies often excluding licensing board complaints or having shared liability limits. Surani explains the crucial differences between occurrence and claims-made coverage and the importance of understanding tail and nose coverage to ensure continuous protection when switching jobs or carriers. She also offers actionable advice on how robust documentation, including adherence to SOAP note standards and careful patient engagement, can serve as a powerful defense against legal challenges. Surani emphasizes that comprehensive malpractice coverage is vital for protecting an NPs license, career, and financial stability.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Surani Hayre-Kwan. Shes a nurse practitioner and a member of The Doctors Companys APC Advisory Board. Todays KevinMD article is, Are you protecting your career? Five essential questions about your nurse practitioner liability insurance. Surani, welcome to the show.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Thank you. Great to be here.

Kevin Pho: Before we talk about the article, briefly share your story and what led you to write it in the first place.

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Surani Hayre-Kwan: Ive always been pretty passionate about liability insurance. It started when I was a new grad nurse student. We had a lecture by an attorney who talked about all the risks that come in health care, and I thought I was going to carry my own liability insurance when I was a brand new nurse. Its really not something that most nurses do, and thats something that Ive carried with me my entire career as I became a nurse practitioner.

Im pretty passionate about the idea. I talk to people all the time about what liability and malpractice insurance actually mean. This particular story that I shared in the article was something that happened to a colleague of mine. I was just so shocked by how bad the outcome was that I knew that I had to share this with more people so they could perhaps think about their own potential risk and protect themselves before something happened.

Kevin Pho: Talk about that story that led your article off.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: My colleague had her own practice with a physician. They had a long-established practice taking care of patients in long-term care facilities. She would go see them, do all their assessments, write it up, et cetera. At some point, she made a decision to stop her malpractice insurance. Im not going to get into all the reasons why, but she still had a couple of years of practice left. She thought, Ive never had anything happen. She is very well respected in our community and actually nationally as well as an expert.

Unfortunately, there was a patient who had a bad outcome. It was a pretty standard end-of-life situation, but the wife was very upset. She didnt spend a lot of time going to see her husband, and then when he did pass, she was pretty upset and ended up calling the medical board and filing a complaint.

The medical board said, This wasnt our problem because the physician never saw the patient. It was always the nurse practitioner. So they said, Were going to call the nursing board and send the complaint on to them to investigate. The medical board said, This is not our problem. Off you go nursing board, take care of it.

The nursing board decided to look into it, and it ended up being a seven-year legal battle. They ended up citing the nurse practitioner. She had done nothing wrong; her care was excellent. Unfortunately, this all happened. She had no support. Because she had no malpractice and no protection from board complaints, she ended up having to protect herself by learning more about the law and trying to file all of the required paperwork as she went through this very laborious process with the Board of Nursing.

Shes back in practice now. Shes recovered, but the long story short, she ended up having to mortgage her house twice to pay for all of her legal fees. It was just horrifying and something that did not need to happen.

Kevin Pho: What are the lessons that one can learn from this story? Specifically, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are a growing number and are gaining more independence throughout the country. So what are the main lessons that we can learn from this?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: The fact is that we all want to have high-quality care and protection for the care that were providing. Malpractice is really important for everybody, whether you are a nurse practitioner, physician, nurse, PA, nurse anesthetist, or a nurse midwife. Everyone needs to have a really solid malpractice policy to support their practice as they move into their career.

The other thing that I wanted to add is that what Ive seen in my career is that NPs, PAs, and midwives tend to have coverage that lags behind what a physician would typically get, which is a head-scratcher to me. If youre providing similar care, you really ought to have the same type of protection.

Kevin Pho: What are the typical malpractice insurances that nurse practitioners and physician assistants are typically offered?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: I will say that the problem with what theyre offered is that they dont actually know what questions to ask. In my experience, Ive had many opportunities to interact with medical groups over my career, and I cant think of a single time that the physicians we were hiring did not ask about their tail coverage or nose coverage. They knew all of the terms.

I dont think one time did I ever hear a nurse practitioner or a PA candidate ask those same questions, and I thought there is a gap here that needs to be addressed. We were fortunate with the organization we were with; we offered great insurance coverage for all clinicians, so that wasnt the problem. The issue is when you start to go into situations like my colleague, who owned her own practice with her physician and did not really recognize that there was a requirement to have better coverage. Her physician had great coverage, but hes not the one that had an issue. She did.

Kevin Pho: It sounds like that independent malpractice coverage is not independently offered to all nurse practitioners and physician assistants, especially with these smaller private groups. Am I reading that right?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Its more that they dont know to ask for it. One of the key things about malpractice insurance is that you can get malpractice insurance that covers you for board complaints. There are plans that do not do that. Having a plan that specifically covers board complaints is one of the key wins in this particular case. If my colleague had kept her coverage, she would have actually had coverage for the board of nursing complaint that was filed. That whole seven-year situation likely would have been settled without any issues. Well never know, but that I know is true because she would have had board coverage.

Kevin Pho: Tell us the type of questions that nurse practitioners should ask specific to malpractice coverage.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: I think there are several of them. I already mentioned tail coverage and nose coverage.

Kevin Pho: So give us definitions of those for those who arent familiar with them.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: This is the time to take out a pen and take notes. Maybe Ill start with occurrence and claims-made first, because thats important to know. Occurrence coverage protects against claims related to events that happened during the policy period when you were covered, even if that claim is filed after the policy ends and maybe youve gone to another position. Occurrence coverage is really important for the time youre actually doing the work with that medical group or your organization. Claims-made coverage applies only if the incident and the claim occur while the policy is active, so it is limited, and its important to know the difference between occurrence and claims-made. Those two things are very important to know the difference of.

Now, lets go to tail and nose. Tail coverage extends the claims-made coverage to cover any claims filed after the policy ends for incidents that occurred while you were working for that organization. Thats what the tail means; think about it that way. Then the nose coverage, just like on a dog is the way I think about it. The nose is in front of the animal, and that is prior acts coverage, so it protects you against claims made before the start of a new claims-made policy.

Understanding those four terms and what they actually mean for coverage is really important when you are either considering a plan or starting a new job that has malpractice or does not have malpractice insurance that they make available.

Kevin Pho: Now, are there any major differences between nurse practitioner malpractice insurance versus physician malpractice insurance?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: No, not at all. The medical organizations Ive worked for have the same cost whether youre covering a physician, a midwife, or an NP/PA. So its all the same cost.

Kevin Pho: In terms of damages coverage, its essentially the same policy.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Yep. Absolutely.

Kevin Pho: So why is it that organizations that allow nurse practitioners to practice independently dont routinely offer the same malpractice coverage to them?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Its tricky because the nurse practitioner may have practiced in another place and theyre coming to join an organization or starting their own practice like this particular colleague of mine seeing patients in long-term care facilities. They dont think about their coverage that they had previously and what coverage that they need in their current job. That tail and nose coverage really comes in and becomes important at that time because you are not necessarily aware of whether you had occurrence coverage for everything that happened in your previous job, or if you just had claims-made. If you had just claims-made coverage and you dont have tail, then anything that happens following your departure from that previous job is something that you will be liable for.

In my colleagues case, she had canceled her policy. She had occurrence coverage with board coverage, and she canceled the policy, and it was not available. So she did not think about what happens in the next one or two years or what could possibly happen, knowing that she had a really safe practice. Thats not good enough often.

Kevin Pho: And what about a distinction between physician assistants and nurse practitioners? Should there be any differences in the malpractice policies that they receive?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: No, not at all. I do see that physician assistants tend to be in the operating room more often, so you are likely to see them named in cases around surgical care. But often the surgeon is the one that bears the brunt of that particular situation, but having malpractice coverage to cover your own clinical practice is really critical because the PAs will often see the patients pre- and post-op in that kind of a situation.

The differences are basically no difference at all. The key is really making sure you have coverage for the time youre in practice and also before and after. You might go into claims, prior acts, et cetera, and also having board coverage. So if you have any board issue, your malpractice insurance will cover that.

There will be organizations that wont necessarily offer that. The best option is to go find your own plan to just get that board coverage. I think thats the key. Ive carried malpractice insurance my entire career. I never needed it because my hospital always covered me when I was an RN, and my current clinic covers me as my nurse practitioner practice has continued there, but what they dont cover is the board coverage, which I think is an investment well made by keeping that coverage.

Kevin Pho: Off the top of your head, if you give us a ballpark figure, how often do you see nurse practitioners having to look for independent malpractice coverage because whats offered isnt sufficient according to our conversation today?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: I dont know that I have a number, but I will tell you that its less likely that a nurse practitioner or a PA would even consider this because they dont tend to think about liability insurance as something that is important. Particularly with board coverage, they dont realize what could actually happen. Thus, my sharing the story of my colleague and what she went through. It did not have to happen. If she had had her malpractice insurance remain active because she had board coverage, that was the most important part of that experience for me and making sure that I shared that story with as many people as possible.

Kevin Pho: And Im hearing more and more cases in the news as more nurse practitioners and physician assistants are practicing independently, that they are sometimes getting in trouble for bad outcomes and getting in trouble in terms of malpractice.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: The data doesnt necessarily show that at this point. We use Candello data to look at how often things are happening, and you will see that nurse practitioner participation in liability claims is very low when you compare apples to apples with any other role. So that is something that we do watch, and I do talk about that on a regular basis.

Were tracking that the Candello data is part of a big study that is done with Harvard. They typically collate data every 10 years, so its been really interesting to watch the trends, and you do see that nurse practitioners sit pretty low in all of the graphics decade after decade.

Kevin Pho: What kind of advice do you have for new nurse practitioners and physician assistants? As you said, malpractice may not be at the forefront of their minds, but as they practice independently in a variety of settings ranging from the emergency department to the operating room, any tips that you could share with them to stay out of malpractice trouble?

Surani Hayre-Kwan: So many ideas. One of the most important things is that you really have to focus on your team and their development, whoever you work with, whether its medical assistants or nurse aides, or other advanced practice clinicians, NPs, PAs, or whatever it is. Make sure you have a really clear process for communication within the team and also with your patients. The importance of strong communication cannot be undervalued. It is so important for the entire office or that setting to be very clear and transparent with their communications at all times.

Some of those things to think about are making sure youre following SOAP note standards. Its pretty basic. It doesnt have to be a new grad, Kevin, this is everybody. Make sure your documentation is clear and concise, and not three words. It really needs to show that you have done the care for the patient. What does the continuity of care look like through the experience? And then is it defensible? I think thats the thing I love discussing when Im looking at documentation in anyones records. Its like, is this actually a defensible note of any type?

Also, avoid premature conclusions. If you dont actually have all the data, dont jump to a conclusion just because you want to figure it out and move this patient out of your office and say, OK, Im done with that. Take some time and look at what are the possible reasons why things are not working out for a particular patient. Whatever diagnostic error, something doesnt feel right. The feeling you get in the back of your neck, youre like, No, theres something about this isnt right. Pay attention to those feelings. Those are really important things to follow up on. I often will have my patients, if I have something thats very difficult, have them tell me the story again. How did we get here? Tell me exactly when this started. Sometimes that alone will help us solve the problem or at least redirect us into the appropriate testing.

Finally, try to close gaps in the medical record. There is a lot of risk in gaps that are in the record that people dont realize. A great example is not following up on abnormal results, lab, X-ray, whatever procedure. I cant tell you how many times I have patients come in and they have a long-term problem that weve been trying to resolve. Ill look at the consultants note and I see that the consultant wanted them back in two weeks, about four weeks, six months, whatever. Ill ask the patient, Hey, did you ever go back and see the specialist? And theyre like, Oh no, I didnt think they wanted to see me again. Its like, lets go back now because this is progressing, and they wouldve needed to know that so they could take the next step in your treatment plan.

That, again, communication to the patient about the why is very helpful in that case. I always check labs and imaging results when Im with patients. Just take the 30 seconds, 60 seconds, and click into the tab, see if there was anything pending. Also with patients that are seeing specialists, making sure I have those consultant notes so I can actually look at them when Im seeing the patient next. Those are gaps that are very easy to fix. They can feel very overwhelming sometimes. Im in primary care, so its a lot, but it is a key way to keep yourself protected and the patient safe.

When you have challenging patients, we all have challenging patients. I think its really important to talk through the treatment plans with them very clearly so they understand what were trying to do. You want to try to avoid misunderstandings. The after-visit summaries are a great way to give the patient something to take home and look at, so theyre reminded of the conversation you had in the office. When Im talking to patients, Im often typing into the after-visit summary the exact same information that Im sharing with them. As soon as I turn on the AI tool, it will do it for me, but right now Im typing all of that into the after-visit summary.

Finally, make sure youre prioritizing your self-care. Youre taking care of yourself so you are healthy and staying clear in your thinking when youre taking care of patients, because consistent self-care is the best way to prevent errors and burnout in health care.

Kevin Pho: Surani Hayre-Kwan is a nurse practitioner and a member of The Doctors Companys APC Advisory Board. Todays KevinMD article is, Are you protecting your career? Five essential questions about your nurse practitioner liability insurance. Surani, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Absolutely. Malpractice isnt about lawsuits. Its about protecting your license, your career, and maintaining your financial stability.

Kevin Pho: Surani, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Surani Hayre-Kwan: Yep. Thanks so much, Kevin.
Dreaming of medicine

Everyone has an origin story. Mine doesnt include any radioactive spiders or vats of glowing fluid, but I did get a few extra volts of electricity being defibrillated back to life at seventeen, and thats close enough to a tragic backstory for me. It was a short-lived event, but long enough to change everything. I remember the blur of motion as a team of doctors worked around me. It was a surreal experience to wake up and realize I was still here. Still alive. That moment didnt just bring me back. It pointed me forward. That experience was the clarion call that set me firmly on the path to medicine. It wasnt going to be easy. There were plenty of obstacles between a wide-eyed survivor in a hospital gown and a medical student with a stethoscope.

My parents immigrated from Iran, trading their familiar world for a shot at a better life in the U.S. They each found their own way to serve others: my mom became a nurse, and my dad became a police officer. They met in an emergency room, which is probably the most romantic thing thats ever happened under fluorescent lighting. Our dinner conversations sometimes felt like a crossover episode between ER and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, with Mom sharing stories of her patients and Dad recounting his traumatic patrol adventures. In our family, service was everything. I was named after a child my mother cared for in pediatric oncology. Sometimes I wonder if thats where it started, the seed of something that would take years to bloom. Watching them, I learned that you dont need a cape to help people. You just need dedication and grit. I didnt fully realize it at the time, but their example quietly planted a seed. I was on track to do something no one in my family had done before: go to medical school.

Inspired by my parents example of service, I started small in my own way. In high school, I spent my free time volunteering at my church, doing anything that needed to be done. Often, that meant driving people struggling with sobriety to AA or NA meetings and staying to attend them. I attended about a hundred meetings and got to witness real, gritty resilience up close. Theres something quietly heroic about a person choosing sobriety day after day and being a tiny part of that journey taught me how powerful it is to be present for someone else. This led me to volunteering at rehab centers. I didnt have a formal title or training. I just listened. Soon, I found myself counseling people in rehab.

At the time, I was a full-time artist. Art was my escape and my way of making sense of the world, but I hadnt yet figured out how it would fit into my future. Medicine wasnt even a passing thought. My world was paint, ink, canvas, messy, beautiful, creative chaos. After my near-death experience, something shifted. The impulse to help, to be present in the darkest, messiest moments of a persons life, thats where I felt most alive. Medicine was never a career goal. It was a calling.

So, I went to college. I majored in biochemistry because I genuinely wanted to understand how things worked on a microscopic level, and I loved chemistry. I loved diving deep into the why behind the body. For fun, I signed up for a microbiology class, and I fell completely in love with it. The tiny invisible world made perfect sense to me, like discovering a new language I somehow already understood. I bought a USB microscope and started projecting my images onto walls and turning them into art. Amoebas became brush strokes. Bacteria became patterns. Petri dishes turned into palettes. I found a weird, wonderful intersection where science met creativity that felt like home. That was the first time I realized I didnt have to choose between being an artist and being a future doctor. I could be both.

Med school

Then came medical school.

So naturally, I moved to Barbados, because nothing says serious academic pursuit like relentless humidity, wild monkeys, giant bugs, and sheer panic on a stunningly beautiful island. The beaches were surreal, the skies were cinematic, and the people were incredibly kind. Almost two years in, the pandemic yanked me back home. There wasnt a dramatic movie montage after that. Just a lot of studying. And exams. And occasional existential crises.

I had always been an excellent student, type-A, overachieving, color-coded-notes type. But med school was not impressed. If pre-med was swimming laps, med school was being shoved off a boat in the dark, blindfolded, while someone yelled, Just float! Youre smart! and a textbook drifted by like a life preserver. It was a humbling slap in the face, but also kind of freeing. I didnt adjust perfectly or quickly, but I adjusted.

I realized the only way I was going to survive this was by making it fun. So I turned to what I knew: creativity. I drew everything. If it needed to be memorized, it got illustrated. The more I drew, the more the information stuck, and my grades climbed. I discovered I was a hardcore visual learner. Soon, I went full immersion. I threw on my VR headset, jumped into Gravity Sketch, modeled anatomical structures in Blender, and literally created the things I needed to learn.

It worked. Not just for me, but for others. Friends started asking to study with me. Suddenly, I wasnt just passing. I was helping others understand some of the hardest concepts in medicine. Learning became something I looked forward to.

Then came clinicals. Finally, a chance to test all that knowledge on real patients. And to my surprise, I was good at it. I was efficient. Focused. Empathetic. People trusted me because I genuinely cared. I gravitated toward patients who didnt have anyone in their corner. I wanted to help them feel seen and be the person who stayed when others didnt.

Meanwhile, I kept using every offbeat skill I had. I was a licensed tattoo artist, so I offered realistic areola tattoos for post-mastectomy patients. It felt like sacred work, restoring something small that meant something huge. During my plastics rotation, I became obsessed with every stitch and knot, trying to perfect the art of closure. Then I started teaching other students what Id learned. We all needed each other to survive.

I also met people like me. Students with no financial support, who worked during school, who had to hustle every single day just to stay afloat. I was living in Southside Chicago in a half-demolished building (no, really, I had to sign paperwork saying I was OK with it falling apart around me). But it was cheap and near the hospitals, so I stayed. I felt like I was earning this. Scrappily. Creatively. Completely on my own terms.

The roadblock and the growth that follows

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Then came the part no one brags about on Instagram. I didnt match into diagnostic radiology, but I did match into a transitional year, which I was extremely grateful for. Was it painful? Yes. Id poured my heart into a specialty that felt like home, and it didnt pan out the way Id hoped. Did I consider hiding in a pillow fort for a while? Also yes. But I also realized that resilience isnt about denying the pain. Its about folding it into the narrative.

I was always someone who could see failure and still move forward. Who could meet disappointment with curiosity instead of collapse. Who didnt just want to be a doctor but wanted to be a good one.

I leaned all the way into the creative side of radiology, the part that had drawn me in from the beginning. I began exploring how to make the pursuit fun, collaborative, and creative. I partnered with a virtual reality company focused on medical education. I used my art background to create engaging visuals and study tools. I dove into research in topics that genuinely lit me up. And I think thats where I started to shine. Not just as a future radiologist, but as someone building their own road toward it.

I also started a collaborative initiative focused on radiology, AI, and deep learning, connecting early-stage students with established physicians and researchers who wanted to mentor, share opportunities, and give back. What began as a personal mission and passion project was quickly turning into a growing community built on support, shared curiosity, and mutual encouragement.

I volunteered in online radiology education groups. I began research teams. I created and shared resources, celebrated others wins, and reached out to students who reminded me of myselfpassionate, overwhelmed, and unsure if they belonged. Together, we made space for each other, and space for growth.

Im now applying for diagnostic radiology for the second time, a field where my analytical mind and artistic brain finally get to work together. Where grayscale images become a fluent language I love decoding. Where precision meets perception.

I used to think medicine was about proving something. But its not about being impressive. Its about being present. About showing up, especially when things dont go as planned. Because they never go as planned. All we can do is stay human, help where we can, and make this wild, messy road count.

If superhero movies have taught us anything, its that the origin story is just the beginning. Im not saying Im a hero. (That would be weird.) But I do get to help people alongside some truly incredible humans whove taken their own winding roads here. And to me, thats more than enough.

Amy Avakian is a physician.
A 17-year-old man has been arrested for shooting a replica gun at the Queen as she rode past crowds on horseback.

Marcus Serjeant pointed a pistol directly at the Queen as she turned down Horseguards Parade for the start of the Trooping the Colour ceremony.

He fired six blank cartridges before being overcome by a Guardsman and police.

The shots, which came just before 1100BST, startled the Queens horse, but she was able to bring it back under control within a few seconds.

The Queen had left Buckingham Palace 15 minutes earlier.

She had rode down the Mall and was turning into a crowded Horseguards Parade when the incident occurred.

The monarch looked shaken by the episode, but soon recovered her composure.

She comforted her 19-year-old horse, Burmese, which she has ridden in birthday parades since 1969.

The procession continued as planned, and afterwards the Queen returned to Buckingham Palace by the same route, under the close watch of security services.

This is not the first time a member of the royal family has faced danger from within a crowd of spectators.

Seven years ago, a few yards down the Mall, Princess Anne was attacked by a gunman.

Half a mile away in 1936 King Edward VIII faced a man with a loaded revolver.

And Queen Victoria was also shot at by a man with a gun in the Mall.

Security will take on an increasing importance as next months wedding between Prince Charles and Diana Spencer approaches.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Marcus Simon Serjeant was jailed for five years under the 1842 Treason Act, a law not used since 1966.

The former air cadet, from Folkestone, Kent, was found guilty of wilfully discharging at the person of Her Majesty the Queen a blank cartridge pistol, with intent to alarm her.

The court was told that Serjeant had at one stage planned to kill the Queen, but had failed to obtain a suitable lethal weapon.

I wanted to be famous, he said later. I wanted to be a somebody.

He served more than three years in jail, before being released in October 1984.
Social media was flooded with rumors yesterday morning about the arrest of workers rights icon Wong Wai Man, while the Judiciary Police (PJ) confirmed later that day they had arrested a 61-year-old construction worker with the surname Wong for illegally operating a mahjong parlor, whose identity matches Wongs.

Yesterday morning, social media platforms buzzed with news that Wong, leader of the Mutual Help Grassroots group and a candidate in this years Legislative Assembly (AL) direct elections, had lost contact since Wednesday evening.

Accompanying this news was a letter titled Public Prosecutions Office/Chief Executives Office Petition Delivery Action and Press Conference, signed by a member of the nomination committee, demanding the immediate release of Wong, the groups trustee, and a suspension of his case until the election has concluded.

Many netizens speculated about the reasons behind Wongs arrest, with some questioning, Was it because of those few signatures he forged?

Only nine teams submitted nomination forms by the deadline for this years Legislative Assembly direct elections, with Mutual Help Grassroots among them.

Wong, head of a local construction bar-bender trade union, previously ran for the Assembly on behalf of the group in both 2017 and 2021, but could not participate in the 2021 election due to failing to secure the required 300 nominations.

This years AL is scheduled for September 14, and Wong is once again a candidate, having submitted 395 voter signatures to the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) on June 5, just before the nomination period closed.

At the time, he told the media that he was running for election to address employment issues and fulfill his social obligations, stating that whether he was elected or not was unimportant; his primary goal was to help the poor rather than all citizens of Macau.

He even asserted that his influence was greater than that of any member of the Legislative Assembly.

According to the AL election law, each voter may sign as a member of only one nomination committee; if a voter supports multiple committees, all their signatures will be invalid.

Of the 395 nominations submitted by Wong, only 222 were deemed eligible after verification, leaving him 78 nominations short of the 300 required to qualify for the election. These additional signatures needed to be secured by today.

During a media interview on Monday, he expressed his determination to obtain the necessary nominations through various channels, leveraging his network of contacts and over 10 years of work experience. Subsequently, social media platforms were flooded with posts urging voters to go to Wongs association office in Areia Preta to sign the nomination.

The PJ announced yesterday afternoon the details of a case involving illegal mahjong operations they had uncovered.

They revealed that they had received a tip-off about a ground-floor shop in a residential complex in the northern district, where illegal mahjong activities were occurring during the evenings and early mornings, attracting a mix of people and posing a security risk.

At the address above, individuals were engaged in illegal mahjong operations. Our officers put them under surveillance on the evening of June 10 and took action around midnight on June 11, apprehending the shop owner, a man surnamed Wong, who is the suspect in this case, stated a PJ spokesperson.

The suspect reportedly refused to cooperate but is believed to have operated the illegal mahjong parlor for about three months, earning at least MOP8,800 to date.

The authorities noted that no further information is available regarding whether the suspect is a candidate in the AL election.

Further, the Public Prosecutions Office said in a statement last night that it will continue to lead the follow-up criminal investigation.

Due to strong indications that the case involves the crime of illegal mahjong operation as stipulated and penalized under Article 14 of Law No. 20/2024 on Combating Illegal Gambling Activities, the Public Prosecutions Office recommended that the criminal court impose bail conditions on the suspect, the statement read.
Australias defense minister dismissed concerns yesterday that a deal between the U.S., Australia and Britain to provide his country with nuclear-powered submarines could be in jeopardy, following a report that the Pentagon had ordered a review.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told Sky News Australia that he had known about the review of the deal for some time, saying that it was a very natural step for the incoming administration to take.

He noted that the UKs government also reviewed the deal, the centerpiece of a three-way alliance known as AUKUS after it was elected, and that his own government had looked at it as part of its own review of Australias entire defense posture.

I think an incoming government having a look at this is something that they have a perfect right to do and we welcome it and well work with it, he said.

The deal, worth more than $200 billion, was signed between the three countries in 2021 under then President Joe Biden, designed to provide Australia, one of Washingtons staunchest allies in the region, with greater maritime capabilities to counter Chinas increasingly strong navy.

The deal also involves the U.S. selling several of its Virginia-class submarines to Australia to bridge the gap as the new submarines are being jointly built.

In January, Australia made the first of six $500 million payments to the U.S. under the AUKUS deal, meant to bolster American submarine manufacturing.

Marles met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the sidelines of a defense conference in Singapore less than two weeks ago, and told reporters afterward that he had come away with a sense of confidence about the way in which AUKUS is proceeding.

AUKUS is on track and we are meeting all the timelines that are associated with it, he said. We are very optimistic.

Hegseths address to the defense forum made multiple mentions of cooperation with Australia but no reference to AUKUS, however, though he did later mention the deal when he was taking questions.

Hegseth did urge allies in the Indo-Pacific to increase their defense spending, and underscored the need for a strong, resolute and capable network of allies and partners as the U.S. seeks to counter China. DAVID RISING, BANGKOK, MDT/AP
Dongguan will host Cultural and Natural Heritage Day events from June 1315, including concerts, exhibitions, and live demonstrations. A live-streamed recruitment fair is also planned, offering over 5,000 jobs. Despite this, the housing market is sluggish: only 287 new homes were sold last week (down 47%), and second-hand transactions also fell sharply.



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* Road Less Rallied

 Macau has the interest and infrastructure, but must shift gears with commitment and safety to compete in road sports, FIA told the Times in an exclusive interview

* Mabuhay! | Consulate celebrates contributions of Filipinos on Independence Day

* Taste of Edesia

* Police pledged to address internal misconduct in accordance with the law after fraud, forgery allegations

* AL candidate Wong Wai Man arrested for illegally operating mahjong parlor

* London-bound Air India flight with more than 240 aboard crashes

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Friday, June 13 2025  edition no. 4737
Gatchalian: Senate Ratifies Bicam Report on Career Progression System for Teachers, School Leaders

Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the ratification of the bicameral conference committee report on the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act (Senate Bill No. 3000 and House Bill No. 10270), which would expand career prospects in teaching and school administration.

The ratified measure institutionalizes the Career Progression System for public school teachers and leaders to promote their professional development and career advancement.

Under the ratified measure, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is mandated to create the new teaching position titles of Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII, Master Teacher V, 4 Master Teacher VI, and School Principal V.

Teachers and school leaders shall be promoted through natural vacancy or reclassification of position based on merit, fitness, and competence anchored on the professional standards. The ratified measure also promotes that promotions shall be non-hierarchical.

"Sa pamamagitan ng panukala nating malapit nang maisabatas, mapapalawak natin ang mga oportunidad para sa pag-angat ng karera ng ating mga guro at mga school leaders," said Gatchalian, sponsor and co-author of the measure.

Gatchalian: Mga Oportunidad sa Pag-angat ng Karera ng mga Guro at School Leaders Palawakin

Ratipikado na ng Senado ang bicameral conference committee report sa Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act (Senate Bill No. 3000 at House Bill No. 10270), isang panukalang batas na magpapalawak ng mga oportunidad para sa mga guro at school leaders.

Ang pinagtibay na panukala ay nagtataguyod ng Career Progression System para sa mga guro at school leaders ng mga pampublikong paaralan upang isulong ang kanilang propesyonal na pag-unlad at pag-angat sa karera.

Imamandato nito ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na lumikha ng mga bagong teaching position titles: Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII, Master Teacher V, 4 Master Teacher VI, at School Principal V.

Maaaring ma-promote ang mga guro at school leaders sa pamamagitan ng natural vacancy o relassification ng posisyon base sa merito at galing alinsunod sa professional standards.

"Sa pamamagitan ng panukala nating malapit nang maisabatas, mapapalawak natin ang mga oportunidad para sa pag-angat ng karera ng ating mga guro at mga school leaders," ani Gatchalian, sponsor at isa sa mga may-akda ng niratipikahang panukala.
Guangzhous Nansha District is rapidly developing integrated transport systems. Metro Line 18, a 160 km/h all-underground regional express, allows city center access in under 30 minutes. The Nanzhong Expressway and Nansha connection shorten travel to Zhongshan and Shenzhen to 1520 minutes. Planning is underway for a double-deck 16-lane bridge over the Lion Ocean Channel. GuangzhouShenzhenHong Kong high-speed rail will add more stops at Qingsheng Station, enhancing Nanshas position as a global transport hub.

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An Air India passenger plane bound for London with more than 240 people on board crashed today (Thursday) in Indias northwestern city of Ahmedabad, the airline said.

Visuals on local television channels showed smoke billowing from the crash site in what appeared to be a populated area near the airport in Ahmedabad, a city with a population of more than 5 million and the capital of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state.

Firefighters doused the smoking wreckage of the plane, which would have been fully loaded with fuel shortly after takeoff, and adjacent multi-story buildings with water. Charred bodies lay on the ground.

Ahmedabads city police commissioner says there dont appear to have been any survivors from the crash, and that there are likely also casualties from the area of the city where it went down.

It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash, Commissioner G.S. Malik told The Associated Press, adding that with the plane crashing in a residential area with offices, some locals would have also died.

Exact figures on casualties are being ascertained, he said.

The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

Modi called the crash heartbreaking beyond words.

In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected, he said in a social media post.

The airline said the Gatwick Airport-bound flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew. Of those, Air India said there were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, told The Associated Press that Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off at 1:38 p.m. local time. He said 244 people were on board and it was not immediately possible to reconcile the discrepancy with Air Indias numbers.

All efforts were being made to ensure medical aid and relief support at the site, Indias Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu posted on X.

The 787 Dreamliner is a widebody, twin-engine plane. This is the first crash ever of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database.

Boeing said it was aware of the reports of the crash and was working to gather more information.

The aircraft was introduced in 2009 and more than 1,000 have been delivered to dozens of airlines, according to the flightradar24 website.

Air Indias chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, said at the moment our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.

He said on X that the airline had set up an emergency center and support team for families seeking information about those who were on the flight.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event, he said.

British Cabinet minister Lucy Powell said the government will provide all the support that it can to those affected by the crash.

This is an unfolding story, and it will undoubtedly be causing a huge amount of worry and concern to the many, many families and communities here and those waiting for the arrival of their loved ones, she told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

We send our deepest sympathy and thoughts to all those families, and the government will provide all the support that it can with those in India and those in this country as well, she added.

Britain has very close ties with India. There were nearly 1.9 million people in the country of Indian descent, according to the 2021 U.K. census.

The last major passenger plane crash in India was in 2020 when an Air India Express Boeing-737 skidded off a hilltop runway in southern India, killing 21 people.

The worst air disaster in India was on Nov. 12, 1996, when a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight collided midair with a Kazakhastan Airlines Flight near Charki Dadri in Haryana state, killing all 349 on board the two planes.

The crash comes days before the opening of the Paris Air Show, a major aviation expo where Boeing and European rival Airbus will showcase their aircraft and battle for jet orders from airline customers.

Boeing has been in recovery mode for more than six years after Lion Air Flight 610, a Boeing 737 Max 8, plunged into the Java Sea off the coast of Indonesia minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing all 189 people on board. Five months later, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 Max 8, crashed after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 157 passengers and crew members.

Shares of Boeing Co. tumbled nearly 9% before trading opened in the U.S. MDT/AP
The Philippine Consulate General in Macau commemorated the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence yesterday, while also marking the vital contributions of the local Filipino community in the region.

The celebration comes at a notable time, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

While the Treaty of Amity and Friendship was signed 50 years ago, our historical and cultural ties go back centuries, said Consul General Edna May G. Lazaro, stressing that maintaining good relations with China remains a cornerstone of the Consulates mission.

These ties are not only seen in international diplomacy, but are also deeply felt through the daily lives of our countrymen here  whether caring for the elderly, supporting families, or contributing to the hospitality and healthcare sectors, she said during her first Independence Day in Macau since assuming her post in October 2024.

Wherever we are, we carry the Philippine flag, she added.

The celebration also featured the launch of a commemorative book honoring outstanding Filipinos in China.

The publication, a collaboration with the Philippine Embassy in Beijing and other consulates in China, highlights inspiring stories of Filipino individuals who have made notable contributions in their respective fields.

Meanwhile, the Consul General addressed issues affecting the community, particularly the concerns of household service workers (HSWs), who make up a significant portion of the Filipino labor force in Macau.

Last year, the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) announced that the government had raised the minimum salary for domestic workers from MOP3,000 to MOP3,200 per month.

Announced during a meeting of the Central Zone Community Services Advisory Council in October, the bureau said the adjustment aims to provide better guarantees for non-resident domestic workers and to bring the salary value closer to the average remuneration in the maid labor market.

Weve made calls on top officials, including the former Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng, who, for the first time, publicly recognized the economic importance of HSWs, Lazaro told the press. That recognition is critical as it reflects a policy direction that values the work our nationals are doing here.

The official said that the Consulate has also been working to enhance access to government services, including efforts to bring back regular visits from different Philippine agencies.

While labor-related issues remain a top concern, the official said that overall, most Filipinos in Macau report being satisfied with their working and living conditions.

The latest data show that the overall number of Filipinos in the region is close to 34,000, including over 2,900 Filipino nationals who hold permanent residency.

The numbers have bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, which shows the communitys resilience and importance in Macaus multicultural fabric.

In terms of tourism, in 2024, the Philippines ranked among the top sources of foreign visitors to Macau, with over 493,000 arrivals  a 57.1% increase from the previous year.

This year also commemorates the 30th anniversary of Migrant Workers Day.

Migrant workers are close to my heart. Ive always prioritized protecting their rights and well-being wherever they are, the official noted.

To end her remarks, Lazaro said, Today is a celebration of our freedom, our heritage, and our enduring friendship with our host city.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Govt touts strong ties with Filipino community

Speaking on behalf of the Chief Executive of the SAR, Secretary for Administration and Justice Andre Cheong noted the long-standing friendship between Macau and the Philippines, which dates back to the 16th century, when Macau served as a gateway between China and Southeast Asia.

Cheong noted that Filipinos now make up around 17% of Macaus non-resident workforce and praised their contributions to the citys development.

We deeply appreciate the valuable contributions of the Filipino community to the development of Macau. The Macau government is committed to building an inclusive society where different communities can live in harmony together in Macau, said Cheong.

He also recalled that several months ago, a Macau delegation had a very successful consultation with the Philippine colleagues in Manila, for the conclusion of agreements on assistance in criminal matters.

The Macau government is happy to see the development and will prepare for the next round of consultation in Macau, he said.

Cheong concluded by pledging the citys support for the Philippine Consulate, one of only four consulates based in the SAR, and expressed hope for even deeper collaboration in trade, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.
Londoners have reported thousands of sightings of Pitbull this week. With that bald head, goatee and suit, hes pretty hard to miss.

On closer inspection, though, it becomes clear that Mr. Worldwide is not actually everywhere all at once  in his stead, those are clones swarming London, on their way to the O2 Arena to see him onstage. That goatee? Drawn on. That bare head? Bald caps, in lieu of a dramatic shave.

More than two decades into his career, the Miami superstar whose hits  from Hotel Room Service to Timber and Give Me Everything to El Taxi  have become permanent playlist staples of weddings, bar mitzvahs and, yes, the club is stoking a growing fan frenzy in the U.K. and beyond. He started noticing the odd look-alike or two at concerts back in 2021, emerging from the pandemic-era lockdowns.

Maybe out of 20,000 people coming to the show, 30,000 coming to show, youll see a thousand, he says of what happened next.

But thats before he hit the U.K.

We jumped the pond and we ended up in London and it was just something else. It was definitely a whole new movement, took it to a whole new level, Pitbull told The Associated Press, the day after Mondays show in London.

The phenomenon is something that has rapidly grown from a minority to the majority  or from a negative to a positive, as Pitbull is known to say. Unlike the celebrity look-alike contests that reward uncanny resemblance to the likes of Timothee Chalamet,Glen Powell or even Ernest Hemingway, its less about the ability to grow the right facial hair and more about the vibe. After all, the vast majority of those dressed up at Mondays concert were women. (Pitbelles, one could say.)

These wannabe clones were spotted on the underground to North Greenwich, where they proceeded to dance outside the arena to a live DJ set for hours before the show even started. Photos were taken in front of a giant poster of Pitbull and goatees were carefully colored in on friends faces before, finally, the sunglasses went on. Rebecca Petrie and Jamie Lee Hart spent hours online to get tickets, traveling from Scotland for the gig. They suggested that girls are more drawn to dressing up than guys.

Women are more brave, Hart said. And Pitbull appreciates that.

To have more women in the crowd, it just goes to show you that they are feeling what the most powerful woman in my life has taught me on stage, he says, referencing his mother, which is a gentleman that knows how to have a good time. Sometimes a little naughty, sometimes a little nice, but more than anything a good person that will do the right thing to the best of my ability.

Videos from Pitbulls London show in February flooded social media with a decent number of look-alikes vibing out to tracks like On the Floor and Fireball. When additional June shows for his Party After Dark tour went on sale, ticket buyers got the memo: Dress up or stand out as one of the few who didnt. Indeed, the floor of the arena on Monday looked like a sea of baked beans, courtesy the bald caps, while the stands looked like the destination of an unlikely school trip, with rows after rows of white shirts and black ties askew. HILARY FOX, LONDON, MDT/AP
A defining trait of Sino-African cooperation is it is result-oriented with the aim of improving African peoples well-being and enhancing African countries endogenous development capabilities.

That is clearly manifested in the convening of the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Changsha, Hunan province, from Tuesday to Thursday  attended by representatives of the 54 African members of the FOCAC  as well as the Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo from Thursday to Sunday in the same city.

At the FOCAC summit held in Beijing in September, President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech in which he put forward six proposals and 10 partnership initiatives for jointly advancing modernization and building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

The ongoing Changsha meeting is conducive to enhancing the coordination between China and African countries with a focus on further implementing the six proposals and 10 partnership initiatives put forward by President Xi, so that people in China and Africa will benefit more from the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC summit.

Implementing the proposals and initiatives, which cover a wide range of fields from trade, health and agriculture to industry chains, connectivity, green development and common security, entails timely communication, efficient coordination and close cooperation of government departments at different levels, enterprises, social organizations, institutions and media organizations. The Changsha meeting serves to provide such a platform for these stakeholders from both sides to energize their endeavors in different fields to transform the proposals and initiatives into blueprints, projects, actions and tangible benefits.

As the world has entered a new period of turbulence and change in recent years, relevant parties should strengthen their efforts to appropriately manage all types of risks and challenges and effectively address the impact of geopolitical conflicts while advancing high-quality Sino-African cooperation.

It is therefore necessary for the two sides to properly handle the relationship between strengthening participating countries sense of fulfillment and also ensuring the benefits for China by taking concrete measures to safeguard Chinas overseas interests, as President Xi urged at a symposium on the development of the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing in December.

China-Africa cooperation, which should be open, green and clean, needs to direct more attention from quantity, scale and investment to quality, innovation and sustainability under the principle of planning together, building together, and benefiting together and with the goal of pursuing high-standard, people-centered sustainable collaboration.

Focusing on enhancing connectivity, relevant efforts should be made to continuously create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability, by means of improved planning, coordination and management mechanisms.

Under these principles, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in his separate meetings with some African counterparts attending the Changsha meeting, China is willing to continue to share new development opportunities with African countries, and help African countries achieve modernization.

China is committed to working with African countries to uphold multilateralism and the basic norms governing international relations, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

As the meeting in Changsha shows, China and Africa are working together to inject more dynamism into their bilateral cooperation and in doing so they are sending a strong message of solidarity and collaboration among members of the Global South.

[Abridged]

Editorial, China Daily
The Public Security Police Force (PSP) has pledged to handle suspected misconduct within its ranks in accordance with the law, following revelations in the latest report by the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) regarding alleged fraud and forgery involving several PSP officers.

According to a statement issued by the bureau, it had independently identified irregularities in attendance records in early 2023 and promptly launched a criminal investigation.

The findings were forwarded to the Public Prosecutions Office, and parallel disciplinary procedures were initiated.

In its 2024 report released Wednesday, the CCAC has revealed several cases of civil servants falsifying attendance records.

One case involved a PSP officer who, between 2018 and 2023, repeatedly left his post and exited Macau during working hours.

To conceal his absences, he enlisted the help of colleagues to falsify clock-in records. Exploiting loopholes in duty rosters that lacked mandatory sign-in documents, the officer caused payroll errors, leading to government financial losses.

In response, the PSP said it has carried out a thorough review of internal procedures, strengthened its supervision mechanisms, and addressed systemic loopholes to prevent future violations.

The bureau also directed its subordinate units to enhance oversight and remind all officers of their duty to act lawfully, honestly, and with integrity.

In another case, two Financial Services Bureau employees with a supervisor-subordinate relationship agreed to clock in for each other between October 2022 and August 2023.

By exploiting weaknesses in the dual fingerprint-card attendance system, they created false records and fraudulently claimed over MOP14,000 in overtime pay. LV
Sands China honoured more than 1,000 team members who are celebrating their 20-year, 15-year, and 10-year company anniversaries in 2025 by holding long-service ceremonies in April, in appreciation of their spirit of service and their endeavours throughout the years. The company presented trophies, certificates, celebratory set meals, and other special gifts to thank these long-serving team members for their contributions and commitment.

Sands China and all sectors of society have contributed hand-in-hand to the development of Macao, a place Sands China has called home for over 20 years. The company attributes its stable development and the remarkable achievements of every phase to the professionalism and dedication of its team members serving in various roles.

By the end of 2025, over 14,000 team members will have served at Sands China for 10 years or more, accounting for 50 percent of Sands Chinas current workforce. Team members who have worked at the company for more than 15- and 20-years number over 6,000 and 2,000, respectively  demonstrating how the companys corporate culture is fully appreciated by employees. Furthermore, Sands China has provided diversified development opportunities for team members, upholding its commitment to nurture their development. Over the past two decades, the percentage of local residents among Sands Chinas management team members has soared from 20 percent in 2004 to 91 percent currently.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: Sands China has over 27,000 team members, and we are proud that more than a half of them have been serving the company for 10 years. We are also delighted to see that we still have 2,000 team members who have been growing with us for more than two decades. This is a testament to the strong cohesion between the team and the company, reflecting their confidence in our shared future. As Sands China has developed, so have the capabilities of our team members. It is inspiring to see how their journeys at Sands China have taken them to new heights as they have grown  professionally and personally  alongside the growth of the company.
A high-level delegation from the Shanghai Modern Agriculture Investment and Development Group recently visited Monte do Pasto, CESL Asias flagship agricultural project in Alentejo, Portugal.

The visit focused on observing advanced agricultural practices, including low-carbon livestock farming and high-efficiency irrigation systems used for olive and almond cultivation.

According to a statement released by CESL Asia, the visit marks a potential step toward future cooperation, with discussions centered on a large-scale agricultural technology project spanning 400 square kilometers northeast of Pudong, Shanghai.

The envisioned project would integrate sustainable and high-quality production methods modeled on Monte do Pastos success.

Over the past six years, CESL Asia has tripled the value of Monte do Pastos land through innovative and environmentally conscious agricultural methods.

These include efficient water use, carbon footprint reduction, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to imagery collected by drones.

According to the firm, the Shanghai delegation expressed strong interest in applying similar approaches in China, aiming to enhance food security, sustainability, and profitability amid rapid changes in the nations agricultural sector.

In parallel, CESL Asia announced plans to establish a 100 to 200 million-euro agricultural investment fund via the Macau Platform.

The fund will focus on high-tech agriculture, including AI-processed satellite and drone imaging, AgroPV (combined agricultural and solar energy land use), and high-efficiency irrigation systems.

Portugal offers exceptional opportunities for sustainable and profitable agricultural investment, said CESL Asia CEO Antonio Trindade. With this fund, we aim to support our partners in developing innovative, low-carbon solutions. Staff Reporter
An influential piece of writing published earlier this year by Zhuo Zelin of the South China Normal University raises pertinent questions about the role of universities in shifting the GBA economy along the stages of development. From economies based on trade, through industry, service and finally driven by innovation  this final stage is where the work of universities becomes especially relevant.

Zhuo refers to the triple helix model of regional innovation which depicts the way interactions between universities, enterprises and government  all three together  propel this fourth stage of high-quality economic and social development. His position is that the GBA remains in the lower stages of trade and industry-based manufacturing because the eco-system of top-quality research output and integrated collaboration with enterprises and government has not yet been established to enable that outcome.

Zhuo also draws on ideas from Regional Innovation Systems Theory that says a network of players  firms, research institutions, governments and other support organisations (such as chambers of commerce, incubators, industry associations)  are all needed for a region to become innovative. All these players act to create a local context that allows the transfer of knowledge, human capital to build and collaboration to happen.

In turn, that local context is impacted by access to natural resources, geo-political circumstances, cultural and social values, even globally. We are very clearly seeing examples of this in the cascading effects internationally of the Tariff War, destabilisation caused by American government intervention in research and education, effective nationalisation of top-tier universities such as Harvard and curtailment of academic freedom, and uncertainties regarding immigration and visa protections in that country.

What we are currently witnessing from America is precisely the antithesis of the networking thesis and capital requirements of building innovation that we are all working towards in the GBA. The worlds best and the brightest individuals that had aspired to study, apprentice, practice and contribute to the top universities and laboratories in the United States are looking elsewhere as research funding dries up, their visa status becomes precarious, and they are being made to feel unwelcome. Laboratories and academics are being courted by other countries and institutions.

A case in point is the invitation received by Professor Ardem Patapoutian to relocate his laboratory to any city, any university he wanted in China with a guarantee of funding for the next 20 years. New York Times reported on this Nobel Prize-winning scientist, whose laboratory  researching new ways to manage pain  lost its federal grant in the recent Trump administration cuts to science and research. Within hours of posting to social media that the funding losses would damage scientific progress and push talented researchers offshore, Patapoutina received the earlier mentioned email invitation to transfer his lab to China. He had himself been an immigrant to the U.S. from Lebanon as a student and had been the beneficiary of an eco-system of research excellence  his loyalty thus remains with his current home, and so he declined the offer.

Key Takeaways Universities are crucial but underpowered in the GBA innovation model

The GBA aspires to become a hub of innovation-led development, but Zhuo Zelin argues that universitiescentral to the triple helix model of innovation alongside government and enterprisesare not yet fulfilling their potential. Their research is insufficiently integrated with enterprise and government, limiting their influence on the regions innovation trajectory. Government and enterprise lead; universities trail

Currently, innovation in the GBA is driven more by enterprises and government policy than by universities. While large firms collaborate with universities in joint labs, SMEs and startups rely on limited support. Government plays an outsized role in guiding research agendas, often through top-down incentives. However, this imbalance skews the ecosystem away from the collaborative ideal theorized in innovation models. Internal university reform is needed for impactful innovation

Structural change within universities is necessary. Zhuo suggests realigning academic incentivesmoving away from publish or perish and toward applied, cross-sectoral research. Promotion systems should reward practical collaboration and societal impact. Without internal innovation, universities risk being sidelined just as geopolitical shifts offer China a unique chance to attract global talent and scientific leadership.

The same New York Times report, however, confirmed the professors hunch  international post-graduate student applications to U.S. universities have dropped, local post-graduates are seeking positions overseas, and the countries, such as China, who invest in scientific research will rise as the new leaders in technology, engineering and other scientific endeavours if they can build the required eco-system.

Currently, the GBA has a number of advantages for its innovation journey: 1. A strong vision of economic and social development, 2. Policies to achieve this development through innovation, 3. The required resources to innovate, and 4. these earlier mentioned geopolitical circumstances contributing to Chinas competitiveness to attract human and knowledge capital. How the triple helix model will manifest for universities, government and enterprises in the GBA is not so clear.

There are enterprise-led models that have the challenges of short-term profit motives putting downwards pressure on research investment; government-led models that can be disadvantaged by regulatory rigidity; and a rosy view of university-led models that are thought to be the most sustainable due to the knowledge-based capital development rationale: they are uniquely placed for original research and to develop talent, and have a manner of working which, if done strategically, incentivises collaboration across institutions and disciplines for knowledge creation.

Researchers in China note that the region has a way to go to reach the ideal. The university-government collaboration in Guangdong has been reported as not being particularly strong over the last 15 years and remains in decline, but university-industry networks in the GBA are beginning to trend towards a university/enterprise collaboration model of innovation. Another concern is the existence of a silo or split between top research universities and technical institutions which undermines that particular cross-over collaboration; valuing different forms of knowledge without judgement might alleviate this and facilitate the application of research output as a step towards commercialisation. Case studies have shown that conflicting agenda internal to universities and hindrances to the smooth transfer of technology are also problematic.

Under the triple helix model each entity has a particular role. Governments are there to support innovation through policy and the supply of public goods for university-industry collaboration. This was indeed found in Zhous study: the 13th Five-year plan produced policies and legislation to encourage universities to collaborate with industry and commercialise research output. Key Research and Development programs have been articulated with expansionary research funding established. The governments in the GBA have an active role in promoting university-led innovation. Keen on policy initiatives, entrepreneurship and research commercialisation are encouraged by local authorities. Intellectual property protection measures are also key, as are tax incentives, such as the 15% in Hengqin.

This all accords with theory; but unique to the GBA context, the government has had a stronger hand at guiding research priorities and agenda, often through structural incentives such as faculty promotions, commercialisation and research evaluations being linked to policy direction. This research guidance is also exhibited in certain universities and disciplines targeted for support. Hong Kong and Macau universities are encouraged to collaborate with mainland universities to establish national laboratories. Zhou highlights the greater intervention and control by government in the GBA through financial, land and human resource provision. The difference between national- and local-level government intervention accords with the longer-term national interests vs the immediate local development needs. That macro-micro comparison is also reflected in basic research at the national level vs applied research and industry collaboration at the local level.

At the industry level, Zhou describes the GBA as a mixed bag consisting of leading enterprises which dominate the innovation landscape, SMEs and startups. The leading enterprises are the ones which collaborate with research universities, often creating joint laboratories, combining respective talent, innovation capabilities, technological resources and agile commercialisation knowhow. The SMEs, however, struggle to innovate without the funding, talent, technology and support of their bigger brothers. Their innovation tends to be incremental. They might contract universities for solutions to particular technological or process problems. Startups are often supported by universities in incubators or technology parks, many of which arise from university research projects.

Research universities in the GBA, although large and well ranked, are not achieving the levels of innovation outcomes in collaboration with industry and government as institutions outside the region. Part of this might be the imbalance between industry and university development in the GBA: universities are yet to catch up with enterprise development. Zhou found that innovation is not currently led by universities here but by the enterprises, and that governments are also playing a larger role than would accord with a balanced helix.

To elevate the innovation role of the research universities in the GBA, misaligned incentives such as publish or perish demands and university ranking criteria may make way for rewards being given to those researchers who would better focus their talents to apply their research, and to do cross-industry/cross-disciplinary research. We may need to rejig the rewards, incentives and promotion systems inside universities  innovate there  before these institutions can benefit from the new global leadership opportunities that the GBA is being presented with by current geo-political forces.

Such a university-level innovation would focus on that old bridge between the theory and application, from the know-how to the doing, from knowledge for knowledges sake to answering the so-what question of relevance and to the tangible gifts to the community at large. By Leanda Care, MDT
The Legislative Assembly (AL) passed an amendment to the bill on Prohibition of Illegal Production, Trafficking and Abuse of Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances during a plenary session Wednesday afternoon.

Vaping etomidate will now carry criminal penalties, with offenders facing up to one year in prison.

The revision adds 24 substances to the drug control laws annex, including etomidate  the core compound in the dangerous e-cigarette drug space oil  and its three substances: metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate.

Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak explained that among the 23 newly internationally controlled substances adopted by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs last year, three are already regulated under Macaus drug control law.

The remaining 20 substances and 18 precursors had not yet been included in the laws annex.

To fulfill international obligations, the amendment ensures these substances are enforceable in the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR).

Wong noted that four new types of drugs, etomidate and its substances, have emerged in neighboring regions in recent years.

Although not internationally controlled, these substances pose serious public health risks, added the Secretary for Security. Mainland China and Hong Kong have already listed them as controlled substances, increasing the risk of abuse in Macau.

Four-tiered criminal penalties and controls

Macau already fully bans the manufacture, distribution, sale, import, and export of e-cigarettes under the Tobacco Control Law, with stricter regulations than neighboring regions.

Lawmakers raised concerns about drug trafficking and enforcement challenges, particularly hidden drug abuse. Wong noted that the Anti-Drug Committee has implemented targeted measures, including requiring hotels to cooperate with police investigations.

Wong emphasized that once etomidate is classified as a controlled substance, trafficking or consumption will be criminally punishable.

While e-cigarettes themselves are not drugs, if used as drug paraphernalia, e-liquids containing etomidate will be subject to four layers of regulation: criminal penalties for trafficking or consumption, a ban on e-cigarette devices used for drug ingestion (Tobacco Control Law), enhanced cross-border enforcement, and strict liability for businesses (e.g., hotels) failing to report drug activity.

A regional epidemic?

While rare outside Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, space oil has surged in popularity among youth under 21. In Hong Kong  schools, including international institutions  have issued warnings, with the Education Bureau (EDB) mandating drug awareness campaigns.

My daughters school (an international school) sent circulars and infographics to parents about this, shared one Hong Kong parent with the Times.

Ken, another expat in Hong Kong who wanted to be known only by his first name, told the Times, I first learned of it [space oil] through government posters in the MTR. Its mostly young locals using it  you see them collapsing in public.

He added, From what I understand, most of these kids are getting hooked without knowing what theyre really smoking.

In July 2024, the Commissioner for Narcotics wrote to all primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong, reminding the education sector to stay alert to space oil.
Erasing Assyrians: The Kurdish Nationalist Project

Assyria will Rise by Paul Batou. The Assyrians, an indigenous people with over 6,775 years of history and one of the world's earliest Christian communities, are vanishing from their ancestral homeland. Not in theory. Not in the distant future. Today. Right now as you're reading this. Assyria is already colonized, fragmented across Iraq, Syria, southeast Turkey, and northwest Iran--their indigenous homeland. And today, the final threads of Assyrian presence in these lands are being pulled apart through calculated policies of exclusion, erasure, and domination.

You've never heard of us, but you've heard of us. We're the Iraqi Christians, the Syrian Christians, the Chaldeans, the Syriacs, and the Arameans. We are called everything but our name--Assyrian. A tactic of the dhimmi system, reinforced by the very basic human need to separate ourselves from a group targeted for genocide in order to survive. A Roman methodology of divide and conquer. Even our history is neglected, rewritten, and stolen. And this erasure is echoed by international actors who speak of us.

But our erasure isn't just on paper. Across Iraq and Syria, Assyrians are being erased through systemic and systematic disenfranchisement, cultural destruction, forced displacement, and demographic engineering. The communities that survived genocide, invasions, and centuries of religious persecution now face a coordinated effort to extinguish their presence altogether. ISIS destroyed countless Assyrian artifacts, but the destruction did not end with them. Our heritage sites continue to be vandalized and destroyed, even used for military exercises by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

In Iraq, Assyrians are treated as foreigners. Political power is monopolized by Kurdish parties in the north and Iranian-backed militias in the center, both of whom install proxies in parliamentary seats legally reserved for Assyrians. Elections are manipulated, and authentic Assyrian voices are suffocated, replaced by those loyal to external agendas.

Before 2003, there were over 1.5 million Assyrians in Iraq. Today, fewer than 300,000 remain. In KRG-controlled areas, losses have exceeded those under ISIS. That is not simply just a statistic; it is a verdict.

Two weeks before ISIS began its invasion of Iraq, the KRG disarmed Assyrian and Yazidi communities, despite being fully aware of the impending threat. The Peshmerga promised protection, only to abandon us without firing a single bullet in our defense from seven posts--the Nineveh Plains, Nineveh Dam, Makhmur, Zumar, Daqooq, Sinjar, and the left side of the Tigris in Mosul. When ISIS stormed through our towns, the Kurdish forces left entire communities to be slaughtered. Long before the Iraqi Army even fled, the Peshmerga had vanished. The Peshmerga, or "those who face death," only returned once Western forces intervened to confront ISIS, attempting to appear involved and take credit for resistance they never provided.

Our lands are stolen in broad daylight. Over 94 documented cases of land confiscation remain unresolved despite court rulings favoring Assyrians. Even when judgments are issued, Kurdish authorities do not enforce them. In some cases, false land deeds are fabricated to justify these seizures.

Assyrians who try to defend their lands are beaten, jailed, and paraded on state television, forced to publicly thank the very authorities who arrested them. These spectacles are not reconciliation. They are propaganda staged to legitimize injustice. Land grabs are not rogue incidents; they are part of a system built to erase Assyrian existence. Even the Erbil Airport and the United Nations compound stand on land that was seized from Assyrians without consent or restitution.

In 2023, the KRG officially registered Hawpa, a Kurdish neo-Nazi group whose charter explicitly calls for the extermination of Assyrians. With well over 1,000 members, and potentially more operating in secret, and meetings held with high-level Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) officials, including the Governor of Erbil, Hawpa is not a fringe movement. It is institutionally sanctioned and emboldened.

Education is used as a tool of indoctrination. Assyrian schools are forced to use curricula that glorify Kurdish nationalism and whitewash the histories of mass murderers like Simko Shikak, who orchestrated the 1918 assassination of our patriarch Mar Shimun XIX Benyamin, and Bedr Khan Beg, who brutally massacred thousands of Assyrians. Students are forced to revere those who butchered their ancestors in order to pass.

Despite repeated public claims of religious freedom, religious violations are rampant. In Sulaymaniyah, Christian-owned alcohol shops are bulldozed and replaced with mosques. The KRI now has nearly 6,000 mosques, mostly built after 1992. At the same time, the KRG constructs ornate churches to gain Western favor, using them as facades of religious freedom and tolerance, while the actual Assyrian congregation faces pressure, restrictions, and forced displacement.

Beyond this, the treatment of Assyrians reveals a brutal reality. Prostitution is aggressively pushed into Ankawa, an Assyrian neighborhood, against our will and in violation of our Christian faith and values. The KDP encourages this, then uses it to frame Christians as morally corrupt, despite the fact that we have never had authority to prevent it.

I was sexually harassed on my multiple trips to Iraq simply for being a woman. One afternoon in Ankawa, a man in a black SUV followed me through the streets with him and his three passengers yelling at me in Kurdish, making obscene sounds and gestures. In the Erbil Citadel, men use crowds to grope Assyrian women. These violations are not isolated incidents. They reflect an environment fostered by those in power, where crimes against indigenous Assyrians are committed with impunity, and where women endure an even greater degree of danger and violation.

The system in power does not protect women. It exploits and erases us. But the assault on Assyrian women extends beyond harassment and prostitution. It is encoded into law.

One of the most devastating effects of this system of erasure is codified in Iraq's Islamization of Minors law that extends into the KRI and automatically registers children born to a single Muslim parent as Muslim, even in cases of rape and even if the other parent is Christian. During ISIS's occupation, countless Assyrian girls, some as young as 12, were abducted, raped, and forcibly impregnated by ISIS fighters. These pregnancies were the direct result of sexual violence on sex-trafficked minors. The resulting children are then registered as Muslim solely based on the father's religion. In the case of ISIS crimes, this means the legal system gives greater weight to the claimed identity of a terrorist rapist than to the survivor of their violence.

This strips agency from survivors and embeds the trauma into the legal system. This law establishes a dangerous precedent that legitimizes the use of rape as a tool of demographic warfare, where sexual violence not only causes lifelong psychological and physical harm but also results in the forced erasure of the Assyrian identity and the severing of ancestral lines. It is a legal continuation of genocide, rewarding rapists with demographic control and denying survivors the right to raise their children in their faith, community, and identity.

This is the type of violence carried out by a regime that parades itself as progressive by appointing females in leadership roles to impress the West while quietly perpetuating a culture that abuses and erases indigenous women. These systems do not protect us; they exploit and erase us.

One of the most telling incidents of unmasked hatred occurred during Akitu, Kha B'Nissan, the Assyrian New Year. This year, a Kurdish man purportedly affiliated with ISIS attacked Assyrians with an axe during the New Year parade while screaming ISIS slogans. An investigation was promised, a scripted apology video from the perpetrator was released, and nothing came of it, except a statement referring to us as "Kurdistanis," a term that doesn't define us. It was buried beneath state media broadcasts and a government-orchestrated prayer breakfast to gain Western support for their campaign for statehood.

The Erbil prayer breakfast was a public relations performance. Inside, Western delegates mingled with Kurdish officials and tokenized Christian figures, while outside, Assyrians are suffocated by checkpoints, land seizure, and the flourishing of extremist ideologies.

Too many international actors fund and praise the regimes responsible for Assyrian displacement. They downplay schoolbook glorifications of murderers. They ignore axe attacks. They remain silent as Assyrian lands are illegally seized, yet publicly embrace the very actors engineering our disappearance, praising them as champions of democracy and guardians of Christianity.

In Syria, the Assyrian crisis is even more frightening. We are caught between an extremist Islamist group and the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has a long and bloody history in extremist militancy and terror networks, including involvement in the killing of Americans. Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi of the Kurdish-led AANES is a former senior member of the U.S.-designated terrorist group PKK, known for recruiting and abducting children into terrorism. Under AANES control, Assyrian schools have been shut down for refusing to adopt a Kurdish nationalist curriculum. When church-run schools resisted, directors were beaten, and journalists detained.

In Beth Zalin (Qamishli), once majority-Assyrian, we are now a minority. With ISIS, the pattern here has been tragically similar to that of Iraq. As the Khabour River swelled and ISIS approached northeastern Syria, Kurdish forces retreated instead of defending them. While Assyrian towns braced for slaughter, Kurdish fighters were busy seizing properties in Qamishli. Multiple members of my family were told directly by high-ranking Kurdish officials that they "will not sacrifice themselves fighting for filthy Christians." These betrayals were not isolated acts. They were decisions made in the service of ethnic nationalism, not solidarity, pluralism, or shared resistance to extremism.

Over 1,400 homes in the Khabour region remain illegally occupied by AANES-aligned actors. Churches have been militarized with the SDF building trenches over our churches and cemeteries, provoking relentless retaliation from brutal Turkish attacks.

We do not want war where we worship. We do not want our churches to be turned into battlefields to manufacture the illusion that one regime protects us while another regime attacks us, so our suffering can be manipulated to gain Western support at the expense of our existence. We saw the devastating effects of this with the Mar Sawa Church in Tal Tawil, Khabour, in 2022.

Leaders like David Jendo were kidnapped and assassinated by YPG militants. Others, like Elias Nasser, survived assassination attempts and were violently attacked for speaking out.

Yet, the AANES claims to represent and protect Christians. But genuine Assyrian voices are strangled. Our political parties are delegitimized. International engagement is blocked, and when it does occur, it is centered on figures like al-Sharaa rather than confronting the lived realities Assyrians face under both regimes.

When ISIS came, many Kurdish neighbors joined them. A family member of mine was beaten and sold eight times by different Kurdish ISIS factions. Out of fear, we are often unable to even name our abusers, many of whom now live freely beside us without consequence. The fear of retaliation keeps us silent, while justice remains completely absent. Disturbingly, Associated Press video footage released in 2024 shows the Kurdish-led administration even releasing captured ISIS fighters. Many were freed after their families signed a paper claiming they were reformed. There is no process, no proof, no rehabilitation--just a signature trying to erase atrocity.

Kurdish officials, backed by powerful international backers like America and Israel, are lobbying for a fully recognized "Kurdistan." A name that quite literally means "land of the Kurds." Not land at all. Not the land of the indigenous Assyrians. Perhaps these backers are unaware of the realities on the ground, but our situation is growing increasingly dire. The facts are available if one is willing to look beyond the curated narratives and sit with genuine Assyrian leaders. If this is how we are treated now, what happens when that regime becomes a state with no international accountability?

Assyrians are not dying out; we are being pushed out from our homelands. Our children are oppressed. Our leaders are assassinated or suffer sudden and unexplained medical issues that lead to their untimely deaths, raising serious concerns in a system where perpetrators control the means of documentation and medical care.

Genocide is not just mass killings. It is the destruction of language, the legitimizing of neo-Nazi groups and other extremist ideologies, the erasure of heritage, forced displacement, systemic assimilation, psychological terror, coerced identity erasure, denial of political representation, restriction of religious practice, medical neglect, and the silencing of advocacy. It includes the rape, sexual violence, and trafficking of our young women and girls and the forced Islamization of the children born from that violence. It is preventing the return of displaced people, stripping a population of economic opportunity, flooding their communities with drugs and prostitution to destroy social fabric, manipulating ethnic data on college applications, and enacting policies that deprive them of education free from historical revisionism. Every one of these tools is being weaponized against Assyrians today.

Those who speak out are at risk. Advocates and organizations are harassed, surveilled, and threatened. We are falsely labeled "anti-Kurd" for defending our rights. But we do not hate Kurds. We want to live in peace with our neighbors. Kurds also suffer under this regime, as KRG authorities have repeatedly infringed on the rights to free expression and press freedom through harassment, violent attacks, and arbitrary arrests of journalists.

We want peace and coexistence, but we cannot survive under a system built to erase us. When Assyrians show evidence of violence, we are harassed by Kurdish nationalist accounts, some of which are followed by well-known religious freedom advocates. Interestingly enough, these same advocates block us for speaking the truth.

The world is watching the dismantling of one of earth's oldest civilizations. A nation that gave the world writing, law, and cities is being written out of its own story.

The Kurdish nationalist project, backed by powerful global actors, is not a project of inclusion; it's a machine of conquest at all costs. Despite what it claims, it does not tolerate plurality. It was never meant to include us. It has erased us from policy, from education, from security, and from governance. We are the indigenous people of these lands, yet we are erased from the structures that claim authority over them. A state built on our bones cannot coexist with us still breathing.

If the world fails to support a free Assyria through the implementation of Article 125 for a Nineveh Governorate and support self-administration in Hasakeh, Syria, it will mark the final chapter of our existence in our ancestral homeland. Our extinction will not be by natural decline, but by coordinated neglect and the silence of humanity.
PHNOM PENH  Cambodia ordered its troops to stay on full alert Friday in its ongoing border spat with Thailand, as it ordered television stations and cinemas to stop showing Thai dramas.

On the eve of a meeting between the two sides aimed at defusing tensions following deadly clashes last month, Cambodia shut off internet connections routed through Thailand, leaving some users complaining of slow speeds.

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Violence flared on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet, with one Cambodian soldier killed.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Thursday night that Cambodia was disconnecting all internet bandwidth from Thailand.

The ministries of information and cultures also ordered television stations and cinemas to stop airing Thai TV series.

Influential former leader Hun Sen  Hun Manets father  on Friday morning urged the government to halt imports of Thai goods into the Cambodian market in the event that Thailand refused to lift restrictions imposed on border checkpoints in recent days, and told troops to be on alert.

All armed forces must remain on full alert 24 hours a day, ready to respond and defend in the event of aggression, Hun Sen said in a Facebook post.

He also told authorities in provinces near the border be prepared to evacuate residents to safer areas.

Cambodian and Thai officials will meet in Phnom Penh on Saturday to discuss the border dispute.

The disputed region has seen sporadic violence since 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.

The row dates back to the drawing of the 800-kilometer frontier, largely done during the French occupation of Indochina.
It has been two weeks since ETECSA, the Cuban telecommunications company, suddenly and unexpectedly introduced price hikes on Friday 31 May. Discontent continues to grow.

Students are at the forefront of the protests against the drastic increase in mobile phone tariffs. They have held assemblies, issued statements and, in some cases, called for a teachers' strike. As was to be expected on an island that dared to abolish capitalism just 90 nautical miles from an imperialist ogre, the counter-revolution has tried to use the discontent to its advantage. So far, it has not succeeded.

As we explained in a previous article, Cuba: ETECSA's rate hike, the bureaucracy and the advance of capitalist restoration, the measure means a very significant increase in the price of data once the initial 6GB allowance has been exceeded. Considering that, according to the company's own statistics, the average data consumption of Cubans is 9GB per month, the price hike affects a large number of users.

Students at the forefront

Why have students been at the forefront of the protests?

Firstly, because students are among those most affected by the measure. Many of the textbooks and tutorials they need for their studies are only available digitally. In addition, students have the advantage of being concentrated in their faculties, where they can talk to each other, share information and make collective decisions. In most cases, they have used the official grassroots organisations of the FEU (Federation of University Students) in each faculty to express their discontent. The university management teams at this level are more directly in contact with  and therefore under more pressure from  the general student body.

This led to the first statement produced by the movement on 1 June, signed by the FEU of five faculties and institutes of the University of Havana. It firmly expressed their rejection of ETECSA's price hike and demanded a rectification by the company. The language was diplomatic, but the content was forceful.

This statement had the effect of breaking the ice and encouraging student groups in other faculties and universities to join the chorus of protest, in some cases through their faculties' FEU or, if the FEUs did not respond, as groups of students from specific courses or degree programmes.

The attempt by ETECSA executives to offer an explanation on 2 June on the Cuban TV programme Mesa Redonda was totally counterproductive and only served to further inflame the students' anger. This was expressed in a joint statement by the FEU Council and the Young Communist League (UJC) Committee of the Jose Antonio Echeverria Technological University (CUJAE) on 3 June. This statement was also significant because it was signed not only by the FEU but also officially by the UJC committee of the entire university.

Even more radical was the statement circulated by the FEU of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computing (MatCom), which called for a boycott of classes and urged university professors to join the cause. The FEU MatCom statement is very sharply worded, demanding the revocation of the measures, the holding of an open meeting between students and those primarily responsible for the measures and also the joint participation of all sectors of society affected in proposing a solution.

The statement ends with a clear declaration of its demands, which are focused on a society including everyone and for the good of everyone, a slogan used by Jose Marti which is identified with the Cuban Revolution.

Thus, the protest movement not only questions the measure itself, which it identifies with the increase in inequality since the 2020 monetary reform. It also questions the way in which such decisions are made (in a bureaucratic manner, behind the backs of the people and without taking into account the interests of those affected), and demands the direct participation of all those affected in coming up with a solution. Although not explicitly stated, this statement, and the others that followed, contain a direct attack on the bureaucracy and its methods.

Students reject gusano interference

Of course, this is Cuba, an island that dared to carry out a revolution and abolish capitalism just 90 miles away from the largest and most reactionary imperialist power on the planet, which has been determined for 65 years to try to put an end to such a challenge. Immediately, all the networks of the gusanera (counter-revolutionary Cuban exiles)  which are many, very powerful and well-funded  sprang into action to try to use the discontent to further their counter-revolutionary agenda.

Iramis Rosique, one of the editors of the Cuban revolutionary blog La Tizza, commented: It is a tremendous tragedy that no political process can take place in Cuba without the opportunism of external interference that poisons everything.

The gusanera circulated all kinds of false statements from student groups and universities across the country, trying to give the impression that a mass movement was brewing, a prelude to an uprising against the government and the Cuban Revolution.

If anything, this had the effect of cooling the movement down a little, making it more cautious to avoid manipulation. These exaggerated and alarmist statements were also used by the bureaucracy to try to polarise the situation around the axis of the government vs. the counter-revolution, and to divert attention from the central issue, which is in fact the opposition of students and broad sectors of the population to the decision of a government-owned company.

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the call by the FEU MatCom for a boycott of classes had a limited impact and did not spread widely to other faculties and universities.

But that does not mean that discontent has ceased or subsided. The limited concessions announced by ETECSA, if they can be called that, have been rejected in numerous statements and have not really satisfied the clamour of the protests.

Thus, on 4 June, the professors of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Havana (UH) stated that, in addition to expressing their disagreement with the rate hike, they demanded a transparent and participatory consultation process with the public, the activation of institutional mechanisms for participation, so that beyond formal representation, any decision and statement issued is based on the consensus of the majority and a public statement from the country's senior leadership. They also pointed out our concerns about the political treatment given to the discontent expressed by our population and in particular by our students, who are not strangers to us and have just demands.

Once again, we see here a clear demand for effective participation by the population in the management of common affairs, which represents a direct criticism of the bureaucratic nature of the political regime. The statement by the UH sociology professors also ended with a clear disclaimer regarding the counterrevolution: We will not allow our position to be used for interests that are alien to our revolutionary stance.

A statement issued by the Expanded Council of the FEU of the Faculty of Biology of the UH on the same day, 4 June, expressed its solidarity with the MatCom students and added a number of points including disagreement with the position adopted by the national president of the FEU, who does not faithfully represent our opinions or reflect the voice of our student community. Others have gone further and demanded his resignation.

The students also rejected the attempt to scandalously identify their demands with the counterrevolution:

Our opinion comes from the University Student Federation of the Faculty of Biology and is not influenced or manipulated by agents outside our organisation. We therefore denounce the statements published in the official media that describe our communiques as false or financed by foreign interests, when they are in fact the authentic expression of the critical thinking and social commitment of the students of each faculty.

In a statement issued on 5 June, the FEU of the Faculty of Psychology of the UH directly questioned the leadership of the FEU of the UH for failing to represent the interests of the university students for whom they were elected. They demanded the immediate resignation of the national FEU leadership due to its demonstrated inability to represent the students. They also announced their firm intention to unify the faculties that make up the University of Havana and requested a public space for exchange, not only for the representatives of the FEU Councils corresponding to each faculty but also for the student body as a whole, so that the real protagonists are the students.

They defended the legitimacy of the protest against any type of repression:

Recognising the legitimacy of the various courses of action taken so far by the faculties, we maintain our rejection of any possible sanctions or reprisals against any student or teacher at our University of Havana.

Various universities across the country have issued numerous statements, all along the same lines. It is clear, however, that the movement began in Havana and is strongest there.

Protests reflect deep-seated unrest

This protest, in addition to responding directly to the rate hike imposed by ETECSA, reflects a much deeper economic and political unrest that has been building up.

On the one hand, there is widespread rejection of the consequences of the partial restoration of capitalism and market measures in Cuba. These have been implemented more rapidly in the last five years and have opened up a significant social divide in Cuban society that did not exist before, or at least was not expressed so acutely. Certain sections of society, including those with connections to business interests in the United States or to the state apparatus and bureaucracy, have benefited from the measures and flaunt their comfortable lifestyles. This contrasts sharply with the general situation of working people, which has only worsened.

On the other hand, there is widespread political unrest, reflecting the fact that the decisions of the state and party leadership (which are one and the same) do not produce the promised results and are not properly explained. Above all, although the working class nominally owns the means of production, it plays no role in decision-making, which is firmly concentrated in the hands of a bureaucracy that is accountable to no one but itself and which is not subject to election.

Neilan Vera, a Cuban comrade who works as a journalist, described it this way:

The problem does not lie, as it might seem, in the increase in the cost of the internet. The real problem is that, in all these years, there has been no solution, no concrete measure that has really benefited the vast majority of people in Cuba. We must endure, resist and eat with dignity, while a new bourgeoisie enriches itself at the expense of the country, begins to infiltrate politics and, with the complicit enthusiasm of certain officials, dismantles the guarantees and rights won after 1959.

Some have warned against the student mobilisation because it is sponsored or encouraged by the Miami gusanera. There is no doubt that the counter-revolution wants to fish in troubled waters. But the price hike was implemented by ETECSA. And it did so in an opaque and malicious manner. As another Cuban comrade said recently, Look, the enemy will always move its pieces. The problem is that those of us here don't know how to play chess.

So far, there are no visible signs that the protest has been capitalised on by the counter-revolution. But it should be noted that the bureaucracy is also counter-revolutionary. With its policies, it is moving towards capitalist restoration. With its control of political power to the exclusion of the participation of working people, it is creating the conditions for political demoralisation and cynicism, pushing many to the other side of the trench.

The article by Neilan Vera quoted above ended with these reflections, which many share:

We cannot say whether this is the Cuban version of perestroika, but the resemblance is disturbing. Let us hope that we are wrong, and that the ideologues of undue gratuities [ie. the defenders of the rate hike] know what they are doing. Let us hope that we are wrong, because if we are right, this time history will absolve no one: neither the gravediggers of the Cuban socialist project nor those of us who, confused and immobile, watched the future being torn to pieces before our eyes.

Fight capitalist restoration with communism!

What should be the attitude of revolutionary communists in this situation?

Firstly, we encourage the students to continue their protest, which is entirely legitimate, and to move forward in creating genuinely representative bodies in order that they can achieve their just demands: mass assemblies; the election of representatives who are subject to recall if they do not serve the people; and democratic control from below of their mass organisations.

They should also move forward in extending their movement to the other sections of society that are affected, starting  as is already happening  with teaching, administrative and service staff in the universities. This should then be extended to working people from all municipalities and neighbourhoods.

Secondly, we must develop a general understanding of how to solve the serious problems facing the Cuban Revolution. In this regard, the Revolutionary Communist International has always argued that these can only be resolved in the final analysis by two things that must go hand in hand. On the one hand, it requires breaking the imperialist blockade and the isolation of the Cuban Revolution, which requires a policy of proletarian internationalism and the building of the necessary revolutionary leadership throughout the world. We in the RCI are committed to this task with our growing, but still modest, forces.

On the other hand, in Cuba it is necessary to fight the forces pushing for capitalist restoration. This can only be done by confronting the bureaucracy and raising the need for workers' control.

The type of state needed by a regime that has abolished capitalism is one modelled on the Paris Commune. It would mean the election and recall of all officials, who must be accountable to those who elected them; no official earning a salary higher than that of an average worker; and workers having decision-making power in the management of all public affairs.

In other words, workers' democracy is the only way to defend the Cuban Revolution and effectively combat both imperialist aggression and attempts at capitalist restoration.
In the early hours of Friday, 13 June, Israel launched a massive attack on Iran, taking out part of its military leadership and hitting some of its nuclear facilities. A second wave of Israeli strikes is ongoing at time of writing, hitting targets in Tehran, Keraj and Qom, as well as the Natanz Nuclear Enrichment Facility for a second time. This brazen act of aggression threatens to unleash a deadly regional conflagration with far-reaching consequences.

Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has more than a cats proverbial nine lives at his disposal, at least politically speaking. He just survived yet another vote of no confidence and a brewing government crisis over the extension of military conscription to Orthodox Jews.

As many times previously, Netanyahu has shown his unique ability to pursue his own agenda and impose it on his allies and enemies. He thus immediately seized the opportunity opened by the stall in US-Iranian nuclear negotiations to launch a wave of strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military sites, and key officials, in what Israel is declaring to be the beginning of a protracted attack dubbed Operation Rising Lion.

It is not yet clear what form the inevitable Iranian retaliation will take, but one thing is clear: Netanyahus attack on Iran is threatening to plunge the whole of the Middle East into a full-blown war.

What is the position of US imperialism?

It is clear that the US administration was well aware of Netanyahus plans and was most likely aware of the timing of the strike. It would have been impossible for Israel to attack without a green light from Washington. US President Trump has acknowledged on several occasions that Netanyahu has been planning a strike on Iran for quite some time.

It is not yet clear what form the inevitable Iranian retaliation will take / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons

However, it is also clear that Netanyahus deliberate disregard for Trumps calls not to proceed with the attack is a warning that he will not allow anyone, including Trump, to determine his agenda. He clearly feels confident that he can push relations with Washington further, without them reaching a breaking point.

This was clearly the case with the Gaza ceasefire, which Netanyahu was forced to sign, but firmly resolved to sabotage from day one. When Netanyahu decided to unilaterally breach it, Trump had no problem in dropping further demands for a ceasefire. Since then, Trump has allowed Israel to continue its genocidal war on the Palestinians, including the present mass starvation of Gaza, seize further territory in the Syrian Golan Heights and announce a spate of new settlements in the West Bank. US imperialism and Trump have no interest whatsoever in protecting the livelihood of the Palestinians, who continue to be used as pawns in the big powers games in the region.

However, Netanyahu needs more than the continuation of the genocidal war in Gaza to save his neck and keep himself at the helm. Whenever the pressure of war on Israeli society is allowed to recede into the background, the deep crisis inside Israel comes to the fore and Netanyahus grip on power is undermined. For this reason, Netanyahu, more than ever, is hell-bent on an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, with the precise aim of dragging the US into a war with Iran. He has now launched his bid.

However, what is the interest of US imperialism? US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally distanced the US from Netanyahu, saying that Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved, Rubio said, and reiterated: Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel. This statement is aimed at protecting US bases in the region, but it could also be interpreted as a direct threat to Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has formally distanced the US from Netanyahu / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons

Trump, meanwhile, is doubling down on his offer of reaching a deal with Iran immediately, which he says will prevent Israel from carrying out even more brutal attacks. However, he is also issuing open threats, blaming Iran for Israels attack, because they have refused to accept previous deals. Significantly, Trump is explicitly promising more US military supplies to Israel.

What does this mean? Trump seems to be temporarily backing Netanyahus decision in order to use Israel as a loaded gun pointed at the head of the Iranian regime, which could force a more favourable deal for US imperialism. The bottom line for Trump still seems to be a deal with Iran. However, for Netanyahu, the bottom line is an escalation of the war. Trump and Netanyahu are playing a very dangerous game, which could result in all-out escalation of war in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Macron speaking on behalf of the European leaders  who have forgotten their mild criticisms of Israels excesses in Gaza  has urged all parties to de-escalate (meaning Iran becomes the aggressor if they decide to retaliate), while giving full support to Israels right to defend itself. For once, Macron has been left behind by the German Foreign Office, who strongly condemn the indiscriminate Iranian attack on Israeli territory. Both are bouts of supreme hypocrisy.

What has Israel achieved?

Israel's attack on Iran involved more than 200 war planes, which returned to their bases unscathed. The strikes pierced through Irans Russian air defence system, a fact that will most likely have caused embarrassment and wider repercussions in Moscow and beyond. Israel is boasting that Irans air defences were taken out by drones which had been previously smuggled into Iran for that purpose.

Israel's attack on Iran involved more than 200 war planes, which returned to their bases unscathed / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons

The Israeli secret services have proven once again  after the July 2024 assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh while he was hosted by the Revolutionary Guards in Tehran  that they have direct access to the highest level of secret information regarding the Iranian regime. The killing of several top-ranking Iranian generals, such as Major Generals Mohammad Bagheri, Hossein Salami and Gholam Ali Rashid, along with scientists leading the nuclear programme, is an indication of this.

However, Israel has a long history of targeted assassinations of top Iranian officials and scientists. These attacks never significantly slowed down or dented Irans nuclear programme. This attack, more than previous ones, seems designed to be a provocation, rather than an attempt at setting back Irans nuclear capabilities.

What can Iran do to retaliate?

Irans capacity to directly retaliate against Israel was proven on 1 October 2024, when more than 300 missiles and drones were launched in response to the Israeli assassination of Haniyeh. In spite of advance warning given by Iran, dozens of Iranian missiles pierced through Israels defences and repeatedly hit their targets, including military bases. The response from the Biden administration at the time reflected the panic caused by the failure of Israels air defences. To give Israel the edge, he decided to immediately deploy a hundred US troops to Israel to operate a sophisticated US air defence system.

Iran's retaliation, however, could go well beyond a direct response. Hezbollah does not seem to be in the mood for attacking Israel. It has been weakened by Israels attacks and invasion of Lebanon in October and is still reorganising its forces, although it still holds a huge arsenal of missiles and drones. Israel was shown to be vulnerable to low-flying, large-scale drone and missile attacks. Of course, any attempt by Hezbollah would immediately provoke a new escalation of Israels war on Lebanon.

One obvious consequence of the attack is that Iran will immediately intensify its nuclear weapons programme / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons

The Houthis have pledged to scale up their retaliation from Yemen. In May, a massive one-month-long US bombing campaign against the Houthis was suspended by Trump, because it had become clear to the US general staff that the bombing had not dented the Houthis defences or military capabilities in the slightest degree. Trump pulled back from a direct confrontation and signed a separate deal with the Houthis to prevent attacks on US ships in the Red Sea. It must be noted that the deal did not include Israels vessels.

Should the US help Israel in its defence against Iranian retaliation, it would once again likely have wide-ranging consequences on Red Sea traffic. US military vessels and bases in the area may again be exposed to attacks.

This would have severe consequences for oil prices and international trade routes, at a time when the world economy is already on the verge of a deep recession. If Iran chooses to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of global oil supplies pass, the impact would be even worse.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have repeatedly shown that they are capable of hitting targets in Israel. Previously, several of their long-range missiles pierced through Israeli defences, even forcing the closure of Tel Avivs Ben Gurion airport.

Pro-Iran militias in Iraq are fundamentally intact and could also be used to retaliate against Israel or US bases in the region.

One obvious consequence of the attack is that Iran will immediately intensify its nuclear weapons programme. Israels attack is unlikely to have been effective in preventing or even slowing down the continuation of such a programme. In fact, by throwing a spanner in the works of the ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiation, Netanyahu is achieving the opposite result to his stated aims. This is further proof that what he is actually angling for is an escalation of the war in the Middle East.

Iran has claimed to have acquired proof of what has been called Israels worst kept secret, that is, Israels nuclear weapons programme. Iran has threatened to disclose documents that prove the assistance and involvement of third parties in allowing Israel to develop nuclear capabilities. However, proof of what is an open secret would not fundamentally change the situation.

Israels attack has once again exposed Irans vulnerability and deliberately embarrassed the Iranian regime / Image: Tasnim News Agency, Wikimedia Commons

Israels attack has once again exposed Irans vulnerability and deliberately embarrassed the Iranian regime. A retaliation is more than likely. In October 2024, it was abundantly clear that Iran wanted to send Israel a serious warning, but did not want escalation. This time, it is also clear that Israel does not have the ability to shield itself without direct US involvement and some degree of collaboration from Jordan and the other reactionary Arab regimes in the region.

Should a full-blown war break out between Israel and Iran, it will have severe consequences for the stability of all these regimes and expose US assets to retaliation, thus dragging the US further into the conflict.

Already, the US Navy has ordered the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer equipped with ballistic missile defence capabilities, to sail toward the eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer has also been directed to move forward, positioning it for potential deployment if requested by the White House.

Netanyahu has once again sharply accelerated the crisis in the Middle East, which will have profound consequences for the stability of the region, as well as the world economy. It threatens to place full US involvement in the region back on the agenda.
China has announced on June 12 its readiness to scrap import tariffs on goods from all 53 African nations with which it maintains diplomatic ties.

The move, unveiled at a China-Africa cooperation Forum, comes at a time when African exports to the United States face the threat of higher tariffs under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). The tariff-free initiative, when implemented, will expand on a previous deal that waived tariffs for 33 of Africas least developed countries, now including major exporters such as South Africa and Nigeria.

In a joint ministerial statement, Chinese and African officials condemned what they termed as unilateral tariff actions that disrupt global trade norms  a veiled rebuke aimed at the United States. China urged Washington to resolve trade disputes based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit. The United States, under the Trump administration, recently proposed new tariffs of up to 50% on African imports, sparking concern across the continent. Though implementation has been temporarily halted, uncertainty remains for countries exporting under Agoa.

Eswatini remains the only African country excluded from Chinas zero-tariff plan due to its diplomatic recognition of Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province. With China already accounting for the bulk of Africas trade  importing approximately \$170 billion worth of goods in 2023, particularly raw materials  the offer signals Beijings intent to deepen its economic influence on the continent as Washingtons trade stance grows increasingly protectionist.
South Africas Eastern Cape Province is reeling from catastrophic flooding that has now claimed at least 67 lives, Government officials confirmed on June 12. Ten more bodies were recovered during ongoing search and rescue operations, adding to the earlier toll of 57. Zolile Williams, a provincial minister, said authorities are coordinating with the families of the deceased while working urgently to restore damaged basic services, including water and electricity. Cabinet Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa underscored the human cost, describing the toll as not merely statistical, but a devastating loss of life affecting entire households.

One of the most heart-wrenching incidents involved a school minibus carrying 13 students from Jumba Senior Secondary School, which was swept away by floodwaters on Tuesday. Six students have been confirmed dead, while three were rescued. The remaining four are still unaccounted for. The disaster has displaced hundreds of residents who are now being housed in emergency shelters such as community halls. The flooding follows days of severe weather marked by relentless rain, heavy snow, and strong winds that have devastated infrastructure and homes across the region.

Describing the event as the worst flood in the provinces history, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane and other officials have appealed for national solidarity and support. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who extended condolences to grieving families, is expected to visit the province on Friday. Meanwhile, harrowing scenes continue to unfold as families queue at mortuaries in search of their missing loved ones, amplifying the tragedys emotional toll.
At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more remain missing after two boats capsized on Lake Tumba in western Democratic Republic of Congo. The tragic incident occurred overnight on Wednesday, June 11 in Bikoro Territory, about 128 kilometres from Mbandaka city in Equateur Province.

Local authorities, led by territory administrator Justin Mputu, attributed the accident to powerful winds and heavy rainfall that struck the area. Rescue efforts have been ongoing since Wednesday evening, with officials still uncertain of the total number of people unaccounted for, although local media estimate that around 100 passengers were on board.

The boats, reportedly en route from Bikoro to a village market, were carrying both passengers and goods. Provincial Interior Minister Chrispin Moliy announced that the deceased will be given a dignified burial while search operations continue. The disaster underscores the persistent dangers associated with overloaded and poorly regulated water transport systems across the region, particularly in remote parts of the Congo River basin where boats are often the only mode of travel.
Emmanuel Monychol Akop, editor-in-chief of *The Dawn* daily newspaper in Juba, was released on June 12 after being held for six months by South Sudans National Security Service (NSS) without charge or public explanation.

His arrest, which took place on 28 November 2024 at his office by officers believed to be from the NSS, was executed without a warrant, and his whereabouts remained unknown until his unexpected release.

Akops detention has reignited concerns over South Sudans disregard for due process, with the countrys constitution mandating court appearance within 24 hours of arrest and limiting pretrial detention to six months unless sanctioned by a court. His case is not isolatedAkop was previously arrested in 2019 for a social media post criticizing a government ministers clothing. Though now released, press advocates and civil society actors say the latest episode illustrates a disturbing pattern of arbitrary detention and suppression of media freedom.

While the Union of Journalists of South Sudan and civil rights groups welcomed Akops release, they condemned the prolonged detention as a violation of human rights and legal norms. Civil society activist Edmund Yakani described the incident as a clear undermining of the rule of law and called on the NSS to respect constitutional rights. The NSS has yet to formally comment on the reasons behind Akops detention, with spokesperson John David Kumuri indicating that further clarification would be sought from officials. Rights organizations continue to criticize the broad powers granted to the NSS under the National Security Service Act, warning that it facilitates unchecked detentions and infringes on press freedom.
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Overview of Fragle. Credit: Nature Biomedical Engineering (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-025-01370-3

Scientists from the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore (A*STAR GIS) have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based method called "Fragle" that makes tracking cancer easier and faster using blood tests.

Requiring only a small blood sample, this method analyzes the size of DNA fragments in the blood to reveal distinct patterns that differentiate cancer DNA from healthy DNA, helping doctors track cancer treatment response more accurately and frequently. The research was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering in March 2025.

Existing methods for measuring cancer DNA in the blood, also known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), often require complex and expensive DNA sequencing to screen for common cancer mutations. However, because cancer mutations vary between patients, test results can be inconsistent, making it difficult for doctors to track cancer treatment response with blood tests effectively.

Fragle uses AI to analyze the size of DNA fragments in the blood. Cancer DNA tends to exhibit different size patterns compared to healthy DNA, and the Fragle AI-model can identify these differences using very small amounts of DNA. As a result, the method allows for faster and more affordable cancer tracking.

It has also demonstrated high reliability, delivering accurate results across blood samples from hundreds of cancer patients and distinct cancer types. Additionally, the method is versatile and compatible with most DNA profiling techniques commonly used in hospitals or offered by commercial providers.

Key benefits of Fragle:

Faster and cheaper: Fragle offers a faster and potentially more affordable way to monitor cancer through blood tests, requiring only a small amount of DNA. Conventional commercial tests can cost over SGD $1000, whereas the estimated cost of Fragle is less than SGD $50.

Versatile: Fragle works with widely used DNA profiling methods in hospitals and commercial labs, allowing for easy and fast adoption into existing workflows.

Detects early signs of relapse: Fragle can identify tiny traces of cancer left after surgery and treatment (known as minimal residual disease, or MRD), helping doctors detect potential relapse early.

"Just as scientists tracked COVID-19 outbreaks by detecting viral particles in wastewater, Fragle analyzes DNA fragments in blood to monitor cancer treatment response and detect relapse early," explains Dr. Anders Skanderup, Senior Principal Scientist at A*STAR GIS Laboratory of Computational Cancer Genomics, and the lead author of this research.

"While existing methods have their strengths, they are often complex and expensive. We wanted to develop a simpler, more affordable and accessible approachone that could support accurate monitoring without adding burden to clinical workflows. "

The team is also looking into improving Fragle's sensitivity to detect even lower levels of cancer DNA, which is critical for earlier detection of disease relapse in cancer patients. To translate these findings, the team is also collaborating with the National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) to identify clinical opportunities and applications. Moving ahead, the team plans to explore how Fragle can be implemented in local hospitals to improve cancer patient care.

Associate Professor Daniel Tan, Senior Consultant, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Singapore and co-author of the study, "We are excited to initiate studies on how methods such as Fragle can detect disease relapse earlier in local lung cancer patients."

In an ongoing study of more than 100 clinical trial patients, the GIS-NCCS team is using Fragle to monitor ctDNA levels every two months during treatment, with the aim of catching signs of relapse before they appear on routine scans. The team is also studying whether early changes in ctDNA can identify which patients are likely to have a favorable or poor response to the therapy. The goal of the study is to assess the value of incorporating ctDNA tests in routine monitoring of cancer patients during treatment.

Dr. Wan Yue, Executive Director at A*STAR GIS, "We are very excited about the potential Fragle brings, to help our health care professionals detect and track cancer more accurately and monitor treatments more effectively, leading to better cancer care for patients. It is our hope that our genomic research can be translated to benefit population health not only in Singapore, but worldwide."

More information: Guanhua Zhu et al, A deep-learning model for quantifying circulating tumour DNA from the density distribution of DNA-fragment lengths, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-025-01370-3 Journal information: Nature Biomedical Engineering
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The pharmaceutical industry is vital to human health, but it also has a significant environmental impact.

It contributes up to 19% of Australia's health care sector's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which equates to around 1.5% of Australia's total emissions.

Climate change is a global crisis and all economic sectors, including health care, must urgently reduce their emissions.

To see if Big Pharma is doing its part, three of us (Hayden Burch, Georgia Brown, Kenneth Winkel along with colleagues from the University of Melbourne) analyzed the public commitments and actions of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in Australia towards achieving net-zero GHG emissions.

That research and accompanying editorial by the other authors of this piece, Angie Bone and Nick Watts, now published in the Medical Journal of Australia, reported mixed findings.

How sustainable are pharmaceutical companies?

Significant energy and material resources are needed to produce pharmaceuticals.

Given that the Australian government heavily subsidizes pharmaceuticalsspending more than $AU16.7 billion annually through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)there is both a strong moral and ecological case for holding pharmaceutical companies to account for their environmental impact, of which GHG emissions are an important part.

We examined public corporate reports from 2015 to 2023, and scored each company for three key domains (based on current international frameworks):

Accountability: are emissions being measured and disclosed?

Ambition: have companies set clear, science-based targets for emission reductions?

Action: what tangible steps are being taken to cut emissions?

Using these criteria, we ranked companies according to their total score out of 32 across each of the three domains.

We then grouped the companies into three categories: "leaders," "moderate performers" and "laggards."

Leaders (scoring 26 or above) included AstraZeneca, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer and Merck & Co. These companies have well-defined publicly available net-zero strategies, regularly monitor emissions and publicly report achieving meaningful action.

Moderate performers (2025) were AbbVie and Roche, who have made net-zero commitments but lack transparency and detailed public reporting.

Viatris, Vertex, and Arrotex (under 20) were the laggards in our study. They lack public commitments to net-zero emissions and do minimal or no public emissions reporting.

Arrotex Pharmaceuticals, the only Australian-owned company in the study, was given zero points because it had no published data online.

But Arrotex is distinct from the other nine ranked companies as it is privately owned, which means it has fewer regulatory requirements to publicly release information about its activities. Our research only analyzed data available publicly on the internet and we did not analyze undisclosed activities for any of the companies.

What actions are companies taking?

We found that companies are reporting a variety of measures to reduce emissions, including:

Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity

Improving manufacturing efficiency

Electrifying company vehicle fleets

Setting emission reduction targets for suppliers

Reducing business-related travel

Most companies reported reductions in their scope 1, or direct emissions (from company-owned operations) and scope 2, indirect emissions (transitioning their electricity from fossil fuel supply to renewable electricity).

However, scope 3 emissions from company supply chains (e.g., raw material sourcing, distribution, product disposal) remain challenging.

Only six companies publicly reported supply chain data, with four of the companies identified as "leaders" reporting increases in supply chain emissions.

Supply chain-related emissions represent the largest share of emissions, so these increases likely outweigh emissions savings in other areas, and addressing these emissions is crucial for genuine leadership.

Holding the pharmaceutical industry to account

The accompanying editorial argues that ultimately, what matters is the absolute volume of greenhouse gases that are released into our atmosphere.

With three companies achieving near-perfect scores based on our criteria, and yet only starting a journey to net-zero, this analysis has perhaps set the bar too low.

Future assessments must include criteria for achieving emissions reductions across all scopes and give more weight to effective actions, including reducing unnecessary activity, something that is particularly challenging in the current pharmaceutical industry model, wherein manufacturing activity drives profits.

Voluntary corporate commitments have so far been insufficient. Pressure is growing from purchasing organizations and regulators, although much more is needed.

For example, England's National Health Service (NHS) plans to stop purchasing from suppliers who fail to match their net-zero targets by 2030. While Australia has joined international efforts to align procurement standards, Australia has not yet set a similar policy direction.

Fortunately, new financial disclosure laws under the Australian Corporations Act 2001 are taking effect this year. These mandate that large corporations, including pharmaceutical companies, must disclose climate-related risks and opportunities, metrics and targets, and information about governance, strategy and risk management related to climate.

We hope this increases transparency and pushes these companies towards more substantial decarbonization.

To achieve real progress towards net-zero, pharmaceutical companies need to enact four changes:

Achieve absolute emissions reduction: Companies must increase the rate and scale of actions to reduce total GHG emissions More ambitious scope 3 targets: Companies need to engage their supply chains in reducing emissions Independent verification: Third-party assessments should verify corporate sustainability claims to prevent 'greenwashing' Public procurement policies: The Australian government should establish a supplier roadmap for net-zero health sector emissions, similar to the NHS model.

A critical juncture for the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical sector is at a sustainability crossroads.

Companies that embrace authentic sustainability practices will not only reduce their environmental impact but also future-proof their operations in an increasingly climate-conscious world.

Stronger policies, greater accountability, and decisive action will determine whether the industry remains part of the problem or becomes a leader in the solution.
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Credit: Muziyan Du from Pexels

Be it peanuts or other triggers, many families live with the day-to-day risk that their child might experience a sudden and scary allergic reaction. Pediatric emergency department visits in the United States to treat acute allergic reactions more than tripled from 2008 to 2016.

But once they arrive at the hospital, many children stay much longer than necessary, according to a study involving more than 5,000 children conducted at 31 hospitals in the US and Canada. The findings were published June 10, 2025, in The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health.

While many children experiencing anaphylaxis stay for long hours, even overnight, after receiving a dose of epinephrine, 95% could be safely discharged within two hours and 98% within four hours.

"We studied how long patients who have severe allergic reactions need to be watched before we can be pretty confident that they won't need more major treatments," said study co-author Kenneth Michelson, MD, MPH, pediatric emergency medicine specialist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

"We found that for most patients, we are probably observing them for too long. This might sound minor, but if you brought your toddler in for a scary allergic reaction, it's the difference between going home at 11pm versus going home at 1am or 3am.

"Our findings give us more confidence that after a couple of hours, if symptoms are improving in specific ways, we can probably send the child home. Of course, this always depends on the specifics of a patient's reaction, but the new insight our study provides is going to save time, money and provide a lot of reassurance."

"Years ago, we used to admit virtually all kids with anaphylaxis to the hospital. We have stopped doing that, but most hospitals still routinely observe kids for over four hours, some even longer. And almost all hospitals admit kids if they have any signs of cardiovascular involvement," says the study's lead author Tim Dribin, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children's.

Why so much observation time?

The overwhelming majority of children visiting emergency departments for acute allergic reactions can be routinely treated and promptly sent home. In an age where many people with allergieseven young childrencarry their own epinephrine injector pens, many situations require no hospital visit at all.

However, about 5% of children experience a "biphasic reaction," which means their symptoms can return even though they received an epinephrine injection. In the absence of clear standards, many clinicians choose to keep patients in hospital for long periods of observation just in case.

"One concern about biphasic reactions is that the time it takes for symptoms to re-emerge can be highly variable," Dribin says. "This study was designed to take a closer look at this population and determine if children at very low risk can be better identified and discharged safely."

Clearing the backup

The research team gathered data from 5,641 emergency visits where anaphylaxis was treated with an epinephrine injection. About 90% of the children studied experienced allergic reactions to foods, including peanuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, sesame, gluten and soy. In some cases, the exact food trigger was not known. About 6% involved medication reactions and 3% involved insect stings.

While nearly 17% of children were admitted for overnight observation, and others stayed in emergency departments well beyond 4 hours, the need for second doses of epinephrine to cope with biphasic reactions tended to show up quickly. The study found that 4.7% of patients received a second dose within two hours of their initial injection and that 1.9% received a second dose after four hours.

Some children clearly needed hospital-level care from the moment they arrived at the hospital. About 1% of all the children studied needed high-acuity services such as ventilators to support breathing. But among the rest of those admitted to hospital beds, most never needed a second epinephrine shot, much less intensive care.

"We stratified the patients by severity groups and found that patients with no cardiovascular involvement were at low risk of receiving repeat epinephrine beyond 2 hours after the initial epinephrine dose," Dribin says. "Meanwhile, even the patients with cardiovascular involvement were at low risk of receiving repeat epinephrine beyond 4 hours."

Potential time and resource savings

Overall, children with severe allergic reactions represent a modest flow of demand for emergency care. However, having beds occupied for any unnecessary observation periods makes it harder to serve other patients in need.

"Pediatric emergency departments can get crowded quite quickly, especially during winter infection season. We need to ensure efficient throughput to allow us to provide access to as many patients as we can," says David Schnadower, MD, MPH, director of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Cincinnati Children's.

"An important value of this study is that it was large enough that the results can give clinicians confidence that discharging patients showing no concerning symptoms in less than two hours is going to be safe for most children."

The study did not attempt to calculate the potential cost savings that could be achieved because hospital prices and care practices can vary so widely. However, the savings from reducing unnecessary hospital admissions could be substantial, the co-authors say.

"I think the bigger impact would be for the patients and familiesparents being able to go back to work quicker, children missing less school," Dribin says.

"This data allows clinicians to make decisions about observation based on their risk tolerance and that of the patient and the family. Some families might feel risk-averse and want to stay a little longer. Others might have another auto injector, and they feel comfortable managing at home. Having that choice is really empowering."

Co-author Hugh Sampson, MD, an allergist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, agrees.

"We also have seen patients and their families avoid or delay going to the emergency department because they didn't want to sit there for hours of observation," Sampson says. "Such delays can prove dangerous. This study's findings support discharging patients more expeditiously, which will likely reduce patient reluctance to seek necessary help."

More information: Timothy E Dribin et al, Timing of repeat epinephrine to inform paediatric anaphylaxis observation periods: a retrospective cohort study, The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(25)00139-7

Provided by Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Computers in Biology and Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2025.109877

For people with advanced heart failure, left ventricular assist devices, or LVADs, can be a literal lifesaver.

The implantable devices, which improve blood flow throughout the body, are often the last treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure. More than 14,000 people have one, and with heart failure impacting 26 million people globally, their use is likely to grow.

Yet they come with risks: Compared to the general population, people with LVADs face an 11% to 47% higher risk of developing blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

It's not clear why some LVAD patients have strokes while others don't. But a study led by engineers at CU Boulder, CU Anschutz and the University of Washington suggests the answer could lie in hemodynamicsthe patterns of blood flow within the body. The work is published in the journal Computers in Biology and Medicine.

The researchers created "digital twins" of real patients with LVADs to map their blood flow. Their findings revealed new insights into how strokes might emerge.

"We are in an age where there is quite a bit of data that we have access to, and we know a lot about how fluid moves through the arteries and veins," said Debanjan Mukherjee, senior author of the study and assistant professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at CU Boulder. "We are looking at blood flow patterns as information that is currently not incorporated into clinical practice."

Engineering concepts like fluid dynamics can offer a unique lens for looking at complex medical issues and provide information that other diagnostic tools might miss, the authors said.

"Knowledge gained from this study can help us develop patient-specific implant techniques to reduce the likelihood of stroke in patients with durable LVADs," said Jay Pal, professor and chief of cardiac surgery at the University of Washington, and a co-author of the study.

Heart failure, LVADs and the risk of stroke

The body relies on a constant supply of fresh blood and oxygen to function. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump the amount of blood the rest of the body needs.

During a healthy heartbeat, the left ventricle of the heart constricts and pushes blood into the arteries, where it travels to the body's organs, muscles and bones.

But in people with heart failure, the left ventricle can become weak and ineffective. An LVAD attaches directly to the heart, bypasses the left ventricle and pumps blood straight into the aorta, the biggest artery in the body.

LVADs can help patients live longer, healthier lives, but they can also raise the risk of blood clots. When blood stagnates in areas like the left ventricle, clots can easily form there and enter major blood vessels.

These clots can travel through the body and land in a variety of places, but the arteries supplying blood to the brain are an especially dangerous spot. Clots that get stuck there can restrict or cut off blood flow to parts of the brain and cause a stroke.

In the current study, Mukherjee and his colleagues explored whether different blood flow patterns in people with LVADs could explain who does and doesn't get strokes.

To answer this question, the research team, led by former graduate student Akshita Sahni of CU Boulder, collected data from 12 people with LVADs. Six had developed strokes after their LVAD implantation, and six had not.

The group created 3D digital twins of each LVAD patient using detailed imaging of the aorta, nearby blood vessels and the part of the LVAD that attaches to it. The researchers also integrated individuals' clinical information, such as blood pressure and heart rate, into the models.

"We are basically digitally recreating something that's going on inside the body," Mukherjee said.

Using the twins, the group was able to estimate the patterns of blood flow through each person's aorta. They also simulated how blood might flow through the same people before they got their LVADs.

The researchers found differences in blood flow patterns between the patients who had strokes and those who did not, both before and after they had LVADs implanted.

The team also found the LVADs changed the blood flow patterns in each patient, creating a "jet" that pushed blood into the aorta at a different angle than normal blood flow from the heart.

What this means for the future

Such differences in blood flow could help shed light on LVAD patients' risk level for stroke. For example, varied blood flow patterns might make some people more prone to areas of stagnation, where blood platelets may more easily stick onto gel-like networks of proteins in the blood and form clots.

The findings could help improve treatments and outcomes for people with heart failure. With this information, health care providers can personalize how they surgically implant and monitor LVADs in their patients. They might also be able to anticipate their patients' level of risk and provide more customized treatments for each person.

Mukherjee and his collaborators are planning additional research on the topic, but he emphasized that some of this work will only be possible with federal support and funding.

"In these times, it is important to remember how much federal agency support means to getting studies like these completed and developed further," he said.

More information: Akshita Sahni et al, Hemodynamics indicates differences between patients with and without a stroke outcome after left ventricular assist device implantation, Computers in Biology and Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2025.109877
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Fitness seascapes intrinsically model evolutionary trade-offs. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adv126

Cleveland Clinic researchers are working to improve the way we use evolutionary modeling to understand drug resistance. The study, published in Science Advances, uses a new type of evolutionary model called a "fitness seascape" to incorporate a patient's dosage schedule into models that predict whether an infection will develop antibiotic resistance, and has found that inconsistent timing and missing early doses can lead to treatment failure.

A team led by Jacob Scott, MD, DPhil., including study first author Eshan King, an MD/Ph.D. student at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, is refining models that determine recommended antibiotic doses by incorporating bacterial evolutionary dynamics.

"With the rise of 'superbugs,' or antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, the world is reaching a crisis point," says Dr. Scott, the study's senior author. "We've already seen from MRSA what can happen if a bacterium becomes antibiotic-resistant. We need to address the problem before it impacts our ability to use antibiotics in more routine aspects of medical care, like surgery or childbirth."

Doctors typically use guidelines from drug companies to decide medication dosages for their patients. These guidelines rely on equations that describe how antibiotics are absorbed in the body to calculate the smallest effective dose that treats the disease, without letting the diseased area evolve a drug-resistant mutation. Under Dr. Scott's mentorship, King has been expanding some of these models to better reflect how changes in a medication's concentration in our bloodstream affect treatment resistance.

"Many models assume the environment around a diseased area doesn't change, but the environment of an infection is our own bodies. That's never truly constant," King says. "Our manuscript builds on previous work to account for changes in drug concentration over time within our bodies."

Seascape models are equations that include variables that change over time or space, like drug concentration. This allows investigators like King to study new aspects of antibiotic resistance, like how the timing between doses influences medication levels in diseased areas. King used seascape modeling to simulate the outcomes of hundreds of virtual patients being treated for bacterial infections with IV and oral antibiotics.

"Other models have drug concentration as an input, and evolutionary outcome (treatment resistance) as an output. Instead of testing different drug concentrations in separate patients, our model lets us kind of turn a dial to change concentrations in one patient over time to better reflect how our bodies process drug doses," Dr. Scott explains.

Before this study, missing a dose or stopping antibiotic treatment early was emphasized as a main contributor to treatment resistance. King was surprised to find simulated patients who developed treatment resistance were taking roughly the same amount of medication as those who successfully eliminated their infection.

Instead of the presence or absence of medication at all, it was the timing of the medication doses that differed between these two groups. The team found that missing or being late with early doses played a bigger role in developing antibiotic resistance than missing or being late with a later dose.

The team tested these findings in the lab by treating bacteria with different antibiotic regimens. The bacteria that received all the recommended doses at the recommended time were unlikely to develop treatment resistance.

Similarly, bacteria that appropriately received the early doses but missed later doses did not develop resistance. In contrast, the bacteria that missed early doses but were appropriately treated later evolved treatment resistance, highlighting a potential mechanism of treatment failure in a patient.

"These results are shaping how I will counsel my patients," King says. "I will emphasize that they really need to be on top of taking their antibiotics at the recommended time intervals, especially at the beginning. If they take the first dose and then miss the second dose and then take the third dose, that might not work out so well. There is a higher likelihood that this treatment will fail, and we will have to try something else."

More information: Eshan S. King et al, Fitness seascapes are necessary for realistic modeling of the evolutionary response to drug therapy, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adv1268 Journal information: Science Advances
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Reduced usage of statistical regularities in mouse models of ASD. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-01965-8

New research from the University of Minnesota Medical School suggests that different genetic forms of autism may lead to similar patterns in brain activity and behavior. The findings were recently published in Nature Neuroscience.

Using brain-recording technology, the research team observed neurons across the entire brain to explore whether different genetic forms of autism share patterns and establish commonalities in neural responses. They found that, despite genetic differences, various forms may show a similar unique pattern of brain activityalso known as a brain signature.

"We hope this research will serve as a stepping stone linking genetic differences and behavioral atypicalities," said Jean-Paul Noel, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

The study found that preclinical models with autism-linked genetic mutations struggled to adjust their expectationsor their predicted state of the world in the immediate futurebased on new information when making decisions.

Unlike typical models that could update their expectations more flexibly, they relied more heavily on the front part of the brain and less on sensory areas. As a result, their brains focused more on long-term expectation differences, but their sensory systems had trouble distinguishing between predictable and unpredictable sensory stimuli.

The particular circuit this research uncovered appears to drive behavioral anomalies in all three preclinical models of autism tested. This feedback projection from frontal areas to visual cortex will be studied in more detail in subsequent projects.

More information: Jean-Paul Noel et al, A common computational and neural anomaly across mouse models of autism, Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-01965-8 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement by the World Health Assembly on 20 May 2025 was a landmark moment in global health.

It was the culmination of two major realizations by the international community: that COVID-19 revealed critical gaps and weaknesses in our existing global health security systems; and the world needs to do better, so that a catastrophe like the COVID-19 pandemic emergency never happens again.

The treaty establishes a legally binding framework for global cooperationto better work together to prevent pandemics, and where they can't be prevented, to cooperate more effectively and equitably in responding to them.

Why the treaty is needed

Pandemics can be catastrophic, with far-reaching consequences.

COVID-19 is responsible for over 28 million excess deaths globally and caused the largest simultaneous contraction of national economies since the Great Depression.

Its far-reaching effects have had lasting impacts across societies and deepened existing inequities. We were simply not prepared then and remain unprepared now.

Pandemic risks are increasing in frequency and severity. Climate change, changing human-animal-ecosystem interfaces, poverty, worsening inequity and population movement are all driving up pandemic risks from infectious diseases (like Mpox or avian influenza) and antimicrobial resistance.

Geopolitical risks such as war and the challenges to multilateral systems are also adding complexity and exacerbating risks.

The huge disruption to global health and development assistance from the retreat of the United States from global health cooperation has caused sudden shocks to vital funding, research, direct service provision, surveillance and technical expertise.

These setbacks are making it harder to prevent and manage the risks posed by current health emergencies such as Mpox (affecting countries in Central and West Africa) and H5N1 avian influenza.

No country alone can manage pandemic risks, or pandemics. Global cooperation and coordination are needed to face and combat these shared threats.

Treatiesbeing legally binding under international lawrepresent the highest level of political and legal commitment that states can make to one another to act together to achieve shared purposes.

The pandemic treaty is only the second health-specific treaty of its kind, the other being the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted 22 years ago.

The pandemic treaty, along with the recently amended International Health Regulations, is intended to achieve outcomes that were not realized for the COVID-19 pandemic. These include:

earlier detection of pandemic risks to prevent pandemics developing or contain their spread

a rapid and coordinated response in the early days of an unfolding emergency, from the WHO and governments

rapidly scaling up global production of vital pandemic-related products to ensure faster and more equitable access, especially for priority populations

better support and protection for health workers on the frontline

greater community engagement and trust.

What it covers

The pandemic treaty is broad-reaching, spanning measures for better pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with equity at the treaty's core. It will also establish new mechanisms to support this.

Measures for prevention and preparedness include enhanced surveillance systems to detect and characterize risks earlier for more effective prevention, timely intervention and response.

A One Health approach recognizing the deep connection between human, animal and ecosystem health has been adopted. Provisions also cover strengthening health care system preparedness to better handle emergencies and preserve essential services, providing critical support and protection to health care workers on the frontline.

Availability and access to vital health products like vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics are a key focus of the treaty's efforts to strengthen international response cooperation.

Measures include greater knowledge sharing, geographical diversification, and expanding global capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, at every stage of the product cycle.

Provisions are made for research and development, technology transfer, production and manufacturing, and regulatory approaches for safety and efficacy.

The new mechanisms to be established are:

a global supply chain and logistics network to ensure equitable, rapid access to health products for countries

a Coordinating Financial Mechanism to promote sustainable financing

a Conference of the Parties (COP), through which governments will meet regularly and make decisions to promote the treaty's implementation.

Implications and next steps

If fully implemented, the pandemic treaty will help protect Australians from future pandemics, including through faster access to health products and reduced competition for limited global supplies.

Domestication of the treaty by government agencies, including the new Australian Center for Disease Control, will strengthen domestic health security and international cooperation in research, knowledge-sharing and best practices.

Australia as a regional leader can collaborate with nations across the Indo-Pacific to support regional implementation, strengthening shared health security across the region.

Governments now need to negotiate and agree on an annex to the treaty to create a Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) system.

This critical mechanism will establish the legal framework for the rapid sharing of pathogens and genetic sequence information needed to create targeted and effective countermeasures like vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.

Correspondingly, the mechanism will implement the commitment to share the health products and benefits that come from this science.

The annex is expected to be adopted at the May 2026 World Health Assembly, after which the treaty will open for signature and ratification. The treaty will enter into force once 60 countries have ratified it.

Governments, including the Australian Government, will need to decide whether to sign and ratify the treaty, and the steps they will need to take to implement its obligations.

A High-Level Meeting on pandemics will be held at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2026 to garner political commitment from world leaders.

Whether the treaty fulfills its promise depends on governments, together with other actors, including civil society groups and research institutions, stepping up to bring these commitments into reality.

This is a significant moment in global health, at a time of existential challenge both to the very principles of international cooperation and the institutions required to govern and operationalize it.

Is the world now a safer place after having adopted a pandemic treaty?

Not yet. But this is the best foundation to get there.

The year ahead will involve intensive work to finalize agreement on the PABS annex, and prepare for the UNGA and then the first meeting of the COP.

If the treaty is widely ratified and fully implemented, the future for pandemics can look very different to what was experienced during COVID-19.
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When receiving a diagnosis of a rheumatic musculoskeletal disease (RMD), people need a lot of information. Some need it all at once, while others may prefer to receive it in smaller portions or like to spread it out. This can mean that rheumatologists and other health care professionals do not always know how best to support patient education.

At the 2025 congress of EULARThe European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatologytwo abstracts were presented that showcase how patient organizations can help to support people with an RMD with education.

The first presentation looked at the idea of "introduction maps." To do this, patient experts and health care professionals working with ReumaNet in Belgium researched the information needs of new RMD patients. The results suggested a need for high-quality information with one distribution network, that would help to improve accuracy but be easy to update.

Taking these points into consideration, the group voted for a set of hand-out maps to be developed that would direct people to new and existing materials on RMD, including brochures, tips for consultations, self-management, and links and contact details for key services and patient organizations.

Accordingly, a set of maps was put together for rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, myositis, Sjogren's disease, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and RMD in general.

In presenting the work, Nele Caeyers described the contents of the maps, and what level of personalization is possible. For example, personal files can be added so the map can document an individual's health status across their RMD journey.

The project was launched during the Belgian Congress of Rheumatology in September 2024, and more than 1,000 maps have already been handed out. The authors note that different language versions will be developed to help further the reach of this project.

A second presentation provided another example of where patient organizations can offer support, which is raising awareness around a particular facet of RMD. In particular, sexual dysfunction is a common but often overlooked issue that can lead to significant emotional distress.

A recent study has shown that 67% of patients with RA and 60% with SLE experience sexual dysfunction. But there are many barriers to assessing sexual dysfunction in people with an RMD, including time, patient embarrassment, cultural sensitivity, clinician hesitancy, lack of competence, and social taboos.

Recognizing this gap, the Norwegian Rheumatism Associationin collaboration with a certified sexologisthas created a project to raise awareness and encourage patients to seek help. This uses a combined approach with both digital platforms and community-based strategies focused on awareness campaigns, educational content, and peer support.

To date, the Instagram campaign and website article have successfully engaged the target audience, fostering meaningful discussions around sexual health and emphasizing the need for reliable and informative content. Articles have also featured in the association's patient magazine, reaching 30,000 members. Peer supporters within the organization have expressed strong enthusiasm for the course element, reflecting its relevance and anticipated impact.

These two pieces of work show how patient organizations can be key in creating easily accessible resources that provide accurate and relevant information tailored to the needs of people with RMDs.

More information: Caeyers N, et al. How can we help: Introduction maps for people with a recent RMD diagnosis. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0123-PARE. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.D150 Geetha Ravi N, Strseth Moksnes T. Promoting sexual health awareness in Rheumatic Diseases: Educating peers and empowering patients. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0234-PARE. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.D57

Provided by European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR
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In the right half of this tissue section, engineered immune cells known as CAR T cells are attacking tumor tissue. A new method makes it possible to visualize them in the body using PET imaging, as shown here in the superimposed image. Credit: Volker Morath / TUM

In modern immunotherapy, modified immune cells are introduced into the body to attack tumors and other targets. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a method for tracking these cells in the body. This new approach could deepen our understanding of cellular therapies and help make future treatments safer.

When standard treatments for diseases like cancer fail, custom-tailored cell therapies are increasingly becoming a viable option. A prominent example is CAR-T-cell therapy. In this approach, immune cells are taken from the patient and genetically engineered in the lab to carry a receptor that recognizes structures specific to the surface of cancer cells. These modified immune cells then multiply in the body and initiate an immune response against the tumor.

Physicians could greatly benefit from knowing exactly how these modified immune cells behave in the body: Do they migrate to where they are needed? Do they replicate sufficiently? Do they behave unpredictably and, in the worst-case scenario, attack healthy tissue? Currently, there are no clinically applicable methods to answer these critical questions.

An artificial receptor and a custom-designed marker

An interdisciplinary team at TUM and the TUM University Hospital has now proposed a solution. In simplified terms, a second artificial receptor is inserted into the modified immune cells. These cells can then be visualized using PET imaging and a specially developed, non-toxic radioactive contrast agent. When this so-called radioligand is injected into the body, it binds exclusively to the modified cells and their descendants, making them visible.

The technique relies on artificial proteins with specific binding properties, known as anticalins. These have been developed since the 1990s by Arne Skerra, Professor of Biological Chemistry at TUM and a pioneer in protein engineering. His work led to the creation of an anticalin that binds the ligand DTPA and has now been adapted as part of a cell surface receptor.

A team led by Wolfgang Weber, Professor of Nuclear Medicine at TUM University Hospital, used this concept to engineer an artificial gene that causes cells to express the anticalin receptor "DTPA-R" on their surface.

The project was spearheaded by Volker Morath and Katja Fritschle from the Department of Nuclear Medicine, who, along with their team, also developed the matching radioligand. The method was tested on CAR-T cells in collaboration with immunotherapy expert Dirk Busch, Professor of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene at TUM. The work is published in Nature Biomedical Engineering.

In experiments with mice, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the modified cells indeed migrated to the affected diseased tissue and proliferated there. They also showed that the radioligand is rapidly excreted via the kidneys, binds exclusively to cells with the artificial receptor, and does not interfere with other processes in the body.

Moreover, the study showed that this approach can also be used to monitor gene therapies in which viruses serve as tools to alter genetic information within cells.

'A valuable tool'

"For several years now, it has been clear that new medical applications like immunotherapies and gene therapies hold tremendous potential," says Prof. Weber. "We believe that we have created a valuable tool that can make such therapies safer by providing better insight into what happens inside the body."

The technique is still in its early stages. Before it can be used in human patients, its safety and efficacy must be verified in clinical trials. Further development toward clinical trial use and commercialization is currently ongoing.

Still, the researchers believe the method can already yield valuable insights for basic research. It is also intended to support animal welfare: If laboratory animals can be continuously monitored during experiments, their numbers could be significantly reduced in the development of new cell and gene therapies.

More information: Volker Morath et al, PET-based tracking of CAR T cells and viral gene transfer using a cell surface reporter that binds to lanthanide complexes, Nature Biomedical Engineering (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41551-025-01415-7 Journal information: Nature Biomedical Engineering
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Regular physical activity is increasingly promoted for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) as well as the general population. EULARThe European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatologyhas published recommendations for physical activity in people with inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. There are also points to consider on helping people participate in healthy and sustainable paid work.

Several sessions at the 2025 annual congress of EULAR, which took place in Barcelona, focused on the value of physical activity for people with a variety of RMDas well as the potential barriers to implementing these programs in the real world.

Previous trials have demonstrated that long-standing, personalized supervised exercise therapy is more effective than usual care after 1 year in people with severe functional limitations due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

David Ueckert and colleagues set out to evaluate the long-term effects of this intervention on physical function and quality of life in this population in their presentation. During the first year, the planned number of sessions was 64 (plus an extra 14 if needed); from Year 2 onward, continuation and frequency was determined by the physical therapist and patient for up to 42 months.

At 2 years, statistically significant improvements were seen for all outcome measures in both RA and axSpA, with the exception of the mental component score in the SF-36. Between 1 and 2 years, there was no significant further change for most functional and quality of life outcome measures, indicating that effects were sustained; the only exception was a significant improvement in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test in the axSpA group.

These findings highlight the favorable effects of this long-standing personalized exercise therapy, with functional and quality of life benefits preserved despite declining usage of the supervised therapy in the second year.

Effectiveness on work-related outcomes and the cost-utility of a multimodal, physical therapist-led, vocational or work-oriented intervention compared to usual care in 140 adults with RA or axSpA and reduced work ability was explored in an abstract presented by Nienke Bakker. The intervention consisted of 1021 sessions over 12 months, including mandatory modalities such as work-oriented assessment, patient education, exercise therapy, referral-roadmap of work-related professionals, plus optional modalities including workplace examination or a self-management course.

Findings showed that the intervention tended to be superior with respect to quality-adjusted life yearsbut not with respect to work-related outcomes. Total costs to society were also lower in the intervention group, leading the authors to conclude that these types of programs are likely to be cost-effective compared to usual care.

Fatigue management is a priority for both patients and health care professionals. Higher levels of physical activity are reported to be associated with lower levels of fatigue, but the role of sedentary behavior is less well understood. In their study, Sally Fenton and colleagues aimed to examine how patterns of physical activity (stepping time and intensity) and sedentary behavior vary throughout the day, and whether these diurnal patterns were associated with multi-dimensional aspects of fatigue in 104 people with RA.

Results indicated similar time and intensity of physical activity in the morning and afternoon, but lower levels in the evening, when sitting time was significantly higher. Time and intensity of physical activity was also significantly negatively related to general fatigue, physical fatigue, reduced activity, and reduced motivation. But no associations were found for mental fatigue.

Significant interaction effects indicated that physical activity in the evening was positively associated with general and physical fatigue. These patterns should be considered when designing fatigue management interventions for people with RA.

There is evidence that combined exercise programs that incorporate both aerobic and resistance training can be beneficial for people with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Alexandros Mitropoulos from LENI Research Group at Sheffield Hallam University in the U.K. shared the findings from a multi-center clinical trial in 170 people with SSc who were randomly allocated to either exercise or control group.

The exercise group performed a twice-weekly supervised individualized program for 12 weekswith 30 minutes of high-intensity interval training (30s at 100% of peak power output and 30s passive recovery) plus three circuits of five main muscle upper body resistance training exercisesin addition to usual care. Both fatigue and pain were significantly better at 12 weeks for the exercise compared to the control group; similar results were seen for depression, quality of life, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal fitness.

While the exercise group demonstrated improvements both within and between groups at 12 weeks, the control group demonstrated a slight worseningsuggesting a protective effect of exercise. Exercise may serve as an effective non-pharmacological intervention adjunct to pharmacotherapy to manage SSc symptoms and potentially prevent worsening of symptoms.

Several barriers to physical activity exist, and previous studies have revealed similar determinants across populations. But within Europe countries differ in many aspects such as health care systems, cultural norms, weather conditions, urban design, and income. Ozgul Ozturk presented a questionnaire-based study exploring these differences and potential barriers or facilitators for physical activity across Turkey, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, with 602 people with RA, axSpA, or osteoarthritis submitting their responses.

The median duration of physical activity taken weekly was 60 minuteswell below the 150 minutes recommended for general health, and endorsed by EULAR for people with inflammatory arthritis. The top barriers were weather conditions, costs for memberships to sport facilities or equipment, and work-related duties.

The best facilitators included scheduled exercises, support from health care professionals, having the knowledge and fitness to perform exercises, and shorter travel to sport facilities. Cross-country comparisons revealed significant differences, with weather conditions being the main barrier in Turkey, compared to membership costs in the Netherlands.

Additionally significant differences were observed for having a dog, living close to nature, access to tailored exercise programs, guidance or supervision from experts in RMD, and environmental living conditions. This study highlights the need for tailored, country-specific interventions to address the unique barriers and facilitators in different populations.

A similar exercise was undertaken in the Netherlands. Annabelle Iken explained how key facilitators and barriers for the implementation of long-standing, personalized exercise therapy for people with RA and axSpA with severe functional limitations was undertaken at a national level, using a qualitative study with 18 semi-structured interviews in patients, health care professionals, and insurers.

When considering referral to such programs, facilitators included strong communication and collaboration between health care providers and patients, ensuring clear explanations of benefits, eligibility criteria, and addressing concerns about exercise. Key barriers to referral included unclear eligibility criteria, limited knowledge about the effectiveness of the exercise, lack of awareness about where to find qualified therapists, and time constraints during consultations.

Respondents indicated that tailored exercise programs that are accessible and convenient can improve adherence, and that access to continuing education and resources facilitates long-standing exercise therapy. Motivated patients who understand their condition and actively participate in care are more likely to benefit from long-standing exercise therapy.

Taken together, these new studies presented in Barcelona highlight the multifaceted nature of physical activity and exercise therapy for people with RMD, and underscore the need for increased awareness and education, clearer referral pathways, improved access, and strategies to address cost concerns and support patient motivation. By addressing these challenges, health care providers can ensure that physical activity becomes a standard part of care for people with an RMD.

More information: Ueckert D, et al. Sustained effects of longstanding supervised exercise therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis patients with severe functional limitations: long-term follow-up. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0383-HPR. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular Bakker N, et al. Effectiveness and cost-utility of a multimodal, physiotherapist-led, vocational intervention for people with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis and a reduced work ability: a randomized, controlled trial. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0007-HPR. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.C130. Fenton S, et al. Diurnal patterns of physical activity are associated with dimensions of fatigue in people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0381-HPR. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.C347. Mitropoulos A, et al. An individualised, supervised, combined exercise programme including aerobic and resistance training improves pain and fatigue in people with systemic sclerosis. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0385-HPR. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.C197. Ozturk O, et al. Exploration of Country-specific Barriers and facilitators for the implementation of Physical Activity according to the EULAR Physical Activity recommendations for people with Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Diseases in four European countries. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0382-HPR. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.C335. Iken A, et al. Barriers and facilitators for implementing longstanding, personalized exercise therapy in people with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Axial Spondylarthritis and severe functional limitations. Presented at EULAR 2025; OP0358-PARE. DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2025-eular.D144.

Provided by European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology, EULAR
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Earned sick leaveshort-term, paid time off for employees who are sick or injured or must care for sick or injured family membershas been found to reduce the spread of infectious diseases in the workplace and increase employee access to preventive care.

Since 2019, seven states have implemented laws requiring employers to offer earned sick leave, bringing the total to 18 (plus Washington, D.C.). Despite this growth, however, little has been known until now about the policy's effects on worker well-being across various industries.

"This is important because both the short- and long-term benefits of earned sick leave might vary by industry," said health policy expert Hannah I. Rochford, Ph.D. "For example, in industries that have higher injury rates, such as construction, earned sick leave may encourage injured workers to take time off for treatment and recuperation, which helps prevent more serious musculoskeletal disorders later on."

For their study, published in Safety and Health at Work, Rochford and occupational health and safety researcher Aurora B. Le, Ph.D., both with the Texas A&M University School of Public Health, used natural policy variation, quasi-experimental methods and nationally representative datasets to causally explore how earned sick leave laws impact rates of reportable nonfatal illness or injury across major industry categories.

They obtained annual state rates of occupational nonfatal illness or injury reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for each North American Industry Classification and the earned sick leave policy data from Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research's Law Atlas. They also excluded the 11 states that adopted earned sick leave policies after 2020 given the confounding impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interpreting the policies' impact.

"We found that states that implemented earned sick leave prior to 2019 saw a marginally significant increase in the rates of illness and injury reporting across industries after these policies were introduced," Le said.

She said this uptick suggests that sick or injured employees were more likely to report their conditions since doing so would not result in retaliation or job loss.

On the other hand, employees who were uninsured or faced similar financial barriers to getting care and employees with social and/or legal barriers to getting care (such as undocumented workers) did not appear to benefit from earned sick policies.

"Male workers in high-risk industries like construction, agriculture and transportation face higher rates of illness or injury than their female counterparts, and this may desensitize them to frequent illnesses or injuries and the need to take time off," Le said. "Similarly, undocumented workers could be disincentivized to use sick leave because they don't want to draw attention to themselves or go against group norms."

The study also identified other factors that affected the use of earned sick leave. Employees in unions, for example, were 10% more likely to have earned sick leave than their counterparts in non-union organizations.

Le said "union busting" by corporations and the passage of state right-to-work laws has led to a decline in union membership, which gives nonunionized employees even less bargaining power for earned sick leave policies.

"Earned sick leave policies alone are necessary but not sufficient to advance worker health," Rochford said. "There is a need for strategies that increase insurance access and, for undocumented workers and others facing social and/or legal barriers, for training, education and resources on their rights using the appropriate language and literacy level."

More information: Hannah I. Rochford et al, Impact of Earned Sick Leave Policy on Worker Wellbeing Across Industries, Safety and Health at Work (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2025.01.007
In what is being called one of the gravest aviation tragedies in recent Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 265 people including Gujarat's former chief minister (CM) Vijay Rupani and the family of and prominent industrialist Pramukh Nanda.

The aircraft, operating as flight AI-171 to Londons Gatwick Airport, crashed into the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital complex less than a minute after take-off at 1.39pm. Among the 242 on board230 passengers and 12 crewonly one person miraculously survived. Several individuals on the ground were also killed, bringing the provisional death toll to 265, though officials said DNA testing is underway to confirm identities.

The ill-fated flight, carrying a mix of Indian and international passengers, triggered immediate national and global reactions. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A and was seen walking after the crash before being admitted to the trauma ward. His brother, who accompanied him on the journey, did not survive.

Officials stated that the aircraft plummeted shortly after take-off from runway 23, crashing into the densely populated residential quarters of doctors and students near the Civil Hospital. The fire ignited by the aircraft's fuelestimated at over 1.25 lakh litresengulfed several buildings and vehicles in the vicinity. The blaze also caused massive damage to the multi-storey hostel and dining area, killing several MBBS students and medical staff family members.

Former CM Rupani, seated in business class seat 2D, was among those who perished. The devastating crash killed 241 of the 242 people on board, as confirmed by Air India later in the day. The aircraft was under the command of captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 8,000 flying hours, and first officer Clive Kundar.

Air traffic control (ATC) confirmed that the flight had issued a Mayday distress call seconds after take-off, but no further communication followed. The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is currently leading the probe, and efforts are underway to recover the aircrafts black box for data that could explain the crash.

Aviation experts speculate that a sudden loss of thrust in both engines or a possible bird strike may have caused the plane to lose altitude so quickly. Video footage appeared to show the aircraft attempting a climb before descending with its landing gear still down.

Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes as the aircrafts fuselage exploded into flames upon impact, sending thick plumes of black smoke across the city skyline. The wreckage was strewn across the college campus, with some debris lodging into the fifth-floor dining hall. Emergency workers spent hours retrieving bodies, many charred beyond recognition.

Several students were having lunch when the plane hit the building.

Four MBBS students and the spouse of a local doctor were among those confirmed dead. Multiple cars parked on the campus were also reduced to ash.

Prime minister (PM) Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the tragedy "heartbreaking beyond words." He added that he had been in continuous contact with officials on the ground.

From the UK, King Charles III and PM Keir Starmer expressed their condolences. With 53 British nationals on board, the crash has sent shockwaves through both nations. The UK's foreign office said it is working with Indian authorities to provide support to affected families.

Air India and its parent company Tata group responded swiftly. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the airline confirmed the crash and the fatalities, expressing condolences and announcing the activation of emergency centres for affected families. Dedicated helplines have been launched for relatives seeking information1800 5691 444 (India) and +91 8062779200 (international).

Tata group chairman N Chandrasekaran pledged Rs1 crore compensation for each family that lost a loved one and announced that Tata would fund the rebuilding of the hostel at BJ Medical College.

"This is a dark day for all of us at Tata. Our hearts go out to the grieving families. We will stand by them in every way possible," Mr Chandrasekaran said in a statement.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing, which built the Dreamliner, said it is working with Air India and will fully cooperate with the investigation. This is the first crash involving the Boeing 787 model in India and the deadliest since the 2020 Kozhikode crash.

Operations at Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport were briefly suspended following the crash and resumed later in the evening.

This crash marks Ahmedabad's second major aviation disaster. The previous one occurred on 19 October 1988, when an Indian Airlines aircraft crashed during its final approach, killing 130 people.

Authorities are continuing to comb through the wreckage, with DNA samples being collected for identification. Several teams from the national disaster response force (NDRF) and fire services remain at the site.

This is a massive loss of life and we must ensure a thorough probe, said Union home minister Amit Shah, who visited the crash site and the hospital treating the lone survivor.

With hundreds of families now in mourning and many awaiting confirmation of their loved ones fate, Indias aviation safety protocols and emergency response mechanisms are likely to come under intense scrutiny in the coming weeks.
In a devastating aviation tragedy, Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a residential neighbourhood in Meghani Nagar shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad at 1:38pm. The flight was carrying 242 individuals, including 230 adult passengers, two infants and 12 crew members.

The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control within minutes of departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashing around 15km from the runway. The impact sent thick smoke and flames billowing over the area, causing severe damage to homes and infrastructure in the densely populated locality.

The flight was piloted by captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kundar. As of now, the airline has not released details on casualties, but rescue and relief operations are ongoing on a war footing.

Air India confirmed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating: Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an incident. We are ascertaining details and will share further updates."

Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are  Air India (@airindia) [June 12, 2025](twsrc%5Etfw)

The Gujarat police confirmed that the aircraft went down in a residential block of Meghani Nagar, far from the airports usual flight path, raising questions about the aircrafts trajectory in its final moments.

The cause of the crash remains unclear. Preliminary information from directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) confirms that contact was lost within five minutes of take-off. Whether the crash was due to technical failure, human error, or other factors will be known only after a detailed analysis of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

Three teams from the national disaster response force (NDRF) have reached the scene and are assisting in search-and-rescue efforts, with debris being combed through for survivors and victims. Injured passengers are being moved to hospitals even as a DGCA-led probe into the cause of the crash is underway.

All flight operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been temporarily suspended following the crash, the airport authorities confirmed.

This is the most serious aviation disaster in recent years for Air India and one of the worst to strike the region in over a decade. With families awaiting news and emergency teams racing against time, the nation watches anxiously for updates.

Gujarat chief minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel expressed profound anguish over the crash and directed officials to launch immediate rescue and medical efforts. A green corridor has been established to expedite the transport of the injured to hospitals, with all emergency medical services in the city activated and hospitals placed on high alert.

Fire brigade units with three engines were deployed to the site, along with police teams and local authorities. Eye-witnesses described scenes of panic and devastation, but also acts of heroism, as residents rushed to help pull survivors from the wreckage.

Union home minister Amit Shah reviewed the situation and has assured full support from the Centre. Minister of civil aviation Ram Mohan Naidu rushed to Ahmedabad to personally oversee the response.

Shocked and devastated to learn about the flight crash in Ahmedabad.



We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.



Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all  Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 12, 2025

Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran expressed deep sorrow in an official statement: With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating AhmedabadLondon Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. Our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams and provide necessary care. An emergency centre has been activated and support teams have been set up for families seeking information.

A helpline has been set up by Air India for relatives of passengers. More information is expected to be released in the coming hours.

In light of the AI171 crash, an operational control room has been activated at the Union ministry of civil aviation to coordinate all details.

Contact: 011-24610843 | 9650391859
In a move aimed at reducing power consumption and promoting energy efficiency, the Indian government is set to enforce new rules that will limit the operational temperature range of air conditioners (ACs) across the country. Earlier this week, Union minister for housing and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar announced that ACs will soon be restricted from cooling below 20C (degrees Celsius) or heating above 28C.

The announcement comes amid a prolonged heatwave gripping Delhi and several parts of northern India, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for extreme temperatures.

Speaking to the media, Mr Khattar said that the temperature standardisation provision is being introduced to ensure uniform usage of air-conditioners and help manage the soaring power demand during the summer months.

According to the minister, most ACs currently operate at settings as low as 16C or 18C, which is not only energy-intensive but also unnecessary from a thermal comfort standpoint. Once implemented, users will no longer be able to cool spaces below 20C or heat them beyond 28C.

Experts believe that the regulation, while seemingly restrictive, is a practical solution to Indias recurring power crises during peak summer. The bureau of energy efficiency (BEE) has long advocated for higher AC temperature settings to reduce electricity consumption.

Studies indicate that each 1C increase in air-conditioning temperature can reduce power usage by around 6%. Raising the temperature setting from 20C to 24C alone could result in energy savings of up to 24%. Given that nearly 100mn (million) air-conditioning units are already in use across India, and 15mn new ones are added every year, even marginal improvements in efficiency can yield enormous results.

Indias electricity consumption has been climbing rapidly, particularly in urban areas. The country recorded its highest ever power demand at 250GW (gigawatts) last year and this years demand is expected to cross 270GW. On 9 June 2025, India saw a peak load of 241GW, despite a dip in May due to early monsoon rains. In May 2025 alone, India consumed 148.71bn units of electricity, down 4% from May 2024, but forecasts suggest that power needs will again rise sharply as the monsoon recedes.

The governments broader objective with the new AC temperature rule is to ease pressure on the national power grid, cut electricity costs for consumers, and support climate goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation.

According to a University of California, Berkeley study, better air-conditioner efficiency standards could slash Indias peak power demand by up to 60GW by 2035. This would avoid the need for an estimated Rs7.5 lakh crore or around US$88bn in new power infrastructure investment.

BEE also dispels the common belief that setting an air-conditioner to a lower temperature cools a room faster. In reality, the compressor uses the same amount of energy regardless of the set temperature; setting the AC to 18C instead of 24C simply makes the compressor run longer, wasting electricity without offering tangible comfort benefits.

In fact, the BEE states that indoor environments are comfortable for most people in the 24C25C range, particularly when humidity and air movement are properly regulated.

While the government is yet to announce detailed enforcement mechanisms, the upcoming policy will apply to both residential and commercial air-conditioners. Manufacturers will be required to reprogram devices to ensure compliance with the new 20C28C range. Once the provision comes into effect, ACs will no longer function outside this set band. The government also plans to monitor adherence to the new rules and assess their impact over time.

Reactions to the proposed change have been mixed. While many experts and environmentalists have welcomed the move as a step in the right direction, sections of social media have expressed concern over the regulation, viewing it as unnecessary government intrusion into private life.

However, officials maintain that the regulation is a necessary response to the twin challenges of rising electricity demand and environmental degradation.

According to officials, air-conditioners account for about 50GW of electricity demandroughly 20% of Indias total demand. Even a 1C increase in the default setting could save around 3GW during peak usage.

India is not alone in this approach. Other countries have introduced similar measures to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. Spain, for example, mandates that public buildings maintain cooling at no lower than 27C and heating at no higher than 19C.

China enforces a minimum cooling temperature of 26C in government offices and penalises violators. In the US, the department of energy recommends a setting of 26C for home cooling. Singapore and Australia also advise households to maintain AC settings between 24C and 26C, though these are not legally enforced.

The Indian governments move, therefore, aligns with global best practices and represents a significant shift toward sustainable energy use. By encouraging behavioural change in how Indians use air-conditioners, the policy could substantially reduce the countrys energy footprint.

With temperatures rising due to climate change and urbanisation surging, the need for efficient cooling systems has never been more urgent. If implemented effectively, the AC temperature cap could play a critical role in helping India meet its energy and environmental goals while reducing the risk of summer blackouts and cutting household electricity bills.
Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney Matt Enrooth made flippant remarks about a Butte attorney before Wednesday nights council meeting, apparently unaware livestreaming had started and his private chatter was being captured by a hot mic.

Among other things, Enrooth jokes about an apparent news headline, cites someone else criticizing Butte attorney Cathy Tutty and then, talking to Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher, adds his own criticisms of Tutty.

But you know what pisses me off more than that  the simple fact that she cant even type it all in the same font, Enrooth said.

He makes a few other comments and then says, Even under our statute, you know the FOIA stuff were doing, if we dont give it to them, the only remedy they have is their cost and their attorneys fees and thats it.

OK, sure, it cost you 500 bucks and $1,000 in attorney fees  your remedy is 1,500 bucks. Thats it, he says.

Enrooth declined to say anything about his comments and apparent hot mic situation on Thursday, telling The Montana Standard it involved pending litigation.

But Tutty says shes sure Enrooth was talking about Freedom of Information Act county record requests made by her client, Doug Ingraham, and suggests the county just pay him $1,500 and we wont give them anything.

As to the personal slights at her, Tutty said, People can say what they want. I go by the adage that what you think of me is none of my business.

Enrooth is talking to Commissioner Michele Shea briefly when the livestream starts and when she gets up, Gallagher sits down and Enrooth starts talking to him. Others are mingling about in council chambers before the meeting.

Gallagher says only a few generic words to Enrooth and the conversation stops seconds before Council Chairman John Morgan gavels the meeting to order.

Ingrahams husband, Caleb Boelman, died unexpectedly in their home on Aug. 10. He was only 32 and there was no outward or obvious signs indicating how he might have died.

Several of Boelmans family members filed a lawsuit against Butte-Silver Bow County and Coroner Lori Durkin in January, saying she and her office were negligent in handling Boelmans body after he died.

They allowed the body to suffer significant decomposition prior to a medical exam, the lawsuit claims, compromising an autopsy and grotesquely disfiguring the body.

The lawsuit also says Durkins office misled family members by saying Boelman had alcohol, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and a sex drug in his system and likely died of an overdose, only to say a day later that none of those drugs were found in his system.

County officials said Durkin voluntarily went on paid administrative leave in late January while the county investigated the case. Former Coroner Dan Hollis has been acting interim coroner since then.

Ingraham told commissioners in late January he was heartsick over the ordeal and there were utter and repeated wrongs inflicted on Boelman after he died.

But he said he and Tutty had attempted to work cooperatively with Butte-Silver Bow to resolve questions and possible oversights and he was not part of the lawsuit against the county.

The case is now in District Court in Butte and this week, Tutty filed a motion on behalf of Ingraham seeking to join the lawsuit.

Among other things, the motion says Ingraham has had Freedom of Information (or FOIA) requests pending with the county since last October seeking all emails, texts, autopsy reports and other documents and correspondence regarding his husbands death.

It says Ingraham has been stonewalled since then. Enrooth assured them in March he would be compiling the documents but, Douglas has receive nothing, the motion says.

Tutty believes Enrooth was referring to the FOIA requests during his hot mic comments. She said Ingraham watched video of the comments Thursday morning and said, Apparently font size is more important to the county attorney than informing the next-of-kin on the cause of death of their spouse.

When asked if Enrooths comments were appropriate in the council setting, Tutty said, I have several opinions about it but until we get some other things hashed out Im probably not going to say anything.

But she said she is disturbed with Enrooths comments about a records request denial only costing the county $1,500.

He said that while alluding to a FOIA policy he is currently working with commissioners on  one they say is aimed at more transparency and making it easier for citizens to get county records and information.

He said multiple times in his (2024) campaign that, We need to be transparent, Tutty said. Maybe not giving us documents is his way of being transparent.

Gallagher said Thursday that Enrooths words were his own and he could not comment on them. Council Chairman John Morgan said Thursday afternoon he was not aware of the video and deferred any comment for now.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a sharp rebuke to Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, promising legal consequences if he returns to power.

Speaking to residents in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County, on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Gachagua accused Lagat of spearheading a crackdown against government critics. He claimed the police boss is being used to intimidate and silence those challenging President William Rutos leadership.

It is this Lagat that is being used to go after all the people saying Ruto is a one-term president, Gachagua told the crowd.

I want to tell him and every other officer in the DCI being used by this regime, when we take charge of this government, you will have to face the court of law.

Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), also linked Lagat to violent disruptions at his recent rallies, blaming state agencies for orchestrating political intimidation and harassment.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba echoed Gachaguas sentiments during the same event. She condemned ongoing police brutality and urged the government to end state-sponsored violence targeting young Kenyans.

Wamuchomba issued a strong warning, stating that if Lagat is not held accountable for the death Albert Ojwang, she would mobilize a national protest led by women.

If he (Lagat) will not resign, then I will lead all mothers in Kenya for demonstrations over the killing and maiming of our young people. Enough is enough, she said.
Kenya has formally approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to negotiate a new financing agreement as its current IMF-supported programmes approach their end.

The government has relied heavily on the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which have provided over Ksh388 billion in funding during a time of severe debt strain.

The IMF acknowledged receiving Kenyas request and announced plans to send a mission team to Nairobi in September 2025 to begin formal negotiations.

Speaking at a press briefing on June 11, 2025, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge confirmed that the government had already initiated talks with the IMF to secure a new deal.

Indeed, we are having discussions with the IMF. The government did send a letter to the IMF requesting to negotiate a new arrangement. We expect the IMF team to come in September to start discussions on Article IV, and we shall also engage them on a new arrangement, Thugge said.

The existing ECF/EFF programme, which was launched in April 2021, aimed to help Kenya recover from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its financial stability. Initially valued at Ksh465.48 billion, the programme disbursed Ksh403.42 billion by October 2024.

However, the final tranche of Ksh62.06 billion will not be released, as both parties have agreed to end the programme before the ninth review.

Following a recent visit to Nairobi, IMF mission chief Haimanot Teferra confirmed Kenyas formal request for a new arrangement. We will engage with them going forward, she stated.

The IMF also confirmed it will not proceed with the ninth review under the current deal. However, it has not specified whether the new arrangement will involve direct financial assistance or focus on technical support.

Nonetheless, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi previously indicated that Kenya will pursue a financing package, signaling the governments ongoing need for IMF-backed financial support to stabilize its economy.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection will launch a national street families census in the next two weeks in an effort to understand the current scale of homelessness across Kenya.

The Street Families Rehabilitation Trust will lead the three-day exercise in all 47 counties, starting on June 29th.

Officials anticipate a significant rise in the number of street families since the last count five years ago, which recorded 46,000 individuals living on the streets. The government has allocated Ksh. 50 million for the exercise, which is expected to provide critical data to inform future policy and rehabilitation efforts.

Mary Wambui, Chairperson of the Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund, said the census aims to capture the real scope and living conditions of street families nationwide. She noted that accurate data will help the government craft more effective strategies for rehabilitation and reintegration, especially as current funding remains insufficient to meet growing needs.

Despite the funding shortfall, Wambui expressed gratitude for the governments ongoing commitment and revealed that the agency has secured 20 acres of land for a new national rehabilitation center.

Board member Ahmed Hussein emphasized the importance of the upcoming census, saying it would help track progress in reducing the street family population through existing support programs. He also highlighted that the government recently disbursed Ksh. 50 million to 24 institutions currently engaged in street family rehabilitation across 24 counties, with plans to expand nationwide.

Fellow board member Nancy Orango confirmed that the Ksh. 50 million allocated will cover the census in all counties. She thanked the Ministry of Interior for its key role in helping street families acquire essential documents like birth certificates and national ID cards  critical for reintegration.

However, board member John Kiriria voiced concern over the persistent lack of adequate funding for rehabilitation. He urged the government to increase financial support, noting that harsh economic conditions, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, have pushed more families into homelessness. He also pointed to the growing presence of street families from neighboring countries, which has further stretched local resources.

The nationwide census is expected to play a crucial role in helping Kenya respond more effectively to the complex needs of its street families.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has sounded the alarm over a troubling spike in deaths occurring inside police custody, revealing that at least 20 individuals have died over the last four months.

IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan made the disclosure on Thursday while addressing the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, highlighting what he called a disturbing trend of police abuse and brutality behind cell walls.

We have had 20 deaths in police custody in the last four months, Hassan told MPs.

One case drawing national outcry is the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, who died while being held at Nairobis Central Police Station last weekend. Hassan pointedly dismissed the police explanation that Ojwang fatally injured himself by banging his head against a cell wall, calling it a blatant attempt to cover up what IPOA believes to be a case of custodial torture and murder.

The signal by the police Inspector-General was incredible; it was a very poor cover-up attempt to say that Ojwang had hit his head on the wall, Hassan stated. The CCTV had been interfered with. The man was tortured and killed.

IPOA Uncovers CCTV Tampering

According to Hassan, surveillance records show that someone tampered with the stations CCTV system just hours after Ojwang was booked. DVR logs revealed that the surveillance discs were replaced at precisely 7:23 a.m. on June 8, less than 12 hours after Ojwang had been logged in at 9:35 p.m. on June 7 under OB number 136/7/6/2025.

Hassan claimed the alteration of the CCTV system was not coincidental. He told lawmakers that the action appeared to be part of a coordinated attempt to delete crucial video evidence surrounding the events leading to Ojwangs death.

Somebody called someone to come and switch off a particular section, but he said he could only shut down the entire system. The DVR logs indicated that the operating discs had been changed and formatted, Hassan said.

IPOA has already taken statements from officers and individuals who were present at the police station during Ojwangs detention. These testimonies now form part of an active investigation into what the oversight body believes to be a premeditated act of brutality resulting in death.

Sensitive Evidence in Ojwang Murder Probe

Because of the highly sensitive nature of the evidence, Hassan requested a closed-door session with MPs to share classified details that couldnt be discussed in public.

There is information we cannot reveal here in public, and we ask for a private session with the committee so that we can share that, he said.

Committee Chair Gabriel Tongoyo agreed to the request but asked IPOA to first offer a public update on non-sensitive matters before transitioning to the private briefing.

Hassan also made it clear that although IPOA lacks powers to arrest or prosecute, the authority is treating all police officers linked to the Ojwang case as murder suspects. This includes the officers who arrested Ojwang in Homa Bay, those who held him at Central Police Station, and those involved in handling his body after his death.

We are not going to be used as a fire extinguisher for police or enable this cover-up. We want the police to cooperate fully. Every officer involved in Ojwangs arrest and detention is under investigation, Hassan declared.

So far, IPOA has interrogated 17 police officers and six civilian witnesses. Hassan also disclosed that Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja Lagat will be summoned to give a statement as the inquiry nears its final phase.

We have the capacity to investigate this issue. Of course, we expect some kind of blue code where officers will choose to be silent, but we have other means, he remarked.
Authorities have arrested Police Constable James Mukhwana of Nairobis Central Police Station in connection with the brazen murder of Albert Ojwang.

A police report dated June 12, 2025, confirmed that detectives from the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), working in coordination with IPOA, apprehended Mukhwana and placed him in custody at Capitol Hill Police Station.

According to the official report, Mukhwana will face murder charges under Section 203 as read with Section 204 of Kenyas Penal Code.

Please be informed that No. 260950 PC James Mukhwana of Central Police Station Nairobi, was arrested today, 12/06/2025 and placed in custody at Capitol Hill Police Station by officers from IAU and IPOA, read a police signal signed by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Capitol Hill.

He is to be charged with the offence of murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code, following the death of one Albert Ojwang. IPOA and IAU (are) dealing. More details to follow, the communication added.

Ojwang died under mysterious circumstances on June 8 while being held at Central Police Station. IPOA launched an in-depth investigation into the case, citing serious concerns about torture and a potential cover-up.

Mukhwanas arrest marks a pivotal moment in the probe, with more police officers expected to be questioned as the investigation progresses.

Nairobi Protests Turn Violent

News of Ojwangs death ignited widespread outrage, culminating in violent protests that swept through Nairobis Central Business District on Thursday. Demonstrators took to the streets demanding justice and calling for the resignation of Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, who filed the complaint against Ojwang.

The demonstrations turned chaotic near Nairobi Cinema, where protesters torched two vehicles in a bold attempt to breach Parliament. Inside the chambers, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi was reading the 2025/26 Budget estimates as the unrest escalated outside.

Shopkeepers in the CBD shuttered their businesses to avoid looting, while rioters vandalized property along key roads including Ronald Ngala Street, Tom Mboya Street, Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, and Haile Selassie Avenue.

Public infrastructure also took a hit, including Nairobi Countys newly installed black dustbins, which were uprooted and destroyed by protesters.

The unrest highlights the deepening public frustration over repeated incidents of police brutality and deaths in custody. As pressure mounts on authorities to ensure justice for Albert Ojwang, the case has become a litmus test for Kenyas law enforcement accountability.
In 2024, President William Rutos administration ramped up its surveillance efforts, making a record 35 requests to Meta for access to user data  more than any other country in East Africa, according to the tech giants Transparency Centre report.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, confirmed that it shares user data with governments when legally obligated or during emergencies, as outlined in its terms of service.

Between January and June, the Kenyan government submitted 23 data requests  19 tied to legal processes and four flagged as emergencies. From July to December, it added 12 more requests, including nine for legal reasons and three urgent cases.

Meta responded to 43.5 percent of the requests, releasing some data to Kenyan authorities.

The surge in requests marks a significant jump from previous years. In 2023, Kenya made just 15 requests, compared to 23 in 2022, 25 in 2021, and 33 in 2020.

Regionally, Kenya stood alone in its high demand for user data. Uganda made two requests in 2024, while Tanzania and South Sudan each submitted one. Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Somalia made no requests during the same period.

Across Africa, Morocco led with a staggering 1,188 data requests. Globally, the United States topped the list with 156,556 requests, followed by the United Kingdom with 21,684.

Meta emphasized that it reviews all government requests for legal validity. The company may deny access or request more clarity if a submission appears too vague or overly broad.

Ruto Administration to Spend Ksh. 150M on Digital Spying Tool as Online Surveillance Intensifies

As Meta reports a surge in government requests for user data, President William Rutos administration is now planning to invest Ksh. 150 million in a controversial digital surveillance initiative.

The plan, embedded in the 2025/26 national budget recently approved by Parliament, aims to equip the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) with advanced spyware to monitor what Kenyans post, share, and say online.

The government will channel this funding into Optimus 3.0, a powerful surveillance system designed to track online and social media activity in real time. The DCI is set to receive Ksh. 50 million to procure the Optimus 3.0 equipment, while another Ksh. 100 million will fund operations under a project labeled DCI forensic lab OPTIMUS 3.0 Social Media.

Digital rights advocates have raised red flags, warning that this spyware can infiltrate personal devices, extract user data, and even bypass encrypted communications  all in ways that experts argue violate Kenyas Data Protection Act.

According to cybersecurity analysts, Optimus 3.0 has the ability to unmask social media users across multiple platforms. The system can trace what users post, pinpoint their location, and identify which devices theyre using  all by tracking connection metadata, leaving little room for digital anonymity.

The surveillance system operates without users consent and quietly transmits data to third parties  raising serious concerns over privacy violations.

This budget allocation comes at a time when Parliament is gearing up to debate the Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a proposed law that has sparked widespread criticism from digital rights advocates and legal experts alike.

Spearheaded by Aldai MP Marianne Kitany, the Bill seeks to grant sweeping powers to the Cabinet Secretary for Information, including the authority to monitor digital communications and compel Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom firms, and cyber operators to hand over user data.

If Parliament passes the Bill, the government could legally track online behavior and access subscriber information  without needing a court order. Critics argue this would strip away constitutional safeguards and open the door to unchecked surveillance, threatening freedom of expression and digital privacy in Kenya.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has secured a major legal win, bringing an end to the long-standing leadership battle within the Jubilee Party.

In a landmark ruling on Thursday, June 12, the High Court upheld the resolutions made during Jubilees National Delegates Conference (NDC) held in May 2023. The decision delivered a crushing defeat to the rival faction that had attempted to wrest control of the party from Uhurus leadership.

The court also confirmed Saitoti Torome as the new National Chairman and reinstated Jeremiah Kioni as Secretary-General, officially ousting the opposing group led by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega.

This legal shift followed a dramatic turn of events when Jubilee chairman Nelson Dzuya withdrew support from the Kega faction and filed a consent in court acknowledging the legitimacy of the 2023 NDC and its resolutions. The move reinforced Uhurus control over the partys leadership structures.

Lawyer Jackson Awele, representing Uhurus Jubilee faction, led the legal charge alongside a newly appointed legal team and the partys Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC).

The High Court also nullified all leadership changes made by the rival group associated with Kanini Kega and Sabina Chege, stripping them of any formal authority within the party.

The ruling signals a political resurgence for Uhuru, who has maintained a low public profile since exiting office in September 2022. However, his influence within opposition circles has remained steady.

Now firmly back at the helm of Jubilee, Uhuru is poised to play a more active role in shaping Kenyas political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has taken a public swipe at Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, intensifying internal tensions within the Kenya Kwanza camp just a day after a fiery Senate session involving Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The lash out follows Murkomens Wednesday grilling over the controversial death of social media influencer Albert Ojwang. Senator Cherargei, who has consistently criticized Murkomens leadership, renewed calls for the CS to resign, accusing him of failing to safeguard national security.

Sudi quickly came to Murkomens defense. On Thursday, June 12, he posted on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Cherargei of disguising political attacks on President William Ruto as criticism of the Interior CS.

Stop going around the corners by attacking Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen when you know very well its President William Ruto you are targeting. Man up and face him directly, Sudi wrote.

The Kapseret MP didnt stop there. He went further to suggest that Senator Cherargeis criticism of CS Murkomen was part of a wider political game plan.

According to Sudi, the senator was laying the groundwork to defect from the Kenya Kwanza coalition and align himself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

We know your heart is in Wamunyoros camp. Be bold and cross over to serve your master freely, Sudi added, hinting at an emerging rift within the ruling coalition.

RELATED  You Never Taught Me!  Cherargei Fires Back After Murkomen Claims Senator Was His Below Average Student
Former top diplomat takes over the helm in Mongolia

New Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar addresses parliament in Ulaanbaatar after being sworn in. Photo: AFP

Mongolian lawmakers on Friday confirmed former top diplomat Gombojav Zandanshatar as the country's new prime minister after his predecessor resigned following weeks of anti-corruption protests.



Thousands of young people have demonstrated in the capital Ulaanbaatar in recent weeks, venting frustration at wealthy elites and what they see as pervasive corruption and injustice.



They called for then-prime minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene to step down and got their wish when he announced his resignation last week.



Zandanshatar  also from Oyun-Erdene's ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP)  was elected as his replacement in the early hours of Friday, with 108 out of 117 present voting in favour.



In a speech to lawmakers following his election, he stressed "the urgent need to stabilise the economy" and "improve the income and livelihood" of citizens, according to a readout from the parliament.



The 52-year-old has been a fixture on Mongolia's fractious political scene for around two decades and is seen as close to President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.



He previously served as foreign minister and chief of staff to the president, as well as parliamentary speaker when the country passed key constitutional reforms in 2019.



Before its recent political crisis, Mongolia had been ruled by a three-way coalition government since elections last year resulted in a significantly reduced majority for Oyun-Erdene's MPP.



But last month, the MPP evicted its second-largest member, the Democratic Party, from the coalition after some of its younger lawmakers backed calls for Oyun-Erdene's resignation.



That pushed Oyun-Erdene to call a confidence vote in his own government, which he lost after Democratic Party lawmakers walked out of the chamber during the ballot. (AFP)
The development of AI is driving automation and increasing labor productivity. Photo: B.N. / Tuoi Tre

This will include $4555 billion from increased consumer demand for AI-powered products and services, along with $6075 billion in cost savings from automation, predictive analytics, and performance optimization in production.

The figures were presented in a report titled 'Vietnam's AI Economy: Breakthrough Opportunities and Development Directions,' released on Thursday in Hanoi by the National Innovation Center, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and Boston Consulting Group Vietnam.

According to the report, Vietnam ranked second in Southeast Asia in 2024 in terms of the number of startups and investment capital focused on AI.

A key driver of AI development is the growing digital and IT workforce. More than 150 universities in Vietnam offer IT-related courses, producing over 60,000 graduates annually.

The report identifies three pillars driving Vietnam's AI economy: the expanding adoption of AI across both public and private sectors, a developing AI ecosystem, and the establishment of internationally standardized AI talent.

In addition to these pillars, supporting factors include improving public awareness of AI, access to high-quality computing infrastructure, and the implementation of clear, sustainable AI development policies.

Globally, AI is projected to contribute around $5 trillion to the world economy by 2030 through increased revenue and reduced costs driven by automation, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiency.

As for Vietnam, AI is projected to significantly impact various sectors of Vietnam's economy, contributing an estimated $2530 billion in manufacturing, $1520 billion in consumer products, $1015 billion in financial services, $1014 billion in telecommunications, $1015 billion in education, $710 billion in environment and agriculture, and $3540 billion across other sectors.

AI applications are increasingly being integrated into multiple industries across the country.

Vu Quoc Huy, director of the National Innovation Center, speaks at the launch of the report 'Vietnam's AI Economy 2025.' Photo: B.N. / Tuoi Tre

In agriculture, AI systems are used to monitor crops, detect pests and diseases, forecast potential outbreaks, and recommend appropriate countermeasures.

In the environmental sector, AI-powered monitoring systems equipped with drones, cameras, and sensors are deployed to track air and water quality as well as wildlife activity in national parks.

Within culture and tourism, AI chatbots provide 24/7 tourist assistance, update visitors on destinations and events, and answer common queries.

In healthcare, AI applications offer personalized medical services, especially to vulnerable communities.

In transportation, AI-driven license plate recognition systems detect traffic violations in real time, contributing to improved road safety.

Meanwhile, in finance, AI assistants support taxpayers by answering questions, providing guidance, and granting access to tax-related tools.

To achieve the projected AI economy value of $120130 billion, Nguyen Hoang Hung, director of technology at Viettel AI, highlighted three high-potential sectors: public administration, education, and healthcare.

He said that successfully integrating AI into education could lead to a breakthrough in human resource development.

In healthcare, AI could help close the gap in expertise between central hospitals and local or rural medical facilities.
Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad that claimed several lives. In a heartfelt message, Ambani, along with his wife Nita Ambani and the entire Reliance family, extended sincere condolences to all those affected by the devastating incident. He said, "Nita and I, along with the entire Reliance family, are deeply pained and anguished by the grave loss of life caused by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. We extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragic incident". The incident involved an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171, which was en route to London from Ahmedabad on Thursday. The aircraft, carrying 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff. It came down in a densely populated locality near the airport, causing severe destruction and casualties. In his message, Ambani further assured that Reliance Industries is standing in solidarity with the victims and their families during this hour of grief. He said, "In this hour of grief, Reliance extends its full and unwavering support to the ongoing relief efforts and stands ready to assist in every possible way. We pray that all those impacted find the strength and solace to cope with their unimaginable loss". The flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian national. The Air India plane was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience, an official said. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC). It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. (ANI)
Corporate profits in India reached a significant milestone in FY25, with the profit-to-GDP ratio for the Nifty-500 companies standing at 4.7 per cent, marking a 17-year high, according to a report by Motilal Oswal. For the listed Indian companies, this ratio was even higher at 5.1 per cent, a 14-year high. It said, "In 2025, the corporate profit-to-GDP ratio for the Nifty-500 Universe remained at 4.7 per cent, marking a 17-year high". The report stated that the sustained rise in the profit-to-GDP ratio was supported by strong performance in several key sectors. Telecom, which had been a negative contributor for the past seven years, turned positive in FY25. Other sectors contributing to the rise included PSU Banks (which added 0.07 per cent to the ratio), Healthcare (0.04 per cent), Consumer (0.04 per cent), Metals (0.03 per cent), and Infrastructure (0.2 per cent). However, some sectors saw a drop in their share of the profit-to-GDP ratio. Oil & Gas saw the biggest decline of 0.28 per cent, followed by Automobiles (0.03 per cent), Cement (0.02 per cent), Utilities (0.02 per cent), Private Banks (0.01 per cent), and Retail (0.01 per cent). Despite a challenging environment, corporate profits for the Nifty-500 companies grew by 10.5 per cent year-on-year in FY25. This double-digit growth is notable as it comes on a high base of 30.5 per cent in FY24 and represents a strong 30.3 per cent CAGR over the past five years. It said, "The corporate profits for the Nifty-500 universe experienced double-digit growth, rising 10.5 per cent YoY in FY25". The report highlighted that this performance was achieved during a year marked by weak consumption, a slowdown in government spending during the first half due to elections, and volatile exports amid global uncertainties. For the overall listed universe, India's corporate profit-to-GDP ratio rose slightly from 5.0 per cent in FY24 to 5.1 per cent in FY25. When including both listed and unlisted companies, the ratio had already seen a sharp jump to 7.3 per cent in FY24 from 6.3 per cent in FY23, mainly due to the spike in profits of listed firms. The report also analysed corporate profits based on ownership. Among private companies within the Nifty-500, the profit-to-GDP ratio reached an all-time high of 2.8 per cent in FY25, up from 2.6 per cent in FY24. For PSUs, the ratio declined slightly to 1.6 per cent from 1.8 per cent a year ago. Meanwhile, MNCs recorded their highest-ever ratio of 0.31 per cent in FY25, up from 0.29 per cent in FY24. (ANI)
India PR Distribution Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 13: The flexible workspace segment is witnessing a remarkable transformation in India's commercial real estate landscape, with India's metro cities leading the charge. Amid this momentum, Flexo, a new-age commercial real estate advisory and marketplace, is positioning itself as a key enabler for companies embracing agile and cost-efficient workspace models. According to recent industry data, flexible workspaces accounted for over 12.5 million sq ft of office leasing in 2024, a 44% year-on-year jump. In Mumbai alone, vacancy rates dropped to 11.9% - the lowest in years - driven in part by strong uptake of managed offices and coworking spaces. "This isn't just a rebound. It's a fundamental shift in how companies think about space," said Vivek Kundnani, Founder and CEO of Flexo. "Businesses today want offices that are fast to set up, easy to scale, and designed around people. Flexibility is no longer a perk. It's a strategy." The post-pandemic era has accelerated the move toward hybrid work and decentralized teams. As a result, companies are rethinking traditional leases in favour of managed office solutions that offer plug-and-play readiness without the burden of capex or long lock-ins. India's flex office stock is projected to cross 125 million sq ft by 2027, and more than 14% of all new office leasing is now driven by coworking and managed operators. In Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, demand is particularly strong among global capability centers (GCCs), scaling startups, and enterprise teams seeking collaborative, high-quality work environments. Flexo's rise has coincided with this trend. The Mumbai-based startup blends the on-ground expertise of a traditional property consultant with the DNA of a tech start-up. It helps companies find and implement the right workspace strategies - whether it's a coworking space in Andheri, a managed office in BKC, or a fully customised corporate headquarters. "Our edge lies in local intelligence," said Kundnani. "We don't just aggregate listings - we understand micro-markets, operator strengths, lease dynamics, and how to match space to a company's culture and growth plans." What sets Flexo apart is its dual approach. The company advises on office leasing across conventional and flexible formats while also operating a discovery platform for coworking and managed offices across major Indian cities. This allows businesses to explore options ranging from fully built offices to warm shell units - all through one partner. As the workplace continues to evolve, Kundnani believes companies will adopt a more dynamic mix of formats. "The future of work if flexible," he said. "Leaders are asking: how can our offices adapt to new business realities, attract talent, and still control costs? That's where Flexo comes in." Flexo also plays a strategic advisory role for leading coworking spaces in Mumbai, helping them identify high-potential micro-markets, negotiate leases, and scale their footprint with precision. By leveraging data insights and on-ground intelligence, Flexo supports coworking operators in making expansion decisions that balance demand, occupancy potential, and long-term viability. With a strong base in Mumbai and growing reach across India, Flexo is carving out a niche in the flexible workspace economy - one that is increasingly shaping the future of commercial real estate in India. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PRNewswire Rotterdam [Netherlands], June 13: nubia, a highly personalized and lifestyle smartphone brand, announced its role as the Official Marketing Partner for Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 held from May 31 to June 1, 2025 in Rotterdam. This partnership, coinciding with TwitchCon's 10th anniversary celebration, showcased the gaming excellence of nubia Neo 3 series, built on its "Born to Win" spirit, to tens of thousands of in-person attendees and millions of livestream viewers, engaging directly with fans, gamers, streamers, and media on this special stage. The nubia brand was prominently featured throughout the Twitch Rivals Arena, where top streamers competed in live tournaments. "Partnering with Twitch Rivals at TwitchCon Europe 2025 is another exciting milestone for nubia," said Li Wei, Vice President of ZTE "The 'Born to Win' spirit drives everything we do at nubia, inspiring gamers to strive for victory not just in gaming, but in every life moment. Following our successful collaborations with hit mobile games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Garena Free Fire, we are thrilled to present nubia Neo 3 series directly to the global vibrant gaming community. TwitchCon provides a perfect stage to demonstrate how our innovative gaming smartphone can elevate the gaming experience for both enthusiasts and professional players. Through our collaboration with Twitch, we aim to build authentic connections with passionate players and expand our gaming presence in Europe and beyond." nubia Neo 3 GT, High-Performance AI Gaming Smartphone Built around "Born to Win" At the heart of the partnership is nubia Neo 3 GT, a high-performance gaming smartphone built around its "Born to Win" spirit -- a belief in confident self-expression, fearless competition, and the relentless pursuit of victory. Powered by a cutting-edge 6nm octa-core chipset running at 2.7GHz, and paired with up to 24GB dynamic RAM and 256GB storage, the device handles demanding games with ease. The standout Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers offer console-like controls with high sampling rate and fast response, a unique feature in its segment. Users can customize button mapping, trigger Game Space instantly with both shoulders, and activate one-touch combos for quick skill execution. The triggers reduce screen interference, enhance accuracy in FPS and MOBA games, and provide vibration feedback for a console-like feel. The integrated Z-axis linear motor adds immersive haptic response to every movement. An exceptional gaming experience is delivered through a 6.8-inch FHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness, while a large 4083mm2 VC cooling system with a multi-layer structure ensures stable performance during intense gaming sessions. The gaming excellence extends to its innovative AI features, with the NeoTurbo AI engine and AI Game Space 3.0 working together to optimize performance through real-time scene recognition and behavioral learning. The AI Virtual Companion Demi provides smart gaming assistance with features like Demi Care, Demi Live, and Demi Alarm for enhanced focus and scheduling. For extended gaming sessions, the large battery with Bypass Charging technology enables direct power delivery without overheating. More than a gaming powerhouse, the nubia Neo 3 GT serves as an everyday companion for the young generation, seamlessly integrating professional gaming capabilities with practical features covering AI Photography, AI Translate and more for diverse user needs. Immersive Experience Zone Takes Center Stage at TwitchCon Europe 2025 At TwitchCon Europe, nubia hosted an extensive program of activities designed to maximize brand exposure and community engagement. Attendees can visit the nubia interactive zone in the Twitch Rivals Arena featuring state-of-the-art gaming stations to get hands-on with nubia Neo 3 GT, experiencing the smartphone's extraordinary gaming performance with its unique Dual Gaming Shoulder Triggers and AI Game Space. Featured streamers led intense battles, showcasing the exceptional power of nubia Neo 3 GT. Daily competitions let attendees compete using nubia Neo 3 GT for exclusive prizes and merchandise. nubia Neo 3 series launched in March 2025 globally, with the Free Fire Co-Branded Edition following in May 2025 across Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and other global markets. MEDIA INQUIRIES: ZTE Corporation Communications Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2710301/2025.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2601626/ZTE_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 13: With the rising burden of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases in India, Jehangir Hospital Pune shines as a beacon of hope through its advanced Neurointerventional Services. Equipped with world-class infrastructure, expert clinicians, and cutting-edge technology, the hospital has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of neurological emergencies and vascular brain disorders. Emergency Department: The First Line of Defence: Jehangir Hospital's Emergency Department is vital to effective neurointerventional care. Staffed 24/7 with emergency physicians, stroke-trained nurses, and paramedics, it delivers prompt and efficient responses to neurological emergencies. Upon receiving a suspected stroke case, the Emergency team promptly initiates clinical evaluation and stabilization, stroke severity scoring, urgent imaging and lab tests, and activation of the Code Stroke team. They maintain seamless communication with neurologists and neurointerventionists. Their rapid ability to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes and start the appropriate treatment often proves lifesaving. ICU: Precision Monitoring and Critical Care: After a neurointerventional procedure, patients are moved to Jehangir Hospital's specialized Neurocritical Care Unit (ICU) for continuous monitoring and post-procedure management. The ICU provides 24/7 neurological observation, strict control of blood pressure, oxygenation, and intracranial pressure, and manages complications like re-bleeding, vasospasm, or seizures. Mechanical ventilation support is available when needed. A coordinated team of neurointensivists, critical care nurses, and physiotherapists ensures early neuro-rehabilitation, promoting smoother recovery. This high-dependency care maximizes patient outcomes and minimizes complications during the critical post-procedure phase. Expanding the Scope of Neurointervention: Neurointervention, or endovascular neurosurgery, involves minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures to treat complex vascular conditions of the brain and spine. These are performed via tiny punctures, usually through the groin or wrist, and guided by high-resolution imaging to access and treat abnormalities inside blood vessels of the brain. At Jehangir Hospital, the scope of neurointervention includes: - Acute Ischaemic Stroke: Mechanical thrombectomy removes clots from brain arteries. - Aneurysm Management: Coiling fills aneurysms; flow diverters redirect blood flow. - Carotid & Vertebral Stenting: Widens neck arteries to prevent strokes. - Intracranial Stenting: For recurrent strokes despite treatment. - AVMs: Embolisation blocks abnormal vessels to prevent bleeding. - Dural AV Fistula: Embolisation closes abnormal artery-vein connections. - MMA Embolisation: Treats subdural hematoma. - Tumour Embolisation: Reduces blood supply before surgery. State-of-the-Art Cath Lab: Precision Meets Speed: Central to this capability is Jehangir Hospital's dedicated Neuro Cath Lab, equipped with a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) system. This allows for: - High-definition, 3D angiography of cerebral and spinal vessels. - CT scan on the cathlab machine - Real-time navigation of microcatheters and devices. - Reduced radiation exposure and contrast dye usage. - Enhanced safety and precision, especially for deep-seated or small-vessel interventions. - This advanced setup enables neurointerventionists to perform complex procedures with millimeter precision, even in urgent emergencies. Leading the program is Dr. Anand Alurkar, a nationally recognized expert with 25 years of experience and numerous publications. One of India's first formally trained neurointerventionists, he is the past President of the Indian Stroke Association and Founder Secretary of the Society of Neurovascular Interventions. "Neurointervention is revolutionizing treatment for life-threatening brain conditions," says Dr. Alurkar. "We can now treat strokes within minutes, stabilize ruptured aneurysms, and prevent future bleeding with minimal pain and quick recovery." He is backed by a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and radiologists, providing integrated 24/7 patient care. Code Stroke Protocol: Time is Brain: Jehangir Hospital operates a robust, round-the-clock Code Stroke Protocol designed to deliver swift, coordinated, and evidence-based care to every stroke patient from the moment they arrive. The protocol begins with pre-hospital coordination with EMS teams to activate the stroke response en route. Upon arrival, patients undergo immediate triage and assessment by the Emergency Department, followed by rapid neuroimaging (CT or MRI) to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment pathway. If required, the Neurointervention team is activated without delay, particularly for procedures like mechanical thrombectomy. Adhering to strict time benchmarks for door-to-needle and door-to-groin puncture, the hospital ensures that "time lost is not brain lost," significantly enhancing the chances of recovery and reducing the risk of mortality. CEO's Vision: Building a Centre of Excellence: Speaking about this remarkable progress, Mr Vinod Sawantwadkar, CEO, Jehangir Hospital, says: "The field of neurointervention offers immense potential to reduce disability and save lives. We've made strategic investments in technology and talent to ensure that patients in Pune and beyond have access to globally benchmarked care." He adds, "Our vision is to make Jehangir Hospital a recognised Centre of Excellence in neurovascular care--not just for emergency management but also for long-term rehabilitation, research, and training." A Glimpse into the Future: Jehangir Hospital is committed to advancing neurovascular care through initiatives such as a Neurovascular Fellowship program to train future specialists, collaborative research on stroke outcomes and imaging-based prediction tools, and community outreach to raise awareness about early stroke symptoms and timely intervention. With renowned experts like Dr. Anand Alurkar, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a patient-first approach, the hospital is reshaping neurovascular emergency treatment--empowering patients to recover faster, live longer, and regain their confidence. As neurointervention continues to evolve globally, Jehangir Hospital remains at the forefront, offering hope through cutting-edge science and skilled care. (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 Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 13: Intellipaat, a pioneer in online professional education, proudly announces the launch of the Intellipaat School of Technology (IST) -- a bold initiative designed to redefine computer science education and bridge the widening gap between academia and industry. With a mission to create the top 1% of software developers, IST goes beyond conventional education. It is a dynamic ecosystem built to empower students not only to land high-paying tech jobs but also to launch their startup journeys even before they graduate. IST, does not create job seekers -- they create job creators. The goal is to nurture the next generation of innovators, builders, and entrepreneurs who can unlock infinite possibilities for growth and leadership in the tech world. India produces over 15 lakh engineering graduates every year, yet only a small fraction secure core software development roles, and those who do often settle for salaries far below global standards. This stark disconnect between education and employability is precisely what IST aims to address through its future-ready, AI-driven curriculum, designed in collaboration with top industry leaders from global tech giants. "At IST, we're giving students a launchpad through hands-on learning with top minds from industry and academia. Our goal is to build AI-age engineers with an entrepreneurial mindset -- ready to solve real problems and lead global tech," said Diwakar Chittora, Founder & CEO of Intellipaat. Key Features of Intellipaat School of Technology * AI-Age Curriculum A future-focused curriculum designed for the tech landscape of 2029 and beyond. * 1.5 Year Assured Internships Guaranteed internships that provide real-world, hands-on experience. * Learn from the Best in Industry and Academia Courses are delivered by IIT faculty, industry experts, academicians, and tech leaders who have built global products and developed top talent for leading MNCs. * Global Exposure International immersion programs that connect students with global tech hubs and leading engineers. * Entrepreneurship Hub A 10 crore seed fund to support student-led innovations and startup ideas. * MAANG-Level Projects Work on real-world projects that mirror the scale and complexity of top tech companies. * Industry-Ready Certification Students will receive certifications from IHUB, IIT Roorkee, Microsoft, and NSDC. A 2-day campus immersion will also be conducted at IIT Roorkee. * Vibrant Campus Life A holistic college experience with hackathons, tech fests, cultural events, and student-led clubs. * Recognised B.Tech Degree Students will be awarded a B.Tech degree from the partnered university, which is recognised by UGC. * Multi-City Campus Options Campuses are located in Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad, offering students flexibility to choose based on their preferences. Admissions Now Open Applications are now open for the upcoming cohort. Selection will be based on an entrance test and an interview, with a strong emphasis on analytical and logical reasoning. Learn more: https://intellipaat.com/ist/Media Contact: istadmissions@intellipaat.com | Phone: +91-8377971812 About Intellipaat Intellipaat is a global edtech platform that has upskilled over 500,000+ working professionals and positively impacted 10 million+ learners through its free and paid programs. With the launch of the Intellipaat School of Technology, the company is now setting a new benchmark in higher education by blending academic excellence with practical, industry-driven innovation. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2709481/IST_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], June 13: The shipping industry is the backbone of global trade, ensuring that goods move efficiently across borders. Every year, trillions of dollars' worth of cargo travel via sea routes. However, this industry comes with significant risks--natural disasters, piracy, cargo theft, and mechanical failures can cause massive financial losses. To safeguard against these risks, marine insurance plays a crucial role. What is marine insurance? Marine insurance is a policy designed to cover the risks associated with transporting goods and vessels over water. It offers financial protection for shipping companies, cargo owners, and ship operators against various hazards. The primary purpose of marine insurance is to ensure that businesses can recover from unexpected losses without severe financial setbacks. In simple terms, it acts as a safety net, covering damages, losses, or liabilities that occur during the shipping process. Without this protection, businesses involved in maritime trade could face devastating losses, putting their financial stability at risk. Why marine insurance is a necessity for shipping companies Shipping companies face a wide range of risks, from unpredictable weather conditions to human errors. Marine insurance helps mitigate these risks, ensuring that businesses can continue operations without severe financial burdens. Below are some key reasons why marine insurance is essential: 1. Protection against cargo damage Shipping goods across oceans is fraught with risks. Cargo can be damaged due to rough handling, accidents, or adverse weather conditions. A single storm can lead to cargo losses worth millions. Marine insurance covers such damages, allowing businesses to recover the costs and minimise disruptions. 2. Coverage for theft and piracy Piracy remains a serious threat to the shipping business. Armed attacks on cargo ships can lead to massive financial losses. Marine insurance ensures that shipping companies receive compensation for stolen cargo, reducing the financial impact of such incidents. 3. Protection against natural disasters Severe storms, hurricanes, and tsunamis can wreak havoc on maritime trade. Ships may sink, cargo may be lost, and businesses may face significant losses. Without marine insurance, shipping companies would have to bear these costs alone. Insurance provides a financial buffer, ensuring that operations can continue even in such setbacks. 4. Compliance with legal requirements Many international shipping laws and port authorities mandate that vessels must have marine insurance before they can operate. Without adequate coverage, ships may be denied entry to ports or be subject to hefty fines. Having insurance ensures that businesses remain compliant with international regulations, avoiding legal complications. 5. Financial stability for businesses A single shipping incident can result in losses amounting to millions of dollars. Without marine insurance, businesses may struggle to recover, leading to financial distress or even bankruptcy. Insurance acts as a financial safeguard, allowing companies to focus on growth rather than worrying about potential losses. 6. Covers multiple types of risks The shipping industry faces numerous risks, including: * Fire or explosion on board * Damage during loading and unloading * Collisions with other vessels * Machinery breakdowns * Losses due to war or political conflicts Marine insurance provides comprehensive coverage for these risks, offering peace of mind to shipping companies and cargo owners. What is single transit insurance? For businesses that don't ship goods regularly, single transit insurance is a better option. Unlike comprehensive marine insurance, which covers ongoing shipments, single transit insurance provides protection for a one-time shipment. This type of insurance is particularly useful for: * Businesses that import or export goods occasionally * Companies transporting high-value goods that need temporary coverage * Individuals or businesses shipping specialised equipment or machinery Types of marine insurance policies There are several types of marine insurance policies tailored to different needs. Some of the most common ones include: 1. Hull and machinery insurance This covers physical damage to the ship, including machinery breakdowns and structural damage. It is crucial for shipowners as it helps in covering repair and replacement costs. 2. Cargo insurance Cargo insurance provides coverage for goods transported by sea. It protects against losses due to theft, damage, or accidents during transit. 3. Freight insurance Freight insurance protects shipping companies from losses that occur when goods are lost or damaged before reaching their destination. 4. Liability insurance This type of insurance covers legal liabilities arising from accidents or environmental damages. The future of marine insurance The shipping industry is evolving, and so is marine insurance. With advancements in technology, insurers are using real-time data, AI-driven risk assessments, and blockchain to improve policy offerings and claim processing. As risks in the maritime industry continue to change, marine insurance will adapt to provide better protection for shipping companies. Conclusion The shipping industry comes with huge risks. Without marine insurance, businesses could face heavy financial losses due to accidents, theft, or natural disasters. Whether you're a large shipping company or a small business making occasional deliveries, marine insurance ensures peace of mind and financial stability. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 13: Bringing a 473-year-old globally renowned educational legacy, Shrewsbury International School India is set to open its doors in Bhopal on August 8, 2025. As it prepares to welcome its first batch of students, the school has organised The Shrewsbury Leadership Programme from June 8 - June 15 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The fully-residential programme offers hands-on workshops focused upon fostering essential soft-skills such as leadership, creativity, innovation, communication and strategic thinking. During evenings, students will savour sports, music, games and recreational activities while connecting with their peers as part of a vibrant community of learners. In collaboration with Educis, a premium educational consultancy, the programme also provides innovative learning modules on topics such as creative writing, storytelling, public speaking, logical reasoning and media communication. Oliver Russell, the Deputy Head of Strategy and School Development remarks, "This camp is designed for pupils aged 11 to 18 and offers a range of engaging activities designed to encourage personal development. This will help them get familiar with each other and forge friendships before the academic session begins in August." Mr. Dominic Tomalin, Founding Headmaster at Shrewsbury, adds, "Transitioning into a new academic environment can often feel overwhelming, and this initiative aims to inspire confidence, build comfort and create a sense of community before the first day of school. Through the activities offered within this programme, we seek to set a positive tone for the year ahead." The Shrewsbury India Leadership Programme offers students a glimpse into the school's world-class curriculum adopted from the Cambridge International Programmes of study, leading towards IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. As students join from other countries as well, this will provide a strong foundation for cross-cultural collaboration. "At the core of the Shrewsbury credo, is warm pastoral care, strong peer relationships as well as meaningful, collaborative experiences. This introductory programme not only offers an insight into the engaging curriculum of the school, but also reflects its strong ethos and the whole-person education philosophy that it brings to India for the first time," remarks, Peter Willett, Deputy Head - Pastoral. The programme is also designed to introduce students to the creative and performing arts, helping them develop confidence and self-awareness. It also aims to nurture ethical decision-making, emotional intelligence and future-ready thinking - skills essential to thrive in today's evolving educational landscape. "This programme is only the beginning of a thrilling academic journey that lies ahead for each Salopian. By the time, they walk into the school campus, they will be ready for the transformative future that awaits their presence at Shrewsbury International School India," concludes Russell. (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)
U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be looking for a way out to exit from his aggressive tariff policy, especially toward China, according to a recent report by Jefferies. The report suggests Trump could adopt a flat 10 per cent tariff across the board on all imports and raise tariffs on Chinese goods slightly higher to 20 per cent. Jefferies said, "Trump is looking for an off-ramp from his tariff agenda and that tariffs are likely to end up at a universal 10 per cent across the board, and 20 per cent for China, including the 10 per cent tariff left over from the first Trump administration." The report mentioned that Beijing has used clever tactics in response to U.S. restrictions. China linked its control over rare earth metals, a critical input for electronics, to America's move to block Chinese access to advanced semiconductors. If Trump wants to strike a deal with China, he may need to distance himself from the national security lobby that supports tougher trade restrictions. Jefferies said, "Trump will have to part ways with the national security lobby, most particularly given China's smart decision to link the rare earth issue". Meanwhile, to strengthen its economy, China has gone for a sharp jump in gold imports. In April, gold imports in China rose 73 per cent month-on-month to 127.5 tonnes, the highest in 11 months. The figure represents nearly half of the average global monthly gold output outside China. According to the World Gold Council, holdings in China's gold ETFs have grown by 82.1 tonnes so far this year, surpassing last year's total of 53.3 tonnes, even though 6.1 tonnes were withdrawn since May. In conclusion, the report by Jefferies signals a possible softening in Trump's trade stance, with a proposed shift toward uniform tariffs suggesting an intent to simplify policy while still maintaining pressure on China. At the same time, China is using smart countermeasures, linking rare earth exports to U.S. restrictions and boosting gold reserves, to strengthen its economic resilience. The evolving dynamic underscores a potential recalibration in U.S.-China trade relations ahead of upcoming policy decisions. (ANI)
PNN New Delhi [India], June 13: In an industry long dominated by global giants, an Indian-born pizza brand has been rewriting the rules of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) game. La Pino'z Pizza, founded in 2011 in Chandigarh, is now inching closer to a remarkable milestone: 750 operational outlets across India and growing rapidly. From a single outlet to a nationwide sensation, La Pino'z has achieved in just over a decade what many international competitors have taken decades to accomplish. The brand's meteoric rise reflects not just entrepreneurial vision but a keen understanding of India's diverse and dynamic food culture. Crafting a Desi Pizza Culture La Pino'z Pizza isn't simply about replicating Western-style pizza. The brand has carved its niche by Indianizing flavors to suit the local palate. With toppings like paneer tikka, tandoori chicken, and spicy makhani sauce, La Pino'z connects emotionally and gastronomically with millions of Indians who crave fusion over imitation. "Our goal was to bring global formats to Indian tastebuds without compromising on authenticity or affordability," says Sanam Kapoor, the brand's founder. This adaptability has been central to its growth, as regional tastes across India vary widely. Whether in the North or South, customers can expect a pizza experience that feels familiar yet fresh. Giant Slice = Giant Leap in Visibility One of the boldest and most viral marketing moves by La Pino'z was introducing the Giant Pizza Slice. A single slice big enough to be a full meal, it became an Instagrammable sensation that drew crowds, influencers, and media attention across the country. This unique offering helped La Pino'z carve out a clear identity in a saturated QSR market and boosted trial in newly launched outlets. Aggressive Yet Strategic Expansion La Pino'z growth trajectory has been nothing short of strategic brilliance. By leveraging a franchise-first model, the company enabled rapid expansion, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where pizza was once considered an occasional indulgence. Key expansion strategies included: * Opening outlets in underserved regions with high youth populations* Selecting franchisees with strong local insight* Offering customizable menus for regional preferences The brand's ability to understand and adapt to local markets has paid off. While international chains focused heavily on metros, La Pino'z made inroads into cities like Bhopal, Indore, Surat, and Ludhiana--fostering brand loyalty in emerging urban centers. Going Global: La Pino'z International Journey Beyond India, La Pino'z has begun planting its flag internationally, aiming to take its desi pizza flavors global. Currently, the brand has opened successful outlets in: * UAE* Canada* United Kingdom (UK) With strong demand from diaspora communities and adventurous food lovers, La Pino'z is now preparing to enter the United States, Portugal and Jamaican market, where groundwork for its upcoming locations is already underway. This marks a significant phase in the brand's journey from a local favorite to a global phenomenon. Affordability + Quality = Mass Appeal Another core reason behind La Pino'z rapid scale is its accessible pricing strategy. Offering combos starting from as low as 149, the brand made pizza a viable choice for the youth, students, and families alike. At the same time, the brand never compromised on quality. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and consistent service across outlets have cemented customer loyalty. Popular offerings like: * The Monster Pizza (massive enough to feed 6 people!)* 4-Course Meal Deals (Lunch Feast) @ Rs 149 only* Buy one get one free on Pizza's on selected days These have all gone viral multiple times, aided by the brand's strong social media presence. Technology and Delivery-First Focus In an age where convenience drives food decisions, La Pino'z has heavily invested in tech-backed delivery systems. Its seamless integration with Swiggy, Zomato and uEngage, its own ordering app ensures fast and efficient service even in high-demand situations. The brand has also optimized: * App-based ordering with loyalty rewards* GPS-tracked delivery systems* AI-based demand forecasting Such tech integration has allowed La Pino'z to maintain operational efficiency even during major online traffic spikes like festive weekends and sporting events. Looking Ahead: Vision for 1000 and Beyond With over 750 outlets currently operational, La Pino'z is now pushing aggressively toward the 1000-outlet milestone in India. The goal is not just to be the largest pizza chain by volume, but to be the most beloved and culturally resonant brand in the segment. Future plans include: * Further expansion into Southeast Asia and the Middle East* Strengthening presence in cloud kitchen networks* Launching immersive flagship dine-in formats in metros "Crossing 750 outlets is a proud moment, but our true vision lies in creating a global pizza brand rooted in Indian values and taste," shares the founder. For more information on La Pino'z offerings, franchise queries, store locations, and delivery options, visit the La Pino'z Pizza official website. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 13: In a landmark move to address India's alarming road safety crisis, Mr. Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Helmets, launched "Mission Save Lives 2.0 India" at the National Summit on Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) and Road Safety. The summit, designed to align with the objectives of the Marrakech Declaration in India's context, brought together key stakeholders including government officials, researchers, industry experts, and road safety advocates to collectively chart a safer path forward. Mission Save Lives 2.0 India was launched against the backdrop of this summit, which focused on critical areas such as the VRU Safety Crisis and Required Solutions in India, Safe Road Design: Need of the Hour, the Role of Government, Media, NGOs, and Private Sectors on Road Safety, and Safer Mobility & Transportation. During the summit the eminent speakers incudes Mr. Mitra Sen Verma, Scientist-E and Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Government of India; Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute; and Dr. Mukti Advani, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute. India recorded approximately 1.72 lakh road fatalities and 4.63 lakh injuries in 2023, with VRUs--primarily two-wheeler riders and pedestrians--bearing the brunt. Two-wheeler users alone accounted for nearly 44.8% of all deaths (around 77,000), with an estimated 54,000 fatalities linked directly to the non-use of helmets. Pedestrians contributed to nearly 20% of fatalities (approximately 35,000 deaths). Together, these two groups represented around 65% of total road fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions. "Every day, India loses lives that could be saved by simply wearing a real BIS-certified helmet," Mr. Kapur said at the summit. "Mission Save Lives 2.0 India is a national commitment to make these helmets accessible, affordable, and mandatory for every rider and pillion passenger, including children." The initiative proposes a phased, nationwide implementation beginning in Tier 1 cities in 2028, expanding to Tier 2 cities by 2029, and reaching Tier 3 cities and rural areas by January 2031. The mission aims to systematically tackle helmet non-compliance by region while ensuring manufacturers can scale production to meet the rising demand. A key pillar of the mission is the elimination of counterfeit helmets, a significant threat to road safety. The presentation revealed that 95% of BIS license holders are currently flooding the market with substandard helmets falsely bearing the ISI mark. These helmets, often sold at prices as low as 110, fail to meet the IS 4151:2015 safety standards, putting countless lives at risk. Mission Save Lives 2.0 India also calls for stringent licensing reforms--real-time verification and periodic audits of BIS license holders, targeted raids, and strict legal enforcement to dismantle the fake helmet ecosystem. Additionally, every helmet manufacturer must maintain a fully equipped, in-house BIS-approved testing laboratory to ensure consistent compliance with national safety standards. Children's safety features prominently in the plan, with the introduction of lightweight, child-specific helmets and safety harnesses to protect young pillion passengers. This initiative is grounded in international best practices, recommending maximum helmet weights tailored to different age groups, from 0.72 kg for one-year-olds to 1.17 kg for six-year-olds, ensuring comfort and protection. The mission also emphasizes the need for a fourfold increase in helmet manufacturing capacity to meet the projected annual demand of over 130 million BIS-certified helmets. This expansion, requiring 6,000 crore in investments and a workforce of 80,000, underscores the scale of transformation needed to achieve universal compliance. Currently, helmets attract an 18% GST, categorizing them as non-essential items. The mission advocates for reducing GST to 12% and reclassifying helmets as essential, life-saving equipment, making them more affordable, especially for price-sensitive buyers. The plan further mandates that all two-wheeler manufacturers supply one BIS certified helmet immediately and two BIS-certified helmets--one for the rider and one for the pillion--effective January 2027, ensuring that buyers receive certified safety gear at the point of sale. With a robust monitoring system--annual audits by the National Crime Records Bureau and the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, digital dashboards, and frequent usage surveys--Mission Save Lives 2.0 India aims to ensure data-driven policy adjustments and transparent tracking of progress towards the 50% fatality reduction goal by 2031. "We owe it to every two-wheeler rider and their families to create safer roads," Mr. Kapur concluded. "A real helmet takes just seconds to wear but can save a lifetime." With decisive leadership, industry collaboration, and community participation, Mission Save Lives 2.0 India represents a transformative step towards safer roads across the nation. (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)
SMPL Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 13: As Odisha flagged off its first direct international flight from Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi, logistics player Fast Logistics played a central role behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth export of Odisha's premium mangoes aboard the inaugural flight. The momentous occasion -- the launch of a direct international flight, flagged off by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, was part of the state's B-MAAN (Building Management of Aviation Assets and Network) initiative aimed at boosting international connectivity. While the spotlight shone on the launch, the successful export of perishable cargo showcased the precision, coordination, and logistical expertise of Fast Logistics. Enabling a Smooth Take-off Perishable cargo like mangoes requires not just speed but seamless coordination across multiple touchpoints from farms to flight decks. Fast Logistics ensured the smooth movement of the consignment with its signature attention to detail and logistical precision. As the designated freight forwarding and customs clearance partner, Fast Logistics handled the following critical operations: - Coordinated with mango producers and exporters for timely delivery to the Bhubaneswar airport - Secured cargo space on the inaugural IndiGo Bhubaneswar to Abu Dhabi flight - Facilitated customs documentation, regulatory compliance, and export procedures - Managed cold chain integrity throughout the transit - Liaised with airline partners, ground handlers, transporters, and warehousing teams Despite the complexity of the mission, Fast Logistics executed the operation with zero delays, ensuring that the mangoes were delivered in pristine condition--a reflection of their robust cold chain and time-bound logistics infrastructure. Felicitation and Recognition In recognition of the behind-the-scenes excellence, Mr. Jiten Mallick, representing Fast Logistics, was felicitated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the official flag-off ceremony. His efforts symbolized the broader commitment of India's logistics professionals to enable international trade. "This is a proud moment for Odisha," said CM Mohan Charan Majhi during the event, adding that direct international routes will help expand the state's economy, particularly through exports, tourism, and cultural exchange. Boosting Odisha's Global Trade Aspirations With the new Bhubaneswar-Abu Dhabi flight operating thrice weekly, exporters in Odisha now have direct access to the Gulf region. Industry observers note that the role of logistics partners like Fast Logistics is critical to making such international corridors viable. Fast Logistics, which has a robust presence across India and the Middle East, has long been involved in specialized cargo movements including perishables, project cargo, and over dimensional consignments. Their work on this inaugural flight underscores their operational readiness and reliability in high-stakes situations. As Odisha strengthens its presence on the global logistics map, companies like Fast Logistics are expected to play an even bigger role in powering the state's export ecosystem--especially in time-sensitive sectors like agriculture and food. For more information on Fast Logistics please visit : https://fastlogisticscargo.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India Patna (Bihar) [India], June 13: In a bold step toward transforming Bihar's entrepreneurial landscape, the Department of Industries, Bihar, in collaboration with the Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) and YourStory Media, has launched the Bihar Chapter of The Bharat Project a statewide movement to discover, nurture, and scale 10,000 new startups across the state's 38 districts. The initiative, titled Bihar Idea Festival, was formally unveiled at a joint press conference held at B-HUB, the state's flagship innovation hub located at Maurya Lok Complex in Patna. The launch event was addressed by key dignitaries including: * Shri Nitish Mishra, Hon'ble Minister, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar * Ms. Shradha Sharma, Founder & CEO, YourStory and The Bharat Project * Dr. Rana Singh, Director, Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) * Shri Kumod Kumar, CEO, CIMP-BIIF & President, TiE Patna A First-of-its-Kind Collaboration for Grassroots Innovation This landmark collaboration brings together government policy support, academic and incubation expertise, and nationwide storytelling and digital scale, creating a unique, structured platform to support emerging entrepreneurs from every corner of the state. The goal is clear: to democratize access to startup support, foster rural and semi-urban innovation, and turn bold, homegrown ideas into sustainable, job-creating businesses. Why Bihar. Why Now. Bihar is home to a massive untapped reservoir of entrepreneurial energy--from student innovators and women-led SHGs to traditional artisans, small farmers, and first-generation founders. Despite its potential, much of this talent remains disconnected from structured guidance, funding, or visibility. Bihar Idea Festival aims to bridge this gap by building one of India's most inclusive state-led startup ecosystems. Key Launches from the Press Conference: 1. Creation and Support for 10,000 Startups from Bihar A statewide mission to incubate and scale new ventures across urban, rural, and semi-urban clusters by providing strategic mentorship, digital tools, and exposure. 2. 38-District Startup Discovery Bus Yatra A one-of-a-kind on-ground campaign that will travel across all 38 districts to identify over 1,00,000 raw ideas directly from students, artisans, women entrepreneurs, and microbusinesses. This effort will be driven by college E-Cells, District Industries Centres (DICs), KVIC, MSME offices, and local enabler networks. 3. Onboarding of Shradha Sharma as Mentor at CIMP Ms. Shradha Sharma, a trailblazer in India's entrepreneurial storytelling, has been officially onboarded as a Mentor at CIMP. She will play an active role in supporting Bihar's entrepreneurs through storytelling, visibility, and mentorship for emerging founders. 4. Launch of the Bihar Idea Festival A flagship entrepreneurship festival to celebrate Bihar's startup strength and provide a platform for founders to pitch, network, and showcase innovations to investors and ecosystem leaders. 5. Spotlight on 50 Most Promising Startups from Bihar YourStory will curate and amplify the journeys of 50 high-potential startups through national digital coverage, investor connects, and partnership opportunities--placing Bihar's innovators on the startup map of India. Voices from the Launch: Hon'ble Minister Shri Nitish Mishra emphasized, "The Department of Industries is fully committed to promoting entrepreneurship in Bihar. The state's schemes are delivering tangible benefits to startups. This special initiative led by YourStory Media, in collaboration with CIMP, CIMP-BIIF Institute, TiE Patna, and the Department of Industries, is truly commendable. It is a pledge - an opening chapter in the story of a New Bihar. This effort continues the same spirit we initiated with the launch of the Bihar Innovation Forum back in 2013." Shradha Sharma, Founder & CEO, YourStory and The Bharat Project, stated: "The 'Bihar Idea Festival' marks the beginning of a revolution in Bihar. We will travel across all 38 districts to show people how to build businesses and generate income. This special initiative is being executed in partnership with CIMP, CIMP-BIIF Institute, TiE Patna, and the Department of Industries. Over the next 30 to 45 days, we aim to collect 10,000 startup ideas. Selected startups from this pool will receive funding support to scale their ventures and create employment opportunities. I especially want women from across the state to participate actively, so we can advance the cause of women's empowerment in Bihar." Dr. Rana Singh, Director, CIMP, added: "The startup ideas we're receiving are commendable - but we need to aim even higher." Shri Kumod Kumar, CEO, CIMP-BIIF & President, TiE Patna commented: "This initiative is truly a revolution for the youth and entrepreneurs of the state. The startup ideas gathered from all districts will script a new chapter of innovation in Bihar. It will not only create employment opportunities for the youth but also improve their livelihoods. Additionally, it will bring about a significant transformation in Bihar's economic landscape." (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 Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 13: Rawbare, India's leading fashion eyewear brand, has been honored with the illustrious MAA Award 2025 on 11th June at the CMO Charcha Kolkata Chapter 2025, held at the Fairfield by Marriott in Kolkata. This recognition celebrates Rawbare's exceptional marketing innovation, strategic acumen, and leadership in redefining consumer engagement in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The MAA Awards 2025, held in conjunction with the third edition of CMO Charcha under the theme "Marketing 3.0: Where Data, Creativity, and Purpose Converge," honored exceptional professionals and brands that demonstrated innovation and measurable impact in marketing and advertising. Rawbare's recognition positions the brand among the elite marketing leaders who are pushing boundaries and delivering transformational results. The MAA Award recognition comes as validation of Rawbare's remarkable success story. The company has delivered extraordinary performance metrics that set new benchmarks in India's fashion eyewear industry, with a customer base surge of 300% proving consumer trust in brands that marry quality with affordability. This growth momentum continued in FY 24-25, where the customer acquisition rate climbed by over 50%, underscoring sustained expansion across multiple market segments.: Co-founder and Business Head Affan Ahmed, whose entrepreneurial philosophy of "Creativity without cash flow is a short-lived story," has been instrumental in Rawbare's award-winning marketing approach. Ahmed, who brings over a decade of digital marketing expertise, has provided hands-on leadership since December 2022, instrumental in Rawbare's award-winning marketing approach. At the same event, Affan Ahmed was also honored as D2C Growth Leader of the Year. Rawbare's path to the MAA Award was facilitated through its strategic partnership with Teamology Softech and Media Services Pvt. Ltd., which served as the nominations agency for the awards. Teamology's role was instrumental in positioning Rawbare's marketing excellence and achievements before the awards jury, ensuring the brand's innovative approach and exceptional performance metrics received proper recognition. Adgully Founder & CEO Bijoya Ghosh, commenting on the awards ceremony, explained: "CMO Charcha Kolkata isn't just a dialogue platform--it's a celebration of marketing leadership in the region. Through the MAA Awards, we honor those who push boundaries and deliver measurable impact in a fast-evolving landscape." The CMO Charcha summit featured an impressive lineup of renowned marketing visionaries and industry leaders, including MSP Steel, Interactive Avenues, Hybrid, Teamology, Wow! Momo, Karukrit Advertising, and Adbuffs Media, where brands discussed how innovation, storytelling, and strategy can redefine consumer engagement. Following this recognition, Rawbare remains committed to its growth trajectory by focusing on quality, competitive pricing, and consumer-centric design. Beyond product enhancements, the company is investing in customer service, expanding its distribution network, and driving digital innovation. (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)
iMEQ New Delhi [India], June 13: Seclore, a leading provider of data-centric security solutions to enterprises and governments around the world, has expanded its footprint in India with the launch of a new office at the heart of the National Capital at Barakhamba road. This expansion is part of the company's broader commitment to secure national critical infrastructure by working closely with government agencies. With digital transformation and AI adoption reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, the need for robust, data-centric security has never been more urgent. Seclore's expanded presence in Delhi positions us to deepen partnerships with forward-looking enterprises and government agencies focused on securing India's digital future. Seclore's mission remains clear - to protect the world's data, giving organizations complete control over critical information with innovative solutions. On the opening of the new office, Vishal Gupta, CEO of Seclore said, "Our enhanced presence in Delhi demonstrates our increased focus on working with the government of India towards cyber security in the national interest. Seclore also intends to contribute to the national AI mission towards using AI for cybersecurity and ensuring that confidential data remains confidential within and outside of AI systems." This expanded presence will also provide the company with wider access to talent and opportunities within enterprises. Shraddha Reghe, Vice President of People Practices at Seclore, said, "Our Delhi office will enable us to tap into the deep talent pool in the National Capital region. We aim to create a workplace where people can further our mission to protect the world's data. Seclore is recognized as a "Great Place to Work" continuously, it celebrates an inclusive, transparent, and growth-oriented culture with its ongoing commitment to its core values called "SPICE," which stands for Spreading Positivity, Passion for People, Integrity, Customer Focus, and Entrepreneurial Spirit." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by iMEQ. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 13: Dr. R. Sangeetha, Group Head - Human Resources at Kirtilals Group, was recognized with the prestigious Strategic Woman Leader of the Year award at the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2025 - India Edition, held at JW Marriott, Mumbai Juhu. With over 25 years of distinguished experience in Human Resource Management, Dr. Sangeetha leads the HR function at Kirtilal Kalidas Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., overseeing operations across the group's retail, jewellery manufacturing, engineering, and other business verticals. She is responsible for managing a dynamic workforce of approximately 1,750 employees. An accomplished academic, Dr. Sangeetha holds a Ph.D. in General Management and Organizational Behaviour, with her research focusing on "HR Challenges towards Professionalizing Family Business Management in the Apparel & Clothing Industries of Tamil Nadu." She also holds an M.Phil. and MBA in Human Resource Management. Throughout her career, Dr. Sangeetha has demonstrated expertise in strategic HR planning, talent acquisition and development, organizational development, statutory compliance, learning and development, employee engagement, and business excellence. Her leadership has been instrumental in driving people-centric transformation and fostering a culture of resilience and innovation. Her contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including the HR Excellence Award from the NHRD Coimbatore Chapter (2015), Long-Serving Employee Award from IIHR (2014), and Outstanding Achievement Awards from both the Kerala Community (2023) and Rathinam Group of Institutions (2024). As the current President of the NHRD Coimbatore Chapter, she recently led the chapter to win the NHRD Falcon Trailblazer Award 2024 (Southern Region) and the Special Recognition Award at the national level in the Emerging Chapter category in 2025. Dr. Sangeetha remains deeply committed to aligning HR strategy with business objectives, championing DEI and sustainability, and promoting lifelong learning. She also maintains active academic engagements through curriculum development and student mentoring at BIT Coimbatore. Speaking on the recognition, Dr. Sangeetha said, "I am truly humbled and honored to receive the Strategic Woman Leader of the Year award. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the incredible teams I've had the privilege to work with, and it inspires me to continue striving for excellence in the HR profession." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], June 13: Ratnaafin, an NBFC focused on empowering MSMEs and small business owners with customised financial solutions to make their dreams accessible, announces the launch of its new film, celebrating entrepreneurs. Ratnaafin has consistently bridged the credit gap by offering business loans, solar loans, supply chain finance, machinery loans, and more--helping enterprises scale, innovate, and thrive in the Indian business community. From business loans to solar financing, working capital to micro loans against property, Ratnaafin offers tailored products for real business needs and has served over 25,000+ customers across 35 branches in India. Saatchi & Saatchi is the creative partner and ideator behind the campaign's concept and execution, capturing the grit that defines an Indian entrepreneur's journey through this film. Watch the film - www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIFM9Ywq0Ik The TVC follows the lives of four small business owners across industries--a printing press operator expanding production, a Kirana shopkeeper upgrading his retail operations, a home-based achaar brand reaching wider markets, and a boutique owner growing her brand. As we follow their stories, struggles, and successes, we witness the sheer perseverance that defines the Indian entrepreneur. The campaign gives us a glimpse into the importance of choosing the right financial partner to guarantee the success of an MSME. Whether it's upgrading a Kirana store, expanding a home-based achaar business, or elevating a boutique's brand presence, the right partner makes all the difference. Entrepreneurial success in a dynamic and competitive landscape relies as much on funding as it does on human resilience and grit. Malav Desai, Managing Director & CEO, Ratnaafin, said, "This campaign reflects our core belief - that with the right partner, even the boldest dreams are achievable. 'Ratnaafin Hai Toh Possible Hai' goes beyond transactional finance to celebrate the spirit of India's business owners. At its core, this is about trust, support, and enabling the backbone of our economy - our MSMEs." Sunay Jain, Head - Marketing and Digital Business at Ratnaafin, proudly added, "Businesses are more than balance sheets. At Ratnaafin, we look deeper--into the midnight oil burned, the risks taken, and the perseverance that MSME owners show every single day. While others may look at paperwork, we see passion. We believe your work speaks louder than your name. That's the kind of business we back. Because when your kaam is strong, your name builds itself." Ratnaafin is proud to be recognised as a CRISIL A+ rated, stable, and trusted NBFC with a strong foundation in financial discipline. Entrepreneurial resilience is the centrepiece of this campaign, reinforced by Ratnaafin's unwavering support--not just as a lender, but as a true partner. Running across digital platforms, social media, and regional television channels, the campaign showcases how every step, every challenge, and every decision is taken together--with confidence, courage, and cooperation. This campaign, as Ratnaafin's first foray into nationwide brand-building, marks a crucial milestone, with a poignant storyline that goes beyond numbers and touches hearts. It shows that business is more than balance sheets--it's about showing up every day, being relentless in the face of hardship, and doing whatever it takes to make your dreams possible. That is what Indian entrepreneurs are made of, and that is what Ratnaafin acknowledges. Rohit Malkani, CCO, Saatchi & Saatchi, said, "Jo pai pai se shuru kiya, wo business badhta jayega' reflects the heart of the film. It's a message from one business owner to another. It's not about struggle or success. It's about belief. Belief that if you keep building and showing up every day, what starts small will grow. That's the feeling we wanted to leave people with." Ratnaafin is an RBI-registered NBFC dedicated to empowering MSMEs, business owners, and entrepreneurs with accessible and customised financial solutions. The company has consistently bridged the credit gap by offering business loans, solar loans, supply chain finance, machinery loans, and more--helping enterprises scale, innovate, and thrive. Its deep understanding of India's evolving business landscape makes Ratnaafin the perfect partner in an entrepreneur's financial journey. A seamless digital interface, speedy approvals, and need-based products tailored to each client are just a few tools in its arsenal. With a strong commitment to fuelling the entrepreneurial fire of India, Ratnaafin uses its expertise and integrity to turn possibility into success. Saatchi & Saatchi India, part of the Publicis Groupe India, is a full-service communications agency specializing in traditional and digital advertising, branding, design, UI/UX, content and brand consultancy. Saatchi & Saatchi offers its suite of services across clients like Hero MotoCorp, Renault, NIVEA, Standard Chartered Bank, ITC, Dabur, Akasa Air, Jockey, P&G, Zee, Zepto, ITC, Relaxo and many more. Core to the agency's DNA is a culture of ownership and the belief that 'Our Clients Business is Our Business' which keeps clients' business goals at the heart of everything. The agency has over 350 employees across its offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 13: The upcoming 9th Edition of India Maritime Awards 2025, scheduled for Friday, 20th June 2025, at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai, is set to be one of the most influential maritime logistics events in India. More than just an awards ceremony, #IMA2025 is a convergence of global maritime diplomacy, shipping leadership, and logistics innovation bringing together an august gathering of over 600 leaders, dignitaries, and professionals from the global maritime and logistics ecosystem. This year's event launches with a compelling VVIP Networking and Knowledge Session featuring Global Ambassadors and key Indian dignitaries, providing a rare platform for strategic exchange under the impactful theme: "Global Synergy: Where Trade Meets Transformation." Link to Register - https://indiamaritimeawards.com/VVIP-Session.php A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE BY DAILY SHIPPING TIMES Organised by Daily Shipping Times (DST) -- proudly serving the trade for 65 remarkable years -- India Maritime Awards is a platform of purpose. The 2025 edition opens unique opportunities for Indian Industry Leaders to directly engage with visionary diplomats, shape policy, and drive India's maritime and logistics transformation. This dialogue-rich initiative continues DST's mission of building a future-ready logistics ecosystem through global perspective and purposeful interactions. ESTEEMED CHIEF GUEST AND GUEST OF HONOUR Chief Guest: Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman JNPA and CMD VPPL, will grace IMA 2025. A visionary maritime leader, Shri Wagh has steered JNPA past 10 million TEUs in capacity and is championing the Vadhvan Port Project, poised to become Asia's largest deep-draft green port. Guest of Honour: Shri Haji Arfat Shaikh, BJP Leader and President of BJP Transport Cell & All India Suffi Board, adds significant gravitas with his experience as Ex-Chairman, Maharashtra State Minorities Commission (Cabinet Minister Status). His presence reinforces the event's commitment to policy dialogue and trade facilitation. A CONSTELLATION OF GLOBAL DIPLOMATS In line with the global focus on this year's edition, the VVIP Knowledge Session will welcome an elite line up of International Ambassadors: H.E. Mr. Isse Abdillahi Assoweh, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Djibouti to India, will offer insights on infrastructure-led trade and digital logistics transformation. H.E. Mr. Fesseha Shawel Gebre, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to India, will speak on Ethiopia's maritime infrastructure and its role in the Indo-African trade axis. H.E. Mr. Mustapha Jawara, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to India, will highlight digital logistics and regional collaboration with India. H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia, will address maritime security and India-Somalia cooperation along the Red Sea. H.E. Mr. Alonso Correa Miguel, Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to India, will share insights on strengthening Indo-Panama maritime cooperation and advancing trade-led innovation. BRIDGING CONTINENTS: ESTEEMED MODERATOR The session will be moderated by Mr. Vishal P. Mehta, Honorary Consul of Djibouti in India and CEO of Pankaj Transport, Rushabh Sealink and Logistic Pvt. Ltd. Known for his strategic insight and cross-border experience, Mr. Mehta ensures a dynamic and inclusive dialogue linking diplomatic vision with actionable trade strategies. The Exclusive VVIP Gold Invite grants attendees access to a premium set of experiences including VVIP networking with international ambassadors and key Indian dignitaries, a VVIP knowledge session with these prominent figures, high-tea, the awards ceremony with general networking, and beverages and dinner. The General Blue Invite, on the other hand, includes access to high-tea, the awards ceremony with general networking, and beverages and dinner. However, it does not grant entry to the exclusive VVIP networking or the VVIP knowledge session with international ambassadors and Indian dignitaries. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM INDIA MARITIME AWARDS 2025 India Maritime Awards 2025 is not just a night of accolades. It is a commitment to driving innovation, recognizing maritime excellence, and fostering cross-border trade synergy. With an exclusive VVIP session, powerful insights, and diplomatic participation, #IMA2025 sets the stage for the next era of global logistics leadership. Date: Friday, 20th June 2025Venue: Sapphire Ballroom, Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai JOIN THE MOVEMENT: WHERE LEGACY MEETS TRANSFORMATION #IMA2025 is where India's logistics community, shipping pioneers, and policy influencers unite to shape a resilient and interconnected trade future. Be part of a platform that's leading with legacy, driving global collaboration, and championing the maritime economy of tomorrow. India Maritime Awards 2025: Where transformation meets tradition, and global voices inspire India's next wave of trade leadership. Register now - https://indiamaritimeawards.com/VVIP-Session.php Follow @DailyShippingTimes on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram using #IMA2025, #IndiaMaritimeAwards, and #DSTEvents for live updates and highlights. (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)
Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran on Friday wrote an emotional letter to employees, expressing grief and solidarity in the wake of the tragic Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport, which claimed 241 lives. Calling June 12 "one of the darkest days in the Tata Group's history," Chandrasekaran said, "Words are no consolation right now, but my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the people who died and were injured in the crash. We are here for them." The Tata Group took over Air India in January 2022. "This is a very difficult moment. What occurred yesterday was inexplicable, and we are in shock and mourning. To lose a single person we know is a tragedy, but for so many deaths to occur at once is incomprehensible," Chandrasekaran wrote. Acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the cause of the crash, he urged employees to remain patient and assured them that the cause of the tragic crash would be made public. "I want to say, like you, we want to understand what happened. We don't know right now, but we will. There is plenty of speculation all around us. Some of it may be right, some of it may be wrong. I want to urge patience," he wrote. "We witnessed an enormous loss of life yesterday. Why this routine flight turned into a calamity is something trained investigators will help us understand when their work is complete. Once we have verified facts, we will be transparent in our communication about how this tragedy took place," he added. "In the past 24 hours, investigative teams from India, UK, and the US have arrived in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. They have our full cooperation, and we will be completely transparent about the findings. We owe it to the families and loved ones, to our pilots and crew, and to you," Chandrasekaran stated. "The Tata Group takes its responsibility to society seriously, and that includes being open about what occurred yesterday." He reiterated that safety had always been the Group's top priority since taking over Air India, saying, "As a Group trusted by so many, when we took over Air India, ensuring the safety of its passengers was our first and foremost priority. There was no compromising on it." "None of this matters to the people who suffered devastating losses yesterday. At this time, we can only assure them of our full support. We will pull together as a Group and find ways to help them," he added. Chandrasekaran concluded with a firm commitment to the Group's core values, stating, "We built this Group on trust and care. It is a difficult moment, but we will not retreat from our responsibilities, from doing what is right. We will carry this loss. We will not forget." On Thursday, the Tata Group announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of those who lost their lives in the crash of an Air India flight AI-171, which was enroute to London from Ahmedabad. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the survivor and other injured people. According to airline authorities, the passengers on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing Airplanes also released a statement on X, saying, "We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected." The Air India plane was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC). It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. "Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site," an official said. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday confirmed the recovery of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), commonly referred to as the black box, from the rooftop of a building at the site of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad. (ANI)
Bollywood actor Anupam Kher extended his deepest condolences to all bereaved families and those devastatingly affected by the crash of AI-171 on June 12 that left 241 people dead. Taking to his Instagram handle on Friday, Kher expressed his grief for the family of the Air India flight crash victims. He offered prayers for the bereaved families, saying that he "prays to god to give peace to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident." In the video, Kher said, "I pray to God to give peace to those who have lost their loved ones in this accident. And those who are in pain right now, give them patience, courage and support. Today, neither the language is of any use, nor the logic. I just want to say one thing. We are with you. The whole of humanity is with you. And this country salutes every family that has been affected. Om Shanti, Naman and Shraddhanjali." While sharing the video, the 'Saaransh' actor wrote, "Ahmedabad plane crash - Tribute! Om Shanti!" https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK0zyZNif5s/? Following the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on Thursday, actor Shah Rukh Khan took to social media to offer his condolences and prayers for the victims and their families. In a post on X, he expressed, "Absolutely heartbroken with the news about the crash in Ahmedabad... my prayers for the victims, their families and all affected." Actor Anushka Sharma also reacted to the incident, paying her heartfelt condolences to the victims."Saddened to hear about the plane crash today. Thoughts and prayers with the passengers and their families," she posted on Instagram Story. Superstar Aamir Khan also offered his condolences to the families of the victims of the Air India crash via a post on the "Aamir Khan Productions" Instagram account. In the message, his team expressed grief and said they stand in solidarity with everyone. The note read, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash that occurred today. At this moment of profound loss, our thoughts and condolences are with the families of those affected. We stand in solidarity with the individuals, communities, and responders impacted by this devastating event. Stay strong India. Team AKP." The AI-171, bound for London's Gatwick, crashed shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airline said only one out of the 242 people on board survived the crash. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane. Miraculously, one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash, airline authorities said. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday morning, took stock of the site of the Air India plane crash and then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in the city to meet with those injured in the mishap that took place a day ago. (ANI)
Actor Eric Dane opened up about his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. The 52-year-old actor appeared in a teaser clip for an upcoming segment on Good Morning America, speaking about his health with Diane Sawyer, reported People. After multiple television roles in the 1990s and 2000s, which included his recurring role as Jason Dean in Charmed, Eric Dane was cast as Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy (2006-2012; 2021). Following this, he made appearances in films such as Marley & Me (2008), Valentine's Day (2010), and Burlesque (2010). Dane has since played Captain Tom Chandler in The Last Ship and Cal Jacobs in HBO's Euphoria. "I wake up every day and I'm immediately reminded that this is happening," he told Sawyer. "It's not a dream," he added. The 30-second clip shows Dane and Sawyer holding hands as they discuss life following his diagnosis. It ends with the Euphoria star breaking down in tears, revealing a glimpse at how emotional the conversation will be, reported People. "I don't think this is the end of my story. I don't feel like this is my end," he said. Dane first revealed his ALS diagnosis in April. "I have been diagnosed with ALS," he shared. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter." The actor is married to Rebecca Gayheart, and the couple shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. "I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time," he said. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech. According to the Mayo Clinic, because the disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement, patients slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently. There's no cure for ALS, and people usually live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. However, some patients can live decades, as per People. (ANI)
Actor Lewis Pullman is ready to reunite with his father onscreen and is in talks to star in the upcoming 'Spaceballs' sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Almost a decade ago, Lewis Pullman began his acting career by appearing opposite his dad, Bill Pullman, in the western The Ballad of Lefty Brown. Since then, he's forged his path, appearing in high-flying features such as 'Top Gun: Maverick' and Marvel Studios' The Thunderbolts and earning an Emmy nomination for Lessons in Chemistry, as per the outlet. Pullman starred as the Han Solo-esque character Lone Starr in the Mel Brooks-directed film, which was released in 1987 and is fondly remembered for its riffs on Star Wars and other sci-fi staples, from Star Trek to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Amazon MGM Studios is behind the sequel and intends to give it a theatrical release in 2027. Josh Greenbaum is directing from a script by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad. The latter is also starring, along with Keke Palmer. Brooks returns as the Yoda-esque character Yogurt. Rick Moranis and Daphne Zuniga are also expected to return to their roles. As per the sources, Lewis Pullman will play a character named Starburst, the son of Queen Vespa (Zuniga) and Lone Starr (Bill Pullman). Franchise newcomer Palmer will play a role by the name of Destiny. The two, along with Gad, are the leads, as per the outlet. Amazon amiably describes the new project this way, "While the title, plot details, and rest of cast are being kept under wraps, the film has been described by those who have not yet read the script as 'A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two' but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Imagine's Brian Grazer and Jeb Brody are producing alongside Gad, Brooks and Greenbaum. Kevin Slater, Adam Merims, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez will be the executive producers. Pullman spent years wanting his acting career to be separate from his relationship with his father, but his philosophy has changed recently. As he said last month, "For a long time, I was like, 'I'm gonna do this on my own and was very stubborn, and I'm so glad that I got over whatever that was because now it's such a gift to be able to share different experiences with my dad and get advice from him," according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
The Families of the passengers in the tragic crash of the London-bound Air India flight in Ahmedabad on Thursday have been left in anguish as they try to identify their loved ones who had died in the crash. Tanvir Malik, a relative of two passengers on the ill-fated flight, shared his distressing experience, highlighting the challenges in identifying the victims amidst the chaos. "I am from Baroda. I dropped my parents-in-law off around 11 am and returned to Baroda," Malik recounted. "After returning, I saw the news and enquired about the flight. I came to know that it was the same flight they had boarded. There are a lot of dead bodies, and it is very difficult to identify them. My parents-in-law were flying to the UK to meet my sister-in-law." The crash of flight AI171 occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad as it rammed into doctors' hostels in the Meghani Nagar area in the afternoon. Another relative from Bikaner, Rajasthan, expressed similar despair. "My brother was also onboard the flight that crashed today, Abhinav Padhiyar. He was my uncle's son. He had come here from London because his maternal uncle had passed away. He had been here for a month. He shifted to London last year. My uncle went there to drop him off today. Within 10 minutes of that, we learnt about the crash," the relative said. The incident affected not only the passengers and their families but also the medical students and hostel residents. Dr. Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of the FAIMA Doctors Association, stated, "We have got information that the aeroplane crashed in the premises of BJ Medical College. There is damage to the MBBS students' hostel and the residential block of super-speciality doctors. There were many MBBS students there, as it happened during lunchtime. We have received information about injuries to 50 people. Five people could not be identified yet. The family of the Resident Doctors also sustained injuries. The authorities are working in full swing to identify the bodies and get the exact number of people who have died." The London-bound flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport this afternoon, and rammed into a doctors' hostel in the Meghani Nagar area in Ahmedabad. As per DGCA, the crash occurred at approximately 1:30 PM IST. As per Air India, among the 230 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 British nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals onboard the AI171 flight to Gatwick in London. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the initiation of a new socio-educational survey, to be completed within 90 days. He said that as per the law, it was necessary to conduct a fresh survey. CM Siddaramaiah said, "The last socio-educational survey was conducted a decade ago during my previous tenure (2013-2018), but its recommendations were not implemented due to political changes. Now, ten years have passed since the Kantharaju report (2015), and as per law, particularly Section 11(1) of the Backward Classes Amendment Act and Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Constitution, it is necessary to conduct a fresh survey. The Karnataka Cabinet has unanimously decided to initiate a new socio-educational survey, to be completed within 90 days." He further said that the focus was on updating data to ensure fair representation. "There has been no discussion on removing any community; rather, we are focusing on updated data to ensure fair representation. Based on the earlier Kantharaju report, 8 per cent reservation for the Muslim community will be retained while we move forward with updated insights," he further said. Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Tuesday alleged that the Congress High Command has delivered a "slap in the face" to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by ordering a fresh caste census, calling it a "victory" for Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and a "defeat" for the CM. Ashoka demanded Siddaramaiah's resignation, alleging that the government's flip-flop on the caste census had wasted Rs. 167 crore of public money. "The Congress High Command felt the previous report was flawed and overruled Siddaramaiah. Since he failed to implement his decision, he should step down," Ashoka told reporters. Ashoka questioned Siddaramaiah's authority: "Earlier, he defended the Kantharaju Commission report despite objections from religious leaders, communities, and even Congress MLAs. But as soon as the High Command intervened, he agreed to a new survey. Does he only obey the High Command and ignore Karnataka's people?" The BJP leader raised concerns about the government's plan to conduct the survey within 90 days. "Schools have reopened. If teachers are deployed for this, studies will suffer. Who will conduct this massive exercise?" he asked. He also criticised the proposal for an online survey, calling it "illogical." "Many people lack digital literacy. How will accuracy be ensured? What stops fake entries?" he questioned. Ashoka demanded accountability for the Rs. 167 crore spent on the now-discarded Kantharaju report. "Who will recover this wasted money? The earlier report has been thrown out like chaff," he said. He also alleged that the sudden push for a new survey was a diversion from the recent Bengaluru stampede. "Is this a drama to shift public attention?" he asked. (ANI)
In the wake of the unfortunate accident involving the Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information regarding the entire incident. In this meeting, the Union Home Minister reviewed the rescue and relief operations and issued necessary instructions to the concerned officials. Union Minister CR Patil, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, and Union Minister of State (MoS) Muralidhar Mohol also joined the meeting. During this meeting, the Civil Aviation Department, DGCA, Health Department, Police Administration, and the Relief Commissioner provided the Union Home Minister with complete information regarding the entire sequence of events of the flight accident, rescue and relief operations, and health-related services. Calling the incident unfortunate and deeply saddening, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah directed that the government provide all necessary assistance to the affected families. He stated that the injured should receive immediate medical attention and assured that every stage--from DNA sample collection for the deceased and their families, to identification, and the safe return of mortal remains to their respective homes--would be fully supported by the government. He instructed the concerned officials to further strengthen the DNA matching process to ensure accurate identification of the deceased and to maintain complete security of the accident site until the investigation is concluded. He also added that the official death toll will be announced only after verification. The Union Home Minister informed that he had personally visited the accident site to assess the situation. The recovery of the mortal remains of all passengers is nearly complete. He further stated that the process of informing the relatives of victims residing abroad has been completed, and their DNA samples will be collected as soon as they arrive. He added that approximately 1,000 DNA tests will need to be conducted in Gujarat itself. Since the state possesses the necessary capacity for this testing, there will be no need to send samples outside Gujarat. The tests will be completed in collaboration with the state's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the National Forensic Sciences University, and the mortal remains will be handed over to the families in the shortest time possible. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that he visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the passengers injured in the accident, who are currently undergoing treatment. He further added that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the entire nation stand in solidarity with the bereaved families, expressing deep condolences for the victims of this tragic incident. During the meeting, the state government was informed that immediate relief and rescue operations had been initiated following the incident. A team of 45 doctors for DNA procedures, two SDRF teams, two NDRF teams, 85 fire personnel, the full AMC team, and over 75 ambulances were deployed for emergency response. A Green Corridor was created to ensure the prompt transportation of the injured and deceased to hospitals. Furthermore, the state government activated the State Operation Centre's control room and released a total of seven dedicated helpline numbers, including the primary helpline. In this context, he commended the coordinated and prompt efforts of central agencies and state departments, including police, health, fire services, and disaster management authorities, for their swift and effective response to the crisis. The high-level meeting was also attended by State Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Civil Aviation Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister MK Das, along with other senior officials of the state government. (ANI)
A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. "Additionally, the government is constituting a high-level committee comprising experts from multiple disciplines to examine the matter in detail. The committee will work to strengthen aviation safety and prevent such incidents in future," the minister added. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. "The NTSB will be leading a team of US investigators travelling to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday," NTSB Newsroom posted on X. It further said that all information on the investigation would be provided by the government of India, as per the protocols laid down under the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Annex 13. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. "Tata Group will provide Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who has lost their life in this tragedy. We will also cover the medical expenses of those injured and ensure that they receive all necessary care and support. Additionally, we will provide support in the building up of the B J Medical's hostel," N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, said in a post on X. The Gujarat government has mobilised seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel from Gandhinagar, to aid in ongoing rescue operations. (ANI)
Sharing his condolences, CM Yadav said, "I am deeply distressed by this tragedy, and the entire nation is mourning this loss".

He prayed to Baba Mahakal for peace to the departed souls and a speedy recovery for the injured. Additionally, he prayed for strength and solace to all those affected during this hour of grief.

The London-bound flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed shortly after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport this afternoon, and rammed into a doctors' hostel in the Meghani Nagar area in Ahmedabad.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accompanied by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, visited the site of the London-bound Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad to take stock of the relief and rescue operations.

After the crash, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed around 150 personnel to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations following the crash.

According to a statement by the CRPF, troops from the 100 Battalion of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), along with personnel from the CRPF's Group Centre in Gandhinagar, have been sent to the crash site to support efforts on the ground. (ANI)
According to the officials, the security agencies apprehended the Bangladeshi national on Wednesday evening while acting on a tip-off. He was attempting to travel to Kolkata in West Bengal by train.

The joint operation was carried out by the Agartala Government Railway Police (GRP), the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and the Intelligence Branch. The arrested individual has been identified as Abdul Khalek (28), alias Hasim Miah, a resident of Netrokona district in Bangladesh.

As per the preliminary interrogation, the accused had entered India illegally and was planning to travel to Kolkata via train. Authorities suspect he may have been part of a larger network involved in cross-border infiltration.

The accused will be produced before the court tomorrow for further legal proceedings.

A total of 134 Bangladeshi nationals, including 38 women and 43 children, were deported by the Delhi police following 14 intensive enforcement drives conducted between December 27, 2024, and June 10, 2025, according to a release on Wednesday.

According to the release, the operation, aimed at addressing growing concerns over unauthorised foreign nationals, involved multiple teams targeting slums and suspected areas to verify voter IDs and Aadhaar cards for identifying illegal immigrants.

Responding to escalating concerns about the unauthorised stay of Bangladeshi migrants, the south district unit of Delhi police launched a sustained campaign, leveraging local intelligence networks, sensitised informants, and developed human intelligence to trace and apprehend those residing illegally.

On Saturday, four Bangladeshi nationals, including two children, were apprehended at Agartala railway station. The accused were identified as Md Billal (47), Salma Begam (38), Md Naeem (8), and Md Ali (6).

According to official sources, the detained individuals entered India illegally from Bangladesh and reached the railway station with the intent of boarding a train to travel to other states of the country.

The operation was conducted based on secret intelligence inputs received earlier in the day. During preliminary interrogation, the detainees revealed that they were planning to travel to Delhi. (ANI)
Rupal Patel (45), who was visiting her maternal home from London in Uttarsanda village in Nadiad of Kheda district for medical treatment, was one of the 241 passengers onboard that were killed in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. She is survived by her three children and husband. Pawan Patel, brother of deceased Rupal Patel, said that he had gone to see his sister off at the airport for her London-bound flight, where she had been living with her family for 15 years. "My sister had come to Nadiad for treatment. She had a flight today and had to return to London. I had gone to drop her off. However, I got the news that the flight had crashed as soon as I returned home. My sister has been living in London for 15 years and is staying there with her husband and three children," Patel told reporters here. Sharing the last interaction with his sister, Pawan Patel said that he helped Rupal with her luggage since she was suffering from a medical condition. He hugged her in the end, asking her to take care. "She was suffering from a medical condition. I helped her with her luggage and gave her a hug at the end. I asked her to take care of herself. My DNA sample has been collected, and I have been told that the report will come after 72 hours," Patel added. Heena Patel, sister-in-law of Rupal Patel, said, "My sister-in-law has died in this incident. She lived in London and came to India for medical treatment. She stayed with us during her visit." The Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, which crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, has claimed the lives of 241 people onboard. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has increased the number of teams attending to the emergency situation at the plane crash site in Ahmedabad. NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said that the specialised force has recovered 81 bodies so far and has deployed seven teams to help with the emergency situation. The passenger flight crashed near the airport into a resident doctors' hostel building on Thursday, claiming the lives of 241 people onboard, including 12 crew members. Meanwhile, a formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa has informed that 11 people from the state were among the 241 people who were killed in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. He said the Rajasthan government was in constant touch with the concerned agencies, addressing the emergency situation in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. Bairwa assured that the state government stands firm with the grieving families. "Very sad news received about the death of 11 citizens of Rajasthan in the Ahmedabad plane crash. The state government stands with the bereaved family and the injured with full sympathy and support. At the administrative level, there is constant contact and coordination with the concerned agencies," Bairwa, who is also the co-incharge of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat unit, posted on X. "I pray to God to give place to the departed souls in his feet and provide strength to the bereaved family to bear this sorrow," he added. Earlier, Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma expressed sorrow over the crash of the London-bound plane and prayed for the well-being of all passengers and crew members. "The news of the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat is extremely sad and worrying. I pray to God for the well-being and safety of all the passengers and crew members in this unfortunate incident," Bhajanlal Sharma said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has increased the number of teams attending to the emergency situation in Gujarat's Ahmedabad to seven after the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said that the specialised force has recovered 81 bodies so far and has deployed seven teams to help with the emergency situation. "The operation is not yet complete. It is ongoing. We have recovered 81 bodies so far. We can't say anything about the total number of deaths as of now. Seven teams of NDRF have been deployed," Kumar told reporters here. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma offered condolences on the unfortunate and tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was one of the passengers flying to London from Ahmedabad when the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, crashed shortly after take-off. "The news of the demise of former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, in the plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely sad. I pray to the Lord to give place to the departed soul in his feet and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense pain," Sharma posted on X. Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Grieving his death, party workers from Ludhiana's BJP unit paid tribute to the former Gujarat CM. Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep sorrow over former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's untimely demise in the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred on Thursday in Ahmedabad. In a post on X, he said, "The death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani Ji in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad is extremely unfortunate. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this immense loss." "My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible accident. The whole country is with you in this hour of grief," he added. Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mourned the death of Vijay Rupani. In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vijay Rupani will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life to the development and welfare of his state. "Deeply pained by the tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani ji in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad. He will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life for the development & welfare of his state. Condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti," Rajnath Singh said. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has informed that a close relative of Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) state unit chief Sunil Tatkare was one of the people who were killed in the Ahmedabad plane crash. "A close relative of Maharashtra NCP president Sunil Tatkare, who was an air hostess, has died in the accident," Pawar said while addressing the gathering here. He said that the Central government had ordered an inquiry into the incident, which would reveal the exact cause of the flight crash. "I express my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones...the plane crashed minutes after take-off. The Central government has ordered an inquiry into the incident. We will get to know the exact reason why this happened," the Deputy CM added. The Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, which crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, has claimed the lives of 241 people onboard. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has increased the number of teams attending to the emergency situation at the plane crash site in Ahmedabad. NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said that the specialised force has recovered 81 bodies so far and has deployed seven teams to help with the emergency situation. The passenger flight crashed near the airport into a resident doctors' hostel building. Meanwhile, a formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
The body of a Ludhiana-based social media influencer was found in her car in Punjab's Bathinda, a police official said. According to Bathinda Superintendent of Police (SP) Narinder Singh, the social media influencer has been identified as Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur. He said that the police were informed of a "foul smell" coming from a parked car in Adesh Hospital on Thursday evening. Kumari's body was found in the back of the seat of her car. "Yesterday evening, we received a call that a car was parked in Adesh Hospital, and a foul smell was coming from it. A police team reached there - we found the body of a girl in the back seat of that car. In the preliminary investigation, the girl was identified as Kanchan Kumari, alias Kamal Kaur of Ludhiana," SP Singh told ANI. He further informed that the girl had left her home on June 9 to attend a promotional event. The police were investigating the matter, prioritising ascertaining the cause of her death and catching those responsible, the SP added. Singh asserted that Kumari's body was dumped in the car after her demise. "She left her home on June 9 by telling her mother that she would attend a promotional event. The investigation is on. Our priority is to know how her body reached there and who is responsible for her death, and soon, action will be taken against those responsible. It is not the death spot; her body was dumped in the car after death. The car that the girl left her home in belongs to her," SP Singh said. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed condolences following the tragic crash of an Air India flight near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Thursday. Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, he said, "...I express my condolences to those who lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to those injured... May God give strength to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident...." Dhami expressed grief over the untimely demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the tragic Air India Flight crash. Describing Rupani as "a very humble politician," he said, "...Vijay Rupani was a very humble politician. He made a lot of contributions to Gujarat and the nation..." A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's wife, Anjali Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday after he lost his life in the AI-171 plane crash a day ago. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received her. Other family members also arrived in Ahmedabad reached the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa, on Thursday. After Rupani, who was a passenger on the AI-171 plane that crashed yesterday died in the mishap, Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mourned the death of Vijay Rupani. In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vijay Rupani will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life to the development and welfare of his state. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini attended the International Day of Yoga protocol training program in Panchkula on Friday, emphasising the importance of yoga in maintaining physical and mental health. CM also expressed confidence that the yoga program will significantly benefit the soldiers by maintaining their mental and physical health. In his speech, Saini highlighted the benefits of daily yoga practice, saying, "If we practice Yoga daily, it will help us avoid diseases. Yoga not only gives us good health but also inculcates discipline. I am confident that this yoga program will help maintain our soldiers' mental and physical health.." The Chief Minister mentioned that on June 21, the International Day of Yoga, over 11 lakh people across 22 state districts will participate in the yoga program. The event is scheduled at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra, where Baba Ramdev will lead a yoga program with around 1 lakh participants. "On 21st June - The International Day of Yoga, more than 11 lakh people in 22 state districts will participate in the yoga program. A yoga program led by Baba Ramdev with the participation of around 1 lakh people will be held at Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra.", the CM said in his speech. Haryana CM Saini participated in Yoga Utsav at the Haryana Assembly in Chandigarh on Tuesday ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21. He was joined by Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Krishan Lal Middha and others. Earlier on Monday, the Haryana Chief Minister said that with cleanliness and yoga, the country will quickly realise the 'Viksit Bharat' dream. Preparations for International Yoga Day 2025 have begun with the launch of a cleanliness campaign on May 27, and daily yoga classes are underway for the grand event on June 21. He said the theme of International Yoga Day this year is 'One Earth, One Health', and the Haryana Government has also added the slogan 'Yoga Yukt, Nasha Mukt'. 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, featuring 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, serving 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. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Ahmedabad airport on Friday morning and is scheduled to visit the crash site of the Air India flight AI171, hours after the incident claimed the lives of 241 people, including 12 crew members. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Union Minister CR Paatil were present at the domestic terminal of Ahmedabad airport to receive Prime Minister Modi. The AI flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Miraculously, one person survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. The Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav shared the development on X and said that the smugglers, identified as Gurbhej Singh and Abhijeet Singh, were arrested.

"In a breakthrough, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Border Range, Amritsar, busts a cross-border narco-smuggling racket, arrests two smugglers--Gurbhej Singh alias Bheja and Abhijeet Singh alias Happy--and recovers 4.5 kg of heroin and Rs 11 lakh in drug money," posted the DGP.

"Preliminary investigation reveals that Gurbhej is in direct contact with Pakistan-based smuggler Rana and coordinates the consignment delivery. Both accused are caught while attempting to sell the heroin," he said.

The official further said in the post, "An FIR under the NDPS Act is registered at PS #ANTF, SAS Nagar. Further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the network."

Punjab Police reiterated that it remains committed to breaking the backbone of Pakistan-sponsored narco-terror networks and ensuring a 'DrugFreePunjab.'

On Thursday, the Amritsar Rural Police busted an illegal Arms smuggling module and arrested four operatives along with the recovery of nine weapons, officials said.

In a post on X, the DGP Punjab Police said, "In an intelligence-led operation, Amritsar Rural Police busts an illegal Arms smuggling module linked to Italy-based Gurpreet Singh alias Gopy working in close coordination with #Pakistan-based smugglers. Four operatives are arrested, and nine weapons are recovered. Further investigation is underway to trace the supply routes, identify additional accomplices, and establish deeper linkages with foreign handlers. An FIR is registered under Arms Act and NDPS Act, PS Gharinda."

"Punjab Police remains resolute in its commitment to dismantling organised criminal syndicates and safeguarding the peace and security of the state," the post further stated.

Earlier on Tuesday, in a breakthrough, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled a well-organised narco-hawala cartel allegedly led by Arshdeep, who is currently incarcerated in Goindwal Jail, officials said.

According to officials, acting on precise intelligence, police teams arrested six operatives and recovered 4.526 kg of heroin and Rs 8.7 lakh in drug money. (ANI)
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and the BJP's State General Secretary (Org.) Ratnakar has arrived at the Ahmedabad airport as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Ahmedabad today, a day after an Air India flight from here to London, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed after take-off on Thursday afternoon. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information regarding the entire incident. He met the sole survivor of the crash in the hospital, and said none of the other people on board could be saved. "There was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft," he said. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it is in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the Air India flight AI171 crash. The FAA said that they are ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB. In a post on X, the FAA stated, "The FAA is in contact with the NTSB regarding Air India flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), that was involved in an accident in India on Thursday, June 12. When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation. In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official US representative and the FAA provides technical support. We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB." Earlier, Secretary of the US Department of Transportation Sean Duffy on Thursday (local time) expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the Air India crash. Duffy said that the department was working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist India in the investigation of the crash. (ANI)
A forensic team reached the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Friday, a day after a London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board, including 12 crew members. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived at the Ahmedabad airport on Friday morning and is scheduled to visit the crash site of the Air India flight AI171. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, said that Operation Sindoor is on a pause, but it is an operation in progress. Speaking to ANI, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi said, "The Operation Sindoor is under pause, it is still underway. As a Naval Chief, I will reserve my comments on this. It's an operation in progress." On counter-drone systems, he said that non-contact warfare will stay, and this area of weapons and equipment was not catered to 10-12 years ago. "It is undeniable that non-contact warfare is going to stay. In it, drones and loitering munitions and therefore, defence against them in terms of counter-drone systems, there is a whole series of weapons and equipment that one had probably not catered for 10-12 years ago," he said on Thursday. Earlier, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, accompanied by Chairman of Solar Industries India Limited, Satyanarayan Nuwal, reviewed the manufacturing processes of various defence products at the firm's headquarters in Nagpur on Thursday. Speaking to ANI, the Navy Chief lauded the products and progress made by Solar Industries India Ltd. He added that there needs to be synergy between the public and private sectors, as the latter is new in defence production. "It's really eye-opening to see what progress has been made by Solar (Solar Group) in the last 14-15 years. As far as the synergy between the public and private sectors in the defence ecosystem is concerned, it is a must because some public sector companies have been working in this field for many decades, and private companies are relatively new. So there is a need for them to talk to each other, learn from each other," Admiral Tripathi told ANI. Chairman of Solar Industries India Ltd, Satyanarayan Nuwal, said that they showed the Navy Chief their drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). They also showed the navy officials their Counter-Unmanned Aerial System, Bhargavastra. Talking to ANI, Satyanarayan Nuwal said, "Today, we mainly showed our facility with drones and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). We showed the composite manufacturing unit of UAS. We also showed Bhargavastra (Counter-Unmanned Aerial System) to them...This counter-drone system is a significant thing...Considering present situations, we learned that the biggest need is for long-range missiles. We have already presented a proposal in this regard..." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning arrived at the site of the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad amid heavy security presence in the area. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu also accompanied Prime Minister Modi. The Air India flight AI 171 bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport a day ago. The airlines said 241 people on board the aircraft were killed in the mishap. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil. The AI flight, which crashed, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Miraculously, one person survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. The Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
A resident living in a housing colony near the AI-171 crash site in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, recounted the moment, saying the impact felt like an earthquake. He added that they rushed to the scene immediately after the crash. "When the crash happened, it felt like an earthquake. Immediately, we rushed to the site. "After hearing the loud sound from the crash, the public gathered nearby," he told ANI while recounting the moments of the crash. Hariom Gandhi from the NDRF, who arrived at the AI-171 plane crash site, stated that six teams have been deployed and are actively carrying out operations on the ground. "Our six teams are working on the ground. We cannot give any numbers until the site is completely cleared," he said. The Indian Medical Association (IMA ) Gujarat said that its Gujarat unit is working in close collaboration with CM of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Ministers Rushikesh Patel & Harsh Sanghavi, Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi, senior IAS officers, government stakeholders, and Civil Hospital authorities. "In a swift response to the tragic Ahmedabad Flight crash incident, IMA Gujarat is providing full on-ground support at the incident site & Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. The IMA Gujarat team is working in close collaboration with CM of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel, Ministers Rushikesh Patel & Harsh Sanghavi, Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi, senior IAS officers, government stakeholders, and Civil Hospital authorities as per their direct guidance to deliver the required medical aid & doctors' expertise," IMA said in a statement. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel returned with a sniffer dog squad to the Air India flight 171 plane crash site to carry out operations to search for any remaining survivors. NDRF has ramped up its presence in Ahmedabad, deploying teams to handle the emergency after Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. NDRF Inspector Vinay Kumar said that the force has recovered 81 bodies so far and has deployed seven teams to help with the emergency situation. "The operation is not yet complete. It is ongoing. We have recovered 81 bodies so far. We can't say anything about the total number of deaths as of now. Seven teams of NDRF have been deployed," Kumar told reporters here. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane with 242 people onboard, which was headed for London's Gatwick Airport had only one survivor after it crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad international airport on June 12, as confirmed by the airline's post-midnight report on Friday. The plane crashed in a residential area and hit a medical college hostel. The flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad this morning. Earlier on June 12, Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information regarding the incident. Shah said on Thursday that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 1.25 lakh litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have to be conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. (ANI)
Congress on Friday extended its deepest condolences to all families bereaved and devastatingly affected by the crash of AI-171 on June 12 that left 241 people dead. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/1933358447174824381 In a post on X, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Friday, "The Indian National Congress extends its deepest condolences to all the families bereaved and so devastatingly affected by the crash of AI-171 yesterday. We had hoped and prayed while awaiting confirmation of fatalities. The confirmation is grim news and the INC joins the nation in our collective anguish and grief over this most unfortunate and shocking tragedy," the post read. On June 12, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress MP and leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi expressed their grief following the plane crash. Sonia Gandhi, in a statement, said, "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts are with the families of the passengers and the crew. The visuals are most heart-wrenching. The entire country is overtaken by grief and is praying." Rahul Gandhi urged Congress workers to help with rescue and relief efforts. Rahul Gandhi said, "The Ahmedabad Air India crash is heartbreaking. The pain and anxiety the families of the passengers and crew must be feeling is unimaginable. My thoughts are with each one of them in this incredibly difficult moment. Urgent rescue and relief efforts by the administration are critical - every life matters, every second counts. Congress workers must do everything they can to help on the ground." The AI-171 flight that was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025 carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portugese nationals and one Canadian national, crashed near the Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport into a resident doctor's hospital shortly after take-off. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. (ANI)
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday expressed deep grief on the untimely demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad a day ago. In a social media post on X, Chief Minister Khandu expressed his heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and friends in this difficult time and prayed for the peace of the departed soul. "I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Shri Vijay Rupani Ji, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, who lost his life in the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 on June 12, 2025. His visionary leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to the people will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May the Almighty grant him sadgati and give strength to his bereaved family and friends in this difficult time. Om Shanti," Arunachal CM posted on X. https://x.com/PemaKhanduBJP/status/1933365700745425351 Condolences have been pouring in from several political leaders on the death of Vijay Rupani. Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who on Friday morning arrived in Ahmedabad, took stock of the site of the Air India plane crash and then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in the city to meet with those injured in mishap that took place a day ago. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied PM Modi during his visit. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil. The AI-171 bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane. Miraculously, one person, a British national of Indian origin survived the crash, airline authorities said. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. Yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... "I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told the media. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. "The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he added. The Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. The Prime Minster arrived in the city this morning and proceeded to site where the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner -- carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed. He was briefed by officials on the situation. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other officials accompanied PM Modi during his visit. PM Modi then proceeded to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet with those injured in the mishap. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and CR Paatil. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane. Miraculously, one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash, airline authorities said. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. Yesterday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... "I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told mediapersons. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. "The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he said. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. "Following the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, a formal investigation has been initiated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in line with international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)," Naidu posted on X. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Officials from the British High Commission have arrived at a domestic airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of a devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of 241 people, onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Friday morning arrived in Ahmedabad, took stock of the site of the Air India plane crash and then proceeded to the Civil Hospital in the city to meet with those injured in the mishap that took place a day ago. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied PM Modi during his visit. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Union Minister CR Paatil. On Friday, Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson visited the AI-171 plane crash site in Gujarat's Ahmedabad. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 Hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
The meeting was co-chaired by the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) [ACNA (Air)] and the Deputy Director General (Aviation) [DDG (AV)] of the ICG. Key discussions revolved around strengthening jointmanship, interoperability, and coordinated air operations between the two forces.

Officials also deliberated on critical areas such as training programs, flight safety protocols, and future asset acquisition to bolster India's maritime aviation capabilities.

"Synergy Meeting between @IndiaCoastGuard& @indiannavy Aviation Divisions was held on 12 Jun 25 at #CGHQ, #NewDelhi, co-chaired by ACNA (Air) & DDG (AV). Focused discussions on Jointmanship, Interoperability, Air Ops, Training, Flight Safety & Asset Acquisition marked a significant stride in maritime air collaboration," ICG said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, ICG has reported substantial progress in their efforts to control the fire aboard the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Wan Hai 503, which has been ablaze in the Arabian Sea, approximately 42 nautical miles off the coast of Beypore, Kerala.

In a post on X on Thursday, the ICG stated that it has successfully air-dropped 4,000 kilograms of dry chemical powder (DCP) to combat the metal fire in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, the vessel, which caught fire off the Kerala coast on June 9, continues to drift southeast within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), approximately 42 nautical miles from Beypore, Kerala.

The vessel was carrying 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of fuel and hundreds of containers, including hazardous cargo, posing a serious risk to the marine environment and regional shipping routes. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday slammed Home Minister Amit Shah for his statement on the Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad and termed it as 'insensitive.' The Congress leader responded to a post where Home Minister Amit Shah could be seen saying, "This is an accident, and nobody can stop accidents." Replying to Shah's statement, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Is this what the Union Home Minister should be saying now? It is most insensitive." Congress leader Pawan Khera also took to X and posted, "When a plane crashes and people die, the least a Home Minister can offer is a promise of accountability, not a shrug and a lecture on fate. Nobody can stop accidents' is an abdication. If nothing can be prevented, why do we have ministries at all?"' "Aviation accidents are not acts of God - they are preventable. That's why we have aviation regulators, safety protocols, and crisis response systems. By the Home Minister's logic, should we stop investing in safety infrastructure, regulation, or crisis preparedness altogether? Just leave it to fate and call it a day?" his post read. On Thursday, Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... "I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told mediapersons. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone person to miraculously survive the Air India plane crash a day ago, in which 241 other passengers died. Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11, at the left window seat in the flight's economy class section, right behind an emergency exit. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. The Prime Minister, who arrived in the city earlier today, also met with others admitted to the same hospital, with injuries sustained after the Air India flight crash. Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. (ANI)
Sanket Goswami was among the 241 passengers who were killed in the deadly crash of the Air India flight 171 that took place near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport. Goswami was headed to London for his studies. A family member stated that the young student leaves behind his younger sister and was the only son of his father. "My nephew lost his only son, Sanket Goswami. He was going to London to study. He had worked very hard to get to study in London and was very excited...We got the message of the crash the moment we reached our home..." the family member said, speaking to the media. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the lone person who miraculously survived the plane crash. Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11 at the left window seat in the flight's economy class section that's positioned right behind an emergency exit. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. The Prime Minister, who arrived in the city earlier today, also met with others admitted in the same hospital, with injuries sustained after the Air India flight to London crashed, soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad The Prime Minister took to X to share photos of him inspecting the crash site." Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams are working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy," PM Modi posted on X. He also posted, "We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti." (ANI)
A process of DNA sampling for identification of deceased passengers of the Air India 171 flight is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. PM Modi went to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the lone survivor of the AI 171 plane crash and those injured in the mishap. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. "The plane carried almost 125,000 litres of fuel, and due to the high temperature, there was no chance of saving anyone... "I visited the crash site," the Home Minister told mediapersons. "In just 10 minutes of the incident, we got the information. After that, I informed the Prime Minister, the Gujrat Home Minister, the Control Room of the Home Department, the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Minister. "The Prime Minister instantly called back, and the personnel from the Union and state governments jumped in jointly for the relief and rescue operations," he said. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. (ANI)
Former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani lost his life in the AI-171 plane crash, his neighbour and family doctor, Dr Nayan Shah, said it is hard to believe he is no longer with us. Dr Shah said they had lived next to each other for nearly 35 years and celebrated all festivals together. He also added that his memory will always remain with us. Speaking to ANI, Nayan Shah said, "We lived as neighbours for nearly 35 years. His memory will always remain with us. We shared many moments together. Be it good or bad times, we stayed together...We used to celebrate all the festivals together... Whether it was flying kites, celebrating Holi, or Diwali, we took part in every festival with joy and unity." "It's difficult to believe that he is no longer with us, but his memories will always stay alive," Shah said. Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off on Thursday. Miraculously, one person has survived the deadly crash, the airline authorities said, adding that the survivor was a British national of Indian origin. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. An official stated that heavy black smoke was emanating from the accident site. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. (ANI)
Bhoomi Chauhan, a resident of Gujarat's Bharuch, narrowly escaped death when she missed Thursday's ill-fated flight which crashed, claiming the lives of 241 people on board the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. While speaking to ANI on Friday, Chauhan recounted her experience, "We arrived at the check-in gate 10 minutes late, but they didn't allow me, and I returned. They said that it would delay the flight further. I was late because of traffic in the Ahmedabad city area. When I came to know that the flight had crashed, I was totally numb. I thank my mother Goddess that I am safe, but the incident is absolutely terrifying." Chauhan's mother attributed her daughter's survival to the blessings of the Mother Goddess, telling ANI, "We thank Mother Goddess for protecting my daughter. She left her child with me, and it's all because of the Mother Goddess blessings; because of that child, she is with me.." Chauhan's father explained that traffic congestion had caused them to arrive late at the airport, and despite their requests, they were not allowed to board the flight. "...We arrived at the airport late because of traffic. We requested, but they didn't allow us. When we came out of the airport, we received the news that the plane had crashed." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. The Prime Minister arrived in the city this morning and proceeded to the site where the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner -- carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed. He was briefed by officials on the situation. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other officials accompanied PM Modi during his visit.PM Modi then proceeded to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet with those injured in the mishap. Upon his arrival in the city today, PM Modi was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Ministers Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and CR Paatil. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane. Miraculously, one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived the crash, airline authorities said. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard. The government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. (ANI)
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara officially inaugurated the "Special Action Force" (SAF) at Mangaluru on Friday. This move is aimed at combating escalating communal tensions in the region. This specialised Force has been established to proactively address and mitigate communal issues across the communally sensitive districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga. The formation of the SAF comes amidst growing concerns over recurrent communal flare-ups and hate crimes in these areas. The state government had issued an order for its establishment, with a clear mandate to monitor, prevent, and respond swiftly to incidents that threaten peace and social harmony. Comprising 248 highly trained personnel, including a senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) and a mix of other ranks such as Deputy Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, and Constables, the SAF has been primarily carved out from the existing Anti-Naxal Force (ANF). This reallocation of resources underscores the government's determination to tackle communal violence with the same rigour applied to insurgency. The SAF will operate through three dedicated companies, each strategically stationed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga. Its operational headquarters is expected to be in Mangaluru. While speaking to reporters, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara informed that this initiative marks the first time such a force has been constituted in India with the sole purpose of addressing communal tensions. Minister Parameshwara further added that the special action force will have the authority to gather intelligence, take action against individuals who promote communal disharmony, and bring them justice. The force is expected to be proactive in addressing communal tensions and ensuring peace in the region. Parameshwara told reporters, "It is the first time in India, a special action force has been constituted in Karnataka, with the sole intention or purpose of bringing about the communal harmony in these three districts, Dakshina Kannada district, Udupi district and Shimoga district. With the past observations, maybe 10 years or around, we have observed a lot of communal clashes, murders took place in these three districts, in large numbers. Many incidents have also happened. Considering all those things, the government thought that it was necessary to constitute some force to bring about a change and bring about harmony. That is why this special action force has been constituted. Probably it is the first of its kind in India." They have been given the power to collect intelligence. They have been given the power to take action on those people who create communal disharmony. And they have been given the power to identify such people and bring them to book. It's a special action force. It is a strike force. It becomes harsh for those people who create disharmony. It becomes peaceful, nice to look at for the people who don't get involved in those activities. They will arrest, they will book the case. All those things are empowered." After the incident in the Dakshina Kannada district, where a pickup driver was hacked to death in the Kolthamajal, and the Suhas Shetty murder case, who was associated with Bajrang Dal and the main accused in the Mohammed Fazil murder case of 2022., Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had said that the state government planned to form an anti-communal task force to ensure action against those who indulge in communal activities. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday write a letter to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, asking for urgent help for mango farmers in the state. He said that mango prices have dropped sharply this season, causing big losses for farmers. Many small and marginal farmers are struggling to even cover their basic costs. In his letter, the Chief Minister requested the Centre to start a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme and begin immediate procurement through agencies like NAFED to support farmers and stop further distress in rural areas. "I am writing to draw your immediate and personal attention to the severe distress being faced by mango farmers across Karnataka due to a sharp and unsustainable decline in market prices during the current harvest season. Mango is one of Karnataka's major horticultural crops, cultivated over an area of approximately 1.39 lakh hectares, with an estimated production of 8-10 lakh metric tonnes this Rabi season, particularly in Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Urban, Chikkaballapur, Kolar, and Bangalore South districts," the letter reads. "During the peak harvest months of May to July, heavy market arrivals have led to substantial price fluctuations. Market prices, which earlier hovered around 12,000 per quintal, have now plummeted to as low as 23,000 per quintal, while the Karnataka State Agriculture Price Commission has recommended the cost of cultivation at 25,466 per quintal. This sharp mismatch between production costs and market realisations has placed the farming community under acute financial stress," the letter reads. Siddaramaiah has said that thousands of small mango farmers are facing big losses and can't even cover their basic farming costs. In his letter to the Centre, he warned that farmer protests are rising and the situation could become worse if quick action is not taken. "Thousands of small and marginal mango growers are unable to recover even their basic input costs, leading to widespread protests and growing agrarian anxiety. Unless prompt and effective intervention is undertaken, this crisis may lead to serious socio-economic consequences in the region," the letter further reads. He asked the central government to quickly start a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme to help mango farmers. He also requested agencies like NAFED and NCCF to begin buying mangoes at fair prices to make sure farmers get at least their basic costs. This support will help stop farmers from facing more losses and protect their income during this hard time. "In view of this grave situation, I earnestly request that immediate steps be taken to implement a Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS) under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for mango, as an urgent policy response. Necessary directions may also be issued to designated central procurement egencies such as NAFED and NCCF to initiate procurement operations immediately at an appropriato intervention price, ensuring that farmers receive at foast the minimum cost of cultivation as a safety net Such a timely intervention will not only help to stabilize prices but also prevent further deepening of rural distress and will ensure that the interests of our farming community are adequately protected during this difficult period. I look forward to your immediate and sympathetic consideration in the larger interest of lakhs of farmers in Karnataka," the letter further mentioned. (ANI)
Among the 241 people who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad a day ago was a young girl, who was on her way to London for higher studies. Suresh Khatik, a relative of the victim, said the family had taken loans to fund her education in London. "After completing her college, she used to stay with us. Then she wanted to study in London. We took out loans to support her education there...My DNA sample has been taken," Khatik told mediapersons. Another victim, Sanket Goswami, who was also heading to London to pursue higher education, was onboard the AI-171 plane, which crashed soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. The victim's family, residents of Mehsana, said Sanket was passionate and was travelling to London to pursue higher studies. "My nephew lost his only son, Sanket Goswami. He was going to London to study. He was an enthusiastic boy. he has a younger sister," his relative said. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone person to miraculously survive the Air India plane crash a day ago in which all the other 241 passengers died. The Prime Minister, who arrived in the city earlier today, also met with others admitted to the same hospital with injuries sustained after the Air India flight to London crashed, soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. (ANI)
Noushaba Jeelani, popularly known as the 'Saffron Queen of Kashmir', has turned a traditional crop into a global sensation, with an aim of women's empowerment. Her saffron brand 'Noush' exports saffron in Europe and the Middle East. Jeelani involved hundreds of local women in saffron harvesting, packaging, and quality control, turning saffron cultivation into a sustainable livelihood. Her startup has collaborated with global e-commerce platforms and luxury wellness brands, putting Kashmir's saffron back on the worldwide map. Speaking to ANI, Noushaba Jeelani said, "We shifted to Saudi Arabia for five years. Seeing a decline in the saffron business, we thought to come back and give a new identity to an already running business. We did a survey and found that people did not know about adulteration." She said that the firm has a network of 600 farmers, and growing and sowing are done by women, as the initiative aimed at empowering them. Discussing the challenges they faced initially, she said the lack of education among people, as they could not differentiate between Kashmiri and foreign saffron. "We have our in-house production and processing, so quality control is in our hands, so we make sure we give unadulterated saffron. In the survey, the farmers said their monetary return isn't included in the business. We wanted to show the process to the farmers so they get a return on their money," she said. She said, "We want the women who grow and process saffron to feel empowered and build a community. Basic vision is to grow more saffron, we want to take it forward and want more women to join." Giving a message to young girls, Jeelani said, "Today, girls are brave and focused. I would say, do what you want and take the first step. You will evolve as you enter the process... Be fearless." Her husband, Afan Basu, told ANI, "We took the initiative to support my wife. In families, women control the work of saffron. In parallel to our B2B business, we wanted to have a women-led, women-empowered (business). In Kashmir's culture, women don't open up to men, so we wanted to build a society of empowered women and transparency from top to bottom." On building a Kashmir brand, Basu said, "In India, there are a lot of brands which sell foreign saffron. Here we have the GI tag also, but if you go out of Kashmir and ask for saffron, they will name brands which do not belong to Kashmir... This is our identity, like apples and walnuts." (ANI)
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), through its prestigious Continuing Education Programme (CEP), has commenced admissions for the fifth cohort of its Advanced Certification in Data Science and Decision Science, a release said. This eight-month intensive programme is designed to equip professionals to develop comprehensive expertise across both data science and decision science, enabling them to address today's most pressing analytical and strategic challenges in business, said the institute in a press release. As businesses increasingly turn to data-driven insights to inform key decisions, the ability to not only extract value from complex datasets but also apply those insights meaningfully is now a critical differentiator. This programme is uniquely designed to bridge that divide--equipping learners with cutting-edge skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, big data analytics and decision-making sciences. It combines robust academic theory with hands-on application through capstone projects, interactive sessions and a dedicated campus immersion experience at IIT Delhi. According to industry forecasts, the global big data market is forecasted to exceed USD 103 billion by 2027, while the data science platform sector is growing at an estimated CAGR of 26.9% from 2020 to 2027. India alone is projected to generate over 11 million job opportunities in data science by 2026, with hiring activity in the sector having surged by 46% since 2019. These trends highlight the significant demand for professionals who are not only technically proficient but also capable of translating data into actionable decisions . As per the release, speaking about the programme, Prof Arpan Kar, Professor, Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, said, "The true value of data lies in its ability to shape informed decisions. IIT Delhi's Advanced Certification in Data Science and Decision Science is ideal for professionals aiming to pivot into the high-growth fields of analytics, AI and cognitive decision-making. With strong practical focus and tools like Python, SPSS, Orange and LINGO, it equips learners to apply advanced frameworks that drive meaningful organisational outcomes." The programme's extensive curriculum covers key modules such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cognitive Deep Learning and GenAI, Cognitive Science and Big Data and decision-making frameworks using AHP, DEMATEL and LINDO-based optimisation. Delivered in a Direct-to-Device (D2D) format, learners will experience live faculty interactions, collaborative case discussions and guided hands-on assignments. A one-day campus immersion adds further depth to the learning experience through peer exchange and academic networking. Candidates are assessed through structured evaluations comprising projects, examinations and real-time application tasks. The programme is open to graduates and postgraduates in STEM, Management or allied disciplines with a strong aptitude for mathematics. Successful participants will be awarded a digital certificate from IIT Delhi, marking their formal qualification in Data Science and Decision Science. (ANI)
A father's hope for his daughter to succeed in life through education was crushed after the Ahmedabad plane crash, which killed her along with all others on board except one passenger in Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Payal Khatik was on her way to pursue an M.Tech course at a college in London. Talking to ANI, a relative of Payal Khatik described how her father struggled to find the money for his daughter's education in London. The relative said that her family placed great hope in her future. "Our relative Payal Khatik was in that flight. She was the daughter of our relative Suresh Khatik. We all went to see her off for her flight. When we learned about the plane crash, we travelled again to Ahmedabad," the relative told ANI. "Our DNA samples have been taken...The financial condition of the family is not good. Suresh Khatik supports his livelihood by pulling a loading rickshaw. Payal used to take care of the family by giving tuition to the students. ..They took loans from the community and other places to support her education in London," he added. Another victim, Sanket Goswami, who was also heading to London to pursue higher education, was onboard the AI-171 plane, which crashed soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. The victim's family, residents of Mehsana, said Sanket was passionate and was travelling to London to pursue higher studies. "My nephew lost his only son, Sanket Goswami. He was going to London to study. He was an enthusiastic boy. he has a younger sister," his relative said. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata group-owned airline has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, to provide more information. Those calling from outside India can call +91 8062779200. (ANI)
Thakur Ravi, who works as a cook at the undergraduate mess of BJ Medical College, where AI-171 had crashed into, said his mother and two-year-old daughter have been missing since the Air India plane crashed into the college complex a day ago. Thakur Ravi, his mother, and her wife used to cook at the UG students' mess at the BJ Medical in Meghaninagar. "In this accident, my mother, Sarlaben Pralhadji Thakur, and my two-year-old daughter, Adyaravi Thakur, are still missing after the plane crash. "My mother, my wife, and I used to cook at the UG students' mess," he told media persons. A local who resides near the AI-171 crash site said, "...My house is located 100-200m away from the crash site. The fire was still burning when I arrived...It was a horrible sight to witness. There were half-cut and completely burnt bodies all over the area... Meghani Nagar has active roads. The situation of local commuters is still not known..." Another local said, "My house is 700m away from the crash site. We got to know that a massive fire had broken out...I reached the spot and I saw that the police, the fire department and a lot of local people, including workers of the BJP, have also come there...It was a very horrible scene, as everywhere there were bodies, completely burnt bodies." Meanwhile, Gujarat ATS recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday in Ahmedabad. An ATS personnel said, "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon." The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. He informed that the Indian government was also constituting a high-level committee of people with expertise in multiple disciplines to examine the crash incident and devise ways to strengthen aviation safety by preventing such incidents in the future. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao paid tribute to those who were killed in the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad a day earlier and said that the State government and the Centre are providing the necessary help. Speaking to ANI, Dy CM Sao said, "The whole country is saddened by this incident. It is a very painful accident. Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has died in this incident. I pay my tribute to all the deceased and express condolences to their families. The state government and the central government are providing all possible help." Sharing an X post on Thursday, Sao paid a tribute to ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the plane crash. Sharing Rupani's picture, Arun Sao wrote, "Tearful tribute. Om Shanti." Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Dy CM Vijay Sharma on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident. "May God give strength to the families of the deceased... I am deeply saddened that Vijay Rupani is no more. This is a matter of learning why all this happened," Sharma told ANI. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The Air India flight to London crashed soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. (ANI)
JDU leader KC Tyagi paid tribute to former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who lost his life in the Air India plane crash on Thursday. Tyagi described Rupani as "one of the capable Chief Ministers of Gujarat." A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Tyagi said, "Vijay Rupani was one of the capable Chief Ministers of Gujarat. I, too, have had an opportunity to work with him in the NDA coalition." Tyagi suggested that officials from the DGCA and those involved in aircraft maintenance should also be part of the investigation. "Because the investigation is underway, it is not right for me to comment. But DGCA officials and officers, who are engaged in maintenance, should also initiate an investigation." Tyagi added. Earlier in the day, Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's wife, Anjali Rupani, arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi received her. Other family members also arrived in Ahmedabad and reached the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Asarwa, on Thursday. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday expressed deep grief on the untimely demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad a day ago. In a social media post on X, Chief Minister Khandu expressed his heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and friends in this difficult time and prayed for the peace of the departed soul."I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Shri Vijay Rupani Ji, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, who lost his life in the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 on June 12, 2025. His visionary leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment to the people will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. May the Almighty grant him sadgati and give strength to his bereaved family and friends in this difficult time. Om Shanti," Arunachal CM posted on X. Condolences have been pouring in from several political leaders on the death of Vijay Rupani. Several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders mourned the death of Vijay Rupani. In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vijay Rupani will be remembered as a grassroots leader who devoted his life to the development and welfare of his state. Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. "The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hours, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital, Air India posted on X. The flight, which was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The passenger plane crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat's Ahmedabad into a resident doctors' hostel building shortly after take-off. Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport here. PM Modi went to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met the lone survivor of the AI 171 plane crash and those injured in the mishap. (ANI)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Idukki, and Kottayam districts of Kerala. A yellow alert has been given for four other districts. "Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12-20cm in 24 hours) with isolated Extremely Heavy (>20 cm in 24 hours) rainfall is very likely to occur at a few places in Kerala from 14th to 17th June 2025. Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hours) to very heavy (12-20cm in 24 hours) rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places in Kerala on 12th,13th & 18th June 2025. Heavy (7-11cm in 24 hours) rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over Lakshadweep on 14th & 15th June 2025," as per the release. The southwest monsoon has become active again after a brief halt of nearly two weeks, with rains lashing out in several parts of Karnataka in the early hours on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a seven-day warning for Karnataka, predicting "widespread" rainfall in nearly all districts until June 17. The Hubballi area in the Dharwad district of Karnataka witnessed torrential rainfall early on Thursday, which caused massive waterlogging in several parts of the district, especially in Hanashi village. According to the weather department, rainfall will remain widespread in coastal and north interior Karnataka until June 17. Meanwhile, rainfall will be "fairly widespread" in the districts of south interior Karnataka until June 14 before turning "widespread" for the next three days. In coastal Karnataka districts, the IMD has forecast "heavy to very heavy rain with sustained wind at 30 to 40 kilometre per hour (kmph), which likely to occur at a few places and extremely heavy rain likely to occur at one or two places over Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts." (ANI)
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari demanded an investigation into all possible reasons for the crash of the Air India 171 flight. "Many precious lives have gone away... Technically, it must be checked, and every possibility should be checked..." Tiwari told ANI. Tiwari also expressed grief at the death of the people and stated that it left the mind "distressed." "The way the accident happened is a matter of concern... Watching the stories of many families makes my mind distressed. Within 30 seconds of flying, the error in the plane was detected," he further stated. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also demanded a judicial probe into the accident. "The incident must be thoroughly investigated. A sitting or retired Supreme Court judge should be appointed to probe the Ahmedabad Air India crash. The truth must come out," Kharge said. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the crash. "May God give strength to the families of the deceased... I am deeply saddened that Vijay Rupani is no more. This is a matter of learning why all this happened," Sharma told ANI. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The Air India flight to London crashed soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. (ANI)
In a development in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, Albert Pde, a local guide from Meghalaya's Mawlakhiyat village, said that he had spotted Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi with three men. The guide said that he was able to identify one of them from the photographs provided by the police. Albert had offered his services to Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi on May 22. The couple refused and chose another guide. The next day, Pde saw them again, this time, with three unidentified men, climbing 3,000 steps towards Mawlakhiyat. Speaking to ANI, Pde said, "On May 23, I saw the couple climbing up with three men. The men were walking ahead, and the woman was behind them. They were talking in Hindi. I was able to identify one of the suspects from the photographs provided by the police." Superintendent of Police (SP) Vivek Syiem disclosed that the murder was orchestrated by Raj Kushwaha, who was identified as the mastermind behind the killing. SP Syiem said, "The mastermind of this is Raj Kushwaha. Sonam played along with this plan. The three people involved are friends; one is Raj's cousin. It was not a contract killing. They did it as a favour for their friend. Since they were in Indore, they have been planning how Sonam would disappear since February. When Raja and Sonam got married, they came to the Kamakhya Devi Temple. The other four people also came here a few days before. They planned to eliminate Raja in Guwahati. Sonam made the plan to come to Shillong." The police have arrested the accused, and further investigations are underway to uncover additional details in the case. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the court remanded all five key accused, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, to eight days of police custody in the Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, said police. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad and stated that the entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1933441130001043693 Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Met those injured in the aftermath of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, including the lone survivor and assured them that we are with them and their families in this tough time. The entire nation is praying for their speedy recovery." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the lone person to miraculously survive the Air India plane crash a day ago, in which all the other 241 passengers died. Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11 at the left window seat in the flight's economy class section positioned right behind an emergency exit. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. The Prime Minister, who arrived in the city earlier today, also met with others admitted in the same hospital, with injuries sustained after the Air India flight to London crashed, soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. He shared a picture from the meeting and wrote, "Chaired a review meeting at Ahmedabad Airport with top authorities." Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied PM Modi during his visit. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. (ANI)
Harpreet Kaur Hora was among 241 passengers who were killed in the Air India plane crash a day ago. She was going to London to meet his husband. Speaking to ANI, her father-in-law, Harjeet Singh Hora, said, "... We got the news through TV... She was going to meet my son in London... Her last rites will be performed in Ahmedabad." Her relative Rajeev Singh Hora highlighted that Harpreet had preponed her plan of June 19 to June 12, to celebrate her husband's birthday on June 16. He said, "...Before she was leaving for London, everyone sent congratulatory messages, even spoke to her on the phone. After that, we learned directly from the news about what happened... Her husband insisted she meet him in London for his birthday on 16 June, as she planned to go to London on 19 June. So she booked the tickets for yesterday... Her father's DNA test was done yesterday. He will be called after 72 hours. The last rites will be performed in Ahmedabad. She got married in 2020." Meanwhile, Gujarat ATS has recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed yesterday in Ahmedabad. An ATS personnel said, "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon." The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said 241 people on board the aircraft died in the crash and one person miraculously survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1.39 pm (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter. An official said heavy black smoke was coming from the accident site. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and met with Vishwashkumar Ramesh. Before arriving at the hospital, PM Modi inspected the plane crash site and took stock of the ground situation. He also held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad. (ANI)
A family of five, including three children, from Rajasthan lost their lives in the plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of 241 people on Thursday. The tragedy befell the family as they boarded the ill-fated aircraft on Thursday to start a new life in London. The couple, both doctors, along with their three children, lost their lives after Air India 171, bound for London, took off and seconds later sank and descended into a fireball. A last photo of the family, which is making the rounds on the internet, shows the members seated next to each other with joy palpable on their faces. Komi Vyas, a doctor in Udaipur, had recently quit her job and was about to move to London with her husband, Prateek Joshi and their three children. Joshi had moved to London some time ago and returned to Banswara to take the family with him. Several members of their family had arrived at the airport to see them off on the day of the incident. Banswara Collector Dr Indrajit Singh Yadav spoke to ANI and said, "A doctor couple and their three children from Banswara died in the plane crash. The husband, a doctor, was based in London, the wife had filed a resignation, and the duo and their kids were going to settle in London." "We met their family members and offered our condolences on behalf of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. We have been told that it will take up to 72 hours for DNA testing," he said. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad has recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, killing all passengers and crew members except one. "It's a DVR, which we have recovered from the debris. The FSL team will come here soon," an ATS personnel member told reporters. A DVR in an aircraft is a specialised system designed to capture, store, and manage video footage from cameras installed onboard. These systems are crucial for security, training, operational reviews, and compliance with aviation safety standards. While DVRs focus on video, traditional Flight Data Recorders (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) capture instrument metrics and audio, respectively, for crash investigations. A total of 241 people onboard the Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171, including 12 crew members, have died in the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India confirmed post-midnight on Friday. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of the Air India plane crash incident. The visuals show PM Narendra Modi chairing the meeting while the officials brief him about the accident.PM Modi, earlier on Friday, visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation, a day after the AI-171 flight bound for London Gatwick crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Sharing an X post, the Prime Minister wrote, "Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams are working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy."Meanwhile, a process of DNA sampling for the identification of deceased passengers of the Air India 171 flight is underway at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and obtained detailed information about the entire incident. Shah said that there was no chance of saving anyone in the London-bound Air India plane crash because of the high temperature caused by the burning of almost 125,000 litres of fuel in the aircraft. Expressing condolences to family members of those killed, Shah said the exact number of deaths will be officially released only after DNA tests. Shah revealed that approximately 1000 DNA tests have been conducted so far. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Friday expressed grief on the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani who was killed in the AI-171 plane crash in Ahmedabad and stated that Rupani was a man with no enemies who stayed away from politics. "He actively did a lot of work for the people... He was a man with no enemies who stayed away from controversial politics...This is a tragic incident. Our former Gujarat CM, Vijay Bhai Rupani, was on the same plane..." Vala told ANI. Former Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, was among the 241 passengers who were in the ill-fated Boeing 787-8, Air India flight 171 that crashed seconds after take-off and crashed into a resident doctors' hostel building. The death of the former CM has left his family, friends, and neighbours devastated. Speaking to ANI, one of his neighbours, Kiranben, with a wrenched heart, stated that it still feels as if he is present with them. She could not believe she had lost her neighbour Rupani. "...I still feel as if he is with us. I have not been able to say anything since yesterday. His memories will stay with us always...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...Cannot believe this has happened," she said. For Rupani's neighbour and family doctor, Dr Nayan Shah, it is hard to believe what has happened, but it would be the memories which he will cherish forever. Shah stated, "We have been neighbours for 35 years. His memories will always stay with us. Be it good or bad times, we stayed together...We used to celebrate all the festivals together...It is very difficult to believe, but we have to stay with his memories." Rupani was in charge of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had confirmed the presence of former CM Rupani on board the crashed Air India flight. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has termed Israel's strike on Iran 'unjustified' and expressed regret over Western powers remaining silent, unlike their stance against Russia's attack on Ukraine. He added that the escalation would impact India. "As far as I know, Iran did not give any reason to Israel for this strike. Israel waged war on a country by calling it a preemptive attack... Israel did the same thing that Russia did in Ukraine," Omar Abdullah told reporters. He warned of the situation becoming escalatory. "Of course, the situation will escalate. It has an immediate impact on us. It will impact our fuel prices, stock market, and flights that have to fly to the West. But more than that, it will impact the sentiments of the people," the Chief Minister said. "It will be a matter of extreme regret if the world's great powers remain silent on this... The big powers of the world, like America and Europe, raise their voices against Russia, but in the matter of Israel, they remain silent. If it is wrong for a country to attack another country, as in the case of Russia, then here too, it is not justified for Israel to attack Iran," he added. Early this morning, Israel launched what it called a "pre-emptive operation" on Iran targeting the latter's nuclear program. In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a "very successful opening strike" carried out by Israeli forces. He said Israel, through its large-scale military operation that he named 'Rising Lion', targeted "Iran's main enrichment facility" and "Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb." "We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," Netanyahu said. The military operation, Netanyahu said, is aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in the video statement that was posted on X, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli PM accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme despite global warnings, noting that Tehran has stockpiles of enriched uranium capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he said, warning that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the situation to the prelude to World War II and referenced the Holocaust, stating, "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime." (ANI)
Among the 241 people who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad a day ago was Harpreet Kaur Hora, who was on her way to London to meet her husband for his birthday. According to her relative, Rajeev Singh Hora, the family was filled with joy as Harpreet prepared for her trip to London. "Before she was leaving for London, everyone sent congratulatory messages, and even spoke to her on the phone. After that, we learned directly from the news about what happened." Rajeev told ANI. Harpreet's husband had requested that she meet him in London for his birthday on June 16; therefore, she booked tickets for the fateful flight. The family is now waiting for the DNA test results to confirm her identity, with the last rites to be performed in Ahmedabad. "Her husband insisted she meet him in London for his birthday on 16 June, as she planned to go to London on 19 June. So she booked the tickets for yesterday... Her father's DNA test was done yesterday. He will be called after 72 hours. The last rites will be performed in Ahmedabad. She got married in 2020.", Rajeev said. Meanwhile, a father's hope for his daughter to succeed in life through education was crushed after the Ahmedabad plane crash, which killed her along with all others on board except one passenger in Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Payal Khatik was on her way to pursue an M.Tech course at a college in London. Talking to ANI, a relative of Payal Khatik described how her father struggled to find the money for his daughter's education in London. The relative said that her family placed great hope in her future. "Our relative Payal Khatik was in that flight. She was the daughter of our relative Suresh Khatik. We all went to see her off for her flight. When we learned about the plane crash, we travelled again to Ahmedabad," the relative told ANI. "Our DNA samples have been taken...The financial condition of the family is not good. Suresh Khatik supports his livelihood by pulling a loading rickshaw. Payal used to take care of the family by giving tuition to the students. ..They took loans from the community and other places to support her education in London," he added. Another victim, Sanket Goswami, who was also heading to London to pursue higher education, was onboard the AI-171 plane, which crashed soon after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport, into a medical college complex in Meghaninagar nearby. The victim's family, residents of Mehsana, said Sanket was passionate and was travelling to London to pursue higher studies."My nephew lost his only son, Sanket Goswami. He was going to London to study. He was an enthusiastic boy. he has a younger sister," his relative said. The AI-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport on Thursday. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation tasked with probing aircraft accidents in India. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a federal agency authorised by Congress to investigate civil aviation accidents in the United States (US), is gearing up to send a team of investigators to India to assist with probing the deadly Ahmedabad plane crash. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to ensure the safety and well-being of the Kashmiri students currently in Iran, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Taking to the social media platform X, Omar Abdullah wrote, "Requesting @MEAIndia to urgently ensure the safety and well-being of Kashmiri students currently stuck in Iran. Their families are deeply worried, and we stand with them in this difficult time." "Every step must be taken to safeguard our students," he added. Earlier in the day, CM Abdullah termed Israel's strike on Iran 'unjustified', and expressed regret over Western powers remaining silent, unlike their stance against Russia's attack on Ukraine. He added that the escalation would impact India. "As far as I know, Iran did not give any reason to Israel for this strike. Israel waged war on a country by calling it a preemptive attack... Israel did the same thing that Russia did in Ukraine," Omar Abdullah told reporters. He warned of the situation becoming escalatory. "Of course, the situation will escalate. It has an immediate impact on us. It will impact our fuel prices, stock market, and flights that have to fly to the West. But more than that, it will impact the sentiments of the people," the Chief Minister said. "It will be a matter of extreme regret if the world's great powers remain silent on this... The big powers of the world, like America and Europe, raise their voices against Russia, but in the matter of Israel, they remain silent. If it is wrong for a country to attack another country, as in the case of Russia, then here too, it is not justified for Israel to attack Iran," he added. Early this morning, Israel launched what it called a "pre-emptive operation" on Iran targeting the latter's nuclear program. In a video statement, Netanyahu announced a "very successful opening strike" carried out by Israeli forces. He said Israel, through its large-scale military operation that he named 'Rising Lion', targeted "Iran's main enrichment facility" and "Iran's leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb." "We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile program," Netanyahu said. The military operation, Netanyahu said, is aimed at dismantling what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in the video statement that was posted on X, adding that the mission would continue "for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." The Israeli PM accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme despite global warnings, noting that Tehran has stockpiles of enriched uranium capable of producing multiple nuclear bombs. "In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he said, warning that Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months. Netanyahu likened the situation to the prelude to World War II and referenced the Holocaust, stating, "Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a holocaust perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime." Israel on Friday launched pre-emptive strikes on Iran under Operation Rising Lion. The action was taken to negate Iran's attempts at assembling a nuclear weapon. (ANI)
On the 28th anniversary of the Uphaar Cinema fire, grieving families and the Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (AVUT) gathered at Smriti Upavan, the memorial site in Green Park Extension, to honor the 59 lives lost on June 13, 1997. This year, the anniversary once again falls on Friday the 13th, mirroring the tragic day when a fire during a film screening turned into one of Delhi's worst man-made disasters. The commemoration was marked by prayers, heartfelt tributes, and renewed calls for justice and accountability. "For 28 years, we have carried the grief of our loved ones and the burden of a system that continues to fail its citizens," said Neelam Krishnamoorthy, President of AVUT. She added, "This is not just a day of mourning--it is a protest against institutional negligence and the apathy that allowed this tragedy to happen." The Uphaar fire remains a stark reminder of fire safety lapses, regulatory failures, and administrative indifference. Even decades later, the battle for justice continues. Following the tragedy, AVUT filed a civil writ petition in the Delhi High Court demanding trauma care facilities for the city. This led to the establishment of the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, which has served the public for 18 years. In a criminal appeal, the Supreme Court in 2015 imposed a Rs 60 crore fine on the Ansal brothers--owners of Uphaar Cinema--in lieu of a custodial sentence. The funds were allocated to build a second trauma centre at AIIMS Dwarka, but the project remains stalled. "Nearly a decade after the Supreme Court's directive, the Dwarka trauma centre has yet to be built. This is a betrayal--not just to the Uphaar families, but to every citizen relying on timely emergency care," Krishnamoorthy stated. AVUT continues its legal efforts, urging swift government action to complete the facility. As the nation reflects on this painful chapter, AVUT calls on authorities and civil society to prioritize public safety, strengthen fire regulations, and uphold the sanctity of human life. The Uphaar tragedy must never be allowed to repeat. (ANI)
The father of Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, who died in the Ahmedabad plane crash has claimed that he has still not gotten any assistance from either Air India or the state government after his daughter passed away, with him only getting news about the crash and other rescue efforts from social media. "Air India has not informed us of anything. I got the information only through social media, like the crash, and other things. I got information on that, but after that, what was to be done or what would happen, we were not told. No one from Air India came to our house to tell about it, or even from the government," the victim's father, Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, said. 21-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was part of the cabin crew in Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed near Ahmedabad airport yesterday. The flight had 242 people on board, with the company confirming the death of 241 of them, as one British national survived the crash. Breaking down in front of journalists here, he demanded answers from the state government on whether they will assist the families affected. "I just want the government should say something, take care of the family. Now that she (his daughter) is gone, she is gone. I only have 3 daughters. So what will I say? I have no words," he said. Meanwhile, the Tata group has announced 1 crore to be given to the families of the deceased and the injured. A team of caregivers sent from Air India also arrived in Ahmedabad yesterday Air India said that among the 242 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 Britishers, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national. Immediately after departure from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site, said the official. Thick plumes of smoke could be seen at the accident spot. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a review meeting with the officials at the airport in Ahmedabad in the wake of the Air India plane crash incident. He also visited the Air India plane crash site in Ahmedabad and reviewed the ground situation. (ANI)
A day after the devastating AI 171, plane crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Survivors--students, professors, staff, and family members--were seen evacuating with luggage from the premises BJ Medical College doctors' hostel on Friday. The London-bound Air India flight had tragically crashed into a residential section of the Medical College, housing doctors, students, and their families. Second-year resident doctor Dr. Tarun, who barely escaped with his life and bearing visible injuries, shared his horrifying experience and said, "The fire was very intense. It was not possible to get out of my flat, so I jumped from the balcony. That's how I survived. We are not going home right now. We will go wherever we get an accommodation... We did not even have the essentials with us. We got an opportunity to get our things from inside, so that's what we are doing for now..." Assistant Professor Dr. Piyush recounted his narrow escape, "I escaped from the building and then jumped over the boundary wall in front. That's how I got a sprain. If I had waited for 15-20 seconds inside more, I would have died of suffocation or asphyxiation... Many people lived inside with their families..." The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick with 242 passengers crashed in Meghaninagar area shortly after it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. 241 people were killed in the crash. Meanwhile, the father of Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam, an air hostess who died in the plane crash, has claimed that he has still not gotten any assistance from either Air India or the state government after his daughter passed away, with him only getting news about the crash and other rescue efforts from social media. "Air India has not informed us of anything. I got the information only through social media, like the crash, and other things. I got information on that, but after that, what was to be done or what would happen, we were not told. No one from Air India came to our house to tell about it, or even from the government," the victim's father, Kongrailatpam Nandesh Kumar Sharma, said. 21-year-old Nganthoi Sharma Kongbrailatpam was part of the cabin crew on Air India flight AI 171. Breaking down in front of journalists here, he demanded answers from the state government on whether they will assist the families affected. "I just want the government should say something, take care of the family. Now that she (his daughter) is gone, she is gone. I only have 3 daughters. So what will I say? I have no words," he said. Earlier, the Tata group announced 1 crore to be given to the families of the deceased and the injured. A team of caregivers sent from Air India also arrived in Ahmedabad yesterday. Air India said that among the 242 passengers, 169 were Indians, 53 Britishers, seven Portuguese and one Canadian national. Immediately after departure from Runway 23, the aircraft fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while chairing a meeting with a delegation of the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the Himachal Pradesh 'Pashu Evam Krishi Sakhi Sangh on Friday said that the State Government is committed to strengthen the rural economy and special emphasis has been laid on promoting natural farming. According to a release, CM Sukhu said that for the first time, the State Government has fixed Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for milk, wheat, maize, and turmeric produced through natural farming. He added that MSP for maize has been increased from Rs 30 to Rs 40 per kg, and for wheat from Rs 40 to Rs 60 per kg, benefitting lakhs of farmers. CM Sukhu further informed that the state will soon start purchasing raw turmeric at Rs. 90 per kg to promote its cultivation under the 'Himachali Haldi' brand name. "Over 1.58 lakh farmers engaged in natural farming have already been certified in the State so far," he said. Informing about the launch of e-commerce portal 'Him-Ira' to facilitate the sale of products made by women self-help groups, Sukhu said, "Products like Him-Ira are gaining popularity even outside the State." He assured the delegation that their demands would be considered sympathetically and necessary action would be taken, the release added. Earlier, CM Sukhu said the State Government is constantly striving to strengthen the rural economy, and a potato processing plant would be set up in Una district at a cost of about Rs 20 crore, according to the release. He said the support price would soon be declared for potatoes to strengthen the farmers' economy. The Chief Minister chaired the state-level Multi-Stakeholder Consultative conference organised by Himachal Pradesh Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network. He said the state government was strongly promoting green energy and natural farming. The minimum support price for crops produced from natural farming has been fixed and will be further increased in the coming year. Highlighting the importance of natural farming, he said many new schemes will be implemented in the coming year to boost the rural economy, as per the release. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed deep condolences on the passing of former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Rupani was among the 241 passengers who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, on Thursday. In a post on X, CM Patel said, "I express my deep grief over the demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijaybhai Rupani in the Ahmedabad plane crash. Vijaybhai, a gentle and sensitive personality, had faithfully discharged various responsibilities as a skilled organizer in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and later in the party." https://x.com/Bhupendrapbjp/status/1933462551569825998 "As the Chief Minister of Gujarat, his contribution in taking forward the all-round development journey of the state with transparent and decisive leadership will always be remembered. From the Sujalam Sufalam Jal Abhiyan to the Gyan Kunj project in schools, his successful and fruitful efforts are unforgettable. May God grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to his relatives and supporters to bear this grief," he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the family of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Paying tribute to the BJP leader, PM Modi said that the former CM was a humble and hardworking person and firmly committed to the Party's ideology."Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I've known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party's ideology," PM Modi wrote in a post on X. "Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat's Chief Minister," he added. Paying tribute to the BJP leader, PM Modi said that the former CM was a humble and hardworking person and firmly committed to the Party's ideology. "Met the family of Shri Vijaybhai Rupani Ji. It is unimaginable that Vijaybhai is not in our midst. I've known him for decades. We worked together, shoulder to shoulder, including during some of the most challenging times. Vijaybhai was humble and hardworking, firmly committed to the Party's ideology," PM Modi wrote in a post on X. "Rising up the ranks, he held various responsibilities in the Organisation and went on to serve diligently as Gujarat's Chief Minister," he added. Vijay Rupani was a two-time Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021. Rupani was also appointed the BJP's in-charge for Punjab. (ANI)
A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), as well as officials from other Central agencies, visited the Ahmedabad airport crash site to assist in the ongoing investigation, sources said on Friday. The agencies visited the spot on Thursday following the tragic incident involving the international flight AI-171, bound for London, which crashed soon after the catastrophic takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed shortly after takeoff. Barring one miracle survivor, no one else could be rescued. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. Air India has confirmed that 241 out of 242 people aboard the flight have died. While initial assessments pointed to a mechanical failure as the likely cause, the presence of the NIA suggests that the government is not ruling out any possibility until all angles are thoroughly investigated. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and local police are already conducting parallel investigations. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft departed at 1.38 pm on Thursday, just minutes after takeoff, it crashed into the hostel mess of BJ Medical College--around 5 kilometers from the Ahmedabad airport where more than 100 students were having lunch. A massive explosion followed flames and thick smoke billowing into the sky, visible from a distance. The lone survivor has been identified as Vishwaskumar Ramesh, who was en route to London with his brother. (ANI)
Meghalaya Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Friday praised the state police for their "efficient" investigation into the sensational Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, which led to the arrest of five accused, including the victim's wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi. Speaking with ANI, Lyngdoh said the successful investigation had restored the state's image and boosted tourism. "Now that Meghalaya's name has been cleared and our police's efficiency has been proven, more tourists are flocking to Meghalaya... We have a police force that managed to solve such a sensational murder case in just seven days," the minister said. Lyngdoh further said that the state cabinet informally acknowledged the efforts of the police in solving what has come to be known as the "honeymoon murder case." He added that a formal ceremony would be held soon to honour the investigating officers. "The Cabinet today informally discussed acknowledging the role of the police department in the case. Later, we will have a formal ceremony where the DGP and senior officers will honour them," he said. Highlighting the case's significance and how the police handled the case, Lyngdoh said, "This has given Meghalaya and the entire Northeast a major boost. We have shown the world that we are crime-free and tourist-friendly -- not the crime-prone as was being projected." The Meghalaya Police arrested five people in connection with the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, a newlywed who had come to the state on his honeymoon. Those arrested include his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, and four others: Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, Raj Singh Kushwaha, and Anand. Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, Vivek Syiem, said the accused's interrogation is ongoing, and police will seek further remand if needed. "Interrogation is going...If we require more remand, we will take it accordingly...Once the interrogation and the statement recording is finalised, and the statements are finalised, we will do a reconstruction of the crime scene," Syiem said. On Wednesday, a court remanded all five accused, including Sonam Raghuvanshi, to eight days of police custody. Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge near Sohra (Cherrapunji) on June 2. Sonam was later found near a roadside dhaba along the Varanasi-Ghazipur highway. The couple, both residents of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, had gone missing during their honeymoon trip to Meghalaya. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Friday granted anticipatory bail to Anup Majee, accused of money laundering in a case linked to the West Bengal coal mining case. The counsel for the petitioner states that Anup Majee is a 47-year-old businessman from Purulia, West Bengal, with strong social roots. In this case, there are allegations of Money laundering of Rs. 2700 crore. Justice Tejas Karia granted anticipatory bail to Anup Majee, with the condition of furnishing a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh in the event of arrest. He is directed to surrender his passport. Senior advocate N Hariharan, alongwith advocates Siddharth S Yadav and Shadaman Ahmed Siddique appeared for Anup Majee. The trial court dismissed his plea on May 22, 2025. The court said that the grant of anticipatory bail at this stage would frustrate the investigation, hamper meaningful interrogation of the applicant, and cause hindrance in collecting useful information, including material that might have been concealed. Having regard to the material collected by DoE, at this stage of the investigation, no case is made out for granting the anticipatory bail, the trial court had said. On the basis of an FIR lodged by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had lodged a case in 2020 for the investigation of alleged money laundering. The proceeding(s) under the PMLA were initiated by the ED on 28.11.2020, over 53 months ago, and Prosecution complaint (charge sheet) has already been filed before the special CBI judge at Rouse Avenue on May 13, 2021. It is contended that the ED has embarked on a witch-hunt against the Majee that has spanned almost 4.5 years in an attempt to implicate him in the proceeding(s) emanating from the Subject ECIR solely as a mean(s) to settle political scores. It was also argued that there is no apprehension of the accused fleeing from justice. He satisfies triple test. The bail plea was opposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). It is alleged that Anup Majee alias Lala was running an organised syndicate involved in illegal mining and theft of coal from leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL). He is stated to be the ring leader of the syndicate which was carrying out the illegal mining with the help of public servants. On these allegations, the FIR of predicate offences was registered and investigation was taken up. It has been stated that evidence of extensive mining was found during investigation and several machines and vehicles involved in illegal excavation and transportation of the coal were seized. During departmental raids of ECL, a large quantity of stolen coal, including 9.050 MT of coal, was recovered from the railway siding of Pandeshwar Area as well as several other locations. Investigation revealed that the applicant had built an organised gang, which was carrying out illegal coal mining at a very large scale by deploying heavy mining machinery, earth movers, explosives, and this was being done under the protection & patronage of influential persons of the area. (ANI)
A spell of light rain and drizzle in Himachal Pradesh's capital Shimla on Friday afternoon brought partial relief from heat for both residents and tourists, who were seen soaking in the pleasant weather and cool breeze along the popular Mall Road and other hill spots. For tourists arriving from the scorching plains of northern India, especially where temperatures have been soaring to 45-50C, the sudden drop in temperature and light showers in Shimla proved to be a heavenly escape. Among the hundreds of tourists strolling down Shimla's rain-washed streets was Vikram Kumar, who had travelled from Amritsar, Punjab, with his family. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We can't tell if it's summer or winter, Shimla feels like heaven." He added, "We're having an amazing time here. The weather has completely changed -- it rained and now it's cold. We can't figure out whether we're in summer or winter! We just came from Manali, but it was hot there. Here in Shimla, every penny we spent feels worth it. The whole family is enjoying, and now we actually feel cold. The weather has truly turned beautiful." Another tourist from Punjab, Deepak Kumar, echoed the same excitement, describing Shimla as not just beautiful but also refreshing. Deepak said, "Shimla is far better than Manali. The beauty and the weather here are just perfect. Every rupee we spent feels justified. The kids are happy, the heart is happy, and the whole family is happy. We kept moving from one place to another but couldn't find good weather; it was all hot. But here, there's a complete cool-off, and we are thrilled." From Ludhiana, Punjab, Geetu Jain, who had just arrived in Shimla after visiting Haridwar, said her children thoroughly enjoyed the sudden rain. She said, "The weather in Shimla has turned out to be amazing. It's raining, and the kids are having fun. We're at Mall Road right now. I had just come from Haridwar, where it was unbearably hot. The weather here is just the best, and I feel it might get even better. The kids are loving this sudden change; it's more relief than what we ever felt back in Ludhiana's blazing heat." Komal Bhuttar, a tourist from Haryana, called Shimla a "gift from nature" and a "paradise" compared to the 45C heat back home. "For us, this feels like paradise. The temperature is above 45C back home, but here we're getting close to 20C, a gift from nature. It's value for money for us. We thought we'd face heat even here, but cold winds greeted us instead. I'm short of words to describe how incredible this weather is. It's a gift from nature. But to keep enjoying weather like this, we must also give back, we must keep our environment clean and pollution-free. Only then can we breathe clean air and experience such weather not just in Shimla but in the plains too," said Bhuttar. However, the IMD has forecasted heatwave during the next three days but the light rainfall and thunderstorm activity in Himachal Pradesh's mid-hills, including Shimla, Solan, Mandi and Kullu, over the next two days, as the region begins to feel the early influence of an approaching Western Disturbance expected to impact the state from June 16. While no major drop in temperatures has been recorded yet across most districts, the brief spell of rain in Shimla has served as a refreshing break from the recent dry and hot weather in the hills. Local businesses and tourism operators also reported increased footfall, with several weekend travellers arriving from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR. With the southwest monsoon expected to arrive in Himachal Pradesh around its normal date of June 25, tourists can expect cooler and greener hills in the coming weeks. (ANI)
The Information Fusion Centre--Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) relayed the distress message on June 13, 2025, requesting urgent medical assistance for a critically ill crew member onboard the vessel.

Responding immediately, a Seaking helicopter was launched from INS Garuda in Kochi, while INS Sharda, a patrol vessel, was also diverted to support the operation.

Despite challenging conditions due to poor visibility caused by the ongoing monsoon and the absence of a suitable landing platform on the oil tanker, the Seaking crew executed a precise winching operation, successfully hoisting the patient from the deck of the moving ship.

The rescued seafarer, who required urgent medical attention, was transported to INS Garuda, from where he was promptly shifted to a hospital in Kochi for further treatment. (ANI)
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with the Railway Police, arrested three Bangladeshi nationals from Agartala and Ambassa Railway station, according to a release on Friday. Bangladeshi nationals are residents of the Khulna and Netrakona districts of Bangladesh. In a separate operation, BSF troops posted at Boxanagar under Sepahijala district in Tripura arrested one Indian national and seized 48 kg of Ganja from his possession, the release stated. Intensifying search operation, to prevent infiltration, BSF troops posted at Koylatilla under Sepahijela district, in a separate operation in hinterland and seized one pick-up vehicle loaded with 275 mobile phones of various brands worth Rs 65 Lakhs Earlier, the vigilant jawans of BSF South Bengal Frontier foiled a major smuggling attempt on the Indo-Bangladesh International Border in Nadia district of West Bengal and recovered 21,00,000 Bangladeshi Taka, 340 bottles of Phensedyl and 11 kg of Ganja. This action was made possible by the vigilance and prompt response of jawans at the border, who quickly acted on information about suspicious activity and foiled the smugglers' plans, BSF said in a press release. "Yesterday, on June 8, the jawans of Border Outpost Gongra of 161 Battalion of BSF deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh International Border in Nadia district of West Bengal received secret information that illegal items could be smuggled from the area of the border outpost. Acting on the received intelligence, the jawans of the Border Outpost devised a plan to catch the smugglers red-handed and set up ambushes at highly sensitive locations. Around 3 a.m., they noticed suspicious movements near the fencing, where several smugglers were hiding in a banana orchard. The jawans immediately sprang into action, attempting to surround the suspects and warning them to stop," a South Bengal Frontier BSF official said. BSF official further said that after realising they were encircled by BSF personnel, the smugglers panicked and, taking advantage of the darkness and the dense banana plantation, managed to flee. Upon receiving information about the incident, a thorough search operation was launched across the area, but no trace of the smugglers could be found. (ANI)
Two doctors have filed a letter petition in the Supreme Court, seeking directions to the Central government to provide adequate compensation to the victims of the Air India flight AI -171 crash near Ahmedabad airport. The plea, filed on Friday by Dr Saurav Kumar and Dr Dhruv Chauhan, has urged the SC to direct the Central government to immediately announce and disburse interim compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of all deceased victims, including resident doctors from Ahmedabad's BJ Medical College who were among those killed. The plea states that as per various constitutional provisions and a 2020 Supreme Court judgement which laid down detailed principles for assessing compensation, it is the state's duty to take concrete remedial action, in this regard. The plea has further called for the constitution of a High-Level Expert Committee comprising retired judges, aviation experts, actuaries and economists to assess and determine final compensation based on principles established in the 2020 Supreme Court judgement. Moreover, the petition seeks directions for the Central Government to provide rehabilitation support, including employment opportunities for eligible family members of the deceased persons and for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash with necessary steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. The plea has been filed by Advocate Satyam Singh Rajput on behalf of the two doctors. Following the crash, the Tata group, which owns Air India, announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore each for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic Air India plane crash on Thursday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also ordered enhanced safety inspections on Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 fleet. As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines with immediate effect, in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. (ANI)
Reacting to All India Trinamool Congress's demand for an inquiry into the AI-171 plane crash, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul on Friday assured the investigation will definitely happen. Speaking with ANI, Agnimitra Paul said, "Our government will investigate. Do you think there will be no investigation after the death of 242 passengers, while the central government avenged the death of 26 Pahalgam victims?" "One needs to prioritise things. People are waiting for DNA sampling so that the bodies of their kin can be handed over to them. Students in the medical college building died, and those injured are waiting for treatment. These are the priorities. The investigation will definitely happen." She added. In a post on X, TMC demanded a "thorough, transparent, and unbiased" investigation into the plane crash in which 241 passengers lost their lives. "The nation is in mourning after yesterday's horrific Air India Plane Crash. In the aftermath of the tragedy, several conspiracy theories are being floated. We demand a thorough, transparent, and unbiased investigation to uncover the truth. No cover-ups. No politics. Just accountability. Passenger safety must be NON-NEGOTIABLE," TMC wrote on X while attaching video of its leader Kunal Gosh. Kunal Gosh, in the video, said, "There is an absolute need for thorough, unbiased investigation of the Ahmedabad plane crash. What is happening under this BJP rule? This is not safe. Was the maintenance not up to date? What happened?" On Thursday, the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171, was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it crashed shortly after takeoff. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday confirmed the recovery of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), commonly referred to as the black box, from the rooftop of a building at the site of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad. The AAIB has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash, with over 40 staff from the Gujarat State Government joining efforts to support the Ministry of Civil Aviation teams on the ground. The black box, a critical piece of evidence, will be analysed to determine the cause of the tragic crash. (ANI)
A day after the horrific crash of a London-bound Air India plane in Ahmedabad, more than 500 students, teachers, and staff members of Sir M Vishweshwarayya School in Haveri, Karnataka, on Friday paid tribute to the victims by observing silence. The school teachers and staff also lit candles and paid floral tributes to the people who lost their lives on Thursday. Meanwhile, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed the recovery of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), commonly referred to as the black box, from the rooftop of a building at the site of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad. The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that, contrary to circulating reports, a video recorder that had been recovered at the crash site was not the DFDR. The AAIB has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash, with over 40 staff from the Gujarat State Government joining efforts to support the Ministry of Civil Aviation teams on the ground. The black box, a critical piece of evidence, will be analysed to determine the cause of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of all 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. "Contrary to some reports, the video recorder being circulated is not the DFDR (Digital Flight Data Recorder). The black box was found on the rooftop. AAIB began work with full force immediately. Over 40 staff from the State Government joined efforts to augment MoCA teams on site. The DFDR has been recovered from the rooftop," said the statement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The investigation is underway, and the recovered DFDR is expected to provide vital insights into the events leading up to the disaster. Air India's flight AI 171 was carrying 242 people when it crashed into a doctor's hostel near the Ahmedabad airport shortly after take-off. (ANI)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, virtually addressed the first edition of the Conclave on "Best Practices" on Friday. The two-day conclave was organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur. According to a release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the two-day Conclave seeks to showcase exemplary practices adopted by various AIIMS institutions, focusing on patient-centric care, operational efficiency, digital transformation, and academic excellence. AIIMS institutes from across the country (AIIMS Bhopal, AIIMS Jammu, AIIMS Bilaspur, AIIMS Jodhpur, AIIMS Nagpur, AIIMS Deoghar, AIIMS Patna, AIIMS Gorakhpur, AIIMS Guwahati, AIIMS Raipur) , along with the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) division and the Ministry of Defence, collaborated in the conclave. Union Health Secretary, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, delivered the opening address at the event. In his address, underlining the significance of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, Union Minister Nadda stated that "each AIIMS, established as an Institute of National Importance, integrates advanced clinical care, high-quality medical education and research excellence. Strategically located to address regional disparities, every AIIMS serves as a Centre of healthcare innovation and learning, delivering equitable, affordable and evidence-based healthcare services. These institutions reflect the Government's commitment to strengthening public health systems, raising standards of care and nurturing a new generation of healthcare leaders." Nadda emphasised the importance of sharing the best practices and innovations of each new AIIMS with other AIIMS for their wider adoption and utilisation. He also commended AIIMS Nagpur for "taking a lead and organising the first conclave on best practices". Highlighting the importance of the Conclave, Nadda stated that "this Conclave is a pioneering initiative that seeks to consolidate rich experiences of new AIIMS in three key domains: teaching-learning and research; hospital services; and governance and patient convenience." Nadda underlined the significant role played by AIIMS in readying doctors to meet future healthcare challenges. He also added that "in the domain of teaching-learning, adoption of Competency Based Medical Education curriculum, investment in digital learning, state-of-the-art simulation laboratories and implementation of structured mentorship programs signal a deep commitment to educational excellence." The Union Health Minister also highlighted that "new AIIMS are increasingly contributing to India's scientific advancement through regionally relevant studies, ethical clinical trials and translational research. It is encouraging to see the efforts to foster interdisciplinary collaborations, as these will be a key to solving complex public health problems in the years to come." "AIIMS campuses are redefining patient care by offering high-quality, evidence-based and affordable treatment through advanced infrastructure and a wide spectrum of specialities. Use of e-governance tools, transparent administrative frameworks, and patient-focused innovations such as Jan Aushadhi Kendras, digital registration systems and dedicated helpdesks, demonstrate that efficiency and compassion can coexist in public healthcare settings", Nadda further added. In her address, Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava stressed the importance of all the stakeholders to take forward the vision of the government of "excellence in medical education and universal healthcare". She underlined that institutional growth would depend on the leader's vision and encouraged all to learn from the best practices of other institutions. According to the release, Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary (PMSSY), MoHFW, Executive Director AIIMS Nagpur, Dr Prashant P Joshi, senior officers from the Ministry, DG of Armed Forces Medical Services (Ministry of Defence), CIRA (Ministry of Defence), Executive Directors and senior administrators from various AIIMS across the country also attended the event. (ANI)
A day after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Gujarat's Ahmedabad that claimed 241 lives, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday described it as the "saddest day for all of us," expressing deep sorrow over the devastating loss of life. Speaking about the aftermath of the crash, CM Saha noted that the aircraft fell in a populated area where students and doctors were having their meals, leading to further casualties on the ground. "This was the saddest day for us...We had never even thought about such an incident. This was a Dreamliner, and the pilots were experienced. Still, there was an accident. The area where the plane fell was one where students and doctors were having their meal. Several people have died. Identifying people's bodies is also very difficult due to the blast that occurred. DNA testing will be done. Just one person survived," he said. Offering his condolences, CM Saha added, "I express my condolences to those who have passed away. The Government of India is also with them. It is a very unfortunate incident. The cause (of the crash) will be clear gradually. This was truly the saddest day for all of us." Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday confirmed the recovery of the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), commonly referred to as the black box, from the rooftop of a building at the site of the Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad. The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that, contrary to circulating reports, a video recorder that had been recovered at the crash site was not the DFDR. The AAIB has launched a full-scale investigation into the crash, with over 40 staff from the Gujarat State Government joining efforts to support the Ministry of Civil Aviation teams on the ground. The black box, a critical piece of evidence, will be analysed to determine the cause of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of all 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. "Contrary to some reports, the video recorder being circulated is not the DFDR (Digital Flight Data Recorder). The black box was found on the rooftop. AAIB began work with full force immediately. Over 40 staff from the State Government joined efforts to augment MoCA teams on site. The DFDR has been recovered from the rooftop," said the statement of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The investigation is underway, and the recovered DFDR is expected to provide vital insights into the events leading up to the disaster. On Thursday, the Al-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 aeroplane bound for London's Gatwick had crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. The airlines said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls made by ATC. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter, and heavy black smoke began emanating from the accident site. Vishwashkumar Ramesh miraculously survived the Air India plane crash a day ago, in which 241 other passengers died. Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11, at the left window seat in the flight's economy class section, right behind an emergency exit. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. (ANI)
The Ministry of Ayush will host 'Yoga Connect', a hybrid global summit, on 14th June 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, as a key lead-up event to the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY). According to a release from the Ministry of AYUSH, the summit will bring together a distinguished gathering of yoga gurus, policymakers, health experts, business leaders, researchers, and global influencers, both from India and abroad. The event is being coordinated by the Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), the apex research body in the field of Yoga. 'Yoga Connect' will follow a hybrid format, bringing together over 1,000 in-person participants along with virtual attendees from leading international yoga institutions and wellness communities. Experts from more than four countries, including Bahrain, the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, will join the summit. Each is a distinguished figure in their respective fields of yoga, healthcare, research, or wellness, highlighting the global significance of India's yoga movement. As per the release, a major highlight of the summit will be the release of the 'Yoga Prabhava' report, a nationwide study conducted by CCRYN assessing the impact of IDY over the past decade. This report will be of significant relevance to academicians, researchers, and public health professionals, as it will provide valuable insights into the reach, effectiveness, and transformative impact of IDY initiatives across the country. In addition, three significant knowledge products will be unveiled, including Decadal Impact of Yoga (E-book), a report on Scientometric Analysis of Yoga Research, and 'Bhartiya Vriksha Vaibhavam: An Illustrative booklet highlighting the significance of native Indian trees and their relevance'. The summit will include different thematic sessions covering, Yoga for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, studies on the Common Yoga Protocol and Impact Assessment of IDY, 'Yoga-Tech: Innovators Presentation', Vision of Yoga for All, Yoga and its applications, Yoga and Women's Health Across Life Stages, and Yoga Commerce and Industry. A key highlight of Yoga Connect will be the participation of several luminaries from the field of yoga, including Swami Baba Ramdevji, Acharya BalaKrishnaji, HR Nagendraji, His Holiness Bikkhu Sanghasena, and Sri Bharath Bhushanji. 'Yoga Connect' is an opportunity to bring together people who are shaping the future of yoga. It marks ten years of India's global yoga movement, which began when the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. Yoga was also recognised by UNESCO as India's gift to the world. Through events like this, India continues to share the message of health, balance, and unity with the world. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to grant interim bail to a woman accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and is suffering from cancer, noting the submissions of prosecution that her ailment can certainly be taken care of even during her stay in jail. However, the court has directed to provide her best treatment at hospital of her choice at the expense of government. The High Court said, "... accused, being in judicial custody, it is the duty of the State to ensure her well-being and right to good health." Justice Girish Kathpalia rejected Jyoti's interim bail plea and directed her to surrender before the jail authorities on June 15. The High Court considered the submissions that she is a bad character of the area. She has 29 cases against her, out of these 4 are under NDPS Act. In the present case, 480 grams of heroin were recovered from the accused Jyoti. "I find substance in submission that the rigours of Section 37 NDPS Act cannot be ignored by the Court," Justice Kathpalia observed. While dismissing the petition Justice Kathpalia said that the ailment, unfortunately suffered by the applicant is certainly a significant factor but I find substance in the submission of learned Prosecutor that it is not an ailment of temporary kind. The ailment can certainly be taken care of even during her stay in jail. While dismissing the petition Justice Kathpalia said that the ailment of the applicant is certainly a significant factor but he finds substance in the submission of the prosecutor that it is not an ailment of temporary kind, and which can be taken care of even during her stay in jail. Justice Girish Kathpalia said, "I am unable to find it a fit case to grant further interim bail to the accused/applicant. The application is dismissed and it is directed that the accused/applicant shall surrender positively on June 15 as already directed." "It is also specifically directed that the jail authorities shall provide the best possible treatment to the petitioner and if so desired by her, she would be taken in custody to the hospital (s) of her choice and shall be provided with all the prescribed medicines at the cost of the exchequer, since she would be in custody," Justice Kathpalia ordered on June 13. The High court rejected the submissions by the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) that the accused/applicant cannot be provided medical treatment at the cost of exchequer since she would be taken to government hospitals for appropriate treatment. Justice Kathpalia said, " I am unable to accept this submission. For, the only response prescribed by law to crime is curtailment of the criminal liberty and when that is done, the prisoner, be it under-trial prisoner or a convict comes in custody of the State." He further said that Medical treatment is also a matter of faith of the patient in the doctor, which has a vital role in recovery, so if the patient wants to be treated by a particular doctor, her/his right should not be curtailed. On June 6, the Delhi High court has granted interim bail to accused Jyoti till June 15. She had approached the High court after trial court refused to extend her interim bail on June 4. The High Court had sought a medical status report. "The applicant is enlarged on interim bail on medical grounds till June 15, subject to the applicant furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1,00,000 with one surety of the like amount subject to the satisfaction of the Jail Superintendent/Trial Court," high court ordered on June 4. Petitioner is an accused in an NDPS Act and was granted interim bail on May 19, 2025 till June 15 on the medical grounds in view of her condition. Senior advocate Amit Chaddha, counsel for the applicant, submitted that as per the Diagnosis Report of the hospital dated June 2, the applicant, Ms Jyoti, aged 39 years, is suffering from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, an uncommon and rare kind of cancer. (ANI)
Two days after being expelled from the Congress party for six years over alleged anti-party activities, veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh's brother, Lakshman Singh, on Friday termed the party's decision as "very strange" and said he is in a dilemma over the reasons cited. Speaking to ANI, Lakshman Singh said, "Yes, I have been expelled, and the reason for the expulsion is very strange; I'm in a dilemma. I made a statement against the Pahalgam terror attack and terrorism. I had said that remarks should be made very thoughtfully because by making wrong statements or questioning the army, the terrorists are encouraged... Discussion about defence and its strategy should not be held in the parliament. There is a rule for the same. There should be no political interference. I had said these things. Now, where is there indiscipline in this?" He further said that whatever the reason, whatever happened, has happened. Now, he is out of the Congress party; the party should do its job, and he would do his job. "Whatever I said, I am on it, and will stick to it," he said. When asked about whether he is in contact with any BJP, the former Congress leader said, "I am grateful to the BJP and all those who have thought in the national interest. However, I will not join the BJP, nor have I received any offer to join the BJP. They (BJP) have their national thinking, I too have, and everyone should have it. There is no conflict in national thinking." Additionally, Lakshman Singh said, "I was asked to say that if Rahul Gandhi became the prime minister, then the party would not expel me, but I said that I can't say this. I am not an astrologer, and I can't talk like that." When questioned about whether he had discussed the expulsion of the Congress party with his brother, Digvijaya Singh, he said that they do not hold political discussions. "Political discussions with my brother (Digvijaya Singh) have been closed for many years. We are not having political discussions. He has his perspective, and I have my own. Whenever we meet, we talk about family matter,s and there is no political matter. Perhaps there is no possibility of it happening now," he added. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari said that the party had made a decision, which was itself a voice, and he did not want to speak further about the matter. Lakshman Singh was expelled from the primary membership of the Congress party for six years due to his anti-party activities on June 11. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian crisis following the demolition of Madrasi Camp in South East Delhi's Jangpura on June 1. The demolition displaced 370 Tamil-origin families who had been living in the area for decades. In his letter, Stalin urged immediate steps to alleviate the distress faced by these families, many of whom have contributed significantly to Delhi's economy and society. In his letter, Stalin urged immediate steps to mitigate the distress faced by these families, many of whom have lived and worked in Delhi for decades. "I wish to draw your urgent attention to the humanitarian crisis precipitated by the demolition of Jangpura's Madrasi Camp on 1st June 2025. This has rendered 370 Tamil-origin families, who for decades have contributed significantly to Delhi's economy, homeless and destitute. As per the Hon'ble Delhi High Court's orders, a joint survey certified 189 families as eligible for EWS flats. The Hon'ble High Court had also directed the Government agencies (DDA and DUSIB) to complete all essential services like water, electricity, sanitation, internal roads, drainage and street lighting in Pockets G-7 and G-8, Narela where the alternative accommodation has been provided. The Court further mandated the Delhi Government to ensure immediate admissions for displaced children in nearby Government and MCD schools, establish Primary Healthcare Centres and Fair-Price Shops, and arrange requisite DTC and Metro transport links in accordance with the 2016 policy," Stalin wrote. Stalin further expressed concern over the plight of 189 EWS families allotted flats in Narela, which remain uninhabitable due to incomplete essential services. Stalin noted that 181 other families remain homeless without alternative accommodation. "Regrettably, although 189 families have been formally allotted EWS flats in Narela, the units remain unfit for occupation owing to incomplete provision of essential services. These sites lie nearly 20 kilometres from many beneficiaries' places of work, yet no dedicated transport services have been provided. Moreover, educational arrangements for over 150 Tamil-medium children have not been implemented in accordance with the Court's directives. In the absence of these amenities, household earners-particularly women-remain unemployed and students face imminent disruption to their studies, compounding the dislocation distress of this vulnerable community. The remaining 181 families have not been provided any alternative accommodation and have been left homeless," he wrote. The Tamil Nadu CM further demanded government attention over the situation, saying, "I strongly urge your Government to act immediately to relieve the hardship of the displaced families by completing and handing over the 189 EWS flats in full shape to the entitled families, fast-tracking community infrastructure, and providing dedicated transport services." He further pointed out more crises that need to be addressed, demanding, "To extend EWS housing eligibility under the Slum & JJ Rehabilitation Policy by granting a special-case relaxation of income ceilings, domicile requirements, and deposit obligations to the remaining 181 displaced families. To establish provisional Tamil-medium schooling by sanctioning a temporary DTEA school at Pocket G-7 with immediate enrolment and dedicated transport, or by authorising Tamil instruction at a nearby MCD school with reserved seats and interim transport until permanent facilities are ready. To mobilise livelihood support through targeted vocational training and micro-enterprise grants, especially for the displaced women." He also highlighted that while 189 families were allotted EWS flats in Narela, the units remain uninhabitable due to incomplete essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation. The lack of transport links and Tamil-medium schooling for over 150 children, along with the absence of alternative housing for 181 families, has exacerbated the crisis. The demolition at Madrasi Camp was carried out on June 1 as authorities acted on court orders to clear encroachments along the Barapulla drain. The operation was carried out to resolve the flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which obstructs water flow during heavy rains. Out of the 370 encroachments demolished, 189 residents were deemed eligible for resettlement and allocated flats in Narela, while 181 were ineligible. On June 1, Anil Banka, District Magistrate of South East Delhi, on the ongoing demolition drive at Madrasi Camp in the Jangpura area, said, "This action is being carried out as per the court's orders, and we are removing the encroachments solely based on those directives. The Barapulla drain had become narrow, hindering its cleaning and causing issues with water flow. During heavy rains, flooding spreads across the area due to these obstructions. The matter was under consideration in court, which has now permitted us to proceed with the removal starting today. We have also allotted flats in Narela to all eligible residents affected by this drive." He further said, "Notices regarding the encroachments were already given to residents, and until now, 370 illegal encroachments have been demolished. While 189 are eligible for resettlement, 181 are not eligible." (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan expressed her condolences and sharply criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government after a portion of an under-construction metro rail track collapsed near the main gate of the L&T Head Office in Manapakkam, Chennai, on Thursday night. The collapse resulted in the death of a 43-year-old motorcyclist, Ramesh, a resident of Nagercoil. While speaking to ANI, Soundararajan said, "While one life is a precious life, this is a very busy road. Since it was night-time, a lot of people were saved. DMK is compromising the safety of common people," she alleged. She further added that even though the Chennai Metro project is under the Central Government, the state administration oversees several key aspects, such as tender procedures and safety protocols. She claimed corruption in the tender procedures and urged a comprehensive safety audit of all ongoing construction projects. Soundararajan said, "There's corruption in the tender procedures and a compromise on the safety measures. There should be a safety audit of all construction procedures in Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai" Earlier today, Chennai Metro Rail confirmed the incident and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the deceased's family. Additionally, the contractor, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), has offered Rs 20 lakh as compensation. The incident, which occurred during late hours on a typically busy stretch of road, has raised serious safety concerns. An enquiry committee has been constituted to probe the matter. Separately, she also expressed sorrow over the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. "We share our grief for the passengers, students, and doctors who lost their lives. Our Prime Minister and Union Home Minister visited the place." She also offered condolences on the death of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. "I also pay homage to former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as he was a good friend of mine. I pray for the recovery of those who were injured," she said. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff. There were 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Of the passengers, 241 died in the crash. The lone survivor, identified as Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. (ANI)
CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam criticised Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu over the Air India plane crash in Ahemdabad, saying that he should take moral responsibility for this tragic incident. "What's the guarantee of the lives of passengers who pay exorbitant prices to travel by air across destinations?... Aircraft crashes are becoming a recurring phenomenon here, there, and everywhere... Every time such an incident occurs, we hear the same line from the Minister: 'An inquiry will be ordered.' But is that enough?... I believe it is the Civil Aviation Minister who should take moral responsibility... At this point, the least he can do is resign immediately. That will send a strong message... India no longer has a national carrier," he told ANI. "Private companies now operate all aircraft... These private operators are only interested in maximising profit, not the safety of passengers... These are not just business decisions--they are criminal acts in pursuit of profit. And these profits are shared between political bosses and private operators... The government knows--but it lacks the courage to enforce full safety regulations," he added. On Thursday, the Al-171 Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 plane bound for London's Gatwick crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. The airline said only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It made a Mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, the aircraft did not respond to the calls. Immediately after departing Runway 23, the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter, and heavy black smoke began emanating from the accident site. Vishwashkumar Ramesh miraculously survived the Air India plane crash a day ago, in which 241 other passengers died. Kumar, a British national of Indian origin, was seated in row 11, at the left window seat in the flight's economy class section, right behind an emergency exit. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court granted an interim stay on Friday for the proposed demolition of 11 properties in the Batla House area of Okhla. Residents of these properties have challenged the notices issued by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The residents of properties situated at Muradi Road, Batla House, have challenged the notices issued by DDA on May 24 and 26. Single judge bench of Justice Tejas Karia on Friday granted interim stay on proposed demolition till next date. Delhi HC has issued notice to DDA and sought a response. The matter has been listed on July 10 for hearing before the roster bench. Delhi High Court agreed to stay the DDA notice of demolition in Batla House area subject to the petitioner filling an affidavit to withdraw their application from Supreme Court. Mohammad Tamsil Quddusi and 10 other residents have moved a petition through advocate Fahad Khan. It is stated that 9 properties don't fall within the Khasra Number 279. Two properties of Qademul Faraz and Nassu Ahmed fall within the Khasra Number 279 but are eligible under PM Uday Scheme. It was also stated that before pasting notices on the premises of petitioners by the DDA, they were not given an opportunity to be heard or redressal. Petitioner Badruddin has even not received the notice. He was orally informed by the DDA officials that his property will also be demolished. The Delhi High court' division bench on Wednesday allowed Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan to withdraw his Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the proposed demolition. The Division bench had noted that the petitioner would inform the residents of his area to file an appropriate petition before the single judge bench which have already granted protection to some petitioners. (ANI)
The Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC), in collaboration with NALSAR University of Law, organised a two-day National Workshop on Legal Issues and Mitigation at Public Service Commissions (PSCs) on Thursday and Friday at the NALSAR campus in Shamirpet, Hyderabad. According to a release, on the second day, there were multiple workshops featuring engaging and thought-provoking panel discussions on the themes of Stakeholders in Litigation and Mitigation Strategies, Best Practices and Future Directions, and Role of Technology in Handling Legal Issues. Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar, Chairperson, Karnataka PSC; Santosh Gopal Ajmera, Joint Secretary, UPSC; Surya Prakash B. S., Fellow and Programme Director, DAKSH, Bangalore; Udaysinh S. Raorane, Chairperson, Goa PSC; Vishwam Jindal, CEO, Webnyay; Devaraju Nagarjun, Chairperson, Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission; Hasmukh Patel, Chairperson, Gujarat PSC also attended the event as panellists. During the discussions, the Chairman of TGPSC stressed the importance of creating a centralised digital repository of case laws and judgments relevant to PSCs. "This repository, accessible to all State PSCs, would allow subject-wise referencing of legal precedents, aiding in better understanding and management of litigation," the statement read. He also proposed launching a dedicated legal journal for PSCs to regularly publish and circulate significant judgments and legal updates across the Commissions. Other prominent themes discussed included the integration of technology in legal workflows, capacity building through AI and blockchain, mechanisms for quick grievance redressal, and the influence of social media on litigation. According to the statement, chairpersons shared institutional best practices, collaborated on common challenges, and collectively evolved "Ten Commandments for Mitigation of Court Cases" -- a strategic framework to guide future legal practices at PSCs. The workshop concluded with the valedictory address by Jishnu Dev Varma, Governor of Telangana. In his address, the Governor lauded TGPSC for taking the initiative to convene such an important and timely dialogue among the Chairpersons of state PSCs. He emphasised the need for all PSCs to uphold constitutional values and to remain steadfast in their responsibility to select the most meritorious candidates for public service. He also highlighted the importance of empathy and human-centric governance while implementing strategic mitigation measures, thereby ensuring justice, fairness, and efficiency in recruitment processes. (ANI)
Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor said on Friday that Bihar is on the cusp of historic change, with over 60 per cent of its people seeking transformation. Speaking about his two-year campaign across villages, Kishor emphasised that people of Bihar want education and employment opportunities for their children and are tired of hardships due to poverty, limited political choices, and fear of leaders like Lalu Prasad Yadav and the BJP. "We have been saying this for the last two years that the environment is changing... This time, history will be written in Bihar. For the last two years, we have been travelling around the village and saying that more than 60% of the people in Bihar want change. They want education and employment for their children. People are suffering hardships. They lived like this because of a lack of choice and fear of Lalu and the BJP. Now they have an option in the form of Jan Suraaj, they have a way out..," he said. Jan Suraaj Party Chief Prashant Kishor came to address a public rally in Wazirganj, Gaya, as part of his campaign for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan earlier announced that he would contest the upcoming Bihar Assembly polls. Speaking at a public gathering in Arrah, Paswan declared that his party would support the NDA in all 243 assembly seats to ensure its victory. "For those who ask from where I will contest, I want to tell you that my party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and I will contest on 243 seats to make NDA candidates win and strengthen the NDA alliance. My goal is that the NDA moves towards victory," Chirag said. Making the announcement in Arrah, a traditionally weak region for JD(U), Paswan said that he would not contest the election "from Bihar but for Bihar." He added that he would leave the decision of his candidacy and constituency to the people. Paswan's recent announcement has ignited a debate about seat-sharing within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar. Paswan's demand for 40 seats, citing his party's 100 per cent strike rate in the last Lok Sabha polls, has raised eyebrows among NDA allies. The LJP is demanding 40 seats, while other allies like Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) are also seeking a handful of seats, while the BJP and JD (U) are reportedly eyeing 100 seats each. Paswan's aggressive posturing comes against the backdrop of the 2020 polls, where his party secured an almost 5.66 per cent vote share. This brought down the JD(U)'s tally from 71 in 2015 to 43, relegating it to third place behind the RJD and BJP. Bihar is expected to have its Assembly elections later this year. However, the Election Commission has not announced the dates. (ANI)
Health authorities in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have reported a mild uptick in COVID-19 cases, though officials assert that the situation remains under control with no indication of widespread concern. In Rajasthan, Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, Director of the Department of Medical, Health & Family Welfare, said that the state is currently seeing "30 to 35 new COVID-19 cases every day", with one death recorded so far. "We are seeing 30-35 cases of Covid every day in the state. We have sufficient stock of medicines," he said. Dr Sharma added that the deceased patient also suffered from tuberculosis and that the state has adequate supplies of medicines and is closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, authorities at Gajra Raja Medical College have reported multiple COVID-19 cases among medical staff, including junior doctors. Dr RKS Dhakad, the institution's dean, stated that 6 to 7 junior doctors have tested positive but reassured that all cases are mild and under observation. "Several tests have returned positive, including some junior doctors. The situation is not serious. Guidelines have already been issued," Dr Dhakad told reporters. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's official dashboard, as of June 13, India reported 7,131 active COVID-19 cases and 10,976 recoveries. Earlier on June 11, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that full arrangements had been made to handle the COVID-19 cases in the state. He further stated that reviews had been conducted and that all necessary preparations had been made for oxygen plants and hospitals in the state. "There is no need to panic. Experts have said that, for now, it is limited to cold and fever. Only serious patients and the elderly need to be cautious. The government has made full arrangements. Reviews are being conducted at every level, and in addition, we have ensured all necessary preparations in oxygen plants and hospitals," Pathak told ANI. On May 28, the UP government issued an order to keep more than 2800 employees who had worked during the previous COVID time in permanent service. (ANI)
BRS working president KT Rama Rao launched a sharp attack on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Friday, shortly after receiving a notice from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to appear before it on June 16 in connection with alleged irregularities in the Formula E race held in Hyderabad. Taking to X, KTR wrote, "When you cannot run a government, keep people busy with a circus and distractions! Congress and its clown CM's antics won't deter us." https://x.com/KTRBRS/status/1933482182531801509?t=UD1b3VU2vgkMo9H4Aa_qQw&s=19 KTR said that he would cooperate with the ACB officials, asserting that the Rs 44 crore in question was transferred through official banking channels and remains in the Formula E account. "I have been summoned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to appear for 'investigation' on Monday at 10am, in Formula-E case where 44 crore was transferred from Bank to Bank and the money is very much in the Account of FE. As a law-abiding citizen, I will attend and fully cooperate with the ACB officials!" he said. Taking a swipe at Revanth Reddy, KTR invoked the 2015 cash-for-vote scandal, saying, "Meanwhile, can someone remind me who just completed 10 years of being caught with a Black Bag full of cash?" Challenging Revanth Reddy to a public face-off, KTR proposed a lie detector test, stating, "Mr. Revant Reddy, As we both are facing an ongoing ACB investigation, Why not both of us take a Lie Detector test in the presence of a Judge, broadcast it on Live Television and let the whole of Telangana decide who's the culprit. Do you have the courage to take the test along with me?" He also criticised the alleged misuse of public funds, saying, "Why waste crores of public money by repeated enquiries and propaganda, especially when you keep claiming every day that the state is bankrupt." KTR is accused of making unregulated payments, some of them in foreign currency, during the organisation of the Formula E race in Hyderabad under the previous BRS government. Supporting her brother, BRS MLC K Kavitha condemned the ACB's summons, alleging a political vendetta. "I strongly condemn the Congress government issuing notices to our Working President KTR again as part of its political agenda. No matter how many conspiracies you hatch, we will continue to expose your failures in the public sphere," Kavitha said in a post on X. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against KTR and others. The ED initiated the case following the FIR filed by the Telangana ACB in the Formula E funding case. (ANI)
In the tragic accident involving an Air India flight en route from Ahmedabad to London, the Gujarat Government swiftly undertook rescue and relief operations and ensured that the injured were immediately transported to hospitals for treatment with utmost urgency. Upon being informed of the incident, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel promptly instructed the entire administrative machinery to mobilise for rescue and relief efforts. "Recognising the severity of the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended full support to the State Government through central agencies. The Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister visited the crash site and met with the injured in Ahmedabad, offering guidance to the State Government on the ongoing rescue and relief operations," read the official statement At the site of the plane crash, over 250 Army personnel, one team from the Rapid Action Force, and three teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force were deployed to lead rescue and relief operations, an official release said. It said within just three minutes of the incident, two fire service teams reached the site and rescued over 30 individuals. Equipped with 139 types of fire-fighting equipment, 612 personnel from the fire services worked tirelessly to extricate passengers trapped in the aircraft wreckage and assist injured individuals from nearby areas in receiving timely medical care. To aid in the recovery of bodies and human remains, the police department also deployed a special dog squad. The London-bound Air India flight crashed minutes after take off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, killing 241 of 242 on board. The Chief Minister ensured the creation of a green corridor to provide immediate medical attention to the injured, and over 100 ambulances were mobilized for the operation. At Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, doctors and paramedical teams remained on high alert to provide immediate medical care to the injured. Treatment and care for the victims began under the direct supervision of Health Minister Shri Rushikesh Patel. Considering the extreme sensitivity and seriousness of the tragedy, the State Government assigned four IAS officers to guide and assist the relatives of the injured and affected passengers at the Civil Hospital. Additionally, a dedicated team comprising 16 Deputy Collectors and 16 Mamlatdars was deployed at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), the release said. To provide accurate information and assistance to the relatives of the passengers, 24x7 control rooms were made operational both at the State Emergency Operation Center and Civil Hospital. The Roads and Buildings Department of the State Government also arranged accommodation and transportation facilities in Ahmedabad for the families of those affected by the crash. The bodies of eight individuals from nearby residential areas who lost their lives in the incident were identified and handed over to their respective families. The release said that so far, relatives of around 219 victims of the plane crash have come forward for DNA testing and blood sample collection. Their samples have been collected, and the remaining families are being contacted for the same. Ten teams from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), comprising 36 experts, are working around the clock (24x7) for this purpose. Following the accident, around 50 injured individuals were brought to Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Of these, 16 are being treated as outpatients, while 31 are receiving treatment as inpatients. By this evening, approximately 12 of the injured are expected to be discharged. Under the guidance of the Gujarat Chief Minister, the state government instructed the respective District Collectors to reach out to the families of passengers residing in various cities and districts. The officials made personal contact to offer condolences and extend necessary assistance. Special teams have also been formed under a structured communication plan to counsel and support the families of the victims, providing them with guidance and emotional strength. "To assist with operations at the crash site in coordination with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the State Government deployed around 150 personnel from the Municipal Corporation and Roads and Buildings Department, along with 41 dumpers/tractors, 16 JCBs, and 3 excavators, which were kept on standby," the release said. (ANI)
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Friday expressed its condolences to the bereaved families over the loss of lives in the crash of Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London, which had 242 passengers and crew members on board. In the press statement, AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani expressed profound grief over the unfortunate crash. "We share in your sorrow and pray that the Almighty grants you patience and strength in this time of immense grief," he said. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the crash. "We demand a thorough investigation into the causes of this crash, and that those found responsible for any negligence be held accountable," the MPLB president said. Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board Chairperson Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi expressed her shock over the incident. "I lack words for the incident. Even the thought of such an incident is horrifying... So many passengers, including ex-CM (Vijay Rupani), lost their lives... May the departed souls rest in peace and their families get the strength to bear the immense loss," she said. On Thursday, the Air India's Boeing Dreamliner plane, bound for London's Gatwick, crashed shortly after it took off from the Ahmedabad International Airport. Only one out of the 242 people on board the aircraft survived the crash. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national on board the crashed plane, airline authorities said. (ANI)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully coordinated the return of Taher Salim Dola from UAE through INTERPOL Channels. Taher Salim Dola is a wanted subject of the Mumbai Police. According to the release, the International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU), CBI, in collaboration with NCB-Abu Dhabi, UAE, successfully brought back the wanted Red Notice subject Taher Salim Dola to India today, i.e., June 13. Taher Salim Dola has returned as a deportee at CSMI Airport, Mumbai, by Flight Number AI-984 from Dubai, UAE. As stated in the release, the subject was geo-located in the UAE through close follow-up by CBI through INTERPOL with NCB-Abu Dhabi. Taher Salim Dola is wanted by Mumbai Police in an FIR registered at Police Station Kurla, Mumbai, on the allegations of operating a synthetic drug manufacturing factory at Sangli, Maharashtra. A total of 126.141kg Mephedrone (MD) drugs worth INR 2.522 million were recovered and confiscated from the said factory linked to Taher Salim Dola and others. During the investigation of the case, it was found that the accused, Taher Salim Dola, was operating a synthetic drug manufacturing factory somewhere from abroad, as per the release. The CBI got the Red Notice published on 25.11.2024 through INTERPOL on the request of the Mumbai Police. NCB-Abu Dhabi on 27.01.2025 conveyed that the accused, Taher Salim Dola, had been arrested in the UAE. Mumbai Police sent an extradition request to the UAE through the MHA/MEA. Red Notices published by INTERPOL are circulated to all law enforcement agencies globally to track wanted criminals. As the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, the CBI coordinates with all Law Enforcement Agencies in India through BHARATPOL for assistance via INTERPOL channels. Over 100 wanted criminals have been returned to India in the last few years through coordination via INTERPOL channels. (ANI)
Indian Medical Association's Gujarat President Mehul Shah said that four medical students and a doctor's wife died after the Air India flight AI 171 crashed into a doctor's hostel near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. He also mentioned that over 100 doctors reached the site of the crash to assist anyone with injuries, and support the hospital campus and state government. According to Shah, over 45 medical students in the hostel area have been saved. "More than 100 doctors have reached the hospital campus to support the government. Unfortunately, we have lost four medical students and a doctor's wife. But fortunately, we have saved more than 45 medical students in the hostel area," the Gujarat IMA President said here. The IMA is also in touch with officials, including CM Bhupendra Patel, the Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi, Health Secretary Dhananjay Dwivedi and the local hospital staff to work in tandem in the wake of the tragic incident. The Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a doctors' hostel near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday. The flight had total 242 people on board, with 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national, along with 12 crew members. Only one person, a British national of Indian origin, survived. Meanwhile, a relative of the plane crash victims, told ANI in Pune that the family has gone to Ahmedabad to do DNA sampling of the deceased. "As soon as we watched the news, his (deceased's) mother figured out that her child was on the same flight. We got the confirmed news by yesterday afternoon. His father, mother and elder brother have gone to Ahmedabad. The DNA sample of his elder brother has been taken," the relative said. A formal investigation has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the deadly crash of Air India flight 171 that killed 241 people onboard, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Thursday. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered enhanced safety inspections on Air India's Boeing 787-8/9 fleet following the incident. (ANI)
V Narayanan, the Secretary DOS/ Chairman ISRO and Chairman Space Commission said that safety and mission integrity were their priorities.

In a post on X, ISRO stated, "ISRO is working closely with Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX as they responsibly address the ISS Zvezda module observation causing the Ax-4 delay. Safety and mission integrity remain our top priorities."

https://x.com/isro/status/1933248651083854107

On June 11, SpaceX announced the postponement of the Falcon 9 launch of the Ax-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), citing the need for additional time to repair a liquid oxygen (LOx) leak.

https://x.com/SpaceX/status/1932599956336173058

"Standing down from tomorrow's Falcon 9 launch of Ax-4 to the @Space_Station to allow additional time for SpaceX teams to repair the LOx leak identified during post static fire booster inspections. Once complete - and pending Range availability - we will share a new launch date," the company said in a post on X.

Following the announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also confirmed the delay of the Axiom-4 mission, which was scheduled for launch on June 11, 2025, and was set to carry the first Indian Gaganyatri to the ISS.

https://x.com/isro/status/1932605652360442184

https://x.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1932088204707950993

Despite the delay, the Axiom-4 mission remains significant. The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India's space collaboration with NASA.

According to Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission will "realise the return" to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first government-sponsored flight in more than 40 years. (ANI)
Secretary of US Department of Transportation Sean Duffy on Thursday (local time) expressed condolences for the loss of lives in the Air India crash. Duffy said that the department was working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist India in the investigation of the crash. In a post on X, he said, "We're deeply saddened by the crash in India. Our prayers are with the families who lost loved ones. As always, safety is paramount. That's why we're working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to assist India in the investigation of the crash. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators are deploying to the crash site. We are prepared to send additional resources to get the data we need to ensure the safety of the flying public. The FAA has already engaged Boeing and GE to review any necessary information as part of the investigation. As the NTSB leads the investigation, we will not hesitate to implement any safety recommendations that may arise. We will follow the facts and put safety first." https://x.com/SecDuffy/status/1933234384045248608 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent US government agency tasked with investigating transportation accidents and incidents, said that they will lead a team of US investigators to probe the Air India crash in Gujarat. The NTSB stated that as per protocols, all information on the investigation will be provided by India. In a post on X, it said, "The NTSB will be leading a team of US investigators travelling to India to assist the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau with its investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787 in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday. Per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13, all information on the investigation will be provided by the Government of India." https://x.com/NTSB_Newsroom/status/1933147382331445483 US President Donald Trump, while talking about the Air India plane crash, said that it was a "horrific" crash. Trump added that India is "a big country, a strong country, and they'll handle it, I'm sure, but I let them know that anything we can do will be over there immediately." "It was a horrific crash. It looks like most are gone. Maybe you have a couple of survivors that we just heard of. That was a horrible crash. No one has any idea what it might be. I gave them a couple of pointers. I said, maybe you will look at this. We saw the plane it looked like it was flying pretty well. It didn't look like there was an explosion. It looked like maybe the engines lost power. That is a terrible crash. One of the worst in aviation history," he said. (ANI)